FOREIGNER LIVE AT THE RAINBOW

Here are some of the new rock, hard rock, metal, shit, anything with guitars that is released today.

Foreigner – Rainbow 78

I can’t consider myself a fan of the band beyond their albums from the 70s, although I was duped into buying Unusual Heat years ago, as several reviews I read said it was a return to their heavier 70s work, not quite. This album is being released in several formats, including DVD, it was recorded a little over 40 years ago at the fabled Rainbow Theater in London, with the classic lineup of Jones, Gramm, McDonald, Greenwood, Gagliardi, and Elliott.

The other thing you need to consider is this is probably as live as you get from the band, considering they probably didn’t touch anything up, specifically the vocals all these years later.  Then again, let’s not forget how perfect the current lineup of the band is when it comes to reproducing music from their heyday, but I doubt that was the case.  There are very few bands from that decade that put out better flat-out rock music, and as a result, I’m excited to check the DVD version of this album out.

The Bouncing Souls – Crucial Moments

The band has been around for 30 years, and even though they have played on underdog themes and angst related to various topics including love, and just flat-out living, they have always remained fairly positive. Vocalist Greg Attonito, guitarist Pete Steinkopf, and bassist Bryan Kienlen emerged from the land of the fat cat sandwich back in 89, and aside from doing their best imitation of Spinal Tap, switching drummers a few times for those that don’t get where I was going with that, the band has stuck together and grinded it out ever since.

They have released ten studio albums, two live albums, one compilation album, and with Crucial Moments, 15 EPs, which for those of you not up to date on your punk rock culture, the EP or the split is pretty common practice among bands of this genre. Not too shabby, here’s to 30 more years!

Omicida – Defrauded Reign

I have been a fan of this band for several years, as I have always been in contact with people that have been in and out of White Wizzard. The band was formed by Giovanni Durst, former drummer of White Wizzard (WW), and if you’ve ever listened to me interview any of the former members of the band, you’ll know there is a tight-knit family tree.

Case in point, Giovanni is also the drummer of Monument, featuring former WW alumni Lewis Stephens and Peter Ellis, and Wallner / Vain which features Will Wallner another former member of WW. Former WW guitarist Erik Kluiber has also lent his playing to Omicida.

I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing him, back when WW was opening for Iced Earth. At the time he mentioned that Dave Lombardo was his biggest influence, and that thrash was his favorite form of metal, and although WW wasn’t doing that at the time, he could see himself releasing thrash music in the future.

That’s where Omicida comes in, Defrauded Reign is the band’s second full-length album.  If you’re looking to get your fix of Slayer-influenced thrash, look no further, although the band is spread out all over the world, there is no denying that what drives them has its origins in California.

Here are some other releases that may pique your interest:

The Alarm – Strength Reissue

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Bayou Country Reissue

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Creedence Clearwater Revival Reissue

David Byrne – Grown Backwards Vinyl Reissue

Fallujah – Undying Light

Gary Hoey – Neon Highway Blues

Rossi / Rickard – We Talk Too Much

Jerry Garcia Band – Electric on the Eel

Angel Du$t – Pretty Buff

Any Given Day – Overpower

Brian Jonestown Massacre – Brian Jonestown Massacre

Eyes Of The Living – War On Dead – More Dead

Deafkids – Metaprogramacao

The Faint – Egowerk

Twisted Tower Dire – Wars In The Unknown

Venom Prison – Samsara

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