Archive for the heavy metal bands Category

HARDLINE – “DOUBLE ECLIPSE” 1992 DEBUT ALBUM REIGNS WITH HARD ROCK RELEVANCY

Posted in 1990's heavy metal albums, 1990's rock bands, 1990's rock guitarists, 1990's rock music, 1990's hard rock albums, 1990's hard rock bands, 1990's hard rock videos, 1990's heavy metal music, 1990's rock albums, Album Review, hard rock album review, hard rock albums 1992, hard rock bands, hard rock guitarists, hard rock music, hard rock songs, hard rock vocalists, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1992, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal videos, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music history with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 31, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Best Metal buddy Scott Coverdale landed me another album, that flew under my Hard Rock radar many years ago. Here is how the phone conversation went, (after many, many moments of trying to guess what band Scott was quizzing me on): Dude, have you ever heard of Hardline? Neal Schon, man! Whoa… this band Rocks! This is one unbelievable album! The praise Hardline – Double Eclipse was getting from Scott went on and on. I don’t recall one microscopic fault that Scott could find with this album. Some excitable F bombs were probably dropped around in his praise as well, from what I recall. Metal truth be told, I informed Scott that I vaguely remember the Gioeli brothers being involved in a band… however, I never listened to them, ever. Connecting Neal Schon to Hardline was not in my Metal memory… that is why Scott is a Metal Odyssey – Metal Researcher. (I remember vividly Neal Schon being a key member of HSAS, with Sammy Hagar, back in ’84. I always liked the HSAS album Through The Fire a whole lot. Throw in the Metal facts that I revere Neal Schon for his accomplishments as a Rock/Hard Rock guitarist and my adoration for Journey, (and not all the Journey ballads)… well, Hardline – Double Eclipse needed to be finally heard by me!!

I do agree with Scott that Double Eclipse is a great album, it has many hard and heavy moments. I do differ on one key musical aspect of Double Eclipse… the ballads. Oh, they are present… oh yeah. Can’t Find My Way is as annoying to me as a long line at the gas pumps. Lead vocalist Johnny Gioeli is fabulous on Double Eclipse, it’s just that dreaded sappy emotion of Can’t Find My Way that ruins it for me. I’ll Be There is much more upbeat, both with the believably emotional vocals of Johnny Gioeli and the up-tempo of the entire song. Still, it’s a ballad. Change Of Heart brings on that love is in the air feeling… ugh. Understand, I have never embraced ballads in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal my entire life… I am very finicky about them. Ballads have their place… only why interrupt the Hard Rock flow of an album with them? Bad Taste rocks the F’n house down… and it is a song right before Can’t Find My Way! I got all pumped up, psyched out, only to get bummed out immediately after with sappy silliness.

Alright, enough with ballads, why I despise most of them and onward with the songs on Double Eclipse – that rage with the hard and heavy! Takin’ Me Down, (see music video below), takes me down a Hard Rock colliding with Heavy Metal path that I don’t mind taking. Neal Schon is scorching on guitar throughout the non-ballads of Double Eclipse, he really takes it to the top on Takin’ Me Down. The vintage guitar tone of Neal Schon never screams louder than on Hot Cherie… just a damn great Hard Rock song. Everything is a song that sounds like a ballad that was modified to become a more edgier and harder song at the very end, a memorable song for my anti-ballad ears.

Life’s A Bitch, Dr. Love and Rhythm From A Red Car are the first three songs on Double Eclipse, it’s a shame that the entire album could not have followed the Hard and Heavy blueprint of them. These first three songs are what Hard Rock meshing with Heavy Metal is all about! At the end of my Metal day, I will listen to Double Eclipse again… and again. My personal distaste for ballads is just that… personal. I will state, that the ballads heard on Double Eclipse are fantastic for what they are, especially if you are into Rock/Hard Rock ballads!

Just because the ballads heard on Double Eclipse don’t move me, does not mean that they should never be praised or enjoyed by others. Across the Metal board, the credibility in the vocals of Johnny Gioeli and the musicianship of each member of Hardline cannot be ignored or disputed. Johnny Gioeli has the quintessential Hard Rock meets Heavy Metal vocals… a standout singer who really seems to feel the songs, something I find most admirable. This 1992 debut album from Hardline holds strong Hard Rock relevance to what’s currently being created in 2010 and arguably better than a noticeable percentage of current Rock/Hard Rock today… ballads included.

Here is the music video for Takin’ Me Down… it’s pretty darn cool, despite the visual being a tad fuzzy:

Hardline – Double Eclipse was released on April 28, 1992, on MCA Records.

Hardline, as they appeared on their debut album – Double Eclipse:

Johnny Gioeli – lead vocalist

Neal Schon – lead guitar

Joey Gioeli – rhythm guitar

Todd Jensen – bass guitar

Deen Castronovo – drums

Track Listing For Hardline – Double Eclipse:

Life’s A Bitch

Dr. Love

Rhythm From A Red Car

Change Of Heart

Everything

Takin’ Me Down

Hot Cherie

Bad Taste

Can’t Find My Way

I’ll Be There

31-91 (Metal Odyssey note: an acoustic guitar instrumental – very mellow, yet good)

In The Hands Of Time

BADLANDS – “DREAMS IN THE DARK” 1989 VIDEO REVISITED!

Posted in 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal guitarists, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1989 heavy metal music, cool album covers, guitar legends, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1989, heavy metal videos, heavy metal vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 28, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

I am always in that Old School Heavy Metal mood. All someone needs to do is simply whisper an Old School Band or musician’s name to me and I’m checking in… into Old School U. BADLANDSDreams In The Dark video from 1989 is a trip down Metal memory lane. The vocals and energy from the late Ray Gillen, combined with the guitar wizardry of Jake E. Lee, gives this Dreams In The Dark song and video it’s Classic Heavy Metal appeal. Let’s not count out the powerful rhythm section of Greg Chaisson on bass and Eric Singer on drums… wow. In my Metal opinion, Badlands was a great Heavy Metal Band, this video only solidifies my Metal claim. My best Metal buddy and Metal Odyssey’s Metal researcher Scott Coverdale landed me a copy of the Badlands debut album, on CD, back in the Fall of 2009. I yapped all about getting this Badlands CD upgrade along with a review on October 26, 2009… you can check it out by clicking the header below the video, (if you like).  I hope you enjoy this Badlands video as much as I do!

BADLANDS – 1989 Heavy Metal Debut Album Still Reigns Supreme

DOMMIN “LOVE IS GONE” RELEASES IN FIVE DAYS – FEBRUARY 2, 2010!

Posted in alternative metal music, alternative rock music, collecting rock music, cool album covers, current hard rock bands, current heavy metal music, gothic metal albums, gothic metal bands, gothic metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2010, melodic hard rock bands, melodic heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 27, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

DOMMIN. A blend of Rock, Hard Rock, Gothic and Heavy Metal. Yes, I am into the songs and sound of DOMMIN, at the end of the Metal day, I am a very diversified Metalhead. Admittedly, I am also NOT ashamed to admit that. DOMMIN. Taking Metal detours is an adventure… heck, you only live once. My self diagnosis is that I love music, period. No, not Daughtry… I stated music, afterall, I’m not into garbled bubble gum slop from a televised talent show. On February 2, 2010, I will be picking up my reserved copy of Love Is Gone at my neighborhood fye and will skip all the way to my car with a sinister smile on my face. (O.k., I am just kidding about the “skipping to my car” part). This new DOMMIN album will be in my hands just 5 days from now… (I am counting Thursday thru Monday).

DOMMIN – Love Is Gone – (ROADRUNNER Records)

If you feel like it, check out the blabbing I did on October 19, 2009, regarding the DOMMIN E.P., just click on the link below:

DOMMIN – “E.P.” Has Me Hooked

SCORPIONS – A METAL THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC AND MEMORIES!

Posted in 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, classic rock music, current heavy metal bands, current heavy metal music, hard rock music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal birthdays, heavy metal from germany, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 26, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

SCORPIONS. Legends of Heavy Metal, Hard Rock and Rock History. Really, what can I truly say about the inevitable retirement of the Scorpions, that has not already been said today, across the world? All I can say, from my very own personal, Metal perspective, is THANK YOU. Thank you Scorpions for the albums of songs, the videos, the tours, the loyalty to the fans and for just knowing that you were THERE for me to listen to as a young teen, all the way through adulthood. With three years left to go before the official Metal curtain falls… I will make every Metal effort to say goodbye at a live show. There is still three more years of Scorpions memories to be had. Plus, with the new studio album Sting In The Tail coming out this March, there has never been a better time than 2010 to celebrate a true Champion of Heavy Metal – SCORPIONS! I actually have duck bumps going up and down my arms as I write this… it’s like I am saying thank you and goodbye to a good buddy. In the grand Metal scheme of things, yes, the Scorpions were always my buddy… one of my core Heavy Metal bands to turn to for inspiration, enjoyment and of course… partying, (when I was a young lad and could stay up all night).

A fan becomes a part of a band, whether or not that band knows it or not. The Heavy Metal community is family and it’s a day like January 25, 2010, when this realization really sets in. Just like when a favorite New York Yankee of mine retires or gets traded, it leaves that notorious lump in my throat. Well, I have that lump in my throat today… only it’s a Metal lump. To commemorate this iconic Heavy Metal Band, I have compiled a list, a Metal roll call if you will, of the musicians of the Scorpions – both past and present. I thank each and everyone of them. I also have blabbed about my Metal adoration for the Scorpions a few times on Metal Odyssey, during my short time in doing this blog gig. Please check out these three posts if you feel like it, just click on the headers below the Scorpions roll call.

Scorpions – Present:

Klaus Meine – vocalist

Rudolf Schenker – guitarist

Matthias Jabs – guitarist

Pawel Maciwoda – bass guitarist

James Kottak – drummer

Scorpions – Past: (In no particular order)

Michael Schenker – guitarist

Ulrich Roth – guitarist

Francis Buchholz – bass guitarist

Herman Rarebell – drummer

Wolfgang Dziony – drummer

Lothar Heimberg – bass guitarist

Jurgen Rosenthal – drummer

Achim Kirschning – keyboardist

Rudy Lenners – drummer

Barry Sparks – bass guitarist

Ralph Rieckermann – bass guitarist

Curt Cress – drummer

Ken Taylor – bass guitarist

Ingo Powitzer – bass guitarist

(And of course, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra too)

* Please note, if I happened to overlook any former Scorpions musician from the past, please let me know through a comment and that respective musician shall be added to this list. Any Metal oversight is wholeheartedly unintentional on the part of Metal Odyssey and I apologize now in case this was to happen.

From the 1972 studio album release of Lonesome Crow to the highly anticipated Sting In The Tail studio album of 2010, with every single studio and live album in between, the Heavy Metal from the Scorpions will live on for future generations to embrace and enjoy.

LONG LIVE SCORPIONS HEAVY METAL!

SCORPIONS – “SAVAGE AMUSEMENT” 1988 ALBUM FLASHBACK

Scorpions “World Wide Live” – 1985 album revisited

Happy Metal Birthday, Klaus Meine – Scorpions vocalist

SAXON – “BACK ON THE STREETS” APPLE SHAPED PICTURE DISC FROM 1985!

Posted in 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal bands, 1970's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal picture discs, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, 1985 heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, cool album covers, current heavy metal bands, feel good stories, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1985, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal on vinyl, heavy metal picture discs, heavy metal record finds, heavy metal records, metal odyssey, Music, new wave of british heavy metal, old school heavy metal, picture discs, power metal bands, power metal music, rare heavy metal records, rare picture discs, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 25, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

SAXON – Back On The Streets, (die-cut), shaped picture disc FIND!  This past week, I entered yet another antique mall and I stumbled upon this unreal great Saxon picture disc! I was in Metal glee, upon my eyes becoming affixed, to this piece of Saxon vinyl memorabilia. The price I paid for this Saxon find was $10, (U.S.), Metal money worth spending. I don’t know the actual value of this picture disc on the open Metal market, yet I have a funny feeling it is worth more than the $10 I spent on it. Looking around the world wide web, I did not find one dealer/site that has this Saxon picture disc for sale. (Now, can I honestly say it is not available anywhere on the internet? Of course not… I just have not seen one just yet). I will have to think, with Metal certainty, that this Saxon picture disc must be scarce. Oh, the feeling of making a Metal score like this! Why I feel so psyched is that this is a picture disc from 1985, it’s not as if it’s a current/newly released picture disc. Plus, the sheer fact that this is a Heavy Metal band that I really do like makes it only better.

SAXON – Back On The Streets – Shaped Picture Disc Specs:

Side A: Back On The Streets

Side B: Live Fast Die Young

* To the best of my Metal research, Live Fast Die Young has never appeared on any Saxon studio album. Maybe it has appeared on a Saxon bootleg? Anyone with further info on the song Live Fast Die Young is welcomed to comment. If this is to be the only Saxon recording that Live Fast Die Young is found on, man, that makes this picture disc all the more Metal important.

* This is a U.K. import, the picture disc code, (found at the bottom of Side B), is: RP 6103.

* Directly below the picture disc code is a small logo witch reads: Parlophone.

* Other text found at the bottom of Side B, reads: SAXONGS CARLIN MUSIC CORP., (and), 1985 Original Sound Recordings Made By EMI Records LTD., (and), 1985 EMI Records LTD.

The single Back On The Streets is from the Saxon album Innocence Is No Excuse, (released in 1985).

Saxon, as they appeared on the 1985 album Innocence Is No Excuse:

Biff Byford – lead vocals

Paul Quinn – guitarist

Graham Oliver – guitarist

Steve Dawson – bass guitarist

Nigel Glockler – drums

This super fine picture disc is shaped like an apple, with the stem actually protruding out at the top! Here is what this Back On The Streets – shaped picture disc looks like:

Side A:

Side B:

I thank my wife for taking the pics for Metal Odyssey… she is quite a Metal asset for me in more ways than I can count, I honestly don’t know what I would do without her… that is a Metal fact!

MANOWAR – “WARRIORS OF THE WORLD UNITED” METAL MUSIC VIDEO DEFENDS FREEDOM!

Posted in 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal bands, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's metal bands, 1990's power metal music, 2002 heavy metal albums, 2002 metal music, american heavy metal bands, cool album covers, current heavy metal bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, Metal, metal music, metal music albums, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, old school metal bands, power metal bands, power metal music, power metal songs, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 24, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MANOWAR. THE KINGS OF METAL. I have always stated… I won’t argue with them on that. I’m cool with it. I have always pumped my fists into the air to Manowar Metal. Manowar is a core Metal Band for me. Warriors Of The World United is an absolute tremendous Metal anthem – defending the freedom we all cherish. Freedom I shall never, ever, take for granted. Manowar is an American Metal Band that I shall never take for granted. There are those Metal Bands and the songs they write, that stand for what I believe in… Manowar and Warriors Of The World United exemplifies this. Warriors Of The World United resonates the spirit and pride of being free, wherever you may live, especially in this undisputed great country of The United States of America. I cannot control the feeling of getting psyched out, each and every time I listen to this song. Hopefully, you may like this song and video as much as I do. I am proud to be an American, a Metalhead and a fan of Manowar. Long live MANOWAR!

* For all the latest Metal news and happenings with MANOWAR, check out their official website by clicking this link: MANOWAR – Official Website

* Manowar released the album Warriors Of The World, on Nuclear Blast Records, June 4, 2002.

MANOWAR as they appeared on the album Warriors Of The World:

Eric Adams – lead vocals

Karl Logan – guitar and keyboards

Joey DeMaio – bass guitar

Scott Columbus – drums

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME – “THE GREAT MISDIRECT” IS A PROGRESSIVE & HEAVY MIND ADVENTURE

Posted in Album Review, alternative metal music, current heavy metal albums, current progressive metal albums, current progressive metal music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, Metal, metal music, metal music albums, metal odyssey, Music, prog metal albums, prog metal music, progressive metal, progressive metal 2009, progressive metal albums, progressive metal bands, progressive metal music, progressive metal songs, progressive rock music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 23, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME – The Great Misdirect is a Progressive Metal album that was released on October 26, 2009, on Victory Records. I received this CD as a Christmas gift from my wife and daughters, therefore, my first listen to The Great Misdirect was in the final days of last year. Metal truth be told, this is my very first Between The Buried And Me album that I have ever owned… or listened to. Stagnant, same-old, status quo and ho-hum are words that DO NOT describe The Great Misdirect. Heavy, progressive, semi-psychedelic, retrospective, layered and mind adventure are words THAT DO describe this dynamic album. As I listened intently to The Great Misdirect, I swear that this is a band that has taken a time machine from the mid 1970’s to present day… and they have been kidnapped and forced to create heavier music than they are used to, while still being able to incorporate their own style of Classic Rock into the structure of the songs. Call this thought nutty, call it science fiction, still, this is the type of mind wandering that Between The Buried And Me are all about with their lyrics anyways! It’s not just a fascination with this band being different that gets me… it’s the sheer fascination that this band is damned good at writing Heavy Progressive Music and playing it too.

Just by reading the lyrics to Fossil Genera – A Feed From Cloud Mountain, I realize that BTBAM’s vocalist Tommy Rogers is open minded and embraces the science fiction side of thought and conspiracy theories, (where his actual views stand on such topics, I do not know). Needless to say, just reading the lyrics found within the liner notes is an adventure. As goes Progressive Metal, the moment I sit back and chill to a lengthy interlude of mellow musical interplay, the quicker I have to sit up/get up to the heavy guitar riffs and leads, the bombastic rhythm section and/or the Extreme Metal vocals. (Pssst… I don’t mind it one Metal bit).

Yes, Grand Funk Railroad and any other Classic Rock band of legend should be proud of the astute usage of keyboards found within The Great Misdirect. Once again, Tommy Rogers is at the helm on the keys, raising such a familiar 1970’s sound that actually seems to resonate above the heaviness. Tommy Rogers also seems to go back and forth from extreme to traditional vocals rather effortlessly. As a unit, BTBAM are smart as they are talented with their playing, improvisation with this band in a live setting should never pose a problem.

Mirrors opens The Great Misdirect in a solemn, ultra mellow and quaint way. Lyrically, Mirrors exhibits a person who is without question, disassociated with the world around him/her… both people and things included. Ah, don’t let the opener of Mirrors fool you however, Obfuscation burrows right into my Metal soul… almost without warning, then subsides into a legitimate progressive pattern that BTBAM have indeed succeeded at. Metal Odyssey Note: Obfuscation means to be unclear, evasive or confusing. I actually had to look this word up, yeah, I did. Using a dictionary is cool.

Disease, Injury, Madness is over eleven minutes long, basically a Progressive Metal epic. Too bad this song wasn’t an hour long… it’s that good for me. As being an admirer of Mastodon, DaathDream Theater, Yes and The Electric Light Orchestra, my progressive Rock fan roots are as diverse as the Universe itself. Then again, when I think about it, isn’t the word diverse a major characteristic of Progressive Metal to begin with? Between The Buried And Me have recruited a NEW fan, I will gleefully dig into their back catalog without blinking a Metal eye.

Track Listing for The Great Misdirect:

Mirrors and Obfuscation – Metal Odyssey Note: (Mirrors plays out as an introduction to Obfuscation)

Disease, Injury, Madness

Swim To The Moon

Desert Of Song

Fossil Genera – A Feed from Cloud Mountain

Between The Buried And Me, as they appear on The Great Misdirect:

Tommy Rogers – vocals, keys and lyrics

Dan Briggs – bass, fretless bass

Dustie Waring – electric guitar, slide guitar, acoustic guitar and guitar effects

Paul Waggoner – electric guitar, steel string acoustic guitar, classical guitar and lap steel guitar

Blake Richardson – drums and percussion

SATYRICON – “BLACK CROW ON A TOMBSTONE” VIDEO IS A BLACK METAL TRIUMPH

Posted in Black Metal, black metal 2008, black metal albums, black metal music, black metal songs, black metal videos, black metal vocalists, extreme metal music, extreme music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal videos, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, scary album covers, spooky album covers with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 21, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Satyricon The Age Of Nero was released back on November 3, 2008. This is an album that gets increasingly greater for me, after each listen. One song in particular, Black Crow On A Tombstone, just stays in my head for days… weeks on end. I am not going to fight it off, it’s a fantastic song that I immensely enjoy. I can remember distinctly, the first time I listened to The Age Of Nero in it’s entirety… it blew me away. The grooves are abundant throughout this album, Black Metal reigns supreme through these songs. Satyricon created an album with The Age Of Nero that I would easily consider to be… Metal Album of the Decade. I’m not kidding around… the Metal… Black Metal, on this album is representative of what incredible song writing is all about, both musically and lyrically. Satyr proved to me, that you do not need to get mathematical, intricate or go over the top, in order to create a sensational Black Metal album such as this. Here is the video for Black Crow On A Tombstone – the darkness of the video compliments this song. Satyr sings this song with unreal conviction, which is an attribute I find so admirable and remarkable. Being pre-warned by the sight of a black crow, that impending doom is upon you, is the theme of this song. Here’s hoping you enjoy this great song and video as much as I do…

If you wish, you can read my full review for Satyricon – The Age Of Nero, which I posted on April 7, 2009, by clicking the header below:

Satyricon “The Age Of Nero” – this is serious Metal

LONG LIVE SATYRICON.

Well, sorry fellow Metalheads and Satyricon fans… apparently “WMG” (yeah, that record compnay) doesn’t want to “share” their music video’s with blogs like Metal Odyssey. It’s too bad, due to the fact that Metal Odyssey gives away FREE advertising for record companies like WMG day in and day out. Wherever you do go to finally see this amazing Satyricon music video, I hope you do enjoy it. Black Crow On A Tombstone is one HELL of a music video from one incredible Black Metal Band that is Satyricon.

Stone.

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

Posted in 1980's hair metal music, 1980's hard rock, 1980's heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's rock bands, 1990's rock music, 1990's hair metal bands, 1990's hard rock albums, 1990's hard rock bands, 1990's heavy metal music, 1990's rock albums, Album Review, cool album covers, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, hard rock album review, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, hard rock vocalists, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1990, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands from england, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1990, metal odyssey, Music, old school hair metal bands, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 20, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

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

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

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

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

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

7 o’clock

man on the loose

whippin’ boy’

sex party

sweet mary ann

i don’t love you anymore

hey you

misled

long time comin’

roses & rings

there she goes again

take me home

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

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


MASTODON – “DIVINATIONS” PICTURE DISC SINGLE IS A METAL MUSIC FIND!

Posted in collecting heavy metal albums, collecting metal music, cool album covers, current progressive metal music, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock music 2009, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal on vinyl, heavy metal picture discs, heavy metal record finds, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, picture discs, prog metal albums, prog metal music, progressive hard rock albums, progressive hard rock music, progressive metal, progressive metal 2009, progressive metal albums, progressive metal bands, progressive metal music, progressive rock music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 19, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MASTODON. Hot Topic. What do these two Metal Music names have in common? I recently, (last weekend), found the Mastodon – Divinations, 12″ picture disc single… at Hot Topic. Oh, that’s not all… this Mastodon picture disc single only set me back $2.54! That’s not a type-o… $2.54. Much cheaper than a pound of imported ham, currently selling at the local deli. (The original retail price for this picture disc runs around $14). You might query, as to how did I pay such a rock bottom price for this unreal great, Mastodon picture disc. Clearance racks RULE. As I entered Hot Topic, my wife informed me she was heading to the back of the store… to the clearance racks, was my Metal suspicion. It’s funny how I always become engaged by looking over the other stuff at Hot Topic, each time I go there, forgetting to hit the clearance racks first. The t-shirts, rings, vinyl album and CD racks never fail to distract my attention from those glorious clearance racks. I can always count on my wife to hone in on those racks of discounted Metal treasures though!

It’s always a Metal thrill when you can score your favorite bands on the discount racks. This is not the first time we have found very cool vinyl, discounted at Hot Topic. Just as we were checking out at the register, one of the Hot Topic employees raced over to the discount racks where this Mastodon picture disc was found… this employee proceeded to nab the lone remaining copy of Divinations, as well as other assorted vinyl too. She said she wanted to make her move, before the discounted stuff was gone. I can’t blame her one Metal bit. We did pick up other discounted vinyl at Hot Topic that same visit… I will wait to blab about it on future posts because the finds are that unreal great.

This Mastodon Divinations, 12″ picture disc single has the following two songs:

Side A: Divinations(From the 2009 release – Crack The Skye)

Side B: Divinations (Instrumental)

I really, really, like the Progressive Metal that simmers with touches of psychedelia, from the Crack The Skye album that Mastodon released in 2009. I like it so much that I picked it to be #7 in my list of top 25 Heavy Metal albums for 2009. You can check it out by clicking the link below:

METAL ODYSSEY’S TOP 25 HEAVY METAL ALBUMS OF 2009

You can also just click on the header below to read my review for Mastodon – Crack The Skye, which I posted on May 6, 2009:

Mastodon “Crack The Skye” is a cool Metal journey to take

Here is the front view of this terrific Mastodon 12″ Divinations picture disc single:


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

Posted in 1990's hard rock music, 1990's heavy metal albums, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal guitarists, 1990's hair metal bands, 1990's hard rock albums, Album Review, collecting metal music, cool album covers, glam metal, glam metal music, Hair Metal, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, hard rock music, hard to find heavy metal albums, hard to find rock cd's, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1993, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music 1993, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 18, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

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

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

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

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

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

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

ARCADE, as they appeared on their 1993 debut album:

Stephen Pearcy – lead vocalist

Donny Syracuse – guitarist

Frankie Wilsex – guitarist

Michael Andrews – bass guitarist

Fred Coury – drummer

The Track Listing For Arcade:

Dancin’ With The Angels

Nothin’ To Lose

Calm Before The Storm

Cry No More

Screamin’ S.O.S.

Never Goin’ Home

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

All Shook Up

So Good… So Bad…

Livin’ Dangerously

Sons And Daughters

Mother Blues

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

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

KISS – Trading Cards From 1978 Is KISSTORY I Can’t Part With!

Posted in 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's Rock, classic rock, classic rock bands, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1978, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock and roll memorabilia, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 17, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

I am a KISS fan, ever since I first heard Strutter, back when I was in sixth grade, (around 1978). With that in mind, here is my KISS collectible story: Sometime back in the late ’80’s, I paid a visit to a store called Coins and Collectibles. This is the store where I made one of the best trades in my entire Metal life… the trade was for an unopened box of KISS wax packs, (dated 1978). This cool and very untidy store was full of treasures, ranging from sports cards to coins and just about anything else in-between. The proprietor of Coins and Collectibles was a swell guy named Jeff, he was very friendly and had a remarkable gift to gab… about anything. (I gravitate towards anyone who wants to gab about anything it seems… except for gossip, I can’t stomach gossip). Oh yeah… back to the real story. Used records were always around his store too… so Jeff and I would have many conversations about Classic Rock Bands… Grand Funk Railroad, The Doors, Uriah Heep, Nazareth and yes… KISS. When I first caught a glimpse of this unopened box of KISS wax packs in Jeff’s store, man, I was shaking. These were the KISS cards that I could never get my hands on when I was a kid back in ’78… they were either not in stock at the corner market or my parents were too broke to buy them for me.

I asked Jeff what he was asking for the box… he stated quite easily, seventy five bucks. Seventy five bucks was a chunk of change for me back around 1986. (It still is quite a chunk of change for me now). Jeff being the good guy that he was, offered to “trade” with me instead of a cash only deal. At the time, I was very much the sports card collector, (I still am, only extremely toned down now), so Jeff knew he would score something from me that he could turn around quickly in his store for a profit. The item that I offered to Jeff in trade for this wax box of KISS cards was… an unopened wax box of 1985 Donruss Baseball Cards. Back then, there were hot-shot baseball players that were considered valuable in this box, (if they were in the packs that is)… Dwight Gooden, Roger Clemens, Darryl Strawberry and Don Mattingly, just to name some. Looking at this trade now, Don Mattingly is the only player that probably has any value at all, to his baseball cards, out of that bunch.

Jeff accepted this unopened wax box of baseball cards with glee in his eyes. I accepted the KISS wax box with Metal glee in my eyes. Done deal. Jeff later sold this wax box of baseball cards for profit in his store and I never parted with this box of KISS wax packs to this very day. I made out on this deal too… I have seen this box of KISS wax packs selling for twice as much as the initial $75 asking price over the years. Honestly, value aside, I’m just happy to still have this piece of KISSTORY in my collection. My wife took a picture of what this box of KISS trading cards/wax packs looks like with her iphone… she has easily become the Metal Odyssey staff photographer, (as well as graphic design consultant too). I truly appreciate any and all of the consultation she provides with my blog. Uh, yes, she is into Metal too… thank goodness. Here is the KISS wax box, note that I have kept it in a thick, plastic, see through bag over the years for its own protection.

The card manufacturer is Donruss. At the top right corner of the box, it reads: Aucoin MGT. 1978 BY AGRMT WITH KISS. The only printing on the bottom of the box is: Made and printed in U.S.A.. There is 36 packs in this box, each pack has a real cool, stick of stale hard bubble gum too.

__________________________________________________________________

For more info on KISS, click on the link below!

http://www.kissonline.com

LONG LIVE KISS.

Stone.

GRIM REAPER – “SEE YOU IN HELL” 1984 VIDEO EXPLODES OLD SCHOOL HEAVY METAL!

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal bands, 1980's metal music, 1984 heavy metal albums, 1984 heavy metal bands, 1984 heavy metal music, cool album covers, current heavy metal bands, hard rock music, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1984, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1984, heavy metal videos, heavy metal vocalists, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, new wave of british heavy metal, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, rock music, scary album covers, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 16, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Grim Reaper – See You In Hell. This album was released in 1984, (on RCA Records). I was a senior in high school and in dire need of some Metal “pick-me-up” on a daily basis… Grim Reaper delivered with this album and song. Metal truth be told, See You In Hell was my very own anthem, that I would sing under my breath to my antagonists, back in those days. See You In Hell is still a very inspirational song for me today… and why not? It’s more polite to sing these lyrics under my breath at those who irritate me, than to say f**k off to them. I am a considerate Metalhead after all. Looking back on this debut album – See You In Hell from Grim Reaper, it just screams Old School Heavy Metal from every dark corner. Raw. Very raw. Grim Reaper later polished their Metal up a bit with their next two albums: Fear No Evil (1985) and Rock You To Hell (1987). Nonetheless, this debut album from Grim Reaper remains my favorite out of their three studio albums. I can remember catching this video for See You In Hell on MTV’s Headbangers Ball, it was absolutely a favorite Heavy Metal Music video of mine, back in the ’80’s… it still is.

At the end of the Metal day, See You In Hell is an album I look upon with the fondest of Metal memories. This wasn’t a superstar Heavy Metal band, instead this was a blue collar Metal band that brought the heavy goods to an eighteen year old who needed it most back in 1984. Grim Reaper was not built on selling their looks and style for GQ magazine… they were built on Metal. I understand lineup changes occur over the years, still, I sincerely hope for Steve Grimmett and Grim Reaper to maybe consider a strengthening of their Metal reformation – into a new album of headbanging songs… that would make my middle-aged Metal day.

The See You In Hell video below just explodes everything Old School Heavy Metal. From the overall production to the Metal of Grim Reaper… this was back in the day when the song and Metal mattered the most and not the smoke and mirrors of a visual experience.

To learn all you want about the career of Steve Grimmett, (lead vocalist of Grim Reaper, Onslaught, Lionsheart and The Steve Grimmett Band, click on his MySpace Music Page link here: Steve Grimmett/Grim Reaper/Solo Artist – MySpace Music Page

Here is a cool Grim Reaper – Tribute Site to check out: GRIM REAPER – Tribute Site

Grim Reaper, as they appeared on See You In Hell:

Steve Grimmett on vocals

Nick Bowcott on guitar

Dave Wanklin on bass

Lee Harris on drums

Track listing for See You In Hell:

See You in Hell

Dead on Arrival

Liar

Wrath of the Ripper

Now or Never

Run for Your Life

The Show Must Go On

All Hell Let Loose

LONG LIVE GRIM REAPER!

SEE YOU IN HELL!

YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN’S RISING FORCE “HEAVEN TONIGHT” MUSIC VIDEO!

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's power metal bands, 1980's power metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal guitarists, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal bands, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal guitarists, collecting heavy metal albums, guitar legends, hard rock music, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1988, heavy metal bands, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1988, heavy metal vocalists, melodic heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, power metal bands, power metal guitarists, power metal music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 15, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Due to some cool and Metal thought provoking – recent discussions and comments found on Metal Odyssey, (which I whole heartedly appreciate), I have decided to showcase a guitarist and lead vocalist that I really think the Metal world of. Yngwie J. Malmsteen and Joe Lynn Turner both joined Metal forces on the 1988 studio album – Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s Rising ForceOdyssey. Yes, I bought the CD Odyssey right around it’s release date of March 28, 1988, with no Metal regrets. Here is the music video for Heaven Tonight… my favorite song from Odyssey. In my Metal opinion, this song resonates the power of 1980’s Heavy Metal, with the classic guitar brilliance of Yngwie J. Malmsteen and the combination of Joe Lynn Turner’s harmoniously heavy vocals, this was as potent a Heavy Metal combination as any from the late 1980’s. I hope you enjoy this song and video as much as I always have! Metal truth be told… this song psyches me out.

Not every Heavy Metal Band, album or song is going to make the same personal impact on everyone. Yeah, I have read the professionally paid Rock critics reviews over the years regarding the album Odyssey. If I was to listen to what every professionally paid Rock critic says or thinks over the decades… I would then have an album collection numbering around – twelve. Music is a form of self expression, a world of escape. Music is like food… not everyone likes sardines on their pizza. I like to escape to the Heavy Metal Music that moves me, just like… Heaven Tonight and the album Odyssey.

LONG LIVE YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN & JOE LYNN TURNER!

I’m sorry to admit, that after this video was available for “sharing” it unfortunately was “pulled” from being an available video to share. Regardless, this is a fantastic video of Yngwie J. Malmsteen and Joe Lynn Turner together.

LONG LIVE YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN.

LONG LIVE JOE LYNN TURNER.

Stone.

JUDAS PRIEST – “PAINKILLER” ALBUM FROM 1990 STILL EXPLODES METAL FEROCITY

Posted in 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's metal bands, 1990's heavy metal albums, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal songs, 1990's metal bands, Album Review, cool album covers, current heavy metal bands, guitar legends, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1990, heavy metal bands, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, rock music, thrash metal music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 13, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Ferocity: the quality or state of being ferocious. That is what I hear each time I crank up Painkiller from Metal legends – Judas Priest. Painkiller was released on September 3, 1990, on Columbia Records. Yes, the 1990’s was ushered in with quite a Metal explosion with this album. Consider that it was 1990, twenty years ago when this amazing Metal album was first released. My Metal point is this: if Painkiller was to have been released today, there is more relevance in it’s Metal in 2010 than ever before, encapsulating everything that is fast, heavy and hard about Metal Music. Honestly, if Painkiller was released in 2010, it would be an enormous candidate for my #1 Heavy Metal album of the year. However, the reality is that Painkiller is an album from the Metal past, only it seems to still have more of an impact on me than I could ever imagine. This was the 12th studio album from Judas Priest, (if you are to consider the 1978 U.K. release of Killing Machine, basically the same album as Hell Bent For Leather, only it is minus The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown). I am not reluctant to state, that this Judas Priest album is arguably the heaviest and fastest album in their catalog. Despite my abhorring the Grammy’s, Judas Priest was nominated for best Metal Performance in 1991 due to Painkiller.

The two songs on Painkiller that standout for me, which are easily two songs I can listen to every day of my life, repeatedly, are: Painkiller and A Touch Of Evil. My inner Metal struggle as of late, is knowing that A Touch Of Evil is my single most favorite, Heavy Metal song of my entire Metalhead life. Why is that an inner Metal struggle for me, you ponder? Well, due to the fact that I simply cannot believe I actually know this is the song! Plus, it did not dawn on me until recently… maybe sometime before the holidays of 2009. I will tell you this though… it is a really cool Metal feeling when it hits you and the realization kicks in, that you finally know that this is THE song. Could A Touch Of Evil ever be replaced by another Metal song as my lifetime favorite? Maybe. I’ll know when it hits me. One thing is guaranteed though… it would NEVER be a Daughtry song.

The song Painkiller is for all Metal intents and purposes… Thrash Metal. I applaud the fact that Judas Priest showed the world that yes… Thrash Metal is in their forte. All ten songs on Painkiller are immense, there is no weak link to be found. The re-release of Painkiller has two bonus tracks: Living Bad Dreams and Leather Rebel (Live). Both of these songs are great for me, still, I don’t see how a “live” bonus track ever fits into a studio album to begin with.

With Painkiller being the last studio album with Rob Halford at the vocal helm, (until the 2005 Judas Priest release – Angel Of Retribution), it showed us die-hard Metalhead followers of Judas Priest that we shall never take anything for Metal granted. Tim “Ripper” Owens is a fine lead vocalist, (taking over lead vocals on 1997’s Jugulator and Demolition from 2001), still there is only one Metal God, one original lead vocalist for Judas Priest… Rob Halford. During Rob Halford’s departure from Judas Priest, Fight became his very own Metal creation… a band that I uphold highly and find extremely thrilling. I did blab and brag about Fight one time… you can check it out by clicking the header below:

Fight was one incredible Metal band!!

Recently, the 2009 release – The End Of Tomorrow from Ravage, paid tribute to this Painkiller album and Judas Priest by having in it’s track listing… the cover of Night Crawler. Ravage did a fabulous Metal job at covering Night Crawler too. In 1990’s retrospect, yes, I would without hesitation, point right at Painkiller as being a top ten Heavy Metal album of that decade. Those of you who do own Painkiller hopefully understand my excitement over it… those of you who do not own Painkiller just yet, well, you are missing out on one damn incredible Judas Priest album for sure, in my Metal opinion.

Judas Priest:

Rob Halford – vocals

Glenn Tipton – guitar

K.K. Downing – guitar

Ian Hill – bass guitar

Scott Travis – drums

Painkiller was produced by Judas Priest and Chris Tsangarides.

Track Listing For Judas Priest – Painkiller:

Painkiller

Hell Patrol

All Guns Blazing

Leather Rebel

Metal Meltdown

Night Crawler

Between The Hammer & The Anvil

A Touch Of Evil

Battle Hymn

One Shot At Glory

Re-release Bonus Tracks:

Living Bad Dreams

Leather Rebel (Live)

WANNA SEE MY MOTORHEAD BOOK? IT’S REAL COOL…

Posted in 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's hard rock, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal bands, 1981 heavy metal music, 1990's hard rock music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's metal bands, 1990's hard rock bands, 1990's heavy metal music, book reviews, classic heavy metal, classic rock, classic rock music, collecting rock music, current heavy metal bands, family, feel good stories, Hard Rock, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal book reviews, heavy metal history, heavy metal memorabilia, heavy metal music, life, life stories, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music books with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 12, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

The year was 1987 and I was yes, a Motorhead fan. (I still am a Motorhead fan, of course). As Christmas approached in 1987, my late mother had asked me what I would want for (potential) gifts. Well, most certainly they were Heavy Metal related gifts… vinyl albums, CD’s, posters and one very special book in particular. I was raised where you never received every gift on your list… so the bigger the list did not mean the more the gifts. So, with that thought in mind, I really crossed my fingers and hoped that this really cool book would be checked off of the request list that I gave to my mother. That really cool book was titled… MOTORHEAD. Oh yeah, Motorhead. Just the cover alone had me grinning from ear to ear, with Lemmy Kilmister, Philthy Animal Taylor and Fast Eddie Clarke in all of their Rock n’ Roll and goofy splendor. (See the really cool front cover pic of this book below, to see what I mean by that statement). To make a long Metal story short… my mother did buy me that Motorhead book for Christmas after all! I will never forget the smile on her face, as she saw the excitement in mine, upon my first opening that book up on Christmas day in ’87. The sentimental link this book has to my late mother, plus it being a book that’s just about Motorhead… well, it’s priceless to me, both the memory and this book combined.

This dandy Motorhead book was published by Babylon Books in 1981. (Whoa, I used the word… dandy, on Metal Odyssey). One odd thing about this book is that the pages are not numbered. I did count the pages myself, it was pretty easy to do too, yup, there are 64 pages total, (not counting the front and back covers). Throughout this Motorhead book, there are dozens of vintage black & white photos of Lemmy, Eddie and Phil, as well as oddball photos ranging from groupies to fanzine photos and illustrations. The Metal note to remember here is that this book documents Motorhead up until 1981, it is so easy to thumb through these pages expecting to see Brian Robertson, Wurzel, Phil Campbell or Mikkey Dee. This is as vintage as it gets with Motorhead history!

From Lemmy Kilmister’s very beginnings in Rock Music with The Sam Gopal Dream and later Hawkwind, this book lends itself to being a Motorhead 101 mini text book. A well documented history on just how Motorhead came together, through anecdotes and personal accounts makes for a fun and Metal educational read every time. A historical timeline of radio interviews and television appearances up to 1981 are also documented. What would this book be without a Motorhead discography? Albums, singles and bootlegs are covered! Biographies of Lemmy, Eddie and Phil are also included. Want to know the complete 1981 United States tour schedule that Motorhead had? The 1981 tour schedule is nailed down too! I could probably, with incredible Metal ease, blab away for paragraphs on end about the details found in this Motorhead book… unfortunately, I just can’t do that. Take my Metal word for it though… if you are a fan of Motorhead or of any Rock genre at all, this book is worth seeking and owning, both for it’s Rock History and nostalgia.

MOTORHEAD – Front Cover

Please excuse the quality of the photos here, sometimes Metal is Old School and these photos exemplify that. Actually, the ambiance that these photos represent, is just how this Motorhead book feels to hold and read. As a quick closing to the earlier story, about my receiving this great Motorhead book as a Christmas gift from my late mother back in ’87: Whenever my buddies, relatives or just about anyone that would come over to our house back in the late ’80’s, they would usually be confronted by my asking them… wanna see my Motorhead book? It’s real cool…

MOTORHEAD – Back Cover

I truly thank my unreal, great mom for this fabulous Motorhead book. It has served me right.

SLAYER – 1991 “DECADE OF AGGRESSION”, MY DOUBLE CD IS THE METAL SLIPCASE VERSION!

Posted in Album Review, guitar legends, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal drummers, heavy metal history, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands, thrash metal legends, thrash metal music, thrash metal music reviews with tags , , , , , , , , on January 11, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Slayer. Just the name alone makes it known that this is serious, real serious… Metal. Slayer’s songs have and always will resonate the pissed off, evil and vendetta seeking side of the human spirit, the lyrics of their songs do not lie about that. The years pass by and Slayer is still the reigning dark side – Thrash Metal champions of the world, (in my Metal opinion). As a matter of Metal fact, I don’t recall a single moment in my Metal appreciating life, when Slayer has not been considered by me to be the baddest mother fu**ers to ever play Metal. Now, onward with the 1991 Slayer Thrash Metal, live slatanic classic… Decade Of Aggression:

Decade Of Aggression is a double CD, (double cassette or vinyl album too, if you want to get picky). The original release date for Decade Of Aggression was October 22, 1991, on Def American Recordings. Back around 1992, I was fortunate enough to discover this double CD in a very thick, black metal slipcase. (No kidding, it is real metal!). This metal slipcase encases both CD’s and the 24 page liner notes booklet. Man, is this metal slipcase heavy stuff… I have not actually weighed it, still, it feels like I am holding at least 5 or 6 pounds of metal! Sometime back in ’92, I saw this unique Slayer Decade Of Aggression package, behind the front counter at a Record Town store… in very expensive Connecticut. My eyes never lost sight of this Slayer prize that day, I made a Metal beeline to the cashier and stated I was buying this Slayer gem. I cannot recall for certain, the actual price I paid for this metal packaged version of Decade Of Aggression… it was in the neighborhood of around $50 U.S. and worth every cent. This limited edition package of Slayer Decade Of Aggression had a run of only 10,000 copies. My copy of Decade Of Aggression came with a certificate of authenticity, gold foil embossed, stating it is numbered: 005815 of 10,000.

* Note: Skeletons Of Society and At Dawn They Sleep are two songs found only on this metal slipcase version of Decade Of Aggression.

In the center front of this metal slipcase, is this classic Slayer logo – metal etched on a center block:

(This Slayer logo looks entirely silver on the front metal casing, due to it being metal etched.)

Here is what this incredible metal slipcase package of Decade Of Aggression, that I own, looks like:

The metal slipcase is unreal great stuff… whoever thought of marketing this back then is a Metal genius. The interior CD slipcases are of a heavy black paper stock. Note that the front cover of the liner notes depicts the original Decade Of Aggression album cover. I have seen the import version, some online merchants have it available for purchase today, it has the original album cover. (I own the original double cassette too, I have kept it in Metal mint condition all of these years. Here is another view of what the original album/cassette/CD cover looks like for Decade Of Aggression:

Now here is what the front album/CD cover of Decade Of Aggression looks like now, if you were to go to a retail record store today and buy it:

Now, as for the live Thrash Metal of Slayer heard within Decade Of Aggression… it’s F’n Slayer man. There is nothing more to break down other than it’s fast, brutal, aggressive and… live Slayer greatness. You’ll be blown away by Dave Lombardo and his double bass drumming assault, guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman dueling with leads and riffs that will sting your face like freezer burn and Tom Araya combining both the bass guitar and vocals into a frenzied slatanic blitz. Slayer is one of the very few bands I cannot get fancy about, when it comes to doing a review… what you should know is that Slayer sounds Thrash prolific on Decade Of Aggression. You will hear a band that executes and succeeds at maintaining the highest level of Thrash Metal energy, throughout this entire double CD of songs. These following two lines are actually printed, on the back cover of the liner notes:

Unlike most other live recordings, this is Slayer completely “live”. No overdubbing exists on this recording.

The Complete Track Listing For Decade Of Aggression:

Disc One

(Recorded live at Lakeland Coliseum, Lakeland, Florida, 7/13/91):

Hell Awaits

The Antichrist

War Ensemble

South Of Heaven

Raining Blood

Altar Of Sacrifice

Jesus Saves

Dead Skin Mask

Seasons In The Abyss

Mandatory Suicide

Angel Of Death

Disc Two

(Recorded Live at Wembley Arena, London, England, 10/14/90):

Hallowed Point

Blood Red

(Recorded live at Orange Pavillion, San Bernadino, California, 3/8/91):

Die By The Sword

Black Magic

Captor Of Sin

Born Of Fire

Skeletons Of Society *(only on this metal slipcase version)

(Recorded live at Wembley Arena, London, England, 10/14/90):

At Dawn They Sleep *(only on this metal slipcase version)

Postmortem

(Recorded live at Orange Pavillion, San Bernadino, California, 3/8/91):

Spirit In Black

Expendable Youth

Chemical Warfare

____________________________________________

Stone - Motorhead Tee  pic:small

LONG LIVE SLAYER.

Stone.

LOUDNESS – 1991 ALBUM “ON THE PROWL” BULGES WITH MELODIC HEAVY METAL

Posted in 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal guitarists, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal albums, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal guitarists, 1990's heavy metal songs, 1990's metal bands, Album Review, collecting heavy metal albums, cool album covers, current heavy metal bands, hair metal bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1991, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1991, heavy metal music from japan, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, japanese heavy metal, melodic heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 9, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

I listened to the 1991 album from Loudness today – On The Prowl. Alright, I actually listened to this album three times today. It’s that melodic driven Heavy Metal that gets me every time. Well, any quality Metal gets me every time it seems. My best Metal buddy Scott had landed me a copy of On The Prowl, he has great taste in Heavy Metal… I guess that is why we have tolerated each other for over two decades. For anyone not in the know about Loudness, they are a Japanese Heavy Metal Band that formed back around 1981. Thank you Japan. This is a darn good album, it plays out in three parts for me, with the first three songs Down ‘N Dirty, Playin’ Games and Love Toys being true to the core Hair Metal. Secondly, there is a power ballad, Never Again, which stands alone on it’s sole purpose to make the girls weepy. (I am not the power ballad guy… and this is the umpteenth time that this statement appears on Metal Odyssey). Nevertheless, Never Again is a good song, with lead vocalist Mike Vescera singing his emotion filled lungs out. (Mike Vescera is the lead vocalist for 1980’s Heavy Metal warriorsObsession. A great band is Obsession… without question, great. Obsession is alive and well in 2010 too… with Mike at lead vocals. You can check Obsession out by clicking here: OBSESSION – Official Website

Mike Vescera was also the lead vocalist for Yngwie Malmsteen, from 1994 to 1995. Recently, while discussing Heavy Metal with my buddy Scott, (usually a daily experience), we went from talking about Loudness and Mike Vescera to Obsession to Yngwie Malmsteen… realizing that yes, they are all absolutely Metal connected. Heavy Metal is a closely linked world… one big Metal family tree, it often times seems.

Where was I? I unintentionally went Metal astray while explaining the Mike Vescera Metal affiliations… oh yeah… the third part of this Loudness album! That being there are songs that are straight up Heavy Metal – Deadly Player, Take It Or Leave It and Girl are just the way I like ’em, real hard and heavy. The last song, Find A Way, is a muscular and melodic ending to an overall very strong Heavy Metal album from Loudness. I must add that the musicianship of Loudness on this album is excellent. Akira Takasaki is a welcomed Metal listen on lead guitar, coupled with the sensational vocals of Mike Vescera and On The Prowl is an early 1990’s Heavy Metal standout. Don’t hesitate to get ahold of On The Prowl, the Heavy Metal that Loudness unleashes with these songs are worth owning. Add the Metal fact, that the relevance these songs carry into 2010 is quite irrefutable as well.

Long Live Loudness! Click here to get tons of Loudness info: Loudness MySpace Music Page

Track Listing For Loudness – On The Prowl:

Down ‘N Dirty

Playin’ Games

Love Toys

Never Again

Deadly Player

Take It Or Leave It

Girl

Long Distance

In The Mirror

Sleepless Night

Find A Way

KISS – 1974 ALBUM “HOTTER THAN HELL” IS STILL JUST THAT IN 2010

Posted in 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's rock guitarists, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal albums, 1970's heavy metal bands, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock bands, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, collecting classic rock, collecting heavy metal albums, cool album covers, current heavy metal bands, guitar legends, hard rock music, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 8, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

In 1974 I was only eight years old. In 1974 KISS released their Hotter Than Hell album on Casablanca Records. I had not a clue as to who or what KISS was back in ’74. The heaviest bands I was listening to that year, was my mother’s Everly Brothers album and Josie And The Pussycats, (a Hanna-Barbera cartoon of a female Rock Band). It wasn’t until 1978 that I owned my very first KISS album, KISS Double Platinum, so I was only four years away from becoming a member of the KISS Army. I eventually traded for the vinyl/album copy of Hotter Than Hell, I was in High School at the time, now I can’t even recall the dude’s name who traded it to me. In later years, (sometime in the early to mid 1990’s), I sold this same Hotter Than Hell album to a crusty and shady record dealer. I regret that move… for a good number of years I went without replacing Hotter Than Hell in my Heavy Metal Music collection. Now, it is Metal safe to say, that I do own Hotter Than Hell on CD… and I am not parting with it – not a Metal chance. This is arguably, one of the greatest KISS albums ever created, a 1970’s Vintage Heavy Metal gem. Am I going too far or thick with the accolades here? Not a Metal chance again… just compare this album to a wide array of Hard Rock or Heavy Metal releases, just in the past decade alone, I am then convinced Hotter Than Hell is still just that in 2010 – Hotter Than Hell.

I will not lie to the fact, that this album does sound like it was recorded back in the early 1970’s. Dated? Alright, sure, only how much of a negative impact does that have on Hotter Than Hell as a whole? Not every song on Hotter Than Hell can be construed as dated either. I really can’t stomach the word dated when it comes to Rock, Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Music, it is a word that only should be used by archaeologists, who dig up ancient relics and/or artifacts underneath some pyramids or rain forest. Besides, the word dated has been politely replaced with two words that are more Metal politically correct… they are… Classic Rock. Whoever the dude or dudette is out there, that came up with the idea of creating the music genre – Classic Rock, is in my Metal mind… a very cool genius.

Excuse my going off on sort of a Metal tangent in the last paragraph, it has been awhile since my last one, plus it felt really, really good. It did.

When you listen to Strange Ways, the very last song on Hotter Than Hell, I cannot ignore the fact that Ace Frehley plays some unreal licks, all the while the repeated riff is decades worth of relevance. Comin’ Home is a KISS song that easily could have been on any KISS album up to and including their Unmasked album from 1980. Mainline is as authentic of a Hard Rock song from the 1970’s as I can ever point out. This is, (probably), my favorite Peter Criss sung KISS tune ever. Yes, that means I like Peter Criss singing Mainline a whole lot more than the ultra classic ballad… Beth. Hotter Than Hell and Let Me Go, Rock ‘n’ Roll are the two most famous songs from this album, they honestly are the top two tracks, only there are the other eight songs that truly shouldn’t take a back seat to them.

This vintage KISS album flows along like a Hard Rock meets Heavy Metal dream gone wild… 1974 style. Goin’ Blind is Gene Simmons at his extreme best vocally, (in my Metal opinion), just an amazing KISS song that in Metal hindsight, is a pioneering power ballad. I can listen to Goin’ Blind 20 times in a row and still feel the need to hear it again… and again. No, I am not kidding about that. Regardless if you are a KISS fan or not, Hotter Than Hell belongs in any Hard Rock or Heavy Metal album collection… it’s that genuine.

Hotter Than Hell is an album to uphold, play loud and enjoy for a lifetime. Long Live KISS.

KISS On Hotter Than Hell:

Gene Simmons – bass guitar, vocals

Paul Stanley – rhythm guitar, vocals

Ace Frehley – lead guitar

Peter Criss – drums, percussion & vocals

Hey, cut me some Metal slack… I was only 8 years old when I was into Josie And The Pussycats.

I was a toddler… Gee Metal whiz.

EXODUS – “SHOVEL HEADED TOUR MACHINE” DVD/CD RELEASES U.S. JANUARY 12, 2009!

Posted in 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's thrash metal music, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's thrash metal, 1990's thrash metal bands, 1990's thrash metal music, current thrash metal, current thrash metal albums, current thrash metal bands, current thrash metal music, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal festivals, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2010, live thrash metal music, metal odyssey, Music, new thrash metal albums, old school thrash metal bands, old school thrash metal music, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands, thrash metal bands 2010, thrash metal guitarists, thrash metal legends, thrash metal music, thrash metal music 2010 with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 7, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Look out. Gary Holt and Tom Hunting mean Metal business… their legendary Thrash Band – Exodus is going to make another Thrash Metal thunder strike again in 2010. Shovel Headed Tour Machine: Live At Wacken And Other Assorted Atrocities, (on Nuclear Blast), hits the U.S. Metal Market on January 12, 2009 and the European Metal Market on January 15, 2009! That is this coming Tuesday, my fellow U.S. Metalheads. When I stop to think about it, there is nothing more Metal enlightening than having so many Old School Thrash Bands still creating albums, DVD’s and touring up to this point in Metal time, Exodus is just one great example.

This NEW Exodus release will be a 2 DVD and 1 CD package – U.S. The double DVD is live concert footage of Exodus at the Wacken Open Air Festival. The CD is live Exodus playing at the Waken Open Air Festival… we are going to get the best of both Thrash Metal worlds here, both audio and visual! This release features Exodus at the 2008 Wacken Open Air Festival. Also included on the DVD: Exodus documentary, never before seen footage, photo gallery and music videos.

Exodus Is:

Rob Dukes – vocals

Gary Holt – guitar

Lee Altus – guitar

Jack Gibson – bass

Tom Hunting – drums

The Wacken Open Air Heavy Metal Festival is annually held in Wacken, Schleswig-Holstein, Northern Germany. The Wacken Festival was first held in 1990, as a small concert promoting and showcasing local German bands. The Wacken Open Air Festival is now the major Heavy Metal festival held in Europe today.

To find out more about the Wacken Open Air Festival history and up to the minute news on the 2010 edition of this Heavy Metal celebration, click here: Wacken Open Air Festival