Metal Odyssey has taken upon itself to proclaim: Saturday, April 11, is National Heavy Metal Day! Therefore, you may take these helpful tips/advice and put them into action, (if you like) and spread and/or share the great music of Heavy Metal to those around you.
* Listen to any or all Metal genres today!
* Play any or all Metal music LOUD today!
* Wear your favorite Metal t-shirt with pride today!
* Listen to any or all Metal genres with someone you love today!
* Buy or trade some Metal music today!
* Buy that special someone or your favorite buddy a Metal music gift! (give the gift of Metal)
* Share a Metal album/CD with someone!
* Share your Metal music knowledge with someone today!
* Read a decent mainstream or underground Metal magazine today, (not a Metal mag written by babies).
* If you are lucky enough, go to a Metal concert/club gig today!
* Watch a cool Metal movie today – “Trick or Treat”, any John Carpenter film or any Metal concert film will suffice.
* Surf the net for all of your favorite Metal bands and Metal news!
* Find an outdoor flea market for Metal music stuff – here’s a tip – buy low!
* Organize your Metal album/CD collection!
* Hang up a Metal poster of your favorite band(s) with pride!
Come to think of it, it seems like every day is a National Heavy Metal Day for me! It might feel that way to some of you out there too. Regardless, it just sounds and feels so cool, a National Heavy Metal Day, doesn’t it? Remember – BE TRUE TO METAL AND METAL WILL BE TRUE TO YOU.
If I could pin point the exact age I was, when I first listened to the Electric Light Orchestra, I would be somewhere around 10 years old – the vintage 1970’s. I have been inhaling the music of ELO for my entire life, safe to say. It does not matter what Metal genre I am currently obsessed with, ELO always gets playing time on my turntable and/or CD players. The Electric Light Orchestra, in my opinion, is one of the original leaders of Progressive Rock. What exactly is it about ELO that gravitates me to their music? Since I can remember, even as a young kid, I always got the biggest kick out of any music that was louder, faster and heavier than what was being played on AM radio. (that is correct, I wrote – AM radio).
Here I go again, making up hysterical situations that could never, ever happen. Oh, by the way, these situations are all Heavy Metal related. So, sit back, turn up some Iron Maiden, read along and enjoy.
Gosh, is the mainstream Rock radio world missing out or what. Try listening to any desensitized FM radio station these days, try as you may, you will never hear who I feel is Hard Rock and Metal’s most underrated female vocalist today – Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil. Symphonic, Gothic and at the end of the day, Lacuna Coil is still – Metal. Cristina Scabbia has proven to me, that you can have a beautiful female voice and still sing Metal music. I find Metal brilliance in Lacuna Coil for many reasons, (Cristina Scabbia’s vocals being #1), including the total musicianship and co-vocalist Andrea Ferro. Lacuna Coil means empty spiral, there is nothing that I find empty about any of the music created by Lacuna Coil. 
Every once in awhile, well, I tend to be slightly comedic. What better way to get away from the white useless noise of MSNBC than to have some comic relief that incorporates Heavy Metal? Here are some Heavy Metal happenings that will never, ever, happen in a million Metal years:
Metal Odyssey sends out a very loud Happy Birthday to Steve Howe of the incredible Progressive Rock band – Yes. (62 years young on April 8, 2009). Steve Howe has defined Progressive Rock guitar through the legendary music of Yes. Steve Howe created his own signature sound, blending his guitar playing through a myriad of Rock sounds and instruments that helped define the Progressive Rock genre. The two other famous Rock bands Steve Howe played in are Asia and GTR. At last count, there have been 19 solo albums released by Steve Howe. In my opinion, Steve Howe is as important of a guitar player to the history of modern day Rock music as any other. Thank you for all the memorable music you have given the world Steve Howe!
As “Commando” kicks in, there is no glimmer or hint that Satyricon “The Age Of Nero” is going to disappoint. The groove heavy Black Metal and black as night lyrics are two powerful characteristics of this entire great album. “The Wolfpack” pick up where “Commando” leaves off, with unrelenting and extremely likable riffs and leads that has me nodding, knowing that Satyricon has quite possibly created an album, that is the very best in all of Metal for 2009. “Black Crow On A Tombstone” is indicative of just how Satyricon can be creatively dark and creepy, both lyrically and musically, without over stating any traditional or obvious themes. In my opinion, throughout “Age Of Nero”, I hear nothing less than rock solid confidence through Satyr’s vocals and guitar playing. A serious approach musically has captured Black Metal greatness in a black bottle for Satyricon.
What Papa Roach has created with “Metamorphosis” is a Hard Rock meets Heavy Metal good time. My favorite tune, (like many fans I’m sure), is “Lifeline”. An inspirational hard rocking song that is a can’t miss if you are looking for an uplifting moment in Metal. This song pretty much says it all, about the emotions and tribulations that many people are going through in our society at this moment. “Days of War” is a cool and heavy intro – the perfect start for any Heavy Metal album, a strong prelude to get your adrenaline cooking. “Change or Die” is the lead song, very heavy with strong & aggressive vocals and a pumped up tempo. Every song on “Metamorphosis” is a winner for me, a straight up – melodic ride. This album is an essential listen for leaving your troubles behind you, just move forward with Papa Roach!
I cannot apply myself to the acceptance of dated music as having any existence. If, there does exist dated Heavy Metal, Rock, etc., then, what would Classical music be considered as? Classical music would have to be called dark ages-super dated. Please note, that I do not consider Classical music to be dated whatsoever. The building blocks of all popular music we listen to today are from Classical music! What makes me shake my head in wonderment is, the professionally paid critics and experts that are out there consistently using the terminology of dated sound – dated music in their respective reviews. It has become so common place, such the norm recently, that I actually state in my unpaid – unprofessional Metal reviews that a particular album or band does not sound dated!
So far, I have compiled 5 lists of Metal nominees for the greatest Metal album of all time. I never anticipated just how difficult a (dare I say task) it has been. It has been a fun task, affording me the opportunity to dig deeper into the years of Heavy Metal and all of the amazing genres of Metal that are out there. Will my decision make every Metal fan who reads the Metal Odyssey blog happy? I doubt that, for I am really embarking on a personal decision here, a decision not based on record sales, popularity or chart positions. Furthermore, as any fan of Metal music knows, your favorite band or bands are just that – your main bands. My goal here to decide on the greatest Metal album of all time is not to offend any fellow Metal fans in any way. I keep saying, this is a personal choice, yet, I am also looking forward to backing up and defending my decision! Some people might wonder or think, who cares what this guy thinks is the greatest Metal album of all time? My only response to anyone out there who thinks this is just a waste of time is – this endeavor only shows how much I actually embrace and love Metal music. Plus, researching and writing about the greatest Metal album of all time is light years more constructive and interesting for me, than to be chasing around crap stories about politics and crap stories about politicians second cousins and half sisters.
In case you are unfamiliar with Angel, (one of the original Glam Rock/Glam Metal bands from the late 1970’s), here are some semi-quick facts that may stir up some interest:
I was extremely lucky enough to see Cliff Burton, the late bass playing legend for Metallica, at two live gigs in 1986. The first live experience I had seeing Metallica with Cliff Burton was in a large club setting, (The West Hartford Ballroom, West Hartford, Connecticut). Metal Church opened for Metallica, what a night. The second live gig I experienced seeing Cliff Burton was a rather very large gig. Metallica opened for none other than – Ozzy Osbourne! This exciting concert took place at the New Haven Coliseum, New Haven, Connecticut). (During 1986, Metallica was touring in support of their album “Master of Puppets” and Ozzy Osbourne was touring in support of his album “The Ultimate Sin”) My Metal memory cannot recall the exact dates of these shows, yet they both occurred in the brutally cold Winter months of 1986!
Motley Crue’s incredibly talented, lead guitarist, Mick Mars has turned the cool age of 53 on Friday, April 3, 2009. Happy Heavy Metal birthday Mick Mars! It is so obvious to me, what Mick Mars has contributed to Motley Crue since 1981, as both musician and song writer. In my opinion, Mick Mars with his guitar playing, has lended extreme credibility to Motley Crue since day one. I had the Metal opportunity to see Motley Crue live in 1987, on the “Girl’s, Girl’s, Girl’s Tour”, Mick Mars was sensational on stage. His mere presence alone made me feel like I was witnessing one of the biggest stars of Heavy Metal – ever. As for Mick Mars shredding on guitar, live, let’s just say I was afforded an opportunity that night, to see one of the very best guitarists in Heavy Metal history. Thank you for all of the unbelievable Metal over the years, Mick Mars!
It is raining where I live this morning. The rain is coming down with quite the bad attitude too. This is the kind of rain where, you know, you dread just having to get your garbage container from the roadside; you know the drenching that is about to occur to your body and it is not requested either. Without complaining any further about inclement weather that no human or expert meteorologist can do to rectify it, here is a band that gets me through driving in the lousiest of lousy weather conditions – Rush. I thought about it this morning as I drove the family cab, yes, Rush just seems to straighten my focus and makes me feel like – who cares what the weather is like. It then hit me, Rush is always my first band of choice that I grab when I have to drive in snow, icy hell and tropical/evil thunderstorms. Not to worry, I always have Rush – “Snakes and Arrows” handy for sunny days, do not ask me why, for I correlate sunny, warm and beautiful days to this fine album. (?)
Queensryche has done it, done it very, very well too. “American Soldier” is a Progressive Metal achievement, in my Metal opinion. This is a concept album, that was written from the words spoken from those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. This release brings Queensryche back to where they belong, at the top of the Metal heap, reminding me of the “Operation Mindcrime” days. This is an album to really follow along to, with the lyrics that are inside the liner notes. Each song does lead itself into the next, both with it’s time line and lyrical content. 
Alas, I found a moment to just kick back, chill out and listen to a Metal CD that caught my eye. This Metal CD was filed in my collection, just waiting for it’s turn to be enjoyed by my hungry ears. Oh, the CD I am talking about? Dream Theater – “Systematic Chaos”. Try hard as I may, it is impossible for me to hear any chaos on this Dream Theater release, none. Instead, what I do hear, is what I will call Progressive perfection. Seriously, for me, the Progressive Metal music of Dream Theater is so accurate, structured, and created on the premise of musical integrity and musical knowledge. Honestly, I am schooled each and every time I give Dream Theater a listen. The musical dynamics that are occurring throughout “Systematic Chaos” makes me realize it may take quite a few more listens before I feel I have heard every key, lyric and note that mystically saturates this incredible album.
O.K., so I am two days belated with saying happy Metal birthday to Angus Young. I am sure Angus Young will not mind. March 31, 2009 marked the big 54th birthday for this Heavy Metal legend. Metal Odyssey speaks for all Metalheads worldwide when we say – HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGUS YOUNG!!! The incredible, thrilling, heavy duty, pump you up, all-out fabulous & terrific heavy music that Angus Young has given us all to enjoy is a true gift to the world of Metal. (Did I leave out any cool adjectives in that last sentence)? Sometimes, you just have to really be thankful for the Metal musicians who are with us and are still making amazing music throughout these turbulent times. 
Here are 5 interesting Metal facts that you may or may not know. Metal knowledge is pretty cool, especially when you try to “stump” your fellow Metal friends with this stuff. 
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
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