Heavy Metal Resource Reviews-Overkill, L.A. Guns, Dope, Metallica, & Mike Tramp

Index

For me, it's always a no brainer when it comes to new Overkill material. I own everything they have done and always know what to expect in terms of quality. This band is one of the best in the speed metal/thrash genre and have been for a long time. The music always sounds fresh with there being a little movement around the genre in terms of experimentation. It's always very small experimentation and typically shows as different grooves, maybe a slightly melodic element in places that always gives way to a transition to the heavier side we know and love. This album is that once again. There are a lot of burners on this album, but you also get that slightly different vibe on tracks like 'Fever' or maybe even 'Bag O' Bones'. It's a great listen as always and shows how keeping to your standards yields great results. Kudos once again guys, excellent heavy stuff!

Release Date: April 14, 2023

Another L.A. Guns album is upon us. This the Lewis/Guns version of the band just to clear that up. After checking this one out, it was obvious that there were a lot of vintage things going on. Vintage in not only early L.A. Guns type stuff, but also vintage like 70's classic rock. You'll hear this in the songwriting structure and the tone and sound of quite a few of the songs. I do have to say that the track 'Diamonds' has to be one of my more favorite ballad styled songs the band has done. They did film a video for that one which will be linked below. 'Gonna Lose' had me feeling a bit Zeppelin especially in the chorus. There really is some great stuff here. You can tell the band poured their heart and soul into this record. I think fans of the band and rock fans alike will have a lot to like here. I've been a fan for a long time and really enjoyed this platter of goodies!

Release Date: April 14, 2023

'Blood Money Part 0' came out in February and as far as I know, it can still be obtained as a download for free if you sign up with the band's website. The music is typical of what I have come to expect from the band. Loud, aggressive, full of attitude with a modern sensibility. I grabbed a physical copy from the band's website as I didn't see it offered at Amazon on CD. Another great offering of music from the band. There are many different elements in play here. A bit of industrial mixed with some sleaze stuff and a good dose of nu-metal. You will also get a cover of The Cure classic 'Lovesong'. I wasn't really a fan of the song myself, but have heard it many times and feel Dope did a good job with it. Overall, if you dig more modern sounds, and Dope in general, this is an easy recommend. Loud and bombastic with a very cool groove!

Release Date: February 23, 2023

It's really amazing how polarized fans of Metallica can be. As songs have been coming out over the last few months, opinions have been quite varied. I am a long time fan and try not to get caught up in all of that. I find it very cool that the band has a lengthy career and still takes the opportunity to offer us fans new music. This new record is really good in my opinion. I felt that musically, the bigger chunk of the record fell somewhere between 'And Justice For All' and the 'Load' and 'Reload' albums. There are times where it does get a little faster in tempo, but a good chunk of this album is riff heavy and has great performances by all. Hetfield sounds great on vocals as well. We don't get albums from them real close together these days, but they made the wait worth it with '72 Seasons'. Just plug it in and enjoy!

Release Date: April 14, 2023

I've been a big fan of White Lion for a very long time. Seen them live and usually do a binge listen through their catalogue twice a year. I know their music well. It would have been really cool to have had more output through them, but the explanations have been understandable. Mike Tramp has done this type of thing before with the 'Remembering White Lion' album from the early 2000's. As was done on that album, the songs are variations on the original White Lion versions. The core of the song is there, but the sound has been changed slightly. Take for example the hit 'When The Children Cry'. You'll recognize this new version, but it is a piano version. I think this album brings these songs to new generations. White Lion really deserved to be around longer than they were. Always excellent as are these updated tracks. Great trip down memory lane!

Release Date: April 14, 2023