Delain does what Ms. Amy Lee tried to do on her second album but with better song-writing, singing, and presentation. There is all the romantic goth you wouled otherwise expect with none of the po-faced, navel-gazing whinging that can be so prevalent in this sort of release. More important, this band knows how to produce some damn fine symphonic metal that is both catchy and heavy.
I would not want to select any song on here for praise as they all deserve such kudos. I foreswore reviewing this release last week, just so I had an excuse to listen to it some more on heavy rotation. So, I guess I am saying that if you don’t mind your vocals coming out of a female mouth instead of a male one most of the time, then this is release you should seek out. Yup, it's that good. The bar in the genre has been raised yet again.
Bill Leverty Deep South
This one arrived with little fan-fare or bumf, which I suppose from the content of the CD is apt. Bill Leverty, is an integral part of the success of the hard rock band Firehouse, who you would know thanks to their hit "Love of a Lifetime", in case you don’t recognize the name. He has released a collection of songs from the south, hence the name, and pays tribute to the songs that inspired all those southern rockers we know and love.
This is roots music without the pretentiousness and with a clear sense of fun. The album just exudes a bloke having a hell of a lot of fun doing something he loves. It's effortless and infectious, his cover of “Hit the Road Jack” inspires an unconscious sing-along, at least in this household. The dry blues of tracks like “Run On” just scream care and attention. Most of the songs are over 100 years old, but still sound fresh as the day their were written.
If you are interested in old songs done well then I would check this out. Leverty has got nothing to prove, but lets his guitar and voice show us all that he really does appreciate the Southern music heritage.
Loaded: Sick
Duff McCagan’s musical side gig, or is that full time gig now that Velvet Revolver are no more or on “hiatus”, and break from writing investment column for Playboy. Loaded, especially with the release of their album “Dark Days”, were touted as a return to the bassist’s “punk roots”. Visions of Guns n’ Roses god-awful punk-covers album “Spaghetti Incident” were prematured. Duff has toured Loaded on and off since he left GnR. Loaded seemed to get the most traction in the UK.
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