THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Category: Vinyl Reviews (Page 7 of 492)

SAXON – Rock The Nations

June 13, 2025 /

This is the second of the mid eighties trio of albums which saw Saxon’s popularity start to drift away from the early NWOBHM onslaught. Along with Iron Maiden, they rode that wave to the top of the pile. The other two albums were Innocence Is No Excuse and Crusader.

I think the interference from the record company wanted the band to focus on the American market, which saw them soften their sound somewhat. The soft radio friendly songs on this album are Waiting For The Night (which was a single) You Ain’t No Angel and Northern Lady. They’re okay, but it’s not what Saxon are about.

There are a couple of good old Saxon crowd pleasers such as the title track and Battlecry, but the weak production lets them down. It would take the band some 15 years to climb back up the ladder to where they are today. Maybe the record company should have trusted them because they seemed to do alright with those early albums.

It’s okay, but not a classic.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

TITAN FORCE – Winner Loser

June 11, 2025 /

Other than demo releases, this is the second full length release by Titan Force that came out in ´91 on Shark Records. Although, this reissue was put out by the German label High Roller Records in 2022.

They seem to get tagged with the power metal label, but I think they are more of a Prog metal outfit in the realm of Queensryche, just like their first release. This time around they are stretching themselves a bit, with a few different grooves to add the mid tempo vibe they have been going on.

There are two really outstanding tracks on the album. The title track is killer, with some superb plank spanking from Mario Flores. As well as the cool groove of Face To Face , which gets my vote as favourite track. The different approach with the beat and groove really works with this track.

Other than compilations, this was it for the band and by ´94 they were all done. If you can pick it up cheap then it’s well worth the opening of the wallet.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

ACCEPT – Blood Of The Nations

June 10, 2025 /

After Accept released their ´96 album Predator, they disappeared in acrimony and everyone thought they were done. But, in 2010 they resurfaced with a new frontman in TT Quicks Mark Tornillo and the return of Herman Frank on second guitar. They released this monster of an album: Blood Of The Nations.

I wasn’t a big Udo fan and I only really like Restless And Wild and it’s follow up Balls To The Wall, so this version of Accept was an upgrade for me. Andy Sneap has given the album a killer production with a big fat guitar sound, which the songs benefit from greatly. Plus, with Tornillo they can play songs that Udo could never do like The Abyss with the clean melodic tones.

However, the songs that I dig the most are the ones of the metal variety, and there are quite a few that qualify. Beat The Bastards, Teutonic Terror, Blood Of the Nations, Shades Of Death, and Kill The Pain all hit the spot, but the one that tickles my tree the most is the epic No Shelter with the slow moody beginning, transitioning to the double kick pound, and a really cool middle eight – this one stands out above the rest for me.

A great band that always deliver live, and this album is a worthy addition to the collection.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

ROBIN TROWER – Come Find Me

June 9, 2025 /

Releasing your 28th solo album just as you turn 80 is quite an impressive feat, and that does not include his many collaborations, live albums, or the Procul Harum records. This album is a master class in tone, feel, and playing what is required. To many modern guitar players, playing a squillion notes up and down the fretboard as an entry into the guitar olympics makes them a player, but it does not. Robin has always been about playing what is required with the maximum feel and groove, plus he has a tone to die for that has inspired a lot of his contemporaries. Steve Stevens and Paul Gilbert to name two.

This time, Robin has gone with Richard Watts on vocals, who has a lovely warm tone to his voice in the great Jimmy Dewar footprint. The only song that doesn’t feature Watts is Tangled Love, which features Jess Hayes instead, and this is my favourite song. A beautiful song with a great groove and a very soulful vibe.

I love this album and it’s been on repeat play since its arrival, I can’t recommend it enough. I’ve said it before, Robin is in a late career golden period and long may it continue.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

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