THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: October 2021 (Page 2 of 13)

OPETH – Garden Of The Titans (Live At Red Rocks Amphitheater)

October 28, 2021 /

Opeth are truly one of the best bands playing and recording today. They are not afraid to take risks and change their style. No matter what they do, it’s just superb.

Don’t get confused by the picture as this is not a four disc edition, just two separate copies with just one cover showing. I also have the Blu-Ray of this show and it’s really good. I was worried that the vinyl would not be as good sound wise, but they seem to have done a vinyl mix.

The band were touring on the back of the Sorceress album and that’s the track that’s opens up the show. It’s a killer track – the perfect mix of metal and Prog. Ghost Of Perdition from Ghost Reveries is up next and it’s one of my favourite Opeth tracks, and one where screams were still part of their musical landscape. Next up we go way back in the catalogue for Demon Of The Fall from My Arms Your Hearse. Epic track and I do miss the dynamic change in vocal with the screams. Back to Sorceress with Wilde Flowers, and you can see and hear the new Opeth and the direction they were moving in. Next up is In My Time Of Need from Deliverance, which I think is a beautiful piece. The Devils Orchard from the Heritage album is next and that is my favourite track from that album. It’s just superb and again showcases their new direction.

The only track played from Pale Communion is next with Cusp Of Eternity, and again it’s one of my favourite Opeth tracks. Everything about this track is just superb. A great melody and vocal from Mikael, and the music is epic. The only track from Watershed is next with the absolutely evil sounding Heir Apparent, and this track could be the basis for a horror movie of its own. Another Sorceress track Era follows, and it’s Prog Heaven as we are transported back to the mid-seventies – well that’s the vibe it gives off to me.

The concert and album closes out with the mighty Deliverance, and this is definitely a fan favourite – everyone goes bananas when the band play this. The band have made four live albums so far and you can go and pick your favourite era. This is a great representation of where the band are at now. I really love this album, but I am a huge Opeth fan.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

MR. BIG – What If…

October 28, 2021 /

This is the is the band’s 7th album that was released in 2011. It was the last to feature original drummer, Pat Torpey, as a performing drummer as he was diagnosed with Parkinsons. He sadly succumbed to the disease in 2018.

There are not many bands that can do this type of rock today. Killer musicianship coupled with great songs seems to be in short supply as of late – well everywhere except Sweden. Any band that has Billy Sheehan and Paul Gilbert in it has to be killer right? This album just smokes right from the off with Undertow. Superb track with a killer melody and groove. American Beauty is Shyboy in disguise, with Paul Gilbert letting loose those killer licks. Eric Martin still looks 18 years old and he possesses one of the finest voices in rock, and Stranger In My Life is all about his voice and the melody. Nobody Left To Blame is a very busy track especially the bass line and groove – it’s just a superb track with an added bonus of a monster guitar solo. Still Ain’t Enough For Me is a straight up fast rock n roll song, where Billy and Paul trade off licks with each other. Side 1 closes out with Once Upon A Time which has a really dirty upbeat blues groove.

As Far As I Can See opens up Side 2 and it’s more of the same – just a great song with a killer groove and superb playing. And that’s how it goes for the rest of the record…This band do not make bad album, and this is such a good record deserving of a home in anyone’s collection.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

LEATHERWOLF – s/t

October 27, 2021 /

This is the band’s second album released in ’87. They were also the pioneers of the three guitar attack in metal, well at least that’s what it says in their bio. They were unusually signed to Island Records, who were not renowned for knowing how to market metal bands – Anthrax being the exception!

This is not a bad album to be honest. There’s plenty of widdly guitar, but unlike – say Yngwie, the songs are quite strong with great melodies and hooks. The album was produced by Kevin Beamish and sounds great. Superb guitar and drum sound make the album sound huge. Rise Or Fall and The Calling are great opening tracks, and they set the tone for the album. The intro of Share A Dream reminds me of Queensryche, especially with the dramatic vocal delivery of Michael Olivieri. Cry Out closes out Side 1, and I think this track alone shows why the band did never quite made it. Even though it’s great track, there is quite a lot going on in a somewhat straightforward tune. Although I do like tracks like this, I think people as whole seem to like their music easier to latch on to.

My favourite track on the album is the album closer, Rule The Night, which is a ripping track. Maybe they should have used this for a template for future endeavours.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

METALLICA – Death Magnetic

October 27, 2021 /

I think this is a great album. I do not buy in to all the hate surrounding the mix of the album. This half speed mastered version in the box set sounds just fine and dandy to me. What was more important, was that Metallica were back!

After the disappointment of Load and Reload, then the not that great St Anger which was recorded while the band were falling apart, it was great to hear that the band still had fire in their bellies to record a kick ass metal album. To me, this album would have been a natural successor to And Justice For All – as style wise, I think it slots in there perfectly. In fact, I’ll stick my neck out and say that there is not a bad track on the whole album. I would put it above Justice in the Metallica league table of albums recorded.

The opening track, That Was Just Your Life, actually could have been recorded at the Justice sessions – a killer opening track. The End Of The Line has a great groove and riff, and is where new meets old Metallica – I really love the ending. What is also interesting is that Bob Rock, who has been handling production duties since the black album, had been replaced by Rick Rubin – who loved old school Metallica. Broken, Beat And Scarred has an interesting riff that sounds very Seattle at times – but way heavier – and it really grooves when the song gets going. The lead off single was The Day That Never Comes, and is as close as Metallica get to a ballad. It does remind you of The Unforgiven and One – well, at least until the peddle most definitely hits the metal.

All Nightmare Long is next and I think it was the second single from the album. It has a much heavier vibe than the previous single, and has a great groove and riff. Cyanide was the first track I heard from the album, and it’s the one I love the most from the record. It’s the one with the catchiest riff and beat, and could have been from the Ride The Lightning sessions. Great track! The Unforgiven 3 follows and is the full on production with strings and everything. Yes, it’s a ballad, and we all know how they are not my favourite form of musical expression, but this is as heavy as a ballad can get. The Judas Kiss brings a return of the heavy, and what I would call a trademark Metallica riff. For me, this is a close second for best track on the album. Suicide & Redemption is the penultimate track, and is the latest of killer instrumentals that the Metallic ones have recorded through the years. It’s just shy of 10 minutes, and is the longest piece on the album.

The album closes out with My Apocalypse, and just as we came in, we go out with a bang. Superb ending to an album, and you don’t want it to end. Everyone is on top of their game here, especially James – it’s great to hear him sounding so good.

This is an easy 10/10 from The Grooveman.

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