Album Review: Megadeth- Dystopia

“Dystopia” is the fifteenth studio album by American Thrash Metal band Megadeth and was released January 22^nd, 2016. Now this band was one of my all-time favorites back during my High School days especially getting to see them twice on their Th1rt3en Tour. “So Far So Good So What?” still remains one of my all-time favorite musically written records as well today. I was fortunate to review “Super Collider” when it came out and I really liked the record for the different and more heavy metal styles it was trying I really did. Now when this record was released, a lot of people were skeptical as the last album really divided fans but as soon as the first few tracks were revealed with new comers Chris Adler from  Lamb Of God and Kiko Lureiro of Brazilian band Angra, people shut up and listened. These songs really brought back the Thrash element the band is really known for. However does the record hold up as a whole? Or is it just filler and no killer. Well….

Track Rundown

1.       The Threat Is Real- Opening with a very speedy intro, I really like the more slick production here with the Egyptian sounding soloing go9ing on as well, The band sounds very tight and Daves vocals, although worn , they still feel appropriate. I like the very frantic pacing in the chorus as well it makes it catchier.  This songs has 80s Megadeth written all over and sounds like a song that might have been on one of their releases in the late 2000’s. Soloing is very good as you would expect from Megadeth. Very good opening tune.

2.       Dystopia- I like the intro to this song and how heavily melodic it sounds, almost sounds like a power metal band. This sounds like a Megadeth tune from one of their bigger 90’s albums which isn’t bad it isn’t a song that is pure Thrash it is a more straightforward Heavy Metal song. I really like it more so because of the heavy melodies running through it.

3.       Fatal Illusion- The first song off the record released, and I really like the intro to it, but I feel this would have been a better opening song with how lengthy the opening on it is. Juniors bass playing gets a spotlight immediately after and it’s so awesome to hear it reminds me a lot of his 80s bass work. I love how fast this song gets in the middle it sounds like a cross between the pure assaults of So far and the technicality of Rust In Peace with the production of Countdown and Youthanasia. Definitely one of their heaviest songs in a few years.

4.       Death From Within- This song opens with some heavy riffing and some good grooves as well. This song is a pure headbanging delight. Reminds me of 90s Anthrax for some reason, but still pretty good.

5.       Bullet To The Brain- Beginning with a marching snare drum and dark acoustic guitars, this song has a bit of a different taste to it especially with the vocals. Daves vocals are a bit more buried in verses and almost drone a little bit. This song is a bit more mid paced and slows the record down a bit but it has a lot of good musicianship within it which I appreciate.

6.       Post American World- This opening almost sounds like a Slayer song but immediately sounds like a heavy Megadeth tune, which even though it is a lot more mid paced, the soloing and riffing still sound really on point. I also love Chris’ super heavy drum roles, it really adds.

7.       Poisonous Shadows- Opening with more acoustic guitar, This song is another more progressive  midpaced piece that really showcases Kikos amazing solo abilities. This song is insanely heavy probably one of the heaviest Megadeth songs mainly through the drums which is my favorite thing about this whole record. Very good written track.

8.       Look Who’s Talking- This song is another of those songs with a lot of interesting time key changes in it. Its an okay track I like it but it isn’t the best.

9.       Conquer Or Die- My favorite opening on the album it has just such a good atmosphere to it. This song overall is a pretty good heavy offering with some of my favorite soloing on the record. This is a really good instrumental into the next song.

10.   Lying In State- This song is a faster track with a lot of virtuosity tossed throughout it. Another one of my favorites on the album. Very Catchy.

11.   The Emperor- There is some good riffing in this song but the lyrics sound kind of cheesy at points but it is pretty good. Not slot to say about this one. I like it.

12.   Last Dying Wish- This song sounds a lot like Rust In Peace to me with Dave singing like a dictator above the music. Good song I really like the riffs and solo breaks in it as well.

13.   Foreign Policy- As keeping in tradition with the last record, this one also concludes with a Cover and this time it’s a cover of one of legendary punk band FEARS’s songs. It is a pretty good cover but fairs a lot better as a punk song than a metal song. Sounds a lot like old Megadeth in it though which is pretty cool.

Overall, I give this album a 7 out of 10. This is Megadeth really back to business, it really offers a lot to the fans who were hoping for the next step after Endgame which I feel this record is the next logical step, however I don’t think this album would’ve come to life without the past few experiments which I still admire I might add. This album is still really heavy and despite some gray moments, really captures the tight heaviness of the new line up. I feel Megadeth are in a good place right now and im sure their fans think so too.

Album Review: Electric Revolution-Character Is power

“Character is Power” is the debut album from Wisconsin Blues Rock group Electric Revolution and was released in December of 2015. I have a bit of history with these guys since I reviewed their e.p way back when and ever since I was eagerly waiting a full length album to see what these guys could dish out. Well here they are with a new vocalist and ten brand new tracks. Lets see if this album really hit the mark or if it sings the blues.

Track rundown

1.Here We Go- This song totally reminds me of Graham Bonnet and Joe Lynn Turner era Rainbow and it is a fine rocker to open the album. I really love the distorted harmonica playing as well it adds more grit to the song. The band sounds really tide as well yet they have such a laid back feeling that is great. Dave Lawsons vocals are totally killer and he really carries himself very well. Amazing riptide of an opener.

2.Save Me- This album has like a slower groovy frantic feeling to it and the slide guitar is so infectious I love it. The chorus is pretty heavy sounding like its 1975 all over again and I love it. This song really is a straight shooter and plays no games it just straight grooves.

3.Killing Me- I like the old school horror film intro to this one I love intros like that, but the song is so freaking tasty. I love the heavy sounding bass and my buddy Billy Pulera is one hell of a rhythmic drummer he keeps it so solid and especially on tracks like this you can really feel it. The main riff is one of my favorites on the record. Lawson’s vocals really hit me hard especially in the chorus he really belts it out. My favorite on the record by far.

4.Tragedy- This song has more of a straight melodic sound to it with a bluesy edge to it and I believe a touch of keyboards in the back ground. This isn’t a bad song but its a lot different from the rest of the album until it really starts to hit a bit over two minutes in. The solo is really really good as well. Pretty good song very different turn but hey that ain’t a bad thing.

5.Forgiveness-Hell yeah, some soulful blues, this is another one of my favorites on the album it is just really gritty but so beautiful at the same time. It really is a great tune it just has so much feeling and literally everyone is giving it their all just a killer melodic tune.

6.What The Fuss- The frantic beat of this tune I think is pretty interesting it gives it kind of a jazzy feeling. It really is a raw upbeat tune with some interesting rhythm elements as well. This one is a bit more laid back with Save Me in vain. Pretty good tune to drink to while your kicking back giving it a spin.

7.Character Is Power- This song easily has the tightest and most infectious rhythm especially on bass damn its just such a good song. It has a lot of jazz elements to it as well and even a saxophones solo as well. This is one I always find myself air drumming to when im listening its just so infectious. Definitely a song that has character and packs some power.

8.You Are Here- I really like the melodic almost psychedelic sounding vocals at the beginning. This one sounds a lot like Schenker era UFO which isn’t bad its amazing. It is a rocking tune with some more melodic spots especially in the bridge to the chorus. It a really straight forward tune that I could see played on any classic rock radio in a trans am going down the road.

9.Can You Feel It- Beginning with another really jazzy beat, this song is another more rhythmic rocker than straight balls out rocking. Its still pretty good and insanely tight as well. It reminds me a lot of Save Me with a lot more not changes in the chorus but it still has a lot of power to it. Pretty good tune.

10.In The End- This song was actually released as a standalone a while ago but was included on the album and rightfully so, it is an amazing song and one worth ending this album. The main riff is so bluesy and heavy it really is such a bar tune that gets people tapping their foot. I love the bridge to the chorus the chords Joesy Wails strike are just so powerful and infectious. A killer tune to end the album.

Overall, I give this album an 8.5 out of 10. It really was worth the wait for this sucker and im so happy that I finally have my hands on it. If you love 70s groovy rock, you definitely should check this album out because these guys freakin rock. 

A Tribute to Lemmy

I’ve been writing reviews for almost three years and in that time I have seen quite a few musicians that I have admired pass on. However, this particular man has inspired me more than most musicians I have ever studied or come across. He taught me to be true to myself no matter what and don’t do anything if your heart isn’t in it. He also is my number one inspiration to pick up bass playing as well. The man I am talking about is Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister and this is my tribute to one of the last true rock n rollers we had.

               

I first heard Motorhead around when I was five or six actually it was quite funny because it was from a scene from “The Spongebob Movie” where a rendition of the bands song “You’d better run” was playing in the backround. I was so compelled by how heavy that song was I tracked down the movie soundtrack and had that song on repeat for weeks (by the way, fuck Avril Levine and all that shit on that cd). I eventually bought “Ace Of Spades” and “Overkill” around when I turned 13 and Overkill was the album that turned me into a young rabid Motorhead fan. Just every song was excellence and it was rude and loud and at the time it really rivaled my obsession with ACDC for awhile. In 2011, I finally got to see Motorhead on “The World Is Yours Tour”. I was front row with a past friend that whole show and it was easily the loudest show I had ever seen. I could’nt hear all week after and my teachers actually grew concerned if I was for real going deaf but all I replied with was “if im deaf I don’t care, it was worth it.”. I still can’t hear that great! But it was still worth it. I got to see the band on the Gigantour bill at Aragon Ballroom as well and they easily beat out Megadeth that night. They have been easily one of the most “Real” bands that I have ever seen live. Lemmy is such a force on stage even when he is just standing playing and feeling the bass, it is just the most badass thing you’ll ever see. It always made me think that you should always go balls out and be yourself and fuck anyone who doesn’t believe in you. It is realy sad to see him gone, I am actually tearing up a bit while writing this. But I know that is not what Lemmy wants, so instead I am going to put in “Orgasmatron and turn that fucker as high as itll go til the speakers blow, and you should too, Long live Motorhead, long live Lemmy! Don’t forget em, they are Motorhead and they play rock n roll!!! \m/!!!!