REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: September 28, 2021

EDGUY – Space Police – Defenders Of The Crown

This is the 11th studio album by German speed metaller’s, EDGUY. I have a couple on CD, but this is the only one I have on vinyl. Led by the huge voice of Tobias Sammet, the band are virtually unknown outside of mainland Europe, which is a shame as they do what they do very well.

The opening track is what I would call typical euro-metal with an anthemic chorus and melody. The twin guitars of Jens Ludwig and Dirk Sauer are high in the mix to add that much need crunch. The album has a huge production and every song sounds epic – thanks to a killer production by Sascha Paeth. They certainly have a knack for writing catchy melodies to go with the metal grooves. Space Police is such a great song both musically and lyrically with an almost operatic ending. Defenders Of The Crown has a huge beginning, and then we are off at a Maiden-style gallop with hints of Fear Of The Dark. A more traditional melodic rock track is next with the oddly named, Love Tyger, but the melody, hook, and chorus are huge and there is a great snappy solo. The Realms Of Baba Yaga is more of a traditional metal tune with that riff. You know that stock riff that every band and his dog has used since the beginning of time, but it’s how you fill the bits around it that matter.

The oddest choice of a cover in Rock Me Amadeus is next, and honestly I don’t see the point. This version doesn’t do that much different arrangement wise from the original, apart from adding fat guitars. Meh! Do Me Like A Caveman has a great opening riff and groove, and when the song settles down is a superb pop rock ditty. Shadow Eaters is double kick pounding track and a trademark euro-metal romp. Alone In Myself is the only non-metal track and could be an entry for the Eurovision Song Contest – this also gets a Meh! The Eternal Wayfarer is the last track and weighs in at just under nine minutes, and is the big centrepiece number on the album.

Not a bad record indeed, and it scores high even taking into account the two suspect tracks.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

DIO – Holy Diver

Could this be Dio’s finest hour?…Yep! I know he made great albums with Rainbow, and the two Sabbath albums are great, but his name was on the cover here and had to be amazing as a big FU to his previous employers. I’m not a fan of all the dragons and demons nonsense, and it wears a bit thin after a while, unless you are a hobbit from Hobbiton, but there is no denying this album is a bonafide classic.

The opening track alone is just immense. A killer riff and guitar from Vivian, a brilliant heavy groove from Jimmy Bain and Vinny Appice, and Ronnie sings his ass off. Now that ladies and germs is how you do an opening track! Even the slower tracks like Rainbow In The Dark are amazing. He was out to prove a point and boy didn’t he just. For a diminutive little fellow he sure could belt out a tune, what a set of pipes he had. I don’t have to say too much about this album other than everyone should own at least one Dio album and my money is on this one.

10/10 from The Grooveman.