Alestorm - ZZ Top - Black Dahlia Murder - Lazarus A.D.
Alestorm - Back Through Time
Napalm Records
By Bubbs Harris
Behold the triumphant return of the swashbuckling band of plunderers. Now, before you go into an Alestorm record, you must understand that this isn’t something that you can take too seriously, unless you are a Somali hijacker. I mean, let’s face it, pirates are as laughable a subject as it gets for metal. But, although the lyrics and subject matter could easily provide the soundtrack to the horrible movies with Johnny Depp, the music is quality heavy metal that deserves at least a little bit of your attention. Think about taking the folk(ish) sensibility of the mighty Skyclad and mixing it into the ale raising anthems of such Viking metal staples as Tyr, and you get Alestorm. Like I said before, the music is top notch and can stand up to any other heavy band out there, but it really is the pirate thing that makes these dudes so fun to listen to, even if you aren’t too much into that stuff. Personally, I like songs that tell a story, and Alestorm tunes are perfect fodder for imaginative minds. Also, if you like to pound booze, this is definitely a good one to sink some drinks to. I won’t spend too much more time describing this to you, as it is simply something you must hear for yourself in order to form your own opinion. If you think that metal has nothing to do with having a good time, go paint your face and kill yourself like those dumb fucks in Norway. But, if you just like solid riffs, gang vocals and fun, fun, fun, pick this one up and enjoy.
BUY BACK THROUGH TIME
By Bubbs Harris
Behold the triumphant return of the swashbuckling band of plunderers. Now, before you go into an Alestorm record, you must understand that this isn’t something that you can take too seriously, unless you are a Somali hijacker. I mean, let’s face it, pirates are as laughable a subject as it gets for metal. But, although the lyrics and subject matter could easily provide the soundtrack to the horrible movies with Johnny Depp, the music is quality heavy metal that deserves at least a little bit of your attention. Think about taking the folk(ish) sensibility of the mighty Skyclad and mixing it into the ale raising anthems of such Viking metal staples as Tyr, and you get Alestorm. Like I said before, the music is top notch and can stand up to any other heavy band out there, but it really is the pirate thing that makes these dudes so fun to listen to, even if you aren’t too much into that stuff. Personally, I like songs that tell a story, and Alestorm tunes are perfect fodder for imaginative minds. Also, if you like to pound booze, this is definitely a good one to sink some drinks to. I won’t spend too much more time describing this to you, as it is simply something you must hear for yourself in order to form your own opinion. If you think that metal has nothing to do with having a good time, go paint your face and kill yourself like those dumb fucks in Norway. But, if you just like solid riffs, gang vocals and fun, fun, fun, pick this one up and enjoy.
BUY BACK THROUGH TIME
ZZ Top - Live in Germany 1980
Eagle Rock
By Bubbs Harris
The three kings from Texas are undoubtedly one of the most significant rock’n’roll bands to ever grace our ears. (I am also willing to fist fight anyone who disagrees.) No band has stayed together as long and remained as consistently awesome as the Top, period. I was lucky enough to receive a copy of the band’s 1980 performance on the German television series Rockaplast, and am proud to be telling you about it. Think 1980, when we find out heroes fresh off of the release of Deguello, and hungry as ever to reach the top of the rock world, which they would soon reach and stay on top of for many years. Billy Gibbons and his two brothers from other mothers lay it down proper and blaze through a set of some of the band’s most crucial hits, like “Cheap Sunglasses” , “Heard it on the X” and “Tush”, but it’s the lesser known tunes that really set it off, such as “Dust My Broom” and “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers”. No other group has been able to blend classic rock’n’roll with old time blues and a dash of country and western quite like the big little band from Texas, and this performance hammers that nail in deep. Not only was this one of the band’s first trips to Europe, it was their first time on television, ever. That alone is enough to throw a wrench into the spokes of any young act, but these guys already had a decade of ass kickin’ under their belts, so it was just another night for ZZ Top. Sure, you can hear most of these tunes on your classic rock radio stations these days, but back in 1980, these were cutting edge rock songs that defied everything folks were used to hearing at that time. While most bands were experimenting with disco and electronic tunes, the Top kept truckin’ with their own brand of bluesy rock that would soon have the world in their back pocket. This live collection is a must have for fans of the legendary trio, or a good introduction for younger generations. I also have the performance of this set on the “Double Down” dvd that was released a year or two ago, and I can tell you this. There has never been a band like ZZ Top, and there will never be another. These guys defined themselves by playing with no rules and no limits, and the face of rock was changed forever. Here’s to the Top. Cheers!
BUY LIVE IN GERMANY
By Bubbs Harris
The three kings from Texas are undoubtedly one of the most significant rock’n’roll bands to ever grace our ears. (I am also willing to fist fight anyone who disagrees.) No band has stayed together as long and remained as consistently awesome as the Top, period. I was lucky enough to receive a copy of the band’s 1980 performance on the German television series Rockaplast, and am proud to be telling you about it. Think 1980, when we find out heroes fresh off of the release of Deguello, and hungry as ever to reach the top of the rock world, which they would soon reach and stay on top of for many years. Billy Gibbons and his two brothers from other mothers lay it down proper and blaze through a set of some of the band’s most crucial hits, like “Cheap Sunglasses” , “Heard it on the X” and “Tush”, but it’s the lesser known tunes that really set it off, such as “Dust My Broom” and “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers”. No other group has been able to blend classic rock’n’roll with old time blues and a dash of country and western quite like the big little band from Texas, and this performance hammers that nail in deep. Not only was this one of the band’s first trips to Europe, it was their first time on television, ever. That alone is enough to throw a wrench into the spokes of any young act, but these guys already had a decade of ass kickin’ under their belts, so it was just another night for ZZ Top. Sure, you can hear most of these tunes on your classic rock radio stations these days, but back in 1980, these were cutting edge rock songs that defied everything folks were used to hearing at that time. While most bands were experimenting with disco and electronic tunes, the Top kept truckin’ with their own brand of bluesy rock that would soon have the world in their back pocket. This live collection is a must have for fans of the legendary trio, or a good introduction for younger generations. I also have the performance of this set on the “Double Down” dvd that was released a year or two ago, and I can tell you this. There has never been a band like ZZ Top, and there will never be another. These guys defined themselves by playing with no rules and no limits, and the face of rock was changed forever. Here’s to the Top. Cheers!
BUY LIVE IN GERMANY
Black Dahlia Murder - Ritual
Metal Blade
By Bubbs Harris
BDM seem unable to do any wrong in my eyes. Whether it be their always gnarly style of death metal, or the way they bring an unmatchable energy to the stage, while remaining as tight as a pair of hipster jeans, this band has yet to fail me in any aspect. After Deflorate, it was hard to imagine these guys topping themselves again, especially so soon, but damned if they didn’t do it. Ritual is as extreme and fucking awesome as you could ever hope for. While these guys happen to play a lot with many of the bands that comprise the ever-so-lame “Scene”, they are nothing like their peers in any way. You are not going to find a whole lot of needless and annoying breakdowns here to appease the giant earlobed children on Ritual. No, this is more of an album for us old school death metal fans that can appreciate solid musicianship and a wide range of style within our music. These guys are known to be huge Carcass fans, and it comes through more than ever on the new outing. If you love super technical and engrossing guitars, this is a must hear. I haven’t heard riffing like this since the aforementioned Carcass’ Necroticism Descanting the Insalubrious. I think what I like most about BDM is the fact that their music is so undeniably rooted in many influences, but is so unique to themselves that it is very hard to compare them to any other bands out there right now. They also seem to fit within any niche going on. They play with all kinds of bands and to all kinds of crowds, and they are welcomed with open arms every time. (Hell ,they toured with King Diamond. Let’s see Oceano do that without being ripped apart by a mob of real metal fans) I can’t see why any respectable metal fan wouldn’t enjoy this album, or any BDM effort. This band runs the gamut every time to please even the most picky of palates. Ritual will be in my top five at the end of the year, no doubt about it.
BUY RITUAL
By Bubbs Harris
BDM seem unable to do any wrong in my eyes. Whether it be their always gnarly style of death metal, or the way they bring an unmatchable energy to the stage, while remaining as tight as a pair of hipster jeans, this band has yet to fail me in any aspect. After Deflorate, it was hard to imagine these guys topping themselves again, especially so soon, but damned if they didn’t do it. Ritual is as extreme and fucking awesome as you could ever hope for. While these guys happen to play a lot with many of the bands that comprise the ever-so-lame “Scene”, they are nothing like their peers in any way. You are not going to find a whole lot of needless and annoying breakdowns here to appease the giant earlobed children on Ritual. No, this is more of an album for us old school death metal fans that can appreciate solid musicianship and a wide range of style within our music. These guys are known to be huge Carcass fans, and it comes through more than ever on the new outing. If you love super technical and engrossing guitars, this is a must hear. I haven’t heard riffing like this since the aforementioned Carcass’ Necroticism Descanting the Insalubrious. I think what I like most about BDM is the fact that their music is so undeniably rooted in many influences, but is so unique to themselves that it is very hard to compare them to any other bands out there right now. They also seem to fit within any niche going on. They play with all kinds of bands and to all kinds of crowds, and they are welcomed with open arms every time. (Hell ,they toured with King Diamond. Let’s see Oceano do that without being ripped apart by a mob of real metal fans) I can’t see why any respectable metal fan wouldn’t enjoy this album, or any BDM effort. This band runs the gamut every time to please even the most picky of palates. Ritual will be in my top five at the end of the year, no doubt about it.
BUY RITUAL
Lazarus A.D. - Black Rivers Flow
Metal Blade
By Bubbs Harris
The kids from Kenosha are back with another quality metal record. However, that’s about it. I like the level of talent and the idea of what they are trying to do here, but this new one seems a bit, well, just like every band that liked Pantera a lot and tried like all hell to keep that torch lit. Look at the second track, “The Ultimate Sacrifice”. That song was one riff from each Pantera record blended into one hackneyed wank-off, with a shameless Anselmo chorus that made me a little sad when I heard it. Let it go fellahs. Dimebag’s gone and the band ain’t getting back together. You don’t have to keep making Pantera records for them. I hate to sound so mean, but come on. Avenged Sevenfold and Trivium both let the Metallica bug crawl into their ears and destroy their integrity, why should this band have to fall into that same fate? (Kahn!!!!) I mean, the music is great. It kicks ass and has a very solid groove, but it just sounds too much like a bunch of other stuff. If this was all I had to listen to for a while, I could be cool with that. However, I have plenty more to choose from, so I don’t see me coming back to this or even remembering it in a few weeks. Like I said, the band is tight and they have the right idea, but they need to concentrate a lot more on Lazarus A.D., and a lot less on Metallica and Pantera. There is a lot more to metal than those two bands.
BUY BLACK RIVERS FLOW
By Bubbs Harris
The kids from Kenosha are back with another quality metal record. However, that’s about it. I like the level of talent and the idea of what they are trying to do here, but this new one seems a bit, well, just like every band that liked Pantera a lot and tried like all hell to keep that torch lit. Look at the second track, “The Ultimate Sacrifice”. That song was one riff from each Pantera record blended into one hackneyed wank-off, with a shameless Anselmo chorus that made me a little sad when I heard it. Let it go fellahs. Dimebag’s gone and the band ain’t getting back together. You don’t have to keep making Pantera records for them. I hate to sound so mean, but come on. Avenged Sevenfold and Trivium both let the Metallica bug crawl into their ears and destroy their integrity, why should this band have to fall into that same fate? (Kahn!!!!) I mean, the music is great. It kicks ass and has a very solid groove, but it just sounds too much like a bunch of other stuff. If this was all I had to listen to for a while, I could be cool with that. However, I have plenty more to choose from, so I don’t see me coming back to this or even remembering it in a few weeks. Like I said, the band is tight and they have the right idea, but they need to concentrate a lot more on Lazarus A.D., and a lot less on Metallica and Pantera. There is a lot more to metal than those two bands.
BUY BLACK RIVERS FLOW