Slash, Voivod, Vessel Of Light + More

Here are some of the releases that are coming out today.

Slash Ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators – Living The Dream

The Guns N Roses guitarist is back with what is his fourth solo studio album, technically his sixth if you count his fine work with Slash’s Snakepit. I have to admit that I either love his material, or I just don’t get it, really no in-between.

But at the same time, I do think this album, and 2014’s World On Fire rank up there for me among the strongest work he’s done outside of GNR and VR. He’s gotten better with time, you can credit his band for that perhaps, but he’s the man steering the ship.

Voivod – The Wake

This legendary band always seems to get a pass when it comes to switching up members, Piggy obviously passed away, but there seems to be a duel between the band and Spinal Tap to see which has more bassists in the case of Voivod, and drummers in the case of ST.

This is Rocky aka Dominique Laroche’s first full-length album with the band, their 14th studio album. The band has always been the darling of the underground scene, being among the first to mix thrash and prog with elements of jazz, something that is extremely popular nowadays.

Perhaps bands like Dream Theater get a ton of credit for this, but there are a lot of bands that unbeknownst to them have felt Voivod’s influence without even realizing it.

Dragonlord – Dominion

This is Eric Peterson of Testament’s baby, he’s singing, playing guitar and bass. There is no denying his riffage all over the album, it’s patented EP all over it.

And although the guitar work sounds like him, that’s where the comparison between the two ends.  This is a symphonic black metal project, there are keys, and there are female vocals, things you won’t find in Testament, and are very prevalent in this type of metal.

This is the third release under the Dragonlord name, the first in thirteen years.  We had been hearing for years, it’s close, almost there, but it’s finally here, and worth the wait.

Vessel Of Light – Woodshed

Those that are familiar with Talking Metal, have more than likely heard the name, Dan Lorenzo. He’s been part of Hades, Non-Fiction, and The Cursed, and last year released an EP with Nathan Opposition of Ancient VVisdom called Vessel Of Light. Woodshed is their first full-length album and continues down the doom metal path they established on their self-titled EP.

The music has a little more to do with the sludgy, doomy side of The Cursed and Non-Fiction than it does with Hades. Slow and punishing, as opposed to fast and thrashy.

Other releases that may interest you:

Aborted – TerrorVision

Kid Rock – Greatest Hits You Never Saw Coming

The Three Tremors – The Three Tremors

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