Archive for the 1980's thrash metal albums Category

POWERMAD – “THE MADNESS BEGINS…” IS A HUGE HEAVY METAL FIND ON VINYL!!

Posted in 1980's thrash metal albums, 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's thrash metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal bands, cool album covers, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1988, heavy metal records, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school thrash metal bands, rare heavy metal albums, rock music, speed metal, Thrash Metal, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands, thrash metal music, thrash metal songs with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 17, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

POWERMAD – This Speed Metal meets Thrash Metal band formed back in 1984, hailing out of the great state of Minnesota. In 1986, Powermad released their self titled and debut EP on Combat Records. In 1988, Reprise Records picked up Powermad, releasing their EP – The Madness Begins… and this is the very EP that I found hiding in an antique co-op mall just yesterday!! (See pics of it below). Whoa. Whoa again, is how I first felt upon gazing my eyes upon this Heavy Metal super find! It’s Powemad… I thought to myself, thinking, can this be really happening? I am looking at and holding the vinyl EP copy of The Madness Begins…!?!

ANTIQUE STORES F’N ROCK.

In Metal summary, as you can tell, I was extremely psyched out of my mind about this Heavy Metal find… and I still am. I paid a meager – $6 for this Powermad gem! Six dollars! The total condition of this Powermad EP is in excellent to near mint too! The top right and bottom corners of the album jacket are the only areas that show a tad of wear. Otherwise, the original gloss on both sides of the album jacket still literally shines on it!

The original circular sticker is on the front side as well. The text printed on the circumference of the circle sticker reads: “Powermad Specially – Priced Mini – LP”. Specially priced alright, only six dollars, after more than two decades after it’s initial release… and it’s super, super, rare!! The inside text on the circle sticker reads: “Warning: Due to the intense nature of this music, neck braces may be required”. That’s vintage stuff… Old School.

There are four songs on this EP, all four are Thrash Metal and Old School too. Upon my first handling of the actual vinyl record itself, I could not believe there were no visible signs of it ever being handled! (Unless someone really, really took great care of it in the past). Once I dropped the turntable needle down on this POWERMAD EP to play, the sweet sound of analog filled the air, with not a crackle or pop. Take my word for it, these songs are incredibly worthy of multi-multiple listens on a regular basis.

Terminator is the opening track, it begins with thunderous drum beats in unison with vintage, heavy riffs that tell me immediately I’m in for a Metal treat. This song sizzles and then explodes into Thrash Metal glory. Joel Dubay on lead vocals has a coherent delivery, only watch out for his screach… he can hit the high note without any trouble and it’s superb. Hunter Seeker is faster than Terminator, it kicks right in where Terminator left off. This song is a rifftastic display of Old School Thrash Metal – period. I find this song rips, tears and burns each and every second… give me more POWERMAD please.

Gimmee Gimmee Shock Treatment is the shortest song on this EP and it offers up some heavy grooves to go along with the Thrash. This is a Ramones cover song, a Thrashtastic version at that. It blisters along with all the fury one could wish for from a quality, late 1980’s Thrash Metal Band. Credible stuff. Blind Leading The Blind opens up with a spoken word, to the best of my Metal ears, it goes like this: “Your gonna do some praying for me now boy”. The voice of this spoken word sounds like an eerie backwoods hermit that you might bump into at a remote, country keg party. The backing, (gang), vocals on this song just screams Old School. Blind Leading The Blind is by far and large, the fastest song on this EP. Unreal great.

POWERMAD, as they appeared on their 1988 EP – The Madness Begins…

Joel Dubay – lead & backing vocals, rhythm & lead guitars

Todd Haug – lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals

Jeff Litke – bass guitar, backing vocals

Adrian Liberty – drums & backing vocals

Track listing & running times for the Powermad EP – The Madness Begins…

Side One:

Terminator (4:20)

Hunter Seeker (2:52)

Side Two:

Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment (1:45)

Blind Leading The Blind (4:23)

Here is what the front cover of my POWERMAD Vinyl EP looks like:

Man, I couldn’t have asked for this POWERMAD EP to be in any better condition than this! You can see how it still bestows the original gloss on these front and back covers.

Here is what the back cover of my POWERMAD vinyl EP looks like:

POWERMAD, from left to right on this back cover:

Todd Haug, Joel Dubay, Jeff Litke, Adrian Liberty

* POWERMAD – The Madness Begins… was released in 1988 on Reprise Records.

* POWERMAD released their only full length album in 1989 – Absolute Power, on Reprise Records.

This is what the album cover looks like for Absolute Power:

I don’t own a copy of Absolute Power… yet. I will find one though, preferably on vinyl… you betcha.

* The 1986 self titled POWERMAD EP on Combat Records was released as part of the Combat Boot Camp Series, showcasing a heavy band’s demo.

Stone.

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EXODUS – “THE TOXIC WALTZ” SONG FROM 1989 – OLD SCHOOL THRASH METAL REIGNS!

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's thrash metal albums, 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's thrash metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal music, current thrash metal bands, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school thrash metal bands, old school thrash metal music, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands, thrash metal bands 2010, thrash metal cover songs, thrash metal guitarists, thrash metal legends, thrash metal music, thrash metal songs with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 9, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

EXODUS – released Fabulous Disaster back in February of 1989. A solid, Old School Thrash Metal album it is. Listening to these Thrash Metal originators is a necessity in my Metal life, Exodus is an instant cure for any Thrash dehydration I may come down with. I like every song on this album, especially The Toxic Waltz. Another very cool song on Fabulous Disaster is the cover version of Low Rider, (originally recorded and made famous by War in 1975). Overdose is another song that swelters with unreal duel guitars and all the Exodus heaviness I could possibly ask for. Growing up with so many 1980’s Thrash Metal Bands, has me revering them in 2010 all the more. This is Exodus from 1989, a vintage lineup. I uphold Thrash loyalty to every Exodus lineup, from their inception to today. Guitarist Gary Holt is for all intents and Metal purposes, a Thrash Metal leader, he has the distinction of being on every Exodus album throughout the bands lineup changes. Gary Holt has Exodus blazing into 2010…  Metal legends never surrender.

The entire Fabulous Disaster album flat out Thrashes and burns. This is a must album for any new or veteran fans of Thrash Metal. Exodus helped pave the way for today’s younger Thrash Metal Bands… Exodus is Thrash Metal roots. I hope you enjoy The Toxic Waltz as much as I do! Fellow fans of Exodus know this song well… a classic. Now, it’s time to jump into the pit and crank this song loud mutha!!!

Exodus, as they appeared on Fabulous Disaster from 1989:

Gary Holt – guitar

Rick Hunolt – guitar

Steve Souza – vocals

Rob McKillop – bass

Tom Hunting – drums

Fabulous Disaster – Track Listing:

The Last Act Of Defiance

Fabulous Disaster

The Toxic Waltz

Low Rider

Cajun Hell

Like Father, Like Son

Corruption

Verbal Razors

Open Season

Overdose

LONG LIVE EXODUS!

Stone.


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METALLICA – “CREEPING DEATH” PICTURE DISC IS THRASH METAL HISTORY

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's thrash metal albums, 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's thrash metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal picture discs, 1980's metal bands, 1980's metal music, 1980's thrash metal, 1990's thrash metal bands, collecting heavy metal albums, cool album covers, current thrash metal bands, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1984, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1984, heavy metal picture discs, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, new wave of british heavy metal, old school heavy metal, old school thrash metal music, rock and roll hall of fame members, rock music, scary album covers, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands, thrash metal cover songs, thrash metal legends, thrash metal music, thrash metal picture discs with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 3, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Any regular visitor to Metal Odyssey knows, that from time to time, I like to post about Heavy Metal picture discs. This past year of 2009 was when I realized how much I really like collecting them… again. Back in the ’80’s, I picked up quite a few Heavy Metal picture discs. The picture discs that survived from being sold or traded by me over the decades, I have in recent months been showing to the world on Metal Odyssey. Here is a cool picture disc from Metallica, a Thrash Metal band that really needs no Metal introduction on Metal Odyssey. Metallica is in the elite class of Metal, a band that is partly responsible for my being a lifetime Metalhead. Uh, thank you, Metallica… very Metal much. Metallica’s first three groundbreaking albums will always be considered, in my Metal opinion, a major part of the puzzle in the creation and evolution of Thrash Metal Music. This is the Metallica I most revere, (and it is not due to my growing up with these first three albums either). The first three albums from Metallica experimented and brought forth a style of Metal Music that was/still is original as a personal signature. I pulled this Metallica gem out of a stash of mine this past week:

METALLICA – CREEPING DEATH – PICTURE DISC, 1st ISSUE

SIDE 1:

SIDE 2:

Why is this Creeping Death picture disc considered a 1st issue? Answer: There is NO barcode found on side 2, the 2nd issue of Creeping Death HAS the barcode on side 2.

Those pics of Metallica on Side 2 of this picture disc are now… vintage. Kirk Hammett on the left, Lars Ulrich on the top, the late Cliff Burton on the right and James Hetfield on the bottom. Yup, Metal time does seem to fly.

This Creeping Death picture disc was released sometime in 1984. (I just do not know the exact month/day of it’s 1984 release… I will continue my Metal research and update this post once I do know).

Although it is not printed on this actual picture disc that I own, this is a U.K. release, on the Music For Nations record label – I have found this information upon my Metal research through the years.

The infamous, picture disc letter & number code found on this Creeping Death 12″ is:

P12 KUT 112 – (you can see it, on the above side 2 image too)

I am absolutely psyched, that this Metallica Creeping Death picture disc is still in my collection. As I delve further into it’s track listing, the Thrash Metal History just seems to come alive… as you read on, you shall see what I mean!

The track listing on Creeping Death: (The image above, of side 2, shows it as well)

Side 1:

Creeping Death

Side 2:

Am I Evil?

Blitzkrieg

Am I Evil? and Blitzkrieg were two songs labeled together as – Garage Days Revisited, (the above image of side 2, shows this).

Creeping Death is from Metallica’s second studio album: Ride The Lightning, (released in July of 1984. I can remember the first time I listened to this Ride The Lightning album, it was sometime back in 1984… I held onto and stared at the album jacket as the songs played on and I never felt more awe struck in my entire young life. Yes, I do remember trembling, upon my very first listen to For Whom The Bell Tolls… it was a listening experience so unreal, I can never forget it. Creeping Death, however, was/is just as sensational a song from Ride The Lightning as any of the others.

Metallica Ride The Lightning – greatness never fades, it only grows stronger.

Am I Evil? is the b-side single on Side 2, a song originally written and made famous by Metal legends… Diamond Head, from the Diamond Head 1980 debut album – Lightning To The Nations.

Metallica’s cover version of Am I Evil? was only found on this Creeping Death 12″ picture disc, up until it was released on the Metallica album – Garage Inc., (a double album of cover songs), in November of 1998.

Blitzkrieg is the second cover song on side 2, a song originally written and released by the Heavy Metal band – Blitzkrieg. This song was originally released in 1981, on the Blitzkrieg 7″ single – Buried Alive. The song Blitzkrieg was later released on the Blitzkrieg 1985 album – A Time For Changes.

So there you have it, some Thrash Metal and Heavy Metal History surrounding the 3 songs found on this Metallica Creeping Death 12″ picture disc. I find it of Metal importance, to understand where the songs originally came from… and from what band and/or album. Die hard fans back in 1984 knew who Diamond Head was for sure, yet for Metallica to also embrace a song from Blitzkieg and make it work as a Thrash Metal cover, just magnifies the brilliance that Metallica created together as a band. To just listen to a song is one thing, to know the linkage of a song makes it all the Metal better… it’s called Metal roots, Metal history.

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SLAYER – “REIGN IN BLOOD” 1987 TOUR PROGRAM IS SLATANIC HISTORY

Posted in 1980's thrash metal albums, 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's thrash metal music, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal bands, 1980's metal music, 1980's thrash metal, 1987 thrash metal music, 1990's thrash metal bands, collecting metal music, current thrash metal bands, extreme metal music, guitar legends, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school thrash metal music, rock music, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands, thrash metal guitarists, thrash metal legends, thrash metal memorabilia, thrash metal music, thrash metal tour programs with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 10, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

It is always thrilling for me, as I continue rummaging around my Metal Music collection, especially when I find an item that isn’t an album or CD and it grabs hold of my Metal attention and brings back memories. F’n Slayer rules. I reintroduced myself to the Slayer Reign In Blood tour program from 1987. I did not buy this Slayer tour program when I saw them on the Reign In Blood tour, rather I bought it from an independent record shop that same year. I am withholding the name of the record shop for the owner was, simply put, a backstabbing, cheapskate creep. (I never bought tour programs at concerts as a rule, they would either get destroyed or lost from a night of Metal debauchery). If my Metal memory serves me correct, I paid $10 U.S. for this Slayer gem. The condition of my Slayer Reign In Blood tour program is essentially… mint. I tend to keep my Metal memorabilia protected with archival supplies when necessary, this Slayer tour program is inside a plastic sleeve while being stored away. Hey, I give a crap about the stuff I own, especially Metal Music stuff. It’s not like I can just replace items like this at the drop of a Metal dime.

The memories of seeing and listening to my favorite bands over the decades will never diminish. Having a Slayer tour program to look through from 1987, only enhances those Metal memories. Seeing Slayer live back in 1987 was an unreal Metal experience. This Slayer tour program measures 9″ x 12″ and has 20 pages, all in full color. The Reign In Blood album flyer/mini poster is stapled into the center spread of the program. This flyer/mini poster is in red and black ink only, showing the famous Slayer group photo that is on the Reign In Blood album backside cover. The headline on this flyer/mini poster reads: This Album Speeds Through Your Brain. Man, that headline isn’t farting around about that… Reign In Blood is the damnedest, most heaviest Metal album I have ever listened to in my Metal life. F’n Slayer history to be enjoyed here, with this tour program.

There are one and a half pages of written material, briefly covering the first four years of Slayer history. The albums Show No Mercy, Hell Awaits and the EP Haunting The Chapel are mentioned, along with the historic signing of Slayer to Def Jam Recordings by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons. This signing to Def Jam Recordings, through Geffen Records, took place in 1987 with Reign In Blood… the rest is Slatanic history. Each member of Slayer has two pages of photos, while the remaining pages are chock full of Slayer concert photos, (with the exception of the inside front cover page which is dedicated to text. The back cover photo is a full color concert photo of Slayer, Jeff Hanneman and Tom Araya are fully shown, with a glimpse of Kerry King and only a portion of Dave Lombardo’s drum kit. A sensational Slayer back cover photo, nonetheless.

I was foolish, many years ago, to have let go of some incredible tour programs of great and legendary bands. This Slayer tour program I am keeping… to look at and hold any damn time I feel like it. I feel fortunate that this Slayer tour program stayed in my collection for the last 22 years.

What a blast from the Slayer Thrash Metal past, is this front cover photo of the band on this Reign In Blood tour program, (see below). Check it out… Kerry King really did have hair back then. From left to right: Tom Araya (lead vocals & bass), Jeff Hanneman (guitar), Dave Lombardo (drums) and Kerry King (guitar). F’n Slayer Rules.

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EXODUS “LET THERE BE BLOOD” – A TRIBUTE TO THEIR VERY OWN THRASH METAL LEGACY

Posted in 1980's thrash metal albums, 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's thrash metal music, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal bands, 1980's metal music, 1985 thrash metal music, Album Review, cover songs, current thrash metal music, essential thrash metal albums, extreme metal music, guitar legends, heavy metal albums, heavy metal music, metal music, metal music albums, metal odyssey, Music, old school thrash metal music, spooky album covers, thrash metal album review, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands, thrash metal legends, thrash metal music, thrash metal music 2008, thrash metal today, vintage thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 21, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

The Exodus album Let There Be Blood, (released on October 28, 2008), is a complete cover album of their very own debut release from 1985 – Bonded By Blood. Exodus is from a select group of Thrash Metal Bands, considered by me to be one of the originals who were instrumental in shaping and defining the Thrash Metal genre. I have been listening to Exodus since their debut, this band has had their share of ups and downs, just knowing they are still around making music is a great feeling for me. Let There Be Blood is dedicated to Paul Baloff, the original lead singer for Exodus, who passed away from a stroke in 2002. Gary Holt, the life long guitarist and leader for Exodus, states very clearly in the liner notes of this CD as to why Bonded By Blood was covered in it’s entirety with Let There Be Blood. To paraphrase Gary Holt, he states these songs are his lifetime connection to Paul Baloff. He also states “no way can you replace Bonded By Blood.” As Gary Holt sees it, people can discover the original Exodus lineup from 1985 and their Classic Thrash Metal debut album, by listening to Let There Be Blood.

I never needed to be convinced that covering Bonded By Blood was a great idea by the current Exodus lineup, many bands have recently been doing the same thing lately as well. Foreigner and Journey are perfect examples, both of these Hard Rock titans have issued a full greatest hits CD recently, that spotlights their current lead singer and lineup. Exodus has paid a tribute to not just an album of songs, Bonded By Blood was and still is an important Thrash Metal album, one that represents a time period of the birth and creation of the prolific Thrash Metal genre. Paul Baloff was not the run of the pack Thrash Metal vocalist either, he was unique in keeping his voice from overpowering the song… I have never heard another singer like him since, truly irreplaceable.

Rob Dukes, the vocalist for Exodus on Let There Be Blood also is quoted in the liner notes, “this (Let There Be Blood) was recorded for fun, not to replace the original. The origninal (Bonded By Blood) will always be there and will always stand the test of time.” Plus, Rob Dukes refers to Paul Baloff in the most sincerest and reverent way. True class acts are Gary Holt and Rob Dukes, for the way they expressed themselves through these statements, found in the liner notes of Let There Be Blood. With Tom Hunting on drums, Exodus has two original members playing on Let There Be Blood.

I have read some pretty despicable and mean spirited album reviews over the years… from guess who? Answer: professional overpaid music critics who do not listen to the albums they review! Instead, their idea of “listening” to an album is “sampling” and/or they are jealous they are not famous Rock musicians themselves. Exodus, in my Metal opinion, DID NOT ATTEMPT TO CASH-IN ON THE LEGACY OF BONDED BY BLOOD. The Old School Thrash Metal Bands have their core following, while enlisting younger and new fans along the way. This album was never going to hit #1 on any damned and useless music chart to begin with. Old School Thrash Metal is about pride… something that the lame mainstream Rock music critics no nothing about. Grubby politicians cash-in everyday on tax payers… Exodus is too busy kicking ass with their Thrash Metal legacy and credibility, rather than cashing in on any of their fans.

In my Metal opinion, sure this is a heavier version than the original. Yes, Rob Dukes sings with a much more aggressive and angered tone than the late and legendary Paul Baloff. Rob Dukes is a powerhouse Thrash Metal vocalist – period. He is his own persona, just as Paul Baloff once was. The end result is, for me, a quality driven, Thrash Metal celebration of one of the greatest albums of it’s genre. Gary Holt made a great point in the liner notes, that these same songs are performed live by Exodus to this day. As I see it, this is Exodus, regardless if this is a 2008 version of this band or a listen to the 1985 original Bonded By Blood. I cannot deny or condemn any Thrash Metal Music that Gary Holt and Tom Hunting want to recapture or create with their band. All I can do is be thankful that they are still alive and capable of keeping the Exodus Thrash Metal machine forging ahead. I appreciate my favorite bands and never have or ever will… take them for granted.

Exodus, as they appear on the 2008 album Let There Be Blood:

Gary Holt – guitars

Tom Hunting – drums

Jack Gibson – bass

Rob Dukes – vocals

Lee Altus – guitars

Here is the original cover artwork for the 1985 Bonded By Blood album:

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METALLICA “JUMP IN THE FIRE” PICTURE DISC – THIS 1983 RARITY IS ONE TO OWN

Posted in 1980's thrash metal albums, 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's thrash metal music, 1980's heavy metal picture discs, 1990's thrash metal bands, collecting rock music, creepy album covers, hard to find heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal memorabilia, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1983, heavy metal on vinyl, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school thrash metal music, rock and roll hall of fame inductees, rock and roll hall of fame members, rock and roll memorabilia, scary album covers, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands, thrash metal legends, thrash metal music, thrash metal picture discs, thrash metal songs with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 18, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Metallica is synonymous with Thrash Metal elite. They are one of the originators of the Thrash Metal genre. Who can argue about their legacy or status within the world of Metal? My favorite Metallica albums are the first three, Kill ‘Em All (1983), Ride The Lightning (1984) and Master of Puppets, (1986). I was in high school from 1980 to 1985. I had to serve out an extra half year in high school, due to being a half credit shy of graduating in 1984. (Long and boring story). During my high school years in the early ’80’s  – Metallica was enormously huge, a focal point of Metal period. I bought any oddball import, EP and picture disc I could get my hands on back then… especially if it was Metallica. Granted, Metallica may not be my favorite Thrash Metal Band ever, (Slayer takes that Metal prize), still they are a band that has given me tons of unreal great, Metal memories.

So many of these great oddball items and albums of Vintage Metal I have either sold, gave away or misplaced?! over the decades. I actually put a stop to this madness several years ago, now I keep unreal Metal tabs on my music collection. Recently, I was going through a real sweet stash of Heavy Metal albums that I have fortunately kept and put away for some years. These are all vinyl man! I have only about a dozen or so real gems when it comes to picture discs, I immensely appreciate each one of them. This past week I posted a Motorhead picture disc – Beer Drinkers, which I found in this unreal cool, bounty of albums. Now, I present to the world, my newest discovery. A Metallica picture disc that I have owned since 1983, it has never left my possession, yet for some years I did not think I had it still. Making a Metal discovery like this, in your own music collection, is one exhilarating feeling. To be reunited with this Metallica Jump In The Fire picture disc, is worth a thousand Metal smiles for me. This little demon dude is a real Metal kick – I list the specs on this rare gem below.

Metallica – Jump In The Fire:

* Picture Disc – Die Cut

* Release Date – 1983

* Two Songs: Studio Side – Jump In The Fire, Live Side – Phantom Lord

* 1st Pressing – no barcode

* U.K. Import

* PKUT 105 – this is the designation found on the back of this picture disc. It is the designation of being the first pressing with no barcode.

* “Issued under license from Megaforce Records Inc.” is printed on the backside of this picture disc.

* A “Music For Nations” logo is also found on the backside.

* “Music For Nations 8 Carnaby Street  London W1V 1PG” is printed on the backside.

I did my research on this Jump In The Fire picture disc, using several internet record sites as sources. This version/first pressing – non-barcoded example that I own, is referred to as rare. I’m a happy Metalhead.

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On The Eve Of Slayer’s “World Painted Blood” Release, Some Metal Thoughts…

Posted in 1980's thrash metal albums, 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's thrash metal music, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal music, 1990's metal bands, 1990's thrash metal bands, 1990's thrash metal music, current heavy metal music, current thrash metal albums, current thrash metal music, essential thrash metal albums, extreme metal bands, extreme metal music, extreme music, heavy metal music, Metal, metal music, metal music today, metal odyssey, Music, new thrash metal albums, old school thrash metal music, thrash metal 2009, thrash metal albums, thrash metal albums 2009, thrash metal bands, thrash metal guitarists, thrash metal legends, thrash metal music, thrash metal today, vintage thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 3, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Slayer small logoI am a Slayer fan. Have been since I first held onto the Show No Mercy album and stared at the artwork in frozen awe. I bought that Slayer album back in 1984, back when I was picked on for the music I liked by the kids wearing turtle necks, with a stupid alligator on them. The Izod kids… they were so convinced that Slayer was not going to be around in five years. That same Izod crowd all were convinced that Metal Music was for the troubled kids, listening to Slayer is what made us trouble. Really, that junk was thrown at me about Slayer and I never flinched. It’s funny now as I look back on those ridiculous high school years, the hurtful remarks and snotty attitude that I put up with from so many of my peers are now a humorous memory for me. I’ve turned out alright for myself since 1984, I am proud of my life’s accomplishments thus far. I’m not about to reveal every good deed I have done throughout my life, it really would be boring to read. Being a Slayer fan and fan of Metal Music is a part of me, take it or leave it.

Slayer small logoContrary to so many of the Izod kids, the religious right and the PMRC, (The Parents Music Resource Center), I and countless other Slayer fans never became Satanists or serial killers. Nope, the Thrash Metal of Slayer never made me commit a crime. I know this probably disappoints some of the Izod crowd out there, yet Slayer never influenced me to become a lifetime criminal. To compare Metal Music to violent behavior is such a waste of time, there is no correlation. Drugs and/or mental illness is the obvious incubus for violent behavior. How do I know, you may ask? Well, for one, Charles Manson was a Beach Boys fan… Thrash, Death and Black Metal never existed when Charles Manson was roaming the streets. Anyone would be wrong to connect The Beach Boys to violent behavior as well. To say that even The Beach Boys provokes violent behavior is ludicrous and/or irrational. What type of Metal Music did Al Capone listen to? How about Napoleon Bonaparte? I have made my Metal point here… feels good too.

Slayer small logoI always express just how thankful I am that so many veteran Metal bands are still around making music. Slayer is the Thrash Metal cream of the crop for three decades running. On the eve of their new album releasing on November 3, 2009, I am excited to say the least. I have deliberately not listened to any of their new songs from World Painted Blood… I want to be surprised and psyched – the old school way. Back in the early ’80’s, unless you worked for IBM, the internet was a foreign word, hearing a new album meant listening to it once the purchase was made on release day. I did listen to Megadeth Endgame on their MySpace Music page before I bought it on the respective release date… I don’t regret that move, still some of the fun was taken away for me, once I had the Endgame CD in my hands. (I already knew what I was going to here, nonetheless, Endgame is a Thrash Metal powerhouse of an album).

Slayer small logoSo, tomorrow I will make my Metal journey to most likely… f.y.e. and make that Slayer World Painted Blood purchase. I will then go to my car, unwrap the annoying plastic wrap and NASA glued anti-theft sticker off of the CD and crank it louder than all hell. I will smirk all the while, knowing that I am a proud middle aged Metalhead, doing alright and still following Slayer in the year 2009. SLAYER RULES and Metal Music Lives.

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SLAYER – Revolver Magazine Salutes Thrash Metal Legends With The Book Of Slayer

Posted in 1980's thrash metal albums, 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's thrash metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's metal bands, 1990's thrash metal bands, collecting metal music, current thrash metal music, extreme metal music, guitar legends, heavy metal magazines, heavy metal music, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school thrash metal music, shopping for music, Thrash Metal, thrash metal 2009, thrash metal bands, thrash metal guitarists, thrash metal legends, thrash metal magazines, thrash metal music, thrash metal music books, thrash metal today, vintage thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 30, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Slayer small logoSlayer. Thrash Metal Legends without any doubt in my Metal mind. I caught onto Slayer from the very beginning. I ordered Slayer’s first album, Show No Mercy, through mail order – direct from Metal Blade Records, back in 1984. Since then, Slayer has been a band that I uphold as one of the greatest Thrash Metal Bands ever, (if not the greatest).I have seen Slayer live in a small club setting back in the late 1980’s, a fortunate Metal experience that I will never forget. Yes, Slayer is a core favorite of mine and that will never change.

Revolver Magazine has recently devoted a special issue to just Slayer. This special issue aptly called The Book Of Slayer, should be quite easy to locate at newsstands or large book stores. I actually found my Revolver Book Of Slayer at a Weis Grocery Store, this week of October 25th. I have been a subscriber to Revolver for several years now, this is a magazine that delves into all of the Metal Music genres. Revolver, in my Metal opinion, is the best mainstream Metal Music magazine out there today – based on it’s writing, reviews, content and interviews.

Slayer small logoThe Book Of Slayer covers the band from it’s infancy in 1981 to present day. Anecdotes, interviews, tons of photos and details abound and it is 100% Slayer. Plus there are four feature articles included about Slayer, from past issues of Revolver. Revolver documents Slayer throughout their entire career in excellent Metal fashion. Kerry King, Tom Araya, Jeff Hanneman, Dave Lombardo and Paul Bostaph are all included in the story telling and interviews. This is one Slayer collectible worth picking up – the content within it’s pages and Slayer knowledge you will gain is well worth the $5.99 cover price. New fans can catch up on some great Slayer history and veteran fans should find it hard to put down. I know I will be taking it with me just about everywhere.

You can also purchase The Book Of Slayer by going to http://www.revolvermag.com

The Book of Slayer - Revolver Magazine - large pic 2009

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EXODUS – “Bonded By Blood” I Still Bond To For Old School Thrash Metal

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's thrash metal albums, 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's thrash metal music, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal music, 1980's thrash metal, 1990's thrash metal music, Album Review, classic metal, collecting metal music, cool album covers, creepy album covers, current thrash metal music, essential heavy metal albums, essential metal music albums, essential thrash metal albums, extreme metal music, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album reissued, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1985, heavy metal drummers, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal vocalists, independent record labels, Metal, metal music, metal music albums, metal music today, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school thrash metal music, scary album covers, spooky album covers, Thrash Metal, thrash metal album review, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands, thrash metal guitarists, thrash metal legends, thrash metal music, thrash metal music reviews, thrash metal songs, thrash metal today with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 23, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

EXODUS "Bonded By Blood" original album cover large picExodus… a Thrash Metal originator. Exodus… Old School Thrash Metal. Exodus… Bonded By Blood, was the first album released by this very important Thrash Metal Band, (back in 1985). Why I feel Exodus is a very important Thrash Metal Band is due to their being one of the first Metal Bands to introduce this genre to the world. Back in 1985, there were not the hundreds of thousands of Thrash Metal Bands there are now… you can thank Exodus for influencing countless musicians and bands alike for embarking on their careers in Metal… Thrash Metal. Just seek out and read some interviews of past and current Thrash Metal musicians, you discover after awhile, that Exodus and especially their initial album Bonded By Blood is ultra revered. Yes, I am an Exodus fan, since 1985 until this very day. Lineup changes within Exodus has not made me wince one Metal bit. Guitarist Gary Holt and drummer Tom Hunting have held the Thrash Metal fort for Exodus over the past three decades, serving Exodus and their fans well… extremely well. (Note: Paul Bostaph has stepped in on drums for Exodus, he is an unreal great Metal drummer at large).

Last night, I watched my beloved New York Yankees lose to the Angels… ugh. A great game, yet I was anticipating the Yankees to close things out and head to the World Series to beat down the Phillies. Not feeling the cheeriest, I headed down to the basement… to my Metal oasis. Once I began staring at my CD racks, I decided I needed a lift-me-up, some Metal to clear my senses and put me back in the game of life. Exodus Bonded By Blood caught my eye… this CD was just aching to get heard – once again. I put this CD on, sat back and let the Thrash Metal of Exodus infiltrate my senses. Well, it was only halfway into the first song – Bonded By Blood, that I then got off of my butt and began to stalk around my basement like the fiendish Metalhead that I have been my entire life. I raised and pumped my fists into the air, played air guitar and bass, then did some pummeling air drums like there was no freaking tomorrow. Yes, life is not good, it is great when I can turn to Metal… turn to vintage Exodus, to whip my mood into the positive realm where it belongs.

Exodus "Bonded By Blood" alternate cover small picListening to the late and unreal great – Paul Baloff on lead vocals is as inspiring to me as all damn hell. His vocals were not your stereotypical Thrash Metal type… he resonated with the influence of early Rob Halford of Judas Priest… in my Metal opinion, still exuding his very own style that to this day is untouched. I reached for my CD jewel case of Bonded By Blood, (my copy is the reissue by Combat Records, it also has the alternate cover that is shown at the left and bottom of this post). The original front cover artwork is damn more cool than the alternate version, just look at it at the top of this post for proof. On the back cover of Bonded By Blood, it has a group photo of Exodus… Paul Baloff is shown wearing a Pipers Pit sleeveless t-shirt. Rowdy Roddy Piper… Paul Baloff… man, that is as fitting a shirt as any for him to wear back then. I used to be the f’n biggest Rowdy Roddy Piper fan around, imitating his wrestling moves and voice too… silly and cool memories, all courtesy of one photo of Exodus.

This Bonded By Blood album kicked my butt last night, just as it did back in the day. Having the private freedom to go bonkers to the Old School Thrash Metal of Exodus last night exhilarated me into feeling tired enough to finally go to sleep. Exodus was a friend to me last night, their music strikes that Metal chord with me. No Love and Deliver Us To Evil are my two extra favorite tracks on Bonded By Blood… holy crap, does the psyche out meter catch on fire for me when these songs are cranked up. I can’t use the word recommend to prospective fans when discussing Bonded By Blood, instead the words I will use are: get this album if you have not already – otherwise you are missing out on a Thrash Metal achievement that catapulted Thrash Metal into what it is today.

Exodus as they appeared on their first album Bonded By Blood:

Gary Holt on guitar

Rick Hunolt on guitar

Paul Baloff on lead vocals

Tom Hunting on drums

Rob McKillop on bass

Track Listing for Bonded By Blood:

Bonded By Blood

Exodus

And Then There Were None

A Lesson In Violence

Metal Commando

Piranha

No Love

Deliver Us To Evil

Strike Up The Beast

* Two bonus tracks are found on the Combat Records reissue that I own… they are both live recordings of: And Then There Were None and A Lesson In Violence. Steve Souza is the lead vocalist on these live tracks… yeah, I think Steve Souza is really cool too… convict me of being an Exodus fan boy already, that is just the damn way it is. I am a Metal fan that has been around the Metal block a few times, paid my Metal fan dues and could give a rats rotting and infected butt if anyone out there considers me a fan boy of any band.

* Exodus under the leadership of Gary Holt, covered the entire Bonded By Blood album, with the current Exodus lineup and released it on October 28, 2008. Yeah, I own that version too and I have nothing but Metal praise for Rob Dukes, the guy is the real deal for Exodus. Again, see my fan boy explanation above in regards to my being enthralled by Exodus’s Rob Dukes. I am quite Metal certain, that I am not alone in my reverence for this band… both past and present. Exodus does not need any stinking Guitar Hero game named after them or useless strolls down any damed red carpet to be considered unreal great by me. I have spoken my Metal mind and it feels really, really, good.

Exodus "Bonded By Blood" alternate cover large pic

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