Music reviews
Jon Oliva's: Pain
The driving force behind the mighty Savatage, returns with his band Pain. Not surprisingly, this sounds quite a bit like his other band but with even more angst & pathos. This is obviously a highly personal album, with songs that show Jon's religious affiliation and his attempts to come to terms with the loss of his brother. Despite the passing of time he has penned a heart wrenching track in the form of 'Still I Pray for You Now'.
The opening track 'Through the Eyes of the King' evokes memories of Savatage's great rendering of 'Hall of the Mountain King'. Oliva still has one of the most powerful voices in metal; a metal Meatloaf without the campness. This is powerful stuff played with passion and belief. You cannot help be moved by it. Not exactly the easiest thing to listen to, not that Savatage was either, but well worth the time. Every listen this album gets better & better. I doubt you will hear a better power metal album this year.
Stuck Mojo: Southern Born Killers
Those of you that are regulars to this columns probably are fairly aware that I bloody loath rap-metal. This is probably due to the fact that I suffered through listening to lots of clones of the successful purveyors of it when it was hot. Well Stuck Mojo, featuring members of Chris Jericho's band Fozzy and The Duke, have released a cracking new album that is rather unusual. Instead of ranting against the West like those wankers RATM, this is a middle-fingered salute to those Jihadists that would kills us all. Check out the track and video for 'Open Season' if you think I am joking.
Their new album is available for free at Stuck Mojo Media and the lads are well pissed. Think Kid Rock if he thought with his brain instead of his penis or BLS if they did rap-metal instead of country-metal. As far as I am concerned this is the best rap-metal album I have heard since Faith No More's Epic. Stuck Mojo have produced a blinder of an album.
Article comments
1 - Chris Beaumont
Hell of a letter from Rich Ward! More power to him. I grabbed the cuts, but haven't listened yet. I remember picking up their debut and thinking it was pretty good. Saw them live opening for Type O Negative.
You consider FNM's Epic rap metal? They only had the one track that would fit that mold. It was their biggest hit, but I wouldn't put them in that category...
2 - Marty Dodge
Well some people consider FNM rap-metal others don't. I am so impressed by the new album from SM that I have left the disc on my iPod which is unsual for me after I review something. BTW Rich is a nice bloke having sent me a thank you note for the review.
3 - Chris Beaumont
That is very cool! I have really enjoyed the Fozzy albums, they keep getting better. I gotta listen to this SM now!
I generally consider FNM to be some sort of alternative or progressive, their music was ahead of its time.