THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: October 2021 (Page 4 of 13)

MASTERS OF REALITY s/t

October 23, 2021 /

This is the first album from Upstate New York’s finest. It’s often referred to as The Blue Garden as that is the name of the art piece on the cover. This is a 2012 reissue with a different running order and a bonus live album, Live At The Viper room. Now this band are somewhat of a guilty pleasure for me. I really like their brand of retro blues rock and this was way before it became fashionable.

The track, John Brown, is very reminiscent of Led Zeppelin with the groove and Chris Goss’ voice. Gettin’ High has a superb sleazy blues groove that just swings. Domino is the best song on this record, and I’ll stick my neck out and say it’s one of the best tracks the band ever did. It has an Iommi style riff with a pumping beat, and a fantastic melody and hook that seriously hit the spot. Kill The King is a glorious romp, and an homage to all things seventies. The live album has never been available on vinyl before, and Scott Weiland makes an appearance on Jindalee Jindalie, and there is also an incredible version of John Brown.

A great album. I do believe it’s quite hard to find on vinyl, but if you do find it, grab as it’s a wonderful record.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

TOUCH – s/t

October 23, 2021 /

The very first band to play the Castle Donnington Monsters of Rock Festival, and if you were like me at the time and were thinking how the hell did they manage that?! Then the real reason is quite simple. They had the same management as the headliners, Rainbow, but the rumour at the time was that Mr. Blackmore was a big fan of their brand of AOR. Touch were nothing more than a rebranding of their previous band, American Tears, with the addition of bassist, Doug Howard.

This was something of a flagship album for the AOR crowd as they played on the softer side of the spectrum. However, they did rock out as well, as the awesome track, Black Star, demonstrates. This could almost be a different band as the Queen vibes are strong on this track, as guitarist Craig Brooks brings out his inner Brian May. The lead off track on Side 1, Don’t You Know What Love Is, was released as single, and along with Black Star, it’s the best track on the album.

So one album and they were gone. This was released in 1980, and that was it until this year when 2 albums were released under the Touch name. They are quite a hard band to pin down, and I think this was the reason they never went any further. They are all over the map for the press to get a handle on. However, this is not a bad album and an enjoyable listen.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

ANIMALS AS LEADERS – The Joy Of Motion

October 22, 2021 /

THIS IS MY 500TH REVIEW!!! Thank you to everyone who had read, followed, commented or liked my reviews so far.

This is the third album by these Washington DC based tech metallers, and the first to feature drummer Matt Garstka after the departure of Navene Koperweis. They make one hell of a racket for a three piece and that is down to the two eight-string guitars. The bottom end sound is just amazing and no other band comes close to the technical chops of these guys. They are described as Prog, and I guess that’s as close a term that fits, as there is a lot going on style wise and musically.

I mentioned the low end groove earlier, and the first track Kascade has the most evil of low end grooves for you to shake loose the dandruff to. Lippincott is just off the charts for me. It has so many groovy moments ranging from slap bass funk to the heaviest of djent riffs. Superb track! With The Air Chrysalis you have to stop and just listen to the superb off time grooves that are under the delicate guitar pattern, before the fat crunch arrives. Another Year has an almost Jazz feel to the opening guitar pattern and is a very melodic piece. If you search around you will find a video for Physical Education and I urge you to do so, as the opening riff and groove will just floor you. This is a superb piece of music that will just have you in awe.

Tooth And Claw has the most metal riff and opening from the album, and is just evil sounding as it goes so low. The melodic guitar over the top of it sounds so awesome. Crescent has an unreal groove with the most beautiful melodic guitar over the top. The repeating riff and pattern of The Future That Awaited Me follows, and I would say it’s the most chill track on the album…if that’s possible. Para Mexer is the final track on Side 3, and has a very Latin feel to proceedings -mainly due to the acoustic guitar.

The Woven Web glides us into Side 4, and oh my what a great groove and bass line. This song is just so awesome I’m struggling for words – it’s my favourite track and it gets my vote for best track on the album. Mind Spun is the penultimate track and it’s just crazy. This is such a busy tune as there is so much going on groove and rhythm wise, it’s hard for your brain to focus. The album closes out with Nephele, and that low end is taking a pounding with a superb melodic lead.

If I’m pushed, I would say this is my favourite Animals album as every piece is just epic in its execution. I know this music is not for everyone, but if you’re adventurous in your tastes then give it a whirl.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

ECLIPSE – Armageddonize

October 21, 2021 /

Now, I think I have mentioned my love of all things Sweden when it comes to hard rock and metal quite a few times in previous reviews. This band have consistently put out killer melodic rocks records since their first album in 2001, and this is their sixth studio offering. Led by the super talented singer/guitarist, Erik Martensson, this album carries on from previous efforts. Think big hooks, melodies, sing-a-long chorus’, and a huge guitar sound – this band deliver big time!

I think it’s safe to say that every song on this album could be a single. Opening track, I Don’t Wanna Say I’m Sorry, lays down the template for the whole record – a superb song with a killer riff. Next track, Stand On Your Feet, keeps the melody a rockin’ – another killer track. I think I may be repeating myself quite a bit here, but The Storm is another superb track. It’s all in the melody my friends, and the middle eight and solo is exceptional. A great epic guitar piece starts Blood Enemies, which sounds very majestic, and a monster riff kicks in for the best track so far. Side 1 closes out with Wide Open with a nice chugga riff – the quality of the songs on this side is so high.

The heaviest sounding track, Love Bites, starts off Side 2 with a pounding groove and a fat huge riff. Breakdown has a very southern vibe with the slide guitar intro, and does remind a bit of Jelly Roll by Blue Murder. Live Like I’m Dying is the big power ballad on the album, and the emphasis being on the power and a killer solo. Caught Up In The Rush brings the tempo back up with another great riff, and this could be my favourite on the album – although there isn’t a bad moment on the album. One Life My Life is the penultimate track and is as catchy as a catchy thing in catchy town. The last track is All Died Young, and we go out on a high with double kicks a pounding – this is the fastest track on the album.

Well there we go, a great album by a great band, and comes highly recommended from me.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

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