REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: September 12, 2023

LAMB OF GOD – Omens

This is the band’s latest album, released in 2022.  As Pantera are no more, Lamb Of God are the natural successors to the groove metal throne.

The album opens up with Nevermore. A heavy groove and fat riffage, just what I like and this song has it by the ton. Vanishing starts as though they are being hunted at a killer pace with chugga’s a plenty. To The Grave is a slower pace but the aggression is still intense and the drumming of Art Cruz (especially the kicks) is very impressive. A seriously heavy intro to Ditch with drums and guitars ripping it up. Side 1 closes out with the title track Omens. A simple, recurring, heavy riff that repeats over and over with a mid paced groove.

Gomorrah gets Side 2 underway with a much slower groove and vibe, but still crushingly heavy. Ill Designs follows and is a very busy riff and groove. Lots going on here, but those kick drums are insane. Grayscale is up next and is my favourite tune. Great choppy riffage and a killer groove makes this boy happy. Denial Mechanism screams on in at a breakneck speed, almost sounding like a hard core tune. The album closes out with September Song. A brief acoustic intro before the crunch arrives.

I agree with most people that have reviewed this when it came out, it’s not their best effort but it’s still a solid record.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

GIANT – Time To Burn

Another band that suffered big time from the great grunge unpleasantness was Giant. They made two killer melodic rock albums (this being the second) and that was it. Can you believe that? Proof that the music biz was so messed up at that time.

Yes, I am aware there is a version of recording albums for Frontiers but without Dan (The Man) Huff, it’s not Giant I’m afraid. Dan is happy down in Nashville writing, recording, and producing and is doing just fine.

I prefer this album to the first one as this a near perfect melodic rock album. Superb songs, killer production, and some stunning guitar just perfectly in the right places. My favourite track is Chained. This tune has everything that makes the band so good. First of all, it’s a beast of a tune, the melody is off the charts, those harmony vocals are superb, and the guitar playing is just incredible. I mean, what more do you want? A close second is Side 2 opener Smoulder. I just love the groove and vibe to this one, and Sir Dan of Huff really rips on this one.

Superb production from Terry Thomas makes this album really come alive, and it’s one I play often. You should definitely have this album in your collection.

10/10 from The Grooveman.