THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: March 25, 2024 (Page 2 of 2)

RONNIE ATKINS -Trinity

March 25, 2024 /

I first heard this in a Disc Union whilst I was in Tokyo last year and was sad to hear that there was no vinyl. Thankfully that has been rectified and it’s now a very welcome addition to the collection.

This is Ronnie’s third solo effort, although he is primarily known as the vocalist for Danish rockers Pretty Maids. When you consider Ronnie is battling lung cancer, this is a fantastic vocalist performance. This is definitely a hard rock album, but with hints of AOR creeping in occasionally.

There is bags of melody to keep the AOR crowd happy like Paper Tiger and If You Can Dream It but as usual, it’s the rockier tunes that really lift the album for me. Like, Godless which has a very strong euro metal sound, pounds a long at a decent pace with Chris Laney delivering fat riffage and a great solo. My favourite track however is the epic sounding, Raining Fire. Ronnie delivers a great vocal performance with lots a of melody amid the epic riffage and grooves around him.

I do hope Ronnie gets a reprieve as I look forward to hearing more from him.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

AXE – S/T

March 25, 2024 /

This is the debut album from the Floridians, Axe, released back in ’79. Most of the rock world was going in a more heavy direction around this time but Axe were unleashing this pomp rock monster. By listening to these songs, they were heavily influenced by Styx on this album. They became more commercial and radio friendly around the release of Offering, but this is a bit if an underground classic in AOR circles.

I would go as far to say that Yes were an influence on the album as well, because keyboards play a prominent part throughout the album. The whole vibe around the album is very uplifting and there are none of those nasty evil chords to darken matters. Highlights for me are opener Life’s Just An Illusion, which is the best song on the album. It’s got loads of melody and vocal harmonies with a great hook and chorus.

Hang On is another great uptempo pomp monster. These guys sure know how to write a ditty. The Springsteen flavoured Back On The Streets is a close call for favourite tune and Doing The Best That I Can has a very familiar main vocal melody that I’m sure the Yardbirds used on Shapes Of Things. My only down point for the whole album is the drum sound. They sound so flat and lifeless.

Although it does sound a tad dated, it’s not a bad album at all.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

PRIMAL FEAR – Code Red

March 25, 2024 /

Here is the latest offering from Primal Fear’s fourteen studio albums, so far. I like the band a lot. I’m a big fan of old school style metal where harmony and groove still means something. I can’t get to grips with most of the black and death metal bands as there are no dynamics in the music. Primal Fear never disappoints and this album is no exception, it basically carries on from their previous album.

To make the crunch even better on this one, there were three guitar players deployed for the recording. Alex Beyrodt is a monster player on his own but adding Magnus Karlsson along with Tom Naumann is riff city. Just crank and enjoy the crunch.

Bring That Noise and Deep In The Night The World Is On Fire are both ripping mid tempo groovers with max fat riffage to get the head bangin’. Cancel Culture takes it up a few notches with double kicks a plenty at a pace that kills. Steelmelter is my favourite track. This is a classic PF song. It has a huge riff and plenty of groove with a hook and chorus that drags you in. Killer ending to the album as well with Fearless. A great uplifting melody mixed with chugga’s all the way.

Well, until the next time my friends.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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