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HULL To Open For Pentagram In NY This January 2011!

Brooklyn, New York-based triple guitar-led sludge titans HULL are pleased to announce their appearance on a very special show this January opening for doom icons Pentagram. The performance will take place at Brooklyn’s Club Europa on January 6, 2011. Additional support will come from Judas Priestess and Bezoar. To purchase tickets, visit: http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3318815

Commented the band : “This year being the first of the future, twenty-ten, it marks the starting point of a whole new century of sonic learning that we can’t even begin to imagine. Twenty-eleven has been foretold to perhaps even melt the faces of those who aren’t listening to the learning. The first of these twelve or seventy-three different events to mark the future will fall upon the sixth day of twenty-eleven at eight of the clock, when the bare moon is halved and then thrice cloven, thus appearing to be full.

For those who would stand proud and open their ears to this gift, it is said it may be witnessed on the continent of Europa during the season of the Pentagram, when the Judas Priestess battles the mighty Bezoar they pilot an oaken Hull through Hell… Citizens! Come! Look into the bright light of the future and hear the words of the universe!

…and after having shared the stage with Pentagram at Planet Caravan Festival in Asheville, NC in 2009, HULL is very excited to experience the unpredictability of the infamous Mr. Bobby Liebling once again. Hopefully fans may even get a glimpse of his doppelganger, Sir Greg Peterson of Batillus fame.”

HULL have been holed up at an undisclosed location working on the follow-up to their Sole Lord debut, issued via The End Records in 2009. Their sophomore full-length will be co-produced by Brett Romnes (who played drums on the band’s long coveted Viking Funeral EP, initially self-released in 2007) and mixed by Bill Anderson (Sleep, High On Fire, Neurosis, EHG, Melvins et al). – (Source: Earsplit press release, November 19, 2010).

HULL – Sole Lord was released on The End Records, on May 26, 2009.

* For more info on HULL, click on the links below!

http://www.myspace.com/hull

http://www.hullorhighwater.com

http://www.facebook.com/hull666

LONG LIVE HULL… and PENTAGRAM.

Stone.

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DARKBLACK – Announce New EP “Midnight Wraith” And December West Coast Assault!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags darkblack, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metalodyssey, midnight wraith ep, rock music news, traditional metal music on November 17, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

DARKBLACK – Northwestern U.S. ragers DARKBLACK have just put the final touches on their bruising new collection of Traditional Metal, in the form of the Midnight Wraith EP!

Following 2009’s blazing Sellsword full-length and constructed by the band’s revamped band lineup since that recording, DARKBLACK prove they’re at their finest hour yet on the freshly completed Midnight Wraith. Composed of five unrelenting Heavy Metal anthems realized in the murky gloom of the band’s hometown of Portland, Oregon and recorded at Revolver Studios by Nalin Silva, the Midnight Wraith tells tales of death, betrayal, unholy spirits and fantastic battles. Check out the opening track Doom Herald by clicking on the link below:

DARKBLACK – myspace music

Midnight Wraith EP Track Listing:

Doom Herald

Power Monger

Golden Idol

Midnight Wraith

Broken Oath

Midnight Wraith will be released on December 1st, 2010, via San Jose, California based Stormspell Records, who also handled the Sellsword album. Midnight Wraith’s ominous cover artwork is by illustrator Richard Smith. (See EP artwork at top of post).

In celebration of the EP’s release, DARKBLACK will kick off a triumphant eight show West Coast tour on the exact day Midnight Wraith will be available to the public. With shows confirmed in Washington, Oregon and California, DARKBLACK will be rocking alongside killer acts like Christian Mistress, Walken, Huntress, Gypsyhawk and more throughout the brief yet brutal trek… including a FREE hometown record release show on December 3rd.

DARKBLACK – December 2010 Midnight Wraith Tour:

12/1/10 – The Black Lodge – Seattle WA, with Skelator, Emeralds, Elk’s Blood

12/2/10 – TBA – Olympia, WA, with Christian Mistress

12/3/10 – Kelly’s Olympian – Portland, OR, (CD release show) with Spellcaster, Dead By Dawn

12/4/10 – Bender’s – San Francisco, CA, with Huntress, Walken

12/5/10 – The Hazmat (Your House) – Oakland, CA, with Dodsfalla, Bruxers, Infernal Graves, Drunken Hardcore

12/6/10 – Cinespace – Los Angeles, CA, with Huntress, Gypsyhawk

12/8/10 – The Cup – Eugene, OR, with Excruciator, Scrolls

12/9/10 – The Know – Portland, OR

(Source: Earsplit press release, November 17, 2010)

Go Get ‘Em DARKBLACK!

Stone.

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SAMOTH of The Wretched End – A Metal Odyssey Interview!

Posted in Black Metal, extreme metal music, extreme music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music interviews, rock music news with tags Black Metal, Death Metal, emperor, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, rock music news, samoth, samoth interview, the wretched end, the wretched end interview, Thrash Metal, zyklon on November 16, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

The Wretched End, above, from left to right: Nils Fjellström (drums), Cosmo (guitar, bass, vocals) and Samoth (guitar).

SAMOTH – When Metal legends come to mind, they are usually of the household variety. The mainstream variety. There are those Metal legends that don’t come pre-packaged and red carpet ready… they are of the underground variety. SAMOTH is a Metal legend of the underground Metal community. As a Black Metal influence, Samoth carved out his very own piece of Rock Music history, with his pioneering Extreme Black Metal band he founded with Ihsahn and Mortis back in 1991 which the world will forever know as – Emperor.

Being a founding member of an internationally acclaimed Extreme Black Metal Band the likes of Emperor, all those years ago as a teenager, was a building block towards Metal immortality. Samoth later co-founded the Blackened Death Metal band – Zyklon, which after thirteen years of Metal existence they disbanded in 2010. His musical affiliation and membership with many other Black and Extreme Metal bands are many, including SCUM and Satyricon.

Samoth reflects on his days with Emperor, touches on balancing a career and family, speaks about his influences, horror movies, his very own Nocturnal Art Productions and of course his newest Metal project, The Wretched End and their new Death/Thrash studio album of Extreme Metal intensity – “Ominous”. While I spoke to Samoth, I realized very quickly there are many sides to this legend of Metal. Samoth is all about Metal, through a do it yourself attitude, coupled with a business savvy awareness that has made him a success for twenty years and counting. Samoth is a multi-instrumentalist, a songwriter and a self-made record label owner, who speaks more fluent than most college professors that stood before me lecturing.

Every answer from this enormous figure of Metal History made legitimate sense to me… there was never a dry tone nor a sense of arrogance or self righteousness about Samoth. A man such as Samoth, has been to the top of the mountain (and actually lives on a mountain too) and considers The Wretched End a new beginning for him. I walked away from my interview with Samoth with reaffirming Metal respect. Here is what Samoth had to say:

Stone: What’s the story behind The Wretched End coming together?

SAMOTH: After the decision to split up Zyklon, I decided on forming a new band with Cosmo. We both worked together with Scum (Deathpunk Band). Cosmo also did live bass for Zyklon on tour as well. We live close by to each other, so we talked about doing this project together. In 2008 and 2009 we wrote all the material for the “Ominous” album and recorded in the Summer of 2009. Nils Fjellström (drums) joined on with us in the Summer of 2009.

Stone: Ominous has become for me, one of the high points in Metal for 2010. Are you pleased with all of the initial positive response?

SAMOTH: Yeah we are! I’ve just been doing a lot of press as of late for it. The people and fans really seem to like it. I’m pretty pleased with the album. We knew we made a great album.

Stone: How did the lyrics to Human Corporation evolve?

SAMOTH: The lyrics are about how everything is very monetary in our society, especially in the Western World. It’s about how free we are, yet in reality we are influenced in our everyday life… we’re told how to act, what to eat, what to look like, what to buy and what to wear. It’s all the horror of human corporation. Human Corporation is about how man is being removed from nature.

Stone: Will The Wretched End be touring North America in the near future? Any tour plans?

SAMOTH: Unfortunately, no. The Wretched End is a studio project. Still, we’ll see what happens for the future. I want to go ahead with another album. I’m already in pre-production for the next album. I’m happy with the working relationship of this band. I’m more active with the song writing process now. There are those long periods on the road, where I miss making music. I’d do writing on the road and try to motivate myself on the road, still, it started to feel too long, these periods between making music. I started to think about making a new band and The Wretched End came together. The Wretched End is a new beginning for me, even though the band name says otherwise.

Stone: You mention urban decay and factories as influences on your myspace. Can you elaborate further?

SAMOTH: It’s more like a nature influence. I live up on a mountain, in a beautiful setting. Urban decay is atmosphere of the world crumbling, being ruined by man’s hand. It’s all the self destruction of mankind.

Stone: Is the combination of Death, Thrash and Black Metal the ultimate Metal sound for you to capture?

SAMOTH: I guess it is. For the past twenty years it’s what I’ve been doing. Death, Thrash and Black Metal, compared to Zyklon, these are obvious similarities with the music. This is the music I’m most comfortable with. This is the music I’m influenced with and the foundation of my being a musician. It’s more interesting to me. I do draw more influences into my music, I like to become experimental at times. If it fits, I use it.

Stone: I see you list Tangerine Dream under your music influences, right in the midst of Slayer and Iron Maiden!

SAMOTH: Yeah, I listen to them. I do like ambient and electronic music. I find it to be inspiring. I prefer to listen to this music on a personally inspiring level.

Stone: Did you ever have a mentor?

SAMOTH: Not completely, no. I’ve always like to walk my own way and push myself to succeed. An artist inspiring me as I was growing up, that all took place.

Stone: Who inspired you?

SAMOTH: The classics are what inspired me. I liked KISS, W.A.S.P. and Judas Priest. My mom hated Blackie Lawless and that made me love him all the more!

Stone: Did you ever share the stage with W.A.S.P.?

SAMOTH: We played with W.A.S.P. in Finland, back in 2007. W.A.S.P. was larger than life when I was young, only when I got older, it’s not like that anymore. I like keeping my art dark, with death. It doesn’t mean my everyday life isn’t as dark.

Metal Odyssey Note: Emperor and W.A.S.P. shared the stage at the Tuska Open Air Metal Festival in Finland, on June 30, 2007. This Metal festival took place in Kaisaniemi Park, in the middle of Helsinki, Finland. Tuska Open Air Metal Festival has been an annual event, since 1998.

Stone: How was your Nocturnal Art Productions conceived?

SAMOTH: I started Nocturnal Art Productions back in ’93. I decided to start an underground record label, with no experience. A seven inch (vinyl) Emperor was the initial start. There was a lot of limited edition stuff. As I became more serious about it, I put more money into it, began to sign bands and created distribution. I did mail order for a period of time, still I needed a proper network. It takes up a lot of time and it took balance with being in a band. My main priority then was always the bands and Emperor. Through my relationship with Candlelight Records, Nocturnal became an imprint label with them, run by me through their network. This equals freedom for me. I always like to keep the Nocturnal name going, it makes a lot of sense for me as an artist.

Stone: It sounds so easy, the way you tell the story, only it must have been a great deal of work.

SAMOTH: I started from scratch, with a do it yourself attitude. I’ve always had a business sense and liked both sides of the music spectrum. This has helped me as an artist, to create contacts.

Stone: Who is the one musician Samoth wants to create music with still?

SAMOTH: That’s a tough one. You know who intrigues me is Devin Townsend. He has done some interesting stuff. He is a guy I would use for a producer. That’s the one for me to choose, Devin Townsend.

Metal Odyssey Note: Devin Townsend is both a musician and record producer, widely respected amongst Extreme Metal and Metal fans, musicians and the industry. Devin is the founder, vocalist and guitarist for Strapping Young Lad, which disbanded in 2007. Devin is carrying on his incredible career as a successful solo artist and producer.

Stone: What is your favorite Horror movie?

SAMOTH : I hardly watch them anymore, I hardly have anytime to watch them. When I used to watch Horror movies, it was the Omen trilogy. These movies inspired me. The soundtrack, the music itself is what really inspired me. I did enjoy Hellraiser, it was very dark. The first Evil Dead is a classic. On Blu-ray, these movies are not the same though. Watching the first Evil Dead on a beat up VHS, with the screen flickering, you can’t beat that.

Stone: You’re old school Samoth!

SAMOTH: I’m caught up in the digital chaos at my office though! Atmosphere is key to Horror movies. If there is no atmosphere, there is nothing. Today’s Horror movies are all caught up in special effects, there’s no atmosphere.

Stone: You have been a key member and a huge part of many bands over your career. Which band would you say was your proudest experience?

SAMOTH: Most definitely Emperor. We formed Emperor as teens. We had such an energy and were dedicated to the lifestyle of Black Metal. We all put everything into that band and built it into an international Extreme Metal influence. Emperor emotionally is my proudest experience right into my older life, it has led me to the musician I am today. It’s been twenty years already, since Emperor formed, holy crap! Before you know it, your an old geezer! I’m only thirty six years old and I’m talking like I’m ancient.

Stone: Well, the life of a Rock musician will probably have that affect on you, it must be grueling, with the lifestyle of touring and meeting your own recording deadlines.

SAMOTH: It’s because I started in my mid teens and had success in an early part of my life. Emperor did a fair share of touring and Zyklon toured much more. I like my home life, I’m a man at home. I strive for balance, between being a musician and my family.

Stone: If Metal took over the world, would you want to be it’s leader?

SAMOTH: If Metal took over the world, I like that. Sounds really stressful! It would be way too much stress. I have way too much stress on my plate already!

The Wretched End – Ominous, was released on October 25, 2010, on Candlelight Records.

* For more info on The Wretched End and SAMOTH, click below:

The Wretched End – myspace music

SAMOTH – Official Myspace Music

LONG LIVE SAMOTH AND HIS METAL.

Thank you, Samoth.

Stone.

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Hellfueled – Revisiting “Midnight Lady” EP From 2004!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal videos, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal from sweden, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, hellfueled, hellfueled midnight lady CD single, metal music, metal odyssey, midnight lady ep, midnight lady music video, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music, traditional heavy metal on October 2, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HELLFUELED – In Metal Odyssey’s quest, this Halloween Season, to deliver reviews on Metal, Hard Rock and Punk Bands that bestow horror-theme tendencies of sound, style and persona, here is the very first installment for this gloriously wicked and frightful October of 2010… Hellfueled. This is one very cool Metal Band from Husqvarna, Sweden, not because I said so, it’s due to the clear fact they can write and play songs that are memorable. Anytime a band’s particular song or sound sticks in my Metal brain, it tells me that band is damn good. Midnight Lady is one hell of a memorable song from one hell of a memorable band that is Hellfueled.

Could it be a personal “gravitation” or “taste” in music happening here with Hellfueled? Probably. The only truth is, I would not go out of my way so often as I do, to just recommend pigeon crap on a platter. I try my hardest, to recommend the “coolest” bands and the creme’ de’ la creme’ of Metal, to my fellow Metalheads of the Metal Odyssey Battalion. Metal be thy name.

The song Midnight Lady opens up with a riff that was born to grab my attention and this song never let’s up on it’s ’80’s Heavy Metal outer-glow. Midnight Lady just lifts off from the onset and never seems to land to the ground, which is what good Heavy Metal is supposed to do in the first place. Despite the resonance of some Old School Heavy Metal from days long past, Hellfueled delivered a very relevant song in 2004 with Midnight Lady and it still is relevant in 2010, when compared to what’s being released at the moment.

Some may concur that Hellfueled isn’t playing anything that hasn’t been heard before. I counter by stating Hellfueled plays an European style of Traditional Heavy Metal and does so with a defiant level of confidence and talent. Just the three songs heard on this Midnight Lady EP, demonstrates the fire and hunger of a band, that trusts their style of sound and the path of heaviness they have chosen.

Reflecting for just a moment, to a band that just might be an influence to Hellfueled… Black Sabbath. Andy Alkman, the lead vocalist for Hellfueled, sounds remarkably close to that of the everlasting and legendary… OZZY. Vocals are supposed to be a unique characteristic, yet sometimes close similarities can occur between different singers, that is reality. I could not be more honest, in stating that Andy’s vocals are tailor-made for this style and sound of Heavy Metal. His vocals come across as natural and unforced, with any resemblance to Ozzy Osbourne being unintentional. If Andy’s intent was to vocally sound like Ozzy, well, then he obviously nailed it. Believe me, this is not the first place where Andy’s vocals have been compared to Ozzy.

The two previously unreleased demo songs, (Endless Work and Big Fat Eight), are very muscular in the Traditional Heavy Metal style, while not sounding as completely polished as Midnight Lady. Nonetheless, both of these demo songs can stand alone and take a pass on any further tweaking on the production side… the rawness brings out a more lean and mean aura to the vocals and overall sound of the band.

The music video for Midnight Lady that comes as a bonus to this EP is fun to watch. A teenage/college age couple are taking a late night cruise when all of a sudden, they drive by the Hellfueled band hitchhiking on the side of a dark and desolate country road. The girl in the car looks at the band as they drive by them and makes a goofy facial gesture at them. Game on.

Watch for yourself, as this couple finds out the hard way not to mess around with Hellfueled! Just click on the video box below!

Hellfueled takes the Traditional Heavy Metal style and plays it in a manner where I feel surrounded by their sound. Very strong, loud and enveloping are Hellfueled as they play on these songs, vocals included, with a guitar driven force. For new fans, this Midnight Lady EP makes for a solid introduction to Hellfueled.

I’ve seen the mp3 and CD/EP of Midnight Lady for sale on Amazon.com. It is worth picking up the entire CD/EP, as you are getting not only the two previously unreleased demo’s, your also getting the music video for Midnight Lady as well. This Midnight Lady EP is a terrific Metal listen and music video from Hellfueled that shouldn’t fly under your Metal radar. Plus… if you ever see Hellfueled hitching for a ride, don’t be foolish by not helping them out.

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

Hellfueled – Official Website

Hellfueled – myspace music

* Current Hellfueled lineup:

Andy Alkman – vocals

Jocke Lundgren – guitar

Henke Lonn – bass

Kent Svensson – drums

* Midnight Lady EP was released in Sweden in December of 2004, on Black Lodge.

* Midnight Lady EP had a worldwide release date in April of 2005, on Black Lodge.

Track Listing For Midnight Lady EP:

Midnight Lady – (Taken from the album Volume One)

Endless Work – (Previously unreleased demo)

Big Fat Eight – (Previously unreleased demo)

* Endless Work and Big Fat Eight are also listed as “Japanese Bonus Tracks” from Hellfueled’s debut album from 2004 – Volume One. (This info is listed on Hellfueled’s official website under “discography”.

* Produced by Fredrik Nordström and Patrik J. Sten

* The legendary producer/musician Fredrik Nordström founded Dream Evil, recruiting the incredible… Gus G. to join on with his band. The rest is Heavy Metal history…

* Extra Bonus Material:

Midnight Lady (Video) – (Directed by Charlie Granberg)

LONG LIVE HELLFUELED!

Stone.

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HIGH ON FIRE “FROST HAMMER” – A METAL SONG FOR THE METAL AGES

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, stoner metal music with tags frost hammer song, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal bands, heavy metal songs 2010, high on fire, matt pike, metal music, metal odyssey, metal song of the day, Music, rock music, rock music news, snakes for the divine album, stoner metal on August 29, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HIGH ON FIRE – Good health. Family. Cool Metal buddies. Sunny skies. Free stuff. Cold beer. Finding an independent record and CD store. Finding a quarter in the grocery store parking lot. Taking a relieving dump. Sure, these are all the big and some little things that can perk up the human spirit. However… it’s Metal that never fails to perk me up time and again, year after year, day after day.

Hearing that one Metal song that lifts me up is always a reminder as to why I am hooked on the greatest music in the history of mankind. What’s the greatest music in the history of mankind you query? Uh, it’s Metal. This is Metal Odyssey after all, that you are visiting. Sure, there are other Rock genres covered on Metal Odyssey… only Metal is the end all and be all. Metal be thy F’n name.

I’ll get to the Metal point here: Frost Hammer from the High On Fire album Snakes For The Divine – kicks some serious Metal ass. Frost Hammer is an instant adrenaline surge for me. Whoa… I’ve been Metal supercharged by High On Fire. A charging pissed off beast, out of the dark northern woods of no man’s land is Frost Hammer. Des Kensel on drums plays with enough fierce enthusiasm, with so many cool fills, that it’s mind numbing. Lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Pike leads the way with his nailed to the Metal riffs, leads and a solo so fast and tenaciously addicting that it smacks me senseless.

The triple Metal threat of Matt Pike, Des Kensel and Jeff Matz are as potent as any power trio I’ve ever listened to. For me to state otherwise, would be untruthful. On Frost Hammer these guys play tight, no, super tight, defining what “in-your-face” Metal is supposed to sound like. Frost Hammer is one of those great Metal songs, where I wish it would continue on for another five or ten minutes. Nonetheless, this song will always sound like an epic to me. High On Fire didn’t rewrite any sacred Metal rules with Frost Hammer… they just stayed true to ’em.

With speed and heavy coexisting so deliriously well on Frost Hammer, there is no moment to really catch your breath. This is not even a Thrash Metal song, yet it rivals the fierce and bombastic tempo of such. Just hearing Matt Pike bellow out – “Frost Hammer”! is enough to make me feel secure in my own little Metal world, which I love to get lost in continuously.

High On Fire doesn’t make Metal that’s fashionable, they make Metal that kicks ass… period.

* For more info on High On Fire, just click the link below:

HIGH ON FIRE – myspace music page

* High On Fire – Snakes For The Divine was released on February 23, 2010, on E1 Music.

LONG LIVE HIGH ON FIRE!

Stone.

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AGGRAVATION FILE: OPENING A SEALED CD JEWEL CASE

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, humor, metal odyssey, Music, personal stories, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags aggravating stories, aggravation file, cd jewel case story, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, humor, metal odyssey, Music, nuisance things, personal stories, Punk rock, sealed cd's on July 31, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

AGGRAVATION FILE: I most certainly am not alone, when I grumble and whine about opening a sealed CD jewel case. When I buy a new CD at whatever store, I’m usually psyched out of my Metal mind once I get to my car. Why am I psyched out of my Metal mind you query? For I want to hear the new CD that I just bought! It’s what I call: being self-psyched about having new tunes for my ears euphoria. However, that euphoria soon becomes… aggravation once I try to take off the CD plastic wrap.

As I sit in my car and begin the task of peeling off the plastic wrap, I realize my utility knife is needed, as always. That’s right. I need to use a damn utility knife just to get the plastic wrap off the CD! For some reason or another, some bright engineer somewhere, decided that shrink wrapping CD’s was cool and/or ingenious. Not for Stone. Once I get the shrink wrap off my new CD, it’s not over. Oh, no… not by a Metal long-shot. The evil sticker strip seal is still on the jewel case… and it needs to come off as well in order to access the CD.

I could easily just dislocate this jewel case at it’s hinges and basically tear it apart to get the CD out. That’s not cool though, I like to keep my CD collection in mint shape, so destroying a jewel case is an irrational and moronic action to take. The sticker strip seal is meant to prevent shoplifting of CD’s, it’s a necessary evil, I do understand. Still, does the manufacturing process really call for using super glue when adhering these sticker strip seals to jewel cases? Give me a Metal break.

As I am fighting, cursing and moving about strangely in my car, trying valiantly to remove the super glued, sticker strip seal from my new CD jewel case, people that walk by my car, in the parking lot, look over at me with either alarm or disgust on their faces. For real. What in Metal creation do these strangers think I am doing? Sometimes I have to actually abort my mission and wait for these nosey strangers to move on. I am just trying to open up my new CD… it’s not an act of felony for Metal sakes!

Once I do succeed at getting this sealed sticker strip off, there always remains… the sticker strip… residue. Ew. Sometimes there is more of this residue sticking to the jewel case than I could ever imagine. It’s sticky and it’s gross. No one knows, exactly how much Goo Gone I go through in a calendar year, due to sticker strip seal residue. Metal be damned. My most recent CD purchase was Avenged Sevenfold – Nightmare… and it was a nightmare trying to peel off that F’n sticker strip. It’s not funny, especially when it’s the new A7X CD that I so desperately need to ingest.

Many may think that this is silly crap that I’m aggravated over. It’s not that silly when you spend five minutes or more picking away at this sticker strip and beads of sweat begin to swell on my forehead. Now I know why I feel so stress-free when I make a purchase on itunes… no damned sealed sticker strip, to hold me hostage from the Metal I need to hear.

GO TO HELL SEALED STICKER STRIPS ON CD’S

Stone.

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KARNIVOOL – “SOUND AWAKE” IS A KALEIDOSCOPE OF PROGRESSIVE & HEAVY ROCK

Posted in alternative rock music, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal music, progressive rock music, rock music with tags alternative metal music, alternative rock music, current progressive rock bands, hard rock albums 2010, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums 2010, karnivool progressive rock 2010, karnivool sound awake album review, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal music, progressive rock music, progressive rock music 2010, rock music on June 1, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

KARNIVOOL – Released on February 16, 2010, on Sony Music Entertainment, Sound Awake has already achieved Gold Certification in Australia, (Karnivool’s home country). Following their impressive and progressively hard & heavy album debut Themata from 2005, Karnivool has shown their fans and the music world they are not about to be stamped out by any sophomore jinx. If life is about taking chances, then Karnivool has inadvertently self inflicted themselves as being risk takers in the vast world of Heavy Music. A Progressive and Alternative sound can be a make or break proposition, when a band wants to embark on the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Universe. Karnivool has not only embarked with their Themata release from 2005, they have now forged their very own identity and placement, among the Progressive and Alternative Heavy Music battalion with Sound Awake.

Sound Awake opens up with Simple Boy, immediately setting the table for what Karnivool is serving one’s ears. Layered with exquisite guitars, the breakdowns are smart and intensely interesting. Throw in the buzzing sound of a bee and Simple Boy is just the beginning of this Heavy Progressive mind buffet. Ian Kenny on lead vocals resonates, hitting some high pitches that are Arena quality. Set Fire To The Hive showcases vocal and sound effects to heighten the modernism that this song permeates. Karnivool never loses sight of their musical heaviness on Set Fire To The Hive, while delivering an upper cut to the chin with their multi-layered progressive attack.

The Medicine Wears Off times out at 1:50, quite contrary to any Old School Progressive standards. Just bear in mind, this is not about sticking to convention with Sound Awake, a strong musical characteristic that Karnivool bestows is diversity and The Medicine Wears Off mellows down the pace with this semi-surreal song. Illumine can and rightfully should be a standout song on this album. The consistent up-tempo combined with it’s overall melodic vibe, makes Illumine a song that’s incredibly memorable. To label Illumine a hit is non-essential, this song is a star amongst many on Sound Awake.

Deadman is one of two songs on Sound Awake that has a running time of over ten minutes. This is what Progressive Rock is about, the song. If one is looking for the mind journey experience with Karnivool, thou shall not be disappointed with Deadman. Lyrically complete as it is musically precise, Deadman leads with it’s formidable and Alternative vocal presence courtesy of Ian Kenny, which fuses so well with the abstract sound and feel of it’s hard edged music. The abrupt climax to Deadman only exemplifies the artistic style that Karnivool has established for themselves as a band. Listening to Deadman makes me truly realize that Karnivool is all about music and all about the song.

To mention Deadman and not acknowledge the other ten minute-plus epic would be a travesty. Change is a song that develops itself into an array of musical doors that keep opening around me, inviting me in and weaving it’s Progressive signatures, in a manner that is embracingly captivating to my senses. It is very easy to wander off into a kaleidoscope of musical thoughts while listening to Change, an all natural affect that I am more than willing to experience again and again. In it’s totality, Sound Awake is a Progressive Kaleidoscope of songs, just waiting to be heard by anyone who loves music… period.

The musicians of Karnivool are obviously incredibly astute, with an awareness for capturing the nuances of their instruments in their most enhanced state, coupled with the almost sense of urgency to articulate the music as if it is fine art. Has Karnivool broken any new ground in this ever changing landscape of Progressive Rock genres? I can confidently say yes, with their uniqueness being highlighted by their musical and vocal diversity. Karnivool is not a band concentrating on making the hit single. Instead, Karnivool obviously has succeeded at making a complete album of richly written songs, which only reflects on their being a highly talented band that shall continue to rise. Please excuse me now… Sound Awake beckons me to listen once again.

KARNIVOOL IS:

Drew Goddard – guitar

Ian Kenny – vocals

Jon Stockman – bass

Mark Hosking – guitar

Steve Judd – drums

Track Listing For Sound Awake:

Simple Boy

Goliath

New Day

Set Fire To The Hive

Umbra

All I Know

The Medicine Wears Off

The Caudal Lure

Illumine

Deadman

Change

* Check out the music video for Set Fire To The Hive:

* For more info on KARNIVOOL, just click on the links below!

KARNIVOOL – MySpace Music Page

KARNIVOOL – Official Website

YouTube

Stone.

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TEN VERY UNCOOL HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL ALBUM COVERS

Posted in album covers, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, humor, lists, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's hard rock bands, hard rock album covers, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, nwobhm, rock music, top ten uncool hard rock album covers, top ten uncool heavy metal album covers on May 1, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

I don’t advertise myself to be an “expert” in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal album cover design. Nor am I a photography expert either. What I do know is this… a Hard Rock or Heavy Metal album cover should entice fans or potential fans to buy the album. Skulls, flames, guitars, dragons, sword & sorcery, space aliens, monsters and the macabre is right up my Metal alley when it comes to album covers. You won’t find this cool stuff on the album covers below. Marketing Hard Rock and Heavy Metal should be simple, right? Well, that is not always the Metal case, as you shall see from the following list of ten very uncool album covers that I have compiled… just for you.

Years ago, I did earn a degree in Graphic Communications, therefore I think I know what cool Hard Rock and Heavy Metal album artwork is supposed to look like. Then again, what do I know? Some, if not many of the albums in this top ten list have probably sold millions of copies worldwide… so my opinion on these very uncool album covers is probably one big and smelly fart in the wind anyways.

Here are my Top Ten Very Uncool Hard Rock & Heavy Metal Album Covers, enjoy! Or, try to enjoy.

#10:

WHITE LION – BIG GAME (1989)

What this White Lion album cover really is… too many ideas that seemed to collide onto one front cover. You have The White House, some woods, a field and a lion. Wow… very compelling… where is there any darned hint of Hard Rock? Forget about any imagery of Heavy Metal… this entire image makes me want to fall asleep in a field somewhere. This album went Gold too… gee Metal whiz.

#9:

BREAKING BENJAMIN – SO COLD EP (2004)

Look, if I was to actually read all the jibber jabber on this Breaking Benjamin front cover, It would give me a migraine headache . The album cover eludes to So Cold being a “spoken word” EP for Metal sakes. I always thought tons of text was supposed to be found in the damned liner notes anyways. Despite this being an EP, it makes my list… so Metal be it.

#8:

MR. BIG – BUMP AHEAD (1993)

Ha, ha, hee. Was I supposed to laugh? Ahhhhhhh! Am I supposed to be frightened? What is this enormous man-head doing in the middle of a busy city street? Just another fine example of a genius and artsy idea gone astray. I can’t find any hidden and profound message in this album cover art either. Some linkage to Mr. Big being tied into Hard Rock and commercial Heavy Metal would have helped here.

#7:

BON JOVI – LOST HIGHWAY (2007)

Gosh, just what I need to look at… some strangers cluttered dashboard. No semblance of Rock ‘N’ Roll in this front cover pic. Lost Highway is a perfect title for this Bon Jovi album… for the art direction became totally lost in the creation of this album cover. Plus, as a bonus… it is IMPOSSIBLE for a highway to become lost! Grammatically incorrect alert!! Yeah, yeah, yeah… Bon Jovi gets the last laugh here, due to his selling a million albums a month. This cover still stinks though.

#6:

SAXON – INNOCENCE IS NO EXCUSE (1985)

What appears to be a teenaged girl eating an apple… well, it’s not cool. What’s the point? It’s NOT Heavy Metal either. Adding the Saxon logo that’s carved into the apple is just plain ridiculous too. This Saxon album cover does not advertise head banging music heard within at all. A superiorly unimpressive album cover from a band that I really, really like… what a Metal shame.

#5:

VIXEN – LIVE & LEARN (2006)

Whoa! This Vixen album cover just SCREAMS Heavy Metal! Look out! Vixen looks so thrilled doing this cover shot too. Sorry, I don’t buy the connection of the front cover photo to the album title either. This album cover is simply boring and boring again. Did I mention it was boring?

#4:

KILLER DWARFS – BIG DEAL (1988)

Um, uh, yup.

#3:

NICKELBACK – CURB (2002 reissue alternate cover)

Well, at least we now know where Bon Jovi got his inspiration for the anti-amazing Lost Highway album cover. If I am not mistaken, this road really needs some traffic… and Curb really needs a new album cover.

#2:

GUNS N’ ROSES – “THE SPAGHETTI INCIDENT?” (1993)

This Guns N’ Roses album cover does not make me yearn for opening and eating a can of Spaghettio’s. I actually lose my appetite for half a day each time I stare at this album cover. I’d rather look at any and all of the Cannibal Corpse album covers before I look at this disgustingly stale spaghetti on this album cover. Again, I am so wowed at the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal imagery found here.

#1:

AEROSMITH – GET A GRIP (1993)

Voila! Here it is! What I consider to be the upmost in uncool… an F’n pierced cow udder. This is so Rock ‘N’ Roll. NOT. The fake Aerosmith branding into the side of this cow only makes matters worse. What were everyone involved with creating this album cover thinking? Yeah… just as the album title states, the culprits involved in the decision making of this extremely uncool album cover should… get a grip.

Stone.

15 Comments »

RAVEN – RETURNS WITH A METAL DROP KICK ON “WALK THROUGH FIRE”

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums 2010, metal odyssey, new wave of british heavy metal, nwobhm, raven, raven heavy metal band, raven walk through fire album on April 29, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RAVEN – This pioneering band representing the NWOBHM has returned with a very Metal memorable album of 16 songs – Walk Through Fire, (released on March 30, 2010, on Metal Blade Records). Raven has contributed in a huge way, in fueling my Metal exhilaration thus far, this year. Raven provides all the Old School, Heavy Metal that I could have hoped for on Walk Through Fire. Plus, it sounds like Raven really had a Metal ball recording this new album, the energy and excitement of three veteran Metalhead musicians seems to jump out at me. Maybe it’s just my personal Metal interpretation here, still, Raven sounds like they certainly are back in Metal form to my ears.

Just as the 2010 album releases of Krokus, Scorpions, Armored Saintand RATT have blown this lifelong Metalhead into a dizzying Metal tailspin of joy… Raven has done likewise with their new album! Sure, it has been about a decade since Raven has put out an album, (One For All in 2000), only the fact remains… quality Metal is not manufactured like dixie cups… quantity does not hold an upper hand to quality in my Metal world. Walk Through Fire is an album of straight forward, in your face, Heavy Metal that isn’t hiding any surprises of experimentation here… it’s Old School Metal done right.

Having 16 songs to listen to, on this new Raven album, is a fine gesture of Metal giving to the fans. The song Bulldozer, with its infectiously heavy riffs has been super glued into my Metal mind since my first listen. Trainwreck and Grip are two more standout songs that will infiltrate your senses and make you a believer that Raven isn’t about musical intricacies… they are about Metal. Live At The Inferno and Rock Until You Drop are both live songs… and these songs heaviness scream everything great about Raven. Mark Gallagher shreds it on guitar during Rock Until You Drop, his solo tears it apart!

John Gallagher on lead vocals and bass hasn’t lost an ounce of Metal muscle, his vocal highs are simply awesome. Raven covers the Montrose classic – Space Station #5 from their 1973 debut album. In my Metal opinion, John Gallagher does one hell of great job singing this song. He actually sounds a sliver like Sammy Hagar on Space Station #5 too… really. This was a really cool, Hard Rock classic for Raven to cover.

Joe Hasselvander on drums is his usual, explicitly great self on Walk Through Fire. If I was to start a Metal band from scratch and I could choose that one drummer… it would be Joe Hasselvander. This is a drummer that comes across as playing by pure Metal instinct. From the opening Intro to the last two live tracks and everything in-between… this is meat and potatoes Heavy Metal from Raven. Don’t be that Metal dude or dudette who needs to “think about” buying this new Raven album. Buy or at least get your ears into Walk Through Fire soon… for Raven is F’n BACK!

RAVEN ARE:

John Gallagher – vocals, bass guitars

Mark Gallagher – guitars

Joe Hasselvander – drums & percussion

_______________________________________________________

Walk Through Fire – Track Listing:

Intro

Against The Grain

Breaking You Down

Under Your Radar

Walk Through Fire

Bulldozer

Long Day’s Journey

Trainwreck

Grip

Running Around In Circle’s

Hard Road

Armageddon (The Beginning)

Attitude

Space Station #5

Live At The Inferno

Rock Until You Drop

_____________________________________

* For more info on RAVEN, click on the links below!

http://www.ravenlunatics.com

facebook: Raven

LONG LIVE RAVEN AND THEIR METAL.

Stone.

5 Comments »

MOUNTAIN – Masters Of War: A Cover Song Album Of Bob Dylan Classics

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags bob dylan, classic rock, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, leslie west, masters of war album, metal odyssey, mountain, mountain rock band, Music, rock music, rock music news, warren haynes on April 28, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MOUNTAIN – This decade spanning and generation jumping, Hard Rock and early years Heavy Metal band known to us all as Mountain, released their eighth studio album – Masters Of War, on Big Rack Records, back in 2007. Founding member and lead vocalist Leslie West sounds as formidable as ever on vocals. With lifelong band mate and drummer Corkey Laing by his side, Leslie West had carried the heavy, bluesy and Classic Hard Rock sound of Mountain straight into 2007 and beyond. Leslie and Corky are Hard Rock and Heavy Metal pioneers: personified, signed, sealed and delivered.

Masters Of War is an album devoted to Bob Dylan cover songs. Bob Dylan, a super historic figure in the history of all music. As impressive is the list of music genres that Bob Dylan has crossed over, equally or more impressive is his song writing. Without a doubt in my Metal mind… Bob Dylan is a living legend of song. What better musician and songwriter for Mountain to dedicate a complete album of covers? Masters Of War is a listen into two incredible worlds of music, the first being song writing excellence and the second being Heavy, Hard Rock excellence.

Leslie West, Corky Laing and Bob Dylan have paved the Rock ‘N’ Roll highway for generations to navigate and enjoy. Step in Ozzy Osbourne… one of Heavy Metal’s living legends, a Heavy Metal pioneer himself. Leslie West and Ozzy Osbourne share lead vocals, a duet if you will, on the heavy cover song Masters Of War. The combination of these two icons of Heavy Music makes for a song of historical Rock importance, in my Metal opinion. Just a great song, sung by two vocalists that have entertained my Metal ears for decades.

Choosing a favorite song from Masters Of War is a task, the totality of genuine Hard Rockin’ greatness makes for an overwhelming listen for me. If you are looking to shake loose the hidden and locked up boogie woogie Rock ‘N’ Roll side of you… then let me recommend multiple listens to Everything Is Broken. Mountain grabs my boogie woogie soul while I listen to this song and wakes it up, shakes it around and reminds it – that there really are times when you have to get down to the tune that’s Rockin’. Metal as my witness, Everything Is Broken is brought to life again by Mountain.

Subterranean Homesick Blues will have you foot stomping, head nodding and shuffling those shoulders of yours uncontrollably. If this song does not have that type of affect on you, then please check into the clinic that is called – “No Rock ‘N’ Roll Exists In My Soul”. Tell ’em Stone from Metal Odyssey sent your sorry, mellow, lame butt there too.

Taking into account, the Rock historic significance of Bob Dylan and Mountain, it’s only fitting that these two music legends came full circle in the songs heard on Masters Of War. As I listen to Mr. Tambourine Man, I am awe struck at this songs importance to the early culture of Rock Music in America. At the end of my Metal day, it’s those pioneering Rock legends of yesteryear that remind me just how all it all started. Through these Bob Dylan cover songs on Mountain’s Masters Of War, I’m reacquainted once again with Rock and Roll history.

* Corky Laing is the lead vocalist and plays drums on Like A Rolling Stone. The combination of only vocals and drums on this cover song, serves up for a cool and modern listen of this classic song.

* Warren Haynes, (Gov’t Mule and The Allman Brothers Band), plays lead guitar on Serve Somebody and guitar on The Times They Are A-Changin’.

Track Listing For Masters Of War:

Masters Of War

Serve Somebody

Blowin’ In The Wind (Heavy)

Everything Is Broken

Highway 61 Revisisted

This Heart Of Mine

Subterranean Homesick Blues

The Times They Are A-Changin’

Seven Days

Mr. Tambourine Man

Like A Rolling Stone

Blowin’ In The Wind (Acoustic)

LONG LIVE MOUNTAIN.

LONG LIVE BOB DYLAN.

Stone.

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ARMORED SAINT – “CHILLED” SONG FROM “LA RAZA” ALBUM CHILLS AND THRILLS MY METAL SOUL

Posted in hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags 1980's heavy metal bands, armored saint la raza album, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs 2010, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music on April 19, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ARMORED SAINT – released their brilliant comeback album La Raza on March 16, 2010. An Old School Heavy Metal with shades of Hard Rock album is La Raza, an unreal quality listen. My favorite song on La Raza is Chilled. Currently, Chilled is a very strong candidate for Metal Odyssey’s song of the year. If I had to choose today, Chilled would be song of the year for 2010… Metal hands down. The lyrics coupled with the melodic totality of this song, just reaches into my Metal soul and shakes me up… in a most exhilarating way!

The vocals of John Bush with every second of Armored Saint’s music consistently heightens the emotion and realism of this song. I have not been this excited over one song in a very, very, long time.

If you have not listened to Chilled from La Raza just yet, here is your chance! As well written a song I have ever heard in my entire Metal life… in my Metal opinion. Just click on the box below and prepare to get Chilled! Oh, uh, don’t forget to play it LOUD too.

Armored Saint, as they appear on La Raza:

John Bush – vocals

Joey Vera – bass

Jeff Duncan – guitar

Phil Sandoval – guitar

Gonzo Sandoval – drums

Stone.

5 Comments »

MY FAVORITE HEAVY METAL ALBUM COVER IS…

Posted in 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal music, heavy metal records, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags 1980's heavy metal albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album artwork, heavy metal music, iron maiden first album, metal music, metal odyssey, nwobhm, progressive metal music, scary album covers on March 25, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

My favorite Heavy Metal album cover, (of my entire Metalhead life), is… IRON MAIDEN’S debut from 1980 – IRON MAIDEN.Why? It’s Heavy Metal art, in all of it’s glorious Metal infancy. This was 1980 for Metal sakes, well before the multi-thousands of “other” Heavy Metal album covers came forth. Artist Derek Riggs made Eddie into this haunting and nightmarish creature of all things horrible. This mascot called Eddie symbolized an enormous turning point, in the way Heavy Metal was to be portrayed visually, for decades to come. The Metal of Iron Maiden on their debut album coincides with the album artwork with precision… melancholy and haunting are both. It’s probably best summed up this way… the Eddie artwork of Derek Riggs and the Metal of Iron Maiden, on this initial album, was always for me, a match made in Metal heaven.

Don’t get me wrong, the ensuing Iron Maiden album covers of Killers, The Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind and Live After Death are ultra legendary. I choose the debut Iron Maiden album cover for it is just that… the first appearance of not just a mascot and symbol of Iron Maiden, arguably Eddie was then and still is now, a mascot and symbol for all of Heavy Metal as well. Back in 1980, who would have predicted the rise and Metal proliferation of Iron Maiden? With Eddie being a prominent and symbolic fixture of the band spanning four decades now? It all had to start somewhere, commercially, for Iron Maiden. It started with their influential debut 1980 album and this cover, with Eddie as the macabre centerpiece, with those demonic eyes, standing underneath a moonlit creepy sky, amongst eerie street lamps.

Back in 1980, (when my Mom forbid me to have this album for its “bad news” cover), I would still seek it out at the Caldor Department Store… and stare at it in sheer bewilderment, (when my Mom wasn’t looking). The shock and awe this cover instilled in me back then, still gets my shock and awe meter ticking now. Sometime around 1985, my Mom was much more schooled on Heavy Metal… she bought me the Iron Maiden debut album one day, on a whim!

It’s funny how times have changed over the years and decades. Back in 1980, I’m certain there were a ton load of nervous parents out there, who fixed their eyes upon this Iron Maiden debut album… only to be handing down parental mandates to their sons and daughters, stating that this was the second coming of the anti-christ. It’s weird now, looking back on 1980, as a much more “innocent” time. As a parent of ten-year old twin daughters in 2010, there are many times I want to “shield” them from seeing and/or hearing what I deem inappropriate. They are only ten years old after all!

I witness for myself, the over sexed and gory album covers of today, with the infinite number of television, print and movie media’s sexual and violence laced appeal. I guess, after all this time, I can sympathize with my Mom’s feelings back then, in 1980. Regardless, I am anti-censorship when it comes to artistic freedom, our freedom of speech and to assemble as well!!

Picking out one’s favorite Heavy Metal album cover of all time can be difficult, I found this to be quite easy. Sure, Judas Priest and KISS, (just to name a credible twosome), had some incredible album covers in the 1970’s… before this Iron Maiden album was released, yet the visual impact, that this Iron Maiden cover had on me since I was straight out of eighth grade has never wavered. Oh… and every song on this Iron Maiden album, made just as equal an impact on me too. What is your favorite Heavy Metal album cover?

LONG LIVE IRON MAIDEN!

LONG LIVE EDDIE!

LONG LIVE DEREK RIGGS!

* My favorite song on this Iron Maiden debut album is – Remember Tomorrow. This song seems to drift along in such a dreamscape and melancholy way. A true chameleon of a song, if there ever was one… the mellowness and somber mood, changes over to heaviness… and then repeats itself all over again.

I could go on and on about this Iron Maiden album cover… the pleasure I derive from looking at this artwork is worth its weight in Metal gold.

Stone.

20 Comments »

RATT – “INFESTATION” RELEASES APRIL 20, 2010… I’M IN!!

Posted in 1980's hair metal albums, 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1984 heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal bands, current heavy metal music, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1984, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2010, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal bands, rock music with tags 1980's hair metal albums, 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's arena rock, 1980's hair metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, current hard rock bands, current heavy metal bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1984, metal odyssey, Music, new ratt album 2010, ratt, ratt 'n' roll, ratt 2010, ratt infestation album, ratt out of the cellar album, rock music, stephen pearcy vocalist on March 21, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RATT – Yes, I have that Metal fondness for RATT. Always have. Plus, I’m a big fan of the late Milton Berle too, his appearance in the Round And Round music video only made it that more cool. Stephen Pearcy’s “other” band Arcade is unreal great… for me. I inhale the debut and self titled Arcade album, from 1993, like it’s Heavy Metal oxygen. My favorite RATT album ever, is Out of the Cellar, from 1984. This Out of the Cellar album is super loaded with one memorable song after another. Metal be thy name.

There’s much abuzz around cyberspace as to: Does RATT still have “it”? Will this album be worthy? Why is RATT reforming at all? My Metal answer to any and all of these questions is:

LIVE AND LET METAL LIVE.

On or about April 20, 2010, I will obtain a brand spanking new CD of Infestation… and be damned glad I did. Will I like every song? Will I be disappointed for whatever reason? I cannot predict the Metal future. I’m not the Metal Nostradamus. I am anticipating, however, a bona fide and downright credible album from a group of musicians who know a thing or two about Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Look, for the nay sayers on the upcoming RATT release… it could be worse, there could be a brand new ABBA album coming out on April 20, 2010 instead. Worse yet, a CD/DVD deluxe edition of Jim Nabors could have been released as well. Think about those two chilling thoughts for a moment. Double whoa.

Vintage RATT:

For all the cool RATT info one could wish for, plus the first two singles from Infestation, (Eat Me Up Alive, Best Of Me) both streaming, check out these links below:

www.THERATTPACK.com

RATT – MySpace Music Page

RATT of 2010 is:

Stephen Pearcy – vocals

Warren DeMartini – lead guitar

Bobby “The Blotz” Blotzer – drums

Robbie Crane – bass

Carlos Cavazo – guitar

I just thank God each and every day that Hard Rock and Heavy Metal exists… period. This is RATT 2010, not some quickly put together, televised talent show winner that can’t remember their lyrics.

Ever since the Out of the Cellar album came out back in 1984, I seemed to have been imbedded with the sound of RATT ‘N’ ROLL. Back on May 19, 2009, I blabbed up and down, just how this RATT album brought great Metal joy into my teenage life back in ’84 . Check it out by clicking on the header below… if you like.

I drove my neighbors nuts with Ratt – “Out Of The Cellar”

LONG LIVE RATT ‘N’ ROLL!

Stone.

8 Comments »

HEAVY METAL WARRIORS – 2008 CD IS A POTENT DOSE OF 12 METAL SONGS!

Posted in 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal compilation albums, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal songs, industrial metal bands, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal bands, old school thrash metal bands, rock music, sludge metal bands, thrash metal bands, thrash metal music with tags current heavy metal bands, hair metal music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal compilation albums, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, heavy metal warriors cd, industrial metal music, metal bands, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, sludge metal bands, thrash metal bands, thrash metal songs, traditional heavy metal music on March 21, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HEAVY METAL WARRIORS – In 2008, Crash Music released a 12 song compilation of Heavy Metal songs titled: Heavy Metal Warriors. Heavy Metal compilation albums have been around since I can remember, with the Metal Blade – Metal Massacre compilation albums being the very best… in my Metal opinion. There are no liner notes with this Heavy Metal Warriors CD, just the one page that shows the front cover, (the backside is just a track listing of songs with the corresponding band). This CD is a potent mix of Thrash Metal, (Flotsam And Jetsam), Hair Metal, (Enuff Z Nuff) and straight up Metal, (Omen, Dianno) songs. My favorite song on this CD is Straight To Hell by Flotsam And Jetsam, an Old School Thrash Metal song, by a real deal veteran Thrash band in their own Metal right.

New Thing by Enuff Z Nuff is a live version, it is a melodic grabber and has all the vibe of late 1980’s Arena Rock emanating from it’s sound. Cold World by Dianno just flat out kicks Metal butt, I could not be more Metal honest than that. This song is easily my second favorite track on this cool CD. Cold World flourishes with Traditional Heavy Metal greatness, plus Paul Dianno on vocals sounds vintage and solid. Smooth Up is of course, the Bulletboys. This song is listed on the track listing as such – Smooth Up. I always understood this song title to be… Smooth Up In Ya’, however. Regardless, it’s a pretty darn good live version of Smooth Up In Ya’, the guitar solo is psyche out time and Marq Torien’s vocals are decent… as usual.

Dissconnect Massconnect by Transport League is a mix of Metalcore and straight up Metal, with a slight funky groove happening throughout the entire song. The more I listen to this song, the more I like it. Sick by Diamond Rexx is a Heavy Metal riff explosion. Albeit, the lead riff is played consistently throughout this song, still it works it’s heavy groove just fine for my Metal standards. The guitar solo is short and has a 1970’s tone about it on Sick. Diamond Rexx made their album debut back in 1986, with Land of the Damned and are still a current band.

Single Bullet Theory rages with Murder Machines, a damned good Metal song it is. Murder Machines is heavy as molasses and slick as an ice covered road… (man, that description sounded corn dog). Here is a Metal song that ranks as my third favorite track: Eternal Black Dawn by Omen. Omen is one fine Metal band, there is no doubt in my Metal mind about that. Omen traces their Traditional Heavy Metal roots back to 1983 as a Metal Blade Records signee, with this track coming from their 2003 album – Eternal Black Dawn. Soil brings their in-your-face Metal with Triple Sixs, this song I recommend being played extremely LOUD.

Ashes Of Your Enemy lends the track – Surrender. The lead vocals are a growling and snarling bounty of Metal joy, the music Rocks heavy… only the chorus is what doesn’t do it for me, too damned mellow. All I Had I Gave is from the legendary Sludge Metal band – Crowbar. Man, would I love to down a case of beer with these guys before I hit the age of 90. Kirk Windstein of Crowbar is a powerhouse on vocals and guitar… a modern day riff master of heavy greatness. Twin Method concludes this Heavy Metal Warriors CD, their Industrial Metal meets Alternative Metal sound is all over their song – The Abrasive, from their 2006 debut album, The Volume Of Self.

So, there you Metal have it, Heavy Metal Warriors is as diverse a blend of Metal songs as you can ask for. I am not bashful one bit in recommending any Metalhead to get a copy of this CD. It’s still in print and available at most of the online music sites out there. If Heavy Metal Warriors has proved anything to this Metalhead, it’s that recurring reminder… Heavy Metal F’n Rules!!

* Thanks go out to – Best Metal Buddy Scott Coverdale for landing me this fine Heavy Metal CD this last Christmas of 2009!

“A WORLD WITHOUT HEAVY METAL WOULD BE A QUIET, TIRED, UGLY, CONSTIPATED AND TERRIBLE PLACE.”

Stone.

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KISS – “HOT IN THE SHADE” – REVISITING A 1989 KISS KLASSIC!

Posted in 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1989 heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, classic rock bands, current hard rock bands, current heavy metal bands, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1989, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1989, heavy metal songs, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal bands, rock music with tags 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's arena rock, 1980's classic rock, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, classic rock music, current heavy metal bands, forever power ballad, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, hot in the shade album cover, kiss, kiss albums, kiss army, kiss hard rock band, kiss heavy metal band, kiss hot in the shade album 1989, metal odyssey, Music, rock music on March 15, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

KISS – I honestly don’t know what’s not to love about this KISS album. Since it’s October release back in 1989, I can’t ever refuse Hot In The Shade the moment my eyes make contact with it… I just have to play it and play it LOUD. This album is chock full of the patented KISS hard & heavy… with all the vocal harmony I could ever wish for. Melodic isn’t the word for a song like Hide Your Heart, super melodic is more like it. There should have been a disclaimer within the liner notes of Hot In The Shade for Hide Your Heart… that stating: Warning – this song is extremely contagious to your Hard Rock and Heavy Metal health!

Hot In The Shade opens up with Rise To It, man, if this KISS song doesn’t get a rise out of any fan of Hard Rock or ’80’s Heavy Metal, then that person should check into the: Sprawling Meadows Mellow Clinic for the Dazed and Confused. Seriously, if I am having a semi-funky day or I’m starting to feel a tad down, Hot In The Shade is a pump you up and psyche you out Heavy Metal prescription I reach for. Metal be thy name.

Even Michael Bolton got in on the act with Hot In The Shade, co-writing the power ballad – Forever alongside Paul Stanley. I guess if you need some teary eyed lyrics, just call Michael Bolton up and he will deliver the kleenex worthy goods. Never the excitable ballad fan that I am, Forever is one inspirational and love infested song. For being the power ballad that it is, I respect Forever and find it to be a decent listen. Plus, due to the intense psyched out mood I’m in while listening to Hot In The Shade, once Forever comes on… I keep on listening. It’s kinda funny how Forever is the song right after Love’s A Slap In The Face too.

Even a deep album track like Boomerang Rocks like there is no tomorrow, Gene Simmons sounds classic on vocals. Silver Spoon is another example of a deep track that resonates the classic hard & heaviness of KISS. Hot In The Shade was released at the tail end of the 80’s Heavy Metal boom… and what an asterisk KISS put at the end of this power packed decade. At the end of my Metal day, this is a KISS album from the past, that I would have no problem recommending to someone, who has never listened to this iconic band before. Is this the greatest KISS album ever? Of course it isn’t… yet it isn’t the Asylum album either.

KISS as they appeared on Hot In The Shade:

Gene Simmons – bass & vocals

Paul Stanley – guitar & vocals

Eric Carr – drums

Bruce Kulick – guitar

Track Listing for Hot In The Shade:

Rise To It

Betrayed

Hide Your Heart

Prisoner Of Love

Read My Body

Love’s A Slap In The Face

Forever

Silver Spoon

Cadillac Dreams

King Of Hearts

The Street Giveth And The Street Taketh Away

You Love Me To Hate You

Somewhere Between Heaven And Hell

Little Caesar

Boomerang

* KISS – Hot In The Shade was released on Mercury Records.

LONG LIVE KISS ROCK ‘N ROLL!!!

Stone.

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EXODUS – “THE TOXIC WALTZ” SONG FROM 1989 – OLD SCHOOL THRASH METAL REIGNS!

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's thrash metal albums, 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's thrash metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal music, current thrash metal bands, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school thrash metal bands, old school thrash metal music, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands, thrash metal bands 2010, thrash metal cover songs, thrash metal guitarists, thrash metal legends, thrash metal music, thrash metal songs with tags 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's thrash metal music, current thrash metal bands, exodus, exodus fabulous disaster album, exodus the toxic waltz, exodus thrash metal albums, exodus thrash metal band, fabulous disaster album 1989, gary holt guitarist, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, low rider thrash metal cover song, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school thrash metal, the toxic waltz song, thrash metal albums 1989, thrash metal bands, thrash metal history, thrash metal legends, thrash metal music on March 9, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

EXODUS – released Fabulous Disaster back in February of 1989. A solid, Old School Thrash Metal album it is. Listening to these Thrash Metal originators is a necessity in my Metal life, Exodus is an instant cure for any Thrash dehydration I may come down with. I like every song on this album, especially The Toxic Waltz. Another very cool song on Fabulous Disaster is the cover version of Low Rider, (originally recorded and made famous by War in 1975). Overdose is another song that swelters with unreal duel guitars and all the Exodus heaviness I could possibly ask for. Growing up with so many 1980’s Thrash Metal Bands, has me revering them in 2010 all the more. This is Exodus from 1989, a vintage lineup. I uphold Thrash loyalty to every Exodus lineup, from their inception to today. Guitarist Gary Holt is for all intents and Metal purposes, a Thrash Metal leader, he has the distinction of being on every Exodus album throughout the bands lineup changes. Gary Holt has Exodus blazing into 2010… Metal legends never surrender.

The entire Fabulous Disaster album flat out Thrashes and burns. This is a must album for any new or veteran fans of Thrash Metal. Exodus helped pave the way for today’s younger Thrash Metal Bands… Exodus is Thrash Metal roots. I hope you enjoy The Toxic Waltz as much as I do! Fellow fans of Exodus know this song well… a classic. Now, it’s time to jump into the pit and crank this song loud mutha!!!

Exodus, as they appeared on Fabulous Disaster from 1989:

Gary Holt – guitar

Rick Hunolt – guitar

Steve Souza – vocals

Rob McKillop – bass

Tom Hunting – drums

Fabulous Disaster – Track Listing:

The Last Act Of Defiance

Fabulous Disaster

The Toxic Waltz

Low Rider

Cajun Hell

Like Father, Like Son

Corruption

Verbal Razors

Open Season

Overdose

LONG LIVE EXODUS!

Stone.

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ALCATRAZZ – “ISLAND IN THE SUN” 1983 VIDEO AND BAND REVISITED!

Posted in 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal guitarists, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1983 heavy metal music, classic rock music, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1983, heavy metal songs, heavy metal videos, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's classic rock, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, alcatrazz, alcatrazz heavy metal band, alcatrazz island in the sun song, alcatrazz island in the sun video, alcatrazz no parole from rock 'n' roll album, graham bonnet vocalist, guitar legends, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1983, heavy metal musicians, heavy metal videos, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, yngwie j. malmsteen guitarist on March 8, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ALCATRAZZ – released their debut album No Parole From Rock ‘N’ Roll back in 1983. Island In The Sun was the “hit” song that was on MTV’s rotation and received some FM radio airplay as well. Alcatrazz featured Graham Bonnet on vocals and soon to be guitar legend – Yngwie J. Malmsteen. (Steeler released their debut and self titled album that same year, also featuring Yngwie J. Malmsteen and Ron Keel on vocals). Both Alcatrazz and Steeler are bands I liked very much back in the good ol’ ’80’s… still do. I’ve always and forever will be an admirer of Graham Bonnet’s vocals. Graham Bonnet has fronted many bands, my favorites are: Rainbow, Alcatrazz, Michael Schenker Group and Impellitteri. Yngwie J. Malmsteen is simply put… a core favorite of mine since I first heard him play with this Alcatrazz band. There is a whole bunch of Heavy Metal history surrounding Graham Bonnet and Yngwie J. Malmsteen, the number of bands, musicians and albums they have been connected with is amazing. A live version of Island In The Sun is also found on the live Alcatrazz album from 1984 – Live Sentence, with the subtitle No Parole From Rock ‘N’ Roll. Yngwie J. Malmsteen is the guitarist on Live Sentence as well. Eventually the great Steve Vai stepped in to become the guitarist for Alcatrazz, on their 1985 album – Disturbing The Peace.

No Parole From Rock ‘N’ Roll and Live Sentence are just two solid 1980’s Heavy Metal albums to revisit, listen to and enjoy. I really like the song Island In The Sun, the vocal harmony of Graham Bonnet combined with the guitar melodies of Yngwie J. Malmsteen just does it for me. This entire Alcatrazz lineup from 1983 was solid, in my Metal opinion. The video for Island In The Sun brings back some memories for certain… those late nights watching MTV with one eye open, back in the early ’80’s, (when MTV was just one station and really played music videos!) This video for Island In The Sun is goofy… it has that early 1980’s fun and appeal all over it. Nonetheless, the song itself is one terrific and melodic Rocker! Hopefully you will enjoy Island In The Sun as much as I do… you don’t have to like the goofiness of the video though! If anything, there never was a guarantee of an acting career for any of these Alcatrazz musicians… that’s for sure.

* Both No Parole From Rock ‘N’ Roll and Live Sentence were released on Polydor Records.

Crank up Island In The Sun… and have a chuckle or two at this video!

Here is what the 1984 Live Sentence album looks like:

Alcatrazz, as they appeared on both the debut album No Parole From Rock ‘N’ Roll and Live Sentence:

Graham Bonnet – vocals

Yngwie J. Malmsteen – guitar

Gary Shea – bass

Jimmy Waldo – keyboards

Jan Uvena – drums

The Best Of Alcatrazz was released back in October of 1998. This Best Of album also contains the studio version of Island In The Sun as well.

LONG LIVE ALCATRAZZ!

LONG LIVE YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN!

LONG LIVE GRAHAM BONNET!

Stone.

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RED FANG – 2009 “RED FANG” DEBUT ALBUM IS STONER METAL COOL

Posted in cool album covers, doom metal music, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal music albums, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, scary album covers, stoner metal bands, stoner metal music with tags current heavy metal bands, current stoner metal bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, independent record labels, metal odyssey, Music, portland oregon metal bands, red fang, red fang album review, red fang debut album 2009, red fang heavy metal band, red fang stoner metal band, red fang tour ep 2, scary album covers, stoner metal albums, stoner metal bands, stoner metal music on March 6, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RED FANG – released their debut, self titled and full length studio album on March 31, 2009. Red Fang plays meat & potato’s Heavy Metal… they are for all Metal intents and purposes – Stoner Metal. It’s been essentially a year since this Red Fang album was released, amidst the ever growing and popular Stone Metal crowd of bands. Where Red Fang takes a different approach is in the grooves… instead of just laying down the heavy riffs and thunder thump rhythm, these songs really groove along very effectively. A solid example is Bird On Fire, if this song can’t make you move then something is terribly wrong. Red Fang is a giant riff party, with all the retro heaviness to go along with it.

On Good To Die, the guitar leads jump out at me with the celebration of old school vibes. The tempo changes on this song gel together very well, a standout song that harkens back to the day when Hard Rock was transforming into Heavy Metal. Humans Remain Human Remains begins with a simple riff, this opens the door to the molasses thick rhythm section that embodies all the brooding beats I come to expect from quality Stoner Metal. The vocals never get lost in the background, nor do they ever fade off during any verses. What is admirable about the vocals on Red Fang is the lack of shouting or incoherentness. Red Fang seems to take the vocals just as seriously as the heavy music… both definitely compliment each other.

When I first heard the opening track, Prehistoric Dog, the realization set in that Red Fang is serious about their Metal craft. Prehistoric Dog is one of the finest Metal songs I have heard, that would be considered recent. Sharks and Wings Of Fang are two songs that are really standout, with their fired up tempos and borderline punkness it’s a reminder as to what the Bon Scott era AC/DC had accomplished so damn well. Yes, the heavy is woven within the songs on Red Fang, still it is the attitude that gives these same songs the hard smack and personality, that comes across as original.

Fans of High On Fire, The Sword, Saviours and early era (1970’s) Heavy Metal should grin and raise their fist to the air upon listening to Red Fang. The Metal word needs to get out about Red Fang… and this album needs to be played loud for your cranky neighbors to hear. Upon listening to the remainder of Red Fang, I realized this is a Heavy Stoner Band that won’t be flying under the Metal radar for too much longer.

RED FANG IS:

Maurice Bryan Giles – guitar/vocals

David Sullivan – guitar/vocals

John Sherman – drums

Aaron Beam – bass/vocals

Track Listing For RED FANG:

Prehistoric Dog

Reverse Thunder

Night Destroyer

Humans Remain Human Remains

Good To Die

Bird On Fire

Wings Of Fang

Sharks

Whales And Leeches

Witness

* Red Fang was released on Sargent House – (an Indie label)

* Red Fang formed in 2005 and hail from the cool U.S. city of Portland, Oregon.

* Red Fang did self-release an EP, in 2007 – Red Fang Tour EP 2, 5 songs are on it, four of which appear on their full length. Suicide is the only song from this EP, that does not show up on the debut full length album. The songs on the Red Fang EP are: Prehistoric Dog, Reverse Thunder, Night Destroyer, Suicide, Humans Remain Human Remains.

It was this RED FANG album cover that caught my Metal attention at first. I gave it a very brief listen at my neighborhood fye, liked what I heard immediately and the rest is Metal history.

Stone.

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ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME – TRULY IS A HALL OF SHAME.

Well, another year has gone by and the “astute” historians and archive keepers of Rock and Roll History – The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has bumbled another induction. WHERE IS… KISS? You know, the four guys known as GENE SIMMONS, PAUL STANLEY, ACE FREHLEY and PETER CRISS? Oh, god forbid if I dare mention the extended family of musicians that are/were members of KISS as well. I guess ABBA contributed so much more, to the “history” of Rock and Roll. I forgot, that ABBA is so damn hot right now in 2010 as well. Hey, disco needs it’s just due in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame too… of course. While these Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation dorks were at it, why didn’t they just induct The Wiggles right now, alongside ABBA? Get it over with. At this point, Bananarama and The Partridge Family will get inducted well before KISS ever gets their rightful induction into this snobby, uneducated in Heavy Metal, white collar, Pop Music is king… cheap excuse of a building.

Genesis, Jimmy Cliff, The Stooges and The Hollies deserve their rightful and historic recognition. Arguably, it is not ABBA’s fault they are recognized either… but give me a Metal break here. ABBA over KISS? That’s like choosing a glass of warm milk over a cold draft beer.

As quoted directly from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website:

“The 2010 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performer inductees were chosen by more than 500 voters of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Artists are eligible for inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twenty-five years after their first recording is released.”

* Uh, yeah… what about… anything other than 25 years after their first album is released? Is that the only damn criteria? Crap, I’ll make a record then and wait 25 years to see if I get inducted.

* Who really is… this mysterious… 500 voters of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation? Are they all scholars, who are afraid of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal? Do any of these voters listen to Rock Music in the first place?

* It’s almost as if, these 500 voters of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation receive a copy of Rolling Stone Magazine, a few times a year, read about bands that get the good ol’ Rolling Stone Magazine seal of approval… and then… these voters decide, these are the bands! They must be good if Rolling Stone Magazine says so!

* Apparently, these 500 voters of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation get more psyched out by listening to Dancing Queen and Waterloo instead of Rock and Roll All Nite and Detroit Rock City.

* I’m not going to blab about how many Gold and Platinum Records KISS has achieved, chart singles, concert tickets sold, their impact on American Pop Culture, nor how many total albums they have put out… what’s the use? The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame doesn’t give a crap. ABBA is Back! ABBA = Rock Legends.

* Man, what would Elvis think and say of this mess they call The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Some “important” dude, named Joel Peresman, (who thinks he knows about Rock and Roll by the way), gives this lackluster and embarrassing statement on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website:

“We are very happy to present this year’s inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as they represent a great cross-section of artists that define the broad spectrum and history of rock and roll and people that have contributed immeasurably to our business” says Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation President & CEO Joel Peresman.

* HEY JOEL: I guess KISS are not considered to be part of the people that have “contributed immeasurably to our business”… huh?

* HEY JOEL: Go slap down some vintage opera vinyl and eat your caviar. Then light up a $10,000 stogie and make a wet fart in your imported silk pajamas.

* HEY JOEL: You really, really, um, really, need to change your sign outside that building in Cleveland, Ohio, to read: ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF SHAME AND EXPENSIVE MUSEUM

LONG LIVE KISS!

KISS – IS HEREBY, THE FIRST BAND EVER, INDUCTED INTO THE METAL ODYSSEY ROCK AND ROLL AND HEAVY MUSIC HALL OF FAME!

I SHALL INDUCT BANDS AND MUSICIANS, WHENEVER I DAMN WELL FEEL LIKE IT, AND HAVE THIS LIST POSTED ON THE METAL ODYSSEY HOME PAGE FOR THE WORLD TO SEE AND ENJOY. A REAL ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME. A REAL HEAVY MUSIC HALL OF FAME.

ON FEBRUARY 21, 2010, KISS HAS BEEN INDUCTED INTO THE METAL ODYSSEY ROCK AND ROLL AND HEAVY MUSIC HALL OF FAME.

CONGRATULATIONS KISS, ON BEING THE FIRST INDUCTEE INTO METAL ODYSSEY’S ROCK AND ROLL AND HEAVY MUSIC HALL OF FAME!

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HELIX “DEEP CUTS THE KNIFE” – 1985 HEAVY METAL SONG THAT STILL SOARS!

Posted in 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal ballads, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1985 heavy metal music, cool album covers, current hard rock bands, current heavy metal bands, hair metal bands, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1985, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands from canada, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1985, heavy metal songs, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, rock music with tags 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal ballads, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal songs, brent doerner guitarist, brian vollmer vocalist, canadian heavy metal bands, daryl gray bass guitarist, deep cuts the knife song, greg hinz drummer, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal ballads, heavy metal bands, heavy metal from Canada, heavy metal music, helix, helix 1985, helix heavy metal band, helix long way to heaven 1985, long way to heaven album, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, paul hackman guitarist, power ballads on February 20, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HELIX, one of Canada’s greatest Heavy Metal Bands ever, released their fifth studio album – Long Way To Heaven, (on Capitol Records), back on November 9, 1985. My favorite song from this really cool album is Deep Cuts The Knife, a mid-tempo power ballad. (Check out the song below, if you like). I always had a tough time hearing Helix being labeled… Hair Metal. Not in my Metal opinion… Heavy Metal is Helix, pure and Metal simple. I remember buying Long Way To Heaven at my local Caldor Department Store back in ’85… the vinyl was warped! Believe this or not, this album still played fine… albeit looking rather funky, as it spun around the turntable! Yup, this is just another fine slab of Heavy Metal vinyl that I no longer have. CD’s took over my Metal psyche and now I have remorse for trading and selling away those treasured vinyl albums of yesteryear. It’s alright… I’ll land Long Way To Heaven on vinyl once again… down the Metal road. Deep Cuts The Knife may no longer be relevant to me lyrically, however, the Heavy Metal of Helix and this song’s melodic power always will be! Today, this great song just stuck to my brain like Metal glue… so I just thought I’d share it with the world. Hopefully you enjoy Deep Cuts The Knife as much as I do. In the event you never heard this song before… then passing along some Helix shall be my Metal deed for the day!

LONG LIVE HELIX!

CRANK UP DEEP CUTS THE KNIFE LOUD – AND BE GLAD YOU DID!

HELIX, as they appeared on the 1985 album Long Way To Heaven:

Brian Vollmer – lead vocals

Paul Hackman – guitar and vocals

Brent Doerner – guitar and vocals

Daryl Gray – bass and vocals

Greg Hinz – drums

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