Post by dangerzone on Jun 7, 2006 12:34:46 GMT -5
Pantera 'Metal Magic'
1983, Metal Magic
Terrence Lee Glaze- vocals
Diamond Darrell- guitar
Rex Rocker- bass
Vincent Paul Abbott- drums
Pantera's debut draws nothing but derisive comments from most biased observers, but for their first album it's as accomplished as any major bands debut, perhaps exceeding debuts that year also from the likes of Slayer, Anthrax and Metallica. Pantera firmly established themselves as a melodic hard rock act with 'Metal Magic', with one foot in metal territory. Opening track 'Ride My Rocket' is an obvious ode to Kiss, see 'Rocket Ride', with some Ace Frehly style riffing. 'I'll Be Alright' is state of the art US metal for 1983, Diamond's riffing already a force to be reckoned with. Never one to stray from fantastic AOR, there's several gems in the form of 'Tell Me If You Want It' and 'Biggest Part Of Me', both containing jaw dropping synth work. 'Nothin' On But The Radio' is a bit low key, but the dynamic 'Widowmaker' and 'Latest Lover' make up for it. Def Leppard influences are obvious, as I stated in the 'Projects In The Jungle' review, but Pantera were better at it than Leppard themselves! Consumate in every way, this is a debut which deserves more recognition. If you couldn't spot the talent already then some metal fan you were or are. I've recorded songs off this album for several posers who couldn't believe it was Pantera. They laughed at what they considered extreme cornball. Then I killed them.
Rating; A
Baby Tuckoo 'First Born'
1984, Ultra Noise
Rob Armitage- vocals
Neil Saxton- guitar
Andy Barrot- guitar, keyboards
Paul Smith- bass
Andy Sugden- drums
This group of hard living, hard rocking Brit's delivered a pair of instant classics in the mid 80's, this album being their debut. The band is remembered only these days for vocalist Rob Armitage's brief stint in Accept after Udo left, but it was his work with Tuckoo which told the real story. The band played a bruising mixture of rough and ready hard rock and AOR , with luscious keyboard work and precision like melody throughout. This contrast is proved by opening cuts 'Hot Wheels' and 'Things Aint Always What They Seem', the former fast paced with harsh riffs, while the latter concerns itself more with melodic guitar work and synthesizer overload. There ain't a duffer on offer, which you'd expect from an album with songtitles like 'A.W.O.L.', 'Baby's Rockin' Tonight' and 'Sweet Rock And Roll'. Actually 'Baby's Rockin' Tonight' might be one of the rudest songs ever, the combination of the guitar-synth interplay and Armitage's David Coverdale like vocals the mark of genius. I can't get enough of this. Amazingly Tuckoo exceeded this with 86's 'Force Majeure', but only just, thanks to 'Keep It Together'. If any bastard can find a tougher moment in rock history than the twenty one second point of 'Sweet Rock And Roll' then i'd like to know what it is. It sure isn't that little gay dwarf who won 'Battle For OZZFEST'.
Rating: A
Motorhead 'Inferno'
2004, Sanctuary
Lemmy- bass, vocals
Phil Campbell- guitar
Mickey Dee- drums
Motorhead haven't made a bad album since 1992's dreadful 'March Or Die' and true to form 'Inferno' is another strong outing from a band which refuses to age or sacrifice quality. This was one of the only worthwhile albums of 2004 and far exceeded anything recorded by Megadeth or Saxon, with Motorhead sticking to their guns and recording one of their heaviest albums yet. That's a major accomplishment from a band whos leader is sixty years old this year. I don't think this tops 'Sacrifice' or 'We Are Motorhead', but it equals them through all out rampages like 'Terminal Show', 'Killers', 'In The Name Of Tragedy', 'Life's A Bitch' and 'Fight'. The sound is traditional Motorhead naturally, but somehow Lemmy manages to keep it fresh from album to album. I'd take this album over 'Overkill' or 'Bomber' anyday, that's how good it is. Motorhead from 1993 to the present have agruably been the most consistent band in metal. This album isn't perfect by any means, but the good outweighs the bad considerably. 'Fight' proves that a 60 year old man can play it as heavy as he wants. Age means nothing. No ones too old to thrash. Dave Mustaine take note. Lemmy owns him more than a heroin needle in 1988. 'Inferno' is probably the best album of 2005 as well. I can't see myself bothering with anything this year that's why.
Album Rating: A
1983, Metal Magic
Terrence Lee Glaze- vocals
Diamond Darrell- guitar
Rex Rocker- bass
Vincent Paul Abbott- drums
Pantera's debut draws nothing but derisive comments from most biased observers, but for their first album it's as accomplished as any major bands debut, perhaps exceeding debuts that year also from the likes of Slayer, Anthrax and Metallica. Pantera firmly established themselves as a melodic hard rock act with 'Metal Magic', with one foot in metal territory. Opening track 'Ride My Rocket' is an obvious ode to Kiss, see 'Rocket Ride', with some Ace Frehly style riffing. 'I'll Be Alright' is state of the art US metal for 1983, Diamond's riffing already a force to be reckoned with. Never one to stray from fantastic AOR, there's several gems in the form of 'Tell Me If You Want It' and 'Biggest Part Of Me', both containing jaw dropping synth work. 'Nothin' On But The Radio' is a bit low key, but the dynamic 'Widowmaker' and 'Latest Lover' make up for it. Def Leppard influences are obvious, as I stated in the 'Projects In The Jungle' review, but Pantera were better at it than Leppard themselves! Consumate in every way, this is a debut which deserves more recognition. If you couldn't spot the talent already then some metal fan you were or are. I've recorded songs off this album for several posers who couldn't believe it was Pantera. They laughed at what they considered extreme cornball. Then I killed them.
Rating; A
Baby Tuckoo 'First Born'
1984, Ultra Noise
Rob Armitage- vocals
Neil Saxton- guitar
Andy Barrot- guitar, keyboards
Paul Smith- bass
Andy Sugden- drums
This group of hard living, hard rocking Brit's delivered a pair of instant classics in the mid 80's, this album being their debut. The band is remembered only these days for vocalist Rob Armitage's brief stint in Accept after Udo left, but it was his work with Tuckoo which told the real story. The band played a bruising mixture of rough and ready hard rock and AOR , with luscious keyboard work and precision like melody throughout. This contrast is proved by opening cuts 'Hot Wheels' and 'Things Aint Always What They Seem', the former fast paced with harsh riffs, while the latter concerns itself more with melodic guitar work and synthesizer overload. There ain't a duffer on offer, which you'd expect from an album with songtitles like 'A.W.O.L.', 'Baby's Rockin' Tonight' and 'Sweet Rock And Roll'. Actually 'Baby's Rockin' Tonight' might be one of the rudest songs ever, the combination of the guitar-synth interplay and Armitage's David Coverdale like vocals the mark of genius. I can't get enough of this. Amazingly Tuckoo exceeded this with 86's 'Force Majeure', but only just, thanks to 'Keep It Together'. If any bastard can find a tougher moment in rock history than the twenty one second point of 'Sweet Rock And Roll' then i'd like to know what it is. It sure isn't that little gay dwarf who won 'Battle For OZZFEST'.
Rating: A
Motorhead 'Inferno'
2004, Sanctuary
Lemmy- bass, vocals
Phil Campbell- guitar
Mickey Dee- drums
Motorhead haven't made a bad album since 1992's dreadful 'March Or Die' and true to form 'Inferno' is another strong outing from a band which refuses to age or sacrifice quality. This was one of the only worthwhile albums of 2004 and far exceeded anything recorded by Megadeth or Saxon, with Motorhead sticking to their guns and recording one of their heaviest albums yet. That's a major accomplishment from a band whos leader is sixty years old this year. I don't think this tops 'Sacrifice' or 'We Are Motorhead', but it equals them through all out rampages like 'Terminal Show', 'Killers', 'In The Name Of Tragedy', 'Life's A Bitch' and 'Fight'. The sound is traditional Motorhead naturally, but somehow Lemmy manages to keep it fresh from album to album. I'd take this album over 'Overkill' or 'Bomber' anyday, that's how good it is. Motorhead from 1993 to the present have agruably been the most consistent band in metal. This album isn't perfect by any means, but the good outweighs the bad considerably. 'Fight' proves that a 60 year old man can play it as heavy as he wants. Age means nothing. No ones too old to thrash. Dave Mustaine take note. Lemmy owns him more than a heroin needle in 1988. 'Inferno' is probably the best album of 2005 as well. I can't see myself bothering with anything this year that's why.
Album Rating: A
