THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: August 2022 (Page 3 of 10)

ECLIPSE – Viva La Victouria

August 26, 2022 /

This is a 2019 live recording spread over three discs from Sweden’s best exponents of melodic rock. The first two records are a live concert recorded in Gothenburg, the third also has two tracks from that live performance plus three studio and acoustic tracks on Side 1. The final side is given over to a stream the band did during lockdown.

I’m not going to go through each track as I would be here all day, but the highlights for me are the superb version of Mary Leigh, which is a great track anyway but the enthusiastic crowd really works in the live setting. A ripping version of Vertigo which I think is one of the band’s best tunes. The anthemic United really works live and I still think it has a hint of Eurovision about it. Battlegrounds, which is my favourite on this album, and is such a great tune anyway but I really like this version.

Other than the obvious intro triggers and pre recorded backing vocals, this is quite an honest recording. I’m not sure if they still do, but Frontiers had this in their sale section and it’s definitely VFM.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

ATOMIC ROOSTER – s/t

August 26, 2022 /

Having achieved moderate success in the early-to-mid seventies, they disappeared off the planet, only to reappear 5 years later to resurrect their career – just as NWOBHM was becoming a thing. This is album their 6th release and it came out in 1980. I saw them around this time and they made one hell of a noise for a three piece – and there was no bass guitar. They had beefed up their sound somewhat for this album, and John Du Cann on guitar was the man mainly responsible for that slight metal edge. They were originally known for expressing themselves in a more progressive  way, with emphasis on Vincent Crane’s Hammond organ.  The Hammond is still front and centre, but Du Cann’s overdriven guitar is right up there with it in the mix.

There are varying styles on the album that range from good old Prog, like Watch Out which starts like a Genesis/Yes outtake. There’s classic ’77 Punk with Where’s The Show, where you think you are listening to the Stranglers. It’s the harder edged tunes that work for me, and the best of those (and my favourite track) is She’s My Woman, which steals a well known Rush riff. A very unique band that released their better material in the early 70’s.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

TESTAMENT – The Formation Of Damnation

August 25, 2022 /

This is Testament’s 10th studio outing and it also sees the return of guitarist, Alex Skolnick, who left the band after 92’s The Ritual. The album was produced by Andy Sneap who always gets a killer guitar sound on all albums he produces. This is a 2021 reissue as a double album, but Side 4 gets three tracks from the Alcatraz sessions, The New Order, Practice What You Preach, and Souls Of Black – all classic Testament songs. This is one of the best sounding metal albums I have heard.

Opening track, For The Glory Of, is just freaking awesome and is my favourite on the album. More Than Meets The Eye is a monster tune with killer riffage and epic grooves. The Evil Has Landed has a wonderful groove and riffage – this band knows what makes killer metal. Keepin’ it groovy! The Formation Of Damnation will melt your face off – this is one hell of a heavy tune with beats and grooves just blasting with maximum heavy riffage. Dangers Of The Faithless has some Metallica-esque guitar to the opening with huge chuggas.

One of the fastest songs the band have ever done is next with, The Persecuted Wont Forget. A killer tune with epic guitar. Henchman Ride gallops along at a killer pace with a killer groovy riff. Killing Season has a very old school feel to the main riff. Superb track. Afterlife has the vibe and groove that makes you want to bounce off walls – great stuff! F.E.A.R is next up and this is classic Testament – just listen to the drums! Leave Me Forever closes out the album proper, and has more light and shade than any other track on the album.

This is a great sounding album, and a very cool looking pressing. I love Testament – they wipe the floor with Slayer.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

XYZ – s/t

August 25, 2022 /

The band started out in France but moved to LA in ’84, but it wasn’t until ’89 that they were signed to Enigma and put out their self titled debut. The only name that some of you maybe familiar with is singer, Terry Illous, who sang with a version of Great White for a while. A very classy melodic rock band that play well written and composed tunes with big hooks and great riffs.

Maggy gets things underway, and it’s a great tune with great harmonies and a killer solo. Next Up is Inside Out, a slow groover with a great hook and riff, and a sing-a-long chorus. What Keeps Me Loving You follows, and as the title may give away, is a ballad. Very reminiscent of Journey around the Frontiers period, and Illous’ voice really shines in this song – a big shout out to axeman Marc Richard Diglio for a very tasty solo. Take What You Can mosey’s on in with guitar gymnastics and a huge monster riff – it’s the fastest tune so far. Follow The Night has the blues at its heart with a slow deep groove. Come On N Love Me is my favourite track on the album. It starts with a nice tapped guitar, and leads into a great riff and sleazy groove. Souvenirs is ballad number two. Tied Up has a very nice chugga style riff with a nice hook and groove. Nice Day To Die is next up and the riff and groove is an Iron Maiden style gallop. The album closes out with After The Rain, and it’s ballad number three – that’s one too many. A really good band with a great production by Don Dokken, but too many ballads.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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