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 28^th 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...

Album Review- Tesla: Simplicity

Simplicity is the 7th studio album by Hard Rock band Telsa released in June of 2014. I remember seeing these guys open for the Scorpions back on their Final Sting tour in Chicago. Before that i didn't know much of them besides Eddie Trunk talking about them occasionally. Well they blew my doors off coming from the mid 80s these guys walk the walk than every other band from that hair scene. these guys shouldve toured with ACDC not Poison with such a great no thrills down to earth sound. This is the first brand new album i have gotten to pick up so lets dive right into it.

Track Rundown

1.MP3- A great hard rocking opener about getting back to basics with music( i agree completely). The intro is pretty great and gets you pumped for the rest of the album. i like how just balls out the riff is here as well its a real jam.

2.Ricochet- it starts out with this great acoustic intro with a solo in front of it as well going into another solid guitar riff. I really like Frank Hannon as a guitar player and is extremely underrated. I like how Jeff sings the chorus too and that line (Like uncle Ted said...Its a Free For All!) gets me going everytime i hear it. another homerun for me.

3.Rise And Fall- Opening with a groovy bass line and Jeffs dirty raspy voice really make this a nice foot tapper. The chorus is pretty good here as well. It s a more a mellow rocker but by no means a bad one.

4.So Divine...- This is the first single i heard of the album and really reminds me of something off of Mechanical Resonance it would fit really well there. Its one of my favorites off the album actually and the build up to the chorus is just amazing and the chorus makes you just want to sing along to it. this definitely makes for a good song to play live.

5.Crossfire- This song has a kind of country feel to it and even the piano gives it kind of a Skynyrd and Black Crows feel to it. This is a good track and an interesting change of pace not one of my favorites but its not bad.

6.Honestly-Starting out with another nice acoustic guitar this song is more of a total ballad and its not terrible but almost every album has to have a ballad like track right?

7.Flip Side!- THATS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT! I adore the riffs in this song and its got such a dirty groove with the acoustic guitars in it and again Jeffs voice works best with this kind of stuff. The chorus is another one of those extremely catchy ones that get stuck in your head.

8.Other Than Me- This is another softer song but like i said these guys do it very well it s a nice driving song i think. The chorus is just really good as well i cant say anything other than its really freaking good.

9.Break Of Dawn- That freaking riff. They really just went for their inner headbanging selves for this one and its probably the dirtiest song on the album probably my favorite as well. Its really catchy and melodic at parts but also leads just right back into that awesome riff. Definitely a classic.

10.Burnout To Fade- The acoustics are a bit different here they sound more like they have a modern rock
sound to them. It s a nice song and im surprised they went with another softer acoustically driven song but i expect this from the guys who made the five man acoustical jam album.

11.Life Is A River- Another acoustically driven song but i like this more than the previous cause the piano added makes for a better atmosphere. Jeffs voice actually sounds cleaned up here as well which is impressive as well so its a pretty good song to me.

12.Sympathy- The bass in the beginning gets me pumped up for this song  and it really explodes into another dirty rock n roll song and actually is a refreshing track from the previous two.

13.Time Bomb- The guitars are really loud on this track (maybe its my stereo but they are REALLY pronounced here) a pure jack daniels drinking head banging track the bridge is a bit weak but nonetheless this is a great track.

14.'Til That Day- The drums started out softly with another nice yet slightly different sounding acoustic drive. Jeffs voice with an echoish reverb really gives this track a nice atmosphere and ends this great album on a positive note.

Overall, i give this album a solid 8.5 out of 10. Being my first new Tesla album, i was really impressed how these guys could balance out soft with hard rock and it keeps you entranced in the album til the end. its one of their best albums personally and it will be listened to again in my collection.