Glenn Hughes

Glenn Hughes, First Underground Nuclear Kitchen, Blistering Records
Glenn Hughes is one weird dude with one amazing voice - everyone knows that. It should come as no surprise, then, that this record is amazingly weird.
The title, whose acronym is F.U.N.K., says it all. This is the record Parliament or Tower Of Power never made. If you’re into that, it is phenomenal. Just know going in that this is no Deep Purple. This thing is funk to the core, and with no apologies, either. Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith is back behind the skins, which adds to the funkaliciousness of it all.
Songs like “Crave,” “We Go To War,” “Imperfection” and the single, “Love Connection” showcase Hughes’ stunning bass abilities as well as his otherworldly vocals. Some just won’t get this, as with all of Hughes’ solo records. But they should, because the music world needs artists like him. This is important and utterly entertaining music that deserves a larger audience.
(Kevin White)

House of Lords - Come to My Kingdom, Blistering Records
You’ve all heard the story. An 80’s band reunites for an album and tour, then go their separate ways. One member decides to keep the band’s name, get all new members and continue making disappointing albums that never live up to the original band’s legacy. House of Lords is the exception to the rule! Their 2006 masterpiece, World Upside Down was way better than anything the original band had ever done. The songs were catchier, the new band featuring brilliant guitarist Jimi Bell and drummer B.J. Zampa sounded fantastic and sole remaining original member, James Christian’s vocals never sounded better. Their latest opus, Come to My Kingdom, is just as good and proves the previous album was not a fluke. Highlights include “Come to my Kingdom,” “I Need to Fly,” “Another Day From Heaven,” “In A Perfect World,” “The Dream” and “I Believe,” but there isn’t a bad song on this excellent CD.
(Andy Laudano)

Paradigm, Light & Shadows, Self-Recorded
Scene veterans Paradigm have been rocking local stages for several years, but perhaps until now had yet to hone in on what can be called their ‘signature sound.’
Light & Shadows is one of those records that every band hopes to make. It shows the band’s musical maturity and songwriting skills like nothing they’ve done before. Heavy grooves drive the sound, but it is the catchy melodies that keep the listener coming back for more. Songs like “Forgetting To Breathe,” “Friend” and the highlight, “Anger Bleeds” are as good as can be found on any unsigned release anywhere.
Paradigm has taken a quantum leap forward as a band, and this release is proof of their growth. Look for them playing all over the area, or go to myspace.com/paradigmtexasrock and pick up a copy. It will be in heavy rotation on your iPod in no time. (Kevin White)

The Theater Fire - Matter and Light, Self-Released
Every now and then a local band will release something that’s more than just a good local CD. Fort “Murder” Worth collective, The Theater Fire, has done just that with Matter and Light - a timeless sounding album rich with Prohibition-era folk, mariachi horns and chamber pop. Frontman Dan Feagin brings light to an otherwise dark subject matter - an animal’s viewpoint before it’s butchered in “Dahl Parts,” and someone being smuggled across the border in “Coyote.” However, they’re not serious all the time. After all, they have a track called “The Testicle Song.” The recurring “Beatrice” theme helps to cement the entire package in the psyche and, surprisingly, all of this is done without a hint of pretension. All of you Decemberists and Arcade Fire fans need to get your Pitchfork Media–loving hands on this one. (D.J. Ivie)

Saint Deamon - In Shadows Lost From the Brave, Frontiers Records
One of the best new melodic power metal bands to come out in a long time is Sweden’s Saint Deamon. The band may be new, but fans of the Swedish metal scene may recognize some of its members. Saint Deamon features the former Dyonisus rhythm section of Ronny Milianowicz (drums) and Magnus “Nobby” Noberg (bass), ex-Highland Glory frontman Jan Thore Grefstad (vocals) and guitarist Toya Johansson. In addition, Noberg and Milianowicz have written songs for Primal Fear, while Johansson has done the same for Sinner and Ride the Sky. Together they have made one Hell of a debut! Excellent vocals, killer guitars, catchy songs - this one has it all. Highlights include the title track, “No Mans Land,” “Ride Forever,” “The Brave Never Bleeds,” “My Sorrow” and the awesome first single, “My Heart.” Watch out for this band, as they could be legendary.
(Andy Laudano)

Girlschool - Legacy, Wacken / SPV Records
They’ve been around for thirty years, and this is my first salvo into the Girlschool mind space in 20 years. Looking at the list of luminaries appearing on this album, my optimism was quite high. Was that optimism warranted? I’m relieved to say yes. They haven’t changed their style and haven’t lost an ounce of passion. Twisted Sister’s JJ French, Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Lemmy, Phil Campbell, Neil Murray and Fast Eddie Clarke all make appearances. At the very least, if you’re new to Girlschool (as most Americans undoubtedly are), you know they’re universally respected in the worldwide metal community. That’s reason enough to check out Legacy. There’s a ton to like about it, but dammit if “Whole New World” isn’t friggin’ heavy and groovy as f#ck with that addictive riff and chorus. Quite solid, really.
(Dale Lammers)

Rose Tattoo - Bloodbrothers, Wacken / SPV Records
Man, Rose Tattoo just can’t catch a break. They’ve been churning out killer Aussie pub rock forever but have always been overshadowed by AC/DC. With Bloodbrothers, they have another killer collection of drinking anthems on their hands, but with AC/DC unleashing Black Ice at the same time, that same exact overshadowing is happening again. It’s a shame, really, because the Rose Tattoo of today has much of the same swagger as AC/DC with an equally distinctive voice and oh-so-Australian sense of humor. Are they breaking any new ground? Hell no. That’s not what this kind of music is about. It’s about hanging with your friends and getting your drink on. Of course you know who they sound like, but there’s just such a need for this kind of rock out there today. They deserve better. Somebody give these guys a fair shake.
(Dale Lammers)

Trivium - Shogun, Roadrunner Records
Shogun has combined the best elements of Trivium’s last two releases and molded them into one hell of a disc. They brought back the harsh vocals of singer/guitarist Matthew K. Heafy from their first two releases (which were absent from their last). He and fellow guitarist Corey Beaulieu continue the shred fest that has increased with each release. “Throes Of Perdition” finds Heafy and Beaulieu serving up a harmonizing solo as Paolo Gregoletto (bass) and Travis Smith (drums) make their presence felt like a thundering bull rush. The title track is an eleven-minute opus that contains a little of everything from mid tempo, to clean guitar to thrash. There’s not a weak track to be found and, if you pick up the special edition, you’ll get three bonus tracks including a cover of Iron Maiden’s “Iron Maiden” and a DVD with instructional videos for guitar and bass.
(Travis Tutwiler)

Exodus - Let There Be Blood, Zaentz Records
This is not a cash grab, nor is it an attempt to improve on Exodus’ debut, Bonded By Blood. That’s not what Exodus main man Gary Holt is all about. This album was re-recorded and renamed out of respect for long-dead original Exodus singer Paul Baloff. So in that light, I have to say that this is a good album. It’s an album that upholds Exodus’ fine tradition of creating cutting-edge, innovative thrash. Weird, but by re-recording an album that’s almost 25 years old, it makes the listener realize just how ahead of the game the band was then and, sure as hell, still is today. Internet reports are surfacing that they’re playing the entire album live on tour, which would be cool as hell. Will they be doing the same on next year’s US tour with Kreator? Guess we’ll know soon enough.
(Dale Lammers)

Autumn Black - The Unborn Tragedy, Tyburn Records
This unspectacular metal-core act from Los Angeles tries to bring on the heavies (ala As I Lay Dying), but it sounds like they’re trapped in some sort of screamo purgatory. They bring nothing new to the table - it’s the same old frog-in-the-throat sing/scream and chugga-chug breakdowns. The only difference is these guys seem to take random riffs and cram them together to forge their “unique” sound. The CD is tolerable one track at a time, because they all seem to blend together - except the token acoustic guitar track, which provides the only diversity. If you really need another core clone in your life, then pick up The Unborn Tragedy.
(D.J. Ivie)

Axel Rudi Pell - Tales Of The Crown, SPV Records
So here’s the problem: I always get suckered into new Axel Rudi Pell albums. They always start out so strong, and this album is no different, as leadoff “Higher” stands tall as one of Pell’s very best songs. After that, though, it becomes predictable as Pell always falls into a pattern: Start the album strong, follow that with a face-melter, then a mid-tempo stomper and then a ballad. Lather, Rinse, Repeat. Axel Rudi Pell is respected in metal circles worldwide and hell, people in my circle of friends swear by the guy, and even I’ve owned his entire discography before. But really, how many albums do we need that sound like this? Where’s the variety? His fans will eat it up gleefully for the first month, but after that, they’ll file it away, maybe to be played once a year or so.
. (Dale Lammers)

November’s Doom - The Wayfaring Chronicles
By Paul Kuhr
(Reviewed by Sabbath Steve)
Basically anyone in a band can compose and put together a lyric book, but this one is a very special and unique. It’s written by Paul Kuhr, vocalist/lyricist/driving force behind veteran heavy gothic doom band November’s Doom. Other than writing a specific autobiography, few artists have been willing to reveal the details Kuhr relates in this book.

The Wayfaring Chronicles is divided into chapters of the band’s albums, preceded by detailed personal events, moods and feelings that have inspired particular lyrics. The book itself is a fascinating read, but the overall experience will be enhanced if you also own the albums. Longtime fans may even view the band’s music in a different light.

For those unfamiliar with the band, Novembers Doom released their first album Amid Its Hallowed Mirth in 1995. Though it could be mistakenly lumped into the death/doom genre, a few tracks (along with some well placed female vocals), hinted at the emerging artistry to come. The next two albums were Of Sculptured Ivy And Stone Flowers and The Knowing. As the band was working on their next release, To Welcome The Fade, Kuhr received some unexpected and life-altering news. He was diagnosed with a condition dealing with degeneration of the spine, with no known cure available.

Like most gifted lyricists, Paul prefers his words take on the meaning the listener wants. Draw your own conclusions, but it’s clear his words have a very real and deep meaning due to his experiences.

The Novella Reservoir is the band’s latest epic and, thankfully, a new work is due sometime early next year. If you prefer, as I do, to seek out artistic bands with substance as well as heaviness, then look no further than November’s Doom. The book, along with all the band’s CDs and merchandise, is available on their website www.novembersdoom.com