Volbeat "Seal the Deal & Lets Boogie!" album review

     Volbeat is a Danish heavy metal band which was formed in Copenhagen sixteen years ago, in that time Volbeat has had an astronomical rise to fame and become a force to reckon with in the hard rock world. Volbeat was influenced by many bands and genres of rock which is one of the main reasons for their unique sound.

"Seal the Deal & Lets Boogie!" is the sixth studio album to be released by Volbeat, and with their 2013 album "Outlaw Gentleman & Shady Ladies" being a huge success becoming the first Danish band to chart on the billboard 200 since 1997 they had a lot to live up to. However Volbeat let everyone know that they were still in the game with releasing another monster album to rock the masses.

Now onto the album, the first thing that struck me was the actual album title, now Volbeat has become some what known for their long and semi awkward album titles their music however is anything but awkward and stretched out. Volbeat has become some what of a breath of fresh air with their unique and unmistakable style. The Danish group prove time and time again that they jump to the beat of their own drum with little consideration for the ever changing music industry around them. This is extremely clear in the subjects Volbeat likes to focus on telling stories of emotional pain and many songs having a historical setting, each song seems to have a different story that it is trying to get across. One song that showcases Volbeat's exceptional story telling ability is "Goodbye Forever" which not only contains the signature musical riffs that we've grown to love but also exceptional lyricism. The song from my perspective seems to be about someone suffering from depression. The lyrics are so heavy and chilling that it almost feels like it shouldn't work with the upbeat tempo but somehow Volbeat pulls it off and what emerges is an extremely catchy and meaningful track.

The album also contains two cover songs the first being "Battleship Chains" by Georgia Satellites, this song was released as a follow up to the song "Keep your hands to yourself"but didn't have nearly as much commercial success. However that being said the track is still a great song with an exceptional opening guitar riff and upbeat tempo, the song will have you head banging in no time. The second cover track on the record is the song "Rebound" by the Pop-Punk band Teenage Bottlerocket. This isn't my favourite track on the record but in itself the song is still great, but with all the other tracks on the Volbeat record being so exceptional "Rebound" seems to pale in comparison.

This is the second record that Rob Caggiano an ex guitarist for Anthrax has been on, we really hear Rob come alive in tracks like "Seal The Deal" where his shredding ability becomes insanely evident. His groovy off beat killer guitar riffs and wild solos  really make the record what it is and give the listener that extra shot of adrenaline that will have them replaying songs over and over again.

"Seal the Deal & Lets Boogie!" is out now on iTunes and all major retailers, if your still on the fence about the record all the songs are available on youtube. The record in itself though is a work of art and show's that Volbeat is still on the rise and we can expect more great things from them in the future.

Headbanger Heaven Productions.
2016 All Rights Reserved.
Eric Snelling.

Black Bay "Welcome Apocalypse" Album review

             Black Bay is a Thrash Metal band from Sundsvall Sweden, they have released their first album "Welcome Apocalypse." The album itself is a very well thought out record the lyrics are not your typical thrash metal lyrics. Where many bands try to shock their audiences with lyrics that include constant profanity and scenes of pointless violence Black Bay do the opposite. Their songs although harsh and not lacking the hardcore aggression that we expect from a metal band's does not compromise their lyrics. They use their musical presence as a way to display their thoughts and opinions, which gives the record a more personal touch. It is very easy to see the message that each song on the record is trying to display.

This is evidently clear on the title track "Welcome Apocalypse" which starts off with a screeching guitar solo that throws your mind right back into the early days of thrash. The quick, brutal loops and constant screeching guitars is only matched by the bone chilling growls of the lead vocalist. Even though the growls are strong and harsh in no way are the words muffled which is a breath of fresh air in a music genre where often times you have no idea what message the song is portraying.

The next song I really enjoyed was the song "Victorious" the opening riff is extremely powerful and reminded me very much of the opening of a Black Sabbath song. This riff is monstrous and is nearly impossible not to head bang to. Combine that with the raspy vocals and you have one killer combination. The chorus is more anthemic with the lyrics getting stuck in you head almost immediately. It is the type of song that you'll catch yourself singing without even realizing it.

Black Bay's song "Illusion and dream" caught me off guard with the other songs on the album coming right out of the gate kicking and screaming "Illusion and Dream" took a slower place with a nice  melodic start to the track. But Black Bay does not dissapoint as the song really kicks off, the guitars and drums simultaneously start giving whoever is listening a kick in the teeth. Once again the band delivers with anthemic lyrics and a catchy raspy voice that gives the song the elements of hardcore grunge without loosing that thrash metal vibe that makes the song really come together as a whole.

Each song on the album really show cases just how talented and diverse Black Bay is as a metal band, instead of doing what many bands do and finding their comfort zone and staying in it. Black Bay seems to constantly change up their music making styles so that the listener is always guessing and really has no idea whats coming next. Id highly recommend Black Bay to anyone of my fellow metal heads because the band has something for everyone.

Black Bays album "Welcome Apocalypse" is out now.

Link to the title track "Welcome Apocalypse'  ---->  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b11J7Onk_Rk

Follow them on instagram at @blackbay and Facebook at www.facebook.com/blackbaysweeden


Headbangers Heaven Productions.
2016 All Rights Reserved.
Eric Snelling.

Beartooth Aggressive album review

        Beartooth is a Nu metal band that had its debut in 2012, finally releasing their highly acclaimed album "Disgusting" in 2014. With hits like "In Between" and "Relapsing" Beartooth quickly became a favourite for many metal heads. Since their debut album fans and critics alike have been anticipating a follow up album to the 2014 smash hit. Finally two years later they have released their second studio album entitled "Aggressive."

When you first start the album you are met with the title track "Aggressive" which quickly sets the tone for what you can expect for the rest of the album. The track is brutal and harsh but at the same time holds on to the meaningful lyrics that really gave us a connection to the band in their debut album "Disgusting." Its nice to see that even though Beartooth's music has grown with them they haven't lost the elements that made many of us fall in love with them in the first place.

The next track "Hated" doesn't disappoint as it comes out of the gates just as strong with more hardcore punk elements then what were previously heard in the old Beartooth. This may be the easiest song off of the record to connect to as you can hear the bands pain and seclusion, the lyrics in this song are extremely powerful you can't help but feel the rage that the band is feeling. Beartooth has expertly combined meaningful lyrics, hardcore elements and anthemic rhythm into what is sure to be an instant hit.

Then their is my personal favourite song "Always Dead" which is by far has the most thrash metal influence, the song starts out hard and only seems to get harder. With Caleb Shomo really displaying his screams in this song. It is by far the hardest song on the record as they expertly wield their thrash metal influence without loosing the meaningful lyrics that we have come to expect from this band.

It is hard to find a flaw in such an expertly constructed album between the musical talent and the spot on production quality. Each song has its own elements that make it unique. It is definitely an album that will become a favourite not only for loyal Beartooth fans but also many who are just being introduced to the band. With every song having catchy lyrics and riff's that you can't help head bang to. Beartooth's album has exceeded our expectations.

Beartooth released an album that not only matched their 2014 album "Disgusting" but also superceeded it as they displayed just how much they have grown as musicians. Once again Beartooth has left us wanting more and already looking forward to their next album.

Eric Snelling
Headbangers Heaven
2016 All Rights Reserved