The idea that no Metal at all made after the 80's have any value, is actually something some people take a little bit too serious. Don't get me wrong. I am a fan of a lot of acts from the 80's and agree that it was a golden age for Metal. The problem is, that if we don't believe in (at least some of) today's young bands, the 80's will be the only "Metal-age" for all eternity. It would be as if the world stands still. And we all know it doesn't.
Powergod is a fine example of taking it all too far, making not one, but two tribute albums to the 80's with their own re-recordings of more or less obscure acts.
I actually had some respect for
Powergod when they started out, releasing the enjoyable
Evolution Pt. One in 1999. Since then it has gone straight downhill. They were always very passionate about the 80's style. But the difference lies in having an own approach and using it as an influence, or lacking enough fantasy to do a single track on your own for two damn albums! It just seems way to easy to keep "paying tribute", so you won't ever have to be creative on your own!
The actual music is in general cool, kick ass songs but after a run through the "
Powergod machine" the sound of most tracks seem too alike.
In all fairness, the guys are good musicians. Singer
President Evil screams his lungs out, and in general the cover versions are not bad. Personal favorites include the intense, guitar driven
Screams From The Grave, the party starter
Ready To Rock and of course the Thrash mania that is
Total Disaster.
I'll give
Powergod some credit for making the ride very energetic. The record appears as one big blast of energy, which is of course a strength and stresses the fact that these guys actually believe in doing this. Still, I can't help but wonder how they would have sounded if they had chosen to follow their own musical path instead of ending up a cover band. Would they have been the next big thing? A respected underground phenomenon? The new hope of Metal? We'll never know, as
Powergod have chosen to follow, not to lead.
The album features a lot of guest stars, either from the bands that made the original songs or other Metal stars from various bands. This gives the record a bit more variation and a feeling that this was at least fun to do. I particularly like
Tom Angelripper's vocals on
The War Drags Ever On and
Schmier on
Total Disaster.
So, the music is cool, but I just don't see the big point in releasing two tribute albums in a row. Not all people should be in bands. If you got nothing to say on your own why scream loud? I guess the only justifiable reason to release this album, is to draw attention to some of the more forgotten, original bands and make people go out and buy their records. But if that is the purpose, I guess
Powergod should just start a promotion company instead.
Due to the fact that not one note or vocal line was written or re-arranged in any major way by the band, I feel forced to rate this album 666.
Written by
Nina Thursday, September 8, 2005
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