REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Day: January 12, 2025 (Page 2 of 2)

ALIEN – Shiftin Gear

The success of bands like Journey and Toto inspired a whole bunch of muso’s to take up the AOR cause and run with it. Sweden had a scene all of its own where bands like Alien popped up. The band have actually released five albums with a sixth one ready to go as I write this.

They have had a very fluid line up with the only ever present member being guitarist, Tony Berg. This is album number two and it sees vocalist, Pete Sandburg take over from Jim Jidhed who would return to the fold further down the road.

Very slick and very radio friendly, this album came out 1990 just as the times were a changin’. Even though the US and UK gave up on this type of rock as it went underground, the Scandinavian countries and Germany kept the flag flying.

As you would expect, there are a few ballads but the uptempo tracks are way more prevalent and worthy of your attention. Hold On Move On, Give It Up, Turn On The Radio, and Neon Nights are great songs and Hold On Move On just edges it in the favourite track olympics.  

Cool record!

8/10 from The Grooveman.

OPETH – The Last Will And Testament

There has been so much hype surrounding the release of this record, and it all centres around one thing: the return of the growl. Now, depending on which clickbait metal site you read, you may be forgiven for thinking that this was a return to Blackwater Park era Opeth. Well, it is not! But, it is a damn fine album.

I love the whole imagery around this new album, from the sepia toned black & white cover art, the subject matter of the gathering of a family for the reading out a will, and best of all is the music. I can see why Mikael brought back the screams for this one as it fits the narrative perfectly. Yes, it’s heavy at times and it’s equally as progressive, especially with the inclusion of Ian Anderson as a type of narrator.

This is the album that keeps on giving. I’ve played it through about 15 times as of right now and I keep picking up on new things with each listen that just blow me away. It’s tough to pick a favourite track because I love it as a whole piece, and the flow of the album is superb.

My copy has disappeared into the void due to the postal strike, so I had to bite the bullet and Amazon came to the rescue .I couldn’t wait any longer. Has Mikael out progged his buddy SW? I would say yes, especially on the back of the last two SW solo albums.

Great album and very worthy of…

10/10 from The Grooveman.

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