THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Author: igrooveman (Page 8 of 456)

KRUX – III He Who Sleeps Amongst The Stars

November 24, 2024 /

I guess Krux could be classed as something of a supergroup. Put together by Candlemass member, Leif Edling after the band split, and joined by the most awesome Opeth and Talisman axe-weilder, Fredrik Akesson and one of my favourite vocalists, Mats Levin.

Now, this is classed as doom metal apparently because Candlemass were of that ilk, and even their web page says Kruxdoom, but I think this is a whole different beast. Yep, there are slower groove moments like Hades Assembly, but with Mat’s killer harmonizing vocals and Fredrik’s monster playing it becomes a different epic piece of heavy music altogether.

I usually find the doom genre quite tiresome and repetitive but this record is very epic and dramatic sounding. There is obviously a love of early Sabbath because the riffs and groove on The Death Farm and the wonderfully titled Prince Azaar And The Invisible Pagoda pay homage. I just love the already mentioned The Hades Assembly, it’s my favourite piece, such a stunning track.

If you like killer guitar players and heavy dramatic epices, then you really need to get this.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

N.Y. FURY – I Want It All

November 17, 2024 /

Yet another blast from the past band who never quite made it back in the day. This collection came out in 2022 but the songs were laid down originally between ’87 and ’90. It seems to be a thriving business for small boutique labels to dig up some lost recordings from bands that only their local following will have heard of and then hyping them as the best unheard band ever.

The line up varies from a three piece on the first three tracks and then it expands to a five piece for the rest of the tracks. That tells a story in itself because the early recordings have a bunch of melody, but what drives them is the harder edge of just a three piece where the lead guitar playing from Gary Ryan is really good.

My favourite song is Danger Face, a great track with a big hook and great melody with added special sauce guitar. The whole album has that demo vibe about it and it’s crying out for a producer to guide them, especially with some of the vocal parts because the basic music is really good in parts.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

KROKUS – One Vice At A Time

November 17, 2024 /

Now, I have mentioned before that the accusations that Krokus were just a poor man’s AC/DC were slightly misplaced. However, saying that, this album kicks off with a track that could grace any DC album and you wouldn’t know the difference.

Long Stick Goes Boom is a blatant rip but it’s one hell of a rockin’ tune that just gets that toe a tappin’ and the head a bobbin’. Bad Boys RagDolls carries on that groove seamlessly and is such a fun high energy groover that the DC’isms just don’t bother you that much, plus it’s my favourite track. This is how the whole album goes except for the cover of American Woman, which I don’t care if I ever hear again.

Hand on heart, this album is just a fun record to play – especially side 1. You can pick this up fairly cheap and it’s definitely money well spent.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

RATT – Invasion Of Your Privacy

November 17, 2024 /

Welcome to Ratt’s second best record. For me, Out Of The Cellar is the perfect Ratt record because they were still hungry, and Warren De Martini just nails that album.

They were huge at this point and the record company wanted them in the studio after the success of Out Of The Cellar. This album clocks in at only 36 minutes and contains maybe the two biggest Ratt tracks in You’re In Love and Lay It Down, but I don’t think it quite achieves the quality as a whole as Cellar does.

Warren still plays like a beast and he is quite underrated as a player compared to his contemporaries. As usual I pick a track away from the big ones because Give It All is my favourite. Killer opening riff and lots of great guitar playing, but overall it’s just a great tune.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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