Stevie McLaughlin - Toy Empires (2018)

Stevie is an Irish guitarist, singer and songwriter. He has released 4 previous albums with the heavy metal band Sandstone, and currently works as the touring guitarist in Europe for Tim 'Ripper' Owens. Presented here is Stevie's first solo release: A mesmerizing collection of hard rock and classic heavy metal songs, peppered with progressive rock approaches, heart-felt songwriting, and soul searching lyrics.

The Irish guitarist Stevie McLaughlin is better known for his riff attacks with the Irish metal band, Sandstone. The band has recorded four albums so far, one of which - the highly respected debut 'Tides Of Opinion' - will be digitally released for the first time along with this album. Now, in order to live out his full musical sphere, something he is unable to do when playing with the band, the talented guitarist, songwriter and singer has recorded his first solo effort. 'Toy Empires' is the title of the ten track opus, which can be described as being between hard rock and classical heavy metal. Progressive influences are just as recognizable as are influences to his style by guitarists such as Gary Moore, Rory Gallagher, Steve Vai, John Petrucci and Pat McManus. In the meantime, the former Judas Priest/ex-Iced Earth singer Tim Ripper Owens noticed the musical talents of the Irish musician and invited him to join his tour band. 'Toy Empires' delivers ten songs which act as a colorful bouquet of flowers. Versatile, emotional and of the highest technical standard, but basically always close to the heavy metal genre, Stevie McLaughlin is spot on, right down the line. Apart from the technically perfect guitar parts, melodies and harmonies are important components of this album. But also songs with a large portion of prog influences, such as 'Apocrapha' makes the listener sit up, and whilst listening to the groovy, impressive numbers such as 'Immortal Rose' it is impossible to sit still. On the other hand, the title track is exemplary melodic, tight heavy metal with clean lines of melody. Stevie McLaughlin's vocals are pleasantly unobtrusive, yet also concise. On 'Toy Empires' all the musical fragments fit together to a perfect whole, pleasing the listener with it's cleanly arranged, melodic metal songs, and further recommending itself with it's strong, great melodies and classical guitar parts.

Track List:
01. Between Life & Death
02. Shadows Alone
03. Apocrypha
04. Straw Men
05. Prophetic Skies
06. Immortal Rose
07. Chimera
08. Depletion
09. Toy Empires
10. Memories of Eden

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