Archive for the hard rock albums Category

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BLACK TORA ‘RAISE YOUR FISTS’ EP – Available NOW on iTunes!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on September 3, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

BLACK TORA – The 5 song EP, RAISE YOUR FISTS, from BLACK TORA is available on iTunes… NOW! This Hard & Heavy Rockin’ power trio from Mcallen, Texas have brought back the energy, attitude, riffage, vocals, ultra-memorable beats and arena-style sound; a pump-you-up sound that has been missing for far too long… in an over-saturated industry of Modern Hard Rock carbon-copycats.

Chris Daniel (vocals & bass), RazorDave (guitar) and Nicky X (drums) have recorded an EP that is guaranteed to kick your Hard Rock lovin’ brain and ears into submission, all while you’re begging for more! I will be writing a more detailed & kick-ass review on Raise Your Fists in the coming days, stay tuned!

To purchase your potent dosage of BLACK TORA’s Hard Rockin’ whoop-ass, oops, (I meant) Raise Your Fists EP, click on the link below! Metal be thy name.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/raise-your-fists-ep/id556014294

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* Read a related BLACK TORA feature on Metal Odyssey, by clicking link below!

BLACK TORA “Never Enough” – Official Music Video Is All About: Psych-You-Out Of Your Brains Heavy Rock!

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* For more info on BLACK TORA, click on the links below!

http://www.facebook.com/officialblacktora

http://www.twitter.com/blacktora

LONG LIVE BLACK TORA.

Stone.

1 Comment »

SOUNDGARDEN ‘Down On The Upside’ – This Album Stood By Me, During A Lonely Print Sales Career

Posted in classic rock, grunge, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Music, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on August 23, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

SOUNDGARDEN – The fifth studio album and platinum selling Down On The Upside was released back in November of 1996, via A&M Records. Already super fond of Soundgarden, I bought this album (on cassette) back in 1996 and still own it to this day. Last weekend I finally upgraded my ownership of Down On The Upside to CD. I bought it at Super Walmart for $5 (U.S.). Whoa! What took me so long to upgrade this Soundgarden classic? I can’t even answer that question myself. File that question in Stone’s mystery folder and carry on my wayward son.

Back in 1996 I was a traveling printing salesman. Yes, you read that correctly. I need to correct that, I was a traveling printing salesman whore. Why use the word whore? Well, my customers treated me like shit regardless of my stellar customer service; while the various owners I worked for only gave a shit about my contacts and how much money they were worth. As a printing salesman, my self-image was at an all-time low; existing for the sole purpose to make someone else a ton of money, while making corporate print buyers look like winners of the week.

Why have I brought up this part of my past, in the middle of a very cool Soundgarden post? The reason is simple. Down On The Upside got me through (at least) three years of a profession that drained my spirit, while driving around all of New England. I’m serious about that. That Soundgarden cassette was my best friend on many, many lonely drives while being a white-collar punching bag.

I remember once, a jack-ass V.P. of my biggest client bellowing aloud, as I entered the room: “here come’s just another slimy salesman.” What an asshole that guy was. A genuine narcistic scum bag. Nice greeting to start my day, with a customer I essentially sacrificed my soul for. That dumb ass had  an “I’m an ABBA fan” written all over his face every time I saw him as well.

I remember leaving the building of that customer, on that God forsaken day, shaking my head in disgust. Once I started up my Ford Contour, I slapped in my Down On The Upside cassette and cranked up Pretty Noose… then Rhinosaur… then Zero Chance… and Soundgarden had me snickering all the way down the overstuffed highway to hell… or next disloyal customer, if you will.

Believe me, there were many other cassettes in my Contour while I served time as a printing salesman. Too many bands and titles to mention. It’s just that this Soundgarden album kept me afloat and had me realizing that it was Rock ‘N Roll that poured through my veins and soul… and not some stupid ass print-sales career. Whatever Soundgarden did with tweaking their musical nuances on Down On The Upside, they did it with a mystical wand.

From the very first time I heard Soundgarden, I recognized an attitude in their sound that beckoned me to become a fan. Is it Chris Cornell’s vocals? Can it be Kim Thayil’s guitar tones? The totality of Soundgarden’s sound is so unique, I never could even classify them as a “Grunge only” band. Hell no. There’s no question that Soundgarden did originate from the birth place of Grunge and pioneered an entirely new Rock movement. At the end of my Metal day, this band has and always will kick my ass with their hard and heavy Rock style and that’s all that matters to me.

It feels F’n grand to get this (silly) part of my life off of my chest today. No matter how I slice it, I can relate segments and experiences of my life to Rock ‘N Roll… and how it has and will forever save my Rockin’ soul. Thank you Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, Ben Shepherd and Matt Cameron. Metal be thy name.

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* For more info on SOUNDGARDEN, click on the links below!

http://www.soundgardenworld.com

LONG LIVE SOUNDGARDEN.

Stone.

7 Comments »

TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION’S ‘PEACEMAKER’ MAKES ITS MARK

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, Music, rock music, rock music news, southern hard rock, southern rock with tags , , , , , , on August 23, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Red Dirt Metal rockers Texas Hippie Coalition continue their string of success with the release of their incredible third studio album ‘Peacemaker’ (Carved Records). This week, the band made their highest Billboard debut at #4 on Billboard’s Heatseeker chart as well as #31 on Record Label Indie Current Albums and #20 on Current Hard Music Albums.

On the radio front, the band debuted at #15 on CMJ’s Loud Rock Chart and #39 on the Mediabase Active Rock Chart. So far, the band has garnered over 1,000 Media-base monitored spins reaching over 2.4 million listeners earning major-market airplay including WIIL/Chicago, WRIF/Detroit, KBPI/Denver and KUPD/Phoenix.

Meanwhile, THC is riding a swarm of rave reviews as critics embrace their most ambitious album to date. Loudwire exclaims they are “the bastard that spawned from a threesome between Monster Magnet, Willie Nelson and Pantera… What ‘Peacemaker’ does is takes that brand and elevates it to a more significant level. The band sounds tighter than ever, the guitar riffs are incredibly crushing to say the least and the lyrics are exactly what you’ve come to love and adore about this band.” About.com says “Peacemaker is furious witness to THC cranking through 11 tracks that declare what bad-ass outlaws they are…”

“Whether you want to call it “red dirt metal” [or]… “Southern fried Texas rock,” T.H.C. combines a little of everything for a rock/metal melting pot that garners fans from across the musical spectrum. – Metal Underground

Texas Hippie Coalition are currently on the road including a handful of dates opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Stay tuned for more tour dates.

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To read Stone’s album review for Peacemaker, click on the link below!

TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION ‘PEACEMAKER’ – A Paramount Hard & Heavy Rock Album; One You Should Be Required To Own

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(Source: Carved Records)

* For more info on TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION, click on the links below!

http://www.thcoutlaw.com

http://www.twitter.com/thcofficial

http://www.youtube.com/thcofficial

LONG LIVE TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION.

Stone.

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TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION ‘PEACEMAKER’ – A Paramount Hard & Heavy Rock Album; One You Should Be Required To Own

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Music, rock music, rock music news, southern hard rock, southern rock with tags , , , , , , on August 21, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION – Everybody get your hands up, I said reach for the sky! Why? Cause Big Dad Ritch says so… that’s why. When Big Dad Ritch aka The King Of Texas sings with his powerful lungs, I’m listening. You better believe it. The album featured here is Peacemaker and the band of outlaws who created it are famously known as Texas Hippie Coalition aka THC. Best you remember that, my Hard Rock and Metal brethren. Best you all do.

Released on Carved Records on August 14th, Peacemaker is without question in my Metal mind, a paramount Hard Rock album. If I could dictate Metal Marshall Law (and that would be very cool) I would make it a requirement that all of the worldwide Hard Rockin’ populace buy and play loud: Peacemaker. That’s it and there would be no F’n way around it either. Big Dad Ritch and his band have added that extra boost of Heavy Rockin’ Texan juju into this sophomore album of theirs and it’s an F’n thrill to experience.

THC is as American as homemade beer. Screw that apple pie crap. THC blends Southern Hard Rock with a classic Hard Rock nod, while brandishing plenty of Heavy Metal aptitude and this band summons the roots of their own Rock and Country Rock influence. THC exemplifies how this genre should be played and delivered into your ears, veins and Rock ‘N Roll soul. If the Southern Hard Rock torch has been handed down, then THC is the band that took such torch with patriotic and Rockin’ pride. I personally couldn’t think of a better band to lead the Southern Hard & Heavy Rock charge for our future generations.

Take a listen and look below to the Turn It Up music video and… TURN IT UP!

From Hands Up to Turn It Up, the level of Hard Rock authority is so stunning that it’s an F’n dreamland of kicking the shit out of your worries, anxieties and fears combined. You will feel personal power from listening to Peacemaker. You don’t need to read any epic Tony Robbins book to get personal power anymore; cause THC will administer it through Peacemaker. Go ahead, tell Tony that Stone said that too.

From Wicked to the title track, the uncompromising heaviness of THC continues to reign. With guitar muscle supplied by Wes Wallace, the leads, rhythm, riffs and mini-solos will leave you begging for mercy… as you continue to hit the replay button. John Exall (bass) and Timmy Braun (drums) provide more heavy Texas thunder than a raging coastal storm heading straight for Corpus Christi. Crash, boom, bang and I’m not fibbing about a damn thang.

Where Big Dad Ritch ignites this album (non-stop) with his prolific vocals; he also brings Peacemaker to a surprisingly softer and momentous closing as he sings… a ballad. With piano keys as an intro, the stage is set for Think Of Me to be that song to make all the gals cry. Man, Big Dad Ritch can croon (still) he sings verses in Think Of Me with his trademark branding iron vocals. Wes Wallace lays down the (Arena Rock style) licks on guitar, while John and Timmy keep the heavy beats raining down on this mid-tempo (heavy) ballad.

Don’t pass up on Peacemaker. This album is just too entertaining and too damn energized with all grand things about Heavy Rock ‘N Roll! THC is a band to reckon with in our Heavy Rock world. It’s like I say to everyone who cares to listen: You either join THC or get the hell out of their way, cause Big Dad Ritch and his band are here to stay. Metal be thy name.

TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION:

Big Dad Ritch – Vocals

John Exall – Bass Guitar

Wes Wallace – Guitar

Timmy Braun – Drums

PEACEMAKER – Track Listing:

Hands Up

Damn You To Hell

8 Seconds

Outlaw

Turn It Up

Wicked

Don’t Come Lookin’

Sex & Drugs & Rock And Roll

Paw Paw Hill

Peacemaker

Think Of Me

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* For more info on THC, click on the links below!

http://www.thcoutlaw.com

http://www.twitter.com/thcofficial

http://www.youtube.com/thcofficial

LONG LIVE TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION.

Stone.

6 Comments »

LOVERBOY – Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival EPK (Official); Album Releases August 24th On Frontiers Records

Posted in classic rock, classic rock bands, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, Music, rock bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on August 18, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

LOVERBOY– With their trademark red leather pants, bandannas, big rock sound and high-energy live shows, LOVERBOY has sold more than 10 million albums, earning four multi-platinum plaques in the USA, including the four-million-selling Get Lucky, and a trio of double-platinum releases in their self-titled 1980 debut, 1983’s Keep It Up and 1985’s Lovin’ Every Minute of It.

LOVERBOY went on to win a still-record six Juno awards in 1982, and until a three-year sabbatical in 1989, were one of the Top 5 grossing touring acts in the world, performing in over 100 cities across the U.S. and Canada. Their success made them the first Canadian group ever to earn Columbia Records’ exclusive Crystal Glove Award, celebrating the sale of over five million albums outside their native country.

Aside from singer Mike Reno and guitarist Paul Dean, LOVERBOY still includes original members Doug Johnson on keyboards and Matt Frenette on drums, with Ken “Spider” Sinnaeve (a former member of Dean and Frenette’s pre-LOVERBOY band Streetheart), who replaced the late Scott Smith on bass, and continues a healthy touring schedule around the world.

LOVERBOY is now back once again, having reunited at Bryan Adams’ Vancouver studio The Warehouse, with their original engineer, legendary producer Bob Rock [Metallica, Aerosmith, The Cure, Bon Jovi], who worked under Bruce Fairbairn at the time. The band has recorded three new songs with Rock, Heartbreaker, Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival and No Tomorrow, which have been added to nine all new re-recordings of the band’s best tracks.

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL REVIVAL – Track Listing:

Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival

No Tomorrow

Heartbreaker

Turn Me Loose

Working For The Weekend

Lovin’ Every Minute Of It

The Kid Is Hot Tonight

Lucky Ones

Always On My Mind

Queen Of The Broken Heart

When It’s Over

Hot Girls In Love

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(Source: Frontiers Records)

* For more info on this LOVERBOY album, click on the link below!

http://www.frontiers.it

LONG LIVE LOVERBOY.

Stone.

1 Comment »

JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part Six)

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, guitarists, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on August 18, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Joe Walsh saw his eleventh studio album, Analog Man, released back on June 5th, 2012. Since then, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this album’s songs from top to bottom; so much so, that I’ve written five Fun & Random Thoughts posts regarding this entertaining work. Now, you are reading the sixth such post!

Lyrically, Analog Man is filled with Joe’s real life experiences and Fishbone is one fine example. Fishbone is a funny song, only the story behind this song is not that humorous at all; at least to me it isn’t. Regardless, Joe Walsh has a unique way of turning a scary personal story into something “funny” to reflect upon. Joe Walsh explained the story behind this song in the liner notes of Analog Man. Here’s the story behind Fishbone, as I’ve kept it in fewest words as possible:

Joe’s wife had a fishbone (unfortunately) get stuck in her throat, while at a dinner party in Monte Carlo. She had to fly home to Los Angeles to have the fishbone removed from her throat. That poor woman. That’s scary stuff! I couldn’t imagine having any kind of bone getting stuck in my throat! Based on the lyrics of Fishbone, Joe’s wife obviously had a trying experience and eventual positive outcome. Thank God for that.

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Fishbone can get nasty, fishbone ain’t your friend – Joe Walsh

Trust me, the lyrics to Fishbone are funny and still I wince while listening to them. I just feel so bad for Joe’s wife having to go through such a terrible ordeal with a fishbone getting stuck in her throat. If this song has taught me any lessons, it’s you can’t take life for granted. Nor can you take life too seriously; especially when an outcome to a frightening experience or event turns out well. I’m sure if the outcome to this story was (gasp) something worse, then Joe Walsh would never have written such a lyrically funny song about it. I would hope so, anyway.

Musically, Fishbone is classic Joe Walsh. Semi-funky and loaded with guitar licks that ooze out from every crevice is Fishbone. Throw in some electronic artfulness on vocals for a second or two and Fishbone is a hidden gem of a song on Analog Man.

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Since we’re on the topic of Fishbone, here is a (topically related) album I’ve been reminded of:

Yes, that’s Fishbone’s seventh studio album titled: Still Stuck In Your Throat. This cool album was initially released in Europe, back in 2006. The Alt/Rock, Funk Metal and Ska Punk band known as… Fishbone. Whoever said the Rock Music world wasn’t intertwined in some mystical way should have their head examined for malfunction. Metal be thy name.

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* If you’ve missed any or all of my Fun & Random Thoughts on Joe Walsh – Analog Man, don’t panic! Just click on those very cool links below to get all caught up! Whoa!

JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part One)

JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part Two)

JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part Three)

JOE WALSH – “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part Four)

JOE WALSH “Analog Man” – Some Fun & Random Thoughts From Stone (Part Five)

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* For more info on JOE WALSH, click on the link below!

http://joewalsh.com/

LONG LIVE JOE WALSH.

LONG LIVE FISHBONE (The Band).

Stone.

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THEORY OF A DEADMAN – Watch Their Gig From The Knit Reno, via Livestream on August 11th!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Music, rock bands, rock concerts, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on August 11, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

THEORY OF A DEADMAN – Watch their LIVE gig at The Knitting Factory in Reno, Nevada, August 11th (tonight) at 11pm EST! To view and hear the Hard Rockin’ good-times, click here: http://livestream.com

* Follow Livestream on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/livestream

Theory Of A Deadman – The Truth Is… was released on July 12, 2011, via Roadrunner Records.

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* For more info on THEORY OF A DEADMAN, click on the links below!

http://www.theoryofadeadman.com

http://store.theoryofadeadman.com/music.html

LONG LIVE THEORY OF A DEADMAN.

Stone.

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WITCHCRAFT – First Track From “Legend” Available For Online Streaming!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, Music, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on August 4, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Swedish psychedelic classic rockers, WITCHCRAFT, have made the first track single off the bands upcoming album, Legend, available for streaming at the bands official Facebook profile. Surf to http://www.facebook.com/witchcraft and check out It’s Not Because Of You.

The single will be made available for purchase on August 17 digitally (iTunes, http://www.itunes.com/witchcraft ) and as limited 7“ vinyl (Nuclear Blast Mailorder, http://www.nuclearblast.de/suche/witchcraft ) including a special non-album bonus track called Take Me With You When You Die.

The 7“ vinyl will be issued in three different versions: Green (Nuclear Blast Mailorder ONLY), copper and black.

Legend marks WITCHCRAFTs first album in five years and will released September 21, 2012 via Nuclear Blast.

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(Source: Nuclear Blast News)

* For more info on WITCHCRAFT, click on the links below!

http://www.witchcrafthome.com/

http://www.facebook.com/witchcraft

http://www.twitter.com/WitchcraftBand

http://www.youtube.com/user/WitchcraftBand

LONG LIVE WITCHCRAFT.

Stone.

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JACKYL “Best In Show” – FUN Has Returned To Hard Rock Once Again, Courtesy Of JACKYL!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news, southern rock with tags , , , , , , on August 3, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

JACKYL – On July 31st, 2012, Georgia’s very own JACKYL released their 7th studio album, Best In Show, via MIGHTY LOUD / Fontana Distribution. Jesse James Dupree and his band have once again put the FUN back into Hard Rock. JACKYL’s southern fried attitude and flavor reigns supreme on Best In Show and I honestly LOVE this album more than their 2010 studio album: When Moonshine and Dynamite Collide. (And I really appreciated that last album from this band too).

The songs lyrics on Best In Show are FUN to listen to and I couldn’t expect any less from JACKYL. Couple this with a total impact of ass kicking Hard Rock and Best In Show has already earned its reservation on Metal Odyssey’s “Best Hard Rock Albums Of 2012” list. JACKYL has recorded an album that is a 100% escape from my (silly) worries over bills, warm beer, a crappy economy and lousy service at any McDonalds drive-thru window. Whoa.

Top to bottom and side to side, Best In Show is a SOLID reason as to why JACKYL is still around after 20 years playing Heavy Rock ‘N Roll; the kind of Rock ‘N Roll to piss off your elitist neighbors that have never waved to you. I ran into my elder Metalhead hermit buddy, up in the remote woods of North/Central Pennsylvania late yesterday. He told me: “Stone, they just don’t make ’em like that JACKYL band anymore… All-American and blue-collar Hard Rock never surrenders.” I commented back to him: “Metal be thy name, you are so F’n right.”

My favorite song among favorite songs on Best In Show is: Golden Spookytooth. The thumpin’ and stompin’ Rock ‘N Roll that JACKYL plays is as refreshing to my ears, as a pot of home-made mashed potatoes is to my stomach. Down-home Hard Rock is JACKYL and they’ve brought it in heaping piles with Best In Show. Their cover version of Cover Of The Rolling Stone is damn cool stuff. (This song was originally recorded and made famous by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show).

Better Than Chicken is a KEEPER of a song. Metal as my witness, this song has erased any dumb-ass and downer mood I could potentially be in for the next couple of years. Sample this new JACKYL online, seek-it-out and BUY IT! That’s it. This JACKYL review is over now. I gotta go and run some F’n errands while I crank up Best In Show in the car… and nuthin’ will get under my skin cause JACKYL has set me Rockin’ straight… again.

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* There is a hidden 12th track. A Cover of It’s Tricky by RUN-D.M.C. It’s a cool good-times, party till dawn sing-a-long song; 1part Rap, 1 part Rock ‘N Roll. I dig it. As Lenny Wolf of Kingdom Come would say: “It is what it is.”

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JACKYL:

Jesse James Dupree – vocals & guitar

Roman Glick – bass

Jeff Worley – guitar

Chris Worley – drums

BEST IN SHOW – Track Listing:

Best In Show

Encore (It Makes My Bic Dig Her)

Screw Driver

Horns Up

Golden Spookytooth

Cover Of The Rolling Stone

Walk My Mile

Favorite Sin

Better Than Chicken

Don’t Lay Down On Me

Eleven

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* For more info on JACKYL, click on the link below!

http://www.jackyl.com

LONG LIVE JACKYL.

Stone.

1 Comment »

KISS “MONSTER” – Album Cover and Track Listing! Stone’s Metal Pick Of The Day!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on August 3, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

KISS – If you haven’t already seen the album cover for MONSTER, the 20th studio album from the ultra legendary KISS, there it is above! MONSTER will be released in North America on October 16th, 2012.

My name is Stone and I’m a KISSaholic. I’m absolutely, positively and with 100% certainty… psyched-out of my Metal lovin’ mind for this upcoming KISS album! That is why this MONSTER album cover and track listing is: Stone’s Metal Pick Of The Day! Metal be thy name.

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MONSTER – Track Listing:

01. Hell or Hallelujah

02. Wall of Sound

03. Freak

04. Back to the Stone Age

05. Shout Mercy

06. Long Way Down

07. Eat Your Heart Out

08. The Devil Is Me

09. Outta this World

10. All for the Love of Rock & Roll

11. Take Me Down Below

12. Last Chance

13. Right Here Right Now

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* Track listing as reported on KISSONLINE.com

* Billboard.com reports Right Here Right Now as a bonus track.

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* For more info on KISS, click here: KISS

LONG LIVE KISS.

Stone.

5 Comments »

FOOLS FOR ROWAN “Who Killed Amanda Day?” – EP Flourishes And Skyrockets With Its Melodic & Modern Rock

Posted in alternative rock, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, melodic rock, modern rock, Music, rock albums, rock bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on August 1, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

FOOLS FOR ROWAN – While the Modern Rock world jumps up and down for the likes of Daughtry, Shinedown, Cavo, Sick Puppies and Halestorm, (and rightfully so), there is another band that deserves the same treatment: Nashville, Tennessee’s Fools For Rowan. Here’s the slick groovy part: Fools For Rowan have even outshined their last full-length Twisted. Tied Up. Tangled. and I LOVE that album. Who Killed Amanda Day? is a whole new era for Fools For Rowan and they best strap themselves in for a high-speed Rockin’ road of continued success.

If an already seasoned and multi-talented band can maximize their songwriting and musicianship to a higher level than they were before; then Fools For Rowan is such a band. Yes, Fools For Rowan have recently opened for the legendary Evanescence, while also sharing the stage with the mega-famous Candlebox; only it’s a matter of time before Fools For Rowan will own the marquee on different shores and you’ll remember Stone told you so.

Led by the dynamic Erin Mullins on vocals, the melodic driven songs on Who Killed Amanda Day? are insanely memorable and relevant… and I’m an Extreme Metal loyalist who has been kidnapped by this band’s glowing Modern Rock tonality. Among my six favorite songs (on this 6 song EP) is Crave. Kelly Clarkson (my favorite AI winner ever) holds nothing over Erin Mullins when it comes to vocal resonance and prowess. Throughout Who Killed Amanda Day?, Erin steals the show and her band steals it right back… it’s incredible to hear.

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The closing track is Leave, which has Erin dialing into some Stevie Nicks juju. A mellow and still dramatic vocal performance Erin gives on Leave. Back to Crave… Metal Odyssey’s Rock Song Of 2012? Just saying. I’m just enamored by Erin’s vocals and the band’s total musical output; for the simple reason I have never heard a hint of anything superficial from them on any of their songs… ever.

Refuge, Chameleon, and You Can’t Stop Me are Modern Rock charms that rise to the top; all three songs carrying their own flash and color of sonic appeal. The lead single, Killed A Man Today, is easily a song to narrow down as showcasing everything great about Fools For Rowan since the very beginning. There is a Rockin’ drive about this band that I hear and feel in their music which is without dispute; Killed A Man Today just solidifies this drive I’ve been hearing from Fools For Rowan.

Fools For Rowan has an ace in their box of talented tricks and it’s called Rockin’ passion. I hear it. I feel it. It flows through my veins. I’ve now told the world about it and I’m better off for it. Metal be thy name.

* Who Killed Amanda Day? was released on July 3rd, 2012, via Lava Lamp Records. Who Killed Amanda Day? is available on iTunes and at Amazon.com.

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FOOLS FOR ROWAN:

Erin Mullins – lead vocals

Rachel Brandsness – lead guitar

Ryan Nanney – rhythm guitar

Jordan Cullen – drums

Andrew “Gib” Williams -bass

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Who Killed Amanda Day? – Track Listing:

Killed A Man Today

Refuge

Crave

Chameleon

You Can’t Stop Me

Leave

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* For more info on FOOLS FOR ROWAN, click on the links below!

http://www.foolsforrowan.com

http://twitter.com/foolsforrowan

http://www.youtube.com/foolsforrowan

LONG LIVE FOOLS FOR ROWAN.

Stone.

2 Comments »

HEART “Fanatic” – New Studio Album Releases On October 2nd, 2012

Posted in classic rock, classic rock bands, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Music, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on July 28, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

HEART – The 14th studio album from Heart, Fanatic, will be released on October 2nd, 2012, via Legacy Recordings/Sony. From Seattle, Washington, the legendary Heart has delivered their timeless Rock/Hard Rock sound and songs to countless fans across the globe. Spanning five decades of recording and touring, Ann (vocals) and Nancy Wilson (guitar) have continuously shaped and nurtured to what has now become an important Classic Rock band of enviable Rock influence.

* Since their 1976 debut album, Dreamboat Annie, Heart has seen eight of their thirteen studio albums achieve platinum status.

* Fanatic was produced by Grammy and Juno Award winner Ben Mink; who also produced Heart’s last studio album, 2010’s Red Velvet Car.

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FANATIC – Track Listing:

Fanatic

Dear Old America

Walkin’ Good (featuring Sarah McLachlan)

Skin And Bones

Million Miles

Pennsylvania

Mashallah

Rock Deep (Vancouver)

59 Crunch

Corduroy Road

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Stone Says:

HEART SHOULD BE INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME. 

Metal be thy name.

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* For more info on HEART, click on the links below!

http://www.heart-music.com

http://www.myspace.com/heart

LONG LIVE HEART.

Stone.

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LYNYRD SKYNYRD “Last Of A Dyin’ Breed” – Releases On August 21st, 2012!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Music, rock bands, rock music, rock music news, southern hard rock, southern rock with tags , , , , , on July 27, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

LYNYRD SKYNYRD – The thirteenth studio album from Southern Rock’s legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd will be released on August 21st, 2012, via Roadrunner / Loud & Proud Records. Last Of A Dyin’ Breed has 11 songs that carries on the proud, patriotic and influential tradition of this Southern Rock institution.

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LAST OF A DYIN’ BREED – Track Listing:

Last Of A Dyin’ Breed

One Day At A Time

Homegrown

Ready To Fly

Mississippi Blood

Good Teacher

Something To Live For

Life’s Twisted

Nothing Comes Easy

Honey Hole

Start Livin’ Life Again

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* For more info on LYNYRD SKYNYRD, click on the links below!

http://www.lynyrdskynyrd.com

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com

LONG LIVE LYNYRD SKYNYRD.

Stone.

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BLACK TORA “Never Enough” – Official Music Video Is All About: Psych-You-Out Of Your Brains Heavy Rock!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal videos, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on July 25, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

BLACK TORA – Okay. I get it. Black Tora is messing with Stone. Guitarist RazorDave is messing with Stone. They think they can just put out a new song, a new music video and psych my Heavy Rockin’ brains out. They think they can get my Heavy Metallin’ adrenaline to reach the psych-out boiling point. Well… they did. Metal be thy name they did. Okay… holy Heavy Rockin’ shit they did. Black Tora has all their talented, Hard Rockin’ and Metal glistening cylinders spinning hot on their new song Never Enough.

Never Enough is from the forthcoming EP, Raise Your Fists, from Black Tora. It’s never enough times for my ears to take in the Hard and Heavy vibes, from this good-time grooves saturated song! This song is the well deserved Heavy Rockin’ kick-in-the-ass that I needed today… and tomorrow too. Take several looks and listens below of Black Tora as they belt out… Never Enough. Don’t forget to turn up the F’n volume too! Metal be thy name, Black Tora has landed.

Alright… now that the Never Enough video has kicked your Metal and Heavy Rockin’ lovin’ ass… check out the teaser video for the forthcoming Raise Your Fists EP:

BLACK TORA:

Chris Daniel – Vocals/Bass

RazorDave – Guitar

Nicky X – Drums

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* For more info on BLACK TORA, click on the links below!

http://www.facebook.com/officialblacktora

http://www.twitter.com/blacktora

LONG LIVE BLACK TORA ROCK ‘N ROLL.

Stone.

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JORN – “Live And Let Fly” (Official Video)

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, Music, music videos, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on July 24, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

JORN – Bring Heavy Rock To The Land is the new studio album from JORN and it’s a Heavy Rockin’ ride to catch onto. The seventh studio album from JORN, Bring Heavy Rock To The Land, features the bonus track Live And Let Fly; a song that showcases the premiere Heavy Rock vocals of Jorne Lande and his blazingly talented band that backs him.

Take a look and listen below at the official video for Live And Let Fly and turn up the volume with Heavy Rock pride! Metal be thy name.

* JORN – Bring Heavy Rock To The Land was released in Europe back on June 1st, 2012 and on June 5th in North America, via Frontiers Records.

* To read my album review for Bring Heavy Rock To The Land, (posted back on May 23rd, 2012), click on the link below!

JORN “Bring Heavy Rock To The Land” – Some Metal Thoughts On This Heavy Rock Keeper

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* For more info on JORN, click on the links below!

http://www.jornlande.com

FRONTIERS RECORDS

LONG LIVE JORN.

Stone.

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KISS – DESTROYER { RESURRECTED } – Releases On August 21st, 2012!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, Music, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on July 23, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

KISS – Destroyer – { Resurrected } from the super legendary KISS will be released on August 21st, 2012, through Universal Music Enterprises, (UMe). The iconic 1976 studio album, Destroyer, has been remixed from the original master tapes by Bob Ezrin, the albums original producer. { Resurrected } will also include rare photos, a new essay by Bob Ezrin and the originally intended album cover artwork (see above).

* Destroyer achieved certified gold status by the RIAA on April 22nd, 1976 and reached platinum status on November 11th, 1976. Destroyer was the first KISS album to go platinum.

* Sweet Pain (Original Guitar Solo) looks to be in place of the unlisted closing track Rock and Roll Party (heard on the original Destroyer album). I’m not sure if this is just a “rename” or an actual guitar solo this time around.

As any KISS fan would (hopefully) agree: has there ever been a better time to be a KISS fan or what? I suppose each decade since the 70’s has been a grand time to be a KISS fan; with each passing decade being a bounty of KISStory. On October 16th, 2012, the 20th studio album from KISS, Monster, will be released in North America! Add in KISS – The Tour with Mötley Crüe and it’s probably safe to say: 2012 is the year of KISS.

I will be buying this remixed edition of Destroyer { Resurrected } and it will serve me right! I am looking forward to buying the vinyl version and holding the album jacket, while the needle plays these classic KISS songs! Getting my hands and ears on this KISS album the old school way… is the right way for me.

Metal be thy name.

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KISS – DESTROYER { Resurrected } – Track Listing:

Detroit Rock City

King Of The Night Time World

God Of Thunder

Great Expectations

Flaming Youth

Sweet Pain

Shout It Out Loud

Beth

Do You Love Me?

Sweet Pain (Original Guitar Solo)

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* For more info on KISS, click here: KISS

LONG LIVE KISS.

Stone.

3 Comments »

Wanna See My Autographed NIGHT RANGER Photo? It’s Really Cool…

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, melodic hard rock, melodic rock, Music, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on July 21, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

NIGHT RANGER – That’s it at the top! That really cool (and authentic) autographed photo of Night Ranger came to me, courtesy of Best Metal Buddy Scott Coverdale. Back in 2010, he went to see Night Ranger perform at the Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Coverdale had a blast seeing Night Ranger live; he said they were pretty amazing that night. I believe him. I’ll also be thanking Coverdale for this really cool autographed photo, until I’m in my 90’s. Metal be thy name.

Night Ranger, from left to right in the above autographed photo: Christian Cullen, Kelly Keagy, Jack Blades, Joel Hoekstra and Brad Gillis.

Back on June 21st, 2011, Somewhere In California, the tenth studio album from Night Ranger was released via Frontiers Records. I can admit without hesitation, that this Night Ranger album is one of the best from their catalog; if not the very best. Somewhere In California is a Night Ranger album that pumps up my Rock ‘N Roll adrenaline; what more could I possibly ask for from any album that I listen to? Metal be thy name.

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* For more info on NIGHT RANGER, click on the link below!

http://www.NightRanger.com

LONG LIVE NIGHT RANGER.

Stone.

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WINCHESTER REBELS “Private Angel” – Stone’s Metal Pick Of The Day!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, Music, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on July 21, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

WINCHESTER REBELS – They’re from Santa Barbara, California. They play memorably cool Hard Rock and are as relevant as the F’n oxygen we’re all breathing in today. In other words, Winchester Rebels are one credibly talented band to catch onto. They’re song Private Angel is Stone’s Metal Pick Of The Day. Metal be thy name.

Private Angel is a slick and Hard Rockin’ song from Winchester Rebels’s debut album Three Sheets To The Wind. Give a listen to Private Angel below… crank it up LOUD for maximum Hard Rockin’ and psyche-you-out vibes!

WINCHESTER REBELS:

Nick Hunt – vocals

Nick Fitzgerald – guitar

James Longoria – guitar

John Livergood – bass

Barry Carter – drums

Buy Winchester Rebels debut album “Three Sheets To The Wind”

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/three-sheets-to-the-wind/id471258639

* Three Sheets To The Wind was released on October 13th, 2011.

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* For more info on WINCHESTER REBELS, click on the links below!

http://www.reverbnation.com/winchesterre…

http://twitter.com/#!/WinchesterRebel

http://www.youtube.com/user/winchesterre…

http://www.myspace.com/winchesterrebels

LONG LIVE WINCHESTER REBELS.

Stone.

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10 YEARS – New Album “Minus The Machine” Releases August 7th, 2012!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, Music, rock albums, rock bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on July 16, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

The highly anticipated new album Minus The Machine from Knoxville hard rockers 10 Years will be out on Tuesday August 7th. If you want a taste of the new jams before they hit the streets, be sure to check out their new single “Backlash” which Loudwire.com gave 4 out of 5 stars, calling it “classic 10 Years, featuring carefully placed guitar lines that splatter into a thick, dark chorus.” Check out the review HERE!

 The band also put together an exclusive iTunes deluxe offering of the new album, featuring bonus acoustic tracks & one B-side. This 15-track package is only available from iTunes – so be sure to pre-order today!

> CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER “MINUS THE MACHINE” ON ITUNES!

And don’t miss 10 Years on their headlining “Minust The Machine Tour” which is currently underway! Hitting U.S cities nationwide, see the below link for dates and info.

> CLICK HERE FOR 10 YEARS TOUR DATE INFORMATION!

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(Source: Independent Label Group Newsletter)

* For more info on Independent Label Group, click on link below!

http://ILGrock.com

LONG LIVE 10 YEARS.

Stone.

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THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE “Live At Berkeley” – Another Rock Music Treasure, From An Iconic Band And Historic Era Of Rock

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on July 16, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE – Released on July 10th, 2012, via Sony Legacy, Live At Berkeley is a Rock ‘N Roll gem to own. There’s never been a doubt in my Metal mind, that The Jimi Hendrix Experience were a trio of musicians that helped plant the seeds of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. I always ponder to myself, what would Jimi Hendrix think of today’s Heavy and Extreme Music? How would have Jimi’s guitar playing evolved if he had never passed away at such a young age of 27? I imagine I’m not alone with the wonder of it all. I bought this CD last week and I couldn’t be happier. Then again, if I scored a million dollar lottery ticket, I would be happier.

The production across the board on Live At Berkeley is sensational; the clarity of sound is undeniably first-rate. (The original location recordings were engineered by Abe Jacob). To have The Jimi Hendrix Experience captured live from this momentous evening of Rock history is Classic Rock personified. In my personal Metal opinion, there can never be enough live material of The Jimi Hendrix Experience; these Rock historic recordings recovered and released to the public are sonic journeys into a gilded past of music, in which I absorb like a sponge. There exists that select group of artists and bands that will always meet the demand for their (often times rare) unreleased studio and live music; The Jimi Hendrix Experience is a profound member of this select group.

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As with many live albums that have spanned the history of Rock Music, Live At Berkeley can also be considered a greatest hits. With such iconic Rock/Hard Rock songs such as Hey Joe, Purple Haze, Stone Free, Foxy Lady and Jimi’s adaptation of The Star Spangled Banner, Live At Berkeley showcases the songs that made both Jimi Hendrix and Heavy Rock escalate into the mainstream of popular music, during times of enormous social change. These are the songs that defined an era of Hard Rock, laying the field stone path for Hard Rock and Heavy Metal to follow.

Live At Berkeley was recorded on May 30th, 1970, (the 2nd show) at the Berkeley Community Theatre. On that storied night, Jimi Hendrix, along with Mitch Mitchell on drums and Billy Cox (from Band Of Gypsys fame) on bass, most likely never knew of their eventual pop-culture and Rock historical impact they would have on multiple generations of musicians and fans. The Jimi Hendrix Experience left a Rock ‘N Roll impact that can never be duplicated ever again.

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Stones Note: The also legendary Noel Redding will always be included when I reference The Jimi Hendrix Experience; being the original bassist for this band, Noel was no longer a member when this Berkeley concert was recorded.

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The Jimi Hendrix Experience has left me awestruck with their pioneering contributions and immeasurable influence to Rock and Heavy Music. With all of its glorious genres that have spiraled from the bulging and glowing core of Heavy Music, I can thank The Jimi Hendrix Experience (and other select pioneering artists and bands) for all being the incubus that kick-started it all. The very least I can do now, is write about legends the likes of The Jimi Hendrix Experience and celebrate the release of their live music from the past. The Jimi Hendrix Experience… never to be forgotten and never to be replaced. Metal be thy name.

LIVE AT BERKLEY – Track Listing:

Introduction

Pass It On (Straight Ahead)

Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)

Lover Man

Stone Free

Hey Joe

I Don’t Live Today

Machine Gun

Foxey Lady

Star Spangled Banner

Purple Haze

Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

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LONG LIVE THE LEGACY OF THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE.

Stone.

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