Record Reviews

IRON BUTTERFLY ~ HEAVY RHINO 71521 (Barcode: 081227152123) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1968 Released: 1993 1st album by this revolutionary US group, which shaped the future of Rock as we know it. Great composers and terrific players, they crafted a wonderful combination of the Psychedelic sounds with some heavier riffs, exploring for the first time what was to became later hard rock. Although some critics tend to ignore their compositions as shallow, a careful listen (and retrospect) really shows they had a lot to say. A classic of the genre.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

IRON BUTTERFLY ~ IN-A-GADDA-DA-VIDA (DELUXE EDITION) RHINO 72196 (Barcode: 081227219628) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1968 Released: 1995 2nd album by US band Iron ButterflyFind albums by this artist and one of the anthems of the rock generation. The 17+ minutes title track (entire second side of the LP) was truly revolutionary, introducing a hypnotic riff and a long drum solo, that would have been unthinkable on record before. Althouugh the title track is the most famous of their tunes, the shorter tunes are all superb as well, with great cooperation between the keyboards an the guitar. Bonus material includes a live version of the title song as well as a single version. An absolute classic!

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

IRON BUTTERFLY ~ METAMORPHOSIS RHINO 71522 (Barcode: 081227152222) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 1993 5th album. The album`s title is quite appropriate as to its contents. The group (under the direction of the keyboards player Doug Ingle) tries to expand the sounds and the direction of their music to new and more ambitious teritorries and escape the `one heavy riff` image. The original guitar player was replaced by two guitarists and sophisticated (for that time) studio technology was used. The critics and the fans were not happy with the change, but in retrospect this is a big step forward on their earlier monolithic approach. A piece of history.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

IRON BUTTERFLY ~ SCORCHING BEAUTY / SUN AND STEEL BGO 821 (Barcode: 5017261208217) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1974 - 1975 Released: 2008 6th and 7th albums by US rockers Iron ButterflyFind albums by this artist, recorded by the second incarnation of the band fronted by guitarist Erik BraunnFind albums by this artist, who also wrote most of the tunes on these two albums. The original lineup of the group, which was a major force on the US Psychedelic Rock scene with their legendary "In-A-Gadda-Da-VidaFind albums with this title" album, fell apart by the end of 1970, releasing their swan song "MetamorphosisFind albums with this title". This second incarnation didn´t continue the musical line of their predecessors (after all almost five years went by and the music scene changed), deciding to produce more mainstream Rock material, which of course infuriated fans and critics alike, who dismissed these albums offhand. In retrospect these albums are surely not worse that most of the material recorded at the time and contain quite a few brilliant moments, especially "Sun And SteelFind albums with this title", which features keyboardist Bill DeMartinesFind albums by this artist, who is the most notable instrumentalist on these recordings. Original Iron Butterfly drummer Ron BushyFind albums by this artist is also part of the lineup. Altogether these two album are solid reflections of their times and lovers of 1970s Classic Rock should enjoy them.

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

MAYPOLE ~ THE REAL GEAR FAB 219 (Barcode: 645270021920) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2005 1st album by excellent US (Baltimore) band MaypoleFind albums by this artist, which played Hard Rock with heavy Psychedelic influences, not far stylistically from Iron ButterflyFind albums by this artist. Featuring strong vocals and excellent instrumental work this album is an excellent example of the US scene at the time. Although obscure, this album is as good as anything recorded at the time and deserves to be re-discovered. Wholeheartedly recommended!

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend