Album Review: Joey Tafolla - "Out of the Sun"

While creeping around a basement vinyl shop, perusing through the Scorpions and Thin Lizzy sections, impressed by the discovery of Brand X records (Phil Collins is an AWESOME drummer...) and disheartened by the exclusion of Malmsteen, I came across something I've been meaning to get for a long time...Joey Tafolla's "Out of the Sun".  I checked the record and it was in great condition.  Then, and most importantly, I checked the price and it cost something like $2.00.  So, needless to say, I walked out the shop "Out of the Sun" in hand.

Joey's first record for the Shrapnel label, "Out of the Sun", is one of the best instrumental shred albums money can buy.  Part of what makes this album so great is its illustrious cast of characters...Tony MacAlpine on keyboards (he also had a good deal to do with melody composition and "producing" this effort), Wally Voss from Yngwie's Rising Force on bass (who sadly passed away at a young age, I believe from leukemia), and Reynold Carlson on drums (who was Joey Tafolla's partner in crime in metal legends Jag Panzer).  And, offering a slew of guest solos, Paul Gilbert on guitar.

A great way to describe the feel and atmosphere of "Out of the Sun" is that it is the greatest video game soundtrack of all time that never was.  The album's emphasis is on melody, melody, and melody.  Joey (and no doubt MacAlpine) came up with some really great melodies that give each tune an IDENTITY (which is something I feel is lacking in contemporary times).  Following closely behind "Out of the Sun"'s focus on catchy melody is its focus on relentless virtuosity (...which is to be expected, this is a Shrapnel release).  Joey rips some great leads, but is often in danger of being eclipsed by the sweep-picking-demon-shadow of Paul Gilbert.

Both Joey and Paul play some leads of exceptional note on "Stalingrad".  Solo Order:  Joey, Paul, Joey, Paul:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAK04UVZhbE

You can tell Paul is definitely NOT holding back, and this just makes for a better album.  I commend Joey for not having an ego.  He lets everyone tear it up (even though, like I said, the sidemens' shredding excursions  threaten to outshine the leader).  Wally Voss is also all over the place, in a good may mind you, with lots of bass tapping solo features.  Drummer Reynold Carlson turns in a surprisingly excellent performance (this album was my first exposure to his playing), and MacAlpine, of course, crushes on the keys like none other.

I've read some other reviews of Joey Tafolla's "Out of the Sun" where he is critiqued because he "hasn't found his voice yet" and for "...patterning himself after mentor Tony MacAlpine (who does exactly the same thing, but better, on his albums), Tafolla copies everything right down to the melodramatic song titles".  True...yes.  This statement is undeniable, but it doesn't mean the music suffers.  And, which I think is important to note, MacAlpine is given credit for his compositional contributions.  This is a great shred album, only slightly below the lofty musical heights attained on MacAlpine's "Maximum Security" and Becker's "Perpetual Burn".  Joey Tafolla's "Out of the Sun" is a must have for fans of the genre.  If you can find this one for two sawbucks in the local record shop, consider yourself lucky.

Rock on Joey, Tony, Wally, Reynold and Paul.

Here's the first track off the album, "Eternity's End":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyJg3-vKULY

"Out of the Sun" (Shrapnel Records, 1987)
Track listing:

1. Eternity's End
2. Out of the Sun
3. Zero Hour
4. The Summon
5. Stalingrad
6. Truce With Kings
7. Fire in the Lake
8. Samurai
9. Nine Tomorrows

Credits:

• Joey Tafolla - guitar
• Tony MacAlpine:  keyboards, production, additional melodies
• Wally Voss - bass
• Reynold "Butch" Carlson - drums
• Paul Gilbert - additional guitar solos on tracks 3, 5, 6, 9

Underground Spotlight: DEUS OTIOSUS (Denmark)

Deus Otiosus - "Murderer" (Denmark)

Danish death metalers, Deus Otiosus, offer a ripping blend of old school death metal and classic thrash on their debut album, “Murderer” (released via American Line in South America and on FDA Rekotz for the rest of the world).  Everything grooves as only old school death can, and the vocals are quite intelligible, especially when you consider this particular style.   Deus Otiosus lists Death, Morbid Angel, Obituary, Possessed, Deicide, Asphyx, Pestilence, Entombed, Grave, Slayer, and Bolt Thrower among their influences.  This listener definitely gets a pungent waft of the aforementioned artists (especially vintage Morbid Angel, Death, Pestilence) from “Murderer”, but also the acidic, coppery scent of burning thrash metal, a la “Ride the Lightning”...and that’s a good thing.

Deus Otiosus is refreshing in the sense that their music retains an organic feel throughout their debut.  Instead of bland technicality (or Pro Tooling all the life out of the music), the Danish metalers primarily focus on maintaining a slamming groove, which really works in their favor.

And what is Deus Otiosus currently plotting for the future?  Guitarist, Henrik, says:

"Right now we are busy working on the songs for our second album. We already have some material written, which is being rehearsed and arranged right now. I think our second album will be a quite natural continuation from "Murderer" further emphasizing it's strengths - a strong character and recognisability in every song and a good variation in the dynamic and atmosphere in between the songs. We'll be sure to send you our next album as well.  Thanks for the support!"

Highlights include the infectious riffage of “Wall of Violence” (with a special cameo appearance from JACK himself:  “Gimme the bat, Wendy”…you’ll know what I mean) and the uber death metalish “No Life”. 

Go here to check out their music: 

www.facebook.com/deusotiosus.dk

www.myspace.com/deusotiosus

http://www.reverbnation.com/deusotiosus

Line-up:

Anders Bo Rasmussen - Vocals
Henrik Engkjær - Guitars
Peter Engkjær - Guitars
Jesper Holst - Bass
Søren Bentsen – Drums

Album Review: Trouble - "The Skull"

"Nothing is more beautiful than a guitar, save perhaps two.”
- Fredric Chopin

We're very familiar with Smith and Murray, Tipton and Downing, and Gorham and Robertson (or Moore or Snowy White or Sykes).  But what about Wartell and Franklin?  It seems this guitar tandem remains in a realm more obscure.  Perhaps a lot of people would think of this duo as "B-listers".  An undeserved grade, I assure you, and disrespectful to boot.  Their riffs crept along like lumbering gods, invoking images of Lovecraftian doom and darkness.  In contrast, their dual guitar harmonies floated above the riffage, triumphant while still retaining an ominous air.  Wartell and Franklin are perhaps the band's most valuable asset, creating the peak musical moments on Trouble's solid sophomore effort, "The Skull".  

As mentioned before, "The Skull"'s highlights are mainly the guitar work (the harmonies in particular), but it would be silly to overlook the rest of this talented Chicago group.  Of exceptional note is vocalist, Eric Wagner.  He has an extremely unique and identifiable voice.  This works in the band's favor a majority of the time, but (like a good deal of vocalists and beer in general) it's not hard to see how this can be an acquired taste.  The rhythm section of drummer Jeff Olson and bassist Sean McAllister do a fine job of providing ample support for the bludgeoning doom.  They really don't take a bake seat to the rest of the music, but they are not inclined to showboat either.

Trouble is known as a great band of the "doom metal" style, a genre which is characterized by down tuned guitars, a fat, slow burning groove, the almighty RIFF, and shameless Black Sabbath aping in general.  This may be personal taste, but I feel some of  "The Skull"'s best moments happen above 90 bpm.  When they decide to take a departure from the doom and pick up the pace (e.g. the second track, "Fear No Evil"), everything just really, really clicks.  Perhaps it's personal taste, but the album would be even stronger with some more uptempo tunes.  

All in all, you can't go wrong.  Trouble is definitely a classic band and worth checking out.

< Below are two youtube video links of Trouble performing live on public television in 1982.  The two songs are off their first album, "Psalm 9" (which is also excellent).  I know this is a review of their second album, and it would make sense to include videos which feature some tracks off "The Skull", but I don't care.  These videos are just too awesome.  Also, it shows just how good these "doom" metalers can rage at a brisk tempo (Assassin). >

Trouble picking up the pace on "Assassin" 

Title track off their first album, "Psalm 9" 

"The Skull" (Metal Blade Records, 1985)
Track listing:

1. "Pray for the Dead" – 5:54
2. "Fear No Evil" – 4:12
3. "The Wish" – 11:35
4. "The Truth Is, What Is" – 4:37
5. "Wickedness of Man" – 5:46
6. "Gideon" – 5:10
7. "The Skull" – 5:50

Credits:

• Eric Wagner - vocals
• Bruce Franklin - guitars
• Rick Wartell - guitars
• Sean McAllister - bass
• Jeff Olson - drums

Highly Recommended: Dark Moor, Mercyless, and Toxik

Dark Moor - The Hall of Olden Dreams (Arise Records, 2000)
An excellent release from Spanish power metalers, Dark Moor.  The album is heavy on great songs and very light on filler.  "The Hall of Olden Dreams" features great playing all around, but the M.V.P. is easily vocalist Elisa Martin.  I'm surprised she hasn't become a bigger name in the metal world.  Like I said, the music is great, but she really takes things to a whole other level.  From what I gather, she has since left Dark Moor along with a couple other members featured on the album and has formed a new band, Dreamaker.     

Dark Moor - Somewhere in Dreams




Mercyless - Abject Offerings (Vinyl Solution, 1992)
French death metalers, Mercyless, caught be by surprise.  A friend recommended the group to me (in particular their debut album, "Abject Offerings").  When I first heard the band, I thought they were a contemporary group doing an "old school death metal" throwback type of thing.  Wrong!  "Abject Offerings" is of the old stock, released in ye olde 1992.  Killer songs and riffage, with guitarist Stephane Viard busting out some great leads in particular.  

Mercyless - Abject Offerings





Toxik - World Circus (Roadrunner Records, 1987)
Now this is some crazy stuff.  I first came across this band in the book "Mean Deviation" by John Wagner.  In a nutshell, Mr. Wagner had a little blurb in his book about Toxik, citing them as one of the tech metal bands around in the late 80's with really over the top guitar solos, courtesy of Toxik shredder Josh Christian.  It's over the top and then some.  Vocals kind of remind me of Alan Tecchio on Watchtower's "Control and Resistance".  Toxik's music, however, is a little more straight forward and slamming.  "World Circus" has been recently reissued on Metal Mind Records with some spiffy new packaging and bonus tracks.

Toxik - World Circus

Some of the Best Dave Mustaine Stories Ever Told

Check out this interview with former Megadeth guitarist, Chris Poland.  He recounts some crazy times with Megadeth main man, Dave Mustaine.

http://www.4shared.com/audio/tXU3n4F_/5-6-10_-_Interview_with_Chris_.html

DragonForce/Demoniac's Sam "Madsam" Totman

I recently came across this article on the web and thought I would share...

Let's Not Forget Those Who Give "Shred" a Good Name

I recently came across a blog written by the great guitarist, Alex Skolnick (Testament, Alex Skolnick Trio), in which he makes a case against the latest "shred" epidemic.  It is a very well written piece and you can read it here:

http://www.guitarplayer.com/default.aspx?tabid=63&EntryId=5

< Side Note:  Check out Alex Skolnick's jazz trio here:  http://www.alexskolnick.com/store/.  They are an amazing group. >

While I do agree with the timeless adage of "speed/technique is nothing without taste and musicality" (...my paraphrased version of the timeless adage anyway), maybe it's fun to tear it up just because you can.  If anything, I think I'm more harsh on the "shredding", triggered double bass drumming which runs rampant in modern metal than on guitar wankery.  At least there is some tonal variety with the six-string. 

Anyway, the following gentleman are very, very far from relying purely on soulless musical skullduggery: 

Tommy T. Baron
Guitarist of the mighty Swiss metal trio, Coroner, Tommy has a great melodic and compositional sense (in addition to some serious chops).  I was introduced to the group and Tommy's soloing ability through Coroner's "Mental Vortex" (which is a killer album through and through).
 
This is the tune "Semtex Revolution". Dig Tommy's solo at 2:37

Marty Friedman
This choice is a no-brainer, but the man is incredible and deserves to be mentioned.  Marty has an extremely identifiable sound and style.  His unique incorporation of "exotic" scales and phrasing was on full display during his tenure with metal titans, Megadeth.  Prior to joining Megadeth, Marty released the incredible "Dragon's Kiss" on Shrapnel Records (with an all time favorite, Deen Castronovo, on drums) which is highly recommended. 

Perhaps the most famous solo Marty ever threw down.

Andy LaRocque/Pete Blakk/Mike Denner
Andy AND Pete's (Pete usually, and unfairly, gets left out...hence the emphasis on AND) solo and duel guitar playing with King Diamond, to this day, remains peerless for its ability to conjure pure Gothic atmosphere.  The harmonic invention is what strikes me the most about these three (and their penchant for using pinch harmonics at exactly the right time).  The best examples of their talent can be found on the King Diamond albums "Abigail" (featuring Andy LaRocque and Mike Denner) and "Them" (featuring Andy LaRocque and Pete Blakk). 

"Welcome Home"...a perfect sampling of what Andy and Pete have to offer.

Sure to put a smile on your face...dig the guitar at 2:15.

Chris Poland
More Megadeth alumni!  Chris Poland is kind of the odd man out here in the sense that he is more of a (self-professed) jazz-fusion guitarist (the New Yorkers with Gar Samuelson before Megadeth, OHM), but his ability to play aggressive, extremely original leads is undeniable.  After his stint with Megadeth, Poland released the excellent instrumental album "Return to Metalopolis" with his brother, Mark Poland, on drums.  Chris is currently raging with his jazz-metal-fusion group, OHM, as well as collaborating with members of Umphrey's McGee in OHMphrey.

"Club Ded".