HAWKWIND: Out And Intake CD£14.99
Last few copies of this album on the American Griffin label, and it's one of the most mixed bag studio albums of the band's career to date, as a no less than 8-piece line-up delivers a wide range of tracks, starting with chugging drums and percussion above which Nik Turner's sax work roars, drones, squeals and soars. Then it's a song from guitarist Lloyd-Langton that's what you'd call a "slow chugger" with lead work predominantly from organ and space synths, the guitars riffing away mainly at the bottom of the mix. What follows is a seriously eclectic bunch of tracks, ranging from the familiar space-rock strains of tracks such as 'Ejection' and 'Assassins Of Allah', via the relatively wild instrumental 'Flight To Maputo' with Turner's honking sax leading the way over Amon Duuul-esque drums and spiraling space synths, to the out and out space-rock attack of many of the other tracks. Overall, it's a bit patchy but nothing that would put you off its heady charms.
HAWKWIND: Live Chronicles DBLCD£11.99
In addition to the main event here that is the remastered live '85 CD, you also get a 66 minute bonus CD that represents the only way you can currently hear tracks from the, now-deleted, Castle label albums. As a result, you effectively get a free bonus disc of great and clear-sounding tracks from albums such as 'Approved History", 'Live '79', 'Levitation', 'Xenon Codex', It's The Business Of the Future…, Space Bandits & Palace Springs. Featuring tracks such as 'Magnu',, 'Q, S & C', 'Spirit Of The Age' and more, this is a fantastic bonus disc. As to the main disc, across a 76 minute running time, you get a rip-roaring run-through of tracks from the 'Chronicle Of The Black Sword' album, alongside a whole sea of familiar compositions such as 'Magnu', 'Master Of The Universe' and many more. The band plays an absolute belter of a set that easily outstrips many of the subsequent live albums and I have to say that, as live CD's go by this band, this one has to be in the top three, with fantastic playing, quality of sound and sheer unbridled energy.
A superb live album and , in context, an equally essential double CD
HAWKWIND: Space Ritual Sundown Box Set£16.99
Now this is where you have to be sneaky or know someone who wants what you have - let me explain…..
This is the fold-out digipak edition of the remastered 'Space Ritual 2' album that came out last year on the Cleopatra label and became retitled to the one listed here. Now what the label have done is to add to that an exclusive colour poster of the '73-era band on stage and then package the whole thing in an exclusive limited edition solid CD-sized box - yeh, a box. The box is black and on the front is the 'Doremi" silver cover with the shield, group name and album title all in silver against a black background, with silver writing and design on the back. So, what you need to do is find someone who wants to buy your old copy off you so that you can then upgrade to this really neat looking (and I say that coz it's true) box. But, I think, there are only a few hundred of these boxes done and then after that they'll call it a day, as it seems to be an exercise to clear stocks of the digipak thing more than anything - your choice (as ever).
MIRROR OF DECEPTION: Foregone CD£12.99
Technically, this could be construed as "stoner rock" but in actual fact it's got a whole lot more going for it than that term implies. It has all the instrumental hallmarks of stoner rock, but that said, it is also highly song-based, with great vocals that you can hear, both lead and multi-tracked, and the songs just fly into the airwaves with effortless ease of enjoyment, in many ways reminding me of a stoner rock answer to the late-lamented Mellanova. There's a real sense of yearning and angst within these songs, and their construction is absolutely spot on for the effect that they want to create. There's a real sense of depth, of space and human emotion that lies at the heart of all the compositions here, some faster than others, but all sounding just fantastic without a duff one among them. Throughout the album the sea of density that is the electric bass, electric guitars and drums, is unfailingly immense without ever feeling claustrophobic, as the storming layers of guitars rise above the awesome fuzz bass and perfectly produced drums, the vocals produced and arranged to perfection With the average length track around five minutes, if anything in the worlds of stoner rock could be said to ooze class and quality from every pore, this is the one. It's also highly addictive - once you've played it once, you'll want to hear it again - that's the sign of a great album and this is a great album.
PRE-MED: Invisible Spies CD£11.99
There's a track on here - track 4, called 'Invisible Spies' - that sounds like a cross between Bedouin, Spacehead & Eat Static - and it works just amazingly well, with a lead guitar solo that is electrifying, pounding bass, and those trance-ambient synths and drums driving and bubbling underneath, while the song itself is delivered in classic Mr Dibs style - a new makeover for a familiar face - welcome to a stunning new arrival in the world of space-rock.
The band line-up here is Danny Faulkner (of Starfield fame in particular, Bedouin too) on vocals, drums and keyboards, Hawkwind's Alan Davey on bass, keyboards, backing vocals and all arrangements/ mixing/production, Lewis Turner on rhythm and lead guitars plus guest appearances from Danny Thompson on drums and Steve Leigh on keyboards.
Track 6, 'Higher' is pure Hawkwind with one of those driving riffs and soaring multi-tracked vocals that is the band's trademark, the arrangement so solid and with so much happening in the mix as the drums, storming bass, wicked lead guitar work and wall-to-wall space synths, all combine to charge ever upwards as the song unfolds - and just one amazing track. Before that, the instrumental, Steve Leigh composed and featured, 'Man Eggs From Mars' positively flies ahead and steams with a searing lead guitar soloing over a sea of choral synths, muscular, driving rhythms, surrounding space-synths, wailing synth leads and a totally mind-melting four minutes that leads into the space-rock song to perfection. The near seven minute 'Inner Doors', with Danny Thompson on drums, is one of those more anthemic space-rock tracks that wouldn't, as a song, have sounded out of place on something like the Hawkwind 'Warriors….' Album, with the trademark soaring vocal right upfront, while the floor-shaking bass and driving drums power ahead, only here the synth presence is much more multi-layered with string synths on top, swooping space synths all around and those trancey like synth layers driving forward underneath the mix for the first half of the song. As they let go, so a lead guitar solo comes out of nowhere and lifts the song even higher than it was before, the whole thing sounding so expansive and highly charged, but the atmosphere remaining intact as a classic slice of heart-felt space-rock songwriting and vocalizing. 'What's Your Name' is an instrumental with voice samples, almost native-American sounding drum rhythms that roll along in solid fashion combined with space synths that come from another galaxy as the whole thing marches forward with atmosphere and crunch. The near seven minute, 'Once Upon A Line' departs the most as any track on the album from what you'd call a "traditional space-rock format' to deliver a slow to mid-paced, but still solid, song that starts in decidedly seventies mode, reminding me of something that I can't quite recall, as the rhythm section still thunders, and the combination of lead synths and guitar alternate and fly, in a way almost Hillage-like - yes, that's it, a sort of space-rock, chilled-out Hillage-esque anthem - of sorts - either way, it's one hell of a good song, and rare to hear something like this at this pace, done so well. Finally, Medication Time' at a shade over four minutes, ends the album with a driving, red-hot instrumental where all the musicians really power up and deliver a thunderous slice of epic space-rock, with gigantic bass, solid drums, endless space synths, dirty bass riffs and steaming lead guitar all supplying this huge wall of sound that is such a stunning way to finish. Oh yes, the album opens with a short space-rock instrumental of synths-dominated splendours to get you into the mood, before the first song, 'Up All Night', erupts into life with massive sounding guitar riff and immense sounding bass, as space synths soar, the drums charge in and the vocals, arrangements and whole sound, not to mention a storming electric guitar solo in there too, let you know exactly what musical world you are entering, as you smile, sit back and enjoy what turns out to be a most memorable ride. All in all, you can't say a bad word about this album - it's familiar yet fresh, solid and atmospheric, the subtleties and lack of fear to chuck a few new ideas in there, simply endearing itself to the listener even more. Highly charged and highly recommended.
RAMESSES: We Will Lead You To Glorious Times CD£12.99
]Consisting of four tracks over thirty minutes plus two video tracks, this is seriously good stuff. Heavy, slow, deliberate, on fire, massive sounding and completely dense, this is the sound of a band where rhe vocals are well and truly buried in a quagmire of searing guitars, jungle dense riffs, pummeling bass and crunching drums. This is like being caught up in the middle of a nuclear explosion as all around you this torrent of stoner rock is unleashed, the vocals so far back in the mix so as to be the next best thing to a surging, seething mass of instrumental stoned delights, as to be untrue. In parts it's almost doom metal as the slowly unstoppable mountain of riffing and furiously driving guitars and bass just take over completely, engaging the listener in a spell that's transfixing and addictive. Full-on, highly powered, supercharged and gloriously dense and intense, this is the real deal as thirty amazing minutes of no-holds barred doom/stoner rock takes over. An awesome experience that has to be heard to be believed yet is totally accessible, immensely enjoyable and one you'll play and play and play.
ROTOR: 2 CD£13.99
6 steaming slices of instrumental psychedelic/stoner rock and two songs all go together to make up an album that is just perfect for anyone into red hot electric guitar work in a sort of jamming style but on structured compositions that allow for maximum room to breathe and yet the trio to stay tight and focused. Throughout the album, melody is at the heart of things, as a sea of riffs, rhythms and storming guitar leads provide some seriously crunchy tracks that are heavy but not bombastic, psychedelic but purposeful and just plain meaty morsels, a great sense of dynamics giving the instrumentals an atmosphere and direction that is just superb to hear - if you like red hot electric psych guitar work, this one's for you.
ZONE SIX: Zone Six CD£14.99
Already well written about, I felt I had to investigate what all the fuss was about - on the sleeve it's described as "trip rock" and goes onto say that it "creates spacious psychedelic trips, including expansive guitar works, dreamy female voices and trippy sound effects". Well, base on the opening 7 minute track, that would be just about right as the whole thing wreaks of early-mid '70's Krautrock with a wall of sound, soaring female vocals all over the thing, mellotrons, space effects, crashing guitars, and slowly driving rhythms - I just know it reminds me of a couple of bands in particular but for the life of me, I can't think who. The interestingthing here is that the female vocals, are pretty prevalent throughout the album but in a way that they fit in like some extra musical instrument rather than being just yer typical vocals, almost a bit like a female slow-motion Damo Suzuki - you get what I mean now. When the guitars come to the fore to solo and burn, they are generally with a more bluesy, structured, slowly driving framework rather than the oft-anticpated burning firepower, firmly psychedelic but decidedly bluesy and searingly hot, in a track like 'Empty Faces' almost echoing bluesy Jimmy Page. The 9 minute 'Three Elements' has the female vocal all over most of its swirling, psychedelic space settings with chiming guitars, space synth, slow and delicate rhythms and this heavenly voice all producing music that you'd swear had come right out of the early '70's Krautrock phenomenon. Across tracks long and short, this scenario continues, the band occasionally setting on stun but never going in for the kill - it's the atmospheres that they are creating that are the reason for their existence, so it's psychedelic, it moves, it's got guitars and space effects, movement and rhythm, atmosphere and emotion, and a female vocalist spread all over it - a unique way of doing things these days but a breath of fresh air in many ways when done this well.
ROCK/METAL/AOR:
A DAY AT THE FAIR: The Rocking Chair Years CD£12.99
The likes of Blink 182 & Sum 41 are the new "feel-good" music of today - and tomorrow, come to that - here then is the new and best addition to that roster - a band whose songs reflect all that life throws at you - good and bad - where relationships rise and fall, emotions go from adrenaline-rush to mental minefield - a place where elation and angst are old friends - and all joined by some of the most fantastic modern pop-punk songs on the planet. Anthemic to a tee, heartfelt to a tear and more muscular than a WWE wrestler, this is a predominantly driving set of songs that simply light up your life in every way. The production is expansive, the guitars chime and soar to perfection, while the crisp and clear rhythms can go from languid and crunchy to all-out heat in the blink of a song title. The solo and multi-tracked vocals are just a joy to hear, while the choruses, the endless sea of guitars and good-time songs, all go to provide the soundtrack to a life that's there to be lived - u only have one life, so go for it - u only need one album for that life - and this is it!! American pop-punk never sounded so good!!!
DISRUPTION: Face The Wall CD£
Swedish death metallers but before you turn off, let me say that this band is one of the most commercial sounding band in that vein I've yet to hear. Sure, they rock with a vengeance, exuding explosive riffs from every pore, rhythms thundering out with the hammer down and the lead guitar work from the two guitarists, proving to be the icing on the cake as the dueling becomes positively jaw-dropping. The vocals are hollered out but, and here's the thing, you can hear every word, which makes this so much more enjoyable. The mix in general is spot on so that nothing drowns out anything else, meaning you get the full effect of the guitars and riffs without sacrificing anything of the vocals. Song-wise they power up and never look back, riding the album on tidal waves of metal mayhem and every song having enough ideas to keep you hooked, a rare thing for this style of music to someone like me who's never full appreciated it. The acceptable face of the genre and a red-hot rocking album.
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND: Streetcar CD Single£3.99
Built on one of those solid, chunky chiming guitar riffs on one side of the screen, while a swirling, soaring, lead guitar weaves wondrous webs on the other, the song erupts into life with a passion as the rhythm engine powers up and drives it all to heaven. The song itself, lyrically full of the melancholic angst that makes great anthems such as this, is an absolute winner - superbly sung and counter-sung by a lead vocalist full of heartfelt passion, a guy who can just cruise through the maelstrom with the grace of a swan on a stormy sea. The whole thing is immense and yet so passionate - it's anthemic rock of a new breed - AOR for teenagers - TOR is born - get it - like, now - what are you waiting for!!
LARUSO: Bring It On CD£
Exactly!! Bring it on!!!! This is awesome - for a debut album, it rocks with a confidence, maturity and excellence that few can match. You only have to hear a track like 'Same' fuelled by muscular guitar riffs, propelled by pounding bass and choppy drums, and topped with multi-tracked vocals that rise up majestically as the band powers on all cylinders, to provide this towering metal anthem that is just jaw-dropping. Then, when the next track, 'Apart', does the same but with even more use of intensity and dynamics, you just know you're in the presence of a band that are surely going to be massive - just imagine this track live in concert and you'll already be leaping around the room with manic energy. But the album isn't just about instrumental power - although that's the vital component - it's about song-writing that really hits home mixed with arranging that delivers those songs wrapped up in enough electric energy to power a small village. But it's the sheer sense of passion, the anthemic nature to most of the songs, the way they rise, fall, build, ignite and explode - all this and more that combine to make this one of the most pleasurable experiences in emo-rock today. Song after magical song simply erupt from the speakers as the band create this huge wall of guitars, bass and drums - just listen to 'Nothing Left' for the proof of how this works so well - and it's just one powerhouse after another but crafted, purposeful and on-fire, yet not without a sense of dynamics that makes the peaks rise even higher, as the band delivers a pretty well faultless debut album that is simply awesome.
NECROCEST: Dead Pretty CD£
Uncompromising!! Brutal death metal that is delivered in that trademark, low-down, growling, animal voice that is the defining qualities of most of these bands. Full of driving, searing, full-on riffs and rhythms in the middle, while rifle-fire rhythms are set on kill at one end , with more dynamic performances at the other, so that track 4's full-on roar is matched by the chiming guitars that open the next track, but after a minute, back comes the vocalist, the rhythms achieve light speed and those low-down grunting vocals, while fitting like as glove, do get on your wick after a while if you're not an out and out fan of the style.
ODD MAN OUT: It All Ends Here CD£
Debut album and it's a highly charged affair that we hahve before us. The vocals are right upfront so that you can clearly hear every word, while, instrumentally, the production is crisp and clear, even on all the occasions that the band launch into action and power up with a vengeance. As a mix of songs based, vocally, around the idea of sung and shouted vocal, often at the same time, it is a seriously hot album. Despite the facts that there are a lot of bands around right now in this "nu-metal" area, this group has something slightly different to offer, with some thought-provoking lyrics, while at the same time really driving ahead and delivering the goods with a rage and passion that is truly awe-inspiring. The music provides a great deal of variation with twists and turns from the rhythm section one minute, followed by all out warfare, the next, while on top the two guitarists whip up a storm and, especially so on other tracks, create a melting pot that mixes riffs, dynamics, steaming lead breaks. There is a breath of fresh air about this band - they are not another in the line of post-FFAF wannabe's - and their brand of lyrical and urgent indie-metal is what separates them from the rest. Hot stuff.
THIS ILLUSION: Not Just Listening CD Single
Three tracks and nine minutes of driving, urgent nu-metal that rages and rolls with a sea of riffing guitars at its heart as the vocals are spat out and sung to perfection, the rhythm section thundering along as the guitars ignite and the whole lead track takes off with the force, intensity and sheer unbridled power of a Saturn V - and this is just the first track! 'Jump Rope' follows a similar course, its mix of emo,/hardcore/ nu-metal being the factors around which this red-hot and on-fire musical mayhem actually work a treat as another powerful slice of action ensues. In complete contrast, the lat track is acoustic and yet it works atreat, the vocalist really sounding even more anthemic in this context while the acoustic guitars and bass shine brightly on a truly heart-felt track that is to die for, and as perfect as the electric storm that preceded it. This is definitely one red-hot talent that not only deserves to be watched, but supported and given that chance to break through - a seriously incendiary single.
