THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 157 of 491)

AXXIS – Kingdom Of The Night

July 24, 2023 /

This is the first album from these German hard rockers, and it was (at the time) the best selling debut album by a hard rock band in Germany. They have consistently put out product since, culminating in 2020’s digital EP Virus Of A Modern Time. I’m not sure they made any headway outside of Europe, but I guess it don’t matter a whole bunch when all your releases chart.

The opening and track Living In A World is more of an AOR/pomp vibe than metal, but second track in and title track has the double kicks going and riffs a plenty. Never Say Never is very Eurovision (at least in the vocals and melody), the main riff however has a medieval feel to it. Great track though. Fire and Ice is a seriously cheesy sounding ballad that does nothing for me. Young Souls brings Side 1 to an end and it sounds like some late seventies pop tune.

For A Song opens up Side 2. The main groove sort of reminds of Status Quo and the vocals do begin to irritate after a while. The rest of the album just goes by until we get to the best track on the album: Kings Made Of Steel. It feels like a double kick shuffle is being played, but I like it.

This album hasn’t aged very well I’m afraid.

6/10 from The Grooveman.

WHITE WOLF – Standing Alone

July 22, 2023 /

This is the debut album from Canada’s White Wolf, released back in ’84 although they have been around since the mid 70’s. They did a comeback in 2007 after they split up in late ’86 and released a new album through Escape Music. As with a lot of Canadian rock bands, they have that something that separates them from their American counterparts. It’s hard to explain but it’s a sound and a vibe.

Vocalist Don Wilk reminds me of Graham Bonnet with his phrasing and tone. Headlines could have been an Alcatraz tune as the vocals and harmonies are so close. I would say that’s my favourite track. Other highlights are the Styx sounding Shadows Of The Night and the NWOBHM riffing of close out track Trust Me. They are like having two bands in one as they flip flop between the pomp and the straight up hard rock, which I think they are best at.

Not a bad album, although I do prefer their second album.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

BLONZ – s/t

July 22, 2023 /

I know I say this quite a lot: “if these guys would have released this five years earlier…” but for these guys, it’s true. They could have given any hair band of the time a run for their money. This album has a killer production courtesy of Kansas Steve Walsh and somebody obviously believed in them, for a short while at least. You won’t find much written about these guys as they just disappeared after this album which came out in ’90.

The first two tracks Miracles and Hands Of Love are absolutely huge melodic gems, and you will struggle to find a better opening than this within the genre. Great hooks and choruses, a huge sound you just have to sing a long. It’s The Same has a different vibe starting with a rockin’ country blues groove, then when the big guitar kicks in that little bit of funk is the cherry on the top. Nice acoustic intro to Troubled Child before we settle down to a four to floor kick ass rocker and this is my favourite song on the record. Great tune! What’s On Your Mind closes out Side 1 and we’ve finally reached the ballad. We’re talking Journey quality ballad with big solo as well.

Over to Side 2 with One And Only, and it’s back to the rock with a killer choppy riff and matching groove with a great swing. The middle eight is superb! Rainbow follows and the Bon Jovi vibes are huge here with this big power ballad. A nice fat riff greets your ears at the intro to Skintight. A definite Friday night party tune with a chorus that will stick in your head for days. Another killer riff opens Sexy Ride. I love the groove and swing to this one, not your normal 4×4. Killer playing as well! The album closes out with Last Call (For Alcohol) a straight up fun time groover.

I can guarantee that they are the best hair band you’ve never heard of, and you should track a copy of this album down.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

OZZY OSBOURNE – Bark At The Moon

July 21, 2023 /

I’m sure we are all familiar with this: The Great Ozberts third album and what catastrophe had gone before. The big thing for me however was how would Jake compare to Randy. Before this, Ozzy finished touring Diary Of A Madmen with Brad Gillis on guitar. I saw that tour and Brad was a total revelation. Incredible player and I was hoping he would become Ozzy’s new axeman. Obviously that never happened and Jake was the man.

The main difference between them is how they construct riffs, and Randy’s style was a lot more dark and fit perfectly with what Ozzy was aiming for. Jake’s riffs however, are more lighter and happier (if that’s the right word) and this album on the whole reflects that. Bark At The Moon and Rock N’ Roll Rebel are great songs, but it’s Centre Of Eternity that is the best track on the album as it’s one of Jakes finest riffs.

It was near impossible to follow Diary Of A Madman anyway as it’s such an iconic record. This isn’t a bad album it just has a different feel and Jake is still a killer player.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

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