Album reviews: KILL DEVIL HILL, HINDER, NITROGODS, KINGCROW

February 16th, 2013 by jason

KILL DEVIL HILL – S/T
SPV www.spv.de

Where have I been? Kill Devil Hill is a new project instigated by Vinnie Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio, Rainbow) and Rex Brown (Pantera) and this work was released at the end of May 2012.

Two lesser-known individuals in Mark Zavon (guitar) and Dewey Bragg (vocals) form the remainder of the band, but they prove to play a strong role in this project. The sound on this work has heavy Black Sabbath influences within a modern rock sound a la Alice in Chains/Soundgarden – with some groove-laden guitar hooks tossed into the mix. Brown excels in this work with his bass work, adding an extra dimension to Appice’s thunderous drumming and Zavon’s strong guitar work. The songs are constructed such that the listener does not get bored…

This is a monster album that deserves a hard rocker’s attention! Superb.

****3/4
Nick van der Meulen

HINDER – Welcome to the Freakshow

It’s a tough life being a rock star. The fourth album from Canadian rockers Hinder begins to showcase the hardships of relentless touring and recording…

As ever, the band produces their own sound of melodic modern rock: some great driving tunes, some soft and marshmallowy ballads, with topics ranging from rocking, partying, grabbing a few one night stands, relationship heartbreak etc. Nothing different from their previous offerings, but the album sounds as if they’ve lost their edge – there isn’t a song that jumps out at you and slaps you in the face.

Still one of the best modern rock bands out there, but “Welcome to the freakshow” is not their best work. Still a good listen, though…

***3/4
Nick van der Meulen

NITROGODS – S/T
SPV www.spv.de

Nitrogods is a rocking trio hailing from Germany. This self-titled work is their debut release.

This album is relentless in the way it rocks your socks off! With more than a slight doff of the cap to Motorhead in terms of musical influence, this release smacks of driving blues rock, heavy smoke and lots of whisky (try “Wasted in Berlin” for size).

While not necessarily original, the music and attitude will have you nodding your head and tapping your feet (or burying the throttle if you’re driving!). A superb album if you like your rawk a little dirty.

****1/2
Nick van der Meulen

ØL – Cortello Morello
Art Development Productions

A German band on the go since 1996, Øl has produced a sizeable number of EP’s and albums (over twenty) over the years.

The band produces melodic, yet melancholic, pop rock with touches of Big Country and Red Hot Chili Peppers (without the funk). The vocalist (couldn’t find his name) has strains of Blaze Bayley to his voice and is well supported with harmonizing vocals where necessary. The introductory track is a little unnecessary (recordings of radio reports), but the band can be forgiven for this, as the rest of the album flows smoothly and effortlessly.
Easy listening pop rock (more rock than pop) with haunting, melodic tunes. For those who don’t necessarily like a hard edge to their rock music, this comes highly recommended.

****1/4
Nick van der Meulen

GOLDEN RERSURRECTION – One Voice for the Kingdom
Liljegren Records

Christian Liljegren and Tommy ReinXeed are of the hardest working Scandinavian musicians as of late, as they pound out album after album, some with great success. This work is Golden Resurrection’s third release since they formed in 2009…
The aim was to produce a more in-your-face metal album than the neo-classical rock they are more renowned for. While they managed to succeed in their endeavour, it has come with a few disadvantages. Liljegren has one of the most powerful voices in metal, yet his voice has not been mixed to sound that way – it sounds more subdued. The same can be said for ReinXeed’s wailing solos…it needed to be brought to the fore. As a result, the songs come across as not much better than average. The lack of variation in song tempo eventually makes this work a bit tiresome to listen to.

The talent is there, but I believe if more time was spent bringing out the artists’ strengths there would have been more to be enthusiastic about. For fans only.

***
Nick van der Meulen

KINGCROW – In Crescendo
Sensory

Kingcrow is an Italian progressive band specialising in incorporating the elements of metal in their work. “In Crescendo” is their fourth album and with it comes a change in ideas…
The album is a change in that there is a heavy element of progressive rock added to the mix. This results in a melodic rock album with various changes in tempo, soaring vocals, frenetic guitar solos and solid, heavy rhythm guitar. It makes for a very pleasant listen, with the longer tracks (such as the title track) remaining interesting to listen to.

A fine progressive rock release worthy of your attention. If you enjoy Dream Theater, you’re going to love this.

****
Nick van der Meulen

STARFIRE – The Way I Am

Dynasty Records www.starfiremusic.com

Starfire is the project of vocalist Dairenn Lombard and this CD was released last autumn, although the songs may pre-date that. Mind you he could do with updating his website as the last updates were back in 2011.

Sorry to report that this album is amongst the worst I have heard for awhile. The production is poor quality and the songs have some so-so melodies but the lyrics on say ‘Lip Service’ would even make Gene Simmons cringe…

Avoid big time.

*1/2

Jason Ritchie

MOTHER OF GOD – Anthropos

Small Stone Records www.smallstone.com

Swedish band who have released a couple of EP’s to date before this their debut album on Small Stone Records, a label fast becoming a leading light for stoner/classic 70′s groove rock albums. Mother Of God look set to carry on the high standards as they have a varied and enjoyable musical array on this album.

Definite highlight is the foot stomping ’230′, classy groovy hard rock. They show their stoner/space rock side on songs like ‘Aim For The Sun’ and the wonderfully trippy ‘Adrift’. Mind you listen ‘To Live’ and they rock out like Pearl Jam jamming with Sabbath and the added organ makes the song heavier. The extended jam of ‘Lucy’ takes the listener from frantic riffs through to more mellower moments, impressive stuff.

There is much to enjoy on here – an album to chill out to and savour.

***1/2

Jason Ritchie

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

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12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)