Friday Morning Quickie Reviews For 1/10/20

by Matman

The new year is a bit over a week old and already we are getting some amazing new music; one brand new to me, one classic and the last... a very anticipated release!!!! Support your local record shops and live music...

Serious Black - SUITE 226 (AFM Records)
WOW, friggin' WOW!!! Releasing their 4th album, Serious Black have made a huge impact on my ears and eyes. The band have a theatrical side that I love and musically they are as solid as anyone out there.  From the power metal of When The Stars Are Right to the Ghost sounding Fate Of All Humanity, Serious Black cover all the metal/hard rock bases in a very familiar and unique way. SUITE 226 is an album a bit on the darker side but presented in a way that is quite pleasing.
​Rating 7.5 out of 10.
Release date Feb 14, 2020

Blue Oyster Cult - CULT CLASSIC (Frontiers s.r.l.)
In the 1970's and 1980's, BOC was a band who had it all; mystery, a dark side and an image that made people a bit fearful for their lives... and souls. BUT, more important than all of that was the music, no, the amazing music the band recorded. Recently signed to Frontiers, the band are re-releasing CLASSICS, a greatest hits collection that features 14 classics that have been lovingly re-recorded. Songs like (Don't Fear) The Reaper, This Ain't The Summer Of Love and Astronomy have been modernized, but in a way that still sounds like the originals, just cleaner and more alive! Blue Oyster Cult are one of the best and here... you will here why. 
Rating 8 out of 10
Release Date January 24th, 2020  

Revolution Saints - RISE (Frontiers s.r.l.)
It is amazing and very exciting that we are getting a third album from Deen Castronovo, Doug Aldrich and Jack Blades, but what is so shocking is how good it is! Like their first two, RISE is centered around drummer Castronovo and his amazing voice and features 11 songs that just make you feel good. With tracks like When The Heartache Is Gone, Coming Home and Win Or Lose, you will hear some of the best and most heartfelt melodic rock, ever! High praise but so well deserved. Now please... hit the road!!!!
Rating 9.5 out of 10
Release Date January 24, 2020