THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: November 8, 2023

ACCEPT – Metal Heart

November 8, 2023 /

I remember buying this album when it first came out and feeling a tad disappointed. Following Restless & Wild and Balls To The Wall, which were both great records, this album felt as though it was just plodding along. Were they trying to be too commercial? I think so.

Tracks like Midnight Mover and Up To The Limit just come across as trying to be a Judas Priest-lite. Too High To Get It Right even sounds like AC/DC, and you’d be forgiven for thinking that the intro to Living For Tonite was the Scorpions (well, the album was produced by Dieter Dierks). There are a couple of old school speedy tracks like Wrong Is Right and my favourite Teach Us To Survive, which is at least pushing the envelope and being a little different.

It’s not that it’s a bad album, it’s just that you can tell the record company was squeezing the band for hits.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

JELUSICK – Follow The Blind Man

November 8, 2023 /

I thought this would be a definite record that Frontiers would be putting out, but no. Those nice folks at Escape Music are putting it out and that means at least the pressing will be of decent quality.

I think most people who listen to hard rock will be aware of the vocal talents of Dino Jelusick who exploded onto the scene just a few short years ago. I first came upon him after listening to the Dirty Shirley project with George Lynch and being mightily impressed with his voice. He is being hailed as the new Dio and I think he has more range and power than Ronnie. Dino could sing the phone book if you gave it to him.

I know this album took a long time to get out there as it was recorded over various sessions over a few years, but it was definitely worth the wait. I think this is a killer record that veers more down the metal path than hard rock, but it has loads of melody with the vocals and superb guitar from Ivan Keller (who I knew nothing about until hearing this).

What are my high points? Well, it’s all a freakin’ high point and if I’m pushed for a favourite track, it’s Side 1 closer What I Want. This is a high octane up tempo rocker with maximum fat and chunky riffage, and Dino just kills it on vocals.

Hard rock doesn’t get better than this boys and girls. There are many many high points on this record and it is a definite contender for album of the year.

200/10 from The Grooveman.

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