Archive for Hard Rock

RANDY RHOADS – Remembered

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , , on March 19, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

Embed from Getty Images

Randy Rhoads was born on December 6th, 1956, in California. On March 19th in 1982, while on tour with Ozzy Osbourne, Randy Rhoads passed away in a plane accident, in Florida. Randy Rhoads was only 25 years old, on the day of his death. As a co-founder of the legendary Quiet Riot and lead guitarist and songwriter for the super Ozzy Osbourne, Randy Rhoads certainly left his mark on the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal world like none other.

Randy Rhoads will always be most remembered for his works with Ozzy Osbourne and the two Ozzy studio albums: Blizzard Of Ozz (1980) and Diary Of A Madman (1981). Both of these albums are sacred, within the Metal world, in my Metal opinion. I could never, ever grow tired of these two amazing Ozzy albums; amazing due to the guitar wizardry of Randy Rhoads!

Ozzy Osbourne - Blizzard Of Ozz - promo album cover pic - #77733071415HBN

Ozzy Osbourne - Diary Of A Madman - promo cover pic - #777OO

I’ve now lived to be fifty, which is obviously double the lifetime of Randy Rhoads. Seems unreal when I put it into that context. Life is a gift and is never to be taken for granted. Life is to be cherished and celebrated. Today I celebrate the iconic music that Randy Rhoads has left us all to enjoy. Rest in peace, Randy Rhoads. – Stone

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MetalOdyssey

Stone.

TED POLEY “Beyond The Fade” – New Studio Album Releases On May 13th, via Frontiers Music Srl; New Music Video “Higher” Streaming Online Now!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Music, music videos, news, rock music with tags , , , , on March 17, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

Ted Poley - Beyond The Fade - promo album cover pic - 2016 - #99ILMFS099

From Frontiers Music Srl:

NEW SONG & VIDEO ALERT: All you Ted Poley and Danger Danger fans out there need to get psyched because here is the first song and video from Ted’s upcoming album, BEYOND THE FADE! Check out the video for Higher and let us know what you think!

Ted Poley – Higher (Official Music Video)

BEYOND THE FADE will be released May 13th and you can pre-order it now from Amazon.com on CD or MP3: http://geni.us/BeyondTheFadeAmazon (All MP3 pre-orders include an instant download of “Higher”.)

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Stone Says: Excellent song and video! I dig the uplifting lyrics and everything else about Higher. Hot damn. Whoa. ‘Nuff said.

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MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE TED POLEY.

Stone.

STRYPER To Tour The U.S. Beginning This April!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , , on March 17, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

Stryper - Fallen - full image - promo abum cover pic - 2015 - #0625MOGNLLBSOGWL

The mighty Stryper is hitting the road in support of their latest studio album release via Frontiers Music Srl, FALLEN! They’ll be playing dates in the U.S. in April, May, June, July, August, September, and October! Get dates and ticket info here: http://www.stryper.com/Tour/tour.html

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MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE STRYPER.

Stone.

THE LAST VEGAS – Announces North American Tour Dates

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , on March 15, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

The Last Vegas - North America Tour - 2016 - #MO99099ILMF

As reported on The Last Vegas Facebook:

Hello TLV Warriors! First round of “Eat Me World Tour Dates” Announced in Midwest, Canada and West Coast!! See you at the shows, we will be announcing more soon and get hungry for (new album) Eat Me March 18!!

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THE LAST VEGAS:

Chad Cherry – Vocals
Adam Arling – Guitar
Johnny Wator – Guitar
Bryan Wilkinson – Guitar
Danny Smash – Bass
Nathan Arling – Drums

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The Last Vegas - Eat Me - promo album cover pic - 2016 - #MO9933ILMFD

For more info on THE LAST VEGAS:

Facebook: the LAST VEGAS

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE THE LAST VEGAS.

Stone.

CHEAP TRICK “Bang, Zoom, Crazy… Hello” – New Studio Album Releases On April 1st, 2016

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , , on March 7, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

Cheap Trick - Bang Zoom Crazy Hello - promo album cover pic - #MO33099ILMF

CHEAP TRICK will be releasing their 17th studio album on April 1st, 2016. Titled Bang, Zoom, Crazy… Hello, this new album is releasing just one week before Cheap Trick’s induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Finally, hell and yeah!! The album will be released via Big Machine Records.

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Bang, Zoom, Crazy… Hello – Track List:

01 Heart On The Line

02 No Direction Home

03 When I Wake Up Tomorrow

04 Do You Believe Me?

05 Blood Red Lips

06 Sing My Blues Away

07 Roll Me

08 The In Crowd

09 Long Time No See Ya

10 The Sun Never Sets

11 All Strung Out

Cheap Trick - Bang Zoom Crazy Hello - promo album banner pic - 2016 - #MOCT999ILMFM

Pre-order the new album from: http://www.pledgemusic.com/cheaptrick

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MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE CHEAP TRICK.

Stone.

LITA FORD “Time Capsule” – New Studio Album Releases On April 15th!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , , on March 7, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

Lita Ford - Time Capsule - promo album cover pic - 2016 - #MO99099ILMFM

The legendary LITA FORD stumbled upon her lost recordings from a collection of 24-track analog tapes and the end result (after some tape baking) is an eleven song studio album titled: Time Capsule. This new album will be released on April 15th, 2016.

LITA FORD had asked several Hard Rock superstars to record with her that were within her studio reach, at the time, so many years ago. During these self-produced recording sessions, LITA FORD is featured with: Billy Sheehan (bass), Dave Navarro (mandolin), Jeff Scott Soto (sings duet with Lita), Rick Nielsen and Robin Zander (backing vocals), Gene Simmons (bass), Chris Holmes (intro) and Rodger Carter on drums. All of these songs were recorded in the moment of creative spontaneity. Metal be thy name! – Stone

Lita Ford - Time Capsule - 2016 - promo CD inserts - #MO9909933

Lita Ford Time Capsule – Track Listing:
Intro
Where Will I Find My Heart Tonight
Killing Kind
War of the Angels
Black Leather Heart
Rotten to the Core
Little Wing
On the Fast Track
King of the Wild Wind
Mr. Corruption
Anything for the Thrill

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For more info on LITA FORD:

Facebook: Lita Ford

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE LITA FORD.

LONG LIVE ROCK ‘N ROLL.

Stone.

SCORPIONS “Return To Forever” Tour Edition CD/2DVD Releases In USA On April 22nd, 2016

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , , on March 6, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

Scorpions - Return To Forever - Tour Edition - promo cover album pic - 2016 - #MOSILMF993303

From Scorpions website:

The Scorpions are on the move!

After last year’s massive sold-out world tour, the band is back to rock stages even harder. On their gigantic 50th Anniversary World Tour that kicked off in 2015, the Scorpions are heading to Eastern Europe in February before returning to the US with an impressive five night run at The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and playing even more shows in cities around the globe.

The Scorpions have been going full throttle for more than fifty years now, with their best-selling albums dominating the charts for over 500 weeks in Germany alone, and countless chart successes abroad, as well as thousands of unforgettable concerts in cities like Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, Moscow, New York, Los Angeles, Paris or Berlin.

The Scorpions are and will be a band of superlatives. There is no other German band, which has gained as much international success and popularity over the course of so many decades. When the rock band from Hannover presented their 18th studio album “Return To Forever” for their 50th band anniversary one year ago, Klaus Meine, Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs displayed that they are unabatedly in formidable shape. Simply world-class.

Scorpions - promo band pic - 2016 - #33MO990033

The Tour Edition of “Return To Forever” comes opulently stacked with two brand-new live DVDs and a CD and is bound to make fans’ hearts leap for joy. Apart from the standard album’s twelve tracks, the CD contains all seven bonus tracks, which to date, have only been released on special editions of the album. The live DVDs are even more expansive, offering generous bonus material.

Included are two complete concerts from last year: The open air gig at the French Hellfest Festival, where they headlined in June, and their show at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York featuring an impressive guest performance on “No One Like You” by twelve-year-old guitarist Brandon Niederauer.

The brand-new fifteen-minute video documentary “On The Road in America” by Dennis Dirksen gets to the heart of the matter that the Scorpions are able to consistently attract new generations of fans, who are delighted by their songs, sound and shows. Shot during the current world tour in California and Las Vegas, it gives a voice to fans spanning from teenagers to rock ’n’ roll veterans. The film impressively shows how popular the Scorpions are in the US, and it’s touching to see fans burst into tears while taking photos with the musicians. One highlight is the story of the Ukrainian woman, who at the time used “Wind Of Change” as an impetus to emigrate to the US, and has been a dedicated follower of the band ever since. After all, the Scorpions have not only left their mark on history but continue to influence their fans’ biographies.

Scorpions - Return To Forever - Tour Edition - promo cover album pic - 2016 - #MOSILMF993303

In an extensive track-by-track interview, Klaus Meine, Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs offer a sneak peek into the band’s musical universe with anecdotes about the origin and meaning of the songs on “Return To Forever”. The Scorpions manage to blend new songs like “Going Out With A Bang”, “We Built This House” and “Rock’n’Roll Band” seamlessly with their fulminant repertoire of rock classics from “Big City Nights” and “Blackout” to “Still Loving You” and “Rock You Like A Hurricane”. This might also be the open secret allowing The Scorpions to continuously approach their live shows with so much freshness, passion and conviction. Fans can look forward to the upcoming gigs – especially because the Tour Edition of “Return To Forever” is a timely release as the perfect souvenir. And now: It’s showtime for the Scorpions!

The “Return To Forever” Tour Edition will be available on April 22nd, 2016, in the USA, as a 1 CD + 2DVD Digipack and as download.

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For more info on SCORPIONS:

Facebook: Scorpions

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE SCORPIONS.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

BAD COMPANY “Live In Concert 1977 & 1979” – Releases On April 29th, 2016

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , , , on March 6, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

Bad Company - Live In Concert 1977 & 1979 - promo album cover pic - #MO3399ILMFM

As reported on the Bad Company Facebook:

We’re thrilled to announce the release of BAD COMPANY: LIVE IN CONCERT 1977 & 1979. The first-ever official live album to spotlight the original Bad Company line up: Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs, Simon Kirke and Boz Burrell.

BAD COMPANY: LIVE IN CONCERT 1977 & 1979 will be available April 29, 2016 as a double-CD set and digital release, with a 2 LP vinyl release to follow later this year. Pre-Order the 2 CD Set: http://smarturl.it/badcolive7779

LIVE IN CONCERT 1977 & 1979 features more than two-and-half hours of unreleased music taken from 24-track tapes in the Bad Company vault. The music heard on this live collection features absolutely no enhancements or overdubs, nothing but the band as they performed live on the night of the concert.

LIVE IN CONCERT 1977 & 1979
 – Track Listing:

Disc One: Live at The Summit, Houston, Texas (5/23/77):
1. “Burnin’ Sky”
2. “Too Bad”
3. “Ready For Love”
4. “Heartbeat”
5. “Morning Sun”
6. “Man Needs Woman”
7. “Leaving You”
8. “Shooting Star”
9. “Simple Man”
10. “Movin’ On”
11. “Like Water”
12. “Live For The Music”
13. Drum Solo
14. “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad”
15. “Feel Like Makin’ Love”
Disc Two: Live at The Empire Pool, Wembley, London (3/9/79):
1. “Bad Company”
2. “Gone, Gone, Gone’
3. “Shooting Star”
4. “Rhythm Machine”
5. “Oh, Atlanta”
6. “She Brings Me Love”
7. “Run With The Pack”
8. “Evil Wind”
9. Drum Solo
10. “Honey Child”
11. “Rock Steady”
12. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy”
13. “Hey Joe”*
14. “Feel Like Makin’ Love”
15. “Can’t Get Enough”
* Recorded at Capitol Center, Washington, DC (6/26/79)

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For more Bad Company info:

Facebook: Bad Company

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE BAD COMPANY.

Stone.

ACE FREHLEY “Origins Vol. 1” – Cover Song Album Releasing On April 15th!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , , on March 6, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

Ace Frehley - Origins Vol 1 - promo album cover pic - 2016 - #MO099099ILMF

The super fantastic ACE FREHLEY will be releasing his first cover song album on April 15th! Hot damn!

KISS vocalist and guitarist Paul Stanley reunites with Ace Frehley on Free’s timeless song: Fire and Water. Whoa!!

Other world-class musicians featured on this album are Slash playing co-leads on Thin Lizzy’s classic song Emerald, Lita Ford singing and playing lead guitar on The Troggs #1 hit Wild Thing, guitarist John 5 playing alongside Ace as he sings his classic KISS song Parasite for the very first time, as well as Jimi Hendrix’s iconic Spanish Castle Magic. Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready plays guitar with Ace Frehley as he sings his KISS jewel: Cold Gin. Unreal!

ACE FREHLEY – Origins Vol. 1 – Track List:

1. White Room (Originally by Cream)
2. Street Fighting Man (The Rolling Stones)
3. Spanish Castle Magic – featuring John 5 (The Jimi Hendrix Experience)
4. Fire and Water – featuring Paul Stanley (Free)
5. Emerald – featuring Slash (Thin Lizzy)
6. Bring It on Home (Led Zeppelin)
7. Wild Thing – featuring Lita Ford (The Troggs)
8. Parasite – featuring John 5 (Kiss)
9. Magic Carpet Ride (Steppenwolf)
10. Cold Gin – featuring Mike McCready (Kiss)
11. Till the End of the Day (The Kinks)
12. Rock and Roll Hell (Kiss)

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MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE ACE FREHLEY.

Stone.

On This Day In METAL History – March 2nd… From LED ZEPPELIN To RATT

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , , on March 2, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

Led Zeppelin - 1973 - Copenhagen Denmark - concert ticket - #M)333999MF

On March 2nd, 1973 – The amazing LED ZEPPELIN performed at K.B. Hallen in Copenhagen, Denmark. As a fun sidenote, The Godfather won the Oscar for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, back in 1973.

David Lee Roth - California Girls - promo 45rpm cover single - #MO9909933ILMFM

On March 2nd, 1985DAVID LEE ROTH had his hit cover single of California Girls ranked at #3, on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. http://www.billboard.com/artist/300468/david-lee-roth/chart

Bad Company - If You Needed Somebody - promo cover pic - 45 - #MO99ILMFMR

On March 2nd, 1991BAD COMPANY had their hit single If You Needed Somebody ranked at #16, on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. Holy ham balls!

KISS - Promo band - classic logo - pic promo - 2013 - #3

As reported on the KISS Facebook:

On this day in ‪‎KISSTORY – March 2, 2010 – ‪KISS performed at a special intimate promotional gig for 800 fans at the packed O2 Academy Islington in London, England. The show was a rare chance for fans to see one of the world’s biggest bands in an intimate venue.

Anthrax - For All Kings - promo cover pic - #MO99009933

On March 2nd, 2016 – The newly released ANTHRAX studio album, For All Kings, is ranked at #1, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. This is the eleventh studio album from the almighty ANTHRAX. If you haven’t bought For All Kings just yet, you are obviously addicted to mold ridden banana peels. Yup.

Ratt - Out Of The Cellar - promo album cover pic - #MO0909333ILMFM

On March 2nd, 2016 – The debut full-length studio album, Out Of The Cellar from RATT is ranked at #90, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Whoa!! Stone likes this album very, very, very much!! My favorite song on this album is ALL of them. Seriously. By the way, Out Of The Cellar was released back in 1984 via Atlantic Records; the same year I was a high school senior.

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Stone - 50th - Metal Odyssey - 2016 - #99ILMFDM9966

LONG LIVE THE ROOTS & FAMILY TREE OF METAL.

Stone.

On This Day In METAL History – February 29th, Leap Day Edition! From ANTHRAX To KIX

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , , on February 29, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

Led Zepplin - 1972 - Brisbane Australia - ad - #MO99009ILMF

On February 29th, 1972 – The astonishing LED ZEPPELIN performed at Festival Hall in Brisbane, Australia. As a sidenote, the Academy Award for Best Picture went to The French Connection, back in 1972.

MR BIG - Lean Into It - promo album cover pic - 1991 - #MO989ILMFF

On February 29th, 1992MR. BIG had their smooth Rockin’ ballad, To Be With You, ranked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. This song is featured on MR. BIG’s second studio album from 1991: Lean Into It.

Anthrax - State Of Euphoria - promo cover pic - #199MO99ILMFF

On February 29th, 2016 – The fourth studio album from the amazing ANTHRAX, Sate Of Euphoria, is ranked at #47 on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. This album was released back in 1988. Ronald Wilson Reagan was President Of The United States, back in 1988, as well. Whoa, man!

Entombed AD - Dead Dawn - promo album cover pic - 2016 - #MO999ILMFD3

On February 29th, 2016 – The newly released studio album, Dead Dawn, from ENTOMBED A.D., is ranked at #56 on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Whiz-bang!

KIX - Blow My Fuse - promo album cover pic - #1989K

On February 29th, 2016 – Maryland’s very own Hard Rocking beacon, aka KIX, have their fourth studio album, Blow My Fuse, ranked at #86 on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. This dope album features the huge hits: Cold Blood and Don’t Close Your Eyes.

Happy Leap Day - funny frog image - #MO00999ILMF33

COOL FACT ABOUT FEBRUARY 29TH: February 29th only appears on the calendar every 4 years. Holy shit! Therefore, 2016 is a Leap Year. So, Leap Years are added as a necessary means of keeping our clocks and calendars in sync with our beloved Earth and its 4 seasons. Yup.

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Stone - 50th - Metal Odyssey - 2016 - #99ILMFDM9966

LONG LIVE THE ROOTS & FAMILY TREE OF METAL.

Stone.

On This Day In METAL History – February 27th… From LED ZEPPELIN To ANTHRAX

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , , on February 27, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

Led Zeppelin - Sydney Australia - Feb - 27 - 1972 - show flyer - #MO5599339

On February 27th, 1972 – The great LED ZEPPELIN performed in Sydney, Australia, at Showground. I was six years old in 1972. Whoa.

David Lee Roth - Skyscraper - promo album cover pic - #1988DLRMO0312

On February 27th, 1988DAVID LEE ROTH had his second studio album at #6 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart with Skyscraper. This would be DLR’s second and final top ten solo album in the United States.

Anthrax - For All Kings - promo cover pic - #MO99009933

On February 27th, 2016 – The eleventh studio album, For All Kings, from the mighty ANTHRAX is ranked at #1, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Damn straight it is.

Voivod - post society - promo EP cover pic - 2016 - #MO9909933101

On February 27th, 2016 – The newly released studio EP, Post Society, from the legendary VOIVOD is ranked at #17, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Yowzer!

Happy Birthday - promo banner - #2014BD

ADRIAN SMITH Of IRON MAIDEN

Iron Maiden - Adrian Smith - 2016 - The Book Of Souls World Tour - #MO990099

Photo Credit: Iron Maiden Facebook

Adrian Smith was born on February 27th, 1957. Happy Metal Birthday, Adrian Smith! As a remarkable guitarist for Iron Maiden, Adrian Smith has also written songs for the band and lends his backing vocals too.

Primal Rock Rebellion - Awoken Broken - 2012 - #MO099099

Adrian Smith had released a studio album titled Awoken Broken, with his side-project Primal Rock Rebellion, back in 2012.

Stone - 50th - Metal Odyssey - 2016 - #99ILMFDM9966

LONG LIVE THE ROOTS & FAMILY TREE OF METAL.

Stone.

On This Day In METAL History – February 23rd… From QUEEN To LAST IN LINE

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , , on February 23, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

Queen - Crazy Little Thing Called Love - promo 45rpm cover pic - 1980 - #MO990ILMF36

On February 23rd, 1980 – The iconic QUEEN had their Rockabilly hit single, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, ranked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. This song is featured on QUEEN’s eighth studio album from 1980: The Game.

Warrant - I Saw Red - promo 45rpm cover - 1990 - #MO99933MM

On February 23rd, 1991 – WARRANT had their hit power ballad, I Saw Red, ranked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. This song is featured on WARRANT’s 1990 studio album: Cherry Pie. Rest in peace, Jani Lane.

After The Burial - Dig Deep - promo album cover pic - 2016 - #99MO099099

On February 23rd, 2016 – Minnesota’s AFTER THE BURIAL have their newly released studio album, Dig Deep, ranked at #1 on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Freaking whoa!

Last In Line - Heavy Crown - promo album cover pic - 2016 - #3300993

On February 23rd, 2016 – The debut album from supergroup LAST IN LINE is ranked at #5, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. This album titled Heavy Crown (via Frontiers Records) features DIO‘s original band members of Vinny Appice on drums, the late Jimmy Bain on bass and Vivian Campbell on guitar. Andrew Freeman (Raiding The Rock Vault among others) is the lead vocalist. BUY this album! Rest in peace, Ronnie James Dio.

Happy Birthday - promo banner - #2014BD

MICHAEL WILTON of QUEENSRŸCHE!!

Michael Wilton & Stone

Left to right: Me (Stone) and Michael Wilton. Back in 2011, this photo was taken by Metal Odyssey photographer Tom Coderre. Whoa.

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Stone - 50th - Metal Odyssey - 2016 - #99ILMFDM9966

LONG LIVE METAL.

LONG LIVE THE ROOTS & FAMILY TREE OF METAL.

Stone.

On This Day In METAL History – February 15th… From THE DOORS To HOLY GRAIL

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , on February 15, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

Led Zeppelin - Swan Song Records - Classic Logo - #MO009393ILMFP

On February 15th, 1969 – The amazing LED ZEPPELIN performed at Thee Image Club in Miami, Florida, USA. I was 3 years old, when this concert took place. Holy shit.

The Doors - The Soft Parade - promo album cover pic - 1969 - #MO999ILMFSO

On February 15th, 1969THE DOORS peaked at #3, on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with their hit song: Touch Me. This song is featured on the fourth studio album from THE DOORS, titled: The Soft Parade.

RUSH - Fly By Night - promo cover pic - #MO9933ILMFSP8877

On February 15th, 1975 – The fabulous RUSH released their second studio album: Fly by Night. This was RUSH’s first studio album with the great Neil Peart on drums; replacing original drummer John Rutsey.

ZZ TOP - Recent Band Logo - #MOILMFP998IG

On February 15th, 1995ZZ TOP filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against the Steridyne Corporation. This company made a one hundred-dollar gel-filled mattress bed-sore product that was named: the ZZ Topper. Lesson of this story is: don’t mess with ZZ TOP.

Megadeth - Dystopia - promo album cover pic - 2015 - #3300MOSMMSOT66

On February 15th, 2016 – The recently released studio album from MEGADETH, Dystopia, is firmly planted at #1, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Hell and yeah and whoa!!

Holy Grail - Times Of Pride And Peril - promo cover pic - 2015 - #MO899ILMF033OH

On February 15th, 2016 – California’s HOLY GRAIL have their newly released studio album, Times Of Pride And Peril, ranked at #22, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. HAIL HOLY GRAIL!!

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Stone - 50th - Metal Odyssey - 2016 - #99ILMFDM9966

LONG LIVE THE ROOTS & FAMILY TREE OF METAL.

Stone.

OAK – S/T Debut EP Is: Metal Odyssey’s METAL Pick Of The Day!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , , on February 14, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

Oak - self titled EP - cover art pic - 2015 - #MO33909

OAK – This very cool band known as Oak are not your run-of-the-mill Stoner Rock meets Desert Rock outfit. Oak have absolutely entertained my brain with their self-titled debut EP. This four song EP was released back on November 15th of 2015. I fell for the grooves, the fuzz, the vocals, the bold riffage and sincerity of Oak from the very first listen. To me, Oak should be able to satisfy a vast majority of fans from 70’s Black Sabbath to The Sword, with Masters Of Reality in-between. Dig it.

Andrew Wisbey has damn strong vocals and I admire his ability to channel a touch of Ozzy Osbourne, Glenn Danzig and Rob Zombie. Andrew is an original, however. Hell yes, he is. Kevin Germain on guitar is happening, man! I love his post-psychedelic 70’s guitar tones and his monster licks; all which occur on each song.

Oak - publicity band pic - 2015 - #MO0099ILMFDMS99

Photo Credit: Renatha Bianchi

Scott Masson on bass and Rob Emms on drums are two more reasons why their EP sounds so damn good. Nothing fancy, just straight-up, in-your-face with heavy beats this rhythm section serves up. I like to call Oak an underground, old-school Stoner Hard Rock band; hell, that’s what my ears and brain tells me anyways. Now go get yourself some Oak, below. Whoa.

OAK Band Bio:

Formed in the summer of 2015, London-based fuzz-heads Oak combine the bluesy groove of early British Rock acts like Cream with the spaced out Desert Rock of Kyuss and the aggression of Hardcore Punk Rock.

Their brand new self-titled EP was recorded completely live (withstanding a couple of vocal and guitar overdubs) in the space of 24 hours, using vintage gear and microphones to capture the raw sound of the bands they idolize.

Fronted by bearded mad-man Andy Valliant, Oak are itching to unleash their pummeling live show upon the British Stoner/Doom scene in the new year.

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For more info on OAK:

Facebook: Oak

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE OAK.

OAK ROCK ‘N ROLL IS HEAVY-AS-SHIT GOOD.

Stone.

On This Day In METAL History – February 9th… From DEEP PURPLE To ABBATH

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , , on February 9, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers - promo cover pic - 1985 - #MO4400iLMFD9966

On January 9th, 1985 – The great DEEP PURPLE peaked at #17 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart, with their studio album Perfect Strangers. This was DEEP PURPLE‘s first album with their Mark II lineup in eleven years. Perfect Strangers went on to sell Platinum in the United States.

Iron-Maiden-The-X-Factor- tour lineup - promo band promo card - #1996XMO

Above: IRON MAIDEN (circa 1996) – From L to R: Dave Murray (guitar), Steve Harris (bass), Blaze Bayley (vocals), Janick Gers (guitar) and Nicko McBrain (drums).

Iron Maiden - Classic Band Logo - RWB - #33MMGMSAS31

On February 9th, 1996 – The masterful IRON MAIDEN performed at Auditorium de Verdun in Montreal, QC, Canada. This date was on The X Factour, with Blaze Bayley as lead singer of IRON MAIDEN. Whoa.

Abbath - promo band pic - 2016 - #MO33ILMFD99

Above: ABBATH – L to R are King (bass), ABBATH (vocals & guitar) and Creature (drums)

Abbath - promo cover pic - 2016 - #MO99ILMFD99

On February 9th, 2016 – The debut studio album from ABBATH is ranked at #46, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. HAIL ABBATH!!

Abortion - Termination Redux - EP cover promo pic - 2016 - #MO9900ILMFD99

On February 9th, 2016 – The new studio EP from Belgium’s ABORTED, Termination Redux, is ranked at #70, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Freaking hell and yeah!

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Stone - 2011 Photo #1

LONG LIVE THE ROOTS & FAMILY TREE OF METAL.

Stone.

THE NEW BLACK “A Monster’s Life” – Releasing On February 26th, 2016, via AFM Records

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , on February 8, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

The New Black - A Monsters Life - promo album cover pic - 2016 - #MOILMFDSR933933

From AFM Records:

“This time for real.” Everybody’s using this phrase generously, nobody really means it, but it sounds good. Not for The New Black, though. When a band like this is saying “this time for real”, it comes from a bunch of musicians that released three records since 2009, that played Wacken and Rock am Ring and that shared stages with the likes of AC/DC, Black Label Society and Alter Bridge. So what that hell has not been “for real“ before?

So this time for real. For these Heavy Rockers it means: Working their asses off with a real producer in a real studio. Harder than ever. “We’ve reached a limit after self-producing our first three albums,” guitarist Christof Leim explains. “At some point you just go in circles, sound wise and with the songwriting.” The New Black however did not ask just any producer for the sake of it. They recorded with Danish icon Jacob Hansen, a proven master of kick ass Rock, the guy Volbeat committed to ever since their first album. Naturally, The New Black and a producer like that get along like a house on fire. Working on the album together in The New Black’s hometown Würzburg and in the Danish city of Ribe is what rocketed the band onto an entirely new level. “The cooporation was totally worth it,” main songwriter Fabian Schwarz agrees. “They’re still our songs, but they’re better and they sound better, too. At some point, you lose focus, you are too close. Some tracks are two years in the making or have been played live already which makes you focus on your own parts naturally. That’s why even the biggest bands work with producers.” Now, also The New Black did, in order to get that important outside perspective.

The results? They jump right at you. “A Monster’s Life” sounds like an album should sound that starts off with a smasher called “Long Time Coming”. As if the three years since the last record steered the band to this singular point. The New Black are still The New Black. Only much bigger. The trinity of heaviness, melody and groove has new kings, the songs are built to last and highly explosive, the production is massive on an international level. Hansen neither gave the band a typical Metal edge nor a classic Hard Rock sound, but chose to take the middle way. The nonchalant, too-cool-for-school Heavy Rock kick in the ass is still in full effect. The music has just put on a new black shining leather jacket, if you will – and still works fine with a few cans of beer.

The New Black - A Monsters Life - 2016 - promo album banner - #MO99ILMFD9339

“Ten tracks, no bullshit, no dead weights”, vocalist Fludid sums up the fourth album’s fundament. By now, The New Black can offer more than enough unique bravado to fearlessly step into any ring. Said opener “Long Time Coming” is self-confidently sowing the fields of Heavy Rock with enthusiastic uptempo riffing and a boldly anthemic chorus, “Blockbuster Life” convinces with breakneck speed and gang shouts. “With A Grin” is stomping through town like a monster only to erupt into a capital XXL chorus before the atmospheric “Send In The Clowns” throws in some epic hooks. Talking about epic: “That’s Your Poison, Not Mine” delivers a chorus written for stadiums. Seriously. In the loose rocking “Dead In The Water”, The New Black even sing about all those who claim that the band won‘t go anywhere anyway – and how much fun the five-piece has regardless.

The New Black - A Monsters Life - promo album cover pic - 2016 - #MOILMFDSR933933

The New Black put all their hearts as well as an incredible amount of time and energy into this record. They went for broke, all in – and now they reap what they sowed. Aside the enviable thick guitar sound and the ballsy drums, Hansen‘s production is predominantly highlighting Fludid’s impressive vocals. “He’s our trump card anyway”, bass player Günt Auschrat and drummer Chris Weiß add with quite some understatement. This time around, they have more than one trick up their sleeves. Just like the huge lizard on the album cover that can’t wait to trample down Tokyo, “A Monster’s Life” will gather momentum and will shake our floors – on the record as well as on their tour early 2016. This time for real indeed.

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THE NEW BLACK:

Fludid – Vocals

Christof Leim – Guitars

Fabian Schwarz – Guitars

Günt Auschrat – Bass

Chris Weiß – Drums

Facebook: THE NEW BLACK

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AFM Records - Logo - Large!

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE THE NEW BLACK.

Stone.

THE LAST VEGAS “Eat Me” – Releasing On March 18th, 2016, via AFM Records

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , on February 7, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

The Last Vegas - Eat Me - promo album cover pic - 2016 - #MO9933ILMFD

From AFM Records:

“Eat Me” is a mash-up of full-tilt boogie Rock, droney Zeppelin-esque riffs, and alt-psychedelic acoustic ballads. Equal part American bluesy riffs and Swedish production technique, the album balances grit & polish.

“This is truly an American hybrid album” quotes guitarist Adam Arling. “Some may call it ‘rock’, however its more ‘pop trash’. There’s even a song entitled “Hot Fudge” w/ a nasty Moog riff just waiting to rule a dance floor. It’s ridiculous”.

“Eat Me” was recorded in near lightning pace, in advance of singer Chad Cherry‘s relocation to Los Angeles over the summer.

“I was over in Sweden on a reality TV show for 2 months, when the guys decided to do another album. We had less than 3 weeks to write songs, rehearse, then schedule recording before Chad split.” quotes drummer Nathan Arling. “We wanted to capture the energy of a tight deadline and approach the material without looking back or over-thinking anything”.

The Last Vegas tracked “Eat Me” at Johnny K’s hit-making Groovemaster Studios in Chicago, a spot familiar to the band where they recorded critically acclaimed ‘Bad Decisions’ and 2013’s ‘Sweet Salvation’.

The fast pace worked to the band’s favor; as they adopted a “first-thought, best-thought, only thought” approach.

“We gathered some favorite demos lying around, added a few fresh ideas and rehearsed the hell out of the songs for about 8 days” says singer Chad Cherry. “We were tracking vocals up through the night I left for LA. We recorded like 12 songs in about 11 hours at Groovemaster, and it felt like we were making our first album again. It was awesome”.

The Last Vegas - band publicity photo - 2016 - #MOILMFDSP990033

The Last Vegas initially decided to self-produce ‘Eat Me’, after working with some industry heavyweights (2010’s ‘Whatever Gets You Off’-Nikki Sixx; 2012’s ‘Bad Decisions’-Johnny K; 2013’s ‘Sweet Salvation’-Roy Z).

And luckily TLV’s vision was perfectly complimented by a musical contact Nathan Arling came across while in Sweden filming the ‘Allt For Sverige’ TV series; Engineer/Producer Chris Laney. Mr. Laney mixed the album “Eat Me” in Stockholm, Sweden, song by song, as The Last Vegas fed him sessions built-in Chicago at the TLV studio space.

“We chipped away at each track’s session, layering guitars, Moog synths, bongos, bells, wind chimes, and even an old-school talk-box” says guitarist Bryan Wilkinson who makes his debut on “Eat Me”. “Chris’s mixes just kept blowing us away. Chris asked if he could go crazy in the mixes, and we demanded he do so.”

“Eat Me” is the first time The Last Vegas have collaborated with a European production team (Sweden’s Grammy-nominated Classe Persson is mastering). Being long-time fans of Scandinavian rock production and influenced by records from The Hellacopters, Turbonegro, Nomads and more, The Last Vegas were thrilled with a new approach in making an modern-day album; and the results of the inter-continental experiment.

“There’s a lot of feeling in this record. It’s fascinating what you can express musically when you record songs quickly, never second-guessing your gut instinct. We found the soul in Rock’n’Roll; from both Chicago and Stockholm” says Adam Arling. “But let’s not get too serious, I mean the album is called “Eat Me” after all. Catch you on tour in 2016.”

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THE LAST VEGAS:

Chad Cherry – lead vocals

Adam Arling – guitar

Nathan Arling – drums

Bryan Wilkinson – guitar

Danny Smash – bass

Facebook: the LAST VEGAS

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AFM Records - Logo - Large!

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE THE LAST VEGAS.

Stone.

On This Day In METAL History – February 5th… From SLADE To DROWNING POOL

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, movies, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , , , on February 5, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

Slade - Look Wot You Dun - promo 45rpm cover pic - #MOILMFD990909

On February 5th, 1972 – Glam Rock/Hard Rock pioneers SLADE had their huge single, Look Wot You Dun, ranked at #1 in the UK. Whoa and whoa again! By the way, this SLADE song is very, very cool.

KISS - publicity band photo - red white blue Kiss logo - 2014

On this day in KISSTORY – February 5, 2002 – The sensational ‪‎KISS kicked off the New York City Fashion Week with a rockin’ performance at the Lane Bryant Fashion Show. The band performed Shout it Out Loud, Lick it Up, Love Gun, God of Thunder and Rock and Roll All Nite. Yup.

Drowning Pool - Hellelujah - promo album cover pic - 2016 - #MO339969ILMFD

On February 5th, 2016 – The newly released studio album from DROWNING POOL is ranked at #1, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. This album has a most Metal appropriate title too: Hellelujah.

Megadeth - Countdown To Extinction - promo cover pic - 1992 - #MOILMFD993366

On February 5th, 2016MEGADETH’s fifth studio album from 1992, Countdown To Extinction, is ranked at #26, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. The Earth begins to rumble…

United Artists - original logo - 1919 - #MO99ILMFD066

BONUS HISTORICAL FACT!

On February 5th, 1919:

United Artists Was Created! Read all about it with link below:

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/united-artists-created

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Stone - 2011 Photo #1

LONG LIVE THE ROOTS & FAMILY TREE OF METAL.

Stone.

On This Day In METAL History – February 2nd… From IRON MAIDEN To NELSON

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, Music, news, rock music with tags , , , , on February 2, 2016 by Metal Odyssey

Iron Maiden - Killers - promo cover pic - large!

On February 2nd, 1981 – The iconic IRON MAIDEN released their second studio album, Killers, in the UK. Yes, the legendary Paul Di’Anno was still the lead singer for this studio album and would be his last with IRON MAIDEN. If you don’t own this album, you are obviously not a legitimate Metalhead.

Nelson - After The Rain - #1990NMO - promo album cover

On February 2nd, 1990NELSON had their huge hit single, After The Rain, sitting at #6, on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. NELSON Forever. So there.

Don Dokken - Rock Beat - magazine cover promo - 1988 - #MO3993ILMFD9

On February 2nd, 2008DON DOKKEN performed at House of Blues in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Shown above: April, 1988 Rock Beat cover feature of DON DOKKEN. Freaking whoa!

Overkill - classic band logo - green - #90OKMOBE

On February 2nd, 2013 – The mighty OVERKILL performed at House of Blues in West Hollywood, California, USA. Dig it.

Avantasia - Ghostlights - promo cover pic - 2016 - #MO33ILMFD909

On February 2nd, 2016Ghostlights (Bonus Version) from Tobias Sammet’s AVANTASIA is ranked at #3, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Yup. Very cool.

Primal Fear - Rulebreaker - promo album cover pic - 2016 - #MO9933ILMFD0004

On February 2nd, 2016 – The new studio album from Germany’s PRIMAL FEAR, Rulebreaker, is ranked at #15, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. By the way, this new PRIMAL FEAR offering kicks enormous Metal ass. Yes, it does.

Manowar - band classic logo - silver - black

On February 2nd, 2016 – The powerful MANOWAR are scheduled to destroy at Konserthus in Stavanger, Norway. This is one of many dates on MANOWAR‘s Gods And Kings World Tour 2016. Hell, yes and Hail MANOWAR!

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Nelson & Stone at M3 2010 pic #1

LONG LIVE THE ROOTS & FAMILY TREE OF METAL.

Stone.