THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: music (Page 326 of 454)

GODSTICKS – Emergence

October 30, 2021 /

Hailing from Wales, Godsticks’ blend of progressive metal is a breath of fresh in what was becoming a very familiar landscape. ecade), and it spawned a squillion bands trying to do the same. However, Godsticks chose to try and be original in this very cluttered musical area, and to me, they are just superb.

This is the band’s third full length album and was released in 2015 – IMHO is a killer record. I’m not sure if anyone is familiar with the Norwegian band, Jack In The Box, but Darren Charles vocal delivery and tone is a nailed on bomb ringer for their vocalist. The riffs and grooves here also give a nod to that band. I love this record bunches as the riffs, grooves, and melodies are their own and it’s a great kick to still be surprised by a band and their music. Trust me, this is a freakin’ great record. One of my favourite tracks over the last couple of years is Exit Stage Right. The vocal delivery and melody are sublime, and add to that the wonderful groove and choppy riff – it’s a track that I return to often.

I can’t recommend this highly enough and it’s a big 10/10 from The Grooveman.

BONHAM – The Disregard Of Timekeeping

October 29, 2021 /

Long before Jason Bonham became a gun for hire and played with anyone who would have him, he had his own little band that actually released four albums – this being the first. I’m not sure I would have gone the same route, but I guess if you are the son of one of the most famous drummers ever then making your band a soundalike maybe seems a good idea. Daniel Macmaster’s vocal tones are a ringer for Mr. Plant – well at least on this album anyway.

Now you maybe getting the impression that I’m not to keen in this album, well that is definitely not the case. I really like it as the songs are very interesting and not the normal fodder of the day – they are a kick ass rock band. My favourite tracks? Well, I really like Bringing Me Down which has a funky under groove and a nice solo. Guilty, which is very un-Zeppelin and I really like the riff and groove. Room For Us All closes out the record and is a great tune.

I guess coming out in ’89 they were going to struggle as the musical landscape was about to shift, and basically the band became a project.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

TESSERACT – Polaris

October 29, 2021 /

This is the third studio album by British tech metallers, Tesseract. This album saw the return of their original vocalist, Daniel Tompkins, who left the band after the first album. Although they started with all the djent bands, they have refined their sound which has made them quite a unique band. The low end is still a big feature, but now there are a lot more ambient and melodic sounds to the music. They are masters of odd time signatures (often multiple times within songs), this makes them a fantastic band to listen as the groove changes constantly.

The opening track, Dystopia, has a deliciously evil choppy groove with some serious low end riffing. Those time changes and off beat grooves will have your brain scrambling. Hexes starts with a very ambient intro, until the song builds with an epic choppy bass groove and a great vocal from Tompkins. Survival carries on where the previous song finished with that choppy bass pattern carrying the tune along. I bet the band were glad to have Dan back in the band as the light tones to his vocal style really make the music pop.

Over to Side 2 with Tourniquet, and this is a beautiful light (almost) ambient piece with a very delicate vocal, until the end of the song where the heavy low end returns. If I had to describe Tesseract’s sound, I would point everyone in the direction of the next track, Utopia. Everything about the band is here in this one song, the choppy bass heavy groove, the odd time beat with D-tuned guitars. and sprinklings of ambient keys. Phoenix closes out Side 2 and its all about the melody and harmonies for me. Great track!

Side 3 leads off with the lead off single from the album, Messenger, and it’s the heaviest piece so far and a nod to the style of their previous albums. Cages is the next to last track and the ambient soundscapes return, before the odd time meter kicks in with a superb bass line. Seven Names closes out the album as Side 4 is a dreaded etched side. The change to a more lighter shade to the band’s music serves them well as this a really good album.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

OPETH – Garden Of The Titans (Live At Red Rocks Amphitheater)

October 28, 2021 /

Opeth are truly one of the best bands playing and recording today. They are not afraid to take risks and change their style. No matter what they do, it’s just superb.

Don’t get confused by the picture as this is not a four disc edition, just two separate copies with just one cover showing. I also have the Blu-Ray of this show and it’s really good. I was worried that the vinyl would not be as good sound wise, but they seem to have done a vinyl mix.

The band were touring on the back of the Sorceress album and that’s the track that’s opens up the show. It’s a killer track – the perfect mix of metal and Prog. Ghost Of Perdition from Ghost Reveries is up next and it’s one of my favourite Opeth tracks, and one where screams were still part of their musical landscape. Next up we go way back in the catalogue for Demon Of The Fall from My Arms Your Hearse. Epic track and I do miss the dynamic change in vocal with the screams. Back to Sorceress with Wilde Flowers, and you can see and hear the new Opeth and the direction they were moving in. Next up is In My Time Of Need from Deliverance, which I think is a beautiful piece. The Devils Orchard from the Heritage album is next and that is my favourite track from that album. It’s just superb and again showcases their new direction.

The only track played from Pale Communion is next with Cusp Of Eternity, and again it’s one of my favourite Opeth tracks. Everything about this track is just superb. A great melody and vocal from Mikael, and the music is epic. The only track from Watershed is next with the absolutely evil sounding Heir Apparent, and this track could be the basis for a horror movie of its own. Another Sorceress track Era follows, and it’s Prog Heaven as we are transported back to the mid-seventies – well that’s the vibe it gives off to me.

The concert and album closes out with the mighty Deliverance, and this is definitely a fan favourite – everyone goes bananas when the band play this. The band have made four live albums so far and you can go and pick your favourite era. This is a great representation of where the band are at now. I really love this album, but I am a huge Opeth fan.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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