Holy Grail - Ride The Void

After first listen I didn't hate the album so I gave it a second listen and it survived to get a third listen and I actually like it after the third time through. As with so much of the metal today we are getting pretty much formula and that is why this album took three listens before I could commit to liking it. That "Heavy Metal" formula is using all the classic bands as inspiration from Black Sabbath to Iron Maiden to Blue Cheer to Testament. Even with all that influence and copy cat work you still have to write good songs and that is the issue with Ride The Void at times.

Tyler Meahl is a pretty wicked drummer as you will hear and his timing is excellent along with his fills this guy knows what he's doing behind the drum kit. After the first few tracks the band knock one out of the park with "Too Decayed To Wait" that is a mix between early Maiden and Helloween and they have a good chorus as well in the song which makes a difference. The guitar break at 2:06 is a little wank but it doesn't ruin the song. As the album progresses the songs stay within the power metal/classic metal guidelines with "Sleep Of Virtue"  and "The Great Artifice" being songs that stand out for me.

As Void closes down the song "Rains Of Sorrow" borrows heavily from the soul of Dio and Savatage (Zackery Era) to pretty much close the album with a modern enough sounding track that Octane could pick it up and spin it. It's all been done before but for anyone missing that old school spirit this might get your blood moving.

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Krokus - Dirty Dynamite

Well this was a nice surprise to see, then I instantly hoped it didn't sound like that waste of time Hoodoo. The opening track is a pure rock n' roll song that fits in the Krokus box easily. This album sees Mandy returning once again and with that the album will obviously be better than without his skill.

The boogie rockers are top flight and the band sounds comfortable when they Status Quo on "Go Baby Go" which is one fine boogie number. "Rattlesnake Rumble" is immediately likable with the groovy rock n' roll swagger one should expect from Krokus make that demand from Krokus.

You aren't going to get some big reinvention of hard rock music but you are going to get what ACDC hasn't delivered in 20 years and that's pure unadulterated rock n' roll fun. Even when the band drop into ballad mode on the Beatles "Help" they seem to have it all working. Marc's voice is gritty and he infuses emotion and essence of love and life into the song. I honestly like what they have done to it and I'm not big on Beatles songs being covered because it's not easy to re-work perfection.

There is just soooo much to like about Dirty Dynamite that I can't make this review sound anything but shameful gushing on a band I've been a fan of for a large portion of my life.

I am a huge Status Quo fan and once again Krokus move more into their territory with the song "Yellow Mary" another solid rock song

The albums closing track is the kind of ear candy I miss most in the new bands releasing material today. "Hard Rocking Man" is just workman like BTO-esqu rock n' roll that even their peers that are still rocking from back in their heyday can't seem to produce anymore. It's nice to hear a band from my youth that can still drop an album now and again of this top flight caliber. 

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Bon Jovi - What About Now

I was never going to be enthusiastic about a Bon Jovi album ever again in my life because they just aren't that good anymore. They have been dropping less and less good uptempo music and filling albums in with complete tossers. Again their more rock sided material have either been similar to each other or they are these torch songs with fast tempos. What About Now comes and delivers nothing that reignites my passion for Bon Jovi music. John's voice sounds weak and tempered lacking much of the luster it once had.

By the time you get to something that doesn't make me want to vomit I'm ten tracks in and this song is just OK. The another run of terrible ballads and some of the worst songwriting this band has ever displayed and that says a lot considering some of crap they have released. This album sounds like John's solo material which outside of the OST to Young Guns II has been gawd awful.

Now with What About Now listened to I've come to the conclusion I'm not a fan of them any longer. This album is by far their worst album as a band and it's almost as poor as Richie's last solo release that sounds like crappy demo's. This album might be produced better on the quality side but their isn't a solid song on the entire album and I am glad I didn't waste my own money on this piece of shit. As Status Quo said many years ago Bye Johnny Bye Bye!

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Colton Dixon - A Messenger

Let's just tell the truth right away this is boring, derivative preachy gay bullshit music. There is nothing on this album that can make me want even finish listening to a track in the first place. I don't know how anyone can put this one and after honestly listening to the music tell me this is good. That person is devoid of musical taste or is lying just to disagree with me.

I couldn't stand how whiny and thin his voice was on every song and the multiple layers of shitty effects can't save these songs from being weak. From the ground up this is the wrong vehicle for Colton who fancies himself A Messenger I guess from the title of his ridiculously bad debut album. If I didn't want to poke him in the eye with a spork after just seeing his name as written on the album cover after hearing the complete waste of studio time he calls and album I sure as hell do now!

The intro track is the only thing I thought wasn't epically bad on the album and that says it all. Don't buy this bullshit propaganda of asinine stupidity. This is the biggest waste of money you could spend hell buy the acoustic Justin Bieber album that doesn't even suck this much and that sucks pretty hard!

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The Flaming Lips - The Flaming Lips & Heady Fwends

One of the fore fathers of indie rock and alternative music dropped The Flaming Lips & Heady Fwends a bit ago and with all the special guests they have included one might think uh oh. But overall this stays within their creative norms and delivers some crazy fuzzy rock music that is full of energy and imaginative sound scapes. The guests are all over the map from Bon Iver and Ke$ha to Yoko Ono and Eryka Badu who actually does a very interesting rendition of "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" that I found very cool.

I had to chuckle when the band does "Girl Your So Weird" considering where it is coming from. As far as hipster music and those who deem themselves smarter than the rest of us this album will be a clear winner. For the mainstream there is very little to sink your teeth into, I on the other hand find this an interesting listen and one that does take some effort now and again to get through. But when you just want to sit back and hear sonic sounds that deviate from the norm this album will fill that void. 

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Hatebreed - The Divinity Of Purpose

Here is a band I've not really listened to until now and I have to admit this album is a freaking monster. From the opening cut and what looks to be the initial single "Put It To The Torch" to the crushing depth of "Idolized and Vilified" this album just 'stomps a mud hole in you and walks it dry' to quote the legendary Jim Ross. The crazy thing about this album is even with the immense devastation of the delivery I can't wipe the grin off my face. This music just makes me happy I love it and I can't get enough of the sonic thumping that each track offers.

As with most of the hardcore bands that play this more brutal metal style Hatebreed have a great clear sound with a vocalist that is understandable but still has all the gutsy grit that their peers deliver but they don't sound muddy at all. When the manic swirling riff kicks off "The Language" you know that there is going to be an epic beating given to your ear drums and an assault like you haven't seen on all your other senses. But even with that crushing wall of sound the band are relentless with what follows.

There isn't much more to be said about The Divinity Of Purpose except buy the damn thing and listen to some quality heavy metal. This is not for the weak it should come with a warning that says "may open closed minded fools thinking and enlighten the sheep". HORNS UP MF's!

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Pink Cream 69 - Ceremonial

The band that blessed us Helloween fans with the awesome Andi Derris has returned with their latest effort and their eighth with David Readman who is a great vocalist and never fails to deliver the goods on a PC69 album. The new album kicks off with "Land Of Confusion" not a cover of the cheesy Genesis tune. It's a cool hard rocker that has a decent chorus and a nice aggressive riff. The band are immediately hitting stride with "Wasted Years" which has a familiar melody and a great hook.

As the album plays out the songs are always decent with some that lack a bit and wouldn't earn space on my I-Pood. The very Tyketto sounding "Find Your Soul" is one of the albums best songs with the cool drums and ringing guitars along with Readman's stellar vocals that totally sells the song. I'm fairly sure that any fans of bands like Europe, Stryper and Pretty Maids will fall in love at first chord with this album because this band takes what is good about the bands mentioned and creates a whole new level of credibility.

When you want to hear something that takes you back but is fresh and new then Ceremonial will fill all your needs. You get that melodic rock sound that is nicely balanced with enough of the pop metal and current style modern rock from an album that ebbs and flows very well. This is an album that you can put on and enjoy all the way through the twelve tracks.

If I was to pick the song I enjoyed the most upon my initial listen that stood out I'd pick "King For A Day" which is a seriously good melodic rock song. The album closes with the groovy swagger of "Superman" and it's one of those songs that ends the album in the way that you want to listen to it again. You have a good feeling and taste left in your mouth which is what bands should always try to do with the last song on any release because that last impression is almost as important as the first one. Pink Cream 69 release another strong album to add another to what is already a rich catalog of music for all fans of melodic hard rock.

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