Iron Maiden
A Matter of Life Death (2006)
5.0
With cover art by the legendary graphic
novelist Tim Bradstreet (Commonly known
for The Punisher GN) it is a little hard not
to get excited about Iron Maiden's latest
release "A Matter of Life and Death."
In the classic Maiden style the listener is
teleported to a land of thundering drum
beats, to where vocals fall like a soothing
rain, and guitars wail like the wing, "A
Matter of Life and Death" does not
disappoint. Offering a plethora of songs
that can and so appeal to the many, from
gritty to metal delicate, every song is a gem
in its own right. My favorite songs happen
to be "Different World," and "Brighter than
a Thousand Suns." I chalk this album up as
a must have for any metal/music enthusiast.
- HmH
A Matter of Life Death (2006)
5.0
With cover art by the legendary graphic
novelist Tim Bradstreet (Commonly known
for The Punisher GN) it is a little hard not
to get excited about Iron Maiden's latest
release "A Matter of Life and Death."
In the classic Maiden style the listener is
teleported to a land of thundering drum
beats, to where vocals fall like a soothing
rain, and guitars wail like the wing, "A
Matter of Life and Death" does not
disappoint. Offering a plethora of songs
that can and so appeal to the many, from
gritty to metal delicate, every song is a gem
in its own right. My favorite songs happen
to be "Different World," and "Brighter than
a Thousand Suns." I chalk this album up as
a must have for any metal/music enthusiast.
- HmH
Morrissey
The Ringleader of Tormentors (2006)
5.0
In Morrissey's eighth album, sensuality,
God, and Death is explored. He makes
sense of a familiar feeling of being despair
and lost, but with a hint of love. A mixture
of themes and tones is shown throughout
the album, always changing the sound but
never the mood. Filled with middle-eastern
chants, gloomy organs, a children's
orchestra, upbeat tempos, and trumpets
The Ringleader of Tormentors (2006)
5.0
In Morrissey's eighth album, sensuality,
God, and Death is explored. He makes
sense of a familiar feeling of being despair
and lost, but with a hint of love. A mixture
of themes and tones is shown throughout
the album, always changing the sound but
never the mood. Filled with middle-eastern
chants, gloomy organs, a children's
orchestra, upbeat tempos, and trumpets
only proves this point throughout the CD.
Probably one of the best tracks, "I Just Want
to See The Boy Happy" is a glittering
representation of what Morrissey's brillance
can actually do. It exemplifies his past songs
but mixes with a new groove that files under
perfection. Exempting a few minor misses in
the album like "Dear God Please Help Me,"
this may actually be one of Morrissey's
greatest albums.
- Sarah Holifield
Probably one of the best tracks, "I Just Want
to See The Boy Happy" is a glittering
representation of what Morrissey's brillance
can actually do. It exemplifies his past songs
but mixes with a new groove that files under
perfection. Exempting a few minor misses in
the album like "Dear God Please Help Me,"
this may actually be one of Morrissey's
greatest albums.
- Sarah Holifield
Motorhead
Kiss of Death (2006)
3.0
Fierce invalids back from hot climates
explains it all too well. "Kiss of Death,"
Motorhead's latest release shows age is not a
factor. Especially when 50 something Lemmy
Kilmister is rocking harder, louder, and faster
than 30 something James Hetfeild, who has
found Jesus, or lost the whiskey in the jar,
whatever his excuse might be this week.
From Motorhead's debut in 1977 we all knew
too well that Lemmy and gang wouldn't go
quietly into the night. Nearly 30 years in the
making Motorhead is still playing "Motorhead
music,' as Lemmy has said, "Only Motorhead
plays it." "Kiss Of Death" stays true to the
Speed/Thrash Metal genre, the very genre
that Motorhead gave birth to all those years
ago. But somehow that gets lost in translation.
From the opening track "Sucker," you strap
yourself in for the ride as Lemmy growls
Kiss of Death (2006)
3.0
Fierce invalids back from hot climates
explains it all too well. "Kiss of Death,"
Motorhead's latest release shows age is not a
factor. Especially when 50 something Lemmy
Kilmister is rocking harder, louder, and faster
than 30 something James Hetfeild, who has
found Jesus, or lost the whiskey in the jar,
whatever his excuse might be this week.
From Motorhead's debut in 1977 we all knew
too well that Lemmy and gang wouldn't go
quietly into the night. Nearly 30 years in the
making Motorhead is still playing "Motorhead
music,' as Lemmy has said, "Only Motorhead
plays it." "Kiss Of Death" stays true to the
Speed/Thrash Metal genre, the very genre
that Motorhead gave birth to all those years
ago. But somehow that gets lost in translation.
From the opening track "Sucker," you strap
yourself in for the ride as Lemmy growls
growls into the microphone. As the album
moves along somehow we are lost with
tracks like "One Night Stand," and "Devil I
know." "Kiss of Death" is more of a
collection of songs rather an album, just
failing to hit its mark. Lemmy and company
reminds us just how great Motorhead can
be with tracks like "Be My Baby," "Going
Down," and "R.A.M.O.N.E.S.," hitting us
hard with fast punk enthused Metal that
we have grown to demand to come from
Motorhead. Motorhead even pulls an Ace
of Spades with the cynically titled "God
was Never on Your Side," an acoustic
ballad with a raspy Lemmy hitting lines
like: "if the stars fall down on me and the
sun refused to shine/ then may the
shackles be undone /may all the old words
seem to rhyme /if the sky turned into stone
it will matter not at all."
There are just too many songs that get lost
in translation here, sounding like just run
of the mill Metal songs rather the
Motorhead we have learned to want. "It's
Motorhead music, only Motorhead plays
it. If you want to hear Motorhead music
you have to come see us play. Nobody
else does it." A direct quote from Lemmy
Kilmister. True there is only one
Motorhead, it's just hard to understand
which one we are getting.
moves along somehow we are lost with
tracks like "One Night Stand," and "Devil I
know." "Kiss of Death" is more of a
collection of songs rather an album, just
failing to hit its mark. Lemmy and company
reminds us just how great Motorhead can
be with tracks like "Be My Baby," "Going
Down," and "R.A.M.O.N.E.S.," hitting us
hard with fast punk enthused Metal that
we have grown to demand to come from
Motorhead. Motorhead even pulls an Ace
of Spades with the cynically titled "God
was Never on Your Side," an acoustic
ballad with a raspy Lemmy hitting lines
like: "if the stars fall down on me and the
sun refused to shine/ then may the
shackles be undone /may all the old words
seem to rhyme /if the sky turned into stone
it will matter not at all."
There are just too many songs that get lost
in translation here, sounding like just run
of the mill Metal songs rather the
Motorhead we have learned to want. "It's
Motorhead music, only Motorhead plays
it. If you want to hear Motorhead music
you have to come see us play. Nobody
else does it." A direct quote from Lemmy
Kilmister. True there is only one
Motorhead, it's just hard to understand
which one we are getting.
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