Bludgeon
World Controlled
Magic Circle Music Ltd.
It's obvious that these guys love Slayer, and who doesn't? There's also many signs of Pantera. This combination would automatically make this sound like a must-have album, right? Perhaps.
As with most of the newer, more aggressive bands however, you will not find any screaming guitar solos ala King or Dimebag so don't start drooling just yet. But I WILL say that it is truly entertaining otherwise and I've found myself putting it in the stereo on occasion just for pleasure. (not business)
Here are the track listings:
1) Carnage Begins
2) Refuse The True
3) Unholy Murder
4) Hunt Or Be Hunted
5) Awakening
6) Out Of Reach
7) Infidel
8) Bitter Emptiness
9) World Controlled
10) Consumed
11) Save your Servant
What sets Bludgeon apart from so many of the others of this genre that I've heard lately is that they can have all the screams and crunch while still displaying a talent with ever-changing music throughout the songs. Much like a Slayer or Pantera, it's not just a monotonous steady thumping going on behind a screaming dumbass.
Be sure to check this out when you get a chance.
Dio
Holy Diver - Live
Eagle Records
This is a 2 CD set from a concert in 1995. I've always said and still say, that Dio's "Dream Evil" Tour in the mid 80's was the best concert that I've ever attended. It's not just from the line-up of Dio, Megadeth and Savatage. Not even simply for the outstanding theatrics that went on throughout the show. But the fact that RJD sounded almost exactly the same live as recorded was truly impressive to me. That's not so much the case about 12 years later in 1995.
Don't get me wrong, it's still a thrill to hear, but I was taken back a bit when I first put it on. Of course the fact that he was already about 75 years old in 1987 should make it obvious that he wouldn't be able to hold his voice throughout a live performance forever.
All joking aside, if you're a big Dio fan you could enjoy this album. I just really don't know what to say to you about a live recording. In the age of videos and DVD, if you can buy or rent something to actually SEE them play live (other than going to a show), I'm not really sure of the point.
I know I'm different from alot of people on this subject, but I've never really been into live albums that much. I'll take the fake, dressed up stuff until I can get a chance to live the actual live experience.
I'll still give it a thumbs up for the fact that it's Dio. If I'd have to tolerate a live CD recording, at least make it Dio! He's still a Hell of a lot better than many other bands are without the magic of machines. That says alot for his amazing talent and a bunch of singers out there could use this as a clinic.
CD 1
1) Stand Up And Shout
2) Holy Diver
3) Gypsy
4) Caught In The Middle
5) Don't Talk To Strangers
6) Straight Through The Heart
7) Invisible
8) Rainbow In The Dark
9) Shame On The Night
CD 2
1) Tarot Woman
2) Sign Of The Southern Cross
3) One Night In The City
4) Gates Of Babylon
5) Heaven & Hell
6) Man On The Silver Mountain
7) Long Live Rock & Roll
8) We Rock
One Dead Three Wounded
Paint The Town
X Music
I once told a representative of an entertainment company that I really didn't want to give bad reviews. When he'd ask if I heard an album yet, I'd simply say "Yeah, but it's really not my thing and I don't want to bash something that others may see differently. Thanks for sending it anyway." I've read reviews of albums that I loved but the reviewer hated, and I never understood why that person was doing the review in the first place.
Well, I'm going to change that rule for this one.
I DO love this general type of music, so I guess that allows me to say something negative. Have you ever seen one of those reality Cop shows when they go to bust someone and they fall to the ground screaming all kinds of incoherent drunken bullshit? I think they recorded that here.
This makes me think that the angst-ridden, screaming, hardcore type shit is getting as watered down as the pop-glam bands back in the 80's. If you can find a few people that can play instruments and scream into the microphone.... you're signed.
There's enough talent in this band that a few decent suggestions can steer them in the proper direction. I've even played it all the way through when I'd had alot to drink and thought it was pretty cool at the time.
But it doesn't do too well when I'm sober and actually trying to listen to it.
Track Listings:
1) Failed Transmission
2) Cowboys Don't Look Back
3) Burning Bridges Is So 1999...
4) Regret
5) Ghosts
6) Welcome Home Tragedy
7) Thank God For Painkillers
8) Eight Dollar Prom dress
9) Farewell
10) My Life As A Type
Bonus Tracks:
11) Cardia
12) Soldiers
