THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: June 2024 (Page 1 of 6)

Nasty Idols – Gigolos On Parade

June 23, 2024 /

This is Nasty Idols’ first album, which was released in ’89. It is slightly different sounding to the glam sleaze sound of their later albums, this one is more of a hair band/melodic rock vibe. Strangely enough, the band themselves hate this album as they said it was not representative of who they are. It’s nowhere near as bad as they make out. Although Andy Pierce’s vocal does fit the sleaze thing better and after this album they fired guitarist Jonnie Wee as he’s the one with the hard rockin’ credentials.

There are a couple of songs that I really like on this album, namely the opener Gimme What I Want (which is my favourite), it’s a great up tempo rocker. I also like Shy China, another track with some groove to get the toe tappin’. There are also some pure AOR moments like She’s On Fire and Lonely which any fan of the genre would lap up.

It’s definitely an album and a band looking for an identity which they would find after this.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

ACCEPT – Humanoid

June 23, 2024 /

This is album number 17 For Accept, and it’s ploughing the same path as the previous six albums since Mark Tornillo took over vocal duties with the band. If it’s not broke why fix it right? Big fat crunchy guitars, pounding rhythms, and the occasional anthem to get you up and rocking. There are not too many old school metal bands that are making good music, so we should treasure them while they are still pounding.

I like the Udo-less version and I don’t get all the hate for the direction that Wolf Hoffmann has taken the band in. If everyone is being honest, the albums since Blood Of The Nations are better than what came before. Sure, Restless And Wild and Balls To The Wall are genre defining records in terms of influencing the euro metal scene, but these modern records have an edge and sound that sets them apart. So what about the new one then?

Well, as I said it’s more of the same but that’s not a bad thing. You get pounding double kick blasters like Diving Into Sin, which is my personal favourite, and the title track which really hit the spot. They also give a tip of the hat to old school Accept stompers in the Balls To Wall tradition like Man Up and Nobody Gets Out Alive.

Yes, Accept are alive and well and long may they do so.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

THE KARMA EFFECT – Promised Land

June 23, 2024 /

The UK seems to have finally woken up to the fact that rock is still a thing, as there seems to be a new band creeping out of the woodwork each week. The Karma Effect released their first album right slap in the pandemic, so even though people paid attention they were unable to go out and play it live. But this is their second album that released early this year through Earache records, and now they can finally get out there and rock your soul.

The tunes are a bringing together a Black Crowes style blues groove and good old melodic rock. The opening track and lead off single Livin’ It Up is pure melodic rock joy. A great simple riff and groove with a hook and chorus to die for. Anyone remember the Electric Boys? Well, if you do then Wild Honey will ring all your bells (musically, that is) because vocalist Henry Gottelier is a pure power house. Not only is Henry gifted with a voice of pure RnB heavenly joy, but he is also a guitar hero to boot.

There are so many great moments on this album that it is tough for me to pick a favourite tune but pick I must and I’m going for the title track. A powerful full on groove guitar riff to kick the song into gear and the hook and chorus are huge. Henry is pure gold, his voice is so soulful and he can put the foot on the gas when power is required.

This band should tour the US as they will clean up especially in the Southern states. They are tailor made for that market. I hope I get to see them live at some point as I’m sure live is where they belong. Great record!

9/10 from The Grooveman.

ELLEFSON/SOTO – Vacation In The Underworld

June 23, 2024 /

I was very interested to see where Dave ended up after his ousting from the Megadeth dictatorship. Would he form a band or would he do a succession of projects? I was very surprised when he teamed up with JSS, as they don’t seem to operate in the same universe. I have to say this is a very pleasant surprise!

Operating in the world between metal and hard rock, this is one great record. I mean, Jeff doesn’t do bad records but Dave is a but of an unknown as he hasn’t done a whole bunch other than Megadeth. The duo are joined by (unknown to me) guitar whizz Andy Martongelli who is a beast on the plank, and on the pots and pans is Paulo Caridi.

The album opens up with the power metal blast of the title track. Killer tune and a false flag in terms of the albums direction. Like A Bullet is my favourite tune. A full on hard rock beast with an epic riff and groove and Jeff giving plenty with a huge hook and chorus. Sharpen The Sword is a killer metal blast with double kicks and heavy grooves a plenty. The Reason breaks new ground as this is heavy AOR. Take the vocal alone and this is what Jeff has been doing all his life. Killer melodic vocals with epic melody lines. S.T.N is punk gone metal with 1234 groove and blast.

Side 2 kicks off with The Revolution and musically, you’d be forgiven for thinking this was Iron Maiden complete with gallop. Celebrity Trash kicks in with a full on glam style riff and groove and it’s cool to hear Jeff wrap his vocal around a groove like this, although I’m sure there’s a Talisman tune that’s like this out there. Live To Die Another Day is possibly the heaviest tune on the album and is the only one with a hint of Megadeth about it. The Day Before Tomorrow is the power ballad on the album and the solo is something else, Jeff is joined on vocals here by Jade Etro. We end with an awesome intro to Hercules/Rise To Win with plenty of killer bass and epic guitar.

So, that’s it! A very pleasant surprise of an album and I hope they do more.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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