Πέμπτη 23 Φεβρουαρίου 2012

VEKTOR-OUTER ISOLATION (2011)



They exist since 2004,they have toured with TESTAMENT and HIRAX(fuck yeah!!!!!).They've released their debut in 2009 and this is their second nuclear bomb.
These guys pledge their legiance to fuckin' thrash metal without being retro at all.They love the spaced out melodies of VOIVOD and they also had their prog metal lessons but they managed to restrain it.They are not interested in showing how great their technique is by breaking our balls but they use it in order to increase the madness and the aggression of their sound.They don't give a fuck about trends(the opening track "Cosmic Cortex" lasts for 10 minutes) and the voice of the man is fantastic.This guy sounds like he has nails in his throat and he spits out the words like there's no tomorrow.
Since you have allready understood that this record totaly fucked my head,i have to add that there is another element that is missing from today's bands and VEKTOR have.FUCKING SOUL!!!
If you have no soul you cannot play this kind of music!!!!

THE BOOK OF KNOTS-GARDEN OF FAINTING STARS (2O11



We're back to the future!!!THE BOOK OF KNOTS!!!Now this band is a trip!They made my mind wonder something that it was more than needed in these fucked up times.They begun their journey in 2003.They released two records "Book of Knots"(2004),"Traineater(2007,it was released from TOM WAITS'S label ANTI- with the contribution of TOM WAITS) and "Garden of fainting stars" is their third work released by MICE PATTON'S IPECAC records with MIKE PATTON and BLIXA BARGELD(EINSTURZENDE NEUBAUTEN,NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS) being part of the crime.
If you haven't understand from the names you've just red,what we have here is an Avant garde beast,melodic when it has to,quite tripy and creepy and to tell you the truth it reminded of experiments like ULVER's "Blood Inside" and "Perdition City" by the mood it carries.A trully magnificent little monster!!!
For all the lovers of strange sounds, you should try it.

TRUTH & JANEY-NO REST FOR THE WICKED (1976)




This hard rocking trio was formed in Iowa in 1969 and in 1972 the released their first 7" including the song "Midnight Horseman" and a cover of the classic "Under my thumb" by ROLLING STONES.After two more releases from their self created label in 1976 they recorded and released "No rest for the wicked".It's a record that should make this band huge in the rock n' roll universe but unfotunately they didn't make it.
It's an 8 track 70's dinamite with quite heavy riffing,bluesy atmosphere and leads that could be easily called metal(at it's beginning).The best moments of this monument are the opening track "Down the road",the MUDDY WATERS cover  "I'm ready" , the 9 min."Remember A C" and the doom rock anthem "My mind".
It was re-released in 2001 by a small U.S. label named MONSTER RECORDS including all the previous songs they've recorded as bonus tracks.Oh!!And the cover kicks ass!!!

Κυριακή 19 Φεβρουαρίου 2012

BLOODROCK-U.S.A. (1971)



Originaly created in Texas in 1963 by the name THE NATURALS they changed their name in BLOODROCK and recorded 6 albums until they broke up in 1975.
The album "U.S.A." was their fourth album released in 1971 by CAPITOL RECORDS and i'll tell you this motherfucker rocks!It holds all the elements of the best '70's rock giants,the keyboards of DEEP PURPLE,the flute of JETHRO TULL and a rock n' roll fury in general combined with magic mushrooms in songs like "Magic Man".It uses the aura of mystic THE DOORS used to have in songs like "It's a Sad World" and it burns high octane fuel in the anthem "Crazy 'bout you babe".
In 1975 they recorded the album "UNSPOKEN WORDS" and they quit before it's release.The album saw the light in 2000 when it was released as part of their record "TRYPTICH".
BLOODROCK is one of those bands that when you become familiar with them you get addicted with the quality of their music.Big bad band!!!

HEIR APPARENT-GRACEFUL INHERITANCE (1983)



Formed in '83 they released their first record" GRACEFUL INHERITANCE" from the french label BLACK DRAGON and in 1989 their second and last album "ONE SMALL VOICE".Their debut is a perfect example of first class heavy metal of the '80's with an artistic touch.You won't hear the wrath of OMEN or VENOM or the bass based riffing of IRON MAIDEN but songs that carry the '80's heritage combined with fantastic melodies and unforgetable choruses and guitar solos.
Songs like "Running from the Thunder","Tear down the Walls","Hands of Destiny and "Keeper of the Reign" are a must for those who like melodic heavy metal sounds on the edge of progressive.Now if you're more of a prog fan you should check their second album since they changed their sound into more prog metal stuff.

Σάββατο 18 Φεβρουαρίου 2012

PHANTOM'S DIVINE COMEDY Pt.1 (1974)




Now this motherfucker is the definition of a rarity.I found it on vinyl and i couldn't believe my eyes!Then i understood it was re-released (ha ha ha!!!).Those guys appeared in 1974 just a little bit after Jim Morrison's death and  their problem was that they sound the same with THE DOORS.Because of the fact that the rumors of Morrison being alive and that his death was a lie at that time made this record something like a myth instantly because the voice of the singer named The Phantom was exaxtly the same with the dead rock star.All these facts led ELECTRA RECORDS to make this band take back their release and so PHANTOM'S DIVINE COMEDY got lost in oblivion and of course we never heard the Pt 2..
Now like i told you before the sound is based on how THE DOORS used to build their music so you will hear a poetic voice,loud farfisa sound and of course garage guitars,but if you ask my opinion this record is better than any other record THE DOORS recorded after Morrison's death so i see it as a tribute to them by  a band who loved them and if you think there are no differences at all...well there are.You can easily put them among the occult rock pioneers since they seem to have a large interest on witchcraft issues and a very eerie feeling at some of their songs.So.... is everybody in?

HEAD MACHINE-ORGASM (1970)




HEAD MACHINE was the music vehicle that Ken Hensley begun his carrer in the world of music before he becomes on of the members of URIAH HEEP at their first and best period.After changing their name form THE GODS to HEAD MACHINE they recorded their one and only album Orgasm in 1970.Their sound is mainly 70's rock that flirts with progressive and Kraut rock,but not becoming annoying to ears that are not used in such sounds.The giutars are quite heavy following the sound of this era but there are a lot of melodies that will remind you of URIAH HEEP.
It combines strong riffs and chillin moments and the voice of the man is fantastic.7 songs of 70's magic with "orgasm" and "climax-you tried to take it all", being the best, will give 36 minutes of rocking pleasure.It's the perfect companion when you're stoned!
Cheers!

Πέμπτη 16 Φεβρουαρίου 2012

SCREAMING LORD SUTCH-ROCK & HORROR



Ladies and Gentlemen..Screaming Looord Sutch!!!!
This guy was trully fantastic.He was a rock n' roll persona of the english 60's and 70's.Inspired all the way by SCREAMING JAY HAWKINS he had combined rock  n' roll music with an outrageous horror show!He used to come out of a coffin on the beggining of his shows and on stage he had a large group of witches,zombies,mummies and all the cast of the supernatural creatures you can imagine.
I'm not sure if this guy had ever recorded a whole album because the only thing you can find from him is collections of singles like ROCK & HORROR.His music is high energy 60's rock n'roll and also the perfect soundtrack for a Halloween party.Here's some song titles so that you can understand what i'm talking about:"Murder in the graveyard,"Jack the Ripper",'All black n'Hairy","Monster Rock" and i thing that you got it.
Nowadays it's not very strange listening to staff like that since horror punk and psychobilly cover these kind of issues but for a musician of the 60's it was kind of weird.It is also said that ALICE COOPER totally robbed SCREAMING LORD SUTCH'S ideas of a stage show.
And last but not least this guy had made a political party and he wanted to be the mayor of London using a hearse for his political fight.
CHECK HIM OUT!

ZIGGY WAS-UNICORN PAN (1997)



They started their way in Greek rock reality in 1992,formed in Thessaloniki and they released three lp's (HERE in 1994 ,THREE TURNS TO ONE in 1996 and UNICORN PAN in 1997).UNICORN PAN that was released from Virgin was meant to be their last album.
Covered by a fantastic artwork this album contains extremely good music,the band using funk rythms,punk attitude and a voice which will remind you of SMASHING PUMPKINS Billy Corgan they create a molotov coctail preparing you for a funky moshpit madness.I just love records that you can dance with'em.
I'm quite sure that are not to many people who know them nowadays but maybe if some of us try a little bit more who knows...we may be lucky enough and ZIGGY WAS reunite!!!
It's a wish!!!

RED DIRT-RED DIRT (1970)


RED DIRT-RED DIRT (1970)
Another rock diamond lost and forgotten in time.RED DIRT were a quartet that came together at the end of the sixties in the UK and in 1970 they released their first and last record.They have a heavy blues rock sound and if this thing had been recorded nowadays i think that most people would probably call it stoner!
"Death letter","Problems","Letter for Pauline"(a southern blues masterpiece) and "Gimme a Shot" are songs that carry  a rock n' roll heritage on their backs and there were created at the right time,the fuckin' 70's.
If you like bands like STEPPENWOLF,CCR,BLUE CHEER or even CLUTCH("Death letter" reminds me of" Who wants to rock",especially the vocals),SIXTY WATT SHAMAN(if you leave the screaming parts out) and FIVE HORSE JOHNSON of "No.6 DANCE" i thing that you gonna love these ghosts from the 70's.
BROTHERS AND SISTERS,GROOVE ON!!!!!

IN COLD BLOOD-HELL ON EARTH (1997)




They were created in Ohio and this is the only album they ever released in 1997 from victory records.If you are familiar with this label i think that you don't expect these guys playing epic,power metal although this record is quite epic in it's own way.
IN COLD BLOOD were somewhere in the middle of extreme hardcore and metal before this combination becomes the new hype.In this record you won't find swedish melodies or anything like that.This one combines the breathtaking evilness of SLAYER,the melodies that you would listen from bands like METALLICA in the good old days and of course the wrath of hardcore refering to bands like INTEGRITY,SICK OF IT ALL etc.
By the moment that you push the play button you will be the victim of a nuclear holocaust.Guitars that will rip up your mind and a voice that carries a lot of balls will be constantly terryfing you for the 22 minutes this record lasts.
What made IN COLD BLOOD special was the fact that there were not metallheads trying to play hardcore,there were hardcore freaks that they had their respect for the oldschool heavy metal sound.These are the reasons that made this record one of my favourites!!!

Τετάρτη 15 Φεβρουαρίου 2012

GASC OIGNE-EPIDEMIC (2008)



Here's one for the vinyl freaks!!!
Are there any people out there who still listen to records?People who really own and use a turntable?Unfortunatelly not as much as the internet freaks i suppose.
But anyway here's a 7'' for all you oldschool motherfuckers from GASK OIGNE from the Netherlands.
The name of the record "EPIDEMIC" a punk rock hurricane of 5 songs made to give infinite pleasure to all the pogo lovers of this world.
It's not that their songs are extremelly fast or anything it's the way they express and they way that play their music which makes this one fantastic and totaly full of energy.The vocals are not brutal but still they manage to express the anger inside the man and the sound is great.
Released by four different labels:

CRASHLANDING
www.crashlandingrecords.com

DISILLUSIONED
www.disillusionedrecords.com

MINSTREL
www.minstrel.nl

and the Greek
WORLD'S APPRECIATED KITSCH
www.wakhc.blogspot.com

i'm sure that it won't be a problem to find it if you're interested.

Τρίτη 14 Φεβρουαρίου 2012

MINDFUNK-DROPPED


MINDFUNK-DROPPED (1993)
This blog was not only created in order to show bands that make music in present tense but we are also interested in bands tha they used to exist but never had the success that they should.
Unknown records that kick ass but they never got the attention that they diserve.Well one of these cases are MINDFUNK (originaly named MINDFUCK).An american band that was created in 1991 with ex members of SOUNGARDEN and UNIFORM CHOICE(check them out).
Dropped is their second album that was released in 1993 by Megaforce Records and it's a must for those who find ALICE IN CHAINS,SOUNGARDEN and the hard rock sound of the '90's intersting(there's no such thing as grunge!!!!).It's a mix of heavy guitars,loud drums and a fantastic clean voice that rocks.
They recorded another album in '95 "People that fell from the sky" and that was the last thing we heard from them.
The opening track of the album "Goddess" is one of the best songs i've ever heard!There is the official video on the youtube if you want to ckeck it out!!

UPTIGHT BASTARD



They come from Athens Greece in 2008,they're four,pissed off and extremelly dangerous.
During 2009 they recorded the real pain in a 7 track demo cd,and the issues that they are interested in  are the filth and the blackness that surround us and especially those who live in the metropolis.
Their sound is a mixture of hardcore punk and heavy metal following the steps of bands like MOTORHEAD,VENOM,DISCHARGE and TANK.There are no guitar solos in this one.Oh no!Only hardcore beating,dirt and speed and a voice which will remind you of Cronos adding more "fun" to the whole thing.
Last but not least,the cover of their cd picturing  Mel Gibson from Mad Max.Man these guys rock!!!
Contact:
uptightbastard@yahoo.gr

BLACKLISTED

BLACKLISTED (2011)

Blacklisted come from Athens Greece and they sound really nice.
 They recorded this five track demo in May 2011 loyal to the D.I.Y.spirit against to what the music bussiness
"has to offer".
 Three songs in english and two songs in greek.,songs that they don't add something new to the world of punk rock in general but they sound very fresh in their simplicity.
 The horns that they use is surelly a huge plus to their sound (miles away from ska punk stupidity) giving some extra flavour.Their greek side reminds me of ΧΑΣΜΑ especially the last song of the E.P. "αντεχεις?".
 Don't forget to mention the fantastic artworck which is a folded poster baring the phrase"REVOLUTION COMES FROM THE UNDERGROUND" given in a piece of black or red cloth.
 As far as i know there is alimited amount of copies so you can contact the band:

     contactblacklistedpunk.org
or download it
     www.blacklistedpunk.org
(but i think you should contact...)