It was an odd week to be sure. I was at a football stadium, not my normal stomping ground, actually watching a footie match.
I got to witness Roger Daltrey make a prat of himself at Arsenal's final match/celebration at Highbury (they have been there for 93 years). The song he wrote for the occasion was pretty lame and his attempt at "My Generation" was pathetic. In fact Daltery was blown off the stage by a man at 20 years his senior early in the 90 minute celebration.
Now on to the CDs.
Bludgeon: World Controlled
A nice calm acoustic folk record. The band actually does what it says on the tin. It's heavy as hell and never quite lets up. This is death metal in all its glory. I have to say I rather enjoyed this collection of heaviness that manages never to get samey or dull. This CD was produced by Manowar main man Joey DeMaio; but don't let that put you off. Not only do you get eleven tracks of uber-heaviness you get a video section cheerily entitled "You don't pay my bills, Motherfucker." What more could you possibly want for your heaviness needs?
Eidolon: The Parallel Otherworld
This is Megadeth done right, without Mustaine but with all the angst and class of classic Megadeth albums. It's clear that the guitarist & drummer Drover brothers were heavily influenced by their time in Mustaine's employ. The band was put on hold when they were hired by Megadeth and you should be very glad they are back. This is an excellent slab of riff heavy power metal. It is patently obvious why Escapi has grabbed this lot. Former Pagan Mind vocalist Nils K Rue lends his skilled voice to this excellent collection. I found myself really enjoying all the tracks on this CD; it reminded me of the best of power metal with lashings of thrash.
(hed)p.e.: Back 2 Base
Five guys trying to out rap-metal Ice-T is what you have on this atrocious release. Okay, that is unfair. When (hed)pe is doing rap metal it's ludicrous rubbish but when they do ska like "Before Do We Go" or a bit of reggae as in 'The Chosen One" it actually isn't that bad. But then again there isn't anything here you haven't heard done better somewhere else. Lyrically the band rants against the New World Order, Freemasonry, and other paranoid conspiracy subjects. In general this is just pretty lame stuff that you just wish would go away. Stick to Body Count.
Article comments
1 - Chris Beaumont
I'm kinda digging the hed PE disk. Especially compared to their last release, which i did not like at all. Eidolon sounds interesting, although I prefer the Fiedman/Menza era of Megadeth proper. ANd I will be giving Bludgeon a spin soon.
2 - Max
Your Hed pe review was fucking stupid. You didnt even give it a chance. The album is fantastic.....so much going for it. It's very experimental and works extremely well. There is nothing bad about the album, one of the best albums to be released in ages.
3 - Andrew Ian Dodge
Max I gave it more than a chance...and its rubbish. What exactly does it have going for it (besides the few things I mentioned). What exactly is experimental about reggae/ska-tinged rap metal?
4 - Max
There are more styles than you mentioned involved in this album. It has many blended styles and it works......which is more than can be said about most bands around right now. There is some brilliant guitar, bass and drum work here and it has a great feel to it. There is only one song the album that im not to fond of (nova ordus cliterus). Hed have become a largely independant band and have remained truthfull to themselves and the fans. But I ask you of this, explain to me what's wrong with this album? Justify your review, because im not the only one who thinks this album deserves an unbiased review.