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SCARLET - Obey The Queen - 8/108/10
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SIGNAL RED - Alien Nation - 9.8/109.8/10
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CLUTCH - The Weathermaker Vault Series, Vol.1 - 9/109/10
Summary
[spoiler title=’Metal Express Radio – Ratings Scale’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]
10.0: Cannot be improved! Perfect, instant classic! Essential in any record collection.
9.5 – 9.9: Fantastic, spectacular and outstanding!
9.0 – 9.4: Amazing release! It just lacks that little extra spice to make it perfect.
8.5 – 8.9: Exceptional release! Will likely rank among top ten albums of the year.
8.0 – 8.4: Great release! It has many different qualities.
7.5 – 7.9: Above average! It is an enjoyable release.
7.0 – 7.4: It is not brilliant, but has many strong points.
6.0 – 6.9: It has its moments, but is not that strong.
5.0 – 5.9: Slightly above average, does not stand out. Good outweighs bad by just a little.
4.0 – 4.9: Just below average, bad outweighs good by just a little.
3.0 – 3.9: Mediocre. There might be a song or a performance that is enjoyable, but that is it.
2.0 – 2.9: Very weak! There might be a light at the end of the tunnel, too many flaws.
1.0 – 1.9: This release gives the word “terrible” new meaning.
0.1 – 0.9: Awful! Avoid at all cost. There is nothing good to say about this release.
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SCARLET – Obey The Queen
Rising Empire [Facebook]
Scarlet is a strong, powerful, and dominant presence. Obey the Queen is Scartet’s manifesto and she’s not going to take your shit anymore. Fuck off sexists (“Obey the Queen”), DM creepers (“Ugly Fucker), and misogynists (“#bossbitch”). The Queen is also a tortured soul in love and life on songs like “Love Heroin” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Scarlet’s sound is just as frenzied as her emotions on Obey the Queen, as it runs from Heavy Metal to Melodic to dare I say, Hip Hop. Obey indeed. 8/10 [Interview]
SIGNAL RED – Alien Nation
Escape Music [BUY] [Facebook]
Signal Red is Steve Grocott of Ten and Lee Small of Lionheart/Shy/Phenomena. Just think of all of those bands and you will already get an idea of what Alien Nation sounds like. Melodic, full of pulsing keyboards, catchy choruses, and fiery guitars. Small is such a powerful and soulful vocalist who clearly believes in what he sings. Grocott will surprise many with his guitar and keyboard work. Maybe these two were a little more confined in their other groups, but they deliver all of their heart and soul on Alien Nation. 9.8/10
CLUTCH – The Weathermaker Vault Series, Vol.1
Weathermaker Music [BUY] [Facebook]
2020 seemed to be the year for your favorite Hard Rock bands to release a covers album. What else could they do locked up from the road? The Weathermaker Vault Series is a collection of dirty, Hard Rock, southern Rhythm & Blues that pays tribute to Clutch’s influences as well reignites some old Clutch classics. The addition of Randy Blythe on “Passive of Restraints” was the perfect match for Neil Fallon’s gritty wails. 38 minutes well spent and a good place to start if you are unfamiliar with the band. 9/10
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