THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl community (Page 19 of 469)

HELLOWEEN – Walls Of Jericho

December 1, 2024 /

So this is ground zero for Helloween, one of the most influential euro metal bands. If you believe what nonsense “Kerrapp” magazine were writing about the band at the time, they were nothing more than second rate Iron Maiden copyists. After this album was released, power metal as a genre really grew and developed into the force it is today.

Only a 4 piece at this point, with Karl Hansen doing vocals and guitar along with Michael Weikath giving that twin guitar assault. It’s all very raw, gung ho, and 100 mph compared to the ultra polished machine they are today, but it’s cool to go back and listen to how it all started. Ironically, it’s the slower Metallica-esque chugga fest of Gorgar that is my favourite song.

A fun look back into metal nostalgia.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

TRIXTER – New Audio Machine

December 1, 2024 /

Coming right at the tail end of all things melodic, just before the dark and gloom of grunge, descended Trixter. They made a loud splash with a killer first album and a couple of big radio friendly singles in One In A Million and Give It To Me Good. They have continued sporadically releasing new music and playing shows. This vinyl album was released on CD in 2012 but this version came out in 2022.  

The band revolves around the amazing talents of guitarist/vocalist Steve Brown and bassist/vocalist PJ Farley. The one thing about this record is that it is as though the dark days of gloom never happened and this could have been a follow up to their first album, it’s just a great fun positive vibe record. They say class always shines through and this record oozes it from every pore. So many great songs like Drag Me Down, Dirty Love, Ride, Physical Attraction, Save Your Soul, and my personal fave, Machine.

These guys are just great songwriters. When they perform live, they give it everything, and Steve Brown is one hell of a player. Great album!

9/10 from The Grooveman.

GALACTIC COWBOYS – Machine Fish

December 1, 2024 /

Another band that existed in the strange kind of town, just like KingsX and Atomic Opera, are Galactic Cowboys. In fact, they were very close to the mighty X with members guesting on each other’s projects and indeed, basing themselves in the same town.

After being on a major label for their first two albums, they were dropped by Geffen and no one at the time seemed to take much notice of the demos they had for this, their third album. Along came Brian Slagel from Metal Blade, who gave the band a lifeline and signed them on the strength of the demos and let them make the album they wanted to.

At times, this record is very angry and the band were obviously pissed off at the misfortune at the hands of the majors, so all their frustrations came out in the songs. There are still elements of those great vocal melodies and harmonies, but mixed with the heavy guitar and low end groove, is one heavy record indeed. Red Sun is the one track that really sets me alight. Very heavy riffing throughout and the vocal harmonies are so good. They actually do sound just like a Seattle band in places, which is ironic because that’s why Geffen dropped them.

Good album from a band flying against the groove.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

BLACK ROSE – EP

December 1, 2024 /

Now it’s quite unusual for a rock band from the North East of England in the early 80’s to not release at least a single on Neat Records, but Black Rose are just that band. Although, the track Red Light Lady was recorded at Impulse studios which was Neat headquarters.

Nice and raw with no frills is what this period of music was all about and Black Rose are giving it their best shot here. Sure, it has a few bum notes here and there but I love that just go for it attitude.

We’re Gonna Rock You opens up that album and it does what it says on the tin. Used And Abused is a nice mid-tempo high energy groover. Red Light Lady is a full tilt hard rockin’ blast, almost punk in its execution, but a whole bunch of fun to boot. Stand Your Ground closes out the EP and it has hints of Thin Lizzy and early Rush, mixed with that raw NWOBHM vibe.

A great little EP.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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