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Elaine

Too Black (Eastcoast-Records ER 0816),1981

Link: wv

Currently

Members

Mike Weimann (bass, vocals), Jürgen Mangels (lead guitar), Nils Stöhvaase (rhythm guitar), Norbert Butz (drums), Dirk Oliver Strempler (acoustic guitar, rhythm guitar)

Genres

hardrock

Excellent hard rock album from Argentina with psych influences, like many other bands from that land. The lead guitars are really cool and the songs are catchy for an hard rock album from 1974. LP reissued in 2020.

Oda

2024 - Oda (EZRDR-166), 1973

Link wv

Oda was a band from San Francisco, CA. Good US hard rock indie with impressive lead guitars by Randy Oda. A mix of Poobah and Highway Robbery, but not on the same levels. (roquecolorOct 19 2021)

A stellar underground rare as hen’s teeth private hard rock album. The stunning ‘Gabriel’ has wicked galloping guitar riffs with echo effects. ‘Chance’ kicks off with deep guitar riffs and doesn’t let up. Closer ‘How Do You Feel’ just blows it out with all sorts of riffing, killer. (recorddiggerAug 19 2018)

KASTORES

Kastores

1973 - Single 320

Link: ROCK ON

Kastores was an obscure band from Greece. They recorded this only one single in the early seventies, but it was released only in 2005 as an archival. Solid and enjoyable heavy psych, with brilliant guitar, a bit in the vein of Jimi Hendrix and Socrates Drank the Conium.

Chameleon

2013 - Rising (1974-1978)

Link: wv

Had Houston's Chameleon hailed from two states farther north, they could have easily qualified for my USA Midwest / Ontario Progressive Rock (1970's/early 80s) list. Their musical approach is smack dab in the middle of the movement, with thoughtful radio friendly numbers juxtaposed against much more complex chart structures, and intricate songwriting. The majority of the album comes from two sessions, one from 1976 and the other 1978. There are also a couple of songs from 1973 and '74 when they were still known as Lorien. The latter track (nearly 10 minutes) opens the CD, and is one of the more overt progressive tracks found on the anthology, with some strong Hammond work in particular. I'm reminded slightly of Polyphony here but with the addition of piano. From there, the material alternates between the 1976 and 1978 recordings, before closing with the sole 1973 representative, which is a folky number and crudely recorded. Despite what might be a natural inclination, the '76 & '78 material is very similar - both are well written and the latter is no more commercial than the former. Synthesizer is now more predominant than the organ, as was the norm of the era. The band knew how to pen a composition, and it really is too bad they weren't able to secure a major label recording contract. By 1981 the band decided to call it a day, without ever releasing a proper album. Don't miss this gem if you like the American style of progressive rock mixed with hard rock and AOR material.ashratomMar 13 2014

Old posts still living...

Montes

KASTORES

Chameleon