Sven Gali

The Best and Worst of 2023

2023:  what a year!  I have personally not experienced highs and lows like this since back in 2018.  We’ll get into that in a minute.  For now let’s talk music.

It was interesting to see both the Beatles and the Stones back on the charts.  What year is it, anyway?  Last I saw this happen, it was 1995.  The Beatles Anthologies were coming out one per year, and the Stones had their latest CD Stripped on the Top 40.  It was my second Christmas at the Record Store.

There were a number of new releases that I never got to in 2023, either due to time or budget or both, including the Beatles and Stones.  I saw some people writing lists of their top 50 albums of 2023.  My 2023 haul was much smaller.  However, as usual, I do have a Top Five of banger albums that you absolutely need to own.  Not stream – own!  People who have Spotify accounts have been posting lists of their most streamed songs.  That’s nice, but I don’t stream and I don’t just listen to songs – I listen to albums.  Good songs, bad songs, the whole album without skipping.  CD, vinyl, and cassette were all played and enjoyed here in 2023, with no apps tracking what I heard.  Too bad!  Support the artist in a real way, and buy physical product!  They say CD is making a comeback.  Let’s see what happens in 2024.  As for 2023, here are my lists!

Top Albums of 2023:

#5:   Sven Gali – Bombs and Battlescars

#4:  Neal Schon – Journey Through Time

#3:  Arkells – Laundry Pile

#2:  The Defiants – Drive

#1:  Extreme – Six

 

Still need to get:  Winger – Seven

Top albums I discovered in 2023, but released earlier:

#5. Arkells – Blink Once

#4. Mystique – Black Rider

#3. Arkells – Michigan Left

#2. Night Ranger – High Road

#1. Arkells – Morning Report

#1 single of 2023:

The Forrest Williams Democracy – “The Optimyst”.

Hoping for a new physical EP in 2024!  Check out this amazing uplifting track, because bad times will get better!

OK, so I guess I stream a little bit.  2023 was the year of the Arkells here at Ladano HQ.  There are a lot of great Arkells live performances on YouTube, and some cool music videos as well.  Here’s what YouTube had to say about that in 2023.

Top 3%.  Heh.  Cool!

Worst album of 2023:

Def Leppard – Drastic Symphonies

 

 

 

Sorry, Def Leppard.  It has been a long and winding road with you, but this has not been a good year for us.  I have not truly enjoyed a new Def Leppard album since 2015.  This isn’t our first dry spell.  I felt similarly negative towards you after Euphoria and X, but this latest album has only warranted two listens.  I’m actually sorry that I bought it.  This is one of the rare cases where I can justify skipping an album.  (Think This Left Feels Right by Bon Jovi.)

I think it is possible that Def Leppard and I are through.

For me, 2023 will be the year that I learned to better trust my gut.  I think we all know what I’m talking about here.  Mistakes were made, and I chose to trust someone, over the screaming alarms in my head.  She still generates massive hits and views, to this day eight months after the fact, but the cost was my happiness.  I cannot apologise enough for foisting this person upon the community that I love.  It was not worth it.

On the other hand, my instincts told me that Jex Russell is good people.  I credit Jex for helping me keep Grab A Stack of Rock going last summer during the most painful of months.  The Friday afternoon shows were a true joy.  His enthusiasm and friendship redeemed 2023.  And of course, Harrison was there too, as always, helping me keep the ship afloat with his incredible art and willingness to go live even when he didn’t care about the bands we were discussing.  He even got to do a dedicated Blaze Bayley episode, and it was one of our most successful ever.  Amazing!  We had so many wonderful friends who guested in 2023, bringing light to my days and nights.  Friends, old and new.  Thank you.  Thank you to everyone who helped me in this year.  You know who you are, but what you don’t know is how much I needed you.

Jen had her struggles and nearly broke her jaw, but she keeps getting up and getting back in the saddle.  Jen is my real #1.  You’ve never seen someone fight so hard.

Rest in peace to Uncle Paul.  I will wear your hat with pride at your beloved Lorne Beach this summer at the cottage.  You will be with me in spirit.

We survived it all.  Here we are.  Allons-y.

In 2024 we look forward to new Judas Priest (Invincible Shield), Ace Frehley (10,000 Volts), Bruce Dickinson (The Mandrake Project), and maybe even Guns N’ Roses.  Now where have I heard that before?

Please join me in 2024 as I continue to review music from my humongous collection, live stream with friends, and hopefully have a laugh or two.  I’ve been knocked down, but I get up again…

Happy 2024, one and all!

 

REVIEW: Sven Gali – Bombs and Battlescars (2023)

SVEN GALI –  Bombs and Battlescars (2023 Music In Motion Entertainment)

Look at me, in the eyes! When I say “Sven Gali is back,” I’m meaning it! The Canadian Quintet revitalised themselves with the 3 EP in 2020, and took their time with their next full-length (their first since 1995).  They recruited Coney Hatch bassist/singer Andy Curran for some of the production duties, picked a Triumph song to cover, and hit the road playing well-received shows in 2023.  Bombs and Battlescars is the name of the record.  Of note, the late Dee Cernile is credited with co-writing several tracks, and the album includes some unreleased demos from the before-fore times.  Let’s have a listen.

One thing for certain:  don’t expect Sven Gali to suddenly revert back to the sound of their self-titled debut.  This is a much heavier, more pounding and frankly more satisfying Sven Gali.  Opener “One Gun” slams with a more viscous brutality, but singer Dave Wanless is still the same.  If I wanted to hear the sound of ’92 again, I’d play the original purple platter by Sven (recently reissued on coloured vinyl).  I want the sound that satisfies the “me” of today – and I’m as frustrated as Sven Gali sound on “One Gun”.  The snaky guitar solo is just icing on the cake.  “I’m losin’ faith!” proclaims Wanless, and I believe him.

A steady chunky groove introduces “Coming Home”, a headbanger with a dark Metallica vibe.  Dan Fila and Shawn Minden lay down this beat that just boils.  The lead guitars are like liquid adamantium, but beneath it all churns a volcanic pressure cooker.  This is possibly the highlight of the new songs, a memorable track that demands to be cranked.  Car test it for good measure.  (The band is rounded out by guitarists Andy Frank and Sean Williamson.)

The Triumph cover is, appropriately, third in line.  “Spellbound” suits Sven Gali surprisingly well, but they don’t play it straight.  They’ve thrown the track into the darkest night, but let the chorus light the way.  Guitar textures are added.  This song should make the longtime fans very happy.  It’s Triumph, but presented as heavy as possible.  Listen to Fila annihilate his drums!

Darkness dominates on “Life Inside”, a dusky dirge with some pretty cool guitar work.  The atmospheric “Monster” resists being called a “ballad” but it’s the slowest moment in the journey thus far.  “Monster” just kills, not straightforward or easy to categorize.  It’s moody and doesn’t let up.

“Hang Me Out” is the first of the unreleased demos, and there’s something nostalgic about that.  You can hear an audible shift in sound, and “Hang Me Out” definitely has a mid-90s vibe.  There are twists and turns in the music that bring you right back.  Then the wah-wah pedal comes out for the relentless guitars on “Hogs”.  The funky groove here definitely brews nostalgia, but this track should have been released long ago!  By the end of it, you’ll be shoutin’ “HOGS!”  The 8th track “All” goes for speed and groove while the guitars ring in chaotic perfection.

Finally, a record needle drops and the acoustic guitars come out for the closing ballad and classic in the making:  “Nothing New”.  As much as Sven are known for rocking, some of their big hits were ballads (like “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore”).  “Nothing New” is a lovely, stripped down ballad with sweet melodies and the purity of acoustic music.

Ultimately the demos are just as entertaining as the rest of the album.  They make you wish they’d come out ages ago.

Well done to Sven Gali on Bombs & Battlescars, a blazing comeback with a surprisingly tender ending.

4/5 stars

Get your copy on vinyl & CD, plain or signed!

 

Jex gets schooled by ex-Honeymoon Suite member “Ray Coburn”, Noirison asks a question of Harrison, and Mike unboxes Sven Gali (Short Videos)

I’ve edited three highlights from Saturday night’s show into three shorts below!  Please enjoy:

 

1. “Ask Harrison” from “Noirison”:  What would you do if moustaches were outlawed?

2. Mike unboxes an autographed Sven Gali CD, the brand new Bomb and Battlescars!

3. Last and best of all, “Ray Coburn” (ex-Honeymoon Suite) asks Jex:  What is it you hate about my keyboard playing?

Jex’s reaction:  PRICELESS!

Great Australian & Canadian Record Faire Hauls with Jex, Harrison & Mr. Books – Bonus Unboxing Autographed Sven Gali & Evil Elvis

A pretty exciting show for fans of physical media.  Jex was just at a Record Faire yesterday, and Harrison a couple weeks ago.  They had plenty of cool new finds on CD, vinyl, DVD, and cassette.  Alice Cooper, Dio, Accept, Twisted Sister, and some artists a little off the beaten track.  We know that Harrison, Jex, and special guest Mr. Books have a variety of tastes.  Mr. Books, incidentally, had some cool Charlie Watts stuff and a new guitar to experiment with.

Meanwhile, Mike did a cameo with the newest releases by Sven Gali, and Toronto psychobilly artists Evil Elvis.  For Sven, it’s their first full-length CD of new material since 1995’s InWire.  The new CD Bombs and Battlescars has tracks produced by Andy Curran, and others featuring the late guitarist Dee Cernile.  I ordered the autographed version from RockPaperMerch!  Meanwhile, Evil Elvis just picked up original Blue Rodeo drummer Cleave Anderson, and I opened their most recent CD as well.

Finally, we had a new Ask Harrison question from “Noirison”, and a special question for Jex from “former Honeymoon Suite keyboardist Ray Coburn”!

NEXT WEEK:  ONE YEAR ANNIVERSAY SHOW WITH DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED!

Record Faire Hauls with Jex, Harrison & Mr. Books + LeBrain Unboxes Sven Gali & Evil Elvis

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With The Mad Metal Man & Jexcalibur

Episode 39:  Mr. Books & Record Fair Scores
+ LeBrain Unboxes Sven Gali & Evil Elvis

I decided to take tonight off, but Harrison and Jex have a bunch of new stuff they wanna show off, so they’re going LeBrainless tonight with an almost completely Mike-free evening.  Jex went to a Record Faire, and Harrison went undercover as a normal bloke without superpowers to bring you this episode.

With them will be Aaron KMA otherwise known as Mr. Books.  He may or may not have books, or guitar equipment to show.

Meanwhile, Mike will be there by 9:00 PM sharp for two special unboxings:  The newest releases by Sven Gali, and Toronto psychobilly artists Evil Elvis.  For Sven, it’s their first full-length CD of new material since 1995’s InWire.  I ordered a special version, so I can’t wait for you to see!

LIVE Saturday Oct 21 at 8:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 9:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!

Positivity and Inspiration: Dan Fila on the LeBrain Train

This was a fully loaded episode folks!  Thanks to my co-host John Snow and thanks to special guest Dan Fila…and surprise guest Shawn Minden!

Here are some of the facts/stories/news/scoops ahead:

  • Hooking up with Sven Gali
  • The lowdown on a brand new Sven album
  • New songs coming with the assistance of Mr. Andy Curran [SCOOP!]
  • Maybe even a leaked song title
  • Playing some Maiden and Priest…soon!
  • Dan’s craft, educating, and being a positive influence
  • Dan’s influences and seeing them live
  • Practice practice practice
  • Varga
  • Working with David Bendeth
  • Hypodust
  • An endorsement with Pearl Drums
  • Anvil
  • and of course Neil Peart

Dan, thanks so much for sharing your time and stories.  Hope to talk again soon!

NEXT WEEK:  Max the Axe!

Dan Fila of Sven Gali & Varga rocks the LeBrain Train tonight

The LeBrain Train: 2000 Words or More with Mike and John

Episode 86 – Dan Fila

In the early 90s, there were a number of great bands from southern Ontario that rattled my speakers pretty hard.  Two of those bands were Sven Gali and Varga, who had their videos on rotation both on MuchMusic and my VHS collection as well.  Today, one man occupies the drum stool for both bands, and that man is Dan!  Please join my co-host John Snow and I tonight as we welcome Dan Fila to the show.

We’ll be quizzing him on both bands as well his other industrial rock project called Hypodust.  We’ll be talking drums.  We’ll be taking questions.  This is no “Prototype”, this is as real as “Now”!  Join us live tonight!

Friday November 5, 7:00 PM E.S.T. on Facebook: MikeLeBrain and YouTube: Mike LeBrain.

Redrum! A wickedly scary Top 5 Horror Movie show on the LeBrain Train

Big props to the panel tonight:  Eric “Uncle Meat” Litwiller, Rob “Chucky” Daniels and Erik “Velvet Voice” Woods!  Any time we cover movies, I am the luckiest host in the world to be able to lean on Rob and Erik.  I truly believe these two guys are some of the top experts on movie soundtracks in the world.  By extension, they also know movies like the backs of their hands.  This was a truly great show because we had three amazing guests on the panel.  Me, all I could do was tell amusing anecdotes!  (Watch the show and find out what my buddy Bob and I “learned” about women’s clothing from the movie Christine.

This is a show you’ll want to watch from start to finish.  The discussion far exceeded just a simple “top 5” list, with plenty of interesting runners-up scattered through the broadcast.  Go get a beverage and get ready to be inspired to watch a whole bunch of horror movies this weekend!

REMINDER:

November 5 7:00 PM E.S.T.: We are joined by the awesome Dan Fila, drummer of Sven Gali and Varga! Co-hosted by John “2loud2old” Snow. Get ready to be pummelled by a double bass master!

Next week I’ll be on Tim’s Vinyl Confessions for a special episode, and 107.5 Dave Rocks, with Jessie David for The Essential Alice Cooper on October 31!

The Horror! Top Five Scary Flicks on the LeBrain Train

The LeBrain Train: 2000 Words or More with Mike and the Meat Man

Episode 85 – Cinco De List-O: Top 5 Horror Films

Topic courtesy of the Meat Man! It’s Halloween so perfect timing for another movie list: horror movies! And any time we’re talking movies, we better have Rob Daniels and Erik Woods on board!

It’s a really simple subject so we don’t need a lot of explanation here. To read up on my history with horror films, check out Record Store Tales #496: The Horror. It may spoil a couple of my picks so be forewarned!

Friday October 29, 7:00 PM E.S.T. on Facebook: MikeLeBrain and YouTube: Mike LeBrain.

Upcoming shows:

I am very pleased to announce next week’s show:

November 5 7:00 PM E.S.T.: We are joined by the awesome Dan Fila, drummer of Sven Gali and Varga! Freeze, don’t move, this show is gonna be Under the Influence! Co-hosted by John “2loud2old” Snow.

I also have an appearance on Tim’s Vinyl Confessions coming up, and will be be on 107.5 Dave Rocks, with Jessie David and my pick for The Essential Alice Cooper, on October 31!

Best of 2020 Part 5: Nigel Tufnel Top Ten Albums and More of 2020

2020 may have sucked, but the music didn’t.  This year I bought and reviewed more new releases than ever before, which I narrowed down to the Nigel Tufnel Top Ten studio albums of 2020 listed below.

I would like to dedicate this list to my good pal Uncle Meat who originated the concept of a “Nigen Tufnel Top Ten” earlier this year.  It has become our thing.

BEST ALBUMS OF 2020

11. Now or Never – III

10. Mr. Bungle – The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo

9. Sven Gali – 3 (EP)

8. Kim Mitchel – The Big Fantasize

7. Corey Taylor – CMFT

6. Stryper – Even the Devil Believes

5. Harem Scarem – Change the World

4. Dennis DeYoung – 26 East Vol 1

3. AC/DC – Power Up

2. Deep Purple – Whoosh!

1. Storm Force – Age of Fear

 

Storm Force’s debut album goes straight to #1 on their very first appearance!  No surprise here.  I’ve been raving about this disc since February and I owe it to Superdekes for putting these guys on my radar in the first place.  This is a well-deserved #1.  Age of Fear is an uplifting album with depth.  It’s a thoughtful, heart-pounding blast of classic hard rock.

Deep Purple’s Whoosh! and AC/DC’s PWRUP prove two things:  old dogs that both learn and don’t learn new tricks can all be champions.  (I call this theory “Schrödinger’s Dog”.) Deep Purple’s growth continues while AC/DC managed to tap into the vein of success that always worked for them.  Both records deserve their spots in the Top 3.

It was a thrill for me to learn that Dennis DeYoung both read and enjoyed my review of his newest album 26 East Vol 1.  It’s a terrific, Styx-like conceptual work that will please the old fans.  As will the new albums by Harem Scarem and Stryper, who didn’t stray far from their successful classic hard rock formulas.  Kim Mitchell and Sven Gali on the other hand dared to be different.  Kim went laid back and acoustic, while Sven Gali went with their heaviest uninhibited inclinations.  As for Mr. Bungle, it has been 21 years since their last album California.  All four Bungle studio albums are completely different from one another — four different genres.  For The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny, they teamed up with Scott Ian and Dave Lombardo to re-record their first thrash metal demo tape.  And it could be their best album since the self-titled debut in 1991.  Not bad for a bunch of songs they wrote in highschool.

Corey “Mother Fuckin'” Taylor makes his debut on any list of mine with his solo album CMFT.  It’s a surprising collection of commercial hard rockin’ tunes.  Also appearing for the first time is Now Or Never (NoN) with their third album called III, featuring singer Steph Honde.  It’s an excellent, dramatic metal album with light and shade.

BONUS LISTS

Most disappointing:  Ozzy Osbourne – Ordinary Man

Song of the year:  “LeBrain Train“ by T-Bone Erickson

Single of the Year:  Mammoth WVH – “Distance”

Ultimately whether or not you liked the new Ozzy, its success or failure falls at the feet of producer/guitarist Andrew Watt.  He is already working on the next Ozzy album, so….

Huge thanks to T-Bone Erickson for the “LeBrain Train” theme song, which amazingly and unexpectedly became the song of the year in 2020!  Weird how that happened.  No bias here I assure you.

Finally, Wolfgang Van Halen finally released his first solo music under the name Mammoth WVH.  The non-album single “Distance” is dedicated to his late father Eddie.  Though musically it’s a modern power ballad, the lyrics and especially the music video evoke serious emotion.  Well done Wolfgang.  Can’t wait to check out his album in 2021.

TOP FIVE LIVE OR COMPILATION ALBUMS IN 2020

5. Metallica – S&M2

4. Thin Lizzy – Rock Legends

3. Sloan – B Sides Win Vol. 1 1992-1997

2. Def Leppard – The Early Years 78-81

1. Iron Maiden – Nights of the Dead – Legacy of the Beast

There were a lot of cool rock releases in 2020, so we need more lists!  Of course the brilliant new live Maiden deserved some loving attention.  Meanwhile, Sloan, Def Leppard and Thin Lizzy have continued to put out quality collections of rarities & unreleased material, well worth the time and money you’ll spend on them.  The Sloan collection is a vinyl exclusive and the first in a series of LPs re-releasing some of their B-sides and non-album and bonus tracks.  Finally, Metallica delivered the goods even without Michael Kamen on S&M2, a very different live set than the first S&M.  That’s the way to do it!

BEST LOCKDOWN SINGLE

5. Queen + Adam Lambert – “You Are the Champions”

4. Scorpions – “Sign of Hope”

3. Marillion – “Made Again 2020”

2. Marillion – “Easter 2020”

1. Alice Cooper – “Don’t Give Up”

 

A LOOK AHEAD AT 2021

It’s naive to assume that major touring and concerts will return in 2021.  This appears highly optimistic at present, with Covid still ravaging the landscape and vaccinations only just beginning.  Instead of looking ahead at things like the resuming Kiss tour, or the Motley Crue reunion, we should continue to put our faith in new music.

Accept have a new album due January 15 intriguingly titled Too Mean to Die.  It is their first without bassist Peter Baltes.  Steven Wilson has a new record out at the end of that month.  In February we get new Foo Fighters, The Pretty Reckless, Willie Nelson and Alice Cooper.  Greta Van Fleet, Weezer, Rob Zombie, Ringo Starr, and Thunder will be back soon too.  Many other bands are writing and recording without an announced due date.  Ghost, Marillion, Scorpions, Megadeth and even Ratt are hard at work to make next year suck a little less.  Support the bands by buying the music.