THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: May 20, 2024 (Page 1 of 2)

BLACK SABBATH – S/T

May 20, 2024 /

So, here it is! This album is ground zero for heavy metal music. Although heavy psychedelic music would have been more appropriate I guess, even though it’s taking blues chords and grooves and doing them to the max.

I was ten years old when this came out and it wasn’t until a few years later that I actually heard it. I do remember the news about them being satanists and gigs were being cancelled. It all seems a bit strange looking back with hindsight, but that cover still gives me the creeps.

Of the early albums I would say this is my favourite and the one I play the most. The track I love the most is the opening title song. That eerie bell giving way to that riff is just timeless.

It’s rightly given plaudits as a genre defining album, not only for heavy metal but also for doom and stoner bands as well.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

CULPRIT – Guilty As Charged

May 20, 2024 /

This is the debut album from Seattle’s Culprit. It was released on Shrapnel in ’83. As with a lot of these bands, they disappeared soon after in ’85. The members didn’t do a whole lot after this album either, a couple of them joined TKO for their third album, Below The Belt, but that was it. They just left us this raw early Maiden inspired effort.

Now, a 23 year-old me might have lapped this up, as I was into anything metal that came out of America at the time, especially Shrapnel bands. Ice In The Back I guess was quite ahead of its time. Lots of stop start time changes to go with the raw riffing and a groove we are all now familiar with. Steel To Blood has a big chugga riff with a great middle section jam with John DeVol ripping in a cool solo. They are obviously more inspired by NWOBHM than anything that was happening around the Bay Area, just listen to Fight Back with that very familiar riff.

Shame they only did the one as I think these guys had potential to take it further.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

THE STORM – Eye Of The Storm

May 20, 2024 /

Hot on the heels of the Streets album I just reviewed, here comes another classic AOR album that the AOR anoraks rave about. The Storm were put together by three ex-Journey members, Gregg Rolie, Ross Valory, and Steve Smith (although Ron Wickso is on drums on this one). Joined by Kevin Chalfont on vocals and self confessed Neal Schon fan, Josh Ramos on guitar. In case you’re wondering, yes they do sound like Perry-era Journey.

This was actually album number two which came out in ’95, a full four years after their debut. This album is a lot more reliant on the laid back softer songs with the up tempo grooves lacking somewhat. So when the needle actually gets to one it’s a welcome change. Livin’ It Up is the fifth song in, and we had to wait a while, but it was worth it. Yes, it’s my favourite tune. A nice guitar intro leads to a slight funked up groove with a dirtier vocal hits the spot for me.

This is not a bad album by any stretch, but it would have been nice to have a couple more uptempo tunes added in there. It’s fine if you want to chill out and have some background music.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

STREETS – Crimes In Mind

May 20, 2024 /

Now, this is definitely a candidate for the Instagram group, AOR Sunday. Put together by Kansas’ Steve Walsh, guitarist Mike Slamer (ex-City Boy and the very underrated Steelhouse Lane), and bassist Billy Greer, this was the second of only two albums they originally released.

This is a very classy and well written record that the AOR crowd were lyrical about, and you can see why. Walsh’s voice is so good and complimented by the ripping guitar of Slamer, this is a classic of the genre. I’m not a fan of the old ballad as you by now, but Broken Glass is just superb. Epic vocal and melody, and Slamer’s guitar solo is sooo freakin’ good.

My favourite track is The Nightmare Begins. This song has the element of Prog added to the mix to lift it above the others. The main groove is superb and Slamer’s guitar sound is killer. I seriously think the label dropped the ball with theses guys as I’m sure Hit N’ Run would have made a great single if it was pushed right. It has everything that American radio were drooling over at the time. The same goes for I Can’t Wait, a superbly written tune that you can’t help to sing a long to. The production is so clear and crisp giving a punch to every song.

Seriously this is a top drawer album and a worthy addition to anyone’s collection.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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