The year might be coming to an end, but that doesn't mean music ever truly stops. While the last weeks of a year are indeed a slow time, the 2020 machine is already kicking into gear, so let's finish off this year with one last look at a few songs that point towards our near future.
Creeper – Born Cold
Despite the speculation that Creeper might have broken up, they are now back, and getting ready for the release of their second album sometime next year. Their return was introduced with this new song, which builds on the Creeper ethos, but with a slight bit of a new twist. While they were already goth/emo with a few hints of Jim Steinman in the mix, this new song goes a bit further towards 70s glam rock, which is a very interesting course to take. The trademark Creeper mood and hooks are abundant, and as My Chemical Romance is getting ready to return to the stage as well, Creeper show us there's no need to bother with their fore-bearers. Creeper isn't for everyone, but their pomp-punk (did I just coin that?) is a sight to behold.
Ozzy Osbourne – Under The Graveyard
Ozzy has never been a good singer, but the years have taken a heavy toll on him. He makes this song nearly unlistenable just by his presence, which might be a gift, since the song's not much to write home about either. It's not super dark, or heavy, and it doesn't even feature Zakk Wylde. It's watered-down, watered-down Ozzy, and that's basically water with an expensive price tag on it. There was never a chance I was going to cover his album when it comes out, but this didn't make me rethink that stance.
King Diamond – Masquerade Of Madness
It's nice to have King Diamond back, but if I'm being honest, he's never been that great. He's gotten by on image and falsetto, without having a lot of great *songs* to his credit. I actually thought his last album was his best on that front, but it wasn't liked much by the fans. This new song goes back to his roots, so people are happy, but it's just more, basic King Diamond. He sounds good for his age and health, but the song doesn't have many interesting parts to it. It's fine, but not a good selling point for a new album. The wait will do that job.
Lordi – Shake The Baby Silent
Lordi has been weird lately. They released a half-and-half album, and now they have this song, which doesn't sound one iota like them. The first thought I had listening to this song, and in fact the only thought I had, was that this was a question of what Lordi was trying to be early Rob Zombie. That is the only explanation I can think of, since this sounds nothing like Lordi, and everything like "Dragula". Rob Zombie has been lousy for a long time, so maybe Lordi will be able to do it better, but it's a highly suspect move. Hopefully, it will only be for this one song.
Sons Of Apollo – Goodbye Divinity
I wanted to like Sons Of Apollo more than I did. Their first album was fine, and had some really good stuff, but it also went down the prog rabbit hole too many times. This new song thankfully stays on the good side, giving us some extremely low-tuned hard rock, with a few virtuoso bits thrown in among the grooves. It isn't at all what the band was supposed to be, but it's what they're best at. Sure, it sounds a bit too much like the singles from the first album, and the guitars really need to be a step or two higher so they don't sound like mud, but it's a good song. I'm going to give the new album its due.
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