Three years after the stunning "Stuck," Neo-Grunge band PUDDLE OF MUDD is around with a new record entitled „Abrasive“ that features eleven songs that many people should know. The record features the same line-up as the first release minus Jimmy Allen. The band is working as a trio on this record. It features original versions of later successes "Nobody Told Me," "Said," "Piss It All Away" as well as the later b-side and title track "Abrasive." "All I Ask For" has also been rerecorded and its demo version made it as a rather unkown b-side on a later single.

Compared to the new editions, almost all originals are more atmospheric and laid back and this sinister but somewhat stoned atmosphere is the guiding line of this release as it is sung on "Said" --  "Everyone around me's smoking crack..." That's the way it sounds and this blurry atmosphere makes this record something special. Only "Nobody Told Me" pleases me more in its later version because it's longer and builds up more atmosphere and energy.

Most of the songs on here are surprisingly calm, profound and psychedelic. Many songs are immediately catchy but most of them are atmospheric and musically complex enough to grow on you as time goes by. The psychedelic melody, the effect orientated short guitar solo and the catchy, psychedelic and already highly variable vocals by Scantlin on "Hour Glass Man" are extraordinary for example and this song is better than many of the more famous PUDDLE OF MUDD hits. The dirtier and simplistically instrumentalized, more bass guitar and heavy riff driven "Migraine" remembers many classic Grunge and Punk songs of the late eighties and early 90s without copying them. The weird and perfectly imperfect "All I Ask For" and especially its beginning sounds a little bit as if it came from a private demo tape of Kurt Cobain or JOHN FRUSCIANTE and as if there were loads of drugs around when this haunting and unique piece of music was banned on tape. This song is a quite unique experience that may not be very beautiful to listen to but that's what makes its confusing beauty after all. I let you discover this song to make up your own mind about it.

With a bigger promotion and an earlier release date, this record could have really struck hard. The band has tried out a few new things for this second release and that's great because a band has to keep on developing. Maybe there are a few less straight tracks on here than on the first record that I slightly prefer and especially the second half of "Abrasive" is maybe a little bit too calm and psychedelic for some people but this album also has a special atmosphere and its reason to exist. You really have to be in the right mood to fully appreciate this release while "Stuck" struck faster and was more accessible after all.

Any Grunge fan should know this record that has nothing to envy from the bigger names and reminds me of a slightly more laid back alternative to NIRVANA's "In Utero" for example. Grab this out of print rarity if you can get your hands on it and let's hope that the band is smart enough to rerelease this forgotten pearl one day.

(Online July 10, 2013)

Finnish Melodic Death Metal band CHILDREN OF BODOM is, without a doubt, one of the most controversial and famous Metal bands around the globe. Many people claim that the band keeps releasing the same record all the time, with only minor changes between each release. This is definitely true, but at the same time the band has developed a signature sound with heavy riffs, melodic guitar solos, stunning keyboard, rebellious lyrics, and the dirty vocals of Alexi Laiho. I often hear people say that the band’s last great record was “Hate Crew Deathroll”, now ten years distant. Personally, I also liked the controversial “Are You Dead Yet?” quite a lot, but must admit that the last two studio releases “Blooddrunk” and “Relentless Reckless Forever” were only of an average quality. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the band’s greatest hits release that came out last year, entitled “Holiday at Lake Bodom”: with the amazing new covers of DROPKICK MURPHY’S “I’m Shipping Up To Boston” and especially RICK SPRINFIELD’s jealous stalker anthem “Jessie’s Girl”. Usually, I’m not at all into greatest hits releases as they lack atmosphere, coherence and tend to warm up old things but in this case it was different as all essential CHILDREN OF BODOM songs were finally united on one well filled record. When I read several positive reviews of the new “Halo of Blood”, I noticed a lot of people saying that this album was the band’s greatest record in at least ten years. I figured there was hope for me, and I immediately tried out the new release.

The first single, “Transference”, immediately appealed to me. The great duels between guitar and keyboard go back to the band’s roots, and sound much more joyful and unchained than the darker and heavier records that the band has released in recent years, despite the dark lyrics and the creepy video clip.

Despite my positive first impression, after giving the entire new effort two spins I felt a little bit disappointed. It’s a little hard to describe, but it feels like the band basically did another "safe" record with their typical trademarks, and rarely offer anything courageous or outstanding. Let’s take the opener “Waste of Skin” as a perfect example. The song is energizing and fast, offers solid riffs and a great guitar solo, some dominant keyboard passages, and powerful vocals. This sounds positive, but the whole thing sounds directionless, has no truly catchy passages, and feels like almost any other song from the band’s early years. It’s definitely not a bad track, but I miss the certain something that makes it stay on my mind. From that point of view, I really preferred a more developed and modern opener like “Living Dead Beat”... eight years ago – I think I’m getting old! Many tracks are exchangeable and have exactly the same problem on here, or are even less interesting than the opener.

The two songs that really stand out on this release are “Scream for Silence” and “Dead Man’s Hands On You”. The first track has very melancholic melody that I would describe as very identifiably Finnish. The beautiful instrumental work of this mid tempo track reminds me a lot of other Finnish bands like ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW or even the great AMORPHIS. The only difference is the vocal work of Laiho. While this kind of song sounds a little bit unusual from CHILDREN OF BODOM, I feel positive about this experiment and the song shows a lot of potential. I wish the band would have done more tracks of this quality, and hope for it on their future releases. “Dead Man’s Hands on You” is one of the most unusual, and perhaps one of the best tracks that the band has ever written. It’s a slow and atmospheric half-ballad with great keyboard work and dark spoken word passages. The song keeps on developing, and offers a very diversified and passionate vocal performance which instills a very melancholic atmosphere. The longest song on this release has a truly majestic feeling, and is filled with enough creative ideas to remain intriguing until the end.

Of course, one also gets some of the band’s famous cover songs on the limited edition version of this release. I was really pleased to hear that the band picked “Crazy Nights” by the legendary Japanese Heavy Metal institution LOUDNESS which I like a lot. Even though Alexi Laiho’s vocals sound very limited in comparison to the original, the band has well-“Bodomized” the song, and it’s definitely the catchiest track on the entire release. The band simply knows how to pick great songs to cover. The other bonus song is a ROXETTE cover - “Sleeping in My Car”, which is a rather unusual track, and that’s exactly why it's so interesting to listen to.

In the end, the question you have to ask yourself is as follows: Are one good single, two truly creative and impressive tracks, and two cool covers enough to purchase an entire album at full price? This record is surely a step in the right direction, and better than the last two albums, but still not on the same level as the group's early material. Die-hard fans will surely get their hands on this record anyway, but more casual fans will be more likely to buy this album at a reduced price sometime around Christmas. Personally, I might just wait for another high quality greatest hits record to come around in another fourteen years or so, and would advise listeners to simply keep their precious money and just be patient.

(Online July 9, 2013)

PUDDLE OF MUDD might not be what one can call a Alternative, Modern or Nu Metal band. I would describe their sound as Neo-Grunge after a.ll but this band introduced me to harder modern rock music more than one decade ago. I fell in love with the band's „Come Clean� record back in 2002 and I still adore the band despite all the hard times they have gone and are still going through. The story of this band from Kansas City, Missouri is in fact a very interesting one. They have been quite underestimated for a long time and suddenly got their big commercial brekathrough. Attentions got very high then and the band became somewhat overhyped. When the commercial success faded, they got underrated again and continued their career in an interesting way. These days, the band is though running low but not all hope is gone.

Let's take a look on the very first chapter of the band. The band got together in autumn 1992 and their band name was inspired by the Missouri River flood in 1993, which inundated the band's practice space and tarnsformed it into a big puddle of mud. During that same year, the band won a local battle olf the bands competition and got the opportunity to record their first seven tracks only one year after the band's foundation. The album was ultimately put out in spring 1994 and entitled „Stuck� which is sometimes listed as an EP but sometimes as an album, too.

Long out of print and having become a forgotten rarity, this release is in fact my second favourite PUDDLE OF MUDD album despite its modest production and short length. The band plays down to earth, slightly depressive, hauntingly agressive and mostly slow Grunge of the best kind. Wesley Reid Scantlin's vocals are filled with despair, hate, pain and passion. He reminds of the just deceased Kurt Cobain of NIRVANA fame but he turns out to be even more diverisfied. You immeditaley realize that this man has an incredible talent and gift. Let's not forget that the frontman also plays guitar and does a well done effort on this instrument here as well. His vocal performance is supported by guitarist Jimmy Allen who pulls off quite a lot slow, melancholic and highly emotional riffs. This man has also loads of talent. Bassist Sean Sammon definitely has his shining moments on the record as well. The fitting drumming by Kenny Burkitt varies from calmer moments to true powerhouse passages.

These four gifted musicians put together seven songs, including local radio singles "You Don't Know" and a song any American Rock fan should know: "Drift And Die". The latter track has been rerecorded seven years later but the laid back original version that focusses on longing vocals, chilling acoustic guitars and an explosive ending is as good as its famous reprise. The closing "Suicide" is the other ballad on here and hits the same vein. In fact, this song is just as good as "Drift And Die" but nobody knows this track. Scantlin's vocals, the limited instrumental work and the haunting lyrics keep on sending shivers down my spine.

The other tracks are five well executed Grunge pieces that any fan of bands such as ALICE IN CHAINS, NIRVANA or PEARL JAM should know. There is no excuse and if you don't know these songs yet, go take a look on the internet and find them. My favourite song on here is definitely "Poke Out My Eyes." It starts with a menacing and catchy melody and after a while hell breaks loose. A powerhouse drumming, a wildly pumping bass guitar, heavy riffs and very angry vocals kick in and take you on a highly emotional ride. From time to time, the pace slows down for a few weird vocal effects or a completely insane and quite dirty guitar solo but this song takes no prisoners and goes straight to your ears, heart and legs as well. This is without a doubt one of the best Grunge songs I have ever listened to.

Before you judge the band as being commercial or irrelevant, just be smart and check out this incredible debut record that deserves far more attention. I don't know if PUDDLE OF MUDD can or still want to carry on but I'm definitely hoping for a rerelease of this jewel and also of the second release "Abrasive". Let's say two thumbs up for this energizing and authentic first strike.

(Online July 9, 2013)

STRIKER's second full length record "Armed to the Teeth" is a decent step forward for the five young guys from Edmonton in Canada. This new record shifts a little bit away from American Power and Speed Metal and covers a more Heavy Metal orientated approach. One can clearly hear more European influences from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal or also from the central European Heavy and Power Metal scene of the mid 80s. Bands like ANNIHILATOR still shape the band's sound but one might now also cite legends like ACCEPT, DOKKEN, GAMMA RAY, HELLOWEEN, IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST and sometimes even Hard Rock bands like AC/DC. Those who might think that the band covers too many genres and might sound directionless are wrong. The band has kept all its trademarks from the previous efforts and the band's attitude and their unconventional lyrics haven't changed for a bit. They only opened up their minds to a few more influences and sound even more passionate.

Instrumentally, the five young men have improved their skills and sound more mature but never boring and have still a lot of fire that burns in them. Old fans should adore this record but I'm sure that this release might get STRIKER more than just a couple of new fans as this release is more versatile and accessible than anything these guys have done before.

It's not easy to point out highlights on here because there is no stinker on the album and each track has that great unconventional attitude plus a talented and passionate musicianship that harmonize so well. The short and perfectly executed opener "Forever" is already the first living proof of the band's positive development and has a quite intriguing instrumental work.

In over 43 minutes, the band employs first of all some cool Hard Rock anthems with rebellious lyrics and an unconventional attitude as in the leading single "Let It Burn" that has also been honoured by a video clip that represents the spirit of the band very well. The bonus track "Poisoned Mind" is a little bit more Heavy Metal orientated and quite a fun ride. If you can get your hands on the edition with that bonus track, you should definitely do so. We can also hear more and more melodic and technically appealing Heavy Metal songs as in the beautiful "Fight For Your Life." As a third point, the band also offers a few slightly progressive surprises as in the imaginative "Land Of The Lost" that features more atmospheric moments and small sound experiments with the guitars than before.

A few other songs remain close to the Speed Metal origins of the band and should please to the older fans. The amazing up tempo banger "Wolf Gang" mixes pure energy with a few imaginative parts on form of a strong bass guitar play and a few sound effects in the middle part when one can hear a few wolves howling. "Can't Stop The Rush" incarnates an even better mixture of Traditional Heavy Metal and energizing Speed Metal and this perfect album closer is even crowned by a very anthem orientated chorus you won't forget anytime soon.

In the end, this record shows a more melodic, progressive and especially technically appealing version of the five Canadian guys from Edmonton. The band has kept its rebellious lyrics, its Speed Metal moments and its unconventional party attitude but they added a more versatile song writing to the formula. This brand new ingredient makes the main menu even tastier. The band is "Armed to the Teeth" with catchy, diversified and powerful Heavy Metal anthems that don't only kill it on stage but that also easily lead to the best studio record by STRIKER so far. If you didn't have this outstanding 80s Metal revival band on the radar you now should have without the glimpse of a doubt. 

(Online July 5, 2013)