Archive for heavy metal cover songs

ROB ZOMBIE “We’re An American Band” Cover Song Is: Stone’s METAL Pick Of The Day!

Posted in classic rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on May 19, 2013 by Metal Odyssey

Rob Zombie - 2013 - Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor - cover promo pic!

ROB ZOMBIE – Oh those cover songs. Sometimes there are so many bands doing cover songs these days I realistically lose track of many of them. Some cover songs are super fabulous, some are good and some are plain forgettable. Rob Zombie’s cover song of We’re An American Band falls into the category: Super Fabulous. Well, in my Metal opinion it does and this cover of We’re An American Band is:

Stone’s METAL Pick Of The Day!

Who could possibly argue that Classic Rock wasn’t the meat and potatoes for the evolution of Heavy Metal? I sure can’t. Rob Zombie took this Grand Funk Railroad Rock classic and Zombiefied it to a level of unthinkable Metal bliss and I’m flying high again! I guess when you get Rob Zombie and John 5 together with Piggy D and Ginger Fish, grand Metal miracles happen on an almost too common basis. In other words: Rob Zombie RULES.

I could have easily targeted Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor as Stone’s METAL Pick Of The Day; only that’s for… another METAL day. Now, if only the corporate lame-O’s over at The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame would induct Grand Funk Railroad into their prestigious society. What am I thinking? American Midwest Rock N’ Roll isn’t supposed to exist in that building in Cleveland. Shame on me for even dreaming like that. Metal be thy name.

Grand Funk Railroad - We're An American Band - promo cover pic

Credited as Grand Funk, Grand Funk Railroad released their seventh studio album We’re An American Band back in 1973, via Capitol Records.

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ROB ZOMBIE:

Rob Zombie

John 5

Piggy D

Ginger Fish

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* Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor was released on April 23rd, 2013.

* For more info on ROB ZOMBIE, click on the links below!

http://robzombie.com

facebook: Rob Zombie

http://www.twitter.com/rwzombie

Stone - Motorhead Tee pic:small

LONG LIVE ROB ZOMBIE.

LONG LIVE GRAND FUNK RAILROAD.

Stone.

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RUNNING THE RISK – A Rock Band From L.A. Teeming With A Modern, Edgy Sound & Contagious Vibes

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, modern rock, Music, rock bands, rock music, rock music news, rock music videos with tags , , , , , , on August 15, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

RUNNING THE RISK – Founded in 2011, L.A.’s edgy and vibrant Running The Risk is a Rock band that’s brimming with musical talent and praiseworthy songs to match. Signed to In Flight Music Group; a record label & publishing company based in Los Angeles, California. There’s no doubt in my mind that Running The Risk will very soon (if not immediately) be on many (if not all) a Rock journalist’s list of “bands to get in touch with and write about.”

Regardless of this years departure of bassist Curtis Corwin, Running The Risk is moving forward writing new music, conducting bass auditions; while promoting themselves on social networks. With vocalist Nicki Taylor, guitarist Nick Bell and drummer Aaron Cohan, the future of this band appears from all angles to be 100% solid.

What’s any better for a Rock band than having your own edgy sound, obvious credibility and super memorable songs? What could be any better than having a proficient lead vocalist that also gives such band a heaping dosage of stylish identity? This is Running The Risk and the Rock Music world will take notice. After I’ve listened to their The Monster and Because We Can EP’s, I’ve become a fan. Because I can.

Nicki Taylor

Nicki Taylor’s vocals conjures memories of my lifelong appreciation towards the voice of Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles coupled with Debbie Harry’s mystique; all the while Nicki stands-up as a true original. The all-inclusive sound of Running The Risk is Hard Modern, only they have apparently captured a retrospective slice of Rock history as well; one that reminds me of those days when mainstream Rock didn’t all sound the same.

The newly released, Because We Can (2 song EP) bestows the cover versions of: Black Sabbath’s War Pigs and Talk Talk’s Talk Talk. When a band messes with an ultra classic from the sacred past of Heavy Metal history, I can get a bit uneasy; this is not the case with Running The Risk covering War Pigs. Instead, this is Running The Risk celebrating (admirably) a Heavy Metal treasure of a song and band.

I very much dig the way Running The Risk covered War Pigs. This band breathed a young, fresh and still heavy life into a timeless Sabbath song. I also appreciate hearing Nicki’s vocals pouring over the lyrics to War Pigs. No… this is not Ozzy. This is Nicki. This is Running The Risk and they’re Metal on War Pigs. Take a listen for yourself:

The Monster EP is a collection of 4 demo songs. If these 4 songs are demos then I’m the next editor for Quilting and Knitting magazine. Monster, Mayday, Good Kind Of Evil and Backfire are a delicious listen into the future Rockin’ success of Running The Risk. There really is no risk at listening to The Monster EP at all! All you have to do is download this EP for FREE right here: http://www.RunningTheRisk.com

You can purchase “Because We Can” which includes the cover songs War Pigs and Talk Talk on iTunes: http://tiny.cc/iTunesRTR

Closing out my Rockin’ recommendation of Running The Risk, I’d like to share some live footage of them! Check out below, Running The Risk “Live At Starline” in Fresno, California! Metal be thy name.

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* For more info on RUNNING THE RISK, click on links below!

http://www.RunningTheRisk.com

http://www.InFlightMusicGroup.com

LONG LIVE RUNNING THE RISK.

Stone.

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SCORPIONS ‘COMEBLACK’ – Heavy Metal Legends Do It Their Way, On Album Of Covers & Re-Recordings

Posted in classic rock, cover songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on December 20, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

SCORPIONS COMEBLACK – The Scorpions latest CD release, Comeblack, is a combination of  seven re-recorded classics from their legendary catalog of albums along with six Classic Rock cover songs. I realize there are fans who don’t applaud when a band makes an album of cover songs and I understand that. Personally, I enjoy hearing a band covering other band’s songs. I really am thrilled with Comeblack for more than half of this album is, essentially, the Scorpions covering themselves!

In my opinion, some of the re-recorded songs the Scorpions did for Comeblack are actually better than their own originals. I point to the first three songs on Comeblack to state my point: Rhythm Of Love, No One Like You and The Zoo. All three songs are outstanding Scorpions originals, yet on Comeblack each of these mentioned songs has a harder and edgier zeal to them, which I really dig, especially on one of my all-time favorites The Zoo. The harder energy on these three cover songs are so good and breathe some new life into them.

Unfortunately, I can’t state the same for the new versions of Rock You Like A Hurricane and Winds Of Change. I feel the original versions are superior to their re-recorded selves on Comeblack. Then again, these two songs are this iconic band’s biggest hits, so I imagine it would be almost impossible to improve on them. Blackout and Still Loving You are done well and both are very solid re-recordings. If there is one thing I would have done differently on this half of Comeblack, I would have included some of their lesser-known hits like Big City Nights, Alien Nation and In Trance and re-recorded them with the same updated heaviness.

Now for the cover songs. First of all, I find this a very interesting collection of songs to cover. For example, I was never a big fan of the song Tainted Love by the New Wave/Post-Punk band Soft Cell. Actually, I find it a very annoying song. Therefore, even before I heard this cover version by the Scorpions I was preparing to be disappointed. Man, was I surprised! The Scorpions came up huge here. What a terrific job the Scorpions did in creating what I would call a wuss of a song and transforming it into Metal!

Children of The Revolution and Tin Soldier are solidly done. Across The Universe is probably my biggest complaint, in terms of song selection for Comeblack. I can’t say I’m a big fan of this song. All Day And All Of The Night packs a good and Hard Rockin’ punch that I believe The Kinks would praise.

This brings me to the final song. The Scorpions end Comeblack with grand style! What do you get when you combine Klaus Meine, Metal guitar riffs by guitar legends Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs and a song written by The Rolling Stones? This is Scott Coverdale’s “Song Of The Year”: Ruby Tuesday. I can’t begin to tell you, just how much I love this cover version of Ruby Tuesday. After listening to this song over and over again, I’ve come to the conclusion that Ruby Tuesday was meant to be a Metal song and we’ve been delivered just that… 40 years later.

* Scorpions – Comeblack was released in November of 2011 on Sony Music.

* For more info on the SCORPIONS, click the link below:

SCORPIONS

LONG LIVE SCORPIONS.

Scott Coverdale.

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ELIMINATOR – Release Two Brand New SLAYER Covers!

Posted in Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , on August 31, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

After releasing a cover of SLAYER‘s “Angel of Death” to high praises, New Jersey’s very own ELIMINATOR has upped the ante with a double SLAYER cover of “Altar of Sacrifice” and “Jesus Saves”. These Thrash masters do one hell of a job covering such legendary songs, that even the most hardcore of SLAYER fans will be impressed.

Check out the video/song: ELIMINATOR – Altar of Sacrifice/Jesus Saves (Slayer)

This little goodie comes as the band prepares to release their follow-up to the highly acclaimed debut album Breaking the Wheel.  The new album, The One They Were Waiting For, is set to be released next week. Prepare to expect the unexpected with this next release of ground breaking Metal by ELIMINATOR.

* For more info on ELIMINATOR, click on the links below:

ELIMINATOR – Angel of Death (Slayer)

http://www.youtube.com/user/eliminatorus

http://www.myspace.com/eliminatorus

(Source: Team All About The Music – Publicity)

LONG LIVE ELIMINATOR.

Stone.

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CHIMAIRA “Wild Thing” Cover Song – A Horns Up To Charlie Sheen’s “Major League” Movie And Available Now at iTunes!

Posted in Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, metalcore, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on March 7, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

(New York, NY) – CHIMAIRA joined in the fun of celebrating Charlie Sheen last week by covering the song “Wild Thing” in the studio, a tribute to Charlie Sheen’s 1989 hit comedy movie “Major League”. “We had some fun at the studio”, says Chimaira’s front man Mark Hunter.

Chimaira is currently in the studio finishing up their upcoming record to be released later this year. Recently signing a new record deal with eOne Music for North America, South America and Japan, Mark Hunter offers: “We are excited to start the new decade with a team that believes in our music, has our back and thinks outside the box. eOne are one of the very few labels out there who still give a damn about the genre and Chimaira are proud to be a part of that. Expect great things in 2011”.

Chimaira released their album “The Infection” back in 2009 to serious critical acclaims with hit singles “Secrets of the Dead” and “Destroy and Dominate”, which claimed the #30 spot on the Billboard Top 200 chart. Their most recent effort was a three disc live DVD, which also features a documentary about the band called “Coming Alive”.

* Over the past 10 years, Chimaira has sold close to 500,000 albums.

A “Wild Thing” song history, (see below), brought to you by Metal Odyssey’s Stone:

* “Wild Thing” was written by songwriter Chip Taylor, (real name: James Wesley Voight), who was born in New York City. This iconic Rock ‘n’ Roll song was originally recorded by The Wild Ones back in 1965. The English Rock Band – The Troggs covered “Wild Thing” back in 1966 and reached #1 in the U.S. on the Billboard Hot 100 in July of 1966.

Stone’s “Wild Thing” Cover Song Review:

Okay, I bought this cover song of “Wild Thing” from iTunes today. It realistically served me right. I never thought I would be saying this about Chimaira… they actually made a (gulp) “fun” song. This cover version has it’s Metal grooves happening with plenty of crunch. Yes, Mark Hunter still sounds quite pissed off vocally, so don’t worry all of you Chimaira die-hards out there! “Wild Thing” clocks in at 2:30 long, so it’s no epic, it’s just a good Metal kick-in-the-ass to kick start my day. Or is that kick start my night? A Must Metal buy for only $1.29!

CHIMAIRA:

Mark Hunter – vocals

Matt DeVries – guitar

Rob Arnold – guitar

Andols Herrick – drums

Chris Spicuzza – keyboards, samples & backing vocals

* For more info on CHIMAIRA, click the links below:

CHIMAIRA – Official Website

CHIMAIRA – myspace music

CHIMAIRA – Official Facebook

CHIMAIRA (chimairaband) On Twitter

* You can preview and/or buy Chimaira’s cover song “Wild Thing” at iTunes by clicking on the link below!

http://bit.ly/eRJQ0z

(Source: eOne Music)

* Metal Odyssey receives 0% compensation from iTunes for directing you to their store for making a song purchase. This is all done in good Metal faith, to assist all fellow Metalheads worldwide, in finding easy access to this new Chimaira song. Metal be thy name.

LONG LIVE CHIMAIRA.

Stone.

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

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, power metal music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 22, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MANOWAR – Official Website

MAGIC CIRCLE MUSIC

FEINSTEIN – Official Website

Jack Starr’s Burning Starr – Official Website

Jack Starr’s Burning Starr – myspace music page

HOLYHELL – Official Website

HOLYHELL – myspace music page

METALFORCE – myspace music page

DEAN CASCIONE – Official Website

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

Heaven And Hell – Manowar

Holy Diver (Live In Norway) – HolyHell

The Last In Line – Metalforce

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

I Speed At Night – Awaken

A Light In The Black – Crosswind

Never More – Dean Cascione

Far Beyond – Feinstein

Straight Through The Heart – Harlet

Catch The Rainbow – Jack Starr’s Burning Starr

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

MANOWAR:

Eric Adams – vocals

Donnie Hamzik – drums

Karl Logan – guitar

Joey DeMaio – bass

HOLYHELL:

Maria Breon – vocals

Joe Stump – guitar

Francisco Palomo – keyboards

Jay Rigney – bass

Rhino – drums

METALFORCE:

Tarek Maghary – vocals

Tristan Visser – guitar

Jan Raddaatz – drums

Magic Circle All Star Band:

Sammy “Shmoulik” Avigal – vocals

Joe Stump – guitar

Jack Starr – guitar

AWAKEN:

Glenn DaGrossa – vocals

Artie Dillon – guitar & vocals

Joe Todaro – guitar

Freddy Villano – bass

Nick D’Alessandro – drums

CROSSWIND:

Kyriakos Vasdokas – vocals & guitar

Leon Tsorbatzoglou – guitar

Vasilis Mitsaris – drums

Guest Musician: Yiannis Papadopoulos – backing vocals

DEAN CASCIONE – guitar

FEINSTEIN:

David “Rock” Feinstein – guitar

John West – vocals

Jeff Howell – bass

Nate Horton – drums

Bob Twining – keyboards

HARLET:

Todd Michael Hall – vocals

Tod Walraven – guitar

Jon Hall – bass

Doug Julian – drums

JACK STARR’S BURNING STARR:

Jack Starr – guitar

Todd Michael Hall – vocals

Ned Michael Meloni – bass

Guest Musician: Rhino – drums

LONG LIVE THE MUSIC OF RONNIE JAMES DIO.

REST IN PEACE, RONNIE JAMES DIO.

Stone.

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L.A. GUNS – “RIPS THE COVERS OFF” ALBUM FROM 2004 REVISITED

Posted in 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, hair metal bands, hair metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 23, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

L.A. GUNS – released Rips The Covers Off back in 2004. My Metal research has found that there are some copies of this album titled Rips Off The Covers, how many copies exist with this title I just do not know. (The front cover album pic below shows this alternate title). This is the Phil Lewis – L.A. Guns lineup and no matter how you slice it… this lineup ROCKS… for me. I always state, nothing beats the original, nonetheless, L.A. Guns really gives these cover songs all of their Hard Rock splendor and energy. Original versions aside, Rips The Covers Off is meant to be played LOUD and with a good times spirit flowing throughout your mind and soul.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Outlaw is a Hard and Heavy blast… Rose Tattoo created it, L.A. Guns only ignites it with more fiery fuel. How do you possibly cover a Queen classic like Tie Your Mother Down? L.A. Guns pulls it off, with the upmost respect to the original as well… keeping the hardness that Queen initially instilled into this amazing song. Sure, I will admit that the unreal classic Custard Pie covered by L.A. Guns does not come close to the ultra iconic Led Zeppelin original, yet in the end it is not an embarrassment of a cover either… it grooves along L.A. Guns style. Moonage Daydream sounds pretty darn cool, Phil Lewis may not be David Bowie, only how many vocalists have Bowie’s unique and moving vocals anyways?

Wheels of Steel comes fully loaded with a gritty and heavy edged sound from L.A. Guns, the Saxon original can never be topped, still I can’t fib that this cover version is justifiably cool. The cover of I Just Want To Make Love To You is outrageously great… the great Foghat themselves should be proud. Stacey Blades on guitar is all over these cover songs, giving his hardened tone to each. Steve Riley is the man on drums… a W.A.S.P. alumni and L.A. Guns veteran never disappoints me.

The two live tracks – Revolution and Don’t Look At Me That Way are from the 2002 L.A. Guns album Waking The Dead. Both of these live songs are potent with the raw energy and sound you would expect, from L.A. Guns. These live tracks added into the mix is really a Metal bonus. I don’t hesitate for a Metal second, to recommend any Hard Rock or Heavy Metal fan to get their ears into Rips The Covers Off. I admire the fact, that this Phil Lewis led L.A. Guns lineup looks back on the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal roots with undeniable respect. The bands they have covered here are all incredibly influential, this album is a Hard and Heavy celebration of that.

L.A. Guns as they appeared on Rips The Covers Off:

Phil Lewis – lead vocals

Stacey Blades – guitar

Adam Hamilton – bass

Steve Riley – drums

Keri Kelli – guitar on Revolution (Live) and Don’t Look At Me That Way (Live)

Brent Muscat – guitar on Revolution (Live) and Don’t Look At Me That Way (Live)

Track Listing for Rips The Covers Off, With Original Band in Parentheses:

Rock ‘n’ Roll Outlaw – (Rose Tattoo)

I Just Want To Make Love To You – (Foghat)

Tie Your Mother Down – (Queen)

Until I Get You – (Hanoi Rocks)

Wheels of Steel – (Saxon)

Nobody’s Fault – (Aerosmith)

Custard Pie – (Led Zeppelin)

Moonage Daydream – (David Bowie)

Marseilles – (Angel City)

Hurdy Gurdy Man – (Donovan)

Search and Destroy – (The Stooges)

Revolution – (Live)

Don’t Look At Me That Way – (Live)

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W.A.S.P. COVERS THE DEEP PURPLE CLASSIC “BURN” WITH HEAVY METAL PRIDE ON BABYLON ALBUM!

Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's classic rock music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, Album Review, classic rock cover songs, cool album covers, creepy album covers, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal music, current heavy metal songs, essential heavy metal albums, essential heavy metal songs, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal bands, heavy metal cover songs, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, heavy metal vocalists, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, new heavy metal album, old school heavy metal, rock music, scary album covers, spooky album covers, spooky metal album covers, vintage heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 10, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Blackie Lawless Image #1W.A.S.P. has me burning up with an extreme Heavy Metal fever. Their new studio album, Babylon, is the total Old School Heavy Metal package. I am so excited about this new W.A.S.P. album, I need to calm down. Alright, if you have never purchased a W.A.S.P. album in your life and you are into Metal, do the right thing and buy Babylon. Veteran W.A.S.P. fans should understand why I am pumped up about Babylon… it is the quintessential Heavy Metal album for 2009. Am I saying it is the best Heavy Metal album of 2009? I am sure leaning in that direction for certain. Remember, this is Heavy Metal, no strings attached. Blackie Lawless has proven once again he is not about to back down, cow tow or change for anyone. Blackie Lawless has my total Metal support and praise for his convictions, which he so eloquently states within the liner notes of Babylon.

In a perfect Heavy Metal world, Blackie Lawless would be my choice for President and Chief Commanding Officer. For now, I can live with Blackie Lawless being the living Heavy Metal legend he is. I now hereby declare, that it is very difficult to hide my appreciation for the Heavy Metal of W.A.S.P., I am damn proud of it too. I have been listening to and enjoying the Heavy Metal of  W.A.S.P. for too many years now, to give a hoot about what anyone thinks of my admitting my adoration for Blackie Lawless and his band. Hey, it is light years better than admitting to being a follower of an uptight dude, named Keith Olberman, who whines all night on MSNBC.

Get ready – for this will be the first in a series of rave Metal reviews I will be doing regarding this W.A.S.P. Babylon album. It is that unreal great. Oh well, I have to listen to the boss at Metal Odyssey and he says I have to do it this way… that boss is me. Isolating songs from a great Heavy Metal album like Babylon and writing about them, is more of a deserving tribute to a Metal accomplishment by Blackie Lawless and W.A.S.P., in my Metal opinion. The only song I will comment on, in this first edition of W.A.S.P. Babylon reviews, is the cover song Burn. This 1974 Classic Hard Rock song from the ultra incredible Deep Purple, is now also an unbelievable Heavy Metal classic, courtesy of Blackie Lawless and his band. I listened to this W.A.S.P. cover of Burn at least six times repeatedly… it blew my Metal mind. Blackie Lawless on vocals is Metal mesmerizing, I can hear the love and passion he truly has for this song… very loud and very clear. W.A.S.P. signs, seals and delivers Burn in powerful Heavy Metal style, nothing formal, no black tie required.

Deep Purple "Burn" small album picI will always believe, that it is extremely hard to cover a song of this magnitude, without tripping up somewhere along the way. Nothing beats a Hard Rock Classic, especially one from Deep Purple. David Coverdale will forever have the notoriety of originally vocalizing Burn with Deep Purple. David Coverdale’s  vocal signature on the original version of Burn, plus his historical importance to Heavy Metal is immeasurable, in my most honest Metal opinion. Fast forward to 2009 and Burn is resurrected from the archives of Hard Rock history, thanks to W.A.S.P.. Blackie Lawless maintains the signature keyboards of Burn, reestablishing the importance this instrument has within this song. Doug Blair on lead guitar, cements himself as an asset, to the Heavy Metal identity that is W.A.S.P., on this amazing cover song. Burn returns and rises like a flaming phoenix, with Blackie Lawless unleashing this song’s power and exposing it’s grandeur for all Heavy Metal time.

W.A.S.P. "Babylon" large album pic #2

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IN THIS MOMENT – Covers “Call Me” with Heavy Metal respect

Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's popular rock bands, 1980's rock music, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's classic rock songs, 1980's hard rock, Century Media, century media records, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock cover songs, classic rock music, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, cool album covers, cover songs, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal music, essential heavy metal albums, essential heavy metal songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal cover songs, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs 2009, heavy metal this decade, heavy metal vocalists, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, Music, new wave music 1980, rock music, vintage rock albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 14, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

In This Moment "The Dream" Deluxe cover small picI really, really, really like In This Moment… especially the vocal talent of Maria Brink. I bought The Dream last September of 2008, man, what an album. Collectively speaking, In This Moment put out one incredibly melodic Heavy Metal album of songs, with The Dream. Sure, In This Moment took on a more mainstream Heavy Metal sound, yet it hooked me line and Metal sinker. On June 30, 2009, In This Moment released The Ultra Violet Edition of The Dream, (on Century Media Records), which includes several additional bonus tracks and videos. One bonus song that has really grabbed ahold of my Metal awareness and senses is the cover of the Blondie Rock classic – Call Me. In my most honest of Metal opinions, In This Moment covers Call Me with the upmost of Heavy Metal respect. Too often, I am not a fan of how a Classic Rock song gets covered… I always like to see a great Rock song from decades past get it’s just due. Maria Brink vocally gives Call Me her very own identity, without sacrificing the original character and emotion of the original. In This Moment Rocks this song to new heights, for me.

As I see it, In This Moment can do no wrong right now… they are on a tremendously heavy roll and there hopefully is no Metal limit for this band in the future. For me, this cover of Call Me is one that I need to hear consecutive times over, to get my Metal fill. I will always revere the original version of Call Me by Blondie, Deborah Harry shall never take a back seat to Maria Brink. I am just psyched out that there are now two versions of this great Rock Classic, for me to get pumped up from. The original version of Call Me by Blondie caught my ears attention back in 1980, when I was fourteen years old… the cover version of Call Me by In This Moment has made it two times a Metal charm for me, in 2009.

Giving credit where it is due, Blondie released Call Me in February of 1980, on the American Gigolo Soundtrack. Call Me was a #1 hit single on the Billboard Chart in 1980 for Blondie as well. Blondie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

In This Moment "The Dream" Deluxe cover large pic

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SAVATAGE – “Day After Day” cover song was in my head today

Posted in 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal ballads, 1980's heavy metal cover songs, 1980's live heavy metal albums, 1980's popular rock bands, 1980's rock music, 1980's hard rock, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, 1986 heavy metal albums, 1986 heavy metal music, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, classic metal, essential hard rock albums, essential heavy metal albums, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1986, heavy metal cover songs, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal on vinyl, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, Music, old school heavy metal, vintage heavy metal albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 19, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

16375You know those moments or days when  you experience a song that just seems to arrive or enter your mind, without being invited? It is subconscious for certain, something triggers a particular song to begin playing in my brain, be it secondary thoughts, reflections, images and/or events that happen in the course of a day’s routine. Today, I had the Savatage cover song of “Day After Day” playing repeat in my head. I honestly do not know why. I have not listened to this song from Savatage for many years, possibly a couple of decades. “Day After Day” is a song from the Savatage album “Fight For The Rock”, (released back in 1986). It is a cool song, without doubt  a Hard Rock, borderline Heavy Metal cover version, compared to the original 1971 Rock version from Badfinger. I used to have this original “Fight For The Rock” vinyl, heck, I bought it back when it first came out. Over the years, I sold it for some oddball reason or another.

“Fight For The Rock” was not an album representing the Progressive Metal that Savatage is now so well known for. This is a unique album out of the Savatage  Metal catalog. Personally, I cannot look down on this album just because it was a detour from the Metal sound that Savatage was creating, up to the point of it’s release. Savatage certainly powered back mightily with future albums that bestowed their heaviness and Progressive Metal songs. As I see it, I bought this album back in 1986 for a reason… I liked it, I liked Savatage and their brand of Metal, still do. I have always been an admirer of the vocals of Jon Oliva and the guitar play of his brother Criss Oliva. This album must have made an impression on me many years ago for “Day After Day” to suddenly play over inside of my head today.

200px-Fight_for_the_Rock

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