See also: Social Distortion-Social Distortion 1990 (Score 7,05)

This, the 5th album by the californian melodic punkers continued in the same vain as the previous albums. It's the last to feature the guitarrist Dennis Danell who died in 2000. He was only 38 years old. The album peaked at nr.27 on the Billboard which was their best chart position so far. Chuck Biscuits is credited as the drummer and member of the band but he did not play on the album. He is a original member of Danzig. Instead Deen Castronovo played drums on the album and he had previous to the album played with Wild Dogs, Tony Macalpine, Bad English, Joey Tafolla, Hardline, Ozzy Osburne and Steve Vai among others.

I like this album slightly more than their 1990 album mentioned above since it's a bit harder and heavier, which I consider a good thing since they sometimes sound a little too melodic for my taste. But I still feel that it could have been so much better.

1)Dear lover (8,0) A very good midtempo start of the album.

2)Don't drag me down (8,0) Good melodic punk!

3)Untiteled (6,0) Nothing special at all, actually quite boring compared to the previous songs.

4)I was wrong (6,5) Exactly the same slow tempo as the song before but with a better melody and refrain.

5)Through these eyes (7,0)

6)Down on the world again (8,0)

7)When the angel sing (6,0) Slow and not very entertaining.

8)Gotta know the rules (7,5)

9)Crown of thorns (7,5) A very nice slow rocker.

10)Pleasure seeker (7,5)

11)Down here (w/ the rest of us) (6,5) Too many of these slow songs. The album looses tempo.

12)Under my thumb (7,0) A cover of a Rolling Stones-song.

Score: 7,13

Mike Ness-vocals and guitars (b.1962)

Dennis Danell-guitars (1961-2000)

John Maurer-bass (b.1964)

Chuck Biscuits-drums (b.1965)

Deen Castronovo-drums (b.1965)

Another one from ARS to pass away. The singer John Hammond passed away in 2011.

Robert Nix was the original drummer for popular American Southern Rock band, Atlanta Rhythm Section.  Formed in 1971, the band went on to release several best-selling albums that helped define American rock music of the '70s.  Their biggest success came with 1978's Champagne Jam, which included the popular single of the same name, sold over 1 million copies and reached #7 on the charts.  Nix had a hand in writing "Champagne Jam" along with several of the band's other records.  Nix left the group in 1979, but continued to make music.  Prior to his run in ARS, Nix played in Roy Orbison's band, the Candyman, for the better part of five years during the '60s.  Nix can also be heard on the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic, "Tuesday's Gone."  Robert Nix was 67 when he passed away on May 20, 2012.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

For this album I have stolen a very good review of the album from www.thegorgon.com. I really enjoy this album, it has some really good songs in the psychedelic, progressive spirit but I consider it more as a rock/hardrock-album that is quite typical for the beginning of the 70's. But the stupid Witch-theme is not very "tough".

Early occult rock anomaly, Salem Mass, released a single record recorded from a bar-converted-to-makeshift-studio somewhere in Idaho. Often hailed as an obscure gem lost to the washes of time, Witch Burning offers an interesting blend of psychedelic rock, screeching vocals, and noteworthy use of the Moog synthesizer.

Let me preface this by saying I am not exactly sure which gentleman performed the vocals on the title track, “Witch Burning” on Salem Mass‘ only album, but this man sounds like a fucking maniac. He screeches and pierces the ear in a way that makes David Byron of Uriah Heep seem like an angelic crooner. You’re either into these abrasive vocals (especially for the time) or you’re going to hate them. Interestingly enough, the vocalist changes for most of the album. Instrumentally the keyboards run most of the melodies giving it a progpsych tang while the guitars keep the album rooted in hard rock and proto-metal. The title track has a six or seven minute instrumental interlude with some of the LP’s best guitar soloing and showcasing it’s most progressive moments.

The Moog synthesizer gives this occult album a very space rock feel on almost of the tracks on Witch Burning, and used in an extremely unique way. Had Salem Mass continued to produce albums and achieve some sort of artistic recognition, the way heavy metal and psychedelic rock would’ve played out in the 70s and into the 80s could have been changed forever. Jim Klahr’s use of the Moog is extremely, I mean just ridiculously eerie (“My Sweet Jane” is a great example). It’s creepy melodies and atmospheric humming adds a very spooky layer to the evil lyrical content. In a landscape dominated by Hammond organs, it makes the album standout.

I Definitely recommend Witch Burning by Salem Mass to collectors and fans of the genre – most others are not going to have much of a frame of reference for this obscure album. However, it has some interesting concepts that were just itching to be developed further. Good for a listen and to grab a few tracks off for regular listening.

1)Witch burning (7,5) A 10-minute start to the album that grooves with nice and crazy organ and a midtempo rhythm and hardly any singing.

2)My sweet Jane (7,5) Very nice melodic ballad-like song.

3)Why (5,5) A short song with a driving rhythm.

4)You can't run my life (8,5) Great heavy groove!

5)You're just a dream (7,0) Bluesy Doors-like song.

6)Bare tree (7,5)

7)The drifter (8,0) Very nice melodic and driving song.

Score: 7,36

Mike Snead-guitars and vocals

Matt Wilson-bass and vocals

Steve Towery-drums and vocals

Jim Klahr-keyboards

The american metalpioneers from Kansas that have played their heavy metal in their pure style since the 80's return with a new album and the production and soundquality sucks as always. I don't get the point in releasing music that sounds this bad. There are some good songs here and there but the overall sound makes the album...not very good. It sounds like a poor demo. I like the cover though, it's just great and suits the heavy music on the album.

1)Jackhammer (5,0)

2)Into the maelström (5,5)

3)Playground of the damned (6,0)

4)Grindhouse (6,5)

5)Abattoir de la mort (6,0)

6)Fire of asshurbanipal (4,0)

7)Breathren of the hammer (5,0)

8)Art of war (5,5)

Score: 5,44

Bryan (Hellrodie) Patrick-vocals

Mark (Shark) Shelton-guitars and vocals (b.1957)

E.C Hellwell-bass

Cory (Hardcore) Christner-drums

+

Vince Golman-bass on 7 and 8

Svante Törngren (a.k.a. Slowman) was born in Linköping, Sweden in 1957 and this is his his 2nd album. He has played with various groups since the 80's. Thiss is really not a blues-album even though Slowman is considered a bluesband. The music is like a stripped-down and laid back The Cell, the soulful southern rock-band from the Chech Republik.

1)I'm back (7,0) Nice, melodic and fast acoustic guitarplaying.

2)Take your time (7,0) Nice shuffle.

3)Southside (7,0)

4)Better believe (5,5) Cheesy refrain and happy happy.

5)Don't wanna know (6,5) A nice souhern-like ballad with piano and countryish guitarplaying.

6)Roses and wine (6,0)

7)The silent years (8,5) Begins with a bluesy ZZ Top-ish guitarsolo, a solo that comes back in this slow and sensitive blues. Excellent!

8)It hurts (5,0)

9)Soul for rent (6,5) A soul-funky song in Doobie Brothers-style.

10)Steppin' out (6,5) A funky blues like 70's Eric Clapton.

11)Me and the blues (7,0) Acoustic blues.

Score: 6,59

Slowman (Svante Törngren)-vocals and guitars (b.1957)

Jan Enegård-bass

Stefan Rosén-drums

Mats Lundström-keyboards