THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: December 16, 2024

JUDAS PRIEST – Point Of Entry

December 16, 2024 / / 0 Comments

I think this record, along with Turbo, are the two Priest albums that seem to get the least love amongst Priest fans. This album had a lot to live up to after the awesome success of British Steel which had three hit singles mixed with some classic Priest metal like Rapid Fire and Grinder and Steeler, it was early Priest at their best.

So, when this came out it was MEH at best! A couple of not bad singles in Head Out To The Highway and Hot Rockin’ but where was the metal? Nowhere to be seen.

At best, it’s a hard rock album and I remember thinking at the time that the next record would have to be something special after this weak affair, and they truly delivered with Screaming For Vengeance. It’s not often I pick a single as my favourite song but Hot Rockin’ is the one this week.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

RAVEN – Crash Bang Wallop

December 16, 2024 / / 0 Comments

I loved early Raven because they were everything that NWOBHM were all about. Loud and raw with buckets of energy, but they had a unique element of fun about everything they did.

This EP came out just after the release of the band’s second album, Wiped Out and the song titles alone should bring a smile to your face: Crash, Bang, Wallop (Men’s Lib Protest Song) and Run Them Down (Dedicated To Italian Motorists). The production is as raw as it gets but I love it nonetheless.

Happy days!

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

LOCK UP – Something Bitchin This Way Comes

December 16, 2024 / / 0 Comments

I reviewed an album by Heads Up a couple of weeks back and it brought back a lot of memories of that whole funk rock movement that disappeared just as quick as it came. Here is another great record from that period with a similar vibe. This one is of interest however for one Tom Morello on guitar. He would eventually go on to form Rage Against The Machine after these guys split. He plays a lot more “normal” leads on this one with not so many squeaks and squeals, and the funk is high on this one.

Controversial opinion, but I like this way more than the Rage albums. Way more groove and the songs are better. This album is a belter from back to front, so many great songs with killer arrangements. Matt Wallace has given the record a very in your face production and the mix by Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero is superb. Pick a song: Can’t Stop The Bleeding, Punch Drunk, Tell Me When It’s Over, and 24 Hour Man. They are all great tracks and all groove hard.

Great band!

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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