Archive for December, 2010

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NIDINGR “Wolf Father” – One Of Black Metal’s Blackest Unleash Their Strike

Posted in Black Metal, Extreme Metal, extreme music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on December 13, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

NIDINGR – The bells of inner Earth are tolling and the lava in hell is boiling, while NIDINGR is uncoiling their Blackest of Metal unto the suspecting and unsuspecting of humanity. Metal be thy name, is this band the keeper of the Darkest Black Metal core… they very well hold the key and secrets to the depths of infinite Metal Blackness. This is Black Metal, unleashed by NIDINGR at it’s most profound underworld greatest. Make no mistake, Wolf Father is an album where you sit down the Black Metal pupils and tell them to listen and learn. After a five year absence in making a new album, (the last being Sorrow, Infinite And Darkness from 2005), this Norwegian Black Metal band has created six new songs based on Norse Mythology themes.

If you find yourself straying about, wondering which bands new album can produce the heaviest and darkest blows of pure Metal, your answer lies within the songs on Wolf Father. Are there heavier and more Extreme albums that exist? Of course. Only don’t try to stay up all night searching for anything heavier. The constant on this album, is that all six songs carry out their sole purpose to devour whatever sounds of calm that may be in their atmospheric path. I do say with Metal certainty though, that NIDINGR wasn’t going to disappoint themselves or any dedicated Black Metal fan out there by creating this piece of Blackened work.

Fafnismol introduces the listener into the world of NIDINGR, with flamingly furious rhythms and breakdown riffs that are as haunting as they are original. Hellhammer on drums crushes down the beats with mind blowing speed. Cpt. Estrella Grasa belts out his torment laden vocals with viciousness that Black Metal loyalists come to expect, from one of the best this genre has to offer. Amidst the blackness there are many guitar parts that flirt on the melodic razor’s edge, all the while the all encompassing blanket of Black Metal stylings override this album as undisputed, darkened and pure underground.

If you are searching for that Black Metal curtain to lift up and reveal the extremity of sound that beckons you, Wolf Father will envelope your senses with it’s fortified blackness. Once you listen to Wolf Father you will undoubtedly listen again and again,  trying to come to grips that a Black Metal band such as NIDINGR can be this unimaginably extreme. I recommend highly all Black Metal fans to catch onto this blackened offering from NIDINGR, new fans to this genre should, no, need to grasp what Wolf Father is all about.

* Below is a roll call of associated Black Metal bands attached to each band member:

Teloch – guitar/bass (1349, Gorgoroth, Ov Hell, Orcustus, Umoral, Konsortium), Blargh – guitar/bass (Gravferd, Dødheimsgard), Cpt. Estrella Grasa – vocals (Kort Prosess), Hellhammer – drums (Emperor, Immortal, Shining, Thorns, Umoral, Mayhem)

* For more info on NIDINGR, click here: NIDINGR – myspace music

NIDINGR:

Teloch – guitar & bass

Blargh – guitar & bass

Cpt. Estrella Grasa – vocals

Hellhammer – drums

* Garm – from Ulver guest appears

Track Listing For Wolf Father:

Fafnismol

Baldrs Draumar

Reginsmol

Voluspo

Hymiskvitha

Lokasenna

LONG LIVE NIDINGR AND THEIR BLACK METAL.

Stone.

1 Comment »

Ten Very Uncool Hard Rock And Heavy Metal Album Covers Part III

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, humor, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on December 12, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

LOOK WHOSE COMING OVER FOR CHRISTMAS.

UNCOOL – Once again, I’m back at it again… for a third installment of “Ten Very Uncool Hard Rock And Heavy Metal Album Covers”. Why do I embark on such a Metal task you query? Due to the fact that I admire and uphold the album covers that have stood the test of time: All Iron Maiden album covers along with Molly Hatchet, Motorhead, Asia, Boston, Lääz Rockit, Overkill, Avenged Sevenfold, King Diamond and of course, DIO, have all had astounding artwork and graphics to represent their prodigious music over the decades.

Why can many bands and solo artists have their image and music dutifully represented by their album covers, while many others are packaged by their artwork and imagery like a stale can of inedible baked beans? We now live in the age of “the mp3”, where album cover artwork is for all intents and purposes, non-essential to the mp3 consumer. That is a Metal shame. All of us “Old Schoolers” know the importance of the beloved album cover and realize the album art more often than not parallels the songs heard within.

Try taking a walk through the CD aisles (or aisle) of Best Buy or browse around the internet music websites… you’ll find it is nearly 50/50 as to the cool/uncool ratio of album covers out there. This remarkable cool versus uncool album cover fiasco has been going on for decades, since the very beginning of Rock ‘N’ Roll itself! I don’t try to advertise myself on being “The Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Album Cover Authority”, still, I hopefully know how to decipher the uncool from cool after all my Metal lovin’ years.

Enjoy this list, become informed, gain knowledge and above all… if you happen to purchase one of these CD’s in the near future, just cover it over with “something” at the checkout, so other customers don’t witness your purchase. In the event you purchase one of these CD’s via mail, you are safe, no one will know you bought a CD with an uncool cover, just the dude who packaged it for shipping will know. If you become annoyed by this “Part III” list, well, you must like uncool Hard Rock and Heavy Metal album covers then.

* An uncool album cover does not necessarily mean that the respective band and the music heard on the album is uncool as well. If the album is a total stinker with it’s product of music, I would warn the world. Without further delay, here is the non-prestigious list of Ten Very Uncool Hard Rock & Heavy Metal Album Covers Part III:

Foreigner – No End In Sight: The Very Best Of Foreigner (2008)

Bon Jovi and Nickelback have made prior uncool album cover lists here at Metal Odyssey for the same stale reason: a boring image of a… highway. What is it about highways and album covers? Why do these desolate paths of macadam/dirty asphalt keep popping up? I don’t care about the album title being “linked” with an image of this highway either. Highways are daunting, lonely and filled with road rage, therefore, highways are stressful. There really is “no end in sight” to the amount of times bands wind up with highways on their album covers. You’d think that after all these decades, Foreigner would want to have a cool album cover representing their legendary songs.

Nickelback – All The Right Reasons (2005)

Hey… look who’s back! It’s Nickelback! For a second time with another “uncool album cover induction” with All The Right Reasons. This marks the second album cover from Nickelback with a highway on it! I can think of a million reasons as to why this album cover is uncool and BORING, here is one: Regardless of the year and make of the automobile shown in the picture, this album cover is nothing more than an auto dealership brochure cover.

30 Seconds To Mars – Self Titled/Debut (2002)

? Doh!

Saving Abel – Self Titled/Debut (2008)

This day and age, I don’t know if I’m looking at a guy or a girl butt here. So, with all the confusion, this album cover is… uncool. For “me” it is anyways. Plus, how many more times do we need the “butt in tight jeans, staring at you in the face” album cover? An exceedingly overdone “theme”.

Bon Jovi – Cross Road (1994)

Just another Bon Jovi “Greatest Hits”. Wow, so compellingly Rockin’… Jon Bon Jovi and his band sitting around in a diner and doing nuthin’. OMG… that is so cool! Yeah, right. In reality, this band would never be caught in a blue collar diner… more like a 10 star, caviar serving, white linen restaurant on Rodeo Drive is more like it. Stone isn’t getting fooled. As an uncool bonus, this photo of the band is washed out and blurry. This photo would receive an “F” grade, back in my photography 101 class in college. This album cover makes Bon Jovi’s “second appearance” on a Metal Odyssey “uncool album cover” list. Congratulations Bon Jovi!

Collective Soul – Afterwords (2007)

Just embarrassing, really. Where is the slight or even remote imagery of “Rock” involved here within this album cover? This is more better suited as a Martha Stewart Living magazine cover. Metal be thy name.

Pearl Jam – Pearl Jam (2006)

I don’t care how many albums were sold of this Pearl Jam release… this is a perfect example of over thinking what your album cover should look like and convey. Trying to go for the “it’s over their heads” mentality doesn’t work for me either, with this album cover. It’s not over Stone’s head, this cover is just 100% uncool. This style of photography and art worked extremely well for Pink Floyd, a legendary band that knew what legendary album covers should look like. Most recently, Pearl Jam is into cartoons on their album cover with Backspacer… go figure.

Judas Priest – Point Of Entry (1981)

Since the day I first bought this Judas Priest album on vinyl, (probably around 1982/83), up until today, this cover just falls flat for me. I absolutely LOVE this album and Judas Priest is a core band for my Metal lovin’ soul. Do I feel guilty then, that I’m choosing a Judas Priest album cover for an “uncool list”? Nope. This “original” album cover for Point Of Entry is so super bland, that it will be forever filed under: What were they thinking? The super scary part about this album cover, is the blue printer paper that stretches on for miles, actually simulates a… highway!!! Even the ultra-legendary Judas Priest dabbled in the highway theme for an album cover! It probably cost $50 in U.S. funds to create this album cover too.

Dokken – Under Lock And Key (1985)

First, Under Lock And Key is a Dokken album that potently Rocks like there is no tomorrow. No, it’s not the hair or fashion that is uncool here. These styles are still utilized by many bands today. This image was an identity to a grand decade of 80’s Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Instead, what makes this Dokken album cover so uncool is that gigantic, cardboard key. That key ruined it. Minus that key, this album cover never comes up in an uncool album cover conversation. Who was behind this idea? That oversized, concocted, cardboard key would have served better inside a middle school lobby, with the words scrawled upon it: Unlock the key to your child’s education.

Christmas In Your Ear – (Release date unknown and who cares)

Gee Metal whiz, this compilation of Christmas songs, covered by some of the most popular names in Rock history, has not only an uncool album cover, it has an annoyingly uncool album title! Christmas In Your Ear. (!) Metal be thy name. The next uncool thing I’ll uncover will be a cookbook titled: Christmas In Your Stomach. What’s up with the raging serial killer’s face in the Christmas tree ornament? Talk about issues… that dude needs some anger management treatment fast. I could understand the album cover, only if it contained Death Metal bands covering Christmas songs. With the likes of Billy Squire, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Smithereens and Pat Benatar, etc. on this CD, the cover does NOT fit the contents of what you’ll be listening to. Simply put, an embarrassing album cover and title. I think I’ll change the name of this blog now to: Metal Odyssey In Your Eyes.

METAL BE THY NAME.

LONG LIVE HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL.

Stone.

7 Comments »

MOTORHEAD “The World Is Yours” – Official Release Date Is January 18, 2011!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on December 11, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MOTORHEAD – On January 18, 2011, the ultra-iconic Motorhead will be releasing their 20th studio album, (21st studio album if you count On Parole from 1979). The new Motorhead album is titled – The World is Yours. The first opportunity to purchase a “pre-release” of The World is Yours, is by buying the upcoming issue of the (UK) Classic Rock magazine. This issue of Classic Rock has a release date of December 28, 2010, on Amazon.com.

* The Classic Rock edition comes as a 132 page deluxe magazine, dedicated to Motorhead as a “Motorhead fanpack”, with the CD of The World is Yours, a poster and metal pin badge. A career spanning overview of Motorhead with interviews of each band member are featured in this issue as well. Classic Rock Magazine.com reports this special Motorhead fanpack issue will be available for sale on December 14, 2010.

* The CD/DVD release date is January 25, 2011. The DVD includes the following:

– Documentary on the recording of The World is Yours

– Manchester Apollo live footage (30 minutes)

– Ace Of Spades (acoustic version)

– Get Back In Line (video)

– I Know How To Die (video)

(Source for release dates: The official Motorhead website referred me to Amazon.com, once I clicked on the album cover for This World is Yours on the Motorhead homepage. Therefore, Amazon.com is where the release dates were found.) **Release dates vary from country to country, plus, if you subscribe to Classic Rock magazine, the release date may be different from what date I’ve posted. Metal Odyssey is just reporting what dates have been found from researching through the official website of Motorhead, Classic Rock Magazine.com and Amazon.com.

* For more info on Motorhead, just click here: MOTORHEAD – Official Website

* For more info on Classic Rock Magazine: Classic Rock Magazine.com

* The World is Yours will be released on Motorhead Music via EMI distribution.

2010 – the 35th Anniversary of Motorhead Rock ‘N’ Roll!

MOTORHEAD:

Lemmy Kilmister – vocals & bass

Phil Campbell – guitar

Mikkey Dee – drums

Above is the Classic Rock Magazine “Motorhead Fanpack”. You can pre-order it at Amazon.com, the only thing is… get ready to shell out $47.68 (U.S. funds) for it.

Track Listing For The World Is Yours:

Born To Lose

I Know How To Die

Get Back In Line

Devils In My Head

Rock ‘N’ Roll Music

Waiting For The Snake

Brotherhood Of Man

Outlaw

I Know What You Need

Bye Bye Bitch Bye Bye

MOTORHEAD FOREVER.

Stone.

4 Comments »

IGLOO WARFARE – A Metal Odyssey Interview!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, instrumental music, interviews, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on December 10, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

IGLOO WARFARE – Brandon Ortiz, aka Eski, is a very busy guy these days. It is a minor miracle that Metal Odyssey caught up with him recently, to get a Metal lowdown on his side project Igloo Warfare. Metal instrumental ear candy is how I best sum up Igloo Warfare. With Eski being in full control of it’s creation, from playing every instrument heard, through production, to the final recorded songs, Igloo Warfare is his work of Metal art.

Songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, band manager, promotion and marketing manager, record label owner (Final Breath Records) and every other imaginable title associated with overseeing his music getting heard and noticed, is what Eski is all about. Eski isn’t taking a bow to the “do-it-yourself” crowd, he is leaping over them with his envious drive and passion for the music he loves to create.

With Belle Roka by his side, there is also Morphine Killer keeping the Metal irons burning and the creative genius side of him stirring. Throw in the recent opportunity for Eski to step in to help Faithsedge on bass duties and you have not just a multi-taking musician… you have what is an example of devotion. Here is what Eski had to say:

Stone: So, Eski, how did the name Igloo Warfare come about?

Eski: I got the nickname “Eski” when I was about 15 years old, mainly due to the fact of looking like an eskimo, and being able to withstand the cold weather. I liked the idea of eskimos being up to something inside those igloos, so I went with “Igloo Warfare”, being a random Rock Band name I made up on the spot.

Stone: What inspires your songwriting for Igloo Warfare?

Eski: I love writing music, and usually what happens is I have a lot of Morphine Killer songs on the backburner, ready for vocals. But sometimes I will write songs for a particular mood, such as being an energetic video game song, or a moody movie song.

Stone: What comes easiest for you, writing music or playing it?

Eski: Writing it, definitely! There’s a lot of nuances that come around when it comes down to recording, and it has to be perfect. I have experimented with writing on the spot to the drums I program, because sometimes you just have to go where the music takes you.

Stone: I get that “Escape From New York” vibe on “Spider Whispers Death”. Did you initially set out for a Science Fiction meets Horror element with Igloo Warfare’s sound? Are you a fan of John Carpenter’s haunting movie scores?

Eski: I didn’t really set out for that vibe, but I wanted a sort of eerie vibe with the music, mixed with metal.. maybe that is the music version of science fiction meeting horror! Without knowing it, I have been influenced by John Carpenter! I love the Halloween movies, and Big Trouble In Little China (I loved that they got the idea for Raiden from Mortal Kombat from this movie).

Stone: Do you see your instrumentals being better suited for motion pictures or video games? Perhaps both?

Eski: I’d like to hope for both, but possibly more video games. I’d really like to get into either area if I could, though! I grew up with video games that had awesome music that helped inspire the mood, and I hope to do the same one day.

Stone: Will vocals ever be added to Igloo Warfare’s music?

Eski: I would like to think so! If they do, most likely they are going to end up a Morphine Killer song, unless someone else does vocals as a guest spot, and maybe we can release it as such.

Stone: With “Dopeth”, is it safe to say you are a fan of Opeth?

Eski: Absolutely, I love Opeth. Mikael Åkerfeldt is one of my favorite vocalists.

Metal Odyssey Note: Check out below, the Metal instrumental of Dopeth for yourself, courtesy of IGLOO WARFARE!

Stone: What’s the latest news you can share about Morphine Killer?

Eski: We’ve been working on ten or so songs that still need a bit more fine tuning. We’ve been really busy with our upcoming baby release than CD release, so please excuse us!

Stone: You and Belle are very much excused! A new baby on the way is much more important!

Stone: You’re also currently busy helping out Faiths Edge, handling the bass duties. What’s that been like?

Eski: It’s been really fun to just jam with friends and not feel the pressure of taking the reins so much. It’s also a really fun learning experience to work with another song writer and be able to bounce ideas off of each other. I helped him write a new song which might or might not appear on his next CD, so we’ll just have to wait and see!

Eski with Belle Roka

Morphine Killer publicity photo by: Stephanie Grant/imsteph.com

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

IGLOO WARFARE – Reverbnation

IGLOO WARFARE – myspace music

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

MORPHINE KILLER – Myspace music

MORPHINE KILLER – Official Website

* For more info on Faithsedge, click here: FAITHSEDGE – myspace music

THANK YOU, ESKI.

LONG LIVE ESKI AND HIS MUSIC.

Stone.

1 Comment »

KID ROCK “Born Free” – Double LP Vinyl Releases December 14, 2010!

Posted in Hard Rock, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on December 9, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

KID ROCK – Get ready all of you vinyl lovers out there… the brand new Kid Rock – Born Free is about to get released on double LP – vinyl! The vinyl release date is December 14, 2010. Born Free is Kid Rock’s eighth studio album, released on Atlantic Records. It’s the diversification of Rock ‘N’ Roll, that flows through Kid Rock’s soul, that makes him so damn appealing to me all these years. From Rap Metal to Southern Rock and almost everything else in-between, Kid Rock makes it real.

* Born Free was produced by the legendary Rick Rubin. Mixing was done by Greg Fidelman.

* I have seen this double LP of Born Free for sale on Amazon.com, it also comes with the entire CD of Born Free, from what the site states, it is referred to as a “bonus CD”.

* For more info on Kid Rock, just click on the cool link below:

KID ROCK – Official Website

Track Listing For Born Free:

Born Free

Slow My Roll

Care (Featuring Martina McBride & T.I.)

Purple Sky

When It Rains

God Bless Saturday

Collide (Featuring Sheryl Crow & Bob Seger on piano)

Flyin’ High (Featuring Zac Brown)

Times Like These

Rock On

Rock Bottom Blues

For The First Time (In A Long Time)

LONG LIVE KID ROCK.

Stone.

10 Comments »

Marty Friedman – Happy Birthday From Metal Odyssey!

Posted in guitar legends, guitarists, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, speed metal, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on December 8, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MARTY FRIEDMAN – World renowned & legendary guitarist Marty Friedman turns 48 years old today, December 8, 2010. Happy Metal Birthday Marty! Marty Friedman solidified his elite guitar status during his days as a Metal axe slinger for the ultra-legendary Megadeth, appearing on five of their albums. Marty played guitar alongside Dave Mustaine, on such seminal Megadeth albums as: Rust In Peace, Countdown To Extinction, Youthanasia, Cryptic Writings and Risk.

Marty was already the established and well revered guitarist among the Heavy Metal universe before that historic gig. Teaming up with guitar great Jason Becker to form Cacophony, releasing Speed Metal Symphony in 1987, on Shrapnel Records. Speed Metal and the art of shredding was highlighted by the neo-classical Metal techniques and skill that Marty and Jason bestowed with their Cacophony team-up. Go Off! was the second and final studio album from Cacophony, released in 1988, (Shrapnel).

That is Marty on the left, Jason on the right, (above album cover). This was a very cool album then and it still is now. Metal Odyssey highly recommends both Cacophony albums… don’t pay attention to any old and stale mainstream album reviews on ’em, those mainstream Rock critics don’t know what they’re listening to anyways.

* Marty Friedman founded the Heavy Metal band Hawaii, back in 1982. From 1983 to 1985, Hawaii released three full-length studio albums. Hawaii could best be described as Speed meets Power Metal.

* Marty Friedman has also released 12 solo albums, (studio & live combined), from 1988 to 2010 and has always been known for his instructional videos/DVD’s on guitar playing and techniques as well.

* Above is a really cool Japanese promo poster/ad for Marty Friedman’s 1996 solo album – True Obsessions, released on Shrapnel Records.

* For more info on Marty Friedman, just click on the cool link below:

Marty Friedman – Official Website

LONG LIVE MARTY FRIEDMAN.

Stone.

7 Comments »

NIDINGR “Wolf Father” Releases January 18, 2011!

Posted in Black Metal, black metal albums, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on December 8, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

NIDINGR – Cult Norwegian Black Metal unit NIDINGR return from a five year hiatus with their raging new album. The assassins that form this deadly unit have culminated their dark arts and aggression on their sophomore full-length Wolf Father, the uncompromising album sure to scathe listeners with its relentless whirlwind of black metal wrath. NIDINGR remain a mainly cult act, although some might conder them a “super group” of sorts when they discover the band is comprised of a long list of notable black metal artisans including bassist/guitarist Teloch (1349, Gorgoroth, Ov Hell, Orcustus, Umoral, Konsortium), bassist/guitarist Blargh (Gravferd, Dødheimsgard), vocalist Cpt. Estrella Grasa (Kort Prosess), and drummer Hellhammer (Immortal, Shining, Thorns, Umoral, Mayhem, Emperor). Wolf Father even features a guest appearance from Ulver’s Kristoffer Rygg (a.k.a. Garm), and features artwork by French visionary Valnoir of Metastazis, known for their work with Watain, Ulver, Peste Noire, Nachtmystium, Anteus and more.

* NIDINGR Wolf Father will be released on Vendlus Records, January 18, 2011.

* For more info on NIDINGR, just click here: NIDINGR – myspace music

(Source: Earsplit press release, December 3, 2010)

Track Listing For Wolf Father:

Fafnismol

Baldrs Draumar

Reginsmol

Voluspo

Hymiskvitha

Lokasenna

LONG LIVE NIDINGR.

Stone.

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Heaven & Hell “Neon Nights – 30 Years Of Heaven & Hell – Live In Europe” Is Heavy Metal Elite

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

HEAVEN & HELL – Back in 1982, an elite group of musicians known as Black Sabbath released a double live, molasses heavy album titled: Live Evil. In 1982 those two vinyl disks were like gold, to a then sixteen year old who knew a whole lot about nothing. Going on three decades later, that Live Evil album still is gold to this same dude, who knows a little about something. Fast forward to 2007, the legendary lineup of Ronnie James Dio (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Vinny Appice (drums) returned to public view known as Heaven & Hell, with their Live From Radio City Music Hall double live album, released on Rhino Records. This legendary foursome was back… albeit a name change. Taking on the name of one of the most prolific Heavy Metal albums ever to be recorded, Heaven & Hell was now this bands identity.

Yes, Bill Ward was the amazing drummer on that phenomenal Heaven And Hell album from 1980, a legend without discussion. However, Vinny Appice is one quarter of Heaven & Hell and always will be. I won’t dare compare the Live Evil album of ’82 to this newly released Heaven & Hell: Neon Nights, 30 Years Of Heaven & Hell, Live In Europe, (released November 16, 2010, on Armoury Records for Niji Productions). There is nothing to gain by comparing this band to itself, some three decades prior. I am not the same person I was three decades ago… the past is a memory and the future is today.

This historic Heaven & Hell concert was recorded at the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany, back in 2009. Yes, the late and ultra-legendary Ronnie James Dio does sound older on this newly released live album, only his vocals still gives me the same euphoric chills now as he did so many years ago. While listening to Neon Nights-Live In Europe, I realize I’m listening to a man who was a fighter, a man who was not going to back down to any illness that may invade his body. I think of my father, who is currently battling cancer, I think of his strength and will to live as well. I could only hope and pray that I can be as strong and courageous as these two amazing men.

It is the human factor that comes across so strong and vividly on this new Heaven & Hell album, I’m listening to a band that was with me all those years when I was lost and now listening to a band when I was found. The images and memories just come alive for me, as I keenly listen to this Heaven & Hell album… memories of seeing DIO on the Dream Evil tour of 1987, remembering holding, listening to and staring at my Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll album, while being introduced to real Rock ‘N’ Roll at an age where it was most important. I reflect on that first time I heard the opening riff from Tony Iommi, clearing the path for Voodoo and how it made me a believer in what Heavy Metal does for my soul.

No, this is not going to be a standardized album review of this new live Heaven & Hell album. I can’t find it appropriate in my heart or soul to give one. Instead, this album is a celebration of what these four men, these musicians, have given to me and an untold number of other fans for three decades plus… their music speaks louder to me now than it did in 1982. I’ve found my new piece of gold that I’m holding, listening to and staring at in 2010, the only difference now it being a CD, the one constant is… it’s Heaven & Hell.

* To donate to the Ronnie James Dio “Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund” and find out more about current DIO albums and merchandise, just click on the link below:

Ronnie James Dio.com

Track Listing For Neon Nights – 30 Years Of Heaven & Hell – Live In Europe:

Mob Rules

Children Of The Sea

I

Bible Black

Time Machine

Fear

Falling Off The Edge Of The World

Follow The Tears

Die Young

Heaven And Hell

Neon Knights

LONG LIVE THE MUSIC OF HEAVEN & HELL.

REST IN PEACE, RONNIE JAMES DIO.

Stone.

3 Comments »

The Damned Things “Ironiclast” – Releases December 14, 2010!

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

THE DAMNED THINGS – On December 14, 2010, Ironiclast, (Island/Def Jam), the debut album from The Damned Things, releases among the masses. The Damned Things features a heavy hitting lineup from the Hard Rock and Metal world: Scott Ian and Rob Caggiano of Anthrax, Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die and Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy.

You can currently listen to Friday Night (Going Down In Flames) and We’ve Got A Situation Here, both songs on the Ironiclast album, streaming on The Damned Things myspace music page, (see link below). Iconiclast (Rough Mix) is also streaming there as well. The sound of The Damned Things takes on a Heavy Metal meets Arena vibe, melodic with an elevated, anthem like feel and quality. The Damned Things have created songs that are both accessible to the casual Heavy Metal fan as well as long time Metalheads!

With a robust lineup of musicians that The Damned Things bestows, fans would expect their songs to sound good, right? Instead, this band’s songs sound great! It’s always a tremendous thrill for me to hear about a group of musicians, from different backgrounds, getting together to create an album… it’s even a greater thrill when it sounds like a Rockin’ success! I’ll be getting my ears onto this new debut album from The Damned Things on December 14th and it will serve me right. Look for a full album review of Ironiclast in the near future, right here on Metal Odyssey.

Take a look below at the 7″ clear vinyl single of We’ve Got A Situation Here, (B side is Ironiclast), that I picked up at Hot Topic recently:

This 7″ clear vinyl single is an “Ultra Limited Edition” of only 1,000 copies made! Whoa. Whoa again. I paid $4 (U.S.) for it at Hot Topic and currently there are only two copies for sale on Amazon.com. One is selling for $18.99 and the other is $24.99, (U.S.) funds! I guess I made out like a Metal bandit at Hot Topic! Take that Amazon, ha, ha. Let’s give a giant Metal hooray for Stone! I sometimes feel like Stone “The Metal Hunter”.

* For more info on THE DAMNED THINGS, just click on the links below:

The Damned Things – myspace music

The Damned Things – Official Website

THE DAMNED THINGS:

Keith Buckley – lead vocals

Scott Ian – rhythm guitar & vocals

Joe Trohman – lead, rhythm guitar & vocals

Rob Caggiano – lead, rhythm guitar & vocals

Andy Hurley – drums & percussion

Track Listing For Ironiclast:

Handbook For The Recently Deceased

Bad Blood

Friday Night (Going Down In Flames)

We’ve Got A Situation Here

Black Heart

A Great Reckoning

Little Darling

Ironiclast

Graverobber

The Blues Havin’ Blues

LONG LIVE THE DAMNED THINGS.

LONG LIVE ULTRA LIMITED EDITION VINYL.

Stone.

2 Comments »

Chuck Berry “Run Rudolph Run” – 1958 Christmas Classic Revisited

Posted in holiday songs, holidays, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on December 5, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

CHUCK BERRY – As I was dining today, with the family, at our local Cracker Barrel Country Store and Restaurant, I overheard an all-time favorite Christmas song of mine – Run Rudolph Run, recorded by the ultra legendary Chuck Berry. It’s always a cool thing when a restaurant plays background music that isn’t lame and puts you to tears. While I feasted on some of the best fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes that Stone could ever ask for, Run Rudolph Run just put me in a fine holiday mood.

Kudos to this Cracker Barrel franchise that has a location in the cozy town of Fogelsville, Pennsylvania. Usually the “other” big name franchise restaurants serve you cold food or pricey dinners that taste like they came straight from the microwave. This isn’t the case with Cracker Barrel, just good and tasty food from a menu where you can identify what your ordering.

Well, back to Chuck Berry and Run Rudolph Run. Upon my Metal research, I’ve discovered that this classic song was written by Johnny Marks and Marvin Brodie and published by St. Nicholas Music (ASCAP). Chuck Berry made Run Rudolph Run famous, and his vocals to this day can never be copied, nor can anyone seem to come even light years close, in my Metal opinion. Chuck Berry is one of a kind.

Run Rudolph Run was released on Chess 1714 (Records) back in 1958. Run Rudolph Run was the “B” side to Merry Christmas Baby, another Chuck Berry classic. Take a look below to see what the 45rpm looks like:

Apparently, Run Rudolph Run peaked at #69 on The Billboard Hot 100, back in 1958. Gee Metal whiz, I would have thought it charted higher than that! Nonetheless, this terrific Chuck Berry song will forever be a favorite of mine… all year long too.

* I did locate which Chuck Berry CD you can find Run Rudolph Run on, it is on Chuck Berry – Rock’n Roll Rarities. (See image at top of post). There are 20 Chuck Berry Rock ‘N’ Roll Classics on this CD, with Run Rudolph Run being track #15. Of course, you don’t have to buy the entire Chuck Berry CD to own this song, Run Rudolph Run is sold as an individual mp3 on most “popular” music store websites.

* I’m certain there are scores of other Chuck Berry “Best Of” and other Rock ‘N’ Roll compilation CD’s out there that have Run Rudolph Run included as a song. I used this particular Chuck Berry CD as a specific example… plus it really is a solid compilation of his songs, some not so well known too.

* Chuck Berry was inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1986.

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

LONG LIVE CHUCK BERRY AND HIS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL.

CHUCK BERRY… A TRUE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PIONEER.

Stone.

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ARSON ANTHEM “Insecurity Notoriety” – A Hardcore Album That Trounces Anything In It’s Path

Posted in extreme music, hardcore bands, hardcore music, hardcore punk, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Punk rock, punk rock bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on December 4, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ARSON ANTHEM – Released on October 12, 2010, on Housecore Records, Insecurity Notoriety is the first full-length album from Arson Anthem. A Hardcore band of enormous Punk aptitude, Arson Anthem is, no matter how you slice or dice it… a Hardcore supergroup. With Phil Anselmo on guitar and needing little to no introduction, his years fronting the iconic Pantera is unequivocally legendary, not to mention his years vocalizing with Sludge Metallers known as Down.

Mike IX Williams on vocals is also the front man for the Sludge Metal warriors – Eyehategod. Hank Williams III has brandished his very own successful solo career and played alongside Phil Anselmo with Superjoint Ritual. Hank also has molded and brought to underground fame his Metal meets Punk band called… Assjack. Collin Yeo rounds out Arson Anthem on bass, coming from his alt-heavy band… PonyKiller.

So, it is fair to think, that Arson Anthem won’t be making their Grammy Awards performance debut anytime soon. This is why Hardcore exists, this is why Arson Anthem exists, to shove it in the face of the mainstream lovin’ and tuxedo wearin’ Grammy crowd. That same crowd who would probably cry and break out in puffy-red hives if Arson Anthem strolled down their red carpet. Blue collar, street and pissed off about somethin’, this is why I dig Hardcore and Arson Anthem. Accept it or go hide behind your stacks of Wall Street Journals. Once you put this new Arson Anthem CD into whatever “machine” your using, just know that the “stick it to the man” warning light just went on.

There are 17 songs on Insecurity Notoriety and 12 of them are under two minutes long. This is Hardcore and in your face, brutal and unforgiving of any insult to injury. Listening to this album is a lesson in quick release rage therapy. Arson Anthem has accomplished a remarkable task in keeping themselves sounding original. Arson Anthem’s reverence for Old School, with thick slivers of Punk fueled outbursts and playing for keeps, dramatically elevates the totality of their barbed wire hardness. This is a band that obviously knows where their Black Flag vinyl is kept.

Hank Williams III doesn’t just play the drums on these songs, he decimates them. Mike IX Williams doesn’t sing, are you kidding? Mike rants and screams his vocal chords inside-out. Collin Yeo doesn’t try to keep timed rhythm while playing bass, instead, he pummels his strings into frantic rhythmic chaos that might just open up the center of the Earth. Then there is Phil Anselmo on guitar, exhibiting some mighty riffs that cover the Extreme Metal spectrum. Phil leads by Hardcore example, with his axe attack teetering on the insane, he will even throw in some micro solos, making a song like Crippled Life seem as if it is going to explode it’s pissed off attitude straight from hell.

When Extreme combines with Hardcore, Punk and Metal, the only thing that can come out of it is a profoundly brutal piece of work. Arson Anthem has taken their Extreme Music roots and latched them upon their instruments, to create their first full-length that makes a pummeling statement. This is a crushing work of Extreme art that is Arson Anthem’s Insecurity Notoriety.

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

ARSON ANTHEM – myspace music

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

HOUSECORE RECORDS

ARSON ANTHEM:

Mike IX Williams – vocals

Philip H. Anselmo – guitar

Collin Yeo – bass

Hank Williams III – drums

Track Listing For Insecurity Notoriety:

Naught

Foul Pride

Isolation Militia

More Than One War

Insecurity Notoriety

Pretty Like That

Initial Prick

Crippled Life

Polite Society Blacklist

If You Heard This (You Would Hit Me)

Hands Off Approach

Has Been/Had Been

Primate Envy

Death Of An Idiot

Codependent And Busted

Kleptomania

Teach The Gun (To Love The Bullet)

LONG LIVE ARSON ANTHEM.

Stone.

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GAMA BOMB “Tales From The Grave In Space” – A Thrashin’, Moshin’, Old School Blowout!

Posted in Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , on December 3, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

GAMA BOMB – Released back on February 9, 2010, on Earache Records, Tales From The Grave In Space is a Thrash Metal album that mixes in spooky themes, plenty of good times-moshin’ vibes and a whole lot of Old School. Metal as my witness, Gama Bomb gets it. These Irish dudes are obviously well versed and influenced by the golden age of Thrash Metal, still they deliver a fresh approach to making Old School feel like it’s new again. In comparing Gama Bomb’s sound to any of the legendary Thrash Metal bands, Anthrax comes to my Metal mind. The gang vocals coupled with the vocals from Philly Byrne, over all the free spirited Thrash noize that Gama Bomb administers, has me leaning towards those days when Anthrax sported printed shorts, unlaced sneakers and comic tees.

All legendary comparisons aside, Gama Bomb is a younger band that seems to have caught some Thrash Metal magic in a bottle… all the while steering away from anything that can make their Thrash Metal come across watered down. In other words, no silly ballad or over production will be heard on Tales From The Grave In Space… thank God. This Gama Bomb album is all about the meat and potatoes of Thrash Metal, with stacks of excitable guitar leads, solos and thick riffs. Mentioning the gang vocals again, only magnifies the nod of importance that Gama Bomb takes towards an Old School vibe and persona.

Metal be thy name, each time I listen to this Gama Bomb album, I get all Metal invigorated, wishing I decided on having a mosh pit added onto my house. That’s fine though, my current household surroundings shall suffice. As you listen to this album, it’s easy to discern Gama Bomb is not about being pissed off, instead their Thrash evokes having one damn ghoulish good time. There’s no disputing Gama Bomb likes to have (gasp) fun with their song titles and lyrics, which in turn makes them all the more enticing. So often, listening to music is described as an escape, with Tales From The Grave In Space, I have gleefully escaped any antagonistic stimuli peering in from the outside world.

All twelve songs are rip and tear Thrash and Gama Bomb accomplished quite the complete album without any aggregate waste. Thrash Metal fans both young and (gasp) old should give Gama Bomb a thorough listen… it is Metal time well spent for me. The songs on this album are all relatively short, with just two songs clocking in just barely over 3 minutes. The lack of an epic song is actually like a breath of Metal fresh air. The equality in these songs running time makes for a rapid fire listen that never loses my Metal attention.

Back in late February or early March of this year, Metal Buddy “Kinger” from Demolish Fanzine – 1980’s Heavy Metal Revival emailed me a link to check out Gama Bomb giving away free, their newly released Tales From The Grave In Space via download. Kinger couldn’t believe it, nor could I, that a band and it’s respective record company were actually giving their fans the opportunity to download their new album free of charge! It was a stupendous lead from Kinger, breaking this Gama Bomb news.

A huge Metal kudos goes out to both Gama Bomb and Earache Records! I checked as recent as today, (December 3, 2010), to see if Tales From The Grave In Space is still available for free & legal download… it is! Just click on the link below to download this Thrashtastic album from Gama Bomb, FREE!.. courtesy of Gama Bomb and Earache Records.

FREE GAMA BOMB ALBUM FROM EARACHE RECORDS!

I did purchase the hardcopy of this Gama Bomb CD at fye sometime around this past March. The liner notes and all accompanying artwork were the draw… there are 8 mini comics within the liner notes, each one corresponds to a track on Tales From The Grave In Space.  The mini comics are: Three Witches, Last Ninjas Unite, Escape From Scarecrow Mountain, Apocalypse 1997, Return To Blood Castle, Polterghost, Skeletron and Mummy Invasion. There are also some amusing and vintage magazine/comic ads from yesteryear in these liner notes as well, the likes of: body building, kids binoculars and acne cream. Fun stuff are these liner notes.

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

GAMA BOMB – myspace music

GAMA BOMB BLOG

GAMA BOMB:

Philly Byrne – vocals

Joe McGuigan – bass & backing vocals

Luke Graham – guitar

Domo Dixon – guitar

Paul Caffrey – drums

Track Listing For Tales From The Grave In Space:

Slam Anthem

New Eliminators Of Atlantis B.C.

Three Witches

Last Ninjas Unite

Escape From Scarecrow Mountain

Mussolini Mosh

We Respect You

Apocalypse 1997

Return To Blood Castle

Polterghost

Skeletron

Mummy Invasion

LONG LIVE GAMA BOMB.

Stone.

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KATAKLYSM “Heaven’s Venom” – Death Metal Mastery To Devour

Posted in Death Metal, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on December 2, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

KATAKLYSM – Released on August 24, 2010, on Nuclear Blast America, Heaven’s Venom marks the tenth studio album from Kataklysm, arguably the most brutally powerful Metal band ever exported from The Great White North. This new Kataklysm album is fully loaded with ten songs, which exceed the boundaries of what great Death Metal is supposed to accomplish… by mesmerizing your senses into a state of Extreme Death Metal delirium. It is a tried and true Death Metal band like Kataklysm that I cannot resist rooting for, their tireless effort to make their presence known as a Death Metal force, in the vast world of Metal, is an undisputed benchmark of their existence.

From the onset, Soulless God annihilates with it’s all encompassing and overpowering Death Metal fury. All ten songs for that matter, are an enormous listen into just how Kataklysm has evolved over the past two decades, with their obvious stamp of originality upon the genre of Death Metal, a genre which has become a behemoth in the annals of Metal Music. The melodic nature of Kataklysm’s sound is derived from guitar virtuoso Jean-Francois Dagenais, he can play the heavy while instilling an accessibility to this band from his diverse playing. Even casual Death Metal fans should easily adhere their ears to what Deganais plays here, with loyal fans knowing that he is one of the finest in all of Metal.

Without hesitation, Heaven’s Venom is one of the most engaging Death Metal albums I’ve ever listened to. Slivers of progressiveness will sparingly peer around Kataklysm’s corner, with the spoken word being utilized in the songs: A Soulless God and Hail The Renegade. Kataklysm has never been about fast food Death Metal, this band’s intricacies have always lied within their passion for creating songs that leap out at you with rage and then abruptly casting searing melodic turns without notice. Lyrically, Heaven’s Venom embarks on dark personal struggles and values, with revenge and triumph being touched upon in prolific style, which Maurizio Iacono conveys with undisputed domination. Maurizio is one of those vocalists… when Maurizio sings, Stone listens.

The themes of divide and conquer and good versus evil may seem cliche with their simplicity, only Kataklysm gives forth a larger story than that throughout Heaven’s Venom. The markedness of Heaven’s Venom is truly a carry over from the rest of Kataklysm’s catalog of albums, once again embarking on what I construe to be… thinking man’s Death Metal. Yes, contrary to any department of psychology misnomer, Death Metal can be smart, both lyrically and musically. Along with the forever legendary Death Metal pioneers the likes of Death, Kataklysm will unconditionally receive my Metal accolades for their artistic point style too.

My personal favorite song on Heaven’s Venom is As The Walls Collapse. I will survive all the demons you throw at me, I will deny all the weakness inside… these are lyrics that psyche-me-out beyond Metal belief. Combine intelligent and powerful lyrics with elevated Death Metal grooves and yes, this song is a masterful achievement that will not become obsolete for my ears. I could go as far by saying: As The Walls Collapse sounds superiorly delectable, when listened to ten times in a row, very loudly.

Without exception, is Heaven’s Venom relentless with the double bass and copious rhythmic blasts from Max Duhamel, holy mother of Metal does Max lock himself into a phrenetic groove on every song. Metal be thy name he is outstanding. The combination of Max Duhamel behind the kit and Stephane Barbe on bass makes for an earsplitting wall of Death Metal welcomeness. Heaven’s Venom is what I consider an undeniable right choice for any Death Metal, Metal or Extreme Metal fan alive today. An album such as Heaven’s Venom doesn’t just fall from the sky, this is as creatively heavy as it gets with Death Metal, while being fortified with the upmost intensity and Death Metal proficiency that I’ve come to expect from Kataklysm.

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

KATAKLYSM – MySpace Music Page

KATAKLYSM:

Maurizio  Iacono – vocals

J-F Dagenais – guitars

Stephane Barbe – bass

Max Duhamel – drums

Track Listing For Heaven’s Venom:

A Soulless God

Determined (Vows Of Vengeance)

Faith Made Of Shrapnel

Push The Venom

Hail The Renegade

As The Walls Collapse

Numb And Intoxicated

At The Edge Of The World

Suicide River

Blind Saviour

LONG LIVE KATAKLYSM.

Stone.

2 Comments »

The Devil Wears Prada “Zombie EP” – Get Scared, Get Very Scared…

Posted in extreme music, hardcore bands, hardcore metal music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, metal music, metal odyssey, metalcore music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on December 1, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA – From the initial sounds of an angry thunderstorm hovering upon you on the opening track Escape, The Devil Wears Prada proves there is no room for watering down a concept EP that revolves around… Zombies. Zombie EP, released on August 24, 2010, on Ferret Records, is for all Metal intents and purposes Extremely Heavy.

All five songs are about Zombies and the nightmare of having them take over humanity. Zombies… that’s Metal. The Devil Wears Prada makes it very apparent that they are Metal as well, based on their extremities of speed and heaviness, combined with vocals that quite possibly could bring Mount St. Helens down to its fiery knees. Metal be thy name, can Mike Hranica belt out the lyrics with the upmost Hardcore potency, while making me feel like I really should be scared about these damned Zombies.

If there ever was any doubt that a Metalcore band could pull off an amazingly Extreme Metal EP of the harshest degree, then the The Devil Wears Prada makes me a believer. This young band has given me every reason to believe they will be around for another ten or twenty years from now… while never lending themselves to being just another number on the long list of Metalcore star gazers. What makes Zombie EP so real for me, is it’s sheer intensity that never caves into a dull moment. Metal be damned, just try to fast forward through any one song on Zombie EP and you are short-changing yourself from the total relentlessly Extreme package.

The Devil Wears Prada "Zombie EP" large album promo pic #5

I can completely embrace what The Devil Wears Prada has accomplished with this Zombie EP. Yes, their fusion of Extreme Music genres is worthy of raucous applause, only the haunting Zombie concept just seems to fit so perfectly with their ferocity of sound, that in turn envelopes the mind and senses so seemlessly well. All the key elements of Extreme Metal and Hardcore are ever apparent with The Devil Wears Prada. To lump this band into a Metalcore only bucket is a result of not listening to what they play. From the blast beats to a guitar tandem spilling out memorable heavy riffs while mixing up Death Metal caliber grooves, the melodic shades of this band do spill out onto their songs by some amazing miracle.

My recommending The Devil Wears Prada to Metal, Hardcore and Extreme Metal fans is an easy thing to do. Giving this band a listen and experiencing their fired up energy and Extreme sound on this EP might just serve many a Metalhead right… both young and old. Just the front cover photo of this Zombie EP gives off enough scary vibes to last an hour. There is something about those sinister power lines, amid the backdrop of a fog filled landscape and greying sky… that’s Zombieville if I ever saw it. The liner notes contain excellent creepy and macabre photography as well, along with the back cover to this Zombie EP, (see pic below).

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA:

Mike Hranica – vocals & lyrics

Chris Rubey – guitars

Jeremy DePoyster – guitars & vocals

Daniel Williams – drums

James Baney – keys & synth

Andy Trick – bass

Track Listing For Zombie EP:

Escape

Anatomy

Outnumbered

Revive

Survivor

* For more info on The Devil Wears Prada, just click on the link below:

The Devil Wears Prada – Official Website

LONG LIVE THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA.

Stone.

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