Jonathan Davis, Don Airey, Marc Rizzo + More

Here are some new albums that come out today:

Jonathan Davis – Black Labyrinth

This could technically be seen as Davis’ third solo album, although it is his first official studio album as a solo artist. The soundtrack for the movie Queen Of The Damned was originally written by Davis, but due to legal issues, he could not appear on the album and had some of his friends take over lead duties, while he sang backing vocals on many tracks, without taking any credit for doing so.

Then in 2011, he released Alone I Play, which is a live album that mixes tracks from the aforementioned soundtrack, and of course his bread and butter, tracks by Korn. Davis’ vocals are unmistakable, and they’re all over this album, but so are things that he doesn’t incorporate in Korn, keyboards, Indian rhythmic patterns, Japanese strings, African beats, straight-up rock, straight-up ballads, and yeah there is still plenty of hard rock and metal that he’s been associated with, but the orchestration has very little to do with Korn outside of this voice.

Don Airey – One Of A Kind

It would almost be easier to list who Don hasn’t played with, than all of the bands he has appeared within the studio, or live. He’s currently part of Deep Purple but has played with Rainbow, Ozzy, Black Sabbath, ELO, Gary Moore, Judas Priest, Whitesnake, MSG, and many more. This is his fifth solo album, his fourth in the last ten years.

Marc Rizzo – Rotation

The New Jersey native has played with Ill Niño, Misfits, and in my opinion helped revitalize Max Cavalera’s career, becoming the yin to his yang, by appearing on releases by Soulfly and Cavalera conspiracy. Marc is an unsung hero, when people say “there are no more guitar heroes”, they really aren’t paying attention to someone like Marc who can do it all, rock, metal, flamenco, etc. you could almost say he’s the poor man’s John 5 when it comes to his playing. Rotation is his fifth solo album.

Here are some other releases that may interest you:

Lordi – Sexorcism

Neurosis – Pain Of Mind Reissue

Saxon – Crusader Reissue

Saxon – Denim and Leather Reissue

Saxon – Power & The Glory Reissue

Spock’s Beard – Noise Floor

Witchsorrow – Hexenhammer

Article by Victor M. Ruiz of Mars Attacks Radio & Podcast, and Galaxy Of Geeks Podcast.  Connect with him on Twitter:  @vmr907