THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Page 7 of 493

DREAM THEATER – Images And Words

June 17, 2025 /

I’m glad this album has come out again because it’s the only one I missed from the Music On Vinyl reissues. It’s a bonafide classic and the album that launched a whole movement.

With the opening track Pull Me Under and the accompanying video that went with it, the band just exploded and have never looked back. Bear in mind, that the song is 8:11 minutes long, so not the usual song length to capture your attention. Also, this was released in ‘92; prime time grunge and it still took off. Not all rock fans had jumped to the land of depression and some still wanted melody and killer playing in their lives. It was also the rebirth of the epic song with song times well above the 3 and 4 minutes. Learning To Live that closes out the album is 11:30 minutes and the birth of the Metropolis saga is 9:30 minutes.

Words can’t describe what this album did for me as it opened a whole new world and appreciation for a format I had left behind. Prog was back baby, but a lot more hard, heavy, and awesome. Take The Time is my favourite song here. It starts with a very heavy opening riff and groove, and goes through so many changes, vibes,  and grooves that I remember just bursting with joy when I heard it for the first time. That would be the DT blueprint right up until the present day as I wait with anticipation for their new release.

Absolute killer record and yes every home should have one.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

IRON SAVIOUR – Firestar

June 16, 2025 /

Fantasy power metal anyone?  Iron Saviour’s first album appeared in ‘97 and they have released fourteen albums so far, of which this is the latest. So, they are no slouches in releasing albums.

I’m not a fan of the 100 mph speed metal approach as I think there is not much room for manoeuvre and all the songs just blend into one. Now, Iron Saviour are guilty of that, like on Curse Of The Machinery and the title track, but they also know how important groove and swing is to heavy metal. On tracks In The Realm of Heavy Metal and Demise Of The Tyrant they have nailed it. Sure, it’s old school, but it kicks ass. The riffs and grooves are killer but also the hook and vocal melody are superb. My favourite track however is Through The Fires Of Hell. Great mid-tempo chugga that the head just bangs to. Also of note, Side 1 is loaded with all the good stuff and only Nothing Is Forever is the only belter on Side 2.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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.

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