Tokio Hotel (Cherry Tree)

The four fresh-faced nu metal rockers from Germany reach out to international fans with their English-language debut, serving up catchy melodies and stimulating tempo changes, and even packing a punch from the word go with the rocking title track. The arena-pleasing "Ready, Set, Go!" and "Love Is Dead" bring to mind the metal of the '80s, but the best tracks are "Don't Jump" with its orchestral synth and the violin backed "Rescue Me". "Monsoon" and "Sacred" are pleasant rock ballads and "By Your Side" is an interesting closing track.

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Light From Above

Black Tide (Interscope)

Despite being in their teens - and all under 20 - these American rockers serve up some of the most powerful and melodic numbers I've heard in the last decade, complete with shredding guitar riffs and grungy vocals. Their debut album whisked me right back to the '80s, to a time when Metallica, Megadeth and Iron Maiden were forging ahead with their own unique sounds. Best tracks are "Shout", "Warrior of Time" and "Enterprise". The opener "Shockwave" is punchy but probably sounds better live, while "Show Me the Way" is typically Van Halen.