THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: blog music (Page 20 of 40)

NEAL SCHON & JAN HAMMER – Untold Passion

April 23, 2022 /

I always found the two Schon/Hammer albums quite unusual. At the time, Journey were bigger than a big thing on a big train to big town, and to disappear and squeeze this project in seemed a bit off to me. I thought that maybe these songs would be leftovers from Journey, but no, these were all originals composed by Schon, Hammer, and bass player Colin Hodgkinson.

There are five tracks with vocals which Neal sings. He has a very distinct voice that may not be to everyone’s taste, but I think it fits the music really well. Let’s face it, if you bought this album you were either a Journey die hard or you wanted to hear Schon rip it up – I fall into the latter category. He can really rip with the best of them, and the solo on I’m Down is right up there as one of the best solo’s he’s ever laid down. It’s a monster piece of playing and I absolutely adore it.

The album itself is the best of the two albums they did, and Wasting Time is a killer song with a superb solo thrown in. There are some oddities like Hooked On Love that don’t work, but on the whole this is an enjoyable album and it’s worth buying for THAT solo alone.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

FIREWIND – Few Against Many

April 22, 2022 /

Most people will be familiar with Gus G for his time as Ozzy’s guitarist – but this is his day job. This is the Greek outfits 7th album released back in 2012, and it continues with the band’s brand of melodic power metal with great riffs, killer guitar, and some epic vocals.

Opening track, Wall Of Sound, is a beast of a tune with a killer riff, groove, and a superb hook and chorus. Losing My Mind slows the pace down to start with before a huge epic riff and groove kicks in that reminds me of Metallica – Gus G’s solo is nuts. The title track is next up and rips in with a great drum groove and a huge riff – a big shout out to vocalist, Apollo, who is the owner of a great set of pipes. The Undying Fire follows and its more of the same, although this track doesn’t have so much to latch onto riff wise, but it dips its toe into thrash territory. Side 1 closes out with Another Dimension and it’s the fastest track yet with a super choppy riff and blast beat drums.

Onto Side 2 we go and Glorious slides into a huge chugga riff with a superb hook and melody. Edge Of A Dream is next (with a guest appearance from Apocalyptica) and we are in power ballad hell my friends – the only redemption here is Gus’ guitar. Normal service is resumed with the opening riff to Destiny with chugga’s a plenty and quite a commercial hook and melody. Long Gone Tomorrow is up next and has a really evil riff that I like, and then it’s into lots of chugga’s. The album closes out with No Heroes, No Sinners and they definitely believe in going out on a high – this could be my favourite on the whole album. It has lots of peaks and troughs, and it builds very nicely into quite a nice ending. A really solid album.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

WRABIT – Tracks

April 22, 2022 /

I think the band are from Toronto, and this is their second album released in ’81. Their style is firmly in melodic rock/aor territory, and the only member I know anything of is John Albini on guitar. He went on to partner with Lee Aaron as her guitarist and songwriter. In fact, it’s Mr Albini’s contributions that get my attention the most as JP has a killer sound and tone.

The songs are heavy on the melodies, and the harmonies are really good. You would be forgiven for thinking that you were listening to Styx (in their more syrupy moments) on tracks like I’ll Never Run Away. I like the more up-tempo tunes myself, and Soldier of Fortune and Unsung Hero are my favourites on the album. I’m not sure if they were Christian in their beliefs, but See No Evil and Don’t Lose That Feeling have that vibe with the arrangements and tone.

Not a bad album. If you like aor with a large dose of pomp, you will love this album.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

GENERATION AXE – Live In China

April 21, 2022 /

I’m a huge fan of the G3 tours that Joe Satriani put together, and I got to see a couple of them. The one with Satch, Petrucci, and Paul Gilbert was one of the best gigs I have ever seen. So when this package was put together I was super stoked – this is a widdly fans wet dream. The guitarists are Tosin Abasi, Nuno Bettencourt, Yngwie, Steve Vai, and Zakk Wylde, and this show was recorded in China.

The album kicks off with all of them together playing a version of Foreplay by Boston. Next up is Tosin playing Tempting Time from the first Animals As Leaders album, and it’s killer and shows how much rock instrumental music as advanced. Tosin is joined by Nuno for another Animals track, the stunning Physical Education. It’s great to hear what Nuno brings to the piece as its totally different to what he usually plays. Nuno plays a piece called a Side Of Mash, which starts with the solo piece from Extreme’s first album, and then highlights from lots of other pieces from Extreme albums. I’m a big Nuno fan, l love his style and groove. He is then joined by Zakk for a track called Sideways. It’s the first track with vocals but it’s the solos that will blow your mind. Zakk is by himself next for a rendition of the Allman’s Whipping Post, and it’s as over the top as you would expect.

Fun fact alert! Zakk actually auditioned for the Allman’s and didn’t get the gig. I guess they didn’t get all the behind the head thing.

Steve Vai is up next with his track, Bad Horsie. It starts with a small clip from the Crossroads movie which is cool, and then it’s Vai just ripping it. Superb piece! Yngwie is next and it’s pure widdle with lots of excerpts from various pieces of his in his own classical style. Yngwie is then joined by Steve Vai for the track, Black Star, and it’s widdle overdrive. Next to last track is a killer version of Edgar Winters’, Frankenstein, where everyone (apart from Yngwie) is playing. Last track is Deep Purple’s Highway Star with everyone on stage for the grand finale.

I do love albums like this, and they don’t come around too often.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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