THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

AXEL RUDI PELL – Lost XX111

December 19, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Alex Rudi Pell, is a very prolific artist who has released 22 studio albums, of which this is number 21. He was previously in Steeler (not the Yngwie and Ron Keel outfit) who released 4 albums, so he is no slouch when coming up with material.

He seems to model his sound on Ronnie Dio era Rainbow and he bows at the temple of Mr Blackmore. This album however, doesn’t get going until we get to Side 3 and the crunching track, Follow The Beast. Nice pounding double kicks, heavy crunching riff, and Johnny Gioeli screaming out those lyrics. The Rise Of Ankhoor is the other song that also stands out, with a folky Celtic vibe. The rest of the album seems to get lost in a mid-paced, very similar vibe.

It’s not bad per se, it just feels like going through the motions. My favourite period of Mr. Pell is with Jeff Scott Soto on vocals and this falls way short of that.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

MEGADETH – The Sick The Dying And The Dead

December 19, 2024 / / 0 Comments

I love the first three Megadeth albums. Dave was angry, mean, and nasty, plus he had a big point to prove. He helped create something huge that oversees all modern metal today.

Then, I sort of lost interest. It all became a bit clean and shiny. There are also Megadeth albums that I have not heard anything from. So, let’s fast forward to the imminent release of the Deth’s latest opus.

The tracks Life In Hell and Night Stalkers, which were the first two songs I heard, are the ones that grabbed my attention. Killer tunes on this record with lots of aspects from old school Megadeth that I love, namely the fast choppy riffing, speed a plenty, and Dave spitting out those lyrics with plenty of venom. Add to that, some ripping guitar courtesy of new boy Kiko Loureiro.

The quality drips through every pore of this album and is a worthy recipient of your hard earned coinage.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

JUDAS PRIEST – Point Of Entry

December 16, 2024 / / 0 Comments

I think this record, along with Turbo, are the two Priest albums that seem to get the least love amongst Priest fans. This album had a lot to live up to after the awesome success of British Steel which had three hit singles mixed with some classic Priest metal like Rapid Fire and Grinder and Steeler, it was early Priest at their best.

So, when this came out it was MEH at best! A couple of not bad singles in Head Out To The Highway and Hot Rockin’ but where was the metal? Nowhere to be seen.

At best, it’s a hard rock album and I remember thinking at the time that the next record would have to be something special after this weak affair, and they truly delivered with Screaming For Vengeance. It’s not often I pick a single as my favourite song but Hot Rockin’ is the one this week.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

RAVEN – Crash Bang Wallop

December 16, 2024 / / 0 Comments

I loved early Raven because they were everything that NWOBHM were all about. Loud and raw with buckets of energy, but they had a unique element of fun about everything they did.

This EP came out just after the release of the band’s second album, Wiped Out and the song titles alone should bring a smile to your face: Crash, Bang, Wallop (Men’s Lib Protest Song) and Run Them Down (Dedicated To Italian Motorists). The production is as raw as it gets but I love it nonetheless.

Happy days!

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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