Artist: Various Artists Title: “Saw 3D” Label: Lionsgate Music Release Date: 10/25/2010 Genre: Heavy Metal Rating: 3.5/5
If you are a diehard fan of the horrific films that come bearing the “SAW” moniker then you will certainly be pleased to learn that a 3D film is the next installment of the franchise and sure to keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Being honest, these films are truly not something that I enjoy and they creep the hell out of me like few other things in the genre so I have problems sitting through them. I’m not embarrassed by this of course and proudly admit that a good old fashioned monster movie or an additional chapter maniac slasher featuring Jason, Freddie or Leatherface is more up my alley at the end of the day. This CD release is not so much music from the film as much as it is music inspired by the feature and that is something absolutely anyone can enjoy based on the wealth of difference being offered up. The sixteen tracks present some really interesting and possibly mystery acts to the listener, depending on how much attention they are paying to the underground scene around them and while some bands are cited as major players, there are others who are not mainstream radio fare by any length. We begin the journey with an unreleased track by Saving Abel who falls into the New Era Grunge movement if I had to lock into a specification and it’s not a bad tune at all. I enjoyed the Hinder contribution of “Waking Up The Devil” as I view the band a little higher than I originally did a couple of years ago. For me the first real treat comes via Karnivool who are described as Prog-Rock and yet to me feel more of a Melodic Dark Rock. I’ve seen them live and they are fantastic. Focus your attention on them and be the envy of those you know who feel their always ahead of the game. Continue reading “Saw 3D” by Various Artists→
Artist: Krokus Title: “Hoodoo” Label: Sony Music Release Date: 5/25/2010 Genre: Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Rating: 3.5/5
I have to admit that with all of the comeback albums that we found happening over the last couple of years, there was one band that I wondered about a little more than others and that was Switzerland’s Krokus. Historically speaking they are probably the most popular Heavy Rock band to ever come out of the region and while they had some six albums before I turned my attention to them, I could not name a single Metal friend from back in the day that didn’t own a copy of the amazing “Headhunter” LP. With my own musical tastes changing and longing for super-powered speedier Metal, I would eventually lose sight of Krokus after “The Blitz” but that didn’t mean the band would stop their pace. Though lineup changes and musical styles of the world keep shifting, Krokus remained steady at the task and released sixteen studio albums, two live recordings and gave their fans a lucky seven in terms of compilations. Bringing us into the now, what would “Hoodoo” hold for the longtime ardent supporters and those who might be reflective and wondering how this band they once followed was doing at this point in their career. To both sides of the fence I can happily report that “it is on” and the band seems intent on snaring some of the glory of the past in this modern time. I realize that it’s a bold statement to make but one cannot help but be enthusiastic in the fact that the band has once again found its most legendary lineup in the command back for the attack. Not only is Chris Von Rohr on bass with Freddy Steady on drums, but we have the amazing talents of Fernando von Arb back on the lead axe with Mark Kohler being a strong compliment to his playing. Whew, there is nothing like finding a bands most prominent roster joining forces again for the sake of their material. Continue reading “Hoodoo” by Krokus→
Artist: Krokus Title: “Hellraiser” Label: Locomotive Music Release Date: 10/24/2006 Genre: Hard Rock Rating: 3.5/5
I guess the saying is true that you are never too old to Rock & Roll for its 30 years and still counting for the band Krokus who return with a tasty dose of Hard Rock for the world to enjoy. The band had recently toured the US after an eighteen-year absence and was met with a great fan response based on the focus on their classic material. The tour found Marc Storace and company delivering staples from albums such as “Headhunter” and “The Blitz”; and to this day I regard “Headhunter” as one of the “must haves” in anyone’s Metal collection. “Hellraiser” shows that the group can still rock with the best of them and it has a few moments been you will be reminded of old ACDC. Storace as a singer has always had a very close voice to the late Bon Scott and the bands early material even used many of the same guitar techniques. You will find this especially on the albums opening and title track. Legacy fans should be aware that this is pretty much a different Krokus from the one they remember in the old days with the exception of Storace and guitarist Mandy Meyer. Meyer stepped back into the roster after the departure of Fernando VonArb. The new line up adds a refreshing new vitality to the groups sound and is comprised of Tony Castell (bass), Dominique Favez (guitar) and Stefan Schwarzmann (drums). Catchy tunes are all over the place with this release and you will find it something that you will spin more than once but on the opposite side, there is nothing that will blow your mind on the album either. I liked the opening few tracks as they set the direction of the piece and could have sworn when I listened to ”Angel Of My Dreams” that I was listening to a follow up to “Screamin’ In The Night”. The similarity play did not end there for when “Love Will Survive” began, it used the same riff that their rendition of “American Woman” did so I was convinced the band did this on purpose to see if the fans were paying attention. Continue reading “Hellraiser” by Krokus→
Artist: Krokus Venue: B.B. King Blues Club Opener: The Lizards Date: 9/11/2005 Label: Reality Entertainment
On a day that is not always easy to get a New Yorker to do anything I decided to attend the appearance of Krokus at B.B. King Blues Club. I felt it would be a good way to find some amount of positive on this sad Memorial. It would also be good to lend some support to a band that has not been to our Country in 18 years. The band Krokus had a number of hits in the big 80’s Metal heyday and with their release of the live CD “Fire And Gasoline” they had reunited and planned some touring. Since that time however, guitarist Fernando Von Arb had decided to retire from the touring world and this show would see Krokus with a completely different line up that would be entirely new to this US crowd. Singer Marc Storace really has held his voice up over the years and can still belt out the notes, but I will address this in a few minutes. I want to bring a little bit of information on the opening band first. Continue reading Krokus @ B.B. King Blues Club (9/11/2005)→
Artist: Krokus Title: “Headhunter” Label: Spitfire Records Release Date: 10/17/2000 Genre: Heavy Metal Rating: 7.5/10
Spitfire Records became one of my favorite of the independent record labels when they started to remaster and reissue some classic Heavy Metal albums. Before this was done most of them were only available on vinyl and hardly ever made it to CD. Younger readers might not recall those big black disks in the cardboard but any Traditional or “Old School” genre fans most certainly do. One of these releases was the 1986 classic by Krokus entitled “Headhunter”. This was one of my top ten records at the time and there are a number of reasons why. This was a powerhouse of Heavy Metal rock and roll and should be a part of any collection should you seek a sampling of Krokus. This release contains some of their signature material and a number of these tunes are still performed in concert today. I remember when I first heard “Headhunter” begin; the solid drumming of Steve Pace not only floored me but made me realize that I had to add a second kick drum to my drum set. On some releases Krokus had a lot of AC/DC flavor to them and this is most likely due to some of the similarities in Marc Storace’s voice. However, Marc also possessed a greater range and this was evident on classics like “Screaming In The Night”. This was a power ballad done right and soon would be a tune that many bands would mirror their own against. Continue reading “Headhunter” by Krokus→
