metallica

New Music Monday Blog Hard Rock And Metal Dream Line Up

In this Monday music blog, we are going to talk about my fantasy line up for a Hard Rock and Metal band.  Some of these artists might or might not be part of a metal or hard rock group.  It is kind of marriage of music.  They can be alive or dead.  With the growth of these “Super Groups” this could be a fun topic and I am looking at these artists to be together pass their prime of their career.  Let us get into the line up.

Drummer

I have three drummers in mind just in case if you can not get one.

  1. Jason  Bonham (Led Zeppelin) – I believe his hard and soft hitting would bend in to the thought pattern of this band.
  2. Neil Peart (Rush) – Just like Jason Bonham, Neil does the same thing in Rush and could be a better drummer.  It has been a debate for years with friends.
  3. Robb Reiner (Anvil) – Robb is a really good drummer.  He can keep up with Jason and Neil but the problem he plays too hard at times.  I was going to throw Keith Moon (The Who) but he has the same problem.  I love Robb’s drumming in Anvil and he brings the item of thrash metal and speed that Jason and Neil do not.

Bassist

I have three bassists in mind that could support the drummer and build a solid backbone to this fantasy band.

  1. Joey Gittleman (The Mighty Mighty Bosstones) – Joey coming from Ska band with some punk background would give an item that might work or not work in this fantasy band.  This band needs a bassist that will dance but sit in the pocket and Joey is one of the best in the Ska Scene.
  2. Cliff Burton (Metallica) – I believe we did not get to see the true Cliff Burton because he died too soon.  The short body of work shown me enough to put Cliff at the top of the list  Cliff could sit in the pocket with the drummer but go off and dance around any guitar player.
  3. Pete Way (UFO) – Pete’s style could help seal up the drums to the guitar players while still run around like Cliff did in Metallica.  The problem I would have Pete is lack of pushing the limits.

Keyboard

This player needs to be special and another support item to this band. I have three idea players. There are some rich players that play this instrument.

  1. Paul Raymond (UFO) – He will be a great fit. He is use to play with a great guitar player and bassist. Plus, he will play guitar when it make sense in the song over the keyboard and the other way around. Let us face it, not all songs needs two guitar players or keyboards in it.
  2. Tuomas Holopainen (Nightwish) – He plays both the support as back up and yet can go to the lead over the guitar or bass. He is not a very good singer even though he did sing on the first two records of Nightwish. He could help with the song writing and lyrics.
  3. Billy Joel – I know what you are thinking when I am suggesting Billy Joel. He is a talented player on the piano. The only problem is playing more of a keyboard and not be the lead singer. He can sing a few songs but could be a great back up singer for the lead. Just like (Nightwish), he can help with the sing writing.

Rhythm Guitar Player

This band might not be need two guitar players but if we are going to fill it.  Here is the idea three players.

  1. Paul Raymond (UFO) – see above.
  2. John Sykes (Whitesnakes, Blue Murder, Thin Lizzy) – John  can do everything between lead vocals, lead, and rhythm guitar.  There could be a nice balance between two lead guitar players.  John has done a few of that in Thin Lizzy or Whitesnake.  He could be a good fit in this band.
  3. Chris Garza (Sucide Silence) – This band being a newer band.  There is a short body of work.  This band is an extreme metal group with some speed.  It might give something different than all the classic rock members that I have been naming.

Lead Guitar Player

The lead guitar player needs to be someone special that will not take over the group and make it all about him or her.  He will need to know his role a super group.  You can take out like Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendix, etc.

  1. Chris DeGarmo (Queensryche) – This guy was it as far as great metal lead guitar players back in the back in the 1980’s.  He was very underrated.  Everyone had their man crush on Eddie Van Halen, Kirk Hammit, etc.  Chris just like John Sykes can sit in the pocket but when it comes to the solo.  Your mouth will drop to the floor.
  2. John Sykes (Whitesnakes, Blue Murder, Thin Lizzy) – see above.  John could go back and forth, which could be a good thing.
  3. Robby Krieger (The Doors) – Robby like Chris DeGarmo is underrated guitar of his era.  He could fit what the song is doing and the theme of it.  He is a very good player and could support the drums, bass, keyboard, and singer.

Lead Singer

I had a lead singer in mind through out this whole process and I wish  I could head this music from this band.  Here are my three lead singer.

  1. Jim Morrison (The Doors) – Jim could bend his style into in any music and I believe the band could fit this music around his lyrics and poetry.  He was the start of the hard rock and metal music.  His dark themes in his lyrics will go with all the music from all these great artists.
  2. Kevin Martin (Candlebox) – Kevin is an awesome singer.  Kevin’s singing style has an attitude in all songs even in love songs.  Kevin would bend his style to this band. Kevin is a great lyric writer.
  3. Ronnie James Dio (Dio, Rainbow, Black Sabbath) – Why not Ronnie?  Dio is one of the best lead singer in the history of hard rock and metal.  Dio could sing in all styles.  He loved the fantasy so some of these artists could get along with him and write some great music.

Line Up:

  • Jim Morrison (The Doors) – Lead Vocals, Spoke Words
  • Chris DeGarmo (Queensryche) – Lead Guitar, Back Vocals
  • Paul Raymond (UFO) – Rhythm Guitar, Keyboard, Back Vocals
  • Joey Gittleman (The Mighty Mighty Bosstones) – Bass Player, Back Vocals
  • Jason  Bonham (Led Zeppelin) – Drums

In the end, this was tough.  I thought this would be easy.  I realize these band members might not get along.  Jim with his drug and drinking problems would cause a ton of issues in the band alone.  Jim and Jason would be out all night with Joey but Joey would head home after a while.  Chris does not want to be a star nor touring artist that’s why he is not in Queensryche.   Paul would be the leader to keep everyone in line.  The music that this band would put out would be something else.  I would love to hear this music but there are a ton of different styles and I do not know how they would get along.  If you take Joey out on bass and put Cliff, would Cliff put more harmony in this group? Would Kevin or Dio as the lead singer make more sense?  Asides, Jason on drums put Neil on drums.  There are several questions.  How would Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, etc on guitar.  What about Geoff Tate. Tim Ripper Owens, and Rob Halford on vocals?  There are several more questions.  What about extreme metal singer at vocals?  Like Chris Burns?  I like this line up being a fan of them.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Music Monday Blog Soundgarden King Animal

In this Music Monday Blog, we are going to look at the reunion record of Soundgarden.  King Animal was released in the later part of 2012.  Soundgarden was founded in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by Chris Cornell and Kim Thayil.  Soundgarden was the first of the Seattle Grunge bands to sign with a major label in 1988.  They found their success in the 1990’s like the rest of their friends like Alice In Chains, Nirvana, etc.  The band broke up in 1996 because of create direction issues.  They reunion in 2010 and King Animal followed shortly after that.  Soundgarden has six studio records including this record.   They also have one live record, four greatest hits records, and six EP’s.  Let us get into the music.

Songs

Been Away Too Long

This song is the first single off of King Animal.    Nice overdrive guitar riff at the beginning and then the drums come in with the bass.  Chris still has his voice and kept it healthy.    This song is something you would hear off their record called “Down On The Upside.”  It has a nice pace to the song.  This is a great comeback song for this great metal group.  There is some great music on this song.  Great finish to the song.

Non-State Actor

I am loving the guitar effect and the opening riff with a strong backbone from the drums and bass.  I am loving the music and great placement from the singer for his singing lines.  I am loving the lyrics on the last two songs.  There is a nice pace to the song.  I love the short guitar solo from Kim.  This band was never afraid to put guitar solos in their songs.  Nice finish to this song.

By Crooked Steps

I love the drums and guitar work set in the background at the beginning of the song.  It sounds like it comes slowly to the front and then snaps right into your face.  I am loving this song so far.  This reminds me of old school Soundgarden.  It has that deep dark theme in the music and lyrics.  The guitar riff is simple but it fits for what the band is trying to do in this song.  Nice guitar break and solo from Kim in the later part of the song.  This song is my favorite song so far on King Animal.  I am loving the well placed back up vocals with Chris singing over the top of it.  I am loving the building up for the ending of the song.  It has a great finish.

A Thousand Days Before

A Thousand Days Before starts out with some nice guitar work.  I am loving the drumming on this song and Chris comes in with the bass player.  I am loving the timing of the bass when it enters the song.  He does not starts with the drums when most bass players starts playing with the drums.  There is some great guitar work on this song.  It is a little slower pace to the rest of the songs from the beginning of the record.  Chris puts some thought in singing on this song.  I love the lyrics.

Blood On The Valley Floor

This song has that old school Soundgarden guitar playing, which is what made them famous.  It has that Classic Black Sabbath dark evil guitar riff.  I am not saying this is a Black Sabbath guitar work.  It has the sounds of it.  This is something I could hear off their first few records.  I am loving Chris’s singing on Blood On The Valley Floor.  This is one of my favorite songs.  Great drumming towards the end.

Bones Of Birds

There is some great guitar work at the beginning of Bones Of Birds.  This song is slower than the rest of the songs.  It is perfect timing for a slower song.  There is some solid drumming and bass work on this song.  Chris has a nice melody and lyrics in this song.  There is some well placed simple keyboard work on this song.  This is a very well written song.  The music echoes the feeling of the lyrics that Chris wrote for Bones Of Birds.  This is a great song.  I love it.  Nice touch on the end of the song with a simple bass line too.

Taree

Taree starts out with drums and guitar work that echos something off Superunknown.  This sounds like something between Black Hole Sun to Fell On Black Days.  Taree sounds like a loss track off Superunknown.  This is a great song.  I am loving it.  It is one of my favorite song on this record so far.  I love the guitar break in the middle of the song.  This is a great comeback record so far.  All the songs do not sound like fillers.  Soundgarden has put their soul into all of these songs so far.

Attrition

Attrition starts out with some nice guitar work at the beginning of the song.  I am loving the melody in this song.  There is some great double vocal singing.  One is high and the other is low.  Nice touch and well placed.  There is some great drumming and lyrics also on this song.  This song was straight to the point.  I love the ending of this song too.

Black Saturday

Black Saturday has nice acoustic guitar work with congas in place of the drums.  I love the dancing bass playing with some great singing from Chris.  The drums come in but they play the background.  I love the build of in this song.  The distorted guitar comes in but does not over power the rest of the music.  This is extremely well written song.  This song has some nice rhythm and pace to the music.

Halfway There

Chris with an acoustic guitar playing while singing.  The drums just like the last song comes in but it is more of backup with the bass playing.  I love main and chorus riff.  There is a ton going on in this song.  Yet another well written song from Soundgarden.  Chris has written some great lyrics.  I love the meaning and theme behind them.  Kim has a great guitar break to semi guitar solo.  This is the new Soundgarden.  This song defines the new Soundgarden sound in their music.  This band has a turn a corner unlike their other peers.

Worse Dreams

Worse Dreams has some great guitar work at the beginning of it.  I love the drums and bass line at the beginning.  This is one sick bass line.  It is well placed with the drums.  The guitar echos the bass playing.  The music is pretty powerful.  This band is pushing the limits of music on this song.  This song sounds like something off The Doors hey day.  It is like Soundgarden took their sound and mixed it with the The Doors sound in this song.  I am loving this song.

Eyelid’s Mouth

Eyelid’s Mouth has some drums and bass work with guitar work in the background.  The main riff is something else and powerful.  Chris has some good singing.  There is one part of this song that sounds like deeper Alice In Chains singing.  There is a nice pace to this song.  I am loving the back up vocals on this song.  I love the guitar solo towards the end of the song.  This touch on the fade out for the end of the song.

Rowing

Rowing starts out with a nice bass line and drums.  I am loving the singing.  I am loving that double vocals.  This song has a folk feel to it.  I love the touch on the guitar playing.  The lyrics I could live without but they fit perfectly for this song.  Chris is baring his soul on this song.  Rowing has a nice build up to it.  Kim has a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  This is nice finish to this comeback record from Soundgarden.

Current Line Up

  • Chris Cornell – Lead Vocals and Rhthm Guitar
  • Kim Thyil – Lead Guitar
  • Matt Cameron – Drums and Backup Vocals
  • Ben Shepherd – Bass Guitar and Backup Vocals

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.soundgardenworld.com

Twitter:  @soundgarden

In closing, I have been a fan of Soundgarden growing up.  I did not like them at first and they grew on me over time.  Once I understood what they were doing and they were one of the few bands that I liked back in the 1990’s along with Alice In Chains, Candlebox, Cold, and Stone Temple Pilots.  I and everyone else was excited to hear they were getting back together.  I was hoping they would put out some new music and here is some new music since their last record called Down On The Upside in 1996.  King Animal gives the hardcore fan everything that they expect from Soundgarden.  Soundgarden gives the fans and music listeners more  and I am talking about a new sound we have not heard from this band.  I am talking about the songs like Halfway There and Rowing.  King Animal is a great comeback record and I love the direction of this great band.  I am hoping they stay together and keep putting out new music.  I am looking forward to seeing them live this summer.  I recommend this record and let me know what you think of this new music.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Music Blog State Of Tours And Music Industry

In this music blog, we are going to talk about the state of the music industry and what bands have to do to make their money.  We love our music throughout human life.  It was pasted down from Generation to Generation.  We went from Bach to Flo-rida.  I realize how that sounds.  Being a metal head, I enjoy all music.

Bands in the past would put out record and tour to support that record.  They would get their income from record sales.  As many of you know that is not the case.  With the birth of the internet, we as listeners found ways to get music at a cheap price or free.  Napster took a ton of heat back in the day.  It was the Facebook for college student for music.  One person would buy the music and then “share” it with other people for education purpose. Transferring files from computer to computer.  How is  this different with cassette taping when a radio station played the music.  It is really is not.  The question is downloading the digital files is the cause of the lack of CD sales.  This pie graph shows us from 1980 to 2010 of the percentage of way people buy their music.

The Credit to voluntaryXchange

As you can see the growth of the CD in the late 1980s to 2003.  In 2010, CD is about 50% of the sales of how music listeners get their music.  People are still buying music so why do we always say the Music Industry is dying.  Here is my thought.  We look to Wallstreet and seeing the big Record Companies saying their bottom line is just bad.  They have the big acts like the Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, etc.  There are ton of Independent Record Companies, Bands make their own record label, and or they are selling their music on their own website.  This article has some great information (Why We Shouldn’t Worry About The Decline Of The Music Industry?)  Here is some data from this article from Frobes.  Music groups in 2003 put out 38,000 new albums but in 2008 music acts put out 75,000 new albums.  With the state of economics, bands keep putting out music in 2010 at 75,000 new albums.  Bands are still putting out more music in 2010 then 2003 when CDs were at its peak as far percentage of sales from the pie graph above.  Here is the stat that proves from this same article (www.forbes.com).

From 1999 to 2009, concert ticket sales in the US tripled from $1.5 billion to $4.6 billion, vastly exceeding the growth of inflation and population growth.

I wonder how much of percentage is coming from the big acts with their high ticket prices.  People want to be entertained and they want to forget about their bills or lack of jobs.  I wonder how much effects physical or digital copy with the lack of money.  The lack of funds is the money going more to the live music then the studio music.  I was talking to friends and others about this issue.  I am finding people are picking live music by how good the new studio records.  It is the opposite from what was going on before the 1990s.

Let us take a look at pretty successful hard rock band.  The band is going to be Bon Jovi.  At the height of their power, Bon Jovi was a huge group back in the 1980’s.  We are going to look at their most successful record in their prime and their latest record.

Here is the stats:

Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet sold 28,000,000 in the world and went in the United States 12x Platinum.

Bon Jovi – The Cicle sold 3,000,000 in the world and went in the United States Gold

What does this say about the band or the music industry?  I do not think it is a negative look at Bon Jovi.  I believe it shows that people are not buying records as much as they use to in the past.  These stats do include downloads.  I believe what is happening on record sales.  People are buying one or two songs that they like from the album asides buying the whole like they did in the past.  Let us look at another artist but current.

Here is the stats:

Britney Spears – …Baby One More Time sold 30,000,000 in the world and sold only 12,144,000 in the United States.

Britney Spears – Femme Fatale sold 3,000,000 in  the world and sold 769,000 in the United States.

Britney Spears came into the scene 10 years after Bon Jovi as far as a recording artist.  I believe we are seeing a trend from these numbers.  Numbers do not lie.  As far as big record companies and well known artists their sales are down.  If we go beyond the well known artist and big record companies, there are new bands coming up and doing very well.  I realize some are doing it for the love for the music and that is why most bands get into this career.

In closing, let us face it and it is true.  People are downloading singles and not buying the whole records.  I am old school on getting and listening to my music.  I love getting the hard copy but over the last few years.  I have been downloading my music.  Here is why I am doing it.  I have not time to sit down and order or go to a record store.  Two it is to storage files in a computer then having CDs and racks all over my place.  I believe this is happening in the book industry too.  People are buying less and less paper backs or hard covers and downloading their books into their Nook, Kindle, or Tablets.  We are getting into the computer age and this is the change that most people do not like it.  Music being an art will live on and people will spend their money on this product.  Live music will live on and bands and artists will make their money their. As music fans we need to support the bands. If you have pick, it is fine. Just make sure you are buying your music in any form.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Music Blog Testament Dark Roots Of Earth

In this music blog, we are going to get into one of the godfathers of thrash metal.  The band and record is called Testament Dark Roots Of Earth.  Testament was founded in 1983 under the band name Lagacy but later had to their change the name to Testament because of another band using that name. Testament has put out ten studio albums, three live records, and two EPs in their thirty year career.  Their latest record has them the highest on the US music charts in their career, which is twelve.  This band has went through so many lineup changes but they still found success.  Let us get into the music.

Rise Up

Nice start to the record is right in your face and classic thrash metal guitar playing.  Drumming is holding up its end.  This is a great start to the record.  Billy Chuck is stronger than ever with his singing.  I am loving the lyrics.  This song sounds like something you would hear in their 1980’s heyday.  I love the guitar solo in this song.  This is what thrash metal is and always will be in its lifetime.  This is a great opening track.  Perfect ending.

Native Blood

Native Blood starts out with some killer guitar playing and nice back up from the backbone of the band, which is the bass and drums.  I love the pace of this song.  It is not as fast as the opening track but has a great pace to the song.  I love the rhythm of the singing and drums.  The drummer is the most under rated drummer in the world of music.  This is a well written song.  This is a strong start to Dark Of Earth.  There is a simple and straight to the point guitar solo that gets a little complex towards the end of its run.  Nice touch of having singer sing on top of it for a bit.  The lyrics are little average but the music brings it to above average.  I am loving the build up for the ending to the song.  Classic thrash metal ending.

Dark Roots Of Earth

I am loving the acoustic guitar with distorted guitar at the beginning of the title track of the record.  I am loving the lyrics and the pace of the singing.  The drums and bass are pretty solid in the song.  The guitar work is over the top but in good way.  Nice guitar break towards the middle of the song.  This song has a nice pace.  This is my favorite song so far on the record.  I love the pick up of speed towards the back half of the song and the guitar solo.  Then the moving back to the opening the riff and enters back to the main riff.  The opening riff is the closing riff which is perfect for this track.

True American Hate

I love how everyone starts at the same time on the True American Hate.  I love the guitar solo at the beginning.  This is a strong in your face main guitar riff.  Billy Chuck is in your face on his singing.  I am love the theme of the lyrics.  There is some great drumming and bass playing on this song.  I am loving the double bass action from the drums.  To be honest, True American Hate could live without a guitar solo but that is just me.  If it was going to have one, it should be simple and straight to the point like the lyrics and the rest of the song.  It is still a good guitar solo but it drags the song too long.  This is one song that needs to get to the point and end it.

A Day In The Death

I am loving the opening bass line and the drums with guitar coming in over it.  Nice start to A Day In The Death!  This song is not too fast but not too slow.  I am loving the lyrics and theme.  There is some pretty solid guitar work on the song.  There is some well placed back up vocals.  I am loving the build up to the guitar solo.  There is a well place guitar solo and an extremely well written one.  I love how the band is putting a little focus on the bass player.  Most bands do not do that too much.

Cold Embrace

Cold Embrace starts out with some acoustic guitar with another guitar dancing in the background.  The drums come in with the bass with a simple and smooth beat.  The singer comes with a nice calming singing.  Cold Embrace is showing the talent in this classic metal band.  This is a great thinking song and a very well written song.  Testament did a great job on this track.  Here is another track that is in my favorite column.

Man Kills Mankind

Man Kills Mankind gets back to the old school thrash metal.  This song has a great pace and solid playing all the way around.  Nice pace on the singing.  I am loving the lyrics.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  Man Kills Mankind has a solid finish. This is another song I could hear back in the day.

Throne Of Thorns

Throne of Thorns has a nice acoustic guitar riff with a heavy guitar over the top of it.  The drums and bass are pretty solid in the song.  The main guitar riff is pretty something else.  This band has always found some great guitar riffs.  I am loving the theme of the lyrics.  It is has fantasy feeling to it.  There was a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  This a pretty good song but I know for a fact I could not sit through the extended version of this song.  Nice ending to the song!

Last Stand For Independence

Here is a nice in your face metal song.  I am love the drum break at the beginning of the song and throughout it.  There is solid playing from the drums, bass and the guitar players.  I love the lyrics and the singing.  This song has a nice pace.  There is a pretty good guitar break and solo towards the back half of the song.  I love the ending to Last Stand For Independence.

Dragon Attack

This is a Queen cover song.  The music is solid.  I am a fan of bands doing covers but I could do without this one.  If I still had my radio show, I would throw this into the my cover show.

Animal Magentism

This is a Scorpions cover song.  I could do without this song.  Not a fan!

Powerslave

This is an Iron Maiden cover song.  Just like Animal Magentism, I pass on this song too.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.testamentlegions.com

Twitter:  @testamentband

Closing out, I have been a huge fan of this band for a while.  I believe they are the most under rated band coming out of the thrash metal scene.  I did not see them topping their last record, which was The Formation Of Damnation.  Dark Roots Of Earth is an awesome follow-up to their last one.  I hope they put out another record sooner than later.  I could do without the covers but the original songs are pretty solid.  I really enjoyed the title track, Cold Embrace, and Rise Up.  If you are a fan of thrash metal, you need to get into the pit and check out Testament new one. If you are a fan of this band back in the day and have been gone, go get this record.  It is a solid great and gives you everything that your thrash metal heart seeks.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Music Blog Fozzy Sin And Bones

In this music blog, we are going to listen to the latest album from Fozzy and it is called Sin And Bones.  Fozzy was founded in 1999 in Atlanta, Georgia.  The band started out as a cover band, which their first two records were covers of classic hard rock and metal sings.  Fozzy has five studio albums out with one live record to their short career.  Lead singer and one founding member of this band is Chris Jericho, who is former WWE Superstar.  He grew up in Canada listening to the classic hard rock and metal music and wanted to do a career in music.  However, he had a love for wrestling, now he is doing both and is extremely successful.  The other founding member of Fozzy is Rich Ward which is best known to be in the band from the late 1980’s called Stuck Mojo.  Let us get into the music.

Spider In My Mouth

The song starts out with sound effects and samples.  There is a little keyboard action to build up the start of the song and this record.  A little kid starts singing.  This song has a nice solid in your face music from the guitar and drums.  Chris is singing really well which he has been growing into a really good singer.  He is improving throughout his recording career.  I love the lyrics.  I love the chorus in this song.  Nice touch from the drums towards the end of the song to put on the double bass.  Great ending and great opening track to this record.

Sandpaper

Sandpaper is the first single from Sin And Bones.  This song starts out like an old Jackyl song.  It kind of has a feeling of a Jackyl song.  I could see Jackyl doing a cover of this song or even write it.  Lead singer M Shadows from Average Sevenfold is being featured in this song.  I love the music.  It fits the lyrics and solid bass playing on this song.  Nice finish to the song.

Here is the video from YouTube (www.youtube.com):

Blood Happens

Blood Happens has some nice drumming and solid guitar playing.  Chris comes in with extremely great singing with great lyrics.  There is a whole lot going on in this song.  Rich plays a nice short guitar solo.  There is some strong playing from the guitar, drums, and bass throughout this song.  This is a great song and it is one of my favorite songs so far on this record.  There is some great back up vocals on the song.  Great finish to the song.

Inside My Head

I am loving the drums and the guitar work at the beginning of  Inside My Head.  Chris is pushing his singing to the next level.  If I was classic hard rock or metal band looking for a lead singer, I would give Chris a call.  I am also loving the lyrics.  Chris has grown into a pretty good lyric writer.  This is a pretty solid song.  Here is another song I am loving off this record.  Nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  Great ending to the song.

Sin And Bones

I love the fast pace on the title track of this record.  It has great singing, drums, bass and guitar work.  This is a nice driving song.  Chris has written some nice lyrics once again.  So far this is a great follow-up from their last great record.  I am loving the guitar break towards the middle of the song.  This song was quick and to the point.  Sin and Bones lives up to being the title for the record.  It also has a great ending.

A Passed Life

I am loving how they have put more focus on the drummer.  The drums and the guitar are having a nice love affair at the beginning of this song.  I am also loving how they are not just making fast songs.  Fozzy is putting a nice mix between fast and slow pace songs.  I am loving how Chris is singing on this song.  There are some great lyrics here.  There is also some great music writing throughout this song.  I love the pick up in the pace towards the middle of the song.  There is a sick guitar riff at that point.  I am really enjoying this song.  This is a what metal music is all about in this song.  This brings all the elements that made me love hard rock and metal.  There is also a great guitar solo towards the end of the song.  Great finish to this song.

She’s My Addiction

I am loving the guitar work from the guitar players.  I am loving the simple and to the point bass.  There is a nice drum work and great pace to the song.   I am loving the music and lyrics that Fozzy has put forth.  This song gets to the point to the point.  This is a great tune.  There is a great guitar solo.  Just like Sandpaper, I could see this song in Jackyl’s song list.  Great ending to this song and nice touch on the outro guitar solo.

Shine Forever

Shine Forever has some nice heavy as hell guitar riffs.  I am loving the drumming with the bass filling over the top.  There is some great lyrics with a powerful meaning.  Chris once again is singing his heart out on this song.  Fozzy did a great job on this song.  I can see this song being an underground hit.  I am loving the ending of this song.

Dark Passenger

Dark Passenger starts out with a nice keyboard playing.  Chris is hitting it on vocals with nice well place drums.  I love the guitar riff on the main part of the song.  I love how they keep using the keyboards which gives this band another element.  It changes their sound that they have developed.  I am loving the building up to the guitar solo. It is a very well written guitar solo.  There is a great ending to this song.

Storm The Beaches

Storm The Beaches is the longest song on the record.  There is spoken works with more keyboards.  There is some powerful guitar riff and drums with bass backing up.  I am loving the meaning and theme of the song but the lyrics are little weak at this point.  It is powerful talking about D-Day and honoring the troops.  I cannot complain about this one song.  Fozzy has written an awesome set of songs for Sin And Bones.  There is a great guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  Fozzy has put forth an epic song to close out this great record.  I am also loving the gun firing samples in the song.  The lyrics are better towards the midpoint and the end of the song.  I love the end of this song.

Here is current line up of Fozzy:

  • Chris Jericho – Lead Vocals
  • Rich Ward – Guitar, Back Up Vocals
  • Paul Di Leo – Bass
  • Frank Fontsere – Drums
  • Billy Grey – Guitar

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.fozzyrock.com

Twitter:  @fozzyrock

In the end, I really enjoyed this record.  If you know me personally, you know I have been a huge fan of Chris Jericho in the ring and his music career.  I know most of you know I am a huge metal fan.  I feel this band is pushing their career forward.  It is hard to believe the music that this band is putting out since this band was set up as a joke when they first came out.  Fozzy is a band you need to keep an eye on from here on.  Their last record, which was called Chasing The Grail, was a solid record from start to finish but the follow-up Sin and Bones is taking this band to the next level.  I am hoping this band keeps on the pace they are going on right now.  I highly recommend this band if you are a hard rock and metal fan.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:   djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Music Blog Accept Stalingrad

https://i0.wp.com/www.metalunderground.com/images/covers/Accept_-_Stalingrad_cover.jpg

In this music blog, we are going to get into the latest record from Accept which is called Stalingrad.  Accept started back in the late 1960’s in Germany.  They started picking up speed in 1976 as a professional band.  Accept has went through several line up changes throughout the years.  They have also split up a few times in their career.  However, they have a wealth of music, Accept has put out thirteen studio albums including the one we will talk about here, which is Stalingrad.  They have three live records and four greatest hits records.  They also put out two EP’s.  This band is best known for helping the speed metal era.  The song that everyone knows from Accept is “Balls To The Wall.”  The band reunion in 2009 with new lead singer, who is Mark Tornillo,  from T.T. Quick.  They put the “Blood Of The Nations” in 2010.  This band is climbing up the charts here in the states.  Let us get into the latest record, which is Stalingrad.

Hung, Drawn and Quartered

This opening song on this record has the nice classic Accept intro to Hung, Drawn and Quartered.  This is some great speed metal music.  Mark did not leave the last recording session from “Blood Of The Nations.”  Mark has written some awesome lyrics.  The guitar, drums, and bass work is hell of a job on this song.   The production is nicely done from the producer.  There is a nice guitar break and solo with a good ending.  This is a great opening track.

Stalingrad

The second song has a strong driving intro to start of it.  It also has a nice guitar and drum work.  There is also a great guitar solo break in it.  This song has powerful lyrics and singing from Mark.  There is also nice well placed back up vocals.  Mark has written some great lyrics.  Nice touch on the snare drums and great guitar work towards the end of this song.  Stalingrad has a strong ending.

Hellfire

I love the effect on the bass and nice touch on the drums and guitar working around the bass.  There is a great break and then well written guitar riff.  Mark has strong singing and great lyrics, which I love.  This is a pretty nice driving song which is classic Accept.  This is a great song all the way around.  Accept is stronger than they have ever been.  Wolf has an awesome guitar solo along with nice trade-off with the other guitarist.  Hellfire has a nice strong finish.  This is my favorite song on the record so far.

Flash To Bang Time

This song has heavy guitar and driving drums with well placed vocals from the lead singer.  Mark is singing great with some well written lyrics.  I love the guitar work on Flash To Bang Time.  I wish you can hear the bass a little bit more throughout this record.  I love the guitar solo and the ending of the song.

Shadow Soldiers

The beginning of Shadow Soldiers has a nice effect on one of the guitars along with nice acoustic guitar.  It then snaps into a nice heavy guitar riff with a short guitar solo over the top of it.  I love the pace of this song.  Mark is singing great with a well placed melody.  I love the theme of this song and nice touch on the back vocals.  I believe this song is too long but still good.  This song has a nice fitting ending.

Revolution

I love the drum work at the beginning of the song.  Great touch on the fade in with the guitars and well written lyrics and singing from Mark.  Revolution is a simple music and it hits the point of the song with perfect back up vocals in the song.  The guitar work on this records is something else and I love the nice dueling guitar solo in this song.  The ending is a complex ending to Revolution.

Against The World

Great beginning for the music.  I love the lyrics on Against The World.  Mark has always wrote some great lyrics.  This is a nice driving song like most on this record.  Nice guitar solo and I love the build up to the solo.  Against The World has a great finish to the song.

Twist Of Fate

I love the guitar work in the beginning of the song.  Mark is singing great in this song with some powerful lyrics.  The guitarist wrote a nice main guitar riff.  Twist of Fate has a nice slow to medium pace to the song, which gives the listener a different mood than the rest of the record.  I love it and it is perfect.  I love the build up to the end of the song and the guitar solo at the end.  This is in your face ending.  Nice touch on the fading out of the song.

The Quick And The Dead

I love the guitar work and drums at the beginning of the song.  It has a nice pace to it.  Mark is singing strong with some great lyrics.  He has written a nice melody.  The chorus is a little weak but the main part of the song is pretty strong.  This is still pretty strong song.  I am loving the dueling back and forth between the guitar players and bass player.  I am hearing more bass in this song than the rest of the record which is great.  The Quick And The Dead has a strong finish to it.

The Galley

There is an awesome spooky guitar riff with the drums.  I love the main guitar riff.  It is well written and perfect for the theme of the song.  The Galley has a nice touch to bring the bass forward than pushing it to the back of the music.  Mark is singing great and wrote some great lyrics.  This song is too long and could be shorter.  I love the acoustic and the slowing down of the song towards the end it.  This song has a great finish and perfect way to end the record.

Current Line Up of Accept:

  • Mark Tornillo – Lead vocals
  • Wolf Hoffmann – Guitar
  • Herman Frank – Guitar
  • Peter Baltes – Bass guitar
  • Stefan Schwarzmann – Drums

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.acceptworldwide.com

Twitter:  @accepttheband

In closing, I really enjoyed this record.  Accept has a great record and I believe they are getting stronger with age.  Stalingrad brings back the good old days of speed metal in the 1980’s.  Stalingrad is a classic Accept record.  Any of these songs could have been on Breaker, Balls To The Walls, or Metal Heart.  I really enjoyed the following songs Hellfire, Twist Of Fate, and Shadow Soldiers.  If you were a fan of Accept back in the day, you will not be disappointed with this new line up and the music they are putting out now.  You as a listener will be stun by Mark’s singing and lyric writing with the legendary guitar player.  Congrats to Accept to have the balls to put out new music and writing great new music.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Roit Immortal Soul

In this music blog, we are going to check out one of my favorite underground metal band called Riot.  The last record from this great band out of Brooklyn, New York is called Immortal Soul, which is their fourteen studio album.  Riot was formed in 1975 by the late great guitarist Mark Reale.  They reach their peak a little bit in the early 1980’s but had a long successful career.  The band went through so many line up changes but yet had a different sound in each of the eras which makes this band unique.  Riot had fourteen studio albums, three live albums, one greatest hits, and one ep album that was only released in Japan.  Let us get into the music.

Riot

Mark wrote a nice in your face guitar riff in this song.  It is a pretty fast pace song.  It has the classic sound from Thundersteel along with great singing.  Mark also wrote a nice guitar solo, which he has been known for throughout the years.  It is a well written song and great song opening song for this record.

Still Your Man

Still Your Man has a nice guitar and bass riffs throughout the song.  There are hard-hitting and in your face drums.  The singing is nice and fits the music along with great lyrics.  This song finishes nicely.   Nice job on this song!

Crawling

Crawling has a nice start to the song and I love how they did it.  There is a nice heavy guitars with a great short solo at the beginning of the song.  The singer has a nice vocal melody and great lyrics.  I love the feeling and the sound of this song.  There is a nice simple guitar solo towards the end of the song along with a great finish to it.

Wings Are For Angels

This song has a nice fast pace drums with a simple guitar riff to fill into the song.  I believe his singing and voice does not fit with the music.  I love the music.  They did an excite job on it.  The drummer is playing his ass off on this song.  There is an awesome guitar solo and it has to be one of the best ones on this record.  Wings Are For Angels has a nice ending with drums and guitar.

Fall Before Me

Fall Before Me has nice guitar and drum work along with a nice touch with the acoustic guitar.  The music in this song is a great fit for this singer.   He wrote some great lyrics.  This song sounds like a rock anthems form the late 1970’s.  I love it.

Sins Of The Father

Sins of the Father has a nice guitar at the beginning with drums.  Tony Moore is singing very nice here with some great lyrics.  So far this song is my favorite song on this record.  I love the fact with all the line up changes they stayed true to their sound that they have created throughout the years.

Majestica

This is an intro song for the next song.  It has great guitar riff that fits in the old 1980’s metal pop sound.

Immoral Soul

Majestica runs into a nice drums with guitar work in Immoral Soul.  There is also a great bassline.  Tony has written some great lyrics and is singing his ass off in this song.  Mark of course wrote a great guitar solo.  The band did a great job on the ending of this song.

Insanity

Insanity starts out with the singer and then the guitars enter with the drums and bass.  In this song, everything is floating around the singer, which is change of pace from the rest of the songs on this record.  This is a great song.  This song is showing the finest work from Mark’s guitar work.  Nice touch on the fading ending it fits the mood of the song.

Whiskey Man

Whiskey Man has a nice guitar intro.  I love the lyrics but some parts of this song his vocals really does not fit with the music.  The lyrics are sneak up in your face along with the singing.  This is not greatest guitar solo but it fits in the song and music.  Most bands get it.  Not all songs need guitar solos or drum fills.  Sometimes the most simple thing is the right thing.

Believe

Believe starts out with a nice angry guitar intro with the drums and bass.  This is a well written song all the way around.  Riot did a great job on this song.  I love the time changes and the great finish to the song.

Echoes

Echoes has great guitar work from high to low.  There is a nice flow with the lead vocals and nice touch on the back up vocals.  This is my favorite song on this record along with Sins Of The  Father.  This song was a the perfect song to finish up a record and a great career.  It is so sad because this band should have been bigger then what they were in the world of music.

Roit line up on this record:

  • Tony Moore – Lead Vocals
  • Mark Reale – Guitar
  • Mike Flyntz – Guitar
  • Don Van Stavern – Bass
  • Bobby Jarzombek – Drums

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.riotsweb.com

Twitter:  no twitter account

In closing, I really enjoyed this record and all their records throughout their career.  When I discovered this great band, I had to pick up all their records.  It is sad to see this be their last record but at least I have this great music to listen to rest of my days on this earth.  I love how they stayed true to their 1970’s sound but yet pulled off their slight thrash metal days in the 1980’s.  My two favorite songs on this record is Sins Of The Father and Echoes.  I wish I would have seen this band play live along with several other bands. I did not get a chance to see them live.  Go check this record out and let me know what you think.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Hell’s Addiction – Alcohol (Single)

In this music blog, we are going to get into and upcoming band called Hell’s Addiction.  They are getting ready to put out their new record called “Raise your Glass.”  There is not too much history or information from this young band.  Here is some things I found off their website.

Here is their bio from their website (www.hellsaddiction.com):

Hell’s Addiction

Ben Sargent – Vocals and Guitars

Jay Green – Bass

Liam Sargent – Guitars

Headache – Drums

Hell’s Addiction deliver classic no-bullshit Rock and Roll in a style that draws comparison with the likes of AC/DC, Guns ‘n Roses and Mötley Crüe.

Expect powerful live performances, gritty vocals, screaming Marshalls, thundering bass and powerhouse drumming.

Crowd-pleasers like ‘Let The Good Times Roll’, ‘Feels like Rock ‘n Roll’ and the debut single ‘Alcohol’ will leave you under no illusion as to where the band’s passions lie.

Look out for the release of the album ‘Raise your Glass’ in 2012 – it’s an absolute stormer.

Here is the music video from Youtube (www.youtube.com):

Hells Addiction Alcohol

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.hellsaddiction.com

Twitter:  @Hells_Addiction

In closing, I enjoyed Alcohol.  It is metal in your face.  They have the energy live that bleeds over on their studio record.  It has been a long time since a band comes out with the energy these guys have in their music.  They were influence from the pioneers of metal and the generation after that them.  This band has the edge that most metal bands today are missing and it is refreshing to see from them.  They have some talented guitar players, nice rhythm selection from the bass and drums, and a singer that fits their style.  I am looking forward to hear their new record.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Linkin Park Living Things (2012)

In this blog, we are going to take a look at the new record from Linkin Park called Living Things.  Linkin Park was founded in 1996 in Agoura Hills, California.  Linkin Park has sold over 50 million records world-wide and has won two Grammy Awards.  In the beginning they took the style of nu metal and rap metal and made their style.  By their third record, which is Minutes To Midnight in 2007, they began to study other music influences.  That record had the third best debut for any new music that was release that same year.  Living Things is their fifth record in their studio career.

What am I expecting from this record?  I am looking for them to go back to their old school ways to get their first fan base happy but keep on the pace from their Minutes To Midnight.  I believe they will try to build on that and their fourth record, which is A Thousand Suns.  How much I do not want to see but I am expecting to see little more of the rap feel on this record.  I believe Chester will be screaming more on this record than what he has not in the last few records.  Linkin Park found their sound and I believe they will build on it in Living Things.

Here is the band members of Linkin Park on Living Things:

Rob Bourdon – Drum

Brad Delson – Lead Guitar

Dave Farrell – Bass Guitar

Joe Haln – Turntables, keyboards, and Samples

Mike Shinoda – Vocals, Rhthm Guitar, Keyboards, Piano

Chester Bennington – Vocals

Lost In The Echo

Lost In The Echo starts out with keyboard and turntables work.  It has a nice drum beat with rapping over the top and nice back up vocals.  It has a nice smooth flow to the song.  Chester comes in with a nice singing lines.  This song has a nice flow to it.  This song has some nice turntables work on it.  Nice beat for the opening song, this set the mood of the record.  It is a very well written record.  This is great opening track for Living Things.

In My Remains

In My Remains starts out with a nice turntables and samples with some keyboard.  Drums roar with the bass to give it a nice intro to the song.  I love the music that  Chester is singing over and then guitar comes in few seconds after the intro.  Mike does a great job on the back up vocals.  I love the feeling of this song and very well written lyrics to it.  I love the drum work in this song.  This is a great song.  I love it!

Burn It Down

Burn It Down was their first single of Living Things.  It starts out with a nice keyboard to samples along with some turntables.  Nice back up guitar riff to balance everything out.  I love the lyrics in this song.  This song has a feel that it should have been off the Minutes To Midnight.  I love the singing by Chester and the back up singing.  Mike rapping makes sense for this part of the song.  It is not forced like most of the time.  However, the later part of their career, they have learned to place his rapping in the best part of the song.  It is more impactful now.  I feel this song could have guitar solo.  I love the ending of Burn It Down.

Lies Greed Misery

Lies Greed Misery has a nice keyboard and now the samples with Mike rapping over it.  I will say dude can rap his ass off in these songs.  I am not a rap fan but  he has done a great job on this record.  I love the rhythm of the rap.  I love the singing from Chester.  It is right fit for the theme of the song.  There is the scream that made Chester famous.  Nice ending to this song.

I’ll Be Gone

I’ll Be Gone has a nice build up intro to the song and then the kick in on the guitars.  It drops off with Chester singing with a nice samples and keyboard behind him.  It has a nice drum beat with bass pushing the song to another level.  This is a thinking man’s song.  I really love the flow of this song.  I have to say this song is one of the best ones off this record so far.  I would not be shocked if this is their next single off Living Things.

Castle Of Glass

I love the samples to the keyboard and then the nice singing from Mike.  The drums have a nice simple feel to it that fits the song.  Castle Of Glass has a nice driving feeling to it.  I really digging the singing from Mike.  I like the lyrics and the guitar work.  I really wish they would play this song live.  This is a really good song.

Victimized

Victimized has a nice samples and a crazy drum beat.  Drummer is very underrated to all the drummers that are playing music right now in their generation.  Rob has played his ass off in this whole record.  I love how Chester is screaming which fits it and Mike has a nice rap to follow.  This is a pretty angry song.  Victimized is a quick and to the point song.

Road Untraveled

Road Untraveled has a nice sound effects follow by keyboards.  This band is always looking to do something different which is good but it is starting predictable.  Mike has written great lyrics and singing his heart out on Road Untraveled.  I love the feeling from the drums and the flow of everything else.  I feel this song could use a guitar solo not a guitar playing low-end.  Another thinking song to add to my list.  There is not too many you can say that about Linkin Park.  This is a great song.

Skin To Bone

Skin To Bone has a nice intro.  I love the drums at the beginning.  Nice work from Joe on this song.  He has taken over this song so far which is an awesome thing.  I love how they use Chester in this song.  This is not one of my favorite songs but I love the feel of it.  Plus, it is nicely written song.

Until It Breaks

Until It Breaks starts with a nice rap from Mike.  Once again, they are placing him very well for the non rap fans in the world.  He is more and more making me start to like rap.  I love the music behind him.  I really love the rap lyrics from Mike.  He did a great job on this song.  Just like Mike, they learned to place Chester in great spots.  This is a great song.  I really love it.

Tinfoil

Tinfoil has a classic Linkin Park intro that we all have grown to love from this band.  This song is a nice intro to Powerless.

Powerless

Powerless has a nice keyboard along with some good lyrics being sung over the music.  Powerless has a nice simple bass and guitar lines with a very good drum beat.  It also has a well placed back up vocals.  This is a very well written song.  This band has pour their heart out on this song.  It is powerful and impactful with a nice drive.  It is a nice finish to this record.

Here is their websites and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.linkinpark.com and www.lpunground.com

Twitter:  @linkinpark

In closing, Linkin Park has grown on me over the years.  I remember when they roared on the scene and pushing the limits of music.  They have change the scene of music and influenced several newer bands.  I have enjoyed their last three records and not really a fan of the first two.  I never was a rap fan but they have grown on me.  This record is not their best but it is right behind Minutes To Midnight to me.  They do a great job on their live show and I was kind impressed by it.  This is going to be a pretty strong statement but I believe Linkin Park is today’s Pink Floyd.  They know when to explore their sound and change some things.  They are a very talented band and they will be around for a long time.  I just hope their Burn It Down song is not their good-bye song.  I will be looking forward to seeing them live again and I will be joining their fan club.  Go get some Living Things!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog The Worshyp Evil Abounds

In this Metal Monday blog, we are going to get into one of my favorite underground metal bands.  I am talking about the metal Canada band called The Worshyp.  This is their second record called Evil Abounds, which is the follow-up to their debut record called Kingdom Earth (2011).  The Worshyp was founded in 2009 by guitarist and lead singer Marc Nova.  The band has an influence from thrash metal, prog, metal and hard rock.

Current Line Up

Mig Diabio – Bass Guitar

Marz Nova – Lead Singer and Guitar

Thor Rune – Lead Guitar

On Evil Abounds, Jimmy DeGrasso is former Megadeth and Alice Copper drummer is playing drums on this record.  Original drummer KK Devina left the band after their tour for Kingdom Earth to return to his home of Peru.  No official replacement has not been picked but Jimmy DeGrasso is filling into that comes to head.  Let us get into this awesome record that I have already been listening to while writing the intro to this blog.

Diabolic

Diabolic has a nice strong guitar, bass, and drums to start out the song.  Of course Marc comes in strong like he has in many of Worshyp songs.  I have always loved the drum work from Jimmy since his days with Megadeth.  I was pretty excited to see him working with this band.  I really wanted to hear the music right away and I will tell you right now his drumming on this opening track is not disappointing.  I love the lyric writing and I love the in your face this song has.  The guitar work is really done up good.  This is a very strong start for this band and awesome starting track.  It has a nice guitar solo with a strong support from the bass and drums.  It has a nice very strong finish to Diabolic.

Thunderman

Nice strong guitar work at the beginning of Thunderman.  This has a flash to old Metallica on the singing.  It has a little Pantera and Anvil feel on the singer in the Chorus.  I love the guitar work and has dropped off from the opening song.  Bassist is doing a good job to fuel the guitar and drums in this song.  This is a well written song.  The lyrics and singing are very well done.  A simple and straight to the point guitar solo is just right for this song.  It is nothing over the top but it keeps the drive of the song going on to the end.  If song is not a single, it will be in the future.  Thunderman is my favorite song so far on this record.  The ending is just right.

Seven Deadly Sins

Seven Deadly Sins has a Megadeth feel to this song.  Marc kind of sounds like the lead singer from Megadeth.  This is a very well written song.  They did a good job throughout Seven Deadly Sins.

The Garveyard

I love the support from the bass and drums while the guitar work comes with this strong opening.  This song has a nice guitar work with awesome singing.  This song kind sounds like something the band Fight would have done.  Worshyp has taken the next step and level in their music career.  I love their first record but Evil Abounds is over the charts right now.  This record has to be close to the top for me for best record of 2012.  I love the guitar solo, lyrics, drums, bass.  Drums are let loose for a few parts on this song.  This is a great song.  Nice fade closing to the song.

WarTorn

WarTorn starts out with a nice bass line which you do not hear from most metal bands today.  Unless it comes the old school metal bands.  I love the slow down pace of this song.  Marc is proving to the world he can sing several different styles of metal on this record.  He has a great voice and it is very strong in this song.  I love how they let the drums and bass take the focus on the music side.  I hope to hear this more often from this band.  This is a very well done song with a beautiful finish.

Awaken Underworld And Destroyer of Men

Awaken Underworld starts with some sound effects and a nice drum beat off the tom.  There is very few drummers that can play just the tom in the metal world.  I love the strong guitar work.  I love how they are playing in different keys to give that nice punch from two guitar players.  This song goes right into Destroyer of Men.  I love long beginnings on metal songs.  This has a nice grooving beat to it.  I really love the movement of these songs.  Just like WarTorn, I love the slow pace of Destroyer of Men.  Damn, they did an awesome job on the guitar work along with the solos.  I will say the drums and bass are not lacking either.  This is a strong eight minute song that should be this length.  This band did not push it because they wanted an eight minute song. It just makes sense.  The time changes are just sick in the song of Destroyer of Men.  I love the ending.

Love To Death

It is nice to see metal bands pull out the acoustic guitar once in a while.  Marc showing a little softer side to his singing.  He has a little 1990’s feel to his low-end of his singing.  This is a powerful song with great singing and talented music writing.  I love the lyrics to it. Great song writing is all I have to say about this song.  I do not know what else to say about this song but it is just very good.  Love to Death has the perfect ending for an epic song.

One Crow Sorrow

One Crow Sorrow has one of the perfect drum beats that I heard so far on this record.  Nice place guitar playing and singing just floats just right over the music.  This song makes me feel like I am watching a cat fight.  I do not know why I feel this way.  I will say at least it is a good fight.  I could see fans live singing this back to the band.  It has a nice groove for a later part of a live show or the beginning.  I am starting to think this show be their opening song every time they play live.  It has a nice way to get you into the show before the violence and control chaos that this band will release to their fan.  We, as fans, love that.  Please do not take that the wrong way.  Nice ending to the song.

Villians

Villains has nice fade in guitar work at the beginning of it.  I love the drive of this song.  It is perfect for the close out of this strong record from The Worshyp.  This song has an Armored Saints feel to it.  I love the guitar solo in the later part.  The lyrics are not disappointing either.  The bass and drums are just right for the theme of the song and how it was written.  Villans has a very powerful for the song and the record.

*Bonus Track Destroyer Extended

It is Awaken Underworld and Destroyer of Men put together as one whole track.  Please re read that part of the post.  To be honest, I kind of wish they would have done that in the first place.  Most people buy the digital copy of records and  I know for a fact I am one of the few that buys the hard copy of music records.  Call me old school.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  http://www.theworshyp.com

Twitter:  @theworshyp

Here is a few spots to buy their records:

http://www.cdbaby.com

Zune and iTunes

http://www.amazon.com

In closing, I will say Evil Abounds has not disappoint at all.  This record was well worth the wait.  Evil Abounds has push the level and the band took the next step in their music career.  This record is so much better then their first record.  Their first record was not a bad record and I know it is not fair to judge both records against each other.  If you want to see a band grow up in front of you, go buy their records and watch them to rockstars.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser