Archive for the Heavy Metal Category

GIRLSCHOOL – “Play Dirty”, a Heavy Metal song from 1983 revisited

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's classic rock, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, classic rock music, classic rock songs, collecting music, cool album covers, essential heavy metal songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1983, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal songs 1983, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 30, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Girlschool is a female and British Heavy Metal band that formed back in 1977. The first time I ever heard a song from Girlschool was back in 1983… on the infamous “Metal Shop” Heavy Metal – FM radio show. The early 1980’s were my Metal Music nurturing years, so many bands, songs and albums to digest as a hungry teen Metalhead. I would not trade in those Metal Music learning years for anything. There are bands that I revisit from time to time, that have perhaps just a few songs that I really listen to over the decades. Girlschool is one such band, they have one particular song that, man, I just can never forget about… “Play Dirty”, from their “Play Dirty” album, (released in 1983). “Play Dirty” was the fourth studio album from Girlschool. Over the years, I realized from reading many an article and collecting enough Metal Music, that the great Lemmy Kilmister of (the legendary) Motorhead, has his Metal ties to Girlschool. (This always made me feel that Girlschool was ordained with Metal integrity).

When I first heard “Play Dirty” back in 1983, I was blown away by the fact that this song was not just cool, it really rocked the roof off for me. I probably should have delved deeper into the Girlschool catalog of albums over the years… there still is time to do so. This song has stayed with me ever since my first time hearing it… I continue to make certain that this Heavy Metal classic of a song is always at the ready to be cranked up – whenever I get the Metal itch for it. I even bought this song off of itunes this past Winter, while buying up a bunch of Heavy Metal songs… just to make certain I had an extra copy of it. (Yeah, I really like this song a lot). Simply put, it is a high powered, melodic driven, heavy chorus laden, 1980’s Heavy Metal song. I surmise that it is the way this song all came together, with everything just seeming to click for me, that makes it so unreal memorable to my Metal senses.

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Why I feel KISS gave Rock n’ Roll back to America and other KISS points too

Posted in 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal albums, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's classic rock, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, classic hard rock, classic hard rock bands, classic hard rock music, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, current heavy metal music, essential classic rock albums, essential heavy metal albums, Gene Simmons, glam metal music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands this decade, heavy metal memorabilia, heavy metal music, heavy metal this decade, Metal, metal music, metal music today, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, Rock, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock and roll hall of fame complaints, rock music, rock music commentary, vintage hard rock albums, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 28, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

KISS logoKISS gave Rock n’ Roll back to America. This legendary Heavy Metal band did this in 1974 with the release of their debut album – “Kiss”. Elvis, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Fats Domino, Roy Orbison, B.B. King, Chubby Checker, The Big Bopper, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beach Boys, The Doors, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and a throng of other American Rock bands and musicians created a sound that took over the planet… Rock n’ Roll. Let’s not forget the Country, Blues and Soul musicians and bands that played a key role in creating American Rock n’ Roll, expanding it’s identity, look and genres. Rock n’ Roll was born in America. Then, fast forward to the British Invasion… along came The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Moody Blues, The Animals, The Kinks, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and many, many more Rock bands and musicians who crossed over the Atlantic Ocean to introduce an entire new sound, look and attitude to American Rock n’ Roll fans, as well as the world. (I use all of the bands as mentioned, to provide more clarity with my point,). I am an undisputed huge fan of the British Invasion of Rock and Roll, I am only pointing out that Rock and Roll started here in America and Kiss re-established this fact with their emergence and might. After this British Invasion of Rock n’ Roll, Kiss made the impact statement like none other, here was a loud, confident, group of musicians living in America, playing their brand of heavy music – in costumes and makeup no less.

Kiss being introduced to the world in 1974 may have had more of an impact than some Rock historians think… The Grateful Dead, with their extremely loyal and abundant following with unmatched touring was American – I will never disagree with this bands unique impact on Rock Music history. However, Kiss was not about peace and love… this was the loudest band in the land Dressed To kill, singing about girls that are Hotter Than Hell, partying, Makin’ Love, God of Thunder, a Love Gun and all things against the norm in ways that were not quite presented before in Rock Music history. What Rock Band from the 1960’s used Pyrotechnics like Kiss? How many Rock musicians could spit up blood and still play the bass and sing? Who used such an elaborate and eye defying stage show before Kiss? Kiss not only made Rock n’ Roll powerful, they (gasp) made it fun and entertaining too. The marketing blitz of items that portrayed the Kiss logo and band were everywhere during the 1970’s… if you look around today, these same items plus new products bearing Kiss are around us. Any Kiss tour during the 1970’s was nothing to ignore, the Kiss Army was never just a fictitious entity… it was and still is real.

After Kiss broke all the Rock n’ Roll rules, more Rock bands than I could ever mention here took their lead and emulated Kiss either musically, with make-up, through stage shows and/or marketing. When I stop to think about it, what other Rock or Heavy Metal Band garnered more media attention during the 1970’s than Kiss? With their all around power of Rock, Kiss let it be known, through their albums, that they were not fooling themselves or the fans all along. Kiss is setting the stage again, ready to unleash their brand new album Sonic Boom onto the masses… October of 2009 should be quite the month in the life of this middle aged Metalhead, for Kiss shall return… giving back their brand of Rock n’ Roll to us all again. That is why, in my Metal opinion, Kiss gave back Rock n’ Roll to America back in 1974, they are now only going to remind us as to why their music lives on.

It is high time for the so called Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, to stop playing nonsensical games and induct an American Rock Band that redefined American Rock n’ Roll history through their music and pop culture impact, Kiss over the decades has become an American institution. Since I am on the topic, I could care less about the voting process or who votes at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, all I know is that the ignorance is growing by leaps and bounds over there in each passing year of it’s existence. I do have one word of advice for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, (if you can consider this an actual word), DUH? I would guarantee this… more fans will go to this Hall of Fame to see Kiss than than anyone could ever imagine. Once again, this is my Metal opinion and I am steadfast about it.

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BLUE OYSTER CULT – “Fire Of Unknown Origin”, 1981 album is a Rock Classic

Posted in 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's popular rock bands, 1980's rock albums, 1980's rock music, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's hard rock, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, Album Review, classic hard rock, classic hard rock bands, classic hard rock music, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, cool album covers, essential classic rock albums, essential hard rock albums, essential heavy metal albums, essential rock albums, Hard Rock, hard rock album review, hard rock songs, hard rock vocalists, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal music, heavy metal vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, Rock, rock music, rock music vocals, rock vocalists, vintage hard rock albums, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands, vintage rock albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 27, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Blue Oyster Cult "Fire of Unknown Origin" small picBlue Oyster Cult released “Fire Of Unknown Origin” in 1981, which was perfect timing for me. I already had Kiss, Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Queen, Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC and Bad Company in my system back then, being wowed by Blue Oyster Cult was my ears next step in branching out into the Heavy Music world. Back in 1981, there was the choice of buying music on 8 track, I bought “Fire Of Unknown Origin” on this medium – thank you very much. (I no longer have this 8 track from yesteryear, the 8 track player is a memory as well). This album is just another example of what melded my Metal and Hard Rock Music tastes at a young age, (I was fifteen years old in 1981). Another stepping stone album, if you will, towards the lifetime of Metal and Hard Rock Music adoration that I behold. In my Metal opinion, this BOC album is an early 1980’s Heavy Metal meets Hard Rock album, that has consistently lured me back for many a listen over the years.

I always appreciated the lead vocals of Eric Bloom. The mellowness that carpets his vocals is a signature sound of BOC. The biggest hit from “Fire Of Unknown Origin” was “Burnin’ For You”, where the vocals of Eric Bloom and the semi-heaviness of the music really compliment one another. This song was a mainstream FM radio favorite for years, one of my favorite Hard Rock songs ever. “Joan Crawford”, “Heavy Metal: The Black and Silver” and “Fire Of Unknown Origin” are three other songs from this album that I could never get enough of. I have always liked this entire album, “Fire Of Unknown Origin” comes highly recommended from me to younger and new fans of BOC and/or Classic Rock. This is one of those times where I honestly state, this is just a great album of Hard Rock and heavy songs, a true classic.

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MANOWAR – “Battle Hyms” 1982 album is required Heavy Metal Music

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's power metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, classic metal, essential heavy metal albums, essential metal music albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1982, heavy metal bands this decade, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1982, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, Music, old school heavy metal, Power Metal, power metal music, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 21, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

14727432Manowar plays Heavy Metal, their name screams Heavy Metal and they are Heavy Metal with a hundred exclamation points. “Battle Hymns” (released in 1982), was the first album from this prolific and what I consider historic Heavy Metal band. Why historic? Well, the last time I checked, Manowar held the Guinness Book of World Records title for having the loudest live performance. (I always disliked the word performance, especially when it relates to Heavy Metal). Besides being extremely loud, Manowar presented upon the world of Heavy Metal a gloriously lean, mean and heavy album with “Battle Hymns.” All eight songs on this album are laced with forcefully driven guitar leads, riffs and all things sacred to Heavy Metal. The first two song titles say it all – “Death Tone” and “Metal Daze”. What I like most about this album is that there is absolutely not one second of waste to be heard… from start to finish this is muscular, Old School, 500% – Heavy Metal. Of course, this Metal adulation I have for Manowar and “Battle Hymns” is all my Metal opinion, however, this is an album that needs to be heard by todays younger generation of Heavy Metal fans.

Manowar never complicated anything with their brand of Heavy Metal, no smoke and mirrors to be found. What can be so difficult about embracing heavy, loud and melodic music? In my Metal opinion, the Heavy Metal of Manowar is just as essential as any of the basic food groups. I could thrive just fine, on the Metal of Manowar, if it was to be the only music left on earth. “Death Tone” opens this initial album as if it is unleashing Manowar onto the universe, with their sole purpose to spread the word of Heavy Metal on every living being in existence. “Metal Daze” is my favorite song from “Battle Hymns”, it is the musical personification of Heavy Metal. What would a Manowar album be like without a battle song? It would be like having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without the bread. “Battle Hymn” takes care of the need for listening to a Manowar call to battle… Heavy Metal style. “Dark Avenger” is another standout song on an album of standout songs, plus the narration found in the midst of this powerful and heavy music, by the late Orson Welles, adds to the mythical ambiance. 

I find the lead vocals of Eric Adams to be very reminiscent of early and legendary Judas Priest vocalist , Rob Halford. Ross The Boss without any doubt in my mind, exhibits some of the finest Heavy Metal guitar licks I have ever heard… a guitarist that commands and justifiably earns my Heavy Metal respect. “Fast Taker” is a song that sounds better each time I listen to it, even if it has been a zillion listens. “Shell Shock” is a Heavy Metal song that I always wanted to crank up extremely loud in my car, with the windows down, while at a crowded intersection of uptight people. (Maybe that wish will come through for me one of these days). “Manowar” is a Heavy Metal call to conquer, this song is not just named after the band, it signifies their tenacity and perseverance as a leader of the Heavy Metal genre. No matter how loud I play this album, there is the thought that this Heavy Metal has been played louder… rightfully so. If Heavy Metal 101 really did exist, as a college course, I would feel confident that “Battle Hymns” would be a required listen and study as to just how Heavy Metal was molded, American style, courtesy of the great Manowar.

Manowar, as they appeared on their first album, “Battle Hymns” from 1982: Eric Adams on lead vocals, Ross “The Boss” Friedman on guitars & keyboards, Joey DeMaio on four & eight string bass & bass pedals and Donnie Hamzik on drums & percussion.

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SAVATAGE – “Day After Day” cover song was in my head today

Posted in 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal ballads, 1980's heavy metal cover songs, 1980's live heavy metal albums, 1980's popular rock bands, 1980's rock music, 1980's hard rock, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, 1986 heavy metal albums, 1986 heavy metal music, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, classic metal, essential hard rock albums, essential heavy metal albums, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1986, heavy metal cover songs, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal on vinyl, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, Music, old school heavy metal, vintage heavy metal albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 19, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

16375You know those moments or days when  you experience a song that just seems to arrive or enter your mind, without being invited? It is subconscious for certain, something triggers a particular song to begin playing in my brain, be it secondary thoughts, reflections, images and/or events that happen in the course of a day’s routine. Today, I had the Savatage cover song of “Day After Day” playing repeat in my head. I honestly do not know why. I have not listened to this song from Savatage for many years, possibly a couple of decades. “Day After Day” is a song from the Savatage album “Fight For The Rock”, (released back in 1986). It is a cool song, without doubt  a Hard Rock, borderline Heavy Metal cover version, compared to the original 1971 Rock version from Badfinger. I used to have this original “Fight For The Rock” vinyl, heck, I bought it back when it first came out. Over the years, I sold it for some oddball reason or another.

“Fight For The Rock” was not an album representing the Progressive Metal that Savatage is now so well known for. This is a unique album out of the Savatage  Metal catalog. Personally, I cannot look down on this album just because it was a detour from the Metal sound that Savatage was creating, up to the point of it’s release. Savatage certainly powered back mightily with future albums that bestowed their heaviness and Progressive Metal songs. As I see it, I bought this album back in 1986 for a reason… I liked it, I liked Savatage and their brand of Metal, still do. I have always been an admirer of the vocals of Jon Oliva and the guitar play of his brother Criss Oliva. This album must have made an impression on me many years ago for “Day After Day” to suddenly play over inside of my head today.

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Y&T – “In Rock We Trust” is ’80’s Heavy Metal I trust

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's popular rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, classic metal, classic rock albums, classic rock music, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, essential metal music albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1984, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1984, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, Metal Reviews, Music, old school heavy metal, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 18, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

7723902I received in the mail today, a package from my best buddy, Scott. In this package was a CD, “In Rock We Trust” by Y&T. Now, this is the kind of mail that I like receiving… not bills or junk mail, just pure 1980’s vintage Heavy Metal. Talk about a solid Metal reminder of how power grooved this Y&T band was back in the ’80’s. This album was released way back in 1984, (the year I was supposed to graduate High School). I opted for an extra half year of High School back then, yet that is Metal history now. I listened to “In Rock We Trust” in it’s Metal entirety, just minutes after it was unleashed from the bubble mailer that brought it to my Metal safe haven. Every song on this album is a Heavy Metal winner, for me. From the Heavy Metal chorus to the riffs and leads and everything else heavy in between, makes this album ripple with thunderous Metal might. I just have recently been listening to the Y&T album “Contagious”, take my Metal word on this… “In Rock We Trust” out heavies “Contagious”. I have never been a strong advocate for comparisons within a Metal band’s music catalog, I feel each album that is created is unique. There are those times, where exceptions are made on Metal Odyssey. Seriously, if anyone out there is considering to buy some Heavy Metal from the ’80’s, this album I undoubtedly recommend.

My best buddy Scott made my Metal day today… little did I know that this CD was coming my way, I guess I did not realize I needed a vintage fix, of some heavy duty Y&T Heavy Metal, either. Man, these ten songs hit me in all of the right ways today. Like Scott said to me on the phone today… “this Y&T album is just darn good Summer Heavy Metal”. I could not agree with him more… only I will take it one Metal step further, “In Rock We Trust” is one darn good year long Heavy Metal album. I see Scott’s point however, these songs make you feel like you are packing up the car, heading to the beach or one big time keg party… and it is the late ’80’s, where your only worries are having cash for gas, chips and beer. Ahhh, the stuff that vintage Heavy Metal makes you think about… Metal really is worry free music after all. If making a feel good Heavy Metal album back in 1984 was considered a crime, then Y&T is guilty on all Metal charges.

“Lipstick And Leather” and “Don’t Stop Runnin'” are the two hits that made their way on FM radio and MTV back in ’84.  Both songs are heavy rockin’ through and through. I really have taken a liking to the first song – “Rock And Roll’s Gonna Save The World”, it starts off rather slow and steady, yet it gives every indication that this is just the prelude to the pumped up Heavy Metal that engulfs my Metal senses. “Breakout Tonight!” and “She’s A Liar” are two songs that exemplify the signature 1980’s vibe of Heavy Metal. “In Rock We Trust” should come with a sticker of recommendation on the front CD cover… that reads: Play these songs loud – it will serve you right. Y&T with “In Rock We Trust” served me right today. I just cannot fathom as to why I never owned this Y&T album until today… I guess that no longer matters, this Heavy Metal gem is in my Metal possession now. This is just another reason why I can never take Metal Music or my best buddy Scott for granted. 

Y&T as they appeared on “In Rock We Trust”: Dave Meniketti on lead guitar & lead vocals, Phil Kennemore on bass guitar & backing vocals, Joey Alves on rhythm guitar & backing vocals and Leonard Haze on drums & backing vocals.

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ARCH ENEMY – “Revolution Begins” EP – has a Queensryche cover song, Death Metal style!

Posted in Album Review, Century Media, century media records, cool album covers, creepy album covers, current death metal albums, current death metal music, current extreme metal albums, current extreme metal music, current metal albums, Death Metal, death metal 2007, death metal cover songs, death metal guitarists, death metal music, death metal music ep's, death metal vocalists, essential metal music albums, extreme metal music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal vocalists, melodic death metal albums, melodic death metal bands, Metal, metal music, metal music ep's, metal music this decade, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, Music, spooky metal album covers with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 15, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

25021-1Arch Enemy is one of my favorite Death Metal bands. Brutally heavy from every musical angle, yet still melodic, Arch Enemy needs no introduction to die hard Metal and Death Metal fans. For those new fans of Arch Enemy who are still looking to purchase a CD from their Death Metal catalog, a great starting point that will not set you back a ton of loot, is their EP “Revolution Begins”, (released on August 31, 2007). This EP was released in 2007 to promote their studio album “Rise Of The Tyrant”, (released on September 25, 2007). EP’s or CD singles, (as they are sometimes referred as), are a cool opportunity to own a few songs of a Metal band, (a Metal test run for fans, if you will). If you are like me, EP’s are a must to own – especially EP’s of my favorite bands. These EP’s more often than not, include studio and/or live songs that are not found on any regular studio or live album. “Revolution Begins” includes the cover of the Queensryche classic – “Walk In The Shadows”. This cover version from Arch Enemy, thrills me just as high as the original version from the great Queensryche. I am Metal serious about that. I revere the Queensryche original, still I revere this Arch Enemy version too. Arch Enemy gives “Walk In The Shadows” a darker, more creepy sense about it… Death Metal style.

Angela Gossow on lead vocals is nothing short of amazing. Angela is a Metal favorite of mine, she can sing Death Metal just as great as most of her male peers in this genre. In my Metal opinion, Angela Gossow raises “Walk In The Shadows” to an entirely new Metal level… an intensified and dark infested, Death Metal cover version it is. I can’t just listen to this version once, I usually listen to it multiple times and it serves me right. The legendary Michael Amott on lead and rhythm guitar, manifests his Death Metal sound all over the songs found on this EP. Christopher Amott, (the younger brother of Michael Amott), provides the second punch of Death Metal crunch, with his lead and rhythm guitar exploits. If a double dose of brilliant Death Metal guitar is what you are hankering for… the Amott brothers provide it on a Metal platter with Arch Enemy.

Daniel Erlandsson, the mainstay drummer for Arch Enemy, is always a treat for me to listen to, with his bombastic proficiency. Sharlee D’Angelo plays a formidable bass, rounding out the Arch Enemy lineup. The lead single “Revolution Begins”, “Blood On Your Hands” and a live version of “I Am Legend/Out For Blood” round out this EP. This Arch Enemy EP/CD can be found at Century Media Records online – CMdistro.com. For three bucks, it is one of the healthiest doses of Death Metal you can possibly digest for the price.

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DIO “The Last In Line” will last my Metal Music lifetime

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, classic metal, cool album covers, creepy album covers, essential heavy metal albums, essential metal music albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1984, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, power metal music, ronnie james dio, scary album covers, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 12, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

main-150DIO, Ronnie James Dio, my Heavy Metal vocal savior, when I served time in High School, back in the 1980’s. (I know I use that punch line about High School often, regardless, it is just the plain truth). The lyrics of DIO’s songs were motivating, captivating and always exhilarating for me while I was growing up in my late teen years. For Metal sake, DIO’s lyrics were influential to me while I was in my early twenties as well. What I took from the lyrical creativity of Ronnie James Dio so many years ago, I no longer take hold of as strong. As I grew up, (well, I think I matured somewhat since the ’80’s), the lyrics of DIO seemed to take on a more entertaining feeling… lyrical interpretation has changed for me over the years, based on life experiences. Seriously, when I used to listen to the song “The Last In Line”, back in High School, well, I equated the lyrics to my being the last in line. I was a typical authority hating – know it all as a teenager, therefore, totally normal for a Metalhead back in the 1980’s. Fast forward to 2009, I equate the lyrics as inspiring still, only I do not dwell on myself and always being the victim, (as I did as a teenager). Plus, being a middle aged Metalhead, I now respect or tolerate authority, depending on the situation. The Heavy Metal of DIO and many, many other Metal bands from decades past encouraged and instilled a strong feeling of hope for me, when I was young… I shall never forget this. The escapism of DIO’s Heavy Metal was the elixir that worked for me years ago… this escapism still works for me now. That is why this 1984 album from DIO “The Last In Line”, will last my Metal Music lifetime.

“Mystery” is another song from the “Last In Line” album that is in my Metal opinion, untouchable. This is one song, that lyrically, I can still relate to. Life is a mystery, plain and simple. There really is nothing more to scrutinize… no one really knows where they are going to be tomorrow. Heck, back in High School, the guidance counselors used to waste their time with us kids, asking us where we want to be, what we want to do when we grow up. These guidance counselors all had a job to do, with fine intentions. The truth is, the paths I took to get where I am now were filled with detours, delays, trauma, luck of the draw, misfortune and certainly fortunate opportunities. In other words… mystery. They don’t teach this in school. I never knew when I was going to get married, plus I never knew how many children my wife and I would have. Mystery.

This is by far and large, the single most influential Heavy Metal song I have ever listened to in my life. Now, the next time you are on a dreaded job interview and the interviewer asks you – “where do you want to be in five years, ten years from now”?… look at this fool straight in the face and tell he or she, as Ronnie James Dio so eloquently put it, “it’s always a mystery, not what it seems to be, it’s always a mystery,  just like you and me”. 

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Motley Crue “Home Sweet Home” is my favorite Heavy Metal ballad – ever

Posted in 1980's hair metal albums, 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal ballads, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's popular rock bands, 1980's hair metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, classic heavy metal albums, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, Hair Metal, hair metal music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1985, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal vocalists, Music, old school hair metal bands, old school heavy metal, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 10, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

8991807Motley Crue really did it for me with their Heavy Metal ballad – “Home Sweet Home”. Since it’s release on the “Theatre Of Pain” album, (June 21, 1985), I still gravitate to this song. When I first heard it, (back in 1985), I was semi-surprised at the mellow side that Motley Crue had taken with “Home Sweet Home”… it only took one listen for me to get hooked for life. Mellow or not, Motley Crue in my Metal opinion, created an instantly memorable song that I could never grow tired of. The “Theatre Of Pain” album, (originally released on the label Elektra), is one strong Heavy Metal album at that. “Home Sweet Home” was written by Nikki Sixx, Vince Neil and Tommy Lee. (Mick Mars, of course, plays guitar on this song, I just have never read his name in any writing credits for it). I just always have been struck by the lyrics, there have been countless moments throughout my life where I have adhered to this song for inspiration. When I bought this CD twenty four years ago, little did I know, that there would be that one song, that would resonate such strong feelings inside of me.

Just look at the numerous Heavy Metal bands that wrote ballads and/or power ballads, (to me they are one in the same). I have never been a huge fan of the Heavy Metal ballad, I say this so often that even I am tired of hearing it. Despite not being a fan of all Heavy Metal ballads, there are going to be those diamonds in the rough, “Home Sweet Home” is one of them, for me. Vince Neil in my Metal opinion, sings this ballad as if his life depended on it. I never jumped on any sold out band wagon, with Motley Crue, for their creating this song. Motley Crue was and still is – one tough and cool Heavy Metal band that embraced a little diversity with their song writing with “Home Sweet Home”. Seeing Motley Crue live, back in the late 1980’s, as they played “Home Sweet Home” was riveting for me, to say the least. That is a Heavy Metal memory that is worth it’s weight in gold, in my Metal world.

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My Favorite STRYPER Album Of All Time – “To Hell With The Devil”

Posted in Album Review, christian heavy metal, christian rock, classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on August 9, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

main-150Stryper – “To Hell With The Devil” was released on October 24, 1986. I already was an avid listener to Stryper and their brand of Christian Heavy Metal Music when this album came out. I had purchased their album “Soldiers Under Command”, (released on May 15, 1985), within months after it’s release, therefore I already took a liking to Stryper. I always have been and forever will be, diversified with my adoration for Metal music. I hate sounding like a broken record by saying… if I have said it once, I shall say it again… I listen to all Hard Rock and Metal Music genres. The songs on this album are exquisitely inspirational, they are enormously melodic and yes… commercial 1980’s Heavy Metal. It is the power that comes across to me, from these songs, that makes this Stryper album my all time favorite. Anytime any religion plays a role within the framework of a Heavy Metal band and their lyrics, it is better left up to the individual listener, to make the choice if this is what they want to embrace. In my Metal opinion, it is all about personal preference and interpretation, when it comes to any specific form of music. I will still play this album and benefit from the Heavy Metal and lyrical contents that are found within.

I remember buying this album at Strawberries Records & Tapes, in a very expensive town in very expensive Connecticut, back in 1986, of course. I snagged this album up within the first month of its release. I wound up with the limited front cover version of “To Hell With The Devil”, (see album cover image below as to what I mean). The image of the album cover, at the beginning of this post, shows the current front cover being used for “To Hell With The Devil”. I am not trying to sound cliche by stating, “To Hell With The Devil” is one darn cool, feel good Heavy Metal album. For me, this album really is a mood changer… an album that sends me directly into a good mood vacuum. One thing is for certain, I never felt I had to be a saint to in order to listen and get into the Heavy Metal thunder of Stryper.

This album I originally bought back in 1986, fell victim to being sold by me years later. Crazy as this sounds, I ventured into a local thrift store last Autumn of 2008, on one of my Metal prowls… and I found “To Hell With The Devil” with the limited front album cover as well. I stood inside this thrift store and felt as if I was imagining things… here was an album I most regretted ever letting go and it was the limited version staring right at me. This album beckoned me to bring it home and give it a turntable spin once again. I state quite often my Metal finds, they do happen more frequently than not, I will not complain. Believe me when I say, this copy I found at the thrift store is in mint condition – it came with the semi-hefty price tag of fifty cents. As I drove away from this thrift store, with this Stryper album placed on the passenger front seat… I looked down upon it, thinking some funny thoughts.

My mind was drifting away, astray with thoughts as to why was I fortunate in finding this particular Stryper album? My single favorite Stryper album of all time just so happened to be at this thrift store on this day. The more rare of the two album covers as well, has been returned to my collection of Metal Music on this particular day, for literally pennies. I started to think that maybe I was being rewarded by a higher power, for perhaps some good deeds that I bestowed in the past. Maybe it was just pure luck too. Whichever it may be, luck or divine intervention, the original album cover version of “To Hell With The Devil” will not be for sale by me again. I really am not concerned with its secondary market value anyhow, for me the true value is found within the songs of this album, the enjoyment I derive from the Christian Heavy Metal Band of Stryper.

The musicians of Stryper, as they appeared on “To Hell With The Devil”: Michael Sweet on lead vocals and guitar, Robert Sweet on drums, Tim Gaines on bass guitar and Oz Fox on drums.

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Yngwie J. Malmsteen “Trilogy” – Classic Power Metal Music on high

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's power metal bands, 1980's power metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1986 heavy metal music, 1986 power metal albums, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, classic metal, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, european power metal, guitar solos, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal solo albums, heavy metal solo artists, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, old school heavy metal, Power Metal, power metal guitarists, power metal music, vintage heavy metal albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 6, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

main-150I always thoroughly enjoy the Metal musical intricacies that quality Power Metal embellishes. Yngwie J. Malmsteen “Trilogy”, (released in 1986), has the rich and textured heavy musical elements, that make this album an all time favorite of mine. If you embark on a listen of “Trilogy” and are unaware of Yngwie Malmsteen’s guitar virtuosity, then your ears and senses are in for a Metal treat. (If you hold total disdain for the Speed Metal genre that meets Power Metal, well this album is not for you). “Trilogy” is a Metal album for me, containing some of the most melodic Power Metal songs I have ever encountered. Certainly, the classical trained Yngwie Malmsteen takes Metal center stage, with his glistening guitar skills on this album, however, lead vocalist Mark Boals captivates my Metal attention just as well. Both the musicianship and vocals compliment each other in the highest of Metal fashion on “Trilogy”. In my Metal opinion, Mark Boals vocals adds a dimension of harmony that magnifies the song writing, lyrics and melodious brilliance on this album. Metal truth be spoken… this is my favorite Yngwie Malmsteen album ever. Each time I listen to these songs, I am sincerely amazed at how gifted a lyricist and song writer Yngwie Malmsteen is. I am not fibbing when I declare, that this is not one of the – run of the mill, 1980’s Heavy Metal albums out there. In fact, if I was to compile a list of must have 1980’s Heavy Metal albums, “Trilogy” would have to be on that list.

I feel what has captivated me, over the years with “Trilogy”, is the accessibility of the songs. I revere a great guitar solo and/or guitar instrumental any day of the year, with this Yngwie Malmsteen album you get the best of both, alongside songs that are injected with plenty of Metal highs and non-existent lows. “Crying” and “Trilogy Suite Op 5” are the two instrumentals that give Yngwie Malmsteen the spotlight, exemplifying that he was bred for this… no longer a rising star and in 1986 a legitimate star. “You Don’t Remember, I’ll Never Forget” opens up with the pumped up keyboards of Jens Johansson, Power Metal style. This song is my favorite on “Trilogy”, every second of this track is memorable for me. “Liar”, “Queen In Love” and “Fire” are of equal melodic value, that are Power Metal laced with emotion filled lyrics. The overall feeling I have always received from “Trilogy” is that Yngwie Malmsteen made a commercial style, Power Metal album, that really blazes along with catchiness at every turn. I have never likened Yngwie Malmsteen to be showy, I have always looked upon him as a complete musician. 

Sure, Yngwie Malmsteen had released albums in years prior to “Trilogy” that were heavier, yet does heavier always equate to never diversifying musically? In this case, with these songs, the answer is no. There are times when a Metal guitarist can make a song sound thick with passion and high emotion, on “Trilogy”, Yngwie Malmsteen makes all nine songs sound this way.

Yngwie J. Malmsteen – all electric, bass and acoustic guitars, Mark Boals – lead vocals, Jens Johansson – keyboards and Anders Johansson on drums 

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IRON MAIDEN – “Cross Eyed Mary” 1983 cover song is a rare Metal Music treasure

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, Album Review, cool album covers, cover songs, essential heavy metal albums, essential metal music albums, essential progressive metal albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal cover songs, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal memorabilia, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1983, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Iron Maiden, Metal, metal music, metal music ep's, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, Music, old school heavy metal, prog metal albums, prog metal music, progressive metal, progressive metal albums, progressive metal music, progressive metal music eps, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 5, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Iron Maiden "The Trooper"  EP album artworkIron Maiden released their fourth studio album, “Piece Of Mind” in 1983. An amazing Heavy Metal album it was and forever will be. I bought that album back in ’83… stared at the front cover for hours, which in fact, probably equals out to actual days. I have always been mesmerized by artist Derek Riggs artwork of mascot Eddie. This album does not contain the cover song of “Cross Eyed Mary”, instead, it was released as a “b” side to the single “The Trooper”, taken from the “Piece Of Mind” album. To the best of my Metal research, “The Trooper” single was released on June 20, 1983. I frequented a small and independent record store on an almost daily basis back in the ’80’s, (I won’t divulge the name of this store for personal reasons), upon a daily stop there… there it was… Iron Maiden “The Trooper” Maxi Single on vinyl no less!! My Metal memory is very vivid about this moment… I stared this beautiful Iron Maiden rarity down, bought it and have kept it pristine ever since. Plus, this was the only copy this store had, I never saw this Iron Maiden single on vinyl again. (Certainly, there has to be more out there in collections or online today, I just never happened to come across one in person). This Iron Maiden Maxi Single as it is called, again, is on vinyl that is the actual size of an album -(an EP if you will), it plays at 45 rpm.

As for “The Trooper” it is and always will be an amazing work of Metal Music, this song no Metalhead could ever possibly tire from. An unreal great Metal song is “The Trooper”. Now, for the Metal juicy part of this important single… “Cross Eyed Mary”. I always have and will continue to give Jethro Tull a listen now and again… they are cool by me, despite what Metallica may think of them. The original Jethro Tull version of “Cross Eyed Mary” does not even come remotely close, to the prolific Metal power of Iron Maiden’s cover version though. I am talking extremely Metal prolific, when I mention this Iron Maiden cover of “Cross Eyed Mary”. Whoa, man, this Iron Maiden cover sends Metal chills up and down my spine. I am not sugar coating a thing… this Iron Maiden cover is the real thing, hands down it is my most favorite and cherished Metal cover song that has ever been recorded. Not to sound cheesy or lame here, the opening guitar leads sends me into Metal orbit… really. Bruce Dickinson is outstanding on vocals with this song, Iron Maiden took hold of “Cross Eyed Mary” and turned it into a Metal masterpiece. NO flutes or piano are on this Iron Maiden cover version of “Cross Eyed Mary”, no sir.

My copy of “The Trooper” vinyl single looks just like the above image, with the exception that my copy has “Maxi Single – super sound version” printed on the front cover, inside a red outlined circle. The bottom image shows what the Japanese import version of “The Trooper” looks like on CD, however, “Cross Eyed Mary” is NOT on this CD single!? The two songs on this Japanese import are: “The Trooper Live (2003)” and “The Trooper” (album version). Go figure that out, the same artwork, it is “The Trooper” single, yet “Cross Eyed Mary” is not included anymore. It would have been Metal genius, if Iron Maiden included “Cross Eyed Mary” on their “Somewhere Back In Time: The Best Of 1980-1989″ album, that would have been a perfect song to add into the historical Metal mix. I am just psyched that I still have this vinyl single of Iron Maiden, this is one Metal treasure I just will not part with – no way.

Some Metal extra notes about this Iron Maiden single, to benefit, guide and nourish your Metal mind: 

Iron Maiden, as they appeared on “The Trooper” and “Cross Eyed Mary”: Bruce Dickinson on lead vocals, Dave Murray on guitar, Adrian Smith on guitar, Steve Harris on bass guitar and Nicko McBrain on drums. * This 1983 “The Trooper” single was originally released on EMI records.

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Saviours “Into Abaddon” – a worthwhile Metal Music listen

Posted in 2008 metal music albums, Album Review, cool album covers, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal music, current metal albums, doom metal music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands this decade, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal this decade, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, metal music this decade, metal music today, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, Music, spooky album covers, stoner metal music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 3, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

main-150When I first listened to Saviours “Into Abaddon”, I heard instantly the early Black Sabbath and Motorhead influences, (in my Metal opinion). This second album from Saviours is heavy duty on the riffs, a fine quality about this Metal music. Saviours plays Metal that can be regarded as Stoner Metal or Doom Metal. The Metal here is heavier than traditional – Old School Stoner Metal. With a slight comparison to The Sword, Saviours is darker musically, a more gloomy atmosphere and vocally more tough and raspy. All 7 songs are good, the lack of more songs is made up for by the time length of each song. Lead vocalist and guitarist Austin Barber sounds like he is leading a Metal charge through the dark northern woods of an ancient forgotten land. Musically, these guys have their armor, it is the hard and heavy way they play. I find Saviours difficult to dismiss as just an average Metal band… they are better than I anticipated with this album. It is not as if Saviours has broke any new ground here musically, still this band is not soft on the Metal either. If your into the heavier side of Stoner Metal or are looking for a new and decent Metal band to catch onto, picking up “Into Abaddon” is worth the time and money. Saviours plays Metal the old fashioned way, no hits, no frills or gimmicks, just coming at you with some solid heavy music.

Song list for “Into Abaddon”: 1. Raging Embers, 2. Into Abaddon, 3. Narcotic Sea, 4. Cavern of Mind, 5. Mystichasm, 6. Firewake Angel, 7. Inner Mountain Arthame

CD sidenotes:
The liner notes come with 6 pages of complete lyrics, with cool and spooky, midivil style, extended artwork and the expected credits. (I have always been an admirer of top notch Heavy Metal album artwork, the front cover art of this CD and liner notes art tie in with the Metal Music of Saviours). “Into Abaddon” was released on January 22, 2008, on Kemado Records.

Saviours as they appear on “Into Abaddon”: Austin Barber on guitar and vocals, D.Tyler Morris on guitar, Scott Batiste on drums and Cyrus Comiskey on bass.

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Jackyl – 1992 debut, Heavy Metal album revisited

Posted in 1990's heavy metal albums, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal songs, 1990's heavy metal music, Album Review, chainsaw heavy metal music, classic heavy metal albums, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1992, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1992, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, Metal Reviews, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music, vintage heavy metal albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 2, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

main-150Hey, I have always been eager to get into new Heavy Metal bands, it’s been this way for decades now. 1992 was no different than any other year, as far as searching out the latest and/or newest Heavy Metal Bands and albums. When I first heard Jackyl back in 1992, well, it was the song “The Lumberjack”… with a chainsaw being used for a solo. A chainsaw used as a dominant musical instrument… in a Heavy Metal song, now that is cool, that is Metal. Aw heck, I am going to be blunt and admit… this chainsaw ripping through “The Lumberjack” song gave me goose bumps back in 1992. Now, does this chainsaw and “The Lumberjack” song have the same goose bump affect on me today? Honestly, not as many goose bumps generate when I listen to this song in 2009, still I like the song just as much as ever. Maybe it is due to the fact, that I know the chainsaw is coming, after listening to this song so many times over the years. Make no mistake, “The Lumberjack” song still pumps me up and makes me wish I had an old, decrepit, decaying barn to tear down while I listen to this song. 

This debut album from Jackyl, which is self titled, was a refreshing reminder back in 1992 that Heavy Metal did not curl up into a ball and wither away. Jackyl’s brand of Heavy Metal arrived right when this Metalhead needed it most, when rumors abounded within the mainstream media that Metal Music was done. Well, Heavy Metal never went away, if anything, the mainstream media just did not cover the Metal Music that was out there in the 1990’s, no publicity, therefore… no existence. Right? Wrong! Jackyl was a perfect example of Heavy Metal existing in the decade of the ’90’s. Other than the chainsaw, Jackyl did not reinvent the Metal wheel back in 1992, rather they delivered upon the Metal community an album that kicked some serious tail. “Jackyl” was an album that presented some heavy hitting, kick the dirt and throw the garbage can down the driveway – attitude and songs.

Back in 1995, I worked for a very large, mail order, perennial farm in expensive Connecticut. I can remember working the perennial fields during the Summer, driving a tractor, during a very, very, long dry spell. I recall this one cool, fellow Metalhead who drove a tractor on this farm as well… he and I both so wished it would rain. I introduced him to this Jackyl debut album, (I had it on cassette then), “When Will It Rain” became a theme song for us working the fields at this perennial farm. My Metalhead buddy borrowed my Jackyl cassette to listen to, while he worked the fields with his tractor. (There is definitely something about Jackyl’s Heavy Metal and working outdoors… one seems to compliment the other). “Down On Me” is another very memorable song from “Jackyl”, nothing fancy here, just a steady, Heavy Metal track, that is carried by the rhythm section with authority. “Dirty Little Mind” is like a speeding, Metal ball of wire, uncoiling with spastic Heavy Metal abandon.

In other words, “Jackyl” was never going to indulge in therapeutic topics, nor delve into intricate musical musings. Instead, “Jackyl” was – and still is, a down home, blue collar, back roads, type of Heavy Metal album and band. “Jackyl” was never meant to impress the judges, mainstream media, or uptight people in general. Jackyl the band and “Jackyl” the album, no doubt impressed me in 1992… still does. I think that is why I appreciate this debut album from Jackyl so much, this band wrote songs to have a good time to and maybe heave that rotted log into the woods to.

Jackyl, as they appeared on their debut album “Jackyl”: Jesse James Dupree on vocals & chainsaw, Jimmy Stiff on guitar, Jeff Worley on guitar, Tom Bettini on  bass guitar and Chris Worley on drums.

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U.D.O. “Nailed To Metal” is live, world class Heavy Metal

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal music, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, classic metal, classic rock, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, essential metal music albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands this decade, heavy metal drum solos, heavy metal from germany, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1982, heavy metal music 1983, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal solo albums, heavy metal solo artists, heavy metal solo vocalists, heavy metal this decade, heavy metal vocalists, live heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, metal music this decade, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, old school heavy metal, rock music, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands, vintage live heavy metal albums, Vocals with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 1, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

U.D.O. "Nailed To Metal" large picAccept is a legendary Heavy Metal Band from Germany, blazing through the late 1970’s and releasing crushing Old School Heavy Metal right up until 1996. U.D.O. is the Heavy Metal brainchild from the iconic lead singer from Accept… Udo Dirkschneider. U.D.O. released their first studio album in 1987, with “Animal House”… in 1988 their second studio album released, titled “Mean Machine”. U.D.O. has released many albums over the years, with their latest studio effort being “Mastercutor”, released in 2007. I have and always will be a huge fan of Udo Dirkschneider, Accept was an incredible Heavy Metal band, they never wavered or catered to any musical flavor of the day, just 100% Heavy Metal albums they released back in the day. With Udo carrying on his grand Heavy Metal career with U.D.O., it only makes me psyched – knowing this legend is still around. Udo may not receive the glamourous adulation from the mainstream Rock press like Rob Halford, Ronnie James Dio, Brian Johnson or Ozzy, however, he is just as important to the history of Heavy Metal as any of these lead singers are.

“Nailed To Metal” (subtitled “the missing tracks”), is a live, eleven song album, released back in 2003. The liner notes state that the songs were “recorded during the European Tour 2001”. Let me just say that… this live U.D.O. album does not just exemplify Heavy Metal, it is Heavy Metal. Hail U.D.O.! Thank you Germany! Udo Dirkschneider sounds just as prolific with his vocals on “Nailed To Metal” as he did on his Accept album “Breaker”… or any of his Accept albums for that matter. What I always anticipate from U.D.O. is that powerful, thunderous, monster of a sound from their Heavy Metal… “Nailed To Metal” brings it all and with the excitement of the live ambience. The Heavy Metal barometer explodes with the first two opening songs – “Holy” and “Raiders Of Beyond”. Both of these U.D.O. tracks are nothing short of Heavy Metal liberation, capturing the very essence of what Heavy Metal 101 is all about. The “Drum Solo” comes in at 4:26… (this is a Heavy Metal drum solo, not a Thrash or Death Metal drum solo), my point being, just as I am enamored by Extreme Metal, I embrace a cool, traditional, Heavy Metal drum solo in the spotlight, any day of the week. Lorenzo Milani on drums, is not out to compete with Neil Peart (of Rush), he is only out to play some solid drumming the Old School Heavy Metal way. In my Metal opinion, “Holy” and “Raiders Of Beyond” hold their own against classic Accept songs… and classic Accept songs are here.

The vintage “Fast As A Shark” and “Restless & Wild”, (from 1982), are unmistakably Heavy Metal defining, two throwback songs from the Accept catalog that have never lost their ability to supercharge me. “Metal Heart”, (from 1985), is an Accept song that careens into this live set like a long lost Heavy Metal friend. The closer of this live album is none other than… “Balls To The Wall”. At 8:48 long, I wish this Heavy Metal anthem would carry on for an hour… raising my fist to the air and banging my head never felt so good. Accept found their FM radio acceptance back in 1984 with “Balls To The Wall”, a trip down Heavy Metal lane “Nailed To Metal” is. Udo Dirkschneider was and always will be the voice of Accept, therefore U.D.O. does not just cover these legendary Accept songs, they celebrate them. With the combination of live U.D.O. and Accept Heavy Metal on “Nailed To Metal”, this album easily, hands down, gets five out of five beer kegs from me. Keep bringing the Heavy Metal U.D.O. and I will forever listen.

U.D.O. as they appear on “Nailed To Metal”: Udo Dirkschneider on vocals, Stefan Kaufmann on guitar, Igor Gianola on guitar, Fitty Wienhold on bass guitar and Lorenzo Milani on drums.

*As a Metal side note, the only Accept album that Udo Dirkschneider was not the lead singer on, was “Eat The Heat”, released in 1989. David Reece was the lead singer for this Accept album.

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My favorite KISS solo album is…

Posted in 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal albums, 1970's heavy metal music, Album Review, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock music, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, hard rock album review, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal solo albums, heavy metal solo artists, heavy metal solo vocalists, heavy metal vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, Paul Stanley, vintage hard rock albums, vintage heavy metal albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 31, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

main-150Each member of Kiss had released a solo album back on September 18, 1978. I remember back then, being a young Kiss fan, there was much to rejoice about… four new Kiss albums to choose from. Being just twelve years old, I could not just run out and buy all four new albums. Back in 1978, my parents did not have a bounty of expendable cash to dole out to me, thus I was only earning a quarter here and there for the yard work I did. (Sounds like the 1930’s or something, doesn’t it?). Instead, I waited patiently to obtain or receive as a gift, one or all of the Kiss solo albums. Not until January 26, 1979, did I receive the Paul Stanley solo album, as a birthday gift from my parents. To say that I was ecstatic on that day would be an understatement… Paul Stanley was and still is, my favorite musician and vocalist from Kiss. At that age, I remember just staring at the front cover portrait of Paul Stanley, holding the album jacket in my hands, thinking this was the greatest birthday of my entire life. The memories are so cool to reflect on… what is more cool is that Paul Stanley is still making music both solo, (“Live To Win”, October 24, 2006), plus with an upcoming new Kiss album.

I don’t know if it is just me, yet I feel the songs on this album could very well have been released recently, given the fact there are so many vintage Heavy Metal Bands being revived in recent years. Maybe it is due to my growing up with Kiss and these albums, that I do not find this music dated. Well, enough about the age and dates here… this is the album that boasts my favorite Heavy Metal ballad of all-time, it is “Hold Me, Touch Me (Think Of Me When We’re Apart)”. This song always held it together for me, with the melody, lyrics and Paul Stanley’s vocals being three parts of equal coolness. This album opener is “Tonight You Belong To Me”, a song I consider to be one of the heaviest out of the bunch. This song opens up with Paul Stanley singing as if he is about to embark on a slow ballad, this is definitely not the case. The Heavy Metal gravitational pull, swallows me right up with this great song. “It’s Alright” is another fine heavy song, it has for me, all the qualities to still psyche me out – with Paul Stanley’s vocals again, the ever important lyrics and of course, the music itself.

“Move On” is the one and only song on this album that I really have never grown to like. This is a song that I could not connect with, nor do I understand how it musically fit into the song list for this album. Obviously, “Move On” has never swayed my admiration for this Paul Stanley solo album. One song that does not meet my liking is not going to ruin an entire album of songs. Paul Stanley wrote every song on this album, while co-writing with Mikel Japp on “Move On”, “Ain’t Quite Right” and “Take Me Away (Together As One)”. Out of the four Kiss solo albums, Paul Stanley was and always has been my choice of favorite, this is not to take away from the Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss albums… it is just my personal taste. Besides, I do enjoy the other three solo albums too, just not in the same way as this Paul Stanley solo album. As a whole, I have always found this Paul Stanley solo album to be the catchiest, most melodic and more song driven out of the four, with some cool slices of Heavy Metal to go along with it.

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Scorpions “World Wide Live” – 1985 album revisited

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal ballads, 1980's live heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1985, heavy metal from germany, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, Music, old school heavy metal, Scorpions, vintage heavy metal bands, vintage live heavy metal albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 29, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

main-150In 1985, I received a really cool Christmas present… the Scorpions “World Wide Live” double LP. That is what I am talking about when memorable Christmas gifts come to mind. My Mom, she certainly knew the bands I liked back then. I could always feel confident she would have a decent Heavy Metal album on her Christmas shopping list, just for me. My Mom would wrap and hide the album she bought each Christmas, making certain it was secured from my finding it. Not a chance. Each year, I would find that album, heck, I would actually smell where that album was hidden, like a Heavy Metal bloodhound. In 1985, “World Wide Live” was wrapped and supposedly hidden, until I unwrapped it and gazed away at the album cover – front to back. I was in Metal glee, knowing that on Christmas morning I would be able to crank up the Scorpions “World Wide Live”, a double live album no less. Each year, my Mom always knew I would find and unwrap the album she had bought for me, it was a cool and funny joke that I always was able to share with my Mom.

It is experiences like this, while growing up, where you actually bond with your music and albums, due to the personal stories that are attached to them. My Mom is now in Heaven, thus these memories mean all the more to me now than ever before. It is the memories that are the most valuable of course, not the actual albums. As for the Scorpions and “World Wide Live” – powerful, live, Heavy Metal to the max. This is one unbelievable live album, based on the overall sound quality, song selection, production and of course… the Heavy Metal Music. Vintage, live Scorpions this “World Wide Live” is. Hearing the fans screaming for the Scorpions throughout this album makes it real, with a live album it is always a key ingredient to capture the atmosphere of the concert crowd. My original album of “World Wide Live”, well, I either sold it or gave it away years ago. The kicker is… I found this double live beauty at a thrift store this past Winter… for fifty cents. Each time I find one of my favorite albums from the past, in second hand shops like this, I feel the vindication and relief of being able to replenish my Heavy Metal collection… to where it once was. Why I sold or gave away so many Heavy Metal albums long ago is still an uncanny period of my life. Regardless, I have what I consider, a perfect album specimen of “World Wide Live” now, safely tucked away into my Heavy Metal collection.

My favorite song from this album is “Big City Nights”. The in your face power of this song has always grabbed me with a psyched out feeling. “Countdown”, the instrumental and intro to this double live, Scorpions feast of Heavy Metal, never ceases to rev me up, it sets the table for “Coming Home”. “The Zoo” and “No One Like You” are just as great as their studio counterparts, the live versions only add more intensity to the music. The live version of “Rock You Like A Hurricane” with it’s commercial breakthrough from the “Love At First Sting” album, makes me forget that it was overplayed on FM radio and MTV during it’s chart existence. Klaus Meine joined the pack of Heavy Metal ballad crooners, with his praise worthy vocal accomplishment – “Still Loving You”. I will take the live version of this song over the studio cut, (it’s a personal preference). If there ever was any tweaking or over dubbing during the mixing of this album, frankly I could care in the least. The end result for me has always been, “World Wide Live” is a must live Heavy Metal album to own and a Scorpions achievement.

*”World Wide Live” was released on June 20, 1985. The Scorpions, as they appeared on “World Wide Live”: Klaus Meine on lead vocals, Matthias Jabs on lead guitar & backing vocals, Rudolf Schenker on rhythm guitar & backing vocals, Francis Buchholz on bass guitar & backing vocals and Herman Rarebell on drums, percussion & backing vocals.

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Judas Priest “Screaming for Vengeance” Still Screams Metal Today

Posted in Album Review, essential heavy metal albums, essential metal music albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1982, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, Metal Reviews, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on July 28, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

main-150Judas Priest and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal or (NWOBHM) took me by storm back in the Summer of 1982. Honestly, I was aware of the “British Steel” album from Judas Priest then, yet nowhere near Metal schooled about this band as I should have been. It was in 1982 when I was beginning to delve deeper into the world of Heavy Metal… Judas Priest basically opened the gates of Metal for me to enter… and enter I did. I have never looked back. Of course, after my very first listen to my buddies “Screaming for Vengeance” album, I rushed over to my nearest Caldor department store and bought my own copy. This album then had me salivating for more of “The Priest”. In short time I owned every available album from this mighty band, choosing “Stained Class” to be my favorite all time Judas Priest album – this opinion stands Metal tall to this very day. This “Screaming for Vengeance” album initiated me to own the entire catalog of Judas Priest, it initiated me to seek out and enjoy more Metal bands and their powerful music. Judas Priest was the Metal band, this was the Metal album that had me realize that Metal was to be my life long favorite music genre. Metal case closed.

NewPriestLogoWhite_150Without question, as I look back now, “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'” was the break out, commercial success song, that was instrumental in carving Judas Priest into the Metal giant and Rob Halford into the Metal God of today. That is cool with me, this song was necessary for Judas Priest to break into the hum drum FM radio environment, that was existing back in 1982. When I first heard “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'”, it was as if my entire body went on an adrenaline trip that was truly foreign to me. All I can remember is – I never felt such intensity envelope my body and mind like this song did. And to think, if this song riveted me in such a manner, what did listening to the rest of this album do to my senses? It was Heavy Metal euphoria, back in 1982. To be perfectly clear, this album was Heavy Metal 101 for me. Before “Screaming for Vengeance” was discovered by me, Kiss, Cheap Trick, AC/DC and Foreigner were the heaviest bands I ever listened to.

There absolutely is no other one-two Metal punch in existence, like “The Hellion” and “Electric Eye”. This is my Metal opinion, of course. Still, the intro of “The Hellion”, which drives its forceful Metal path straight into “Electric Eye”, is the ultimate Metal high for me. The song “Screaming for Vengeance” is by far, the heaviest Judas Priest song ever, in my Metal opinion. “(Take These) Chains” is equivalent to having a breather on this ferocious album, the pace of the song with its accessible melody, is a notable Metal pit stop.

Not to sound bland here, there really is not a single song on this album that should not be praised. “Screaming for Vengeance” was my gateway to all of the vintage Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden and countless other 1970’s to early 1980’s Heavy Metal and Hard Rock bands, all of whom wrote the map for us Heavy Music fans to follow. I bought the ticket to Metal back in 1982, it was “Screaming for Vengeance”. This album still screams Metal for me in 2009.

*”Screaming for Vengeance” was released on July 17, 1982. Judas Priest, as they appeared on “Screaming for Vengeance”: Rob Halford on vocals, K.K. Downing on guitar, Glenn Tipton on guitar, Ian Hill on bass guitar and Dave Holland on drums. I never would have realized, twenty-seven years ago, that I would be regarding this album as having the Metal impact on me that it did and still does. Long live “The Priest”.

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My favorite KISS album of all time is…

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1982, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music, vintage heavy metal albums, Vocals with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 27, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

main-150I am a lifelong Kiss fan, guilty of admiring a Heavy Metal band that has influenced the genre of Metal both musically, theatrically and of course… commercially. Out of the entire Kiss catalog of Heavy Metal, there has to be my favorite album of all time… my choice of favorite Kiss album seems to change yearly. (Oh well, that is my Metal dilemma I have to live with). As of today, Sunday, July 26, 2009, my favorite Kiss album of all time is “Creatures Of The Night”, (released in 1982). This Kiss album came out after “The Elder” album, making for quite the triumphant, Heavy Metal return. When I first heard the song “I Love It Loud”, man, was I ever psyched out of my Metal mind! I was serving time in High School when this album released, having this Kiss song to play loud back then was true innocent rebellion. Playing this song and the entire “Creatures Of The Night” album loud today, well, is just because I want to and can. (No more rebellion is left in my system… I think). 

In my Metal opinion, this Kiss album is arguably their heaviest studio album ever created. (The live albums are darned heavy too, however, I am comparing the studio albums). “War Machine” is definitely my favorite song off of this prestigious album. Gene Simmons on lead vocals is classic – I can hear the anger flow from his voice and the lyrics only add credence to this interpretation. “Danger” is one tough and heavy Kiss song that Paul Stanley sings lead vocals on. For a Paul Stanley sung tune, this is as fast and furious as it ever gets. “Saint and Sinner” is a bass lovers dream of a Heavy Metal song, with Gene Simmons giving what I consider, one of his best lead vocal efforts ever. “Creatures Of The Night” is melodic as it is heavy, a Kiss song that without hesitation, is my favorite Paul Stanley – on lead vocals, song. I say this until it hurts, that I have never been the biggest fan of ballads in Heavy Metal. There are always my exceptions to this personal rule. “I Still Love You” is one damned cool and heavy ballad that Paul Stanley sings. Paul Stanley turns some sappy lyrics into a song that I can still crank up, to this day.

“Keep Me Comin'” is the one song off of this album that I have liked the least. This song is not terrible, I won’t skip over it while playing the entire album… yet it never seemed to get my Metal adrenaline perking over the years. “Rock and Roll Hell” and “Killer” round out the rest of the songs from “Creatures Of The Night”, making for nine Kiss songs total, that are now considered by me, vintage Kiss. Metal truth be told, if you are embarking on building your first Kiss music collection, making “Creatures Of The Night” your initial purchase is a profoundly wise choice. The overall Heavy Metal power is in my Metal mind, abundant on this album.

As a side note, the articles and stories I have read and/or heard over the years is that both Ace Frehley and Vinnie Vincent receive guitar credit for this album. Frankly, it does not stir me either way, as to who actually played lead guitar and on which songs, this album is too great for such controversy to hinder the end result. Whichever guitarist did play, they played excellent. Ace Frehley does appear on the front cover of the album, therefore I shall close my eyes each time I listen to this album and picture Space Ace as the lead axe man. The late Eric Carr played some top notch and cool Heavy Metal drums for Kiss… the proof is in the music found on this album. I always considered “Creatures Of The Night” to be the Kiss album that launched them into the decade of the ’80’s. This is an album that will launch any new fan into a believer.

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Rainbow – “Bent Out Of Shape” 1983 album revisited

Posted in 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's hard rock, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, Album Review, classic hard rock, classic hard rock music, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock music, essential hard rock albums, essential heavy metal albums, essential rock albums, Hard Rock, hard rock album review, hard rock songs, hard rock vocalists, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music, rock vocalists, vintage hard rock albums, vintage heavy metal albums, Vocals with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 23, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Rainbow "Bent Out Of Shape" small picRainbow was and still is one of the Hard Rock/Heavy Metal bands that I look upon with Metal reverence. The song writing, lyrics, musicianship, melodies, well, I could go on forever about why I have liked this band so much. Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, in my Metal opinion, is a guitar legend, both with Deep Purple and Rainbow. Ritchie Blackmore collaborated with lead vocalist Joe Lynn Turner on a few releases, back in the 1980’s. “Bent Out Of Shape” is one of those albums they created, writing nine out of the ten songs together. “Bent Out Of Shape” can be taken as a commercial Hard Rock statement, only It is difficult for me to define this album as such. My standards for commercial Rock or Hard Rock/Heavy Metal definitely differ from other peoples standards. I need to hear consistent sappy ballads and/or radio – bubble gum – friendly songs before my stamp of commercialism is placed on an album. In other words, I feel “Bent Out Of Shape” is one mighty, melodic, Hard Rock album. Honestly, I have no problem with labeling “Bent Out Of Shape” as a Heavy Metal album. This album was released in 1983, the heaviness of Rainbow for back then, easily gave this band the label of Heavy Metal.

“Snowman” is the lone song that was not co-written by Joe Lynn Turner. This song is an instrumental, written by Ritchie Blackmore and Howard Blake. This song has a yearning feeling to it, an almost dream like atmosphere as well, I have always gravitated to it over the years. “Street Of Dreams” was the hit song from this album, plenty of FM radio play it used to receive as well. This song is very melodic, the keyboards play an integral musical role on this track. “Desperate Heart” is quite similar in style, to that of “Street Of Dreams”… both with melody and tempo. “Drinking With The Devil” is my pick for the heaviest song on this album, it has some cool edginess to it, with Joe Lynn Turner adding some tough attitude vocally. “Can’t Let You Go” is another notable song, tailor made for Joe Lynn Turner’s vocals. This song as with “Desperate Heart” and “Street Of Dreams” seems to fit the soul searching theme that I interpret from the lyrics. 

Overall, “Bent Out Of Shape” carries on the signature sound of Rainbow, with rich and vibrant keyboards courtesy of David Rosenthal and of course, the guitar play of Ritchie Blackmore. Joe Lynn Turner has the velvet vocals of Hard Rock/Heavy Metal, he continues to release some quality solo albums to this day. If I had to pick which version of Rainbow that I like best, of course I would choose the Ronnie James Dio fronted Rainbow. With that opinion aside, the Joe Lynn Turner era of Rainbow was and still is quite cool for me. I never can resist buying any music that Joe Lynn Turner has his vocals on, there is no doubt in my mind, that he has had an impressive career. For my taste, “Bent Out Of Shape” has not lost any of its Heavy Rock luster, as years pass. If anything, I still appreciate the quality of all of these songs on this album. In my Metal opinion, this Rainbow album is light years better than a good percentage of new Hard Rock music you hear on the radio or internet today.

Rainbow, as they appeared on “Bent Out Of Shape”: Ritchie Blackmore on guitars, Joe Lynn Turner on vocals, Roger Glover on bass and percussion, David Rosenthal on keyboards and Chuck Burgi on drums. “Bent Out Of Shape” was produced by Roger Glover.

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