Archive for the rock music Category

JIMI HENDRIX – “VALLEYS OF NEPTUNE” LIMITED EDITION CD SINGLE I’LL SHOW YA!

Posted in 1960's classic rock music, 1960's psychedelic rock music, 1960's rock music, 1970'S classic rock guitarists, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's classic rock vocalists, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's rock music, album covers, classic hard rock music, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock guitarists, classic rock music, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, collecting classic rock, collecting rock music, cool album covers, guitar legends, hard rock guitarists, hard rock music, hard rock songs, hard rock vocalists, Heavy Metal, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal songs, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rare heavy metal cds, rock & roll, rock & roll hall of fame inductees, rock and roll, rock and roll hall of fame members, rock and roll news, rock guitar legends, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music history with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 7, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

JIMI HENDRIX – By now, hopefully all Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fans know that a brand new, studio album of 12 previously unreleased songs by this legend of guitar legends are being released on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010. The album is titled – Valleys Of Neptune. A limited edition, CD single has already been released in front of this forthcoming Jimi Hendrix album, it is aptly titled: Valleys Of Neptune as well. This limited edition CD single is just that… each CD single is individually numbered too!! A total pressing of only 15,000 were passed along to the whole planet! My CD single is numbered 13060/15,000. I bought mine at Walmart… sometimes there are those Metal finds at Walmart… sometimes.

As I see it, whenever a CD, vinyl album or DVD is individually numbered, it is adding credibility to it’s limited edition tag. With just 15,000 of these CD singles available upon it’s release, I would have to guess that there are not enough to go around? C’mon, there has to be throngs upon throngs of Jimi Hendrix fans out in the world that would want to own this CD single… I would hope.

As for the two songs heard on this CD single:

Valleys Of Neptune – this song grooves along, (really, it is a groovy song), Jimi Hendrix sounds great, (as he always did), on vocals. Jimi plays the guitar with his distinctive tone coming through with vintage brilliance. In all Metal honesty, I have listened to this song dozens of times since I bought this CD single, obviously I really like it! I only live once and I’m thankful these new Jimi Hendrix songs have landed in 2010. This song was recorded on September 23, 1969/May 15, 1970!

Peace In Mississippi – this is an instrumental… and it’s all about Jimi Hendrix and his guitar licks. The Godfather of riffs and Heavy Metal leads is heard by me ears as if it were a gift from Heavy Metal heaven. This heavy instrumental is 7:02 long and I wish it would carry on for an hour. This instrumental was recorded on October 24, 1968! I was 2 years and 10 months old when Jimi Hendrix recorded this!!

Jimi Hendrix is in the same class as any of Rock and Roll’s largest of legends, any new songs from him is equivalent to hearing a newly released Beatles or Elvis song. This is in essence, Rock History, re-educating me once again where the true roots of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal were sown.

* The recording dates for these two songs are courtesy of the liner notes.

* This CD single was released through Experience Hendrix and Legacy Recordings.

So there you have it, two newly released Jimi Hendrix songs on this limited edition CD single, just a heavy prelude to the full length album of 12 songs.

GOD BLESS JIMI HENDRIX.



RED FANG – 2009 “RED FANG” DEBUT ALBUM IS STONER METAL COOL

Posted in cool album covers, doom metal music, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal music albums, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, scary album covers, stoner metal bands, stoner metal music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 6, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RED FANG – released their debut, self titled and full length studio album on March 31, 2009. Red Fang plays meat & potato’s Heavy Metal… they are for all Metal intents and purposes – Stoner Metal. It’s been essentially a year since this Red Fang album was released, amidst the ever growing and popular Stone Metal crowd of bands. Where Red Fang takes a different approach is in the grooves… instead of just laying down the heavy riffs and thunder thump rhythm, these songs really groove along very effectively. A solid example is Bird On Fire, if this song can’t make you move then something is terribly wrong. Red Fang is a giant riff party, with all the retro heaviness to go along with it.

On Good To Die, the guitar leads jump out at me with the celebration of old school vibes. The tempo changes on this song gel together very well, a standout song that harkens back to the day when Hard Rock was transforming into Heavy Metal. Humans Remain Human Remains begins with a simple riff, this opens the door to the molasses thick rhythm section that embodies all the brooding beats I come to expect from quality Stoner Metal. The vocals never get lost in the background, nor do they ever fade off during any verses. What is admirable about the vocals on Red Fang is the lack of shouting or incoherentness. Red Fang seems to take the vocals just as seriously as the heavy music… both definitely compliment each other.

When I first heard the opening track, Prehistoric Dog, the realization set in that Red Fang is serious about their Metal craft. Prehistoric Dog is one of the finest Metal songs I have heard, that would be considered recent. Sharks and Wings Of Fang are two songs that are really standout, with their fired up tempos and borderline punkness it’s a reminder as to what the Bon Scott era AC/DC had accomplished so damn well. Yes, the heavy is woven within the songs on Red Fang, still it is the attitude that gives these same songs the hard smack and personality, that comes across as original.

Fans of High On Fire, The Sword, Saviours and early era (1970’s) Heavy Metal should grin and raise their fist to the air upon listening to Red Fang. The Metal word needs to get out about Red Fang… and this album needs to be played loud for your cranky neighbors to hear. Upon listening to the remainder of Red Fang, I realized this is a Heavy Stoner Band that won’t be flying under the Metal radar for too much longer.

RED FANG IS:

Maurice Bryan Giles – guitar/vocals

David Sullivan – guitar/vocals

John Sherman – drums

Aaron Beam – bass/vocals

Track Listing For RED FANG:

Prehistoric Dog

Reverse Thunder

Night Destroyer

Humans Remain Human Remains

Good To Die

Bird On Fire

Wings Of Fang

Sharks

Whales And Leeches

Witness

* Red Fang was released on Sargent House – (an Indie label)

* Red Fang formed in 2005 and hail from the cool U.S. city of Portland, Oregon.

* Red Fang did self-release an EP, in 2007 – Red Fang Tour EP 2, 5 songs are on it, four of which appear on their full length. Suicide is the only song from this EP, that does not show up on the debut full length album. The songs on the Red Fang EP are: Prehistoric Dog, Reverse Thunder, Night Destroyer, Suicide, Humans Remain Human Remains.

It was this RED FANG album cover that caught my Metal attention at first. I gave it a very brief listen at my neighborhood fye, liked what I heard immediately and the rest is Metal history.

Stone.


WITCHCRAFT – “IF CRIMSON WAS YOUR COLOUR” RARE, GREEN 45RPM – I’LL SHOW AND TELL!

Posted in album covers, current doom metal bands, current heavy metal bands, doom metal albums, doom metal music, extreme metal bands, extreme music, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal 45 rpm records, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal on vinyl, heavy metal record finds, heavy metal records, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 5, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

WITCHCRAFT – is a throwback Metal Band, a Stoner Metal Band if you will. This band is also well known as Doom Metal. O.k., they are resiliently Old School Heavy Metal, that is for certain. Metal is… Metal. Listening to Witchcraft is always like a breath of fresh Metal air for me. I just get that everything is mysteriously mellow vibe from their music, uh, Metal. Even if the lyrics from Witchcraft are a bit doom & gloom, it doesn’t get me down. Basically, Witchcraft does cast a Metal spell on me! (Man, is that corn dog or what?). Early last year, I picked up a downright nifty Witchcraft 7″ vinyl single, (45rpm), that is green. You betcha… green vinyl. (See pics of my Witchcraft 45 below at bottom). My Metal research has found that the green vinyl pressing I own is considered a repress from 2007… and limited to 200!!! There is only 200 of these Witchcraft 7″ green vinyl, 45rpm’s in the entire world!!! I’m very pleased to be the owner of one.

The two songs on my Witchcraft 7″ green vinyl 45rpm are:

Side A:

If Crimson Was Your Colour

Side B:

I Know You Killed Someone

Both songs carry a semblance of early years Heavy Metal, sprinkled with some psychedelia nuance. The riffs scream Old School, as well as the vocals of Magnus Pelander, who also plays guitar. The echo vibe that happens on these Witchcraft songs make them all the more retro pleasing. These two songs are heavy, no speed or mind blowing solos… just some real good Metal. Witchcraft is not from the early ’70’s, nor are they from the ’80’s either. Witchcraft formed in 2000, releasing their first studio/self titled album Witchcraft on Rise Above Records in 2004. Witchcraft hails from Örebro, Sweden.

Fans of these unreal legends – early/Ozzy Osbourne era Black Sabbath, Pentagram, Saint Vitus, Candlemass or any Doom Metal Band, just might take a Metal liking to Witchcraft. Stoner Metal fans of The Sword, High On Fire and Sleep, to name a few, could easily sink their teeth into Witchcraft’s Metal too.

Witchcraft are:

Magnus Pelander – vocals & guitar

John Hoyles – guitar

Ola Henriksson – bass

Fredrik Jansson – drums

* I Know You Killed Someone does not appear on any studio album from Witchcraft, essentially this is a non-album track.

* If Crimson Was Your Colour appears on the Witchcraft studio album – The Alchemist, released in October of 2007.

* Witchcraft is signed to Rise Above Records… an independent label.

* I paid roughly around 7 dollars (U.S.) for this Witchcraft record, that included shipping too.

Here is what Side A looks like:

Here is what Side B looks like:

Both sides of this Witchcraft 45rpm plays excellent too!

Here is what the front cover sleeve looks like:

Here is what the back cover sleeve looks like:

Thanks for reading about and looking at my Witchcraft – green 7″ 45rpm of If Crimson Was Your Colour.  Check this band out, if you already haven’t… it’s really good Metal!

* The word – “nifty” – was used in the first paragraph on Metal Odyssey.

Stone.



JIMI HENDRIX – “VALLEYS OF NEPTUNE” RELEASES MARCH 9th, 2010!!

Posted in 1960's acid rock music, 1960's classic rock music, 1960's psychedelic rock music, 1960's rock guitarists, 1960's rock music, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970'S classic rock guitarists, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's rock guitarists, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock music, classic hard rock music, classic heavy metal, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock guitarists, classic rock music, classic rock vocalists, guitar legends, hard rock guitarists, hard rock music, hard rock vocalists, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock and roll news, rock guitar legends, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music history, rock music vocals with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 4, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

JIMI HENDRIX – what else can I actually say that has never been said about this uniquely elite, guitar legend? One of the originators of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal guitar, the greatest or one of the greatest guitarists in Rock history… still, is that enough praise? Nope. I don’t think I could come up with the correct praise for Jimi Hendrix, really. All I can do is listen to the songs, the albums that Jimi Hendrix has his signature on and be glad I did. In my wildest of Metal dreams, a brand new Jimi Hendrix – 12 song, studio album is actually going to be released on March 9th, 2010 – Valleys Of Neptune. Less than a week away. Wow. Metal miracles do happen. From reading the advertising that is promoting this new Jimi Hendrix album, there is over 60 minutes of unheard music on Valleys Of Neptune!!

As with any true legend, they live on decades after their passing. Jimi Hendrix has always lived on through his guitar brilliance, song writing, vocals and pure Rock and Roll majesty… now Jim Hendrix lives on even louder come March 9th, 2010. It’s inevitable, another generation of Jimi Hendrix fans shall be recruited in 2010.

Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal as I know it in 2010, would not be the same, if Jimi Hendrix did not play guitar so many years ago.

God Bless Jimi Hendrix, his music has and always will live on for me.

JIMI HENDRIX – VALLEYS OF NEPTUNE

* Released through Experience Hendrix and Legacy Recordings

BULLETBOYS – “SMOOTH UP IN YA” 1988 SONG & VIDEO REVISITED!

Posted in 1980's hair metal albums, 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's hair metal music, 1980's hard rock, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's heavy metal videos, 1988 heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, album covers, cool album covers, current heavy metal bands, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1988, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1988, heavy metal songs, heavy metal videos, heavy metal vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 3, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BULLETBOYS – On September 20, 1988, the debut and self titled album BULLETBOYS was released on Warner Bros. Records. I bought the cassette and later down the Metal road… CD of BULLETBOYS. My favorite song from this album and from this band’s career is – Smooth Up In Ya. Man, does this song bring back some fine memories… of hanging out and doin’ just nuthin’ at all besides having a good time. I saw Bulletboys live, on two Metal occasions. I saw these guys with Slaughter and Poison at Lake Compounce Amusement Park in Bristol, (expensive) Connecticut. I later saw them with Cinderella and Winger at the Springfield Civic Center in Springfield, Mass. My girlfriend that was with me at both Bulletboys shows is now my wife. We had a good time seeing Bulletboys (and all the other bands named, of course) live… you betcha!

Marq Torien was quite the flamboyant front man, when I saw Bulletboys live. He always reminded me of someone who looked up to David Lee Roth… not a bad influence to have if your fronting a late 1980’s Hair Metal or Hard Rock Band, in my Metal opinion. Shoot The Preacher Down from this very same debut album is another favorite of mine from Bulletboys. This song strays away from the Hair Metal stylistics and just flat out Rocks for me.

I always got a kick out of the music video for Smooth Up In Ya. The funny, cartoon illustrations that keep flashing throughout this video are a Metal hoot. This video of the Bulletboys does scream 1988 Hair Metal and rightfully so. Bulletboys always was and forever will be a cool and heavy listen for me. Check out the video for Smooth Up In Ya below… hopefully you like this song as much as I do, if so, crank it up loud mutha!!

BULLETBOYS as they appeared on their 1988 debut/self titled album:

Marq Torien – lead vocals

Mick Sweda – guitar

Lonnie Vencent – bass

Jimmy D’Anda – Drums

* BULLETBOYS was produced by Ted Templeman, (Van Halen & Doobie Brothers fame).

LONG LIVE BULLETBOYS!

RIOT – “RIOT LIVE” EP FROM 1982 IS A HEAVY METAL VINYL FIND!

Posted in 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1982 heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, Album Review, antique shopping finds, collecting heavy metal albums, collecting rock music, current heavy metal bands, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard to find records, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1982, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1982, heavy metal on vinyl, heavy metal records, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rare heavy metal albums, rock music, vintage heavy metal albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 2, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RIOT – RIOT LIVE, was sitting there, on vinyl no less, in a pile of other vintage albums from years long past. In the middle of this antiques mall, there I staked claim to a rare and never seen by my eyes before, RIOT EP… and it was a live EP too! I decided to take a look around this antiques mall this past Sunday, not knowing what I might come across for Metal treasures. For five bucks, (U.S.), I did not hesitate to take this piece of Heavy Metal history home. The funny part of finding this RIOT album is that a Telly Savalas – Who Loves Ya, Baby? album was resting right against it! Whoa, that’s funky stuff… God rest Telly Savalas’s soul. Another funny part of this whole scenario is… someone out there will eventually buy that Telly Savalas album and be just as psyched about their find as I am about mine. Beauty is in the eye of the respective music beholder, in my case it is Old School Heavy Metal vinyl… that is rather… rare. It’s no secret that I own a turntable, uh, a few of them. Buying these Heavy Metal Vinyl Classics are to be enjoyed, by dropping that old needle down on those aging grooves.

These songs are live alright, they are Old School raw too. As I played this album for the first time,  I could here the excitement resonating in the air during these live RIOT songs. I can understand that excitement, RIOT has always been a respected Hard & Heavy band, regardless of lineup changes through the years. RIOT has that early years of Metal vibe happening on this EP, I can hear and feel the roots of Heavy Metal from these songs. Despite the NWOBHM sound that was swarming across the Atlantic back in the very late ’70’s and early ’80’s, RIOT was American made. This was a RIOT band with four studio albums under their belt as of 1982 – Rock City (1977), Narita (1979), Fire Down Under (1981) and Restless Breed (1982).

Swords And Tequila is from the studio album  the 1981 studio album – Fire Down Under. The other five songs on RIOT LIVE are from the 1982 studio album – Restless Breed.

The Track Listing For RIOT LIVE from 1982:

Hard Lovin’ Man

Showdown

Loved By You

Loanshark

Restless Breed

Swords And Tequila

* RIOT LIVE was released on Electra Records.

* You can hear Restless Breed from RIOT LIVE and many more RIOT songs from their catalog of albums, streaming on the RIOT MySpace Music Page by clicking here: RIOT – MySpace Music Page

Here is what the front cover of this album jacket for RIOT LIVE looks like:

* The bottom line of type on the front cover of RIOT LIVE reads: Limited Edition – Manufacturer Suggested List Price $4.98. That’s cool… I paid 2 cents more than it’s original 1982 price. (Granted, the condition of this vintage vinyl that I acquired is no longer mint).

Using an iphone to take this picture of my RIOT LIVE EP, the black background with the bright red type made for difficulty in clarity. The album jacket itself has worn edges and a few worn spots, that’s o.k. by me, it goes to show this RIOT EP was once loved hard by some other fan. Despite these imperfections of the album jacket, I still am Metal pleased to have found a copy of this RIOT LIVE EP. The album jacket’s back cover is a solid black, with the Elektra Records logo on the bottom center. Taking a pic of this back cover would not make much sense for it’s blankness. (In other words, there’s nothing to look at with the back cover).

LONG LIVE RIOT

METAL ODYSSEY CELEBRATES 1ST METAL ANNIVERSARY!

Posted in 1970's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal music, alternative metal music, anniversary, classic rock, classic rock music, collecting metal music, everyday experiences, everyday people, extreme metal music, gothic metal music, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal birthdays, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, horror punk, living, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, people, power metal music, Punk rock, rock and roll, rock music, southern rock music, thrash metal music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 1, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

On March 1st, 2009, I embarked on a Rock and Roll journey… to blog my Metal heart out about the music, bands, musicians, albums and songs I love the most. This Rock and Roll journey was named – MetalOdyssey. Both past and present bands, my concert experiences, what I buy for music, album reviews, Heavy Metal hunting finds and my best Metal buddy Scott Coverdale have all been covered. Scott researches Metal like a Metalaholic. Once in awhile, I have vented about what ticks me off: The Rock and Roll Hall of Shame, reality show know-it-all dads, Rolling Stone Magazine, The Grammys and the dreadful PMRC. I even posted about my new cat Toby that my family adopted too. My unreal great wife, well, she is responsible for prodding and suggesting that I do this Metal Odyssey blog gig. I look back now and understand why she wanted me to do this. Without her computer, graphics and software expertise, I never would have gotten this blog off the Metal ground. I Thank her with all the love and everything I’ve got for coaxing me into such a Metal thrill ride! It has been a ton of Metal fun.

Did I think I would cover, (most of the time, like, 90% of the time), Metal Music? Kinda did. You see, I also have a love affair with Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, Southern Rock, Alternative Rock, Rock and… at times, movie soundtracks. So, my Rock and Roll infatuation covers quite a bit of ground… it’s been that way my entire Metal life. Some may want to call me a Rock Music junkie… so Metal be it! I’m not bashful to express my allegiance to ELO, The Moody Blues, Dire Straits, The Doors, Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Boz Scaggs. Nor will I ever fib and say the Rocky movie soundtrack doesn’t still pump me up and psyche me out of my Metal mind! Bill Conti is a musical genius, John Carpenter is too.

What does the future hold for Metal Odyssey? MORE METAL! With that said, I will warn all of my loyal visitors and new visitors right now… don’t ever be bewildered if you find me blabbing and praising about straight forward Rock and Roll either. I love the roots of Heavy Metal, always have I been amazed at how this incredible form of music came to being. Heavy Metal history is sacred to Metal Odyssey.

Punk Rock I like to blab about too from time to time. Misfits, Ramones, Osaka PopstarRancid and The Casualties are my top favorites, they all shall get their justified and respected due on Metal Odyssey again.

In the coming months, hopefully years, I will continue on with this Rock and Roll journey called Metal Odyssey just as I have been doing. I would like to continue to inform, entertain and inspire friendly debate through my writings and reviews. I also get the biggest kick out of consistently finding Metal albums and CD’s dirt cheap at thrift stores, antique stores/malls and flea markets… lending my anecdotes and experiences of such finds to the world makes me feel happy. Any and all personal Metal experiences, (no matter how large or small), that I may encounter in the future will no doubt, be found right here on Metal Odyssey!

I also want to thank the new Metal buddies I have encountered through Metal Odyssey. These guys are fun to correspond with and make me more Metal wiser with each new post they create on their respective blogs, due in part to their personal perspective and knowledge of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Here is a roll call of these great fellow Metalheads who share the same passion as I do for Heavy Metal and Hard Rock music… check them out in the list below, if you already haven’t, they are a Metal kick!

Hard Rock Hideout – I write reviews and do interviews for this unreal cool site… the dudes and dudettes over there are super nice Metal buddies too. Hard Rock Hideout is super loaded with up to the minute news, reviews, interviews, Hard Rock Hideout Radio, videos and… you get the Metal point!

The Metal Files – This Metal buddy was the first to put Metal Odyssey on a blog roll! An industry insider and musician who knows more than a thing or two about what is really going on in Metal. Plus, I really take stock in his Metal opinions, even if he doesn’t like Steelheart.

Heavy Metal Addiction – A Metal buddy who invited me into a group of fellow bloggers to post the “Best Of” lists for 2009. A Metal gracious move I truly appreciate. Great reviews and insight aplenty to be had over there from this Heavy Metal blogging veteran. From his CD Scavenger Hunt to his concert reviews… good Metal stuff.

Metal Excess – This Heavy Metal site is loaded with reviews and honest insight too. A KISS fan exists at Metal Excess, which makes it all the more a Metal pleasure to go there constantly.

Demolish Fanzine – 1980’s Heavy Metal Revival – This Metalhead buddy loves 1980’s Metal, what’s not to love about it? This blog is enriched with the knowledge of a 1980’s fanzine veteran who has loads of Metal interviews and info to share… and I’m reading it.

Heavy Metal Time Machine – An old school Heavy Metal blogger who calls it the way he see it! That’s the way it should be for Metal sakes. Uniquely insightful and fun, (Clash of the Album Covers & Battle of the Bands), the reviews, opinions and anecdotes over there always keeps me thinking.

* I also want to thank WordPress.com for having a kick butt and easy to navigate blog site!

I do want to THANK EACH AND EVERY VISITOR to Metal Odyssey over this past first year! Regardless if your comments were friendly or not, heck, at least you commented! Without visitors to Metal Odyssey, there is no fun in blabbing about the music that gets us all through each day.

BE TRUE TO THE MUSIC YOU LOVE AND THE MUSIC WILL BE TRUE TO YOU!

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND THE FREEDOM TO LISTEN TO THE MUSIC WE CHOOSE!


Thank you all again,

Stone.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stone.

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

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

Track Listing For Hellbilly Deluxe 2:

Jesus Frankenstein

Sick Bubblegum

What?

Mars Needs Women

Werewolf Baby!

Virgin Witch

Death And Destiny Inside The Dream Factory

Burn

Cease To Exist

Werewolf Women Of The SS

The Man Who Laughs

RUSH – “WORKING MEN” ROCKS LIVE WITH VINTAGE CUTS

Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's classic rock vocalists, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's progressive rock bands, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock bands, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's rock music, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's hard rock songs, 1980's progressive rock bands, 1990's hard rock music, 1990's rock music, 1990's hard rock bands, 1990's progressive rock bands, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, current rock bands, hard rock bands, hard rock music, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive hard rock albums, progressive hard rock music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 26, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RUSH is a band that lures me into their progressive Hard Rock world, like an insect flying into a backyard bug lamp. The main difference between me and an insect, (besides my being a human being), is that once I get zapped by the electrifying sound of Rush, I don’t turn crispy and bite the dust. Rush could very well release an album every year and I would buy it. This ultra iconic band’s albums brings back memories and makes new memories for me, on a consistent basis. Metal truth be told, the older I get, the more I have taken a stronger liking to the music of Rush. (I cannot figure this out, therefore, I won’t try to). Rush has released a total of nine live albums over their brilliant career, (counting Working Men), with All The World’s A Stage from 1976 starting this chain. Working Men will never go down as being the greatest live Rush album ever… yet it will not be considered sub standard either. This legendary band can’t compete with themselves, each live album they release, is a signature of where they are as elite musicians. What Rush does best, is give their fans consistency over the decades, while not sacrificing integrity in their musical product. Working Men exemplifies this integrity, with songs that are the most popular from their extensive album catalog.

Geddy Lee, (lead vocals, bass guitar & keyboards), Alex Lifeson, (guitar & vocals) and Neil Peart on drums, possess the uncanny abilities to keep their songs relevant and vibrant. It’s refreshing reality to know that Rush continues onward, entering their fourth decade of creating Progressive Hard Rock, in which they laboriously and consistently helped catapult into a beyond legitimate genre.

All 12 songs are taken from previously released live DVD’s, with the exception of One Little Victory, which is stated as previously unreleased. I come to the conclusion, that this “particular” live version of One Little Victory has never been released, it has appeared on Rush In Rio Live. The studio version of One Little Victory is the opening track for the 2002 Rush album – Vapor Trails. (A tad confusing as to the exactness of the previously unreleased meaning).

Working Men does meld the classics of Rush past, embarking on decades of gems… this live album opens with Limelight, (1981’s Moving Pictures) and Far Cry, (2007’s Snakes & Arrows), is track number six. Having Far Cry in the mix, is a standing true reminder, that Rush is ever the creative trio in recent years. The Snakes & Arrows studio album is an exemplary offering of modern day, Rush Progressive Hard Rock. To acknowledge such a recent Rush song like Far Cry, amidst this vintage lineup of live tracks, was the right move. How can any fan of Rush or such songs as Limelight, Tom Sawyer, Freewill, Working Man or Closer To The Heart resist such a classic compilation of live and Progressive Hard Rock excellence? I can’t resist, no matter how many live go rounds Rush gives these songs.

* The live DVD’s from which these Rush songs were taken from, to compile Working Men: Rush In Rio (2003), R30 (2005) and Snakes & Arrows Live (2008).

The Spirit of Radio, 2112, Dreamline, Subdivisions, and YYZ are the remaining tracks heard on Working Men.

Rush – Working Men was released on November 17, 2009, on Anthem/Atlantic Records.

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME – TRULY IS A HALL OF SHAME.

Posted in 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal bands, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's rock bands, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's hard rock bands, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, current heavy metal bands, hard rock bands, hard rock music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2010, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, rock & roll, rock and roll hall of fame complaints, rock and roll hall of fame inductees, rock and roll hall of fame members, rock and roll news, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 22, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Well, another year has gone by and the “astute” historians and archive keepers of Rock and Roll History – The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has bumbled another induction. WHERE IS… KISS? You know, the four guys known as GENE SIMMONS, PAUL STANLEY, ACE FREHLEY and PETER CRISS? Oh, god forbid if I dare mention the extended family of musicians that are/were members of KISS as well. I guess ABBA contributed so much more, to the “history” of Rock and Roll. I forgot, that ABBA is so damn hot right now in 2010 as well. Hey, disco needs it’s just due in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame too… of course. While these Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation dorks were at it, why didn’t they just induct The Wiggles right now, alongside ABBA? Get it over with. At this point, Bananarama and The Partridge Family will get inducted well before KISS ever gets their rightful induction into this snobby, uneducated in Heavy Metal, white collar, Pop Music is king… cheap excuse of a building.

Genesis, Jimmy Cliff, The Stooges and The Hollies deserve their rightful and historic recognition. Arguably, it is not ABBA’s fault they are recognized either… but give me a Metal break here. ABBA over KISS? That’s like choosing a glass of warm milk over a cold draft beer.

As quoted directly from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website:

“The 2010 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performer inductees were chosen by more than 500 voters of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Artists are eligible for inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twenty-five years after their first recording is released.”

* Uh, yeah… what about… anything other than 25 years after their first album is released? Is that the only damn criteria? Crap, I’ll make a record then and wait 25 years to see if I get inducted.

* Who really is… this mysterious… 500 voters of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation? Are they all scholars, who are afraid of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal? Do any of these voters listen to Rock Music in the first place?

* It’s almost as if, these 500 voters of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation receive a copy of Rolling Stone Magazine, a few times a year, read about bands that get the good ol’ Rolling Stone Magazine seal of approval… and then… these voters decide, these are the bands! They must be good if Rolling Stone Magazine says so!

* Apparently, these 500 voters of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation get more psyched out by listening to Dancing Queen and Waterloo instead of Rock and Roll All Nite and Detroit Rock City.

* I’m not going to blab about how many Gold and Platinum Records KISS has achieved, chart singles, concert tickets sold, their impact on American Pop Culture, nor how many total albums they have put out… what’s the use? The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame doesn’t give a crap. ABBA is Back! ABBA = Rock Legends.

* Man, what would Elvis think and say of this mess they call The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Some “important” dude, named Joel Peresman, (who thinks he knows about Rock and Roll by the way), gives this lackluster and embarrassing statement on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website:

“We are very happy to present this year’s inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as they represent a great cross-section of artists that define the broad spectrum and history of rock and roll and people that have contributed immeasurably to our business” says Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation President & CEO Joel Peresman.

* HEY JOEL: I guess KISS are not considered to be part of the people that have “contributed immeasurably to our business”… huh?

* HEY JOEL: Go slap down some vintage opera vinyl and eat your caviar. Then light up a $10,000 stogie and make a wet fart in your imported silk pajamas.

* HEY JOEL: You really, really, um, really, need to change your sign outside that building in Cleveland, Ohio, to read: ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF SHAME AND EXPENSIVE MUSEUM

LONG LIVE KISS!

KISS – IS HEREBY, THE FIRST BAND EVER, INDUCTED INTO THE METAL ODYSSEY ROCK AND ROLL AND HEAVY MUSIC HALL OF FAME!

I SHALL INDUCT BANDS AND MUSICIANS, WHENEVER I DAMN WELL FEEL LIKE IT, AND HAVE THIS LIST POSTED ON THE METAL ODYSSEY HOME PAGE FOR THE WORLD TO SEE AND ENJOY. A REAL ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME. A REAL HEAVY MUSIC HALL OF FAME.

ON FEBRUARY 21, 2010, KISS HAS BEEN INDUCTED INTO THE METAL ODYSSEY ROCK AND ROLL AND HEAVY MUSIC HALL OF FAME.

CONGRATULATIONS KISS, ON BEING THE FIRST INDUCTEE INTO METAL ODYSSEY’S ROCK AND ROLL AND HEAVY MUSIC HALL OF FAME!



STRYPER – COVER SONGS ALBUM IN THE WORKS! & “ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU” VIDEO FROM 1988!

Posted in christian metal, christian rock, classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on February 21, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

On June 28, 1988, Stryper released the studio album – In God We Trust, on Enigma Records. Man, I can never get enough of Stryper… the inspirational lyrics get me pumped for certain, still this Christian Heavy Metal Band flat out – ROCKS, for me. Always There For You has that contagious something… many somethings, happening for my psyche, it’s been that way since this song and album came out, it’s fine with me. Check out the video for Always There For You below!

The BIG NEWS in the Stryper camp is they will be starting to record soon – AN ALBUM OF COVER SONGS! Lead vocalist and guitarist, Michael Sweet, posted this interesting/exciting news on February 18, 2010 on the official Stryper website, click here to read all about it: Stryper – Official Website

Michael Sweet states, on the official Stryper website: “As you may know, Stryper’s about to start recording a new album of cover songs from bands that influenced us musically growing up.” Michael Sweet also states, on February 15, 2010, (as seen on the official Stryper website: “We grew up listening to many different styles of music and there is a list of bands that influenced us throughout our musical education. Bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Scorpions, Van Halen, UFO, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Kansas and many others, helped to shape our sound and make us who we are today, musically speaking.”

It will be a real Metal treat to see what the definitive song choices will be for this upcoming Stryper – cover song album! I know I will be eager to find out!

Michael Sweet does mention on the official Stryper website: “I’ve decided to periodically release the specific songs we will be recording via my twitter account.  Please take a moment to join me on twitter and be the first to know the songs we will be covering for this upcoming album.  This will be the only place we’ll be releasing this information.”

*Here is Michael Sweet’s twitter link: http://twitter.com/michaelhsweet

LONG LIVE STRYPER!

HELIX “DEEP CUTS THE KNIFE” – 1985 HEAVY METAL SONG THAT STILL SOARS!

Posted in 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal ballads, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1985 heavy metal music, cool album covers, current hard rock bands, current heavy metal bands, hair metal bands, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1985, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands from canada, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1985, heavy metal songs, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 20, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HELIX, one of Canada’s greatest Heavy Metal Bands ever, released their fifth studio album – Long Way To Heaven, (on Capitol Records), back on November 9, 1985. My favorite song from this really cool album is Deep Cuts The Knife, a mid-tempo power ballad. (Check out the song below, if you like). I always had a tough time hearing Helix being labeled… Hair Metal. Not in my Metal opinion… Heavy Metal is Helix, pure and Metal simple. I remember buying Long Way To Heaven at my local Caldor Department Store back in ’85… the vinyl was warped! Believe this or not, this album still played fine… albeit looking rather funky, as it spun around the turntable! Yup, this is just another fine slab of Heavy Metal vinyl that I no longer have. CD’s took over my Metal psyche and now I have remorse for trading and selling away those treasured vinyl albums of yesteryear. It’s alright… I’ll land Long Way To Heaven on vinyl once again… down the Metal road. Deep Cuts The Knife may no longer be relevant to me lyrically, however, the Heavy Metal of Helix and this song’s melodic power always will be! Today, this great song just stuck to my brain like Metal glue… so I just thought I’d share it with the world. Hopefully you enjoy Deep Cuts The Knife as much as I do. In the event you never heard this song before… then passing along some Helix shall be my Metal deed for the day!

LONG LIVE HELIX!

CRANK UP DEEP CUTS THE KNIFE LOUD – AND BE GLAD YOU DID!

HELIX, as they appeared on the 1985 album Long Way To Heaven:

Brian Vollmer – lead vocals

Paul Hackman – guitar and vocals

Brent Doerner – guitar and vocals

Daryl Gray – bass and vocals

Greg Hinz – drums

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED – Track Listing:

1. Ghost Town

2. From The Abyss

3. Creating Our Machine

4. Blood on Wood

5. In a World So Cruel

6. Manifestations

7. Voices Within the Walls

8. The Darkest Eyes

9. Fear in the Sky

KEEL – 1987 ALBUM “KEEL” STILL PACKS A HEAVY METAL PUNCH!

Posted in 1980's hair metal albums, 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal guitarists, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1987 heavy metal music, Album Review, current hard rock bands, current heavy metal bands, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock vocalists, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1987, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, old school hair metal bands, old school heavy metal bands, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 17, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

When I think of the 1980’s, good times, carelessness, more parties than I can count or remember, no mortgage payments and sleeping real late comes to mind. Hey, why not? It’s all a part of growing up and it all led me down the path to where I am now… and I’m not complaining, I have the best family money or Metal can buy. So when I reach for the albums that remind me of good times, KEEL , (self titled), from 1987 puts a grin on my face and still psyches me out. So Metal be it… KEEL is one of my favorite Hair Metal Bands from the loud, proud and colorful ’80’s. I still have the CD version of KEEL from 1987, liner notes and all. Yes, the liner notes are very important to old school Metalheads like myself. All 10 songs on KEEL are packed with Heavy Metal punch… regardless of KEEL’s Hair Metal tag from that era, it’s all Metal relative. The underlining characteristic of KEEL, is this album has power. Two songs that exemplify this power adjective the best on KEEL are: Somebody’s Waiting and Cherry Lane, plus they are back-to-back… tracks 2 and 3. Does it matter if this was not the hottest selling KEEL album from their catalog? Not in my Metal opinion, at this point in time… does it really even matter?

At the end of the Metal day, it’s all about personal preference and opinion anyways. What once was old is new again… and what albums that did not sell off the shelves, are now being discussed again for those who want to seek out and give a listen to. Going back to Cherry Lane… you won’t find or hear a better tongue-in-cheek Heavy Metal song than this! Cherry Lane is a (gasp) fun song that makes me, (gasp), chuckle a tad almost 25 years later. I’m not embarrassed to admit liking some “fun” in my Hard Rock or Metal. (Hello, David Lee Roth). Calm Before The Storm is a ballad… my finicky side for ballads approved of this song a long time ago. This ballad has a tempo that isn’t so slow you want to scream, it flows very well and lyrically never made me cry and stay in bed for a week… so I have always been down with this song.

The strong vocals of Ron Keel and the chorus from KEEL is what adds to this band’s powerful identity. Marc Ferrari and Bryan Jay on guitars, fuel KEEL with numerous addictive licks on this album to make these songs not just hard & heavy, they also made them memorable going on 3 decades. Toss in a smash ’em up rhythm section of Dwain Miller on drums and Kenny Chaisson on bass guitar and yes Virginia, KEEL delivered a potent Heavy Metal album here. If you are into ’80’s Hair and Heavy Metal and never bought this album, seek it out and give it more than a test drive… crank it LOUD with the car windows down… going at a reasonable speed of course, please.

* Check out the KEEL NATION here: KEEL NATION – Official KEEL website

* Also worth checking out: KEEL – myspace music page

KEEL was released on June 21, 1987, on MCA Records. This was the fourth album release from KEEL.

KEEL Track Listing:

United Nations

Somebody’s Waiting

Cherry Lane

Calm Before The Storm

King Of The Rock

It’s A Jungle Out There

I Said The Wrong Thing To The Right Girl

Don’t Say You Love Me

If Love Is A Crime (I Wanna Be Convicted)

4th Of July

DOUG FIEGER – REST PEACEFULLY AND THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC

Posted in 1970's #1 rock songs, 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock bands, 1970's rock music, 1979 rock albums, 1980's rock bands, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock cover songs, classic rock music, classic rock music 1979, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, Rock, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock and roll news, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music history, rock vocalists with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 16, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

I remember buying this debut album from The Knack, Get The Knack brings back some fond memories for me. My late sister and I made a beeline to the Caldor department store to buy this album, sometime during the Summer of ’79. We got the biggest kick out of this album, especially the hit My Sharona. I recall listening to the song Good Girls Don’t and feeling really cool about it too. Doug Fieger and The Knack made a fun and good old fashioned Rock and Roll album with Get The Knack. Just a classic album period. I had sold this album years ago… and truly regretted it afterwards, for vinyl was no longer on store shelves. On one of my journey’s last year for Heavy Metal finds, I found a beautiful copy of Get The Knack at a thrift store for 50 cents. This new found copy is for keeps.

Thank you for the music Doug Fieger, rest in peace.

Doug Fieger – 1952 – 2010

Singer, Guitarist, Songwriter

In 2009, HammerFall covered The Knack classic – My Sharona. This cover song is found on the HammerFall album – No Sacrifice, No Victory. This is an excellent example of how Doug Fieger and The Knack are an influence in respective Heavy Metal circles. When I first heard this cover of My Sharona by HammerFall, I was reminded of just how great this song really is. HammerFall paid an incredible tribute to this song and The Knack, in my Metal opinion. Of course, no band can top The Knack in covering My Sharona, this is a Heavy Metal salute to a legendary Rock and Roll Band and musician, whose music shall live on.  So, crank up this My Sharona cover by HammerFall below, sing along if you will, let’s all give a Heavy Metal tribute and thank you to Doug Fieger and his Rock and Roll legacy!

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

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

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

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

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

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

EARLY MAN as they appeared on Beware The Circling Fin:

Mike Conti – vocals, guitar & bass

Pete Macy – guitar

Adam Bennati – drums

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

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

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

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

WHIPLASH HEAVY METAL – Early Man’s Mike Conte blog

METALLICA – MY SILENT AUCTION/THRASH METAL WIN!

Posted in 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's thrash metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's thrash metal, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's thrash metal bands, 1990's metal music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal memorabilia, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1993, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school thrash metal bands, old school thrash metal music, rock music, silent auctions, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands, thrash metal legends, thrash metal memorabilia, thrash metal music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 14, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Oh how I love to stumble upon Metal memorabilia without trying. That is exactly what happened when I glanced upon this particular Metallica lot at a recent, (monthly), silent auction. How recent? It was this past January of 2010. Where was this silent auction? At an antique mall… where else? What is this Metallica lot? None other than the enormously popular – LIVE SH*T: BINGE & PURGE, which was released back in 1993. This version, (see images below), was up for bid as a sealed-in-plastic package, minus the tour equipment transport box version. This package included three sealed VHS videos, a tour program, a copy of an access pass to the Snakepit portion of the stage and a cardboard stencil of the scary guy image on the packaging. I just couldn’t resist my Metal self… therefore… I placed one solid bid on this Metallica bounty. A bid of $3 meager dollars was already put down on this Metallihistory. I grinned upon seeing the other lone and miniscule bid… $20 bucks I wrote down along with my “official” bidders number, too late to recant now… Metal game on.

Did I bid too low? Did I bid too high? The ever antagonistic, self doubting thoughts, seemed to envelope my mind like a cornerback blitz from the Philadelphia Eagles defense. I never owned this piece of Metallica Thrash Metal before… as astonishing as that may seem. Back in 1993, I was very, very, broke… and broke again. My Metal buying habits came very close to a standstill for a few years, back in the early ’90’s. Metal truth be told, I usually get outbid on these silent auctions… I tend to bid low… or so it seems. Approaching a silent auction or any auction for that matter, needs to be done with an open mind… and NOT an open checkbook!

As the days went by, I checked in on my $20 bid on this Metallica item… I was the highest bidder up until the closing yell of – “bidders, put your pens down!”. I was semi-psyched upon learning that the winner for this Metallica lot was me. Why was I semi-psyched? Heck, I always want stuff cheap… real cheap. Free is even better. Regardless, I picked up this now vintage Metallica lot from the antique mall a few days after the auctions close and was Metal smitten about it too. The tour program is worth the $20 bucks alone, in my Metal opinion. This program is chock full of incredibly cool tour photos of Metallica, with reprinted correspondence/letters that have to do with all things Metallica… it’s Metal history. Metallica history is a good thing to feed the Metal mind with.

So, after 18 years of not having LIVE SH*T: BINGE & PURGE in my Metal collection, I finally landed it through a silent auction at an antique mall. Metal be damned, if someone told me back in 1993, that I would one day, 18 years later, win this Metallica package at an antique mall’s silent auction… I would have told that person to go suck an expired egg. Rest assured, I am regularly checking out this silent auction… one of these days I will land the big Metal fish… and you will all know about it on Metal Odyssey.

Here is the copy of an access pass to the Snakepit:

Here are the 3 VHS videos that are still sealed. Don’t worry, I am going to watch them… I still own a, (gulp), VCR. The tour program is also shown at the bottom of this pic.

At the end of the Metal day, I’m pleased to have bid the $20 bucks for this Metallica booty. I still would like to get my hands on the tour equipment transport box version too someday… it has the 3 CD’s as a Metal bonus. I’m not complaining though, I feel fortunate that I have the few extra bucks to spend now, compared to my financial situation back in 1993. Plus I’m just enjoying collecting Metal and Metallica.

ANGEL – “THE WINTER SONG” IS MY BLIZZARD OF 2010 THEME SONG!

Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal albums, 1970's heavy metal bands, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock bands, 1970's rock music, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal music, classic rock 1978, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, everyday experiences, everyday people, feel good stories, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal bands, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 11, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

It is Thursday, February 11, 2010. The cleanup begins. The cleanup after the Blizzard of 2010 that is. This unreal blizzard attacked the East Coast yesterday, with the great state of Pennsylvania directly in it’s angry path. I’ve seen some major winter storms in my life, this one was a monster in it’s own right. Upwards of nearly two feet of snow blanketed Pennsylvania after 24 hours of snow falling from the sky. Ah, the cleanup that will take place up and down the Eastern Seaboard today… patience shall be a virtue for us all.

As I listened to various music yesterday, I was thinking all along about picking out the perfect blizzard song, a winter song… alas, I was reminded of Angel – The Winter Song. This 1978 song sums it up best… about the spirit of Winter and looking upon this cold, stormy and sometimes isolated season in a different light. Once the holiday season comes to a close, the Winter season takes on it’s own ominous and elongated meaning unlike any other time of year. Still, Winter is here, the blizzards will come and life goes on. Winter, I have learned, is what you make of it. As long as I’m alive to experience this season despite the often times chaotic weather events it brings, I should just be happy that it’s a brand new day.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY UNMISTAKABLY LOYAL AND LOVING WIFE TODAY! 15 YEARS! IT’S THE OFFICIAL DAY! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO AND FOR WORKING SO HARD HONEY! THIS SONG IS FOR YOU TOO!

LONG LIVE ANGEL AND MY MARRIAGE!

If you feel like it, you can check out the post I wrote about Angel and their 1978 Angel album – White Hot, by clicking the header below. I wrote this post back on April 4, 2009.

Angel – Heavy Metal roots from 1978

THE WHO – “GREATEST HITS” IS MY ANNIVERSARY GIFT!

Posted in 1960's classic rock music, 1960's classic rock bands, 1960's rock & roll british invasion, 1960's rock music, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's rock bands, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's rock music, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's hard rock bands, 1990's hard rock music, 1990's rock bands, 1990's rock music, 1990's hard rock bands, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, cool album covers, current rock bands, family, feel good stories, hard rock bands, hard rock music, life, life stories, living, metal odyssey, Music, real life experiences, Rock, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock and roll hall of fame inductees, rock music, rock music history with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 10, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

My wife and I will celebrate our 15 year Wedding Anniversary on February 11th. Wow, how time has flown by! Tonight, while strolling about at K-Mart, my wife informed me my anniversary gift from her is The Who – Greatest Hits. (Not too shabby, in my Metal opinion). Heck, I’m the guy, I never expect an anniversary gift to begin with… I always make sure my wife gets a gift for certain, still, this feels like a bonus to me!

What’s very exciting about getting this CD from my wife is the pure fact: I have never owned The Who on CD my entire life!! You read that correctly… never did I upgrade The Who to CD, after all these years. Go figure. Of course, I have owned some, (not all), of The Who titles on vinyl and cassette… still have them floating around somewhere. It’s an invigorating feeling to have this Greatest Hits by The Who now… 19 songs and all! What sweetens the deal about this CD is that it was on sale for $9.99! Yes, maybe I have given off hints now and again that I am frugal… it’s from growing up in New England for most of my life… in extremely expensive Connecticut. Believe me, if you live or ever lived in Connecticut, you know what I mean. Living there, man, you have to know how to cut corners and clip coupons… or go broke trying.

Back to The Who… my wife and I, along with my best Metal buddy Scott Coverdale, saw The Who back in the mid ’90’s… seeing them was a thrill beyond belief for me. Drivin N Cryin was the opening band too. I’m thankful I was able to witness John Entwistle live, on bass as well. This legendary show was at the Meadows Music Theater in Hartford, Connecticut.

The Who is a band that I can never, ever, grow tired of. Honestly, The Who just strikes that certain chord within my psyche… and I’m not concerned about figuring it out either. Seeing Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend Rockin’ out during the Super Bowl XLIV half-time special… was something special. I could only hope and pray, that I am in that kind of shape when I hit that age! Sure, Roger Daltrey may not sound like he did in 1980… yet c’mon… he belted it out for the world to know that The Who is still around and damn proud! Pete Townshend also reminded us all, that he too… can still kick some Rock and Roll ass.

My favorite song ever, from The Who, is: Eminence Front. I’m not going to attempt any explanation here, other than this is THE song. You know how it is… there’s always that one particular song from a band that resonates with your mind and soul… Eminence Front is just that song by The Who. I’m thankful for my beautiful wife of 15 years and counting… nothing beats the memories, life experiences and love we have both shared with each other. (We actually have been together since 1988, married in 1995). I’m also thankful I have the memory of seeing The Who, live, with my wife and best friend. Money can’t buy love and memories… but $9.99 can buy me the coolest wedding anniversary gift – The Who, Greatest Hits.

The Who – Greatest Hits was released on December 21, 2009.

LONG LIVE THE WHO!

Reflecting on the good memories of life and staying positive and true to yourself… is what it’s all about. Music is the stimulus of good life memories for me… the Rock Music of The Who is no exception.

TRIUMPH – “SPELLBOUND” SONG FROM 1984 STILL PACKS THE POWER!

Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's rock bands, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's hard rock vocalists, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's hard rock songs, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's rock bands, 1984 heavy metal music, 1990's hard rock bands, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, cool album covers, guitar legends, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1984, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands from canada, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal videos, metal odyssey, Music, progressive hard rock albums, progressive hard rock music, progressive rock music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 8, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Triumph released the album – Thunder Seven, on November 10, 1984. I thoroughly enjoyed Thunder Seven back in those days… still do. A fabulous album of songs, melodic and memorable, all the while exhibiting the heavy style of Triumph. The reality of my never getting this album on CD has set in, I really need to upgrade! I still own the cassette, it plays and it’s worth it’s weight in Metal gold to me. There are those songs that stick with me through life. Spellbound from Thunder Seven is exactly one of those songs. The first time I ever heard this song, I actually felt spellbound… and I’m not trying to sound cute stating that either. In my Metal opinion, the all-out power and intensity that Spellbound delivers is nothing short of amazing. Spellbound and the entire Thunder Seven album just reminds me of the days when I grew up, in the south end of my old home town… in extremely expensive Connecticut. My neighborhood buddies and me, we really played the heck out of this cassette I still own, it’s a Metal miracle that I still have it!

Killing Time and Follow Your Heart are two other standout songs from Thunder Seven. I really like Killing Time, just as much as Spellbound. Thunder Seven is just a solid chunk of vintage Hard and Heavy Rock from Triumph… wow. The old cliche goes: they just don’t make albums like this anymore. Granted, there have been a ton of albums throughout time I or anyone can say that about… it’s just Metal fitting to use that cliche for Thunder Seven. Am I on a Thunder Seven high? You bet… since 1984 too.

My best Metal buddie Scott Coverdale and I, we had many a conversation about this song and album years back and still to this day… the great Rock and Roll Hall of Fame debate not withstanding either. Triumph would be in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame if I ran it’s duh? operation. Then again, my list for bands belonging in that building in Cleveland, Ohio, is rather long… and Metal rightfully so. I no longer think this… I know this… the world needs a legitimate Hard Rock & Heavy Metal Hall of Fame. Triumph would be embedded in this much needed Hall of Fame, exactly where they belong.

Rik Emmett, (on lead vocals and guitar), is an unreal great musician – in my Metal opinion. Not to take anything away from the rest of the Triumph lineup throughout the years, especially Gil Moore on drums/vocals and Mike Levine on bass & keyboards… unreal great as well, what a legendary band. Triumph – a Canadian Treasure. I hope you like Spellbound as much as I do… enjoy the song below and crank it up LOUD!

LONG LIVE TRIUMPH!