Metal Farmer Pritham D'Souza: February 2010

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Annihilator - Alice In Hell (1989)

Annihilator - Alice In Hell (1989) album review by Pritham 'Metal Farmer' D'Souza

Line Up

Randy Rampage
Jeff Waters
Anthony Greenham
Wayne Darley
Ray Hartmann

Track Listing

Crystal Ann
Alison Hell
W.T.Y.D.
Wicked Mystic
Burns Like A Buzzsaw Blade
Word Salad
Schizos (are never alone) parts 1&2
Ligeia
Human Insecticide

Thrash Metal by definition means music that's played very fast and very aggressive. Some older bands that easily fit in the Thrash Metal sub genre are METALLICA, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX, EXODUS and the most notorious SLAYER. However, any Thrash Metal list or compilation is definitely incomplete without a mention to Canadian Thrashers ANNIHILATOR. Jeff waters is one of the most talented musicians out there and his jaw dropping metal solos and riffs have to be heard to be believed.

The album i chose to review as a 'must have metal masterpiece' also happens to be their debut. Released at a time (1989) when thrash metal seemed to be on a slow decline and death metal was getting all the attention it deserved, the band stood tall and proud over all the other local thrash acts that were getting media coverage for all reasons other than music.

Musically, Annihilator is exactly what Thrash Metal is supposed to be. It makes you wanna Thrash about the place without a care for anyone or self. Some might call them a hybrid between the other 2 heavy weights Metallica and Megadeth, but Annihilator doesnt sound anything like them. it probably is inspired by the technical prog guitar works of Megadeth and the fist thumping monster riffs of Metallica, but Annihilator adds its very own special ingredient that makes for an appetizing metal treat.

The album opens with the awesome and intricate classical guitar intro 'Crystal Ann' which under 2 minutes is something not to expect from a thrash metal band. 'Alison Hell' has an eerie build up before it explodes into a typical thrash number. the only difference here , is the song has a lot of tempo changes which makes it border line progressive. 'W.T.Y.D' stands for Welcome To Your Death' , starts on a fast note and has a surprising proggy guitar solo interlude that will make RUSH fans grin in delight.

'Ligeia' is without a doubt the heaviest and most brutal track on the album and its basically a retelling of Edgar Allen Poe's supernatural story of love lost and found. Tracks like 'World Salad', 'Schizos (are never alone)' see Jeff , take his writing skills on matters related to altered states of mind. He can really set the guitar fretboard on fire with his immaculate picking style and flowing legato action.

Everything track on this album is awesome. This album is the musical equivalent of a bulldozer operated by a deranged psychopath who gets his high on running over anything that walks. Brutal and relentless.

This album definitely 'burns like a buzzsaw blade'...just a word of advice. DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING YOUR CAR. You will wanna run over someone. If death by over speeding doesnt kill you, getting your ass raped in prison just might. Then u can blame Annihilator's Alice In Hell for for current state.

My rating
10/10

listen to sample track here Legeia from Alice In Hell

Friday, February 12, 2010

Dio - Holy Diver (1983)

Dio - Holy Diver (1983) album Review by Pritham 'Metal Farmer' D'Souza

From metal pics

Lineup:

Ronnie James Dio
Vivian Campbell
Jimmy Bain
Vinny Appice

Track Listing:

Stand Up and Shout
Holy Diver
Gypsy
Caught in the Middle
Don't Talk to Strangers
Straight Through the Heart
Invisible
Rainbow in the Dark
Shame on the Night.

Some facts about Ronnie James Dio. His real name is Ronald James Padavona. He is an American and not Satan's Little Helper. The oldest man alive in Metal today, Dio as he is popularly known as turns 68 on July 10 this year.

His musical career started in the late 1950's and he is still active even to this day as a musician, singer and song writer, a career spanning over 5 decades, a musical accomplishment of sorts.

After a successful career as frontman with Ritchie Blackmore's RAINBOW, and BLACK SABBATH, Dio decided to form his own band. He and drummer Vinnie Appice, quit The Grandfathers of Heavy Metal , after they had some disagreements with Sabbath members on the mixing of their live album LIVE EVIL. He also managed to rope in a very young, talented and virtuoso guitarist named Vivian Campbell who was making all the right noises with his band SWEET SAVAGE at the age of 15! Jimmy Bain handled the bass duties and in the summer of 1983, one of Heavy Metal's finest Classics was released on May 25th. And what a debut!!

Dio was probably Americas answer to the UK metal scene. Vinnie had all the necessary skills that made his more than a good drummer, while Vivian had the guitar skills that could put present day guitar shredders to shame. But the strongest force in Dio has to be the vocals of the Ronnie. He could easily take on Bruce Dickinson or even the mighty Halford in vocal range and power. But for some reason, he never really got all the credit he so rightfully deserved.

From a musical point of view, this album is just excellent. the melody, the solos, the vocals and even the keyboards parts (played by Ronnie and Jimmy) all fit together like a glove. there are no 'filler' tracks here and one listen to any track, in any order will make u wanna listen to it all over again.

The album starts with an up tempo track Stand Up And Shout and ends with a powerful bluesy, power ballad Shame On The Night. everything in between is like Manna from Heaven... or in this case.. hell. oh! in case i forgot to mention, Dio in Italian means 'God'.

Rainbow In the Dark, Caught in The Middle, Gypsy, Holy Diver and Invisible are some of the best tracks you will ever hear and they are all here in one place, in one album. The melody in this album is just infectious and like earlier mentioned the guitar work is beautiful. Nothing too flashy, definitely not average, just right.

Even the album artwork has a special mention in being one of Metal's most controversial album covers of all time. a Catholic priest, bound in chains thrown in the sea by the devil himself. Or in this case, Dio mascot 'Murray'.

Current status on the band: everyone knows where Vivian Campbell is right now. Playing second guitarist in DEF LEPPARD, while Ronnie is battling Stomach cancer as i write this. But knowing Ronnie and the ups and downs he has been thru as a successful musician, its only a matter of time, he slays the dragon and goes back to the recording studio to give us another slab of pure, true Heavy metal. Till then, Holy Diver will keep playing in my Ipod.

My Rating
10/10

listen to sample here Caught In The Middle

04 - Dio - Caught In The Middle.mp3

Download Low Quality Album in Rapidshare here