THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl of the day (Page 37 of 449)

IRON MAIDEN – Powerslave

June 2, 2024 /

I remember buying this back in the day and was somewhat disappointed. I love the first two albums, with that raw energy, but by the time this album came out all that raw energy and power had been replaced by a much more slicker sound. This is a 2014 remaster and they don’t even sound like a metal band to my ears, as it’s been polished so  much.

They were always good at doing a single and 2 Minutes To Midnight is the big one on this album, although that main riff was lifted from another NWOBHM outfit. (Bonus points for guessing who and what song.) I’m a sucker for a big sprawling centrepiece track and Rime Of The Ancient Mariner is my favourite tune on the record. Steve Harris is a genius at coming up with these type of tunes and I guess that’s comes from his love of old school Prog. In fact, maybe this should be classed as a Prog album instead of metal as it has much more in common with the Prog handle.

Do I like it anymore than when I first heard it? Well, yes I do and that’s because I accept it more as what it is than what I wanted it to be.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

BLACKLACE – Unlaced

May 27, 2024 /

Released on Mausoleum records back in ’84 this was Blacklace’s first album. They would release another a year later, then they were done. The band was built around brothers Anthony and Carlo Fragnito on bass and guitar respectively. The main focus however was female vocalist Maryann Scandiffo. At the time you could count on one hand the amount of bands that had contained ladies in their ranks.

The band were from New York and got some attention as three of the songs here were co-produced by Manowar’s Ross The Boss. The majority of the songs here are thrash influenced or just straight up metal, and opener March Of The Black Witch/Call Of The Wild is a full on speed fest that would hold its own with the bands around at the time. On The Attack has Iron Maiden influences and is my favourite of the metal tunes.

Mixed in there with the metal are a couple of tracks that would be aimed more at a hair metal audience namely Hots For You and Damn Cheater. Now, Damn Cheater is a really good tune and could be by a different band with a great riff and hook. Ironically after the split, half of the band reformed as Damn Cheater to give it a go as a hair band.

The highlight of the whole album do me is guitarist Carlo Fragnito, who is definitely a fretboard gymnast who rips in wherever he can.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

ATOMIC BITCHWAX – Scorpio

May 27, 2024 /

Scorpio is Atomic Bitchwax’s eighth studio album, released back in 2020. There is just something so perfect about a three piece rock band. On record the sound is so uncluttered and everything easily has its place in the sound spectrum even when the guitars are overdubbed. If you look back throughout rock n’ roll history all the best bands are a three piece.

If Black Sabbath had a love child these guys would be it, they have taken the riff heavy grooves that Sabbath patented and made them their own with added sauce. Sure, it’s nothing new but if you are a lover of those pscych/stoner vibes then these guys should be high on your list. I love them and this album is front to back so freaking cool.

High points? Well, the album is one big high point but opener Hope You Die hits the spot immediately with that oh so heavy guitar and stoner groove. The title track is just epic with a killer groove and melody, and it’s my favourite tune on the record. If you’re into the jam band thing then the instrumental track Ninja should have you drooling. Killer groove and the solo is so old school and wonderful. Crash opens up Side 2 and we get another ripping instrumental, this time with the bass taking centre stage.

Cool record, go check them out.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

WHOM GODS DESTROY – Insanium

May 27, 2024 /

I have been waiting forever to get this on vinyl and finally it is here, in custard coloured vinyl. Why custard is anyone’s guess.  

Now, when I wrote a review of Sons Of Anarchy’s album I mentioned maybe someone was pissed off at the end of Sons Of Apollo with Portnoy rejoining Dream Theater. Well, that someone was Bumblefoot and his comments about the end of that band upon the release of this album made it clear he was not too happy with MP. I personally don’t care about that too much as, I’m a glad MP is back in DT and I’m stoked this band exists, especially with Dino Jelusick on vocals as he is the best rock vocalist around.

I’m not sure if this will be anything other than a project as there doesn’t seem to be any tour dates posted, but at least I can revel in the joys they have cooked up. This is a double album but we have the dreaded etched fourth side with tunes on the other three. In The Name Of  War rips open the album and it’s a Prog metal delight, very reminiscent of a DT track that grooves and riffs hard with Dino giving it the beans. Over Again follows and this one pushes Dino all the way vocally and that riff is superb.

The Decision slows the pace down somewhat and that bass line is killer. Superb vocal with great harmonies. I’m a big fan of Derek Sherinian as I love his style and his presence is huge on all tracks and the intro to Crawl is awesome. This is my favourite tune. Killer riff, the groove is so good, and Dino just kills it. Find My Way Back will tell you everything you need to know as to why Dino is considered the best around. Just a brilliant vocal. Such power and control!

Crucified is a lot similar to Crawl with the intro. It’s very hectic with a full power vocal. Keeper of The Gate keeps up the quality with more of a classic rock groove to the melody this time. Hypernova 158 is a juiced instrumental piece with a beast of a groove. The album closes out with the title track Insanium that’s split into three parts. Now, it wouldn’t be progressive unless we had a track split into multiple parts. This one doesn’t connect with me as much as the other songs and I think the reason is because it reminds me of so many other tunes by other bands.

So, that’s it and a thoroughly enjoyable album it is. Dino’s performance is awesome and he is a gift to music.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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