JUSTIN’S METAL REVIEWS W/C 20/4/09

 

 

HEAVEN & HELL / THE DEVIL YOU KNOW

 

It can be argued that the Dio era Black Sabbath was the most successful after Ozzy,  so the return of the Dio Sabbath line up should be good news but why the name change? The line up is the same as the album from which they take their name.

 

You don’t need me to tell you what they sound like but Iommi is still the king of the lumbering riff and his lead work seems to have returned to a blues inspired style, which works well, Dio’s voice still sounds good and when “Rock And Roll Angel” kicks in you cant help but like it, the same goes for “Bible Black”, “Aton An Evil” and the epic “Breaking Into Heaven” which is a slower more lumbering track to start off but builds nicely toward the end.  The 3 tracks they recorded for the Dio compilation are not duplicated on here, which is good news for the fans and let’s face it there are a lot us around.

  

I personally don’t think this album is a classic as Heaven And Hell or Mob Rules but it is on par with Dehumanizer and it is good the have Black Sabbath back, even if its in everything except the name a welcome return for a Classic band.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.blacksabbath.com/

  

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 54 mins + 10 CLASSIC TRACKS

 

 

LACUNA COIL / SHALLOW LIFE

 

It was 1999 when Italian Gothic Metal band Lacuna Coil released their debut album on Century Media records, ten years and 5 albums later the band are now global force and their song writing skills have been honed to perfection.

 

The mix of Christina Scabbia’s vocals with Andreas’ s is a winning formula and over the years they have had quite a bit of commercial success, not exactly top 40 but they are well know and easily recognised with their mix of great Melodic hooks and haunting melodies coupled with some really cool Metal riffs, full of dynamics and played with so much passion you cant fail to like them.  From the offset the band pull no punches with the lead track “I Survive” through to the first single “Shellshock”, emotive title track and the riff laden, evocative “I’m Not Afraid”, all of which could easily bit big hits if give half the chance.

 

This is yet another fine CD from Lacuna Coil and I doubt if there are many people who don’t know who they are or what they do bur if you are not familiar with the band this is a very fine album to start and get the excellent, value for money “Manifesto Of” to check up on their fine back catalogue, a worthy album of the week.  Also listen out for; “Underdog”, “The Pain”, “Unchained” and “The Maze”.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.lacunacoil.it/  & http://www.centurymedia.co.uk/

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 44 mins + 12 STUNNING TRACKS