The new album by Bravenoise, "Everything Was and Everything Will Be", is an essential addition to your party bag.  "Roads" has an upbeat Caribbean/Reggae beat with extra emphasis on percussion. Track 3 "Set Up, Set Down" displays their blues influences, while maintaining an easy swing feel which bleeds from one song into another. "A Night of Pleasure" and "Hold On" reveal their rock influences with a harder feel and heavier guitar riffs.  Bravenoise – "Everything Was and Everything Will Be" is an, everything is going to be okay, easy-going musical masterpiece.

The latest release "Boundaries" from In Dying Arms thankfully isn't prophetic to the album's title. This band explores many boundaries; being hardcore, melodic, and even a little jazzy at times, with great pacing. The vocalist Orion Stephens manages to give the listeners a judicious mix of aggressive and legitimate singing. Justin Enriquez and John Myers trade off well with their guitar duties, mixing in powerful riffs. Alvin Richardson's drumming was nicely paced, adding unique rhythms not always heard in metal drummers. The band really shows its strength in "My Rise And Fall" and "Running Out Of Time." The producer, Stephan Hawkes, did a wonderful job mastering and mixing all the elements into a nice package, showcasing that In Dying Arms is a very energetic band with great diversity and raw energy!

One listen to Dokken's eleventh album and you immediately recognize their signature sound. Although the guitarists have changed over the years, the melodic riffs have not. Produced by Don himself, the eleven songs on this new disc prove once again that these one time giants of the metal world can still deliver a decent album. Burning Tears stands out as one of the songs reminding me of the Under Lock and Key days. If I didn't know any better, I'd guess it's the tan one himself, George Lynch playing guitar. Former Warlock man Jon Levin, appearing on his third Dokken opus, is a Lynch fan from way back. Levin, an entertainment lawyer when not playing with Dokken, has and aggressive style of play that is strikingly similar to George's. Blind, and For The Last Time are strong evidence of Jon's meticulous playing. Confirmed by Don to be the last Dokken album ever, it comes via special CD/ "making of" DVD. Don and company are touring to support Broken Bones, on stop at the Recher Theatre in Towson on November 10th.

After thirty-six studio, live, or compilation albums from Iron Maiden, founder and bassist Steve Harris has released his first solo album, "British Lion." If you were expecting to hear another great Iron Maiden album, you won't. What you will hear is ten rather surprising new songs. Written on and off while on tour for the last fifteen years (give or take), Harris, vocalist Richard Taylor, guitarist David Hawkins, along with ex-Outfield-ers Grahame Leslie and Simon Dawson (guitar and drums, respectively) have created a fine piece of music. The galloping nature of Run To The Hills or The Trooper is toned down, making way for This Is My God and The Chosen Ones to show a different side of Harris. Hints of Maiden are present on Us Against The World and These Are The Hands, but only hints. Destined to be on my top ten list at year's end. Go get it.