At last I had the chance to listen to one of the most interesting alternative rock record of the year, Hierosonic's third full-length album "Consciousness, Fame, God, Money, Power", released in June through the indie label Soundmine MusicWorks.

Hierosonic come from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and describe their music as hard rock with electronic and ambient atmosphere.

Check them out at their website and facebook page, and watch the video for the single "The Media Taught You That" clicking on the frame.

Downplay are an alternative rock band from Ohio influenced by the likes of 30 Seconds To Mars, Muse, Breaking Benjamin, Foo Fighters, Weezer, The Killers. Their new album "Beyond The Machine", produced by Dave Fortman (Evanescence, Slipknot, Mudvayne, Godsmack), was intended to be released by Epic Records, with whom Downplay signed a deal in 2010. For some reasons, the band had to put it out independently at the beginning of this month.

Downplay are now working on a EP in Nashville to be released around February, while in the process of changing labels.

Edison's Children is the new project by Marillion/Transatlantic's bass player Pete Trewavas and Eric Blackwood. "In The Last Waking Moments..." features Pete doing much more than simply playing bass, including some lead guitar, lead vocals, keyboards and drum programming. Pete and Eric wrote, produced and played every instrument on the album, except for when some very special guests make an appearance on a song or two. These guests include: Ian Mosley, Mark Kelly, Andy Ditchfield (DeeExpus), Steven Rothery, Robin Boult and Steve Hogarth.

Lyricswise, "In The Last Waking Moments..." is a concept album about someone who experienced a surreal & bizarre happening and is attempting to comprehend whether it's reality or a descent into madness.

Ghost Beach is the new project by Josh Ocean and Eric "Doc" Mendelsohn, respectively vocalist and guitar player of modern new wave band from New York City TV/TV.

Influenced by bands like Depeche Mode, The Killers, New Order, The Police and Tears For Fears, Josh and Doc take their electronic tendencies one step further with their project, adding some Daft Punk and Passion Pit elements to the TV/TV sound.

Ghost Beach haven't release an album yet, but you can download their three singles for free just visiting their website, where you can also find the video for the song "Empty Street".

No news or reviews today: it's celebration time for the best frontman of the last ten years, Blue October's Justin Furstenfeld.

Happy birthday Justin, and thanks for doing what you do in the way you do it!

This is a new group for me, even if their last album "Inkeroinen", released last September, is already their third full-length.

I'm talking of darkwave/electronic rock band Iconcrash, from Helsinki, Finland: five guys influenced by the likes of Alphaville, Talk Talk, The Cure, The Church and Sisters of Mercy, and by some more recent outfits as 30 Seconds To Mars and their countrymen The Rasmus.

Click on the frame on the left to watch the video for the first single off "Inkeroinen", named "Stockholm", while you can visit their webpage and their facebook page to listen to some more music from this very interesting band.

Even if they're not widely known, indie rockers Deas Vail have already three full-length albums on their back, including the self-titled album released two months ago on the Mono Vs Stereo independent label.

The band from Russelville, AR, delivered a great piece of work with this last release. I admire their ability of being indie without being annoying and self-indulgent. "Daes Vail" is chock-full of delicious tracks, and if you're into bands like Death Cab for Cutie, Mew, Travis and Mae, you better check this band out.

Valora is a rock band from Whittier, CA, led by beautiful 22-year old singer Syd Duran (see picture on the left). Playing with Syd we find her sister Taelor on keyboards and background vocals, and 4 males on lead, rhythm, bass guitar and drums.

Signed to Hollywood Records by Buena Vista Music Group Chairman Bob Cavallo, Valora have released a couple of tracks on high-profile soundtracks as "The Last Song" and "Almost Alice"; Syd also added her vocals to Breaking Benjamin's hit song "Blow Me Away".

Valora's debut album, "I Waited For You" was produced and recorded by Johnny K and mixed by another big name, Neil Avron. It will be released next April 3rd, but you can already watch the video for the titletrack and first single off the album, following this link.   For further info and to download the band's song "No Matter What" for free, head on Valora's website now.