Jugulator (1997)

Shortly after the Painkiller tour wrapped up, Judas Priest essentially saw a band-breaking move when vocalist Rob Halford decided to leave the band.  After six years, the world figured Judas Priest was long gone and likely to never return.  By the following year would show the band finally return with a new studio album thanks to finding a replacement for Halford in a singer for a Judas Priest cover band-Tim Owens.  However, this wasn’t the Priest most fans wanted, with inspiration from genres such as death metal and thrash metal creeping their way into an otherwise dominantly heavy metal album on Jugulator.  Owens vocal style proved to be one that, although competent, would drive certain fans away along with the less conventional sound.  At first, the album simply sounds bad, but giving it time to wear off can make it a small pleasure.  The title track, “Burn in Hell,” “Bullet Train” and “Cathedral Spires” are all songs that I personally would love to see Owens come on stage to help perform at least once in a while.  But unless you’re a die-hard Priest fan such as myself, this isn’t an album that’s worth much of a recommendation, if at all.

Demolition (2001)

Not too far from this point in the band’s career, the world had found out originally vocalist Rob Halford was homosexual, though the rest of the band wouldn’t reveal their awareness of it.  Regardless, the less than enthusiastic reception to Jugulator forced the band to rethink how they’d try to approach their next studio album.  The result was an album that tried to bring old fans back…by mixing new approaches with old approaches.  As much as I love Judas Priest, despite having a rather mixed bag of releases, this is an album I simply can’t bring myself to liking.  There are three songs on here that I’d listen to, the rest is trash as far as I’m concerned.  It’s seldom that I’d ever give a song one out of five stars, but almost half the tracks on Demolition received this little accolade.  About the only two things this album has going for it overall are improved production over Jugulator and Owens vocals are noticeably superior.  Yet that’s about as far as the level of praise towards it can go.  Oftentimes I can avoid lousy albums, but this, St. Anger and the second self-titled Killswitch Engage album are all contenders for worst album I’ve ever listened to.

Angel of Retribution (2005)

After 14 years and two less than stellar albums, Judas Priest was essentially considered better off dead than adding more lousy material to their catalogue.  However, light shined forth on the band when they announced Rob Halford would be reuniting for their fifteenth studio album, Angel of Retribution.  Fans were skeptical, however, as the true Metal Gods hadn’t been together in so long and the album’s single, “Revolution,” wasn’t exactly encouraging.  But this proved to be put in the past after the album hit stores, as fans happily took the new material, with the unanimous verdict being that it was a solid release.  And with good reason, Angel of Retribution contains some very strong tracks, such as “Judas Rising,” the Painkiller-like “Hellrider” and one of the band’s better ballads, “Angel.”  While albums such as Point of Entry and Turbo might be seen as more accessible, if someone who’s new to the band wants a recommendation and enjoys straightforward metal, Angel of Retribution would probably be my first suggestion.  This is mostly because it shows the band still possessing their old style but giving it a much needed and relatively welcomed facelift.

Nostradamus (2008)

Judas Priest as of recent have been quite different than they were in the late 70s to early 80s.  Rather than releasing a new album annually or every two years, we’re getting the equivalent to about one album every four or so years.  Given the overall quality of each time frame, it’s a bit of a shame.  What some might also consider a shame is the band’s most recent effort, a 23-track, concept album over an hour long based on the French prophet Nostradamus.  The band repeatedly stated that this is a project they’ve always wanted to do, one that they didn’t want to cut much material from.  As a result, the album has been released on two discs and, as one might expect, reactions have been between underwhelmed and mixed.  I personally find this unfortunate, because despite all of the album’s flaws, it’s still a good, if not great package.  The lyrics are overall far better than most of the material the band have done after Sad Wings of Destiny.  Giving this album a more power metal and at times progressive metal sound was a nice change of pace that didn’t feel ridiculous and despite the album’s runtime, it’s overall a very rewarding journey.  Granted, there are some rather weak points, but Nostradamus also has some of the band’s best, including “Dawn of Creation/Prophecy,” “Pestilence and Plague,” “Persectuion,” “Death,” “Calm Before the Storm/Nostradamus” and “Future of Mankind.”

Cu totii vrem sa parem ca nu suntem interesati de Halloween fiindca e o sarbatoare / whatever imprumutata de peste hotare . Eu sincer recunosc ca doar de 2-3 ani imi dau interesul in Halloween mai mult decat intr-o zi normala. Exista unele aspecte carora parca le dau atentie mai cu multa placere , precum merele coapte si vinul fiert care le consum intre timp ce scriu acest post , ascultand muzica care vreau sa v-o prezint si voua , celor interesati.

Privind aspectul muzical al acestei sarbatori ( da , pentru mina exista aspect muzical pentru fiecare clipa ) , trebuie sa va impartasesc ca exista un tip de muzica , cu o tematica oarecum legata de Halloween care ma face sa ma simt bine si o ascult cu mult mai multa placere in acest timp al anului.

Ca sa va dau un exemplu , o piesa funny , foarte sick-minded din partea autorului dar totusi arta muzicala impreuna cu arta comediei  au dat nastere la piesa cu numele sarbatorii : Stephen Lynch – Halloween

Ca sa trecem mai departe , nu va voi face o istorie a fiecarei piesa , doar va sfatuiesc sa le ascultati rand pe rand , poate va plac , poate nu , dar eu tot tind sa cred ca au magia lor de Halloween.

Imposibil sa fi ratat Bach – Toccata care chiar are un iz foarte spooky , trecand prin magie va prezint o voce extraordinara Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – I put a spell on you ,  variantele de la CCR  , The Animals si mai ales David Gilmour ( pentru cunoscatori ) merita ascultate. Ca sa trecem in sfera muzicii rock cu tenta de halloween ne deschid portile cei de la INXS cu piesa Devil Inside apoi mergem mai departe cu AC/DC – Highway to hell si Carlos Santana – Black Magic Woman .  Inchei cu sugestiile muzicale prin trecerea catre genurile putin mai moderne si mai hard cu piese treptat mai agresive , prima fiind Carnival of Rust de la Poets of the fall , Skillet – Whispers in The Dark urmand Nightwish – Phantom of the Opera si cum tot am facut intrarea in zona muzicii Metal , coverul de metal neo-classic al piesei Mr Crowley interpretata de Tim Owens si Yngwie Malmsteen si nu in ultimul rand Marylin Manson – This is Hallowen.

Sper sa va placa ce v-am propus. Sfat :  A se consuma cu Mere coapte si Vin fiert sau un Jack precum in poza. Enjoy your Halloween.

Urmeaza din partea unui amic , o istorie si traditii de halloween undeva pe la miez de noapte iar maine , din partea lui melomanu , iarasi o selectie muzicala , ceva despre film iar pe seara o parte culinara.

Walking into the new layout of Download at 10am was an interesting sight, watching all the eager ones run toward the front whilst the more aged fans setting up their chairs toward the back with a cup of Tuborg in hand. Opening the main stage was Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens (***) who brought some great rock ‘n’ roll to Donington with his wailing voice and very impressive  backing band. However it was obvious not enough people knew the songs to make the experience more worthwhile.

Second up are the groove metal icons of Five Finger Death Punch (***) who possibly have one of the most violent band names on the bill. Turning the already sunburned crowd into a frenzy of flying bodies and circle pits, FFDP unleash a short sharp blast of metal on the crowd who are more than happy to accept. ‘White Knuckles’ is a definite highlight of the set, making the floor come alive with bouncing fans all screaming the lyrics.

Over on the Tuborg Stage are up and coming British rockers Black Spiders (****) who are incredibly tight and never let up for a second. Playing to a packed third stage shows that hopefully these guys will go far, and deservedly so. Sounding like true balls-out sleaze, this band is what Donington need on a day filled primarily of metal.

Back at the Main Stage are the ‘Masters of the Mosh Pit’ Devildriver (****) who took such control of the crowd that they’d have happily gone to war under his command. Back at Donington for another attempt to obtain the Guinness World Record for the largest circle pit. Donington certainly obliged with creating two huge circle pits reaching from the barrier at the front all the way back to the sound stage. Literally carnage.

Following the savagery of Devildriver are the equally as metal Hatebreed (***). Sadly not packing as much of a punch as their predecessors, Hatebreed still keep the day of metal in full swing. Getting the whole crowd to take off their shirts and spin them around in the air is one of the more obtuse crowd acts to happen at a festival, but still great to be a part of.

Just taking to the stage over on the aptly-named Second Stage are Fightstar (***) who have now been accepted by the Download crowd since their debut in 2006 when there were bottles aplenty firing toward Charlie and his chums. However today sees thousands of music fans flock to see them rock the Second Stage with ‘Paint Your Target’ gaining a fantastic response.

The atmosphere at the Second Stage takes a different turn however when a bees nest seems to have exploded and hundreds of the pesky little insects swarm around the crowd causing them to disperse swiftly. As the bees swarm over the crowd, little seems to be done about them and fans are left with the choice of stay and possibly get stung or leave and miss Static-X.

For those who chose the latter, it was a show worth waiting for. Static-X (****) are one of the few surviving members of the nu-metal era who didn’t follow the crowd. Sticking with their industrial metal sound, the band create a massive stir in the crowd whilst belting out hits ‘Cold’, ‘I’m With Stupid’ and the popular crowd pleaser ‘Black And White’. The self-proclaimed Masters of “Evil Disco” show Donington just what guys with crazy hair can do.

Over on the Main Stage Dragonforce (**) are just starting, which causes a massive pileup in the through-route from Second Stage to Main Stage (coupled with the World Record attempt at most people air-guitaring). Dragonforce though just aren’t cut out for a day like today. Whilst the previous bands on Main Stage have been flying the flag of metal high, these guys just aren’t as good. Also the wind making the sound travel doesn’t help when trying to listen to their upteen guitarists all play at once, not for me thanks guys.

Pendulum (****) change everything on Main Stage. For the people at the front who were once throwing themselves into one another for enjoyment, it’s now all about throwing shapes and singing along to the synth (der der da duh dah der derr etc). Whether it’s the fast-paced ‘Fasten Your Seatbelt’ or singalong fave ‘Propane Nightmares’, Pendulum put on a great show for the Donington faithful. ‘Tarantula’ though was the definite highlight, although it would have been better for MC $pyda to have performed the vocals.

Sub-headlining the Main Stage on Saturday is the God of Fuck himself, Marilyn Manson (***) who simply didn’t deliver the goods. Having seen him play the same slot in 2007 and being suitably unimpressed, today was about putting that idea to rest – but couldn’t. Musically Manson was great, his voice ringing throughout Donington with such ferocity that everyone turned their heads to look at him. And yet there was just something missing, no real stage-show or crowd interaction. The closest we got was Manson asking the crowd if he should wear a coat or not, rock and roll!!

Headlining this fine day of metal though is Iowa’s finest Slipknot (*****) who stole the show completely from every band who performed earlier in the day. Opening on (sic) after both the (515) and 742617000027 intros, it was obvious that Slipknot were out to impress and put on what could be one of the biggest shows in their career. Corey Taylor often commenting on the size of the crowd and how hard Slipknot have worked to get there really gives you something to think about, seeing as their first album was released 10 years ago this year. Blasting through hits such as ‘Before I Forget’, ‘Sulfur’ and ‘Disasterpiece’ the crowd are left wholly filled even before the encore. Being on the fourth row during  the ‘jump the fuck up’ section of ‘Spit It Out’ whilst being surrounded by 80,000 people is something not to be forgotten. Slipknot put on a hell of a show, hopefully to be back again soon.

Overall: Download Festival – Saturday (****)

Man, I’ve been on a roll lately with buying music. And I’m not talkin’ iTunes. Nossir! I’m talking about that silver shiny disc that comes in a square plastic case with a little booklet that contains lyrics and artwork and band pics.

I don’t know, I just don’t get the rush of “HEY! NEW MUSIC!” when I think of downloading an album (even if they are usually a few bucks cheaper on iTunes) as compared to going out and finding a physical copy. I’m only 27, you’d think I would be embracing the iTunes era like all the other teens and 20 somethings, but I’m not.

Granted, I mostly have to use the internet to do my CD shopping anyway because Best Buy, Walmart, Target and FYE aren’t really cutting it when it comes to the music *I* want to hear…

Here’s what I’ve ordered in the last few days:

Thin Lizzy – Bad Reputation
Thin Lizzy – Jailbreak
Mercyful Fate – Melissa/In the Beginning
Saxon – Into the Labyrinth
The Last Vegas – Whatever Gets You Off
Tim “Ripper” Owens – Play My Game
Charm City Devils – Let’s Rock-N-Roll
Freakshow – s/t
Wildstreet – s/t

I should be getting the Lizzy & MF albums by Friday or Saturday and the rest should appear by the end of next week. Obviously, reviews will be coming once I feel I’ve gotten a good enough handle on the albums and man, is that list of “albums to review” still gigantic! I’ve got plenty of material even if I don’t receive/buy any new albums for the rest of the year.

Part1

Part2

Part3

Set to come out on September 5, The Crucible of Man: Something Wicked Part II is the tenth studio album from Iced Earth, this one being the second in the “Something Wicked” series (it’s the second and final installment).

Anyway, I listened to the CD through once, and felt incredibly indifferent about it. I feel that mostly this is because the first album I had heard from Iced Earth was Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked Part 1, and the vocals on that album were gargantuan, for lack of a better word describing the incredible size of the vocals on that album. Granted, the vocals on Crucible of Man are not bad by any means, they simply do not live up to Framing Armageddon with Tim Owens (they now have ex-vocalist Matt Barlow back on board for this album) [See example: "Crucify the King"]. On a second listen, I noticed all the other areas in which the album had been altered from part 1.

In true power metal fashion, this album has balls. Sometimes they’re to the wall, and sometimes they’re nowhere to be found, but you know they’re there. [See example: "Gift or a Curse"] This is your typical power metal ballad type song, one with no fancy pounding rhythms or big vocals, but still manages to have some pretty big cohones for being a ballad (granted, I can’t see it’s balls, but they’ve got to be around here somewhere!).

The lyrics are as well typical power metal lyrics: absurd, epic, and phantasmal. The subject of all the lyrics are of grandiose adventures, oppression of a people that doesn’t exist, and of course, lots of conquering. This in conjunction with the fact that the album flows from end to end quite well, even though you can tell that each song is a separate song works very well for a theme album. In the ‘theme’ aspect, this album is near-perfect.

All in all, the musical performance is far superior in Crucible of Man than it has ever been. The guitar work, the drum work, and the new bassist all put in a very solid performance. Not too much, but still over the top. Not boring, but serene at times. The ebb and flow of music really works, which is all brought in by the aforementioned Matt Barlow vocals. It may be a typical album in nature, but is executed in very good fashion.

Track picks: “Harbinger of Fate” and “Divide and Devour”

Overall score: 8/10 devil horns

Det tar en stund innan vår svenske regerande världsmästare i distade arpeggion äntrar scenen, men då gör han å andra sidan det med besked, rökmaskiner och en gruskrossardist som får ett knökfullt Berns att hoppa och studsa.  Å andra sidan undrar jag: “knökfullt Berns” – är det något att skriva hem om när Maiden fyller Stadior och Ullevis på löpande band?

För oss är läget naturligtvis bättre. Vem hade inte föredragit att se maiden på Cirkus, Bossen på Konserthuset och Lolita Pop på Rackis? (Nåja, ett rätt av tre då, rå)

Förklaringen kanske ligger i Malmsteens något udda upplägg. Den neoklassiska hårdrocken blir ju lätt ett skalältande som mer för mina tankar till jazzgig än rock. Det är den musikaliska prestationen som står i fokus, Malmsteen har bevarat all form och är en djävul på strängar, helt enkelt, snarare än framförare av ett budskap rakt ned i genitalierna som de flesta hårdrockare levererar. Och då blir det en annan typ av njutning. Oavsett om kompet lirar riff av Priest-kaliber, står allas VÅR Yngwie där och briljerar med ömsom akustisk, ömsom elektrifierad gura och då blir upplevelsen en annan.

Emellanåt byter allt karaktär och då blir det väldigt mycket in your face and grabbing yer balls-rock, nämligen när den alltigenom förnämlige tidigare Judas Priestsångaren Tim Owens äntrar scenen. Hans mellansnack är kanske inte på högsta nivå – varför klarar Poison och Sabaton sånt bättre än dessa världsmästare? – men satan i gatan vilken sjuhelvetes pipa karln har! En av årets vassaste sångare, utan tvekan.

Berns som rocklokal uppfattas av tonåringen som seriously wanting in rock attitude, men personalen gör ett helschysst jobb när den för denna combo av middle och under- age till därför avsedd plats och ljudet skall det inte klagas på. Även om plejsets ambience, måste ju ge sonen rätt i detta, var mycket mer rätt när Anna Christofferson hade skivsläpp. Var Debaser Medis informerat om detta gig? Det som duger åt DIO borde ju duga åt Yngwe.

Alltnog: Yngwie är imponerande, Owens nästan i samma klass, konserten maffig och innehållsrik, resten av bandet helt okej och nu väntar nästa utmaning: Kan Mattias IA Eklundh lära oss att låta sådär under nästa veckas Freak Guitar Summer Camp ?

Tidningarna om Yngwie: Aftonbladet, Svenskan

Seguendo l’esempio di riki, una mini recensione.

Un concerto tenuto in piedi da Jon, con un Tim che continua a fare (bene) la spalla/rimpiazzo. Scaletta con un sacco di pezzi del nuovo album (e vabbè), qualche pezzo pacco (the hunter su tutti), resto grandioso. Stormrider momento di picco (vorrei avere una foto della depressione di Tim ), insieme a Burning Times.
Spassosi i Turisas con il loro Symphonic Viking Power Black Epic Folk Metal, mentre sono decisamente perplesso dalla performance degli Annihilator. Bella scaletta, Jeff decisamente un mito, il nuovo cantante un mezzo bidone (29 anni! l’avevamo detto che era piccolo), gli altri due delle comparse (un Ent e un riciclo dai Sum 41, a vederli).
Highlights: il folle suicida (voleva fare rissa, l’ha trovata), l’amico del sopracitato preso malissimo al telefono, troy “belli capelli” steele in cerca di strane sostanze (pizza, forse), ma anche la cameriera del panino giusto™ che non capiva più neanche il suo nome.