THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Category: Vinyl Reviews (Page 136 of 492)

AVENGED SEVENFOLD – Life Is But Dream

October 24, 2023 /

Avenged Sevenfold are a band that seemingly aren’t afraid to challenge their fans. I was very intrigued when I read about them releasing a “Prog” album. I’m all for bands pushing the boundaries of what is expected of them, so this had my name written all over it.

They don’t waste any time in getting into the Prog with opener Game Over. A mix of light and shade for sure. I love the clean sound interspersed with maximum crunch. M Shadow’s vocals are a revelation. It’s almost show tunes Broadway time with this one. Mattel takes this vibe further and I have to say I love it, very dramatic! Nobody starts with a very heavy, doomy, electronic vibe and the multi layered vocal harmonies are superb.

There is not a lot that’s straightforward about this record and We Love You is super twisted. It has a very metal double kick intro that flows into max riffage, then a quick change to electronica, all with different grooves. Cosmic is as close as we get to a ballad here and the solo before the heavier groove kicks in is superb. Killer Alice In Chains groove to the opening of Beautiful Morning, and I have to say this is my favourite. It has the right amount of evil mixed with the beauty of that vocal line.

Easier is slightly more straightforward with the riffing and grooves. Again, the solo is so melodic and cool. G opens up Side 4 and it’s like we have walked in on a Zappa session. Killer tune! Ordinary is a change from anything so far with its pop groove and harmonizer vocals. Dreams is next up and fifties crooner springs into my mind. The album plays out with the title track, which is a sole piano.

Well done Avenged Sevenfold for doing something so left field, and delivering an album that you have to play all the way through.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

THE DARKNESS – Permission To Land

October 23, 2023 /

There are times whilst going through my collection that I pull certain albums to review and I instantly feel old. Permission To Land is one of those as it has been twenty years since its release. I clearly remember the band’s appearance on Jools Holland where Justin is ripping the solo to I Beleive In A Thing Called on top of Jools’ piano. You just didn’t see hard rock bands ripping it up on mainstream TV at the time. It’s good old down and dirty hard rock, but with a singer who hits notes so high you’d think his nuts were  being squeezed in a vice.

This is still a fun record to listen to, and is guaranteed to lift you spirits when you are feeling a bit low. Black Shuck rips the dust off straight away with the AC/DC inspired riffage and groove. Get Your Hands Off My Woman is the obvious companion tune to “Believe” as it has the same feel. I Beleive In A Thing Called Love is such a monster tune it would be amiss of me not to pick it as my favourite tune. One of the deeper cuts that you don’t hear people mention too often is Givin’ Up. A simple, big chord DC stomp that doesn’t fail to get a that toe a tappin’.

It’s nice to listen to records that are just fun and happy.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

MAGNUM – Chase The Dragon

October 21, 2023 /

Released back in ’82, this was the band’s first charting album. I remember reading at the time there was a two year delay in releasing the record because of record company bullshit. It was worth the wait, as some of the band’s most endearing songs are on the album. The grandiose Soldier Of The Line and The Spirit. Magnum had gone full pomp at this point with their music taking references from Styx and Kansas, but with that British edge.

There is not a lot of difference between Magnum and Blackmore’s Night if you just listen to the main melody and subject matter of the songs. I was never much of a Magnum fan, as I was more of a straight up riff rock guy but occasionally they came out with a riff-based song like Walking The Straight Line; it’s my favourite on the album. The song has a great hook and melody and reminds me of early Foreigner.

Bob and Tony are now elder statesmen of the British rock scene and have been recording constantly over the years, if not directly in the limelight. I haven’t played this in a long while and it’s a fun listen.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

HEAVY PETTIN – s/t

October 20, 2023 /

This is the band’s self-titled album released back in ’83, it was produced by Brain May and Mack. Polydor sure put their money where their collective mouths were on this release. A lot of bands around this time complained about lack of support from their record companies, but Heavy Pettin could not say that. I think it’s obvious Polydor thought they had scored another Def Leppard.

I like this album as it still has that rawness and energy, as well as killer songs. In And Out Of Love opens up the album and if that song is not a statement of intent then I don’t know what it is. Killer hook and chorus and Hammie’s vocals are top drawer, if you’re not singing along with this you need to see a doctor. Love On The Run is as good as anything that Leppard were doing at the time. Love Times Love is a just a simple four four rock song, but the vocal drives this baby along. Great song! There are still hints of NWOBHM hanging around as Victims Of The Night is straight from the NWOBHM songbook. Those early Leppard comparisons are all on show with Shout It Out, even the guitar sound is the same. Great song though! In And Out Of Love is my favourite song, I mean how can it not be.

These guys should have been huge and they are right at the top of the page headed “What The Hell Happened?”.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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