Happy Friday and welcome to another Friday of New Releases. If you like hard rock and heavy metal, might be a good week for you…otherwise, not much else. For me, it is slim pickings this week with only 2 I am mildly interested and a decent Tom Petty greatest hits collection. Outside of that, nothing else for me. My choices are in Blue. Let me know if there is something you like or anything I missed. Thanks and have a great weekend.
Queensryche – The Verdict – (Century Media Group) – Ever since Geoff Tate left, I haven’t given them much of a fair shake, but that will change with this album. I am going to give it a spin and see wha the buzz is about. Todd La Torre definitely has the chops as the lead singer so he deserves a chance. I will let you know what I think.
In Flames – I, The Mask – (Eleven Seven Music): This band has been around since 1994 and yet I didn’t discover them until their last album ‘Battles’ in 2016. I will check this out and maybe start exploring their back catalog of about 11-12 albums. They are a Swedish metal band if you were interested, pretty heavy stuff.
Maybe will look into the next two…
Tom Petty – The Best of Everything: The Definitive Career Spanning Hits Collection 1976-2016 – (Geffen Records) – I know, we don’t really need another greatest hits package, but this looks like a nice set and plus…it’s Petty baby!!!
Weezer – Weezer (Black Album) – (Crush Music/Atlantic): I might dive into this one, but jury still out. They are hit or miss with me.
And all the rest…
Hozier – Wasteland, Baby! – (Columbia Records)
Ron Keel – Fight Like a Band – (EMP Label Group)
Citizen Cope – Heroin and Helicopters – (RainWater Recordings)
Mark Morton – Anesthetic – (Spinefarm Records)
Demon Hunter – War – (Solid State Records)
Demon Hunter – Peace – (Solid State Records)
2 Loud 2 Old Music 
Todd La Torre actually played all the drums on the New Queensryche release. The two songs I’ve heard so far, he’s a very legit drummer IMHO.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The drumming on the album is actually great. I was listening to it this morning. Verdict still out on what I think overall though. Need a few more listens.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t bother with Weezer, John. Dreadful album. I spent my commute listening to that and yon Teal album. Both dreadful. Though, in fairness, the uninspired covers album is a good deal better than the Black album.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Wow! Ok, done. Will not give a spin. Not a big deal since I don’t listen to them normally. thanks for the heads up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No worries, John. I know there will be folk out there who will like it and while I’m happy for them, I couldn’t let someone I know suffer through it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Quite liked the first Torreryche album but lost track. Keen to know what you make of the new one.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Verdict still out. I gave it a spin this morning. Not sure about, but at times it sounds like old, classic Ryche!!
LikeLike
Yeah that sounds like the last one too. Couldn’t get into it but they do sound the part.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would be as well interested in your thoughts as well John in regards to the TaterTots less Ryche thats out there..
LikeLiked by 1 person
We will see if I review it, but did listen this morning. Great drumming!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really want Queensryche but have not preordered. I want the deluxe. I can’t tell online which is deluxe so I must buy in-store.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always fun to buy in store anyway!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
True that! Except when they don’t have it. I might hit a different store up this time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I got to see how bad this new Weezer album is. Queensryche seems like a band I should know better but don’t.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am with you on the Weezer. If J. says it is bad, it must be…but now I want to hear it.
LikeLike
I gather from a marketing perspective, weezer’s hitting it out of the park (dropping the surprise covers, appearing on Fallon’s classroom instruments, even have a theme park in the Fortnite video game) – but musically…!
LikeLike
I’m still waiting for a decent 2019 LP to buy, I think its been a ridiculously slow year for good music so far.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed…with the exception of Rival Sons, pretty crappy.
LikeLike