Archive for January, 2011

Californication Season 4 Music From The Showtime Series – Crosses Rock Genres and Delivers On Cool Vibes

Posted in alternative rock, classic rock, Hard Rock, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news, soundtracks with tags , , , , , , , , , on January 6, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Californication Season 4 Music From The Showtime Series – Releasing on January 11, 2011, via Arrival Records/Scion Music Group is Californication Season 4 Music From The Showtime Series. Whenever a team of music supervisors and producers have to choose “those absolute songs” that most reflect the consistent themes and vibes of a television series, a delicate balancing act will be conducted based on both knowledge of that respective series and Rock Music. Nora Felder, Budd Carr and Jonathan Platt can enjoy a collective sigh of relief, that their 13 song selection for Californication Season 4 has flowed together seamlessly, like an assortment of Rock ‘N’ Roll clouds amidst a blue, cool, Summer sky.

The story lines surrounding main character Hank Moody (played by David Duchovny) to the Californication series is more complicated than just blue Summer skies, however. There is plenty of dark and taboo cool, mixed within the reality of this comedy/drama that fans can appreciate and this soundtrack capitalizes on all of it. Life isn’t something that can be followed by any guidelines from a handbook purchased at the corner book store, the songs on this soundtrack dictate exactly how dynamic life is, in all of it’s lovable and not so adored intricacies. Again, another nod to the themes one can find being absorbed into, while watching the Californication series. An overall competence in keeping the relevance between song and series, is accomplished extremely well on this soundtrack.

From Motley Crüe’s Tommy Lee, to Indie Folk Rock artist Gregory Alan Isakov, this Californication Season 4 soundtrack is liberally represented by a cross-section of Rock genres. It makes me pleased, to see the late and legendary Warren Zevon make his appearance with Wanted Dead Or Alive, originally performed by Zevon on his 1970 debut album, famously known by the same title. It’s amazing to me, the strong relevance this Warren Zevon classic has in 2011. Tommy Lee takes a more sing-a-long approach, in covering his galaxy famous band’s hit ballad Home Sweet Home. The vibe I feel, while listening to this cover of Home Sweet Home, puts me in the neighborhood bar where everyone knows my name.

Queens of Dogtown are featured here with three cover songs: Would? (Alice In Chains), Last Caress (Misfits) and I Remember You (Skid Row). All three of these songs are monumental Heavy Music classics in their own right, with realistically no room for error when covering even just one of them. With that said, lead vocalist Zoe Kravitz puts her own emotional feel into each song, giving each their justifiable Rock historic respect. In turn, a whole new generation of fans shall hopefully be introduced to these bands, that made these songs timeless, thanks to Queens of Dogtown. I find myself nodding in approval, while Queens of Dogtown cover these three heavy classics with their hardened Semi-Pop Rock sound.

Experimental/Industrial Disco Rock gets coverage on this soundtrack courtesy of My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult or TKK as they are often times referred as. Their song Sex On Wheelz pulls me in with it’s Industrial edge and groove injected up-tempo. Having such a modern sounding invitee to join the party here, makes perfect sense to me. Alternative Rock is represented in excellent form with Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out With Me from Cracker. This song has an uncanny way of making me drift off into cool thoughts… and that isn’t anything too lame to admit.

Eagles Of Death Metal are always a band that takes and makes their brand of Garage Rock serious, even if they did change the title of the Stealers Wheel classic from Stuck In The Middle to Stuck In The Metal. From the 1972 original, to the 2003 cover from Eagles Of Death Metal, it finds home again on Californication Season 4 and it never sounded more Rock righteous. Back in 1989, at the peak of MTV being a real music video network, Love And Rockets was at the top of the charts with their Alternative smash – So Alive. You’ll hear Better Than Ezra put their Alternative cover spin on So Alive, gelling into the mix of this soundtrack and it’s respective Californication theme almost too perfectly.

Soundtracks are either fun, boring or come highly recommended. I’ll omit the boring category here. I will put out to you, that this soundtrack for Californication Season 4 is both fun to listen to and Rocks with enough cool vibes to make me grin defiantly, at a very lousy day. Rock ‘N’ Roll was never supposed to be anti-fun nor anti-cool. Rock ‘N’ Roll was meant to be dangerous, like the series this soundtrack represents. Californication Season 4 has the Rock that sheds away the anti’s and I recommend your getting a copy… especially if you want to have fun and be cool.

* Californication Season 4 Music From the Showtime Series releases on January 11, 2011, on CD and download, on Arrival Records/Scion Music Group.

Take a cool time-out to check out the Californication Season 4 Trailer from SHOWTIME below!

Track Listing With Respective Artists:

01 – Shooter Jennings & Hierophant – F**K You (I’m Famous)

02 – Eagles Of Death Metal – Stuck In The Metal

03 – Better Than Ezra – So Alive

04 – Queens Of Dogtown – Would?*

05 – My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult – Sex On Wheelz

06 – Queens Of Dogtown – Last Caress*

07 – Monster Magnet VS. Adrian Young – Mirror People

08 – Cracker – Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out With Me

09 – Queens Of Dogtown – I Remember You*

10 – The Soundtrack Of Our Lives – Second Life Replay

11 – Warren Zevon – Wanted Dead Or Alive

12 – Gregory Alan Isakov – If I Go, I’m Goin

13 – Tommy Lee – Home Sweet Home*

* Soundtrack Exclusives

Soundtrack Production Credits:

Soundtrack Album Producers: Jonathan Platt, Nora Felder and Budd Carr

Executive Soundtrack Album Producer: Tom Kapinos

Executive Soundtrack Album Producer For Arrival Records/Scion Music Group: Rick Rand and Mark Spier

Music Supervisors: Nora Felder and Budd Carr

http://www.CALIFORNICATIONTVSOUNDTRACK.com

LONG LIVE CALIFORNICATION.

Stone.

Gerry Rafferty – Rest In Peace… His Music Lives On

Posted in classic rock, guitarists, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 5, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

GERRY RAFFERTY – On January 4, 2011, Rock Music Legend Gerry Rafferty passed away from liver disease. A mulit-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter, Gerry Rafferty was only 63 years old. Metal Odyssey gives condolences to the family, friends and fans of Gerry Rafferty.

I honestly can say Gerry Rafferty was one of the reasons why AM Radio really did Rock for me, back in those late 70’s. The Rock I heard from Gerry Rafferty back in 1978, while going on so many long family day trips, were songs with soothing vocal harmony, a kick-it-up-a-notch sax and melodic guitar. Of course, the two “popular” songs that immediately play out in my mind, are: Baker Street and Right Down The Line from his 1978 studio album – City To City. I remember staring at the City To City album cover so long ago, staring at Gerry Rafferty holding the guitar neck with his left hand, wearing those shades… that was cool stuff for my eyes back then, it still is.

It’s not that difficult in mentioning Gerry Rafferty’s two biggest hits as being most memorable for me, especially when these are two songs that were imbedded in my mind and ears as a young lad. Of course there is much more to this legend’s music catalog. Gerry Rafferty had a soothing characteristic to his vocals, while still coming across as very cool. I never found it difficult either, in my adult life, to crank up to the maximum, Right Down The Line, each and every time it came on my car radio. That song just touches off something in me… and makes me feel extremely good. I would hopefully suppose that is exactly what Gerry Rafferty intended to do with his music, make people feel good… and he succeeded with me.

Rest in peace, Gerry Rafferty.

LONG LIVE THE MUSIC OF GERRY RAFFERTY.

Stone.

 

SODOM “In War And Pieces” – Releases January 11, 2011 In U.S.!

Posted in Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , on January 5, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

SODOM – Taking a Thrash Metal swath through four decades now, Germany’s very own SODOM is back with studio album #13 – In War And Pieces. Led by founding member and Thrash Metal legend Tom Angelripper, (bass & vocals), SODOM is proving their once again back to kick our Thrash loyal asses!

Since their debut album of 1986 – Obsessed By Cruelty, SODOM has forged their name upon Metal history as one of Germany’s pioneering Thrash Metal bands. Thrash Metal never sleeps or quits and SODOM is delivering their wake-up call to the world with In War And Pieces.

In War And Pieces will be released on Steamhammer/SPV, on January 11, 2011, in the United States. In War And Pieces has already been released in Germany on November 19, 2010 and in Europe on November 22, 2010.

SODOM As They Appear On In War And Pieces:

Tom Angelripper – bass & vocals

Bernd “Bernemann” Kost – guitars

Bobby Schottkowski – drums

* Markus “Makka” Freiwald – current drummer

* Release Formats For In War And Pieces:

Limited Edition Digipak contains bonus live CD of tracks from Wacken 25th Anniversary Show in 2007

Double LP Gatefold – blood red vinyl with 1 bonus track: Murder One

Standard CD Version and Digital Download

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

(Above: Digipak Edition)

Track Listing For In War And Pieces:

In War and Pieces

Hellfire

Through Toxic Veins

Nothing Counts More Than Blood

Storm Raging Up

Feigned Death Throes

Soul Contraband

God Bless You

The Art of Killing Poetry

Knarrenheinz

Styptic Parasite

LONG LIVE SODOM.

LONG LIVE THRASH METAL.

Stone.

“We Dare You To Cook Up LEMMY” – Mosh Potatoes and LoudTrax.com Contest!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , on January 4, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Legendary MOTORHEAD front man Lemmy Kilmister has a recipe that is so metal it could only be featured in Steve Seabury’s heavy metal cook book “Mosh Potatoes – Recipes, Anecdotes and Mayhem From The Heavyweights of Heavy Metal”. LoudTrax.com, the rock, metal, punk download and merch site has decided to partner up with Lemmy and “Mosh Potatoes” to dare all the metal heads around the world to cook up their version of Lemmy’s “Krakatoa Surprise”.

The idea for the contest came about when author Steve Seabury and LoudTrax.com founder Antonio Marsillo were hanging out in Times Square, smoking a couple of Cuban cigars.  Steve handed Antonio a copy of the book and they were making jokes about the many recipes.  Many beers later, the idea to dare metal heads around the world to cook up Lemmy’s recipe was born.

Lemmy himself liked the idea so much, he offered up an autographed, framed photograph and as well as a signed CD.  In addition to Lemmy’s prizes, the winner of this contest receives a boat load of prizes including Lemmy shirts, Harley-Davidson (R) boots, and more.  Participants must send a video of them cooking up this monster, upload it to YouTube and then submit it on the Lemmy Contest section of LoudTrax.com.

LoudTrax.com is the world’s first and only website specializing in Rock, Metal, Punk downloads and merchandise.  It’s made by rock music fans, for rock music fans.  The site boosts 17 dedicated sub genres ranging from Thrash Metal, Hard Rock, Black Metal, Death Metal, Punk, Classic Rock, and more.

Mosh Potatoes is the heavy metal cook book with recipes, anecdotes and mayhem from the heavyweights of heavy metal.  Seabury managed to get recipes from 147 artist including LEMMY, ZAKK WYLDE, MOTLEY CRUE, GUNS & ROSES, DREAM THEATER, PANTERA, TESTAMENT, LITA FORD, MEGADETH, LAMB OF GOD and a who’s who of Heavy Rock artists.

Find out more about the contest here:  http://www.loudtrax.com/thepit/LemmysCookoutContest

Watch video of author Steve Seabury explaining the contest below:

LoudTrax.com – Rock, Metal, Punk Downloads

Disclaimer. LoudTrax.com, Mosh Potatoes or any party involved is not responsible for damaged kitchens, blown up ovens, burnt cooking mitts, burnt hair, or any other injuries that result from attempting to cook this crazy ass recipe.

The Recipe
 – Krakatoa Surprise. Lemmy, Motorhead

¼ pound flour


½ pound chocolate syrup


¼ pound refried beans

½ pound curry powder


1 bottle strawberry syrup


¼ bottle brandy



Mix flour, syrup, beans and curry powder into a model of Krakatoa Island. Pour strawberry syrup over it to simulate lava. Pour brandy over all. Strike a match. Eat while still burning. SURPRISE!

LONG LIVE LEMMY & MOTORHEAD.

Stone.

 

Blue Aside “The Orange Tree” – EP Rooted With Doom And Sci-Fi Psychedelia, Leaves A Lasting Metal Impression

Posted in doom metal, extreme music, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal, psychedelic metal, rock music, rock music news, stoner metal with tags , , , , , , , , , on January 4, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

BLUE ASIDE – This Underground Doom Metal power trio from Boston, Massachusetts, that call themselves Blue Aside are not bashful on laying down some potent, Earth rattling psychedelia. Blue Aside is one heavy band, as heavy and thick as an unopened can of Castrol motor oil from 1966. (Man, that sounded hoochie, yet my point has been made). This five song debut EP, The Orange Tree, was released on Hydro-Phonic Records in the Fall of 2010. If a band of any heavy genre wants to make an instant impression on me with a debut EP, then Blue Aside has without a doubt succeeded.

The Traveler of Time and Space begins with a synthetic intro that makes me feel like I’m helplessly floating in outer space without a cell phone or I’m being chased by Zombies that can’t run… take your pick. The riff is king here and it leads me down the path to all things spectacular about Psychedelic Doom Metal, bringing me to the realization that Iron Butterfly is indeed an influential band in 2010. The retrospective nature of Blue Aside is not a dominant force, however. They integrate such imagination into their sound, that it makes for a simultaneous vibe that is both now and futuristic.

The vocals change off from being dark and downright evil to semi-harmonious with echos. One well schooled Rockaholic can easily point the progressive finger, with certainty, at Blue Aside. Stoner Metal fans that are looking for songs that are not 15 minutes long can easily fall victim to what Blue Aside is banging out on The Orange Tree. Picture The Mars Volta deciding they want to get down on some Doom Metal and make their music more eye popping heavy, while maintaining a non-mainstream grip on avant-garde, minus any stretching vocals and this is Blue Aside. Adam Abrams (guitar), Matt Neto (drums) and Joe Twomey (bass) can play, making me feel as if this is their third or fourth album after ten years of touring. As anti-commercial as a five song EP can ever be, The Orange Tree never slips into passages of mainstream cow-towing.

Comparisons aside, this trio is hitting the bulls-eye on being unique. Each song has it’s own flavor, with Orange Eyes being a more guitar oriented song, with it’s melodic leads and slow motion Punk like vocals. Otis’ Sun is much more Doom laden with it’s riffs and vocals and marches on with a more apocalyptic feel, never compromising on it’s melancholic mood. Black Rays has a strong emphasis on drums, with a guitar driven attack that keeps the tempo on high, being the one song on The Orange Tree that can be described as groove laden. Black Rays is my favorite song on this EP, I always fall over for the grooves… man, I dig that stuff.

The Inevitable Journey is a journey into one damn cool, hard and heavy tunnel of sound. The Tony Iommi inspired riffs are infectious, with the Doom infested tempo making this song worthy of repeated listens. Alright, this is my second favorite song on The Orange Tree and it proved to be extremely memorable for me after the very first listen. I could carry on more about this song, adding, that it’s muscular Old School-Stoner vibe meets present day Doom sound, is very close to Metal exhilaration.

Doom. Psychedelic. Stoner. Progressive. At the end of my Metal day, this is one very good, up and coming Metal band period. Smart musicianship coupled with smart lyrics that I hear on The Orange Tree, will take Blue Aside a long way down the Metal road. Fans of the heavy genres mentioned in this review should be able to wrap their ears around the sound that Blue Aside has created on The Orange Tree. Blue Aside has made a lasting Metal impression on me. I’ll be looking forward to Blue Aside releasing a full-length in the future… a band with this much talent, is going to be around for quite some Metal time.

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

* For more info on Hydro-Phonic Records, click here: Hydro-Phonic Records

BLUE ASIDE:

Adam Abrams – guitar & vocals

Matt Neto – drums & vocals

Joe Twomey – bass & vocals

Track Listing For The Orange Tree:

The Traveler of Time & Space

Otis’ Sun

Orange Eyes

Black Rays

The Inevitable Journey

LONG LIVE BLUE ASIDE.

Stone.

WATAIN – World Wide Death – Band Issues Year End Update

Posted in Black Metal, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on January 3, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

In a year end message from Swedish black metal legion, WATAIN: “North and South America have now been left in ashes, and with that the Lawless Darkness Tour 2010 is over. Hail to those who made it possible, and those who made it even more triumphant; North: Watain Disciples USA, Goatwhore, Black Anvil, Decibel Magazine, Liz and Dave at Earsplit, Jimmy and the Duff’s crew, Josh at Dean Guitars, Engl Amps, Black Witchery, Negative Plane, Averse Sefira, Hod. South: Arma Productions, Hells Angels Antofagasta, Careloco and The Chilean Watain Militia, Kythrone, the mighty Mortuary Drape, the Tumba crew, and all those whose presence strengthened us along the long and winding road through hell and back. You know who you are. A special mention to S.L of The Devil’s Blood who took on the lead guitar duties in North America; hail brother! Finally, a thunderous salute to our iron crew, without whom none of this would have been possible.

To view a clip from Swedish TV (with English subtitles) about WATAIN‘s appearance at the Sweden Rock festival in June earlier this year, point your browser
HERE. The concert was aired on the Swedish national radio program P3-Live on Thursday December 23rd. 

And it is that time of the year again, when the media compile their lists and distribute awards. WATAIN has received the following awards and nominations for 2010:

 

#1 Album Of The Year – Close Up Magazine
#1 Album Of The Year – Sweden Rock Magazine
#1 Band Of The Year – Terrorizer Readers Poll
#1 Personality Of The Year – Terrorizer Readers Poll
#2 Album Of The Year – Decibel Magazine 

WATAIN have also been nominated for:

 

“Hardrock” Category of the Swedish Grammy Awards
“Hardrock” Category of the P3 Gold Awards
“Nordic Album 2010” of the Nordic Music Price Awards

In light of all this, we would like you to contemplate upon the following lines:
“It is the magic combination of fierceness and beauty that makes the Wolf an exception even in nature. Revered outlaws, feared in their bestial nature, yet also objects of fascination and curiosity, of naturally inhabited and unreachable grace, that men love to hate, and hate to love. But regardless of what judgement the vox populi might pass on the nighttime predators, they remain just that; a rare breed of hunters; alone, aside, untamed, always hungry…”
(Source: Earsplit PR, January 3, 2011)

Stone.

DevilDriver “Beast” – Releases on February 22, 2011!

Posted in Death Metal, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on January 3, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

DevilDriver – On February 22, 2011, DevilDriver will be seeing their fifth studio album release, all on RoadRunner Records. Since their 2003 self-titled debut, DevilDriver has been recruiting fans by the masses, luring them into their Groove Metal meets Melodic Death Metal barrage.  Founding member and lead singer Dez Fafara has been quoted, in speaking about Beast: “It’s a sincere, pissed off street record… this album is about the daily fight that is life.”

DevilDriver is a Metal force to reckon with and I’m on-board with getting my head invaded by their new album – Beast. This band has never disappointed Stone with their full-on Metal aggressiveness and attitude, which comes smashing through their catalog of albums with a non-forgiving and blitzing momentum. Either get out of the way or raise the horns to the sky in Metal triumph… DevilDriver’s Beast is upon us!

* Mixing for Beast was done by Andy Sneap and produced by Mark Lewis.

DEVILDRIVER:

Dez Fafara – vocals

Jeff Kendrick – guitar

Mike Spreitzer – guitar

Jon Miller – bass

John Boecklin – drums

Track Listing For Beast:

Dead To Rights

Bring The Fight (To The Floor)

Hardened

Shitlist

Talons Out (Teeth Sharpened)

You Make Me Sick

Coldblooded

Blur

The Blame Game

Black Soul Choir

Crowns Of Creation

Lend Myself To The Night

The above cover is the CD/DVD edition of Beast, slated for a February 22, 2011 release. The three bonus tracks on this CD/DVD edition:

Lost

Fortune Favors The Brave

Grinfucked (live)

Bonus DVD Material:

“You May Know Us From The Stage” – full length film chronicling DevilDriver’s history from the very start.

Music Videos On DVD:

Not All Who Wander Are Lost

Clouds Over California

Pray For Villians

Fate Stepped In

Another Night In London

LONG LIVE DEVILDRIVER.

Stone.

Metal Odyssey’s Stone Picks His Top Ten Albums Of 2010!

Posted in Death Metal, Extreme Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on January 3, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Metal Odyssey’s Stone – Picking the “top ten list” of anything in life is not that easy. Choosing my Top Ten Albums Of 2010 proved to be more daunting than I had initially expected, with there being multiple dozens of excellent albums released this past year, spanning across each sub-genre of Metal, not to mention Hard Rock and Rock as well. I decided this year, to pick out only those ten albums that I can honestly say moved meas a complete album of songs. I have never limited my ears, mind and soul to just Metal, anyone who knows me or any regular visitor to Metal Odyssey understands this. Therefore, finding an album in my “top ten” that is not full-throttle, pedal to the Metal, shouldn’t come across as scandalous.

An album that makes my “top ten” list will move me emotionally, sending signals to my senses that either A: psyches-me-out of my Metal mind or B: makes me feel as though I’ve found a long lost friend, a friend I’ll now have for the rest of my Metal life. Of course quality musicianship, songwriting and overall production comes into play… only those three attributes will fall into place when an album is truly special to me.

Maybe you’ll enjoy, become slightly amused and or confused by my Top Ten Albums Of 2010. Either way, my intent is to showcase and appluad these albums and the bands that created them. Hopefully I peak your interest to buy an album or two from this list. These are the albums that will stand the test of my Metal time on Earth.

#10

KATAKLYSM – HEAVEN’S VENOM

KATAKLYSM epitomizes the marriage of melodic and heavy… and succeeds so brilliantly in a Death Metal genre, a genre that has profoundly matured into mandatory importance in my Metal history book, many full moons ago. I’ll say this time and again, when Maurizio Iacono sings, I listen. Jean-Francois Dagenais on guitar is not just impressive, his playing is beyond that. If Death Metal needed “that band” to bridge the gap between the meat & potatoes and the progressive, then KATAKLYSM is that band. “Heaven’s Venom” is more than just another excellent Melodic Death Metal album, it is a collective “sound” and “vibe” that makes me realize that maybe “extreme” should be replaced with “pristine” when describing these ten songs.

On December 2, 2010, I posted a review on Heaven’s Venom, giving more Metal details as to why KATAKLYSM is sitting atop my tier of Metal legendary bands. Clicking the big header below will take you there!

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

#9

KROKUS – HOODOO

The “Classic” Krokus lineup returned in 2010 to bring their Hard Rockin’ brand back… to kick our asses! Metal be thy name, Krokus DID kick my ass with “Hoodoo” and all I can say is: “thank you sirs, may I have more?” A (gasp) fun album is “Hoodoo”, that gives a wink and a smile to the gloriously loud and colorful 80’s decade of Arena Rock and good times thrills. If the songs “Too Hot” and “Hoodoo Woman” doesn’t get your Hard Rock adrenaline flowing, then maybe you should consider living as a hermit in the forests of Maine.

On April 27, 2010, I reviewed Hoodoo and did not hold back my Hard Rockin’ affection for this timeless Hard Rockin’ band. Click on the large header below to see!

KROKUS “HOODOO” – CASTS A HARD ROCKIN’ & HEAVY METAL CLASSIC SPELL!

#8

JON OLIVA’S PAIN – FESTIVAL

Jon Oliva is a man of music. He proves this on “Festival”, by connecting the Rock ‘N’ Roll dots, Jon Oliva has his Classic Rock influences of the Beatles and The Electric Light Orchestra coexisting with the Savatage blood that flows through his ultra-talented veins. Is “Festival” a Heavy Metal album? On the surface it is… only once you really listen to this album a few dozen times, you might very well agree with me that “Festival” is a celebration of Jon Oliva’s musical career. The dark themes and nightmarish lyrics behold a realism that I find stunning, making me hope and pray that Jon Oliva and his band will create a “Festival”… part 2.

On April 15, 2010, my review for “Festival” was posted on Hard Rock Hideout. Click on the large header below to read all about it!

Jon Oliva’s Pain – Festival (2010)

#7

THE NEW CZARS – DOOMSDAY REVOLUTION

What Greg Hampton (founding member, lead guitarist & vocalist) created with his band The New Czars, is one of the finest blends of Rock Music styles my ears have heard in years. “Doomsday Revolution” takes a Modern Hard Rock lead, with Industrial and Funk experimentation weaved within it’s lustrous interior. Greg Hampton might very well be the “missing link” within a generation of Rock vocal legends such as Glenn Hughes, Ian Gillan, David Coverdale and yes… Robert Plant. If that sounds too good to be true, then get yourself a copy of “Doomsday Revolution” and thank Stone for serving you right.

Back on September 8, 2010, I posted a detailed album review for Doomsday Revolution. You can click that big header below if you want to read all about it!

THE NEW CZARS “DOOMSDAY REVOLUTION” – AN INDUSTRIOUS & CREATIVE APPROACH TO ROCK MUSIC DIVERSITY

#6

AVENGED SEVENFOLD – NIGHTMARE

“Nightmare” is the fifth studio album from A7X and very well should be anointed as their very best. Powerful, angry and raging is “God Hates Us”, while the album opener “Nightmare” speeds on with it’s relentless up-tempo that makes me feel like I belong in the pit, carrying on like a psyched-out Metalhead from 1989. Seriously, what A7X has accomplished with “Nightmare” is nothing short of a Metal miracle, with having to cope with the loss of Jimmy “The Reverend” Sullivan. I won’t hold back calling this “Nightmare” album the “Back In Black” or “Black Album” of A7X’s catalog.

On November 9, 2010, my review for “Nightmare” was posted on Hard Rock Hideout. Check it out by clicking the header below!

Avenged Sevenfold – Nightmare (2010)

#5

KOPEK – WHITE COLLAR LIES

What’s this? A Hard Rock three piece? A Modern Hard Rock three piece? Can these guys play? Who invited them to the party? Stone will tell you right now… KOPEK is a three piece, they are a Hard Rock band and they bought the copyright for the word relevance. By the way, KOPEK will be invited to the party and they are bringing with them a case of Hard Rock whoop ass that will have you begging “them” for more. Guitarist and vocalist Daniel Jordan brings that “it” factor to the Hard Rock table, “it” being his charisma that resonates from each and every song I hear on “White Collar Lies”. Drummer Shane Cooney and bassist Brad Kinsella round out this Hard Rockin’ trio from Dublin, Ireland, making them a band I recommend to every breathing human being on Earth.

On June 28, 2010, I presented to the world, an album review for White Collar Lies. If you want to know more about this KOPEK album that you should really buy, then click that friendly header below… it will serve you right!

KOPEK “WHITE COLLAR LIES” – DEBUT ALBUM IS A PRESENT & FUTURE STANDOUT OF MODERN ROCK

#4

DANZIG – DETH RED SABAOTH

This new DANZIG album could have easily been titled: “How Glenn Danzig Got His Groove Back”. “Deth Red Sabaoth” is a return to dark form for Glenn, with each song carrying it’s worthy weight of thump and stump heaviness. Dare I say once again… Old School? These flashbacks to the Heavy Metal glory years never hurt any band and DANZIG churns out the songs that I want to hear on a long, lost, dark nights cruise through the remote countryside. “Black Candy”, Deth Red Moon” and “Ju Ju Bone” are the three songs that stand-out among, well, 11 stand-out songs. Each time I listen to “Deth Red Sabaoth” I realize wholly, that Glenn Danzig is back… and that makes Stone feel very Metal comfy.

On July 22, 2010, my review for “Deth Red Sabaoth” was posted on Hard Rock Hideout. Check it out for yourself by clicking the header below!

DANZIG – DETH RED SABAOTH (2010)

#3

ACCEPT – BLOOD OF THE NATIONS

An Udo-less Accept is hard to “accept”… unless you listen to “Blood Of The Nations”. Mark Tornillo made me a believer from the first note he bellows on “Beat The Bastards”, while not being an Udo clone, Mark just accomplished what always came natural to him… that’s to sing like an Old School Metal warrior! With a near perfect version of the original Accept lineup grinding out 14 songs, at the culmination of my first listen to this album I wanted MORE! This is an Accept album that solidifies this band’s Heavy Metal importance and existence of both past and present. “Blood Of The Nations” also reminds all of us aging Metalheads, that Old School Heavy Metal dreams really do come true.

On September 14, 2010, I posted a very psyched-out review for this Blood Of The Nations album. Check it out if you like, by clicking the big ol’ header below!

ACCEPT “BLOOD OF THE NATIONS” – A METAL TRIUMPH AND RETURN TO METAL GLORY FOR ACCEPT!!

#2 (Tie)

EXODUS – EXHIBIT B: THE HUMAN CONDITION

Why have I made it a “tie” between EXODUS – Exhibit B: The Human Condition and OVERKILL – Ironbound? The answer is simple… Thrash Metal albums, from these two ultra-legends, sounding this damn outstanding, has fortunately collided with an uncanny equality. Choosing between these two albums as which is best, is liking choosing between two iced mugs of Blue Moon Ale. Pick ’em. Founding members Gary Holt (guitar) and Tom Hunting (drums) are the Metal backbone to Exodus being not just pioneers of Thrash Metal, Exodus is one of this genre’s true leaders in 2010. This album is as brutal as any that Exodus has released… and these guys sound tighter than ever!

#2 (Tie)

OVERKILL – IRONBOUND

As with Exodus, Overkill are pioneers of the Thrash Metal movement that has seen a resurgence of popularity that reminds me of the 80’s. “Ironbound” is full-blown and in-your-face Thrash Metal that glistens with Old School hunger and never relents with it’s crushing and force driven songs. Founding members Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth (vocals) and D.D. Verni (bass) are living proof that they can create and play Thrash Metal for 30 years and counting, with different lineups, while never losing a touch of relevance. After three decades of albums, Overkill quite possibly made their verybest with “Ironbound.”

On March 8, 2010, I reviewed “Ironbound” on Hard Rock Hideout. Click the header below to read the complete details!

Overkill – Ironbound (2010)

#1

SCORPIONS – STING IN THE TAIL

“Sting In The Tail” radiates every quality that I yearn for in choosing a #1 album: heaviness, hardness, melodic, memorable, emotional and Old School… all wrapped up into one celebratory goodbye after spanning nearly five decades of existence. This album dominated my Metal soul like none other in 2010, even the ballads “The Good Die Young” and “The Best Is Yet To Come” made an instant impact on me… and I never wave the flag for ballads that often. Klaus Meine sounds as incredible as ever on vocals, while this entire band plays with the fire of twenty year olds. “Sting In The Tail” was not a return to the glory days of 80’s Heavy Metal, instead, this album showcases just how electrifying the Scorpions still are after so many decades. The Scorpions go out proving to me, they never lost their edge. There will never be another band like the Scorpions.

Back on April 3, 2010, I posted a detailed album review on Sting In The Tail. Click the large header below, to read about how much I really dig this Scorpions album!

SCORPIONS – “STING IN THE TAIL” DELIVERS THE ANTIDOTE OF HEAVY METAL EUPHORIA!

LONG LIVE METAL.

THANK YOU SCORPIONS.

LONG LIVE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL.

Stone.

* Below is a list of other great sites/bloggers that cover Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. They will be sharing their “Best Of 2010” lists and thoughts as well. It is well worth the trip to any and/or all of them!

Heavy Metal Addiction —  http://heavymetaladdiction.com

The Metal Minute — http://rayvanhornjr.blogspot.com/

Layla’s Classic Rock — http://laylasclassicrock.blogspot.com/

Hard Rock Nights — http://hardrocknights.wordpress.com/

The Ripple Effect — http://www.ripplemusic.blogspot.com/

Imagine Echoes — http://www.imagineechoes.com/

Hard Rock Hideout — http://hardrockhideout.com/

Heavy Metal Time Machine — http://metalmark.blogspot.com/

Metal Excess — http://metalexcess.com/

All Metal Resource — http://allmetalresource.com/

Bring Back Glam — http://bringbackglam.squarespace.com/

Hair Metal Mansion — http://hairbangersradio.ning.com/

Stone.

Eski Of Morphine Killer Picks His Top Ten Albums Of 2010!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on January 2, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

ESKI OF MORPHINE KILLER – So 2010 has come and gone and that leaves me wondering – what is to become of this decade, music-wise? Will bands go and try to be “heavier” than any other band has gotten, or will we go back to a retro-pre-click track lo-fi days? It always seems like bands try to follow “trends” (if you want to call them that), instead of establishing a real identity.  I always enjoy listening to what bands bring to the table, as opposed to listening to them because “they sound like so-and-so”. Here is my list for 2010:

#10

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA – ZOMBIE EP

#9

HELLOWEEN – 7 SINNERS

#8

THE CHARIOT – LONG LIVE

#7

OF MICE & MEN – OF MICE & MEN

#6

SOILWORK – THE PANIC BROADCAST

#5

HALFORD – HALFORD IV: MADE OF METAL

#4

DÅÅTH – DÅÅTH

#3

NEVERMORE – THE OBSIDIAN CONSPIRACY

#2

ESCAPE THE FATE – ESCAPE THE FATE

#1

AVENGED SEVENFOLD – NIGHTMARE

Honorable Mention (Non-Metal):

LIL WAYNE – I AM NOT A HUMAN BEING

Here’s to 2011 and hoping that Morphine Killer will be making everyone’s list next year!

MORPHINE KILLER – Official Website

MORPHINE KILLER – Myspace music

IGLOO WARFARE – Reverbnation

Eski, Morphine Killer.

* Below is a list of other great sites/bloggers that cover Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal and will be sharing their “Best Of 2010” lists and thoughts as well. It is well worth the trip to any and/or all of them!

Heavy Metal Addiction —  http://heavymetaladdiction.com

Hard Rock Hideout — http://hardrockhideout.com/

Heavy Metal Time Machine — http://metalmark.blogspot.com/

Metal Excess — http://metalexcess.com/

All Metal Resource — http://allmetalresource.com/

Bring Back Glam — http://bringbackglam.squarespace.com/

Hair Metal Mansion — http://hairbangersradio.ning.com/

Imagine Echoes — http://www.imagineechoes.com/

The Ripple Effect — http://www.ripplemusic.blogspot.com/

Hard Rock Nights — http://hardrocknights.wordpress.com/

Layla’s Classic Rock — http://laylasclassicrock.blogspot.com/

The Metal Minute — http://rayvanhornjr.blogspot.com/

Eski, Morphine Killer.

Happy METAL New Year From Metal Odyssey!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, holidays, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 1, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

2011 is HERE! Metal Odyssey wants to extend a very LOUD: Happy METAL New Year to ALL! A very special THANK YOU goes out to each and every visitor to Metal Odyssey this past year… without the fans of the Metal and music that is covered here, it would not be the same. THANK YOU to all the regular visitors and subscribers to Metal Odyssey… your comments are extremely appreciated!

Another very special THANK YOU goes out to ALL the bands and musicians that are covered here on Metal Odyssey, without them, there is no Metal Odyssey! Every band that I interviewed this past year gets a horns up and a THANK YOU as well! Below is a Thank You list going out to those who made 2010 very memorable, insightful and helpful for me and Metal Odyssey… um, THANK YOU!

THANK YOU:

To my beautiful wife for her graphics and technical support, not to mention ALL of her support for everything!

To my twin daughters for listening to all the Metal in the house and giving their Metal two cents about what they hear! Yes girls, KISS was around when daddy was a little boy.

To Rob Rockitt at HARD ROCK HIDEOUT for allowing me to interview more Rock ‘N’ Roll stars than I could ever imagine! Whoa… HELL YEAH! Metal be thy name.

To Best Metal Buddy Scott Coverdale, his Hard Rock and Metal research sometimes amazes me… and really plays a key Metal role in getting a story or review straight!

To Greg Hampton of The New Czars, who allowed Metal Odyssey the privilege of “World Premiering” his cover song of the Jimi Hendrix classic – Hey Joe. It was a true Metal honor, Greg, you’re a class act. Check it out: 

To Kev Moore of BC Sweet and Christie, who is a Rockin’ gentleman and class act of Rock ‘N’ Roll!

To Eski of Morphine Killer, his post contributions to Metal Odyssey this past year are immensely appreciated!

To IRON MAIDEN for still creating METAL! The Final Frontier is Metal Odyssey’s #1 Album Cover Art Of 2010!

To the SCORPIONS for giving me a lifetime of music that I’ll cherish forever.

To OVERKILL for the unbelievable consistency of unreal-great Thrash over the decades.

To DORO, the “Queen Of Heavy Metal”.

To Morgan Lander of KITTIE, the “Queen Of Extreme Metal”.

To Metal Mark Heavy Metal Time Machine at  and Kinger at Demolish Fanzine – 1980’s Heavy Metal Revival. Their correspondence is Metal appreciated!

To Ryo Vie at The Rock and Roll Guru, um, sudden U-turns are… METAL.

To Sean over at THE METAL FILES, THANK YOU for writing the best damn “personal account” stories of concerts, life as a Metalhead and Rock ‘N’ Roll! Now… keep those forks away from your eyeballs!

To Steve at Heavy Metal Addiction for rallying a bunch of us Hard Rock and Metal lovin’ dudes to post our “Best Of” lists throughout the holiday season!

To Brian Basher at hardrocknights.com, keep Rockin’ Metal Buddy!

To all the PR and record companies that put their trust in what Metal Odyssey had to say this past year… you guys ROCK! No, you guys F’N ROCK!

To all the up and coming bands that find me and seek out my opinion on their music… horns up to all of you Metal Muthas!

To M3 Rock Festival!

To my Metal Buddies at the South Mall f.y.e. – your all the best!

To All fellow Rock, Hard Rock and Metal bloggers, you all keep the Rock ‘N’ Roll flame burning! ROCK STEADY to all of you!

To all those I may have missed… I didn’t miss thanking you after all: THANK YOU!

BRING ON 2011 AND… LET THERE BE ROCK!

METAL ODYSSEY IS REVVED UP AND METAL READY!

METAL BE THY NAME.

“THE SPIRIT OF ROCK WILL NEVER DIE” – SCORPIONS

“Thank You Klaus!”

Stone.