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CAROLINE BLUE / Press

“5/14/2009-CD REVIEW-NOT FOR THE INNOCENT-METAL TO INFINITY WEBSITE (BELGIUM)... there is a progress noticeable - also, a big step in straight to originality is remarkable. Especially his vocal use on the new album is better than ever before to me... individuals never heard Wayne's before, well let me give it a try to describe as a blend of Paul Stanley (Kiss), Mat Barlow (Iced Earth) and a bit of Joey Belladonna from Anthrax...Driven by hard ripping, groovy guitars - this output really hits the deck pretty hard and mean as hell....Heavy, groovy and melodic with lots of 'classic' vibes, these present songs are 'not for the innocent' but for 'real hard rock 'n' rolling maniacs only who likes it rough, loud and heavy... going crazy is the only way out!...To me, 'Not For The Innocent' is Caroline Blue's best album up to date - especially fanatics of Classic Hard Rock and Metal music will be impressed with this product….”

“5/14/2009-CD REVIEW-NOT FOR THE INNOCENT-ON THE ROAD WEBSITE (SOUTH AMERICA).."...The first thing that jumps to listen album, are good riffs, solos and vocal lines sticky, the vocalist / guitarist Wayne W. Johnson knew fit their voice with the guitar he plays with very good taste, all together a good production for a CD independently.....the songs "Our Love is Wasted" and "Love Me or Leave Me" are on the line hard rock, with a certain weight, and the second song mentioned the riffs are prominent, and interesting vocal lines and chorus to sing along....”

“3/28/2009-CD REVIEW-NOT FOR THE INNOCENT-LIMELIGHT MAGAZINE-JOE MILLIKEN (MA.,USA)..Reminiscient musically of perhaps a current LA Guns or Dokken, while vocally most certainly that of KISS' Paul Stanley....Not For The Innocent certainly runs the gamut of metal textures, from fist-pumping anthems like "Our Love is Wasted" & "Love Me or Leave Me", to the slowed-down & heavier "Pain" and "Deny to the acoustic power ballad "Stay". The Track "Far Away From Home" seems to even have a classic 70's, acoustic UFO feel to it....Overall Not For The Innocent is certainly a step up in style for Caroline Blue, who in the past have been pinned as a "KISS clone." Yet Johnson gets kudos here for creating different textures and tempos, showing that he is not only willing, but capable of expanding his repertoire....Oh, and the man can also cut one hell of a guitar solo!..."”

Joe Milliken - Limelight Magazine (USA)

“4/14/2008-CD REVIEW-NOT FOR THE INNOCENT-SACREDMETAL.DE (GERMANY)..Classy hard rock on the border to powerful melodic metal is what you will find on the second release of CAROLINE BLUE "Not For The Innocent" (the previous release was an EP called "Slave to the Hourglass"). 2 things are common to be found in the three to four minutes long songs: A hooking riff that is strummed more or less, and the tasteful and good vocals of mastermind WWJ which cumulate in straight forward choruses. These choruses let you sing along first time around and make you raise your fist and shout. ....Songs like the hard rocking twins "Our Love is Wasted" and "Love Me or Leave Me..." or the ballad "Stay" are stereotype "…But there surely are enough rockers out there that demand songs exactly like that. Somehow CAROLINE BLUE are a car driving band. They make you wanna roll down your windows and show the world what hard rock sounds like in 2008. This is something hard rockers should definitely give a try.”

“4/12/2008-CD REVIEW-SLAVE TO THE HOURGLASS-ENCYCLOPAEDIA METALLIUM (United Kingdom...These guys just take a simple structure, some good catchy rocking riffs and good but not pretentious vocals to belt out some cool, powerful classic metal songs. On top of that they have some excellent solos, nothing ridiculously technical, just enough to give the songs a bit more juice.... A composition-style that I'm familiar with and enjoy a lot, used to create some excellently catchy and addictive rock/metal songs. My choice cuts would be the slightly epic opening title track, 'Hard Life' (which funnily enough, slightly reminds me of 'A Hard Day's Night' in the chorus) and 'The Queen of Pleasure'. ”

“10/16/2007-CD REVIEW-NOT FOR THE INNOCENT-THE POST STANDARD/STARS-SYRACUSE,NY-USA (MARK BIALCZAK) “…Wayne W. Johnson & Monster Mike Merrifield cooked up a dozen blazing songs for “Not For The Innocent.” CAROLINE BLUE likes to churn things up Heavy Metal Style. Johnson’s voice snarls the thick & edgy “Deny.”… “Won’t Be Home Tonight” employs a sweeter vocal sound and echoes with big sonics….””

Mark Bialczak - The Post Standard-Syracuse, NY (USA)

“12/29/2006-CD REVIEW-SLAVE TO THE HOURGLASS-HARDSOUND.IT-ITALY …"From the state of New York, Caroline Blue is a solid melodic hard-rock trio moved by classic inspiration taken from Kiss, but never figuring as a their cover band, and never as rakes and lack of personality. Indeed, Caroline Blue weight down the sound in phase of riffing, and run with a rhythmical section aggressive and more powerful guaranteeing a precise trademark….are Caroline Blue the "next big thing"? They surely could be it. The potentialities does not lack, the same to say in fact of determination to assert themselves (furious is the promotion on the web, so much organized and detailed)….”

“12/14/2006-CD REVIEW-SLAVE TO THE HOURGLASS-METAL TO INFINITY WEBSITE-BELGIUM (PATRICK SLOOVER) …Musical wise, we hear great, solid but Melodic Hard Rock that will please a lot of fans that are into the old school 80's hair metal…. I have the feeling that this band is a real live act that knows what people like and know how to bring it down to the masses!…”

“10/6/2006-CD REVIEW-SLAVE TO THE HOURGLASS-POWERMETAL.DE...Guitarist Wayne W. Johnson...make no bones about the fact that he had been influenced by bands like KISS and Motley Crue. Even the title song, "Slave To The Hourglass" opens, makes it clear that KISS have been modeled...The songs are all equipped with compelling hooks and will not disappoint, even after several passes. This type of music is just as timeless as those of the models for their makers...”

“7/4/2006-CD REVIEW-SLAVE TO THE HOURGLASS-METALLIVILLE WEBSITE-UNITED KINGDOM (GLENN MILLIGAN) …A good ole metal 3-piece from Syracuse, New York who take us back to the mid 80’s with their Kiss like sound and Paul Stanley-like vocals. It’s a five tracker with songs that have cool playing and plenty of hooks…”

“6/21/2006-CD REVIEW-SLAVE TO THE HOURGLASS-GLAM-METAL.COM WEBSITE-USA (TRACEY L)…This five-song release comes from Syracuse NY. Singer/guitarist Wayne Johnson is a promotions animal, and has no problem attracting attention; as he’s got that rock star persona the ladies swoon over and a voice that has an uncanny resemblance to that of Paul Stanley of Kiss… This band embodies all things 80’s and does it up right with stinging guitars and a live show that provides plenty of raw energy….”

Tracey L. - Glam-Metal.com

“6/10/2006-CD REVIEW-SLAVE TO THE HOURGLASS-METALREVIEWS.COM WEBSITE-USA..Musically speaking, Caroline Blue delivers a solid wall that is sure to get your neck moving.... Vocalist Wayne Johnson sounds very similar to Paul Stanley, but certainly is not trying to sound like a clone. Obviously, his delivery is a perfect fit for this style of classic heavy rock music. The man does not fail to deliver as he sounds very motivated and into his music...If the band can come up with an entire album of this quality, they mold a nice career for themselves. ”

“6/9/2006-CD REVIEW-SLAVE TO THE HOURGLASS-METAL-RULES.DE WEBSITE-GERMANY (RON JAC METAL) “…These guys ROCK and you could call their musical style Party Metal (Hair Metal) indeed. This album relaxes your limbs, doesn't bother you and makes you sing together with the boys….Well known guitar sounds of my favorite era give a smooth massage to my eardrums and are kind of a relief for my aging bones. A visit of the band's homepage is recommended…””

“1/21/2006-CD REVIEW-SLAVE TO THE HOURGLASS-POWER PLAY RECORDS-GREECE (ANOTONIS MAGLARAS) “…Their songs are really good for the American listeners and their rock is good enough for the other side of ocean….For sure they have the abilities to make something really interesting and remarkable, the thing is to continue their hard work and i hope they will have some results in the near future. I will wait for their next step….””

“1/19/2006-OPEN MIC-MID YOUR NEWSPAPER-ONEIDA, NY (MIKE JAQUAYS) “…The disc burns with a musical energy all too often lost these days…Johnson and crew deliver a sound that captures the force of their live show…Slave to the Hourglass proves our local bands don’t need that coveted big national recording contract…this disc sounds just as professionals anything on the shelves of your local music dealer..."”

Mike Jaquays - Mid York Newspaper-Open Mic-Oneida, NY (USA)

“12/18/2005-CD REVIEW-SLAVE TO THE HOURGLASS-STRUTTER’ ZINE-THE NETHERLANDS “…Classic 80s US Melodic Hard Rock reminding a lot of 80s KISS, KEEL and some DANGER DANGER. Especially the PAUL STANLEY-like vocals of singer (and guitarist) Wayne W. Johnson are making them sound a lot like 80s KISS….this is cool in your face 80s Melodic Hard Rock with strong vocals, especially on up tempo songs like "Slave to the Hourglass" and "The Queen of Pleasure" (hell yeah! Best song with flashy guitar work and a strong catchy sound)… A definite must-have for fans of 80s Hair Metal!….””

Strutter'zine (The Netherlands)

“2/20/2005-CD REVIEW-SLAVE TO THE HOURGLASS-THE POST STANDARD-SYRACUSE,NY (MARK BIALCZAK) -When singer Wayne Johnson put together his dream heavy metal band in 2000, he dipped into his working man days at Wal-Mart to choose a great name. -In Sam-Land, the code "Caroline Blue" meant there was a medical emergency. -In Syracuse, the name Caroline Blue has meant very hot and hard rock ever since. -The disc from Johnson and band mates Billy Pierce on bass and Metal J on drums features songs that have plenty of sizzle and more than enough meat on the bone. -In the opener, "Too Late," Johnson sings "Take it or leave it, that's what you gotta do." And that's an order. -"Slave to the Hourglass" is a true workingman's heavy metal blues as Johnson laments, "I just might lose my mind" from the 9-to-5 life.”

Mark Bialczak - The Post Standard-Syracuse, NY (USA)