Sages are a Sacramento based rock band consisting of members Dean Vidovich on vocals and guitar, Ryan Cavalli on guitar, Matt Franks (Simon Says) on bass guitar and Chris Robyn (Black Map, Crosses, Far) on drums, and Walk Away is their latest single, released on 16/06/2023.

Kicking off straight away with some thunderous drums and heavy guitar riffs, this track is impressive from start to finish.

The heavy guitar riffs continue throughout the track, the melodies and multi layered guitars crafted superbly by Vidovich and Cavell, the two complementing one another perfectly. The drumming is relentless all the way through the track, with lots of pounding bass drums and crashing cymbals, and these, along with catchy riffs and lyrics, really pull the listener into the song. Meaty basslines shine through, really making the music side of this track tight, with an atmospheric vibe provided by the use of distortion.

Vocally, this track is immense. Vidovich’s voice is powerful and enticing and he can easily switch from clean singing to metalcore type screams with ease and ability. With back up vocals that really add a punch to the song, this has depth and dynamism and just one listen through is not enough to hear all this track has to offer.

What an absolutely fantastic track, I loved it from the very first notes, and it is one that will definitely be featured on one of the shows on Metal Asylum Radio.

Looking forward to much more from these guys!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

In Search Of is a father and daughter collaboration between Michael Raitzin and Michelle Ray, who share a love of music and books, and are based in Los Angeles.

Michael was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and made his way to Los Angeles via Denmark where he spent seven years in Copenhagen. He started his career in Denmark in the early 90’s and has continued to play, write, tour and produce and manage bands such as Danger Danger, Royal Hunt and many more.

Michelle was born in Manhasset, NY and, as a finalist on NBC’s The Voice/Blake Sheldon team she has amassed over 3.5 million streams on Spotify. She also features on numerous national commercials and major feature films and television shows and has stage performances in productions such as Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill and Green day’s American Idiot to her name too.

Alice And The Wonderland, the duo’s debut album is based on the classic Alice In Wonderful novel and as soon as it starts, the listener is transported away into a whimsical world of imagination and magical adventures.

Michelle’s vocals take the role of Alice and the album is a reflection of dreams and insecurities that any child, teenager or adult can relate to. It was released on 23/06/2023, and I must say, it is one of the most beautiful, well-produced and captivating albums I have heard for a long time.

With a foundation in classic rock, this concept album, reaches out to many other genres to create a sound quite unique to this pairing. The progressiveness of the music behind Michelle’s vocals is perfect for the storyline of the album, the constant change in pace, tempo and intensity ideally portraying the hurriedness of the White Rabbit, the craziness of the March Hare, the madness of the Mad Hatter and the slothfulness of the Caterpillar!

With energetic guitars and drumming for some of the tracks, this is also replaced by slower, more laid back playing on others and the contrast is absolutely phenomenal to hear. Guest musicians on this album include Mark Boals (Yngwei Malmsteen / Ring Of Fire) on vocals and Andre Andersen (Royal Hunt) on keys and piano, among others, and this just makes the musicianship of this album absolutely top notch.

The contrast between Michelle and Mark’s vocals really helps to tell the story and the lyrics of the tracks are packed full of imagery that the listener is captivated and whisked off to Alice’s Wonderland, a land I didn’t want to return from.

This is an absolutely fantastic album and one that I would love to see on stage! The songs are powerful, catchy and just have you hooked from start to finish.

Phenomenal!

Track Listing:
1) Intro
2) Engagement Party
3) Ambush
4) Alice
5) Tea Party
6) Jabberwocky
7) The Red Queen
8) Vorpal Sword
9) Revolt
10) Embattled
11) Frabjous Day
12) Futterwacken Dance
13) Farewell

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

After having reviewed multiple releases by Love Ghost, I was eager to hear more and this one does not disappoint. A collaboration with Skold (Shotgun Messiah, KMFDM, Marilyn Manson and Motionless In White), Payback is a track about revenge and redemption, a theme I am sure a lot of people can resonate with.

With less influence from hip-hop and rap on this track, there is a more grungey vibe, with use of distortion on the guitars throughout and on the vocals at various times.

The verses are more serene than the choruses and this is when the track really erupts with heavy guitar riffs and pounding drums, before settling down for the next verse and then hitting a crescendo again on the next chorus.

The vocals on this track are absolutely awesome, cleaning singing now taking the place of rapping as with previous tracks. There is a grit to the singer’s voice on this track that really adds to the grunge vibe the song has and distortion used on both the lead and back up vocals really adds a great depth and dynamism.

Of all the Love Ghost tracks that I have reviewed; this really has to be my favourite one. The way it switches speed, pace and intensity throughout the song really is phenomenal to hear, and this shows just how diverse this band really is.

Another great track from this very prolific band. Keep ‘em coming guys!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

LLO LLO is a four-piece power pop band from Chicago consisting of members Grant Goode (bass), Dominic Folino (drums), Johnny Cummings (guitar/vocals), and Shane Morris (guitar/vocals), formed in 2021 and Rory is their latest single, released on 23/06/2023.

Kicking off with some great drum work, the song is a fantastic mix of alternative and indie rock with a touch of pop rock thrown in to give the track a bounce that will definitely the listener bopping around.

Musically, the track has its roots firmly in the alternative rock genre, the drumming being quite laid back and the guitar work more melodic than heavy but throwing in some great riffs and melodies.

The vocals on the track are soft and gentle, with a typical indie rock sound and back up vocals in much the same vein which gives the track depth.

This is a really catchy tune that has obviously been influenced The Police, The Replacements, Slow Pulp, Oasis, and Superheaven, but one that I think is really assessable for fans of all genres of rock.

I look forward to hearing more from this band in the very near future.

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum