TROUBLE – Trouble (35th Anniversary) – 2LP – Solid Blue Vinyl [DEC 12]

2LP – Solid Blue Vinyl

Troubles absolute classic: the legendary Trouble album from 1990 and the pinnacle of Troubles impressive career.Heavy Metal was never better than this! Includes a live bonus CD recorded in Dallas, Texas (USA)! Troubles debut album did great things for Metal and remains one of the darkest, thrashiest doom albums to date. A lot of things can change in six years, especially when youre talking Metal and the dates are 1984 and 1990. The decade may have changed them, but not in a way that suggests decay or a decline in the quality of their resolve or their skill as musicians and performers. On the contrary, Troubles 1990 self-titled release is arguably their most mature, boasting a fleshed-out sound with unparalleled songwriting, a great production, and the time-crafted vocals of Eric Wagner, which had improved majorly in the years since their previous efforts.

All of this culminates in what is, in my mind, the most complete thing Trouble ever created. From the mid-paced chug of a killer opener in At the End of My Daze to the last notes of All Is Forgiven, I cant see filler or anything resembling a weak link. The riffs here are some of the best ever written, by Trouble or anyone else; every song has a manically awesome main riff that demands a display of headbanging. Riffs are undoubtedly the point of focus here; they make the songs, and theyre a timeless variety of great. Also, the interplay between guitarists Bruce Franklin and Rick Wartell is some of the best lead work you will ever hear in Metal.

Trouble basically reinvented themselves with this release, and while I think it was a fantastic rebirth, those who arent so keen on the laid-back stoner vibe they chose to adopt may not see it as a rejuvenation, but a step back (they did go from doom and gloom to collectively embracing their inner acid-dropping free-love hippie, after all). But the Metal remained fully intact! And as Ive said, I think this is Trouble at their best. This is originality and innovation at its finestsupreme quality. A leader of bands paves the way and then steps aside to create something that will serve as an example of how to improve upon an established formula: that is, by doing it really damn well.

Tracklist:

Disc: 1
1. At the End of my Daze
2. The Wolf
3. Psychotic Reaction
4. A Sinners Fame
5. The Misery Shows (Act II)
6. R.I.P.
7. Black Shapes of Doom
8. Heaven on my Mind
9. E.N.D.
10. All is Forgiven

Disc: 2
1. R.I.P.
2. Black Shapes of Doom
3. Psalm 9
4. The Wolf
5. At the End of my Daze
6. Assassin
7. The Misery Shows (Act II)
8. Psychotic Reaction
9. Bastards Will Pay
10. The Tempter
11. All is Forgiven