THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl community (Page 2 of 482)

BLACK SABBATH – The Eternal Idol

May 9, 2025 / / 0 Comments

I’m pleased they finally got around to remastering and re-releasing the Tony Martin albums because there are some great tunes hidden away here and they have been overlooked for way too long.

This was album unlucky 13 for Iommi and co and it appeared back in ‘87, it was the first of the TM albums. This a very cool groovin’ hard rock album with a great swing to the songs and gone are those evil sounding riffs (well almost) from days of old. There was a lot of derision and hate towards this line up at the time as the die hards questioned whether it should be called Black Sabbath. I’m on the fence, but you can’t deny that this is a great album with an awesome set of songs.

There is no doubt Iommi is having a blast playing a more wide ranging groove and vibe. I love Ancient Warrior and Hard Life To Love but it’s Nightmare with its changing tempo and groove that I love the most. Tony Martin is as good as Dio to my ears and this is well worth picking up.

9/10 from The Grooveman,

L.A. GUNS – Leopard Skin

May 8, 2025 / / 0 Comments

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.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

BONFIRE – Don’t Touch The Light MMXXIII

May 7, 2025 / / 0 Comments

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.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

BANSHEE – Cry In The Night

May 5, 2025 / / 0 Comments

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.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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