• Living And Dying In Equestria
• Living And Dying In Packingtown Chicago

Described by the press as ‘one of the most impressive new names on the melodic rock radar’ this young, rock quintet are riding a resurgence in AOR/Melodic rock, and what a resurgence it is, there are so many good bands out there at the moment, and Serpentine are one of them. Originally founded in Wales around the talents of keyboard player Gareth David Noon, guitarist Christopher Gould and bassist Gareth Vanstone, they released their debut cd last year, “A touch of heaven” with Tony Mills on vocals. They have recently completed a highly successful tour of the UK (with Matt Black fronting ) alongside Crash Diet and Houston, ending with a triumphant night at London’s Islington O2 Academy. Classic Rock Magazine commented: ‘Introducing a couple of impressive-sounding new songs, “Philadelphia” and “Cry”, they cruised through the cream of the debut leaving the audience drooling. This new cd “Living & Dying In High Definition” carries on from the debut, with lush keyboards, soaring melodies, and stunning guitar work, with Tony Mills once again fronting.

So who is Matt Black I hear you ask??? In case people are wondering what the hell is going on, Tony is the singer on the cd, but not the singer in the band, that job falls to Matt Black.

Tony left Serpentine shortly after the release of the 1st cd, due to health reasons, but did eventually finish the recording of “Living & Dying In High Definition”. So in the meantime Serpentine recruited Matt as his replacement to allow the band to commence touring to support the A Touch Of Heaven album.

1. CD Reviews Serpentine - 'Living And Dying In High Definition' I don’t think the same criticism’s can be aimed at “Living & Dying In High.
2. CD Reviews Serpentine - 'Living And Dying In High Definition' I don’t think the same criticism’s can be aimed at “Living & Dying In High.

Sea of Tranquility Review: 'Serpentine: Living And Dying In High Definition' - Sea of Tranquility - Music for the New Intellectual!

Tony has since made a full recovery and is now very much a part of TNT. So back to the cd: is it any good? The songs on this cd are mesmerizing, uplifting, with powerful ballads, and guitar driven rock songs, all these come with killer hooks and choruses, a real kick up the backside for other luke warm aor bands, take note, this is how it should be done. The production handled by Sheena Sear, who has worked with Magnum, is crystal clear. Multilayered keyboards and melodies shine throughout, with the guitar parts powering through when needed. It leaves you wanting more, a real tour de force.

A lush keyboard/piano intro opens the first song on this cd, soon joined by Tony’s soaring vocals, quickly followed by a cool riff from Chris. A very strong up tempo opener. “Philadelphia” follows and is another upbeat song, this song just oozes class. “Dreamer” is very much built from the same mould, upbeat, with a catchy chorus. “Love is blue” slows things down a bit, a love song written in the classic AOR style.

“Where do we go from here”, “Cry” and “Best days of our lives” are next up, and show Serpentines effortless song writing skills, all great catchy tunes. “Heartbreak town” is another up tempo song, with some great moody keyboard work form Gareth, some great solo guitar work from Chris, serious bass riffs from Gareth, and some great pounding from Roy on the drums. This is a song with a chorus that will stick in your head long after the song has finished. “Nuremberg” is perhaps my least favorite song on this cd, yet it is still another song as catchy as hell, it just suffers from being sandwiched between “Heartbreak town” and, for me, the best song on the album, the closing track “Forgotten heroes”, which is a massive slice of AOR, easily their best song, ever.

There’s 10 songs on this cd, and i normally complain about this, but with some of these song running in at over 6 minutes long, and no three minute wonders, there’s no complaints from me this time. Tony has left a big hole to fill, but having seen Serpentine live, Matt is more than capable of filling the great man’s boots, im expecting the next Serpentine record to be equally as massive. On a side note, Matt is busy recording material for his solo album, and writing new songs for Serpentine’s 3rd album. The new album “Living & Dying In High Definition” is soon to be released in Japan and across Europe. This album features Tony Mills of TNT and SHY on vocals but Matt is featured on the Japanese bonus track singing a new version of “Lonely Nights” from the 1st Serpentine album. That song can be watched on Youtube below. Serpentine are: Matt Black – Vocals Chris Gould – Lead and Rhythm Guitar Gareth David Noon – Keyboards Gareth Vanstone – Bass Guitar Roy Millward – Drums Tracklisting.

01 Deep down (There’s a price for love) 6:03 02 Philadelphia 5:13 03 Dreamer 4:52 04 Love is blue 5:22 05 Where do we go form here 5:40 06 Cry 4:48 07 Best days of our lives 4:41 08 Heartbreak town 5:03 09 Nuremberg 5:46 10 Forgotten heroes 6:23 media-credit id=2521 align=”aligncenter” width=”350″/media-credit A massive 9/10 Catch Serpentine at the Firefest Festival, in October, Nottingham, Myspace website is Matt Blacks website is Here.

Fans of keyboard-laden AOR / Melodic Rock will fall in love with this album. An interesting album this, Cardiff based Serpentine's second to feature 49 year old Solihull born Tony Mills, the current TNT vocalist and ex Shy, The Sweet and solo artist to name but a few of his more well known previous adventures. He originally replaced ex Kamera singer Greg Flores who only got as far as demoing material with the band, transatlantic style, over a lengthy period of time, after which guitarist Chris Gould came into contact with Shy's drummer Bob Richards at a studio in Blackwood. The rest, as they say, is history.

The two undoubted stars of this album are Tony Mills himself and keyboard player Gareth David Noon. Their indelible stamp is all over every single song. Mills has one of the most recognisable voices in Melodic Rock today in a 30+ year career yet he manages to bestow a unique identity onto the songs that doesn't conjure up comparisons to any of his previous bands or projects. Moreover, any comparisons to TNT would be just laughable as TNT's Ronnie Le Tekro and Serpentine's Chris Gould are worlds apart in sonic style and delivery, and the songwriting and playing structure of the two bands are equally diverse. Gareth David Noon has grown up on a diet of AOR and Melodic Rock with influences that read like a who's who from Journey to Starship and Toto through to Foreigner, and it shows as he goes into overdrive on every single song including the Jonathan Cain style wizardry on 'Where Do We Go From Here?'

And sugar-coated dominance on 'Dreamer'. Mills is a strong songwriter and it is evident that he's brought a lot of maturity to the structure of the compositions that he's written with the band, particularly Noon and Gould. The melodies overflow like Niagara Falls in summertime and the harmonious choruses are more evident than birdsong during mating season. The sheer glorious magnitude of these songs is an AOR fans wet dream! It's very hard to find fault with this album but if I have to be super critical, I'd say that Gareth Vanstone's bass appears to have been totally swamped by Noon's keyboards in the mix.

Gould, as a self-confessed Metal fan, appears to be content with subtle rhythmic chord progressions but plays some lovely harmonics on opener 'Price For Love', and on the aforementioned 'Dreamer' he indulges in some fluid runs with good use of harmonics again, then proceeds to play a perfectly weighted solo on 'Where Do We Go From Here?' In fact you'll find much evidence of him underplaying any guitar histrionics which may be Mills' influence so as not to detract from the song as a whole. A particular case in point is the end solo on closer 'Forgotten Heroes' which features some particularly pleasing trademark elongated vocal phrasing from Mr Mills.

Roy Millward's drums are solid and steady but low in the mix as the sheer majesty of the keys and Mills' vocals dominate proceedings. Again, with Magnum's dream-team of Mark Stuart and Sheena Sear at the production helm it shouldn't be that big a surprise. Mills has stated that he won't be involved in singing live with the band or on any future albums because of his TNT commitments and as the band have a longer career ahead of them than he has, they need to recruit a younger replacement. So enter the fray 24 year old ex Oskura (which featured ex Nazerath and The Sensational Alex Harvey Band guitarist Alistair 'Zal' Cleminson) vocalist Matt Black. If he's anywhere near as good as Tony Mills on record then Serpentine have a great future ahead of them. Catch them live at FIREFEST in October, but if you're a fan of either Tony Mills or keyboard laden AOR/Melodic Rock then you'll absolutely fall in love with this album! Review by Woody The second album from the Serp’s features Tony Mills (Shy/TNT) on vocals for the last time and this album comes out at a transitional point for the band.

A new singer has already been found in Matt Black who is of a similar age to the rest of this very young band and I predict a very bright future for this band. The Serp’s once again have recorded the album at Mad Hat studio’s in Wolverhampton. I still love the debut album from these guys, but I found when talking about it opinions were polar opposites people either loved it like I did or hated it viciously one person even telling me “It’s not a nice album really is it!”, the music seemed to have no grey area with people.

Whilst I stand by my assessment of the debut album and still regularly crank it up and sing along to “In My Blood” I have listened to people’s criticisms of it and see where people are coming from but it doesn’t change my mind. I think perhaps the album was a little too safe for some people and Mills was accused of “Sleep Walking” during the writing process of the album. I don’t think the same criticism’s can be aimed at “Living & Dying In High Definition”!

Tony really pulls out all the stops in his contribution to the song writing on this new album and he has crafted some wonderfully beautiful vocal melodies. Tony’s swan song with the Serp’s definitely sees him bowing out with a bang and he adds to that by delivering a more measured vocal performance. The safe element has definitely been booted out the door as musically the band has really carved out their own sound and their influences are less obvious as previously. Gaz Noon has probably put in the stand out performance on this album, with his keyboard work been less “Asia” influenced and his playing sees him grow far more in his own style and his playing seems more confident. He has laid down some extremely memorable keyboard riffs and licks which gives a lot of power to many of these songs which just wouldn’t have shone half as much without them.

That’s not meant as any disrespect to the remaining members Chris Gould (Guitars), Gareth Vanstone (Bass) & Roy Millward (Drums) who have probably done the most to carve the bands own sound out creating a thumping and crunching backbone to all the songs. This album sees the band take a heavier stance and it really suits them and that heavier stance is provided by the backbone of this band. Spot on choice for album opener “Deep Down (There’s A Price For Love)” is a driving rocker with a wicked keyboard riff from Noon. Tony’s multi layered soaring vocals are outstanding on this! There is some excellent keyboard moments combined with a thumping backbeat creating a really infectious song. “Philadelphia” is a full force rocker with a fantastic back beat and a crunching guitar riff from Gould. It has a stunning melodic chorus which sticks with you making this an instant hit!

“Dreamer” shows off the bands new heavier stance really well complete with galloping bass line. The lush vocal harmonies on this track are immense. Heavy yet highly melodic!

The Serp’s first original ballad “Love is Blue” is a bit of a corker which features some great guitar playing from Gould. Noon’s keyboards really give this song some real emotive power and Mill’s vocals are suitably melancholic on the huge chorus.

“Where Do We Go From Here” features more killer key’s from Noon! It’s an instant sing along song which I’m sure will become a staple of their live set! “Cry” is an anthemic melodic beauty with an addictive and lush chorus. A song chock full of delicious melodies and I absolutely love this song which also sees Tony’s vocals shine! “Best Days Of Our Lives” has a powerful emotive keyboard riff which drives the opening of this song and it’s another one that delivers instant gratification. It’s another sing along with lots of hook filled harmony vocals and upfront keyboard licks.

“Heartbreak Town” is a driving rocker with some crunching hook filled guitar riffs. The urgent chorus packs a punch and will get your head nodding. “Nuremberg” is another song with an urgent and punchy chorus. The energy of this song really makes it stand out and Noon’s keyboards are beautifully littered throughout this song – there’s even a great keyboard solo in the mid section! “Forgotten Heroes” closes the album and although the lyrics are quite jovial it doesn’t stop this song been an unforgettable tune. With Its anthemic sing along chorus, stellar vocal melodies and fantastic keyboard licks we get another Serp’s classic! I absolutely love this album and it is even better than the debut, it may be heavier but it still delivers to us more Anthemic AOR songs full of lush melodies and sing along choruses, everything that we have come to expect from the Serp’s.

An essential purchase for Melodic Rock fans! Now with the fun loving and charismatic Matt Black taking up the mic, I predict a very long and exciting future for the Serp’s. Track Listing: Deep Down (There’s A Price For Love) / Philadelphia / Dreamer / Love Is Blue / Where Do We Go From Here / Cry / Best Days Of Our Lives / Heartbreak Town / Nuremberg / Forgotten Heroes Album Rating: 9/10 Woody’s Essential Track: Cry. Review by Woody The second album from the Serp’s features Tony Mills (Shy/TNT) on vocals for the last time and this album comes out at a transitional point for the band. A new singer has already been found in Matt Black who is of a similar age to the rest of this very young band and I predict a very bright future for this band.

The Serp’s once again have recorded the album at Mad Hat studio’s in Wolverhampton. I still love the debut album from these guys, but I found when talking about it opinions were polar opposites people either loved it like I did or hated it viciously one person even telling me “It’s not a nice album really is it!”, the music seemed to have no grey area with people. Whilst I stand by my assessment of the debut album and still regularly crank it up and sing along to “In My Blood” I have listened to people’s criticisms of it and see where people are coming from but it doesn’t change my mind. I think perhaps the album was a little too safe for some people and Mills was accused of “Sleep Walking” during the writing process of the album. I don’t think the same criticism’s can be aimed at “Living & Dying In High Definition”! Tony really pulls out all the stops in his contribution to the song writing on this new album and he has crafted some wonderfully beautiful vocal melodies.

Tony’s swan song with the Serp’s definitely sees him bowing out with a bang and he adds to that by delivering a more measured vocal performance. The safe element has definitely been booted out the door as musically the band has really carved out their own sound and their influences are less obvious as previously. Gaz Noon has probably put in the stand out performance on this album, with his keyboard work been less “Asia” influenced and his playing sees him grow far more in his own style and his playing seems more confident. He has laid down some extremely memorable keyboard riffs and licks which gives a lot of power to many of these songs which just wouldn’t have shone half as much without them. That’s not meant as any disrespect to the remaining members Chris Gould (Guitars), Gareth Vanstone (Bass) & Roy Millward (Drums) who have probably done the most to carve the bands own sound out creating a thumping and crunching backbone to all the songs. This album sees the band take a heavier stance and it really suits them and that heavier stance is provided by the backbone of this band. Spot on choice for album opener “Deep Down (There’s A Price For Love)” is a driving rocker with a wicked keyboard riff from Noon.

Tony’s multi layered soaring vocals are outstanding on this! There is some excellent keyboard moments combined with a thumping backbeat creating a really infectious song. “Philadelphia” is a full force rocker with a fantastic back beat and a crunching guitar riff from Gould. It has a stunning melodic chorus which sticks with you making this an instant hit!

“Dreamer” shows off the bands new heavier stance really well complete with galloping bass line. The lush vocal harmonies on this track are immense. Heavy yet highly melodic! The Serp’s first original ballad “Love is Blue” is a bit of a corker which features some great guitar playing from Gould. Noon’s keyboards really give this song some real emotive power and Mill’s vocals are suitably melancholic on the huge chorus. “Where Do We Go From Here” features more killer key’s from Noon! It’s an instant sing along song which I’m sure will become a staple of their live set!

“Cry” is an anthemic melodic beauty with an addictive and lush chorus. A song chock full of delicious melodies and I absolutely love this song which also sees Tony’s vocals shine! “Best Days Of Our Lives” has a powerful emotive keyboard riff which drives the opening of this song and it’s another one that delivers instant gratification. It’s another sing along with lots of hook filled harmony vocals and upfront keyboard licks. “Heartbreak Town” is a driving rocker with some crunching hook filled guitar riffs. The urgent chorus packs a punch and will get your head nodding.

“Nuremberg” is another song with an urgent and punchy chorus. The energy of this song really makes it stand out and Noon’s keyboards are beautifully littered throughout this song – there’s even a great keyboard solo in the mid section! “Forgotten Heroes” closes the album and although the lyrics are quite jovial it doesn’t stop this song been an unforgettable tune. With Its anthemic sing along chorus, stellar vocal melodies and fantastic keyboard licks we get another Serp’s classic! I absolutely love this album and it is even better than the debut, it may be heavier but it still delivers to us more Anthemic AOR songs full of lush melodies and sing along choruses, everything that we have come to expect from the Serp’s. An essential purchase for Melodic Rock fans!

Living And Dying In Equestria

Living And Dying In Packingtown Chicago

Now with the fun loving and charismatic Matt Black taking up the mic, I predict a very long and exciting future for the Serp’s. Track Listing: Deep Down (There’s A Price For Love) / Philadelphia / Dreamer / Love Is Blue / Where Do We Go From Here / Cry / Best Days Of Our Lives / Heartbreak Town / Nuremberg / Forgotten Heroes Album Rating: 9/10 Woody’s Essential Track: Cry.