Master - Vindictive Miscreant (Transcending Obscurity)

Paul Speckmann is a metal warrior!  And he’s back with another Master album!  Vindictive Miscreant is exactly what Master fans come to expect from its creator.  This is some heavy classic death metal with a very distinctive sound.  It’s the Chicago sound Paul helped to invent back in the day.  Master’s influence all over the world in simply undeniable.  Speckmann could relax and rest, but he does not take the easy way out.  He is still releasing music, touring, and staying visible.  The album is very strong, full of heavy rhythms, and killer grooves.  Lyrically, Paul is still attacking civil unrest, injustices, and problems of society.

Many accuse Speckmann of not progressing, but he’s doing exactly what he should be doing.  Master has a very specific style, and it delivers every single time.  The tracks are well written and simply smoke!  One of my particular favorites is The Inner Strength of The Demon with its Sabbath influenced riffs, but there really isn't a song on this album that wouldn't give 100% Speckmann.  Much has to be said about guitarist, Zdenek Pradlovsky and drummer, Alex Nejezchleba who complete Master for many years now.  Both players completely understand the classic Master sound, and provide very solid back up for Paul.

Vindictive Miscreant is very much in your face heaviness, much like most of Master’s catalog.  Speckmann does not compromise and gives you an album as heavy as he would 30 years ago.  Paul's bass really drives the songs as you would expect it would.  The tracks work much like a complicated mathematical equations, there is a common denominator out there, just look for it.  Paul Speckmann may now be based in the Czech Republic but it’s pure Chicago coming out of the speakers!

Mark Kadzielawa

Carmine Appice - Guitar Zeus (Rocker Records)

Carmine Appice is a phenomenal drummer and a legendary performer.  This record sees him teaming up with some great guitar players and creating one great record!  The core of this project includes Appice, bassist Tony Franklin, and vocalist Kelly Keeling.  As each song was written, it required a special guitar player to take it to the next level.  I’m sure that trying to coordinates this with schedules, managements, and labels must’ve been a nightmare, but the end result is fantastic!

Guitar Zeus is a great rock record with an all-star line-up.  The songs are catchy and melodic, vary in feel and spirit, but perfectly suited to the individual players.  So, you’re wondering who is included here, right?  The tracks involve the following players:  Ron Thal, Richie Sambora, Steve Morse, Brian May, Slash, Neal Schon, Yngwie Malmsteen, Doug Pinnick, John Norum, Viviam Campbell, Mick Mars, Edgar Winter, Zakk Wylde, Ted Nugent, and others.  Now that’s an impressive list of players, and yes, you can get it all on one record!

Guitar Zeus is not a new release, it is a reissue record, but it combines two separate albums released back in 1995, and 1997.  And for the greater good it comes together here, and some bonus tracks are added as well.  But what really works here is the overall quality of the songwriting.  The songs are good and that’s makes a great difference.  I’m sure we can still remember big names being associated with projects that didn’t produce any quality material.  Not the case here.

Carmine Appice put together a great set of songs and brought some amazing players to execute them.  It all comes together here successfully.  If you missed these releases initially, here’s you chance to reconnect.  Guitar Zeus rocks hard, and delivers the goods!

Mark Kadzielawa

Wrath - Rage (Combat)

If you are familiar with Wrath's early records, you will be very surprised how mature this album is.  And if you are a new fan because of this album, a trip into the back catalog is more than required.  There is nothing accidental here, at least nothing appears to be at first.  Rage must've been very carefully planned, and even more perfectly executed.  It is also a record which reunites singer Gary Golwitzer with the band.  Golwitzer initially left back in 1988, and later resurfaced with Stygian.  The first two records with Golwitzer on vocals truly define what Wrath was always about.  His vocals always added a certain personality to the band.  Besides the singer, this incarnation of Wrath includes bass player, Gary Modica,  and guitarist Scott Nyquist; both long serving members.  Completing the band are two newer additions, guitarist Rob Noon, and drummer Jake Fromkin.  As a unit, Wrath works perfectly, this record is certainly a proof of that.

Wrath was always a heavy metal band that got progressively heavier with times.  It didn't always serve them well, and now, having gone the full circle, they are back doing what they do best.  The songwriting here shows a lot of experience.  The songs are catchy, heavy, full of twists and turns, and the vocals just soar above it all. 

The band sounds very tight, and the songs are well arranged making the music just flow.  There is an element of class in what Wrath is doing.  All the tracks on Rage give a solid punch, and their cover Motorhead’s Ace of Spades is just the icing on the cake, and a nice tribute to Lemmy.  Rage is just a solid dose of Chicago style metal that will leave you shaking for hours to come!  Welcome back!!!

Mark Kadzielawa