Yerbadiablo-Jester In Brick Lane

Logic(il)lLogic Records
2012

Italy's one-man band Yerbadiablo (that's a mouthful) has left me stranded somewhere in a state of confusion. It's also left me sort of speechless. It's not so much  in a good way or bad way. It's more like alright, just where exactly is this thing going as I went from one track to the next (not to mention all the different feelings/styles that can be jammed into just one sole song here!). Over  the course of 13 tracks I found myself saying often saying  "Huh?", but also saying "Wow!". Again, that was sometimes just as I was listening to one song. The thing is it's (this debut album) just not easy to pin-point what this one is all about, but that's quite good....or at least I think it is. The band/one man project started taking shape in 2010 with "Jester in Brick Lane" being the end result. Lone member/multi-instrumentalist Nik (the Öyster) does a little bit of everything here from the old-school punk rock/thrash rumbling "Punk In-Fashion" to the smooth jazz/AOR cut "Back To The Monkey". So yeah, musically this 13-track release lacks one consistent thing that could tie it all together, but even then it does mostly work. Even if it is a confusing album to sit down and listen to it's actually kind of cool at it's core. Given that I will say that these kind of bands sometime give me pause to wonder. It's just seems as if far too often they go out of their way to throw everything in (punk, rock, blues, reggae, etc.) incl. the kitchen sink all in order to stick out or be edgy. Is that the case with Yerbadiablo? More then likely no. Multi-instrumentalist Nik, who worked on this record with producer Luca Gomedi of High Distortion Level Studio, does seem sincere as he's jumping all about from one genre to the next. With a few guest musicians helping him out (incl. saxophonist/flautist Gabriele Bolognesi) Nik makes the most of what is a different, but nonetheless interesting debut-album. So, while it's hard to read the road map about where exactly this 13 track release is going it all works out in the end.

Current Playlist

Well, another week of Summer break is behind us. During said time I have attempted to keep the wild animals from getting to restless. Is that the best way to describe teenagers? Maybe not as mind tend to be better then most (even if, like any other set of siblings, they go from being best friends to fighting at light speed!). Anyway, I hit most of my goes for this week (blog wise) although I still need to do a write-up on the new Alice In Chains and Diamond Lil. Hopefully this week will allow for that, but with some doctor appointments and family coming into town that might prove to be extra tricky! We'll just have to see won't we? So, what have you been checking out this week?

Listening to:
Speed Revelation Compilation (German thrash and speed metal bands!)
Lords Of The New Church-Killer Lords
New York City Rock N Roll Compilation
Scorpion Child-S/T (I would love to get to a review of this so we'll see)
AHA-25 Best Of (Snicker all you want I still like them!
Dumpster Juice-Get That Out Of Your Mouth (As much as I wanted to like this one it is majorly flawed)
Kiss-Creatures Of The Night
7 Seconds-Walk Together, Rock Together
David Bowie-The Next Day

Watching:
Matinee
Evil Dead II
The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

Reading:
World War Z

Playing:
Risk
Halo (Not sure which one as I play this with my kids and then they usually destroy me within seconds!)

September Murder-He Who Invokes Decadence

Self-Released/Independent Recording
2013

Most people who truly know me, the real me that is too often hidden behind this computer, would attest to the fact that as since as I can be I am also cynical. Whether it's movies, TV shows or music it doesn't matter. I can always be found disproving of something or nit-picking this or that. I've worked hard on controlling that aspect of my being...the natural negativity. I've come a long way though and, but I do admit that the old Andy might be hiding out in the dark, cold and empty, although thinner then it has been in a long time, recesses of my heart. It just is what it is. What does that half to do with this album then? Well, even if natural circumstances cursed me to walk the longest road, which is naturally empty by default, there are moments when I find that no negativity has arisen and I can just enjoy something for what it is. All of that brings us around then to September Murder. Everything, and I mean everything, about this band I like. I like the name (actually I love the name for reasons unknown even to me!) and I love the album's title. I love the artwork and the chilled feeling it conveys. But, most of all I love this German acts take on death metal. Formed in 2005 the band has a demo, an EP and one other album under their collective belts. Therefore this makes the sophomore effort for this act which, at around 50 minutes, is perhaps a little too long for it's own good, but it's all good. The band, no doubt spoon feed in their youth a thousand different death metal groups, doesn't do anything overly special and yet there is just something about the group's energy and enthusiasm, not to mention their ability to change things up within the songs, that I really dig. Even if it's not perfect or the most 100% original death metal I've heard I just really dug what these Germans were doing on "He Who Invokes Decadence". You can stream this one for yourself below and, as always, feel free to disagree, but something tells me that these lads are on the right path.



http://septembermurder.bandcamp.com/

Dischordia-Project 19

Rogue Records America
2013

Death metal from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma? Does Oklahoma actually have a death metal scene? It must have more death metal bands then would be expected as proven by Dischordia. In reality this 3-piece act, which was formed in 2010 with a 2011 EP, "Creator, Destroyer" also appearing in their catalog, offer up more then your typical paint-by-numbers death metal. Infused with progressive elements and even mathcore reference points, which naturally happens when your influences include everyone from Decapitated to The Dillinger Escape Plan, these 3 guys know how to keep things interesting! With Josh Turner handling lead vocals and bass duties (in a must extreme fashion) this genre-splicing band is rounded out by guitarist/vocalist Keeno and drummer Josh Fallin. There's always something natural about 3 piece metal bands and with Dischordia that statement rings all the more true. It's hard to not appreciate such a technically savvy, brutal beat-down of a band especially when their influences are so wide ranging. Sure, that's a pretty wide-open space between Decapitated's music and the mathcore of The Dillinger Escape Plan, but it doesn't stop there. Old school death metal obviously runs through these grooves. Then again there's influences from the likes of Opeth and Meshuggah to boot! In these tracks there's all of those different elements, but the end-result is still a band that has carved out their own little niche. Yes, it's a fine line to be walked when you're talking about influences verses originality, but these guys have managed to lean heavily on their own distinct groove. Fans of  Decapitated should find much to appreciate about this Oklahoma beast of a band as should those of you who are always on the look-out for new "leaning-forward" death metal.


https://www.facebook.com/dischordiaband

Venomous Maximus-Beg Upon The Light

Napalm Records
2013

Despite having a name that sounds like some cheesy villain, straight out a eighties cartoon series with it's own set of toys no less, this Texas outfit's full-length debut album is anything but cheap and plastic! With a pair of demos, and not to mention a compilation CD, preceding this release the time has now come for this Texas band to truly make their mark on the scene. For their first act, or this full-length debut album if you will, the band has signed their names in blood for this unholy collection of tracks. But, first things first. For the record "Beg Upon The Light" looks as if it was originally released back in October of 2012. Somewhat fittingly in time for Halloween no doubt!. So, from the looks of it all you ghouls and goblins, Napalm Records is now just handling the mass release for this album that is drenched in blood. As for what kind of poison Venomous Maximus has concocted?  Well, here we find a rather tasty little metal treat for those who like to have unearthly soundtracks humming around them as they walk under the moon's chilling glow. That's especially true if you like your midnight (black) mass music to contain metal that's darkly-tinted and overtly occultist in nature. For you see Venomous Maximus, a 4-piece outfit and/or demonic reckoning, offers the listening public corrosive, doom-lavished, dark metal with a smokey aftertaste and a loud proclamation that the devil calling out for you to be his co-pilot. Stoner rock meets occult rock through an ad in doom lover's monthly newsletter? That might work, but it gets even weirder when you consider that lead singer Gregg Higgins, in a fashion that sends shivers down your back, often time channels the ghost of Rozz Williams. For you younger readers, out there in the dark cold recesses of time and space (or the Internet if you will), that's the late front-man of Christian Death. Yes, it's the same man whose album, "Only Theatre Of Pain", helped established deathrock as a religious movement and in Gregg's hands, well, let's just say that Rozz has plenty more to say. In other words, that right there (this eerie, uncaring, cold and dreary rock/metal) is the stuff horrifying nightmares and late night ghost visits are made of. Is this music a house haunting in the making? Does it travel back to a time in which listening to rock music and heavy metal was the solo reported cause of societal downfall? Does it, like so many evil albums before it, help lead to a gateway to other-side? Not alone it probably doesn't. But what of the fiery pits of Hades? Gregg Higgins's ghoulish delivery sure makes it seem all the more real and closer at hand then ever before! The sound that results from the toxic combination of Gregg's singing and the band's unnerving dark metal is like something trying to crawl it's way into our world. It comes off as downright creepy. As this album uncurled itself like a famous snake of old (think Genesis kiddos) the tracks just go deeper and deeper and you feel at a loss as you find that your travels have taken you further from home then you ever dared imagine. Looking back all you see is darkness and the only sound at all that you can hope to make out is this album fading into nothingness. That's the gist of "Beg Upon The Night" right there. Sure, on the suffice, it might just come off as some doom, a little dark metal, maybe some death rock to spice things up and, of course it's obligatory these days, some heavy stoner rock riffing, but it's more then meets the eye. Scratch the suffice and this one is ghastly and just not of this earth!

Robespierre-Die You Heathen, Die!

Skol Records
2013


No matter how much you think you know the NWOBHM scene there is always some new band to be discovered. Such is the case with Robespierre who, in June and December of 1983, recorded 2 demos that, although popular in and around Liverpool back in the day (especially in the local pubs according to the accompanying booklet!), never made the impact that they should have or rightly deserved. To be fair they did make the rounds amongst tape traders (or at least the one demo from June of 1983 did). Constructed early on as more of a studio project/experiment, albeit one with loads of talent to spare, this underground  gem of a "band" featured David Cooke (guitars and vocals) and Gordon Logan (drums and backing vocals). At the time David Cooke was inspired by the emerging NWOBHM scene that was unfolding all around him as well as the more extreme bands coming out of the USA during that time period. Meanwhile Gordon Logan brought a love of punk rock to the project that would end up paying dividends in the long-run. Up front it must be noted that this collection of demos, as assembled by Skol Records, sounds incredible. Having never heard the original source material, or at least for the June 1983 demo as the December 1983 demo remained hidden in the vaults until now, I'm going to give equal credit to the pair of Cooke and Logan (for their original work in the studio) and to Bart Gaberial (head of Skol Records) who handled the executive production of this 2013 re-release. When you add in the beautiful booklet (with a bio, lyrics, pictures and track by track information) this is a must-have for NWOBHM fans. Speaking of which, it might be helpful to spell out just what this pair is rocking on about right? Well, admittedly I was pulled in by the promise of metal born of Hell, Cloven Hoof and Raven. That's fair enough. When my copy actually arrived, thanks to the fine folks at HR Records (link below), those 3 groups did come to mind while listening to this re-release, but so did other NWOBHM bands. While I won't go track by track for space reasons I will divulge that opener "Backs To The Wall", in addition to having some of that spitfire punk mentality previously mentioned, sported a sound that was bred from the likes of Venom, Raven, Grim Reaper and Motörhead! Very nice right? While they might not all have the same immediate impact that the opener had, especially as it seems as if they book-ended the best two tracks for this compilation (to be fair though the first 4 tracks come from demo number 1 while the last 5 tracks come from demo number 2 so it's not exactly like they cherry-picked the running order that much) at least it ends on a high note with the great, and somewhat epic, "Battle Of The Ninth Thermidor". Mixed in between these two highlights are some rem gems (the title cut and "Robespierre") and sweet rockers ("I Am A Cannibal" and "Medusa") so this re-release still makes for an essential purchase for NWOBHM purists. It should also be noted that when you step back and consider when these cuts were originally put to tape it's then that the reality sets in. For their time period (1983) Robespierre were quite the heavy bunch which, again per the bio notes, was actually their agenda all along. With "Die You Heathen, Die!" it's easy, especially in hindsight, to see that all the pieces were there for these two to make it big. As is too often the case with bands from this time period though they slipped through the cracks. This collection ends up then as a fitting tribute to another pair of unsung heroes who should have found success in a time when the public was craving new and exciting hard rock, heavy metal and thrash. While it didn't happen it's at least possible to now show our support to these cult acts that helped paved the way for today's hard and heavy, mean and nasty and most definitely over-the-top metal bands!


http://www.hrrshop.de/ROBESPIERRE-Die-You-Heathen-Die-CD_1

Corrections House-Hoax The System/Grin With a Purpose 7”

War Crime Recordings
2013

 
Here we've got a band/musical project that features Mike IX Williams (Eyehategod), Sanford Parker (Buried at Sea), Scott Kelly (Neurosis) and Bruce Lamont (Yakuza). Does that count as a super group? A real scary super group, but a super group nonetheless? That's left open to interpretation and/or imagination. As is, and armed with the notion that this 2-track release probably escaped from some laboratory tube,  this sort of post-industrial doom comes about by fusing together a little DNA from each of the participating individuals. On could rightly assume that this madness came about when material was collected from gaping wounds as these two cuts fall somewhere between our collapsing state of reality and the demons that haunt our nightly, and quite frugal attempts, at peaceful slumber.

https://www.facebook.com/CorrectionsHouse 

Wolfs Moon-Curse The Cult Of Chaos

Pure Steel Records
2013

Somewhat surprising I discovered that this German band wasn't a new act. Wolfs Moon, a name shared with (at one point) Warsaw-based black metal act Solar Wisdom, have been around since 1992, but this is the first that I had heard of this 4-piece act. Seems as if I've been missing out then. Since releasing their full-length debut album, "Solitary Lunacy", back in 1996 this outfit has remained a fairly steady act even if it's been 5 years since their last release. In that time frame a new vocalist has been brought on board (Robert Rogge) which is worth noting if only for die hard fans of this heavy metal group. For the rest of us who haven't been keeping up with this band from Helmstedt, Lower Saxony a few keen descriptive words might be in order style-wise. As I slipped on my headphones and allowed myself to soak in this act a few reference points came to mind. With the rougher vocals of Robert Rogge guiding over this band (guitarist Gerd Simson bassist Marco Dammann and drummer Andreas Rinke with Simson and Rinke having been on board since 1992) the heavy metal/power metal sound, with only the slightest tinkering of thrash, that this guys rock out to falls somewhere between the old (Metal Church) and the (somewhat) new (Iced Earth). Being from Germany it's also hard not to think of acts like Helloween, Rage and U.D.O.when listening to album number 7 from Wolfs Moon, but these talented musicians manage to stay well within the bounds of originality which is more then can be said about a lot of power metal acts these days!. Fans of Metal Church and Iced Earth should dig this German act as well as those who enjoy the fine line that exists between heavy metal and power metal.

Tungsten Axe - Swedish Iron

Iron Shield Records
2013

When the end of 2013 finally comes knocking, at which point hundreds of thousands of best of 2013 lists will be compiled, this year will be marked as one in which we were overflowing with traditional heavy metal releases. For someone like me, who just so happens to feel like a kid in a candy shop when it comes to all things marketed as tried and true heavy metal, it feels as if the levee has broke. So far it does feel as if there has been dozens of praiseworthy traditional heavy metal releases to cross my desk. Keeping that thought in mind you could see how an album like this, which is reported to have been recorded, more or less, live in the studio with old fashioned equipment and procedures, would have me licking my lips in anticipation. I mean here we are talking about straight-up heavy metal, old school in nature, coming from a Swedish band! You could see the potential...heck, you could feel the potential this one had from a mile away! As I punched this promo in and sat back ready to take it all in something happened that made me pause. Opener "Prelude" went on and on and was way longer then it needed to be or should have been. Alright, so the opener was a tad weak, but starring me in the face was a real heavy metal band playing real heavy metal. It had to get  better right? And yet, as track after track came and went, there was this looming feeling of dread as reality started to creep over me. As I inch closer and closer towards a finalized review of this 9-track debut-album, as it has taken me several re-writes now to get the wording just right as far as how I felt about "Swedish Iron", everything is finally starting to come into focus. The sad truth is that the best that could be said about Tungsten Axe is that they do play with conviction. Unfortunately conviction will only take you so far in this business and, not to mince words, that's about all that there seems to be with this 4-piece. I get that Iron Shield Records must have seen (or rather heard) something they liked about this young act, but what exactly that was I just don't have a clue. At best the material here is average. At worst it's just dull and boring. It pains me to say that about a band liked this that has obviously put their hearts into this LP, but this is just one of those albums where I had to fight the urge to push next with each new cut. As such I figure there's no point in naming other bands this group of lads sounds like or even who these guys have worked to draw from as far as inspiration. That's sort of besides the point as this group just didn't do anything to make me feel as if they were more worthy then dozens of bands I know, unsigned and underground, who can connect all the dots in a fashion better then this. So yeah, sorry but it does take more then just looking the part of an old-school styled heavy metal act.

Bill Leverty-"Ace Bandage" Single

Self-Release/Independent
2013

If the name Bill Leverty doesn't immediately ring a bell for you then you're not alone. The name raised only shrugged shoulders for yours truly so it kind of threw me for a loop when I found out just who this guitar shredder was. Before that revelation comes to fruition though one must take the time to mention just how much of an accomplished guitarist Bill is. On "Ace Bandage" we're talking about semi-rough vocals etched atop semi-bluesy, gutsy hard rock. This single, aside for some overtly cheesy lyrics, is a sweet little rocker so I admit I was surprised to find out that Bill Leverty is the guitarist, as well as one of the founding members, of Firehouse! Yes, the same gents who gave us "Don't Treat Me Bad" and "Love Of A Lifetime" (used at many a wedding back in the day!) are now giving us a guitar hero in  Mr. Leverty. Of course that really isn't much of a surprise as it was always obvious that, while the group might have appealed more to the big-haired girls in our high school years, those guitar riffs were anything but light and fluffy. Strip away the glitz and glam from Firehouse and you have American hard rock it you give it a truthful listen. As "Ace Bandage" really stands as it's own beast though (as the only indication that these two entitles are connected at all is when someone like me does some snooping around) let it be enjoyed as such. This is good, old-fashioned American rock and roll with a blues/hard rock after-coat and not the crappy kind like Earl Scheib used to hype!

Stone Magnum-From Time...To Eternity

Rest In Peace Records
2013

There are few bands these days that are capable of releasing two albums in the same year. Of that lot, I'd be more then willing to wager a dollar or two, there are probably even fewer that can pull off having both releases be worth listening to. Enter Michigan City, Indiana's own Stone Magnum. With new vocalist/long-time metal legend Nick Hernandez (ex-Dysphoria, ex-Kommandant, ex-Violent Wisdom, ex-Incestuous) on board and a new bass player added in Ben Elliot (ex-Afterlife, ex-Lordes Werre) these fine purveyor's of doom are back with what just might be their best release yet! This sophomore undertaking features 7 new tracks of Black Sabbath worship that's likely to bring a smile to even the grimmest of doom metal fanatics. Of course all of these bands who participate in Black Sabbath love-ins can be one-dimensional at one time or another right? Well, seeing as there was numerous incantations of Black Sabbath that the guys in Stone Magnum could find their groove from (other then just the Ozzy years), founding member/lead guitarist/former lead vocalist Dean Tavernier (Skullview, Black Funeral, Prophecies et Sanctus, Sorath) ended up recruiting a new lead singer that echos Ronnie James Dio at times! So, while the guys in Stone Magnum, which is incidentally rounded out by guitarist Jim Brucks and drummer Brad Toth, might just still be loving on that Black Sabbath doom vibe there's simply more to love about the band thanks to this interesting directional turn. Clocking in at just over 46 minutes in length, with the opening title cut alone running over 8 minutes long, "From Time...To Eternity" is the logical next step for this young band. Formed in 2010, with just these two albums and a 2012 promo EP to their name, Stone Magnum now find themselves in a position that, with hard-work, good-fortune and just the right amount of mainstream press on their side, they could make some serious head-way towards the top of the proverbial doom mountain!

Anciients-Heart Of Oak

Season of Mist/War on Music
2013

As usual I'm the last to know. This time it's in regards to Vancouver, B.C.-based Anciients. Released back in April of this year, "Heart Of Oak", this young act's fine full-length debut album, is the stuff dreams are made of. Or at least if your dreams turn to all prog in nature. Of course there is a serious level of epic heaviness going on here so, while this group does list ELO as a particular point of interest, there's more then enough "Dear God in Heaven that is some serious bone crunching metal going on there" moments to appease all of those who bow down and worship at the alters of both High On Fire and Opeth! Catching up on this act, well after the fact that this LP came by recommendation. found me lost in wondering about the last time I caught sight of a band influenced by Celtic Frost? Right there is bonus points for this group with two co-vocalists and nowhere to go but up and up towards the top rungs of extreme progressive metal. As chilling and breathtaking as this bunch are you'd do well to pug in and listen to their music at the link below. Never fear that you, like I was before, are late to the party when it comes to Anciients as there is plenty of thick metal goodness to go around!
http://anciientriffs.bandcamp.com/

Maze of Terror-Skull Crusher EP

Capricorn Records
2012

Disregard the fact that this one's over a year old as "Skull Crusher" has recently been making the rounds through all kinds of various blog sites. When I was first contacted by the group, or rather Juan Pablo (aka Leviathan), I must admit that I felt like I had stumbled upon a real gem of underground thrash. It took awhile to get the actual CD for review purchases, which happens more often then not when you are talking about bands who don't live here in the States, and in that time frame I started to see this bloody-fine EP pop up on all these sites. So much for my hidden gem I laughed! Anyway, all the way from Peru, we find this 3-piece act that formed in 2011 and ended up releasing this 5-track EP in June of 2012. This band features in it's ranks bassist/vocalist Leviathan (who previously played the same role in the band R.I.P) guitarist Bestial Slaughter and drummer Hammer. Incidentally Hammer also came from R.I.P. although Maze Of Terror is their own beast through and through. Oh, for what it's worth, guitarist Criminal Mind has apparently replaced Bestial Slaughter since this EP's release, but that's neither here nor there when we're talking about this kind of ripping thrash. Up front my mind-frame was wow, these 3 really sound like "Reign in Blood"-era Slayer as interpreted by former members of  Destruction, Kreator and Warrant (the power/speed metal one of course!). Yes, oddly enough, there is some German thrash pumping it's way through the veins of Maze Of Terror, but, as this EP rumbled it's way a through a repeated listen, there's much more to this story then meets the eye. Repeated listens allow thoughts to quickly turn to such golden oldies as Wargasm, Dark Angel, Hydra Vein, Evil Dead and Witch Hammer. If you're keeping track at home (and by now you're no-doubt scratching your head in disbelief as to how such a young band can cram so much goodness into just 5 tracks) then yes, we are talking about a group from Peru that ends up sounding like a cross between classic Slayer, German thrash and cult eighties thrash. Mind you that's all the best parts of those acts we're talking about ! "How is that possible?" you might find yourself asking. Well, my answer will most likely disappoint you as I really have no idea! Maybe it's the gods of metal smiling down on all of us once more or perhaps its just that all the stars have aligned to make it so. Whatever the case this much is true: "Skull Crusher" is 5-tracks of mind-melting, neck-snapping and soul-destroying metal that sounds like a long lost gem of the underground 80's thrash movement. In other words this is pure, whole-grade, 100% prime thrash metal with not one bit of retro-thrash loving nonsense to be found! If that sounds like the Holy Grail of thrash metal releases to you then be sure to make your way over to their Facebook page below for more information on this nearly perfect slab of Peruvian metal .

https://www.facebook.com/mazeofterrorthrash

Seagall-Hidden Ego

recordJet
2013

Around 10 years ago Seagall first saw the light of day and took flight. This Moscow-based 4-piece was originally brought to life to be a solo undertaking for highly touted guitarist Elena Seaglova, but that all changed with the addition of a group of similarly talented musicians. Elena, who (per the promo bio) is the winner of multiple guitar festivals and is an international endorser of Siggi Braun guitars and ENGL amplifiers, has manged to make Seagall into a rather jazzy (or should that be snazzy?) instrumental group. Good instrumental rock is not the easiest thing in the world to pull off as the lack of vocals can and, frankly speaking here, often do, expose flaws in the actually music. Little things that might otherwise be missed are magnified under the bright spotlight and exposed for all to see by attentive listeners. Of course that's just the first potential pitfall to be had for these sorts of groups. Just take a sneak peak at the other side of the coin where we might very well find music, when stripped down into vocal-free recordings, that fails to hold the listeners attention for long. When "Hidden Ego" is held up to the light of the day by a discerning public it just might be that some of this blurs together even when we're talking about highly creative compositions.  at first listen it might appear that Seagall isn't that concerned about listener interaction, but a repeated listen or two might be in order with "Hidden Ego". Two times through for me and I was happy enough with the direction this group, which is filled out by guitarist Alexander Sinitsyn, bassist Dmitry Shtatnov and drummer Ilya Lipatov were heading. If you find yourself in the market for a cut and dry "who do they sound like" I'm afraid this review will be of little help. Peppered with the familiar sounds of their home country, which works on several different layers, our friends in Seagall cover straight-up rock, hard rock and yes, even heavy metal. Most of the material present on "Hidden Ego" has a distinct classic rock vibe and when this group starts to pick up steam their helped out greatly by going for tried and true heavy metal riffs. As this might just be Seagall's first recording to see an "official" release outside of Russia it has just the right amount of highlights to make people stop and take notice. Find out more about this instrumental 4-piece at their Facebook page below.



https://www.facebook.com/SeagallBand 

The Unripes-This Is Not America

Street Symphonies Records
2012

The Unripes, who were reportedly born a "one-night-only-band" back in 2005, issued this, their full-length debut LP, at the tail end of 2012. Call it a Christmas present then to sleaze rock aficionados as this bunch, which includes original founding members vocalist Axia (Vocals) and Michele "Mike P." Pelillo (Guitarist) teaming up with newcomers Uncle Sappa (Bass and formerly of Midnight Sun and Sutuana) and drummer Sevens (a.k.a. Lucas Setti from Trick Or Treat), ripped their sound right out of the fabric of time and space circa early-mid eighties @ California. Even though we have here a bunch that has self-dubbed their style "Sleaze-Core" this aptly-tilted release (which probably means something different for this batch then it does to us Americans these days) is more about the likes of Mötley Crüe, Poison, Trixter and Jetboy then anything else. A more modern day comparison for this Italian 4-piece could be Crashdiet, but these guys do tend to up-the-anti as it were with splashes of modern metal and crackling, Billy Idol-style, rock. Even when it comes to the glam infusions that the members of The Unripes must have took prior to unleashing this debut-album there is variety. Musically/muscularly The Unripes end up swinging back and forth between light fare such as Nitro (the glam rockers) to the much more filling hard rock of an act like Twisted Sister. They do all of this with a sense of humor and an obvious love for their own "Sleaze-Core". Of the 9 tracks here we get one cover in Geri Halliwell's "Scream If You Wanna Go Faster" which, arguably, could be the this albums strongest cut with the other 8 tracks being original compositions. Of those 8 cuts this bunch ends up going from the strong/hard rocking impact that is "Reload" and "My Muse Is Called Rock 'n' Roll" to the "this would have been better suited being left off of this debut-album" misfire that is "The Star Beyond This Wall". Those statistics are pretty solid coming from any new band let alone one that was formed on the fly! "This Is Not America" is a release that could have used a little tweaking (originalityy speaking), but it's hard to find fault given how fun this record is to soak up. Give this group more time (if they do prove to be more then a one-and-done project) and we could very well be looking at the next Crashdiet as this act looks primed and ready to pounce on the scene!

Palms-Palms

Ipecac Recordings
2013

Palms is a post-rock outfit that was formed from the smoldering ashes of post-metal band. In this instance the post-metal band we're talking about is Isis. As it turned out Chino Moreno (famously of the Deftones) was a fan of Isis so, when that band called it a day and shut off the lights, Chris stepped in front of the mic from Palms. With three former members of Isis in tow (Bryant Clifford Meyer-guitars & keyboards, Jeff Caxide-bass & keyboards and Aaron Harris-drums & electronics) and Chino Moreno on the mic this had either the potential to be beautiful or, if the four musicians were not careful, this risked sounding like left-over Isis material as interpenetrated by the Deftone's front-man. Thankfully it easily sails into that first category and, while not a 100% perfect release, this self-titled debut-album is still quite the remarkable achievement. Let's call it like it is and state the obvious. The strong song structures on display here are born from the same creative juices that made Isis so appealing to begin with. There's also no way you could go about denying Moreno's input on this material. In all these four musicians do pull from some very familiar sources, but here, merged between the cold dead of night and the bright warmth that is the California sun, feelings quickly turn to how Palms, perhaps after having locked themselves in a room with nothing to listen to but LP's by Sting, U2, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, The Cure, Pink Floyd and the Smashing Pumpkins' "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness",  etched out softer, more subtle rock! In fact it's this emphasis on a more natural vibe (that also made thoughts turn to later period Cave In) that cuts right to the deep heart of what makes Palms work so well. For you see within these tracks we find four different souls flexing their creative nature while giving the listener music that is more of a suggestive whisper then a metallic thump.There's no escaping the reality that some of what's on display here might be a tad slow-building, but the payoff is well worth it! Slow and steady the band rocks out with this somewhat dense (and yet magically natural and lovingly haunting) thickness lying beneath the surface. Once you get underneath the sheets with Palms debut-album it's one of those cases where you find that's it's hard to ignore the comforting intimacy this group has to offer. Another best of 2012 release in the making? That very well could be the case.

Splatters-Fear Of The Park

Atomic Stuff
2012

Forgive the late date at which this one is getting reviewed. The thing is "Fear Of The Park" was released W-A-Y back in late-March of 2012. Yeah, this ones a little past due and no, scout's honor (even if I was never in the Boy Scouts!), it has nothing to do with the scary clown face that adorns this album! My Coulrophobia aside I've just been way too busy to keep track of every promo that pops up in my virtual or physical mailbox! All that aside, here we have a 4-piece act whose band members have names like Alex Damned, Mr. Sprinkler and Paul Destroyer! That's the backing crew though as our lead singer/other guitarist (Alex Damned handles the lead guitars here) goes by Drow and yes, we do find ourselves with song titles like "Welcome To Zombieland" and "Why Do They Always Die In This Way?". Even before I slid this one into my car's CD player I would have guessed we would be looking at some sort of Gwar/Lordi/Green Jelly act. Color me surprised then when old-school punk can rattling out of the speakers! No, not Misfits style either which would have been my guess as well, but punk rock that is more in tune with the likes of Stiff Little Fingers, The Avengers, Sex Pistols, Dead Boys and Peter and the Test Tube Babies. Maybe it's not remarkable punk rock in any shape or fashion, but it's punk rock non-the-less. As it appealed to not only these ears, but my teenage son's ears as well (while he likes classic stuff like The Beatles he also likes a lot of Top 40 stuff as well) this 11-track album had more to offer then previously expected. Again, it might be fairly typical punk (if there really is such a thing?), but it has it's own charm  about it so why not?

King Kobra-II

Frontiers Records
2013

Looking at that title and scratching your head? Well, here's the scoop/deal ladies and gents. When King Kobra initially got back together after 25 years apart they called the new disc simply "King Kobra" so, logically I guess, since one is called "II".  Got it? Good. So, with all of that said what do we have here? The answer is pretty solid hard rock that, yeah I'll admit it, I found better then expected. Honestly I figured this would be a train wreck of expect proportions, but that isn't the case. To be fair I never heard their "comeback" album released in 2011 so this follow-up is all new to me. With "Hell On Wheels" and "Knock Them Dead" front-loading this album King Kobra seem to know what they're doing. Paul Shortino sounds simply great. While I did not review the group's last album I did go back and see what Metal Mark had to say about them and he was impressed with the comeback release so that says something. Anyway, special mention should be given to Carmine Appice. Yes, he sometimes gets a bad rap, but here is drumming is simply spot on (check out the intro to "When the Hammer Comes Down" for proof) and he more then helps his fellow band mates carry this hard rock beat forward. OK, so admittedly Van Halen could sue this bunch for how much "The Ballad Of Johnny Rod", an ode to bassist Johnny Rod, sounds exactly like their (Van Halen) cover of John Brim's "Ice Cream Man". We'll let that pass though, and any other moments when this crew might sound like other, more "popular" acts, as the rest of this motley bunch of older rockers (guitarists David Michael-Phillips and Mick Sweda) help make "II" a really fine hard rock platter. Maybe I am getting too grey in my old age, but the emotional pull of "Take Me Back" (a time-reflective number) stopped me in my tracks then again so did the band's attempt at epic hard rock with the nearly 8-minute track, "Deep River"! It's not all a walk in the park though as "The Crunch" is pure filler and "Don't Keep Me Waiting" is a little flat and, yes it's because of their older age, rather cheesy lyric-wise. Two out of twelve is really good then if that's the only so-so tracks you're talking about. So, overall "II" is rather a fine slice of Americanized hard rock that, while it might make you think of some of your other favorite bands, is proof that these older rockers can still kick up some serious dirt!


LL

KB36 - Fish Eat Fish

Pure Steel Publishing
2013

Russian rock band KB36 started off as a studio-project back in  the beginning part of 2009. A year later the project started taking on the shape of a real band and, after a few years of fine-tuning their sound, we now find ourselves with KB36's debut album. "Fish Eat Fish" finds lead singer/song-writer Tengiz and company (Oleg-guitars, Sergey-bass, Dima-keyboards and Lyosha-drums) playing musical chairs with various genres all of which, more or less though being experimental, fall within the framework of rock/hard rock. This Moscow-based act are not the weirdest bunch I've ever heard though so please don't go about this one expecting to hear experimental Mr. Bungle type rock. About the closest this batch would be to Mr. Bungle would be that band's front-man's other act Faith No More. Then again, this bunch is really much more streamlined as the band goes about experimenting with classic rock musically and lyrically (just like our old favorite 60's and 70's classic rock acts used to do the lyrics here focus on "personal themes and social concerns") meaning you've got this hipster act that had me visualizing the likes of David Bowie and Robert Plant (both of whom had careers in which they weaved together different sounds and textures as well as different styles) as well as artists like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and Lou Reed. Again, we're talking about artists that cut their teeth on different kinds of music while all retaining their distinct sound.  "Fish Eat Fish" sounds like this Russian band then which, even through all the variations, means these rockers have already tapped into their own sound. That's pretty freaking sweet when you step back and think about it! When was the last time a young act achieved something like that?

Current Playlist

Wow, another week has rumbled past me and here it is Friday! With my kids, both of whom are teenagers, home full-time for Summer Break it's a little harder to find free-time to listen to and review material. So, if things slow down then that's the explanation in advance. With that here's my list and, as always, I invite everyone to chime in with what they have been listening to, watching, reading, etc.

Listening to:

A Sound Of Thunder-Time's Arrow

Tyrant-Mean Machine

King Kobra-II (For review purpose) Robespierre-Die You Heathen, Die! (Hope to review this cult NWOBHM release next week)

Diamond Lil-S/T (Same deal as I hope to review this NWOBHM cult release as well)

Exodus-Bonded By Blood (No, I don't have a copy of it with that cover, but I always thought that it was a better cover anyway for this killer thrash release!)

It's Unheard Of/Kent Rocks Split NWOBHM Compilation

Seagull-Hidden Ego (For review purposes)

Alice In Chains-The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (I should review this one as well)

King's X-Gretchen Goes to Nebraska

Watching:

Oz the Great and Powerful

Breaking News! Nitro's "Lethal Dose" anthology set for late July release!

Finally, after nearly 20 years of waiting, cult 80's metal act Nitro are getting the ultimate CD experience courtesy of Skol Records! As a long time fan of Pennsylvania's one and only "true" Nitro (forget that glam sham act of the same name!) I will say this release is L-O-N-G overdue. If you're not familiar with the real Nitro then be sure to check out my review/article about them here:
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2012/06/forgotten-gems-nitro-lethal-ii.html
In addition to the original tracks on "Lethal + II" the band has dug through the vaults to add a whopping 9 extra bonus tracks! All of these tracks are from the same time period as "Lethal + II" and are simply the icing on the cake for die hard Nitro fans. As Skol has a proven track record when it comes to these sort of projects (Robespierre's "Die You Heathen, Die!", which I plan to review shortly, being a perfect example of the quality work that goes into their CD packages) this release promises to be one of the better 2013 releases, traditional heavy metal or not! Find out more at the link below and be sure to say a little pray of thanks to the metal gods tonight as this one is going to be epic!
http://bartgabriel.tumblr.com/post/53434953020/out-on-july-25-2013-on-skol-records-nitro

CHTHONIC-Bú-Tik

Spinefarm US
2013

This album-art caught my eye when it was first spied in the pages of Metal Hammer magazine. When it showed up in my promo gallery then I was drawn to it and what was purported to be a different, reasonably unique, listening experience. Reality is far too often different then what is promised by a small bi-line or two under a picture. We've all experienced that so there's no sense in complaining about it right? This is actually the seventh studio release from this Taiwanese metal outfit. Self-described as symphonic "orient metal" what we really have is extreme metal with a oriental twist. Perhaps I expected something more earth-shattering out of CHTHONIC and that's why I'm underwhelmed. In my heart I over-reached, in anticipation of the release, for damn near perfection and it was a case of nothing being able to live up to what I imagied this would sound like. That's truly the wrong approach on my part (or was the wrong approach) which is why I listned to this album on two separate occasions. What I found was sadly the same think twice. It's not like the band (Freddy Lim – vocals/erhu, Jesse Liu – guitar/backing vocals, Doris Yeh – bass/backing vocals, CJ Kao – keys and Dani Wang – drums) do anything wrong here. In fact it's far from it as these musicians know their stuff and then some. That much rang through on both listens. The music on display here is quite different from the bulk of extreme metal floating out there as it's not just the oriental flavor that elevates this album, but the addition of European-styled power metal/better-then-usual symphonic metal and traditional heavy metal puts this act towards the top of the heap. So, from a music perspective this is some no-nonsense excellent extreme metal. For me, and my ears and heart, that just wasn't enough. The fact that I kept coming back to was, while these tracks all sound really well-crafted and perfectly-executed, they lacked distinction track-by-track and the hype that preceded this album made it near-impossible for someone like me to find true satisfaction. That's all on me though and I'm nearly certain that others will experience this album in a better light.
 
http://www.chthonic.org
http://www.facebook.com/chthonic
http://spinefarmrecords.com/usa
http://www.facebook.com/SpinefarmRecordsUS
http://www.twitter.com/SpinefarmUS

These Hearts-Yours To Take

Victory Records
2013

Pop-punk meets hardcore?  That seems to be the case for Fargo, North Dakota-based These Hearts. Granted the hardcore aspect does make them perfectly suited to be with Victory Records, as all of their bands seem to be hardcore + something, but pop-punk? Yeah, it's odd. The group, which consists of Ryan Saunders on vocals, Daryl Van on lead guitar, Kyle Colby on guitar and backup vocals, Tyler Rice on bass and Isaiah Folk on the drums, are not exactly new to the scene as they were formed back in 2007. And then there's the fact that "Yours To Take" isn't their first trip into the studio. So, what are we to make of them then? Well, first off this is a Christian act although, given the mix of clean singing and hardcore-tinged gruff vocals, it's not like it's easy to follow along with these guys lyric-wise. While their faith is important to them it's not likely to be the deciding factor on whether or not a person is into this kind of groove scene. If it is a factor because you're a Christian then cool, but if one were to automatically write them off because of their faith then that would be lame. Musically that's were it's a with this bunch and, even if I find it really weird to think that this bunch seems as influenced by Blink 182, New Found Glory and Green Day as much as acts like Black Flag, Gang Green, Cro-Mags and the short (as well as potentially Christian hardcore act The Lead), I'm kind of digging what these guys are doing. Make no mistakes about it I'm burned on the op-punk aspect to folks. Sure, I listened to Bad Religion and Social Distortion to (still do) and even had, at one point in my younger days, discs by the pop-punker version of Green Day and Blink 182 (hey, it was about as punk as I could get with my ex wife and still have her listen to it so....), but I like what these guys are about and "Yours To Take" is actually an easy disc to get caught up in. So, pop-punk meets hardcore then? Yeah, I guess I can get down with that....

Locus Titanic Funus-Castus Lacrima

Metal Scrap Records
2013

Having just recently reviewed an album from Ukraine's Metal Scrap Records (EDVIAN'S rather stellar release,"2012") I was pleasantly surprised to find a new e-mail from them in my inbox that contained a huge assortment of promos of various genres. This oddly named lot was sitting atop the bundle so, faced with an open afternoon, I decided to do a little exploring, at least music-wise, and see what this Moscow-based band was all about. From the looks of it we're talking about a pair of musicians in guitarist Alexey Mikhaylov and vocalist Mila Ionova (Mea Vita) who, bound together by a shared love of darker music, made the most out of what was, by all intensive purposes, a studio-only project. Or at least for now as rumor has it they would very much like to pull it all off live. With that "Castus Lacrima" is the pair's debut-release and it's a fine thing indeed! Alright, so there's both female and male vocals. That works well in conjunction with the softer, more subtle passages, and the more gruff (and frankly bleak) black metal moments/movements. Joined by studio enhancements (ie: electronic elements such as synthesizers and drum machines), our pair of  musicians set their sights on provocative (or is that pervasive and punishing?) goth-tinged, occultist metal. While the group's name reportedly has to do with disaster of one sort or another what comes roaring out is anything but a disaster. Instead we have before us what, previously (in another life-time) at least, would have just been dubbed "alternative" music, but here it's like black metal with a twist. As hinted that's a goth twist and, when some sorrowful doom is unleashed upon the mix as well, it's quite the challenge to just say that Locus Titanic Funus sound like so and so when the reality is, as warped and bloodstained as it is with this type of morbid metal, this guy and girl combo is onto something decidedly different. It's not a release for everyone in you're household (unless you live in a hellish haunted house!) as it's dark and does bear some of the tell-tale trademarks of traditional black metal (usually a love it or loathe it genre to begin with), but as I step back and look at "Castus Lacrima" I'm quite glad that I reviewed this one particular release from Metal Scrap Records first as it's likely to stay with me for awhile!

Wild Bitch-Streets Of Danger

Self-Release/Independent
2012

Is it time to let you in on a little secret? OK, it's the world's worst kept secret, seeing as I've been pretty open to the fact that I follow other music blogs, but yeah, I get ideas (as far as potential review material goes) from other sites. As such this one's not so much a review as it is a suggestion. There's little sense in writing my own review of this sweet album as the one at Sleaze Roxx is spot on! You can read it below, but here's what matters most: It's simply splendid heavy metal and, more importantly, it's a name your own price digital download! You can't beat that combo can you?
http://www.sleazeroxx.com/bands/wildbitch/streetsofdanger.shtml



http://wildbitch1.bandcamp.com/album/streets-of-danger

Forgotten Gems: Panndora-Heretic's Box

If anyone has noticed, which would naturally mean that my hit count had gone from zero to one or more LOL, I'm actually covering this Brazilian act's catalog backwards. Having reviewed the band's 2012, 3-track EP, "Behind the Crime", earlier this month (link below) I'm now turning my attention to this LP which, in addition to being another self-produced/self-released affair, is the band's sophomore output. Whew, now that we have all of that out of the way let's crack open "The Heretic's Box" and take a look inside. As noted on my previous review of Panndora, which is worth reading if you're interested in the back-story of this all female heavy metal group, these fine ladies are another example of retro-metal worship in all it's glorious colors! The difference with Panndora is that, unlike the bulk of retro-metal bands these days, their sound is more natural and free-flowing. In a way I'd compare them to Ladybeast and The Sign Of the Jackal in that these heavy metal ladies don't try to copy their heroes, but instead take their influences and, in a case of practice makes perfect, rock the living daylights out of them! It's as though Panndora actually know what they like (in this case it's everything from Doro/Warlock to Iron Maiden) and yet they fully understand that being a carbon-copy of those acts is just not cool. How I do wish that more new, up and coming, traditional metal bands would follow suite. While we all love the greats (Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Saxon, etc.) do we really need 1,000 new bands sounding exactly like them? Even if it's played in sincere fashion it still sucks the air out of an enthusiasm that I might have for one of my favorite genres. Thankfully Panndora really don't sound just like band A, B or C even when they end up covering a particular artist. On this sophomore release the band choose Running Wild as their subject choice and they pull it off admirably. Mark that one down as another influence although fans seeking female-fronted metal should realize that these fine ladies are more of a combination of 80's heavy metal and the N.W.O.B.H.M. scene. It's just too bad that more people haven't taken notice of the talent level presented here, let alone the marketability of this group, as Panndora could prove to much more then this hand-drawn album art might imply.




http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Panndora

EDVIAN-2012

Total Metal Records
2012

One of the advantages of reviewing music for a hobby/living (or whatever you want to call this particular aspect of existence) is the (seemingly) non-stop influx of new music at ones fingertips. Hardly a day goes by anymore in which new albums show up in either my digital or physical mailbox. As a fan/collector myself it's cool to know that with every new day somewhere a new band is potentially either in the process of forming or releasing debut material. Such is the case with this particular album that was released at the tail end of 2012 by the Russian band EDVIAN.  Formed in 2009, and featuring two brothers – musicians: Andrew and Victor Plitkinyh in it's ranks, this particularly act focuses their attention/talent on the field on progressive music.Their full-length, 8-track debut-album, as noted, was issued at the tail end of 2012 and, theme-wise, deals with the oncoming end of the world as predicted by the Mayan calendar! Interesting to say the least. Thankfully that didn't happen (the end of the world and all) as we wouldn't all be sitting here today talking about cool progressive music like this! My guess is EDVIAN is probably pretty stoked that the world didn't end as well since they would probably like to see the fruits of their labor. With all of that said, and seeing as the world hasn't imploded (yet), onward we march to this debut-recording. As stated, this is progressive music at it's core.While we could just call it "progressive metal" I think that "progressive music" is a better tag. Sure, it does have all the hallmarks of progressive metal as evident by usual progressive metal influences (Dream Theater and Symphony-X are mentioned in the promo material and it's a fair enough statement) there's all sorts of other things present, add-ons if you, such as electronic music and progressive rock. Add all of that together, mixing gently as you go, and, after you toss in the emotion theme of a world wrapped in chaos (by way of metal that's much more extreme then the Dream Theater and Symphony-X comparisons would suggest), you end up with "2012". With only a 4-track demo to their name otherwise, this 8-track LP shows a level of maturity and experience that's normally not associated with such progressive-minded groups this early in the game.With interesting time-changes, and musicians focused more on creative metal then mass-appeal metal, these 8 tracks add up to a stellar listening experience and a suggested pick-up for the fans of all thing progressive rock, metal and beyond.

Aggressa-Nuclear Death + Demo 1 LP

Iron Bonehead Productions

2013

Right up front it should be mentioned that this one is a vinyl only limited-release. All information (in regards to limited run amount, track info, booklet info, etc.) is listed below if you're interested in the actual packaging. What's pertinent to this review is the meat of the matter-the music. Hailing from Australia, and actually active during the mid-late eighties, Aggressa played a raw form of speed metal thrash that lived up to their name's suggestion (aggression). Although they could have also been called something like slopptallica. Not because they sounded like Metallica, but because of how sloppy they played their take on extreme metal. Forget that these cuts come from demo recordings, which in and of itself does give this LP a rather underground vibe, and focus on the actually music/playing. There's nods to Venom, early Tank, Avenger and Exciter. Then again the band also echos such acts as Razor, At War and Possessed (if Possessed were more of a sloppy, Motörhead-inspired garage metal outfit!) as well as tearing through groups like Cryptic Slaughter, Hobbs Angel Of Death and Slayer. For the record the band did feature future Sadistik Exekution drummer/well-traveled veteran musician Sloth (Peter Zantey) and his drumming skills are duly noted. But, overall these recordings show a raw Australian band that were not quite ready for the big-time. Of course that means two things. The first thing would be that it would be easy enough to write off this LP collection of demo tracks as a sorry mess of sloppy, way to fast for their own good speed metal/thrash noise. The second thing you could do though would be to enjoy these acts for what they are-a group of guys playing thrash metal the best they could all while bowing down at the alters of their idols (Venom for sure, but then you do pick up on pieces and parts of  everything/everyone from Dark Angel to German thrash such as early Sodom and early Destruction). I actually find myself falling somewhere towards the second point although I do have to admit that some of these cuts are too crazy-fast for their own good. In the end this one is more of a history lesson on the early Australia extreme metal scene and is thus most-likely best suited for those looking to add to their personal collection of said scene. 

300g Jacket With 3mm Spine And Gloss Varnish

- 140g Black Vinyl

- Featuring The "Nuclear Death" Recordings '87/'88, "Demo I" '86/'87, And One Unreleased Track From '87. Sloth of Sadistik Exekution Hammering The Drums!

- 4 Page Insert On 250g Art Paper Gloos

- Authorised By Craig Martin (Guitar)/AGGRESSA

- Limited To 300 Copies

- tracks 1-7 "Nuclear Death" MLP; tracks 8-11 "Demo I"; track 12 for a compilation that was never released

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aggressa/178485065501545

http://www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions

http://www.ironbonehead.de/

A2athot-Trust Your Ear

Pure Steel Records

2013

With only 3 tracks going for it you would think that this EP would run it's course before you ever knew what happened. That's not so much the case though as this precision packed EP runs close to 25 minutes in length! A one man project in nature, the name of this game is "experimental psychedelic doom" and, given that influences run the gamut from Black Sabbath to Radiohead and WAY BEYOND, it's a weird trip. Even so, one has to admit that this EP holds a certain charm and is worthwhile for those who like to listen to their metal music under the covers and all alone at night!

Free Fall-Power & Volume

Nuclear Blast Records
2013

More Swedish hard rock? You better believe it! Stockholm, Sweden-based Free Fall are just the latest group to come rocking out of this Northern Eurpean country. Much like their fellow-countrymen Vanderbuyst (who I've covered in the past) Free Fall, which was formed by ex-The Soundtrack Of Our Lives guitarist Mattias Bärjed, plays hard rock the old fashioned way. By that the influences are on the older side of things (AC/DC, Uriah Heep, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, UFO, The Stooges, the Who and Judas Priest) while the actual music that comes rumbling out ends up more fresh feeling. Kim Fransson's vocals are perfectly suited for Free Fall in that he sure does seem as if he was plucked right out of some obscure 70's hard rock act and transported to the here and now! The rythm section is filled out by bassist Jan Martens and drummer Ludwig Dahlberg (International Noise conspiracy) which fits the goal that Mattias had going into this project. While playing in his previous band, which was rock-based, but also integrated other elements such as punk and psychedelic rock,  guitarist Mattias Bärjed felt a calling to form a classic four piece act. In other words he wanted the tried and true band setup of lead vocals, guitar, bass and drums. Free Fall is the result and this full-length debut album is every bit a classic rock/hard rock outing. It's also a joy to those of us who love all things classic rock and classic hard rock. Though it might come off as too-retro to some there's little doubt as to the talent behind this new 4-piece outfit and the enthusiasm they have for all things late sixties and seventies. In that regard this one's a surefire winner and worth checking out for those folks who still cherish their old LPs of groups like the above mentioned as well as Deep Purple, Kiss, B.O.C, Saxon and B.T.O.

Queen V-The Decade Of Queen V

Royal Noise Records
2013

As "The Decade of Queen V" comes marching in (quite literally the opening  of "Revolution Baby" features, for lack of a better descriptive term, "battle drums") you can't help but find yourself caught up in the pageantry that is this career-spanning collection. Covering Queen V's career from 2005 to 2013 this compilation is jam-packed with track after track of blissful hard rock! Forget for a second (if one can) the stunning, soulful and sensual lead vocals of Queen V herself and just focus in on the music itself. You've got the brand new cut "Cry Your Eyes Out" which should be on every radio rock station from coast to coast here in the states to all over Europe and beyond. That would be if this was a just world. With guest musicians like Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) lending lead guitar solos to tracks like "My Machine" (from 2009) and Lemmy himself stopping by to lend co-writing credits and vocals on "Wasted" (also from 2009) it's hard to find a weak moment within these 11-tracks. Whether it's the self-reflective rock of cuts like "Good Enough" and "Right or Wrong" (both of which find emotions running wild) or the blues-rock/hard rock crunch of "Continental" (which actually opens with a sample of what sounds like a Speak and Spell (I should know as we had one in our household!) this collection of career-defining moments is damn near perfect. There's plenty of tracks here for hard rock fanatics to sink their teeth into.There's the Guns N' Roses-styled "Million To One", the beefed-up AC/DC on steroids rocker "Die For You" and the Led Zeppelin-like "Revolution Baby" (which incidentally features blues-harp by legendary blues-rocker Jon Paris!). Things do slow down with "Cry For A Minute", but when you're treated to Queen V's softer side it's hard to find room to complain. "Cry For A Minute" shows off one of Queen V's influences as it's very much in vogue with something The Pretenders would release. Other influences such as David Bowie, Queen and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts do stop in for a quick drink, but overall Queen V puts her own stamp of originally on numbers like "My Machine" so nothing here ever sounds like a carbon-copy of other artists/bands. Given the fact that Queen V is also a talented guitarist it's hard to fathom why she's not more of a household name. Wouldn't it be nice if instead of being bombarded by the same old (supposedly empowered) women on the radio day after day (whether we're talking about Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Ke$ha or however) we could actually have a real strong women like Queen V represent? Yeah, it's a pipe-dream I know, but I'd rather see young women (my 15 year old daughter) latch on to someone like Queen V who is a real musician then some of the crap (Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga) that passes as "music" these days. Oh well and hell, it is what it is. My soapbox rant aside, this collection really is a near perfect 11-track affair and, while I've never considered doing this before, it might just end up on my best of 2013 list at the year's end! Yes, it's that fine of a collection and no, I'm not blinded by the fact that Lemmy appears of the last track. I'd actually still love this collection even if Motörhead's main-man didn't appear on one of the songs...it just might be a little less love is all LOL!


http://www.queenv.com/web/