THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl community (Page 70 of 472)

Riverdogs – S/T

April 7, 2024 /

So, in between having left Dio and had a brief dalliance with Whitesnake and joining Def Leppard, Vivian Campbell put together this rootsy melodic rock band. I’ve always liked Rob Lamothe’s vocals and I’d forgotten how good he his on this album. Another plus is that Vivian gets to be himself and show what a great tasty player he is.

If you were used to him giving it the beans in his time with Dio then this will be a revelation. No heavy metal shapes and tones here, just great playing and cool songs. Holy War is my favourite of them. It’s a killer track with a great melody and hook line, with some very cool leads. Baby Blue is a slightly softer in groove and vibe but that hook and chorus is so good. Rain Rain has a great bluesy groove and swing, and is a close second for favourite tune.

They were never going to be a charting band as they never had that one commercial song to push them, but the album as a whole is one solid piece of work, and it would be a good addition to the collection.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

RIGGS – S/T

April 7, 2024 /

Based around the guitar talents of Jerry Riggs, this is the only album that was released under the name Riggs. They also managed to get two tracks on the soundtrack for the movie Heavy Metal, although they aren’t on this release.

Produced by Andy Johns, this is a great sounding record. It leans more to the AOR than the heavier stuff, even though lead off track Ready Or Not is a kick ass beefed up tune with a riff that sounds VERY familiar. The other song that really shakes my tree is Side 2 opener Depending On Love, with a similar groove and vibe.

You can see why this didn’t last too long as they didn’t seem to be too sure which direction to take. Nevertheless, it should appeal to fans of AOR and it does have a great production.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

JUDAS PRIEST – Invisible Shield

April 7, 2024 /

Having lived with this album for a few weeks now, and having seen some of the reviews, you have to wonder if people really listen to records or if are they swept along with the social media sheep that just want to be part of the biggest gang? Now, to call this album the best since Screaming For Vengeance or even Killing Machine seems a bit outrageous on the face of it. Maybe we should split Priest’s career in two. The more commercial sounding era that ended with Ram It Down, and then the heavier beasts from Painkiller and beyond.

Now, I would definitely say this album is the best of the second period as it’s a more complete package, and Richie has definitely put stronger fuel in the Priest tank. It’s hard to see KK ever coming up with tunes like these. Now, I hold Killing Machine and Screaming in very high regard. That was such a great time to be alive and they meant so much, they were flag bearers at the time but I have to say this album stands shoulder to shoulder with both them. This is everything I want from a modern Priest album and it’s hard to believe that guys in their 70’s (not you Richie) can make an album like this.

For those of you that say they don’t write classic Priest chugga’s anymore, then you should listen to Gates Of Hell, that’s as classic as it gets. The thing that I really like is the melody is there even in songs as heavy as As God Is My Witness, and that’s what a lot of modern metal bands don’t do. My favourite tune is The Serpent And The King. Man, what a great great tune. Maximum riffing with a killer groove and a Rob is just a beast.

Well done JP, showing them how it’s done.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

GREEN LUNG – This Heathen Land

April 7, 2024 /

I absolutely loved Green Lung’s last album, Black Harvest, and I was seriously looking forward to this one. I’m assuming, having read the preface in the enclosed booklet, that the band consumed large amounts of magic mushrooms before recording this opus.

It’s amazing how much medieval themes crop up as inspiration in metal music, and this album is based on old Albion folk stories. Well, that’s what I get from reading the lyrics anyway. The album is not as heavy as previous efforts but man, is this a great record and they successfully bring 70’s grooves and tones into a modern soundscape.

Favourite tunes? Well, the lead off track The Forest Church is epic and sets the tone for the whole album, but it’s the huge doom chords at the intro of One For Sorrow and the folkish vocal melody that just enthrals me. Such a great song.  

A great band that have basically carved out their own little niche that they are willing to explore with each record.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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