THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

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MORDRED – The Dark Parade

April 14, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Mordred are one of the original funk/metal crossover bands. They released two great albums in Fools Game and In This Life until they disappeared in ’94 only to make a surprise return with this release in 2021.  Well, after all this time, have they still got the groove and hunger?

The groove? Not so much, but they’ve got hunger for sure. They come across now as a full on thrash band, very reminiscent of prime time Anthrax. The only track with that groove I mentioned is the title track and this is my favourite song on the album. It’s got a great off-kilter riff and groove that is so cool.

It’s a cool concept for an album. It’s about a travelling freak show circus and the front cover is really good. They sort of preceded themselves as the vibe and sound are about 87/88, and the album feels as though it was recorded back then. They also go completely against nearly every album ever recorded in the fact that they have made Side 2 better than Side 1. The other killer tune is the close out track Smash Goes The Bottle with its weird mash up of blues, Thin Lizzy, and a traditional Irish folk song.

Not a bad comeback, but could do better.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

VYPER – Prepared To Strike

April 14, 2024 / / 0 Comments

There are a couple different covers for this record so some people think they released two albums, but originally this was the only version, plus an earlier independent EP release.

I am a sucker for any band with a killer guitar player and back in the day I would buy albums on this criteria alone. Although, I’m not sure who plays what parts on this record, whether it be Jacky Foxx or Robbie Saint, there are some killer leads laid down on this album.

Varying from melodic hard rock to metal, this record is a whole bunch of fun with influences varying from NWOBHM to Diamond’s prime time hair like on Cold As Stone, and my favourite track Dealer with that full on metal assault. Vyper should have done more songs like this because they do it quite well. Double kicks blasting away, high pitch screaming, and max riffage with the inevitable ripping solos.

If nothing else, this album is a whole bunch of fun.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

TALISMAN – S/T

April 14, 2024 / / 0 Comments

This is album number one from the mighty Talisman, released back in ’90. The band were put together by the super talented bassist, Marcel Jacob who is sadly no longer with us. The only ever present member (I think) is Jeff Scott Soto. It’s cool to hear how Jeff’s voice has changed throughout his career. He is singing in a much lower register now than he was when this came out. There again, he was just a puppy when this beauty was released.

I’m not sure if this was considered just to be a project originally, as there is just a photo of Marcel and Jeff in the insert. There have also been some great guitar players that have blessed the grooves of Talisman releases namely Frederick Akesson who is now with Opeth, Pontus Norgren who has played with Hammerfall, and Christopher Stahl who played on this one.

This band has been responsible for some of the finest melodic rock, released mostly when this type of music was about as welcome as a fart in a space suit. Honestly, there is a not a bad moment throughout this whole record and frankly it’s a blueprint for how to write killer rock songs with groove, killer playing, and huge hooks with infectious stick in your brain choruses. It’s tough to pick a favourite as I love all the songs on this album, but today I will pick Dangerous. It has everything I mentioned above and the solo is killer.

It’s great to see Jeff still releasing high quality material and long  may he do so.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

EVERGREY – A Heartless Portrait: The Orphean Testament

April 14, 2024 / / 0 Comments

This is Evergrey’s latest release that came out May 2022. One of Sweden’s best exponents of melodic Prog metal. It’s interesting to see how their sound has changed since their inception. Now, there are a lot of deep low tones to their sound, but I guess that mirrors what’s the groove of choice at the moment. That doesn’t take away from their trademark soaring guitar passages and the epic vocal melodies.

It’s nice to see on Side 4 that the band have added two instrumentals: Save Us and Call Out The Dark. Two epic tunes with vocals but to hear them without adds a different dimension, and I do love a good instrumental. This band don’t make bad records and I think this is up there with their best. Soaring vocals, piercing melodies, and deep heavy grooves make for a happy me and this is still a constant player even after nearly two years.

It’s tough to pick a favourite but I will pick two: the heavy Bindfolded with a riff that weaves and winds it’s way though a technical onslaught of proggy goodness, and the pure melodic joy of Call Out The Dark where you can loose yourself in the beauty of the melody and searing solo.

Well done Evergrey, this is a superb record.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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