SUMMER 2013
THE QUILL - TIGER BLOOD
MOSS - HORRIBLE NIGHT
UNCLE ACID AND THE DEADBEATS - MIND CONTROL
THE MISTAKEN SONS OF ALABAMA - S/T
ISAAK - THE LONGER THE BEARD THE HARDER THE SOUND
DIO - FINDING THE SACRED HEART - LIVE IN PHILLY 1986 DVD
DIO - FINDING THE SACRED HEART - LIVE IN PHILLY 1986 CD
GARBAGE - ONE MILE HIGH .... LIVE DVD
KOMATSU - MANU ARMATA
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THE QUILL - TIGER BLOOD Metalville Records
www.metalville.de
FULL CIRCLE, their last record, was a good re-start after the 2007 break. And now, with new frontman Magnus Arnar and the ex-SPIRITUAL BEGGARS, ex-FIREBIRD bassist Roger Nielsson they released their best and most rocking album so far. Their 7th record start with the good FREAK PARADE, a good but not impressive Rock song who shows the mighty vocal power from the new singer. Good - but not impressive. GO CRAZY, the following song kicked me from my seat! A mix of Stoner Rock, Grunge and Hard Rock with a mighty voice. That song is awesome and all that Retro Rock bands can open their ears! DEATH VALLEY is another highlight and espcially on that song Magnus sounds like Chris Cornell. GETAWAY is more a weaker track and sounds like some 80s Hard Rock stuff before the great GREED MACHINE, with a great GRUNGE opening bring back the SOUNDGARDEN feeling. PURGATORY HILL is very different as the other material. It is a dark song with some southern Rock influences and Orchestra support! DARKEST MOON is an impressive acoustic ballad before the rocking SWEET RUSH bring back the ROCK on TIGER BLOOD. Again awesome vocal lines from Magnus. STORM BEFORE THE CALM is the heaviest track with huge riffs, more aggressive vocals and a heavy punch on the drums. This is my personal highlight, heavy but rocking! Not so much band handle that sound! The packing is awesome and for me the best record for the forthcoming summer! A big surprise!
Genre: Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 10 songs
JB
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MOSS - HORRIBLE NIGHT Rise Above
www.riseaboverecords.com
SUB TEMPLUM and the 2009 EP ETERNAL RETURN were good Drone/Doom records, but their masterwork was now released via the mighty RISE ABOVE label. HORRIBLE NIGHT features everything, what a good DOOM record needs.Since 2000 is MOSS around and it is a shame that they are not bigger today! But now, with the right label and a good record, they will make 10 steps forward! Believe me! The opener and title track is slow as hell and the Epic Doom vocals from Olly fit perfect on that 11 minute song. The guitar feedback of the songs are not too long and good riffs and great song structures are the important plus of that record. THE BLEEDING YEARS is darker, slower and sicker as the opener. Like the fathers of Doom Metal - MOSS are british too! DARK LADY is like the other stuff more old school BLACK SABBATH - only heavier, darker and more depressive. DREAMS FROM THE DEPTHS is an introduction to the 11 minute monster THE CORAL OF CHAOS is the highlight between all that good songs. It features a solo and awesome guitar melodies. I SAW THEM THAT NIGHT is a highlight too! The songs are very simular, but with special turns and feelings. MOSS is slower and heavier as ELECTRIC WIZARD and CATHEDRAL (Forest of Equilibrium) together! This is not for whimps! This is only for real DOOM METAL heads and real men! Get it and support that underground!
Genre: Doom Metal
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Info: 6 songs / 55 minutes
JB
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UNCLE ACID AND THE DEADBEATS - MIND CONTROL Rise Above Records
www.riseaboverecords.com
UNCLE ACID AND THE DEADBEATS are cult right now! On the ROADBURN FESTIVAL they got a huge following and a full-packed venue. Live it is awesome, but on CD and without the optical impressions it is more boring in my eyes. I really can`t understand the hype after that record. Their last record BLOOD LUST was a very good record with very good songs and some all time hits, but at MIND CONTROL I personally miss the feeling of BLOOD LUST and the mud in their music. MT. ABRAXAS, the opener and Cover, is a rip-off of some old BLACK SABBATH riffs. Played slower and without the power of the original. MIND CRAWLER is the first highlight. Faster and with the great vocals from K.R. Starrs. The music is full of emotions and power. POISON APPLE and DESERT CEREMONY are again very close on some old BLACK SABBATH songs and are good too. But not more. EVIL LOVE is again faster, but not as good as MIND CRAWLER and DEATH VALLEY BLUES and FOLLOW THE LEADER sounds like some BEATLES stuff from their SGT.PEPPER`S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND times. DEVILS WORK is the heaviest and darkest song with some psychedelic elements and a very simple, but impressive beat. I like BLOOD LUST and I think MIND CONTROL is not as good as BLOOD LUST or their live shows. One step backward for the band. The booklet is very cool and 70s like and I think it doesn`t belong to the Retro fans what I think. They all will buy that record...
Genre: Retro Rock
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Info: 9 Songs / 51 minutes
JB
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THE MISTAKEN SONS OF ALABAMA - s/t
www.facebook.com/t.m.s.o.a
Cool southern influenced Stoner Rock from Montpellier in the veins of 60 Watt Shaman, Alabama Thunderpussy, Halfway to gone.This french band is around since 2009 and I really don`t know the area around Montpellier, but I will not meet this guys in the dark in the woods! The opener MUD FOR STARTERS is a cool Stoner song with some gangshouts in the refrain before the cool CROWS will give you some mid-tempo Stoner groove rock music. The drums are pounding and the guitars did great riffs. And over all thrones the whiskey-drenched vocals from Mitch. Highlight is the cool song SILK AND COTTON ON A LONG TIME BACHELOR`S BED. This song is full of power and heavieness. And with the slide-guitar closer called DOWN OL`MULLET ROAD they wrote an impressive Southern Rock song. A good surprise from France and I hope I can see that band on stage soon! If you like the above mentioned bands - check THE MISTAKEN SONS OF ALABAMA out!
Genre: Southern Stoner Rock
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Info: 8 Songs / Digipack
JB
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ISAAK - THE LONGER THE BEARD THE HARDER THE SOUND Smallstone Records
www.smallstone.com
www.isaakband.com
Definately the best album title in 2013! Definately the best CD-artwork in 2013! That mix of old-school movie poster from the 70s and the dinosaur adventure is awesome! Plus Entombed and Mastodon shirts on the bandphoto. This italien underground Stoner Rock band released their debut for the mighty Smallstone Records. Churning riffs, elephantine grooves and raging growls is the info from Smallstone. And hell yeah - they are awesome! HAYWIRE is a great opener with a mighty Stoner Rock riff and punshing drums. BREAKING BALANCE is the first highlight on that record with the mighty groove and the great guitar riffing. And the vocals from GIACOMO fit perfect. FLOOD start with some silent acoustic parts and turns in the middle into a real heavy jam session. The 10 minute closer HYPOTHESIS with some Sitar guitars closing that record which got released in 2012. Now the re-release on Smallstone features 4 bonus songs. The PINK FLOYD cover of FEARLESS (great version of the song - very heavy!), the IRON MAIDEN cover WRATHCHILD (this song fits perfect to Isaak - great Stoner Rock version with perfect fitting vocals!) and the 2 new songs THE RIGHT TIME (good fast Stoner Rocker) and ISOLATION 2.0. If you dig Entombed and Mastodon and Dozer and all the other Smallstone stuff - support that great italian band! Awesome!
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 12 songs
JB
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DIO - FINDING THE SACRED HEART - LIVE IN PHILLY 1986 DVD Eagle Vision
www.eagle-vision.com
This is a posthum release of a DIO show back in 1986. DIO was on his zenith at 1986 and I`m still impressed about the stage production! A huge moving dragon with wings in a fight with DIO, an impressive Laser show at the concert and a lot of pyros - DIO was on the top of the Metal/Rock circus. The show was filmed on the 17th of june 1986 at an arena in Philadelphia/USA in front of a huge audience. But after all that years, the movements from DIO are a little funny and childish in my eyes. Embarassing today.... But ok - the small singer is still one of the best Hard Rock singers and his voice was perfect on that night. The band did an awesome job too with a great stage acting and perfect playing. Jimmy Bain on Bass, Vinny Appice on drums, Craig Goldy on guitar and Chaude Schnell on Keyboards was the best back in 1986! This legendary line-up did a great mix of some BLACK SABBATH stuff (for example a great version of HEAVEN AND HELL), RAINBOW songs and the best DIO songs. You will get KING OF ROCK AND ROLL, DON`T TALK TO STRANGERS, WE ROCK, STAND UP AND SHOUT and SACRED HEART in a powerful version. THE LAST IN LINE, CHILDREN OF THE SEA, HOLY DIVER was packed in a medley (same with ROCK`N`ROLL CHILDREN, LONG LIVE ROCK`N`ROLL, MAN ON THE SILVER MOUNTAIN). So - every DIO fan will be satisfied. The DVD got released some years ago in a cutted version. This is the full-length concert right now with the whole set-list. I really don`t need the guitar/keyboard and drum solo, in my eyes it is a little boring - but ok - it was part of the show. As bonus you will get Interviews from 1986, behind the scene shootings, ROCK`N`ROLL CHILDREN music video and the SACRED HEART TOUR - FEATURETTE.
Genre: Hard Rock
Music: 10
Sound: 10
Info: 16 songs / 16:9 / Bonus material
JB
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DIO - FINDING THE SACRED HEART - LIVE IN PHILLY 1986 Eagle Vision
www.eagle-vision.com
The concert is out now as double CD with great 8 sided full-coloured booklet too. The booklet features a story about the band and the times back in time plus some shootings from the show. The production and sound is awesome and DIO did a great vocal performance too! You will get a mix of RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH and DIO songs, sadly that the mighty THE LAST IN LINE and CHILDREN OF THE SEA and HOLY DIVER were packed together in a medley. And: without the moving pictures from the DVD, the guitar, drum and keyboard soloparts are more boring and not important. For me as fan, 2-3 more DIO songs would be better.... But ok - it is the full show and it was part of the 80s. Here is the tracklist:
01. Draco Ignis
02. King Of Rock And Roll
03. Like The Beat Of A Heart
04. Don't Talk To Strangers
05. Hungry For Heaven
06. Medley: 'The Last In Line / Children Of The Sea / Holy Diver / The Last
In Line (reprise)
07. Drum Solo
08. Heaven And Hell
09. Keyboard Solo
10. Guitar Solo
11. Sacred Heart
12. Medley: Rock 'n' Roll Children / Long Live Rock 'n' Roll / Man On The
Silver Mountain / Rock 'n' Roll Children (reprise)
13. Time To Burn
14. Stand Up And Shout
15. Rainbow In The Dark
16. We Rock
For DIO fans a must have! The Metal god on the top!
Genre: Hard Rock
Music: 10
Sound: 10
Info: 16 songs
JB
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GARBAGE - ONE MILE HIGH ... LIVE DVD Eagle Vision
www.eagle-vision.com
Back in the 90s, Garbage was a huge Indie Rock band. They released 2 good records before I lost the band from my mind. Especially the frontwoman Shirley Manson was a huge star back the time (and of course Nirvana producer and Garbage drummer Butch Vig). After a comeback record 2012, the band was on world tour again and here is a live concert, filmed at Ogden Theatre in Denver / USA. The stage is simple but effective, the band played tight and especially the guitar sound is much heavier as on the records. But all in all I miss the fire! I saw them on their first tour in Germany and it was different! All in all it is a little boring for the whole 90 minute set. In the 90s you have heard that songs at every corner, but today I realize, that the music is very boring and without any kick. Maybe that worked in the 90s, not today. The hit-singles like I THINK I`M PARANOID, STUPID GIRL or QUEER are good songs, but without the power and feeling from the start. Especially Shirley is not as good as in the 90s. But fans from the band will be happy with the setlist and the DVD. As bonus it features some PRE-SHOW WARM UP, some infos to the new songs adn the two official music videos to BIG BRIGHT WORLD and the boring BLOOD FOR POPPIES. Here is the tracklist of the regular set:
01 Automatic systematic Habit 02 I think i`m paranoid 03 Shut your mouth 04 Why do you love me 05 Queer 06 Stupid girl 07 Hammering in my head 08 Control 09 #1 Crush 10 Cherry lips 11 Big bright world 12 Blood for poppies 13 Special 14 Mild 15 Battle in me 16 Push it 17 Only happy when it rains 18 Supervixen 19 The trick is to keep breating 20 Vow 21 Time will destroy everything
Genre: Indie Rock
Music: 6
Sound: 9
Info: 29 songs / 16:9
JB
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KOMATSU - MANU ARMATA Suburban Records
www.suburban.nl
www.komatsurock.com
Stoner Rock from the Netherlands was everytime high quality. I think back to the good times....7ZUMA7, CANDYBAR PLANET, CELESTIAL SEASON and many more. And now KOMATSU is on the top-level! Very fat rocking band from Eindhoven. This is heavy, this is punching, this is real Sludge / Stoner rock at its best! A NEW LOW is a opener straight in your face and takes not prisoners. FASTEN YOUR BELTS opens with a mighty guitar riff in the veins of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and turns into a mid-tempo song with great dark vocals from Mo. BLACKWATER is a mighty riff. KILLER! This is one of the highlights on that record in my eyes! BEAT YOU TO THE PUNCH is another highlight and a song which can get huge in the scene. LEAN ON ME is different to the other songs, it is more melodic and with more clean vocals. KAMIKAZE, which is the first single and video, fits perfect. The mix of Stoner and Sludge is perfect on that song and it is a real hit. WHEN WOLVES CRY WOLF remind me on some KARMA TO BURN riffing. MOTHERLOAD is simple, Motorhead like. Fast like Speed Metal. Riffs like 80s Metal. Different to the other material and maybe live the right last song to get the audience sweating. But not the best song on that record. But all in all a huge surprise. A great Sludge/Stoner record from Europe with excellent packing. With this record the band will get huge! This is really a monster of a record! No filler - only killers!
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 11 songs
JB
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MAI 2013
KINGS DESTROY - A TIME OF HUNTING
THE BJORN - LAND OF ASHES
THEORY OF MIND - WHEN FATE DIVIDES
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KINGS DESTROY - A TIME OF HUNTING War Crime Recordings
www.kingsdestroy.com
Wow - a huge surprise from Brooklyn, USA. Kings Destroy is a great Stoner / Doom Metal band with members from Killing Time, Uppercut, Electric Frankenstein, Breakdown and Begotten and A TIME OF HUNTING is their second record (the debut AND THE REST WILL SURELY PERISH is on my list!). The music is great. The opener STORMBREAK start with w agreat drum intro and turns into a groovy Stoner Rock song. The vocals from Stephan Murphy will not fit so perfect on that first second in my eyes and it is not the best song on that record. But the brutal BLACK SABBATH groove and the melodic, but rough vocals make a first statement (we talk here about a very very high level!!!). Good slow Stoner Rock song. The following THE TOE was lead by a great Doom Metal riff, something between the old CANDLEMASS and SOLITUDE AETURNUS stuff. Especially the refrain is a real smasher. Very good song! The following CASSE TETE is the first real highlight. Here the melodic vocals fit perfect to the old school Doom Metal riff and this song is definately a highlight in the DOOM METAL scene! WOW! This is one of the best Doom Metal songs I have heard since years! Carl Porcaro and Chris Skowronski arranged awesme riffs and the vocals from Stephen are unique! DECREPIT and SHATTERED PATTERN are on the same high level! So - no filler! If you need a new sound and a new band : support KINGS DESTROY! This is a huge Stoner (but more) DOOM METAL MONSTER! Hope to see them on european stages soon! A MUST HAVE !
Genre: Doom Metal
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Info: 8 songs
JB
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THE BJORN - s/t Strobesoul Productions
www.landofashes.com
www.facebook.com/thebjornband
We booked the forthcoming European Tour from the new hopefuls from Sweden : The Bjorn. A band which released a great Rock`n`Roll EP called ...FROM THE LAND OF ASHES in 2012. The 4 songs impressed us a lot, because the mix of Rock`n`Roll, Kick Ass Rock and Thrash Metal parts are unique and full of power! But now I got the debut from 2011 and of course: the record is old, but it is a killer album! And why is this band not huge? Why they don`t play the big festivals on main-stage? Because their music includes all the modern Rock fan want to hear! Awesome packing was the first thought. I put it in and the hell breaks loose! The opener LOCOMOTIVE starts with some DANKE JONES killer Rock riff and the gang-shouts at the refrain will make your body sweat! What a killer opening! MY DECLARATION starts with a SLAYER riffing and turns into a mid-tempo riff monster with more aggressive vocals and a pre-chorus which sounds like some TESTAMENT stuff. VAMPIRE`S THRONE is another mighty Rock monster song. The acoustic strophe reminds me again on some SLAYER songs from the South of Heaven time. SNAKE TOWN is a great Rock song and the other songs can hold that high standard. So - check this band out and support them on their june tour in Germany!
Genre: Thrash Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 9 Songs
JB
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THEORY OF MIND - When Fate Divides Demo
www.myspace.com/579117566
Theory of Mind is the new band from the new GRAND MASSIVE guitar player Peter (and ex-drummer of the german Stoner Rocker DUSTER 69) and is located in Bavaria. The trio play some kind of Alternative Rock. All songs are in mid-tempo, except the second track STONE COLD SOBER with some old school Stoner Rock / Kick ass Rock influences. Something like the faster Duster69 stuff years ago. Especially the guitars at STONE COLD SOBER have a great drive and the whole song is compact. It is the highlight on WHEN FATE DIVIDES in my eyes. And it features a great solo from Peter too. Another good riff is the opening from CARVED IN SAND, which could be from a 2000 Stoner release too. The Demo will be send in cardsleeve and contains 9 songs (the last song is called Kiss of Kyrill / White liquid and over 10 minutes long).
JB
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APRIL 2013
SPARZANZA - Death is Certain Life is not
SUPERMACHINE - Supermachine
RAINBOW - Live in Munich 1977 DVD
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RAINBOW - LIVE IN MUNICH 1977 DVD Eagle Vision
www.eagle-rock.com
I think this DVD got released some years ago with the same concert and features....don`t know the reason of that re-release. But this show is one of the highlights in their career. It is the real and best RAINBOW line-up with Cozy Powell and Ronnie James Dio and the european tour in 1977 was one of their best performances of all times. German TV-Station WDR recorded that show and only the sound is not so good. But no panic - still a must have and for that time (1977) good enough. The songs are huge and we have not talk about the preformances of songs like KILL THE KING, CATCH THE RAINBOW, LONG LIVE ROCK`N`ROLL or MAN ON THE SILVER MOUNTAIN. The versions sounds partly very different from the LP-versions and every fan will find some excellent varieties in variances in the single songs. Only the real hit STARGAZER is missing on that set-list. The performance (especially from Ronnie) is awesome and the stage-set with the huge Rainbow is amazing! Ritchie Blackmore is (of course) over the top (after some trouble with the german law he moved from Austria to Munich in a secret action at night!) and a great performer. This is a historical monument. A must have for Rock Fans. And it features some bonus material: the official Promo Videos from LONG LIVE ROCK`N`ROLL, GATES OF BABYLON and L.A. CONNECTION. Bob Daisley and Colin Hart Interview. Slideshow and Photogallery with Audio Commentary and the cool RAINBOW OVER TEXAS 1976 documentary. As I said : a must have for Rock Fans!
Genre: Hard Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 7
Info: 9 Songs concert / bonus material
Jochen
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SUPERMACHINE - SUPERMACHINE Smallstone Records
www.supermachine.us
This is the self-titled album from New Hampshire based SUPERMACHINE. And with such a name I expected a huge heavy monster. But it has nothing to do with such Groove monsters like Deville or Dozer. Their sound has some comparison to bands like Metallica (Load-ear), Alice in Chains (vocals sometimes) or Warrior Soul. Some members played before in SCISSORFIGHT (bass and guitar) and have now a new monster band. The CD start with a great SOLUTION, a huge opener with some Classic Rock, Soundgarden and Hard Rock influences. Good vocals and a rolling guitar riff. BROKEN follows with another impressive statement between heavy riffing mixed with some ALICE IN CHAINS vibe. Highlight is PILL CRUISE with catchy vocals and a cool melodic vs heavy part. HEAVY BULLET is more Blues Rock and ELITE is a real hit too. WARLORD close that impressive debut with a riff monster. The music is full of dynamic and groove. Power and heaviness. But swith the right hand for melodic and good melodies. A lot of potential in that band and with the right support they can grow! It sounds fresh, groovy and interesting. This is a sound which can get a huge following. And should be one of the leading bands on the Small Stone label in the future!
Genre: Heavy Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 11 songs
Jochen
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SPARZANZA - DEATH IS CERTAIN , LIFE IS NOT Black Cult Records
www.sparzanza.com
This is the 6th record from SPARZANZA and after some good records in the last years, this is the first killer records since years! Don`t understand me wrong...the last 3 records had great moments, but in my eyes some fillers too. SPARZANZA is very huge in Scandinavia, only in Germany it will not work so far...but I think with DEATH IS CERTAIN, LIFE IS NOT they will get a new chance in middle Europe. And now they are back. Their MODERN METAL sound is up to date. Especially the vocals from Fred are awesome! He recorded some awesome killer melodies. The guitars are heavy and darker as on the last recordings. The whole record is full of mighty riffs and great grooves and the drums are pounding as hell! Sometimes it sounds like a mix of SENTENCED, older AMORPHIS and STONE SOUR. All mixed with some dark moments from the cold north! WHEN THE WORLD IS GONE is a might opener with some Groove and Power Metal riffs. And for the first time you will get addicted from Freds vocal lines. THE FALLEN ONES is a real hit with a mighty riff and great vocals again. DEAD INSIDE, AD VIVENTES and ENDEAVOR THE DARK are darker, with some Gothic Metal influence. And WHEN DEATH COMES is an epic last track. THE ENEMY is a faster one for example. the Yeah - it is a pleasure to listen to that record! The best SPARZANZA release since the 2003 hammer album INTO THE SEWERS (one of the best Stoner Rock records ever - if you haven`t heard of it...)
Genre: Modern Metal
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Info: 42 minutes
Jochen
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MARCH 2013
IRON MAIDEN - Die ultimative inoffizielle Bildbiografie (Buch)
TORI AMOS - Seelentanz (Buch)
ANGER AS ART - Hubris Inc
DEVILLE - Hydra
DEVILLAC - Dislocated and Bent
7 WEEKS - Carnivora
UNCLE ACID AND THE DEADBEATS - Blood Lust
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TORI AMOS - SEELENTANZ Iron Pages
Ein sehr intimes Buch von der Ausnahmekünstlerin Tori Amos, dass die Geschichte der Künstlerin, ihre Einflüsse und ihre Entwicklungsstadien sehr sensibel und mit viel Hintergründigkeit offenlegt. Das ist schon keine leichte Kost, auch nicht zum lesen. Hat man sich aber mal dem Schreibstil angenähert, fesselt das Buch und der Schreibstil, der sich von üblichen Biografien stark unterscheidet, ungemein. Ein Großteil des Buches sind Aufzeichnungen intimer Gespräche mit ihrer Managerin, ihrer Schwester oder ihrem Ehemann. Beeindruckend, wie offen sie über ihre 3 Fehlgeburten spricht, über den Streit mit ihrer Plattenfirma und den zerstörenden Touralltag. Aber es ist auch beeindruckend zu sehen, mit welchem Willen und Kraft sie zu einer der führenden Singer / Songwriterinnen geworden ist. Außerdem gibt es einige SONGGEMÄLDE, also Gedankengänge und Inspirationen von Songs wie Winter oder Garlands. Für Fans sowieso ein Muss, so nah kam man der Sängerin noch nie! Und wer auf der Suche nach der Geschichte einer starken Frau ist, findet hier sicherlich auch was er sucht! 255 Seiten, schöne und rare Bilder von Tori, ihrem Privatleben und natürlich dem Leben auf Tour.
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IRON MAIDEN - DIE ULTIMATIVE INOFFIZIELLE BILDBIOGRAFIE Iron Pages
www.ip-verlag.de
224 Seiten, über 500 Fotos und Texte, lückenlose Auflistung aller Iron Maiden Konzerte seit dem ersten Tag und alles als gebundene Ausgabe mit Cut-Out Cover von Eddie. Das sind die Fakten zum neuen IRON MAIDEN Bildband. Sicherlich gibt es viele Bücher von Iron Maiden, aber meiner Ansicht nach übertrifft es das offizielle Iron Maiden Bildband FLIGHT 666 um Längen. Viellecht, weil von "Die Hard Fans" zusammengestellt.... dieses Buch ist für Fans und nicht Fans sehr empfehlenswert, vielleicht sogar ein MUSS! Zuerst muß die tolle Aufmachung mit den raren, zum Teil unveröffentlichten Bildern aus der ganzen Welt, erwähnt werden. Sehenswert sind (als Fan) vor allem die länderspezifischen Single-Covers, Tourshirts und seltene Sammlerstücke. Ja, Fans wird hier das Herz aufgehen! Verantwortlich für das Buch ist niemand Geringerer als Neil Daniels und Garry Bushell, Schreiben für das britische Musikmagazin "Sounds" und Begleiter der Band seit der Anfangszeit. Es gibt interessante Anekdoten, die sicherlich so vorher noch nicht erzählt wurden. Garry Bushell hat ja das erste offizielle Iron Maiden Buch "RUNNING FREE" geschrieben. Das Buch umfasst 12 Kapitel, angefangen bei den einzelnen Bandmitgliedern und das erste Kapitel beschreibt die Zeit, wie sie in den Jahren 1975 bis 1978 zusammenfanden. Das legendäre SOUNDHOUSE Tape als Mittelpunkt. Im zweiten Kapitel wird EDDIE zum Leben erweckt und umfasst die ersten Liveauftritte und die beginnende Vormachtstellung in der NWOBHW Szene. Danach geht es zu den ersten und bahnbrechenenden Alben IRON MAIDEN und KILLERS, bevor BRUCE DICKINSON und NICKO MC BRAIN dann CLIVE BURR und den von vielen geliebten PAUL DI`ANNO ersetzten und die Band mit THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST endgültig zur No.1 aufstieg. Danach wird der Aufstieg mit PIECE OF MIND und POWERSLAVE aufgezeigt; die Band ist an der Spitze angelangt, was sich auch an der Größe der Konzerte und Welttourneen wiederspiegelt. Im fünften Kapitel gibt es dann erste Risse in der Band und das kontrovers aufgenommene Album SOMEWHERE IN TIME mit einem neuen, moderneren keyboardgestützen Sound gibt bei den Fans und innerhalb der Band erste Diskussionen. SEVENTH SON OF A SEVENTH SON hält die Band Konzerttechnisch immernoch am oberen Limit, aber schon mit NO PRAYER FOR THE DYING und dem folgenden FEAR OF THE DARK geht es für die Band abwärts. BRUCE und ADRIAN steigen aus und starten Solokarrieren. Die Band entscheidet sich für keine Bruce Dickinson Kopie (wie sie es ja auch schon nach dem Abgang von Paul Di`Anno machten), sondern für den Ex-Wolfsbane Sänger Blaze Bayley. Der versuchte Neuanfang mit den Alben THE X FACTOR und VIRTUAL XI ging nicht auf, die Band spielte in kleineren Rahmen und konnte bei den alten Fans keinen Fuß auf den Boden bringen, was aber meiner Meinung nicht nur am Sänger lag. Im neunten Kapital dann der von den Fans erhoffte Wiedereinstieg von Bruce und Adrian und die nette Geste der Band, Janick Gers als dritten Gitarristen in der Band zu lassen. Der Rest ist bekannt: die Band spielte sich an die Spitze, veröffentlichte zumindest noch ein sehr gutes Album (DANCE OF DEATH) und bereist seitdem die Welt. Am Ende jedes Kapitels gibt es eine lückenlose Auflistung aller Konzerte zu der jeweiligen Tour und eine ausführliche Diskografie und zusätzlich Informationen zu den alten Bandmitgliedern am Schluß des Buches. Es ist eine inoffizielle Bildbiografie und so sind die Informationen meist nur kurz und oberflächlich. Aber mehr sollte es glaube ich auch nicht sein. Ein MUSS für Iron Maiden Fans!!!
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ANGER AS ART - HUBRIS INC. Old School Metal Records
www.facebook.com/angerasart
I haven`t heard about that band before, but HUBRIS INC is their 4th record and a big surprise. If you are an old school Metal head, you will obey to that record and you will find some of your old favourites back in that band. I talk about the mighty ABATTOIR (remember VICIOUS ATTACK in 1985 and THE ONLY SAFE PLACE in 1986) !!! Steve Gaines, Daniel Oliverio and Rob Alaniz are ex-members from ABATTOIR and the follow-up EVIL DEAD. 3 members are members right now at the new BITCH line-up and BETSY BITCH did vocals on RAGE AND RETRIBUTION. What can you expect? A THRASH METAL hammer! No shit from old men or something like that - this are real Metal heads with a great Thrash Metal record. A great mix of old school stuff like Exodus, Overkill, Evil Dead, Slayer and Sadus. Especially the vocals from Steve sound like the stuff 30 years ago and have a huge comparison to Paul Baloff from Exodus. Guest apperances you will find from Jim Durkin from mighty DARK ANGEL and Steve Nelson, from the last EVIL DEAD line-up. Highlight is SPEED KILLS! This song is over 30 years old and an unreleased track from ABATTOIR (with Mark Caro from Abattoir on guitar!). The opening double HUBRIS INC. / TIME DEVOURS LIFE is a great old school Thrash hammer! 14 songs - maybe 2-4 too much! It is no real filler on that record, but maybe a 10 song record would sound more as an union. But a big surprise! Old school Thrash Metal fans should buy that record right now (out 19.04.2013!)!!!!!
Genre: Thrash Metal
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 14 songs / 55 minutes
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DEVILLE - HYDRA Smallstone Records
www.deville.nu
DEVILLE from Sweden is right now one of the best and most important Stoner Rock band from Europe! After their debut on DAREDEVIL RECORDS (Split CD with SERGEJ THE FREAK) the band is back with a mindblowing album. HYDRA is the masterpiece so far. After a lot of shows in Europe, the band is ready to make the next step. HYDRA is a killer of an album. No filler! And they changed the record company: from the legendary BUZZVILLE Records to the mighty SMALL STONE - another huge step forward! The opener LAVA is exactly what you expect. Kick ass straight forward Stoner Rock. With a great melody and great vocals. IRON FED is the same direction before IN VAIN follows. A song with some FOO FIGHTERS (especially on the vocals) and HELMET influences and a great groove! THE KNIFE is the first song, which is beside the typical DEVILLE sound and it is the first real highlight on the record. A pure and great Alternative Rock song, with some QOTSA elements. What a power man! OVER THE EDGE is a mid-tempo Stoner Groove rocker and again with mighty vocals from Andreas Bengtsson. LET IT GO start with a mighty QOTSA like riff - a real monster - and turns into a Pop Music like chorus. Awesome! This is another highlight on that record. My favourite guitar riff is the mighty opening of BATTLES WILL BE BORN, a great instrumental song which a lot of power and groove. BLOOD CROWN is another Stoner Rock song and IMPERIAL and STAY A LITTLE LONGER at the end of the record are two highlights in the DEVILLE discography! Both features melodic and different vocals from Andreas. Both songs are full of atmosphere and different to the typical Deville stuff. And different to the other stuff on that record. But huge songs! My favourites! The record start with typical Stoner Rock as you knew from the past records from Deville. But song for song it will get more different and close with 2 awesome songs! I really hope that they break through! All the best! A powerful record!
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 8
Info: 11 Songs
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DEVILLAC - DISLOCATED AND BENT
www.devillac.com
Some of you old school Stoner Rock fans will still know that band and name. DEVILLAC from Finland released a mighty split 12 years ago with the german band TRANSONIC SCIENCE on our label. The band got a lot of awesome feedback with their sound close on the first QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE record. Back in 2008, after some problems with the singer, the band released their official debut called THREE HOURS TO COMA (german Transonic Science guitar player Markus filled the spot!). 2012 DISLOCATED AND BENT got recorded, with the former SWEATMASTER (!!!) Sasu on guitar. And hell yeah - it is a monster of a record! Really! The opener ACHE ATTACK is a good song in the veins of some QOTSA sounds with a rougher, but good vocal line. ....OF SOUND, the second song, is a killer! Awesome opening riff, awesome groove. Better vocal lines and melodies as on ACHE ATTACK. This is one of the best songs from DEVILLAC and a huge Stoner Rock hymn. All said about that record? The following ALL HANDS is way better - unbelievable! Groovy, QOTSA - like guitar opening, huge groove from the drums and mighty vocals. WOW! CINNAMON RYDER is slower, but good too before ZEST AND FERVOUR give you some speed again. Solid stuff. HEEL CUJO! HEEL! is good, but can`t hold the high standard of the beginning and WALLS OF JERICHO is a simple, but effective Stoner Rock song with a lot of drive. And SPOONATIC features all the legendary QOTSA guitar melodies and grooves. Very cool! Support that band - they are good enough to get huge!
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 7
Info: 8 Songs
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7 WEEKS - CARNIVORA F2M Planet
www.7weeks.fr
A huge surprise from France. I haven`t heard before that band in the past, but CARNIVORA is their 3rd record and a real monster! They play a cool mix of classic Stoner Rock and Alternative Rock. In the past they played with bands like Placebo, Brant Bjork, Vibrators, Arctic Monkeys and all this influences you can hear in their sound a little. And all played with a lot of power! The opener BONES AND FLOWERS is a cool and powerful Stoner Rock song. With awesome and melodic vocals. The refrain is a real highlight and I hope they can get a small hit with that song. ACID RAIN is a rolling simple Stoner Rock song, influenced from the old heroes like Dozer, Nebula, Lowrider. CARNIVORA starts with a intro and turns into a mid-tempo song. The first weaker track in my eyes. GHOSTS ON THE SEASIDE ROAD is a pure Alternative song, which could be played on some Radio stations too! DIARY-DAY 7 starts with a a slow rolling Doom Rock riffing and turns in a more psychedelic song. YEAR ZERO is a real highlight. Pure Rock, near to some genre heroes. With cool guitar lines and awesome vocals. YOU ARE SO SPECIAL could be from QOTSA (but is again a real hit!!!) . LET ME DROWN again a great Stoner rocker and SHADOW RIDER starts with cool Western style acoustic guitar and after the voice break into the riff, you will get addicted from that song! WOW! On stage they really rock and so : I think that band will get big soon! Support that underground kings!
Genre: Stoner / Alternative Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 8
Info: 10 Songs
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UNCLE ACID AND THE DEADBEATS - BLOOD LUST Rise Above
www.facebook.com/uncleacid
This is the band, which is called CULT! After a sold out Demo and a re-relaese via Lee Dorians RISE ABOVE Rec, this is the third time for a re-release of the Demo BLOOD LUST. And March 2013 the new record will be out. That are the facts. They play Occult Rock, I think they play simple but effective 70s Hard Rock. But with a great vintage sound (remember : Demo production), which make the record unique. The warm and impressive sound of the record is one of the big highlights. The artwork too! And the music....mmhh....really cool (remember : it was original released as a Demo!) and with some awesome hits. Like I`LL CUT YOU DOWN or the mighty and so far legendary DEATH`S DOOR. 13 CANDLES is another example. But not all of the 9 songs can hold that high standard! The psychedelic vintage Hard Rock sound is awesome, with some comparison to the old BLACK SABBATH and PENTAGRAM. Especially the vocals are unique and make that music special. The music is well-known. Some Sabbath grooves and riffs, some Psychedelic Rock stuff from the 60s and 70s and yeah - it really rocks! Only the last track, which is a bonus song and recorded actual, is with a better (not in my eyes..) production and some folk rock influences. I hope that the next record will not sound like that song. It is on the same level as WITCHCRAFT and ORCHID in my eyes, but maybe with the next record they can be the leaders of the genre. A must have for fans of Vintage Rock!
Genre: Hard Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Info: 9 Songs
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FEBRUARY 2013
GOZU - The fury of a patient man
KISS - Demaskiert (Buch)
CAPTAIN CRIMSON - Dancing madly backwards
THE BLACKOUT - Start the Party
THE VIRGINMARYS - King of Conflict
MUDWEISER - Angel Lust
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GOZU - THE FURY OF A PATIENT MAN Smallstone Records
www.smallstone.com
www.facebook.com/gozu666
Gozu consisting of members of bands such as WARGASM (!!) and Triphammer. And now they sign to the mighty Small Stone label. First, the artwork is very cool and untypical. Great painting - simple but cool. The music is not typical for a Small Stone release. But it fits perfect to the other bands. It is not Stoner Rock, only parts fit to that genre. GOZU is more ROCK - like a heavier version of the EAGLES OF DEATH METAL or some QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE grooves. Yeah, close to RATED R is the right direction for GOZU listeners. But the real hit is missing. Highlight is the mighty CHARLES BRONSON PINCHOT song with a great vocal melody and a cool groove. It is not a 1:1 copy of QOTSA, GOZU only use the same grooves and direction as Hommes band. TRACI LORD and DISCO RELATED INJURY is a good example. GOZU is on the way to the top. It is the right mix for a mainstream Rock audience and the underground Stoner Rock freaks. One real hit-single will bring that band on the top - believe me! Especially the vocals of Marc Gaffney are over the top and make the good music awesome. And the 24 minute long instrumental song THE CEASELESS THUNDER OF SURF (with great riffing) make the record special. Buy it!
Genre: Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 7
Info: 10 songs
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MUDWEISER - ANGEL LUST Head Records
www.head-records.com
I really like their debut ELVIS LOVES ME (great title) and some of you will know their full-length debut called HOLY SHIT back in 2009. After a great 10" vinyl EP (with excellent artwork too!!), the band from France is back with their best record so far. They did a huge step forward musically and especially with the vocals. I think they sound today exactly like they had it in mind in 2005! This is heavy, this is dark, this is full of great songs and excellent vocal lines. The french guys play a good Stoner Rock, but with a huge influence of the great old bands like ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY, HIGH ON FIRE, 60 WATT SHAMAN or FIVE HORSE JOHNSON. Dirty Southern Rock with the catchiness of Stoner Rock._The opener BLOODY HANDS will blow you away with the great opening riff and the following RUMBLE LOVE will give you no time to breathe. The music is very good, but especially the vocals give that record the extra drill. I haven`t expected it! BLACK BIRD and WITCH SONG are other highlights on the record. The music is simple, but filled with great riffs and a huge power. Reunos voice is whiskey - drenched, but warm too. The 12 songs are a must have for Stoner Metal or Southern Rock fans and with NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN (Moody Blues) they did a good cover-version!
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 12 Songs
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KISS - DEMASKIERT : die offizielle Biography IRON PAGES
www.ip-verlag.de
Das Buch ist relativ alt und viele fragen sich sicherlich, warum erst jetzt eine Besprechung dazu erscheint. Der Grund: weil es ein super Buch ist und z.Zt. ja viele Rockbiographien (z.B. Hammer of Gods) für Aufregung sorgen. Und dieses Buch sollte auch nach all den Jahren nicht untergehen, da es sicherlich zu den besten Rock-Musik-Biographien gehört. David Leaf sollte 1979 ein Buch über die Band schreiben, ist nach L.A. geflogen, war bei der Band und hat damals, als KISS grad auf dem Weg nach oben waren, eine sehr intime und wohl nie mehr zu reproduzierende Zeit mit den Musikern erlebt. Ein Jahr lang arbeitete er an einem Manuskript und mußte dann erfahren, dass das Buch nicht freigegeben wurde (von wem auch immer...). Somit verstaubten die Blätter 25 Jahre im Keller von David Leaf, bevor Ken Sharp, ein guter Freund und Kissfan, davon erfuhr und ihn ermutigte, diese einmalige Zeit der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich zu machen. Und Kiss waren nach all den Jahren auch begeistert. Das Buch ist in 3 Teile aufgeteilt. Hauptaugenmerk liegt im Teil 1 von 1979, der so wie damals aufgeschrieben übernommen wurde. So bekommt man als Fan Einblicke in die Anfangszeit, wie noch niemand zuvor festgehalten hatte. Nicht verschönert oder verwässert. Die Geschichte 1:1. Anfangs werden die einzelnen Musiker vorgestellt und die Zeit geht dann bis zur Re-Union. Es gibt natürlich (wie aus den anderen Büchern gewohnt) starke Anschuldigungen, aber auch den tollen Zusammenhalt in der Anfangszeit. Interessant ist natürlich der Weg an die Spitze in den 70ern zum Kisshighlight ALIVE und ALIVE II. Dann die ganzen Besetzungswechsel, der Abstieg zum Glamrock Act und zur medienwirksamen Demaskierung. (der zweite Teil des Buches) Die Zeit ohne Schminke. Und: die Diskussionen um THE ELDER verstand ich damals nicht und tue es auch heute noch nicht. CREATURES OF THE NIGHT kommt auch etwas zu kurz und leider ist die, nicht minder uninteressante Zeit, ohne Maskierung sehr ausführlich. Aber gut - den Rest der Kiss-Geschichte kennt man eh besser.... Das Buch nimmt wieder Fahrt auf mit der legendären Pressekonferenz auf einem US Kriegschiff und der Ankündigung zur Reunion. Viele Die Hard Fans werden Passagen finden, die auch sie a) überraschen und b) absolut NEU sein werden! Der dritte Teil ist mit viel Liebe zusammengetragen worden. Freunde, Bekannte, Musiker, Manager usw. geben Auskunft über einzelne Songs und deren Entstehungsgeschichte. Für Kiss Fans ein MUSS! Besser als alle anderen Bücher! Für Rockfans JUNG und ALT ein MUSS! Beste Musikbiographie bis zum heutigen Tag.
Genre: Rock Biographie
Info: 2005 / 360 Seiten + Fotos
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CAPTAIN CRIMSON - DANCING MADLY BACKWARDS Transubstans Records
www.myspace.com/captaincrimsonswe
A great Retro / 70s / Psychedelic what ever you wanna call band from Sweden. And one of the best in my eyes! And they have the quality to get bigger as Graveyard, Witchcraft and all the other hyped bands (I like Graveyard and Witchcraft, but the hype is in my eyes unbelievable - but it is good for the musicians!). CAPTAIN CRIMSON are some members from the mighty BLOWBACK, which released some outstanding stuff in the past too! The opener LONELY DEVILS CLUB is a great rocking song with a psychedelic middle part. My favourite is MOUNTAIN OF SLEEP. Great guitars, great groove and feeling and of course the mighty vocals. DON`T TAKE ME FOR A COOL is more bluesy, but good at all! And the cool DANCING MADLY BACKWARDS is a great last song (with cool solo guitars) and closes a record without any filler! If you like King Crimson, Orchid, Graveyard or Witchcraft - buy the record!!! The riffs and rhythms are deep in the 70s and it feel good to hear such an outstanding band! Good luck for the (hopefully huge) future!
Gerne: Classic Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 9 songs
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THE BLACKOUT - START THE PARTY Cooking Vinyl
www.theblackout.net
From Wales with some Party-Hardcore. Definately not my cup of tea...the opener and titletrack is a good number, a song for a huge audience. The refrain was made for 1000 singing fans in the pit. A little Sweden Rock ala Gluecifer and some Turbonegro sickness is in it. Not bad. But after that good opener the other 10 songs can`t hold the standard. Too much Punk Rock, some Screamo elements. The drums have a lot of power and the guitars shredding like hell. It is a lot of talent in that band and with some more good ideas and hooklines it is possible to make a better record. But especially the vocals (clear and shouts) are too weak over the whole record. Puh....it is hard for me to listen to the whol record. Fans from Lostprophets or Enter Shikari or My chemical romance maybe like it.
Genre: Post-Hardcore
Music: 6
Sound: 8
Info: 11 Songs
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THE VIRGINMARYS - KING OF CONFLICT Cooking Vinyl
www.thevirginmarys.com
The international press wrote great stuff about that record. I haven`t heard that band before, but it is a surprise. It is nothing new. You have heard all 1000times before - of course. But the music and songs sound fresh! Full of energy and with some cool moments. All songs are on the same high level (unbelievable!) and especially the voice is cool. Sometimes rough, sometimes tough, sometimes cool. This 3 guys know how to play good Rock! But it is still heavy. No mainstream - but enough potential to get a huge following! A debut and band which is ready for the masses! Sometimes I hear some White Stripes influences, sometimes some Gluecifer or old Muse. Some Jet or Kings of Leon. Sometimes Billy Talent or Eagles of Death Metal. And more and more. But again: a band with a lot of talent! And exactly the right music for summer festivals!
Genre: Rock
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Info: 12 Songs
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JANUARY 2013
SIDEBURN - IV Monument
STONEWALL NOISE ORCHESTRA - Salvation
BLINDSTONE - Greetings from the Karma Factory
MOTHER OF GOD - Anthropos
DEEP PURPLE - Das ultimative Kompendium (Buch)
BLACK SABBATH - Hohenpriester des Doom (Buch)
CARVER - The great riot
GUNS OF MOROPOLIS - Heavy Metal killed your mama
REPETITOR - Dobrodosli Na Okean
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SIDEBURN - IV MONUMENT Transubstans Records
www.facebook.com/sideburnswedenfanpage?_rdr
I follow that band since years. Since their first steps in the scene. But today I got their fourth record called IV MONUMENT and it blow me away! It is the perfect mix of Stoner and Doom Metal. The opening riff from DIAMONDS could be from Toni Iommi. The music shows so much comparison to the old heroes like Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Rush. The music is really awesome and the vocals too. The mentioned opener DIAMONDS is one of the heaviest tracks from Sideburn so far. A riff like from the good old Sabbath days with same darkness from the mighty DOWN. And Jani sounds like a young Ozzy. Killer! FIRE AND WATER hold that high level and TOMORROWS DREAM will blow you away with the slow riffs. The guitar work from Morgan and Jani is deeply inspired from Iommi. They play their guitar with the same power, punch and feeling like the old master of doom. And the solo parts are very outstanding. It all sounds like a mix of the best parts from Rush and Mountain! No joke! Only the soft CROSSING THE LINES (but with a cool and powerful ending) is a weaker track. One of the biggest surprise and such a great band! See them on tour soon! For old Black Sabbath and old Deep Purple fans a must have! I hope the new Black Sabbath record is much as good as this output!
Genre: Stoner / Doom
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Info: 9 Songs
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STONEWALL NOISE ORCHESTRA - SALVATION Transubstans Records
www.snoband.com
One of the best swedish acts are back. And after the legendary and awesome (out on Daredevil Records - yes!) debut, this is their best record since the debut. The other releases are still good records, but on every record there are 3-4 weaker tracks (not on the debut!) and so - this is their masterpiece. Most important plus are the more melodic vocals from Singe. And the whole band changed their style a bit. Still classic 70`s influences, still a lot of Black Sabbath, still some Stoner and Groove Rock. But on SALVATION this mighty mix got more melodies and remindable songs. And again: mighty vocal lines and more hits on the record. The record starts with a big fat groove rocker, called DIE DIE DIE. What a great refrain. What a great guitar riff. What a power! One of the best SWNO songs ever! And one of the best rock songs of the year! And the surprise: the following NEW AGE INC hold that level (ok - the guitar melody is "stolen" from SUNRIDE), the refrain is a little stronger as on the opener, but again like a kick in your face. I really can`t believe the mighty force of that two songs! KILLER! CHEMICAL SKY is another outstanding song on the same standard. EMPIRE is full of Stoner Rock riffs and MONSOON SONG is so beautiful. Again: Classic Rock fans should by it! Black Sabbath supporter too! And if you like Stoner or Doom Metal and if you call yourself a fan - it is a must have! One of the best "vintage" releases of the year! Congratulations!
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Info: 10 Songs
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BLINDSTONE - GREETINGS FROM THE KARMA FACTORY Eat Music
www.eat-music.net
www.myspace.com/blindstonedenmark
Another great signing on the cool Eat Music label (Mustasch). Blindstone from Denmark did a great mix of Stoner Rock, Blues Rock, Classic Rock and Progressive Rock. A guitar sound inspired from the 60th and 70th. Jimi Hendrix, Mountain, Robin Trower and especially Gary Moore would love that record in my eyes. So far they released 4 records on the US-label Grooveyard Records and are one of the leading bands in the modern Blues Rock genre. On their last record, called RISE ABOVE, they had Ty Tabor (King`s X) as guest musician. The songs from GREETINGS FROM THE KARMA FACTORY are full of great riffs, great psychedelic moments (like at the last, 10 minute smasher OCEAN OF TIME with some LED ZEPPELIN comparison) and over all thrones the rough vocals from Martin J. Andersen. The Retro trend today is totally shit and I hope that a band like BLINDSTONE can kick all that untalented bands from the stage! Since 2002 BLINDSTONE created great music and released awesome records and now the time is right to get more feedback and bigger support. In America they are bigger then in Europe - time is right to change that! A great Blues Rock band!
Genre: Blues Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 11 Songs / 58 minutes
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MOTHER OF GOD - ANTHROPOS Small Stone Records
www.smallstone.com
Another cool output from US leading Stoner, Psychedelic, Fuzz, Rock label Small Stone Records. Mother of God from Sweden play Stoner Rock in the veins of Kyuss and early Dozer. Of course with some influences from the 79s (Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath) and the 90s (Soundgarden). Back in the good old times. The opening song "230" sounds like a mix of old COWBOYS AND ALIENS and KYUSS with great fuzz guitars, great hooklines and a mighty, Garcia-like voice. Great opening! And the highlight on that record. GRAENSLANDET is in their language and it fits very good. First strange, but after some seconds really awesome! Midtempo drumming and great fuzz guitars and that awesome vocal lines. Another good song. SOMETHING FROM BELOW is another highlight on that record. The band released a good record for a debut and I think with some good support and touring they can make the next step forward. So far ANTHROPOS is a good statement, but in my eyes not a Stoner Rock highlight. Not all tracks are good as the opener or the beautiful AIM FOR THE SUN and TO LIVE (which have some comparison to Soundgarden). Most stuff is not unique and yoiu got the feeling of some "cover" band. I know it is not easy to create something new, but sometimes it really sounds not straight away. And some more cool hooklines and choruses are missing. But all in all a good debut and if you like the above mentioned bands, check the swedish rockers out.
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Info; 12 Songs
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DEEP PURPLE - DAS ULTIMATIVE KOMPENDIUM Iron Pages
www.ip-verlag.de
Das Buch von Martin Popoff ist für Deep Purple Fans und nicht Fans ein MUSS! Ich habe die Band immer verfolgt, aber erst in den letzten 5-10 Jahren habe ich die Qualität einiger Scheiben schätzen gelernt. Ich spreche hier natürlich von den Klassikern MADE IN JAPAN, MACHINE HEAD, BURN und IN ROCK. Ian Gillan ist mir je schon ein "Liebling", nicht erst seit Black Sabbath Zeiten (für mich ist BORN AGAIN mit Gillan eins der besten Alben von Black Sabbath!). MACHINE HEAD läuft schon seit Jahrzehnten hin und wieder auf meinem Teller und natürlich bin ich seit METAL CHURCHs HIGHWAY STAR Cover angefixt. Aber gut. STORMBRINGER und COME TASTE THE BAND habe ich die letzten Jahre entdeckt und auch schätzen gelernt. Darum war ich richtig neugierig auf das Buch von Martin Popoff. Und es hat mich nicht enttäuscht! Jede Phase der Band wird durchgegangen, und zwar immer im Albumrhythmus, was sich als eine gute Einteilung (bei all den Jahren seit 1968) erweißt. Alle Höhen und Tiefen, alle Besetzungswechsel und -gründe sind genau aufgeführt. Interessant ist dabei vor allem, wie es die einzelnen Beteiligten sehen; da gehen die Meinungen schon recht häufig auseinander. Interessant sind auch die Aus- und Wiedereinstiege der beiden Dauerfeinde Blackmore und Gillan (und die Gründe dahinter - Tantiemen - das Geld natürlich...). Außerdem die Sicht auf das Musikbusiness und die Band von David Coverdale und Glenn Hughes, 2 Sänger, die die Band sehr verformt haben - aber auch Meilensteine mit Deep Purple veröffentlichten. Obwohl sich Glenn und David super verstanden, war es immer ein Kampf um die Leadsängerposition. In allen Themen (Geld, wer konnte mit wem, warum wurde jener gefeuert, welcher Song ist weswegen auf dem Album etc.) sind die (meisten) Beteiligten sehr ehrlich. Interessant ist auch das Ende der ersten Besetzung, vor allem Rod Evans (Gesang) und Nick Simper (Bass) waren mächtig angefressen und erzählen frei von der Leber alles, was man sonst nicht hören würde. Auch die Classic Einflüsse von Lord (später nicht zur Freude von Blackmore) werden ausführlich erläutert. Und natürlich die Entstehung von Klassikern ala SMOKE ON THE WATER, BURN, HIGHWAY STAR gibt Fans einen tieferen Einblick in die Bandabläufe. Popoff ist ein Fan seit dem ersten Tag; erfreulicherweise aber von der Steve Morse Ära. Erfreulich deswegen, da nicht nur die alten Schinken abgefeiert werden (Popoff ist sehr kritisch und sagt offen seine Meinung über die einzelnen Songs der jeweiligen Platte), sondern auch ein Blick in das Hier und Jetzt getätigt wird. Die alten Zeiten mit den ewigen Hin und Her waren schon interessant und super zum lesen, aber der 2. Teil des Buches, die Wiederauferstehung mit PERFECT STRANGERS und der Durchmarsch nach der Neubesetzung mit Morse, gibt nochmal richtig Feuer. Viele Fans kommen zu Wort (Metallica, Metal Church usw) und werfen auch noch einmal einen anderen Blick auf die Band. Das Buch ist mit über 500 Seiten sehr informativ und wird nicht langweilig. Es gibt 2 Blöcke mit Farbfotos, die die Band auf der Bühne, Abseits der Bühne und bei ihrer Lieblingsbeschäftigung - Fußballspielen - zeigt. Auch hierzu (Fußballspiele) gibt es sehr interessante und lustige Geschichten. Das Buch kommt im Hardcover und sollte wirklich jeden Hardrock, Classic Rock und Metal Fan (Deep Purple gelten wegen ihrer Powerriffs für viele als Erfinder des Heavy Metal - weit vor Black Sabbath!)
Genre: Hard Rock Book
Info: Hardcover, 504 Seiten, Fotos
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BLACK SABBATH - HOHENPRIESTER DES DOOM IP Verlag
www.ip-verlag.de
Ich war ja relativ begeistert von dem Deep Purple Buch. Es hat mich wirklich für Tage gefesselt und auch (wieder) das Feuer entfachte für die alten Veröffentlichungen von Deep Purple. Es ist erfrischend, durch eben solche Bücher und das neue Hintergrundwissen, sich wieder an die alten Scheiben ranzuwagen. Das Black Sabbath Buch finde ich sogar noch einen Tick besser und informativer! Und das war nicht zu erwarten. Wiederum von Martin Popoff verfasst, zeigt es den Werdegang von 4 jungen Schulfreunden zu der wichtigsten Metal Band, der Band, die das Genre erfand, die harten Riffs salonfähig machte und mit ihrem brachialen Sound unzählig andere Bands beeinflusst(e). Obwohl jeder die Geschichte hinter der Band kennt, ist es sehr spannend, den Weg vor dem Debutalbum bis zur ersten Re-union in der Originalbesetzung mitzuverfolgen. Mit allen Höhen und Tiefen. Eskapaden und Trennungen. Allen Mitgliedern. Das Buch ist wieder aufgebaut wie das Deep Purple Werk, immer chronologisch von Album zu Album. Der steile Weg nach oben mit den ersten Alben, der Höhenflug und die Drogeneskapaden. Die größer werdenden Probleme in der Band, der erste Ausstieg von Ozzy und die Rückkehr, 2 Tage vor dem Studiotermin zu NEVER SAY DAY! Der abzusehende, endgültige Ausstieg von Ozzy und die Schlammschlacht danach. Die anfangs glorreiche Zeit mit Dio, die (interessanterweise) nur bei HEAVEN AND HELL freundschaftlich war. Die ersten Probleme danach, der Unmut der einzelnen Mitglieder und der Split. Die tolle und produktive Zeit mit Ian Gillan und die nachfolgenden (immerhin 10 an der Zahl) Jahre mit Tony Martin (die in den USA fast gar nicht beachtet wurde, aber in Europa sehr erfolgreich war). Der Wiedereinstieg von Dio in den 1992 und der Versuch, ein typisches Sabbath Album zu machen. Aber schon bei den ersten Zeilen dazu kann man rauslesen, dass die zweite Dio-Ära schon am Anfang zu scheitern verdammt war. Die unsägliche Geschichte mit Ray Gillan usw. Durch die häufigen Besetzungswechsel nach der Ozzy Zeit passiert fast auf jeder Seite was aufregend Neues und bleibt so durchgängig spannend. Nur die einzige Konstante bei Black Sabbath, Toni Iommi, wirkt etwas zurückhaltend in seinen Aussagen. Teilweise "nichtssagend". Was ihm aber ja auch nicht zu verübeln ist. Dafür nehmen die anderen ex-Mitglieder kein Blatt vor dem Mund. Interessant ist an den ausführlichen Rückblicken und Interviews, wie die einzelnen Beteiligten unterschiedliche Ansichten und Erinnerungen an ihre Zeit bei Black Sabbath haben. Vor allem der jetzt hoch geschätzte Dio kommt da nicht immer gut weg mit seiner Art. Zum Abschluß des Buches dann der Weg zur Re-Union in der Originalbesetzung und die auftretenden Probleme wegen der Ozzfest-Tour (mit Bill). Natürlich wird von jedem Album jeder Song ausführlich besprochen, die dazugehörigen Tourneen dargelegt und über die Setlists gesprochen. Was alles wegfiel an Songs (und bei welchen Sängern). Wirklich äußerst interessant für Fans! Außerdem gibt es wieder zahlreiche Fotos, Cover-Abbildungen, Konzertkarten und eine vollständige (Alben) Discography mit allen relevanten Infos. Sehr sympathisch ist Bill Ward, der ganz offen über seine (Alkohol) und die bandtechnischen Probleme spricht. Sein Unmut über alle Sänger, die nicht Ozzy hießen. Und seine Ausbootung. Nach dem Buch habe ich auch hier die alten Scheiben vorgezogen und mich neu verliebt. Scheiben wie z.B. TECHNICAL ECSTASY habe ich neu entdeckt und schätzen gerlernt. Zum Abschluß bleibt noch zu sagen, dass die Aussagen aller Bandmitglieder (eine neue Platte gibt es nur in Originalbesetzung - nur so funktioniert Black Sabbath und nur mit Bill Ward!!!) wohl wiedermal vom Geld getötet wurde! Arme Welt!
Genre: Hard Rock Book
Info: 256 Seiten
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CARVER - THE GREAT RIOT SCR Records
www.s-c-r.de
A real cool band from Stuttgart / Germany. They got some great feedback about their MASSIVE ATTACK "Teardrop" coverversion in the last weeks and now the complete record is on my desk. First, the artwork and packing of the CD is awesome! Made with a lot of love and looks very cool. 24 sided booklet. Awesome! THE GREAT RIOT start with YOU NEVER TRIED and after the first seconds you feel the high quality of the band and especially the singer. They play something modern. Alternative, MetalCore, Modern Metal, but sometimes with some Death Metal riffing and Hardcore power. But not too heavy, more commercial maybe....Sometimes a mix of actual IN FLAMES and STONE SOUR. Especially the singer Daniel Neuberger give that songs that extra punch with his great voice. A big plus are the great refrains, the awesome melodies (for example LONG IS THE ROAD) and the heavy and fat guitar riffs on the other side. And the above mentioned TEARDROP cover is really cool! Pelle Henricsson (Meshuggah, Refused, In Flames..) did the production and I have not to mention something about the sound...right? A big surprise from Germany. It is not my type of music - but the quality is very very high!
Genre: Modern Metal
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Info: 10 Songs
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GUNS OF MOROPOLIS - HEAVY METAL KILLED YOUR MAMA Alive / Brainstorm
www.moropolis.com
Their debut IN DYNAMITE WE TRUST got a huge following in Germany. From fans and the magazines. It was in my eyes a boring mix of Rock, Metal, Country and Punk. Some of the magazines saw some comparison to VOLBEAT and maybe that was the reason for the high interest in Guns of Moropolis. And the first "oh no" effect was the artwork and booklet. It is like a 1:1 copy of the latest Volbeat. Mh. But now it`s time for the second record and the direction for the future. The opener UN PROBLEMA is a big surprise. A mix of ACCEPT (strophe) and MANOWAR (refrain). A great Power Metal song. CIGARO FANTASTICO could be from the latest Volbeat record (same with CALL ME THE KING - but a real highlight on that record!). Same music, same vocal-style and same melodies. I think that mix didn`t work on the latest Volbeat record too (the debut and the 2nd Volbeat are still cool...). UNDER THE SUN is a cool track, JUDAS KISS too, and they are beside the Volbeat sound. Maybe they have the same influence. Maybe some fans from THE OTHER should check them out too (especially the Misfits like PRISONER OF WAR). But I personally listen to the original bands. HEAVY METAL KILLED YOUR MAMA is a better record as the debut and it will let them grow again!
Genre: Crossover
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Info: 12 Songs
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REPETITOR - DOBRODOSLI NA OKEAN Moonlee Records
www.moonleerecords.com
From the cool Slovenian label MOONLEE RECORDS we received a great record. First again an awesome and high-quality artwork, especially the fat booklet with a lot of pictures and drawings. REPETITOR play a great and interesting mix of heavy Rock`n`Roll, Post-Punk and Alternative or Garage Rock. Old Mudhoney, early Nirvana or Sonic Youth. Milena (drums), Boris (guitar, vocals) and ana-Marija (bass, vocals) with their second record Dobrodosli Na Okean (Welcome to the Ocean) with a lot of energy and love. STETA with the expression of Boris` vocals for example. I really can`t understand one word (all in their language), but the intensity is very high and every angry word will walk under your skin. And the words are not important, because the music will make no prisoners! Without any filler or unnecessary tune, the band will give you one hit after another. Check out the mighty first video from the song U PAVOM TRENUTKU. Awesome! A remarkable record! Support that 3 musicians and I hope I can see them on stage soon - I think this music was made for the live situation. And the exotic bonus maybe will help that band!
Genre: Garage Punk
Music: 8
Sound: 7
info: 9 Songs
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DECEMBER 2012
BLOOD OF THE SUN - Burning on the wings of desire
DEVILICIOUS - The esoteric Playground
TOMAHAWK - Oddfellows
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BLOOD OF THE SUN - BURNING ON THE WINGS OF DESIRE Listenable Records
www.myspace.com/bloodofthesun
Some of you will still love their old records and for me it is a big surprise, that BOTS are back! Maybe at the right time! Because the BOTS sound is very popular at the moment. Henry Vasquez (St. Vitus) is the founder and still chief in the band and so, on the last song GOOD AND EVIL (highlight) his friend WINO did the vocals and guest guitars. Another outstanding point: with ex-TED NUGENT singer Derek St. Holmes it is an excellent frontman on the first row! The band did a great mix of Stoner, Black Sabbath (Dio years), Led Zepplin, Mountain, Free and of course (especially about the mighty organ influence) Deep Purple. The opener LET IT ROLL is a mighty kicking ass song with excellent guitar melodies and great vocal lines. The following title track is full of 70s feeling and best guitar work from Burns on the whole album. No filler on that 38 minutes and a real pleasure to listen to the record full of CLASSIC ROCK elements, great catchy songs, excellent musicians and instrumental parts. Their old record are really good, but BURNING ON THE WINGS OF DESIRE is (with the debut) their best and freshest output so far. With a little fortune, they will make 10 steps forward in the music business with BOTWOD. And: what an awesome ARTWORK!!!
Genre: Classic Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Info: 8 Songs / 38 minutes
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DEVILICIOUS - THE ESOTERIC PLAYGROUND Eat Music
www.eat-music.net
www.devilicious.se
My buddies from DEVILICOUS are back with an good assumed debut album on our label. After great touring the band did the next step and signed on the new label Eat Music in Germany (also home of the mighty MUSTASCH). The production is awesome and heavy and the artwork and packing is huge. Like from a major band! Their sound is settled with that record. More straight, more powerful and with great songs. The guys from Gothenburg play their songs with a dip of Stoner Rock, a dip of Classic Rock and some Rock`n`Roll influences. And all that influences in a huge METAL jacket! Highlight in my eyes is the mighty HOLLYWOOD, an epic song with a great riff and huge vocal lines. The two opening songs are more the weaker songs in my eyes, but with song no. 3 the sound and songs get more interest. HERE COMES THE BLUES is a great song with Hard Rock elements. LOVE EXPLOSION features a fast Stoner Rock riff. 1776 and ROUTE 666 are my favourites on that record and anybody who loves great Rock songs with different influences (Stoner, Metal, Classic Rock) should check this record out! Especially the vocals from Mikael are very unique (a mix of Volbeat, Mustasch, Danzig...). Great second album - hope you can do the next step in the rock business!
Genre: Heavy Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Info: 43 minutes
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TOMAHAWK - ODDFELLOWS Ipecac / Soulfood
www.southernrecords.de
TOMAHAWK, the mighty supergroup around Mike Patton (Faith no More, Fantomas, Peeping Tom...), Duane Denison (Jesus Lizard), John Stanier (Helmet) and now Trevor Dunn (Fantomas, Mr. Bungle), is back with a new record. Release date will be 4th of February, but it is such a pleasure to listen to the new songs right now. Their self-titled record in 2001 was a killer with mighty songs. The following MIT GAS (2003) was excellent too and but the band on the top of the Rock business. ANONYMOUS in 2007, their last record so far, was a good one, but can`t hold the high standard of the other 2 records. And now, with ODDFELLOWS (recorded at Dan Auerbach`s Easy Eye studios in Nashville with Collin Dupuis) they are back with a cool, but not easy listening record. But nobody want an easy listening record from Tomahawk! Right? The opener and title track is a strange, spaced out songs, but the following STONE LETTER is a real hit! Great rock music with great vocal lines. I think I have not to mention, that the mighty Mike Patton thrones over all.WARATORIUM, WHITE HATS/BLACK HATS and THE QUIET FEW are the highlights in my eyes. The songs are a mix of some Rock elements, Jazz influences and mighty choruses from the master himself. Not as good as the debut or MIT GAS, but a great comeback! Open minded listeners will love that record, a record from awesome musicians and one of the best fronter ever! Get it!
Genre: Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Info: 13 Songs
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NOVEMBER 2012
JOHN LANCASTER - Crash Test in Progress
ALICE TAMBOURINE LOVER - Naked Songs
MUSTASCH - Sounds like Hell, Looks like Heaven
MUSTASCH - The new sound of the true best
DREDD - Original Film Soundtrack
MOTHERBRAIN - Cosmic F.U.C.K.
BASTARDO - Powerplant
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JOHN LANCASTER - Crash Test in Progress High Fidelion Recordings
www.johnlancaster.com
Some weeks ago you got the review from the debut solo record from ex-CHUM singer John Lancaster on our site and now, the new EP called CRASH TEST IN PROGRESS is ready for the masses! And it is still unbelievable for us, why this singer and his bands are not big! CHUM is still one of the best groove machines ever released a CD! And John is a mighty singer, but the big masses ignore him. Maybe the material is not straight enough for the masses....but who cares! After some guest musicians (Angstrom/Hermano and Dug Pinnick/KingsX for example) on PHANTOM MOON, John recorded the new EP with with his live band, featuring Josh Adkins from ABDULLAH, Mac Walker from CHUM and Barry Smith from Hybrid Zero. SAIGON MOMENT starts with a heavy riffing and a fast beat. Over all thrones the mighty vocals from John. ABOVE ALL THINGS could be from a CHUM demo and is a real hit. Slow, groovy and full of emotions! CATACOMB SATELLITE is full of atmosphere but groovy too! One highlight is LIKE CASTLES, a slow midtempo track with great melodies (especially the vocals) and an aweome groove. CHUM did a cover version of the Prince track DARLING NIKKI and I think on the song LIKE CASTLES you hear a huge PRINCE influence on the vocal and melody side. But heavier and powerful! THE RIOT ACT could be again from a CHUM record and is the highlight on the record. Awesome guitar riffs, huge drum and bass grooves and the mighty vocals from John make this song to a must have! CRASH TEST is the last song and remind me a little (especially the bass) on some Black Sabbath (War Pigs opening) and KingsX stuff. Another awesome track with huge vocals. So - support that band and give them a chance! One of the less highlights 2012!
Genre: Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Info: 6 Songs
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ALICE TAMBOURINE LOVER - Naked Songs Go Down Records
www.facebook.com/pages/Alice-Tambourine-Lover
Alice Tamourine Lover is a new band from Italy. Alice Albertazzi and Gianfranco Romanelli are ATL and play a kind of acoustic Blues Rock. Vocals + Slide guitar is the basement. Simple, but effectiv! It is hard to make a real statement about that record. Starting with the mighty ANGELS GONE, with a huge vocal line from Alice (ex- ALICE / Stoner Band from Italy) and huge guitar blues riffs in the veins of the WHITE STRIPES. Awesome! CANDY CARS is huge too, but without the strenght of the opener. And that is the huge minus on NAKED SONGS. The music is too limited and after 4-5 songs it sounds more boring. Maybe some more instruments would help to make NAKED SONGS to a monster. NAKED LADY starts with a great guitar again and Alice sounds more to the point, but the mighty effect from the opener is gone. If you put out only a single song, maybe you will get that "AHA" effect, but listening to the whole record is a little boring in my eyes. LET`S DESIRES COME with some extra Blues elements are good too, but not impressive. I will support the idea and I think they did a good job, but next time they have to bring more different elements into the music to make it more interest!
Genre: Blues Rock
Music: 6
Sound: 8
Info: 9 Songs
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MUSTASCH - Sounds like Hell, Looks like Heaven Eat Music
www.mustasch.net
www.eat-music.net
The are back! The Rock Kings from Sweden with a new record. Why they are not so big in Germany? That music is huge and made for the big masses and the band is so pleasant. And the music is still killer! After 2 outstanding killer records (LATEST VERSION OF THE TRUTH and MUSTASCH) on two high recommended labels (Regain Records and Nuclear Blast Records) the band is back in the underground. MUSTASCH (the last record) is still one of my favourite records with some of the best Rock songs ever! SLH,LLH can`t hold that extreme high level, but it is still an unique record. With the new drummer Jejo they went more back to the basic and straighter stuff. The opener SPEED METAL is a huge rocker with mighty vocal lines and a great riff. THE CHALLENGER sounds like some other great Mustasch stuff and you have to check the cool video to the song! First real highlight is NEVER TOO LATE, which will be a killer live. It starts with great melodic vocals from Ralf and turns into a typical, bombing Mustasch groover! Killer! COLD HEART MOTHER SON with some MEGADETH riff (I hope it is a homage to the band!) and DEAD AGAIN with some Sad But True (Metallica) riffing will follow and are real highlights in the career of the band. MORNING STAR (with a cool Rock riff) and I DON`T HATE YOU is a simple, but effective, rocker and could be the door-opener for some Classic Rock fans. Produced by Ralf Gyllenhammar themself and mixxed by Stefan Glaumann (Rammstein, Paradise Lost) - so expect the maximum! So - they are back with a (too) short record, but again high quality! Not as good as the MUSTASCH record, but still over the top! Support that band!
Genre. Rock
Music. 9
Sound. 9
Info. 10 Songs / 35 minutes
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MUSTASCH - THE NEW SOUND OF THE TRUE BEST Eat Music
www.mustasch.net
www.eat-music.net
This is a record, which got released together with their new output SOUNDS LIKE HELL, LOOKS LIKE HEAVEN and they recorded their biggest hits again for that "best of" compilation. The opener ANGEL`S SHARE is a new song and only available on that compilation. A good Mustasch rocker - sounds more commercial as the other stuff. But not bad. The other 12 songs are party different to the "real" versions. If you like the old Mustasch stuff, you should check that CD first at your record dealer (yeah - not in the internet!) if you need the new versions or not. Some songs are more dirty as the old versions, some songs can`t hold the energy of the original recording. All in all a must have for fans and collectors. If you don´t know the band - check this compilation out and you will get the pure power of the band. Here is the tracklist: Angel`s Share / Parasite / Dogwash / Mine / Homophobic Alcoholic / Double Nature / I hunt Alone / I`m Frustrated / Bring me everyone / Black City / Down in Black / Monday Warrior / 6:36
Genre: Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 8
Info: 13 songs
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DREDD - ORIGINAL FILM SOUNDTRACK Metropolis Music Movie
www. dreddthemovie.com
This soundtrack is a mix of NINE INCH NAILS post-industrial and some old school theatrical background music. Paul Leonard-Morgan composed and produced that soundtrack. Some songs from the music are missing on that soundtrack, in fact that Paul Leonard-Morgan hasn`t written that songs. That is sad, but the soundtrack is very good and it is interesting to listen to the music. It is one of the best soundtracks of the last time. A lot of atmosphere got transformed into your ears.
Music. Industrial
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MOTHERBRAIN - Cosmic F.U.C.K. Coca Cool
www.motherbrainrocks.de
A Rock band from Berlin, Germany. MOTHERBRAIN is the new band from Daniel (some will know him from Spaceship Landing, a cool Stoner band from Germany). The record got recorded at their own rehearsal room, but the mixing of the album got done in L.A. by the legendary Grammy Award winner Brain Gardner (QOTSA, Blink 182). The opener SHOTGUN DIARY is a cool rocker, but the following BETA and especially PENETRATION POETRY are really cool. Groovy drums and cool, midtempo riffing lead through that songs. The vocals from Martin are sometimes a little strange and maybe some other melody-lines fit better at some parts....but they rock! TOWARDS THE SUN WE RIDE is the highlight on that record with some dirty Rock`n`Roll influences and a cool Stoner Rock riffing. MOSCOW CHICK features some MC5, THE HIVES, SWEATMASTER and older MOTÖRHEAD stuff (and is another cool rocker! With a good support from the label, especially MOSCOW CHICK could get a real hit in the underground! The middle of the record is the best part of COSMIC F.U.C.K. SWEAT ON STAGE and HAL2012 are only some intros / soundscapes and the title track close that record. Not everything is gold on COSMIC F.U.C.K. But a good debut. If they can survive in the business will be the question after their next album.
Genre: Rock
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Info: 10 Songs
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BASTARDO - POWERPLANT
www.bastardorock.com
BASTARDO is a name that really fits! BASTARDO from Germany are dirty, full of mudd and dirt. I follow that band since their beginning, but with POWERPLANT they released their masterpiece. The record is full of energy and (of course) nothing new music. But played with such a power and fun, that you will press the repeat button after the last song COFFIN KING. It is one of the best releases in the last time from Germany! TRAITORS start with a mighty QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE like riffing with their legendary tunes/rhythm and the song is a real hit! Full power, a lot of energy and mighty vocals. A lot of straight forward Stoner Rock, some classic Rock elements and a drive ala MOTORHEAD, but all filled with great melodies and dirty vocals. The songs are sometimes slow. THE PACK could be from an actual DANZIG output. CARDINAL SINS is a highlight and ECLIPTIC is pure Doom Metal and turns into a mighty groove riff. And the fast COFFIN KING close that impressive record. This is a must have for Stoner fans (old school), Rock fans and for Southern stuff fans like DOWN, COC or Crowbar too! A monster!
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 9 Songs
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Zumeist geht es eher gemächlich, mitunter auch regelrecht doomig zu, der Druck, den die Tracks dabei ausüben, ist jedoch immerzu gewaltig. Darüber hinaus können die Burschen aber auch eher "zurückhaltend" aufgeigen. Das passiert zwar nur gelegentlich, dafür aber geht es dabei umso intensiver zu. Doch nicht nur musikalisch zeigt man sich abwechslungsreich. Auch was den Gesang betrifft, kann von Monotonie keine Rede sein. Das Spektrum reicht von MOTÖRHEAD-Referenzen hin zu einigen Passagen, in denen man dem jungen DANZIG sehr nahe kommt. Doch auch hier gilt, dass BASTARDO mit viel Gefühl an die Arbeit gehen.
Ein überaus sattes Werk also, von dem man annehmen kann, dass es das letzte für diese Band sein wird, das in Eigenregie unters Volk zu bringen versucht wird.
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October 2012
THREE CHORD SOCIETY - Days of Grace
MISS LAVA - Red Supergiant
LECHEROUS GAZE - On the Skids
THE DOORS - Live at the Bowl `68
UFOMAMMUT - Oro
GYPSY CHIEF GOLIATH - It`s a walk in the mist
POLAR BEAR CLUB - Live at the montage
RE-MACHINED - A Tribute to Deep Purple`s Machine Head
GARY MOORE - Blues for Jimi
SPIDERS - Flash Point
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THREE CHORD SOCIETY - Days of Grace 141 Records
www.141records.de
www.threechordsociety.de
I haven`t heard the debut album from the northern German Punk Rock band THREE CHORD SOCIETY so far and so I can`t make any comparison about their earlier sound. DAYS OF GRACE played so far as support for AGAINST ME! and ZEBRAHEAD and some single shows with bands like Alkaline Trio and Donots. So - maybe you like the single INTO THE WILD, a good Punk Rocker with some power for the bigger masses. Good melodies, good hooklines blablabla....you know what I mean. Not my cup of tea!
Genre: Punk Rock
Music: 6
Sound: 8
Info: 13 Songs
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MISS LAVA - Red Supergiant Raging Planet
www.ragingplanet.pt
www.misslava.com
Some of you maybe know MISS LAVA. The Stoner Rockers from Lisbon/Portugal. BLUES FOR THE DANGEROUS MILES was a great debut 2 years ago and if you know or like the debut, you will love RED SUPERGIANT. They still play a straight up groovy sound with some great riffs and cool vocals. Only the production of the record is better (clearer and heavier) as on the debut (mastered by Matt Hyde!!!). You will find eleven songs full of power and heavy riffs. Every song is full of energy (especially RIDE - what a groove!) and the opener DESERT MIND. METAL NEO and HOLE TO CHINA have great vocal lines and the guitars did a great job (something between Kyuss, Monster Magnet and Clutch). This is nothing new, but filled with great riffs and songs. Songs - that is important today - are straight to the point and you will really find no filleron that record. If you like Rock Music (simple ala Nightstalker, Monster Magnet for example) with a lot of power and energy, check out RIDE and LAY DOWN and support that band.
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 11 Songs
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LECHEROUS GAZE - On the skids Tee Pee Records
www.teepeerecords.com
Party Rock from Oakland. California is a melting point for great bands in the past and present. LECHEROUS GAZE is a new band and their debut on the legendary TEE PEE RECORDS got some great reviews. I really can`t understand that, because the music is simple (and 1000 times heard) Rock`n`Roll with (of course) cool 70`s inspired fuzz riffs and a good groove machine. The great cover art by Tim Lehi (Saint Vitus, High on Fire) is really awesome and remind me on some old Crossover stuff from the past (Crumbsucker for example). The music is really good (nothing new, but good!), but with the vocals I have some problems. The vocals from Zaryan Zaidi are really terrible. I really like aggressive and rough vocals, but they are most of the time out of tune and sounding strange. And have no feeling and no great hooklines. With a better vocalist it would be a killer release. Harsh and heavy, Punk and Rock, Whiskey and dust....try it by yourself.
Genre: Rock
Music: 6
Sound: 7
Info: 11 Songs
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THE DOORS - Live at the Bowl `68 Eagle Vision
www.eagle-records.com
On the 5th of July 1968, THE DOORS took to the stage of the Hollywood Bowl for a concert that has since passed into legend. Their 3rd album WAITING FOR THE SUN was just released (with the US No. 1 single HELLO, I LOVE YOU) and after 2 years of touring they were in absolute peak form. Now for the first time the original film footage has been digitally scanned and restored. The sound was newly remixed and mastered from the original tapes by The Doors engineer and co-producer Bruce Botnick. Everywhere you can read, that the show at the Bowl was the best performance of the band ever. And the restored version (in huge 5.1. sound) include the lost performance of HELLO, I LOVE YOU, SPANISH CARAVAN and BIG BEAT. The film opens with a special features of interviews with the band before the show and turns into the song WHEN THE MUSIC`S OVER. The concert features 20 songs and all highlights from band. And you can find over 60 minutes of bonus material. Some rememberances on legendary show plus 3 more live-songs. WILD CHILD from the `68 Smother-Brothers-Show, LIGHT MY FIRE from the Jonathan-Winter Show and a new version from Van Morrisons GLORIA. For fans a must have!
Genre: Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 135 minutes
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UFOMAMMUT - ORO (OPUS ALTER) Neurot Recordings / Cargo
www,ufomammut.com
The leading italian DOOM / DRONE band UFOMAMMUT is back with a new album on the mighty Neurot Records. OPUS ALTER is the second part of ORO, the first got released in April under the name OPUS PRIMUM. Should we talk about the band? No - they still create some of the heaviest, most hypnotic and heavy weight psychedelic riffs in the genre! The wall of sound is unbelievable and the album could be a soundtrack from an old Science Fiction movie! And the music sound more direct as the stuff on OPUS PRIMUM. OROBORUS start with a great outer space intro and turns into a mighty riff battalion! This song features a great riff and a mighty heavy sludge riff. Awesome opening song! LUXON is my personal highlight with a mighty riff before SULPHUREDEW is again a little more psychedelic. SUBLIME and the mighty DEITYRANT close that best record from UFOMAMMUT so far! The two ORO recordings are right now on the top of the genre and fans from BARONESS, SONS OF OTIS, NEUROSIS should check this out too! HYPNOTIC and IMPRESSIVE!
Genre: Doom
Music. 8
Sound: 8
Info: 5 Songs / 43 Minutes
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GYPSY CHIEF GOLIATH - IT`S A WALK IN THE MIST Black Vulture Records
www.black-vulture-records.tk
Canada. GYPSY CHIEF GOLIATH is a big surprise with a great record between CLUTCH and DOWN. Southern Stoner Rock for all fans of the before mentioned band. The musicians are really great and with the mighty vocals from Al Bones (at the best moments like an slow Phil Anselmo) and of course (what is not normal today) the awesome songwriting. I talk about real songs with heart and soul! The opener BLACK SUMARAI (one of the highlights in the whole Southern Metal genre!!) features all a good song needed! Awesome vocal lines, great guitar riffs, some experiments (harmonica solo) and a real hit into your face. Great! THE RETURN follow that great opener with a slow and heavy groover. And again the vocals are outstanding. This opening double is better as the stuff from ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY and SIXTY WATT SHAMAN! The heaviest track on IT`S A WALK IN THE MIST is the title DREAMING IN COLOUR, which is especially on the vocal-side very close to the mighty DOWN. ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM features again darker vocals and some excellent harmonica melodies. CHAPTER FIRE and OUT OF CONTROL are the fastest tracks on the album and remind me on some MIGHTY NIMBUS songs. Very cool and important between that muddy slow Southern stuff. COURSE OF TIME and LISTEN TO STATIC can`t hold that high standard and do not really fit on that record before the last song, the 70`s THIN LIZZY influenced SAINT COVENS TAVERN close that record with another blast. So - if you like good hand-made music with soul and fire - check this band out! I only hope that the CDs have a better packing/booklet as the version I own....
Genre: Southern Metal
Music: 8
Sound: 7
Info: 12 songs
Jochen
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POLAR BEAR CLUB - LIVE AT THE MONTAGE Bridge 9 / Soulfood
www.facebook.com/polarbearclub
Do the world need acoustic live records? Sometimes, maybe not from Polar Bear Club. Maybe - the fans have to check it first. The music is very authentic and the songs (only guitar and the great voice from Jimmy Stadt) have great moments. But I think not every Rock band need their songs in an acoustic version. But LIVE AT THE MONTAGE, with a running time of 38 minutes, is not boring. It is fun to listen to the songs and the great conversation between the songs. You will get songs from every (!) release and in my eyes the highlight is the cover version from THE WEAKERTHANS. Of course - the band picked their best songs on this CD and so every track is a "hit", but as I said before...the Hardcore/Punk fans of the fans should check it out first - I think the girls will like it more as the "heavy" guys..
Genre: Rock
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Info: 9 songs / 40 minutes
Jochen
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RE-MACHINED : A TRIBUTE TO DEEP PURPLE`S MACHINE HEAD Eagle Records
www.eagle-rock.com
Do the world need tribute records? Sometimes, maybe not from every band, but DEEP PURPLE`s MACHINE HEAD was and still is an important record. So - sometimes the fans need a tribute record. What does make this tribute special? METALLICA! IRON MAIDEN! It is not typical that the 2 leading big Metal bands play a song for an tribute record. And that show the status of MACHINE HEAD. The biggest hit on the album (SMOKE ON THE WATER) was done twice. One version from CARLOS SANTANA with JACOBY SHADDIX (great version) and from the alternative rocker FLAMING LIPS. HIGHWAY STAR done by the supergroup CHICKENFOOT and PICTURES OF HOME by the mighty BLACK LABEL SOCIETY. NEVER BEFORE by KINGS OF CHAOS (featuring Joe Elliott, Steve Stevens, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum) and LAZY by Jimmy Barnes with Joe Bonamassa. MAYBE I`M A LEO is intersting with the voice from GLENN HUGHES and the power of CHAD SMITH. Highlight will be for all Metal fans SPACE TRUCKIN` from IRON MAIDEN in a great version. And of course WHEN A BLIND MAN CRIES from METALLICA (that song was not on Machine Head, but recorded at the same session and on the B-side of the song NEVER BEFORE). So - more quality possible? I don`t think so! This tribute is really a must have for every Deep Purple fan and for every Rock / Meatl fan too! Get it!
Genre: Hard Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Info: 9 songs
Jochen
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GARY MOORE - BLUES FOR JIMI Eagle Records
www.eagle-rocks.com
BLUES FOR JIMI was recorded October 2007 at London. With his live-band Dave Bronze (Bass) and Darrin Mooney (drums) they did some of the most important Jimmy Hendrix classics in London. And: on 3 songs the original Jimi Hendrix Experience members Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox joined the band on RED HOUSE (in an 11:30 minutes version!), STONE FREE and of course HEY JOE! What a blast! The songs fit perfect to the style and vocals of Gary. Especially the opening double PURPLE HAZE and MANIC DEPRESSION are awesome - this could be songs from Gary Moore! Because no other guitar player could reach the horizon of Hendrix! Gary does! And both are dead - what a shame! Unbelieveable what Gary Moore did with his guitar! But all other songs from that evening (FOXY LADY, THE WIND CRIES MARY, I DON`T LIVE TODAY, MY ANGEL, ANGEL, FIRE, VOODOO CHILD - over 10 minute version) are awesome it is unique to listen to that recording. Thank you for that. The booklet of the CD is great and features some liner-notes from James McNair. Another must have this month for all Rock fans young and old! Rest in Peace mighty Gary!
Genre: Hard Rock
Music: 10
Sound: 9
Info: 12 songs / over 70 minutes
Jochen
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SPIDERS - FLASH POINT Crusher Records
www.crusherrecords.com
www.wearespiders.com
uhuhuh...is this the next big bang? SPIDERS from Sweden did a fresh and impressing Retro Rock album and after the great single WEEKEND NIGHTS here is the debut record. The single is the opener of the record and HANG MAN remind me a little on MOTÖRHEAD (especially the guitars!). The band got influenced from the 60s and 70s area with bands like LED ZEPPELIN and JEFERSON AIRPLANE, but with a lot of energy and a rough sound they try to get some fans. Highlight in my eyes is the song RULES OF THE GAME and the cool HARD TO KEEP TRUE. OK - what is different or unique to all the other Retro-Rock releases? And believe me: there are too many in the last month! One big point are the female vocals from Ann-Sofie, which sounds great (but I think not all will love that type of vocals). The artwork is one of the best in this year so far. The sound of the record is rough and authentic! The bluesy elements in tracks like LOSS AND TROUBLE or HARD TO KEEP TRUE. And the great solo guitar in some songs. But we will see with the next release from SPIDERS if they can top that record. So far very good - but maybe they are one band too much in that huge Retro Rock soup.....
Genre: Retro Rock
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Info: 9 songs / 30 minutes
Jochen
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SUMMER 2o12
SLIPKNOT - (Sic)nesses Live at Download
SCOTT KELLY AND THE ROAD HOME - The forgiven ghost in me
JOHN LANCASTER - Phantom Moon
LORD FOWL - Moon Queen
SIMEON SOUL CHARGER - Harmony Square
THE HOWL - Loose ends
SWITCHBLADE - same
NIGHTSTALKER - Dead Rock Commandos
MARROK - DAYS OF MERCURY
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SLIPKNOT - (SIC)NESSES LIVE AT DOWNLOAD Eagle Vision
www.slipknot.com
Like they did know this gig was originally filmed in HD with 30 cameras back in 2009. In 2010 a double DVD was released via Roadrunner, now it appears once more as a Bluray with remasterd audio and of course HD picture.
The Download gig for itself bursts from sheer power, the crowd gives it all (80.000 in numbers, including nude girls, who have all been „censored“ in their pirvate parts) the band is giving the fuel for the fire. SLIPKNOT themself consider the gig as one of their best, after watching the disc you know why. The new DTS Master Audio tracks (mixed by Colin Richardson) leaves no space for criticism. It's roomfilling with the main parts happening in the front. The original PCM Stereo track is also included.
Since I have never seen the original DVD release, I just asume that the picture is way crispier and sharper, only fast camera moves seem a bit blury at times.
The show for itself delivers it all, all the hits are included (Wait And Bleed, People=Shit, Spit It Out, etc.) The show is set in nice lightning work, elevating percussions (including the moving drumriser), everything a fan wants. At the end of the show KYUSS gets a little homage.
As a bonus the movie Audible Visions Of (Sic)Nesses as well as three video clips can be found (not in HD but what the hell). The movie consists mainly of camcorder shots, behind the stage, during dinner, and inside look so to say. The passing of Paul Grey (bass) leaves no negative or sentimental side effects.
Even if you already have it, thanks to the presentation another purchase is highly recommended.
GENRE: METAL
MUSIC: 8
SOUND: 9
INFO: Gig 87 min Film 45 min + 3 Video Clips
Thomas Schubert
thomas@daredevilrecords.de
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SCOTT KELLY AND THE ROAD HOME - THE FORGIVEN GHOST IN ME MY PROUD MOUNTAIN/CARGO
www.facebook.com/ScottKelly.offical
This is the third singer/songwriter output of Scott Kelly (best known for his work in NEUROSIS guitar/vocals). Along to his newest Dark Country trip Noah Landis and Greg Dale have been taken along for the ride. Like it seems not to far stretched all the eight songs come along pretty dark and gloomy. A Spirit Redeemed In The Sun has something of the late CASH, the title track blends with a low voice, happiness is something that isn't celebrated here. Even some NEUROSIS can be felt through in these acoustic journey. Within It Blood and especially The Field That Surrounds me with its minor silent percussion and eerie sounds in the background have that feeling of his main field of activity. Personally I found a little bit of PINK FLOYD in the final We Burn Through The Night (Wish You.. for that matter), nice.
If you dug the two predecessors you can get this one for sure.
What can I say about the production, well boys and girls in the acoustic world there are now explosions happening.
GENRE: Dark Songwriting From Within
MUSIC:8
SOUND: 8
INFO: 8 Songs 42 min
Thomas Schubert
thomas@daredevilrecords.de
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JOHN LANCASTER - PHANTOM MOON High Fidelio Recordsings
This is the debut solo album from one of my favourite singers! Still one of the best singers in the Rock scene. John Lancaster from the mighty (and you all have to know : CHUM / Century Media). The guitarist/vocalist did most of the songs, but he got great help from Josh Adkins (Abdullah), Dave Angstrom (Hermano), Dug Pinnick (King's X) and otherg great musicians from the Huntington (USA) area too! And it is a softer version of the CHUM material, but with the same unique vocals, the same great feeling for groove and huge arrangements. You will find 14 songs, 12 full outstanding Rock songs plus 2 short instrumental songs. Highlights are in my eyes the great rocking opener THIS FIRE HAS JUST BEGUN with great CHUM like vocals lines, awesome riffing and a great bass guitar rhythm. And of course WHEN SHADOWS GROW TEETH with Dug Pinnick on vocals. But John did some experiments too, for example the great Space Rock (with some synth) track A BURNING FAREWELL TO US ALL. THE IMPERSONATOR, a straight forward rocking song with some comparison to Stone Temple Pilots in some parts. On MILLIONS you can find cool vocals form Dave Angstrom and FOREVER THE ALARMIST is like some 90s Hard Rock song. So - a great solo debut from one of the best ROCK SINGERS IN THE WORLD, now I wait for a new CHUM record (I hope it will happen!). Support John, buy that record and dive into his great music! A must have for Rock fans around the world!
Genre: Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 8
Info: 14 Songs
Jochen
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LORD FOWL - MOON QUEEN Small Stone Records
LORD FOWL, another excellent Retro/Stoner Rock band on the mighty Small Stone label, are here to conquer the world! This summer is really excellent, especially because I got the CD from that band from New Haven, USA. Great guitar riffs, great song writing, great vocals, cool twin guitars and they created huge songs. Every song is a hit! Especially the vocals sound like a young Gene Simmons (Kiss) from time to time in my eyes. The two singer, Vechel and mike did an real excellent job on that record. The opener MOONQUEEN is one of the most outstanding and rocking song in 2012! What a great song. The following TOUCH YOUR GROOVE (as the title says) is slower, with great guitar licks and again the cool vocals. Sounding like a song from the early 70s, but with more power! The cool MUTATE, which is awesome and the rocking STREETS OF EVERMORE with a great opening. And the song THE QUEEN IS NOT IMPRESSED, which could get a song for the mainstream - a song for the masses. Because they mix in their music some Metal riffs and some Psychedelic elements and so they do not sound like the other standard stuff. Especially the last song on the record, PLUTO, is a real great Psychedelic Rock song. At the moment a lot of bands try to get this 70s touch for their music, but all that so called "Retro" bands have not the class and feeling for good music like LORD FOWL. An excellent record from start to finish. Maybe the best Small Stone release since years!
Genre: Hard Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Info: 12 Songs
Jochen
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Big, bold, brash, brassy and balls out Lord Fowl bring 70’s influenced rock kicking and screaming into the 21st century. They have an uncanny knack of mixing up the sheer crushing weight of Black Sabbath with the pop suss and song writing skills, not to mention huge hooks and choruses of Montrose and Kiss and throw in a touch of Thin Lizzy’s twin axe attack to create a sound that is utterly irresistible. From the opening hookfest that is the title track, through the mighty grooves of “Touch Your Groove” and the boogie blast of “Split” to the monolithic grind of “Mutate” and the Judas Priest rush of “Streets Of Evermore” and on to the majestic and totally addictive glam bubblegum stomp of “The Queen Is Not Impressed” the potential hits just keep on coming like a porn star working overtime hours. The latter should be issued as a single forthwith with a killer video to match. This is one of the catchiest songs I’ve heard this year…and in many recent years…hell, this is a hard rock classic just nestling here waiting to be found like a coiled viper!!!
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SIMEON SOUL CHARGER - HARMONY SQUARE Gentle Art of Music
15 new outputs on HARMONY SQUARE from one of the freshest newcomer in Europe. SIMEON SOUL CHARGER released after one CD and 3 EPs their new and so far most professional and most impressive record in September. The 4 american guys (they live right now in Germany) found the right mix of old Retro Rock (Led Zeppelin, The Beatles) and modern stuff (Wolfmother) and put that together in their own sound. But on the new record, 2 new influences are new in their sound. The mighty QUEEN and RUSH. It is hard to describe their sound with all the progressive elements and great melodies, but I haven`t heard a record for a while which sound so fresh and raw, sounding like the old stuff. Some flute and percussion stuff features in the songs and makes it unique. Starting silent with OVERTURE; the song turns into a QUEEN like guitar harmony and at the end you will get some hard rocking riff. BABYLON GROVE is very different. More folk influences, more dark without any hard guitars. Every song sound different and make that record interesting for month! MISS DONCE is a classic Progressive Rock song in the veins of RUSH (same with the following DORIS - one of the highlights on that record). If you like Progressive Rock - this is a must have!
Genre: Progressive Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 8
Info: 15 Songs
Jochen
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THE HOWL - LOOSE ENDS Inverse Records
I follow the trio THE HOWL from Finland since years and their debut SKINS OF OUR BACK was a great output (I like their Demo a lot), a mix of Motorhead, Entombed and Rock`n`Roll. But with LOOSE ENDS they did some steps forward and are on the international standard right now! Starting with the killer LOOSE ENDS, something that would fit perfect on WOLVERINE BLUES from ENTOMBED, a track with excellent roaring vocals, pumping bass, groove drumming and great shredding guitars (and such a great guitar riff/melody). ROT`N`ROLL was the genre that was founded some years ago from bands like FURBOWL, ENTOMBED (of course) and CRACK UP. And THE HOWL do it perfect, perfect with a lot of power, freshness and straight forward simple riffing. After the mighty title track, AMBULANCE will give you pure Swedish-like Death Metal and the mighty THE BITTER END OF SOCIALISM with slow and fast parts will screw your brain off. WITH ANGER features a great rock`n`roll riffing after the chorus (and it fits perfect between the fast Death Metal parts in it). LONG HANDLE close that CD with a slow crusher and at that moment you are addicted. This band is really cool and should find a lot of fans out there. I really hope that, because THE HOWL will fit perfect to all kinds of Death Metal and I think on stage they will blow away 80% of the well know bands with that ear-crushing material. If you are into Death Metal - get it!
Genre: Death Metal
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 13 Songs
Jochen
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SWITCHBLADE - s/t Denovali Records
This is the long awaited album from SWITCHBLADE (their 6th record) and after 3 years here it is. 3 Songs in 40 minutes and the two-headed beast got great help from PER WILBERG (ex-OPETH, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS, CLUTCH, CANDLEMASS) on Hammond organ and THE CUCKOO (TERRA TENEBROSA), DAVID JOHANSSON (KONGH, THE ETERNAL VOID) and LORD SETH (old KATATONIA) on vocals. You will find 3 momumental songs (named MOVEMENT I-III) in the veins of old BLACK SABBATH, classic DOOM METAL stuff in combination with Sludge. Especially the dark vocals give that record a mystic touch. You will get clean, more depressive vocals (which remind me sometimes on Mr. Warrior / Celtic Frost / Triptykon) and screamed Black Metal like stuff (for example at MOVEMENT II) too. This is depressive, this is not for happy people. The music is full of different dynamics and emotional up and downs. The album will be out on digipack CD and Vinyl (2 different vinyl colours) and every music lover with a great taste should support that band. Fans from KHANATE, NEUROSIS, SUNN o))), old BLACK SABBATH or HELLHAMMER should check it out!
Genre: DOOM / SLUDGE
Music: 8
Sound: 7
Info: 3 Songs / 40 minutes
Jochen
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NIGHTSTALKER - DEAD ROCK COMMANDOS Small Stone Records
I`m still a big fan of their MeteorCity output SUPERFREAK, a Stoner Rock record with great songs and it is very sad, that this band did not make the big step forward. From Meteor City to the other leading american label, Small Stone Records. It is a sigh for quality! Nightstalker is a band from Greece! So it is not normal to get two of the most important Stoner labels for the outputs! First I was surprised about that mighty heavy production. Killer! But to say it at the beginning - the material can`t hold the high standard of Superfreak. Why? Sometimes the right chorus melody or stuff like that is missing. It is not a good idea, to repeat single words again and again. The final idea for example to make the songs outstanding. Sometimes it is only boring after some minutes. Sorry for that. Do not understand me wrong, the output is great, but I expected more! Nightstalker play again a doomy version of Monster Magnet (especially the vocals are very very close to Dave) and the songs of course too! Especially the acoustic guitars (a try to make the songs more interesting in my eyes) have a huge comparison to Monster Magnet. But it is a great Stoner Rock record and every Stoner Rock (or maybe Rock fan too) should buy that record, because it sounds fresh and powerful. Listen to SOMA (killer riff), DEAD ROCK COMMANDOS and BACK TO DIRT - they kick ass. Maybe next time again with more hit-singles on the album. All the best and good luck NIGHTSTALKER !
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Info: 10 Songs / 40 minutes
Jochen
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MARROK - DAYS OF MERCURY Brainstorm Music / Rough Trade
From Austria comes MARROK, a so called NEW METAL act with some great feedback in their country. MARROK is nominated for "Best Hard & Heavy" act at the Austrian Music Award and yeah...they can find a lot of listeners. If you like PAPA ROACH or LINKIN PARK, this is a fresh new sound and band for you with some (for that genre) good ideas. The band included some piano and percussion stuff in their sound and especially the singer is international standard! But in my ears it is very hard to listen to that kind of music. So - if you like the mentioned bands - get it! All others - forget that name!
Genre: New Metal
Music. -
Sound: 8
Info: 11 songs / 43 minutes
Jochen
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JULY 2012
SONS OF OTIS - Seismic
VELVET REVOLVER - Live at Housten Blu-Ray
EMANUAL AND THE FEAR - The Janus Mirror
THE BLACK ATLANTIC - Darkling, I listen
DREADNOUGHT - Measure of Man
VELVET REVOLVER - Let it roll - live in Germany DVD
GREENLEAF - Nest of Vipers
OZZY OSBOURNE - Speak of the devil DVD
THE SHRINE - Whistlings of Death
MANGOO - Neverland
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SONS OF OTIS - Seismic Small Stone Records
SONS OF OTIS are still alive! Since more than 18 years man! And they still play their sound since all that years and they were one of the founders of the (right now) so popular Doom/Drone scene. And still no other band sounds like SONS OF OTIS! Nobody! Doom, Drone, Psychedelic, Blues, Stoner. The mix is unique and with the dark vocals from Ken Baluke it is awesome. Sounding like something from outer space! Cosmic Doom Metal as hell! SEISIMIC is in my eyes the best record from SONS OF OTIS so far. It is full of heavy riffs and great song fragments. Between all the heaviness and their best riffs you will still find some moments to rest with some psychedelic parts. Especially the cover-version from MOUNTAINS "Never in my Life" is a real killer. FAR FROM FINE is a killer with a mighty riff and LESSONS features some excellent blues elements. ALONE is full of DOOM METAL from outer space and the last song COSMIC JAM should tell you enough with the title. Only the song PK is a little to long (for an instrumental)...but maybe not - maybe it is exactly what it should be. Cosmic Fuzz Doom Metal - a masterpiece in that genre!
Genre: Cosmic Doom
Music: 9
Sound: 8
Info: 7 songs / 52 minutes
Jochen
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VELVET REVOLVER - LIVE IN HOUSTON EAGLE VISION
www.eagle-rock.com
At the date of the original release I did wonder why it came out since their singer already did depart the band. Now seven years later (first time of appearance 2005) it pops up again. This time the whole ROCKPALAST gig from 2008 (Cologne, Germany) comes along, but be warned HD freaks not in that format, but in standard DVD quality. The already released Houston gig is a definite improvement compard to the original DVD output. Like thinking a bit about the future it was originally already filmed in HD. Regarding the „live feeling“ the WDR filming is preferable, comes along way more authentic. The Houston gig sounds at times a bit „overdubbed“.
The VH 1 intercuts in the US gig are not too bad, the nazi outfit girl is still confusing.
As a bonus some South American live footage is added (like always in this region, insane crowd reactions), the quality is a bit substandard. Also included some interview segments during the Libertad recording session in which they do praise their team spirit, short after that, well you know what.
The stetlist for itself is goregous. GUNS'N'ROSES standards as well as some STONE TEMPLE PILOTS classics do some uplifting.
The DTS-HD MASTER AUDIO sound is not too much of an improvement of the first laid down DTS track, but ok (LPCM STEREO also can be found).
If you already have the DVD and you like it way sharper go ahead.
GENRE: ROCK
MUSIC: 9
SOUND: 8
INFO: 164 min, Houston show78 min
Thomas Schubert
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EMANUEL AND THE FEAR - THE JANUS MIRROR Haldern Pop
The new output from that 6 piece band from Brooklyn NYC! Which genre? Can`t say...some Indie and some Pop and some Rock....brilliant music. The opening THE JANUS MIRROR remind me on some PJ HARVEJ stuff. Frontman Emanuel Ayvas put some musicians around, which have played in bands like From Autumn to Ashes or The National and I think every music lover should check this CD out. Outstanding music from an unique band!
Genre: Indiepop (maybe)
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Info: 8 Songs
Jochen
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THE BLACK ATLANTIC - DARKLING, I LISTEN BeepBeep Records / Haldern Pop
From Netherlands. Dark Atmosphere; some melancholic stuff; a lot of acoustic sounds mixed with some not "easy listening" stuff. And all in combination with the great lyrics from band boss Van der Velde. Music for the cold winter times. Some will know the band I AM OAK; I find some comparison in their atmosphere and sound. All songs (THE AFTERMATH / THE FLOODED ROAD / DARKLING, I LISTEN / AN ARCHER, A DANCER and QUIET, HUMBLE MAN) are on the same high level. Indie fans should check this band out! A secret tip in the music business!
Genre: Psychedelic Pop
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Info: 5 Song
Jochen
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DREADNOUGHT - MEASURE OF MAN Rough Trade
DREADNOUGHT from Germany are around since 2000 and first I was impressed about that great packing and artwork. Very professinal with all lyrics and great graphic stuff. But after the first minutes I know that they can`t hold that visual standard with their music. It is a mix of Machine Head, Soulfly, Ektomorf and Korn. Sometimes with clear vocals, most of the time with terrible dark vocals. The main problem of Dreadnought is, that the songs have no class. The riffs and the vocal lines are boring and after listening to the whole CD, no song is in my mind. Because you will get all this better from the above mentioned band. There is no highlight that I can mention for you. Maybe some of you will say that this CD is not so bad and yeah..maybe you are right. It is output, which will find some fans. But it is a long way to the top (national) and some of the important music puzzles in their sound is missing. And after such a long time, I think a band should find their way to write good music.
Genre: Nu Metal
Sound: 7
Music: 5
Info: 10 songs / 50 minutes
Jochen
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VELVET REVOLVER - LET IT ROLL / LIVE IN GERMANY DVD Eagle Vision
This concert was filmed in 2008, short before the split of the band, at the mighty German music show ROCKPALAST. It is the tour of their second record LIBERTAD and the band is really professional and without any anger or something like that. The 18 songs are a good mix of all their hits and well-known songs and contains some of the important Guns`n`Roses and Stone Temple Pilots songs. I personally think, that the songs from their debut were stronger, but on this liveshow the "newer" tracks like JUST SIXTEEN or GET OUT THE DOOR fit perfect to the other songs. And of course the two outstanding songs SLITHER and FALL TO PIECES are in the set. Slash did some excellent guitar solos and is full of stage power, Scott Weiland did an awesome performance and as fan it is a great moment to watch that band. And now, 4 years later the release of that DVD....don`t know why? It is too late to promote the band and maybe somebody need money.....but don`t understand me wrong. VR is still an excellent liveband and it makes a lot of fun to watch that show. The sound and the filming is very professional (as ever from Rockpalast) and it is an must have for all Classic Rock / Hard Rock fans! This concert contains on the LIVE IN HOUSTON BLU-RAY (with a lot of bonus material). And that is the only negative point on that release....it is only the show and maybe something more on it would be cool....but again: excellent band, excellent live-show, excellent songs! A must have!
Genre: Classic Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 8
Info: 18 songs
Jochen
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GREENLEAF - NEST OF VIPERS Small Stone Records
www.myspace.com/greenleafheavyrock
Tommy from Dozer is back (after 5 years) with their new record from GREENLEAF, started as an project with some Dozer musicians, turned now (after the "dead" ??? of Dozer) to their main band. Again on the mighty Small Stone. The 3 Dozer guys plus Oskar from the Truckfighters (which replaced Fredrik/Dozer on vocals) right now maybe with their best record for the masses. The debut and the second record featured some great Stoner Rock stuff (not the typical one, more mixed with some Classic Rock stuff) and now they went back more in the past and did a great hommage to the legendary times. The swedish rockers built a new sound and I personally miss the mighty vocals from Fredrik, but Oskar fit perfect too! To tell you first, that it is no filler on that record and yes: on the title track Fredrik did guest vocals. I like the opener and the mighty title track. And LILITH is another highlight. If you like the old stuff (Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Thin Lizzy) and the newer stuff (Brain Police, Dozer) try NEST OF VIPERS. If you like real old school fat Stoner Rock - buy the DOZER records. But with NEST OF VIPERS they released the right album in the right time (with all the Classic Rock hype bands). Kids - this are true musicians with the true music in their blood!
Genre: Classic Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 9 Songs / 43 minutes
Jochen
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OZZY OSBOURNE - SPEAK OF THE DEVIL DVD Edel Germany
This is the release of an 30 old year concert from the Master of Darkness. It was only available as VHS Tape so far and now the fans will get the full concert. The show was filmed back in 1982, the best period in the OZZY years in my eyes. Filmed in California (Irvine Meadows) after the tragically death of Randy Rhoads with the cool Brad Gillis (Nightranger) on guitar. After the death of Randy, this was one of the first shows and you see an destroyed Ozzy (as ever? Drugs...Alcohol and on of the hardest times in his life), but an excellent band (Tommy Aldridge - drums, an very good acting and playing Brad Gillis on guitar and the legendary Rudy Sarzo on bass). The setlist is unbelievable - all the hits from the first two records (MR CROWLEY, OVER THE MOUNTAIN, CRAZY TRAIN, SUICIDE SOLUTION....)plus some Black Sabbath stuff (like PARANOID, CHILDREN OF THE GRAVE, IRON MAN). The stage is huge, the light excellent and Ozzy is cool as ever (Ozzy really looks evil at this show!). You will see some (for the 80`s typcial) laser shows (with Monsters etc.) and a cool looking band (hairs, clothes...) Fans should get it, because it is one of the best setlist and an real excellent (playing and performing, especially Rudy and Brad) band. The sound is very good (DTS Surround Sound, Dolby Digital (and sometimes it sounds too perfect...) In my eyes he never reached that standard after that tour (I know the Zakk Wylde period...). Great Heavy Metal DVD. A must have
Genre: Heavy Metal
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Info: 14 Songs / 78 Minutes / no bonus material
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THE SHRINE - WHISTLINGS OF DEATH TeePee Records
THE SHRINE from Venice/California are a cool Garage Punk Metal band between MC 5 and ZEKE. Yeah - that is a good comparison. The play short songs with a great hooklines, a garage (but good) production and... the opener ZIPPER TRIPPER sounds dynamic and with a lot of power, RUN THE NIGHT is a great MC5 homage and the longer tracks like WASTED PRAYER and DEEP RIVER is slower, full of groove and with some Stoner Rock elements. Some early MOTÖRHEAD and BLACK FLAG. My favourite is the great DEEP RIVER and the opener ZIPPER TRIPPER. But on that 9 songs you will not have so much time to breath. A record which is good, but a band which was born for the stage. I think that songs fit better on stage and with a lot of energy from the band they will find some followers.
Genre: Rock
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Info: 31 minutes / 9 songs
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MANGOO - NEVERLAND Small Stone Records
MANGOO from Finland - welcome in the dirty music business. I like their Demo, but their debut for Small Stone is a surprise in my eyes. First a short con-gratulations to the mighty video clip of DEATHMIND - check it! The music is very different, very hard to describe. Starting as an Stoner Rock band and including some Space Rock and Psychedelic elements, the band is a big surprise. At DIAMON IN THE ROUGH you will find some New Wave influences as well (beside the Stoner Rock sound). It is really an unique sound they produce! YOU is a cool ballad and YOU ROBOT sounds like a huge Doom Space epic! PAINTED BLACK sounds like some 80s ballad and is one of the weaker tracks. HOOKS is pure 80s Progressive Rock in the veins of Pink Floyd, but the highlights are the double opening NEVERLAND and DEATHMINT with excellent killer riffs, fat grooves and mighty vocals. Again a great release from Small Stone and I hope the band will get a huge feedback with that record. NEVERLAND need more spins, but maybe you will get addicted!
Genre: Space Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 13 Songs / 61 Minutes
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June 2012
TWISTED SISTER - Live at Hammersmith 1984
TWISTED SISTER - Club Daze II - Live in the bars
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS - Alive in the windy city DVD
PINK FLOYD - The story of wish you were here DVD
GODSMACK - Live and Inspired
PRONG - Carved into Stone
THE SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES - Thrown it to the universe
ZODIAC - A bit of Devil
SAGA - 20/20
THE RACONTEURS - Live at Montreux DVD
GLENN HUGHES - Die Autobiografie - von Deep Purple zu Black Country Communion
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TWISTED SISTER - CLUB DAZE II - LIVE IN THE BARS Armoury Records
This is another re-release from Twisted Sister. CLUB DAZE I featured some rare songs from Studiosessions and on CLUB DAZE II you will get some live recordings from that time, the band played for a handful of people. The 7 songs got recorded at Halloween 1979 and are full of energy. The songs are from the time before they released their debut album in 1982 and show the band on a more Rock`n`Roll influenced level. Not as heavy as later (like on the Hammersmith recording). Songs like FOLLOW ME or LADY`S BOY showing some comparison to Alice Cooper for example. The last 4 songs have a terrible sound, because they got mastered from tapes from fans, because the professional radio tapes were lost. The two opening songs BLASTIN` FAST AND LOUD and FOLLOW ME are re-recordings from 2001, only the drum tracks are the originals. For fans a must have (of course), because it shows the band from a different side. You know every minute that it is Twisted Sister, but it is different to the music from the debut for example. All others: get the Live at Hammersmith recording! That kicks ass!
Gerne: Hard Rock
Sound: 7
Music: 7
Info: 38 minutes / 12 songs
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TWISTED SISTER - LIVE AT HAMMERSMITH ODEON 1984 Armoury Records
This is the re-release of the mighty TWISTED SISTER Show 1984 at Hammersmith Odeon London. A big step for that New York guys and with that show they were on the top of the business! If you know their records, you will be impressed! The band is so heavy, so tight and the sound is excellent and really really fat! And over all thrones Dee Snider with a very aggressive performance. They released their masterpiece STAY HUNGRY short before that concert and an american radio station recorded that show in London. That shows the hype about Twisted Sister back the years! And the band gave it back with a excellent and heavy performance. Every song fits, every song is a hit and with songs like the very slow DESTROYER or the hymns WE`RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT or I WANNA ROCK every band is a winner! This double CD starts with the mighty WHAT YOU DON`T KNOW and turns into the heavy THE KIDS ARE BACK IN TOWN - after that moment the audience is possessed! As bonus you will get 2 songs from a 1979 show in Detroit ("Jailhouse Rock" and "Train kept a rollin") and a great booklet with a lot of cool pictures from the band.
Genre: Hard Rock Music: 9
Sound: 9
Info: 16 Songs / 87 minutes
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STONE TEMPLE PILOTS - ALIVE IN THE WINDY CITY DVD Eagle Rock
This is the new STP live DVD / BLU-RAY, recorded at the sold-out show at Riviera Theatre in Chicago / USA and features all the hits from the band from the past and nowaday. And after all that multi-million sellings of their outputs, it is the first ever released live record / DVD from this great Rock band. After the re-union in the original line-up, the band recorded that DVD in march 2010. Why it got released 2 years later? Can`t say that. The band played tight and with a lot of power. Scott Weiland`s vocals and performance is great and I think the whole band is happy to play their music together. In my eyes they are not as good as on their "no.4" performances, but better as 80% of the other bands touring around the world. You will get the old classic songs like VASOLINE, CRACKERMAN or WICKED GARDEN compined with the songs from the last 2010 output ("s/t") like HICKORY DICHOTOMY or BAGMAN. And the new material fit perfect on the setlist. But from the mighty record "no.4" only the track SOUR GIRL is in the show - what a shame! Where is DOWN? HEAVEN&HOT RODS? Can`t believe! But songs like the mighty INTERSTATE LOVE SONG, CREEP or PLUSH are on it and will make the fans happy. If the band is on this level again, I think the next record will get a killer! And without all the drug problems Scott is still one of the best performing and singing frontman. The recording of the material is nothing special (like as THE RACONTEURS DVD), no special camera positions or something else. Only pure and typical camera positions, but who cares - it fits and bring the power of the concert to your living room! After the show you will get interviews with every single band member. All in all a must have and a good support for one of the best live-bands! Thank you to being back STP!
Genre: Rock
Info: 18 Songs / 92 minutes
Info: Liveshow + Interviews
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PINK FLOYD - THE STORY OF WISH YOU WERE HERE DVD Eagle Rock / Edel Germany
Pink Floyd: The Story of Wish You Were Here,is a very informative documentary about the progressive rock kings Pink Floyd. The story behind their masterpiece album "Wish You Were Here" was originally shown on television and is now out on DVD / Blu-Ray and will give you a great look behind the making of the record. "Wish you were here" was the follow-up to the break-through record "Dark side of the moon" (1973) and went directly to position #1 in England and the USA and is the favourite record from Richard Wright and David Gilmour. SHINE ON YOUR CRAZY DIAMOND is the first and last song on that DVD, features some unannounced appearances studio recording and is a tribute to the fallen band members. The documentary will give you some actual interviews with the Pink Floyd members and show some footage and discussions about "Wish you were here". Very interesting for fans is the fact, that the legendary engineer from "Wish you were here", Brian Humphries, give some details about the recording and pick out some of the old master tapes and show the different tracks from the musicians. The DVD contains some bonus material which was never seen on the TV. The story behind is very interesting and for fans a must have! Get it!
Genre: Progressive Rock
Info: 85 minutes
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GODSMACK - LIVE AND INSPIRED Universal Republic Records
This is the first live album from US - rocker GODSMACK which was recorded back in 2007 at Rock City Detroit (Fox Theatre). Singer and boss Sully Erna produced that double CD together with Dave Fortman (Slipknot, Anthrax) and you will get a good best of program. I really like the first recording from Godsmack, but they never made it here in Germany. I don`t know why, but they have a huge following in the states and are one of the most commercially successful Metal bands, with several platinum albums and some single outputs that have cracked the top 5 of the US Rock charts. And on that Live CD you will get all the hits from all records (nothing from the 2010 release ORACLE), but the songs from the first two records are best in my eyes. Songs like I STAND ALONE, AWAKE, REALIGN are very heavy and the listener will get the real live feeling. The legendary live drum/percussion song BATALLA DE LOS TAMBORES is a highlight on the record; a battle between drummer Shannon Larkin and singer (and of course ex-drummer of MELIAH RAGE!!) Sully Erna. A real good live album with a lot of power.
The second CD includes 4 cover versions. ROCKY MOUNTAIN WAY (Joe Walsh), COME TOGETHER (Beatles), TIME (Pink Floyd) and NOTHING ELSE MATTERS (Metallica). If you are a die hard fan: you will need that! All others: buy the reguar records!
Genre: Metal
Music: 9
Sound: 7
Info: 13 live songs / 4 cover songs
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PRONG - CARVED INTO STONE Long Branch Records / SPV
I know that all people love CLEANSING with their hit single SNAP YOUR FINGERS, SNAP YOUR NECK. But for myself it was the first record, I lost the interest on Prong. BEG TO DIFFER, PROVE YOU WRONG, FORCED FED and PRIMITIVE ORIGINS are the highlights in their career! They never re-produced that power as on their PROVE YOU WRONG live-shows! 1987....a long time. And to tell it at the beginning! Prong are back with a record which could hold the high standard of the BEG TO DIFFER / PROVE YOU WRONG material. Yes, Prong is the biggest suprise! Because I had no big hopes in that record. Their last record POWER OF THE DAMAGER was nothing special and after Tommy hired as guitar player at the mighty DANZIG, I thought the band PRONG is only a hobby for him. But really great material with great old-school riffs, great old school Grooves and Breaks and again the voice from Victor, which go back to the classic times. Songs like AMMUNITION, REVENGE ... BEST SERVED COLD, STATE OF REBELLION) and the mighty LIST OF GRIEVANCES are a big surprise. This is definately the strongest material since PROVE YOU WRONG. And all packed in a heavy sound; a problem on the last recordings! Old fans should check Prong out again!!! Welcome back!
Gerne: Groove Metal
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 11 Songs
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THE SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES - THROWN IT TO THE UNIVERSE Haldern Pop Recordings
The Soundtrack Of Our Lives from Sweden started as Rock band and after their third record BEHIND THE MUSIC, the band put some Pop elements in their music. They always lived in the shadows of 60s Psychedelic Pop and Brit Pop (on the musical and optical side!). I really don`t like that depressive sound. The rhythms and music is boring and I have heard the melodies and lyrics before on a better way. Sometimes they remind me on the terrible Oasis, but without creativity. I think they are famous and with that record they will be famous too. The fans will buy it, but I not listen a second time to that. Britpop fans should check it out....
Genre: Britpop
Music: 4
Sound: 7
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ZODIAC - A BIT OF DEVIL Honest Hound Records / Cargo
To tell you the truth, I can`t listen right now to all that 70s revival bands. Some are good, 90 % are terrible and no one is good like the originals! Only copies, only trying to get a piece of the (commercial) cake at the moment. And all without the mighty power, that bands produced decades before! ZODIAC, I expected nothing. And to tell you, ZODIAC is one of the better and more authentic bands today. Because they rock! And they are really good on their instruments. ZODIAC features two ROCKETCHIEF members and Janosch, drummer from LONG DISTANCE CALLING. And they got very very good reviews with their Demo some month ago. And here is the debut record, released on their own label. That is the right way! The opener and title track is a great rock song with excellent vocal melodies and some LED ZEPPELIN comparison, the more "aggressive" CARNIVAL and the ZZ TOP cover BLUE JEAN BLUES (and that cover song work perfect on the record behind the own material!). Best song on that record is called COMING HOME with a great Jam session and a lot of emotions plus the groovy opener A BIT OF DEVIL. Blues guitars, Southern Rock stuff and a lot of emotions. That band will make their way!
Gerne: Retro Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 8 Songs
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SAGA - 20 / 20 Ear Music / Edel
The last SAGA output in 2009 (The Human Condition) was a real great Prog record, but now the original siner Micahel Sadler is back! The title of the record give you the number of Saga releases. This is the 20th studio album from the Canadian band. And it is a fresh album from that Prog band and picks up where the last album with Sadler (10,000 days) left off. Especially ANYWHERE YOU WANNA GO is a real hit and is on the same level as the band hits like WIND HIM UP or ON THE LOOSE. Great chorus and the mighty and well-known voice from Sadler. The new drumemr Mike Thorne did an excellent job too and with the song SPIN IT AGAIN they released a real heavy song! The highlights are the opener SIX FEET UNDER, the above mentioned ANYWHÈRE YOU WANNA GO and SHOW AND TELL. I really think it is the best SAGA record since the 80s and every Prog Rock fan, who likes keyboards in combination with Melodic Rock, catchy songs and tasty guitar riffs (Ian Crichton is one of the best Prog Rock guitar player!) should by that record.
Genre: Prog Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 10 songs
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THE RACONTEURS - Live at Montreux 2008 DVD
Jack White (former THE WHITE STRIPES) released his first solo - album called BLUNDERBUSS and so I think a third record from The Raconteurs need more time. But for all fans their is out now the first DVD called LIVE AT MONTREUX, recorded during the Montreux Jazz Festival back in 2008. And you will get a good live concert with a lot of power and positive energy on stage. The band plays very tight and it makes pleasure to watch that DVD. And that is the "only" thing you will get on that DVD. No videoclips, no interview - no bonus material. But the 90 minute show is very good and it sounds heavier as on CD. Their mix of Rock, Blues and Pop is unique and especially if Jack White take the vocals it is awesome. The two singers are a great duo. The sound (DTS Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 5.1., Dobly Digital Stereo) is very good and heavy. The camera is nothing special, but professional with a lot of close-ups. But the biggest plus of the band are the 4 different musicians. Together they create that magic atmosphere. If you like the band you will love the DVD and if you have nothing heard from The Raconteurs so far, get this DVD - you will be impressed about the great musicians. Hightlights are the opener "Consoler Of The Lonely", the last song "Carolina Drama" and the mighty "You don`t understand me". And of course you will get the well-known "Steady, as she goes" and "Broken boy Soldier".
Genre: Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Info: approx 100 minutes / live
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GLENN HUGHES - Die Autobiographie - von Deep Purple zu Black Country Communion Iron Pages Books
Glenn Hughes, der Meister hinter DEEP PURPLE und BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION. Aber für mich am interessantesten: seine chaotische Zeit bei BLACK SABBATH. Für die Fans wird er natürlich für immer und ewig mit PURPLES Meilenstein BURN in Erinnerung bleiben, bei dem er die Vocals und den Bass beigesteuert hat und die Band zu ihrem Höhepunkt trieb. Nach einer kurzen Einleitung über seine Band TRAPEZE, mit der er schon sehr große Erfolge feierte kommt gleich die Phase mit dem Einstieg bei DEEP PURPLE. Und der unbekümmerte Zugang zu Drogen. Das ist für mich auch ein kleiner Schwachpunkt der Autobiographie. Im Vergleich zu den Büchern von Mustain, Frehley und Lemmy nimmt dieses Thema zu viel Platz ein. Klar, es hat halt sein Leben bestimmt und war so gut wie immer allgegenwärtig, aber leider gleichen sich die Geschichten darum immer wieder und so wird es stellenweise langweilig beim lesen. Aber die Geschichten über die glorreiche Zeit bei DEEP PURPLE sind alle lesenswert. Auch seine Begegnungen mit allen Größen des Musik- und Filmgeschäfts sind stark. Sein Einstieg bei BLACK SABBATH und die daraus resultierende Freundschaft mit Toni Iommi (die immernoch andauert und immer mal wieder in musikalische Projekte mündet) ist sehr interessant. Das Glenn noch am Leben ist, kreuzt wahrlich an ein Wunder und er berichtet sehr offen und ehrlich (was sicherlich nicht angenehm ist) über die Zeit und diese Vorfälle. Und zwar teilweise so detalliert, dass man das Gefühl hat, den Geschehnissen beizuwohnen. Und wenn man ihn heutzutage mit seiner neuen Liebe BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION sieht und hört, muß man sich wundern, dass er noch so fit wirkt! Alle Höhepunkte (z.B. als DEEP PURPLE vor 400.000 Leuten auf dem California Jam spielten) und alle Tiefpunkte (der evtl. Mord bei einem Gig in Indonesian an einem Deep Purple Mitarbeiter) fesseln. Und Glenn berichtet über viele Musik- und Filmkollegen ganz offen und ehrlich und rücken einige Leute und Ereignisse in ein anderes (meist nicht positiveres) Licht. Und das positive Fazit, dass man nie aufgeben soll, verinnerlicht man am Ende des Buches und hat Glenn wohl überleben lassen. Ein weiteres tolles Buch vom Iron Pages Verlag. Für Fans ein Muss, für Musikinteressierte auch!
Info: Hardcover, einige Farbfotos
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May 2012
Keine Kompromisse - Ace Frehley
Deep Purple - Total Abandon Australia 1999
Nick Oliveri / Chuck Norris Experiment - Split
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NICK OLIVERI vs THE CHUCK NORRIS EXPERIMENT - Split I Hate People Records
Nick Oliveri (QOTSA, Kyuss, Mondo Generator, Dwarves) with my friends from Gothenburg, the mighty CHUCK NORRIS EXPERIMENT. First the mighty artwork, like a Zombie comic strip will make me happy. What a cool cover! But you will get no Stoner Rock from that founder of the scene, it is more a Punk Rock record with some acoustic stuff from Nick. Nothing against the Split, but I miss a real hit on the record. The songs are ok, not more. And most of the time I miss the power and the pissed attitude from Nick. The 7 songs sound more like some unfinished songs. A little disappointment. Chuck Norris have more drive and power. Songs like TAKING OUT BERLIN or KICK are really cool and professional. And PATH OF DESTRUCTION is a small hit, maybe that song can help to push the band! Fans will buy it indeed, all others should check it out first! But if you collect vinyl, be fast and get the Vinyl version, limited on 300 copies! If you don`t like the music, buy it and watch the artwork....
Genre: Punk Rock
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Info: 14 Songs / 40 minutes
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ACE FREHLEY - Keine Kompromisse
KISS! Der Gitarrenheld vieler Gitarristen mit einem mitreißenden Buch. Verschlungen habe ich es an 2 Abenden, konnte nicht mehr aufhören. Weil KISS und speziell SpaceAce meine Kindheit und Jugend beeinflusst haben. Das Buch beginnt mit seiner Kindheit und Jugend, über die Bandenmitgliedschaft und seine Parties. Und vor allem seine Bands vor Kiss. Dann kam Kiss. Und er wurde zum großen Helden für viele. Ein Einblick in die Welt von Kiss, mit all den Drogen, Frauen usw. Auch Kiss Fans werden die ein oder andere Story zum ersten Mal hören (und von einer anderen Sicht...). Interessant natürlich immer die 2 Seiten von Kiss. Er und Peter Criss (und dessen Eskapaden), Paul und Gene auf der anderen Seite. Und von seiner Zeit nach Kiss weiß man eh nicht so viel. Für mich ist THE ELDER ja immernoch ein Meilenstein von Kiss (ja - das hören wohl nicht viele Fans gern...) und auch sein Ausstieg nach der Scheibe und seine Schilderungen hierzu sind sehr interessant. Weiter geht es mit seinen beiden sehr guten Soloscheiben und der Wiedereinstieg anlässlich der MTV Unplugged Aufnahmen (als Special Guests). Die folgende Reunion Tourneen und das letzte Album mit KISS (PSYCHO CIRCUS) werden nochmal ausführlich erklärt bevor es dann zum endgültige Bruch mit der Geldmaschine Paul/Gene im Jahr 2002 kam. Ich kann mich noch erinnern, wie Kiss die letzte Tour im Originalline-up 1995 gespielt haben und ich begeistert dachte, dass wäre es nochmal gewesen (bevor es dann einfach jahrelang weiterging ala Ozzys Abgang). Geil war das damals schon und die Band war 1995 noch richtig gut aufeinander zu sprechen. Und das Drogen- und Alkoholmonster Ace Frehley ist seit 2005 trocken und voller Lebenswille. Für Kiss Fans ein MUSS! Für Rock Fans ein MUSS! Und wer einfach eine interessante Autobiografie lesen möchte, sollte sich das Exemplar sichern! Co-Autoren waren Joe Layden (Mustaine: Mein wahres Ich) und John Ostrosky (MTVs HEADBANGERS BALL). Ach ja...da die Band nicht sonderlich gut wegkommt, ist das Buch in keiner Weise von Kiss autorisiert!
Genre: Buch / Autobiografie
Info: Hardcover, 256 Seiten, davon 16 Farbseiten, 77 Fotos
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DEEP PURPLE - TOTAL ABANDON AUSTRALIA 1999 Eagle Records
This release has not been available until now. Only fan club members got the offer to get it so far. And now it will be released official, but it is now it is a single disc. First time it was a double disc. And so some of the important live stuff like PERFECT STRANGERS or SPEED KING missing on the Eagle Records release. In 1999, the band was touring on the release of their one year old output ABANDON. It is a long time gone so far and remember: it was the MK VII version of Deep Purple. Featuring Ian Gillan, Ian Paice, Jon Lord, Roger Glover and the new guitarist Steve Morse. Ian Gillian and band show every young Hard Rock band how it should sound. The highlights of TOTAL ABANDON are the usual suspects: SMOKE ON THE WATER (in a good version with some great Morse guitar intro in front of the song!!), PICTURES OF HOME, WOMAN FROM TOKYO, FIREBALL and the mighty HIGHWAY STAR. The new tracks BLOODSUCKER, ALMOST HUMAN and WATCHING THE SKY fits good into the live set. It is a good Hard Rock live album, only the fact with the missing second CD is a critical point. Deep Purple fans will buy it thought, for all other Hard Rock fans (young and old) a must have!
Genre: Hard Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 7
Info: 12 Songs
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March 2012
COWBOYS AND ALIENS - Sandpaper Blues Knockout
BLACK SPACE RIDERS - Light is the new Black
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COWBOYS AND ALIENS - Sandpaper Blues Knockout Dice Industries
I`m still addicted from their 2 records A TRIP TO THE STONEHENGE COLONY and the follow up LOVE, SEX, VOLUME. This is still one of the best Stoner Rock sound from Europe (together with Dozer and Celestial Season)! And now they are back after 6 long years with a new output! The Digipack EP is a good output to say WELCOME BACK! And still on the top! The belgium guys start with the mighty fast Stoner Rocker IN MY TIME and after the first fuzz riff break in, I felt happy! WORTH YOUR WHILE start with some acoustic intro and turns into a slow dark groove monster! Especially the outstanding vocals from Henk make that great band a special one! SIGN OF THE OMEN features some Classic Rock elements and is more Hard Rock as Stoner Rock. This song is catchy and rocks hard! And the last song QUESTION VS ANSWER is again a typical CAA rocker! Fast, with a mighty power and unique vocals. Maybe that is the biggest Stoner hit they wrote in all the last years! What a monster! The material is heavy and more varied as in the past. A mighty comeback! Thank you! If you like Stoner Rock, it is a must have!
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 8
Info: 4 Songs
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BLACK SPACE RIDERS - Light is the new Black Brainstorm Records / Rough Trade
Woh! What a monster! I haven`t expect so much from the German BLACK SPACE RIDERS. The debut was ok, not bad, but not really outstanding. And after I saw, that 13 songs will be on the second record, I thought it will get a boring Space rock release. OK, maybe 1-2 songs less would be better, but this is the biggest surprise in this year so far! What a mighty record! Unbelievable and a big present for my heart! This is not boring Space or Progressive Rock, this is a great mix of different styles. Starting with the DANZIG like CREATURE OF NO LIGHT I can`t believe. After the great packing of the CD the opener is a monster! SUN VS MOON is a hypnotic groove rocker with a mighty riff (like from a Horror movie) and with darker vocals. DIGGIN DOWN and I AM FIRE are more Hardcore-like. With the same hypnotic riffs, but with more aggressive vocals. The single / video WE USED TO LIVE IN LIGHT is a highlight on that record. A song with a lot of depth. Sometimes all remind me on the best Harmful moments, sometimes on some Helmet or Monster Magnet stuff. It is heavy, dark and hypnotic all the time! And some of the riffs will not go out of your brain for days! They really created some sounds you will get addicted! I really can`t name a band with a similar sound. The BLACK SPACE RIDERS are unique and I hope they will conquer the whole world with that record! This is the best trip to the universe! MÜNSTER RULES!
Genre: Space Stoner Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Info: 13 Songs
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February 2012
MUSTASCH - Sounds like hell, looks like heaven
CARNAVAL - Tennis Football Basketball
RPWL - Beyond Man and Time
EL CACO - Hatred, Love and Diagrams
ORANGE GOBLIN - A Eulogy for the damned
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - Corrosion of Conformity
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MUSTASCH - Sounds like hell, looks like heaven Gain Records / Sony
Stefan Glaumann mixed SOUNDS LIKE HELL, LOOKS LIKE HEAVEN (Rammstein, Paradise Lost) and hell: the sound is huge! I really like the riff laden music from the Swedish Superstars. And I like the band. The new record is a) too short (38 minutes) and b) not as good as the last 2 records. But - they always kick ass! Starting with the monster SPEED METAL (great title!!!) and all the trademarks from the band. Great riffs, fat drumming and awesome vocals from Ralph. IT`S NEVER TOO LATE is my favourite with a great guitar riff! Simple but straight in your face! Killer!
Genre: Heavy Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Info: 10 Songs
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CARNAVAL - Tennis Football Basketball CARNAVAL MUSIC
Some of the real underground Stoner Rock fans will (of course) know that band from Ljubljana, Slovenia. With their record "2" they released a great Stoner Rock record some years ago and now they released their 3rd output with the mighty (i like it) title TENNIS, FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL. The CD is available in 3 different editions (Tennis edition, Football edition and Basketball edition) and you really support that band. "2" sounded like a fresh and groovy QOTSA - like Stoner output with a lot of hits on it! Now they sound more "adult", a step away from the typical Stoner Rock sound. Maybe a step into Art Rock, Alternative Rock? Don`t know...but still heavy and with great ideas. The opener and titletrack starts more moody, more relaxed and turns after 4 minutes into a great groove monster! NEIGHBOUR features that well-known heavy groove stuff from Carnaval. Awesome vocals, great groove, powerful drumming. KILLER TRACK! Another highlight is the longest track (8.48) called UNIVERSE. Great guitars again. And sometimes the stuff has some comparison to the mighty HARMFUL. Yeah! Start to collect the 3 editions and support that cool band!
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 8 Songs
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RPWL - Beyond Man and Time The Gentle Art of Music
The fifth studio album from the Bavarian Progressive Band RPWL is finally a concept album. An outstanding Progressive Rock album with great melodies, epic moments and a lot of soundscapes. This is the masterpiece from the Germans! And without a huge record company they built a huge following after the years. With BEYOND MAN AND TIME they play now in the first row with the other dinosaur Progressive Rock bands. The limited edition of the record will come with a spoken word CD which delves deeper into the story of the record. They took the best from the leading Prog bands like Pink Floyd, Marillion, Fates Warning for example and mixed it with the great ideas and melodic guitar work from Mr. Wagner and the outstanding vocals from Yogi Lang. It is not fair to put out one single track, because all 11 tracks are on the same high level and give you the compact impression about the band and the story! But the double opening TRANSFORMED and WE ARE WHAT WE ARE are a good example for the today power of RPWL. For Progressive Rock fans a must have!
Genre: Prog Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Info: 11 Songs
Jochen
++++++
EL CACO - Hatred, Love and Diagrams Indie Records
Yes yes yes. They are back! One of the best Stoner Rock bands (are they?) are back with their masterpiece! In Norway they are huge, in Germany only a handful of guys know them. And now the 6th studio record is out and what a killer! The music is still full of Stoner Rock elements, but some Classic Rock stuff too. Some magazines write about an Alice in Chains and Tool influence...I think it is hard to describe their sound. I hear a lot of RUSH too! The opener AFTER I``M GONE is a killer of a song. Great vocals, great hookline and a mighty groove. The single HATRED is another killer and especially the following AUTOPSY with a great hookline and fat drum-beat is a killer. This 3 opening tracks will blow you away. Singer/bass player Osa is one of the best worldwide in my eyes (I really think every Prog and Rush fan should listen to that record!). His unique voice and the great melodies make him special! Another highlight is the mighty SKELETON with a great chorus and great ending! What a power! What a drummer (he makes that song special with the outstanding ideas and tempo changings!). This is not only Stoner Rock. This record features some Classic Rock and Prog Rock elements too. And sometimes you hear a little Muse or Placebo in my eyes.... I really hope that they will find a lot of fans in the different genres. For me it is definately the highlight in 2012! Best El Caco so far, best record in last years, best singer in the world! Get it and support that Norwegian MONSTER!
Genre: ROCK
Music: 10
Sound: 9
Info: 10 Songs
Jochen
++++++
ORANGE GOBLIN - A Eulogy for the damned Candlelights Records
15 years are gone since the mighty Stoner Rock debut FREQUENCIES FROM PLANET TEN and what happens? Not so much and maybe the English press will see it different: except the very rough and punky COUP DE GRACE not so much followed, because on every release from the british rockers the music is to average. Only one or two good songs on every record is not enough. And now they release their masterpiece (if you believe the international magazines). But it can`t hold that premature praise. The music is more melodic, more Hard Rock and Classic Rock elements. And: the first time, the vocals from Ben Ward (yes..he is a legend!) are powerful and full of melodies. But again he found not the way to make the songs special and highlights. Don`t understand me wrong: the music is great, the riffs kick ass, but all in all it is again a long way to the top. The opener RED TIDE RISING is one of the best songs from Orange Goblin and THE FILTHY AND THE FEW is a cool rocker. But absolute highlight (but I think I know the vocal melodies and that riff from another band...) is the heavy, doomy and catchy DEATH OF AQUARIUS. That is the best ORANGE GOBLIN song ever! More like this please! Maybe they will do a huge step forward with that more melodic and cleaner production. In my eyes again not an essential record. Sorry guys.
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Info: 10 Songs
Jochen
++++++
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - s/t Candlelight Records
COC are back with the original “Animosity” era line-up of Woody Weatherman, Mike Dean and Reed Mullin. I know - some of you miss Mr. Pepper on that record, but if you give "COC" a chance, you will get another good output from that old guys. But if you await some Hardcore, Punk or Crossover sound like in the past, will be disappointed. Because "COC" is full of great Black Sabbath and Trouble riffs and only the vocals remind on the good old times. The slow opening riff from PSYCHIC VAMPIRE will kick you away and is full of energy. LEECHES and RAT CITY whos the punk rock influence and THE DOOM (Highlight) is pure Sabbath riffing. And THE NEWNESS could be from Soundgarden - yes - another highlight with great vocals! And the artwork of the record is a killer! COC is back with an fresh, vital and energetic record. I`m still the ultimate "Blind" fan, but I have to say: Thank you!
Genre: Metal
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 11 Songs
Jochen
+++++++
January 2012
Far Away Town - Old jokes new laughs
Hellamor - Relief
Centao - The Look The Wait The kill
The Buyable Sluts Wanted for stealing Virginity - Antacids
All Mankind - Simple Desire
++++++
ALL MANKIND - Simple Desire So Recordings
Is this the next big think from Australia? If you follow and believe the international press, ALL MANKIND are Australia`s next biggest export. The songs are very professional and in the USA and Australia and UK they are on the way to the top. In Germany they try it now and I think they can do it! The music is great Rock stuff which delivers some epic and heartfelt songs. I think that is exactly the sound what the radio listeners want to hear. A mix of Radiohead, Coldplay and Snow Patrol. Not my cup of tea.
Genre: Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 7
Info: 11 songs
Jochen
++++++
Indie-Rock, between Radiohead, Blackmail and The Strokes. From Germany. That are the facts. They are very cool and do their stuff. No influences from the modern world. 100 points for that. The music is very professional, a must have for Indie Rock fans in the whole world. After their debut EP called CASSIUS DIE IT they released their debut full-length album on a very cool label. The music is noisy, but melodic. Pavement is maybe a good combarison....check it!
Genre: Indie
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 11 Songs
Jochen
++++++
CENTAO - The Look The Wait The Kill MoRock Records
Centao from Austria bring you a good debut with a lot of nice and friendly melodies. Maybe the right sound for the young rockers and Alternative lovers. Since 8 years they play music and last year they supported Guns`n`Roses at Vienna. Unbelievable. You will get a mix of Alternative Metal, Nu Metal und some Emo Rock moments. The songs are all good. But tell you the truth, I think I`m too old for a music like Centao. Songs like CHANGE MY WORLD are really not my cup of tea, but the first video clip to the song NOTHING is cool. The production is great and all in all a good record for young fans. But all in all the songs are too similar to some other bands. Check it if you do not want it too heavy!
Genre: Alternative Rock
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Info: 12 Songs
Jochen
++++++
FAR AWAY TOWN - Old jokes new laughs
FAR AWAY TOWN from Austria are one of the big new hopes. OLD JOKES NEW LAUGHS starts with a great Kyuss like drum beat and some great Stoner guitars. SURREAL, the opener, sounds like a mix of old QOTSA and Deville or Truckfighters. Great song! Especially the groove and the vocals from Alex are outstanding! NO TIME TO LOOSE remind me a little about the mighty Brain Police and Dozer. STREET SKATES RIDE and especially LIKE I SAID features some psychedelic moments. LIKE I SAID is in my eyes the highlight between that great songs. Some old-school Kyuss riffs, some old school QOTSA / Gamma Ray riffs and a mighty power drumming from Mario. This band is a big surprise and if you like the energetic old school Stoner Rock stuff and riffs, this is a must have for you! The package is awesome too and the production very fat! This band will be the leaders of the new Stoner Rock hype soon! Thank you for OLD JOKES AND NEW LAUGHS and I wait for the new full-length record and some shows in my area!
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 8
Info: 6 Songs / 35 minutes
Jochen
++++++
HELLAMOR - Relief
The new HELLAMOR release, the "new" band from the ex-Calamus singer Ralf, is again a self-released output with a professional standard. Packing, sound and music! Starting with a great guitar shredding and turning into the opener HERO. Especially the vocals from Ralf sounds more "pissed-off" and darker. HERO is a good opener, but the following ANGRY MAN with an very angry Ralf on vocals is the highlight on that record, maybe the best song in the short Hellamor career. OLD HOLE with a spoken word starter and a cool refrain turns into the dark monster DON`T OPEN THE DOOR with great guitar work and an slow and under the skin walking chorus. AFRAID is the song with the best guitar work on that record. It is more like some Classic Rock stuff. An oriental beginning you will get at PROZAC HAPPINESS which turns into a slow guitar riffing. Hellamor can hold the standard of the older releases and they did one step forward on the vocal side. Stoner Rock made in Germany as you all love!
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Info: 6 Songs / 35 minutes
Jochen
++++++
December 2011
Chron Goblin - One Million from the top
Ogressa - Warts and All
Bring the Knife - s/t
Ancient Wisdom - A godlike Inferno
Chäirwalk - Top 10
Zodiac N Black - The Aftermyth
++++++
ZODIAC N BLACK - THE AFTERMYTH STM Records
ZNB from London are the biggest surprise in the last weeks! Yeah. this is exactly what I like. Catchy rhythms and huge crunching riffs like ONLY LIVING WITNESS or the (middle) MINDFUNK did. CHUM too! It is hard to describe, because not so many bands played that sound in the past and right now! I hope that the new Soundgarden has the same power as THE AFTERMYTH! The vocals from Jad are very cool and powerful! The record got mixed by the legendary Alex Newport (Sepultura, Nailbomb) and the sound? Heavy and clear! Not like the shitty new Metal productions! Highlights are the opener BASTINADO (great vocal lines!!!), the heavy and slow ONLY THE LONELY, the psychedelic THE JOKE IS ON US and WHO`S THE FOOL and the crushing BAD PILLS. And the last track LIGHTS ON BLUES is very close to the mighty Soundgarden/Badmotorfinger era. This is a mighty debut and I hope they will get a lot of followers with that record! Good luck and keep your eyes open for ZODIAC N BLACK!
Genre: Heavy Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Info: 10 Songs
Jochen
++++++
CHÄIRWALK - Top 10 141 Records
I follow that band since years and they played some cool support shows for bands like Mustasch, Hermano or Pothead. Mighty names and I`m surprised about their debut record on a cool german label. The first point to mention are the german vocals and it is not easy to play Rock music with german vocals. The music should be a mix of QOTSA and TOOL. Can`t find it. It is a good Rock record with some Alternative, Punk and Stoner influences, but in my eyes the vocals not really fit. Maybe you will love it. I`m not. Sometimes the music remind me on some HELMET stuff, some riffs are really heavy. The slow song SCHMIED is a highlight and the Stoner like FEDERN too. Check it and you decide!
Gerne: German Rock
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Info: 11 Songs / 47 minutes
Jochen
++++++
ANCIENT VVISDOM - A GODLIKE INFERNO SHINEBOX RECORDINGS
www.myspace.com/ancientvvisdom
These four dudes from Austin Texas came to existence in 2009, their intention is strangley enough to bring along Neo Folk. Strange why? Because the members are or were beeing active in the likes of INTEGRITY and IRON AGE. This means in this case, acoustic guitars, clear vocals, if I'am not totally mistaken an occult lyrical touch and a somewhat eerie atmosphere. Well for a few songs this may be something, but over the whole 33 minutes it drags a bit. Grippier material like the more lively NECESSARY EVIL or DEVIL BRAIN are worth a try. The positive thing: I really can't compare their music to anyone since I'am not familiar in these fields (the first two have a not METALLICA unlike vocal arrangement, well slightly). If you like it quiet and spiritful this might trigger something in you. Man do I miss punching drums. Since this is not really my kind of stuff I will not rate A GODLIKE INFERNO in terms of the music. Be warned name dropping freaks, no Hardcore inside.
GENRE: NEO FOLK
MUSIC:
SOUND: 8
INFO: 8 Songs 33 min
Thomas Schubert
++++++
BRING THE KNIFE - same Thrashachusetts Records 005
Another cool newcomer from Boston. BRING THE KNIFE is a pounding mid-tempo monster with aggressive vocals and punshing drums. Pattie on guitar is a rifflady and songs like VIKING SKULL THRUST or WEREWOLF FUCKDOWN speak a clear statement. Sometimes it remind me on some old Anthrax and Nuclear Assault, sometimes on some new school Hardcore like Hatebreed. FTFTFTFTFTFTFTFT....is the highlight in my eyes. A cool mix of some Thrash moments and the 7 Songs really kick ass. The guitar work from Pattie is in my eyes real old-school Thrash Metal and only the vocals are not on the same level as the music. I miss the real highlights on the vocal side. But do not understand me wrong: that band is cool and kicks ass! Check out the cool video for WEREWOLF FUCKDOWN! And check out THANK YOU FOR RIPPING US OFF, a great song with again great guitar work!
Genre: Hardcore Thrash
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Info: 7 Songs
Jochen
++++++
CHRON GOBLIN - One Million from the top
Calgary´s young band CHRON GOBLIN with a great looking debut CD. The basement of their music is Stoner Rock, but mixed with a lot of Punk music and some old school Thrash Metal stuff. On the CD you will find a lot of energy and tight played songs, but all in all i miss the some highlights. The opener and title track starts with some cool riff attack and some DANKO JONES comparisons. MAKE YOU MINE, my personal highlight on the record, features some MONSTER MAGNET groove and this mix you will get on the whole record. The record with some up and downs is not bad and good for a debut, but with the next record they have to reduce the mistakes (most songs sound similar) and they have to work on some more hooklines. But do not understand me wrong. That band rocks and it makes a lot of fun to listen to ONE MILLION FROM THE TOP. Check it out if you like a good mix of Punk and Stoner Rock! Kick ass rock from Calgary - good luck!
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Info: 9 Songs
Jochen
++++++
OGRESSA - WARTS AND ALL Dalisllama Records
Oh, a new output from Dali’s Llama Records. It is not the new Dali’s Llama record; it is a side project of Zach Huskey from Dali’s Llama and Scott Reeder (KYUSS!!!!) and it rocks! First I saw that cool comic like artwork. The music is a cool mix of Stoner Rock and Doom Metal. The guitars are down tuned and the slow (most of the time). And it really feels great to listen to that record. The opener GIVE ME SOME SPACE is a killer and the following MANGE is one of my favourites with the great guitar work. The slow LADY OGRESS is true Doom Metal. Killer! And with THE BOSS you will find a great cover version from THE MUTANTS. The more acoustic SONORAN DEBRIS features Zach on vocals and is close to some Dali`s Llama stuff. Absolut highlight is the last song ANIMAL MASK, which turns into the song the direction. I hope that they will get a lot of feedback and fans with that record. They deserve it! Try to get that record!
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 7
Info: 10 Songs
jochen
++++++
November 2011
Diretone - Diretone
Placebo - we come in pieces DVD
Rush - Time Machine DVD
OZ - Burning Leather
Chäirwalk - Top 10
++++++
CHÄIRWALK - Top 10 141 Records
Mmmhhhhh....what should I say: it is not my cup of music. The info-sheet told me something about Deftones, QOTSA and TOOL, but I only hear some Punk Rock stuff with some Stoner elements. And the vocals (in german language) do not really fit on the music....maybe they do...don`t know. It is hard to listen to it, but if you like German Rock maybe you like it. The artwork is terrible, but cool on the other side and the guys are cool in my eyes... They are not bad, but not my cup of tea. Sorry.
Genre: Alternative Rock
Music: 4
Sound: 7
Info: 11 Songs
Jochen
++++++
OZ - BURNING LEATHER AFM Records / soulfood
Some of you old Metalheads will still know the legendary OZ from Finland! OZ and BATHORY contributes on the first SCANDINAVIAN METAL ATTACK compilation and now they are back with a cool new records (some new stuff and some old re-recorded classic songs!). The opener DOMINATOR is a great song in the veins of ACCEPT and JUDAS PRIEST. Pure old school Heavy Metal at its best! SEARCHLIGHTS in the new version is more Speed Metal and TURN THE CROSS UPSIDE DOWN and THIRD WARNING are more powerful as on the old recordings! The funny lyrics from ENTER STADIUM are the one side, but the groovy Dio-like song is really cool. Especially the vocals on the songs are cool and sounds like a mix of all the classic Heavy Metal singers from the 80s. SEASONS IN THE DARKNESS couild be from an old Judas Priest record and that is not a bad word about that song! This is real heavy played Metal for the old guys/girls and the younger Metal fans! I hope they get now the following to make a huge step forward in the Metal scene! The production from Nicke Andersson (Hellacopters) is heavy and modern and fits perfect to push the songs to the right level! The booklet and package is great! If you like Heavy Metal - this is a must have!
Genre: Heavy Metal
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 11 Songs / 42 Minutes
Jochen
++++++
RUSH - Time Machine Eagle Vision
The mighty MOVING PICTURES was released 30 years ago and now the canadian Prog Masters did the whole record on stage. The show was recorded in Cleveland (the city was the first radio supporter of the band) and show the band in a brilliant constitution and as perfect musicians. It is every time an awesome moment to watch the band on stage and listen to the mighty songs. And especially the short movies in front of the songs with the musicians as characters are very funny. THE REAL HISTORY OF RUSH is very cool! The stage looks like a Time Machine, very close to the H.G. Wells movie. The first set is a mix of some new and old and rare live Rush highlights (PRESTO for example, what a great song!) and the second set starts with the complete MOVING PICTURE record (I`m still addicted from songs like the mighty RED BARCHETTA, TOM SAWYER and WITCH HUNT). And all the fans know: two new songs from the forthcoming album CLOCKWORK ANGELS where on the setlist too and believe me: the new record will be a masterpiece! BROUGHT UP TO BE is very progressive and CARAVAN is a good song in the Rush tradition. Highlight for all musicians is the drum solo from Neil Pearts. Only hits (only the Reggea like WORKING MAN sound a little strange)
More questions? NO! Buy that high quality DVD/Blu Ray right now!!
Genre: Prog Rock
Music: 10
Sound: 8
Info: 26 songs / 164 Minutes
++++++
DIRETONE - DIRETONE Gateway Music
A new Groove Metal hope from Denmark? After listening to the 10 song debut album I have to say: NO! The music is not bad. Tight played Groove Metal; heard 100 times before (and with more magic!). The riffs and the songs are good, but without the magic feeling and groove from the "big bands". But the biggest "no go" on that record are the vocals which sound too much like James Hetfield. No bad words about the Metallica singer, but Lars tries exactly to sound like the big frontman and it sounds bad. And: it fits not to the music! The riffs and the uptempo drive in songs like IT NEVER ENDS, DRAWN TO LIFE or ROAD are good, but every second you feel the unfinished thoughts in your ears. I think that band can make their way with the next record if they work on their songs and especially the vocals.
Genre: Groove Metal
Sound: 8
Music: 6
Info: 10 songs
Jochen
++++++
PLACEBO - WE COME IN PIECES DVD Eagle Vision
WE COME IN PIECES is a visual Overkill! This double DVD is a killer and a must have for every fan! Recorded during the BATTLE FOR THE SUN world tour you will get on DVD 1 a great concert filmed at the London Brixton Academy. Awesome light show and an excellent playing band is the standard, but they mix some different scenes into the songs and make the concert to a visual masterpiece! This live concert will not get boring for a small second! And (of course) you will get all the highlights from the band (especially the opener NANCY BOY will kick your ass!). 21 songs from London (including EVERY YOU EVERY ME, BITTER END, TASTE IN MEN, BATTLE FOR THE SUN) and 6 Bonus songs recorded in Germany, Mexico, Switzerland, Belgium and Japan show you how big Placebo are today! I follow that band since their debut and I saw them over 10 times on stage and I`m still a fan from their first performances, but I really like that concert from London. The band is still great! On the second DVD you will get a documentary from the world tour with all the hectic and bad moments of a rock star and a band. For fans and music lovers this documentary is very interesting! Well done! And as bonus you will get a short film titled TRIGGER HAPPY HANDS, which is very dark and impressive! 5.1 sound and a great package - buy it! One of the best DVDs ever!
Genre: Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Info: 2 DVDs / 179 minutes
Jochen
++++++
October 2011
RIOTGOD - Invisible Empire
THE QUILL - Full Circle
THE FUCKING WRATH - Valley of the Serpent`s Soul
SCHIZOFRANTIK - Oddities
NORDIC NOMADIC - Worldwide Skyline
++++++
THE FUCKING WRATH - Valley of the Serpent`s Soul Tee Pee Records
www.myspace.com/thefuckingwrath
A new monster for all the HIGH ON FIRE, MELVINS, DISCHARGE and ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY fans. The band from southern California is not a newcomer (Valley of the serpent`s soul is their second record), they have played over 150 gigs per year and they are well-known in the DIY scene! TFW do a hard Stoner Rock, some up-tempo Thrash stuff like Metallica did in their beginning and some doom. Highlight is the slow and destroying SWAN SONG OF A MAD MAN. Especially the vocals from Vocalist Craig Kasamis fit perfect! They are rough and heavy. The right vocals for real beer drinking rockers! I really like THE NEURODYSSEY with the great forward punching power and the cool drum drive. And after some silent moments at GRANDELUSION the song GODDESS OF PAIN will bring you back to the moody water of South California. Clutch-meets-Alabama Thunderpussy in old school style. I only miss one or two more hits on that record, but maybe with their next record.....a mighty band will grow in southern California!
Genre: Sludge Stoner Doom
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Info: 8 songs
Jochen
++++++
THE QUILL - Full Circle Metalville Records
The next Stoner Rock highlight on the new and very cool Metalville label. My old friends from THE QUILL are back. Back to the good old PEOPLE LIKE YOU releases, THE QUILL was one of the best and interesting newcomer in the crowing Stoner Rock scene, but after a tour with MONSTER MAGNET I haven`t heard anything by THE QUILL. Ex-singer Magnus did the vocals on the AYREON record and the bass player works still for SPIRITUAL BEGGARS and ARCH ENEMY. And now a new record from the swedish rock monster. 13 new Stoner Rock songs on a great new release. SLEEPING WITH YOUR ENEMY is a cool riffmonster with some MOTHER MISERY influence on the melodies and the following FULL CIRCLE is so heavy and slow; great! Especially the vocals gave that song the last kick! BLACK STAR is without that power, but a good Rock song with excellent vocal melodies indeed. MEDICINE is a real hit with forward driven guitars and punching drums. What a power! Only 2-3 songs less at the end of the record (like RUNNING) would make that record to a masterpiece. I miss the last kick at the end (I really prefer short and straight in your face records...) , but that is not a huge criticism, but in my eyes the end can`t hold the high musical quality of the beginning. But the two ballads RIVER OF A MOONCHILD and NO EASY WAY OUT show the high musical potential of THE QUILL. So, go out and buy that record and help that band to get more fans! It is time for THE QUILL!
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 13 Songs
Jochen
++++++
RIOTGOD - Invisible Empire Metalville Records
OK, I really like the debut record from Riotgod and I was happy to get their second record in my mail box. But after I put it in, I got a hit on my head! Man, that is awesome! The opener BREED sounds like some unreleased UNIDA song (especially the vocals from Mark Sunshine) and the following FOOL show the same quality! Straight forward kick ass Stoner Rock with mighty vocals and a huge power! Especially the vocals are one of the best todays! In the whole Rock scene! CROSSFADE is close to some old SOUNDGARDEN stuff and unique too! The guitar riff from Garrett Sweeny is full of power and feeling! SLOW DEATH is more Hard Rock, but fit perfect after that triple heavy opening. With GAS STATION ROSES and REBIRTH they wrote two excellent ballads and TOMORROW`S TODAY sounds like some ALICE IN CHAINS on Stoner stuff. The only critic: the second part of the record can`t hold the power of the beginning and one or two real Stoner kicker are missing (only SAVING IT UP rules). The debut was a pure Stoner Rock trip, but with INVISIBLE EMPIRE they create an outstanding Stoner Rock record with some great Hard Rock influences! I saw a describtion like: MONSTER MAGNET play WOLFMOTHER (maybe the vocals)....that is not fair, because in my eyes RIOTGOD are a real unique band! Uh...if you don`t know it: Riotgod is the band from the 2 MONSTER MAGNET members Jim Baglino (Bass) and Bob Pantella (drums) and in my eyes it is better as the last (good) MM record! One of the best Stoner Rock records 2011!!! GET IT and support that killer band!
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 8
Info: 12 Songs
Jochen
++++++
NORDIC NOMADIC - Worldwide Skyline Tee Pee Records
NORDIC NOMADIC is a solo project from Chad Ross, who play guitar and is the singer at Canada´s Psych Rocker Stars QUEST FOR FIRE. But WORLDWIDE SKYLINE has nothing to do with his mainband (because it is a solo record...) and you will get some whispered vocals and acoustic guitars with some effects. I personally miss the highlights on that record, but maybe Chad won`t do some highlights. The music and his guitar work is really excellent and the vocals fit perfect in my eyes. And songs like the opener and titletrack or SUMMER FRIENDS are very good. Maybe the right music to walk through the hills and woods. Or to relax. Darkend music, mood-driven atmosphere and a evil feeling after listening to that record....I don`t know...maybe you will get addicted to that record. I prefer the chaos. But the guitar work is really cool, beautiful finger picked acoustic riffs, effect dowsed electric guitar and the whispered vocal melodies make that release special. If you like THE VERVE, NEIL YOUNG and his ZUMA or the legendary EARTH, check Chad´s solo record out! ,
Genre: Psychedelic / Folk Rock
Music: 6
Sound: 8
Info: 9 Songs
Jochen
++++++
SCHIZOFRANTIK - Oddities Gentle Art of Music
This is very strange. Martin Mayrhofer from the german Jazz band PANZERBALLETT with a new band, Progressive Jazz Metal maybe. I really do not like that stuff of music, but this is not bad. And after all that hectic and tempo changings, you will find some good songs between that "chaos". And it is very impressive. Some parts remind me on the second WATCHTOWER record, but not all is real Metal. The opener MY PONYTAIL starts with a weird guitar theme and the following songs are deep into the Jazzrock context. My favourite is the cool LAST SIGNAL DISTORTED, which is close to some WATCHTOWER fragments. KING CRIMSON, MESHUGGAH or PAIN OF SALVATION are some comparison too (but more progressive). SPOCK`S BEARD was maybe the inspiration for the song NERDS DON`T SMOKE. This is very hot and I think every music lover and Progressive Rock / Metal fan should check this out! This is fresh, this is cool, this is the future! KILLER!
Genre: Jazzrock
Music: 9
Sound: 7
Info: 10 Songs / 55 minutes
Jochen
++++++
September 2011
DETONATED - Pre-set to annihilate
EGONAUT - Electric
SKULLFIST - Head öf the pack
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SKULL FIST- HEAD ÖF THE PACK NOISEART RECORCRDS a divison of ROCK THE NATION/EDEL
www.myspace.com/skullfisted
So here it is the next big thing in the genre of Heavy Metal. Hype or the real deal. Honest like I am, I have to admit that the prior released EP HEAVIER THAN METAL didn't stun me that much. Sure the route is the same on their first longplayer, but this time it's a bit more focused. Another thing benefiting the listening pleasure is the organic sound, guess to get the whole spectrum you have to get the vinyl (of course). No False Metal and Ride The Beast made it over from the EP, here in a grippier suit. Especially on the later mentioned the vocals remind a bit of Vince Neil in a younger, fiercer way. All the arangements are pretty classic of course. A tune like Commanding The Night or the very melodic Commit To Rock have JUDAS PRIEST written all over, but to hell with it as long as it rocks. I don't knwo who is the virtuoso on the lead guitar (Jackie Slaughter the soon to be star among the bunch, or Jonny Nesta) because the solos really blend in very nicely (check out the leads all over assault Get Fisted). No Metal album without harmony guitar duels, this gets proved with Attack Attack (praise the beast).
You see the sceptic has been convinced. And if you're into the new wild ones like ENFORCER (touring mates of them) and BULLET this is a treat for you.
You didn't hear similaritys in the voice of Jackie to Vince from MOETLY CRÜE, well I do.
GENRE: HEAVY METAL
MUSIC: 8
SOUND: 8
INFO: 11 Songs 43 min
thomas@daredevilrecords.de
+++++++
DETONATED - Pre-set to annihilated
A new Thrash band from California. Detonated released that 4 track EP and the sound reminds me a little to the old heroes. The vocals sound like some old Crossover (I mean the DRI, Wehrmacht, Cryptic Slaughter stuff) power and the music shows a lot of the old heroes too! The opener and title track is very powerful and with great guitar riffing. Sometimes it remind me on some DRI stuff, especially the riffs and the vocals. The following GENETIC DEFORMATION is slower, but with the same power. I miss a real hit, something that would be in my head for days. LOST IN THE UNDERWORLD starts slow and turns into a fast Crossover crusher! The guitars are really cool and the solo/melodies are a good part on that EP. They will release their debut record in the next month (produced by Steve Russell/As I lay Dying, POD) and they will find some fans in the world. And now I know why every track was titled with "Radio Edit"... I still will listen to the old heroes, because Detonated is a good band, but it will be hard to get their quality. Good luck!
Genre: Thrash
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Info: 4 Songs
Jochen
+++++++
EGONAUT - Electric Bastard Rock Records / Rambo
A very cool band will release their first record in the next days! EGONAUT from Sweden play a great mix of Hellacopters, Gluecifer, Motley Crue and Classic Rock. The 9 songs are on the same high level and will get their chance in the music business! The opener BACK HOME is the best moment on that record. Some good chart and radio positions of that song show the potential of that band! Songs like the mighty GRUDGE or the groovy GENERATION WASTE show the high potential of the musician and the power to get a big band! The last song THE HURT close that record with a crush and will make you addicted. Egonaut play no spectacular or new sounds. They mix the best moments from Stoner, Hard Rock, Classic Rock and Punk Rock to a cool mix and good songs. And with the great vocals from FREDRIK they have another ass in the band. Good luck to a bright future!
Genre: Heavy Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 9 songs
Jochen
+++++++
JULY 2011
MONSTERTONE - Thrills Pills and Kills We riff for food Music
One of the most important and best Stoner Rock band from the Netherlands are back. COWBOYS AND ALIENS did some festival shows this summer and it is great to have that band back. And another surprise from the dutch country. MONSTERTONEs with their record THRILLS PILLS AND KILLS. 10 great produced songs and a cool, Punk Rock like artwork, will bring you some old school Stoner Rock with cool vocals. Of course, it is nothing new....but the sound we all love with some cool riffs. Kick ass Stoner Rock at it´s best! The title track is the opener and features great riffs, great power drumming and a nice solo. BACKDOOR SALUTE features a great refrain and some Hard Rock like guitars. The song MONSTERTONE is a cool straight in your face rocker with faster guitar riffing and power drums. Especially the vocals fit good and most of the refrains will not go out of your mind for days! And that is important on a record! All in all a very good record and with some help and (of course) luck, this band will make a huge step forward. 10 Songs, over 40 minutes, no filler....fuzz baby! Support that (so far) unknown band!
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 10 Songs / 40 Minutes
Jochen
+++++++
JUNE 2011
Drawers - All is one
Anorak - Sick
A Pale Horse named Death - And hell will follow me
Scoff - Lambda
Grandloom - Sunburst
Lambs - Short on leash and still running
Freeride - Dead Man`s Hand
Pneu - Highway to Health
+++++
DRAWERS - ALL IS ONE
www.myspace.com/drawerskvlt
facebook drawers metal
DRAWERS play their style of Metal since 2006. An EP was realesed prior to their debut back in 2009 called THIS IS OIL. The original singer was replaced, and now with a steady line up they show what they have to offer.
Well right after the first tunes I can already state that this is mine to enjoy.
Low chords, deep, throaty vocals (no grunts), heavy tunes and an overall New Orleans feeling to the whole. On Caput Mortuum Ocean IRON MAIDEN harmonies can also be noticed, but in the eminor version. GREY SAILOR delivers a catchy bastard, the Rock'N'Roll version of CROWBAR, and these low chords really delvier the goods. Another thing that comes to my mind, DOWN on the sludge side. NOLA moods with some Hardcore twists can be heard in the deathgrunt (Uh!) started BLACK QUEEN, the break in induced Doom, Sludge part is a real hiter, yeah.IVORY LIGHTHOUSE takes us into the gloomy pit of France via ultra low chords, the track for itlself has a nice pace to it. BLUE KEEL takes it on the acoustic way just to lead to the ballsy SILVER HAND. A nice mans tune is delivered in PURPLE RIDE, sweaty beards all over baby. Those breaks just stun, hear RED BALLET (again a deathgrunt puts the cherry on the cake). ELECTRIC SEAT lets you ass swing, mood the doomier way is praised in GODLEN ADIEU, MUDDY SMOKE shows a more mellower side, but stil is not whimping out, in the end it gets deep and heavy. The final AZURITE CONSTELLATION lets the chords swing extra low(MESHUGGAH style, maybe the guitar has eight strings, but honeslty I really don't know too much about such things), fine instrumental closure.
The procuction makes the joy even greater.
For fans of BEATEN BACK TO PURE, SIXTY WATT SHAMAN, DOWN, CROWBAR, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY a must have.
GENRE: METAL with a NOLA twist
MUSIC: 9
SOUND: 8
INFO: 12 Songs / 53 min
Thomas Schubert
++++++
ANORAK - SICK Maximum Douglas Records
French ANORAK was formed in 2005, prior to this new one called SICK, MY OWN HAZE did rumble our living rooms in fulltime form. FACES OF CRUEL KIDS ON ROTTEN WALLS showed the short treatment in 2007/2008. Do I need medical terms to describe their music, no. They play a at times psychotic (medial term anyways), chaotic, very explosive Hardcore with a slice of harsh Metal. Honestly I really don't know their Amiens, Picardie is located in France, but regarding the music of ANORAK it can't be the nicest place. No prisoners are taken here. The first tune blends with dominant basslines (NOMEANSNO on speed) the overall brutal track is not to heady just pure aggression. Well it changes a lot, it's not only one way to go, a lot is offered here. Theme changes, mood swings, and of course screams (no whining). The second one has something of the unavoidable CONVERGE (at least in this genre), blasts are added, the chords sing a nice tune, and some of them remind a bit of VOIVOD, no shit. Number three comes a bit more tame, but still dangerous. Number four takes the same route with some drumassaults on the side. Number five works with melodies and the aura is darker than the over overtures. Number six is the easiest to get to, but still a fierce one. Number eight is a real brute one, harsh, deep growls attacking drums, and once again some VOIVOD chords (sure this was unintentional, but they do sound like the canadians). Eight takes the mellower approach, but still keeps it's deadly charm. Why the hell isn't he mentioning the songtitles, because I don't have them. The production is excellent.If this one is for you, well the above should define that for you.
GENRE: HARDCORE METAL (with an overall progressive touch)
MUSIC: 8
SOUND: 8
INFO: 41 min
++++++
A PALE HORSE NAMED DEATH - AND HELL WILL FOLLOW ME Steamhammer Records
APHND is the new band from Type O Negative / Life of Agony drummer Sal Abruscato: songwriter, on guitar and microphone. The other part of APHND is Matt Brown, a Brooklyn native producer, engineer and actual musician at SEVENTH VOID. Matt has worked with major artists such as Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, Peter Gabriel, Jane’s Addiction. Sal said that this is the best record he had ever done, so I hope that he was not involved in the songwriting of the Life of Agony and Type o Negative material. Because this record is good, but can`t hold the high quality of the mentioned bands / record. The music is good, a little 90 inspired. Sometimes it reminds me a little to PIST ON (does anybody remember?), some guitars sound like some ALICE IN CHAINS stuff...most of the material sound like ALICE IN CHAINS on a heavier spin. They mix all that influences from that time (some neo-Grunge, some Doom, some Type O Negative, some Stoner) to a interesting mix and fresh record. The opener AS BLACK AS MY HEART is a good start and the following TO DIE IN YOUR ARMS is a little too weak at the chorus in my eyes. HEROIN TRAIN rocks and DIE ALONE is a real hit. The vocals from Sal are good, maybe he is not a real singer and maybe on the next record he will do some steps forward, but for a debut it is ok. So, you have to check the band on stage with the mighty line-up Sal (guitar and vocals), Johnny Kelly (Type o Negative, Seventh Void on drums), Bobby Hambel (Biohazard on guitar), Matt Brown (Seventh Void on guitar) and Eric Morgan on Bass. And I forget: Keith Caputo from Life of Agony did background vocals on that record.
Genre: Metal
Sound: 9
Music: 8
Info: 13 songs
Jochen
++++++
SCOFF - LAMBDA Sonic Sound Music
Scoff, the band from Munich/Germany, is back with their second record, a long time after REVERSE UNIVERSE some years ago. In the meantime they shared the stage with bands like JOHN GARCIA plays KYUSS
(USA), BRANT BJORK (USA), HERMANO (USA), KARMA2BURN (USA),
HARMFUL (GER), LOS NATAS (ARG), HELLFUELED (SWE) COC (USA) and many more. Yeah...not bad! The new record is musically 100 steps forward! All songs are great, no filler. The opener THE DAY OF THE LOCUST start with a mighty riff. The power of the music is awesome and yeah....you will feel that the 3 guys spent a lot of time and discussions in the music. Especially Malte on drums is awesome! Great powerful drumming with great licks and drive. The guitar-riffs and ideas from Christian are over the top, it makes a lot of fun to listen to the songs.The mentioned opener is a highlight. Some great Stoner songs like TEMPER THE GOAT or WRATH kick ass. And the production is fat too! So, everything perfect? It is hard to say, but it isn`t. Especially the vocals from Christian fit not really and sounds sometimes strange and wrong in my eyes. The vocals take a lot of the flow and groove. It is not really bad, but with a better singer that record would be a masterpiece. So, you have to decide and listen. I like the record, but with a more powerful singer more would be possible in the music business.
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Info: 12 Songs
Jochen
++++++
GRANDLOOM - Sunburst Rockzilla Records
Instrumental Stoner Rock from Germany. A lot of you will know them from their support slots in the last month and after a great EP they are back with their debut record. The artwork is killer in my eyes. It fits perfect to the sound of Grandloom. The opener ORBIT WOBBLER starts heavy and turns into a more smoother direction with great melodies and cool effects. Psychedelic rules at ORBIT WOBBLER. The following WODDBRIDGE is a cool Stoner rocker and on that song I really miss cool vocals! APOLLO MOON sound like a trip inside the Space Shuttle and shows some comparison to the HOW TO PLEASURE...material from The Gathering: only 100% heavier. But a cool track. LARRY FAIRY is maybe the best song on SUNBURST. Awesome riffing close to BLACKMAIL (Bliss Please material) and very groovy! Again a vocalist would fit perfect to that song! I have it in my ears ... THE HOLY LETTER features again some space sounds before the 12 minute rocker EARTHVALLEY close the album. Again with mighty riffs and a fat groove! The whole record is a mix of silent psychedelic parts and great Stoner Rock riffs. I personally think a good (!!) singer would help that band, but I know that a lot of instrumental bands have a huge following. GRANDLOOM is definately a leading band in that genre! Good work!
Genre: Instrumental Stoner Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 6 Songs / 50 Minutes
Jochen
++++++
LAMBS - Short on leash and still running
Very cool Heavy Rock / Stoner Rock from Finland! SHORT ON LEASH AND STILL RUNNING is the 6th record from that 3 piece with a cool mix of Metal and Rock`n`Roll! I`m still impressed! They mention Motörhead, Rose Tattoo and Corrosion of Conformity as influences and hell yeah - that fits! The opener BROKEN SHOULDER is a kick ass Metal song straight in your face! Awesome vocals, awesome power! Great! PINED AWAY is cool too, close to some heavier Rose Tattoo stuff and HEART OF STONE could be from DANKO JONES. Why is that band not huge? Why they don`t have a major deal? The world is not fair! SECOND BEST remind me a little on Danzig (music) and with the raw vocals and the melodic refrain it is a highlight. PEACE FOR THE PERSON, WAR FOR THE WORLD starts with some double bass inferno and is a pure Thrash Metal song; very cool! Another highlight is the mighty riffing of LOCKED and the cool vocal lines again near Danko Jones. Great song with a cool refrain, I think that song is the best example to show the power and sound of LAMBS! TWILIGHT OF THE DOGS and KILL SCREEN close that great record. What a big surprise, what a great band! No filler - only killers! If you like good music = buy it!!! And support that 3 guys!
Genre: Rock
Sound: 8
Music: 8
Info: 10 Songs / 28 Minutes
Jochen
++++++
FREE RIDE - Dead Man`s Hand
Again 3 guys from Finland and now with a good Rock`n`Roll / Southern Rock / Western Rock record. I saw that DEAD MAN`S HAND is the second record from Freeride and they fit perfect on every Biker party! Don`t expect anything new, but it sounds professional and fresh. PUT YOU DOWN rocks, STABBED IN THE BACK is typical Rock`n`Roll and the mighty HOLD ON (I`M COMING) rocks like hell! It sounds like a heavier and modern version of ZZ TOP. HELLRIDE make no prisoners and HIGH GAIN is a good food for every Southern Rock lover. So, no real filler on DEAD MAN`S HAND. But no real highlight in my eyes. Not bad, but not essential. But for a good Biker / Beer party in the summer the right music to listen beside the beer and girls.
Genre: Southern Rock
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Info: 11 Songs / 41 Minutes
Jochen
++++++
PNEU - HIGHWAY TO HEALTH Head Records
What an outstanding cover! Very cool! And the music? Very strange! A mix of Alternative, Hardcore and Metal. Mathcore maybe.... AUTOSAFE UNICORN sounds interesting. Great guitar work and a great groove. The musical talent of the members is very high and the songs have good arrangements and if you really like instrumental Math Rock, this is maybe a masterpiece for you! TROPICON for example is the same riff at the whole song, but it went crazy at the end. Something like a small man inside your head turns your brain faster and faster.... I`m really impressed about that record, but I can`t listened to it so often. HIGHWAY TO HEALTH has been recorded and mixed by Kurt Ballou from Converge and on the song KNIFE FIGHT you can find vocals, done by Eugene S. Robinson from OXBOW on the microphone. But it sounds strange too...the right choice from the band with their vocalist! If you want new and interesting heavy sounds - check this band out! Unique!
Genre: Mathcore
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Info: 9 Songs / 27 Minutes
Jochen
++++++
May 2011
Burn Pilot - Bohemian Trauma
Drakar - Let Draka / Flight of the dragon
Black Oath - The Third Aeon
Rise And Shine - Empty Hand
Samavayo - Cosmic Knockout
Sasquatch - III
Solace - A.D.
The Brought Low - 3
Diablo Blvd - Builders of Empires
Blackmail - Anima Now
Outshine - Until we are dead
Guns of Moropolis - In dynamite we trust
180 Proof - The gutter Sessions Pt. 1
Tenside - Chain Reaction
++++++
BURN PILOT - Bohemian Trauma Setalight Records
This 3 guys in the classic Rock formation drums, bass, guitars, vocals from Germany are here to bring you Psychedelic Stoner Rock. With a lot of jamparts and psychedelic moments. The material sounds like a big jam, mainly without any clear direction. The singer sounds like he his in ecstasy and into a drug dream. Others will say "full of emotion and energy". I don`t know. Songs like WARPAINT or BETRAYED will find some lovers, I prefer the straighter material. But I will not say that Burn Pilot is weak or a bad band. I think they will find some followers and maybe with the next record they can bring some clear direction into their sound.
Genre: Psychedelic Rock
Music: 6
Sound: 7
Info: 8 songs
Jochen
+++++++
DRAKAR - Let draka / Flight of the dragon I Hate Records
After years of delay the prague (Czech Republic) Heavy/Speed/Thrash band DRAKAR, originally sprung in 1990, release their debut album! The double CD features both: the Czech and English versions of the album. The band recorded 2 versions, one for the former East block states and one for the foreign market. And they were one of the heaviest and most obscure bands behind the Iron Curtain! Ivan Sekira (Vocals, Guitar), Martin Ježek (Guitar), Milan Kamenik (Drums) und Michal Linha (Bass) started short before the Iron Curtain burned down to earth and they used that feeling and fears for their music. The record is over 11 years old, but songs like DVOJNIK (KINGDOM OF THE WALLS) with a great old school Trash riffing like old Kreator or the Slayer like ZRADA A POMSTA (CROWN OF THE CLOWN). The music is very interesting and 100% underground, only the vocals are different as on other bands. The lyrics (I only got the Czech version) and vocals sound strange. More spoken, very dark....interesting style. The band is on tour right now and if you like cool and interesting Underground bands, buy that cool CD!
Genre: Thrash Metal
Music: 6
Sound: 6
Info: 8 Songs / 40 Minutes
Jochen
++++++
BLACK OATH - The third aeon I Hate Records
A very cool true Doom Metal release from I HATE RECORDS again! BLACK OATH from Italy released a great records between old CANDLEMASS and SOLITUDE AETURNUS. Especially the music of EPICUS DOOMICUS METALLICUS is a huge influence for that young band in my eyes. The simple, but effective Doom Metal with cool (but heard before) riffs and simple drums are not outstanding, only the vocals (which remind me a little on the Solstice material) lead this band. It is not a bad record, but I think they are on a good way to create a masterpiece in Doom Metal in the future. The last song THE BLACK OATH is in my eyes with some more "progressive" moments the outstanding song between good Doom Metal hymns.
Genre: Doom Metal
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Info: 6 Songs / 45 minutes
Jochen
++++++
RISE AND SHINE - Empty Hand I Hate Records
www.myspace.com/flowerpowermetal
Yeah..they are back! 20 years is the swedish Retro / Psychedelic / Stoner / Doom band around and they released a new record via the cool I HATE label. After some good releases some years ago they are back with the 4th record. Highlight in that band are the warm and emotional and almost painfully hot vocals from Lady Josabeth, which are dark and pessemistic on the lyric side. Rise and Shine worships the doom sound from bands like The Obsessed, old Black Sabbath and of course Trouble. The great 70s inspired riffs from Joakim and Daniel are full of blues and psychedelia elements. And that make the sound so special. The bluesy vocals fit (on the first look) not really into a old fashioned Doom Metal band, but if you dive into that CD, you will get addicted (like you felt on Jex Thoth)! In my eyes the new record is more powerful and riff - orientad as the older material. The music lives from the great interaction of the two guitar players and the outstanding vocals from Josa. The CD is a complete art statement. I think it is not fair to pull out one single song. All 10 songs are important and on the same high level.
Genre: Doom Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 10 Songs / 47 Minutes
Jochen
++++++
SAMAVAYO - Cosmic Knockout Setalight Records
One of the most popular and talented german underground Rock band is back with a real great record. In the early years they started as a Stoner Rock band and crow into a great Rock band. The 12 songs (plus 4 Jams) are strong and well arranged. The guys from lovely Berlin created something own, but if you need some comparison, we can mention some Queens of the Stone Age, Harmful and a lot of Blackmail. Not the badest bands! The packing looks awesome and show at the first look, that all is very professional: from the booklet to the production. This is international standard! The opener COSMIC STORM is a simple Rock song with some 70s and 80s Hard Rock influences. Simple, but effective. Especially the second song PAYBACK is a real hit which I miss on the new Blackmail for example. This song can be the key to the mainstream audience! GIVE A FUCK is close to some QOTSA material and I like COUNT 2 3 with great rhythms and cool guitars. All songs are really different, but all in the classic Rock building. The Stoner Rock elements are reduced to a minimum and they really tried to great something special. Definately one of the best german bands and I hope they get a lot of followers with that record. If you like Blackmail or QOTSA, give COSMIC KNOCKOUT a chance!
Genre: Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Info: 16 Songs
Jochen
++++++
SASQUATCH - III Smallstone Records
The 3rd release on Smallstone. LA`s finest Stoner Rock band is back with a great record! 12 great Stoner Rock songs with a lot of downtuned guitars and a lot of fuzz (with some influences from the mighty Kyuss and older 70s stuff like Led Zeppelin) you can find on "III" and so far it is the best and most energic output from that 3 piece. Most problem with all that Stoner Rock releases is the fact, that real cool melodies on the vocal sides are missing. But Sasquatch are different! They have the power and class of the big bands (Dozer, Unida, Fu Manchu), especially on the vocal side (Keith Gibbs)! The opener GET OUT OF HERE shows some old Soundgarden (Loud Love) dynamics with some Unida riffing. Slow, dark and heavy! The following TOOK ME AWAY is a blast too! Rough vocals and great melodies...I remember the mighty years of Stoner Rock 1998-2001! PULL ME UNDER is another highlight! Very slow with a fat chorus and a kick ass groove! Again the slow burning vocals from Keith will went directly in your head - awesome! QUEEN, another unique song, is Doom Metal with some classic Heavy Metal passages. Infectious melodies by the way. COMPLICATED is a more "mainstream" song; a song who can get into the heavy roatation of some radio stations and hopefully make that band bigger! 12 varied songs full of power! "III" is a great Stoner Rock output, maybe one of the most important Stoner CDs in the last month! GET IT!
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Info: 12 Songs
Jochen
++++++
SOLACE - A.D. Smallstone Records
One of the most important and best US Stoner and Doom Bands are back with a new output. Their 2000 output FURTHER is still one of my favourite albums, maybe for my whole live. The following "13" was good too, but without the hypnotizing feeling, without that crushing songs like on the debut. But good too! And after a great THE BLACK BLACK EP and great live-shows in Germany, here it is: A.D. And with that record they will get again the throne in the underground, but I think for more it is not good enough. Don`t understand me wrong. This record is as good as "13", but more confused, more complex and not easy at the beginning and of course not outstanding like the debut 10 years ago. They still combining Stoner and Doom Metal into a heavy massive monster. If you dive into that record, you will get a great experience indeed. But I prefer still the dynamic and clear song structures from the debut. The guitar riffs are still awesome and heavy and of course the mighty, unique vocals from Jason (he changed his style a little...sometimes clear and sometimes screaming...) are a big point in that band. Slow Stoner Rocker like SIX YEAR TRAINWRECK or the doomy ZA GAMMAN are very cool. But on the other side you will find new influences like King Crimson comparisons at THE IMMORTAL, THE DEAD AND THE NOTHING (progressive elements in it) or FROM BELOW (a great epic track). The opener THE DISILLUSIONED PROPHET is the most energetic song on that record in my eyes and with THE SKULL OF THE HEAD OF A MAN they do some fast punk stuff. So, we have Stoner, Doom and Progressive Metal on a record recorded from one of the hottest underground bands. Highly recommended.
Genre: Progressive Metal
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 9 Songs
Jochen
+++++++
THE BROUGHT LOW - 3 Smallstone Records
A cool Southern Rock band from Brooklyn, USA. With a lot of drive and authenticity. This is music directly from the heart! Some classic guitar sounds, some ZZ Top and Lynrd Skynyrd comparisons, a good singer and good songs. Some Blues Rock, some Dixie stuff. Do you want more? Do we need more? This is music directly out of their hearts. That feeling you will get every second on that record. All that retro and classic Rock fans should check that band out. Songs like OLD CENTURY, EVERYBODY LOVES A WHORE or the relaxed A THOUSAND MILES AWAY are a true and good output and got written to take a long ride with your car on a hot afternoon. This is not the music I prefer. And it it nothing for my player, but I think a lot of Rock fans will dig that sound! Great band, great songs, great output on a great label!
Genre: Classic Rock
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Info: 9 Songs
Jochen
++++++
DIABLO BLVD - Builders of Empires PIAS
I found a very cool and fresh band, called DIABLO BLVD. I missed the previous album THE GREATER GOD, but I try to get a copy, because I like BUILDERS OF EMPIRES a lot. It is a fresh mix of Metallica, Volbeat, Danzig and Black Label Society. Not like a copy, but the music is in the direction of that bands. The opener BETWEEN THE HAMMER AND THE HOLY CROSS is a great groove Metal song with excellent riffs and powerful drumming and the following BUILDERS OF EMPIRES show some Metallica (the middle era) comparisons. And after 2 songs it is clear: they really have an outstanding singer! Sounds like a young Glenn Danzig at some parts. Highlight and a real hit - single is the following BLACK HEART BLEED, which is a great mix of Metallica, Sparzanza and Danzig. Great song, great arrangements and melodies! The other songs can`t hold that high standard of the opening tracks in my eyes, but it is a solid metal release and better as 60% released every week. Tracks like ENDLESS REIGN or THE FALLEN are good too, but I miss a real hit in the second half of the album. But with a good label and promoter they will find a lot of fans, because their music and especially that mighty vocals is exactly what Volbeat/Metallica fans will hear! The production is really heavy yeah...try them out!
Genre: Metal
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 10 Songs
Jochen
++++++
BLACKMAIL - Anima Now 45 Records
This is the first sign of life after the split with one of the best vocalist in Europe, Aydo Abay, who left the band late 2008 and now they are back. And it is like a birthday for me. I was so excited, one of my favourite bands are back. And the first single, which was released some weeks ago, DEBORAH, was a good choice in my eyes. And now, I listened 5 times to the whole record, I don`t really know what I should say. All in all I`m not happy. The best songs are the mentiond DEBORAH, SKY ON SKY with the typical Blackmail trademarks and ROCKET SOUL, all other tracks are good, but can`t hold that high standard of the old records. For me it is important to say, that it is not the mistake of the new singer Mathias Reetz. He did a great job and from time to time he is very close to Aydo. But 80% Mathias did their own style. The vocals are not the problem. More the music. It is nothing on it I can remember, no real highlights or special sounds like in the past. No killer riffs. Don`t understand me wrong. It is maybe better as 85% of all other releases, but I expected a real blast from Blackmail. The opener for example (RESONAT WAVE) is one of the weakest tracks on the record. Maybe I will talk different after 10-15 listening sessions. Maybe that is the start for a new Blackmail hysteria in Europe. I really don`t know what I should think about Anima Now. But again: a good record, but not really one single hit on it..... Sorry!
Genre: Rock
Music: 7
Sound: 9
Info: 12 Songs
Jochen
++++++
OUTSHINE - Until we are dead Dead Tree Music
Since 1998 the swedish Dark Rock band is around and a lot of well-known musicians played in their carrer so far in that band: Thomas from EVOCATION and Simon from PAIN OF SALVATION. UNTIL WE ARE DEAD was released in Sweden 2 years ago and get re-released for Europe via Soundpollution right now. The music is something like Dark Rock, Modern Metal with some Gothic influences. Paradise Lost or The 69 Eyes for example. The opener ONE FOR THE NERVES is a great song with great guitars and for the first time you will get in touch with the great vocals from Erlend Jegstad. He sounds like the singer from THE CULT. And the heavy guitar riffs from Dead Tree owner Jimmy Norberg is like a punch in your face. I like the heavy WISCONSIN H.G. with a lot of drive, but it is really no filler on that record. I think with some luck they will get huge! This is music for the masses. So, good luck to the band and if you like modern sounds with a lot of groove and an outstanding singer, check them out!
Genre: Dark Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 10 Songs
Jochen
++++++
GUNS OF MOROPOLIS - In Dynamite we trust Recent Records
In germany there is a big hype about Guns of Moropolis and most of the people talk about the next big band. And after the big crowing of VOLBEAT it was clear that some bands the same sound try to get a piece from the "Volbeat-cake". The german band GUNS OF MOROPOLIS mix some Rockabilly with Hard Rock and Metal and the title IN DYNAMITE WE TRUST is the direction. The title track and opener compines all the trademarks of their sound. Good vocals, typical Rockabilly sounds and a huge Metal energy. The whole record (12 songs) are on the same high level and the Punk influences on some songs fit good. Songs like ROBERT THE HERO, MC BOOGIE or ROY`S PARTY are all good and I think they will find a lot of followers after this summer. For myself it is too funny and not with the potential to get very big. I really think that they have not an own sound at the moment. But for the bright masses the right music in my eyes. And that is what the band (maybe) want....
Genre: Rock
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Info: 12 Songs
Jochen
++++++
180 PROOF - THE GUTTER SESSIONS PT. 1
www.myspace.com/oneeightyproof
A cool Rock`n`Roll band between Danko Jones and old Kiss from Melbourne, Australia. A great mix of Punk, Hard Rock and Modern Rock from that three piece. The 4 track EP is full of energy and raw sounding Rock. Some AC/DC at the time. The opener STICK IT TO THE MAN is a cool rocker, in the veins of the great Kiss and Danko Jones material. Good start. IT SUCKS TO BE YOU with great vocal lines and INTOXICATION and LIVE TOO DIRTY can hold that high standard. It is not easy to say anything after 4 Songs, but it is a good start and if they can hold the standard with new songs and a full-length record, maybe this band can find some supporters worldwide! If you like good ROCK MUSIC, check them out! Well done J.J. Mötherfücker (guitars/vocals), Professor Serious (bass/vocals) and Andrew Andrew "Andy" Andrews (drums).
Genre: Rock`n`Roll
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Info: 4 Songs
Jochen
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TENSIDE - CHAIN REACTION Recent Records
This is the fourth record from german New Metal Band TENSIDE. They play a modern kind of Heavy Metal, sometimes like some EKTOMORF stuff (especailly the vocals), the heavier Soulfly, Caliban or Heaven Shall Burn. The opener DEATH is a good groover and ARMED AND DANGEROUS is the first single. The vocals are a mix between "clean and scream" and without that good production it will get a bad record. It is not really bad, but today it is not special and that kind of music is out in the scene 100 times better! The song VIOLET WORLD with the Emil Bulls singer is not the highlight (sorry Christ!), it is more a weaker song between a lot of weak songs. All in all a disappointing release. And the terrible artwork give the rest...
Genre: Modern Metal
Music: 6
Sound: 8
Info: 13 Songs / 40 Minutes
Jochen
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February 2011
SPARZANZA - Folie a Cinq
HERETIC - Praising Satan
RIVAL SONS - EP
MOTHER OF MERCY - IV
PYRIOR - Oceanus Procellarum
SIMEON SOUL CHARGER - Meet me in the afterlife
LEE`S REQUEST - Aggressive past
ALUNAH - Call of Avernus
EVOKEN / BENEATH THE FROZEN SOIL - Split
MINOTAUR - Power of Darkness
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SPARZANZA - Folie a Cinq Spinefarm Records
After two outstanding records (Angels of Vengeance and Into the Sewers) at the beginning of the 2000 and a good following here in Germany, the band released 2 great records (Banisher of Light and In Voodoo Veritas) without any feedback and promo in Germany. In Scandinavia they are very big, they play the huge open air festivals and the new record hit the Hard Rock Charts in Finlan on #1! And now they are ready to conquer back their part in Germany! And I hope they can come on tour, because especially on stage they are awesome! And with Spinefarm Records they found the right partner to make a huge step forward. The record is similar to the last record IN VOODOO VERITAS. Especially the vocals from Fredrik are still outstanding (powerful like James Hetfield). I personally like HELL IS MINE with fat guitar riffs and darker vocals and the great NIGHT OF THE DEMONS. ALONE WITH A LOADED GUN with a excellent chorus line or the more aggressive MR FISH. Anothe great album from Sparzanza and with that record they did the step out from the underground pool into the mainstream heaven. Good luck and come back to Germany!
Genre: Modern Metal
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 11 Songs / 37 Minutes
Jochen
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HERETIC - Praising Satan Soulseller Records
www.myspace.com/hereticmaniacs
The dutch Black Metal band HERETIC celebrating 15 years of ultimate Satanic Sleaze with a collection of supreme re-recordings of their first 2 albums, including the complete 8 tracks of the sold out SPLITTING SKULLS FOR SATAN CD/LP, both 7" singles and unreleased single and 2 tracks recorded exclusive for this compilation. Right? Don`t know. I only know that great HERETIC band from the 80s. HELLFIRE SATANIST is the new track. The music is old school Black Metal. The vocals remind me to early Venom material, but the music is really primitive Punk Rock. I like that old school Black Metal and I prefer newer bands like Tyrant, but Heretic has no power (especially the drums are boring) and the riffing reminds me a little on darker Misfits (but without their quality). This is underground. I know. And it is not bad, but I`m not impressed about Heretic. Maybe it would be a hurricane in the mid 80s, maybe not. Because the songs have no hooklines like for example the Venom songs or the Bathory stuff. The opener BLOOD AND BLASPHEMY is cool, WE WILL DESTROY partly. Maybe they will find some followers, I put it away and listen to the old Black Metal gods Bathory and Venom.
Genre: Old School Black Metal
Music: 6
Sound: 7
Info: 13 Songs / 40 Minutes
Jochen
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RIVAL SONS - EP Earache
It is a real Promo CD from Earache! A real CD since years! Can`t believe! And after I put it in my stereo the second shock. Earache! My home of my favourite Death Metal records release a classic Rock band like Rival Sons. Again a look on the back of the CD and really....Earache Records. 70s influenced Hard Rock with 6 great songs in 30 minutes. RADIO is a real cool rocker and TORTURE too! Great groove, great guitar work! Very heavy! I really like TORTURE. SACRED TONGUE slows down the heaviness and show the band on a bluesy Classic Rock side. Especially the vocals from Jay are outstanding and he can be the next Rock`n`Roll superstar! Tracks like SACRED TONGUE or SOUL are more relaxed and more like a ballad. But not boring or something like that! Classic Rock magazine called RIVAL SONS as a band to watch in 2011 and I think they are right! The second longplayer will be out on May 2011 and if it can hold the high standard of the EP, it will get killer! A band with a bright future!
Genre: Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 8
Info: 6 Songs / 28 minutes
Jochen
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MOTHER OF MERCY - IV: Symptoms of Existence BRIDGE 9
www.myspace.com/motherofmercyhc
This is the second (real full-length) record from Pennsylvanian MOTHER OF MERCY with pure 90`s Hardcore. No shitty breakdowns or stuff like that! This is how Hardcore should sound: straight forward, full of dynamics, power and like a hit in your face. The vocals from Robert are awesome and without any melodies and fit perfect to that stone of hate and anger! It sounds like the good old 90 Moshcore and fans of RINGWORM or the mighty old CRO MAGS should check it out! Highlights are the killer song FOREVER NIGHT, FOREVER MOURNING with some Metal influences. Highlights in my eyes are 2 songs. DROWN and WORLD OF PAIN with some mighty groove and excellent guitar work! Nothing new, nothing special, but a good old Hardcore record for your stereo...and maybe it is better to check them out on stage first.... 10 songs in 30 minutes. 10 songs straight in your face. Yeah!
Genre: Hardcore
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Info: 10 Songs / 30 Minutes
Jochen
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PYRIOR - Oceanus Procellarum Away Music
www.myspace.com/awaymusicberlin
www.myspace.com/pyrior
PYRIOR is a new Stoner Rock band from the mighty Berlin. At the moment bands like KARMA TO BURN or LONG DISTANCE CALLING have a lot of followers and maybe the 4 guys Torsten (bass), Max (guitar), Danilo (drums) and Mathias (guitar) can have a piece of the cake! Because they are really good! A mix of Stoner Rock and Psychedelic Rock, some 70s influences and a lot of drive in tracks like NOSTROMO (the beginning!) for example. The CD start with a long intro (it is not easy to say without vocals...) and turns into the cool, relaxed PULSAR. The following ORBITER, with a lot of more punch, follows and shows the great potential of the single musicians. JANITOR is a Prog Rock masterpiece and POINT OF NO RETURN is really darker as the other material. Slower. Doomy. Cool! DUSTOWN is more straight and with great jam parts. Cool band, but over the whole distance I personally miss the vocals! That is the only critical point. But I miss it at Karma to burn too! So, no bad word about Pyrior.
Genre: instrumental Stoner Rock
Sound: 8
Music: 7
Info: 9 Songs / 43 Minutes
Jochen
SIMEON SOUL CHARGER - Meet me in the afterlife Gentle Art of Music
SIMEON SOUL CHARGER are a band from the USA which life in Germany right now. Maybe they will find more listeners in a music lover country like Germany. The music is cool! A mix of 70s Rock ala Led Zeppelin, some Rush elemens and some Coheed and Cambria. It really sound great! THROUGH THE TREES THEY TALK and AND HE SKINNED THEM BOTH features a cool Stoner Rock guitar riff and have a lot of power and drive. In both songs are a lot of changings and new parts and so they have a hush of a progressive song too. But not every track is like that (I like it most with the opener). A song like PLEASE is more Bluegrass music and the opener features some RUSH influences. Musically the best track is EUROPE`S GARDEN with a cool mix of Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, 70s Rock and modern Alternative sounds in one song. Piece for piece! And if you want it more with Folk influences, you will get it with A CHILD`S PRAYER and DEAR MOTHER. No filler and the last, THE SWALLOWING MOUTH end that good record with a Psychedelic Hard Rock sound! Great band - check them out!
Genre: Alternative / Independent
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 13 Songs
Jochen
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LEE'S REQUEST - AGGRESSIVE PAST FINEST NOISE
www.myspace.com/leesrequest
Lee is the singer of the German Grinders YUPPIE-CLUB. With AGGRESSIVE PAST he gives a history lesson of influencial Metal, Hardcore and Grind classics, because he thinks people under thirty have a define need for that.
The following can be found here, see brackets for individual comments by me:
TERRORIZER-STRATEGIC WARHEAD (a classic not to be touched, good in general but the drumming of Pete Sandoval can't hardly be reproduced, clinical drum sound, trigger?)
DOOM-LIFE LOCK (very close to the original and convincing)
NEGATIVE FX-FEEL LIKE A MAN (puh, Chokes vocals are just missing too much, by the way this Choke became the voice of SLAPSHOT, history lesson)
MASTER-PLEDGE OF ALLIGIANCE (the vocals sound a bit strange there, the drum sound is to clinical, maybe something is stuck in my retro ears)
HERESY-CONSUME (again, I respect this choice, but the original can't be approached)
EXTREME NOISE TERROR-MURDER (ok, nicely done)
GODFLESH-LIKE RATS (lacks the coldness, heaviness, intensity of the original recording)
UNSEEN TERROR-OBLIVION DECENDS (to be honest one of the best, if not the best interpretation in the compilation)
NAPALM DEATH-EVOLVED AS ONE & IT'S A M.A.N.S. WORLD (both of the Lee phase of the Grind kings, I remember hearing it an what a killer it was back in the days, this just can't be reproduced).
In between some of the tunes, you can find spoken word passages by John Peel, Bill Steer, Tom Angelripper and Martin Schirenc (Austrian slang all the way, cool as always).
Stick to the originals, the opinion considering this is quite different to Lee's. I also don't need remakes of classic movies by the way. But I have to admit he's musical taste is very equal to mine. But still I will go listen to the...........ok enough said.
But if the original artists get the intention, well….
By purchasing the CD you also get a free T-Shirt.
GENRE: SEE ABOVE
SOUND: 7
INFO: 14 Cuts 22 min
Thomas Schubert
thomas@daredevilrecords.de
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ALUNAH - CALL OF AVERNUS CATACOMB RECORDS
www.alunah.co.uk
www.alunah-myspace.co.uk
Does anybody remember the FALL TO EARTH EP by this British Doom Rockers that was released back in 2008? Well anybody. Ok doesn't matter anyway, none of the Mini CDS tracks appears here. After heavy SLEEP chords it gets very lifely with the up-tempo Rocker LIVING FAST IN AN ANCIENT LAND. The vocals of Soph Willet are at times a bit demanding, at least in my ears. The Stoner vibe is all present on the album, just hear SONG OF THE SUN or CIRCLE OF STONE. Classic Doom is harder to find, maybe HIGHER shows some GOATSNAKE like guitar work, but in general this one can be categorised Heavy Rock if you need categories. At times some of the compositions run a bit too long, ETERNAL SEA (the title might suggest such a thing) is a good example for that.
The production is very powerhouse like, impressing.
Hmmm, nothing out of the ordinary, but ok.
GENRE: HEAVY ROCK
MUSIC: 7
SOUND: 8
INFO: 9 Songs 50 min
Thomas Schubert
thomas@daredevilrecords.de
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EVOKEN / BENEATH THE FROZEN SOIL - SPLIT IHATE RECORDS
www.myspace.com/evoken
www.myspace.com/btfs
Two Doom Deather, one from the United States of America, the other from Sweden.
Evoken (estimated in 1994) bring in four new tracks (one of them originally written in 2002), they stay on their path of not to happy sounds. The only thing that troubles me a bit is the at times extensive use of key carpets. Well a nice horror atmosphere might add some spirit to the songs, but I personally like it more basic (as far as I do remember their last A CARESS OF THE VOID did not consist of such dominant synth work). But to hell with all the nagging, the music in whole is great. Slow, creepy classic Death Doom (for others Funeral Doom, if it has to be), with hyper low chords and deep growls is the way to go here. The heaviest bastard of all the four is THE PLEISTOCENE EPOCH and the final instrumental INTO THE PRIMAL SHRINE did remind me a bit of HELLHAMMER thanks to its eerie moaning.
BENEATH THE FROZEN SOIL from Sweden (born 2004) move in similar waters, but they do bring in a bit more Black harshness. The vocals in IRONLUNG do prove this, later on it gets more typical (Death Doom). With MONOTONE BLACK I they do remind a bit of the outstanding, hopefully not forgotten UNHOLY from Finland. The midsection of the tune is a very impressing Doom almost Sludge outburst. MONOTONE BLACK II opens with almost positive, melodic guitar chords, but soon this turns into gloom, somehow not ASPHYX unlike (on their great ASPHYX album, totally underrated classic).
Well very well indeed. Who's the winner here, decide for yourself, I picked mine, but won't tell.
GENRE: DOOM DEATH
MUSIC: 8 both of them
INFO: 7 Songs 64 min
Thomas Schubert
thomas@daredevilrecords.de
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MINOTAUR - POWER OF DARKNESS IHATERECORDS
www.minotaur-thrashers.de
This is the first official re-release of Germanys Thrashers MIONTAURS debut. The record was originally taped back in 1988, only a non authorised reprint of the debut was put out earlier. Now 22 years later the Teutonic Thrash assault can be purchased by everyone (today with the revival thing going one, probably not the worst thing).
Compared to their comeback album GOD MAY SHOW YOU MERCY... (2009) they have a more raw, primitive approach to the songwriting. This old charm just can't be reproduced.
Especially the vocals in the earlier days sound totally over the top and insane.
Most of the tracks move in the faster section, cook hooklines can be found (INCUBUS), it's classy as it can get (MAGGOTS IN MY BODY, a bit of SODOM here and where) or very shot (NECROMANCER). For Thrash hounds the define food to get.
They did add some new recorded material, like said before the vocals lack a bit of the insanity of the original days. With WASTED they did a very outstanding cover tune of a compostion from DEF LEPPARD, check it out.
Freaks of modern productions (who won't dig this anyway) be warned, no trigger no nothing, pure analog mayhem. The way it should be, even in our plastic days.
GENRE: TEUTONIC THRASH
MUSIC: 8
SOUND: 8
INFO: 12 Songs 34 min
Thomas Schubert
thomas@daredevilrecords.de
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January 2011
RAMON ZARATE - Oyster
BURN - Rock Royale
DEATHTRACK - Deathtrack
GEIST - Feuerengel
EARTH FLIGHT - Blue Hour Confessions
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RAMON ZARATE - Oyster
www.myspace.com/ramonzarateband
A long time gone since a real Stoner Rock record impressed me (maybe Sungrazer last), but this Stoner Rock band from Belgium did it! Packed in a mighty impressive digipack, everything on that release is top! Musically I haven`t heard such great riffs since month. And: the vocals fit perfect! Starting with MONKEY, starting with a mighty heavy fuzz riff and I still can`t believe! A great mix of Dozer and Motorhead. Rolling forward like a tank. The song is mega heavy and the following BURNING BOB will bring to your house a huge earthquake! The title-track, OYSTER, is like another great ride. Fuzz guitars and mighty pounding drumming will make Stoner Rock fans happy. EIGHTBALL and the mighty LOSING GRACE (which is more pure ROCK) show the power and potential of that band. It is a shame, that this handmade music will not get the same audience as all the "plastic unreal Metal bands" out there! I can`t say any bad word about that record. OYSTER features all (!!!) what a good Stoner Rock record need! Better is not possible today! I have to see that band on stage! Get it!
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 8
Info: 8 Songs
Jochen
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BURN - ROCK ROYALE Burn Music Adventure
What a great new band from Gothenburg, Sweden. BURN released a kick ass Rock album with a lot of influences of bands like MC5, Thin Lizzy, Kiss, Hellacopters and some TURBONEGRO look-a-like. Especially the music and vocal lines show some comparison (in my eyes) to the KISS stuff back in the 70s. The debut album ROCK ROYALE is full of energy, drive and power! And: ROCK ROYALE is produced by PETER DOLVING (The Haunted)! And Peter did lead vocals on the song "OH!!" and some backing vocals as well. Starting with the mighty C`MON C`MON (remember the KISS comparison) and followed by THE WRESTLER, the direction was clear: straight in your face! Pure and good old ROCK`N`ROLL with some modern touch. I really like the number with Peter on vocals, because it is a real earburner! And the vocals (does anybody remember MARY BEATS JANE?) are awesome! Other highlights are I NEED SOME TIME, A GIRL LIKE YOU and MISS KNOW WELL. But you can`t do anything wrong to skip into a single song of the album. The album transform a lot of the live feeling and you will stomp with your feet over the whole time. BURN need fans! BURN will be the next big thing! BURN is ready to conquer the world! Well done!
Genre: Rock`n`Roll
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Info: 10 Songs
Jochen
EARTH FLIGHT - Blue Hour Confessions Recent Records
++++++
Good to hear such a fresh and outstanding record from Germany. Earth Flight started as Doom Metal band and played a lot of gigs in the last years, but with their new (excellent digipack artwork by the way) album they dive into a more progressive sound. This 10 songs are a very good mix of bands like PORCUPINE TREE and ANATHEMA, mixed with some old school BLACK SABBATH and DEEP PURPLE stuff. Really outstanding! All the 10 songs are very melodic and (unbelievable) progressive too! BLUE HOUR CONFESSIONS is not a happy record, it is more dark and full of sadness. But the great Hard Rock parts give the music a positive side! I think they work a lot on that material, every second sounds like the perfect moment. The more silent opener BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON or the mighty NOONDAY DEMON are only two examples for that great record. The mighty and heavy OTHER SIDE OF THE RINGS is my personal favourite song and RESTLESS remind me on some RADIOHEAD stuff. Really excellent album! Check this band out! They will get big soon!
Genre: Progressive Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info : 10 Songs / 45 mintes
Jochen
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DEATHTRACK - DEATHTRACK Halfstone Records
A really big surprise from Finland! Since 2007 Billy Bob Blastoff, Jonny Thunder, Harry Hellriffer and Zyborg create real cool music in a mix-zone of Stoner, Thrash and Hard Rock. Named ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY (the dirt), METALLICA (riffs, groove) and MOTÖRHEAD (power). The opener FRIDAY NIGHT`S (ALL RIGHT FOR FIGHTING) is a great opener with excellent vocals and melodies and sheer guitar power.THE BLOOD THAT MOVES YOU is a slower, more darker sound with simple guitar work and again that excellent vocals. HEARTLESS starts with a classic Hard Rock riff and turns into a cool guitar solo and rougher Hetfield vocals. It is really no filler on that record and a big surprise to listen to it! And THE SOUNDS OF VIOLENCE is the next hit in the underground! This is total Rock! Fresh and full of power! Listen to it and get addicted!
Genre: METAL
Sound: 8
Music: 8
Info: 9 Songs / 33 Minutes
Jochen
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GEIST - FEUERENGEL Enorm Music / BMG / Brainstorm
Since 2000 the german band GEIST (Ghost) travel through Germany and now, 2011 they will release their best and most supported record called FEUERENGEL. But this is not another (bad) RAMMSTEIN cover band, they play a good mix of Alternative music and pure Rock. And the vocals (with german lyrics indeed) from Fares are over the top. Great voice man! Beside the great ROCK basement of the band you will get some Electro, Country or Punk elements too! And it really sound fresh and rough. It is a little surprise in my eyes (I haven`t thought it!). Highlights are the titletrack and DEN TEUFEL TUN. But all 11 songs are on the same high level and with the right support on that record they will make a huge step forward! SCHWEIG MICH TOT, WUNDER STERN or PANZER were made to play it on the huge festival stages. Not my taste of music, but the bright masses will buy that music!
Genre: Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 11 Songs
Jochen
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WINTER 2010
SORROWS PATH - The rough path of nihilism
CHUCK NORRIS EXPERIMENT - Dead Central
GRANDLOOM - 5 Dollar Jam
VELVET REVOLVER - Live in Houston (DVD)
HEAVEN & HELL - Neon Nights/Live at Wacken (DVD)
TRAKTOR - Early Adaptor
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SORROWS PATH - The rough path of Nihilism Rock it up Records
This is the official debut record (their last album 2006 was a best of Demo recordings) from greece Doomster SORROWS PATH and it is a great record! You will get fine Power Doom Epic Metal in the veins of Candlemass, Forsaken or Solitude Aeturnues. And they also put some progressive parts in it and make it different to the more simple playing other Doom Metal Bands. ALL LOVE IS LOST start that 60 minute Epic Doom Metal trip with a great song (with some oriental influences) and especialls LOST INNOCENCE is a real killer! QUEEN OF DOOM with great guitars and a cool hookline in the refrain is another great song. FETISH is the highlight on that record with the opener, because the psychedelic piano sounds and the female vocals make the song special for the band. The vocals from Angelos Ioannidis are clear and fit perfect into the doom ladden riffs and the whole band is really tight. The artwork and the booklet is really awesome too! A big thank you to the great ROCK IT UP RECORD label: thank you for the SP support! Doom Metal fans have to buy it right now!
Genre: Doom
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Info: 12 Songs / 60 Minutes
Jochen
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CHUCK NORRIS EXPERIMENT - Dead Central I hate People Records
My friends are back! Back in time, the parent band RICKSHAW released some stuff on Daredevil and CHUCK NORRIS EXPERIMENT released their first official song on Daredevil too! So, we are in touch with them over 10 years and I`m really happy to tell you, that DEAD CENTRAL is so far the best CNE output! Starting with an excellent packing and great booklet. The opener PSYCHO MAN (featuring Texas Terri!!!!) is a killer of a song! Simple, but really awesome! The following ALL WE HAD IN COMMON WAS OUR NAME show the power of the band and especially the vocals are fantastic! To tell you right now, there are really no fillers on that record! The titletrack is my favourite and the last song KILLED BY DEATH, a Motorhead cover version, will kick your ass! I think songs like BITCH or EVIL EMPIRE have enough potential to push the band on the top and with some luck and good work from their label they can get a good name in the rock scene! Maybe they will get the new Gluecifer or Hellacopters soon! Get it!
Genre: Rock
Music: 9
Sound: 8myspace.com/grandloom
Info: 11 Songs
Jochen
GRANDLOOM is a cool 3 piece instrumental Stoner Rock band from Germany! And : they rock! I really don`t like instrumental bands so much, because some songs need a singer in my eyes....but GRANDLOOM are cool on that 4 tracks and I hope they can hold that standard on the forthcoming longplayer. The opener ALL IN is a cool groove rocker with excellent riffs and the following SWAMP with a lot of groove is a highlight! Especially the drummer is awesome and make the riffs special! Short and simple (guitar) song, but straight in your head! BRING ME THE GUBBER is again very heavy before the 11 minute long PAULA`S VOODOO GROOVE close that record with a lot of changings, breaks, psychedelic moments, great riffs and wah-wah effects. I`m really impressed and can`t wait to hear the full album in 2011!
Genre: Stoner Rock
Music: 8
Sound: 7
Info: 4 songs / 26 minutes
Jochen
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VELVET REVOLVER - LIVE IN HOUSTON EAGLE VISION
www.eagle-rock.com
Why now? That is the only thing that wonders me doing this review. The show presented on the disc is from 2005. At this time the group (still searching for a replacement for Scott Weiland) lies dormant. Well with the release maybe they don't sleep into the void of nothingness, considering Slash is pretty busy with his solo project at the time.
Well enough of the speculations.
The herein caught show in Houston Texas shows the whole class of the group. Filmed during the CONTRABAND tour, you see them at their peak. Apart form material from that album to Gunners clips come in pretty handy. IT'S SO EASY and USED TO LOVE HER are pretty convincing. The STONE TEMPLE PILOTS also get their blessing with CRACKERMAN and SEX TYPE THING. Now in 2010 Scott is back again with STP, but I'am sure you are well aware of that fact.
Clips from the originally aired in 2005 VH1:INSIDE VELVET REVOLVER are cut in between the live set to give some background information about the group. Even in this early stage the problems of substance abuse, considering somebody in the band are discussed here.
A girl wearing a Third Reich uniform is asked obscure stuff about Hitler, Bush the Third Worldwar and so on. Here in Germany I wonder that's this gonna cause.
The gig is nicely filmed at times the split screen effects are a but overdone, also these I don't know that to call them curtain morphing are a bit too much at times.
The DTS soundtrack is preferable if you have the right equipment at home, warm and fullfilling.
A nice treat for their fans.
GENRE: ROCK
MUSIC: 9
SOUND: 9
INFO: 78 MIN 12 Live Cuts
thomas@daredevilrecords.de (Thomas Schubert)
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HEAVEN & HELL - NEON NIGHT / LIVE AT WACKEN EAGLE ROCK)
www.eagle-rock.com
This is a sad one, this was the last performance of HEAVEN & HELL (alias BLACK SABBATH) with the voice Ronnie James Dio filmed professionally (if you believe the info sheet). As you all know (hope thats a fact) Dio passed away this year losing his fight against the consuming sickness cancer.
So the show consits of the same set the played during their THE DEVIL YOU KNOW european tour, the stage setting is also the same as far as I can tell (the gates, the demons (and the disco ball for that matter)). The setlist includes tracks from the SABBATH classics HEAVEN & HELL and MOB RULES as long with some newer cuts of their awesome THE DEVIL YOU KNOW record. The performance is pretty tight, DIOs voice stuns as always. As special mentionig deserves the power drumming of Vinnie Appice which benefits most from the crunchy DTS soundtrack. Speaking of the sound the Dolby Digital and the original Stereo tracks also know to please.
Appart form this triumphant gig (the Wacken crowd is very honouring, and the moody lightning also does it's charmes) what was filmed without to hectic cuts or picture alterations, interviews concerning the 30th anniversary of each member (which gives each a 15 minute segment to tell about their experience and nice anectodes) as well a very short Ronnie James Dio tribute on which the three remaining members share some thoughts.
If anybody thinks of a rip off here I would say now, first of all value for money, and the gig was shot before the news of the health about Dio was known.
GENRE: HEAVY METAL
MUSIC: 10
SOUND: 9
INFO: Wacken Gig 88 min Interview segments all together 63 min
thomas@daredevilrecords.de (Thomas Schubert)
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TRAKTOR - EARLY ADOPTER ATLAS/APOCAPLEXY RECORDS
www.traktorbiz.com
www.myspace.com/traktorbiz
Surely their have a name in the newer Hardcore, Screamo (whatever) scene, doing a lot of opening slots (THE OCEAN and many many more) they work their way up from below.
So now on their third longplayer they bring in more melodies and the tracks run a bit longer which makes them a bit not too much in your face . Folks who heard the record called it their Sgt Pepper, well opinions are like, yeah you know.
Well it's a fact than a lot lesser screaming takes place, I felt a lot of a D.C. spirit in the tunes, especially at times FUGAZI come in my mind. The info sheet puts them in between the BLACK HEART PROCESSION and DRIVE LIKE JEHU, well I honestly don't know about that, but I give them the benefit of a doubt.
TWO WRONGS DON'T MAKE A RIGHT opens up with a lot of D.C. hunches, EXTENSION'94 uses minor horns. It gets mellower with WHERE WATER GOES, but the strings still cut sharp, laggards can be called almost silent before it gets way livelier with WE'RE NOT SCIENTISTS. VAMPIRE/VAMPIRE is one of the simpler compositions on EARLY ADOPTER, NORTH TO OAK ISLAND could step out of itself a bit more, somehow this one is a bit to conform and tame. The multiple singer use in THE SERIES has it's definte charm.
This is something to give a headspeaker run, there's pretty much to discover in this layered work.
Marcus Sjöberg (producer and recorded) did a stunning job, giving them a warm, organic and a really touching sound.
Fans of he german ANYTHING BUT YOURS will find their joy in this (who influenced who , or whatever may be the origins is of no concern here).
GENRE: POST ROCK
MUSIC: 8
SOUND: 8
INFO: 9 Songs 43 min
thomas@daredevilrecords.de (thomas Schubert)
+++++++
++++++SET 1:1. The Spirit Of Radio
2. Time Stand Still
3. Presto
4. Stick It Out
5. Workin’ Them Angels
6. Leave That Thing Alone
7. Faithless
8.Brought Up To Be (BU2B)
9. Freewill
10. Marathon
11. Subdivisions
SET 2:
1. Tom Sawyer
2. Red Barchetta
3. YYZ
4. Limelight
5. The Camera Eye
6. Witch Hunt
7. Vital Signs
8. Caravan
9. Malignant Narcissism / Moto Perpetuo
10. O’Malley’s Break
11. Closer To The Heart
12. 2112 Overture
13. Far Cry
Bonus:
1. La Villa Strangiato
2. Working Man THE BUYABLE SLUTS WANTED FOR STEALING VIRGINITY - Antacids Home Sweet Home Records