As July rumbles on the disc influx gets a bit flaky as the record industry heads off on their summer holiday. However, I still have quite a few in the pipeline and they are a pretty decent lot of stuff to be fair. No live gigs this week in the post - WC recovery period; but it should be picking up soon.
CD Reviews
Seven Days: The Weight of the World
"Melodic epic metal" with a band full of Scandinavians; you rather know what you are in for in the end. The baby of Markus Sigfridson the music on here is large and full. Markus has recruited people to help him with pedigrees such as Candlemass, Brazen Abbot, Harmony, and Mind's Eye. There is a definite Nightwish vibe on here, especially on the song "Fall Again" with its female lead vocals. The album veers between metal, prog, and epic rock with great ease. And more importantly it resists the temptation to head to the pretentious heights of bands like Rhapsody. While it's not exactly cutting edge it hits all the right notes with class and talent. Not for everyone, but if you like your metal a bit epic then look no further.
Cactus: V
A fourteen song blues-rock workout with some of the giants of the scene (Carmine Appice, Tim Boggard, Jim McCarthy with ex Savoy Brown singer Jimmy Kunes) sorta suggests it will be pretty impressive, and it does not fail to please. A disc of class, it is a wonderful thing to behold. Sit back with a drink and soak in the talent oozing from this release.
This is their fifth album; their first release being in the early 70s; it has been 33 years since their previous effort. This lot influenced pretty much any heavy blues rocker you can think of; one of those highly influential bands you have never heard of. It's raw, heavy, and a bit raunchy but all good. If you like your blues-rock then this CD is essential for your collection.
Ra's Dawn: Scales of Judgment
Far more straight ahead metal than the rest of this lot; it none the less hits the right tone throughout. Then again one of their songs is called "The Masque of the Red Death" and another which is just as good is named "Exodus" with its Arabic influenced intro. The Fates Warning t-shirt being worn on the back of the CD is great clue what to expect. Thankfully the band keeps it short and we get eight songs of quality with no filler.
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