THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 168 of 491)

PROPHET – s/t

June 20, 2023 /

So, this is album number one from New Jersey’s finest underground pomp rockers and it was actually released way back in ’85. If you haven’t heard these guys before, think Styx mixed with Kansas and you get the vibe. The only person you may have heard of is drummer Ted Poley, who would later go on to be the front man of Danger Danger. He does actually get to sing here on the more aor sounding tunes.

High points for me are opening and favourite tune Street Secrets, which at times is close to Prog territory with a killer arrangement and some superb soloing. Next, Heart Of The Night is one of the more melodic tunes with Ted singing as the hook and chorus are huge. And lastly, the hard rockin’ vibes of Sail Away where the vocal harmonies are killer. I’m sure they were big Yes fans as some of the keyboard intros are akin to what Rick Wakeman does.

Quite frankly, this is an AOR fan’s wet dream and if you are that way inclined, then you should definitely track this down.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

LAAZ ROCKIT – City’s Gonna Burn

June 20, 2023 /

Back in ’81, these guys were regarded as one of the big bands to come out of the Bay Area metal scene, right up there with Testament, Exodus et al. This is the band’s debut album and a classic of the time. ’81 was such a fun time if you were a metal or hard rock fan as killer bands were creeping out of the woodwork seemingly at random. Whereas a lot of the bands were latching into the whole thrash phenomenon, Laaz Rockit were coming in with a more traditional sound, albeit with everything beefed up to the max. The guitars of Phil Kettner and Aaron Jellum are high in the mix and sound freakin’ huge.

The title track opens up the album and straight away it’s kick ass, all riffage all the way. Caught In The Act follows and is my favourite tune. Monster sounding guitars and a riff and groove that will have you bouncing your abode. Take No Prisoners is up next and the foot is firmly to the floor for this one. Old school thrash par excellence with a monster middle section. All too soon side one comes to a close with Dead Mans Eyes. Iron Maiden definitely springs to mind as I’m getting huge Prisoner vibes from the main riff and groove, and just wait for those gallops kick in.

Side 2 blasts your ears immediately with the patented bay area thrash of Forced To Fight. Old school evil sounding riffage to the intro of Silent Scream follows, and the vibe feels very British. Prelude is the odd track on the album, a weird choppy riff with matching groove until the thrash kicks in and then you feel as though you are listening to a different tune. Major props to drummer Victor Agenello, who is giving it the beans without the aid of triggers. We close out the album with Something More and I guess it would not be an album from this period unless we had a song with “THAT” riff.

I love this period of rock and metal so much as everything seems new and fresh. A great fun record.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

220 VOLT – Mind Over Muscle

June 19, 2023 /

This is album number three from these Swedish metal legends, who originally appeared in ’79. They had a slight change in style with this release, moving to a more hard rock sound.

Saying that, opening track The Tower has double kicks pounding all the way through with max riffage to match. In The End has a cool riff that reminds me a bit of late seventies Scorpions. Electric Messengers has the tempo up high with a classic NWOBHM style riff and superb twin guitars. Power Games is trademark Judas Priest style riffing and that echo on the voice is a giveaway. Blessed By The Night is more of the same but the hook and chorus are huge. Secret Dance has a different groove and feel to the rest of the album and gets my vote for favourite song. It reminds of another Priest song, especially that opening riff. Great solo as well.

It’s Nice To Be A King opens up Side 2 and I’m getting heavy Deep Purple vibes especially from the main riff. A cool uptempo rocker with a great guitar sound. The title track is next and it‘s anthem time. A slow plodding hands in the air stomper with the big gang chorus. Whiter Than White is next up and I would say this is my least favourite song. The riff is okay, but the song doesn’t go anywhere. Touch Of Fire is dipping into the NWOBHM riff library again. Great hook and chorus. Halloween is the penultimate track. The hook and chorus are the standout here. The album closes out with Pavement Song. A dirty fat riffing blues groover.

Not a bad album at all.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

WATCHTOWER – Concepts Of Math: Book One

June 19, 2023 /

Watchtower are pioneers in bringing super technical playing with grooves that blow your mind out into the world of metal. It is technically only the band’s third physical release. They first released an album back in ’85 and this EP came out in 2016. If you like your metal twisted, with almost jazz like breaks, and time signatures that make no sense, then look no further.

The playing from all involved is incredible and how Alex Tecchio puts vocals on the top of all this insanity and with melody is incredible. My favourite piece is the close out track Mathematica Calculis. There is so much happening it’s hard to follow but when it clicks… man these guys are so cool!

This is for people who like to be challenged in their listening material.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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