Album of the Week
Mastermind Insomnia new music reviews

Legendary New Jersey prog rock band Mastermind has been flying under the radar for some ten years now. Insomnia, their seventh album, is their first full length release in ten years. Recently signed to Lion Music, Mastermind, known for ... [ Read more ]

Recent Reviews

02.06.12

01.30.12

01.23.12

[ More Music Reviews ]

Dangerdog Classic Reviews

Anvil: Metal On Metal (1982)

Heavy Metal
Rating: 4.5/5.0

Review: Craig Hartranft
Added: 06.26.2009

Before there was Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth or a host of other faster thrash band from California or New York, there was Canada's Anvil. It seems 'en vogue' to speak about this perpetually underrated band thanks to the new documentary playing across the nation, but Anvil influenced both Metallica and Slayer in their day. Anvil style was a bit more raw, heavier and faster than the NWOBHM of the day. The seem tame by today's metal standard, yet they were one of the greats.

Whether one considers their output inconsistent or not, most metal fans will agree that their second release Metal On Metal was their masterpiece (the follow up Forged in Fire being a close second). This work is a thoroughly consistent treatise in heavier melodic metal complete with genuinely ribald, raucous and infectiously entertaining. Songs like Metal On Metal and Jack Hammer show Anvil at their forceful best. March Of The Crabs and Scenery display both metal chops and humorous parody. All in all, Metal On Metal is a satisfying slice of early heavy metal

Pearl Jam: Ten (1991)

Alternative Rock/Metal
Rating: 5.0/5.0

Review: Ethan Hartranft
Added: 06.07.2009

Never let it be said that a grunge band can't play guitar well. Accentually, I suppose that statement could have some truth to it, if you don't consider Pearl Jam a grunge band. In fact, upon the release of Ten, Pearl Jam was attacked by every critic and alt-rock-king Kurt Cobain. Kurt went as far to say that Pearl Jam wasn't real alternative music, because their songs contained guitar solos. But worry not, guitar solos are most definitely not my complaint with this album.

Pearl Jam was fortunately able to avoid the harshest of criticisms (those fell on The Stone Temple Pilots) since they were not rightly deserved. Ten may have been born out of the success of Nirvana, but without Pearl Jam, alternative music would have faded out of existence just like Nirvana did. Pearl Jam succeeded for a good reason. They had the angst and flannel that a 90's band demanded but coupled it with the heart and soul of Vedder's brilliant poetry to form the perfect hit generating, radio playing, sock rocking band that grunge needed.

Ten was released in 1991 on the coattails of Nevermind, however it is quite unfair to draw comparisons between the two. Ten can be described as a U2 album with a Jimi Hendrix guitar style minus the soul and blues influences to form an unexplored alternative arena rock. The album also breaks away from the typical fast-slow-fast style found in most 90's music.

When it comes to any album, I cannot stress the importance of a good first track. An aspiring musician can take an example from 'Once.' A simple riff paired with lyrics that keep you listening and an echoing chorus are enough to keep me interested. 'Even Flow' is a good example of every 90's radio DJ's dream. The song flows so melodically that it's impossible to hate it. 'Alive' is an arena rock anthem if there ever was one. The chorus was made to be chanted by a crowd. Slowing down the hard rock pace is 'Jeremy.' The song itself is a tragedy as it tells the story of a young boy who committed suicide in front of a small town classroom. It's slower pace and excellent bass work provide a very enjoyable song. Unfortunately, this is where my praise for the album ends.

While listening to Ten I could feel a complete dip in quality after 'Jeremy.' I could not shake the feeling that I was listening to album filler. None of the tracks moved me in any specific way, with perhaps the exception of 'Porch' which contains the best guitar solo on the album. At the then end of the album one question remains. Are the first few superb songs enough to justify an album of filler?

Pearl Jam is still going strong today. In 2006 they released their eighth album. It was praised across the board by critics for returning to the styles of Ten. The band has also received an almost Grateful Dead like following. This could be because, as one critic who attended a Pearl Jam show said, 'They play every show like it's their last.' This is something I think anyone can respect.

Alice In Chains: Dirt (1992)

Alternative Rock/Metal
Rating: 5.0/5.0

Review: Ethan Hartranft
Added: 05.10.2009

In the early 90's Seattle flipped the music industry upside-down. Grunge had captured the ears of disgruntled youth across America. Generation X finally had a musical genre to call their own. No matter what your opinion, there is no denying the simple fact that grunge was a staple of the 90's.

After the 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' heyday, the genre went into different directions. While Pearl Jam continued to make radio friendly hits with punk roots, Alice in Chains was different. Of all the Seattle grunge bands, Alice in Chains was the heaviest. No other band embraced down tuning and distortion as much as they did. Dirt is the greatest representation of this.

Lyrically the album couldn't be stronger. The collaborations of Cantrell and Staley produced some the heaviest lyrics in the grunge period. 'Rooster' is rooted in the mourning of Cantrell's father and the damage done to him during the Vietnam War. Songs like 'Sickman', 'Hate to Feel', and 'God Smack' hit the mark between depressing and horrifying; dealing with Staley's heroin addiction. These songs perfectly convey the feeling of hopelessness, knowing that his addiction will kill him but being powerless to stop it. Still after that, songs such as 'Them Bones' and 'Would?' deal with death and mortality. Overall, Alice in Chains lyrically match the dark sounds of their own brand of grunge.

The album begins with 'Them Bones' and 'Dam that River'. Hilarious puns aside, these songs set the overall tone of the album with Moving on after that, 'Sickman' screams out to the listener with mixed time signatures and Staley's emotion filled screaming. Furthermore, 'God Smack' contains some of the best heavy riffing on the album while 'Hate to Feel' proclaims the same message as 'Sickman'. Lastly, the album concludes with 'Would?' showing off Alice in Chains amazing rhythm section with both bass and drums pounding the song along.

Alice in Chains found their own style and sound in an era where anyone with an grunge sound and a bit of flannel could make it. Their influence stretches to bands suck as Godsmack, Seether and Saliva. Even Metallica, the band that Alice in Chains drew influence from say they were greatly inspired by Alice in Chains and Dirt for work on 2003's St. Anger and 2008's Death Magnetic.

After the tragic death of front man Layne Staley the band dissolved in 2002. However, they reformed in 2005 to perform many benefit concerts and other venues. Alice in Chains is currently strong with new vocalist, William DuVall and on tour and headlines show across the globe.

Read more Dangerdog Classic Reviews
[ Page 1 ] [ Page 2 ] [ Page 3 ]

Album of the Week
Imminent Sonic Destruction - Recurring Themes review

If Imminent Sonic Destruction is upon you, then what should you expect? Some form of extreme metal, possibly death, black, or hardcore metal or, possibly some amalgam of all? Or not. The creation of ... [ Read More ]

It's Only Rock n Roll

I've been rich and I've been poor. Rich is better. Totally better.

Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a yacht
big enough to pull up right alongside it.
David Lee Roth
(now back with Van Halen)

Find A Review

Alphabetical Index

a b c d e f g h i j
k l m n o p q r s t
u v w x y z #
Loading