Rocksound – July 2010 – All The Nines

As another issue (137) of Rocksound lands in the mailbox,  it’s time to see which of the new albums reviewed in this issue get a score of 9 or above:

• Circa Survive – Blue Sky Noise (Atlantic)
• Devil Sold His Soul – Blessed & Cursed (Century Media) - http://open.spotify.com/album/6c2Y19Ur1miqU4khkFScrI
• Parkway Drive – Deep Blue (Epitaph) - http://open.spotify.com/album/7tIkp4pbeKvrNOYGEQriZP
• Out Of Sight – Where Do We Go From Here (Slam Dunk) - http://open.spotify.com/album/5DHvAn2OJgd3U0WSQEdZN2

Four very different albums by four very different bands. My favourite? Well that’s got to be Blessed & Cured by Devil Sold His Soul. Well, they are from the South East of England, my old stomping ground. Check ‘em out.

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

Guilfest 2010 – Rocksound Rock Cave

I have just been chatting to my parents this morning, over in the UK. It seems they are having the same good weather that we are over here in Nova Scotia.

Hopefully, the good weather will continue in the UK to give a sunny weekend for the upcoming Guilfest at Stoke Park, Guilford. What started out as the, one day, Guildford Festival of Folk and Blues, in 1992 has grown to a much larger event over 3 days (16-18th July). Considered to be a ‘family friendly’ style festival this years 3 headliners are: Orbital, The Human League and Status Quo.

Of particular interest to me would be the Rocksound Rock Cave stage with F***ed Up and We Are The Ocean playing at the top of the bill on Friday night. Check out the other bands on the bill at www.guilfest.co.uk.

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

Bim – Stay In Memory

Time for a bit of….Bim

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsELXlALTak]

Some more…perhaps?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U87vyXbGTw0]

Check them out at - http://www.bimmusic.com/

Or, download Head Over Heels for free, here - http://www.bimmusic.com/freedownload

Bim's debut album, Scatterheart, can be heard on their website, and there are other tracks of theirs on Spotify - http://open.spotify.com/album/0TogCtOtsnsTnlJJD0G5Gu

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

Sarah McLachlan - Laws Of Illusion

It’s good to see that local gal, Sarah McLachlan has a new long player out. The recently released (on the 15th June 2011) Laws Of Illusion is her 7th studio album:

• 1988 - Touch
• 1991 - Solace
• 1993 - Fumbling Towards Ecstasy
• 1997 - Surfacing
• 2003 - Afterglow
• 2006 - Wintersong
• 2010 - Laws of Illusion

It’s on Spotify, so if you have it, you can check it out at - http://open.spotify.com/album/0eeRKrhPyIAOxK2zemQiWd

Track Listing:

1. Awakenings
2. Illusions of Bliss
3. Loving You Is Easy
4. Changes
5. Forgiveness
6. Rivers of Love
7. Love Come
8. Out of Tune
9. Heartbreak
10. Don't Give Up on U
11. U Want Me 2
12. Bring on the Wonder
13. Love Come" (Piano Version)
    

Reviewed at:

• Allmusic - http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:ajfrxzysldae
• Rolling Stone - http://www.rollingstone.com/music/reviews/album/17385/116892
• SputnikMusic - http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=57229
• Slant - http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/sarah-mclachlan-laws-of-illusion/2154
• Entertainment Weekly - http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20392189,00.html
• Los Angeles Times - http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/06/album-review-sarah-mclachlans-laws-of-illusion.html
• Boston Globe - http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/06/album-review-sarah-mclachlans-laws-of-illusion.html
• New York Times - http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/14/arts/music/14choice.html?_r=1

Genre(s):

• Pop
• Adult Contemporary

Similar Artists:

• Tara MacLean
• Jann Arden
• Jewel
• Natalie Merchant
• Chantal Kreviazuk
• Paula Cole
• Heather Nova
• Sheryl Crow
• Indigo Girls
• Shawn Colvin

Further Information:

Website - http://www.sarahmclachlan.com

MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/sarahmclachlan

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/sarahmclachlan

Twitter - http://twitter.com/sarahmclachlan

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_McLachlan

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n23ATDJBt3c]

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

Iron Maiden: Flight 666

Sorry for the lack of posts recently. I have been getting ready for a return to employment after a number of years working for myself and also have been away on a business trip to Washington, DC.

While I was in DC, I picked up the Iron Maiden video, Iron maiden: Flight 666. A tour documentary I have been meaning to pick up for a while now, especially since Sam Dunn was involved in its making.

The film follows the band on the first leg of their Somewhere Back in Time World Tour between February and March 2008. It was refreshing to see a band documentary where members were not; getting drunk, goofing around, fighting, throwing hissy fits, crying or slagging off other bands/band members.

If you have not checked it out already, I recommend you do so.

Here is a clip from YouTube.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6VzJ9FvS9Q]

While we are on the subject of Sam Dunn, don’t forget to check out his Rush documentary, Beyond the Lighted Stage.

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

My Top Ten Favourite Debut Albums

Here is my current list of top 10 favourite albums, but, as I listen to so much music, this could change in the next….hour…minute.

• The Alarm – Declaration
• Angel Witch – Angel Witch
• Armoury Show – Waiting For The Floods
• Billy Talent – Billy Talent
• Delphic – Acolyte
• Enter Shikari – Take To The Skies
• Iron Maiden – Iron Maiden
• Marillion – Script For A Jesters Tear
• The Sisters Of Mercy – First And Last And Always
• Suede – Suede

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

RetroBlog: Rockschool 1983

 

Way back in 1983 the BBC aired a series, Rockschool, which taught the basics of performing rock music and its various genres. It featured Geoff Nicholls on drums, Henry Thomas on Bass and Dierdre Cartwright (above) on lead guitar, along with interviews with leading musicians from the various genres covered.

There were nine episodes in the first series:

1. Introduction
2. Tuning
3. Technique
4. R&B and Blues
5. Heavy Metal
6. Funk
7. Reggae
8. Future
9. Special (Questions and Answers)

The BBC went on to produce a second series, which aired a few years later, and added a keyboard player (Alastair Gavin, I think). But it is the first series for which I had fondest memories.

If you want to check out the series a user on YouTube has uploaded the whole thing. http://www.youtube.com/user/joeeyeless

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEcI66YGQqk]

You may find that the first section of the episode on Heavy Metal is blocked. I think it’s the bit that has a clip of Motörhead. Well they did say that if they moved in next door your lawn would die!

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

Civil Civic - 1

Civil Civic have a new single out in July, check out the release here http://shop.civilcivic.com/. In the meantime you could do a lot worse than check out their debut EP, the economically titled “1”.

Track listing:

• Less Unless
• Baghdad Break
• C27
• E8-4AH
• Stacks ON

The EP can be checked out on Spotify - http://open.spotify.com/album/4AsMofBSF82KTbDoS4tuCW

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnbnuY7Kxhc]

Genre(s):

• Electronic
• Experimental
• Instrumental
• Indie Rock

 

Similar artists:

• Sunday Girl
• Eric Hlljes
• Foster the People
• Florrie
• The Selfish Replicators
• Young Empires

 

Further information:

@CivilCivic.blogspot.com - http://civilcivic.blogspot.com/

@Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/civilcivic

@Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/civilcivic

@Twitter - http://twitter.com/civilcivic

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

Nevermore - The Obsidian Conspiracy

I’ve just been checking out the new album, The Obsidian Conspiracy, by Nevermore. If you are not familiar band then they are well worth checking out, particularly if you like your extreme music progressive. The band don’t really fit into any particular genre of extreme music as, to me, they sound totally trans-genre. My, oh my, can this band play!

Track listing:

1. The Termination Proclamation
2. Your Poison Throne
3. Moonrise (Through Mirrors of Death)
4. And the Maiden Spoke
5. Emptiness Unobstructed
6. The Blue Marble and the New Soul
7. Without Morals
8. The Day You Built the Wall
9. She Comes in Colors
10. The Obsidian Conspiracy

Listen at Spotify - http://open.spotify.com/album/7j7tAsWboyxgxEXzaFC41p

Let’s check a bit of Jeff getting all shreadtastic at Musikmesse Frankfurt 2010. Cool!

 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSOthtS_Ae8]

 

Reviewed at:

AngryMetalGuy - http://www.angrymetalguy.com/nevermore-the-obsidian-conspiracy-review/

Sputnik Music - http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=53432

Bloody Disgusting - http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/music/723

The New Review - http://thenewreview.net/reviews/nevermore-the-obsidian-conspiracy

Danger Dog - http://www.dangerdog.com/2010-music-reviews/nevermore-the-obsidian-conspiracy-review.php

 

Genre(s):

• Progressive Metal
• Heavy Metal
• Trans-genre

 

Similar artists:

• None!

 

Further info:

@MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/nevermorefans

@Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nevermore-band/34097738619?ref=ts

@Twitter - http://twitter.com/nevermoreband

@Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevermore

@JeffLoomis.com - http://www.jeffloomis.com/

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

Decibel: The Top 5 Swedish Black Metal Albums

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

There I was, looking for a Top/Best of list to post on the blog today, and when I looked in the mailbox things got a whole lot easier when I discovered the my, just delivered, Decibel issue 69 contained a Top 5 Swedish Black Metal Albums list. So here is is:

1. Bathory – Under The Sign Of The Black Mark (1987, Black Mark) 
   http://open.spotify.com/album/450O7sJi2GTzmLqHS03T88
2. Marduk – Opus Nocturne (1994, Osmose) 
   http://open.spotify.com/album/3WzQRdfVSIZSHHCfPms7yp
3. Watain – Sworn to the Dark (2007, Anja Offensive)
   http://open.spotify.com/album/2u7QjILVE7YyD5oe0ZJj1i
4. Satanic Slaughter – Satanic Slaughter (1995, Necropolis)
5. Setherial – Nord (1995, Napalm)
   http://open.spotify.com/album/3tW5MRw33vfQ19FV0HJZoU

I managed to find all the above, except Satanic Slaughter’s debut, on Spotify.

Can – Tago Mago

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

Track listing:

1. Paperhouse
2. Mushroom
3. Oh Yeah
4. Halleluhwah
5. Aumgn
6. Peking O
7. Bring Me Coffee or Tea

I’ve never given Can’s album, Tago Mago, a proper listen. However, that was rectified over the weekend when the wife suggested that we give it a listen while we hung out in the lounge. Of course, me being me, tried to go one better and I put together a list of albums that also contained one each from bands that are similar in some way to Can. Here is the playlist I put together on Spotify - http://open.spotify.com/user/toxicmusic79/playlist/76xJALdw4Md33veFrixgg4

More information about Can, can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Can_(band)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x76CeJBbJs8]

Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage

Especially owing to my current status as a probationary Canadian, it’s good to see one of the ‘local’ bands getting the recognition that they deserve. http://www.alliancefilms.com/en/89/details/display/12402/

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk8hbSxY0sE]

Plus, I love Rush. I’ve loved them since a friend played me 2112 way back in the ‘70s.

I know I will be checking out this movie when it comes to Halifax (Nova Scotia) next weekend, for a 2 night run at the Empire. http://www.empiretheatres.com/movie/rush-beyond-lighted-stage

For those unfamiliar with the band, just the following list of studio albums will give some idea of their longevity:

• Rush (1974)
• Fly by Night (1975)
• Caress of Steel (1975)
• 2112 (1976)
• A Farewell to Kings (1977)
• Hemispheres (1978)
• Permanent Waves (1980)
• Moving Pictures (1981)
• Signals (1982)
• Grace Under Pressure (1984)
• Power Windows (1985)
• Hold Your Fire (1987)
• Presto (1989)
• Roll the Bones (1991)
• Counterparts (1993)
• Test for Echo (1996)
• Vapor Trails (2002)
• Snakes & Arrows (2007)
• Clockwork Angels (2011)

Here is a super-play list of the 18 released studio albums care of Spotify - http://open.spotify.com/user/toxicmusic79/playlist/33s6jyepkX23qfqLI5jfRi

And, for you young tykes, here is a list of more ‘recent’ similar artists (well they have been going a while):

• Dream Theater
• Spock's Beard
• Marillion
• Porcupine Tree
• Transatlantic
• The Flower Kings
• King’s X

Take it away RUSH!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEW2-k0EoyE]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SozTRnBbTsU]

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

Albums Of The Month – June 2010

I was looking through my June issues for the music magazines that I subscribe to, at the moment (Revolver / Rock Sound / Terrorizer), and thought it would be fun to post a list of the albums from their June reviews that either got the top spot* or scored 9+. Here is the resulting list (where possible I have hyperlinked to the album on Spotify).

• Revolver
  • Watain – Lawless Darkness*
  • Abscess – Dawn Of Inhumanity
  • Bestial Mockery – Christcrushing Hammerchainsaw
  • Laethora – The Light In Which We All Burn
  • Nachtmystium – Addicts: Black Meddle Part II
• Rock Sound
  • The Gaslight Anthem – American Slang*
  • Blacklist Royals – Semper Liberi
  • Against Me! – White Crosses
  • Four Year Strong – Enemy Of The World
  • Off With Their Heads – In Desolation
  • Kingdom Of Sorrow – Behind The Blackest Tears
  • Lavotchkin – Widow Country
  • Melvins – The Bride Screamed Murder
  • This Is Hell – Weight Of The World
• Terrorizer
  • Watain – Lawless Darkness*
  • Mike Patton – Mondo Cane
  • Ondskapt – Arisen From The Ashes
  • Twilight – Monument To Time End

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

RetroBlog: Refused – The Shape Of Punk To Come

The Shape Of Punk To Come, by Swedish band Refused, completely passed me by when it was originally released , however I gave it a listen recently and was completely blown away by the unique sound. Check it out, still sounds as fresh today as it did in 1998.

Track listing:

1. Worms of the Senses / Faculties of the Skull
2. Liberation Frequency
3. The Deadly Rhythm
4. Summerholidays Vs. Punkroutine
5. Bruitist Pome #5
6. New Noise
7. The Refused Party Program
8. Protest Song '68
9. Refused Are Fucking Dead
10. The Shape of Punk to Come
11. Tannhäuser / Derivè
12. The Apollo Programme Was a Hoax

Check it out at Spotify - http://open.spotify.com/album/3qiPCc9ktPONvkHyfqUqOz

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11lBQ7fDYYE]

Reviewed at:

• AllMusic - http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:om6tk6kxwkr0
• BBC - http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/b8zb
• Sputnik Music - http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=411
• Pitchfork - http://pitchfork.com/news/38431-refuseds-ithe-shape-of-punk-to-comei-gets-three-disc-deluxe-reissue/
• Punknews - http://www.punknews.org/review/364

 

Genre(s):

• Hardcore punk
• Post-hardcore
• Experimental rock

 

Similar artists:

• The (International) Noise Conspiracy
• Snapcase
• Raised Fist
• Gallows
• Fugazi
• The Bronx
• The Ghost of a Thousand

 

Further information:

@Website - http://www.officialrefused.com/

@Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/refused

@Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/RefusedBand

@Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refused

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

Witchsorrow - Witchsorrow

 

A new week, a new band. My attention was brought to Witchsorrow via this months Terrorizer’s ‘choice cuts’ section. As doomy as ruined monasteries and old churches. Now that’s what I call doomy.

Track listing:

1. Might Have Been
2. Trial of Elizabeth Clarke
3. Hail to Guy Fawkes
4. Thou Art Cursed
5. Impaler Tepes

Listen to this album on Spotify - http://open.spotify.com/album/0YLGgJgWlpy8aKZiqyZrNj

 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkvLvJYkxQQ]

 

Reviewed at:

• Rocksound - http://www.rocksound.tv/reviews/article/witchsorrow-witchsorrow
• Doommantia - http://www.doommantia.com/2010/05/witchsorrow-witchsorrow.html
• Disagreement.net - http://www.disagreement.net/reviews/witchsorrow_witchsorrow.html
• Heavy Blog Is Heavy - http://www.heavyblogisheavy.com/2010/05/25/review-witchsorrow-witchsorrow/

 

Genre(s):

• Doom

 

Similar artists:

• Doomdogs
• Funeral circle
• Briton Rites
• Mourn
• Great Coven
• Lord of the Grave
• Rituals Of The Oak
• Cardinals Folly

 

Further information:

@MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/witchsorrowdoom

@LastFM - http://www.last.fm/music/Witchsorrow

 

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

The Agony Of A Best Of List

It’s Thursday, and that’s the day it’s customary to do a “Best Of List” on the blog.

So, searching for inspiration I asked my wife for a suggestion as to what I should do, “What about your favourite guitar solos”, she said. “Hey, what a great idea”, was my response. I then suggested that it would not include tracks that were essentially just solos from start to finish, like “Eruption”, for instance. It had to be essentially a list of songs which contained solos that made my hair stand on end.

Anyway, in the course of reacquainting myself with various solos from some of my favourite guitarists, I noticed one of the cats, the evil Gigi, was responding to certain things I was listening to. Well, in-between thinking up acts of unspeakable evil to perform during the course of the day, no doubt.

However, my scientific studies were somewhat scuppered when she failed to respond later in the testing by basically falling asleep, a slumber from which no amount of Whitehouse’s “Total Sex” was able to wake her.

Anyway, here’s what has caused a ‘positive’ response thus far:

• Iron Maiden – The Ides Of March/Wrathchild
• Pantera – Fucking Hostile
• Morbid Angel – Blessed Are The Sick – Leading The Rats

http://open.spotify.com/user/toxicmusic79/playlist/7MeSzlTnErp5GRgqeP1lZx

Oh well, back to my list of 10 songs containing favourite guitar solos then, although for the first one I have to take Gigi’s lead:

• Iron Maiden – The Ides Of March/Wrathchild
• UFO – Rock Bottom (live)
• Thin Lizzy – Still In Love With You (live)
• Arch Enemy – The Last Enemy
• Lamb Of God – Set To Fail
• Pantera – Domination
• Rainbow – Stargazer
• Ozzy Osbourne – Mr Crowley
• Rage Against The Machine – Killing In The Name
• Judas Priest - Painkiller

http://open.spotify.com/user/toxicmusic79/playlist/0hcWWR4tvhAVDNSAFD4NIr

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

My Top 5 Favourite ‘Rain’ Songs

For the past week the weather has been really nice here in Dartmouth, NS, but last night the heavens opened and it’s only just starting to clear up now. So, I thought it only fitting to do a rain related post. Yes, here are my favourite ‘rain’ songs:

• Rain – Madonna
  
  [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCvZpjN9QL0]

 

• Rain – The Cult
  
  [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3DgAJwVeVU]

 

• Rain – Trivium
  
  [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_-i7CXPJoo]

 

• Rain – Steerpike (Sussex band)
  No video for this on YouTube, well they were a local Sussex (UK) band from the early 90’s http://www.garenewing.co.uk/home/music/steerpike/steerpikecure.php

 

• Rain – Creed
  
  [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgkyuuQVnrw]

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

RetroBlog: Primordial – The Gathering Wilderness

On reading Johan Hegg’s (Amon Amarth) playlist in the current issue of Terrorizer, #196, it inspired me to check out Primordial. They are a band who I have been meaning to listen to for a long time, but never got around to.

How foolish I was to wait, as I have been totally blown away by the 2005 release, The Gathering Wilderness. I’ve been playing it everywhere: as I work in the garden, while driving, while relaxing in the evening and while writing this blog. It’s awesome. So, check it out!

The Gathering Wilderness on Spotify - http://open.spotify.com/album/6jNqRpVwEVNvoTEfdyI1E9

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q06J4zEFChc]

 

Track listing:

1. The Golden Spiral
2. The Gathering Winderness
3. The Song of the Tomb
4. End of All Times (Martyrs Fire)
5. The Coffin Ships
6. Tragedy's Birth
7. Cities Carved in Stone

 

Reviewed at:

Metal Observer - http://www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=1&id=7548

Sputnik Music - http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=9165

Pop Maters - http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/p/primordial-gathering.shtml

Global Domination - http://www.globaldomination.se/reviews/primordial-the-gathering-wilderness

Chronicles Of Chaos - http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/reviews/albums/2-3733_primordial_the_gathering_wilderness.aspx

Metal Archives - http://www.metal-archives.com/review.php?id=67040

All Music - http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fpfuxq8sldje

 

Genre(s):

• Black metal
• Celtic metal
• Pagan metal
• Folk metal

 

Similar artists:

• Mael Mórdha
• Negură Bunget
• Enslaved
• Moonsorrow
• Agalloch
• Drudkh
• Windir
• Waylander
• Falkenbach
• Borknagar

 

Further information:

@Website - http://www.primordialweb.com/

@MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/primordialofficial

@Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Primordial/54400617511

@Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primordial_(band)

 

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

Ronnie James Dio - July 10, 1942 to May 16, 2010

This morning, over breakfast, I learnt the sad new that Ronnie James Dio had lost his battle with stomach cancer on Sunday morning.

So, I though I would dedicate today’s post to the great man. It is always difficult to do people justice when writing an obituary, so, I think I will just let his contributions to music do the talking.

However, what I can say is that I know that he will be sadly missed by fans. Anyone who has the experience and privilege of seeing him perform live, whether in Elf, Rainbow, Sabbath, Dio or Heaven and Hell, will know exactly why he is held in such high regard. His performances in the studio were excellent, but there was something about seeing him live and the professionalism that he exuded which really made you appreciate the greatness of the man. I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to see him at the Brighton Centre (UK) as part of Heaven and Hell in November 2007. Unbelievable performance and I have managed to find a clip of the gig on Youtube – Sign Of The Southern Cross.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENuD4SV0abc]

 

I think I should start with a summary list of his studio performances (with relevant Spotify links where available) , although this list is by no means exhaustive it does give a good indication of how much he has recorded. You can check out a more thorough listing of his work starting from his page on Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_James_Dio 

 

Elf

Elf (1972) - http://open.spotify.com/album/77FZzNDlmNQkRtjjCh9nfs

Carolina County Ball (1974) (US title: L.A.59)

Trying to Burn the Sun (1975)

 

Rainbow

Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1975) - http://open.spotify.com/album/3xi6KE16sRXAdyr5aSxqGT

Rising (1976) - http://open.spotify.com/album/0TGdg8Km7bBVwtmwfzt4yM

Long Live Rock 'n' Roll (1978) - http://open.spotify.com/album/5A3mHr2UMfihZre2v9E6cI

 

Black Sabbath

• Heaven and Hell (1980) - http://open.spotify.com/album/2xlljcaxcJxmnGO4xJq7YZ

• Mob Rules (1981) - http://open.spotify.com/album/239f6HFDmTWbBKNezUR4BX
• Dehumanizer (1992) - http://open.spotify.com/album/2qyXLZvoWxsqb0ILGbyDNK

 

Dio

Holy Diver (1983) - http://open.spotify.com/album/0ESsWE6BfPxOyjBY5zDFFz

The Last in Line (1984) - http://open.spotify.com/album/5TRzn7B9lk3EMaMzW6IHl2

Sacred Heart (1985)

Dream Evil (1987) - http://open.spotify.com/album/5KNshCrnMRS84N6yU6oAWY

Lock up the Wolves (1990)

Strange Highways (1994) - http://open.spotify.com/album/7sQDbA0qW3ZDKPxpwmHRA4

Angry Machines (1996) - http://open.spotify.com/album/40Kejzu1BRzNw2zKHI3pX2

Magica (2000)

Killing the Dragon (2002)

Master of the Moon (2004) - http://open.spotify.com/album/251CRitGahqJXiaAdcwUKQ 

 

Heaven And Hell

• The Devil You Know (2009) - http://open.spotify.com/album/2eLwBr4FWHB9XUoeloyyzf

 

There are also a number of live albums that he appears on and are worth checking out as a snapshot of his live performances from a particular era, apart from Dio stuff, I’ve only listed one from each ‘band’. I also particularly enjoy the posthumous Rainbow live albums.

Live performances

• The Elves - Live at the Bank (1972)
• Rainbow – On Stage (1977) - http://open.spotify.com/album/6DyINdfRW7rp5JKmskckJd
• Black Sabbath – Live Evil (1983) - http://open.spotify.com/album/0pTZWu6m0CCXWuLRZIVhgM
• Dio – Intermission (1986) - http://open.spotify.com/album/5VEEoVMgFelq51Xx9pPT8r
• Dio – Inferno: Last In Live (1998) - http://open.spotify.com/album/16uWU6R3s5DzdTiARtjYow
• Heaven and Hell - Live from Radio City Music Hall (2007) - http://open.spotify.com/album/35rdERkWtUtHjj2krS8wWh

 

Check out the live performance at Rockplast 2009 of Bible Black, from the album, The Devil You Know.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Sdz7fP-p_0]

 

Then of course there is the Devil Horns…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MNCpWV4sn0]

 

Ronnie, you’re da man!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmSt1oEIshE]

 

 

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

October File – Our Souls To You

Since I have just tidied up my copies of Terrorizer and got them in chronological order, it now gives me a chance to have a look at the most recent issue. I see a UK band I am not familiar with, October File, getting an 8 for there new album Our Souls To You. So I check it out on Spotify http://open.spotify.com/album/6xP92cnaLvvXFg1AJ0t2yb 

Methinks it’s rather good.

Track listing:

1. Crawl
2. Corporate Evasion
3. Falter
4. Dredge
5. Eau Du war
6. Our Souls To You (Part 1)
7. A Public Display Of Anger
8. Isolation
9. September
10. Love is (A Warm AK47)
11. Our Souls To You

The release looks like it is available as 2 disks, one features the above tracks mixed by John Mitchel the other with the tracks (minus track 11) mixed by Justin Broaderick.

 

Here is the promo video for Another Day, taken from the previous album, Holy Armour From The Jaws Of God.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_uT4GR6s0g]

 

Reviewed at:

Metal Psalter - http://www.metalpsalter.com/review_october_file_our_souls_to_you.html

Lords Of Metal - http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/showreview.php?id=16093&lang=en

Metal As Fuck - http://www.metalasfuck.net/zine/reviews/2010/october-file-our-souls-you-candlelightearsplit

Metal Ireland - http://www.metalireland.com/2010/05/03/october-file-our-souls-to-you/

 

Genre(s):

• Metal
• Industrial Metal

 

Similar artists:

• Send More Paramedics
• Raging Speedhorn
• Beecher
• Eden Maine
• Planes Mistaken for Stars
• Breach
• Will Haven
• Tribute to Nothing
• Outcry Collective
• Rollins Band

 

Further information:

@Website - http://www.octoberfile.com/

@MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/octoberfile

@Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/October-File/181462811790

@Twitter - http://twitter.com/#search?q=%22october%20file%22

@Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_File

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

Terrorizer – Top 20 Sludge Albums

I always like to keep a track on site visits to my blog, and and yesterday I noticed I was getting a few hits sent my way via Google searches for keyword search combinations such as “terrorizer” and “best sludge album” as well as a few others of a similar nature.

So, always eager to please my readership, I have gone through my back issues of Terrorizer (I have back to #37 with a few omissions here and there) and located the Sludge Special that they ran over issues 187-188. So, here are the Top 20 Sludge Albums that they listed in issue 188 under the heading “Filth Parade”. I hope this is what people were after.

1. Eyehategod – Take As Needed For Pain (Centaury Media 1993)
2. Eyehategod – Dopesick (Century Media 1996)
3. Crowbar – Crowbar (Pavement Music 1993)
4. Melvins – Gluey Porch Treatments (Alchemy 1986)
5. Acid Bath – When The Kite String Pops (Rotten 1994)
6. Buzzove.en – …At A Loss (Off The Records 1998)
7. Iron Monkey – Our Problem (Earache 1998)
8. Sourvein – Will To Mangle (Southern Lord 2002)
9. Noothgrush – Failing Early, Failing Often (Slap A Ham 2001)
10. Crowbar – Odd Fellows Rest (Mayhem 1998)
11. Grief – Come To Grief (Vacuum / Century Media 1994)
12. Cavity – Supercollider (Man’s Ruin 1999)
13. Melvins – Bullhead (Boner 1991)
14. Weedeater – …And Justice For All (Berserker 2001)
15. Down – NOLA (Electra 1995)
16. Dystopia – Dystopia (Life Is Abuse 2008)
17. Corrupted – Paso Inferior (Frigidity Discos 1997)
18. 16 – Blaze Of Incompetence (Pessimiser 1997)
19. Rwake – If You Walk Before You Crawl You Crawl Before You Die (At A Loss 2004)
20. Bongzilla – Gateway (Relapse 2002)

Here is a playlist that contains all the albums that are offered on Spotify - http://open.spotify.com/user/toxicmusic79/playlist/2hpBww552ZSbaIiLP6382b

Now let’s have a bit of Eyehategod from their 2009 Hellfest performance.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwHZibk4d-c]

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

RetroBlog: Goatwhore – A Haunting Curse

By way of a follow on from Saturday’s 3 Inches Of Blood, Goatwhore, Barn Burner, Black Moor gig and yesterday’s subsequent post, I thought I would dedicate today's post to some informational stuff about Goatwhore and their 2006 album, A Haunting Curse.

Track listing:

1. Wear These Scars of Testimony
2. Bloodletting Upon the Cloven Hoof
3. Alchemy of the Black Sun Cult
4. My Eyes Are the Spears of Chaos
5. In the Narrow Confines of Defilement
6. Forever Consumed Oblivion
7. A Haunting Curse...
8. Silence Marked by the Breaking of Bone
9. Diabolical Submergence of Rebirth
10. ...of Ashen Slumber
11. I Avenge Myself

You can play the album on Spotify - http://open.spotify.com/album/3b9ubn2RFV33P1qeSsFTjW

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYV0XCuse1k]

 

Reviewed at:

• About.com - http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/goatwhore.htm
• AllMusic - http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0cfoxqldldde
• Rockworld - http://www.rocknworld.com/thrashpit/reviews/06/Goatwhore.shtml
• Metal Eater - http://www.metaleater.com/albumreviews-goatwhore2006.php
• Sea Of Tranquillity - http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=4180

 

Genre(s):

• Blackened death metal
• Blackened thrash metal

 

Similar artists:

• Belphegor
• Akercocke
• Book of Black Earth
• Absu
• Angelcorpse
• God Dethroned
• Nachtmystium
• Deströyer 666
• Suffocation
• Cobalt

 

Further information:

@Website - http://www.bloatedgoatrecords.com/gw/

@MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/goatwhore

@Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/thegoat666

@Twitter - http://twitter.com/goatwhoreNola

@Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goatwhore

 

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

“Enemies Of Metal Your Death Is Our Reward!”

The mighty 3 Inches Of Blood played The Paragon Theatre in Halifax on Saturday, and we were there!! Support was provided by Goatwhore, Barn Burner and local Cole Harbour band Black Moor. However, I must admit to being only familiar with 3 Inches Of Blood.

Goatwhore play a pretty intense combination of Blackened Death and Blackened Thrash Metal, the most recent album is Carving Out The Eyes Of God and you can check it out on Spotify. http://open.spotify.com/album/1VkjJSzSg5JZrB8e7ehFi2

And, check out the video for Apocalyptic Havoc on YouTube.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLFtQ90H6O4]

 

Barnburner are a bit more ‘conventional’ in that they, sound to me, like a reasonably straightforward NWOBHM inspired Hard Rock/Metal, their album Bangers is also on Spotify. http://open.spotify.com/album/77o8exUj9jnNEf2t7g70nY

Unfortunately, we missed local band Black Moor, as they were added after the tickets were printed and so we arrived at the door as they had just finished up their set. I’m sure we will get to check them out again around the Cole Harbour/Dartmouth/Halifax area. Check out the lead track from their 2009 album The Conquering, they sound awesome! “Black Moor’s commin’ after you”.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK_MIU3ak04]

 

Here’s an interview, with the band, about the Cole Harbour metal scene.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7EcjBbDe3I]

 

Back to 3 Inches Of Blood, their most recent album is Here Waits Thy Doom, check it out here. http://open.spotify.com/album/6pHRtdZdLfmrKMF31KXjaZ

Here is Battles and Brotherhood from the aforementioned album.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov1XxyvCS3o]

Of course, 3 Inches Of Blood had to finish up their set with Deadly Sinners!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO7TZGgBbOw]

But no Forest King in the set, [sigh]. Well, better remedy that.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYrOaIUNLQE]

 

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

Demon Hunter – The World Is A Thorn

Looking through the May issue of Rocksound which landed in the ‘superbox’ this week, I can see a number of new albums that get 9 or above. One such album is Demon Hunter’s latest, The World Is A Thorn.

Track listing:

1. Descending upon Us
2. LifeWar
3. Collapsing (feat. Björn "Speed" Strid of Soilwork)
4. This Is the Line
5. Driving Nails
6. The World Is a Thorn
7. Tie This Around Your Neck
8. Just Breathe (feat. Christian Älvestam of Miseration)
9. Shallow Water
10. Feel as Though You Could (feat. Dave Peters of Throwdown)
11. Blood in the Tears

Check it out on Spotify - http://open.spotify.com/album/6OjtNpkeSbNKZisER0d5a7

 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-3EXnK_ii0]

 

Reviewed at:

The Album Project - http://thealbumproject.net/2010/03/full-review-demon-hunter-the-world-is-a-thorn/

AllMusic - http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:gpfwxzqsldse

Christian Music Zine - http://christianmusiczine.com/2010/03/08/review-demon-hunter-the-world-is-a-thorn/

Jesus Freak Hideout - http://jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/TheWorldIsAThorn.asp

Pure Noise - http://www.purenoizemag.com/2010/03/10/demon-hunter-the-world-is-a-thorn/

 

Genre(s):

• Metalcore
• Alternative metal
• Thrash metal

 

Similar artists:

• Living Sacrifice
• Becoming the Archetype
• Project 86
• The Showdown
• Haste the Day
• Disciple
• War of Ages
• Destroy The Runner
• Still Remains
• Soul Embraced

 

Further information:

@Website - http://www.demonhunter.net/

@Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/demonhunter

@Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/demonhunter

@Twitter - http://twitter.com/DemonHunterBand

@Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon_Hunter

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

Classic Rock - 1990

Following on from last weeks post about my favourite metal albums from 1990,  I thought I would dig out  my little  black book of music lists and look up one I had written down for Classic Rock albums from 1990. This list was originally published as part of a series of ‘specials’ published by Classic Rock magazine, each one covering years from the 70s, 80s and 90s. So here is the list from 1990:

• Alice In Chains – Facelift
• Black Crowes – Shake Your Money Maker
• Danzig – Danzig II: Lucifuge
• Fugazi – Repeater
• Heart – Brigade
• Jane’s Addiction – Ritual De Lo Habitual
• Jellyfish – Bellybutton
• Judas Priest – Painkiller
• The La’s – The La’s
• Mark Lanegan – The Winding Sheet
• Living Colour – Time’s Up
• Mother Love Bone – Apple
• Megadeth – Rust In Peace
• Pantera – Cowboys From Hell
• The Replacements – All Shook Down
• Slayer – Seasons In The Abyss
• Sonic Youth – Goo
• Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Ragged Glory
• Warrior Soul – Last Decade, Dead Century
• Winger – In The Heart Of The Young

Here’s what’s on Spotify - http://open.spotify.com/user/toxicmusic79/playlist/6MGM5Ph7dBhg0xRsC80UxI

“I’m the wooo-ooolf”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEs0fwQ1VBU]

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink

RetroBlog: Drowning Pool - Sinner

I only properly picked up on Drowning Pool just last week when I was looking to swap out a dodgy audio track on a YouTube video I had posted with one of the tracks that YouTube provides. The track in question was Bodies from the debut album Sinner.

Track listing:

1. Sinner
2. Bodies
3. Tear Away
4. All Over Me
5. Reminded
6. Pity
7. Mute
8. I Am
9. Follow
10. Told You So
11. Sermon

Album on Spotify - http://open.spotify.com/album/2x69bUM3cqWJ1ckKpwCNgh

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY_I6doz6Qk]

 

Drowning Pool on Amazon

 Reviewed at:

• AllMusic - http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wqf6zfg2eh2k
• Sputnik Music - http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?reviewid=8522
• Answers.com - http://www.answers.com/topic/sinner-drowning-pool-album

 

Genre(s):

• Alternative Metal
• Nu Metal

 

Similar artists:

• SOiL
• Godsmack
• Disturbed
• Adema
• Dope
• Mudvayne
• Static-X
• Saliva
• Ill Niño
• Stone Sour

 

Further information:

@Website - http://www.drowningpool.com/

@MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/drowningpool

@FaceBook - http://www.facebook.com/drowningpool

@Twitter - http://twitter.com/DrowningPool

@Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drowning_Pool

 

Note: Cross posted from New Music Excess.

Permalink