Mike Keneally / faithful axe / boil that dust speck (21) / 1994

This one's fully streamable on last.fm and, if you listen to it, shouldn't require an explanation. As you'd expect for a thirty track album it isn't a long track, but a full on undeniable yes parody awaits.

Keneally, for those of you who are unfamiliar with his name, is best known for his work as frank zappa's "stunt guitarist" for the period towards the end of the 80s and beginning of 90s. Apart from this Keneally has also played as part of steve vai's live…

Martone / nail grinder / clean (2) / 2008
also credited as:
Dave Martone / nail grinder / clean (2) / 2008

Dave Martone records as part of a three-piece instrumental band under the name Martone, and is a Canadian guitar virtuoso who, most recently, has included nickelback drummer Daniel Adair as part of his recording line-up.

Guest artists on this album include the mighty billy sheehan and the amazing greg howe. This particular track features an appearance from a little known artist called joe satriani. So Satch fans should seek it out!

Martone is more prog metal…

Emerson, Lake & Palmer / "Karn Evil 9" / Brain Salad Surgery (5) / Nov 1973

Artist: emerson, lake & palmer
Original Album: brain salad surgery
Track: karn evil 9

I'm not totally convinced by the first two tracks of this album (which, I noticed, are both covers), but I adore the last two. Since this one is around thirty minutes (depending on which re-issue your cd comes from), or possibly more if you've got the original vinyl and are quite slow at turning it over, it pulls through as a strong album despite the opening nine and a half…

Megadeth / "Good Mourning/Black Friday" / Peace Sells…but Who's Buying? (6) / Nov 1986

Artist: megadeth
Original Album: peace sells...but who's buying
Track: good mourning/black friday

It's Friday the 13th so roughly half of this album has particularly relevant titles for a day such as today. Also, I don't think I've picked anything from 'Deth since August or September, so it's about time for another one.

Sorry: No NWOBHM Band of the Week this week, I have to recharge and save my time/energy for the next ones. I suppose I could do one this week if I really tried, but…

suburban legends / infectious / infectious (3) / July 2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79YBOzVl3XY

Suburban Legends were, effectively, one of third wave ska's best kept secrets, briefly on an independent label but spending the rest of their time unsigned self-releasing their material. (Which, if you're partial to a bit of ska was awesome material well worth checking out.) However, after 962 gigs at Disneyland and trumpeter Vince Walker taking over as vocalist from the departing Tim Maurer, a more pop, almost boyband-ish, direction was taken.

Recent material, and particularly the music videos, are extremely kid-friendly, daringly uncool and at times unashamedly camp, but…

Shadow Gallery / "The Dance of Fools" / Shadow Gallery (1) / 1992

Artist: Shadow Gallery
Original Album: Shadow Gallery
Track: The Dance of Fools

Listen at progarchives.

One of the Progressive Metal bands it took me a long time to get to. Comparisons to Dream Theater and Symphony X are more relevant here than on many others of equal or greater fame. This track opened the first Shadow Gallery album in 1992, by which time Dream Theater were already onto their second album. You don't need to listen to much to tell this lot were similarly talented though.

Sadly,…

Toby Knapp / "Wizard Archer" / Polarizing Lines (6) / 2005

Artist: toby knapp
Original Album: polarizing lines
Track: wizard archer

Polarizing Lines is a fast and heavy insturmental metal album by guitarist Toby Knapp (godless rising, waxen, onward (the metal band) and tour guitarist for darkane on their 2009 Canadian tour). Knapp made a name for himself fusing progressive metal time signatures with death and black metal influenced instrumentals as early as 1993, playing with a style described by one popular Canadian magazine "Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles" as "A guitar wizard who sounds like a…

(Prevoius NWoBHM Band of the Week) / (Next NWoBHM Band of the Week)

I guess there's not a lot to tell about White Spirit, the band Janick Gers began his career with, but it will be a relief to have a short nwobhm journal for a change, right?

As I mentioned in last week's look at the Tygers of Pan Tang, White Spirit were one of three bands the independent label Neat Records sold on to major label mca in 1980, (the other of the three bands being fist).

Prior to this, however, White Spirit (who originated in…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGuWS_mEcMk

Spinal Tap are back from the dead! (again)

About to tour "Unwigged and unplugged" and release a new album. It's rare we get genuine news regarding Spinal Tap, so this is indeed intriguing news, isn't it?

As for the journal title, listen to the lyrics of Back from the Dead - it was too inviting not to make it the title.

…Also correct me if I'm wrong, but that looks like Gregg Bissonette on drums, but it can't be - he's still alive to my knowledge.

The Devin Townsend Band / "Triumph" / Synchestra (3) / Jan 2006

Artist: the devin townsend band
Original Album: synchestra
Track: triumph

It's pretty transparent that I only got this album a week-and-a-bit ago since my playcount for it has rocketed. This track features a hoe-down section and a guest solo from steve vai, elevating it to be my favourite on the album. Devin's multi-layered vocals (and I know it's not really accurate or original to say he sings like an angel, but) sound kind of otherworldly, like a choir of twisted bi-polar angels descended from the skies and…