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David Neil Cline
"Thorough Scrutiny"
by: Jonathan Mariante
David Neil Cline is a singer/guitarist who plays straight-ahead hard rock, very influenced by classic 70's acts like Deep Purple, Ted Nugent, Rick Derringer, Aerosmith, Montrose, UFO, etc. He is in fact quite a good guitar player( he also produced and mastered the album), and can crank out some good, classic-style, hard-rocking tunes. There are fourteen tracks on this album. Some songs that caught my attention were "Life Under Glass" and "Queen Of The Skyways", both straightforward hard rockers, the ballad "Miss Minority", "Kassie Lane", which reminded me of "Rock Candy" by the aforementioned Montrose, "Good For Nothing", a groovy boogie tune with a 'tude, "50 Foot Amazon" (cool title-sounds like my kinda woman!), an instrumental where David shows off his guitar skills, and the really rockin' "First Reaction". He also threw in covers of the Pat Travers classic "Snorting Whiskey" and Rory Gallagher's "Follow Me". He does a good job with both these tunes. If anyone misses good old fashioned rock music the way it used to be (the way it was meant to be) and is fed up with all the bastardized versions of it that have infested the music scene for the past ten years or so, then this is an album to check out. It also says the cover artwork (very strange indeed) was done by a fellow named Tim Owens. Surely this is not Tim "Ripper" Owens from Judas Priest?
THOROUGH SCRUTINY-DAVID NEIL CLINE (GAZOCHTAHAGEN RECORDS)
I did some reviews of DAVID NEIL CLINE's first couple of CDs, but this new CD 'Thorough scrutiny' is definitely the best one he has put out so far. Apart from the short intro and outro, all the songs feature the vocal talents of David (who also plays guitars and keys on all songs). Musically it is Melodic Hard Rock with a slight groove, but it's clearly 80s inspired. Opener "Take it or leave it" for example is a great uptempo melodic rocker with a VAN HALEN orientated guitarintro, while the catchy harmonies are definitely making this song a true winner for fans of fun 80s typed melodic rock. Although the whole CD has a definite 80s touch, it doesn't sound dated all, partly due to the fact that David makes every song sound different from each other. For example, "Queen of the skyways" is a good uptempo melodic heavy rocker a la STORMWIND, while the straight-ahead 80s Hard Rock approach of "First reaction" reminds me of good-old RATT. Other favourite tracks of mine are "Life under glass" (typical 80s Hard Rock), "Miss minority" (midtempo melodic rocker) and the groovy MHR song "Good for nothing" (a la MR. BIG). This is a real good melodic hard rock CD with a late 80s/early 90s approach. Recommended if you're into VAN HALEN, MR. BIG and also WINGER. Check it out at: http://www.davidneilcline.com and e-mail him at:
(Points: 8.0 out of 10)
DAVID NEIL CLINE Thorough Scrutiny (self-financed)
It's been quite a while since David's first full length album, "Malefic Influence" had been issued so this second album was a very awaited one. So what do we have here? Has the man changed much from his previous musical orientation? No way guys, David stayed completely true to his roots and hasn't betrayed us so all power to him for that first of all. Throughout the whole album, he offers us traditional Hard Rock with lots of emphasis on the guitar parts but without putting aside the importance of the vocals. Actually he reminds me more and more of early Michael Schenker, Pat Travers (maybe that's not so much a coincidence that there's a great cover of "Snortin Whiskey" here) or Joe Perry when they started their own bands and if you clearly remember, their main device was to let the music do the talking. Well that's exactly what he does here. He never tries to impress anybody with his playing or whatever, he just plays what sounds right to him and he does a great job for sure. Hell, tunes such as "Queens Of The Skyways"- which could be easily be a powerful hit, "Take It Or Leave It", "Miss Minority", "Life Under Glass" are just excellent classic Hard Rock songs exactly like what old bands were giving us back then! The production job is rather good considering the fact that it's a self financed product. Let's hope a Metal company- small or big, will finally invest in this guy because much more should hear what he delivers! David Neil Cline rocks, that's for sure!
Laurent Ramadier
Modern Dance Magazine Issue #35 from the UK
DAVID NEIL CLINE. A Fit of Rage - Re-mix Plus Two. Gazochtahagen. 91-002CD American guitar wizard David Neil Cline is well on top form for this 6 track CD, it's only 29 minutes long but every minute is pure gold. The 1987 original 5 song EP has had one song removed and two brilliant songs added, these being Robbing the Cradle and Enforcer, recorded in 1990. David's guitaring is from the Michael Schenker/Yngwie Malmsteen mould, it's fast, furious and wickedly brilliant. Tracks 3-6 from '87 has Mark Man drumming for him while David plays all guitars, vocals, bass and keyboards (what a guy) but the two '90s songs has J D Donnelly playing bass and the drumming is left in the capable hands of his long time friend Jeff Giovannangeli. The lyrics are very negative and political and have been likened to Black Sabbath/Iron Maiden, the song, False Reality, refers to people working in a factory environment while the song Metal Rules shows his dislike for chart music, every song should be a classic. This is a terrific got to have for any heavy rock/metal fan and with other albums to come the future's bright! Watch this space (Lister)
DAVID NEIL CLINE. Malefic Influence. Gazochtahagen. CD 714000 If you have been watching this space as instructed you will know this is The follow up to A Fit of Rage - Re-Mix Plus Two and as in the debut, the music is terrific hard rock. The line up contains David and JD but Dexter Arney is now on drums and Bill Kozy is also on lead guitar and Mike Combs has a hand (and voice!) on 'Crazy Dream' with some vocal. There are eight songs to delight your fancy, which are all have a slightly more polished mad frenzy about them than on the debut. If you can get to hear a demo you'll be hooked. Nice cover art work but no information, David has his own record label, publishing company and recording studio, but neither CDs would run on my hi-fi, however they played on a little portable. Tremendous stuff - roll on the next album. (Lister)
David Neil Cline Malefic Influence (Gazochtahagen)
I think I've just come. Imagine Brian May playing lead for a band consisting of members of KISS, Maiden and Led Zep. (Occasionally Ozzy stumbles in to add his two penn'orth). That, essentially, is David Neil Cline. For those of us brought up on 70s heavy rock and metal, Malefic Influence, with its funky bass licks, squealing geetar solos, poodle perms and flying Vs is a wet dream come true. My current favourite songs on the CD are Crazy Dream, which is kinda like Meatloaf doing a Hard Luck Woman metts Teenage Kicks style track, and We Just Don't Care which, although sounding rather more modern at times (Wildhearts, AntiProduct) still keeps the whiff of mullet and studded leather that pervades this album. The words 'ripping' 'raw' and 'stomping' will doubtless appear in every review of DNC's work. Contact Gazochtahagen Records, 9593 Division, casco MI 48064 USA or download free music from www.mp3.com/davidneilcline [4.5/5]
in the UK
David Neil Cline - Malefic Influence (Gazochtahagen)
Interesting. This is very mid-eighties Yngwie type melodic metal. Widdly yet hook filled, it is proving very popular in the ceedee player. Mr Cline is a very talented musician handling most of the guitars, vox, some bass and keys (including some parptastic Hammond work, especially on "Governmental Brainwash". The odd unexpected moment keeps things interesting i.e the incredibly commercial pop/AOR pf "Crazy Dreams" which is straight out of the US Top 10 circa 1986. The whole CD is very retro, which somehow makes it all the more vital and invigorating in these anodyne times. Personal faves? The balls to the wall "We Just Don't Care" certainly had the foot on the invisible monitor, chanting away and punching the air, until the Jon Lord keyboard solo kicks in. Marvellous. A highly recommended release, coupling some idealistic lyrics to metal guitars and 70' keyboards. Good work.
The Rock Record Collectors Association
Canada
DAVID NEIL CLINE; Thorough Scrutiny
Here it is, still unpublished but a problem I'm sure David is soon to fix. A tight and high quality contemporary old school style metal album; the type of popular sound from the 1980's without the loud clothing and even louder musical styles. Tight and complex guitar solos and strong vocals make this album a contender without a doubt. David Cline "D.C." is an artist that shows clear evolution in his well thought out recordings; This one was actually done shortly after his previous work, the Malefic Influence album, but up until now remained unreleased. Now he took a second look at the album, re-recorded parts, re-mixed it all for an imminant release. A 4 track review release was done but I have the completed pre-press version for this review. A groovey beat suitable for so-called "classic rock" and maybe even top-40 rock stations. There are no peaks and no lows in his sound, no surprises here, such a plan often leads to a monitonus droning of the music after a whole but David Cline managed to squeeze in just enough variety in the tracks to keep your interest; long enough for him to complete his work and you to remove your headsets and say "not bad - not bad at all". My only complaint was the overdubbing featuring his own voice introducing some of the tracks while he was on a road trip. Nice idea but it might fall a bit short of being a needed addition - the record would have been just as fine without it as often as it was except maybe the last one to basically say goodbye - it was timely. All the same, an album worth trying, yet again! Grade : 8/10
David Neil Cline - A Fit Of Rage
"It is very nice to hear that there are still musicians who are trying to bring back the classic hardrock tunes from the 80s and does it very well like David Neil Cline from Detroit, USA. Unfortunately it is hard to fight your way to the top unless you have a big label behind you and this kind of music is not really what most labels are looking for today. This isa real shame because there are obviously some great musicians out there. David Neil Cline has been playing music all his life and since the age of 15 he has been performing at clubs in the Detroit area. This was infact the first album he ever made (almost completely by himself as well!) and it was released on vinyl in 1989. Now it has been remixed and released on cd. The sound quality is still rather ok but it was to be improved by the time he released his second album. Brilliant guitar work, heavy striking riffs and passionate vocals makes this a hardrock album worth to be remembered. His influences can be found a little bit everywhere around the metal world but mostly from the giants of the late 70s and early 80s and the vocals on one of the songs ("Enforcer")actually sounds very much like a Megadeth song which name I can´t remember right now (it is on their"Cryptic Writings" album though I think...). This first effort from Cline shows a little bit of immature song-writing and chaotic solos that ruins the flow a little bit in my opinion. It is stunning how much better the second album is - the songs are morewell-composed, the structure is more complete, the production is better and the vocal melodies are stronger. "A Fit Of Rage" is not bad though and if you´re into Yngwie Malmsteen then here is a heavier and more passionate version." (6.5/10)
David Neil Cline - Malefic Influence
"With his father being the multi instrumentalist Neil Andrew Cline of Danny Zella & The Zellrocks (awell-known band from the late 50s and early 60s), David Neil Cline has continued the family tradition with his own hard rock solo project. Growing up with music it is no surprise that he has become a very talented and skilled musician himself. The music he is performing wasn´t even known back in his father´s days since it is a mix of hard rock and classic heavy metal, sort of like Deep Purple meets Yngwie Malmsteen. In my opinion David Neil Cline is a lot better than Yngwie since he has a lot of soul and passion in corporated in his music while Yngwie's sound is rather strict and often plain boring. Some of the songs have Mötley Crue influences as well but with alot more style and class, something that was hardly the trademark of Mötley Crue. This is the way hardrock was meant to be done and David Neil Cline has succeeded in the very difficult task of catching the very essence of the music. "Malefic Influence" was originally released as an LP on vinyl in the early 90s but has now been remastered for a CD release. Even though this was done ten years ago it is still great music and the sound quality is simply amazing for notbeing a major label release. The first two tracks on this album are together with the closing one some ofthe best music I´ve heard in some time. Some of the other songs tend to get a little boring at times but they are definitely no way near bad. With ten additional years of experience and practice I am very curious to see what David Neil Cline can perform today. Oral pleasure seldom comes this way and if you enjoy well-composed and passionate music you can´t go wrong with this one!" (8/10)
David Neil Cline
Malefic Influence
Arena rock lives!!!!!! Detroit's Davi Neil Cline cranks out some kick ass music in a style described as heavy rock, a cross between heavy metal and hard rock. his music brings to mind bands like Motley Crue and Poison along with great Euro Rock like Rainbow and Scorpions, and his guitar playing is unbelievable!! Comparisons to masters Ritchie Blackmore and the great Michael Schenker are well deserved and the guy just shreds!! While songs like "Governmental Brainwash" and "We Just Don't Care" pummel you into submission with punishing guitar riffs, David's not afraid to appeal to mainstream listeners as well. "Crazy Dream" is such a hooky, catchy tune that it's absolutely perfect for AOR with "HIT!!" written all over it!! Detroit stations Z Rock (WDZR) and WRIF have given David major airplay and " A Matter of Time" reached #1 on the Music Monster Radio Network earlier this year. David is currently putting the finishing touches on his 3rd recording and I can't wait to hear it!!! I maybe mellowing as I get older but David Neil Cline reminds me of why I got into music in the first place. File David under quilty pleasures and ROCK ON!!!!! (David Neil Cline, PMB #125, 1223 South Gratiot Ave. Clinton Township, MI 48036.
by Erica Mundt
David Neil Cline / Malific Influence
American heavy metal musician David Neil Cline has been around for quite some time but his albums have so far only received limited release. Malific Influence is his second album and was recorded some years ago. It has recently been re-released on CD and should set the scene for the release of his third album that he has re-recorded and should be available soon. David handles vocals, guitar and keyboards and also chips in with a little bass work. He is more than ably supported by JD Donnely on bass and Dexter Arney on drums but it is the guitar work that really stands out. Ritchie Blackmore has obviously been a great influence on him but there are also elements of Gary Moore and the album really comes alive when the solos burst into life. He is no mean vocalist or slouch on the keyboards either but at only 31 minutes this CD is rather on the short side. Picking Up The Pieces with its compelling and pulsating beat climaxing with a thrilling solo is typical of the material on the offer heremaking Malific Influence a more than resonable heavy rock album.
Terry Craven
Sound420.com In Harleysville, PA
"Malefic Influence"
Detroit-based solo guitarist David Neil Cline seemingly comes out of nowhere with his second official album "Malefic Influence," originally released on his own label in 1989, and then re-released on CD in 2000. DNC's music is oldschool 80s heavy metal meets hard rock, with sing-along choruses ("We Just Don't Care", "Crazy Dream"), unexpected keyboards (including the rather unique use of a Hammond organ), and high speed guitarwork in the vein of Yngwie Malmsteen. David Neil Cline makes more than a little welcome mischief with the glam-free classic metal of songs like "Governmental Brainwash", "Picking Up the Pieces", and "Suzy Homewrecker". His vocals are very clear, mid-range, and while his guitar riffs tend to be fast, they are also technically brilliant and very controlled ("I've Been Told"). The album's closing track--and this reviewer's favorite tune-- "A Matter of Time", is just plain old toe-tapping, turn-the-volume-up hard rock with absolutely no pretense.
David Neil Cline proves himself to be a very talented singer/songwriter and guitarist. If you're into classic, well-written metal along the lines of Yngwie, Iron Maiden, and MSG, you'll want to check out David Neil Cline at http://www.davidneilcline.com for reviews, interviews, and information on ordering his music.
By Ellen Zuckerman
The Rock Record Collectors Association
Canada
DAVID NEIL CLINE
A Fit Of Rage
A veterin of the Detroit night club scene since the age of 15 David takes his music seriuously. He owns his own studio, recording and publishing company and is determined to make it on his own without the help of the majors.This recording was originally released on vinyl and now re-released on CD with two extra tracks. It originally sold well in Japan and Europe. It is often compared to Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath. His high voice, level at one moment then turing high pitched (Merciful Fate style) with echo effect added, accompanied by prominant guitars and steady drumming offer a traditional metal/hard rock feel to each track. Smooth production and a quality driven traditional sounds are offered to the rock fan here; nothing fancy just cool consistent rock music. His tribute to the old time metal heads (those of us who remember those days) in track 5 "The Metal Rules"where, in his words, he remembers the days when "looking cool was cool"!
DAVID NEIL CLINE
Melefic Influence
I am told that original vinyl copies of this, his second, album are selling for $50.00 - $100.00 a pop. Now it's available out of the hand of collectors and back into the mainstream as a re-mastered CD. Following much along the same linesas his previous work David Neil Cline moves along with his '80's style metal sound without the glammy clothes and cheese that commonly defined that era. This work is an advancement from his past work, however, much more robust and "popular" style sound is featured here; not a change from the past just a natural evolutionary process which one would expect between albums. From the groovey beat of the title track (1) to the fast pace of "Governmental Brainwash" (track 2) the recoridng clips along nicely. His lyrics say something and are thought out and aren't just filler for the guitar. Definally worth a try.
So the story goes that Mr. David Neil Cline garnered quite a following in the underground some years back, justifying these two reissues. His wide-eyed approach to high energy metal is evident on the new version of the EP A Fit of Rage (remixed plus two bonus tracks) . Assaulting the senses with his own brand of pummeling, compact riffs accompanied by a belter of a voice, this makes for all smiles listening. It is definite from the outset that the guy loves the music as much as one can, gritting his teeth with barely clenched adrenaline. In fact, David's ability to cram more lyrics in per bar is quite interesting. It's almost questionable whether is actually breathes on some of the songs. Kind of like an A.D.D. horns up metal six pack. Out of the half dozen tracks, the best are those in which he simply rips it up. "Robbing the Cradle", which features such lyrical madness as "Sexual experiences, counted on one hand. Young and firm and yet to learn, the many abuses of man. Soon realize, between the thighs, the exclamation point. Your prime soul, under my control, so physically we join." Yep, he's one testosterone filled SOB and it is quite infectious. Even the obviousness of "The Metal Rules" is too much fun for 4 minutes. Maybe that's why it is 4 and a half minutes...kidding! Of note, one track, "I've Been Told", from the original EP, has been ditched in order for the two newbies. I haven't heard it, so I'll have to trust his judgment there. David changes things up a bit on the ultra retro keyboard heavy Malefic Influence. This ain't 80s keyboards as much as Jon Lord-esque, rumbling forth like a tank in a hurry. But the shred is still there, if more mature. The title track uses a spacious riff allotment to great effect, getting those fists pumping in the air with glee. "Government Brainwash" is a mean rocker with give and take rhythm, always ready to bust out. For some reason this reminds me of early Maiden. Yet things are more bent on '73 via "We Just Don't Care" and "A Matter of Time", two surging pieces of classic metal mastery. Energetic, honest and never stale, David Neil Cline deserves a broader base than the underground can afford. Oldschool metalheads will like both releases with this one being a) More song and b) Better written overall. - Brian Coles
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