Black Label Society 'Order of the Black' CD and Dave Mustaine 'Mustaine - A Heavy Metal Memoir' Book Reviews

Last Updated on Thursday, 26 August 2010 03:24 Written by Steve Bowe and Allan Roberston Saturday, 21 August 2010 20:24

Black Label Society - Order of the Black

    There’s a reason why Zakk Wylde became Ozzy’s guitarist at only 19 years of age.  The guy is an absolute virtuoso.  Point to note is that many people who have comparable technical skill couldn’t write a song if their life depended on it.  Everyone is BLS is a card carrying member of the “I can play the hell outta’ this thing AND I can write it myself as well” club.  “Order of the Black” is filled with Zakk’s signature Les Paul sound; grinding slow, and then ripping with double picking and pinch harmonics.  Everything is in all the right places… AGAIN!  Zakk kills it with whatever he does.  There’s a gift there, and it’s still shining bright.  In fact, it’s shining brighter than ever.  BLS has become an institution.  It’s proven in the way that loyal followers wear the colors like a bike club.  If you own a leather jacket and a pair of boots, and you don’t own anything from BLS, you’re missing a part of your ensemble.  You won’t hear this music in any downtown dance club.  It’s the stuff you listen to when you’re gathering in your favorite hole-in-the-wall while sharing good times with others that are cut from the same cloth.  It’s hard to find these days – music that has deep meaning and substance.  BLS isn’t afraid to write a ballad or two either.  Cool thing about a BLS ballad is that it’s written with balls – a tune that guys can listen to and not feel like a pussy for it.  “Darkest Days,” “Time Waits for No One,” “Shallow Grave” and “January” are perfect examples of how to write something slow for the boys.  Another treat to note is “Chupacabra,” where Zakk gives you a little taste of his ability to lay down some flamenco style goodness.  The rest of the release is straight-up ass kicking in the way that a group led by Zakk Wylde could do it.
    Honestly, anything I write can’t put you anywhere this release puts you.  A synopsis of this review is as follows: Buy this latest release from Black Label Society; you’re a fool if you don’t.

Review by Steve Bowe

Mustaine  - A Heavy Metal Memoir

    Tuesday, August 3rd, saw the release of Dave Mustaine’s new autobiography titled “Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir,” published by HarperCollins.  Dave enlisted award winning and best-selling author Joe Layden to help write the book alongside him.  Mustaine is an important veteran to the metal music scene; he was in the early days of Metallica before forging on with his very successful band Megadeth. Megadeth  released twelve albums, of which eight received Grammy nominations and 6 were awarded platinum certifications.  The book starts off with the opening “A Horseshoe Up My Ass,” for which James Hetfield said about Dave being born with a horseshoe up his ass and how lucky he has been to cheat death so many times.  This is not your typical sex, drugs and rock & roll book that you would expect from a rocker biography, but instead digs it deeper, gets personal and has substance.  
    Topics that are covered include:  how he grew up, his battles with his father, and  the formation of Metallica to his sudden departure from the band.  The book also talks about  his rise to fame with Megadeth, including leaving the band in 2002 and returning a couple of years later. he also depicts his many battles with drugs and alcohol. Dave also touches upon the injury that almost forced him into retirement. He gets real deep when he talks about his faith and how it switched from the practicing of black magic to finally embracing Christianity on his road to recovery.  This book has it all and gives a true insight as to who Dave Mustaine really was and who he is today. A must have for any Megadeth or Dave Mustaine fan.

Review by Allan Robertson

Tom Petty 'Mojo' and Sheryl Crow '100 Miles From Memphis' CD Reviews

Last Updated on Tuesday, 24 August 2010 16:12 Written by Thom Jennings Saturday, 21 August 2010 19:55

Tom Petty -  Mojo    

     Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers latest release is a sonically fantastic guitar oriented album recorded live in the studio. Longtime Petty guitarist Mike Campbell really shines on every number, adding tasty licks on slide and electric guitar. What is most fascinating about "Mojo" is how Petty and company manage to sound like a garage band and yet the clarity of the recording is simply amazing. The guitars come through incredibly clean, and the rhythm section sounds powerfully in sync on every cut.
    There is virtually no trace of the classic Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers sound of the 1980s.  "Mojo" would be better described in a category with the Rolling Stones' classic blues based offering "Exile on Main Street." Every songs sounds like a classic, but the standouts include the humorous "Candy," and the reggae tinged "Don't Pull Me Over." All of the songs lyrics are pure Americana, like "U.S. 41," a song that really captures the blues sound of the rural south in the 1950s.
    "Mojo" has been receiving its share of critical acclaim, and that acclaim is well-deserved.  Hopefully, Petty and Company will continue to record and take chances trying something new, especially while they still have their mojo working.

Sheryl Crow - 100 Miles from Memphis  

    Sheryl Crow set out to capture a mood on "100 Miles from Memphis" and she definitely succeeded at what she was trying to do. Like Peter Wolf's recent album, "Midnight Souvenirs," Crow's latest album was recorded with old recording techniques in order to give it the feel from a bygone era lost when digital replaced analog.
    In this case, Crow wanted to capture the Memphis Soul typical of artists that recorded on the Stax record label. The album also has a subtle early Motown feel to it, especially with the inclusion of a near perfect recreation of the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back."
    Standout songs on the album include "Sign Your Name," a catchy number that displays Crow's diverse vocal ability and "Stop," a wonderful ballad that Crow sings with emotion. Crow also captures a reggae feel on the song "Eye to Eye," featuring a guest spot from Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards.  The album does not sound like a typical Sheryl Crow offering and may disappoint some fans wanting to hear the sound that catapulted Crow to superstardom.
    Nonetheless, "100 Miles from Memphis" is a solid offering that should find a new audience for Crow, in addition to pleasing longtime fans that appreciate her as an artist.

Black Veil Brides 'We Stitch These Wounds' and In This Moment 'A Star Crossed Wasteland' CD Reviews

Last Updated on Thursday, 12 August 2010 02:21 Written by Gus Griesinger Sunday, 08 August 2010 14:34

Black Veil Brides – We Stitch These Wounds

    Hollywood’s newest creation has just released their initial effort on Standby Records. After an amazing underground following on Youtube, the band has officially released songs like “Knives and Pens,” and “Perfect Daughter.”  With a look unlike any other band, the outfit is led by vocalist Andy Six, and also consists of bassist Ashley Purdy, guitarists Jinxx and Jake Pitts, and drummer Sandra Alvarenga.
    An intro of “The Outcasts” (A Call to Arms) describes the bands feelings as they go into their debut album.  Vocalist Andy Six’ perfect blend of melody and scream make “Beautiful Remains” a track that defines the band and the album. Multi-talented Jinxx provides not only rhythm guitar on most of the tracks, he also lends violin on “Morticians Daughter.”  The track opens up with Jake Pitts’ acoustic guitar and contains piano courtesy of Jesse Samson.  Sandra, who beats the hell out of the drums on “All Your Hate,” packs more power for her size than you would think. “Never Give In” is one of my favorites on the CD.  They all showcase their individual talents and come together to provide a roaring harmony of “Hey” throughout the song. “Carolyn” has an 80’s glam vibe to it.  You can say it’s their “ballad.” It is a  lick laden scorcher accompanied by beautiful vocals.
    Most critics will pan these guys as some type of Bowie or Alice Cooper rip off. I would disagree. This band has uniqueness to them. With more seasoning, you will have a band that can really go places. These guys WILL be the next big thing if they are managed properly. You heard it here first on Backstageaxxess.com! Catch these guys headlining the Hot Topic Tour this summer.

Hell Yeah 'Stampede' and Bret Michaels 'Custom Built' CD Reviews

Last Updated on Thursday, 05 August 2010 12:01 Written by Steve Bowe and Tracey Lukasik Thursday, 05 August 2010 11:52

Hellyeah – Stampede    

    It’s been three (3) long years since we heard a studio release from Hellyeah, and the boys made it worth the wait for sure. VH1 tried to create a “supergroup” by combining 5 guys who were icons in the music world - yawn.  Hellyeah takes that formula and sends it through the roof.  There are not very many drummers out there who you can call out within the first 10 seconds of a song, however, Vinnie Paul is one of the few.  The rest of the band is just as solid and just as driven as Vinnie, and it shows in their release of “Stampede.”  I usually call out a couple songs on a CD as standing out as “must hears,” but this entire CD is a “must hear” from start to finish.  Opening the release is “Cowboy Way,” which gives you a good idea of what the overtone is among the guys.  ZZ Top may have written, “Beer drinkers & Hellraisers,” but Hellyeah clearly personifies that notion.  Hearing Chad Gray say, “so I did a shot and smiled with a black tooth grin” within 30 seconds of the first song put a big smile on my face.  If you don’t know what I’m talking about there, you’re probably reading the wrong article.
    “Stampede” is nothing less than southern style metal that rips through your speakers, as well as your soul.  By the time you get to song #3 “Hell of a Time,” you’ll feel like Dime was writing these songs alongside his brother.  Straight up bad ass driving beats, guitar that sounds like it could kill you if it wanted to – all finished off by the signature, unmistakable voice of Chad Gray.  There are some serious overtones here and there, just like any other quality southern style outfit.  “Better Man” and “Stand or Walk Away” get you thinking pretty deep about the lives of the band members, as well as your own.  But to get back to the original point of this review, every song on this release serves its own purpose and does it in a way that makes you wonder how people can possess that much talent and not spontaneously combust.
    I was wondering what Vinnie would do after his last project, and couldn’t be happier with what he’s presented to the world.  The same goes for the rest of the band.  I love it when a group puts something out that isn’t just written for their own purposes.  Music that brings the listener into the experience and makes them a part of it, not just a spectator – makes you happy to shell out whatever you have to pay for what you get.  I guess you could call it “mental therapy.”  It’s worth every last penny you put down on it.
    So go get yourself some Hellyeah if you don’t have it already and watch for the boys to roll through your area on this summer’s tour.  When we see each other at the show, let’s all raise a crown with a splash of coke and remember to squeeze every last bit of fun out of every day we have here.  Long live Hellyeah!

Review by Steve Bowe

Bret Michaels- Custom Built   

              
    It’s no surprise that Mr. Michaels increasingly embraces his fondness of country music with each new record he puts out, hell, the guy has more horseshoes up his ass than any cowboy can claim or that I care to count. Beside the fact that everything this guy touches turns to gold, he has even cheated death, not once, but several times over. Diabetes, rock star excess, car accidents, motorcycle crashes, stage injuries, a brain hemorrhage, a stroke…nothing can stop this guy. How do you beat a resume like that? Obviously you can’t, at least according to Donald Trump, who awarded Michaels top honors in this past season’s Celebrity Apprentice TV show. (I hope the job comes with health insurance!) That said; let’s get to the latest release from the immortal one. “Custom Built” is a collection of old and new that seems to have capitalized on the success of Bret’s reality show circus, uh, I mean circuit. Two of the tracks serve as theme songs with “Go That Far” (Rock of Love series) and “Riding Against the Wind” (Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It).  Where ‘Ride” contains all the elements fans have come to expect from Michaels, the club remix version of “Go That Far” contains a surprisingly refreshing change of pace.
    Bret is never one to shy away from a good cover tune, almost every record he has put out contains at least one, and there is no exception here where he covers Sublime’s “What I Got” in fine fashion. “Nothing to Lose” is a country-fried ballad, featuring Miley Cyrus, that will steadily climb the charts, undoubtedly grabbing some new fans along the way that were most likely born well after the release of “Look What the Cat Dragged In.” The song actually appears again later on in the record as a simple acoustic “demo version,” sung solely by Bret. The final track, “I’d Die For You” is a mid-tempo number that offers nothing out of the ordinary except for some cool guitar riffs and effects. Harmonica solos highlight “Rock ‘N My Country,” and again, the shift from rock star to ‘country’ rock star is apparent. Michaels’ marches to his own drummer, and this release may be a bit too self-indulgent for some tastes. I, for one, hope his next project will contain more “new” music with a slightly harder edge. That’s provided we can keep him safe and healthy until then!          

Review by Tracey Lukasik