New releases last two weeks: Rock

Review: Santana's Amigos album from 1976 stands out as a Latin-infused rock masterpiece that often goes unnoticed due to the absence of their most popular hits. Nonetheless, it is regarded as one of their most captivating albums, resonating with listeners through its infectious energy and musical prowess. The opening track, 'Dance Sister Dance (Baila Mi Hermana),' showcases Santana's exceptional guitar skills, complemented by a solid rhythm section that propels the melodies to new heights. The album features standout tracks like the heartfelt ballad 'Take Me With You,' the dynamic 'Let Me,' and the grandiose 'Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile).' With its recent reissue on vinyl, Amigos becomes essential for both loyal Santana enthusiasts and those discovering the band's music for the first time. Embracing the fusion of Latin rhythms and rock elements, this album continues to captivate audiences and solidify Santana's legacy in the realm of musical excellence.

Review: Following on from 1989's majorly successful and admittedly more commercial sounding fourth full-length Intuition, Trondheim glam metal-tinged hard rock heroes TNT would find themselves on the radar and eventual roster of Atlantic Records, who in 1992, would distribute the band's fifth album and first on the major label, Realized Fantasies. Praised by fans for its exceptional production with ludicrously bombastic percussion the whole way through, the project saw a sonic retracing of their more hardened edges, so as not to lose sight of their creative prowess. That being said, cuts such as the cheerful 'Easy Street' and epic ballad 'Lionheart' seem like they were purposefully designed to keep snooting record label execs off their proverbial backs. Never mind what glassy eyed nostalgia-baters say, Realized Fantasies goes hard as hell while delivering barrages of riffage, melody and playfully epic grandeur.