Trivium - In Waves

It's not a revolutionary album by any means, but it'll rock your ass pretty good, tell you what.It may seem silly to mention, but the cover for Trivium's latest album looks more like a minimalist poster for some new, atmospheric horror movie rather than the band's fifth studio album. And interestingly, the first track on the album seems to fit that mode with it's haunting piano, as if it were lifted from the next Silent Hill soundtrack.

But [Matt] Heafy and company's latest offering to the metal genre, In Waves, is more concerned with rocking the shit out of you than making you fear what's lurking around the next corner. And they do it with all of the bombastic energy and conviction you'd expect from the Floridian metal masters. There are a precious few in the current crop of young metal bands that tastefully blend the right elements of what's worked before in the genre without seeming like a throwback.

It's one thing to realize that speed is king once again, and that thrash is an enduring component of brutal, metal music. But Trivium makes sure to incorporate these elements as technique rather than gimmick, which shows them to be true fans of as well as creators of metal.  By the same token, many will no doubt criticize the band for not taking the next step in its evolution like some experimental prog band.  But look at the albums of Trivium's biggest 80s era influences (Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, et al) and I'd wager you didn't find much evolution in their music - and that didn't hurt them much at all.  Not every new album has to burst through boundaries, and there's something to be said for churning out respectable, dependable product.  Okay, off the soapbox. 

The Bottom Line: Trivium's new album may seem to some like a step backward for a band that's stood out in the post-metal-resurgence world, with the likes of Children of Bodom, as part of the new guard that's flying the flag of old school metal with a new school sensibility.  Sure, solos are more restrained - they've shown they have the chops - and production is less raw, but I dig what I hear, okay?   We get it, old school is cool, but this is the 21st century, is it not? I mean we're not talking Kanye 'Auto Tune' West-level overproduction here.

Standout Tracks: Dusk Dismantled, In Waves, & Black

- Genghis is ready for some more new metal releases...

Podcast #126: Merciless

The boys take you backstage at the House of Blues for An Evening With...Eric Martin.What's bigger than seeing Mr. Big on their latest tour?  Meeting Mr. Big on their latest tour. And that's just what Genghis and Ragman recently did for An Evening With...Eric Martin.  Join the boys as they discuss Mr. Big's latest record What If... following it up with a live interview with Eric Martin.  Eric and the band rolled out the welcome mat backstage at the House of Blues to discuss the band's first tour of the U.S. in years, as well as the possibilities of a new album.

DVD of the Show: Mr. Big - Back to Budokan

Beer of the Show:  Left Hand Brewery - TNT Wiessen Double Bock (Beer Rating: 2)

Featured Tracks: Wind Me Up, Take Cover (King's X), Suffocation, Just Take My Heart,  Merciless, Unforgiven, Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy, As Far As I Can See and American Beauty

- Ragman wants to thank Mr. Big for a stupendous evening!

Podcast #126: Merciless

Pretenders - Loose In L.A. [Blu-Ray]

One of the most recognizable female voices in rock pulls you into a night of some well-crafted songs in hi-def. Now this is how it's done.Truly, Chrissie Hynde is a classic rock and roll chick.  And seeing her do her thing in classic rock and roll style with her band, The Pretenders, playing what have become some classic rock and roll songs, is a really cool thing to see - especially on Blu-Ray.

And that's basically what you get for two hours on Loose In L.A..  Filmed at a sold-out show in the Wiltern Theater in the City of Angels on February 2003 (better late than never, eh?), you may hear Chrissie complain that her voice may not be up to par in the beginning (apparently necessitating a cortisone shot earlier that day), but you wouldn't know it to listen to this disc; she sounds a smooth as ever, singing her way through 26 songs from as many years of the band's catalog like the pro that she is.  The hi-definition looks fantastic and really takes you onstage with the band, with lots of smooth editing that shows the interplay that the band shares in an engaging way.  It really is one of those cases where it's practically better than being there.

It's a fairly standard package, with a 7.1 soundtrack - and one of the best mixed concerts I've ever heard - as well as the obligatory backstage footage and a video thrown in for good measure.  I wouldn't have minded if they'd thrown in more of the band's videos even with their old-school, low-def visuals for nostalgia's sake, but hey, you really can't complain with such a great show of Springsteenian duration.

The Bottom Line: If you're a Pretender's fan, you'll love this - especially since it's easily the best of their sparse live show catalog.  But if you're just a fan of good rock and roll and want to see how it's done by professionals, you won't be disappointed.

- Genghis really would like to see those classic MTV videos in hi-def...

Candelight Red - The Wreckage

Every now and then a new band comes along to stir things up in the modern rock catalog. Now, it's Candlelight Red.It's not everyday that a new band comes along and gives you a swift kick in the arse, and there's a certain satisfaction that occurs.  As you may know, I'm always on the lookout for a killer new band to blow me away, and the latest discovery is called Candelight Red.  They're right out of the Buzz Rock handbook, but with more of an edge. 

Sounding a bit like a cross between Papa Roach/Linkin Park/Bush, their debut record The Wreckage, is 10-track (if you count the intro) modern rock marvel.  The songs are well-written and very memorable.  Take the strongest aspects of each of the aforementioned bands, mix them together, and you get Candelight Red. 

For the most part, the CD is basic modern rock (with an edge), but on the track Medicated the band explores their heavier side.  This song is an uptempo rocker that is more in line with bands like Bullet for My Valentine and In Flames than the ones mentioned previously.  I gotta say I loved the other parts of the CD, but this track sent me over the top.  They may excel as a modern rock band, but they just explode when they heavy things up.  One last note, I have to mention that the band covered 80s pop rockers Roxette's She's Got the Look and just killed it.  I never thought I would hear that one on a hard rock/metal record.  Ballsy, and I like it.  A killer release.

Bottom Line: New rockers mixing it up a bit and creating a solid debut.  A new band with a lot of promise.  Solid tunes that will stay in your head for days.

Standout Tracks: The Dirt, Closer, She's Got the Look and Medicated

- Ragman is trying to make his quota...

Michael Schenker - Temple of Rock

A return to form by one of the masters, Temple of Rock showcases Herr Schenker doing what he does best. Ausgezeichnet!As his fans well know, Michael Schenker, whose influence runs deep within the hard rock/heavy metal community, has had a long successful career as a guitarist.  Being a member of Scorpions and UFO, as well as the founder of MSG, Michael has given his fans lots of shredding over the years.  And while Schenker records have been kind of hit and miss over the last several years due to unstable line ups, his latest offering, Temple of Rock, may well be his return to form. 

The new disc has an all-star lineup with Michael Voss (Casanova) on vocals, Herman Rarebell (Ex-Scorpions) on drums, and Pete Way (UFO) on bass.  If that weren't enough, Michael re-unites with Robin McAuley for the killer track Lover's Sinfony.  I believe this is the first time the two have collaborated since the Mcauley/Schenker years.  Another killer tune in which Schenker re-unites with former a vocalist (Doogie White) is the mid-tempo rocker Before the Devil Knows You're Dead.

Temple of Rock is chock full of killer melodic, hard rock tunes, boasting great melodies and memorable choruses.   Voss executes each song without a hitch, and I really dig this tandem.  These two definitely have a chemistry together - which may be the best match up since he was working with Mcauley.  Songs like Miss Claustrophobia and Scene of Crime are instant classics.  Now before I end this review, I also have to comment how good Schenker sounds on this release.  Michael rips more than I've heard from him in some time.  He really seems inspired and his hard work has definitely paid off.  This is simply a solid release from start to finish.

Editor's Note: Temple of Rock, could have been CD of the month, if it hadn't already been taken.

Bottom Line:  Solid songs driven by hard-hitting riffs make for the most complete Schenker record in sometime.  An all-star cast helps the master create one of his most intriguing, enjoyable records that will be hard to get out of the deck.

Standout Tracks:  Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, Scene of the Crime, Miss Claustrophobia and Storming In

- Ragman has been air guitaring to this one all week...