THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 260 of 491)

QUIET RIOT – II

August 27, 2022 /

Thanks to the lovely people at No Remorse Records in Greece, not only do we get the first QR album, but they have reissued the second as well. This is streets ahead of its predecessor, not only in the song writing department, but also Randy’s chops have improved a squillion %. This is more like the Randy that would appear on Ozzy’s first solo album – although it’s still a big leap – the vibe is more party and fun than the Oz’s full doom fest.

The album opens with Slick Black Cadillac, which I’m sure most of you will have heard of – it points to the future of the band. You Drive Me Crazy is a little cheesy and is more of a nod to the first album. Afterglow is a good song, it’s just the arrangement that lets it down. Eye For An Eye is the same – it needs a good producer to flush out the good song hidden within. Trouble closes out Side 1 and it reminds me of a certain Cars song.

Killer Girls opens up Side 2 and it sounds like a Kiss outtake, but I do like the change in groove around the chorus, and Randy’s solo shows all his tricks he had at the time. Face To Face starts and feels like a Sweet tune, and Randy’s solo is really over the top. Inside Out returns to the mid-seventies in vibe and feel. Album closer, We’ve Got The Magic, is the only sole Randy penned tune on the album, and if you’re expecting something guitar-esque then (other than the solo) you will be disappointed – it’s just more of the same.

One year later, Blizzard Of Oz would appear and Randy’s entry into the guitar god hall of fame would be secured, but that’s one hell of a leap from this.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

ECLIPSE – Viva La Victouria

August 26, 2022 /

This is a 2019 live recording spread over three discs from Sweden’s best exponents of melodic rock. The first two records are a live concert recorded in Gothenburg, the third also has two tracks from that live performance plus three studio and acoustic tracks on Side 1. The final side is given over to a stream the band did during lockdown.

I’m not going to go through each track as I would be here all day, but the highlights for me are the superb version of Mary Leigh, which is a great track anyway but the enthusiastic crowd really works in the live setting. A ripping version of Vertigo which I think is one of the band’s best tunes. The anthemic United really works live and I still think it has a hint of Eurovision about it. Battlegrounds, which is my favourite on this album, and is such a great tune anyway but I really like this version.

Other than the obvious intro triggers and pre recorded backing vocals, this is quite an honest recording. I’m not sure if they still do, but Frontiers had this in their sale section and it’s definitely VFM.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

ATOMIC ROOSTER – s/t

August 26, 2022 /

Having achieved moderate success in the early-to-mid seventies, they disappeared off the planet, only to reappear 5 years later to resurrect their career – just as NWOBHM was becoming a thing. This is album their 6th release and it came out in 1980. I saw them around this time and they made one hell of a noise for a three piece – and there was no bass guitar. They had beefed up their sound somewhat for this album, and John Du Cann on guitar was the man mainly responsible for that slight metal edge. They were originally known for expressing themselves in a more progressive  way, with emphasis on Vincent Crane’s Hammond organ.  The Hammond is still front and centre, but Du Cann’s overdriven guitar is right up there with it in the mix.

There are varying styles on the album that range from good old Prog, like Watch Out which starts like a Genesis/Yes outtake. There’s classic ’77 Punk with Where’s The Show, where you think you are listening to the Stranglers. It’s the harder edged tunes that work for me, and the best of those (and my favourite track) is She’s My Woman, which steals a well known Rush riff. A very unique band that released their better material in the early 70’s.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

TESTAMENT – The Formation Of Damnation

August 25, 2022 /

This is Testament’s 10th studio outing and it also sees the return of guitarist, Alex Skolnick, who left the band after 92’s The Ritual. The album was produced by Andy Sneap who always gets a killer guitar sound on all albums he produces. This is a 2021 reissue as a double album, but Side 4 gets three tracks from the Alcatraz sessions, The New Order, Practice What You Preach, and Souls Of Black – all classic Testament songs. This is one of the best sounding metal albums I have heard.

Opening track, For The Glory Of, is just freaking awesome and is my favourite on the album. More Than Meets The Eye is a monster tune with killer riffage and epic grooves. The Evil Has Landed has a wonderful groove and riffage – this band knows what makes killer metal. Keepin’ it groovy! The Formation Of Damnation will melt your face off – this is one hell of a heavy tune with beats and grooves just blasting with maximum heavy riffage. Dangers Of The Faithless has some Metallica-esque guitar to the opening with huge chuggas.

One of the fastest songs the band have ever done is next with, The Persecuted Wont Forget. A killer tune with epic guitar. Henchman Ride gallops along at a killer pace with a killer groovy riff. Killing Season has a very old school feel to the main riff. Superb track. Afterlife has the vibe and groove that makes you want to bounce off walls – great stuff! F.E.A.R is next up and this is classic Testament – just listen to the drums! Leave Me Forever closes out the album proper, and has more light and shade than any other track on the album.

This is a great sounding album, and a very cool looking pressing. I love Testament – they wipe the floor with Slayer.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

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