Stackridge - The Reunion Years 1999-2015 (Esoteric Recordings)

 

Stackridge is a British progressive rock band that split up in 1976. By 1999 they were back for another round, as it turns out a final round. They managed to stick around for another 16 years, releasing two studio records and a few live recordings. This set focuses on this period specifically and is the final piece of the Stackridge puzzle. Esoteric Recordings had certainly put a great effort into restoring the band’s recording and reintroducing them to a younger audience.

 

“The Reunion Years 1999-205” include the two studio records and a live recording. The total of 4 CDs concludes all things Stackridge. Although, never say never; who knows what treasures the vaults may hold? In 1999, Stackridge surprised everyone by reforming and releasing the “Something for the Weekend” album. It shows a slightly different side of the band, but still very much in touch with Stackridge roots. In 2008, the band followed it up with “A Victory for the Common Sense,” which turned out to be their final studio recording. Both albums came and went, and once the initial run of copies wore off, they became rarities. It’s great to get them back as a part of this set. “The Final Bow, Bristol 2015,” documents the band’s final live performance and finally brings their long journey to an end. It’s a great show, very emotional, and certainly closing the curtain on the band. Now, Stackridge is retired and a part of many great British bands that never quite made it big but certainly delivered the goods and enjoyed a very loyal cult following.

 

Both studio records are expanded, and many bonus tracks are added to each CD. Hearing all of those extra songs definitely paints a complete picture. Stackridge was a great band; they believed in what they did, and the music was very sincere. They were very skilled musicians who were able to move around within their field with ease and impressive results. This final stage of the band shows another dimension of Stackridge. This band never stood still; they took chances and pushed their music into a variety of different areas. They always managed to collect great dividends musically. The fans certainly loved them for it and stuck with the band to the very end. Stackridge, we salute you!

Mark Kadzielawa

Mountain - Live in the UK (HNE Recordings Ltd.)

 

Mountain was a great live band, and this set just validates that fact. They were one of those great power trios, influential and widely respected in the rock world. Guitarist Leslie West and drummer Corky Laing are both present on this set. This is as close as you can get to the original Mountain. At this point, only Laing is with us, still trying to keep the legacy alive. 

 

This 6-CD set includes six shows. Five of them come from 2005, and one from 2002. It is a solid dose of Mountain, but it’s a very entertaining set. While the set lists are fairly predictable, the performances are not. Mountain comes from a time in rock music when bands took chances on stage. It is certainly the case here, Leslie West and Corky Laing still operate with that understanding in mind. These shows are smoking! There is a lot of improvisation and jamming going on here. The songs are only the skeletons for a real takeoff.

 

The set might seem extensive, but every single one of those shows offers something special. Now that the band is gone, this is very historic, and one is very glad the concerts were recorded. In addition to the seriousness of the music, there is a level of fun in those recordings and how the band approaches them. All of the captures come from England, where Mountain was always very highly regarded. In fact, many British bands cite Mountain and Leslie West as a major influence. 

 

“Live in the UK” displays a legendary band at the end of their road; by 2010, the band played their last shows. None of those recordings were meant to be an official live record, but it’s a great document of what once was. This set is definitely meant for the hardcore fans who love this band or Leslie West in general. It delivers the goods, and they won’t be disappointed.

Mark Kadzielawa

Sodom - Tapping the Vein (Super Deluxe Bookpack) (BMG)

Sodom had released a number of great records over the last few decades.  Many of the got the acclaim and respect they deserved, others just sort of went by, and then some were great but never managed to make a big impact.  “Tapping The Vein” was such an album for sure.  Released in 1992 at the height of grunge on a small label in America, that album simply didn’t stand a chance.  Yet it was a monster of a record.  Sodom was clearly catching another breath of fresh air, and writing some impressive songs.

Now back in print, in variety of formats, this somewhat forgotten record can get another lease on life.  The album was remastered, and brought into today’s standards sonically.   At the end of the day it is still down to songs, and there are plenty of great tunes here.  In fact, seeing a Sodom show filled with songs from “Tapping the Vein” would be a real treat.  While that's only a wish the band provided some live material from that time frame.

This super deluxe bookpack consists of 3 vinyl records, and 2 CDs.  The best of both worlds, considering the current trends.  There are two versions of “Tapping the Vein,” remastered and redux.  Both seem excellent, and highlighting different aspect of the album.  The third vinyl is a 1992 show from Cologne.  The two CDs are also live shows from 1992.  Two excellent shows from Tokyo and Dusseldorf are simply must haves!  Sodom is a live band, and your behind will be kicked repeatedly upon hearing this onslaught!  In addition, there is a great and informative book that accompanied this set.  Visually rich, and pleasant to look at, this reissue is a labor of love!  “Tapping the Vein” is still as superb as it was back in 1992!  This reissue proves once again that Sodom were always sincere in their writing and delivery, and are clearly a royalty of thrash metal!

Mark Kadzielawa

Warrior – The Complete Sessions (HNE Recordings Ltd.)

 

Warrior was a band that briefly existed back in the early 80s.  It involved three members of New England, and Vinnie (Cusano) Vincent on guitar and vocals.  This happened during the time Vincent Cusano was still working with Kiss, but hadn’t yet joined them.  At the same time, he was trying to get a band going.  Gene Simmons put the two parties together, and music was starting to take shape.  Cusano was never happy with his vocal delivery brought in Robert Fleishman, and Fergie Fredriksen on vocals.  Many demos were recorded, and the group spent some serious time rehearsing.  All of it came to a stop when Cusano was offered a membership in Kiss, and adopted the Vinnie Vincent persona.

This three CD set highlights all that might’ve been.  Warrior was a band that existed roughly 90 days.  Never took a band photo together, they didn’t even have a logo.  All that is seen here was simply developed for this reissue.  The recording here was never meant to be an album, those were just demos and rehearsal recording to guide the songs into their final stage.  This stage never materialized for Warrior, but it’s a good document for everyone to enjoy.

Some of these recording later showed up on Vinnie Vincent Invasion record, but this shows the birth of this material.  The quality of the recordings varies, as many of these pieces come from various sources, but it’s a great document for the completists to have.  It is very nicely put together with some informative notes from Malcolm Dome.  Also, around the same time, there was another band from Los Angeles called Warrior, they eventually released an album by 1985.  This Warrior however had strong Kiss ties, and musically did not resemble the other band.  The Complete Sessions is a great look into making a band that never got a chance to take off.

Mark Kadzielawa

Avernus - Sleeping Village, Chicago, Illinois 12/7/24 (visual review - all images by Mark Kadzielawa)

 

VARAHA