THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: September 2024 (Page 3 of 4)

MASTERPLAN – S/T

September 9, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Jorn Lande has to be the busiest guy in the metal universe as he seems to be involved in squillions of bands and projects. However, he was the last member to join Masterplan after the two ex-Helloween members, Roland Grapow and Uli Kusch asked him to join.

Produced by Andy Sneap, this album first saw the light of day in 2003 and if you like your metal powered up with plenty of melody then you should be paying attention, this version comes with three Bonus tracks. For a debut album, this sure is a belter and the addition of Jorn on vocals was a master stroke, as he has one hell of a voice and lifts the songs to a whole new level of awesome. He has the ability to turn that voice into whatever he wants.

Crystal Night has Jorn giving it the Ronnie Dio treatment with a more gruff addition to his velvet tones, and Roland Grapow’s guitar tone is awesome. This is one ripper of a tune. Enlighten Me was released as a single and Jorn turns his voice to a more commercial vibe on this one. Crawling From Hell is my favourite because Mr. Grapow gives it all the beans and more with some guitar pyrotechnics and Jorn wailing away by his side.

Great band, great record. Buy.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

WARLOCK – True As Steel

September 2, 2024 / / 0 Comments

I just saw some footage of Doro and the band performing at a festival in Finland and credit where is due, she still kicks ass. Four albums as Warlock and squillions as Doro, she has been pounding the metal on record since ’84. This album was released in ’86 and was the third Warlock release and was produced by “Mr Metal” Michael Wagener. It was the album that first gained some success in the US.

I think this is a great record and defo the best Warlock record as it’s very accessible, and made with one ear on American radio. The song Fight For Rock is so catchy with a simple riff and groove, you can see why it was the lead off single and it gets my vote for favourite tune. Other tracks that float my boat are Speed Of Sound with double kicks all the way, Midnite In China with that great choppy riff, and Virwarts All Right a pedal to the metal with killer riff and solo.

Long may Doro rock.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

JUDAS PRIEST – Sad Wings Of Destiny

September 2, 2024 / / 0 Comments

This was the album where Priest decided that making the music heavier and METAL would be a good career move. I have seen a few online debates recently stating that Priest were NWOBHM. Well, they weren’t, but they were one hell of an influence on those bands and the band themselves definitely rode that wave.

I discovered Priest on this album and have been a fan ever since. I guess if you look at Priest now, they are barely recognizable to the Preist on this record. Yet, they still play Victim Of Changes, Ripper, and Tyrant live to this day. So, the band recognize what a major step this album was and how strong the songs are.

My favourite tune is Ripper, the song that gave birth to modern metal. It’s all there: the chugga riff and groove, the big vocal, and dark subject matter. A close call for favourite is Island Of Domination which expands on Ripper with a lot more drama to it. Of course this album is not perfect. Epitaph, where they try to do a Queen moment, is just a tad strange.

I still get a buzz when I play this 48 years later.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

FORCED ENTRY – S/T

September 2, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Yet another one and they’re done band. Not to be confused with the Seattle band of the same name, these guys are from Germany and are listed in the Encyclopedia Metallum as melodic speed metal, and who am I to argue with that.

Released in ’88, it’s not a bad effort actually and it reminds me of early Queensryche during their metal phase. On Guardians Of The Lost, vocalist Xavier (Harry) really reaches those Geoff Tate night notes. To show just how speedy they get on, I would class the track Last Dawning as thrash with it’s double kicks all the way. My favourite track is the band’s signature tune, Forced Entry. Great riffing and a cool guitar tone with anthemic vocals on the chorus. Great tunes!

If you’re into mid-eighties metal and you see this for cheap, then empty the coin purse and give it a try.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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