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MAGIC “A TRIBUTE TO RONNIE JAMES DIO” – DESERVES A LOUD METAL BRAVO!

MAGIC/A TRIBUTE TO RONNIE JAMES DIO – This compilation of songs, paying tribute to the late and forever legendary Ronnie James Dio, was released on July 20, 2010, on Magic Circle Music. The executive producer for this album is Joey DeMaio, bass guitarist and founding member of Metal legends… MANOWAR. Joey is also the founder and man-in-charge of Magic Circle Music, starting this record label back in 2005. HolyHell, Feinstein and Jack Starr’s Burning Starr are just a few of the many bands under the Magic Circle Music label and appearing on this tribute album as well.

The assemblage of Metal Bands heard on this Ronnie James Dio Tribute album gives it more added appeal, these are bands that are not vying for position at any Hollywood plastic awards shows, which brings a huge sigh of relief to me. Sincerity in Metal is key, especially when it comes to a tribute album for such a legend as Ronnie James Dio. In other words, you won’t hear any “club mix” or “flavor of the month” band here. It’s all real, especially when “The Kings Of Metal” themselves, are included on this album – MANOWAR. Their presence alone solidifies and justifies all the more reason to buy, listen to and enjoy this Ronnie James Dio Tribute. This album contains cover songs from Ronnie James Dio’s career with Rainbow and Black Sabbath, songs in which Ronnie not only sung his heart out on but cowrote as well.

There are two songs that are the exception here and are not covers, they are – Far Beyond by Feinstein and Never More by Neoclassical guitarist Dean Cascione. Far Beyond is from the debut album by Feinstein – Third Wish. David “Rock” Feinstein, (original guitarist for Elf and later guitarist/vocalist for the influential Heavy Metal Band – The Rods), can play some lean & mean Metal guitar. He displays his guitar prowess on Far Beyond, making for a fabulous salute to his cousin and former Elf band mate, Ronnie James Dio. Whoa, is this song melodic and John West on vocals is an absolute Metal treat to thine ears.

Dean Cascione showcases his guitar skills in a moving and emotional instrumental that is Never More. If Dean’s guitar could speak, it would be saying… thank you Ronnie, you are so missed. That is exactly how I interpret this guitar instrumental, with having it’s rightful place amongst the other songs on this album. Straight Through The Heart covered by Harlet just flat out Rocks. Todd Michael Hall on vocals is excellent… as he gives this DIO classic it’s just revered due.

MANOWAR cuts loose with the first song, a cover of the revered – Heaven And Hell. MANOWAR unleashes their very own thunder strike of Metal into Heaven And Hell, all the while adhering to this song’s original tempo and mystically dark mood. The bass of Joey DeMaio is heavily prominent in this cover, just as Geezer Butler’s bass is in the original. What a tremendous way to get this Ronnie James Dio Tribute album moving!

HolyHell covers Holy Diver, it’s a live recording done somewhere in Norway. Maria Breon on vocals brings another listening dimension to this ultra classic DIO song. Maria’s eloquent vocal style combined with the Power Metal of HolyHell comes recommended by Stone. I really enjoy listening to this cover and to this band. MetalForce covers The Last In Line. This Power Metal version is a mighty listen with Tristan Visser on guitar leaving quite a Metal impression on me, he takes on the solo with fearless Metal fury. Tarek Maghary on vocals gives The Last In Line the Old School emotion it so deserves.

Now, let’s talk about Jack Starr’s Burning Starr… unreal is the cover version of Catch The Rainbow by this legendary guitarist and his band. Todd Michael Hall on vocals is brilliant. Catch The Rainbow is without question, the most soothing Hard Rock song I have ever listened to… both the Rainbow original and this cover version as well. I’d have to pick this song along with the Heaven And Hell cover from Manowar as the two best songs on this album.

For those who may not know, Jack Starr was the founder and guitarist for the highly influential and renowned 1980’s Power Metal Band from New York – Virgin Steele. After the Virgin Steele era, Jack Starr continued onward with Burning Starr, his solo career, revisiting his love for the blues and having a stake in a few other bands. I could continue on and on with the history of Jack Starr… we’ll just leave that for another post in the future. After Burning Starr’s two decade absence of an album, Defiance was released in 2009 on Magic Circle Music. Defiance marks the fifth studio album release from Jack Starr’s… Burning Starr.

Joey DeMaio and all of these bands mentioned, have delivered quite the Old School and well deserved tribute to the late/great Ronnie James Dio with this compilation album. The historical Heavy Metal linkage associated with this tribute album is a thrill in and of itself! Combine this history with a few younger Metal bands that appear here and Magic – A Tribute To Ronnie James Dio truly bridges the gap between generations of Metal Bands and fans. Even the liner notes seem to glisten with that “days of Metal yesteryear” image. The four pages of photo’s celebrating Ronnie James Dio, within the liner notes, show him as a member of The Electric Elves, Rainbow and Black Sabbath.

I guess my Metal enthusiasm has essentially spilled over on writing about this tribute album to Ronnie James Dio. What I walk away with, after listening to all of the songs on this album and realizing the history behind the music, is that the Heavy Metal genre is very much a diverse and well connected family tree. And this family tree I will continue to climb, love and explore for the rest of my Metal life.

* The very cool & Metal album cover illustration is by – Ken Kelly.

* For more info on the bands involved in this great tribute album to Ronnie James Dio, just click on the helpful links below:

MANOWAR – Official Website

MAGIC CIRCLE MUSIC

FEINSTEIN – Official Website

Jack Starr’s Burning Starr – Official Website

Jack Starr’s Burning Starr – myspace music page

HOLYHELL – Official Website

HOLYHELL – myspace music page

METALFORCE – myspace music page

DEAN CASCIONE – Official Website

Track Listing For MAGIC – A Tribute To Ronnie James Dio:

Heaven And Hell – Manowar

Holy Diver (Live In Norway) – HolyHell

The Last In Line – Metalforce

Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll – Magic Circle All Star Band

I Speed At Night – Awaken

A Light In The Black – Crosswind

Never More – Dean Cascione

Far Beyond – Feinstein

Straight Through The Heart – Harlet

Catch The Rainbow – Jack Starr’s Burning Starr

* A Metal Roll Call To The Bands Heard On Magic – A Tribute To Ronnie James Dio:

MANOWAR:

Eric Adams – vocals

Donnie Hamzik – drums

Karl Logan – guitar

Joey DeMaio – bass

HOLYHELL:

Maria Breon – vocals

Joe Stump – guitar

Francisco Palomo – keyboards

Jay Rigney – bass

Rhino – drums

METALFORCE:

Tarek Maghary – vocals

Tristan Visser – guitar

Jan Raddaatz – drums

Magic Circle All Star Band:

Sammy “Shmoulik” Avigal – vocals

Joe Stump – guitar

Jack Starr – guitar

AWAKEN:

Glenn DaGrossa – vocals

Artie Dillon – guitar & vocals

Joe Todaro – guitar

Freddy Villano – bass

Nick D’Alessandro – drums

CROSSWIND:

Kyriakos Vasdokas – vocals & guitar

Leon Tsorbatzoglou – guitar

Vasilis Mitsaris – drums

Guest Musician: Yiannis Papadopoulos – backing vocals

DEAN CASCIONE – guitar

FEINSTEIN:

David “Rock” Feinstein – guitar

John West – vocals

Jeff Howell – bass

Nate Horton – drums

Bob Twining – keyboards

HARLET:

Todd Michael Hall – vocals

Tod Walraven – guitar

Jon Hall – bass

Doug Julian – drums

JACK STARR’S BURNING STARR:

Jack Starr – guitar

Todd Michael Hall – vocals

Ned Michael Meloni – bass

Guest Musician: Rhino – drums

LONG LIVE THE MUSIC OF RONNIE JAMES DIO.

REST IN PEACE, RONNIE JAMES DIO.

Stone.

4 Comments »

BORIS RANDALL OF SPLATTERPUNKS, HALLOWMAS & NOW… NECROPHAGIA: IN HIS OWN WORDS!

Posted in death metal music, extreme metal bands, extreme metal music, extreme music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, horror metal, horror punk, horror punk albums, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock music, rock music news with tags boris randall guitarist, current extreme metal bands, Death Metal, death metal bands 2010, extreme metal bands, extreme metal music, gore metal, hallowmas horror punk band, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, horror metal bands, horror punk, horror punk bands, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, necrophagia extreme metal band, Punk rock, rock music, rock music news, underground punk metal, underground punk rock on July 21, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BORIS RANDALL

STONE: Recently, Boris Randall contacted Metal Odyssey and it is appreciated. Boris is a veteran of Punk and Extreme Metal Music, being a pioneer, in his own right, in the Horror Metal genre. A song writer, vocalist and lead/rhythm guitarist who really adheres to Rock ‘N’ Roll’s true roots, (Boris lists Elvis Presley, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and Ramones as influences), he is a musician that is self-made and moving forward. Albeit underground or on Coffin Records, the music of Boris Randall has made some noise in the Heavy Music world over the last twenty + years. Boris has given Metal Odyssey, to share with fans, his career breakdown of bands he has founded and what he is up to at the moment. Here is what Boris Randall had to say and share:

BORIS: First off, I’d like to thank you for supporting Hallowmas and my music. Let me give you some history on myself and how Hallowmas came to be and where it stands now.

In 1989 I formed my first hardcore/punk band called THE SPLATTEPUNKS. We released several albums locally and underground. Complete do-it-yourself. We were relatively popular for what we were doing, and the fact that we were the ONLY punk/hardcore band with a horror image and horror lyrics within an 80 mile radius! (remember, in 1989 there was NO “horror punk” genre either) THE SPLATTERPUNKS kicked unholy ass until 1999 when I felt like it was time to move on. Our final release was an anthology that spanned our 10 years. Two cds, 76 songs, and a 28 page booklet that included lyrics and artwork.

HALLOWMAS – THE ROAD TO HALLOW’S EVE album cover:

In 2001 I formed HALLOWMAS. The idea was to take up where I left off with THE SPLATTERPUNKS, but to bring even more elements into it. And I did. I even brought a few of The Splatterpunks’ songs into Hallowmas. Hallowmas was a VERY busy band between releases, shows, interviews, videos, etc. The first Hallowmas release (on a real label) was in 2004 on Coffin Records. The album was called “October Burning.” It sold very well and continues to. It also received great reviews. The follow up was the ep you have called “The Road To Hallows Eve.” We went into the studio in 2006 and recorded our next full-length release, but the band broke up. That album, which I called “Autumn’s Soft Decay,” was never released even though it was finished and is in my possession. It also got leaked on the internet, so search the title and see if you can find it. The complete album is 18 tracks.

HALLOWMAS – OCTOBER BURNING album cover:

HALLOWMAS – classic promo group photo:

In 2006 I also released a solo disc called “Season Of Death: The Last Halloween.” I limited it to 50 copies, which lasted about 4 weeks. I filled the time from 2007 to now by working with various bands, writing background music for the Rue Morgue Radio show, did the music for a Rue Morgue Radio video promo, and wrote the score for the Bill Hanzman’s Night Of The Living Dead stage play.

Currently, I’m playing lead guitar in the extreme metal band NECROPHAGIA. If you’re well versed in metal I’m sure you know who they are. We’re in the studio right now working on our new album.

I’ve also got my own band that will have a debut release very soon, but I’m keeping the whole thing under wraps for right now.

That’s pretty much the light detail version of my history. Here’s a more detailed “time line” from my bands and their releases:

THE SPLATTERPUNKS:
1989 “Rat Boy”
1990 “It’s Only Murder”
1993 “The Ghoul Rock Session”
1994 “Live In Wellsville”
1996 “The Devil’s Empyrean”
1997 “1997 B.C.”
1999 “The Demonology” (anthology)

HALLOWMAS:
2002 “Zodiac” (single)
2002 “From Beyond” (single)
2003 “Unholy Autumn” (ep)
2004 “Dead And Buried” (ep)
2004 “October Burning” (Coffin Records)
2005 “Death Comes In Threes” (split full length)
2005 “The Road To Hallows Eve (Coffin Records)
2006 “Autumn’s Soft Decay” (STILL UNRELEASED)

THE AUTUMN DEAD:
This was a side project with Hallowmas bassist, Johnny Coffin. We made one release:
2003 “Demos”

BORIS RANDALL (solo):
2006 “Season Of Death: The Last Halloween”

I’ve also made guest appearances on:
Nokturne “Kruelty Kampaign”
Necrophagia “Goblins Be Thine”
Morgue Wagon “Morgue Wagon”
Garbage Pail Kids “Lover’s Lane”

I think that about covers it…….so far. I’ve got tons more music on the way. If you like Hallowmas I can’t wait for you to hear what I’ve got cooking. Plus, I hope you’ll enjoy my work in Necrophagia.

Thanks for your interest and support,
stay evil,
Boris

Metal Odyssey Note: Thank you Boris. It is always a thrill to get the “story straight” directly from the source. You and all of your bands are always welcomed at Metal Odyssey! Plus… I have a sinister suspicion I’m gonna like your work with Necrophagia’s new album… Deathtrip 69.

NECROPHAGIA – 2010:

From left to right: Boris Randall (guitar), Killjoy (vocals), Undead Torment (guitar), Shawn Slusarek (drums), Damien Matthews (bass).

* For even more info on Boris Randall and Necrophagia, just click the links below:

www.myspace.com/borisrandall

Boris Randall (solo) – myspace music page

NECROPHAGIA – myspace music page

* In case any visitor missed it, check out the album review I did on Hallowmas – The Road To Hallow’s Eve, back on September 25, 2009, by clicking on the link below:

HALLOWMAS – “The Road To Hallow’s Eve” Is Horror Punk To Scream For

Stone.

1 Comment »

KOPEK VOCALIST/GUITARIST DANIEL JORDAN – A METAL ODYSSEY INTERVIEW!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music news with tags alternative rock music, hard rock albums 2010, hard rock music, hard rock music 2010, heavy metal music, kopek hard rock band, kopek interview with metal odyssey, kopek modern rock band, kopek white collar lies album, love is dead music video, metal odyssey, modern rock music, Music, rock music, rock n' roll on July 20, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

KOPEK – Unless you have been on an extended vacation from Rock ‘N’ Roll, you should have heard of a band named KOPEK by now. This 3-piece Hard Rock Band comes from the beautiful country of Ireland, with a twist… they are redefining what Modern Hard Rock sounds like. I’ve even thrown the adjective of “special” at KOPEK, that’s how serious I am about their debut album – White Collar Lies. This KOPEK gem had it’s U.S. digital release on June 29, 2010 and a forthcoming physical release on September 14, 2010, on Religion Music via SIN/Sony Music Independent Network.

KOPEK’S three musicians; Daniel Jordan, (lead vocals & guitar), Brad Kinsella, (bass guitar) and Shane Cooney, (drums), probably should brace themselves for what’s ahead… and that’s plenty of Rock ‘N’ Roll attention this side of the Atlantic. O.k., worldwide Rock ‘N’ Roll attention too. Yes… KOPEK’S Hard Rock sound is that good, with a vibe of newness spilling out from every crevice, lending for cool accessibility that peeks in at the mainstream.

Lead vocalist and guitarist Daniel Jordan recently took a few moments from his stacked schedule to talk to Metal Odyssey about KOPEK, White Collar Lies, the new Love Is Dead video and what bands would be very cool to tour with, amongst other Rockin’ discussion. Dan’s polite demeanor and nonexistent ego will only carry KOPEK and himself to greater acceptance and respectability. Here is what Dan had to say:

Stone: How did the sound of KOPEK’S brand of Rock evolve? Was there ever a period of time for experimentation?

Dan: We’re actually experimenting more now as a band. As a three piece it can be so basic and we try new ways and new tricks to make the sound better. With our album, it’s a solid three piece base. When we were younger, we did play in different bands, with different set-ups.

Stone: I have written that KOPEK can really play like their lives depend on it. Do the three of you realize just how great White Collar Lies sounds and feels?

Dan: I suppose it has grown on us a bit, not as a product but as a finished piece of work we really feel strongly about.

Stone: It’s an amazing album and I can’t stop listening to it!

Dan: Thanks, I appreciate that!

Stone: How important to you, is the message conveyed in your song White Collar Lies?

Dan: Very important. It is something that I feel so strongly about, that it’s enough to write a song for. This song is about people at the top making bad decisions, that eventually affect us people below. A number of years ago I wrote this song. Now it’s on our album as well as the album title.

Stone: Writing the song White Collar Lies years ago and it is such a strong song today. That shows just how relevant this song’s theme is. Just watching the nightly or cable news makes me shake my head at all the corruption that is happening around me.

Dan: It goes to show nothing really changes. Your not the only country where this stuff happens, we have the same thing going on in Ireland too, it’s going on everywhere.

Stone: Floridian, besides it’s melodic up-tempo, has emotional lyrics that you resonate in such a fantastic way. What’s the influence behind Floridian?

Dan: It’s a love song, yet I don’t want to say it just that way. It can be a song for a friend. Floridian is about creating something new, to give a new kind of meaning to what you want. Floridian is about an object of desire. It’s also a need as well I suppose.

Stone: Love Is Dead is an absolute hot hit, both song and video! Did you guys get to choose the model for this music video?

Dan: It was out of our hands, although the lads did a good job!

Stone: You bet they did! (laughs)

Dan: Oh yeah! (laughs)

Stone: Did you have a good time making the video?

Dan: It was lot’s of fun! This song is so good lyrically to sing. Johann, the director, did an excellent job in creating the tattoos appearing on the nude. Love Is Dead is all about Rock ‘N’ Roll excess and is definitely a great song for us.

Stone: There really are so many songs on White Collar Lies that can be tagged as a hit single. I am blown away by Fever!

Dan: Fever has good kinds of memories for me. We went to L.A. on a self financed trip and stopped by Crazy Girls. Fever was born out of that situation, it was just a good time we had there at Crazy Girls!

Stone: Did you like L.A. itself?

Dan: Oh yeah! We like New York City as well, it’s really easier to get around there.

Stone: Coming from Ireland, how much of an influence is U2, if any at all, to KOPEK?

Dan: We were into their earlier albums, listened to Achtung Baby and Zooropa. U2 opened boundaries for younger bands and musicians in Ireland. They opened up a whole new musical ground for us too.

Stone: Does having the backing of Religion Music Group, coupled with Sony Music Independent Network, elevate your desire and confidence as a band?

Dan: KOPEK has been together for a few years now, so we do our thing regardless. There is a level of confidence we share, all the way through our career as a band. We travelled all around the world as a band beforehand. Still, it’s good to know there is money to record albums behind us. Sony, to have them on board in America is great for us.

Stone: Is a North American tour in the near future for KOPEK?

Dan: I hope so! We are very anxious to get over there to America. The crowds in America are so responsive to our music. America is the first place on our list for a tour! Our fans can keep checking the web for news on a tour, maybe in a couple of months or so we’ll know something.

Metal Odyssey Note: Click this link for your KOPEK updates: KOPEK – MySpace Music Page

Stone: What bands would you want to tour with in North America?

Dan: AC/DC! Them Crooked Vultures! Bruce Springsteen!

Stone: That’s a pretty cool and diverse list.

Dan: We listen to a little of everything.

Stone: Describe the general state of Rock ‘N’ Roll in Ireland today.

Dan: The heavier or Rocky stuff is not prominent. Indie and lighter sounding bands are on the radio.

Stone: Gee whiz.

Dan: The U.K. is where it would be at for bands that are heavier. A few bands can make it out of Ireland but it’s not many and not easy.

Stone: If you could pick a guest musician for the second KOPEK album, who would it be and why?

Dan: Jimmy Page. I love the work he does on guitar and his knowledge of music. To me, there is no one else like him. Led Zeppelin is a huge influence on KOPEK’S sound as a three piece.

Stone: Thanks Dan for sharing your time and thoughts. Good luck to KOPEK on your new album! Tell Brad and Shane, Stone says hey.

Stone.

1 Comment »

GAMMA RAY “TO THE METAL” – A HEAVY METAL ANTHEM, AN INSTANT SONG CLASSIC

Posted in hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, power metal albums, power metal bands, power metal music, power metal songs, rock music with tags gamma ray heavy metal band, gamma ray power metal band, gamma ray to the metal song, hard rock music, heavy metal anthems, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2010, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, power metal albums 2010, power metal bands, rock music on July 19, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

GAMMA RAY – Have you ever had one of those moments, where you listen to a particular song and it hits you just right? Of course you have. If you say – “no, I don’t know what your trying to convey here”… then your just a turtle neck wearing grump, who feels it’s no longer necessary to use the turn signal on your car. For those of you that know what I mean, about a song hitting your psyche-out meter on the bulls-eye, this quick story is for you.

I was “free styling” with my Heavy Metal & Hard Rock songs today… in technical terminology, I was “shuffling” the song choices that were being played for my eardrums. It was late this afternoon and my itunes library was at the ready. Assorted songs from KROKUS, Slaughter, KOPEK and then… GAMMA RAY. Whoa. The song was… To The Metal. Whoa again. With my computer mouse, I clicked on that mighty “replay” button to hear To The Metal once again. Then again… and again. I could not stop replaying this Heavy Metal Anthem. Gamma Ray was pulling me in and making me feel like I was leading a Heavy Metal charge through some gilt edged, halls of glory.

Yes, make no mistake, the legendary Kai Hansen of Gamma Ray without doubt, sings To The Metal as if he is a fierce Heavy Metal warrior of the land. The beat and melodic flow of this song, coupled with it’s Old School heaviness, is as superior of a Heavy Metal Anthem as I’ve ever heard in my entire Metal lovin’ life. Yes, there have been near countless Heavy Metal Anthems that came before To The Metal… only today, Gamma Ray delivered their Metal anthem goods to my ears, mind and soul.

If there was to be that “one song” to send out into the outer reaches of the Universe, to let alien beings hear as a representation of Old School Heavy Metal from 2010… To The Metal is “that song”. Stone has spoken.

I lost count, after eight plays in a row of To The Metal today. So be it. It felt damn good. For during that Heavy Metal interval, that I experienced today, this was an all natural high. Um, I mean all natural Metal high. That’s my quick story of listening repeatedly to Gamma Ray’s – To The Metal. Oh, if you haven’t heard this song just yet… seek it out… it’s worth giving into and getting psyched out by. Metal be thy name.

* One last Metal thought… you might just want to buy this entire To The Metal album. This might very well be considered an extremely abbreviated album review, nonetheless, here it goes: To The Metal is worth your time and hard earned $$$. Old School Metalheads and Power Metal fans should take quite a liking to this GAMMA RAY album.

* Take a listen for yourself at just how powerful To The Metal sounds:

* For more info on GAMMA RAY, just click on the links below:

www.gammaray.org

GAMMA RAY – MySpace Music Page

GAMMA RAY Are:

Kai Hansen – vocals, guitar

Henjo Richter – guitar, keyboards

Dirk Schlächter – bass

Dan Zimmermann – drums

* GAMMA RAY – To The Metal was released on March 16, 2010, on earMusic.

Track Listing For To The Metal:

Empathy

All You Need To Know

Time To Live

To The Metal

Rise

Mother Angel

Shine Forever

Deadlands

Chasing Shadows

No Need To Cry

LONG LIVE GAMMA RAY!

HAIL TO THE METAL!

Stone.

3 Comments »

WHITECHAPEL – LAUNCHES NEW & OFFICIAL WEBSITE!

Posted in death metal music, extreme metal music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags death metal albums 2010, death metal bands, death metal music, extreme metal bands, extreme metal music, heavy meal albums 2010, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music news, technical death metal music, vans warped tour twenty ten, white chapel death metal band on July 18, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

WHITECHAPEL – Released their third full length album and second on Metal Blade Records – A New Era Of Corruption, on June 8, 2010. Now… Whitechapel has launched their new and official website! This new & official Whitechapel website is Metal muscle bound with music videos, live videos, video interviews, tour dates, news, store and more! To access the media, blogs, contests and forum portions of Whitechapel’s website, you have to buy a membership.

Stone’s Note: This is a 1 year interactive membership you would buy. Regardless, there are 3 levels of paid membership you can choose to purchase, with each level having different Whitechapel merchandise included with the paid membership, (the higher your level of membership, the better and more merch that is offered… and the third level is loaded). Click on the link below to see for yourself!

http://www.thediseased.com/

WHITECHAPEL is bringing their brand of Death Metal Technicality and all out Extreme Metal fury to the thousands of fans attending the Vans Warped Tour Twenty Ten! Find out more about Vans Warped Twenty Ten by clicking the all-knowing link below:

Vans Warped Tour Twenty Ten

WHITECHAPEL ARE:

Phil Bozeman – vocals

Ben Savage – lead guitar

Alex Wade – guitar

Zach Householder – guitar

Gabe Crisp – bass

Kevin Lane – drums

Stone.

4 Comments »

RAVEN – TOUR SCHEDULE: JULY 31st THRU OCTOBER 24th, 2010!

Posted in concerts, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal tours, metal odyssey, Music, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags 1980's heavy metal bands, current heavy metal music, hard rock music, heavy metal concerts 2010, heavy metal news, metal blade records, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, raven heavy metal band, raven tour dates 2010, raven walk through fire album, rock music, rock music news on July 17, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RAVEN – After releasing WALK THROUGH FIRE on March 30, 2010, on Metal Blade Records, RAVEN are on tour in support of this fabulous album of Old School Metal. RAVEN may be in your neck of the woods between July 31st and October 24th, 2010… so check out the tour dates below!

RAVEN are:

John Gallagher – vocals & bass guitars

Mark Gallagher – guitars

Joe Hasselvander – drums & percussion

The following are the RAVEN tour dates from July 31, 2010 to October 24, 2010, covering both European and North American cities. (Source: Metal Blade News Update)

* Metal Odyssey has no further concert information other than the dates disclosed.

European Tour Dates:

07/31 – Brande-Hörnerkirchen,DE Headbangers Open Air Germany

08/01 – Kerkradde, NL The Rock Temple

08/04 – Den Haag, NL Het Paard Club

08/06 – Wacken, DE Waken Festival

08/07 – Deinze, BE Alcatraz Festival

North America Tour (U.S. & Canada)Dates:

09/10 – Baltimore, MD, Sonar

09/11 – Virginia Beach, VA, Gill’s

09/12 – Springfield, VA, Jaxx

09/16 – Toronto, ON, Wreck Room

09/17 – Cleveland, OH, Peabody’s

09/18 – Chicago, IL, The Abbey Pub

09/19 – Detroit, MI, Blondies

10/01 – Seattle, WA, El Corazon

10/02 – Vancouver, BC, Red Room

10/03 – Portland, OR, Peters Room

10/22 – Dallas TX, Trees

10/23 – Houston, TX, Scout Bar

10/24 – San Antonio, TX, Scout Bar

* You can check out the album review for RAVEN – WALK THROUGH FIRE, which I posted on April 29, 2010, by clicking on that really cool header below:

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

LONG LIVE RAVEN!

Stone.

2 Comments »

REDEMPTION “SNOWFALL ON JUDGEMENT DAY” – A PROGRESSIVE METAL ALBUM NOT TO OVERLOOK

Posted in hard rock albums, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal albums, progressive metal bands, progressive metal music, rock music with tags current heavy metal bands, hard rock music, heavy metal music, melodic metal music, melodic rock music, metal odyssey, Music, power metal music, progressive metal albums, progressive metal bands, progressive metal music, progressive metal music 2009, progressive rock music, redemption progressive metal band, rock music, snowfall on judgement day album review on July 16, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

REDEMPTION – Snowfall On Judgement Day is an entertaining listen in quality Progressive Melodic Metal. Released on October 6, 2009, (on InsideOut Music/The Century Family Inc.). Snowfall On Judgement Day marks the fourth studio album release from Redemption. Each song is thoughtfully written lyrically, with very impressive musicianship throughout. The songs on this album are layered with an almost exquisite sheen, with all the ambiance and textures one can expect from a Progressive Metal Band of substance.

The vocals of Ray Alder are pronounced, while never overreaching. Ray Alder is a veteran of the Metal Music world, while also being the lead vocalist for the quite famous – Fates Warning. Redemption plays as a seamless and cohesive unit, making each song the star on Snowfall On Judgement Day. Nick van Dyk and Bernie Versailles are a potent duo on guitars, adding very interesting and downright likable melodic moments from beginning to end on this album. Greg Hosharian on keyboards adds all the atmospheric and melodic elements of mysticism, openness, sense of flight and emotional highs and lows. I guess Greg seems to cover it all, when it comes to sensory interpretation of his keyboard playing.

Chris Quirarte plays drums in the spirit and style of one Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater fame. This comparison may sound complimentary, which is rightfully justified, in my Metal opinion. Chris comes across to me as a drummer not trying to play hard and stand out, he is just simply mastering the beats and adding all the right drum fills within each song heard. What more can one ask for from their drummer? With each musician in Redemption seeming to convey their astuteness for their craft, I still need to mention Sean Andrews on bass, who helps anchor the rhythm section and doesn’t fall short on speed when the song dictates.

James LaBrie, lead vocalist for Dream Theater, is a guest vocalist on the song Another Day Dies. This song captures an almost total Euro Power Metal sound and feel. It’s the guitar leads and solo that seem to keep it from melting over completely into this comparison. James LaBrie’s vocals makes for a perfect match, with this Progressive Metal style that is Redemption. I still like Ray Alder fronting this band though, he is by no means a second tier front man. The harmony and tone of Ray Alder’s vocals are tailor made for Redemption… to my ears anyways.

Hopefully, my descriptive thoughts on Redemption as musicians, can help you understand just how the songs play out on Snowfall On Judgement Day. This band and this particular album should not be relegated to the back of the line. Flying under the Progressive Metal radar can’t be a reality in Redemption’s future. When there are so many bands and their albums to choose from in the vast world of Heavy Music genres, it’s a band like Redemption that just can’t go overlooked. I invite anyone who loves to hear songs and not four minute hits, to step right into the Progressive Metal creation that is Snowfall On Judgement Day.

Fans of Dream Theater, Queensryche, Coheed And Cambria and Mastodon should be very enthused by Redemption and Snowfall On Judgement Day. I’m pleased to have purchased this album and I highly recommend Redemption to any fan of Hard Rock or Heavy Metal that is looking to expand their music listening interests in a more progressive way.

* The song Keep Breathing, is an emotional and tender song written in dedication to Nick van Dyk’s daughter Parker. On the last page of the liner notes, what I read broke my heart. Being a father of twin daughters, the medical battle that Nick’s daughter Parker is going through just really hit home with me. To directly quote Nick van Dyk: “my daughter Parker was diagnosed with a terrible eye condition called Cone Dystrophy. This is a genetic condition, that prevents the retina from forming properly, resulting in the loss of central vision”. Nick writes: “there is currently no cure or treatment for Cone Dystrophy… even with corrective lenses, her vision will be 20/200 or worse. She will be unable to drive a car and do many things that people take for granted”.

Nick van Dyk continues, in the liner notes: If you are looking for a charity to support, please consider the Foundation Fighting Blindness, which can be found at http://www.blindness.org”.

* For more info on Redemption, just click on the links below:

REDEMPTION – Official Website

REDEMPTION – myspace music page

Redemption, as they appeared on Snowfall On Judgement Day:

Ray Alder – vocals

Nick van Dyk – guitar & keyboards

Bernie Versailles – guitar

Sean Andrews – bass guitar

Chris Quirarte – drums

Greg Hosharian – keyboards & keyboard solos

* Snowfall On Judgement Day was produced by Nick Van Dyk and Tommy Hansen.

Track listing for Snowfall On Judgement Day:

Peel

Walls

Leviathan Rising

Black And White World

Unformed

Keep Breathing

Another Day Dies (With guest vocalist James LaBrie)

What Will You Say?

Fistful Of Sand

Love Kills Us All/Life In One Day

Stone.

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Murderdolls and ARTISTdirect.com Team Up for Exclusive “My Dark Place Alone” Premiere – ARTISTdirect News!

Posted in hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal videos, horror metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal music 2010, heavy metal music videos 2010, heavy metal news, heavy metal videos, horror metal, horror punk, joey jordison drummer, metal music, metal odyssey, murderdolls women and children last album, Music, new heavy metal albums, roadrunner records, rock music, rock music news, wednesday 13 on July 16, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Just click the cool link below to view the exclusive premiere of Murderdolls – My Dark Place Alone:

Murderdolls and ARTISTdirect.com Team Up for Exclusive “My Dark Place Alone” Premiere – ARTISTdirect News.

Joey Jordison (Slipknot).

Wednesday 13.

MURDERDOLLS.

Releasing on RoadRunner Records, August 31, 2010!

Stone.

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IRON MAIDEN – “THE FINAL FRONTIER” ALBUM INFO TO KNOW!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal videos, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal music, rock music, rock music news with tags 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2010, heavy metal news, heavy metal videos, iron maiden 2010, iron maiden heavy metal band, iron maiden the final frontier, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, new heavy metal albums 2010, progressive metal music, rock music news, the final frontier directors cut video, the final frontier track listing on July 15, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

IRON MAIDEN – The fifteenth studio album from the unparalleled legends of Metal will be released on August 17, 2010, on Sony Legacy. The album is called…

IRON MAIDEN – THE FINAL FRONTIER

Check out – The Final Frontier – Directors Cut, which was aired worldwide on July 13, on Iron Maiden’s official website! (See link below)

As a lifelong fan of IRON MAIDEN, I will readily admit my unreal anticipation and excitement for The Final Frontier. Each time I listen to the song, Satellite 15..The Final Frontier, (the new Iron Maiden music video), I realize that Bruce Dickinson’s vocals have never sounded more prolific and the band never more powerful. IRON MAIDEN hasn’t just stood the test of time, they have obliterated any thoughts of not staying on top of the Metal world.

The Metal world as I know and listen to it… would never be this dynamic, proud, supercharged and full-scale if not for IRON MAIDEN. Truth be told… my life as a Metalhead would not have been the same, if not for the catalog of albums created by IRON MAIDEN. I can only state this about a select group of Metal bands… and IRON MAIDEN rises triumphantly from this group. Metal be thy name.

* Visit the IRON MAIDEN official website by clicking here: IRON MAIDEN

* The Final Frontier album cover artwork is created by Melvyn Grant. For more info on this amazing artist, click the link below:

MELVYN GRANT – Universal Artist and Illustrator

IRON MAIDEN ARE:

Bruce Dickinson – lead vocals

Steve Harris – bass

Dave Murray – guitar

Adrian Smith – guitar

Janick Gers – guitar

Nicko McBrain – drums, percussion

Track listing for – THE FINAL FRONTIER:

Satellite 15..The Final Frontier

El Dorado

Mother Of Mercy

Coming Home

The Alchemist

Isle Of Avalon

Starblind

The Talisman

The Man Who Would Be King

When The Wild Wind Blows

LONG LIVE IRON MAIDEN!

Stone.

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CLASSIC ROCK 101: ORION THE HUNTER “SO YOU RAN” – 1984 MUSIC VIDEO

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music history, rock music videos with tags 1980's rock albums, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's music videos, 1980's rock bands, 1980's rock songs, aor, classic roc music, classic rock bands, classic rock songs, hard rock music, melodic rock music, metal odyssey, Music, orion the hunter album, orion the hunter rock band, out of print rock albums, rock music, so you ran music video on July 15, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ORION THE HUNTER – Let’s go back to those good ol’ ’80’s… again. When Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal seemed to mesh together for me, just like chocolate-caramel-fudge swirl ice cream. It was a decade when FM Radio really was the one-stop listening destination for great music. MTV proved to be the same for music videos. I can recall vividly hearing So You Ran on the FM dial… and I was hooked. Sure, it wasn’t a Heavy Metal song I was hearing, nonetheless, it was Rockin’ along with a melodic sound that made me feel alright… and still does.

This Orion The Hunter album is yet another great piece of vinyl that I let go many Metal moons ago. It was released back in 1984 on Columbia Records. Now, from what I have seen, the CD sells “new” from $50 to $125 (U.S.). It appears Orion The Hunter is… out of print.

Orion The Hunter was: former Boston guitarist Barry Goudreau, Boston vocalist Brad Delp on backing vocals, future Boston vocalist Fran Cosmo, Bruce Smith on bass and Michael DeRosier on drums.

Convict me of being sentimental sometimes… yet this song just brings back some good memories of being a young dude, with no bills and high taxes to pay.

Track listing for Orion The Hunter:

All Those Years

So You Ran

Dreamin’

Dark And Stormy

Stand Up

Fast Talk

Too Much In Love

Joanne

I Call It Love

REST IN PEACE, BRAD DELP – 1951 – 2007

Stone.

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SERGEANT STEEL: A METAL ODYSSEY INTERVIEW

Posted in hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, interviews, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags current hard rock bands, current heavy metal bands, hard rock bands from austria, hard rock music, hard rock music 2010, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music interviews, sergean steel lovers & maniacs album, sergeant steel interview on July 14, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

SERGEANT STEEL – Calling all open minded record companies around the world… there is a Hard Rock Band that has released an album of melodic driven, heavy hittin’, memorable and fun songs. They call themselves Sergeant Steel and call home Austria. Sergeant Steel’s debut album – Lover’s & Maniacs, (released March 6, 2010), is a decisive upper-cut to the mid-section of the Hard Rock world. Sergeant Steel’s debut release reminds us all once again what Hard Rock songs sound like when a band puts skills and writing first and doesn’t try to “fit in” with any trendy “sound of the month” club.

So, RoadRunner Records, Century Media Records and a score of other record companies out there, who without question, have their ears on “the pulse” of what bands are hot… Sergeant Steel has arrived with Lovers & Maniacs and they are making no excuses and not looking back. This is a band that is looking to the future with hunger in their Hard Rock souls, something that many up and coming bands out there today are in dire need of.

I reviewed this Sergeant Steel debut album – Lovers & Maniacs on July 1, 2010. You can click on the link at the bottom of this interview, to read all about it.

The following interview is with Sergeant Steel’s charismatic lead vocalist, Phil Vanderkill. Recently, Phil took the time to answer some questions for Metal Odyssey and proved to be as candid and cool as they come. Phil’s answers are just as the songs you hear on Lovers & Maniacs… genuine. Here is what Phil had to say:

STONE: Hey Phil, How are you doing? It’s wicked HOT here in Pennsylvania. We have been under a “severe heat warning” for many days now. My lawn I no longer have to mow… it’s fried! Hope the air over in Austria is more tolerable.

PHIL: It’s about 35 degrees Celsius. That’s also pretty hot but the humidity is quite low at present. Austrians get out of their shell at this time of the year. If you know “Sound Of Music” you have an imagination about our wonderful Lakeland areas and vintage cities like Salzburg and Vienna.

STONE: Creating a studio album for world wide release is for certain hard work. Still, what and how much fun was it to create and record “Lovers & Maniacs”?

PHIL: It is still hard work to promote the record, too. We have been donating a lot of our leisure on this record. But it’s still fun. Now that the album is released, we enjoy it when people sing along at our live shows!

STONE: Who or what bands are an influence to Sergeant Steel?

PHIL: Our major influence are bands from the 70’s like pomp/classic rockers Queen, Rainbow and Aerosmith. We appreciate glamsters like Slade and The Sweet, too. Of course we also love 80’s hair bands like Ratt, Cinderella, Europe and Extreme. We also adore the guitar driven yet melodic heavy metal sound of Judas Priest.

STONE: Describe the reaction your getting from your fans when playing live in Austria.

PHIL: There are only a very few hard rock acts on the map. Most people in the crowd experience arena rock live for their first time at a SERGEANT STEEL show. We always play in front of a grateful public. It doesn’t seem to be difficult to carry the Austrian audience. Rather the challenge is to convince bookers and organizers. Classic hard rock tunes are everything else than common in the public awareness over here.

STONE: Are you setting sights on touring North America one day?

PHIL: Well, Jack and me, (guitarist & producer Jack Power), are going to travel overseas in the fall 2011. We are ready and willing to expand our contacts in the USA.

STONE: If you could choose a guest musician to be on the next Sergeant Steel album, who would it be?

PHIL: We’d have some honorable gentlemen on the bill, e.g. Alice Cooper, Lemmy Kilmister, Stephen Pearcy (Ratt) and John Sykes (ex- Whitesnake). I think they are all unique performers and accomplished songwriters.

STONE: Having “Lovers & Maniacs” mastered by Beau Hill is impressive. How was this working relationship born between Beau Hill and Sergeant Steel?

PHIL: Beau can be characterized by a maximum of politeness and reliability. We came in contact with Beau via Myspace, then sent him some demo tunes by mail and he became a real fan of our music (To quote Beau: “This record really kicks ass!”). Of course, we are extremely proud about that. It is highly probable to work with him on further material this year.

STONE: Which famous phrase best describes Sergeant Steel: “Sex, drugs & Rock’N’ Roll” or “I wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll all night and party every day”?

PHIL: Definitely “Rock ‘N’ Roll all night, party every day”. We enjoy life, because we believe in the most important message of rock music: Fun!!! Yes, we are occasional drinkers and smokers. But we DO NOT believe in permanent self-destruction. Look at Gene Simmons and Ted Nugent. Both live straight but they are crazy motherfuckers on stage and deserved songwriters. That is what it depends on.

STONE: “Lovers & Maniacs” is a solid Hard Rockin’ album of 10 songs, an unreal great debut album. Were there any songs that just missed the cut that you wish were on the finished album?

PHIL: Thank you for showing us your appreciation! When we determined the tracklist for “Lovers & Maniacs” we had to choose out of 35 pre-produced tunes. Meanwhile we have over 90 demo songs to be at choice for a second record. You know, there will always be some songs that will be missed on a finished album by someone.

STONE: Which song or songs from “Lovers & Maniacs” gets the fans most fired up when you play live? Are there any “vintage” cover songs that you guys enjoy playing live?

PHIL: Our most renowned live smashers from “Lovers & Maniacs” are “Hammer Of Love”, “Still In Love” and “Nuts Of Steel”. People also get loco everytime we play a cover version of “Jailhouse Rock”!

STONE: How would you describe the “state of” Hard Rock and Heavy Metal in Austria?

PHIL: Well, being in a hard rock band in Austria is like being a human rights activist in fucking North Korea. As I told you before there are only a handful of bands playing that stuff. Anyway there’s no competitive thinking among these bands. We organize concerts together and exchange our experiences in the music business.

STONE: Are European Festival dates in the future for Sergeant Steel?

PHIL: We play at a local festival in 2011, which is going to be attended by about 4000 visitors. Beside that there’s nothing official yet.

STONE: From looking at the photos and “Hammer Of Love” video, along with listening to the Hard Rock glory of “Lovers & Maniacs”, I get the perception Sergeant Steel has a tight bond among themselves. How accurate is my perception?

PHIL: You are absolutely right! Being in SERGEANT STEEL is being among friends! It took a lot of patience and understanding to reach that level of fellowship, but now we are all geared up to take the world by storm.

STONE: Thanks again Phil!

PHIL: Thank you very much Stone. Best regards to the American rockers over there. We are proud about gaining fans in the home country of many of our favorite bands!!

* Here is some late-breaking Sergeant Steel news, as told by Phil Vanderkill: Ronny Roxx succeeds founding member Cosy Coxx on bass guitar. Cosy leaves the band in a friendly way due to personal reasons.

* For more info on Sergeant Steel, click on the links below:

SERGEANT STEEL – Official Website

Sergeant Steel – MySpace Music Page

To become more informed about this great new Sergeant Steel album debut – Lovers & Maniacs, just click on the link below:

SERGEANT STEEL “LOVERS & MANIACS” – GOOD TIMES & CONTAGIOUS HARD ROCK DEBUT FROM AUSTRIA!

Go Get ‘Em Sergeant Steel!

Stone.

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MURDERDOLLS – “WOMEN AND CHILDREN LAST” RELEASES AUGUST 31, 2010!

Posted in hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, horror metal, horror punk, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags current heavy metal music, glam metal music, hard rock music, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2010, heavy metal news, horror metal music, horror punk, metal music, metal odyssey, murderdolls women and children last album, Music, Punk rock, rock music, rock music news on July 13, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MURDERDOLLS – And on the 13th day, God created the Murderdolls. O.k., so maybe God did. The real Metal fact is this: Murderdolls are BACK! On August 31, 2010, ROADRUNNER Records will be releasing the newest installment of heavy duty carnage, from this Supergroup. The legendary Joey Jordison (Slipknot) plays both guitar and drums on Women And Children Last. Wednesday 13, (Yes, that Wednesday 13!), is the lead vocalist and plays guitar and bass as well.

* Metal Odyssey Note: I did refer to Joey Jordison as “legendary”… and if anyone disagrees, well, you obviously have never listened to any Slipknot albums in your entire life… especially All Hope Is Gone. Metal be thy name.

On June 22, 2010, the RoadRunner Records website was serving up, (for just 48 hours), a free download of the Murderdolls single – My Dark Place Alone, from the forthcoming Women And Children Last. I took full advantage of this Metal freebie. Let me just describe this song as honestly as I can… An F’n intense and brutally supercharged Metal song, fueled with hellishly delectable speed and fury, that shall pummel thine senses into a state of maddening glee. ‘Nuff said. No? All right, here is a song review for the more intolerant and faint of heart out there: My Dark Place Alone shall invade your mind, space and soul by brute force… so grab your first aid kit, food rations, your ABBA albums, loved ones and seek shelter soon.

* Metal Odyssey Note: You can currently purchase My Dark Place Alone on itunes.

As read on the Murderdolls official website, (see link below), Joey Jordison states that Wednesday 13 came up with the new album title of Women And Children Last, being a funny joke on the Van Halen album “title” – Women And Children First, released back in 1980. (Just so the readers know… I revere that Van Halen album). Wednesday 13 reveals on the Murderdolls official website: “So the record is going to have ideas from all over the place. It’s heavy, it’s Glam Rock, it’s Hard Rock, it’s Metal, it’s… there’s not hip-hop though”. Sounds like a kickin’ ass album to Stone.

* From what I have been reading, Motely Crue’s legendary Mick Mars does appear on two songs, making Women And Children Last all the more Metal intriguing. Song titles have been revealed, with the two Mick Mars songs as well… only I don’t want to spell out these songs until it is “officially” stated on a credible site or from a credible source. Maybe this info is out there, already credibly established. Still, I just don’t want to wind up as a corn dog at the end of the day.

* Some of the new album’s song titles have been revealed on the RoadRunner Records website, (see link below), they are: Death Valley Superstars, Summertime Suicide, Drug Me To Hell and of course, My Dark Place Alone.

Murderdolls released their debut album in 2002 – Beyond The Valley Of The Murderdolls, on RoadRunner Records. Initially being a Horror Punk Band, Murderdolls are now promising a wide array of Heavy Music styles on Women And Children Last. From listening to their new single – My Dark Place Alone, Murderdolls have taken a few steps aside from their Horror Punk style of eight years ago. I really am looking forward to hearing this new Murderdolls album in it’s entirety. You can count on this album being reviewed right here on Metal Odyssey. I have a sinister suspicion I’m gonna really like it.

* For more info on Murderdolls, just click on the links below!

MURDERDOLLS – Official Website

www.myspace.com/murderdollsband

ROADRUNNER RECORDS

LONG LIVE MURDERDOLLS!

Stone.

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IRON MAIDEN – “BRAVE NEW WORLD” ALBUM FROM 2000

Posted in hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal videos, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal bands, progressive metal music, rock music with tags brave new world music video, hard rock music, heavy metal albums 2000, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, iron maiden albums, iron maiden heavy metal band, iron maiden rock in rio, iron maiden the final frontier, metal odyssey, Music, nwobhm, progressive metal music, rock music on July 12, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

IRON MAIDEN – In May of 2000, the beyond legendary Iron Maiden released the twelfth studio album of their unparalleled Heavy Metal career. Brave New World is studio album #12 from Iron Maiden and marked the return of their most prolific lead vocalist – Bruce Dickinson. (After 1992’s Fear Of The Dark album, Bruce Dickinson left Iron Maiden to pursue what became a successful solo career). The two Iron Maiden albums before Brave New World, The X Factor from 1995 and Virtual XI from 1998, featured the strong and capable vocals of Blaze Bayley. There was and always shall be, however, only “one” Bruce Dickinson and Brave New World resonates with his unreal unique, Metal/operatic vocals.

Brave New World is the album that also glistens with the return of long-time Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith. The 1981 album Killers was Adrian Smith’s coming out party for Iron Maiden. With two signature band members in Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith, returning to the Heavy Metal historic band known as Iron Maiden, Brave New World was a real return to the make-up of how this band is truly embraced and perceived by their countless fans across the continents.

IRON MAIDEN – Rock In Rio (2002), concert supporting the Brave New World album.

IRON MAIDEN RETURNS! WITH STUDIO ALBUM #15!

THE FINAL FRONTIER – RELEASES AUGUST 17, 2010!!!

LONG LIVE IRON MAIDEN!

Stone.

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My favorite DANZIG song is…

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, heavy metal videos, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, current heavy metal bands, danzig dirty black summer video, danzig heavy metal band, danzig III how the gods kill, glenn danzig, hard rock music, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music videos, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music on July 11, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

DANZIG – In 1992, Danzig III: How The Gods Kill was released. My favorite DANZIG song of all-time is on this album… Dirty Black Summer. Oh yeah. This is the one. There’s something about the wickedness of this song’s tone, atmosphere and grooves. Plus, this song’s edgy heaviness and lyrics are what puts that sinister smirk on my face and attitude in my step. Dirty Black Summer is not a “fun in the Summer sun” song by any stretch of the imagination. With that said, all the guitar parts seem to remind me of those hot and humid Summer nights, where I am taking a long cruise in the car, with the window down, as fog begins to formulate in the air. I guess it’s just me.

Some time ago, I wrote up a brief review on this great DANZIG album. You can read it if you so wish, I actually recommend that you do. Just click the link below:

DANZIG III: HOW THE GODS KILL

Oh, yeah, one more Metal thought. Glenn Danzig F’n RULES.

DANZIG as they appeared on DANZIG III: How The Gods Kill:

Glenn Danzig – vocals

Eerie Von – bass

John Christ – guitar

Chuck Biscuits – drums

Check out the DANZIG – Dirty Black Summer music video below. Hopefully you enjoy this song as much as I do. If not, well, you can always go back to your cross stitching and listen to the Fiddler On The Roof soundtrack. Metal be thy name.

CRANK IT LOUD MUTHA!

* For more info on DANZIG, just click the link below:

DANZIG – VEROTIK – Official Website

LONG LIVE DANZIG!

Stone.

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OVERKILL – TO TOUR AUSTRALIA, SEPTEMBER 2010, FOR FIRST TIME!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands, thrash metal music with tags 1980's thrash metal bands, 1990's thrash metal bands, heavy metal concerts 2010, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school thrash metal, overkill 25th anniversary tour 2010, overkill thrash metal band, overkill tours australia 2010, thrash metal bands, thrash metal legends, thrash metal music, thrash metal music 2010 on July 10, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

OVERKILL – Thrash Metal Legends, OVERKILL will be taking their 25th Anniversary Tour down under, to the great country of Australia, this September of 2010! The cool poster pic below tells all. From what this tour poster pic reads, this is the first time ever OVERKILL will be unleashing their Thrash Metal in Australia! OVERKILL will be supported on all the Australian dates, by Australia’s very own Thrash Metal attack known as – MORTAL SIN.

*Metal Odyssey has no other information on this tour, just the tour image with info as you see it.

* OVERKILL is out supporting their amazing 2010 studio album release – IRONBOUND, released on E1 Music, on February 9, 2010.

* For more info on OVERKILL, just click the cool link below:

OVERKILL

* The link address for more info on OVERKILL touring Australia in September, 2010 is: http://www.overkillband.com.au/

LONG LIVE OVERKILL!

Stone.

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SLAUGHTER – ROCKS HARD ON “EXTENDED VERSIONS” LIVE CD

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's hard rock bands, hair metal music, hard rock bands, hard rock music, heavy metal albums, heavy metal music, live hard rock albums, mark slaughter vocalist & guitarist, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock n' roll, slaughter extended versions album review, slaughter hard rock band, slaughter heavy metal band on July 9, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

SLAUGHTER – If your looking for a live CD of Slaughter, that is priced right, then this Extended Versions is choice. The liner notes do not reveal where or when these songs were recorded, just that they were recorded live. The compilation date on the back of this CD is 2002. Regardless, at the onset before the opening song, Mad About You, you can hear Mark Slaughter shouting out – “home sweet home, Las Vegas Nevada”! So, at least you know the city where Mad About You was recorded live.

There are those subtle breaks between the songs that obviously tells me this is not a complete/uninterrupted concert recording. Instead, this Extended Versions plays out as a compilation of live recordings. It really makes no difference to me if this is not a complete concert recording. Plus, it is noted on the back cover of this CD: this CD contains previously released recordings. The inside cover of the CD sleeve reads: all tracks 1998. (The 1998 live Slaughter album – Eternal Live, really comes to mind here and Las Vegas & Mexico were the live locations). The overall sound quality is excellent and the song selection is fantastic on this Slaughter – Extended Versions CD.

Having Mad About You as the opening song is a thrill to me, as it is one of my favorite songs from Slaughter. Mad About You just Rocks steady from beginning to end, making for a perfect pump-you-up song to get this live listen started. Up All Night is the fourth song, it’s always been just an amazing Hard Rocking anthem for me. Slaughter doesn’t disappoint with this live version of Up All Night, making it a true highlight of this Extended Versions CD.

An abbreviated and acoustic version of Spend My Life is included in the song selection. I have seen Slaughter perform an all live, acoustic set back in the early 90’s and it was extremely cool. To hear Spend My Life in it’s acoustic entirety would be even better. Despite the shortened version, it’s still a cool listen to hear Mark Slaughter prod the crowd into a sing along with this song’s chorus.

Wild Life is brought to live Hard Rock glory and is a standout listen. Don’t be surprised if you are to repeatedly play Wild Life… very loud, as it should be heard. An excellent, excellent, Slaughter song is Real Love and it is live and kickin’ on this CD. On this heavy ballad, Mark Slaughter sings his heart out. Rock The World has Slaughter Rockin’ on all heavy cylinders, with all the potency I like to hear in a live song such as this. If Rock The World can’t motivate your day, then take two healthy dumps and don’t call me in the morning because your probably constipated.

Throughout each song heard on this live Slaughter CD, I will readily admit that Mark Slaughter’s vocals sound very, very, good. Vintage good. I can’t imagine any Slaughter fan walking away disappointed, after listening to this live CD. Slaughter – Extended Versions I strongly recommend to all Slaughter and Hard Rock fans the world over. Fans of 1980’s and early 1990’s Hair Metal should be pleased by this Slaughter CD too. Slaughter – Extended Versions is readily available wherever CD’s are sold, in both used and new condition. I’ve seen this CD out there and a new copy should set you back no more than $5 or $6 (U.S.), at the most.

* Slaughter – Extended Versions was released on BMG Special Products.

Track Listing For Slaughter – Extended Versions:

Mad About You

Fly To The Angels

Move To The Music

Up All Night

Spend My Life

Wildlife

Real Love

Rock The World

Shout It Out

Dance For Me

SLAUGHTER – (Original Lineup) – From left to right: Dana Strum, bass guitarist * Mark Slaughter, vocalist & guitarist * the late Tim Kelly, guitarist * Blas Elias, drummer

Long Live Slaughter Rock ‘N’ Roll!

Stone.

2 Comments »

BRET MICHAELS “CUSTOM BUILT” – MAKES FOR A DIVERSE ROCKIN’ LISTEN

Posted in country music, country rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock album reviews, rock and roll, rock music with tags 2010 rock album reviews, bret michaels custom built album review, bret michaels vocalist, country music, country rock music, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, new album releases 2010, rock & roll, rock albums 2010, rock music, rock music celebrities, rock n' roll on July 8, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BRET MICHAELS – Bret Michaels did not leave us… thank you God and all the Rock ‘N’ Roll angels for that. Now, Bret Michaels has his brand new solo album Custom Built out, released on July 6, 2010, on Poor Boy Records Inc. and it is built on Rock ‘N’ Roll diversity. Anyone expecting a full-throttle Hard Rock album should prepare for a little bit o’ Country, a little bit o’ Club Mix and some acoustic music from Bret Michaels on Custom Built. Not to worry though… there are a couple of decent Hard Rock moments on this new Bret Michaels album too. Just because Bret Michaels wants to exhibit his fondness for some other music genres shouldn’t make this Custom Built album any less desirable for fans of Bret, Poison and good ol’ Rock ‘N’ Roll.

Am I thrilled by the Club Mix of “Go That Far”? (Club Mix by Jason Miller of Godhead). Nope. Not a chance. It’s not my cup o’ Rockin’ tea. With that said, it grooves enough for someone to dance to, wiggle to, or whatever to. At this point in Bret Michaels life, I feel he can basically do whatever he damn well feels like with his music anyways. You only live once. Plus, there are probably gonna be hordes of fans that will dig “Go That Far”. Just because I don’t dig it, doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world.

Open Road is a Country Rock song to relish however. Bret Michaels can really sing Country. He sings Country like it’s his second nature and I’m buying into it. “Open Road” has some classic Country lyrics to go along with it too… it’s upbeat in both it’s music and lyrics. “Rock’n My Country” is… you guessed it. Country! Hey, if I am to see Bret Michaels live someday and he sings this song, I’m gonna be doin’ my sneaker kickin’ (or is that boot kickin’?) stomp with one hand held high. My other hand shall have a cold one in it. Maybe two cold ones. A fun Country Rock song is “Rock’n My Country”.

“Nothing To Lose (Bret Only Demo)” is an acoustic gem. What a cool and mellow listen this song is. Lyrically moving and yes, inspirational. Is it a kleenex song? Maybe… only I’m too damn tough for that. Excuse me please… while I blow my nose and wipe my eyes now. Yes, yes, yes… the duet version of “Nothing To Lose” with Miley Cyrus is on this album too. Hey, it’s a good song and that’s what writing and playing good music is all about. Plus, Miley Cyrus has come of age in doing this song with Brett Michaels… in my Metal opinion. No, no, no… my eyes are not welling up. Stop it… and leave me alone. Gee whiz. Someone pass me a damn beer. Um, please.

I’d Die For You is a raw and downright non-commercial song that Rocks. It’s the last song on Custom Built and ends this album on a pretty Hard Rockin’ note. Plus, Bret Michaels sounds pretty bad ass singing this song too. Riding Against The Wind is the album opener and it falls somewhere between Hard Rock and Hard Rock Country. It’s a song that lyrically flirts with some patriotism and flourishes with undeniable emotion and reflection. Yes, this song I would raise the horns in the air to with Rockin’ glee.

Lie To Me is the bona fide Hard Rock song on “Custom Built”. Hell yeah… this song is a heavy hitter. Bret Michaels made the right move in adding this song to the mix… plus a psyche-you-out mini guitar solo doesn’t hurt “Lie To Me” either. “Wasted Time” is a Hard Rock song that wastes no time in grabbing my attention. This Rocker leans more towards being a tough Power Ballad, as it sounds semi-raw with Bret Michaels adding a sandpapered tone to his vocals, to enhance it’s overall heavy appeal.

My recommendation is buy “Custom Built”, listen to the songs on it and celebrate a musician who loves music. This is an album of songs, regardless if I don’t happen to like any Club Mix or not, it’s a song too… a song for someone else. Bret Michaels isn’t going anywhere anytime soon… there is just too much Rock ‘N’ Roll, Hard Rock and Country in his veins and “Custom Built” proves it.

Track Listing For Bret Michaels – Custom Built:

Riding Against The Wind

Lie To Me

Nothing To Lose (Featuring Miley Cyrus)

Wasted Time

What I Got

Every Rose (Country version featuring Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down, Chris Cagle, Mark Wills)

Go That Far (Club Mix by Jason Miller of Godhead)

Driven (Rock Mix)

Open Road

Rock’n My Country

Nothing To Lose (Bret only demo)

I’d Die For You

Long Live Bret Michaels! Only… the Club Mix has to go.

Stone.

8 Comments »

CAVO “BRIGHT NIGHTS DARK DAYS” – ROCKS HARD WITH A MODERN EDGE

Posted in hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Rock, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags bright nights dark days album review, cavo hard rock band, cavo my little secret song, cavo rock band, current hard rock music, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock bands 2010, hard rock music, hard rock songs, melodic rock bands, melodic rock music, metal odyssey, modern rock music, Music, rock album reviews, rock music on July 7, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

CAVO – Upon listening to the opening track, Champagne, one would be lent to believe CAVO is going to blast through Bright Nights Dark Days with reckless Hard Rock abandon. Um, wrong. CAVO does electrify with Champagne, this song is one to play at maximum potential and has all the ingredients to “pump-up” the party. This is the chart topping single that has catapulted CAVO into the Rock stratosphere of popular music, which also appeared on their 2008 EP aptly titled – Champagne. Only this is a band that delves deeper into an all around Modern Rock sound, allowing some thick maturity to seep forth from their music and lyrics. Bright Nights Dark Days is a thorough listen into what a Rock band can accomplish, when song writing and lyrics are looked upon conscientiously.

It’s always a grand achievement when a Rock band can show their different levels of Hard and Heavy sound, while not coming across as being too darn diversified for their own liking. CAVO has assembled 11 songs on their major label debut album that sincerely gives them a true Rock identity. I like to steer away from the Post-Grunge label that has been given to CAVO here and there… I’d rather label CAVO as a Rock/Hard Rock Band that mingles with a flare for Modern sound. In a sophisticated way. To simplify things, CAVO Rocks.

CAVO is not the second coming of CREED, nor are they a commercial/bubble gum ready band for the Nickelodeon Network. CAVO is already carving out their very own Rock legacy only one year in since their major record label debut. This band has grasped that fine balance between Rock’s mainstream accessibility and Hard Rock hallelujah, while making their songs sound and feel like the now. CAVO has obviously tasted and experienced quite a bit of success since this album has been released, with another huge hit – Let It Go being included on the soundtrack for – Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen. Let It Go is a powerful song, with it’s total Rock vibe and memorable chorus, I can understand why this song was picked for a blockbuster movie soundtrack.

I hear a genuine emotion that resonates from the vocals of Casey Walker. Casey Walker never comes across as pre-fabricated when he sings on this album, he comes across as really feeling the song’s respective musical and lyrical message. Cry Wolf and Ghost are two excellent examples of what I mean. Ghost is as personal a song can be lyrically and Casey Walker has a natural born talent to convey some moving emotion through his vocals. One listen to My Little Secret and it is quite clear as to how inspiring this lead vocalist sounds, taking a ballad that could have been turned into sappy city and instead Casey Walker makes this song a riveting listen.

Musically, CAVO comes across loud and clear as being one Rock solid unit. This is not a band that was born overnight, almost a decade in the making is CAVO. With numerous new Rock and Hard Rock Bands evolving within the last several years, it’s the bands that make quality songs and albums that stand out to my ears. CAVO should appeal to fans of Creed, of course, yet fans of Nickelback, Papa Roach, Pop Evil, Daughtry and even Saliva, (to name a few), should easily embrace their Rock & Hard Rock sound and songs. CAVO seems to be off to an incredible start with Bright Nights Dark Days, I honestly look forward to what this band delivers in the future.

* For more info on CAVO, you can freely click on the links below!

CAVO – MySpace Music Page

CAVO – Official Website

* Bright Nights Dark Days was released on August 11, 2009, on Reprise Records.

CAVO Are:

Casey Walker – vocals

Chris Hobbs – guitars

Brian Smith – bass

Chad LaRoy – drums

Track Listing For CAVO – Bright Nights Dark Days:

Champagne

Crash

Let It Go

Cry Wolf

Ghost

Blame

My Little Secret

Beautiful

We All Fall Down

Over Again

Useless

* Transformers Revenge Of The Fallen soundtrack was released on June 23, 2009 on Reprise Records. Let It Go by CAVO is track #3 on this soundtrack.

Stone.

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CHEAP TRICK “WOKE UP WITH A MONSTER” – SPOTLIGHTING A STANDOUT 1990’S HARD ROCK ALBUM

Posted in classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags 1970's rock bands, 1980's rock bands, 1990's hard rock albums, 1990's rock albums, 1994 rock albums, aor, cheap trick rock band, classic rock music, hard rock bands, hard rock music, melodic rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music legends, woke up with a monster album review on July 6, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

CHEAP TRICK – Don’t be fooled by those “elitist” Rock magazine reviews on this prize of a Cheap Trick album called – Woke Up With A Monster. Past reviews from pathetic Rock Music publications, that can’t grasp great Rock ‘N’ Roll bands and their music, just make for incredible comedy. Why drop names here now… we fans know the politically biased Rock magazine I’m referring to. Woke Up With A Monster is a Hard Rock album from 1994 that glows bright amongst the glut of mid 1990’s Rock and Hard Rock album releases, which many seemed to stray away from having any semblance of Classic Rock influence all together.

Amidst competing with the popular Grunge movement of it’s time, Woke Up With A Monster pulsated then and radiates still, in 2010. With eleven songs that beat down the door of stagnant Rock Music and kicks it’s weak ass from sunrise to sundown, this is a Cheap Trick album that sets an example of just how to ROCK STEADY in the face of pop-cultural ignorance of the day.

Phew. That felt kinda gooood. Now, onto this outrageously infectious delight, that is Woke Up With A Monster. The very last song on this album grooves along with a Rockin’ melodic aura that makes me feel like… the album is over? Can’t be! This song is just too cool and it flows through my veins like Rock ‘N’ Roll oxygen! This last song I’m referring to is Love Me For A Minute. Rick Nielsen on guitar plays some crafty licks throughout Love Me For A Minute, giving this song it’s melodic driving appeal. Robin Zander sings this song like it’s the biggest Cheap Trick hit from their career too. A “wow” song that ends this album on a very, very, high note.

Now, if the last song on Woke Up With A Monster is this chewy delicious, just how good are the other songs? For all intents and Rock ‘N’ Roll purposes, the remaining ten songs are a listen and quick study in what Rock greatness is all about, when you don’t try to reinvent the F’n wheel. The song writing, the lyrics, the vocals, the all too irresistible Rock sound of Cheap Trick. Just like comfort food. Sounds so simplistic doesn’t it? If Rock ‘N’ Roll “focus” was a pre-requisite for Cheap Trick to carry on as a band for all these years, they certainly bestowed a monumental ton of it, while creating their 12th studio album, regardless if there was “outside” assistance in song writing.

Despite what may be “read” from “other” reviews on this album over the years… I just don’t buy into the notion that there is a Grunge sound on Woke Up With A Monster. Hell, my ears don’t even hear a hint of it. Even if the band members themselves were to tell me they veered towards a Grunge “feel”, I’m not listening. This is Cheap Trick and it’s as underrated an album as there can possibly ever exist. Metal be thy name.

As fickle and wavering the “general Rock listening public” was back in the mid ’90’s, Woke Up With A Monster did get released. It was during an era where the “flavor of the month club” was buying up whatever the “experts” on MTV and VH1 were hawking. Great Rock Music will always, (here comes the cliche’), stand the test of time. The songs on this Cheap Trick album should easily speak for themselves in 2010, with an almost bone chilling relevancy. Woke Up With A Monster, perhaps, is an album that was sixteen years ahead of it’s time. If you think that sounds far fetched… just listen to The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album and try to convince yourself it really was released in 1967.

From the onset, My Gang sets off the Rockin’ tone of this album with all the Cheap Trick familiarities that are so unique to this bands sound. From the tight as cousins rhythm section of Tom Petersson on bass and Bun E. Carlos on drums, to Robin Zanders’s Rock profound vocals, with Rick Nielsen’s song altering guitar play, Cheap Trick certainly walloped my senses with Woke Up With A Monster. The title track being my favorite song doesn’t distract me from the other ten. However, this title song gets more tasty to my ears each time I listen to it… even if I have lost count after all these years.

True and great Rock Music was never meant to be disposable… we’ll leave that disposable stuff to the Pop Bubble Gum Music world. My intent, in getting the word back out on Woke Up With A Monster is to rekindle past fans of this album and shake loose new fans that this Cheap Trick release exists. Regardless of any “out-of-print” or “unavailable” status for Woke Up With A Monster, the digital download world like itunes does exist for albums such as this.

* For more info on Cheap Trick, just click that fantastic link below:

Cheap Trick – Official Website

Cheap Trick Are:

Robin Zander – lead vocals

Rick Nielsen – guitars

Tom Petersson – 12 string bass

Bun E. Carlos – drums

Track Listing For Cheap Trick – Woke Up With A Monster:

My Gang

Woke Up With A Monster

You’re All I Wanna Do

Never Run Out Of Love

Didn’t Know I Had It

Ride The Pony

Girlfriends

Let Her Go

Tell Me Everything

Cry Baby

Love Me For A Minute

* Woke Up With A Monster was produced by Ted Templeman.

* Woke Up With A Monster was released in 1994, on Warner Bros. Records.

LONG LIVE CHEAP TRICK!

Stone.

22 Comments »

URIAH HEEP “HEAD FIRST” – 1983 HARD ROCKIN’ ALBUM FLASHBACK

Posted in classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock guitarists, rock music with tags 1970's hard rock bands, 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal videos, 1980's melodic rock music, aor, classic rock bands, classic rock music, hard rock music, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, progressive rock music, rock music, rock n' roll, uriah heep hard rock band, uriah heep head first album 1983 on July 5, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

URIAH HEEP – Back in 1983, Uriah Heep released their 15th studio album – Head First. Granted, this was not the original Classic Rock lineup of Uriah Heep. The sound and style of Uriah Heep had changed considerably as the ’70’s came to a close and the colorful ’80’s came reeling in. With the 1982 Uriah Heep album – Abominog ushering in a new lead vocalist in Peter Goalby, Head First would be the second of three albums that this vocalist would be fronting. (Equator from 1985 would be the third and last Uriah Heep album featuring Peter Goalby as lead vocalist). For comparison purposes, the class of Rock/Hard Rock vocalists that best fits alongside Peter Goalby are: Lou Gramm, (Foreigner), Kelly Hansen, (Foreigner/Hurricane) and Brian Howe, (Bad Company/Ted Nugent), to name just a few.

I consider Head First, to be a Hard Rock swirling with early ’80’s commercial Heavy Metal album. Head First is AOR for certain and is not lacking with melodic Rockin’ songs. This is not a blockbuster of a heavy album by any means. Instead, Head First is an album of songs that gives off some cool vibes… vibes that I still find appealing after all these years. My favorite song on this album is hands-down: The Other Side Of Midnight. When I first heard this song played on FM back in ’83, I was hooked. This song is very much a psyche-you-out listen, with it’s up-tempo and melodic Hard Rock sound.

In 1983, I was a junior trying to survive in High School and working part-time as a grocery store bagger and shopping cart gopher. The supermarket I worked at was named Finest… only there was nothing very fine about it. One cool aspect about working for this dingy and depressing supermarket was it’s next door neighbor store… Bradlees. This department store had a semi-impressive records & tapes department, so I used to spend most of my $20 – $30 paycheck there on music. I bought this Head First album there… only I don’t have it on vinyl anymore. (itunes cured my hankering for this album though).

Stay On Top and Sweet Talk are two other extremely melodic and accessible songs that probably made it to the FM airwaves way back then. I just can’t say for certain. Stay On Top is “kinda like” an anthem represented on Head First. This song has a bit of toughness about it… early ’80’s Heavy Rock toughness that is. Sweet Talk is dominated by the keyboards played by John Sinclair. It’s the keys that really makes Sweet Talk elevate with it’s pumped-up tempo and mood. During his musical career, John Sinclair was also the keyboardist for The Babys and Ozzy Osbourne.

Bob Daisley plays bass on Head First and is most famous for his Rock ‘N’ Roll stints with Rainbow and Ozzy Osbourne. Longtime Uriah Heep drummer Lee Kerslake was on board for Head First. Lee Kerslake was also the drummer for Ozzy Osbourne’s 1980 debut album – Blizzard Of Ozz and 1981’s Diary Of A Madman.

Lonely Nights is the Bryan Adams cover song that Uriah Heep plays a bit heavier than the original. Not by much though. Lonely Nights is from the Bryan Adams 1981 sophomore release titled – You Want It You Got It. Both the Bryan Adams and Uriah Heep version of this song just screams with that early ’80’s Rock sound, feel and… may I add vibe? No, no, no… I HATE the word “dated”. It makes ME feel… um, uh… old. Regardless of my rhetorical nonsense here, Lonely Nights is undisputedly a very emotional and inspirational song, in my Metal opinion.

If there has ever been that #1 constant with Uriah Heep, since day one, it is lead guitarist Mick Box. A founding/original member of Uriah Heep, Mick Box seems to have quietly become a Rock legend in his own much deserving right. Ever since the 1970 Uriah Heep debut album – Very ‘eavy… Very ‘umble, Mick Box has been on lead guitar. Fast forward to 2008 and Uriah Heep have released their 21st studio album – Wake The Sleeper. Uriah Heep is still Rockin’ the lights out live in 2010 from what I have read and been told… a Rock historic band that I would love to see live sometime soon. Then, I could boast that I have seen Mick Box play guitar… in real time.

Classic Rock, 1980’s mainstream Heavy Metal & Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Progressive Rock and AOR fans should take a keen liking to Head First from Uriah Heep. This is a band that stretches across quite a few Rock genres, both past and present.

* For more info on Uriah Heep, just click on the link below:

URIAH HEEP – THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE

URIAH HEEP – MySpace Music Page

Uriah Heep, as they appeared on the Head First studio album:

Peter Goalby – lead vocals

Mick Box – guitar

John Sinclair – keyboards & backing vocals

Bob Daisley – bass

Lee Kerslake – drums, percussion

Original Track Listing For Uriah Heep – Head First:

The Other Side Of Midnight

Stay On Top

Lonely Nights

Sweet Talk

Love Is Blind

Roll-Overture

Red Lights

Rollin’ The Rock

Straight Through The Heart

Weekend Warriors

LONG LIVE URIAH HEEP!

40 years of Uriah Heep Rock ‘N’ Roll is something to celebrate.

Stone.

3 Comments »

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