Saturday, October 15, 2016

Album Review: Quartz- Fear No Evil

“Fear No Evil” is the fourth studio album by English Heavy Metal band Quartz and is being released on October 28th 2016 via High Roller Records. Quartz for the longest time have been one of those bands that I heard about but never experienced enough of. Even though they are considered part of my favorite era of music, The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, like many English metal bands, they actually predate the genre by a few years when they released their self titled debut in 1977. This album was pretty heavy for its time and they actually had some sort of underground success when they released “Stand Up and Fight” in 1980 which many consider to be their most classic album. Next they released the bit more commercial sounding but equally heavy “Against All Odds” in 1983 before unfortunately fading away. Most people know Quartz for being the band Geoff Nicolls of Black Sabbath fame had been in (and also sings on a few songs on this album as well) but they a lot more to them than meets the eye and with Fear No Evil, this is no exception.

Track Rundown

1.Fear No Evil-Opening with some ominous keyboards, the album definitely starts with a strong number with some Sabbathy vibes to it and the keyboards behind the galloping riffs really adds to the atmosphere as well. Their new singer David Garner has a very nice and melodic voice and fits with the band very well. The chorus to this song is extremely catchy as well and if you can find live footage online, I suggest checking it out because this song is prime NWOBHM reborn!

2.Rock Bottom- This song has a very Deep Purple or UFO vibe to with its infectious main riff and Nicholls sounds a bit like Ian Gillan at times as well. Damn good tune with another catchy chorus and a kickass solo as well.

3.The Stalker- This song is a bit more mid paced and has some good riffs to it I could see this one being a good tune to hear live it definitely is more on the bluesy side. I like the more ominous moments it almost sounds like a song Dio could have written. Definitely one of the more atmospheric tracks on the album.

4.Rapture- I love the keyboards all over this album it just screams the eighties to me but adds a whole layer of atmosphere which serves as a nice short prelude to the next song.

5.Zombie Resurrection- This song is definitely more of a fist pounding tune that is pretty catchy as well. There is a modern Sabbath feel as well that I dig. A good heavy mid paced song with some really cool melodic moments as well that really explodes toward the end as well definitely the highlight on the album it really offers a lot of variety and a lot of great heavy riffs.

6.Barren Land- Another short prelude to the next song and actually my favorite short instrumental piece on the album!

7.Walking On Holy Water- This song reminds me of Metallica's “Welcome Home(Sanitarium)” but doesn't come off as a rip off because Quartz really make it their own song. Geoff Nicholls sounds extremely good here too. This is a straight up heavy metal tune with an awesome epic chorus as well.

8.Dangerous Game- This song has more of that classic NWOBHM sound to it and is another one of my favorites on the album as well. The production really gives every component of the band to shine and is really raw yet sharp and is very well balanced. A really straight forward Heavy Metal song with a lot of catchy hooks to it.

9.Born To Rock The Nation- This song would be the best candidate for being a single to the album. It definitely has the straight eighties feel in the lyrics which are very easy to sing along to and I feel this song would work well live. One of the heaviest songs here as well with some nice heavy riff gallops during the verses. Damn good head banging song.

10.Riot In The City- I really like the melodies on this song, it almost boarders on power metal at times. This definitely has a bit more commercial feel to it or at least what used to be considered commercial but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. The chorus is fairly strong with some nice backup vocals coming in. A good bit of a pace changer I dig it. One of the best songs on the album.

11.Dead Man's World- This song opens with some nice bass soloing which leads very smoothly into the main riff of the song. This song is another heavy hitter with a lot more of a lower tuned tone to it. Again this song is just pure early eighties Heavy Metal and these guys are still doing it well.

12.Scream At The Devil- This is easily one of the catchiest songs on the album with a good balance in heaviness and a sense of melody as well. The chorus is pretty damn catchy as well and overall I think this song is a good closer to a fairly strong heavy metal album this far into 2016.


Overall, I give this album an 8.1 out of 10. With all of the NWOBHM bands making a comeback this year, I think this album is hitting at the perfect time and Quartz are ripe for being one of the bands to come back. This album is very catchy, very heavy, and will keep you interested all the way to the last note. Like I said in my review of Grim Reapers newest album, It may not be groundbreaking but it is sure to be an album that blows your eardrums off. Now to go grab this sucker on vinyl...

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Show Review: Airbourne/The Wild- The Bottom Lounge, Chicago Illinois 9/30/2016







On september 30th, I was lucky enough to Catch Australian hard rock group Airbourne and supporting rock band The Wild at Chicago's Bottom Lounge. Now everyone who knows me knows that I don't go see new bands too often unless I really like them. Airbourne is no exception to that as I have been a fan since "No Guts No Glory". After  missing them coming to Chicago two or three times I definitely was not going to miss them again.

Opening band: The Wild


The Wild are a Canadian hard rock group that take the simular "rock n roll" formula and add a hard rock flair to it. They were pretty good live and had almost a ZZ Top vibe to them as well. They had some fast songs, some slow song but overall were a fun band. The only problem I had was I oin't feel like I could establish them from a lot of bands that use this similar formula. They had a good stage presence too which kept the audience interested. Overall they were pretty good and very fun but nothing that totally blew me out of the water.


Airbourne

And then, like that, Airbourne were up next. With the lines of Marshall and Wizard stacks across the stage, I could tell that this was going to be a loud as hell show. Then, the terminator theme roared over the PA and the stage filled with fog, the anticipation was almost too much. All of a sudden like a loaded gun, everyone comes from stage left blasting into "Ready To Rock" and I was blown away immediately. I expected power but holy hell Airbourne exceeded my expectations and then some. Sitting second row watching them was one of the most awe inspiring things I have ever experienced. Their stage presence is easily the best I have ever experienced with mad frontman Joel O'Keefe
throwing beers to everyone, exploding beer all over first and second row, and even playing guitar through the crowd during "Girls In Black". I have to say that even though I always said Motorhead were the loudest band I have ever seen, Airbourne beat them slightly, almost a week later and my ears are still ringing. Their setlist had no filler and even included some new tracks off their newest release "Breaking Outta Hell" as well. The show was so good that it went so fast too. I literally could go on and on about how good they played, how good they sounded but it wouldn't do them justice, just go see them because it will change your life, and your ears too.

This was easily the best show of the year for me. With all the recent news of ACDC slowly falling apart, it is great to see Airbourne doing that Aussie pub rock the right way and I really hope they only get bigger in the states. Joel, Ryan, Justin and David, your guys' music helped me through some tough as hell times and I am happy I finally got to see you live. Here is to many more years to Rockin and Rollin!