New releases last eight weeks: Rock

Review: On Your Feet Or On Your Knees was the band's first compilation and helped them shoot to stardom. With the rise of successful greatest hits albums, the label at the time pressured the young band to bring out a collection of previously released music, with then 12 songs featured here the result of collecting three songs per prior album that the band felt were their strongest. This album features some of the most beloved live songs by the band like 'Buck's Boogie'. For those that are new to the band, this is a great introduction to the history of BOC prior to their landmark hit 'Don't Fear The Reaper' smash the following year and this reissue comes on silver & black marbled vinyl.

Review: As you will no doubt know if you are reading this, Mountain's debut album is a seminal piece of hard rock history that was released in 1970. Led by guitar virtuoso Leslie West and featuring the powerhouse vocals of Felix Pappalardi, the album delivers a thunderous blend of blues, psychedelia, and heavy riffs. Tracks like 'Mississippi Queen' and 'Theme for an Imaginary Western' showcase the band's dynamic range and undeniable musicianship. Elsewhere, the record's gritty production and infectious energy helped to establish Mountain as pioneers of the hard rock genre and an influencer on countless bands to come. It remains a timeless classic, rightfully lauded for its raw power.

Review: Santana's Amigos album from 1976 stands out as a Latin-infused rock masterpiece that often goes unnoticed due to the absence of their most popular hits. Nonetheless, it is regarded as one of their most captivating albums, resonating with listeners through its infectious energy and musical prowess. The opening track, 'Dance Sister Dance (Baila Mi Hermana),' showcases Santana's exceptional guitar skills, complemented by a solid rhythm section that propels the melodies to new heights. The album features standout tracks like the heartfelt ballad 'Take Me With You,' the dynamic 'Let Me,' and the grandiose 'Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile).' With its recent reissue on vinyl, Amigos becomes essential for both loyal Santana enthusiasts and those discovering the band's music for the first time. Embracing the fusion of Latin rhythms and rock elements, this album continues to captivate audiences and solidify Santana's legacy in the realm of musical excellence.

Review: Barnsley heavy metal legends Saxon originally released their 11th studio album Forever Free in 1992, though it would be quickly reissued in the UK with an alternate Warhammer 40,000 inspired cover including a biker Space Marine. Reissued by Demon over a decade ago on CD, a vinyl repress is long since overdue and now the beautiful people over at Music On Vinyl have opted to re-distribute the underrated seasoned gem on translucent blue vinyl with the 180 gram numbered audiophile treatment. Reliably mammoth riffs and soaring hooks abound, though the project is most noted for featuring an eclectic reimagining of Willie Dixon's blues classic 'Just Wanna Make Love to You', popularised by the incomparable Muddy Waters.

Review: Following on from 1989's majorly successful and admittedly more commercial sounding fourth full-length Intuition, Trondheim glam metal-tinged hard rock heroes TNT would find themselves on the radar and eventual roster of Atlantic Records, who in 1992, would distribute the band's fifth album and first on the major label, Realized Fantasies. Praised by fans for its exceptional production with ludicrously bombastic percussion the whole way through, the project saw a sonic retracing of their more hardened edges, so as not to lose sight of their creative prowess. That being said, cuts such as the cheerful 'Easy Street' and epic ballad 'Lionheart' seem like they were purposefully designed to keep snooting record label execs off their proverbial backs. Never mind what glassy eyed nostalgia-baters say, Realized Fantasies goes hard as hell while delivering barrages of riffage, melody and playfully epic grandeur.