REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: November 3, 2022

KING DIAMOND – Them

Mercyful Fate were a band that passed me by as I thought it was a gimmick, and I guess I never paid them much attention. Released in ’88, Them was King Diamond’s best selling album up until this point. I think this is about King Billy’s multiple personal personalities and his stay in an asylum. Fictional of course!

The vocals are so high pitched in places, I’m sure his Crown Jewels are being squeezed very tightly indeed. The music throughout this album is killer speed/power metal with an awesome guitar duo of Andy La Roque and Pete Blakk spanking their planks with aplomb. Before Mickey Dee was Motörhead’s skin basher he occupied King Billy’s drum stool, and his double kick prowess is all over this record. The Invisible Guests is a monster tune and is my favourite on the album. Killer riffs and grooves and the solos are seriously on the money. A close second is Twilight Symphony with epic riffage and grooves. A great killer metal album and as a result of me buying this gem I’ve gone back and I’m checking out other albums in King Diamond’s back cat.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

JIMMY PAGE – Outrider

I think I’m right in saying that Outrider is Mr Page’s only solo album. I know he has done different collaborations and guest spots, but I’m sure someone will let me know if I’m wrong.

The album kicks off with two tracks that have John Miles on vocals. Now, if you’re like me you will only know John from his hit song Music, and it’s a revelation to hear him belting out heavy blues rock. Wasting My Time and Wanna Make Love sound like Zeppelin tracks with those trademark Page riffs and Miles killer vocals. Writes Of Winter follows and is an instrumental piece with a really cool swing and groove. The Only One has Mr. Plant on vocals and is my favourite track on the album. A really busy riff and groove and it actually doesn’t sound like Zeppelin. Liquid Mercury closes out Side 1 and is another instrumental. The tune feels like some soundtrack to an American cop show.

Side 2 begins with Hummingbird, a slow blues ballad with Chris “Motorbiking” Farlowe on vocals. In fact, there is a big blues presence throughout Side 2. Emerald Eyes is another instrumental that again, feels like a soundtrack to some TV show and is the track I like the least. Prison Blues is a throwback to Page’s days gone by and his love of the blues wth Chris Farlowe again on vocals. The album closes out with Blues Anthem, a big power ballad with strings and everything. I really like Side 1 but Side 2 tales off quickly.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.