Category Archives: Song Reviews

Capsule reviews of songs

Death Metal, Genre, Song Reviews

Blood Incantation – Inner Paths (To Outer Space) (Song Review)

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One of the best extreme metal bands of recent years, Denver’s Blood Incantation have shown a knack for instrumental music that culminated in 2021’s entirely ambient EP Timewave Zero. But my favourite of the band’s instrumental tracks is their extremely cosmic Inner Paths (To Outer Space), taken from the stellar 2019 album Hidden History Of The Human Race. A rare example of an instrumental being an album highlight and choice for lead single, Inner Paths (To Outer Space) skews a bit mellow, as metal instrumentals often do, but builds up from the ambient opening and hypnotic prog guitar to a properly brutal death metal climax. It’s the most immediately enjoyable and memorable song on a challenging, intense record. A short guest vocal from Demilich’s inimitably guttural Antti Boman almost stops this being classed as an instrumental but he’s not singing any words, let’s face it! Not ones known to humans anyway.

Death Metal, Genre, Heavy Metal, Song Reviews

Carcass – 1985 (Song Review)

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I can’t talk about instrumentals without including an album intro. A lot of them, especially on modern metal albums, are unremarkable atmospheric cobblers but you’ll still find plenty of instrumental openers that kick albums off in thrilling, memorable and iconic ways. Here’s a brilliant modern example: Carcass and 1985, the introduction to their 2013 comeback album Surgical Steel. Despite a relatively short run before their break up in 1996, Carcass exerted a huge influence on grindcore music and also melodic death metal. Their comeback was eagerly awaited and 1985 was a brilliant way to herald their return. A lot like a modern version of Priest’s The Hellion, 1985 layers guitar parts and builds tension and anticipation for the album to follow in such an imposing and grand way that it’s immediately clear that this album is going to be an event. The main musical idea was actually reworked from one the band’s first demo/rehearsal tapes that was recorded back in, you guessed it… 1985! It’s a fun Easter Egg for fans and a neat touch that hints at the level of craft and consideration that went into making Surgical Steel one of the best albums of the last ten years.

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.

Doom Metal, Genre, Heavy Metal, Song Reviews

Warning – Footprints (Song Review)

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“Here I am wide open”

Warning: listening to Footprints may induce melancholia. Emotive performances always go well with the ponderous spaces and tempos of doom metal but UK’s Warning take it to an unusually sad and vulnerable level on this sublime track from 2006’s Watching From A Distance. In fact, Footprints is more in the Anathema/Marillion zone of hearfelt, emotional catharsis. I’m too much of a satanic viking to get on board with the wallowing, introspective lyrics but the staggering combination of lurching low end, beautiful ringing chords and Patrick Walker’s distinctive, wistful vocals doesn’t half hit me right in the feels.

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.

Black Metal, Genre, Progressive Rock, Song Reviews

Dødheimsgard – Tankespinnerens Smerte (Song Review)

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“Where everything feels damn good”

Now we’re into the second half of 2023, I thought I’d share a track from my favourite album of the year so far. Here’s Tankespinnerens Smerte from Black Medium Current, the new album from Norwegian weirdos Dødheimsgard. It’s atmospheric black metal that blasts off with layered grandeur and a captivating mix of croaks and croons from DHG frontman Vicotnik. Then it heads off, brilliantly, into an eclectic mix of quiet, sinister and ominously discordant sections and also features the most blissful, uplifting vocal hook I’ve heard in ages. If anyone thinks they can release better music than this before the year is through, they avant-garde a chance!

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.