Notable New Rock & Metal Releases start of June 2017

I don't know what kind of sweet spot we've just hit but there are some historic releases of the last three weeks, especially Friday 2 June.

Dream Evil - SIX : This really reminds me of Judas Priest in a good way. Solid, anthematic.
★★★★☆

Adrenaline Mob - We the People : good commercial stuff, though I'm not keen on politics in music. the third studio album and with two new members, one of those replacements due to the death of the previous drummer while on tour, I imagine he'd have felt pretty triumphant about checking out in such a Spinal Tap way.
★★★☆☆

Carnivore - Carnivore : Genuine 80's metal, re-released. This sounds very close to Venom for me (a good thing, not a criticism). I was a big fan of Venom back in the day (still have the vinyl / picture discs) but I hadn't heard of this US band. It feels good to have the technology to be able to discover these missed gems now.
★★★★☆

Ezoo - Feeding the Beast : Hey, that's Graham Bonnet! It felt like Christmas had come already to have a new album featuring that legend so soon after The Book, one of my favourite albums of last year. But I have to admit that my feelings are a little more mixed after a few listens. The songwriting is as excellent as ever; I'll enjoy listening to these new songs over and over. I've not studied the lyrics, but I'm getting a feeling of darkness coming through in places. Most troubling is that Graham's vocals really aren't up to scratch. Is it his age showing in places, or was the recording rushed? Yet more recordings of Since You've Been Gone and Eyes of the World... It's always good to hear Graham trying new things with his vocal performance, and hearing what a different guitarist might bring. But the performances of those songs aren't up to the standard of the ones on The Book, and they could have been left off for me.
★★★★☆

The Ferrymen - The Ferrymen : From one absolute legend to a younger virtuoso. The Ferrymen is an all-star line-up featuring Ronnie Romero with Magnus Karlsson (Primal Fear and Allen/Lande). I'm a big fan of the Lords of Black recordings (also featuring Romero) and he seems to suggest that he's more excited by this project. He's certainly channelling Dio as much as ever and musically this album is excellent.  Outstanding song is 'Ferrymen' and I guess it's no accident that the band takes its name from the song.
★★★★★

Jorn - Life on Death Road : What a week for legendary singers. Apparently Jorn didn't want to make 'just another album' and this certainly isn't. I wasn't a fan of his last 'hard rock covers' album but this album of new material is on another level.
★★★★☆

Radiation Romeos - Radiation Romeos : I'm not sure what to make of this, the cover image suggests something harder but it's melodic stuff. I'm thinking it'll grow with time.
★★★☆☆

Secret Sphere - the Nature of Time : This is definitely softer stuff, touching on AOR, but I really like it all the same, and bonus points for the excellent artwork (even if it does rip off Dali...)
★★★☆☆

Tengger Cavalry - Die on my Ride : This band reminds me of one of my favourite bands, Kvelertak. Similar in that the music is great, pretty melodic but the vocals are far from melodic. In this case we're talking Mongolian throat-singing. This and other folky influences make a very interesting and appealing listen.
★★★★☆

Unleash the Archers - Apex : solid power metal riffage and clean female vocals, embellished with the odd growl. Goes a bit epic in places.
★★★★☆

Steve Grimmett - Personal Crisis : Is it a personal crisis? Because I do care. Steve's recent Grim Reaper album, Walking in the Shadows (under the name of Steve Grimmet's Grim Reaper) did maintain that classic 80's metal feel. There's a different sound to this album, interesting songwriting, a more solid sound. This doesn't appear to be due to membership, the members all appear to have been part of the SGGR band for that last album. No midlife crisis here, great stuff.
★★★★☆

Cloven Hoof - Who Mourns for the Morning Star? : Appropriate that this should come right after Steve Grimmett. Cloven Hoof were a NWOBHM / black metal band. There are long breaks in their story, and changes of personnel and style to power metal. I'm definitely hearing Maiden in the epic Bannockburn, in the vocals and music, as well as the epic topic.
★★★★☆

Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow - Live in Birmingham 2016 : A collection of classic songs, Rainbow and Purple with the legendary guitar of Mr Blackmore, vocal talent of Ronnie Romero and Jens Johansson on organ. For me it lacks oomph, Ronnie Romero certainly belts it out, but musically some of the songs that should kick ass sound a little too laid back.
★★★☆☆

Walpyrgus - Walpyrgus Nights : Good proper old-fashioned upbeat heavy metal with great vocals and melodies, great guitar solos. Excellent songwriting, variations of tempo and rhythm (even within the songs) to add to the interest. The horror / Lovecraft etc influences make a great album even better. Performances and sound are top-notch. Solid five-stars and purchased.
★★★★★

Iced Earth - Incorruptible : I've certainly been looking forward to this one. Is it their best album to date or am I just becoming more of a fan? Style ranges from the Sabaton-esque Clear the Way (Dec 13th 1862) to Seven Headed Whore which sounds like Testament with added Rob Halford screams.
★★★★★




Honourable mentions to Great White - Full Circle, White Skull - Will of the Strong, Nickelback - Feed the Machine, Royal Blood - How Did We Get So Dark?