NMC #123 (MEGADETH, BLACK STAR RIDERS)

[Jon]

by "making it up as I go along", Jon

Megadeth--Super Collider (June 2013)

 

Reading some of the comments around the 'net, seems like it's one of those love it or hate it albums with really no middle ground. I like this, less thrash than usual but still a pretty solid album. Might be a grower for some, or they'll just hate it, period. 

 

1. Built For War

2. All I Want

3. Dance In The Rain

4. The Blackest Crow

5. Don't Turn Your Back...

 

 

 

Black Star Riders--All Hell Breaks Loose (May 2013)

 

Maybe kinda silly to post this since every fan of Thin Lizzy should have it already, but maybe it'll convert some more folks to the Lizzy camp. True, it's not Thin Lizzy, but BSR do a fine job by carrying on the tradition.

 

1. Kingdom Of The Lost

2. Kissin' The Ground

3. Hoodoo Voodoo

4. Someday Salvation

5. Blues Ain't So Bad

[Niels (Mod)]

BLACK STAR RIDERS - 2 out of 6

The start of the first track, sounds more like a Gary Moore-track than a Lizzy-track, but the singer sure sounds like, or TRY to sound like Lynnott. I can understand that there's an audience for this album, but obviously I'm not among them. I just think this project is stupid. I honestly think I'm wasting my time, listening to this music right here, right now. "Blues Ain't So Bad"? Probably not, but this album is.
Maybe not the worst NMC this year, but pretty damn close. Not your fault, Jon, but neither of these albums are nowhere near to be interesting to me at all.

[Gordon Williams]

I think the Black Star Riders is awesome. I've listened to it quite a few times since I got it, and everything is good. Vocals, guitar (love those melodic twin leads), production...everything. I have not heard the Megadeth yet, but will check out this post soon. Just wanted to comment on the BSR...Niels is one tough listener to please.

[Niels (Mod)]

I don't think so, Gordon

But I know what I like, and what I don't want to waste time listening to.

If I have to pay much attention to a new album, it has to be special good one, because there are soooo many great classic rock-albums, that I would much rather listen to. At this time in 2013, there's only 5 albums, that really have deserved my attention, and that's the albums by Spocks Beard, Steven Wilson, Black Sabbath, David Bowie and Alice In Chains.

But most of the time, I pay my attention to my classic albums, and when I don't listen to the new Black Sabbath right now, I listen to some of my classic Bob Dylan-albums, maily because I just bought a ticket to a concert in October, that I'm REALLY looking forward to.

I'm also listening to some classic Jethro Tull at the moment, because I've just bought the DVD-box-set "Around The World Live".

And since I probably only listen to music 1-2 hours per day, it has to be special selected good music, and these 2 albums are not under that catagory, if you ask me. If I want to listen to some good music sounding like Thin Lizzy, I put on "Jailbreak" or "Black Rose". Good music sounding like Megadeth doesn't exist    

If I look to the future, there might be some good albums coming from Alter Bridge, NIN, (maybe) Dream Theater, and a live-album/DVD from Anathema. Further ahead, maybe in the beginning of 2014: Devin Townsend Project, Transatlantic and Flying Colors, but hopefully there will be one or two albums by another band, that will surprise me in a very positive way.

[Gordon Williams]

I probably need to get me some Thin Lizzy. Glad you are saying good things about the new Sabbath. My Daughter bought if for me for Father's day, and I have not listened to it yet. She got me the deluxe, or expanded version with 11 tracks, instead of 8, I think. And I hope you are right about Alter Bridge doing something new.

But I understand your point...we all have so much music, why waste time listening to something you dont like. But I instantly liked the Black Star Riders. Got to hear the entire album before I purchased, as it was streaming on line. It sounds like the classic Thin LIzzy I've heard, and in this case, I dont have a problem with them paying homage to Lizzy. And like Scott said, I do admire them for not "milking" the Lizzy name for every dollar they could get. I admire them for doing the right thing, in my opinion, as far as a band name goes. 

[Niels (Mod)]

Oh, but they really are releasing a new album, I think it's the 16th of September?! 

I honestly thought, that they weren't allowed to use the Lizzy-name on this new album, and that's the reason why they call themselves BSR? I'm probably wrong, beacuse I haven't paid that much attention to this project, as you might have guessed by now.

I'm sure, that either Scott or myself will post the new Black Sabbath-album in NMC, this or next week, and we can all have our "say" about it then, but even though it's not as good as the classic BS-albums, it's probably the best Sabbath-album since "Born Again", so it's indeed a very nice fathers day-present from your daughter.

[RJhog (Admin)]

I am really interested in hearing Niels' opinion on the new Queensryche album.  If you think Warwick is channeling Lynott, wait until you hear LaTorre over the course of a whole album. He sounds more like Tate than Tate does.  There is a song called In This Light that I'll say is their best song since Empire.  But the whole album is outstanding.

[Niels (Mod)]

I'm interested myself :-) I'll try, to have an opened mind. Empire was the last good album the "Real" Queensryche made, and the track "Empire" was the last really good track they made imo. I will definitely be looking forward to listen to a man sounding more like Tate, than Tate himself :-)