Album Review: Herman Rarebell - Nip In The Bud (1981/2021 Hard Rock)

Did you know that Herman Rarebell (the longtime former drummer of The Scorpions) recorded a solo record 40 years ago ? Neither did I. The bigger was the fun of having the chance to listen to this gem in a remastered version of "Nip In The Bud" now.

The artwork was created by Storm Thorgerson’s team at Hipgnosis.

The sound on the album sticks to a compact yet pressure-filled structure. From the eleven tracks on offer "Rock your all" stands out with it's broken riff structures. It's a typical rocker going straight but the riffs present it a ear-splitting way. What a wild song!

"Triangle" follows on this route. It's a more rhythm-oriented number with drums being dominant and the guitar following a shredding way. The last third plays with effects. You won't get this out of your head too fast once listented to it.

"Slob" presents a wild and vicious voice rocking out a similar way Brian Johnson does in AC/DC. The instrumental side is more of a slightly inconstant drum pattern mixed with a direct riff attack. 

The journey continues with more of this. "Junk Funk" comes around put together in a jam session. You can feel the spontaneous vibe of the moment it may have been created. I love to hear such elements - it's hardly ever spotable on albums.

A typical stomper follows. This may be a track a bit closer to typical Scorpions songwriting so it's food that appeals to more people. It's still rude enough so don't think of any commercial song in here.

Track nine introduces more riff-fun all the way. I think it may have been done the direct and fast way, too. It's a no-pain track in three minutes duration spreading fun all the way.

Finally it's time to listen to "I'll say goodbye". As the name suggests it comes with a more hymm like format. It's not in a sad way. It's more of remembering good times in a "glad to have had it" style. The fade out keeps hope for a continue some other day.  

The remastered version will be available through Aviator Management on August 27th 2021. A pre-save link for the album is also available if you want to have it in your digital collection the day it comes out. Have a little pre-listen with the single "Rock you all" and keep in contact with Herman Rarebell through Facebook.

CD Review: Antidote - The Truth (Progressive Thrash, 1992/2017 re-release)

Usually the Underdogs is glad to be able to check out new releases and let you know how they turned out. This one originally comes from way back in 1992. Why is it worth reviewing it anyway?

It's because Antidote were one of the first bands that added progressive elements to the classic thrash formula and dared to go new ways in this sector. This re-release came to me without warning out of nowhere.

The cover of Antidote's "The truth" album, (c) by Antidote, used with kind permission

Summary
The first disc offers the full classic "The Truth" as a remastered edition. The vocals are held in the screaming regions so it's oldschool all the way. If you've heard the "Mind Alive" album before this record this fact may surprise you but this style fit's the far more agressive material of the early days of the band perfectly. The songs often go straight, raw and with lot's of drive but with slight elements of progression so it's great to be able to see how the band evolved over the releases with this re-issue.

Another pro for this CD is the fact that finally you don't need to hunt it down heavily in second hand shops etc. for high prices anymore. In addition to that this edition comes with a bonus disc. I think not many people have heard the stuff pressed on this silver disc. It contains the two demo tapes the band made ("Epoch Of Insanity" and "Spaced Out") that came out before the band reached for bigger aims.

It's those tunes that bring the most fun. In today's context where most productions are heavy weight it's great to hear the simpicity of demos of back in the day. No need to follow complicated structures and layers just lay back and enjoy tracks going straight. It's those noise that makes this double treat as stuff to be remembered.

In addition those demos were never before available at least here in Germany so it was for me as if the band released a brand new album. The tunes itself lay it down heavy and fast most with compact song structures. At some points you'll spot some great experiments on the guitar worked in (just listen to "Spaced Out" with those high guitar notes inside - it put's a real spotlight on the song).I love the printing on Demo CD - it reminds me so much of back in the day when I used to collect demos myself.

Purchase-Link
Grab the double disc while it's up for purchase (looks like it is limited to 500 copies). So far I've only been able to find it on the web as physical release at the webshop of Minotauro Records. Alternatively you can buy it from the Bandcamp shop of the record company.

Contact Data
The band has a Facebook account talkin' a lot about the memories of back in the day so you may want to follow those stories with the famous "Like"-Click.

Unearth hidden underground demo gems with free download sampler

Big names were once small one's... Do you sometimes find yourselves looking through your collection and finding old records of bands that sadly never made it out to a bigger audience? This happens often to me.

I recently took a look at some demo tapes I bought quite some time ago and thought about those bands again. Mostly it was the case that I went to their shows and was excited to see and hear something new. So often I found myselves purchasing those stuff after the show was over directly out of the hands of the artists. What a great feeling to buy directly from those who create what we all love and like.

It's cool to see the same thing seems to happen in other parts of the world, too. It's a great to see that others also do care about this stuff and try to save it from the dust of time. One that I just ran across is the Texas Metal Underground Records label. Read below what's their mission and pick up the nice goodie they offer you.

Texas Metal Underground (TMU) Records have released their first ever free digital music sampler featuring one full mp3 song from their entire re-issued curated catalog releases.

(c) by TMU Records, used with kind permission

TMU Records has provided the following mission statement:
"Since 2008, TMU Records has been unearthing lost and unheard musical gems from the fertile underground Texas metal scene of the mid 1980’s through the early 1990’s. To preserve and share this heavy musical legacy, the label focuses primarily on bands who burned bright, briefly, but disappeared without a trace before anyone could take much notice.

Bands who managed to get a demo recorded but for reasons unknown never shared it beyond a close circle of friends and fans. Whether on vinyl, CD, or cassette, all TMU Records releases are given lavish treatment with custom packaging, unseen photos, show flyers, interviews, informative booklets, rare bonus tracks and extras for the denim and leather die-hards.

For 2016, look for upcoming deluxe vinyl releases from Karion, Las Cruces, Bad Heaven, SSR, and more!

TMU Records digital music sampler tracklist:

1. Broken Teeth - Flame Thrower
2. Baron Steele - Night of the Wolves
3. Sentinel - Panzer Attack
4. Wicked Angel - People of the Black Circle
5. Meddallion - Stormbringer
6. Final Vengeance - Darkside
7. Wicked Step - Rock N Roller Masses

Download the free songs, compilation artwork and track listing from this location.

For further information on the label make sure to see the TMU Records website and if you'd like to purchase one or more of their releases just click on to the Bandcamp page. Most of the stuff is available in various formats so you can pick exactly what you need.

Here are some of my impressions that I had while I checked out the free compilation: The backside of the compilation shows how much love the people behind the releases spend on this. Every band is featured with a little image of the cover. Above you'll find the original band logo and a short discription underneath the image gives a quick idea of the band's style as well as information on the re-release special features. Don't miss out these gems.

While I'm typing these lines I'm enjoying the track included of the Baron Steele camp. How much I love the rough style of demo recordings. And it's cool to hear what this band contributed to the sound of their time. Hope many more will appreciate this. And while you're enjoying this why not go out and support demo band's of today's as well? Go and give them the support you're able to give'em. They are the source of tomorrow, our future. Never forget that. Big names were once small one's.