Moby- Porcelain: Μια αυτοβιογραφία (Ροπή)

Οι μουσικές βιογραφίες ενίοτε κουράζουν, γιατί επικεντρώνονται σε εποχές που πιθανώς ελάχιστα ενδιαφέρουν τον φίλο/οπαδό του μουσικού. Ο γνωστός μουσικός ηλεκτρονικής αλλά και πανκ ροκ μουσικής, Moby επικεντρώνεται σε δύο σημαντικές εποχές της ζωής του.

Στην πρώτη περιγράφεται η άνοδος και καθιέρωση του ως μουσικού της ηλεκτρονικής σκηνής . Στην δεύτερη, επικεντρώνεται στην εποχή που αναζητά πλέον την λατρεία του αλκοόλ και ταυτόχρονα πειραματίζεται με την ροκ, ενώ νιώθει να απομακρύνεται από την κλασική σκηνή της techno/rave και της ηλεκτρονικής μουσικής.

 

 

Το βιβλίο είναι στην ουσία η περιγραφή της προσπάθειας ενός μουσικού, με ιδιαιτερότητες, όντας ο ίδιος χριστιανός και vegan να γνωρίσει την αποδοχή και την καταξίωση, διατηρώντας την προσωπική του ισορροπία. Γεννημένος και μεγαλωμένος από μάνα, πρώην χίπισσα , σε ένα περιβάλλον φτώχιας, ανακαλύπτει την αγάπη για την μουσική μέσα από το ραδιόφωνο του αυτοκινήτου και σχήματα όπως οι BOSTON, RUSH, JOURNEY, Donna Summer. « Ό,τι παίζει το ραδιόφωνο πρέπει να είναι καλό», λέει και ξεκινά μια σαγηνευτική αφήγηση. Από τις προσπάθειες να δώσεις τις πρώτες κασέτες του σε εταιρίες και ταυτόχρονα να καθιερωθεί ως dj στο κύκλωμα των κλαμπ της Ν. Υόρκης, μέχρι τις εποχές που πλέον γεμίζει κλαμπ και περιοδεύει σε φεστιβάλ. Η πορεία ξεκινά από τις πρώτες ηχογραφήσεις του σε ένα εγκαταλελειμμένο εργοστάσιο που μένει και ηχογραφεί. Περιγράφει με πολύ ρεαλιστικό τρόπο, τις πρώτες μέρες του ως ανυπόγραφος καλλιτέχνης. Η αποδοχή του αρχικά, ως dj και η περιγραφή της σκηνής των dance/rave κλαμπ της Ν. Υόρκης είναι γλαφυρή και εστιάζει τόσο στο μουσικό μέρος, όσο και στα μεγάλα ονόματα της σκηνής αλλά και τις διαφορετικές φυλές της νύχτας που κατέκλυζαν τα ανάλογα κλαμπ (drag queen, gay,goth).

Η χαρά του όταν γίνεται αποδεκτός ως dj, με ενημέρωση από μήνυμα στον τηλεφωνητή του, για την πρόταση για δουλειά, αλλά και η πρώτη πρόταση γα δισκογραφικό συμβόλαιο είναι τόσο ζωντανά και έντονα, που νιώθεις να συμμετέχεις και εσύ ο αναγνώστης με τα ίδια δάκρυα ευγνωμοσύνης, που πλημμυρίζουν τα μάτια του Moby. Όμως δεν είναι μόνο το μουσικό κομμάτι και η δημιουργική πορεία του Moby από την μικρή εταιρία που ηχογραφούσε στο σαλόνι του ιδιοκτήτη, στο πρώτο του συμβόλαιο μέχρι την συνεργασία του με παραγωγούς που του «δείχνουν» τι σημαίνει πετυχαίνω ήχο. Η προσωπική του ζωή, από τον νεαρό μέθυσο πανκ ροκερ των φτωχών προαστίων της Ν.Υόρκης στον επιτυχημένο dj με την vegan συμπεριφορά, κρατά τον αναγνώστη προσηλωμένο στο κομμάτι της ζωής του που μέχρι τώρα δεν προέβαλε. Ένας άνθρωπος με έντονες αντιθέσεις χαρακτήρα και συμπεριφοράς, προσπαθεί να τηρήσει τις ισορροπίες σε ένα κόσμο που κυριαρχούν τα ναρκωτικά και το αλκοόλ αλλά και το ελεύθερο σεξ. Οι ενοχές του ακόμη και όταν κάνει σεξ με την Χριστιανή σύντροφο του στα πρώτα του χρόνια ως μουσικός/dj, προκαλούν το ενδιαφέρον για τις εσωτερικές συγκρούσεις του και τις ηθικές αναστολές του.
Όσο ο καιρός περνά και η αποδοχή και η επιτυχία αυξάνεται, τόσο αυξάνουν και οι προσωπικές εντάσεις και ανακολουθίες κύρια για την αποχή από το αλκοόλ και την χριστιανική ηθική. Η vegan συμπεριφορά παραμένει σε πείσμα των αντιξοοτήτων.
Ο Moby των υποβαθμισμένων προαστίων, ταξιδεύει στην Ευρώπη. Λονδίνο, Βερολίνο, παίζει πλέον σε φεστιβάλ τύπου Γκλάνστονμπερι και αλλάζει ερωτικές συντρόφους, διατηρώντας την ερωτική αφέλεια ενός παιδιού του κατηχητικού. Έρμαιο μάνατζερ και εταιριών, διατηρεί έναν χαρακτήρα, καθαρό όσο και η vegan ταυτότητα του. Μαζί με τον Moby και τις techno επιτυχίες αλλάζει και η ίδια η σκηνή αναζητώντας πιο σκληρούς και σκοτεινούς ήχους, πράγμα που τον οδηγεί στην αποξένωση με αυτήν. Ο ίδιος έρχεται σε επαφή με καλλιτέχνες σαν τον Jeff Buckley, όπου σε ένα σκηνικό απείρου κάλους, αναρωτιέται αργότερα αν είναι ο γιος του Τιμ που τόσο αγαπά. Η «αφέλεια» του και ο περιορισμός του στον κόσμο της techno σκηνής σε μερικά σημεία θυμίζει την Αμερικάνικη οπτική για τον υπόλοιπο κόσμο, αλλά η vegan απλότητα του είναι αφοπλιστική και αξιολάτρευτη. Αλλαγές σπιτιών, συγκατοίκηση με μισότρελους, η Ν.Υόρκη των 90ς με την ακατάσχετη χρήση ναρκωτικών αλλά και τα ατέλειωτα πάρτι σε κλαμπ, αποθήκες, λιβάδια,, ζωντανεύουν με γλώσσα απλή και λιτή.

Στο δεύτερο μέρος, τα χρόνια της εγκράτειας αποτελούν παρελθόν. Μαζί με τον αλκοολισμό έρχονται τα προβλήματα με τις δισκογραφικές. Η επιτυχία αλλά και το “Animal rights” που θα είναι για τον Moby αγαπημένο σαν προσπάθεια και επιστροφή στις ροκ ρίζες της εφηβείας του, αλλά εμπορική αποτυχία, θα αποτελέσουν το κύριο τμήμα του δεύτερου μέρους του βιβλίου. Ένας πιο ώριμος και συνειδητοποιημένος Μοby με ανησυχίες για την καλλιτεχνική του πορεία αλλά και πεπεισμένος ότι αξίζει να ζήσει την ζωή του με τα δικά του μέτρα και σταθμά. Η ζωή στον δρόμο, η αλλαγή της φυσιογνωμίας των κλαμπ, ο φόβος οτι έχει ξεπεραστεί μουσικά αλλά και η πίστη του στην ανάγκη για τον δικό του ήχο, είναι παρόντα στο δεύτερο πιο «σκοτεινό» μέρος του βιβλίου. Τα ναρκωτικά έχουν το τίμημα τους σε φίλους και γνωστούς. Η μουσική αλλάζει, ο Moby κινείται ανάμεσα στην φθορά του αλκοόλ και την αφθαρσία των επιτυχιών του από το παρελθόν. Η Αθήνα παρουσιάζεται σαν η μοναδική επιτυχημένη συναυλία μιας περιοδείας που στο εξωτερικό αποτελεί την ταφόπετρα της μουσικής του καριέρας, αλλά η επόμενη στάση στην Βουλγαρία είναι ένα ακόμα μνημείο Βαλκανικής κουτοπονηριάς και «εμπορικού» πνεύματος, με επίδοξες Μις Βουλγαρία και Νονούς της νύχτας που έχουν και τον ρόλο διοργανωτή συναυλιών .

Η δυναμική του καλλιτέχνη ανθρώπου, επηρεάζεται από γεγονότα όπως ο θάνατος της μητέρας του από καρκίνο του πνεύμονα. Η περιγραφή, λιτή, συγκλονιστική, μέσα από τα μάτια του ανθρώπου που αντικρίζει το φάσμα της μοναξιάς. Δίχως μελοδραματισμούς αλλά με πολύ συναίσθημα και ένταση, μας καθοδηγεί στην πορεία του για λύτρωση και κλάμα, μέσα από μια σειρά προσπαθειών να μην ισοπεδωθεί από την οδύνη, σε έναν αδιάφορο κόσμο που η κύρια παρηγοριά του είναι μια συγκυριακή συνεύρεση με την πρώην φίλη του, στο διαμέρισμα του νυν ναρκομανή φίλου της. Ο κόσμος του Moby είναι γεμάτος low budget συνθέσεις χορευτικής μουσικής, μουσικής ιδιοφυΐας και από ένα αγόρι που ονειρεύεται να βρει τον σύντροφο της ζωής του και απογοητεύεται συνεχόμενα και σε πολλαπλά επίπεδα. Η αδελφή ψυχή δεν θα έρθει ούτε μέσα από την πανκ ροκ βιολόγο Σάρα, ούτε μέσα από τις εφήμερες σχέσεις των περιοδειών, μέχρι να βρεθεί εν μέρει σε μια πρώην επαγγελματία της νυχτερινής διασκέδασης. Οι προσωπικές του σχέσεις, ξετυλίγονται σαν νήμα από πολύχρωμο μάλλινο πουλόβερ, φρικιού των 70ς, με τα χρώματα άλλοτε εκτυφλωτικά και άλλοτε θαμπά, τριμμένα σαν τις συντρόφους του, με τις ζωές παραδομένες σε ναρκωτικά, πληρωμένο σεξ ή μοναξιά, που τις κατατρώει όπως και τον ίδιο τον Moby σε όλη τη διάρκεια του βιβλίου.

Το βιβλίο τελειώνει με την επιστροφή του με το “porcelain”, την δική του εκδοχή των μπλουζ, μέσα από τη επιμειξία τους με την χορευτική μουσική. Στο πέρασμα των 425 σελίδων του, έχουμε παρακολουθήσει την Νεοϋορκέζικη σκηνή των κλαμπ και της χορευτικής μουσικής ,μέσα από τα μάτια ενός vegan, punk rocker που η εσωστρέφεια του λύνεται με το αλκοόλ και η καλλιτεχνική του φλέβα βρίσκει την έκφραση της όταν κάνει χαρούμενο τον κόσμο με την μουσική του. Έχουμε δει τον Moby να γνωρίζει την Μαντόνα, τον Bowie, την Nina Hagen, τον Flea και να παραμένει το ντροπαλό αγόρι των προαστίων. Ο dj Moby είναι παιδί των 90ς, το απόλυτο απομεινάρι, μιας εποχής rave πάρτι, μέχρι το ξημέρωμα, χαμόγελων με πολλά ναρκωτικά, μιας κουλτούρας, που χάθηκε στα ανοικτά λιβάδια των πάρτι, των 90ς με τον ίδιο ιδεαλιστή να δημιουργεί μουσική για να κάνει τον κόσμο να χορεύει χαρούμενος. Είναι ένας μοναχικός άνθρωπος σε αναζήτηση της αδελφής ψυχής, που εκφράζει την ανάγκη του για ολοκλήρωση μέσα από την σύντροφο του, με χαρούμενους ύμνους ηλεκτρονικής μουσικής

Η βιογραφία βοηθιέται πολύ από την στρωτή , δίχως ιδιαίτερα λάθη στη μετάφραση (μόνο η παραμονή της λέξης cover στη θέση της λέξης διασκευής ξενίζει) αλλά και την απλή γλώσσα που χρησιμοποιεί ο Moby, Αξίζει να διαβαστεί από όσους αγαπάνε την μουσική, και βρίσκουν την πληρότητα τους, μέσα από αυτή, ασχέτως αν αγαπάνε την χορευτική μουσική των 90ς. Ένα ντοκουμέντο ενός μουσικού και μιας εποχής, που ζει για την μουσική και τις αρχές του, σε μια «άγρια» εποχή.

 

DEAP VALLY-"Marriage"

 

Who said Grunge is dead? Garage ,grunge punk rocking duo DEAP VALLY gives something more than half hour of distorted angst ,polarized with the world no barriers rock n roll written all over it. In your face, dirty, distorted with vocal harmonies from the Hammer Horror film school "Marriage" is an album where NIRVANA meet WHITE STRIPES meet Alice Cooper meet Iggy Pop and the result is not for the faint hearted. Slow, rhythmic, groovy, metallic, comes from the swamps of the garage 60s and wings at the early Grunge years aiming to the mojo. 

 

 

The album is product of experimentation and collaborations as they invite in collaborators such as KT Tunstall, Peaches, Jennie Vee and jennylee, as well as a range of producers including Allen Salmon, Josiah Mazzaschi and Harvey Mason Jr. The LA duo stretches their limits and produce a modern garage rock album, groovy and hypnotic for the 00 generation who live on their cell phone screens, short and immediate,direct and immense.

7,5

 

NASHVILLE PUSSY-"Eaten alive"

 

When we talk about bastard children in rock n roll mythology, NS are among the most successful among them. Often described as the bastard son of AC/DC and MOTORHEAD they have a few line up changes but the spirits remain high and stuck to the original dream, of dirty, distorted, sweaty, drunk and sexy rock n roll. The core duo and couple delivers with the help of a dazzling live album that ooze sweat, beer and cheap cigars. From the opener "Kicked in the teeth '' an AC/DC cover to their own minor or major hits , NP are what they are: an honest heavy rock band that plays fast, loud and dirty. If you haven't heard them till now, this will be a great introduction to an honest, wrecking ball rock n roll band.

 

 

 If you have seen them on stage as I had the luck, you'll just love the sheer power of this live album. In your face, screaming, tight as a Nashville pussy,sexy as a Nashville pussy and most and above all,politically incorrect, aggravating, provoking rock n roll as it used to be and NS still are. Twelve bars distorted high on speed and totally drunk rock n roll for those about to rock.

 

 

7

 

The war on drugs-"I don't live here anymore"

Tom Petty meets Fleetwood Mac meets BOC (Spectres era) and a great middle of the road  rock album is born. At songs like "Victim" you feel the dancing heat melting the rock stereotypes to create a song smooth and addicting as blood for vampires. The war on drugs is giving a great modern rock album that carries the MOR spirit of Tom Petty , his rock muscle combined with the more FM approach of Fleetwood Mac. I wish only for Stevie Nicks to have a chance to participate in this album. Mellow, rhythmic, dreamy, spacey and above all overflowing with melody and musicality, medicine for tired ears and lost souls.

7,5

 

 

Song of the week - J.B.O. - Metal Was My First Love (2021) // Official Music Video // AFM Records

Song of the week

 

J.B.O. - Metal Was My First Love (2021) // Official Music Video // AFM Records

J.B.O. - Metal Was My First Love (2021) // Official Music Video // AFM Records

Taken from the album "Planet Pink", out March 18, 2022. 

Order & Stream: https://bfan.link/metal-was-my-first-... 

Shop: https://shop.afm-records.de/j.b.o./ 

Subscribe to AFM's Apple playlist "Melodic Mayhem": https://apple.co/3k2gLYw 

 J.B.O. - Metal Was My First Love (2021) // Official Music Video // AFM Records Everyone knows John Miles' exceptional evergreen "Music Was My First Love".In typical J.B.O. style the German Metal masters made this song to their own even though the energy of the original stays the same. This is the first wake up call from the upcoming album "Planet Pink", released in march 2022. 

Follow J.B.O.! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6xyJP... 

Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/artist/j-b-o... 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kickersofass/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kickersofass/ 

Website: https://www.jbo.de

 

 

Cynic-ascension codes

 

      
Fusion,prog metal meets new age and disco in an album, delight to the listener, never too heavy, never too prog,where melody meets masterful command of the instruments and everyone puts his input to raise the compositions above the technical yet soulless level where most progressive metal bands stand. The element of new age and even more pop elements is existing at the most part of the album, leaving self indulgence aside, to create musical landscapes that captivates the listeners mind and leave unforgettable to his soul.

 

 

 Don't ask about the musicianship as it is of the highest form and standards. Relax, think and dream listening to CYNIC breaking the codes once again making paradise accessible for all of us out there who listen to music with the heart and not only with our minds.impressions

8

 

Lucifer- Lucifer IV

 

 

Swedish/German retro occult rock with the collaboration of Joanna Sadonis Andersson (THE OATH) and Nicke Andersson (HELLACOPTERS-IMPERIAL STATE ELECTRIC). Melodic, dark and sinister, Lucifer IV winks at Roky Erickson and FUZZTONES at the same time while biws to BLACK SABBATH, MERCYFUL FATE and distinguish itself due to Sadonis unique voice. Songs that could be instant hits like "Crucifix-(i ll burn for you" and the Robin Beck/KISS influenced "Bring me his head". The melodies are catchy and have the bitterness that is needed to make the album a dark rock masterpiece and not another sugar coated retro rock relic. But Andersson's feeling for a good melody is impeccable and works even at the more dark moments of this band as rock n roll is always the base the ground of his composing work."Mausoleum" is another example of the majestic melodies and atmosphere that LUCIFER creates ,with the additional help at composing of the other guitar players of the band guitarist Linus Björklund’, as well as guitarist Martin Nordin.

 

 

Its been some time since retro rock has sounded so dark and attractive, giving a wink to the underground and the 60s horror film music, keeping the heaviness and the melody firmly attached If the GHOST didn't mind so much for their popularity they may have sounded like these."The funeral pyre " a small instrumental  is another example how, music can be melodic yet scary in the old horror films way without showing too much but insinuating much more."Cold as a tombstone" is groovy, proto metal, like BLACK SABBATH met JEFFERSON AIRPLANE."Louise" has the 60s groove that NA loves.An album that shows the improvement of the band, stylistically and musically, moving from the occult underground to the more mainstream retro rock scene, keeping their dark sides intact and un compromised.

8

Land of Gypsies-"Land and of gypsies"

 

Land of Gypsies-"Land and of gypsies"

 

Land Of Gypsies, formerly known as Gang Of Souls, is a new L.A. based band featuring  vocalist Terry Ilous (XYZ, ex-Great White), together with producer and bassist Fabrizio Grossi (Glenn Hughes, Supersonic Blues Machine, Eric Gales, etc.). Rounding out the lineup are Serge Simic on guitar (The Slam, Supersonic Blues Machine) and Tony Morra on drums.

Blues infused hard rock with some Led Zep.some Bad Co, a bit of FOREIGNER and a lot of 70s with Terry Ilous giving a lifetime performance. A bit more commercial than LedZep with some great organ and DP influences plus a bit of funk at songs like "Not an ordinary man" the band is firing at all cylinders. A band that Glenn Hughes would definitely love to sing at. 

 

 

'Shattered" has this modern female rock feeling kinda Anastasia, while "Trouble" moves more in to the SMALL FACES, HUMBLE PIE, BAD COMPANY field with some vintage WHITESNAKE thrown in and it is tasty as it can be.XYZ  along with SUPERSONIC BLUES MACHINE are influences but the band aiming for a more modern blues infused sound.  "Somewhere down the line" been another fine example of their soul infused blues rock with a touch of the best of the 90s alternative hooks and melodies.On the other side "Rescue me" is the praise the Led Zep mid tempo song we all have expected and with ΙLous stellar performance learn to love.

7,5

Song of the week Paul Gilbert - Winter Wonderland

 Song of the week

 

 

Paul Gilbert - Winter Wonderland

Song of the week- Happy 2022 and Healthy, Anti Fa-free A Very Lemmy Christmas

Song of the week- Happy 2022 and Healthy,anti fa-free

A Very Lemmy Christmas

 

Justin Sullivan-"Surrounded"

 

THUNDER-"All the right noises"

Justin Sullivan is Bob Dylan of my generation. A poet and secondly a seasoned musician with his punk, post punk origins allows himself some deep,emotional, introverted confessions. An album that as all his solo (two actually) works work on a low temper, slow pace tempo where the words are more important than the volume of the music.The main theme is as always, the human, abandonment,refinement, isolation, hope and fear in the way that Sullivan enters the dark rooms of our souls and opens the skylight. Covid 19 isolation became an inspiration for him to express some feelings and thoughts most of us were circulating all day, this last two years of quarantines.   

While musically is far from his main band NEW MODEL ARMY it is familiar to us who follow him on his solo endeavors. A bit trippy, a bit melancholic, it builds around emotions. His voice, like a New Age evangelist, sermons the Gospel of humanity and its burden through his own songs, from the ice covered "Amundsen" to the more coming home feeling of "Stone and heather". An album to listen to and let yourself be carried away by its sentimental volume. As powerful as every of his NMA works but in a far more introverted way. A silent revolution, an iceberg waiting for you to discover what lies beneath the cold ocean.

8

 

Steve Conte- "Bronx cheer"

New York has everything punk, metal, power pop, street metal, rock n roll, new wave and Steve Cotne is part of this musical heritage. His new album starts with a new wave kinda song "Human animal" and continues with an in-your face punk rocker "Liar like you" moving backwards to the great rock n roll 50s with "Recovery doll". SC got the riffs and with a plain,lean,tight rhythm section, especially mention need for the down to earth, dedicated to the bone drums by Charley Drayton,with no overfill of the songs,just muscle he delivers an album honoring his musical history and collaborations till pow (NYD,Michael Monroe etc). "Wildmoon moon" is the song that Springsteen would love to have written along with the Ramones. "Flying" is a stripped down ballad, emotional based on the acoustic guitar and his voice, a bit like Paul Weller and it is a clear winner. 

 

 

"Dog days of summer" is a GEORGIA SATELLITES meets Bruce Springsteen uplifting tune for the summer (Covid 19 free) we ll want to live again "Overnight smash' is another great rock n roll tune, no brakes, just heading out the highway with music turned on at max. THE STOOGES get a rock n roll cover at "Those sexy lies", a tribute to Iggy and Co in the more appropriate way. Country and 50ws rock take the reins and a slow tempo countrified ballad "Guilty" melts the place. Next comes  a rocking "Degeneration" with some garage/rockabilly overtones to lift up the spirits. The album closer a bit RAMONES a bit NYD "Gimme gimme rockaway '' closes the album in a true punk rock way, in just 39 minutes of delight, no fillers. If the Goodfellas were into the rock n roll business this would be their album of choice.

 

8,5

 THUNDER-"All the right noises"

British rockers THUNDER are proving once more that they are aging like good wine. The more mature, the closer to perfection. From the opener "Last one to turn off the lights' a stormy rocker, to the more bluesy "Destruction",to the countrified  "The smoking gun '' their trademark melodies are all over the place. Great guitars  (Morley/Matthews-trustworthy twins, whiskey soaked vocals with the fine voice of ageless Danny Bowes and the album goes on like this. From BAD COMPANY to THUNDER,that's the real blood line, as THUNDER are now among the pillars of the British Hard rock with blues roots and they re stretching the genre adding melody, courting AOR on their own unique way. 

 

Their homage to AC DC comes in the form of "Going to the Sin city", although horns add an extra mile to their effort. But THUNDER are musicians of their age and listen to the beat of the world as they write songs like "Dont forget to live before you die" where AC DC meets Brit rock. Melodic, blues infused hard rock, is the name of the game and THUNDER are the masters of it. Even if they sometimes slow down a bit to relax and enjoy. Bit more Stones at "You re gonna be my girl" and the rock n roll feeling is alive and burning. burning the end of the album, THUNDER make some genuine rock n roll noise and 'Shes a Millionairess" closes in the best way a hard rocking album that knows when to let the tempo slow down and a band that enjoys rock n roll a lot more in their mature days, aiming more for the heart and less for the brains.

8

VOLBEAT- "Servant of mind"

 

When METALLICA met rockabilly, VOLBEAT were born and they haven't stopped to surprise us and aim for world domination. Their new album is another compilation of rock a billy y metal dance songs like "Wait a minute my girl", songs to let you get your worries behind you. But on the other hand their metal origins are far more than obvious, they cry out their heritage in songs like "The sacred stones" a BLACK SABBATH infused song "Tony Martin " era with a touch of Eastern influences as we learned to approve them in our music by RAINBOW. "Shotgun blues" is a reminder to METALLICA, that losing your cell phone with the backup riffs is a bad idea, cause someone else, VOLBEAT in our case may find it and use it properly. Razor sharp riffs over a tight rhythm section at a song that will be a ive favorite, when we will return to the real concerts."The devil rages on" comes close to the best of the dark Elvis, but it is VOLBEAT till the last rock n roll growl."

 

 

Say no more" is another example of how heavy metal maybe trivial and yet pleasurable, reminiscent of the glory days of 'Ride the lightning" with the usual rock n roll cover attributes. "Dagen For" is a great chance to promote Denmark's own new artists and have Stine Bramsen sing a great pop oriented song that has a THIN LIZZY vibe and some ear catching melodies. But metal is their business and VOLBEAT are good at their work as "The passenger" proves, metal without losing its originality and its FM approach. Dark metal psychobilly  with country shades at "Step into light". "Becoming" is a return to the metal normality with the VOLBEAT melodic chorus adding the extra strength and some oriental melodic lines on guitars making the song a bit more exotic."Mindlock"  goes on the same  pace, melodic VOLBEAT metal with riffs that could demolish a ten store building in seconds. "Lasse's Birgitta" just adds more pain to their slow growing riff o rama, entering the thrash metal zone , heading for the mosh pit with no hesitation,eager for fist fight and spit."

 

 

If you re a fan of the band get yourself the deluxe edition. Listening to their cover of  Domino"(CRAMPS/Roy Orbinson)  ends the album in a true rockabilly metal way, like a real honky tonk joint having METALLICA clones as their house band, covering CRAMPS . Whatever is your choice, VOLBEAT again released the metal rockabilly album of the year.

 

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WOLFMOTHER- "Rock out"

 

 

Aussies are having fun. Andrew Stockdale and co  (?) return with a new album and are high on music. From the opener "Fallin out" with Jack Whites/WHITE STRIPE ghost all over the song, especially the manic , distorted riff and the vibe, to the im a cover but won't admit it "Rock out" that could be easily "Detroit rock city" by KISS, disguised as the main riff is accidental the same, WOLFMOTHER are diving deep in the blues/alternative songbook of the 90s and return with some shining diamonds. , "Upload' is a modern rock anthem with some 80s LA dirt all over it.''Humble" is his BLACK SABBATH/LED ZEPPELIN tribute and it suitsf ine the retro rock sound of the album with its groove and its guitars making the difference in every bridge, making Tony Iommi proud for his legacy. "Only way" is the "modern" approach with its electro intro, kinda like MUSE decided to leave the glamorous roles and get down to basics.

 

 

 

On "Metal and fire' he pays a successful homage to his heavy metal roots, at least those he still remembers could be BOC, could be JUDAS PRIEST or even PRAYING MANTIS and early BLACK SABBATH but with the NOWBHM feeling all over the riffage of the song."Outside" could be on any DUBROVNIKS album and is the best song Iggy Pop still haven't composed. "Mantle" is heavy metal, 80s infused and really stripped to the basics with the Ozzy impersonation, dominating his voice in the best possible way."Ego" goes also  the BLACK SABBATH territory with some excellent 70s soloing, a treat for the ears, with some HAWKWIND shades all over the song."Walking" comes as the suiting closer, a groovy , guitar driven anthem from the glorious alternative 90s. 

 

In conclusion, Andrew Stockdale of WOLFMOTHER as he likes to call himself these days, is exactly what he says, an old school dreamer, who knows to bring the best of the 70sand 90s to present without using any kind of time capsule, just his guitar and his voice.

 

8,5

 

 The Lucid Furs- "Damn!That was easy"

 

Groovy, retro rock where female and male lead vocals combine and change lines at the funky opener "Right on my level" gives you the idea what to expect. Here we dont have another Zep clone. On the contrary Santana, MOUNTAIN, FUNCADELIC, JEFFERSON AIRPLANE,HEART are all here jamming over a loose groove with persistence, patience and the will to tear the joint apart with the sheer power of their music.  "Five finger Disco" is the second in line barnstormer, where rockers meet the groove in some 70s underground NY Disco club, embracing themselves in a rhythm dance that lasts for ever until the guitar make the rock origins visible and audible. Detroit's Lucid Furs come third time and the charm is here. Chicago blues at "Lying again" and the voice of lead singer Karen O Connor lays her heart over a jazzy guitar riff. A bit soul, a bit blues but most and above all soulful defines the bands style as retro but not retro rock in the narrow way,revivalists did the last 15 years. 

 

 

Far more open to influences, they incorporate everything from Amy Winehouse to PORTISHEAD to Chess records artists and the result vindicates them."Pull the string" finds them going for a more big fat sound, Led Zep along Deep Purple let their spirit interfere with the song.The groove is back at "Conscience" reminding of the great BIG CHIEF,with bass rolling all over the song.  Hard hitting, guitar driven and rock at "Another page" with Blackmore's soloing meets Led Zep groove over some great female vocals, with a touch of early HEART."Straight to my head" follows the road, with Zep becoming more obvious along some Eastern influences and  rhythm section partying. "Follow me" keeps the 70s,psychedelia trip going on with speed increasing.  Closer "One time investment" with its acoustic overtones and O Connor in a trippy performance comes straight outta JEFFERSON AIRPLANE songbook spiced up with LSD, or whatever acid you might like and its a proper closer, for an album as retro,as contemporary.

 

7,5         

Song of the week Wham! - Last Christmas (ROCK COVER by Sershen&Zaritskaya)

Song of the week

Wham! - Last Christmas (ROCK COVER by Sershen&Zaritskaya)

 

Kent Hill-'The rumble"

Good melodic, hard rock is a joy for the ears and when such a magnificent voice such as Kent Hill (PERFECT PLAN,GIANT) decides to make a solo album, (his first one) it is a double pleasure to listen more from him. You won't find anything more or less, than a singer who moves between Steve Perry and David Coverdale with a deep, melodic ,high pitching when needed voice in some more than adequate melodic rock songs. 

 

Although Frontiers has major issues with the plastic sound of the last decade, as a result of using the same people to compose, record,produce, in cases like Hill, his voice takes the reins and leads the songs most of the time above the average. An album of melodic rock in the vein of WHITESNAKE, HOUSE OF LORDS, SHOUT, TREAT, EUROPE that you won't regret listening to. An album perfect to drive, dance, laugh and enjoy music listening to.

 

8

 PEARLz-"Feel fine"

Female fronted German quartet with a modern hard rock sound that owns a lot to the LA scene and also to bands like GUANO APES with their new metal riff o rama. Straight in your face, dirty, down to earth, no bullshit heavy rock anthems with screaming guitars and great vocal delivery from Sandy. The songs are tight, aggressive with enough melody to keep them at the hard rock territory but with enough swagger and edge to make them contemporary. The more commercial side is equally attractive as you can find out on your own at the popish ,melodic "Empty cask" with the CRANBERRIES influences all over the song, but only influences.

 

 

Stand out tracks "Crystalline soul", "While we 're dynamite" where the band exceeds the expectations and combine catchy choruses with heavy riffs. I have also to mention , a stripped down metallic version of "Layla" that is anxious and full of aggressiveness making the original sounding like a nursery school lullaby. A debut that promises a lot.

6,5

TRAGIK- "Ultima radio" (Rock Company)

Modern hard rock with a dark twist. Imagine the early years BON JOVI with some low tuned guitars in the vein of ALTER BRIDGE and CREED at some points but with the sense and essence of melody deep in the bands DNA. Songs like "One last time " have the world airplay written all over them, while 'Seeds of the sky" and 'Piece by piece" have a more heavy metal direction. As metal as ACCEPT were on 'Eat the heat". Far more melodic and anthemic kinda SCORPIONS or shall I say BONFIRE try to modernize their sound. The guitar work is as usual top notch and the songwriting a bit confusing sometimes, as it is always diverse from the ballad "All i have left" to more left wing melodic pieces like "Requiem" where BEATLES meet TROUBLE over some ULTRAVOX melodic lines. 

 

TRAGIK consists of Damian D’Ercole (Guitars, Percussion), Dirk Phillips (Drums, Keyboards) and Phil Vincent (Vocals, Bass, Keyboards)assisted on lead guitars by Vince O Regan and William Roux. . This power trio can pretty much play anything and everything from keyboard loaded AOR to more modern hard rock. It is a matter of prioritization and targeting where they want to be and how, if they want, to be categorized. For all of you who like their rock, catchy, modern and bit sugar coated at some points, TRAGIK have the package.

 

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