Archive for the holidays Category

Turkey Day Album Suggestions From Metal Odyssey

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, holidays, metal odyssey, Music, Punk rock, punk rock albums, rock music, rock music news, thanksgiving with tags , , , , , , on November 23, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Happy Thanksgiving America! It’s been a weird 2011 thus far for weather, that is for certain. (I just had to blurt that out). There are many reasons for my being thankful this Thanksgiving. My family, friends, Metal buddies (worldwide) and of course all the bands I listen to and write about I give thanks for. I’ve decided to compile a list of ten “listening suggestions” for anyone who is in need of an album title with “turkey” in it for Thanksgiving.

No, this is not a list of Heavy Metal albums, instead these are diverse titles that I discovered and at times rediscovered while researching for this post. Honestly, how many Heavy Metal albums are out there with the word “turkey” in the title anyways? Hopefully you may find these suggestions beneficial for your turkey festivities. Without further delay, I am very happy to present to you, the following ten turkey album suggestions for your ears:

Terry Lieberstein – Turkey Burps And T-Ball

I dunno. I found this album cover and it looks kinda fun. Um, it may be geared towards toddlers I would imagine. Then again, any politician out there should find this as a listening adventure for it’s slightly above their intellect.

John Lee Hooker Jr. – Live In Istanbul Turkey

A multi-grammy nominee and son of the legendary/late John Lee Hooker. This album looks pretty cool. I don’t own it nor have I listened to it… and I’m sure I’ll track it down eventually.

100 Miles Per Hour – Backsliding Turkey Kuts

I have no idea. If someone does know, please share your knowledge on this mystery album. If you like to experience Turkey Day in the fast lane, this seems to be a logical choice.

The Arrogant Worms – Christmas Turkey

A musical comedy trio from Canada are The Arrogant Worms. Apparently they parody music genres too. Sounds like a cool party to me.

Wild Turkey – Battle Hymn

Formed back in 1971 by former Jethro Tull bassist Glenn Cornick. Last I checked, Wild Turkey is still around too. By the way, any Wild Turkey album shall suffice as a suggestion. Drinking some Wild Turkey on Turkey Day is always another option.

Dre Towey with Sugar On Top – Turkey Bop

Once again, I dunno. Well, if you like turkey and want to bop, then I strongly urge you to give this one a serious listen. Metal be thy name.

Julia Marvel – The Turkey Sessions

Um, whatever. Is this a spoken word CD? A band? Stop the presses! I do know what “The Turkey Sessions” is all about! This is about the recent Deficit Reduction Committee! You know, those scholarly & economic versed politicians who were overpaid to find ways to cut U.S. government spending… and they accomplished… TURKEY!

National Lampoon – Gold Turkey (Radio Hour/Greatest Hits)

Obviously this album’s title sums up what you are going to hear. Comedy I imagine. Gold Turkey quality too. It must be pretty decent, as I have always enjoyed the National Lampoon movies over the years.

The Turkeys – Every Night’s The Same

This is the debut album from The Turkeys. The genre is Rock Americana. The Turkeys style: Bluegrass, Folk Rock and Blues. This album was released in 2007. That’s it, no more gravy about The Turkeys. I’ve given you enough information already and don’t want to spoil your turkey surprise.

BEKI BONDAGE – COLD TURKEY

All right now. Now we’re talking. Finally a suggestion I feel psyched about. I guess I’ve saved the best for last here. Beki Bondage and her solo album released in 2000: Cold Turkey. This album boasts 13 cover songs, from Thin Lizzy (The Boys Are Back In Town) to Nirvana (Smells Like Teen Spirit). Beki knows a thing or two about Rock ‘N Roll & Punk Rock. Take my Metal word for it…  the legendary Beki Bondage ROCKS. Beki is the singer, songwriter, guitarist and founding member for Vice Squad.

* For more info on Beki Bondage, click the link below:

BEKI BONDAGE – facebook

LONG LIVE THANKSGIVING.

LONG LIVE BEKI BONDAGE.

Stone.

Some Music Suggestions For a Hard Rockin’ and Headbangin’ Valentines Day!

Posted in classic rock, Hair Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, holidays, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 14, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

What would Valentines Day be without some KISS – Lick It Up?

Happy Valentines Day to all! Even if you despise Valentines Day, Metal Odyssey is still wishing you a terrific day. To make your Valentines Day all the more enjoyable, here are some helpful music listening suggestions that kinda goes with the Valentines Day flow… I think you’ll see and hear what I mean! Enjoy these suggestions… and if you don’t like ’em, just don’t seek ’em out and listen to ’em. It’s that easy!

Just the name alone is good enough with Ann and Nancy Wilson’s band! I LOVE Heart. As a bonus, their 1978 studio album Magazine has a 100% pure Classic Rock song titled: Heartless. Oh, by the way, Heart should be inducted into that, um, Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. Did I say I LOVE Heart?

Hey, it’s KISS again! C’mon, just their name alone is associated with that four letter word we know as… love. This 1977 album is titled Love Gun for Metal sakes too! Just listen to these Klassic KISS songs on Love Gun and you might be falling in love all over again while your banging thy head: Love Gun, I Stole Your Love, Got Love For Sale and Then She Kissed Me. I’ll let all your minds wander with Plaster Caster.

A Classic Rock album that bumps and thumps and never loses that Texas groovin’ boogie beat! ZZ Top released Eliminator back in 1983 and it has never lost it’s Rock ‘n’ Roll luster with Stone. You might not want to give your Valentine any TV Dinners, just become a Sharp Dressed Man and take your gal out somewhere nice. At the end of the night ask her: Gimme All Your Lovin.

Lita Ford has made some lovin’ filled songs throughout her legendary Heavy Metal career. Her 1988 self-titled and third studio album boasts some songs that are sure to spark some Valentines Day thoughts… no matter how melancholy or gray they may be. Kiss Me Deadly, Can’t Catch Me, Falling In and Out of Love and Fatal Passion are all on this Lita album.

To say this 1990 debut and self-titled album from Steelheart is love infested is a Metal understatement. Just take a Metal listen to these songs on this album and you might get all soft inside while you try to bang thy head: Love Ain’t Easy, Can’t Stop Me Lovin’ You, I’ll Never Let You Go and Everybody Loves Eileen. Gee Metal whiz… I’m getting all soft inside while I write these songs down. I really like this band and album too.

Yes, Rainbow. This band for all intents and Metal purposes ROCKED my world then… and they ROCK my world now. The Very Best Of Rainbow was released back in 1997 and has one of many classics they created – Jealous Lover. Joe Lynn Turner is the vocalist on Jealous Lover. I swear I can listen to this song 100 times in a row and still want to listen to it 100 times more. Did I say Ritchie Blackmore rules?

Bullet For My Valentine. This band is HUGE in Stone’s Metal world. Scream Aim Fire is the second studio album from this Welsh Metal Band and it is worth owning if you like your Metal laced with melodic heaviness. This is an album of SONGS… and one of these fabulous songs is: Hearts Burst Into Fire. Whoa, this song is very, very, incredibly memorable to my Metal mind. I always tell myself that I sing this song really cool. No, I won’t sing it for you.

This list would be useless without the late and ultra-legendary Ronnie James Dio being on it. Holy Diver was released back in 1983, being the debut DIO album too. I have come to the Metal conclusion that Holy Diver is one of the greatest Heavy Metal albums of all time… and one of the greatest albums in Rock history. Straight Through The Heart is my Valentine pick off of this album. ‘Nuff said.

Oh yes… Rod Stewart. Rock Legend. This was Rod Stewart when he ROCKED! Admittedly, Rod the Mod’s easy listening stuff isn’t the end of the world to my ears. I would pay to see Rod Stewart sing from his Great American Songbook live in 2011. However, I’ll take the Hard Rockin’ Rod Stewart over his present day crooning any day of the week.

Back in 1978 I would try all day long to pull in Do Ya Think I’m Sexy on the radio. I would do that. What was wrong with me you query? Absolutely nothing… I really dug this song and still do. Another “love” song on this Blondes Have More Fun album is – Ain’t Love A Bitch. Throw in the fact that the legendary Carmine Appice plays drums on this album and it’s a Classic Rock keeper.

Oops… it’s KISS again! Rock And Roll Over is the fifth studio album from KISS, released during the U.S. Bicentennial Year of 1976. What more can be said about a KISS Klassic such as this? Calling Dr. Love, I Want You, Take Me, Love ‘Em and Leave ‘Em and Makin’ Love are all here. Um, I’ll let your mind wander once more with Ladies Room.

LONG LIVE VALENTINES DAY.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY, NILLA.

Stone.

Happy METAL New Year From Metal Odyssey!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, holidays, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 1, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

2011 is HERE! Metal Odyssey wants to extend a very LOUD: Happy METAL New Year to ALL! A very special THANK YOU goes out to each and every visitor to Metal Odyssey this past year… without the fans of the Metal and music that is covered here, it would not be the same. THANK YOU to all the regular visitors and subscribers to Metal Odyssey… your comments are extremely appreciated!

Another very special THANK YOU goes out to ALL the bands and musicians that are covered here on Metal Odyssey, without them, there is no Metal Odyssey! Every band that I interviewed this past year gets a horns up and a THANK YOU as well! Below is a Thank You list going out to those who made 2010 very memorable, insightful and helpful for me and Metal Odyssey… um, THANK YOU!

THANK YOU:

To my beautiful wife for her graphics and technical support, not to mention ALL of her support for everything!

To my twin daughters for listening to all the Metal in the house and giving their Metal two cents about what they hear! Yes girls, KISS was around when daddy was a little boy.

To Rob Rockitt at HARD ROCK HIDEOUT for allowing me to interview more Rock ‘N’ Roll stars than I could ever imagine! Whoa… HELL YEAH! Metal be thy name.

To Best Metal Buddy Scott Coverdale, his Hard Rock and Metal research sometimes amazes me… and really plays a key Metal role in getting a story or review straight!

To Greg Hampton of The New Czars, who allowed Metal Odyssey the privilege of “World Premiering” his cover song of the Jimi Hendrix classic – Hey Joe. It was a true Metal honor, Greg, you’re a class act. Check it out: 

To Kev Moore of BC Sweet and Christie, who is a Rockin’ gentleman and class act of Rock ‘N’ Roll!

To Eski of Morphine Killer, his post contributions to Metal Odyssey this past year are immensely appreciated!

To IRON MAIDEN for still creating METAL! The Final Frontier is Metal Odyssey’s #1 Album Cover Art Of 2010!

To the SCORPIONS for giving me a lifetime of music that I’ll cherish forever.

To OVERKILL for the unbelievable consistency of unreal-great Thrash over the decades.

To DORO, the “Queen Of Heavy Metal”.

To Morgan Lander of KITTIE, the “Queen Of Extreme Metal”.

To Metal Mark Heavy Metal Time Machine at  and Kinger at Demolish Fanzine – 1980’s Heavy Metal Revival. Their correspondence is Metal appreciated!

To Ryo Vie at The Rock and Roll Guru, um, sudden U-turns are… METAL.

To Sean over at THE METAL FILES, THANK YOU for writing the best damn “personal account” stories of concerts, life as a Metalhead and Rock ‘N’ Roll! Now… keep those forks away from your eyeballs!

To Steve at Heavy Metal Addiction for rallying a bunch of us Hard Rock and Metal lovin’ dudes to post our “Best Of” lists throughout the holiday season!

To Brian Basher at hardrocknights.com, keep Rockin’ Metal Buddy!

To all the PR and record companies that put their trust in what Metal Odyssey had to say this past year… you guys ROCK! No, you guys F’N ROCK!

To all the up and coming bands that find me and seek out my opinion on their music… horns up to all of you Metal Muthas!

To M3 Rock Festival!

To my Metal Buddies at the South Mall f.y.e. – your all the best!

To All fellow Rock, Hard Rock and Metal bloggers, you all keep the Rock ‘N’ Roll flame burning! ROCK STEADY to all of you!

To all those I may have missed… I didn’t miss thanking you after all: THANK YOU!

BRING ON 2011 AND… LET THERE BE ROCK!

METAL ODYSSEY IS REVVED UP AND METAL READY!

METAL BE THY NAME.

“THE SPIRIT OF ROCK WILL NEVER DIE” – SCORPIONS

“Thank You Klaus!”

Stone.

Chuck Berry “Run Rudolph Run” – 1958 Christmas Classic Revisited

Posted in holiday songs, holidays, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on December 5, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

CHUCK BERRY – As I was dining today, with the family, at our local Cracker Barrel Country Store and Restaurant, I overheard an all-time favorite Christmas song of mine – Run Rudolph Run, recorded by the ultra legendary Chuck Berry. It’s always a cool thing when a restaurant plays background music that isn’t lame and puts you to tears. While I feasted on some of the best fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes that Stone could ever ask for, Run Rudolph Run just put me in a fine holiday mood.

Kudos to this Cracker Barrel franchise that has a location in the cozy town of Fogelsville, Pennsylvania. Usually the “other” big name franchise restaurants serve you cold food or pricey dinners that taste like they came straight from the microwave. This isn’t the case with Cracker Barrel, just good and tasty food from a menu where you can identify what your ordering.

Well, back to Chuck Berry and Run Rudolph Run. Upon my Metal research, I’ve discovered that this classic song was written by Johnny Marks and Marvin Brodie and published by St. Nicholas Music (ASCAP). Chuck Berry made Run Rudolph Run famous, and his vocals to this day can never be copied, nor can anyone seem to come even light years close, in my Metal opinion. Chuck Berry is one of a kind.

Run Rudolph Run was released on Chess 1714 (Records) back in 1958. Run Rudolph Run was the “B” side to Merry Christmas Baby, another Chuck Berry classic. Take a look below to see what the 45rpm looks like:

Apparently, Run Rudolph Run peaked at #69 on The Billboard Hot 100, back in 1958. Gee Metal whiz, I would have thought it charted higher than that! Nonetheless, this terrific Chuck Berry song will forever be a favorite of mine… all year long too.

* I did locate which Chuck Berry CD you can find Run Rudolph Run on, it is on Chuck Berry – Rock’n Roll Rarities. (See image at top of post). There are 20 Chuck Berry Rock ‘N’ Roll Classics on this CD, with Run Rudolph Run being track #15. Of course, you don’t have to buy the entire Chuck Berry CD to own this song, Run Rudolph Run is sold as an individual mp3 on most “popular” music store websites.

* I’m certain there are scores of other Chuck Berry “Best Of” and other Rock ‘N’ Roll compilation CD’s out there that have Run Rudolph Run included as a song. I used this particular Chuck Berry CD as a specific example… plus it really is a solid compilation of his songs, some not so well known too.

* Chuck Berry was inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1986.

* For more info on Chuck Berry, click here: Chuck Berry – Official Website

LONG LIVE CHUCK BERRY AND HIS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL.

CHUCK BERRY… A TRUE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PIONEER.

Stone.

Turkey Fart Public Awareness Announcement From Metal Odyssey

Posted in current events, current news, family, feel good stories, food, holidays, humor, rock music, travel with tags , , , , , , , , , , on November 23, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

CAUTION: Turkey Farts are an extreme public safety concern, when inhaled in a confined living room, with no air circulation, amongst a large gathering of relatives, friends and/or total strangers that ate like famished farm goats on Thanksgiving Day. Do not light a match or lighter in this extreme situation either, Turkey Farts are incredibly flammable. Any door marked “bathroom” within a Thanksgiving feast setting should also be avoided… unless you are equipped with a certified industrial gas mask.

* LOWER DWELLING EVACUATION PROCEDURES:

*NEVER move to a higher level of the house/apartment to escape a Turkey Fart… as with all nasty farts, they are fueled by excessive heat which only makes them rise farther into the air. Survivors of Turkey Fart inhalation will tell you, move to lower ground and make certain you bring enough beer with you. Beer Farts are not known to be as toxic as a Turkey Fart, therefore, the Beer Fart is the lesser of two evils.

* NOTE: You can escape a Turkey Fart by going outside; only the NFL games, assorted pastry, party platters, cheese, crackers and refreshments are all readily available… inside your own/hosts dwelling. Also, it is not far fetched to walk/run into an invading “Turkey Fart Thunder Cloud” from another neighborhood dwelling that is engulfing an entire street or city block… that is a whole other Turkey Fart nightmare for another day. Instead, be wise and refer back to  “lower dwelling evacuation procedures.”

* WARNING SIGNS OF POTENTIAL TURKEY FART OUTBURSTS:

In the extreme event you begin to hear a relative/friend/stranger utter: “gobble, gobble”, they are experiencing what is known as Turkey Fart hallucination. Get as far away from this person as you can! This is a tell tale sign that this Turkey glutton has eaten more turkey than their body can handle, resulting in toxic Turkey Fart emissions.

* Stay clear from any relative or immediate family member who exclaims upon finishing their Thanksgiving meal: “gosh, all I want to do right about now is lie down.” This person is a carrier of  Turkey Fart fever! Within 2 to 4 minutes, this dangerous individual will be letting loose Turkey Farts so potent and bizarreyou will wish you were standing in the middle of the Arctic Circle… with some cold beer and Black Metal blasting, of course.

Keep it safe this Thanksgiving and beware of Turkey Farts.

If you or someone you know, is a Turkey Fart inhalation survivor, please feel free to comment about it. Letting your story be heard, is the first step towards defeating your Turkey Fart anxiety.

Stone.

4th Of July 2010 – Some Rock ‘N’ Roll Songs To Celebrate Independence Day!

Posted in american holidays, classic rock, classic rock music, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, holidays, metal odyssey, Music, patriotic music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 4, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MANOWAR – Warriors Of  The World (2002)

July 4th, 2010 – Independence Day: Happy Birthday U.S.A.! On July 4th, 1776, The United States of America declared independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, adopting the Declaration of Independence. What better way to celebrate July 4th, by listening to some patriotic Rock ‘N’ Roll songs that embody the spirit of America? Plus, I make no apologies to all of the Hollywood deadpans and political deadbeats that will be most offended by celebrating America, through song, on the 4th of July. For the rest of us Patriotic Americans out there… enjoy this list of songs that you might just crank up LOUD on this July 4th holiday!

Bruce Springsteen – Born In The U.S.A. (1984)

Grand Funk Railroad – We’re An American Band (1973)

The Charlie Daniels Band – In America (1980)

James Brown – Living In America (1985)

Helix – The Kids Are All Shakin’ (1985)

Kansas – Song For America (1975)

Billy Joel – Allentown (1982)

Ace Frehley – New York Groove (1978)

W.A.S.P. – Blind In Texas (1985)

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Stone.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY AMERICA! PLUS A MEMORIAL DAY ALBUM RECOMMENDATION!

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, holidays, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 31, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Metal Odyssey extends a LOUD & PROUD – Happy Memorial Day to The United States of America!! I give unreal thank you’s to all of the Armed Forces of yesterday, to all those brave men and women who fought and/or gave their lives for democracy and protected the great country of America. The current Armed Forces of brave men and women do not go unnoticed here at Metal Odyssey either… thank you for giving up so much of your selves to make certain The United States of America remains a free and protected country. I also thank each and every member of my extended family, who served in the Armed Forces, both past and present. God Bless all of you.

Here is a Metal Odyssey – Metal listening recommendation for your Memorial Day and beyond!

QUEENSRYCHE – AMERICAN SOLDIER

Released on March 31, 2009 on Rhino Records.

This album is an incredibly patriotic listen… Queensryche created a great one here.

You can check out my review I posted for Queensryche – American Soldier, back on April 3, 2009. Just click that really cool and big link below to read all about American Soldier.

Queensryche “American Soldier” is Metal that honors those who serve.

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

Stone.

HAPPY EASTER FROM METAL ODYSSEY!

Posted in 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's rock bands, 1970's rock music, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, family, holidays, life, living, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 4, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Happy Easter to all who celebrate this holiday, which represents a renewed inspiration and spirit for life, love, peace and happiness! Spring is the season where all the trees, shrubs, plants, weeds and the grass becomes green once again, (if you live in the cold parts of the world that is). Spring is a time to start anew and put into action every detail and/or project I’ve been wanting to accomplish. The best part of Spring is the warmer weather… for us folks who live in the “Winter States” and/or cold regions of the world, it’s an unreal reprieve!

* An extra special Happy Easter goes out to all of my family and friends… you all know who you are!

One of my favorite bands of my entire living life has been: The Electric Light Orchestra. Mr. Blue Sky from their Out Of The Blue album, (released in 1977), makes for a perfect song to applaud Spring’s arrival and this Easter weekend… with the weather where I live being gem perfect!

If you like to hear this ELO classic, Mr. Blue Sky, just click that magic box below!

LONG LIVE THE MUSIC OF ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA!

Spring reminds me of all the good that is in my life. (Hello family, friends and Rock and Roll). It also reminds me not to sweat the small and ridiculous stuff. ELO has always grounded me, giving my musical soul that positive jump start it needs from time to time.

Stone.

QUEEN – “THE GAME” MADE 1980 A YEAR I’LL ALWAYS REMEMBER

Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's rock bands, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's rock albums, 1980's rock music, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock albums, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's classic rock songs, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's hard rock songs, 1980's rock bands, 1990's rock bands, 1990's hard rock bands, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, family, feel good stories, hard rock bands, hard rock music, holidays, metal odyssey, Music, people, personal stories, real life experiences, Rock, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music history with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 22, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

QUEEN – I can remember like it was yesterday, it was 1980 and I wanted so badly, as a Christmas gift from my Mom and Dad, Queen’s The Game album. I can recite what and how many albums I received as gifts from my parents when I was young, due to the fact that I so deeply appreciated each one. While growing up, my family may not have been “rich” with money, instead we were pretty “rich” with love. As a young dude, I never expected more than one album as a gift from my parents, with each passing Christmas and birthday. Receiving an album a few times during the year, as a thank you for helping out around the house and yard, was reality as well. Therefore, that “one” album at Christmas held some weight… and each album gift was always one of my choices that I made known to anyone who would listen.

1980 came upon me as a breakout year in my life… for I finally broke out of eight years of parochial school. (A Catholic School). I was now an official high school student… enrolled as a freshman. My Rock and Roll taste buds were changing by the week it seemed… so many bands I was hearing on the FM dial, still, so little funds to buy them.

When Christmas of 1980 finally rolled around, I was anxious as to whether or not an album would be under the tree at all. If there was an album, which one would it be? I had jotted down just about every KISS album on that wish list back in 1980, save for Double Platinum and Dynasty, which I already owned. I remember putting Queen’s The Game down on my wish list, I needed a real Queen album and this one would be as good as any. All I did own of Queen at this time in my life was the 45 rpm of We Will Rock You/We Are The ChampionsCrazy Little Thing Called Love and Another One Bites The Dust were enormous hits for Queen on the FM dial in 1980. Each time I heard these two songs back then, it felt like Rock and Roll magic in my brain.

Once I heard these next two songs from this powerful Queen album, I was literally covered in ostrich bumps: Play The Game and Need Your Loving Tonight. The Hartford, Connecticut FM stations were very cool back in the late ’70’s on through the ’80’s, their spinning these deeper album cuts from The Game only made it more clear to me, that I absolutely needed this album! Listening to the song Play The Game made me feel like I was walking on air. It still does have that affect on me. Sure, Another One Bites The Dust has been overused commercially over the decades, I do understand. This entire Queen album still makes me feel more powerful than I really am… it’s as if it lifts me up and puts the troubles of the day below my feet.

I did see a wrapped album under the Christmas tree, that Christmas morning back in 1980 and it had my name on the tag. It was from Mom and Dad. Once the wrapping was taken off, (gently I might add, as not to damage a cool album), my eyes widened as big as Pennsylvania Dutch pancakes on a Saturday morning. Queen. The Game. In my hands, the entire album. Yes, I played it on my turntable every day during my freshman year in high school. Back in 1980, hearing the song Dragon Attack was a quick study in Hard Rock 101 for me.

This Queen album, single handedly inspired me as a high school freshman, in ways that I cannot even explain. The operatic and prolific vocals of the late and ultra legendary Freddie Mercury, the ever distinguishable guitar tone of Brian May and the rhythm being solidly accented by John Deacon on bass and Roger Taylor on drums. A Rock album for the ages was and still is – The Game.

LONG LIVE QUEEN. REST PEACEFULLY, FREDDIE MERCURY.

Stone.

TWISTED SISTER – “A TWISTED CHRISTMAS” IS A HEAVY METAL HOLIDAY MUST LISTEN!

Posted in 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, Album Review, christmas, christmas albums, christmas rock albums, christmas rock songs, christmas songs, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal christmas albums, heavy metal christmas songs, heavy metal music, heavy metal vocalists, holiday songs, holidays, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal bands, rock music, rock vocalists with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 4, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

This is by far, my favorite Christmas album ever. Twisted Sister A Twisted Christmas is not just a standard, run of the mill Heavy Metal Christmas album. These are 10 Christmas songs that are truly played with spirited enthusiasm and high energy by Twisted Sister. Dee Snider really sings his heart out, honestly giving a tremendous effort especially on O Come All Ye Faithful and I’ll Be Home For Christmas. Dee Snider sings every verse, of each song, in eloquent fashion, accentuating the lyrics when the song dictates. (Hey, I’m not saying that Dee Snider is Frank Sinatra here, just that he really sings great on this album). The music is what you would come to expect, in Twisted Sister/Heavy Metal fashion. Lita Ford appears on vocals alongside Dee Snider on I’ll Be Home For Christmas, this song is played and sung so well that it is an instant natural high for me. My twin daughters, (they are ten years old), told me the other day, that this Twisted Sister album really gets them in the Christmas spirit too… and that is without my prodding or asking them their opinion on it. To have a Christmas tradition with my daughters, that involves Twisted Sister, well, quite frankly it makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

Twisted Sister puts their original sound and Heavy Metal flavor to these songs, yet they do this with the upmost class. These classic Christmas songs are treated here with respect by Twisted Sister and in my Metal opinion, have made a Heavy Metal Christmas classic. I can honestly say that this album puts me in the Christmas spirit, it has now become an annual listen starting at the beginning of November! You absolutely, positively, cannot serve yourself wrong by purchasing or giving a listen to A Twisted Christmas. You most certainly will be missing out on a good time, Heavy Metal, Twisted Christmas celebration – if you don’t check this album out.

A quick Metal Odyssey note: Dee Snider is a true American Heavy Metal Hero.

A second quick Metal Odyssey note: A Twisted Christmas was released on October 17, 2006.

Oops, one more quick Metal Odyssey note: Merry Heavy Metal Christmas to the PMRC!

What I’m Thankful For This Thanksgiving of 2009

Posted in 1950's rock and roll bands, 1958 rock and roll albums, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, cool album covers, everyday people, everyday social experiences, family, family pets, feel good stories, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, holidays, humor, life, life stories, lists, living, metal odyssey, Music, people, personal stories, punk rock music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, sports with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 26, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Happy Thanksgiving to all from Metal Odyssey. Yes, I will eat whatever the heck I feel like eating today, plus the quantity of food I eat is my own personal business too. To all the people who watch what other people eat and tell others how and what to eat… go eat rice cakes today and stare at yourselves in the mirror, you artificial and pompous fools.

I am thankful for:

My incredible wife and beautiful twin daughters… and our new cat toby.

My courageous and strong father.

My Mother and Father In-Law

Nonny

My sister and brother in-law and their two daughters. (And their dog too).

My Best Metal Buddy Scott and his fine family.

My sister is in Heaven and I am thankful for her son and daughter.

My mother is in Heaven too… I am thankful for all the love and memories.

My faith, God and all of the guardian angels who have worked overtime for me and my family.

For all my cousins, aunts and uncles who are the good ones. In other words, the ones who are not self absorbed in their own minds, non materialistic and know I still exist.

Good friends and helpful neighbors.

My country – The United States of America, The Land of the Free… I hope and pray it stays this way.

Armed Forces of The United States of America – these men and women in uniform protect us all every minute of every day.

Rock and Roll – especially Heavy Metal and all of it’s genres.

Punk Rock

Motorhead, Misfits, W.A.S.P. and Slayermy top four.

Lynyrd Skynyrd and their 2009 album – God & Guns

Cheap Trick and ELO

Anthony Bourdain and No Reservations

Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures

World Champion New York Yankees and the New York Giants

Planet Earth… the best and only planet we can all live on. If only we all could get along…

I’m very thankful for being introduced to this album by The Everly Brothers, (Don and Phil Everly), as a child. My mother had this album and it was my first introduction to the amazing world of Rock and Roll. This 1958 album was a true enjoyment and will forever be an unreal lifetime memory.

I’m extra thankful for being alive to be thankful for all of the above.