On April 22nd, 1978 – The sensational KISS had their single, Rocket Ride, ranked at #39 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. Long Live ACE FREHLEY!
On April 22nd, 2016 – The newly released studio album, Retrogore, from Belgium’s ABORTED is ranked at #1, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Hell yes, it is!
On April 22nd, 2016 – The vampires from Helsinki, Finland, aka THE 69 EYES, have their newly released studio album, Universal Monsters, ranked at #2 on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Whoa!! Universal Monsters is the eleventh studio album from THE 69 EYES.
BONUS HISTORY FACT FOR APRIL 22nd:
Earth Day, an event launched to increase the public’s awareness of our world’s environmental drawbacks, is celebrated for the first time in the United States. Millions of Americans, from college students to politicians, participated in rallies, marches and educational programs. To read more about this historical milestone, click on the link below:
After tours with HammerFall and Gamma Ray in 2015 and the release of their highly successful debut album (“As Daylight Breaks”), Melodic Metallers SERIOUS BLACK are busy working on songs for their upcoming sophomore album. The band now also has unveiled the dates for their upcoming first headlining tour (support acts will be Sinbreed and Messerschmitt).
On April 19th, 1980 – The magnificent JUDAS PRIEST had their sixth studio album, British Steel, ranked at #6 in the United Kingdom.
On April 19th, 2016 – The newly released cover song album, Origins, Vol. 1, from the great ACE FREHLEY is ranked at #1, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Long Live Space Ace!
On April 19th, 2016 – ASKING ALEXANDRIA have their third studio album, The Black, sitting at #4, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Yup.
On April 19th, 2016 – OTEPGeneration Doom (Deluxe Edition) is ranked at #12, on the iTunes Top 100 Rock Albums Chart. Long Live Otep Shamaya!
On April 19th, 2016 – OTEP is scheduled to perform at the Knitting Factory Concert House in Boise, Idaho. This is one of many stops on the Generation Doom Tour for OTEP. Supporting OTEP will be: September Mourning, Doll Skin, Through Fire and Abaasy. Whoa!
BREAKING NEWS:Frontiers Music Srl is excited to announce JORN’s new album, Heavy Rock Radio, due for release on June 3rd! One of the greatest rock singers of our time, Jorn Lande returns with a unique album of covers of classics from artists and bands that have meant something special to him and helped forge this talented man’s own unique style.
Through Jorn’s extensive career, which includes more than 40 albums of mostly original songs, he has also recorded great versions of several rock classics such as Thin Lizzy‘s “Are You Ready”, UFO‘s “On and On”, Deep Purple‘s “Perfect Strangers”, and many more. Jorn also recorded a successful Ronnie James Dio tribute album, released in 2010. Every song JORN covers is treated with the utmost respect and “Jorn-ized” accordingly. A good example is his heavy sounding version of “I Walk Alone”, first released by Tarja Turunen (ex-Nightwish).
“Heavy Rock Radio” is not an ordinary album of cover songs, it is truly a songbook of hits. Featured – among others – are great versions of the Eagles‘ “Hotel California” and Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill”, which gets the Jorn style treatment to become very powerful and epic, without losing its commercial touch. More great classics included are John Farnham’s “You’re The Voice”, Queen‘s “Killer Queen”, and two absolute melodic rock evergreen gems in Journey‘s “Don’t Stop Believin'” and Foreigner‘s “Rev On The Red Line”.
The original concept of the album was to create a sort of jukebox of radio hits, but to avoid leaning too much on the pop side of rock, JORN decided to blend the track listing with a few more up tempo rock tracks as well, such as “The Final Frontier” by Iron Maiden (“probably the closest you get to anything commercial with Iron Maiden,” says Jorn), “Live to Win” by Paul Stanley (a song which was also featured on the popular television series South Park), and a few hard rock classics show up as well from Deep Purple (“Stormbringer”), Dio (“Rainbow In The Dark”) and Black Sabbath (“Die Young”) to complete the mix.
Jorn says: “The most important thing was to treat these songs with respect towards the original versions, my goal was always to think that the original artist would be honoured and find my version relevant. At the same time my intention was never to try to compete with the original song and artist, but make it a strong alternative version to enjoy. At the same time it is a well deserved homage to these artists and bands, who influenced me strongly, and I have wanted to record these songs for quite some time but was always too busy writing and recording my own songs to make it happen. Originally I had a list of 40-50 songs I wanted to do, but I had to strip it down to about 15 songs before deciding on the final track list. This means that there are some unfinished business musically, and I will most likely record more of these songs in the future.”
Jorn Lande
Since releasing the critically acclaimed Dracula “Swing of Death” album last year, Jorn has also been working on an album of brand new songs, which will be the successor to the 2013 Jorn album “Traveller”, to be released in early 2017. Jorn’s catalogue is getting too long to include in brief press statements, and his innovative and creative skills have led to him selling millions of albums worldwide and being a frequent entry on sales charts around the world including Billboard. Worth a mention is his years with German based MasterPlan, whom he recorded three albums with. Claimed to be the biggest selling Norwegian musical export, since the pop band A-ha, Jorn continues his rock crusade, and there are no signs of him slowing down yet.
The title “Heavy Rock Radio” came quite naturally, as the sound of this album feels like if it’s tailor-made for any rock radio station, and while Jorn’s voice can be enjoyed on more than 40 albums in different rock and metal styles, this record is a special treat which will tide over all the fans waiting for the new original album which is being worked on at the moment. Enjoy!
Jorn Lande – Vocals Trond Holter – Guitars Francesco Iovino – Drums Thomas Bekkevold – Bass Alessandro Del Vecchio – Keyboards
Except as follows:
“Rainbow in the Dark” Jimmy Iversen and Tore Moren – guitars Nic Angileri – bass Willy Bendiksen – drums
“Stormbringer” Jorn Viggo Lofstad – guitars Sid Ringsby – bass Willy Bendiksen – drums
Devil You Know will kick off their first-ever North American headlining tour on April 15th in Fresno, CA. The tour, dubbed “Make America Metal Again” will also feature the band ONI as direct support. Expect a long-ass set, sweaty and packed, intimate shows for a very low price.
The band is also offering VIP ticketing packages at each show, where for only $50 you get a guaranteed group photo with the band, as many autographed items as you like and a free t-shirt of your choice from our merch booth. They are on-sale now at the link below. Meet and greets will be at 6PM sharp each day.
On April 12th, 1954 – Bill Haley And His Comets recorded (We’re Gonna)Rock Around The Clock for Decca Records. The rest is Rock and eventual Metal history, folks.
On April 12th, 1975 – SWEET had their huge hit Fox On The Run reach #2, in the UK.
On April 12th, 1977 – The iconic LED ZEPPELIN performed at the Met Center, in Bloomington, Minnesota. Whoa!
On April 12th, 1986 – OZZY OSBOURNE performed at the Johnstown War Memorial (Arena), in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The Special Guest was: METALLICA. Pretty cool stuff, huh? By the way, this venue is now known as: Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
I was fortunate to see OZZY and METALLICA on this tour, at the New Haven Coliseum in New Haven, Connecticut. This was OZZY‘s The Ultimate Sin Tour. It was good Metal times!
On April 12th, 2002 – The super legendary OZZY OSBOURNE received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. Ozzy’s star is located in front of the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum at 6780 Hollywood Boulevard. Yup.
“We wish to inform you that Dimmu Borgir and Nuclear Blast once again put pen to paper, acknowledging the past, present and future by opening another chapter in the history of extreme music! Stay tuned and watch this space for more updates on the new album and the Forces of The Northern Night Live DVD/Blu-Ray release as it becomes available!”
We’ve just launched our new Flotsam and Jetsam landing page! Find out a little more about the band’s brand new album, the formats available and… don’t stop before scrolling down to the bottom… you really should… a little surprise is waiting for you there
U.S. Thrash veterans FLOTSAM AND JETSAM have released a first brand new track taken from the upcoming self-titled studio album, which will drop on May 20th! Debuting their crushing new (tribute) track called “Iron Maiden” and no it’s not a cover of the Iron Maiden classic. Pure original Flots ’til death!
Listen to “Iron Maiden” below! This song is so freaking amazing! This is an ass-kicking song! I am so excited about this “Iron Maiden” song! True Thrash!!! – Stone
The only song missing on this Metallica (gulp) album is: Thanks For The Memory.
OZZY OSBOURNE – Scream
By far, the worstOzzy Osbourne studio album. Ever. If I wrote anything positive about this album in the past, it was because I ate too many wild mushrooms. To this day, I’m embarrassed for Gus G having to play guitar on this record.
PHILM – Harmonic
I got sucked into this album due to the great Dave Lombardo (of Slayer fame) being a founding member and drummer for PHILM. Honestly, it’s one of the worst albums I’ve ever listened to of any genre.
GUNS N’ ROSES – “The Spaghetti Incident?”
This cover song album features a song written by Charles Manson and performed by GNR. Classless. ‘Nuff said.
ICED EARTH – Horror Show
I absolutely love ICED EARTH, still, this album is not their crowning glory. Horror Show goes on and on and on, like a bad dream. I truthfully fell asleep numerous times while trying to listen to this album. It was a grand idea though, with wicked excellent cover art to boot.
Vancouver, Canada’s ASTRAKHAN are proud to announce the upcoming release of debut full-length album, Reward in Purpose, on CD and vinyl formats. The highly anticipated follow-up to 2014 EP A Tapestry of Scabs and Skin will be released June 10 on War on Music and Sunmask Records. Check out the Reward in Purpose teaser video at this location or below:
Recorded by Jesse Gander and Mastered by Stu McKillop at Rain City Recorders, Reward in Purpose stands as a singular piece of music and is meant to be taken as it is; the whole is indeed bigger than the sum of its parts. This album explores the perceptions and experience of the band over the last few years together and culminates with the realization that the true reward for which we search with any passionate endeavour is ultimately a matter of experiencing the highs and lows that come with the pursuit of pure expression. It is simply a matter being occupied with something that matters to you.
A video of the band performing new song “Omajod” at Vancouver Psychfest can be viewed at this locationor below:
Album artwork comes courtesy of Nick Patterson. ASTRAKHAN vocalist/guitarist Rob Zawistowski created the design and layout. Thanks to Amy Ray Photography for band photos, including the album’s back cover.
Track Listing:
1 .Omajod
2. Turgid Waters
3. Of Sage and Other Herbs
4. The Traveler
5. Hatchet
6. Rabbits
7. Microcosmic Design
8. Forgetfulness
9. Hand on the Stone
QUIET RIOT will forever have a place in my Metal heart; their #1 studio album Metal Health is one incredible reason why. Oh, the good-times memories of partying to QUIET RIOT. Whoa. Both Scott Coverdale and I must mention QUIET RIOT to each other at least twice a week; perhaps at times, twice a day.
Without question, QUIET RIOT exploded onto the Heavy Metal scene with their groundbreaking 1983 Metal Health album along with their historic performance at the 1983US Festival on Heavy Metal Day (March 29). The rest is QUIET RIOT history that shall never be ignored here at Metal Odyssey.
Scott and I have picked our top 5 songs from QUIET RIOT, respectively. Check ’em out below and agree or disagree, please feel free to comment! Please list your top 5 QUIET RIOT songs as well, for the more the Metal merrier! Metal Be Thy Name. – Stone
Stone’s Top 5 QUIET RIOT Songs:
Metal Health – Metal Health (1983)
Winners Take All – Condition Critical (1984)
The Wild And The Young – QR III (1986)
Don’t Wanna Let You Go – Metal Health (1983)
Mama Weer All Crazee Now – Condition Critical (1984)
Scott’s Top 5 QUIET RIOT Songs:
Metal Health – Metal Health (1983)
Mama Weer All Crazee Now – Condition Critical (1984)
AFM Records will celebrate its 20th Anniversary, on July 6th, with a special “label night” on this year’s Rockharzfestival in Ballenstedt, Germany. Confirmed live acts are U.K.’s Thrash icons ONSLAUGHT, German Hard Rockers KISSIN’ DYNAMITE, Swiss riff rockers SHAKRA, Finland’s Melo Death grandmasters MORS PRINCIPIUM EST and Germany’s fun Metal chart breakers J.B.O..
ROCKHARZ OPEN AIR will take place July 7th thru 9th, 2016.
Cinema tickets for the BIGGEST global one night film event that is KISS ROCKS VEGAS are now AVAILABLE in EUROPE! Head over to www.kissmycinema.com/cinemas to grab yours!
More European and worldwide screens to be announced soon. Stay Tuned!
Paradox reveal cover art and track list! German Thrash icons PARADOX reveal cover artwork and track list from their upcoming new studio album “Pangea”! The album will be out in Europe on June 3rd and in the USA on June 24th, available as CD and Gatefold 2-Vinyl. Japan release (with a special bonus track) date will be announced soon.
Pangea – Track List:
1. Apophis
2. Raptor
3. The Raging Planet
4. Ballot Or Bullet
5. Manhunt
6. Cheat & Pretend
7. Pangea
8. Vale Of Tears
9. Alien Godz
10. El Muerte
Album Credits:
Produced by Charly Steinhauer
Mixed & Mastered by Panagiotis Katsaounis
Coverart by Claudio Bergamin
Release date: June 3rd, 2016 (EU) June 24th (USA)
Label: AFM Records
Scott Coverdale and I dig RATT. Really, RATT songs embody what 80’s mainstream Heavy Metal was all about: big, booming, melodic, colorful and loaded with charisma. I’ve always stated: once you go RATT, you can’t go back.
Scott and I both talk about RATT with each other so often, therefore, we decided it was time to post our Top 5 songs from ’em, respectively. Enjoy our choices or ridicule ’em, please! Don’t forget to post your top 5 songs from RATT as well, via comment! Dig it. – Stone
Stone’s Top 5 RATT Songs:
Back For More – Out Of The Cellar (1984)
In Your Direction – Out Of The Cellar (1984)
Lay It Down – Invasion Of Your Privacy (1985)
As Good As It Gets – Infestation (2010)
Way Cool Jr. – Reach For The Sky (1988)
Stone’s Favorite RATT Album: Out Of The Cellar (1984)
Scott Coverdale’s Top 5 RATT Songs:
Shame, Shame, Shame – Detonator (1990)
Back For More – Out Of The Cellar (1984)
One Step Away – Detonator (1990)
You’re In Love – Invasion Of Your Privacy (1988)
Nobody Rides For Free – Point Break Soundtrack (1991)
The U.S. West Coast may boast they have Metallica. Whatever. The East Coast can eternally boast they have… TWISTED F’N SISTER. Now we’re talking about a Metal band that never forgot their roots. Today, Scott Coverdale and I spoke about TWISTED SISTER and decided it was time to post our Top 5 songs from ’em… respectively.
No matter how you slice it, the legendary Dee Snider has defended musical freedom like a rattlesnake. Dee is the undisputedChampion Of Metal. Like or despise the lists, let us know! Don’t forget to comment your top 5 TWISTED SISTER songs too, for we really appreciate that cool shit around here. Metal Be Thy Name. – Stone
Scott Coverdale’s Top 5 Twisted Sister Songs:
The Kids Are Back – You Can’t Stop Rock ‘N’ Roll (1983)
Under The Blade – ” (1982)
You Can’t Stop Rock ‘N’ Roll – ” (1983)
Stay Hungry – ” (1984)
I Am, (I’m Me) – You Can’t Stop Rock ‘N’ Roll (1983)
Stone’s Top 5 Twisted Sister Songs:
Lookin’ Out For #1 – Come Out And Play (1985)
Under The Blade – ” (1982)
We’re Gonna Make It – You Can’t Stop Rock ‘N’ Roll (1983)
The Power And The Glory – You Can’t Stop Rock ‘N’ Roll (1983)
California-based thrashers TORMENTER are proud to introduce Randy Garcia as their new guitarist. The band parted ways with former guitarist Joey Cazarez earlier this year.
Randy said about joining the band: “I’m very excited to be in Tormenter. I’m really looking forward to what the future has in store for us and I can’t wait to finish this new album.”
The band are currently in the beginning stages of writing new material and expect to have an album recorded by Spring of 2017. In the meantime, you can buy and stream their previous album Prophetic Deceiver at this location: https://statictension.bandcamp.com/album/prophetic-deceiver
Today, Scott Coverdale and I have decided to post our Top 5 songs from Judas Priest, respectively. (See below). Judas Priest. The band that made spiked leather and duo lead guitars a mainstay in the world of Metal. Judas Priest. The band that has been shunned by The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for such other acts like: Beastie Boys, Green Day and ABBA. Life isn’t always fair and really do any of us Metalheads give a smelly shit about that Rock Hall anyways?
Without Judas Priest, would there have been such a remarkable New Wave Of British Heavy Metal era? You make the call, it’s an easy call to make. I and Scott Coverdale pledge our Metal Allegiance to Judas Priest, now and forever. Metal Be Thy Name. – Stone
Scott Coverdale’s Top 5 Judas Priest Songs:
You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ – Screaming For Vengeance (1982)
Love Bites – Defenders Of The Faith (1984)
Rock Hard Ride Free – Defenders Of The Faith (1984)
Locked In – Turbo (1986)
Hell Bent For Leather – Hell Bent For Leather (U.S.) (1979)
Stone’s Top 5 Judas Priest Songs:
Some Heads Are Gonna Roll – Defenders Of The Faith (1984)
South Carolina Progressive Black Metal Unit ENTHEAN will release their debut album Priests of Annihilation, on May 20th. Pre-order the album and stream new song Dysthanasia at:
Priests of Annihilation will unquestionably appeal to fans of DISSECTION, EMPEROR, ORIGIN, and IMMORTAL. Yet the album more broadly represents the band’s musical take on experiences past and present. Indeed, it is an ode to their many influences, musical or otherwise. Put simply, ENTHEAN has created a fierce and dynamic album that will excite a wide range of Metal fans.
______________________
Track List:
1. 1054
2. Tones of Desecration
3. Before You, I Am
4. Dysthanasia
5. Ekpyrosis
6. Behold the Primordial
7. Bring Forth the Raven
8. Invalesc de Profundis
Album Credits:
Mastered by: Jamie King
Mixing and Drum recording by: Bob Moore at Soundlab Studios
Additional samples and vocals recorded by: Ray Howard at Entropy Studios
Additional Bass by: Adam Mast Tracks 3, 6, 7, and 8
Artwork by: Marco Hasmann
Logo by: Chris Horst
Layout and Lyrics by: Adam Broome
Produced by: Brian Kingsland
Photos by: Troy Browder
______________________________
ENTHEAN BIO:
ENTHEAN is an extreme metal band based out of South Carolina, formed in 2012 with the intentions of creating their own brand of Metal. ENTHEAN seamlessly merges elements of Technical Death, Symphonic Black, Progressive, Thrash, Shred and Classical music. Their sound is driven by precise counterpoint based riffs, furious drumming and a symphonic backdrop. Resulting in a whirlwind of bludgeoning sound, virtuoso technique and masterful composition. ENTHEAN‘s lyrical inspiration comes from life blended with mythology.
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"
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
You must be logged in to post a comment.