PAUL GRAY – It has been reported today, through numerous news sources, that on this day – May 24, 2010, Paul Gray, founding member, bass guitarist and #2 of Slipknot, has passed away at age 38. I will abstain from any details, except for one, that I have read in regards to Paul Gray’s passing away, I just do not want to pass along any information that may change in the coming hours and/or days. The only detail I feel comfortable relaying is the cause of death is unknown at this time. I will admit, this has been a very sad year thus far for “famous” musicians passing on. Paul Gray was without question, a key figure and talent within Sipknot.
Metal Odyssey expresses the sincerest condolences to Paul Gray’s family, band mates, friends and fans. He shall forever be in peace… and hopefully Rockin’ in Heaven with Ronnie James Dio, Peter Steele, The Reverend, John Lennon, Buddy Holly and Elvis too. That’s how I like to make sense of it all.
I have always looked upon Slipknot as a formidable presence in the world of Heavy Music. I became a fan of their style, music and legitimacy as a top tier band. Paul Gray deserves much credit for his accomplishments with Slipknot. Paul Gray shall certainly be missed.
In the past, I have posted about Slipknot a couple of times. I would like to share them now, with you, if you so desire to read them. I, like so many other fans, want to celebrate the music of Paul Gray… for at the end of the day, that is all it is, in it’s fabulous and inspiring glory, regardless of genre. Music.
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:
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.
DIO – With Ronnie James Dio’s passing away on May 16, 2010, I, like so many countless other fans, have been listening to his music this week with a lump in our throats and knots in our stomachs. To recommend a DIO album to someone who is totally “new” to the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal of Ronnie James Dio, I would point out ALL. Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, DIO… the Metal sky is the limit for new fans. Still, the obvious way to recruit new fans to the magical voice that Ronnie James Dio bestowed upon us, is to have that greatest hits available and at the Metal ready.
Any and all new fans to Ronnie James Dio MUST just acquire or purchase – The Very Beast Of DIO, which was released back in October of 2000. I bought this CD, despite having the albums that are represented on this compilation, be it vinyl, cassette or CD. I was browsing the CD aisle at Walmart a couple of years ago, The Very Beast Of DIOwas there and it was only 7 dollars (U.S.), if my Metal memory serves me correct. I bought it finally because it is DIO and this CD was an arms length from me. Plus, all of the “hits” are on this CD… 16 monster hits from DIO! From Stand Up And Shout to Strange Highways, with Mystery and Rock ‘N’ Roll Children in-between, a DIO greatest hits is a Metal necessity.
However… don’t get me wrong… ANY album from DIO shall suffice! Of course, there are the fan favorites to choose, nonetheless, there is not a bummer album out there, with Ronnie James Dio on lead vocals. Metal be thy name.
Dive into Holy Diver from 1983.An amazing debut album from DIO… pure Metal brilliance. You can read what I wrote about this DIO album, back on June 17, 2009, by clicking the header below:
The Last In Line from 1984 is… incredible. You can check out my post I wrote about this DIO album, back on August 12, 2009, by clicking the header below:
Get submersed into the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal roots of the 1978 Rainbow album – Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll… and don’t forget to sing along once you instantly catch onto the lyrics of the songs. Back on May 19, 2009, I wrote just how I feel about this ultra great Rainbow album with Ronnie James Dio on vocals. If you like, you can read it by clicking that big header below:
The second Black Sabbath album featuring Ronnie James Dio on vocals is… Mob Rules, released back in 1981. An unreal and jaw dropping Heavy Metal album is Mob Rules. On May 23, 2009, I wrote about this album too… and how it RULES. One click to the header below will let you read all about it:
On April 28, 2009, the reunion album of the Ronnie James Dio fronted Black Sabbath took on an entirely new name… Heaven & Hell. The album title – The Devil You Know. I was not just counting down the weeks and days for this albums release… I was counting the F’n hours! On April 30, 2009, I wrote with Metal glee about how I felt listening to this Heaven & Hell album, with Ronnie James Dio at the vocal helm. Click the header below to read what I had to say… if you like.
On March 18, 2010, I wrote just how I feel about Ronnie James Dio. A Hard Rock and Heavy Metal vocalist, lyricist and songwriter that captured my Metal heart and soul so many Metal moons ago. The header below, can take you to read what I had to say, on that day, about Ronnie James Dio:
As I have had a couple of days to let it all sink in, the passing of Ronnie James Dio is reality. This is what life is about… people are born and people pass on. I love the old saying: As one door closes, another door opens. I certainly pray and assume the door to Heaven has opened for Ronnie James Dio. God Bless you Ronnie James Dio.
DANGEROUS TOYS – Just when you thought that 1989 was the beginning of the end for Heavy Metal and Hard Rock going into the ’90’s… think again! Here is yet another example, of a band that made some serious heavy noise at the onset of the Grunge invasion and right into the mid ’90’s… Dangerous Toys. Based on the songs from this 1989 debut album, Dangerous Toys put a dose of the “F” word into their songs lyrics,… “F” for fun that is. Don’t let the fun lyrics fool you though… this band could play the heavy with Metal ease… and still can. Jason McMaster’s vocals is stuff of Old School… this entire album for Metal sakes is, as well.
I like this debut Dangerous Toys album a whole Metal bunch. Teas’n, Pleas’n is just one of many kickin’ songs from that album. I still own a copy of this Dangerous Toys debut on… yeah, yeah, yeah, it’s on cassette. So Metal be it, it still plays!
Here’s hoping you like Dangerous Toys and Teas’n, Pleas’n like I do. If that’s the Metal case, crank up this song LOUD and be glad you did!
* Check out the myspace music page for Dangerous Toys by clicking the link below:
RONNIE JAMES DIO – Metal Odyssey wants to extend the deepest, most heart felt condolences to Wendy Dio, all of Ronnie James Dio’s family, friends, band mates of both past and present and his fans. Upon learning the sad news of Ronnie James Dio passing away today, May 16, 2010, I felt shock and grief, just as any fan has. Ronnie James Dio put up his valiant fight against cancer and heaven gained a Hard Rock and Heavy Metal patriarch. Arguably the greatest, if not one of the greatest singers in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal history was Ronnie James Dio. I, myself, have revered and enjoyed his voice, lyrics and songwriting for more than words can describe.
When I was a young teen, I did not listen very well to the adults trying to teach me in school. I did however, listen quite well to Ronnie James Dio through his songs. Be it Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath or his very own band DIO, the vocals and lyrics of Ronnie James Dio spoke to me… a friend that I only knew through songs and albums. I, like so many countless other fans, have felt that connection to Ronnie James Dio every time an album of his is played. For me, it never matters as to which Ronnie James Dio album that I listen to… I love them all. Ronnie James Dio was a living Hard Rock and Heavy Metal legend for decades and he shall remain a legend for eternity.
I feel blessed that I was able to see Ronnie James Dio in concert once, with his own band DIO. I still look back on that concert as if it were yesterday. Savatage and Megadeth were the opening bands for this DIO concert too… a Metal memory forever forged into my mind and soul. I shall miss knowing Ronnie James Dio is still around and making music. However, God wanted Ronnie James Dio to suffer no more… my only message to Heaven and the angels above is this – your all going to Rock like you never have before and Ronnie James Dio is gonna show you how.
In all of my life, I swear to never take the family and friends that surround me for granted. I don’t take for granted the musicians and bands that I am a fan of either. There shall never be another Ronnie James Dio and I shall never, ever, stop listening to his music for as long as I live. I will miss you Ronnie James Dio, words will never be able to express just how much. My tears today are not to be mistaken for only sadness of your passing… instead, they are to be understood as just how much your music meant to me on a deep and personal level. This by far, is the most difficult time I have ever had in my life writing for I am saying goodbye to Ronnie James Dio. Still, I am writing about a man that has given my life incredible joy through his music and I owe him a heartfelt thank you.
Rest In Peace Ronnie James Dio, you deserve your rightful place in Heaven.
KORN – RoadRunner Records revealed on Friday, May 14, 2010, via their website, the new album artwork for KORN IIIRemember Who You Are, along with the track listing. KORN III Remember Who You Are will be the ninth studio release from this legendary Nu Metal/Alternative Metal giant. Call it what you will… KORN is still heavy and the Heavy Metal world only gets more muscle bound by their return… in my Metal opinion. Check out the track listing for KORN III Remember Who You Are below! Also, the new album cover is really chilling… whoa. Leave it to KORN to get into the issues of our society once again! What do you think of this album cover? I’ll tell you right now… it creeps the hell out of me. This album cover speaks volumes for what currently is a societal evil that exists and lurks today, an evil that the world can live without. What else can I say, really, that’s my honest Metal opinion. Leave a comment and get it off your Metal chest!
METAL CHURCH: Back on July 7, 2009, the home page for the official Metal Church website read:
“A message from the band..
July 7 , 2009
To all of our fans and friends…
We regretfully announce that Metal Church is calling it quits.
The performance at Rocklahoma will be our last show. We have had to cancel the shows scheduled for August and that, among other things, has led us to have to make this decision.
There has been far too much frustration and disappointment in trying to keep moving forward. The collapse of our record company, SPV, has made it next to impossible for us continue in any kind of professional manner due to lack of tour support. This decision was not made lightly.
We do have unfinished business in the studio, and with any luck we will have something that will be of interest to Metal Church fans in the near future.
We would like to thank all the fans that have stuck with Metal Church through all these years, the line-up changes and the ups and downs.
We can’t tell you how much your support has meant to us, we appreciate each and every one of you.
It’s been a great ride… thanks for being a part of it.
Metal Church”
I can understand that there are situations that are beyond any band’s control… yet this news has NOT set right with me since last July of 2009. Consistently, over the past year, I have tried to ignore this news of Metal Church calling it quits, thinking that one of these days I would visit their website, to read that they are coming back after all. Unfortunately, that has not been the Metal case.
Please, Kurdt Vanderhoof, reassess the might and magnitude that your Metal Church band still has to offer. Lineup changes are common place in Rock ‘N’ Roll across the board… each and every Metal Church lineup over the years has been extremely credible, from the song writing and lyrics to the Metal Music itself, Metal Church was and always will be an ultra quality Metal brand and band in the vast world of music. Sure, there will always be an opinion as to the best Metal Church lineup and album comparisons within the Metal Church catalog. Yet, I don’t want those debates or discussions to ever end!
If there ever was a time in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal history, where the excitement has been so high for these incredible genres, reunions of Old School Bands so numerous, credible new albums being released from veteran bands and the loyalty from a generation of 1980’s fans so rabid… it is NOW. Any record company with any comprehension of how popular Metal Church is, should be jumping at the chance to sign you. Please reconsider calling it quits Kurdt Vanderhoof and Metal Church… your not that old yet, your fans aren’t going away and I’m speaking for hopefully, most of them. A Heavy Metal world without Metal Church leaves a unique void.
At the end of the Metal day, I can still respect and accept the fact that Kurdt Vanderhoof needs to close the book on this Metal Church legacy. In no Metal way, shape or form, do I want to come across as a selfish fan. I believe in that old saying… when one Metal door shuts, another Metal door opens. It just doesn’t feel like it should be the end though…
LONG LIVE METAL CHURCH.
IT IS LIKE SAYING GOODBYE TO A METAL BUDDY, YET SAYING GOODBYE WAY TOO SOON.
METALMEISTER – Released back on July 23, 1996, on the legendary Metal Blade Records, this compilation of fifteen songs is a molten fireball of Metal Music! Fifteen bands, all signed to the Metal Blade Records label, (as of 1996), are featured on Metalmeister. From Cannibal Corpse and GWAR to Armored Saint, Metal Blade Records never put up any boundaries when it comes to Metal Music… and they still don’t. Metalmeister may be out of print, alas, I have seen numerous new copies for sale at Amazon.com for slightly over $1 U.S.!! That’s one meager buck for a heavy swath of Metal, Metalheads!
The one track on Metalmeister that isn’t heavy at all is Fall-Dark Waters by Decoryah. It’s quite an atmospheric song, reminiscent of The Alan Parsons Project. (!) Believe me, that is my most honest Metal opinion I have of this song. Plus, as a mellow bonus, this song clocks in at 7:16 too. I am not dismissing myself from ever listening to this song ever again, it’s just that it does not “fit in” with this Metalmeister compilation at all. In case you are wondering… Decoryah was a dark/ambient Doom Metal band from Finland, releasing two albums, two EP’s and two demos from 1992 to 1997. My Metal research has found this band broke up in 1997.
Wretched by The Crisis is just that, plus it sounds like the Pop Rock Band… Hanson going all Death Metal on my brain. I really don’t know of any other songs and or albums from The Crisis, this is just my Metal opinion on the one song from them, heard straight from Metalmeister.
Thankfully, the track immediately following this Wretched song is Here In After by Immolation. (Phew), Immolation does a Metal brain good, especially after listening to a Metal? song that leaves me bewildered. The song Here In After is Immolation NOT fooling around… this Death Metal Band always delivers the heaviest of goods to my ears. Metal be thy name.
Meat Sandwich by GWAR is… vintage… GWAR. There is something about these unearthly beings that makes me listen to them, with the upmost Metal curiosity. Meat Sandwich is as entertaining lyrically as it is Metal groovy.
Meat Sandwich can be found on the RAGNAROK album, released back on October 24, 1995, on of course, Metal Blade Records. Here is what the RAGNAROK album cover looks like:
Well, I covered my least liked songs first… then Immolation and GWAR saved the Metal day… now for the really cool Metal… step in Armored Saint. Creepy Feelings is listed on Metalmeister as previously unreleased material and from a 1989 demo tape. This was 1996 when this album was released, thus Creepy Feelings was very much a previously unreleased track of the time. Fast forward to March 7, 2000, when the Armored Saint album – Revelation was released… Creepy Feelings was included on it. This song is a killer… a melodic and hard driving force is Creepy Feelings with John Bush vocally at his finest.
This is what the Revelation album looks like:
I also posted a review for Armored Saint – Revelation back on July 24, 2009. You can read it if you like, by clicking the link below:
Psychotic Companion by Galactic Cowboys exhibits flashes of Thrash, Funk Metal and Heavy Metal commercial accessibility. One damn decent band was Galactic Cowboys, a cool song to have in this Metalmeister mix of Metal candy.
Blue Suit, Brown Shirt by one of Thrash Metal’s best non-limelight bands – Sacred Reich, is as hot as a blow torch firing straight up from hell. This song lasts 2:27 and it alone is worth the $1 and change you will pay for this Metalmeister CD. Mercyful Fate appears with Into The Unkownand is always worth a half dozen repeat listens… for me. King Diamond… ’nuff said. Into The Unknown is from the 1996 Mercyful Fate album… you guessed it… Into The Unknown.
Here is what the Into The Unknown album cover looks like:
Track Listing For Metalmeister – A Metal Blade Compilation:
Mummified In Barbed Wire – Cannibal Corpse
Psychotic Companion – Galactic Cowboys
Blue Suit, Brown Shirt – Sacred Reich
Into The Unknown – Mercyful Fate
Meat Sandwich – GWAR
The Enemy Inside – Six Feet Under
She Said – Skrew
Scorched Earth – Wardog
Here In After – Immolation
Wretched – Crisis
Before Today, Beyond Tomorrow – Desultory
The Curse – Ancient
Kill Yourself For Business – United
Fall-Dark Waters – Decoryah
Creepy Feelings – Armored Saint
* I received this Metalmeister CD as part of a “Christmas present stash” from Best Metal buddy Scott Coverdale… thanks buddy! This CD has proven to be the Metal gift that keeps on giving.
* Metalmeister– A Metal Blade Compilation was produced by Brian Slagel.
DEATH – I’d have to say, without any hesitation, that Death –Live In L.A. (Death & Raw) is a scorcher of a live Death Metal album. If one wants to know where it all began with the Death Metal genre… one needs to get their ears glazed over with the power and force of Death’s original brand of Metal. A gigantic band in the history of Metal music is Death, with the late Chuck Schuldiner bringing to the forefront a Metal sound of extreme muscularity, embodied with his vocals, guitar and song writing. An unreal and unparalleled legacy of music… Death Metal Music, has Chuck Schuldiner left for us Metal fans to enjoy for generations to come.
Live In L.A. is rich with the heavy sound of Death, a top quality recording. This is not just some live album slapped and pieced together here… listening to Live In L.A. actually takes me there in my mind, to that actual Death concert back in 1998. I wish I really was at this concert, unfortunately I never did see Death live. The reality is in the listening to this excellent album of live Death songs, I can only marvel at how Chuck Schuldiner can pull me into the music he and Death are playing. This Live In L.A. album needs to be brought up for it’s credibility as a live album and for it’s powerful listen into Old School Death Metal.
When the topic of “most important” Metal bands comes my way, I most certainly consider Death to be in the equation. To incorporate lyrical themes of gore as well as social reality, in the way Chuck Schuldiner had accomplished, was only magnified to a profound level, by the extremely heavy sound of Death’s music. Chuck Schuldiner and Death figured most prominently in the formation of the Death Metal genre, still, putting genres aside, the legacy of Chuck Schuldiner and Death have also figured equally prominent in the history of Metal Music too… in my Metal opinion.
If I can recruit just a few readers to check out this live Death album, then I have done my Metal deed for the day. The heavy grooves are there, just waiting to be savored and heard on Live In L.A. (Death & Raw). Veteran Death fans know. New fans and younger generations should at least know, that Chuck Schuldiner and his band Death defined a genre. You won’t read that in any mainstream Pop Rock magazine.
* Live In L.A. was recorded on December 5, 1998, in of course, L.A., at Whiskey A Go-Go. This was one of 24 tour dates on The Sound Of Perseverance 1998 America Tour.
* Death – Live In L.A. (Death & Raw)was released on October 16, 2001 on Nuclear Blast Records.
* For those new to this legendary band known as DEATH, Chuck Schuldiner passed away on December 13, 2001, at age 34.
DEATH as they appeared on Live In L.A. (Death & Raw):
Chuck Schuldiner – vocals & guitar
Richard Christy – drums
Scott Clendenin – bass
Shannon Hamm – guitar
Track Listing For DEATH- LIVE IN L.A. (Death & Raw):
Intro / The Philosopher
Spirit Crusher
Trapped In A Corner
Scavenger Of Human Sorrow
Crystal Mountain
Flesh And The Power It Holds
Zero Tolerance
Zombie Ritual
Suicide Machine
Together As One
Empty Words
Symbolic
Pull The Plug
Rest In Peace, Chuck Schuldiner, your music lives on.
ACCEPT – has returned! On September 14, 2010, the twelfth studio album – Blood Of The Nations, from this legendary Heavy Metal band from Germany, will be unleashed upon the world of Metal! Just click on that really cool video box below to hear the track – The Abyss from the forthcoming Blood Of The Nations.
It’s been 14 years since the last ACCEPT album was released – 1996’s Predator. Founding member and lead singer Udo Dirkschneider is unfortunately no longer with ACCEPT, instead he is continuing on with a very strong and successful solo career with his very own Heavy Metal band – U.D.O., which testifies to Udo’s unrelenting allegiance to Metal. In my Metal opinion, ACCEPT with Udo Dirkschneider as lead singer is the real deal. Regardless, there are many other instances in the history of Metal where legendary lead singers change bands… (Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden), just to name a few Heavy Metal powerhouses that have had a changeover at the mic.
* ACCEPT has been down this Metal road before, regarding a change at lead vocalist. The 1989 ACCEPT studio album – Eat The Heat featured David Reece on lead vocal duty.
The new lead singer for ACCEPT – Mark Tornillo, (of TT Quick fame), is leading the vocal charge in 2010 and I really, really, like what I hear thus far from his vocals, on the song – The Abyss. ACCEPT returns with original members – Wolf Hoffman on guitar and Peter Baltes on bass. ACCEPT alumnus and guitarist Herman Frank is on board with this 2010 reunion album as well. Heavy Metal drummer extraordinaire and ACCEPT alum, Stefan Schwarzmann,will be reigning behind the kit.
* Upon my Metal research, I have found no definitive or official track listing for Blood Of The Nations as of May 3rd, 2010. I don’t want to post any “tentative” song titles just yet… staying credible is Metal rule #1 at Metal Odyssey. The Abyss is obviously a legitimate and yes, credible song that has been released to the general public thus far… and what a Heavy Metal song it is! The Abyss is heavy, hard, lean and gritty… Old School too! Just the way I Metal like it. Welcome back ACCEPT!
* A Metal kudos goes out to Scott Coverdale for steering me straight towards this new ACCEPT track – The Abyss! Thanks Metal buddy!
* Get more ACCEPT info – up to the minute by clicking on these ACCEPT links below:
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.
JUDAS PRIEST – Turbo was released on Columbia Records, back on April 14, 1986. This Turbo album, is my least favorite Judas Priest album. There. I said it. Now, does that mean I would never listen to Turbo ever again? Of course not. By process of Metal elimination, there has to be my least favorite Judas Priest album… Turbo unfortunately gets the Metal nod for being the one. I revere Judas Priest… they are and always shall be a core band of mine. Therefore, I am not about to pick apart an album where they chose to experiment with synthesizers and melody. I have and always shall accept Turbo for what it is… a detour during the unreal and great legacy of Judas Priest.
Let’s face it, Turbo has eventually become not the drastic detour that Judas Priest would ever undertake. Nostradamus released in 2008, is a far superior musical detour than Turbo. I really feel that this Nostradamus album has motivated me to embrace the maturation process of Metal bands that I uphold. I find the Nostradamus album to be an exquisite listen in not just Metal… it’s an exquisite listen in music period. Well, not to get off the Metal track here… back to Turbo.
I remember buying the Turbo album, (on vinyl), along with Ozzy Osbourne’s album from 1986 – The Ultimate Sin. It was an early Spring day back in 1986 when I bought these two albums together… I was Metal psyched. I eventually upgraded both Turboand The Ultimate Sin to CD… and I still have The Ultimate Sin on CD, Turbo I sold for a few bucks years ago. Now, regardless of looking upon Turboas my least favorite Judas Priest album… I uncannily miss having it around. I do have easy access to the song Turbo Lover, it’s on a Judas Priest “Greatest Hits” CD I have:
The Best Of Judas Priest: Living AfterMidnight
This “Best Of” CD really is power packed with some vintage Judas Priest songs and worth owning, especially if you have “holes” in your Judas Priest album/CD collection.
I will admit, the song Parental Guidance used to get me psyched out. It was the whole anti-establishment and anti-authority thing happening in my brain back then. I still stand strongly behind this song’s anti-censorship theme. I’ve read that this song was Judas Priest taking a direct aim at the constipated PMRC… if true, a Metal kudos to The Priest!
The Turbo album does rekindle some cool memories for me though… man, this CD was always cranked up to the max at every keg party I hosted, back around 1986 – 1988. There always was someone who wanted to hear Turbo back then at my parties… it was popular for the first few years or so it seemed. When I do hear the song Turbo Lover now, it reminds me of those hot Summer nights back in the late 80’s. No, not that kind of “hot Summer night”… this song really reminds me of hanging out on a hot and humid Summer night and drinking beer. Go F’n figure.
So there you have it… I consider Turbo as my least favorite Judas Priest album ever, the album as a whole reminds me of keg parties I hosted as a much younger dude and Turbo Lover reminds me of hot and humid Summer nights of hanging out and drinking beer. Throw in the fact that I kinda miss owning Turbo too. I guess I couldn’t be more Metal honest than that.
“I’M YOUR TUBO LOVER… TELL ME THERE’S NO OTHER”… NOW, SOMEONE PASS ME A COLD ONE. PLEASE.
KROKUS – The new album from Switzerland’s greatest Heavy Music achievement is available as an import right now… and I landed my copy yesterday. Metal buddy – Metal Mark over at the super cool Heavy Metal Time Machine had received one too many copies from the record company to review… he was Metal kind enough to pose the Metal question to me: “you want one”? Of course, my Metal answer was a resounding YES! Thanks Metal Mark!
Usually, I tend to do album reviews in say… 500 to sometimes, 900 or more words. I like to blab about music… Heavy Metal and Hard Rock Music just gets my Metal brain working at top speed while I write about it… Metal be thy name. Then, there are those times when I listen to an album and it is like… whoa, what can I possibly say or write other than holy crap, this is great stuff! Enter… Hoodoo.
From the onset, it is Classic Krokus. No Midnite Maniac stuff happening here on Hoodoo, this is back to the days of One Vice At A Time and Headhunter here. I like the late 80’s Krokus and the very recent Hellraiser album from 2006. Rock The Block from 2003 Rocked my Metal world! Plus, I will still crank up Midnite Maniac very loud… Metal truth be told. Yet, Hoodoo is different… Classic different! This is the Classic lineup of Krokus as well, therefore, Hoodoo was destined to sound so damn great.
I’ve been a big pushover for the song Hoodoo Woman, ever since I first heard it and saw the music video over at Hard Rock Hideout. In My Blood gets my Metal motor revving on high too… I feel like Krokus has given their fans the elixir for Hard Rock and Heavy Metal super bliss. Excuse me please, while I come across as a lifelong Krokus fan. Can’t F’n help it.
Dirty Street just keeps coming at me with that beat and repeat… Old School never sounded so unreal cool. The Steppenwolf cover song – Born To Be Wild is point blank perfect for this Hoodoo album. As I stated earlier, this is one of those albums where I’m cutting it short and telling it like it is… this Hoodoo album ROCKS!
AS KROKUS THEMSELVES, SO METAL ELOQUENTLY PUT IT…
THE PAST IS BACK TO KICK OUR ASS!!
… AND THE HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL PAST CAN KICK MY ASS ANY DAY!
EDGUY – Released their CD single Lavatory Love Machine back on June 21st, 2004, on Nuclear Blast Records. I purchased this cool EDGUY CD single about two years ago, on the Century Media Records website… CM Distro. Now, Lavatory Love Machine is out of print, still I have currently seen it for sale both new and used through Amazon.com.
For anyone unfamiliar with EDGUY, they are a Power Metal/Heavy Metal band from Germany. EDGUY could have easily fit right into the mid to late 80’s Heavy Metal mix – for their sound has all the trappings of Old School flavor… in myMetal opinion. From 1997 thru 2009, EDGUY has released eight studio albums, two live albums, three CD singles, two EP’s and two compilation/greatest hits albums.
I do like to collect the rare and out of print albums, cassettes and CD’s of my favorite bands. Many times, I have no Metal clue that a particular title is even out of print… until I stumble on an article or online music retail store that expresses those magic words: productdiscontinued by manufacturer.
The single Lavatory Love Machine is from the 2004 EDGUY studio album – Hellfire Club. This song has all the power driven, Arena style Heavy Metal that the late 80’s was famous for. An acoustic version of Lavatory Love Machine is on this single as well, of course it is much more mellow and toned down. I’ll Cry For You is an acoustic ballad as well, it showcases the open approach that lead vocalist Tobias Sammet has taken musically, throughout his entire career, with EDGUY. This is a band that can slam it down unreal heavy and still sound great (and cool) doing the soft stuff.
Reach Out is another… ballad. More on the “power” ballad side, Reach Out I gravitate towards courtesy of Tobias Sammet… I really like the believable emotion his vocals radiate on this song. There is no guitar, bass or drums on Reach Out, just some inspiring keyboards and piano. The “power” of this song is derived from Tobias Sammet’s vocals, in my Metal opinion.
I sound like a broken record when stating that I’m not the big ballad dude, only there are those times where I do listen to them, they fall into my lap so to speak. Keeping an open Metal mind is what I try to do and if the ballad works for my ears, then Metal be thy name.
* The music video for LavatoryLove Machine is also on this CD single, I’d swear it was a late 80’s music video due to it’s Old School approach. A fun video to watch!
* I’ll Cry For You is a cover song originally found on the Europe album from 1991 – Prisoners in Paradise.
* Tracks 1 thru 3 can also be found on the 2008 EDGUY album – The Singles.
* Reach Out can be found on the Japanese import version of EDGUY – Rocket Ride, released in 2006. Lavatory Love Machine (Acoustic Version) is found on this same Japanese version of Rocket Ride too. It gets very confusing, when tracking down when specific songs were released and on what album!
Track Listing For Lavatory Love Machine:
1. Lavatory Love Machine
2. Lavatory Love Machine (Acoustic Version)
3. I’ll Cry For You – (Europe Cover Song)
4. Reach Out
Lavatory Love Machine – (video clip) – complete music video
EDGUY, as they appeared on the Lavatory Love Machine CD Single:
Tobias Sammet – vocals
Jens Ludwig – guitar & backing vocals
Dirk Sauer – guitar & backing vocals
Tobias “Eggi” Exxel – bass & backing vocals
Felix Bohnke – drums, percussion
* Frank Tischer – plays piano on Reach Out. It is my best Metal guess, that Tobias Sammet plays keyboards on Reach Out, no documentation can be found in the liner notes to support this Metal guess however.
M3 ROCK FESTIVAL – On June 19th, 2010, the M3 Rock Festival once again returns… and this year I’m there! I already received my two tickets through the “snail mail” this past Friday and with that… it is Metal official! What a glorious day of Rock ‘N’ Roll it shall be. Hard Rock, Heavy Metal and Hair Metal fans unite! The juicy part of this entire M3 Rock Festival is that the unreal legendary Scorpions will be headlining! Getting an opportunity to see this historic Heavy Metal band on their farewell tour is a Metal privilege I shall cherish forever.
My other ticket for M3 will be for my best Metal buddy – Scott Coverdale. With all of his Metal research and CD’s he has uncovered for Metal Odyssey to jump up and down about… he deserves my buying his ticket. Plus, I’ll even splurge for the room and board Coverdale needs too… he is traveling from very expensive Connecticut to Pennsylvania, then he is driving my Metal lovin’ behind down to M3. That’s a Metal buddy.
I’m looking forward to meeting up with my other Metal buddies from Hard Rock Hideout too! Rob Rockitt, Brian Basher, and Ryo Vie are on board. I have already met up with Ryo Vie, he and I checked out Charm City Devils and Pop Evil together back in March of this year… he has a cool blog too called – The Rock and Roll Guru.
Just take a Metal looksie at the outrageously cool lineup of bands that will be Rockin’ the M3 Rock Festival… as I mentioned, headlining is the Scorpions, with Cinderella, Vince Neil, Kix, L.A. Guns, Winger, Warrant, Nelson, Jetboy, Trixter, Bang Tango, Dizzy Reed, ZO2 and Black Mambooza! Now, the only band I’m not familiar with here is… Black Mambooza. Give me time… I’ll rectify that Metal situation soon.
In my Metal past, I have seen Cinderella, Winger and Vince Neil – (fronting the incredible Motley Crue that is). So, getting to M3 to see all of these bands in one day is a Metal dream come true. I anticipate a real cool and gooood time… with hopefully some very cool stories and pics from M3 to share to the Metal and Hard Rock family around the world! Trust me, I’ll get the memories out on Metal Odyssey!
* The M3 Rock Festival is held at the Merriweather Post Pavilion, in Columbia, Maryland.
* For more info and ticket info about the 2010 M3 Rock Festival, click the link below:
OZZY OSBOURNE – released his very first solo live album Speak Of The Devil back on November 27, 1982. I remember getting excited about this new Ozzy album coming out… it was live… it was Ozzy! My late sister Christine, she worked at a department store named Stars back in 1982. This Stars department store sold just about anything and everything, it was a store where you could find faucet washers or chain link that no other hardware store carried. From tampons to cookies to records, Stars had it all! It was our Walmart before we had… a Walmart. Well, this store did not have a very bright store manager… as you will soon find out.
You see, I asked my sister back in late November of 1982, if she could pick me up the new Ozzy Osbourne album for me… Speak Of The Devil. She said it would be no problem at all. Well, it did become a problem. Apparently, the store manager of Stars decided he wanted to “play the dictator card” and ban the Speak Of The Devil album from being sold at Stars. My sister was just as miffed at this as I was back then. She told me, “he” (the store manager), did not like Ozzy Osbourne and abhorred the album cover artwork of Speak Of The Devil, therefore, he did not want this album or any Ozzy Osbourne album for that matter, sold at Stars. The guy was a first class moron, a first rate censorship warlord.
I won’t mention this idiot managers name, (just to protect any of his embarrassed family members). However, his daughter did go to my high school, was a year or two younger than me and she was… a Metalhead. Poor girl, to have a dip-crap father like that… it’s no wonder she didn’t go insane. Plus, this censor police chief of a store manager wore… get this… polyester pants and… turtlenecks. F’n turtlenecks! That is probably where my absolute hatred for turtlenecks was sown. Turtleneck traumatized was I, at a very young age. Seeing that fart face store manager pacing up front of that store, man, the memory is so damned vivid now. Excuse me please, I think I want to go puke right now.
Anyway, to make a sad censorship story better… I did get my hands on Speak Of The Devil at a very non-censored store called Strawberries Records & Tapes. Kiss my Metal butt Stars and your third world nation store manager. My trips to Stars did continue even years after this censorship “issue” with the Speak Of The Devil and all Ozzy Osbourne albums. Stars later named another dude as store manager and he was cool. As for the censorship addict that once reigned as store manager there… well, I don’t really know what happened to him and really don’t give a maggot infested, moose crap either.
Heavy Metal took a beating back in the early days, especially the 1980’s, with censorship jackasses. Maybe this former store manager of Stars became a fan of the overly constipated PMRC? One never knows. All I know is that censorship is creepy, scary and wrong. Censorship of music, art, books or any other “freedom of speech” that America takes for granted has happened and can still happen at any time. Censorship is probably happening right now, in some shape or form, in yes… America. Freedom is fragile, sometimes it is too easy to forget that.
Granted, this story may come across as a “micro” incident in small town America, too long ago to even blink an eye at. Don’t be fooled… history does have a funny way of unfortunately repeating itself.
RATT – O.k., so I bought the new RATT album, um, CD yesterday, on it’s release date of April 20, 2010. Take my Metal word for it… RATT is BACK! Infestation has exceeded my Metal expectations and I am a better Metalhead for it. Actually, I’m in a damn good and cool mood because of this new RATT CD. That’s exactly what these new songs on Infestation does to me, they put me in an – everything is really fine in my world mood. No kidding. Take for example, today… as I drove around the city trying to accomplish some errands, I was cut-off and slighted by many self-entitled, turtleneck wearing, plastic people in their cars. Ah, did I care? Nope. I had the new RATT – Infestation blasting away in my car! All is well with the Metal world!
My favorite song on Infestation is, without a single Metal doubt in my Metal mind… as good as it gets. Whoa, this is RATT 2010 and I’m really, really, psyched out of my Metal skull about this song! While I have listened to this entire Infestation CD, I have come to the realization that this is NOT a RATT CD that needs to be listened to numerous times, in order to make an opinion on. Infestation will either grab your 1980’s Hard Rock and Hair Metal soul or it won’t. RATT has come out swinging, with 11 new songs that exemplify all the great things I remember about this band. Melodic, catchy and Hard & Heavy… RATT ‘N’ ROLL.
Stephen Pearcy has not lost any of his cool swagger with his vocals. Carlos Cavazo can still contribute like a Metal whiz kid, with writing music and playing guitar. Warren DeMartini has not skipped a beat as a lead guitarist. Bobby Blotzer hits the skins on Infestation like his life depends on it. Robbie Crane has arrived and conquered on bass. Metal be thy name. Holy crap, RATT was not fooling around with this comeback album.
Some may point the finger at me and say… “hey, dude, your on a RATT high”. My Metal response to such a remark is… damn right I am. Music… Hard Rock and Heavy Metal… are an all natural high for me or any human being to enjoy in life. RATT – Infestation is the new high on the Metal street. Gimme, gimme, gimme more sir. So lest it be written, so lest it be known, right here on Metal Odyssey, on this very day… that this calendar year of 2010 has been… RATTIFIED.
And I’m Metal gratified.
There always was and will be, those nay sayers out there that just don’t like RATT. Well, I don’t like sushi. I like my damn fish cooked please. For those Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fans out there, who do like RATT, love RATT or are just infatuated with this band since their RATT EP came out in 1983… rejoice and accept the rattaholic status you are currently in.
My name is Stone… and I’m a Rattaholic.
After one listen through with Infestation, you are either with the Ratt Pack or out of the Ratt Pack. If your out, there are plenty of ABBA, Jim Nabors and Boxcar Willie albums out there for you to, uh, enjoy. Or, instead, watch some reruns of Dr. Phil.
I feel like I’m on a roll today… RATT ‘N’ ROLL that is.
Track Listing For Infestation:
eat me up alive
best of me
a little too much
look out below
last call
lost weekend
as good as it gets
garden of eden
take a big bite
take me home
don’t let go
* RATT – Infestation was released on RoadRunner Records.
ARMORED SAINT – released their brilliant comeback album La Raza on March 16, 2010. An Old School Heavy Metal with shades of Hard Rock album is La Raza, an unreal quality listen. My favorite song on La Raza is Chilled. Currently, Chilled is a very strong candidate for Metal Odyssey’s song of the year. If I had to choose today, Chilled would be song of the year for 2010… Metal hands down. The lyrics coupled with the melodic totality of this song, just reaches into my Metal soul and shakes me up… in a most exhilarating way!
The vocals of John Bush with every second of Armored Saint’s music consistently heightens the emotion and realism of this song. I have not been this excited over one song in a very, very, long time.
If you have not listened to Chilled from La Raza just yet, here is your chance! As well written a song I have ever heard in my entire Metal life… in myMetal opinion. Just click on the box below and prepare to get Chilled! Oh, uh, don’t forget to play it LOUD too.
KISS – Back on May 20, 1980, Rock icons KISS released their 8th studio album – Unmasked. I honestly love this album, especially the songs IsThat You?, Shandi, Naked City and She’s So European. I posted about how much I adore this KISS album back on September 3, 2009, you can check it out if you like by clicking the header below:
This post is about the incredibly cool poster that came inside the album jacket of Unmasked. (Check out the pic below of me holding this KISS Unmasked poster gem). I never measured this poster for it’s exact dimensions, just by looking at the pic below will show you it’s big enough! I want to definitely frame this KISS Unmasked poster sometime soon. I’ve kept this poster safely tucked away within the Unmasked album jacket sleeve, along with the vinyl of course… since 1983!
I obtained this KISS Unmasked album and poster from a trade I made with a high school classmate… back in 1983. This dude wanted my Billy Squier – Emotions In Emotion album in exchange for this KISS Unmasked album! Back in 1983, when this dude requested this trade, I simply said… no problem! Man, it was a no brainer! I already had KISS Unmasked on 8 track… yes, 8 track, hey, this is 1983 we are discussing here. Therefore, my wanting KISS Unmasked on vinyl made perfect sense at the time… plus I knew the Unmasked poster was included with the trade too.
Don’t get me wrong, I really dig Billy Squier, always have and always will. That Emotions In Motion album is pretty solid, in my Metal opinion. Everybody Wants You and She’s A Runner are my two favorite songs from Emotions In Motion. However, this is a Metal trade that served me right!
I never hung this poster up on a wall, sounds crazy, yet I never had enough room to showcase all of my Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal favorites back in the ’80’s. As I look back now, I’m glad I never did hang up this poster, it probably would have gotten ruined from thumb tacks and sun rays beating on it. This KISS Unmasked poster has been carefully preserved within it’s respective Unmasked album jacket sleeve, after all these years.
Here’s what my KISS Unmasked poster looks like:
This KISS Unmasked poster still has a nice glossy sheen to it too.
Here is the front cover to my KISS Unmasked album. There is some wear along the edges and corners of the album jacket, it has has been played/enjoyed many a time over the years!
Here’s what the back cover of my KISS Unmasked album jacket looks like:
REVOLVER MAGAZINE – has put out a very, very, cool special issue: The Art Of Hard Rock & Heavy Metal. This mag is out now and worth every Metal penny to own! Many past regular issues of Revolver, has included an article pertaining to the history behind a classic Heavy Metal or Hard Rock album cover. This history behind these album covers involves the artist and what thoughts, stories and details surrounded the artwork – from concept to finish. I always state… one can never take in enough Heavy Metal or Hard Rock history, this magazine is Metal knowledge that can only benefit me and you.
I came upon this Revolver Special Issue today, as I was grocery shopping at my local supermarket called Weis. Deciding to take a chance as I meandered down the magazine aisle, hoping that maybe, just maybe, there would be a worthy magazine to pick up, that covers the music I love… and I’m NOT talking about Rolling Stone either. That stroll down the magazine aisle served me right! There it was, this Revolver special issue, with Iron Maiden’s mascot Eddie on the front cover… depicted from their vintage 1981 album cover Killers. The cover price for the magazine is $6.99 (U.S.)… not a shabby deal at all for Heavy Metal and Hard Rock history.
A sampling of album covers that are featured in this Revolver Magazine special issue are: Quite Riot – Metal Health, Megadeth – Peace Sells But Who’s Buying, Sepultura – Chaos A.D., Pantera – Far Beyond Drive,King Diamond – Abigail, Motorhead – Motorhead and Slayer – Reign In Blood. Whoa, unreal great and historic album covers all. A huge Metal kudos to Revolver Magazine for unleashing such a spectacular special issue!
If you can’t locate a copy of Revolver’s – The Art Of Hard Rock & Heavy Metal at retail, click on the link below that takes you right to Revolver’s website, where you can purchase it right there on their online store:
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
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