Archive for the Metal Category

On This Day In METAL History – January 10th… And Metal Birthday Salutes To Aynsley Dunbar And Michael Schenker!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Metal, Music, music news, rock music with tags , , , on January 10, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Heart - Tell It Like It Is - promo 45rpm cover sleeve - #1981NAWH

On January 10th, 1981Heart hits #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with their cover of Tell It Like It IsAaron Neville recorded and released the original version of this song, back in 1966. This Heart song is featured on their 1980 album: Greatest Hits/Live.

Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock - promotional header - #1982JHFR

On this day in 1983 – The United States, Canada and the UK launched Fraggle Rock, a worldwide program advocating peace. The late Jim Henson created this live action Muppet television series, involving a society of Muppet creatures called Fraggles. This original series ended on March 30, 1987. Just so you know, the Fraggles are… Metal.

Motley Crue - Shout At The Devil - promo cover pic!!

On January 10th, 1984 – 9,500 fans were in attendance to see Mötley Crüe perform as the opening act on the first leg of Ozzy Osbourne’s Bark At The Moon tour, in Portland, Maine. Mötley Crüe were touring in support of their second studio album: Shout At The Devil. Whoa!

Bon Jovi - The Jersey Syndicate Tour - promo tour program pic - #19753JBJ

On this day in 1990 – On their New Jersey Syndicate TourBon Jovi performed the first of seven sold-out concerts at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, England. Bon Jovi were touring in support of their fourth studio album: New Jersey.

Happy Birthday - promo banner - #2014BD

AYNSLEY DUNBAR

Aynsley Dunbar - Modern Drummer - promo magazine cover - #330AD

Born on January 10th, 1946 was Aynsley Dunbar. Happy birthday, Aynsley! Yeah! Aynsley Dunbar is famously known as being a world-class drummer. Aynsley Dunbar is a former member and/or session drummer for Aynsley Dunbar’s RetaliationJourneyJohn Lennon, David BowieJefferson Starship, Frank Zappa, Jeff BeckWhitesnake, Lou Reed, Pat Travers and UFO, among many others. Long live Aynsley Dunbar!

Happy Birthday - promo banner - #2014BD

MICHAEL SCHENKER

Michael Schenker - The Story Of Michael Schenker - promo cover pic - #2004MSG

Born on January 10th, 1955 was Michael Schenker. Happy birthday, Michael! Whoa! Michael Schenker is an influential world-class guitarist and famously known as a former member of Scorpions and UFO. Michael Schenker has also achieved a highly successful solo career, with his bands Michael Schenker Group and McAuley Schenker Group, along with the early 90’s supergroup: Contraband. Long live Michael Schenker!

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Stone - 2011 Photo #1

LONG LIVE METAL.

LONG LIVE THE ROOTS & FAMILY TREE OF METAL.

Stone.

On This Day In METAL History – January 9th… And METAL Birthday Salutes To Jimmy Page And Phil Lewis!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Metal, music news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on January 9, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

KISS - Creatures Of The Night - promo album cover pic - #1982GSEC

On January 9th, 1983KISS performed at the University Of Dayton Arena. KISS were touring in support of their tenth studio album: Creatures Of The Night. This whiz-bang album was released in October of 1982.

Van Halen - 1984 - promo cover pic!

On January 9th, 1984Van Halen released their sixth studio album MCMLXXXIV or what is more commonly written as: 1984. This Van Halen album featured many chart hits as: Jump, Panama, Hot For Teacher and I’ll Wait. Eddie Van Halen also introduced the keyboards as an integral part of this 1984 album. 1984 stands as Van Halen’s best-selling album to date, with 10 million (plus) units sold, per the RIAA. Whoa!

Iron Maiden - Somewhere In Time - promo album cover pic - #1985 SHBD

On January 9th, 1987 – The mighty IRON MAIDEN performed at the Civic Arena, aka The Igloo, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was one of numerous dates on IRON MAIDEN’s Somewhere On Tour. This tour began in September of 1986 and ended in May of 1997. IRON MAIDEN were touring in support of their sixth studio album, released in 1996: Somewhere In Time.

Happy Birthday - promo banner - #2014BD

Jimmy Page - January 2008 - Guitar World - promo cover pic - #33JP

JIMMY PAGE

Born on January 9th, 1944 in England was Jimmy Page. Happy birthday, Jimmy Page! Whoa and yeah! Jimmy Page is famously known as an influential guitarist, songwriter and  founding member of the iconic Led Zeppelin. ‘Nuff said!

Jimmy Page was also a member of The Yardbirds, The Firm and collaborated with David Coverdale and Robert Plant on respective studio albums. Led Zeppelin was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1995 and presented by Aerosmith. The Yardbirds were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1992. Long live Jimmy Page!

Happy Birthday - promo banner - #2014BD

LA Guns - CD cover promo pic - #2011PL

Above: Phil Lewis, shown in center, circa late 80’s photo.

PHIL LEWIS

Born in England on January 9th, 1957 was Phil Lewis. Happy birthday, Phil Lewis! Hell, yeah! Phil Lewis is famously known as the lead singer for the Hard Rock band: L.A. Guns. Phil Lewis also was a co-founding member, songwriter and lead singer for the English Hard Rock band: Girl.

Phil Collen (guitarist of Def Leppard fame) was also a co-founding member of Girl. A true Glam and Sleaze Rock influence and legend is Phil Lewis. Long live Phil Lewis!

Girl - Wasted Youth - promo cover pic - Phil Lewis - #1982PL

Above: Girl Wasted Youth album cover, from 1982.

____________________________

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE METAL.

LONG LIVE THE ROOTS & FAMILY TREE OF METAL.

Stone.

UFO – Releasing New Studio Album “A Conspiracy Of Stars” On February 23rd In Europe; European Tour Starts In February

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Metal, music news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on January 8, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

UFO - A Conspiracy Of Stars - promo album cover pic - #2015PMVM

As reported on the UFO website:

A CONSPIRACY OF STARS

It’s official at last: 23 February 2015 will see the European release (Germany: 20 February 2015 / USA: 3 March 2015) of the latest studio recording by British rock legend UFO, their 22nd to date.

The album will be called A Conspiracy Of Stars, and the band consisting of Phil Mogg (vocals), Paul Raymond (keyboards, guitar), Vinnie Moore (guitar), Andy Parker (drums) and Rob De Luca (bass) have recorded almost a dozen fantastic new songs, produced and mixed in the Kentish town of Deal, by Chris Tsangarides, renowned for his work with acts such as Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy and Gary Moore. A Conspiracy Of Stars will be available as a Digipak (including poster and bonus track), jewel case, vinyl double LP and for download.

More or less simultaneously with the release, UFO are scheduled to go on tour in February and March 2015, playing Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Switzerland, and more, followed by a tour of Britain and Ireland in April and May.

The band is already looking forward to the reactions to their latest release: “A Conspiracy Of Stars is another successful combination of those typical UFO elements with fresh, contemporary ideas. We’re confident that not only our longstanding supporters will get their money’s worth, but that younger rock fans will also enjoy the album. We look forward to seeing you on tour!”

_____________________________

For more info on UFO and tour dates:

http://www.ufo-music.info/band.htm

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE UFO.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

 

On This Day In METAL History – January 8th…

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Metal, movies, music news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on January 8, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Queen - A Day At The Races - promo cover!

On January 8th, 1977Queen reached #1 on the UK albums chart with their fifth studio album: A Day At The Races. Tie Your Mother Down and Somebody To Love are two hits that are featured on this fabulous album.

RUSH - classic band logo - magenta - #2014GLNPAL

On this day in 1979 – The Canadian Government named RUSH the Official Ambassadors Of Music for Canada. Whoa, man!

Leprechaun - promo movie poster pic - #1991LM

On January 8th, 1993Leprechaun is released to wide-screen theaters, via Trimark Pictures. Leprechaun was written and directed by Mark Jones. Warwick Davis stars as the pissed-off Leprechaun and Jennifer Aniston makes her first appearance in a feature film, as the character of Tory Redding. A vengeful Leprechaun is always gonna be… Metal. The movie’s plot? You may chuckle, however, never F*#K around with a Leprechaun’s pot of gold. Just Saying.

Katatonia - Sounds Of Decay - vinyl - promo pic

On this day in 2014 – It was reported by Nielsen SoundScan that vinyl record sales had increased 32% in 2013 and CD sales declined 14.5% in the same year. Vinyl sales jumped from 4.5 million units sold in 2012 to 6 million units sold in 2013. In other words… vinyl rules! Pictured above is: Katatonia Sounds Of Decay on vinyl.

Led Zeppelin - IV - promo album cover pic - #1971JPRP

On January 8th, 2015Led Zeppelin IV has called the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart home, once again. This iconic studio album is sitting at #97 and has spent 278 non-consecutive weeks on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. Whiz-bang! Led Zeppelin IV was originally released back in November of 1971. Yes, this is a reissue and Stairway To Heaven is on this album. Whoa.

Happy Birthday - promo banner - #2014BD

Ryan Sitkowski - Motionless In White - publicity pic - #2014RSMIW

RYAN SITKOWSKI

On January 8th, 1991, Ryan Sitkowski was born, in Pennsylvania. Happy Birthday, Ryan! Whoa! Ryan Sitkowski is famously known as a longtime member and guitarist for Motionless In White. Motionless In White originates from Scranton, Pennsylvania.

MIW have released two EP’s and three full-length studio albums, with their most recent 2014 studio album: Reincarnate. With a blend of Industrial Metal, Gothic Metal and Metalcore, MIW have steadily risen to the forefront of the Metal community.

Motionless In White - Reincarnate - promo album cover pic - #2014CM

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Stone - 2011 Photo #1

REST IN PEACE, STEVE CLARK.

LONG LIVE METAL.

METAL BE THY NAME.

LONG LIVE THE ROOTS & FAMILY TREE OF METAL.

Stone.

On This Day In METAL History – January 5th…

Posted in classic rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, music news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on January 5, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Led Zeppelin - Alice Cooper - Whiskey a go go - 1969 promo flyer - #69RP

On January 5th, 1969 – During Led Zeppelin’s first North American tour, they played the last of a four night stand at the Whisky A Go-Go in Los Angeles, California. Alice Cooper (band) was the supporting act. At this point in time, Led Zeppelin were billed as: Led Zeppelin Featuring Jimmy Page, Formerly Of The Yardbirds. Whoa!

Sex Pistols - First US Tour - promo flyer - Never Mind The Bollocks

On this day in 1978 – The Sex Pistols made their North American concert debut at the Great Southeast Music Hall, in Atlanta, Georgia. There was an estimated attendance of 500 people.

Iron Maiden - Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter - special edition - promo cover pic - #1991BDSH

On January 5th, 1991 – The great IRON MAIDEN reached #1 on the UK singles chart with: Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter. This song is featured on IRON MAIDEN’s astounding 1991 studio album: No Prayer For The Dying.

____________________________

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE METAL.

LONG LIVE THE ROOTS & FAMILY TREE OF METAL.

Stone.

ENFORCER “From Beyond” – New Studio Album Cover Art And Details

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal music, music news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , on January 5, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Enforcer - From Beyond - promo album cover pic - #2015E

Swedish Heavy Metal act ENFORCER has finished the recordings of their upcoming new album, called From Beyond. This fourth ENFORCER record will contain ten new songs, produced, mixed and mastered by the band on their own.

The album will be out on February 27th (EU), March 2nd (UK) and March 10th (US) of 2015. Pre-sales start today.

Vocalist and guitar player Olof Wikstrand comments: “From Beyond is faster, heavier, louder, darker and more vicious all at the same time without losing a tiny bit of what ENFORCER stand for. A fist in the face of all current trends and a stake through the throat of modernity. Total metal!”

From Beyond will be released on a limited edition digipak, as well as on vinyl in different colors.

 From Beyond – Track List:

  1. Destroyer
  2. Undying Evil
  3. From Beyond
  4. One With Fire
  5. Below The Slumber
  6. Hungry They Will Come
  7. The Banshee
  8. Farewell
  9. Hell Will Follow
  10. Mask Of Red Death

Pre-order From Beyond here: http://smarturl.it/EnforcerFromBeyond

Every sound wave you hear on From Beyond is 100% ENFORCER!

* For more info on ENFORCER:

www.enforcer.se

www.nuclearblast.de/enforcer

____________________________

(Source: Enforcer Facebook)

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE ENFORCER.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

ENSLAVED – NEW ALBUM “IN TIMES” DETAILS ANNOUNCED

Posted in Metal, music news, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , on January 5, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Enslaved - In Times - promo album cover pic - #2015EBM

‘IN TIMES’ will be the title of the thirteenth studio album by Norwegian progressive extreme metallers ENSLAVED. Hand-painted artwork is by long-time collaborating artist and “sixth ENSLAVED member” Truls Espedal. The album will be released on March 6 (Europe) and March 10, 2015 (N. America).

ENSLAVED guitarist & composer Ivar Bjørnson shares the following about the band’s latest creation:

“I was so deep into the songs and ideas for such a long time (or have my head so far up my own a**, if you prefer more direct language) that it is hard to have any ‘opinions’ about them that is anything else than the high-flying mumbo-jumbo of the introvert song-smith. The songs are extensions of my inner and outer life, the thoughts I am aware of having, as well as those that lie too deep to register in everyday consciousness. The songs are the resounds of grandiose altered states and mundane tiny micro-events. In addition, they are, of course, also the result of inspiration from other music and art. I do think this new album is the most consistent body of work we have so far: It incorporates our ‘blacker’ past with our influences from prog rock, our present sense of absolute freedom, and the joy of being in this band, if that makes any sense… Ha, ha, ha. It is higher in energy, more aggressive, yet more beautiful and subtle. It simply sounds inspired.”

Enslaved - Large Logo - B&W

The track listing for IN TIMES is:

01 – Thurisaz Dreaming

02 – Building With Fire

03 – One Thousand Years Of Rain

04 – Nauthir Bleeding

05 – In Times

06 – Daylight

The new album’s total running time is fifty-three minutes.

Main recordings for In Times took place at Duper Studios to Solslottet Studio in Bergen, Norway with additional recordings sessions at Conclave & Earshot Studios (presided over by ENSLAVED members Larsen and Ice Dale), and Ivar Bjørnson’s Peersonal Sound Studios. Additional experimentation and sonic exploration was conducted deep in the woods of Valevåg south of Bergen where a mobile studio recorded additional sounds.

IN TIMES was produced by band members Ivar Bjørnson, Grutle Kjellson & Herbrand Larsen together with Iver Sandøy. Mixing was completed by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden.

____________________________

Source: Enslaved Facebook

* For more info on ENSLAVED:

www.facebook.com/enslaved

www.twitter.com/enslavedband

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE METAL.

LONG LIVE ENSLAVED.

Stone.

On This Day In METAL History – January 4th…

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Metal, music news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on January 4, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Judas Priest - Defenders Of The Faith - promo album cover pic - #1984RHGT

1984 – The thunderous Judas Priest released their ninth studio album: Defenders Of The Faith. Along with the timeless Metal ahem that is the title track, this album includes such song favorites as: Some Heads Are Gonna Roll, Freewheel Burning and Love Bites.

L.A. Guns - promo self-titled album cover pic - #1988LA

Top: front cover, Bottom: CD back cover

L.A. Guns - CD back cover promo pic - #1988TG

1988L.A. GUNS release their full-length and self-titled studio album. On this memorable L.A. GUNS album, Phil Lewis is the vocalist and Tracii Guns is the lead guitarist. A significant album of Hard Rock from the 80’s, indeed.

Journey Greatest Hits - promo album cover - #336SPNS

2015Journey Greatest Hits sits at #94 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. This album has spent a whopping 336 non-consecutive weeks on Billboard’s Top 200! Whoa! Um… maybe Journey should be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, one of these days?

Happy Birthday - promo banner - #2014BD

Rammstein - Metal Hammer - cover promo pic - Feb - 2011

Above: Metal Hammer cover feature (Feb. 2011)

Below: My Rock cover feature (Dec. 2011)

Rammstein - My Rock - promo magazine cover - jan - 2012

TILL LINDEMANN

On January 4th, 1963, Till Lindemann was born in Germany. Happy birthday, Till! Whoa, yeah! Till is world-famously known as the lead vocalist and co-founding member for the German Industrial Metal band: Rammstein. Six critically acclaimed studio album have been released by Rammstein. Long live Till Lindemann!

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Stone - 2011 Photo #1

LONG LIVE METAL.

REST IN PEACE, PETER STEELE.

LONG LIVE THE ROOTS & FAMILY TREE OF METAL.

Stone.

NAZARETH – Band Update For 2015

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on January 4, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Nazareth - promo band banner pic - #2014PA

As written by Pete Agnew (Nazareth bassist and co-founding member) and posted as A Christmas Message on www.nazarethdirect.co.uk:

It’s been a funny kinda year. When we started out in January we weren’t sure if we would be continuing as a band but after playing some rehearsals with Linton —– well you all know what happened.

Because it took some time to put things back together, we didn’t start booking shows until later in the year than we normally do so it ended up with us touring a lot less than previous years.

This won’t be the case in 2015. We still managed to see quite a few of you and were delighted with the reception you gave us. It was always going to be difficult introducing a new singer but we were pleasantly surprised with the reaction to our new guy. He was very, very happy too; as you can imagine he was more than a little nervous taking over the middle mic from Dan.

Anyway, just as we were having a really good time and things were coming together beautifully onstage, Linton contracted a throat virus and we had to end up pulling the second half of our tour. Like I said ‘it’s been a funny kinda year’ and we won’t be sorry to see it end. However, the prospects for next year are looking good and we’re hoping to have a hammering ‘healthy’ start with the UK dates in January.

I’d like to thank you all for the encouragement and good vibes you gave us throughout what was a very trying and important year. With all the ups and downs it was comforting to know you were behind us and we will never forget that. Everyone close to us who works personally with us and makes things happen in any number of different ways have been outstanding this year. We could never thank you enough.

It only remains for me now to wish you all, on behalf of Jimmy, Lee, Linton and myself, a very happy Christmas and peaceful New Year.

Pete

Nazareth - Rock 'N' Roll Telephone - promo album cover pic - #2014PA

Above: cover for Nazareth’s latest album release: Rock ‘N’ Roll Telephone. Release date in USA: June 17th, 2014.

_____________________________

NAZARETH:

Linton Osborne -Vocals
Pete Agnew – Bass
Jimmy Murrison – Guitar
Lee Agnew – Drums

_____________________________

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE NAZARETH.

Stone.

UFOMAMMUT – Completes Seventh Studio Full-Length For Spring Release Via Neurot Recordings

Posted in Metal, metal music, Music, music news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , on January 2, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Ufomammut - promo band pic - #2014UFOM

Photo by: @andreatomas_prato

Italian power trio, UFOMAMMUT, is putting the final details on the band’s anticipated seventh studio full-length in order for the album to see an early Spring 2015 worldwide release, once again through Neurot Recordings. While virtually no specific details on the album are yet to be revealed to the public, the album is fully mixed, mastered and going into production now. The record’s title, release date and much more will be unveiled at the dawn of 2015, and mass album and tour updates will ensue through the rest of the year.

In October, UFOMAMMUT proudly released XV, through the band’s own Supernatural Cat label with support from Neurot, a DVD documenting their intense first fifteen years together. For nearly two years UFOMAMMUT has been working on this special video project delivered through XV‘s more than three hours of footage documenting their vast discography and live accomplishments. The DVD features Magickal Mastery Live, a twelve-song live act, as well as interviews, outtakes, and extras, captured over the past decade and a half.

A mini-documentary sampled from XV is playing at THIS LOCATION, and a video of “Zerosette” from the band’s Godlike Snake debut is playing RIGHT HERE. Orders for the XV DVD can be placed in the US HERE and internationally HERE, and the digital audio version of Magickal Mastery Live only can be ordered HERE.

Additional info on the upcoming album will be released in the coming weeks as UFOMAMMUT prepares to return to North America for their first major tour of the continent in 2015, including a performance at Maryland Deathfest 2015.

UFOMAMMUT Live:

5/21/2015 Maryland Deathfest – Baltimore, MD

_______________________________

(Source: Earsplit PR)

http://www.ufomammut.com

Facebook: UFOMAMMUT

http://www.supernaturalcat.com

http://www.malleusdelic.com

Neurot Recordings - logo - B&W - 2013

http://www.neurotrecordings.com

http://www.facebook.com/neurotrecordings

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE UFOMAMMUT.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

METAL ODYSSEY’S TOP TEN METAL ALBUMS OF 2014

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, music news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on January 2, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Metal Odysseys Top Ten Metal Album Of 2014 - promo block - #2014MO

Metal Odyssey’s Top Ten Metal Albums Of 2014: The Metal album releases during 2014 were abundant and fun to chase down and listen to. As with previous years, I’ve compiled a best of list for Metal albums; only this year it is a Top 10 instead of the annual Top 20. I finally decided to give myself a year off from trying to decide if a #15 Metal album was any better than a #16 Metal album. You know?

A Top 10  this year just seems so right and hopefully one or some of your favorite Metal bands/albums are featured below. These 10 Metal albums gave me the most Metal joy during 2014, standing out from the rest and I cannot be more honest than that. They’re the crème de la crème of 2014 Metal albums for my Metal soul. Of course, I highly and 100% recommend these Top Ten Metal Albums below! Thank you for visiting and supporting Metal Odyssey! Thank you to ALL the bands below for existing! Happy Metal New Year and Metal Be Thy Name! – Stone

Phantom 13 - Out For Blood - promo cover pic - 2014

#10

PHANTOM 13 – OUT FOR BLOOD

PHANTOM 13 fuse Horror Punk and Horror Metal with impeccable style and sound on Out For Blood. Hail PHANTOM 13 and Ohio’s Metal underground!

You can read my full album review for Out For Blood by clicking that fabulous link below. Whoa!

PHANTOM 13 “Out For Blood” – An Album Of Horror Punk/Shock Rock Whoop-Ass!

The above link is for an original Metal Odyssey post from October 13th, 2014.

Laika - Somnia - promo cover pic - 2014

#9

LAIKA – SOMNIA

Canada’s Metal underground is potent and one reason why is: LAIKA. This brilliant band has bestowed upon my Metal soul a non-stop sonic assault of 100% ass kicking Melodic Death Metal. Whoa.

Kreyskull - Tower Witch - promo album cover pic

#8

KREYSKULL – TOWER WITCH

Definitely the most intriguing Metal album that I savored in 2014. KREYSKULL combine clean vocals with a Classic Rock meets Heavy Metal methodology and I’m digging it immensely! This album is so good, I wanna bawl with tears of Metal joy.

Stormwarrior - Thunder & Steel - promo cover pic - 2014

#7

STORMWARRIOR – THUNDER & STEELE

STORMWARRIOR released a most memorable slab of Power Metal/Speed Metal with Thunder & Steele. An early release in 2014, I never let this CD stray too far from me all year. Read my complete album review for Thunder & Steele, by clicking that stunning link below. Whoa!

STORMWARRIOR “Thunder & Steel” – New Studio Album Is A Metal Triumph You Cannot Pass Over In 2014!

The above link is for an original Metal Odyssey post from January 8th, 2014.

Triptykon - Melana Chasmata - promo cover pic - 2014

#6

TRIPTYKON – MELANA CHASMATA

The rough translation for Melana Chasmata is  “black, deep depressions/valleys” and that is absolutely the Metal sound, vibes, mood and feel that I so cherish from this second full-length TRIPTYKON album. Vocalist, guitarist, songwriter and founding member Tom Gabriel Warrior is a Metal icon and rules the Metal underworld.

Electric Wizard - Time To Die - promo cover pic - 2014

#5

ELECTRIC WIZARD – TIME TO DIE

ELECTRIC WIZARD scares the Metal shit out of me and that’s what makes them so endearing to me. This evil album is Doom, Stoner and Horror that reveals the true identity of the world today… and that identity is not very kind towards humankind. ELECTRIC WIZARD have given me much Metal wisdom to ponder…

Hammerfall - Revolution - promo album cover pic - #2014HM

#4

HAMMERFALL – (r)Evolution

What is possibly the best HAMMERFALL album ever, I love everything this album has to offer: soaring and triumphant vocals, dazzling guitars, a booming rhythm section and eloquent keys. HAMMERFALL has never let me down. All Hail HAMMERFALL!!

Rigor Mortis - Slaves To The Grave - 2014 promo album cover - #2014 - #03MA

#3

RIGOR MORTIS – SLAVES TO THE GRAVE

Legends and pioneers of Speed Metal, RIGOR MORTIS have culminated their Metal legacy with Slaves To The Grave. The late Mike Scaccia (founding member, guitarist, songwriter) is an illustrious listen and vocalist Bruce Corbitt sings with brutal Metal fervor. Don’t pay any attention to this album being #3 and just know RIGOR MORTIS and Slaves To The Grave are American Metal treasures.

Metal Inquisitor - Ultima Ratio Regis - promo album cover pic - #2014 - #02M

#2

METAL INQUISITOR

ULTIMA RATIO REGIS

I find Germany’s METAL INQUISITOR to be a sensational Metal band. Period. This razor-sharp Metal band has written and plays Traditional Metal in exemplary fashion on Ultima Ratio Regis. Massacre Records have a Metal gem with this band.

Read my full album review for Ultima Ratio Regis, by clicking that terrific link below. Whoa!

METAL INQUISITOR “Ultima Ratio Regis” – A True Heavy Metal Album You MUST Own!

The above link is for an original Metal Odyssey post from February 2nd, 2014.

Sabaton - Heroes - promo album cover pic - #2014 - 1Metal

#1

SABATON – HEROES

One of the greatest Metal albums I’ve ever had the honor to listen to and enjoy is SABATON’s Heroes. I realize our world needs more heroes more today than I can remember in my lifetime. SABATON celebrates a history of our War Heroes, the free world’s war heroes at that. This, I believe, is a Power Metal album for the ages.

SABATON - Heroes - Amazon - #1 - 2014

Above: I am not alone, SABATON Heroes was a #1 Best Seller on Amazon.com during 2014!

The Ballad Of Bull chokes me up every time I listen to it. My fists get a workout as I pump them into the air when SABATON Heroes is  played. For me, vocalist Joakim Brodén has never sounded more powerful on vocals and the entire band are thoroughly at the top of their Metal game. This is victorious Metal with an undeniable passion for world freedom and I will cherish this SABATON album for the rest of my Metal life. Metal be thy name. God Bless Sweden and God Bless America. – Stone

Sabaton.band promoheader - 2014

______________________________

For more info on SABATON:

Facebook: Sabaton

Website: www.sabaton.net

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sabaton

MetalOdyssey

Stone - 2011 Photo #1

LONG LIVE METAL.

REST IN PEACE, MIKE SCACCIA.

IN METAL, WE ALL STAND UNITED.

METAL BE THY NAME.

Stone.

The Long-Awaited Second Album “Pain & Pleasure” By APOCRYPHAL VOICE Is Available Now!

Posted in Metal, metal bands, metal music, music news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , on December 30, 2014 by Metal Odyssey

Apocryphal Voice - promo album cover - #2014AV

Apocryphal Voice was formed in 1999 by Juhani Jokisalo after having grown out both with musical taste and ambitions from a previous more conventional Dark Metal band, where he was the bassist. Rebellion against that moment’s Finnish Metal scene also played it’s part in giving motivation.

“The Sickening” demo was recorded in late 2000 with Juhani and drummer Ville Salonen as the only band members. It contained 3 fiercely left-field Metal songs utilizing bare negative emotions. “The Sickening” found its way to the hands of label Rage of Achilles, who released it as such in 2003 as a mini-cd.

Apocryphal Voice - promo band pic - #2014AV - 0012

The following full-lenght “Stilltrapped”, now leaning more towards a sort of depressive wintry Rock than black-based Metal, was self-recorded bit by bit during following years. Apocryphal Voice came to attention of Blut Aus Nord’s Vindsval who at the helm of Candlelight sublabel Appease Me, had arranged the release for “Stilltrapped” in 2007.

The following songs ultimately ended up for the “Pain & Pleasure” full-length and began being composed arranged and rehearsed painstakingly, without any hurry. The new material formed out to have more vitality than before, Death Metal influences started creeping in and the sound production was sought out to have more earthly feel. The decision to release the album via distributor/promoter Inverse Records ensured the complete independence.

Apocryphal Voice is impossible to pin down into any established genre or made to tamely serve any non-artistic usage. It is Metal music for true music lovers – those who wish to deeply explore harmonic tensions, structural narratives, and raw emotions, often discomforting ones too.

APOCRYPHAL VOICE – Megalomanic Euphoria

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Listen to whole album on: Spotify

Megalomanic Euphoria on: Youtube

Inverse Records - Logo - 2014 - #1013

http://inverse.fi/wordpress2/sample-page/apocryphal-voice

Apocryphal Voice – Contact info:

Homepage

Facebook

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE APOCRYPHAL VOICE.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

On This Day In METAL History – December 30th…

Posted in classic rock, Metal, Music, music news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on December 30, 2014 by Metal Odyssey

Ted Nugent - Cat Scratch Fever - promo album cover pic - #1977TN

On December 30th, 1977Ted Nugent with Golden Earring and Missouri performed at the Riverfront Coliseum, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ted Nugent was touring in support of his third studio album: Cat Scratch Fever. Golden Earring were touring in support of their studio album: Mad Love, while Missouri were touring in support of their debut, self-titled, studio album.

Cheap Trick - All Shook Up - promo album cover pic - #1980RN

On this day in 1980Cheap Trick received a Gold record for their fifth studio album All Shook Up. This album was produced by George Martin, famously known as the Beatles producer. All Shook Up features the hit: Stop This Game. This album peaked on the U.S. Billboard 200 Albums Chart at #24.

Happy Birthday - promo banner - #2014BD

Raven group promo pic! -  2011

Raven – From L to R: John Gallagher (bass), Joe Hasselvander (drums) and Mark Gallagher (guitar).

Joe Hasselvander

On December 30th, 1956, Joe Hasselvander was born. Happy Metal birthday, Joe! Hell, yeah and whoa! Joe Hasselvander is famously known as the current and long-time drummer for the legendary NWOBHM band: RAVEN. Joe also is a former drummer and multi-instrumentalist for the pioneering Doom Metal band: Pentagram. Joe has also released three solo studio albums. Long live Joe Hasselvander! Metal be thy name.

Joe Hasselvander - The Hounds Of Hasselvander - #7712

Above: The Hounds Of Hasselvander (2007)

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Stone - 2011 Photo #1

LONG LIVE METAL.

LONG LIVE THE ROOTS & FAMILY TREE OF METAL.

Stone.

ACID KING – TO RELEASE “MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, CENTER OF EVERYWHERE” ON APRIL 14th

Posted in Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , on December 30, 2014 by Metal Odyssey

Acid King - promo pic - by Raymond Ahner - #2014AK

Photo credit: Raymond Ahner

SAN FRANCISCO, December 2014 – Acid King, pioneers of the San Francisco Doom scene and one of the genre’s first bands to be helmed by a woman, return from their self-imposed 10-year recording hiatus on April 14 with the release of Middle of Nowhere, Center of Everywhere.

“We had several songs in the works over the years that we spent most of our time touring Europe but in between working our day jobs, we didn’t put the effort into recording,” explained singer/guitar player Lori S. “I really wanted to accelerate the process and get new music out. It’s time. This music that we’ve been playing for so long, that was initially obscure and underground, seemed to grow over these past 10 years and the timing was right to release this now!”

Middle of Nowhere, Center of Everywhere was recorded at both Sharkbite and Tiny Telephone Studios in San Francisco, mixed at Different Fur Studios and produced by Acid King and Billy Anderson. The digital release will be released independently via Acid King while physical copies, both CD and vinyl, will be available via Svart Records.

Acid King bubbled up from San Francisco in 1993 through a fog of revved up riffs, thunderous drums, and a hypnotic vocal howl. They unleashed three EPs and three full-length albums, starting with Zoroaster in 1995, the 1999 full-length Busse Woods, and their most recent release, Acid King III, coming in 2005. Their seismic chemistry transfixed audiences everywhere from high-profile festivals such as Hellfest and Roadburn to now iconic shows alongside peers such as Sleep and Mystick Krewe of Clearlight.

The band recently confirmed their participation in Desertfest, April 24 to 26 in the UK. North American tour dates will be announced soon.

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(Source: Speakeasy PR & Marketing)

* For more info on ACID KING:

www.facebook.com/AcidkingSF

www.acidking.com

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE ACID KING.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

On This Day In METAL History – December 29th… From Jimi Hendrix To DIO

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Metal, Music, music news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on December 29, 2014 by Metal Odyssey

Top Of The Pops! - Original TV show logo - #1966JHE

On December 29th, 1966 – On the BBC’s Top Of The PopsThe Jimi Hendrix Experience made their television debut performing Hey Joe. As with many artists that appeared on Top Of The Pops, songs were mimed to achieve a higher transmission of quality sound and The Jimi Hendrix Experience were no exception to the mime.

The Who - Love Reign o'er Me - promo 45rpm single cover sleeve - #1973

On this day in 1973The Who reach #76 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart in the USA with Love Reign o’er Me. This song is featured on The Who’s sixth studio album and Rock Opera: Quadrophenia. This classic song was written by The Who’s guitarist Pete Townshend.

Led Zeppelin - Dyer Maker - promo 45rpm single cover sleeve - #1973

On December 29th, 1973Led Zeppelin reaches #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart in the USA with their hit: D’yer Mak’er. This song is featured on Led Zeppelin’s fifth studio album, released in 1973 on Atlantic Records: Houses Of The Holy.

KISS - Creatures Of The Night - promo album poster - the loudest band in the world - #1982

On this day in KISSTORY, December 29th, 1982: KISS began a tour in support of their tenth (heavy hittin’) studio album: Creatures of the Night. This tour embarked at the Bismarck Civic Center in Bismarck, North Dakota. This was the first KISS tour with guitarist Vinnie Vincent, who replaced the great Ace Frehley. This would be the last tour with KISS in makeup, until their 1996 reunion tour.

Aerosmith - band publicity card - #ST88

On this day in 1984Aerosmith performed at the New Haven Coliseum, in New Haven, Connecticut. Whoa!

DIO - Dream Evil - World Tour - tour program - promo pic - #1987RJD

On December 29th, 1987DIO, Megadeth and Savatage performed at the New Haven Coliseum, in New Haven, Connecticut. This was the DIO Dream Evil tour! I was very fortunate to have been there that night and witness three incredibly legendary Metal bands!

DIO‘s memorable Dream Evil studio album was released in 1987. Megadeth were touring in-between two tremendous studio albums: Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying? (1986) and So Far, So Good… So What! (1988). Savatage were touring in support of their incredibly grand and fourth full-length studio album: Hall Of The Mountain King.

Best Metal Buddy Scott Coverdale and Metal Buddy Rob were with me too, for this night of Metal madness; a night of Metal I shall never forget! Metal be thy name!

Savatage - Hall of the Mountain King - cover promo!

Above: SAVATAGE – Hall Of The Mountain King

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Source for The Jimi Hendrix Experience:

http://www.worldcharts.co.uk/musictv/totp/totp.htm

Stone - 2011 Photo #1

LONG LIVE METAL.

LONG LIVE THE ROOTS & FAMILY TREE OF METAL.

Stone.

INTERNAL SUFFERING – Long-Running Brutal Death Metal Behemoths Ink New Deal With Unique Leader Records

Posted in Metal, metal music, Music, music news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , on December 29, 2014 by Metal Odyssey

Internal Suffering - promo band - band logo - banner - 2014IS

Unique Leader Records is very pleased to announce the re-signing of long-running brutal Death Metal behemoths, INTERNAL SUFFERING.

Comments the band in a collective statement: “We are stoked to announce that we have resigned with Unique Leader! We are all very proud to be again a part of a label that has released some of the finest extreme death metal albums in history from bands such as Deeds Of Flesh, Decrepit Birth, Disgorge, Pyrexia, Internal Bleeding, Disavowed, Hour Of Penance, Aeon, Beheaded, Psycroptic and Spawn Of Possession, just to name a few. This is the beginning of a new chapter for us. We would like to thank Erik Lindmark and all the staff at Unique Leader for welcoming us back into their incredible roster. Few other labels can touch their legacy when it comes to high quality brutal death metal. We’ll be starting the recording sessions this Winter. We look forward to previously undreamed-of levels of brutality, speed and intensity with this new record. Stay tuned for more details!”

Spawned in 1996, INTERNAL SUFFERING recently relocated from their home base in Pereira, Columbia to Madrid, Spain. Notorious for their apocalyptic brand of brutal, blasting, technically proficient death metal, the band’s bestial discography includes four full-lengths: 2000’s Supreme Knowledge Domain (Repulse Records), 2002’s Chaotic Matrix (Displeased Records), 2004’s Choronzonic Force Domination (Displeased Records) and 2006’s Awakening of the Rebel (Unique Leader Records), the last two of which featured the production prowess of extreme metal sound-wizard Erik Rutan (Hate Eternal/ex-Morbid Angel).

A maniacal work ethic and thirst to spread their audio peril globally has allowed INTERNAL SUFFERING the opportunity to ransack stages throughout the US, Europe and Asia along the iconic likes of Cannibal Corpse, Sodom, Incantation, Exodus and Origin, among many more. The band has also graced the bills of some of the most important extreme metal festivals in the world including the Maryland Deathfest, Extreme Fest, Neurotic Death Fest, Barroselas Metal Fest, Tokyo Death Fest, Bangkok Deathfest, Fuck The Commerce Fest, Obscene Extreme Festival and Kaltenbach Open Air Fest as well as an appearance last year at the massive Rock At The Park. Among the most populated open air fests in Latin America, Rock At The Park draws over 100,000 headbangers annually!

INTERNAL SUFFERING will release their long-awaited fifth studio album via Unique Leader Records in 2015. Details to be unveiled in due time.

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(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info:

http://www.facebook.com/InternalSuffering

Unique Leader Records - logo - B&W - 2013

http://www.facebook.com/UniqueLeaderRecords

http://www.twitter.com/UniqueLeaderRec

http://www.youtube.com/uniqueleaderrecords

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE INTERNAL SUFFERING.

LONG LIVE DEATH METAL.

Stone.

THE LUMBERJACK FEEDBACK – Release FREE Digital EP

Posted in Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , on December 28, 2014 by Metal Odyssey

The Lumberjack Feedback - promo cover pic - Noise In The Church - 2014LF

Launched on November 24th and successfully finalized within days, the crowdfunding campaign for THE LUMBERJACK FEEDBACK and WE ALL DIE (laughing)‘s Ausstellung limited-edition split EP was a fantastic success.

Kaotoxin is now proud to announce the immediate release of both a free digital EP from THE LUMBERJACK FEEDBACK, titled Noise in the Church, and its video counterpart in the form of two brand new music videos for the two live songs featured on the EP.

Mastered by R3myboy (Gojira, Ez3kiel…), Noise in the Church consists of two tracks recorded live in July 2014, in a deconsecrated church. The performance was filmed by Attic Addict. The live tracks – Salvation, off the band’s upcoming debut full-length, Blackened Vision, and The Dreamcatcher, from their 2013 debut Hand of Glory – make Noise in the Church the perfect missing link between what was and what will be.

As raw as heavy, the performance is bombastic and chaotic yet addictive and mesmerizing: Noise in the Church, both the EP and videos, is the perfect rendition of all what THE LUMBERJACK FEEDBACK is about! Get the FREE digital EP here!

Noise In The Church – Track List:

Salvation [live]

The Dreamcatcher [live]

Mein Gebush hat Hünger*

*bonus demo track recorded in 2009

Check Out Salvation, Below:

Check Out Dreamcatcher, Below:

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(Source: ClawHammer PR)

* For more info, click links below:

Website: thelumberjackfeedback.com

Kaotoxin - Label Logo - 2014 - #0002

Website: www.kaotoxin.com

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE THE LUMBERJACK FEEDBACK.

LOUD & LOW!

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

COBURN PHARR To Join ANNIHILATOR On Board 70000TONS OF METAL 2015!

Posted in cruises, Metal, metal music, Music, music news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , on December 28, 2014 by Metal Odyssey

Annihilator - Jeff Waters - Coburn Pharr - 70000tons of metal - promo pic - 2015

70000TONS OF METAL is proud to announce that ANNIHILATOR mastermind Jeff Waters has invited ex-vocalist COBURN PHARR to feature in their performances when The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise sails to Jamaica in January 2015. Pharr was lead vocalist on ANNIHILATOR’s critically acclaimed and best-selling 1990 release “Never, Neverland” which includes classics such as “Road To Ruin”, “I Am In Command”, “Reduced To Ash” and “Phantasmagoria”.

Waters comments: “Seeing as how it is the 25th Anniversary of my favorite ANNIHILATOR album, I thought it would be a lot of fun to invite Coburn with us to perform some of the songs he was a part of. I haven’t seen him since 1992 so I think the fans are going to spot us having lots of conversations about the old days (and my 80’s hair style)! Current ANNIHILATOR vocalist Dave Padden is very much looking forward to this as he is a huge fan of that album and Coburn, but also because he won’t have to play and sing those songs hahaha…!”

Jeff Waters will also be hosting JAMMING WITH WATERS IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS All-Star Jam which will feature members from the 60 bands on board 70000TONS OF METAL 2015, which includes ARCH ENEMYAPOCALYPTICA, BEHEMOTH, BLIND GUARDIAN, CANNIBAL CORPSE, DESTRUCTIONMICHAEL SCHENKER’S TEMPLE OF ROCK, NAPALM DEATH, THERION, VENOM and many more!

70000 Tons Of Metal - logo - 2014

70000TONS OF METAL, The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise, will sail Thursday, January 22, 2015 on board the Royal Caribbean “Liberty Of The Seas” from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, FL to Ocho Rios, Jamaica and will not return to the real world until Monday, January 26, 2015.

Ticket prices start at USD $666 Per Person (plus Taxes & Fees), which includes all on-board entertainment, non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, most on-board restaurants and even 24 room service!

Check out www.70000tons.com and book your ticket now!

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(Source: Ultimate Music Cruises Inc.)

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE ANNIHILATOR.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

FREE DOWNLOAD – Hammer Smashed Radio Releases Annual Xmas Compilation

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal music, music news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , on December 27, 2014 by Metal Odyssey

Hammer Smashed Radio - Christmas Compilation - promo cover pic - #2014HSR

Hammer Smashed Radio, on Ottawa’s CKCU 93.1 FM’s flagship Metal program has released their second annual Xmas Compilation featuring 26 tracks of underground Canadian Metal.

“This year we decided to expand the compilation beyond just bands from our scene, which was really fun. Adding in Untimely Demise, Bookakee, Samskaras and Unbreakable Hatred, plus some less extreme though equally punishing bands like Alaskan and Greber, had allowed us to put together a compilation that really showcases the talent and variety of underground metal that Canada has to offer.” comments Hammer Smashed Radio host and Accursed Spawn/Mortor drummer Jay Cross.

Free download: 

https://hammersmashedradio.bandcamp.com/album/hsr-christmas-comp-ii

Hammer Smashed Radio - Christmas Compilation - promo cover pic - #2014HSR

Track List:

Insurrection – Prototype

Killitorous – George Costanza’s Father’s Son

Bookakee – Return of the Loving Dead

Accursed Spawn – Clotheshanger Abortion

Samskaras – Consecrate

Deformatory – Dehumanized

Dark Century – Gore on my Snare

Unbreakable Hatred – Religious Intervention

Fuck the Facts – Endless Emptiness

…From the Deep – Labyrinth (Of Melting Thoughts…)

Greber – Fredricton

Alaskan – Inferno

Norlisk – Japetus

Endemise – Nocturne

Untimely Demise – Spiritual Embezzlement

Venator – The Weapon of Fear

Garbage Can – What Are You Waiting For… Christmas?

Fumigation – Craniofacial Duplication

Accursed Creation – Arcane Divide

Outrage A.D. – New Blood

Agony Spawn – Lexie’s Song

Descendant – Speed Run Rudolph

Muffler Crunch – Chickadee

Vyc Vypr – A Hero’s Grave

Criticull – Fifty Shades of Brown

Angry – Regressive

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For more info on Hammer Smashed Radio, please visit the following link:

 http://www.facebook.com/hammersmashedradio

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Asher Media Relations - PR Logo - 2014

Source: Asher Media Relations

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE HAMMER SMASHED RADIO.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.