The Pineapple Thief: Hold Our Fire (Kscope Records)
Recorded during their European Dissolution tour in 2018, Hold Our Fire is a significant recording of one of the best bands around in the live arena. Although it’s not the first live album the band have released (The most recent being 2017’s Where We Stood), this release does capture recordings of eight tracks from Dissolution, one of the band’s most perfect albums, along with 3000 Days from 2010’s Someone Here Is Missing. Tracks such as Threatening War, Far Below and Shed A Light sound as good on this release as they did back in September 2018 when I gave Dissolution top marks. As a moment in time, then Hold Your Fire captures the spirit and energy of a band who unbelievably are shortly to embark on their debut US tour. Having seen them earlier in the year perform to an ecstatic audience in Bristol, this is about as representative as possible. Perfect for those long winter evenings. 9/10
Vinnie Moore: Soul Shifter (Mind's Eye Music)
Another solo album from the UFO guitarist whose career has so much more than being the member of one of hard rock’s seminal bands. Moore has had an illustrious career, playing with his own band as support to Rush way back in 1991 as well as being a member of Alice Cooper’s band amongst other things. The follow up to 2015’s Aerial Visions, his ninth album features a host of special guests including Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy, Quiet Riot) and Dream Theater’s Jordan Rudess. One of the originators of the ‘shred’ style, the majority of tracks on this instrumental album pay tribute to heroes both past and present. The reflective Mystified was written shortly after the tragic death of Chris Cornell, Brother Carlos pays homage to one of Moore’s heroes, the mighty Carlos Santana, whilst Gainesville Station tips the nod to Steve Gaines, another of Moore’s big influences.
Beautifully structured and composed, Moore is able to demonstrate with ease why he has been able to fill the shoes of such luminaries as Michael Schenker and Paul Chapman in UFO, with his natural fluid style and soulful delivery. Alongside the tributes to other stars such as Soul Rider (for Greg Allman) and Heard You Were Gone which raises a glass to former band mate and friend Elliot (Dean Guitars) there is some fun in the enjoyable Funk Bone Jam and Kung Fu Grip which allow Moore to let loose with some sweet guitar playing. Whilst I’m not the biggest fan of the solo album, Moore is a legend whose playing comes more naturally than breathing. A perfect album to sit back with a glass of vino, and just enjoy the quality of a musician who is underrated in my book. 8/10
Messora: The Door (1428936 Records DK2)
Canadian progressive death metallers Messora change and shift styles, sounds and boundaries throughout out this impressive and at times compelling album. Having formed as a solo project a mere three years ago, the band now appears a cohesive unit who deliver some brutal, room levelling riffs, undeniable groove and powerful hooks. Opening with the infectious title track, which has echoes of Lamb of god, this is a seven-track release which comprises a cross section of lengthy epics with more immediate in your face smashes. Linking The Door with the next dose of brutality is the one and a half minute acoustic Tethered, which provides unavoidable Opeth comparisons before the bludgeon of The Veil, just shy of ten minutes, kicks a hole in the wall. Chugging riffs, high intensity drumming and roaring gruff vocals all combine to excellent effect and demonstrate that there is much more to this band than heavy riffs.
As the track closes with some underlying synths adding texture and depth the gasping you hear you suddenly realise is actually you. This is a band who give massive effort for every track. The Falling Star follows, another lengthy track that combines the brutality of a Gojira with the melody of old school In Flames. It’s worthy stuff whilst the shorter The Pond and Untethered are no less mesmerising. The band comprises Zach Dean on guitar and vocals, fellow guitarist James Cabral and the engine room of Joey Lariviere on drums and bassist Ben Bertrand. It’s bone splintering stuff, with pulverising segments of speed and also crushing heaviness which put the band in the doom camp at times. Certainly one I would recommend exploring. 8/10
Angmaer: Victoria Aut Mors (UKEM Records)
Victoria Aut Mors is the second album by one man outfit Angmaer, known to his mum as Oscar J. Taylor. Another in the endless stream of ridiculously talented multi-instrumentalists, at the age of 21 this is already the second full length release that he has issued, a nine track battery of old school style black metal, with everything that you would expect and want. Heavy tremolo riffing, thunderous blast beats and howling to the moon vocals. Whilst the intention in several of the tracks appears to be to blast as fast as possible, he has managed to retain a degree of melody and direction which segues neatly with the more frenetic song structures.
As The Rivers Flow With Blood for example rages at breakneck speed before a rhythmic interlude that still powers along before changing direction and adding a medieval acoustic breakdown at about 4 minutes. Heavy riffs soon crash back in to accelerate the intensity once more. The more interesting tracks on this impressive album tend to be the more structured longer songs such as Summoner where Angmar can really let rip. I can only be in awe of this artist, even if the black metal is nothing new. 7/10
Recorded during their European Dissolution tour in 2018, Hold Our Fire is a significant recording of one of the best bands around in the live arena. Although it’s not the first live album the band have released (The most recent being 2017’s Where We Stood), this release does capture recordings of eight tracks from Dissolution, one of the band’s most perfect albums, along with 3000 Days from 2010’s Someone Here Is Missing. Tracks such as Threatening War, Far Below and Shed A Light sound as good on this release as they did back in September 2018 when I gave Dissolution top marks. As a moment in time, then Hold Your Fire captures the spirit and energy of a band who unbelievably are shortly to embark on their debut US tour. Having seen them earlier in the year perform to an ecstatic audience in Bristol, this is about as representative as possible. Perfect for those long winter evenings. 9/10
Vinnie Moore: Soul Shifter (Mind's Eye Music)
Another solo album from the UFO guitarist whose career has so much more than being the member of one of hard rock’s seminal bands. Moore has had an illustrious career, playing with his own band as support to Rush way back in 1991 as well as being a member of Alice Cooper’s band amongst other things. The follow up to 2015’s Aerial Visions, his ninth album features a host of special guests including Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy, Quiet Riot) and Dream Theater’s Jordan Rudess. One of the originators of the ‘shred’ style, the majority of tracks on this instrumental album pay tribute to heroes both past and present. The reflective Mystified was written shortly after the tragic death of Chris Cornell, Brother Carlos pays homage to one of Moore’s heroes, the mighty Carlos Santana, whilst Gainesville Station tips the nod to Steve Gaines, another of Moore’s big influences.
Beautifully structured and composed, Moore is able to demonstrate with ease why he has been able to fill the shoes of such luminaries as Michael Schenker and Paul Chapman in UFO, with his natural fluid style and soulful delivery. Alongside the tributes to other stars such as Soul Rider (for Greg Allman) and Heard You Were Gone which raises a glass to former band mate and friend Elliot (Dean Guitars) there is some fun in the enjoyable Funk Bone Jam and Kung Fu Grip which allow Moore to let loose with some sweet guitar playing. Whilst I’m not the biggest fan of the solo album, Moore is a legend whose playing comes more naturally than breathing. A perfect album to sit back with a glass of vino, and just enjoy the quality of a musician who is underrated in my book. 8/10
Messora: The Door (1428936 Records DK2)
Canadian progressive death metallers Messora change and shift styles, sounds and boundaries throughout out this impressive and at times compelling album. Having formed as a solo project a mere three years ago, the band now appears a cohesive unit who deliver some brutal, room levelling riffs, undeniable groove and powerful hooks. Opening with the infectious title track, which has echoes of Lamb of god, this is a seven-track release which comprises a cross section of lengthy epics with more immediate in your face smashes. Linking The Door with the next dose of brutality is the one and a half minute acoustic Tethered, which provides unavoidable Opeth comparisons before the bludgeon of The Veil, just shy of ten minutes, kicks a hole in the wall. Chugging riffs, high intensity drumming and roaring gruff vocals all combine to excellent effect and demonstrate that there is much more to this band than heavy riffs.
As the track closes with some underlying synths adding texture and depth the gasping you hear you suddenly realise is actually you. This is a band who give massive effort for every track. The Falling Star follows, another lengthy track that combines the brutality of a Gojira with the melody of old school In Flames. It’s worthy stuff whilst the shorter The Pond and Untethered are no less mesmerising. The band comprises Zach Dean on guitar and vocals, fellow guitarist James Cabral and the engine room of Joey Lariviere on drums and bassist Ben Bertrand. It’s bone splintering stuff, with pulverising segments of speed and also crushing heaviness which put the band in the doom camp at times. Certainly one I would recommend exploring. 8/10
Angmaer: Victoria Aut Mors (UKEM Records)
Victoria Aut Mors is the second album by one man outfit Angmaer, known to his mum as Oscar J. Taylor. Another in the endless stream of ridiculously talented multi-instrumentalists, at the age of 21 this is already the second full length release that he has issued, a nine track battery of old school style black metal, with everything that you would expect and want. Heavy tremolo riffing, thunderous blast beats and howling to the moon vocals. Whilst the intention in several of the tracks appears to be to blast as fast as possible, he has managed to retain a degree of melody and direction which segues neatly with the more frenetic song structures.
As The Rivers Flow With Blood for example rages at breakneck speed before a rhythmic interlude that still powers along before changing direction and adding a medieval acoustic breakdown at about 4 minutes. Heavy riffs soon crash back in to accelerate the intensity once more. The more interesting tracks on this impressive album tend to be the more structured longer songs such as Summoner where Angmar can really let rip. I can only be in awe of this artist, even if the black metal is nothing new. 7/10