While maybe not as instant as say Sabbath’s Heaven & Hell it certainly grows with the listening. It's full of the bombast that you have come to expect from anything that Dio puts his name to. “Bible Black” and “Eating the Cannibals” certainly have all that one requires for a memorable song.
On the basis of this release Ozzy might just regret blowing off Sabbath for a new solo album. Let’s hope this version of Black Sabbath continues to record and tour.
Queensryche: American Soldier
I heard all sorts of things about this CD from various outlets. It has been praised to high heaven in some quarters claiming it's their best since their heyday of “Operation: Mindcrime” and the huge follow-up “Empire”. I am not quite so sure that is anything that lives up to either of those two. After many listens to this CD, I think “Mindcrime II” still holds up better to repeated listens.
The subject matter is as “courageous” as people say it is and its interesting they chose to release another concept album so soon after MII. The theme of the American soldier is a complex one that needs to be handled delicately for fear of coming across as twee or unappreciative of their efforts. This offends in neither of those ways and is respectful of the subject at hand.
The only trouble is that the songs are just not that great. There is nothing memorable or dare I say catchy? The tracks come across as morose and moribund with nothing to raise above the merely decent. The clips from actual soldiers are used in the right sense of proportion, but the small child singing off key can be grating.
It’s a valiant effort that fails to take off. I shall report back later if I find it to be a “grower”. Chris Degarmo is still sorely missed by this band.
Mastodon: Crack the Sky
Holy sheep dip, this band has managed to top themselves again in their inexorable rise to share the prog-metal title with Rush and their ilk. This album is just an amazing hybrid of metal and prog sensibilities that just shines with every listen. The tracks range from sub four minute wonders to epic soundscapes that cover thirteen minutes in the form of “The Last Baron”.
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