THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: album review (Page 40 of 469)

TESTAMENT – The New Order

August 24, 2024 /

Out of all thirteen Testament albums this is my favourite, and as I have mentioned before, Testament ARE part of the big four and are way better than Slayer. Slayer are just a one trick pony, whereas Testament have a whole lot going on within their music and never lose the sight of the groove, which is so important in metal.

They sure know how to build drama into a tune as well, the intro to Trial By Fire is soooo freakin’ awesome with the cool quiet guitar intro and then that pounding bass and drum groove. This song is a thrash classic my friends, and that head just has to bang. Chugga Chuuga all the way. Into The Pit thrashes like crazy and Alex Skolnick is just a beast on the guitar. The short instrumental Hypnosis just has the hairs on my arms at attention, as Skolnick’s playing is just sublime.

This album is a belter all the way, and you just can’t beat old school thrash when it’s done as good as this. Plenty of groove and chunk is all a man needs. Favourite track? It’s has to be Trial By Fire, but there are so many great moments on this album. I could have easily gone for The Preacher, for that cool guitar intro alone.

If you are an old school thrasher then you will already have this, but if not, why?

10/10 from The Grooveman. 

FATE – A Matter Of Attitude

August 23, 2024 /

Album number two from Denmark’s finest melodic pomp rockers. Unusually for a band in this genre, there isn’t a ballad to be seen, which gets a major plus point in my book as all the tunes rock out but with a big melodic edge. The emphasis here is on the huge hook and chorus backed up with a killer rhythm section and short sharp solos when needed.

Released in ’86 it was prime time for this style of rock, and you would have thought that American radio would have lapped this up but apparently not. The two singles that were released, Won’t Stop and Summerlove, didn’t fare that well. My favourite track is Hunter, which closes out Side 1. It has a cool guitar intro and the hook and chorus do remind of Styx with the big call and repeat.

A fun album that gives off lots of summer vibes.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

DOKKEN – Shadowlife

August 21, 2024 /

This is the second release after Dokken’s reformation for the Dysfunctional record in ’95. It’s also the album that Dokken fans hate the most. True, it is quite a dark and dissonant sounding album, but there are some killer moments to be heard. All things melody in rock had gone underground at this point, as all rock and metal was angry and mean sounding.

Puppet On A String opens up the album and it’s all about George. Great riff and groove, and the solo is awesome. Grunge had an effect on everyone and Cracks In The Ground shows that. That’s not to mean it’s a bad tune, it has elements of the Beatles and lots of Seattle vibes, also lots of George. Sky Beneath My Feet brings up the Beatles again, as those vocal harmonies are so reminiscent of the Fab Four.

My favourite tune is not a tune you would have associated with Dokken of old. The beat and groove are very busy and not your normal four to the floor, but this track rocks in all the right places. The other song that really shakes my tree is Sweet Life. Great simple riff and I love the way the song swings.

Correct, it’s not the best Dokken album, but it’s nowhere near as bad as people say.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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.

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