THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 435 of 491)

LOUDNESS – Thunder In The East

May 10, 2021 /

Even though every rock band under the sun went to Japan and seemed to be huge, there weren’t that many Japanese bands coming the other way for their chance at world domination. The best metal band to leave the land of the rising sun were Loudness and this is not open to debate. Mainly due to the extraordinary talents of guitarist, Akita Takasaki, who formed the band in ’81. They were the first Japanese metal act to sign a record deal outside of their own country. This is the 5th studio album released after the mighty Disillusion, which did really well around the world.

The first thing that you notice when opening track Crazy Nights kicks in, is how similar they sound to Accept – who also have that hard edged sound. Huge riff and killer solo. Like Hell follows, and again, as soon as the riff starts there is a very European approach to the sound. Heavy Chains is all about Akira right from the intro to the Manowar riff and the killer solo. Get Away has a very NWOBHM opening riff and vibe to the whole song. We Could Be Together closes out Side 1 and the opening riff is very reminiscent of Randy era Ozzy.

Side 2 starts with Run For Your Life with a really cool guitar heavy intro, and stands out as the most unusual track on the record as they are trying something a little different, which in my opinion, works really well. Clockwork Toy is fat riff city with double kicks and is the heaviest track on the album. No Way Out is very Schenker era UFO in sound, and a big mention to producer Max Norman for a killer production, and gave the band the huge sound that lifts the whole album. The Lines Are Down is back to NWOBHM territory with the riff and the Iron Maiden gallop. Album close out track, Never Change Your Mind, has an intro that is a near lift from Closer To The Heart, and to be honest, is a disappointing end to what is a pretty good album with its cigarette lighter feel. Remember this is 1985, and for the time it’s a good album, but listening to it now it still feels like I’m in a time warp.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

VENGEANCE – Take It Or Leave It

May 9, 2021 /

Outside of their native Holland, this band’s main claim to fame was having Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Ayreon) as the their main man and founder, and he was there up until the band split up in ’92. This album was released in ’88, and is pretty much standard hair metal with a European slant.

The opening track is a decent opening track and rocks hard. The next track, Code Of Honour, is slower and suffers from having a kid’s choir singing part of the chorus – it’s just ok. Rock N Roll Shower follows and has a stock party rock riff and is not a bad tune. Take Me To The Limit rips in with a killer riff and some double kicks, and then descends into standard rock territory. Engines tries to be Van Halen’s Hot For Teacher, and is a nice metal instrumental with Lucassen showing everyone how good he is as a guitar player. This music is a million miles away from what he does now.

Side 2 starts with Hear Me Out, and its back to glam city we go with big chants and everything. Women In The World has the big acoustic intro before a very Scorpions style rocker breaks out. Looks Of A Winner is the most American sounding of all the tracks – you can tell the market they were aiming for. Last track, Ain’t Gonna Take You Home, actually had me thinking they were going to break out into Doctor Doctor by UFO – until the big chorus kicked in and it’s definitely Friday night rock night crowd pleaser.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

THE PINEAPPLE THIEF – Dissolution

May 9, 2021 /

I’ll admit to being late to the party on The Pineapple Thief, as I wrote them off as being Porcupine Tree wannabes. Even Gavin Harrison has joined them on the old pots and pans. He has also established himself as Bruce Soord’s main songwriting partner. I think I was a bit harsh in my assessment, as I think I came to the conclusion just on the similarities in the voices of the main protagonists.

This is actually the 12th studio album from the band, and the second with Gavin. This is a concept album based (if I’m correct) on the way social media and technology lead to the dissolution of society as we know it. The album starts with a brooding piano piece, Not Naming Any Names, a very eerie opening. This leads into the more upbeat, Try As I Might, which brings the band into play and is a really good modern Prog song. Threatening War is a similar composition with a really cool middle section. Uncovering Your Tracks runs along similar lines to the previous two tracks, and the side closer, All That You’ve Got, is a more up-tempo groover of a tune – the strongest track so far.

Side 2 starts with Far Below, and I’m getting the message that this is the band’s trademark sound – even though the guitars get turned up towards the nod of the song. I’m going to go back to my original assessment. I suppose you can call it Porcupine Tree Light, as that’s what springs to mind constantly. Pillar Of Salt takes the mood down several notches, and is an engaging acoustic piece. Next up is the albums epic piece and 11 minutes of White Mist. Musically, this song is all about Gavin’s drumming, as it steers the song through all its twists and turns, along with Bruce’s guitar chunk. All modern Prog bands have the big epic number on their albums as it’s in the Prog 101 handbook. The album closes with Shed A Light, and leaves us in a more upbeat happy note. A pretty good album while not being outstanding.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME – Automata I

May 8, 2021 /

I’ll admit to loving this band, as I find them quite refreshing in their approach. They are celebrating their 21st anniversary this year. It’s very hard to pin them down musically as they cover multiple styles and genres within songs, but tech metal seems to fit what they do quite accurately.

This album is Part 1 of a 2 album set that released separately in 2018. The concept behind this masterpiece is “what if you were able to view the dreams of others” like broadcasting them to the world. 6 tracks clocking in at 35 minutes. First track, Condemned To The Gallows, basically introduces the dream scenario with the music, which is all over the map with deep chunky grooves, soaring vocals, and the usual great guitar playing. The relatively short, House Organ, is supremely heavy and leads into the Side 1 showpiece, Yellow Eyes, which takes the listener through a myriad of styles, but the playing from all concerned is stellar.

Millions opens up Side 2 and has a serene opening with an earworm vocal before heaviness returns – it is a real progressive track. The short connecting piece, Gold Distance, ushers in Side 2 showcase track, Blot. There is not a spare second of time that is wasted and not filled with awesome notes that fly forth from all involved. This is one of my favourite BTBAM tracks as it has everything that I love about this band. This is Prog metal heaven. It’s worth the price alone. The only thing is it’s over way too quick. Automata II anyone???

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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