Graveyard Poetry
Meteor City
The band's follow-up to their dark and gloomy self-titled debut shows them in a more experimental mode. The traces of early Sabbath are still ever-so-prevalent, but they show much more musical diversity on this sophomore effort. Produced by legendary '70s producer Paul Hamann (Grand Funk, James Gang, Bloodrock), Abdullah sounds surprisingly fresh, at the same time bringing back great memories of classic '70s metal and the NWOBHM era. Still, many of the 14 songs on Graveyard Poetry drag a bit too much in places, but the musicianship and vocals sound solid and well executed. Highlights include; "A Dark But Shining Sun," "Beyond the Mountain" (with hints of Alice In Chains), and "Medicine Man." BN
PROTOTYPE
Trinity
WWIII
Prototype hail back to the days of traditional 80s power-metal. Although not near as musically competent as today's prog/power-metal greats like Blind Guardian, Symphony X, Vanden Plas, and Silent Force, this band does show a sincere love and admiration of progressive, power-metal. The band has been together since the mid-90's, formed from the ashes of LA metallers Psychosis. The production is weak, making the songs sound more mediocre than they probably would come across live. The musicianship is solid and the band display some cool progressions and riffs throughout the disc. Good gutiarwork from Kragen Lum and Vince Levelois, but his vocals definitely lacks in originality. Given a few years, this band may develop into something. BN
RAGING SLAB
Pronounced: Eat-Shit
TeePee Records
The Slab carries on with their traditional good 'ole shit-kickin', foot-stompin' brand of southern rock. "Pronounced: Eat-Shit" (the title obviously spoofing Lynyrd Skynyrd's debut album) doesn't sound too much different from the Slab's previous (3 or 4?) albums released on RCA/BMG some years ago, with the exception of an inferior production. It's obvious the band didn't have the budget of their previous albums, as the overall sound is oh-so typical of TeePee's groggy production - which may very well suit the label's growing stoner-rock roster, but severely lacks in energy when it comes to the up-tempo southern-fried grooves of the Slab. The songs are mediocre, at best. Despite some solid riffs and a powerful rhythm section, the band just seems to be going through the motions. The first couple tracks start off semi-strong but the momentum is lost a quarter of the way through. With a stronger production and perhaps more qualified songwriting, this CD would kick some serious buttocks, but it is evident that the band lacked inspiration and motivation during the writing and recording process of "Eat-Shit". BN
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