Share HeavyMetal1984's profile
HeavyMetal1984
HeavyMetal1984's stats
- Review count7
- Helpfulness votes2
- First reviewApril 10, 2016
- Last reviewJune 29, 2016
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.1
Reviews comments
- Review comment count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First review commentNone
- Last review commentNone
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
Answers
- Answer count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First answerNone
- Last answerNone
- Featured answers0
- Best answers0
HeavyMetal1984's Reviews
![Blood In, Blood Out [Deluxe] [CD & DVD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8827/8827177_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Welcome back Steve "Zetro" Souza
on June 29, 2016
Posted by: HeavyMetal1984
Verified Purchase:Yes
I'll be honest, I could just never get on board with former vocalist Rob Dukes. I don't know what it was about his vocal approach, but it never really worked for me, until early this week. I went back and listened to (2010's) Exhibit B: The Human Condition and I think I'm hearing something I liked that I didn't hear on (2005's) "Shovel Headed Kill Machine" and (2007's) "The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A". Anyway, that review is for another day.
Like it was with many bands back in the 80's, I discovered Exodus with the release of their second record (1987's) "Pleasures of the Flesh". It also happened to be the introduction of Steve "Zetro" Souza (formerly of The Legacy) into the band, who replaced Paul Baloff. Some people give "Zetro" grief, because of the similar vocal style to that of Bon Scott. I didn't care who he sounded or sounds like, as I just want the vocal approach to work for my ears. I love "Zet" and I'm happy he's back!
On to the album...After repeated listens, this record took a while to get going with me. I don't think it actually hits its stride until "Salt the Wound" (featuring Kirk Hammett) or "Body Harvest". It's not that I don't like the first half of this album, but the gems in my opinion are tracks 7-11. I think it gets off to a really weak start with something that starts out sounding like Nine Inch Nails. I hate that industrial sounding garbage. Maybe I just need to edit the beginning of "Black 13". I think one of the other complaints that I have regarding this album, was best stated by an individual on a metal site that I've visited for years. I think he summed it up perfectly:
"The songs overstay their welcome as the riffs repeat too much without flourish, dismissing that chaotic glee that we're all familiar with."
I certainly don't have an A.D.D. problem when it comes to my music, but I think some of the songs do overstay their welcome and could be shortened a tad. At times this record seems to be slightly laborious to get through. Having said that, I still really enjoy it and "Blood In, Blood Out" is a consistent grower with me. Part of my problem could be that I really haven't given Exodus the time of day since (2004's) "Tempo of the Damned", which is a top three favorite Exodus album of mine.
One thing I have very little to complain about, is the production. Andy Sneap was unavailable for much of the engineering, so bass player Jack Gibson took over those duties. He was responsible for both the engineering of the guitars and vocals. This was shown on the DVD, which comes with the deluxe edition. I thought he did a great job, considering he's a novice in this area and was taking a Pro Tools class involving the software applications. Considering Gary was also away (touring with Slayer), this could have been unmitigated disaster. Way to go Jack!
The only songs that I skip on occasion, is the opening track "Black 13" and "BTK". I was hoping to enjoy that tune more, since Chuck Billy from Testament guests on it. My favorite tunes are undoubtedly tracks 7-10 and in order: "My Last Nerve", "Wrapped In the Arms of Rage", "Numb" and "Honor Killings". The only thing that sort of irked me about this "Deluxe Edition", was the exclusion of the bonus track "Angel of Death", by one of my favorite NWOBHM bands Angel Witch. It should have been a part of this release. The bonus DVD will probably be something that I might never watch again, as it was a cut and paste job, involving both the production of the album and some stuff from the road. It was too under produced to hold my interest, though it had its moments.
4 1/2 stars out of 5
My Best Buy number: 0764930926
My Best Buy number: 0764930926
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
![White Devil Armory [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7320/7320019_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
It's OverKill...how bad can it be?
on June 28, 2016
Posted by: HeavyMetal1984
Verified Purchase:Yes
Chalk up another really good effort, from this very underrated thrash metal group from New Jersey. As it pertains to their "Thrash Metal" contemporaries, Overkill has put out more albums than Metallica (9), Megadeth (15), Anthrax (11), Slayer (12), Testament (10), Exodus (10), Death Angel (8), Laaz Rockit (7) and others, but who's counting. The number of albums a band puts out isn't the measuring stick for what makes a band great, but having said that, "White Devil Armory" makes it seventeen for these hardened vets, with number eighteen rumored to be coming out later this fall.
I began my my Overkill odyssey way back in 1987, with the album "Taking Over". Though I have a ton of respect for Overkill's first two releases, I feel the band the band they are today, began with "Under the Influence" (1988). Though my favorite Overkill guitarist Bobby Gustafson has been out of the band since 1990, I prefer the two guitar attack the band has incorporated since Gustafson's departure. Stability within the band has produced some really great releases over the last decade.
There really isn't a bad tune on this album, but there are at least seven that really stand out, and they are "Down to the Bone", "PIG", "Bitter Pill", "Where There's Smoke", "Freedom Rings", "Another Day to Die", & "It's All Yours". They all slay, but "Bitter Pill" and "Where There's Smoke" are easily my two favorites. Though this album falls in line with everything this current lineup has done since (2007's) "immortalis", I have to say my favorite albums in order would be:
1. Ironbound (2010)
2. The Electric Age (2012)
3. White Devil Armory (2014)
4. Immortalis (2007)
2. The Electric Age (2012)
3. White Devil Armory (2014)
4. Immortalis (2007)
4 1/4 stars out of 5
My Best Buy number: 0764930926
My Best Buy number: 0764930926
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
![Bad Magic [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4290/4290912_sa.jpg)
Posted by: HeavyMetal1984
Verified Purchase:Yes
What can you say about Lemmy Kilmister that hasn't been stated a thousand times over? Nothing! He lived his life to the fullest with very little regret. Even though he had his vices, Lemmy always stated with impunity, these were his choices and that he wasn't a poster boy for such indulgences. The man and Motörhead were rock 'n' roll legends! Yes, that's what he considered Motörhead to be, a rock 'n' roll band. It doesn't matter that I thought Motörhead was a heavy metal band, based upon all those "metal" bands he influenced over the last four plus decades.
That brings us to the last penned album by this great man and great band. "Bad Magic" follows in line with previous Motörhead efforts. Like AC/DC, Motörhead never strayed too far from the blue print which has made them a force in whatever genre you want to throw them in. What is obvious from the get go, is the weakening of Lemmy's voice on this latest effort. I can only imagine how hard this must have been for Lemmy going into the recording of "Bad Magic". He had looked fairly gaunt over the last eighteen months of his life and it's noticeable in his vocal range. Having said that, being sick or not, this was also a 70 year old man! I think he still sounds pretty darn good!
Like always, Phil Campbell and Mickey Dee brought it on this offering. I've always been amazed at how loud they've sounded as a three piece band. The pacing on this album and track order works for me, which isn't always the case on many albums. Like most Motörhead efforts in the past, the band will throw you a curve ball somewhere, and this is evident with track nine, "Till the End". It's a more somber sounding tune, which talks about Lemmy's time coming to an end. I'm sure this had to be a cathartic process for a man, who knew he wasn't well. My favorite song on the album is "Choking On Your Screams", which Lemmy sounds the best on, followed by "Fire Storm Hotel" and "When the Sky Comes Looking For You". The album wraps up with a cover of The Rolling Stones "Sympathy For the Devil", which in my opinion doesn't work here, but whatever.
Considering the weakened condition of Lemmy, I think "Bad Magic" holds its own. The album is Motörhead's twenty second, so it's tough to say where it ranks in their discography. It will probably take me a few hundred listens before one can truly place it in any such order. Having said that, it's definitely purchase worthy, as it's a worthy successor to "Aftershock" (2013).
My Best Buy number: 0764930926
My Best Buy number: 0764930926
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
![High Country [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4221/4221503_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
This one will probably be a grower over time
on May 20, 2016
Posted by: HeavyMetal1984
Verified Purchase:Yes
The Sword are a perfect example of a band that won't be painted into a corner or pigeonholed. The Sword have gone from a doom/stoner metal sound on "Age of Winters" (2006) and "Gods of the Earth" (2008) to a more streamlined/stripped back hard rock sound. With 'High Country" (2015) expect the unexpected, as the band channels in the likes of 70's venerable rockers like that of Thin Lizzy, ZZ Top and Foghat. These changes could be heard as early as the "Warp Riders" (2010) album and probably were a big part of their last effort on "Apocryphon", which I don't have and admittedly haven't listened to. I will rectify that soon, since I love the musical journey this band has taken the listener on.
"High Country" is an album that contains 15 tracks. That's normally a little long for my tastes, but since it clocks in barely over 50 minutes, it doesn't feel laborious to get through. In other words, it's not "Book of Souls". The ebb and flow of this album seems to keep my attention, as I'm finding out that I like the musical unpredictability of bands. What I didn't allow for in my 20's, I sort of yearn for in my 40's. The nice thing about this album, I don't find myself skipping any tracks, even though I find two of the instrumentals in that of "Unicorn Farm" and "Silver Petals" to be beyond odd.
The track that seems to be drawing the most interest is "Early Snow", and that has more to do with a horn section that pops up near the end. Being a fan of both early "Chicago" along with "Earth, Wind & Fire", I laugh at the ire it's drawn in some closed minded circles. I'm not saying the song is one of the better tunes, but it's not as bad as some make it out to be. Though I stated earlier that I don't have a problem making my way through this album, I tend to enjoy the latter half of the album, starting with the great instrumental "Suffer No Fools". My favorite track is "The Dreamthieves", followed by "Ghost Eye". "Turned to "Dust" is a track that gets better and better with each listen. It has an abrupt ending akin to Sabbath's "Hole In the Sky", which makes me wonder if it was one of the last songs to make it on the album, as it sounds incomplete.
It's too early to say where this might rank among The Sword's discography, but I'm liking it more with each listen. My favorite albums these days are those which "don't" blow me away initially. They are the albums that I think about dismissing, only to realize their true greatness. This album just needs a listener with an open mind.
4 1/4 - 4 1/2 stars...
My Best Buy number: 0764930926
My Best Buy number: 0764930926
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
![Repentless [CD/DVD] [CD & DVD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4218/4218008_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Minus Hannemann and Lombardo, but...
on April 27, 2016
Posted by: HeavyMetal1984
Verified Purchase:Yes
There have been plenty of detractors regarding Slayer's latest effort and I was prepared to be one of them. This is their first recording since the death of Jeff Hanneman (2013) and the firing of Dave Lombardo (2013), who in my eyes were the most important members in the band. In all honesty, I've never been much of a Kerry King fan, especially over the last few years, since he has turned into quite the dictator. I also preferred Jeff's musicianship and writing ability. Compound Jeff's passing with Lombardo being let go, because he questioned the economic distribution among band members and you have what should have been a total dumpster fire of an album.
Maybe it's because I set the bar severely low, but I've actually really enjoyed this album. I suppose if you were looking for the next "Show No Mercy" (1983) or "Reign In Blood" (1986), you will be very disappointed. I on the other hand enjoy the bombastic, over the top precipitant guitar playing with the beyond heavy sound that Slayer has been noted for on albums like that which is "South of Heaven" (1988) and especially that of "Seasons In the Abyss" (1990). I think if you enjoy the two aforementioned records, then you will find this album to your liking. The biggest disappointment, is Kerry not allowing Gary Holt to join in on the writing process for this album. I'm guessing the dictator in that of Kerry would like to keep the royalties all for himself, so this isn't really that surprising. If Gary remains as Slayer's permanent replacement for Jeff, I would hope that Kerry brings Gary in on the next record, as he is one of the most underrated guitar players out there.
This album is still pretty fresh to my ears, so it's hard to pick favorites at this time, but songs such as "Vices", "Cast the First Stone", "Chasing Death" and "Pride In Prejudice" are ones that I really have been enjoying. The only two songs that I sort of don't care for are "Implode" and "Atrocity Vendor". I don't think they're bad songs, but they don't have the staying power compared to the other tracks.
What I like about new releases these days, are the amount of deluxe editions. I don't find myself watching DVD's as much, so I would have preferred a live C.D to that of the DVD. Having said that, it's an extra bonus nonetheless. The great thing about this this live show, it's from Wacken AND the setlist is awesome as it covers a great deal of Slayer's catalog from the 80's through that of "Seasons In the Abyss", along with a couple of tracks from "God Hates Us All" and "World Painted Blood".
Where does this effort rank among Slayer albums? I don't know, as it is way too early to make such a judgment. Having said that, I think it is a record, with repeated listens that will surprise many. I would be remiss, if I didn't leave the reader with this....SLAYER!!!!
My Best Buy number: 0764930926
My Best Buy number: 0764930926
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
![Queensrÿche [2013] [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/9199/9199321_sa.jpg)
Posted by: HeavyMetal1984
Verified Purchase:Yes
Depending on who you are in the metal world, there are those who have dissenting opinions on when this band actually started to suck. There are those who think that "Operation Mindcrime" is the most overrated album of the 80's. Then you have those fans who were "Silent Lucidity(ied) to death in 1991 and were lukewarm to "Empire" and its obvious attempt to reach a larger audience. You also have the hit or miss of "Promised Land" (1994) or you have those who are huge Chris DeGarmo fans that say the band died after his departure post "Hear in the Now Frontier" (1997). Whatever your thoughts are regarding Queensrÿche, I think one can say that their self titled album from 2013, is the best album in their catalog in a very very long time.
I had for all intents and purposes given up on this band by the late 90's. Having said that, I would always give their new albums a listen with each new release. To say that each new release was a huge disappointment, would be an understatement! I understand musical growth and how bands don't want to be pigeonholed, but Queensrÿche was a band that was a classic example of a musical direction gone terrifyingly wrong.
Enter Todd La Torre (2012) formerly of Crimson Glory, after a very acrimonious split with Geoff Tate. Just like the band's musical direction, there will be dissenting opinions regarding the firing of Geoff Tate. I'm in the Todd La Torre camp, who I knew nothing about prior to his hiring and that is for two reasons. First, the band was a shell of its former self and second, I think Tate is a narcissist. Enough of that though...
Though this album isn't on par with the E.P, "The Warning", "Rage For Order" or "Operation Mindcrime", I think one could say it ranks up along that of "Empire". La Torre, like Mark Tornillo of Accept has something within his vocal repertoire, which reminds you of the former lead singer or in this instance Geoff Tate. Some people call this being an impersonator, but I simply define it as someone who is talented. Let's face it, Geoff has lost some range, whereas Todd hasn't.
I think the whole album is strong for the most part. My favorite tunes are "Fallout", "In This Light" and "Don't Look Back". As good as this album is, it's a precursor to the greatness which is "Condition Human".
My Best Buy number: 0764930926
My Best Buy number: 0764930926
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
![Blind Rage [CD/DVD] [CD & DVD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7818/7818092_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Another Day, Another Deluxe Edition
on April 10, 2016
Posted by: HeavyMetal1984
Verified Purchase:Yes
Who would have ever thought that Accept would be one of the best metal bands over the last five years? Exit Udo Dirkschneider after a brief reunion in 2005 and enter Mark Tornillo after four years of inactivity. For those of you who don't know Mark, he played with T.T Quick, who were one of the first that signed with Jon Zazula's Megaforce records in 1983 (I.E Metallica, Anthrax, Raven and OverKill).
"Blind Rage" (2014) is the third album, in what has been a wonderful trilogy of Accept albums with Mark Tornillo. Though I prefer both "Blood of the Nations" (2010) and "Stalingrad" (2012), "Blind Rage" holds its own, with its nice blend of break neck speed rockers like "Stampede", "Trail of Tears", "200 Years" and "Final Journey". Then you have that classic power metal sludgy/ballad type of tune like "Dark Side of My Heart", "Trail of Tears", "Wanna Be Free" and "From the Ashes We Rise". Though I do not mind the latter, I prefer the faster Accept songs and that is why "Blood of the Nations" and "Stalingrad" rank slightly higher in my opinion.
In all honesty, it took me almost two years to purchase this album after its initial release. In one of the heavy metal sites that I blog on, there was a bit of a lukewarm or tepid response to "Blind Rage". Though I understand why many feel that this album isn't as good as the first two with Tornillo, this album still has that classic Wolf Hoffmann and Peter Baltes feel to it. When you put it on, you know who and what you're listening to.
The second half of this Deluxe Edition is a DVD concert from Chile in 2013. My first impressions of the show are this; great South American crowd with a ton of energy, really nice stage presence from the band members, good camera angles, BUT the production is way too clean. I felt the whole time as if I was listening to a studio recording. Be prepared for plenty of studio overdubs on this one. Here again, it doesn't mean that this live recording is not enjoyable, it just means it doesn't have that feel of a live record at all. I would have rather had a live C.D than that of a live DVD. Having said all that, this was still a great purchase!
4 1/2 stars out of 5
My Best Buy number: 0764930926
My Best Buy number: 0764930926
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
HeavyMetal1984's Review Comments
HeavyMetal1984 has not submitted comments on any reviews.
HeavyMetal1984's Questions
HeavyMetal1984 has not submitted any questions.
HeavyMetal1984's Answers
HeavyMetal1984 has not submitted any answers.