THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: September 2024 (Page 4 of 4)

GOTTHARD – Need To Believe

September 2, 2024 / / 0 Comments

If I said to you, “name a rock band from Switzerland,” nine times out of ten the answer would be Krokus. Which is kind of sad as Gotthard have way more going on musically than Krokus ever did.

This is the ninth studio album from Gotthard, released back in 2009 and would be the last before the untimely death of vocalist, Steve Lee. You can’t beat a melodic rock album when it’s written and performed as well as this, and it’s a fitting epitaph to Steve Lee. I say this a LOT, but if this album came out in ’85 this band would have been huge. I mean I even like the ballads. (WHAT!).

Need To Believe would have given Bon Jovi and Journey a run for their money. Killer track with an epic hook and chorus, with all the feels. It’s  the rockin’ tracks however that we all know float my boat, and there are plenty here to grab you by the throat. Unspoken Words is a kick ass up tempo rocker with a great riff and groove. I Don’t Mind steals a little from AC/DC, but man what a great tune. My personal fave is Right From Wrong where the band show they have a heavier side with Leo Leoni riffing it up over the top of a great groove.

Great band and a great record.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

VANDEN PLAS – The Empyrean Equation Of The Long Lost Things

September 2, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Album number 11 from Germany’s Vanden Plas. They have been flying the Prog metal flag loud and proud for over 30 years. Other than their debut album, Colour Temple, which was more of a hard rocking affair, they have been stalwarts in giving the listener Prog metal awesomeness with an emphasis on melody with just the right amount of crunch.

They are not afraid to enter concept album land, which they have done plenty of and this album is no exception, but they have never lost sight of what makes them, THEM! Sure, Dream Theater are an obvious comparison, but they do have a sound all of their own. Powered along by the magnificent crunching guitar of Stephan Lill and the very distinctive voice of Andy Kuntz, they make one beautiful sound.

I have been a fan since the get go and I’m pleased to announce this new album is another strong addition to an already impressive catalogue. If I’m to hang my hat on one tune that encapsulates what this band is all about then Icarian Flight it is. Massive crunching guitars, great interplay between keys and guitar, and the epic soaring melodic vocals all driven along with a killer throbbing rhythm section.

Superb album from front to back and you should own this.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

A2Z – The Witch Of Berkeley Live

September 2, 2024 / / 0 Comments

For a brief, brief moment in time the spotlight shone on A2Z as they were right in the middle of the NWOBHM explosion. Putting out a live album as your introduction to the world of metal seemed a strange thing to do, but it worked for fellow NWOBHMers, Vardis, so why not.

Looking back after all these years, it’s a very raw recording and maybe they needed a decent producer to work with them on the songs before they put this out. We can even play a fun quiz where you put on the first track, No Fun After Midnight and tell me where that main riff was stolen from. There are a couple of very easy ones to choose from.

It’s definitely of its time and parts of the record sound like they were recorded in ’70 never mind ’80, but it does have an endearing “we gave it a go” attitude to it. The track that stands out to me is Walking The Distance, where they are trying to stretch themselves using early Rush as an influence.

Not a must have, but if you’re a NWOBHM collector then you should have this.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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