[ Wednesday, August 07, 2002 ]
Here are those shots again. Next time I will remember to let my hair down.
I am the one on the left.
Andrew Ian Dodge [6:42 AM]
[ Tuesday, August 06, 2002 ]
As Editor MommaBear is used to cleaning up text for grammar, spelling, and punctuation; that is her job. Now it seems that Marty has decided that all he has to do is wave his little hand and MommaBear is supposed to do just about everything else involved with material posted here. He's gotten just a wee bit lazy and spoiled from the good care he receives from one he now treats as mere staff, as in suggesting that quite a few reviews should be retrieved from the files and posted here. It will be done, but not without commenting on this shift in attitude towards The Editor.UPDATE: MommaBear has just discovered that she will have to re-edit all those reviews, as, coming straight from the files, they are not in proper shape for this format. It will be done on her next shift.
Messiah’s Kiss
Prayer for the Dying
(SPV)
Germans with a Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Accept fixation is not exactly a shock. It is
rare, however, that anyone does it as well as this lot. They have in fact managed to
produce a metal album that is certainly better than the most recent output from either Rob
Halford or Judas Priest. Twin guitars, fast drumming, and powerful vocals aren’t enough;
a band needs the tunes as well to pull it off. This lot have it in spades on tracks like
‘Reign of Fire’, ‘Blood Sweat & Tears’, and ‘When Night Comes Down’. Riffing aplenty,
solos, and playing that just makes you want to headbang, fist in the air. If there is any
fault, it is that at times the playing is a bit mechanical and the lyrics a bit predictable. This
isn’t the most original stuff in the world, to be sure, but what MK do, they do very well. It
will be interesting to see what they can pull off with their next release. This is classic
heavy metal, no more, no less; enjoy.
Marty: 6
UFO
Sharks
(SPV)
After imploding in Manchester (UK) on their last tour, thanks to Michael Schenker, many
thought we had heard the last from this bunch. UFO were not having it and have
produced a fine blues rock album that, while not rivaling the band at their peak, does
produce the goods. There are several tracks on here that could be seen as self-
deprecating, such as ‘Fighting Man’ and the braggadacio-filled opener, ‘Outlaw Man’.
This is a good dependable hard rock done well; Mogg’s vocals have rarely been better,
and Schenker plays like we all know he can. Journeyman drummer Ansley Dunbar
resurfaces bashing the skins on this one. Other highlights include ‘Shadow Dancer’,
replete with a great solo from Schenker, and reggae-tinged ‘Sea of Faith’. According to
Mogg there are not plans to tour; might be a smart move. Blues rock done by guys who
know what they are doing, what more could you ask for?
Marty:7
Vanderhoof
Blur in Time
(SPV)
You have a second tier metal band that is in total chaos thanks to an unstable lead
singer. So what do you do? Well, if you are Kurdt Vanderhoof, you head off and make
the greatest Styx album they never made. Tracks like the humerous ‘If there is a song’,
‘Brand New Light’, and ‘High St’ are pure Styx. Just to make things interesting, you and
your side band create a few tracks, like ‘Sonic Blur’ that would not be out of place on a
Rainbow album. The whole thing has a Damn Yankees vibe to it as well; a bunch of
musicians from various bands having fun making music. “Blur in Time” takes off where the
first Vanderhoof left off and shows the band jelling into something special. Fans of Metal
Church might not take too well to this offering, but fans of great hard rock are just going
to love it. There is not one stinker on here, although Drew Hart’s vocals are a bit iffy on
the first few tracks. No messing, this is a damn good album and deserves a place in any
hard rock fan’s collection. Here is hoping Kurdt gives up on the saga that is Metal Church
and concentrates on his namesake. The press bumf says this lot are going to tour this
record; I, for one, can’t wait.
Marty: 9
Overkill
Hello from the Gutter
(SPV)
Overkill, 2nd string thrashers, most famous for 'Fuck You!' (included
here), have just releases a "best of" collection. This lot finally got
their shit together towards the end of the 90s but no one cared anymore.
Most of this is bland thrash that becomes dull quickly. Not terrible,
but nothing special, this is still good value for money: 2cd for the
price of 1. Either you are already a fan and probably have most of their
stuff already or you were never liked this lot. Hello from the Gutter is
nothing like an essential purchase but it is good for a few giggles.
This lot does make you appreciate good thrash metal bands, and their is
something to be said for that.
Marty; 4
Lunaris
the infinite
(Earache)
Featuring members of Borknagar, Spirial Architect and Satyricon, this
lot have found a new take on the ole' tried death metal formula. Have
you ever wondered what would happen if Frank Zappa had tried death
metal? Well if you have this is it. As the CD progresses it turns into
something quite special combining death, prog and FZ-isms (like the
piano bits on 'Arise') to make it quite an interesting listen. 'Growth
Denied', 'A final journey' and 'Soulcrush' are wonderfully varied
tracks. Overall, Lunaris is a refreshing break from the death metal
norm. As it is claimed this is not a one-off, but a "real band" we can
expect to see more from this lot. Can't wait, great stuff.
Marty: 8
Hate Eternal
King of All Kings
(Earache)
With a name like Hate Eternal you would expect intensity and brutality,
and that is exactly what you get. Everything on this CD is fast and
heavy. The band (Derek Rody, Erik Rutan & Jared Andersen) featuring
former members of Morbid Angel, Malevolent Creation and Nile has a
strong death metal pedigree. Their former bands highly influence the
band, so there is nothing that new on show here. What more can you say
but: its fast, heavy, dark and brutal. Just you wanted from a better
than average death metal band right?
Marty: 7
MommaBear [5:00 PM]
