Album Review: Y & T

Yesterday and Today Live

Review by: Jim Harrison

Album Rating: 8.5

Y&T will release their Expanded Edition of their landmark live release of Yesterday and Today Live album on June 9, 2023 through Metal Blade Records.

A quick history lesson,Y&T (originally know as (Yesterday and Today) hail from Oakland, California started in 1972 and quickly became a force to be reckoned with bringing to the forefront a traditional heavy metal sound, and known for their live performances and superb sound.

Yesterday and Today Live (Expanded Edition) was recorded on December 29 & 31, 1990 at the San Jose Cabaret and encompasses many of their hits up to that date of time which covered nine studio albums. The expansion is the addition of tracks “Earth Shaker” from their first album with a massive sound and is great live and “Rescue Me” that finishes the album with great crowd participation singing all words. These tracks make the live experience better and I always wanted this album to be longer.

This will be a great live album addition to any metal collection.

Bass guitar, vocals Phil Kennemore
Drums Jimmy DeGrasso
Lead guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals Stef Burns
Lead guitar, lead vocals Dave Meniketti

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Album Review: WYTCH HAZEL

IV: Sacrament

Review by: Jim Harrison

8.5

On June 2, 2023 Wytch Hazel is set to release their fourth full length album IV: Sacrament through Bad Omen Records (North American Distribution: Metal Blade Records) to fans worldwide.

The band was formed in the 2011 in Lancashire England and is classified as a hard rock/metal act but I feel they project a progressive metal direction. My first listen they create a Blue Oyster Cult vibe with the thick sound of Deep Purple producing a unique sound that is all their own. Colin Hendra, founding vocalist/guitarist voice really shines on this record and the harmonies are catchy.

Some of the stand out tracks start with the first song “The Fire’s Control” with a really cool sound and a great harmony and guitar riff that is catchy leading into “Angel of Light” with strong lyrics about hope and again with a strong vocal performance by Colin. Track four starts off with a heavier guitar riff then the drums kick in allowing the vocals to stand out. Tracks “Deliver Us” and “Endless Battle” are both my personal favourites, focusing on great lyrical content and both songs giving that “ear worm” where you find yourself humming along after the tracks have ended and these would make a great addition to a live performance.

When bands hit their fourth album typically this is when they hit the ground running and this is no different for Wytch Hazel. This is a mature, well written musically sound album with a great vocal performance. You can feel this album has been a labor of love and being a new fan I am hooked. The progressive sound and crisp production really separates their distinctive sound from what’s out there, I recommend checking this out.

Colin Hendra Vocals,Guitar,Drums
Alex Haslam Guitar
Andy Shackleton Bass
Aaron Hay Drums
Ed Turner Mandolin/Mellotron
Drums in this recording by Colin Hendra

Album Review: THE BLEEDING

Monokrator

Review by: Jim Harrison

Rating: 9

If you are looking for an all out metal assault of the senses than this is the album for you. London born band, The Bleeding are set to release their much anticipated album “Monokrator “ on June 9, 2023 through Redefining Darkness Records. This is their third full length album and the ride just keeps getting heavier, faster and loud. Established in 2010 they are Categorized as a death/thrash band, flawlessly executing these metal genres. A modernized old school thrash vibe makes it unique.

With Jordan Muscatello, bass, James Loh, drums, Tasos, guitar and Jamie Stungo, vocals, the band are musically talented and Jamie’s voice is strong, aggressive and distinctive, making this album sound fantastically heavy.

The album starts fast and furious with “Chemical Lobotomy” and leads into “Chainsaw Deathcult” which opens into a fast bass riff, drums are heavy with massive guitar riffs and Jamie’s vocals ignite the intensity, this is my personal favourite track and I really like how it slows in the middle than explodes again. Track three “Mutation Chamber” really highlights Jamie’s vocal ability, this is followed by “Union of Horror” with those killer heavy guitar riffs from Tasos. His mid track solo really takes the song to the next level. Track five “Screams of Torment” the first single released, slams the listener again and I love the change ups, slowing the song at times, this would be an awesome live track, the drums pound mercilessly on this song. “ On Wings of Tribulation “track six, this would be another killer live track, the flow on this song is fantastic right to the last growl. The title track is next “Monokrator” where again Jamie’s voice is in top form, pushing an old school trash vibe and again the guitar work just rips through your soul. Last song “Throes of Repulsion” starts off mellow and than the drum beat picks up, Jamie’s voice cuts in and then the song just launches. The booming bass and heavy guitar complement this thrash ambush and the album ends on a high.

This is a restored classic death/thrash metal album. The album’s artwork by Juanjo Castellano Rosado is absolutely stunning and gives you a peak of what The Bleeding are all about a full bone crushing metal album.

The Bleeding

Jamie Stungo Vocals
Tasos Guitar
James Loh Drums
Jordan Muscatello Bass

Album Review: HALIPHRON

Prey

Review Score: 8

Reviewed by: Blake Mossey

The band states ‘Prey’ is all about being a hunter – or from another perspective – the one that is being hunted. You can either be the prey, or be the one that is on the search for their next victim / prey. The album artwork is inspired on a mythological creature from the darkest depths of the ocean “

HALIPHRON hails from the Netherlands. Formed in 2021 featuring former members from bands God Dethroned, Izegrim and Bleeding Gods. Their debut album PREY is out now on Listenable Records.

6 piece Symphonic Metal band featuring the female vocals of Marloes Voskull. On my first few listens I hear a mixture of Arch Enemy (more for the vocals) and Cradle of Filth for the symphonic and extreme metal song structures.

After a instrumental leads things off and kicks in with the thunderous THE KILLING SPREE which is a good lead off track to showcase what is to come. Almost 7 minute opener showing off Marloes extreme growling vocals and the haunting melodies of guitars and keys and thunderous drums/bass to fill it out. Next track MOTHER OF ALL EVIL hits all the extreme symphonic metal moments. One of my fav tracks on this album. This track really gives you that COF feel. Many tempo changes from ominous and slow, to the fast and aggressive death style. Slows down to a lot of soft spoken breaks then just rips back into the metal mayhem. Keyboards really add to the atmospheric feel throughout. You feel the wide range of emotions in their song structures and they don’t stick to a simple song structure which keeps it interesting. THE RESISTANCE is another stand out cut for me with heavy symphonic opening and little slower then most of the album, but still keeping the heaviness and some great heavy riffing midway through the song. Also lots of progressive moments with many songs almost hitting the 7 minute mark like awesome closer UNIDENTIFIED MASS.

Probably goes without saying but the lyrics are dark and delve into loss and suffering. So in summary if your a fan of symphonic, extreme melodic death metal you will love this debut from Haliphron.

Marloes Voskuil – Vocals
Ramon Ploeg – Guitars
Jessica Otten – Bass
Jeroen Wechgelaer – Guitars
David Gutierrez Rojas – Keys & Choirs
Frank Schilperoort – Drums