Riot V to release Unleash the Fire in October

Riot V have officially announced the release of their new album. The album, Unleash the Fire, will be the first album released under the Riot V name. Although not popular in their homeland of the US, the original Riot band are well known amongst hardcore hard rock and heavy metal fans. The band were formed in New York by guitarist Mark Reale in 1975. The band cranked out three studio albums with original singer, Guy Speranza and another two with Speranza's replacement, Rhett Forrester. Reale gave the band new life in 1988 when he revamped the band with the power metal sounding Thundersteel. The band kept going until early 2012, when Reale died after a life-long battle with Crohn's Disease. The band carried on, changing their name to Riot V, as it represents the "fifth phase" of the band. The new band have been on tour since early this year.

The band currently consists of...

Todd Michael Hall- vocals
Mike Flynz- guitar
Nick Lee- guitar
Donnie Van Stavern- bass
Frank Gilchreist- drums

The album will be released sometime in late August on SPV/Steamhammer.

Tracking list
1. Ride Hard Live Free
2. Metal Warrior
3. Fall From the Sky
4. Bring the Hammer Down
5. Unleash the Fire
6. Land of the Rising Sun
7. Kill To Survive
8. Return of the Outlaw
9. Immortal
10. Take Me Back
11. Fight Fight Fight
12. Until We Meet Again
13. Thundersteel (bonus track)


UPDATE: Riot's Facebook page confirms that the new album will be released October 27 in Europe and October 28 in North America.

Johnny Winter dead at 70

John Dawson Winter

February 23, 1943-July 16, 2014

Legendary blues guitarist Johnny Winter died yesterday in Zurich, Germany. He was 70 years old. The guitarist was found dead in his hotel room, as he had been on tour. It was already known before he passed that Winter was in poor health. 

Winter rose to fame in the late 1960's as a talented guitarist. Winter struck out for his bluesy style of playing and his long white hair, as he (as well as his brother Edgar) was born with albinism. He was discovered by session musician Mike Bloomfield, which then led to Winter getting signed to Columbia Records. In August 1969, Winter was one of the many musicians who played at the original Woodstock Music Festival. Throughout his career, Winter released some 20 studio albums. In terms of commercial success, Winter did originally record "Rock N Roll, Hoochie Coo," which was later made a hit by Rick Derringer. In the late 1970's, Winter was able to produce a series of comeback albums for Muddy Waters. Before his death, Winter had already planned for a new album for release. That album, Step Back, will be released posthumously on September 2. 

It's very sad to hear of Johnny Winter's passing. I can't say I was a fan of his work but I can say he was a very talent musician. It's sad to know that a person like him is no long with us. 

Rest in peace, Johnny. 

Tommy Ramone dead at 65

Thomas Erdelyi, aka Tommy Ramone

January 29, 1949-July 11, 2014

Drummer Tommy Ramone, the last surviving original member of legendary punk rock band the Ramones, died yesterday after a battle with bile duct cancer. Ramone was 65. A spokesperson confirmed that the former Ramones drummer had been in hospice care since receiving treatment for his cancer. Ramone, born Erdellyi Tamas in Budapest, was one quarter of the original line-up of the Ramones. With singer Joey Ramone, guitarist Johnny Ramone and bassist Dee Dee Ramone, the Ramones were formed in 1974. Their influential debut album, released in 1976, had finally achieved gold status earlier this year. Ramone would play on the band's next two albums, Leave Home and Rocket to Russia until he left in 1978. Although Ramone left, he would later go on to produce several of the band's other albums including Road to Ruin and Too Tough To Die. 

It's very sad to hear that Tommy has passed away. With Tommy's passing, all four of the original members of the Ramones have died. Joey died from lymphoma in 2001, Dee Dee died from a cocaine overdose the following year in 2002 and Johnny died from prostate cancer in 2004. Even though Tommy wasn't in the band for very long, he had an important role in what made the Ramones such a great band. The surviving members of the Ramones (all replacement members) are now Marky, Richie and CJ (you can also throw in Clem Burke, aka Elvis Ramone, but he was in the band for two shows!). 

Rest in peace, Tommy. 

Judas Priest- "Redeemer of Souls" album review

 

Judas Priest

Redeemer of Souls

Rating: ****

Think about this: how many bands have embarked on farewell tours and actually meant it? There aren't too many. In some cases, bands might call off the break up as they feel they have some unfinished business. When it comes to Judas Priest, this is certainly the case. The proof can be found on their new studio album, Redeemer of Souls. Despite having their Epitaph World Tour in 2011, the pioneering English heavy metal band is still going strong. Redeemer of Souls is the band's first studio album since 2008's conceptual album Nostradamus, an album that puzzled many Priest fans. This is also the band's first album without original member and guitarist KK Downing, who surprisingly left in 2011 before the Epitaph World Tour. His replacement, Richie Faulkner, has given the band a much needed kick-in-the-pants: Redeemer of Souls is one hell of an album.

            The band gets down to business with "Dragonaut," a rip roaring opener with a great chugging guitar riff. The song is, in short, Priest doing classic Priest. Singer Rob Halford sounds great, and that's saying a lot considering the metal god is 62 years old. While one might notice his voice has certainly seen better days, I'd say Halford sounds better than most of his peers throughout the album. The title track, the lead single off the album, is another hard rocker. Although it does sound an awful lot like "Hell Patrol" from Painkiller, it's still an impressive track. Priest certainly knows how to pack their songs with a punch. "Halls of Valhalla" is an example of this, featuring thunderous drumming from Scott Travis and an impressive twin guitar solo from guitarists Richie Faulkner and Glenn Tippton. Halford even throws in a few screams, along with some growling vocals. Priest continues to deliver the goods on the guitar heavy "Down in Flames," the galloping "Battle Cry," and the sludge metal sounds of "Hell & Back," which features an impressive bass line from bassist (as well as sole original member) Ian Hill.

            While Redeemer of Souls is a solid album throughout, the album has its drawbacks. First of all, the production isn't the best but this is expected as many modern day CDs suffer from what is called the "loudness war." The album is also an hour long, which means there is some filler. Still, some good can be found in the weaker songs. "Sword of Damocles" has too much going on musically but the song is great lyrically. "March of the Damned" suffers from the opposite problem, but it can be enjoyed for the guitar work alone. The rest of the album is pretty strong, which make up for the weaker tracks. The hard-hitting "Metalizer" certainly lives up to its name while the Hendrix-esque "Crossfire" is good fun. The album surprisingly ends with the slow ballad "Beginning of the End." The song is so impressive, it almost harkens back to the band's early material, ala Sad Wings of Destiny era.

            Redeemer of Souls is an impressive album from a legendary band. I have to have that I didn't really expect this from the band. Fans will want to pick this one up. Personally, this might be their most consistent since Painkiller. I think it's safe to say that Judas Priest are back. For those who think otherwise: you've got another thing coming.   

Pink Floyd confirm "The Endless River" album's release

Over the weekend, it was leaked by Polly Samson (aka Mrs. David Gilmour) that there would be a new Pink Floyd studio album out soon. After numerous reports since Samson's Twitter post, Pink Floyd's Facebook page has confirmed the album's release. The album, The Endless River, is an album of previously unreleased material from 1994. This material was recorded almost after the band had finished recording  1994's The Division Bell. The album is also said to be the last recording sessions featuring keyboardist Rick Wright, who passed away in 2008 after a battle with cancer. It has also been confirmed that previous reports on guitarist David Gilmour making a solo album were false: in reality, he and drummer Nick Mason are in the studio right now remixing the album. The Endless River is slated for an October release.

I'm excited to hear of this news but I'm still a little worried. It's great that we'll be getting an album of never before released material but from what I'm reading, these sessions (referred to by Mason as "The Big Spliff") were not for a Pink Floyd album. This was a different project So in a nutshell: this is a studio album of recording sessions for an unreleased album that are now being passed off as a brand new Pink Floyd album. It does make me feel better that Gilmour and Mason are actually in the studio working on the album, but who knows how much of this work is actually brand new. Keep in mind that I'm still excited about this album, but not as excited as everybody else.

As for Roger Waters' involvement in this project, it's not happening. Don't get me wrong: I would love to see Roger record new bass tracks for the album but I highly doubt this will happen. He had left the band in 1983 after The Final Cut. From what I understand, Waters and Gilmour are on good terms so you never know. As for any plans for a tour, I wouldn't hold your breath. Even though my expectation are low, I'm looking forward to this new album.

Quiet Riot- "10" review

 

Quiet Riot

10

Rating: *** 1/2 

            Two days after announcing its release, Quiet Riot’s new album has been released digitally. The album, 10, comes off as an oddly arranged album- featuring six new studio tracks with current lead singer Jizzy Pearl and four live tracks featuring the late Kevin DuBrow. While many have criticized drummer Frankie Banali’s choice to reform Quiet Riot in 2010, some longtime fans might be surprised by 10.

            This reunited version of Quiet Riot has been together since 2010. The band currently consists of singer Jizzy Pearl, guitarist Alex Grossi, bassist Chuck Wright and drummer Frankie Banali. Of the four members, casual fans might only be familiar with Banali as he is the only member of the Metal Health line-up in the band. Wright has been in and out of the band since before the classic line-up while Grossi joined in 2005. These three musicians were in the last line-up of Quiet Riot before singer Kevin DuBrow’s death in 2007. DuBrow once stated that this was his favorite version of Quiet Riot to play with, which is the reason why Banali decided to reform the new version of the band with Grossi and Wright. Since 2010, the band has been through two different lead singers: Mark Huff (2010-2012) and Scott Vodkun (2012-2013). The band’s current singer is Jizzy Pearl, formerly of Love/Hate and Ratt.

            The first six tracks on the album are all new songs featuring Pearl on vocals. The first of them, “Rock In Peace,” is a simple Zeppelin-esque rocker. Pearl’s vocals are remarkable similar to DuBrow’s. The lyrics make references to previous Quiet Riot songs, using the “Well now you’re here, there’s no way back” line from “Metal Health” in the chorus. “Bang for Your Buck” is a bouncy sounding track while “Back on You” is a crunchy fast-paced rocker. Both songs utilize vocal harmony sections, which brings back memories of the band’s albums made in the 1980s. Of the new tracks, “Backside of Water” and “Band Down” are weakest ones of the bunch. While they aren’t bad songs, nothing sticks out as different although Grossi’s solo on the latter is impressive. Grossi continues to show off his skills on the last of the studio tracks, “Dogbone Alley.”

            The last four tracks on the album are live cuts, featuring the late great Kevin DuBrow on lead vocals. These live tracks are from some of the last shows that DuBrow would ever play in his life. Banali made a wise choice in not picking live performances of the band’s hits. Instead, we have an eclectic bunch of tunes. “Put Up or Shut Up,” a cut from QR III, is more enjoyable live than in the studio. “Free” and “South of Heaven” from 2006’s Rehab are also featured on here. While Kevin’s vocals are sensational, the quality of the live recording could have been better (though this is probably the best we’re going to get). The album ends with a medley of British blues rock tunes, ranging from Humble Pie, the Jeff Beck Group and Led Zeppelin.

            Overall, 10 is a fun album to listen to. I’m quite surprised at how this turned out. I think fans who are skeptical about this new line-up should at least give it a listen. If the band ever did want to record a full-length studio album with Pearl, I’d be all for it.  

Uriah Heep- "Outsider" album review

 

Uriah Heep

Outsider

Rating: ****

In their 45^th year, English prog rockers Uriah Heep have released their 24^th studio album. The album, Outsider, is the band’s first album since 2011’s Into the Wild. This also the band’s first album since the passing of bassist Trevor Bolder, who lost his battle with cancer last year.  Like its predecessor, Outsider is another great album from Heep that delivers heavy tunes and sensational harmonies. Uriah Heep currently consists of singer Bernie Shaw (since 1986), guitarist Mick Box (since 1969, the band’s sole original member), bassist Davey Rimmer (since 2013), drummer Russell Gilbrook (since 2007) and keyboardist Phil Lanzon (since 1986).

            The album opens with the sonic “Speed of Sound.” Right off the bat, Heep are off to a good start: the lyrics are strong and Lanzon’s keyboard work is impressive. The lyrics describe how fast life goes by. “Sometimes I can’t keep my feet on the ground/I can’t let go,” sings Shaw. “My world is spinning just like the speed of sound/I can’t let go, it’s all that I know.” This is followed by the lead single, “One Minute.” The song opens as a piano-led song until the keyboards and guitar come in. I can’t help but notice that the guitar riff sounds somewhat similar to Heep’s classic “Bird of Prey.” While the song isn’t the best choice for a lead single, it is indeed a very catchy song.

            Heep continues to shine throughout the album. Throughout their 45 years together, Heep have teetered in between being a progressive rock band and a hard rock band. This is no exception on Outsider, as the band are really both. Hard rockers come in the form of “The Law” and the title track. The former has an impressive guitar solo from Box while the latter showcases Rimmer’s bass playing skills. The band, however, gets progressive on the beckoning “Is Anybody Gonna Help Me?” and the spacey “Kiss the Rainbow” (though the latter is less progressive). The band even dabbles in “jock rock” with “Rock the Foundation.” The chorus is particularly corny (“baby’s gonna rock the foundation/Cos’ baby’s doesn’t really care/Baby’s gonna cause a sensation/Cos’ baby wants a love affair”) but damn, is it catchy!

            “Looking at You” is another highlight from the album, with its fast-paced feel and soaring harmonies. Heep are known for their vocal harmonies, as it is present in a majority of their work. If someone needs to be convinced the band still has it, “Looking at You” will prove this. My personal favorite song off the album, however, is “Can’t Take That Away.” The song is a throwback to old school Heep, with a fast gallop ala “Look at Yourself” and “Easy Livin’.” The song has a strong carpe diem attitude with a chorus that Heepsters can live by: “There’s one thing in life that you do best/Just do it well/And you can’t take that away/No you can’t take that way.”

            Outsider is another great album from Uriah Heep. While I will admit I do enjoy Into the Wild more, this is a worthy follow up. It’s amazing that the band are still going after all these years. 45 years later, Uriah Heep are still very ‘eavy and very ‘umble!