Archive for October, 2009

MISFITS – “LAND OF THE DEAD”, 2 NEW SONGS AND COVER ART! RELEASE DATE IS OCTOBER 27, 2009!

Posted in 1970's punk rock, 1980's punk rock bands, 1980's punk rock music, 1990's punk rock bands, 1990's punk rock music, collecting rock music, cool album covers, creepy album covers, current punk rock music, current punk rock songs, essential punk rock songs, extreme music, halloween rock music songs, hardcore punk rock music, hardcore punk rock songs, horror punk, horror punk album covers, horror punk rock bands, horror punk rock music, horror punk songs, metal odyssey, misfits album covers, Music, old school punk rock, Punk rock, punk rock album covers, punk rock bands, punk rock music, punk rock music 2009, punk rock music today, punk rock musicians, punk rock songs, Rock, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, scary album covers, scary halloween songs, scary rock music songs, spooky album covers, vintage punk rock bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 12, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

ATTENTION ALL FIENDS WORLDWIDE:

Misfits Records.com has reported, (on Saturday, October 10, 2009), that the first NEW Misifts songs since their 2003’s Project 1950 album, will be released on October 27, 2009! The title of this new 2 song maxi-single is Land Of The Dead. The two songs are: Land Of The Dead and Twilight Of The Dead. Both of these songs will be available to purchase and download for 99 cents each at itunes on 10-27-09. I am extremely thrilled beyond Metal belief, that new songs from the Misfits are on the way! The extra special release being the week of Halloween, makes it a true gift from the Misfits to their fans! Jerry Only and the Misfits are titanic legends of Punk Rock – Horror Punk Rock. Halloween 2009 just got fiendishly better and spookier with the news of new Misfits songs coming out! F’n Yeah!

Here is the breakdown for the vinyl – 12″ version of Land Of The Dead:

* Clear Red Vinyl Version1st pressing is limited to 1,000 pieces! This red vinyl 12 inch version will be available exclusively at the Fiend Store and Misfits Records online store. From the way in which this news release reads, there will be record stores that will carry the vinyl of Land Of The Dead, however, it may not be the first pressing.

*Clear Orange Vinyl Tour Edition – limited to only 1000 pressings! This clear orange vinyl 12 inch will be available exclusively at Misfits shows – *it will not be available in stores.

* Front Cover Artwork – this fiendish new cover painting was created by Arthur Suydam. This new rendering of the Fiend Skull by Arthur Suydam is unreal great and Misfits Horror Punk imagery – at it’s ultimate level.

* Both new songs were written by Misfits founding member and bass guitarist – Jerry Only, in tribute to world famous director George A. Romero and his Living Dead movie series.

Misfits are: Jerry Only on bass guitar, Dez Cadena on guitars and Robo on drums.

Misfits "Land of the Dead" large album artwork

John Fogerty – “Eye of the Zombie” a 1986 Creepy & Rockin’ Halloween Song

Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's classic rock guitarists, 1980's rock albums, 1980's rock music, 1980's rock musicians, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's classic rock songs, 1980's rock bands, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, collecting rock music, cool album covers, creepy album covers, essential classic rock albums, essential classic rock songs, halloween songs, metal odyssey, Music, Rock, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music lyrics, rock vocalists, scary album covers, song lyrics, spooky album covers, vintage rock albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 11, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

John Fogerty "Eye of the Zombie" small album picHere I go again… pulling out another great and scary Rock song that is just eerily perfect for the Halloween season. In 1986, the ever legendary John Fogerty released his solo album – Eye of the Zombie, (on Warner Bros. Records). The cool release date of October 1st made this song all the more fitting for Halloween too. I was introduced to this song and album by my late sister, back in ’86, she knew this particular song was right up my Metal alley. With all of my time being occupied by Metal Music back in the ’80’s, I knew I could always count on my sister, to hook me up to some very cool mainstream Rock albums and songs from time to time. If my Metal memory serves me correct, the video for Eye of the Zombie, (which MTV played frequently then), was damn spooky and cool too. Just the way in which John Fogerty sings this song gets the creep out meter moving. Musically, this song Rocks in a very unique and spooky way.

As for the entire album of Eye of the Zombie, I don’t find it difficult to recommend to any Classic Rock or Rock Music fan at all. This song and album may not have been the blockbuster of John Fogerty’s career, still, Eye of the Zombie is a song and album that I reflect upon for it’s originality and cool Rock vibe. Too many times, it is the Rock album and/or song that does not find chart success or critic praise that turns out to be the true Rock and Roll wild card of a musicians career. Change in the Weather was the song talked about most from this album, with it’s Creedence Clearwater Revival roots, yet it is the allure of the song Eye of the Zombie that had me listening to the entire album itself. The front cover album artwork for this album is a visual nightmare image of a horrible looking creature… a zombie perhaps, only to me it appears to be more of a half man, half lion monstrosity. Very cool image nonetheless, something you would expect on a Metal Band’s album cover. In the end, if it has always been construed that John Fogerty took a Rock Music risk with this album, then I will be Metal bound to say it was a fabulous risk to take. The song Eye of the Zombie is one not to miss listening to this Halloween season… nor is it not a risky bet to get into the rest of this album any time of the year.

Here are the lyrics to this great song, if this doesn’t spook you out then you are too cool:

Eye of the Zombie

Hoo! Oooooh!

Shadows on the mountain,
And the night begins to fall;
Gather up the children,
‘Fore the darkness takes us all.
Tribe has come together,
Standin’ naked against the night;
Twenty feet from the fire,
The evil waits with zombie eyes.

Chorus:
Eye-eye-eye eye of the Zombie!
Eye-eye-eye eye of the Zombie!

Oh! Sneakin’ through the long grass
On leopard feet silently,
A beast already dead comes
To join the dance on the zombie.
Ooh! Time has come again
Again the moment of truth;
The terror is at hand,
And there’s nothin’ you can do.

[Chorus]

Oh! Hoo! Aaa-aah! Hoo! Aaa-aaa-aaaah!

From out of nowhere he’s there,
Flashing hideous teeth,
Panic in the crowd,
Helter-skelter,
We’re brought to our knees.
Back to the darkness,
Back on the mountain he stands,
You can’t fight a shadow,
You can’t kill a dead man.

[Chorus x4]

John Fogerty "Eye of the Zombie" large album pic

KISS “KLASSICS” – ROCKS HARDER THAN EVER!

Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's rock music, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's classic rock songs, 1980's hard rock, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's rock bands, 1990's classic rock music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's rock music, Album Review, classic hard rock, classic hard rock bands, classic hard rock music, classic heavy metal, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, collecting classic rock, collecting heavy metal albums, collecting rock music, cool album covers, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal music, essential classic rock albums, essential classic rock songs, essential heavy metal albums, essential heavy metal songs, guitar legends, hard rock album review, hard rock music, hard rock music 2009, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal drummers, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal songs 2009, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, vintage hard rock bands, vintage heavy metal bands, vintage heavy metal songs with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 10, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

The second studio CD packaged inside the new KISS –  Sonic Boom is KISS Klassics. I am not holding back on this – Whoa. Whoa does KISS rock harder than ever on these re-recorded KISS “greatest hits” – (oops), Klassics that is. I slapped in the Klassics CD, preparing to hear some subtle differences in these re-recorded songs, instead I opened up my mind and ears to a can of KISS whoop ass! Metal be damned, Tommy Thayer can play his Metal heart out – Black Diamond is unreal heavy and good. After just one listen to Lick It Up and I was re-enrolled into KISS Rock and Roll 101 – all over again. Lick It Up has a ton more KISS attitude now, (sounds unreal, understand it is holy crap good). Harder, heavier, with heaping Metal waves of relevance crashing all around is this KISS Klassics. For many KISS fans, Animalize was an album that, well, was very much a commercial Hair Metal phase for this band. Let KISS introduce you to their re-recorded – 2009 version of Heaven’s On Fire… I really, really, really, like this song a Metal ton now.

In my most honest Metal opinion, Paul Stanley sings like he has been reincarnated into his 1977 body. Gene Simmons vocally sounds like a man who has been reborn himself. Metal be my witness, this KISS Klassics has done to me, what it was probably intended to do by KISS in the first place… realize that this band is age defying and generation fusing and yes, damn great at playing these songs that are decades old. The last thing I want to sound here is as a biased, middle aged KISS fan… hell, if KISS was to have dropped the Metal ball on this one, I would be the first one screaming NO! What once was old is new again, for Metal sakes, KISS is new again! There are subtle differences in guitar leads, solo’s, riffs, yet Tommy Thayer plays each and every song like a Metal pro. Ace Frehley is legend, no question, yet Tommy Thayer has taken these songs from the master and has put his very own KISS signature on them. Eric Singer is just an excellent drummer period. His years with KISS alone, has established his icon status for me.

Back to more of these Klassics… I Was Made For Lovin’ You still holds that melodic extremity to it that some misguided folks confused with – disco. I will fight till the end of Metal time and refute any damn comparison of this song to disco. Hotter Than Hell is just that… this 2009 version has given me a brand new, psyche me out song to crank up LOUD. I Love It Loud is cool, yet this re-recorded version does not beat out the original, thank you very Metal much. Don’t get me wrong now, I will still raise my Metal fist in the air to this 2009 version of I Love It Loud – hell yeah. Christine Sixteen has always been a genius of a KISS song, Gene Simmons gives it a robust Metal boost in this 2009 recording, his vocals this time around has re-energized this Klassic. I always get a Metal kick out of the piano intro to Christine Sixteen. What would a KISS Klassics be without Rock And Roll All Nite? It is here on this Klassics CD, more emboldened by KISS than ever before. Forever is the lone KISS ballad to be found on Klassics… since I belong to the KISS Army, I will listen to this ballad. Forever is a good song, Paul Stanley and KISS bring it back for this Klassics curtain call for that same reason. There are throngs of fans who emotionally relate to this KISS song, heck, that is what ballads do.

In closing Metal summary, if you are a KISS fan, (no matter for how long), you NEED to buy Sonic Boom with this KISS Klassics included. The time to re-enlist into the KISS Army is NOW. If you never have been a fan of KISS, do not buy Sonic Boom with KISS Klassics… hell, the KISS Army is looking for Rock and Roll warriors anyway – so critics can stay away.

Track Listing For KISS Klassics:

* Deuce

* Detroit Rock City

* Shout It Out Loud

* Hotter Than Hell

* Calling Dr. Love

* Love Gun

* I Was Made For Lovin’ You

* Heaven’s On Fire

* Lick It Up

* I Love It Loud

* Forever

* Christine Sixteen

* Do You Love Me

* Black Diamond

* Rock And Roll All Nite

KISS "Sonic Boom" x-large album pic 2009

NAZARETH “NO MEAN CITY” – 1979 HARD ROCK ALBUM IS A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

Posted in 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal albums, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock music, Album Review, classic hard rock, classic hard rock bands, classic hard rock music, classic heavy metal, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock cover songs, classic rock music, classic rock music 1979, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, collecting classic rock, collecting rock music, cool album covers, creepy album covers, essential classic rock albums, essential classic rock songs, hard rock music, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, scary album covers, spooky metal album covers, vintage hard rock albums, vintage hard rock bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 9, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Nazareth "No Mean City" small album picI have owned the vinyl album of No Mean City by Nazareth since 1983. No, I could never part with this album at all over the years, never. For years I could never find No Mean City on CD, it most likely had been out of print for some time. To this day, No Mean City does not seem to be that readily available anywhere, on CD and especially on vinyl. Who knows, maybe there is an independent record store somewhere that has dozens of copies in their inventory… I just never come across this Nazareth classic myself. With the brilliant, Old School, Classic Hard Rock heard on this album, combined with the album cover artwork, makes for a keeper. I actually bought this album as a cut-out, back when Strawberries Records & Tapes was around. Back in the early 1980’s, cut-out bins found in any record store was Rock and Roll Heaven! You could always find cool albums in these cut-out bins at real discounted prices, many times there were hidden heavy gems in them. My copy of No Mean City has a cut in the top right corner of the album jacket – this never bothered me one bit. The enjoyment this album’s music has given me all these years more than makes up for any cosmetic defect on it’s exterior.

Remembering the actual price I paid for No Mean City back in 1983 is a tad gray now… it probably set me back three or four bucks at the most. This is one of those albums that I would hold and stare at the front cover artwork, while my turntable played the tunes. The artwork for No Mean City screams Heavy Metal, still this is a true Hard Rock album from Nazareth. Getting nostalgic about Rock and Roll is something I cannot shake loose, Nazareth is one of those bands that epitomizes Classic Rock and gets my nostalgia adrenaline going. No Mean City takes me back to when I had nothing to worry about other than graduating High School. Whenever I listen to this album, everything feels cool around me, uh, that is real cool.

All eight songs on this great album are terrific, there are a few standout favorites of mine, beginning with Simple Solution Part 1 & 2. This song is loaded with strong grooves, carrying it’s melodic Hard Rock weight due in part to Dan McCafferty on lead vocals, Pete Agnew on bass and backing vocals and Manny Charlton on guitar. Star is a Hard Rock ballad  that maintains it’s heaviness through Dan McCafferty’s raspy, sandpapered vocals. To this very day, I still cannot believe that Star was not a huge hit from this album. The lyrics and music of Star are just as great as the Nazareth cover song Love Hurts from their Hair Of The Dog album, in my Metal opinion. May The Sunshine is a Folk Rock meets Hard Rock song. This song is just a great sing along, upbeat in it’s lyrics and melody, a song I never expected to hear upon my very first listen to No Mean City. Since my first introduction to this album all those years ago, I could not see my music collection being the same without it. If you are into Classic Rock and/or Hard Rock, especially from the late ’70’s, Nazareth and No Mean City is a must listen – Hard Rock treasure.

* The late Darrell Sweet was the drummer and Zal Cleminson was also a guitarist for Nazareth on No Mean City. Both of these musicians were just as important to making this album sound so great to me.

* No Mean City was released on A&M Records, in January of 1979.

* No Mean City was the tenth studio album from Nazareth.

* Nazareth is still Rocking to this day… with original members Dan McCafferty on lead vocals and Pete Agnew on bass. Pete Agnew’s son, Lee Agnew, plays drums and Jimmy Murrison plays guitar. This Nazareth lineup released a new studio album – The Newz, in 2008… and it is damn cool and good. I will leave The Newz album for another post in the future.

Nazareth "No Mean City" large album pic

ANVIL – “THIS IS THIRTEEN” – THIS IS OLD SCHOOL, REAL HEAVY METAL

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's thrash metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal music, Album Review, canadian heavy metal bands, classic metal, collecting rock music, cool album covers, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal music, current metal albums, current thrash metal, current thrash metal albums, essential heavy metal albums, essential thrash metal albums, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album reissued, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal bands from canada, heavy metal bands this decade, heavy metal drummers, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal songs 2009, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, Music, old school heavy metal, old school thrash metal music, rock music, spooky metal album covers, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 8, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Anvil "This Is Thirteen" small album picANVIL. Blue collar Heavy Metal personified. No pretentious attitude or pompousness with this band, just a working man’s ethic and never say die mantra that has led them up to 2009, with VH1 Classic Records picking up and reissuing their self funded album This Is Thirteen. (Good Metal move there, VH1 Classic Records). Unless you have been living underneath the remnants of a crashed UFO for the last six months, Anvil is back. Well, they never really went away for any real measurable length of time. Unlike a throng of prima donna Heavy Metal Bands out there who have taken the sabbatical and returned, expecting rose petals to be thrown everywhere they walk, Anvil is just doing what they always have done… play damn good Heavy Metal Music for anyone who will listen. I am listening, I listened to Anvil in the early ’80’s, their Metal has never left my collection since. Hell, I still have Anvil’s first three – Hard N’ Heavy, Metal On Metal and Forged In Fire on cassette – I could never bring myself to part with them. Anvil has stayed true to themselves and cool Metal things come to those Metal bands who wait. Without getting too deep into this bands history… the best way for anyone unfamiliar with Anvil is to watch or buy their newly released DVD – ANVIL – The Story of ANVIL.

I would have bought this great DVD today, yet my Super Walmart never put it out for sale along with any other newly released CD’s or DVD’s… and that was at 9:30 a.m. EST on October 6th when I left that store today. I did not have time to drive around to other stores for this Anvil DVD today, thanks for nothing Super Walmart. I will make certain to buy the Anvil DVD at f.y.e. now, you better Metal believe it. Ha, Ha, Super Walmart… you lost a sale on that one.

What a perfect segue for the first song I will mention from This Is ThirteenBig Business. I like this one a Metal ton, a straight on anti-corporate song if there ever was! Anvil’s lyrics are not overdone, they are not out to impress any Rhodes Scholars, ya’ know? Anvil impressed me with Big Business, reminding me that nothing is free and rising fees… oh how true it is. The album opener is This Is Thirteen, with doom laden riffs, my Metal mind wanders over to vintage Tony Iommi and Black Sabbath here. Combined with the slowed down rhythm section here, this song really does take me back to 1982 and I am proud to say that. Bombs Away has Anvil shredding their brand of Thrash, Lips on guitar is not just fundamentally sound, he is Metal be damned… a great guitarist. As a vocalist, Lips never shies away from a bit of diversity, he isn’t fancy yet he is real – I’ll take him over a bushel load of Metal singers I have listened to over the decades. Should’ A Would’ A Could’ A has become my favorite song on This Is Thirteen. Lyrically, this song is right on the Metal money in describing the game of life. Take chances, no regrets, know your enemies, strength to survive and righting a wrong are all covered on Should’ A Would’ A Could’ A, plus it grooves like there is no tomorrow. Game Over, in my Metal opinion, is the heaviest and fastest song on this album… real good. Anvil took out some cool aggression on Game Over, lyrically comparing life to playing a Game Boy game.

Thumb Hang, (the bonus track), has similar, trudging riffs as the opening track This Is Thirteen. Another fine example of a song, that Anvil is not buying into any current trends of Metal anytime soon. Thank God for that. Robb Reiner on drums… what can I say other than he has been damn good his entire career and makes himself heard quite well on this album. Glenn Five makes for more than a Metal compliment on bass guitar, rounding out this trio the outside world is just now embracing as Anvil. In a Metal nutshell, Anvil created fourteen songs that are missing the over produced sheen and gleam of many of today’s Metal albums. There is that blanket of rawness to this album, then again, Anvil was never about being commercially polished anyways. Thank God for that. This is why I always dug the Metal that Anvil has put out over the last three decades. Anvil did not need a billion dollar producer to waltz in the studio and dictate how it’s done… Anvil (and producer Chris Tsangarides) knew what to do all along with This Is Thirteen, one listen through proves it – in my Metal opinion.

Anvil "This Is Thirteen" large album pic

My Favorite KISS Song From “SONIC BOOM” Is…

Posted in 1970's classic rock music, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal music, Album Review, classic heavy metal, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock albums, classic rock music, collecting rock music, cool album covers, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal music, essential heavy metal albums, essential heavy metal songs, Hard Rock, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal bands this decade, heavy metal drummers, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal songs 2009, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock and roll, rock music, vintage hard rock bands, vintage heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 7, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

I’m on a KISS high right now, thank you very Metal much. Sonic Boom is a tremendous album from the legendary KISS. Anyone who slams KISS and Sonic Boom either has never liked KISS to begin with or they are extremely constipated or they just don’t get it at all.  Sonic Boom is rooted with a Classic KISS sound from the 1970’s… I don’t hear any influence from the KISS Asylum or Animalize albums from the roaring ’80’s – nope. This is one hell of a legitimate album of Heavy Metal songs from KISS. Tommy Thayer is unreal good on lead guitar, (I didn’t expect anything less), Gene Simmons sounds great on bass and vocals and Eric Singer is his usual outstanding self on drums. Onward with my favorite song from Sonic BoomNever Enough. I always liked Paul Stanley’s vocals the best, (my personal preference), plus this song’s lyrics are upbeat as hell. Paul Stanley f***n nails it down on vocals with this song. Never Enough psyches me out of my Metal mind and that serves me right. I listened to this song at least six times before I continued forward through Sonic Boom… holy Metal crap is this song great. The whole Sonic Boom album is great. I am such a happy KISS fan right now, I am farting rose scented happy faces all over the place. Long live KISS Rock and Roll!

KISS "Sonic Boom" x-large album pic 2009

MY SUPER WALMART FINALLY PUT OUT KISS “SONIC BOOM” TODAY, OCTOBER 6, 2009

Posted in 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal albums, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, classic hard rock, classic heavy metal, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, collecting classic rock, collecting heavy metal albums, collecting music, collecting rock music, cool album covers, current hard rock albums, current heavy metal albums, essential hard rock albums, essential heavy metal albums, hard rock music, hard rock music 2009, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal bands this decade, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, heavy metal vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rock and roll, rock music, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands, vintage rock albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 7, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

MetalOdysseyIt’s always great to vent. Vent I did in my last post – where I needed over 1,100 words to express my disappointment in not being able to purchase the new KISS CD – Sonic Boom at my local Super Walmart on October 6, 2009, (the release date for it). Just as I hoped for and predicted, at 4:00 p.m. EST, I entered the Trexlertown, Pennsylvania, Super Walmart and took hold of my very own copy of Sonic Boom. (Phew). I can now say I bought this new KISS CD on it’s release date… yes, it means something to me. I have my core Heavy Metal and Hard Rock Bands that I have followed for decades, when they release a new album I try my very best to buy it on the release day. Metal case closed. I went to this Super Walmart twice during the morning of October 6, (the release date), my last visit was at 9;30 a.m. EST, as I left empty handed. I will say this much… the packaging for this Sonic Boom CD is INCREDIBLE!  Once I get to crank up Sonic Boom for a couple of listens, I will post my Metal jubilation. Here are some quick tidbits about my Sonic Boom shopping experience at Super Walmart, plus other related notes:

* I give credit where credit is due – Sonic Boom, is being sold (exclusively) at Walmart for a cool $12! The credit is the price of $12 – not the “exclusive” part.

* As a 3 disc set, Sonic Boom is: disc 1 – is 11 new KISS songs! disc 2 – is 15 KISS Klassics! (re-recorded with the current KISS lineup and disc 3 – is a DVD of KISS live in Buenos Aires! Not too shabby for $12!

* The Sonic Boom digipak opens up four times across – 4 panels! With each KISS member having his own image on a panel. Cool.

* The liner notes are a Metal kick! 20 pages of complete lyrics! A center photo spread of the entire KISS Band! Facsimile autographs of each KISS member are on the center spread photo as well. (They aren’t real autographs just to make it very clear). Cool enough for me. These liner notes are like a Sonic Boom mini-book.

* There is a KISS KORNER after all! (It did not exist at my Super Walmart the morning of October 6th). My daughters actually found it… up in front of the store, just in front of one register lane. It is not as big as I anticipated, still it is cool enough for me. You can buy a complete set of KISS cards, (33 card set), that are inside a very cool box. I bought the Gene Simmons box version… it has the classic Gene Simmons “The Demon” face all over it. There are also some crazy looking KISS character dolls, blankets and tee shirts too. The blankets and tee shirts have the Sonic Boom album cover artwork all over them! I was unfortunately pressed for time on my third trip to Super Walmart today, therefore on my next visit there I will inspect the KISS KORNER thoroughly, making certain I know of every little KISS goodie that is available to buy.

* The Sonic Boom CD was in the front rack of the CD aisle – filed under new releases. Sonic Boom also was found in the area of CD’s which housed the re-issued Beatles CD’s for the last couple of weeks. Sorry, Beatles. (And I do revere the Beatles). Again, this was not the case at this Super Walmart on my first two trips there that morning. No Sonic Boom CD’s were in sight between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. EST.

* Another credit goes to Walmart – you can buy KISS CD’s from their 1970’s catalog for – $5!!! You read that right… five bucks man! I did not see or find any 1980’s KISS CD’s for this price. That is cool, for the CD’s priced at $5 that I did see were: Dressed To Kill, Hotter Than Hell and Rock and Roll Over. These KISS CD’s might have been the first batch or whatever to get into this Super Walmart, the selection hopefully will grow into the whole catalog of KISS CD’s. Again, these were the only KISS CD’s that I for certain identified and were there for $5.

Am I still upset with Super Walmart for not having Sonic Boom stocked at 8:00 and then 9:30 a.m. EST – the morning of it’s release? You bet I am. This is not the first time I have gone to this Super Walmart on a new release Tuesday… several times in the past few years I have had to make a return trip later in the day, (or go to Best Buy, Target or f.y.e. instead), to get a newly released CD that I wanted to initially buy at Super Walmart. This instance where it involved the new KISS Sonic Boom, well, it just was the Metal straw that broke the donkey’s back for me. The service or vendor that Walmart uses to stock their CD’s should be held accountable for failing to get new releases on the shelves before the doors open to the public. I still hope Gene Simmons would somehow get wind of this blunder that has occurred at Super Walmart in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania… it’s the fans that get screwed out of enjoying Sonic Boom for the whole first day of it’s release like I did.  I guess you just can’t get between, (or mess with), a middle aged, (male), Metalhead and his adoration and loyalty to KISS.

KISS "Sonic Boom" x-large album pic 2009

MY SUPER WALMART HAS NOT PUT OUT KISS “SONIC BOOM” AS OF 9:30 A.M. EST ON IT’S RELEASE DATE!

Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, bad shopping experiences, classic hard rock, classic hard rock bands, classic hard rock music, classic heavy metal, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, collecting classic rock, collecting music, collecting rock music, common complaints, corporate greed, current heavy metal albums, essential heavy metal albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, heavy metal music shopping, metal odyssey, Music, new heavy metal album, old school heavy metal, personal list of complaints, rock and roll, rock music, rural pennsylvania, shopping for music, vintage heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 6, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

MetalOdysseyWay to go Super Walmart. With all of the hoopla leading up to the new KISS album in well over a decade, throw in an “Only at Walmart” exclusive for this KISS album, then… do NOT HAVE Sonic Boom out on the shelves for sale at 8:00 a.m. EST, on it’s release date of October 6, 2009!! I went to the Super Walmart located in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania, first thing at 8:00 a.m. EST this morning… with my twin daughters who were very excited about getting the new KISS CD with their daddy. The disappointment was even greater for them, for they love KISS and wanted to hear a few new songs before they went to school. To make matters even more somber, Sonic Boom was playing extremely loud in the CD/electronics department at this Super Walmart too… obviously a Super Walmart employee had a copy of it – forget about the customers!! I thought for certain, my daughters as well, that by hearing the new KISS being played, that there would have been the great KISS KORNER awaiting us – no such luck. Why advertise a release date and then not honor it? Why advertise a KISS KORNER and then not have one? Oh, Super Walmart with their trillions of dollars in profits could care in the least.

I returned to this same Super Walmart at 9:00 a.m. EST, would you believe… SONIC BOOM IS STILL NOT OUT FOR SALE!!!! WTF? So, having a very large grocery list in hand, I proceeded to buy $100 worth of groceries and necessities while there. Just before I was to check out my grocery order, I checked one last time for KISS – Sonic Boom. Forget it – not out. Oh, wait a minute, it kinda was… there were several large boxes in two grocery carts, parked at the end of the CD aisles, right next to the over priced HD televisions. On these large and sealed boxes were very large white stickers… with black printing on them… that read: time sensitive material – street dated material. No music rep to be found though. You see, Super Walmart employees are not allowed to put out the new releases… or any CD’s for that matter. That is exactly what a music rep and Super Walmart employee once told me months ago. I was not about to wait around any longer and allow my time sensitive groceries to thaw out in the cart. Nor was I going to hunt down the music rep who was supposed to be doing his/her job… I have been the KISS Gomer Pyle for too long this morning, enough.

Here are some talking points I have, concerning this inexcusable scenario I endured today:

* If Walmart wants to handcuff music fans with their “exclusive” CD’s… (where you can only buy Sonic Boom at Walmart), then get with the program and have the damn new release out for customers to buy – period. Especially on the release date… there are passionate fans out there like myself who have schedules to follow, I can’t sit on my butt in the middle of the Super Walmart CD aisle all day waiting for the KISS KORNER to get going.

* How come the kiosks were loaded and ready, as soon as the doors opened at this Trexlertown, Pennsylvania, Super Walmart for the release dates of AC/DC Black Ice and the re-issues of the Beatles CD’s and not KISS? Hell, the morning of the release date for Black Ice, I was greeted by a huge, very huge, cardboard advertisement of Angus Young and AC/DC right at the front door of this same Super Walmart!! Plus it was 8:00 a.m. in the morning of the Black Ice release date too!! I was psyched out of my Metal mind that morning… grabbing Black Ice that early on it’s release date was cool.

* Who’s fault is this? Who dropped the Metal ball by not having Sonic Boom on the CD shelves on the morning of it’s release date?

* Music Rep – this is the only person who is supposedly allowed to handle and deliver the CD goods. Where was he or she? Why were the boxes of CD’s left in the aisle unopened until 9:30 a.m. EST on it’s day of release?

* Super Walmart Store Manager – yup, you better believe this person is to blame. This is money we are talking about here, money to be spent. No goods available, no money for the registers. With all of the hype about this Sonic Boom exclusiveness to Super Walmart, plus it is KISS, you would think that the store manager would want to get the ball rolling the night before and have everything set up for loyal customers like myself. My advice for the Trexlertown, Pennsylvania, Super Walmart Store Manager – GET TO WORK AND OVERSEE YOUR DAMN STORE.

* Gene Simmons – you better believe he is to blame too. If Gene Simmons is such a shrewd businessman, I wonder what he would think if he knew his Sonic Boom was not even out, in a Super Walmart CD aisle on it’s release date at 9:30 a.m. EST? Who knows when this Super Walmart will get around to putting out Sonic Boom today, on it’s supposed release date. Gene Simmons could probably care less about my ordeal. Gene Simmons obviously signed an “exclusive” contract with Super Walmart, he obviously thought his new album would be available to customers on it’s release date at ALL Walmarts. I would be bewildered if the contract between KISS and Walmart specified that Sonic Boom would be put on the store shelves, on it’s release date, once the music rep gets around to it. A release date to me, means a new CD is available, once a store opens it’s doors to the buying public – period. Gene Simmons agreed to this “exclusiveness”… instead it is a monopoly. Free enterprise yes, fairness to an open and competitive marketplace, uh, are you kidding?

PLUS, WHY WOULD AN EMPLOYEE OF SUPER WALMART HAVE A COPY OF SONIC BOOM TO PLAY – IN THE CD/ELECTRONICS AREA, WHEN THIS SAME SONIC BOOM CD WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO CUSTOMERS? HYPOCRISY AT IT’S MOST EXTREME LEVEL.

I have learned a long time ago… it does not take a NASA Rocket Scientist to figure this out… Super Walmart is greedy, the record industry is DUH? and too many legendary Rock and Heavy Metal Bands become greedy and corporate as they get bigger. I will listen to a blue collar Heavy Metal Band today, a band that hopefully will never catch onto this mean spirited and greedy Super Walmart “exclusiveness”… ANVIL. Gene Simmons knows he has his loyal KISS ARMY behind him, I will still try once again to buy the new KISS Sonic Boom… hopefully it will be on the Super Walmart shelf by 4:00 p.m. EST today, on it’s release date. There is no other outlet to go and buy Sonic Boom… Walmart and Gene Simmons made it that way with their overpaid plastic lawyers. You can count on seeing that greedy “Only AT Walmart” sticker on the Sonic Boom packaging too. Don’t worry Walmart, you won… you have way too many trillions of dollars to give a crap about screwing the customers like myself.

I know there are worse things in life to worry about than this crap, still, it is defeating when you make an extra 15 minute car trip – twice in one day, for a CD of a band you have been following since you were a kid, only to find out no one has bothered to put out such CD. All the while knowing, that this inconvenience I experienced twice in one day, is all due to people not doing their damn job in the first place.

MetalOdyssey

The Charlie Daniels Band – “The Legend of Wooley Swamp” is one scary, cool song

Posted in collecting music, collecting rock music, country music albums 1980, country music songs 1980, country rock legends, country rock musicians, country rock vocalists, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock country albums 1980, rock country songs 1980, rock music, scary country music songs, scary halloween songs, scary rock music songs, southern rock music, vintage country music albums, vintage country music bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 6, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

The Charlie Daniels Band "Full Moon" small album picBack in 1980, sometime towards the Fall season, The Charlie Daniels Band released the studio album Full Moon, (Epic Records). I can remember this like it was yesterday, my late sister and I would sit around and listen to this great Charlie Daniels album and get the biggest thrill out of it. One song in particular, The Legend of Wooley Swamp was our favorite. This song evokes great memories of my late sister, with us being brought together through the music of the Full Moon album. This song scared the heck out of us back in 1980, it still gives me the jitters today. Talk about a cool and scary song… this one I should have put on my list of Scary Halloween Songs I posted recently. I really do not know how this legendary song slipped my Metal mind while compiling that list. Here is the story of The Legend of Wooley Swamp:

The Charlie Daniels Band "Full Moon" small album picThe lyrics tell the story of Lucius Clay, a greedy old man who would love and care for money more than people. Lucius Clay stored all of his money in mason jars, burying the jars all around his yard. On Summer nights, if the moon was right, Lucius Clay would dig these money filled – mason jars out of the ground. He would empty the jars of money on the floor of his shack and run his greedy fingers through it. Three young men named “the Cable boys” were trouble, they knew of Lucius Clay and all of his money. One night the oldest Cable brother decided he and his two brothers would go down to the Wooley Swamp and get the Lucius Clay money. Well, these brothers did find Lucius Clay, as he was digging up mason jars of money under a full moon. They beat Lucius Clay and threw his body into the swamp, watching as he was sucked down. As these Cable boys tried to run away with the jars of money, they realized they were being dragged down in quicksand themselves. As the Cable boys sunk to their death, they could hear the old man, (Lucius Clay), laugh. As Charlie Daniels relates the spoken word at the end of The Legend of Wooley Swamp – It’s been fifty years ago and you can go by there now. There’s a place in the yard in the back of Lucius Clay’s shack where the ground is forever wet. On summer nights, when the moon is right, down by the dark footpath, you can hear three young men screaming and you can hear one old man laugh.

This story as told in the song by Charlie Daniels, with his band behind him, is vintage. Yes, it is one hell of a scary song too. The Legend of Wooley Swamp makes for a perfect song to get ahold of for this Halloween season. Aw, heck, get ahold of the entire Full Moon album for Metal’s sake, it’s worth every penny. I am one Metalhead that is proud to admit my total fondness for this album, and the upmost respect for The Charlie Daniels Band and the music Charlie Daniels has created for five decades running. Call this song Country, Rock Country or call it Southern Rock. I like to call this song and the entire Full Moon album by The Charlie Daniels Band an American Classic.

You can find The Legend of Wooley Swamp on the Full Moon album, of course. This song is also found on many of The Charlie Daniels Band – Greatest Hits albums as well or on itunes. (I actually bought an extra copy of this song off of itunes myself). Regardless of what Rock genre you hold allegiance to, The Legend of Wooley Swamp and the Full Moon album is worth many, many, listens.

For a great look into the history of The Charlie Daniels Band, with tons of cool stuff, be sure to check out The Charlie Daniels Band website: http://www.charliedaniels.com

The Charlie Daniels Band "the collection" large album pic

THE HEARTACHES – “Lunacy & devastation” bleeds Punk authenticity

Posted in Album Review, Century Media, century media records, collecting music, collecting rock music, cool album covers, essential punk rock albums, hard to find punk rock albums, independent record labels, metal odyssey, Music, obscure punk rock albums, old school punk rock, Punk rock, punk rock album covers, punk rock album review, punk rock album reviews, punk rock albums, punk rock albums 2003, punk rock bands, punk rock music, punk rock musicians, punk rock songs, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, underground punk rock bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 5, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

The Heartaches small album picI have found another Punk Rock Band to jump up and down about and raise my fist in the air to. The Heartaches and their Lunacy & devastation CD, (released in 2003). I needed some music on Sunday to get me out of the funk I was in, The Heartaches was the remedy… a Punk Rock remedy at that. While Rancid and The Casualties have landed on much larger record labels, The Heartaches are on one bona fide underground label at that, are you ready for this one? Here is the record label – “I Used To Fuck People Like You In Prison” Records. Now that is a Punk label if there ever was one.  I take it, from the record label logo of the red devil that is on the liner notes of this CD, that the abbreviation for this record label is – People Like You. From what the liner notes state, this record label is out of Germany. People Like You Records has a really cool website, Punk Rock and Horror Punk are their forte. Their website is packed with their current signed bands and info. My whole life, I have always been intrigued and keenly interested in any underground band that I come across while shopping around for music. The Heartaches are an underground Punk Rock Band for sure, their style of Punk is a blend of Old School meets modern day social angst. Now, that does not sound so unique for a Punk Rock band, yet those are the two main characters in The Heartaches style of Punk. The Heartaches brand of Old School Rockabilly has been recharged with slick speed and extremely contagious riffs that meld within the frenetic stomp of their rhythm section.

The Heartaches small album picThe Heartaches deliver 13 genuine Punk Rock songs on Lunacy & devastation, each song carries it’s own Punk weight, no one song sounds like the other. My favorite song on this CD is Safe and Sound, it just has a cool groove happening from the opening note. If a Punk Rock song can be harmonious, Safe and Sound proves it. A continuous pissed off theme does not let up throughout these songs lyrics, a Punk Rock staple that can work as long as the music itself has legs to stand on. In my Metal opinion, the songs on Lunacy & devastation have legs… Punk strong at that. Lead vocalist Leroy has everything I look for from a Punk Rock front man. Leroy’s vocals exude extreme Punk credibility, as do each member of The Heartaches, from what my ears tell me. Sammy on vocals and guitar, does not impede with his backup duties with Leroy, this guy adds greatly to the total Punk essence of The Heartaches. After my third listen through with this CD, I shake my head and wonder why The Heartaches were never signed to a major label, (I’m not talking Atlantic Records here), a label like SideOneDummy? Yeah, I think The Heartaches sound that cool. Heartattack Radio is the last song on Lunacy & devastation, the Punk fervor of the vocals alongside the rhythmic enthusiasm of The Heartaches makes it a Punk exclamation point of an ending.

I have been trying to find out more information on The Heartaches, utilizing the world wide web has not brought me much luck. The Heartaches are not listed on the People Like You Records website either. The Heartaches that I am discussing here should not be confused with the Swami Records signed Punk Band of the same name – The Heartaches. This other Heartaches band released an album on Swami Records in 2006 titled – Too Cool For School and they are found on the Swami Records website as well. Each band has totally different named musicians. Maybe someone out there knows more about The Heartaches that made this terrific Punk Rock album called Lunacy & devastation… if so, drop Metal Odyssey a comment about it.

**I found The Heartaches – Lunacy & devastation CD on CM distro.com also known as Century Media Records online. This cool Punk Band and CD was keenly hidden away in the “clearance” section of Century Media Records. Great find for me… could be for you too – if you give it a try.

The Heartaches as they appeared on Lunacy & devastation:

Leroy – vocals

Sammy – vocals & guitar

Joey UK – bass

Bram – guitar

Joe Dynamite – drums

Lunacy & devastation Track Listing:

1. S.O.L.

2. Action

3. Hoboken Riot

4, Lunacy & Devastation

5. Safe and sound

6. Let me be

7. Never Come Back

8. 5 Cents in a hat

9. Dead man’s diary

10. Ripped to shreds

11. Sin City

12. Landscape

13. Heartattack Radio

The Heartaches Large album pic

KROKUS – “ROCK THE BLOCK” Has Rocked My Heavy Metal World

Posted in 1970's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal ballads, 1980's heavy metal cover songs, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, Album Review, classic heavy metal, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock music, collecting rock music, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, essential heavy metal songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands this decade, heavy metal cover songs, heavy metal from switzerland, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1983, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal this decade, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music, switzerland heavy metal bands, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands, vintage heavy metal songs with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 4, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Krokus "Rock The Block" large album picAt the end of the day, I thank my lucky Metal stars that Krokus has existed – and still exists as a Heavy Metal Band. I have listened to Krokus since the early ’80’s, with Headhunter, (released on November 30, 1983), being my favorite Krokus album ever. Krokus has always maintained their straight-up brand of Heavy Metal over the decades, (spanning 4 decades), mixing in a power ballad here and there for good Metal measure. The comparisons to AC/DC over the years have been rather unfair, although I can understand why this comparison exists. (Marc Storace on lead vocals for Krokus does have resemblance to the legendary and late Bon Scott). Krokus has easily differentiated their songs on past albums, Screaming In The Night from Headhunter, Our Love from The Blitz album and Burning Up The Night from the Change of Address album are three cool examples to point out. Plus, Krokus has never been bashful in the past about doing cover songs… they kicked some Metal ass with School’s Out by Alice Cooper, Ballroom Blitz by Sweet and American Woman by The Guess Who. In a Metal nutshell, AC/DC is a legendary – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Band… Krokus has longevity, a strong and hard work ethic and a catalog of Heavy Metal albums worth their weight in Metal gold. Two different bands, Krokus just never received the popular vote… they are the band that Metalheads from decades past know are damn great at what they do. Krokus does not need acceptance from a Hall of Fame building to feel like they belong or accomplished anything… the fans know the difference.

Krokus collage band photo 2009Phew, now that this Krokus introduction is out of my Metal system, I can get excited now about telling the world about their 2003 album – Rock The Block (on Warner Brothers). You see, I have kept cool Metal tabs on Krokus throughout the years, still, an album will be put on my want list and wind up not being purchased for some unreal reason or another. Skipping over Rock The Block, I wound up buying right away the Hellraiser album by Krokus back in 2006. (Hellraiser by the way is one damn good Krokus album too). Fast forward to October of 2009 and I still do not own the Rock The Block album… until, once again, step in my best buddy – Scott. He sent me the Rock The Block CD via mail last week. On Friday, October 4, 2009 – I officially owned this album on CD and cranked it up for all it’s Heavy Metal worth.

Within a four year period, from 2003 to 2006, Krokus has released two great Heavy Metal albums. All the while, there are those bands who release that one album every ten to fifteen years and because they are elite, the mainstream press goes ape crap over it. With Krokus, there is no Walmart exclusive contract, yet they bring the Old School Heavy Metal that never fails to kick my ass into Heavy Metal shape. Rock The Block never made the cover of any prima donna – mainstream Rock magazines… thank god. This album gets it’s just due here, on Metal Odyssey. Krokus will forever get their just due on Metal Odyssey. All 14 songs are Krokus Heavy Metal… there is no in between. Mad World opens up this album and has me amazed at how strong and relevant the lyrics are. I instantly became absorbed into the Heavy Metal world of Krokus while listening to this album. Mad World is as intensely good a Krokus song I have ever heard. To go through each song that is on Rock The Block would be nonsensical here, this album is as complete a Krokus Heavy Metal album as there ever was. Rock The Block – Rocked my Heavy Metal world this past Friday… as a first time listen nearing seven years after it’s release.

Krokus, as they appeared on Rock The Block:

Marc Storace – lead vocals

Fernando Von Arb – lead guitar

Tony Castell – bass guitar

Dominique Favez – rhythm guitar

Patrick Aeby – drums

KrokusRock The Block Track Listing:

  1. Mad World
  2. Leading the Pack
  3. I Want It All
  4. Open Fire
  5. One For All
  6. Looking to America
  7. Go My Way
  8. Hot Shot
  9. Raise Your Hands
  10. Night of the Snakes
  11. Throwing Her China
  12. We’ll Rise
  13. Freedom
  14. Rock the Block

Krokus "Rock The Block" large album pic

THE KINKS – Two Songs From This Band That Sums Up Most of My Days

Posted in 1960's classic rock music, 1960's rock & roll, 1960's rock & roll british invasion, 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's classic rock guitarists, 1980's rock albums, 1980's rock music, 1980's rock musicians, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's classic rock songs, 1980's hard rock, classic hard rock, classic hard rock bands, classic hard rock music, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock music 1979, classic rock music 1983, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, collecting music, collecting rock music, cool album covers, essential classic rock albums, essential classic rock songs, essential rock albums, hard rock music, hard rock songs, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, rock & roll, rock & roll hall of fame inductees, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music, rock vocalists, vintage hard rock albums, vintage hard rock bands, vintage rock albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 4, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

The Kinks "State of Confusion" small album picThe Kinks – another legendary Rock and Roll Band, (and Hard Rock Band too), that I have never forgotten about… no Metal way. I first caught on to this great band upon their Low Budget album being released – back on September 7, 1979. The Kinks were huge back in the day… I specifically remember the late 1970’s into the 1980’s version of The Kinks. This band had one hell of a work ethic – always touring. There used to be a horde of kids wearing The Kinks concert shirts to High School back in the early ’80’s… as a Metalhead back then, I thought that was cool, due to my fondness for this band. I never was lucky enough to catch The Kinks in concert… back in the early 80’s would have been the choice time too. That is alright, I can always Rock out to The Kinks by listening to their songs whenever I want, like I have been doing since 1979. The Kinks were rightfully inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in 1990. I could not endorse a band like The Kinks any louder to the younger generation of Rock/Classic Rock fans… they really put out some incredible music spanning four decades.

Oh yeah, here are the two songs that sum up most of my days, courtesy of The Kinks. I just bought these two songs from itunes recently… I confess that I never upgraded The Kinks from cassette tape to CD after all of these years. Hey, I still plop my (gulp) cassettes into my (yikes) stereo cassette decks. That is correct, I own numerous cassette players still. Label me retro, I am hurting no one… at least I am not an overpaid loud mouth like David Letterman or a dude named Jon that left eight kids stranded.

Here they are:

(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman – (from the 1979 Low Budget album) – the B side of the 45 rpm of (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman that I owned back in 1979 was the super cool song Low Budget. There are countless days where I would really like to change the world and save it from the mess it’s in. That line is taken right out of this song… man, if I could be Superman for one day. Then again, I never thought Lois Lane is that cute anyways. That goes for all the portrayals of Lois Lane from Hollywood movies, television series and in the comics too.

State of Confusion – (from the 1983 State of Confusion album) – yeah, between all of the talking heads on television, just hearing their sound bites puts me in this state alone. Throw in bills, junk mail, nosey neighbors, politicians, lousy drivers on the road and people on television calling monkeys their children (!)… well, you get the point.

Really, if you do not own any of The Kinks music, at least go and buy these two songs… it should set you back a measly two bucks. (Any worthless Sunday newspaper costs more than that). You hopefully will find that these two songs Rock the crap out of a ton of the newer Rock music that is being shoved at us in 2009. Ray and Dave Davies are Rock and Roll geniuses, they made some impeccable albums of song with The Kinks. These two songs from The Kinks have served me right for years… they could or should serve you right too.

The Kinks "Low Budget" large album pic

SLAUGHTER – “STICK IT TO YA” HAS STUCK TO ME

Posted in 1990's classic rock music, 1990's heavy metal albums, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal hits, 1990's heavy metal songs, 1990's rock music, Album Review, classic heavy metal, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock music, collecting music, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, essential heavy metal songs, hard rock music, heavy meta albums 1990, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands, vintage heavy metal songs with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 3, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Slaughter "Stick It To Ya" small album picSlaughter – Stick It To Ya is an album that has really stuck to me lately. I have been listening to Stick It To Ya each day this past week, these songs on this album just seem to have hit me the right way. Released in 1990, Stick It To Ya has at least four songs that were played quite steadily on FM radio back in the very early 90’s. Up All Night, Spend My Life, Fly To The Angels and Mad About You were the hits, if you will. I have always liked this band for certain, the vocals of Mark Slaughter and the straight up Heavy Metal sound of Slaughter never fails to put me in a cool mood. Labeling Slaughter as a Glam/Hair Metal Band just does not jive with me, their brand of Rock will always be Heavy Metal, in my Metal opinion. I saw Slaughter live back around 1990 or so, they were opening up for Poison. The other opening act that night was BulletBoys. Slaughter did an all acoustic set that evening… I was disappointed that they were not going to let it all Rock out, frankly I was stunned. Despite my initial feelings with Slaughter doing the acoustic versions of their songs, it turned out to be quite cool after all. I was able to see a different look of Slaughter that night, this band showed me they were damn good musicians. This concert took place at Lake Compounce Amusement Park, in Bristol, Connecticut.

Slaughter "The Best Of" small album picI have owned for some time, the CD – The Best Of by Slaughter, the ten songs on this disc are great, only Fly To The Angels and Spend My Life are missing from the song selection. Not cool. So, I promised myself to add the real Slaughter albums to my CD collection over time, starting with Stick It To Ya. About one week ago, I found the used copy of Stick It To Ya at my local f.y.e., the astounding Metal price of $4.49 is all it took for me to claim this CD as my own. Man, I cannot get enough of this album… every single song too. Going back to 1990 for just a Metal second… Spend My Life was a song that reminded me of my girlfriend I was going steady with back then, it still does remind me of her for she is my incredible wife for the past fifteen years now. My wife, (girlfriend was her title back in 1990), gave me unconditional love and support when I needed it most back in the early 90’s. (Believe me, she still does). Spend My Life could  not have been released at a better time than 1990, this song means a ton to me.

I just spoke about Stick It To Ya today, in a conversation with my best buddy Scott, (he digs Slaughter too)… telling him that I could not believe it has been 20 years since this album was released, (give or take a few months). He understood where I was coming from. I told Scott, it seems like it was just a couple of years ago, when Slaughter made their move onto the Heavy Metal scene. This is what happens as you get older I guess, albums and bands you really dig don’t age, they only get better with time and are there for you at the push of the play button. I will be pushing that play button for Slaughter and Stick It To Ya for a very long time to come.

Track Listing for the original release of Stick It To Ya:

  1. Eye to Eye – 3:57
  2. Burnin’ Bridges – 4:07
  3. Up All Night 4:16
  4. Spend My Life – 3:21
  5. Thinking of June (Instrumental) – 1:05
  6. She Wants More – 3:55
  7. Fly to the Angels – 5:05
  8. Mad About You – 4:05
  9. That’s Not Enough – 3:25
  10. You Are the One – 3:55
  11. Gave Me Your Heart – 3:51
  12. Desperately – 3:34
  13. Loaded Gun – 4:18
  14. Fly to the Angels (Acoustic Version) – 3:22
  15. Wingin’ It – 1:11

Some Extra Info on Slaughter’s Stick It To Ya… to better fulfill your Metal Soul:

* Stick It To Ya has gone double platinum, selling over 2 million albums – very cool.

* Stick It To Ya was nominated for best Heavy Metal album of the year, by the 1991 edition of the American Music Awards.

* Stick It To Ya was released on January 27, 1990, on Chrysalis Records.

Slaughter as they appeared on Stick It To Ya: Mark Slaughter – lead vocals and guitar, Tim Kelly – guitar, Dana Strum – bass guitar and Blas Elias – drums

Slaughter "Stick It To Ya" large album pic


LYNYRD SKYNYRD – “GOD & GUNS” IS ALREADY A SOUTHERN ROCK CLASSIC

Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's southern rock music, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's southern rock music, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's rock bands, 1980's southern rock, 1990's classic rock music, 1990's southern rock music, Album Review, classic hard rock, classic hard rock bands, classic hard rock music, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, cool album covers, current rock albums 2009, essential rock albums, essential southern rock albums, hard rock albums 2009, hard rock music, Music, old school southern rock music, rock & roll, rock album review, rock album reviews, rock and roll, rock and roll hall of fame inductees, rock music, southern hard rock, southern hard rock albums, southern rock, southern rock albums, southern rock music, southern rock music legends with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 2, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Lynyrd Skynyrd "God & Guns" small album picLynyrd Skynyrd are Southern Rock Legends and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. What more does Lynyrd Skynyrd have to prove? What keeps the motivation meter running with this band? In my Metal opinion, it is a combination of many things… the Skynyrd Nation and the fact that this band has never lost touch with their roots are two quick examples. Southern Music roots… family roots… old school values, these three attributes come out Southern Rockin’ loud and clear on God & Guns, (released on RoadRunner Records, September 29, 2009). My interpretation of the lyrics found on God & Guns, leads me to believe that Lynyrd Skynyrd are not about to change their beliefs, (both political and social), for no man. Lynyrd Skynyrd has never and is not about to sway or teeter on the fence with their lyrics and music, a quality that I tremendously admire of this legendary band. As the decades have passed and the Lynyrd Skynyrd lineup has unquestionably changed, none of what I have previously touched upon with this band has wavered… and the quality of the musicianship inevitably carries forward this Southern Rock icon to 2009. With God & Guns, a new Southern Rock Classic has instantly been born and I would not have expected any less from Lynyrd Skynyrd. Each of the twelve songs on this new album bestow the trademark Southern Rock shades of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s past, while combining a thrust of relevant Hard Rock vigor, making for an unforgettable listen the first time around. Johnny Van Zant sounds great on vocals and founding member and guitarist Gary Rossington, along with the entire band should be proud of this album.

Still Unbroken opens up God & Guns, it is heavy and hard, a statement that the rest of this album to follow is going to be one hell of a cool ride. Skynyrd Nation is a song overflowing with Southern Rock/Lynyrd Skynyrd pride. I am just waiting for the right moment to crank up this song to the max, with my car window down. Skynyrd Nation is the ultimate Southern Rock anthem for this band, a powerful song. Simple Life is a cry out for the way things used to be as only Lynyrd Skynyrd can convey. Here is where the old school values of life comes into play… eating dinner with your kids, not having to lock up the doors to your house, going fishing and helping out a stranger. This song may sound like preaching to some, however, the lyrics make total sense to me. Unwrite That Song is the ballad on God & Guns that provides a moment to chill, kick back and revel at the change in Southern Rock shift… this song acts as the anchor between the song list, giving me one more reason to call this album a new classic. Floyd is the song that provides the creepy moment on God & Guns. This song tells a story about a man named Floyd who mysteriously disappears after two law dogs got in his way – Southern Rock spookiness in the vein of Molly Hatchet’s classic song The Creeper.

My favorite song on God & Guns is That Ain’t My America. A patriotic song, with strong conservative views, Lynyrd Skynyrd doesn’t just add their two cents here… they reminded me once again, as to how proud I am to be an American. That Ain’t My America makes many points through it’s lyrics, yet it is done with respect and class… the Southern Rock way. Storm and Gifted Hands conclude God & Guns on a high inspirational note and there ain’t nothing wrong with that for me. The lyrics of these last two songs prove that positive lyrics incorporated with the Southern Rock sound of Lynyrd Skynyrd, can easily elevate me to the highest of cool moods. The guitar jamming in Gifted Hands could carry on for hours and I would still listen with gleeful, Southern Rock hungry ears. Aw, damn, I can easily listen to this new Lynyrd Skynyrd classic God & Guns for hours on end… and still want more.

Some extra info on this God & Guns CD:

Within the liner notes of this CD, is a cool concert photo of the late Billy Powell and Ean Evans, shown together. Lynyrd Skynyrd dedicated this new album to both of these gentlemen, along with their respective families. Complete lyrics to every song are in the liner notes. Also found within the liner notes, under the title of Additional Musicians, Rob Zombie and guitarist John 5 are credited. The liner notes do not express which songs they appear on. My Metal ears are astute to so many musicians and their style of play, (this time I am stumped), I cannot pinpoint where Rob Zombie and John 5 do appear… maybe someone out there knows for sure which songs they appear on and can drop the details in a reply.

Lynyrd Skynyrd "God & Guns" large album pic #2

ROCK NEWS ALERT: MEAT LOAF IS A GHOST HUNTER!

Posted in 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock music, 1990's classic rock albums, 1990's classic rock music, 1990's rock music, classic hard rock, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock music 1977, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, collecting classic rock, cool album covers, essential classic rock albums, essential classic rock songs, essential rock albums, ghost hunters, ghost hunting reality television, ghost stories, ghost theme reality television shows, Music, old school hard rock, paranormal experiences, paranormal investigators, paranormal reality televison, paranormal research, paranormal stories, paranormal television shows, Rock, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music on television, rock vocalists, scary album covers, spooky album covers, vintage rock albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 1, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Meat Loaf "Bat Out of Hell ll" small album picMeat Loaf, Rock Music Legend. Meat Loaf, one brilliant Rock Music vocalist. Meat Loaf… one fine ghost hunter. You read that correctly – a ghost hunter! Two of my biggest loves in all of life collided tonight… ghost hunting and Rock and Roll. (Of course my #1 love in life are my wife, daughters and dad). Meat Loaf was the guest ghost hunter on the newest episode of Ghost Hunters, this episode, #515, aired tonight on the SyFy Channel, September 30, 2009. What an episode of Ghost Hunters it was… probably one of the best episodes I have seen of Ghost Hunters too. I have been a fan of Meat Loaf since I was a kid in the late 1970’s and a fan of Ghost Hunters ever since it first aired. Let me say this… Meat Loaf is as emotional a Ghost Hunter as he is an emotional Rock singer. Really. Meat Loaf added not just his celebrity to this new episode of Ghost Hunters, he added credibility to the entire investigation alongside Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson (founders of T.A.P.S. – The Atlantic Paranormal Society) plus their entire team. Meat Loaf did not present himself as a world renowned Rock Star, no way. Instead, the Meat Loaf that appeared on Ghost Hunters was a regular guy, someone who is obviously grounded with life around him.

Meat Loaf met up with the Ghost Hunters team, on a private island  – Thousand Islands New York, Isles of Pines. The house that the Ghost Hunters team and Meat Loaf investigated was deemed to be haunted by Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, based on the results of the ghost investigation. Meat Loaf, during the investigation, was not only completely thrilled to be a part of the Ghost Hunter team, he also displayed nerves of steel as he communicated with an unseen spirit! With the use of a K2 meter, (a battery operated device that lights up when a spirit prompts it, in essence, a spirit will answer to direct questions by lighting up the K2 meter), Meat Loaf had one damn cool conversation with both a female and male spirit! Meat Loaf also asked the spirit(s) to move his water bottle from a bathroom window sill. Meat Loaf, along with Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, exited this bathroom location… upon returning to this bathroom, the water bottle was moved… to the back of the toilet! Very spooky, very cool – way to ghost hunt Meat Loaf!

I am a believer in the after life, ghosts are a major part of this belief for me. With that stated, you really do not have to be a believer to enjoy Ghost Hunters… it is entertaining as hell. Plus, if you are a fan of Meat Loaf, this is one offbeat appearance that Meat Loaf himself will find hard to top. As I watched this episode tonight, all I could think was how cool and lucky this Ghost Hunter team is – to have a living Rock Legend like Meat Loaf join them on this investigation. Metal truth be told, Meat Loaf is so convincing as a ghost hunter, that SyFy should most certainly consider having him appear again on another episode of Ghost Hunters. How about Meat Loaf having his very own ghost hunting reality show? I already have the title for this show – Meat Loaf Investigates. Aw, heck, I don’t want to get ahead of myself here… I’m just too damned excited from it all.

In Metal closing, what would this post be without my mentioning my favorite Meat Loaf album of all time? Bat Out Of Hell, released on October 21, 1977. An undisputed, Classic Rock gem of an album, in my Metal opinion. Just about anyone I have ever known, has owned this album… whether it be on (gulp) 8 track, vinyl, cassette or CD. With the song writing genius of Jim Steinman, Meat Loaf and only Meat Loaf, could ever sing the songs from Bat Out Of Hell with such Rock emotional enormity. What am I saying, any of the Meat Loaf albums could never sound as Rock prolific if sung by another vocalist… I include the songs Meat Loaf sang for Ted Nugent on the Free For All album as well. My favorite song from the Bat Out Of Hell album is, without hesitation, You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night). My favorite Meat Loaf song ever, is – Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through – from the 1993 album Bat Out Of Hell ll: Back Into Hell. I could easily write a million words describing how so many Meat Loaf songs have inspired me and picked me up when I needed it most during my life. I always look forward to Wednesday nights due to Ghost Hunters on SyFy… Meat Loaf just made it light years better than I ever expected tonight, for me.

Meat Loaf "Bat Out Of Hell" large album pic