THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: April 7, 2024 (Page 1 of 2)

THE BOW WOW – S/T

April 7, 2024 / / 0 Comments

As well as Loudness, Earthshaker, and EZO, the other great Japanese metal band were Bow Wow. This is a compilation that was released in ’79. Putting together the best bits of the band’s early years when they sounded more like early Scorpions and UFO – the metal would come later.

It does sound very dated listening back now ,but that’s why I like it. I don’t know too much about the scene in Japan before the early eighties so it’s a cool time capsule for mid to late 70’s heavy music. My favourite tune is the instrumental track, Signal Fire. You can hear the beginnings of a much heavier sound developing, plus they are great musicians to boot. The production isn’t the best and it does sound rather flat, but that all adds to the vibe.

For connoisseurs only.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

Riverdogs – S/T

April 7, 2024 / / 0 Comments

So, in between having left Dio and had a brief dalliance with Whitesnake and joining Def Leppard, Vivian Campbell put together this rootsy melodic rock band. I’ve always liked Rob Lamothe’s vocals and I’d forgotten how good he his on this album. Another plus is that Vivian gets to be himself and show what a great tasty player he is.

If you were used to him giving it the beans in his time with Dio then this will be a revelation. No heavy metal shapes and tones here, just great playing and cool songs. Holy War is my favourite of them. It’s a killer track with a great melody and hook line, with some very cool leads. Baby Blue is a slightly softer in groove and vibe but that hook and chorus is so good. Rain Rain has a great bluesy groove and swing, and is a close second for favourite tune.

They were never going to be a charting band as they never had that one commercial song to push them, but the album as a whole is one solid piece of work, and it would be a good addition to the collection.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

RIGGS – S/T

April 7, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Based around the guitar talents of Jerry Riggs, this is the only album that was released under the name Riggs. They also managed to get two tracks on the soundtrack for the movie Heavy Metal, although they aren’t on this release.

Produced by Andy Johns, this is a great sounding record. It leans more to the AOR than the heavier stuff, even though lead off track Ready Or Not is a kick ass beefed up tune with a riff that sounds VERY familiar. The other song that really shakes my tree is Side 2 opener Depending On Love, with a similar groove and vibe.

You can see why this didn’t last too long as they didn’t seem to be too sure which direction to take. Nevertheless, it should appeal to fans of AOR and it does have a great production.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

JUDAS PRIEST – Invisible Shield

April 7, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Having lived with this album for a few weeks now, and having seen some of the reviews, you have to wonder if people really listen to records or if are they swept along with the social media sheep that just want to be part of the biggest gang? Now, to call this album the best since Screaming For Vengeance or even Killing Machine seems a bit outrageous on the face of it. Maybe we should split Priest’s career in two. The more commercial sounding era that ended with Ram It Down, and then the heavier beasts from Painkiller and beyond.

Now, I would definitely say this album is the best of the second period as it’s a more complete package, and Richie has definitely put stronger fuel in the Priest tank. It’s hard to see KK ever coming up with tunes like these. Now, I hold Killing Machine and Screaming in very high regard. That was such a great time to be alive and they meant so much, they were flag bearers at the time but I have to say this album stands shoulder to shoulder with both them. This is everything I want from a modern Priest album and it’s hard to believe that guys in their 70’s (not you Richie) can make an album like this.

For those of you that say they don’t write classic Priest chugga’s anymore, then you should listen to Gates Of Hell, that’s as classic as it gets. The thing that I really like is the melody is there even in songs as heavy as As God Is My Witness, and that’s what a lot of modern metal bands don’t do. My favourite tune is The Serpent And The King. Man, what a great great tune. Maximum riffing with a killer groove and a Rob is just a beast.

Well done JP, showing them how it’s done.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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