Archive for October, 2010

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METAL MASSACRE XIII – 2006 Compilation Of Metal Is All About Extreme!

Posted in extreme music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock album reviews, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , on October 29, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

METAL MASSACRE – Released on June 13, 2006, Metal Blade Records continued their excellent Metal tradition of delivering a heavy dose of their best signed bands that their label has to offer, with another ear blistering installment to their historic Metal Massacre series – Metal Massacre XII. There are 19 songs on Metal Massacre XIII and that = Metal value. From Bolt Thrower to The Absence, this compilation of Extreme Metal bands never subsides with unmistakable intensity.

Here is a brief and summarized history of the Metal Massacre album series: In 1982, Brian Slagel, the founder and owner of Metal Blade Records, put together and released a compilation of unsigned and underground Metal bands… that first compilation album being aptly titled – Metal Massacre. Onward through the ’80’s and ’90’s, another eleven Metal Massacre compilation albums were released through Metal Blade Records. Back in 1995, Metal Massacre XII was released on Metal Blade Records and was tentatively the last in this incredible series of Metal compilation albums… until eleven years later, in 2006, when Metal Massacre XIII was released!

Admittedly, over the decades and throughout this entire series of Metal Massacre albums, I have been exposed to Metal bands that I was not too familiar with. This still held true with Metal Massacre XIII, with The Absence, The Ocean, Cellador, The Black Dahlia Murder, Gaza and Demiricous being bands that I have pursued with my ears, due to their being featured here. Metal exposure is a good thing… Metal be thy name.

The first band heard on this compilation is Cellador, with Leaving All Behind. Cellador is a Power Metal band from Nebraska… and they are as potently heavy as they are melodic. Leaving All Behind is built around guitar speed that is reminiscent of ’80’s Speed Metal. I’m hoping Cellador carry’s on their Power Metal ways… just an above decent band they are. The Black Dahlia Murder brings on the Extreme with Miasma and it is as punishing as any song they have ever made. Brutal stuff is Miasma… I dig it tremendously.

Six Feet Under is unleashed with Shadow Of The Reaper and it is a Death Metal delight. It’s all about the grooves man… the Death Metal grooves of Six Feet Under! Chris Barnes on vocals ferociously delivers, per usual. The Absence has become a big favorite of mine and From Your Grave is Melodic Death Metal at it’s very finest. A real fine listen on this Metal Massacre album is God Dethroned smashing it down with Sigma Enigma. This song I found to be instantly memorable for it’s hell bent consistency.

Amon Amarth and their song The Pursuit Of Vikings is my favorite song on MMIII. Melodic as all hell, Amon Amarth is a giant of a band. Melodic Death Metal can put me into one super great mood and Amon Amarth never disappoints me. The riffs kick some serious ass on this song, while everything just seems to come together perfectly. Amon Amarth can play my backyard barbecue next Summer… if they liked to. And The Hero Fails definitely provides one meaty dose of Metal Extremity with His Imperial Victory, the same can be said for Gaza with Cult… holy crap I’m telling you all, these two bands are Heeeaaavvvy and Exxxttrreeeeme. ‘Nuff said about that.

You can find Metal Massacre XIII just about anywhere CD’s are sold (online that is). I was able to get my “new” copy a few years back pretty cheap… (around $5 U.S.). Since the inception of Metal Blade Records Metal Massacre I, this is a Metal series well worth diving into with thine ears. Metal Massacre XIII is again, a tremendous value for the money. Plus, you are getting introduced to a bevy of very cool and dynamite Metal bands that your maybe unfamiliar with. I highly recommend, with Metal might, this Metal Massacre XIII to any fan of Metal worldwide… and to all alien Metalheads in outer space too.

* The ultra legendary Metallica were featured on 1982’s Metal Massacre… with their Thrash Classic – Hit The Lights.

Track Listing For Metal Massacre XIII:

Cellador – Leaving All Behind

The Black Dahlia Murder – Miasma

Six Feet Under – Shadow Of The Reaper

Torture Killer – Swarm!

Demiricous – Vagrant Idol

3 – Alien Angel

Bolt Thrower – The Killchain

Into The Moat – Dead Before I Stray

The Red Chord – Fixation On Plastics

Fragments Of Unbecoming – Sterling Black Icon

Paths Of Possession – Bleed The Meek

The Absence – From Your Grave

God Dethroned – Sigma Enigma

Amon Amarth – The Pursuit Of Vikings

Machinemade God – Kiss Me Now Kill Me Later

The Ocean – One With The Ocean

And The Hero Falls – His Imperial Victory

Gaza – Cult

End It All – Echo Of Cries

HAPPY HALLOWEEN WEEKEND, METALHEADS!

LONG LIVE METAL.

LONG LIVE METAL BLADE RECORDS.

Stone.

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Alice Cooper “Love it to death” = Essential Rock History To Own!

Posted in classic rock, hard rock music, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on October 28, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ALICE COOPER – Love it to death is the third studio album from Alice Cooper (the band), released back in January of 1971. Whoa… 1971! I’m not trying to make Alice Cooper himself or me feel old here, it’s just that this album was released 40 years ago… and it still Rocks like there’s no tomorrow! I’ve been listening to this CD for a few days now and for some reason or another, I can’t get enough of it.

Maybe the reason for my always liking Love it to death so tremendously, is due to it being a 100% Rock Classic? Could it be that all 9 songs are memorable… and the tenth song probably would have been filler? Whatever the Metal case may be, I revere this Alice Cooper album. My favorite song on Love it to death is… Black Juju… all 9:09 of it too. Black Juju just has that ultimate creepy vibe happening, the tribal like drumming of Neal Smith, the chilling vocals of Alice Cooper and the haunting organ just does it for me. This song’s dark and macabre style of psychedelia, wraps itself around me and tightens it’s eerie grip harder, each time I listen to it. Black Juju can easily be my favorite Alice Cooper song ever… if I was forced to choose one.

I’m Eighteen is an iconic song in and of itself, only it’s not the only great song on this album. This Alice Cooper album is a prime Metal example of just how the totality of quality songs can elevate an album into the Rock Historic Stratosphere. Really, to say Love it to death is an essential Alice Cooper album to own, is like saying water is essential for human survival. Even after I state this, I feel like telling myself… no shit Stone?

Alice Cooper as they appeared on Love it to death:

Alice Cooper – vocals

Glen Buxton – lead guitar

Michael Bruce – rhythm guitar, keyboards

Dennis Dunaway – bass

Neal Smith – drums

* Bob Ezrin played organ and piano on – Caught In A Dream, Long Way To Go, Hallowed Be My Name, Second Coming and Ballad of Dwight Fry.

Track Listing For Love it to death:

Caught In A Dream

I’m Eighteen

Long Way To Go

Black Juju

Is It My Body

Hallowed Be My Name

Second Coming

Ballad Of Dwight Fry

Sun Arise

* Love it to death was produced by Jack Richardson and Bob Ezrin.

LONG LIVE ALICE COOPER.

Stone.

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MANOWAR “The Dawn Of Battle” – EP From 2002 Revisited

Posted in Album Review, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , on October 27, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MANOWAR – Over the decades, when it comes to my favorite bands, the collector “bug” will always kick in whenever I come across CD singles, EP’s, picture discs, 7″ vinyl, etc. that have been released with their music. Manowar released The Dawn Of Battle EP or as it is also called, enhanced CD single, back in 2002 on Nuclear Blast. Magic Circle Music, (founded by Manowar’s co-founding member and bass guitarist, Joey DeMaio), is also the co-label.

There are three songs, (The Dawn Of Battle, I Believe and Call To Arms) and CD-ROM bonus material on The Dawn Of Battle. My favorite out of the three songs is Call To Arms, it just thunders along with classic Manowar Heavy Metal power. There is nothing better than a heavy duty, psyche-out, Heavy Metal anthem to invigorate my Metal senses. Call To Arms supplies an ample dose of psyche-out splendor for me, with Eric Adams pronouncing each syllable of this song’s lyrics with a victorious Metal cockiness that he is so damn great at.

I Believe is a song straight from the Manowar text book of personal power, strength and victory. The tempo is dictated by the rhythm section of Joey DeMaio on bass and Scott Columbus on drums. The sheer power that the Heavy Metal stomp of Manowar provides on I Believe, is enough to make my home stereo speakers shudder at their mountings. Hail Manowar Heavy Metal!

The Dawn Of Battle is without a doubt, the fastest and Heaviest of the three songs heard on this EP. Eric Adams comes across with more vindictiveness on this song vocally, than on the other two songs. He does the near-spoken word at the mid-point of The Dawn Of Battle, which is characteristic. Manowar has a fabulous way of making their breakdowns feel awe inspiring. Guitarist Karl Logan is his excellent self on all three songs, providing plenty of melodic leads and ground shifting riffs.

Oh yeah… how about this cover artwork for The Dawn Of Battle… damn, it’s brutally intense stuff! It’s MANOWAR. I make no apologies for digging it myself… Metal be thy name.

* Call To Arms is also found on the 2002 studio album from Manowar – Warriors Of The World. I Believe and The Dawn Of Battle are found on Warriors Of The World “Gold Edition” as bonus tracks.

This CD/EP also includes some very cool bonus material. There is a documentary, that lasts about 6 minutes or so, that features some behind the scenes footage of Manowar’s “Ringfest” performance from August of 2002. It has the sound engineer for Manowar, Jeff Hair, talking about how his responsibility to take care of the “live” sound details. The stage/equipment/instrument tech for Manowar who goes by the name of Dawk, also talks about how everything you see on a Manowar stage is “real” and put together by him. Dawk also states that Manowar plays at “7000 rms watts of power”… whoa, that’s power! It is mentioned that Dawk has been with Manowar since the early 80’s… since the beginning of Manowar. Jan Freitag, Manowar’s production manager, speaks on this documentary as well… only he speaks in a different language that sounds European to me, maybe German?

There are snippets of “live” footage showing Manowar performing at this 2002 “Ringfest”, showing Joey DeMaio (bass guitarist) taunting the police that supposedly were called to shut down Manowar from performing… due to the “live” music being played too loud. It’s funny stuff to watch, as Joey DeMaio drops a bucket load of “F” bombs on the evening’s developments. Needless to say, this “Ringfest” performance by Manowar was not shut down by anybody.

* A promotional trailer for the Manowar “Fire & Blood” DVD is also on this EP. It goes by rather quickly, lasting just over a minute or so. Still, it’s fun to have this stuff added to this EP… in my Metal opinion.

* The “live production lighting animation” segment of the bonus material lasts no more than 30 seconds. It shows still photos of the different stage lighting and setups that Manowar used during their tours. It’s nothing to jump up and down about due to it being “still” photos changing over, nonetheless it is interesting to look at.

It was fun to dig this Manowar CD/EP out and slap it into the computer to watch these bonus material segments, even if the running time on them was short. I definitely recommend this Dawn Of Battle EP to all Manowar fans… and Heavy Metal fans worldwide.

HAIL MANOWAR!

Track Listing For Dawn Of Battle:

The Dawn Of Battle

I Believe

Call To Arms

* For more info on MANOWAR, click here: MANOWAR – Official Website

LONG LIVE MANOWAR.

Stone.


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THANK GOD “Ice/Age” – Experimental & Punk = Mainstream Avenue Is Closed Dammit!

Posted in experimental music, extreme music, hard rock music, hardcore punk rock music, metal odyssey, Music, punk rock bands, punk rock music, rock album review, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on October 26, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

THANK GOD – With origins from Atlanta, Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina, Thank God is best described as a Punk, Experimental, Hardcore and Jam Band. With all of these descriptive genres going on, yes, Thank God does make a whole bunch of noise. Notable noise at that. One first listen through of Thanks God’s new album, Ice/Age and I realize that this band is a free styling and “who gives a crap what the rest of the world thinks” band. That’s what Experimental, combined with Punk and Hardcore is supposed to do to a band in the first place. Listening to Ice/Age tells me Thank God looks upon the words “status quo” as being toxic. With songs such as Shit and Wow to flood the senses into a bewildering blast of Hardcore Punk from Thank God, these two songs are worth slamming your body around to, at any hour… of any day… of the whole damn week. Still, Thank God can tone things down at times, with One Half being a semi-melodic introduction into where ever you may want to go, within your mind or by space travel. You can be your own damn navigator! The guitar notes and overall tempo of One Half gives off that feeling of… ready, set, now F’n go! (Which makes all the sense in the world… One Half precedes Set/Go). Set/Go elevates it’s tempo to berserk levels, with breakdowns galore. There are hints of Doom and Stoner guitar riffs that seem to sneak into Set/Go, adding another element that Thank God has thrown into this eclectic album of songs.

Hopefully, Thank God will not seek out any “polish” on the production end of the scale on their future albums. The blue-collar and garage-tinged atmosphere on Ice/Age, coupled with the youthful, “who gives a shit” attitude is just fine with me. The only instrument I would like to see Thank God not experiment with too often in the future with is the sax. I love the sax, however, Thank God incorporating this fine instrument into Ice/Age just doesn’t resonate any vibe of cool for me. Uncle Stone doesn’t likey. The sax, as played on this album, comes across as macabre to my ears, so maybe it has a vibe… o.k.? I just want Thank God to take the sax and put it away for now or put it on ebay. Then again, this is an experimental band I’ve been talkin’ about isn’t it? Regardless, the sax that was played on this album probably cried alone at night, knowing how it sounded and was treated.

Sax aside, Ice/Age is like a sign post that reads: Open minds may enter… others piss off. I like Thank God and their brand of noise. Vocally and musically, Thank God have their identity crisis in check. Thank God plays fast and delivers plenty of heavy moments to make me feel like my ears belong in their music. It’s bands like this, that push the elemental fusion of Heavy Rock genres into their own direction and walk away grinning… knowing they have freely expressed their language of music upon anyone who listens. I’m listening to Thank God and hopefully many others will too, just get off the mainstream bus that’s taking you to status quo la la land… dammit.

* Released back in July of 2010, on indie label Exotic Fever Records, Ice/Age is the debut full length from Thank God.

* THANK GOD are: Troy, Hank, Adam, Matt and Kevin – (Sorry, I don’t know which name goes with each dude in above photo of Thank God). Gee Metal whiz, I said I was sorry.

* For more info on THANK GOD, click on the link below!

THANK GOD – myspace music

GO GET ‘EM THANK GOD.

Um, don’t get the sax in trouble anymore.

Stone.


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CRADLE OF FILTH – “Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa” Releases November 9, 2010 In North America!

Posted in black metal music, extreme metal music, gothic metal, Hard Rock, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 25, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

CRADLE OF FILTH – As 2010 is drawing towards a close, the new Metal releases just keep on coming! On Novermber 9, 2010, Cradle Of Filth’s ninth studio album – Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa will be released, on Nuclear Blast USA for North America. Dani Filth and his band have returned… and from what I’m hearing, this Cradle Of Filth album is the fastest and heaviest yet! November shall be quite the “filthy” month for Metal once this Cradle Of Filth album hits the street. Did you get it? “Filthy”… Cradle Of “Filth”? Man, my corn-dog side is coming out again.

You can bet your last Metal dollar I’ll be buying this new Cradle Of Filth album… especially after I’ve had to endure looking at thousands of political campaign commercials while I’m trying to watch my nightly ghost hunting and paranormal reality shows on television. It feels like my Metal world has been invaded by all of these lying, slimy and backdoor dealing politicians, each time their overpriced commercial hits the t.v. screen.

I’m voting… you better believe it, it’s an American privilege that I shall never take for granted. It’s just that these phony politicians aren’t gonna “sway” my vote just because they are name calling and throwing stones at each other every night on television… like a bunch of preschoolers in a playground. I’m into facts and the pursuit of happiness… not mud slinging.

I don’t mean to get off track here… my Metal point is: I’m thankful that Metal exists, that bands like Cradle Of Filth exists, to keep my attention away from the political garbage that network news and politicians try to feed society on a daily basis. Long live Metal and Cradle Of Filth. Metal be thy name.

I’ve listened to Lilith Immaculate several times already… this is a strong epic song to savor on Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa. Atmospheric and layered in all of it’s eerily dark richness, with speed and heaviness not taking a back seat. Dani Filth is as vocally Extreme as ever, with Black Metal fire resonating from his every syllable. Extreme, Gothic and Black Metal fans will find plenty to embrace from this fantastic song. If the rest of Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa is like this… whoa.

Metal has never messed up a society… politicians have.

Track Listing For Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa:

The Cult Of Venus Aversa

One Foul Step From The Abyss

The Nun With The Astral Habit

Retreat Of The Sacred Heart

The Persecution Song

Deceiving Eyes

Lilith Immaculate

The Spawn Of Love And War

Harlot On A Pedestal

Forgive Me Father (I Have Sinned)

Beyond Eleventh Hour

Cradle Of Filth, as they appear on Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa:

Dani Filth – lead vocals

Paul Allender – lead guitar

James Mcllory – rhythm guitar

Ashley Ellyllon – keyboards, backing vocals

Dave Pybus – bass

Martin Skaroupka – drums

* For more info on Cradle Of Filth, click on the link below:

CRADLE OF FILTH – Official Website

Metal Reigns Supreme.

Stone.

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GWAR “BLOODY PIT OF HORROR” – Releases November 9, 2010! Album Artwork & Complete Track Listing!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 24, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

GWAR – In the midst of their two year long celebration of their 25th Anniversary – Slay – A – Bration, GWAR will be having their 13th studio album released on November 9, 2010. (I’m including in their “13” studio albums the 1992 EP – The Road Behind, hell, it has seven songs on it for Metal sakes and it counts). Bloody Pit Of Horror is the new studio album of 11 songs, releasing on Metal Blade Records. It is always comforting to know, that GWAR is lurking around the galaxy and giving us Metalheads on Earth another brand new album to annihilate our eardrums with… just 9 days after Halloween too.

GWAR:

Oderus Urungus – vocals

Balsac the Jaws of Death – guitar

Jizmak Da Gusha – drums

Beefcake The Mighty – bass

Flattus Maximus – guitar

Track Listing For – Bloody Pit Of Horror:

Zombies, March

Come the Carnivore

A Gathering of Ghouls

Storm is Coming

Tick-Tits

Beat You To Death

You are my Meat

Hail, Genocide!

KZ Necromancer

The Litany of the Slain

Sick and Twisted

* On October 28, 2010, GWAR will be performing on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon!!

* For more info on GWAR, their tour schedule and latest news, then click on the links below:

GWAR – Official Cyber-Fortress!

GWAR – myspace music

I LIVE FOR METAL.

Stone.

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DENIAL FIEND “They Rise” – Horror Metal With Bludgeoning Grooves From 2007

Posted in Death Metal, death metal music, extreme metal music, extreme music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, horror metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 21, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

DENIAL FIEND – They Rise, released back on October 16, 2007, on Ibex Moon Records, is as perfect a recommendation for your Horror Metal listening pleasure this Halloween season as any. The Death Metal growls, groans, gurgles and screaming are intertwined so fantastically with the sounds of spurting blood and vomiting, on this exceptionally horrific album. Listening to They Rise actually spooks me out more than watching any Exorcist sequel. (The original Exorcist movie was and always will be scary-bad-ass for me).

Denial Fiend, (calling Valrico, Florida their home base), takes the Horror Metal/Death Metal combination to the maximum and they don’t allow a millisecond for you to catch your breath or check your pulse. Maybe you can try to do this between songs, only I don’t recommend it, just kick back and enjoy the bludgeoning drumming, chugging and riffing while the Death Metal grooves pummel you senseless. This veteran “supergroup” of Extreme Horror and Death Metal, should hopefully realize they have made an album that is sure to be a cult favorite for dark ages to come. Metal be thy name, They Rise kicks some serious Horror Metal ass.

Which song on They Rise is my Metal favorite you query? It’s a no brainer… Return To The Tombs Of The Cursed Blind Dead, of course. Just the song title alone is a winner in my Metal book. I actually find myself singing along to this Extreme and groove saturated, Horror Metal gem.  The chorus that belts out this song title leaves me in Metal awe, in that it just sounds so damn good to thine ears. Flesheater is no slouch song either. Heavy, fast and brutally Heavy again is Flesheater, what more can I say?

There is a hint of Horror Punk within the framework of Denial Fiend’s Death Metal assault. Gang vocal chanting with a nod to vintage Misfits is common amongst this album, with Flesheater, The Day Of The Undead and They Rise as examples. Blazing guitar leads are abundant, with Cover Me In Blood having plenty of them. The guitar solo that is heard in Cover Me In Blood is the stuff of Old School Death Metal-take it or leave it carnage. Ripped Inside Out is just freaking scary. Metal be thy name. “I Ripped You Inside Out”! Whoa. Plus, as an Extreme bonus, the sounds of gore does rear it’s heinous head within this song too. Whoa again.

The same appalling and nightmarish subject matter that box office Slasher films boast are on They Rise… the only difference being the lack of any macabre and grotesque “visual” effects. Who cares about visual effects anyways, when you can listen to Denial Fiend. In all Metal honesty, I’d rather listen to They Rise than watch a bunch of actors in a Slasher film… (I do get squeamish at gross visual effects sometimes). Listening to Horror Metal and Death Metal is an acquired taste I have developed over many years, I just don’t understand why I still have to watch a Friday The 13th sequel with one eye closed… go figure.

Frankenstein Conquers The World is a whirlwind of Horror Metal… fun. (Gasp), did I just use the word “fun” in reviewing They Rise? I sure did and the lyrics to Frankenstein Conquers The World are to blame. It’s a great song that’s built on a full-scale blitz of Death Metal grooves, resulting in an instantly memorable listen for me. Let The Blood Flow starts off with a chain saw revving up… then the nightmare from hell begins and that’s a Horror/Death Metal compliment. Whoa, this song is F’n heavy, I really don’t know any other way to describe it. I can’t get all academic on reviewing Denial Fiend’s They Rise album… I don’t think this band would want it that way either.

The Day Of The Undead puts the bloody lid on They Rise, with plenty of saluting to the living dead happening. Good stuff. “It’s the day of the undead, it’s the end of everything”… good stuff again. As this song comes to a close, an eerie warning of “the dead coming back to life” and the precautionary measures that should be taken is heard, from a news broadcasters concerned voice… a creepy vibe spills all over the place as I listen to it. An undisputed creepy vibe at that. This song could and should be included on a major motion picture soundtrack for a Living Dead sequel. There, I’ve made my Horror Metal appeal to Hollywood.

In the end, Denial Fiend does accomplish two things: 1. their songs lyrics do send shivers up and down my Metal spine and 2. they play some very damn good Horror/Death Metal with unrelenting and Extreme Heaviness. Extreme, Horror and Death Metal fans should be able to wrap their ears around Denial Fiend and their 2007 album They Rise without a wince. Old School Hardcore and Thrash Metal fans are invited to check out Denial Fiend’s They Rise as well… there’s plenty of speed and heaviness to go around. Happy Halloween… all you ghoulish Metalheads!

DENIAL FIEND as they appeared on They Rise:

Kam Lee – vocals

Terry Butler – bass

Sam Williams – guitar

Curtis Beeson – drums

* For more info on Denial Fiend, just click the link below:

DENIAL FIEND – myspace music

Track Listing For They Rise:

They Rise

Return To The Tombs Of The Cursed Blind Dead

Flesheater

Cover Me In Blood

Ripped Inside Out

L.O.D.

Son Of The Creature From The Black Lagoon

Frankenstein Conquers The World

Let The Blood Flow

Children Shouldn’t Play With Deadthings

The Day Of The Undead

Long Live Denial Fiend and Horror Metal.

Stone.


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THE CARS – DEBUT ALBUM FROM 1978 REVISITED

Posted in Album Review, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, new wave music, rock and roll news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 20, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

The Cars have always been summed up and best described as a New Wave Band. Alright, I’ll let that jive with me, only on their first album, The Cars had some serious Rock in their Wave. Missing Persons were a New Wave Band too, so was Men Without Hats and neither of those two bands come even remotely close in sounding like The Cars. So, were The Cars really a New Wave Band after all? A Flock Of Seagulls… now that’s what I consider a New Wave Band from the 80’s to sound like.

Due to the timing of The Cars being released, I gather it is probably “convenient” to lump this band into the New Wave crowd too. The debut and self titled album from The Cars was perhaps, just a few hundred slivers heavier, than your standard New Wave Band of the late ’70’s and early ’80’s. Sure, Missing Persons had a few “heavier” songs for their New Wave sound and style, with very decent drumming from Terry Bozzio, his playing and songwriting really was standout with that band. (Plus, Terry Bozzio was and still is an excellent drummer and all around musician too… in my Metal opinion).

I can recall hearing the “first” single off of this album, it was Just What I Needed. Can I recall the actual year I first heard this song? Ugh. Maybe it was 1979. No, I think it was 1980. Who really gives a flying elephant crap about when I first heard Just What I Needed. The simple fact is that I loved this song from the opening note. Seriously, this song’s significance lies in it’s originality for no other song really sounded like it, back in 1978.

I’m trying to “think back” and remember if there was another band out there that sounded like The Cars did, at the time of their 1978 debut album. This was 1978, not 1988, when a decade later you could swoop up a hundred New Wave Bands or so and compare them all against each other. Growing up in the late 70’s and early 80’s, I just accepted The Cars and their sound without giving any thought as to what music genre they belonged to. (Now that I’m a cranky old man, I scrutinize music genres like there’s no tomorrow). As each new song from their debut album trickled onto FM radio, I became more of a fan of them and this album.

Out of the nine songs heard on The Cars, seven of them made it to FM airplay. Seven! That is nothing to sneeze at either… how many Rock or Hard Rock bands can any of us name in 2010, that can boast seven songs from one album, being accepted into FM airplay and becoming hits? A “debut” album no less! It’s not as if these songs on The Cars were “Poppy” either, they were mainstream certainly, still a far cry from sounding “bubble gum”. These seven songs were played so often on the Connecticut FM radio stations, (WHCN, WCCC and WPLR), that I am guilty of never having bought this album, many years after it’s release.

Elliot Easton played guitar on The Cars with an obvious hard edge, his solo on Just What I Needed is an example of what I mean. It’s guitarists like Elliot that really exemplify playing for the song unselfishly and skillfully, versus the household name guitarists out there, who have accentuated their fame through piles of average solo albums throughout the decades.

Ric Ocasek’s vocals were meant for The Cars. I know that sounds rather cliche, only it’s so true. Ric Ocasek gave The Cars a booming personality with his vocals. The “modern” vibe that The Cars pulsated with through their songs seemed to stick to Ric’s voice like glue. The late/great Benjamin Orr not only played bass for The Cars, he was the lead vocalist on All Mixed Up as well. Benjamin Orr’s vocals were perfect for this song, giving it that added emotion and personal element befitting of the lyrics. (His vocals on The Cars 1984 hit Drive, from their Heartbeat City album is another memorably gigantic performance from him as well).

The Cars presented an edgy futuristic listen into Rock’s eventual “wide-open” Pop feel of the 80’s, courtesy of Greg Hawkes on keyboards and an open mindedness of this band to create songs that were fabulously accessible. Regardless of the Rock/Pop direction The Cars did take into the 80’s, this debut album is by far, their best full-throttle, Rock teetering on Hard Rock effort… with a New Wave approach, let’s not forget.

Moving In Stereo can be the cornerstone New Wave song for The Cars. There was and still is something almost fantastically mystical about my never wanting to turn this song off, when I hear it on the radio. Could it be that The Cars really are moving me, through stereo? I feel semi-scared now. Good Times Roll has all the ingredients of bursting out of it’s seams with a loud guitar solo and a psyched out tempo that doesn’t relent. It does not happen that way though. It’s the keyboards that administer the melancholy antidote of calm, making this song still feel like the good times are rolling, nonetheless… in a Logan’s Run sort of cosmic way.

The Cars as I look back upon them now, were a mighty decent Rock, I mean, New Wave Band. After all these years, however, it is more beneficial for me personally, to call The Cars debut album a Classic Rock gem. If I was to recommend that “one” album from The Cars to a civilization outside of our Milky Way, it would no doubt be their debut album. For those on this planet, that are just being introduced to The Cars, I would recommend their debut album as well. These excellent musicians that decided to call themselves The Cars, as I look back now, are a symbolic example of their era, showing just how dynamic and memorable a band could become, by solidifying a unique sound from a Rock meets New Wave fusion.

* THE CARS was released in June of 1978, on Elektra Records.

Track Listing For The Cars:

Good Times Roll

My Best Friend’s Girl

Just What I Needed

I’m In Touch With Your World

Don’t Cha Stop

You’re All I’ve Got Tonight

Bye Bye Love

Moving In Stereo

All Mixed Up


Rest In Peace, Benjamin Orr.

Stone.

24 Comments »

DARKEST HOUR – Announce 15 Year Anniversary 2011 European Tour!

Posted in concerts, extreme metal music, extreme music, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 18, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

(New York, NY) – DARKEST HOUR will be heading over to Europe this Winter of 2011 and they couldn’t be more excited to get back across the pond. “Put on your winter jacket and get ready for endless nights of good times, because we’re headed back to Europe. We’re bringing the Legacy Tour overseas and playing songs from our entire catalog. We fell in love with Europe in 2000 and have enjoyed touring there for an entire decade. Playing from squats to arenas and everywhere in between, we’ve made some of our closest friends and have had some of the best times of our lives. Experiencing all forms of cultures and enjoying the beautiful diversity of the European Continent has always been a joy for the entire band. Since our European bros are true purists, I am sure they will enjoy the set we have cooked up for them.” – Darkest Hour guitarist, Mike Schleibaum

* Coming along for the ride will be PROTEST THE HERO, BORN OF OSIRIS and PURIFIED IN BLOOD. Ticket info can be found by clicking the link below:

http://www.darkesthour.cc

2011 European Tour Dates:

1/26/11 – Germany Stuttgart @ Röhre

1/27/11 – Holland Nijmegen @ Doornroosje

1/28/11 – UK Manchester @ Club Academy

1/29/11 – UK Nottingham @ Rock City

1/30/11 – UK London @ Garage

1/31/11 – Belgium Antwerpen @ Trix

2/01/11 – Germany Berlin @ Magnet

2/02/11 – Germany Aschaffenburg @ Colos Saal

2/03/11 – Germany Hamburg @ Knust

2/04/11 – Germany Leipzig @ Conne Island

2/05/11 – Germany München @ Feierwerk

2/06/11 – Hungary Budapest @ Dürer Kert

2/07/11 – Austria Vienna @ Arena

2/08/11 – Italy Bologna @ Sottotetto Club

2/09/11 – Italy Rome @ Init Club

2/10/11 – Switzerland @ Aarau Kiff

2/11/11 – Germany Trier @ Exhaus

2/12/11 – Germany Köln @ Essigfabrik

DARKEST HOUR have been busy working on their upcoming full length album with Peter Wichers (SOILWORK) for their debut eOne Music release due out early next year. For more information on DARKEST HOUR and their experience in the studio with Peter, visit http://www.darkesthour.cc for updates over the next few months.

* For even more info, music and videos from DARKEST HOUR, click on this link: DARKEST HOUR – myspace music

DARKEST HOUR:

John Henry – vocals

Mike Schleibaum – guitar

Mike Carrigan – guitar

Ryan Parrish – drums

Paul Burnette – bass

DARKEST HOUR – The Eternal Return, released on June 23, 2009, on Victory Records

In the meantime, DARKEST HOUR will be celebrating their 15 year anniversary as a band, by touring the United States and Canada on the “Legacy Tour” with VEIL OF MAYA, PERIPHERY and REVOCATION. Ticket info can be found at http://www.darkesthour.cc

U.S. and Canada LEGACY TOUR 2010:

11/12/10 – Worcester, MA @ The Palladium

11/13/10 – New York, NY @ Gramercy Theatre

11/14/10 – Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock

11/15/10 – Quebec City, QC @ Dagobert

11/16/10  – Montreal, QC @ Tulipe

11/17/10 – Toronto, ON @ Mod Club

11/18/10 – Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre

11/19/10 – Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s

11/20/10 – West Dundee, IL @ Clearwater Theatre

11/21/10 – Des Moines, IA @ People’s Court

11/22/10 – Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre

11/23/10 – Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue

11/24/10 – Las Vegas, NV @ Area 702

11/26/10 – San Diego, CA @ Soma

11/27/10 – Pomona, CA @ The Glasshouse

11/28/10 – San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge

11/29/10 – West Hollywood, CA @ The Whisky

11/30/10 – Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theatre

12/01/10 – Albuquerque, NM @ The Launchpad

12/02/10 – Lubbock, TX @ Tequila Jungle

12/03/10 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s

12/04/10 – Dallas, TX @ Trees

12/05/10 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live

12/07/10 – St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theatre

12/08/10 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade

12/09/10 – Wilmington, NC @ The Soapbox

12/10/10 – Philadelphia, PA @ Starlight Ballroom

12/11/10 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar

12/12/10 – Richmond, VA @ Hat Factory

(Source: eOne Music press release, October 18, 2010)

LONG LIVE DARKEST HOUR.

Stone.

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THE BIG BOPPER “Chantilly Lace” – Reflecting On Rock ‘N’ Roll’s Roots

Posted in 1950's rock music, people, Rock, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 17, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

The Big Bopper, (Jiles Perry “J. P.” Richardson, Jr.), was a pioneer of Rock ‘N’ Roll. Singer, songwriter, musician and an American disc jockey, The Big Bopper’s multi-tasking career was truly cut short tragically in 1959. February 3, 1959 is historically known as “The Day The Music Died”, with the untimely passing of The Big Bopper, Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens, due to their being in a small plane that crashed, from presumably flying into an Iowa blizzard. The pilot, Roger Peterson, also passed away from the crash.

While growing up as a young lad, I remember this story being told to me time and again by my parents. Eventually, the multitudes of television documentaries on 1950’s Rock ‘N’ Roll more than adequately covered this tragically historic event. I can remember playing my mother’s Buddy Holly 45 rpm’s and thinking about that awful day in Rock ‘N’ Roll history. I took to heart, the reality of this event despite my adolescence, I imagine it was due to the way I was raised by my parents.

The one true side story to this unimaginable day in 1959, was the one as told by Country legend, (the late), Waylon Jennings himself in many well documented articles and interviews. Apparently, Waylon Jennings was supposed to fly on this very same small plane, only he gave up his seat to The Big Bopper… due to The Big Bopper having the flu. Whoa. That is one side story I could not believe, even though I have seen documented footage of Waylon Jennings telling it himself. I guess when it is “your time”… that’s it.

Waylon Jennings had a remarkably legendary career, singing and playing his guitar in the Country, Outlaw Country and Country Rock genres. I missed out on two opportunities to see Waylon Jennings live, both times he played very close to my hometown in Connecticut. One such venue was The Warner Theatre, in Torrington, Connecticut. This unreal cool and Art Deco Theatre still plays host to many incredible bands crossing all music genres, along with a diverse mix of entertainers and shows. From the late George Carlin to Foreigner… The Warner Theatre has had them all, it seems. Waylon Jennings passed away at the very young age of 64, back on February 13, 2002.

I guess missing out on seeing Waylon Jennings two times, so close to home, serves as a reminder for me to cherish each Rock ‘N’ Roll performer and Metal Band I do get to see… from Slayer to Pat Benatar. Well, getting long winded on the roots of Rock ‘N’ Roll is something I’m very good at. It’s just the pure history, the factual beginnings of the music that I and so many billions of other people love so much, that I find so difficult to ignore.

Today, I ventured out with my wife and daughters on a Sunday cruise to do some shopping. Thankfully, the weather was 100% pure Autumn and sunny, with no rain or dreary weather to get in the way of our plans. One stop was to a store called Christmas Tree Shops, it is a semi-discounted department store, that focuses on a ton of items that my wife really digs. Plus, there usually is a small display of discounted CD’s for sale there too. Today however, I did not find a CD display… whatever, I’ll live. This store is where The Big Bopper came back to life again in my ears… his song Chantilly Lace was played on the rotation of music that was heard, while we shopped. Once again, my mind wandered right back into some Rock ‘N’ Roll thoughts…

A fabulous, Classic and Rock Historical song is Chantilly Lace. Just the vocals of The Big Bopper are enough for me, while I listen to this song. Flamboyant and loaded with Rock ‘N’ Roll confidence were the vocals of The Big Bopper. Metal as my witness, his vocals alone are enough to put me in a great mood. “Oh baby you know what I like”! Just the way he describes this girl in Chantilly Lace is legendary. “A wiggle in the walk and a giggle in the talk”, “Make the world go ’round”… the lyrical rhyme scheme is Rock ‘N’ Roll perfection at it’s earliest beginnings.

Despite Chantilly Lace being a Rock ‘N’ Roll song from 1958, there is something about it that radiates a relevant cool to me. This song always has been a “1950’s Rock ‘N’ Roll” favorite of mine, since the first time I heard it as a young lad. The incredible aspect about this song, is that there are no “in-your-face” guitars, drums or bass and it still Rocks like there is no tomorrow. The subdued volume of the instruments played on Chantilly Lace does help catapult the vocals of The Big Bopper and his enthusiasm for this song can’t be denied each time I hear it.

The girl is referred to as “honey” and “baby” during Chantilly Lace, making for as true a listen into Rock ‘N’ Roll’s innocence as you could ever ask for. Compare “honey” and “baby” to some of today’s female referenced adjectives you hear in popular music… and yes, Chantilly Lace is innocence. I don’t like to think of “what ifs” when it comes to life, The Big Bopper was here and he left us all with some incredible Rock ‘N’ Roll.

Chantilly Lace is a song that is immeasurable in it’s worth to Rock ‘N’ Roll History. I’ll always be a fan of The Big Bopper and be grateful for what he and his fellow peers accomplished back in those fabulous 1950’s. The Rock ‘N’ Roll seeds they all planted back then, have certainly grown into quite a remarkable existence in both music, culture and personal emotion.

* To learn more about the Warner Theatre, in Torrington, CT, click the link below:

The Warner Theatre

Rest in peace, The Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Roger Peterson, Waylon Jennings… and George Carlin too.

Stone.

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Heavy Metal, Hard Rock And All Extreme Music Rules. Always Has, Always Will.

Posted in classic rock music, extreme music, Hard Rock, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, news, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on October 16, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

So let it be Metal written, so let it be Metal told.

Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Classic Rock and all Extreme Music Rules. There you have it. That’s how I feel and no one can change my Metal mind on this. When I reference “Extreme Music”… it is an all encompassing and generic term that I personally use. This includes Punk Rock, Death Metal, Black Metal, Gothic Metal, Grindcore, Hardcore and any and all sub genres of such Extreme Music. Metal be thy name.

* To all of the plastic mainstream “awards shows” that are televised throughout the year and continue to ignore the music and bands that are, (gulp), Heavy, (except for Revolver Magazine’s Golden Gods Awards), they can all kiss my Metal lovin’ ass.

* To the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: (I think you all know this one is coming), you can kiss my Metal lovin’ ass.

* To all the phony millionaire/billionaire record executives throughout the decades that shunned Heavy Music so that zit-faced boy bands and lip syncing performers could get “pushed” up the charts and on radio… you can all really pucker up… and kiss my Metal lovin’ ass.

* To those “Four Cartels” of the music industry, that abolished Heavy Metal from FM airplay and MTV back in the early ’90’s… kiss my Metal lovin’ ass. You losers.

* To all the writers who give “lousy” reviews on a band’s album, (while not bothering to listen to the given album), due to a respective band having conservative views… you all can really kiss my Metal lovin’ ass. You know who you are too, you political phonies with dumb-ass agendas.

* To all the liars behind the misleading and bias “record charts”, just keep on fooling the public and kiss my Metal lovin’ ass while your at it.

* To all the members of the “Flavor Of The Month Club” when it comes to music: Hey! Kiss my Metal lovin’ ass! You bet you know who you are… now your embarrassed.

* To that old and cranky, dictatorial political group known as the PMRC, that wanted to “change the world” through their radical thoughts and abuse of power, many years ago… see below:

* To the idiots that decided to have “amended” versions of CD’s to sell, go ahead… kiss my Metal lovin’ ass. Censorship IS NOT COOL, especially when it comes to music. Um, wasn’t there something once known as – Freedom Of Speech in America? Kiss my Metal lovin’ ass again, you pathetic censor morons.

* To any band or musician who openly supports a presidential or any political candidate and gets mixed up in the immoral and unethical world of politics, by having a benefit concert for “political fundraising”… I don’t want you to kiss my ass. Please, just keep Rock ‘N’ Roll out of electing any millionaire/billionaire politician. Here’s a Metal thought: instead of having a fund-raising concert for some slimy politician, try having a fund-raising concert for a children’s hospital or orphanage. Duh. Duh again.

* To all the Phd’s, text book scholars and lawyers who “think” Heavy Metal promotes and causes violent behavior and deplorable acts on society… you can all take a bow… and while your bending over… kiss my Metal lovin’ ass.

* To all those who are annoyed that I use the fabulous word “Metal” so much in this and other posts on Metal Odyssey… um, you don’t have to kiss my Metal lovin’ ass at all. I actually have pity for you, due to the symptom you have, which is called: Metal envy. It must suck to have it.

I’m in a Metal lovin’ mood of the highest degree today, obviously. Then again, I’m always in a Metal lovin’ mood, only today it just feels so damn good. To all the nay sayers and antagonists of Heavy Music throughout the decades… hey… kiss my Metal lovin’ ass. You know why? Hell, we Metalheads, Punks and Extreme Music fans WON. The bands and the Heavy Music we love never hid, dried up or ran away. Many Heavy and Extreme bands have come and gone… still countless of these bands are still touring and making music to this very second.

I consistently try to remind visitors to Metal Odyssey, that there are scores of pathetic and narrow minded groups of people in our society that want to “control” and censor the Heavy Music that has made my life and countless other lives better. Self righteous and mean spirited groups like the PMRC need to be brought up over and over again, so fans of Heavy Music know of their censorship agenda that they set into place more than two decades ago. You can try to bury something that stinks and pretend it never existed… only the “stench” still lingers.

One last thought. To all of the idiots and “deep thinkers” that years ago would tell me “someday you will mature and stop listening to Heavy Metal and all that other garbage your listening to”… KISS MY METAL LOVIN’ ASS.

Metal Be Thy Name.

Stone.

20 Comments »

HATEBREED To Headline Stillborn Fest! Plus: HATEBREED U.K. And Asia Tour Dates!

Posted in concerts, hard rock music, hardcore bands, hardcore metal music, hardcore punk rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 15, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

(New York, NY) — HATEBREED have announced a fist full of east coast headlining shows this winter as STILLBORN FEST. “We’re excited to continue with our Holiday tradition of doing Stillborn Fest. It’s going to be great to play for all of our diehards in the North East.” The band will celebrate the 15 year anniversary of the release of “Under The Knife” which came out on cassette & 7″ in 1995’. Jasta adds, “We’ll definitely be adding some old jams back into the set. See you there!

Supporting on this short run are FOUR YEAR STRONG (Allentown & Poughkeepsie), H20 (Allentown only), A LIFE ONCE LOST, THIS IS HELL, TRAPPED UNDER ICE & Stillborn Recording Artists THY WILL BE DONE, THE WORLD WE KNEW & STRENGTH FOR A REASON (where noted.)

12/27/10 – Syracuse, NY @ Lost Horizon with: A Life Once Lost, Thy Will Be Done, The World We Knew & Hate Your Guts

12/28/10 – Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock with: Four Year Strong, H2O, Trapped Under Ice, This Is Hell, Thy Will Be Done, The World We Knew & Strength For A Reason

12/29/10 – Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance with: Four Year Strong, A Life Once Lost, Trapped Under Ice, Fireworks, This Is Hell, Thy Will Be Done, The World We Knew & Strength For A Reason

12/30/10 – Hartford, CT @ Webster Theater with: A Life Once Lost, This Is Hell, Thy Will Be Done, Hate Your Guts, The World We Knew & Strength For A Reason

** HATEBREED will also be participating in this year’s 98KUPD’s “BIG RED NIGHT OF THE DEAD” on October 23, 2010, alongside DEFTONES, ALL THAT REMAINS, MUSHROOMHEAD, PRONG, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES & more! For more info click here: 98KUPD Arizona’s Real Rock

HATEBREED will be hitting various parts of the globe as well, with shows in the UK, Japan and a first ever visit to South East Asia! Dates can be found below. Visit HATEBREED – myspace music for more international tour info.

10/27/10 – Tennis Indoor Senayan – Jakarta, INDONESIA

10/30/10 – V Hall Seoul – REPUBLIC OF KOREA

10/31/10 – KHS Auditorium Taipei – TAIWAN

11/02/10 – The Butter Butter Bangkok – THAILAND

11/04/10 – Scape – SINGAPORE

11/06/10 – World Trade Center Hall D Manila – PHILIPPINES

11/08/10 – Club Quattro Tokyo – JAPAN

11/10/10 – Bottom Line Nagoya – JAPAN

11/11/10 – Club Quattro Osaka – JAPAN

HATEBREED – Self Titled and fifth studio album of original songs, released on September 29, 2009, on Koch Records, (now E1 Music).

HATEBREED – UK TOUR DATES:

12/06/10 – Bristol @ The Fleece – UK

12/07/10 – Nottingham @ Rescue Rooms – UK

12/08/10 –  Glasgow @ Garage – UK

12/09/10 – Sheffield @ Corporation – UK

2/10/10 – Birmingham @ Academy 2 – UK

12/11/10 – Stoke @ Sugarmill – UK

12/13/10 – Leeds @ Cockpit – UK

12/14/10 – Manchester @ Club Academy – UK

12/15/10 – Portsmouth @ Wedgewood Rooms – UK

12/16/10 – London @ Garage – UK

(Source: Entertainment One press release, October 14, 2010)

* For more info on HATEBREED, just click on the links below:

HATEBREED – myspace music

HATEBREED – Official Website

HATEBREED – Since 1994 and still HARDCORE!

LONG LIVE HATEBREED & HARDCORE METAL!

Stone.

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ALL THAT REMAINS “… For We Are Many” – A Formidable Album From One Of Metalcore’s Finest

Posted in hard rock albums, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal odyssey, metalcore bands, metalcore music, Music, rock music, rock music news, rock music reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 14, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ALL THAT REMAINS – From the very onset, with the intro Now Let Them Tremble… All That Remains establishes the Metal fact they are not going to sugarcoat a damned note on their fifth studio album – … For We Are Many, released on October 12, 2010 on Prosthetic Records/Razon & Tie. I would never expect anything less than a fast, furious and angrier than a yellow jacket wasp sound from All That Remains, on their new album. That intro really did lead me down the path to an excellent Metalcore storm that … For We Are Many is all about. The Metal pride of Western Massachusetts has fabulously delivered on their new album, making it very difficult for me not to write a 5,000 word review on it.

For We Are Many has Philip Labonte belting out vocals that more than border on Death Metal, he exhibits some ear popping vocal noise that is a welcomed part of All That Remains brand of Metal, to my ecstatic ears. Philip can diversify vocally, like a Metal chameleon he resonates with gritty harmony on The Last Time, a straight edged Metalcore song that exemplifies why this genre can claim it’s Metal legitimacy in my Metal History book. If there could ever be an accessibly Extreme Metal song, then The Last Time is it.

If I have said it once before, I shall say it once again… Oli Herbert is a Metal asset to All That Remains. It’s just a matter of time before Oli becomes a household name amongst the Metal masses, if he hasn’t become one already. Oli can shred, just listening to the leads he comes out with is reason enough to become a fan of All That Remains. Plus, when I listen to Oli on any song, it’s listening to a guitarist who obviously reveres Old School Metal and Hard Rock, by incorporating the vibe of yesterday into the Metal of today.

Not to ignore Mike Martin on guitar, he has more devastating licks in his Metal bag of guitar tricks than I can count. Anytime I listen to All That Remains, especially now with their latest album, I want to scream out to the Metal community that Oli and Mike are a Metal guitar duo that can’t be contained… they have been unleashed unto the here and now and listening to these guys is a Metal reality check. From The Outside is a song that exemplifies exactly what I’m trying to convey here, Metal be thy name this song explodes with guitar driving force.

Now, try to name off five bass guitarists in all of Metal that are female. Nice try. Jeanne Sagan has been the Metal thunder glue for All That Remains since the 2006 diamond in the rough… The Fall Of Ideals. Jeanne isn’t gonna shy away from letting her Metal presence known… she plays stompingly tight alongside drummer Jason Costa, making this All That Remains band a formidable force. I really liked this band lineup on 2008’s Overcome, now I really, really, like this All That Remains lineup.

If Keepers Of Fellow Man doesn’t get your adrenaline fired up, then your probably in a frozen state of consciousness. Melodic driven, with the heaviness of duo guitars, a rhythm section spiraling out bombastic beats and Philip’s barbed wire vocals, carries this song in unison, to stadium crowd heights. Uh, yeah, Keepers Of Fellow Man is more than likely my favorite song on this album. This song is just one of twelve, that truly are all Metal encompassing, like an impermeable net dropping down on my brain and making me succumb to it’s Metal stranglehold.

The Waiting One is such a fantastic song that having it be the album closer is genius. This song is Heavy, even with it’s breakdowns and intervals of acoustic guitar. The layering affect of The Waiting One is what gives it it’s Metal brilliance. Plus, Philip Labonte exhibits a vocal soft side that quite frankly should be exposed more often. Philip gives off the same Metal cool when he croons as he does when he growls and shouts… in my Metal opinion.

All That Remains makes their Metal flow with plenty of melodic moments married with their trademark Metalcore sound throughout … For We Are Many. The heaviness is apparent, like a supercharged continuum, therefore, loyal All That Remains fans can’t possibly be disappointed with their new album. As each All That Remains album gets released, I hear more strength and confidence in the songwriting and music across the Metal board from this excellent band.

Adam Dutkiewicz returns as producer for this new All That Remains album. (Jason Suecof produced 2008’s Overcome). Adam is like a New England “National Metal Treasure”… he has that “knack” for bringing this Metalcore sound and vibe into a state of exceptionality. Anyone familiar knows Adam is a multi-instrumentalist and music producer that has helped catapult his band, Killswitch Engage, into mega-Metal notoriety.

The Metal accolades I have bestowed upon this new All That Remains album, is due to the sheer fact that this album finishes what it started, a heightened sound and feel to what these twelve great songs give off. With acute care into the songwriting and lyrics, while succeeding in the balancing act of melodic and Heavy Metalcore on … For We Are Many, Philip Labonte, Oli Herbert, Jeanne Sagan, Mike Martin and Jason Costa should by now, have some Metal swagger in their steps.

* For more info on ALL THAT REMAINS, just click the link below:

ALL THAT REMAINS – myspace music

ALL THAT REMAINS:

Philip Labonte – vocals

Oli Herbert – lead guitar

Mike Martin – guitar

Jeanne Sagan – bass

Jason Costa – drums

… For We Are Many – Track Listing:

Now Let Them Tremble

For We Are Many

The Last Time

Some Of The People, All Of The Time

Won’t Go Quietly

Aggressive Opposition

From The Outside

Dead Wrong

Faithless

Hold On

Keepers Of Fellow Man

The Waiting One

LONG LIVE ALL THAT REMAINS.

Stone.

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SAMMY HAGAR – HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM METAL ODYSSEY!

Posted in celebrity birthdays, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 13, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

SAMMY HAGAR – On October 13, 1947, Sammy Hagar, the “Red Rocker” was born. Sixty Three years later, Sammy Hagar stands tall as one of the greatest in all of Rock. I, along with Scott Coverdale and the entire Metal Odyssey family, wants to wish Sammy a LOUD and fun filled HAPPY BIRTHDAY! My wife especially, well, she wanted to make certain to wish the Red Rocker a happy birthday today… she really digs him and rightfully so.

If Stone could buy a beer today for Sammy… I’d buy ’em by the rounds! A lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, Sammy has a vocal presence that is undeniably infectious and resonates nuthin’ but Rock ‘N’ Roll at 100% proof. There is something about listening to Sammy Hagar’s vocals that makes me and countless others feel like everything is alright… it’s all about good times.

Scott Coverdale and I can never get enough of The Red Rocker… he is as cool in 2010 as ever. Chickenfoot, ’nuff said. To keep the relevance fires burning in Rock Music like Sammy continues to do, only reflects on just how legitimate and honest he is as an all-around musician. Thanks for all of the fabulously memorable music you have created over the years Sammy!! Don’t ever stop ROCKIN!

Here is a roll call of the bands that Sammy has been a major part of, over his illustriously Rockin’ career:

MONTROSE (1973-1975)

That’s Sammy pictured in the far right corner of this album photo. This is the Montrose self-titled debut album from 1973. A classic band is Montrose, we’re talkin’ about Hard Rock & Heavy Metal roots here.

SAMMY HAGAR (Solo)

Sammy has released 11 solo studio albums over his legendary career. Street Machine was the fourth solo album from Sammy, released in 1979 on Capitol Records.

My favorite Sammy Hagar solo album is – Standing Hampton. This album was my very first Sammy Hagar album. Standing Hampton was released in 1981 on Geffen Records. I remember buying it at Bradlees department store in the early ’80’s. I worked in a grocery store in the same plaza as Bradlees… this album probably cost half of my paycheck back then, only it was well worth every penny. Baby’s On Fire is probably my favorite Sammy Hagar song ever. There’s Only One Way To Rock is a song that kicks ass from sunrise to sunset. Plus, Heavy Metal is a downright heavy hitter of a song too. Even if you own a Sammy Hagar “Greatest Hits” CD… buy Standing Hampton… you’ll thank Stone later.

HSAS – Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve – Released back in 1984, HSAS was a cool supergroup led by Sammy Hagar on lead vocals. Neal Schon (Journey) on guitar, Kenny Aaronson (Dust) on bass and Michael Shrieve (Santana) on drums. This Through The Fire album from HSAS kicks ass, it’s a great Hard Rock album that deserves more attention than it gets. No, this HSAS album is NOT dated… it has that deeply rooted sound that some of today’s Hard Rock Bands can’t capture.

VAN HALEN – Or, if you prefer, Van Hagar. Just an unbelievably smooth transition Sammy Hagar made in becoming the lead vocalist for Van Halen back in 1986… whoa. The debut album showcasing Sammy with Van Halen was 1986’s 5150 and that album will always be an incredible listen for me. If I had to choose a favorite Van Halen album with Sammy on lead pipes… it’s OU812 from 1988. Cabo Wabo, Feels So Good and Black And Blue are three songs that psyche-me-out beyond Metal belief. Metal be thy name.

SAMMY HAGAR and THE WABORITAS / WABOS – Just good times, feel good, party Rock ‘N’ Roll is Sammy’s Wabos band. If you have never checked out any of their albums, your missing out. This band Sammy assembled can Rock, Rock Hard or simply play it ultra-cool at times. My favorite Wabos album is Livin’ It Up from 2006.

CHICKENFOOT – Sammy’s second venture into forming a “supergroup” has succeeded in my Metal opinion. Chickenfoot ROCKS. ‘Nuff said. The detractors of Chickenfoot are just plain jealous, they have what is diagnosed as: Chickenfoot envy. Released in the Summer of 2009, the self-titled, debut album from Chickenfoot has all that Hard Rockin’ Summertime vibe I crave. With Joe Satriani on guitar, Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) on drums and former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony… yup, it’s a super-duper group.

LONG LIVE SAMMY HAGAR!

* For more info on SAMMY HAGAR, just click on the link below:

RED ROCKER.com

SAMMY HAGAR = GOOD TIMES!

Stone.

 

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IRON MAIDEN “The Number Of The Beast” – Metal Excellence From 1982 Is Never Forgotten

Posted in 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, new wave of british heavy metal, progressive metal music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 11, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

IRON MAIDEN – Just the album cover art with Eddie descending upon the devil is Metal excellence. Derek Riggs was the real deal in creating Iron Maiden album covers… no one else comes even close in my Metal opinion. Getting past the album cover art from The Number Of The Beast and diving into the songs is like a parallel journey of the Metal senses. This is an album, where the cover art represents the songs heard within to brilliant perfection. Invaders, The Number Of The Beast, Run To The Hills, Hallowed Be Thy Name and Children Of The Damned are songs that I can listen to and instantly have this album cover art imbedded in my minds eye. Every song on this ultra-incredible Iron Maiden album does this to me for argument sakes.

This album cover art for The Number Of The Beast has never lost it’s awestruck affect on me, nor have the songs. I toil away, within my own thoughts, as to which album is the “greatest” Heavy Metal album ever… almost on a daily basis. I chose the Black Sabbath classic, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath from 1973, some years ago and have stuck to it since, as being the “greatest” Heavy Metal album ever. Of course this is a “personal” choice of mine and it may change one day… so is the life of being a devout Metalhead, I guess. What gets at me though, is every time I listen to The Number Of The Beast, I feel as this album can very well be considered “the greatest” Heavy Metal album ever. Metal be thy name.

I have always looked upon the first six Iron Maiden albums as being my personal favorites. Convict me of being “Old School”… only I’m not crying in any damned beer about it. God forbid If I remember which albums are the true “classics” of the Heavy Metal genre. To embrace Iron Maiden’s The Final Frontier as the way it “should be” and totally disregard the true essence of this legendary band’s Metal identity of style and sound would make me a phony fan. The Number Of The Beast is an unforgettable Heavy Metal album for me, due to it’s dark themes and 100% dark sound, feel and vibe. The Final Frontier is a new album from Iron Maiden, while The Number Of The Beast is a pulsating highlight of this bands career.

The Number Of The Beast would be the last studio album that has Clive Burr sitting behind the drums. Yes, Iron Maiden did have another drummer… and he was pretty damn good too. Clive Burr was the drummer on the first two Iron Maiden albums as well: Iron Maiden and Killers. This album is also the first that showcases the uncannily soaring vocals of Bruce Dickinson. I look upon The Number Of The Beast as one of the keys that unlocked the door to Metal for me, introducing me to a darker side of Metal when it came to lyrics, as well as the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal – (NWOBHM).

The Number Of The Beast was released back in March of 1982, while Screaming For Vengeance by Judas Priest was released in July of the same year. Suffice to say, I realized quickly that these British Heavy Metal Bands were very serious about their Metal back then… and still are. The mood that The Number Of The Beast radiates is untouchable by any other band, a mood so unique that it seems to zero in on my sub-conscious and touches off a feeling of eerie psyche-outness.

Hallowed Be Thy Name is my favorite song on this album, very haunting and desolate are the lyrics. Waiting for your time to die by hanging is as depressingly creepy as you can get with lyrics, only Iron Maiden makes this song seem almost inspiring through it’s melodic Metal… thanks to Dave Murray and Adrian Smith on guitars. Steve Harris on bass even makes the rhythmic melody escalate on this classic Metal song.

On these earlier Iron Maiden albums, especially The Number Of The Beast, the sound coming from Steve Harris’s bass is unlike anything I had ever heard before, almost like Steve Harris was a lead guitarist playing bass. Steve Harris brought to my attention as a young lad, that the bass guitar was just as magical as the guitar to my Metal sponges otherwise known as ears. The atmosphere that Steve Harris created with his bass along with Dave and Adrian’s duo guitars throughout the songs on The Number Of The Beast is what gives this album and band their Metal trademark, in my Metal opinion.

Even as a young lad, I never interpreted Iron Maiden to be a Satanic band due to this or any album they created before it. I was into Creature Feature on Saturday mornings and I never thought of Boris Karloff, Béla Lugosi or Lon Chaney Sr. or Jr. to be Satanists either. I’ve always left the Satanic finger pointing to the self-righteous Phd’s and scholars, that try to tell the human race how to live. Metal be thy name.

Any band of any Rock genre can tweak or change their entire approach, in how they want to sound or write music. The one constant that can never change is which album or albums that any respective band created that are considered to be measuring sticks of a particular Metal era… and looked upon as classics. The Number Of The Beast is one such classic, from an era when Heavy Metal was not just being molded into form, Heavy Metal was breathing a new found life into a generation of fans that are undisputedly loyal to this very moment. I’m one of them… and The Number Of The Beast shall continue to breathe it’s tantalizing, Old School and macabre teetering spell on me till the end of days.

This is one Iron Maiden album I still have the vinyl copy of… still in unreal great condition too. I without question, upgraded this classic to CD years ago as well. No, I don’t have a cassette version, yet if I find one I’d probably buy it, just to play in my good ‘ol Ford Taurus. The Number Of The Beast has become, over the decades, not just a required album to own if you are a Metalhead… this Iron Maiden album could easily be described as an absolute and necessary appendage to thine Metal senses. This is my Metal opinion, so let it be Metal written, so let it be Metal done.

* For more info on IRON MAIDEN, just click this link: IRON MAIDEN

IRON MAIDEN as they appeared on The Number Of The Beast:

Bruce Dickinson – lead vocals

Steve Harris – bass

Dave Murray – guitar

Adrian Smith – guitar

Clive Burr – drums

Original 1982 Track Listing For The Number Of The Beast:

Invaders

Children Of The Damned

The Prisoner

22 Acacia Avenue

The Number Of The Beast

Run To The Hills

Gangland

Hallowed Be Thy Name

* On May 9, 2009, I posted why I feel Black Sabbath – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is the “Greatest Heavy Metal Album of All Time”. Just click the large header below to read it… if you like.

The greatest Heavy Metal album of all time is…

* On December 6, 2009, I posted about my antique store find… the picture disc of IRON MAIDEN – Run To The Hills. The B side is the song – Total Eclipse, which did not appear on The Number Of The Beast in 1982. Total Eclipse later appeared on the 1995 CD reissue of The Number Of The Beast. You can read more about this fantastic picture disc I found, with photos of it, by clicking the oversized header below:

IRON MAIDEN “RUN TO THE HILLS” PICTURE DISC – AN ANTIQUE STORE FIND!

LONG LIVE IRON MAIDEN.

Stone.

2 Comments »

GRAVE DIGGER – “The Clans Will Rise Again” Releases October 12th In U.S.!!

Posted in hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Power Metal, power metal bands, power metal music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 9, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

GRAVE  DIGGER – 2010 marks the 30th Anniversary of Grave Digger, further cementing their legendary Heavy, Speed and Power Metal status with the release of their 15th studio album – The Clans Will Rise Again. This new studio album from Grave Digger has a U.S. release date of October 12th, on Napalm Records. * The European release date was October 1st, 2010.

Germany is the birthplace for many important Heavy Metal Bands over the decades, (ACCEPT, Scorpions, Helloween, Gamma Ray, Kreator and Edguy to name a many few), with Grave Digger bestowing their very own identity, brand and sound as well. You cannot discount Grave Digger, when the topic of German Heavy Metal Bands of influence comes up.

Axel Ritt has taken over all guitar duties as the newest member of Grave Digger on The Clans Will Rise Again. Guitarists Thilo Hermann and Manni Schmidt left Grave Digger, due to personal and musical differences, before entering the studio to record The Clans Will Rise Again.

There is no better time of the year than October, to have a brand new studio album released from Grave Digger! With the days growing shorter with sunlight and Halloween only a few weeks away, this new Grave Digger album will be a welcomed listen to my Metal scorched ears!

GRAVE DIGGER:

Chris Boltendahl – vocals

Axel Ritt – guitars

Jens Becker – bass

Stefan Arnold – drums

Hans Peter Katzenburg – piano & keys

* For more info on GRAVE DIGGER, just click on the cool links below:

GRAVE DIGGER CLAN.com

GRAVE DIGGER – myspace music

* Check out the music video for Highland Farewell below! This song is on The Clans Will Rise Again. A Potent and Power packed song that grabbed my Metal attention from the opening bagpipes!

Track Listing For The Clans Will Rise Again:

Days Of Revenge

Paid In Blood

Hammer Of The Scots

Highland Farewell

The Clans Will Rise Again

Rebels

Valley Of Tears

Execution

Whom The Gods Love

Spider

The Piper McLeod

Coming Home

When Rain Turns To Blood

Watch Me Die (Bonus Track)

LONG LIVE GRAVE DIGGER!

Stone.

1 Comment »

BROKEN CITIES – Post Rock Single “Ravi” Is Worth A Listen

Posted in metal odyssey, Music, post rock, post-rock music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on October 8, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BROKEN CITIES – A Post Rock duo named Broken Cities from Oakland, California are releasing one single at a time… from their digital album – Flux. Ravi is the first instrumental single to be heard and released from Flux. Broken Cities “method of release is kind of like a pledge drive, there are 6 more tracks on Flux, in order to release them they need 6 goals in donations”, as so stated from their website. A Metal buddy of mine, Mike, sent me the info and link to Broken Cities and he is quite stoked about this musical duo.

After listening to Ravi multiple times, I can appreciate it. Broken Cities will eventually benefit from some better production as they continue onward in their musical quest, in the meantime Ravi is a fine instrumental to listen to. My appreciation for this song lies in the fact, that many bands I’ve followed over the years do incorporate diverse and progressive sounds within the structures of their songs. The Electric Light Orchestra, Dream Theater and The Mars Volta are such bands, to name a few. Atmospheric and yes… calming is Ravi. Sometimes I do take a two minute break from my Metal… it’s all about music at the end of my Metal day.

The single Ravi is available for purchase by “naming your price”, as it’s stated on Broken Cities website. As Broken Cities states on their home page: “We will be accepting donations and once the threshold is met for each track, we will release the next one. Our music is being released under a generous Creative Commons license. By doing this we want the whole album, (Flux), to be freely available after all tracks have been released. “We want our music to be heard. We are deeply passionate about music and feel that everyone should be able to enjoy it”. Check out this song for yourself, by clicking the link below:

http://brokencities.bandcamp.com/track/ravi

* Another BROKEN CITIES link to check out:

http://brokencities.com/Home.html

BROKEN CITIES ARE:

Nick Zomkowski

Scruffy

* Album artwork for Flux by: Ty Ennis and May Juliette Barruel.

There is a ton of music out there to be heard every minute of the day. I like branching out and listening to the “unknowns” too. I wish Broken Cities all the very best in their selling their song Ravi and the other 6 songs they have in the wake.

Go Get ‘Em Broken Cities!

Stone.

1 Comment »

HELLOWEEN “7 Sinners” Releases November 9, 2010 In U.S.! Some HELLOWEEN thoughts…

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, power metal albums, power metal bands, power metal music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 7, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HELLOWEEN – Power Metal pioneers and ultra iconic, HELLOWEEN will be releasing their 13th full-length studio album, 7 Sinners, via The End Records, on November 9th, 2010. (This is the U.S. release date). Originating from Germany, Helloween is an influential and important band in the history of Metal. Since their 1985 album release – Walls Of Jericho, Helloween has been an undisputed leader in the Power Metal genre. I’ll never forget buying Walls Of Jericho on cassette years ago… I thought I was the coolest dude on the block for stumbling onto Helloween. Even though I have Walls Of Jericho on CD, I never let go of the cassette version.

Kai Hansen was terrific as the lead vocalist and guitarist for Helloween. (Gamma Ray obviously gets my Metal endorsement to the fullest). Michael Kiske was formidable as the lead vocalist for Helloween, his vocals on Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I are legendary. I’d have to pick Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I as my favorite Helloween album of all time… alright, tied with Walls Of Jericho! It’s not that easy, in choosing my favorite Helloween album of all time. (Chameleon from 1993… is not my favorite).

Yes, I even liked Unarmed – Best Of 25th Anniversary, which was released on March 30, 2010. No, it was not the Power Metal force we have all come to expect from Helloween, only this album I found to be a very cool listen. Some of the greatest Helloween songs ever, were re-structured with string arrangements and a choir. Dr. Stein really gets a Rock ‘N’ Roll makeover that I find to be a fun listen. At the end of the Metal day though, I’m sure relieved and psyched that Helloween is back, with their potent Power Metal that I’m expecting on 7 Sinners.

Andi Deris is an incredible vocalist as well, he can sing Metal lights out. Whoa… can Andi carry a note and sing the roof off. I can honestly say that Gambling With The Devil from 2007 is so powerful, that having a “three way tie” for my #1 Helloween album is Metal justified. Gambling With The Devil is simply put… riveting. Plus… I’ll throw in the Metal fact that founding member and guitarist Michael “Weiki” Weikath is a super nice guy to interview, one of the “good guys” of Metal… hands down. Kai Hansen is also a super nice guy to talk to… a genuine class act.

So, yeah, I get all pumped up anytime Helloween is about to release a new album. This is a band that I could easily write 500,000 words about and still want to write more. Seriously though, how many bands have their been in Metal, or any Rock genre for that matter, that can boast having “3” amazing lead vocalists in their bands history? Not too many I would imagine. I’m really looking forward to getting my copy of 7 Sinners… and on that day I’m going to be one psyched-out Metalhead. Those are my Metal thoughts for now about Helloween… I’m certain I’ll be reviewing 7 Sinners come November, you can bet your bottom Metal dollar on that one!

* For more info on HELLOWEEN, just click on the link below:

HELLOWEEN – Official Website

HELLOWEEN

Track Listing For HELLOWEEN – 7 Sinners:

Where The Sinners Go

Are You Metal?

Who Is Mr. Madman?

Raise The Noise

World Of Fantasy

Long Live The King

The Smile Of The Sun

You Stupid Mankind

If A Mountain Could Talk

The Sage, The Fool, The Sinner

My Sacrifice

Not Yet Today

Far In The Future

* The premium version of 7 Sinners will include a deluxe digpak, extended booklet and an exclusive bonus track. (Source: Helloween Official Website)

LONG LIVE HELLOWEEN!

Stone.


2 Comments »

Steve Lee – Rest In Peace

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock vocalists, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on October 6, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

STEVE LEE – Lead vocalist and songwriter for the Swiss Hard Rock Band, Gotthard, passed away from a motorcycle accident in Nevada, on October 5, 2010. Reports state that a tractor trailer skidded into an area where Steve Lee parked his motorcycle, with fellow bikers, on a rainy Nevada highway. Steve Lee has been the lead vocalist for Gotthard since their 1992 debut and self-titled album. Gotthard has been a Hard Rock import from Switzerland that has sold millions of records worldwide.

The world of Rock Music has truly lost a talented singer, songwriter and musician. Steve Lee was 47 years old. The Metal Odyssey family extends their condolences to all of Steve Lee’s family, friends and fans. Rest in peace, Steve Lee, you will be missed.

Thank you for the music, Steve Lee.

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HALFORD IV “MADE OF METAL” – THE METAL GOD… Has Returned With A Vengeance!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 6, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HALFORD – Oh, how The Metal God has cometh and made a Metal album that is mega-primed for satisfying my Metal hunger! Halford IV – Made Of Metal, released on September 28, 2010, on Metal God Entertainment, is clearly a raised fist to the air hailing all things… METAL. If one has a difficult time understanding as to why Rob Halford is called… The Metal God… and one is clueless about Judas Priest and Fight, then all one needs to do is sink their ears and awareness into Halford IV – Made Of Metal and thy should understand what the hell The Metal God is all about.

Not detracting here from what has put Rob Halford on the highest level of the Metal hierarchy, Halford IV – Made Of Metal is like a symbol of what The Metal God is all about… singing his lungs out on exceptionally written songs, both in Metal music and lyrics. It would be too damn easy for Rob Halford to rest on his laurels and reap the decades of Metal glory that he has so rightfully earned. Instead, Rob Halford has come out with all guns Metal blazing and has released an album that should make the earth shift off of it’s axis, just a tad, when played at it’s maximum volume.

Now, there is a song on this new Halford album that just seems to be so unbelievably great to my Metal ears and soul, that I’m pinching myself to make certain I’m not dreaming as I listen to it. It’s an exhilarating experience, of a profound mega-Metal high when I listen to this song… Thunder And Lightning. Throughout all of my Metal lovin’ life, I have continuously searched out for the songs, albums and the bands that make me Metal high. Thunder And Lightning is that thunder strike of a song, that I shall turn to for inspiration and psyche-out therapy for the rest of my Metal guided life.

Rob Halford is simply classic on vocals during Thunder And Lightning, with Roy Z. and Metal Mike Chlasciak on guitars making it freaking soar, trading off their licks to Metal perfection. It’s the intensity and the non-stop groove that’s happening with this song that makes it so damn delicious to my Metal senses. When a song can capture and hold onto a psyche-out vibe like this, it is a song that is worthy of my telling the entire world about.

Honestly, I can’t count how many times I have listened to Thunder And Lightning in the short time that I have owned Halford IV – Made Of Metal. Whatever Rob Halford and Roy Z. have tapped into when they wrote this song, it is nothing short of mystical for me. This song only solidifies the fact that music is indeed… a language all it’s own. Let those Metal vibrations pour into my Metal soul!! Metal be thy name.

I Know We Stand A Chance, based on it’s lyrics, is a love song. This song plays out with both a Hard Rock and Metal feel, with Rob Halford’s vocal harmony streaming through the music flawlessly. A very memorable song, both for it’s music and lyrics. Three quarters through this song it kicks up a couple of notches with some electrifying and melodic fret work that I know I’ll be hearing in my sleep.

Like There’s No Tomorrow showcases Rob Halford, the Metal vocalist for the ages. Sure, Rob Halford has his vocal peers amongst him, the difference is, this is The Metal God we are listening to on this album. This song is incredibly memorable beyond belief. Is it the vocals of Rob? Could it be the dualing guitars? The imbedded bass thumping? The drum beats and cymbal smashing? Try all of the above. Melodic and soaringly heavy is this song, drawing it’s strength from the totality of the band.

Twenty-Five Years is a powerful and Heavy ballad, both with it’s music and lyrics. Rob Halford exemplifies why he is truly a remarkable vocalist as he sings Twenty-Five Years. By delivering this song through his emotionally charged vocals, in a story form, that lends itself as being deeply personal to The Metal God. This is by far not a depressing song for me, it is a serious break in the Metal experience that I cannot shun away. Lyrically there are life lessons that are taught here, making for a Metal reality check that has been handed down by this living Metal Legend.

We Own The Night and Heartless are melodic listen’s into just how Rob Halford and his band can play accessibly Heavy songs, one’s that probably would have been a huge hit if Heavy Metal ruled MTV and FM radio like it once did in those loud and colorful ’80’s. Even when Halford comes across with some commercial appeal, they are still damn Heavy as hell… flooded with Metal molasses. Rob Halford just sounds like he beamed up his vintage vocal self, from decades long ago, surpassing my Metal expectations on not just these two songs… the entire album.

Yes, The Mower is by far and large… the heaviest, meanest and most Metal song on this new Halford album. Even Rob’s vocals are screeching with an evil intensity that is downright scary on The Mower. I love it. This is the other side to Rob Halford’s vocals, piercing, angry and impressively dark. Speed Of Sound has the vibe and sound that is tailor made for a Judas Priest – Turbo Part II… if there ever was to be such an album. However, Speed Of Sound is Heavy and doesn’t get saturated with any synthetic sounds that the long past Turbo album radiates.

Alright, there is a “semi-stinker” on this album. I’ll give Rob Halford and his band a pass on this though. I owe ’em that much for making my Metal world so deliriously fine from Thunder And Lightning. Um, well, this song is pretty much a stinker. Made Of Metal is the song. There are some bad flashbacks happening in my brain, each time I hear the techno-electronic voice that is part of the intro to this song. Mr. Roboto flashbacks that is. I still have never recovered from Styx messing around with electronica… and that goes too far back for my own liking. The “roboto” voice re-appears towards the end of this song too, not cool. It’s just a dated song that doesn’t fit the Metal mold of this album and I don’t like to use the word… dated.

Make the bad Mr. Roboto go away, make the bad Mr. Roboto go away, make him go now.

Undisputed is the one song on Halford IV – Made Of Metal that can be of “big time” commercial value for the future. The lyrics are borderline corny… this song is about an undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, whoever that may be. This song would be perfect for the next (gasp) Rocky sequel or as an entrance theme for some WWE Wrestling Superstar. The Metal itself is brilliance on Undisputed, with scorching guitar leads and tough as nails riffs. Vocally, Rob Halford resonates with late ’70’s Judas Priest on Undisputed, capturing his very own classic self as only he can do.

For all intents and Metal purposes, Halford is backed up by one damned fabulous band. Mike Davis on bass and Bobby Jarzombek on drums hold it all together like a Heavy Metal pillar of unbreakable steel, giving each song an added dose of supercharged thump. I without hesitation, openly admit, that Halford IV – Made Of Metal has rolled into 2010 and taken me for a sensational Metal ride. This Metal ride I’m highly endorsing to fellow Metalheads, both young and old, stateside and worldwide. Don’t let this new Halford album be “the one” that you pass over for another day. Halford IV – Made Of Metal needs to heard… NOW… and forever.

* For more info on HALFORD, just click here: ROB HALFORD.com

Track Listing For HALFORD IV – MADE OF METAL:

Undisputed

Fire And Ice

Made Of Metal

Speed Of Sound

Like There’s No Tomorrow

Till The Day I Die

We Own The Night

Heartless

Hell Razor

Thunder And Lightning

Twenty-Five Years

Matador

I Know We Stand A Chance

The Mower

LONG LIVE HALFORD.

THE METAL GOD HAS RETURNED.

Stone.

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