THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Category: Vinyl Reviews (Page 244 of 492)

IRON MAIDEN – Killers

October 29, 2022 /

Think if you will, that if Paul Di’anno hadn’t been asked to leave Iron Maiden and he was still in the band today, what would they sound like? Interesting thought eh? Well, I think they would have probably killed him as he isn’t the easiest of guys to be around apparently, but musically I often wonder if they would be different.

I actually love the first two albums, and I don’t care too much for modern Maiden.  I know probably not many people agree with this, but for me this is the last great Maiden album. I love the energy, attitude, and the raw sound of this album. Not a bad moment on the album, and this is a bonafide classic in every sense.

The Ides Of March intro that bursts into the awesome Wrathchild. I remember buying the single as well. We are lulled into a false sense of security with the delicate intro to Murders In The Rue Morgue, before that superb riff and groove kick in. I love how the guitar and bass follow the vocal in the chorus. A killer busy intro to Another Life, and it’s hard to believe it, but no one else was playing like this at the time. I love the time and groove change in the middle – it’s very punky. The superb instrumental, Genghis Khan, is up next and what metal band was doing that at the time? The side closes out with Innocent Exile which is my favourite Maiden track ever! I love the riff, key changes, Paul’s vocals, and the epic middle section. They have forgotten how to write grooves like this.

The epic title track opens up Side 2, and we are off to the trademark Maiden gallop. Twilight Zone is up next and was another single – it was quite a straight forward riff and groove for Maiden compared to everything else they were writing at the time. Prodigal Son follows, and I’m guessing this was a big influence on Dream Theater, and also Steve Harris’ is a big Prog fan.  The super busy riff of Prodigal Son is classic old school Maiden, and I love the middle section. The awesomeness that is Drifter closes out the album, and with the end of old Maiden.

A sure fire 10/10 from The Grooveman.

THE JEFF HEALEY BAND – Hell To Pay

October 29, 2022 /

This is Jeff’s 2nd album and was released in 1990. Right from the off, this album feels a lot more rock n roll than the exceptional ,Steal The Light.  There are some pretty high profile special guests as well with George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, and Mark Knopfler making an appearance.

Full Circle opens up the album and it’s a great rock track with customary Jeff killer guitar, and the production is very slick. I Think I Love You Too Much has Knopfler guesting with Bv’s and trading licks with Jeff. I’m not sure what Clive Davis’ plan was for Jeff, as the first album did very well with Jeff really ripping it up (as he does when you see him live), and this is very polished and it seems as though he was being steered into the mainstream – but with no big single on the record. My favourite track is the the cover of While My Guitar Gently Weeps, and it’s super cool that George Harrison guests with bv’s and acoustic. I do like Geoff when he rips it up, and this album is a bit too shiny for me, but it’s still a solid record.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

HERICANE ALICE – Tear The House Down

October 28, 2022 /

It’s 1990, and the great grunge unpleasantness was starting to take hold, and yet major labels were still signing quality hair bands hoping they would break through – and Hericane Alice fit perfectly into this little box. They actually have been a thing since ’84 when they formed in Minnesota. Coincidentally, they have just released a brand new album for streaming only at this point.

It’s basically standard melodic hair metal fare, but done very well indeed. Opener, Wild Young And Crazy, is a great uptempo groover with a great hook and chorus. Bad To Love has single written all over it, and again has a great hook and chorus – plus additional killer solo. Dream Girl starts in true power ballad style, but the emphasis on this track is the power with another killer solo thrown in. The title track is up next and it’s my favourite track with its up-tempo fun groove – it’s definitely a rock night special. Side 1 closes out with Badboy Breakout, and it’s another hands in the air anthem.

Need A Lover opens up Side 2 with a big fat riff and groove, and party time continues. Too Late is power ballad number two and it’s lifted by a killer solo. Shake Shake Shout is a mother-give-them-what-they-want crowd pleaser. The anthems keep on coming with Crank The Heat Up, and album closer I Walk Alone. A fun album to listen to, and still stands up well today.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

WATCHTOWER – Control And Resistance

October 28, 2022 /

Watchtower are probably one of the most influential metal bands you have never heard of. They have influenced many Prog metal bands and modern djent/math metal outfits, with the use of odd time signatures, many tempo changes, and unreal sweep solos. The band were initially formed in ’82, but it wasn’t until ’85 that they released their first album, Energetic Dissasmbly. This their second album and has a couple of line up changes with the introduction of Ron Jarzombeck on guitar, and the departure of Jason McMaster to Dangerous Toys.

The playing for the mid-eighties is insane, and I guess metal fans weren’t ready at this point. There are so many highlights for me on this album, Mayday In Kiev is like listening to four songs at once – every few bars it’s a different song. Jarzombeck’s playing is incredible. The one thing that I do find annoying at times is the vocals of Alan Tecchio as they just don’t fit. Putting that to one side, my favourite track is Hidden Instincts.

I get this isn’t for everyone, but the playing and time and groove changes are just nuts – it’s as if anything goes. Jarzombeck has gone on to form Spastic Inc and Blotted Science – both tech metal masterpieces and I urge anyone who likes instrumental tech metal/fusion to check them out.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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