What’s up, guys? It’s your old boy Waldo here to peck in with you guys about some new releases. You know, in case you were interested, and BOY HOWDY ARE YOU! I’ll bet you read my column all of the time.
Wow, I really don’t know what to say, the “old band getting back together” revival has gone too far… finally. Funk/thrash outfit Mordred has come back after 25 years with The Dark Parade, and it is, uh not to my liking. Mordred released one decent record, Fool’s Game, forever ago, but the follow ups were pretty poor and this is no exception. Although this is “creative.” I can’t really get behind it. The vocals are pretty goofy at times, harkening to a carnival barker type vibe, and although there are some killer riffs in here, they get buried by the DJ scratching and the “funk” aspect thrown into this. Keep in mind, this is no “nu metal” sort of funk, this is basically thrash mixed with hip hop, and it doesn’t work. I’m really trying to find a part of this I can sink my beak into, but this whole thing just comes across as silly. Again, for the sake of positivity, there ARE some ripping-ass thrash riffs here. Maybe they’re just having fun, and that’s cool, but it just doesn’t seem to translate. I’m sure there’s an audience for this, but this parrot is not one of them. 2 Fucking Pecks.
I really like to think that I give Napalm Records releases a shot now, but… my god, Call of the Wild by Powerwolf is just not good at all. This isn’t really even fit to make fun of. Operatic. Symphonic “metal” that has ZERO teeth and is Christian? Or the songs are based off of Christian tales? Why the black metal makeup if you are going to sound weaker than Evanescence? I don’t get this at all, but I don’t have to get it to review it. This stinks—I mean, bad. The production is great, but the synths overpower the guitars, and the operatic vocals just come across as sill and not “evil” or tough at all. Imagine Sabaton, but like WAY, WAY lighter… I dunno, not for me. 1 Fucking Peck.
Trve black metal outfit Craven Idol are coming out with Forked Tongues on Dark Descent. This is something I can get behind a little more. More black ‘n’ roll than straight “trad” black metal, Craven Idol rock, but also are dark and evil. The production here is cavernous, and although seems a little repetitive at times, I’m sure that’s the point and adds to the overall feel and sound to this record. Although there’s nothing new here, it’s kind of fun and seems like a good time to grab a PBR and thrash out. I’m digging this. 7 Fucking Pecks.
Until next time… Waldo out!
