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KOPEK “WHITE COLLAR LIES” – DEBUT ALBUM IS A PRESENT & FUTURE STANDOUT OF MODERN ROCK

KOPEK – Each era seems to have one, two or maybe three “new” Rock bands that illuminate with an unexpected specialness. Dublin Ireland’s Rockin’ trio named Kopek is special to my ears. It is 2010, and a whole new era of Rock ‘N’ Roll has just begun. Sure, my ears may have some Rock ‘N’ Roll mileage on them, only what I hear in the music from Kopek is Modern Rock that isn’t just shunning that dreadful and uninvited guest named the “status quo”… Kopek has obliterated it with their debut album – White Collar Lies.

The lyrics, song writing, musicianship and Modern Rock angst I hear on White Collar Lies, all points to the direction of Kopek one day becoming bigger than they could ever dream of being. As long as Kopek does not lose sight of keeping their music’s intentional and unintentional sound, feel and message within the parameters of soul and passion, all the while saturating it with pulsating modernism, they may very well be an iconic example of Rock influence in 2020. A momentary sigh of relief came upon me, after my very first listen through of White Collar Lies… there just isn’t any Pop accessibility happening in the music of Kopek. Thank God.

Certainly, the first single from White Collar Lies, Love Is Dead, most credibly will garner enough mainstream attention without a doubt. Once anyone unfamiliar with Kopek listens to Love Is Dead, they shall forever and always know who Kopek is. A personal and emotional Mod Rock march to psyche-out madness, may very well erupt in the streets, if Love Is Dead was played loud upon a giant metropolis. That would probably be a sight to see and doesn’t sound too far fetched, especially once Love Is Dead begins it’s Rockin’ and groovy Modern takeover of your soul.

If I was in charge of handing down the “first single” from White Collar Lies, it would be Cocaine Chest Pains. This opening track on Kopek’s debut not just establishes them as a refreshing and viable Mod Rock Band, this song let’s it be known that Kopek can Rock quite Hard. The song – White Collar Lies is a show stopper in and of itself. The lyrics are applaudable, with Kopek putting a spotlight of despicable shame on corporate greed and selfishness. Kopek plays music that makes me feel like I’m supposed to stand up and be counted, with a seasoned attitude of musicianship radiating from every note, from every song.

It is not difficult to find myself doing a semi-headbang to the Mod Rock of Kopek. Fever is a song that makes my Metalhead soul peek out the cracks and wonder what the hell is going on. Fever should, with it’s melodic foot stomping and Hard Rock influenced edginess, be another single embraced by the whole darn world too. Floridian is the up-tempo ballad that is highlighted by it’s ability to be melodic beyond belief. Inspiring melodies and just brazenly memorable is Floridian, making for guess what? Another potential single from this ultra-dynamic debut album called White Collar Lies.

The trio of Kopek play their instruments so well, it is almost too easy to succumb to, while letting my mind wander off to the lyrics, energy, spirit and mood that Kopek has created throughout White Collar Lies. In the end, the music on White Collar Lies… albeit Modern Rock dominate, still has flashes of Alternative, Rock and at times Hard Rock influences, dictating from beginning to end, that Kopek really can play like their lives depend on it. Lead vocalist Daniel Jordan may very well carry you off, into an excitingly edgy and engagingly powerful world of listening delight. There is a confident streak in Daniel’s vocals, that exhibits the strength in Kopek’s songs.

Kopek laid out their path of music for my ears to journey on, little did I know of the unexpected Rock ‘N’ Roll finds I would encounter along the way while listening to White Collar Lies. Let the uniqueness of Kopek’s Mod Rock blended with Hard edged crunchiness take your ears for a much overdue surprise of Rock newness. Believe me, once you’ve listened to White Collar Lies for yourself, you might very well be thinking this band is special as well.

* Just click on that groovy video box below, to watch and hear just how insanely cool the Kopek song – Love Is Dead from White Collar Lies is. Plus, this Kopek music video comes with Stone’s stamp of Rock ‘N’ Roll approval! Enjoy!

KOPEK ARE:

Daniel Jordan – lead vocals & guitar

Brad Kinsella – bass guitar

Shane Cooney – drums

Track Listing For KOPEK – White Collar Lies:

Cocaine Chest Pains

White Collar Lies

Fever

Love Is Dead

Floridian

Sub Human

The Easy Way (D.B. Cooper)

Bring It On Home

Love Sick Blues

Bigger Than Us All

Sin City

* For more info on KOPEK, just click on the link below:

KOPEK – MySpace Music Page

* KOPEK – White Collar Lies – will have it’s U.S. release, digitally, on June 29, 2010. The physical release for White Collar Lies will be on September 14, 2010. Both digital and physical releases are on Religion Music via SIN/Sony Music Independent Network.

* White Collar Lies was produced by Glenn Herlihy and mixed by Tom Lord-Alge.

Stone.

15 Comments »

SCORPIONS AT M3 ROCK FESTIVAL 2010 – THANK YOU SCORPS!!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal festivals, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock music with tags 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, hard rock music, heavy metal concerts, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2010, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock festivals, rock music, rock music news, scorpions heavy metal band, scorpions live, scorpions m3 rock festival 2010 on June 27, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

SCORPIONS – Last Saturday, June 19, 2010, I and Best Metal Buddy Scott Coverdale watched, sang along to and jumped for Metal joy as the ultra legendary Scorpions performed as the headliner, closing out a memorable day of Hard & Heavy Rock ‘N’ Roll, at the 2010 M3 Rock Festival in Columbia Maryland. Never once did I really dwell about the fact, that this is the Scorpions farewell tour. How could I? The Scorpions, for as long as they were on stage that night, made me feel as though the world around me was in unison with the Metal euphoria that I was experiencing. Sound sappy? Not to me… this was the Scorpions and I was finally seeing them, hearing them and experiencing their songs LIVE. O.k., I did dwell a little.

The Zoo and Big City Nights were two songs the Scorpions played at M3 that I shall never forget. Just the thunderous power from Paweł Mąciwoda’s bass and James Kottak’s drums as The Zoo began it’s Heavy Metal stomp, was an exhilarating feeling and sound to envelope my mind and ears! The power, the excitement, the LOUD Heavy Metal that exploded around me from this Scorpions performance is what I was anticipating and wishing for, weeks leading up to this M3 Rock Festival. To say I felt like a teenager again is an understatement. I did. So be it. It’s not a crime to feel so damn good from the music I am hearing, from a band I revere so highly, in an outdoor live setting like M3. Metal be thy name.

I don’t think I have ever, in my Metal life, sung along to Big City Nights as loud as I did that night at M3. Riveting. My body felt as if I was picked up and given wings to fly, while Big City Nights was being played by the Scorpions. After all these years, of listening to such incredibly classic songs like Blackout, I am finally seeing Klaus Meine on vocals with Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs on guitars… owning the stage. Klaus Meine explained his voice was a tad under the weather, in response to a fan close to the stage wanting him to sing louder. Klaus Meine explained to the thousands of fans that he was – “singing straight from the heart”. Yes, you were Klaus. I and Scott Coverdale were loud and proud lawn creatures for this M3 Rock Festival… and we both heard the great Klaus Meine just fine. Thank you Klaus Meine for giving it all you had that night… I’ll never forget hearing your voice sing live.

I have been ecstatic, blown away and wowed by the new Scorpions album – Sting In The Tail since it’s release day. Hearing the Scorpions play Raised On Rock… live… gave me more ostrich bumps up and down my arms than ever before, in my entire Metal life. If a song is so grand, so personally emotional to me, I can easily be driven to happy tears. Hearing Raised On Rock, played live by the Scorpions that M3 evening, brought me to those happy tears. Sound Sappy? Not to me… this was the Scorpions… F’n live.

Each time a song ended, Klaus Meine would thank the thousands of screaming Scorpions fans. Scott Coverdale still kids me now… and will never, ever, cease to kid me… that I shouted right back – “No, thank you Klaus”!! I could not help myself, I needed to thank Klaus Meine and the Scorpions for all the wonderful moments I spent alone as a teen… listening to their albums and songs for inspiration. Inspiration to get through another grueling day of high school. I was thanking this iconic band for all those wonderful moments, where I partied till dawn with their albums being played… Blackout, Animal Magnetism, In Trance, Savage Amusement and Love At First Sting… just to name more than a few. I was shouting back my “thank you’s” for being a band that my ten year old twin daughters and Rockin’ great wife think are the greatest too.

Seeing, hearing and being a part of the Scorpions live performance at the 2010 M3 Rock Festival was much more about the music, it was about saying goodbye. Saying goodbye to an old, good friend. Saying goodbye to knowing this important and Rock historic band, shall may never get near my neck of the woods again for a concert. Saying goodbye to knowing in three years, it’s over for the Scorpions as a band. Still, in my Metal heart, this night at M3 felt more like a celebration to me. A night to personally celebrate a live performance of the Scorpions and really feel their songs go through me.

I met and talked to a real cool dude this night at M3, he sat in a folding chair next to me on the lawn. A middle aged dude, very friendly and a knowledgeable Scorpions fan. A very loyal Scorpions fan too. You see, this dude checked himself out of a hospital, just before a major operation, with multiple fractures in his hip, just to see his favorite band play live… and bid farewell to them as well. I could see the pain in this dude’s face, yet the Scorpions made him feel no real pain that night… he stood up for the last two songs of their set with some help of his friends… and he sang along with his fists pumping in the air.

When the Scorpions finished their set, with the encore performance of Rock You Like A Hurricane, the celebration was nearing an end and reality began to set in. I fist pumped into the air, sang the lyrics to this ultra memorable song very loudly and felt my body jumping up and down… without my control. This is what Rock ‘N’ Roll is about. This is what the Scorpions are all about. This… is what a band that has meant so much to me, made me feel like that night at M3.

As Scott Coverdale and I made our long trek back to his air conditioned SUV, I felt both exhausted and wired, inspired and very hungry. Walking amongst the enormous crowd, I heard many fans speak of the Scorpions performance. Sure, there were plenty of fans wanting “their song” to be played that wasn’t. Not hearing “a certain Scorpions song” was never an issue for me that night at M3. This night was NOT the time to squabble about petty stuff like that. No sir. Just knowing I have a lifetime memory of seeing the Scorpions live on their farewell tour, seeing them play their hearts out on stage for us fans… that is what it’s really all about.

THANK YOU SCORPIONS, FOR A MEMORY OF A METAL LIFETIME.

I’ll miss ya’ Scorps.

Stone.

5 Comments »

DERAILED “JUDGEMENT DAY” – AN OLD SCHOOL WRECKING BALL OF METAL & HARD ROCK!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags canadian heavy metal bands, derailed judgement day album review, hard rock albums 2010, hard rock bands, heavy metal album reviews, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal debut albums, heavy metal music, heavy metal vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music on June 26, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

DERAILED – From the Great White North they cometh… straight from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They bring Metal. Old School Metal. Who are they? Derailed. What is their intent? To hand down their Metal edict… and I’m taking it all in like a Metal famished addict. With sharpened threads of Hard Rock entwined within the Metal fabric of Derailed’s debut album – Judgement Day, the total relevance factor of the songs makes for an amazing listen. If there is to be that one debut album, that Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fans should get their hands on in 2010, Derailed’s Judgement Day has to be strongly considered from my recommendation. Judgement Day is scheduled for a September 6, 2010, independent label release… worldwide.

Derailed is a band of veteran musicians, coupling their talents and experience to forge an album of 13 songs that scorch with fiery riffs, guitar leads, hooks and a Metal tight rhythm section of thundering force. Judgement Day’s strength is born from it’s quality song writing and lyrics. This is not a bubble gum/I’m lost in love/let’s party ’cause my parents just left town – album of Metal. With a sound that resonates Hard Rock and Metal maturity, Derailed just doesn’t show their experience on Judgement Day, they show they can flat out kick some serious heavy butt… for this band obviously put their music first and never considered second.

Once your ears digest the back-to-back intros of Into The Mist and Adrenaline, the Hard Rockin’ and Metal stompin’ ride begins with Derailed – Judgement Day. My only advice is don’t feel your alone when you want to replay Adrenaline continuously… Dean Boland on lead guitar tears it up with an Arena style muscularity. These two intros lay down the Hard and Heavy tracks that you will take, in navigating through Judgement Day’s assortment of memorably melodic songs.

Johnie Sin on lead vocals and rhythm guitar is an asset. If you are looking for that traditional Hard Rock and Heavy Metal vocalist from days long past, a “diamond in the rough” vocalist who has never been in the mass media spotlight, well, it’s Johnie Sin. This is a singer from the same Metal class as vocalist Mike Vescera, ( of Obsession, Yngwie J. Malmsteen & Loudness fame). Trust me, he is that good. One listen to just Lock & Load and any seasoned Metalhead will know instantly that Johnie Sin is a player.

Shine is a my creme’ de la creme’ song pick on Judgement Day. Whoa good is Shine. This song leans on the Hard Rock side of the tracks, blended with enough melodic and Old School moments to make me be beg for Metal mercy… then I play Shine again… and again. There is nuthin’ better than inflicting ones ears with great, heavy songs and Judgement Day is loaded with them. Your World is an instrumental that shall Rock your senses with it’s rhythmically contagious and heavily strewn, melodic guitar play, that is up tempo and psyche-you-out. Metal be thy name.

Grey Skies is an up tempo ballad that finds it’s coolness from the hardened vocals of Johnie Sin and Dean Boland’s lean, mean and slick guitar leads and climactic solo. At 8:26 long, Grey Skies is an epic not just for it’s length, it’s epic for it’s total strength. I’d Love To Change The World is the lone cover song on Judgement Day. Originally written by Alvin Lee of Ten Years After and released in 1971, Derailed adds some impressive heaviness to this Rock classic in 2010. Derailed gives this cover song some need for speed, with plenty of convincing angst from the vocals of Johnie Sin.

Dean Boland not only plays lead and rhythm guitar, he also mans the keyboards and provides backing vocals. A lyricist and songwriter for this Judgement Day album as well, Dean Boland’s accomplishments heard here are Metal commendable. Dean Boland seems to wear many Metal hats within Derailed, producing Judgement Day is one of them. The production and sound across the board, on this album, is what us traditionalists crave hearing… nothing is over polished and raw tendencies surface for air.

2010 is the year to get Derailed and Judgement Day is the reason why. Without a Metal doubt in my mind, I recommend Derailed – Judgement Day to any Hard Rock and/or Heavy Metal fan. Old School Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fans will want to sink their ears into Derailed’s combination of past and present heavy sound.

* Metal Odyssey gives Derailed – Judgement Day:

4.5 out of 5 Metal Fists!

* For more info on DERAILED, just click on the links below:

DERAILED – Official Website

www.myspace.com/derailedmetal

DERAILED ARE:

Dean Boland – lead, rhythm & acoustic guitars, keyboards, vocals

Johnie Sin – lead vocals & rhythm guitar

Terry Cornelson – drums

Steve Legault – bass, vocals

* Dean Boland has enjoyed international success, with the following music projects: Random Damage, Aragathor, Vicious Circle, Doomsayer and Boland Plan.

Track Listing For Judgement Day:

Into The Mist

Adrenaline

Derailed

Judgement Day

Shine

Insane

Rush

I’d Love To Change The World

Skinned

Lock & Load

Fade Away

Your World

Grey Skies

LONG LIVE DERAILED!

Stone.

4 Comments »

RETROSPECT RECORDS – BRINGS BACK ’80’S AOR, HARD ROCK, METAL & DC STAR REISSUES!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, hair metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal records, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock festivals, rock music, rock music news with tags 1970's hard rock bands, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, aor, classic rock music, dc star hard rock band, hard rock music, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, independent record labels, m3 rock festival vendors, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, retrospect records at m3 rock festival, rock music, rock music festivals, rock music news on June 25, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RETROSPECT RECORDS – While at the 2010 M3 Rock Festival, held in Columbia Maryland on June 19th, I took in most of, if not all the merch and vendor tables & booths. One vendor that I’m very glad to have met and purchased from at M3 is Retrospect Records. This is an independent record company that advertises themselves as “The Worlds Largest” Hard Rock, Metal, AOR Reissue Label. Retrospect Records began it’s journey into re-issuing the Hard Rock, AOR and Metal albums of ’80’s bands back in 2003.

Walking up upon the Retrospect Records booth was like finding Metal gold! The vast assortment of ’80’s Hard Rock, AOR and Metal Reissue CD’s that were conveniently laid out on tables was a Metal sight to behold. Plus, the Metal bonus was Retrospect Records was selling these CD’s at $5 (U.S.) each! Now… that is a festival bargain of Metal bargains. As Best Metal Buddy, Scott Coverdale and I stopped to stare at the CD’s for sale, that’s when I saw DC Star – The Best Of Record Classics. Whoa! This is a band I’ve been wanting to find on CD for a very, very, long time! I exclaimed, rather loudly… “DC Star”! Then, a courteous rep came towards me from behind the Retrospect Records booth.

I requested to buy this DC Star CD and the rep asked me – “you don’t want both DC Star CD’s”? I replied, “both”? Then, he pointed out to me, the second DC Star CD he had for sale… The Best Of DC Star Records Vol #2. Whoa again! Without hesitation, I told the rep, “I’ll take both”! For $10, (U.S. funds), I snagged 23 DC Star songs on two CD’s! It turned out, this cool rep happened to be the owner of Retrospect Records, Sam McCaslin. (The other owner is Lisa McCaslin).

Sam’s enthusiasm and knowledge for these enormously great genres of 1980’s Hard Rock & Metal was overflowing. Sam told both Scott Coverdale and myself, that he has tried to get DC Star to reunite for an M3 Rock Festival performance. Sam stated, the only thing standing in the way of a DC Star reunion, is that two key band members are not talking to each other. (I won’t drop the names of which two band members of DC Star they are. Metal Odyssey will never venture into the gossip world of Heavy Music, this is as much gossip as you will ever read on Metal Odyssey). Intriguing information Sam shared with us, nonetheless.

DC Star was enormously popular on the East Coast of the U.S. back in the late ’70’s into the mid ’80’s. The sound of DC Star can be best summed up as a raw and hard edged Styx, an early Loverboy on overdrive, mixed with some Sweet or The Sweet influence, if you will, to make a surface comparison. DC Star is Old School Hard Rock, flirting at times, with an accessible Heavy Metal sound and style. Extremely melodic is the Hard Rock of DC Star, with unreal memorable guitar licks aplenty.

DC Star’s lead vocalist Kenny Taylor was undisputedly a talent, this guy could sing with the best of his generation. Just a great band was DC Star, as solid of a band of blue collar musicians, as I’ve ever listened to. I really wish I could have seen them live years ago. Once in awhile, I’ll find some DC Star vinyl turn up during my Heavy Metal hunts… only now I have two “Best Of Volumes” of DC Star on CD!! It would be an ultra great happening, however, if DC Star did reunite for even next year’s M3 Rock Festival.

* Here is what the CD cover of DC Star – The Best Of Record Classics looks like:

* Here is what the CD cover of DC Star – The Best Of Records Vol #2 looks like:

Let me just add, the selection of Old School – 1980’s bands that Retrospect Records has to offer on CD is very impressive. Many, if not the majority of the ’80’s bands and/or titles on Retrospect Records are either hard to find or have never been released on CD until now. Many great underground bands from the ’80’s are to be found at Retrospect Records. Where else are you gonna find ’80’s Heavy Metal band – KRANK. How about Hammerhead? Or… Cleveland’s very own Hair Metal representative… Ginger Roxx from 1989? Just peruse through the online store of Retrospect Records and you shall find that the obscure and rare are all there.

Once you visit Retrospect Records website, you will see a cool logo that reads: RETROTHRASH RECORDS. There is a Metal bounty of Old School Thrash Bands out there, that would probably just love to have their albums reissued by Retrospect Records. Go get ’em Retrospect Records!

* To learn more about and/or purchase from Retrospect Records, just click on the link below:

RETROSPECT RECORDS

Here is the very cool Retrospect Records cap I bought at a fair price, at the M3 Rock Festival, from Retrospect Records owner Sam McCaslin:

I’ll have to admit, this cap feels very comfortable on my corn-dog head.

Stone.

5 Comments »

SCORPIONS “FACE THE HEAT” – AN UNDERRATED & CLASSIC 1993 ALBUM REVISITED!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, current heavy metal bands, face the heat album review, hard rock music, heavy metal album review, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music, scorpions alien nation song, scorpions heavy metal band, scorpions hidden rockabilly track on June 23, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

SCORPIONS – Back on September 21, 1993, the Scorpions released Face the Heat on Mercury Records. This was studio album #12 from this beyond legendary Heavy Metal Band. On June 19, 2010, Best Metal Buddy, Scott Coverdale slid his Face the Heat CD into his Mercury SUV CD player… as we embarked on our journey to the 2010 M3 Rock Festival in Columbia, Maryland. Scott was not the least bit bashful at playing Face the Heat extremely LOUD on our ride and I was NOT complaining. This is one highly underrated Scorpions album, quite possibly due to it’s being released back in 1993… when Heavy Metal was supposed to be a hurtin’ and dried up genre and scene. (Yeah, right, whatever).

The opening track – Alien Nation, is one absolute powerful and thunderous listening experience of Scorpions Heavy Metal. The rhythm section alone is high octane/psyche-you-out detonation to the maximum level. Alien Nation is easily one of my favorite Scorpions songs ever recorded and I’m sure Scott feels the same way too. If there was to be that one Scorpions song that seemed to set the Metal tone on that ride to M3, it’s certainly Alien Nation. Metal be thy name can this song lift my mood to an unreal high.

Under The Same Sun is another standout song on Face the Heat. This song is a power ballad, one that is inspirational and yes… emotionally uplifting. The basic theme of this intelligent and melodic song is: if we all live under the same sun, then why can’t we all live as one? Yes, a philosophical question does rear it’s mighty ethical head from Under The Same Sun, only it is an almost magical thought to digest.

There is a hidden track at the end of Face the Heat and it does not appear until a few minutes after the CD comes to a close. One must keep the CD on play and not hit the stop button in order to hear this Rockabilly style song from the ever iconic Scorpions. Yes… it’s a Rockabilly song, taken from the mold of the historic and also legendary Queen and their classic song – Crazy Little Thing Called Love. When my ears first became introduced to this hidden track, it was around ten years ago, right around the time my twin daughters were born. I can actually recall that moment I first heard this song… it was as if I discovered a real gold nugget alongside a river bank! Truth be told, it only took me about seven years to discover this hidden track! I had owned Face the Heat since it’s year of release too, never knowing about the hidden track for so long. Gee Metal whiz.

Face the Heat proved to be a winner of a choice for Scott Coverdale to choose for our ride to the 2010 M3 Rock Festival in Columbia, Maryland. It was great to become reacquainted, once again, with a true classic of a Scorpions album. The overall heightened and Arena Style, Heavy Metal sound on Face the Heat is what makes it so memorable for me. This Scorpions album is not as “modernistic” as some “professional” reviews have alluded to over the many years since it’s release, in my Metal opinion.

If you have never listened to Face the Heat, I urge your doing so, especially if you are a new fan to the Scorpions. I am not endorsing Face the Heat as the greatest Scorpions album of all time, what I am endorsing here is a Scorpions album that should garner the attention and respect it so justifiably deserves. Any fan of Old School, 1980’s or 1990’s Heavy Metal should appreciate what the Scorpions created with Face the Heat – a quality album of melodic Heavy Metal songs. This CD is readily available just about everywhere online… from Best Buy to Amazon.

* Metal Odyssey Notes: This Face The Heat CD I have always owned, is an original American release pressing. Therefore, I do not know if this hidden track is found on any imported version or re-mastered re-release. I do not know the title of this hidden track, it is not found anywhere within the liner notes of Face the Heat, that I own. If anyone out there knows the title of this hidden track, please comment it!

Scorpions as they appeared on Face the Heat:

Klaus Meine – lead vocalist

Matthias Jabs – lead guitar & rhythm guitar

Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, lead guitar & backing vocals

Ralph Rieckermann – bass

Herman Rarebell – drums & percussion

Track Listing for Scorpions – Face the Heat:

Alien Nation

No Pain No Gain

Someone To Touch

Under The Same Sun

Unholy Alliance

Woman

Hate To Be Nice

Taxman Woman

Ship Of Fools

Nightmare Avenue

Lonely Nights

Stone.

9 Comments »

M3 ROCK FESTIVAL 2010 PART I: THE STATE OF HEAVY MUSIC ACCORDING TO STONE

Posted in concerts, hair metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal concerts, heavy metal festivals, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock festivals, rock music with tags hair metal music, hard rock bands 2010, hard rock festivals, hard rock music, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal festivals, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy music 2010, live heavy metal music, m3 rock festival 2010, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock concerts 2010, rock festivals, rock music, rock n' roll on June 21, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

M3 ROCK FESTIVAL 2010 – As I was a part of the many thousands of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fans at this year’s M3 Rock Festival in Columbia, Maryland this past Saturday, I came upon a realization… that Heavy Music is alive and very F’n well in 2010. Fans from teens to Old School Metalheads were in attendance at this Heavy Music event and they were not at all bashful at letting their excitement be seen or heard. The excitement for music that moves them, grooves them and makes them all feel like one gigantic and united family. Music, regardless of genre, should and most often does, ignite and bring out the emotions in all of us. How thrilling and satisfying it was, to witness thousands of Heavy Music fans at the M3 Rock Festival, celebrating together, (very peacefully too I might add), some of the greatest songs and bands that time has not forgotten.

We are a rowdy and straight forward bunch, us Heavy Music fans. Yet our rowdiness comes with jubilant horns raised in the air, a handshake, a high five or a slap on the back to our fellow fan. While I was amongst the massive M3 Rock Festival crowd on June 19th, I shared stories, anecdotes and countless quips with what I thought were strangers. After a couple of days have passed since this memorable day in my Metal life, I’ve come to the realization… that these strangers were never really strangers at all. They were passionate and loyal Heavy Music fans, just like myself. We were all family on June 19th, at the M3 Rock Festival. A proud, loud, loyal and raucous family at that.

We all live during a time of war, economic instability and political mud slinging that engulfs the headline news each and every moment. For one day, thousands of Heavy Music fans along with more than a dozen bands and countless vendors, created a world where politicians could never bullshit with or dare enter without running away with their heads caught between their legs. A world where spending eight dollars on a cold beer brought a smile to my face. A world where thousands of us could escape to, away from the crap that our cable network news shoves down our throats continuously. A world where us Heavy Music fans proved once again to society, we did not come to conquer, burn and pillage a community that accepted us in. God Bless the world of Heavy Music and Columbia, Maryland.

As days, weeks and years shall go by, I’ll never forget this 2010 M3 Rock Festival. I shall never forget the bands I Rocked to, the evil humidity that enveloped the air, the beer that went down like candy water and my fellow Heavy Music fans as well. I was truly in my element at the 2010 M3 Rock Festival and so too were thousands of other fellow fans. The state of Heavy Music has never been more defiant, loud and resilient… the 2010 M3 Rock Festival proved this to me, both bands and fans. We are really one big happy and Heavy Music lovin’ family. Metal be thy name.

I will be writing a series of posts that feature this 2010 M3 Rock Festival in the days and most likely, weeks to come. There are many stories to still tell, from the bands to the vendors that made this day ROCK… for me.

STONE.

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ROCK MUSIC VINYL FLASHBACK: ALICE COOPER – “YOU AND ME” 45 RPM FROM 1977

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music history with tags 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's classic rock music, alice cooper you and me 45 rpm, classic rock music, classic rock records, hard rock music, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal oddysey, Music, rock music, rock music history, rock music legends, rock music vinyl, rock music vocalists, rock n' roll on June 20, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ALICE COOPER – While on one of my “usual” Rock ‘N’ Roll and Heavy Metal hunts, I found and purchased this vintage Alice Cooper 45 rpm of You And Me, released on Warner Bros. Records back in 1977. The above photo is the 45 rpm sleeve, while the photos below is the 45 rpm, (these are photos of the actual 45 rpm that I bought). The B Side of this 45 rpm is the song – It’s Hot Tonight. Both of these songs are from the Alice Cooper album – Lace And Whiskey, released back in 1977 on Warner Bros. Records. The asking price, for this piece of Alice Cooper vinyl history, set me back a whopping $1 in U.S. funds. Whoa.

This 45 rpm plays very well on my turntable, while the condition of the record sleeve is in very fine condition as well. An ultra worthy addition to my Alice Cooper collection for certain. This is Rock history, Alice Cooper history.

Both songs on this 45 rpm are classics, with You And Me being a mellow and acoustic ballad, while It’s Hot Tonight being the Hard Rock album opener to Lace And Whisky. The photo of Alice Cooper on the record sleeve above, is not the “usual” image of this Rock Horror living legend. I feel that is what makes this record sleeve so classic, that a more laid back Alice Cooper is shown. The song You And Me coupled with this photo of Alice Cooper, only proves there has always been more to this Rock Music icon than just full blown Hard Rock and Horror… in my Metal opinion.

* The producer for this Alice Cooper 45 rpm and the Lace And Whiskey album was the legendary Bob Ezrin.

* Alice Cooper performed You And Me on a 1978 episode of The Muppet Show.

Here is the A Side – You And Me:

Here is the B Side – It’s Hot Tonight:

Here is what the album cover looks like for Lace And Whisky:

LONG LIVE ALICE COOPER!

Stone.

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SCORPIONS – A METAL SPOTLIGHT ON THE M3 ROCK FESTIVAL 2010!

Posted in classic rock music, concerts, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, live rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, classic rock music, hard rock music, heavy metal concerts 2010, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2010, m3 rock festival 2010, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music festivals, rock music news, scorpions live on June 18, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

SCORPIONS – There are those certain bands that just seem to feel like they are a part of your family. You know that type of band… for some, it’s The Beatles. For others, The Rolling Stones or maybe Elvis. Actually, I have a semi-long list of bands that feel like family to me… and the Beatles and the Scorpions are on it. The Scorpions are a Heavy Metal Band that I grew up with, followed and purchased their album’s either on cassette, vinyl or CD. One can easily take for granted that a band or particular musician shall live forever and continue to make music and tour. Such is not the case though. (Ronnie James Dio passing away is a reality check that I have learned from). With the Scorpions embarking on their three year farewell tour, the M3 Rock Festival, on June 19th, 2010, in Columbia, Maryland, is one of those many dates this ultra legendary band will be performing live.

As I mentioned in my previous post, (Cinderella), I will be at this M3 Rock Festival, accompanied By Best Metal Buddy Scott Coverdale. Rob Rockitt from Hard Rock Hideout and Ryo Vie from The Rock and Roll Guru will be attending this event as well and I look forward to catching up with both of them. With the Scorpions headlining, (of course), it will be a day of incredible Metal anticipation for me. I feel very fortunate to be able to witness not just Heavy Metal history once the Scorpions hit the stage that night… it will be Rock Music history too.

Fellow Metalheads know, it isn’t easy to find the mainstream handing out praise or awards to legitimate/credible Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Bands. No sir, not since I can remember. The Scorpions are above any mainstream silly awards or plastic trophies. I truly hope the Scorpions know, that it is their loyal fans, crossing generations, that are the true reward for them… not some silly gold plated phonograph, on a cheap aluminum base, that’s handed out by the corporate Grammy’s.

No corporate minded Rock and Roll Hall of Fame could even grasp, what the Scorpions mean to their fans. Nor could this plastic and turtle neck wearing (bored) board of directors, at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, understand what it means to have a band such as the Scorpions, affect one’s life in such a positive and inspiring way like they have for me. The Scorpions never entered any damned popularity contest, nor did they ever record a Pop single for some watered and dumbed down, corporate Disney soundtrack. Thus, that clownish establishment in Cleveland, Ohio is obviously not interested in enshrining the Scorpions… why should they when there are (gulp) bands like ABBA out there who are more “Rock” worthy? Chuckle, chuckle. Ahem. What the Scorpions have done, spanning decades, is create a sound and style of music that is unique unto them and throughout the Rock world and not to be duplicated by any other band in the slightest. Call it what you like… in the end, it’s Scorpions music. Hard, Heavy, melodic, emotional, influential and memorable.

The Scorpions never sold out or compromised… not to my Metal ears, over the years. And NO, the Scorpions never pranced around Hollywood, rubbing elbows with elitists, lobbying day and night that they are the greatest thing to electrify Metal Music, to gain artificial passage or acceptance into a Hall of Shame. A #1 album? Who gives a rats butt about #1 albums. A wise man once told me… it’s lonely at the top. Consistency and quality, with undeniable integrity in their albums, is what the Scorpions have represented and still do. What this incredible band has done for Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal is realistically, immeasurable. Yes, I am a Scorpions fan… Metal be thy name.

* You can catch up on more Scorpions info by clicking the link below:

SCORPIONS – Official Website

* You can find out more about the M3 Rock Festival 2010 by clicking the link below:

M3 Rock Festival 2010

* If you have been cool enough to read thus far, you can check out my album review for the new Scorpions album – Sting In The Tail. Just click on the gigantic header below:

SCORPIONS – “STING IN THE TAIL” DELIVERS THE ANTIDOTE OF HEAVY METAL EUPHORIA!

LONG LIVE SCORPIONS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL!

Stone.

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CINDERELLA – A METAL SPOTLIGHT ON THE M3 ROCK FESTIVAL 2010!

Posted in hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal concerts, heavy metal festivals, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal songs, cinderella heavy metal band, hard rock concerts 2010, hard rock music, heavy metal concerts 2010, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, m3 rock festival 2010, metal odyssey, Music, rock festivals, rock music, rock music legends, rock music news on June 17, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

CINDERELLA – Since their 1986 debut album – Night Songs, I have been a fan of Cinderella. Be it Rock, Hard Rock, Hair Metal or good ol’ Heavy Metal… Cinderella can play it extremely well and with a classy touch of the Blues. Cinderella is slated for performing at the 2010 M3 Rock Festival, in Columbia, Maryland, on June 19th. Their set time is from 7:40 – 8:40 pm on the Pavilion Stage. They are the last band on the Pavilion Stage to perform before… the ultra legendary Scorpions headline and close out the night!!! I’M THERE! I literally am counting down the hours to this cool festival of Hard Rock ‘N’ Roll and so is my Best Metal Buddy… Scott Coverdale. This will be the third time I will have seen Cinderella live and it has been quite a few years since I’ve seen them last.

To pick my favorite Cinderella album, (there are four studio albums in all), is really not that easy. Metal truth be told, each Cinderella album is uniquely great, in it’s total Rockin’ totality. There is that one Cinderella album, however, that I turn to more often to listen to… Heartbreak Station from 1990. Bluesy, Hard Hittin’, American Rock ‘N’ Roll at it’s finest is the best way to sum up Heartbreak Station. My favorite song from this album is Shelter Me. Man, if there ever was a song that justifies why Cinderella is as genuine as a freshly minted and non-circulated, gold dollar coin… it’s this one. The lyrics of Shelter Me resonate with strong relevance, a song that can surely be adapted to today’s nightly news bull crap. Plus, Cinderella took a fine swipe at the censorship machine known as the PMRC within the lyrics of Shelter Me as well, which makes me very proud as a fan.

The More Things Change is another example of lyrical relevance, coupled with Bluesy Hard Rock excellence. This song opens up Heartbreak Station and truly signaled that Cinderella was more than just merely an inappropriately tagged – Hair Metal Band. For anyone to pigeonhole Cinderella into just the Hair Metal genre is nonsensical… this is an American Rock ‘N’ Roll Band that has proven their Rock diversity through four studio albums, the proof is in their music. Throw in a clear fact that Cinderella has not released a studio album since 1994’s Still Climbing, all the while maintaining a level of popularity that puts them second to the Scorpions on the M3 Rock Festival bill and the word impressive comes to mind.

Cinderella is a perfect example of quality and talent over quantity… their four studio albums hold up against the sands of time. The songs on these Cinderella albums are not just fad infused… these songs were and still are Hard Rockin’ genius. The word relevance keeps popping up as I write this, only it is so applicable to Cinderella. One of the items on my Metal wish list, is for Cinderella to make another studio album sometime soon. Then again, I’m just psyched this great band is still around and still touring, affording me the opportunity to see them live once again at M3!

* Heartbreak Station was released in 1990, on Mercury Records.

Track Listing For Cinderella – Heartbreak Station:

The More Things Change

Love’s Got Me Doin’ Time

Shelter Me

Heartbreak Station

Sick For The Cure

One For Rock & Roll

Dead Man’s Road

Make Your Own Way

Electric Love

Love Gone Bad

Winds Of Change

* Cinderella NOW and as they appeared on Heartbreak Station:

Tom Keifer – lead vocals, guitar, piano

Eric Brittingham – bass

Jeff LaBar – guitar

Fred Coury – drums, percussion, backing vocals

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

CINDERELLA – Official Website

* For more info on the M3 Rock Festival 2010, just click the link below:

M3 Rock Festival 2010

LONG LIVE CINDERELLA!

Stone.

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KATAKLYSM “HEAVEN’S VENOM” – RELEASES AUGUST 2010 & NEW ALBUM ARTWORK!

Posted in Death Metal, death metal music, extreme metal bands, extreme metal music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags 1990's death metal bands, canadian metal bands, death metal bands, death metal music, extreme metal music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, kataklysm death metal band, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, new death metal albums 2010, new heavy metal releases 2010, new metal albums 2010, rock music news on June 15, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

KATAKLYSM – Originating from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Kataklysm is a Death & Extreme Metal Band, that packs a multi-potent blast of energy within the framework of their creativity. Kataklysm will be releasing their eleventh studio album – Heaven’s Venom, on Nuclear Blast Records, on August 20th in Europe and August 24th in North America. Check out the new album artwork above! If this imagery and art for Heaven’s Venom is any indication of just how strong, dark, heavy and extreme the songs within are… then my Metal anticipation for this new Kataklysm album is at the highest Metal level. Whoa. Whoa again. I’m predicting Heaven’s Venom will easily be a Metal Odyssey’s top twenty album pick for 2010… just where it winds up in the list is to be determined.

Since Kataklysm’s 1993 EP release – The Mystical Gate of Reincarnation, this band has 18+ years of bringing their brand of Metal carnage to the masses… with absolutely NO signs of slowing things down for nuthin’. This new album, coupled with Kataklysm’s touring on Ozzfest, should catapult this veteran band to even larger Metal heights, while recruiting new fans along the way.

KATAKLYSM ARE:

MAURIZIO IACONO – vocals

MAX DUHAMEL – drums

JEAN-FRANCOIS DAGENAIS – guitars

STEPHANE BARBE – bass

* The track listing for Heaven’s Venom is not yet fully released. I would not want to give any song titles away on Metal Odyssey without the appropriate credibility.

Kataklysm is also on the OZZFEST TOUR 2010. The Ozzfest Tour gets started on August 14th, in San Bernardino, California. Kataklysm is a second stage act, along with Black Label Society, Skeletonwitch, Kingdom Of Sorrow, Drowning Pool, Goatwhore and Saviours. This is one blistering second stage at Ozzfest 2010! The Ozzfest main stage acts are: Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crue, Halford, Devildriver and Nonpoint.

* You can get more info on OZZFEST 2010 by clicking the link below:

OZZFEST 2010

* For more info on KATAKLYSM, click the very important link below!

KATAKLYSM – MySpace Music Page

Back on January 4, 2010, I posted about my Kataklysm – Prevail picture disc… and the Prevail album too. You can read it by clicking the ultra-large header below:

KATAKLYSM – “TAKING THE WORLD BY STORM” PICTURE DISC & “PREVAIL” ALBUM = DEATH METAL DOMINATION

LONG LIVE KATAKLYSM!

Stone.

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KISS – FIGURINES BOX SET I ADDED TO MY KISS COLLECTION!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock bands, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags 1970's rock bands, 1980's rock bands, classic rock bands, classic rock music, hard rock music, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, kiss collectibles, kiss figurines, kiss hard rock band, kiss heavy metal band, kiss korner, kiss super walmart figurines, kiss walmart figures, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music collectibles, rock n' roll on June 8, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

KISS – It was a cold, dark and dank night this past Winter, when the family and I realized we had a very low supply of food and necessities to keep us alive. So, when a family of four knows they need the essentials to keep the cupboards and fridge stocked… a grocery store trip soon follows. Hello, Super Walmart. We took our sweet time inspecting and deliberating our vast grocery choices that Winter’s night. And why not? Once in awhile in life, a family of four has to stop to smell the groceries… you know?

Our grocery shopping experience was drawing to a close as we positioned ourselves and shopping cart into a check-out line, when all of a sudden, I hear my two daughters exclaim… KISS! Well, that word is Metal Music to my ears. Knowing that Walmart had some KISS merchandise hidden about the Super Store only made me all the more Metal giddy. My head turned to my daughters, then I saw my wonderful wife holding the most gorgeous KISS surprise! Check out the pics below… this is what the KISS figurine box set that I own looks like, both front and back!

Front:

The front of this box shows graphics that are slightly different from other retail store chains that carried this KISS “Super Stars” box set. This KISS box set was released in late 2009, when the KISS album Sonic Boom hit the shelves at Walmart. (I still have to take the price sticker off, located at the top right corner on box front).

Back:

(Photo’s and cropping of these KISS images were done by my graphic design guru wife and I thank her with a million Metal hugs!)

Apparently, when I had my head turned, my wife went into the trading card aisle of this Super Walmart… that is where this unreal cool KISS figurine box set was hiding. The price you might ponder? $20 (U.S.) is what it cost for a terrific piece of KISSTORY. If anyone thinks that is too pricey for this KISS gem, just think about the billions of dollars that BP is throwing away each day in the Gulf Coast. An alarming Metal perspective it is… a real Metal reality check I might add too.

Well, enough with BP… on with my KISS figurine story. I had a smile on my face like the Chesire Cat as I gazed at this KISS memorabilia. Guiding it from my wife’s hands onto the check-out conveyor was crucial… this was one item that could not be plopped down on top of the frozen foods. As this KISS box set made it’s way down the conveyor, I made certain no other item banged into it. Now, the next crucial step was getting it past the cashier’s hands without there being a mishap. The cashier that Winter’s evening was courteous and diligent in her handling of my KISS bounty. She deftly placed this KISS box set into it’s very own Walmart shopping bag too. Score!

With our shopping cart very much filled, (again, we really needed a major grocery order), I made certain that the bag containing my KISS booty was delicately placed on top of all the other bags. As we made our way out of this Super Walmart, concern quickly came over me… is it snowing? Could there be, (gasp), freezing rain? The last thing I needed was inclement weather descending upon my KISS box set, regardless if a paper-thin, plastic shopping bag was covering it. As we approached the exit doors, I noticed there was some very minor precipitation falling from the Winter sky… a very light snow. It was not enough however, to cause any Metal alarm or damage to my new found KISS item.

Placement of the bag, that contained this KISS box set, within the car’s trunk was critical. I could not afford another shopping bag the opportunity to fall or even lean against the KISS box set. No Metal way. My Metal mission was accomplished… the drive home proved a success with no bags moving about in the car’s trunk! Getting my new piece of KISSTORY into the house was now a piece of Metal cake. All of my corn dog worrying about transporting this KISS item from my beautiful wife’s hands at Super Walmart to our house was over. Phew. I have this KISS figurine box set on display now… in my Rock ‘N’ Roll room of course.

I truly thank my wife and daughters for scoping out KISS memorabilia at Super Walmart that Winter’s night… they are the heart, soul and light of my life.

LONG LIVE KISS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL!

Stone.

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GARY MOORE “AFTER THE WAR” – A HARD ROCKIN’ & HEAVY HITTING GEM FROM 1989

Posted in hard rock albums, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music with tags 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's music videos, classic rock music, gary moore guitarist, guitar legends, hard rock music, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, ready for love music video, rock guitar legends, rock music, rock n' roll on June 6, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

GARY MOORE – With twenty studio albums and five live albums to his legendary music credit, Gary Moore has played it all. From Rock to Hard Rock and Heavy Metal to Blues, Gary Moore’s name is synonymous with guitar icon. One of my favorite Gary Moore albums is After The War, which was released back on January 25, 1989 on Virgin Records. After The War is a Hard Rock album and can be easily considered Heavy Metal, due to Gary Moore’s guitar style that he so effortlessly displays. I have always been enamored by Gary Moore’s guitar and his vocals, both are showcased in a grand way on After The War.

Anytime I listen to After The War, it is like turning the key on the ignition and letting these songs take me for a terrific Hard Rockin’ ride. Never does Gary Moore ever lose me while he plays guitar. He is just one of those elite musicians that can make his guitar sing with emotion. In my Metal opinion, Gary Moore has that unique, unintended ability to have me listen more to his guitar playing than his vocals. That is not an insult, it is a significant reality that occurs to my ears and Gary Moore can sing with the best of them.

* As I continue on reviewing After The War, please bear in mind it is the cassette release from 1989 that I am referring to. This is the only version I have owned all of these years. Any regular visitor to Metal Odyssey knows of my never fading fondness for the cassette. I’ve taken care of my cassettes over the years and they have taken care of me. Metal be thy name.

The song opener After The War, is melodic filled, with strong vocals, backing vocals and guitar licks aplenty from Gary Moore. Keyboards play an important atmospheric role throughout this song and entire album, courtesy of Andy Richards and Don Airey. Speak For Yourself is a Heavy Metal song that is standout. Gary Moore makes it all the more Heavy with a mid-song solo that scorches. A fast tempo and loaded with attitude from Gary Moore’s vocals, Speak For Yourself just has that extra crunch I like to hear.

Livin’ On Dreams is yet another standout song, and there are quite a few like this on After The War. Very harmonious backing vocals that compliment Gary Moore’s more spirited vocals are what makes Livin’ On Dreams come across as inspiring. A melodic, Hard Rock listen that is an Old School treat, due to it’s sing-a-long vibe. The Messiah Will Come Again is an instrumental that proves why Gary Moore plays from his heart and Rock ‘N’ Roll soul. The tonal emotion that spills over from his guitar playing, has me staring into space in sheer Metal wonderment, each and every time I listen to this song over the years. With Gary Moore’s touch and feel for the Blues, The Messiah Will Come Again needs to be heard by any and every guitar aficionado the world over.

The accompaniment of musicians that surround Gary Moore on After The War is top tier talent. Step in, Ozzy Osbourne please. On Led Clones, Ozzy is the lead vocalist and he sounds vintage and great. Led Clones is saturated with keyboards, written in such a manner where these keyboards are an audible necessity. The programming of strings and utilizing them in Led Clones really accentuates this song’s subjectivity. This song is about the many bands back in the 1980’s that tried to “copycat” the sound and brilliance of the legendary Led Zeppelin.

Running From The Storm is an excellent song, with it’s pent up heaviness and deliriously melodic sound. It’s as if each musician assembled here brought their A game to this song. Gary Moore just embellishes Running From The Storm with his trademark leads and a potent solo for good measure. Ready For Love is the commercial/mainstream Hard Rocker that makes me feel F’n damn good from head to F’n toe. If Gary Moore’s vocals and guitar doesn’t grab you on this flavorful song, then something is dreadfully wrong. The rhythm section is tight and grooves, keeping the tempo consistently upbeat and steady. Ready For Love is very relevant to what 2010 Hard Rock and mainstream Heavy Metal is about. What am I saying… this entire After The War album is extremely relevant to the now.

* Check out the music video below – Ready For Love, from 1989! Crank it up LOUD!!

The Musicians On After The War:

Gary Moore – lead vocals & guitar

Andy Richards – keyboards/Fairlight Programming

Don Airey – keyboards

Simon Phillips – drums

Charlie Morgan – drums

Steve Piggot – sequencer bass

Laurence Cottle – Wal Bass

Andrew Eldritch, Chris Thompson, Sam Brown, Miriam Stockley – backing vocals

* Ozzy Osbourne contributes backing vocals on Speak For Yourself.

* Metal Odyssey note: the track listing below is for the cassette release from 1989.

Track Listing For After The War:

Side One:

After The War

Speak For Yourself

Livin’ On Dreams

Led Clones

The Messiah Will Come Again

Side Two:

Running From The Storm

This Thing Called Love

Ready For Love

Blood Of Emeralds

Dunluce

LONG LIVE GARY MOORE & HIS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL!

Stone.

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ALICE COOPER “CONSTRICTOR” – 1986 ALBUM REVISITED!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, horror metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal music, alice cooper constrictor album review, hard rock music, heavy metal album reviews, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal vocalists, horror metal, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music, wrestlemania III 1987 on June 5, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ALICE COOPER – Constrictor was released on September 22, 1986, on MCA Records. Constrictor was the ninth studio album representing the “solo” career of Alice Cooper. This was the album that marked the return of Alice Cooper, (The Nightmare Returns Tour soon began). A three year “retirement” of sorts had begun since Alice Cooper’s 1983 studio album – DaDa. This Constrictor album changed all of that “retirement” thinking… Alice Cooper was really back, on MTV and even at WrestleMania III on March 29, 1987.

Alice Cooper was in the corner of Jake “The Snake” Roberts as he squared against The Honky Tonk Man during WrestleMania III. I can remember watching this all unfold, seeing Alice Cooper in the ring, thinking to myself… man, Alice Cooper could kick some ass right now! (Honestly, I used to think Pro Wrestling was real… the WWF kind that is). I had bought tickets to WrestleMania III with my cousins, only it was tickets for the then extremely popular – closed circuit television at a large theatre.

Ah, Metal… I mean, WrestleMania memories. Now, back to this Constrictor album:

The Constrictor album cover itself is vintage Alice Cooper, shock and horror imagery really goes hand in hand with this Rock ‘N’ Roll icon. Aw, heck, compare this album cover to most Grindcore, Death and Black Metal album covers and you are looking at the age of innocence, with Alice Cooper’s neck and face being the fixture for this boa constrictor. I do love this album cover… it’s the persona and image of what Alice Cooper conveys as a performer.

The most commercial and late 80’s accessible Hard Rock song on this album is without a doubt – He’s Back (The Man Behind The Mask). This keyboard dominated song was also a major song for the movie soundtrack – Friday The 13th Part Vl: Jason Lives. With all of it’s open air silliness, I still like this song. It’s different. Very different. Let’s face it, this song was written and recorded for a purpose, to promote both a major slasher film franchise and Alice Cooper as well. When the Metal goal is to intentionally make a commercial song such as this, (which is obvious), then I’m agreeable.

The Great American Success Story is another mainstream blast of Hard Rock, which teeters on Pop Metal by way of 1986. The Arena style guitar takes the upper hand in making this song navigate through it’s friendly swirl of lyrics and melodic undertaking. Even Alice Cooper himself sounds more amicable than formidable on The Great American Success Story.

Life And Death Of The Party takes a more harder and heavier turn for the Metal better. Alice Cooper even has a semi-sinister delivery with his vocals, a characteristic that is essential to his voice and persona. The more sinister Alice Cooper gets… the better. Thrill My Gorilla can either be construed as tongue-in-cheek or just plain Hard Rockin’ fun, take your Metal pick. This song can only work for Alice Cooper back in 1986… this song in 2010 would go down as ? and in 1978 this song would have been ? as well. Really, c’mon, it’s the Metal truth.

Give It Up, with it’s “Give It Up” chorus and open door friendly ambiance, was tailor made for a late ’80’s motion picture soundtrack about teens in love. The mid to late ’80’s was oozing with these type of flicks… and songs like Give It Up were all over them. There is nothing wrong with it’s appeal, plus it really does “fit” into this mainstream bag o’ tricks that Constrictor musically advertises.

Teenage Frankenstein… what more can be said than that? At first glance, this song title appears as one a Punk Rock novice might expect to find… on an early Misfits album. Alas, this song is actually the opening track on Constrictor. The lyrical rhyming coupled with Alice Cooper’s very slick vocals, makes this song actually work it’s Hard Rock wonder with me. Metal be thy name.

Once again, I am convinced that fun lyrical content can coexist in Heavy Music… Alice Cooper has proven this with Constrictor. The front cover of Constrictor may lead one to believe it’s a much heavier and darker album than it really is. What this album exchanges for heaviness, it makes up for with it’s good time 80’s feel and attitude. I’ve owned Constrictor for a very long time, upgraded it to CD without thinking twice, in all Metal honesty.

Sometimes it’s the atmosphere of an album of songs that mesmerizes me so. This Alice Cooper album is a fine example of that. I don’t feel a hint of hesitation in recommending this album to any fan of Classic Rock, Hard Rock or 80’s Heavy Metal. Constrictor is a mirror image of it’s pop cultural backdrop of 1986… lot’s of flash, swagger and accessible songs that one can crank up loud, in a church parking lot, without getting hit by lightning.

The Band Behind – Constrictor:

Alice – vocals

Kane Roberts – guitars, bass, keyboards, background vocals, drums

David Rosenberg – drums

Donnie Kisselbach – bass guitar

Kip Wringer – bass guitar

Paul Delph – keyboards, background vocals on “He’s Back”

Tom Kelly – background vocals on “He’s Back”

Beau Hill – background vocals

Track Listing For Alice Cooper – Constrictor:

Teenage Frankenstein

Give It Up

Thrill My Gorilla

Life And Death Of The Party

Simple Disobediance

The World Needs Guts

Trick Bag

Crawlin’

The Great American Success Story

He’s Back (The Man Behind The Mask)

* Here is what the WrestleMania III promo poster looks like:

When I was a young lad, I witnessed both Andre The Giant and Hulk Hogan wrestle live. It was in my old High School Gym too. (This was way before the WWF became super enormous, long before the WWF changed to the WWE). Andre The Giant was an incredibly large human being and Hulk Hogan… he had muscles growing out of his eyeballs for Metal sakes.

LONG LIVE ALICE COOPER!

Stone.

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ALICE COOPER “LIVE AT TORONTO” – INDIE LABEL CD FOR DIEHARD FANS ONLY

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock 'n' roll, rock music with tags 1970's classic rock music, 1970's rock bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal music, Alice cooper, alice cooper live at toronto album review, classic rock music, hard rock legends, hard rock music, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal vocalists, live heavy metal albums, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music, rock n' roll on June 3, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Here is an offbeat Alice Cooper CD I found while moseying around a flea market in Quakertown, Pennsylvania recently – Live At Toronto. The exact year this Toronto concert was recorded is a Metal mystery to me, the info just does not exist within the liner notes… for there are no liner notes with this CD! The back of this CD does show the track listing, the usual record company info and a photo credit. Classic Sound, Inc. is the record company/distributor and the front cover photo of Alice Cooper is dated – 1993. I’ve seen this same CD available at Amazon.com, with sellers listing the starting price as low as 2 cents! (Must be Ebay sellers). As you shall read further, this Alice Cooper – Live At Toronto CD is for diehard fans only… for those fans who absolutely, must have every album/CD title out there, of this ultra Rock legend.

With no real liner notes, it is not definite as to who the musicians are backing up Alice Cooper. I would not want to make any guesses without having credible information regarding who exactly played on stage, with Alice Cooper for this recording. My Metal research has turned up nothing, in regards to this CD, other than the “basic” info that I am mentioning in this post. The overall sound quality of Live At Toronto is not going to blow anyone away… it does not impress me at all. The song selection does not contain Alice Cooper’s standout hits, nor even any standout deep album cuts from the Alice Cooper catalog. Listening to Live At Toronto gives my ears the impression that this was a concert in a smaller venue, not an Arena.

It’s really a shame, this live CD could be quite a vintage and Rock solid listen, if only some qualified sound engineer did some tweaking where necessary. There are many moments throughout, where I swear I’m listening to a 45 rpm being played as a 33 1/3 rpm… no kidding. Classic Rock should never be recorded to sound so old. I’ll say this many times though… this is NOT the great Alice Cooper’s fault. Alice Cooper cannot be held accountable for some indie label messing up with one of his concert recording’s and trying to cash in on his legendary and Classic Rock.

There is a silent break between each song, so the continuity of the “live” concert experience is non-existent. Alice Cooper is not caught live talking it up to the crowd, nor are there any memorable moments that would make me want to recommend this CD to new fans of Alice Cooper. My best Metal advice is stick to the main titles of Alice Cooper, on the major labels. Sometimes these offbeat and indie labels that release live CD’s are not privy to quality standards in live recordings. My disappointment after listening to Live At Toronto is again, not any fault of Alice Cooper, it is obviously a failure on the part of the people behind mastering this live recording.

Track Listing For Alice Cooper – Live At Toronto:

Ain’t That Just Like A Woman

Painting A Picture

Medley: A.C. Instrumental – I’ve Written Home To Mother

Freak Out Song

Goin’ To The River

Nobody Like Me

Science Fiction

I’ll be keeping my Alice Cooper – Live At Toronto CD… and I will most likely listen to it again. My Metal admiration and liking Alice Cooper for so long, makes me one of those fans who finds it very cool, to seek out, find and keep his albums and CD’s within my collection. Even if the CD is a sub-par, indie-label, live recording. Part of being a Metalhead, is having that “gotta have it” Metal mentality… especially when an album or CD is priced dirt cheap.

LONG LIVE ALICE COOPER!

Stone.

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2CENTS – “DRESS TO KILL” DELIVERS RAW, HARDCORE, ATTITUDE LACED METAL!

Posted in hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hardcore metal music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, nu metal music, rock music with tags 2cents dress to kill album review, 2cents heavy metal band, hard rock albums 2010, hardcore metal music, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album reviews, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal music, metal albums, metal music 2010, metal odyssey, Music, nu metal music, Punk Metal, Punk rock, rock music on June 2, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

2CENTS – Originating from Los Angeles, California, 2Cents have blended together a Metal meets Hardcore Punk sound and have done so in a raucous and raw manner, which makes them all the more favorable to my Metal ears. April 20, 2010, is when 2Cents released their 13 song studio album, Dress To Kill, on Eight O Five Records and Fontana Distribution. After just my first listen through of Dress To Kill, I realize 2Cents is like the very rowdy dude that shows up at every keg and house party… and only makes the party better.

If you are to listen to Dress To Kill the way it was meant to be… it really should be listened to F’n LOUD. When played LOUD in the car, passerby’s wearing turtlenecks may find the heavy totality of Dress To Kill, coupled with it’s lyrics, to be rather disruptive. Excellent! 2Cents are double loaded with attitude, with many hints of Punk attitude just for good measure. Excellent! There are always going to be those Hard Rock, Heavy Metal and Extreme Bands that won’t give a damn about using profanity in their songs lyrics, 2Cents is just that band. Excellent! Let Metal freedom ring!

Whoever said Rock ‘N’ Roll was supposed to be squeaky clean anyway? Oh, it was probably ABBA. Anyways, 2Cents has one hell of a song that kick starts Dress To Kill off into high F’n gear – Dressed To Kill. It’s the frenetic drumming that opens Dressed To Kill that gets my Metal adrenaline on high, giving way to the Nu Metal meets Rapcore with Hardcore tendencies in-between. Deeply Madly is an extremely heavy song, with Adam O’ Rourke’s shouts overpowering an already powerful rhythm section and blistering guitars.. a thunder stomp, monster of a song.

Wicked By Design is Metal angst all coiled up and bound, then suddenly cut loose to infiltrate and destroy all eardrums, that dare to wear a headset while listening to this song’s extremely heavy outpouring of Metal. The real 2Cents party just gets started with the song Get What?. It’s all about the sheer blitz of heaviness and Hardcore vocals that Get What? translates. Even within all of this song’s extremities, I can still call out this song as standout and most likely a live favorite for 2Cents fans for many years to come.

Choose Your Illusion is so damned heavy and brutal that it probably could tear through a steel door that’s a foot thick. Tear Down Your Reasons is a union of Hardcore and Metal joining forces, creating a blend of Extreme that gets tempered by the memorable and harmonious chorus. This song boasts a powerful and contagious rhythm and tempo that doesn’t let up on it’s fiery attack. The Hollow is an out of control juggernaut in flames that cannot be contained nor controlled… only enjoyed on an almost bizarre level of Metal lovin’ madness. 2Cents knew how to bring Dress To Kill to a close, with The Hollow, it’s Hardcore bursting out at the Metal seams with vicious and extreme muscularity.

Any fan of Metal or even Hard Rock that is looking for a new album release that explodes with ultra revved up heaviness, both in music and vocals, should take a keen Metal liking to 2Cents – Dress To Kill. Some may find listening to Dress To Kill equivalent to opening a six-pack of Metal Music whoop ass… I feel that way. 2Cents incorporates a few Heavy Music genres within it’s core sound, however, they are best summed up as an F’n Heavy Duty, Metal Band. This band is damn good at what they write and play, in my Metal opinion. Add the fact they obviously don’t give a crap about mainstream acceptance only makes 2Cents that much more legit in my Metal mind.

* 2Cents – Dress To Kill receives 4.5 out of 5 Metal Fists rating from Metal Odyssey!

2Cents Are:

Adam O’Rourke – lead vocals & drums

Adair Cobley – guitar

Jason Wendell – bass

Dave O’Rourke – guitar & vocals

Track Listing For Dress To Kill:

Dressed To Kill

Love Like A Riot

Come And Get It

Deeply Madly

Wicked By Design

Now You Know

The Distance Travelled

Get What?

Shes Gone

Choose Your Illusion

Tear Down Your Reasons

Death Vegas

The Hollow

* For more info on 2Cents, just click the link below!

2Cents – MySpace Music Page

* 2Cents has played on the 2010 Jagermeister Music Tour with headliner and the ever legendary – KORN. This tour started on May 2, 2010, with dates through June 2, 2010.

Stone.

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HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY AMERICA! PLUS A MEMORIAL DAY ALBUM RECOMMENDATION!

Posted in hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, holidays, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags hard rock music, heavy metal album reviews, heavy metal albums, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, holidays, memorial day 2010, memorial day tribute, metal odyssey, Music, patriotic heavy metal music, patriotic music, progressive heavy metal, progressive rock music, queensryche heavy metal band, rock music, the united states on May 31, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Metal Odyssey extends a LOUD & PROUD – Happy Memorial Day to The United States of America!! I give unreal thank you’s to all of the Armed Forces of yesterday, to all those brave men and women who fought and/or gave their lives for democracy and protected the great country of America. The current Armed Forces of brave men and women do not go unnoticed here at Metal Odyssey either… thank you for giving up so much of your selves to make certain The United States of America remains a free and protected country. I also thank each and every member of my extended family, who served in the Armed Forces, both past and present. God Bless all of you.

Here is a Metal Odyssey – Metal listening recommendation for your Memorial Day and beyond!

QUEENSRYCHE – AMERICAN SOLDIER

Released on March 31, 2009 on Rhino Records.

This album is an incredibly patriotic listen… Queensryche created a great one here.

You can check out my review I posted for Queensryche – American Soldier, back on April 3, 2009. Just click that really cool and big link below to read all about American Soldier.

Queensryche “American Soldier” is Metal that honors those who serve.

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

Stone.

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NAZARETH “NO MEAN CITY” REISSUE – BEING RELEASED JUNE 15, 2010!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock bands, 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 music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock music with tags 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's rock bands, 1980's hard rock bands, classic rock music, current hard rock bands, hard rock albums 2010, hard rock history, hard rock music, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, nazareth hard rock band, nazareth rock band, no mean city album 1979, no mean city album review, no mean city reissue 2010, rock music, rock n' roll on May 31, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

NAZARETH – From Dunfermline, Scotland, came the now ever legendary Rock & Hard Rock Band – Nazareth. Back in January of 1979, Nazareth released No Mean City, which has been a lifetime favorite album of mine. This ever memorable album of richly crafted Rock and Hard Rock songs will have it’s reissue on June 15, 2010, on the record label called – Salvo. For nearly forty years, Nazareth has been Rockin’ around the globe, bringing their Rockin’ bluesy boogie and Hard Rockin’ blue collar thunder to the masses. Forty years… that is an ultra impressive tenure for a Rock Band, simply amazing. No Mean City deserves it’s recognition and deserves to be heard by a younger generation of Rock, Hard Rock and yes… Heavy Metal fans too. A sub-caption on this No Mean City album cover should read: Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Roots.

It was first brought to my Metal attention about this reissue of No Mean City by Metal buddy Rob Rockitt over at Hard Rock Hideout. Upon Rob informing me of this terrific news, I thought to myself, it’s about time! There are those certain Rock albums of yesteryear that explode with well written songs and incredible musicianship, No Mean City is just one of those albums… in my Metal opinion. Plus, the most current No Mean City CD that is available around the internet record sites, that was released back in 2002 on Eagle Music Europe, sells in the $68.00 range in U.S. funds!! Whoa. Whoa again. This insanely expensive 2002 import/remastered version of No Mean City can soon hit the Metal road… a more competent price point of around $17.00, (U.S. funds), will be the version of choice by fans who know the value of a dollar.

I have excitedly praised this Rock historic band Nazareth over my lifetime, especially this No Mean City album, to just about anyone who cares to lend an ear. Rob Rockitt has been no exception… he is without a Metal doubt, looking forward to giving this No Mean City album a thorough listen. I can’t wait to hear/read about what he has to say, about this all time favorite Rock album of mine.

If you are already a fan of Nazareth and this No Mean City album from 1979, you definitely know what I am talking about with all of my adulation for this Rock album gem. In the Metal event you are “new” to Nazareth and never heard of No Mean City… do the right thing and buy this reissue, thou shall not be disappointed if you are a fan of quality Rock/Hard Rock and/or Classic Rock Music that never dies. Metal be thy name.

For now, you can read the review I wrote/posted on No Mean City… this post was launched on Metal Odyssey on October 9, 2009. Just click the cool header link below for my review:

NAZARETH “NO MEAN CITY” – 1979 HARD ROCK ALBUM IS A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

Track listing for the 2010 reissue of Nazareth – No Mean City:

Just To Get Into It

May The Sunshine

Simple Solution (Parts 1&2)

Star

Claim To Fame

Whatever You Want Babe

What’s In It For Me

No Mean City (Parts 1&2)

Bonus Tracks:

May The Sunshine (Single Mix)

Snaefell (previously unreleased instrumental)

* This reissue of No Mean City will be packaged in a wallet-style digipak.

Nazareth, as they appear on No Mean City:

Dan McCafferty – lead vocals

Pete Agnew – bass guitar, backing vocals

Manny Charlton – guitars

Zal Cleminson – guitars

Darrell Sweet – drums

Back Cover of the 2010 No Mean City reissue:

LONG LIVE NAZARETH AND THEIR ROCK ‘N’ ROLL!

Stone.

3 Comments »

KROKUS – 1986 FLASHBACK: “BURNING UP THE NIGHT” MUSIC VIDEO AND TOUR POSTER!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal music videos, 1980's heavy metal songs, hard rock music, heavy metal concert posters, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, krokus hard rock band, krokus heavy metal band, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock and roll, rock music, rock n' roll on May 30, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

KROKUS – Back in 1986, Krokus released their really cool, Hard Rockin’ and infectiously melodic album – Change Of Address. One hot single off of this album was Burning Up The Night. A feel-good late ’80’s Hard Rock song that makes me want to check in my nonsensical stress at the Metal door! Each time I listen to this classic Krokus song… I do just that, throw away the negativity and let the Rock be the Rule! Check out the music video below… crank it up LOUD and be glad you did.

Take a Metal look at this vintage concert/tour poster from around 1986! Judas Priest was out supporting their Turbo album, (released in 1986 on Columbia Records), and Krokus supporting, of course, their Change Of Address album released the same year on Arista Records. I’m almost certain Metal buddy Kinger over at Demolish Fanzine – 1980’s Heavy Metal Revival plucked this piece of Metal history out of his Heavy Metal archives and sent it my way… this is the vintage and cool Heavy Metal history you can find over at Demolish, it’s worth the Metal visit to peruse over there.

KROKUS – Change Of Address (1986)

JUDAS PRIEST – Turbo (1986)

Here are some recent posts Metal Odyssey has featured, relating to both Krokus – Change Of Address and Judas Priest – Turbo… click on the header links below if you like and enrich your Metal mind or maybe get semi-annoyed. Either way, feel free to comment on your Metal thoughts regarding these two bands, their albums and incredible accomplishments in Heavy Metal history.

KROKUS “HEADHUNTER BLITZ” – AN ESSENTIAL GREATEST HITS FROM 2002!

JUDAS PRIEST “TURBO” – 1986 ALBUM IN MY METAL RETROSPECT

Oh, yes, Metal Odyssey has one more comment regarding KROKUS:

COME TO AMERICA FOR SOME CONCERT DATES LATER IN 2010! YOUR FANS ARE HERE… WE NEVER LEFT!! THERE IS DEMAND FOR YOUR ROCK ‘N’ ROLL IN AMERICA!

Stone.

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EYES OF FIRE – “DISINTEGRATE” DEBUT EP FROM 2003 REVISITED!

Posted in doom metal albums, doom metal music, extreme metal bands, extreme metal music, extreme music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags doom metal bands, doom metal music, extreme metal music, eyes of fire discography, eyes of fire sludge metal band, heavy metal eps, heavy metal music, heavy metal music reviews, metal bands, metal music, metal music 2003, metal odyssey, sludge metal bands, sludge metal music on May 28, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

EYES OF FIRE – Disintegrate is the debut EP released by Eyes Of Fire, back in 2003, on Century Media Records. This is a three song EP that is emblazoned with a mixture of Metal threads. From Doom and Stoner undertones to an all out Sludge Metal assault that takes the upper Metal hand. This debut EP may just have three songs, still, it is a very good Metal barometer of exactly how Eyes Of Fire see, feel, write and play their brand of Heavy Music. It’s EP’s like this, that gives fans a taste of what a band is about… and Eyes Of Fire is about bringing the Sludge Metal hammer down.

Eyes Of Fire is without question, an extremely heavy Sludge Metal Band, only they can create some songs that are entwined with a true semblance of melodic moments. Hopeless is just that song which does capitalize on the heavy side of the Sludge spectrum, yet this song has guitars and keyboards that emphasize key melodious balance throughout.

Disintegrate opens up with the guitar hitting on shades of Peter Buck of R.E.M. fame… only this song dislocates itself very quickly from any musical familiarity with that alternative sound. The guitar intro is more like a sound trap that sucks you into the Sludge Metal pit to the extreme. Tough, anti-mellow and raw, this song forms it’s heaviness around it’s chaotic and speed driven tempo.

Anyone begins with a soft segue, blanketing the atmosphere with tantalizing and head turning progressive tendencies. Not to get fooled though… Eyes Of Fire kicks it into Sludge Metal gear within the blink of a Metal eye, transcending Anyone into a thickly heavy, emotional and angst driven song. Anyone easily is my top pick out of the three songs on Disintegrate, based on it’s credible heaviness and emotion scorched vocals.

* Metal Odyssey gives Eyes Of Fire – Disintegrate EP, 3.5 Metal Fists out of 5.

Some Eyes Of Fire notes of interest:

* My Metal research has found, that Eyes Of Fire were formed back in 1998 and went by the band name – Shiva.

* The songs Hopeless and Anyone were later included on the Eyes Of Fire full length studio album – Ashes To Embers, released in 2004 on Century Media Records.

* Before the formation of Eyes Of Fire, Dan Kaufman (vocals & guitar) and Matt Fisher (vocals & bass) were the founding members of Mindrot, a mid to late ’90’s Doom Metal Band once signed to Relapse Records.

* Eyes Of Fire originated from Orange County, California.

* As it is stated on their MySpace Music Page… Eyes Of Fire are currently on hiatus.

* A Power/Thrash Metal Band from Kenosha, Wisconsin, goes by the same name – Eyes Of Fire. Their record label is called: Musical Orgasms Publishing.

Eyes Of Fire – Ashes To Embers (studio album from 2004)

Eyes Of Fire – Prisons (last studio album from 2006)

Track Listing For Disintegrate EP:

Disintigrate

Hopeless

Anyone

For more Metal info on Eyes Of Fire, click the cool link below:

Eyes Of Fire – MySpace Music Page

Stone.

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BRET MICHAELS IS BACK! … PHEW.

Posted in hair metal bands, hair metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock 'n' roll, rock music with tags bret michaels vocalist, current events, glam metal music, hair metal music, hard rock music, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll music, rock music, rock music 2010, rock music news, rock music vocalists, rock n' roll on May 27, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BRET MICHAELS – The lead singer for Poison, solo artist and Celebrity Apprentice “champ” seems to be out and about… just about everywhere these days. How I see it, great for him! Heck, Bret Michaels has every reason in the world to make things happen now. If I was in the same position, I would have an extreme sense of urgency to get it done… especially if you have the musical talent, contacts, resources and funds to lean on. The incredible turnaround for Bret Michaels health only makes me feel great inside, it inspires me to enjoy each moment of each day, like there really is no tomorrow.

Having a sense of urgency to accomplish life’s goals is a great thing to bestow… in my Metal opinion. Witnessing this incredible comeback by Bret Michaels inspires me to “get it done” and not sweat the small stuff. (Well, I’ll still complain about crap and act like a corn dog from time to time). I wish Bret Michaels nothing but the very best at life… we are all only given one pass on Earth as it is… and there are no rain checks or reverse button to push for living life either.

Welcome back Bret Michaels!

Stone.

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