I always have been enamored by the guitar brilliance of Michael Schenker. I have always been a big fan of the Hard Rock/Heavy Metal vocals of Gary Barden. These two musicians combined, made for one very cool and memorable debut album by The Michael Schenker Group, which was self titled. My favorite album by this duo is the second Michael Schenker Group album, titled “MSG”. Depending on the song or album you listen to from the Michael Schenker Group catalog, this band can be defined as Rock, Hard Rock or Heavy Metal. Diversity has been the mainstay in Michael Schenker’s music, in my Metal opinion. A tried and true crossover of Heavy Music styles is what MSG has accomplished over the decades. Michael Schenker has had one incredible Hard Rock/Metal career, being an original member of the Scorpions and as a member of the infamous UFO.
Michael Schenker has had different lead vocalists over the years, again, my nod goes to the combo of Michael Schenker and Gary Barden. I did not intend to get too long winded, on the background history of The Michael Schenker Group, just a brief introduction is necessary for new fans that might want to check out the past music of MSG. Schenker – Barden “In The Midst Of Beauty” was released on May 13, 2008, with both Michael Schenker and Gary Barden rockin’ out together again. I am very pleased with this album, the vocals of Barden are still solid, he was never a flamboyant or in your face – Arena Rock vocalist to begin with. Barden for me, has always been a cool and deliberate Heavy Rock vocalist who exhibits real emotion in his vocals, while pronouncing the lyrics of his songs – always making the lyrical message as important as the music itself. In my Metal opinion, Gary Barden is as true a Heavy Rock vocalist today as he was in 1980. I cannot say enough about the guitar wizardry of Michael Schenker, to me he plays his very best on “In The Midst Of Beauty”.
All 12 songs are memorable for me on this album, with my favorite track being “Ride On My Way”. This tune is very melodic and it Rocks. I knew when I bought this CD, that I was not going to hear the resurrection of the 1980’s Schenker & Barden Heavy Metal attack. As years pass, all of our great and legendary Metal musicians change a tad or two. Does Gary Barden sound older? How about Michael Schenker? Give me a break, if anything else, there is a new found level of confident Metal that I hear on “In The Midst Of Beauty”. Do not be fooled, for Michael Schenker still brings the heavy on his guitar solos and leads. These two Heavy Metal legends can still Rock their hearts out, I only wish I could sing or play guitar this darn great at my age! “In The Midst Of Beauty” is a fantastic Hard Rock/old school Heavy Metal album that defines what Schenker and Barden are all about – both accomplished musicians who have nothing to prove to anyone – while still showing the entire Rock world what real song writing is all about.
It is Thursday, May 14, 2009 – C.C. DeVille, the talented guitarist for Poison celebrates his 47th birthday today. Happy Birthday C.C. Deville! It seems like it was yesterday for me, when I saw Poison live, at an amusement park in expensive Connecticut. It was the late ’80’s and Poison was hotter than a fresh loaf of bread out of the oven, back then. Poison for me, is a pretty cool Hair Metal band that can play. That live amusement park concert was quite honestly, the loudest Heavy Metal concert I have ever been to. I am not kidding and I have been to my fair share of Metal concerts throughout my life, both large and small.
I really enjoy the entire Anthrax catalog of albums, yet “Among The Living” is definitely my most favorite release from this veteran Thrash Metal band. Released in 1987, this album is loaded with all the power and explosiveness of pure Thrash, the Anthrax way. “Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)” is one heavy tune that is rebellious and fun, to actually here the lyrics for yourself would explain what I mean. “Among The Living” earns it’s ferocity courtesy of the talented musicians of Anthrax. Scott Ian on guitar is, in my opinion, one of the best in Thrash Metal history. Joey Belladonna on vocals can carry a note extremely well, he is as valid to “Among The Living” as the music itself. I find Belladonna to be a Thrash Metal vocalist who is quite punctual, without compromising the heaviness whatsoever. I have the upmost respect for the vocals of Belladonna on this album. “Indians” is a great song for me, a Thrash Metal jewel of a tune with inspired lyrics. Every song here adds to the credibility of “Among The Living”. Fast music, fast vocals, fast background vocals, everything on this album is fast. That’s what makes Thrash Metal so profoundly heavy, the speed and it is all here waiting for you courtesy of Anthrax! I do not hesitate for a second, to recommend “Among The Living” to all Metal fans worldwide!
Today is May 11, 2009 and is also – the birthday for Eric Burdon, the legendary lead vocalist for the (legendary) 1960’s Rock band – The Animals. Eric Burdon and The Animals are deservedly enshrined in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, (inducted in 1994). Eric Burdon has turned a rockin’ 68 today! Today is as good an excuse as any to slap on some tunes from The Animals and play them LOUD. The Animals were an integral part of the historical “British Invasion” of Rock & Roll, straight from England, back in the storied 1960’s. Man, the voice of Eric Burdon is just plain timeless, in my Metal opinion. I have always been captivated by the vocals of Eric Burdon, I always wonder how he would have sounded fronting a Metal band today, he has that voice that is deep, cool and ominous. The three tunes from The Animals that I always find stuck in my head are: “House of the Rising Sun”, “Sky Pilot” and “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”. (Now I am gonna have these tunes stuck in my head today, that is cool with me though). The Animals career may have been short compared to many other bands of that time period, however, I always feel it is quality and not quantity that matters most in Rock & Roll. To me, The Animals and Eric Burdon exemplify Rock & Roll quality.
I heard the news on May 6, 2009, that Ean Evans, the long standing bass player for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member & Southern Rock Legends Lynyrd Skynyrd, passed away from a battle with cancer. Ean’s quality bass playing and backing vocals will surely be missed. Ean’s music will forever be heard and enjoyed by fans worldwide, an everlasting gift he has left us all. Metal Odyssey pays tribute to Ean Evans and gives condolence to all of his family and friends. May God Bless You, Ean Evans, rest in peace in Rock N’ Roll heaven.
Well, I have finally reached the pinnacle in my decision process for The Greatest Heavy Metal Album Of All Time. Please reference my past posts on this topic, you will find many great & legendary Metal albums that I personally nominated for this prestigious label. Without further delay, in my Metal opinion, and only mine alone, I have chosen: Black Sabbath – “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” 
Duff McKagan, you know, the very famous and former bass player for the legendary Guns N’ Roses and current bass wizard for Velvet Revolver? Yeah, that guy. Well, let me tell you, Duff McKagan has his brand new solo, (if you will), album out right now and it is in my Metal opinion, sensational. Really, these tunes that Duff McKagan provides with Loaded are just that – loaded. Loaded with quality Hard Rock driven tunes. These songs have catchy hooks and an almost unmistakable Punk Rock vibe happening throughout the entire album. Loaded is groove laden and if I am not mistaken, not over-produced! I can honestly say, that I hear a bit of overall polish missing and I love that!!
Every time I listen to Molly Hatchet “Greatest Hits” I get positively pumped and put into the best of moods. The Southern Hard Rock crunch of Molly Hatchet coupled with the back roads feel of all their music will never be matched by any band today. Molly Hatchet, in my opinion, was the heaviest Southern Rock band of their day. They treaded the fine line of Metal later in their career with “Satisfied Man” and “Shake The House Down”. Early in Molly Hatchet’s catalog of music, “The Creeper” made it known instantly that this band was playing heavy and for keeps! This song off of their debut album “Molly Hatchet” is bass heavy and the guitar work slams it down! The signature heaviness of Molly Hatchet is also linked to the unique lead vocals. The tough as nails vocals you will hear are from Jimmy Farrar and Danny Joe Brown. Both vocalists were so similar in their attitude and make no mistake Southern Hard Rock vocal delivery. The FM radio hits of the late ’70’s and early ’80’s are all here, with “Flirtin’ With Disaster”, “Beatin’ The Odds”, and the lengthy guitar driven masterpieces “Dreams I’ll Never See” and “Fall Of The Peacemakers”.
Let’s face it, the album artwork on Molly Hatchet album covers are extremely cool. I still find myself, to this day, staring at the artwork like it is my first time ever seeing it. I am from the generation of Metal/Hard Rock fans that would (and still do), sit down with a vinyl album jacket and inspect every speck of art, from front to back, while listening to that respective band’s tunes. I strongly recommend any fan of heavy music to buy this “Greatest Hits” of Molly Hatchet, still, I also recommend any album that this band has ever released, past or present. It is my opinion, that Molly Hatchet truly crossed over many Rock genres during their reign – Rock, Hard Rock, Southern Rock, Southern Hard Rock and eventually a stab at trying to sound like ’80’s Heavy Metal, (with the album “The Deed Is Done” – released in 1984). Call them any genre you wish, I just call Molly Hatchet legends. Long live Molly Hatchet. Keeping in mind, the core of the original Molly Hatchet lineup has changed over the years, this band has still released some current and impressive Southern Hard Rock albums over the last decade.
I have never, ever, heard such incredible, good-old fashioned guitar jamming in my life like I hear with Molly Hatchet on their “Greatest Hits” – intensity is the best adjective. This band legitimized guitar jamming and put it on the map! This is the ultimate “Greatest Hits” you will find from Molly Hatchet. Give the Hatchet a try and you will be hooked for life! The liner notes that come with the re-mastered CD are eight pages. Two pages are devoted to a summary history of Molly Hatchet, along with four cool band photos and song/album credits.
I have been reading “professionally paid” music critic reviews about the newest release from Mastodon – “Crack The Skye” – the majority of them are not even worth discussing or repeating. I dig the new Mastodon album, simply put it rocks. For Metal sakes, anyone who knows Metal, should know and/or understand that Mastodon is and always has been a Progressive Metal band. With the Progressive Metal bands, you never know exactly what you are going to get with the next album. (To solidify my point, just look at Rush, Dream Theater and Queensryche, these bands have always experimented musically). So what, big deal, so the new Mastodon album is not as heavy as their last release “Blood Mountain” – give me a Metal break.
The Metal musical “escape” I feel and hear while listening to “Crack The Skye” is cool for me. The vocals are still heavy, the guitar leads are still heavy, and the rhythm section is the farthest thing musically from 1970’s Hard Rock as you can possibly get. This album was not created in 1977, this Metal is happening now. Sure, there are plenty of synthetic sounds applied to “Crack The Skye,” that is what makes this album progressive. The synthetic interludes and backdrops along with the lyrics are why I call “Crack The Skye” a Metal journey. Mastodon did not provide here, a “rip and tear – let it all loose, heavy frenzy” – if I or any other true Metal fan wants that, heck, I will listen to a Metal band that is supposed to play that way. Suffice to say, in my Metal opinion, Mastodon has created a Progressive Metal gem. Paid and uninformed music critics can call this new album from Mastodon anything they want. The sole reason why I live for Metal music in the first place, is due to it’s diversity with all of the Metal genres. At the end of the day, when you break it all down, musically, Metal will always be… Metal. 
I really give praise to the vocals, musicianship, song writing and lyrics on “Crack The Skye” – do I find any flaws? Nope. I could never write or play Metal music this darn good. I recommend to all Mastodon and Metal fans across the globe to chase this album down, play it, enjoy it. Rock out to it. Jump onto “Crack The Skye” and experience the Progressive Metal journey that Mastodon created. Now, just because I want to, here is a roll call of the fine Metal musicians that are Mastodon: Brann Dailor (drums, vocals & percussion), Brent Hinds (lead guitar, vocals & banjo), Bill Kelliher (guitar) and Troy Sanders (bass, vocals & bass synth).
I am sure, I am not the only person out there who is hooked on the reality television series called – “Ghost Hunters.” (Well I know for certain I am not the only person, for my wife is just as hooked on this show as me). Jason and Grant (the founders of “T.A.P.S.” short for The Atlantic Paranormal Society”) are definitely the only two people that do this gig on reality t.v., that never panic or run scared from things that go bump in the night. This is why I do give Jason and Grant credit, they stare down the shadow, mist, moving object, breaking object and unexplained noises/voices in the dark of night. Plus, Jason and Grant always try to debunk whatever ghostly situation they get themselves into. That is so key, that is what separates the truths from the myths. It is so great, when Wednesday nights come around, my wife and I will plant ourselves down and watch the reruns of “Ghost Hunters” that air right before the new episode. (Just in case you are unfamiliar with this show, it is on the Sci-Fi Channel). Just to give credit where it is due, the lead investigator for the “Ghost Hunters International” team, Brian, he as well does not back down from any spooky situations either. “Ghost Hunters International” is a welcomed spinoff from “Ghost Hunters”, us ghost show buffs cannot get enough spooky time.
The late Kevin DuBrow of Quiet Riot has certainly left his mark on the world of Heavy Metal. In my opinion, just the album “Metal Health” alone is quite the Metal accomplishment. “Metal Health” (released in 1983), will forever have the distinction of being the very first Heavy Metal album to hit #1 on the album charts. Fast forward to October 31, 2006, Quiet Riot “Rehab” was released under the radar, so to speak. “Rehab” is a darn good hard rockin’ album, in my Metal opinion. You no longer hear the Hair Metal thumping of the 1980’s on this album, what I do hear, are quality written songs with quality musicianship. In summary, the music on “Rehab” is Hard Rock meets Heavy Metal.
“If it is old school Thrash Metal you are looking for, you have definitely found it! Over Kill does not disappoint, each song is as heavy as the next, TRUE Thrash Metal. This is as great a start as you can get if you are beginning an Over Kill music collection. Over Kill throughout the years have been steadfast and loyal to the Thrash Metal sound and genre, comparing “The Years Of Decay” to their other albums is non sensical, for I admire the entire catalog of albums from this band. “The Years Of Decay” in my opinion, stands out from the vast Thrash Metal album crowd, since it’s release in 1989. For an album that is now twenty plus years old, this brand of Thrash Metal from Over Kill is still Earth shattering, in my Metal opinion. Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth on vocals and D.D. Verni on bass deserve all the accolades. Bobby Gustafson on guitar and “Sid” Falck on drums are both tremendous players on this album as well. I really recommend “The Years Of Decay” to all Metal and Thrash Metal fans alike. New Over Kill fans cannot pass over this heavy hitter.
Rumpelstiltskin Grinder. It was just a matter of time before I picked up the newest release from these Thrash Metal dudes. “Living For Death, Destroying The Rest” is their brand new album, (on Relapse Records), it is fast, furious, super heavy, a tad diabolical, well, I made my point. These attributes are exactly what I look for from any Thrash Metal album, so it is safe to say that Rumpelstiltskin Grinder delivered the super Metal goods here, in my Metal opinion. I cannot say enough about the frenzied pace of the Thrash Metal with this album, while driving and listening to these guys, I have to say it is quite exhilarating. 
Supergroups are not a new concept to the worlds of Hard Rock or Heavy Metal. Asia, Hellyeah, HSAS and Saints Of The Underground are just a handful of really cool supergroups of Hard Rock and Metal, both from the past to the present. Chickenfoot, however, is a super – supergroup. With the likes of Sammy Hagar on vocals, Michael Anthony on bass & backing vocals, Chad Smith on drums and the brilliant – Joe Satriani on guitar, Chickenfoot is one monster of a legendary lineup of musicians. C’mon, you are looking at half of the Van Halen lineup here, with Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony. 
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