On disc: BISS

 
- BISS
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
- Joker In The Deck
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
- X-Tension
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 

X-Tension

(AOR Heaven - 2006)



 
 

 

Hard rock and heavy rock fans will know  Biss already as this is their 4th album and the 3rd singer. But its the 2nd album with Marc Storace so perhaps this line-up is more stable. They kick off the album with Run For Your Life an up-tempo rocker. Its catchy, but I miss the certain something... No ear catcher, but well done. Actually that's my main problem with this album, the tracks are nice, professionally presented, but I miss originality. Something which makes them outstanding. Even if V Card is better then the opener, still on a high level, but also still not something which sneaks into your brain and stays. But the farther you go, the better it gets. The heavy Shout It Out remind me a bit of Sinner and Saxon... Here it's the chorus which can't keep the good impression. I think every rocker knows Heart's Barracuda which got covered several times. A classic, but here I miss the bite. This is a tamed version of Barracuda. Eagle is not another cover. Here you get a slow, atmospheric tune. A melodic metal tune is Blood On Sand where Biss got joined by Sinner / Primal Fear mainman Mat Sinner - and it has a bit of Sinner. Unfortunately the later songs on the album can't keep up the good impression of Shout It Out, even if Catch 22 shows them slightly different.

Some fans might love this album, but in my opinion it's an average release... There are many releases these days and so there are more interesting ones to grab. But as it's always a matter of taste, give it a try and perhaps you'll love it, perhaps you won't.
Check out: Always, Shout It Out, Blood On The Sand and Catch 22.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
up 











Joker In The Deck

(Point Music - 2003)



 
 

 

With Joker In The Deck the 2nd album of BISS is in the stores. The most obvious change is from a project to a band. And the new singer! Michael Bormann replaced Fernando Garcia (ex-Victory). The opening track Dogfighter shows the band heavier then on the debut. Additionally on this track is guitarist Paul Sabu is joining the German-Dutch group. The quintet offers heavy melodic rock / metal as we know it from the late 80's / early 90's. Perhaps the struggles mainman and guitarist Doc Heyne had to fight had caused this heavier release... The songs are catchy. Ten tracks which make you move. With C-Y-A they recorded a powerful balladesque tune. You'll find yourself sing along pretty soon. Primal Scream is a heavy, grooving song which I can imagine as a killer one live... Joker In The Deck - the title track - is really heavy and screaming guitars lead you into an intense song which is probably the best song to check out the current release of BISS, even if heavier then the rest...

The album is interesting for fans of melodic heavy rock / metal and as well for fans of NWoBHM bands. If bands like Krokus, Victory, Saxon, Gotthard (early releases) and Sinner are what you like, then the new BISS will make it for you, too.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
up 











BISS

(Barfly Music - 2002)



 
 

 

Does anybody remember Fernando Garcia? Fernando should be known by his work with the Hannover-based band Victory. Garcia's partner in crime is guitarist Doc Heyne who worked with Mad Max and Tanner. Musically the band present heavy rock which partly can be compared with the harder tracks of Victory, Krokus and Gotthard. The intro seems to be recorded at the zoo in the home of the monkey's.... But then straight got into the track Circle Of Time. It's good to have Fernando Garcia back, coz he is one of the best Swiss singers. One of my favorite tracks is Agony, a slow tune where Fernando shows his emotional side. Many might argue that there are enough hard rock releases these days and who needs this album? But I think that it's an interesting piece of music. Sure, nothing new... Anyway, in a time where old bands reunite and kinda copycat their old releases, it's IMO better to have something new. Beside that BISS try to have up-to-date lyrics (e.g. Warzone, Religion) and to leave the cliché lyrics of the genre behind. Beside that the band covered a Falco tune.... Rock Me Amadeus! An 80's pop song, now presented in a more rocking version and it sounds interesting... Actually, it will take more spins to make up my mind, if I like it or not.... Perhaps it's just because I know the original version since. Listen to it and make up your mind...
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
up 






 
 • E-Mail: contact@ice-vajal.com