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Nemesis
- Self Titled MCD
(Self Release) Review by Steve Green |
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A message to all
bands: Please include a biog or covering letter when sending
in a cd. I only know that Nemesis are from Northern Ireland
because of the postmark on the envelope. I have no other
information about the band, although I could find out more if
I trawled the net. But I've decided to leave that until after
the review. So this review is based solely on the music.
Thankfully for Nemesis, despite a rather average production,
the music shines through. Think very early Maiden mixed with a
touch of Celtic genius and topped off with a stunning twin
guitar attack. This really is a storming release jammed packed
with raw energy that is a joy to listen to. |
Battle
of Cul Dreimne also reminds me of UK retro rockers Conquest of
Steel, but Nemesis are free of the Steelies tongue in cheek
humour. This my friends, is a serious slab of Battle Metal
which fires on all cylinders... and in every department. I
love Dwayne Maguire's Metal tonsils, the rhythm department
kicks serious ass, but the highlight for me though is the twin
guitars of Ade Mulgrew and Sarah Wieghell. I'm not
bullshitting here when I say that they equal anything I've
ever heard. And that includes Maiden, Lizzy, Priest, Wishbone
Ash and Accept. I love the sound they create and could listen
to their 6 string duelling all day.
The fact that Nemesis sound like a NWOBHM band shouldn't
hamper their progress as most of the original bands from that
era are now reforming and touring regularly. This is music as
it should be played, with passion and from the heart. I hope
they get picked up by a decent sized label and are afforded a
proper recording budget as I'd love to hear this with a beefed
up and clearer production. A real gem.
www.nemesismusic.co.uk |
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Rattlesnake Remedy
- Magic Man (BEM) Review by Steve Green |
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I hate this sort of album.
I've put off reviewing it as I was just not getting the vibe.
Previous to the listen I'm on now, despite liking all the
bands that have obviously influenced Rattlesnake Remedy, I
just didn't enjoy this album. So I sit down, start typing and
guess what? I fucking like it now. Grrrrrrrr Black Sheep
Fiddle was always my favourite on the album as it has just the
right amount of sleaze in it's Rock N Roll veins to sound
cliché free, so yeah, I was digging it maaan. And then Drag
You Down with it's Bon Scott AC/DC catchiness just got me
hooked. Oh and I love the drumming. Dave Ballard has the Phil
Rudd, it doesn't need to be complicated to be good, beat down
to a tee. And now I like
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this song more than Black Sheep
Fiddle. Weird, I've only had 1/2 a can of Strongbow and now
I'm all over the shop, but unfortunately not drunk.
As if you hadn't guessed, Rattlesnake Remedy, despite looking
pretty young in their press photo are pure old school. Imagine a
UK version of the Black Crowes influenced by the likes of The
Stones from the 60s and 80s influences such as The Quireboys
from the UK and Guns N Roses from the USA. Lee Stone does a
very fine Axl impression on Reach For The Line and again on
Nothing Right. And I think that's what stopped me getting into
this straight away. This album does suffer from a lack of
originality and I'm still not keen on the slower material
(especially the awful album closer Don't Say Goodbye), as they
do tend to break up the head of steam the rockier numbers
create. But all in all, not a bad debut. But on the next album
the Axl vocals need to disappear completely and so do the slow
numbers. This band sure knows how to rock and they can write
good catchy tunes. Let's hope that combination bears some
fresher fruit on album #2.
www.rattlesnakeremedy.com |
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Steel
Attack - Diabolic Symphony (Locomotive Records)
By: Joe Florez |
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These Swedes are back for the attack (no pun intended) with
their fifth disc. While ok at best, I never thought that they
would last in the power metal world. Well, do they stand a
chance here or fall flat on their arses? Let’s examine the
disc further. First off, I think that vocalist Ron Hemlin has
a deep and strong voice that can carry a tune. Musically, the
first jam is the title track and there are some bumps that we
hit along the way. It’s a power metal tune to the max filled
with keys and double bass drumming pounded with great force,
but just forty seconds into the song when you think that it
will begin to take off, it drags to a doom metal pacing and
the vocals sound like sludge. It leaves soon enough and the
band |
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steam once again. What the hell is this? It takes away a lot
of momentum that the group tries to build with each minute.
The dirge makes a repeat appearance a little later on. The
solos are solid and if it wasn’t for my gripe this would have
been the perfect opener. While “Dead Forever” doesn’t bring
anything new to the table, it’s pretty solid musicianship wise
as there is plenty of fire and fury provided making this one
of the more exciting and energetic tunes. “Sanctimonious” has
to be one of the better tracks on here. Here is where some
originality begins to shine. Ron’s voice gets really dramatic
as he truly sings his heart out. The harmonies are loud and
boisterous. There is even some trippy
keyboard work to round out the song. It’s heavy and mid paced,
but filled with passion and it shows. There is plenty of
variety offered on here for the metal fan. Once again, they
provide us with a product that isn’t all that bad, but with
the competition so big, these guys can easily be left in the
dust. Buy if you are a true fan of the power metal/true metal
genre, but otherwise, keep looking. To call this their darkest
and heaviest outing yet is a bit misleading, but it is the
best out of their catalogue.
www.locomotiverecords.com
| www.steelattack.com |
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Twilight
Singers - A Stitch In Time EP (One Little Indian)
Review by Steve Green |
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Oh I got this one
completely wrong. Thinking that One Little Indian was a Punk
label, mainly because of co-founder, ex-Flux of Pink Indians
guitarist Tim Kelly, I was in no way expecting such a
beautifully lush cd. My thoughts were still way back to the
Neu Smell EP that I enjoyed back in my early teens. So let's
start again shall we!!!
Twilight Singers are a band led by Greg Dulli from the Afghan
Wigs, and this EP has guest appearances from the likes of
Screaming Trees frontman Marl Lanegan. It's also such a
wonderfully mellow trip, it completely absorbs me every time I
play it. A cover of Massive Attacks "Live With Me" not only
wins me over straight away, it also convinces me I have to |
do a
little digging into Massive Attacks back catalogue as well.
They Ride is probably my favourite track, (although all five
on this release are superb), mainly because it reminds me so
much of the Grunge era circa 1992/93. My vision for the song
takes me back to the days of Soundgarden and to when Neil
Young was recognized by a whole new generation. Music just
isn't as exciting these days, bar this EP of course.
Despite collaborations with different musicians on each song
and the fact that two of the five tracks are cover versions,
the flow of this EP is beautifully constructed. It's mellow
without being either Hippy or drippy and you don't need to be
stoned to enjoy the sublime beats. It's just a cool as fuck,
natural chill pill.
www.indian.co.uk |
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UFO - The Monkey
Puzzle (SPV) review by Sam Thomas |
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Well, UFO are a band who’ve been around for ever (since 1969
if you’re a real anorak). Which is exactly the kind of band
you need to be wary of as a reviewer: all too often it means
overblown and stale. I saw them at Pentrich this year for the
Rock and Blues festival and thought yeah, yeah they’re playing
virtually all old stuff (almost a reprise of “Strangers in the
Night”) plus a smattering of new stuff, yawn, yawn…
(excuse me, they were the band of the
festival - Steve) So I wasn’t necessarily expecting to
be impressed by “The Monkey Puzzle”. All I can say is … Fuck
me! From the opening riff, this was amazing. It’s rather like
meeting up with an old friend you haven’t seen for a while and
discovering that she’s |
lost two
stone in weight, ditched her mumsy wardrobe and
has suddenly recreated the vibrant sexy woman you remembered
from years before.
This album is unbelievably good in every respect. It’s what I
always thought UFO should produce, what they never quite
managed to pull off in recent years. Hell, not even just in
recent years, this blows at least fifteen years worth of
releases completely out of the water. Vinnie Moore is perfect
on guitar, managing some lovely technical playing and some
downright brilliant old-school riffing, whilst still managing
to fit into the fabric of the album and not over-dominating
proceedings in some messy wankfest. Phil Mogg’s vocals show
the restrained, controlled power of the iron fist in the
velvet glove, always leaving you aware that you are listening
to a complete professional at work. There’s a definite hint of
Southern-fried rock in the whole performance: possibly just
due to the superb production. I can’t remember when I last
heard an album that was as well-produced as this one – the
balance is perfect, nothing dominates and every note is
crystal clear. Normally, I’m only aware of production when
it’s badly done, but in this instance you can’t help but be
aware that such an apparently effortless flow is only going to
be achieved with a great deal of work and a huge quantity of
talent.
Every track is good, every track is UFO to the core. There’s
no overdone shit going on here: just downright honest old
school metal. And why not? If you can produce something as
good as this, why bother with widdly solos, complicated time
signatures and overdone vocal effects? UFO don’t need to
impress anyone by being flash, but with this offering they
will definitely impress many listeners with real quality
metal. Which is definitely a commodity the world needs more
of!
I anticipate that The Monkey Puzzle will be regarded as a
classic UFO album in years to come, and that it will feature
on many people’s lists of albums of the year. Certainly, as
far as I am concerned, it will be right up there at the top.
You need to buy this album – NOW!!!
www.ufo-music.info
| www.spv.de
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Various Artists -
Metal Message ‘Vol3’ Black, Folk, Viking Metal compilation |
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Reviewing an underground compilation, financed usually by the
bands and released by a label that will probably not exist in
a few years, can be gloriously eye opening or just plain
nauseating.
When the hairy live4metal Ed, sent me this cdr, I thought,
“fucking cdr!!, what tight bastard sent in this?’
It does peeve me when a label can’t be arsed to send a proper
cd, especially when the promo sheet bleats on about how the
art work is by a renowned Belgian artist. All I have is a
photo copy of the art work and the usual blurb about how much
enthusiasm oozes from within.
Well, my gripes aside, this compilation is extraordinarily
good, and it is the bands that count, right? |
First off, we have
Mistur [Nor], blasting out a symphonic
paint by numbers track that whilst isn’t bad, it certainly
isn’t that we haven’t heard before. Lost Legacy [Germany] are an up-beat Viking inspired act with
a blackish spine complete with heavy keyboards and barking
vocals. Eluveitie [Switz] come across as Dark Tranquillity/In Flames
aspiring to be Waylander on a heathen blenched night of mead
and axe throwing. Finterfordst [Germany] are a Germanic black folk act with a,
Skyclad heaviness about the guitars. The word ‘FINNTROLL’ just
leaps out at ever twist and turn.
And so we come to the quite brilliant, Thiasos Dionysos
[Germany] a true pagan fold band with a black soul spitting
out a hypnotic and irresistible beat. Again, Finntroll is the
band that enters the mind, yet the accordion driven music is
quality and ha sits own scent so to speak. Episode 12 [Turkey] Like an early Nightfall [Greece] and
Rotting Christ trapped in a keyboard swirl that is well
executed and displays a solid performance.
Hatred Divine [Germany] Cluttered symphonic blackish metal
that isn’t bad. Kromlek [Germany] Like, Thiasos Dionysos, an up-beat Black
folk act with maybe a bit more vehemence about their fiery
music.
Hordak [Spain] an early Moonspell atmosphere of Mediterranean
flutes and ragged guitars. Heiden [Czech] Growling Black Metal that is so Czech in tone
and delivery. The Czechs have been doing this stuff since my
Godreah Zine days way back in 1993. Arafel [Israel] Like the legendary, Orphaned Land, this band
know how to weave a track whilst still maintaining their
cultural origins. A solid, technical workout of dark
individuality.
Legion of Darkness [Italy] Dreary Blackish metal that will
never set the world aflame or douse the furnace of Hell.
Demonic Resurrection [India] India!! You gasp, well this band
have been around for ages and are the countries finest
exponent of Black deathly music. The track is well crafted by
a band who have much to display. Trollech [Czech] Back to the basic sound of the Czechs again,
dated, and resigned to the lowest clefts of the underground.
So, there you have it. A fine set of bands all in all that
really epitomise every aspect of the Black/ Folk/ Viking sub
cultures.
It just amazes me that so many bands exist and so many people
will never know it…
I need a spliff, bye!
www.metalmessage.de
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Vengeance - Back In
The Ring (Locomotive Records)
By: Joe Florez |
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I have always known of the groups existence, but never
bothered to check them out. It’s hard to believe, but they
have been around for 22 years now. What you get here is
straight up rock and roll. Lead crooner Leon Goewie sounds
like the best of Brian Johnson, Marc Storace, Udo
Dirkschneider and Angry Anderson (Rose Tattoo). The title track
and lead opener is a simplistic number in 4/4. Everything is
consistent and not very daring. It has a dated 80’s sound just
with better production. The licks are pretty infectious and
it’s a fun tune if you are looking for nothing more than that.
“No Mercy” gets down and dirty AC/DC style with the rockin’
bass lines and the higher screeching and gritty voice that is
very akin |
to Mr.
Johnson. Listen to the solos and you will hear a blues vibe
that is quite complimentary to the music. Not a bad tune.
“Mind Over Matter” really gets your blood pumping with this
highly energetic song that refuses to quit even if you get
tired. It’s good to see and hear that the band can slow things
down just a bit with the somewhat ballades “Captain
Moonlight.” It might not get you in a sexy mood or whatever,
but nice to just have a change of pace. “Now And Then” goes
for the synthetic touch just a bit in the song as well as
adding some electronic drumming. If you don’t think that this
is a throwback to the early 80’s then I don’t know what is.
This is just basic rock and roll for the simple person who
doesn’t like evolution. There’s nothing wrong with it and it’s
fun to kick a few back to at a party, but it’s nothing more
than that. If you take it for what it is, then we are all
good.
www.locomotiverecords.com
| www.vengeanceonline.nl |
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Vicious Rumors –
Warball (Mascot Records) Review by Chris Davison |
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Another band that I’d heard the name of, particularly during
the thrash years, but never got round to listening to. VR have
been in the metal game since 1985, which in itself is no mean
feat, and looking them up on the BNR database
www.bnrmetal.com/groups/viru.htm, I think it’s fair to assume that they’ve had quite a
chequered history. I raised an eyebrow to see that the band
has the vocal talents of none other than James Rivera, of Helstar/Seven Witches fame, along with members and past
members of other well respected bands like Chastain and Ozzy
Osbourne.
I was expecting some relatively trite music, to be fair, given
that the band were described as |
“Power
Metal”. Of course, I was expecting something in the vein of
Rhapsody of Fire, all synthesisers and dragons, and happily I
couldn’t really have been more wrong. This is Power Metal that
reminds me greatly of the Halford solo albums – and that is some accolade.
Straddling the line between guitar-centric good old fashioned
heavy metal, the vocal stylings of Power Metal and often
straying into drum and riff heavy thrash metal, this is some
stirring stuff.
Rivera's voice, is, as usual, absolutely stunning, and remains
one of the most impressive in metal. The guitars, courtesy of
Geoff Thorpe, with lead guitars being handled by the twin
guests of Brad Gillis and Thaen Rassmussen. Founder members,
and rhythm section Larry Howe (drums) and Dave Starr (bass),
carry themselves with the utter professionalism one would
expect from veterans of the scene. Geoff Thorpe has co-produced
the album, which is to his considerable credit, given the
clarity and distinction between the individual elements. He
manages to do the difficult in perfectly balancing the soaring
lead guitars, while retaining the dominant punch of the rhythm
section perfectly.
The song writing, which often strays into the generic in the
realms of the power metal warrior, is of a uniformly high
standard. The appeal to the cheese, a constant refrain from
the chain mail bikini brigade, is conspicuously missing here,
although you will catch the odd stirring vocal chorus, such as
with the titular slow-burner, “Warball”. Elsewhere, the songs
can carry a palpable Testament like attack, verging on the
down right thrash laden – such as with the absolutely
excellent track, “Cross Threaded”.
This then, is an album with a rare broad appeal. The Power
Metal crowd into, say, the more aggressive stuff from the
likes of Primal Fear are likely to find much to like here.
Likewise, those die-hard thrashers with a penchant for bands
who straddled the thrash/heavy metal divide such as the afore
mentioned Testament or Annihilator are likely to be absolutely
in their element. One can only hope that such a band of
talented and battle hardened veterans can get such a fine
album out to a deserving audience.
www.mascotrecords.com |
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