THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Page 332 of 479

MASTODON – The Hunter

January 6, 2022 /

This is the band’s fifth album released in 2011. This is the second non-concept album and the title is a tribute to Brent Hinds’ brother who tragically died while the band were recording the album. The big single from the album was Curl Of The Burl which reached 15 on the rock singles chart. The songs are a lot shorter on this album as the majority clock in under 4 minutes, but that does not take away from quality of the tunes. The riffs are here in great quantities, in fact there are more of them as there are extra songs.

Mastodon have the gift of being the most melodic band on the planet, but within the blink of an eye become crushing. The quick burst of a Blasteroid making my point perfectly in fact – parts of this song remind me of Kyuss. Most bands in the progressive metal genre seem to either go down that overblown Dream Theater avenue, or drift down Meshuggah lane with the off time weirdness. It’s nice to hear Mastodon occupy their own little street of awesome where melody, crunch, and superb lyrics are their forte.

The tunes that I love the most here are the aforementioned Blasteroid, All The Heavy Lifting with its slightly demonic feel, The Hunter with its heartfelt lyrics from Brent to his lost brother, the pure metal onslaught of Spectrelight, and the superb mainly instrumental Sparrow, which closes out the record. I’m glad I’m around while bands like Mastodon are pushing there own boundaries every album.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

KINGS’ X – Faith Hope Love

January 5, 2022 /

This is the third album released in 1990 by one of the world’s best rock bands. The first 5 albums are untouchable! Every one a masterpiece of the genre. The thing about KingsX is that when they appeared on the scene in ’88 no one had heard anything quite like them, and they were not as immediate as all the bands doing the rounds at the time. The three part harmonies are just superb, and add that to a killer rhythm section and a great guitar player, you can’t ask for much more. I personally love them, and the Grooveman monicker that I go by is from the track Groove Machine from the Tape Head album.

The opening track, We are Finding Who We Are, has a killer vibe and groove that only this band can do. As soon as you hear them you know it’s KingsX, no one sounds like them. The Beatles influences are more evident on this album than any other they have done, especially on the three part harmony lines on I’ll Never Get Tired Of You, Mr Wilson, and Six Broken Soldiers. One of may favourite all time KingsX tracks is We Were Born To Be Loved which is just incredible. The riff, groove, and off time interchanges are just nuts – and those harmonies! I think everyone should own the first 5 albums as they will put so much joy in your soul.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

MILLENIUM – Hourglass

January 5, 2022 /

Happy New Year to one and all! A lot of new things arrived over the holidays to add to the list of albums to review, so here we go!

One of the more confusing bands around today, largely due to the fact that there are 4 different bands with the name MILLENIUM going at this moment in time. This is a repress of the band’s third album that was originally released in 2000 and is arguably their best recording. That’s mainly due to the fact the songs are really good and they have (on this release) the amazing Jorn Lande on vocals. This is a limited edition of 300 on blue vinyl through Escape Music, and they always do great presssings. Every vinyl release I have through them is really top quality.

This is modern melodic rock done right! Superb songs, great playing, and an excellent production by the band themselves. The band were formed in the US in 1997 by guitarist Ralph Santolla. I have to say, this is one of Jorn Lande’s highlights for me as he sings his ass off. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Mr Lande’s abilities, I would say he is a much better version of David Coverdale. Yes, he is that good! Highlights for me on this record are the awesome Wheels Are Turning, which has a great riff and groove, some excellent guitar breaks from Ralph Santolla, and a stellar vocal from Jorn, then Superstar which sounds like a heavier Journey – a really well written track with a great vocal melody.

Now for those of you who have been paying attention have probably guessed by now that I am not a big fan of ballads. In the seventies and eighties, record labels put pressure on rock bands to add a ballad or two to their albums as the the execs thought this would please the ladies and increase record sales. This album has 3 (Boo!!!) but one of them, I Will Follow, is really good as it’s done in a very blues style with some killer playing from Ralph. The last highlight for me on the album is close out track, Chasing Time – another great tune. I know I say this a lot but if this album was released 10 years earlier…?

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

VOODOO CIRCLE – Locked & Loaded

December 13, 2021 /

This is the last review for a couple of weeks as I am taking a break for the Holidays. Thanks to all of you who have read and interacted with me about the reviews over the last year.I’m heading over to BC to spend some time with the fam. I will be visiting as many record stores as I can visit in the area while I’m there. So keep a look out for Insta and Facebook group posts to see what goodies I can find.

Formed in 2008 by ex-Silent Force, and now Primal Fear, guitar player, Alex Beyrodt, this band really smokes and this album is a killer record. Joined here by his fellow Primal Fear bandmate Matt Sinner on bass, Pink Cream 69 vocalist Dave Readman, and on the pots and pans, Marcus Kullman. A more melodic hard rock sound than the metal that Primal Fear are known for, in fact, I would say a point of reference would be Whitesnake- especially the Doug Aldrich era.

Opening track, Flesh & Bone, is a ripper of a song with an epic riff, superb melody and hook, and a rhythm section that shakes your bones. Wasting Time is a fantastic follow up with a really odd sleazy groove and monster solo from Beyrodt. Magic Woman Chile is a song that Coverdale wishes he could still pull off instead of resting on their laurels. I often wonder how a DJ like Eddie Trunk, who has a syndicated radio show promoting rock and metal music, doesn’t even bother to give bands as good as this a plug on his show. Instead he just keeps repping his mates all the time. Of course you will hear all the usual suspects that have inspired the writing of this album, but the band have made them their own with the writing of one of the best hard rock albums I have heard in a long while. I can honestly say I love all of this record.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

« Older posts Newer posts »

Archives

© 2025 THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑