Sometimes, Rock and genres becomes a passion that (unlike in the past) approaches parents and their sons and daughters. It's not difficult to see (and hear) bands where father (or mother) plays with his sons and daughters. One fine example is from PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS. Another excellent example: MARYANN COTTON, a Glam/Shock Rock group. And "Hallelujah", the band's latest release, is really amazing.

To make an introduction: Maryan Cotton's is the son of Hal Patino, the legendary former bass player of GEISHA and KING DIAMOND, and he plays the four strings with his son. But don't have the wrong idea: here is a mix between Shock Rock in the vein of ALICE COOPER with some Hard/Glam Metal touches. Of course, such musical approach was used before many times, but in the hands of Maryann (which artistic name comes from an British serial killer, Mary Ann Cotton), things are sounding new, fresh and full of energy, with charming melodies and excellent catchy choruses. The sound quality of "Hallelujah" is very good, built to be clean, modern and defined, but with a silk rough touch to be aggressive and heavy in the due proportions. But everything sounds clean and defined, modern and savage as it must be.

"Hallelujah" (a silk song with a great accessibility, that for some could sound like an AOR ballad, but it's filled with charming vocals and backing vocals), "Night in California" (a savage Glam/Shock Rock with catchy melodies and chorus, and a very good work on guitars), "I'm Your Saint" (another charming and tender set of accessible melodies, with some keyboards parts that are very good, sharpening the vocals' work), "Those Things to Come" (the classic mix of influences from Country music with Rock and Hard/Glam Rock, with a very good work from bass guitar and drums), and "Take Me Home (Delilah)" (a great song that mixes the accessible melodies from Hard/Glam Rock with a set of heavy guitars and great singing) are the best ones for a first coming on the album.

MARYANN COTTON really did a great work on "Hallelujah", and the more you hear it, the more you'll be addicted. Maryann, keep on Rockin', and good to hear about you again, Hal!