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DREAM EVIL – “CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT” EP, FEATURING GUS G., FROM 2003 REVISITED! PLUS MORE GUS G. INFO!

Posted in hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal songs, heavy metal videos, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 23, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

DREAM EVIL – Children Of The Night EP was released back in October of 2003 on Century Media Records. This EP contains four songs, three in which were previously unreleased tracks up until 2003, those three songs are: Dragonheart, Betrayed and an unplugged/acoustic version of Evilized. A music video is also on this EP – Children Of The Night, which was filmed on February 20th, 2003, in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Dream Evil’s Evilized European Tour while supporting Hammerfall. The lead guitarist of Dream Evil on this Children Of The Night EP, Gus G., is now the new guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and featured on the upcoming Ozzy album Scream, to be released on June 22, 2010.

This Dream Evil lineup was a solid one, delivering straight-up European Power Metal that did not go over the top with keyboards. Clearly, the focal point of this Dream Evil lineup is certainly Gus G. on lead guitar. As vibrant and melodic as he is fierce with his tone, Gus G. does not compromise his playing with unnecessary excessiveness on the need for speed. Gus G. can play fast with the best of them, only he makes the songs come alive with an almost boastful restraint on this Children Of The Night EP. There is a mammoth amount of bite and might in the guitar playing of Gus G. and the songs heard on this EP are a fitting Metal example.

Evilized is an unplugged/acoustic version that emanates an unrestrained dark hardness. Before you listen to this acoustic version of Evilized, please check your sappiness hat and coat at the front Metal door. The lyrics have not changed from the original Power Metal version… Evilized still gets it’s evil point across within this acoustic blanket of sound.

Children Of The Night, (see & hear video below), is a deliciously heavy and melodic Dream Evil song. Gus G. really displays his guitar muscularity on this song, with flashes of Old School licks. Niklas Isfeldt on vocals doesn’t over extend his range, while giving all the emotion that is necessary to Children Of The Night. A fine singer is Niklas, not exuding any annoying or notorious Metal swagger… he just got the Metal job done with Dream Evil.

Dragonheart begins with Gus G. leading the speed attack on guitar. The tempo never subsides throughout this song, it only picks up more steam with Gus G. unleashing a blazing guitar solo. Snowy Shaw is just dead on perfect on drums… what more can be said about him, besides he is as quality driven as they come in Metal. Dragonheart is a surefire song to get any Old School or new fan to bang thy head.

Betrayed just gets my adrenaline all pumped up, from the opening guitar riff this song just kicks out relentless flashes of Power Metal goodness. While some songs in Metal history are not so well known, Betrayed is a Dream Evil song that just has to be known and heard by Heavy Metal fans… Metal be thy name.

This Dream Evil EP, Children Of The Night, makes for a mandatory must own for all Dream Evil fans. With the collectible factor thrown in, this is a CD that could become quite rare down the Metal road. I have seen it for sale online still… a new copy can fetch over $20 (U.S.), so maybe there are used copies out there floating around that are more inexpensive.

* Using the “new” Metal Odyssey album review rating system… Dream Evil – Children Of The Night EP gets 4.5 out of 5 Metal Fists!

* Check out the 2003 music video for Children Of The Night below… and turn it up LOUD!

DREAM EVIL as they appear on Children Of The Night:

Gus G. – guitars

Niklas Isfeldt – vocals

Fredrik Nordstrom – guitars & keyboards

Peter Stalfors – bass

Snowy Shaw – drums

Track Listing For Children Of The Night:

Children Of The Night

Dragonheart

Betrayed

Evilized (Unplugged Version)

Children Of The Night (Video Clip Enhancement)

Japanese Track Listing:

Metal Odyssey Note: I do not own this Japanese version, I will someday though!

Children of the Night

Take the World

The Prophecy (demo)

Heavy Metal in the Night (demo)

Evilized (acoustic version)

Children Of The Night (Video Enhancement)

Here are the first two Dream Evil albums, (with Gus. G. on lead guitar), released before the Children Of The Night EP:

Dragonslayer – released on June 25, 2002:

Evilized – released on March 25, 2003:

* Here are some Gus G. related websites you might find of Metal interest:

Gus G. Official MySpace Music Page

FIREWIND – Official MySpace Music Page

DREAM EVIL – Official MySpace Music Page

Ozzy Osbourne – Official MySpace Music Page

OZZFEST 2010

KAMELOT – Official MySpace Music Page

HERE ARE SOME GUS G. METAL FACTS YOU MAY NEED TO KNOW! ENJOY!

* Gus G. was born in Thessaloniki, Greece.

* At age 18, Gus G. attended the famed – Berklee College of Music, in Boston, Massachusetts.

* Famed Gothenburg producer and Dream Evil guitarist Fredrik Nordstrom and Gus G. united to form Dream Evil, beginning their idea for the band in 1999.

* Gus G. first played live with Ozzy Osbourne at the BlizzCon annual convention. This was during the closing ceremony on August 22, 2009. Blizzard Entertainment celebrates their major franchise games such as Warcraft, StarCraft and Diablo at these conventions. This BlizzCon convention was held at the Anaheim Convention Center, in Anaheim, California… wish I was there to see that historical moment in Heavy Metal history!

* Gus G. also played with Melodic Death Metal icon – Arch Enemy as a touring guitarist in 2005. Gus G. played the solo on the song Taking Back My Soul, on the Arch Enemy album Doomsday Machine, released in 2005.

* Gus G. is founder and lead guitarist of the fantastic Power Metal Band – Firewind, releasing five studio albums between 2002 – 2008.

* Gus G. has also played guitar for German Power Metal Band – Mystic Prophecy, from 2001-2005.

* Gus G. also played on demos for and helped out Greek/Swedish Melodic Death Metal Band – Nightrage.

* Gus G. adds his talent/solo on a song for the upcoming/new – Kamelot album.

* Original Dream Evil drummer Snowy Shaw also played for the ultra legendary – King Diamond and Mercyful Fate.

HERE ARE SOME GEOGRAPHICAL FACTS CONNECTED TO GUS G.! ENJOY!

* Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and the capital of Macedonia.

* Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden. The largest city in Sweden is Stockholm.

* Disneyland opened on July 18, 1955, in Anaheim California.

Gus G. has quietly built quite an impressive and credible Heavy Metal career for himself. As you have seen and read above, NO, Gus G. did not just come out of “nowhere” to become the featured guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne. Gus G. is a talent, has paid his Metal dues, and is a unique guitarist that Ozzy knew about… as well as countless other Metal fans have worldwide, for quite some time. Ozzy has chosen well… in my Metal opinion.

Stone.

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VINNIE MOORE – “TIME ODYSSEY” 1988 GUITAR INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM & METAL MARVEL

Posted in Guitar, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock guitarists, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, speed metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 2, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

VINNIE MOORE – It was 1988, I was in college and I listened to Vinnie Moore’s Time Odyssey more times than I could count. Already a seasoned listener to Vinnie’s debut instrumental album – Minds Eye, (released in 1986 on Shrapnel Records), there was in 1988 and still is something about his guitar tone that shoots right through me like a bolt of Metal energy. Listening to Vinnie Moore seems to inspire me to go that extra mile… to actually become more emboldened.

I may have mentioned one time before, in a past post about something to do with… Metal, that I used to listen to Vinnie Moore’s music while doing many (if not all) of my college art projects. Be it drawing, painting or slapping together some weird modern art creation… Vinnie Moore’s guitar was heard in the air. The speed, melodies and pure Metal language that Vinnie’s guitar spoke to me while I labored away on those art and graphic design assignments… somehow made me a better graphics and fine arts student! Metal be thy name.

As with any of Vinnie Moore’s solo instrumental albums, no vocalist is heard, nor is one necessary… the guitar of Vinnie Moore sings… for my ears.

My favorite track from Time Odyssey? It’s not as cut and dry as it may seem. Pieces Of A Picture, Morning Star and the instrumental cover of While My Guitar Gently Weeps stand out amongst the rest, only I honestly love every song on Time Odyssey. The emotion that Vinnie Moore captures on guitar is beyond what my own Metal words can express here. Vinnie Moore is that incredible of a guitarist to my ears and Metal soul.

My admiration for the Beatles and especially George Harrison is incredibly personal. I cried aloud upon hearing the news that George Harrison passed away. It was November 29, 2001, I was alone, driving to work that lousy morning and the radio DJ gave the somber news to my ears. Listening to Vinnie Moore play George Harrison’s unreal legendary song –While My Guitar Gently Weeps brings back memories of being an art student, college life, falling in love with my wife and of course… George Harrison. Whoa… does this Vinnie Moore instrumental version of this song make my head swirl in thoughts and memories!!

There are so many unique and unearthly gifted guitarists that have played in Rock, Hard Rock, Punk and Metal. So many of these guitarists that I embrace… Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Michael Schenker, Jimi Hendrix, Tim Armstrong, Brian Setzer, Jeff Beck, Dez Cadena, George Harrison, Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee… these are some of my lifetime top favorites. Then there is Vinnie Moore. I guess if I was forced to choose my top three favorite guitarists of my Metal lifetime… Vinnie Moore, Yngwie and Michael Schenker are the ones.

There was a period of time in my life, where I did not realize what I was doing in trading away and selling away my vinyl albums… this was back in the mid 1990’s. Time Odyssey fell victim to my blundering display of vinyl album unloading…. ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Well, as the old saying goes… time heals wounds. Just last week, I was making a trip to pay some (gasp) bills, when there it was in the distance… an antiques mall! This antiques mall contains a used record dealer who always seems to have that record or two, that I so desperately need to bring back into my Metal life.

I found Vinnie Moore – Time Odyssey on that trip into the antiques mall last week! I felt like I was floating on air… I wanted to tell the cashier how ecstatic I was, only I bit my Metal lip. I paid a ridiculous low price of 3 dollars U.S. as well for this Vinnie Moore marvel! The album is in unreal excellent condition too… it plays on my turntable without a single crackle or pop. The album jacket is in excellent shape as well. (See my album pics below). This time in my Metal life… I’m not parting with Vinnie Moore – Time Odyssey again. No way. Someone would have to offer me the Metal moon for it… and even then, I would not consider the offer. What would I possibly do with a Metal moon anyways?

* As a bonus, the prior owner of this Vinnie Moore album had inserted an 8 page article on Vinnie Moore, in the album jacket. This article was ripped out of an Issue of Guitar World, dated July 1987. I’m keeping it with this album… as it was meant to be.

* The band behind Vinnie Moore on Time Odyssey:

Jordan Rudes – keyboards

Joe Franco – drums

Michael Bean – bass

* Vinnie Moore – Time Odyssey was released on Squawk/Mercury/Polygram Records.

Track Listing For Vinnie Moore – Time Odyssey:

Side One:

Morning Star

Prelude/Intro The Future

Beyond The Door

Message In A Dream

As Time Slips By

Side Two:

Race With Destiny

While My Guitar Gently Weeps

The Tempest

Pieces Of A Picture

April Sky

Here is what the front cover of my Time Odyssey album looks like, note there is some minor wear on the top left corner… whoopee Metal doo is what I say!

Here is what the back cover of my Time Odyssey album looks like:

Here is what the 8 page Guitar World article looks like, that I found inside the album jacket:

LONG LIVE VINNIE MOORE!

* “Whoopee Metal doo” was stated for the very first time on Metal Odyssey, courtesy of this post.

Stone.


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ALCATRAZZ – “ISLAND IN THE SUN” 1983 VIDEO AND BAND REVISITED!

Posted in 1980's hard rock 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, 1983 heavy metal music, classic rock music, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1983, heavy metal songs, heavy metal videos, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 8, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ALCATRAZZ – released their debut album No Parole From Rock ‘N’ Roll back in 1983. Island In The Sun was the “hit” song that was on MTV’s rotation and received some FM radio airplay as well. Alcatrazz featured Graham Bonnet on vocals and soon to be guitar legend – Yngwie J. Malmsteen. (Steeler released their debut and self titled album that same year, also featuring Yngwie J. Malmsteen and Ron Keel on vocals). Both Alcatrazz and Steeler are bands I liked very much back in the good ol’ ’80’s… still do. I’ve always and forever will be an admirer of Graham Bonnet’s vocals. Graham Bonnet has fronted many bands, my favorites are: Rainbow, Alcatrazz, Michael Schenker Group and Impellitteri. Yngwie J. Malmsteen is simply put… a core favorite of mine since I first heard him play with this Alcatrazz band. There is a whole bunch of Heavy Metal history surrounding Graham Bonnet and Yngwie J. Malmsteen, the number of bands, musicians and albums they have been connected with is amazing. A live version of Island In The Sun is also found on the live Alcatrazz album from 1984 – Live Sentence, with the subtitle No Parole From Rock ‘N’ Roll. Yngwie J. Malmsteen is the guitarist on Live Sentence as well. Eventually the great Steve Vai stepped in to become the guitarist for Alcatrazz, on their 1985 album – Disturbing The Peace.

No Parole From Rock ‘N’ Roll and Live Sentence are just two solid 1980’s Heavy Metal albums to revisit, listen to and enjoy. I really like the song Island In The Sun, the vocal harmony of Graham Bonnet combined with the guitar melodies of Yngwie J. Malmsteen just does it for me. This entire Alcatrazz lineup from 1983 was solid, in my Metal opinion. The video for Island In The Sun brings back some memories for certain… those late nights watching MTV with one eye open, back in the early ’80’s, (when MTV was just one station and really played music videos!) This video for Island In The Sun is goofy… it has that early 1980’s fun and appeal all over it. Nonetheless, the song itself is one terrific and melodic Rocker! Hopefully you will enjoy Island In The Sun as much as I do… you don’t have to like the goofiness of the video though! If anything, there never was a guarantee of an acting career for any of these Alcatrazz musicians… that’s for sure.

* Both No Parole From Rock ‘N’ Roll and Live Sentence were released on Polydor Records.

Crank up Island In The Sun… and have a chuckle or two at this video!

Here is what the 1984 Live Sentence album looks like:

Alcatrazz, as they appeared on both the debut album No Parole From Rock ‘N’ Roll and Live Sentence:

Graham Bonnet – vocals

Yngwie J. Malmsteen – guitar

Gary Shea – bass

Jimmy Waldo – keyboards

Jan Uvena – drums

The Best Of Alcatrazz was released back in October of 1998. This Best Of album also contains the studio version of Island In The Sun as well.

LONG LIVE ALCATRAZZ!

LONG LIVE YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN!

LONG LIVE GRAHAM BONNET!

Stone.

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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.



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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

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BRUCE KULICK “BK3” – A MENAGERIE OF ROCK, HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL

Posted in 1980's heavy metal guitarists, 1980's heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal guitarists, 2010 hard rock albums, 2010 heavy metal albums, current hard rock albums, current heavy metal albums, Hard Rock, hard rock album review, hard rock guitarists, hard rock music, hard rock music 2010, hard rock vocalists, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2010, heavy metal solo albums, heavy metal solo artists, heavy metal solo vocalists, heavy metal vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, new heavy metal music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 5, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BRUCE KULICK – BK3 was released on February 2, 2010. I bought BK3 on it’s release date at Walmart for $10… not a shabby price at all, especially since this is an extremely likable album of eleven songs. Bruce Kulick has presented to the world, a menagerie of Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal songs. No, there are no Folk songs on BK3, just solid musicianship all, with Bruce Kulick as the main attraction and in the guitar spotlight. Bruce plays bass guitar on five of the eleven songs as well. I have always enjoyed the guitar tone of Bruce Kulick, he doesn’t disappoint me again with his skills and sound on BK3. As the lead KISS guitarist on their studio albums from 1985 to 1992 aside, there has been so much more to an impressive and storied career behind Bruce Kulick and his guitar. BK3 is not about looking back on the past, it’s better described as building on the future while cementing a legitimate and thoroughly enjoyable third solo album.

Any hints of trying to conjure up the Hair Metal version of 1980’s KISS are not found in the music of BK3. I applaud Bruce Kulick for being creative on this album, while reaching out to some of his vocal friends for melodic and harmonious diversity. Other musical guests abound on BK3, each contributing their own signature to this album of spontaneity. A Guitar legend in his very own right, Steve Lukather, jams his way through the instrumental – Between The Lines. The combination of Bruce Kulick and Steve Lukather on one song is a Hard Rockin’ treat to my ears.

I’m The Animal exhibits the vocal talent of Edguy’s Tobias Sammet and drumming/KISS legend – Eric Singer, a Heavy Metal all-star cast. Bruce Kulick fires away delectable licks on I’m The Animal, making this song an instant favorite of mine. Final Mile is an entwining glow of Rock meets Hard Rock – up tempo ballad. Final Mile is also a convincing nod to the never aging Classic Rock genre. To compare Bruce Kulick vocally to someone else, without this sounding too much of a Metal stretch, my pick would be none other than Ace Frehley. Yes, both are unique vocalists, still, making a comparison is all this really is.

I’ll Survive features Bruce Kulick on vocals as well, (he sings lead vocals on five songs in all), a dramatic Rock song, lyrically tapping into the human spirit, while reflecting on being thankful for being alive and having one’s life spared from the grasp of uncertain death. Hand Of The King is a Heavy Metal surprise that features Nick Simmons on lead vocals. (In my Metal opinion, Nick does sound a bunch like his dad Gene Simmons). If comparisons to his dad Gene Simmons, proves to be of any detriment to Nick Simmons and his music career… well then, Metal be damned for his vocals sound terrific to me. Metal kudos to you, Nick.

No Friend Of Mine is without question, another favorite song on BK3 for me. John Corabi is the lead vocalist on this fast paced and semi-ballad. No Friend Of Mine has enough Hard Rock edges, encircling its Heavy Metal core, to tempt me into hitting the repeat button for this song multiple times. John Corabi vocally sounds excellent, a real standout on BK3, in my Metal opinion, once again. Doug Fieger is yet another fantastic surprise to hear on Dirty Girl, this song captures the essence of Rock relevancy through the decades, a good time, Hard Rockin’ song that reminds me of the Summer months… (yes, it really does).

KISS icon – Gene Simmons impresses with lending his lead vocals on Ain’t Gonna Die… yes, this song illuminates Heavy Metal… Old School too. Life ends BK3 in straight forward Rock style, with Bruce Kulick giving his lyrics added sincerity through his own vocals. To sum up the heartening reality of this songs lyrics, two lines say it best: Love is a gift in life, Be careful of what you choose. Bruce Kulick definitely has a mellow side, then again, I guess I do too… Bruce Kulick has reminded me of that.

* Catch up on more Bruce Kulick news and info by clicking here: BRUCE KULICK – Official Website

* BK3 was released on Twenty 4 Records/Rocket Science.

Track Listing For BK3:

Fate

Ain’t Gonna Die

No Friend Of Mine

Hand Of The King

I’ll Survive

Dirty Girl

Final Mile

I’m The Animal

And I Know

Between The Lines

Life


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McAULEY SCHENKER GROUP – “SAVE YOURSELF” 1989 ALBUM REVISITED

Posted in 1980's hair metal albums, 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal ballads, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal guitarists, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, 1989 heavy metal music, Album Review, cool album covers, hard rock bands, hard rock music, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1989, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1989, heavy metal videos, heavy metal vocalists, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 1, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

I have forever and always will be an admirer of Michael Schenker, the lead guitarist of The Michael Schenker Group, McAuley Schenker Group, UFO and of course, an original guitarist for the Scorpions. Michael Schenker has also released numerous albums through a solo career and side projects. McAuley Schenker Group – Save Yourself, was a choice Metal pick of mine today… I reached for this CD and let it’s Heavy Metal engulf my ears. Released on October 25, 1989, Save Yourself was an instant Metal favorite for me since it’s release. Always the impeccable Metal guitarist, Michael Schenker, through his signature sound, is such an amazing standout figure in the history of Heavy Metal… in my Metal opinion. Is this the greatest Michael Schenker guitar led album ever? Not necessarily, yet Save Yourself does come across with it’s melodic Metal power – amazingly well for my liking. This is an album that I have never grown tired of, nor ever will. Is Robin McAuley my favorite vocalist on a Michael Schenker album? No, Gary Barden is, that is not an insult to Robin McAuley, it’s just my personal choice. I really like the vocals of Robin McAuley, Old School and never overreaching.

Metal Odyssey Warning: There is NOT one bad or sub-par song on Save Yourself, in my Metal opinion. Seek out this album and listen to it at your own Metal risk… you just might find yourself liking this album a great deal.

I Am Your Radio is a prototypical 1980’s Heavy Metal anthem. With its heavy stomping and power driven rhythm section, accompanied with a backdrop fused with all the electrifying guitar leads and riffs you can ask for… throw in a climactic solo for good Metal measure too. Can this song be construed as ’80’s corn dog? Not in my Metal mind… especially when this song is played LOUD, like it was meant to be heard. What We Need is an engaging Heavy Metal song, strong vocals from McAuley and muscular guitar licks from Schenker abound. Shadow Of The Night is rich with it’s Heavy Metal chorus, a true ’80’s melodic anthem, a sing-along for MSG die hards!

There Has To Be Another Way is the lone instrumental on Save Yourself. This is not Michael Schenker showing off, no ego is prevailing here… just a bitter sweet sound of emotion being spoken from his flying V. (As fine of a mellow/Metal guitar instrumental I’ve ever heard). Get Down To Bizness has the attitude and flamboyancy that late 1980’s Heavy Metal was so notorious for. Combine the vocals and solo of this song and you have a molten ball of Heavy Metal, raging with all the greatness of this era’s heavy music. Anytime is a power ballad THAT I EQUATE TO HEAVY METAL GREATNESS. That is correct… a ballad that I revere!! Wow, there really are Heavy Metal ballads that get Metal recognition on Metal Odyssey after all! Simply put, Anytime with it’s lyrics, melody, tempo and complete musicianship… is an all time favorite song of mine… period. Anytime gives me salamander bumps up and down my arms and across my face, each time I hear it. (Don’t repeat this to anyone… you all MUST Metal promise!).

Bad Boys gets the adrenaline flowing on high, it’s not a knock you out song, it’s just a song that has bite with raw undertones. Besides, Michael Schenker makes good on his guitar solo on Bad Boys, regardless of how shortened it is. Save Yourself as the album opener, opens with Michael Schenker letting it be known he is THE guitar god on this album and with his band. Save Yourself is arguably the heaviest song on this album. Take Me Back is the last song on this album, it is almost like Robin McAuley and Michael Schenker wanted to save one of the best for last… for Take Me Back IS one of the best songs on Save Yourself. A commercially accessible song is Take Me Back, still it is Heavy Metal with Michael Schenker leaving his signature – guitar stamp of approval all over it. Steve Mann, not to be ignored, plays alongside Michael Schenker on this album and my ears hear his credibility throughout, both on guitar and keyboards.

Check out and listen to the power ballad – Anytime… this song just gets better for me with each listen:

McAuley Schenker Group as they appeared on Save Yourself:

Michael Schenker – lead guitar

Robin McAuley – lead vocals

Steve Mann – guitar and keyboards

Rocky Newton – bass guitar

Bodo Schopf – drums

Track Listing For Save Yourself:

Save Yourself

Bad Boys

Anytime

Get Down To Bizness

Shadow Of The Night

What We Need

I Am Your Radio

There Has To Be Another Way (instrumental)

This Is My Heart

Destiny

Take Me Back (bonus track)

Save Yourself was originally released on Capitol Records.

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“SIX – STRING HEROES” – BOOK DOCUMENTS HISTORY OF GUITARISTS THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHS

Posted in 1950's rock guitarists, 1950's rock music, 1960's rock guitarists, 1960's rock music, 1970'S classic rock guitarists, 1970's rock guitarists, 1980's classic rock guitarists, 1980's rock guitarists, 1980's heavy metal guitarists, 1990's heavy metal guitarists, 1990's rock guitarists, classic rock music, collecting classic rock, current rock guitarists, hard rock guitarists, hard rock music, hard rock music books, heavy metal book reviews, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, history of rock guitarists, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock and roll hall of fame members, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music books, rock music history with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 3, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

As I was out today, enjoying the last weekend of this holiday season with my family, I meandered into Waldenbooks at my local mall. Upon walking closer to this Waldenbooks store, several large posters hanging in this store’s windows grabbed my attention, they read: going out of business sale and up to 50% off. I was semi-shocked, this Waldenbooks store happened to be a favorite stop of mine, my wife and daughters included. Sign of the times? Perhaps. What is important to note, however, is that the Waldenbooks store chain is not going out of business… it is just this store location. (I never like to see any reputable book store go out of business, be it an independent or mass retailer). So, with a lump in my throat and a semi-bewildered look upon my face, I journeyed into this Waldenbooks store to see what deals may be lurking. Oh and what a deal I did find… a large, hardcover book that is chock full of the greatest guitarists of our time! The book I bought today, without a blink of hesitation, is:

Six – String Heroes – Photographs Of Great Guitarists

The cover price for this unreal great book is $35.00/U.S., however, with the 50% taken off at the register, it set me back $17.50… plus tax. Let me just say this, any fan or musician of Rock, Hard Rock and/or Heavy Metal will get a thrill out of the photographs that lie within Six – String Heroes. As a Metal bonus, there are literally dozens of anecdotes and personal comments, directly quoted from dozens of the most famous and influential guitarists of the modern era. These guitarists comment on themselves, their playing styles and influences. Comments and quotes, about what these same guitarists think of their peers are spread throughout this magnificent book as well. The majority of the photographs are in full color, while the vintage black & white photo’s only add to this book’s overall Rock elegance. Quite honestly, just looking at the photographs alone puts an awe struck feeling inside of me… the photography found here is that amazing. Anytime I can find a compilation book of photos, that is directly related to the history of Rock Music, I am going to dig deep into my pockets to purchase it.

In my Metal opinion, Six – String Heroes is a lifetime keeper, a book so rich with it’s historically documented, visual accounts of the most influential guitarists that ever lived. Here is a meaty sampling of the guitarists that are found inside the pages of Six – String Heroes:

Les Paul, Brian May (Queen), Peter Frampton, George Benson, Pat Metheny, Dimebag Darrell (Pantera), Brian Setzer, Waylon Jennings, Neal Schon (Journey), Eric Clapton, C. C. Deville (Poison), Tommy Shaw and James Young (Styx), Rick Derringer, Mick Mars (Motley Crue), Nancy Wilson (Heart), Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits), Yngwie Malmsteen, Glenn Tipton & K. K. Downing (Judas Priest), Steve Stevens (Billy Idol), Steve Howe (Yes), Ritchie Blackmore (Rainbow & Deep Purple), Adrian Smith & Dave Murray (Iron Maiden), Michael Schenker (Scorpions & MSG), Angus Young & Malcolm Young (AC/DC), Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains), George Lynch (Dokken & Lynch Mob), Paul Gilbert, Vivian Campbell (DIO & Def Leppard), Slash, Bonnie Raitt, Chet Atkins, Jeff Beck, Gary Moore (Thin Lizzy), Frank Zappa, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Randy Rhoads (Ozzy), Mick Thomson & Jim Root (Slipknot), James Hetfield & Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Eddie Van Halen, Jeff Hanneman & Kerry King (Slayer), Scott Ian (Anthrax), Ace Frehley & Paul Stanley (KISS), Tommy Thayer (KISS), Keith Richards (Rolling Stones), B.B. King, Robin Trower, Pete Townshend (The Who), Bruce Springsteen (The Boss), Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Ted Nugent, Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath)

There are many, many more guitarists in this book that I could mention, yet I think you get the point. When a book can have George Benson and the two leading axe men from Slayer within it’s same pages, you are talking musical diversity here. From Jazz guitarists to Thrash Metal guitarists, this book covers them.  If I have one complaint about this book, it is the sinful lacking of at least one Jimi Hendrix photograph. Then again, there are always legalities involved when publishing a book of photographs too, I do not know what may have taken place, if the author did try to include a Jimi Hendrix photo. Maybe Neil Zlozower never photographed Jimi Hendrix either? There obviously is a valid reason out there for this omission.

There are 256 pages total. This is a coffee table sized book, regardless, I will be carrying it around for quite some time. Six – String Heroes was published in 2009. The legendary Rock photographer for this book is Neil Zlozower, he has spent 40 years of his life photographing the greatest guitarists that have ever lived. I applaud Neil Zlozower’s talent that is bestowed within these pages of Six – String Heroes. The text is written by Steven Rosen with a foreword by legendary guitarist, Steve Vai.

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RAINBOW “DOWN TO EARTH” – 1979 ALBUM REVISITED

Posted in 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's classic rock vocalists, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's rock music, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, Album Review, classic hard rock bands, classic hard rock music, classic rock bands, classic rock cover songs, classic rock music, classic rock music 1979, classic rock songs, cool album covers, guitar legends, hard rock music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal on vinyl, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rock guitarists, rock music, vintage hard rock albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 8, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Here is a Rainbow album that I can never get enough of. Down To Earth, released on July 28, 1979. This Rainbow lineup is nothing short of legendary, unreal musicians they were together. I actually saved this vinyl copy of Down To Earth since the mid 1980’s, never having the thought of letting it go. Graham Bonnet on vocals is tops… for me. This album just illuminates Hard Rock meets Heavy Metal legitimacy, in my Metal opinion. To this day, I will crank up, (extremely loud), the two songs: All Night Long and Since You Been Gone. I endorse the other six songs on this album as well… songs like these are what makes a complete and memorable album. I often times, find it hard to believe that Down To Earth was released back in 1979, saying these songs are dated will never cross my Metal mind.

I have always embraced each lead singer that fronted Rainbow over the years. Each new lead vocalist lent a different sound and feel, while the hardness of Rainbow never seemed to wane for me. Ronnie James Dio, Graham Bonnet, Joe Lynn Turner and Doogie White made each respective Rainbow lineup unique. Sure, you can say that there have been four different Rainbow bands… the more Rainbow music that was made, the better, in my Metal opinion! I could never embrace the gossip or rumors that surrounded each Rainbow lineup, all I ever cared about were the albums that were created. Down To Earth seems to be an album that gets skipped over, when discussions/articles of great Hard Rock releases of the ’70’s are brought forth. Maybe my blabbing about this Rainbow Down To Earth album will inspire someone to give it a listen again or for the first time, it is extremely well worth it.

Listening to this Rainbow album puts me in a darn good mood. Heck, any Rainbow album puts me in a good mood and sets me straight. I wish that Ritchie Blackmore kept the Rainbow brand moving forward. Regardless, I’ll embrace and enjoy the Rainbow albums that did become reality… especially Down To Earth.

The Rainbow lineup for Down To Earth… and what a lineup:

Ritchie Blackmore – guitar

Graham Bonnet – lead vocalist

Roger Glover – bass guitarist

Cozy Powell – drums

Don Airey – keyboards

The track list for Down To Earth… these are songs, no fillers:

All Night Long

Eyes of the World

No Time to Lose

Makin’ Love

Since You Been Gone

Love’s No Friend

Danger Zone

Lost in Hollywood

* Since You Been Gone was written and recorded by Russ Ballard, originally appearing on his 1976 album Winning. Russ Ballard wrote one pretty cool song, in my Metal opinion.


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ZZ TOP “ANTENNA” WAS MY RAINY DAY CD TODAY

Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's hard rock, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's rock music, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's rock bands, 1990's rock bands, 1990's rock music, 1990's rock albums, blues rock music, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, cool album covers, essential classic rock albums, essential rock albums, feel good stories, guitar legends, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock & roll hall of fame inductees, rock and roll, rock and roll hall of fame members, rock music, vintage rock albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 1, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

ZZ Top Antenna cured my rainy day blues today. You bet it did rain, all day long too in Pennsylvania. I turn to music any time it rains, just to get my adrenaline and momentum perked up. This ZZ Top album may not get the notoriety of their Eliminator, (1983) or Degüello, (1979) albums, still this is one dandy of an album. A dynamite Rock album is Antenna. Cutting to the chase here, Cherry Red is one of my favorite ZZ Top songs ever… it has all the vintage Blues Rock and patented Rock Boogie that this Hall of Fame band is super known for. Cherry Red, in my Metal opinion, sounds like a ZZ Top song that would have fit perfectly on their El Loco album from 1981. Lizard Life is one groove saturated, bluesy Rock song that showcases ZZ Top’s flare for all out, old school, jamming. Fuzzbox Voodoo is another knockout song on Antenna. The foot stomping and (kick your worries aside) beat and swagger of Fuzzbox Voodoo is so good. Pincushion was the big hit from this album, a meat and potatoes song from ZZ Top without a doubt, it is a substantive opening track for Antenna.

I re-discovered this Antenna album over this past Summer of 2009, finding it at an antique store in Bird-In-Hand Pennsylvania… believe it or not. When I saw this CD for sale amidst a small bounty of others, my mind was made up as to taking this ZZ Top title home. It really amazes me, that over the years, I just never bought this ZZ Top album. Regardless, I have redeemed myself by buying this used copy. Quite honestly, there are those bands I listen to that are like comfort food… ZZ Top has always been a comfort band for me. Does that sound ridiculous? Maybe, only that is how I feel and see it.

I did get to see ZZ Top on this Antenna Tour too, back in 1994 at the Hartford Civic Center. George Thorogood opened up for ZZ Top and he simply put… rocked. My girlfriend (and now wife), bought the tickets to this concert, we both had a great time. Bringing back cool memories is only one of many great qualities of music. I realize that I have mentioned going to this concert in a past ZZ Top related post, please excuse the redundancy. As I listened to Antenna today, I couldn’t hold back the memory of that ZZ Top concert… good times. My daughters had the day off from school, (Thanksgiving Holiday), so we listened to this CD as we played UNO… good times again. I also played this ZZ Top CD in the car as we embarked on our errands, driving around in the cold rain. Long live ZZ Top.

The caricatures of Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard on the cover of Antenna are just plain fun. As I look at the front cover of Antenna, I conclude that sometimes artistic creativity is grand in it’s most simplistic design. I have to give a Rock and Roll salute to designer/illustrator Michael Ray Nott for the front cover artwork of Antenna.

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Michael Schenker Group – “Never Trust A Stranger” A Rock Ballad From 1981 I Revere

Posted in 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's classic rock guitarists, 1980's classic rock vocalists, 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's rock albums, 1980's rock music, 1980's rock musicians, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's hard rock songs, 1980's heavy metal bands, Album Review, classic hard rock ballads, classic hard rock music, classic heavy metal, classic rock albums, classic rock music, classic rock songs, cool album covers, essential classic rock albums, essential hard rock albums, feel good stories, guitar legends, hard rock music, hard rock vocalists, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal on vinyl, melodic hard rock songs, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rock & roll, rock album review, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music, rock vocalists, vintage hard rock albums, vintage hard rock bands, vintage rock albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 2, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

MetalOdysseyI can remember the moment like it was yesterday. The moment in time of buying my first Michael Schenker Group album, at Caldor department store, back in 1982. It was the second studio album from Michael Schenker Group, it is often referred to as MSG ll, yet no where on my original album that I bought does it have the marking of “ll” on it. I guess the mystery of “ll” shall stay in my Metal mystery files for now. You can see, as proof, on the image below this post, that the front cover does not have “ll” on it. This image depicts the original album cover, the copy that I still own to this day. I have kept this Michael Schenker Group album in pristine condition for 28 years, this is an album that I extremely admire and highly recommend. The eight songs on this album are best described as Hard Rock, I find it difficult to label this album as straight forward Heavy Metal. There is one exception, Attack of the Mad Axeman is the one song from this album that I would label as an early 1980’s Heavy Metal song, in my Metal opinion.

Over the years, I acquired a cassette tape version of this album too, never upgrading to CD. Don’t ask why, I just never came up with the necessary loot to upgrade everything I ever owned on album and/or cassette, on a consistent basis. Factor in that I have to stay current and buy new CD’s of my favorite bands and deep pockets I do not have! Over this past Halloween weekend I was perusing the archive of songs that can be purchased on itunes and one Michael Schenker Group song caught my eye… Never Trust A Stranger. I bought this amazing Rock ballad from this second Michael Schenker Group album, without a micro second of hesitation. Goodbye 99 cents… hello MSG Rock Ballad I have revered for the better part of my entire Metal life.

You may ask: dude, why didn’t you just throw danger to the Metal wind and buy the entire Michael Schenker Group album from itunes if you don’t have it on CD? The answer is simple… I am holding out to buy this CD at retail or used, (eventually), due to my being old school and wanting the darn liner notes. (I can be a stubborn old Metalhead). Owning a digital copy of Never Trust A Stranger was a necessity that I needed to make good on for myself – finally. I always blab that I am not the biggest ballad fan the world has ever known, this will always hold true. However, there are those ballads, that just carry me off into those la la land moments of self gratifying, mental journeys of glee. On Never Trust A Stranger, the vocal harmony of Gary Barden is incredible stuff for me, with Michael Schenker playing some of the most emotionally inspired guitar licks you could ever imagine. The lyrics of this song are semi-sappy, still in 2009 they do that resonating thing to my mind and I have been a sucker for this song, since being a sophomore in high school in 1982. Gee Metal whiz.

Steven Stills lends his backing vocals on Never Trust A Stranger. Yes, that Steven Stills… from Crosby, Stills and Nash, (and sometimes Young). Once again, don’t ask: dude, how did Michael Schenker get Steven Stills to do backing vocals on Never Trust A Stranger? Hey, I simply do not have the answer. (I think years ago I did know the answer… yet it got erased from all the Thrash and Death Metal stuff I have listened to for decades). If anyone does have any info in regards to Steven Stills being on this song, feel free to comment about it please. So, in a Metal nutshell, Never Trust A Stranger is my second most favorite (Rock) ballad ever. I posted in the past that Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue is my favorite Heavy Metal ballad ever, I can’t go back on my word on that one.

Well, here is the original album cover of Michael Schenker Group, (notice there is NO “ll” anywhere on the cover). I was so enthralled by the guitar play of Michael Schenker and everything else about this album back in high school in 1982, that I made a silk screen copy of the album cover. Metalheads galore had mini posters and t-shirts with MSG and his flying V guitar on it, courtesy of me and my graphic arts class. I recruited lots of MSG fans back then, hopefully this blabbing will recruit more today.

Michael Schenker Group 2nd album - large pic

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