THE FORCE - Stone Cold (2012)

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THE FORCE was formed in 2002 by British guitarist Mark Elliott and German drummer Hanns Haurein who both live in Switzerland. They meet up with the Swiss bassist and keyboardist Beat Schaub and the line-up was completed.
"Stone Cold" is the band's 4th album, a strong blues-infused Classic Hard Rock CD.

The Force owns an energetic, genuine handmade bluesy Hard Rock sound driven by fat guitar-riffs, melodious vocals and a precisely working rhythm-section.
There could have been no more ideal opener than "Ride". You will be totally awake in the morning by listening to this song on your way to your work or on a pleasure ride with your Harley bike. Elliott has the perfect voice for this kind of stuff that recalls Dave Meniketti (Y&T) in places, and he can play melting guitar solos as well.
Next, "Givin’ It Up" blast your ears with a deep bass groove, super drum beats and fast guitars, followed by the Hendrix inspired hard rocker "All I Need" fueled by Elliott devilish slide-solos. This man is really good at his game.
The catchy (cowbell included) "Run, Run, Run" is a jumpin' commercial rock'n roller where the band sounds more contemporary yet firmly blues based.

The highlight on the CD arrives with "Black Rain". It starts slowy with clean guitars and a cadence reminding earlier Scorpions, then at the end and after a killer solo, the tempo accelerates into a driving classic tune complete with Hammond B3 keys. Awesome track.
Talking about classic stylings, "This Time Your Turn" transports you to the seventies with a Montrose vibe yet with an updated sound.
Elliott sings "Call Me A Doctor" with fire over a venomous rhythm, this is Classic Rock people, and a good one.
Title track is a bluesy, groovy monster rocker, and then "Broken Machine" invites you to ride your Harley again. "Cry" will make tear your stereo indeed, again resembling Y&T. Power track with lots of melody.
Last song "New Day" ends the CD with a deep uptempo groove, a truly good instrumental tune with great feeling that makes you want to see this band alive.

Almost unknown outside central Europe, The Force is an awesome bluesy Hard Rock trio delivering a hot performance through the twelve tracks in "Stone Cold".
This is a polished and tightly played collection of tracks, plenty of power yet very melodic. Don't expect a dirty approach or grit here, this is a quite harmonic, slick material.
These guys - and specially British singer/guitarist Mark Elliott - are tremendous musicians who not only have learned the Classic Rock book by heart, also add to their traditional bluesy hard style a personal touch with a dynamic sound.
Production is darn good, vital and clear.
Don't miss this one, you'll be pleasantly surprised.


01. Ride
02. Givin' It Up
03. All I Need
04. Run, Run, Run
05. Black Rain
06. This Time Your Turn
07. Call Me A Doctor
08. Stone Cold
09. Broken Machine
10. Cry
11. Only The Good Die Young
12. New Day

Mark Elliott - Vocals, Guitar
Beat Schaub - Bass
Hanns Haurein - Drums
Loovy - Keyboards
Peter Tanner - Vocals


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www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Cold/dp/B0096T14N8

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JOE COCKER - Fire It Up (2012)

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Rock and Blues legend JOE COCKER may not be in the limelight anymore with the change in popular music, but yet at 68 years of age his voice is still incredibly strong and gritty, making some 'new stars' look like an amateurs.
He's back again with a very good new album; "Fire It Up", Joe Cocker's - believe it or not - 23rd studio recording.

Since I can remember, there's always has been a new Cocker album out there, the man has not stop recording through his 40-year career, and all were, at least, decent.
Title track "Fire It Up" pretty sums up what this album is all about.
Co-written by Alan Frew (Glass Tiger), the track would be a well deserved number one, showcasing a fiery performance by Cocker for whom the years seem to have not taken its toll. A song full of real soul and meaning, you like it or not, but you cannot deny he is still as talented as he was back in his glory days of the seventies and eighties.

Joe has always worked with several outside songwriters.
Diverse album tracks include the bluesy rocker "Eye On The Prize" written by Marc Broussard from New Orleans and "I’ll Walk In The Sunshine Again" penned by the platinum selling singer-songwriter Keith Urban, which treads the line between country and blues.
"The Letting Go" written by the trio of Charlie Evans with renowned young British blues/soul singer Joss Stone and Grammy award winning Graham Lyle is a classic soulful number, while "I'll Be Your Doctor" shows that typical Cocker R&B feeling. There's good midtempos in "Younger" and the sensitive "You Love Me Back", whilst "I Come In Peace" incorporates vintage keyboads over an organic production.
And we have a real gem in the shape of the aching "You Don’t Know What You’re Doing To Me", a terrific piano ballad.

Joe Cocker is still very much a contemporary recording artist – and proves it with this new studio album "Fire It Up".
His voice is in great condition, there's a fine song selection, and production by Matt Serletic (Santana) is warm and organic.
This is timeless good music convincingly performed with Cocker’s signature passion, a stainless Classic Rock artist.


01 - Fire It Up
02 - I'll Be Your Doctor
03 - You Love Me Back
04 - I Come In Peace
05 - You Don't Need A Million Dollars
06 - Eye On The Prize
07 - Younger
08 - You Don't Know What You're Doing To Me
09 - The Letting Go
10 - I'll Walk In The Sunshine Again
11 - Weight Of The World







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www.amazon.de/Fire-It-Up-Joe-Cocker/dp/B00931ENLE

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VIA SACRA - The Road (2012)

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Hailing from Portugal, VIA SACRA has just released independently their CD "The Road", a highly professionally recorded album.
The quintet delivers ten tracks of quite elaborated European Hard Rock spiced with a Hard 'n Heavy dark sound.

Via Sacra as unit is tight and sonically compact with a style recalling eighties and nineties Scandinavian acts, particularly Danish.
The band blends edgy dark riffs with some nice melodies while still maintaining some heaviness in their sound adding deep grooves here and there.
Opener "Jimmy's Life" is an uptempo hard rocker with strong riffs and fine rhythm, yet it isn't the best track in the disc. The main melody bring it to mind Spanish rockers Heroes del Silencio where drums and bass are really pumping and solid, but the guitar solo is a bit generic. "Lost World" is more groovy and dark with some gothic melodies, showing other facet by the band.

One of best and most original tracks is the constantly changing "Souls of Fire", a hard rock number with a Hammond organ throwing into the mix.
The emphasis on "No Lies" is put on the sonic attack more than in the song development, while "Black Angel" has an intense groove and vocals in the Blackie Lawless style.
"Storm in Your Soul" is a slow and dark tune, you can call it ballad but not cheesy at all. The band seamlessly changes between styles, as follower "Baby, Baby" has a retro feel and a strong keyboard presence, whilst the riff is very dense, Black Sabbath inspired.
"Secret Garden" is heaviest song in this release with sustained guitars and mysterious keys creating a King Diamond-like atmosphere. Good one.
The piano ballad "Never Come Back Home" is the type of melancholic slow songs made by bands like Mercyful Fate during the eighties, which raises the tempo in the end.

"The Road" is an interesting release blending different types of metal-related elements, never too heavy but groovy most the time.
Via Sacra does not follows any trend or particular style, and here resides their possible appeal. Their sound is dark and dense yet balanced with melodic moments and even some commercialism.
The album is very well recorded and produced for an indie, presented in a glossy packaging box.
Not your ordinary hard rock for sure, "The Road" invites you to discover a band looking to deliver something different.


01 - Jimmy's Life
02 - Lost World
03 - Souls of Fire
04 - No Lies
05 - Black Angel
06 - Storm in Your Soul
07 - Baby, Baby
08 - Secret Garden
09 - Never Come Back Home
10 - The End of the Road

Lazaro – vocals, guitars
Ricardo – guitars
Joel – keyboards
Carlos – bass
Ruizao – drums


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www.etherealsoundworks.com/index.php?153,via-sacra-the-road

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KILLER BEE - From Hell And Back (2012)

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Swedish / Canadian band KILLER BEE rocked the nineties with a bunch of good hard rockin' albums before disbanded almost 15 years ago.
They had reunited last year, released a greatest hits compilation, and now got ready “From Hell and Back”, a new CD of original material which was sure to bring their Scandinavian  Hard Rock staple back into the forefront.

Killer Bee takes a step back in time and make an honest effort to soak the late '80s / early '90s with a grown up sound but still hard coating their imprint that made them a commodity early in their career.
Many bands now have jumped on this sound wagon and finally people are taking notice of their quality - most notably Treat who delivered a superb record last year with serious implications.
Well, Killer Bee took some notes and decided to deliver a crushing record as well after a long time hiatus and original members Anders LA Ronnblom and Brian Bee Frank are back holding the foundation of the band tight as ever.
They are joined by Canadians Denny DeMarchi (8previously known for his work with Alias / Sherriff) and Morgan Evans from Lee Aaron's band on board in this new reincarnation of the Bee's.

“From Hell and Back” is an appropriate record name for the guys' return, as they unleashed some serious neck breaking vibes with some of the tunes on here including the title track which feasts on its speedy up tempo rip.
Later it follows with ”Drive Me Crazy” which carries another tight groove. The melancholy opening lick in “Heat of the Night” leads way to a powerful chorus that carries the invigorating energy that fluctuates throughout the record.
The guys get a touchy feely and put the E in Emotion with the ballad “I Believe” a nice piano lead number with rising vocals courtesy of front man Brian Bee Frank.
The rebel yells of “Leave Me Alone” bring attitude back into the forefront as the screams and yells of Frank once again make a devout stance.
But the fun doesn’t end just yet as the tight courtship brings super power keyboards and groove once more onto the fray of this early '70s Hard Rock-esque crusher of “Rock Another Day”, is as if these dudes we’re just waiting to wake up the giant and make your ears satisfy with melodic heavenly.

“From Hell and Back” is acomplete ripper of a record with top to bottom blazing tunes that will power your player and make you jibe with with feel and rock steady feeling.
The Killer Bee pack return to fine shape after years of dormant behavior to raise you fist and kick your face in with killer grooves and arena rock anthems.
Every track on the CD bring offer something that will make you 'rock out', big ups goes to the two original members as vocal duties are handled with as much emotion by Frank as the guitar attack by Anders LA Ronnblom and company. Production could be better, anyway, overall there is nothing bad I can say about this record as it delivers on any expectation, and for fans of the band this a must buy.
For people who may not heard Killler Bee before, “From Hell and Back” would make a perfect sampler and introductory course into the Killer Bee attack.
Very Good.


01 - From Hell And Back
02 - Drive Me Crazy
03 - Step Into My World
04 - Love It Or Leave It
05 - All Night Long
06 - Footprints In The Sand
07 - Rock Another Day
08 - Heat Of The Night
09 - Leave Me Alone
10 - On And On
11 - I Believe

Brian Bee Frank - Vocals
Anders LA Ronnblom - Bass
Morgan Evans - Drums
Jimmy DeLisi - Lead Guitar
Denny DeMarchi - Keyboards / Rhythm Guitars




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www.amazon.co.uk/HELL-BACK-KILLER-BEE/dp/B009VAOQGE

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NEKTAR - A Spoonful Of Time (2012)

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NEKTAR is probably the most German-like of the seventies British bands, a fame that owes a lot to the town in which this act was founded (Hamburg) and to their stylistic approach.
Their earliest works were hard rock that drew heavily from the space-rock and later the band definitely turned melodic Prog releasing some mindblowing epic albums.
Nektar is celebrating their 43rd Anniversary releasing an album covering classic songs of all time aptly entitled “A Spoonful Of Time”, featuring an all-star guest line up.

Amongst the contributors we have Rick Wakeman, Geoff Downes, Derek Sherinian, Billy Sheehan, Ian Paice, Steve Howe and many more luminaries.
Doing a covers album can be tricky business; you need the right songs, but more importantly the inspiration and enthusiasm to bring them to life by your own interpretation. In the case of “A Spoonful Of Time” the results are satisfactory for most of these classic tunes.
Nektar chose 14 popular, mostly rock, songs from the last 40 years or so. Most are well known like Rush's "Spirit of the Radio", Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here", The Doors's "Riders on the Storm" or Toto's "Africa".
Others, like Roxy Music's "Out of the Blue" and The Rolling Stone's "2000 Light Years from Home" may be a little more obscure for some.

On all covers, Nektar's interpretation basically stay faithful to the original melodies and arrangements of every song with, of course, some Prog variation.
I liked the majority, being Rush's "Spirit of the Radio", Toto's "Africa" (featuring Bobby Kimball on vocals), 10CC's "I'm Not In Love", the mellotron festival of "Blinded By The Light" and Door's "Riders On The Storm" with a long keyboard solo, the best of the bunch.
Steve Miller's "Fly Like an Eagle" and Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home" are the only weak covers for me, a bit flat in their development.
On the other hand, in the obscure O' Jays song, "For the Love of Money" (that drops more into the Motown category) Nektar version is truly well done with Ian Paice hitting the skins effectively.

Nektar's “A Spoonful Of Time” was produced by the band and mixed by Prog icon Billy Sherwood, who also played bass on some of the tracks.
The CD is a good Classic Rock collection of tunes covered with a Prog touch performed by these seasoned musicians with ease. It's a pleasure listening Bobby Kimball singing again or Billy Sheehan and Ian Paice playing something different from what they do in their bands.
Nice.


1. Sirius
featuring Michael Pinnella (Symphony X)

2. Spirit Of The Radio
featuring Mark Kelly (Marillion)

3. Fly Like An Eagle
feat. Geoff Downes (Asia) • Joel Vandroogenbroeck (Brainticket)

4. Wish You Were Here
featuring Edgar Froese (Tangerine Dream)

5. For The Love Of Money
feat. Ian Paice (Deep Purple) • Nik Turner (Hawkwind)

6. Can't Find My Way Home
feat. Steve Howe (Yes) • Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater) • Mel Collins (King Crimson)

7. 2000 Light Years From Home
featuring Simon House (Hawkwind)

8. Riders On The Storm
feat. Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big) • Rod Argent (Argent)

9. Blinded By The Light
feat. Joakim Svalberg (Opeth) • Ginger Baker (Cream)

10. Out Of The Blue
featuring Simon House (Hawkwind)

11. Old Man featuring
David Cross (King Crimson)

12. Dream Weaver
featuring Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra)

13. I'm Not In Love
featuring Rick Wakeman (Yes)

14. Africa
featuring Bobby Kimball (Toto) • Patrick Moraz (The Moody Blues)


Roye Albrighton: Vocals, Guitar
Ron Howden: Drums, Vocals
Klaus Henatsch: Keyboards, Hammond, Mellotron, Vocals
Billy Sherwood, Peter Pichl: Bass




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http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8802497

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NYA - Driving The Nails In (2012)

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NYA formed in London 2010, but only truly burst on to scene with an all new five piece line up in 2011. The self-titled debut EP received rave reviews which was followed up by a slot at Download Festival 2011.
Recorded in the Netherlands, "Driving The Nails In" is their new material just relased.

Nya sell themselves as a hard rock/melodic metal band with a modern sound.
Their music is driven by a twin guitar attack, but what really impress you at first listen is Slovenian female vocalist Anežka Piška, owner of a strong set of lungs, a melodic tone... and very nice legs.


Opening track "Back To You" starts off deceptively quiet and slow but quickly builds into a song full of power, with Anežka’s dynamic vocals bursting in an almost straight way coupled with razor guitars and a crashing drumbeat.
"You Are" continues the audible assault full on guitars and a galloping drum beat. This song really shows off the vocal abilities of Anežka and the technical side of the stunning modern guitar work (both axe-man utilises 8-string electric guitars).
The third track, "Open Your Eyes", is an interesting one. Taking a softer approach but still proving to be a hard rocking number with some nice hooks and acute rhythm sections, the song drives into your ears with a high amount of groove and strength.

The poetically titled "Choir Invisible" displays a use of punchy riffs blended with divine sounding vocals. You also hear a lot more in the way of the backing vocal support, which makes this track stand out a little more from the others as you get to hear even more elements of this band.
"Driving The Nails In" is the title track and is also the final song of the release. It is a true testament to the skill of these musicians, from the stunning vocal abilities to the intricate guitar and bass work and the skills of the drummer.

Nya is a really interesting new band with a fresh and modern sound.
"Driving The Nails In" is plenty of massive riffs, tight grooves and the soaring vocals of Anežka Piška that grabs the listener from the first listen.
They're modern and quite technical, but somehow I hear a nineties vibe all over the recording. These tracks are not the 'sing along chorus' type, this material is focused in the gripping instrumentation and the towering vocals. So don't expect extreme catchiness, just solid and effective rockin' songs well produced and arranged.
For sure, we'll be hearing a lot more from Nya in the future.


01 - Back To You
02 - You Are
03 - Open Eour Eyes
04 - Choir Invisible
05 - Driving The Nails In

Anežka Piška – Lead & Backing Vocals
Joseph Rhodes – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Dan Baker – Guitars
Dan Hayward (Woody) – Bass
Paul White – Drums, Backing Vocals




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www.nyaofficial.bigcartel.com/product/nya-driving-the-nails-in-ep

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ESCAPE - Unbreakable (2012)

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"Unbreakable" is the debut album from ESCAPE, a new UK AOR band which features the songwriting partnership of Stevie K on vocals from Northern Ireland and guitarist Vince O’Regan (Bob Catley, Legion).
They have just been announced as part of the line-up for HRH AOR Festival which is happening next April and it seems the band are already hard at work on album two set for release at the Festival.

I was really struck with this album and I took to its quintessential British AOR flavour straight away. Anyone familiar with Vince’s previous AOR work with Pulse will know the style of music to expect here, infectious guitar riffs and memorable keyboard licks.
I always love the way Vince blends the keyboards and guitars in his AOR songwriting, one never overshadowing the other but bringing the best out of every song. Although the emphasis is on melody and hooks, here Vince is never afraid to unleash a few stunning guitar solos.
Stevie K is not a typical AOR singer, his powerful voice having more grit and bite to it veering him into the Danny Vaughn / Jeff Scott Soto school of melodic rock singing. His performance is impressive over these eleven tracks.

"Still Alive" is a bombastic opening cut with pompous keyboards, driving guitars and pounding drums. A song which is sure to go down a storm live! Keep an ear out for a killer guitar solo from Vince on this track.
The commercial and obvious single "Unbreakable" has an infectious keyboard riff and the compelling melodic guitar riff underpin this catchy as hell and invigorating song. This is a great song to fire you up! Trust me the chorus will stick in your head and compel you to sing along.
"Best Of Me" is a mid-tempo ballad on which Stevie delivers some cool vocal melodies throughout. Vince lays down a hook laden guitar lick on this one.
"Living On The Wrong Side" really puts me in mind of Pulse, a driving AOR rocker.

I love the Journey-esque guitar licks on "Read Between The Lines" and it has some killer hooks in the chorus. "New Horizon" is a gripping ballad with some wonderful piano parts.
"Night To Remember" is another one that really fires you up, full of power and unforgettable melodies. It’s a pulsating AOR rocker that rips up your stereo speakers. The best thing to do when you get to this track is just press ‘repeat’ and save yourself a job as one listen just isn’t enough! I love the killer keys and the gripping guitar riffs which combine to devastating effect and add to that Stevie’s powerful vocals it makes for a fist clenching sing along killer track!
"Moment in Time" is a mid-tempo rocker with a lighter waving chorus. Bombastic rocker "Bring You Down" has a juicy guitar riff with a pompous chest beating chorus. "Rescue Me" is a swaggering rocker with big guitars and some extremely effective keyboards especially on the chorus.
There’s a touch of Whitesnake on last cut "Heartbreak City", a driving rocker with some great guitar hooks.

"Unbreakable" is a straight ahead AOR / Melodic Rock CD with a bombastic edge.
It’s a great collection of some truly unforgettable tunes proving that British musicians can do this style of music just as good as the Yanks and the Scandinavians!
I hope to hear more from these guys as this strong debut promises good things to come from a new addition to the ever growing ranks of UK AOR.
Highly Recommended. (thanks to Woody for the review).


01. Still Alive
02. Unbreakable
03. Best Of Me
04. Living On The Wrong Side
05. Read Between The Lines
06. New Horizon
07. Night To Remember
08. Moment In Time
09. Bring You Down
10. Rescue Me
11. Heartbreak City (European bonus track)

Stevie K - vocals
Vince O'Regan (Bob Catley, Legion) - guitars
Roland Moog - keyboards
Andy Mills (Pulse, Alibi) - bass
Andy Pierce - drums




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hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=970486

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SURE CONVICTION - The Best Of (2012)

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Brothers Matt and Paul Liffengren formed SURE CONVICTION in 1990 and one year later recorded their first album in Campbell, California.
Since then, the two bros ended up releasing four CD’s over the next 10 years with some personnel changes both in the recordings as well as in their live band.
Now, Matt and Paul decided to pick the songs they either played the most or the ones fans have commented as their favorites, remastered & re-mixed them, and release the “Best Of Sure Conviction”

Sure Conviction style blends Melodic Rock, AOR and some Hard with huge hooks, big choruses and stacked backing vocals, all over an over-the-top arena rock sound.
Specially the tracks from their best effort, the excellent 'Get Ready', are truly underrated gems. Being a band of Christian origins, these recordings included the colaboration of big names from the polished CCM AOR/MR scene such as Glenn Pierce (Idle Cure) on guitars and brothers John & Dino Elefante (Kansas, Mastedon) playing and producing.

The music in “Best Of Sure Conviction” is filled with smooth numbers - sometimes hard edged melodic rock, sometimes AORish - blessed with a big hearted sprinkling of aurally adhesive hooks.
Songs like the catchy melodic rocker "Get Ready", the anthemic "Voices", the AORish "Forevermore" and the superb ballad "Time Will Tell" are simply amazing. In Jeff Gunn we have an outstanding vocalist in the traditional melodic rock mould, while the intrumentation is crisp and vital.
The songs chosen from their later albums are a bit more progressive ala Kansas, with acoustic guitars throwing into the mix and a warmer sound. These tracks are sung by Kurt Heinzman, the singer in the band around those years.

As independent artists, Sure Conviction sold well in America and Europe for a self-managed band, yet relegated to a cult status.
Melodic Rock & AOR collectors are well aware of this very good band which their out of print albums become impossible find.
Now there's your cance to pick some of Sure Conviction's best tunes, with a good remastering job supervised by the Liffengren bros. in person.
Highly Recommended.


01 - Get Ready
02 - Forevermore
03 - Are You There?
04 - I Can't Explain
05 - Standing For You
06 - Sacrifice
07 - Time Will Tell
08 - Proclaiming
09 - Voices
10 - Why Do I?
11 - Man In The Middle/Remember Me
12 - Benediction
13 - Shining Our Light

Paul Liffengren - keyboards, piano, backing vocals
Matt Liffengren - electric and acoustic guitars
Glenn Pearce, Brent Holderman, Jeff Rye - guitars
Jeff Gunn, Kurt Heinzman, Phil Milan - lead and backing vocals
Daniel Wright, J.R. McNeely - bass
Jimmy Rojas, Danny Woods - drums
John & Dino Elefante - backing vocals
and many more




BUY IT !
www.cdbaby.com/cd/sureconviction2
www.nehrecords.com/SHOP/SureBest.htm

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