Dangerdog Music Reviews :: © 1999 - 2023 Craig S Hartranft :: All Rights Reserved
No part of this this website, including design and music reviews,
may be reproduced in any form or by any means without
the prior written permission of the publisher.
- New Music Reviews
- |
- Archives
- |
- News
- |
- Submissions
- |
- About
- |
- |
New Music Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal, AOR, Alternative Rock, Alternative Metal
Recent Reviews
March 2023
- Excalion: Once Upon A Time
- RPWL: Crime Scene
- Transworld Identity: Seven Worlds
- Stormwarning: Stormwarning
- Phantom Elite: Blue Blood
- Narnia: Ghost Town
- Redemption: I Am The Storm
- Cross Country Driver: The New Truth
- The Banishment: Machine And Bone
- Seventh Crystal: Wonderland
- Demons Down: I Stand
February 2023
- Air Raid: Fatal Encounter
- Robin McAuley: Alive
- Creye: III - Weightless
- All My Shadows: Eerie Monsters
- First Signal: Face Your Fears
- Gabrielle de Val: Kiss In A Dragon Night
- We Came From Space: Overlords
- T3nors: Naked Soul
- Wig Wam: Out Of The Dark
- Khymera: Hold Your Ground
- Infinite & Divine: Ascendancy
- eMolecule: The Architect
January 2023
- Girish & The Chronicles: Back On Earth (Reissue)
- Arctic Rain: Unity
- Electric Mob: 2 Make U Cry & Dance
- Crowne: Operation Phoenix
- Ronnie Romero: Raised On Heavy Radio
- Ten: Something Wicked This Way Comes
- Riverside: ID.Entity
- Issa: Lights Of Japan
- Heroes And Monsters: Heroes And Monsters
- Big City: Sunwind Sails
December 2022
- NY Fury: I Want It All
- Tommy DeCarlo: Dancing In The Moonlight
- Tarmat: Out Of The Blue
- Scream Maker: Bloodking
- Sabu: Banshee
- Rob Moratti: Epical
- Nevena: Nevena
- Landfall: Elevate
- After Lapse: Face The Storm
Charing Cross: We Are ...
Melodic Hard Rock/Metal
Rating: 3.5/5.0
www.charing-cross.ch
Metal Heaven
www.myspace.com/charingcross
Charing Cross is not from London, but rather Switzerland. If your're thinking Gotthard or Shakra here, you're on the wrong peak in the Alps. Charing Cross is not yet the caliber of the former nor as heavy as the latter can be at times. 'We Are ...' is basically straight up melodic heavy metal with a few doses of melodic hard rock thrown in for good measure. The strength of the band depends on two things: a steady rhythm section and an excellent twin guitar attack from Pascal Zwyssig and Andy Dormann. The second characteristic makes this average, often derivative, work very enjoyable. If there is a third notable characteristic it's in their vocal arrangements. The band works well together on songs like 'Ain't Got No Time' and 'Burn The Sun,' two of the better songs on the album. Looking specifically at the lead vocals, Peter Hochull sounds like a blend of Bruce Dickinson and Tobi Sammet while straining more significantly than they might on any given song. Mr. Hochull does better when he's not trying to reach the stratosphere like on the ballad, 'Long Time Ago.'
As for the better tracks, the aforementioned 'Ain't Got No Time' (melodic hard rock) and 'Burn The Sun' (melodic metal) are two standouts. Another is the energetic and rowdy melodic hard rocker, 'Kick Ass Rock And Roll.' A slight nod should be given to 'Voices' which at times can remind of either Iron Maiden or Edguy. Finally, 'Palace of Fate' is a very strong melodic metal cut with good progression and more terrific fret work.
Generally, 'We Are ...' by Charing Cross is interesting, but not earthshaking. Again, the best part is the phenomenal lead guitar work. One of their songs best summarizes this review, 'Can't Have It All.'
In Short
Switzerland's Charing Cross delivers a mixture of energetic melodic hard rock and metal. Except for the excellent twin guitar work, this is generally, an ordinary accomplishment in either classification.
Find A Review
Alphabetical Index
Album of the Week
Formed 23 years ago, Finland's Excalion has had a turbulent musical career. Before releasing a trio of albums between 2005 and 2010, they had personnel changes. Currently, only the drummer and keyboard ... [ Read More ]