Repentance – The Process of Human Demise (Noble Demon)

 

This album attacks the listener with a Slayer-like intensity from the first note, and pretty much stays that way until the very end.  The beauty of their approach is how audible everything is.  While being very intense Repentance avoids sounding blurry.  Every instrument here is being exposed properly, and the album is very well mixed and balanced. 

The songs are catchy, plenty of hooks, and the riffs have a very classic feel.  The influences certainly come from the golden age of thrash, and it’s a fact any band should be proud of.  The delivery however, has a very modern feel, and that perhaps is the trick that makes Repentance the band they are.  Also, there are traces of that Swedish death metal sound, but after all many of those bands were strongly influenced by Illinois groups from the 1980s.  It goes back and forth, doesn’t’ it?

The Process of Human Demise is very rich in texture.  It has a very thick sound that can be separated in few individual layers.  As a whole it’s a cacophony of metal!  Instrumentally, this band delivers magic song after song.  The real star here, is the vocalist Adam Gilley.  His performance is the icing on the cake.  He takes these songs and twists them into the prime bangers.  Also, the leads are very creative, and complementary to the sea of massive riffs on the album. 

In every aspect, The Process of Human Demise, is a perfect metal record.  Definitely one of the finest of the year!  While, the last EP (Volume I-Reborn) was very impressive, this album is a huge step forward.  Repentance is like a chemical reaction where the classic riffs blend with a modern sound, and the results are explosive!

Mark Kadzielawa

Mick Ralphs – On The Run 1984-2013 (HNE Recordings Ltd.)

 

Mick Ralphs is of course known as guitarist for Bad Company and Mott the Hoople.  This box combines al of his solo efforts and then some.  It’s a beautiful 4 cd box full of hidden treasures. 

Back in 1984, Mick Ralphs released his first solo album, Take This!.  The album went largely unnoticed, but what an amazing effort it was.  If you are looking for some great rock music, this is the record you need.  Great songwriting, and a proof that not only was Ralphs a great guitar player, but an impressive vocalist as well.  The album is enhanced by 10 bonus tracks, some unreleased, some just working mixes.  This long-lost album is simply worth the price of this set alone!

It's All Good is a collection of instrumental tracks that Ralphs accumulated in the years leading to the first Bad Company reunion in 1999.  And it does include one track taken from the Bad Company set in 1999.  There are a lot of great ideas here that could’ve easily been taken to another level. 

That’s Life-Can’t Get Enough is a collection of home demos.  This time, Ralphs, performs all of the instruments and vocals all by himself.  The man is clearly talented, and fool of groove and invention.  As a bonus, this album includes demos dating back to 1970, and 1977.

Should Know Better-Live at the Musician is a live album from 2013.  It shows off Ralphs in a blues setting.  He’s definitely holding his own, and delivers some choice blues licks that will surprise a number of his followers. 

On the Run 1984-2013 very nicely sums up a solo career from one of the most impressive British guitar players.  Ralphs certainly made a huge mark on the rock scene through his involvement with Bad Company or Mott the Hoople, this is what else he did when you weren’t looking.  And witha player like that you always want to keep on your horizon.  Currently Mick Ralphs is experiencing health problems, following a stroke in 2016.  Let’s listen to his great music, and pray for his full recovery.

Mark Kadzielawa

Venom – Live from the Hammersmith Odeon Theatre (Dissonance Productions)

 

Another legendary performance becomes available in a CD/DVD format.  This is a classic performance from Venom’s golden age.  Originally available on VHS, and then missing in action for many years until now.  There was a lot of live releases from Venom around 1985, most of it in form of mini albums, but the band managed to embrace the very popular VHS format, and while doing so, left some great documents behind.

This is a great show from a very special location, and unique time.  Venom as seen here, no longer functions, Hammersmith Odeon is no longer around, and VHS format was replaced by DVD’s, Blue Ray, and now streaming.  This concert however rocks, and it rocks hard.  From the beginning to the very end.  You see Venom in their prime, not only delivering some intense metal, but also, having a great time on stage.  There are some funny moments here too, and good showmanship.  Venom really knew how to deliver the goods live.

The idea of combining the audio and video is simply fantastic.  You get the best of both worlds, and a fine document in form of DVD that was impossible to find for many years.  The packaging is simple, but very effective.  The booklet includes interviews with Antton Lant, and Shane Embury of Napalm Death.  It’s a real treat for all Venom collectors.

The music of Venom is still alive through Venom, and Venom Inc.  What we have here is a very special capture at a formative time in the history of heavy metal.  Venom has a very special place in that history, and their strong influence is undeniable.  This release is just another proof of that.

Mark Kadzielawa

Bernie Torme – Lightning Strikes: 1982-1983 (HNE Recordings)

 

Who is Bernie Torme?  He’s an Irish guitar player to whom Ozzy turned to after the death of Randy Rhoads.  He was a guitar player on number of Ian Gillan (Gillan) records.  He used to have a band called Torme, with singer Phil Lewis, who later emerged to front L.A. Guns.  He was even a part of Desperado, a supergroup with Dee Snider that never properly materialized.  In addition to all of those famous “moments,” he had a very cool solo career, mostly in the British isles.  Sadly, he passed away in 2019.

This box gathers two studio albums, and two live albums from Bernie Torme.  It captures him at his definite best on his own.  Turn Out the Lights and Electric Gypsies were great albums.  Filled with traditional Irish/British hard rock.  There were guts, glitter, sleaze, and glory in what Torme was trying to come across with.  Why none of those records made him an instant international superstar is still not clearly understood. 

Bernie Torme was a great player.  He was coming into a style of his own here, and those two years (1982/1983) were very kind to him.  One can argue as to why it didn’t get any bigger for Torme.  Sometimes things just don’t happen.  You can have the right tunes, and the right people around you, but there is never a guarantee a success.  You can keep on trying, and that what Torme did until the end of his days.  He was a true rocker who never stopped and never gave up.  If you were never aware of him, here’s your chance to hear some great music you’ll fall in love with. And if you’re already a fan, this is a great collection that us simply a must have.

Lightning Strikes: 1982-1983 is beautifully put together.  You get the 4 CDs, a very nice booklet with plenty of pictures and information about the man.  The box itself is also very durable, no detail was spared when putting it together.  Let’s hope this is not the last such release from Bernie Torme.  There certainly is plenty more music he’s written and released, and some of it is impossible to find in the physical format.  This is simply an amazing collection of great records!

Mark Kadzielawa

Exodus - The Forge, Joliet, Illinois 12/2/23 (images and words by Mark Kadzielawa)

Exodus is an incredible live band, they usually come across like a power bomb, and explode with each track.  This show was no exception.  They came, they rocked, and they conquered.  Opening with Impact is Imminent set the tone for the evening.  It was great to hear this track as it hadn’t been played for years.  In fact, there are quite few tracks from that very record that deserve to be revisited.  By R.E.M.F. the place went into a frenzy, and bodies were flying.  The band kept on pushing with each song, and the crowd just loved them back.

Guitarists, Gary Holt and Lee Altus, are one amazing duo.  At this point, their dialog is natural, and filled with energy.  The riffing and the soloing were out of control, both of them are so good your head is spinning!  The rhythm section was absolutely excellent.  Tom Hunting and Jack Gibson provide a deadly bottom end, nothing can get through that.  Vocalist, Steve “Zetro” Sousa, adding color and brutality with his unique delivery.  Exodus and all of its component are the perfect thrash ensemble!

This was a short performance, but the band made the best of it.  They gave the maximum power, and made their time on stage extremely enjoyable.  Majority of their set consisted of the classic tracks that everyone wanted to hear, but there were some newer songs from the excellent Persona Non Grata as well. 

The show appeared to have been slightly oversold.  While there was some room in the upstairs section, you couldn’t move around at ease on the main floor at all.  You could barely squeeze in between people, and it was a very uncomfortable feeling.  Everyone was having a great time, but if there was any kind of emergency, this could quickly turn into a really bad disaster. 

Exodus had a great night in Joliet.  They came on strong from the first note, and pretty much maintained their momentum until the very end.  The band following this set had to work hard to match this type of intensity.  Exodus shows no signs of mellowing out or slowing down as the years go by, in fact, they are continuing on their path to absolute domination.  Even after four decades, Exodus, still has a lot to say.  There were other bands on this bill, but this evening belonged to Exodus!

Mark Kadzielawa

GALLERY:

Impellitteri – The Complete Beast 1987-2009 (Global Rock)

At one point Chris Impellitteri was considered one of the hottest guitar players in the country.  He had the licks and the speed, and wrote melodic tunes.  He was completely in sync with what was going on, but for some reason he didn’t become a superstar in America.  He did manage a very strong following in Japan, and a cult artist status just about anywhere else.  Impellitteri consistently made good records, and this 6 CD set combines majority of his albums.

Starting with Stand In Line, which is probably his most know album.  It included Graham Bonnet on vocals, and the songs were great.  It was very surprising that things didn’t happen statewide.  Later the scene changed completely, but Impelitteri continued to write and release albums abroad.  He was very active throughout the 90s, putting out albums every two years or so. 

The Complete Beast is a great collection.  It covers just about everything Impellitteri ever did.  It definitely touches upon his golden period.  Many of these records were a great listen back at the time when they came out.  Here, they are available with all sorts of bonus tracks.  The coolest aspect of this box is the inclusion of the first EP from 1987.  It is a very rare EP, originally released as cassette, not sure if it ever reached the CD stage before. 

Traditional heavy metal fans will find this music very impressive and attractive, especially the fans who are discovering this artist for the first time.  Chris Impellitteri is a guitar wizard, but he’s written some very catchy songs over the years, and he definitely deserves your attention.  He’s still very much an active performer who still releases albums, but not at the rate as documented here. 

22 years of music is very representative of who Chris Impelliteri was, is, and always will be.  It’s a beautifully packaged box with some hard rock treasures inside.  If you own many of the originals, this box is great for the bonus material, but if you’re new to the world of Chris Impellitteri, by all means indulge yourself whole-heartily.  You certainly won’t regret it either way.  Also, It would be great to be finally able to see this man perform more throughout the U.S.

Mark Kadzielawa

Heavy Chicago – Day 3 – Avondale Music Hall, Chicago, Illinois 11/5/23 (words and images by Mark Kadzielawa)

 Day 2 of the Heavy Chicago fest was excellent!  How could Day 3 live up to such intense evening?  Day 3 had a very strong line up, it was going to be crusher, and sure enough, it was.  The musical dynamic was different, but the general feel of the fest was completely in sync with the previous night.  The extreme nature of the bands on this bill brought on a slightly different audience in addition to the crew that was already there.  In that regard, it was very clever of the promoters to schedule it this way.

The Suffering opened the final day of the fest with a very heavy set.  They played songs off The Experiment Has Failed album.  It’s a great record, and those songs sounded awesome live.  The band knew they had a lot to prove this evening, and from the first moment, they gave it their best.  The Suffering created a wall of heaviness, and the group backed it up with a very angry and physical approach.  The singer, Casey Loving, was all over the stage, uttering his vocals from every angle possible.  The Suffering’s set flew like a rocket.  It was intense entertaining, and super heavy.  Many noticed this great band for the first time, others were looking forward to their show.  They left a lasting impression, and there’ll be more great things coming from this band.

Embryonic Autopsy is a brand-new band that includes Tim King on vocals.  King is known for his contributions to Oppressor, and Soil, and both bands appear to be active.  This is a new venture into the world of extreme.  Embryonic Autopsy was heavy in a mesmerizing way.  This band just assaulted the audience with demolition hammer-like delivery.  The ground shook when they played.  It was like hearing a soundtrack to a violent heart attack.  Embryonic Autopsy pounded the room with decibels, song after song, their set was brutal!

Macabre was the last local Chicago band of the evening.  There were a lot of Macabre t-shirts in the audience.  You could feel a strong anticipation for this show.  Macabre projected a very different approach from the other bands.  They definitely have a style and the manner in which they do their shows.  There is a level of (dark) humor and charisma attached to their performances.  No other band does it the way they do it.  Macabre came on very strong, highlighting their most favored songs about the infamous serial killers.  Many of these “characters” appeared on stage as those songs were being played.  It was a combination of heavy music and theatrics, which certainly worked in band’s favor.  The three musicians showed extreme proficiency in their respective instruments.  Macabre has an out-of-control musicianship, and a flawless delivery.  The crowd was extremely excited to hear the band, and pay homage to a true underground legend. 

Repulsion was another iconic band that flew all the way from California for this very special engagement.  Originally from Michigan, Repulsion, are considered legendary and highly influential group in the world of the extreme metal.  Many consider them the originators of grind.  This was the only live appearance from the band this year, and first time back in Chicago since the mid 90s appearance at Fotch’s.  Needless to say, Repulsion was the most anticipated group of the night, if not the entire fest.  Their t-shirts were an instant hit, and the band quickly sold out all the merchandise they brought with them. 

As soon as the sounds of The Stench of Burning Death were heard from the speakers, the audience went into a frenzy.  All of a sudden there was a solid pit, and bodies were flying.  Each song, Repulsion played got a great reaction, and considering the underground nature of their material, there were a lot of die-hard fans in the crowd.  The band was having a great time on stage.  They were raging, unleashing one classic tune after the another.  Repulsion kept the audience in a relentless chokehold, and everyone was hungry for more.  Scott Carlson’s vocals and rhythms created a very spine-chilling mood and Matt Olivo’s insane riffing kept everyone on the edge.  Chris Moore combined both of those parts with his insane drumming.  Repulsion did nice tributes to Chicago’s Master, Canada’s Slaughter, and England’s Venom.  This was a very explosive set of tracks from Horrified and beyond.  Fantastic material from the pioneers of the extreme!

D.R.I. needed no introduction to Chicago audiences.  Just like C.O.C. on the previous night, D.R.I. has a 4-decade relationship with the Windy City crowds.  As one would expect, D.R.I. wasted no time in getting things going.  Their crossover approach always gets huge reactions from the audiences, and before you know it, things turn crazy.  Almost from the start a massive pit formed, and pretty much remained that way until the very end.  Immense amounts of calories were burnt during the time D.R.I. was on stage. 

The two key members of D.R.I., Kurt Brecht, and Spike Cassidy, were in great spirits, and ready to rock hard.  Vocalist, Kurt Brecht, sounded amazing, and the four-decade long wear on his voice did very little to alter his abilities.  The vocals came across perfectly audible, and of course he is still a monster frontman.  Guitarist, Spike Cassidy, went through some serious health concerns, but all that is now behind him.  Cassidy plays with a crushing precision, and his tone is instrumental to the over all sound.  Those two players are the foundation elements to what D.R.I. is.  They are still as vital as ever, add a solid rhythm section behind them, and the magic will continue to happen every time they play.

D.R.I. played a very varied set combined of tracks from the last 40 years.  It was obvious, the older songs got the best response, but they kept the intensity flowing throughout the entire set.  In many ways D.R.I. was the catalyst to acts like Macabre and Repulsion.  They provided this sense of balance which was perfect way to close the show at an absolute high.  So many classic tracks that represent so many different things to just about everyone in the audience.  D.R.I. brought all of it out, they used that 90-minutes for maximum results.  Great way to conclude the festival!

Heavy Chicago was a huge success!  The festival ran very smoothly, everyone played on time, the staff included great technicians who could resolve any small problems at ease.  The place had a very friendly feel.  It was well planned and organized.  Many thanks go to, Sean Duffy and Dave Hornyak, who put this behemoth together, and oversaw every little detail as it was unfolding.  Everyone in attendance had a great time, and that’s what it was really all about.  There is already a talk about a follow up next year.  It would be a shame to stop now.  We wish Heavy Chicago a great legacy for years to come.

Mark Kadzielawa

Heavy Chicago – Day 2 – Avondale Music Hall, Chicago, Illinois 11/4/23 (words and images by Mark Kadzielawa)

There was a very positive vibe about this show from the very beginning.  You could sense that a lot of work went into making this festival as good as it can be, and it is turning out great.  Upon entering, you felt a friendly yet professional attitude from the organizers and the staff.  The audience definitely felt welcomed and safe, and you knew great things were about to happen.

Dust Biters opened the show with a very solid set.  They are a new band out of the Chicago area.  They formed during covid as a survival project, but now transformed into more real band with a definite potential.  Dust Biters already worked out a style, and it can be described as sleaze punk.  Their songs instantly attracted an audience, and for a fairly unknown band that’s a huge step forward.  The band projected a very family feel, but kept their attention on the songs.

Speedfreak came down like a storm!  Here’s a great local band that moved from one strength to the next in the matter of months.  The band played songs off their Fast Lane Livin’ album, and kept the crowd entertained.  Speedfreak included, Dave Hornyak, on drums, who is also one of the promoters of Heavy Chicago, and a superb drummer who knows how employ a cowbell in most creative ways.  Singer, Tommy Kooch, worked the crowd with renewed intensity, and quickly made this appearance a success.  Speedfreak created a great momentum in the last couple of months, and this show proved that they deserve all the success and attention that’s been coming their way lately.  Amazing band doing what they do best!

The Crosses include a Die Kreuzen vocalist, Dan Kubinski, in their ranks.  The band promised an all Die Kreuzen set, and they delivered that with flying colors.  The band went straight into Die Kreuzen’s debut album from 1984, which they played in its entirety.  Adding few tracks from October File, this was one powerful set.  Kubinski was still the master frontman; his onstage charisma is unlike anything else out there.  He had a perfect range to deliver these songs, and make them sound completely authentic.  In some ways, Kubinski’s performance can be compared to a raging lunatic.  He was in a trance, and he took his band and the audience with him.  Listening to these songs four decades later, one realizes how influential Die Kreuzen were, and how many other bands took their vibe, and went onto success of their own.  The state of Wisconsin can be proud created such great band.  The Crosses left no stone unturned with this explosive performance.  Many argued, they stole the show, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with thinking that.  Having seen their show last year in Milwaukee, this writer knew it was going to be a highlight.  Catch this band at any cost!

Nebula had a tough act to follow, but they came on strong, and quickly won the audience with their progressive desert doom approach.  Hailing all the way from Los Angeles, Nebula had been actively recording since 1997.  They had a bit of downtime, but since 2010, they are back stronger than ever!  Guitarist/vocalist, Eddie Glass, was unleashing one riff after another, and matching it with his characteristic vocals on top of it.  Nebula was very heavy, and the songs had a very natural flow to them.  The audience was very enthusiastic about their performance, and the band’s delivery was getting stronger with each song.  Nebula added a perfect balance with their psychedelic riffing and rhythms after the out-of-control craziness from The Crosses.  Great show from Nebula, they were at a perfect spot.

Corrosion of Conformity flew in for this special engagement at Heavy Chicago.  The band and the city have a long history, and a very strong relationship.  In fact, one of the festival’s organizers, Sean Duffy, spent many years promoting Corrosion of Conformity back in the 1980s.  There is a lot of legacy here, and of course the expectations were high.  Corrosion of Conformity opened with Bottom Feeder, and they proceeded just to get heavier with each song.  The band was in great shape, rested, and willing to go all the way and destroy anything in its path.  The sound was thick, heavy, and that bottom end was exposed to the maximum.  Guitarist/vocalist, Pepper Keenan, was in great spirits, delivering his lines with conviction, riffing, and soloing like a madman.  Bassist, Mike Dean, was very precise, his sound was massive, you felt that bass no matter where you stood.  Guitarist, Woody Weatherman, was the key to the sound here.  His riffing was so over the top intense, and he was clearly enjoying himself on stage.  Corrosion of Conformity was having a great time, there were a lot of smiling faces on that stage.  Many in the audience were die-hard fans, some travelled from far to catch the group live. 

Corrosion of Conformity delivered a very flowing set.  They were tight, well-rehearsed, and having fun with the material.  The audience was very excited, and responded passionately to each song.  Before you knew it, the band gave some voting instructions with Vote with a Bullet, and left the stage.  They came back with Born Again for the Last Time, Albatross, and a super long version of Clean My Wounds.  It was a perfect ending for a perfect night.  History was definitely made that evening, and it will be spoken about for many years to come.

Mark Kadzielawa

The Church – Space, Evanston, Illinois 10/31/23 (words & images by Mark Kadzielawa)

This was an exclusive evening with The Church.  There was no opening band, just The Church!  It also meant a longer show, and sure enough the group played two 80-minute sets with a short intermission in between.  The small and intimate nature of Space, great sound, relaxing atmosphere, good drinks, what’s there not to like?  The set up was absolutely perfect.  The band took the stage at 8:00 PM, and proceeded with Ascendance, creating a very special mood and feel. 

As soon as The Church took over the stage, they began to build up a momentum.  The set list covered a vast amount of material from different stages of band’s career.  They really went for those deeper cuts, or songs that were not heard live for a while, and it was absolutely fantastic.  Selections from The Hypnogogue were scattered all over the place, but always making their presence known.  The tracks from the new album sounded big and stunning in the live setting.  While the older songs were great, The Hypnogogue material was amazing!  No Other You, I Think I Knew, Albert Ross, C'est La Vie, The Hypnogogue were the absolute highlights of the show.  When you have an album this good on your hands, you need to project those songs, and The Church did that.  They could’ve played the whole album from beginning to end, and there would not be a soul in that room who would object to that.  Of course, there were the must play tracks like Under the Milky Way, Tantalized, or Reptile.  Those songs have their role in a live set, and they brought a special joy to many in the audience.  Tracks like You Took, which closed the show, showed the band jamming and creating a trance like feel.  Great exchanges between the guitar players on that one too.

It's unbelievable how much The Church improved as a band since they played at the Thalia Hall, in Chicago, last April.  They were fantastic back then, but they are a stunning unit now.  The communication between those players is mind blowing.  There is a lot more improvisation, and they give each other a lot of room to shine.  The dialog between the Ian Haug, Ashley Naylor, and Jeffrey Cain was very impressive.  The three of them have something that is very naturally musical.  Sometimes Steve Kilbey switched on to guitar too, and that added even more color to already rich texture.  Nicolas Meredith, who once again serviced the skins, is an outstanding drummer, with a perfect feel and a very special touch.  The Church certainly went from one strength to the next.  And to be respectful to the players who came before, their legacy is definitely kept intact.

This was an amazing evening full of beautiful music with a very strong spiritual charge.  You feel these sounds and lyrics with your heart, you absorb them with your mind, and when those two lines intersect you become one with the songs.  And it’s those very moments everyone who loves music strives for.  At one point, Steve Kilbey said, “This is a great venue, you’re a great audience, and we’re great band.”  He laughed at that statement afterwards, but honestly, he wasn’t lying, it was that perfect.  And sometimes it’s good to know your own worth.  When you make your best record 40 years after your formation, you know you’re onto something special.

Mark Kadzielawa

GALLERY