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New Music Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal, AOR, Alternative Rock, Alternative Metal
Recent Reviews
September 2023
- Kerrigan: Bloodmoon
- Taz: Shipwrecked, Vol 2
- Taz: Wake Up & Sweat, Vol 1
- Ronnie Romero: Too Many Lies, Too Many Masters
- The Flower Kings: Look At You Now
- Vega: Battlelines
- Blackbird Angels: Solsorte
- Primal Fear: Code Red
- Eclipse: Megalomanium
- Seventh Wonder: Mercy Falls (Reissue 2008/2023)
- Seventh Wonder: The Great Escape (Reissue 2010/2023)
August 2023
- Hurricane: Reconnected
- U.D.O.: Touchdown
- Streetlight: Ignition
- Sarayasign: The Lion's Road
- Neal Morse: The Dreamer - Joseph - Part One
- Rian: Wings
- Icon Of Sin: Legends
- Lancer: Tempest
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- Dark Sky: Signs Of The Time
- Hell In The Club: F.U.B.A.R.
- Kent Hilli: Nothing Left To Lose
July 2023
- Turkish Delight: Volume Two
- Winterstorm: Everfrost
- Scream Maker: Land Of Fire
- James Robledo: Broken Soul
- Houston: Relaunch III
- All For Metal: Legends
- Withering Scorn: Prophets Of Demise
- Bloodbound: Tales From The North
- Kikimora: For A Broken Dime
- Degreed: Public Address
June 2023
- Night Legion: Fight Or Fall
- Midnite City: In At The Deep End
- Pyramaze: Bloodlines
- Shakra: Invincible
- Vypera: Race Of Time
- Stardust: Kingdom Of Illusion
- Pride Of Lions: Dream Higher
- Joel Hoekstra's 13: Crash Of Life
- The Defiants: Drive
- Ray Alder: II
- Art Nation: Inception
- False Memories: Hybrid Ego System
Jam-Lab: Gain
Progressive Rock/Rock Fusion
Rating: 4.5/5.0
www.jam-lab.com
Jam-Lab Music
www.myspace.com/jamlab
Jam-Lab, from southwest Michigan, features John Austin (6-string electric bass), Jim Carr (electric guitar), and Mike Curtis (electronic and acoustic drums, percussion), each having 15 years or more of live music experience playing everything from funk to jazz and heavy rock to country. Their music blends many of these styles into a rich mix of progressive rock and rock/jazz fusion. A quick spin will tell you that this trio has some excellent skills and creative ideas.
Though there is enough intricacy and, sometimes, eccentricity throughout 'Gain,' you won't have to grow a little piece of fuzz under your lower lip and sip some expensive latte to appreciate Jam-Lab's wonderful arrangements, versatile talent, and flawless execution. My enthusiasm leaned more toward numbers like 'On The Other Hand' and 'Gain' where the pace was quicker and the jamming more fiery and resolute. Another very cool piece was 'Hail To The King' which was a bit heavier in parts, and the guitar more intense.
Jam-Lab isn't afraid to apply their own unique interpretations on some unexpected songs. You'll never find an interpretation of AC/DC's 'Back In Black' quite this funky and quick: very unique. A more natural, yet still innovative, interpretation occurs when Jam-Lab covers Paul Simon's '50 Ways To Leave Your Lover' making it more smooth and soulful.
Overall, Jam-Lab's 'Gain' is a truly unique and pleasing work. I was captivated from beginning to end. Depth of talent and masterful composition meet to create some fundamental and original prog rock fusion. Highly recommended!
- Craig Hartranft
In Short
Overall, Jam-Lab's 'Gain' is a truly unique and pleasing work. I was captivated from beginning to end. Depth of talent and masterful composition meet to create some fundamental and original prog rock fusion.
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Formed in 1999 by singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Erik Martensson, Sweden's Eclipse is well into their third decade of making music. In the recent past, their recordings and reputation have ... [ Read More ]