THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: August 2021 (Page 8 of 13)

ACCEPT – Restless & Wild

August 13, 2021 /

This was the band’s 4th studio album, and the one that broke them internationally. This album came out just before Metallica dropped Kill Em All, and I know James was a big fan of the band.

It’s the opening track, Fast As A Shark, that really grabs your attention. It starts with a German folk song played on a scratchy old record, that bursts into the heaviest and fastest song I had ever heard at the time. Man, it’s still a killer song! It has an awesome riff and double kicks that would have been hard to hold down live (back in the days of no triggers). The title track slows down to a more traditional pace, and the band live up to their German Judas Priest tag.

The other stand out track for me is the final track, Princess Of The Dawn, with its very simple riff and groove. It builds and builds to the big rock ending, but it has that very European feel to it that hundreds of bands would copy. Today there is a whole genre that comes under the banner of Euro Metal, which to me, Accept were the first.

The band are still making albums today, and IMHO, they are better today than they ever have been. This album is worth getting just for Fast As A Shark, as it’s such a trailblazing track. Or if you want to track it down, it was released as a single.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

PANTERA – Cowboys From Hell

August 13, 2021 /

This is it! The album that changed Pantera’s career. I think everyone is aware that they started out as a hard rock glam metal experience that used to tear it up across Texas, and the first four albums were this way. Power Metal, the album before this, was a lot harder – but nowhere near as heavy as this. The difference between the two is night and day. Dime’s soloing and riffing were a game changer, as he was the new benchmark for metal players after this. Vinnie also set the standard for metal drummers, as his footwork and tom work changed everything for metal drumming.

The opening riff and groove to the title and opening track, sets the tone for the whole album. I remember clearly hearing this for the first time and being blown away. The heavy comes in hard with Primal Concrete Sledge, and this is the blueprint the band would take to the extreme. Psycho Holiday is the mix between old and new Pantera. It’s very heavy, but the melody and hooks are still visible. Dimes playing on this track is insane, a VH for a new generation. The opening riff and drum groove to Heresy is crushing – very Antharx in places. Ironically the most traditional hard rock track on the album, Cemetery Gates, would be the one track to get all the early attention. The video was played everywhere, and it’s a killer tune. Medicine Man is another tune that has the melody and heavy together. I would have loved it if they explored this side of the band more, instead of going too heavy and extreme – especially with later albums. Domination, and The Art Of Shredding were benchmark tracks that a host of bands would copy with the over the top guitar and drums.

For me, this album, Vulgar,and Far Beyond Driven were as good as the band got. After that, it all descended into hate and acrimony, and the music suffered. This is a landmark album that all metal heads should own.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

INTRONAUT – Fluid Existential Inversions

August 12, 2021 /

Album number 6 should have seen Intronaut moving up to the big leagues. This album is another leap forward in their evolution, but thanks to COVID, all touring and promo just stopped. This was their first release on Metal Blade, so every one was pumped.

Intronaut’s last album, The Direction Of Last Things, is one of my go to records, and I was eager to see if they could live up to that album. There were problems with the recording of this album, as long time drummer, Danny Walker, found himself in trouble with accusations about his private life and was dispensed with. Now, Danny is an incredible drummer “so how could they replace him?” I hear you cry! Well, they brought in Faceless drummer, Alex Rudinger, who has done an incredible job – just listen to opener, Cubensis – a polyrhythmic delight.

Part of the reason that I love this band so much is they have this ability to drop these juicy fat riffs and unbelievably groovy pieces into any song at any time, and The Cull is one of those tracks. To any other band, this one song would be a whole album’s worth of material – there is so much going on here. Sometimes the seemingly simple riffs are the best, and the heavy fat crunch of Contrapasso starts out that way and then just takes off. The drumming on this track is nuts, and a mention to the harmony vocals that the band dish up as they add another dimension to the music. Speaking Of Orbs adds a keyboard pulse groove to proceedings, before massive chugga’s take over to fat riff central. Incredible arranging and songwriting – it’s an absolute beast of a tune. Tripolar is just soooo freaking amazing! My brain is struggling to come up with superlatives for this track. It’s so heavy, and the chord and key changes do weird things to my groove gland!!! And we even pay a visit to Jazz-land towards the end of the song. Check Your Misfortunes is just insane, and the drumming alone is jaw dropping. There’s so much to take in as there is so much happening, and yet, if you strip it down, it’s just simple layers that build into something awesome. Next up is Pangloss and the riff is monumental and sooo heavy. The tuning is so low to get that deep rumble. The middle section is incredible, and today this could be my favourite track. Album closer, Sour Everythings, is next up and another incredible tune is up for your delight. This one has everything and goes everywhere – a fitting end to an exceptional record.

If you just think metal is Judas Priest, then you are living in the dark ages. Metal has moved on so much that the two are almost unrecognizable from each other. A definite worthy follow up and is most definitely 10/10 from The Grooveman.

STEELY DAN – Two Against Nature

August 12, 2021 /

I can guarantee that this record is, sonically, one of the best records you will ever hear. It’s an incredible sounding record, produced by Donald and Walter themselves. As usual, it’s a veritable who’s who of session musos helping the guys out, and the list is way too long to mention here. This is the first release back after almost 20 years after the release of their last album, Gaucho, and it took over two years to record. Not only is the music incredible, but Donald Fagen’s lyrics are fantastic. He paints pictures and tells stories like no one else I know.

This album is such a groovy record – I don’t think the band have ever been this funky – every song just makes you want to move. Gaslighting Abbie has an incredible bass line, and the lyrics and melody just bounce between the grooves. Two Against Nature is almost a funky samba – this track alone should get those dancing shoes moving. On the flip side of the coin, Janie Runaway and Negative Girl sees Fagen at his story telling best, as he squeezes lines into seemingly impossible grooves.

I could go on and on about this record, but how many times can I tell you how freaking awesome it is? So, if your mind is open, and you want to test out your hi fi, and to see if your groovin’ shoes can still move, then I suggest you delve deep into the wallet for this beauty.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

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