POWER METAL REVIEW - Damien - Stop This War (1989)

...Back doing reviews after a long while. Sorry about that, haha (although don't worry, there's plenty here to review).

Price Paid:
like...$3.

What Is It?
The sophomore album from Damien. I bought it based upon the cover alone, and interestingly enough I bought it the same day as Banshee's "Race Against Time". It is a pretty pure example of a mix between traditional and power metal. Overall it is DEVASTATING material.

The Rundown:
This record DESTROYS, and I get the feeling that the band and anyone who bought it at the time knew this after even a cursory spin. There is no lack of skill or musicianship on this one, that's for sure. The leads are crisp and agile, while the clean parts are tasteful and calm. The band arranged the songs well, leaving space for everyone to shine. Randy "Wolf" Mikelson's vocals are standout, especially on tracks like "Rising Dawn" where he contrasts a great singing voice with the ground-shaking screams in the chorus.

One of the reasons I bought this record was because of the song titles. I saw names like "Break Out", "Warlord", "The Priests Are Coming", and best of all, "Corpse Grinder". I thought "It can't be bad." Well, rest assured the songs all lived up to their names. I mentioned earlier that this album sounds like a mix of traditional and power metal. The band used great simple riffs as the bases for their songwriting...and by the time they were done they had things like a tapping lick or a sweep arpeggio layered with the choruses. Every little detail counts.

Recommended Tracks:
"Stop This War"
"Rising Dawn"
"30 St. Clair"
"Corpse Grinder"

Wrap-Up
Very catchy album, overall kicks major ass! Recommended. I just wish I would remember to put this one on more often. My rating would have to be an 8/10.

POWER/TRAD/BLUES. METAL REVIEW - Banshee - Race Against Time (1989)

Also
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn4gp698uGI

Price Paid: $3.60

What Is It?
....This is why I collect vinyl. Every once in a while you happen upon an album that contains some of the most killer shit you've heard in years. This band fucking rules. I got the album yesterday, and have since listened to it 4+ times. They display a Traditional/Glam style infused with the flavor of 1989, some blues metal elements. It comes out sounding killer.

The Rundown:
It should tell you something that I kept going back again and again listening to this thing - It never tires. Not only are the songs catchy as hell, the individual musicians are quite competent with their instruments and each one stands out (amazing solos, crazy double kick, good basslines). It should be noted that the solos are RIDICULOUS. I don't think there is a song on the "Race Against Time" album I don't like. The album starts at 100mph and doesn't ever seem to let up - and they did this while still featuring ballads!

What I love about this record is how they are so in your face while still retaining a charming aesthetic. Banshee can write a song like hell and then play it flawlessly, leaving those who would only copy Zeppelin that year in the DUST. How they never got more recognition is a true mystery. There is an obvious virtuosity here...They grabbed the bull by the horns on this one. Now that I'm thinking about it, "Race Against Time" sounds JUST like a Maiden track! It should be mentioned that this album has its fair share of power metal sounding moments. It would be a far stretch to just call this a Glam/Hair record...

Recommended Tracks:
"Shoot Down The Night" (The opening scream is boner worthy)
"All Alone"
"Race Against Time"
"Call Of The Wild"
"Drive Like Hell"
"Missing You"

Wrap-Up
Let's just say this record might eventually make its way to Icon or Shok Paris status in my eyes. Incredibly enjoyable, and a total gem. Paying $3.60 for this was a steal. Great feelgood record, with (and I can't stress this enough) fucking AMAZING musicians behind it. 9/10 rating.

BLUES METAL REVIEW: DIVING FOR PEARLS (1989)

The Player:
Danny Malone (?)

The Players:
Diving For Pearls

What Is It?

Some late-80s Pop-Metal venture by a bunch of guys who could have played a gig at Disney World and no one would have given it a second thought. Don't let the unbelievably Blues Metal cover fool you; these men are about as dangerous as a litter of puppies. There must have been a war of sorts within every blues metaller's mind in the late 80s: "Hmm, I want to look and/or sound dangerous, but I still want to get pussy". Thus came what I call the "Half And Half" compromise that even Roxanne was a bit too good for. Basically what "Half and Half" means is that half the songs on the record are ballads and the other half are presumably "rock songs". Well, it seems that Diving For Pearls went this route...kinda.

Does It Suck?

Lets be clear. This record is some average-azz BULL SHIT. While listening to this album it's still a wonder why I didn't get some sort of boredom-induced migraine, because DFP has TWO SONGS (1. Ballad 2. Semi-Rock Song Ballad). FUCK. I dare you to listen to this record. I dare you to find one above average song. (If there was one, it would be "I Close My Eyes", but by a stretch). Let me break it down: Take the Roxanne record and put it through 5 producers and 5 record company executives circa late 80s, each making whatever changes to the sound and appearance they like. You would come out with a pile of dog shit, or more accurately motherfucking diving for pearls. The ONLY moment that this record has are some solos and the song "I Close My Eyes" (which, for the record was not on youtube). These guys were probably to rock radio in 89 what Godsmack was to rock radio in '03. *shudders* Every single thing about this record is completely inconsequential, and I honestly would have been better off not listening to it. The only good thing about it is the cover, which I barely caught a glimpse of in a thrift store before snatching it up in my arms - because I thought I knew what the record was going to be like...

Are There Any Woman-Cursing Blues Songs?
Maybe one, or two at the most, but the band isn't really into blaming the chick. the vibe I got was that they spend most of the time blaming themselves because they're clumsy and insecure around girls by sitting in a corner and cutting.

Wrap-Up
This album is shite, save for half of a track and a couple leads. me giving this 4/10 would be merciful, so here's a big fat 3/10 for ya. Oh and by the way, one of the songs on this record is a Police ripoff in every sense. Suck it.

BLUES METAL REVIEW - BLUE MURDER (1989)

The Player - John Sykes

The Players - Carmine Appice, Tony Franklin

What is it?
A band formed by John Sykes in the late 80s after his Whitesnake run that featured Carmine Appice, who is determined to play on every record in my collection.

Does it Suck?

Surprisingly, no. Did I mean to say surprisingly? I don't know. What I do know is that this is a fucking BEAST of an album. I was hesitant to even put this album in the "Blues Metal" category because it is such a good and well executed album. I like just about every song on the album, (Exception: Jelly Roll) and I'll say why. Every song sounds like earnest effort. Every song seems to have meaning, and you can tell that the band really had a good time putting this one together. Everything on this album has its place. Even what some people would call "excessive" shredding. John Sykes' playing on any one of these songs is tasteful sounding and well played. His fat-sounding Les Paul fills up the space well, and behind him is a sweet bassist, Tony Franklin. This album is the first time i've heard him, but I can tell he's good because he executes fills well and mainly holds down the rhythm and fills the space below Sykes. Not to mention Carmine Appice, who is a great drummer that also knows his place and plays accordingly.

I first found the tape of this at Half Price Books in Roseville and only noticed that Carmine Appice played on it. I almost didn't buy the album. Later, I put it in the old 'deck and the opening track, "Riot" fucking blew me away. The chords Sykes plays on this album are just great, and work with his thick, chorus-y tone. Which reminds me - At first listen I was thinking "Man, this is the exact tone from Whitesnake's self-titled!" I realized that it was Sykes singing and playing. Which, by the way is amazing. He sounds better than Coverdale. (sorry d00d)

Are there any women-cursing blues songs?

Yes. "Black Hearted Woman" is about that woman who just makes John Sykes go all crazy inside of his head. The main riff is a sweet 16th note palm muting exercise, though. Also, "Sex Child" and "Out Of Love".

Rating: 9/10. It took me a few plays to appreciate this album, but I'm very glad I bought it. Like I've been saying, Sykes is the key player - but that doesn't discount Franklin or Appice one bit. They are an absolutely killer rhythm section that holds that shit DOWN.