Archive for May, 2010

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JACKYL – “WHEN MOONSHINE AND DYNAMITE COLLIDE” LET’S THE HEAVY BOOGIE RUN WILD!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal songs, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 10, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

JACKYL – And on the eighth day… God created Jackyl. The only thing is, I don’t think even God knew just how true to the bone, blue-collar and hard hittin’ this band was going to be with their Rock ‘N’ Roll. If I have said it once, I’ll say it again… just so everyone knows… Jackyl is as American as F’n apple pie. This is one Hard Rockin’ and Heavy Metalin’ band that I don’t ever want to see call it a day. Metal alas… a NEW Jackyl album is OUT! Even with Jackyl earning the distinction of being a touring band over the last several years, these Southern Fried, Heavy Metal foot stompers have released – When Moonshine And Dynamite Collide, released on May 4, 2010, on Mighty Loud Records.

Listening to Jesse James Dupree belt out his grainy, sandpapered vocals to the Janis Joplin classic – Mercedes Benz, only solidifies the fact that Jackyl aint lookin’ to cow tow to no status quo. Long live Janis Joplin… for Jackyl hasn’t forgotten her! I like the vocal cover that Jesse did with Mercedes Benz, I dare anyone to tell him it sucks… to his face. Cover songs are a mainstay to Rock ‘N’ Roll, they exist to salute the Rock legends and influences of our past… Metal be thy name.

Jackyl’s Rock ‘N’ Roll brand has always sizzled with, dare I say… fun? Good Lord… Jackyl is not only still loud, hard & heavy with plenty of bang, bang, boogie beat, they are having a damned good time too! Somebody call the good times police… Jackyl is back with a new album!!

* If there is one warning that should come with this new Jackyl album, it is: When Moonshine And Dynamite Collide – must be played very F’n LOUD!

* Oh, another warning should read: Not meant for the fragile and clean ears of turtlenecks.

In the event that I have to point out my favorite song from When Moonshine And Dynamite Collide, (well, that event is now), the wood splittin’ winner is – She’s Not A Drug. Metal be damned, this song kicks my ass from sunset to sunrise. This song is saturated with Hard Rockin’, fist pumpin’ psyche-you-out glory… PUH-POW!!

I Can’t Stop and Loads Of Fun reaches back for some extra heavy on all counts, with the chorus electrifying each song to the good ol’ Arena Rock heights. The song – When Moonshine And Dynamite Collide, escalates into the sound of a Southern Hard Rock Classic, almost instantly upon my first listen, to my Jackyl tailored ears.

Guitarist Jeff Worley consistently garnishes this new Jackyl album with fired up, inventive and groovy licks. Jesse James Dupree’s vocals has his Old School, heavy hurlin’ attitude and back roads swagger heard loud and F’n clear on each and every song… PUH-POW!

Roman Glick on bass and Chris Worley on drums hold all this infectiously Hard & Heavy fun, uh, I mean music, together. I just find it difficult for myself to hold it all together each time I listen to When Moonshine And Dynamite Collide… if this new Jackyl album doesn’t make you get up and move, then check yourself into… yes, here it comes… The Rolling Hills Lame Ass and Uptight Clinic. I hear they are giving out free turtlenecks too.

* For more info on JACKYL, just click this link: JACKYL – Official Website

Track Listing For When Moonshine And Dynamite Collide:

Loads Of Fun

I Can’t Stop

She’s Not A Drug

My Moonshine Kicks Your Cocaine Ass

Get Mad At It

The Overflow Of Love

When Moonshine And Dynamite Collide

Just Like A Negro

Deeper In Darkness

Freight Train

Mercedes Benz

Full Throttle

LONG LIVE JACKYL!

Stone.


13 Comments »

MORPHINE KILLER – NEW SINGLE “THROW IT ALL AWAY” IS OUT NOW AND CAN’T MISS!

Posted in hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 9, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MORPHINE KILLER/Final Breath Records:

Released this past March, 2010, the NEW and unreal solid single from Stanton California’s very own Morphine Killer – Throw It All Away is out now and available for purchase through the following cool outlets:

* MORPHINE KILLER – Official Website

* iTunes

* Amazon.com

* ReverbNation

In my Metal opinion, this is THE song that should catapult Morphine Killer onto an entirely new level of Metal notoriety. This song for all Metal intents and purposes… ROCKS. The vocals of Belle have never sounded more alluring. She has proved to this veteran Metalhead, that she can be counted as one of the top new female vocalists in Heavy Music today. Metal be thy name.

Eski’s tireless work ethic and Metal Music prowess shines through on Throw It All Away, with extremely contagious riffs and a melodic, driving sound. The outer crust of Throw It All Away has the flavor of Old School and that makes it all the better. Polished, while still delivering the Hard & Heavy, this single is one of the best introductions to those unfamiliar with Morphine Killer. This single can easily be one of the Hard Rock/Heavy Metal songs of 2010 that fans of Heavy Music shouldn’t miss!

IF THE FUTURE OF HEAVY MUSIC IS IN THE HANDS OF BANDS LIKE MORPHINE KILLER, THEN I CAN SLEEP WELL AT NIGHT.

Stone.

2 Comments »

METAL ODYSSEY’S MOTHER’S DAY SONGS TO ROCK YOU!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 8, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MOTHERS DAY – is here, it’s May 9th, 2010 and more Mom’s will be smiling today while they are remembered, visited upon and bestowed with love and/or flowers, cards and gifts. My Mom will be smiling for her first Mothers Day up in heaven. I love you Mom, for eternity.

I want to wish my mother-in-law, Nonny, my sister-in-law and of course my unreal and beautiful wife a Happy Mother’s Day! So, as with any event, moment or thought that happens in my life… it always gets coated with Metal. What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day, than to also salute some of Rock ‘N’ Roll’s greatest songs, that have Mother as the theme or any reference to Mom in the song title! There are probably hundreds of songs that I may have overlooked… I did not want to embark on an overwhelming list here. If you know of a Heavy Metal or even a Hard Rock or Classic Rock song that incorporates “Mom” into the song title and is not on this list, drop it off as a comment!

* I really can care in the least about the lyrical content of the following songs, it’s the songs having any reference to mother, mom, momma, etc. that is what this list is about. Enjoy… and if you find your not enjoying this list, go watch some Oprah reruns for some real excitement.

DANZIG – Mother (DANZIG debut/self titled)

QUIET RIOT – Mama Weer All Crazee Now (Condition Critical)

Ozzy Osbourne – Mama, I’m Coming Home (No More Tears)

Loggins & Messina – Your Mama Don’t Dance (The Best Of Friends)

Poison – Your Mama Don’t Dance (cover version) (Open Up and Say… Ahh!)

Earth Wind & Fire – Mom ( Last Days And Time)

The Rolling Stones have 2 songs from their 1967 compilation album – Flowers.

Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow?

Mother’s Little Helper

Electric Light Orchestra – Ma-Ma-Ma Belle (On The Third Day)

King Diamond – Mother’s Getting Weaker (Them)

Aerosmith – MaMa Kin (Debut/Self Titled Album)

GAMMARAY – To Mother Earth (Land Of The Free II)

Here’s a Metal Odyssey “Mother” bonus for you… it’s not a song, instead it’s a super cool, greatest hits album from the beyond legendary – Led Zeppelin… it’s titled… Mothership.

And since I mentioned an actual album “title” that has some “Mother” in it… try out this ultra legendary Rock ‘N’ Roll band for size on Mother’s Day… The Mothers Of Invention.

Freak Out! is the debut double album from The Mothers Of Invention, released back in the magical year of 1966. Freak Out! has the historic distinction of being the very first, double album debut in Rock ‘N’ Roll history. God bless Frank Zappa.

And as you can see, the phrase Freak Out! was made famous long before the Disco/Funk band Chic released their popular 1978 Disco song – Le Freak on their C’est Chic album. (Just thought you would like to know that).

If The Mothers Of Invention are not on your playlist on Mother’s Day… then maybe this iconic band should be… The Mamas & the Papas.

Hey, if your music taste for Mother’s Day is a tad heavier… look no further than… Mother Love Bone. This compilation of songs from Mother Love Bone was released back in 1992.

Here’s hoping this list of Mom related songs and bonus material made for a more wonderful Mothers Day for you. If this cool list did not provide you with any entertainment value, then go take some Ex-Lax and search the television channels for some Brady Bunch reruns.

Stone.

9 Comments »

METAL CHURCH: DON’T CALL IT QUITS… IT’S TOO SOON.

Posted in hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 7, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

METAL CHURCH: Back on July 7, 2009, the home page for the official Metal Church website read:

“A message from the band..

July 7 , 2009

To all of our fans and friends…

We regretfully announce that Metal Church is calling it quits.

The performance at Rocklahoma will be our last show. We have had to cancel the shows scheduled for August and that, among other things, has led us to have to make this decision.

There has been far too much frustration and disappointment in trying to keep moving forward. The collapse of our record company, SPV, has made it next to impossible for us continue in any kind of professional manner due to lack of tour support. This decision was not made lightly.

We do have unfinished business in the studio, and with any luck we will have something that will be of interest to Metal Church fans in the near future.

We would like to thank all the fans that have stuck with Metal Church through all these years, the line-up changes and the ups and downs.

We can’t tell you how much your support has meant to us, we appreciate each and every one of you.

It’s been a great ride… thanks for being a part of it.

Metal Church”

I can understand that there are situations that are beyond any band’s control… yet this news has NOT set right with me since last July of 2009. Consistently, over the past year, I have tried to ignore this news of Metal Church calling it quits, thinking that one of these days I would visit their website, to read that they are coming back after all. Unfortunately, that has not been the Metal case.

Please, Kurdt Vanderhoof, reassess the might and magnitude that your Metal Church band still has to offer. Lineup changes are common place in Rock ‘N’ Roll across the board… each and every Metal Church lineup over the years has been extremely credible, from the song writing and lyrics to the Metal Music itself, Metal Church was and always will be an ultra quality Metal brand and band in the vast world of music. Sure, there will always be an opinion as to the best Metal Church lineup and album comparisons within the Metal Church catalog. Yet, I don’t want those debates or discussions to ever end!

If there ever was a time in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal history, where the excitement has been so high for these incredible genres, reunions of Old School Bands so numerous, credible new albums being released from veteran bands and the loyalty from a generation of 1980’s fans so rabid… it is NOW. Any record company with any comprehension of how popular Metal Church is, should be jumping at the chance to sign you. Please reconsider calling it quits Kurdt Vanderhoof and Metal Church… your not that old yet, your fans aren’t going away and I’m speaking for hopefully, most of them. A Heavy Metal world without Metal Church leaves a unique void.

At the end of the Metal day, I can still respect and accept the fact that Kurdt Vanderhoof needs to close the book on this Metal Church legacy. In no Metal way, shape or form, do I want to come across as a selfish fan. I believe in that old saying… when one Metal door shuts, another Metal door opens. It just doesn’t feel like it should be the end though…

LONG LIVE METAL CHURCH.

IT IS LIKE SAYING GOODBYE TO A METAL BUDDY, YET SAYING GOODBYE WAY TOO SOON.

To visit the official website for Metal Church, click here: METAL CHURCH – Official Website

Stone.

8 Comments »

METALMEISTER – A 1996 METAL BLADE RECORDS, COMPILATION OF UNRULY & EXTREMELY HEAVY… METAL!

Posted in black metal music, death metal music, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 6, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

METALMEISTER – Released back on July 23, 1996, on the legendary Metal Blade Records, this compilation of fifteen songs is a molten fireball of Metal Music! Fifteen bands, all signed to the Metal Blade Records label, (as of 1996), are featured on Metalmeister. From Cannibal Corpse and GWAR to Armored Saint, Metal Blade Records never put up any boundaries when it comes to Metal Music… and they still don’t. Metalmeister may be out of print, alas, I have seen numerous new copies for sale at Amazon.com for slightly over $1 U.S.!! That’s one meager buck for a heavy swath of Metal, Metalheads!

The one track on Metalmeister that isn’t heavy at all is Fall-Dark Waters by Decoryah. It’s quite an atmospheric song, reminiscent of The Alan Parsons Project. (!) Believe me, that is my most honest Metal opinion I have of this song. Plus, as a mellow bonus, this song clocks in at 7:16 too. I am not dismissing myself from ever listening to this song ever again, it’s just that it does not “fit in” with this Metalmeister compilation at all. In case you are wondering… Decoryah was a dark/ambient Doom Metal band from Finland, releasing two albums, two EP’s and two demos from 1992 to 1997. My Metal research has found this band broke up in 1997.

Wretched by The Crisis is just that, plus it sounds like the Pop Rock Band… Hanson going all Death Metal on my brain. I really don’t know of any other songs and or albums from The Crisis, this is just my Metal opinion on the one song from them, heard straight from Metalmeister.

Thankfully, the track immediately following this Wretched song is Here In After by Immolation. (Phew), Immolation does a Metal brain good, especially after listening to a Metal? song that leaves me bewildered. The song Here In After is Immolation NOT fooling around… this Death Metal Band always delivers the heaviest of goods to my ears. Metal be thy name.

Meat Sandwich by GWAR is… vintage… GWAR. There is something about these unearthly beings that makes me listen to them, with the upmost Metal curiosity. Meat Sandwich is as entertaining lyrically as it is Metal groovy.

Meat Sandwich can be found on the RAGNAROK album, released back on October 24, 1995, on of course, Metal Blade Records. Here is what the RAGNAROK album cover looks like:

Well, I covered my least liked songs first… then Immolation and GWAR saved the Metal day… now for the really cool Metal… step in Armored Saint. Creepy Feelings is listed on Metalmeister as previously unreleased material and from a 1989 demo tape. This was 1996 when this album was released, thus Creepy Feelings was very much a previously unreleased track of the time. Fast forward to March 7, 2000, when the Armored Saint album – Revelation was released… Creepy Feelings was included on it. This song is a killer… a melodic and hard driving force is Creepy Feelings with John Bush vocally at his finest.

This is what the Revelation album looks like:

I also posted a review for Armored Saint – Revelation back on July 24, 2009. You can read it if you like, by clicking the link below:

Armored Saint – “Revelation” brings forth Heavy Metal intensity

Psychotic Companion by Galactic Cowboys exhibits flashes of Thrash, Funk Metal and Heavy Metal commercial accessibility. One damn decent band was Galactic Cowboys, a cool song to have in this Metalmeister mix of Metal candy.

Blue Suit, Brown Shirt by one of Thrash Metal’s best non-limelight bands – Sacred Reich, is as hot as a blow torch firing straight up from hell. This song lasts 2:27 and it alone is worth the $1 and change you will pay for this Metalmeister CD. Mercyful Fate appears with Into The Unkown and is always worth a half dozen repeat listens… for me. King Diamond… ’nuff said. Into The Unknown is from the 1996 Mercyful Fate album… you guessed it… Into The Unknown.

Here is what the Into The Unknown album cover looks like:

Track Listing For Metalmeister – A Metal Blade Compilation:

Mummified In Barbed Wire – Cannibal Corpse

Psychotic Companion – Galactic Cowboys

Blue Suit, Brown Shirt – Sacred Reich

Into The Unknown – Mercyful Fate

Meat Sandwich – GWAR

The Enemy Inside – Six Feet Under

She Said – Skrew

Scorched Earth – Wardog

Here In After – Immolation

Wretched – Crisis

Before Today, Beyond Tomorrow – Desultory

The Curse – Ancient

Kill Yourself For Business – United

Fall-Dark Waters – Decoryah

Creepy Feelings – Armored Saint

* I received this Metalmeister CD as part of a “Christmas present stash” from Best Metal buddy Scott Coverdale… thanks buddy! This CD has proven to be the Metal gift that keeps on giving.

* Metalmeister – A Metal Blade Compilation was produced by Brian Slagel.

LONG LIVE METAL BLADE RECORDS!

Stone.

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ENUFF Z’NUFF – “NEW THING” IS METAL ODYSSEY’S SONG OF THE DAY!

Posted in glam metal music, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 5, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ENUFF Z’NUFF – I recently stumbled upon the CD single of Enuff Z’nuff – New Thing during one of my Heavy Metal hunts. For $2 I figured what the Metal heck, it is an out of print CD single, still sealed and I like my Rock ‘N’ Roll collectibles. This song is just drooling and seeping with that late 80’s Arena Rock and Hair/Glam Metal sound. New Thing is an up tempo song, it kinda reminds me of a humid and sunny day in late July, as I’m running through a water park, care free, acting like a corn dog.

Sometimes there are those songs that just give me that good times feeling… the feeling of having a ton of money even if I’m broke or feeling like it’s a vacation day even when it’s not. New Thing just seems to provoke that embarrassingly funny feeling – inside of me. This song is… (gasp), fun. Metal be thy name.

Do I like this song? Hey, I did make it the “Metal Odyssey Song Of The Day” for May 5, 2010. I’m down with it. I tend to listen to a vast array of bands and songs… add Enuff Z’nuff to that list. New Thing is from the Enuff Z’nuff debut/self titled album, released back on August 22, 1989, on Atco Records.

Check out the music video below for New Thing. It’s really kinda corn dog… then again, I’m a corn dog most of the time myself.

ENUFF Z’NUFF as they appeared on their debut/self titled album:

Donnie Vie – lead vocals, guitar & keyboards

Chip Z’Nuff – bass guitar, guitar & vocals

Derek Frigo – lead guitar

Vikki Fox – drums

Track Listing For the 1989 ENUFF Z’NUFF debut/self titled album:

New Thing

She Wants More

Fly High Michelle

Hot Little Summer Girl

In The Groove

Little Indian Angel

For Now

Kiss The Clown

I Could Never Be Without You

Finger On The Trigger

Stone.

2 Comments »

DEATH “LIVE IN L.A.” – A MUST LISTEN INTO DEATH METAL AND METAL HISTORY

Posted in death metal history, death metal legends, death metal music, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 4, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

DEATH – I’d have to say, without any hesitation, that Death – Live In L.A. (Death & Raw) is a scorcher of a live Death Metal album. If one wants to know where it all began with the Death Metal genre… one needs to get their ears glazed over with the power and force of Death’s original brand of Metal. A gigantic band in the history of Metal music is Death, with the late Chuck Schuldiner bringing to the forefront a Metal sound of extreme muscularity, embodied with his vocals, guitar and song writing. An unreal and unparalleled legacy of music… Death Metal Music, has Chuck Schuldiner left for us Metal fans to enjoy for generations to come.

Live In L.A. is rich with the heavy sound of Death, a top quality recording. This is not just some live album slapped and pieced together here… listening to Live In L.A. actually takes me there in my mind, to that actual Death concert back in 1998. I wish I really was at this concert, unfortunately I never did see Death live. The reality is in the listening to this excellent album of live Death songs, I can only marvel at how Chuck Schuldiner can pull me into the music he and Death are playing. This Live In L.A. album needs to be brought up for it’s credibility as a live album and for it’s powerful listen into Old School Death Metal.

When the topic of “most important” Metal bands comes my way, I most certainly consider Death to be in the equation. To incorporate lyrical themes of gore as well as social reality, in the way Chuck Schuldiner had accomplished, was only magnified to a profound level, by the extremely heavy sound of Death’s music. Chuck Schuldiner and Death figured most prominently in the formation of the Death Metal genre, still, putting genres aside, the legacy of Chuck Schuldiner and Death have also figured equally prominent in the history of Metal Music too… in my Metal opinion.

If I can recruit just a few readers to check out this live Death album, then I have done my Metal deed for the day. The heavy grooves are there, just waiting to be savored and heard on Live In L.A. (Death & Raw). Veteran Death fans know. New fans and younger generations should at least know, that Chuck Schuldiner and his band Death defined a genre. You won’t read that in any mainstream Pop Rock magazine.

* Live In L.A. was recorded on December 5, 1998, in of course, L.A., at Whiskey A Go-Go. This was one of 24 tour dates on The Sound Of Perseverance 1998 America Tour.

* Death – Live In L.A. (Death & Raw) was released on October 16, 2001 on Nuclear Blast Records.

* For those new to this legendary band known as DEATH, Chuck Schuldiner passed away on December 13, 2001, at age 34.

DEATH as they appeared on Live In L.A. (Death & Raw):

Chuck Schuldiner – vocals & guitar

Richard Christy – drums

Scott Clendenin – bass

Shannon Hamm – guitar

Track Listing For DEATH- LIVE IN L.A. (Death & Raw):

Intro / The Philosopher

Spirit Crusher

Trapped In A Corner

Scavenger Of Human Sorrow

Crystal Mountain

Flesh And The Power It Holds

Zero Tolerance

Zombie Ritual

Suicide Machine

Together As One

Empty Words

Symbolic

Pull The Plug

Rest In Peace, Chuck Schuldiner, your music lives on.

Stone.

8 Comments »

ACCEPT – “THE ABYSS” FROM “BLOOD OF THE NATIONS” ALBUM – HERE IT NOW! PLUS MORE ACCEPT INFO!

Posted in hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 3, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ACCEPT – has returned! On September 14, 2010, the twelfth studio album – Blood Of The Nations, from this legendary Heavy Metal band from Germany, will be unleashed upon the world of Metal! Just click on that really cool video box below to hear the track – The Abyss from the forthcoming Blood Of The Nations.

It’s been 14 years since the last ACCEPT album was released – 1996’s Predator. Founding member and lead singer Udo Dirkschneider is unfortunately no longer with ACCEPT, instead he is continuing on with a very strong and successful solo  career with his very own Heavy Metal band – U.D.O., which testifies to Udo’s unrelenting allegiance to Metal. In my Metal opinion, ACCEPT with Udo Dirkschneider as lead singer is the real deal. Regardless, there are many other instances in the history of Metal where legendary lead singers change bands… (Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden), just to name a few Heavy Metal powerhouses that have had a changeover at the mic.

* ACCEPT has been down this Metal road before, regarding a change at lead vocalist. The 1989 ACCEPT studio album – Eat The Heat featured David Reece on lead vocal duty.

The new lead singer for ACCEPT – Mark Tornillo, (of TT Quick fame), is leading the vocal charge in 2010 and I really, really, like what I hear thus far from his vocals, on the song – The Abyss. ACCEPT returns with original members – Wolf Hoffman on guitar and Peter Baltes on bass. ACCEPT alumnus and guitarist Herman Frank is on board with this 2010 reunion album as well. Heavy Metal drummer extraordinaire and ACCEPT alum, Stefan Schwarzmann, will be reigning behind the kit.

* Upon my Metal research, I have found no definitive or official track listing for Blood Of The Nations as of May 3rd, 2010. I don’t want to post any “tentative” song titles just yet… staying credible is Metal rule #1 at Metal Odyssey. The Abyss is obviously a legitimate and yes, credible song that has been released to the general public thus far… and what a Heavy Metal song it is! The Abyss is heavy, hard, lean and gritty… Old School too! Just the way I Metal like it. Welcome back ACCEPT!

* A Metal kudos goes out to Scott Coverdale for steering me straight towards this new ACCEPT track – The Abyss! Thanks Metal buddy!

* Get more ACCEPT info – up to the minute by clicking on these ACCEPT links below:

ACCEPT – myspace music page

ACCEPT – Official Website


LONG LIVE ACCEPT!

Stone.

14 Comments »

VINNIE MOORE – “TIME ODYSSEY” 1988 GUITAR INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM & METAL MARVEL

Posted in Guitar, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock guitarists, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, speed metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 2, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

VINNIE MOORE – It was 1988, I was in college and I listened to Vinnie Moore’s Time Odyssey more times than I could count. Already a seasoned listener to Vinnie’s debut instrumental album – Minds Eye, (released in 1986 on Shrapnel Records), there was in 1988 and still is something about his guitar tone that shoots right through me like a bolt of Metal energy. Listening to Vinnie Moore seems to inspire me to go that extra mile… to actually become more emboldened.

I may have mentioned one time before, in a past post about something to do with… Metal, that I used to listen to Vinnie Moore’s music while doing many (if not all) of my college art projects. Be it drawing, painting or slapping together some weird modern art creation… Vinnie Moore’s guitar was heard in the air. The speed, melodies and pure Metal language that Vinnie’s guitar spoke to me while I labored away on those art and graphic design assignments… somehow made me a better graphics and fine arts student! Metal be thy name.

As with any of Vinnie Moore’s solo instrumental albums, no vocalist is heard, nor is one necessary… the guitar of Vinnie Moore sings… for my ears.

My favorite track from Time Odyssey? It’s not as cut and dry as it may seem. Pieces Of A Picture, Morning Star and the instrumental cover of While My Guitar Gently Weeps stand out amongst the rest, only I honestly love every song on Time Odyssey. The emotion that Vinnie Moore captures on guitar is beyond what my own Metal words can express here. Vinnie Moore is that incredible of a guitarist to my ears and Metal soul.

My admiration for the Beatles and especially George Harrison is incredibly personal. I cried aloud upon hearing the news that George Harrison passed away. It was November 29, 2001, I was alone, driving to work that lousy morning and the radio DJ gave the somber news to my ears. Listening to Vinnie Moore play George Harrison’s unreal legendary song –While My Guitar Gently Weeps brings back memories of being an art student, college life, falling in love with my wife and of course… George Harrison. Whoa… does this Vinnie Moore instrumental version of this song make my head swirl in thoughts and memories!!

There are so many unique and unearthly gifted guitarists that have played in Rock, Hard Rock, Punk and Metal. So many of these guitarists that I embrace… Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Michael Schenker, Jimi Hendrix, Tim Armstrong, Brian Setzer, Jeff Beck, Dez Cadena, George Harrison, Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee… these are some of my lifetime top favorites. Then there is Vinnie Moore. I guess if I was forced to choose my top three favorite guitarists of my Metal lifetime… Vinnie Moore, Yngwie and Michael Schenker are the ones.

There was a period of time in my life, where I did not realize what I was doing in trading away and selling away my vinyl albums… this was back in the mid 1990’s. Time Odyssey fell victim to my blundering display of vinyl album unloading…. ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Well, as the old saying goes… time heals wounds. Just last week, I was making a trip to pay some (gasp) bills, when there it was in the distance… an antiques mall! This antiques mall contains a used record dealer who always seems to have that record or two, that I so desperately need to bring back into my Metal life.

I found Vinnie Moore – Time Odyssey on that trip into the antiques mall last week! I felt like I was floating on air… I wanted to tell the cashier how ecstatic I was, only I bit my Metal lip. I paid a ridiculous low price of 3 dollars U.S. as well for this Vinnie Moore marvel! The album is in unreal excellent condition too… it plays on my turntable without a single crackle or pop. The album jacket is in excellent shape as well. (See my album pics below). This time in my Metal life… I’m not parting with Vinnie Moore – Time Odyssey again. No way. Someone would have to offer me the Metal moon for it… and even then, I would not consider the offer. What would I possibly do with a Metal moon anyways?

* As a bonus, the prior owner of this Vinnie Moore album had inserted an 8 page article on Vinnie Moore, in the album jacket. This article was ripped out of an Issue of Guitar World, dated July 1987. I’m keeping it with this album… as it was meant to be.

* The band behind Vinnie Moore on Time Odyssey:

Jordan Rudes – keyboards

Joe Franco – drums

Michael Bean – bass

* Vinnie Moore – Time Odyssey was released on Squawk/Mercury/Polygram Records.

Track Listing For Vinnie Moore – Time Odyssey:

Side One:

Morning Star

Prelude/Intro The Future

Beyond The Door

Message In A Dream

As Time Slips By

Side Two:

Race With Destiny

While My Guitar Gently Weeps

The Tempest

Pieces Of A Picture

April Sky

Here is what the front cover of my Time Odyssey album looks like, note there is some minor wear on the top left corner… whoopee Metal doo is what I say!

Here is what the back cover of my Time Odyssey album looks like:

Here is what the 8 page Guitar World article looks like, that I found inside the album jacket:

LONG LIVE VINNIE MOORE!

* “Whoopee Metal doo” was stated for the very first time on Metal Odyssey, courtesy of this post.

Stone.


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TEN VERY UNCOOL HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL ALBUM COVERS

Posted in album covers, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, humor, lists, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 1, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

I don’t advertise myself to be an “expert” in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal album cover design. Nor am I a photography expert either. What I do know is this… a Hard Rock or Heavy Metal album cover should entice fans or potential fans to buy the album. Skulls, flames, guitars, dragons, sword & sorcery, space aliens, monsters and the macabre is right up my Metal alley when it comes to album covers. You won’t find this cool stuff on the album covers below. Marketing Hard Rock and Heavy Metal should be simple, right? Well, that is not always the Metal case, as you shall see from the following list of ten very uncool album covers that I have compiled… just for you.

Years ago, I did earn a degree in Graphic Communications, therefore I think I know what cool Hard Rock and Heavy Metal album artwork is supposed to look like. Then again, what do I know? Some, if not many of the albums in this top ten list have probably sold millions of copies worldwide… so my opinion on these very uncool album covers is probably one big and smelly fart in the wind anyways.

Here are my Top Ten Very Uncool Hard Rock & Heavy Metal Album Covers, enjoy! Or, try to enjoy.

#10:

WHITE LION – BIG GAME (1989)

What this White Lion album cover really is… too many ideas that seemed to collide onto one front cover. You have The White House, some woods, a field and a lion. Wow… very compelling… where is there any darned hint of Hard Rock? Forget about any imagery of Heavy Metal… this entire image makes me want to fall asleep in a field somewhere. This album went Gold too… gee Metal whiz.

#9:

BREAKING BENJAMIN – SO COLD EP (2004)

Look, if I was to actually read all the jibber jabber on this Breaking Benjamin front cover, It would give me a migraine headache . The album cover eludes to So Cold being a “spoken word” EP for Metal sakes. I always thought tons of text was supposed to be found in the damned liner notes anyways. Despite this being an EP, it makes my list… so Metal be it.

#8:

MR. BIG – BUMP AHEAD (1993)

Ha, ha, hee. Was I supposed to laugh? Ahhhhhhh! Am I supposed to be frightened? What is this enormous man-head doing in the middle of a busy city street? Just another fine example of a genius and artsy idea gone astray. I can’t find any hidden and profound message in this album cover art either. Some linkage to Mr. Big being tied into Hard Rock and commercial Heavy Metal would have helped here.

#7:

BON JOVI – LOST HIGHWAY (2007)

Gosh, just what I need to look at… some strangers cluttered dashboard. No semblance of Rock ‘N’ Roll in this front cover pic. Lost Highway is a perfect title for this Bon Jovi album… for the art direction became totally lost in the creation of this album cover. Plus, as a bonus… it is IMPOSSIBLE for a highway to become lost! Grammatically incorrect alert!! Yeah, yeah, yeah… Bon Jovi gets the last laugh here, due to his selling a million albums a month. This cover still stinks though.

#6:

SAXON – INNOCENCE IS NO EXCUSE (1985)

What appears to be a teenaged girl eating an apple… well, it’s not cool. What’s the point? It’s NOT Heavy Metal either. Adding the Saxon logo that’s carved into the apple is just plain ridiculous too. This Saxon album cover does not advertise head banging music heard within at all. A superiorly unimpressive album cover from a band that I really, really like… what a Metal shame.

#5:

VIXEN – LIVE & LEARN (2006)

Whoa! This Vixen album cover just SCREAMS Heavy Metal! Look out! Vixen looks so thrilled doing this cover shot too. Sorry, I don’t buy the connection of the front cover photo to the album title either. This album cover is simply boring and boring again. Did I mention it was boring?

#4:

KILLER DWARFS – BIG DEAL (1988)

Um, uh, yup.

#3:

NICKELBACK – CURB (2002 reissue alternate cover)

Well, at least we now know where Bon Jovi got his inspiration for the anti-amazing Lost Highway album cover. If I am not mistaken, this road really needs some traffic… and Curb really needs a new album cover.

#2:

GUNS N’ ROSES – “THE SPAGHETTI INCIDENT?” (1993)

This Guns N’ Roses album cover does not make me yearn for opening and eating a can of Spaghettio’s. I actually lose my appetite for half a day each time I stare at this album cover. I’d rather look at any and all of the Cannibal Corpse album covers before I look at this disgustingly stale spaghetti on this album cover. Again, I am so wowed at the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal imagery found here.

#1:

AEROSMITH – GET A GRIP (1993)

Voila! Here it is! What I consider to be the upmost in uncool… an F’n pierced cow udder. This is so Rock ‘N’ Roll. NOT. The fake Aerosmith branding into the side of this cow only makes matters worse. What were everyone involved with creating this album cover thinking? Yeah… just as the album title states, the culprits involved in the decision making of this extremely uncool album cover should… get a grip.

Stone.

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