Angel? Who are they then? Well, if you don't know them, but do know me, you won't be surprised to learn that they are a band from long, long ago, a time known as the mid-seventies. To be precise, they released three classic albums from 1975-77. Why did I buy them? Well, they are a band I remember ... Read review
Angel? Who are they then? Well, if you don't know them, but do know me, you won't be surprised to learn that they are a band from long, long ago, a time known as the mid-seventies. To be precise, they released three classic albums from 1975-77. Why did I buy them? Well, they are a band I remember liking whenever I heard them, but I never actually owned any of their stuff. And when one of the best internet sites in the world (cdnow) had a sale and ... ...couldn't resist.
The band's vocalist was Frank Dimino (from the Plant/Coverdale school), guitars were by the wonderfully-named Punky Meadows, drums by Barry Brandt and bass by Mickey Jones. Their main man though was Greg Giuffria, a reasonably well-known name who went on to a fairly successful solo career with his own band and with House of Lords. He handled organ, clavinet, piano, harpsichord, mellotron, strings and synthesiser on ... more
Angel? Who are they then? Well, if you don't know them, but do know me, you won't be surprised to learn that they are a band from long, long ago, a time known as the mid-seventies. To be precise, they released three classic albums from 1975-77. Why did I buy them? Well, they are a band I remember liking whenever I heard them, but I never actually owned any of their stuff. And when one of the best internet sites in the world (cdnow) had a sale and were offering these for next to nothing, why I just couldn't resist.
The band's vocalist was Frank Dimino (from the Plant/Coverdale school), guitars were by the wonderfully-named Punky Meadows, drums by Barry Brandt and bass by Mickey Jones. Their main man though was Greg Giuffria, a reasonably well-known name who went on to a fairly successful solo career with his own band and with House of Lords. He handled organ, clavinet, piano, harpsichord, mellotron, strings and synthesiser on their self-titled debut.
This kicks off with "Tower", an unusually long seven minutes of rifferama which really captures the time. Other highlights are "Rock and Rollers", "Mariner" and "On and On". The album ends with the one-and-a-half minute "Angel Theme", which sounds like it could have been lifted from a 70s TV show. And isn't it just so 70s for a band to have a theme tune in the first place?
Advantages: Blaze fits in at last Disadvantages: Few
Maiden's last album ? "The X-Factor", the first with new singer Blaze Bayley ? was so poor that I honestly thought it could herald the death of the band. When I heard that they were releasing another, I didn't really intend to buy it. However, after hearing a few of the tracks on radio (and seeing the really cool CD cover ? a very effective 3D image of band mascot Eddie, one of the best 3D thingys I've ever seen) I decided to give them one last try. And I'm glad I did, because this is very much a return to form for the Irons.
"Futureal" has the instant Maiden sound, with Blaze's voice much more dominant than it was on the previous release. Now he sounds like a vocalist with his own style rather than just rent-a-singer. "The Angel And The Gambler" is almost ten minutes of pompous, pretentious, overblown, old-fashioned metal ? in fact ...
Advantages: Solid album - keyboard and guitar wizardry Disadvantages: A couple of less than amazing tracks
screams.
2. Sixpounder - If you have surround sound then you must listen to this song extremely loud.. in the dark! The guttural growl that comes from behind you after one minute thirty-five seconds is fantastic. Nice solid metal riff and more great soloing.
"I refuse to be brought down by you"
3. Chokehold (Cocked 'n' Loaded) - The first wrong moment on the album, as the chorus is shouted, and it just sounds out of place with all that is around it. A hint too much of the keyboard too. Again though, the solo is great.
4. Bodom Beach Terror - The song starts with some nice sounding bass drum, of which I am a great fan! There are some great parts to this song, but I don't think it works as a cohesive whole.
5. Angel's Don't Kill - A great Metal song! A slow riff, perfectly paced. Nice lyrics on this one too:
"When you ...
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