- -- Release information ----------------------------------------------- -- -
Artist : Meldrum
Album : Lifer
Genre : Hard Rock
Year : 2012
Label : Reversed Records
Cat# : RRCD1120
Source : CDDA
Bitrate : avg. 288kbps
Size : 79,63 MB
Runtime : 38:30
URL : https://www.facebook.com/MeldrumOfficial
- -- Tracklist -------------------------------------------------------- -- -
01. A Toast to Romance 05:16
02. Blackened Blue 03:56
03. Paid 03:46
04. '68 Blonde 03:46
05. Money Shot 03:10
06. Walking Point 04:29
07. Inamorata 04:03
08. Home 02:56
09. Mayhem 03:21
10. Greenlee 03:47
- -- Release notes ---------------------------------------------------- -- -
MELDRUM's "Lifer" is not just a new addition in the band's
discography but a really special release since it is dedicated
to Michelle Meldrum who passed away on 21st of May, 2008 while
in the process of working on this album. I cannot even imagine
how tough it can be for a band to bounce back after such a
devastating event but I do understand that releasing an album
can be a way to channel all the grief and frustration while
providing a sense of closure to those who are left behind. So,
the remaining band members rolled up their sleeves and
finished this album paying homage to the departed guitarist.
Musically the album sounds more aggressive and heavier than
the previous MELDRUM albums but I guess this was expected
considering the emotional state of the band. The PANTERA-
influenced guitars blend with Gene's massive drumming into an
explosive mix placing the album under the modern groove Thrash
category. "A Toast To Romance" opens the album with a fast
tempo and pissed off vocals that bring to mind HELLYEAH and
their jumping-up-and-down South-raised groove Metal. There is
no way for a band to pull this out without the help of proper
production and here, Rob Shallcross has done his magic to
create a wall of sound with killer grooves and down-tuned
riffs that enticed my interested via the ZIMMERS HOLE
references. I have a sweet tooth for aggressive female vocals
so considering Michele Madden's vein-popping singing I gave
"Lifer" additional spins especially to tracks like the
SLIPKNOT-esque riff driven "Money Shot", the Dimebag-
influenced "Blackened Blue" and the mid-tempo "Home" (kudos
for the bass action here). Apart from these tracks, I could
not find more reasons to revisit this album in the near
future, but I guess this is the toll MELDRUM had to pay while
dealing with Michelle's passing.
The truth is that "Lifer" has some good moments (tracks) but
those are not that strong/enough to put it high in your
albums-to-buy list. But if you knew Michelle's musical doings,
then you can get this one and join the band in saying the
final goodbyes to another talented musician who left Earth
very early.
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