This is a re-issue of Quartz’s classic album that was released in 1980. Quartz belonged to the NWOBHM genre. However, and despite their very good music, they didn’t manage to enter the big league like Def Leppard or Iron Maiden and Saxon. Nevertheless their efforts have been distinct at that time. Now fans of the sound can buy this album, that wasn’t very easy to find in LP. Quartz are not very close to the approach of Witchfynde, far away from Witchfynder General, not even close to Diamond Head and Praying Mantis, but relevant to Samson, Vardis or equivalent to the approach of Tygers Of Pan Tang and Demon. Straight heavy metal with many rock elements, based on melody and good refrains and less on skill and innovation. I have to mention that the production here is
made by Tommy Iommi, while Ozzy makes some of the backing vocals. A very good release for NWOBHM lovers. You have to know your past in order to conquer the future.
A.S. 8/10
QUEENSRYCHE
“THE ART OF LIFE” (Sanctuary)
To
be honest I always have troubles in grading a live album. What
shall I take into account? The production, the live feeling, the selection
for tracks, the mood and performance of the band? Usually if you are a fan
of a band you will like its live albums too, if not then hardly ever a
life album will change your mind. Well,
the case here is difficult. Above
all I have to make clear that this CD is only for ‘Ryche freaks obsessed
with having all their discography. The album has been recorded during the
american tour of the band with Dream Theater and Fates Warning, and to be
honest it seems as if ‘Ryche have been in bad shape. Having seen them
live twice and having heard their previous live recordings I know that the
capabilities of the band are many miles away from what it produces here.
The set list is based on the “Tribe” album with only seven tracks
coming from the past recording up to “Promised Land”. By the way the
acoustic execution on “My Global Mind” is unfortunate. Don’t know...
in general it seems that the release is odd and superfluous. The
package is saved by the DVD, which contains thecollaboration
with Dream Theater on two Pink Floyd songs.
This is a re-issue of Quartz’s classic album that was released in 1980. Quartz belonged to the NWOBHM genre. However, and despite their very good music, they didn’t manage to enter the big league like Def Leppard or Iron Maiden and Saxon. Nevertheless their efforts have been distinct at that time. Now fans of the sound can buy this album, that wasn’t very easy to find in LP. Quartz are not very close to the approach of Witchfynde, far away from Witchfynder General, not even close to Diamond Head and Praying Mantis, but relevant to Samson, Vardis or equivalent to the approach of Tygers Of Pan Tang and Demon. Straight heavy metal with many rock elements, based on melody and good refrains and less on skill and innovation. I have to mention that the production here is
made by Tommy Iommi, while Ozzy makes some of the backing vocals. A very good release for NWOBHM lovers. You have to know your past in order to conquer the future.
To
be honest I always have troubles in grading a live album.