Hey, I hold one heck of a strong allegiance to Thrash Metal. Veteran Thrash originators like Slayer, Metallica, Exodus, Anthrax, Megadeth, Destruction, Over Kill, Testament and even young newcomers like Black Tide and Warbringer set me straight on the road to Thrash Metal glee. My main point of this article is to shout out loudly and proudly to the entire world that – Kreator is one unbelievable Thrash Metal band, wow. What has me so impressed by Kreator, is that they have released 2 amazing Thrash albums in a row! Starting with “Enemy of God”, (released in January of 2005), then this January of 2009 brought us the incredible “Hordes of Chaos”. I am not, in any way, taking away the Thrash Metal greatness of their achievements from the 1980’s and 1990’s. Kreator has, experimented musically in the past, yet this has never been an abomination to me by any means.
If you are a fan of Heavy Metal, Metal or Thrash Metal, you simply have to give Kreator a listen if you have not already. There are mainstream “music critics” out there who do not have a clue, they do not even know that Kreator is generating throngs of fans worldwide with their tours and quality albums. Furthermore, these so called professional “music critics” are always the first to cry out that melody and Thrash/Death Metal do not exist together. Well, Kreator pretty much adds melody to their Thrash, you are not getting just a flurry of riffs and chords that go nowhere with pummeling blast beats.
The essential and basic ingredients to achieving top tier Thrash Metal is accomplished here with Kreator. On “Enemy of God” and “Hordes of Chaos”, you will hear lyrics on violence, anarchy and just about every dark image you can imagine. The guitar riffs, leads and solos are second to none in the genre. The lead vocals are powerful, distinct and never take center stage over the music itself. The rhythm section is a lesson in Thrash Metal 101, beating you down into a Thrash submission that elevates you at the same time. Kreator hails from the fine country of Germany. Over the last couple of decades or more, Germany has been infamous for the Power Metal greatness that it exports, (Scorpions, Accept, Edguy, GammaRay, etc). Well, Germany has in my opinion, delivered to the Metal world, what I regard as one of the greatest and most underrated Thrash Metal bands that has ever existed – Kreator.
Kreator initially bestowed their greatness to the Thrash Metal genre in 1986, with “Flag of Hate”. Obviously, Kreator is a veteran Thrash Metal band, they have sustained and persevered like so many others in Metal. Since then, there have been lineup changes with the band, which to me, is a natural occurrence within any Rock music genre. The current Kreator lineup is as follows: Miland ‘Mille’ Petrozza on vocals and guitar, Jurgen ‘Ventor’ Reil on drums, Christian ‘Speesy’ Giesler on bass and Sami Yli-Sirnio on guitar. I highly, without hesitation, recommend the entire Kreator catalog of music to savvy Thrash Metal fans worldwide – especially “Enemy of God” and “Hordes of Chaos”, these two albums alone are Thrash Metal gold for me.
Let’s go back to August of 1984. I was a senior in High School, having NOT the time of my life. Little did I know, that the debut album from W.A.S.P., aptly titled, “W.A.S.P.”, would be the beginning of one juggernaut of a Heavy Metal career for Blackie Lawless and his band! This initial offering from W.A.S.P. would become certifiable gold in the U.S.A., selling over 1 million copies of this historic vinyl worldwide! This debut gem would reach to #74 on the Billboard album chart. The original lineup for W.A.S.P. was Blackie Lawless (of course) on lead vocals and bass, Chris Holmes and Randy Piper on guitars and Tony Richards on drums. Drummer Steve Riley replaced Tony Richards shortly after the release of “W.A.S.P.”, and Blackie Lawless has never looked back since 1984.
Yes, we have a historic time of change in our nation’s history at the moment, it is always a great time to be an American. However, let us not forget, that it was not long ago, when the PMRC, wanted to abolish and strip Heavy Metal from its foundation. Censorship of any kind is very scary inside a democracy. So many bands were on their list, from Twisted Sister to Stryper! I will forever be grateful to Dee Snider, for sticking up for what is right, not backing down to the PMRC and the politicians (yes, Al Gore and his wife Tipper Gore), that wanted to ban and restrict Metal and musical lyrics.
, and what a refreshing Punk Rock band this is! The constant Punk vibe you hear throughout “Music From Regions Beyond” is addicting, man, this album will grow on you. The first two tracks are obviously the heaviest sounding, both musically and vocally. “Hotprowl” and “Afterworld” rock heavy with sincere Punk Rock groove. “Hechizo de Amor” is a Spanish track, the vocals are sung in Spanish and the music has Latin flavor all over it. From the guitar to the percussion and bass, this song is a strong statement of musical diversity for Tiger Army. Like all the tunes on this album, it makes you move. “Spring Forward” has great lyrics, based on a moment of time and reflection. This song, like all the others, is just down right great stuff. There are no pretentious moments on “Music From Regions Beyond”. The overall quality of the songs and their lack of over indulgence into excessiveness is what makes this one great album and band. No question, for me this is as diverse as any Punk album in recent years. In my opinion, Nick 13 is a great vocalist, song writer/lyricist and plays one heck of a Punk & Rockabilly guitar. Jeff Roffredo plays stand-up bass and James Meza plays drums, I really dig this trio called Tiger Army! If you are into the Ramones, the Misfits, Osaka Popstar, AFI or a fan of Punk Rock in general, you really have to give Tiger Army a listen and get hooked by their infectious Punk vibe! Tiger Army will prove to you that Punk Rock is still happening right NOW!
In all of my years of listening to Heavy Metal and all other METAL genres, from going to Arena size METAL concerts, to small club METAL gigs, I do not think I ever referred to any METAL music that I am aware of, as, well, a “METAL performance”. What in the world is a “METAL performance”? I know that a ballet, a comedian on stage, a high school play or a middle school band can give a performance. METAL and the word performance do not add up correctly. If I ever used the phrase, at any time in my METAL life, to anyone I know, “Hey, that was one terrific METAL performance by MOTORHEAD last night”, well, I probably would never be hearing the end of it. 
This is rather silly at best, although there is much proof out there as to why older Metalheads are called “old school”. These 4 reasons for being an old school Metalhead came to my mind, I just had to jot them down for the whole world to read. I am guilty of all 4 too. 
“Here it is, the one song you will need to sing along to every time you listen to “Relix IV”…. “Old School”. This song just has to be the official anthem of Over Kill and all of us older, or should I say, veteran Metalheads. Man, is this song cool! It is, believe it or not, Punk driven musically, the vocals and backing vocals are proof of this. “Within Your Eyes”, “Bats In The Belfry”, “Pound of Flesh” and “Keeper” will definitely satisfy your Thrash appetite. “Keeper” is another great tune to shout along to, trust me. I definitely will say this is the most fun Over Kill album ever, being that “Old School” and “Keeper” exist on it. You still will receive, without question, the unrelenting Thrash, dark lyrics, dark mood throughout “Relix IV”. Not one bad tune to be found here. This is once again, another must own for all Over Kill and all Thrash Metal fans worldwide. Thank you Bobby Blitz and D.D. Verni for making “Relix IV”
Thunder and Lightning is a Thin Lizzy Hard Rockin’ and Heavy Hittin’ prize. Released in 1983, this is Old School Heavy Metal that is stupendous with every aspect of it’s music. John Sykes and Scott Gorham on guitars are both a sensational listen. The three songs of Cold Sweat, Someday She Is Going To Hit Back and Baby Please Don’t are abundantly impressive to my Rockin’ hungry ears. In my Metal opinion, the purchase of this album is worth it for these three songs alone. With that said, this entire album is vintage Heavy Metal that should be revisited and celebrated.
“Originally released in 1978, Judas Priest “Stained Class” is bursting out at the seams with what I regard as groundbreaking Heavy Metal that helped define what Metal is today. I, personally feel, that “Exciter” is a song that projects a Thrash Metal speed and vibe. “Better By You, Better Than Me” is a Heavy Metal song that has an opening riff so memorable, so catchy, with it’s repeated use throughout, single handedly electrifies this tune. “Better By You, Better Than Me” is loaded down with a heavy bass groove, the tapered down pace of this song makes it so hot and heavy. The bonus tracks are terrific, with the live version of “Better By You, Better Than Me” sounding great and a bit raw, which I feel enhances the song. “Fire Burns Below” is a slow, trudging, Heavy Metal treat to my ears! I really find this song to be a great example of the sound Judas Priest would eventually grasp onto with their albums of the 1980’s. “Fire Burns Below” is fused together with repetitive drum beats, layered over by electric guitar leads and very clean, very sharp acoustic guitar leads. “Stained Class” in my opinion, is a Heavy Metal album ahead of it’s time, a Judas Priest classic for me. Every song on this album, for me, is as great as Heavy Metal gets. I highly recommend “Stained Class”, a must own for those who love all things Metal!
“The first release from Metal Church is extremely fast with the attitude of a hungry band of musicians braced for Metal stardom. Released in 1985, “Metal Church” is an old school Thrash & Metal album that belongs in every single Metal fans collection, no question about it. All 9 songs are structured, written and performed to the highest of Metal standards. The late David Wayne on vocals, makes the songs sound dark and gives each song a vintage Metal bite. The intro to “Beyond the Black” is chilling, with a doomsday rhetoric and atmosphere that grabs your attention instantly. The guitar and bass on the song “Metal Church” sounds like it is leading you down a path of horror, now this is what Metal is supposed to accomplish! “Hitman” is super heavy and thrashes across the board. “Gods of Wrath” is the longest song, at over six and a half minutes, yet you will wish it would continue on! The cover of Deep Purple’s “Highway Star” is done so well here it is jaw dropping. Kurt Vanderhoof on guitar, the Heavy Metal hero who still runs the show for Metal Church to this day, is flawless on this album. The rest of the lineup for this debut album by Metal Church is Kirk Arrington on drums & percussion, Craig Wells on guitars and Duke Erickson on bass. A debut Metal Church album that is so intense for its time, so riveting and exact with its delivery of Thrash and Metal, it belongs at the top of the list of all time Metal albums. I feel this album is absolutely relevant to the Metal that is currently released today, it is an album like “Metal Church” that paved the way for today’s Heavy Metal genres.”
It is so refreshing, extremely comforting, to know that there are factually dozens of Heavy Metal and Hard Rock bands that MATTER, bashing out their new releases and touring, since the 1970’s and in some instances, the late 1960’s!! So much for critics who cite “shelf life” of Heavy Metal. There are so many legendary Heavy Metal bands out there that are in their 3rd or 4th decade of championing the flag of Metal for all of us Metalheads. I hereby SALUTE the following list of legendary and historical bands that were/still are instrumental in shaping and defining the world of METAL music – as we know it and enjoy it today. I say THANK YOU to these bands! It is my opinion, that these bands are still around today for they are masters of their musical craft. It is my METAL opinion, that each and every one of these bands belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (some bands on this list already are there). I may miss some bands that should be on this list, however feel free to comment on those bands who belong on this HEAVY METAL & HARD ROCK list and they shall be added. The criteria I am using is: The band is Heavy Metal or Hard Rock * The band has been around since the late 1960’s or 1970’s and still are performing as a band or members are doing solo careers and/or recording new material – the band is current. Here is the list (in no particular order), enjoy:
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
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