Zakk Sabbath: Vertigo (Magnetic Eye Records)
Recorded on 16th October 1969 and released the following February, Black Sabbath’s self-titled debut album is possibly the finest opening release from a band ever. Setting the template for metal for generations to come, Black Sabbath remains the heavy metal masterpiece, rightly revered. Roll forward to 2014 and Zakk Wylde forms his Black Sabbath cover band Zakk Sabbath. Now featuring bassist Rob ‘Blasko’ Nicholson (Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie) and drummer Joey Castillo (Danzig, Queens Of The Stone Age), Zakk Sabbath enter the studio 50 years after the original was recorded, faithfully following the spirit of the original album. The result is Vertigo, a reverently rendered tribute recorded live in the studio. "We recorded a live EP and were wondering what we could do next as a cover band, so the 50th album anniversary came just at the right time", explained Blasko. Vertigo is a little bit more than a faithful recreation of that historical record. There are subtle differences, the odd stray piece of improvisation here, the additional solo there, hidden amongst the classic songs that are respectfully treated but given a slightly different flavour.
I’d often wondered why Zakk Sabbath existed, given the esteem that Black Sabbath are held in. It seemed a bit of a cheap way of making the extra buck for little effort. I’m less of that viewpoint after listening to Vertigo, mainly because Wylde, Blasko and Castillo treat the songs with such sensitivity, the production tight and the playing superb. Wylde adds his distinctive guitar chops to every track whilst his vocals have always been the closest to Ozzy that I’ve ever heard. The songs are of course, instantly recognisable. Wicked World gets the Wylde flair, the version of N.I.B is red hot and the closing trio of A Bit Of Finger/Sleeping Village/Warning also impresses. Ironically, given I’m reviewing a digital copy, Vertigo is only being released on vinyl and CD. “It was such a cool time for those of us that grew up during that time. The fan experience with the physical product is irreplaceable with digital and streaming. We wanted to capture that authenticity." Whether I’d be tempted to purchase this I’m not sure. There’s nothing wrong with it and there are some flashes of excellence. Overall, I think my preference would be to stick that 1970 vinyl on and listen to Black Sabbath in its splendour. 7/10
I’d often wondered why Zakk Sabbath existed, given the esteem that Black Sabbath are held in. It seemed a bit of a cheap way of making the extra buck for little effort. I’m less of that viewpoint after listening to Vertigo, mainly because Wylde, Blasko and Castillo treat the songs with such sensitivity, the production tight and the playing superb. Wylde adds his distinctive guitar chops to every track whilst his vocals have always been the closest to Ozzy that I’ve ever heard. The songs are of course, instantly recognisable. Wicked World gets the Wylde flair, the version of N.I.B is red hot and the closing trio of A Bit Of Finger/Sleeping Village/Warning also impresses. Ironically, given I’m reviewing a digital copy, Vertigo is only being released on vinyl and CD. “It was such a cool time for those of us that grew up during that time. The fan experience with the physical product is irreplaceable with digital and streaming. We wanted to capture that authenticity." Whether I’d be tempted to purchase this I’m not sure. There’s nothing wrong with it and there are some flashes of excellence. Overall, I think my preference would be to stick that 1970 vinyl on and listen to Black Sabbath in its splendour. 7/10
I last crossed paths with Swiss thrashers Comaniac in June 2017 when they supported Metal Church at the Thekla in Bristol. They gave a great account of themselves that night and earned a few new fans in the process. Their third album Holodox follows 2015’s debut Return To The Wasteland and the follow up Instruction for Destruction. Holodox has strong credentials, produced by Coroner’s Tommy Vetterli and the album takes the listener on a journey through stages of life, considering fear, lose and the hopeless path towards perfection. The band’s press release would have you believe that Comaniac is the saviour of thrash metal, and whilst that is obviously exaggerated, there is no doubt that the Swiss quartet are coming up on the rails in the international thrash scene. The title track and The New Face Of Hell are both blistering tracks, the pace frenetic, the guitars sharp, the riffs explosive and Jonas Schmid’s snarling shrieks working neatly.
Disappointingly the vocals become a little ragged as the album progresses. Head Of The Snake and Legend Heaven witness a variable performance with the singing increasingly unstable. Shrieking is all well and good, but a bit of tune is always welcome. Musically, Comaniac remain solid, chugging away with the power and enthusiasm of the old guard. It’s not groundbreaking and it certainly doesn’t threaten the likes of Warbringer, Havok, Onslaught and Shrapnel in the best 2020 thrash releases but it’s in general a reasonable listen. Ending the album with Bittersweet, we do witness the band taking an almost ballad route, the semi-acoustic track with added orchestral elements not helping with Schmid’s singing the weakest point. Overall, it’s an unspectacular release but certainly if you like your thrash a bit rough around the edges, one you may wish to dip into. 6/10
Black Sun: Silent Enemy (Rockshots Records)
I’m not familiar with Ecuadorian metal. Black Sun are apparently well known in their home country having gained high profile support slots with Judas Priest, Kreator and Firewind. Silent Enemy is the band’s fourth release and comes with a slightly different angle after parting with their long-time singer during the production of the EP. With a high-level producer at the helm, Nino Laurenne (Emma Winner – Finnish Grammy, Hevisaurus, Amorphis, The Rasmus), Black Sun drafted guest singers on all the tracks.The EP is a concept release of seven tracks, three of them being special music scores (intro, interlude, outro). The EP will also have a special short film based on its storyline out on its release day that was written by Black Sun and Topias Kupiainen. Recorded at Hi NoiZ Studios and Sonic Pump Studios, Silent Enemy was mixed by Jens Bogren (tracks 2 and 3) and Nino Laurenne (tracks 1,4-7) and mastered by Svante Forsbäck. This is all very grand and with such a buildup you’d expect a sturdy wave of metal to wash over you.
Unfortunately, it’s a little disconnected, with a symphonic, Eurovision style approach clashing with more muscular power metal tracks. The intro Moebius segues into the anthemic Resist, a throw away pop-rock track with the vocals of Netta Laurenne (Smackbound) giving it a bit of class. A bigger crunch follows with Terror Zone, the rougher male vocals of Henning Basse (Firewind) roaring through a Priest style metal work out. The powerful instrumental Dark Mirror features Guest solos by JF Aguirre and Petri Lindroos (Ensiferum) and is an enjoyable romp whilst final full track Still Alive has a multi-vocal performance which is a little contorted and confusing. Silent Enemy isn’t a bad EP, but it doesn’t feel like one band but more of a collaboration of artists that subsequently means it’s a little disjointed, despite the calibre of those allied to the project. With one vocalist, this would have probably been a more cohesive release. 6/10
Airforce: Strike Hard (Pitch Black Records)
Originally formed in 1986, Airforce have some unique links with UK metal masters Iron Maiden. Drummer Doug Sampson was the first drummer in Maiden, appearing on the legendary Soundhouse Tapes before being replaced by Clive Burr. The band reformed after many years apart in 2016, releasing compilation album Judgement Day and then EPs The Black Box Recordings Vol I & II. The current line-up comprises original members guitarist Chop Pitman, bassist Tony Hatton and new vocalist Flavio Lino. I am very fond of NWOBHM, having grown up with it in the 1980s. 2020 has been an excellent year for many of those bands, with excellent releases by Excalibur and Tokyo Blade whilst speed metallers Raven are also releasing new music later this year. Sadly, Airforce aren’t going to sit in that bracket.Strike Hard has one astonishing feature. Lino is a vocal clone of Bruce Dickinson. His soaring voice is the exact copy of the Maiden frontman, to the point where on occasion I had to check the song details. But despite his sonic ability, the mix was muddied by some stolen Maiden riffs and breaks. It suddenly didn’t look too bright. At 55 minutes, Strike Hard is about 15 minutes too long. The songs are routine, safe and rather boring in parts and listening to it was uninspiring. The introduction of former Maiden singer Paul Dianno on Don’t Look Into Her Eyes merely highlighted how sad the man who featured on the those two iconic albums has become. His vocals add nothing. The band also get former singer Ivan Giannini (now of Vision Divine) to guest on The Reaper which is a thoroughly dull song.
Whilst I appreciate and applaud the band’s enthusiasm, I’m afraid that Strike Hard is an album that does little on first listen and even less on the second playthrough. The inclusion of a cover of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band’s Faith Healer merely extends the discomfort. 4/10