Another week of chemo, light this time, under my belt and a lot of good music to behold. A live gig and CD launch made the week all that more pleasant. And I could not have picked a better gig to begin my cancer enforced gig drought. But more of that later; first of all we have a few CDs to get through.
CD reviews
Furtherdown: 7 Years Hard Luck
This band strikes me as sounding a bit like a harder version of the Sawdoctors. I do not mean that as a bad thing at all. Hard edged blues played with a great deal of class and aplomb always puts a smile on the gob now doesn’t it? They've got the attitude and swagger down pat…successfully capturing that live feel that these bands are so famous for. Southern rock tinged blues never gets old. On the strength of this album this band certainly don’t deserve hard luck but much success.
Arch Enemy: Rise of the Tyrant
Female fronted metal is a big deal these days. However heavy metal where the woman sounds like this is rare indeed. Arch Enemy replaced a male singer a few years back with Angela Grassow to the horror of many fans. They needn’t have bothered worrying. There is nothing sweet or ethereal about the vocals on here. This is twin-guitar driven heavy European metal played at its harshest and heaviest. This is probably the best release from this ever popular band; its clear to those who have never heard of this lot why they are so popular. Killer live and impressive on CD; if you don’t know Arch Enemy you damn well should.
Airtime: Liberty Manifesto
Hearing this for the first time reminded me just why I miss Triumph so much. Ric Emmett has released a Triumph album with most, but not all members, and my what an album this is. Like most of Triumph's output, and unlike much of Ric’s solo stuff, this album grows on you with each listen. From the opening track “Edge of the Mind” to “Transmutation” this is quality heavy rock at its best. Its certainly the best damn CD Escape Music has released in a very long time.
If you like Canuck heavy rock or even liked Triumph then you should seek this CD out. Yes it's that good.
Jaded Sun: Gypsy Trip
Man I loved this album. From the first time I slapped this into my ears to right now I just love every track on here. Its got that something special that good hard rock has, from the swagger to the delivery. All those bits that make you like Tesla, The Answer and AC/DC combined with a bit of Celtic charm. Its one of those albums which leaves you just desperately wanting to see the band live as soon as possible.
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