Archive for the heavy metal albums Category

OVERKILL – Details On New Album ‘The Electric Age’ Revealed!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , on January 27, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Legendary Thrash band, OVERKILL have announced their next full length entitled “The Electric Age” due out on Nuclear Blast March 30, 2012.

“The Electric Age” was recorded and mixed at Gain Studios in New Jersey, owned and operated by bassist D.D. Verni. This is the bands followup record to “Ironbound” released in 2010 which received much critical praise. Decibel Magazine went as far to add, “Call this Thrash, or whatever: to us, it’s just Metal. And damn good Metal, at that.”

OVERKILL:

Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth – (Vocals)

D.D. Verni – (Bass, Backing Vocals)

Dave Linsk – (Lead and Rhythm Guitars)

Derek “The Skull” Tailer – (Rhythm Guitars, Backing Vocals)

Ron Lipnicki – (Drums)

(Source: Nuclear Blast News)

* For more info on OVERKILL, click on this link: OVERKILL

LONG LIVE OVERKILL.

Stone.

Some METAL Babbling and Other METAL Thoughts on a Rain-Soaked Friday…

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, weather with tags , , , , , , , on January 27, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Yesterday, January 26th, 2012, was my birthday. I didn’t want to mention it on Metal Odyssey yesterday due to everyone (myself included) trying to absorb the news of Mark Reale (RIOT founder/guitarist) passing away. It just wouldn’t have sat right with me, that’s for certain. It feels like too many “legendary good guys” of Metal have left in the last few years. Way too many.

The entire reason why you see 90% of the time, the “Long Live __” below the Metal Odyssey logo block pic or my thumbnail pic, at the bottom of the posts here, is due to my cherishing life… period. Rock ‘N Metal contributes, in an enormous way, in making my life happy. Therefore, I want every band and musician I cover on Metal Odyssey to live long.

Now, some of you are probably wondering how old I am? Here is a hint: I’m younger than Betty White. Here is another hint: I’m older than Chris Daughtry. With that said, I still have more hair than Chris Daughtry.

I received a very, very, cool birthday present from my family. Let me tell you, I am psyched-out about this gift. Here it is:

Now, for those of you who don’t know who this book is about, you are probably part of “that crowd” getting all giddy about ABBA releasing “The Visitors Deluxe Edition” this April. Get this, ABBA is in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, yet Dave Mustaine and his band MEGADETH aren’t. A wise old Metalhead hermit, that lived deep in the Northern Connecticut woods once told me: “Stone, l-l-life j-j-ust ain’t f’n fair at all”.

Hey. Stone scored. Scored what you’re asking? Scored this book for 50 f’n cents at a thrift store this past week:

Ghost Rider – The Visual Guide (2006) is written by Andrew Darling and it covers the Ghost Rider origins, comics and Nicolas Cage too. This very cool book is hardcover and is like new as well. Whoa. I’ve kept a few older Ghost Rider comics from when I was a kid, plus I picked up several issues during the 90’s as well. Ghost Rider has always been to me… METAL.

I did buy myself two CD’s for my birthday. Lamb Of God – Resolution (Epic) and Lacuna Coil – Dark Adrenaline (Century Media). (Dark Adrenaline cover is at top of post). I am stoked about this new Lacuna Coil album and I’m super-duper-dee-duper, unbelievably excited about this new Lamb Of God album. Metal be thy name.

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY!

Yes, the title to this post does contain the words: rain-soaked. Pennsylvania has been overwhelmed with rain for many, many months now it seems. I just don’t know how much more rain the water table can withstand before the area where I live becomes: the sixth Great Lake.

Thank you for taking the time to read my Metal babble.

LONG LIVE ROCK ‘N METAL.

TOO MUCH RAIN SUCKS.

Stone.

BIBLE OF THE DEVIL – Releasing ‘For The Love of Thugs and Fools’ on May 8th, 2012, via Cruz Del Sur Music

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on January 26, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Veteran Chicago Rock n’ Roll band Bible of the Devil have announced the completion of their sixth full-length album and third for Rome, Italy, based label Cruz Del Sur Music and have set May 8th, 2012 as the album’s release date.

Entitled For the Love of Thugs and Fools, Bible of the Devil’s eagerly anticipated follow-up to their 2008 release, Freedom Metal, is an assembly of raging Rock n’ Roll songs that encapsulate the band’s saga musically and personally over the years since the last full-length. Returning to Phantom Manor studios in Chicago to work with engineer Mike Lust, who has engineered numerous BOTD recordings in the past, the band sought to emphasize their trademark bludgeoning two-guitar attack and mammoth hooks with an increased attention to soaring, anthemic vocals.

For the Love of Thugs and Fools is viewed by the band as a document of the many characters they have encountered through the life of the band, whether it be in love, loss, friendship, or hatred. Having toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe since the band’s inception in late 1999 and living in the volatile urban environment of Chicago, where encounters with crime, violence, and ‘street justice’ are unavoidable, there has been much subject matter for the band to draw from.

Embracing the philosophy that a bottle of whiskey and some loud guitar is often the best cure available for these challenges and ordeals, Bible of the Devil have chosen to document their grievances in the form of one devastating Rock n’ Roll platter.

Said singer/guitarist Mark Hoffmann, “The few years since the last full-length have been like a dare.  A dare to create a soaring, punishing Rock n’ Roll record of this magnitude. It is a dare that we have been forced to answer ourselves.” Fans of Bible of the Devil can expect yet another collection of fist-pumping heavy guitar classics-in-the-making, For the Love of Thugs and Fools.

Upcoming BIBLE OF THE DEVIL Live Dates:

Jan. 27th – Milwaukee, WI @ Frank’s Power Plant w/New Labor, Architects of the Aftermath – $8 cover 9:30pm Doors 21+

Jan. 28th – Chicago, IL @ The Red Line Tap w/Stallion, New Labor, The Swan King – $7 cover 9pm Doors 21+

Feb. 10th -Indianapolis, IN @ The Melody Inn w/Zuul, The Cocaine Wolves -$6 cover 9pm Doors 21+

Feb. 11th – Fort Wayne, IN @ The Brass Rail w/The Lurking Corpses, Zuul, Necrodemon – $5 cover 10:00pm Doors 21+

Feb. 25th – Rock Island, IL @ RIBCO w/The Horde, A Hill To Die Upon – $6 cover 10:00pm Doors 21+

(Source: ClawHammer PR)

* For more info on BIBLE OF THE DEVIL, click on the link below:

http://www.bibleofthedevil.com

LONG LIVE BIBLE OF THE DEVIL.

Stone.

SOULFLY – New Track ‘World Scum’ Available For Free Download Now!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , on January 25, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

SOULFLY – The 8th studio album from SOULFLY, Enslaved, will be released on March 13th, via Roadrunner Records. Currently SOULFLY are offering a FREE download of a new track from this forthcoming album. You can get your free download of World Scum right now, by going here: SOULFLY – facebook

There’s a 48 hour window starting today for this free download of World Scum. You must “like” the page before downloading as well!

SOULFLY:

Max Cavalera – Vocals and Rhythm Guitar

Marc Rizzo – Lead Guitar

Tony Campos – Bass Guitar

David Kinkade – Drums

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

http://www.soulflyweb.com

http://www.youtube.com/soulfly

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com

LONG LIVE SOULFLY.

Stone.

NIGHTQUEEN – Brand New Track ‘Nightfall’ Streaming Online Now!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on January 25, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

NIGHTQUEEN – Releasing on February 24th, 2012, is the third full-length album from Belgium’s NIGHTQUEEN. For Queen And Metal will be released on Massacre Records. A brand new track from For Queen And Metal, titled Nightfall, is currently streaming now at: http://www.massacre-records.com.

I highly recommend you check out this new song from NIGHTQUEEN and crank it up LOUD! Metal be thy name…

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

http://www.nightqueen.be/

NIGHTQUEEN – myspace

MASSACRE RECORDS

LONG LIVE NIGHTQUEEN.

Stone.

ON TOP ‘TOP HEAVY’ – Need A Heavy Rockin’ Fix? The Heavy Metal Potion Is All Here…

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

ON TOP – The first full-length, Top Heavy, from American Heavy Metallers On Top was released back on November 15th, 2011, via Horror Pain Gore Death Productions. If you’re in need of a Heavy Rockin’ fix you’ll hear it on this album, there’s no Metal question about it. This is a band that has obvious Traditional Heavy Metal influences and they are not bashful about showcasing it in their heavy sound.

Top Heavy is super loaded with retrospective Heavy Metal spirit and feel, to the point where  it overspills from the songs for one damn fun listen after another. This Downingtown, Pennsylvania trio knows how to keep the energy level turned on high through their songs, with no ballads to screw things up. A guitar driven album that pays dividends with numerous and memorable solos, courtesy of Alex Kulick. Trust me, Alex can wield his axe and he exhibits a respect for both speed and melody with his admirable playing.

Jason Gulino (vocalist, bassist & founding member) delivers as the frontman, with clean, lean, confident and punctual vocals that standout in a very good way. Danny Piselli on drums plays tight with Jason and lends plenty of old school fills while never overstepping the song. Danny comes across as a “less is more” drummer, (which is a rare talent in itself) and plays beats I can remember. On Top proves you can create some damn cool Heavy Metal without showing off or trying to break any hellish speed barrier.

Gang vocals on Into The Night resonates, an element of Traditional Heavy Metal that always packs an extra punch to a song. Another Night Of Sleaze and Hot Wet are the closest that On Top gets to Sleaze Metal. It’s the overall vibes, beats and lyrics that makes both songs so contagiously sleazy. On Top has rhythm, they aren’t afraid to play fast while not tripping over themselves. Up To No Good and Too Much seals the deal with convincing attitude musically and vocally, with the gang vocals once again… adding that extra Metal kick.

The clear fact that On Top has served up their originality to a time-tested sound only drives home the relevance factor. Top Heavy bestows some downright applaudable balance with its speed, heaviness and melodic sound. A power trio to watch out for is On Top. A good-times party album it is. Blanketed with credible spirit and attitude, Top Heavy is one damn legit Heavy Metal album you must check out… now!

* ON TOP – TOP HEAVY Now available on Itunes, Amazon, Spotify, CD Baby and CD Universe.

* Get your 4 song (free download) Top Heavy sampler here: http://ontop.bandcamp.com/

TOP HEAVY – Track Listing:

Top Heavy

Into The Night

Sleepless

Sick And Tired

Another Night Of Sleaze

Die High

Fire Down Below

Hot ‘N Wet

Success And Excess

Up To No Good

Too Much

* For more info on ON TOP, click on the links below:

http://www.purevolume.com/ONTOP

http://soundcloud.com/ontoprock

http://www.myspace.com/bandontop

http://www.youtube.com/user/ONTOPROCK?fe…

LONG LIVE ON TOP.

Stone.

DEF LEPPARD Lead Guitarist PHIL COLLEN – Celebrates Career Milestones In 2012

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, Music, Punk rock, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 23, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Photo Credit: Helen Collen Photography

MARKS ANNIVERSARY OF JOINING BAND, RELEASING HISTORICAL ALBUMS

TO APPEAR AT THIS YEAR’S LOS ANGELES FIT EXPO – JANUARY 28

MANRAZE – READY NEW SONG FOR ‘I, SUPERBIKER’ SEQUEL

(Los Angeles, CA)-2012 looks to be quite a year for Def Leppard lead guitarist and Manraze founder/vocalist/guitarist PHIL COLLEN.  This year marks a number of anniversaries for the prolific axe man namely the 30th anniversary of COLLEN joining Def Leppard as lead guitarist and helping to complete the partially recorded 10x platinum album Pyromania.  In addition this year marks the 25th anniversary for the 20x platinum album Hysteria as well as the 20th anniversary of its follow-up Adrenalize. 

Last year’s Mirrorball Tour garnered Def Leppard a No. 1 slot on Billboard’s Hot Tours list. Based on ticket totals which grossed over $19 million in ticket sales in the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the UK Def Leppard powered across the globe with Heart as a featured act then ending the tour with Motley Crue and Steel Panther for it’s fans in the UK.  The band has now sold over 100 million albums worldwide achieving diamond status twice in their career, one of six bands to ever do so.

June 6th, 2012 will bring the much-anticipated Broadway hit musical turned box office blockbuster, Rock of Ages, a star-studded fiesta directed by Adam Shankman and starring Tom Cruise, Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul Giamatti and Mary J. Blige. The 80’s heyday tribute to the L.A.’s Sunset Strip named after one of Def Leppard’s hit tunes will include 3 Def Leppard hits-“Pour Some Sugar On Me”, “Bringing On The Heartbreak”, and  the title track “Rock Of Ages”.

Manraze, Phil Collen’s alternative groove side project now being hailed as a “supergroup” features bassist Simon Laffy of Phil’s former group Girl and legendary Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook. The three have released PUNKFUNKROOTSROCK, a gritty rock-n-dub stew now available via Rocket Science Ventures/RED. Their critically acclaimed first single “Over My Dead Body” is available for free download at www.soundcloud.com.

Originally released as a limited Holiday download to the Manraze and Def Leppard social media outlets, “Over My Dead Body” reached the download limit within 10 minutes and within 24 hours was streamed over 4500 times.  Manraze’s cover tribute of Phil’s favorite guitarist Jimi Hendrix’s classic tune “Fire” has been no less explosive tearing up internet radio stations worldwide and currently #1 on the IHEARTRADIO.COM Rock on Demand chart. Both tracks are set to be released to terrestrial Rock radio in the Spring.

Manraze also recently completed a new single and video titled “Take on the World” featuring newcomer Debbi Blackwell-Cook and written for the 2011 British Superbike racing champion Tommy Hill. The high energy hard rock/dance single, available on iTunes-February 7, is the theme for 2011’s ‘I, Superbiker’ sequel ‘The Showdown: I, Superbiker II’ which will chronicle Tommy’s rise to the 2011 British Superbike championship. The film directed by Mark Sloper is set to be released to 135 theatres in the UK February 21st, 2012.

Following his other passion in life, physical fitness, PHIL COLLEN will be returning by popular demand to the L.A. Fitness Expo on January 28th, 2012 to meet and sign autographs with the public. He will be accompanied by his longtime trainer, Muay Thai martial arts champion and world champion coach Jean Carrillo.  Collen and Carrillo together have started a training program ‘Physical Mechanics’ which will focus on fitness regimens that range from first time workouts to extreme physical muay thai training. A fitness dvd and book are soon to follow.

(Source: MAD Ink, PR)

LONG LIVE PHIL COLLEN.

Stone.

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY – ‘Corrosion Of Conformity’ – Get Ready Cause This Heady Album Transports The Very Heavy, Very Steady

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, sludge metal, stoner metal with tags , , , , , , on January 23, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY – On February 28th, 2012, the 8th studio album from North Carolina’s legendary Corrosion Of Conformity will be released via Candlelight Records. This self-titled album is 13 songs that are undisputedly heavy and steady from front to back. Woodroe “Woody” Weatherman (guitar), Mike Dean (bass, vocals) and Reed Mullin (drums, vocals) have delivered a thunder stomp of an album that’s speed fueled and one fans have been yearning for since 2005’s In The Arms Of God.

As with 1985’s COC gem, Animosity, this power trio is what makes the album a necessity. Always meshing together brilliantly the sounds of Stoner, Sludge, Crossover Thrash and a slice of Hardcore Punk, COC always was and shall forever remain as an American Heavy Metal achievement to my ears. If America ever needed an answer to Motörhead, then that answer is Corrosion Of Conformity. Wow, I’ve always wanted to write that and it felt great. Metal be thy name.

At the core of this comeback album from COC is pure heavy Rock ‘N Roll in all of it’s non-mainstream glory. The molasses thick guitar riffs that cascade from all 13 songs are just part of the chug-a-chug Heavy Metal party that this trio invites your ears, mind and soul into. The Doom exemplifies this party and reveals the many Metal sides to COC, from Stoner to… Doom. Rat City and Leeches are Punk songs played the heavy COC way and potent high-points on this electrifying album.

The Moneychangers will have any fan of Motörhead realizing why I liken this band as the American equivalent to Lemmy’s gang. Part Punk, part  Stoner on speed drive, this song summons up all the reasons why COC is so interchangeable musically. Each song on COC brings something new to hear, there are no parts where you swear you’ve heard them earlier on. This makes for all the more reason why COC is difficult to stereotype as a band and corner into any specific Metal genre. An achievement unto itself that is for this (gasp) fun band to immerse your ears into.

Returning to that all sacred word – heavy, this is the one constant that COC illuminates with, on an all fantastical level. In an impressive retrospective approach to heaviness, COC never steers away from that sound of pioneering Heavy Metal. The level of relevance still comes across so astounding on this album due to COC playing so damn real. What We Become, with its Heavy Metal attitude and near anthem like power, could be just as memorable and befitting in the mid 80’s as it is in 2012.

Corrosion Of Conformity is both an album and band that administers Heavy Metal with no gimmicks or artificial flavors. I can’t express more openly, just how psyched-out I’ve been about this new COC album. There is nothing for you to ponder in regards to purchasing COC. Buy it, play it LOUD and if this new COC doesn’t serve you right… then you’re a constipated Pop Rock elitist.

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY – Track Listing:

Psychotic Vampire

River of Stone

Leeches

el Lamento de las Cabras

Your Tomorrow

The Doom

The Moneychangers

Come Not Here

What We Become

Rat City

Time of Trials

Canyon Man (deluxe/vinyl only)

The Same Way (deluxe/vinyl only)

* For more info on CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, click on the links below:

http://www.coc.com

http://www.facebook.com/corrosionofconformity

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com

LONG LIVE CORROSION OF CONFORMITY.

Stone

PHARAOH – Premieres ‘Castles In The Sky’ From Their Forthcoming Album ‘Bury The Light’

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 21, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Cruz Del Sur Music officially presents the first track off of the upcoming PHARAOH album Bury the Light. The song, entitled  Castles In The Sky features Mike Wead of King Diamond fame on guitar. To stream Castles In The Sky, visit Cruz Del Sur Music here:  CRUZ DEL SUR MUSIC On SoundCloud. Bury the Light is PHARAOH’s fifth album and will be officially released in Europe on February 24th, 2012, and in North America on March 6th. Available formats include CD,  limited gatefold LP and digital. For more, visit http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com.

BURY THE LIGHT – Track Listing:

Leave me Here to Dream

The Wolves

Castles in the Sky

The Year of the Blizzard

The Spider’s Thread

Cry

Graveyard of Empires

Burn with Me

In Your Hands

The Spider’s Thread (reprise)

PHARAOH:

 Tim Aymar – vocals

 Matt Johnsen – guitars

 Chris Black – drums

 Chris Kerns – bass

* PHARAOH originates from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

(Source: ClawHammer PR)

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

PHARAOH – Reverbnation

http://solarflight.net

LONG LIVE PHARAOH.

Stone.

DIO ‘HOLY DIVER’ – 24 KT GOLD CD (Limited & Numbered) Releases February 14th, 2012

Posted in classic rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on January 21, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

DIO Holy Diver 24 KT GOLD CD – Releasing on Valentines Day, February 14th, 2012, is a limited & numbered 24 KT Gold CD of the iconic Heavy Metal album: DIO Holy Diver. This terrific DIO collectible CD will be released via Audio Fidelity. Amazon.com is taking pre-orders at $19.87 (U.S.).

Holy Diver was originally released back in 1983 on Warner Bros. Records. I uphold Holy Diver as being one of the greatest Heavy Metal albums I’ve ever listened to. The first time I listened to this album I was a junior in High School. The awe-struck feeling that came over me as this album played for my ears, that very first time, I shall never forget.

DIO Holy Diver – Band Lineup:

Ronnie James Dio – vocals, keyboards

Vivian Campbell – guitar

Jimmy Bain – bass & keyboards

Vinny Appice – drums

* For more info on Audio Fidelity, click on the link below:

Audio Fidelity

Rest In Peace, Ronnie James Dio.

Stone.

ACCEPT – Spring 2012 Tour Preview & Trailer!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 20, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

No rest for the Teutonic ACCEPT. To promote their upcoming Album (stay tuned) ACCEPT will hit the stages in Spring 2012. See below for dates and check out their new tour trailer! Check all tour dates HERE! The new record Stalingrad will be released on April, 6th, 2012.

(Source: Nuclear Blast News)

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

ACCEPT – Official Website

LONG LIVE ACCEPT.

Stone.

MOLLO / MARTIN ‘The Third Cage’ – 5 Factors Spotlighting This Notable Album Of Hard Rock & Heavy Metal

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 19, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

MOLLO / MARTINDario Mollo (guitarist & producer) has teamed up with Tony Martin (vocalist) for another new album of Melodic Hard Rock and Heavy Metal songs titled: The Third Cage. This album has ten songs of musical substance, fusing both elements of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal in seamless and memorable fashion.

This is a new release from Mollo / Martin that should not be overlooked. A complete album of songs it is and I can’t hold back by calling The Third Cage as one of the best of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal albums for 2012. The Third Cage will be releasing on January 20, via Frontiers Records.

Below are 5 factors I’m spotlighting as to why The Third Cage is indeed… one of the best in album releases during this new year:

Factor #1: Dario Mollo. This Italian musician is simply wonderful to take in on guitar. You’re not getting anything watered down from Dario, just one stupendous guitarist that knows how to balance the melodic with the heavy. Dario’s solo’s are a treat to my ears and I applaud his precision in keeping each song interesting as hell. You must hear Dario Mollo on guitar to truly understand my appreciation for his skills.

Factor #2: Tony Martin. Yes, Tony is a former vocalist for Black Sabbath and one of the unsung hero’s of Heavy Metal’s history. Whatever Tony has done to keep his vocals in top form after all these years should be bottled up and sold to the highest bidder. Clarity is always key with Tony and his melodic tones resonate all that is golden about a revered era of Traditional Heavy Metal.

Factor #3: Dario exhibits his diversity as a guitarist by adding plenty of Funky licks in Can’t Stay Here. The end result is some Heavy Funk that Tony Martin sings along to brilliantly. This song is a winner and made for a pleasant surprise for me on this album.

Factor #4: The keyboards. The added layer of sound that the keyboards gives to The Third Cage is a key necessity to establishing the feel and vibe of these songs. War Dance is elevated to the stratosphere due to them keys.

Factor #5: Seasoned talent doesn’t always equate to an excellent album of songs, only this seasoned crop of musicians have proven to my ears there was grand chemistry that swirled amongst them, during the writing and recording process. Not one song sounds like it was “slapped together”, instead, attention to detail and a continuity of quality flows from each song.

THE THIRD CAGE – Track Listing:

Wicked World

Cirque du Freak

Oh My Soul

One Of The Few

Still In Love With You

Can’t Stay Here

Wardance

Don’t Know What It Is About You

Blind Fury

Violet Moon

Mollo / Martin:

Dario Mollo – Guitars, Bass, Keyboards

Tony Martin – Vocals

Roberto Gualdi – Drums

Fulvio Gaslini – Bass

Dario Patti – Keyboards

Brian War – Keyboards

* For more info on MOLLO / MARTIN, click on the link below:

FRONTIERS RECORDS

LONG LIVE DARIO MOLLO & TONY MARTIN.

Stone.

Paul Di’Anno’s BATTLEZONE – ‘I Don’t Wanna Know’ – Reflecting On This 1987 Heavy Metal Song

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 17, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Paul Di’Anno’s Battlezone – Back in 1987 Paul Di’Anno’s Battlezone released their second studio album: Children Of Madness. Damn good album it is. I let it go decades ago when I was sincerely piss poor to the wind, either in trade or for a few bucks. By some Metal miracle, I do remember the very day I bought this slab of vinyl too. Here is the embarrassing story:

In 1987, I was living in very expensive Connecticut and working at a bearing factory during Summer and Winter breaks from college. I shoveled oil and also worked in the waste treatment facility there. Yes, it was a dirty job. A job only a Metalhead could enjoy. Just a couple of streets away was a fine establishment called The Moosehead Tavern. It was normal for me to stop in there after work and down a few ales. On this particular day, I downed quite a few.

Right next door was a comics and collectibles shop which also sold a very cool assortment of Heavy Metal vinyl. My cousin Randy managed this store and was in charge of buying and selling all the music. Well, on this particular early evening, I stumbled from The Moosehead Tavern into this store and exchanged conversation with the owner and my cousin. Then I saw the Children Of Madness album. Uh, oh…

I grabbed this album and held it up high, like it was my F’n Heavy Metal trophy. Then, without hesitation, I broke into song. Oh no. I began to sing in a drunken stupor, what lyrics I knew to the song: I Don’t Wanna Know. There were a few other customers in the store and they became quite nervous and scared of me, from what I remember. The store’s owner and my cousin told me to either pay for the album or get lost. I paid for the album, all the while I kept bellowing the wrong lyrics to I Don’t Wanna Know. One dude buying sports cards gave me that “I’ll kick your ass look” and I really didn’t give a shit.

My cousin knew I was harmless and just feeling pretty damn good. With his face contorting and fists clenched, the store’s owner was very pissed-off at me. This made me sing belligerently all the more. I left with that new album under my arm and drove myself home. Please remember, this was back in 1987. Yes, I was an idiot. I’m lucky to be alive for being such one. At least I can look back and laugh at it, all while writing about this dumb-ass memory. Metal be thy name.

Take a look and listen to I Don’t Wanna Know by Paul Di’Anno’s Battlezone below. Try not to imagine me singing this song in a drunken state either.

Children Of Madness is out of print. There are currently 2 used Children Of Madness CD’s on Amazon.com selling for $74.99 and $99.98 respectively, in U.S. funds.

Paul Di’Anno’s Battlezone:

Paul Di’Anno – vocals

Graham Bath – lead guitar

John Wiggins – lead guitar

Steve Hopgood – drums

Pete West – bass

Children Of Madness – Track Listing:

Rip It Up

I Don’t Wanna Know

Nuclear Breakdown

Torch Of Hate

Whispered Rage

Children Of Madness

Metal Tears

It’s Love

The Promise

To The Limit

* For more info on PAUL DI’ANNO, click on the link below:

Paul Di’Anno – Official Site

LONG LIVE PAUL DI’ANNO.

Stone.

THE BLAME – Turkish Metal Band: Offers Free Download Of Their AMAZING Debut Album ‘BORN’

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on January 15, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

THE BLAME calls Istanbul, Turkey home and they’re a Metal band that wants to be heard. This young and talented band of Metallers, have made it possible for you to download their debut 11 song album Born – entirely free! As an option, you may also donate any amount of money to buy this album. The choice is up to you and The Blame doesn’t mind which way you choose!

Click here to be directed for your free download of Bornhttp://www.theblamemetal.com/

Stone Says:

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you download this debut album from The Blame as fast as you can! With Thrash, Power Metal and Traditional Metal influencing this band, their final product is a rich and refined sound of high-adrenaline Metal. The high-octane speed and power of the album’s opener  Made of Stone is just an amazing prelude of what’s to come from The Blame on Born. Whoa.

Sacred Souls is an instrumental that speaks volumes about this band’s musical maturity. This is a Metal instrumental that is both melodic and hypnotic with its guitar laden presentation. Deserted Nation is another Metal highlight amongst 11 Metal highlights. If it’s a guitar driven album of the utmost impressiveness, then Bahadır Sarp (lead guitar) and Kaan Afacan (rhythm guitar) provide an outstanding Metal listening experience. The guitar solos I hear in Beyond The Wind are sensational!

The rhythm section of Onur Altınay (bass/fretless bass) and Berca B. Kantarcıoğlu (drums) are fantastically tight and hold the beats solid every micro-second. Whoa. The overall sound and production is so clean and vibrant that Rick Rubin would be jealous. As for the clean and melodic vocals of Aykut Ozen, this (former) frontman of The Blame falls somewhere between Michael Kiske (Helloween, Avantasia) and Michael Vescera (Obsession, Loudness, Yngwie Malmsteen). Uh, huh… Aykut is that damn good.

Metal as my witness, The Blame cannot possibly be overlooked by any record label (major or independent). This band brings it all on their debut album Born. No fillers. No lousy moments to be heard. Memorable Metal songs of skillsubstance and structure are what awaits your ears and senses with Born. Originality with relevance aplenty, mixed with some old school Metal vibes are the Metal ingredients that makes this album dazzle. A record label talent scout who is looking for the next diamond in the Metal rough is being handed just that from Stone… they’re called THE BLAME.

BORN – Debut Album

THE BLAME:

Enver C. Yılmaz – vocalist (new)

Aykut Ozen – former vocalist (on entire Born album)

Bahadır Sarp – lead guitar

Kaan Afacan – rhythm guitar

Onur Altınay – bass / fretless bass

Berca B. Kantarcıoğlu – drums

* For more info on THE BLAME, click on the links below:

http://www.theblamemetal.com

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

LONG LIVE THE BLAME.

Stone.

GUN BARREL – Signs To Massacre Records

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 14, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Street credibility? Check. Uncompromising sound? Check. Pure enthusiasm? Check.

GUN BARREL don’t breathe new life into the great tradition of Heavy Metal, they inject it with high pressure. These guys combine old school, misfit Rock ‘n’ Roll and Metal attitude in an ingenious way. Being the representatives of this dirty Metal Rock ‘n’ Roll, they really let it rip during their legendary live performances.

You can feel the animal instinct and the heart and soul that make the band skyrocket on stage. If nothing else, this might be due to the fact that GUN BARREL are among the most frequent performers in Germany. Those, who survived the GUN BARREL live drumfire are totally thrilled and become serial offenders. This is unavoidable.

GUN BARREL are always good for a surprise. Acoustic show or full decibel attack; it is not unusual that guest stars such as Andy Brings appear on stage with them, that they contribute songs to several samplers, take a flight to Spanish island Mallorca by the order of Rock ‘n’ Roll or that they give the audience an understanding of their sound at legendary festivals such as Wacken Open Air or Slovenia’s Metalcamp.

GUN BARREL have gone through a lot during the last 10 years; so these dudes became a tough alliance. Rock star affectations? No way. Despite all the glamour, the band remains down-to-earth and continues to look forward – one is still up to much more!

GUN BARREL’s new album Brace For Impact will be released on March 23, 2012 via Massacre Records!

GUN BARREL:

Patrick Sühl – Vocals

Rolf Tanzius – Guitar

Toni Pinciroli – Drums

Tomcat Kintgen – Bass

(Source: Massacre Records)

* For more info on GUN BARREL, click on the links below:

http://www.gunbarrel.de

http://www.facebook.com/GunBarrel

http://www.massacre-records.com

LONG LIVE GUN BARREL.

Stone.

NIGHTWISH – Second Single From Gold Selling ‘Imaginaerum’ Releases On March 2nd!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news, symphonic metal with tags , , , , , , , on January 14, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

NIGHTWISH – The new, second single out of the successful gold-record Imaginaerum will be the rocking track The Crow, The Owl And The Dove, which will be released on March, 2nd.

Along with the title song, you will also get a previously unreleased song called The Heart Asks Pleasure First (theme from movie ‘The Piano’)! You will find the song in two different versions, including an instrumental one.

The Crow, The Owl And The Dove is featured in three versions: the radio-edit, album version and an instrumental.

You can order the single on CD, or as a vinyl in clear or blue colour, HERE!

(Source: Nuclear Blast News)

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

www.nightwish.com

LONG LIVE NIGHTWISH.

Stone.

HULL – To Be Featured On TLC’s Cake Boss: The Next Great Baker, Airing Monday, January 16th

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, sludge metal with tags , , , , , , on January 14, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Brooklyn Sludge Rock ensemble HULL will ring in the New Year with an appearance on The Learning Channel’s Cake Boss: The Next Great Baker this Monday, January 16, 2012 at 9:00PM EST. The Cake Boss: The Next Great Baker is a TLC series hosted by Buddy Valastro, the star of his own reality series, Cake Boss. The show features contestants participating in challenges that test their baking and decorating skills.

Commented guitarist/vocalist N. Palmirotto: “We received this email from a production manager from the TV show, The Next Great Baker, a Cake Boss spin-off, asking us if we would like to perform on the show. It was during the time that the Big Four were in town, and Megadeth were originally asked to perform for Mauro’s birthday. Mauro Castano is the Cake Boss’ right-hand man and brother-in-law, as he was always a big Metalhead back in the day, but Megadeth couldn’t do it for whatever reason. HULL was mentioned at a board meeting, and low and behold, they contacted us. We showed up in Hoboken on a rainy afternoon to a huge production. They had us set up and perform on top of two box trucks while the contestants displayed their best attempts at metal-themed birthday cakes. It was truly a one of a kind experience, and we are very much looking forward to Episode 8, Headbanging Bakers, on January 16th.”

For more info on the show, point your browser to the official website HERE.

HULL recently unleashed their Beyond The Lightless Sky opus, which continues to earn critical praise from fans and media alike. Released via The End Records, Beyond The Lightless Sky was co-produced by Brett Romnes, mixed by Billy Anderson (Sleep, Neurosis, Melvins, et al).and features guest appearances by vocalist Jarboe, keys/ambiance by Fade Kainer (Batillus/Jarboe/Inswarm ) and cello by Joe Merolla with artwork by Tamara Waite-Santibanez.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

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

http://www.listn.to/HULL

http://www.hullorhighwater.com

LONG LIVE CAKE BOSS. 

LONG LIVE HULL.

Stone.

BATTLE BEAST – Entire Debut Album ‘Steel’ Available For Online Streaming!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 13, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Aspiring Finnish Heavy Metal newcomers BATTLE BEAST just made their debut album Steel available for free online streaming at the band’s own Facebook profil! Drop by, like it and ROCK!! Get your extra-dose of true 80s-like Heavy Metal now – freshly delivered by BATTLE BEAST! Steel will be released on January 27th via Nuclear Blast!

(Source: Nuclear Blast News)

LONG LIVE BATTLE BEAST.

Stone.

ZEBULON PIKE – Full Album Stream Of ‘Space Is The Corpse Of Time’ Available At The Obelisk

Posted in doom metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, instrumental metal, instrumental music, metal music, Music, progressive metal, progressive rock, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 13, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Minneapolis-based instrumental Prog/Doom goliaths ZEBULON PIKE unleashed their Space Is The Corpse Of Time full-length in 2011. Inspired in equal parts by heavy sounds of the ’70s (Mountain, Pentagram, Captain Beyond, early Judas Priest), Progressive Rock (King Crimson, Rush), and 20th century Classical (Bela Bartok, Arvo Part, and many others), the self-released, five-track offering is the band’s fourth and most ambitious work to date.

Dubbed “an epic feast of might and majesty” by Aquarius Records, ZEBULON PIKE churn an intriguing mixture of melodic melancholy, old-school guitar-isms, and Wagnerian dynamics that marks a mighty presence in the world of heavy music.



As a treat for those who’ve yet to witness the band’s unsung sonic sanctity, the fine folks at The Obelisk are currently streaming Space Is The Corpse Of Time in its entirety at THIS LOCATION.

(Source: Earsplit  PR)

* For more info on ZEBULON PIKE, click on the links below:

https://www.facebook.com/zebulonpike

http://www.zebulonpike.com

LONG LIVE ZEBULON PIKE.

Stone.

METALLICA ‘Beyond Magnetic’ – North American Release On CD Is January 31st… Some Metal Thoughts

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , , on January 13, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

METALLICA – Yes, being the “old school” dude that I am, I’ve been holding out on buying the 4 song EP Beyond Magnetic from Metallica until it’s release on CD. It is cool of Metallica to go old school with a CD release, especially since there are only 4 songs and this is the era of digital downloads. I’ll add that it is a very cool gesture on the part of Metallica, by releasing material to get our minds off of Lulu. Metal be thy name about that.

Any regular visitor to Metal Odyssey knows I have a diverse taste for Rock, Hard Rock and of course Metal. However, there are those times when I draw the Metal line and Lulu was not going to have me flagging down the “open your mind for something different bus”. Metal as my witness, I’m not that easy.

I’ve never lost my Metal faith with Metallica, it’s just that this band has veered off into bizarre directions creatively in the past and I’m not going to love everything they’ve ever done. At the end of my Metal day on January 31st, this CD EP will be added to my Metallica collection… minus Lulu and St. Anger of course.

As for the four songs on Beyond Magnetic, as stated by Metallica on their website: “As a refresher, these four songs are the rough mixes, unfinished to their original degree of mixing from March of 2008”.

BEYOND MAGNETIC – Track Listing:

Hate Train

Just A Bullet Away

Hell And Back

Rebel Of Babylon

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

METALLICA

LONG LIVE METALLICA.

Stone.