Archive for the heavy metal music Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

D.R.I. – “CROSSOVER” ALBUM FROM 1987 REVISITED! “MILLENNIUM EDITION” RELEASES MAY 25, 2010!

Posted in hardcore bands, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, punk rock music, rock music, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 18, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

D.R.I. – (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles) released Crossover back in 1987 on Metal Blade Records. To describe D.R.I. for those unfamiliar with them, they are an Old School Punk and Metal crossover Band that combined Thrash, Traditional Metal and thick Hardcore flavor with a Punk attitude to their overall sound. D.R.I. gets described as Crossover Thrash over the years too, which is just fine and Metal dandy with me. I can’t get too carried away here with the genre tags, just take my Metal word for it… D.R.I. is a Metal Band worth listening to. D.R.I. may not be the household name from the 1980’s, only they are as legit, credibly heavy and blue collar as any Metal or Extreme band that has walked upon planet Earth.

The Crossover album has always been a great listen for me, past and present. The extremities of Metal and Hardcore just seem to boil over on Crossover. Each time I listen to this D.R.I. album, I realize how closely linked Punk Rock and Metal really are, I get that same feeling each time I listen to the legendary Misfits as well. D.R.I. was not looking for any commercial hugs from the mainstream with their brand of Metal meets Hardcore, this band just blazed away with uncompromising attitude and astute, extreme musicianship.

D.R.I. has toured on and off, rather consistently for years, even into 2010, despite their last studio album Full Speed Ahead being released back in 1995. This is a band that would make my Metal day with a new studio album release… then again, their back catalog and especially Crossover, is a Metal and Extreme bounty that has and always will stand the test of time for me.

As I sunk my Metal ears into Crossover this past weekend, I found out once again, just how addicting D.R.I. really can be. After my third listen through to Crossover today, it felt like I opened up a can of Old School Extreme whoop ass, which slapped me in the face… and it set me straight.

** Crossover: Millennium Edition will be released on May 25, 2010, on Beer City Records!!

* Just a sample of where this CD is available for pre-order: You can pre-order Crossover: Millennium Edition on amazon.com and Best Buy.com. Amazon.com is selling it for $15.98 versus Best Buy.com’s price of $13.99… prices don’t include shipping.

* Check out all you need to know about D.R.I. by clicking on the two links below:

D.R.I. – myspace music page

D.R.I. Official Website

D.R.I. as they appeared on Crossover:

Kurt Brecht – vocals

Spike Cassidy – guitars

Josh Pappe – bass

Felix Griffin – drums

Track Listing For Crossover:

One:

Five Year Plan

Tear It Down

A Coffin

Probation

I.D.K.Y.

Decisions

Two:

Hooked

Go Die

Redline

No Religion

Fun & Games

Oblivion

* The word “dandy” was used on Metal Odyssey, in the first paragraph of this D.R.I. post.

Stone.

6 Comments »

KISS “UNMASKED” ALBUM POSTER FROM 1980 – CHECK IT OUT!

Posted in classic rock music, 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 17, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

KISS – Back on May 20, 1980, Rock icons KISS released their 8th studio album – Unmasked. I honestly love this album, especially the songs Is That You?, Shandi, Naked City and She’s So European. I posted about how much I adore this KISS album back on September 3, 2009, you can check it out if you like by clicking the header below:

KISS “Unmasked” – 1980 album I listened to all Summer of 2009

This post is about the incredibly cool poster that came inside the album jacket of Unmasked. (Check out the pic below of me holding this KISS Unmasked poster gem). I never measured this poster for it’s exact dimensions, just by looking at the pic below will show you it’s big enough! I want to definitely frame this KISS Unmasked poster sometime soon. I’ve kept this poster safely tucked away within the Unmasked album jacket sleeve, along with the vinyl of course… since 1983!

I obtained this KISS Unmasked album and poster from a trade I made with a high school classmate… back in 1983. This dude wanted my Billy Squier – Emotions In Emotion album in exchange for this KISS Unmasked album! Back in 1983, when this dude requested this trade, I simply said… no problem! Man, it was a no brainer! I already had KISS Unmasked on 8 track… yes, 8 track, hey, this is 1983 we are discussing here. Therefore, my wanting KISS Unmasked on vinyl made perfect sense at the time… plus I knew the Unmasked poster was included with the trade too.

Don’t get me wrong, I really dig Billy Squier, always have and always will. That Emotions In Motion album is pretty solid, in my Metal opinion. Everybody Wants You and She’s A Runner are my two favorite songs from Emotions In Motion. However, this is a Metal trade that served me right!

I never hung this poster up on a wall, sounds crazy, yet I never had enough room to showcase all of my Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal favorites back in the ’80’s. As I look back now, I’m glad I never did hang up this poster, it probably would have gotten ruined from thumb tacks and sun rays beating on it. This KISS Unmasked poster has been carefully preserved within it’s respective Unmasked album jacket sleeve, after all these years.

Here’s what my KISS Unmasked poster looks like:

This KISS Unmasked poster still has a nice glossy sheen to it too.

Here is the front cover to my KISS Unmasked album. There is some wear along the edges and corners of the album jacket, it has has been played/enjoyed many a time over the years!

Here’s what the back cover of my KISS Unmasked album jacket looks like:

LONG LIVE KISS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL!

Stone.

13 Comments »

REVOLVER MAGAZINE’S “THE ART OF HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL” SPECIAL ISSUE IS WORTH OWNING!

Posted in hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 16, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

REVOLVER MAGAZINE – has put out a very, very, cool special issue: The Art Of Hard Rock & Heavy Metal. This mag is out now and worth every Metal penny to own! Many past regular issues of Revolver, has included an article pertaining to the history behind a classic Heavy Metal or Hard Rock album cover. This history behind these album covers involves the artist and what thoughts, stories and details surrounded the artwork – from concept to finish. I always state… one can never take in enough Heavy Metal or Hard Rock history, this magazine is Metal knowledge that can only benefit me and you.

I came upon this Revolver Special Issue today, as I was grocery shopping at my local supermarket called Weis. Deciding to take a chance as I meandered down the magazine aisle, hoping that maybe, just maybe, there would be a worthy magazine to pick up, that covers the music I love… and I’m NOT talking about Rolling Stone either. That stroll down the magazine aisle served me right! There it was, this Revolver special issue, with Iron Maiden’s mascot Eddie on the front cover… depicted from their vintage 1981 album cover Killers. The cover price for the magazine is $6.99 (U.S.)… not a shabby deal at all for Heavy Metal and Hard Rock history.

A sampling of album covers that are featured in this Revolver Magazine special issue are: Quite Riot – Metal Health, Megadeth – Peace Sells But Who’s Buying, Sepultura – Chaos A.D., Pantera – Far Beyond Drive, King Diamond – Abigail, Motorhead – Motorhead and Slayer – Reign In Blood. Whoa, unreal great and historic album covers all. A huge Metal kudos to Revolver Magazine for unleashing such a spectacular special issue!

If you can’t locate a copy of Revolver’s – The Art Of Hard Rock & Heavy Metal at retail, click on the link below that takes you right to Revolver’s website, where you can purchase it right there on their online store:

REVOLVER MAGAZINE

Stone.

5 Comments »

PETER STEELE – MAY HE REST IN PEACE

Posted in gothic metal music, hard rock music, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 15, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

1962 – 2010

REST IN PEACE, PETER STEELE.

Metal Odyssey extends condolences to Peter Steele’s family, band mates, friends and fans. Thank you for the music, Peter Steele. God Bless your soul.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

MORPHINE KILLER – “PRIDE COMES BEFORE A FALL” – TAKE A METAL LISTEN!

Posted in extreme metal music, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 15, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Here is an up and coming Metal Band from California that crossed my Metal path on Wednesday… MORPHINE KILLER. This song you can listen to below, (by clicking on that magic You Tube box) – Pride Comes Before A Fall is from their Nightmares EP, released in October 2009. This song is heavy, with an infectious groove happening from the opening riff. With co-vocalists Belle Roko and Eski, this song shimmers with crooning and rages with Metal extremity as well. I hope you like this Morphine Killer song as much as I do… so give it a Metal listen and crank it LOUD mutha’s!!

I’ll be posting a larger review on Morphine Killer in the very near future… stay Metal tuned!

Morphine Killer is:

Belle Roko – vocals, keyboards

Eski – vocals, guitar, bass, drums

Find out more about Morphine Killer by clicking on this link below:

MORPHINE KILLER – Official Website

Stone.

1 Comment »

DEATHSTARS – “NIGHT ELECTRIC NIGHT” ILLUMINATES THE DARK SIDE OF HEAVY GOTHIC METAL

Posted in black metal music, gothic metal, gothic metal albums, gothic metal bands, hard rock music, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, Metal Reviews, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 14, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

DEATHSTARS – This Gothic/Industrial Metal band from Sweden has been stalking about the planet for several years now. Their first studio album Synthetic Generation had a 2003 European release. Termination Bliss followed in 2006 and now Night Electric Night has been available for your Metal listening enjoyment since January of 2009. Deathstars play and promote their Gothic and Industrial styles well, exhibiting their Black Metal influence and roots within their Metal.

Mark Of The Gun is my favorite track on Night Electric Night, it really grooves along with all of it’s ultra proficient Gothic and Industrial glory. Deathstars can deliver some heavy grooves within their Metal and that is one quality I like about this band. Lyrically, dark themes and topics are explored… of course. It’s very easy for me to embrace Deathstars affinity for melodic songs, as well as dynamic verses that keep their music interesting and far from boring.

Whiplasher Bernadotte on vocals makes the songs on Night Electric Night illuminate the dark qualities they encompass. It’s difficult for me to imagine any other vocal style attempting to sing these songs… this music was meant for Whiplasher to sing, undisputedly so. The Fuel Ignites is another standout song on Night Electric Night, seamlessly escalating a rhythmic flow, highlighted and enriched by very infectious keyboards.

The electronics/keyboards are incredibly necessary for Deathstars, adding a consistent, textured sound and feel that elevates each song to even darker majesty. Venus In Arms is standout song #3 for me, brandishing it’s stomping rhythm section, coinciding with the atmospherics, making for a semi-epic sound. Deathstars cohesiveness as a unit is their greatest strength. Your not going to hear riveting guitar solos, what you hear is guitar proficiency that melds within the layers of Deathstars Metal.

Gothic Metal, Industrial Metal and Extreme Metal fans surely know Deathstars by now… hopefully. If you are a fan of Metal Music and are looking for something new to order off the Metal menu, then Deathstars comes recommended by Metal Odyssey. Deathstars Night Electric Night is not an album you should listen to once and pass judgement on, there are just too many musical elements that need to be heard.

DEATHSTARS – as they appear on Night Electric Night:

Whiplasher Bernadotte – vocals

Nightmare Industries – guitars & electronics

Skinny Disco – bass

Cat Casino – guitars

Bone W. Machine – drums

* Night Electric Night was released on January 30, 2009, on Bieler Bros. Records.

* Night Electric Night was produced by Nightmare Industries.

Track Listing For Night Electric Night:

Chertograd

Night Electric Night

Death Dies Hard

Mark Of The Gun

Via The End

Blood Stains Blondes

Babylon

The Fuel Ignites

Arclight

Venus In Arms

Opium

Stone.

Leave a comment »

HEAVY METAL VINYL FLASHBACK: RAINBOW – “JEALOUS LOVER” EP FROM 1981!

Posted in classic rock bands, classic rock music, hard rock albums, 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, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 11, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RAINBOW – Call this legendary band Hard Rock or Heavy Metal, it’s all the same to me. I have grown more fonder of Rainbow as each year passes, each and every lineup of this band too. Yes, call me a Rainbow fan… guilty as Metal charged. I was in the midst of my high school daze when Rainbow became a core band of mine. What intrigues me about Rainbow, is how widespread the fans were for them all those years ago. Looking back on my buddies and acquaintances from the 1980’s, Rainbow was liked by Motorhead fans as well as Van Halen die hards. I even had many Thrash Metal buddies who swore by Rainbow, back in the ’80’s.

Rainbow just seemed to be that band everyone liked. Really, I can’t recall anyone back in the ’80’s walking up to me and saying… hey, turn off that Rainbow song or Rainbow isn’t cool. If my Metal memory serves me right, not liking Rainbow back in the ’80’s would be like disliking Van Halen as well. Everyone I came across seemed to like Van Halen, even the turtlenecks that had alligators stitched onto their polo shirts did too. Hey, this is the way I saw it then, on a social level. Granted, there is ultimately going to be those who dislike both Rainbow and Van Halen… so Metal be it.

As I have always interpreted it, Rainbow just seems to leap over the genres with their Melodic Hard Rock and Heavy Metal albums. Rainbow with Joe Lynn Turner on lead vocals received some hefty FM radio airplay while I was growing up in expensive Connecticut. This seemed to be the Rainbow lineup that connected with the mainstream crowd, more so than the Ronnie James Dio or Graham Bonnet fronted Rainbow… in my Metal opinion. I look upon the DIO fronted Rainbow as ultra legendary however. Graham Bonnet appeared on only one Rainbow album, Down To Earth from 1979. Unreal great album Down To Earth is… for me.

Doogie White fronted Rainbow as well, on the 1995 release – Stranger In Us All. This is well after the glory years of Rainbow, of course. Still, Doogie White is a bona fide cool vocalist in my Metal book. Back in 1995, it was a fantastic feeling to hear Rainbow being resurrected once again. Ritchie Blackmore. What can I say about this important and historical guitarist? An amazing musical talent is Ritchie Blackmore. Amazing.

When I stumbled upon this Rainbow – Jealous Lover EP today, (I found it in my stash of lifetime vinyl that I absolutely can’t part with), I just wanted to blab and brag about how much this band has meant to me over the years. I held this Rainbow vinyl in my hands today, just looking at it really took me back in time. This was one of those moments, where I was reminded of just how much I appreciate a band… and a vintage slab of Heavy Metal vinyl. Yes, I will be playing a fair amount of Rainbow this coming week and well after that. Metal be thy name.

Here is the front cover of my Rainbow – Jealous Lover EP:

Here is the back cover of my Rainbow – Jealous Lover EP:

* Rainbow – Jealous Lover EP was released as a 12″ on Polydor Records, in 1981. I remember buying it at Strawberries Records & Tapes in a very, very, expensive town in very, very, expensive Connecticut.

* Rainbow – Jealous Lover is also referred to as a single, I prefer EP for there are 4 songs. (Hey, it’s a personal choice of labeling this record as an EP, so Metal be it).

Track Listing For Rainbow – Jealous Lover EP:

Side A:

Jealous Lover

Weiss Helm

Side B:

Can’t Happen Here

I Surrender

* I Surrender and Can’t Happen Here are also found on the 1981 studio album from Rainbow – Difficult To Cure. Jealous Lover and Weiss Helm were not included on Difficult To Cure.

Rainbow, as they appeared on Jealous Lover EP and Difficult To Cure:

Ritchie Blackmore – guitar

Joe Lynn Turner – vocals

Roger Glover – bass

Bobby Rondinelli – drums

Don Airey – keyboards

Here is what the Difficult To Cure album cover looks like:

LONG LIVE THE MUSIC OF RAINBOW…  FROM EVERY LINEUP OF THIS INCREDIBLE BAND TOO!

Stone.

4 Comments »

SAIGON KICK – “THE LIZARD” 1992 ALBUM REVISITED!

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 10, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

SAIGON KICK – Back in 1992, I did not buy this Saigon Kick album. Nor did I buy it in 2002 either. Instead, 19 years after it’s release, I bought The Lizard CD used at an indoor antiques market. The price set me back 3 dollars (American). I have always been familiar with the huge hit single/ballad – Love Is On The Way, it’s a good song, even though it’s still a ballad! The lyrics are positive and inspirational, so it’s not one of those ballads that makes me feel like the end is near and no one loves me.

For those who have no idea what Saigon Kick sounds like, this was a band that captured Rock, Hard Rock and mainstream Heavy Metal styles, while stitching in a bit of modern sound for their time. Mr. Big and Extreme are two bands that come to mind, when comparing Saigon Kick to any of their peers of the day. Extreme added plenty of funk to their hard & heavy sound back in the 90’s, yet Extreme also had the mainstream appeal and a smash hit ballad too with More Than Words, (1991). Mr. Big could play the hard & heavy songs too, while they also had the mellow ballad with To Be With You, (1991). Similarities sure, all three unique bands just the same.

The one song on The Lizard that I don’t quite understand is My Dog. This song is extremely short, (probably under one minute, I did not time it). My Dog has a heavy flair, still it tends to be out of place within The Lizard. Maybe My Dog meant something to lead vocalist/lyricist Matt Kramer or to guitarist Jason Bieler, who wrote the music. It would be interesting to find out the story behind the song… My Dog.

There are 16 songs on The Lizard, which is a commendable amount for a full studio album. The opening track – Cruelty, is an instrumental, filled with atmospherics of distant shouts. Cruelty also has a groovy guitar lead that makes for an interesting intro for this album. Sleep is also an instrumental, at track #11, acting as almost a necessary intro to All I Want. Another positive song lyrically, All I Want was another popular song from Saigon Kick, heard just about everywhere back around 1992.

Saigon Kick does let loose the hard and heavy with songs such as: The Lizard, All Alright, Miss Jones and Body Bags. All Alright and Body Bags happens to be my two favorite songs on this album, they both just “hit” me the right way! These four songs exemplify why Saigon Kick could be included in 1990’s Heavy Metal conversations. The Lizard is an album that definitely exhibits the versatility of Saigon Kick, this surely is an album from them I recommend to Rock, Hard Rock and 1990’s Arena Rock and 1990’s mainstream Heavy Metal fans. (Gee Metal whiz, did I cover enough genres there?). Truly, the musical diversity of this Saigon Kick album – The Lizard, is appreciated by this music nut.

This Saigon Kick lineup emitted a bounty of musical talent, in my Metal opinion. Jason Bieler on guitar is standout, (to my ears), providing plenty of melodic moments throughout The Lizard. Jason’s soft and heavy guitar playing compliments each and every song I hear on The Lizard. Matt Kramer on vocals never goes over the top, my ears enjoy listening to his voice… he really can sing. The Lizard, one fine album.

We live in an era of band reunions, if this Saigon Kick lineup reunited to create a new album, it would probably sound pretty damn good… and diverse too. What possibly could be wrong with that?

* The Lizard was released in 1992 on Third Stone/Atlantic Records.

Saigon Kick, as they appeared on The Lizard:

Matt Kramer – lead vocals

Jason Bieler – guitar

Tom Defile – bass

Phil Varone – drums

Track Listing For The Lizard:

Cruelty

Hostile Youth

Feel The Same Way

Freedom

God Of 42nd Street

My Dog

Peppermint Tribe

Love Is On The Way

The Lizard

All Alright

Sleep

All I Want

Body Bags

Miss Jones

World Goes Round

Chanel

Stone.

10 Comments »

EXODUS – “EXHIBIT B: THE HUMAN CONDITION” RELEASES MAY 18, 2010!!

Posted in heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands, thrash metal music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 9, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

EXODUS – Are back with a brand new studio album! Releasing on May 18, 2010, Exhibit B: The Human Condition, proving once again, Exodus and Thrash Metal lives! I can’t wait to sink my Metal ears into this one! 2010 will have Old School Thrash Metal once again!

Track Listing For Exhibit B: The Human Condition:

The Ballad of Leonard and Charles

Beyond the Pale

Hammer and Life

Class Dismissed (A Hate Primer)

Downfall

March of the Sycophants

Nanking

Burn, Hollywood, Burn

Democide

The Sun is My Destroyer

A Perpetual State of Indifference

Good Riddance

Stone.

2 Comments »

JOHN OLIVA’S PAIN – “FESTIVAL” THIS DARK SONG IS WORTH A LOUD LISTEN!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 8, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Festival is just one great, dark, heavy and hard album of songs. Jon Oliva added some of his patented Old School touches within the mix as well, lending for an unforgettable listen in his unique music. Jon Oliva’s Pain is back… with a new album – Festival, delivering with a hard and heavy vengeance!

I really, really, really like this song and album. I Really do.

* Check out John Oliva’s Pain myspace music page by clicking the link below:

JOHN OLIVA’S PAIN

* John Oliva’s Pain will be released in the U.S.A. on April 13, 2010!

LONG LIVE JOHN OLIVA’S PAIN!

Stone.

5 Comments »

HELLOWEEN – “DR. STEIN” MUSIC VIDEO TO ROCK YOU OUT!

Posted in 1980's power metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, hard rock music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal videos, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music videos with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 7, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HELLOWEEN – Germany’s legendary powerhouse of a Power Metal band are back! Pioneers of the Power Metal genre, this return of Helloween has a Metal twist… musically speaking. I hope you enjoy the Dr. Stein music video as much as I do… crank it up for it’s all about ROCK in the first place!

On March 30, 2010, Helloween released:

Best Of 25th Anniversary – Unarmed

If your looking to hear some of Helloween’s greatest hits, spanning their potent packed career of Melodic Power Metal, with some orchestration, horns, a choir and some adjustments in the songs arrangements, your in for a Metal, uh, musical treat!

LONG LIVE HELLOWEEN!

Stone.

Leave a comment »

“LIVE AND HEAVY” CASSETTE FROM EARLY 80’S STILL ROCKS HEAVY!

Posted in classic rock bands, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 6, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

LIVE AND HEAVY – I bought this cool cassette sometime back in the early 1980’s. (See the pic of my cassette copy below). I cannot for the Metal life of me, remember if it was 1983 or 1984. It doesn’t really matter. The important thing about this cassette is it still plays! A mixture of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal bands are showcased on Live And Heavy… from Status Quo to Motorhead. (See complete track and band listing below). Each song is a live recording, (of course, why else is it called Live And Heavy?) A very fine aspect of this cassette is the vintage sound of the bands… these songs were recorded almost three decades ago!

I know for certain however, that I bought this cassette while I was in high school. The store where this cassette was found and subsequently purchased  you may ask? Why, Bradlees of course. Bradlees was a department store, in the town where I grew up in. A large department store for it’s time was Bradlees, with two floors. The record department had a decent selection of mainstream Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal for the day. Imports and underground Metal were not the norm at this department store. A vast selection of 45 rpm’s were always stocked at Bradlees, I bought a few there, that’s for sure. Still, it is this particular Bradlees where I landed this Live And Heavy cassette… and it is an import!!

Live And Heavy gets started in a fabulous way with track one: Smoke On The Water by the impeccable Deep Purple. I just can never resist classic Deep Purple, especially this song, which really encapsulates all the free spirit and sound of 1970’s Hard Rock. A lifetime favorite song of mine is Smoke On The Water. Sometimes I wonder to myself, just how important and influential Smoke On The Water was/is within the history of Rock and Hard Rock Music.

Whitesnake appears with their song – Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City and David Coverdale’s vocals sound classic. This Whitesnake song can be considered as Rock or Hard Rock… it’s not the Heavy Metal side of Whitesnake, which is still all very good with me. UFO is caught live here too, with Light’s Out In London, a kickin’ Traditional Heavy Metal song if there ever was one. Gillan Rocks out with Unchain Your Brain… a classic live Gillan song to have at that. Ian Gillan is an incredible legend of Rock period. After all of these years, I have never heard any singer sound remotely close to Ian Gillan’s vocals. Ultra Unique are Ian Gillan’s vocals, in my Metal opinion.

Def Leppard cranks out Rocks Off, from their 1980 – On Through The Night debut album. Two more lifetime favorites of mine are on Live And Heavy as well, with Motorhead bashing out White Line Fever and Rainbow playing All Night Long from their 1979 album – Down To Earth. Graham Bonnet is the lead singer for Rainbow on this live version of All Night Long. A supremely vintage and live version of Paranoid from Black Sabbath is the last track on Live And Heavy. Just hearing a younger Ozzy Osbourne sing on this live track is a Metal treat in itself.

Overall, the sound production is not of the highest caliber, still it is good enough for my Metal ears. As I stated earlier, this cassette of Live And Heavy is an import, with “Made In Ireland” printed on both sides of the cassette itself. The only logo to be found on the liner notes designating a record company is EMS. I can barely make out a line of type on the liner notes that reads: “All tracks recorded live on stage”.

If you happen to still collect and listen to cassettes as I do, don’t pass over Live And Heavy if it ever crosses your Metal path. I cannot verify if Live And Heavy was ever released on CD. This vintage live album for certain must have been released on vinyl… I just have never seen one.

Here it is… my cassette of Live And Heavy:

* I find the artwork of Live And Heavy to be Old School. There is a line of type on the liner notes that barely reads: “Design and Artwork: Cream”.

* The printing on this cassette reads below the words Live And Heavy: “See Inlay For Details”.

* Made In Ireland is printed on the left, while legal mumbo jumbo about copying rights are printed at the bottom side of this cassette.

Track & Band Listing For Live And Heavy:

Side One:

Deep Purple – Smoke On The Water

Nazareth – Razamanaz

Motorhead – White Line Fever

Def Leppard – Rocks Off

Rainbow – All Night Long

Side Two:

Status Quo – Roll Over Lay Down

Whitesnake – Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City

UFO – Lights Out In London

Gillan – Unchain Your Brain

Black Sabbath – Paranoid

LONG LIVE VINTAGE HEAVY METAL AND HARD ROCK CASSETTES!

Stone.

11 Comments »

RECKLESS LOVE – HAIR METAL EAR CANDY, LOADED WITH GOOD TIME CALORIES!

Posted in glam metal music, Hair Metal, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, 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 5, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RECKLESS LOVE – If it sounds like Hair Metal and looks like Hair Metal… it probably is… Hair Metal. That is my label for Reckless Love and I’m sticking to it! I was recently introduced to this Reckless Love debut album from Metal buddy – Rob Rockitt at Hard Rock Hideout. After reading the review Rob Rockitt posted on HRH about this Reckless Love album, (March 31, 2010), I became very interested in this upcoming release. Reckless Love is being released as an import, with the release date being April 13, 2010.

After listening to this Reckless Love album a few times, it’s almost as if the Arena Rock glory years of the ’80’s have busted down my house door and ripped my Metal soul apart, filling it up with good times Hair Metal. I understand that I am no longer 21 years old and a free spirit anymore, yet this Reckless Love album sure makes me feel like my old Cutlass Supreme is sitting in the driveway and I’m working a Summer job just to buy beer… and Heavy Metal albums. Ah, Metal memories. How they become ignited from listening to brand new Hair Metal in 2010! Hey, that’s the same Cutlass Supreme that Best Metal Buddy, Scott Coverdale, took a joy ride with one night… it was covered with mud the next morning and it never ran the same afterwards. Gee Metal whiz… now the Metal memories are making me anxious.

Oh, yeah, back to this Reckless Love album… it held my Metal attention from beginning to end. I’m not embarrassed to admit, I actually tried to sing along to the chorus of many of the songs. The last song, Born To Rock is one heavy duty Hair Metal anthem, almost like a call to Hair Metal arms. If a University of Hair Metal exists, then the members of Reckless Love have graduated from it… summa cum laude.

This Reckless Love band can play, with their melodic momentum carrying through all 11 songs, like a tsunami crossing the Pacific Ocean. I never once considered stopping this album from playing, each time I listened to it. Pushing the “stop” button while Reckless Love is playing, would be like throwing away half of a Charleston Chew candy bar, knowing the remainder is gonna be just as delicious.

Admittedly, Reckless Love is commercially accessible, only don’t worry… this is not Disney Channel or Nickelodeon stuff. I just wonder… could it have been possible, that these guys embarked in a time machine and travelled back to 1986 and learned directly from the Hair Metal masters of Motley Crue, Ratt, Poison and Cinderella themselves? Anything is possible. Regardless of how this band learned how to play, they learned to listen to Old School Hair Metal first and foremost, this only makes sense after a few listens to their debut album.

Copy cats are Reckless Love? Dated sound? I’m not buying into it. Rock and Roll history is never going to be boxed up and shelved. Any band of any genre has a right to be influenced by classics of the past. Is Classical Music dated? The only things I consider “dated” in my Metal life are calendars. Any fan of 1980’s Hair Metal and/or Hard Rock should give Reckless Love a serious listen. Heavy Metal fans may just appreciate the high octane of sound and energy that Reckless Love is really schooled at.

* Reckless Love are from Finland, signed to Universal Music.

Track Listing For Reckless Love:

Feel My Heat

One More Time

Badass

Love Machine

Beautiful Bomb

Romance

Sex

Back To Paradise

So Yeah!!

Wild Touch

Born To Rock

Stone.

4 Comments »

SCORPIONS – “STING IN THE TAIL” DELIVERS THE ANTIDOTE OF HEAVY METAL EUPHORIA!

Posted in classic rock, 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 3, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

SCORPIONS –  2010 has arrived and so has the Scorpions. Again. What can be accepted as the official goodbye studio album from the Scorpions leaves a Metal lump in my throat. Let’s put all the emotions aside just for now and relish the Heavy Metal excellence that Sting In The Tail is really all about. March 23, 2010 shall always be considered by this metalhead as a day of Heavy Metal honor… Sting In The Tail was released by arguably one of the most honorable Heavy Metal bands to ever record albums and tour the globe. It’s not rocket science to listen to this new Scorpions album and realize it is something special. This is one fan who will argue to the end that Sting In The Tail is more than likely one of the best Heavy Metal album to have been released in years. The Scorpions obviously wanted to release a fabulous album of 11 songs to be their last… they have succeeded in my Metal opinion.

The Good Die Young is a Power Ballad and hit’s my emotional Metal button like there is no tomorrow. My God is this a prolific Scorpions song, I cannot express in words just how it really resonates with me. The opening song Raised On Rock is not just THE best song for me on Sting In The Tail, I dare myself to find a better Hard Rock or Heavy Metal song released this year! Or last year too. This song is about what I and anyone who visits Metal Odyssey hold so dearly to our hearts… ROCK. It doesn’t get any better than this, a song glorifying being raised on Rock and Roll.

Lorelei is the second Power Ballad and it seems to lift this anti-ballad Metalhead up and slam him down. I repent! I repent! The Scorpions have made me like Power Ballads again! Well, at least their Power Ballads. SLY is the third Power Ballad and it is Klaus Meine once again proving he can sing his heart out with real emotion… not the fabricated stuff that is flooding the music industry these days. Klaus Meine has been doing this for decades… he is a vocalist for the ages.

Spirit of Rock is my second favorite song on this supremely contagious album. O.k., I can’t find another Hard Rock or Heavy Metal song that is better than this one either… that has been released in 2010 thus far. This song, as with Raised On Rock, flows only like a Scorpions Heavy Metal song can… with such melodic and heightened, heavy exuberance. The Best Is Yet To Come can be construed as a goodbye song from the Scorpions and I don’t want to say goodbye. This song is inspirational with it’s lyrics, I truly hope the best will come from this group of elite musicians, in their future projects and endeavors.

Pointing out the musicianship of the Scorpions on Sting In The Tail is best summed up this way: these are Heavy Metal veterans, despite any lack of a full original lineup over the years, Klaus Meine, Matthias Jabs and Rudolf Schenker are the epitome of Heavy Metal consistency and supremacy with decades of music to prove it. These three musicians are the core of the Scorpions, the mainframe if you will. The dual guitars of Matthias Jabs, (on lead) and Rudolf Schenker, (on rhythm), still have their powerful tones that have been enjoyed by my Metal ears for so many years. Pawel Maciwoda on bass and James Kottak on drums add incredible rhythmic thunder to this Scorpions band, they without doubt, add to the all encompassing heart and soul of Sting In The Tail.

Listening to and then falling in love with an album is all personal… not everyone is going to agree with me on my review of Sting In The Tail. This is an album that will forever lift me up and help me celebrate this ultra-glorious genre I know as Heavy Metal. The Scorpions have not stolen, they have politely taken my Metal soul for 2010 and maybe beyond. If Metal Odyssey handed out Metal’s of Honor… the Scorpions would receive the first. The Scorpions have proven to me years ago they are a Heavy Metal Band for the ages… Sting In The Tail only puts one hundred exclamation points after that Metal thought.

I make no Metal apologies for my Heavy Metal awakening, that the Scorpions have bestowed upon me with Sting In The Tail. I only extend one gigantic THANK YOU to this amazing band that has thrilled my Metal mind for decades, from my dazed and confused teen years to my middle-aged Metalhead life I have now… Scorpions, you have been there for me and countless other fans, now go out and kick some Heavy Metal ass like there is no tomorrow for the next three years!!!

* Metal Odyssey hopes and prays that Ron Keel’s Rock and Roll dream will come true… that the Scorpions will take his unreal great band KEEL out on the road with them sometime very soon!!! Please, Scorpions… Ron Keel is a good dude and KEEL deserve’s it!!

* Tarja Turunen – her beautiful voice can be heard on The Good Die Young.

* This Sting In The Tail CD also came with a cool punch-out card with 4 guitar picks! Once my daughter saw these Scorpions guitar picks, well, she has them for her collection now.

* The track listing on the back of this Sting In The Tail CD does have certain letters highlighted in red, when spelled out it reads: IT ROCKS

Track Listing For Sting In The Tail:

Raised on Rock

Sting in the Tail

Slave Me

The Good Die Young

No Limit

Rock Zone

Lorelei

Turn You On

SLY

Spirit of Rock

The Best Is Yet To Come

* Sting In The Tail was released on Universal Music Enterprises.

LONG LIVE THE SCORPIONS!

Stone.

11 Comments »

INCREDIBLE NEWS ALERT: HEAVY METAL SONG RECEIVED FROM 100 LIGHT YEARS AWAY!

Posted in astronomy, celestial studies, current news, hard rock music, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, life, living, metal odyssey, Music, paranormal research, people, physics research, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, space and science with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 1, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

INCREDIBLE NEWS ALERT: This press release was taken from the World Wide Incredible Scientific News of Importance News Bureau – (WWISNINB) – Dr. Matthias W. Zinkweller III of the United Laboratories of Intergalactic and Alien Studies for Independence and Thought has discovered, on March 31, 2010, a song that was received through their highly sensitive audio satellites. Only this song travelled from 100 light years away! States Dr. Zinkweller III: “This is definitely a song, there is melody, it is very heavy in overall sound and bears every likeness to that of the music we know as Heavy Metal here on Earth”. During this non-televised and near secretive press conference, Dr. Zinkweller III became emotional, needing assistance from fellow physics scholar and astronomer Dr. Antonio T. Assterginas. Dr. Assterginas added: We all know of the magnitude of world importance this discovery means to us all, we all must approach this discovery, with open arms and an open mind as well”.

Once Dr. Zinkweller III was able to restrain his emotions, he touched upon the vocalization of this Heavy Metal song from deep space: “We have brought in over 50 linguistic experts from around the world, trying in vain, around the clock, to decipher what language this may be. After nearly 16 hours of deliberation and experimentation, the pre-hypothesis is that this language is completely unknown to human kind. Our computer models and programs cannot even recognize a syllable from the vocals, heard on this amazing song. The only certainty, however, is that this is a Heavy Metal song that exhibits the Hair Metal genre”.

When asked by the press as to what further steps were necessary, in pinpointing just exactly where this Heavy Metal song from 100 light years was sent from, Dr. Assterginas interjected: We have not even come close to deciding exactly where and from what this Heavy Metal song originated from. All we can validate, through our computer models and data, is that this song travelled from an unknown destination to us, approximately 100 light years away”. One press representative asked if the vocals could be compared to any Earthly known singer from the Hair Metal genre, Dr. Assterginas replied: “We are not as well versed in the names of Hair Metal vocalists and/or musicians as we would like to be”. Names of Steven Tyler to Dee Snider were thrown at these two brave scientists from the press, still these two courageous scientists conceded their lack of knowledge with the names of known Earth bound singers of Heavy Metal.

Holy Metal on Earth is this an unreal news story or what?! I have always been a believer in UFO’s, Bigfoot, Mothman, The New Jersey Devil and yes… ghosts. However, this takes the Metal cake here! Somewhere out there… 100 light years away, are Heavy Metal aliens!!! How cool is this? I just knew we could not have been the only Metalhead planet floating around out there! I will do my very best to follow up on this unreal and mind blowing story of the century! I’m a tad numb right now… this is beyond fantastic news!

Talk about Heavy Metal history.

Stone.

Oh, by the way… APRIL FOOLS!

8 Comments »

METAL ODYSSEY’S GOOD TIMES ALBUM PICK: DAVID LEE ROTH – “EAT ‘EM AND SMILE”

Posted in 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's rock albums, 1980's classic rock, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, classic rock 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 and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 1, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

DAVID LEE ROTH – as front man for the unreal legendary Van Halen, this is the man who revolutionized stage presence. Flamboyant is his middle name. As a solo artist, David Lee Roth mixed things up a bit… from Heavy Metal and Hard Rock to a Frank Sinatra cover song in That’s Life. Let’s face it, in the world of Heavy Music, it doesn’t get any more diversified than that. I pick the 1986 solo album from David Lee Roth – Eat ‘Em And Smile as one of the best damned good times album I have ever listened to. Seriously. This album is chock full of songs, that makes me not give a crap about what bills are due or the world economy. Eat ‘Em And Smile, I swear, was created by David Lee Roth to celebrate partying and having fun. Back in 1986… I did both to the upmost limit, with absolutely no regrets. Eat ‘Em And Smile was an album that added to my fun Summer of ’86, reminding me of once again – good times!

Having one of my favorite guitarists of all time with Steve Vai on this album only made it more sweeter for me. Add the Metal fact that Billy Sheehan is on bass and this album seethes with ultra credibility. Gregg Bissonette on drums proved to be a solid choice for this band and album as well. I did get the opportunity to see David Lee Roth live, at the Hartford Civic Center for theis Eat ‘Em And Smile tour. A truly amazing show it was. I went with my late sister and her boyfriend at the time, we had a blast! My sister’s boyfriend’s name was Charlie… he was one cool corporate dude that could drink and have a good time. Our concert tickets stated: limited view. Yeah, limited view my butt… these seats were on the side of the stage, about 15 rows up! Those are great seats according to my Metal standards! We saw everything just fine from those seats, especially with David Lee Roth giving our section equal attention.

I just missed out in catching the sunglasses that David Lee Roth threw up into our section. Gee Metal whiz, if I wasn’t so loaded that night, I would have been able to catch them. Metal memories. I also took quite a spill, falling down a great many of the concrete stairs inside the Hartford Civic Center that night. As I got myself up and shook it off, I was greeted by hundreds of cheering fans… cheering for my fall that is. I took a bow and proceeded on my Metal way, with just a few bumps and buises.

My favorite songs on Eat ‘Em And Smile are: Yankee Rose, Goin’ Crazy!, Shy Boy and Tobacco Road. Granted, I do enjoy the entire album. Any and every time I listen to Eat ‘Em And Smile, it seems like I have to smile. This is the effect that David Lee Roth and his band put on me. I always enjoyed the music video for Yankee Rose too… funny, entertaining and it flat out ROCKS. If you have never given this album a listen, take a chance on having a (gulp) fun and good time. In the event you never have seen the music video for Yankee Rose, well, you can now by clicking on that cool box below.

DAVID LEE ROTH  – YANKEE ROSE

Track Listing For Eat ‘Em And Smile:

Yankee Rose

Shy Boy

I’m Easy

Ladies’ Nite In Buffalo?

Goin’ Crazy!

Tobacco Road

Elephant Gun

Big Trouble

Bump And Grind

That’s Life

* Eat ‘Em And Smile was released on July 7, 1986, on Warner Bros. Records.

* That’s Life was originally sung by Frank Sinatra and written by Dean Kay and Kelly Gordon.

LONG LIVE DAVID LEE ROTH!

Stone.

31 Comments »

BONHAM – “THE DISREGARD OF TIMEKEEPING” FROM 1989 REVISITED!

Posted in 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's hard rock bands, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock drummers, hard rock music, hard rock songs, hard rock vocalists, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 29, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BONHAM – It was sometime in 1989, I was a student in College and the debut album from Bonham was released, The Disregard Of Timekeeping. I first heard of this album courtesy of some FM radio station that played the single – Wait For You. (Note: The 2:09 intro – The Disregard Of Timekeeping is a track in and of itself, yet it belongs attached as a necessary segue to Wait For You). Upon hearing both this psyched up intro and Wait For You, I knew I extremely needed to buy this Bonham album. I picked up The Disregard Of Timekeeping as a CD in ’89 and have never grown tired of it since.

I never listened to the overpaid and supposed professional Rock Music critics who took cranky shots at Bonham and this album. Man, have I grown tired of hearing the same old criticisms about Bonham… one being that they were a Led Zeppelin rip off band and secondly, that drummer Jason Bonham could never be like his legendary father, the late John Bonham from the ultra iconic Led Zeppelin. Many of the criticisms I have read over the years about Bonham were/are not only unnecessary, they are just plain cruel. I knew back then, as I know now, that I will listen to what moves me and makes my Metal & Hard Rock soul happy. Metal be thy name.

WARNING: The following paragraph may be deemed too sentimental for some hardcore Metal and Hard Rock fans. Regardless, music is also about emotion and it can affect your life and invoke great Metal memories.

Going back to Wait For You, this song was THE song for my girlfriend and I, back when I was at College. It was OUR song! That girlfriend, well, she is now my unreal great wife. We still listen to this song together and make some flirty glances at each other while it Rocks on. (Sorry for the sappiness, sometimes it happens here on Metal Odyssey).

Playing To Win is another Hard Rockin’, Heavy Hittin’ and riveting song that plays out at 6:55, not long enough in my Metal opinion. I simply cannot find one trace of Led Zeppelin copycat in this song… that must really piss off those old and constipated professional Rock music critics. Guilty is as steadfast and hard drivin’ of a Hard Rock song as they come. Very melodic, very memorable and uh, very great is this song. Cross Me And See plays out better than many of the Hard Rock songs that are currently supposed to be “great” in 2010… and this is a deep album cut. Look out… I can almost hear those pissed off professional Rock critics, from days gone by, screaming with their dentures falling out after that last sentence!

Bonham jumped on board that 1980’s Hard & Heavy train and took my ears and memories along for the ride. Again, any Led Zeppelin comparisons are just a waste of time for me. How many young bands are out there today, that sound like Motley Crue or Nickelback? There are hordes aplenty! Comparisons and influences can never be avoided, when it comes to any Rock & Roll discussion.

I will forever listen to this Bonham album and be a better Metalhead for it. Um, HardRockHead for it. This is as legitimate a Hard Rock album, as it is a commercial Heavy Metal album, in my Metal opinion. Jason Bonham can take a Metal bow for having created this band when he did. As the ol’ Metal saying goes… let the music do the talking. The Disregard Of Timekeeping does just that, only it roars with a genuine Hard Rock and mainstream Heavy Metal sound that evokes positive emotion… for me.

Back on March 16, 2008, Daniel MacMaster, the lead vocalist for Bonham passed away, at age 39. When I first heard of this sad news then, I thought to myself… too damned young, a tragic loss. The passing of Daniel MacMaster leaves a void to the world of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Daniel MacMaster’s voice can forever be enjoyed by fans of the past, present and future, through the music he has left us all. I know I am one of those fans.

BONHAM, as they appeared on The Disregard Of Timekeeping:

Daniel MacMaster – lead vocals

Jason Bonham – drums, percussion

Ian Hatton – lead & rhythm guitars

John Smithson – bass, keyboards, violin

LONG LIVE THE MUSIC OF BONHAM!

Rest In Peace, Daniel MacMaster.

Stone.

10 Comments »

CHARM CITY DEVILS “LET’S ROCK-N-ROLL” VIDEO… IT ROCKS!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums 2009, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock music 2010, hard rock songs, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music videos with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 27, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

CHARM CITY DEVILS – This Hard Rock Band from the “Charm City” of Baltimore, Maryland caught my Metal attention last Summer of 2009. Their debut album – Let’s Rock-N-Roll was released on May 26, 2009. I have continued to listen to this album, quite regularly, since I bought it last Summer. Charm City Devils delivers American Hard Rock the Old School way… with foot stomping rhythms and melodic moments aplenty, Lets Rock-N-Roll is an album that flows along like a kickin’ keg party that ends too fast. There’s nothing ultra fancy about the Hard Rock Music of Charm City Devils… just blue collar and Hard Rock N’ Roll!

I blabbed about how much I like this album from Charm City Devils, with many more details, on October 18, 2009. There are those certain bands, that I just need to remind the world about more often, on Metal Odyssey. Charm City Devils is definitely one of those bands. Check out my past post on them, if you like, by clicking the header below:

Charm City Devils “Let’s Rock-N-Roll” – A Charming Hard Rock Album

I checked out Charm City Devils, last night, (Friday night), at the Crocodile Rock Cafe in Allentown, Pennsylvania, with Ryo Vie from The Rock and Roll Guru by my Metal side. Simply put, Charm City Devils ROCKED. I’ll have a few more cool details about this Charm City Devils concert, in the coming week… the headlining band that came out after Charm City Devils, well, they kicked some serious Metal butt! Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoy this Let’s Rock-N-Roll video and song from Charm City Devils as much as I do!

Now… crank this mutha up LOUD and Let’s Rock-N-Roll!!!

Stone.

2 Comments »

MY FAVORITE HEAVY METAL ALBUM COVER IS…

Posted in 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal music, heavy metal records, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 25, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

My favorite Heavy Metal album cover, (of my entire Metalhead life), is… IRON MAIDEN’S debut from 1980 – IRON MAIDEN.Why? It’s Heavy Metal art, in all of it’s glorious Metal infancy. This was 1980 for Metal sakes, well before the multi-thousands of “other” Heavy Metal album covers came forth. Artist Derek Riggs made Eddie into this haunting and nightmarish creature of all things horrible. This mascot called Eddie symbolized an enormous turning point, in the way Heavy Metal was to be portrayed visually, for decades to come. The Metal of Iron Maiden on their debut album coincides with the album artwork with precision… melancholy and haunting are both. It’s probably best summed up this way… the Eddie artwork of Derek Riggs and the Metal of Iron Maiden, on this initial album, was always for me, a match made in Metal heaven.

Don’t get me wrong, the ensuing Iron Maiden album covers of Killers, The Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind and Live After Death are ultra legendary. I choose the debut Iron Maiden album cover for it is just that… the first appearance of not just a mascot and symbol of Iron Maiden, arguably Eddie was then and still is now, a mascot and symbol for all of Heavy Metal as well. Back in 1980, who would have predicted the rise and Metal proliferation of Iron Maiden? With Eddie being a prominent and symbolic fixture of the band spanning four decades now? It all had to start somewhere, commercially, for Iron Maiden. It started with their influential debut 1980 album and this cover, with Eddie as the macabre centerpiece, with those demonic eyes, standing underneath a moonlit creepy sky, amongst eerie street lamps.

Back in 1980, (when my Mom forbid me to have this album for its “bad news” cover), I would still seek it out at the Caldor Department Store… and stare at it in sheer bewilderment, (when my Mom wasn’t looking). The shock and awe this cover instilled in me back then, still gets my shock and awe meter ticking now. Sometime around 1985, my Mom was much more schooled on Heavy Metal… she bought me the Iron Maiden debut album one day, on a whim!

It’s funny how times have changed over the years and decades. Back in 1980, I’m certain there were a ton load of nervous parents out there, who fixed their eyes upon this Iron Maiden debut album… only to be handing down parental mandates to their sons and daughters, stating that this was the second coming of the anti-christ. It’s weird now, looking back on 1980, as a much more “innocent” time. As a parent of ten-year old twin daughters in 2010, there are many times I want to “shield” them from seeing and/or hearing what I deem inappropriate. They are only ten years old after all!

I witness for myself, the over sexed and gory album covers of today, with the infinite number of television, print and movie media’s sexual and violence laced appeal. I guess, after all this time, I can sympathize with my Mom’s feelings back then, in 1980. Regardless, I am anti-censorship when it comes to artistic freedom, our freedom of speech and to assemble as well!!

Picking out one’s favorite Heavy Metal album cover of all time can be difficult, I found this to be quite easy. Sure, Judas Priest and KISS, (just to name a credible twosome), had some incredible album covers in the 1970’s… before this Iron Maiden album was released, yet the visual impact, that this Iron Maiden cover had on me since I was straight out of eighth grade has never wavered. Oh… and every song on this Iron Maiden album, made just as equal an impact on me too. What is your favorite Heavy Metal album cover?

LONG LIVE IRON MAIDEN!

LONG LIVE EDDIE!

LONG LIVE DEREK RIGGS!

* My favorite song on this Iron Maiden debut album is – Remember Tomorrow. This song seems to drift along in such a dreamscape and melancholy way. A true chameleon of a song, if there ever was one… the mellowness and somber mood, changes over to heaviness… and then repeats itself all over again.

I could go on and on about this Iron Maiden album cover… the pleasure I derive from looking at this artwork is worth its weight in Metal gold.

Stone.

20 Comments »

IWREASTELEDABEARONCE – “YOU AIN’T NO FAMILY” MUSIC VIDEO!

Posted in avant-garde metal music, Extreme Metal, extreme metal bands, extreme metal music, extreme music, heavy metal music, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, metalcore music, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , , on March 24, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

IWREASTLEDABEARONCE – An Avant-Garde Metal Band, they do not disappoint on the Extreme whatsoever. Just one listen to You Ain’t No Family will prove this point… very clearly. I always like wandering regularly, into the Extreme Metal side of the Universe. IWREASTLEDABEARONCE has caught my Metal attention and I really do not know how this band could become any heavier or more extreme. Is IWREASTLEDABEARONCE the future of Metal? In my Metal opinion, nope. However, this amazingly Extreme Metal Band is gonna make a run… at being at least a part of the future of Metal!

If you have neighbors that have been really annoying you lately, just turn the volume up very high on You Ain’t No Family, with the repeat button within reach, with your house windows up. This will make anyone aware instantly, that Extreme Metal exists and is not going away anytime soon!

I hope you enjoy this song and video of You Ain’t No Family as much as I do!

WARNING: This video and song is not meant for ABBA fans.

IWREASTLEDABEARONCE released their first full-length studio album – It’s All Happening on June 2, 2009, on Century Media Records. You Ain’t No Family is on this album. IWREASTLEDABEARONCE utilizes an array of music styles, from Metalcore to mellow interludes, only the end result is still the same… Extreme Metal. Avant-Garde, yes, only very Extreme!

LONG LIVE EXTREME METAL!

Stone.

2 Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »