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Friday, August 16, 2019

Doctor Cyclops - Local Dogs (Retro-Hardrock, Italy 2017)


Size: 118 MB
Bitrate: 320
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Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
Some Artwork Included

Recorded in the UK and produced by James Atkinson, with the fair featuring of the Lord of Riffs Mr Bill Steer (Carcass, Firebird, Gentlemans Pistols), Local Dogs is an explosive mixture of seventies heavy rock, New Wave of British Heavy Metal and obscure doomy sabbath-style stuff ready to take you back to the spirit of a different era. 


Groovy riffs and gloomy paths coming straight from the woods give you the impression that the epic saga of the Seventies ended up in something different than a fleeting reflection of the past. If you like the early Deep Purple groove, try to imagine it mixed with the bluesy Graveyard mood played by Cathedral jamming on Budgie's tunes in Witchfinder General's practice room: then you should be close to realize the spirit and the power of this record. In this contest the featuring of Bill Steer (Carcass, Firebird, Gentlemans Pistols) on lead guitar just tastes like the cherry on top of a tempting cake.

Doctor Cyclops is a seventies-styled power trio playing heavy rock music
inspired by a vintage sound, eldest son of glorious Balck Sabbath and of other more underground heroes from the 70ies and early 80ies such as Sir Lord Baltimore, Captain Beyond or Witchfinder General. Even more modern references are warm-vintage styled ones: Witchcraft, Cathedral, Spiritual Beggars just to say some. 

Any number of bands make boogie rock records every day. You want to commit? Get frickin’ Bill Steer to play on the thing. Yeah, I know he’s been grinding out the last few years in the reunited Carcass, and that’s awesome, but when he was in Firebird, that band was absolutely incredible, and one imagines it’s that kind of I’m-just-gonna-softshoe-while-I-play-this-awesome-’70s-lead vibe that he brings to Doctor Cyclops‘ upcoming third album, Local Dogs.

Local Dogs follows 2014’s Oscuropasso and will be the Italian outfit’s first full-length on Heavy Psych Sounds. The label posted copious details on the record — and of course it will have more to offer than the Steer guest appearance; though he gets a showing per side — as well as the striking cover art, ahead of the preorders for the CD and LP, which start next month.

Northern Italy’s cold woods are set to unleash their fieriest beast, with ’70s power trio DOCTOR CYCLOPS returning with their blistering third album “Local Dogs” this March on Heavy Psych Sounds.

DOCTOR CYCLOPS haven’t stood idle since their latest album “Oscuropasso” (World In Sound 2014), slowly but surely rustling up their heaviest and most accomplished project to date. This new full-length entitled “Local Dogs” is an explosive mixture of ’70s heavy rock, NWOBHM and doomier Sabbath-style riffage, ready to take you back to a different era. Groovy riffs and gloomy paths coming straight from the woods feel like the epic saga of the ’70s is truly likely to continue its course. In this context, the appearance of Bill Steer (Carcass, Firebird, Gentlemans Pistols) on lead guitar tastes like the icing on top of a tempting cake.

DOCTOR CYCLOPS is a power trio delivering a blistering heavy rock rejuvenating the legacy of the ’70s and early ’80s. The band formed in 2007 in a small village in the middle of Appennino mountains, Northern Italy. Their common passion for brilliant outfits such as Truth and Janey, Sir Lord Baltimore, Captain Beyond or Witchfinder General lead them to record and self-produce their first EP “The Doctor Cyclops” (2010), which is quickly followed by two full-lengths: “Borgofondo” (2012) and “Oscuropasso” (2014), both released on German heavy psychedelic label World in Sound.

Since 2008, the trio has had the chance to tour Europe several times, sharing the stages with Firebird, Blood Ceremony, Siena Root, Colour Haze, Stoned Jesus, The Grand Astoria and many other bands. DOCTOR CYCLOPS also took part to important festivals such as Freak Valley in Germany (2012) and Red Smoke Festival in Spain (2016).

The Band:
Christian Draghi - guitars and vocals 
 Francesco Filippini - bass 
 Alessandro Dallera - drums 

01. Lonely Devil 03:48
02. D.I.A. 04:14
03. Stardust (feat. Bill Steer) 04:40
04. Epicurus 05:13
05. Wall Of Misery 05:39
06. King Midas 06:23
07. Stanley The Owl 01:32
08. Druid Samhain (feat. Bill Steer) 05:20
09. Witch's Tale 06:44
10. Witchfinder General (cover) 04:06

Doctor Cyclops - Oscuoropasso (Retro-Hardrock, Italy 2013) 


Size: 107 MB
Bitrate: 320
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Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
Some Artwork Included

"Oscuropasso" is the second album of Italian hard rock trio Doctor Cyclops. In a genre where as it seems since Black Sabbath most everything has had been said, these folks come up with a very intense and exciting album. Their actual output has pure 1973 retro feeling, where epic heavy riffs and rhythms melt with psychedelic, progressive breaks and make you dive into their euphoric guitar soundscapes. The atmospherically well balanced vocals create an important reference point in the five arrangement-extensive songs from 6 to 16 min lengths. The well produced and exciting spectrum of complexity and catchiness makes this album grow more and more after each listen and leads all those who like it HEAVY toward deep satisfaction!


Second full lenght album for the Italian power trio Doctor Cyclops. Released through the german label World in Sound in february 2014, this album's mostly doom, prog and heavy rock orientated. 5 long tracks with psychedelic environments, 70s rock and heavy metal influences. Also some jazz and melodic taste come to add this lp a huge groovy and appeal. 

In a genre where as it seems since Black Sabbath most everything has had been said, these folks come up with a very intense and exciting album.

Their actual output has pure 1973 retro feeling, where epic heavy riffs and rhythms melt with psychedelic, progressive breaks and make you dive into their euphoric guitar soundscapes. 


The atmospherically well balanced vocals create an important reference point in the five arrangement-extensive songs from 6 to 16 min lengths.

The well produced and exciting spectrum of complexity and catchiness makes this album grow more and more after each listen and leads all those who like it HEAVY toward deep satisfaction!

Doctor Cyclops is a seventies-styled power trio playing heavy rock music inspired by a vintage sound, eldest son of glorious Balck Sabbath and of other more underground heroes from the 70ies and early 80ies such as Sir Lord Baltimore, Captain Beyond or Witchfinder General. Even more modern references are warm-vintage styled ones: Witchcraft, Cathedral, Spiritual Beggars just to say some. 

The Band: 
• Christian Draghi - vocals and guitars 
• Francesco Filippini - bass 
• Alessandro Dallera - drums, percussions

01. Waterfalls 06:09
02. The Monk 09:59
03. Angel Saviour In The C.H. 06:50
04. Cobweb Hands 07:18

05. Rotten Trolls 15:49 

Doctor Cyclops - Borgofondo (Retro-Hardrock, Italy 2012) 



Size: 113 MB
Bitrate: 320
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Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
Artwork Included

Italian power trio Doctor Cyclops puts down with its debut an extraordinarily authentic and fulminant marching 70s hardrock album with “New Wave OF British Heavy Metal” but also US-Westcoast blues influences. 


It captivates with raw energy and its wealth of intelligent psychedelic and progressive facets, powerful rhythm and mystical concept with a few flute/organ flashes, but is mainly guitar driven. 

Chris Draghi (vocals/guitar) knows in special kind how to melt his epic guitar riffs and wailing solos with his sensitive and catchy singing and provides a huge emotional intensity, on the one hand very mighty, but also haunted and desperately, completely in the style of groups like Black Sabbath, Grand Funk Railroad, Blue Öystercult or today's like Graveyard, Witchcraft, Cathedral. 


Seven songs between 4 and 8 min in total 48 mins are produced very well, rather unusually for a debut album, and create hunger to let these guys blow your mind Live-On-Stage with a genuine thunderstorm. 

This album takes you back to those days when music still was music, and was celebrated to kick out the jams!

Doctor Cyclops is a seventies-styled power trio playing heavy rock music inspired by a vintage sound, eldest son of glorious Balck Sabbath and of other more underground heroes from the 70ies and early 80ies such as Sir Lord Baltimore, Captain Beyond or Witchfinder General. 

Even more modern references are warm-vintage styled ones: Witchcraft, Cathedral, Spiritual Beggars just to say some.

The Band:
Christian Draghi - vocals and guitars 
 Francesco Filippini - bass 
 Alessandro Dallera - drums 

01. Night Flyer 04:22
02. Cyclop's Claim 07:11
03. Giants of the Mountain (feat. Alia O'Brien) 09:57
04. Madness Show 07:07
05. Eileen O'Flaherty 03:26
06. My Revolution 06:54
07. The Unquiet Garden 09:23

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Tear Gas - Selftitled (One of The Best Hardrock Ever, UK 1971)


Size: 105 MB
Bitrate: 320
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Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
Source: Japan SHM-CD Remaster
Artwork Included

A Glasgow, Scotland progressive rock band formed in the late 60s, Tear Gas initially comprised Eddie Campbell (keyboards), Zal Cleminson (guitar), Chris Glen (bass, vocals), Gilson Lavis (drums) and Andi Mulvey (vocals). Mulvey had previously sung with local beat group the Poets. 


After changing from their original name, Mustard, they chose Tear Gas as a variation on the same theme. However, Mulvey was soon replaced by keyboard player and vocalist David Batchelor, and Lavis (who later played with Squeeze) by Richard Monro from Ritchie Blackmore’s Mandrake Root. 

It was this line-up who made their recorded debut with 1970’s Piggy Go Getter, an album typical of the time with its extended guitar and keyboard passages. However, they were more playful than some - ‘We were a really loud band. In fact we used to open with Jethro Tull’s ‘Love Story’, which started very softly and the crowd would drift towards the front. 

Then we’d turn the volume up and blow everyone out of the hall.’ Later in 1970 Hugh McKenna replaced Batchelor while his cousin Ted McKenna (ex-Dream Police) took over from Monro on drums. Itinerant musician Ronnie Leahy also contributed keyboards in Batchelor’s absence, though the group were by now living in penury six to a room in Shepherd’s Bush, London. A second album was recorded for release on Regal Zonophone Records but again met with a lacklustre response from the critics. Despite regular touring in an effort to establish themselves, it was not until they teamed up with Alex Harvey in August 1972 to become the Sensational Alex Harvey Band that they saw any real success.

Originally known as Mustard. Their first vocalist Andy Mulvey had previously been with The Poets. However, he was soon replaced by David Batchelor and around the same time Gilson Lavis (their original drummer, who later played with Squeeze) was replaced by Richard Monro from Ritchie Blackmore's Mandrake Root. This line-up recorded Piggy Go Getter, which made little impact. In 1970 Hugh McKenna took over Batchelor's vocal role and Ted McKenna (ex-Dream Police) relieved Monro on drums. 

They recorded a second album and tried to establish themselves on the underground scene but were going nowhere with their brand of tired boogie heavy rock, until they teamed up with Alex Harvey in August 1972 to become The Sensational Alex Harvey Band.

Formed in Glasgow at the close of the 1960s, the band featured Eddie Campbell (keyboards), Zal Cleminson (guitar), Chris Glen (bass, vocals), Gilson Lavis (drums) and Andi Mulvey (vocals).

Mulvey and Lavis were soon replaced respectively by keyboard player and vocalist David Batchelor, and Richard Monro. This line- up recorded the album “Piggy Go Getter”, in 1970. Some months later Hugh McKenna replaced Batchelor while his cousin Ted McKenna (ex-Dream Police) took over from Monro on drums.

This line-up of Tear Gas soon earned a reputation as a fine live act and the band’s self-titled second album was much stronger work than its predecessor, released in the UK on the Regal Zonophone label in 1971. Despite its excellence, the album failed to sell in significant quantities.

In August 1972 Zal Cleminson, Ted McKenna, Hugh McKenna and Chris Glen joined forces with vocalist Alex Harvey to form The Sensational Alex Harvey Band who would meet with success and record a series of inventive albums throughout the 1970s.

The Glasgow-based prog/heavy/rockers Tear Gas (originally known as Mustard) released their second album in 1971 establishing themselves on the underground scene.

Wullie Monro and Eddie Campbell left the band. Wullie joined Berserk Crocodiles (see Dream Police) and Ted McKenna from the freshly collapsed Dream Police replaced him. Eddie Campbell quit for whatever reason – perhaps just tired of touring – and was not instantly replaced. ‘Tear Gas’ released on the Regal Zonaphone label by this revised line up though Campbell appears on the ‘live in the studio’ medley of ‘All Shook Up & Jailhouse Rock’.

An un-credited Ronnie Leahy provides the keyboards elsewhere on the album. Leahy played with Glen, McKenna and Cleminson again in the early ’90s under the name of the ‘Sensational Party Boys’ – promoters mistook the name for a group of male strippers! ‘ Saw them in London in the Charing Cross Road Marquee (now a Weatherspoons) – a right good night..

Tear Gas’ has an odd front cover pic. Is it meant to signify anything? If so it was lost on us. All tracks are ‘hard ‘n heavy rock’ . Again not terribly memorable apart from ‘Love Story’, a highlight of the stage act, whose arrangement was visited again by SAHB on the ‘Penthouse Tapes’. One is left with the feeling that the band was a couple of years behind the times in their material and the union with Alex Harvey was the shot in the arm of originality they needed. ‘Tear Gas’ was reissued on CD by Renaissance, a US label, in the mid ’90s as RCD1005.

After the comercial failure of the ‘Tear Gas’ LP, Ted McKenna’s cousin, Hugh McKenna, was drafted in on keyboards and backing vocals but Davie Batchelor soon left to go into production – he produced the SAHB stuff – they all sound pretty good – but was famously dropped by Noel Gallagher during the making of Oasis’ first album.

A rumour persisted for a while that he had to quit Tear Gas because he was going deaf! Hugh took over the lead vocals and this is the line-up that returned to Glasgow to join up with Alex Harvey after an unsuccessful stint in London . The rest of that story is well-documented history.

Davey Batchelor - Vocals, Guitar
 Zal Cleminson - Lead Guitar
 Chris Glen - Bass, Vocals
 Ted McKenna - Drums

Guest Musicians
 Hugh McKenna - Keyboards
 Alex Harvey - Vocals

01. That's What's Real 06:02
02. Love Story 07:01
03. Lay It on Me 03:44
04. Woman for Sale 04:24
05. I'm Glad 05:49
06. Where Is My Answer 05:59
07. Jailhouse Rock & All Shook Up 05:49
08. The First Time 04:53

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