If you are expecting the glam slam thank you mam of their early albums, then you may be in for a surprise. This album seems to be firmly rooted in the late 70’s as it has the retro groove to it, complete with a hint of punk.
Phil Lewis has never bettered the Girl album Sheer Greed, so I judge everything by that album. That rockin’ retro 79’s groove is perfect on Taste It, Grinder, and If You Wanna which are all really good tunes. I’ve never been a fan of that whiny indie sound a la REM, so Hit And Run is a bit of a surprise. And, I don’t do country so Follow The Money and The Masque leave me cold.
This album is definitely a side step to the left and when it all clicks it’s not bad.
This may confuse some as this was the title of the first album that Bonfire put out in ‘86, after their name change from Cacumen. Main man Hans Ziller decided to revisit and re-record this album, giving the songs a whole new groove and sound using today’s technology. Hence the addition of MMXXIII to the title. I believe Point Blank and Fireworks are getting the same treatment.
I do like this new version because it’s given the songs that big arena rock sound. Good songs are good songs so Hot To Rock, Don’t Touch The Light, L.A. and S.D.I are still the stand out songs, but they sound much bigger here. Bonfire are a class act and are one of Germany’s best melodic rock bands.
Banshee always remind me of early Pantera. Same time period, same approach, and same groove. But whereas Pantera changed direction and sound, Banshee (after a brief flourish) disappeared. Also, both bands possessed a killer guitar player.
This is their first EP, containing five songs of mid-eighties metal greatness, that appeared in ‘86. I’m a sucker for a great guitarist and Terry Dunn ticks all the boxes for me. Not only are his solos killer, but his rhythm and riffs are on the money. There are three great tracks out of the five: We Want You, The Stranger, and Cry In The Night. All showcasing what this band are all about.
Who knows why they didn’t make it as they had all the elements. There were two more albums in ‘89 and ‘93, which are both great, then there was nothing until the obligatory nostalgia reunion.
Welcome back The Darkness! Album number eight and coming up for 25 hours of keeping the rock alive, this one’s a bit of a banger.
What a killer opening track with Rock And Roll Party Cowboy. Everything is just so good from the riff, the groove, and the lyrics, it’s up there with one of my favourite Darkness tracks. I Hate Myself has to follow that and it’s a souped up, straight ahead, old school rock n’ roller.
Country rock/folk with a hint of Queen anyone? Well, that’s what you get with the delightful Hot On My Tail. Mortal Dread is next and it’s a big dose of AC/DC style boogie. Don’t Need Sunshine…is a ballad, but I actually don’t mind this one because it’s really well done and the lyrics are quite cool.
There are many Queenisms on this album and The Longest Kiss is the one that screams it the most. The Battle For Gadget Land has a strange new wave groove and vibe and is the track that sticks out as different amongst the rest. That country folk vibe returns with Cold Hearted Woman.
Walking Through Fire is a typical Darkness tune. Big riff, big hook, and massive chorus that you will be singing constantly as it’s so infectious. The album comes to a close oh so quickly with Weekend In Rome and it’s a movie put to music, complete with all the strings and a monologue.
It’s not the most rockin’ of Darkness records but it’s the one I can’t stop playing because it’s style stretches far and wide. Great record!
