There are some cracking performances and excellent songs on 'Forever One'.

If images of band members named Vikki Foxx decked out in spandex and covered in more Max Factor than the entire Boots counter spring to mind then you couldn't be more wrong. Far from being up a Glammed up, Sleaze band, Noisy Toyz have much more in common with the likes of Nightwish at their more commercial so don't be fooled by the name.

Based in Hampshire, NT have been on the go for a few years and built around the song-writing talents of guitarist/keyboardist Mars Marshall and singer Lisa Axworthy who is the real find here. With a voice that blends Anette Olzon and Charlotte Wessels, she has a beautiful Soprano voice that is at times fragile and delicate and at others soaring and imposing.

Symphonic Rock, like AOR, often needs a fair sized budget to bring out the best in the music. Here, the production is a little underwhelming rendering the guitars underpowered and the drums lightweight. However, there are some excellent ideas and performances on the album; the keyboards in particular are used effectively to create some impressive atmospherics. Check out the intro to 'Forever One', very simple but exceptionally effective. It gets even better as the song progresses with some stabbing synth work and bright sprinkles over the top that really enhance a great vocal from Axworthy.

Likewise 'Trail Of Tears' benefits from some haunting keyboards before breaking out into a dramatic Symphonic piece accompanied by some excellent acoustic work from Marshall. It's this attention to detail and the small embellishments here and there that add up to ensure a decent song becomes a great one.

Axworthy's voice impresses throughout the album and she shows her full range on 'April Rain' where her siren-like voice sails effortlessly over a dark, brooding riff. 'Memories' could quite easily have sat on Nightwish's 'Dark Passion Play' release, which is a real compliment to the song-writing on this album.

Despite the misgivings over the production, there are some cracking performances and excellent songs on 'Forever One' that come recommended to those of a Symphonic disposition. If the band could get the backing of a label and hire a decent producer then these songs could become part of a great album.

Mick Burgess