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

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