THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: album review (Page 58 of 469)

WHOM GODS DESTROY – Insanium

May 27, 2024 /

I have been waiting forever to get this on vinyl and finally it is here, in custard coloured vinyl. Why custard is anyone’s guess.  

Now, when I wrote a review of Sons Of Anarchy’s album I mentioned maybe someone was pissed off at the end of Sons Of Apollo with Portnoy rejoining Dream Theater. Well, that someone was Bumblefoot and his comments about the end of that band upon the release of this album made it clear he was not too happy with MP. I personally don’t care about that too much as, I’m a glad MP is back in DT and I’m stoked this band exists, especially with Dino Jelusick on vocals as he is the best rock vocalist around.

I’m not sure if this will be anything other than a project as there doesn’t seem to be any tour dates posted, but at least I can revel in the joys they have cooked up. This is a double album but we have the dreaded etched fourth side with tunes on the other three. In The Name Of  War rips open the album and it’s a Prog metal delight, very reminiscent of a DT track that grooves and riffs hard with Dino giving it the beans. Over Again follows and this one pushes Dino all the way vocally and that riff is superb.

The Decision slows the pace down somewhat and that bass line is killer. Superb vocal with great harmonies. I’m a big fan of Derek Sherinian as I love his style and his presence is huge on all tracks and the intro to Crawl is awesome. This is my favourite tune. Killer riff, the groove is so good, and Dino just kills it. Find My Way Back will tell you everything you need to know as to why Dino is considered the best around. Just a brilliant vocal. Such power and control!

Crucified is a lot similar to Crawl with the intro. It’s very hectic with a full power vocal. Keeper of The Gate keeps up the quality with more of a classic rock groove to the melody this time. Hypernova 158 is a juiced instrumental piece with a beast of a groove. The album closes out with the title track Insanium that’s split into three parts. Now, it wouldn’t be progressive unless we had a track split into multiple parts. This one doesn’t connect with me as much as the other songs and I think the reason is because it reminds me of so many other tunes by other bands.

So, that’s it and a thoroughly enjoyable album it is. Dino’s performance is awesome and he is a gift to music.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

FIREHOUSE – Hold Your Fire

May 27, 2024 /

Unlike most of their “hair band” brethren, Firehouse kept releasing albums throughout the anti melody years of grunge and managed to stay together until the recent death of vocalist CJ Snare. This is album number two that came out in ’92, and even though the climate was anything but friendly they still managed to release three singles from the album and the album was certified gold. Which proves if the songs are good enough and are heard, then people will buy them.

Yes, there are ballads but when the songs are that well written and you can’t help but sing along and hold your hands up. There are more than enough rockin’ tunes on the album however, with the single Reach For The Sky leading the album off in fine style. Great tune with a killer riff and hook. My favourite is You’re Too Bad with its killer guitar sound and that riff sounds huge. The harmony vocals on the chorus are superb as well.

I am not sure if the band will carry on after CJ’s death but if they don’t then they have left some killer songs to enjoy. Great band and album.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

WITCHKILLER – Day Of The Saxons

May 27, 2024 /

Carrying on my love of of all things early eighties metal comes this four track EP from Ottawa’s very own Witchkiller. Released on Metal Blade in ’84 this is the only record the band put out before splitting. Influenced heavily by NWOBHM (and I would say Judas Priest), this actually isn’t that bad and is way better than some of the other offerings around at the time.

Opening track Day Of The Saxons could have been an early Maiden demo as the riffs and groove are very NWOBHM. Riders Of Doom sounds like Beyond The Realms Of Death era Priest and it’s only the guitar solo that lets this one down. Cry Wolf is pushing those Maiden influences hard and Beg For Mercy sounds as though it’s a demo and is the one track that doesn’t cut it for me. My favourite tune however is close out tune Penance For Past Sins. Starting with the patented eerie slow quiet build before exploding into life.

I can see why they called it a day, they needed help to flush out their ideas and I guess Metal Blade didn’t want to flash the cash.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

THE DARKNESS – Easter Is Cancelled

May 27, 2024 /

You have to hand it to The Darkness, in the UK when rock music was about as popular as a fart in space suit, along they came from out of nowhere to blast it back into the mainstream. Now, there seems to be a young rock band around every corner in the UK and I think The Darkness should get a bit if credit for that.

Here they are with album number six and they are as a popular as ever and it’s a cracking rock record to boot. We are off to an epic start with their (I hope) very tongue in cheek Rock N’ Roll Deserves To Die and this is everything I expect from a Darkness record. Vocal histrionics, superb melody, a chorus to shout a long to, and fat crunchy guitars. This lays the path for the rest of the album.

There are quieter moments with Live ‘Til I Die where Justin is looking back on his past and the amazing Heart Explodes which touches on his loves lost and is a pure joy. The title track is a good old fashioned rock n’ roll romp with interspersed minstrel-esque moments that is pure anything goes Darkenss.

Favourite track? Well, that’s a tough one as there are a few for that honour but on this occasion it has to be the title track. A track that sees the band stretching themselves out of their comfort zone but being uniquely The Darkness. Justin is just the ultimate showman, those vocals and notes he reaches make them totally unique in the world of rock.

Thoroughly enjoyable record.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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