Halford - Live in Anaheim

A must for Halford fans, with the Metal God in his elementBefore re-joining Judas Priest in July of 2003, Metal God Rob Halford was on tour supporting his newest release, Crucible.  Little did we know at the time that The Metal God would be returning to his throne with Priest.  Live in Anaheim is a live recording of a show that the band did in Anaheim a month before he re-joined the lads.  This double CD package, also includes some live tracks from a show that the band did in Tokyo earlier that year. 

LIA is a nice collection of classic Priest, Fight and Halford tunes.  I was really impressed with the set, as Rob dug out some classic Priest to play on this tour.  Songs like Rapid Fire and Never Satisfied were a real treat to hear performed live.  I was also excited to see that the rare track Light Comes out of Black was included.  As far as the sound goes, the CD was mixed well and gives you a sense of being at the show.  My only critique, is that it sound is a little trebly at times.  The great thing is to hear how the band had grown together since the last live release.  I like the set list, but I would have liked to have heard a little more Fight included.  A nice disk to get us ready for the new CD as well as the live dates, coming this fall.

Bottom Line: The Metal God doing what he does best, performing live.  A 23 song platter of come and get you some.  Rob sounds great and re-assures you why he is still the Metal God.  The set list differs enough from the Live Insurrection disc to make this a must for Halford fans.

Standout Tracks: Light Comes Out of Black, Golgotha, Rapid Fire and Resurrection

- Ragman is ready for the new Halford

Mekong Delta - Wanderer on the Edge of Time

Technical prog metal with melody? Mekong Delta pulls it off...You either get Mekong Delta or you don't.  There is no in between.  They are one of the more technical prog bands out there today.  The music is complex which can lose the listener at times, but if get it, then you will be in metal heaven.  MK have just released their 9th album Wanderer on the Edge of Time, which is a fifteen song concept record that takes the listener on a musical journey.  I would say about half the CD contains vocals, while the other is instrumental. 

New vocalist Martin LeMar delivers a commanding performance on each song that includes vocals; especially on the track Affection.  The vocal tracks are definitely the strongest tracks on the CD.  Don't get me wrong, the instrumentals rock, but this band is so sick, that you get a full dose of guitar gymnastics within every track, that they aren't really needed.  Mekong Delta have been victims of their own talent, because at times their music steers too far off the beaten path, which ends up loosing the listener.  I found this to be true on their last CD Lurking Fear, to an extent, but that is what you get with Mekong Delta.   I think the band was more focussed on Wanderer and has made this a more accessible CD, than their last effort.  All in all a solid CD.

Bottom Line:  Technical metal that contains melody, and is accessible and enjoyable.  Music that gives your senses a work out.  MK have molded the best of both worlds, by bringing in more melody, and creating memorable songs that will stick with you, rather than confuse you.  This would be a killer CD to circuit train to - talk about a workout.

Standout Tracks: The 5th Element, A Certain Fool, Affection and Mistaken Truth

- Ragman is now ready for the gym (not really)

Accept - Blood of the Nations

Their best album in 25 years - and no Udo? Whaaaaa?!I have to admit, when I first heard that Accept had replaced UDO, and they were going to put out new record, I was prepared to hate it.  After speaking to UDO, and hearing the early samples that the band had posted on their website, with new vocalist Mark Tornillo (ex- TT Quick),  it was obvious this was going to end poorly for the metal pioneers from Germany.  Being a fan of the band for so many years, I felt obligated to give their new CD The Blood of Nations a fair shake, and thank goodness I did.  This CD, is pure and simply, amazing.  This could be the best CD the band has put out since Metal Heart (1985).  Not to take away from the records the band did with UDO in the 90's, because there was some solid material on those CD's, but with Blood of the Nations, the band has taken it up a notch, and delivered a classic Accept record.

This CD is a throwback to the classic Accept sound, but with a more up to date production.  Thanks to veteran producer Andy Sneap.  Songs like the first single Teutonic Terror and the title track, will command you to throw your fist in the air and sing along.  Tornillo sounds great and doesn't try to be an UDO clone.  Mark's vocal style is similar to Dirkschneider's, but with better versatility.  We all know that UDO is not the best ballad vocalist, and this is where Mark shines, especially on the track Kill the Pain.  Hoffman and Co. sound great and have returned with a strong enough album to get the Accept machine rolling again.  This CD rocks!  Go get it!

Bottom Line: Accept is back and they are here to stay.  The best CD the band has produced in over 25 years, and believe it or not UDO was not involved.  Nay sayer's must check this one out, because Tornillo delivers the goods vocally and the rest of the band kills musically. 

- Ragman has his balls to the wall

Lights Camera Dead

After the first half hour, it ain't all that bad...Well it is getting closer to Halloween, so it's time to bring in some horror movie reviews.  My latest quest is a B-Rated horror flick called Lights Camera Dead.   LCD is a movie about and aspiring movie director named Ryan, that will do whatever it takes to make a great film.  Ryan and many of his friends have decided to make a horror film named The Music Box.   The Music Box is your classic serial killer/slasher film.  When the film doesn't go as planned, and the whole cast quits, Ryan devises a plan to get the cast back together and film them being murdered one, by one. 

In theory, this is a cool plot that should work, but as with most B-movies, the acting is poor and the special effect leave much to be desired.  The first 35 to 40 min. of the flick, are forgettable, but once the killing starts, things start to turn around.  The movie is not bad, but not great either.  Like I said the acting is poor, but the storyline is just interesting enough to keep you watching.  If you're bored, and are looking for a okay horror movie, then this is your film.

Bottom Line: B-movie that is worth a view, once you fastforward through the first 30 min. or so.  Also, a bonus is that friend of the show Richard Christy (Charred Walls of the Damned, The Howard Stern Show) makes a cameo.

- Ragman got what he expected

Demians - Mute

Unlike their first album, this one is more like background musicHot off the heels of their breakthrough debut CD, Demians is back with their sophomore effort Mute.  Mute is a bit of a departure from Building an Empire, because it is more raw and less polished than the debut.  I think the change in sound is mainly due to Nicholas Chapel electing to ditch the samples and use real instruments for the entire record.  The album is heavier and more modern than it's predecessor.  Songs like Feel Alive and Tidal, could be breakthrough songs, for the band, on Buzz radio, with the proper push. 

There are elements of the first record, like on the track Hesitation Waltz, but for the most part this CD stands alone, and takes the band in a new direction.  Demians toured with Porcupine Tree last year, and it appears that they made a big impression on Nicholas.  There are elements of PT on this CD, mixed with the Demians sound. There is also some experimentation on this record, like on the track Overhead, which has a middle eastern vibe to it, but unfortunately I think there was too much.  I missed some of the more proggier moments, that the first CD brought to the table.  Don't get me wrong, the CD has some strong tracks that will grab you, but unlike the first record, Mute takes several listens before you start to get it.

Bottom Line: One of those records you can just put on and forget about.  It is great background music, that unfortunately doesn't grab you enough to force you to bring it to the forefront.   A good record that will take several listens to get into.  Be patient my freind.

Standout Tracks: Tidal, Feel Alive, Heistation Waltz & Porcelain

- Ragman was hoping for a little more