THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: album review (Page 30 of 459)

BLACK ROSE – Boys Will Be Boys

August 20, 2024 /

Black Rose have been around since ’76 but with under a different name: Ice.  With the onset of NWOBHM they changed it to Black Rose in ’80 and finally got to record this, their debut album in ’84 at Neat Records Impulse studio in Newcastle. However, the album didn’t come out through Neat. Instead, it came out of a small indie label called Bullet. By ’84 the initial burst was over for NWOBHM and the mass signing frenzy was over, and just the quality bands were left. Black Rose were probably victim of that cull as they never made it to a major label.

The album is a fun listen and to be honest, they really needed a top producer to give them that final push as the tunes are cool and raw but they are just lacking in that something. Just Wanna Be Your Lover is my favourite track. The power and energy are infectious as they are in full Iron Maiden mode. They even get their Def Leppard on with No Point Running. In the category of things that are not that great is the ballad Baby Believe Me, which should just not be on the album. The song just doesn’t fit with the feel of the rest of the record.

If you are a NWOBHM collector you may have missed this one.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

LOUD – D Generation

August 20, 2024 /

A another weird little band that got rave reviews in Kerrang, and other rock mags of the time. Loud only lasted for two albums and then they were done. This is their first record, produced by none other than Jazz Coleman. I guess that’s why they remind me of a cross between Killing Joke, The Cult, and 70’s Prog. That sounds like a strange mix right? Yet surprisingly, it all gels together rather well.

Guitarist Chris McLaughlin wrote everything on the album and you may know him from his time in New Model Army. The title track is my favourite as I love that Killing Joke groove and vibe. Although, I Am The Idol has that same feel and groove and is a close second. The Prog element is very prominent in Childhood Times, you would be forgiven for thinking this was a Yes track. The band even go full on metal with the intro to Explosive.

A quirky record and yet very entertaining.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

INTRONAUT – Void

August 19, 2024 /

This is Intronaut’s first release that came out way back in 2006. It sounds a lot different to the groovy beast that exists today. The grooves are here for sure but they are ensconced within a more hardcore sound. They have only released six albums and it has been four years since their last. They aren’t the most prolific and yet all the albums that they have unleashed on the world are all killer no filler.

This album was the first time I had heard the amazing Danny Walker on drums. His grooves are insane and he is one of the best there is. Unfortunately, due to his “indiscretions” he is no longer in the band.

It’s a very heavy record and yet deep in the grooves there are moments of beauty, like in the intro to Nostalgic Echo. Cool jangly guitars with a killer groove that then explodes into max riff groove-arama. The majority of the tunes however are odd time signature heaven with angry man vocals and enough crunchy riffs to fill a space bigger than you can think of. My favourite piece on the album is the last track, Fragments Of Character. A full on frenetic groove laden beast.

They seem to occupy their own little space within metal world  and are somewhat unique. I hope it isn’t too long before we hear some new tunes.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

GUARDIAN – First Watch

August 11, 2024 /

The whole Christian rock scene was looked upon with ridicule in most of the rock mags in the early to mid 80’s, and if you tagged yourself as a Christian band it was the kiss of death for you career until Stryper came along. This was Guardian’s first release that appeared in ’89 and this version was released on Roadrunner, primarily a metal label at the time.

This album got my attention because of the killer guitar playing of Tony Palacios, who has to be one of the best guitarists you’ve never heard of. He embellishes every song with the right amount of awesome to lift the songs above the average. Mystery Man being a fine example of this as it’s a decent enough melodic rock tune with a nice groove and hook but the guitar lifts it to a great song. That’s basically the whole album. As what are mostly ordinary songs are elevated by some very cool guitar. My favourite song other than Mystery Man is Saints Battalion. If you can get past the lyrics, the song and melody are cool and the solo is so good.

So, if you’re interested in great guitar playing then check this out.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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