Category Archives: Classic Rock

Classic Rock, Genre, Song Reviews

Bert Jansch – Alice’s Wonderland (Song Review)

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Many of my favourite instrumentals come from the world of acoustic folk/traditional guitarists. The mid-60s was a golden era for the genre, with many major artists releasing albums of groundbreaking creativity and virtuosity. Today’s pick comes from one of these albums: it’s Alice’s Wonderland from Bert Jansch’s 1965 debut. Recorded live in a kitchen on a borrowed guitar, the lo-fi recording puts you right in the room with Jansch as he picks dreamily through an array of beautiful chords and timings, only settling down briefly for a sublime, swinging vamp. It seems loose and improvised but the repeating passages and the way the chords all lead into one another suggests otherwise. It’s an extraordinary piece from a magical era, musical genius of the most unassuming and laid-back kind.

Black Metal, Classic Rock, Genre, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, HMO Blog, NWOBHM

HMO Digest – 10th September 2023

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It’s been aeons since the last HMO Digest! It’s time for another catch up on all things HMO.

Blog Recap

I don’t normally post in any sort of theme/series but I’m really enjoying doing my ongoing series of posts about instrumental songs. I’ll definitely be doing more stuff like this in the future. But, as far as instrumentals go, I’ve got plenty more to get through and you can expect some folk, prog and death metal over the next couple of weeks.

HMO Salutes

“Curse… the Gods! Too many people… have died.” Most recently, Bernie Marsden (died aged 72), most famous for his time in Whitesnake and co-writing all-time classic rock tunes like Here I Go Again and Fool For Your Loving.

The period since the last HMO Digest has also seen the passing of: Pete Brown (died aged 82) the poet, musician and co-writer of many extremely classic Cream cuts; Frehley’s Comet bassist John Regan (died aged 71); Mark Adams (died aged 64) – bassist and co-founder of doom pioneers Saint Vitus; Tank’s Algy Ward (died aged 63); and Metal Church drummer Kirk Arrington (died aged 61).


Up And Autumn

A weird September heatwave has just kicked in which is annoying as I was starting to get into a lovely Autumn vibe, listening to one of my go-to albums for this time of the year: Anathema’s Alternative 4. One of the best albums of the whole 90s British gloomy northerner scene, Alternative 4 is right at the sweet spot between the band’s metal beginnings and the emotional rock they’d become known for. And it’s being reissued on vinyl soon so if you don’t already own this classic… now’s the time.

New Stuff

Since it’s been a while since the previous digest, I’m just going to focus on some recent new albums I’ve bought (as opposed to reissues, box sets etc…). The biggest one is the new Virgin Steele album The Passion Of Dionysus. It still has all the idiosyncratic flaws of their other latter-day releases but I just find this band totally fascinating and this is their strongest release since The Black Light Bacchanalia (which, despite my muted review, has become one of my most listened to albums of the past few years). Yow!

There’s also the new Marduk album Memento Mori which is only just out. On first listen it sounds utterly caustic and hellish. These are compliments. There’s also been a “new” Akercocke live album Decades Of Devil Worship (actually an unreleased live recording from 2007) which is a complete blast, the band sound at the top of their game. And I’ve also posted my favourite songs from the new Albert Bouchard and DHG albums.


Upcoming Releases

September is looking pretty exciting in terms of new releases: to kick off there’s the eagerly-awaited return of Primordial with their new album How It Ends; Blood Incantation follow up their 2022 ambient release Timewave Zero with a new half brutal/half ambient EP Luminescent Bridge; Mayhem release a new live album Daemonic Rites; and space rockers Hawkwind celebrate the anniversary of their classic live album Space Ritual in super deluxe style with an 11-disc box set. Do not panic.

Thanks for reading! If you like seeing photos from my collection remember to check out the HMO Facebook page as there’s more of that stuff there. And if there’s any kind of topics you’d like to see me cover on these digest posts then let me know.

Classic Rock, Genre, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Song Reviews

Riot – Narita (Song Review)

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Riot’s Narita is a great example of an instrumental that just flat out rocks. None of your mellow interludes, atmospheric intros or virtuoso shredding here, just a brilliant band knocking out a banging tune. Named after a controversial Japanese airport, the construction of which provoked heated protests and riots from farmers and activists, 1979’s Narita is the title track of the band’s second album and also one of its most exciting songs: an energising mix of 70s US rock (Montrose, The Nuge) and the kind of charging attack and duelling guitars that would become synonymous with Maidenesque 80s metal. Presumably, vocalist Guy Speranza sat this one out because he couldn’t be arsed writing a song about an airport but his superb voice isn’t missed here as the music is so dynamic and catchy. The New Yorkers would become one of rock’s mythic coulda/shoulda bands, which is a shame. As you can hear from Narita, Riot deserved to take off.

Classic Rock, Genre, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Song Reviews

Ozzy Osbourne – Dee (Song Review)

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Following on from my post about Metallica’s Orion, here’s another instrumental that’s a showcase for a much-missed legend. Dee is a brief classical guitar piece that was written and performed by guitarist Randy Rhoads for Ozzy Osbourne’s 1980 album Blizzard Of Ozz. I can’t say that, in isolation, I find Dee particularly involving or moving. But the piece (written for the guitarist’s Mum, aww) is sensitive and pretty. Not words commonly associated with Ozzy Osbourne. And in the context of the full album it strengthens the overall musicality, variety and guitar hero-ness of a hugely enjoyable record. Countless aspiring guitarists (myself included) have tried to learn Dee and I’m sure they’ll continue to do so. That’s quite an impact for a 50 second interlude. His Mum must have been delighted beyond words.

Classic Rock, Genre, Heavy Metal, Song Reviews, Thrash Metal

Metallica – Orion (Song Review)

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I have a notion to write about some instrumentals so let’s start with one that’s often rolled out as the best metal example of the form: Metallica’s Orion. I’m not inclined to rank such things but I wouldn’t argue with this song taking top spot on such a list. Orion is classy and classical metal and a great showcase for Metallica’s much-missed bassist Cliff Burton, who’s writing and musicianship dominates here. It’s extremely well-paced with not a minute wasted as the tune shifts from claustrophobic mega crunch to more open lead breaks and melodies. Burton excels throughout with a range of bass leads and harmonies that all cement his legendary reputation. I especially enjoy the organ-like churn that gets the song off to an ominous start and the tranquil melody mid-song is one of the band’s most moving moments and still takes me back to the feelings of wonder and discovery I felt as a teen getting into all this stuff in the first place.

Classic Rock, Genre, Hard Rock, Song Reviews

Albert Bouchard – Mountain Of Madness (Song Review)

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“Avast me hearties…”

Albert Bouchard’s Imaginos trilogy has mostly involved re-imagined versions of old Blue Öyster Cult songs but it’s a wonderful new song Mountain Of Madness that forms the centrepiece of the trilogies final album, Imaginos III: Mutant Reformation. A collaboration between ex-BÖC member Bouchard and current member Richie Castellano, this is a glorious manfeels adventure on the seven seas. Mountain Of Madness is a glorious AOR tune with a piratey sway, Kansas-style fiddle and a soulful, melodic vocal performance from Castellano. The Imaginos series has been one of the most delightful surprises of recent years and it’s hit a peak with Mountain Of Madness. I love it!

Classic Rock, Genre, Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, Song Reviews

Angel – Mariner (Song Review)

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“Sailed the straights alone my ship and me”

I’m a complete sucker for songs that evoke the sea or the coast and that’s exactly what I love about today’s song pick: Mariner from US pomp rockers Angel. Taken from their S/T 1975 debut, it’s not the wateriest song in terms of guitar effects and there are no atmospheric waves and seagull sounds. But the music and performance takes you on a wistful, dreamy journey that reminds me a lot of another seafaring classic, Procul Harum’s Salty Dog. Vocalist Frank DiMino is in particularly fine form, delivering the soaring and gentle tune like he’s got a faraway look in his eyes. But the best bit is an incongruous burst of piano that sounds like it’s straight out of the Rocky soundtrack. I guess you can take Angel out of the city, but you can’t take the city out of Angel.

Classic Rock, Genre, Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, Song Reviews

Kansas – Belexes (Song Review)

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“And gather together the best of your kind”

A highlight from Kansas’ self-titled 1974 debut, Belexes wears its influences very obviously on its sleeve but does a great job of showcasing the talent and forceful chops of the American proggers. There’s some exciting Purple-style wringing of guitar necks, the stomping rhythms and vocal harmonies are right out of classic Heep and then the keyboards go all Sinbad, sabres rattling like Emerson, Lake and Palmer. It’s a formidable performance and, in the spirit of the bands that influenced it, has a live, hot-off-the-press urgency. Originality is always a big plus, especially if you expect your progressive rockers to actually… you know… progress. But sometimes it’s good enough to just be shit hot. Like Kansas.

Classic Rock, Genre, Hard Rock, Song Reviews

Robert Plant – Come Into My Life (Song Review)

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“Hopes drift in higher places”

On Come Into My Life, well-chosen guest musicians sprinkle tasteful, but magical, fairy dust over a great song and turn it into a sublime one. Taken from Robert Plant’s excellent 1993 album Fate Of Nations, this is a passionate celtic rock song with gentle, shimmering verses and a fully Ledded big chord chorus. But because Boaby is the kind of guy (I imagine) that can just pick up the phone and get anyone he wants, Clannad’s Máire Brennan adds her beautiful ethereal voice and folk-rock giant Richard Thompson adds his distinctive, delicate guitar bends making Come Into My Life even more elemental and sumptuous than it already was. Ideal dreamy listening for a hot summer’s day.

Classic Rock, Genre, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Song Reviews

Europe – In The Future To Come (Song Review)

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“I’ll cover my pain, or I’ll go insane”

This kind of stately Euro metal should be right up my street but In The Future To Come, the track that kicked off Europe’s career in 1983, doesn’t quite cut it for me. The regal riffing and ripping solo are impressive and it’s very melodic and listenable. But for all its proficiency, it’s just a bit too naïve and mild-mannered for my liking. When I listen to this kind of stuff I want blood and thunder. FIRE! Yowww. In The Future To Come doesn’t rouse enough of that manly passion for me to rate it as anything other than mildly pleasing.