red lamb | red lamb (2012) Dan Spitz (ex-Anthrax) does his best Megadeth imitation with Red Lamb, a “band” (Spitz + a singer + a hired-hand drummer) AND album that came out eleven months ago with no marketing push despite being “co-produced” by Dave Mustaine.  I kinda dig it. It’s like if Countdown to Extinction had been done in the risible Pitrelli/deGrasso era, without the magic that Marty Friedman and Nick Menza brought to the table. But it’s still Mustainian, and therefore still cool. In fact, a lot of people online thought they WERE listening to Mustaine singing and playing! At several points, I sure did.  This album has lots of tight riffs servicing memorable melodies. However, the vocals are a bit too spoken-word (think “Hello me, meet the real me” times twelve), and the drums were given short shrift in the mix (some EQing might’ve helped them stand out a bit). But there’s certainly worse Megadeth albums out there! Cool album art too. :) Recommended track: “Watchmen”, but not so much for the music as the “free _____” line @1:50, which had me laughing as I walked along my Brooklyn street. 
by gofromjrocknyc
January 8, 2013 12:16 am · 2
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red lamb | red lamb (2012)

Dan Spitz (ex-Anthrax) does his best Megadeth imitation with Red Lamb, a “band” (Spitz + a singer + a hired-hand drummer) AND album that came out eleven months ago with no marketing push despite being “co-produced” by Dave Mustaine. 

I kinda dig it.

It’s like if Countdown to Extinction had been done in the risible Pitrelli/deGrasso era, without the magic that Marty Friedman and Nick Menza brought to the table. But it’s still Mustainian, and therefore still cool.

In fact, a lot of people online thought they WERE listening to Mustaine singing and playing! At several points, I sure did. 

This album has lots of tight riffs servicing memorable melodies. However, the vocals are a bit too spoken-word (think “Hello me, meet the real me” times twelve), and the drums were given short shrift in the mix (some EQing might’ve helped them stand out a bit). But there’s certainly worse Megadeth albums out there!

Cool album art too. :)

Recommended track: “Watchmen”, but not so much for the music as the “free _____” line @1:50, which had me laughing as I walked along my Brooklyn street. 

by gofromjrocknyc
December 27, 2012 08:51 pm ·
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Ginger - 555%
Not heavy enough! 

Ginger - Hey Hello
Heavier and pretty Wildheartsy. 

Gory Blister - Earth Sick
Just enough melody to keep this technical death enjoyable.

Halestorm - The Strange Case of…
There’s one track I super-duper like: “Love Bites (And So Do I).” Then there’s an indeterminate number of other tracks that aren’t even close to being as awesome. 

J - On Fire
The usual J solo disc, but with 10% more oomph and 5% more depth. 

Luna Sea - Rouge/Dream
On paper I should really like these two heavy-ish tracks that mark a return to form for one of (if not THE) greatest j-rock bands ever. But I find myself quickly tuning out, and not airguitaring or airdrumming like I would expect.

Luna Sea - The One ~Crash to Create~
Can’t even remember how it goes.

Megadeth - Countdown to Extinction 20th Anniv 2CD
It’s nice to finally have some of these Cow Palace live tracks (a few were rare b-sides back in the early nineties that I paid like $10 each for). Also, I guess the album proper it’s been remastered again? 

Merrow - Retrospecial
The surprise hit of the year! Loved this album of instrumental metal madness. “Spice Dealer!” “N.O.O.B.E!”

MUCC - Shangri-La
There’s some pretty ripping stuff here; the first two tracks are very Kodomo no Bodom (a.k.a. Blood Stain Child). Several duds as well but hell, it’s the first Mucc album in five years that I’m happy to have.

…to be concluded