Retrospective Review- Eric Moore and The Godz: Last Rites

“Last Rites” is the newest record from Ohio based southern/hard rock group Eric Moore and The Godz and was released in 2015. I haven't ever heard of these guys for a long time until around a month ago I was approached by their manager who sent me a copy of this record. I was intrigued because I could tell they had been around a long time and the cover of the new record screamed the 70s to me so I was immediately interested. However, is this a record that could've made my top ten of last year or does it bite the dust? lets find out.

Track Rundown

1.Whitleine-This track has that real southern hard rock grit to it. With that simple thumping riff and those gritty as hell vocals. I really enjoy the raw production as well it reminds me of Blackfoot a lot and I really find the chorus really catchy as well. Pretty good opener on the album.

2.Lonely Tonight- This song has some really catchy verses and an easy to hum riff to it as well. It almost has a comedic tone to it as well but I dig it. Another pretty fun dirty southern rock tune.

3.Burning Bridges(2014 recording)- There is definitely more of a ballad feel in this song and a lot of a Lynyrd Skynyrd feel with the back up vocals especially. I really like it, it screams the 70s and it is a really fun song to listen to.

4.Wastin'(2014 recording)- This tracks production is a little more polished and it has a bit more heaviness to it. The guitar definitely has a heavier tone to it as well. There is a lot of repeating within the lyrics but its a fun rock tune that I still found pretty catchy.

5.Caveman Luv- Damn did they crank up the heavy metal dial on this one. The drums are a hell of a ton more bombastic and the riffing is more in key to NWOBHM bands. The lyrics are very Ted Nugent-like and I love them for it it is so cheesy and catchy at the same time.

6.Goin' Down Rock'n- This song has the same very heavy metal production like that last but I find this song the heaviest on the record. It is really catchy and very bass heavy as well. Easily my favorite on the album its a headbanging fun time.

7.Kick Out The Jams-No not an MC5 cover, its actually a pretty good original rock tune. It again brings back some o the southern rock flavor to it as well. A fun southern bluesy drenched hard rock song.

8.Gotta Keep A Runnin'(2014 recording)- This is perhaps The Godz most famous song for the long speech in the middle and led to their trademark “The Godz are rock and roll machines” line. It reminds me a lot of Ted Nugents Wango Tango but the original recording I believe predates that song. I really like it it is a fun driving tune.

9.Island(instrumental)- This is where the album takes a turn with mostly outtakes and demos and this one I really like. There is a final version on the album at the end but with the extremely raw production, it has a more haunting feel to it here I feel. It does repeat a bit but it's a really good track to listen to when you are alone it has a lot of emotion to it.

10.Whiteline(1980 demo)- This version sounds almost exactly like the final version but the drums are just a bit louder. I still enjoy the final version more its more balanced.

11.Lonely Tonight(1980 version)- This is essentially just a repeat of the main riff a bunch of times it really isn't as fleshed out as the final version.

12.Burning Bridges(1980 alternate Demo)- This is a much more raw version that the final cut and doesn't have all the clean cut back up vocals it sounds hell of a lot more raw I almost prefer this version a bit more.

13.Wastin'(work tape 2014)- This version is almost the same as the final cut but with no lyrics. Again I prefer the final version unless I'm really wanting to listen to the instrumentals.

14.Island- This is the final cut and I think a great way to end the album, It still has a very raw production but is a bit more muffled than the other was. I dig it, and it includes vocals which add to it as well.

Overall, I give the album a 7.5 out of 10. It isn't classic by any means but what it is is a fun southern hard rock record that almost serves as a retrospective for this band. I really enjoy a lot of the material even though I feel the demos should have been bonus tracks instead but hey they are still interesting to hear. I think that if you are wanting to get into Eric Moore and The Godz, start with this one because I guarantee you are into for a really fun rockin time.  

Show Review- RIOT V: Live at Reggies Rock Club 07/08/2016

Rarely do you ever get to see a group that even with no original members, that they are still undeniably one of the best heavy metal groups on the scene today. RIOT is exactly one of those bands. And finally on Friday July 8th, I got to witness the fury that is this band live on stage at Reggie's Rock Club in downtown Chicago.

I showed up about a half hour early so I decided to check out a bit of what Reggies had to offer, including a very nice restaurant and a killer record store where I had to spend a bit of cash. After accidentally bumping into the band walking down the stairs (total Spinal Tap moment for me) I decided to enter the venue and watch the opening of the whole show.


Crusader- These guys hail from Chicago and really kicked ass for an opener. Usually opening bands kind of fall flat at most shows I've been to any way but these guys really had a good style. They were very old school speed metal with a bit of a NWOBHM flavor as well. I even got a bit of a Manowar feel as well which was pretty cool. For an opening act I really dug them.


Scars of Armageddon- I've known about these guys for a long time, since I did write ups for MHX Radio. However, I saw exactly how strong their following was Friday night. Holy shit these guys tore it up! They have extreme precision and are very catchy. They almost have a Helloween mixed with Dream Theater sound to me and I really dug it so I purchased their album. Definitely one of the best Chicago metal bands on the circuit.

Judas Rising- I felt a bit strange that  cover band was opening this show as I don't usually see them play with anyone else other than well other cover bands. Needless to say these guys rocked and had a very fun attitude toward how they were playing. They didn't try and look  EXACTLY like Priest well except the singer so it brought a flavor that these guys were having fun with it. It was a really fun set that featured some great cuts and they even featured Frank Gilchriest from Riot to play "Hell Bent For Leather".


Riot- Even though they now go by the name RIOT V because of the untimely passing of Mark Reale(rest in peace), I still prefer to call them Riot because it still feels a hundred percent genuine to me. When they opened with "Flight of The Warrior" they sounded like I would expect them too back in 88'. Todd Michael Hall just wow..,his voice is super unique because at his core he has a very over the top epic range but he is able to handle Rhett Forresters material as well(had to hold up the copy of Restless Breed I had on me when they played Hard Loving Man) as Guy Speranza era material as well. I only wish I could have heard a tune off of Born In America but it was still filled with cuts Riot have been known for as well as some more rare heard songs as well. I also want to point out that Nick Lee's fill in Lance Barnewold did a very stand up job and his soloing was very on point especially his solo in Fire Down Under which was a very big highlight. Of course Mike Flyntz and Donnie Van Stavern who are essentially the high profile members in the band at this point were very on point and just killed it.

Overall, it was definitely a highlight show of the year. I knew Riot would pull it off as I have been essentially obsessed with them since High School and I have always held them in regard to bands like Iron Maiden hell even AC DC who are my favorite of all time as most of you know. However, having such killer opening bands that kept the night from essentially having no dull moments really made it a show to never forget. Thank you to all the bands that played and thank you Riot for continuing Marks legacy and creating new music. Shine On!

Photo Credited to Riot

Album Review- Yngwie Malmsteen: World on Fire

“World On Fire” is the 20^th studio album by virtuoso guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen and was released on June 1^st, 2016. Now I am not huge on guitarists like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and even Malmsteen with the extreme and pristine technical aspects they showcase. I am a simpler man I like virtuosity but not when it is shoved down my throat. I respect it but again it isn't hugely my thing. However this record oh this record....

Right from the start with the title track it sounds really boring and lets be honest, Yngwie really doesn't have much to say as he did the last 19 times around. He has a really fast riff that repeats I think too much and the whole production just doesn't as crisp as I would have ti sound it almost sounds way too laid back. The song “Lost In The Machine” really would sound so much heavier if the production was so much better but even the heavier songs suffer from a lackluster production that leaves a lot more to be desired. I do like Top Down Foot Down but it also has this laid back feeling that doesn't let the song fully breathe. If Yngwie released this song as a single I honestly would be okay with that.

Honestly, I give this record a 3 out of 10. I really don't have much to say about this album because it is just a run of the mill guitar virtuoso album but with awful production and songs that repeat themselves way too much. I don't suggest this album to any listeners new or old. Stick with Yngwie's tried and trued records because honestly this record was a huge letdown.