ViriAOR Records Spain

The English band TOKYO STORM hail from West Midland. They practice a classic but agile Melodic Hard Rock, pragmatic but ambitious, with more than well-founded aspirations to overcome the mediocrity and achieve general recognition in the saturated peaks of MELODIC HARD ROCK. The competent and classic voice of the new Frontman Darren Collings, is like an optimistic combined bet between Bruce Dickinson and Bif Byford displaced to the Melodic side of Heavy Rock, and Gary Barden and Graham Bonnet imposing themselves in the typically English vocal lines of European Hard Rock. The instrumental trio within the quartet is divided between Axeman Joe Bartnicki, Bassman Jason Edwards and Stickman Bob Peach. His first CD, "Optimistic state of mind" from 2020, appears on his website as sold out. On June 1st this second album, "ALIEN RADIO STATION", was released, which begins with the title track and a sober and melodic sound similar to the album "Destiny" by the most sophisticated Saxons. They continue on "Beyond the Moon" with that Byford-like inspiration in adorable vocals and a certain feeling of powerful but leisurely Rock, dynamic by nature but without precipitation, with all the instruments very marked and spaced, offering a feeling of quality and control very well executed. They can convey in "Untamed night" a very AOR musical vibe in line with groups like Strangeways, Moritz or Atlantic. In "City of Broken Souls" it is wonderfully created by Melodic Rock in the calm mid-tempo of Phenomena but with the vocal nerve of Ian Gillan or Phil Moog, with the exquisite guitar of Rock & Blues a la Gary Moore and the assiduous keyboards of conventional AOR. The precision in rhythm section, the wonderful guitar solos and the musical line to follow is simple, creating an exceptional magnetism with his songs. It happens constantly and in "Dystopia" they do it again with amazing ease. They hit harder in the resounding "Pool of splendour" and as a single it has been a total success. With a very well adorned beginning opens the slow and succulent "Turn your head around", they are tender in a fantasy Pop Rock, symphonic and dense, like those beautiful desert and thirsty songs from Asia. They also nail it on the Hard Rock of "Midnight Sky" with a guitar that you want to hear in all their proceedings. The songs seem very calculated and symmetrical, everything is recorded with resolute patience and interpreted in a very attractive way. They don't need to be virtuosos or spectacular because they are quality musicians, very effective and very, very, very... very English. "Cry on my shoulder" maintains the defined, balanced and almost mathematical style of their geometric proposal of Rock and Classical Melody. They end in "On the edge" revealing the secrets of CLASSIC ROCK Territorial linking it with the HARD AOR Intercontinental. A wonderful great ending, with one of the best compositions for this album of endearing and recommendable sound. A sweaty memory comes to me listening to TOKYO STORM, a revitalizing revival with regressive effects to a few years of fantastic HARD ROCK, CLASSIC ROCK and British AOR. A new band to add to the line-up of luxurious British bands such as Bad Company, Whitesnake, Saxon, Magnum, Thin Lizzy, FM, Asia, UFO, MSG, Praying Mantis, After Hours, Shy, GTS, Sergeant, Dare, Ten, Forcefield, Bite the Bullet, Atlantic, Heartland, Virginia Wolf, Airrace, Pulse, Lionheart, Lionsheart, Moritz, Stratus, Strangeways, Samson, Statetrooper, Grand Prix, Export, etc, etc, etc. etc, etc......

"Pride and Joy Records Germany"

Tokyo Storm are a new British AOR/melodic rock formation who have released an outstanding debut album on their own with ‘Alien Radio Station’. They offer catchy melodic rock, perfectly produced by the band and Sheena Sear (Magnum, among others), which is reminiscent of Praying Mantis, MSG (in Gary Barden's era) and Lionheart for long stretches. Singer Darren Collings in particular is reminiscent of Barden. In addition to the single ‘Pool Of Splendour’, tracks such as ‘Beyond The Moon’ and ‘Midnight Sky’ are among the highlights. A must-have for fans of the bands mentioned above!

"Fireworks Magazine"

Paul Mace

For starters, what a great name for a Rock band! 'Alien Radio Station' follows this UK band's 2020 debut. This Journey (band) flavoured album has pros and cons; I'll start with the strengths which far outweigh the weaknesses. My first positive impression was Joe Bartnicki's guitar playing which is a bit special. Vocalist Darren Collings helps the band carve out their own sound with his gutsy, distinctive voice. I also value the standout production and mix. Commended songs include 'Untamed Night', a slowish rocker, and the melodic 'Dystopia'. Hard Rocking 'Pool Of Splendour' scores, showcasing some solid vocal pipework from Collings. Penultimate 'Cry On My Shoulder' reveals Bartnicki's string skills as he shines with the soloing. There are no fillers here. Negatively the songs sound too similar so more variety is required. Also, the album would greatly benefit from a couple of outstanding (excellent) tracks which are lacking. To sum up, this is a good album with every song having some merit. I'd like to add that in the course of my review I contacted the band and found them helpful and friendly which I appreciate. Thank you Tokyo Storm, and well done with the album.