I believe the year was 1986, the month was January and METALLICA was touring in support of their great Thrash achievement, “Master of Puppets”. I was enamored by METALLICA, no, absorbed is more like it. Nothing else in the world meant more to me back then than this band, my girlfriend at that time was even second fiddle to them. So, when I heard that METALLICA was going to be doing a gig at the West Hartford Ballroom, in good old West Hartford Connecticut, I was there like a fly on cow dung. Make no mistake about it, no Connecticut winter storm was going to prevent me and my buddy from getting to this show! With road conditions being black ice and temperatures hovering around 20 degrees F., we arrived early enough to party in the lot and make it inside, just in time for METAL CHURCH. (I believe METAL CHURCH was supporting their release “The Dark”).
METAL CHURCH was cool, they were just what a Metalhead needed as a warm up to METALLICA. Once METALLICA hit the stage, it was like pandemonium. Check that, it was as if my life was forever altered, I now knew what it meant to feel euphoria, Thrash euphoria that is. Seeing James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich and the late Cliff Burton, live, up close, wow. Please note, that this was really, really, up close, I was against the stage, only feet away! Look, I was being punished, bullied, and pounded by the frenzied fans in the pit, being pushed against the metal railing of the cheap fence against the stage. I LOVED IT. Cliff Burton, with his head & hair swirling around at hyper speed to the Thrash music, sent trails of sweat against my face. I LOVED IT. I took an elbow directly to my temple, from a fan very much bigger and stronger than I, it hurt like the dickens, I LOVED IT. I was then useless to the crowd in the mosh pit, being raised into the air and carried above the crowd, only to then be dropped onto the hard, beer soaked floor at the entrance to the bar. I LOVED IT.
As for the music itself, this was METALLICA! Hearing “For Whom The Bell Tolls” and “Battery” up close, live, in a small club setting by what would eventually become the world’s greatest Thrash band ever, well, I can never forget it. As for my buddy who came along with me that night, well, I lost him once METALLICA hit the stage. We later found each other in the parking lot, my buddy no longer had his winter jacket, nor had any shirt at all. We both were bruised up pretty good, tired and having trouble hearing. Upon starting up the car to leave this historic night behind us, we both agreed, WE LOVED IT.
It is so refreshing, extremely comforting, to know that there are factually dozens of Heavy Metal and Hard Rock bands that MATTER, bashing out their new releases and touring, since the 1970’s and in some instances, the late 1960’s!! So much for critics who cite “shelf life” of Heavy Metal. There are so many legendary Heavy Metal bands out there that are in their 3rd or 4th decade of championing the flag of Metal for all of us Metalheads. I hereby SALUTE the following list of legendary and historical bands that were/still are instrumental in shaping and defining the world of METAL music – as we know it and enjoy it today. I say THANK YOU to these bands! It is my opinion, that these bands are still around today for they are masters of their musical craft. It is my METAL opinion, that each and every one of these bands belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (some bands on this list already are there). I may miss some bands that should be on this list, however feel free to comment on those bands who belong on this HEAVY METAL & HARD ROCK list and they shall be added. The criteria I am using is: The band is Heavy Metal or Hard Rock * The band has been around since the late 1960’s or 1970’s and still are performing as a band or members are doing solo careers and/or recording new material – the band is current. Here is the list (in no particular order), enjoy:
“Music Choice” is a 24/7 selection of music channels, covering all genres of music. You get to hear one song after another, non stop. Now, the two “Music Choice” channels that matter the most are Arena Rock and METAL which is uncensored. Kudos to “Music Choice” for having the METAL uncensored! A million METAL high fives for that! The song selection is not controlled by the listener, yet it is cool, for the selection of METAL that is played is vast and varied. You get to see a few still photos of the band or artist that is currently being played. Plus at the bottom of the television screen are nifty facts and anecdotes about the respective band/artist currently playing. It does a Metalhead good to learn new facts and info about their favorite bands. “Music Choice” is so cool, for all I do is turn it on, (to METAL or Arena Rock of course), crank up the volume and go about my business. There are no commercials on “Music Choice” either!!! 
What makes this such a fun thought is this list can change by the day. I guess it always depends on your METAL mood, yet for now, this list of METAL CD’s would make my ears very comfy. Now, would it be fun to be abducted by a UFO, my answer is a solid no. I can easily be satisfied with this list of METAL CD’s while stranded on a remote tropical island. Now, some may ask – would you have the means to listen to these great METAL CD’s while being stranded? My answer is: Yes. I would have a lifetime supply of batteries waiting for me on the remote planet or tropical island where I am stranded. These batteries would power up my portable CD player, which also has headphones.
I revere Metal music, all genres of Metal music at that. I listen to: Power Metal, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, Old School Heavy Metal, Metal, Extreme Metal, Christian Metal, Hair Metal/Glam Metal, Black Metal, Metalcore and any other Metal genre that has not been mentioned in this statement. With that said, I do not buy into, or take part in any arguments of: Which Metal genre is better? Which Metal genre is cooler? My answer to these questions is short and simple: Who cares. I feel, that each Metal genre is unique, holds it’s own musical flavor and attitude, bestows it’s own Metal brilliance and sound. 
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