Reviews roundup – Armored Dawn vs. Graham Robins v. Varvara 

Reviews roundup – Armored Dawn vs. Graham Robins v. Varvara

ARMORED DAWN
Barbarians In Black
AFM

Aiiiieeee!!! This is the sort of thing that keeps me firmly in the world of heavy metal after several decades of neck strain. Because it’s proper heavy metal.

It’s the second album from the Brazilian metal band who comprise vocalist Eduardo Parras, drummer Rodrigo Oliveira, bassist Fernando Giovannetti, keyboardist Rafael Agostino, and guitarists Tiago de Moura and Timo Kaarkoski. They bring together all the best aspects of metal be it power metal, trad metal, even hints of symphonic metal. But wherever they go, they do a mighty fine job.

It’s an immense album with a powerful production that really brings the songs to life and should hopefully give them a global push after recognition on their home continent, playing shows with the likes of Megadeth, Sabaton and Symphony X. They’re not ashamed of being heavy metal which makes a pleasant change in this multi-genre world. Not that you would have any doubt as they power through a metal masterclass with ‘Bloodstone’ and ,Beware Of The Dragon’ powering out of the speakers. They can mix it up though with the mid-tempo ‘Men Of Odin’ still heavy as you know what. They’ve even got a ballad tucked up their sleeves in the shape of ‘Sail Away’.

One of the metal albums of the year (so far). You’d be a daft metalhead if you didn’t check this out.

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GRAHAM ROBINS
Majestic Halls
33 Jazz Records

Well after blasting myself silly with some metal, what better than to chill out with veteran roots performer Graham Robins.

He’s been plying his trade for nigh on 30 years with a strong following across the North Sea and this album of original blues meets soul meets country sees his songs being brought to life in the company of Stuart Lynas (piano, Hammond organ), Olly Dowlen (acoustic upright bass), Paul Devonshire (saxophones), Chris Newman (electric guitar), Ellie Hill (violin), Sam Kers (drums, percussion), Stuart Buckle (acoustic guitar), Graham Wright (electric bass) and Sallyanne Scarbrow (backing vocals). And they do a grand job.

It’s the kind of thing that Van Morrison does on a good day and Chris Rea on a non-self indulgent day. Which makes it very listenable indeed. ‘Three Foot Spoon’ is an early highlight, the kind of thing you’re more likely to hear in swamp adjacent roadhouse than Luton (where this was recorded). ‘Indianola, Mississippi’ is, unsurprisingly, the bluesiest track on offer, a homage to the hometown of BB King while ‘One More Margarita’ is his country song. He jumps from genre to genre with ease, helped along by a lived in voice that inhabits the songs in fine fashion.

A thoroughly enjoyable album for those hazy evenings where you want to kick back.

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VARVARA
Go
Haminian Sounds

To Finlandia! But sadly, not for some metal shenanigans.

Nope, Varvara, whose fourth album this is, have decided that indie rock is the way forward. And in particular eighties Sonic Youth. Ah, well. Lars Ulrich liked a single of their last album so feel free to get your coat.

They’re good at it. Don’t get me wrong. But it’s a world I’ve never inhabited and one that leaves me a bit cold. There are a couple of tunes where things veer toward pop/punk and that’s when things get good with ‘Fly Far’ a fine song. The other selling point is the deadpan vocals which give the impression that there’s a Harveys Furniture sale ending tomorrow that he can’t quite bring himself to go to. And ever so slightly regretting it.

A few more up tunes and this might have drawn me in. So I’ll hand it over to that Foo Fighters fan who doesn’t quite the cojones to properly rawk out.

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