Craving Angel-Redemption

Minotauro Records
2017

Formed in 1984 (with only the lead singer remaining from the original line-up), Minnesota's Craving Angel was last heard from in 2014. Having interviewed Buddy "Bud" Hughes (vocals, percussion) in mid-March of that year (link), Craving Angel seemed poised to make a triumphant comeback thanks to it's heartfelt mixture of (gritty) hard rock and (real) heavy metal. Or at least they did to me. Due to one situation or another that didn't happen. It's unfortunate, but it isn't uncommon. Shit happens (as they say)...even to the best of them. When it comes to this 17-track album, BEST is a word that we could easily throw around (minus one or two missteps that we'll address below). That's especially true when it comes to the first couple of tracks on this forthcoming release. Powerful and moving to these old ears and heart of mine, "Hell's Waiting" (and the first three tracks that come before it) left me spinning about in an emotional daze! It's all so odd I realize, but here's the only way that I can describe the vibe of these few first numbers and a couple more that stand out here and there. With the help of some of Erick Wright (bass, keyboards, percussion, and back-up vocals) and Jimmy "Jim" Cassidy (guitars, drums, percussion and bass guitar)*, Buddy is a longtime veteran of the sport** that is playing a young man's game and he knows it. On the eve of being cut for fresh blood, Buddy pulls off a season for the ages(!), thus proving that experience oftentimes overshadows youthful energy. The question on everyone's mind now is "Can Buddy do it again or was this just one last hurray to prove the naysayers wrong?". "Should he be resigned or will he be cut (only to be scooped up by someone else who will then strike it rich with his skills)?" ponders management as they miss the big picture. You see, Buddy's true fans don't care if he can do it again. Young or old, Buddy's awesome all the same. All he has done is add to his great legacy. When it comes to Bud and the rest of Craving Angel, "Redemption" is a good collection of songs that are made great because of two reasons. First they great because of everything that has lead up to. The music on display here merely adds to the group's rich history. Sure, influence-wise the usual gang is all here. "Redemption", like its predecessor and companion piece "Dark Horse", is made with the understanding that there is no real difference between (old school) hard rock and heavy metal. For those of us who actually lived through the scene the first time around, Judas Priest, Alice Cooper, Mötley Crüe, (early) Ratt, Skid Row, G n' R, Faster Pussycat, Krokus, W.A.S.P., Fastway, Keel, Helix, L.A. Guns, solo Ozzy and (early) Accept are all good examples of that fine line between the two (metal and hard rock) that we simply ignored. That's the kind of music we are talking about when it comes to "Redemption" and it damn fine because of it! As for here and now? That's the second point. If you understand Motörhead then you will understand this next part. "Redemption", with it's aches and pains/warts and grey hairs, is great because it lives for the moment and makes no bones about the fact that it is older and wiser. And I think that is what ultimately moved me the most. In regards to "Redemption" you can feel the joy and heartache that comes with having lived a full life. Maybe our younger readers will understand this and maybe they won't, but sometimes the memories are both, joyous and heartbreaking. It's a double edged sword (and a sharp one at that), but I digress. Let's look at the track list below. As you will see, "Dirty Girls" starts off with little notes and a grade. These notes and/or grades will help you get a feel for each individual track, but be forewarned kiddos! These were just my personal notes as I listened to the album the first time around as a critic. On the second go around I listened to the album as a whole. That's the proper way to go about it when you are a fan. In case there are any questions, "fan first and critic second" is how I describe myself. As a whole, "Redemption" is one track after another and not a mashup of potential singles/hits and misses. Obviously I'm older than some of our readers, but we used to call these LPs. Not the format, but in regards to hearing the whole lot as a collection of songs with one singular narrative. Mind you, "Redemption" is not a concept album. It's simply a bunch of songs that work better together.

 PS: Not every track has a grade by it and (other than misspellings) rewriting history is not something that I am into.

1) "Dirty Girls"-Solid A opener that is (perfectly) Judas Priest meets Mötley Crüe.

2)"Crash and Burn"-Mötley Crüe and Judas Priest mix it up w/ solo Ozzy. There's some sick guitar parts. Other times it's like a dark G n' R/L.A. Guns.

3) "Chicaboom"-Gritty hard rock. Edgy as f**k. B+


4) "Hells Waiting" A+-Is there really redemption? Hard rock with a country and western swagger...even if you can't help the damnation that is to come.

5) "Roses Are Red"-Heartache and pain...wow

6) "Outta My Way"-I like the sentiment and the guitar playing, but it's not all that it ought to be given the fancy set of ingredients. C+


7) "Freak Show"-Almost sounds like something that Alice Cooper would have wrote. Better the second time around, but still a B-.

8) "Bad Voodoo"-Bluesy and sleazy. Buddy channels Steven Tyler like no other! Very cool.

9) "Everything I Do"-Hair metal/glam. Craving Angel is digging through the graves of many forgotten eighties bands (in the best way possible). Much better than it is has any right to be. A-

10) "Gonna Party"-Are the guys in Craving Angel auditioning as songwriters for new glam/hard rock bands? This could be a jam for a young band.

11) "Dirty Little Secret"-Oddly this reminds me of eighties metal as much as it does when Iggy Pop went mainstream.

12)"Dream Chaser"-Short and sweet hard rock/heavy metal. Nice.

13)"She's No Lady"-Dive bar metal meets garage metal. All I need is another glass of wine and this wound be golden!

14) "Gonna Getcha"-I like everything but the chorus. Punk-laden metal with sharp guitars licks. I give it a B.

15) "New Day"-Has bits and parts to kill for, but as a whole song? I don't know.

16) "Primadonna"-Solo Ozzy, Mötley Crüe, and Twisted Sister. A little bit of all three? It's weird, but I could easily see those last two (and maybe even Anthrax if not for it's punk vibe!) making this song into a huge hit! Then again, punk bands could do the same with it and maybe even do a better job than any of the groups listed! All the same, cool cut. B+ maybe? A- perhaps?

17) "Roses are Red (acoustic version)". I thought I liked the plugged in version, but this is more raw (emotionally) and it's more open & honest. A+ and it's not even close!

 And there you have it. Due out sometime this month, "Redemption" comes highly recommended. That's especially true for fans of "Dark Horse", but it also rings true for those people that are into the eighties and (early) nineties hard & heavy scene. 


*Pat Skeie (bass) and Dan Hanley (drums) play on "Roses Are Red" and "Everything I Do".


**Let's call it "football" since that resonates with both sides of the pond.

PSS: See track two, but there is a chunk of "Redemption" that seems almost dark (vibe wise). I can't put my finger on it, but it is there all the same. Interestingly enough I also jotted down this line in my notebook (and with a smile to boot!): "Faster Pussycat meets Motörhead, but with Alice Cooper". I can't remember why I wrote that line down on the top of my page, but somehow it all seems rather appropriate to share it.

Interview with Bud Hughes of Craving Angel

Back in the day staring Craving Angel!

In conjunction with my recent review of Craving Angel's compilation album "Dark Horse" (see link below!) I recently had the pleasure of interviewing lead vocalist Bud Hughes. I just want to thank him for taking the time to talk with me about Craving Angel and for helping me to fill in some of the missing pieces in regards to this excellent, must-hear, hard & heavy outfit!  


Andy-For our readers who might not be familiar with the name could you please tell us about Craving Angel?

Bud-Craving Angel is a band out of Minneapolis Minnesota. Formed in the early 80"s by Scott Nelson. Craving Angel  came onto the scene and started recording once I joined the band. We left for L.A. in 1987 and arrived right when glam took over. We played the Sunset strip and surrounding areas and earned the respect of our peers in the music industry. Scott and I went through many incarnations of the band and had some offers for a deal, but either one of the other members had cold feet, or the publishing went to the company. Then their came grunge.Scott and I still write today and continue to do shows.

A-Who influenced you as a band and as individuals?

B-Ozzy, Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Dio, Sabbath we digested all of it and I think some of those influences comes out in our music.

A-How would you describe Craving Angel's sound to people who have never heard you before?

B-Hard hitting hard rock metal. It was important to make the songs melodic and moving with meaning. To tell a story.

A-What is the story behind "Dark Horse"?

B-"Dark Horse" is a song about the under dog and how it applies to life and your inner confidence and the human soul. It's about believing in yourself. It's one of the first songs we wrote together.,so we chose it for the album title and title song.

A-This is along the lines of the previous song question, but (since there are no indication marks one way or the other as to where each and every song comes from) is "Dark Horse" a collection of freshly recorded material? Old material re-released? A combination of both? Inquiring minds need to know LOL!

B-"Dark Horse" is a combination. Some songs were self-produced and experimental, and others done in a more controlled setting. The recordings span from the mid 80's until the mid 90's. We have a lot more songs unrecorded and recorded that we are looking to release in the future. (Editor's note: Please do as "Dark Horse" is just too cool so we need more and more Craving Angel material to satisfy are needs!!!!)

A-With that said, how did the deal with Minotauror Records come about?

B-Glenn Wrigley (Editor's note: When it comes to PR, Glenn is probably one of the nicest and down to Earth guys out there!) approached me on Facebook about another band I was in back in the early 80's before Craving Angel that had an album out. The guitar player owned all the publishing and wouldn't sign the deal. At the same time Scott and I were getting all of our material together that we recorded through the years and I presented it to Glenn and we did the deal. Very cool....Thanks Glenn and Marco!

A-What was the scene like back in the day when you were first active?

B-L.A. was just going glam when we hit. Very cool though. The strip was one big party with band flyers as the confetti...Had some great show's and lived that kind of rock-n-roll lifestyle. Very cool.

A-Speaking for myself here (although I'm willing to be many fans fill the same way!), but it really should have lasted longer for you guys. Craving Angel should have been larger and more revered especially seeing as your sound just about perfectly bridged hard rock and heavy metal! But, it is what it is. So, as the last question and all could you tell us what the band members have been up to in the intervening years? 

B-Scott and myself continue to play and write with each other as well as other artists in the Twin Cities. The original rhythm section is back in Minnesota doing other projects. Other contributors  are scattered and I don't know where they are.

A-Thanks Bud and good luck with all! 

For our readers, if you haven't read my review yet of the stellar "Dark Horse" then be sure to click on the link below!

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2014/03/craving-angel-dark-horse.html

Craving Angel-Dark Horse

Minotauro Records
2014

Originally self-released in 1987 and containing four tracks ("Match The Power", "Dark Horse", "Lust For Lust" and "Craving Angel") out of the thirteen that make up this recently-released career-retrospective from Minnesota-based hard & heavy outfit Craving Angel, the initial demo offering from this four-piece collective ended up becoming a bit of a favorite pastime for collectors of U.S. metal. Or at least that is what I would come to find out while I was doing my initial research for the collection "Dark Horse". Prior to hearing back from lead vocalist  Bud Hughes (with an interview to follow, Craving Angel should no longer be such a hidden secrete for many...or at least I hope so!) it was all such a mystery. Just who was Craving Angel exactly and why was it, despite the overall strength (and well-received nature of) of that initial four-track demo, that this U.S. metal act seemed to just vanish in thine air? While the previously mentioned interview will fill in a few more pieces to this puzzle (at least when I get around to posting it later today or sometime tomorrow) here's at least a brief rundown on the who, what, where and why of this White Bear Lake-based band. Formed back in the early part of the eighties by guitarist Scott Nelson, with bass guitarist Joe Zimilich and drummer Phil Coffman rounding out the ranks of Craving Angel, the band, at this junction now fronted by ex-Dungeon member (and all-around cool lead vocalist who sometimes sounds like a grittier Stephen Percy or, as an early review of the band's 1987 demo pointed out, a cross between Ronnie James Dio and Rob Halford!) Bud Hughes, hit the ground running with that 1987 demo. During this time other material was recorded and the band even did a video for the cleverly-named hard rocker (and somewhat Mötley Crüe-like) "Lust for Lust"! A move from Minnesota to L.A. became an essential strategy if this band had any hope at all of making it, but as to why they didn't in the end? Part of it would have to be the whole grunge-onset deal again while the other part, which is just my guess here, would have to be that when it came to Craving Angel they fell into that grey area where they were too heavy to really be considered a glam metal or sleaze metal band and they wee too light to be considered a full-fledged metal outfit. Too be fair to the band though, "Dark Horse" (or rather the material on this collection which was recorded between the mid eighties and mid nineties) is FAR from lightweight fair as the band drew as much from the likes of Dio, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Ozzy (both solo and with Black Sabbath!) as they did bands such as Ratt, Dokken and Mötley Crüe! Style-wise quite a bit of ground is covered on this compilation of course, but tracing this one track-track and recalling when and where each number was done would prove to be a hell of a chore so let's just hit "random" and see where the chips fall shall we? "Rein Again" opens this comp. though so we should try our hand at that one. Imagine a bit of Judas Priest/Iron Maiden eighties metal as interpreted by a young and hungry Dio-obessed four-piece and you would be on the right tack! "Match The Power" then carries a bit of the same energy although there are certainly a few hints here that the band might not have been that unfamiliar with the N.W.O.B.H.M. sound even if they were from a place like White Bear Lake, Minnesota! "Sorrows and Pains" for some reason reminds me of a more straight and narrow Twisted Sister while the ballad "Anybody Home" (as like "Say Your Prayers") comes across as equal parts (solo) Ozzy, Britney Fox, Kix and Faster Pussycat if (and only if!) they were more of a street-living, rough and ready rock outfit! Then there's "Suicide City" from 1992 or so where this act channels Hanoi Rocks and Guns N' Roses as much as they do AC/DC, but in a way more chilled fashion then any of those acts could ever be imagined indulging in! All of which brings us to what I LOVE about this collection. Under one umbrella (which we'll call "hard & heavy" and "L.A.-interested traditional heavy metal" just to keep things with an eye on the prize and all that jazz) the band Craving Angel created a ton of material that ranged from solid ("Green Eyed Lady") to down-right excellent ("Rein Again") and they did without anything really in the way of  serious financial backing! This collection (which should be heard in it's entirety to get the full benefit of everything this act had to offer!) showcases a band that had everything from actual skills to looks that would have been needed to take it to the next level. It's just that they seemed to show up at the wrong point in time. Still, it's better late then never when it comes to highlighting these kinds of (long-thought lost) acts and, as per usual, Minotauro Records does a bang up job when it comes to "Dark Horse". Sure, the album art does bare a slight resemblance to a few other albums I have in my collection (Sleepy Hollow's "Skull 13" coming to mind almost immediately!), but the way in which Minotauro Records has packaged this 13-track release speaks volumes as to the commitment they have to the bands on their roster. I'm going all in friends when it comes to recommending this one for all lovers of (eighties) hard and heavy acts! Especially as hearing is believing and "Dark Horse" has more then enough solid material to appease both fans and collectors alike!

http://www.minotaurorecords.com/#!craving-angel/zoom/mainPage/image9mv