Album Review- Blood Ceremony: Lord Of Misrule

“Lord of Misrule” is the fourth album by Cult Rock band Blood Ceremony and was released on March 25^th, 2016. Blood Ceremony have been a group that has been off and on my radar since their debut album in 2008. They took Ozzy era Sabbath, flutes and cult imagery and created a band that was quite original in my book. My mind was blown the first time I heard “Into The Coven” and I've followed all of their records since. I was really excited when I got my hands on the new one that I had to cover it. But is it a worthy record?

Track Listing

1.Devil's Widow-Right away I really live the vintage production here similar to Brimstone Covens new album. The riffs are heavy and catchy as normal and Alia O'Briens flute playing is extremely immaculate as well. Here voice really sores over this song as well with a little of grit on the back end as well. This is an extremely well written first track with a lot of soloing from every one it almost reminds me of Deep Purples Burn in that it really shows almost a super group feel between all the members. I really like that they threw in a slow acoustic segment in this otherwise heavy cult rocker.

2.Loreley- This song has a really good atmosphere between the thumping pop sounding organ it almost sounds like Heart meets Black Sabbath and I really dig it, it's something different. It isn't really a rock song it has more of a dark 60's pop tone to it.

3.The Rogue's Lot- This song is one of my favorites on the album in terms of how catchy it is. It has that really heavy riffing that really picks up with that jazzy feel similar to the first Sabbath record. The last chorus really just punches you in the dug with how catchy it is.

4.Lord of Misrule-Another extremely catchy song with some haunting riffing and vocal harmonies opening. I really have to point out how awesome the imagery portrayed in these songs is as well. Another of my favorites. The flute solo is epic as well it flows so well.

5.Half Moon Street- Easily my favorite song on the album because of how it mixed bluesy riffing with a folk like attitude. I really love Sean Kennedy's riffing here it is dirty but melodic and his quick fuzzy solos are just barely visible in the mix to add just another layer to a very well written mid paced 70s rock song.

6.The Weird of Finistere- This is probably the most atmospheric song on the album as it really captures this dark unsettling feeling. The lyrical imagery is really interesting as well. There is a very classical music element that I take from here also. A very dark and beautiful well written song.

7.Flower Phantom- This song is similar to “Loreley” in its 60's pop feel. It almost feels like Jefferson Airplane took a dark turn or had a bad trip. It is a really catchy and haunting tune.

8.Old Fires- I get a really big UFO vibe from this song with the Schenker-esque riffing and The heavy organ in the background. O'Briens voice really pushes this song harder as well. It's a pretty good rocker and has that catchy as hell chorus as well.

9.Things Present, Things Past- The last track on the album. It is a more acoustic driven song and I think it is a very good one to take the album out on. It holds a lot of emotion within the playing as well as the really smooth yet gritty production. I love the flute playing as well it adds another layer of originality that most bands don't have. Superb group and the ending where it slowly starts reversing gives a really creepy vibe that I dig a lot.

Overall, I give this record a superb 9 out of 10. This is easily my favorite record in Blood Ceremonies discography as well. It combines a lot of different musical elements but still has a prime focus and doesn't become disjointed at any point. This is 70's Cult Rock at its finest.

Album Review- Diamond Head: Diamond Head

“Diamond Head” is the self titled seventh studio record by New Wave of British Heavy Metal legends Diamond Head and was released on March 11^th, 2016. Since pretty much day one I have been a pretty big Diamond Head fan. “Lightning to The Nations” and “Borrowed Time” I always had on constant rotation and Brian Tatler is a god in my book. He is a riff making machine and seeing how this band has been through so many line up changes, luckily he has been through the whole run pulling out mostly consistent material throughout the past thirty turbulent years. Now that they are back after seven years and with a brand new lead singer, lets see if the Head have anything left to prove.

Track Listing

1.Bones- Opening with a cool rolling riff with a catchy drum beat, this song starts really strong and oh when the vocals come in, they come in with a bang. Their new singer Rasmus Anderson has a very Sean Harris feel but his range is really great and he brings his own style to the table as well. The whole band is on fire and this song just sounds like old school Diamond Head but with a fresh take to it and its catchy as hell.

2.Shout at the Devil- No not a Motley Crue cover, thank god. This song is a total ripper and a bit more straight forward than the first song. It has that total NWOBHM feel to it and the chorus is really cheesy but it kicks so much ass. The soloing is really killer too this song has everything that Diamond Head is and has always been about. Better than Motley Crue eh?

3.Set My Soul On Fire- This song has a heavier chugging to it and the mid pace actually works fairly well. I love the chants in the background too it adds a darker atmosphere as well. A good jam.

4.See You Rise- The frantic acoustic riffing is interesting and really builds with the driving bass into a really hard driving riff. This almost sounds a bit like Tygers of Pan Tang but hey same movement similar styles so Im not surprised. One of the catchiest songs on the record easily.

5.All The Reasons You Live- This is one of the most well composed songs on the record as well with a very atmospheric opening that sets an impressionable tone and makes me albums think im listening to Amon Amarth. The song is very mid paced almost middle spot of a rock song and a ballad. However, I find it really works well.

6.Wizards Sleeve-This is another old school fast paced tune that is catchy like all the songs before as well. I really like how present the bass guitar is too. Sounds like it could've been on their first record and would've fit very well.

7.Our Time is Now- The dirty bluesy riff is really killer on this track and the bass really gets to shine during the verses which I really dig as well. This tune is a bit more laid back in terms of speed but still has that dark classic heavy metal feel to it.

8.Speed- Obviously this song had to be classic speed metal bordering on 70s hard rock and it still really works. There is some really nice heavy chugging that I catch my self bobbing my head to and the solo is really awesome as well. I hope they throw this one in their live set.

9.Blood On My Hands-This song sort of sounds like Lightning To The Nations but definitely is not. It has a much less straight forward tone to it and is a bit more foreboding. I really like the chorus here as well it works against the ascending note picking verses into straight riffing. Another great song.

10.Diamonds- This song almost has a jazzy feel to it in the beginning but then heads right into old school speed metal riffing. I kind of think this song is a statement with the chorus screaming Diamonds are forever, I hope so indeed boys.

11.Silence-Opening with another atmospheric mood and some nice acoustics, I really like how it really builds up with more of the band slowly coming from the shadows. It almost has a stargazer feel to it and I really like to see how well this song is for a more straightforward band like these guys. This is is an excellent closer to the record because it really has an epic feel to it like most closers do and shows how matured this band really is and how well of song composers they are.

Overall, I give this record a stellar and solid 9 out of 10. Diamond Head are back, and in a big way. Despite the numerous line up changes, Brian Tatler and the boys really pulled together a solid record that takes old styles and makes them fresh. They really do say diamonds are forever and I believe Diamond Head are the definition of that.

Album Review- Jorn: Heavy Rock Radio

“Heavy Rock Radio” Is the third covers album released by Norwegian Heavy Metal act Jorn and was released on June 3^rd, 2016. Before this release I rarely had heard of the band and most notably vocalist Jorn Lande who actually has a pretty impressive track record for the past twenty years or so. Before putting this album on I went through his back catalog a bit and found that he is a pretty good vocalist and very Ronnie James Dio-esque(Well he did release a full tribute album to the man). However, with seeing how many cover albums he has, does he have a really original sound? Or does it just sound like someone trying to make a quick buck. Well I suppose lets find out.

Track Listing

1.I Know There's Something Going On(Frida)- The opening song and a pretty good cover of a rather cheesy eighties song. It is a relatively simple cover but Jorns voice holy hell does it really fit and makes this track metal. Its a fun opener.

2.Running Up That Hill(Kate Bush)-This cover is a really simple pop song as well but adding that heavy metal aspect really makes it even catchy. I feel Jorns voice is too high in the mix though for some reason. This one feels sort of awkward to me I just don't feel like it quite gets to that “fun cover” feeling.

3.Rev One The Red Line(Foreigner)- This is one of my favorite Foreigner songs and I think Jorn does better with this song and I love the heavy keyboard presence in the background. This is a fun cover and pretty faithful to the original.

4.You're The Voice(John Farnham)- This song really got put into overdrive and really works with a heavier sound as well. Jorns voice fits this song perfectly it is a really good cover with an original sound to it I believe.

5.Live To Win(Paul Stanley)- I always found the original pretty comical because it sounded so unbelievably cheesy but I like Jorns version it has a bit of a harder hitting feeling. It also is not as high as Stanley sang it and it gets points for that as well.

6.Don't Stop Believin'(Journey)- I can't really say anything about this one, it's just a song I've heard so much to the point where I cant hear it anymore. If you still can then it's not a bad cover it's just a cover.

7.Killer Queen(Queen)- This cover is interesting, it has a lot going on in the back as well. I think Jorns voice is too low for this song specifically but I do like the verses they sound very modernly pop which is interesting to hear.

8.Hotel California(The Eagles)- Another song I am honestly sick off honestly thanks to nonstop classic rock station rotations. Its a cover that's all I can really say about it.

9.Rainbow In The Dark(Dio)- A bit more familiar territory on this track and I can see where most of Jorns inspiration comes from. I like the alternative opening as well and his voice fits it perfectly even though It's a bit lower. A pretty fun cover.

10.The Final Frontier(Iron Maiden)- A recent Maiden cover which really peaks my interest as well. It is a pretty good cover and his voice almost parallels Bruce's which is almost a bit creepy but cool nevertheless. This cover is probably the closest sounding to the original song than any other track on this album.

11.Stormbringer(Deep Purple)- One of my favorite Hughes/Coverdale tracks and I think they nailed this cover it is a pretty fun faithful and 80s drenched sounding one. Really digging it.

12.Die Young(Black Sabbath)- A cover of my all time favorite Dio sung tune and it really caps off the album in good light I believe. It is still a bit laid back but Jorns voice fits extremely well. Probably one of my favorites on the album.

Overall, I give this album a 6 out of 10. Honestly, it is a covers album so it is nothing really ground breaking. However, this album, even though s bit stale at parts has some really fun renditions of some of our favorite songs and for a casual Heavy Metal listener, I would give this one a fling, you might find some enjoyment out of it.

Album Review- Dr. Dune: Planetary Waves

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Planetary Waves is the debut record from Experimental artist Dr. Dune and was released in 2016. I was notified about this interesting record by the man who made it himself, George Del Rio and I was quite intrigued what I heard from it so I thought Id show you all what this record is all about. 

Track Rundown

1.Introvoid- I really like the guitar/synth intro they parallel together really nicely and bring an awesome sci-fi feel as well. The production is great too it feels really full.

2.Seafoam Green Men-I love the insane run into this song the hard riffing with the spaced out effects in the back really works together well. There is a hint of clean surf guitar in the back as well which only adds to it. Great interesting instrumental.

3.Shores Of Nebula-I love the ominous bass intro on this one that leads into some really clean shiny guitars. It almost sounds pop but it still has the creativity and the musicianship is really well done as well. One of my favorites on the album. It slowly leads into a more metal sound with some insane synth effects all around it. One of the most creative instrumentals I've heard in awhile.

\4.Atomic Tan- There is more of a surf tone on this song with the metal drum beats in the back it works so well. It does eventually have the heavy guitars come back in as well and again I like how well everything flows together.

5.Planetary Waves-This track is a bit similar to the last song but has a more melodic overtone to it. Still a well planned out track.

6.Swept By The Storms-The intro is quite interesting on this song, it has a more droning feel to it with the reverbed guitars really shining here it works against the ominous metal riffing in the backround. Another of my favorites on the album

7.Digital Drowning Victim-There is more of that kind of new wave-ish feel to this song in the beginning but goes into total metal freakout mode and again like i've said before it all flows together very well.

8.Synthetic Sands-This song goes for a more simple riff with shimmering guitars behind it, it drones through alot with the synths really backing up the guitars. This one drones alot too which adds to it's already very spacey feel.

9.Aquatic Ambience- Now even though I knoe this is a cover of the Donkey Kong Country song, it is still a damn good cover it really captures the atmosphere very well and is a good closer to this very interesting experimental record.

Overall, I give this record an 8 out of 10. I really enjoyed this record because it combines alot of music elements that I love and does it very well. Surf, metal, synth and very well crafted musicianship are presented in these nine tracks through in and through out. I applaud you Mr. Del Rio.

Album Review-BeastMaker: Lusus Naturae

Lusus Naturae is the debut record from California Doom group Beastmaker and was released March 25th, 2016. I had heard of this band roughly a few months before this record came out through word of mouth. I decided to check out their You Must Sin EP which i found interesting but i was really curious how their debut record was going to sound. Well I have it here so lets give it a spin.

Track Rundown

1.Clouds in the sky- opening with an ominous church bell with some record scratching in the back and wham the band comes in with a thick classic doomy riff. This record right away i can tell has that vintage production similar to what I appreciated so much on Brimstone Covens new record. Trevor Church's vocals are really good and have almost and Uncle Acid feel to them but are alot more clear. the band overall is really tight and this opener is a pretty good grooving rock tune.

2.Eyes are watching-This song sounds like it came right off Pentagrams Repentless as the guitar tone is almost the exact same to my ears anyway. However, these guys give off a really dirty garage band vibe to me. The mellow bit in the middle i really like as it breaks up the formula a bit. I dig the soloing too on this record as it is not super far out there but it isnt too buried either. Pretty good song.

3.Arachne- This song has alot more of a straight forward feel to it and almost feels like it is off Sabbaths Vol. 4 record. I do really like the lyrics on this song they are pretty catchy. I love the bass especially in this song it is really audible. It speeds up a bit toward the end with a really good fuzzy solo thrown in for good measure.

4.Skin Crawler-This song has one of my favorite riffs on the whole record it has that tragic kind of feel to it. The Psychedelic interlude in the middle works pretty well also. The solo is also one of my favorites on the album as well it rips hard.

5.Find the stranger- Opening with a more ominous guitar, this song has a bit softer edge to it but still feels pretty heavy and borders on a vintage yet new more refined sound. There is still some heavy riffing in this song but it stays mostly in that sort of mellow range.

6.You Must Sin- this song made it to the record and it feels like it fits pretty well. It has almost a stoner rock kinda riff to it and is pretty catchy as well. The song overall is quite simple. A solid straight forward song.

7.Burnt Offering- Another more simple kind of droning doom song that feels a bit slow but still has a nice riff to it that I appreciate. The harmonizing guitar and bass fits really nice as well. I like the wahed out solo too it fits very well into this song.

8.Mask of Satan- I really like how heavy this song is starting out and has a pretty strong vintage sounding main riff that I can get behind as well. This actually is probably one of the most powerful songs on the record as well. The solo is another favorite as well.

9.It- this song has a sludgier pace to it and the guitars seem a bit less bassy as well it almost sounds like im listening to this song through a vintage radio. Its a song that fits very well with the rest of the record really.

10. Astral Corpse- A bit more of a chugging riff on this song and I really dig the chorus here as well it sounds really heavy.

11.Lusus Naturae- This song features my favorite vocal performance on the record and I really like the more atmospheric bit toward the middle as well. Good title track it rocks pretty hard.

12.The Strain- A pretty heavy doom riffed song closes out this record and is a pretty good closer for these guys. It follows alot of the same formula that the rest of the record has but the vocals are a bit higher and they just jam out until the end, Pretty killer.


Overall, I give this record a 7.8 out of 10. I enjoyed this album pretty well and I dig the styles these guys play. Alot of the record was very familiar to me in terms of the musical formula but these guys really belt it out and do so fairly well and they are a very tight group as well and I definitely recommend checking Beastmaker out on tour if you get a chance

MHX Radio-A Tribute

Roughly two years ago I stumbled upon an internet radio station that would change me forever. They were a Chicago based internet radio called Metal Head X-treme Radio. These guys played literally heavy metal from anywhere you could think of. My favorite shows that played through the week were Late Night Morning show which showcased a lot more classic metal and had some funny as hell segments as well, it was really a trip. A show that happened every evening was Mojo In The Evening with Steve McCarthy as the head dj who is a funny funny guy and his show was great he played everything under the sun as well. On Wednesdays you had the Doom Cellar which was my favorite show when I first started listening I would actually sneak off from work to listen in. you also had the Progressive Power Hour, the Cure for the Obscure and much more it was just a melting pot of so much stuff. Unfortunately recently they have gone of the air and it was sad to see them go. They are the reason I took to journalism as my major in college as well as introducing to me some fantastic bands like Bloody Hammers, Venomous Maximus, local boys Spillage and northern band Electric Revolution who are probably the two best bands on the scene for me right now among hundreds of others I would’ve never heard of if it wasn’t for these guys. I want to extend my thanks to Dozer, T Rex and Steve specifically for giving me a chance to become a part of the family. Rock On guys.

Album Review-Metal Church: XI

XI is the eleventh studio record by American Heavy Metal group Metal Church and was released on March 25^th, 2016. I remember getting the first Metal Church record when I was a young teen and the musicianship blew me away. It wasn’t Thrash but it wasn’t traditional Heavy Metal but it was really good. Going through this bands back catalogue I found some really great release as well. Most notably they featured Mike Howe on vocals and he actually returned to the band after twenty four years and it really makes you excited to see if the old Metal Church has returned to spread its wings again. Let’s find out.

Track rundown

1.Reset- Opening with a pretty good riff I like the production it is really nice and crisp as well. This song is pretty thrashy too and Mike Howe utilizes both his high and low notes in his voice which is pretty cool to hear and his voice seriously doesn’t sound like it has aged at all either. I feel his voice is a bit buried in the mixed in some parts but not enough to where you can’t totally hear it. The solo is pretty good as well it isn’t anything mind blowing but it’s a solo that fits the song very well. Great straight forward opening song.

2.Killing Your Time- I love the rhythm in this song it is extremely tight. It is also a really heavy song and I think it really displays Mikes voice very well it sounds just like old school Metal Church. The chorus is really powerful and epic sounding as well. Just a great fuckin song.

3.No Tomorrow- Opening with some haunting acoustic riffs, Then heading straight into speed metal territory. One of the best main riffs on the whole album in my opinion with those heavy epic vocals. This song has more of a power metal feel in the bridge especially as well. This song is a straight hitter too with a cool soft interlude in the middle of the song as well shows the crafty musicianship.

4.Signal Path- I really like how this song opens it really is an anticipating opening that just builds with such an infectious riff and it really pays off. My only gripe is I wish there was a bit more bass behind the drums to make it bump a bit more. The chorus is pretty damn catchy as well. One of the best tunes on the record.

5.Sky Falls In- This chorus soaked opening is really cool sounding almost sounding a bit like old metallica but then it hits with a heavy kind of jam scenario which is great. This song is the first to be mainly a mid tempo rocker but it still works most of the time it definitely is a bit of a break from what we have heard from the past few songs.

6.Neetle and Suture- This is probably the heaviest song on the record with relentless chugging with guitars with Howes scratchy voice soaring above. This is pure Heavy Metal and there is no stopping it. The chorus is amazing as well it sounds a bit like Overkill but it still has that Metal church sound of old behind it. Another one of my personal favorites on the album.

7.Shadow-This song has a gothic kind feel to me anyway. I really like the almost spaced out riff it is different and changes a bit of the tone for and adds to the album as well. It is a pretty heavy mid-tempo song that does deliver but in different ways than just hitting you straight in the face but admiring the musical craftsmanship.

8.Blow Your Mind-Opening with a dark synth that I really appreciate with a dark bluesy metal riff creeping in it really adds some good atmosphere. The whole song has this haunting heavy quality to it that I find really kick ass as well. I love the riffs I this song as well it has that old school charm to it. Good straightforward tune.

9.Soul Catching Machine- This one begins with more clean guitars but heading straight into more traditional heavy metal territory. Mikes vocals still impress me of how good they still sound. It is a very powerful song as well a great pounding thrasher toward the end.

10.It Waits-Opening with some almost bluesy drums and some cool flanged out guitars as well, this song has an interesting laid back feel to it. Unfortunately it kind of stops the album in its tracks because it sounds almost too laid back in parts. I really dig this song with the synth and psychedelia in it but I wish it was placed more toward the middle of the record.

11.Suffer Fools- As the album closer, this song really doesn’t let up until the last second. Especially in the verses, the band is firing on all cylinders and it really culminates here. This is a great song to end this great record on its catchy heavy and for some reason feels louder than every other song but that might just be my deaf ears.

Overall, I give this album a solid 8 out of 10. Metal Church really pulled themselves up as one of the bands of the older guard to transcend into the new age. With reuniting classic members and the musical craftsmanship really being utilized, this album is a solid release for this band to have in their extremely underrated discography.