I started off the review for Sonic X labelmates 'Snakeryder, by saying I thought I had been transported back in time such was the obvious 80's influence on the 'Shake For A Shake' record. Well the same thing goes with Sonic X. Hailing from Ontario, Canada, Sonic X are purveyors of music for the original MTV generation. Think Dokken, think Skid Row, hell think of any of the more musically able 'hair bands' and you are halfway to the sound of Sonic X.

Now given that this particular brand of hard rock is about as popular as a tax increase, it would be easy to dismiss this album without giving it a fair chance. But have another listen, go on I dare you.

The opening salvo of 'News For You' and 'City Of Sin' get things off to a decent start. The former is reminiscent of Dokken with a slow, quick slow guitar line, whilst the second brings Skid Row to mind. In fact vocalist Adam Troy, has a lot in common with the former Skid Row frontman Seb Bach, given that he has an aggressive vocal style.

Sonic X have two tracks that are absolute killers. The first of which 'Two Sides' comes next. If you can get passed the hackneyed phone introduction, this track really swings. Lawrence Falconer comes into his own with a guitar lick that locks into a groove, whilst the bass and drums are as tight as hell. OK I could have done without more of the phone sounds in the middle, but when you have a chorus as good as this one it is hard to complain. Literally following this is 'Witches Den', the second of the killer tracks. Apart from sounding like a Black Sabbath number, the song is actually actually another groove laden track with a memorable hook.

After such a strong opening to the album, it was inevitable that at some point the standard would drop. This proves to be the case with 'Lonely Heart' The song is a more laid back affair than the previous bombastic numbers and veers more into true melodic rock territory than the hard rock arena. At this point Troy's voice, which was so adept at the harder tracks, struggles with the melody. 'Obsession' is another track that fits more into the melodic rock genre, opening with some fine melodic guitar fills. The song however benefits from a stronger hook than Lonely Heart, and the multi-tracked guitar works well throughout.

At this juncture the album really needed another kick-ass rock track to get things back on track, what we get unfortunately is 'Season's Change' , a rather forgettable ballad much like any other ballad that you may care to mention. There is nothing to distinguish the song and it proves to be the lowest point of the album.

'Broken Wings' picks up the tempo again, and with more fine guitar work is a fine addition to the record. Rounding out Sonic X is 'Feed The Flame' which is slightly reminiscent of LA Guns in that it is an extremely dark and brooding number. As with most of the second half of the album the guitar appears to have been dialled back in the mix and as such it perhaps lacks a little punch

As an album, this Sonic X debut is a patchy affair, the band have top loaded the running order with all of the best tracks, and thus the second half of the record seems to lose momentum. For a debut album though there are certainly enough moments to suggest that the band have a future and in 'Two Sides' they have a song that ranks as one of the best I have heard this year.

Overall well worth a listen and a band to keep an eye on into the future.

Let us know your views on 'Sonic X'

Track List

News For You
City Of Sin
Two Sides
Witches Den
Lonely Heart
Obsession
Season's Change
Broken Wings
Feed The Flame

Line Up

Adam Troy - vocals
Lawrence Falconer - guitars
Joseph Cumbo - bass
Michael Marquez - drums