U.D.O. - Decadent

U.D.O. are back, and they may have just released their strongest CD, of their career.  There were some questions, about the band, with the departure of longtime bandmate Stefan Kaufman back in 2011.  Their first release, post Kaufman, Steelhammer signaled the return of the classic U.D.O. sound.  Questions answred!  It was a solid release, but not as strong as this new platter. Decadent is chock full of instant classics, that will keep you wanting more. 

Decadent starts off strong, with the opener, Speeder, which is an in your face, up tempo rocker, that is sure to be a big hit live.  It is melodic and full of killer riffs.  The band sound crisp and Udo's vocals sound stronger than ever.  It is hard to believe that Udo Dirkschneider has now been fronting his namesake, for almost 30 years.  From the opening track, to the final track, Words in Flame, this one is solid.  The best thing about this record, is how it blends all facets of Udo's career.  From the crushing mid-tempo rocker Untouchable to the more melodic Pain (ala Accept - Metal Heart era) this one gives you the whole enchilada, and more. 

Bottom Line: U.D.O. may have stumbled, a bit, over the past few releases, but they have re-established themselves, as a force to be recknoded with.  Solid form start to finish.  Ok, there's a ballad and ya know.

Standout Tracks: Speeder, Untouchable, Words of Flame, Pain

-Ragman is shaving his head, and getting out his fatigues.

Attack of the Morningside Monster

Looking for a slasher flick, with a pretty solid story line?  Well look no further, because that is exactly what you get with Attack of the Morningside Monster.  Attack isn't your typical B-Flick, because it contains some somewhat known actors and a solid story line.  The movie is about, a small town in New Jersey, that has recently been sticken with a number of murders.  The murderer wears a tribal mask, and seems to have a thing for drug dealers.  Not only does the killer kill, but he also performs tri-ballistic rituals. 

This was a pretty solid movie, which kept me guessing until the end.  The story follows a cop, as he tries to unsolve the mystery, of whom the killer is.  It is as much of a drama as it is a horror flick.  The murder scenes weren't too graphic, until the killer has his way with them post mortem.  All in all a fun flick, which kept my interest for its entirety.

Bottom Line: A B-Flick that breaks the mold.  Good acting with a good story.  A murder mystery that will keep you guessing.

-Ragman thought this one was a bit cheesey until the plot unraveled before his eyes. 

Brant Bjork And The Low Desert Punk Band - Black Flower Power

If you're wondering where these guys' heads are at just check out that album cover. I mean let's not be coy, shall we?You may remember the name Brant Bjork as founding member of stoner rock legends Kyuss. And now he's on his own with his Low Desert Punk Band looking to give genre junkies a fix of his blend of stoner rock, blues, and doom prescription with new album Black Flower Power.

I've stated many times that while intitially on the fence about it (leaning to shunning it), I've since come to really dig this stoner rock/metal revival business - and Bjork's band rocks the shit out of some tunes, man. There's the traditional Sabbathy plodding of songs like Controllers Destroyed, but things can sometimes pick up into fast grooving jams as on Stokely Up Now or even turn into ballsy blues riffage as on Buddha Time (Everything Fine). And during it all, Bjork's Gene Simmons-like growl becomes its own instrument, like a second lead guitar wailing through the din. In any case, if you just wanna get high and have your fave fuzzed off, this is the joint for you, my man. Just stock up on the munchies.

The Bottom Line: This is, like, classic stoner blues rock, man. So don't hassle it.*laughs*

Tracks To Jam To While Motherfucking Stoned To The Bone: Shit, all of 'em, man.

- Genghis knows that's a dog and that's a cat, but wonders where the potato chips are...

Revolution Saints (self-titled)

You ready for some classic melodic hard rock? Well, Revolution Saints has what the doctor ordered.Thirsty for that classic melodic hard rock sound? Well, so were the boys at Frontier records when they put together a dream team of rockers including the likes of drummer Deen Castronovo (Bad English, Journey), bassist Jack Blades (Night Ranger, Damn Yankees) and bad-ass guitarist Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio and Burning Rain). The result is a pretty sweet release of ballads and rockers showcasing each artists road-honed talents, the self-titled debut album of Revolution Saints.

So in so far as that classic melodic hard rock sound, there's no great surprises here. But don't dismiss it as just another such album in a long line. What makes this music more impressive than usual are the tight, bouncy arrangements and notable guest stars (Arnel Pineda and Neal Schon, no less), but if pressed to identify the secret sauce, I'd have to hand it to Doug Aldrich whose solos are just nothing short of amazing.

The Bottom Line: Classic melodic hard rock is a unique genre all its own and these guys are some of its best practitioners, ably displaying all of its hallmarks from soulful ballads to upbeat rockers. The guest stars make a nice touch, but ultimately, this genre is all about the guitar work and there's few better than Doug Aldrich. 'Nuff said.

- Genghis will never play this well...

Battleaxe - Power From The Universe

If you never heard of Battleaxe, this is your chance to hear some bonafide old school NWOBHM, my friend.There are few metal genres more lauded than the fabled New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Sadly, amongst the Iron Maidens and Motörheads, you have bands no less crucial to the movement that tend to get forgotten in the tide of time. Thankfully, notable NWOBHM band Battleaxe's sophomore release Power From The Universe is enjoying a 30th anniversary re-release.

Everything you'd expect from an English band of the late 70s and early 80s is here in spades: Gruff, working man vocals, blues-tinged licks, stories of bravado and celebration and - most importantly - chugging grooves over seismic drums abound. I'm happy to say this music holds up pretty well for the most part. After 30 years of all sorts of metal evolution it's natural to be waiting for some real distortion to kick things into high gear, but to be fair, it's bands like the former that paved the way for the latter.

The Bottom Line: If you missed the train the first time it left the station, Battleaxe is worthy of attention if only for its place in NWOBHM history. You can easily hear elements of later bands like Quiet Riot or Mötley Crüe in their rhythmic explorations. Good stuff.

Tracks To Rock Out To While Trimming Your Handlebar Moustache: Metal Rock and Radio Thunder

- Genghis thinks he maybe needs a leather vest...