FOR THE LOVE OF METAL
Black Space Riders certainly know what sound they are going for and with only one minor misstep on this album I’d say they’ve found it. The music isn’t too spacey to deter fans of more doom styled stoner rock nor is it too doomy for the rock crowd. Is the music a case of trying to please everyone? Perhaps, but in this instance it really works.
Rhapsody of Fire are true storytellers on the record, and the music works well in conjunction with audiences familiar with everything from Middle Earth escapades to the grand picture power metal paints in our minds, resulting in an experience that is both aural and visual.
While this was the first listen through I feel pretty comfortable in saying that Juggernaut of Justice is the best album Anvil has made since Metal On Metal. In fact, it may even one day be recognized as their best album ever. It has the massive production the band has always wanted, produced by Bob Marlette at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606, the band finally had the opportunity to not rush things, get the sounds they wanted and delivered an album that both Lips and Robb Reiner told me afterward even surpassed their own expectations.
Article by Sean Palmerston; photos by Albert Mansour
If you consider Opus Eponymous to be a pop album, you probably think Yes and Genesis are pop bands, too. Erm, wait a minnit. Well, I can’t say I see Ghost going down that route, anyways. After all, it won’t be the 80’s for another 69 years…
Thinning the Herd is a band that’s proud to call The Big Apple home, personally proclaiming that they’re keeping the city’s heavy rock scene alive
Anyways, if you’re expecting Dopethrone II, look elsewhere, as the band has definitely moved on. (C’mon man, it’s been 11 years now…) The psychedelic sounds that pervaded their last couple efforts are clearly at work here, and this is apparent from the get-go.
“After walking out and having Lemmy introduce them with that oh so familiar line of “We are Motorhead and we play rock and roll” the band was off, starting the show with “We Are Motorhead” and ready to blow our brains out.”
Sean Palmerston reviews the February 25th show by Motörhead, Clutch and Valient Thorr at Elements in Kitchener ON. Live photos by Albert Mansour
There’s hardly any filler to be found here, not even a short, throwaway instrumental track. Tribus was one of the latter great albums of 2010, one that I’m sorry to have missed until well into 2011.
Along with Iced Earth, Jag Panzer remains the cream of the crop for American Power Metal. Welcome back boys, nice to have you.
Jonathan Smith reviews the Feb 26th Toronto performance by Cradle of Filth, Nachtmystium, Daniel Lioneye and Turisas. Live photos by Albert Mansour