Tag Archives: metal album

Green Goat – Album Review

Posted on by
Reply

Greengoat – A.I.

Self-released

Release date: 26/01/2024

Running time: 38 minutes

Review by; Alun Jones

8.5/10

Opening with a Bladerunner-style synth led track that features a spoken word delivery of Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics, is a bold (and different) move for a Stoner/Doom band. In a genre where, thematically, we’re usually content to contemplate the joys of weed consumption and the mysteries of the occult – usually via a 1970s Hammer horror aesthetic – this sci-fi launching point is a welcome breath of fresh air.

This is where we enter the album “A.I.” by Spanish doomsters Greengoat. It’s a great band name, and one that harks back to those pot and patchouli, candles and Peter Cushing tropes we’re used to. But ‘The Void’ takes us on a different tangent, with the Rutger Hauer voice over. Second track ‘The Seed’ takes this mellow intro and runs with it, till 30 seconds in – yes, it’s big fat chunky riff time! And what a big, fat chunky riff it is – slow and grinding, developing an irresistible groove with the drums dropping in, eventually exploding into a full force rocker.

The line-up of singer/guitarist Ivan Flores and drummer Ruth “Kalypso” Moya invoke a moody soundscape that borrows from spacey, harmonic passages of Pink Floyd and adds crunchy hard rock. It’s a euphoric concoction as the music builds. And oh, how it builds…

A more traditional stoner groove pervades the other songs on the album, with groovy riff workouts showcased across tracks like the head-nodding, tripped out title track and the fuzzy, Fu Manchu-like ‘Burn the End’.

Throughout the album, Greengoat weld together a progressive, futurist theme with some good, old fashioned, retro Sabbath style rockin’. “A.I.” will no doubt entwine itself around my conscious all the more as I play it in the weeks to come. This is a fine album with great ideas – the analogue age and the digital age tentatively strolling forward together.

Find out more about Greengoat on Facebook and Bandcamp.

This review is brought to you by Platinum Al in association with Ever Metal.

Ron Coolen – Here to Stay Album Review

Posted on by
Reply

Ron Coolen – Here to Stay

Self released

Release date: 01/12/2023

Running time: 60 minutes

Review by: Alun Jones

7.5/10

Ron Coolen is a Dutch multi-instrumentalist with a passion for rock and metal. Working with vocalist Keith St John and with contributions from some amazing guitar wizards (George Lynch, Gus G and Christopher Amott to name just a few), we have here a new release that sounds contemporary, but also harks back to the glory days of 80’s metal.

With an opening track entitled ‘Heavy Metal Till I’m Dead’, it’s pretty obvious what we’re going to get. This song bursts out of the speakers, embellished with some furious shredding from Joey Concepcion, and I defy anyone not to raise the devil horns and sing along. It’s great fun, with ‘You’re Just a Bad Dream’ offering more of the same full-on energy. If you dig Van Halen, or any of the big stadium rock of the 80s, you’ll find plenty on here to enjoy (especially the VH style glory of ‘Shake Me to the Floor’).

My personal favourite song on “Here to Stay” is the start/stop ACDC-style riff of ‘Mr Jones’, though I don’t think this was written about me. Other tracks such as ‘Jaded Eyes’ offer a welcome change of pace, with an atmospheric feel that’s reminiscent of Sonic Temple era Cult.

I wasn’t sure whether I’d enjoy this particular release from Ron Coolen, but you’d have to be a cold-hearted ice demon not to be infected by the musicians’ reverence for metal. Some of the keyboards can grate a little, but the overall production is crisp and warm. Not all of the ideas work, but as a love letter to 80’s hard rock, it’s easy to enjoy. If you want to rock, then listening to “Here to Stay” is all you need to do, Ron Ron Ron. To do, Ron Ron.

Check out Ron Coolen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Bandcamp and YouTube.

This review is a joint presentation from Platinum Al and Ever Metal.

Tankzilla – Album Review

Posted on by
Reply

Tankzilla – Tankzilla

Heavy Psych Sounds

Release date: 19/05/2023

Running time: 44 minutes

Review by: Alun Jones

9.5/10

Let’s talk about Tankzilla.  To start, what a rad name!  According to the band’s PR, “Satan fucked a Panzer and the offshoot is Tankzilla”.  Which pretty much sums everything up nicely.  So nicely, in fact, that the rest of this review is a bit pointless.

Tankzilla are actually a duo consisting of Peter Van Elderen (guitar and vocals) and Marcin Hurkmans (drums), who started jamming together after their previous bands split.  Before you get clever and assume that these guys are gonna be just like Royal Blood, they’re not.  They have a whole lot more Motorhead in their dirty DNA.

‘Lucifer’, the first track, proves this nicely, with an opening riff reminiscent of ‘Deaf Forever’ by Lemmy’s crew.  The song quickly erupts into a bludgeoning juggernaut all of its own, crushing everything in its path and setting the course for the rest of this slab of sonic destruction.

Yes, the power of the mighty riff rules in Tankzilla’s blitzkrieg campaign.  ‘Crossroad’ drops more loud bombs adding a funky feel, while tracks such as ‘Wolfpack’ and ‘Soulsurfer’ have a hard rocking edge.  The assault slows a little with ‘Brother from Another Mother’, but keeps unleashing maximum firepower.  Bonus points for the sample from The Mandalorian too in ‘Mutant Freak’.  This is the way!

The final song, ‘Hard Way’, has a Melvins vibe to it – something else which makes me very happy indeed.  Whether firing on all cylinders or easing off the gas a little here and there, this debut album is devastatingly excellent.  Tankzilla are a relentless, riff loaded monster and nothing can resist their onslaught.  Definite Top Ten of the year list for me.

No time now, but remind me to tell you about that time with Motorhead in Europe, when we took the band to visit a military museum on a day off.  Philthy was hungover, so Lem let him sleep it off in an old Russian tank.  We closed the hatch and scarpered, leaving Phil in there all day.  He only just made it to the next gig in Copenhagen by the skin of his teeth.

Check out Tankzilla on Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp and Spotify.

This review has been brought to you by Platinum Al and Ever Metal.

Slumbering Sun – The Ever-Living Fire Album Review

Posted on by
Reply

Slumbering Sun – The Ever-Living Fire

Self-released / Us/Them Group

Release date: 24/02/2023

Running time: 45 minutes

Review by: Alun Jones

8/10

Yeah, yeah – I know!  Just keep quiet and probably no one will notice.  Ok, this review should’ve been written weeks ago, but if you just keep schtum and play along, I might just get away with it, OK?  OK??!!  Right, they’re coming – remember the plan!

Hello there, ladies and gentlemen!  Yes ‘tis I, your humble scribe, with another review of a new (ahem) album that I’m sure will tantalise your aural orifices.  This time, a piece of musical majesty entitled “The Ever-Living Fire”, by a superb group of musicians known as Slumbering Sun.  Comprised of members of Destroyer of Light, Monte Luna and Temptress, the pedigree is certainly top notch.

Musically, Slumbering Sun offer a collection of melodic, progressive doom that drags numerous styles into its bubbling cauldron of influences. 

Opening song ‘Morgenröte‘ starts with an ethereal blend of female vocal, guitar and violin, conjuring the sort of misty morning amongst druidic stones that I might encounter on the mystical isle of Anglesey in Wales.  Two and half minutes in, and a huge megalithic guitar erupts into the proceedings, and over the course of the remaining 10 minutes the band are more like an orchestra than a typical rock band – passages ebb and flow, heavy and light, revisiting themes on their journey.

Track 2, ‘Liminal Bridges’, commences with a mellow intro, before the song explodes into a shinier, brighter – dare I say, uplifting? – vibe.  It’s like Thin Lizzy composed a mega Sabbath epic and decided to hurtle off into the forest with it.  ‘Love in a Fallen World’ reverts to a more sombre feel again, but features a great guitar melody and builds slowly and satisfactorily.

‘Dream Snake’ is my personal highlight of the record: unsurprisingly, as it’s the most Sabbath of all the tunes here (even down to the Ozzy-like vocals).  Finally, there’s just over 9 minutes of lumbering, doom laden exploration on the title track, which manages to cover massive prog metal sections and a huge “na na na” backing vocal. 

Track by track then, that’s your overview of “The Ever-Living Fire” by Slumbering Sun.  The band certainly don’t aim low, throwing in a varied collection of sounds and ideas from classic doom to Celtic folk.  I mean, they’re from the southern states of the USA, they’ve probably never been to Llandudno!  The album is hugely creative, but it is somewhat dense – it’ll take a few listens to appreciate.  Magical stuff when it falls into place, though.

You can find Slumbering Sun on Bandcamp and Instagram.

This review has been brought to you by Platinum Al and Ever Metal.

Scrap Metal Vol. 2 – Album Review

Posted on by
Reply

Various Artists – Scrap Metal Vol 2

RidingEasy Records

Release date: 10/02/2023

Running time: 41 mins

Review by: Alun Jones

8.5/10

All hail the return of the forgotten kings!  Yes, it’s another instalment of long lost and forgotten classics with the second “Scrap Metal” collection from RidingEasy Records!  Much like their Brown Acid series, which compiles obscure late 60’s/early 70’s psych hard rock, here we’re delving into the murky depths of early 80’s metal.  This is the realm of studded belts, band patch covered denim jackets and of course, mullets: prepare to ROCK!

We begin with ‘Running for the Line’ by JJ’s Powerhouse – a lightning-fast ripper that reminded me of Judas Priest playing a cover of Budgie’s ‘Breadfan’.  It’s a great, energetic start to the proceedings.  Next is Storm Queen, with another fast-paced attack in ‘Raising the Roof’.  Furious fun from this Welsh power house.

‘It’s a Crime’ declare Jameson Raid, and it is indeed a crime that these Brummie bruisers didn’t achieve more in rock’n’roll.  A.R.C. have a punk’n’roll edge that makes their song ‘Homemade Wine’ something to savour, it’s the rawest track here so far.  Metropolis hail from San Jose, and their track ‘The Raven’ has a dark, mid eighties thrash sound and killer intro riff.

Staying with the USA, Prowler from San Diego offer up ‘Temporary Insanity’ – more mid-eighties thrash infused metal that recalls early Anthrax.  Following that, Christian Steel deliver ‘Need Your Love’ – a fairly cliched, but still fun, banger.  If these guys are Christians, I’ll bet their church group won’t be impressed with what they’d like to do to a lady (outside of matrimony too, I suspect).  ‘Sidewinder’ is one of the best tracks gathered here, a punchy rocker from Black Rose.      

‘Star Trippin’’ is by Dark Age.  Dark Age are apparently a band of youngsters: the guitarist was jut 12, and his brother on vocals two years younger when this song was written.  It’s fun, but very strange listening to the helium high-pitched voices.  It’s like Alvin & The Chipmunks playing Crue covers.  Finally, we have Sorcery with their mystical Zep-a-thon ‘Whales’.  Crazy title for a crazy tune.  There’s a mellow hippyish intro, which is obliterated by the crushing mega riff which powers the song along.  Over the top magnificence.

From NWOBHM inspired tracks, to proto thrash and full-on goof ball metal ragers, Scrap Metal Vol 2 has plenty of variety.  Maybe not so much depth, but it’s not for want of trying with some of these bands.  At the end of the day, all of these songs are fun and it’s great to know they’ve been rescued from oblivion.  Now, raise those horns and roar!

Check out RidingEasy Records online, on Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

This review is presented by Platinum Al in partnership with Ever Metal.

Worselder – Album Review

Posted on by
Reply

Worselder – Red Shift

Ellie Promotion/Seasons of Mist Distribution

Release date: 17/02/2023

Running time: 45 minutes

Review by: Alun Jones

8/10

January is over.  Yet the cold still lingers, steel grey skies still shroud us.  The iron glow on the horizon promises more snow.  We stumble like children through the deep snow drifts of the French Pyrenees, our bodily extremities feeling icy cold.  We are here in search of Worselder, metal warriors who hail from these parts… 

Here we have “Red Shift”, the latest endeavour from the mighty Worselder.  It’s their first LP since “Paradigms Lost” in 2017, no thanks to the delay caused by the bloody pandemic.  They’re back in full-on, skull crushing style here, though – picking up where they left off with the well-received success of the last album.

Part power metal, part thrash, with a bit of old school trad metal, Worselder’s music is aggressive and direct, no superfluous cheese.  Opening tracks ‘Para Bellum’ and ‘Point of Divergence’ are furious metal with chugging riffs and fast pace.  It’s infectious, head banging stuff.  There’s a ferocious metalcore attack embedded in there too, particularly on ‘Pillars of Smoke’.

It nearly goes wrong on ‘Absurd Heroes’, where a truly ugly slap bass stinks things up in the intro.  It’s only a minor setback though – ‘Atheist’ kicks the doors down with a killer riff and ‘The Exoteric Verses’ melds a haunting atmosphere with a death metal chant along.  ‘Insurgents (Part 1)’ is a smart instrumental and good change of pace, leading to the frenzy of ‘Insurgents (Part 2)’.  All wrapped up with the epic ‘Ascent to Rebirth’, it’s a solid effort.  

The production is top notch and the musicians are excellent, without being over indulgent or obvious with their playing.  Worselder are a far more formidable band than I had initially expected, and “Red Shift” is a pleasant surprise.

Find out more about Worselder on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify and Bandcamp.

This review has been brought to you by Platinum Al and Ever Metal.

Torso – Album Review

Posted on by
Reply

TORSO – A Crash Course in Terror

APF Records

Release date: 27/01/2023

Running time: 30 minutes

Review by: Alun Jones

9.5/10

BLEEAUURRRGH!!!  It’s a jump scare to wake anyone out of hibernation, running for safety behind the sofa.  What a way to start the year!  APF records present “A Crash Course in Terror”, the debut album from TORSO.  Formed from the smouldering corpse of Possessor by that band’s Graham Bywater (frontman/guitarist), TORSO skulk in a murky Grindhouse nightmare.

Are you sitting comfortably?  Then we’ll begin.  ‘Heads Start to Roll’ introduces the album with a John Carpenter-esque, menacing, keyboard-led theme which immediately unsettles the listener.  Then the chainsaw guitars cut through, the song erupts, and the listener is dragged along by the scalp in a ferociously paced fairground ride from hell. 

The retro, electro keyboard themes dotted throughout help to set this album apart in its own fuzzy VHS world.  Spooky instrumentals like ‘Pranks’, ‘Depth Charge’ and ‘Death TV’ add a dread atmosphere, part prog and part video nasty soundtrack.

‘Sinking Spell’ is like The Melvins rocking out to a Texas Chainsaw Massacre back projection.  The lo-fi, raw sound of the heavier numbers keeps everything within the TORSO world: ‘Precious Blood’ could be a punked up hybrid of Angel Witch and Electric Wizard.  Finally, the epic ‘Circuit Breaker Breaker’ has a B-movie, doom metal fury that sounds as if the final survivor is running for their life from a vicious psycho killer.

My only complaint with this album is that at just 30 minutes, it’s a little short – I’d have loved another 5 minutes of mayhem.  But at least “A Crash Course in Terror” is to the point.  That’s much preferable to yet another 80 minute Metallica album – I haven’t finished listening to all the songs on their last record yet…

“A Crash Course in Terror” by TORSO.  A fantastic, gruesome recording and a perfect start to the year.  Can 2023 get any better?

Check out Torso on Instagram, Spotify and YouTube.

APF record scan be found on Facebook, Bandcamp, Twitter and their own website.

This review brought to you by the combined might of Platinum Al and Ever Metal.

Heron – Empires of Ash Album Review

Posted on by
Reply

Heron – Empires of Ash

Sludgelord Records

Release date: 02/12/2022

Running time: 37 minutes

Review by: Alun Jones

8.5/10

“Empires of Ash” is the new album from Heron, and if you like the sludge, this is gonna be one for you.  It’s the band’s third full length album, and you’ll know when you listen that there’s a whole mountain load of experience brewed up in this mighty concoction.  Experience, plus what seems like a lifetime’s worth of melancholy and frustration given voice through huge, expansive slabs of atmospheric thunder.

Starting with ‘Rust and Rot’, Heron take us on a 9 minute plus odyssey encompassing thudding drums and menacing guitar.  Vocals are guttural and brutal, the end result is a thrilling wade through a sludgey mire.  Contrast this to the second track, ‘The Middle Distance’: a sombre yet beautiful (yes, you read that right) epic, which only erupts into molten fury after the three-minute mark.  When the vocals come in, you’ll drop your pint.

‘Hauntology’ is another epic, and very aptly titled.  Eerie yet calm and pensive, till again it builds to an enthralling outburst.  ‘Hungry Ghosts’ is a more ruthless amalgamation of Conan with later period Danzig guitar flash.  The final track, ‘With Dead Eyes’ has a melodic entrance, and once more decimates with a powerful vocal.

Whether it’s doom, sludge, post-rock or any other shade of metal, there’s a wide variety of styles and influences on this album.  I was lulled into a relaxed haze before being startled awake with fiery exultations on several occasions.  Heron have really gone all out with “Empires of Ash” to create a record that is unique and imaginative.

Ozzy had trouble with a heron.  He’d just had a new pond built on his farm, and one bird kept gorging on Oz’s expensive ornamental Koi carp.  One night, we decided to lay ambush and surprise the heron with a siren and a shot gun when it flew in at dawn for breakfast.  Bill Ward fell asleep, so we floated him out on the water on an inflatable raft, as he snored under the moonlight.  When the heron arrived, I sounded the siren, Oz fired his gun into the air and Bill woke up startled, then fell into the pond screaming “I can’t swim!”.  Oh, we did laugh.  The bird flew off, never to be seen again. 

Check out Heron on Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.

Pay Sludgelord Records a visit on Facebook, Instagram and Bandcamp.

This review is brought to you by the combined powere and elegance of Platinum Al and Ever Metal.

Vis Mystica – Album Review

Posted on by
Reply

Vis Mystica – Celestial Wisdom

Dark Star Records/Asher Media Relations

Release date: 2nd December 2022

Running time: 24 minutes

Review by: Alun Jones

7.5/10

Confession time: I don’t actually like Power Metal.  Widdly and flashy guitars; superfluous keyboards washing over everything; histrionic, high-pitched vocals – no thanks.  I mean, I can dig Iron Maiden and Judas Priest – do they count?  But otherwise, this particular metal sub-genre is not for me.

Vis Mystica are a Power Metal band.  But they’re a Star Wars themed Power Metal band, and no one is more steeped in Star Wars lore than me. No one.  You know the cantina scene in Episode IV?  I can name all the aliens in that scene, what planet they’re from, and what they’re doing there.  I’ve collected the action figures since 1978.  I can beat anyone – anyone – at Original Trilogy Trivial Pursuit.  Ask my other half, I’ve ruined a couple of dinner parties playing that game.

It’s not a huge claim to fame, but Star Wars fandom is all I have to offer in life.

So, let’s put my knowledge to use.  To be fair, musically “Celestial Wisdom” is far better than I feared.  The widdly guitars and pointless keyboards are present, but the music is fast and furious like a T-16 race in Beggar’s Canyon.  The vocals are solid and not overly dramatic, not Gungan-level annoying at all.  In fact, the first two tracks, ‘Whispering Winds of Fate’ and ‘Legacy of the Builders’ had me headbanging along like a Wookiee on a runaway Bantha.

Everything was going well till Track 4, ‘Lux Et Veritas’, when xylophone style plinky-plonk noises threatened to sink things faster than a proton torpedo in a two-metre-wide exhaust port.  It all suddenly sounds like Christmas music.  Thrashy, hyper-space speed guitars on ‘Beyond the Gates of Fury’ engage the nav-computer and manage to steer us back on course, thankfully.

Without a lyric sheet, it’s kind of hard to tell how much actual Star Wars nerd obscurities are present within these songs.  There are no lightsaber or R2 unit samples to add context, so I found the theme lacking a bit.  “Celestial Wisdom” is based around the Knights of the Old Republic comics/video games – alas, not my area of expertise – rather than the movies, so I may not have the wisdom I need to fully judge.  

Whilst Power Metal may not be my usual cup of blue milk, I’ve got to give credit to the musicianship and imagination of Vis Mystica for this endeavour.  The world needs more of this sort of thing.  It’s far more fun than I thought it would be: genuine fans of the Power Metal genre will probably get a lot out of it.  A bit more Star Wars next time, though, please lads?  I can help with the reference material if you like.

May the Force be with you!

Check out Vis Mystica on Facebook, Bandcamp, YouTube and Instagram.

This review has been proudly presented by Platinum Al and Ever Metal.

Trouble: The Distortion Field – album review

Posted on by
Reply

Trouble – The Distortion Field

Hammerheart Records

Release date: 14/10/2022

Running time: 63 minutes

Review by: Alun Jones

9/10

More Trouble!  Another welcome re-issue from Trouble’s back catalogue courtesy of Hammerheart records, here we have their 2013 album “The Distortion Field”, back in circulation.  This was the last studio effort the band have released (at this time) – and with vocalist Eric Wagner (RIP) absent, replaced by Kyle Thomas (of Exhorder and Alabama Thunderpussy). 

Sure enough, things get off to a solid start with a thunderous ‘When the Sky Comes Down’ and ‘Paranoia Conspiracy’, both reliably Trouble-some rockers.  The album really picks up a gear or three with ‘The Broken Have Spoken’, a lumbering riff juggernaut that reminded me of Pantera.  Then there’s ‘Sink or Swim’, a mighty, pacey mountain shaker with a chorus hook so big it could reel in a Kraken.

There’s little of the psychedelic, hippy journeys found on the Def American albums.  Instead, there’s the almost ballad ‘Have I Told You’, which haunts like vintage Alice in Chains.  The quality only dips with ‘Glass of Lies’, which is a little too barroom boogie for me – though the last section of the song thankfully reverts to a funereal doom speed.

For the most part though, songs like ‘Hunters of Doom’ deliver exactly the kind of chugging riffology that the listener would expect.  ‘Butterflies’ illustrates Trouble’s doom strategy perfectly again – slow, heavy crunch with another almighty chorus. 

Add in the bonus track ‘The Apple from the Snake’ and this is prime Trouble.  Newcomers may want to start with something from the band’s earlier work, but a re-issue of “The Distortion Field” is fantastic news for fans.  Add this record to your collection and keep your fingers crossed for something new in the near future.

My mate Keith Moon was a trouble maker who needed no introduction – blowing up toilets, scrappy food fights and driving limousines into swimming pools.  He was good as gold round at his old mum’s house, though.  I went there once with Keith, and it was all very pleasant.  Cup of tea, slice of cake, lovely conversation with Mrs Moon.  Very down to earth.  Until I got home later that is, and spent the entire evening on the loo.  Moony told me later that his mum – another practical joker – had laced my food with laxatives.  Very bloody funny.

Check out the Trouble website, or find them on Facebook and Bandcamp.

This review has been brought to you by Platinum Al in association with Ever Metal.