JUSTIN’S ROCK REVIEWS W/C 16/7/07

 

TESLA / REAL TO REEL   

 

I didn’t even know that Tesla were still going so this was a complete surprise to me and I have to say it’s a very pleasant one as well basically it’s a bunch  of classic cover versions and despite using the same title as Mrillion they don’t do one of theirs.

 

The covers fall into 2 distinct categories, really well know ones and some more obscure, it’s the latter that allow the band to put their stamp on them the best of the know ones are “Honky Tonk Woman”, “Thank You”, “Bad Reputation” and “Space Truckin’” which are covered with reverence and sympathy.  Of the not so well known ones “Ball Of Confusion” is my favourite, this is so different from the original its inspired and I can’t remember which soul band did this but Tesla’s version really rocks as does their version of “Day Of The Eagle”, “Rock Bottom” and “Dear Mr. Fantasy”.

 

This album does show the bands roots are firmly based in Blues Rock and there is nothing wrong with that, this is Classic Rock at its best.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.teslatheband.com/

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 64 mins + 13 TRACKS\

 

ABANDONED / THRASH YOU

 

I have to say that I haven’t come across this band before enen though they have been around for 5 years but I’m glad I have now as they are German Thrash Metal at its best, as good as early Slayer with a touch of Testament / Destruction thrown in for good measure.

 

As you would expect all the songs are full of heavy, speed riffs that will make your ears bleed, performed with passion, conviction and a sincerity that is hard not to like, add to this some good lyrics and what you have is a killer formula for some damned good Thrash.  Listening to “Feel The Fire” the slower more grinding “Sands Of Time”, “Trapped” and “We Are Hell” is like being magically transported back in time to the old school of Thrash and for those too young to remember it first hand this is as close as you can get to it, if you get the chance to see them live, grab it wsith both hands.

 

Thrash you they certainly will, all you have to do is buy the CD and let them, now that’s not too difficult is it, you can be sure that I will be playing plenty of track off this album over the coming months on my HFM shows, Bay Area Thrash Lives!

 

WEBSITE      http://www.abandoned.info/ & http://www.dockyard1.com/

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 48 mins + 14 KILLER TRACKS

 

CLAWFINGER / LIFE WILL KILL YOU

 

It was 1993 when Swedish band Clawfinger burst onto the scene with their unique brand of Rap Metal and at the time they cause quite a stir and I’m glad to say that 14 years later they are still pumping out the funky as hell riffs with some very caustic but relevant lyrics.

 

When these guys are on form no one can touch them, the title track “Lie Will Kill You” is a statement that cant be argued against and musically reminds me a bit of Korn but that’s no bad thing and Clawfinger got there first right/? “The Price We Pay” is so commercial it hurts and only a few swear words stand between it and chart domination, yes its that good. 

 

If you liked Clawfinger before you will love this new CD and if you didn’t you soon will, listen out for the excellent “Passenger”, “Carnivore” and “None The Wiser” all of which are top notch songs, if you get the Digipak there are 2 extra tracks.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.clawfinger.net/ & http://www.nuclearblast.de/

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 44 mins + 11 Baad Ass TRACKS