THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 160 of 491)

SWEET SAVAGE – s/t

July 15, 2023 /

No, these guys are not the Sweet Savage that had one Vivian Campbell in their line up. These guys are a full on glam metal band from LA (I think), and this EP was produced by Dana Strum. The band formed around the talents of brothers Laine Sheridan on bass and Chris Sheridan on guitar. I would say Ratt would be the closest comparison, although the sound is lot more raw. They were quite big around the whole Sunset Strip scene, but they couldn’t make the next step.

On The Rocks opens up the record with a full on glam attack. A great uptempo tune with a patented sleazy main riff. Do Ya is up next and this is my favourite track. A great, fat, huge driving riff and groove with the very Kiss-like “Do Ya Do Ya” sing a long chorus. A five track EP and one of those tracks is a cover? I would have worked another original if it was me, but Fox On The Run is so good anyway it’s hard to top. Head Over Heels is a standard LA glam rocker with a decent hook and chorus. Last track is Break Away and it’s more hard rock mixed with the glam. The band are stretching themselves a little, but that hook and chorus are pure Poison.

Not a bad EP, with a couple of great tunes.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

HONEYMOON SUITE – s/t

July 14, 2023 /

Album number one for Clifton Hill’s finest, and they were up and running immediately with the success of opening track New Girl Now. It exploded across North America with that hybrid sound of rock and new wave.

If you thought that was a fluke, then Burning In Love would do just as well. Hearts On Fire would have been my choice for a single as well, because the hook and chorus are so good. The band sure could write a hit single. My favourite song however is Side 2 opener Funny Business, there is more of an uptempo groove and a hint to what would come on the next two albums.

Great band and they sure put on a show when witnessed live.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

MOLYBARON – The Mutiny

July 13, 2023 /

An Irish/French combo would maybe not be your first thought when thinking in terms of metal hook ups, but in Molybaron’s case it works really well. The only Irish component to this modern groove metal combo is vocalist Gary Kelly, whose voice has a distinct Irish lilt to the vocals.

Now, I’m gonna raise my hand in the air here as way back in the day I bought the album based on hearing just one song. But, that song is an undeniable classic and my favourite. Animals is such a good song that to lead off the album with it might just be suicide for the band. Not the case here my friends, as Lucifer next up is another bonafide modern metal classic. Think of Alter Bridge at their heaviest, mixed with Gojira at their most melodic, and you are maybe somewhere close. Superb stuff! Amongst The Boys And The Dead Flowers is slightly slower in pace, although a hint of Thin Lizzy and Irish folk music is present in this one. Prosperity Gospel has a hint of the post rock groove mixed into the heavy riffage. That folk song vibe continues into Side 1 close out track The Lighthouse, well at the intro at least, then that heavy post rock vibe continues.

The groove and riffing to Side 2 opener Slave To The Algorithm has a hint of bay area thrash to it, and is a kick ass tune. The bass line groove to Something For The Pain is killer, and that riffing reminds me a touch of Killing Joke. But when the heavy kicks in, this track rocks. The Hand That Feeds You opens with a battering groove and beat, and that Alter Bridge comparison is very evident. The Irish folk vibe is front and centre for Twenty Four Hours, until that seamless switch when the volume gets cranked. Plus, you get a surprise guest vocal from Whitfield Crane on the song. We close out the record with Ordinary Madness, a staccato grooved fat chugga beast.

Now, I have been told by people who should know better that the vocals are off putting. Well I will say this, they are the cherry on the cake for me. A bit of individuality goes a long way in a crowded metal market and I think this band are killer.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

IMPELLITTERI – Pedal To The Metal

July 12, 2023 /

This is a reissue of the band’s thirteenth album, released back in 2004. It seems to have a different running order to the CD.

Opening track Writings On The Wall is a crushing speed metal masterpiece, with Chris flying out the neo- classical runs that are so impressive. Crushing Daze owes more to modern metal with a deep, heavy, killer groove. Destruction is a more normal Impellitteri tune; a heavy Dio vibe mixed with Malmsteen style riffing, and killer solos. Dance With The Devil has an awesome, eerie, evil intro and then explodes into life with killer double kicks pounding along with some great riffing. Huge riffage opens up Hurricane, and I have to say this is my favourite. I’m a sucker for a big heavy riff with matching groove, and this one delivers. Judgement Day just slays from the off. One big classical speed metal romp. Playing is off the charts.

That’s Side 1 done and Side 2 opens up with The Iceman Cometh. Another modern metal heavy groove and riff that sounds cool. The solo also sounds killer. Punk is next up and err… I don’t mind the main riff and groove but the jury’s out on the main verse. Propaganda Mind follows and I like the melody to this one. Fat, simple riff, chunky groove, and some wild guitar… what’s not to like!? Next up is Stay Tonight, and that initial riff sounds so familiar I would say this is the most melodic tune on the album. We close out the album with The Fall Of Titus. Straight to the action with this one. Killer riff and double kicks a plenty.

One of the most underrated bands around, and Chris has been doing this since his first EP in ’87.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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