THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: August 2024 (Page 3 of 7)

DOKKEN – Shadowlife

August 21, 2024 /

This is the second release after Dokken’s reformation for the Dysfunctional record in ’95. It’s also the album that Dokken fans hate the most. True, it is quite a dark and dissonant sounding album, but there are some killer moments to be heard. All things melody in rock had gone underground at this point, as all rock and metal was angry and mean sounding.

Puppet On A String opens up the album and it’s all about George. Great riff and groove, and the solo is awesome. Grunge had an effect on everyone and Cracks In The Ground shows that. That’s not to mean it’s a bad tune, it has elements of the Beatles and lots of Seattle vibes, also lots of George. Sky Beneath My Feet brings up the Beatles again, as those vocal harmonies are so reminiscent of the Fab Four.

My favourite tune is not a tune you would have associated with Dokken of old. The beat and groove are very busy and not your normal four to the floor, but this track rocks in all the right places. The other song that really shakes my tree is Sweet Life. Great simple riff and I love the way the song swings.

Correct, it’s not the best Dokken album, but it’s nowhere near as bad as people say.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

BLACK ROSE – Boys Will Be Boys

August 20, 2024 /

Black Rose have been around since ’76 but with under a different name: Ice.  With the onset of NWOBHM they changed it to Black Rose in ’80 and finally got to record this, their debut album in ’84 at Neat Records Impulse studio in Newcastle. However, the album didn’t come out through Neat. Instead, it came out of a small indie label called Bullet. By ’84 the initial burst was over for NWOBHM and the mass signing frenzy was over, and just the quality bands were left. Black Rose were probably victim of that cull as they never made it to a major label.

The album is a fun listen and to be honest, they really needed a top producer to give them that final push as the tunes are cool and raw but they are just lacking in that something. Just Wanna Be Your Lover is my favourite track. The power and energy are infectious as they are in full Iron Maiden mode. They even get their Def Leppard on with No Point Running. In the category of things that are not that great is the ballad Baby Believe Me, which should just not be on the album. The song just doesn’t fit with the feel of the rest of the record.

If you are a NWOBHM collector you may have missed this one.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

LOUD – D Generation

August 20, 2024 /

A another weird little band that got rave reviews in Kerrang, and other rock mags of the time. Loud only lasted for two albums and then they were done. This is their first record, produced by none other than Jazz Coleman. I guess that’s why they remind me of a cross between Killing Joke, The Cult, and 70’s Prog. That sounds like a strange mix right? Yet surprisingly, it all gels together rather well.

Guitarist Chris McLaughlin wrote everything on the album and you may know him from his time in New Model Army. The title track is my favourite as I love that Killing Joke groove and vibe. Although, I Am The Idol has that same feel and groove and is a close second. The Prog element is very prominent in Childhood Times, you would be forgiven for thinking this was a Yes track. The band even go full on metal with the intro to Explosive.

A quirky record and yet very entertaining.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

INTRONAUT – Void

August 19, 2024 /

This is Intronaut’s first release that came out way back in 2006. It sounds a lot different to the groovy beast that exists today. The grooves are here for sure but they are ensconced within a more hardcore sound. They have only released six albums and it has been four years since their last. They aren’t the most prolific and yet all the albums that they have unleashed on the world are all killer no filler.

This album was the first time I had heard the amazing Danny Walker on drums. His grooves are insane and he is one of the best there is. Unfortunately, due to his “indiscretions” he is no longer in the band.

It’s a very heavy record and yet deep in the grooves there are moments of beauty, like in the intro to Nostalgic Echo. Cool jangly guitars with a killer groove that then explodes into max riff groove-arama. The majority of the tunes however are odd time signature heaven with angry man vocals and enough crunchy riffs to fill a space bigger than you can think of. My favourite piece on the album is the last track, Fragments Of Character. A full on frenetic groove laden beast.

They seem to occupy their own little space within metal world  and are somewhat unique. I hope it isn’t too long before we hear some new tunes.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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