Regurgitator – Unit

Review# 147

This is boring... Do I have to listen to the rest of the album? Sam why do you have this in your cd collection?

Polyester Girl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BxVBziFvtU

Korpiklaani - Korven Kuningas

Review# 146

Yay it's Korpiklaani! It's those fun loving, beer quaffing, Folk Metal fellows! To be honest you hear one Korpiklaani album you pretty much know what's in store for you so there is no need to go into that again. We have here another fun filled album, one of my favourite Korpiklaani songs Keep On Galloping features here too.
So grab you mead horn, jump in a sauna and get your folk on!

Keep On Galloping: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZbucSufNm4
Tapporauta: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM_w_pkuJwI

Black Label Society - Shot To Hell

Review# 145

Opening track Concrete Jungle is a fantastic track. After that it's sleepy time. If you like lots of ballads then this might be ok for you. But Concrete Jungle is great.

Concrete Jungle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3LBfITvkBk

Khoma - The Second Wave

Review# 144

I picked this album up out of a bargain bin many years ago based on some of the band-members links to Cult Of Luna and being mildly interested by the song Stop Making Speeches which is heard on a cd that came with a Metal Hammer mag. I quite liked it at the time, I thought it pretty but with a dose of power and seriousness and whatever else I was thinking when I was 20/21. I mean I guess in hindsight it's not a bad album, the fact that I haven't listened to it for years may help with it's palatable-ness at this moment though. Some of the album is ok but on the whole I find it a bit boring and wanky now. There are some moments that sound like a very very light Cult Of Luna but with nice vocals. I don't know, maybe this is just one of those albums that you only ever listen to at one particular part of your life then you are done with it. Oh, and it would be nice if the drums weren't drowned out by fuzzy guitars.

Apparently there are no studio recordings of this album on youtube so no vid today.

Mercyful Fate – Melissa

Review# 143

Melissa is Mercyful Fate's debut album. They broke onto the scene with lead singer King Diamonds trade mark wail and an album packed with occult themes. The title track is inspired by a human skull Diamond was given, he made up a story about a witch that was burnt at the stake by a catholic priest and that became Melissa. I think the album holds up well still, I know there are a one or two re-issues around and that there are various tweaks on them - especially in the title track. The musicianship is great and the production is decently layered, the album has a fantastic feel to it and is topped of by the cherry that is King Diamond's amazing pipes.

Into The Coven: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZv8QwzOrjQ
Melissa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc-FJZLMcL0

Alice Cooper - The Last Temptation

I’m kind of on the fence about this one actually. And that I’m on the fence about it, unfortunately, means that I’ve kind of gotten on my fence about Alice Cooper. God that hurts to say. His top five or so records are incredible work, really great rock albums. Everything beyond that however is a long way behind that top tier work. This is about the closest to top-tier Alice that you can get more recent than the 70’s. 

It’s supposed to be a concept album, but hell if I know what the concept is supposed to be. It’s a fairly solid 90’s rock album, probably one of the best of the era for what it’s worth. The production is really good as well, head and should above most of his other albums. The biggest problem is that some of the tracks are really unengaging, particularly in the second half.

The best tracks are Lost in America, arguably that best single Alice has put out since Alice Cooper (the band) disbanded. Nothing’s Free has some of Cooper’s best Jim Morrison-esque vocals and Stolen Prayer is about the best ballad he’s ever made. Something about it reminds me of the Trash/Hey Stoopid era but it actually works in this case. I guess this is kind of the opposite to my Muse review, where I like the album better than I remember it. Let hope the trend continues and I just never gave it time to sink it earlier.

Fear Factory – Remanufacture

Review# 142

Remanufacture is literally Demanufacture re-mixed. Personally I don't like it at all. But I have never been one for covers... especially a full album of them. But it comes with the Roadrunner Records digi-pack re-issue of Demanufacture so there you go. One thing that it is really missing is the slight grimy sound from the original, so to me that looses a lot of the story. I guess in an abstract way it is interesting, I would never have thought to stick a perfectly timed guitar riff over a beat that is running at a slightly different tempo, but then I am not a DJ so how could one expect me to be aware that it is perfectly logical to run two tracks at a different tempo over each other. Cool.
For me Remanufacture just looses too much of the original impact that came with Demanufacture. The grit is gone and the re-mix takes too much of the energy and passion out of the album, the story also is lost to me... it's supposedly there but in this format I just don't get it.

T-1000 (H-K(Hunter Killer)): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqV3pYEXFGo

Fear Factory – Demanufacture

Review# 141

Fear Factory's second album is still often considered the defining point of their sound and style. It is the moment they solidified themselves and became Fear Factory. The theme of the album is inspired by the Terminator with the war of man verses machine and a few sneaky references here and there. I have read that Burton had written a story along a similar line, the story of which takes place primarily the next studio album Obsolete but he considers Demanufacture and Remanufacture as the first chapters as such.
Either way, the theme of the album is one that almost seems to gather more relevance as time goes on and the idea of AI robots and computers is getting closer to a reality.
The music is a great blend of Industrial with Death Metal all in pin point precise timing. The vocals are amazing with Burton's signature vocals riding on the wave of Dino Cazares' guitars and the drumming of Raymond Herrera. There is not one song I don't like on this album and it's hard to pick favourites but I am quite partial to Replica, Demanufacture, H-K(Hunter Killer) and Piss Christ. I think the production is great, you can hear all parts perfectly while still retaining a bit of grainy-ness that adds flavour to the recording and works well with the content.

Replica: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RJsRQOneMY
Demanufacture: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLzBo-RoZVY
H-K(Hunter Killer): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ryA583mO40
Piss Christ: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bm_VB2niqM

Ministry & Co Conspirators – Cover Up

Review# 140

Cover Up is a fun album and I have always been a fan of Ministry's covers. This album is full of guests like Burton C Bell, Tommy Victor and Josh Bradford and other long time collaborators of Al's. Most is the covers a full of humour and interesting twists. My biggest disappointment with the album is more because I am a long time fan so already had albums with Lay Lady Lay, Roadhouse Blues and Supernaut and would rather have some new covers for my amusement. Although the Supernaut cover (originally recorded under the name 1000 Homo DJ's)is freaking awesome so I shouldn't complain. One of the best tracks is the final track (not including hidden and bonus tracks) a cover of Louie Armstrongs's What A Wonderful World... It is just an amazing cover with a healthy dose of sarcasm for good measure. The aforementioned bonus tracks are edited versions of What A Wonderful World into slow and fast cuts and a cover of Ministry's Stigmata relabelled Stigmatized and is supposedly sung be an anonymous fan putting on a Willie Nelson voice.

Supernaut: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c9U5GHJZFE
What A Wonderful World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoeFB_eGqo0
Bang A Gong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K-imSalt6w

David Bowie – Diamond Dogs

Review#139

I found I enjoyed this album more than I thought I would. I know a bunch of Bowie singles but all I knew off Diamond Dogs was Rebel Rebel so was not sure what I was in for. Parts of this album have a bit of a Glam Rock feel to it which I am totally down with, there are some moments like Sweet Thing where I am totally lost but I'll take the good with the bad. Bowie's voice is great, he does some wonderful things with his vocal dynamics which makes for a good listen.

Rebel Rebel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtfpsLmmdVI
Diamond Dogs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLZb4Xs0z_o

Sepultura – Roots

Review# 138

Roots is a great album, the experimentalism with ideas around Brazilian culture, politics and rhythm make for an interesting listen. All of the above are infused with Death, Thrash and Nu Metal. And with 16 tracks on the album, guests like Jonathan Davies and Mike Patton as well as the Xavante Indians who feature on "Itsári", there is a lot to listen to and it is quite varied.
I do like a lot of tracks on the album but do find it has it's dips where it moves away to a style that I am less interested but on the whole I am impressed with the daring to try different things and (as the title suggests) the rootsy-ness of the album.

Ratamahatta: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_6IjeprfEs
Roots Bloody Roots: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_6IjeprfEs

Howard Shore - The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring

Review# 137

It would be interesting to hear what someone who has never watched the film or read the book thinks of the Fellowship soundtrack. I think this is a fantastic soundtrack that really amplifies the emotions on screen and works well with the world... But I have seen the movies countless times and am currently reading the books for the 8th time so I could be a bit bias.
I do remember the first time I saw the film I was blown away by the music (among other things). The sound quality is great an you can hear all layers in the track, the composition it's is well done and sculpted to the environment perfectly. Enya's vocals fit well with the overall sound and theme too and I am glad they picked her voice to guest on the album.

A Knife In The Dark: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwIVs_F2kMo
The Council Of Elrond: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK7kmRNfi4s
The Bridge Of Khazad Dum: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUIZvAe3RBg

Iron Maiden – Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son

Review# 136

Seventh Son has two of my favourite Maiden songs; Can I Play With Madness and Moonchild. The entire album is laced with magic and fantasy, so right off the bat it's an obvious favourite for me. The album is fantastic musically, has a great sound and with songs like Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son a great show case for Bruce's voice. I am always impressed by how long he can hold some of those notes!

Moonchild: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0Yn72QM-lg
Can I Play With Madness: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocFxQjPeyiY
Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PptHWHfnCnY

Arch Enemy - Doomsday Machine

Review# 135

I love Angela Gossow's voice, for a long time after getting this album I wanted to have a voice like hers... I still kinda do but there is a bad case of laryngitis waiting for me if I make the attempt.
This album has a few highs and lows. My main issue with it is that for a large part of the album it is all slow paced and, for ms anyway, I find I can start to tune out. But there are some great song on here non the less; Nemesis held a strong spot in my iTunes top 25 most played for quite some time. I Am Legend/Out For Blood is another great track as well as Tacking Back My Soul. The rest of the album is good even if I do tend to tune out and it does get a bit of pace back toward the end of the album.

Nemesis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9AcG0glVu4

I am legend/out for blood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDGWPlsxtqQ

Beethoven - Symphony #5

Review# 134
Everyone knows the opening theme to this symphony, even if you don't listen to classical music or know that it is Beethoven you will know the opening theme. Unless you live under a rock.
The 5th is a powerful piece and even though the original performance was a bit of a shambles, and was not met with the expected reaction for Beethoven's work, it has become one the most recognised pieces in classical work.

Allegro Con Brio (1st Movement): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4IRMYuE1hI

Devin Townsend – Ziltoid The Omniscient

Basically Devin Townsend’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. Probably the worst part about this is knowing I came across it at the wrong age. I would have loved it when I was sixteen or so. Metal, concept album, tongue in cheek. Now though? It’s alright I guess. The production on the drums is horrible. I found this something of a distraction throughout. Apparently it was made with no money, but since the problem is probably more on the mixing end rather than the recording end it’s not really much of an excuse to me. He seems to take enough pride in his work; I don’t understand why he wouldn’t want it to sond as good as it could. Humour is alright. It’s good to see metal not taking itself too seriously but at the same time it didn’t really make me laugh either.

Led Zeppelin III

It’s been years since I’ve heard this one as well. This is just a sunny album. Listening to it at night doesn’t feel like I’m doing it justice. With the exception of Since I've Been Loving You, a particularly jazzy track about halfway through the album. I want it to be summer just so I can listen to this album in the heat of the day.

I’ve noticed Zeppelin albums tend to go in pairs. I and II are blues, III and IV are folkier, House of the Holy and Physical Graffiti are experimental and Presence and In Through the Out Door are rubbish. I don’t think I can choose a favourite from the first four albums, but this is a really good album. Probably the easiest listen in the Zeppelin catalogue outside of IV which everyone knows beginning to end anyway. The second half isn’t quite as good as the spectacular first half, although Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp is amazing and difficult to pronounce.

Pink Floyd – Piper at the Gates of Dawn

I’m kind of on a Pink Floyd kick at the moment. The catalogue is being remastered, despite already being a particularly well mastered catalogue as it stands and there are going to be plenty of bonuses in the Experience and Immersion (deluxe and ultra deluxe) versions of Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall. So I’ve been listening to a lot of Floyd. Despite the fact that I know for absolute certainty by September 27^th rolls around I’m going to want to do it all over again. But I’ve got album reviews to do and I’m behind as it is. Decisions!

So I can compromise. I will review the Pink Floyd album that the new set has zero chance of topping. As it stands, most of the other albums already have many outstanding pressings across the MFSL, Harvest, Black Triangle and Japanese Columbia ranges. Even the current masters are really good except for the 2003 Dark Side of the Moon. Honestly, I’m tempted to get the Oh By The Way box which collects these masters while it’s still available in case the new ones turn out worse which is an admittedly high possibility.

There is a very simple reason why the 2007 Piper will be better. The new one will use the stereo mix. Do you know how many times I’ve listened to the stereo mix all the way through? Twice. One of those is because I’m reviewing it now. I’ve never been able to handle it up until now where I’ve managed to force my way through it. I got the 2007 after the Beatles Stereo box got me back into psychadelia. Maybe this time I’d get it. Put the stereo disc on. Still crap, but I got through it. Figured I’d see what the mono was like. Whoa. This is the album everyone revered. Of course from there I got into the mono Beatles and mixology became something of an obsession.

It sounds weird. The music is mostly the same but the mix is very distracting, especially during the end of Interstellar Overdrive. And this was mixed at Abbey as well. Horrible. Guess which CD I’m going to recommend? Hopefully we’ll see a mono mix of Saucerful of Secrets as well although the stereo is way better on that one. There are two versions of the 2007. There’s the mono/stereo set and one which also included the early singles. I’m pretty sure Candy and a Currant Bun is one of the earliest pop songs to say ‘fuck’ in it as well. Most of the album has a trippy childlike quality to it so may be an acquired taste. Get the 2007 whilst you can.

Interstellar Overdrive