Relay

NEW ALBUM CIRCUIT BREAKER NOW AVAILABLE!
Or buy from our good friends at CDBaby
-- -- CDBABY LINK for RELAY: Circuit Breaker --
April 07 issue of Powerplay Magazine reviews Circuit Breaker "This is a fantastic UK melodic rock album with a progressive edge. Filled with terrifically orchestrated melodies, sharp riffs and the sturdy vocals of Alison Taffs, this CD is a must have for melodic rock fans."
You can still buy Switch as well
-- -- CDBABY LINK for RELAY: Switch --
Relay can trace their history right back to 1975 when founder members Steve Tsoi (guitar) and Bob Addis (bass) first got together. Various line ups of the band gigged constantly through the late 70s & 80s before concentrating on producing their own material in the 1990s. In that period the band released 3 albums of original material, Prime Mover, Seconds Out & Chapter III, each better than the last and sold internationally via their own website.
Relays line up was revamped for the 21st Century bringing in the incredibly talented Alison Taffs on vocals, powerhouse drummer Paul Docherty and keyboard maestro Rob Mepham. The renaissance was completed in June 2003 when they rocked the Kelvedon Music Festival.
It was the start of a whole new journey for Relay and gave them the confidence to return to the local live scene. Switch took on a life of its own and, with radio airplay in the USA, Germany, France and the UK, started to make its mark internationally. Sound on Sound magazine gave it their top demo slot in July 2004 while European based Strutter magazine said in October:
"The combination of powerful vocals, biting guitar work and catchy melodies are making almost every song on this album a true winner for the fans of classic AOR/Melodic Rock. Highlights can be found in the shape of up tempo melodic rockers Land Of The Free, Do You Believe"........"
Even as the band were starting to think about the next album the February 2005 issue of UK based Powerplay magazine caught up with the band:
"...this band are immensely talented...songs like "Land Of The Free", "Need You Back" and "Unconditional Love" are songs of the highest order. In Alison Taffs they have a quality vocalist whose style has hints of Sandi Saraya and Pam Moore. Guitarist Steve Tsoi can throw shapes and peel out the riffs with the best of them...the best five or six songs from this album released as an EP would have made them the independent CD of the year... A very, very impressive band that will go on to bigger and better things.!
Latest Reviews for Circuit Breaker (From Strutterzine)
RELAY ‘CIRCUIT BREAKER’ (CONTACT RECORDS)3 years ago we reviewed the strong debut CD of the UK based female fronted Melodic Rockband RELAY, well now they have a follow-up finished and the 2nd CD of RELAY is a real strong album, comparable to a heavier NEXX. Anyone looking for strong 80s influenced female fronted Melodic Hardrock a la VIXEN and some LANA LANE should look no further as this new RELAY CD has got it all… 11 songs are included and it really sounds fresh and impressive, because songs like “Lost city”, “Love and desire” and “Danger zone” (one of the ultimate 80s song titles!) are damn catchy. Compared to their debut, the new CD sounds rawer and also has some Classic Rock influences, especially some SABBATH riffs can be heard here and there (“Liar”), but all together this is a real Melodic Hardrockalbum. Be sure to check out the new RELAY CD! More info at: http://www.relay-online.com
Latest review from Ravenheart Music in September 2007
This cd has just drifted my way. And am I glad it did! Relay can trace their beginnings back to 1975, and are from my old hunting ground of Essex. They so happen to be a very good AOR/melodic hard rock band, with the 21st century version of this band fronted by Alison Taffs. If you like no nonsense, no frills melodic hard rock, then Relay is for you. Awesome vocals by the way too. Kicking off with 'Bankrupt Heart' it is obvious what path 'Circuit Breaker' will tread. And I like it! And the ballads on the album, check out the power ballads 'All For You' and 'Love and Desire' as corking examples of this genre. If that is not enough, just listen to the 70's vibe on 'Liar'. Further faves are 'Lost City', 'New Sensation', 'Danger Zone' and 'Free' . This album is another example of fine female fronted rock with an excellent production, which again gets me asking the question I ask of many awsome unsigned bands..why are they not signed? I got into this genre of music years ago because of bands like this. Absolutely essential for lovers of this type of music! 9/10 (Reviewed by Dave) ..