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POP EVIL & CHARM CITY DEVILS CONCERT REVIEW: CROCODILE ROCK, ALLENTOWN, PA, MARCH 26, 2010

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock concerts, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 12, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

POP EVIL – When Metal buddy Ryo Vie over at The Rock and Roll Guru had emailed me, asking if I was interested in going to the Pop Evil and Charm City Devils concert, at Crocodile Rock in Allentown, PA… two Metal thoughts quickly crossed my Metal mind: 1. Cool, I like Charm City Devils very much, 2. Pop who? In the grand Metal scheme of things, it really is impossible to have a pulse on each and every Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal band out there. Throw in the other genres and I’m playing Metal catch up like my cat chasing his tail. I have procrastinated in blabbing about this concert in detail, I did blurb a thought on this night back on March 27, 2010, still, the boss here at Metal Odyssey, (me), says it’s cool. Best damned boss I’ve ever worked for.

I need to clear something up here… Allentown, PA, F’n ROCKS. Why you ask? Well, the Crocodile Rock is one good reason. Anyone and everyone from KITTIE to JACKYL with the MISFITS in between comes here. Add in The Great Allentown Fair, (this year RUSH is scheduled!) and it’s can’t miss! Plus, you have the annual MUSIKFEST in our neighboring city of Bethlehem, PA which boasts a bevy of incredible bands of all genres. So… enjoy the Billy Joel classic – Allentown, just understand that it is not a dying city or area of the country. Good people, good music, great place to live and work.

Oh, yeah, back to the Pop Evil concert review. Many times, when I am introduced or stumble upon a new and/or younger band, I feel like that Burl Ives Snowman from the iconic Christmas Special Classic created by Rankin/Bass – Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. I believe that pudgy little snowman stated, during this Christmas Special… “ah, youth”. That thought crosses my Metal mind more often now, than during any other time in my Metal life. I’m NOT old, plus I do still look up to patriarchs of Rock and Metal like… Lemmy, Ozzy and Ronnie James Dio, like a little kid with a runny nose. Burl Ives… his music and voice will forever be timeless.

As Ryo and I drove up to Crocodile Rock, I was able to pull a “U” turn on the one-way and get a MINT parking spot right across the street from the front door! That’s Metal. Crocodile Rock is a fairly large club, a restaurant is located in the front, with a pool table and plenty of reminders that you are in a blue collar sanctuary. Once you enter the doors to the concert area, there are two large bars and plenty of standing room. Crocodile Rock can accommodate many patrons… that exact amount I won’t try to guess. There had to be at least a couple hundred people there to see Pop Evil and Charm City Devils. If I’m wrong with that figure, who cares.

Ryo and I bullshitted and had a few beers while we listened to Charm City Devils. Again, I really like Charm City Devils, Ryo doesn’t care for them too much… it’s alright though, ’cause eventually, one day, I’ll make him into a Cannibal Corpse fan. John Allen, (singer, songwriter and founding member) of Charm City Devils is as legitimate a front man for a Hard Rock band as any. I still say, if Charm City Devils was around in the late ’80’s, they would probably be filling arenas. Those were the days. Overall, Charm City Devils ROCKED, I know I blabbed that before, yet it is my Metal opinion and I’m sticking to it. I would without doubt, go see Charm City Devils again… and again. John Allen worked the crowd pretty good and the band was solid.

You see, when I go to a concert, I don’t write down the songs that the bands played. Why you ask? Well, once a couple of beers gets into my system… I’m just not interested in holding a pen and paper. I WANNA GET MY EARS ROCKED! Let’s just say, Charm City Devils played songs from their debut album Let’s Rock-N-Roll, with the title track being my highlight of seeing them live.

Step up onto the stage… POP EVIL. Ah, youth. Leigh Kakaty, the lead singer for POP EVIL, was animated, energetic, enthusiastic, dynamic and just DAMN GOOD. As a front man, Leigh is probably one of the biggest stars in the waiting when it comes to Rock and Hard Rock. Aw, heck, Leigh gave these POP EVIL songs an added boost of psyche-you-out fuel during the entire set. Metal be thy name. POP EVIL is Heavy Music diversity personified. From Rock to Heavy Metal, add in the Alternative and Funk ingredients to their musical recipe too. Whoa… I had a real great time watching these guys called POP EVIL. This band had the crowd in front of the stage in their very own, spellbound euphoria.

Matt DiRito on bass worked the stage like a seasoned Heavy Metal veteran, he has all the classic moves and poses patented… he can back up his swagger with his playing. Dave Grahs and Tony Greve made for a terrific exchange of guitar licks, real pro’s. Dylan Allison on drums made an impression on me too… no showboating… just playing with real emotion. Not to stray off into the corn dog field of dreams here… yet, POP EVIL is one mighty cool and Heavy band. Greatness is being sown here with POP EVIL… if an opportunity comes your way to see this band, grab ahold of it and experience this band LIVE.

* A Metal kudos goes out to POP EVIL for acknowledging their music heroes during their live set… one in particular is the late Dimebag Darrell Abbott of the mightily incredible – PANTERA. Leigh Kakaty had the crowd in a Metal frenzy upon his tribute to Dimebag… then when POP EVIL broke into WALK from PANTERA… it was Metal euphoria for me. To hear a live band such as POP EVIL, pay tribute to such an important Metal band and song, made me realize that the genres of Heavy Music are in good hands for years to come.

Ah, youth. Ah, POP EVIL. I’ve jumped on board for the ride… and I’m not getting off.

* For more info on POP EVIL, click here: POP EVIL – Official Website

* For more info on Charm City Devils, click here: Charm City Devils – Official Website

* For more info on Crocodile Rock, click here: Crocodile Rock

* POP EVIL was supporting their album lipstick on the mirror, released back on August 12, 2008, on Universal Republic Records.

* Charm City Devils was supporting their album Let’s Rock-N-Roll, released on May 26, 2009, on Eleven Seven Music.


Thanks Ryo, I’m now a POP EVIL fan.

Stone.

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KROKUS – “OUR LOVE” MUSIC VIDEO FROM 1984!

Posted in hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal records, heavy metal songs, heavy metal videos, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 11, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

KROKUS – Alright, o.k., this is one Heavy Metal ballad that I can never grow tired of. Never. Our Love just brings back some good time memories… isn’t that what Rock ‘N’ Roll is supposed to do? Hey… it’s KROKUS. Our Love can be played from afar and my Heavy Metal ballad antennae get all fired up. The Blitz is the eighth album released from KROKUS, back in that super year of 1984, on Arista Records. Our Love, Midnite Maniac and the cover song of Sweet’s – Ballroom Blitz are the three songs I can remember getting the major attention of FM radio back then, as well as on MTV.

I hope you enjoy this vintage KROKUS song and video of Our Love as much as I do… if so, crank it up LOUD mutha!!

KROKUS as they appeared on The Blitz:

Marc Storace – vocals

Fernando Von Arb – lead guitar

Jeff Klaven – drums

Mark Kohler – bass guitar

Here is a really cool KROKUS promo pic from around 1988, that Metal Buddy – Kinger from Demolish Fanzine – 1980’s Heavy Metal Revival sent my way. Promo pics like these are visual Heavy Metal history.

Stone.


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

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal songs, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 10, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

JACKYL – And on the eighth day… God created Jackyl. The only thing is, I don’t think even God knew just how true to the bone, blue-collar and hard hittin’ this band was going to be with their Rock ‘N’ Roll. If I have said it once, I’ll say it again… just so everyone knows… Jackyl is as American as F’n apple pie. This is one Hard Rockin’ and Heavy Metalin’ band that I don’t ever want to see call it a day. Metal alas… a NEW Jackyl album is OUT! Even with Jackyl earning the distinction of being a touring band over the last several years, these Southern Fried, Heavy Metal foot stompers have released – When Moonshine And Dynamite Collide, released on May 4, 2010, on Mighty Loud Records.

Listening to Jesse James Dupree belt out his grainy, sandpapered vocals to the Janis Joplin classic – Mercedes Benz, only solidifies the fact that Jackyl aint lookin’ to cow tow to no status quo. Long live Janis Joplin… for Jackyl hasn’t forgotten her! I like the vocal cover that Jesse did with Mercedes Benz, I dare anyone to tell him it sucks… to his face. Cover songs are a mainstay to Rock ‘N’ Roll, they exist to salute the Rock legends and influences of our past… Metal be thy name.

Jackyl’s Rock ‘N’ Roll brand has always sizzled with, dare I say… fun? Good Lord… Jackyl is not only still loud, hard & heavy with plenty of bang, bang, boogie beat, they are having a damned good time too! Somebody call the good times police… Jackyl is back with a new album!!

* If there is one warning that should come with this new Jackyl album, it is: When Moonshine And Dynamite Collide – must be played very F’n LOUD!

* Oh, another warning should read: Not meant for the fragile and clean ears of turtlenecks.

In the event that I have to point out my favorite song from When Moonshine And Dynamite Collide, (well, that event is now), the wood splittin’ winner is – She’s Not A Drug. Metal be damned, this song kicks my ass from sunset to sunrise. This song is saturated with Hard Rockin’, fist pumpin’ psyche-you-out glory… PUH-POW!!

I Can’t Stop and Loads Of Fun reaches back for some extra heavy on all counts, with the chorus electrifying each song to the good ol’ Arena Rock heights. The song – When Moonshine And Dynamite Collide, escalates into the sound of a Southern Hard Rock Classic, almost instantly upon my first listen, to my Jackyl tailored ears.

Guitarist Jeff Worley consistently garnishes this new Jackyl album with fired up, inventive and groovy licks. Jesse James Dupree’s vocals has his Old School, heavy hurlin’ attitude and back roads swagger heard loud and F’n clear on each and every song… PUH-POW!

Roman Glick on bass and Chris Worley on drums hold all this infectiously Hard & Heavy fun, uh, I mean music, together. I just find it difficult for myself to hold it all together each time I listen to When Moonshine And Dynamite Collide… if this new Jackyl album doesn’t make you get up and move, then check yourself into… yes, here it comes… The Rolling Hills Lame Ass and Uptight Clinic. I hear they are giving out free turtlenecks too.

* For more info on JACKYL, just click this link: JACKYL – Official Website

Track Listing For When Moonshine And Dynamite Collide:

Loads Of Fun

I Can’t Stop

She’s Not A Drug

My Moonshine Kicks Your Cocaine Ass

Get Mad At It

The Overflow Of Love

When Moonshine And Dynamite Collide

Just Like A Negro

Deeper In Darkness

Freight Train

Mercedes Benz

Full Throttle

LONG LIVE JACKYL!

Stone.


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MORPHINE KILLER – NEW SINGLE “THROW IT ALL AWAY” IS OUT NOW AND CAN’T MISS!

Posted in hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 9, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MORPHINE KILLER/Final Breath Records:

Released this past March, 2010, the NEW and unreal solid single from Stanton California’s very own Morphine Killer – Throw It All Away is out now and available for purchase through the following cool outlets:

* MORPHINE KILLER – Official Website

* iTunes

* Amazon.com

* ReverbNation

In my Metal opinion, this is THE song that should catapult Morphine Killer onto an entirely new level of Metal notoriety. This song for all Metal intents and purposes… ROCKS. The vocals of Belle have never sounded more alluring. She has proved to this veteran Metalhead, that she can be counted as one of the top new female vocalists in Heavy Music today. Metal be thy name.

Eski’s tireless work ethic and Metal Music prowess shines through on Throw It All Away, with extremely contagious riffs and a melodic, driving sound. The outer crust of Throw It All Away has the flavor of Old School and that makes it all the better. Polished, while still delivering the Hard & Heavy, this single is one of the best introductions to those unfamiliar with Morphine Killer. This single can easily be one of the Hard Rock/Heavy Metal songs of 2010 that fans of Heavy Music shouldn’t miss!

IF THE FUTURE OF HEAVY MUSIC IS IN THE HANDS OF BANDS LIKE MORPHINE KILLER, THEN I CAN SLEEP WELL AT NIGHT.

Stone.

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METAL CHURCH: DON’T CALL IT QUITS… IT’S TOO SOON.

Posted in hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 7, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

METAL CHURCH: Back on July 7, 2009, the home page for the official Metal Church website read:

“A message from the band..

July 7 , 2009

To all of our fans and friends…

We regretfully announce that Metal Church is calling it quits.

The performance at Rocklahoma will be our last show. We have had to cancel the shows scheduled for August and that, among other things, has led us to have to make this decision.

There has been far too much frustration and disappointment in trying to keep moving forward. The collapse of our record company, SPV, has made it next to impossible for us continue in any kind of professional manner due to lack of tour support. This decision was not made lightly.

We do have unfinished business in the studio, and with any luck we will have something that will be of interest to Metal Church fans in the near future.

We would like to thank all the fans that have stuck with Metal Church through all these years, the line-up changes and the ups and downs.

We can’t tell you how much your support has meant to us, we appreciate each and every one of you.

It’s been a great ride… thanks for being a part of it.

Metal Church”

I can understand that there are situations that are beyond any band’s control… yet this news has NOT set right with me since last July of 2009. Consistently, over the past year, I have tried to ignore this news of Metal Church calling it quits, thinking that one of these days I would visit their website, to read that they are coming back after all. Unfortunately, that has not been the Metal case.

Please, Kurdt Vanderhoof, reassess the might and magnitude that your Metal Church band still has to offer. Lineup changes are common place in Rock ‘N’ Roll across the board… each and every Metal Church lineup over the years has been extremely credible, from the song writing and lyrics to the Metal Music itself, Metal Church was and always will be an ultra quality Metal brand and band in the vast world of music. Sure, there will always be an opinion as to the best Metal Church lineup and album comparisons within the Metal Church catalog. Yet, I don’t want those debates or discussions to ever end!

If there ever was a time in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal history, where the excitement has been so high for these incredible genres, reunions of Old School Bands so numerous, credible new albums being released from veteran bands and the loyalty from a generation of 1980’s fans so rabid… it is NOW. Any record company with any comprehension of how popular Metal Church is, should be jumping at the chance to sign you. Please reconsider calling it quits Kurdt Vanderhoof and Metal Church… your not that old yet, your fans aren’t going away and I’m speaking for hopefully, most of them. A Heavy Metal world without Metal Church leaves a unique void.

At the end of the Metal day, I can still respect and accept the fact that Kurdt Vanderhoof needs to close the book on this Metal Church legacy. In no Metal way, shape or form, do I want to come across as a selfish fan. I believe in that old saying… when one Metal door shuts, another Metal door opens. It just doesn’t feel like it should be the end though…

LONG LIVE METAL CHURCH.

IT IS LIKE SAYING GOODBYE TO A METAL BUDDY, YET SAYING GOODBYE WAY TOO SOON.

To visit the official website for Metal Church, click here: METAL CHURCH – Official Website

Stone.

8 Comments »

METALMEISTER – A 1996 METAL BLADE RECORDS, COMPILATION OF UNRULY & EXTREMELY HEAVY… METAL!

Posted in black metal music, death metal music, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 6, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

METALMEISTER – Released back on July 23, 1996, on the legendary Metal Blade Records, this compilation of fifteen songs is a molten fireball of Metal Music! Fifteen bands, all signed to the Metal Blade Records label, (as of 1996), are featured on Metalmeister. From Cannibal Corpse and GWAR to Armored Saint, Metal Blade Records never put up any boundaries when it comes to Metal Music… and they still don’t. Metalmeister may be out of print, alas, I have seen numerous new copies for sale at Amazon.com for slightly over $1 U.S.!! That’s one meager buck for a heavy swath of Metal, Metalheads!

The one track on Metalmeister that isn’t heavy at all is Fall-Dark Waters by Decoryah. It’s quite an atmospheric song, reminiscent of The Alan Parsons Project. (!) Believe me, that is my most honest Metal opinion I have of this song. Plus, as a mellow bonus, this song clocks in at 7:16 too. I am not dismissing myself from ever listening to this song ever again, it’s just that it does not “fit in” with this Metalmeister compilation at all. In case you are wondering… Decoryah was a dark/ambient Doom Metal band from Finland, releasing two albums, two EP’s and two demos from 1992 to 1997. My Metal research has found this band broke up in 1997.

Wretched by The Crisis is just that, plus it sounds like the Pop Rock Band… Hanson going all Death Metal on my brain. I really don’t know of any other songs and or albums from The Crisis, this is just my Metal opinion on the one song from them, heard straight from Metalmeister.

Thankfully, the track immediately following this Wretched song is Here In After by Immolation. (Phew), Immolation does a Metal brain good, especially after listening to a Metal? song that leaves me bewildered. The song Here In After is Immolation NOT fooling around… this Death Metal Band always delivers the heaviest of goods to my ears. Metal be thy name.

Meat Sandwich by GWAR is… vintage… GWAR. There is something about these unearthly beings that makes me listen to them, with the upmost Metal curiosity. Meat Sandwich is as entertaining lyrically as it is Metal groovy.

Meat Sandwich can be found on the RAGNAROK album, released back on October 24, 1995, on of course, Metal Blade Records. Here is what the RAGNAROK album cover looks like:

Well, I covered my least liked songs first… then Immolation and GWAR saved the Metal day… now for the really cool Metal… step in Armored Saint. Creepy Feelings is listed on Metalmeister as previously unreleased material and from a 1989 demo tape. This was 1996 when this album was released, thus Creepy Feelings was very much a previously unreleased track of the time. Fast forward to March 7, 2000, when the Armored Saint album – Revelation was released… Creepy Feelings was included on it. This song is a killer… a melodic and hard driving force is Creepy Feelings with John Bush vocally at his finest.

This is what the Revelation album looks like:

I also posted a review for Armored Saint – Revelation back on July 24, 2009. You can read it if you like, by clicking the link below:

Armored Saint – “Revelation” brings forth Heavy Metal intensity

Psychotic Companion by Galactic Cowboys exhibits flashes of Thrash, Funk Metal and Heavy Metal commercial accessibility. One damn decent band was Galactic Cowboys, a cool song to have in this Metalmeister mix of Metal candy.

Blue Suit, Brown Shirt by one of Thrash Metal’s best non-limelight bands – Sacred Reich, is as hot as a blow torch firing straight up from hell. This song lasts 2:27 and it alone is worth the $1 and change you will pay for this Metalmeister CD. Mercyful Fate appears with Into The Unkown and is always worth a half dozen repeat listens… for me. King Diamond… ’nuff said. Into The Unknown is from the 1996 Mercyful Fate album… you guessed it… Into The Unknown.

Here is what the Into The Unknown album cover looks like:

Track Listing For Metalmeister – A Metal Blade Compilation:

Mummified In Barbed Wire – Cannibal Corpse

Psychotic Companion – Galactic Cowboys

Blue Suit, Brown Shirt – Sacred Reich

Into The Unknown – Mercyful Fate

Meat Sandwich – GWAR

The Enemy Inside – Six Feet Under

She Said – Skrew

Scorched Earth – Wardog

Here In After – Immolation

Wretched – Crisis

Before Today, Beyond Tomorrow – Desultory

The Curse – Ancient

Kill Yourself For Business – United

Fall-Dark Waters – Decoryah

Creepy Feelings – Armored Saint

* I received this Metalmeister CD as part of a “Christmas present stash” from Best Metal buddy Scott Coverdale… thanks buddy! This CD has proven to be the Metal gift that keeps on giving.

* Metalmeister – A Metal Blade Compilation was produced by Brian Slagel.

LONG LIVE METAL BLADE RECORDS!

Stone.

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ENUFF Z’NUFF – “NEW THING” IS METAL ODYSSEY’S SONG OF THE DAY!

Posted in glam metal music, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 5, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ENUFF Z’NUFF – I recently stumbled upon the CD single of Enuff Z’nuff – New Thing during one of my Heavy Metal hunts. For $2 I figured what the Metal heck, it is an out of print CD single, still sealed and I like my Rock ‘N’ Roll collectibles. This song is just drooling and seeping with that late 80’s Arena Rock and Hair/Glam Metal sound. New Thing is an up tempo song, it kinda reminds me of a humid and sunny day in late July, as I’m running through a water park, care free, acting like a corn dog.

Sometimes there are those songs that just give me that good times feeling… the feeling of having a ton of money even if I’m broke or feeling like it’s a vacation day even when it’s not. New Thing just seems to provoke that embarrassingly funny feeling – inside of me. This song is… (gasp), fun. Metal be thy name.

Do I like this song? Hey, I did make it the “Metal Odyssey Song Of The Day” for May 5, 2010. I’m down with it. I tend to listen to a vast array of bands and songs… add Enuff Z’nuff to that list. New Thing is from the Enuff Z’nuff debut/self titled album, released back on August 22, 1989, on Atco Records.

Check out the music video below for New Thing. It’s really kinda corn dog… then again, I’m a corn dog most of the time myself.

ENUFF Z’NUFF as they appeared on their debut/self titled album:

Donnie Vie – lead vocals, guitar & keyboards

Chip Z’Nuff – bass guitar, guitar & vocals

Derek Frigo – lead guitar

Vikki Fox – drums

Track Listing For the 1989 ENUFF Z’NUFF debut/self titled album:

New Thing

She Wants More

Fly High Michelle

Hot Little Summer Girl

In The Groove

Little Indian Angel

For Now

Kiss The Clown

I Could Never Be Without You

Finger On The Trigger

Stone.

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DEATH “LIVE IN L.A.” – A MUST LISTEN INTO DEATH METAL AND METAL HISTORY

Posted in death metal history, death metal legends, death metal music, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 4, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

DEATH – I’d have to say, without any hesitation, that Death – Live In L.A. (Death & Raw) is a scorcher of a live Death Metal album. If one wants to know where it all began with the Death Metal genre… one needs to get their ears glazed over with the power and force of Death’s original brand of Metal. A gigantic band in the history of Metal music is Death, with the late Chuck Schuldiner bringing to the forefront a Metal sound of extreme muscularity, embodied with his vocals, guitar and song writing. An unreal and unparalleled legacy of music… Death Metal Music, has Chuck Schuldiner left for us Metal fans to enjoy for generations to come.

Live In L.A. is rich with the heavy sound of Death, a top quality recording. This is not just some live album slapped and pieced together here… listening to Live In L.A. actually takes me there in my mind, to that actual Death concert back in 1998. I wish I really was at this concert, unfortunately I never did see Death live. The reality is in the listening to this excellent album of live Death songs, I can only marvel at how Chuck Schuldiner can pull me into the music he and Death are playing. This Live In L.A. album needs to be brought up for it’s credibility as a live album and for it’s powerful listen into Old School Death Metal.

When the topic of “most important” Metal bands comes my way, I most certainly consider Death to be in the equation. To incorporate lyrical themes of gore as well as social reality, in the way Chuck Schuldiner had accomplished, was only magnified to a profound level, by the extremely heavy sound of Death’s music. Chuck Schuldiner and Death figured most prominently in the formation of the Death Metal genre, still, putting genres aside, the legacy of Chuck Schuldiner and Death have also figured equally prominent in the history of Metal Music too… in my Metal opinion.

If I can recruit just a few readers to check out this live Death album, then I have done my Metal deed for the day. The heavy grooves are there, just waiting to be savored and heard on Live In L.A. (Death & Raw). Veteran Death fans know. New fans and younger generations should at least know, that Chuck Schuldiner and his band Death defined a genre. You won’t read that in any mainstream Pop Rock magazine.

* Live In L.A. was recorded on December 5, 1998, in of course, L.A., at Whiskey A Go-Go. This was one of 24 tour dates on The Sound Of Perseverance 1998 America Tour.

* Death – Live In L.A. (Death & Raw) was released on October 16, 2001 on Nuclear Blast Records.

* For those new to this legendary band known as DEATH, Chuck Schuldiner passed away on December 13, 2001, at age 34.

DEATH as they appeared on Live In L.A. (Death & Raw):

Chuck Schuldiner – vocals & guitar

Richard Christy – drums

Scott Clendenin – bass

Shannon Hamm – guitar

Track Listing For DEATH- LIVE IN L.A. (Death & Raw):

Intro / The Philosopher

Spirit Crusher

Trapped In A Corner

Scavenger Of Human Sorrow

Crystal Mountain

Flesh And The Power It Holds

Zero Tolerance

Zombie Ritual

Suicide Machine

Together As One

Empty Words

Symbolic

Pull The Plug

Rest In Peace, Chuck Schuldiner, your music lives on.

Stone.

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ACCEPT – “THE ABYSS” FROM “BLOOD OF THE NATIONS” ALBUM – HERE IT NOW! PLUS MORE ACCEPT INFO!

Posted in hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 3, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ACCEPT – has returned! On September 14, 2010, the twelfth studio album – Blood Of The Nations, from this legendary Heavy Metal band from Germany, will be unleashed upon the world of Metal! Just click on that really cool video box below to hear the track – The Abyss from the forthcoming Blood Of The Nations.

It’s been 14 years since the last ACCEPT album was released – 1996’s Predator. Founding member and lead singer Udo Dirkschneider is unfortunately no longer with ACCEPT, instead he is continuing on with a very strong and successful solo  career with his very own Heavy Metal band – U.D.O., which testifies to Udo’s unrelenting allegiance to Metal. In my Metal opinion, ACCEPT with Udo Dirkschneider as lead singer is the real deal. Regardless, there are many other instances in the history of Metal where legendary lead singers change bands… (Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden), just to name a few Heavy Metal powerhouses that have had a changeover at the mic.

* ACCEPT has been down this Metal road before, regarding a change at lead vocalist. The 1989 ACCEPT studio album – Eat The Heat featured David Reece on lead vocal duty.

The new lead singer for ACCEPT – Mark Tornillo, (of TT Quick fame), is leading the vocal charge in 2010 and I really, really, like what I hear thus far from his vocals, on the song – The Abyss. ACCEPT returns with original members – Wolf Hoffman on guitar and Peter Baltes on bass. ACCEPT alumnus and guitarist Herman Frank is on board with this 2010 reunion album as well. Heavy Metal drummer extraordinaire and ACCEPT alum, Stefan Schwarzmann, will be reigning behind the kit.

* Upon my Metal research, I have found no definitive or official track listing for Blood Of The Nations as of May 3rd, 2010. I don’t want to post any “tentative” song titles just yet… staying credible is Metal rule #1 at Metal Odyssey. The Abyss is obviously a legitimate and yes, credible song that has been released to the general public thus far… and what a Heavy Metal song it is! The Abyss is heavy, hard, lean and gritty… Old School too! Just the way I Metal like it. Welcome back ACCEPT!

* A Metal kudos goes out to Scott Coverdale for steering me straight towards this new ACCEPT track – The Abyss! Thanks Metal buddy!

* Get more ACCEPT info – up to the minute by clicking on these ACCEPT links below:

ACCEPT – myspace music page

ACCEPT – Official Website


LONG LIVE ACCEPT!

Stone.

14 Comments »

VINNIE MOORE – “TIME ODYSSEY” 1988 GUITAR INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM & METAL MARVEL

Posted in Guitar, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock guitarists, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, speed metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 2, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

VINNIE MOORE – It was 1988, I was in college and I listened to Vinnie Moore’s Time Odyssey more times than I could count. Already a seasoned listener to Vinnie’s debut instrumental album – Minds Eye, (released in 1986 on Shrapnel Records), there was in 1988 and still is something about his guitar tone that shoots right through me like a bolt of Metal energy. Listening to Vinnie Moore seems to inspire me to go that extra mile… to actually become more emboldened.

I may have mentioned one time before, in a past post about something to do with… Metal, that I used to listen to Vinnie Moore’s music while doing many (if not all) of my college art projects. Be it drawing, painting or slapping together some weird modern art creation… Vinnie Moore’s guitar was heard in the air. The speed, melodies and pure Metal language that Vinnie’s guitar spoke to me while I labored away on those art and graphic design assignments… somehow made me a better graphics and fine arts student! Metal be thy name.

As with any of Vinnie Moore’s solo instrumental albums, no vocalist is heard, nor is one necessary… the guitar of Vinnie Moore sings… for my ears.

My favorite track from Time Odyssey? It’s not as cut and dry as it may seem. Pieces Of A Picture, Morning Star and the instrumental cover of While My Guitar Gently Weeps stand out amongst the rest, only I honestly love every song on Time Odyssey. The emotion that Vinnie Moore captures on guitar is beyond what my own Metal words can express here. Vinnie Moore is that incredible of a guitarist to my ears and Metal soul.

My admiration for the Beatles and especially George Harrison is incredibly personal. I cried aloud upon hearing the news that George Harrison passed away. It was November 29, 2001, I was alone, driving to work that lousy morning and the radio DJ gave the somber news to my ears. Listening to Vinnie Moore play George Harrison’s unreal legendary song –While My Guitar Gently Weeps brings back memories of being an art student, college life, falling in love with my wife and of course… George Harrison. Whoa… does this Vinnie Moore instrumental version of this song make my head swirl in thoughts and memories!!

There are so many unique and unearthly gifted guitarists that have played in Rock, Hard Rock, Punk and Metal. So many of these guitarists that I embrace… Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Michael Schenker, Jimi Hendrix, Tim Armstrong, Brian Setzer, Jeff Beck, Dez Cadena, George Harrison, Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee… these are some of my lifetime top favorites. Then there is Vinnie Moore. I guess if I was forced to choose my top three favorite guitarists of my Metal lifetime… Vinnie Moore, Yngwie and Michael Schenker are the ones.

There was a period of time in my life, where I did not realize what I was doing in trading away and selling away my vinyl albums… this was back in the mid 1990’s. Time Odyssey fell victim to my blundering display of vinyl album unloading…. ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Well, as the old saying goes… time heals wounds. Just last week, I was making a trip to pay some (gasp) bills, when there it was in the distance… an antiques mall! This antiques mall contains a used record dealer who always seems to have that record or two, that I so desperately need to bring back into my Metal life.

I found Vinnie Moore – Time Odyssey on that trip into the antiques mall last week! I felt like I was floating on air… I wanted to tell the cashier how ecstatic I was, only I bit my Metal lip. I paid a ridiculous low price of 3 dollars U.S. as well for this Vinnie Moore marvel! The album is in unreal excellent condition too… it plays on my turntable without a single crackle or pop. The album jacket is in excellent shape as well. (See my album pics below). This time in my Metal life… I’m not parting with Vinnie Moore – Time Odyssey again. No way. Someone would have to offer me the Metal moon for it… and even then, I would not consider the offer. What would I possibly do with a Metal moon anyways?

* As a bonus, the prior owner of this Vinnie Moore album had inserted an 8 page article on Vinnie Moore, in the album jacket. This article was ripped out of an Issue of Guitar World, dated July 1987. I’m keeping it with this album… as it was meant to be.

* The band behind Vinnie Moore on Time Odyssey:

Jordan Rudes – keyboards

Joe Franco – drums

Michael Bean – bass

* Vinnie Moore – Time Odyssey was released on Squawk/Mercury/Polygram Records.

Track Listing For Vinnie Moore – Time Odyssey:

Side One:

Morning Star

Prelude/Intro The Future

Beyond The Door

Message In A Dream

As Time Slips By

Side Two:

Race With Destiny

While My Guitar Gently Weeps

The Tempest

Pieces Of A Picture

April Sky

Here is what the front cover of my Time Odyssey album looks like, note there is some minor wear on the top left corner… whoopee Metal doo is what I say!

Here is what the back cover of my Time Odyssey album looks like:

Here is what the 8 page Guitar World article looks like, that I found inside the album jacket:

LONG LIVE VINNIE MOORE!

* “Whoopee Metal doo” was stated for the very first time on Metal Odyssey, courtesy of this post.

Stone.


2 Comments »

TEN VERY UNCOOL HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL ALBUM COVERS

Posted in album covers, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, humor, lists, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 1, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

I don’t advertise myself to be an “expert” in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal album cover design. Nor am I a photography expert either. What I do know is this… a Hard Rock or Heavy Metal album cover should entice fans or potential fans to buy the album. Skulls, flames, guitars, dragons, sword & sorcery, space aliens, monsters and the macabre is right up my Metal alley when it comes to album covers. You won’t find this cool stuff on the album covers below. Marketing Hard Rock and Heavy Metal should be simple, right? Well, that is not always the Metal case, as you shall see from the following list of ten very uncool album covers that I have compiled… just for you.

Years ago, I did earn a degree in Graphic Communications, therefore I think I know what cool Hard Rock and Heavy Metal album artwork is supposed to look like. Then again, what do I know? Some, if not many of the albums in this top ten list have probably sold millions of copies worldwide… so my opinion on these very uncool album covers is probably one big and smelly fart in the wind anyways.

Here are my Top Ten Very Uncool Hard Rock & Heavy Metal Album Covers, enjoy! Or, try to enjoy.

#10:

WHITE LION – BIG GAME (1989)

What this White Lion album cover really is… too many ideas that seemed to collide onto one front cover. You have The White House, some woods, a field and a lion. Wow… very compelling… where is there any darned hint of Hard Rock? Forget about any imagery of Heavy Metal… this entire image makes me want to fall asleep in a field somewhere. This album went Gold too… gee Metal whiz.

#9:

BREAKING BENJAMIN – SO COLD EP (2004)

Look, if I was to actually read all the jibber jabber on this Breaking Benjamin front cover, It would give me a migraine headache . The album cover eludes to So Cold being a “spoken word” EP for Metal sakes. I always thought tons of text was supposed to be found in the damned liner notes anyways. Despite this being an EP, it makes my list… so Metal be it.

#8:

MR. BIG – BUMP AHEAD (1993)

Ha, ha, hee. Was I supposed to laugh? Ahhhhhhh! Am I supposed to be frightened? What is this enormous man-head doing in the middle of a busy city street? Just another fine example of a genius and artsy idea gone astray. I can’t find any hidden and profound message in this album cover art either. Some linkage to Mr. Big being tied into Hard Rock and commercial Heavy Metal would have helped here.

#7:

BON JOVI – LOST HIGHWAY (2007)

Gosh, just what I need to look at… some strangers cluttered dashboard. No semblance of Rock ‘N’ Roll in this front cover pic. Lost Highway is a perfect title for this Bon Jovi album… for the art direction became totally lost in the creation of this album cover. Plus, as a bonus… it is IMPOSSIBLE for a highway to become lost! Grammatically incorrect alert!! Yeah, yeah, yeah… Bon Jovi gets the last laugh here, due to his selling a million albums a month. This cover still stinks though.

#6:

SAXON – INNOCENCE IS NO EXCUSE (1985)

What appears to be a teenaged girl eating an apple… well, it’s not cool. What’s the point? It’s NOT Heavy Metal either. Adding the Saxon logo that’s carved into the apple is just plain ridiculous too. This Saxon album cover does not advertise head banging music heard within at all. A superiorly unimpressive album cover from a band that I really, really like… what a Metal shame.

#5:

VIXEN – LIVE & LEARN (2006)

Whoa! This Vixen album cover just SCREAMS Heavy Metal! Look out! Vixen looks so thrilled doing this cover shot too. Sorry, I don’t buy the connection of the front cover photo to the album title either. This album cover is simply boring and boring again. Did I mention it was boring?

#4:

KILLER DWARFS – BIG DEAL (1988)

Um, uh, yup.

#3:

NICKELBACK – CURB (2002 reissue alternate cover)

Well, at least we now know where Bon Jovi got his inspiration for the anti-amazing Lost Highway album cover. If I am not mistaken, this road really needs some traffic… and Curb really needs a new album cover.

#2:

GUNS N’ ROSES – “THE SPAGHETTI INCIDENT?” (1993)

This Guns N’ Roses album cover does not make me yearn for opening and eating a can of Spaghettio’s. I actually lose my appetite for half a day each time I stare at this album cover. I’d rather look at any and all of the Cannibal Corpse album covers before I look at this disgustingly stale spaghetti on this album cover. Again, I am so wowed at the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal imagery found here.

#1:

AEROSMITH – GET A GRIP (1993)

Voila! Here it is! What I consider to be the upmost in uncool… an F’n pierced cow udder. This is so Rock ‘N’ Roll. NOT. The fake Aerosmith branding into the side of this cow only makes matters worse. What were everyone involved with creating this album cover thinking? Yeah… just as the album title states, the culprits involved in the decision making of this extremely uncool album cover should… get a grip.

Stone.

15 Comments »

JUDAS PRIEST “TURBO” – 1986 ALBUM IN MY METAL RETROSPECT

Posted in Album Review, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 30, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

JUDAS PRIEST – Turbo was released on Columbia Records, back on April 14, 1986. This Turbo album, is my least favorite Judas Priest album. There. I said it. Now, does that mean I would never listen to Turbo ever again? Of course not. By process of Metal elimination, there has to be my least favorite Judas Priest album… Turbo unfortunately gets the Metal nod for being the one. I revere Judas Priest… they are and always shall be a core band of mine. Therefore, I am not about to pick apart an album where they chose to experiment with synthesizers and melody. I have and always shall accept Turbo for what it is… a detour during the unreal and great legacy of Judas Priest.

Let’s face it, Turbo has eventually become not the drastic detour that Judas Priest would ever undertake. Nostradamus released in 2008, is a far superior musical detour than Turbo. I really feel that this Nostradamus album has motivated me to embrace the maturation process of Metal bands that I uphold. I find the Nostradamus album to be an exquisite listen in not just Metal… it’s an exquisite listen in music period. Well, not to get off the Metal track here… back to Turbo.

I remember buying the Turbo album, (on vinyl), along with Ozzy Osbourne’s album from 1986 – The Ultimate Sin. It was an early Spring day back in 1986 when I bought these two albums together… I was Metal psyched. I eventually upgraded both Turbo and The Ultimate Sin to CD… and I still have The Ultimate Sin on CD, Turbo I sold for a few bucks years ago. Now, regardless of looking upon Turbo as my least favorite Judas Priest album… I uncannily miss having it around. I do have easy access to the song Turbo Lover, it’s on a Judas Priest “Greatest Hits” CD I have:

The Best Of Judas Priest: Living After Midnight

This “Best Of” CD really is power packed with some vintage Judas Priest songs and worth owning, especially if you have “holes” in your Judas Priest album/CD collection.

I will admit, the song Parental Guidance used to get me psyched out. It was the whole anti-establishment and anti-authority thing happening in my brain back then. I still stand strongly behind this song’s anti-censorship theme. I’ve read that this song was Judas Priest taking a direct aim at the constipated PMRC… if true, a Metal kudos to The Priest!

The Turbo album does rekindle some cool memories for me though… man, this CD was always cranked up to the max at every keg party I hosted, back around 1986 – 1988. There always was someone who wanted to hear Turbo back then at my parties… it was popular for the first few years or so it seemed. When I do hear the song Turbo Lover now, it reminds me of those hot Summer nights back in the late 80’s. No, not that kind of “hot Summer night”… this song really reminds me of hanging out on a hot and humid Summer night and drinking beer. Go F’n figure.

So there you have it… I consider Turbo as my least favorite Judas Priest album ever, the album as a whole reminds me of keg parties I hosted as a much younger dude and Turbo Lover reminds me of hot and humid Summer nights of hanging out and drinking beer. Throw in the fact that I kinda miss owning Turbo too. I guess I couldn’t be more Metal honest than that.

“I’M YOUR TUBO LOVER… TELL ME THERE’S NO OTHER”… NOW, SOMEONE PASS ME A COLD ONE. PLEASE.

LONG LIVE JUDAS PRIEST!

Stone.

21 Comments »

MOUNTAIN – Masters Of War: A Cover Song Album Of Bob Dylan Classics

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 28, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MOUNTAIN – This decade spanning and generation jumping, Hard Rock and early years Heavy Metal band known to us all as Mountain, released their eighth studio album – Masters Of War, on Big Rack Records, back in 2007. Founding member and lead vocalist Leslie West sounds as formidable as ever on vocals. With lifelong band mate and drummer Corkey Laing by his side, Leslie West  had carried the heavy, bluesy and Classic Hard Rock sound of Mountain straight into 2007 and beyond. Leslie and Corky are Hard Rock and Heavy Metal pioneers: personified, signed, sealed and delivered.

Masters Of War is an album devoted to Bob Dylan cover songs. Bob Dylan, a super historic figure in the history of all music. As impressive is the list of music genres that Bob Dylan has crossed over, equally or more impressive is his song writing. Without a doubt in my Metal mind… Bob Dylan is a living legend of song. What better musician and songwriter for Mountain to dedicate a complete album of covers? Masters Of War is a listen into two incredible worlds of music, the first being song writing excellence and the second being Heavy, Hard Rock excellence.

Leslie West, Corky Laing and Bob Dylan have paved the Rock ‘N’ Roll highway for generations to navigate and enjoy. Step in Ozzy Osbourne… one of Heavy Metal’s living legends, a Heavy Metal pioneer himself. Leslie West and Ozzy Osbourne share lead vocals, a duet if you will, on the heavy cover song Masters Of War. The combination of these two icons of Heavy Music makes for a song of historical Rock importance, in my Metal opinion. Just a great song, sung by two vocalists that have entertained my Metal ears for decades.

Choosing a favorite song from Masters Of War is a task, the totality of genuine Hard Rockin’ greatness makes for an overwhelming listen for me. If you are looking to shake loose the hidden and locked up boogie woogie Rock ‘N’ Roll side of you… then let me recommend multiple listens to Everything Is Broken. Mountain grabs my boogie woogie soul while I listen to this song and wakes it up, shakes it around and reminds it – that there really are times when you have to get down to the tune that’s Rockin’. Metal as my witness, Everything Is Broken is brought to life again by Mountain.

Subterranean Homesick Blues will have you foot stomping, head nodding and shuffling those shoulders of yours uncontrollably. If this song does not have that type of affect on you, then please check into the clinic that is called – “No Rock ‘N’ Roll Exists In My Soul”. Tell ’em Stone from Metal Odyssey sent your sorry, mellow, lame butt there too.

Taking into account, the Rock historic significance of Bob Dylan and Mountain, it’s only fitting that these two music legends came full circle in the songs heard on Masters Of War. As I listen to Mr. Tambourine Man, I am awe struck at this songs importance to the early culture of Rock Music in America. At the end of my Metal day, it’s those pioneering Rock legends of yesteryear that remind me just how all it all started. Through these Bob Dylan cover songs on Mountain’s Masters Of War, I’m reacquainted once again with Rock and Roll history.

* Corky Laing is the lead vocalist and plays drums on Like A Rolling Stone. The combination of only vocals and drums on this cover song, serves up for a cool and modern listen of this classic song.

* Warren Haynes, (Gov’t Mule and The Allman Brothers Band), plays lead guitar on Serve Somebody and guitar on The Times They Are A-Changin’.

Track Listing For Masters Of War:

Masters Of War

Serve Somebody

Blowin’ In The Wind (Heavy)

Everything Is Broken

Highway 61 Revisisted

This Heart Of Mine

Subterranean Homesick Blues

The Times They Are A-Changin’

Seven Days

Mr. Tambourine Man

Like A Rolling Stone

Blowin’ In The Wind (Acoustic)

LONG LIVE MOUNTAIN.

LONG LIVE BOB DYLAN.

Stone.

5 Comments »

KROKUS “HOODOO” – CASTS A HARD ROCKIN’ & HEAVY METAL CLASSIC SPELL!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 27, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

KROKUS – The new album from Switzerland’s greatest Heavy Music achievement is available as an import right now… and I landed my copy yesterday. Metal buddy – Metal Mark over at the super cool Heavy Metal Time Machine had received one too many copies from the record company to review… he was Metal kind enough to pose the Metal question to me: “you want one”? Of course, my Metal answer was a resounding YES! Thanks Metal Mark!

Usually, I tend to do album reviews in say… 500 to sometimes, 900 or more words. I like to blab about music… Heavy Metal and Hard Rock Music just gets my Metal brain working at top speed while I write about it… Metal be thy name. Then, there are those times when I listen to an album and it is like… whoa, what can I possibly say or write other than holy crap, this is great stuff! Enter… Hoodoo.

From the onset, it is Classic Krokus. No Midnite Maniac stuff happening here on Hoodoo, this is back to the days of One Vice At A Time and Headhunter here. I like the late 80’s Krokus and the very recent Hellraiser album from 2006. Rock The Block from 2003 Rocked my Metal world! Plus, I will still crank up Midnite Maniac very loud… Metal truth be told. Yet, Hoodoo is different… Classic different! This is the Classic lineup of Krokus as well, therefore, Hoodoo was destined to sound so damn great.

I’ve been a big pushover for the song Hoodoo Woman, ever since I first heard it and saw the music video over at Hard Rock Hideout. In My Blood gets my Metal motor revving on high too… I feel like Krokus has given their fans the elixir for Hard Rock and Heavy Metal super bliss. Excuse me please, while I come across as a lifelong Krokus fan. Can’t F’n help it.

Dirty Street just keeps coming at me with that beat and repeat… Old School never sounded so unreal cool. The Steppenwolf cover song – Born To Be Wild is point blank perfect for this Hoodoo album. As I stated earlier, this is one of those albums where I’m cutting it short and telling it like it is… this Hoodoo album ROCKS!

AS KROKUS THEMSELVES, SO METAL ELOQUENTLY PUT IT…

THE PAST IS BACK TO KICK OUR ASS!!

… AND THE HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL PAST CAN KICK MY ASS ANY DAY!

KROKUS as they appear on HOODOO:

Marc Storace – lead vocals

Chris Von Rohr – bass, vocals

Fernando Von Arb – lead guitars, vocals

Mark Kohler – rhythm guitar

Freddy Steady – drums

Track Listing For HOODOO:

Drive It In

HOODOO Woman

Born To Be Wild

Rock ‘N’ Roll Handshake

Ride Into The Sun

Too Hot

In My Blood

Dirty Street

Keep Me Rolling

Shot Of Love

Firestar

* HOODOO was produced by Chris Von Rohr

LONG LIVE KROKUS!

Stone.

5 Comments »

EDGUY “LAVATORY LOVE MACHINE” – CD SINGLE FROM 2004 THAT’S OUT OF PRINT!

Posted in hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, power metal bands, power metal music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 27, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

EDGUY – Released their CD single Lavatory Love Machine back on June 21st, 2004, on Nuclear Blast Records. I purchased this cool EDGUY CD single about two years ago, on the Century Media Records website… CM Distro. Now, Lavatory Love Machine is out of print, still I have currently seen it for sale both new and used through Amazon.com.

For anyone unfamiliar with EDGUY, they are a Power Metal/Heavy Metal band from Germany. EDGUY could have easily fit right into the mid to late 80’s Heavy Metal mix – for their sound has all the trappings of Old School flavor… in my Metal opinion. From 1997 thru 2009, EDGUY has released eight studio albums, two live albums, three CD singles, two EP’s and two compilation/greatest hits albums.

I do like to collect the rare and out of print albums, cassettes and CD’s of my favorite bands. Many times, I have no Metal clue that a particular title is even out of print… until I stumble on an article or online music retail store that expresses those magic words: product discontinued by manufacturer.

The single Lavatory Love Machine is from the 2004 EDGUY studio album – Hellfire Club. This song has all the power driven, Arena style Heavy Metal that the late 80’s was famous for. An acoustic version of Lavatory Love Machine is on this single as well, of course it is much more mellow and toned down. I’ll Cry For You is an acoustic ballad as well, it showcases the open approach that lead vocalist Tobias Sammet has taken musically, throughout his entire career, with EDGUY. This is a band that can slam it down unreal heavy and still sound great (and cool) doing the soft stuff.

Reach Out is another… ballad. More on the “power” ballad side, Reach Out I gravitate towards courtesy of Tobias Sammet… I really like the believable emotion his vocals radiate on this song. There is no guitar, bass or drums on Reach Out, just some inspiring keyboards and piano. The “power” of this song is derived from Tobias Sammet’s vocals, in my Metal opinion.

I sound like a broken record when stating that I’m not the big ballad dude, only there are those times where I do listen to them, they fall into my lap so to speak. Keeping an open Metal mind is what I try to do and if the ballad works for my ears, then Metal be thy name.

* The music video for Lavatory Love Machine is also on this CD single, I’d swear it was a late 80’s music video due to it’s Old School approach. A fun video to watch!

* I’ll Cry For You is a cover song originally found on the Europe album from 1991 – Prisoners in Paradise.

* Tracks 1 thru 3 can also be found on the 2008 EDGUY album – The Singles.

* Reach Out can be found on the Japanese import version of EDGUY – Rocket Ride, released in 2006. Lavatory Love Machine (Acoustic Version) is found on this same Japanese version of Rocket Ride too. It gets very confusing, when tracking down when specific songs were released and on what album!

Track Listing For Lavatory Love Machine:

1. Lavatory Love Machine

2. Lavatory Love Machine (Acoustic Version)

3. I’ll Cry For You – (Europe Cover Song)

4. Reach Out

Lavatory Love Machine – (video clip) – complete music video

EDGUY, as they appeared on the Lavatory Love Machine CD Single:

Tobias Sammet – vocals

Jens Ludwig – guitar & backing vocals

Dirk Sauer – guitar & backing vocals

Tobias “Eggi” Exxel – bass & backing vocals

Felix Bohnke – drums, percussion

* Frank Tischer – plays piano on Reach Out. It is my best Metal guess, that Tobias Sammet plays keyboards on Reach Out, no documentation can be found in the liner notes to support this Metal guess however.

Stone.


1 Comment »

M3 ROCK FESTIVAL, JUNE 19TH 2010 AND I’M THERE!!

Posted in Hair Metal, hair metal bands, hair metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 26, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

M3 ROCK FESTIVAL – On June 19th, 2010, the M3 Rock Festival once again returns… and this year I’m there! I already received my two tickets through the “snail mail” this past Friday and with that… it is Metal official! What a glorious day of Rock ‘N’ Roll it shall be. Hard Rock, Heavy Metal and Hair Metal fans unite! The juicy part of this entire M3 Rock Festival is that the unreal legendary Scorpions will be headlining! Getting an opportunity to see this historic Heavy Metal band on their farewell tour is a Metal privilege I shall cherish forever.

My other ticket for M3 will be for my best Metal buddy – Scott Coverdale. With all of his Metal research and CD’s he has uncovered for Metal Odyssey to jump up and down about… he deserves my buying his ticket. Plus, I’ll even splurge for the room and board Coverdale needs too… he is traveling from very expensive Connecticut to Pennsylvania, then he is driving my Metal lovin’ behind down to M3. That’s a Metal buddy.

I’m looking forward to meeting up with my other Metal buddies from Hard Rock Hideout too! Rob Rockitt, Brian Basher, and Ryo Vie are on board. I have already met up with Ryo Vie, he and I checked out Charm City Devils and Pop Evil together back in March of this year… he has a cool blog too called – The Rock and Roll Guru.

Just take a Metal looksie at the outrageously cool lineup of bands that will be Rockin’ the M3 Rock Festival… as I mentioned, headlining is the Scorpions, with Cinderella, Vince Neil, Kix, L.A. Guns, Winger, Warrant, Nelson, Jetboy, Trixter, Bang Tango, Dizzy Reed, ZO2 and Black Mambooza! Now, the only band I’m not familiar with here is… Black Mambooza. Give me time… I’ll rectify that Metal situation soon.

In my Metal past, I have seen Cinderella, Winger and Vince Neil – (fronting the incredible Motley Crue that is). So, getting to M3 to see all of these bands in one day is a Metal dream come true. I anticipate a real cool and gooood time… with hopefully some very cool stories and pics from M3 to share to the Metal and Hard Rock family around the world! Trust me, I’ll get the memories out on Metal Odyssey!

* The M3 Rock Festival is held at the Merriweather Post Pavilion, in Columbia, Maryland.

* For more info and ticket info about the 2010 M3 Rock Festival, click the link below:

M3 Rock Festival 2010

LONG LIVE AMERICAN ROCK FESTIVALS!

Stone.

7 Comments »

MORPHINE KILLER “NIGHTMARES” EP – UNLEASHES UNREAL METAL EXTREMITY!

Posted in Extreme Metal, extreme metal bands, extreme metal music, gothic metal bands, gothic metal music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 23, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MORPHINE KILLER – released their Nightmares EP back in October of 2009, on Final Breath Records. What makes this duo of Belle Roka, ( Vocals, Keyboards) and Eski, (Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drums) stand out is their undying Extreme Metal delivery… which is all structured and written quite well on the five songs heard on this Nightmares EP. Morphine Killer has incorporated all the dark ambiance within their heavy riffs and cyclone guitar leads… just one listen to Clutching Defeat should make the non-believers fall to their weakened knees. Eski exhalts his no compromise Extreme vocals to a prolific level of Metal Grind purity.

With Eski and Belle sharing vocal duties, it’s soft harmony and a swift, crushing extreme blow to my Metal ears that keeps me coming back for more. Morphine Killer has incorporated a mix of Metal genres into their one-two Extreme thunder strike… with convincing and serious results. I have posted the song Pride Comes Before A Fall, on April 15, 2010, realizing that Belle’s luringly tender vocals sucks me into the Extreme Metal explosiveness that their music brandishes. Listening to this Morphine Killer – Nightmares EP is like entering valley of the Extreme Metal grooves, not one song replicates the other, each Metal corner turned seems to be better than the last.

One listen to Home and I can envision Morphine Killer opening for Kittie… and that would be a killer show of Metal proportions. Can I make a fair comparison of Belle Roka to Morgan Lander of Kittie? I certainly can, despite each being unique vocalists… this comparison is a compliment to both of these Metal divas. The influence nod to Classic Rock icon Heart is posted on Morphine Killer’s myspace music page… and I can understand why, each time I hear Belle sing. What is refreshing about Morphine Killer is that they apparently are climbing the Metal ladder the old school way, with their obvious musical talent guiding them each Extreme step of the way.

She’s Slipping Away opens up with a Traditional Metal approach, doom ridden riffs and thunderous drum beats are sewn with a quaking bass that only becomes more deliriously addicting once Belle begins to vocalize the lyrics. Oh, yes, you better watch your Metal back however, the semi-growling and sneering backing vocals are evident courtesy of Eski… dark, creepy and a necessary Metal musical additive. I’m a sucker for the emotions that a keyboard can bring to music. Belle adds just this to She’s Slipping Away, with melancholy atmospherics in the background.

In Silent Agony concludes this Nightmares EP and does so with an Extreme Metal exclamation point. Eski is showcased on vocals throughout In Silent Agony, jumping out from the onset like a catastrophic furnace blast… no warning… and I’m not running, just consumed with Extreme satisfaction, Metal be thy name.

We live on a planet where there are quite a few Metal bands doing their thing and going with the flow… Morphine Killer is doing their thing alright, only their sound and diversity pushes them out in front of the up and coming Metal pack. Anytime a young Metal band creates quality songs through musical talent, while embedding slivers of Old School, I’m going to Metal endorse them to the fullest. It should not take the Metal world too long to grasp with their ears what Morphine Killer is creating here, a Metal sound that encompasses the dark and the light… which makes this Metal fanatic Extremely pleased with their discovery.

* You can purchase Morphine Killer – Nightmares EP directly on the Morphine Killer website or at Amazon.com.

MORPHINE KILLER – Official Website

Stone.

3 Comments »

OZZY OSBOURNE – “SPEAK OF THE DEVIL” 1982 LIVE ALBUM WAS ONCE BANNED!

Posted in hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal awards, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, people, personal stories, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 23, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

OZZY OSBOURNE – released his very first solo live album Speak Of The Devil back on November 27, 1982. I remember getting excited about this new Ozzy album coming out… it was live… it was Ozzy! My late sister Christine, she worked at a department store named Stars back in 1982. This Stars department store sold just about anything and everything, it was a store where you could find faucet washers or chain link that no other hardware store carried. From tampons to cookies to records, Stars had it all! It was our Walmart before we had… a Walmart. Well, this store did not have a very bright store manager… as you will soon find out.

You see, I asked my sister back in late November of 1982, if she could pick me up the new Ozzy Osbourne album for me… Speak Of The Devil. She said it would be no problem at all. Well, it did become a problem. Apparently, the store manager of Stars decided he wanted to “play the dictator card” and ban the Speak Of The Devil album from being sold at Stars. My sister was just as miffed at this as I was back then. She told me, “he” (the store manager), did not like Ozzy Osbourne and abhorred the album cover artwork of Speak Of The Devil, therefore, he did not want this album or any Ozzy Osbourne album for that matter, sold at Stars. The guy was a first class moron, a first rate censorship warlord.

I won’t mention this idiot managers name, (just to protect any of his embarrassed family members). However, his daughter did go to my high school, was a year or two younger than me and she was… a Metalhead. Poor girl, to have a dip-crap father like that… it’s no wonder she didn’t go insane. Plus, this censor police chief of a store manager wore… get this… polyester pants and… turtlenecks. F’n turtlenecks! That is probably where my absolute hatred for turtlenecks was sown. Turtleneck traumatized was I, at a very young age. Seeing that fart face store manager pacing up front of that store, man, the memory is so damned vivid now. Excuse me please, I think I want to go puke right now.

Anyway, to make a sad censorship story better… I did get my hands on Speak Of The Devil at a very non-censored store called Strawberries Records & Tapes. Kiss my Metal butt Stars and your third world nation store manager. My trips to Stars did continue even years after this censorship “issue” with the Speak Of The Devil and all Ozzy Osbourne albums. Stars later named another dude as store manager and he was cool. As for the censorship addict that once reigned as store manager there… well, I don’t really know what happened to him and really don’t give a maggot infested, moose crap either.

Heavy Metal took a beating back in the early days, especially the 1980’s, with censorship jackasses. Maybe this former store manager of Stars became a fan of the overly constipated PMRC? One never knows. All I know is that censorship is creepy, scary and wrong. Censorship of music, art, books or any other “freedom of speech” that America takes for granted has happened and can still happen at any time. Censorship is probably happening right now, in some shape or form, in yes… America. Freedom is fragile, sometimes it is too easy to forget that.

Granted, this story may come across as a “micro” incident in small town America, too long ago to even blink an eye at. Don’t be fooled… history does have a funny way of unfortunately repeating itself.

LONG LIVE ARTISTIC FREEDOM!

AND OZZY OSBOURNE TOO.

Stone.

9 Comments »

RATT – “INFESTATION” IS RATTASTIC RATT ‘N’ ROLL!

Posted in hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 21, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RATT –  O.k., so I bought the new RATT album, um, CD yesterday, on it’s release date of April 20, 2010. Take my Metal word for it… RATT is BACK! Infestation has exceeded my Metal expectations and I am a better Metalhead for it. Actually, I’m in a damn good and cool mood because of this new RATT CD. That’s exactly what these new songs on Infestation does to me, they put me in an – everything is really fine in my world mood. No kidding. Take for example, today… as I drove around the city trying to accomplish some errands, I was cut-off and slighted by many self-entitled, turtleneck wearing, plastic people in their cars. Ah, did I care? Nope. I had the new RATT – Infestation blasting away in my car! All is well with the Metal world!

My favorite song on Infestation is, without a single Metal doubt in my Metal mind… as good as it gets. Whoa, this is RATT 2010 and I’m really, really, psyched out of my Metal skull about this song! While I have listened to this entire Infestation CD, I have come to the realization that this is NOT a RATT CD that needs to be listened to numerous times, in order to make an opinion on. Infestation will either grab your 1980’s Hard Rock and Hair Metal soul or it won’t. RATT has come out swinging, with 11 new songs that exemplify all the great things I remember about this band. Melodic, catchy and Hard & Heavy… RATT ‘N’ ROLL.

Stephen Pearcy has not lost any of his cool swagger with his vocals. Carlos Cavazo can still contribute like a Metal whiz kid, with writing music and playing guitar. Warren DeMartini has not skipped a beat as a lead guitarist. Bobby Blotzer hits the skins on Infestation like his life depends on it. Robbie Crane has arrived and conquered on bass. Metal be thy name. Holy crap, RATT was not fooling around with this comeback album.

Some may point the finger at me and say… “hey, dude, your on a RATT high”. My Metal response to such a remark is… damn right I am. Music… Hard Rock and Heavy Metal… are an all natural high for me or any human being to enjoy in life. RATT – Infestation is the new high on the Metal street. Gimme, gimme, gimme more sir. So lest it be written, so lest it be known, right here on Metal Odyssey, on this very day… that this calendar year of 2010 has been… RATTIFIED.

And I’m Metal gratified.

There always was and will be, those nay sayers out there that just don’t like RATT. Well, I don’t like sushi. I like my damn fish cooked please. For those Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fans out there, who do like RATT, love RATT or are just infatuated with this band since their RATT EP came out in 1983… rejoice and accept the rattaholic status you are currently in.

My name is Stone… and I’m a Rattaholic.

After one listen through with Infestation, you are either with the Ratt Pack or out of the Ratt Pack. If your out, there are plenty of ABBA, Jim Nabors and Boxcar Willie albums out there for you to, uh, enjoy. Or, instead, watch some reruns of Dr. Phil.

I feel like I’m on a roll today… RATT ‘N’ ROLL that is.

Track Listing For Infestation:

eat me up alive

best of me

a little too much

look out below

last call

lost weekend

as good as it gets

garden of eden

take a big bite

take me home

don’t let go

* RATT – Infestation was released on RoadRunner Records.

LONG LIVE RATT ‘N’ ROLL!

TURTLENECKS ARE NOT COOL. NOT AT ALL.

Stone.



7 Comments »

ARMORED SAINT – “CHILLED” SONG FROM “LA RAZA” ALBUM CHILLS AND THRILLS MY METAL SOUL

Posted in hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 19, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ARMORED SAINT – released their brilliant comeback album La Raza on March 16, 2010. An Old School Heavy Metal with shades of Hard Rock album is La Raza, an unreal quality listen. My favorite song on La Raza is Chilled. Currently, Chilled is a very strong candidate for Metal Odyssey’s song of the year. If I had to choose today, Chilled would be song of the year for 2010… Metal hands down. The lyrics coupled with the melodic totality of this song, just reaches into my Metal soul and shakes me up… in a most exhilarating way!

The vocals of John Bush with every second of Armored Saint’s music consistently heightens the emotion and realism of this song. I have not been this excited over one song in a very, very, long time.

If you have not listened to Chilled from La Raza just yet, here is your chance! As well written a song I have ever heard in my entire Metal life… in my Metal opinion. Just click on the box below and prepare to get Chilled! Oh, uh, don’t forget to play it LOUD too.

Armored Saint, as they appear on La Raza:

John Bush – vocals

Joey Vera – bass

Jeff Duncan – guitar

Phil Sandoval – guitar

Gonzo Sandoval – drums

Stone.

5 Comments »

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