Downspirit - Bulletproof?

Okay, so it has the de riguer Roxette cover, but these Germans can rock, man.It's kind of cool to know that American metal has been around long enough to influence the influencers. In the case of Downspirit, you get a band from Germany that has all of the earmarks of a band working the Sunset Strip, by way of the South. Imagine the homegrown rebel sound of Hellyeah crossed with the melodic, AOR savvy of Bon Jovi and you get a sense of the heavy, groove-laden tunes this band puts out.

Bulletproof?, their second album in as many years, continues the path of their debut, Point of Origin, demonstrating a good sense of balance between high energy rhythyms and catchy choruses, and capped off with a thick layer of rock-n-roll attitude. It's not a new formula, but when it's done well, it's hard to complain about the result.

The Bottom Line: Hard work on the touring circuit and dedication to a simple, clear musical vision should always pay off if you have the talent. Luckily for Downspirit they've got just that. And as good as this version is, let's all just agree to stop doing Roxette covers, cool?

Tunes to Listen to While Shopping for Leather Pants: Greed, Get the F**k Up, and The Look

- Genghis wonders when the hell Roxette got so popular...

Happy Thanksgiving from The Right To Rock!

No matter where you are or what your situation is (and it can be pretty rough in this world), we're still pretty sure that everyone's got something going for them to be thankful about. So, whatever that is for you, The Lads here at The Right To Rock just want to say, we are genuinely glad for it.

So, as we celebrate those things today here in America, Genghis & Ragman - and all the crazy people here at TRTR - raise our glasses, and wish our fans a sincere, hearty

HORNS UP!

- Genghis is strongly considering another slice of that pumpkin cheesecake...

Stryper - Live In Indonesia at the Java Rockin Land

It is really cool for me to bands like Stryper, still carrying the flag after 30 years.  The band was a solid force on Mtv and the scene until about the mid 90's, when they decided to hang up the yellow and black for awhile.  The band reunited in 2003 and has been touring and releasing new material ever since. Their latest release is the DVD Live In Indonesia at the Java Rockin’ Land, which was filmed in 2010, but seeing it's first release after being in the can for 2 years thanks to MVD Visual.

The set list, on this DVD, consists of 12 songs that span the band’s career,  primarily focusing mainly on their earlier material, as you would expect.  I did like that they included material off of Murder By Pride and Reborn, because it proves that they're still writing relevant material.  The DVD is shot with a film look to it.  Multi camera which looks amazing.  The band were on that night as well, as they are most nights.  You really don't realize how good these guys are, until you witness them live, and this DVD is a great example.

Bottom Line: Stryper still looking and sounding awesome.  The band bring it live and prove here on film.

-Ragman is craving honey for some reason.

In Alcatraz 1962 - The Drive

Them boys from up yonder in Virginny sure can rock that heavy metal, boss. Yessir. *spit*Formed out of Northern Virginia a few years ago, and featuring a sound honed by relentless touring, In Alcatraz 1962 is a band that should do well on any modern metal tour (Vans Warped, Jaegermeister, et al).  Their aggression is matched deftly with the tightness you'd expect from a group of serious-minded headbangers in songs that are aspirational as well as resigned - which I like, quite frankly. I'm a little tired of the whole nihilistic spirit that pervades most metal. Yeah, it's metal so we don't want to sound like a bunch of pussies, but if life's so damned tedious and depressing in its supposed meaninglessness, why even bother trying to make a living as an artist at all rather than just eating a gun? I mean, come on. Show a little backbone, will ya?

Luckily, the boys in In Alcatraz 1962, having eschewed that familiar rhetoric, can draw on their many influences to make some rocking energetic tunes on this debut about committment and The Drive to succeed. (America, fuck yeah!)

I dig the production on this album, courtesy of Don DeBiase at Studio D Productions (Modern Day Escape, Along Came A Spider, Vanilla Ice). This is a common complaint I have against inaugural releases from most metal bands trying to capture their road-honed sound with a new producer and what is likely their first time in a real studio. I think the band's years of live experience has clearly had a positive effect on their sound and I would love to catch them here in Houston some time. You might wanna do the same in your town.

Tracks That Make You Want to Plan Your Next Live Show: The Fatal Flaw, Over These Years, Winter Sun

The Bottom Line: Good old-fashioned American metal from a band that's earned their sound and a chance at a profitable career through hard work and committment. How's that for an American success story?

- Genghis is *this* close to moshing around the office...

Zombie Babies

Zombie Babies is about 2 hillbilly rednecks, that run an illegal abortion clinic in a Hotel/Casino.  Their practice is extremely low budget, as their surgery tools consists of only a coathanger.  On paper this could be entertaining, but in reality, not so much.  The story starts off with four couples going in for abortions at the same time, but with only 3 going all the way through with it.  Since it is a hotel, the guests stick around and eventually get picked off by mutant babies.  Zombie Babies is full of bad acting, 2nd rate jokes and really poor special effects.  I like a good B flick, just like the next guy, but this one got hard to watch.

Bottom Line:  Gore, goobs and boredom sum this one up.  A horror flick with a decent idea, but not excecuted well at all.  If you're going to watch this one, make sure you have lots of booze.

-Ragman had to nudge himself a few times during this one.