ASIA TO RELEASE NEW STUDIO ALBUM “XXX” WITH ORIGINAL LINE-UP: GEOFF DOWNES, STEVE HOWE, CARL PALMER & JOHN WETTON
ASIA will release their new studio album “XXX” (pronounced Triple X) on Frontiers Records on June 29th in Europe and July 3rd in North America. The new record, produced by Mike Paxman, which is being hailed as ASIA’s best album since its classic early 80s releases, will be released as a CD, collector’s edition CD/DVD (featuring new music videos and behind the scenes footage), and on vinyl (limited edition Europe only). Original artwork for “XXX” album courtesy of Roger Dean.
Stone Says: I love this song! Everything about Face On The Bridge just resonates the classic sound and appeal of this original ASIA lineup! I absolutely cannot wait to hear this entire new album from ASIA! Those ASIA vibes I’m feeling from this song takes me back to another time; those days when I played their debut album continuously during the entire Summer of ’82. This new ASIA song and video, Face On The Bridge, is my Metal pick of the day!
MY DYNAMITE – Releasing on June 19th, 2012, is the debut and self-titled album from Australia’s My Dynamite. Listenable Records has signed a dandy Rock ‘N Roll band here. My Dynamite is a very talented Rock band you should know about and their debut album you should strongly consider buying this Summer, I’ll tell you why:
01. – Hot Rockin’. No, I’m not talking about the fabulously riveting Judas Priest song, I’m talking about this entire My Dynamite album. Honestly, from start to finish, My Dynamite has given the world ten songs to party to or just kick back and enjoy the moment to. This album can turn a shit day into an easy livin’ one, in under 30 seconds. It happened for me already.
02. – My Dynamite may sound like The Black Crowes and don’t sound like ABBA, while lead singer Pat Carmody may sound like Chris Robinson; still My Dynamite is an original from Down Under and obviously know the true meaning of Rock Steady. They mix Southern Rock, Blues Rock and 70’s Party Rock with a commendable and all-encompassing Classic Rock feel and vibe. It all sounds like Rock ‘N Roll hallelujah to me.
03. – My Dynamite have “written songs that express what is going on in their personal lives directly” and it comes across just so. This album is as blue-collar as they come, with a flair for the backwoods and small town Rock ‘N Roll spirit; a spirited sound which comes at me from every turn.
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04. – This cool band plays feel-good Rock ‘N Roll for sure and those good-times vibrations are spilling out from these songs like a waterfall. Pat Carmody’s vocals and harmonica on Take It Or Leave It sends me back to those days when technology didn’t rule my every move and that alone is good-times for me.
05. – What this debut album from My Dynamite will give you, is that slick Rock ‘N Roll head-slap that everyone needs once in a while. No blanket of Modern Hard Rock sound. No fancy gimmicks or tricks. No Alternative or Progressive leanings. No extremes. Just straight-up Rock that has tons of Roll is what My Dynamite delivers and this debut from them is a Rockin’ knock-out punch.
Now… kick your pissed-off and constipated attitude out the door… and get yourself some My Dynamite.
MY DYNAMITE:
Patrick Carmody – Lead Vocals
Jorge Balas – Guitar
Travis Fraser – Bass
Simon Aarons – Drums
Benny Wolf – Guitar
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MY DYNAMITE – Track Listing:
Take It Or Leave It
Inside Out
If We’re Livin’
Dirty Game
Watch Yourself Grow
Raise Your Glasses
Singing Stormy Weather
Big Attraction
All That She Brings
Fork In Your Tongue
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* For more info on MY DYNAMITE, click on the links below:
The Norwegian Rock band burst onto the Scandinavian Rock scene with their self titled debut album in 2005. Led by hit single Lucifer’s Town the band was quickly labelled as one of the most promising underground Rock acts and their fan base grew quickly with fan clubs and supporters in every corner of the world.
The quartet, renowned as a great energetic live act, toured in Norway and Europe and even played some very successful shows in China. In 2008 and 2009 the band lived partly in Finland were lots of concerts and TV performances were held. In 2010 the band withdraw from the spotlight, built their own recording studio and concentrated on writing and recording their sophomore album entitled “The Royal Brigade”.
“We had to take a step back and figure out what direction we wanted with the new album and with the band as a whole” frontman Chris Wicked reveals. “It`s been a long time since our debut. We also have a new line up now so there were several things we had to sort out, but I’ll tell you we are extremely pleased with how things have been progressing lately.”
Check out the video teaser for The Royal Brigade below!
Malice In Wonderland recently finished recording their sophomore album entitled “The Royal Brigade” and the band will now start looking for a suitable label to release the CD. Chris is positive about the future: “There is a whole new energy within in the group now! New music, new line up and a new area for Malice In Wonderland in general. The new album is filled with catchy, killer tracks that we are positive will please both new and old fans. We can’t wait to show people what we have been up to lately!”
If Rock n’ Roll is dead, someone must have forgotten to tell these Norwegians. With a new record full of bombastic high energetic quality Rock songs, these guys are eager to prove that they indeed are a force to reckon with.
HALESTORM – The second full-length studio album from Pennsylvania’s very own Hard Rockin’ band, HALESTORM, will be released via Atlantic Records on April 10th, 2012. This second studio full-length is titled: The Strange CaseOf… and led by the ever popular, talented and beautiful front woman/guitarist, Lzzy Hale, this looks to be one of 2012’s most popular of Hard Rock albums. Both an in-store and online release is for this date.
* The Strange Case Of… was produced by Howard Benson.
* The deluxe edition CD includes 3 bonus tracks.
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HALESTORM:
Lzzy Hale – Vocals, Guitar
Arejay – Drums
Josh Storm – Bass, Vocals
Joe Storm – Guitar, Vocals
The Strange Case Of… – Track Listing:
Love Bites (So Do I)
Mz. Hyde
I Miss The Misery
Freak Like Me
Beautiful With You
In Your Room
Break In
Rock Show
Daughters Of Darkness
You Call Me A Bitch Like It’s A Bad Thing
American Boys
Here’s To Us
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* For more info on HALESTORM, click on the links below:
Green Pastures Connecticut – The world’s largest Heavy Metal (vinyl) album collection was discovered by an independent trash hauler on March 31st, at 7:30 am, EST, on Brownestone Hill Road, in rural Green Pastures, Connecticut. Constantine H. McLeland founded his small trash hauling business (Bye, Bye, Bad Garbage, Ltd.) back in 1999 and has struggled with fluctuating economies, large corporate competition and nightmarish Northern Connecticut Winter storms, only his entrepreneurial spirit has always kept him moving forward.
Recently facing the prospect of closing his trash hauling business due to rising taxes and gasoline prices, Constantine’s future is looking much more brighter now, due to his discovery of what’s being called “the greatest”, “the largest” and “most valuable” of any Heavy Metal record collection known. This collection has quickly drawn the attention of famed record experts and collectors worldwide, based on its size, quality and titles that’s involved.
The “unofficial” count has this enormous collection estimated at over 300,000 albums, with an early “conservative” estimated value at over three million dollars (in U.S. funds). Has Constantine found his pot of gold? He replies: “I would hopefully think so, it’s like winning the lottery and I feel like my life has been changed forever.” Asked if he listens to Heavy Metal, Constantine was quick to say: “I’m from the old school pack. Blue Cheer, Diamond Head, Pentagram, Judas Priest and Slayer are my bands, so, hell yes I listen to Heavy Metal.”
When asked to recount the moments leading up to his once-in-a-lifetime find, Constantine paused and requested we keep the name of his customer confidential. Constantine stated: “I received a call from a loyal customer of nearly ten years. He explained he wanted his six-car garage and adjoining guest house cleaned out in just three days. Of course I took the request and sent all four of my employees over to the customers property, each with a company truck. Then, I received a call from my employee (general manager) Henry. That’s when I got really involved.”
“Henry was ecstatic on the cell, he kept saying you won’t believe what we’re hauling away. When I arrived, I saw before me, boxes and industrial shelves filled with record albums. As far as we know and see, they are all Heavy Metal too. The entire guest house and garage are temperature controlled, with nothing but these albums as the contents! This customer is a perfectionist, this collection was stored professionally and neat as a pin. This collection goes back to the first Black Sabbath album and up to the early nineties. That first Black Sabbath album is even autographed by the band too, with a certificate of authenticity. I guess there are thousands of rare demo vinyl, picture discs, Japanese import vinyl and prototype vinyl, you know, one of a kind stuff.”
Apparently, Constantine did remind his customer that he was being paid to haul away a very valuable collection of albums. This customer was also reminded that once this collection was removed from his property, it would then be property of Bye, Bye, Bad Garbage Ltd., still, the customer agreed to these terms. Constantine explained: “This customer is a great guy, a genuine gentleman. He told me his Heavy Metal days were over and he now wanted to concentrate on amassing a large collection of ABBA and Disco albums instead. What a jackass. Damn poser.”
Asked what he will do next with his newfound and world’s largest collection of Heavy Metal albums: “I imagine I will keep most of it for now, I have the necessary storage on my property for it. I’ll sell some albums to keep payroll. I am a huge fan of Metal Odyssey and Stone is one loyal Metalhead… a really cool son-of-a-bitch, you know? So I’ll be giving him a good portion of this collection for free to enjoy. It’s my way of saying thanks to Stone and giving back to him, for having such a kick-ass Heavy Metal blog.”
I’ve been putting up with a doozy of a cold this past week, coupled with a nagging cough that spells: bronchitis. I wanted to write another album review or two these past days as well, only trying to “concentrate” on writing when you’re coughing up a storm doesn’t help matters! With today being Saturday, it has been eight days of feeling under the weather, regardless, I feel like I’m getting a ton better.
I’ve been listening to Rodrigo y Gabriela and C.U.B.A. – Area 52 quite a bit lately. This guitar duo are amazing players and the Cuban musicians that they recruited for their new album are superb. Just a thoroughly cool listen is this entire Area 52 album. Honestly, the tones that resonate from the guitars of Rodrigo y Gabriela along with the rhythms from their songs have made me feel pretty damn good this past week, especially when I needed that necessary “lift” in spirits.
C.U.B.A. stands for: Collective Universal Band Association. Again, I cannot emphasize enough, what an excellent sound that this Cuban orchestra gives to this Rodrigo y Gabriela album. If you’re looking for a must Summertime album to chill, dance or Rock out to, then Area 52 is one damn fine candidate. Hopefully, I will write a more detailed review for this Rodrigo y Gabriela album in the near future. For now, get it, especially if you appreciate instrumental guitar and/or Latin Rock.
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I very rarely write about sports on Metal Odsyssey. I “use to be” a sports nut. Do I still follow sports? Of course I do. The difference now is, after spending years of watching entire games on television, I am now content to catch a minute of action here and there, while getting updated scores via the internet whenever I feel like it. Congratulations to Lehigh University!
Ha, ha Duke. Ha, ha again. Every year, the NCAA Tournament “committee” finds it necessary to seed Duke at either #1 or #2, then they place Duke within a 60 mile radius of their home campus for tournament play. Favoritism. It’s been going on between Duke University and the NCAA for decades now. Well, Lehigh University let Duke know just how “great” they are this past Friday.
On Friday, March 16, 2012, the #15 seed Lehigh University defeated the #2 seed Duke 75 to 70. In Greensboro, North Carolina, the backyard of Duke, Lehigh University got it done. Ha, ha Duke. Ha, ha NCAA. The “brain-trust” of the NCAA probably thought that Duke would “roll” Lehigh University too. Think again NCAA. Don’t worry, next year that same NCAA “selection committee” will have Duke at #1 or #2 again, only next year they won’t have them paired up against Lehigh Universtiy.
ZZ TOP – Legends. Rock ‘N Roll Hall Of Famers. Mammoth Influence on all genres of Rock. Now then, when a cover song album of ZZ Top songs is released, these “covers” better be damn good. I can’t stand it when a band or musician just messes around with a Rock classic and “thinks” their famous name alone will give them a pass. Not here folks. I will present to you: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly when it comes to these ZZ Top cover songs I’ve been listening to on: A Tribute From Friends. Plus, I won’t be swayed by the fact that these are “friends” of ZZ TOP. Sometimes “friends” can ruin a classic song without even trying.
Let’s get right to it, shall we?
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THE BAD:
The opening track is Sharp Dressed Man performed by TheM.O.B. Who’s The M.O.B.? Mick Fleetwood, StevenTyler and John McVie. At first, I found this song fun. Then, it irritated the living hell out of me. All I kept picturing was The M.O.B. performing this song at a senior citizen Summer picnic or some Sunday afternoon church fair, with all in attendance going crazy for it. When a cover song sounds “old” and trudging… that’s what happens to my imagination.
Somehow Wolfmother had Cheap Sunglasses thrown in their lap to cover. Not good. I dig the first two studio albums from Wolfmother, only I don’t grasp this cover of Cheap Sunglasses. Annoying. I’ll have to admit, this is the first time I’ve ever been not keen to Andrew Stockdale’s vocals. Another problem is, this cover song sounds way too much like… Wolfmother. A disinterested Wolfmother at that.
THE UGLY:
So sorry that a Rockaholic and Metalhead like myself had NO clue who Wyclef Jean is until now. Rough Boy sounds so over-covered here entirely. Come on now, a Hip Hop / R&B artist covering a ZZ Top song? That is not an entirely bad idea, as long as this song is on an album of covers from ALL artists of Wyclef Jean’s genre.
This song unfortunately doesn’t fit in with the “Rock” flow for me, on this album. To my ears, Rough Boy was as “commercial” as it could get for ZZ TOP back in 1986 and this cover only magnifies it’s “Pop” personality to an embarrassing level. If Wyclef Jean is a friend of ZZ Top’s, then ZZ TOP should have remembered: “friends don’t let friends cover their songs”.
THE GOOD:
Nickelback. Yes, Nickelback. This love ’em or hate ’em Hard Rockin’ band knocked it out of the Classic Rock park with their cover of Legs. This song does sound like Nickelback, yet they did not stray from the non-stop Rockin’ groove that this song originally was all about. Nickelback just gave it more heaviness.
Daughtry. Yes, Daughtry. This guy sings Waitin’ For The Bus / Jesus Left Chicago as if he really digs and feels the song thoroughly. I make NO apologies, Chris Daughtry sings this ZZ TOP classic straight from the heart. Hell, that’s how it comes across to me anyways. Plus, Daughtry didn’t screw around with this songs tempo or try to “reinvent the F’n wheel” with it.
Mastodon. These guys gave Just Got Paid their signature stamp of progressiveness without even trying. Turning JustGot Paid into a relevant Hard Rock song that smokes was obviously… the mission of Mastodon.
Filter covers Gimme All Your Lovin‘ with a grand Alternative meets Industrial sound that is admirable. It’s Filter. The legendary Billy F Gibbons lends his vocals and electric guitar to La Grange. Cool. The remaining tracks are fine listens, just watch out for the bad and the ugly. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
* ZZ TOP – A Tribute From Friends was released back on October 11th, 2011, via Show Dog / Universal.
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A Tribute From Friends – Track Listing:
Sharp Dressed Man – The M.O.B. (Steven Tyler, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie)
Gimme All Your Lovin’ – Filter
Tush – Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
Legs – Nickelback
Cheap Sunglasses – Wolfmother
Got Me Under Pressure – Duff McKagan’s Loaded
Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers – Coheed & Cambria
Just Got Paid – Mastodon
Rough Boy – Wyclef Jean
Waitin’ For The Bus / Jesus Just Left Chicago – Daughtry
Ohio’s primo fuzz purveyors, LO-PAN, are kicking off their Spring 2012 in top form. The heavy rocking four-piece will embark on a trek starting March 1 that will find them hitting the East Coast and the South sharing the stage with some of rock’s finest, including Freedom Hawk, Sistered, Truckfighters, and Small Stone Records labelmates, Wo Fat!
Touring in support of 2011’s epic Salvador,LO-PAN are said to already have new material in the works and will take part in Small Stone’s annual SXSW showcase, set for March 16 at Headhunter’s in Austin, Texas, where they’ll perform alongside Suplecs, Dixie Witch, Gozu, Dwellers and longtime tour comrades, Backwoods Payback, among others.
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LO-PAN SPRING TOUR 2012:
3/01/2012 Lava Lounge – Pittsburgh, PA w/ EYE, Sistered, October
3/02/2012 The Velvet Lounge – Washington, DC w/ EYE, Kohoutek, Ambition Burning
3/03/2012 Thumbs – Virginia Beach, VA w/ EYE, Freedom Hawk, Constrictor
3/04/2012 The Union – Athens, OH w/ EYE
3/08/2012 Springwater – Nashville, TN
3/09/2012 The Buccaneer – Memphis, TN
3/10/2012 The Roadmap – TexArkana, AR w/ Truckfighters
3/11/2012 Downtown Music – Little Rock, AR w/ Truckfighters
3/12/2012 Ridglea Bar – Ft. Worth, TX w/ Hands In The Honeypot
3/13/2012 Boiler Room – Dallas, TX w/ Wo Fat, Mothership
3/14/2012 Rudyard’s – Houston, TX
3/15/2012 The Ten Eleven – San Antonio, TX
3/16/2012 Headhunter’s – Austin, TX – Smallstone Records Showcase w/ Tia Carrera, Dixie Witch, Suplecs, Gozu, Backwoods Payback, Dwellers
3/17/2012 Happy Hippie – Lake Charles, LA w/ Backwoods Payback, Large Marge, Survive The Musical
3/18/2012 Tsunami Bar – Monroe, LA w/ Backwoods Payback, Electric Sermon, Large Marge
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(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on LO-PAN, click on the links below:
MR. BIG – Releasing on February 24th in Europe and February 28th in North America, via Frontiers Records, is Live From The Living Roomfrom MR. BIG. This album documents the first ever live acoustic performance from MR. BIG, which took place back in late January of 2011, at the WOWOW TV Studios in Tokyo, Japan. With the idea of an acoustic performance already in place, MR. BIG also embraced a string quintet to add to the overall ambiance of this live acoustic production. The arrangements were provided by Takashi Miyazaki.
If there are two bands from the world of Hard Rock that can pull off a live acoustic set, one is Tesla and the other certainly is MR. BIG. Too often the word acoustic can send shivers down a Hard Rock die-hard’s spine, the mere thought of MR. BIG (gulp) watering down any of their songs surely can bring tears to my eyes. For Metal sakes, this is MR. BIG and they did receive my personal pick of “Best Hard Rock Album of 2011” with their ultra-fabulous What If…
Undertow psyches me out. This acoustic version um… psyches me out too. Is it the overall melody? Can it be the groovy acoustic strings that Paul Gilbert is playing? Billy Sheehan’s signature sound on bass? I don’t know exactly, it’s a cumulative thing happening here and it sounds very cool. Eric Martin never sings in any “acoustic sort of way” either, therefore there is an underlying Hard Rock backbone that is ever-present from his vocals.
Yes Virginia, them Hard Rock dudes that play acoustic sure can shred. Paul Gilbert doesn’t hold back on Still Ain’t EnoughFor Me. Eric Martin sounds fantastic throughout this entire performance and really shines on Voodoo Kiss, Stranger In My Lifeand As Far As I Can See. Take Cover just resonates the undeniable richness of sound that translates from an acoustic version. MR. BIG makes it sound just too easy… and fun too. To Be With Youdoesn’t stray far from its original package and is an acoustic showstopper.
Even if you are not a fan of MR. BIG, this just might be the album to make you one. You will hear four top-tier musicians in their prime, playing their songs in celebratory fashion, courtesy of an acoustic approach. Despite any lack of Hard Rock power, these songs still play-out as MR. BIG and sound like the band I’ve admired for many years counting. Yes, take this acoustic ride with MR. BIG and don’t be afraid to sing along to the songs either.
Okay, there is one drawback about this live acoustic album from MR. BIG. I’m very disappointed that these guys didn’t choose my living room to perform and record in. Maybe next time.
’77 – This Hard Rock band ’77 is from Barcelona Spain and man are they… Old School! The second studio album from ’77, High Decibels, is slated for a February 28th release on Listenable Records. This is an album of raw, riff infested and: “share a case o’ beer with your Metal buddy” style of Hard Rock. This is also Hard Rock to crank up in the car, on a long weekend cruise with your chick by your side. Blue collar Hard Rock never sounded so damn fun as ’77 does on High Decibels!
The incredible resemblance that Armand Valeta has vocally to the late Bon Scott is unreal. Musically ’77 does overflow with 70’s AC/DC sound, vibe and feel. With all the AC/DC comparisons aside, what ’77 does very well is they play their Hard Rock with credible passion and they write original songs. The more I’ve listened to High Decibels, the more I hear a band that is fired-up about Rock ‘N Roll and it’s a fever they can easily spread to Rockaholics worldwide like myself.
I am impressed by the old school Hard Rock allegiance that ’77 bestows in their brand of Hard Rock. Too often a band like this will get mocked for being a “rip-off” or dated. My response would be: It’s 77’s style of Rock ‘N Roll that’s spilling from their Rockin’ souls. Metal be thy name. My two favorite songs on High Decibels are: Backdoor Man and Since You’ve Been Gone. I highly dig the bluesy side of ’77’s Hard Rock! Bad-ass Classic Rock is here to stay with ’77 too.
High Decibels is an album where once you hit “play” that’s it. You can’t stop it until it’s over! It’s like a cool party that just got started… why would you want to end a good thing? If you’re a Hard Rock fan from any generation, you should mark ’77 down and make certain to add High Decibels to your “must need” list of good-times and ass kickin’ Rock ‘N Roll albums. Everyone’s album collection deserves a solid kick-in-the-ass and ’77 shall bring it.
RELENTLESS– Any dictionary will reveal the meaning of Relentless for you as: that does not relent; unyieldingly severe, strict, or harsh; unrelenting: a relentless enemy. This is a strong word. In my opinion, relentless can make for a tough as nails Hard Rock or Heavy Metal album title. Comedians along with musicians and bands from other music genres have used relentless as an album title, only it does not come across as riveting or true to me outside of Heavy Music.
As I went deeper into researching relentless as an album title, I found too numerous examples to mention and/or list. If I did list all the albums I’ve found with the title of relentless, then that would be rather relentless on my part. What I have learned is relentless is easily one of the most popular album titles ever to be used! Metal be thy name! Is this a bad or good thing? Is relentless overused on album titles? I guess I’ll leave the answer for you to ponder, for I don’t want to pass on any relentless judgement on the popularity of this word.
Alright, I will add, before a comedian, musician or band uses such a forceful word such as relentless, they should seriously consider it’s true definition and make certain if “fits” with their persona and/or album content.
Here are 14 albums (including the Jackyl cover on top of post) that caught my attention while compiling this relentless album title research:
Bill Hicks – Relentless (1992)
This cover photo just doesn’t go with the definition of relentless. Nope.
Sharel Cassity – Relentless (2009)
Maybe Sharel is relentless with her saxophone playing? I just don’t know. I’ve never checked out her music… now I’m curious.
MORTIFICATION – Relentless (2003)
Relentless goes just fine here. These dudes are Christian Metal too. Long Live Mortification.
Jason Aldean – Relentless (2007)
Jason looks too subdued here to be connected to relentless at all.
PENTAGRAM – Relentless (1985)
Yup. Relentless fits quite well on this cover. Doom Metal Legends. Long Live PENTAGRAM.
Natalie Grant – Relentless (2008)
Look at the PENTAGRAM album cover, then look at this Natalie Grant cover. Does relentless have multiple definitions that I’m now aware of?
YNGWIE MALMSTEEN – Relentless (2010)
Yes. Yngwie Malmsteen has been considered by many to be a relentless axe slinger. Long Live Yngwie Malmsteen.
Misty Edwards – Relentless (2008)
A Christian Music vocalist, Misty Edwards digs this title too. The album cover looks Heavy Metal to me though.
Walter Trout and the Radicals – Relentless (2003)
Walter Trout and the Radicals can have an album title of Relentless. It’s all good.
Here are three bands that actually take the word relentless and give it an F’n boost in their album titles. These three bands can get away with it too. You’ll see what I mean…
Asking Alexandria – Reckless & Relentless (2011)
Long Live Asking Alexandria.
Children Of Bodom – Relentless Reckless Forever (2011)
Long Live Children Of Bodom.
Death Angel – Relentless Retribution (2010)
Long Live Death Angel.
Lastly, here is a 1993 Pet Shop Boys album that goes by the title: Very. However, look a little closer at this album cover and you will see Relentless in the album title! It’s probably the one and only “hidden relentless” in the history of album cover titles! Whoa!
This concludes the list of Relentless Album Titles. As you witnessed, this popular word needs to be applied where it truly belongs. In conclusion, relentless isn’t just any word that can be slapped onto any album cover.
Following the release of EARTH‘s praised Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light I, released by Southern Lord in February 2011, the public’s first chance to hear a number from the 2nd installment of the series has arrived.
While conceived in the same sessions as the first installment, recorded by Stuart Hallerman at Avast and mastered by Mell Detmer, Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II invokes even more improvisational and unrestrained energy than its predecessor. Traces of this progression are evident in the track “His Teeth Did Brightly Shine”, the second song from the upcoming album as premiered worldwide on January 11th, 2012 by Spin Magazine, click: at this location.
Angels of Darkness, Demons of LightII will be released by Southern Lord in North America on February 14th via CD, 2xLP and digital download.
EARTH:
Adrienne Davies – trap kit and percussives
Dylan Carlson – electric guitar and devices
Lori Goldston – cello and devices
Karl Blau – electric bass guitar
(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on EARTH, click on the links below:
MECCA – Joe Vana, vocalist and founding member of MECCA, has once again assembled a group of seasoned musicians to showcase their skills on Undeniable. This being the sophomore release from MECCA, it firmly establishes why Joe Vana has all the reason in the world to carry out his musical visions. Released back on November 29th in North America, on Frontiers Records, Undeniable is undeniably melodic and lyrically engaging.
Wether it’s the mid-paced ballad Did It For Love or the steadier rocker W2W, MECCA bestows the talent for creating a mood within the song that compliments its respective story. Undeniable isn’t going to Rock your face off, instead this album will entertain with its eleven songs of emotion filled vocals from Joe Vana and soothing melodies that do soar, with the title track being a fine example of this. Joe Vana’s vocals are so identifiable for Melodic Rock and he easily seizes these songs on this album.
Life’s Too Short and Perfect World are two songs where MECCA combines philosophical lyrics with AOR quality that too often is missing on current American FM playlists. MECCA presents their music with intelligent lyrics, still the sappy meter does explode on such tracks as Did It For Love and From The Start. It’s the quality of the song, courtesy of the musicianship of MECCA, that makes me overlook any sappy saturation that happens lyrically. If you’ve ever been, want to be or are in love, these songs are accurately relevant.
In a Melodic Rock nutshell, MECCA has proven they can make me fall for the mellow and semi-hard side of Rock once again, with their respect for quality at every turn being a cumulative highlight for my ears. Undeniable is an album that also captures the spirit of AOR with its inspired vibes ever-present and lifeless moments nowhere to be found. This is an album of songs that belongs on my top shelf, I won’t be storing it away anytime soon.
Fans of Survivor, Toto, REO Speedwagon, Bryan Adams, Mister Mister and Foreigner (to name a many few) should enjoy the Rockin’, soothing and melodic ride that MECCA takes on Undeniable. AOR and Melodic Rock fans across the board could justifiably find many, if not all of these songs on Undeniable difficult to forget.
The Black Keys – Yes, I blindly purchased the new CD from The Black Keys (nonesuch) and it’s for some reason titled El Camino. I pay dearly sometimes for making a “blind purchase” when it comes to music. To sum it up, this El Camino CD is boring. It sounds as if DanAuerbach and Patrick Carney are not just huge fans of 70’s Rock… they obviously are both stuck in the “it’s been done already” school of Rock ‘N Roll and are a long way from graduating.
A fuzzy guitar sound with raw and unnecessary fuzzy production is pure nonsense when it comes to this genre of Rock in 2012. The Psychedelic, Stoner, Doom and Black Metal genres can utilize the “fuzz” in their respective sound brilliantly, only a Rock group like The Black Keys should stick to some clarity in their presentation of sound and maybe they won’t come across like a 1977 garage band playing to just their cousins.
Too numerous are the moments on El Camino where I recognize that IT HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE! The Black Keys are not pushing the Rock ‘N Roll envelope here folks and that’s what makes this CD such a waste of time. Where’s the relevance? Listening to this band is like listening to a severely slow-paced Wolfmother with a hangover. The worst song on El Camino is hands down: Little BlackSubmarines. This song is so annoying, that upon my first listen I wanted to break down and cry, fearing that it made me constipated.
The one and only “bright spot” on El Camino is Sister. This song rocks like there is no tomorrow. MindEraser ends this CD on a cool note, still it’s too late. If only The Black Keys stuck to this Rockin’ blueprint of Sister and Mind Eraser throughout all 11 songs… and they didn’t. The digipak and liner notes are equally repetitive and humdrum as the music. Do we really need to waste paper like this? The liner notes are 16 pages which dedicate 15 of these pages to photos of what else? El Caminos. The digipak is a four-fold that features… 8 more photos of… El Caminos! Laugh out loud and Metal be thy name!
By now you realize I’m not a fan of what The Black Keys are trying to accomplish with their Rock sound. If you’re looking for a memorable and original sounding Rock CD you are better off picking up the newest CD from The Trews. Trust me, a thorough listen into Hope & Ruin from The Trews is a quantum leap forward compared to El Camino. The Black Keys surely won’t care about anyone who doesn’t dig their music. Why? They made the cover of Rolling Stone! Life goes on…
Los Angeles, CA – Fools for Rowan, the Nashville based Rock band, is set to release a new album and music video in 2012. It has been almost two years since the band has released new material. Fools For Rowan has written most of their record while on tour over the last year and recently started recording the new songs. In order to achieve the aforementioned goal, the group needs the help of their dedicated fans. The band has launched a Kickstarter campaign to assist in their efforts.
The powerhouse rock group, Fools For Rowan, is defined by their soaring vocals, powerful guitar licks and intense personal lyrics. The band has grown a large committed fan base partly due to the success of their first album, Twisted. Tied Up. Tangled. The album’s first single, “Burnt Around the Edges” received acclaim from the college-age demographic in both the U.S. and Canada.
In addition, the second single, “Dead” received spins on Top 40, College and Modern Rock radio. In addition, the video for the song was featured on Fuse TV. Due to their zealous live performance, Fools For Rowan has recently had the privilege of sharing the stage with such artists as: Evanescence, Trapt, Halestorm, and Sick Puppies.
Kickstarter is an online pledge system that funds creative projects. The Kickstarter campaign, that will raise money for the band’s new album and a music video, has already been initiated online. Fools For Rowan offers a fantastic array of different prizes such as an autographed drumstick, a concert set list, band merchandise, arm wrestling contests, and even a dinner date with members of the band!
“It’s been two years since our last album, so we’re really anxious to get our new music into the hands of our fans,” says lead vocalist, Erin Mullins.Fans will have until January 2st to help the band meet its goal. As always, the group is looking ahead. Fools For Rowan will continue to tour the U.S. in hopes of spreading the power of rock ‘n’ roll!
To learn more about Fools for Rowan’s Kickstarter campaign visithere.
L to R: Jack Syperek, John-Angus MacDonald, Sean Dalton, Colin MacDonald
THE TREWS – Back on August 5th, 2011, I posted an album review for THE TREWS newly released studio album Hope & Ruin. The 4th full-length from this Canadian Rock band impressed me so much that I listened to it constantly since early Summer. Now that Winter has settled in, Hope & Ruin has never lost its edgy Rock luster with me. I have listened to many other Rock albums during 2011 and none seemed to enthuse me as the way this new album from THE TREWS has done.
THE TREWS seemed to have captured an old spirit of Rock that I once heard from early R.E.M. and U2, back when these two iconic bands really did care about their songs and fans. A flirtation of retro college radio meets modern Rock vibe overflows with Hope & Ruin. I simply love that. Back on August 18th, I did not fully realize, that this album would eventually stand out amongst the rest of its 2011 Rock album peers in such a special way for me.
It was also back on August 18th, when I had the golden opportunity to interview Colin MacDonald, the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for THE TREWS. As my sincere appreciation for Hope & Ruin grew stronger by the week, I eventually decided to savor the moment, an eventual moment when I would launch this exclusive interview with Colin MacDonald simultaneously with naming Hope & Ruin by THE TREWS… as Metal Odyssey’s 2011 Rock Album Of The Year.
If the late and legendary Ed Sullivan were to come back to life for just one day, I’d love to hear him say: Ladies and Gentlemen… THE TREWS! Instead, I’m announcing this band at this moment and I’m veryproud to have had the opportunity to interview Colin MacDonald. From album reviews to opening for Robert Plant, here is what Colin had to say:
Stone: In the July (2011) issue of Classic Rock AOR Magazine, Hope & Ruin received a nine out of ten review. Taking a quote from this review: “Man, there isn’t a flawed track. Indeed, it’s one of those rare albums where every song could easily become a hit single. It’s rare feat for an album to be so consistently powerful.” How does this type of praise make you feel?
Colin: Awesome. It feels amazing. It’s like Sting had put it: “If you believe the good stuff, it doesn’t make you want to work as hard and if you believe the bad stuff, it only makes you work harder. It’s always great to be recognized for the work we do, especially by a big magazine like that.
Stone: On a personal level, which song on Hope & Ruin means the most to you?
Colin: I really like Hope & Ruin. This song really seems to take on a life of its own live.
Stone: In your music video for Hope & Ruin, there are many scenic backdrops. Where in the world was this footage shot?
Colin: It was shot in Toronto for the city. It was done on the coldest day on record too and I was really freezing out there while I was singing! We also went to the East Coast and Nova Scotia. We created a contrast of city, coast and countryside and it made for an amazing result with this video.
Watch and listen below to THE TREWS – Hope & Ruin, it is an incredible song!
Stone: With The Trews, which is written first, the music or the lyrics?
Colin: Always the music. We’ll come up with a riff, a melody, a little idea and work on it until it becomes a big idea. We take a melody idea and then a line comes with it. You then work your way back from there. I never try to over think the lyrics. I try to balance things out and let the lyrics compliment the song.
Stone: With The Trews being for all intents and purposes, family, what is it like for you guys to sit down, write and record music?
Colin: It’s the only way of life we’ve known for such a long time. I really don’t have anything else to compare it to. We are a tight group of guys. Sure, we have heated arguments, although they can simmer very quick. That’s what has kept us together for so long.
Stone: How important is it for a Rock band today, compared to a decade ago, in adapting to changes in how they promote themselves?
Colin: It’s really important. A band has to always garner new fans. It’s hands on now. There’s not a lot of mystique or mystery to promotion anymore. Our main priority is to always make good music. You must never lose sight in making music that the fans like. You must keep up the musical content. There’s twitter and facebook to reach out to the fans with. Those bands that keep all of this in mind will do well with the new model.
Stone: Is the record industry today more hope or more ruin?
Colin: It depends on who you ask. There are lots of bands getting through today that probably wouldn’t have decades ago, like, Mumford & Sons. Bands are selling out big venues, so that’s hope for sure. The days of signing big money record deals and getting big contracts up front are no more. So that’s ruin.
Stone: Which country has the toughest music market for The Trews to tap into and do you want to conquer that market?
Colin: Right now, we’re doing great in Australia and the UK. We’d like to get bigger in America because it’s close and easy to tour, so obviously we want to break into that market. Any band that are making good music and stays true to themselves will do well and that’s what we try to do.
Stone: What band or which musician would The Trews be honored to share the stage with, where you haven’t shared the stage with before?
Colin: We’d love to play with Neil Young. That would be awesome! We’d love to open for AC/DC.TomPetty and the Heartbreakers. We’ve opened for The Stones. We’ve also opened for Robert Plant across Canada.
Stone: Where did you open for The Rolling Stones?
Colin: We opened for them in Toronto and Phoenix back in 2005. They were secret club gigs.
Stone: Where did you play with Robert Plant?
Colin: It was all across Canada for his entire tour here.
Stone: Is Robert Plant a nice guy?
Colin: Robert Plant is a super cool guy! He’s always interested in new music and never rests on his laurels. I find inspiration in that and it sticks with us. As a lead singer, Robert Plant is always moving forward and that’s a quality about him I admire most.
Stone: As a band, do you guys want to continue experimenting and maturing musically or have you reached a level of self-contentment of where you are now?
Colin: Never man. We keep pushing forward. We have more in us. There’s so much more music in us still and so much more to come. I still feel we have not made our best record yet.
Stone: Is there anything you’d like to tell your fans?
Colin: Thank you for supporting us and for so long! When the fans come out to see us live, it really means a lot to us.
* For more info on THE TREWS, click on the links below:
Top Ten Rock Albums Of 2011 – This Top Ten Rock Album list comprises various genres, the likes of: Blues, Alternative, Rockabilly, Acoustic, New Wave, some shades of Hard Rock and of course, Rock itself. Isn’t Rock a grand blanket term for such incredible music diversity? I love Rock. Without Rock, there wouldn’t have been Heavy Metal.
If you are counting, there are actually thirteen Rock albums in this Top Ten list. Admittedly, compiling a “Top Ten” of anything is grueling for me, therefore the two “ties” below are as honest as I could ever possibly be, without pulling what hair I have left off of my head. Furthermore, I couldn’t resist adding Jeff Beck – Rock ‘n’ Roll Party/Honoring Les Paul as an “Honorable Mention”. It’s a good times, roots of Rock ‘n’ Roll listen, one that I’ve enjoyed time and again.
I chose the following Rock albums due to how memorable, fun and interesting they came across to my senses. The quality of Rock contained in these following albums, I simply revere. There are some elite musicians and bands on this list for certain. They all have proven to me just how diverse Rock ‘N Roll really is, with their respective albums. These are the Rock albums that I gravitated to and became inspired by most often during 2011. I highly recommend you check ’em out, if you haven’t already.
METAL ODYSSEY’S TOP TEN ROCK ALBUMS OF 2011
Honorable Mention
JEFF BECK – Rock ‘n’ Roll Party Honoring Les Paul
(ATCO)
#10
AFTERLIFE PARADE – REBIRTH
(WATERMAIN)
#9
DARYL HALL – LAUGHING DOWN CRYING
(Verve Forecast)
#8
TESLA – Twisted Wires & The Acoustic Sessions…
(Tesla Electric Company Recordings, Inc.)
#7
CHRIS CORNELL – SONGBOOK
(Universal Music)
#6
GREGG ALLMAN – LOW COUNTRY BLUES
(ROUNDER)
#5 (Tie)
SOCIAL DISTORTION – Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes
(Epitaph)
#5 (Tie)
FOO FIGHTERS – WASTING LIGHT
(RCA)
#4
LOS LONELY BOYS – ROCKPANGO
(Playing In Traffic Records / LonelyTone Records)
#3 (Tie)
THE CARS –MOVE LIKE THIS
(Hear Music / Concord Music Group)
#3 (Tie)
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS – I’M WITH YOU
(Warner Bros.)
#2
JOE BONAMASSA – DUST BOWL
(J&R Adventures)
#1
THE TREWS – HOPE & RUIN
(Bumstead Productions Ltd.)
Hope & Ruin took me by surprise in 2011. THE TREWS captured a Rockin’ vibe that made my mood soar anytime I listened to this album. Melodic songs that glisten lyrically and musically, Hope & Ruin can easily become someone’s Rockin’ companion. THE TREWS are that Rock band you need to know about. This band defies the illogical American Rock mainstream press, proving that exquisite and blue-collar Rock music does exist in places other than Billboard or Rolling Stone magazine.
When I listen to Hope & Ruin, I’m not hearing a Rock band that is out to prove themselves. I’m instead hearing a Rock band that created a complete album of songs, which I imagine is straight from their Rock ‘N Roll hearts.
* To read my review on Hope & Ruin, (posted on August 5th, 2011), click on the large header link below:
The second half of Seattle drone icons EARTH‘s Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light is being prepared for release on Southern Lord in North America this February 14th on CD, LP and digital download formats.
Recorded in the same two-week session as 2011’s lauded Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light I by Stuart Hallerman at Avast and mastered by Mell Detmer, Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II carries on in the freely and folkloric vein of the last release and invokes even more improvisational and unrestrained energy than its predecessor.
Angels Of Darkness, Demons Of Light II is striking in many ways, not least in the wildly improvised nature of this particular recording. The songs “Sigil Of Brass” and “The Corascene Dog” perfectly emphasize how the interplay between the foursome has evolved even further since the first installment. Meanwhile, the track “His Teeth Did Brightly Shine” veers further into an entirely other direction, recalling sounds of the great British Acid Folk generation. This new material brings forth some highly original and deeply mesmerizing tones throughout, at times more hopeful and less dark and death oriented than previous work. Angels Of Darkness, Demons Of Light II is ultimately a completely unanticipated direction for EARTH, and a very welcome one at that.
The line-up again consists of Dylan Carlson on guitar, Adrienne Davies on drums and percussion (on this release there is more percussion of all sorts), Lori Goldston (Nirvana, David Byrne, Black Cat Orchestra, Laura Veirs) returns on cello, and Karl Blau (K Records, Laura Veirs, Microphones) plays bass. This also marks the first time the band on the record has toured outside of the US West Coast in preparation for the album. As with the first part, it again has truly amazing artwork by Stacey Rozich. View the cover art and more at this location.
(Source: Earsplit PR)
Angels Of Darkness, Demons Of Light II – Track Listing:
Sigil of Brass
His Teeth Did Brightly Shine
Multiplicity of Doors
The Corascene Dog
The Rakehell
* For more info on EARTH, click on the links below:
BLACK ROBOT – It’s Black Friday across America. That’s when material excess overrules proper judgement. It’s when a popular upscale department store can most likely sell rusted and bent barbed wire for a profit, by utilizing smart marketing on the masses. Black Friday for me is another day to crank up some more Metal and Hard Rock into my ears. A day no different from any other in my Metal lovin’ life. Metal be thy name.
A couple of days ago, with Black Friday looming larger than ever, I was thinking about the bands who have the word “black” in their (band) names. One of the bands I immediately thought of was BLACK ROBOT. (Yes, the ultra-legendary BLACK SABBATH was the first band I did think of). Classic Rock and Classic Hard Rock influences, colliding with today’s Hard Rock edge, is what overflows in the sound of BLACK ROBOT. You can hear a cool sliver of AC/DC thump and stump gleaming in this band’s Rockin’ thunder, fused with their own original style. Calling California home, BLACK ROBOT has created quite a heavy Rockin’ buzz for themselves the past few years, both stateside and across all shores.
BLACK ROBOT is a Hard Rock band you should be checking out, in the event you haven’t already. Trust me, their brand of Hard Rock is smokin’ with fired-up attitude and a crunchy, fist-to-the-air, blue-collar vibe. The guitar licks and riffs are aplenty, while if you’re looking for some b-b-b-baddass, head knockin’, rhythm stompin’, Hard Rock songs you’ll get ’em with BLACK ROBOT. Metal as my witness, you shall.
BLACK ROBOT was formed back in 2008 by bassist Jonathan “JB” Brightman. He is also a founding and former member of the Grammy nominated Hard Rock band: Buckcherry. Jonathan cowrote and played on the Buckcherry debut S/T from 1999 and their sophomore release from 2001: Time Bomb.
* Check out the BLACK ROBOT music video below, covering the JJ Caleoriginal and Eric Clapton’s cover classic: Cocaine.
* The BLACK ROBOT debut album was released on June 8, 2010, on Formosa Records/Rocket Science Ventures.
*Keep your eyes and ears open for a brand new BLACK ROBOT album in early 2012!
* Track Listing For BLACK ROBOT (Debut S/T):Baddass * Cocaine * Momma Don’t Cry * GirlsKissing Girls * Money * I’m In Love * In My Car * Black Robot * Love On A .45 * Dissatisfaction * 23Days Of Night * Stop The World * Nervous Breakdown
Open up a case or two of Hard Rock whoop-ass and click on the links to BLACK ROBOT below!
NICKELBACK – On November 21, 2011 aka NICKELBLACK MONDAY, the new studio album Here AndNow from NICKELBACK will be released via RoadRunner Records. You can listen to Here And Now streaming in its entirety over at iTunes right now! (Streaming in U.S. and Canada only).
* For more info on NICKELBACK, click on the link below:
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
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