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Metal Odyssey’s Top Ten Metal Albums Of 2011

Posted in Metal with tags , , , , , , on December 17, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Top Ten Metal Albums Of 2011 – Oh the Metal albums I listened to during 2011! Metal be thy name, there were a Metal many. Metal many again. Regardless of how many Metal albums that did rip my eardrums apart and psyched me out during the process, I couldn’t possibly listen to every Metal album released this past year. It’s not humanly possible. I’ve compiled below, a list of ten Metal albums that for all Metal intents and purposes… kicked my Metal lovin’ ass during 2011.

Yes, you will see a couple of albums tied in this top ten list and my Metal boss (me) said it was all good. Choosing my top ten Metal albums for any given year is not easy! However, choosing my number one Metal album for 2011 was easy and Hemoptysis is without a doubt in my Metal mind, one of the best Metal bands to come forth in the past ten and possibly twenty years. You can call Hemoptysis Thrash, Death Thrash, Extreme and Metal. I call this band exceptional and their Misanthropic Slaughter album is number F’n ONE!

Hopefully you may agree with a few of these albums I’ve chosen for my top ten. A personal list of Metal taste it is. Each Metal album here for me bestows quality musicianship and songs, from beginning to end. The common thread each band below shares with one another, that can never be denied: They are all Defenders Of The Metal Faith and I salute each and every one!

Metal Odyssey’s Top Ten Metal Albums Of 2011:

#10

HUNTED – WELCOME THE DEAD

(MASSACRE RECORDS)

#9

ANA KEFR – THE BURIAL TREE (II)

(Muse Sick)

#8

SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA – The Corruption Of Mercy

(Listenable Records)

#7

MORBID ANGEL – Illud Divinum Insanus

(Season of Mist)

#6 (Tie)

SPEED\KILL/HATE – OUT FOR BLOOD

(HAMMERFIST RECORDS)

#6 (Tie)

EASTERN FRONT – BLOOD ON SNOW

* (Was released in North America on January 25th, 2011)

(Candlelight Records)

#5 (Tie)

ANTHRAX – WORSHIP MUSIC

(MEGAFORCE RECORDS)

#5 (Tie)

MASTODON – THE HUNTER

(Reprise)

#4

ARCH / MATHEOS – SYMPATHETIC RESONANCE

(Metal Blade Records)

#3

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME

THE PARALLAX: HYPERSLEEP DIALOGUES

(Metal Blade Records)

#2

AMON AMARTH – SURTUR RISING

(Metal Blade Records)

#1

HEMOPTYSIS – Misanthropic Slaughter

(Rock It Up Records)

* To read the complete album review I wrote for Misanthropic Slaughter posted on January 22nd, 2011, click on the large header link below!

HEMOPTYSIS “Misanthropic Slaughter” – Debut Album Is CAN’T MISS Thrash Metal For 2011 and Beyond!

Congratulations and THANK YOU to all the METAL bands above! 

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

* For more cool “Best Of 2011 Lists” of Rock, Hard Rock and Metal Albums, click on the links below to visit these other fantastic blogs/websites!

All Metal Resource — http://allmetalresource.com/

Bring Back Glam — http://bringbackglam.squarespace.com/

The Crash Pad of Ray Van Horn, Jr. – http://www.rayvanhornjr2.blogspot.com/

Hair Metal Mansion — http://hairbangersradio.ning.com/

Hard Rock Nights — http://hardrocknights.com

Heavy Metal Addiction — http://heavymetaladdiction.com/

Heavy Metal Time Machine — http://metalmark.blogspot.com/

Imagine Echoes — http://www.imagineechoes.com/

Layla’s Classic Rock — http://laylasclassicrock.blogspot.com/

Metal Excess — http://metalexcess.com/

The Ripple Effect — http://www.ripplemusic.blogspot.com/

Stone.

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IRON CLAW “A Different Game” – Metal Odyssey’s Comeback Band and Album Of 2011

Posted in Metal with tags , , , , , , , on December 7, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

IRON CLAW – Many bands and solo musicians make comebacks in the world of Rock each year. Notable acts the likes of Alice Cooper (The Band) and KING KOBRA made their impressive comebacks for certain in 2011. Anthrax made an album comeback (Worship Music) with Joey Belladonna returning to the forefront. BIOHAZARD is back. Beggars & Thieves are back too. The list is impressive as it is long. No, Black Sabbath can’t really count until next years album and tour. However, the one comeback band that amazed me beyond belief with their story during 2011 was: IRON CLAW.

IRON CLAW are in my mind, Heavy Music pioneers. IRON CLAW was a band on the scene when Heavy Metal was growing roots from Hard Rock. This band calls Scotland home and released an album of Classic Hard Rock in 2011 that you should know about (if you don’t know already). A Different Game made IRON CLAW the topic of conversation in many Hard Rock circles this past year. Released on Ripple Music, A Different Game was the first taste of new music from this band in nearly 4 decades!

I never, ever heard of IRON CLAW until this past year. I’ll tell you this much, IRON CLAW has served me right. Congratulations IRON CLAW on being named: Metal Odyssey’s Comeback Band Of 2011! Plus having: Metal Odyssey’s Comeback Album Of 2011! Metal be thy name!

See below the timeline of IRON CLAW posts featured on Metal Odyssey during 2011. Everything you’ve ever needed to know about IRON CLAW is right there for you! Feel free to become informed on the series of events leading up to the release of A Different Game, along with the intriguing Hard Rockin’ history (both past and present) of IRON CLAW. Each large link in this timeline will take you directly to that respective post!

Posted on June 29th, 2011:

IRON CLAW – “What Love Left”: Free Download From Ripple Music! This Song Is On Hard Rockin’ Fire!

Posted on July 6th, 2011:

IRON CLAW “A Different Game” – Long Awaiting and New Studio Album From Heavy Rock Pioneers: Releases October 4th, 2011!

Posted on July 15th, 2011: (A Different Game album review)

IRON CLAW – “A Different Game”: Bluesy, Classic Hard Rock That Points To The Past And Leads Us To The Present

Posted on July 17th, 2011:

IRON CLAW – A Metal Odyssey Interview: Part One (The Early Days and The Comeback)

Posted on October 21, 2011:

Gordon Brown – Former IRON CLAW Vocalist Reflects On His Tenure For “A Different Game” Album, Discusses Departing The Band

Posted on October 24th, 2011:

IRON CLAW – Guitarist and Founding Member Jimmy Ronnie Comments On Band’s Lead Vocalist Transition

IRON CLAW PHOTO GALLERY

From L to R: Gordon (vocals), Ian (drums), Alex (bass) and Jimmy (guitar)

IRON CLAW – 2011

Jimmy Ronnie – Founding Member, Songwriter & Guitarist

Gordon Brown – IRON CLAW vocalist, lyricist on A Different Game

(All IRON CLAW photos are courtesy and by permission of Jimmy Ronnie)

(Gordon Brown photo courtesy of Gordon Brown)

LONG LIVE IRON CLAW!

Stone.

5 Comments »

EYEHATEGOD – To Traumatize California This Weekend! European Live Footage Posted!

Posted in Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, sludge metal with tags , , , , , , , , on August 11, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

EYEHATEGOD – Last month, New Orleans’ own existential Hardcore Blues oddballs, EYEHATEGOD, successfully completed their near-month long Retox And Nihilism Over Europe Tour alongside Japanese doomers, Church Of Misery. The trek saw Louisiana’s favorite miscreants level over 20 cities, which included stops at Hellfest in France, Kriston Festin Spain, GSM Fest in Portugal, the Roskilde Fest in Denmark and the Stoned From The Underground Festival in Germany.
Commented Mike Williams of the experience: “We returned in mental puzzle pieces from a destructive, albeit highly functional European/Scandinavian tour with Church of Misery, bringing them to the usual EU haunts such as Paris, London, and Berlin etc… plus a few previously unvisited locales such as Helsinki and the former Soviet Bloc country Estonia. One highlight amongst many was playing in the middle of the people’s revolution in Athens, Greece and playing the almighty fests such as Stoned From The Underground and Hellfest. EYEHATEGOD performed new material on this educational insanity tour.”
Check out killer footage [filmed by mathiasnielsen666] of the band playing new song, “N’awlins Is The New Vietnam” at the Roskilde Festival HERE.
Closing out their summer of sonic devastation, EYEHATEGOD will spread their filth to the West Coast this weekend for two rare and special shows: The first will take place at the Oakland Metro Operahouse on Friday, August 12 with Impaled, Brainoil, Laudanum and others while the second will mark the kick-off of the long-anticipated and much talked-about Power The Riff Fest on Saturday, August 13 at the
Echo/Echoplex which will feature EYEHATEGOD, Pentagram,Winter, Pelican and more! California will never be the same….
EYEHATEGOD: California Weekend Invasion: 
8/12/2011 Oakland Metro Operahouse – Oakland, CA w/ Impaled, Brainoil Laudanum, Badr Vogu, Hazzard’s Cure, The Burial Tide Doors @ 7:00pm [Info]
8/13/2011 Echo/Echoplex – Los Angeles, CA w/ Pentagram,  Winter, Pelican, Trap Them, All Pigs Must Die, Acephalix, Black Cobra, Skin Like Iron, Baptists, Masakari, Alpinist, Seven Sisters of Sleep, Aeges, Early Graves, Slave Doors @ Noon [TICKETS]
The band will play additional shows this Fall. Details to be announced soon… and if their lies are to be believed, 2012 will see the release of EYEHATEGOD‘s long-awaited new album. (Source: Earsplit PR)

LONG LIVE EYEHATEGOD.

Stone.

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SINISTER REALM – “The Crystal Eye”: Defends The Metal Faith Valiantly, In Epic And Prevailing Prominence

Posted in classic metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, traditional metal with tags , , , , , , , , , on August 1, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING ALBUM REVIEW FOR THE CRYSTAL EYE MAY MOTIVATE YOU TO BUY THIS CD… AND MAKE YOU AWARE THAT TRUE AND REAL AMERICAN TRADITIONAL METAL DOES, AFTER ALL, TRULY EXIST. YOU’VE BEEN METAL WARNED.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE ALREADY SMIRKING… JUST REMEMBER THIS: STONE DOESN’T BULLSHIT WHEN IT COMES TO METAL.

SINISTER REALM – Okay, so I was minding my own Metal business, when one night last week I checked my email inbox to find a message from Sinister Realm. I’m thinking to myself, what Metal message is Sinister Realm sending me? I was of course curious, for this Traditional Metal band from Allentown, Pennsylvania, has made quite a Metal name for themselves on this part of the East Coast. In the email was an invitation to review their newly released studio album: The Crystal Eye (Shadow Kingdom Records). A no brainer… I was more than Metal willing to give this new Sinister Realm album a listen. Then I listened again… and again. Metal be thy name, I could not believe what I was hearing. God almighty above, The Crystal Eye is an unreal Traditional Metal listening experience.

For all Metal intents and purposes, if you are to buy just one more newly released Metal CD this year, The Crystal Eye is as strong a candidate as any other. Whoa, did someone say “why Stone”? The reasons are easy to explain, therefore here is the Metal breakdown, in no particular Metal order:

Reason One: Let’s skip right to the instrumental that is Battle for the Sinister Realm. My God almighty, is this an intense song that embellishes every nuance that is golden about a Traditional Metal instrumental. Listening to the melodic sound that this song radiates, coupled with its old school Metal vibe and feel, I’m mesmerized that this band can capture such welcomed Traditional Metal magic, in 3:29.

Reason Two: Dual Metal guitars. John Kantner and John Risko. These two Metal axe men summon up all the glorious images of excitement, of days long ago, when my young ears experienced Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing for the first time. Yes, the Metal torch has been handed down… John Kantner and John Risko are two Metal guitarists that are happening NOW in 2011. Hearing is believing…

Reason Three: Alex Kristof on vocals is a convincing and strong presence. Without knowing, I will wager he is a lifetime devotee to the late Ronnie James Dio. Alex is the singer that Traditional Metal bands will search the clubs, internet and world over for… he’s that dynamic with his vocals. On the 8:54 epic, The Tower is Burning, his confidence rains down with each talented syllable he sings. Honestly, there isn’t a moment on The Crystal Eye where I’m not impressed with listening to Alex.

Reason Four: All eight songs embody the essence of how Traditional Metal is supposed to sound like. Powerful, epic and responsible for giving me the damn chills, is how I best describe The Crystal Eye. This album would kick mighty ass in the mid 80’s, only Sinister Realm is kicking mighty ass in the here and now. Metal written and played like this doesn’t grow on some F’n fruit tree, ready to be picked for harvest. The Metal I hear on all of these songs is potent with muscular relevance and cannot be denied by my ears.

Reason Five: Every band needs its rhythmic glue to hold the beats steady and Chris Metzger (drums) and John Shamus Gaffney (bass, background vocals) are titans to hear. With a steel solid production, both Chris and John’s ground quaking effectiveness is substantial and heard with clarity.

Reason Six: The title track: The Crystal Eye. Metal be thy name, this song is the epitome of just how riveting and compelling Traditional Metal can sound and feel like. This song moves me, man. While I’m listening to this song, I feel like I am that “man on the silver mountain” and I can do anything.

Music is subjective and personal to any individual. However, take my Metal advice on Sinister Realm… what you do with it is entirely up to you. The Crystal Eye isn’t a can of Metal whoop ass, instead, it’s a case of Traditional Metal whoop ass. I finish by saying: I listen to my hefty share of Metal and I declare The Crystal Eye as one of the very best Metal albums of 2011. Thanks to Sinister Realm, I’ve been reminded as to why Metal is the law.

The Crystal Eye – Track Listing:

Winds of Vengeance

At the Hands of the Tormentor

With Swords Held High

The Crystal Eye

Signal the Earth

The Shroud of Misery

Battle for the Sinister Realm

The Tower is Burning

* For more info on SINISTER REALM, click on the links below:

SINISTER REALM – facebook

SINISTER REALM – myspace

LONG LIVE SINISTER REALM.

Stone.

2 Comments »

PRO-PAIN: New York Metal/Hardcore Legends Celebrate 20 Years With CD/DVD Release

Posted in hardcore, hardcore bands, hardcore metal, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on July 18, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Legendary New York Metal/Hardcore outfit PRO-PAIN are proud to be celebrating their twentieth year in existence in 2011!

Since the band’s inception in 1991, PRO-PAIN have toured the world countless times, dominated the stages of the world’s largest Metal fests and infiltrated the hearts and lives of millions over the course of their incredible, and still heavily active, career. Their massive back-catalog bears thirteen full-lengths and a plethora of other releases including singles, DVDs and a live album and two greatest hits compilations to date.

PRO-PAIN now proudly unveil the details for a special release designed specifically in celebration of their twenty-year anniversary; the massive CD/DVD combo appropriately titled 20 Years Of Hardcore. Set for North American release on August 30, 2011 via AFM Records, this behemoth collection of material is much more than just a “greatest hits” or random compilation of tracks. The CD kicks off with four brand new tracks to get things moving! The disc also contains four re-recorded tracks (featuring PRO-PAIN alumni Rob Moschetti, JC Dwyer, Mike Hanzel and Eric Klinger), cover songs, and a fourteen-song live set filmed in the Czech Republic, in total bearing over 78 minutes of material! The DVD that joins the disc contains over 90 minutes of additional material, including tons of live footage featuring several full concerts, as well as fan-filmed footage and tons of extras, making this an absolute must-have for any fan of PRO-PAIN‘s patented, groove-laden thunder.

20 Years Of Hardcore Track Listing:

CD:

New Tracks:

01. Damnation

02. Hands In The Jar

03. Someday Bloody Someday

04. True Liberation

Re-recorded Tracks:

05. Foul Taste Of Freedom 2011

06. Make War (Not Love) 2011

07. Denial 2011

08. Shine 2011

Cover track:

09. Keine Amnestie für MTV

Live In Brno (CZ)

10. Unrestrained

11. Three Minutes Hate

12. Can You Feel It

13. UnAmerican

14. Neocon

15. No Way Out

16. F*ck It

17. Draw Blood

18. The Shape Of Things To Come

19. In For The Kill

20. Let The Blood Run Through The Streets

21. Foul Taste Of Freedom

22. All For King George

23. Destroy The Enemy

DVD:

Beograd Concert – SKC 1998:

01. Shine

02. Make War (Not Love)

03. State Of Mind

04. The Stench Of Piss

05. Life’s Hard

06. Get Real

07. Time

08. Foul Taste Of Freedom

09. Crush

10. Box City

11. Blood Red

12. Bad Blood

Live at With Full Force:

01. Casualties Of War – 2002

02. UnAmerican – 2005

03. Fuck It – 2007

Live At Lausitzring 2005:

01. Neocon

02. One World Ain’t Enough

03. Left For Dead

04. Life’s Hard

05. Get Real

Fan Filmed Footage:

01. Iraqnophobia 1993

02. Johnny Black 1996

03. Act Of God 1999

04. Smokin’ Gun 1999

05. Implode 2005

Rare Clips From The Vault: A montage of old rare footage

Official Promo Video: “Down For The Cause”

Aggressive, meticulous, passionate, righteous – all distinguishing traits that have come to symbolize the fundamentals of Metal/Hardcore pioneers PRO-PAIN. Since their crushing debut album Foul Taste Of Freedom stormed onto the scene in 1992, PRO-PAIN have become a household name of Heavy Music listeners around the globe. Their successful and enviable career has perpetually prospered throughout its course and yet they still manage to find room to improve, and more importantly, impress.

Formed by vocalist/bassist Gary Meskil (ex-Crumbsuckers), PRO-PAIN have over the years benefited from substantial support from an ever-growing and loyal fanbase, international extreme music press and media, hard rock radio, MTV’s Headbangers Ball, and more, helping the band’s worldwide catalog sales approach one million units to date.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info on PRO-PAIN, click on the links below:

http://www.pro-pain.com

http://www.afm-records.de

LONG LIVE PRO-PAIN.

Stone.

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Metal Odyssey Spotlight On: Marc Broude – Psychological Warfare – 2 Songs of Industrial Metal and Noise!

Posted in experimental rock, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, industrial metal, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on June 22, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

MARC BROUDE – My never ending Metal quest to find Metal talent that is unsigned, DIY and real has crossed paths with an Industrial Metal and Noise musician known as: Marc Broude. The Metal Odyssey Spotlight is on Marc Broude and his 2 song EP: Psychological Warfare. Marc is the vocalist and plays all instruments on his music.

I liken the sound of Marc Broude’s music to that of Industrial Metal, where Marc is very down with that tag, he also considers his music to be representative of the Noise genre. Marc is from Chicago, Illinois and had started recording while living in a squatter artist collective back in 2005. During 2005, Marc started out in the Chicago based Noise outfit called: Panicsville. A cross-genre composer, Marc has played in various bands which represented genres of: Black Metal, Grindcore, Punk and Noise. If diversity is the key to Metal success, then Marc has associated with some hefty Metal diversity in the course of seven years.

I really appreciate the overwhelming heaviness, experimentalism and mixture of distortion that Marc has implemented into his music’s sound. Marc’s vocals seem to arise from the dark depths of the damned, while his guitar riffs and drumming create a wall of sound that engulfs my surroundings with a nightmarish, bazaar of the living dead mood and atmosphere. Perfect.

I can see a promising Metal future for Marc, his DIY work ethic, multi-tasking, multi-instrument competency and musical inventiveness should eventually draw some credible attention. Marc feels getting his music heard is more important than making money from it… that’s the characteristic of a real musician and an artist who believes in what he’s created.

You can listen to both Psychological Warfare and God Smacker by clicking on the music bar play buttons below. Warning – to all closed minded, uptight and constipated Pop mainstream music dum dums: Your freely invited to listen as well, only don’t send your laundry bill to Metal Odyssey if you crap your pants.

Listen to PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE by clicking on the play button below:

Listen to GOD SMACKER by clicking on the play button below:

* Originally released in 2006 as a 50 piece limited edition 7″ which became out of print, Psychological Warfare was digitally remixed for re-release. Distribution is through IODA and Psychological Warfare will be available at all digital music stores, with the CD being available on Amazon and Tower in about a month from now.

* In 2009, Marc released a 72 minute, Dark Ambient dirge titled: Rites of Zen and Medicine. This release displayed a drastic change in Marc’s sound, with a fusion of free improvisation and Avant-Garde Jazz.

(Psychological Warfare – Back Cover)

Production and General Credits:

Composed written and produced by: Marc Broude

Recorded by: Chris Anderson at Chicago Recording Company, Chicago, IL

Mixed and Mastered by: Judson Leach

Artwork by: Rodrigo Damian

LONG LIVE MARC BROUDE.

Stone.

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BACKSLIDER / NIMBUS TERRIFIX – Split: An Ultra-Tumultuous Grindcore and Hardcore Collision!

Posted in Extreme Metal, extreme music, grindcore, hardcore music, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 8, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

BACKSLIDER / NIMBUS TERRIFIX – Releasing on May 17th, 2011, is Backslider / Nimbus Terrifix (Split) via Give Praise. Backslider is a two-man Grindcore/Hardcore force originating from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Nimbus Terrifix is a Technical Hardcore outfit that calls Scranton, Pennsylvania: home base. In Metal preface, Backslider are representative of the future for Blastcore, while Nimbus Terrifix can set their sights on Hardcore notoriety, just as long as they remain so damn pissed off.

Both of these bands accentuate the raging noize and all things extreme about Metal. Listening to the split album from these two up and coming Hardcore bands is not something you want to do on the way to a “check-up” at the doctor’s office… both your blood pressure and heart rate will be increased while you are trying to feel if the skin has been ripped off your face. (I’m just kidding about the facial skin, then again, you never know).

No epics are in this genre of Metal. Nope. Just quick and obliterating Hardcore uppercuts to the chin that grind out frenzied drums, old school riffs and blunt force jabs of traumatizing vocals. You shall find no sanity in the punishing sounds that Backslider and Nimbus Terrifix dish out. In this world of Extreme Metal, song structures are obliterated into furious spasms of kick-to-the-teeth strikes and counter strikes that carry out one unified message: piss off mainstream.

Give yourself the gift of Hardcore this Spring and try out Backslider and Nimbus Terrifix… you might just find that the extreme punishment these two bands dish will have you asking for more. It’s just like putting your tongue on the terminals of a 9 volt battery, it shocks, it’s unpleasant and you still want more.

While I listen to both bands, I don’t know whether I want to break out or break in. Regardless, I realize that it was my own doing in opening up this can of extreme whoop-ass and I’ll open it again. In under twelve minutes, both bands combined to brutalize my senses and I’m alive to talk about it. It’s the unreal that I hear from both of these bands, that for all intents and purposes, makes it real to me. Metal be thy name.

Tracklisting:

BACKSLIDER:

Steady Diet of Vitriol

Sadistic Sack of Shit

Marrow Turns to Dust

Shallow Victory

Jerusalem Syndrome

NIMBUS TERRIFIX

Deadbeat

Roaches

Scranton Trinity

Broadcast Booth

* For more info on BACKSLIDER and NIMBUS TERRIFIX:

http://www.myspace.com/bsfastcore

http://www.myspace.com/nimbusterrifix

http://www.givepraiserecords.com

LONG LIVE BACKSLIDER and NIMBUS TERRIFIX.

Stone.

2 Comments »

STRAIGHT LINE STITCH – Shoot New Music Video, Behind The Scenes Footage Available!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on May 4, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

(Alexis Brown – Vocals)

(New York, NY) — STRAIGHT LINE STITCH have shot a brand new music video for their next single “One Reason” off their latest record The Fight Of Our Lives which came out earlier this year. Veteran director and band manager Dale ‘Rage’ Resteghini took on the directing duties.

Watch a sneak peak behind the scenes video here.

The band has no qualms about staying on the road this year. They recently announced off-dates with the one and only IN FLAMES during their run on the 2011 ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL. They’ve recently completed a handful of dates with road mates NONPOINT, Revolver magazine’s “Hottest Chicks In Hard Rock: Hell Hath No Fury” tour supporting IN THIS MOMENT and last but not least, DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL. All dates can be found here.

The band’s latest record The Fight Of Our LIves came out on March 22, 2011 to much critical praise. “‘The Fight of Our Lives’ is a good example of what happens when modern American metal-core is performed with passion and intensity,” says OUTBURN MAGAZINE. The band released their first single “Conversion” soon after with a video to follow, also directed by Resteghini.

STRAIGHT LINE STITCH originally hailing from Knoxville, TN, features Alexis Brown on vocals, Seth Thacker and Kris Norris on guitar, Jason White on bass, and Kanky Lora on drums.

(Source: eOne Music)

* For more info on STRAIGHT LINE STITCH, click the links below:

Straight Line Stitch – facebook

Straight Line Stitch – myspace music

LONG LIVE STRAIGHT LINE STITCH.

Stone.

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IHSAHN – Confirmed For ProgPower USA

Posted in Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on April 26, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Former Emperor vocalist/guitarist IHSAHN will make his first American solo appearance at ProgPower USA, scheduled September 14-17 at Center Stage in Atlanta. Confirmed by festival organizer Glenn Harveston, IHSAHN replaces Arcturus on the Friday evening lineup of the popular music festival. Tickets are nearly sold out; fans are encouraged to buy tickets now.

IHSAHN comments, “I am very excited to get the opportunity to play at ProgPower. My backing band, Leprous, played the festival last year and had a fantastic time. Given the nature of my solo-material, I believe this festival will be a great place to present it live.  I have already performed at several festivals/shows in Europe in 2009/2010 and will do a few more this year.”

IHSAHN’s performance is expected to include selections from all three solo albums – The Adversary (2006), Angl (2008) and his most recent, After (2010). “As compelling as Emperor’s best,” says Decibel in a review of After in their February 2010 issue. Continuing, the magazine notes, “IHSAHN sounds as fresh as he did fifteen years ago, but with the hindsight of a grown man.” Revolver called the album, “brimming with classical, goth, prog, and eighties-metal passages.”

After completes IHSAHN’s planned trilogy of initial recordings. The album showcases the Norwegian icon with drummer Asgeir Mickelson (Spiral Architect), bassist Lars K. Norberg (Spiral Architect), and saxophonist Jorgen Munkeby (Shining). Currently at work on his fourth album, IHSAHN confirms he is eighty percent done with the songwriting and is planning for a mid-2012 release.

Spellemann (Norwegian Grammy) Award Nominee IHSAHN (born Vegard Tveitan) began playing music at a very early age. As a teenager, his friendship with Tomas Haugen (a.k.a. Samoth) would trigger the start of his music career — one that to date includes over fifty individual recordings, five high-profile Emperor European tours (the band reaching US shores on only three occasions) and the respect of fans and peers worldwide. In mid-2009, IHSAHN gave his first live performance in Oslo supporting Opeth.

IHSAHN is endorsed exclusively by Ibanez Guitars, Line 6, Steinberg and Blackstar Amplification.

Tickets for ProgPower USA are available now via Ticketmaster.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info, click on the links below:

http://www.ihsahn.com
http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
http://www.progpowerusa.com

LONG LIVE IHSAHN.

Stone.

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BLACK SABBATH “Cross Purposes” – 1994 Album Revisited, Some Metal Thoughts…

Posted in Metal with tags , , , , , , , , on January 14, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

BLACK SABBATH – On February 8, 1994, Black Sabbath released their seventeenth studio album – Cross Purposes via I.R.S. Records. Of course this is not the original lineup of Black Sabbath heard on this album, with the exceptions of Tony Iommi (guitar) and Geezer Butler (bass). Nor is the late and legendary Ronnie James Dio present here. Tony Martin (vocals), Bobby Rondinelli (drums) and Geoff Nicholls (keyboards) join up with Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler, to make what I consider a formidable Black Sabbath lineup, that created some intense and memorable Heavy Metal with Cross Purposes.

It never bothered me in the least, each time Black Sabbath changed it’s band lineup around. The constant Metal presence of Tony Iommi, with his signature tones and riffs roaring from his Gibson guitar, has given every Black Sabbath album one of it’s mighty trademark sounds regardless of lineup changes. Am I wrong to feel this way? Of course not, it’s my personal Metal opinion. I’m a lifetime Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler fan, so when this album was released I was thrilled to hear them and their new songs. For sake of Metal argument, I’m a fan of every musician and vocalist that Black Sabbath has ever had. I’m guilty of being a fan of the entire Black Sabbath musical tree… Metal be thy name.

Adopting the band name of Heaven & Hell back in 2007 never swayed me to love the music of Black Sabbath anymore than I already do. Legalities over a band’s trademark name like Black Sabbath certainly surrounded around money, more than it did anything else… that’s understandable and completely logical. So, if one can get past the fact that Black Sabbath was an interchangeable band from 1983 through 1995, (counting the classic Ronnie James Dio aka Heaven & Hell lineup with 1992’s Dehumanizer in the mix), then one can focus on the music and appreciate what Tony Iommi and his Black Sabbath band(s) have truly accomplished with Heavy Metal.

Check out below, the black & white promo music video for Black Sabbath – The Hand That Rocks The Cradle, which was released back in 1994:

Cross Purposes was released in 1994, a time when the Grunge explosion was beginning to lose some steam. It seems (at times) that the 90’s decade gets a bum rap on Heavy Metal releases, only I beg to differ. Heavy Metal was alive and well during the 90’s, only it was not covered by the mainstream or held the arena and stadium limelight compared to those colorful 80’s. Truth be told, it’s like that now, only Heavy Metal is considered “the comeback kid” by some, where I consider this genre’s perseverance to be the result of it’s loyal fan base, along with relentless and exceptionally talented bands that never say die. Cross Purposes was an album that surprised me then, with it’s completeness resulting in being a quality album and it still entertains me now with it’s Old School heaviness.

Cross Purposes has that Sabbath doom vibe sprinkled all over the top of the songs, with the main incubus to this dark sound being Tony Iommi himself. Yes, Geezer Butler is evident in his playing on this album. That Geezer Butler was on this album alongside Tony Iommi, makes a world of difference in capturing that Sabbath vibe. Tony Martin (along with Ray Gillen) may very well be the most unsung lead vocalists from any of the Black Sabbath lineups. I really admire Tony Martin’s vocals, they are of the Classic or Old School era that fits right into what Ian Gillan and Glenn Hughes have done with this same band. (Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio are the two untouchables who’ve fronted Black Sabbath, in my Metal opinion). This is herculean company to be in, Tony Martin can look back and realize he was part of a family line of not just talented vocalists for Black Sabbath, they all are immeasurably historic to Rock Music itself.

Geoff Nicholls always has added that impending and dark atmosphere for Black Sabbath with his keyboards. It’s no different on Cross Purposes, with atmosphere playing a key role in making this album spill over with once again… that Sabbath vibe. Tony Iommi was and forever will be the “Riff King” to my ears, Cross Purposes is potently stocked with his patented riffs. Cross Of Thorns is the song I’ll point out as my favorite on this album, with all of it’s Sabbath glory exploding from it’s dark sound and slow to mid-paced tempo. I can confidently say there isn’t a song on Cross Purposes that is fast forward material. Cross Purposes is an album worth checking out and getting familiar with if you already haven’t. Sure, this album is not the greatest Black Sabbath album ever recorded, still it is a legitimate offering of Heavy Metal, played by an excellent group of musicians, from a decade that supposedly squashed our beloved genre.

Track Listing For Cross Purposes:

I Witness

Cross Of Thorns

Psychophobia

Virtual Death

Immaculate Deception

Dying For Love

Back To Eden

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

Cardinal Sin

Evil Eye

LONG LIVE THE METAL OF BLACK SABBATH.

Stone.

8 Comments »

RAVEN – RETURNS WITH A METAL DROP KICK ON “WALK THROUGH FIRE”

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on April 29, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RAVEN – This pioneering band representing the NWOBHM has returned with a very Metal memorable album of 16 songs – Walk Through Fire, (released on March 30, 2010, on Metal Blade Records). Raven has contributed in a huge way, in fueling my Metal exhilaration thus far, this year. Raven provides all the Old School, Heavy Metal that I could have hoped for on Walk Through Fire. Plus, it sounds like Raven really had a Metal ball recording this new album, the energy and excitement of three veteran Metalhead musicians seems to jump out at me. Maybe it’s just my personal Metal interpretation here, still, Raven sounds like they certainly are back in Metal form to my ears.

Just as the 2010 album releases of Krokus, Scorpions, Armored Saintand RATT have blown this lifelong Metalhead into a dizzying Metal tailspin of joy… Raven has done likewise with their new album! Sure, it has been about a decade since Raven has put out an album, (One For All in 2000), only the fact remains… quality Metal is not manufactured like dixie cups… quantity does not hold an upper hand to quality in my Metal world. Walk Through Fire is an album of straight forward, in your face, Heavy Metal that isn’t hiding any surprises of experimentation here… it’s Old School Metal done right.

Having 16 songs to listen to, on this new Raven album, is a fine gesture of Metal giving to the fans. The song Bulldozer, with its infectiously heavy riffs has been super glued into my Metal mind since my first listen. Trainwreck and Grip are two more standout songs that will infiltrate your senses and make you a believer that Raven isn’t about musical intricacies… they are about Metal. Live At The Inferno and Rock Until You Drop are both live songs… and these songs heaviness scream everything great about Raven. Mark Gallagher shreds it on guitar during Rock Until You Drop, his solo tears it apart!

John Gallagher on lead vocals and bass hasn’t lost an ounce of Metal muscle, his vocal highs are simply awesome. Raven covers the Montrose classic – Space Station #5 from their 1973 debut album. In my Metal opinion, John Gallagher does one hell of great job singing this song. He actually sounds a sliver like Sammy Hagar on Space Station #5 too… really. This was a really cool, Hard Rock classic for Raven to cover.

Joe Hasselvander on drums is his usual, explicitly great self on Walk Through Fire. If I was to start a Metal band from scratch and I could choose that one drummer… it would be Joe Hasselvander. This is a drummer that comes across as playing by pure Metal instinct. From the opening Intro to the last two live tracks and everything in-between… this is meat and potatoes Heavy Metal from Raven. Don’t be that Metal dude or dudette who needs to “think about” buying this new Raven album. Buy or at least get your ears into Walk Through Fire soon… for Raven is F’n BACK!

RAVEN ARE:

John Gallagher – vocals, bass guitars

Mark Gallagher – guitars

Joe Hasselvander – drums & percussion

_______________________________________________________

Walk Through Fire – Track Listing:

Intro

Against The Grain

Breaking You Down

Under Your Radar

Walk Through Fire

Bulldozer

Long Day’s Journey

Trainwreck

Grip

Running Around In Circle’s

Hard Road

Armageddon (The Beginning)

Attitude

Space Station #5

Live At The Inferno

Rock Until You Drop

_____________________________________

* For more info on RAVEN, click on the links below!

http://www.ravenlunatics.com

facebook: Raven

LONG LIVE RAVEN AND THEIR METAL.

Stone.

5 Comments »

IWREASTELEDABEARONCE – “YOU AIN’T NO FAMILY” MUSIC VIDEO!

Posted in avant-garde metal music, Extreme Metal, extreme metal bands, extreme metal music, extreme music, heavy metal music, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, metalcore music, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , , on March 24, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

IWREASTLEDABEARONCE – An Avant-Garde Metal Band, they do not disappoint on the Extreme whatsoever. Just one listen to You Ain’t No Family will prove this point… very clearly. I always like wandering regularly, into the Extreme Metal side of the Universe. IWREASTLEDABEARONCE has caught my Metal attention and I really do not know how this band could become any heavier or more extreme. Is IWREASTLEDABEARONCE the future of Metal? In my Metal opinion, nope. However, this amazingly Extreme Metal Band is gonna make a run… at being at least a part of the future of Metal!

If you have neighbors that have been really annoying you lately, just turn the volume up very high on You Ain’t No Family, with the repeat button within reach, with your house windows up. This will make anyone aware instantly, that Extreme Metal exists and is not going away anytime soon!

I hope you enjoy this song and video of You Ain’t No Family as much as I do!

WARNING: This video and song is not meant for ABBA fans.

IWREASTLEDABEARONCE released their first full-length studio album – It’s All Happening on June 2, 2009, on Century Media Records. You Ain’t No Family is on this album. IWREASTLEDABEARONCE utilizes an array of music styles, from Metalcore to mellow interludes, only the end result is still the same… Extreme Metal. Avant-Garde, yes, only very Extreme!

LONG LIVE EXTREME METAL!

Stone.

2 Comments »

HEAVY METAL WARRIORS – 2008 CD IS A POTENT DOSE OF 12 METAL SONGS!

Posted in 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal compilation albums, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal songs, industrial metal bands, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal bands, old school thrash metal bands, rock music, sludge metal bands, thrash metal bands, thrash metal music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 21, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HEAVY METAL WARRIORS –  In 2008, Crash Music released a 12 song compilation of Heavy Metal songs titled: Heavy Metal Warriors. Heavy Metal compilation albums have been around since I can remember, with the Metal Blade – Metal Massacre compilation albums being the very best… in my Metal opinion. There are no liner notes with this Heavy Metal Warriors CD, just the one page that shows the front cover, (the backside is just a track listing of songs with the corresponding band). This CD is a potent mix of Thrash Metal, (Flotsam And Jetsam), Hair Metal, (Enuff Z Nuff) and straight up Metal, (Omen, Dianno) songs. My favorite song on this CD is Straight To Hell by Flotsam And Jetsam, an Old School Thrash Metal song, by a real deal veteran Thrash band in their own Metal right.

New Thing by Enuff Z Nuff is a live version, it is a melodic grabber and has all the vibe of late 1980’s Arena Rock emanating from it’s sound. Cold World by Dianno just flat out kicks Metal butt, I could not be more Metal honest than that. This song is easily my second favorite track on this cool CD. Cold World flourishes with Traditional Heavy Metal greatness, plus Paul Dianno on vocals sounds vintage and solid. Smooth Up is of course, the Bulletboys. This song is listed on the track listing as such – Smooth Up. I always understood this song title to be… Smooth Up In Ya’, however. Regardless, it’s a pretty darn good live version of Smooth Up In Ya’, the guitar solo is psyche out time and Marq Torien’s vocals are decent… as usual.

Dissconnect Massconnect by Transport League is a mix of Metalcore and straight up Metal, with a slight funky groove happening throughout the entire song. The more I listen to this song, the more I like it. Sick by Diamond Rexx is a Heavy Metal riff explosion. Albeit, the lead riff is played consistently throughout this song, still it works it’s heavy groove just fine for my Metal standards. The guitar solo is short and has a 1970’s tone about it on Sick. Diamond Rexx made their album debut back in 1986, with Land of the Damned and are still a current band.

Single Bullet Theory rages with Murder Machines, a damned good Metal song it is. Murder Machines is heavy as molasses and slick as an ice covered road… (man, that description sounded corn dog). Here is a Metal song that ranks as my third favorite track: Eternal Black Dawn by Omen. Omen is one fine Metal band, there is no doubt in my Metal mind about that. Omen traces their Traditional Heavy Metal roots back to 1983 as a Metal Blade Records signee, with this track coming from their 2003 album – Eternal Black Dawn. Soil brings their in-your-face Metal with Triple Sixs, this song I recommend being played extremely LOUD.

Ashes Of Your Enemy lends the track – Surrender. The lead vocals are a growling and snarling bounty of Metal joy, the music Rocks heavy… only the chorus is what doesn’t do it for me, too damned mellow. All I Had I Gave is from the legendary Sludge Metal band – Crowbar. Man, would I love to down a case of beer with these guys before I hit the age of 90. Kirk Windstein of Crowbar is a powerhouse on vocals and guitar… a modern day riff master of heavy greatness. Twin Method concludes this Heavy Metal Warriors CD, their Industrial Metal meets Alternative Metal sound is all over their song – The Abrasive, from their 2006 debut album, The Volume Of Self.

So, there you Metal have it, Heavy Metal Warriors is as diverse a blend of Metal songs as you can ask for. I am not bashful one bit in recommending any Metalhead to get a copy of this CD. It’s still in print and available at most of the online music sites out there. If Heavy Metal Warriors has proved anything to this Metalhead, it’s that recurring reminder… Heavy Metal F’n Rules!!

* Thanks go out to – Best Metal Buddy Scott Coverdale for landing me this fine Heavy Metal CD this last Christmas of 2009!

“A WORLD WITHOUT HEAVY METAL WOULD BE A QUIET, TIRED, UGLY, CONSTIPATED AND TERRIBLE PLACE.”

Stone.

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ROB ZOMBIE – “HELLBILLY DELUXE 2” BLASTS WITH HEAVY METAL, HORROR AND DIRTY FUNKY COOL!

Posted in 1990's heavy metal music, album covers, Album Review, cool album covers, creepy album covers, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal bands, current heavy metal music, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2010, heavy metal songs, heavy metal vocalists, horror metal, Metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 28, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ROB ZOMBIE IS BACK. HELLBILLY DELUXE 2 was released on February 2, 2010 on Roadrunner/Loud & Proud Records. If change was in the air, Rob Zombie has not smelled it. Rob Zombie has not even nibbled on the flavor of the month either. Thank the Metal Gods for the fact Rob Zombie has not undergone any self serving and self righteous soul searching with music. What Rob Zombie has created with Hellbilly Deluxe 2 is not the pre-packaged usualness of Heavy Metal. The funky heavy origins of White Zombie will always be hanging out in Rob Zombie’s albums… and why the hell not? Rob Zombie did have a valid Heavy Metal career before his name alone lit up the Metal marquees. Horror themed lyrics, funky grooves, sensational and at times bizarre sound effects, are once again the norm with Rob Zombie. Thank the Metal Gods for that.

If Rob Zombie were to come out with an album that featured acoustic ballads and songs that promoted saving the environment, I would most likely feel like the end was near for certain. Hey, string arrangements are heard on Hellbilly Deluxe 2, (courtesy of Tyler Bates), on The Man Who Laughs. This is the one song where each band member contributed to the writing of it’s music. The string arrangements are chilling, eerie and horror soundtrack material, what else would you expect? Rob Zombie makes any musical idea that comes to his Metal mind sound very cool, once it becomes a song. The percussion and drumming skills of Tommy Clufetos, creates a nightmarish image of one running away from whatever evil entity is chasing them, in my Metal interpretation. At 9:44, The Man Who Laughs is a Rob Zombie nightmare of an epic… which is a Metal compliment.

Werewolf Women Of The S.S. is about telling the truth behind Hitler’s diabolical plans to create a race of super women. Whoa. Now, that is subject matter that I would never, ever, in a million Metal years come up with myself! This is reason #1,000 as to why no one can touch the horrific and melancholic imagination of Rob Zombie. As a bonus, John 5 plays some shades of surf guitar that makes this song all the more surreal. Burn takes it to the Funk and Roll level, the kind of song you want to jump up and down to, in a dark field under a full moon. All Metal kidding aside, Burn really makes me feel like jumping up and down. Piggy D on bass and Tommy Clufetos on drums makes Burn thunder thump, like an invading band of gargantuan aliens from space, taking over a 1970’s disco.

Sick Bubblegum is Rob Zombie and his band accentuating their trademark heaviness with all of it’s non-stop and invitingly corrosive lyrics. This is Rob Zombie Heavy Metal… thank you Mr. Zombie for creating it. You have to look to the living legend of Horror Rock and Horror Metal himself, Alice Cooper, to get an understanding as to why this style of Heavy Metal is so non-negotiable. If you like, you buy and you listen. Rob Zombie has had no problems with people liking or buying over the years… shock and awe sells.

Throw in a clear fact that Rob Zombie has assembled an incredible band behind him… John 5 makes these songs scream Heavy Metal with his creative licks. Jesus Frankenstein is as hair raising as the title suggests, the haunting intro that has more darkness than a remote underground tunnel, John 5 lending a lead that seems to signal the apocalypse and an intermittent chorus of “All hail Jesus Frankenstein”, makes for the embodiment of Horror Heavy Metal legend.

Rob Zombie and John 5 are quite the dynamic Metal duo, I can literally hear the spontaneity that these two must bring to the recording studio, in these songs. (Rob Zombie and John 5 wrote each song, with the exception of The Man Who Laughs, as I noted above). This is Rob Zombie, Hellbilly Deluxe 2, with no artificial or superficial parts or extremities. This album is an eleven part Horror Film for my ears, with Heavy Metal that realistically carries it’s own weight with creativeness that Rocks and lyrics that shocks. Rob Zombie has returned once again… and that’s a sigh of Metal relief.

Stone.

* The sub-title of Hellbilly Deluxe 2 reads: Noble Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls And The Systematic Dehumanization Of Cool

* The liner notes of this CD are unreal great, they are vintage Rob Zombie, from the art and photography to the type fonts as well. Plus, these liner notes unfold to a large poster of Rob Zombie too! Perfect for framing and mounting on your dining room wall.

Track Listing For Hellbilly Deluxe 2:

Jesus Frankenstein

Sick Bubblegum

What?

Mars Needs Women

Werewolf Baby!

Virgin Witch

Death And Destiny Inside The Dream Factory

Burn

Cease To Exist

Werewolf Women Of The SS

The Man Who Laughs

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MERCYFUL FATE – “MELISSA” FOREVER REIGNS A METAL CLASSIC!

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal bands, 1980's metal music, 1980's thrash metal, 1983 heavy metal music, black metal music, cool album covers, creepy album covers, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1983, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1983, heavy metal songs 1983, heavy metal videos, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, metal music albums, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 24, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Mercyful Fate released their first full length studio album, Melissa, back in October of 1983. I remember back then, a high school buddy of mine named rich, he had this album in his clutches as soon as it was released. Rich eventually asked me if I wanted to borrow this album and give it a thorough listen. Listen I did. Metal truth be told, this album spooked the hell out of me back then. Heck, it was 1983, how many bands were out there that sounded like Mercyful Fate with Kind Diamond’s vocals? I remember staring at this album cover, wondering to myself… I’ve been introduced to a band that is heavier than Judas Priest. In 1983, getting my Metal taste buds wet with Judas Priest and Black Sabbath was a big deal… Mercyful Fate just shook my Metal senses loose.

Quite honestly, I cannot recall which album I listened to first back in the day… Metallica’s Kill ‘Em All or Melissa. It doesn’t really matter. The Metal fact is clear, these albums changed the way I and countless others listened to Heavy Metal Music back then… period.

I appreciated Rich lending me Melissa back in 1983, he was a real deal Metalhead and a good dude. Fast forward to today, I have Melissa on CD, it is a staple in my collection, a true Metal Classic. Each time I listen to this album, I am blown away realizing Melissa is from 1983 and it still reigns with all the Metal fury it bestowed from it’s initial release. This was just the beginning for King Diamond… so much Metal history and total quality surrounds Melissa. I never hesitate to consider Melissa as one of the greatest Metal albums ever. If you never heard Mercyful Fate – Melissa before, don’t despair… it’s never too late to appreciate this album and song. Give Melissa a listen below and crank it LOUD!

Mercyful Fate, as they appeared on Melissa:

King Diamond – vocals

Hank Shermann – guitar

Michael Denner – guitar

Timi Hansen – bass guitar

Kim Ruzz – drums

LONG LIVE MERCYFUL FATE AND KING DIAMOND!

4 Comments »

ATROCITY – “COLD BLACK DAYS” EP RESONATES WITH GOTHIC METAL

Posted in cool album covers, current gothic metal bands, Extreme Metal, extreme metal bands, extreme metal music, extreme metal music albums, extreme music, gothic hard rock bands, gothic hard rock music, gothic metal, gothic metal albums, gothic metal bands, gothic metal music, gothic metal music 2004, gothic metal songs, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, Metal, metal music, metal music albums, metal music ep's, metal odyssey, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 23, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ATROCITY – hailing from the grand Metal country of Germany, has their musical origins tracing back to 1985, while their Atrocity roots date back to 1989. The early years of Atrocity has them as a bona-fide Death Metal Band, with changes in their style taking them in the Industrial Metal and Gothic Metal directions. This brings me to this Atrocity EP – Cold Black Days, a bizarre and chilling track list of four songs. The bizarre adjective used prior, borders alongside haunting. Understandably, these are the adjectives one wants to hear when Gothic Metal is being discussed, it goes with the Gothic territory. To say the songs heard on this EP from Atrocity are a soundtrack to a vampiric slasher film, makes all the sense in the Gothic scheme of things. There are those times when one needs to take a nibble before they order the complete meal, lending an ear to EP’s makes sense… it’s sampling a band before an entire album purchase is made a reality.

I won’t tell a Metal fib… I like this Atrocity band and all of the Gothic nuances that go along with their music. From the articulate arrangements heard on the single Cold Black Days to the eerie atmospherics, with lead vocalist Alexander Krull narrowly hypnotizing my senses with his sinister delivery. I am not running for cover… I am now more intrigued by Atrocity than ever before. Antediluvian World is for all intents and purposes, Gothic in it’s mood and overall heavy appeal. However, this song plays out with some Thrash meets Symphonic, interwoven with a sliver of Hardcore. A wonderful blend of extremities I hear in Antediluvian World, while a dark Gothic cloud of mourning hovers over it. Atrocity has succeeded in welcoming me into their mysterious and melancholy world of Gothic Metal, thanks to this Cold Black Days EP.

ATROCITY, as they appeared on Cold Black Days EP:

Alexander Krull – lead vocals

Mathias Roderer – guitarist

Thorsten Bauer – guitarist

Chris Lukhaup – bass guitarist

Martin Schmidt – drummer

Cold Black Days – EP Track Listing:

Cold Black Days

Cold Black Days (Radio Mix)

Antediluvian World

Cold Black Days (Das Ich Remix)

Cold Black Days EP was released on Napalm Records/SPV in 2004.

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CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED – DEBUT ALBUM IS FULL BLOWN METAL!

Posted in Album Review, cool album covers, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal bands, current heavy metal music, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2010, heavy metal musicians, Metal, metal music, metal music albums, metal odyssey, Music, new heavy metal music, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, power metal albums, power metal bands, power metal music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 19, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Charred Walls of the Damned released their self titled, debut album on February 2, 2010 on Metal Blade Records. Cutting to the Metal chase here, my ears are telling me Charred Walls of the Damned are not just a supergroup, they are an excellent Metal Band… period. There are many shades of Power Metal found within this debut album from Charred Walls of the Damned. How many dozens of American bred Power Metal Bands can you name? Europe outnumbers America in the Power Metal category, thus anytime a North American band even sounds remotely close to Power Metal, it peeks my Metal interest. That is why I am rather excited that founding member and drummer, Richard Christy, decided to embark on an Old School Speed Metal meets Power Metal adventure like this band. Shaking loose from the confines of The Howard Stern Show to create a legit and convincing Metal album is what Richard Christy has done. After listening to Charred Walls of the Damned several times, I’ve come to the Metal conclusion that Richard Christy could probably quit his day job. Then again, it’s not too shabby a gig, to be part of The Howard Stern Show either.

Richard Christy and Tim “Ripper” Owens played together as members of Iced Earth, from 2003 to 2004. Bass guitarist Steve Digiorgio has built his Metal legacy as a founding member of Sadus, while also playing for Death, Testament, Iced Earth and Autopsy… there are a few more, yet the Metal point is made here. Throw in the fact that Richard Christy was also the drummer for Death, from 1996 to 2001 and you have Metal credibility oozing from the Metal seams here. Legendary Metal producer Jason Suecof takes the helm on guitar and of course, producing Charred Walls of the Damned. It is in my sincerest Metal opinion, that Tim “Ripper” Owens does not have to look upon himself as ever being that other lead singer for Judas Priest… never again. Charred Walls of the Damned spotlights the Ripper’s vocals, while he clearly magnifies the power and emotion of each song with Metal conviction.

Truly, an album that has no dog for a song is rare during any era of Metal Music. Charred Walls of the Damned is just that album… from Ghost Town to Fear In The Sky, the unrelenting Metal assault that is unmistakably power charged, comes at you like an out of control heat seeking missile. Jason Suecof demonstrates his guitar appreciation with unreal great confidence and clarity. The Metal leads, riffs and solos rage throughout Charred Walls of the Damned, Jason Suecof can play. If I sound over zealous about this debut album, it’s that I’m only extremely psyched that these four Metal players have combined their skills and minds to deliver a quality Metal product.

Overall, these songs are built on speed, blended with the Power Metal vocals of Ripper and thunder struck by Steve Digiorgio on bass and Christy on drums. Charred Walls of the Damned teamed up to tinker with the traditional brilliance’s of Metal. Oh, did they tinker… the end result is the Metal parts are just as great as the Metal sum with their debut album. I really hope this is just the beginning of a long line of albums, from this “new” Metal Band they call – Charred Walls of the Damned.

For more about Charred Walls of the Damned, click here: Charred Walls of the Damned – myspace music page

CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED – Track Listing:

1. Ghost Town

2. From The Abyss

3. Creating Our Machine

4. Blood on Wood

5. In a World So Cruel

6. Manifestations

7. Voices Within the Walls

8. The Darkest Eyes

9. Fear in the Sky

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EARLY MAN – “BEWARE THE CIRCLING FINS” EP IS CAN’T MISS METAL

Posted in cool album covers, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, independent record labels, Metal, metal music, metal music ep's, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music, speed metal, thrash metal album review, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands, thrash metal music, thrash metal music 2008 with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 15, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

EARLY MAN. Beware The Circling Fin is an EP of 4 songs, only don’t be fooled, these songs are can’t miss Metal. I only wish Early Man had slapped down a few more tracks for this EP, their Metal is that good. Early Man is no newcomer to the Metal world, they released back on April, 5, 2005, the Early Man EP, which contained 3 songs. Early Man then signed on to Matador Records and released their first full length album – Closing In on October 11, 2005. Beware The Circling Fin was released on October 14, 2008, on independent label The End Records. I find Early Man to be quite the Old School Metal Band, (Traditional Metal, if you will), with total disregard for all things commercial… I like that very much.

Beware The Circling Fin was produced by Jack Endino, who has worked with Nirvana, High On Fire and Mudhoney, to name a few. Early Man hooking up with with a producer of this caliber is not too shabby, in my Metal opinion. Back in 2005, when Early Man first hit the streets with their debut EP, the Thrash Metal revival was heating up. Revival aside, Thrash Metal, (all Metal for that matter), never crawled under a rock… it has only grown stronger. With veteran Thrash Metal Bands making valiant returns, (hello Testament), while other veteran Thrashers like Slayer and Megadeth never relented, younger bands like Early Man can only solidify and bond the Metal cause all the more. (That’s another Metal opinion of mine).

Beware The Circling Fin EP has been my starting point… venturing into the Early Man brand of Metal. One characteristic of this EP that I like is the overall rawness that seems to creep around each song. I’m not talking demo raw here, just good ol’ Metal. Amongst this trio of Early Man, I don’t here one overpowering the other… the vocals and Metal Music seem to gather steam together… another good quality.

Suck Me Dry tends to sway away from total Thrash, this song borders on the Punk side… with it’s play time of 1:31, it’s aggressiveness wrapped with attitude and especially the vocals of Mike Conte. Is that bad? Uh, not for me. Beware The Circling Fin has Mike Conte reaching for the high notes vocally, sounding credible and reminding me of vintage Rob Halford of Judas Priest. The riffs, leads and all encompassing sound of Coiled Like A Snake has me feeling Early Man knows a thing or two about Metal’s founding fathers. Sinking The Blade is for me, the heaviest and fastest song on this EP. If Thrash is Early Man’s forte, they proved it with Sinking The Blade – in my Metal opinion. Early Man has shown they can intertwine their sound from Thrash to semi-Punk, what’s in between these songs is all the stuff I’ve always admired about Metal in the first place.

EARLY MAN as they appeared on Beware The Circling Fin:

Mike Conti – vocals, guitar & bass

Pete Macy – guitar

Adam Bennati – drums

* Tim Ramage is listed as the current bass guitarist, as seen on the Early Man myspace music page.

* Early Man’s myspace music page has their current location listed as Los Angeles, California. You can check out the Early Man myspace music page by clicking here: EARLY MAN – myspace music page

* An eagerly anticipated and forthcoming new studio album from Early Man is titled – Death Potion. This info can be found directly on Early Man’s official website: EARLY MAN ARMY.com – Official Website of EARLY MAN

* Lead singer and guitarist Mike Conte has his own blog, click the link below to check it out:

WHIPLASH HEAVY METAL – Early Man’s Mike Conte blog

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NUCLEAR ASSAULT – “RISE FROM THE ASHES” THRASH METAL ROOTS FROM 1988!

Posted in 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's metal bands, 1980's metal music, 1980's thrash metal, 1988 thrash metal music, 1990's thrash metal bands, 1990's metal music, 1990's thrash metal music, heavy metal music, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school thrash metal bands, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands, thrash metal legends, thrash metal music, thrash metal songs, thrash metal videos with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 13, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

NUCLEAR ASSAULT – released the album Survive on June 13, 1988. Rise From The Ashes is from this album, one unreal great Thrash Metal song… in my Metal opinion. Old School and brutally real is Nuclear Assault, a Thrash Metal Band originating from NYC. Nuclear Assault deserve’s any and all the Metal recognition when talk of Thrash roots comes up for discussion. This is Thrash Metal that reminds me of days when I really had to sell or trade records or tapes in order to buy/acquire new Metal. This is Thrash Metal that the music awards shows on television never did or ever will have an F’n clue about. This is Thrash Metal that will never be forgotten by Metal Odyssey… NUCLEAR ASSAULT Reigns here. Crank up the volume on Rise From The Ashes… hopefully you like this Thrash gem as much as I do.

LONG LIVE NUCLEAR ASSAULT!

Nuclear Assault as they appeared on Survive from 1988:

John Connelly – vocals & guitar

Anthony Bramante – guitar

Dan Lilker – bass

Glenn Evans – drums


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SIX FEET UNDER – “GRAVEYARD CLASSICS III” A DEATH METAL ALBUM OF COVER SONGS!

Posted in 1990's death metal bands, 1990's death metal music, 2010 heavy metal albums, cool album covers, cover songs, creepy album covers, current death meal bands, current death metal albums, current death metal music, Death Metal, death metal albums 2010, death metal cover songs, death metal guitarists, death metal history, death metal legends, death metal music, death metal music 2010, death metal vocalists, extreme metal music, extreme music, heavy metal albums, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school death metal music, scary album covers with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 12, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

I really get into Death Metal and have my core favorite, Death Metal bands. Six Feet Under is one of my core Death Metal bands of mine. When I listen to Death Metal, it’s like I’m getting back to my Metal basics… there’s no fooling around with this genre, just extreme vocals and groove infested, thunder splitting – Metal. Chris Barnes, with his ultra legendary, Death Metal growling vocals, is at his finest on Graveyard Classics III. This album marks the third installment of the Graveyard Classics series of cover song albums from Six Feet Under. Six Feet Under not only groove along at an impressively addicting pace, this album is damn F’n fun too. Yes, it is fun to hear Chris Barnes belt out his original and extreme vocals to ten amazingly historical Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Black Metal and Punk Rock songs.

One of the many reasons to admire Six Feet Under and their Graveyard Classics series, is their allegiance and recognition to so many historical and great bands from Rock Music’s past. It’s all about roots with these cover songs… and Six Feet Under covers them with Death Metal brilliance. My two favorite cover songs on Graveyard Classics III are: Destroyer by Twisted Sister and Not Fragile by Bachman Turner Overdrive. Six Feet Under plays Destroyer like they are going to take over the world… and implement a Death Metal master plan. Not Fragile showcases the guitar mastery of Steve Swanson, he really steals the Death Metal show on this song.

As I listen to Chris Barnes sing these two songs, I cannot help but not recognize that he is a fan of these bands he covers so well. Influence is a powerful word and bands like Slayer literally explode with it for so many musicians… Six Feet Under attests to this by covering At Dawn They Sleep. Six Feet Under may never be able to capture the Thrash Metal fire and intensity that only Slayer can deliver with At Dawn They Sleep, still, hearing such a fantastic Death Metal version of this classic is a thrill for me. The Frayed Ends Of Sanity is such a monumental choice for Six Feet Under to undertake as well, Metallica being the iconic Thrash Metal Band they are only drives home the reverence Chris Barnes upholds for Metal history. Oh, yeah, Six Feet Under plays this Metallica classic quite deadly well too.

What would a 2010 Death Metal cover song album, from Six Feet Under, be without an Anvil song? Metal On Metal only solidifies the fact that Anvil is as important a band to the history of Metal as any. Chris Barnes may not ever take over the vocal helm for Anvil’s Lips, regardless, he employs his very own grunt and growl trademark to a fabulous cover version. Just when you think Graveyard Classics III has all the historic Metal firepower to cover, A Dangerous Meeting by the unreal legendary Mercyful Fate is on this album too. A tough song to sing no matter who you are… Chris Barnes takes this song on and laces it with Death Metal vocal glorification. Psychotherapy by the Ramones and Snap Your Fingers Snap Your Neck by Prong are the fun moments for me on this album… two songs that probably no one ever would consider Death Metal material years ago. On Fire by Van Halen and Pounding Metal by (the blue collar) Thrash Metal vets Exciter, round out the ten Death Metal cover songs on Graveyard Classics III.

To say that Terry Butler on bass and Greg Gall on drums are very good is a Death Metal understatement… they are both excellent… the proof is in the songs. Six Feet Under has established their Death Metal legacy years ago, they are now just compounding this legacy, with an album of deliriously deadly cover songs called Graveyard Classics III. This is one damn fine listen – in Death Groove.

* Graveyard Classics III was released on January 19, 2010, on Metal Blade Records.

* Album Cover Art By: Dusty Peterson – Unreal great stuff… now thats Metal. Death Metal.


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