GEOFF TATE – The Voice Of Queensrÿche. For over three decades running, Geoff Tate is a top-tier vocalist who spans Rock, Hard Rock and of course… Metal. Geoff Tate is a name that comes up when other well-known musicians talk to me about influences. The only vocalist that I identify with Queensrÿche is Geoff Tate.
I’ve been fortunate to hear the vocals of/and witness Geoff Tate in a live setting, on multiple occasions while he was fronting Queensrÿche. Wether it was an arena or club, I’ve observed Geoff Tate commanding both stage and crowd.
Today, Geoff Tate’s sophomore solo album, Kings And Thieves, will be released via InsideOut Music. Whoa! If you are a fan of Geoff Tate and/or Classic Heavy Rock, like myself, the celebration of this vocal and songwriting legend never ceases! Legendary vocalists are born and not made and give their songs profound emotion. Geoff Tate is living proof of this. Metal be thy name.
Take a listen (and read) below to the lyric video for Dark Money… this song ABSOLUTELY ROCKS!
Last week was bizarre and filled with one reality check after another, for me. I live in Eastern Pennsylvania and lived most of my life in (very expensive) Connecticut; therefore my respect and fear of hurricanes is without question real. Our region of the country already suffered through a storm of the century, during the very end of August 2011. A vicious ice storm followed in late October of 2011. Of course, many (if not all) of you know that Hurricane Sandy made her presence felt on the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic.
October 29th and 30th were grueling days, while waiting out this super storm. The biggest fear was waiting out this hurricane Monday night. Looking out the windows, all I or my family could see was total blackness. All we could hear was wind that sounded like freight trains speeding around and on top of our house. This entire experience was all a reality check, once again. We were fortunate to have not been harmed and our house was not damaged. Our power was on again/off again during the first 48 hours; still we never lost power permanently. Call it luck and luck is never a guarantee in life.
NASA satellite imagery of Hurricane Sandy
Our city still has tens of thousands of families without power, as I write this (Saturday at 7:31 pm EST). The New Jersey and New York citizens that have suffered from Hurricane Sandy reminds me of just how lucky my family and I are… this time. I posted about the charitable organizations that are currently helping in the aftermath of this hurricane. In case you missed it, you can read about it by clicking the link below:
On to another reality check. To add more sadness to this Halloween season, on our school district’s designated Halloween night, a classmate of my daughters was struck by a passing car, while trying to cross a street. This innocent young lad passed away from the injuries he sustained. My daughters knew this young lad and have been coping with this tragedy through an open-door policy of discussion within our family. I pray that this young lad finds peace in heaven.
The reminders that keep knocking on my brain’s door these last several days are: life is precious, our time on Earth is not predictable nor guaranteed and material items are worthless compared to being alive. Yes, the comforts of a car, cell phone, laptop, electricity, house and personal items makes life easier; only these things truly are secondary to being alive. Family, friends, Metal Buddies, my faith and music are what matters most to me. Since Metal and Rock ‘N Roll are imbedded in my soul, they’re no longer material items to me. Metal be thy name.
And yet another reality check…
Recently, Metal Buddy and Witch Cross vocalist, Kev Moore, informed Metal Odyssey readership and I the following:
“I want to give a ‘head’s up’ to KING’S X drummer Jerry Gaskill and his wife who’ve lost their NJ home and all their possessions. Jerry also had to contend with a heart attack in February. This year really sucks for him. Buy their albums people! They rock! Friends and family have also launched a campaign to help them rebuild from this second tragedy to blight their lives:”
W.A.S.P. has been celebrating their 30 Years Of Thunder in 2012, coinciding with straight-from-the-heart written installments from the legendary Blackie Lawless (founder, vocalist and guitarist of W.A.S.P.). These 30 Years Of Thunder installments can be read here: http://www.waspnation.com
Installment #14 from Blackie Lawless is… you’ve guessed it… one more reality check. I express my condolences to Blackie Lawless for his personal loss.
________________________________________________
Of course I turned to Metal for soothing away my worries all last week. Funny thing is, the one song that really seemed to cheer me up and inspire me in ways I cannot explain was originally co-written by Charlie Chaplin. Yes, the silent film icon known as Charlie Chaplin.
The song is Smile and it is a cover version from the legendary Jeff Lynne (of Electric Light Orchestra fame). Smile is among 11 cover songs from Jeff Lynne’s solo album Long Wave. All 11 songs are Pre-Rock classics that Jeff Lynne has turned into magic for my ears. The melody and lyrics of Smile simply moves me. Unreal.
JEFF LYNNE – LONG WAVE
Released on October 9th, 2012, via Frontiers Records.
Germany’s cult label Ván Records is proud to unleash the opening track to Interbellum, the debut album from Dutch Rock outfit, GOLD, confirmed for worldwide release on the edge of the Mayan calendar, December 7th, 2012.
Recorded at the Amsterdam Recording Company, Interbellum offers nine hard-rocking pop songs that will enrich the contemporary Rock landscape with its fresh vocals, catchy riffing, its driving rhythms and refreshing songwriting. A world in crisis needs a Rock album full of urgency, anger and hope. Here it is.
The opening track to Interbellum, “One Of Us,” was shot on a gloomy Autumn afternoon at GOLD‘s rehearsal space at Studio SanteBoutique, Rotterdam. Check it out below!
The main drive of GOLD’s songwriting takes place between vocalist Milena Eva and guitarist Thomas Sciarone (ex-The Devil’s Blood). Longtime friends, drummer Igor Wouters and bassist Harm Haverman provide a steady yet adventurous foundation and guitarist Nick Polak completes the bunch with his talent for harmony and melody. Each song on Interbellum is a well-crafted piece of music and a story on its own, and overall is a monument to our time and to a civilization in decline. It deals with instability and the fear of things to come, yet offers a spark of love and hope in an attempt to give meaning to life in modern times. The album’s authentic tone and warmth completes the richness of GOLD’s sound, produced by Igor Wouters and Vanderbuyst main man Willem Verbuyst.
GOLD will be performing live by the end of 2012, delivering their songs to every soul that cares to listen.
Interbellum Track Listing:
1. One Of Us
2. Antebellum
3. Love, The Magician
4. Gone Under
5. Dreams
6. North
7. Medicine Man
8. The Hunt
9. Ruby
Stone Says: I dig this band! GOLD ROCKS! From the vocals of Milena Eva to the overall melodic Rockin’ sound that this band generates, GOLD is a band to keep our Rockaholic eyes and ears on! Metal be thy name.
London, UK – Much to the excitement of music fans across the planet, Dutch rock legends Focus will be undertaking a worldwide tour beginning November 2012 in support of their forthcoming CD Focus X. With their unique brand of progressive rock, Focus manifested themselves at the start of the ’70s as the most successful and appreciated of all the Dutch pop-rock exports. Fronted by founding member Thijs Van Leer, and best known for their hits “Hocus Pocus”, “House of The King” and “Sylvia”, as well as critically acclaimed albums ‘Moving Waves’, ‘Focus 3’ and ‘Hamburger Concerto’, the iconic Dutch music masters are back with their tenth album, which is guaranteed to please their legions of fans!
After a comeback in the early 2000’s, which resulted in the well-received albums ‘Focus 8’ and ‘Focus 9’, the band regrouped with a fantastic new line-up. Along with Thijs van Leer on vocals, flute and keyboards, back on the drums is famed Focus drummer Pierre van der Linden, who joined the group on their second album ‘Moving Waves’ in 1972. Internationally renowned for his rhythmic skills, Pierre remains a defining factor in the Focus sound. Bassist Bobby Jacobs, who comes from a well-acclaimed Dutch musical family and guitarist Menno Gootjes, who participated in Focus at an earlier stage, completes the band’s current line-up. Recently, Focus’s biggest hit “Hocus Pocus” was used in a 4-minute Nike commercial before the World Cup broadcast. Focus music can be regularly heard on Top Gear and Saxondale TV.
A new Focus era has arrived! There is a rejuvenated passion in the new compositions that adorn the new album ‘Focus X’, which features a full-scale Roger Dean painting on the cover. Says Thijs van Leer, who holds the distinction of being the first ever knighted musician in Holland, “It’s a thrill to have finally completed ‘Focus X’; we are all ecstatic and looking forward to playing the new material on the forthcoming Focus X Tour.”
The first interview I had with Gordon Brown was just after his amicable departure from Heavy Rock legends IronClaw; that interview was posted here on Metal Odyssey practically a year ago to this day, on October 21st, 2011. Now, with a fresh start and always the positive outlook on the future, Gordon Brown has started a new band: DeltaOne Six.
A Scottish gentleman with music flowing from his soul, Gordon Brown has a bluesy voice that fits right into any decade of Rock and Roll. This past year, Gordon Brown shared many of his songs that he has recorded throughout his life, via Soundcloud. (See link at bottom of post). The “open-book” approach that Gordon Brown has taken, with the music he’s created, shows to me the honest-to-goodness personality of this man.
Since I’ve known Gordon Brown, he has always taken a nothing to hide approach with his music and has never dodged a question. This is an artist I’ve been rooting for since I first heard him sing. Recently, Gordon Brown answered another round of questions, being his typical friendly and polite self! I’m proud to present to you, this second interview with Gordon Brown:
_____________________________________
Stone: Can you give more (untold) details as to why the Iron Claw partnership ended?
Gordon: Very simply, the band wanted to play a heavier style of music than I did. Once the recording of the album was finished things just didn’t work out – if it isn’t right it’s time to move on. There’s no animosity, we don’t see each other as we live in different towns, but I dare say at some point we’ll have a pint or two. At this stage it appears unlikely that Iron Claw will perform live again, I was speaking to Alex Wilson recently and told him that I would consider writing lyrics and singing on any future recordings. As far as I’m concerned that door is not shut, only it would have to be music that appealed to me. The music from “A Different Game” lives on in a live sense though, currently I’m doing Southern Sky with a view to possibly adding some others further down the line.
Stone: How has “life after Iron Claw” been treating you?
Gordon: Life has been good, I am working on some collaborations with songwriters in the USA and have started a new band “Delta One Six”, we’re due to go live on November 9th and have a song being included in a compilation of Scottish Blues acts due for release in November. Throughout my musical career I have been fortunate enough to play with some truly amazingly talented musicians, the boys in Delta One Six are an absolute delight to play with.
People have had the chance via You Tube to see some of the very early practice sessions, they were recorded using a mobile phone, the sound quality, despite being taken from one side is pretty good – I think people will enjoy what we’re looking to create – a tiny amount in the way of effects, just ass-kicking blues/rock played with passion.
Check out Delta One Six below, jamming during a rehearsal this past August! This is cool stuff! Metal be thy name!
Stone: You list the music you “err towards” as British Blues, Southern Boogie, Chicago Blues and “a hint of Bluegrass chucked in for good measure” on your bio. You’ve obviously excelled, on a grand scale, with (Bluesy) Hard Rock with Iron Claw. What is the one genre you want to sing, that comes straight from your heart and soul?
Gordon: The bluesy thing will remain, it suits the way I like to sing. I always end up coming back to the Blues, having said that I’m not a huge fan of Delta Blues, I much prefer the electric sound. It’s fair to say that I do like ballads as well, the Blues I do is a mash-up of Free, Whitesnake, The Allmans and too many others too mention.
Stone: While growing up as an aspiring musician, what records were in your collection?
Gordon: It kinda went in stages, I started off listening to my elder brothers and sisters music, The Beatles, Stones, Cream, Fleetwood Mac (with Peter Green), the first record I remember listening to was Jigsaw Puzzle Blues, it was the B side to Albatross. When I started secondary school I was a big fan of a band called Slade for a couple of years – then came the Black Sabbath period, but I was also listening to all manner of things like, Atomic Rooster, Wishbone Ash, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Pink Floyd, The Groundhogs, Frankie Miller, Blue Oyster Cult, Humble Pie, Thin Lizzy and in particular one band which has stuck with me since that time – the mighty FREE (and Bad Company ), I’m a huge fan of Paul Rodgers.
Southern Rock came along in the shape of Lynyrd Skynyrd at about age 15 and I’ve loved that genre ever since. Punk arrived when I was 17 – I didn’t think much of it, so pretty much ignored it. The NWOBHM didn’t really shake my boat either – I did enjoy gigs by Saxon and Iron Maiden, but found myself still listening to the things I grew up on and I still do! My little confession is that I’ve always wanted to do a blues/rock cover of At The Car Wash by Rose Royce. Unfortunately, so far no-one shares my vision for it!
Stone: Which well-known bands and/or musicians of today would you want to work with on a “special guest” level of recording?
Gordon: Warren Haynes, Paul Rodgers or Greg Allman would be top of my list, Glenn Hughes, Buddy Guy and so many more including Iron Dave from Diablo Canyon. I think the real answer would be “anyone who asked”!
Stone: These are turbulent times in the world right now; many countries economies and wars have taken it’s toll on the human spirit it seems, yet music seems to be the universal language of peace, hope and friendship that unites fans and bands worldwide. What are your thoughts on the power of music to unite and heal?
Gordon: I agree with you 100% that music brings people together and I would say one genre more than any other to do that is Metal. Music does much already to unite people to combat famine etc. in terms of providing money to assist, alas, I think we humans are too wrapped up in making a profit and fighting over oil.
Stone: If you could change the record industry overnight, what changes would you mandate?
Gordon: Fair contracts for bands. Too many bands sign themselves away just to become a “signed band” and end up being ripped off or having their recordings buried. The most important thing for most bands to understand is that you get back what you put in, if you don’t work hard you’ll go nowhere – the music business is 90% business and 10% music – sad but true!
Stone: Gordon, there is no denying you have an amazing voice and music is in your soul. For all aspiring vocalists out there, what are the golden rules to follow in protecting your voice? Is a true lyricist born or made?
Gordon: Don’t smoke, don’t drink alcohol, avoid air-conditioning and take lots of exercise while eating a healthy balanced diet. Well, I drink, smoke and probably don’t exercise as much as I used to. My simple Golden Rule is practice, practice, practice! I probably sing somewhere between 1 and 2 hours per day (most days!). There are certain songs I use as “training songs” in which I simply sing along to a record and try to match the high and low notes, (for example) Ronnie James Dio singing Heaven and Hell and Catch the Rainbow, maybe a bit of David Coverdale and always some Paul Rodgers, I find it helps with the way I like to phrase songs, I don’t try to imitate them, quite often I’ll do a harmony to their vocal, if possible get some lessons and learn how to breathe properly.
On stage I am always accompanied by Vocalzones, Strepsils, Vicks (for up my nose!) a flask of hot tea and about 3 litres of water, before a gig I do lots of breathing exercises and some scales just to warm up, occasionally I’ll gargle a glass of whisky (sometimes I might even drink it!) but my firmly held view is that when I’m on stage I’m working and therefore no excessive alcohol intake.
Lyricists, I think they can be both born and made, probably more born than made though, I think you have to be in tune with the music and let it talk to and guide you as to the direction the lyrics should take. Unless of course you have the lyric but no tune to go with it, I think that’s harder to do and those who can put a tune to lyrics are born.
Stone: You have showcased your musical evolution on Soundcloud. I find this “open-book” approach to your musical resume commendable and inspiring. What and/or who has been most influential to you, in creating your life’s soundtrack?
Gordon: In everything you do, there is something that shapes the person you become, every person you meet from your parents onwards define your path. Personally, I think I’ve led a full and interesting life so far, it’s had its highs and lows, but I’m very much an optimist, if you get knocked down, get up, brush yourself down and keep moving forward. The open book approach and putting up videos of band rehearsals and recordings that weren’t the greatest was a gamble, it could have put people off completely and fortunately that hasn’t been the case.
Very simply, I think that people can appreciate an honest approach, they know that live music isn’t about every note being perfect (even the best bands/artists make mistakes), live music is about finding a vibe and making the audience believe in what you’re doing.
Stone Says: I’d like to thank Gordon Brown for this interview and for being such a cool long-distance Metal Buddy!
Candlelight Records confirms November 6 as the North American release date of CORROSION OFCONFORMITY’s Eye For An Eye. This special reissue has been remastered/packaged and includes the EP Six Songs With Mike Singing. Both titles have been out of print for years. It follows the successful release of the band’s self-titled album earlier this year. A deluxe digibook edition of the album, limited to 1000 for North America, will be available at limited retailers and via Candlelight’s official webstore. The digibook version includes extended liner notes and a rare pictorial gallery.
Twenty-six songs showcase the early sonic years of the North Carolina-based band. Far more punk than their later recordings, the album found an immediate fanbase. Amazon customers over the years have called the album an “undisputed classic,” while noting it is “for the true skaters of the mid-to-late-‘80s,” and “brings me back to a good time of hardcore/punk.”
Guitarist Woody Weatherman comments: “We were just kids when we wrote and recorded these tunes.” Vocalist/bassist Mike Dean notes, “Making that album was our dream and we worked hard to make it happen because it was the vehicle to allow us to go out and play two hundred shows a year, like the bands we looked up to – Black Flag, Bad Brains, D.O.A.”
___________________________________________
Originally released in 1984, Eye for An Eye featured the original lineup of Weatherman, Dean, drummer ReedMullin, and vocalist Eric Eycke. Reissued to incorporate the 1989 EP by Mike Dean (who left the band between 1987-1992), Eye for An Eye is raw in sound but focused on message. The years that followed would see the band rise to worldwide popularity with breakthrough and Billboard-charting releases Blind and Deliverance.
Formed in Raleigh in 1982, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY quickly transformed heavy music. Politically charged and socially aware, the band has influenced countless others and today remains humble about their accomplishments. With over 1.1 million albums sold in the United States, the band continues to find new fans via nonstop touring.
“We had a lot of fun doing it and it’s great to have this album officially back out there again,” says Weatherman. “I had basically written this off as being our sloppy beginner’s effort but listening to it now, I really hear a few songs that hold up well,” adds Dean.
RUSH – Canada’s greatest Rock & Progressive Rock band ever. You can even throw in Canada’s greatest Hard Rock band ever too, if you like. Simply put, one of the greatest bands in Rock Music history. RUSH has been ignored by The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for what reason(s) again? I would certainly like to know the reason(s) for RUSH not being enshrined inside that building in Cleveland, Ohio.
Let’s face it, the legendary RUSH has been influencing countless bands and musicians, while psyching-out their fans, going on 5 decades now! RUSH is a pioneering Progressive Rock band that makes credible all-time lists at every turn, with absolutely no sign of stopping! Whoa! Metal be thy name!
The musical excellence that Geddy Lee (bass & vocals), Alex Lifeson (guitars) and Neil Peart (drums & percussion) radiates from their vast catalog of studio and live albums is mind-boggling to me… and I shall never stop saluting this unreal important band.
Okay, with all that cool stuff blabbed, it’s time for your voice to be heard! Take the poll below and answer this simple question: Shouldn’t RUSH be in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame by now?
RUSH – Stats Of Note:
* Debut/ST album released in 1974
* Inducted into the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame – Class Of 1994
* Inducted into Canada’s Songwriting Hall Of Fame – Class Of 2010
* Bestowed the Order of Canada – 1997
* Have earned 24 Gold Records
* Have earned 14 Platinum Records
* RUSH has sold more than 40 million records worldwide
* 3 records have gone multi-platinum
* 7-time Grammy Nominee
* Winner of 8 JUNO Awards
* Awarded a star on both the Hollywood Walk Of Fame (2010) and Canada’s Walk Of Fame (1999)
EVILYN STRANGE are proud to reveal the new artwork for their forthcoming album Mourning Phoebe. The band is also happy for people to hear a sample of the six-minute epic Everything taken from the debut album. This latest sample showcases the work of Al Strange (drums) and Mikael Johannesson (lead guitar). The debut album artwork and sample of the music can be seen and heard below!
This follows the recent release of the band’s debut single “The Ballad Of Evilyn Strange”
The full version of The Ballad Of Evilyn Strange can be heard on Soundcloud, just click the link below!
Stone Says: Evilyn Strange are part English and Swedish. There’s no question in my Metal mind that Evilyn Strange are seriously on to something very special here, with their Melodic Metal meets Hard Rock sound. They’re modern and (then again) their Classic Rock influences seem to have taught them very well. With confident and astute musical vibes swirling about, there is something different about this band’s heaviness and melodies that makes them sound so damn refreshing to my ears… and I totally dig what I’m hearing! Metal be thy name.
Lizzy Borden bass player Marten Andersson will be jamming at the Rock Harvest/Fallen blue charity with guys like Don Dokken, Doug Aldrich, Mark Boals, Keith St. John and many more.
Digitally restored video & audio, with two previously unreleased tracks! In stores October 22!
On July 5th, 1968, The Doors took to the stage of the Hollywood Bowl for a concert that has since passed into legend. The Doors were performing on the back of their 3rd album release “Waiting For The Sun” and the US No.1 single “Hello, I Love You”. They had been honing their live performances over the previous 2 years and were on absolute peak form.
Now for the first time the original film footage from the Hollywood Bowl has been digitally scanned and restored to present the show better and more complete than it’s ever been seen before, with 2 previously unreleased tracks (Hello, I Love You & The WASP (Texas Radio And The Big Beat)) returned to the running order and with sound newly remixed and mastered from the original multitrack tapes by The Doors’ engineer and co-producer BruceBotnick. This is now the definitive edition of this famous performance and features over an hour of bonus material!
Stone Says: I’ve read some excerpts already from this Peter Criss book and they are heartwarming, heartbreaking and hilarious. I don’t think you need to be just a KISS or Rock ‘N Roll fan to buy this book; all you need to be is a fan of life. I simply cannot wait to buy this book and read it entirely. Metal be thy name.
KISS KOLLECTIBLES – That’s it at the top! That’s my KISS Peter Criss (Johnny Lightning) die-cast race car I bought many years ago. Each member of the Klassic KISS lineup was featured on a die-cast in this Johnny Lightning series. This series was featured as “Racing Dreams” and referred to by Johnny Lightning as “the greatest race cars that never were!”
Stone Notes: Yes, as any loyal visitor to Metal Odyssey knows, I keep most of my KISS Kollectibles sealed in their original packaging… unless they’re CD’s, magazines, comic books or books. Uh, you get the Metal point.
A (Johnny Lightning) KISS trading card was also a part of this package (see above photo). My Peter Criss car came with an Ace Frehley trading card; it is #20 of a 50 card set. Along with being card #20, “Ace… ready for a good time!” is the card designation within the set. I do own 1 die-cast of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Ace Frehley from this Johnny Lightning series as well.
I don’t own the complete trading card set from this line; maybe someday I’ll track the set down (for a reasonable price) and buy it. The year of issue for this really cool die-cast was 1997 (the date is found on the back of the packaging). Remembering which retail store I bought this KISS Peter Criss die-cast is fuzzy; Walmart or Kmart would be my best guesses for I’ve bought many die-cast cars at both locations, over the decades. Metal be thy name.
Depicted on the hood of this die-cast car is the Peter Criss solo album portrait:
KISS – Okay. Unless you’ve been living on the Moon or have been out-of-touch with humanity for the past year, there is a brand new KISS album for sale and it’s called: MONSTER. The 20th studio album from the ICONIC KISS was released this past Tuesday, on October 9th, via UMe. Yup, this new album is exactly that… an F’n MONSTER and I mean that in the most grandest way too. Metal be thy name and ring that KISS Army bell. Tell all the naysayers and posers to go to F’n hell.
You see, being a lifetime KISSaholic, how could I write an album review for MONSTER with just one post? I did write reviews in the past for other KISS albums; where I cover the album’s songs and how it sounds, feels, blah, blah, blah and F’n blah again. This time around, for MONSTER, I’m gonna do things a tad different. I’ll write about one song, about the album cover or whatever the hell I want to write about, in reference to this ABSOLUTE ROCKING KISS ALBUM. One F’n post at a time. Metal be thy KISSaholic name and tell all the naysayers… SHAME!
What’s my favorite song on MONSTER? Which song have I played over and over and over and Rock And Roll Over again? That’s easy. Here it is:
LONG WAY DOWN
I’m telling you right now, this song has CLASSIC ROCK oozing from it’s every crevice and the guitars are the HUGE giveaway here. For those who never thought KISS could make a song that would elevate them into the upper stratosphere of ROCK RELEVANCE… think again. With Long Way Down, KISS reached back into their CLASSIC HARD ROCK ROOTS and have delivered a very (un)KISS-like sound that somehow sounds like… KISS.
Paul Stanley sounds SUPERB on vocals while Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer sound simply invincible as musicians on this song. (Aw, hell, that pretty much sums up KISS on this whole album). Listen for yourself and maybe you’ll agree… that KISS MONSTER is 100% KICK-ASS KISSTORY.
Uh, oh. Stone gets a tad pissed off here:
It’s funny how all the BIG NAME mags and newspaper Rock critics all want to be a part of the KISS ARMY now that they’ve listened to MONSTER. Where were all these naysayers and posers since KISS Dynasty was released? KISS MY ASS is what I say to them all. KISS it baby. SSSMMMAAACCCKKK!
Okay, Stone is mellow again. Um, Kinda.
Stay tuned for some more Fun & Rockin’ Thoughts From Stone regarding MONSTER… I promise to keep the blah, blah, blah out of the mix and the constipated KISS naysayers pissed! Metal be thy name.
Metal, Heavy Rock Bands + Spiders – Take a look at that spider above! Whoa! Apparently, this Black and Yellow Argiope is harmless to humans. Harmless! I’ve encountered this scary looking spider throughout my entire life; in my dad’s and uncle’s gardens and eventually my very own garden; this intimidating spider has appeared, time and again.
I remember catching this spider in mayonnaise and peanut butter jars when I was a young lad. I remember how I would chase my sister around the yard, while holding this spider captive in my jar. Metal be thy name, what was I thinking? Good times, nonetheless. (Maybe that wasn’t quite the case with my sister).
Okay, I’ve introduced you to this creepy crawler and now I shall introduce you to a list of Creepy Crawling Cool albums! The bonus is they are all Metal and Heavy Rock albums too! I own each album (and 1 CD single) you’ll see below, (with just 1 exception at the end of this list). I’ve slapped together examples from the legendary King Diamond, COLD and an appearance from… Ravage.
Just in time for Halloween, this list may be a first-time introduction and/or a reintroduction to what I consider to be excellent albumsto own. If you know of other Metal or Heavy Rock album covers that features spider themed artwork, feel free to comment! Enjoy this list and… let the Halloween season spin its spooky vibes around you!
KING DIAMOND – The Spider’s Lullabye(reissue cover version)
Metal Blade Records (2009)
KING DIAMOND – The Spider’s Lullabye (original cover version)
Metal Blade Records – (1995)
RAVAGE – The End Of Tomorrow
Metal Blade Records – (2009)
COLD – Stupid Girl (CD Single)
Geffen – (2003)
COLD – Year Of The Spider
Geffen – (2003)
COLD – Superfiction
Eleven Seven Music – (2011)
________________________________________________
Okay… cause you were so cool to stop by and stick around to the end, here is a…
BONUS ALBUM COVER:
This is an album from the UK’s BLACK SPIDERS. I’m gonna eventually buy volume and it will serve me right. These Stoner Rockers have the ultimate band name for this list I’ve compiled here too.
Oct. 8, 2012, Philadelphia — Royal Thunder, whose Spring release (CVI, Relapse Records) Spin called “a deliciously heavy, wonderfully melodic debut,” have confirmed both a Brooklyn Vegan CMJ showcase performance on Oct. 20 and a new round of U.S. tour dates including a run with Corrosion of Conformity.
An action-packed fall is in-store for the female-fronted outfit. With stops at CMJ (Brooklyn Vegan showcase, Oct. 20 at Saint Vitus Bar), Fun Fun Fun Fest Nights (Nov. 3) and club dates with a variety of artists including Corrosion of Conformity, Valient Thorr and Pig Destroyer.
KISS – On October 9th, the 20th studio album, MONSTER, from the iconic KISS shall be released upon the world! I cannot wait! I absolutely LOVE their lead single Hell Or Hallelujah and I’m not bashful to admit this song psyches-me-out. I bought this song on iTunes and it has served me Metal right.
Currently on KISSONLINE.COM, you can listen to the following 2 songs from Monster, in their entirety: LongWay Down, All For The Love Of Rock & Roll. I’ve listened to both songs (several times) and they flat-out… ROCK! Go here to listen: http://www.kissonline.com
Check out the KISS – MONSTER television commercial below!
If the Rock & Roll from KISS is no longer fun for you, then you’re probably too damn old and/or severelyconstipated. If you unfortunately fall into one or both of these categories (then) take some Ex-Lax, slap down some Air Supply vinyl on your turntable and go bitch to someone who gives a crap. Metal be thy name.
BAND’S FIRST LIVE DATES IN NEARLY A DECADE THIS MONTH
Oct. 4, 2012, San Francisco — Tomahawk, the alt-rock super group featuring Duane Denison (The Jesus Lizard, Unsemble), Mike Patton (Faith No More, Fantômas), John Stanier (Battles, Helmet) and TrevorDunn (Melvins Lite, Mr. Bungle), give fans an early listen to Stone Letter, the first single from Oddfellows (Jan. 29, Ipecac), via Spin’s website (http://www.spin.com/articles/tomahawk-first-lp-in-six-years-stone-letter).
The band’s first live dates in nearly a decade kick off later this month with a half-dozen performances including stops at the Voodoo Music Experience and Fun Fun Fun Fest. Tour dates are:
October 27 Nashville, TN Exit/In
October 28 New Orleans, LA Voodoo Music Experience
October 29 Memphis, TN New Daisy Theatre
October 31 Dallas, TX Granada Theatre
November 1 Houston, TX Fitzgerald’s
November 2 Austin, TX Fun Fun Fun Fest
“Stone Letter” will be released as a limited edition 7″ on Record Store Day’s Black Friday event on Nov. 23. The digital release is set for Dec. 4. The b-side will be an original etching by famed cartoonist and comics scholar Ivan Brunetti.
AC/DC Live At River Plate was recorded in Buenos Aires in December 2009 when nearly 200,000 fans (over 3 sold-out nights) thunderously welcomed AC/DC back after a 13-year absence from Argentina. AC/DC Live At River Plate captures the legendary grandeur, excitement and energy that AC/DC’s live performances are renowned for. This ultimate live recording chronicles one of the largest shows from their massively successful Black IceWorld Tour (where they performed to over 5 million fans in 108 cities in over 28 countries).
* Live At River Plate is the first live album for AC/DC in twenty years!
Oct. 2, 2012, Philadelphia — Baroness, in a letter to their fans, have issued their first post-accident update since August. The statement, with new photos, is available via baronessmusic.com.
The four band members and five person crew suffered a variety of injuries in the harrowing Aug. 15 accident which saw the band’s bus plummet 30 feet down off of a viaduct outside of Bath, England. The East Coast-based band were in the final week of an extensive European tour following the release of their critically acclaimed double album, Yellow & Green.
Singer/guitar player John Baizley broke his left arm and leg, drummer Allen Blickle and Matt Maggioni each suffered fractured vertebrae while guitar player Pete Adams was treated for minor injuries.
Baroness previously announced all remaining 2012 tour dates are cancelled.
THE ROLLING STONES– The release dates for GRRR! ( a greatest hits collection) will be as follows: (as reported on http://www.rollingstones.com: GRRR! will be released on 12th November 2012 for the world, excluding North America, and on the 13th November 2012 in North America.
I’ll buy GRRR! cause quite honestly, I don’t own every album from The Rolling Stones. Not even close. I’ve got some catching up to do. Hey… wanna know which are my top two favorite songs from The Rolling Stones? That’s easy. Here you go: Emotional Rescue and Gimme Shelter. Metal be thy name.
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
You must be logged in to post a comment.