Author: Steve Earles
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Manowar – Black Wind, Fire & Steel: The Atlantic Albums (1987-1992)
One of the great cult metal bands of the 1980s, Manowar had four excellent albums under their belts before signing to Atlantic. This was the Manowar’s highest profile-era. Their Atlantic debut Fighting The World is one the greatest heavy metal albums, even featuring the great Orson Welles on Defender. One of the things that stands out…
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Death Angel – The Enigma Years (1987-1990)
Death Angel were one of the very best metal bands to come out of the 80’s (and that is no mean feat in the decade that gave us amazing music from bands like Sabbat, Metallica, Bathory, Slayer, Venom, Voivod, Soundgarden, Iron Maiden, and so many more). It was a magic time, different from this impersonal…
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Mercury Rev – The Secret Migration
The Secret Migration has always been a hopeful album, and hope is certainly something we need right now! The Secret Migration is a magical album in it’s own right. But, this 5CD version is very special indeed, it will take listeners many happy hours to unearth and appreciate all its varied treasures. A special album in a…
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Rikard Sjöblom Gungfly – Alone Together
This is a progressive rock album with the emphasis on rock. Rikard’s musicianship and song-writing is strong. Here he’s aided by a powerful rhythm section, giving the album a pleasant organic vibe. Fans of classic, Yes, Genesis and King Crimson will find much to enjoy here.
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Sigue Sigue Sputnik- Flaunt It
As I’ve said in previous reviews, there is a great interest in all things ‘80s, and it would be hard to get more ‘80s than Sigue Sigue Sputnik, a band who were ahead of the curve big time. Technology has now caught up with their vision, and they would really have loved the internet age So, we have the…
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White Lion – All You Need Is Rock ‘N’ Roll-The Complete Albums 1985-1991
Interest in all things ‘80s shows no signs of abating soon; so this well-put together collection is sure to find an audience. White Lion didn’t make the same success league as Poison or Bon Jovi for instance, yet they had platinum albums (which gives you some idea of just how many physical record sales there…
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Sigh – Scorn Defeat
This a special 2-CD edition Sigh’s ground-breaking 1993 debut. Sometimes the passage of time diminishes an album’s power, but in the case of Sigh’s Scorn Defeat, it has only served to amplify. It also shows just how diverse Black Metal as a genre can be. While clearly influenced by the likes of Celtic Frost and Venom, Sigh had their…
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Samurai – Samurai
Samurai (born from the ashes of a band called WEB if memory serves me correct) disbanded shortly after the release of their self-titled debut; they would be held in the same high esteem as the likes of King Crimson, Colosseum and their ilk. If Samurai had stayed together, who knows what musical heights they might…
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Trapeze – Medusa
Featuring the soaring talents of vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes, these reissues of three superb Trapeze albums are most welcome. Trapeze is an excellent debut, though the band would show far more of their own identity on subsequent releases. Medusa shows how well the power trio format worked for Trapeze, with guitarist Mel Galley and Glenn meshing particularly well.…
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Jah Wobble – In Dub II
Since his ground-breaking bass-playing for Public Image Limited, Jah Wobble has become one of the world’s most distinctive bassist, a true innovator and artist, his creativity is boundless. As is evidenced on this superb compilation. Truly superb, this is music made for the love of music, which is the only reason music should be made.