and a gentler tone is present on ‘Wrong Side Of The Tracks’. Having already earned slots at titan festivals such as Bloodstock and Hammerfest and with the album’s thunderous, headbanging-provoking vibe, ‘Nothing In My Way’ certainly proves that the road ahead for Line Of Fire is obstacle free and ROTERFELD the world is their oyster. Dark Rock POWERPOINTS: 1234567812345678 True Artist CLAIRE BANNISTER CRYING STEEL ‘Stay Steel’ Metal Pride & Joy Music This Italian act released two great albums back in 1985 and 1988, fell of the face of the Earth, and then reformed in 2007. ‘The Steel Is Back’ and ‘Time Stands Steel’ were very good comeback records, but ‘Stay Steel’ sees the band finding their stride. This album has it all: scorching riffs, hummable melodies and a rhythm section that kills. And vocalist Tony Mills – yes that Tony Mills of Shy and TNT – is in impeccable form. Crying Steel is more metal than Mills’ previous groups ever were, with the likes of ‘Barricades’, the Accept-like ‘Crank It Up’, the Dokken-esque ‘Warriors’ and the heavy as hell ‘Speed Of Light’ being totally in your face. Every track, thanks in part to a stellar production, shines. I’d suggest you check out ‘Stay Steel’ ASAP, and if you like what you hear (you will), then work backwards and pick up their entire catalogue!

POWERPOINTS: 1234567812345678 TONY PIJAR THE SUNBURST ‘Resilience & Captivity’ Alternative Metal Volcano Italian alt metallers The Sunburst are quite interesting. They sound like they will to veer off into screamo or emo at times but they are in fact a decent straight-ahead rock band with alternative tendencies. This is a well-produced album with good vocals and all-round playing. I particularly like the tone of the guitars, they sound original. The vocals are good too with a clean sound and trade off with vocal affects, a bit like Linkin Park. There are mainly straight-ahead rockers with some interesting gear changes here. ‘Whatif’ is one and a great track. Slow to build, it has some nice keyboards and atmospheric guitars and drum runs. You could dub this one orchestral alternative rock. ‘Captivity’/‘World On Fire’ is a full-on metal riff with driving rhythms and great solo work. ‘Phoenix’ is another slow-burner and really well constructed with some dramatic sections and acoustic guitars. Closing track ‘Eternal Life’ has a stomping riff and catchy rhythm that’s like a heavy version of The Killers. Some great vocals on show here. All in all, an entertaining listen and the future looks bright for these Italian rockers.

POWERPOINTS: 123456123456 STEWART TAYLOR THE SLYDE ‘Awakening’ Melodic Prog Independent Release Being a fan of music can be ‘Hamlet At Sunset’ a sacrifice at times. Whist many of us will marvel at the complex Austrian dark rocker Marnus Flatz, aka Aaron thoughtful guitar work and also some rather lovely piano. musicianship, and the depth of Roterfeld, has fingers in many pies. He’s not just a Other favourites included ‘Flieg’, ‘Black Blood’, ‘Father musical colour that is brings, it songwriter and musician, but also a bit of a software and And Son’ and ‘Great New Life (Reborn)’. can often be at the expense of the melody. For all the adulation social media whizz, too. He’s been around for a while on I was surprised by how much I enjoyed listening to that the likes of Rush or Dream the European music scene and he’s led a somewhat ‘Hamlet At Sunset’. It’s another reminder that we have to Theater receive from their fans, interesting life thus far. But is his music any good? Basically, keep challenging ourselves and taking ourselves out of there will always be detractors this album bounces along from start to finish with some our aural comfort zones. Roterfeld is, indeed, a dark horse; who will never be able to fully connect with the song and in many cases, the vocal. And so as I sit down to listen to ‘Awakening’, the freaky falsetto vocals and nice echoing riffs. one that actually has quite a good voice and no small debut album for Canadian proggers The Slyde, there is a sense Opening track ‘No Friend Of Mine’ features some amount of musical talent. Well worth a listen. of some trepidation and excitement. After all, whilst this may be smashing electro effects and some big drums, and although their first full album, The Slyde are by no means a new band. This 12345671234567 album is the result of a decade of craft, during which time they the lyrics are somewhat repetitive, it’s sort of compelling POWERPOINTS: 1234567 have released a number of EPs and played close to two hundred listening. The slower ‘I Want More’ showcases some VIKKIE RICHMOND shows. PAGE 46 - POWERPLAY ISSUE 210 - JULY 2018