Getting
their start in 1983, Killdozer played a bluesy sort of sludge rock for just a
little over a decade. By the time of their last show, which this CD is a
recording of, only vocalist/bassist Michael Gerald remained from the original
line-up, but the sound hadn’t changed much. Those hoping for something along
the lines of a live “greatest hits” collection will be disappointed, though, as
much of the set here comes from the band’s last studio album ‘God Hears the
Pleas of the Innocent’. The sound quality is good, and fans of the band will
probably want this, but it’s not the best entry point if you haven’t heard these
guys before. This album was previously released by the now defunct Man’s Ruin
label in 1997, and if you already have that version there’s nothing new here
aside from a slightly different cover. (Bob Ignizio)
In many
ways, Lullacry’s aptly titled fourth album ‘Vol. 4’ is a pop album. Don’t get
me wrong, it still rocks hard. It’s just that the band has taken a very
stripped down, no bullshit approach to their songwriting. The focus in on the
hooks and the earthy vocals of Tanja (no last name required). Tanja’s voice
sounds kind of like Pat Benatar crossed with Shirley Manson, at least to my
ears, and that’s definitely not a bad thing. Lead guitar player Sami Vauhkonen
still gets to let loose on the solos, and he also does a great job with the
occasional accent lick where appropriate to the song. He’s got an interesting
style that blends the pseudo classical runs of power metal with a bluesy vibe.
One of the best things about this album for me is it never gets repetitive. The
band does fast ragers (“Fire Within”), power ballads (“Heart Shaped Scars”), and
straight up pop/rock (“Perfect Tonight”) all while strongly maintaining their
identity as a band. In general, though, this is commercial leaning hard rock
that sounds totally modern without being trendy. I wouldn’t be surprised at
all if Lullacry crosses over to a wider audience with this album. (Bob Ignizio)
Fans of
melodic prog/power metal rejoice, Nocturnal Rites are back with a new album, and
it’s a good one. While most of the time I prefer albums with a rawer, more
“live” sound, Nocturnal Rites have managed to craft the kind of album where the
studio is almost another instrument without losing any of their power. Even
with a whole host of guest musicians, this still sounds like a cohesive artistic
statement. Fans of Dio and ‘Seventh Son’/’Fear of the Dark’ period Iron Maiden
should love songs like “Fools Never Die”, “Never Trust”, “Cuts Like a Knife” and
“Never Ending”, 4 of the strongest numbers here. Vocalist Jonny Lindqvist has a
strong, distinctive voice that effortlessly reaches the upper registers, but
thankfully he avoids the whole castrato thing that irks me about a lot of modern
power metal singers. This guy definitely still has a pair. As one would
expect from this genre, the band are all top notch musicians but they also have
enough taste to know when to hold back a bit. Everything works in the service
of the songs, and there’s a real emotional feel to this material often lacking
in the genre. If you like bands like Iced Earth, Falconer, Nightwish, and
Helloween but haven’t checked these guys out yet, don’t wait any longer. Go out
and buy this now. (Bob Ignizio)
This
is some pretty classic stoner/doom rock here. And for me, that’s both good and
bad. Overall, I have to say I enjoyed this disc on a basic, primal level. But
at the same time, I’m thinking that Spiritu is really trying too hard to
recapture the sound of early Monster Magnet, while Village of Dead Roads comes
across as Acid Bath meets the Melvins. The obviousness of the influences aside,
this is some pretty good stuff. Both bands deliver memorable hooks, and with so
many of the stoner rock gods having abandoned their roots, what’s the harm in a
little hero worship? Trippiness, heaviness, and catchiness come together here
in a way I haven’t heard since the mid nineties. Not original by any means, but
worth a listen for fans of the genre. (Bob Ignizio)
Getting
their start in 1983, Killdozer played a bluesy sort of sludge rock for just a
little over a decade. By the time of their last show, which this CD is a
recording of, only vocalist/bassist Michael Gerald remained from the original
line-up, but the sound hadn’t changed much. Those hoping for something along
the lines of a live “greatest hits” collection will be disappointed, though, as
much of the set here comes from the band’s last studio album ‘God Hears the
Pleas of the Innocent’. The sound quality is good, and fans of the band will
probably want this, but it’s not the best entry point if you haven’t heard these
guys before. This album was previously released by the now defunct Man’s Ruin
label in 1997, and if you already have that version there’s nothing new here
aside from a slightly different cover. (Bob Ignizio)
In many
ways, Lullacry’s aptly titled fourth album ‘Vol. 4’ is a pop album. Don’t get
me wrong, it still rocks hard. It’s just that the band has taken a very
stripped down, no bullshit approach to their songwriting. The focus in on the
hooks and the earthy vocals of Tanja (no last name required). Tanja’s voice
sounds kind of like Pat Benatar crossed with Shirley Manson, at least to my
ears, and that’s definitely not a bad thing. Lead guitar player Sami Vauhkonen
still gets to let loose on the solos, and he also does a great job with the
occasional accent lick where appropriate to the song. He’s got an interesting
style that blends the pseudo classical runs of power metal with a bluesy vibe.
One of the best things about this album for me is it never gets repetitive. The
band does fast ragers (“Fire Within”), power ballads (“Heart Shaped Scars”), and
straight up pop/rock (“Perfect Tonight”) all while strongly maintaining their
identity as a band. In general, though, this is commercial leaning hard rock
that sounds totally modern without being trendy. I wouldn’t be surprised at
all if Lullacry crosses over to a wider audience with this album. (Bob Ignizio)
Fans of
melodic prog/power metal rejoice, Nocturnal Rites are back with a new album, and
it’s a good one. While most of the time I prefer albums with a rawer, more
“live” sound, Nocturnal Rites have managed to craft the kind of album where the
studio is almost another instrument without losing any of their power. Even
with a whole host of guest musicians, this still sounds like a cohesive artistic
statement. Fans of Dio and ‘Seventh Son’/’Fear of the Dark’ period Iron Maiden
should love songs like “Fools Never Die”, “Never Trust”, “Cuts Like a Knife” and
“Never Ending”, 4 of the strongest numbers here. Vocalist Jonny Lindqvist has a
strong, distinctive voice that effortlessly reaches the upper registers, but
thankfully he avoids the whole castrato thing that irks me about a lot of modern
power metal singers. This guy definitely still has a pair. As one would
expect from this genre, the band are all top notch musicians but they also have
enough taste to know when to hold back a bit. Everything works in the service
of the songs, and there’s a real emotional feel to this material often lacking
in the genre. If you like bands like Iced Earth, Falconer, Nightwish, and
Helloween but haven’t checked these guys out yet, don’t wait any longer. Go out
and buy this now. (Bob Ignizio)
This
is some pretty classic stoner/doom rock here. And for me, that’s both good and
bad. Overall, I have to say I enjoyed this disc on a basic, primal level. But
at the same time, I’m thinking that Spiritu is really trying too hard to
recapture the sound of early Monster Magnet, while Village of Dead Roads comes
across as Acid Bath meets the Melvins. The obviousness of the influences aside,
this is some pretty good stuff. Both bands deliver memorable hooks, and with so
many of the stoner rock gods having abandoned their roots, what’s the harm in a
little hero worship? Trippiness, heaviness, and catchiness come together here
in a way I haven’t heard since the mid nineties. Not original by any means, but
worth a listen for fans of the genre. (Bob Ignizio)