Newsted, Heavy Metal Music

Newsted, Heavy Metal Music (Chophouse Records)

We all know he played in Metallica and left. I think it was for the better, well looking at the bands output from is departure we all have to agree they were done.

Jason has went on to play with other bands and guesting on albums and even playing with Metallica. But this is HIS first real big product from him that time.

Take it all back to 1986 and you have where this album fits in well. If you have ever heard Jason play in Flotsam and Jetsam you have a great idea of what is going on here. But it seems to sound slower or as I prefer a more modern take on it all.

Self produced and more likely funded by him as well he really does call the shots and I do like what I hear. Opener "Heroic Dose" is fairly loose and reminds me of old death metal album sound of the early 90s. Few riffs but well done with the production being simple that the bands slowly have to get together on the song.

"Soldierhead" was out as an EP and now you have the album it fits in very well. More of the same and with Jason taking mic duties it is odd to hear him so often. His work on the album is pretty much spoken parts. But again it seems to work well. The minimal sound and riffs all blend well and I am sure this is more of a tribute to metal than any real threat to say this is the best band ever.

More of a shock is in the little parts of melody and dare I say it a tune "...As the Crow Flies" shows some nice hints of rock and still in that style started on track one. He is not for changing on this album and I think it was a great decision.

This reviewer is taken back a bit with "Long Time Dead" as it has that twin guitar thrashy style all over it. More of the punky feel to it than metal but I can see both fans enjoying this one. "Above All" reminds me of early Motorhead with the big bass intro sound, it is also just as catchy.

"King of the Underdogs" has that sound I was used to hearing from Jason, a nice little into builds into a drum and riff wall of sound. Again all in that minimal sound, it tends to be normal for an album to have many guitars tracked all over the sound but feels so much less. But it all sounds well polished and after playing for so long he knows what he is doing, having fun.

Later tracks "Nocturnus" and "Twisted Tail of the Comet" continue the album well both adding something different as each track has done. There is not too much crazy soloing on this album and the same can be said for the drums, never over the top. The name of the album could be a little tribute to Metal Machine Music that back then made so many heads turn and think it was a joke.

Funny how there could be a link to Reed but this album will sell less and get less coverage in the press. "Futureality" ends the album and for me the worst track. It is just a little bit boring, lyrics are lazy here but it is a 56 minute album so one track is ok.

The album will not be liked by many metal fans as most only want to hear the same crap over and over. This is not a Metallica album nor is it a thrash album. It is an album for music fans who like something a little different. It is not heavy or even fast but it should appeal to metal fans and I do think many outside metal will like this. I could see it working well live but I may never see that.

Jason is back and I can see why he left, simply for the music.

7/10

Twitter :29xthefun

Hey! Hello!

Hey! Hello!,  Hey! Hello! (Round Records-UK, The End Records-USA, Vinyl Junkie-Jap)

Recorded over one ocean, two continents and with two people. This was more of a side project for Ginger Wildheart. But it seems to have evolved from being sidelined as one of his many ventures to his so far main release this year.

The music is not that hard to get a mix of pop, punk and rock. Nothing that will shock any rock n roll fans out there and I think that is why it is getting attention.  On Round Records in the UK the album has been picked up in America by The End Records. This may be helped by the fact the second member is Victoria Liedtke a New York singer who has been using her vocal talents in the Ginger Wildheart Band for a few years.

First track "Black Valentine" has all the ingredients used in the whole album. Big sing along vocals and a nice touch of guitar to get the head nodding. All instruments were played by Ginger inc the drums and these ears are impressed as the album does sound big. Each members voice fits in so well swapping some lyrics and harmonies to keep the ear keen.

"Feral Days" starts off like a classic punk band making the crowd notice them, then into some fantastic choruses. Pop punk was a name given to many bands in the 90s as the years roll on the term has been used to describe many chart bands but it still needs that punk part and the guitar noise here helps keep that. But the pop is back in "Why Can't I Be Me Without You" keeping the album engulfed in catch hooks and riffs it leads into "Swimwear" a song about summer?

Don't care what it is about it is fun. Get ready to sing along when on the bus and have a few funny looks. not exactly the lyrics from an Abba album but hey it works. "Lock for Rock (And Other Sporting Cliches)" has some nice lyrics and great song writing. Catching anyones attention with that alone it is again riddled with pop music.

With most tracks under 4 minutes "The Thrill of It All" is the second longest and the first more serious rock song here. Still containing vocals that should be used on all radio play lists it builds nicely into what is my highlight track. "How I Survived the Punk Wars" is a track that I first saw by it's amazing video (Check you tube) it is aptly named and pokes fun at those who may have a grudge with the musicians that can get success after hard work. The X Factor is for fakes and wimps, get on a stage and show what you can do is the message... well I like to think so. But seriously the song is fantastic, adding in more punk for the mix.

Back on track "I'm Gonna Kiss You Like I'm Going Away" takes the album to it's penultimate track. More power pop again and all out fun as you expect. Final track goes out in style "We're Outta Here" has used the studio time well and Ginger knows how to make an album big church choir sounds mixed with horn sections and harps.

The album was funded by fans as an exclusive one off album. The fans were asked if they mind it being released commercially to the world. They said yes and here it is 36 minutes of catchy alt pop for music fans. Replay value is high on an album like this. As you really never get fed up with pop music, people say they do but after a few beers they are up on a Saturday night dancing. But only when it is this good.

8.5/10

Available in the U.S.A. via The End Records
Available in the U.K. via Amazon

Twitter: 29xthefun