The Christmas/back to school CD onslaught has hit in earnest now. My desk is creaking with stuff from all kinds of interesting bands, most of which is really rather good to be honest. But first a bit of breaking news.
It seems Justin Hawkins has left The Darkness to pursue a solo career and deal with his drug demons. He recently checked into rehab and seems to planning to stay awhile. The rest of the band will carry on with the new guy, who succeeded Frankie Poulin on bass, taking over on vocals. The fall of The Darkness seems to have been swift after their last Queen-alike album didn't excite the punters. I wonder if Hawkins & Co now regrets using Roy Thomas Baker for a producer. It remains to be seen whether or not Darkness less Hawkins will make a decent go of it. I rather hope they do as there is talent there to be sure.
DVD Reviews
Seven Witches: Years of the Witch
One thing that is patently obvious from watching this DVD is that Frost loves hearing himself talk. He has several "chats" on the bonus bit of the DVD where he barely lets the other person get a word in edgeways. This gets tiring rather quickly.
On watching the musical content of this DVD you rather wish he had spent a bit more time playing with the sound of the main gig as it sounds washed out. Not all to the standard of level of modern DVDs like the recent Black Label Society DVD I reviewed. And this is a recent gig featuring all their highlight of the band's career including "Camelot", "Dance with the Dead" and "Metal Asylum."
There is an archive of live material whose sound is only slightly worse than the main event. Seven Witches are a good American metal band; it's just too bad this DVD does not live up to expectations of what makes a DVD worth buying. One for fans only, I am afraid.
Nuclear Assault: Louder, Harder, Faster
Nuclear Assault is about as subtle as a brick in the head and with a 10 track live performance focusing on their particular brand of thrash metal brutality this DVD is no exception. With songs like "Long Haired Arsehole" and "Butt Fuck" you know this is a PC-free zone. NA is just thrashy old school fun with zero brains needed to get involved. There are few goodies in the form of unreleased tracks, music videos of their songs, and an interview with Danny Lilker and Glenn Evans with oodles of vintage footage. This is great value for any NA fan or those who like to remember the golden days of thrash. It put a smile on my face and that says a lot. Definitely a DVD to put on when the prat below puts on some trance or dance rubbish.
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