THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

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INTERVALS – The Way Forward

December 9, 2024 / / 0 Comments

So here we have another Intervals release from my collection. This is release #3, and by now the band is an Aaron Marshall solo vehicle. This version is another awesome pressing from those good people over at Sheet Happens.

I’m a huge guitar instrumental fan and seeing that genre explode since Satriani and Vai first appeared on the scene has been amazing. It’s not only the guitar music that has progressed, but the drummers have grown just has much, creating way more possibilities with the grooves they create. Nathan Bulla, the drummer on this release, is just freaking awesome giving Aaron that path to let the notes and melody fly.

This is classed as Prog metal but the fusion tag hangs high over a lot of the music. By Far And Away is a perfect example, as the technicality mixed with the melody and groove is just superb.

A very enjoyable record as are all Intervals’ releases.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

ORPHANS OF THE ASH – Elipsis

December 1, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Now, I’ve been a big fan of Zal Cleminson since I was a kid at school when he was part of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band. So, to fast forward over fifty years later and see that Zal is still putting out relevant angry modern rock n’ roll, it makes my heart sing.

What we have here boys and girls is a duo. Both Zal and his partner in crime Billy McGonagle are cranking heavy guitar tones and Zal handles all vocals. The drums are just programmed which is not my favourite thing, but it doesn’t distract too much from the noise produced. The overriding thing you take away from listening to this album is LOUD and distorted guitars. Some great heavy sounding crunch and I would definitely say this is as angry and mean as Zal has ever sounded.

This ain’t no classic rock romp in the park, this a modern, heavy, and dark sounding album. There are a couple of tunes here that really shake my tree, one is Blind Machine, I love the guitar and groove. My favourite track of the bunch is Poison Wood. Huge sounding guitar tone, and that riff is superb, alongside very dark lyrics.

I love the album and I just wish the drums had been real, it’s the one down point. Keep cramming it Zal!!

8/10 from The Grooveman.

HELLOWEEN – Walls Of Jericho

December 1, 2024 / / 0 Comments

So this is ground zero for Helloween, one of the most influential euro metal bands. If you believe what nonsense “Kerrapp” magazine were writing about the band at the time, they were nothing more than second rate Iron Maiden copyists. After this album was released, power metal as a genre really grew and developed into the force it is today.

Only a 4 piece at this point, with Karl Hansen doing vocals and guitar along with Michael Weikath giving that twin guitar assault. It’s all very raw, gung ho, and 100 mph compared to the ultra polished machine they are today, but it’s cool to go back and listen to how it all started. Ironically, it’s the slower Metallica-esque chugga fest of Gorgar that is my favourite song.

A fun look back into metal nostalgia.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

TRIXTER – New Audio Machine

December 1, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Coming right at the tail end of all things melodic, just before the dark and gloom of grunge, descended Trixter. They made a loud splash with a killer first album and a couple of big radio friendly singles in One In A Million and Give It To Me Good. They have continued sporadically releasing new music and playing shows. This vinyl album was released on CD in 2012 but this version came out in 2022.  

The band revolves around the amazing talents of guitarist/vocalist Steve Brown and bassist/vocalist PJ Farley. The one thing about this record is that it is as though the dark days of gloom never happened and this could have been a follow up to their first album, it’s just a great fun positive vibe record. They say class always shines through and this record oozes it from every pore. So many great songs like Drag Me Down, Dirty Love, Ride, Physical Attraction, Save Your Soul, and my personal fave, Machine.

These guys are just great songwriters. When they perform live, they give it everything, and Steve Brown is one hell of a player. Great album!

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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