Playlist: Feb 5th-11th

I've reacquainted myself with Bandcamp here recently and have listened to SO much music. It's amazing how many independent bands are out there doing their thing.  And aside from Bandcamp there's also Soundcloud, CD Baby, ReverbNation, Spotify, and the always uber-popular YouTube.

Some of the music I've been listening to last week:

• Overkill - Grinding Wheel (2017)
• Been a fan since their inception back in the 80s. They continue to release quality tunes, but with some filler tracks (just a couple). Their Thin Lizzy cover Emerald is pretty epic though.
• Accept - Restless and Live (2017)
• Can never get enough Accept in my life. This live one has so many classic songs. Even if you’re a diehard and can’t get past the fact that Udo doesn’t sing in this band anymore, you’ll dig Mark Tornillo (ex-TT Quick). He’s pretty damn close to emulating Udo without overdoing it.
• Judas Priest - Turbo 30 [3-CD 30th Anniversary Edition] (2017)
• The Priest album so many hated (or still hate). But I dug it immediately. Was it a change up? Absolutely. But I liked it right away when I heard “Locked In” and “Turbo Lover”. Plus this anniversary set comes with a 1986 concert; originally broadcasted over the radio live – I still have that on cassette too.
• Black Star Riders - Heavy Fire (2017)
• Can’t go wrong with this band. Especially having ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham involved. But the entire band are high caliber musicians. This is the band which was formed out of the ashes of Thin Lizzy in 2012. In my humble opinion, this is BSRs strongest release to date.
• MutinyWithin - Origin (2017)
• A band who had gone through so much turmoil – Google it.  Never thought there would ever be a third album and here it is.  I pre-ordered early enough to get a physical CD copy.  Happy about that since the MP3 files floating around online sound like absolute crap.
• Big Wreck - Grace Street (2017)
• Another band I’ve always liked since hearing “The Oaf (My Luck Is Wasted)” back in 1997.  Bandleader Ian Thornley is a genius.  
• Witherfall - Nocturnes and Requiems (2017)
• Formed by ex-members of White Wizzard, Kobra and the Lotus, and Into Eternity.  The music bears resemblance to Savatage and Nevermore.
• Iron Reagan - Crossover Ministry (2017)
• Crazy damn crossover Punk Thrash band which includes members of Municipal Waste, Cannabis Corpse, and Darkest Hour.
• Zerozonic - Zerozonic (2017)
• I’ve been a longtime fan of Norwegian guitarist Daniel "Død" Olaisen going back to the early 90s days playing in Satyricon and then forming Scariot in 2000 (power/prog Metal) and Blood Red Throne (death metal) in 2001.  Daniel possesses so much melody when he plays.  One can tell his influences are Chuck Schuldiner, Dimebag Darrell, and Joe Satriani.
• The Offering - The Offering EP (2017)
• It’s a solid EP. Call them melodic death metal, heavy metal…..I don’t know.  It’s a mix of everything.  I’ve listened to it like 10 times already.