stamina

Reviews 2019-10

souls of deaf - fortune favors the boldstamina live forest field - seasons battersea - arguments & sentimentslegion - rising

Time to give you another overview of the great reviews our releases are getting around the globe.

  • let’s start with Erik from Rock Hard SK, who gives the Souls Of Deaf debut 3.9 / 5 “strong hard rock that occasionally, but thoughtfully and enthusiastically bursts like rice pudding into the punk rock air”
  • next a very enthusiast review of Stamina‘s live album from Progressivamenteblog “a live album that can be a good calling card to start appreciating this worthy band”
  • the first review for Forest Field‘s latest opus Seasons came from DMME, a 4/5! and “this is the very nature of change, to let things run organically; this is what fuels “Seasons” and warrants its repeated spins”
  • more compliments for Stamina coming from DPRP: “a great collection of melodic prog-power metal, that will entertain existing fans and should tempt any newcomers to dig into the Stamina back catalogue”
  • Italian metallers metal.it were quite happy to explore the Battersea album “an enjoyable disk capable of citing with a certain dexterity and good taste “
  • even more positives for Battersea come from Erik at Rock Hard Sk with 4/5 stars and “The album is well recorded, it contains strong moments, it sounds good and it is very pleasant to listen to”
  • Erik also writes about Legion – Rising (3.7/5) “the album is really good, it has different moods, it has a more massive sound, louder and thick sounding guitars and fans of classical, hard metal cut American metal will surely come into its own after its first playback”
  • Dangerdog writer Craig gives Forest Field a 3.5/5 stars saying “with Forest Field’s Seasons, Peter Cox continues his consistent production of synth and guitar heavy melodic progressive rock. If you liked his previous material, you enjoy this one as well”
  • from ProgCritique Forest Field receive 4/5 stars “On the whole ” Seasons ” always presents the concern to do well and each title offers a well structured music, with sufficient developments to mobilize the attention of the listener!
  • and the last one for today also concerns Forest Field. ViriAor hands it a whopping 5/5! “Seasons repeats the band’s musical formula, although it includes heavy doses of metal, which makes it a more dynamic and appealing album. If you like records that make you leave your comfort zone as a listener, Seasons is for you. Recommended”

Thanks to all the writers!

Reviews 2019-9

Slug Comparison - When You Were Living HereThe Essential Claudio Delgift stamina livesky empire - the dark towerbattersea - arguments & sentimentslegion - risingPhil Vincent - Hypocrite

High time to give you another overview of reviews for our releases!

  • the famous Progressor site wrote 2 reviews. First one is for Slug Comparison. A 5/6 rating “it is an album that merits a check if you want to hear how much this genre have influenced music in general and what I’d choose to describe as alternative rock in particular. A prog-tinged rather than a progressive rock album if you like, but a really well made one at that”
  • Second one is for Claudio Delgift. A 5 star rating “I had never heard of Claudio Delgift until this CD arrived, which to me indicates that this is an artist that have gone under most people’s radar. I commend Rock Company for sticking their neck out for this artists, as this is music that deserves to be heard by a broader audience. Those with a particular fancy for mid to late 80’s Rush at their most accessible should probably be the first ones to track down this music for a listen”
  • Then we have Background Magazine who give Stamina a 3+ rating “Live In The City Of Power is an honest live album and shows where Stamina is now. A solid powerful progressive band, who should have gotten more attention in the past. The compositions are solid and interesting, and the instrumentalists are perfectly capable to deliver a great show. Vocalist Alessandro remains a solid voice. I would recommend buying the CD including the DVD, I guess the visual part adds something special to the music”
  • CGCM podcast have written an extensive review of Sky Empire‘s The Dark Tower: “Overall with The Dark Tower, the musicianship is just simply amazing, and very strong in all the elements this band has to offer. The songs are intelligently written, and very well composed. The band manages to change directions flawlessly throughout the album without confusing the listener. So if you’re looking for something that is new, and fresh to your ears, but still in its own way stays true to the Progressive/Metal sound that many love, then this album is definitely what you may be seeking! Take a chance, and take a journey to The Dark Tower. You won’t regret the trip!”
  • Then on to White Room Reviews! First they serve us with a Battersea review “The Netherlands have several appealing rock bands with accessible music. Battersea prove with this album they are dying to win over that public. Arguments & Sentiments shows they have the quality to achieve that”
  • Second is Phil Vincent‘s Hypocrite album “Hypocrite clearly shows that Vincent is a scene veteran. Especially the guitar playing will convince the listener”
  • And last but not least a very positive review for Stamina‘s Live In The City Of Power “Not every live album is a success. Often that depends on the quality of the recordings and with how the band performed. In Stamina’s case both aspects are top level! Add to that the wonderful music and you will understand this is a great release”
  • Dutch site Metalfan is also very positive about the Stamina release: “the playing is tight, and all instruments are well balanced and easy to hear. A big plus with this type of music, which blossoms when all instrumental details are clearly presented. That applies to the either jazzy and then neoclassical guitar solo’s, but also to the virtuoso keyboard parts. the band sounds solid. Live In The City Of Power is a fine showpiece for Stamina. And if this is your first acquaintance with the band, that is sure whets the appetite to track down their studio albums”
  • Your Music Blog on Phil Vincent: “in my book the man can do no wrong, great album!”
  • And next a couple of reviews from The Rocker:

phil vincent stamina legion

Another Stamina video!

To celebrate the concert Stamina played 1 year ago in Zgierz Poland, we here bring you another track of their album Live In The City Of Power: Love Was Never Meant To Be. Surely a fan favourite!

The CD/DVD combi is still available from us here or from your favourite shop. The audio is available on all (digital) platforms.

Reviews 2019-8

The Essential Claudio DelgiftPhil Vincent - Hypocritebattersea - arguments & sentimentslegion - risingstamina liveSlug Comparison - When You Were Living Here

Time is long overdue to bring you the next overview of all the great reviews that have reached us the last weeks/ months. So here we go:

  • first one is for Claudio Delgift‘s The Essential, coming from French website Prog Critique. In their words: Claudio Delgift demonstrates a great technical mastery combining power and quality. Twelve tracks never run out of energy or inspiration, the musician splits a classic and melodic progressive that allows his guitar playing to flourish. (3.5 / 5)
  • Next one is ViriAOR discussing Phil Vincent‘s Hypocrite album: “An album that handles all musical styles in brush strokes, and that personally, is what I liked most about him lately. Highlight guitar solos by experts Vince O’Regan and Peter Cox. A compact, entertaining and interesting album.” (5/5)
  • an amazing 4/5 stars for Battersea and Arguments & Sentiments from Dmitry at DMME
  • and an even more wonderful 5/5 at ViriAOR for Battersea
  • also a 5 stars for Legion and Rising from ViriAOR
  • next up Metal Integral reward the Live In The City Of Power album from Stamina with 15/20, no wonder they call them “unjustly unknown”!
  • Back to DMME and Phil Vincent. Another 4/5 stars, with Dmitry stating “quite an unexpected move for Phil, but the contemporary sonics show how valid such an approach is in an appropriate context”
  • Italian website Aristocrazia had lots of good things to say about Stamina; “trust me, you will not be disappointed. Grit, tenacity and passion: this is fed by the music of Campania and this is the only one you will find inside Live In The City Of Power , energy in abundance!”
  • Over to Germany now, where PowerMetal.de has a lot of good things to say about Rising from Legion with qualifications like “flawless”, “no shortage of hooks”, or “still a long way from old-timers and still lots to say” (7.5/10)
  • back to Italy and Stamina, where Hardsounds rewards the live album with 77 points calling it a “significant live testimony”
  • Strutter and Gabor had a bit of catching up to do. On this page you can find reviews for:
    – D’Ercole – Made to Burn (8.1/10)
    – Slug Comparison – When You Were Living Here (8.5/10)
    – Legion – Rising (7.7/10)
    – Stamina – Live In The City Of Power (7.3/10)
    – Phil Vincent – Hypocrite (8.1/10)
  • and the last one for today is from Belgium’s Concrete Web, talking about Rising from Legion with lots of positives. The songwriting, the sound, the execution. Resulting in a warm Recommended.

Thanks to all the writers!

Reviews 2019-7

legion - risingD'Ercole - Made To Burn Slug Comparison - When You Were Living HereCranston IIThe Essential Claudio DelgiftPhil Vincent - Hypocrite battersea - arguments & sentimentsstamina live

Since reviews keep coming hard and fast, time is long overdue to update the site with the best ones from recent weeks:

  • Whiteroom reviews Legion “Rising shows that Legion can still rock. Good thing they are back”
  • Sea Of Tranquility appreciate D’Ercole‘s Made To Burn with 3.5 / 5 stars: “If you enjoy melodic hard rock and AOR with strong lead vocals there should be a lot to love here” and
  • Slug Comparison they rate with 4/5 stars! “an excellent modern rock album that might be light on prog but for me that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. Well played, well sung and certainly sophisticated enough for the more discerning fan. Recommended”
  • the same site and the same rating, 4/5 stars for Cranston – II; “CranstoN proves to be an excellent venture with a professional production and melodies all over the place. A highly recommended release”
  • last but not least, another 3.5 / 5 stars for Claudio Delgift: “Claudio is an excellent guitarist, his fills and rhythms, both acoustic and electric highlight every track”
  • Then on to Dutch site Lords Of METAL: a 72 / 100  for Phil Vincent‘s Hypocrite album: “another very enjoyable album”
  • a very thrilling 77 / 100 for Battersea: “a fine album with beautiful songs”
  • an even more thrilling 80 / 100 for Stamina’s Live In The city Of Power:  “besides an excellent choice in songs, a very good sound for a live album with a great mix”
  • and finally a 75 / 100 for Legion and Rising: ” interesting from start to finish, I like Rising so maybe I should start tracking down their back catalogue”
  • now over to France and a stunning 5 / 5 stars for Slug Comparison on Progcritique:  “by proposing a colorful content, sometimes rock, sometimes progressive, realizes here a warm and endearing album!”
  • from Canada a 3.8 / 5 stars for Stamina from the pen of Dmitry Epstein: ” if they’re willing to projecting such balance onto the future, it wouldn’t take a lot of stamina to reach the higher echelons of heavy champions”
  • Phil Vincent did an extensive interview with Swedish site Rock United which you can read in full here
  • Musipedia of Metal rate Legion with a 7 / 10: “on the basis of this album I’d happily hear a lot more of this rock band”
  • and the last ones of this post; thoughts from Your Music Blog on Slug Comparison and Claudio Delgift

More to come!

Reviews 2019-6

Cranston II

stamina live

Slug Comparison - When You Were Living Herelegion - risingbattersea - arguments & sentimentsPhil Vincent - Hypocrite

And now time for the next round of reviews, as well as an extensive interview. So let’s start quickly with all the reviews:

  • first is Dutch site Rockportaal writing about the Legion Album. Writer Maurice calls it a tasty album, playable on every moment of every day.
  • The next is also from Maurice on Rockportaal, but this time it concerns the Stamina live album Live In The City Of Power. He thinks it is a great way to get to know the band and surely worth listening to. Also compliments for us for continuously delivering quality releases. Thanks man!
  • next another Dutch site, Progwereld. They write about Slug Comparison‘s WhenYou Were Living Here. they regard Doug as one of those talents roaming the world that deserve a much bigger audience.  Great voice, extensive musical skills and strong songs. Reviews like this will surely help attract more interest in this awesome release.
  • Then the inimitable Dmitry Epstein delivers another one of his fine reviews on DMME. He hands Legion‘s Rising a whopping 4.2 / 5 stars! With describing it as alluring and hitting the mark, who needs more recommendation?
  • Maybe the first time we hear back from Poland, and it are MLWZ writing about the Battersea release Arguments & Sentiments. Lots of compliments too, highlighting the catchy choruses and many tracks suspected of being able to become a summer hit. Well, fingers crossed then!
  • On to Italy then, where MetalItalia write about the just as Italian Stamina.  “A good opportunity to get to know and appreciate the band”. We couldn’t have said it better.
  • On to France now, and another amazing 17/20 for Phil Vincent and his latest album Hypocrite! No wonder writer Laudrome ends with “a very very good album”…
  • And it seems this sentiment is shared by Rockportaal. They conclude their review of Hypocrite  with “even when this album will not turn the world of rock upside down, it is a great album that is at least as good as many of the more well known names”. Thank you very much!
  • fireworks-SC interview is what it says, the full 2 pages of the interview that Doug from Slug Comparison did with Nicky Baldrian of Fireworks.
  • battersea - rock tribune some very kind words for Battersea in metal magazine Rock Tribune.
  • And last but not least, below more cracking words for Cranston, reviewer Paul Woodward from Fireworks calls it one of the best albums in the whole of Phil’s career!

cranston - fireworks

Review round 2019-4

sky empire - the dark towerchinawhite - differentD'Ercole - Made To BurnCranston II

Phil Vincent - HypocriteSlug Comparison - When You Were Living Herestamina liveThe Essential Claudio Delgift

 

 

 

At the moment the reviews keep coming! So for the people who are still pondering on how to spend their cash, maybe here some motivation to support our artists. As usual follow the links to read the full story (few exceptions below):

  • DMME give Sky Empire a 4/5 stars for The Dark Tower. Dmitry says “British progressive metallurgists debut on a large scale – with no reason to cut it down” and is sure that while they’ve set the bar high for themselves, they will be able to rise to the challenge
  • Sea Of Tranquility writer Steven Reid hands Chinawhite’s Different album 3.5/5 stars claiming “Hopefully Different finds Chinawhite fighting fit and reinvigorated, because having to wait nine years between albums isn’t ideal. That said, it has been worth the wait”
  • Next up is Rock Hard (SK). Writer Erik Nadudvari shows his appreciation for the Different album from Chinawhite with a 4/5 star review, saying “we have a vibrant new album with pounding guitars and dense bass, plus even more guitars and keyboards to enhance the mood of the entire collection”
  • That same Erik and Rock Hard give D’Ercole’s Made To Burn a 3.5/5 star rating. Lots of positives vibes on this one!
  • Mr. H from UK site The Rocker writes about Cranston – II:The first CranstoN record saw Phil Vincent team up with Paul Sabu and I reckoned “If you’re the kind of persons who yearns for the likes of classic Aerosmith and Foreigner, albeit with a harder edged sound then this is the record for you. Now I’m not going to claim it’s up there with the classics but it is a very good album.”Which saves me the bother of writing a new review for the follow up album as exactly the same applies to this one. There are a couple of variations on the theme with some boogie licks on ‘Always On The Run’ and a more metal tinge to ‘Throwin’ Down’. There are a couple of fillers weighing down the middle of the record (say hello to ‘One Track Mind’) but given the sheer number of releases that Phil Vincent and company punt out every year there’s bound to be some slips in quality control.Strange to say, this time around, the best track is slightly anomalous as it moves away from the early eighties melodic rock into more seventies fey territory. ‘Wish I Had More Time’ is the tune in question, a lovely slice of acoustic pop which would have seen some US chart action circa 1976. Pound for pound I think this just shades the debut and is well worth a listen for fans of the genre.
  • Heavy Paradise rate the latest solo album Hypocrite by Phil Vincent with an 8/10 and tells us that “Hypocrite is yet another strong sample of his really admirable career. Some killer tunes in it, great guitars, an overall tight sound with the necessary modern vibe and some Winger ‘pinches’ here and there makes “Hypocrite” a must ‘listen’ for all the fans of the modern hard rock scene (…and not only)”
  • Next one for Hypocrite comes from Dangerdog. Another 4/5 rating. Craig says  “Needless to say, Hypocrite finds the multi-talented Phil Vincent in fine form delivering another solid album of his melodic hard and heavy rock. Recommended.”
  • One of those awful illegal download sites calls that same album “Strong, varied and interesting”
  • Next one from The Rocker is for Slug Comparison:Some Canadian prog via the Netherlands as a Dutch record label brings us the latest offering from vocalist/guitarist Doug Harrison of Canadian progressive rockers Fen. Truly it’s a global village.Now I’ve never heard of Fen or Doug Harrison. He has released a previous solo album and EP and this one sees him collaborating with the likes of guitarist Sam Levin (Fen), bassist Mike Young (The Devin Townsend Band), Randall Stoll (Congenital Fixation, KD Lang), Jeff Caron (Fen), Nando Polesel (Fen) and, Dave Young (Devin Townsend). So that’s a lot of Fen and a lot of Devin Townsend. But not a lot of prog.It’s proggish in the way that King’s X were (and are) proggish. But it has just as much in common with mainstream modern rock bands and post-grunge outfits. Which doesn’t really float my boat. Steven Wilson fans will probably take to it though and as there are a helluva lot more of them than there are of me, then this could do well for him. If they get past the awful band name. He has got a great voice which really comes to the fore when he aims for the jugular with the modern day version of a power ballad. Which is why ‘Fine With It’ is utterly magnificent. It has space to breathe, an impassioned vocal and some glittering guitar. A gem.

    A couple more like that and he would have had me. But this is a sound that is hugely attractive to modern ears. If they get to hear it this could be big.

  • Next Jason Ritchie from Get Ready To Rock, also on Phil Vincent’s Hypocrite album. A very decent 3.5/5 stars because “not as instant as many of Phil Vincent’s solo albums, ‘Hypocrite’ certainly holds its own musically and is another enjoyable melodic hard rock album”
  • Next one is for Cranston – II, this time from German Metal zine Crossfire: an 8/10 rating placing the album somewhere between Giant and Thunder with praise for the compositions!
  • GloryDazeMusic rate Hypocrite with a 7/10 and applaud it’s diversity even though writer George does not think every song is of the same high calibre
  • then on to the first review of the coming Stamina live CD/ DVD Live In The City Of Power. Metalwinds give it a mesmerising 90/100 rating! No shortage of superlatives in the review
  • the next ultra fresh review is for the coming release of Legion; Rising. GloryDazeMusic writer George is pretty happy with the return of the band and rates the album with 8.5/10!
  • then on to Spain and This is Rock and their March 2019 edition. First one is for Claudio Delgift – the Essential. Translated:I can’t think of a better way to get into the work of this exceptional Argentine guitarist than through this compilation. With such exquisite class and taste, each song is an ode to Progressive Rock with Blues and melodic influences. He’s in charge of all of the instruments except drums. He has the ability to create great expectation with his music. That can be seen in the unfolding of the songs, which instead of boring us to death with solos and technical parts, it makes us keep our attention on, asking to ourselves if the next section will be just as good as the previous one. “The World As A Whole” sums the album up perfectly. A portent of guitarist and songwriter that will be a big surprise for you.Enrique Gallardo
  • Second one is for Cranston – II:Behind this pretty much warrior-like name hides a duet of prolific Hard Rock artists: Paul Sabu and Phil Vincent. Style-wise it reminds us of Sabu’s “In Dreams,” so if you liked that record, this one won’t disappoint you. The first three tracks are spectacular. “Always On The Run” is catchy and powerful. “What’s It Gonna Take” is reminiscent of Sammy Hagar’s best solo moments. And “Wrong Side Of Town” has a distinctive Celtic touch in its chorus that makes your ears prick. The rest maintains the level, though the impact isn’t as immediate. “I Wish I Had More Time” sounds a bit like Southern Rock and “One Track Mind” distils Sleaze Rock, while “Throwin’ Down” is built around a mastodon riff. They still make quality Rock.Enrique Gallardo
  • And we end this time with Dutch site Lords Of METAL:
    * a 72/100 for Slug Comparison
    * a 60/100 for Claudio Delgift
    * and a 70/100 for Cranston!

Stamina Pre order

stamina liveIt is now possible to pre order the coming Stamina live album Live In The City Of Power. Recorded September 2018 om Zgierz, Poland, this CD / DVD combi shows you what a remarkable live force they are! On it you will find 9 tracks of their premium power / progressive metal sound.

Find the album here, or on bandcamp. Official release is March 27.

And start with watching Breaking Another String:

Stamina Live album teaser

Welcome to Stamina!

stamina live*** BREAKING NEWS ***

Rock Company are very happy to welcome Italian melodic power / progressive metal band STAMINA to the family!
We will work with them to release their LIVE CD + DVD (!) Live In The City Of Power in the coming months.
This is an exciting new chapter for us all, and we are looking forward to present it to you!

Stay tuned for details, thanks for your support!

Cheers Peter

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