Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: International
Uriah Heep - Wake The Sleeper

Uriah Heep - Wake The Sleeper

Uriah Heep
Wake The Sleeper
Label: Sanctuary Records

Updating but not abandoning their classic 80s synth rock approach, this release shows the band as strong and musically alluring as ever.

Uriah Heep WebsiteUriah Heep Wiki

Apocalyptica - Worlds Collide

Apocalyptica - Worlds Collide

Apocalyptica
Worlds Collide
Label: 20 20/ Jive Records

Cellos and heavy metal may be an unlikely combination, but these fine Finnish folks have successfully been kicking out variants on their theme over the years. With several guest vocalists and a couple radio ready singles, this release is a smoking’ mix of their symphonic metal and thrashin’ ragers.

Apocalyptica WebsiteApocalyptica Wiki

Exciter - Thrash Speed Burn

Exciter - Thrash Speed Burn

Exciter
Thrash Speed Burn
Label: Blistering Records

Refusing to give up or modify their style, these Canadian thrashers have charged up their neck muscles for another go around. Their creative recipe remains mostly unchanged from days gone by: aggressive lyrics taunted by various “evils”  backed with anthemia choruses played over stereotypical thrash grooves.

Exciter WebsiteExciter Wiki

We Wish You A Metal Xmas And A Headbanging New Year - We Wish You A Metal Xmas And A Headbanging New Year

We Wish You A Metal Xmas And A Headbanging New Year - We Wish You A Metal Xmas And A Headbanging New Year

We Wish You A Metal Xmas And A Headbanging New Year
We Wish You A Metal Xmas And A Headbanging New Year
Label: Eagle Rock Entertainment

12 classic holiday tracks respun into riffed up xmas anthems by select metal all stars from bands including Anthrax, Judas Priest, Toto, Styx, Ratt, Dio and Black Sabbath. Something is both heartening and horrible as Lemmy gargles the lyrics to “Run Rudolph Run” and Geoff Tate warbles out “Silver Bells” while Chuck Billy growls a decidedly NOT “Silent Night.”

We Wish You A Metal Xmas And A Headbanging New Year Website

ZU - Carboniferous

ZU - Carboniferous

ZU
Carboniferous
Label: Ipecac Recordings

Cantankerous jazzy punk and experi-metal rife with overtones, harmonics and indifferent dissonance. This non-vocal trio from Rome breathes new visions of inspired avante art rock with every song penned and every blurry bass note they fondle.

ZU Website

Almah - Fragile Equality

Almah - Fragile Equality

Almah
Fragile Equality
Label: Blistering Records

Well flavored and maturely tempered power metal featuring former Angra members. Robust guitar solos are intertwined with pulsating rhythms and urgent vocals justifying the quality and caliber of this melodic power metal fury.

Almah WebsiteAlmah Wiki

La Otra Banda - Cuatro Tunes

La Otra Banda - Cuatro Tunes

La Otra Banda
Cuatro Tunes
Label: Sanjonero records

A trio of musicians originally from Venezuela, now slowly transplanting to Madison, bring us a teaser of their world beat amalgamation of South American melodies purposely infected with global influences.

La Otra Banda Website

Laura Reed & Deep Pocket - Live At Tree Sound Studios

Laura Reed & Deep Pocket - Live At Tree Sound Studios

Laura Reed & Deep Pocket
Live At Tree Sound Studios
Label: Treeleaf Music

Recorded live for Pandora’s Music Genome Project, this soulful high energy crew, lead by energetic South African born female vocalist, blasts their way through a saucy selection of material, displaying their song talents plus banter and anecdotes to round out the experience.

Laura Reed & Deep Pocket Website

Siebenburgen - Revelation VI

Siebenburgen - Revelation VI

Siebenburgen
Revelation VI
Label: Blistering Records

Impending gothic doom gives way as a firestorm of melodic black metal is unleashed upon the listener. The vocals are more growled and gritty than screamed and there are nice female vocal flourishes. Even though it is well done, evokes sinister ambience, etc. black metal has become kinda stale at this point.

Siebenburgen WebsiteSiebenburgen Wiki

Various Artists - Made In Iceland

Various Artists - Made In Iceland

Various Artists
Made In Iceland
Label: Iceland Music Exporrt

Perhaps the chill weather of January makes you think of Iceland. If so, this compilation showcases 15 rising Icelandic stars. Quirky indie overtones pervade, but a nice overview of offerings for sure.

Various Artists Website

Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate - Seventy Five (75)

Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate - Seventy Five (75)

Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate
Seventy Five (75)
Label: Heads Up

Deep reaching double live disc recorded in Lugano, Switzerland culminating the 75 year career of Joe Zawinal who passed on Sept 11, 2007. This world music with a smooth, intricate and innovative jazz backbone also highlights a wide variety of performers and instruments with wide reaching influences.

Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate WebsiteJoe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate Wiki

Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Live! (DVD)

Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Live! (DVD)

Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Live! (DVD)
Label: Heads Up

The amazing harmony acapella vocals of this group have been heard the world over for over 30 years. Filmed in Akron, Ohio in 2008 this DVD puts recent faces to the voices. 14 songs plus an in-depth interview with the group’s founder, leader and musical director Joseph Shabalala.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo WebsiteLadysmith Black Mambazo Wiki

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