Reviewed by Dave Palmer
I remembering hearing Spiders and Snakes about a decade ago for the first time. I remember not really being all that impressed, but I did continue to follow what was happening with the band due to the fact that Lizzie Grey was in London at one time. I really liked the stuff I heard from London back in the day. Lizzie also co-penned 'Public Enemy #1' which was released by Motley Crue on the 'Too Fast for Love' record. It wasn't until Spiders and Snakes 'London Daze' that I actually got to hear the 'other' version which was cool. Well, after being only a casual fan of the band, I received the bands latest offering 'Hollywood Ghosts'. The album is much better than I remember the band being on previous efforts. The band would fit well in the Sleaze/Glam genre and have put together some cool retro sounding stuff on this latest album. The opener had me wondering what it was about this band that hadn't grabbed me before. 'American Baby' (which is actually the second after the 'Ascension' intro) has a cool, catchy vibe to it. From here, I think the music has a very Beatle-esque feel to it with a dose of Mott the Hoople. 'Spiders and Snakes' has a great groove to it as well. The music at this point starts sounding very retro. This is the point where the album gets very consistent both in style and feel to what I mentioned. Tracks like 'Freeway', the Little Richard tune 'The Girl Can't Help It', and the humorous 'Bill's Cigar' really showcase a sound where the band is comfortable with this release. The final track 'Get Outta Here' has Slade written all over it and gives you an idea where the mindset of this album is soundwise. The bonus dvd is kind of a nice addition with 15 music videos spanning 15 years of the bands career, a slide show, and interviews. If you are into the band, there is alot here to like.
Overall
This album in alot of ways is like taking a journey back in time, to say the 70's. The majority of the album falls into that category. The first full track on the album 'American Baby' is really the heaviest you see the band on this release while the rest of it sounds very retro. The dvd is a great addition adding more bang for your buck. I had a bit more fun with the band on this release than I remember having on any of their other albums. If you like the big glam bands of the 70's, this one is gonna be right up your alley!
Questions or Comments? Email Dave by clicking here.
Reviewed by Dave Palmer
Some may know and some may not, so I'll mention it up front. Ghost Machinery is the second band or first, who knows, of Pete Ahonen. Pete is also the guitarist/vocalist of the band Burning Point which we have reviewed on the site as well. The two bands have different personalities and allow Pete to write what he wants and then use it in the appropriate band. Ghost Machinery is more of a Neo Classical speed metal band. The music is similar to some of the artists of their native Finland, with the exception of the Neo Classical portion. The Speed metal portion is fairly common. I think the music is rock solid on this release. The opener 'World of Unbelievers' and 'Blinded Eyes' Assert the bands musicianship and skill right away. It's not all about speed though, there is also a great deal of finesse and melody as well exhibited on tracks such as 'Down in Flames' or the awesome track 'Dreamworld'. Listening to some of these tracks, you know right away that the band is fairly well rounded as well. There is some good mid tempo rocker type stuff as well such as 'Darkest Hour' or the great Gary Moore classic 'Out in the Fields' which the band covers pretty well. Some of my other favorites include 'Fallen Angels', 'In Your (Evil) Dreams', 'Temples of Gold', and 'Shadows' the albums closer. It's a pretty good bet that if you like the Stratovarius or Sonata Arctica type stuff, that you are gonna like this. It is worth mentioning as well, while I compare this band to the bands previously mentioned, these guys sound original enough to stand on their own.
Overall
A pretty solid release from a good band out of Finland. The music ranges from mid tempo to a more frenzied beat on a little over half of the album. The Neo-classical element of the band makes them sound slightly different than some of the the melodic speed metal bands out there, but they would fit in well anyway. If you like those double bass beats mixed with some decent depth, this one's a good bet.
Questions or Comments? Email Dave by clicking here.
