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BLACK RAIN “License To Thrill” – Is Your License To ROCK! Plus Current BLACK RAIN News!

BLACK RAIN – Released back on December 29, 2009, on Listenable Records, Black Rain License To Thrill is the first “real” album from this French Sleeze & Glam Metal Band. (Black Rain released a demo album back in 2006). Chock full of Hard Rockin’ vibes that explode with good times, partying, chasing the chicks and who gives a shit about priorities, Black Rain does an exemplary job of curing any funk you may find yourself drifting away in. French producer and Enfer Magazine founder, Dany Terbeche, brings his 80’s producing experience to the forefront of License To Thrill… making this album beefy and saturated with all things glorious about this 80’s Glam Metal sound.

Metal Odyssey’s correspondent and Best Metal Buddy, Scott Coverdale, has given Black Rain every word of Metal praise that’s probably known to mankind’s vocabulary. When Coverdale talks up a band this highly, Stone listens. Black Rain has taken a style, sound and energy from a Glam Metal culture and certainly made it their own brand. These guys would without a Metal doubt, have fit right in back in the mid to late 80’s… only this is 2010 and they fit right in now.

Admittedly, my Metal allegiance crosses over all sub-genres, therefore a healthy dose of License To Thrill is admittedly a listen for gettin’ psyched. Black Rain does have that Old School attitude and their songs just keep comin’ at me. Black Rain’s ability to Rock my senses in ways very similar to that of Motley Crue, Ratt, Quiet Riot and Poison makes me grin and chase my wife around the house. One of these days I’ll catch her.

N.A.S.T.Y. and Rock Your City will have you reachin’ for your unlaced sneakers, worn-torn jeans and concert tee… and a couple of cold six pack’s too. Black Rain is a band that shall make all the turtlenecks in the world cry and make all Glam Metal hungry fans of any generation raise their fists in the air… with post MTV era glee. The title track, License To Thrill, embodies every memorable quality of Black Rain, from the thumping rhythm section and electrifying guitar parts to the Glam laced vocals of Swan.

Kill’em All is my favorite song on this album. The all encompassing Hardness is what makes Kill’em All stand out for me. This song is built around speed as well, making it all the more appealing to my ears. Baby It’s You is a ballad that brings back cool memories of 80’s Arena concerts for me. Swan’s vocals just come across as Arena ready on this power ballad, plus it’s not seeping with sappiness either. Baby It’s You is just a really cool power ballad about, um, well, being in love.

Rock ‘N’ Roll Is Dead Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll begins with a intro riff reminiscent to that of You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ from the ultra legendary Judas Priest. This can very well be called the Heaviest hitter on License To Thrill, however, Rockstars Don’t Go To Jail is just as Heavy. Both songs MUST be played LOUD for maximum enjoyment… and trust me, Black Rain proves quite easily they have “that” Heavy Metal thunder in their veins. Metal be thy name.

No Forever is a power ballad that exhibits shades of Guns N’ Roses and Cinderella influences. Very melodic and well written, both lyrically and musically. This song just seems to come together from the opening note. The backing vocals compliment the emotional vibe of Swan’s lead vocals with super smooth fashion. Scott Coverdale likens No Forever’s influence to that of Guns N’ Roses ever memorable – November Rain. I’ll have to go along with him on that Metal notion.

Swan has the Glam Metal pipes to carry Black Rain onto the next level of notoriety. Max 2 lends his licks on lead guitar that are both pump-you-up and refreshing, while Heinrich on bass and Iann Lewis on drums keep it tight and balanced. Black Rain surely released a damn decent, debut full-length album with License To Thrill, just the energy alone that pulsates from their songs is evidence enough, that they are taking their music seriously.

With so many Glam/Hair Metal Bands from yesteryear still making quality noize, along with “newer” Glam Bands like Reckless Love and Crashdiet (to name a couple) emerging as legit flag bearers to this genre, Black Rain is jumping onto the scene at an opportune time. There are hooks aplenty with more guitar riffs, leads and solos on License To Thrill to satisfy any die-hard Glam fan the world over. Black Rain may not be a pioneer band of this colorfully loud Glam Metal movement, still, they are as righteously loyal, talented and raucous as their forefathers were with their songs… and that should make plenty of Glam/Hair and Sleeze fans sleep well at night.

* For more info on BLACK RAIN, just click on the cool link below:

BLACK RAIN – myspace music

BLACK RAIN:

Swan – vocals, guitar

Max 2 – guitar

Heinrich – bass

Iann Lewis – drums

Track Listing For License To Thrill:

Rock Your City

Innocent Rosie

N.A.S.T.Y.

True Girls Are Sixteen

License To Thrill

No Forever

Rock ‘N’ Roll Is Dead Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll

Rockstars Don’t Go To Jail

Party War

Kill’em All

Baby It’s You (Bonus Track)

BLACK RAIN will be releasing a brand new studio album on February 14, 2011! Lethal Dose Of… will be the second full-length studio album from BLACK RAIN. I have found the titles to seven songs… they all ROCK quite soundly. Here they are:

My Young Star

Rock’ N’ Jive

Addicted To Failure

Heart Screams

Burn’ n’ Die

Overloaded

I Need My Doctor

* You can listen to all seven new BLACK RAIN songs! Just click below:

OUI FM/La Radio Rock

BLACK RAIN will be playing at the Bring The Noise Festival out in France, this December of 2010! They will be sharing the spotlight with Papa Roach, Airbourne and many more! I can’t read French, so the info on this promo poster pic is all I can share.

LONG LIVE BLACK RAIN.

Stone.

2 Comments »

RETROSPECT RECORDS – BRINGS BACK ’80’S AOR, HARD ROCK, METAL & DC STAR REISSUES!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, hair metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal records, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock festivals, rock music, rock music news with tags 1970's hard rock bands, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, aor, classic rock music, dc star hard rock band, hard rock music, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, independent record labels, m3 rock festival vendors, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, retrospect records at m3 rock festival, rock music, rock music festivals, rock music news on June 25, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RETROSPECT RECORDS – While at the 2010 M3 Rock Festival, held in Columbia Maryland on June 19th, I took in most of, if not all the merch and vendor tables & booths. One vendor that I’m very glad to have met and purchased from at M3 is Retrospect Records. This is an independent record company that advertises themselves as “The Worlds Largest” Hard Rock, Metal, AOR Reissue Label. Retrospect Records began it’s journey into re-issuing the Hard Rock, AOR and Metal albums of ’80’s bands back in 2003.

Walking up upon the Retrospect Records booth was like finding Metal gold! The vast assortment of ’80’s Hard Rock, AOR and Metal Reissue CD’s that were conveniently laid out on tables was a Metal sight to behold. Plus, the Metal bonus was Retrospect Records was selling these CD’s at $5 (U.S.) each! Now… that is a festival bargain of Metal bargains. As Best Metal Buddy, Scott Coverdale and I stopped to stare at the CD’s for sale, that’s when I saw DC Star – The Best Of Record Classics. Whoa! This is a band I’ve been wanting to find on CD for a very, very, long time! I exclaimed, rather loudly… “DC Star”! Then, a courteous rep came towards me from behind the Retrospect Records booth.

I requested to buy this DC Star CD and the rep asked me – “you don’t want both DC Star CD’s”? I replied, “both”? Then, he pointed out to me, the second DC Star CD he had for sale… The Best Of DC Star Records Vol #2. Whoa again! Without hesitation, I told the rep, “I’ll take both”! For $10, (U.S. funds), I snagged 23 DC Star songs on two CD’s! It turned out, this cool rep happened to be the owner of Retrospect Records, Sam McCaslin. (The other owner is Lisa McCaslin).

Sam’s enthusiasm and knowledge for these enormously great genres of 1980’s Hard Rock & Metal was overflowing. Sam told both Scott Coverdale and myself, that he has tried to get DC Star to reunite for an M3 Rock Festival performance. Sam stated, the only thing standing in the way of a DC Star reunion, is that two key band members are not talking to each other. (I won’t drop the names of which two band members of DC Star they are. Metal Odyssey will never venture into the gossip world of Heavy Music, this is as much gossip as you will ever read on Metal Odyssey). Intriguing information Sam shared with us, nonetheless.

DC Star was enormously popular on the East Coast of the U.S. back in the late ’70’s into the mid ’80’s. The sound of DC Star can be best summed up as a raw and hard edged Styx, an early Loverboy on overdrive, mixed with some Sweet or The Sweet influence, if you will, to make a surface comparison. DC Star is Old School Hard Rock, flirting at times, with an accessible Heavy Metal sound and style. Extremely melodic is the Hard Rock of DC Star, with unreal memorable guitar licks aplenty.

DC Star’s lead vocalist Kenny Taylor was undisputedly a talent, this guy could sing with the best of his generation. Just a great band was DC Star, as solid of a band of blue collar musicians, as I’ve ever listened to. I really wish I could have seen them live years ago. Once in awhile, I’ll find some DC Star vinyl turn up during my Heavy Metal hunts… only now I have two “Best Of Volumes” of DC Star on CD!! It would be an ultra great happening, however, if DC Star did reunite for even next year’s M3 Rock Festival.

* Here is what the CD cover of DC Star – The Best Of Record Classics looks like:

* Here is what the CD cover of DC Star – The Best Of Records Vol #2 looks like:

Let me just add, the selection of Old School – 1980’s bands that Retrospect Records has to offer on CD is very impressive. Many, if not the majority of the ’80’s bands and/or titles on Retrospect Records are either hard to find or have never been released on CD until now. Many great underground bands from the ’80’s are to be found at Retrospect Records. Where else are you gonna find ’80’s Heavy Metal band – KRANK. How about Hammerhead? Or… Cleveland’s very own Hair Metal representative… Ginger Roxx from 1989? Just peruse through the online store of Retrospect Records and you shall find that the obscure and rare are all there.

Once you visit Retrospect Records website, you will see a cool logo that reads: RETROTHRASH RECORDS. There is a Metal bounty of Old School Thrash Bands out there, that would probably just love to have their albums reissued by Retrospect Records. Go get ’em Retrospect Records!

* To learn more about and/or purchase from Retrospect Records, just click on the link below:

RETROSPECT RECORDS

Here is the very cool Retrospect Records cap I bought at a fair price, at the M3 Rock Festival, from Retrospect Records owner Sam McCaslin:

I’ll have to admit, this cap feels very comfortable on my corn-dog head.

Stone.

5 Comments »

NELSON – A ROCKIN’ CLASS ACT AT THE 2010 M3 ROCK FESTIVAL

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, concerts, hair metal music, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock festivals, rock music, rock music news with tags 1950's rock and roll music, 1970's classic rock music, 1980's hard rock music, 1990's hard rock music, 2010 m3 rock festival experience, classic rock, classic rock music, hair metal music, hard rock music, metal odyssey, rock and roll, rock bands 2010, rock concerts 2010, rock music, rock music 2010, rock music festivals, rock music history, rock music news, rock n' roll on June 24, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

NELSON – Ricky Nelson was a 1950’s Rock ‘N’ Roll – Pop sensation that reached #1 in 1957 with his debut album aptly titled – Ricky, on Imperial Records. Up until his untimely death in 1985, Ricky Nelson was without doubt, a successful Rock ‘N’ Roll singer and songwriter. I can remember spinning the 45 rpm of Ricky Nelson’s 1972 hit – Garden Party, when I was just a little kid. This 45 rpm was my late Mother’s and she let me listen to it unconditionally. For me, listening to Ricky Nelson, Buddy Holly and The Everly Brothers records as a little kid came long before I knew of KISS or Cheap Trick.

I’m old enough, (trust me), to remember watching and enjoying the re-runs of – The Adventures Of Ozzie And Harriet, after school. This was a light-hearted and innocent comedy series that starred Ricky Nelson, alongside his Mother, Harriet and his Father, Ozzie. Ricky Nelson was just a young boy when this show hit television in 1952, coming to a series end in 1966. Ricky’s older brother, David, also starred in this same television series. Black & white television ruled my house when I was a kid. Seeing re-runs in black & white made no difference to me then, nor does it make a difference to me now.

Whenever Ricky Nelson was on a television variety show performing back in the ’70’s, I would know. My mother would let it be known to all he was on. (The same thing would happen whenever Tom Jones or Jim Morrison and The Doors were on t.v. too). Memories… even if they are about television stars and early ’70’s flashbacks, the cool thing about it is these guys I’ve mentioned were/are about music and Rock Music history. Music always seemed to bring me and my family together while growing up as a kid, it excited us and made us feel happy.

Fast forward to the 2010 M3 Rock Festival… Ricky Nelson, Ozzie and Harriet would be proud. Ricky Nelson’s twin sons and Ozzie and Harriet’s grandsons known as Nelson, performed at the M3 Rock Festival, in Columbia, Maryland, with the upmost Rockin’ class. And I’m not foolin’ around when I say that.

Matthew and Gunnar Nelson can play Rock and Hard Rock with the best of them. Why do I state this? Nelson played alongside bands such as KIX, Winger, Cinderella, Vince Neil and the ultra iconic Scorpions at this M3 Rock Festival. Throw in the Metal fact, that Mark Slaughter, (of Slaughter fame), played guitar onstage, right alongside of Nelson at M3 and I’m not talking smack. Mark Slaughter has joined Nelson on their 20th Anniversary Tour. I have always and forever will be enamored by the vocals and music of Mark Slaughter.

Nelson put on one cool, feel-good, Rock ‘N’ Roll set. Matthew and Gunnar played many of their career’s best songs, making each one as melodically contagious as the other to my ears. Actually, Nelson could have easily played for another two hours and I would have gleefully stood in the thick, sticky and humid air to watch them. (Just as long as their set wouldn’t overlap the Scorpions, of course).

As I stood at M3, watching Nelson perform their set, I realized just how important Rock ‘N’ Roll roots truly are. Nelson is a third generation of musicians from their family. This is quite impressive, when you stop to think of how difficult it is to grasp success and hold onto it in the Rock Music world.

I’ve never claimed to be a wizard at taking live concert photos. Nonetheless, here is a photo I took of Mark Slaughter, while performing onstage (second stage) with Nelson at M3 2010. Mark Slaughter is on the far left with the yellow shirt.

Here is another photo (below) of Mark Slaughter onstage to the far left, alongside Nelson. Matthew and Gunnar Nelson are seen in the center of stage.

When Nelson released their debut album, After The Rain, back in 1990 on Geffen Records, they were an MTV gold mine of musical talent, looks and personality. Twenty years later, Nelson is still Rockin’ out their songs, albeit with much shorter hair. If success in music is measured in the number of albums you sell or how often you walk the plastic red carpet in Hollywood, then so be it to the corporate money hounds. My idea of success is still being able to play your songs, better than ever, twenty years after the fact, with a blue collar touring ethic that Nelson bestows. Throw in the fact that I witnessed a patriotic and genuine band, that were conscientious of our U.S. troops abroad, making a point to dedicate their music to them on stage… at M3. Kudos to you, Nelson.

Nelson welcomed the fans to join them at the merchandise booth, upon completion of their set, extending an invitation to their fans, to shake hands and sign autographs at the merch booth. Kudos to you, Nelson, once again. Oh, yes… I did take advantage of the meet & greet invitation from Nelson. Not only were Matthew and Gunnar gracious about shaking hands and having their photo taken with me, (and with many, many other fans as well), they also happily signed the liner notes to their “Greatest Hits & Rarities” CD I purchased at the merch table. The photo Scott Coverdale took of me and Nelson below proves that Nelson is permanently in the Metal Odyssey camp.

Nelson looks like they could go another couple of sets here. I think I look a tad worn at this point, needless to say, I kept on Rockin’ and downin’ the cold brews. Metal be thy name. Yup.

I connected the dots by tracing the Nelson Rock ‘N’ Roll family tree at the beginning of this post for good reason. To hopefully let visitors to Metal Odyssey know, in abbreviated form, a musical background of where Matthew and Gunnar Nelson came from. It’s all relevant, the Nelson family television and music history. These two Rock ‘N’ Roll twins are musicians, that have honed their craft at delivering some very cool Rock and Hard Rock albums over the last twenty years. With their dedication to the music they play, as well as their thankfulness to their fans, while honoring our U.S. troops abroad on stage, only makes me say once again…

A ROCKIN’ CLASS ACT IS NELSON.

* For more info on Nelson, just click this link below:

NELSON KICKS ASS.COM – OFFICIAL WEBSITE!

Without the “Roots of Rock ‘N’ Roll” the M3 Rock Festival would never exist.

Stone.

12 Comments »

M3 ROCK FESTIVAL 2010 PART I: THE STATE OF HEAVY MUSIC ACCORDING TO STONE

Posted in concerts, hair metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal concerts, heavy metal festivals, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock festivals, rock music with tags hair metal music, hard rock bands 2010, hard rock festivals, hard rock music, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal festivals, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy music 2010, live heavy metal music, m3 rock festival 2010, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock concerts 2010, rock festivals, rock music, rock n' roll on June 21, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

M3 ROCK FESTIVAL 2010 – As I was a part of the many thousands of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fans at this year’s M3 Rock Festival in Columbia, Maryland this past Saturday, I came upon a realization… that Heavy Music is alive and very F’n well in 2010. Fans from teens to Old School Metalheads were in attendance at this Heavy Music event and they were not at all bashful at letting their excitement be seen or heard. The excitement for music that moves them, grooves them and makes them all feel like one gigantic and united family. Music, regardless of genre, should and most often does, ignite and bring out the emotions in all of us. How thrilling and satisfying it was, to witness thousands of Heavy Music fans at the M3 Rock Festival, celebrating together, (very peacefully too I might add), some of the greatest songs and bands that time has not forgotten.

We are a rowdy and straight forward bunch, us Heavy Music fans. Yet our rowdiness comes with jubilant horns raised in the air, a handshake, a high five or a slap on the back to our fellow fan. While I was amongst the massive M3 Rock Festival crowd on June 19th, I shared stories, anecdotes and countless quips with what I thought were strangers. After a couple of days have passed since this memorable day in my Metal life, I’ve come to the realization… that these strangers were never really strangers at all. They were passionate and loyal Heavy Music fans, just like myself. We were all family on June 19th, at the M3 Rock Festival. A proud, loud, loyal and raucous family at that.

We all live during a time of war, economic instability and political mud slinging that engulfs the headline news each and every moment. For one day, thousands of Heavy Music fans along with more than a dozen bands and countless vendors, created a world where politicians could never bullshit with or dare enter without running away with their heads caught between their legs. A world where spending eight dollars on a cold beer brought a smile to my face. A world where thousands of us could escape to, away from the crap that our cable network news shoves down our throats continuously. A world where us Heavy Music fans proved once again to society, we did not come to conquer, burn and pillage a community that accepted us in. God Bless the world of Heavy Music and Columbia, Maryland.

As days, weeks and years shall go by, I’ll never forget this 2010 M3 Rock Festival. I shall never forget the bands I Rocked to, the evil humidity that enveloped the air, the beer that went down like candy water and my fellow Heavy Music fans as well. I was truly in my element at the 2010 M3 Rock Festival and so too were thousands of other fellow fans. The state of Heavy Music has never been more defiant, loud and resilient… the 2010 M3 Rock Festival proved this to me, both bands and fans. We are really one big happy and Heavy Music lovin’ family. Metal be thy name.

I will be writing a series of posts that feature this 2010 M3 Rock Festival in the days and most likely, weeks to come. There are many stories to still tell, from the bands to the vendors that made this day ROCK… for me.

STONE.

4 Comments »

BRET MICHAELS IS BACK! … PHEW.

Posted in hair metal bands, hair metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock 'n' roll, rock music with tags bret michaels vocalist, current events, glam metal music, hair metal music, hard rock music, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll music, rock music, rock music 2010, rock music news, rock music vocalists, rock n' roll on May 27, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BRET MICHAELS – The lead singer for Poison, solo artist and Celebrity Apprentice “champ” seems to be out and about… just about everywhere these days. How I see it, great for him! Heck, Bret Michaels has every reason in the world to make things happen now. If I was in the same position, I would have an extreme sense of urgency to get it done… especially if you have the musical talent, contacts, resources and funds to lean on. The incredible turnaround for Bret Michaels health only makes me feel great inside, it inspires me to enjoy each moment of each day, like there really is no tomorrow.

Having a sense of urgency to accomplish life’s goals is a great thing to bestow… in my Metal opinion. Witnessing this incredible comeback by Bret Michaels inspires me to “get it done” and not sweat the small stuff. (Well, I’ll still complain about crap and act like a corn dog from time to time). I wish Bret Michaels nothing but the very best at life… we are all only given one pass on Earth as it is… and there are no rain checks or reverse button to push for living life either.

Welcome back Bret Michaels!

Stone.

HAIR METAL 101: POISON – “GREAT BIG HITS LIVE! BOOTLEG”

Posted in Hair Metal, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, 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 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's hair metal bands, bret michaels vocalist, great big hits live! bootleg album, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal legends, hair metal music, hair metal vocalists, hard rock music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, live hair metal albums, live poison albums, metal odyssey, Music, poison concert 1991, poison hair metal band, rock music, rock n' roll on May 13, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

POISON – Of course the extremely world famous Poison has and forever will be classified as a Hair Metal Band. You know what… at the end of my Metal day… it’s all Rock ‘N’ Roll anyways. I like Poison a good deal, always have. What’s really not to like? C.C. Deville has delighted my Metal ears for many years with his guitar play, plus his affiliation with the legendary Motorhead is forever etched in Metal… C.C. appears on the 2007 Motorhead album – Kiss Of Death, playing the guitar solo on God Was Never On Your Side.

Bret Michaels really is the real deal front man, a showman and he can surely sing. My Metal take on Bret Michaels has always been that he is the total Rock ‘N’ Roll package as a lead singer. I’m not saying he is the greatest lead vocalist in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal history… he just fits right in to the whole Poison persona, without him… no Poison. (In my Metal opinion). I or anyone can make their own “personal” list of “total package” Rock ‘N’ Roll musicians and/or singers… it’s all about Metal preference. It’s just very hard to argue that Bret Michaels is not really great at what he has done/does for Poison and Rock ‘N’ Roll in general.

Poison became a gigantic brand over the decades due to their loyalty to their fans and vice versa, constant touring and staying extremely relevant. It’s actually a refreshing example, that Poison never called it a day when all the nay sayers were out there putting down Old School Hard Rock and Heavy Metal in the early to mid 1990’s. Poison just kept doing what they always did best… tour and play their songs. Poison never went away… Metal be thy name.

I did get to see Poison once, back on Saturday, June 8, 1991 at Lake Compounce Amusement Park in Bristol, Connecticut. I will attest to the Metal fact, that Poison played LOUD and were very, very, very, good live. Slaughter and Bulletboys opened up for Poison on that night. Slaughter played an all acoustic set. That was a night I’ll never forget… a damn good time we had, my wife, (she was my girlfriend at the time), was with me for this night of Hair Metal glory. My wife’s sister and boyfriend also were with us at this concert… they eventually married each other too. This Metal memory of that Poison concert so many years ago, gets rekindled each time I play Great Big Hits Live! Bootleg.

Great Big Hits Live! Bootleg may not go down in Rock history as the greatest live album ever… still it is a cool listen into Poison’s live Rock ‘N’ Roll. All the crucial hits are on this album, my favorite song being Unskinny Bop. That funky bass line I hear on Unskinny Bop gets me every time. Look What The Cat Dragged In and Talk Dirty To Me are two Poison classics… these two songs for Metal sakes flat out ROCK. To see and hear Poison play these two songs live, is proof in the Metal pudding as to what I exactly mean. I’ve never been the most thrilled fan of the ballad – Every Rose Has It’s Thorn, (hey, I can’t like ’em all!), regardless, the live version proves to be a more cool listen to my Metal ears.

There are live albums that will go down in Rock history as being impeccable… this live Poison album should just go down in Rock history as being a Rockin’ good time listen and (gasp) fun. There are many moments on this live album where the songs do not run into one another… the lack of continuity may be a minor downer. At the end of I Want Action, the song is cut off while Bret Michaels is chatting up the crowd. Overall, this is a live Poison album that I will listen to without giving a second Metal thought.

The more I listened to this live Poison album recently, the more I realized that Bret Michaels, with his amazing and inspiring medical recovery, really has given his fans… Something To Believe In.

* Here is my concert ticket stub from that cool night of Hair Metal, back in 1991:

POISON:

Bret Michaels – vocalist

C.C. Deville – guitar

Bobby Dall – bass

Rikki Rockett – drums

Track Listing For Great Big Hits Live! Bootleg:

Look What the Cat Dragged In

I Want Action

Something to Believe In

Love on the Rocks

Fallen Angel

Let It Play

Every Rose Has Its Thorn

Unskinny Bop

Nothin’ But a Good Time

Talk Dirty to Me

* The songs on Great Big Hits Live! Bootleg were recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, Atlanta Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina in 1999.

* Great Big Hits Live! Bootleg was released on July 4, 2006, on Sony/BMG Music Entertainment.

LONG LIVE POISON ROCK ‘N’ ROLL!

KEEP THE FAITH, KEEP FIGHTIN’ BRET MICHAELS.

Stone.

10 Comments »

ENUFF Z’NUFF – “NEW THING” IS METAL ODYSSEY’S SONG OF THE DAY!

Posted in glam metal music, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's hair metal music videos, 1980's hard rock bands, enuff z'nuff debut album 1989, enuff z'nuff new thing song, glam metal, glam rock, hair metal bands, hair metal songs, hard rock music, hard rock songs, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music on May 5, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ENUFF Z’NUFF – I recently stumbled upon the CD single of Enuff Z’nuff – New Thing during one of my Heavy Metal hunts. For $2 I figured what the Metal heck, it is an out of print CD single, still sealed and I like my Rock ‘N’ Roll collectibles. This song is just drooling and seeping with that late 80’s Arena Rock and Hair/Glam Metal sound. New Thing is an up tempo song, it kinda reminds me of a humid and sunny day in late July, as I’m running through a water park, care free, acting like a corn dog.

Sometimes there are those songs that just give me that good times feeling… the feeling of having a ton of money even if I’m broke or feeling like it’s a vacation day even when it’s not. New Thing just seems to provoke that embarrassingly funny feeling – inside of me. This song is… (gasp), fun. Metal be thy name.

Do I like this song? Hey, I did make it the “Metal Odyssey Song Of The Day” for May 5, 2010. I’m down with it. I tend to listen to a vast array of bands and songs… add Enuff Z’nuff to that list. New Thing is from the Enuff Z’nuff debut/self titled album, released back on August 22, 1989, on Atco Records.

Check out the music video below for New Thing. It’s really kinda corn dog… then again, I’m a corn dog most of the time myself.

ENUFF Z’NUFF as they appeared on their debut/self titled album:

Donnie Vie – lead vocals, guitar & keyboards

Chip Z’Nuff – bass guitar, guitar & vocals

Derek Frigo – lead guitar

Vikki Fox – drums

Track Listing For the 1989 ENUFF Z’NUFF debut/self titled album:

New Thing

She Wants More

Fly High Michelle

Hot Little Summer Girl

In The Groove

Little Indian Angel

For Now

Kiss The Clown

I Could Never Be Without You

Finger On The Trigger

Stone.

2 Comments »

M3 ROCK FESTIVAL, JUNE 19TH 2010 AND I’M THERE!!

Posted in Hair Metal, hair metal bands, hair metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, hair metal bands, hair metal music, hard rock bands, hard rock concerts 2010, hard rock music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal concerts 2010, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, m3 rock festival 2010, metal odyssey, Music, music festivals, rock concerts 2010, rock music on April 26, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

M3 ROCK FESTIVAL – On June 19th, 2010, the M3 Rock Festival once again returns… and this year I’m there! I already received my two tickets through the “snail mail” this past Friday and with that… it is Metal official! What a glorious day of Rock ‘N’ Roll it shall be. Hard Rock, Heavy Metal and Hair Metal fans unite! The juicy part of this entire M3 Rock Festival is that the unreal legendary Scorpions will be headlining! Getting an opportunity to see this historic Heavy Metal band on their farewell tour is a Metal privilege I shall cherish forever.

My other ticket for M3 will be for my best Metal buddy – Scott Coverdale. With all of his Metal research and CD’s he has uncovered for Metal Odyssey to jump up and down about… he deserves my buying his ticket. Plus, I’ll even splurge for the room and board Coverdale needs too… he is traveling from very expensive Connecticut to Pennsylvania, then he is driving my Metal lovin’ behind down to M3. That’s a Metal buddy.

I’m looking forward to meeting up with my other Metal buddies from Hard Rock Hideout too! Rob Rockitt, Brian Basher, and Ryo Vie are on board. I have already met up with Ryo Vie, he and I checked out Charm City Devils and Pop Evil together back in March of this year… he has a cool blog too called – The Rock and Roll Guru.

Just take a Metal looksie at the outrageously cool lineup of bands that will be Rockin’ the M3 Rock Festival… as I mentioned, headlining is the Scorpions, with Cinderella, Vince Neil, Kix, L.A. Guns, Winger, Warrant, Nelson, Jetboy, Trixter, Bang Tango, Dizzy Reed, ZO2 and Black Mambooza! Now, the only band I’m not familiar with here is… Black Mambooza. Give me time… I’ll rectify that Metal situation soon.

In my Metal past, I have seen Cinderella, Winger and Vince Neil – (fronting the incredible Motley Crue that is). So, getting to M3 to see all of these bands in one day is a Metal dream come true. I anticipate a real cool and gooood time… with hopefully some very cool stories and pics from M3 to share to the Metal and Hard Rock family around the world! Trust me, I’ll get the memories out on Metal Odyssey!

* The M3 Rock Festival is held at the Merriweather Post Pavilion, in Columbia, Maryland.

* For more info and ticket info about the 2010 M3 Rock Festival, click the link below:

M3 Rock Festival 2010

LONG LIVE AMERICAN ROCK FESTIVALS!

Stone.

7 Comments »

RECKLESS LOVE – HAIR METAL EAR CANDY, LOADED WITH GOOD TIME CALORIES!

Posted in glam metal music, Hair Metal, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags 1980's hair metal, glam metal bands, hair metal bands, hair metal import albums, hair metal music, hair metal music 2010, hard rock albums 2010, hard rock music, heavy metal album reviews, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, reckless love debut album, rock music on April 5, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RECKLESS LOVE – If it sounds like Hair Metal and looks like Hair Metal… it probably is… Hair Metal. That is my label for Reckless Love and I’m sticking to it! I was recently introduced to this Reckless Love debut album from Metal buddy – Rob Rockitt at Hard Rock Hideout. After reading the review Rob Rockitt posted on HRH about this Reckless Love album, (March 31, 2010), I became very interested in this upcoming release. Reckless Love is being released as an import, with the release date being April 13, 2010.

After listening to this Reckless Love album a few times, it’s almost as if the Arena Rock glory years of the ’80’s have busted down my house door and ripped my Metal soul apart, filling it up with good times Hair Metal. I understand that I am no longer 21 years old and a free spirit anymore, yet this Reckless Love album sure makes me feel like my old Cutlass Supreme is sitting in the driveway and I’m working a Summer job just to buy beer… and Heavy Metal albums. Ah, Metal memories. How they become ignited from listening to brand new Hair Metal in 2010! Hey, that’s the same Cutlass Supreme that Best Metal Buddy, Scott Coverdale, took a joy ride with one night… it was covered with mud the next morning and it never ran the same afterwards. Gee Metal whiz… now the Metal memories are making me anxious.

Oh, yeah, back to this Reckless Love album… it held my Metal attention from beginning to end. I’m not embarrassed to admit, I actually tried to sing along to the chorus of many of the songs. The last song, Born To Rock is one heavy duty Hair Metal anthem, almost like a call to Hair Metal arms. If a University of Hair Metal exists, then the members of Reckless Love have graduated from it… summa cum laude.

This Reckless Love band can play, with their melodic momentum carrying through all 11 songs, like a tsunami crossing the Pacific Ocean. I never once considered stopping this album from playing, each time I listened to it. Pushing the “stop” button while Reckless Love is playing, would be like throwing away half of a Charleston Chew candy bar, knowing the remainder is gonna be just as delicious.

Admittedly, Reckless Love is commercially accessible, only don’t worry… this is not Disney Channel or Nickelodeon stuff. I just wonder… could it have been possible, that these guys embarked in a time machine and travelled back to 1986 and learned directly from the Hair Metal masters of Motley Crue, Ratt, Poison and Cinderella themselves? Anything is possible. Regardless of how this band learned how to play, they learned to listen to Old School Hair Metal first and foremost, this only makes sense after a few listens to their debut album.

Copy cats are Reckless Love? Dated sound? I’m not buying into it. Rock and Roll history is never going to be boxed up and shelved. Any band of any genre has a right to be influenced by classics of the past. Is Classical Music dated? The only things I consider “dated” in my Metal life are calendars. Any fan of 1980’s Hair Metal and/or Hard Rock should give Reckless Love a serious listen. Heavy Metal fans may just appreciate the high octane of sound and energy that Reckless Love is really schooled at.

* Reckless Love are from Finland, signed to Universal Music.

Track Listing For Reckless Love:

Feel My Heat

One More Time

Badass

Love Machine

Beautiful Bomb

Romance

Sex

Back To Paradise

So Yeah!!

Wild Touch

Born To Rock

Stone.

4 Comments »

L.A. GUNS – “RIPS THE COVERS OFF” ALBUM FROM 2004 REVISITED

Posted in 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, hair metal bands, hair metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, current heavy metal bands, hair metal music, hard rock music, heavy metal cover songs, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2004, l.a. guns, l.a. guns phil lewis lineup, l.a. guns rips off the covers album, l.a. guns rips the covers off album, metal odyssey, Music on March 23, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

L.A. GUNS – released Rips The Covers Off back in 2004. My Metal research has found that there are some copies of this album titled Rips Off The Covers, how many copies exist with this title I just do not know. (The front cover album pic below shows this alternate title). This is the Phil Lewis – L.A. Guns lineup and no matter how you slice it… this lineup ROCKS… for me. I always state, nothing beats the original, nonetheless, L.A. Guns really gives these cover songs all of their Hard Rock splendor and energy. Original versions aside, Rips The Covers Off is meant to be played LOUD and with a good times spirit flowing throughout your mind and soul.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Outlaw is a Hard and Heavy blast… Rose Tattoo created it, L.A. Guns only ignites it with more fiery fuel. How do you possibly cover a Queen classic like Tie Your Mother Down? L.A. Guns pulls it off, with the upmost respect to the original as well… keeping the hardness that Queen initially instilled into this amazing song. Sure, I will admit that the unreal classic Custard Pie covered by L.A. Guns does not come close to the ultra iconic Led Zeppelin original, yet in the end it is not an embarrassment of a cover either… it grooves along L.A. Guns style. Moonage Daydream sounds pretty darn cool, Phil Lewis may not be David Bowie, only how many vocalists have Bowie’s unique and moving vocals anyways?

Wheels of Steel comes fully loaded with a gritty and heavy edged sound from L.A. Guns, the Saxon original can never be topped, still I can’t fib that this cover version is justifiably cool. The cover of I Just Want To Make Love To You is outrageously great… the great Foghat themselves should be proud. Stacey Blades on guitar is all over these cover songs, giving his hardened tone to each. Steve Riley is the man on drums… a W.A.S.P. alumni and L.A. Guns veteran never disappoints me.

The two live tracks – Revolution and Don’t Look At Me That Way are from the 2002 L.A. Guns album Waking The Dead. Both of these live songs are potent with the raw energy and sound you would expect, from L.A. Guns. These live tracks added into the mix is really a Metal bonus. I don’t hesitate for a Metal second, to recommend any Hard Rock or Heavy Metal fan to get their ears into Rips The Covers Off. I admire the fact, that this Phil Lewis led L.A. Guns lineup looks back on the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal roots with undeniable respect. The bands they have covered here are all incredibly influential, this album is a Hard and Heavy celebration of that.

L.A. Guns as they appeared on Rips The Covers Off:

Phil Lewis – lead vocals

Stacey Blades – guitar

Adam Hamilton – bass

Steve Riley – drums

Keri Kelli – guitar on Revolution (Live) and Don’t Look At Me That Way (Live)

Brent Muscat – guitar on Revolution (Live) and Don’t Look At Me That Way (Live)

Track Listing for Rips The Covers Off, With Original Band in Parentheses:

Rock ‘n’ Roll Outlaw – (Rose Tattoo)

I Just Want To Make Love To You – (Foghat)

Tie Your Mother Down – (Queen)

Until I Get You – (Hanoi Rocks)

Wheels of Steel – (Saxon)

Nobody’s Fault – (Aerosmith)

Custard Pie – (Led Zeppelin)

Moonage Daydream – (David Bowie)

Marseilles – (Angel City)

Hurdy Gurdy Man – (Donovan)

Search and Destroy – (The Stooges)

Revolution – (Live)

Don’t Look At Me That Way – (Live)

7 Comments »

RATT – “INFESTATION” RELEASES APRIL 20, 2010… I’M IN!!

Posted in 1980's hair metal albums, 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1984 heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal bands, current heavy metal music, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1984, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2010, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal bands, rock music with tags 1980's hair metal albums, 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's arena rock, 1980's hair metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, current hard rock bands, current heavy metal bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1984, metal odyssey, Music, new ratt album 2010, ratt, ratt 'n' roll, ratt 2010, ratt infestation album, ratt out of the cellar album, rock music, stephen pearcy vocalist on March 21, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RATT – Yes, I have that Metal fondness for RATT. Always have. Plus, I’m a big fan of the late Milton Berle too, his appearance in the Round And Round music video only made it that more cool. Stephen Pearcy’s “other” band Arcade is unreal great… for me. I inhale the debut and self titled Arcade album, from 1993, like it’s Heavy Metal oxygen. My favorite RATT album ever, is Out of the Cellar, from 1984. This Out of the Cellar album is super loaded with one memorable song after another. Metal be thy name.

There’s much abuzz around cyberspace as to: Does RATT still have “it”? Will this album be worthy? Why is RATT reforming at all? My Metal answer to any and all of these questions is:

LIVE AND LET METAL LIVE.

On or about April 20, 2010, I will obtain a brand spanking new CD of Infestation… and be damned glad I did. Will I like every song? Will I be disappointed for whatever reason? I cannot predict the Metal future. I’m not the Metal Nostradamus. I am anticipating, however, a bona fide and downright credible album from a group of musicians who know a thing or two about Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Look, for the nay sayers on the upcoming RATT release… it could be worse, there could be a brand new ABBA album coming out on April 20, 2010 instead. Worse yet, a CD/DVD deluxe edition of Jim Nabors could have been released as well. Think about those two chilling thoughts for a moment. Double whoa.

Vintage RATT:

For all the cool RATT info one could wish for, plus the first two singles from Infestation, (Eat Me Up Alive, Best Of Me) both streaming, check out these links below:

www.THERATTPACK.com

RATT – MySpace Music Page

RATT of 2010 is:

Stephen Pearcy – vocals

Warren DeMartini – lead guitar

Bobby “The Blotz” Blotzer – drums

Robbie Crane – bass

Carlos Cavazo – guitar

I just thank God each and every day that Hard Rock and Heavy Metal exists… period. This is RATT 2010, not some quickly put together, televised talent show winner that can’t remember their lyrics.

Ever since the Out of the Cellar album came out back in 1984, I seemed to have been imbedded with the sound of RATT ‘N’ ROLL. Back on May 19, 2009, I blabbed up and down, just how this RATT album brought great Metal joy into my teenage life back in ’84 . Check it out by clicking on the header below… if you like.

I drove my neighbors nuts with Ratt – “Out Of The Cellar”

LONG LIVE RATT ‘N’ ROLL!

Stone.

8 Comments »

BULLETBOYS – “SMOOTH UP IN YA” 1988 SONG & VIDEO REVISITED!

Posted in 1980's hair metal albums, 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's hair metal music, 1980's hard rock, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's heavy metal videos, 1988 heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, album covers, cool album covers, current heavy metal bands, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1988, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1988, heavy metal songs, heavy metal videos, heavy metal vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's hair metal videos, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's heavy metal videos, bulletboys, bulletboys debut album 1988, bulletboys first album, bulletboys hair metal band, bulletboys heavy metal band, bulletboys smooth up in ya, hair metal bands 1988, hard rock music, heavy metal bands 1988, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1988, jimmy d'anda drummer, lonnie vencent bass guitarist, marq torien vocalist, metal odyssey, mick sweda guitarist, Music, shoot the preacher down song, smooth up in ya song on March 3, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BULLETBOYS – On September 20, 1988, the debut and self titled album BULLETBOYS was released on Warner Bros. Records. I bought the cassette and later down the Metal road… CD of BULLETBOYS. My favorite song from this album and from this band’s career is – Smooth Up In Ya. Man, does this song bring back some fine memories… of hanging out and doin’ just nuthin’ at all besides having a good time. I saw Bulletboys live, on two Metal occasions. I saw these guys with Slaughter and Poison at Lake Compounce Amusement Park in Bristol, (expensive) Connecticut. I later saw them with Cinderella and Winger at the Springfield Civic Center in Springfield, Mass. My girlfriend that was with me at both Bulletboys shows is now my wife. We had a good time seeing Bulletboys (and all the other bands named, of course) live… you betcha!

Marq Torien was quite the flamboyant front man, when I saw Bulletboys live. He always reminded me of someone who looked up to David Lee Roth… not a bad influence to have if your fronting a late 1980’s Hair Metal or Hard Rock Band, in my Metal opinion. Shoot The Preacher Down from this very same debut album is another favorite of mine from Bulletboys. This song strays away from the Hair Metal stylistics and just flat out Rocks for me.

I always got a kick out of the music video for Smooth Up In Ya. The funny, cartoon illustrations that keep flashing throughout this video are a Metal hoot. This video of the Bulletboys does scream 1988 Hair Metal and rightfully so. Bulletboys always was and forever will be a cool and heavy listen for me. Check out the video for Smooth Up In Ya below… hopefully you like this song as much as I do, if so, crank it up loud mutha!!

BULLETBOYS as they appeared on their 1988 debut/self titled album:

Marq Torien – lead vocals

Mick Sweda – guitar

Lonnie Vencent – bass

Jimmy D’Anda – Drums

* BULLETBOYS was produced by Ted Templeman, (Van Halen & Doobie Brothers fame).

LONG LIVE BULLETBOYS!

10 Comments »

KEEL – 1987 ALBUM “KEEL” STILL PACKS A HEAVY METAL PUNCH!

Posted in 1980's hair metal albums, 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal guitarists, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1987 heavy metal music, Album Review, current hard rock bands, current heavy metal bands, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock vocalists, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1987, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, old school hair metal bands, old school heavy metal bands, rock music with tags 1980's hair metal albums, 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's hair metal songs, 1980's heavy metal bands, bryan jay guitarist, cherry lane song, current hard rock bands, current heavy metal bands, dwain miller drummer, hair metal music, hard rock music, heavy metal albums 1987, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, keel, keel 1987 album, keel cherry lane song, keel hair metal band, keel heavy metal band, keel nation, kenny chaisson bass guitarist, marc ferrari guitarist, metal odyssey, Music, old school hair metal, rock music, ron keel hard rock vocalist, ron keel heavy meal vocalist, ron keel vocalist on February 17, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

When I think of the 1980’s, good times, carelessness, more parties than I can count or remember, no mortgage payments and sleeping real late comes to mind. Hey, why not? It’s all a part of growing up and it all led me down the path to where I am now… and I’m not complaining, I have the best family money or Metal can buy. So when I reach for the albums that remind me of good times, KEEL , (self titled), from 1987 puts a grin on my face and still psyches me out. So Metal be it… KEEL is one of my favorite Hair Metal Bands from the loud, proud and colorful ’80’s. I still have the CD version of KEEL from 1987, liner notes and all. Yes, the liner notes are very important to old school Metalheads like myself. All 10 songs on KEEL are packed with Heavy Metal punch… regardless of KEEL’s Hair Metal tag from that era, it’s all Metal relative. The underlining characteristic of KEEL, is this album has power. Two songs that exemplify this power adjective the best on KEEL are: Somebody’s Waiting and Cherry Lane, plus they are back-to-back… tracks 2 and 3. Does it matter if this was not the hottest selling KEEL album from their catalog? Not in my Metal opinion, at this point in time… does it really even matter?

At the end of the Metal day, it’s all about personal preference and opinion anyways. What once was old is new again… and what albums that did not sell off the shelves, are now being discussed again for those who want to seek out and give a listen to. Going back to Cherry Lane… you won’t find or hear a better tongue-in-cheek Heavy Metal song than this! Cherry Lane is a (gasp) fun song that makes me, (gasp), chuckle a tad almost 25 years later. I’m not embarrassed to admit liking some “fun” in my Hard Rock or Metal. (Hello, David Lee Roth). Calm Before The Storm is a ballad… my finicky side for ballads approved of this song a long time ago. This ballad has a tempo that isn’t so slow you want to scream, it flows very well and lyrically never made me cry and stay in bed for a week… so I have always been down with this song.

The strong vocals of Ron Keel and the chorus from KEEL is what adds to this band’s powerful identity. Marc Ferrari and Bryan Jay on guitars, fuel KEEL with numerous addictive licks on this album to make these songs not just hard & heavy, they also made them memorable going on 3 decades. Toss in a smash ’em up rhythm section of Dwain Miller on drums and Kenny Chaisson on bass guitar and yes Virginia, KEEL delivered a potent Heavy Metal album here. If you are into ’80’s Hair and Heavy Metal and never bought this album, seek it out and give it more than a test drive… crank it LOUD with the car windows down… going at a reasonable speed of course, please.

* Check out the KEEL NATION here: KEEL NATION – Official KEEL website

* Also worth checking out: KEEL – myspace music page

KEEL was released on June 21, 1987, on MCA Records. This was the fourth album release from KEEL.

KEEL Track Listing:

United Nations

Somebody’s Waiting

Cherry Lane

Calm Before The Storm

King Of The Rock

It’s A Jungle Out There

I Said The Wrong Thing To The Right Girl

Don’t Say You Love Me

If Love Is A Crime (I Wanna Be Convicted)

4th Of July

5 Comments »

THE LONDON QUIREBOYS – “A BIT OF WHAT YOU FANCY” FROM 1990 IS A HARD ROCK BLAST!

Posted in 1980's hair metal music, 1980's hard rock, 1980's heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's rock bands, 1990's rock music, 1990's hair metal bands, 1990's hard rock albums, 1990's hard rock bands, 1990's heavy metal music, 1990's rock albums, Album Review, cool album covers, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, hard rock album review, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, hard rock vocalists, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1990, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands from england, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1990, metal odyssey, Music, old school hair metal bands, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, rock and roll, rock music with tags 1980's hard rock music, 1980's hair metal music, 1990's hard rock music, 1990's hair metal bands, 1990's hard rock albums, 1990's hard rock bands, 7 o' clock song, a bit of what you fancy album, Album Review, chris johnstone keyboardist, guy bailey guitarist, guy griffin guitarist, hair metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock album review, hard rock albums 1990, hard rock guitarists, hard rock music, hard rock vocalists, heavy metal music, ian wallace drummer, metal odyssey, Music, music reviews, nigel mogg bass guitarist, rock and roll, rock music, spike vocalist, the london quireboys, the london quireboys 1990 on January 20, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

The London Quireboys – A Bit Of What You Fancy is a reason why I’m psyched I never unloaded my cassettes from years… um, decades past. I slapped this cassette into my home stereo today and I am just as enthused by the Hard Rock blast from The London Quireboys… as I was back in 1990. The London Quireboys put the Hard Rock pedal to the Metal on A Bit Of What You Fancy, no smoke and mirrors to be heard… just great, heavy, Rock and Roll! When I initially bought this cassette back in 1990, I did so only having heard their biggest hit from this album on the FM dial… 7 o’clock. This is a song that my wife, (girlfriend at that time) and I played over and over… and over again back in ’90! Is 7 o’ clock a party song? You bet your Metal life it is! Take a long drive to this entire album and leave your cares behind? Go for it! A Bit Of What You Fancy is like that hidden Hard Rock gem from 1990… only it is not hidden in my Heavy Music collection, no way! A Bit Of What You Fancy carries into my ears all the good times spirit that Rock and Roll is all about – with The London Quireboys delivering it in unabashed Hard Rock style. I should warn those of you, that have never listened to this album before… it is ADDICTIVE!

With my warning aside, I cannot tell people what to buy or listen to… only this time it is different. The London Quireboys debut album is certainly a MUST for fans of Old School Hair Metal, Hard Rock or just damn good Rock and Roll period. I imagine seeing The London Quireboys at a beer soaked, small club… while they play this album in it’s entirety, amidst a crowd of psyched out and Rockin’ fans going nuts all over the place. That’s right. The song – long time comin’ is as heavy and steady of a Hard Rock song that you will ever give to your ears. Am I going off too much on praising this album? Nope, it’s that great. Anytime an album can make me feel so damn good, is an album that shall be praised up and down, inside and out… for the world to read.

The London Quireboys put together an album that utilizes string arrangements, some brass and a keyboard player. Not quite the straight ahead approach of Hair Metal for 1990, was A Bit Of What You Fancy. A standout is take me home, this is absolutely a great song to end this album… so memorable, so much energy, a Hard Rockin’ exclamation point multiplied by 100. The London Quireboys took Hair Metal from the late ’80’s and added some, (a lot), of their very own Hard Rock character to the basic standards. Their style can be blatantly described as a combination of The Black Crowes and Cinderella, fused together with the admirable energy and enthusiasm of a band that obviously enjoyed creating these songs.

Spike on vocals, lends thick credibility to the hardness that this album radiates. Spike’s ultra raspy and gritty vocals makes the songs sound blue collar, an unintended characteristic that just seems to elevate this album and band. Guy Bailey and Guy Griffin on guitars just play man, there are no “steal the show” solos to drown out the total band feel. Chris Johnstone on keyboards, gives this album of songs the Classic Hard Rock texture and feel that I cannot ignore. Nigel Mogg on bass and Ian Wallace on drums provide all the tight and contagiously rhythmic grooves that hold these outstanding songs together. Thank you again, London England, for sowing yet another fabulous Rock and Roll band like The London Quireboys.

The Track Listing For The London Quireboys – A Bit Of What You Fancy:

7 o’clock

man on the loose

whippin’ boy’

sex party

sweet mary ann

i don’t love you anymore

hey you

misled

long time comin’

roses & rings

there she goes again

take me home

A Bit Of What You Fancy was originally released on Capitol Records.

A 20th Anniversary Edition of A Bit Of What You Fancy was released in 2009 on the Jerkin Crocus record label. There are 8 demo’s as bonus tracks found on this 20th Anniversary Edition. (I aim to get myself a copy of it down the Metal road… that’s for sure).

4 Comments »

ARCADE – REVISITING STEPHEN PEARCY’S “OTHER BAND” AND 1993 DEBUT ALBUM

Posted in 1990's hard rock music, 1990's heavy metal albums, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal guitarists, 1990's hair metal bands, 1990's hard rock albums, Album Review, collecting metal music, cool album covers, glam metal, glam metal music, Hair Metal, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, hard rock music, hard to find heavy metal albums, hard to find rock cd's, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1993, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music 1993, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music with tags 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal albums, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal songs, 1990's rock music, 1990's hair metal bands, arcade 1993, arcade album, arcade debut album 1993, arcade hair metal band, arcade hard rock band, arcade heavy metal album review, arcade heavy metal band, cinderella heavy metal band, current heavy metal musicians, donny syracuse guitarist, frankie wilsex guitarist, fred coury drummer, glam metal music, hard rock music, metal odyssey, michael andrews bass guitarist, Music, out of print heavy metal albums, ratt, ratt heavy metal band, stephen pearcy vocalist on January 18, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

In recent days, the 1993 debut and self titled album from Arcade found it’s way into my ears. (Thank you Best Metal Buddy Scott). Epic Records released this Arcade debut. You all should be quite familiar with Arcade’s front man Stephen Pearcy… lead singer for RATT and very much a prominent, memorable and flamboyant Hair Metal figure from the 1980’s. Fred Coury, the drummer for still another iconic 1980’s Hair Metal juggernaut – Cinderella, found that one of his Heavy Metal path’s led to Arcade as well. Hair Metal and Glam Metal aside, Arcade was just damn good Heavy Metal – period. In my Metal opinion, if Arcade was to have been assembled around 1985, (instead of the gray lined early ’90’s), they would have had their likenesses adorning highway billboards – all over North America. O.k., that might be of a Metal stretch, nonetheless, Arcade would easily have been bigger and more widely received during an earlier era. Revisiting Heavy Metal Bands from the past that are no longer together, makes for the credibility of just where Heavy Metal is today… these are the bands and musicians that kept the Metal flame burning during a ’90’s decade of Heavy Metal uncertainty. I was never uncertain about my beloved Heavy Metal during the ’90’s… and by the sounds of it, neither was Stephen Pearcy and Arcade.

What this debut album from Arcade shows me, is that Stephen Pearcy acknowledged within himself, that he had all the Metal ingredients and creativity to be a star outside of RATT. And certainly, I would hope the majority of us Metalheads know that RATT was no fluke, their heavy legacy still reigns to this very day. For Stephen Pearcy to be the lead vocalist for two bands of this quality and caliber is not an everyday accomplishment. Essentially, the same can be Metal said for Fred Coury respecively, on drums. Guitarists Donny Syracuse and Frankie Wilsex add credence to Arcade’s own Heavy Metal identity. The only reminder of RATT within the sound of Arcade is Stephen Pearcy’s vocals and he CANNOT be faulted for that.

It sounds very clear to me, that Stephen Pearcy and his Heavy Metal posse called Arcade, knew all along, just how to create and write a ballad. Cry No More, Mother Blues and So Good… So Bad… are extremely tolerable ballads to listen to. I can actually listen to these three ballads repeatedly! (Now, listening to any ballad repeatedly is a rarity in my Metal world). Arcade actually found that semi sappy to sappy lyrics don’t need to be coupled with excessively sappy music, that brings you to the brink of an emotional meltdown. I will admit, Cry No More has an acoustic guitar intro that carries on a very reminiscent tone and mood from Cinderella’s classic Power Ballad – Nobody’s Fool. Mother Blues is an unplugged/acoustic listen in Rock goodness, it really is. Sons And Daughters is the lone instrumental on Arcade. An acoustic instrumental that lends itself as the perfect segue to Mother Blues.

Arcade is one of those albums where it is obviously nonsensical to breakdown each song as a review. Those who have listened and liked this album may understand my point. Outside of the three ballads and one instrumental previously mentioned, the other eight songs are undisputed Rockers. If you are looking to revisit these songs or give them a first time listen, understand that the hard and heavy from Arcade doesn’t give me a moments break… and I like that! I try to steer away from pinpointing what exact genre Arcade belongs to… at the end of the Metal day does it really matter? Arcade is Hard Rock colliding with Heavy Metal, whatever one’s interpretation that differs from mine is a matter of personal Metal labeling.

From the onset, Dancin’ With The Angels is fair warning that Stephen Pearcy and Arcade are NOT about re-treading RATT. Messed Up World is my favorite song from Arcade. The lyrics of Messed Up World could not resonate any more loud and true for me. Relevance? This song is exploding at the Metal seams with it. Messed Up World could have easily been written for today’s nightly news features.

Arcade… they came, they saw, they Metal conquered.

ARCADE, as they appeared on their 1993 debut album:

Stephen Pearcy – lead vocalist

Donny Syracuse – guitarist

Frankie Wilsex – guitarist

Michael Andrews – bass guitarist

Fred Coury – drummer

The Track Listing For Arcade:

Dancin’ With The Angels

Nothin’ To Lose

Calm Before The Storm

Cry No More

Screamin’ S.O.S.

Never Goin’ Home

Messed Up World – *(Metal Odyssey Note: My favorite song, man, it’s a good one)

All Shook Up

So Good… So Bad…

Livin’ Dangerously

Sons And Daughters

Mother Blues

* Metal Odyssey’s Metal research has found there is an additional song on the Japanese version of Arcade – Reckless. No, I have never heard this song… yet.

* To the best of Metal Odyssey’s Metal knowledge, Arcade’s debut album – Arcade is out of print. Used copies are circulating for sale all around the world wide web. (I’ve seen used copies on Amazon Music).

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BLACK ‘N BLUE – 1988 ALBUM “IN HEAT” AND BLACK ‘N BLUE… TODAY!

Posted in 1980's hair metal albums, 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, current heavy metal bands, Hair Metal, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1988, heavy metal bands, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1988, heavy metal vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, new heavy metal music, old school hair metal bands, old school heavy metal, rock music with tags 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's hair metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, black 'n blue, black 'n blue 2009, black 'n blue hair metal band, black 'n blue hell yeah album, black 'n blue in heat album, black n' blue heavy metal band, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2010, jaime st. james vocalist, metalodyssey, Music, old school heavy metal bands, old school heavy metal music, patrick young bass guitarist, pete holmes drummer, rock music, tommy thayer guitarist, woop guitarist on December 16, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

I made a rediscovery of a Heavy Metal band and album. Black ‘N Blue is the band, In Heat is the album. Just last week, I was in my 2000 Ford Tauras running errands. Realizing that my urge to hear some Heavy Metal was peaking, I began to rummage through the car glove compartment for some cassette tapes… that is cassette tapes – you just read. Understand that I was not rummaging for a cassette tape while I was driving, the car was in park. This car of mine does not have a CD player, (back in 2000, the auto industry was not regarding CD players as part of any standard equipment, obviously). So, instead, my trusty 2000 Ford Tauras has a built in cassette player instead. That is… a cassette player – you read. I have not listened to this Black ‘N Blue cassette for quite some time, so it proved to be quite a cool listen.

While I have listened to In Heat a few times since last week, I cannot help but be grateful for not getting rid of my Hard Rock and Heavy Metal cassettes. Quite a bit of titles are rather pricey on CD nowadays, being imports or out of print altogether. In Heat is selling for around $27 on Amazon Music as an import CD… now that is reason enough for me to hold onto this cassette and play it on my car stereo and combo home stereo – until it wears out. Gee whiz… import regardless, sometimes the prices out there for Heavy Metal CD’s border on the outrageous.

Black ‘N Blue released In Heat back in 1988, I do remember seeing their videos on the MTV rotation… and of course, Headbangers Ball. Call Black ‘N Blue a Hair Metal Band or just good ol’ Heavy Metal, it makes no difference to me. This band made an album that is loud, melodic, riff and groove laden and infused with every flamboyant aspect of late 1980’s Heavy/Hair Metal. While I listen to In Heat, the thought comes to my mind of just letting it’s good time sound and feel take over any negativity that is currently weighing in on me. The Metal pluses are numerous with In Heat, here is a breakdown of why I feel this way:

#1 Reason why Black ‘N Blue and this album, uh, cassette Rocks hard is – Tommy Thayer on lead guitar. KISS was in his future then… who would have predicted that?

#2 – Genes Simmons produced In Heat. Believe me, you can tell… song structure and power.

#3 – Jaime St. James on vocals. He doesn’t whine when he sings and the flamboyancy and bad boy image of Heavy Metal just resonates from his voice. In other Metal words… a classic front man.

#4 – There are no sappy songs to be heard on In Heat. Stranger is about as close as it gets here… and I really like this song, a power ballad that, uh, Rocks.

#5 – Each song is saturated with enough hooks and grooves that it is flat out – ridiculously great.

#6 – Did I mention Tommy Thayer on lead guitar?

#7 – It’s all about the songs, man. Infectiously good songs all, on In Heat.

#8 – How can I not get enthusiastic about a song as good as – Get Wise To The Rise?

In a Metal nutshell, In Heat should be considered as a late 1980’s Heavy Metal listening experience of dual guitars, anthems and power slick songs. Riffs abound on In Heat… for all of you riff addicts out there. Woop on guitar proved to be no slouch either. Patrick Young on bass guitar and Pete Holmes on drums make for a dominant rhythm section, very good at what they do on In Heat. Listening to Black ‘N Blue on In Heat, gives me the impression that they had a real good time making this album. Hopefully that was the case.

If you are looking for a patented good time Heavy Metal album… well then it is In Heat. Black ‘N Blue made a name for themselves for sure, rediscovering their sound again and listening to In Heat makes this Metalhead… Metal content.

Track listing for In Heat:

Side One:

Rock On

Sight For Sore Eyes

Heat It Up! Burn It Out!

Suspicious

The Snake

Side Two

Live It Up

Gimme Your Love

Get Wise To The Rise

Great Guns Of Fire

Stranger

* Check out Black ‘N Blue’s official myspace music page: Black ‘N Blue – MySpace Music Page

Black ‘N Blue is currently planning to finish and release a new album, titled: Hell Yeah!

Look For This New Black ‘N Blue Album In 2010!

The current 2009 Black ‘N Blue band lineup:

Jaime St. James – vocals

Jef Warner – guitar

Patrick Young – bass

Pete Holmes – drums

Shawn Sonnenschein – guitar

This is what the Import CD cover of In Heat looks like . My cassette front cover only has the band logo that you see in this import version, (no band photo).

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WE’VE ADOPTED A CAT! HIS NAME IS TOBY.

Posted in 1980's hair metal albums, 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's rock bands, classic rock, classic rock music, cool album covers, everyday experiences, family, family pets, feel good stories, hair metal music, hard rock music, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal vocalists, lists, metal odyssey, Music, old school hair metal bands, personal stories, real life experiences, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, cats, eye of the tiger song, family, family pets, faster pussycat debut album, hard rock music, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, pets, rock and roll, rock music, survivor rock band, tygertailz hair metal band, vito bratta guitarist, white lion hair metal band on December 2, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

On November 21, 2009, my family and I adopted a two year old cat named Toby. He is healthy as can be, we updated all of his required shots and he passed a physical too. Toby is a domestic house cat, a very curious and gentle animal. Yes, he does like to get cozy, especially at night when we are all trying to sleep. Just like the classic Slaughter song goes… Up All Night, Sleep All Day! Toby really enjoys our front reading room during the day, taking turns sleeping on each chair and love seat. There is not a window sill this cat does not like to perch on either. Toby gets box seats to watch the birds, squirrels, rabbits and chipmunks do their thing… in the outside world. Toby does not seem to mind that he cannot go outside though… too many times he hears dogs barking.

As a family, Toby has embraced us all and likewise. We look forward to many great years with him. Toby is only looking for some food, a box to poop in, water, a house to prowl around in and playtime with our daughters, (with some added attention from my wife and I). He really isn’t asking for too much. I posted recently that we were searching to adopt a cat, in this post a nifty list of cat/feline/tiger bands was created, from Rock to Metal. Well, since we finally have Toby, here is another list of such bands associated with this ever popular animal… the cat.

First however, may I introduce to you, Toby:

Here is a Hair Metal Band that I have always liked a lot – Faster Pussycat. Their debut album, released in 1987, is one to own. My favorite song from this initial Faster Pussycat release is Don’t Change That Song. Taime Downe has some unique vocals, plus this band knew how to make some hard rockin’ and good time songs.

Here is another Hair Metal Band that I never covered my ears to, I will listen to this band. I actually caught this band live back in the late ’80’s at a small club. White Lion. I can’t recall what other band or bands played with White Lion that night I saw them… that was a night when the good times made things rather fuzzy. Vito Bratta, (the original guitarist) for White Lion, is very, very, good at playing guitar, no doubt in my Metal mind.

O.k., so Survivor is NOT a Heavy Metal Band or even a bona fide Hard Rock Band. They are a Rock Band still. Their band name does not have a feline connection, their biggest selling single ever does, for that matter. Furthermore, they did psyche me out at age 16, with their huge hit single from 1982, Eye Of The Tiger. I am not bashful, about admitting the affect this song had on me, back in 1982. This was the theme song for the Rocky lll movie sequel as well. From what I have researched, this song alone, sold over two million copies in the U.S., count me as one of those two million who bought the 45 rpm back then. Uh, this one I wound up selling, giving away or (gulp), discarding. I really wish I kept this 45 rpm with the original sleeve intact.

Tigertailz – Hair Metal, Glam Metal… either or – you pick ’em. Their 1987 debut album Young And Crazy I still own… on (gulp), cassette. Metal be damned I’m going to keep it too… and listen to it whenever I feel like it. No, I’m NOT kidding either.

Well, that is all for now. My previous cat related bands/songs list was a little longer, I’m running out of ideas with this now. If anyone has a Rock/Hard Rock/Metal related example for this list, that comes to mind, feel free to comment it.

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STRYPER – “EXTENDED VERSIONS” IS A LIVE AND ROCKIN’ GOOD TIME CD

Posted in christian heavy metal bands, christian metal, christian rock, classic rock, hair metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags christian metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, stryper, stryper extended versions cd, stryper live on November 29, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

I could not resist the urge to buy this Stryper Extended Versions CD, (Sony/BMG). Two reasons I needed this Stryper Extended Versions: it being a live CD, coupled with the fact I was fortunate enough to see Stryper live, back in the ’80’s on their To Hell With The Devil Tour. Yup, I made up my Metal mind a long time ago, that Stryper is my favorite Christian Heavy Metal Band. Let’s face it, Stryper back in the 1980’s were easily part of the Hair Metal invasion as well. I like the accessibility of Stryper’s songs, they are inspiring and motivating for certain, combined with all of the dynamics and elements of 1980’s Heavy Metal. This Extended Versions CD was recorded back on November 11, 2003, at Earthlink Live in Atlanta, Georgia. The release year for this CD was 2006. The overall production of this live CD sits just fine with me. I will admit, after 12 years of Stryper not touring before this concert was recorded, they sound pretty darned good. (Michael Sweet actually remarks about their return after 12 years to the audience, during the opening song Makes Me Wanna Sing).

As with any live album, there are those – as they happen moments, such as Michael Sweet talking to the audience and an over excited crowd of fans shouting, screaming and singing along. Those aspects have always been what I find most refreshing about a live album… especially when the band plays as tight and good as Stryper does here. Free is and always has been a tremendously favorite Stryper song of mine, hearing Michael Sweet sing this song as the audience sings along sends chills up and down my arms. Oz Fox on guitar sounds unreal good in this 2003 concert recording, just as he did when I saw him for myself so many years ago. You Won’t Be Lonely is a great up tempo ballad for my Metal tastes… it makes for a nice fit into this live set list. Calling On You, being one of the more famous Stryper songs ever, has all of the melodic power and harmony as the original studio version, a fantastic song from this band.

Reach Out is a sure-fire crowd sing-along, yet, what Stryper song isn’t? The Way is arguably one of the fastest and heaviest Stryper song on this live Extended Versions, Oz Fox energizes this song with his stealth guitar leads and hot solo. Soldiers Under Command plays out in the same fast and heavy fashion as The Way, a Stryper song that is a necessity in any of their live gigs. Again, Oz Fox stimulates my Metal senses with his guitar brilliance on Soldiers Under Command – oh yeah. Timothy Gaines on bass and backing vocals along with Robert Sweet on drums are the Heavy Metal nuts and bolts that keeps this live album rhythmically astounding. Brent Jeffers is on keyboards and backing vocals, making for a nice addition to this Stryper concert.

Another favorite Stryper classic of mine is To Hell With The Devil, it is song #9 in the set list and it flat out rocks this Extended Versions into a Christian Heavy Metal winner. Stryper plays this song live quite powerfully, based on my remembrance of actually seeing them live and hearing it on this CD. Honestly closes out this Stryper Extended Versions CD. The live version of Honestly is not any heavier than the studio version, this ballad has its rightful place in any Stryper concert. Before this song even begins, Michael Sweet tells the audience, Honestly is the song that took them out of the clubs and put them into the arenas. I will not disagree with Michael Sweet on that evaluation whatsoever.

I bought this Stryper Extended Versions CD over this past Summer of 2009, I’m glad for it. I am also happy to know that Stryper is still around and making their brand of Heavy Metal Music, their new album Murder By Pride is an enormous album of songs. Sometime in the future I will blab about how much I enjoy the newest Stryper album. I am a fan of all Heavy Metal genres, Stryper is and always will be a mainstay band of mine.

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BRITNY FOX – 1989 “BOYS IN HEAT” IS A GLAM SLAM OF A HEAVY METAL ALBUM

Posted in 1980's hair metal albums, 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal cover songs, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal bands, 1989 heavy metal music, Album Review, collecting heavy metal albums, cool album covers, cover songs, glam metal, glam metal music, Hair Metal, hair metal music, hair metal music genre, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1989, heavy metal bands, heavy metal cover songs, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1989, heavy metal vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, rock music with tags 1980's hair metal albums, 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's glam metal bands, 1980's hair metal music, 1980's hair metal songs, 1980's heavy metal music, 1989 glam metal music, Album Review, billy childs bass guitarist, boys in heat album, britny fox, britny fox hair metal band, dean davidson vocalist & guitarist, hair metal albums 1989, hair of the dog cover song, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, johnny dee drummer, metal odyssey, michael kelly smith guitarist, Music, nazareth hard rock band, rock music on November 20, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

The 1980’s, here I go again. There were Heavy Metal Bands aplenty to choose from back in the ’80’s, Britny Fox being one. Only thing is, I never bought any Britny Fox albums back then. It wasn’t because I did not like this band, it all came down to choice and what albums would I throw my (little) money at. Now it is 2009, (obviously) and the Britny Fox Boys In Heat CD is blaring it’s Hair Metal glory for me today. Um, I have to thank my best Metal buddy, Scott, for landing me this CD. Thanks dude. Would I have eventually bought this Britny Fox CD or any Britny Fox CD for that matter? The Metal answer is… probably yes. I just don’t know when precisely that would have happened. The same mindset holds true for me today, with so many choices out there and a reality cap of spending. I am in awe at times, realizing how much catching up I have in Heavy Metal listening. Catching up on Heavy Metal albums going back decades is not a bad hobby, I am not complaining. For all Metal intents and purposes, this Britny Fox CD, Boys In Heat, is some decent Hair Metal candy for my ears.

Cutting to the Metal chase here, my favorite song on Boys In Heat is the cover song – Hair of the Dog. With that stated, I do revere the original version of Hair of the Dog by that legendary band known as Nazareth. This cover of Hair of the Dog is not better than the original, however, Britny Fox did a glam slam job of covering it. Not that it matters, yet Britny Fox gets my Metal approval for their version of Hair of the Dog. Throughout this entire Boys In Heat album, the one constant that I notice is… Britny Fox can play. Britny Fox obviously came out with a throng of other Hair Metal Bands back in the mid to late ’80’s, what really sets this album apart from the Hair Metal pack? I always like quality, not quantity. Boys In Heat is a 13 song album that is consistent with quality, both in it’s Metal and vocals.

Long Way From Home has a kickin’ guitar solo, plus the song has more grooves than I can count. Dean Davidson on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, has those vintage Hair Metal pipes. I truly compare his vocals to that of Tom Keifer of Cinderella. Quite frankly, that is not a bad dude to be compared to. Stevie is as rock solid a Hair Metal song as I have ever heard. Shine On is a song that carries the beat non-stop, it is that kind of song I want to crank up extremely loud on my car CD player, with the windows down on a long drive. The melodic drive of each song on Boys In Heat, never ceases from the opening track of In Motion… this album epitomizes Hair Metal heavy. I also liken this album to be a funk buster, if Boys In Heat can’t get me out of a funk I’m in, then nothing will. What’s that? Did someone say feel good? Once again, if Boys In Heat can’t make me feel good, uh, then something is wrong.

Michael Kelly Smith on lead guitar is as cool as they come, his guitar licks are impressive on Boys In Heat. This album does not lack in the powered up lead and solo department, thanks to him. Billy Childs on bass and Johnny Dee on drums, give me every reason in the Metal world, to turn the bass control up to high, while this album is busting out. It is always a great experience to hear an album that is from years past and like it, especially when it is of the Heavy Metal genre. Britny Fox may not have been on my purchase list back in 1989, yet they are on my current playlist today… courtesy of my best Metal buddy Scott and this CD – Boys In Heat.

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The Rough Guide To Heavy Metal – A Very Resourceful Metal Music Book

Posted in 1970's punk rock, 1970's heavy metal music, 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's metal bands, 1980's punk rock music, 1980's thrash metal, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal music, 1990's thrash metal music, black metal roots, book reviews, classic rock music, death metal music, doom metal music, extreme metal music, hair metal music, heavy metal book reviews, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music books, heavy metal music guides, heavy metal music reference, heavy metal vocalists, horror punk rock bands, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school metal bands, old school thrash metal music, punk rock bands, rock music, sludge metal bands, southern hard rock, thrash metal bands with tags 1970's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal music, black metal music, current heavy metal bands, essi berelian author, heavy metal book review, heavy metal books, heavy metal genres, heavy metal music, heavy metal music books, history of heavy metal, Iron Maiden, king diamond, kiss heavy metal band, kreator thrash metal band, metal music, metal music genres, metal odyssey, Misfits, Motorhead, Music, Ozzy Osbourne, punk rock bands, punk rock books, Ramones, rock music, rough guides, slayer thrash metal band, the rough guide to heavy metal, thrash metal books, thrift store finds, w.a.s.p. heavy metal band on November 9, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Ozzy small pic I’m always looking for good deals on my Heavy Metal Music purchases, from albums, CD’s to memorabilia and books. Upon one of my recent stops into a local thrift store, I happened upon quite the Heavy Metal find indeed, for the ripe price of fifty cents. Yes, fifty cents. The find you ask? Well, none other than The Rough Guide To Heavy Metal – and it is quite the book for me. (This book is a 1st printing, printed in 2005 by Rough Guides). While perusing the book aisle at this thrift store, the image of none other than Ozzy Osbourne caught my eye. What is this? I could not believe what I had found! Knowing immediately too, that any book in this thrift store is only fifty cents… I was Metal stoked. As a bonus, this book stared right at me in gem mint condition as well. As I picked it up and browsed through it’s Heavy Metal filled pages, it was obvious to me that the previous owner of this book never bothered to read it. As crisp of a new book you will find. Life is a sweet journey sometimes, especially when you can stumble on a 410 page book, when you least expect it, that is dedicated to your favorite music genre… Heavy Metal.

Alright, enough about how I found The Rough Guide To Heavy Metal and onward with it’s review. This richly factual book is written by Essi Berelian, with a foreward by the legendary front man for Iron Maiden – Bruce Dickinson himself. There are over 300 bands and/or musicians that are covered in this book. (Hey, to make a definitive book of Heavy Metal bands would not only be a task of the ages, the page count would reach a bizarre number as well). Therefore, there are going to be bands that are missing, (I am disappointed that Enslaved did not get aknowledged), plus there is that band here and there where I can’t exactly label as Heavy Metal, (Asia has a write-up in this book). I like Asia, yet I do not see the connection here. I will bend and say Foreigner has a loose connection to the genre of Heavy Metal, they are represented in The Rough Guide To Heavy Metal. Diversity is shown in the representation of bands, The Rough Guide To Heavy Metal even acknowledges Lynyrd Skynyrd and their link to heavy music.

From Ozzy Osbourne and Kiss to King Diamond and Magnum, with the likes of Venom and UFO in between, a fabulous smorgasbord of movers and shakers are touched upon with factual integrity and reverence. I am smitten that Slayer, Motorhead, W.A.S.P., Red Hot Chili Peppers and Kreator are well covered here too. Something that Essi Berelian did here, that impresses me most, is the inclusion of legendary Punk Rock Bands such as the Misfits and Ramones. Still, where are the Sex Pistols? C’mon, if you include Punk Rock into a voluminous book such as this, it is not a bright move to ignore the Sex Pistols! Plus, whenever writers refer to the 1970’s Hard Rock band Sweet as “The Sweet”, it drives me crazy. Anyone familiar with this band knows them as Sweet… period. The only album I am aware of, that has the moniker of “The Sweet” is their very first album, which was titled Funny How Sweet Co-Co Can Be back in 1971. Give me a Metal break.

Essi Berelian deserves much praise and credit, despite the few flaws mentioned, that in reality, I can overlook. Each band or musician represented in The Rough Guide To Heavy Metal has it’s history and discography touched upon in enough detail that suffices for me. Interesting anecdotes and facts are also provided throughout this entire book, making for a very resourceful guide on the history of Heavy Metal. The genres of Heavy Metal are explained very well too, giving the reader an in depth explanation to it’s respective origin and impact on the world of music. From Christian Metal to Black Metal, the genres of Heavy Metal are given their own spotlight. The Rough Guide To Heavy Metal is also loaded with plenty of black and white photographs, (group and individual shots, album covers and concert photos), giving this book that much more appeal.

At the end of the Metal day, The Rough Guide To Heavy Metal makes for an extensive and detailed read into the bands that started, shaped and expanded the world of Heavy Metal Music. Whether you are a life long fan of this incredible genre of music or a brand new fan, this book is rather difficult to put down. I most highly recommend The Rough Guide To Heavy Metal to all, it really isn’t that rough at all. Hey, for the fifty cents it set me back, this book is worth every penny. I cannot shake the Metal grin on my face each time I pick this book up to read.

Ozzy large pic

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