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METAL ODYSSEY LOOKS BACK ON HEAVY METAL 2009… AND SOME AWARDS!

Posted in best heavy metal albums 2009, best of album lists, best of heavy metal albums, cool album covers, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal bands, current heavy metal music, current thrash metal bands, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal awards, heavy metal bands, heavy metal favorites, heavy metal history, heavy metal magazines, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, heavy metal record companies, heavy metal records, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, live heavy metal albums, metal music, metal music albums, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, power metal albums, rock music, scary album covers, shopping for heavy metal, spooky album covers, thrash metal music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 29, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Phew. My two “Top” album lists are done and posted, (Top Ten Hard Rock Albums of 2009 and Top 25 Heavy Metal Albums of 2009). Christmas has arrived and left quicker than an odorless fart. The hustle and bustle has subsided and I am awaiting for the huge snow storm that may or may not hit the Northeast Coast of the United States, (a New Years Eve storm no less). As I kick back and reflect on this past year, I am thankful for being alive to enjoy music – period. I’m also thankful for my incredible wife and twin daughters, all three support my love for Heavy Metal and Extreme Music… they really support me. I said goodbye to my beyond amazing and loving mother this year… she was called to Heaven. I’m sure she probably is watching Buddy Holly, Elvis and Ricky Nelson, live in concert… up in the clouds. I’m thankful for my father who once again, proved to me he is a fighter and survivor. My best Metal buddy Scott has hooked me up all year long to lots o’ great Metal Music, both Old School and new… keep ’em coming buddy! Yeah!

REMEMBER… BE TRUE TO METAL AND METAL WILL BE TRUE TO YOU.

I also want to give a Metal thank you to Century Media Records, a.k.a., CM Distro.com – this is one damn incredible record company… the most vast selection of Metal albums – both vinyl and CD to choose from, along with a vast array of Metal memorabilia too. As a bonus, they are professional, generous, speedy and fair to do business with… something that has been missing in the business world for too long now.

A very special thanks goes out to my neighborhood f.y.e., the gals there not only are courteous, friendly and are conversationalists… they know the music they are selling too. (A very uncommon situation to find in 2009). The South Mall f.y.e. rules.

O.k., with all of that off of my chest… here are some more Metal Odyssey lists and/or awards, that need to be thrown out to the world to digest. Hope you enjoy this stuff called Heavy Metal as much as I do…

THE MOST FUN HEAVY METAL ALBUM OF 2009… THAT’S RIGHT… FUN!

AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE – DOUBLE BRUTAL

You bet I bought this double CD of Austrian Death Machine! Hey, I like to have some fun with life, why not with Heavy Metal too? Plus, as a bonus, the Heavy Metal brutality on this album is a great combo of Death Metal meets Thrash Metal with Ahhnold butting in throughout. Tim Lambesis, (lead vocalist of As I Lay Dying), is the Metal brainchild behind this Austrian Death Machine project, handling song writing, vocals, guitar, bass and drums. Tim Lambesis does have musical assistance on this album, he names Mark MacDonald as being key in the lead guitar department. Many other special guests appear here as well, (too numerous to mention… they are all listed in the liner notes though). In a Metal nutshell, the songs are yeah… heavy and chug right along at a ferocious pace, just the way I like it. Still, it is Ahhnold that brings the humor and I see nothing wrong with me giving off a freakish smile and chuckle, as I bang my head, each time I listen to Double Brutal.

TOP THREE LIVE HEAVY METAL ALBUMS OF 2009

It just appears to me, that live Heavy Metal albums are not as abundant as studio Heavy Metal albums. Throw in the fact that I did not throw myself into a stack of live CD’s to listen to in 2009 as well, therefore, I list just three:

#1 – IRON MAIDEN FLIGHT 666

Iron Maiden is big. No, Iron Maiden is legend. No, Iron Maiden is everything about Metal Music that I could ever wish for… and they released a dog gone, unreal great, live Heavy Metal album with Flight 666. I’ve said this before… this live album won’t topple over the Iron Maiden classic, Live After Death, yet it did topple over all other live Heavy Metal albums in 2009 – in my Metal opinion. On June 11, 2009, I posted my Metal appreciation for this live, double disc gem… the header link below will bring you to it:

IRON MAIDEN “FLIGHT 666″ is now boarding Metalheads!

#2 – JUDAS PRIEST – A TOUCH OF EVIL LIVE

Whoa. Whoa again. Judas Priest gave me a solid reminder that they are still lurking about in the Metal world… with A Touch Of Evil Live. This is Old School Metal with an exclamation point. No, make that one hundred exclamation points. This is a very good Judas Priest album to own… forever. You can look over my review that I posted on A Touch Of Evil Live, recently on December 22, 2009… it’s only a click away on the header below:

JUDAS PRIEST – “A TOUCH OF EVIL LIVE” 2009 ALBUM IS LIVE AND LEGENDARY PRIEST

#3 – EDGUY – F***ING WITH FIRE LIVE

Power Metal = EDGUY. Tobias Sammet and his band gave me a Metal listen, into their World Tour of 2006-2008. This is a highly energized and turn up the adrenaline – Heavy Metal album to listen to… again and again. And again. Sure, Tobias Sammet likes to talk on this live album, only he can walk the Metal walk too. Just a good time Power Metal experience… for me. Yup, I did a review on this one too… on September 27, 2009, I, ahem, applauded EDGUY for releasing this live album. It’s all there on the header link below:

EDGUY – “F***ING WITH FIRE LIVE” GETS MY HEAVY METAL APPLAUSE

BEST HEAVY METAL SONG OF 2009!

MARILYN MANSON – ARMA-GODD**N-MOTHERF**KIN-GEDDON

Yes Virginia, there is a Marilyn Manson… and he created one helluva Heavy Metal album in 2009 titled: High End Of Low. Furthermore, Marilyn Manson created, in my Metal opinion, the very best Heavy Metal song of 2009 – and it’s on this album… the song is:

Arma-godd**n-motherf**kin-geddon

Metal truth be told, the title of this song backs up the music – and vice versa. This song is super-filled with all of the rage and fiery pissed off attitude that Marilyn Manson can muster… and it also rocks so hard with it’s dark and doom glory, that I get both psyched out and scared straight simultaneously, with each listen. Lyrically speaking, Marilyn Manson has made his Metal point with this song.

HEAVY METAL ALBUM COVER OF THE YEAR – 2009! YEAH!

RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER – LIVING FOR DEATH, DESTROYING THE REST

Um, yes, this is the Heavy Metal Album Cover of the Year – 2009. I mean, look at it!  There is a terrible, ungodly and pissed off cyclops from hell on this cover! This angry and hell born cyclops is destroying everything in it’s doomed path! Nothing can stop this monstrosity! Not even the Creature From The Black Lagoon! A city is being destroyed, pandemonium is breaking loose! Smoldering debris, fires breaking out… and a huge, damned, evil skull is even in the sky above! Hell, if this is not Metal… what is? Rumpelstiltskin Grinder gets my Heavy Metal Art Appreciation Award for this cover too!

An extra loud Metal bravo goes out to artist Mike Hrubovcak, his artistic talents created this cover. Mike Hrubovcak is also the vocalist for the bands MONSTROSITY and VILE. Be certain to check out all the Metal artwork created by Mike Hrubovcak by clicking here: VisualDarkness.com

I bought this CD this past year and I have NO Metal regrets. Rumpelstiltskin Grinder is as vicious and maniacal as they come in Metal Music, both in their lyrics and music. I love this stuff. Check out, if you wish, what I wrote about this fine album on May 2, 2009, by clicking the link header below:

Rumpelstiltskin Grinder – a fresh breath of new school Thrash Metal

BEST HEAVY METAL MAGAZINE OF 2009 – REVOLVER

Revolver Magazine is the best Metal mag out there, in 2009. In my Metal opinion, you are hard pressed to find a better publication than this in America… which covers ALL the Extreme Metal genres like a black velcro carpet. Plus… this Metal magazine survived an economic crisis that really put the smack down on the entire printing industry – a huge Metal kudos for Revolver’s perseverance and understanding what Metal fans want from a magazine.

THE ONE ALBUM THAT REALLY DID NOTHING FOR ME IN 2009:

(UM, THIS IS NOT AN AWARD… IT IS FAIR WARNING)

LITA FORD – WICKED WONDERLAND

All I can say, after all has been said and done… ouch. O.k., I’ll say more. Oh, where have you gone, Lita Ford? What happened to the foxy, smooth guitar licks? I/many of us, know it is not the 1980’s anymore… but gee Metal whiz… what is that music called on Wicked Wonderland? After thinking about it for awhile now… I hope and wish for the Lita Ford of the 1980’s to come back with a kick album in 2010? Maybe 2011? Just come back Lita! Honestly, you are so much better than this album. I did a couple of posts on this album on October 29th and November 5th, respectively. You can read on if you like, by clicking on those righteous headers below:

LITA FORD – “Wicked Wonderland” Is Naughty And Bad Combined

I SOLD MY LITA FORD “WICKED WONDERLAND” CD!

I want to thank anyone and everyone who has visited Metal Odyssey in 2009! Thank you for making it all worthwhile! Feel free to check out my two Best Of posts, the links are right below:

METAL ODYSSEY’S TOP 25 HEAVY METAL ALBUMS OF 2009

METAL ODYSSEY’S TOP TEN HARD ROCK ALBUMS OF 2009

*Also, check out these other Hard Rock & Heavy Metal blogs that have put out their Best Of 2009 lists as well… they have all done their Metal homework all year, carrying the flag for Hard Rock, Heavy Metal and Rock and Roll – it is worth the time and it is just good Metal fun.

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

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

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

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

Hard Rock Hideout – http://hardrockhideout.com/

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

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

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

Metal Excess – http://metalexcess.com/

The Metal Minute – http://rayvanhornjr.blogspot.com/

Rock Of Ages – http://rockofages.wordpress.com/

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



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Heavy Metal 101: What To Buy/Not Buy A Metalhead For Christmas

Posted in bad christmas gifts, christmas, christmas gift list, christmas holiday, christmas shopping, hard rock music, heavy metal christmas gifts, heavy metal fashions, heavy metal music, lists, Metal, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music, shopping for heavy metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 11, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

It is that time of year again for those who celebrate Christmas and/or the spirit of giving gifts to friends and family. What do you buy your favorite Metalhead in your life? Maybe you have more than one Metalhead to buy for? Consider yourself fortunate for having a Metalhead(s) in your life if you do. We Metalheads are strong in perseverance and are a loyal breed. O.k., here is a list of items, that you may consider helpful, in your quest to make the Metalhead you are buying for this holiday season… psyched.

* Gift Cards – yes, there may not be much thought process about this gift, however, it makes life easy for both the giver and receiver. Too often this great gift is overlooked, due to the simplicity of the idea. Gift cards to stores that sell CD’s, musical instruments, blue jeans and Rock t-shirts are preferred.

* i-tunes Gift Card – again, a gift card, sounds too easy doesn’t it? A truly wonderful gift for any Metalhead that wants to browse for Heavy Metal songs, online, at 3:30 in the morning.

* Blue Jeans – this is a staple piece of clothing for us, going on decades now. Please, don’t ever consider buying dress slacks for a Metalhead, thinking that they need to “dress up” once in awhile. That is pure bull crap.

* Rock T-Shirt – c’mon, these are everywhere. All you need to do is look for them! For Metal sakes, just go to a Hot Topic and you are in a Rock & Heavy Metal t-shirt paradise. For those of you unfamiliar with Hot Topic, it is a store… every reputable mall has one. Don’t be afraid to go in this store… the people working there and we fellow Metalheads are not going to hurt you.

* Beer – do I really need to explain this one? Just grab (and pay for) a case of beer and slap a bow on it. Please, do not buy just a six pack as a gift, even if it is an expensive import… that is very tacky.

* CD’s – please, please, please, do not just buy a CD for the Metalhead in your life without knowing what they actually want! Make certain the Metalhead has given you a list of choices to look for! God almighty, there are going to be Metalheads out there getting the (gasp), new Daughtry CD for Christmas if people do not heed this warning! Ouch.

* CD Carrying Case – only if it is BLACK or has the Metalhead’s favorite band logo on it.

* Concert DVD’s – any major mass retailer has ’em… just look online as well. Again, get some titles from the Metalhead as to what he/she wants. Re-read the above hint on CD’s to refresh your memory.

* Heavy Metal Autographs – you betcha, they are out there. Oh, God forbid if you have to actually take time to look for them too. Just go on the world wide web and explore… there are autographed CD’s, posters, books and expensive stuff like autographed guitars to buy too. You don’t have to spend a fortune here to make a Metalhead happy… an autographed CD of a cool Heavy Metal band, can be had for less than 20 bucks… more often than not.

* Sweater – sure, if you are gonna go this route, just keep in mind that BLACK is the color to buy. Gee whiz, it is not rocket science to remember this standard color of fashion for Metalheads. If you are going to be troublesome about this color, at least buy a dark shade of blue or brown then.

* Concert Tickets – beware… these concert tickets better be for a Heavy Metal concert or at least a Hard Rock concert of a band that the Metalhead likes. DO NOT try to be a “hero” and “just purchase on a whim” Daughtry tickets, thinking you are going to make your Metalhead jump for joy. Remember, you are buying the equivalent of The Wiggles if you were to do this.

* Shot Glasses/Beer Mugs – man, that is the gift that keeps on giving. Especially look for shot glasses and beer mugs that have the logo’s of Heavy Metal bands on them! They serve a two-fold purpose when they are adorned with a band’s logo on them… for drinking and displaying.

* ipod/stereo system/DVD player – look, just give cash if you are willing to buy a higher end gift like this. Why? You are going to buy the wrong thing anyways… giving cash in this situation makes life much easier for both parties involved. There are way too many “geek” & “low quality” products out there when it comes to this stuff… you do not want to embarrass a Metalhead and thus, yourself.

* Game System – if you are going this route, you are a very giving person and think highly of your Metalhead. Be careful, it can be tricky, you do not want to buy the wrong thing here. Don’t be bashful about getting all the facts about what this respective Metalhead already owns and/or really wants – when it comes to a game system. Plus, if you are going to be this damn nice, why not take the Metalhead with you when you purchase the game system?

DO NOT EVER EVEN CONSIDER BUYING A METALHEAD THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

* Turtleneck Shirts – you are basically telling the Metalhead you bought this for – “I hate you”

* Dress Socks – (see turtlenecks)

* Tie – (see turtlenecks)

* Dress Shirt – (see turtlenecks)

* Dress Shoes – a very inconsiderate gift, very shameful too

* Tiger Woods Golf Tips DVD – the ultimate insult gift

* Jon & Kate Plus Eight DVD – another ultimate insult gift

* Subscription to the PMRC newsletter – you now have crossed the line with any Metalhead

* Money Belt – only if the Metalhead is over the age of 75

* Flashlight – gee, how thoughtful

* Travel First Aid Kit – (see flashlight)

* Two Pound Chocolate Santa – extremely embarrassing gift

* Bananarama Greatest Hits CD – go ahead… and see what happens

* Ceramic “Worlds Greatest Metalhead” Ornament – very wrong to even imagine about

* Dan Rather Bobble Head Doll – you are essentially being spiteful and mean by giving this as a gift

Well, that is my list of helpful hints, when shopping for the Metalhead in your life this Christmas/Holiday Season. Believe me, this list could be longer, yet an Old School Metalhead doesn’t ask for much in life… just go with your instinct and really use my advice to your full advantage. I would never steer someone in the wrong direction, especially when it comes to Heavy Metal gift shopping.

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