THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: February 10, 2023

FREAK OF NATURE – s/t

February 10, 2023 /

This album was released on Music For Nations in ’93, and Discogs actually has it listed as a grunge album. Well, there is a harder edge to the music compared to the last White Lion album that’s for sure but grunge…nope!

I think Freak Of Nature are a stellar band, and I love both albums they’ve recorded. Great opening track with Turn The Other Way, and for those expecting a continuation of White Lion are instantly disappointed. Instead we have a kick-ass band playing for the times with a catchy song, and Tramp’s singing is a lot more rough around the edges. Next track What Am I is superb and is my favourite track, it has a killer riff, a funk tinged rock groove, and a great hook. Rescue Me has that native drum groove thing going on, with a rootsy riff, and great hook and melody. 92 after the initial intro has a killer LA glam sounding riff coupled with a modern hard groove. Great track! People closes out Side 1 and that deep, heavy, funk, rock groove makes a welcome appearance.

Over to Side 2 we go and opener World Doesn’t Mind slows the tempo down somewhat. Possessed has a superb intro with some great guitar by Dennis Chick, then that mean riff kicks in with that slight funk groove. Even when the music is a lot more earthy and raw, we can’t escape the ballad. Two out of the last three tracks are ballads: Where Can I Go (which, admittedly has a killer solo), and Love Was Here. If I Leave actually reminds me of KingsX with those big minor chords.

It’s a shame that there was only two albums, but melody wasn’t in at that time.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

RAVEN – Rock Until You Drop

February 10, 2023 /

There was a time between ’79 and ’81 where Newcastle and Neat Records in particular, were the centre of the universe of the burgeoning NWOBHM. Based in an old cinema in Wallsend, they were responsible for unleashing Raven, Tygers Of Pan Tang, Venom, and Fist, to name a few. Raven always had a huge sense of humour to go within their high energy metal, and this album was glued to my turntable.

Opener Hard Ride is a typical rocker of the time, and now would just be classed as a hard rock tune but back then everything loud was called metal. Hell Patrol is a whole bunch of fun with over the top screams ,wild guitar, and a kick-ass simple riff. Don’t Need Your Money was released as a single and this sound sums up NWOBHM perfectly. A great high octane uptempo blast with Mark Gallagher giving it plenty on the whammy bar. Over The Top keeps the tempo high with a riff that feels very familiar. After a brief acoustic interlude the madness returns with Side 1 closer For The Future with THAT riff making an appearance.

Side 2 kicks off with Rock Until You Drop, basically the band’s anthem, and if you have seen them live then they give it everything. Love the breakdown in the middle! Nobody’s Hero is up next and it’s basically a sped up old school boogie with knobs on, and the main riff is close to a Saxon one from their first album. Next up is a one two kick in the nuts of two killer Sweet covers: Hellraiser and Action. Lambs To The Slaughter sees another appearance of THAT riff and a very familiar lift of Judas Priest’s Steeler, if you listen closely. It’s favourite and last track time with Tyrant Of The Airwaves. This is a whole new level in writing and takes everything to the max. From the dramatic intro, to the speed metal main song, this is a NWOBHM classic.

Other than a compilation album called Lead Weight, this was the first album by a band released on Neat Records with catalogue #1001. Ahh happy days.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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