DVD Review: Rob Zombie- The Zombie Horror Picture Show

Rob Zombies first official concert film is finally out. Released on May 19th, "The Zombie Horror Picture Show" was released in 2014 and honestly it is a long time coming. for years fans have waited for the shock rocker to release a show since it is one that you have to see to believe. Now my review on this will be unlike my album reviews where instead of doing a track rundown, i will just do an overall on my experience on it. Now onto my review!

This show was filmed on the Mayhem Festival tour last year (got to meet John 5 on the Chicago date) in texas while Rob was promoting his new album Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor which i feel is his best yet (ill get to that one day).so this was a real treat for me. The opening of this show is just epic and i give Rob props for the more bootleg shots he gets here. If youre expecting an iron maiden shotlike show here you are in the wrong place. The song choices are really good as well with some of my favorites including Teenage Nosferatu Pussy and House of 1000 Corpses among others. The crowd really knows how to party as well haha and are just as interesting to watch as the band (; lol and I think rob did an outstanding job here catching his amazing theatrics as well as a really tight sound from his whole band. actually Robs vocals couldve been a bit louder at some parts so this one gets a solid 9.5 for me and it will definitely be rewatched again and again.

EP Review- Electric Revolution: Electric Revolution

Electric Revolution is the self titled EP by the Wisconsin Hard Rock band Electric Revolution and was released in February 2014. Now this review is something interesting because one of the band members (you know who you are!) actually asked me to review this piece and i couldn't turn it down because 1. im a nice guy and 2. these guys rock. However, lets see what really sparks on this EP.

Track Rundown

1.Helpless- The Diamond Head song? Haha no but what a great opener! The slide guitar is really groovy and i love the distortion its that perfect 70s tone with the wah pedal added for effect. The thing i really like about power trios is how full they can keep their sound and the bass here does a wonderful job and is very audible but not too much(just how i like it). The vocals remind me of Biff Byford from Saxon a little bit even a bit of Dio as well i really like it.

2.The Love I Have- The intro i really like here and not to mention wow the bluesy rockabilly riffing is pretty awesome and i even hear a bit of Robert Plant in the vocals. The drums are really infectious here as well. very Zeppelin inspired track.

3.A slower track that reminds me of something Rainbow might have released and the vocals are really strong here too. Pretty good track nothing mind blowing but its still got that groove that these guys seem to have down to a science. The solo kicks alot of ass though.

4.I'm Just Like You- Now i hear some UFO influences these guy tap into so many different bands which is really cool. The chorus sounds pretty infectious here as well.

5.Brand New Day- It might just be me but i hear some southern rock in this track i like it its oozing 70s rock n roll.

6.Gonna Make You Sweat- I like the riffing here alot and the drums are very jazzy feeling as well. I keep going back to a Saxon like voice and now i get a very Van Halen feeling here as well a pretty good closer to a good EP.

Overall, i give this ep an 8 out of 10. I find a piece like this one unique by todays standards because noone plays like this anymore and im glad to see a band like Electric Revolution pumping out some 70s blues rock.


Check em out at http://electricrevolution1.bandcamp.com/

Tribute Album Review: Ronnie James Dio: This Is Your Life

This Is Your Life is a tribute album dedicated to Ronnie James Dio and was released on April first 2014. Now what first caught my eye when i heard this album was going to be released was the artwork. Damn is it epic with every musician on here being represented as a warrior it surely got me excited how good this album would sound. Now its gonna be exausting to say every artist on here but all the classic 80s metal legends are here such as Anthrax, Scorpions Doro and Metallica with relatively newer ones like Halestorm and Corey Taylor having almost all of Stone Sour behind him. Now lets dig into this album

Track Rundown

1.Anthrax-Neon Knights: Upon hearing this i was blown away by how close Joeys voice sounds to Ronnies. The production is rock solid as well the guitar solo is absolutely awesome. awesome track to open the album

2.Tenacious D-The Last In Line: Tenacious D has never sounded as serious as they do on this track and that shows that they really care. The flute solo was interesting to put in and compliments the song very nicely.

3.Adrenaline Mob-The Mob Rules: I swear these guys sound EXACTLY like Sabbath like they got it down to a point an older cover but nevertheless its amazing and certainly does the song justice.

4.Corey Taylor, Jason Christopher, Christian Martucci, Roy Mayorga, Satchel-Rainbow In the Dark: Corey Taylor i will give credit to because im not the biggest Slipknot or Stone Sour fans out there but his voice suits the song nicely sure its nowhere near Dios epic vocals pipes but its a fitting tribute. Satchel from Steel Panther makes an appearance for the solo but it kind of lacks at the end a bit. still a good cover

5.Halestorm-Straight Through the Heart: This is my least favorite track on the album because well it just seems too subtle even for Halestorm who make some wild covers this one should have been one of them.

6.Motorhead with Biff Byford-Starstruck:  This is just good old dirty rock n roll alright. i like biffs(vocalist of Saxon) voice because hes like Dios counterpart in a way his voice is just a bit more dirty i like this cover alot and its awesome to hear Lemmy in good condition here.

7.Scorpions-The Temple Of the King: With the Scorps being legends themselves, they managed to take this epic classic and make it sound their own. Another killer track.

8.Doro-Egypt(the Chains are On): The queen of metal did a very good cover of this classic off the Last In Line LP. Her voice fits it and even gave it a big stadium feel.

9.Killswitch Engage-Holy Diver: This cover has been shoved down my throat ever since it came out. Its an OK cover it really sticks out like a sore thumb here among all the other bands here.

10.Glenn Hughes, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo, Scott Warren, Simon Wright-Catch The Rainbow: Another fantasic cover Glenn really shines in this Dio all star band and it has much emotion just as the original did in 1975.

11. Oni Logan, Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, Brian Tichy-I: This is a pretty good cover of a quite underrated song i had never heard of Oni Logan before this so he impressed me alot for a first time listen.

12.Rob Halford, Doug Aldrich, Vinnie Appice, Jeff Pilson, Scott Warren-The Man on the Silver Mountain: This cover is good instrumental wise but Halford really holds back most of the time it took a few listens to get used to it but its ok not mind blowing but ok.

13.Metallica-Ronnie Rising Medley: This cover features the songs A Light in the Black, Tarot Woman, Stargazer and Kill the King. well let me just say this: THIS IS FREAKING EPIC! as a fan of all things Metallica has done, this cover is surely a highlight of the year and is an amazing tribute to Ronnie. the shift from stargazer to kill the king just makes me go crazy everytime.

14.Dio- This is Your Life: Well a song by the man himself is a more than perfect way to end this album. it almost makes you cry how it emotional the song is with just his amazing voice and a piano nothing else.

Overall, this album gets a 9 out of 10. for a tribute album, this surely is a rare site to see one that gets so much attention and it has reasons. a collection of amazing tributes with a few that couldve been executed a bit better, this is a fitting way to send off our man on the silver mountain rest in peace Ronnie \m/

Album Review- Dan Burnette: Before We Began III

This is the 3rd album in my friend Dan Burnettes Before We Began series and was released independently in 2013. Now some may wonder why am i reviewing something that is so far under the radar. Me and Dan are both musicians who collaborate with each other frequently. Recently, i released my four song Country Western/ Blues ep simply titled  JS a few weeks ago. For my birthday he has decided to review it so i thought i would review one of his as well. I chose this one because ive listened to it more thoroughly. Now lest get into the review

Track Rundown

1.Dick Chaney Hates Ghosts- Starting with some folky sounding riffs and i know the lyrics may seem pretty obscure but its an inside joke of a song basically about something i said my sophomore year of highschool. But anyway, this song was improvised mainly if you were in my shoes you would understand the concept about it more. Really obscure opener but like i said, you have to know more to get it.

2.Kraut-stjil -This is a pretty cool instrumental it sounds like something from any strange art film it really reminds me of Nosferatu for some reason it has some kind of eeriness to it. Some cool piano runs that go on and on that actually make for an interesting listen.

3.(farewell to) My Delicate, Lovely Woman-I like the chords played on this song and it has more of a serious approach to it dealing with more personal themes about my friends personal life. Its the first song that really a more broad audience could listen to and would be an interesting live track. I like the fade out too.

4.(Everyday) I've Learned to Pray- I also like this song and that it touches more personal feelings and with more matured lyrics. Chords are again folky sounding as well.

5.Fly Towards The Wall-the fade in is really peaceful on this track and so are the guitars. there are some really cool backround echos i really like it shows the progression from his earlier work. The end is amazing in my opinion just the spacey feel gives off a really cool vibe.

6.Falling Into You- this kind of reminds me of something like bob dylan would write it is really well put together its a nice track.

7.J-Note Theory- I like this track which has a deep feeling. The lyrics are very nice with the calm sounding chords another mature and good solid sounding song.

8.Greatest Hits(Best Shots)-Very spanish sounding at the beginning with the sitar sounding guitar and goes into a more experimental phase which is what he is more into. the lyrics are more spoken than sang here as well with many different tempo changes gives a good atmosphere.

9.Laced/lapsed/lost-The very echoish beginning is awesome i really like it sounds like a helicopter flying overhead and is kind of droning sounding which segways nicely into some pleasnat acoustics. It really sounds like hes playing in a big abandoned warehouse i like it.

10.ça-My favorite track because of the story. Most wont get it unless they were told it. It basically goes about a kid that took over my spot in one of my old bands and he bragged to me constantly how they won some contest. It just makes me laugh everyone i hear it but thats my personal opinion again most wont get it unless they know the whole story.

11.Shock-I like that my friend gets a really 12 string sound here even though hes using a standard 6 string but the effect is quite beautiful. The in and out vocals are cool too sounds kind repetitive at parts but still pretty original.

12.Ravage The Village-Some elctric guitar but again a tad repetitive but i think he was going for a more kind of feel like that with this song.

13.The Spanish Man from the Banter-Pleasant acoustics again the beginning kinf of reminds me of acdcs overdose with the pause. The vocals really shine here to me with the effects layered over them.

14.Acronymous- the wah wah guitar i really like and is unexpected at this point to have something like that in the album. this, however is another more experimental track that might not appeal to everyone.

15.He Who is Supreme- I like the single string progressions at the beginning reminds of something around a campfire.  The whole track does actually its a nice calm instrumental and even though i dont smoke weed sounds like something someone would smoke to its that calming.

16.State of Fair-Sounds like something i would write in fact and is another"deeper feeling" feeling tracks within the lyrical content i like it.

17.This Must Be It?-My favorite track it just has a more dark tone to me than everything else. It seems so serious as well and is a great dramatic closer to me as well.

Overall, I give this album on scale as an independent release a 8ish out of 10. My friend Dan really matured with this piece and wrote some solid tracks on here that would sound good at a live show which he has played two and honestly some time in the future i would like us to do a double bill kind of thing since he taught me more about other scopes of music. Its up for a free download at http://www.last.fm/music/Dan+Burnette/Before+we+Began+III and if your feeling a bit more adventurous, check out his other pieces as well.

Album Review- Toxic Holocaust: Chemistry Of Conciousness

Chemistry Of Conciousness is 5th album by blackened thrash metal band Toxic Holocaust and was released in 2013.I have been a big fan of this band since they dropped An Overdose Of Death in 2008. Even though each album is basically the same speed metal album after another, however they are consistent. This album i find is really unique to their discography and shows the band getting more broad even if its not that much. Now, onto the review.

Track Rundown

1.Awaken The Serpent- As every Toxic album this one starts out with a bang and to see that it is now a full band on the record and not just Joel Grind recording all the instruments even though he did it very well on the first few records. This song has a really fuzzy punk feel to it which i really like.

2.Silence- this song is full on thrash metal and even features an awesome guitar solo which there are many on this record and there is even a bass solo. i really like the classic thrash riffs here.

3.Rat Eater- Starting out very doomy sounding, this track is intensely heavy and when it speeds up it really makes you wanna mosh. This track is really unique to their discography as it has a slower pace in it which most of their songs are full on speed.

4.Salvation Is Waiting- Arguably the fastest and most brutal track on the album the band sounds really tight here with some fast spitting by Grind. I really like the drums here they sound really tight and the cymbals are very pronounced. they even get some Slayer sounding riffs in here too i like it.

5.Out Of The Fire- The riffs have just so much fuzz to them and the middle of this song makes me wanna go crazy even in a crowd of people it just has such a groove to it. This track is probably the catchiest to me at least.

6.Acid Fuzz- Before i review this song, take a word of advice, listen to it with the music video it makes it just that much cooler the riffs just pour out on this track and features my favorite Toxic Holocaust solo it even has a rock n roll feel to it.

7.Deny The Truth- A slower but just as devastating song on the album which is aimed at the church and government and whatever thrash metal bands talk about. A good track with some good catchy rhythms but probably the weakest track to me.

8.MKultra-This song starts out really cool it really would get any mosh pit kicking and his vocals are very strong sounding oozing of his love for old Black metal like Bathory and Venom.

9.I Serve- I love when Joel Grind does his trademark yell in any song especially at the beginning it really gets me pumped. this is not hugely a standout track but its a good one.

10.Government Conspiracy-Some cool grooves in the beginning and how he sings with just the drums is really cool. i like the palm muting too in some of the riffs good track.

11.Chemistry Of Conciousness- Ah the title track, it is not amazing but its a fantastic end really squeezes all of your adrenaline out of you and how it ends in just feedback is just awesome.

Overall, i give this album a solid 9 out of 10. I really like this over Conjure and Command that they released back in 2011. Its nothing inventive but anyone in the thrash community would appreciate this album and suprisingly the band is able to  make themselves sound fresh every record and i give them major props for that.

Album Review- Black Tide: Post Mortem

Post Mortem is the 2nd album by Heavy Metal/Metalcore band Black Tide and was released in 2011. Oh god where do i start here. Hmm well my history with this band goes back to 2010 when my friend showed me their first record Light From Above. It was like hearing an undiscovered 80s metal record but with good modern sounds within it not to mention a killer cover of Hit The Lights by Metallica. I finally found a newer band that i could get into...and then they released this. Well it was definitely metalcore when i heard it and im not bashing metalcore their are some really amazing bands like Trivium who manage to write masterpiece after masterpiece. However, this was just a punch in the face i'll let the review speak for itself.

Track Rundown
1.Ashes- well there is metalcore riffing here but it just sounds kind generic to me. On their first album when they played good heavy and catchy riffs they sounded awesome and you could really bang your head to them but this is...just i keep hearing all these bands i can't stand here it sounds like a low budget Avenged Sevenfold.

2.Bury Me- This sounds like they are trying to be heavy and melodic but it just sounds very generic to me thats word im going to use alot in this review. I am slowly losing faith in this album but lets move on.

3.Let It Out-Very mainstream sound riffs and then that voice god that voice i just cant take it it has no heaviness to it like their first album did..

4.Honest Eyes-Kind of heavy riffs in the beginning i kind of like it until the voice comes in just makes it sound too pop to me i just cant get into it there is just no real feeling to me with this album at all it sounds again generic and alienating.

5.That Fire- i see they are trying to have some variety but i just i dont get why they thought they had to write the same feeling songs over and over the vocals sound the same over and over and just too pop.

6.Fight Till the bitter end-youd think it would be a gritty heavy song in the beginning until it goes into the same stuff again soft riffs trying to be heavy with an overly soft voice trying to be cool it just is crummy sounding to me the beginning was just false hope to me.

7.Take It Easy- what is this Pierce The Veil?! they have basically by now conformed to sounding like the same with all those bands i just ugh...

8.Lost In The Sound-Again trying to be heavy here is just failing the riffs are just not very powerful and the voice just ruins it for me everytime.

9.Walking Dead Man- Still just sounds like a band trying to hard at least it kinda sounds heavy in the solo in the beginning not a good track but a slight improvement with better composure.


10.Into The Sky- Honesty by this song i thought i had the wrong album. unfortunately being the last track, this song is the weakest. they are trying to make a ballad that everyone can relate to i just cant get into it and left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Overall, i give this album an ear bleeding 2 out of 10. I did not enjoy this album at all it really alienated me and im sure a ton of other pre post mortem fans but this just is an album for 15 year old girls who dont have their act together and really there is almost no metal aspect to it and i kind of blame their vanishing on this mistake.

Album Review- Iron Maiden: SomeWhere In Time

Somewhere In Time is the 6th studio album by Iron Maiden and was released in 1986. Now I, like so many metalheads, worship Iron Maiden they are undeniably one of the greatest live metal acts to see and their discography especially their 80s albums are all just one home run after another. However, the album that stands out as the black sheep would be Somewhere in Time. This album, likes Judas Priests Turbo released the same year, marks the bands first use of guitar synthesizers giving it more of a mainstream feel. But the question is whether or not the album is underrated or is it just a weak album full of forgettable songs.

Track Rundown

1.Caught Somewhere in Time- Right off the bat you are hit with a super spacey feel with the heavy synths and epic twin guitars and then the drums and bass kick in it really gets you going and then BOOM everything just blows up and the band sounds as fast as ever here. Bruce Dickinsons soaring vocals during the chorus just makes you go crazy they really need to play this song live again it would get such a good reaction.One of the best Maiden solos i have heard as well.

2.Wasted Years- Still a classic to hear live today it has a very strong chorus Just Bruces vocals sound their most powerful here to me than any album before. the whole song makes for a good live track i really like the bass especially here and how it is sang another amazing song.

3.Sea Of Sadness- I love Mcbrains drumming here how he manages to play a single bass pedal like its a double bass pedal it amazes me all the time. This track isn't totally up to par with the past two but it is amazing nonetheless it all blends together very well.

4.Heaven Can Wait- I love the quiet opener on this track another bigger song for the band which was on their setlist a few years ago and should be again and Bruce singing with the fast guitar riffing makes it even more catchy. There is a very power metal feeling here as well and the chorus sounds like it could be in any Sonic The Hedgehog game it just has that charm to it. Another standout track to me with powerful instrumentals and catchy vocals.

5.The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner- This track starts with some very cool picking in the beginning. Adrian Smith and Dave Murrays playing on the whole album is just flawless The chorus is just i cant even find words to describe it. Dickinson really is giving everything hes got to get out those lines and makes this track 10x more epic than it already is which is why he is one of the greatest metal vocalists alive. The guitar harmonies are amazing as well. Another faster track and another i wish they would play live.

6.Stranger In A Strange Land- I love the space guitar feel here i don't know how they get it but it just captures everything about Maiden in the 80s. the vocals are awesome and just so out in space and futuristic which the whole album gives off. another cool chorus. Harris's bass sounds really tight on this track as well and seems a bit more audible. The solo is freakin epic as hell on this one too. Another song THEY NEED TO PLAY LIVE AGAIN!!!!

7.Deja Vu- This track i honestly never heard much it starts very majestically and shoots into a very melodic power metal part the guitar riffs are really catchy Bruces double track vocals sound awesome here too. This track is seriously underrated it is certainly not  a throw away track.

8.Alexander The Great- The closer of the album and it starts pretty cool with the wind and the instruments in the backround setting a nice tone. The song is very melodic but not fast and to me is probably the most forgettable one on this album. It would work well with Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son which is my all time favorite Iron Maiden album i would think if it were like a bonus track. Still a solid track just not an amazing closer it really does show the progressive side of Iron Maiden though.

Overall, this album gets 9.5 out of 10. I really enjoy this album it is just an awesome record from the 80s and to me just sounds like that decade as well. i love the sound they got as well it is such a strong piece of music i just wish they would play more songs off of it live.