Vamps - Bloodsuckers

There hasn't been a band from Japan, that has perked my ears, up this high, since the first time I heard Loudness, back in the day.  Who's this band you ask?  Well they're called Vamps.  They are a mixed breed.  These guys can lay down some heavy grooves, but can switch gears, on a dime, and go 80's alternative on you.  Imagine if Cheap Trick, Bullet for My Valentine and say early U2 had a baby, and you might be close.  I did say they were a mixed breed, didn't I?  To be serious, these guys are a lot fun and keep you guessing from track to track.

Bloodsuckers starts off, with the really cool piano instrumental Reincarnation, before kicking into the U2 flavored, Zero, which is an mid-tempo rocker with lots of melody.  It has an atmospheric vibe to it, which reminds me of classic U2. It also has one of those catchy choruses, that will get you hooked instantly.  The whole CD is like this.  Vamps have a great pop sensibility, by creating melodic songs that hook you in.  Don't get me wrong, these guys can pack a punch too, like with the track Evil.  It is an up-tempo rocker, full of aggression ala Bullet for My Valentine.  A solid new band, that will most definitely make some waves globally.

Bottom Line:  If you like you songs full of melody and with an edge, then this is your band.  A solid platter of 13 tunes, that might just give your ear a cavity. 

Standout Tracks:Zero, The Jolly Roger, Replay and Inside Myself

-Ragman wishes that he could of caught these guys live in Tokyo, this past summer.

U.D.O. - Navy Metal Night

Hot off the heels, of his stellar release, Decadent, Udo Dirkschneider and Co., are back, with the live release, Navy Metal Night.  This live performance, was captured back in February of last year, prior to the release of Decadent.  This was a unique show for U.D.O., because they performed, with the German Navy Orchestra.  Imagine, U.D.O. songs with an orchestra.  To be honest, it wasn't something I was seeking out, but since I'm such a huge U.D.O. fan, I had to check it out.

The inclusion of orchestra's, with metal bands, is nothing new, but it had died off a bit.  After the success, that The Scorpions and Metallica had, many bands decided to give it a go, some good and some, not so much.  the idea got played out, but came off a bit fresh, in the case of Navy Metal Night.  It's the bands you don't expect to do it, that surprise you the most.  This one comes in Blu-ray, DVD and CD.

Navy Metal Night, does feature an orchestra, but the real stars are U.D.O.  The orchestra just adds a layer of sound, to the music.  I have to say I was amazed by how well Dirkschneider sounds live.  This guy is in his upper 60's, and has not lost anything live.  The band sound great as well.  I'm not a huge live album guy, but I really dug this one.  The only criticism I have, is that there were a few songs, included in the set, to cater to the orchestra, that I immediately reached for the skip button, other than that, this one's a keeper..

Bottom Line: U.D.O. sounding as great live, as they do in the studio.  The orchestra does thicken up the sound, and was interesting to hear in this recording, but I like it raw.  A solid show with a new element, which made, for a special night for the fans, as well as the band.

Standout Tracks: Heart of Gold, Animal House, Man and Machine and Stillness of Time.

-Ragman is looking for a wrecking ball to swing on.

To Die For - Cult

I've been a To Die For fan, since the late 90's, when they released their debut album, All Eternity.  I followed the band, snatching up every release, up until their 2002 release, Jaded.  After that record, for some reason, they fell off my radar.  Most likely, it was because the music scene really took off at that point, and it was hard to keep up, unless you saw an add, or read a story on Bravewords or Blabbermouth.  If you're not familiar with the band, they are a melodic/goth metal band, from Finland.  They mix melody with a dark sound, which is what drew me to them, over a decade ago.

To Die For have just released their 7th album, Cult, which is their first studio effort in 4 years.  Since I had lost track of the band, I was really curious to check this one out, since I hadn't heard any new music, from them, for quite sometime.  Cult started off a little slow for me, because it wasn't until the 2nd track Screaming Birds, that I got interested.  It is an up-tempo rocker, with a dark melodic vibe, which resonates an early In Flames sound. Unfortunately, after that, it wasn't until the 5th track, You, that I got wired back in.  It is another fast paced tune, that has big powerful chorus, that just oozes with melody and aggression.  Not a bad CD, but not their best.  Another down side is their cover of Paula Abdul's, Straight Up.  Yep, you read that right.  Not a bad cover, just a little kookie.

Vocalist Jape Peratalo, is in fine form, on this release, sounding like a more polished Jaz Coleman (Killing Joke).  The funny thing is, is that I didn't remember his voice sounding, as gruff as it does now.  Don't get me wrong, I like it, I think he sounds really good.  Cult is a nice re-introduction to the band, unfortunately, I don't think that the song writing, on this release, is as strong, as some of their past work.  There are some solid tunes on this release, but there is not the consistency, on this release, that there was in the past.  I'm thinking this is going to be one of those releases, that is going to have to grow one me.

Bottom Line:  A nice goth metal platter, that has a case of the hiccups.  To Die For returning with some solid and not solid material.  If you're a fan of the band I would recommend it, because there are some bright spots on this disk, it just a few low spots. that leaving you scratch your head.

Standout Tracks: Screaming Birds, You, Let it Bleed, End of Tears

-Ragman was hoping for more.

Eat the Gun - Howlinwood

Eat the Gun is a band, that we discovered a couple of years ago, with their release, Stripped to the Bone.  They are a really killer 3 piece, from Munster, Germany, that has an alt-rock sound, with an edge.  Their music is catchy as hell, and will stay with you for days. They have been around since 2002, and have just recently released their 5th album, on SPV, titled Howlinwood.

Howlinwood starts off in fine form, with the title track, which is an up-tempo rocker, that has one of those sing along style choruses, that gets in your head and doesn't let go.  The next track Falling, probably my fave, is also melodic, as hell and will have you singing along as well.  It reminds me, of the melodic side of Volbeat, because of the infectious melody and catchy ness of the tune.  It is also up-tempo rocker, that is destined to be a hit for the band, if they can get some airplay.  About every tune on this CD is solid.  The only one that didn't standout, is the last track on the CD, Anger.  

I could go on, and on, about every track, but you need to hear this thing for yourself.  There is a nice blend of up and mid-tempo songs, rounded out by some slower tunes, to finish the CD.  As many of you know, I'm big on tracklistings, and I think this one flows well.  They hit you in the face, for 3/4 of the record, before letting you up for air, towards the end, starting with the classic rock vibe of The Drudge and then ending with the acoustic song, Anger.  Solid effort from the lads.

Bottom Line:  A fresh new band, even though they've been around 13 years.  Great songs, and solid melodies round out this new disk.  A nice mix of alt rock with some classic vibes.

Standout Tracks: Falling, The Drudge, Blood on your Hands, Electric Life

-Ragman is digging this band, more and more, with each listen.

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators - Live at the Roxy 9/25/14

When Slash teamed up with Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge), on his 2010 solo record, it was destiny, that these guys would end up, in a band together, one day.  To be honest, I have not been much of a fan, of Slash's music, post Guns N Roses.  Yeah, there were a few Velvet Revolver tunes, that were okay, but for the most part, there was nothing that stood out, until his solo release.  The solo release featured some of his strongest material, in years.  After that CD came out, he put a band together, with Myles Kennedy, to support it, and the rest is rock n roll history.

After releasing their second CD, World on Fire, Slash and the band, decided to hold an intimate show, at the Roxy, in Hollywood, to support their latest work, which has just been released on Blu-ray, DVD, and CD.  As with most Blu-rays, the picture on this thing is awesome.  It gives you a sense of being in the club, that night, in the front row, but without the hassles, that can come with a live show. 

I have wanted to see this band live, since the first album.  I'm a huge Myles Kennedy fan, and he does not disappoint, on this Blu-ray.  This guy can sing anything, and does, in this performance.  He takes on the Axel Rose and Scott Weiland material, and makes it his own.  The rest of the band are solid as well, and put on a great show.  I have to say, I haven't seen Slash perform live, since the first G n R tour, and was thoroughly impressed with his playing, during this performance.  All and all, a solid Blu-ray, which shows the band, on fire, no pun intended.  Go get it!

Bottom Line: Slash and the gang in fine form.  The band were on top of their game, and are proving to the masses, that this is the strongest line up that Slash has been involved with post G & R.  So if you're a Guns fan, then this is a must, because this band sounds so much better, than the touring entity, that calls themselves Guns N Roses, these days.

-Ragman was more impressed by this one, than he thought he'd be.  Solid live Blu-ray.