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Metal/Prog Metal CD Reviews

Riotgod

Riotgod

Review by Gary Hill

What a cool CD this is. It’s based on a riff driven retro rock sound, but pumped up with modern metallic elements. At times I hear Zeppelin in the mix. Other things make me think of Hawkind. Even things like Alice In Chains, The Beatles and Black Sabbath are echoed. All of it is woven into a tapestry that is original, powerful and creative.


This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2010  Volume 5 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review
Light of the Sun

There’s a killer riff driven groove here, making this feel like Led Zeppelin meets Black Sabbath. The guitar solo is especially tasty and there is a bit of a “stoner rock” vibe to the whole thing.

Crusader
The high energy riff driving this cut is more rock and roll. It’s another smoking hot jam. I’d say it’s even stronger than the opener and feels a bit like Rick Derringer goes metal.
The Time Is Now
I really hear a lot of Led Zeppelin on this, but taken to a more metallic level. This is an intricate and intriguing cut. Comparing this to the two openers would be like using “Rock and Roll” from Zeppelin to represent the style of the first cuts and “Kashmir” to equate to this piece. The difference is that stark. In other words, both are great, but the musical level on “The Time Is Now” certainly surpasses the first songs.
Horizon
The Led Zeppelin comparisons are valid here, but there is definitely a more modern metal hard rock sound here, too. Perhaps Alice in Chains would be a good comparison for that added component.
9th Life
This is very heavy and the riff that drives it is among the best on show here. I can hear some Pearl Jam merged with the sounds that made up the album to this point. I guess I’d also make comparisons to Temple of the Dog. The guitar solo on this one is particularly tasty and the track lends a bit of variety to the proceedings.
Omega
This mellow instrumental makes me think of Black Sabbath’s “Planet Caravan” with a more modern twist.
Collapsing Stars
An interesting track, this seems to combine the Beatles with modern hard rock. I suppose comparisons to King’s X would be somewhat appropriate.
Pinata

The most modern sounding cut to this point, it feels a lot like Alice in Chains to me. It’s a little punky, but definitely high energy.

Drone Station
Imagine combining the music of the rest of the album with Montrose’s “Bad Motor Scooter.” Now, you’ve got a good idea of what this song is like. There’s a killer segment later that’s like a stoner rock version of Judas Priest’s “Sinner.”
Love it or Leave it
This cut reminds me a lot of Black Sabbath. It’s got such a meaty, heavy riff. Yes, it’s got a harder edge than old school Sabbath, but otherwise is quite similar. That Alice in Chains vibe shows up here, too.
Rift
Imagine combining Alice in Chains with early Hawkwind. You’ll come pretty close to the sound of this piece. It’s mellower and moves pretty slowly. It’s also very cool.
Sweet Kaos
This one also reminds me of early Hawkwind a lot, at least on the intro. That acoustic driven section feels a lot like Hawkwind. They power out into a retro tinged modern hard rocker from there, though. The acoustic driven segment returns to serve as the outro.
High Time
A smoking hot, riff driven groove, this has a lot of old school retro hard rock built into it.
Grand Design
Slower, this one has some Hawkwind in it, but also some Beatles. Of course, the hard rocking sound is the real driving factor. This is very heavy and very cool.
Fangasm
This is one of the most unique cuts on show, at least in terms of the rest of the music. It’s not all that original, sort a grunge meets stoner rock cut, but it’s a piece of variety here.
Minds Eye
Psychedelia and stoner metal are merged for the closing number.
 
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