It's that time of the month again when we dive into our personal cds that are a-spinnin' and bring you our playlists. Halloween is coming up soon so as October wears on and fall takes on its full dead leaf and brown grass state, the music will become more sinister, or atleast more appropriate anyway. To go along with the whole theme, this month becomes a giant orgy of spooky things for me to keep that vibe going. My viewing pleasures become creepy oriented with anime like Devil Lady (series), Nightwalker, Vampire Princess Miyu and Vampire Hunter D. Horror movies get the dust knocked off of them and stuff like Evil Dead, the cheese-fest Night of the Lepus, Sleepy Hollow are rewatched. Really Im not into horror movies that much but there are a few that I can hang with comfortably. The yearly Castlevania: Symphony of the Night replaying has been replaced this year by the new Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow game for the Nintendo DS. This is the first time since 1998 that I have put SOTN away in favor of another game but its still about vampires and haunted castles. It's all about the season y'know? I'm going to keep things shorter this time because I doubt anyone reads my ramblings when they become overly babbly anyhow.
Oh and for those of you with friends that share in your metal enthusiasm, be thankful. When my friends see me coming they often shift their eyes around and look like they wanna run in the other direction when they see I have music in tow. No one understands my rabid ravings over Allen/Lande, Masterplan or Kamelot, and they certainly don't care but are quick to push their latest crappy thing off on me. Oh well. When you are in MY car, its metal all the way!
Whitesnake - ALL
Yep you read that right. Like the cry "Rise from you grave!" from the ancient arcade game Altered Beast, the 'Snake has been resurrected and all discs that could be found put into immediate and frequent rotation. The only album I'm missing is "Snakebite", one of my favs unfortunately, but all else is fair game. A few notable favs: "Don't Break My Heart Again" from "Come An Get It", "Walking in the Shadow of the Blues" from "Lovehunter", "Blindman" on "Ready N Willing", "Victim of Love" off of "Saints and Sinners", "Love to Keep You Warm" & "Night Hawk (Vampire Blues)" (so much like a Deep Purple song!) on "Trouble". Even "Restless Heart" has been broken out and given a good revisitation. Covey definitely keeps me warm at night.
Lake of Tears - Forever Autumn
Becauses it is...forever autumn. This album is so heartbreakingly sad and just puts me in this downer, gloomy mood that just makes me feel like an angsty teenager all over again, with all the moodiness that implies. "Demon You (Lily Anne)" is a sing-a-long fav and "To Blossom Blue" (is to blossom without you) just stomps my soul and shatters it with its solemn sound.
Jaded Heart - Helluva Time
It ain't Jaded Heart as we remember em but its still a nice Scandi flavored disc. I do miss Michael though who seemed to be the "jaded" heart of the band.
White Sister - Fashion By Passion & S/T
This was some superb AOR for the time. Tons of keyboards, and a light fluffy sound. It's like a fluffanutter sandwich, marshmellow light sweetness but a rich, filling, but smooth half to compliment that. Tasty stuff.
Allen/Lande - The Battle
Nary a day goes by without Jorn and Russell crooning in my ears courtesy my stereo speakers. They sound so wonderful that I fall in love with them head over heels over and over again. A delight of an album that will no doubt be in the running for the coveted album of the year position by year's end.
Thunder - The Thrill of It All
I love Bowes and Morely, they make such a fantastic team and this was a great album that's now ten years past but still holds up beautifully. "Love Worth Dying For" is just classic.
HIM - Dark Light
"(Rip Off the) Wings of a Butterfly" FOR YOUR LOVE! What da f- does that mean ? I have no idea, but that song is as addictive as crack. I hate to report that HIM have altered not only their image, but their sound a little for their break into the US market but kudos to them for having the chance to make waves when previously there was just a little puddle to splash around in.
Karo - Heavy Birthday
I LOVE the coverart to this album. It's SO 80s, SO "metal", SO unique! The album....well....it's not as unique but its solid stuff that's very enjoyable especially for someone like me that really gets pumped over the vintage 80s music. Looking forward to reviewing this one very, very soon.
Silver - Gold
I've been following Silver since Day One and they aren't improving on me. Oh dear! The first is still the best but how does this one stack up to their fourth disc from the year previous? Just wait for my impending review to find out! Barden fans - I bet you are on the edge of your seats, right? Right!
Deep Purple - House of Blue Light
"Bad Attitude". That's all you need to know. I was missing this one from my collection for a long, long time, and when I saw it in Strawberries for a fiver, it was immediately apparent that this was finally coming home with me. Ian Gillan was never my fav DP singer, but this disc is catchy and has alot of charm.
Cloven Hoof - Cloven Hoof
You are probably saying "Cloven...wha? Like a goat?" This was a VERY cool band that didn't seem to make it too far and pretty much avoided being spotted by all but the sharpest metal eyes even "back in the day". Their NWOBHM sound and stage personas (after the four elements, "Earth", "Air", "Fire", "Water") didn't set them apart enough I suppose. This is the only full length with David Potter on vox and it comes off sounding like a cross between early Omen ("Battle Cry") and Iron Maiden. "A Sultan's Ransom" from 1989 with Russ North on vox was a lil more mainstream and easier on the ears, but alas it is no longer in my possession. "The Gate of Gehenna" still kicks my arse, and would yours too. If a band made a CD this raw these days it would be declared crap and thrown into the pit of CDs never to return. But in its naked, raw glory, it becomes "quaint" and "vintage" and loved for its rawness.
UFO - No Heavy Petting
30 Years later and this CD is still a nice trip. "Natural Thing" blazes and "Reason Love" is a card well played by the teamup of Mogg/Schenker waaaay before the 1990s rolled around when Michael lost it, Phil just stopped putting out the effort and UFO became a joke in rock for their behind the scenes squabblings and on/off status.
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