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Wanna See My Miljenko Matijevic (Steelheart) Autographed Trading Card?

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on November 29, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Miljenko Matijevic – Sometime during the Summer of 2009, I bought an autographed trading card of Miljenko Matijevic, the founding member and vocalist for the Hard Rock/Heavy Metal band STEELHEART. This autographed trading card is from the 2008 Upper Deck – Spectrum Of Stars set. I paid $10 (U.S.) for this piece of Rock ‘N Roll history, finding it at a sports card shop at the Merchants Square Mall in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

It’s not about any value when it comes to owning this very cool card of the legendary Miljenko. I’ve always been incredibly impressed by Miljenko’s vocals and yes, I do dig to the fullest the Hard Rockin’ sounds of STEELHEART. Metal be thy name.

Miljenko Matijevic – Autographed Trading Card – 2008 (Upper Deck – Spectrum Of Stars)

* For more info on STEELHEART, click on the link below:

STEELHEART – Official Website

Long Live Miljenko Matijevic & Steelheart.

Stone.

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BLACK ROBOT – A Metal Odyssey Salute To This Hard Rockin’, B-B-B-Baddass Band On Black Friday!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on November 25, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

BLACK ROBOT – Debut S/T (June 8th, 2010)

BLACK ROBOT – It’s Black Friday across America. That’s when material excess overrules proper judgement. It’s when a popular upscale department store can most likely sell rusted and bent barbed wire for a profit, by utilizing smart marketing on the masses. Black Friday for me is another day to crank up some more Metal and Hard Rock into my ears. A day no different from any other in my Metal lovin’ life. Metal be thy name.

A couple of days ago, with Black Friday looming larger than ever, I was thinking about the bands who have the word “black” in their (band) names. One of the  bands I immediately thought of was BLACK ROBOT. (Yes, the ultra-legendary BLACK SABBATH was the first band I did think of). Classic Rock and Classic Hard Rock influences, colliding with today’s Hard Rock edge, is what overflows in the sound of BLACK ROBOT. You can hear a cool sliver of AC/DC thump and stump gleaming in this band’s Rockin’ thunder, fused with their own original style. Calling California home, BLACK ROBOT has created quite a heavy Rockin’ buzz for themselves the past few years, both stateside and across all shores.

BLACK ROBOT is a Hard Rock band you should be checking out, in the event you haven’t already. Trust me, their brand of Hard Rock is smokin’ with fired-up attitude and a crunchy, fist-to-the-air, blue-collar vibe. The guitar licks and riffs are aplenty, while if you’re looking for some b-b-b-baddass, head knockin’, rhythm stompin’, Hard Rock songs you’ll get ’em with BLACK ROBOT. Metal as my witness, you shall.

BLACK ROBOT was formed back in 2008 by bassist Jonathan “JB” Brightman. He is also a founding and former member of the Grammy nominated Hard Rock band: Buckcherry. Jonathan cowrote and played on the Buckcherry debut S/T from 1999 and their sophomore release from 2001: Time Bomb.

* Check out the BLACK ROBOT music video below, covering the JJ Cale original and Eric Clapton’s cover classic: Cocaine.

* The BLACK ROBOT debut album was released on June 8, 2010, on Formosa Records/Rocket Science Ventures.

* Keep your eyes and ears open for a brand new BLACK ROBOT album in early 2012!

* Track Listing For BLACK ROBOT (Debut S/T): Baddass * Cocaine * Momma Don’t Cry * Girls Kissing Girls * Money * I’m In Love * In My Car * Black Robot * Love On A .45 * Dissatisfaction * 23 Days Of Night * Stop The World * Nervous Breakdown

Open up a case or two of Hard Rock whoop-ass and click on the links to BLACK ROBOT below! 

* You can download a FREE song from BLACK ROBOT here: BLACK ROBOT – facebook

BLACK ROBOT – myspace

BLACK ROBOT – twitter

BLACK ROBOT – Reverbnation

LONG LIVE BLACK ROBOT.

Stone.

1 Comment »

FireSky – An All Female Band You Must Know About, ‘Cause They’re Playing Some Serious Rockin’ Noize!

Posted in alternative rock, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, metal odyssey, rock albums, rock bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on November 9, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

L to R: Kio K, Anni Sutinen, Brenda Mejia, Shae Padilla

FireSky – Okay, to be upfront and honest, cause Stone can never tell a Metal lie, these four gals that call themselves FireSky… ROCKS! I’m very glad FireSky crossed my Metal path, this is a band that is ready for some Rock industry attention. After listening to their 5 song Erase The Enemy EP, (which was several times), I realized without hesitation that FireSky has “IT”. What is IT exactly, that FireSky has you’re asking? Song writing, vocals and these gals can play. FireSky has an attitude that comes through in their songs that screams: Rockin’ For Real. There’s some good Rockin’ vibes that emit from Erase The Enemy, Metal be thy name.

When you’re a DIY band and conscientious towards the song, word will travel fast and fans will follow. I’m listening to FireSky and they have created 5 melodically memorable songs, adding a contagious dose of Alt/Hard Rock flavor to their overall sound. It’s when my ears are introduced to a band like FireSky, that I wish I had the executive position at any record label to sign them. Instead, I can only pass along the great news that FireSky is out there, accomplishing and not just thinking about it, hungry for some Hard Rockin’ success.

If you are a fan of The Donnas, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Pink, Pat Benatar or The Bangles, you should get quite a Rockin’ thrill out of hearing the fresh and relevant Rock sound of FireSky.

Founding member, song writer and lead guitarist Shae Padilla recently told Metal Odyssey:

“Right now, FireSky is writing, rehearsing, playing locally here in California, and working on some touring opportunities! Its hard work being an independent band. But in our minds, if you have a dream you really believe in, you need to go for it. Even if you don’t “Make it”, you can be satisfied that you tried your hardest! And I’m happy to say, so far, so good for FireSky! We’ve made a lot of progress in the short time we’ve been a band, and it’s actually nice being the ones to make the decisions on the way our music sounds, and the way our band is presented to the public!

Shae elaborated on the title of her band’s EP, Erase The Enemy:

We decided to name it after the last track on the EP because it’s easy to remember and a good message. The song is about how often times, people are their own worst enemies and limit their potential. So you have to “Erase the enemy on the inside”. I love Anni’s (lead singer) lyrics! Definitely makes the writing process easy, when she’s right there coming up with interesting and meaningful lyrics!

When asked about a forthcoming full-length album being in the works, Shae responded:

“As far as a full length album goes, we’re hoping to have one out next year! We’re currently writing for it now, and also working on booking a tour so we can reach our fans wherever they may be!”

Where can fans buy your Erase The Enemy EP?

“You can buy our EP on iTunes by going to itunes.com/FireSky. OR if you like having a physical copy, you can go to our webstore and buy a copy! Just go to http://firesky.storenvy.com/“.

* Erase The Enemy EP was released on iTunes on August 23rd, 2011.

FireSky’s last two shows of 2011:

November 20th – Hollywood, CA @ Molly Malone’s

November 23rd – Upland, CA @ The Wire

FireSky:

Shae Padilla – Guitar

Anni Sutinen – Vocals

Brenda Mejia – Bass

Kio K – Drums

Erase The Enemy EP – Track List:

Free Fall

Pleasure For Mourning

Soundtrack Of My Life

Black As The Night

Erase The Enemy

* For more info on FireSky, click on the links below:

http://fireskymusic.com/

www.facebook.com/fireSkyMusic

Long Live FireSky.

Stone.

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JACKYL – U.S. Tour Dates For November & December 2011

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on October 29, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

JACKYL – Check out below the U.S. tour dates for Georgia’s Hard Rockin’ JACKYL as they close out 2011! After the October 29th date in good ol’ Wichita, Kansas, the remaining concert dates are in November and December. JACKYL is fronted by Jesse James Dupree on vocals (guitar & chainsaw), Jeff Worley (guitar), Roman Glick (bass) and Chris Worley (drums).

JACKYL – TOUR DATES:

10/29/11 – Wichita, KS @ The Cotillion

11/25/11 – Libertyville, IL @ Austin’s Fuel Room

11/26/11 – Ft. Wayne, IN @ Piere’s

12/06/11 – Springfield, VA @ Jaxx

12/07/11 – Hampton Beach, NH @ Wally’s Pub

12/09/11 – Cincinnati, OH @ Annie’s Entertainment Center

12/10/11 – Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop

12/11/11 – Traverse City, MI @ Ground Zero

(Source: JACKYL – The Official Site)

If you haven’t picked up the recent JACKYL studio album When Moonshine and Dynamite Collide (released 2010)… well, you really should. Especially if you like opening up a can of American Hard Rock whoop-ass. You can read my complete album review on this JACKYL gem, (posted on May 10, 2010), by clicking on the big header link below:

JACKYL – “WHEN MOONSHINE AND DYNAMITE COLLIDE” LET’S THE HEAVY BOOGIE RUN WILD!

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

JACKYL – Official Website

LONG LIVE JACKYL.

Stone.

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DAUGHTRY – New Studio Album “Break The Spell” Releases November 21, 2011

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock bands, metal odyssey, Music, rock albums, rock music, rock music news, rock vocalists with tags , , , , , , on October 23, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

DAUGHTRY – Break The Spell, the third studio album from Daughtry, releases on November 21st, 2011, via RCA Records. Chris Daughtry has proven he is a premiere songwriter and Rock/Hard Rock vocalist with his band’s two previous studio albums Daughtry (2006) and Leave This Town (2009). The skilled musicians that round out Daughtry have solidified this band’s sound around Chris Daughtry’s unique and powerful vocals. Industry wide respected, embraced by countless fans, multi-platinum selling and chart topping, Daughtry looks to continue forward while never resting on their laurels with Break The Spell.

DAUGHTRY:

Chris Daughtry – vocals

Josh Steely – guitar

Brian Craddock – guitar

Josh Paul – bass

Robin Diaz – drums

Break The Spell – Track Listing:

Renegade

Crawling Back To You

Outta My Head

Start Of Something Good

Crazy

Break The Spell

We’re Not Gonna Fall

Gone Too Soon

Losing My Mind

Rescue Me

Louder Than Ever

Spaceship

Deluxe Edition – Additional Tracks:

Who’s They

Maybe We’re Already Gone

Everything But Me

Lullaby

* For more info on DAUGHTRY, click on the links below:

DAUGHTRY – Official facebook

DAUGHTRY – The Official Website

LONG LIVE DAUGHTRY.

Stone.

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GOTTHARD – “Homegrown – Alive In Lugano” Trailer! A Live Album Of Sentimental And Historic Importance For This Band

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock news, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on September 19, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

The release of GOTTHARD’s live album “Homegrown – Alive in Lugano“ is coming closer and with that also the unavoidable ending of an era within the band’s history – the era of Steve Lee.

The recordings of the concert which took place on the 17th of July 2010 in Lugano – the band’s home town – portray one of the last shows with the charismatic exceptional singer before his tragical accidental death later that year and will occupy a special position in GOTTHARD’s complete works always and evermore.

Bassist Marc Lynn puts the album’s magic into moving words: ”Lugano was where it all began and so the circle is closed of all that we’ve experienced with our friend Steve Lee. The memories of the past 20 years on stage with Steve are brought again to life intensively with this album. They reflect the memorable times that we were able to enjoy on the Mount Olympus of Rock’n’Roll.“

The enclosed bonus DVD shows chosen recordings of another historical concert of GOTTHARD: On the 31st of December 1999, the rock group played a gig over the course of the millennium – which also took place on the local piazza in Lugano and can be seen as one of the band’s most exceptional shows to date.

The album will be released on September 30, on Nuclear Blast Records!

Currently, GOTTHARD are still in search of a new singer, but soon a new chapter of the band’s history will be opened…

(Source: Nuclear Blast News)

* Homegrown – Alive In Lugano will be released on October 11th, 2011 in North America.

LONG LIVE GOTTHARD.

Rest In Peace, Steve Lee.

Stone.

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NICKELBACK – New Album “Here And Now” Coming November 21, 2011: NICKELBLACK MONDAY!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on September 8, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

NICKELBACK – As stated by the bands newsletter on August 8th, 2011:

You’ve waited, we’ve teased you and now the big news is finally here!

The brand new Nickelback album, Here and Now, is heading your way November 21, 2011 also known as “NICKELBLACK MONDAY!”  The first singles, “Bottoms Up” and “When We Stand Together” will ship to rock and pop radio respectively on September 26th, 2011.

Stay tuned for even more big news and keep an ear open for the new music!

* For more info on NICKELBACK, click on the link below:

www.NICKELBACK.com

LONG LIVE NICKELBACK.

Stone.

3 Comments »

The Hunting Accident – Ancient Fish: 4 Song EP Of Alternative Rockin’ Coolness

Posted in alternative rock, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on August 18, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

THE HUNTING ACCIDENT – I found this very cool band on twitter recently. This band goes by: The Hunting Accident. Actually, they found me first on twitter. 99% of the time, when a band follows Stone on twitter, Stone follows back. What happened to the other 1% somebody might ask? Those are the bands that aren’t really bands at all… they just try to fool you. Metal Odyssey doesn’t have nearly as many followers on twitter as I would like… so please feel free to follow Stone! (Especially if you are a band known across many continents as: Cheap Trick). Come on Cheap Trick… I’ve already pledged on twitter that if you follow Metal Odyssey, um, (Stone), then I would graciously write a “positive” piece on… ABBA. I cringed as I wrote that you know. Still, Stone gives his Metal promise on that one. Metal be thy name one thousand time over.

I do follow just about everyone except: doctors, lawyers and marketers who are only trying to make an easy buck from anyone they sucker. Seriously, if I needed a doctor or lawyer, the last place on Mother Earth I would seek one out on is twitter. Metal be thy name. I’ve seemed to have gotten off topic here and that’s cool. Why is that cool you might query? For the simple fact that sometimes I grow extremely tired of the formatted and run-of-the-mill album review. It’s normal.

Don’t get me wrong, I guarantee you will certainly see those  strict and conscientious album reviews here at Metal Odyssey. They will never go away. I wish political advertisements would go away though. Head cheese too. I wouldn’t touch head cheese with my worst enemy’s big toe. If I had a worst enemy that is. Maybe it’s the dude that keeps leaving postcards on my front door asking if I need “new uv-rated windows or a patio”.

Okay, now it’s definitely time to steer back to The Hunting Accident. Hey, this band is damn good. Yes sir and madam. All four songs on their Ancient Fish EP are just steaming with an Alternative bite that is both relevant and Hard Rockin’. These are songs that should catapult this band to some sort of Rock and Roll stardom. In my opinion, from these songs I’ve listened to, The Hunting Accident could realistically open for the legendary Alt/Rock band we all know and love called: The Cars. Just one listen to their song Big Mistake and you might not think I’m so crazy for stating that last thought.

I can honestly say I am hoping The Hunting Accident releases a full-length album very soon. I’ll admit, I never heard of this band before my twitter encounter with them and this Ancient Fish EP has served me right. Each musician of The Hunting Accident has a very decent track record in the music industry too. Really, they do. Check out their website here for more bio and info on them: The Hunting Accident – Official Website

You can either download this 4 song EP for free (yes free) or buy the 7″ EP of Ancient Fish directly on their site. How amazing is that? Free Rock and Roll or buy some vinyl… those words are wonderful to my ears. Plus, you can stream all 4 songs if you like, before you make that important decision as to how you want to own them. Seriously, if you are into Alternative Rock/Hard Rock or just want to hear 4 very groovy songs, The Hunting Accident is delivering the Rockin’ goods.

* You can also check out The Hunting Accident by clicking on their facebook link below:

The Hunting Accident – Official facebook

Ancient Fish – Track Listing:

Hot Drum

Important

Jack Trap

Big Mistake

LONG LIVE THE HUNTING ACCIDENT.

The words “wonderful” and “groovy” were used in this post.

Stone.

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ZZ TOP – Live From Texas: A Very Cool Listen From Three Rockin’ Legends!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock bands, concerts, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock concerts, rock music, rock music news, southern hard rock, southern rock with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on July 2, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

ZZ TOP – Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard. Three undisputed Rock and Roll legends. On this 2011 July 4th holiday weekend in America, kickin’ back to some live ZZ Top with some cold brews aplenty, well,  just seems like the right thing to do. I pulled Live From Texas out a couple of days ago and thought this album should be recommended for any fan of good times, old school, Classic Rock. Aw, hell, any fan of Rock Music just has to appreciate what ZZ Top has accomplished over their glorious Rockin’ career. From Southern Rock to Hard Rock, with the Blues in-between, ZZ Top is Rock and Roll whoop-ass, no matter how you slice it.

Released back in 2008, on Eagle Records, Live From Texas is not short on sound quality and production. This album obviously makes for a very cool greatest hits and live combination. Fans both old and new should get a kick out of hearing Pearl Necklace being introduced, showing that a little band rhetoric with the audience surely goes a long way. I dig every song I hear on Live From Texas, including Rough Boy… Metal be thy name. Rough Boy seems to take an unfair hit every now and again and I’m tellin you now, this song is cool alone for just making the girls all mushy. Well, that’s how I observed it  “back in the day” with Rough Boy.

The live versions of Cheap Sunglasses and Just Got Paid flat out ROCK through my veins with Classic Rockin’ intoxication. Being able to see ZZ Top live during my lifetime is something I’ll always cherish and want to experience again one day soon. In the meantime, I’ll just reach for Live From Texas to get my dose of ZZ Top playing 16 songs live… with Texas and American pride!

* ZZ Top – Live From Texas was recorded on November 1st, 2007, at the Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Live From Texas – Track Listing:

Got Me Under Pressure

Waitin’ For The Bus

Jesus Just Left Chicago

I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide

Cheap Sunglasses

Pearl Necklace

Just Got Paid

Rough Boy

Blues Intro

Blue Jean Blues

Gimme All Your Lovin’

Sharp Dressed Man

Legs

Tube Snake Boogie

La Grange

Tush

LONG LIVE ZZ TOP.

Stone.

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9 CHAMBERS – Hard Rockin’ Studio Update: Through Sights and Sounds!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 1, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

(Left: Ed Mundell, Right: Greg Hampton)

(Photo Credit: Rockframe Media/Karen Murphy Mundell)

9 CHAMBERS – Rockin’ right along in the studio and currently making cool progress on their forthcoming debut album is the Hard Rock supergroup known as 9 Chambers. The lineup for 9 Chambers with their storied backgrounds: Vocalist and guitarist Greg Hampton (Alice Cooper, The New Czars, Lita Ford, to name a few), guitarist Ed Mundell (ex-Monster Magnet), Jorgen Carlsson on bass (Gov’t Mule) and Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Heavn & Hell, DIO) on drums.

The Rock world is a better place, when musicians such as 9 Chambers can unite and create their unique brand of Hard Rock! Check out the video below for the newly released sights and sounds collection that is 9 Chambers… as they’re recording in the studio right now!

* Stay tuned to Metal Odyssey for constant updates on 9 CHAMBERS, as they progress closer to their debut album’s finish and release date!

* Read the initial cover story about 9 CHAMBERS, as it was posted on Metal Odyssey back on April 8th, 2011 by clicking the big header link below!

9 Chambers – Hard Rock Supergroup Of: Greg Hampton, Ed Mundell, Jorgen Carlsson and Vinny Appice!

* For more info on 9 CHAMBERS, click on the links below:

9 Chambers – Official Website

9 CHAMBERS – Official facebook

9 Chambers – Reverbnation

9 Chambers – Audio Samples

LONG LIVE 9 CHAMBERS.

Stone.

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KOPEK – ROCKED LIVE & LOUD! Concert Review: The Crocodile Rock Cafe, Allentown, Pennsylvania, March 19th, 2011

Posted in alternative rock, classic rock, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, modern rock, Music, rock and roll, rock concerts, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 31, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

KOPEK – Through the years (or is that decades?) I’ve always been a believer in the small club setting for seeing a live night of Rock, Hard Rock or Heavy Metal. Most of my greatest experiences of seeing live concerts have been at small clubs. Seeing KOPEK live, on March 19th, 2011, at The Crocodile Rock Cafe in Allentown, Pennsylvania, was no exception to my long list of memorable, small club, Rock experiences. If anything, as I stood there bopping my head up and down to Kopek’s live set, I understood I was watching an electrifying band that I’ve felt all along will be HUGE one day.

As Kopek played through their set of several songs, taken from their insanely addicting debut album White Collar Lies, I had to redirect my view on this band becoming huge one day. Kopek is already HUGE. What was I thinking? Finally seeing Kopek play live was a validation in my believing in this band from day one. Kopek is as blue collar and unique as any of the “greatest” in Rock Music history. If the world of Rock needed a rejuvenation of itself in 2011, then the world of Rock should thank Dublin, Ireland’s very own… Kopek.

I am not bashful in stating that Kopek is a band that only comes around every fifteen years. The “vibe” I love most about Kopek is the “Rock and Roll mystique” they give off through their music and overall style, a mystique legends such as R.E.M., Pearl Jam, Motörhead, Metallica and Nirvana (to name a few) are historically and famously known for. Kopek took this mystique I hear from their Hard Rock sound and style to an entirely different level for me, on this Saturday evening in mid-March of 2011. Seeing and hearing is believing. Kopek’s live set proved to me, that Rock Music history isn’t an open and shut book after all. Kopek is now. Kopek is HUGE.

KOPEK – White Collar Lies (Religion Music/SIN)

Kopek is currently on a massive tour throughout the U.S. and eventually Europe, which runs throughout the course of 2011. If you have never listened to Kopek’s Alt/Modern/Hard Rock debut album White Collar Lies, I strongly suggest you do. Being left out of the Rock Music history loop is not a cool thing to experience.

* On this night of Rock at The Crocodile Rock Cafe, Kopek played alongside Oceans Divide, Egypt Central, Maddam Ink. and the legendary… COLD.

* All the live photos you see here are taken from the talented lens of Metal Odyssey’s staff photographer Tom Coderre. I’d like to say: A Metal job well done Tom!

Daniel Jordan, the lead singer and guitarist for Kopek, gave a tremendous performance live. His almost stationary presence on stage had me realizing to myself, that you don’t need to carry on like a Rock Star to be a real Rock Star. No theatrics. No selfish or plastic image to be seen, while my eyes were affixed on Daniel Jordan on this night. As Daniel broke into the vocals for Fever, it gave me the chills… his vocals are that uniquely amazing for me. As soon as Kopek broke out Love Is Dead, I was in Hard Rock la-la land. Hearing Kopek play this song live was an instant Rockin’ high!

I especially appreciated the moment when Daniel dedicated the song White Collar Lies to the United States Troops that are scattered around the globe, protecting our free societies each and every day. Thank you Daniel for acknowledging and remembering our U.S. service men and women. I told Daniel it was difficult in restraining my urge to jump around and go crazy during their set. Daniel understood the dilemma I went through and he added: keeping it cool is the better rule. Sometimes I just feel like a kid. Metal be thy name.

Brad Kinsella on bass was always aware of the crowd! This is a musician that shows he feels the music he is playing, with his fun and cool on-stage mannerisms. Never pretentious, just legit personified. This is a guy who loves what he does for a living. Brad had the fans up front instantly initiated into his Kopek world… and they were all loving every second of it. I had fun just watching Brad perform… plus he plays a thumping bad-ass bass.

Shane Cooney is not easy to ignore, especially when he was laying down the hard hittin’ beats that made it difficult for me to not move. Shane is another non-egotistical member of this amazing band. As a bonus, there was never a “look-at-me” drum solo to be heard from Shane. This is a drummer who does it the old-fashioned way, keeping it simple, keeping it real.

Daniel and Stone finally meet! After a year of knowing who each other was, Daniel and I were able to exchange conversation about the band, touring, the fans and the night’s show. Daniel is a Rock musician who is proud by all the success and attention that Kopek has received thus far. Kopek deserves every bit of success that comes their way. They are earning it. To say Daniel is happy about Kopek is an understatement. When I asked him if he’s had a good time touring America, Daniel never hesitated to give an emphatic – yes! Daniel eagerly signed for the fans all night long. There was nary a moment, the entire night, when Daniel wasn’t accessible to speak to or hang out with.

Stone finally meets Brad and Shane! As with Daniel, Brad and Shane knew my name, only getting “a face with the name” makes it all the better… and my face is not that pretty either. Brad had nothing but kind words to say about America, the fans, the bands they’ve toured with and the people behind the scenes. Brad is especially pumped up to play at this years Rocklahoma. Shane was the ever polite Rock and Roll drummer. Brad and Shane thanked me for the past promotion of their album on Metal Odyssey. (!) I in turn, thanked Brad and Shane for the music they are making.

Luc Nyhus is a touring guitarist with Kopek. Luc’s presence and guitar playing was strong and confident, while he trekked about the stage. In my Metal opinion, Luc fit right in with Kopek. Off the stage, Daniel, Brad, Shane and Luc got along like a brotherhood. Luc is one big dude, so I’m speculating Kopek has a body guard to watch their backs while on tour too! Luc was a cool and friendly guy to meet as well.

It’s always a thrill, to meet musicians like Kopek that I hold in high regard. Hearing Kopek thank me (!) for writing cool stuff about them this past year will forever be remembered by me. Their understanding of how it “gets done” in todays record industry, along with their friendliness, work ethic, grueling tour schedule and of course, musicianship is above admirable. It’s even a more immense thrill to realize that Kopek are fantastically good guys, they know where they came from and where they are going… which is straight to the top.

* For more info on KOPEK, click the links below:

KOPEK – Official Website

KOPEK – MySpace Music Page

KOPEK TV Official Channel – YouTube

Visit The Crocodile Rock Cafe here: Crocodile Rock Cafe

THANK YOU KOPEK.

LONG LIVE KOPEK.

Stone.

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THE TREWS – “Hope & Ruin” Releases April 12th, 2011! Track Listing, Album Art and Info…

Posted in alternative rock, alternative rock bands, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 29, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

“Big riffs, bigger hooks, anthemic choruses – Canadian Alt-Rockers The Trews bring all of that and more” – Guitar Edge Magazine

THE TREWS’ fourth full-length studio album, Hope & Ruin, due out on The Trews Records on April 12, is a level-raising evolution for the Toronto-based rock band with two gold records, 10 top-10 singles and 800-plus concerts logged. After wrapping up the first leg of touring for 2009’s  Acoustic – Friends & Total Strangers retrospective, The Trews found themselves with time off and a blank canvas in front of them for the first time in years. The band decided to retreat to Tragically Hip’s fabled Bathhouse Studio’s, which is an old converted lake house just outside of Kingston, Ontario.

Recorded live-off-the-floor, they captured lightning in a bottle, resulting in a sound that is raw, electric and igniting. Of course, the ripping rockers that have made front man Colin MacDonald; his brother, guitarist John-Angus; their cousin, drummer Sean Dalton; and long-time friend, bassist Jack Syperek one of Canada’s top live acts are still present with the heavy “The World I Know,” unrelenting “Misery Loves Company” and pummeling “People of the Deer.”

“We haven’t forgotten how to rock, but there’s new ground being covered,” says Colin. The Trews have never made an album in the manner in which they recorded Hope & Ruin, and it’s an album they never could’ve made before now. There’s a certain connection, comfort and intuition that’s needed to write and record in such an off-the-cuff, inspired manner. And that takes years to develop.

As the “Hope & Ruin” single continues to climb up the Active Rock charts in The Trews native Canada (currently at #7), the band is receiving accolades from around the globe. Performer Magazine here in the U.S. claims that “The Trews are, without a doubt, the greatest rock band of their generation” and upon their departure from their Australian tour  this month, famous native and rock affectionado Russell Crowe tweeted “Bon Voyage @thetrews hope you make it back to Australia soon. They came, they saw, they rocked”

The Trews will be touring the U.S. this Spring.

Hope & Ruin Track Listing:

Misery Loves Company

One By One

People of the Deer

Stay With Me

Hope & Ruin

If You Wanna Start Again

The World I Know

Dreaming Man

I’ll Find Someone Who Will

Love Is The Real Thing

Burned

You Gotta Let Me In

* I’ve listened to One By One, a song currently streaming from Hope & Ruin several times over. The Alternative Rock sound blended with a relevant Classic Rock feel and vibe, makes One By One erupt with all things fabulous about quality songwriting, memorable lyrics and guitar driven Rock Music. I’m really looking forward to landing my ears into this entire new album from The Trews.

* For more info on THE TREWS and to hear One By One streaming, click the links below:

THE TREWS – Official Website

THE TREWS – myspace music

LONG LIVE THE TREWS.
Stone.

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BON JOVI and POISON – Who Cares About Their Recycled “Greatest Hits” Collections Anyways?

Posted in Hair Metal, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on November 21, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BON JOVI/POISON – Metal be damned their back. I’m not talking about the bands Bon Jovi and Poison themselves, I’m talking about their recycled, re-mastered, decades old “hits” that everyone on planet Earth already owns. Yes, both bands have reintroduced to the world, once again, their sacred “hits” and have now decided to call them… “collections”. The sole purpose of these “collections” being released now, is for their being purchased as holiday gifts, the timing could not be any more prosperous for Bon Jovi and Poison.

Some poor dude out there is gonna get this Bon Jovi The Ultimate Collection as a Christmas present this year…  just because he probably mentioned once, during a family reunion picnic, that he digs the song Bad Medicine. That’s so damn unfortunate. Some poor Hard Rock chick (who owns every Poison album already) is gonna receive this Poison Nothin’ But A Good Time Collection as a holiday grab bag gift at work… all due to her saying she has dug Poison her whole life to someone at the company cafeteria. Terrible thought, I know.

Any fan of Poison or Bon Jovi already owns every damn studio album, live album and greatest hits as it is. I don’t think either band is hurtin’ in the big pay day department either… still, it’s all about the $$$ and no remote care in the world for the long-time fans who want “new” studio recordings of songs. This is Bon Jovi’s fourth “greatest hits” album… hello, egomaniacs anonymous? Maybe these new “collections” from both bands are fitting for younger fans who are just getting into their music, I will concede that. Plus, I’m certain there are a ton of Democrat politicians who have been voted out of office this November that will buy this new Bon Jovi “Collection” as well. Those soon to be former Democrat politicians owe Bon Jovi for his supporting them… so there is always that new market to tap into.

How many times does Poison need to release a “greatest hits”? It’s been eight long years since Poison released a studio album of “new” songs, the last being 2002’s Hollyweird. Four “new” songs on Bon Jovi’s Ultimate Collection is like giving their loyal fans a bagged fart, disguised as a secret toy surprise, in the middle of bland tasting cheerios. Oh, I forgot, This Bon Jovi band is too “busy” to make a full-length album these days. This is as perfect an example, as I can point out, to two different bands becoming so commercial and worldly popular, that anything they decide to refry and belch out, is to be automatically accepted by the Rock listening and buying public. NOT!

Seasoned Rock and Hard Rock fans worldwide, save your hard earned money this holiday season and do yourself an “ultimate” favor by staying away from these “ultimate” collections. I’m not taking away from either band being solid and great in their own musical regards, that is not my intent. I really, really, dig Poison, always have and will. However, giving a little extra more money to the Salvation Army kettle, this holiday season, sounds like a much more valiant way to expend any more disposable income that I already don’t have.

Metal be thy name.

Stone.

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

Posted in glam metal, hair metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on November 13, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

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 »

FAIR TO MIDLAND – Sign World Wide Deal With eOne Music!

Posted in alternative rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, metal odyssey, Music, progressive rock, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on November 8, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

(New York, NY) – Texas natives FAIR TO MIDLAND have signed a worldwide deal with eOne Music. A new album is schedule for the spring of 2011 along with a tour to support it.

The band has enlisted producer Joe Barresi (TOOL, QUEENS OF THE STONEAGE, COHEED AND CAMBRIA) to man the board for this next offering. “I’ve been looking forward to working with these guys for quite sometime. They’re a great band whose music is intricate and yet very melodic,” says Barresi.

The new album will be the band’s follow-up to “Fables from a Mayfly: What I Tell You Three Times Is True” which included the popular singles “Dance of the Manatee” and “Tall Tales Taste Like Sour Grapes.”

“We’re all huge fans of what Barresi did with Queens of the Stone Age.  We wanted a stellar rock producer and were lucky enough to find one who has managed to find the happy medium between polish and performance,” says front man Darroh Sudderth.

Founded in 1998 in the quiet farm town of Sulphur Springs, Texas, Fair To Midland quickly became one of the Lone Star State’s fastest-rising bands, earning critical acclaim for their first two independent releases, 2001’s “The Carbon Copy Silver Lining” and the 2004 “inter.funda.stifle.”

Since the release of “Fables From a Mayfly,” they have shared the stage with bands such as the Smashing Pumpkins, Flyleaf, Chevelle, Dir en Grey, Alice In Chains, and Serj Tankian throughout the U.S. & Europe. The band has made appearances at festivals such as Coachella, Bamboozle, Download Festival, Rock AM Ring and Rock IM Park.

Fair To Midland is Darroh Sudderth (vocals), Cliff Campbell (guitar), Brett Stowers (drums), Matt Langley (keyboards) and Jon Dicken (Bass).

* For more info on Fair To Midland, click on the very cool link below:

Fair To Midland – myspace music

(Source: Entertainment One press release, November 8, 2010)

GO GET ‘EM, FAIR TO MIDLAND!

Stone.

 

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THE CARS – DEBUT ALBUM FROM 1978 REVISITED

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Track Listing For The Cars:

Good Times Roll

My Best Friend’s Girl

Just What I Needed

I’m In Touch With Your World

Don’t Cha Stop

You’re All I’ve Got Tonight

Bye Bye Love

Moving In Stereo

All Mixed Up


Rest In Peace, Benjamin Orr.

Stone.

24 Comments »

SAMMY HAGAR – HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM METAL ODYSSEY!

Posted in celebrity birthdays, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 13, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

SAMMY HAGAR – On October 13, 1947, Sammy Hagar, the “Red Rocker” was born. Sixty Three years later, Sammy Hagar stands tall as one of the greatest in all of Rock. I, along with Scott Coverdale and the entire Metal Odyssey family, wants to wish Sammy a LOUD and fun filled HAPPY BIRTHDAY! My wife especially, well, she wanted to make certain to wish the Red Rocker a happy birthday today… she really digs him and rightfully so.

If Stone could buy a beer today for Sammy… I’d buy ’em by the rounds! A lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, Sammy has a vocal presence that is undeniably infectious and resonates nuthin’ but Rock ‘N’ Roll at 100% proof. There is something about listening to Sammy Hagar’s vocals that makes me and countless others feel like everything is alright… it’s all about good times.

Scott Coverdale and I can never get enough of The Red Rocker… he is as cool in 2010 as ever. Chickenfoot, ’nuff said. To keep the relevance fires burning in Rock Music like Sammy continues to do, only reflects on just how legitimate and honest he is as an all-around musician. Thanks for all of the fabulously memorable music you have created over the years Sammy!! Don’t ever stop ROCKIN!

Here is a roll call of the bands that Sammy has been a major part of, over his illustriously Rockin’ career:

MONTROSE (1973-1975)

That’s Sammy pictured in the far right corner of this album photo. This is the Montrose self-titled debut album from 1973. A classic band is Montrose, we’re talkin’ about Hard Rock & Heavy Metal roots here.

SAMMY HAGAR (Solo)

Sammy has released 11 solo studio albums over his legendary career. Street Machine was the fourth solo album from Sammy, released in 1979 on Capitol Records.

My favorite Sammy Hagar solo album is – Standing Hampton. This album was my very first Sammy Hagar album. Standing Hampton was released in 1981 on Geffen Records. I remember buying it at Bradlees department store in the early ’80’s. I worked in a grocery store in the same plaza as Bradlees… this album probably cost half of my paycheck back then, only it was well worth every penny. Baby’s On Fire is probably my favorite Sammy Hagar song ever. There’s Only One Way To Rock is a song that kicks ass from sunrise to sunset. Plus, Heavy Metal is a downright heavy hitter of a song too. Even if you own a Sammy Hagar “Greatest Hits” CD… buy Standing Hampton… you’ll thank Stone later.

HSAS – Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve – Released back in 1984, HSAS was a cool supergroup led by Sammy Hagar on lead vocals. Neal Schon (Journey) on guitar, Kenny Aaronson (Dust) on bass and Michael Shrieve (Santana) on drums. This Through The Fire album from HSAS kicks ass, it’s a great Hard Rock album that deserves more attention than it gets. No, this HSAS album is NOT dated… it has that deeply rooted sound that some of today’s Hard Rock Bands can’t capture.

VAN HALEN – Or, if you prefer, Van Hagar. Just an unbelievably smooth transition Sammy Hagar made in becoming the lead vocalist for Van Halen back in 1986… whoa. The debut album showcasing Sammy with Van Halen was 1986’s 5150 and that album will always be an incredible listen for me. If I had to choose a favorite Van Halen album with Sammy on lead pipes… it’s OU812 from 1988. Cabo Wabo, Feels So Good and Black And Blue are three songs that psyche-me-out beyond Metal belief. Metal be thy name.

SAMMY HAGAR and THE WABORITAS / WABOS – Just good times, feel good, party Rock ‘N’ Roll is Sammy’s Wabos band. If you have never checked out any of their albums, your missing out. This band Sammy assembled can Rock, Rock Hard or simply play it ultra-cool at times. My favorite Wabos album is Livin’ It Up from 2006.

CHICKENFOOT – Sammy’s second venture into forming a “supergroup” has succeeded in my Metal opinion. Chickenfoot ROCKS. ‘Nuff said. The detractors of Chickenfoot are just plain jealous, they have what is diagnosed as: Chickenfoot envy. Released in the Summer of 2009, the self-titled, debut album from Chickenfoot has all that Hard Rockin’ Summertime vibe I crave. With Joe Satriani on guitar, Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) on drums and former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony… yup, it’s a super-duper group.

LONG LIVE SAMMY HAGAR!

* For more info on SAMMY HAGAR, just click on the link below:

RED ROCKER.com

SAMMY HAGAR = GOOD TIMES!

Stone.

 

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GRAVE DIGGER – “The Clans Will Rise Again” Releases October 12th In U.S.!!

Posted in hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Power Metal, power metal bands, power metal music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 9, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

GRAVE  DIGGER – 2010 marks the 30th Anniversary of Grave Digger, further cementing their legendary Heavy, Speed and Power Metal status with the release of their 15th studio album – The Clans Will Rise Again. This new studio album from Grave Digger has a U.S. release date of October 12th, on Napalm Records. * The European release date was October 1st, 2010.

Germany is the birthplace for many important Heavy Metal Bands over the decades, (ACCEPT, Scorpions, Helloween, Gamma Ray, Kreator and Edguy to name a many few), with Grave Digger bestowing their very own identity, brand and sound as well. You cannot discount Grave Digger, when the topic of German Heavy Metal Bands of influence comes up.

Axel Ritt has taken over all guitar duties as the newest member of Grave Digger on The Clans Will Rise Again. Guitarists Thilo Hermann and Manni Schmidt left Grave Digger, due to personal and musical differences, before entering the studio to record The Clans Will Rise Again.

There is no better time of the year than October, to have a brand new studio album released from Grave Digger! With the days growing shorter with sunlight and Halloween only a few weeks away, this new Grave Digger album will be a welcomed listen to my Metal scorched ears!

GRAVE DIGGER:

Chris Boltendahl – vocals

Axel Ritt – guitars

Jens Becker – bass

Stefan Arnold – drums

Hans Peter Katzenburg – piano & keys

* For more info on GRAVE DIGGER, just click on the cool links below:

GRAVE DIGGER CLAN.com

GRAVE DIGGER – myspace music

* Check out the music video for Highland Farewell below! This song is on The Clans Will Rise Again. A Potent and Power packed song that grabbed my Metal attention from the opening bagpipes!

Track Listing For The Clans Will Rise Again:

Days Of Revenge

Paid In Blood

Hammer Of The Scots

Highland Farewell

The Clans Will Rise Again

Rebels

Valley Of Tears

Execution

Whom The Gods Love

Spider

The Piper McLeod

Coming Home

When Rain Turns To Blood

Watch Me Die (Bonus Track)

LONG LIVE GRAVE DIGGER!

Stone.

1 Comment »

HELLOWEEN “7 Sinners” Releases November 9, 2010 In U.S.! Some HELLOWEEN thoughts…

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, power metal albums, power metal bands, power metal music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 7, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HELLOWEEN – Power Metal pioneers and ultra iconic, HELLOWEEN will be releasing their 13th full-length studio album, 7 Sinners, via The End Records, on November 9th, 2010. (This is the U.S. release date). Originating from Germany, Helloween is an influential and important band in the history of Metal. Since their 1985 album release – Walls Of Jericho, Helloween has been an undisputed leader in the Power Metal genre. I’ll never forget buying Walls Of Jericho on cassette years ago… I thought I was the coolest dude on the block for stumbling onto Helloween. Even though I have Walls Of Jericho on CD, I never let go of the cassette version.

Kai Hansen was terrific as the lead vocalist and guitarist for Helloween. (Gamma Ray obviously gets my Metal endorsement to the fullest). Michael Kiske was formidable as the lead vocalist for Helloween, his vocals on Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I are legendary. I’d have to pick Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I as my favorite Helloween album of all time… alright, tied with Walls Of Jericho! It’s not that easy, in choosing my favorite Helloween album of all time. (Chameleon from 1993… is not my favorite).

Yes, I even liked Unarmed – Best Of 25th Anniversary, which was released on March 30, 2010. No, it was not the Power Metal force we have all come to expect from Helloween, only this album I found to be a very cool listen. Some of the greatest Helloween songs ever, were re-structured with string arrangements and a choir. Dr. Stein really gets a Rock ‘N’ Roll makeover that I find to be a fun listen. At the end of the Metal day though, I’m sure relieved and psyched that Helloween is back, with their potent Power Metal that I’m expecting on 7 Sinners.

Andi Deris is an incredible vocalist as well, he can sing Metal lights out. Whoa… can Andi carry a note and sing the roof off. I can honestly say that Gambling With The Devil from 2007 is so powerful, that having a “three way tie” for my #1 Helloween album is Metal justified. Gambling With The Devil is simply put… riveting. Plus… I’ll throw in the Metal fact that founding member and guitarist Michael “Weiki” Weikath is a super nice guy to interview, one of the “good guys” of Metal… hands down. Kai Hansen is also a super nice guy to talk to… a genuine class act.

So, yeah, I get all pumped up anytime Helloween is about to release a new album. This is a band that I could easily write 500,000 words about and still want to write more. Seriously though, how many bands have their been in Metal, or any Rock genre for that matter, that can boast having “3” amazing lead vocalists in their bands history? Not too many I would imagine. I’m really looking forward to getting my copy of 7 Sinners… and on that day I’m going to be one psyched-out Metalhead. Those are my Metal thoughts for now about Helloween… I’m certain I’ll be reviewing 7 Sinners come November, you can bet your bottom Metal dollar on that one!

* For more info on HELLOWEEN, just click on the link below:

HELLOWEEN – Official Website

HELLOWEEN

Track Listing For HELLOWEEN – 7 Sinners:

Where The Sinners Go

Are You Metal?

Who Is Mr. Madman?

Raise The Noise

World Of Fantasy

Long Live The King

The Smile Of The Sun

You Stupid Mankind

If A Mountain Could Talk

The Sage, The Fool, The Sinner

My Sacrifice

Not Yet Today

Far In The Future

* The premium version of 7 Sinners will include a deluxe digpak, extended booklet and an exclusive bonus track. (Source: Helloween Official Website)

LONG LIVE HELLOWEEN!

Stone.


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Steve Lee – Rest In Peace

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock vocalists, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on October 6, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

STEVE LEE – Lead vocalist and songwriter for the Swiss Hard Rock Band, Gotthard, passed away from a motorcycle accident in Nevada, on October 5, 2010. Reports state that a tractor trailer skidded into an area where Steve Lee parked his motorcycle, with fellow bikers, on a rainy Nevada highway. Steve Lee has been the lead vocalist for Gotthard since their 1992 debut and self-titled album. Gotthard has been a Hard Rock import from Switzerland that has sold millions of records worldwide.

The world of Rock Music has truly lost a talented singer, songwriter and musician. Steve Lee was 47 years old. The Metal Odyssey family extends their condolences to all of Steve Lee’s family, friends and fans. Rest in peace, Steve Lee, you will be missed.

Thank you for the music, Steve Lee.

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