Was introduced to the band by a friend who got the first album and VERY pleasantly surprised with the sheer quality of the mtrl on that one! This 2nd disc is even better and if you like your hardrock guitarbased with melody and a great female vocalist then this is the band for You! Major deal coming up next?? Rock on!

By the grace of the US Rock / Metal scene, I'm very plesed to spread the word of a band named Lochinvar! Actually the band's name comes from a poem by Sir walter Scott. Started back in1987 and formed by guitar player Steve Rabeler and singer Paula Blade. Before releasing a first demo "The Untaimed Child" one year after existence, Lochinvar was one of the bands appears on a '87 compilation album entitled"12 x 12 fulfilled with local Dallas / Texas based outfits. The following years, a lot of things changes in the Lochinvar camp. Members decided to leave while others came in, sevaral videos were made, TV appearences all over the way, two more demo's were recorded and so the story goes on and on. Worth to mention is the recordings of a debut EP entitled "Knight Songs" in 1997... after many changed inside the ranks, John walker and Paula Blade were still very active and never thought about stop playing music. In '99 and 2000, Paula releases two solo album herself named "Burning Bridges" and "The Awakening". Next album and first official full Lochinvar CD in line was called " It Came From The 80s", released late 2000. The album contains tracks from the first three Lochinvar demo's, actually reissued in 2001 with bonus stuff, etc. Two great releases and some more great works were on the way. The plans of releasing a new Lochinvar album was nothing but the truth and the writings started later on. Search for some new members was succeed and in 2002, the recordings took place for a new album, with a new line-up! The self entitled CD was sold out in 2004! Same year, another album was ready to released with the title "Fire Eyes" and see the light of day a few weeks ago. So far a shortened version about the story of a great Rock band since a very long time. Back to reality right now and they just sent me a package within the new album. First impression while listening were very positive, full pleasures totally on my side. Singer Paula Blade has a warm, clean but powerful voice that reminds me of Lana Lane, Kim La Chance (Vixen), Ann Wilson (Heart), Lee Aaron,...she belongs on top of my favourite list of great female singers right away. She spits out a huge form of energy and passion while singing, check it out and agree with me! John Walker is a multi musician in that way, he tooks all the electric / acoustic guitars, bass lines, drums, backing vocals and keys for his account on this album with outstanding results. besides John and Paula, only one guest musician ready to collaborate and that's Jeff Mc Mullen on keys. Musiclally, Lochinvar takes you back to the 80s Hard / Metal, the melodic way. At the otherside, you'll meet a band, able to serve some AOR kinda like music too. So, the combination of both older 80s Metal and 90's Rock is more than excellent. Bands like Heart, Rock Goddess, Vixen, Phantom Blue, Witness,...are just a few to compare with. When you hear such a great album, knowing that it's realized by only three musicians...alow me to say a big and overwhelming congratulation to each one of them. Ten songs with a lot of musical variation on board makes me realy feelsgood. A pleasure for every old school Heavy Rocking / Metal maniac. Crank it up loud, never give up and never give in. Let there be great music whatever it takes, Lochinvar shows you the way! Order the CD right away via their homepage: www.lochinvar.net. MY POINTS: 92 / 100

After a few years of silence, the US band LOCHINVAR returns with a new CD. The female fronted band is still playing classy 80s Melodic Hardrock in the style of VIXEN, GIRLSCHOOL, DOKKEN… 10 new songs are included, and with a big production this CD is definitely a quality release. Among the highlights are “Fire eyes”, “Beyond the stars” (fantastic semi-melodic rockballad a la LANA LANE), “Midnight Woman” and “Enchanted moon”. The songs are a bit darker than before, so no catchy in your face choruses, but more well-thought songs with heavy guitar riffs (like DOKKEN meets BLACK SABBATH), while the vocals are a bit raw (like LEE AARON meets WENDY O. WILLIAMS). If you’re starting to become interested, then go to: http://www.lochinvar.net and e-mail them at: lochinvar@lochinvar.net

Taking their name from the daring Scottish knight in Sir Walter Scott's poem of the same name, not the Rod Stewart song, Lochinvar is the duo of singer Paula Blade and guitarist/bass player/drummer/keyboardist John Walker. They play '80s-styled hard rock that we're all familiar with, similar to bands such as Dokken, Whitesnake, and Heart, providing fans of this genre (of which I am one) a fresh source of melody, rhythm, and guitar/vocal skill. Originating as a five-piece in the mid-'80s near Dallas, Texas, Lochinvar was moderately successful on the local scene, releasing a couple of demos and garnering some radio airplay, before falling dormant in 1993 (yet another victim of Pearl Jam). Back together again as a duo in the new millenium, Lochinvar present their second full-length album Fire Eyes. As one would expect from an album of this particular style of hard rock, melodic guitar riffs punctuated by electric licks and distinctive solos permeate each and every track. John Walker must surely be a student of the George Lynch school of guitar wizardry, as there is a distinctive Dokken feel to the majority of the tracks. His status as a veteran six-stringer is evident, for he churns out a solid performance from start to finish and has a knack for knowing just where to let a solo fly and where to restrain the riffs a bit. "Heart Of Stone", the leadoff track, has a very expansive solo that illustrates my point quite well. The Dokken influences I think are most evident on the title track, giving the song an air of familiarity while still bringing a good degree of distinctiveness. The lyrics of "Fire Eyes" present a lot of Wiccan imagery, with Paula doing a fantastic job of infusing them with emotion. As a singer, Paula has a voice that is both warm and edgy - quite appropriate for this style of music. Whether she's kicking out the raucous lyrics of the heavy "Amazon", or filling the words of the ballad "Beyond The Stars" with unfeigned emotion, Paula adds a depth to Lochinvar that is genuine. In this respect the comparisons to Heart are most appropriate. Besides her work with Lochinvar, Paula has released a couple of solo CDs in which she expresses herself through a more pop/dance, slightly Gothic sound. Her versatility can also be heard on Fire Eyes in the form of "A Poet, A Dreamer". More Celtic folk ballad than blistering metal onslaught, this track is a favorite of mine because of the real, heartfelt emotion Paula puts in to the lyrics. An introspective piece, we catch a glimpse of who Paula is as a person through her interations with her family and the pride she holds for her son. Ok, kind of sappy for a metal review but anyone with a true appreciation for music will hear what I am saying. To finish this review in a "metal mood", I'll mention the track that I most enjoyed - "Sahara". Clocking in at over 7 minutes, it's the most epic of the album but flows quickly and is over before you know it. Majestic keyboards give the song a Middle Eastern atmosphere, enhanced by Paula's vocal melodies. A story of two lovers given only one night of heated passion, the lustful encounter is conveyed quite effectively through John's allusive leads and Paula's emotional narration. Of course, what would it be without a couple of John's soulful solos thrown in for good measure. Another highlight is the sultry "Enchanted Moon", with an overtly Great White-meets-Alannah Myles feel to it. A heavy, bluesy bass intro sets the stage for Paula to lay down some sensuous passages. Overall, Fire Eyes is a solid album of melodic, guitar-driven, and (dare I say it) sexy '80s-styled hard rock. Paula is a welcome addition to the legion of Metal Queens who have delivered some passionate music to ravenous metal fans over the years. While John is a master at his multifaceted craft, I would love to see the two expand their ranks so that they may take the show on the road and bring their music to the live stage. The one negative moment on Fire Eyes that I feel I should mention, though it is insignificant in the greater scheme of things, is the closing of the track "Amazon". Paula lets loose with a warbling battle cry that, I'm sorry to say, was almost embarrassing to listen to. I think Paula knows where I'm coming from, because if you listen closely a couple of seconds into the following silence you can hear her let out a bit of a giggle. Aside from that moment, I recommend this album to all fans of melodic hard rock.