ANDREA CASTELLI
“Planet Time”
GuitarChef Records
rating: -
Believe me or not, but I don’t what the hell it is. This is the first solo effort by Andrea, and stylistically “Planet Time” stays, and most likely will stay, a riddle to me. Mainly comprised of Andrea’s own songs, it nevertheless features a couple of covers, one by Sting, and another by DEEP PURPLE. Good ones, if you want me to be honest. Music? One can find almost everything he can think of; KING CRIMSON and early DREAM THEATRE, a bit polished heavy metal, New Age and strictly instrumental music in the vein of Joe Satriani… Probably I would be wrong reckoning “Planet Time” to prog rock / metal, consequently I wouldn’t. I’ve listened to it all over and over, and still I have no idea of what’s the purpose in releasing CDs of this kind. Not that would I cavil at musician- or producership, however it’s more an album you should get a grip on, if you’re itching to learn play this or that instrument properly. The regular music fan (and _especially_ the one into metal) won’t consider it worthy listening, that’s for sure. I deeply adore everything DREAM THEATRE have done, however I feel like this work is somehow useless (_not_ worthless, though). What and who had it been done for? Andrea alone, I assume.
Email: acastelli@virgilio.it
(review by Herr Stalhammar)

GODLESS WICKED CREEPS
“Smile”
Lucky Seven Records
(provided by Diehard Music)
rating: -
Weird. No, better this way: we-e-e-e-i-i-i-i-rd. Punkabilly? Well, maybe yes and maybe not. I mean, what the hell is punkabilly?! And what the hell is GODLESS WICKED CREEPS then?! Four savagely tattooed, heavy alcoholics appearance-wise, fronting the listener with something almost indescribable. Like rock’n’roll, post-punk and rockabilly mixed into one. Now you got the whole picture, huh? Well, somehow it seems that you didn’t understand a shit in what’s written here. Well sorry, but I also don’t understand a shit, neither when it comes to the music “Smile” offers, nor what I actually attempted to tell you about it. The conclusion is: I DON’T KNOW. (Herr Stalhammar)

FORRESTER
“All The Wrong Things”
TWAH!
(provided by Diehard Music)
rating: 4,5 / 6
A bit unusual stuff. I don’t feel like I’m the one to review it, but who else would do it? Therefore; let your humble servant compose yet one more incomprehensible review. So here we go: J.Forrester offers rather intriguing sort of music, kinda cross between New Age and… and I don’t know what else, actually. The only thing I know for sure, it sounds refreshing and enjoyable, perhaps due to the fact “All The Wrong Things” is slightly spiced with folklore, with bouzouki, cittern, mandocello, Uilleann pipes, accordion and even a String Quartet enriching the overall soundscape. It reminds me a bit of “A Legacy Of Love” by ANTICHRISIS, but only a bit, for Mr. Forrester manages to stay original or at least distinguishable. Perfect for relaxation. (Herr Stalhammar)