Spinal Tap Gives Us Another Album
Yes, last week Spinal Tap dropped a new album. But you know what it is? A Greatest Hits album plus four new songs. Except it’s not even a Greatest Hits album. It’s a rehash of This Is Spinal Tap.
I’m sorry, but if you’re gonna hype the hell out of yourselves, ESPECIALLY if you’re a joke to begin with, at least give me a reason to like the album.
Unless of course the joke’s on me…
Ugh
Between other plans that are taking shape and a bamboo sliver that apparently had it out for me, I regret I was unable to write anything worthwhile this weekend.
On another note, however, here is a picture of said bamboo.
That damn thing was about an inch and a half long and stuck behind my tonsil. #NotCool.
Frankenbok
Filed under: Music | Tags: australia, frankenbok, melbourne, metal, metallica, slayer
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Every now and then, you’ll come across a band that you fall in love with right as you hear the first note of the first song you’ve heard.
Frankenbok, from Melbourne, Australia, is one of those bands. They mix equal parts old school thrash metal (a la Slayer and Kill/Lightning/Puppets-era Metallica), some Corrosion of Conformity, and death metal to get a thudding, pulsing, head-banging, fist-pumping brand of music.
The guitars chug and wail through each song with a sense of urgency. The bass is all over the place, playing melodies and fills, as well as keeping the bottom end tied down. The drums grind and smash and keep things seriously up-tempo. The vocals are one part growl, one part Blind-era Corrosion of Conformity. It sounds raw and passionate.
Here’s the music video for “Dig.” Check it out and tell me what you think.
Frankenbok did take the time to answer some questions for me, but they declined to add anything of actual substance aside from the standard “We’re so awesome and we rock so hard” soundbites, so I have not added that to this article. Thanks for trying to take the time anyway, guys.
Killswitch Engage
I got the chance to listen to the new self-titled Killswitch Engage album that comes out next week, and all I can say is “BR00TAL!!!”
After hearing the first song “A Light In The Darkened World” from the Revolver Golden God Awards, I was slightly unimpressed, and borderline worried that this album wouldn’t be as heavy, as… well, Killswitch as I was expecting. But that all changed when I got to listen to the other tracks.
The guitars are heavy. The bass is thick. The drumming is amazing, as always. And Howard Jones sings just like Howard Jones. There really isn’t much else that can be said. This album is just some great KSE.
Here’s the video for “Starting Over” from Killswitch Engage. You can also stream some of the songs at the band’s MySpace. Check it out and tell me what you think.
Steel Panther
Filed under: Music | Tags: glam, glam metal, hair metal, metal, spinal tap, steel panther
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When This Is Spinal Tap came out in 1984, it made fun of several rock and metal bands that took themselves way too seriously.It also opened the door for several other tongue in cheek bands to follow in their footsteps. The Darkness did it with their over-the top classic rock sound and thinly veiled sexual innuendo. With Austrian Death Machine, As I Lay Dying’s Tim Lambesis pokes fun at Arnold Schwarzenegger and his filmography.
And then there’s Steel Panther.
Steel Panther (formerly known as Danger Kitty, Metal Shop and Metal Skool) have been rocking along since 2003 and just recently released Feel The Steel (Universal). The band is made up of vocalist Michael Starr, guitarist Satchel, bassist Lexxi Foxxx (“the extra ‘x’ is for extra sex,”he claims on the group’s MySpace), and drummer Stix Zadinia. Each one of the guys is a fantastic musician, and they’ve been involved in other projects. “Starr” sang for L.A. Guns for an EP, and “Satchel” played with Halford (not using their pseudonyms, of course).
The music lampoon ‘80’s glam metal, and no one is spared. Poison, Mötley Crüe, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, no one is spared. Song titles include “Eyes Of A Panther,” “Stripper Girl,” and “Party All Day,” to name a few. The lyrics are a bit more straightforward than The Darkness’s, though, in most cases asking for their various groupies to take care of things for them.
Steel Panther is good for a laugh. They’ll definitely be in heavy rotation at my house for the next month. Here’s the video for “Death To All But Metal.” Check out the special appearance by one of my favorite ladies! Tell me what you think.
