…‘Birds Of Tokyo’ sees the four piece act take a slightly different direction this time around, with the vast majority of the album having a more balanced and mature feel than anything the band have dared before.

For a debut, Black Water Rising’s self-titled album is an absolute stunner. Here’s a band that have actually achieved what they set out to do, and that’s put a new fresh sound on the heavy hard rock sound, and delivered a heavy hard rock album that doesn’t short-change listeners by selling out after a few tracks.

All Night Long’ isn’t quite up to the classic status of the band’s first three releases, but it’s a definite return to form…

Their debut EP ‘Watch My Hands’ is a sweet package of five tracks, each filled with sweet harmonies and sweet talent. It’s about love, heartbreak and helpless romance and it will be sure to be your next addiction.

This is another single from Cheryl Cole's fine “3 Words” album and it has an enticing hook that should again resonate well with her fans.

With a fusion of pop and dance stylings, the Sydney singer continues to develop her musical charm with her new ‘Eyes On You The EP’.

So as far as I’m concerned, ‘The Internal Dialogue’ is far from a perfect album. But if I were to weigh up the band’s latest effort against ‘The Meaning Unseen’, it’s not hard to see that Contrive really has come a long way in the last five years, and that they’ve put everything into their latest effort.

I had high hopes for the album, especially given how impressed I was with the group’s EP. To my relief, Dead Letter Circus has well and truly delivered, stepping up to the challenge of exceeding all expectations on ‘This Is The Warning’.

‘Mute’ is by far one of my favourite progressive rock releases for this year, and if you’ve heard that album, then you’ll have some idea just how impressive Demians’ sophomore release sounds.

With five long years having passed since, and the duo having had some fairly high profile gigs in that time, Domination Through Impurity is sure to attract some attention this time around, with the quality of their sophomore effort ‘Masochist’ ensuring some measure of critical acclaim on its own merits.

‘Fear Not The Footsteps Of The Departed’ is addictive because of its uniqueness. A perfect finish to their project of four records in two years.

She is a gloriously charismatic performer with a divine voice - mixing levels of intensity and honesty.

Brisbane pop/punk/electronic four-piece band Flicks are a fresh sound to the Australian music scene and reveal a special crush in this new single 'Hayley’

Good solid guitar riffs and infectious electronica should serve this well on the pop charts.

The song may be a slight departure from the band's hard rocking style, but the fast-paced romp reminds of 60s classic pop rock. It's a real attention-grabber.

The single is a real throwback to the disco glory days of the late 1970s and 1980s, with its straight-forward approach and familiar, joyous vibe.

Destructive, abrasive and raw, ‘Deadcity’ really is a killer release, and only a hint of what I’m sure Lovers Grave are capable of in the coming future.

Six Pack Witchcraft’ isn’t about sounding innovative, cutting edge or forward thinking. It’s about thrashing out, pretending to be as evil as Satan himself and having plenty of fun while doing it.

This is a very bold move for the singer-songwriter who was loved for her hearty rock power.

Her album “Come Home” delivers some worthy flavours of pop and folk and she has a good lyrical sense. The songs are generally well produced and crafted and Sheli gives her fullness to each track.

Overall, I believe ‘The Panic Broadcast’ is a vast improvement from Soilwork after the last couple of releases, from the song writing, the guitar work and right through to Strid’s own performance. Having lost me over the last couple of years, I can honestly say that with this new album, Soilwork are once again heading in the right direction.

It is a tight, full sound with fine instrumentation (often three guitars together and a notable violin player) and Camilla's back-up vocals adding the sweetness. There is much to anticipate in the future.

‘Tattoos & Tequila’ isn’t about to win any awards for its originality, but it will at the very least have a whole lot more longevity than his former releases. And if you don’t believe me, then just give it a listen. Trust me, this is one fun album to listen to.

Hip Western Australian brother-sister act Voltaire Twins are one of the freshest sounds to come from that State, making catchy, electro-pop music that has seen them rise quickly in the independent scene.