November 18th, 2021 - Seven Deadly Mexican Lagers... Or... "It's A [Beer] Night, Here On Mexican TV"

 

Buenos noches rockers, rollers, and craft beer fanatics!  The Meista here pairing UFO's amazing and very underrated "Seven Deadly" album and a very crushable and tasty Mexican Style Lager from T.F. Brewing Company! 

Album Info:

• Artist: UFO
• Title: "Seven Deadly"
• Recorded: 2011 at Area 51 Studio in Celle, Germany
• Release date: February 27, 2012 (20th studio album by UFO)
• Record company: SPV/Steamhammer 
• Production: Tommy Newton
• Album cover art: Tristan Greatrex 
• Personnel: Phil Mogg (vocals), Vinnie Moore (lead guitars), Andy Parker (drums), and Paul Raymond (keyboards and rhythm guitars)
• Additional musicians: Marino Carlini (backing vocals), Hothan (harp on "The Fear"), Lars Lehmann (bass), and Alexa Wild (backing vocals) 
• Musical style: Hard rock, heavy blues rock, heavy metal
• Sound: "Seven Deadly" sounds like vintage UFO, but with a fresh and progressive feel.  Maybe a little more "mellow" and bluesier than early UFO, "Seven Deadly" is still a rocking good time.  Mogg's unique, soulful, and wonderful voice sounds as good, if not better than it did 40 years ago!  Along with the great musicianship of the band, Mogg has always been what has drawn me to UFO.  Although not as charismatic and emotional as Michael Schenker's playing, Vinnie Moore (who replaced Schenker in 2004 or so) is a fine replacement.  He shreds like a son of a bitch, has great tone, and lays down some very nice, foot stomping blues as well.  Lehmann's bass and Parker's drums are solid and driving, and old-time member Paul Raymond's keyboard work is reminiscent of the work he did back in '77 on "Lights Out."  His rhythm guitar work is top-notch as well.  All in all, the band is tight, heavy, and feels like a good, old-fashioned bar band.  Opener, "Fight Night" is classic UFO, rocking, rough, and straight-ahead, mean and fast with plenty of cowbell too!  :)  Songs like "Year Of The Gun," "Steal Yourself," "Burn Your House Down," and "The Fear" could all be played in a southern honky-tonk as easily as they could an arena.  But there is definitely still that driving, hard-rock '70s UFO sound here too... "Wonderland," "The Last Stone Rider," and "Mojo Town" all simply kick ass!!
• Major themes: Life, death, reality, the blues, violence, etc.  
• Tracks:  

1. "Fight Night"
2. "Wonderland"
3. "Mojo Town"
4. "Angel Station"
5. "Year Of The Gun"
6. "The Last Stone Rider"
7. "Steal Yourself"
8. "Burn Your House Down"
9. "The Fear"
10. "Waving Good Bye"

 

Brew Info:

• Brewery: T.F. Brewing (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: https://www.tfbrewing.com/ 
• Brew: Mexican Style Lager 
• Style: Mexican Lager 
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 4.8%
• Pour: The T.F. Brewing Mexican Style Lager pours a clear, pale yellow hue with a firm, and creamy, 1-finger, bright white head with good retention and sticky, sudsy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is grainy, malty, citrusy, and slightly sweet.  There are aromas of cereal grains, lightly toasted malts, tortilla chips, lime zest, light corn, grassy hops, and light caramel.
• Taste: Much like the nose, the taste of the brew is grainy, malty, and zesty with some more mild sweet flavors.  There are notes of flaked corn tortilla, pale malts, lime zest and juice, very light caramel, and hints of grassy hops and white pepper in the finish.
• Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied and well carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Mexican Style Lager is smooth and very crisp with a dry, clean finish. 

Overall pairing:  The T.F. Brewing Mexican Style Lager is a tasty, easy-drinking, and crushable brew... perfect for throwing back whilst rocking the hell out to UFO's killer "Seven Deadly" album!  'Nuff said!

Salud!!  Rock on!!