CD Review: “Emily’s D+Evolution” by Esperanza Spalding

Artist : Esperanza Spalding Album : Emily’s D+Evolution (2016 Concord) Tracks : 12 Artist website : www.esperanzaspalding.com OVERVIEW : BACKGROUND Esperanza Spalding is a fantastic musician. I have been a casual fan since learning about her. She’s also a Berklee alumni like me. We also have the double bass and bass in common. We’ve probably even studied with […]

CD Review: “Metal Resistance” by BABYMETAL

Artist : BABYMETAL Album : Metal Resistance (2016 Sony) Tracks : 12 Artist website : www.babymetal.com OVERVIEW : BACKGROUND Metal Resistance is the second studio album by Japanese metal idol group BABYMETAL. I have been a fan ever since hearing Gimme Chocolate!!. This group has a really unique sound that bridges many metal genres and some j-pop. There […]

CD Review: Scandal – “Yellow”

Artist : Scandal Album : Yellow (2016 Epic Records Japan) Tracks : 13 Artist website : http://www.scandal-4.com/ OVERVIEW : BACKGROUND Yellow is the seventh studio album by Japanese rock band Scandal. I have been a casual fan of the band for about three years. Some of the songs from their previous albums Standard (2013), Temptation Box (2010) and […]

CD Review: Anthrax – “For All Kings”

Artist : Anthrax Album : For All Kings (2016 Megaforce/Nuclear Blast) Tracks : 13 Artist website : http://anthrax.com OVERVIEW : Anthrax, one of the big four, should require no introduction. This album is the eleventh from the thrash metal masters. This album has all the energy and heaviness that one would expect. It delivers and does not in […]

CD Review: Iron Maiden – “The Book of Souls”

Artist : Iron Maiden Album : The Book of Souls (2015 Parlophone/Sanctuary) Tracks : 11 [6 on disc 1 and 5 on disc 2] Artist website : www.ironmaiden.com OVERVIEW : This is the 16th studio album from a band that should need no introductions. Iron Maiden is about as synonymous to heavy metal as Metallica. I was surprised to […]

CD Review: Steven Wilson – “4 1/2”

Artist : Steven Wilson Album : 4 1/2 (2016 Kscope) Tracks : 6 Artist website : www.stevenwilsonhq.com OVERVIEW : This is my first listen to Steven Wilson’s 4 1/2. I have heard bits and pieces of his solo work and will be listening to all of his solo records and documenting my first impressions of them all in future […]

CD Review: Periphery – “Juggernaut: Omega”

Artist : Periphery Album : Juggernaut: Omega (2015 Sumerian/Century Media) Tracks : 7 Artist website : www.periphery.net OVERVIEW : This is disc 2 of the two CD set Juggernaut: Alpha/Omega, the third studio effort from the progressive metal band Periphery. I’ve done a separate post on disc 1. I really like this band. They’re very musical, modern, and heavy. […]

CD Review: Periphery – “Juggernaut: Alpha”

Artist : Periphery Album : Juggernaut: Alpha (2015 Sumerian/Century Media) Tracks : 10 Artist website : www.periphery.net OVERVIEW : This is disc 1 of the two CD set Juggernaut: Alpha/Omega, the third studio effort from the progressive metal band Periphery. I’ll do a separate post on disc 2. I really like this band. They’re very musical, modern, and heavy. […]

CD Review: Lamb of God – “VII: Sturm und Drang”

Artist : Lamb of God Album : VII: Sturm und Drang (2015 Epic/Nuclear Blast) Tracks : 10 Artist website : http://www.lamb-of-god.com OVERVIEW : Lamb of God are one of my favorite metal bands. Not a day goes by without a bit of LoG in my day. Usually in the morning to help get me going. VII: Sturm und Drang is […]

CD Review: Pat Metheny – “One Quiet Night”

CD Review This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010. These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins. Artist : Pat Metheny Album : One Quiet Night (2003 Warner Bros.) Tracks : 12 Artist website : http://www.patmetheny.com/ REVIEW OVERVIEW While this album is far from a current release, it […]