THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: vinyl records (Page 7 of 484)

JASON BIELER AND THE BARON VON BIELSKI ORCHESTRA – The Escapologist

April 30, 2025 /

Album number three from the crazy world of Jason Bieler and the Baron Von Bielski. It’s very hard to pigeonhole the kind of sounds and grooves emanating from the speakers from JB’s latest release. We are straddling multiple genres and styles here and if I’m cornered, melodic prog is the one thing that takes front and centre in my feeble little brain.

The one thing I love, other than the music, from JB’s albums is his wild and wonderful sense of humour. Check out the special guests and mentions on the cover. Apparently Beatrice Bracegirdle is an assistant to JB and his legal representation is Hedwig Von Litigious.

This is an album you will comeback to again and again as there is so much to take in. There are supremely heavy moments like on Industrious, with those heavy low end guitars. And then there’s beautiful, delicate, and melodic tunes like Hollow. There is even a touch of hybrid drum and bass Prog with the wonderfully awesome No Real Goodbyes.

I don’t think anyone operates in the same musical sphere as JB and he is refreshing change from the norm. Cool record!!

9/10 from The Grooveman.

BUDGIE – Bandolier

April 26, 2025 /

Budgie are a grossly underrated band who influenced a ton of bands, especially a lot of the NWOBHM bands, with their heavy groove sound. This was album number five from the band that came out in ´75, and of course being the 70’s, there was a lot experimenting with sounds and vibes especially for “album” bands like Budgie.

As well as the heavy grooves that everyone remembers them for, we get a hint of Prog/funk and even AOR before it was a thing. Who Do You Want For Your Love/ Never Turn Your Back On A Friend is just so cool with a that funky riff and groove that no heavy rock band of today would dare put on an album. They were also famed for their sense of humour with song titles and this album’s contribution is Napoleon Bona- Part 1 and 2.

Cool band that are greatly missed.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

MEGADETH – Rust In Piece

April 26, 2025 /

This album is when I sorta checked out of Megadeth because they became too shiny and clean. I preferred the angry, nasty, and snarling Dave and the heavy groovefest he conjured up. I understand why he moved in the direction he did. I guess he wanted to move away from the basic Metallica groove and establish his own sound.

By Megadeth standards, this album contains the most commercial song (up until this point) that they had done: Hangar 18. Great song with a great groove and some killer playing from Marti Friedman, but it’s the more basic approach of Poison Was The Cure that flicks my switch the most and is my favourite tune on the album. Definite early Megadeth vibes from this one, and I wonder I how long Dave had this one in his pocket.

For me, the first three albums are what made Megadeth and they will not be beaten. The older I get, the more I have grown to appreciate this one though.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

JADED HEART – Heart Attack

April 20, 2025 /

I didn’t realize Jaded Heart had released so many albums. As of the release of this record in 2022, they have put out 17 albums. One of which is a compilation and another is a live album. To make it worse, this is the only one I have on vinyl. Which is surprising because they are one big riff fest which is at the top of my list of favourite things.

Right from the get go with Blood Red Skies, this album riffs and grooves hard. Great track with an added bonus of a great hook and chorus. Sweet Sensation and Heart Attack follow and both equally deliver the goods with killer riffs. It’s favourite tune time with the deliciously simple but very effective heavy chug of Harvester Unknown. Side 1 closes out with the double kick onslaught of Lady Spider. That’s one hell of a side of tunage.

Descent kicks off Side 2 in an equally impressive manor with another fat chugga riff and great hook and chorus. Remnants Of Desire thinks it’s a power ballad until the heaviness takes over. It’s About Time is a pretty straight forward hard rock tune with some killer playing. The whole thing comes to a close with Midnight Stalker, another slab of fat chugga riffage.

Great album and a worthy addition to the collection.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

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