I am blessed because I witnessed this metal legend live back in the days in Austria, I am pretty sure it was 1999. Ronnie James Dio. What to say about him? The man, the legend, for me one of the best vocals and voices rock music ever had and will ever have. I was waiting for this movie since the day it was announced with early trailers. This man was responsible for metal horn sing, you know the one, with your hand, that all metalheads around the world use till this day. It was in fact sign against evil curses that his Italian grandmother used to make when she felt something threatening to her family. The movie describes Dio’s beginnings from his early r’n’b and doo wop singing abilities, to Elf and Richie Blackmore and Rainbow, then coming to Black Sabbath when practically no one believed that he will be able to fill in Ozzy’s shoes. Afterwards, his career peak with solo band, Holy Diver, full arenas and tours to nineties which broke hearts and put metal as underdogs. From all the hardships and heartbreaks, to return with Heaven & Hell, this man earned status of eternal metal legend. Small in height, but his voice is still soaring from metal afterlife, although he passed away from cancer, his legacy will never die. Excellent movie.
The same titled book is on my wish and to buy list for many months now. So, when I saw that the movie is made, a documentary based on that book, it was time for me to see it pronto. Based on Harald Oimoen and Brian Lew’s book, this one offers nice insight into Bay Area thrash metal scene, probably the most famous thrash metal scene in the world, coming out of California. This movie is chronological, from end of seventies and all the characters being teenagers and starting their own bands with people like guys from Metallica, Exodus, Testament, Slayer, Dark Angel, Megadeth interviewed in the movie, nice tribute to fallen brother Cliff Burton and great live action footages, describing golden years of thrash metal through eyes of people who are still active in their respected bands and delivering killer albums. My personal opinion is, maybe the movie should have focus less on Metallica, more on other bands, and maybe more anecdotes less facts already known, that would make even better movie, although this one is good and fun to watch. I will get the book soon and see the difference between book and movie, I am certain that you can not put entire book into an hour and a half of movie.
Soulprison are coming from South Germany and this is their brand new e.p. containing six songs. These guys play a modern version of hardcore not hiding, in fact being very proud of their metal influences with thrash metal groove zipping all around my ears while listening to this one. This is aggressive modern apocalyptic vision of hardcore musically not unlike Earth Crisis, All Out War or maybe even Snapcase. Vocals are hardcore shouted with voice coming even from heels of the singer with occasional screaming backing vocals and some beatdown growling in between. There are some atmospheric parts like excellent acoustic intro of Mental Wasteland. I love the vocal interplay between two voices in Legacy Of Pain. The title song, Vision Of The Void is somehow most highlight in my personal opinion providing good mix of up tempo and moshing parts, because I am an old school sucker who still likes his hardcore a bit faster and more punk rooted than metallic, but that is only my personal taste. Of course, there are great metallic hardcore bands out there like Soulprison, check this one out!
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