THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Month: September 2024 (Page 6 of 7)

JUDAS PRIEST – Sad Wings Of Destiny

September 2, 2024 /

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 /

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.

GOTTHARD – Need To Believe

September 2, 2024 /

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 /

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.

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