I am blown away by this new Thrash Metal band that call themselves – Lazarus A.D. – really blown away. This is not cookie cutter Thrash, nor is this band a bunch of Thrash wannabes either. Lazarus A.D. is for real. These dudes can play Thrash… with no cutting corners, just plain great – in your face – Thrash Metal. I read all of the articles and reviews I could get my Metal hands on regarding this band. Now, I have my hands on their debut release “The Onslaught”, (released March 3, 2009), the contents of this CD is ten tracks of unrelenting, intense and fired up Thrash. I am extremely Metal happy that a young Thrash band like Lazarus A.D. sounds and plays this good. I always say… we veteran Metalheads can never have enough younger bands to carry on the Metal tradition – the more new Heavy and/or Extreme bands, the better! I liken this band to being a throwback, to the days when Thrash Metal was felt, not just heard.
“Damnation For The Weak” stands out for me, with the gang vocals making quite the Metal impression. The lyrics are cool, this very well may become the trademark tune for Lazarus A.D., (just my Metal opinion). This album is riff infested, with enough solos to satisfy my Thrash appetite. The songs are not outrageously long, with only one tune over five minutes long, “Revolution”, clocking in at 5:05. With the opening track of “Last Breath”, it really defines the Thrash attack Lazaraus A.D. will take you on… you will need every last breath one time through this album. (I tend to do quite a bit of air drumming, therefore I did feel a tad exhausted after my first listen). No, I am not embarrassed to tell anyone that I air drum to Metal. It seems just about everyone does the air guitar gig, so I chose air drums a very long time ago. Ryan Shutle on drums does a punishing number on the skins, I can only imagine how much more insane he will play as this band grows. Jeff Paulick on lead vocals and bass is a sliver reminiscent vocally, of the legendary James Hetfield (of Metallica fame, for those who have been living on Saturn the last three decades), (man, I guess I am really dishing out the compliments to these guys).
Overall, I find all ten tracks to be solid, current, with a nod to Old School, Thrash Metal. I took a Metal gamble by buying this CD without hearing more than one tune first… the Metal gamble has paid off. Last year, (2008), I was giving off a big Metal grin for the young dudes of Black Tide… I like that band for sure… Lazarus A.D. however, is a noticeable notch heavier with the Thrash assault. Lazarus A.D. is currently touring with/opening for Unearth and the invincible Thrash Metal titans… Testament, through June 2009. Not too shabby to have this gig, huh? It also seems fitting that Lazarus A.D. is on Metal Blade Records, this legendary record label knows it’s Thrash Metal. Metal Blade Records was instrumental in defining Thrash Metal decades ago… they still are. By now, you probably realize that I highly recommend Lazarus A.D. “The Onslaught” to the entire Metal community. This is an album that will be on my hot list for a very long time.
Here is a Metal roll call of the entire Lazarus A.D. band: Jeff Paulick on lead vocals and bass, Dan Gapen on lead guitar and backing vocals, Alex Lackner on guitar and Ryan Shutle on drums.
I was extremely lucky enough to see Cliff Burton, the late bass playing legend for Metallica, at two live gigs in 1986. The first live experience I had seeing Metallica with Cliff Burton was in a large club setting, (The West Hartford Ballroom, West Hartford, Connecticut). Metal Church opened for Metallica, what a night. The second live gig I experienced seeing Cliff Burton was a rather very large gig. Metallica opened for none other than – Ozzy Osbourne! This exciting concert took place at the New Haven Coliseum, New Haven, Connecticut). (During 1986, Metallica was touring in support of their album “Master of Puppets” and Ozzy Osbourne was touring in support of his album “The Ultimate Sin”) My Metal memory cannot recall the exact dates of these shows, yet they both occurred in the brutally cold Winter months of 1986!
Well, here I am, continuing my research and very own and personal Metal journey of deciding what the greatest Metal album of all time is. As with the past 3 lists that I have compiled, these lists are nominees only, in no particular order. Plus, a point I need to make is, it would be “fun” and “cool” to add every Metallica, every Led Zeppelin album ever released to these lists, wouldn’t it? I just cannot do that, for I need to keep “some” integrity flowing around here! There will be a few entries from respective Metal bands however, only due to their enormous impact on the evolution and culture of Heavy Metal. I should not be too far away from “finishing” these lists, I cannot wait to see what Metal album I choose as the greatest ever! Once I do make that illustrious and personal Metal decision, I will definitely detail the reasons for why I chose that particular Metal album, you bet. Without further delay, here are another 15 classic Metal albums that I nominate for greatest ever:
You know, after writing my last article regarding the greatest Metal album ever, I will refuse to ponder! After sleeping on the thoughts of what makes a Metal album the greatest of all time, I realized that I cannot be a jelly head and not step up and announce what I feel is the greatest Metal album ever created. Patience is a virtue however, I need to continue my research, add more lists of great & legendary Metal albums as nominees, follow my Metal heart and then decide. So, in a Metal nutshell, this topic shall be a series of articles leading up to my personal Metal decision on what Metal album is the greatest of greats. I may have a decision within days, it may take a couple of weeks, I am in no rush to make such an important and personal Metal decision! For once the decision is made, I cannot go back on my Metal word and say – “but” or “I changed my mind” – none of that immaturity will I bestow on the world of my fellow Metalheads out there. Now, without further delay, here is a list of 15 more incredible Metal albums that I have personally nominated to might become the greatest of all time. (There is no importance at this time in regards to the order of this list, these again, are nominees):
Here we go, a “fun” exercise in Heavy Metal debate, one of the more controversial question’s in Metal music history. What Metal band made the greatest Metal album ever? I like to cut to the chase by having this debate as “all inclusive,” meaning every Metal genre get’s involved here. This without doubt, becomes a personal issue for most Metal fans, I can accept that for I take this topic very personal as well. I never like to get caught up with which genre of Metal is better, nor do I like to get childish and say Slipknot is better than… 
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:
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
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