THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl community (Page 16 of 469)

VICE – Made For Pleasure

December 22, 2024 /

Apparently there are quite a few bands called Vice, and until I bought this record I hadn’t heard of any of them.

The band formed in Germany in ’88, this album was released the same year. Although they are playing the same sounds as Bon Jovi and any other hair band of that era, they have that unique European sound to their music. Now, whether that’s down to the phrasing of vocalist Jan Ghiantine, I’ll let you decide.

The song that I heard first was Red Light Night, that crunchy riff and uptempo groove sounded great to my ears and I was curious to hear more. My favourite tune is Side 2 opener, Made For Pleasure. A heavier sounding track verging on metal with a Priest-style riff and groove, and guitarist Chris Limburg is showing off his chops.

I’m sure someone will correct me, but it seems that Mr. Limburg is the only member of this line up to keep going after Vice split up, because he joined Bonfire amongst others.

So overall, it’s not a bad album at all and quite entertaining.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

AXEL RUDI PELL – Lost XX111

December 19, 2024 /

Alex Rudi Pell, is a very prolific artist who has released 22 studio albums, of which this is number 21. He was previously in Steeler (not the Yngwie and Ron Keel outfit) who released 4 albums, so he is no slouch when coming up with material.

He seems to model his sound on Ronnie Dio era Rainbow and he bows at the temple of Mr Blackmore. This album however, doesn’t get going until we get to Side 3 and the crunching track, Follow The Beast. Nice pounding double kicks, heavy crunching riff, and Johnny Gioeli screaming out those lyrics. The Rise Of Ankhoor is the other song that also stands out, with a folky Celtic vibe. The rest of the album seems to get lost in a mid-paced, very similar vibe.

It’s not bad per se, it just feels like going through the motions. My favourite period of Mr. Pell is with Jeff Scott Soto on vocals and this falls way short of that.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

MEGADETH – The Sick The Dying And The Dead

December 19, 2024 /

I love the first three Megadeth albums. Dave was angry, mean, and nasty, plus he had a big point to prove. He helped create something huge that oversees all modern metal today.

Then, I sort of lost interest. It all became a bit clean and shiny. There are also Megadeth albums that I have not heard anything from. So, let’s fast forward to the imminent release of the Deth’s latest opus.

The tracks Life In Hell and Night Stalkers, which were the first two songs I heard, are the ones that grabbed my attention. Killer tunes on this record with lots of aspects from old school Megadeth that I love, namely the fast choppy riffing, speed a plenty, and Dave spitting out those lyrics with plenty of venom. Add to that, some ripping guitar courtesy of new boy Kiko Loureiro.

The quality drips through every pore of this album and is a worthy recipient of your hard earned coinage.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

JUDAS PRIEST – Point Of Entry

December 16, 2024 /

I think this record, along with Turbo, are the two Priest albums that seem to get the least love amongst Priest fans. This album had a lot to live up to after the awesome success of British Steel which had three hit singles mixed with some classic Priest metal like Rapid Fire and Grinder and Steeler, it was early Priest at their best.

So, when this came out it was MEH at best! A couple of not bad singles in Head Out To The Highway and Hot Rockin’ but where was the metal? Nowhere to be seen.

At best, it’s a hard rock album and I remember thinking at the time that the next record would have to be something special after this weak affair, and they truly delivered with Screaming For Vengeance. It’s not often I pick a single as my favourite song but Hot Rockin’ is the one this week.

6.5/10 from The Grooveman.

« Older posts Newer posts »

Archives

© 2025 THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑