October 8th Issue
The Writ #2 September 19, 2022
Rises Again !
Here we are for our second edition of The Writ. In this issue, we will be reviewing new releases from Megadeth and Ozzy Osbourne, along with older reviews of Led Zeppelin and Trouble. As for the “obligatory lists,” we have our Top 20 Stoner bands and rankings of Judas Priest studio albums. Keep the faith !
Featured Reviews
Ozzy Osbourne - Patient Number 9
Origin: UK / USA
Year: 2022
Subgenre: Heavy Metal
Rating: 7.5
The Players:
Ozzy Osbourne Vocals
Andrew Watt Guitar
Guest Musicians Lead Guitar, Bass, Drums, and Organ
Personally, I haven’t paid much attention to Ozzy since at least 1995’s Ozzmosis. In the past couple of decades, Ozzy has been relegated to a caricature of his old self, thanks to the media, his wife, record companies, etc. Ozzy has been treated as a quasi-cartoon character instead of the badass frontman from 70’s era Black Sabbath. There, I said it ! But this latest release has caused a bit of a stir. Recovering from various health issues (not the least, Parkinson’s disease), the Prince of Darkness has seemingly found some new life……with the help of a few notable friends. I don’t really care what kind of studio wizardry was used to refine his voice, but the man sounds pretty good. The album itself is interesting due to the introspective journey that Ozzy is taking the listener along for. Mr. Osbourne is indeed “Patient Number 9.” Produced by Andrew Watt (who also adds guitar on every track), the album is heavy in spots, light in others, but, above all, provides a realistic look into the mirror, portraying life, death, and madness. Now, onto the music. The album starts off with the title track, one of my favorites, featuring the incomparable Jeff Beck on guitar. Another heavy rumbler, Immortal, follows, featuring Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready on guitar. Other highlights include the biographical One of Those Days, with bluesy guitar work from the legendary Eric Clapton. Another obvious song to himself, Mr. Darkness, contains great dynamics and some heavy riffing from long-time bandmember Zakk Wilde. The late Foo Fighters drummer, Taylor Hawkins, is also featured on this track. Another guest musician, Robert Trujillo of Metallica, offers some fantastic bass guitar work throughout the album. It’s also great to hear Tony Iommi on a couple of songs, both No Escape From Now and Degradation Rules ranking as my favorites on the album. God Only Knows is yet another philosophical track, obviously dug up from Ozzy’s personal experiences. The entire album is a pleasant listen, containing some heavy moments, but even more enjoyable witnessing the guest musicians play homage to a legend. Musically, the album is slightly above average with several notable moments. I still can’t shake the feeling that Mr. Osbourne is offering all of us a glimpse into his mind and heart. Could this be Ozzy’s last album ?
Tracks:
Patient Number 9 (feat. Jeff Beck)
Immortal (feat. Mike McCready)
Parasite (feat. Zakk Wylde)
No Escape From Now (feat. Tony Iommi)
One Of Those Days (feat. Eric Clapton)
A Thousand Shades (feat. Jeff Beck)
Mr. Darkness (feat. Zakk Wylde)
Nothing Feels Right (feat. Zakk Wylde)
Evil Shuffle (feat. Zakk Wylde)
Degradation Rules (feat. Tony Iommi)
Dead And Gone
God Only Knows
Dark side Blues
Megadeth - The Sick, The Dying…..and The Dead !
Origin: USA
Year: 2022
Subgenre: Thrash Metal / Heavy Metal
Rating : 7.5
The Players:
Dave Mustaine Vocals, Guitar
Kiko Loureiro Guitar
James LoMenzo Bass
Dirk Verbeuren Drums
Thrash legends Megadeth have joined the growing list of older, more established, metal acts that have released new material in 2022. Joining the likes of Scorpions, Pat Travers, Saxon, and Michael Schenker, Mustaine and company are creating an 80s revival in the heavy rock scene like no other year in recent memory. The album ain’t half bad either……Admittedly, Megadeth will never return to the sounds of their peak years (Rust In Peace, Countdown To Extinction, etc), but, in reality, no one expects them to. The songwriting seems obsessed with the current horrific state of the world, covering subjects as varied as social media, the pandemic, environmental disaster, war, and mental illness. Typically perfect material for a heavy record (if it wasn’t so real). Musically, Mustaine’s vocals are a bit strained, if not comfortably familiar. Former Angra guitarist Kiko Loureiro is a gunslinger in the finest tradition of Marty Friedman. The rhythm section is predictably lightning-fast and solid. Overall, even though there isn’t much new or groundbreaking, the album should satisfy the average headbanger. Standout tracks include the blistering Life In Hell, Dogs of Chernobyl, Junkie, Celebutante, the darkness-filled title track, and my personal favorite, Mission To Mars. One of the weirdest Megadeth tracks ever, Police Truck, mixes thrash with rockabilly (interesting….). I’ve had mixed reactions from others I’ve talked to, which made it difficult to write this review. But, of course, I have risen to the occasion……..Again, there’s not much different about this collection of songs as compared to the rest of the band’s music from the last twenty years or so. In contrast, the inclusion of Ice-T (a spoken role, but thankfully not rap) and the weird but catchy rockabilly sounds show the band in a different sort of light. I guess my summary is…..more of the same. An 8 on a good day, Megadeth’s new release is still better than a lot of the drivel out there.
Tracks:
The Sick, The Dying….And The Dead
Life In Hell
Night Stalkers
Dogs Of Chernobyl
Sacrifice
Junkie
Psychopathy
Killing Time
Soldier On!
Celebutante
Mission To Mars
We’ll Be Back
Police Truck
This Planet’s On Fire
From The Vault
Trouble - Simple Mind Condition
Origin: USA
Year: 2007
Subgenre: Heavy Metal
Rating: 8.5
The Players:
Eric Wagner Vocals
Bruce Franklin Guitar
Rick Wartell Guitar
Chuck Robinson Bass
Jeff Olson Drums, Piano, French Horn
I can't tell you how long this album's release had been anticipated by multitudes of old headbangers. It took so incredibly long to finish (12 years!) that most metal fans of this generation of the 21st century have no idea who Trouble is. Too bad, because this is one smokin' slab of iron! The band picked up right where they left off with Plastic Green Head. The tunes are ultra-heavy (yet very catchy) especially with respect to the incredibly thick guitar tones which have become a Trouble staple since the beginning. Eric Wagner's vocals are brilliant. In my opinion, he proved that he was definitely in the upper echelon of heavy rock vocalists. Like Ozzy of (very) old, Eric could sound almost unearthly at times. Highlights on this album include the opening track Goin' Home, the bouncy Pictures Of Life, the incredible Simple Mind Condition, and an awesome version of the Lucifer's Friend classic Ride The Sky. Although there have been mixed reviews of this album, I absolutely love it. Imagine a mix of the band's three albums from the 1990's and you have Simple Mind Condition. The only question is why it took so long to record. The official word was “record company issues.” Oh well, it was worth the wait at the time. R.I.P. Eric Wagner (2021)…….
Tracks:
Goin' Home
Mind Bender
Seven
Pictures Of Life
After The Rain
Trouble Maker
Arthur Brown’s Whiskey Bar
Simple Mind Condition
Ride The Sky
If I Only Had A Reason
Beginning of Sorrows
Led Zeppelin - II
Origin: United Kingdom
Year: 1969
Subgenre: Hard Rock, Classic Rock
Rating: 9
The Players:
Robert Plant Vocals
Jimmy Page Guitars
John Paul Jones Bass
John Bonham Drums
Led Zeppelin's second release in the space of a single year served to nail shut the decade of the 1960's. While growing up in the 1970's, II was a mandatory album in every car stereo, stirring up massive teenage spirit and excitement for heavy rock 'n' roll. The album has also sold more than 12 million units as well, cementing its position as one of the top financial successes of the genre. From the cool cover art, portraying the shaggy-haired band of rockers surrounded by German zeppelin aviators, to the rowdy rockers within, Led Zeppelin positioned itself as the reigning purveyors of the new kind of heavy music that was exploding in 1969-1970. II was literally filled to the brim with classic hard rock tunes. Whole Lotta Love's metallic riff is one of the most recognizable intros in rock history. One of my favorites, What Is And What Should Never Be, is an example of Zep at its best; this track is a perfect fusion of hard rock and exotic sounds. The Lemon Song, Living Loving Maid, and Ramble On are energetic rockers that typify the early Zeppelin sound, while heavier tunes like Heartbreaker and Bring It On Home kick the flood gates open. Thank You is a perfectly placed mellow tune that gives the listener a well-deserved breather. The only (mild) disappointment is John Bonham's "drum solo" in the form of Moby Dick; the tracks starts off well enough with a nice heavy riff, but degenerates into a pretty boring soliloquy of percussion (Bonham is one of the greatest rock drummers and could have lit his solo on fire). Overall, in 1969, this was by far the heaviest album in the universe for its time. Led Zeppelin, with the release of this album, opened the door for bands like Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and Uriah Heep to rush through. Personally, I fed off of the energy of II for many years and continue to admire its historical significance and raw beauty.
Tracks:
Whole Lotta Love
What Is And What Should Never Be
The Lemon Song
Thank You
Heartbreaker
Living Loving Maid
Ramble On
Moby Dick
Bring It On Home
The Obligatory Lists
We love to geek out with our lists. We had a discussion on Stoner Rock and albums from the fantastic Judas Priest. Here’s what we came up with.
Top 20 Stoner Rock bands:
Sheavy
Orange Goblin
Monster Magnet
Fu Manchu
Spiritual Beggars
Kyuss
The Atomic Bitchwax
Mothership
The Sword
Nebula
Spirit Caravan
Wicked Wizzard
Acrimony
Samsara Blues Experiment
Wo Fat
Truckfighters
Dozer
All Them Witches
Stoned Jesus
Karma To Burn
Ranking the Judas Priest albums from Best to Worst (another group effort on this one)
Stained Class
Sad Wings Of Destiny
Sin After Sin
Hell Bent For Leather
Screaming For Vengeance
Defenders Of The Faith
British Steel
Painkiller
Firepower
Rocka Rolla
Redeemer of Souls
Point Of Entry
Angel Of Retribution
Ram It Down
Jugulator
Turbo
Demolition
Nostradamus
Comments
Post a Comment