John Corabi - Unplugged

John Corabi is one of those guys, that I always root for, to break through.  The guy is a major talent, but for some reason, even though he's had a few breaks, has never seemed to hit it big.  Needless to say, when he has a release, I'm definitely gonna check it out.  His latest release, is a best of, of sorts, done acoustically.  John has dug out some of the best tunes he did with The Scream, Motley Crue and Union to make his new album Unplugged.  As a bonus there are 5 new tracks to sink your teeth into.  

Corabi just has one of those voices that can fit in any scenario.  He can scream tunes out with distortion and come off very tasteful when unplugged.  I'm generally not a fan of acoustic records, but this one was fun to listen to, because Corabi does such a nice job with the re-interpretations of these classic tunes.  The classics are good, but don't forget about the new tunes either, because they are strong as well.  A very enjoyable listen.  

Bottom Line: Corabi showing that he still has the chops.  A solid mix of some re-done classics as a few new gems.  For fans of solid acoustic rock, this is right up your alley.

Standout Tracks: Love (I Don't Need it Anymore), Man in the Moon, Loveshine and Crash.

-Ragman is jonesing for a Corabi (plugged in) rock record.

Farewell My Love - Mirror, Mirror

It seems like a lot of new bands are testing the waters with EP's instead of full length CD's these days.  The latest band I have run into, that adheres to this format is Farewell My Love.  They are a Screamo/Pop band out of Ohio looking to make some waves with their first EP for Standby Records Mirror, Mirror.  They kind of remind me of My Chemical Romance, but with a little more edge.  The EP is packed with 4 original tunes as well as a cover of Bon Jovi's It's My Life.  The songs are punchy and poppy and grow on you after awhile.  The standouts are Skip the Memories and My Perfect Thing.  The cover of the Bon Jovi tune is good, but comes off a little karaoke.  I would had liked to of heard them put a little more of their own spin on it.  All in all not a bad start for some new comers.

Bottom Line: Power/Pop new comers looking to make an impact with a melodic EP.  The songs are catchy, and after a few listens will start to get you hooked.

-Ragman is looking for the black nail polish.

Deep Purple - Live in Paris 1975

Deep Purple's - Live In Paris 1975 was originally released by Purple records several years, but now has been digitally re-mastered and sounds better than ever.  This show was recorded on April 17, 1975 at the Palais des Sports in Paris, and was the very last concert to feature guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, before he left to form Rainbow with Ronnie James Dio.  This was an interesting time for the band, because Ian Gillan and Roger Glover were out, and new comers David Coverdale (vocals) and Glenn Hughes (bassist/vocalist), were in.  

Live In Paris 1975 represents a significant moment in the band's history, which makes this package a must, for any die hard Purple fans.  This was an era that is often overlooked from the band's history, due to the fact that Gillan and Glover weren't in the band at that point.  Funny thing is, is that this is this line up, recorded some of the more memorable tunes from their vast catalog.  

All the classics are represented on this 2 disc set.  The show was taped during the Stormbringer tour, so there is a fair amount of material on here from that album, as well as Burn.   The band sound great and the recording is crisp.  Everyone is on top of their game and even giddy at times.  Coverdale and Hughes command the audience, and come off sounding a little goofy, but that is what make this CD great.  It is pure, raw and Purple.

Bottom Line: A stellar line up that doesn't get the praise it should.  It is hard hard to imagine how many great things these guys would have done had they stayed together.  One of the better live releases from the band.  

Standout tracks: Burn, Mistreated, The Gypsy, and Stormbringer

-Ragman wishes this one was on DVD as well....

Love Might Kill - 2 Big 2 Fail

Love Might Kill is one of those bands that comes up behind you and gives you a wedgie, when you're least expecting it.   It is bands like this that make my day, and make me proud to be a metal head.  Yeah, wedgies aren't cool, unless you are the giver and not the receiver, but that is not the point here.  This band kicks ass and there is no way getting around it.  The band basically came out of nowhere a few years back and now are setting the stage for something that could be great.  There are no real big names in the band, with the exception of drummer Michael Ehre (Firewind, Uli Jon Roth, Metallium), but it doesn't matter, because the music is doing the talking.

Love Might Kill is a mix of melodic hard rock with a metal tinge.  The songs are well rooted in that catchy 80's formula, without coming off sounding dated.  The real star in the band for me is vocalist Jan Manenti, whom is just a stellar vocalist.  His voice is so versatile, coming off sounding similar to greats like, Paul Shortino, Tony Martin and even Ronnie Atkins.  Guitarist's Christian Stöver and Stefan Ellerhorst are no slouches either.  Tasteful solos and incredible melodies.  

Imagine if you will, a band that has the elements of Rough Cutt, Black Sabbath and Pretty Maids, all mixed in one,  and you would be pretty close.  There are a nice mix of mid and up tempo-rockers as well as a ballad.  Just a great CD all around.  Killer tunes, executed in fine form by a very talented band.  Go get this one.

Bottom Line: Great melodic hard rock with some kick.  Well written tunes that will stick with you.  This is one of those CD's, that is so good, that it will have stay power.

Standout Tracks: Perfect Mistake, The One, 2 Big to Fail and Alone.

-Ragman can't get this one out of his CD player.

Scelerata - The Sniper

Brazil definitely carries the torch for NNWBHM, and Scelerata has what it takes to stand out from the crowdEver since I discovered the energetic music of Brazil’s Angra, I’ve had a deep respect for that part of the world as a source of metal music. Bottom line, those Brazilians know their metal and make some damn good music. Following that path are the boys of Scelerata, whose third studio album, The Sniper, easily sits alongside anything I’ve listened to in the last several years as the kind of metal music that bangs your head, brother! Not sure why I just went all Hulkamania on you, but it still stands that Scelerata’s latest album rocks thoroughly.

Like Angra, Scelerata features breakneck rhythms, ripping solos, and powerful vocals, as if someone switched out Iron Maiden’s beer supply for some of Starbuck’s strongest dark roast. But to me, that’s modern metal at its finest: powerful and heavy anthems, replete with guitar shredding, all over a seismic backbeat. The Iron Maiden connection is obvious when you hear this music, but it couldn’t be made more clear than having Paul Di’Anno not only singing but co-writing on the album. Like I said, those Brazilians know their metal roots.

The Bottom Line: Fans of good old fashioned power metal of the South American variety should love this album. If you’re not, but you like modern metal as well as classic NWBHM bands, you should give this a try.

Tracks To Raise Your Fists In Solidarity To: Pretty much the whole record.

- Genghis needs a monitor to put his foot on when he sings along to this stuff…