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SKAM – Release New Single ‘Do It Again’ And Announce Remastered Album ‘Intravenous’

Posted in classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on February 27, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Do It Again is a previously unreleased track by UK rock band SKAM and is officially out now through X-Ray Records/Golden Robot Records.

Originally recorded during the sessions for Intravenous in 2021, the song is a love letter to the UK rock scene and the music that inspired the boys to pick up their instruments. Firmly inspired by the classic rock sound, the track uses this as a template while still having the stadium chorus and power riffs that fans have come to expect from the Leicester rockers. 

Due to release March 3, Intravenous is the culmination of SKAM’s 2-part anthology, making up their 4th full length release. The album consists of both earlier released EPs –Intra and Venous, and has been re-mastered by Ade Emsley, known for his work mastering for Iron Maiden and other great bands.

Watch the music video for ‘Do It Again’ HERE

Stream/buy ‘Do It Again’ HERE

The album is inspired by modern day struggles and each song focuses on a negative human trait but sends the message that in any situation, there is always hope. Having honed their craft, the lads have gone back to basics and put together a collection of hard-hitting tracks. 

“Lyrically, the songs follow the same theme of human conditions and experiences. We have really tried to push the envelope of the SKAM sound on this one and there is something there for fans both old and new. You will hear hard hitting bangers typical of the sound SKAM are famous for, but also some curve balls in the form of a power ballad and a 90s style grunge track!” – Steve Hill (vocalist/guitarist)

The track listing will run in ‘album order’ as the band believes it should run when put together, and the release will include the previously unreleased track ‘Do It Again’

Pre-order/add/save Intravenous HERE

ABOUT SKAM: Formed in 2011, SKAM are a hard rock power trio band from the middle of England. They have a reputation for delivering no nonsense, gutsy, classic sounding British rock music. Over the last 9 years, the band have worked tirelessly to build a solid following in the UK. Now, they are considered to be at the forefront of the ‘New Wave of Classic Rock’ movement that is currently sweeping the nation.

To date, SKAM have independently released 3 albums, It’s Come to This (2011), Peacemaker (2014) and The Amazing Memoirs of Geoffrey Goddard (2017). With these releases, they established themselves as a live force to be reckoned with. The band have hit the road with The Answer, Airbourne, Skindred, The Quireboys, and GUN, to name just a few formidable live acts.

Their single ‘Take it Or Leave it’ was voted as ‘track of the week’ by Classic Rock Magazine and has since been included on Earache Records’ ‘New Wave of Rock N Roll’ compilation vinyl. Their recent EP Intra hit the UK Rock Chart at # 6!

SKAM don’t write songs to a formula, but as rock fans trying to capture what they would want to hear.

Source: Golden Robot Records

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UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER – To Release New Album “My Way” On April 22nd Via Atomic Fire Records

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on January 15, 2022 by Metal Odyssey

UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER is THE constant among the German metal scene. Originally becoming world-famous as a founding member of Accept, he continues to steadily expand upon his international successes with his U.D.O. and DIRKSCHNEIDER outfits. Remaining true to himself over the years in a way few musicians could, Dirkschneider consistently bucks music industry trends in favor of following his heart and his most personal and extraordinary album to date will be released on April 22nd via Atomic Fire Records.

Titled My Way, the record contains seventeen cover versions of the very songs that have influenced the musician and singer the most. All kinds of classics from music history are among them – including those that you might not expect from Dirkschneider. Not only does a very personal story lie behind each of the tracks, but also a sometimes-surprising arrangement that, despite the very individual implementation, lives and breathes Udo’s manuscript throughout.

Udo: “Now, when I hear the song, I remember the time when, as a very young Udo, I’d go out to light up the town and lived all the stories that can only be experienced late at night in the clubs,” he recalls. Here, Alex Harvey’s “Faith Healer” allows the artist to feel those days of an era long past. The fact that “Nutbush City Limits” is also on the album reveals a secret rarely told until now, “What hardly anyone knows so far: I was a huge fan of Ike and Tina Turner, and especially Tina’s voice. We always covered this song during Accept rehearsals in the early days. It was one of the mainstays of our Accept rehearsal repertoire for years. Regrettably, there is no recording of it.”

With Wolfsheim’s “Kein Zurück,” Dirkschneider sings in German for the first time in his career, “I immediately felt like the words understood me. It seemed to me that the lyrics were telling the story of my career, of my highs and lows and all the good and bad experiences that life has. There simply is ‘no going back’ for those who choose to live as a musician.”

The cover album also makes one thing clear: Just how many in the music industry have come and gone over the years. Yet, UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER is still here.

My Way Track Listing:

  1. Faith Healer (Alex Harvey)
  2. Fire (Crazy World Of Arthur Brown)
  3. Sympathy (Uriah Heep)
  4. They Call It Nutbush (Tina Turner)
  5. Man On The Silver Mountain (Rainbow)
  6. Hell Raiser (The Sweet)
  7. No Class (Motörhead)
  8. Rock And Roll (Led Zeppelin)
  9. The Stroke (Billy Squier)
  10. Paint It Black (The Rolling Stones)
  11. He’s A Woman, She’s A Man (The Scorpions)
  12. T.N.T. (AC/DC)
  13. Jealousy (Frankie Miller)
  14. Hell Bent For Leather (Judas Priest)
  15. We Will Rock You (Queen)
  16. Kein Zurück (Wolfsheim)
  17. My Way (Frank Sinatra)

http://www.udo-online.com

http://ww.instagram.com/u.d.o.official

http://www.atomicfire-records.com

Source: EARSPLIT PR

LONG LIVE UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER.

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VANILLA FUDGE – Release Remastered Version of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Ramble On’

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, Hard Rock, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , on December 1, 2021 by Metal Odyssey

VANILLA FUDGE throws out another re-worked Led Zepclassic, this time it’s ‘Ramble On’ to go with the recently released ‘Immigrant Song’ and ‘Rock and Roll’. All 3 tracks come from the soon to be released album Vanilla Zeppelin.

This is Led Zeppelin done ‘’Fudge’’ style. This remastered version of ‘Ramble On’ will be released digitally via Golden Robot Records on 30th November.

A great ode to one of the most respectable and best bands of all time, by one of the most respectable and best bands of all time. VANILLA FUDGE add their own slant to Led Zeppelin’s‘Ramble On’, including some amazing organ interludes. This version definitely has a life and identity of its own.

Listen to ‘Ramble On’ HERE
Listen to ‘Immigrant Song’ HERE
Listen/ Buy ‘Ramble On’ HERE

ABOUT VANILLA FUDGE:

Vanilla Fudge was one of the first American groups to infuse psychedelia into heavy rock sound to create “psychedelic symphonic rock” an eclectic genre which would, among its many off shoots, eventually morph into heavy metal.

Although, at first, the band did not record original material, they were best known for their dramatic heavy, slowed-down arrangements of contemporary pop songs which they developed into works of epic proportion.

Originally, Vanilla Fudge was a blue-eyed soul cover band called The Pigeons, formed in New Jersey in 1965 with organist, Mark Stein, bassist, Tim Bogert, drummer, Joey Brennan, and guitarist, vocalist and US Navy veteran, Vince Martell. They built a following by gigging extensively up and down the East Coast and earned extra money by providing free lance in-concert backing for hit-record girl groups. In early 1966, the group recorded a set of eight demos that were released several years later as “While the World Was Eating Vanilla Fudge”.

The East Coast, in particular, New York, and New Jersey, created a sound all its own. Inspired by groups such as The Rascals and The Vagrants (fronted by guitarist, Leslie West of “Mountain” fame).The Pigeons reworked many of their own existing arrangements of covers to reflect their unique interpretation of this “East  Coast Sound”.

In late 1966, drummer, Joey Brennan, moved out to the West Coast; The Pigeons immediately drafted drummer and vocalist, Carmine Appice, a disciple of the renowned Joe Morello (Dave Brubeck Band) and a seasoned veteran of the club scene. In early 1967, The Pigeons manager, Phil Basile, convinced producer, George “Shadow” Morton (producer for The Shangri-Las and Janis Ian), to catch their live act. Impressed by their heavy-rocking, trippy and psychedelic version of The Supremes’ ‘You Keep Me Hangin’ On’, Morton offered to record the song as a single. This resulted in a deal with the atlantic subsidiary Atco, which requested a name change.

The band settled on Vanilla Fudge. Vanilla Fudge celebrated their 50-Year Anniversary in 2017 and is still rocking the world as hard as ever.

Source: Golden Robot Records

On-Line:
https://www.facebook.com/VanillaFudgeOfficialSite
https://www.facebook.com/goldenrobotrecords/

LONG LIVE VANILLA FUDGE.

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Clarence Clemons – Rest In Peace

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock and roll news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on June 19, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Clarence Clemons – It’s a sad feeling in the world of Rock and Roll for the legendary saxophonist Clarence Clemons has passed away on Saturday, June 18th, 2011, at the age of 69. Clarence suffered a stroke on Sunday, June 12th. Forever loved for his saxophone talents with The E Street Band and Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, Clarence released several successful solo albums as well. Clarence Clemons also played saxophone for Gary U.S. Bonds and Ringo Starr And His All-Star Band. Clarence was also an accomplished vocalist and percussionist.

Metal Odyssey extends condolences to the family, friends, bandmates and fans of Clarence Clemons.

* Top album cover photo: Clarence Clemons And The Red Bank Robbers – Rescue (1983 – Tristar).

Rest In Peace, Clarence Clemons.

1942 – 2011

Stone.

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Warren Haynes – Man In Motion: Five Reasons To Buy This Album

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, guitarists, Hard Rock, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news, southern rock with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 19, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Warren Haynes – The second studio album from legendary guitarist and vocalist Warren Haynes was released on May 10th, 2011, on Stax Records. Rock, Southern Rock and the Blues have and always will be in the Rockin’ arsenal of Warren’s skillful guitar playing. Best known for his membership with The Allman Brothers Band and Gov’t Mule, Warren has a Rock and Roll resume that goes much deeper than that. Playing guitar at a young age for Country legend David Allan Coe and even appearing live, onstage, with the Dave Matthews Band are a part of this highly respected guitarist’s musical history.

I want to share with you, five reasons why you should buy this new Warren Haynes album, here they are:

1. It’s all about the guitar. Any guitar aficionado will salivate at the pureness that Warren Haynes so eloquently expresses with his playing. Longtime fans of Warren Haynes surely know what I mean.

2. Diversity. Warren Haynes plays his patented Southern Rock tones, still he turns over some bluesy and funky licks that makes Man In Motion a case study in Rock appreciation.

3. Vocal coolness. When I listen to Warren Haynes sing, it’s listening to a dude that believes in his lyrics and the song. Storytelling and singing straight from the heart are two attributes of Warren that too many young vocalists nowadays don’t grasp… or even know exists.

4. Classic Rock never surrenders. The steady vibe of Classic Rock never subsides throughout Man In Motion. The organ, clavinet and tenor saxophone adds the old school mystique, making me drift back to those less stressful and technologically less invasive days of yesteryear. Songwriting never sounded so comfortably gilded.

5. “The three C’s”. Completeness, Competency and Creativity. When I can listen to an entire album that is richly guitar based and still be lured into the dynamics of the other instruments and vocals equally, that’s completeness. The competency is Warren Haynes and his musicians surrounding him on Man In Motion. The creativity is making an album of retrospective songs sound so suitable in 2011.

One big added bonus is the harmonious way all ten songs coexist together on Man In Motion. I’ve listened to this album many times now. I recommend Man In Motion to fans of discerning Rock taste and to those fans who keep their beer cold down in the creek; it makes no difference, this album comes across too damn refreshing. Warren Haynes has found, no, created a lucrative listen, into the world of a guitarist and vocalist who plays and sings with an immediacy that comes straight from his Rock and Roll soul.

* For more info on WARREN HAYNES, click on the link below:

Warren Haynes – Official Website

LONG LIVE WARREN HAYNES.

Stone.

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URIAH HEEP – Nail On The Head: Official Video… ROCKS!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, melodic rock, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, rock music videos with tags , , , , , , , , , , on June 8, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

URIAH HEEP – Into The Wild is the 23rd studio album from the legendary Uriah Heep and was released on Frontiers Records on May 3rd, 2011. Since 1970, Uriah Heep has been Rockin’ the globe! Founding member and guitarist Mick Box has his band once again playing some of the best Hard Rock in the land! Throughout this iconic band’s reign, be it progressive, melodic, hard or heavy, one thing is for certain… after 40 years of Uriah Heep Rock ‘n’ Roll, this band is unquestionably steady!

Below is the Hard Rockin’ and thunder stompin’ song: Nail On The Head. Take a look and listen for yourself below… URIAH HEEP are Classic Rock Kings!

URIAH HEEP:

Mick Box – guitar & vocals

Bernie Shaw – lead vocals

Trevor Bolder – bass & vocals

Russell Gilbrook – drums & vocals

Phil Lanzon – keyboards & vocals

* For more info on URIAH HEEP, click on the links below:

URIAH HEEP – Official Website

URIAH HEEP – MySpace Music Page

www.myspace.com/frontiersrecords

LONG LIVE URIAH HEEP.

Stone.

4 Comments »

Rock And Roll Plus Food = One Big Unnecessary List

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, lists, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 7, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Rock And Roll Plus Food – When I sift through my music collection or go online to look at what’s around for tunes, I always get the biggest kick out of bands, albums and songs that are named after food. Sometimes I’ll find a musician that has a food name too, as you’ll see below. In essence, this is really one unnecessary list I’ve compiled here. Regardless, there are times in life when I feel the need to accomplish unnecessary tasks. Feel free to comment any other songs, albums, bands or musicians that have food names… if you feel it is as unnecessary as I do.

The Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers (1971)

Okay, so the Rock Classic Brown Sugar is on this vintage Stones album. I realize brown sugar is not an exact food, however, you can still digest it and it is an ingredient. Isn’t this what the song is really about anyways? Eating brown sugar from Aunt Mabels pantry?

Bee Gee’s – Cucumber Castle (1970)

Whoa! I’ve never been to Cucumber Castle before! Do they serve cucumbers there? Is this castle shaped like a gigantic cucumber? Is there a “pickled cucumber castle” as well?

limp bizkit – chocolate starfish and the hot dog flavored water (2000)

Um… I’ll pass on the chocolate starfish. I’ll especially pass on the hot dog flavored water. Sounds much too gassy.

David Hamburger – plays blues, ballads & a pop song (2008)

David Hamburger. Could there be, by process of elimination, a person out there with the last name of “hot dog”? Plus, could you imagine, if a Hamburger married a hot dog! Man, what would the children look like?

Vanilla Fudge – out through the in door (2007)

Vanilla Fudge ROCKS. Why? Cause the legendary Carmine Appice plays drums and sings for Vanilla Fudge… that’s why. Anyhow, vanilla fudge is something we can eat and listen to at the same time. Metal be thy name.

Zac Brown Band – The Foundation (2008)

On this particular Zac Brown album, apparently there is some “chicken fever” going on. Two songs have “chicken” in their respective title. They are: Chicken Fried and Sic ‘Em On A Chicken.

David Lee Roth – Skyscraper (1988)

Skyscraper is a very good David Lee Roth album, in case you never gave it a listen. I remember partying to this album like there was no tomorrow. Okay, the food song on Skyscraper is: Hot Dog and a Shake. Just think about it for a Metal second… it can’t possibly be that easy to write a song about a hot dog and a shake. Regardless, David Lee Roth and Steve Vai were able to.

Soul Asylum – Clam Dip & Other Delights EP (1989)

Um, I’ll eat the Clam Dip only I’ll pass over on the “other delights” thank you.

Jimmy Buffet – Son of a Son of a Sailor (1978)

C’mon. If you’ve never sang along to Cheeseburger in Paradise while two sheets to the wind, you’re either lying or destined to do so.

Van Halen – Van Halen (1978)

Vintage Van Halen here. This album started it all for this beyond legendary band. The food song heard on Van Halen’s debut is: Ice Cream Man. I always felt is was so cool, that Van Halen acknowledged a hardworking Summertime dude… like the ice cream man.

* That concludes this One Big Unnecessary List on Rock And Roll Plus Food. Thank you for stopping by and please come back again.

LONG LIVE FOOD.

LONG LIVE ROCK.

LONG LIVE HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL.

Stone.

7 Comments »

Five (More) Hard Rock Albums You Must Own This Summer Of 2011 – Part II: Whitesnake, The Poodles and…

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, melodic rock, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on June 5, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

It’s been a fantastic year thus far for Hard Rock album releases. No, make that super fantastic. The obvious trend I’ve seen with all these incredible Hard Rock albums of 2011 is: A majority of these albums are from seasoned or old school bands. There have been many comeback albums released so far this year that absolutely ROCK… hello King Kobra, The Cars, Warrant, Mr. Big and Nelson, to name more than a few.

Realistically, I cannot possibly listen to every Hard Rock album that’s been released at this point in the year, therefore this list of MUST OWN albums for this Summer of 2011 may not correspond with your favorites in parts or in whole. As we approach the midway point of 2011, these are the Hard Rock albums that have ROCKED my brains out! In my Metal opinion, these are five albums worth your hard earned money to buy and crank up LOUD during this coming Summer of 2011… and beyond.

* Metal Odyssey Note: This list is in no particular order and it is Part II of a series. All the albums chosen are 2011 releases. You have to wait for the “Metal Odyssey Best Of 2011” lists that come out around Christmas/New Years for a definitive list. Be patient, that time will come quicker than we all know!

SHAKRA – From Switzerland comes the Hard Rockin’ and much experienced… SHAKRA. This band puts double exclamation points after their brand of Hard Rock and I’m listening! Back On Track (AFM Records) is the 8th studio release from SHAKRA, plus they are showcasing a new lead singer: John Prakesh, replacing Mark Fox. John comes across as an original with some slight Mark Storace (Krokus) influence here and there.

Old Schoolers from the 80’s heydays of Arena dwelling just have to dig what SHAKRA plays for Hard Rock, I know I dig ’em. Mixed into all 13 melodically driven songs on this album, there’s so much thump and stomp and tasty guitar licks happening that it makes for an above memorable listen time and again. Once you buy and listen to this new SHAKRA album, it might just become a top favorite on your playlist, due to the Hard Rockin’ ass kicking it gives you.

THE POODLES – Attention North America: There is a Hard Rock band from Sweden that are a hot ticket over in Europe and they deservedly should catch on over this side of the Atlantic, they call themselves: THE POODLES. On May 3rd, 2011, the fourth studio album from this Swiss Hard Rockin’ outfit, Performocracy, was released in the U.S. via Frontiers Records. This new album is incredibly loaded with everything great about Melodic Hard Rock and… quality songs are the rule!

From the lead vocals of Jakob Samuel and the beyond catchy chorus, to the driving guitar of Henrik Bergqvist, Performocracy has 13 songs without one filler to be heard. THE POODLES make it their mission to ROCK like a late 80’s Arena Band while bestowing a bounty of impressive hard edged relevancy. This band steers away from the corn-dog lyrics that so often becomes recycled from generation to generation. I really dig listening to THE POODLES. Fans of 80’s Hard Rock along with connoisseurs of today’s mainstream and non-mainstream Hard Rock should find them very appealing too.

Warning: There is “something” about the overall sound, feel and vibes of THE POODLES songs, thus becoming unavoidably contagious to the ears, resulting in ultra-repeated listens to Performocracy.

SEETHER – I wrote in a previous post regarding this new SEETHER album, that the song Here And Now brought me to tears. I will never shy away from the Metal truth, that song hit me on a personal level like an emotional avalanche. Just a tremendous song it is, with it’s unbelievably melodic ride. Released on May 17th, via Wind-up, Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray is yet another Hard Rockin’ milestone in the growing and always impressive catalog from SEETHER.

Shaun Morgan proved to me a long time ago he is a premier songwriter, musician and vocalist. Shaun’s lyrical expressions are simply amazing on this new album. I can’t prevent myself from calling this album a contender for Hard Rock album of the year… or even album of the year. Country Song became an instant hit once it was available on iTunes as the lead single… and for good reason, this song Rocks. SEETHER convincingly shows they are a band that can play the ever legit Heavy Rock, with their unique Alternative style, while the mainstream absorbs them like a Hard Rock hungry sponge.

WHITESNAKE – There is that mystique about David Coverdale’s vocals that just makes me feel like everything is alright… that everything is gonna be okay. It’s always felt that way to me, regarding David’s vocals, going back three decades now. David Coverdale can sing the Hard Rock daylights out of the sky and still he comes across as soothing to my ears. Does that sound corn-dog? Maybe… at least I’m being honest though.

David Coverdale has never sounded mightier, while his band is as melodic and Hard Rock driven as ever, on the eleventh studio album from Whitesnake. Forevermore, which released back in March on Frontiers Records is solid proof that Whitesnake reigns atop the Hard Rock heap, looking up at no one. Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach are quickly becoming a legendary Hard Rock guitar duo and Forevermore is the audio evidence. Between deluxe editions, Amazon.com and iTunes, there are loads of bonus tracks out there for Forevermore that you can sink your Hard Rockin’ senses into.

What separates Whitesnake from the pack of other old school Hard Rock bands, is this band’s uncanny ability to write and play songs that instantly scream out: timeless. To not own Forevermore, if your a Hard Rock fan, is a crime under the Metal Odyssey “Code Of Rock”. My favorite song on Forevermore is One of These Days. It’s just like I said at the beginning of this post… David Coverdale sings this song and it’s alright… my vibes tell me everything is gonna be okay.

BLACK STONE CHERRY – Back in 2006, Black Stone Cherry released their self-titled debut on RoadRunner Records and I was drawn into their Classic Rock influence from the onset. The raw sound of this band may have diminished a good deal since that first album, still there is an air of Classic Rock roots about their sound that makes Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea so attention grabbing. This being the third studio album from Black Stone Cherry, all with RoadRunner Records, this one can easily be pointed out as their best. This band is a throwback to when artists cared about writing and playing a complete album of songs.

The bluesy vocals of Chris Robertson mingles so well with his Hard Rock and Southern Rock tones. The song Killing Floor is a can of psyche-you-out whoop-ass that I’ll need to drink in for many more years to come. The nod of reverence to old school seems to illuminate from Black Stone Cherry like a beacon, making it a quality that I admire most. With the cover of Can’t You See, originally written by (the late) Toy Caldwell for The Marshall Tucker Band, it only shows the Southern and Classic Rock roots will never fade away for this group. This is an album of 12 songs that will stand the test of Rock ‘n’ Roll time… and forever be labeled a Hard Rock gem from 2011.

* For more info on the bands and their albums listed above, just click on the very cool links provided below:

WHITESNAKE – Official Website

THE POODLES – Official Online Headquarters

Black Stone Cherry – Official Website

SEETHER – Official Website

SEETHER – Official facebook

http://www.shakra.ch

http://www.afm-records.de

LONG LIVE HARD ROCK.

777

Stone.

6 Comments »

Twisted Sister – The Pinkburst Project Benefit Concert Is A Huge Success!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, Hair Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on May 26, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

As reported today, May 26th, 2011, by Eagle Rock News/Eagle Rock Entertainment:

On April 29, Twisted Sister performed here in New York City as a benefit for The Pinkburst Project, an organization founded by guitarist Jay Jay French to help benefit the Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation.  On May 1, there was an online auction for all the pink guitars and amps that had been collected for this cause from the numerous manufacturers.  Between the auction & the concert, over $110,000 was raised for the Foundation. Congratulations to Jay Jay and the band for a successful weekend for a great cause!

* Metal Odyssey gives a huge Metal salute to Jay Jay French, Twisted Sister and of course The Pinkburst Project/the Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation! Well done!

* For more info on The Pinkburst Project, click on the link below:

THE PINKBURST PROJECT

* For more info on Twisted Sister, click on the link below:

TWISTED SISTER – Official Website

LONG LIVE JAY JAY FRENCH & TWISTED SISTER.

LONG LIVE THE PINKBURST PROJECT.

Stone.

4 Comments »

JOURNEY – “ECLIPSE”: Get The Quickest Album Review Here!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, melodic rock, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 24, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

WHOA!

ECLIPSE IS ROCKIN’ SOLID… FRONT, BACK AND CENTER!

JOURNEY IS A ROCK INSTITUTION.

CLASSIC ROCK LIVES THROUGH JOURNEY.

WHOA AGAIN!

RING THAT HARD ROCKIN’ BELL AND KISS THE CLASSIC ROCK SKY… ‘CAUSE JOURNEY’S ECLIPSE IS THE REASON WHY!

ARNEL. NEAL. ROSS. JONATHAN. DEEN.

AND… METAL BE THY NAME.

THIS IS MY FIRST IMPRESSION… AFTER 4 LISTENS. IT’S A LASTING IMPRESSION TOO. A PROPER REVIEW SHALL FOLLOW DOWN THE METAL ROAD… STAY TUNED. 

* For more info on JOURNEY, just click here: JOURNEY

LONG LIVE JOURNEY.

Stone.

4 Comments »

Ronnie James Dio and Yngwie Malmsteen: This Iconic Duo’s Cover Song Of “Dream On” Is A True Hidden Gem!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, guitarists, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 16, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Ronnie James Dio & Yngwie Malmsteen  – On May 16th, 2010, the ultra-legendary Ronnie James Dio passed away after a valiant battle with cancer. This was a day when Metal cried. Hard Rock cried. Rock and Roll cried. I cried. I’ve always lived by a wonderful thought: “Time heals all wounds”. Each time I listen to any DIO, Rainbow, Elf, Black Sabbath and Heaven & Hell song and/or album now, I realize that Ronnie James Dio’s legacy will forever live on.

On the anniversary of Ronnie James Dio passing away, I decided to listen to some of his work that I haven’t pulled out in quite awhile. I remembered having a CD titled: Guitar Gods – The Classic Rock Anthems. On this fantastic CD is a cover song of Aerosmith’s Dream On. Ronnie James Dio sings and Yngwie Malmsteen plays his amazing guitar on this cover song of Dream On. Two legends covering an iconic Rock song, written and recorded by fellow legends. Simply put… the original version and cover version of Dream On are both everlasting.

I can’t even adequately put into words, just how sensational, how riveting this cover song of Dream On is to my senses. Ronnie James Dio sings the lyrics of Dream On in such a remarkable way… it’s Ronnie James Dio. With Yngwie Malmsteen stamping his signature tone to this song, it’s hands down the single greatest cover song I have ever heard of Dream On… Metal case closed. To admit I receive countless ostrich bumps up and down my entire body whenever I listen to this cover of Dream On is real and not fantasy.

This entire CD is a MUST buy for any fan of Rock, Classic Rock, Hard Rock and/or Metal. If there ever was that hidden gem of a Ronnie James Dio song, then this cover of Dream On is it. If there ever was that hidden gem of a Hard Rock/Heavy Metal compilation CD, then Guitar Gods – The Classic Rock Anthems is it. Wanna know something? I found this CD at Kmart about two years ago. Kmart. Metal be thy name and kiss the F’n sky. That is no lie.

Legends are galore on this CD, with Ted Nugent giving his spin on another Aerosmith classic: Rag Doll. The Motor City Madman sings and plays his patented guitar licks on Rag Doll and it’s a hell raiser. Just look at the track listing with the respective artists below, it’s ’nuff said and ring the Metal bell for glory! This CD is so electrified with guitar legends and vocalists that it’s Metal mind boggling.

I’ll say this much: Slash and Roger Daltrey cover Alice Cooper’s Rock classic No More Mr. Nice Guy with Hard Rockin’ brilliance. Whoa, the legenday duo of Slash and Roger Daltrey make an infinite impression on my Metal soul. Steve Lukather covers Pink Floyd’s Shine On You Crazy Diamond… it’s jaw dropping. I truly don’t know what else to say about that. An unreal CD that I have revisited and won’t be putting away again for a very, very, long time.

* Guitar Gods – The Classic Rock Anthems was released back in 2006, via Fantastic Price Records.

* Guitar Gods – The Classic Rock Anthems was mastered by Anthony Focx at Foxhole Underground Studio, Los Angeles.

* I’ve seen this CD for sale at Amazon.com for just under $10 (U.S. funds).

* For some odd reason, I can’t play this CD in my car’s CD player. Every time I slide this CD into the car’s player, it gets sent back out! WTF? However, this CD plays just fine on my home stereo system.

Track Listing:

Slash & Roger Daltrey – No More Mr. Nice Guy

Ted Nugent – Rag Doll

Jimmy Page – Burn Up

Jake E. Lee & Phil Lewis – Journey To The Center Of The Mind

Steve Lukather – Shine On You Crazy Diamond

Rick Derringer – Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo

Santana – Jingo

Pat Travers – Snortin’ Whiskey, Drinkin’ Cocaine

Michael Schenker & Leslie West – Blood Of The Sun

George Lynch – He’s A Woman, She’s A Man

Yngwie Malmsteen & Ronnie James Dio – Dream On

LONG LIVE YNGWIE MALMSTEEN.

LONG LIVE EVERY ROCKIN’ CAT ON THIS CD.

REST IN PEACE, RONNIE JAMES DIO.

Stone.

8 Comments »

David Gilmour – Revisiting His Solo Debut Album From 1978

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, Hard Rock, metal odyssey, Music, progressive rock, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on April 10, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

DAVID GILMOUR – I just can’t go any longer without writing about the David Gilmour debut and self-titled solo album, (which was released back in May of 1978 on Columbia Records). I get drawn into the bluesy and progressive feel, tones and vibes that David Gilmour plays with his guitar, always have and will. The album opener Mihalis, is an instrumental that not only serves me right while taking a long cruise in the car, it serves me right while I’m kicked back on my recliner… while I’m brain surfing with eclectic thoughts. The same can be said for this entire album, which was produced by David Gilmour.

Without any question, it is my personal belief that this debut album from David Gilmour was the crème de la crème genius coming from this Rock legend, while not making Rock historical music with Pink Floyd. This album proved David Gilmour could step outside the world famous shadow of Pink Floyd and create a Rock legacy as an individual. An album so captivating in it’s mellow simplicity, all the while these nine songs are very far removed from being construed as simple. As with his iconic tenure with Pink Floyd, David Gilmour enriches the song through his tempered vocals and astute guitar playing on his solo debut, consequently both accentuates unrivaled and enormous clarity.

The backing chorus on So Far Away cries out Pink Floyd character, while the piano gives a richness to the overall sound and everlasting appeal that comes across to my ears. As I listen to this album, especially the song Short And Sweet, I realize that this Rock music that David Gilmour wrote and/or played is a progression of Psychedelic Rock. David Gilmour, along with Pink Floyd, seemed to capture a sound that was both Psychedelic and Progressive combined, fusing the two into a whole new genre of sound. Was Pink Floyd the first band to accomplish this? Realistically no, once you factor The Moody Blues into the Rock music history discussion.

It’s extremely difficult to write about this David Gilmour album without mentioning Pink Floyd, frankly it’s impossible. Just the vocal presence alone of David Gilmour should remind Rock enthusiasts of Pink Floyd. When you hear David’s guitar chops on Raise My Rent, how can one not hear or think of Pink Floyd? Nevertheless, this is not a Pink Floyd album, it is David Gilmour at his most prolific and inspiring. I may not listen to this album every day, still, I do listen to this album at least once a week… a couple of times. Sometimes I will only listen to certain songs, with the instrumentals Mihalis and Raise My Rent along with There’s No Way Out Of Here being my top three favorites.

I’ve stopped long ago, trying to figure out the magic behind the vocals and guitar of David Gilmour. I turn to this album when I need to find some sort of clarity in my thoughts, even if it makes my thoughts stray into that eclectic stratosphere. Without trying to over think what I hear, all I can do is just listen and absorb the Rock music that David created. The sounds that escape from this David Gilmour solo album are calming and cool for my senses, making me step back momentarily, having me realize that what I’m hearing can dictate a change in my mood… in ways I’ll never take for granted.

Track Listing For David Gilmour:

Mihalis

There’s No Way Out Of Here

Cry From The Street

So Far Away

Short And Sweet

Raise My Rent

No Way

Deafinitely

I Can’t Breath Anymore

Musicians:

David Gilmour – guitars, keyboards, vocals

Rick Wills – bass & vocals

Willie Wilson – drums & percussion

* Mick Weaver & David Gilmour – piano on So Far Away

* Backing vocals on So Far Away and There’s No Way Out Of Here: Carlena Williams, Debbie Doss and Shirley Roden

* For more info on David Gilmour, click the link below:

DAVID GILMOUR – Official Website

LONG LIVE DAVID GILMOUR.

Stone.

2 Comments »

PAUL – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Releases April 5th, 2011… Some Classic Rock Thoughts…

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, film scores, metal odyssey, movie soundtracks, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news, soundtracks with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 1, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

PAUL – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Any regular visitor to Metal Odyssey knows by now, that I am a life-long admirer of the Electric Light Orchestra and anything that Jeff Lynne has been a part of musically. Once I heard All Over The World by ELO being played at the end of the movie trailer for PAUL, I became instantly psyched out. This ELO classic is track #22 on the PAUL soundtrack. All Over The World was originally released on another movie soundtrack, that goes back more than thirty years ago to 1980. That movie soundtrack is XANADU.

Xanadu – (1980/Jet Records U.K./MCA Records U.S.)

All Over The World is track #4 on side two on the Xandadu soundtrack. Side two has all five songs performed by the Electric Light Orchestra, with track 5 (title track) Xanadu being sung by Olivia Newton-John. Side one of Xanadu has five songs sung by Olivia Newton-John, which include her singing with: Gene Kelly, Cliff Richard and The Tubes.

Um… back to the PAUL – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack… plus a flashback to Nazz…

Hello It’s Me by the legendary Todd Rundgren is another Classic Rock blast from the past that is on the PAUL soundtrack. Hello It’s Me was originally released back in 1968, on the debut and self-titled album from nazz. Todd Rundgren was a founding member and lead guitarist of Nazz. (This debut album depicts the lower case “n” in nazz).

nazz – debut/self-titled (1968/SGC Records)

* PAUL – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack will be released on April 5th, 2011. I’ve seen the record label listed as UMTV and Hip-O Records as well… I don’t know which is correct or if both are correct?

* The film director for PAUL is Greg Mottola.

* Starring in PAUL are: Nick Frost, Simon Pegg and Seth Rogen (voice of Paul).

* The film score for PAUL was created by David Arnold. David Arnold has Independence Day and five James Bond film scores to his credit (among many other works).

Track Listing For PAUL – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack:

01 – Paul Opening Title – David Arnold

02 – Another Girl Another Planet – The Only Ones

03 – Road Trip Number 1 – David Arnold

04 – Just The Two Of Us – Bill Withers & Grover Washington Jr.

05 – Passport – David Arnold

06 – Road Trip Number 2 – David Arnold

07 – Flying Saucers Rock n Roll – Bill Lee Riley

08 – Window Shopping – David Arnold

09 – Hello It’s Me – Todd Rundgren

10 – End Of The Road Trip – David Arnold

11 – Dancing In The Moonlight – King Harvest

12 – Campfire Confessions – David Arnold

13 – Got To Give It Up – Marvin Gaye

14 – A Little Talk With Paul – David Arnold

15 – I Chase The Devil – Max Romeo

16 – Chase – David Arnold

17 – Cantina Band – Syd Masters and The Swing Riders

18 – You Gotta Try – David Arnold

19 – 1st Contact – David Arnold

20 – Planet Care – B52’s

21 – Goodbye (It’s A Little Awkward) – David Arnold

22 – All Over The World – Electric Light Orchestra

LONG LIVE COOL SPACE ALIENS.

LONG LIVE ELO, TODD RUNDGREN & OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN.

Stone.

4 Comments »

Metal Odyssey Says: Happy Metal Birthday Scott Coverdale!

Posted in celebrity birthdays, classic rock, classic rock music, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 24, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

HAPPY METAL BIRTHDAY SCOTT COVERDALE! – Metal Odyssey would like to wish contributing writer and Metal Researcher, Scott Coverdale, a Happy Metal Birthday! Yes, Scott turns (?) old today, March 24th, 2011. Let’s just say that Scott is “old enough” to “somehow” remember going to the 1988 Monsters Of Rock Festival in Foxsborough, Massachusetts and NOT “old enough” to remember watching the Beatles make their historical debut on the Ed Sullivan Show.

I would like to thank Scott Coverdale for his contributions, fact finding research and digging through CD’s for Metal Odyssey. Remember, my best Metal Buddy Scott… it’s all done in the name of METAL!

I chose the 1988 album cover of AC/DC – Blow Up Your Video (top of post) due to the Metal memories it provides me. You see, this 1988 AC/DC concert is single handedly, the most obnoxiously funny time I’ve ever had with Scott Coverdale at any we went to together. AC/DC Rocked the hell out of the Hartford Civic Center that night too! 1988 was a very cool Metal year indeed. Heatseeker! Uh… Metal be thy name.

LONG LIVE SCOTT COVERDALE.

“HAVE A DRINK ON ME”

Stone.

4 Comments »

THE CARS – DEBUT ALBUM FROM 1978 REVISITED

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Track Listing For The Cars:

Good Times Roll

My Best Friend’s Girl

Just What I Needed

I’m In Touch With Your World

Don’t Cha Stop

You’re All I’ve Got Tonight

Bye Bye Love

Moving In Stereo

All Mixed Up


Rest In Peace, Benjamin Orr.

Stone.

24 Comments »

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Metal Be Thy Name.

Stone.

20 Comments »

World EXCLUSIVE Premiere – The Jimi Hendrix Experience “HEY JOE” Is Covered By THE NEW CZARS! LISTEN HERE FIRST!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, classic rock songs, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 26, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

THE NEW CZARS – Metal Odyssey is extremely proud and honored, to present to the Rock Music world, the World Premiere Exclusive listen of Hey Joe covered by The New Czars! Metal Odyssey is the only place you will hear this cover version right now! *(Just click on the arrow in the bar below, to hear this song, in it’s entirety for yourself!). This ultra classic song from the ever legendary and late Jimi Hendrix is timeless. Hey Joe was released by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, on their debut album, Are You Experienced in 1967.

This cover of Hey Joe by The New Czars is solid in both it’s relevancy and classic heaviness carried over from it’s time. Greg Hampton adds his unique vocals and guitar skills to a song that some may consider sacred and does so with such rightful Rock reverence, which makes me say whoa, well done! Greg’s vocals have an instilled “Classic Rock sound and vibe” that only makes his singing Hey Joe that much more real to me. In my Metal opinion, Greg Hampton and The New Czars have nailed down the true Rock essence of Hey Joe. Jimi Hendrix is probably smiling from above, as he hears this cover version of Hey Joe.

Greg Hampton tells Metal Odyssey: “I have been a lifelong fan of Jimi Hendrix. With the fortieth anniversary of Jimi Hendrix’s passing approaching, I’ve been listening to a lot of his music. I wanted to do something to commemorate Jimi Hendrix on this important anniversary, through song. This cover of Hey Joe I’ve been working on for quite some time and I am very proud of it. I hope the fans will appreciate this cover of Hey Joe and like it as much as I do”.

* This cover version of Hey Joe by The New Czars will be available for purchase on itunes, on October 5, 2010.

* Hey Joe will also be featured on the forthcoming EP from The New Czars, titled: Mining The Ruins. This EP is slated for a November 30, 2010 release.

* Greg Hampton, (founding member of The New Czars), plays all instruments on this cover of Hey Joe, except for drums which are played by The New Czars alumni and multi-instrumentalist Chris Collier.

* To listen to the World Exclusive Premiere of Hey Joe by The New Czars, click the arrow in the bar below!

Long live the music of Jimi Hendrix!

Long live The New Czars!

Stone.

15 Comments »

JOE ELLIOTT’S DOWN ‘N’ OUTZ – “MY REGENERATION” GENERATES A ROCKIN’ GREAT ALBUM!

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

JOE ELLIOTT’S DOWN ‘N’ OUTZ – The news is out… the very famous lead singer for the very legendary Def Leppard has revealed his favorite Rock Band and he has done so through My ReGeneration. The band? None other than… Mott the Hoople. Not too shabby of a favorite I might add. Apparently, Joe Elliott was invited by Mott the Hoople to “participate in some capacity” in their reforming for a week’s worth of shows at the ol’ legendary… Hammersmith Odeon, (now named Hammersmith Apollo), last October of 2009. This experience proved to be the incubus for Joe Elliott forming Down ‘n’ Outz and making an album of cover songs from “spin offs” of Mott the Hoople.

My ReGeneration contains cover songs from Mott, Ian Hunter and British Lions. The last song on this album, The Flipside Of The Shameless Whelk, was written by Joe Elliott and Ronan McHugh. Quite honestly, it is refreshing to hear songs, good Rock ‘N’ Roll songs, that I would probably never have listened to if it wasn’t for this Rockin’ grand idea by Joe Elliott. Um… thanks Joe… and Down ‘n’ Outz too! To absorb what Joe Elliott and his band has assembled here play, is a lesson in British “Old School” Rock ‘N’ Roll.

Mott the Hoople obviously spawned some inventive and historical Rock Music during their too brief, six year tenure of existence – 1969 to 1974. The creative Rock Music minds that did “spin off” from Mott the Hoople are impressive to say the least. Guitarist and founding member of Mott the Hoople, Mick Ralphs will always be my sentimental favorite… for Mick being a founding and current member of Bad Company is all that to this Rockaholic.

While listening to My ReGeneration, I found that yes… this is Joe Elliott singing, only this is not the lungs of power, ultra charismatic, throat scorching vocalist that has fronted Def Leppard either. What I do hear is Joe Elliott – Rock ‘N’ Roll vocalist extraordinaire. Man, do I dig the vocals of Joe Elliott on My ReGeneration. Now, don’t get too down, all you Def Leppard fanatics out there. Joe Elliott has taken his vocals to a magnificent level here, he has in essence, proven to be as well rounded a Heavy Metal meets Rock vocalist as any other, in my most humble and Metal opinion.

Overnight Angels more than stands out as an incredibly memorable song to my Metal brain, this song just unequivocally makes me feel really good. As a bonus, Joe Elliott more than flirts with delivering some Def Leppard vocals on Overnight Angels, he flat-out sings this song as if it could have been on 1999’s Euphoria album as well. A Hard Rockin’ good time listen that doesn’t subside with it’s up-tempo. Alright, you got me, this song is my favorite on ReGeneration. Hey Joe Elliott… this one cover song alone is worth the purchase of ReGeneration! There, I said it, just like the corn dog I sometimes am.

After a couple of listens to England Rocks and I honestly have to agree… ENGLAND ROCKS! ENGLAND ROCKS! ENGLAND ROCKS! Please excuse me… this song really does ROCK. Shouting And Pointing has an overwhelmingly great Classic Rock vibe from beginning to end. The guitar solo by Paul Guerin is very cool, to be quite simplistically honest. Paul Guerin lays the Heavy down on Shouting And Pointing and Heavy is always welcomed in Stone’s ears. Joe Elliott has some fabulous vocal moments on this song, playing around with his pitch and melody only adds more psyche-out flavoring to the overall dish.

Hey Joe… this Down ‘n’ Outz band does… ROCK. Uh… YEAH! Obviously this band behind Joe Elliott is seasoned, knows their Rock ‘n’ Roll and how to play it.

O.k., here comes the sad and short ballad. Apologies is this song. Clocking in at 1:02 long. Stone don’t likey. Now, that is not to say it is a lousy song, I just don’t do very short and sad ballads. Metal be thy name. Down ‘n’ Outz still does ROCK, um, Joe. Who Do You Love is a bar hoppin’, foot stompin’, beer mug clangin’, it’s Friday night even if it’s Sunday, damn good Rock ‘N’ Rollin’ song. Turn it up!

By Tonight kicks in with a familiar guitar segue that is startling close to that from High ‘n’ Dry (Saturday Night) from Def Leppard’s sophomore album from 1981… High ‘n’ Dry. Stone does likey very much though. This is a Hard Rock song personified and Down ‘n’ Outz jams on it, pushing this song to it’s maximum Rock-Out potential.

I do enjoy the cover songs that Joe Elliott and Down ‘n’ Outz have compiled on ReGeneration. This album is a fun trip down Mott the Hoople’s “spin off” memory lane. Thanks to Joe Elliott though, now I’m gonna have to spend more $$$ and buy all those really cool albums from Ian Hunter, Mott and British Lions. Gee Metal whiz, Joe. I’ll Let It Go though, Joe. Joe Elliott’s Rockaholism only fuels mine and what am I supposed to do? Cranking up the volume on ReGeneration is really the only option here… (make sure to turn it down for Apologies though).

Good Times is a fitting song to be included on this album, this is a good times listen after all. This song is what Rock ‘N’ Roll is all about… “gonna have a good time tonight, Rock ‘N’ Roll Music’s gonna play all night”. This Good Times song is one big blast of feel good vibe. The Flipside Of The Shameless Whelk plays out as a 1:38 long take from a jam session and it Rocks along with cool ease, putting a close to this ReGeneration album.

As noted earlier, it appears that Joe Elliott and Ronan McHugh wrote The Flipside Of The Shameless Whelk, I am coming to the conclusion that Down ‘n’ Outz jammed on it. There are no details other than (Elliott/McHugh) within the liner notes regarding this last song, so if anyone out there knows more about it, please feel free to comment. Up to this point of writing this review, I have no further information on the song – Apologies, other than (Major) as a writing credit. Anyone with further knowledge on Apologies as well can comment, it’s very welcomed.

Fans of Joe Elliott, Def Leppard, Classic Rock, Mott the Hoople and every spin off band from them should give a thorough listen into what Joe Elliott’s Down ‘n’ Outz have done with My ReGeneration. These cover songs are dripping with relevancy, giving these true Classic Rock songs a spotlight and new Rockin’ life. It has been fun for me, to branch off into the direction of the spin off bands of Mott the Hoople and listening to these great songs. Now I have more bands from Rock Music History to delve deeper into and that doesn’t bother me at all!

* My ReGeneration was released on July 13, 2010, on Mailboat Records.

Down ‘n’ Outz:

Joe Elliott – lead vocals, backing vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, some piano, various percussion

Paul Guerin – lead & rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Guy Griffin – rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Keith Weir – keyboards, backing vocals

Ronnie Garrity – bass guitar

Phil Martini – drums, backing vocals

* Ron Garrity is the bass guitarist for the Rock/Hard Rock Band – Raw Glory. Paul Guerin, Guy Griffin, Keith Weir and Phil Martini are all members of the Hard Rock Band – The Quireboys.

Track Listing For ReGeneration, Listed With Original Artist:

Golden Opportunity (Ian Hunter)

Storm (Mott)

Overnight Angels (Ian Hunter)

Career (No Such Thing As Rock ‘n’ Roll) (Mott)

England Rocks (Ian Hunter)

Shouting And Pointing (Mott)

By Tonight (Mott)

Apologies (credited to “Major”)

Who Do You Love (Ian Hunter)

One More Chance To Run (British Lions)

3000 Miles From Here (Ian Hunter)

Good Times (Mott, originally recorded by The Easybeats)

The Flipside Of The Shameless Whelk (Elliott/McHugh)

Stone.


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HEART “RED VELVET CAR” – IS 100% PURE CLASSIC HEART!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news, rock music reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 13, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HEART – Ann and Nancy Wilson have revived their very own Classic Rock roots, to such an extent that Red Velvet Car is unmistakably 100% pure Heart Classic Rock. I don’t think I can hear a single note on this new Heart album to tell me otherwise. Released on August 31, 2010, on Sony Legacy, Red Velvet Car is the thirteenth studio release from Heart. This new album of Heart songs won’t reveal an Even It Up from 1980’s Bebe le Strange, nor will you hear anything remotely close to What About Love, from their 1985 self titled album Heart. What I hear is Ann and Nancy Wilson making a triumphant return to the sound that captured my very own heart, some thirty plus years ago.

Throughout the decades, I’ve listened to so many bands try to reinvent themselves, through sound, style and/or persona. Sure, Heart may have dabbled in some of their very own “change” in the mid 1980’s, only it was never drastic enough for these two incredibly talented sisters to cease making memorable Rock Music. I went along for that stylistic ride back in 1985… seeing Heart in the arena setting of The Hartford Civic Center, with the ever charismatic Autograph as the opening act. There was always a place for Heart… in my Metal heart, ever since my first album of theirs was spinning on my turntable, that album being Bebe le Strange.

While there are those bands that changed and never recovered, there are still other’s that seem to have forgotten their Rock ‘N’ Roll roots with an almost defiant glee in their eyes. Not Ann and Nancy… not Heart. These two gals have taken not just a piece of their Rock ‘N’ Roll past for Red Velvet Car, they have taken it all and this album essentially salutes it with a double high five… throughout all ten songs. As I took a ride inside the Rock Music of Red Velvet Car, I not only took a ride into the Classic Rock past, I am also taking a ride into the Classic Rock present of Heart for as the legendary Bob Seger has sung… “Rock ‘N’ Roll never forgets”.

Ann Wilson’s vocals on each and every song she sings comes through with the same spirit and resonance as the earliest of Heart albums. To listen to Heart’s 1976 debut album, Dreamboat Annie, immediately following Red Velvet Car is quite the Rockin’ treat, realizing that both albums are nearly 35 years apart is astonishing. The same can be said for Nancy Wilson’s guitar, being over three decades removed from Dreamboat Annie doesn’t seem real when the similarities in sound, style and fresh energy are so comparable.

There is even a slight demo-esque feel and quality about Red Velvet Car that makes it all the more alluring to me, whether this is intentional or not, the end result separates this album from having that overly polished and deliberate commercial gloss. From the onset, There You Go sets the tone as to the exact direction Red Velvet Car steers towards. There You Go is acoustically brash with an attitude usually reserved for a hungry up and coming Rock band, only this is Heart in 2010 and thus they are rejuvenated with their song writing. It only get better…

WTF has Nancy’s guitar tone emanating the feeling and desire of 1977’s Barracuda, making me wish I owned a vintage Chevy Nova jacked up and ready to go for that Summertime road trip to the beach. If WTF doesn’t grab you, then you have never listened to Heart before. Ann sounds as invigorated and Rockalicious as ever on the song Red Velvet Car… velvet vocals and all. If I am to drift off into Heart never, never land… then this is the song to bring me there.

Alright, this is the “stand up” and get your groove on portion of Red Velvet Car… Queen City is now playing. When Ann cry’s out – “yo-ho, yo-ho gotta keep afloat” it’s enough to make me feel like Heart has taken back what once was old and made it new again. Let’s not forget that Nancy Wilson can sing with a sparkle like a dew covered peach in the morning Summer sun. Hey You is an acoustic, up-tempo, semi-sweet ballad that carries it’s Rock fragrance of Heart with it’s infectious melody and Nancy’s sweet harmony.

Wheels and Safronia’s Mark both have the atmospheric sound and sensory feel of all things glorious about Classic Heart. Ann and Nancy please, take a bow now for you both have put me on a Classic Rock cloud that is drifting me further away from the lame-o and negative laced Rock Music that devoured everyone in the ’90’s. Hallelujah and Metal be thy name.

I’m going to make it a point to listen to Death Valley and Sunflower, while laying on the grass of my backyard on one of these last hot Summer days… and stare up at the blue sky and puffy white clouds with a retro grin on my middle-aged face that stretches from ear to ear. Is it wrong for my classifying Red Velvet Car as a Classic Rock gem? Calling out Heart’s return to Classic Rock prowess? I don’t think so. Exemplary Rock Music will always rise to the top, despite what is being played on radio or (gasp) MTV. Classic Rock exists for it will never go away, as it rears it’s triumphant head whenever a legendary band such as Heart brings it to life through their albums… both past and present with Red Velvet Car.

Classic Rock has rescued me once again, thank you Ann and Nancy. Red Velvet Car has the Classic Rock ‘N’ Roll fuel and I’m telling anyone whose listening to hitch a ride. Heart has pulled up in their Red Velvet Car and taken me for ride that I’m looking forward to taking again on a consistent basis… for a very, very, long time.

* I have not yet obtained any bonus tracks from the European release of Red Velvet Car, nor was I aware of the two bonus tracks found on the Target version of this CD, until it was too late. (I bought Red Velvet Car at f.y.e. before knowing of the “Only At Target” release).

* For more info on HEART, just click here: HEART-MUSIC.com

Track Listing For Red Velvet Car:

There You Go

WTF

Red Velvet Car

Queen City

Hey You

Wheels

Safronia’s Mark

Death Valley

Sunflower

Sand


LONG LIVE HEART!

Stone.

4 Comments »

VANDENBERG “BURNING HEART” – THIS 1982 POWER BALLAD STILL GLISTENS

Posted in classic rock music, classic rock songs, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 7, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

VANDENBERG – Let’s go back to 1982. I was a sophomore in high school and very proud of my ability to draw the band logos for Styx, Michael Schenker Group and of course… KISS. (The Judas Priest band logo was and forever will be too difficult for me to draw freehand). Hirax, Hellhammer and Armored Saint were formed, just to name a few Metal bands. Alright, W.A.S.P. was formed in 1982 too. World famous pro basketball star, (UCONN & Pheonix Mercury) Diana Taurasi was born.

Ronald Reagan was the United States President and Bryant Gumbel began his 15 year career as NBC’s The Today Show co-host. The Weather Channel also launched into cable television back in 1982. Well, enough with the 1982 trivia… this post is about guitarist Adrian Vandenberg’s own Hard Rock band which debuted their self-titled album Vandenberg, this very same year on Atco Records.

This Vandenberg debut album was and always will be an excellent listen for me. My favorite song from this album is Burning Heart. That’s correct… a ballad. A Power Ballad too. Me, the dude who likes to tip-toe around ballads in almost any album review I do, really digs Burning Heart. Ever since I first heard this song on the FM dial back in 1982, I have been an admirer of it. Bert Heerink was the lead vocalist on this song and album. Could it be the strength in Bert’s vocals that I hear be the deciding factor for my liking Burning Heart so much? How about the guitar talent of Adrian Vandenberg himself? Adrian’s solo in Burning Heart is as articulately placed and played as any I’ve ever heard over all these years.

Adrian’s tone and feel that comes out at me from his guitar just always seemed to have that wallop. On Burning Heart, Adrian makes his guitar come across with such a free floating sound, making this Power Ballad come together perfectly… he dictated this song and commanded it with his guitar eloquence. Burning Heart from the very onset of my hearing it, never came across to me as being sappy. It is quite an emotional song for certain and radiates that essential vibe that seems to be lacking in so many Power Ballads over the decades.

Does Burning Heart remind me of a love I once had? Nope. Does it remind me of a love I could never have? Nope again. Despite this, this is a song that just reminds me of a time in my life when I was seeking out my place amongst my peers and just trying to get along. In actuality, that is really what I’m still doing, to this very day. Any song, from the vast and seemingly infinite world of music, will hold it’s own unique affect on an individual. Burning Heart stays in my music mind files as being… timeless.

*  Besides being a legendary guitarist, find out more about Adrian Vandenberg and his other artistic talent… as a world renowned painter in the fine arts. Peruse Adrian’s brilliant artwork by clicking this link: ADRIAN VANDENBERG – ARTIST

Vandenberg, as they appeared on the debut/self titled album:

Adrian Vandenberg – guitar, keyboards and backing vocals

Bert Heerink – lead vocals

Dick Kemper – bass and backing vocals

Jos Zoomer – drums and backing vocals

LONG LIVE ADRIAN VANDENBERG & HIS MUSIC

Stone.

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