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IRON MAIDEN – “THE FINAL FRONTIER” ALBUM INFO TO KNOW!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal videos, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 15, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

IRON MAIDEN – The fifteenth studio album from the unparalleled legends of Metal will be released on August 17, 2010, on Sony Legacy. The album is called…

IRON MAIDEN – THE FINAL FRONTIER

Check out – The Final Frontier – Directors Cut, which was aired worldwide on July 13, on Iron Maiden’s official website! (See link below)

As a lifelong fan of IRON MAIDEN, I will readily admit my unreal anticipation and excitement for The Final Frontier. Each time I listen to the song, Satellite 15..The Final Frontier, (the new Iron Maiden music video), I realize that Bruce Dickinson’s vocals have never sounded more prolific and the band never more powerful. IRON MAIDEN hasn’t just stood the test of time, they have obliterated any thoughts of not staying on top of the Metal world.

The Metal world as I know and listen to it… would never be this dynamic, proud, supercharged and full-scale if not for IRON MAIDEN. Truth be told… my life as a Metalhead would not have been the same, if not for the catalog of albums created by IRON MAIDEN. I can only state this about a select group of Metal bands… and IRON MAIDEN rises triumphantly from this group. Metal be thy name.

* Visit the IRON MAIDEN official website by clicking here: IRON MAIDEN

* The Final Frontier album cover artwork is created by Melvyn Grant. For more info on this amazing artist, click the link below:

MELVYN GRANT – Universal Artist and Illustrator

IRON MAIDEN ARE:

Bruce Dickinson – lead vocals

Steve Harris – bass

Dave Murray – guitar

Adrian Smith – guitar

Janick Gers – guitar

Nicko McBrain – drums, percussion

Track listing for – THE FINAL FRONTIER:

Satellite 15..The Final Frontier

El Dorado

Mother Of Mercy

Coming Home

The Alchemist

Isle Of Avalon

Starblind

The Talisman

The Man Who Would Be King

When The Wild Wind Blows

LONG LIVE IRON MAIDEN!

Stone.

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IRON MAIDEN – “BRAVE NEW WORLD” ALBUM FROM 2000

Posted in hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal videos, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal bands, progressive metal music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 12, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

IRON MAIDEN – In May of 2000, the beyond legendary Iron Maiden released the twelfth studio album of their unparalleled Heavy Metal career. Brave New World is studio album #12 from Iron Maiden and marked the return of their most prolific lead vocalist – Bruce Dickinson. (After 1992’s Fear Of The Dark album, Bruce Dickinson left Iron Maiden to pursue what became a successful solo career). The two Iron Maiden albums before Brave New World, The X Factor from 1995 and Virtual XI from 1998, featured the strong and capable vocals of Blaze Bayley. There was and always shall be, however, only “one” Bruce Dickinson and Brave New World resonates with his unreal unique, Metal/operatic vocals.

Brave New World is the album that also glistens with the return of long-time Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith. The 1981 album Killers was Adrian Smith’s coming out party for Iron Maiden. With two signature band members in Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith, returning to the Heavy Metal historic band known as Iron Maiden, Brave New World was a real return to the make-up of how this band is truly embraced and perceived by their countless fans across the continents.

IRON MAIDEN – Rock In Rio (2002), concert supporting the Brave New World album.

IRON MAIDEN RETURNS! WITH STUDIO ALBUM #15!

THE FINAL FRONTIER – RELEASES AUGUST 17, 2010!!!

LONG LIVE IRON MAIDEN!

Stone.

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IRON MAIDEN – 1993 FLASHBACK: “A REAL LIVE ONE” AND “A REAL DEAD ONE”

Posted in 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal bands, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal albums, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal music, Album Review, collecting metal music, cool album covers, creepy album covers, current heavy metal bands, essential heavy metal albums, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1993, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1993, live heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, rock music, scary album covers, vintage heavy metal albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 14, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Iron Maiden was alive and well back in the decade that supposedly ignored Heavy Metal… the 1990’s. The year was 1993 and Iron Maiden released not one but TWO live albums. You read that correctly, two. What a splendid feeling it was, back in 1993, to have Iron Maiden release these two live albums. Oh, yeah, here are the two live album titles: A Real Live One and A Real Dead One. (Yes, I did use the word splendid on Metal Odyssey… two lines ago). You see, Heavy Metal did exist in the 1990’s, it never went away, nor did it hide for cover due to any Grunge Bands coming out of Seattle, Washington either. In my Metal opinion, Grunge only enhanced the diversity of Metal Music… Alice In Chains epitomizes that school of thought. Heavy Metal and Iron Maiden never went astray during the 1990’s, all one has to do is just uncover this decade for it’s bounty of Metal worth… it’s out there. Well, not to get off track here, Iron Maiden quietly released these two live albums during what was supposedly “the heart” of the Grunge Music invasion… and they both are really good too.

I totally disregard any lame reviews that these two live Iron Maiden albums have received over the years, (from of course, professionally paid Rock critics), instead I embrace these two albums as being legit as anything Iron Maiden has ever done. No, I am not ever going to say A Real Live One and A Real Dead One are equal to or better than the Iron Maiden classic from 1985 – Live After Death. What these two 1993 live Iron Maiden albums have accomplished is capturing this band at what they do best, playing fast and non-mainstream Heavy Metal in which proves to be an incredible listen as well as Metal historical. How often are fans trying to find live bootleg CD’s and/or DVD’s of their favorite bands? So many times the notion of bootlegs surfacing is considered cool and “must have”… well here are two live Iron Maiden albums that were legitimately released, (originally on Capitol Records) and are light years better in quality than any bootleg available.

In 1993, Iron Maiden stuck to their Metal guns and released two live albums for their fans to embrace. Regardless of what was the mainstream/Rolling Stone Magazine flavor of the month back then, Iron Maiden provided what they always were known for up to that point in time… real Metal. Real live Metal as well. Lately, I have been on an Iron Maiden kick, Metal be damned I’m proud of it. I bought A Real Live One and A Real Dead One on cassette back in 1993. I still have both cassettes too… in super mint condition. I took really great care of the music I bought, regardless if it was an album, cassette or CD… for the Metal Music I bought throughout the decades has taken great care of me.

A Metal Note: The Iron Maiden Band Lineup For Both A REAL LIVE ONE and A REAL DEAD ONE:

Bruce Dickinson – vocalist

Steve Harris – bass guitarist

Dave Murray – guitarist

Janick Gers – guitarist

Nicko McBrain – drummer

A REAL LIVE ONE – was released on March 22, 1993

The Track Listing for A REAL LIVE ONE:

Side One:

Be Quick Or Be Dead

From Here To Eternity

Can I Play With Madness

Wasting Love

Tailgunner

The Evil That Men Do

Side Two:

Afraid To Shoot Strangers

Bring Your Daughter… To The Slaughter

Heaven Can Wait

The Clairvoyant

Fear Of The Dark

* A REAL LIVE ONE was recorded on the Iron Maiden – Fear Of The Dark Tour 1992. The liner notes of A REAL LIVE ONE, (my cassette version from 1993), contains fabulous full color photos of each band member, (the liner notes fold out into 6 panels, double sided). A detailed equipment list for each band member is shown, as well as the usual credits and a cool thank you from Steve Harris/bass guitarist. These liner notes are done right and are very cool indeed. (I said indeed again, wow).

A REAL DEAD ONE – was released on October 18, 1993

The Track Listing for A REAL DEAD ONE:

Side One:

The Number Of The Beast

The Trooper

Prowler

Transylvania

Remember Tomorrow

Where Eagles Dare

Side Two:

Sanctuary

Running Free

Run To The Hills

2 Minutes To Midnight

Iron Maiden

Hallowed Be Thy Name

* The liner notes for A REAL DEAD ONE, (my cassette version from 1993), do not contain any photo’s or fold out panels like A REAL LIVE ONE does. A REAL DEAD ONE does contain a fold-out mini poster though!! Yeah man!! It came inside of this cassette back in 1993! My copy is in mint shape, with the crispest of edges too! (Save for the original creases from it having to be folded, to fit inside the cassette box). On the front side of this great little Iron Maiden poster are dozens of mini concert photos of all the Iron Maiden members of 1993! At the top/across of this mini poster is the classic Iron Maiden logo in all of it’s vintage Metal glory! The backside of this mini poster has – get this – an Iron Maiden Family Tree!! Yeah Man! It details all of the Iron Maiden members, (up to 1993, of course), with their respective bands they were a part of, both pre-Iron Maiden and post-Iron Maiden! Iron Maiden history, all detailed here on this mini poster gem!

* This mini poster is an oddball piece of Iron Maiden memorabilia… at an oddball size too, it measures approximately 7″ x 11.5″. I really wonder, just how many of these mini posters survived from A REAL DEAD ONE cassettes over the years? How many Metalheads threw them away? How many became ruined from spilled beer? How many were tacked up onto walls and were subsequently faded and torn? I will go out on a Metal limb right here, stating this mini poster just might be… semi rare… to… rare?

For the first time today, I decided to take this mini poster of Iron Maiden from the safe storage of it’s A REAL DEAD ONE cassette box… and finally put it into a thick and sturdy poster sleeve. Now I can better enjoy it, display it and read the Iron Maiden Family Tree whenever I want to! Yeah! From Steve Harris’s first band – Gypsy’s Kiss to Adrian Smith’s band in 1992 – Untouchables, with Bruce Dickinson’s bands – Shots and  Samson in between! Trust me, there is quite a bit involved with this Iron Maiden Family Tree, (and it is only up to 1993), thus making for quite a detailed – future post on Metal Odyssey… that would be a tremendous amount of keystroking!

In Metal summary, I rediscovered A REAL LIVE ONE and A REAL DEAD ONE from 1993, Iron Maiden does not disappoint me. Plus, the rediscovery of the Iron Maiden mini poster and Iron Maiden Family Tree makes this Metal flashback all the more sweeter indeed. (Wow, I said indeed for a third time, as well as the word sweeter… on Metal Odyssey).

LONG LIVE IRON MAIDEN

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IRON MAIDEN – “KILLERS” STILL REIGNS AS A KILLER OF A METAL ALBUM

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal bands, 1980's metal music, 1981 heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, cool album covers, creepy album covers, current heavy metal bands, essential heavy metal albums, guitar legends, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1981, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands from england, heavy metal drummers, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal vocalists, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, progressive metal, rock music, scary album covers, vintage heavy metal albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 12, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

As decades pass and thousands of Heavy Metal albums are released, there will always be those select titles that are still left standing tall. Iron Maiden Killers is one of those select albums that reigns as a killer for me… 28 years after it’s June 1981, U.S. release. Killers epitomizes Old School Heavy Metal, plus Iron Maiden legitimizes the single word – Metal, as it’s very own sub genre. Whenever I think of “Metal” the first band that comes to my mind is Iron Maiden. I sometimes debate myself senseless, asking why isn’t Iron Maiden my favorite Heavy Metal band of all time? Then, I ease my confusion by just knowing that Iron Maiden is and forever will be a “core” band of mine. Killers essentially was faster and harder than many traditional Heavy Metal albums of it’s time… the great part is that Iron Maiden was just beginning to “touch upon” the progressive side of Metal Music, an attribute they became so legendary for.

Back in 1981, the Thrash Metal movement was the welcomed storm on the horizon… Iron Maiden was the baddest and heaviest outside of just a select group of their peers. Motorhead, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Scorpions and Accept come to mind, when deciphering which Metal bands were as hard and heavy as Iron Maiden, back in 1981. Still, outside of Motorhead, Iron Maiden was about speed, the songs on Killers are overall – fast. Exceptions do exist, Prodigal Son is a slower paced Iron Maiden song without a doubt. The tempo being dictated by the acoustic guitars only magnifies the slender tempered sound of Prodigal Son. (Going back to the debut Iron Maiden album, Remember Tomorrow signified the flirtation with somberness that this legendary band would revisit in future albums, Prodigal Son carry’s over this assertion).

Backtracking to the intro of Killers, The Ides Of March, I insist that this was the sign of all Metal things to come on this prolific album. The Ides Of March is heavy, it is melancholy, dark and foreboding… in essence, a Metal prelude or warning if you will, that Iron Maiden was not fabricating or pretending. Twilight Zone is the song from Killers, where I feel Paul Di’Anno is at his giant best, vocally. Certainly, it is my personal opinion, as is the case with this entire article. Genghis Khan is the Metal instrumental that catapulted the musical identity of Iron Maiden, the trademark sound of this soon to be – historic Metal band. My eyeballs still pop open wide, to this very day, each time I listen to Genghis Khan.

When it comes down to musicianship, what honestly can be nit picked here? Iron Maiden as a unit on Killers made layering famous and vogue – basically instigating Progressive Metal from it’s dormancy. I cannot and never will find a fault with this legendary Iron Maiden lineup, Paul Di’Anno was the lead singer for this band in 1981 and a damned great one too… Metal case closed. Even back in the mid 1980’s, I never gave a damn about comparing Paul Di’Anno to Bruce Dickinson… what’s the point? Any seasoned Metalhead knew then and should know now, that these two lead singers are worlds apart with technique and range. In my Metal opinion, one is not better than the other, they are both unique and stylistically genuine. Paul Di’Anno gave the songs on Killers a mysterious tone, his vocals created a fog invading sound scape that bordered on macabre.

Murders In The Rue Morgue is my favorite song on Killers. Again, it’s speed, hard and heavy that this song illuminates. Paul Di’Anno never needed to hit the highest note on the planet to make Murders In The Rue Morgue an Iron Maiden classic, instead his fiery swagger is not just heard vocally, it is felt. Dave Murray and Adrian Smith unleashing their duo guitar leads proved that there was another one-two Metal guitar punch out there… alongside Metal guitar legends Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing of Judas Priest. Clive Burr on drums was not an enigma, he was THE drummer for Iron Maiden during the most important years of their maturation. And then, there is THE bass guitarist for Iron Maiden. To better accentuate my Metal point here, what Babe Ruth will forever be to the history of baseball, what the Mona Lisa will forever be to the history of fine art portraits, Steve Harris will forever be of equal importance to the history of Heavy Metal and Metal Music. Go ahead, listen or re-listen to Iron Maiden Killers… then listen really closely to the bass guitar playing of Steve Harris, hopefully you might just understand what I mean.

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IRON MAIDEN “RUN TO THE HILLS” PICTURE DISC – AN ANTIQUE STORE FIND!

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal picture discs, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, antique shopping finds, cool album covers, creepy album covers, current heavy metal bands, hard to find records, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1982, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands from england, heavy metal memorabilia, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1982, heavy metal on vinyl, heavy metal picture discs, heavy metal record finds, heavy metal records, metal odyssey, Music, new wave of british heavy metal bands, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, rare heavy metal records, rock music, vintage heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 6, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Heavy Metal memorabilia and records can be found in antique stores… and why not? Heavy Metal does go back at least four decades, for sake of argument. I am a collector, of various things… probably too many things! Oh well, you only live once. One of my favorite “things” to collect are Heavy Metal picture discs, records that are adorned with graphics/photos and artwork. These Heavy Metal picture discs bestow the images that are usually tied into the band itself, being the band’s logo and/or mascot and at times the album or song’s theme. The images on these type of picture discs are often times attention grabbing. Heavy Metal picture discs always have been and still are intended to catch your eye, therefore making the respective picture disc into a collectible you display, more than the record you play.

Today, I strolled about an antique store not very far from my home, it just opened for business around the third week of November, 2009. Great place, loaded with great stuff… lot’s of records too, vinyl that is! Yes, based on the number of vinyl record albums I have been coming across lately, on my antique store journey’s, there obviously is a market out there for this vintage form of music media. I am part of that market, you betcha. The adrenaline rush I experienced today, while perusing the hundreds of vinyl albums at this new found antique store, well, it was memorable. There were dozens of Heavy Metal titles in the mix, from the late 1970’s right through the 1980’s. Hard Rock and Southern Rock titles caught my eye too… I stayed in control and only bought what I could afford. Here is one of the two records that I did buy today, (I will save the other record purchase for a future post):

IRON MAIDEN – RUN TO THE HILLS 7″ PICTURE DISC

Please note, that upon my eyes becoming affixed upon this incredible Iron Maiden picture disc, it took approximately one second for me to have it in my grasp. Oh man, the thrill of the Heavy Metal hunt is a sweet and glorious feeling. As I held onto this Iron Maiden picture disc, the thought crossed my mind… Heavy Metal hunting victory is mine! To find such a sensational collectible, especially of a band that I have listened to, collected and followed since the early 1980’s… wow. I felt as if this was my moment, a moment to cherish, while walking towards my wife, with my face filled with Heavy Metal glee. My wonderful wife then made the purchase for me… she wanted to be the one to pay for this joyous find. I thank my wife from the bottom of my Heavy Metal heart for treating me to this Iron Maiden picture disc. Here are the specs on this Iron Maiden picture disc:

Iron Maiden Run To The Hills 7″ picture disc

Price Paid – $10 (U.S.) – this price is just unreal good for me!

Original Year of Release – 1982

Age of Picture Disc – 28 years – yeah, I cannot believe it’s been that long.

Record Label – EMI

# of Songs – 2, Run To The Hills and Total Eclipse

* Run To The Hills is found on the original 1982 and 1995 reissue version of The Number Of The Beast album.

* Total Eclipse being the b-side to this picture disc, was not on the original 1982 album The Number Of The Beast. Total Eclipse was later included in the reissue version of The Number Of The Beast, released in 1995. The 1998 reissue and the 2002 ECD version also include Total Eclipse as well.

Picture Disc Country of Origin – United Kingdom

Check out the front and back artwork of Derek Riggs on this sensational Iron Maiden Run To The Hills 7″ picture disc below. The photo of Iron Maiden shows, from top left to top right, Adrian Smith, guitarist and Steve Harris, bass guitarist. The bottom row, from left to right, Clive Burr, drummer, Bruce Dickinson, vocalist and Dave Murray, guitarist.  Man, I always seem to find the coolest Heavy Metal collectible when I least expect it.

A – SIDE:

B – SIDE:


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My Mom Supported Heavy Metal Music

Posted in 1970's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, classic rock music, family, feel good stories, heavy metal albums, heavy metal music, life stories, Metal, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, people, personal stories, rock music, scary album covers, shopping for music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 27, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

MetalOdysseyMy unreal great and undeniably loving Mother passed away on July 10, 2009. She just turned seventy years old this past April of 2009. To look at her, you would never know she was seventy, really. My Mom is a true hero and inspiration to me, always will be. She suffered a series of strokes in the Fall of 1990, therefore my Mom was a courageous survivor for nearly twenty years. Not being able to speak and having paralysis on the right side of her body were the two biggest obstacles that my Mom endured for two decades. That did not stop her from enjoying life, seeing her children get married and enjoying four grandchildren. Thanks to my heroic Father who became my Mom’s full time caregiver, many people and family members were given the gift of my Mom’s presence, thoughts and love for much longer than was initially predicted by doctors. Being born from my Mom was a gift and she was a gift to me for forty three years of my life. I now am convinced, that my Mom can speak and walk again up in heaven, where she has been reunited with her parents and without any doubt… my incredible sister too. I am at peace knowing my Mom is healthy again in heaven, no more suffering… my Mom has earned her place with the angels.

KISS Alive ll - small album pictureAlright, as my Mom would probably say right about now… enough with all of the sad stuff, let’s have a good time. I cannot resist reflecting on good times, heck, that is why they are called that in the first place. You see, my Mom was in her own special right… a fan of Heavy Metal. She was without question, one of the biggest advocates for Heavy Metal amongst any other Mom I knew, while growing up as a teenager back in the 1980’s. Her knowledge of the past and current bands back in the late 1970’s and through the 1980’s was admirable. There was a hiccup, however, when I was in sixth grade, in regards to my being allowed to have a KISS album in the house. My Mom took one look at the cover of KISS Alive ll and she said – no way. The blood spewing from the mouth of Gene Simmons was over the top for her. She specifically said that no son of hers would have that in her house. Well, to make a long story short, after she heard the song I was Made For Lovin’ You by KISS, the decision to allow KISS and any of their albums into our house was cleared to go. KISS was in… the world of Heavy Metal had a new fan… my Mom.

The neighborhood in which I grew up in, was a definite attachment to the downtown area of the small city it belonged to. There was a surplus of families living around me for blocks, that struggled to make ends meet. I was the luckiest kid in my neighborhood, having the record and tape collection that I bestowed. This collection of Heavy Metal was earned, I worked many different part time jobs after school and did a bounty of chores around the house and yard. Every penny I made… went to Hard Rock/Heavy Metal albums and tapes. No regrets ever, just a cool life of Heavy Metal enjoyment. My neighborhood buddies and me, well, none of us had a car until our senior year of High School, so making any out of town treks to the “real” record stores was out of the question. Step in my Mom.

Iron Maiden - debut album small picYes, my Mom would go out of her way to drive me and my buddies thirty minutes – out of town, to Strawberries Records and Tapes. These Heavy Metal excursions, (as we called them back then), would happen at the drop of a dime! After school, on the weekends, on days off from school and during the Summer… with my Mom it was no problem. She loved those trips to Strawberries. We sometimes would have four dudes in the back seat, with me up front and my Mom leading the way behind the wheel – those Heavy Metal journeys, (we called them that too), are memories that no money can buy. At least half of my Heavy Metal collection of albums and tapes, were courtesy of what my Mom would pick out on her own back then. We would storm into Strawberries and my Mom would seek out albums like a bobcat seeking out it’s prey. She is responsible for my having every Rainbow album ever made at the time. Iron Maiden too. Honestly, I never would have listened to Scorpions World Wide Live if not for my Mom, she would find and buy some prime albums for me back then.

This last memory I will reveal is one for the Heavy Metal record books. It is true and quite unbelievable. I would have many of my buddies from the neighborhood over to my house, almost on a daily basis. The door was always open to them… per orders from my Mom. Listening to Hard Rock and Heavy Metal albums was our number one priority back then. We played the music loud, as all of us have done and still do… no big deal. One day, while a few of my buddies and me were cranking up the Metal tunes in my bedroom, there was a knock at the door. Crap, I thought. Has my Mom finally had enough of these Heavy Metal hang outs? We all stared at each other not knowing really what to do or say. Again, the knocking at my bedroom door continued. One of us was knowledgeable enough to turn the music down low. I opened the door, hesitantly with a semi-gulp in my throat. Behold it was my Mom standing there with a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies!! She smiled at all of us and said, you can’t go hungry while having so much fun with your music. Needless to say, my buddies were stunned. Unreal memory. A real memory. An unreal Mom that I will love and cherish forever, even if she is far away in heaven.

MetalOdyssey

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Some SCARY SONGS to Search Out for this Halloween Season

Posted in 1960's classic rock music, 1960's rock & roll, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's rock music, 1980's thrash metal music, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal songs, 1990's thrash metal bands, 1990's thrash metal songs, 1990's heavy metal music, 1990's thrash metal music, classic hard rock, classic hard rock music, classic heavy metal, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock cover songs, classic rock music, classic rock songs, collecting music, collecting rock music, cool album covers, cover songs, creepy album covers, essential classic rock albums, essential heavy metal songs, halloween rock music songs, halloween songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, horror metal, horror punk, horror punk albums, horror punk rock music, Metal, metal odyssey, misfits album covers, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, old school punk rock, power metal music, punk rock music, rock and roll, rock music, scary album covers, scary rock music songs, spooky album covers, thrash metal music, vintage rock and roll cover songs with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 23, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Misfits "Cuts From The Crypt" large album pic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Halloween is coming and there are scary songs aplenty out there, to get me in the spooky spirit. I came up with a list of my favorites, each song a true Classic in it’s own frightful right. Heavy Metal, Hard Rock and Punk Rock are all represented here well with cool and frightening songs… go ahead… peruse and enjoy this list – if you dare!

Monster Mash – Misfits – I really get a kick out of the Misfits cover version of this 1962 Bobby “Boris” Pickett original. The Misfits cover version can be found on their albums Project 1950 and Cut’s From The Crypt. The Bobby “Boris” Pickett original version of Monster Mash reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart on October 20, 1962. I covet the original version just as much as the Misfits cover.

Werewolves of London – Warren Zevon – this song is originally found on Warren Zevon’s 1978 album Excitable Boy.  I just bought the live version of Warren Zevon’s Werewolves of London on itunes a week ago… the live version is unreal good. Since I first heard this song in 1978, it never ceases to put me in the Halloween mood, no matter what time of year I listen to this great song.

Godzilla – Blue Oyster Cult – this song is found on the Blue Oyster Cult album Spectres, released in 1977. The live version of Godzilla is found on their 1978 album Some Enchanted Evening… I lean towards liking the live version more, always have. The live version just seems to have more total heaviness – a Classic Rock gem.

Halloween – Helloween – alright, now we are talking about some serious Metal here. The 1987 album Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part 1 is where you can find this song, truly an amazing Power Metal epic… at 13 minutes & 18 seconds long, yet every second is Metal brilliance. This song exploits the vocal excellence of Michael Kiske, he was an incredible singer for Helloween, period.

Boris The Spider – The Who – Released in 1966 (the year that I was, gulp, born) – A Quick One is The Who album where this legendary song is found. A short song, at 2 minutes & 29 seconds, the late John Entwistle gives this creepy little song it’s Rock character through his bass and vocals too.

The Number of the Beast – Iron Maiden – Whoa, this song gets better each time I hear it… I am sure I am not alone in stating that. Released on the Number of the Beast album from 1982, it seems like yesterday to me.

Old Carver’s Bones – CKY – From the 2009 CKY album Carver City, this song is scary with multiple exclamation points. The music and lyrics of this song makes the creep out meter catch on fire.

Dead Skin Mask – Slayer – In 1990, Slayer released Seasons in the Abyss – just the title of this song says enough… F’n Slayer rules.

This Is Halloween – Marilyn Manson – I practically inhale this song every late September up until Halloween night. This Is Halloween sung by the legendary Marilyn Manson, can be heard on the re-release of The Nightmare Before Christmas Soundtrack, (re-released in 2006). Metal truth be told, this is probably my most favorite Marilyn Manson song ever… and I like a ton of Marilyn Manson songs a great deal. Marilyn Manson sounds so damn mean, nasty and scary on this song that it creates a thunderstorm in the sky above, wherever it is played.

Frankenstein – Over Kill – this Thrash Metal cover of the Edgar Winter original is frighteningly unreal good. An instrumental, there is no need for lyrics… the music is alarmingly spooky to the maximum. I embrace the Edgar Winter original as much as the Over Kill cover version… bear in mind the Over Kill cover version is damn heavier!! The Over Kill cover version is found on their 1991 album Horrorscope. The Edgar Winter Group original version of Frankenstein is on their 1972 album They Only Come Out at Night.

Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath – from the debut self titled album Black Sabbath, (released in 1970), the song Black Sabbath carries me through a nightmare that I never mind revisiting. Everything about this song spells chillingly scary… from Ozzy Osbourne’s vocals to Tony Iommi’s doom laden riffs, the godfather of creepy Metal songs without a doubt in my Metal mind.

I could go on until Doomsday with a master list of scary and horror laden songs that get me pumped for Halloween. These songs are the ones that I seem to listen to the most, (or so it seems). Maybe you agree with this list of shock and scream songs, maybe you have a song to add to this list too… don’t hesitate to give your suggestion or two for songs that are just as frightening or more so. Happy Halloween.

Black Sabbath "Black Sabbath" large album pic


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IRON MAIDEN – “Cross Eyed Mary” 1983 cover song is a rare Metal Music treasure

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, Album Review, cool album covers, cover songs, essential heavy metal albums, essential metal music albums, essential progressive metal albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal cover songs, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal memorabilia, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1983, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Iron Maiden, Metal, metal music, metal music ep's, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, Music, old school heavy metal, prog metal albums, prog metal music, progressive metal, progressive metal albums, progressive metal music, progressive metal music eps, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 5, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Iron Maiden "The Trooper" EP album artworkIron Maiden released their fourth studio album, “Piece Of Mind” in 1983. An amazing Heavy Metal album it was and forever will be. I bought that album back in ’83… stared at the front cover for hours, which in fact, probably equals out to actual days. I have always been mesmerized by artist Derek Riggs artwork of mascot Eddie. This album does not contain the cover song of “Cross Eyed Mary”, instead, it was released as a “b” side to the single “The Trooper”, taken from the “Piece Of Mind” album. To the best of my Metal research, “The Trooper” single was released on June 20, 1983. I frequented a small and independent record store on an almost daily basis back in the ’80’s, (I won’t divulge the name of this store for personal reasons), upon a daily stop there… there it was… Iron Maiden “The Trooper” Maxi Single on vinyl no less!! My Metal memory is very vivid about this moment… I stared this beautiful Iron Maiden rarity down, bought it and have kept it pristine ever since. Plus, this was the only copy this store had, I never saw this Iron Maiden single on vinyl again. (Certainly, there has to be more out there in collections or online today, I just never happened to come across one in person). This Iron Maiden Maxi Single as it is called, again, is on vinyl that is the actual size of an album -(an EP if you will), it plays at 45 rpm.

As for “The Trooper” it is and always will be an amazing work of Metal Music, this song no Metalhead could ever possibly tire from. An unreal great Metal song is “The Trooper”. Now, for the Metal juicy part of this important single… “Cross Eyed Mary”. I always have and will continue to give Jethro Tull a listen now and again… they are cool by me, despite what Metallica may think of them. The original Jethro Tull version of “Cross Eyed Mary” does not even come remotely close, to the prolific Metal power of Iron Maiden’s cover version though. I am talking extremely Metal prolific, when I mention this Iron Maiden cover of “Cross Eyed Mary”. Whoa, man, this Iron Maiden cover sends Metal chills up and down my spine. I am not sugar coating a thing… this Iron Maiden cover is the real thing, hands down it is my most favorite and cherished Metal cover song that has ever been recorded. Not to sound cheesy or lame here, the opening guitar leads sends me into Metal orbit… really. Bruce Dickinson is outstanding on vocals with this song, Iron Maiden took hold of “Cross Eyed Mary” and turned it into a Metal masterpiece. NO flutes or piano are on this Iron Maiden cover version of “Cross Eyed Mary”, no sir.

My copy of “The Trooper” vinyl single looks just like the above image, with the exception that my copy has “Maxi Single – super sound version” printed on the front cover, inside a red outlined circle. The bottom image shows what the Japanese import version of “The Trooper” looks like on CD, however, “Cross Eyed Mary” is NOT on this CD single!? The two songs on this Japanese import are: “The Trooper Live (2003)” and “The Trooper” (album version). Go figure that out, the same artwork, it is “The Trooper” single, yet “Cross Eyed Mary” is not included anymore. It would have been Metal genius, if Iron Maiden included “Cross Eyed Mary” on their “Somewhere Back In Time: The Best Of 1980-1989″ album, that would have been a perfect song to add into the historical Metal mix. I am just psyched that I still have this vinyl single of Iron Maiden, this is one Metal treasure I just will not part with – no way.

Some Metal extra notes about this Iron Maiden single, to benefit, guide and nourish your Metal mind: 

Iron Maiden, as they appeared on “The Trooper” and “Cross Eyed Mary”: Bruce Dickinson on lead vocals, Dave Murray on guitar, Adrian Smith on guitar, Steve Harris on bass guitar and Nicko McBrain on drums. * This 1983 “The Trooper” single was originally released on EMI records.

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Paul Dianno “The Living Dead” is very much alive with Metal Music

Posted in 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal music, Album Review, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, Extreme Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal solo albums, heavy metal solo artists, heavy metal solo vocalists, heavy metal this decade, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, metal music today, Metal Reviews, Music, recent heavy metal albums, spooky metal album covers, Vocals with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 12, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

main-150Paul Dianno “The Living Dead” was released on May 16, 2006. Why I lead with this, is due to my impatience for waiting on this album… I counted the days leading up to it’s release. It was like I was eight years old again, waiting for Christmas morning to come. For the few who may not know, Paul Dianno was the original lead singer for Iron Maiden. Paul Dianno was lead vocalist on the debut “Iron Maiden” album and the “Killers” album. Of course you can count bootlegs and the “Maiden Japan” EP as well, with having Dianno as lead vocalist. If it wasn’t for Bruce Dickinson taking over as lead vocalist for Iron Maiden, starting with the “666 The Number of the Beast” album, I would say that Paul Dianno could never be replaced as lead vocalist. However, It is my Metal opinion that comparing Paul Dianno to Bruce Dickinson is apples to oranges. Why compare? They are both completely different vocalists, both in style and range. The Paul Dianno fronted version of Iron Maiden, with the first two studio albums, (mentioned above), are undisputed Metal classics, that are revered and influential to countless Metal fans and/or Metal musicians. I feel Paul Dianno shares the same equal glory among the other original members of Iron Maiden for these albums being so iconic. (Phew, I got that off my chest, now I can blab about the actual album – “The Living Dead”).

The opening track “The Living Dead” is sung with power and emotion from Dianno – yeah, you can have emotion in Metal music. Lyrically, this song tackles loneliness, hunger and human despair. (Nope, this song is not about the cult horror film classic). This tune is a heavy – very heavy ballad if you will. For every song I mention on “The Living Dead”, bear in Metal mind, that this is a very, very heavy album. Dianno sounds more hungrier, angrier and confident than ever. (That is what my Metal ears are telling me anyways). “Mad Man In The Attic” has Dianno doing a little exploring, into the world of Death Metal vocals. These growling vocals are not constant throughout, Dianno apparently was looking for some vocal horror texture and he succeeds here, in my Metal opinion. I find Dianno to be a touch reminiscent of the legendary Alice Cooper on this song. “War Machine” is a tune built on speed and dark heaviness. “Brothers Of The Tomb” has Dianno hitting the extreme high notes vocally, with some angry gang vocals added into the mix as well. “P.O.V. 2005” is a down right Thrash Metal tune… excellent riffs and a very cool solo as well.

Dianno does a cover of the Megadeth classic “Symphony Of Destruction” – it is structured and arranged differently than the original version. The biggest difference is the vocals, plus this version is not nearly as fast overall, as to what Megadeth delivers. I like this cover for it’s diverse Metal approach though, the Megadeth original will always be the best. Two legendary Paul Dianno era – Iron Maiden tracks are included as live bonus tracks: “Wrathchild” and “Phantom Of The Opera”, the liner notes do not suggest that these live recordings were done with Iron Maiden, rather with Paul Dianno’s band. Dianno is all over these two tunes… the quality, musicianship and vocals of Dianno make these bonus tracks a worthwhile addition to “The Living Dead”.

The copy of “The Living Dead” I picked up back in 2006, has a bonus DVD that includes the video for the song “The Living Dead” and an interview with Paul Dianno. The video is dark, almost haunting with it’s imagery. Paul Dianno is shown alone, singing against the backdrop of images of strife, humanity and despair. The interview with Paul Dianno is very interesting, with really no details as to why he and Iron Maiden split ways decades ago. One neat bit of info that Dianno shared is that he feels Max Cavalera (of Sepultura & Soulfly fame) is currently the best lead vocalist in Metal today. Hey, I really like everything that Max Cavalera has done with Sepultura and Soulfly myself. I definitely recommend “The Living Dead” to any fan of Metal, especially Iron Maiden fans who want to hear some recent Paul Dianno, he did a fabulous Metal job with this album.

The Metal musicians behind Paul Dianno on “The Living Dead” are: Paulo Turin, Chico Dehira, Javier Cuevas and Claudio Duliba on guitars * Felipe Andreoli & Marcelo Bracalente on bass * Aquiles Prieser & German Rodriguez on drums.

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IRON MAIDEN “FLIGHT 666” is now boarding Metalheads!

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal music, Album Review, classic metal, concerts, cool album covers, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal music, current live heavy metal albums, current metal albums, current prog metal albums, current prog metal music, current progressive metal albums, essential heavy metal albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal this decade, heavy metal vocalists, Iron Maiden, Metal, metal music, metal music today, Metal Reviews, Music, new heavy metal album, old school heavy metal, prog metal albums, prog metal music, progressive metal, progressive metal albums, progressive metal music, progressive metal today, recent heavy metal albums with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 11, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

fullsizeYou bet your Metal memory I picked up the new and live double CD “Flight 666” from Iron Maiden, (released June 9, 2009). How could I possibly pass it up? This is Iron Maiden we are talking about… Metal icons… Metal elite. I first saw this new Iron Maiden CD, yesterday, at f.y.e., they were asking $16.99… I knew I could do better than that. So, I went to good ol’ Super Walmart to pick up necessities, like… food, then my body was on automatic pilot and went straight to the CD aisles. Iron Maiden is a necessity in my Metal life, therefore, I purchased “Flight 666” along with various food items from Walmart. I embarked for my car, with my daughters by my side and I am one happy dude. The Walmart price? I paid $13.88 for “Flight 666”, if I continued to search for a cheaper price than that, I would be wasting gas in my tank. Plus, I was able to save $3.23… sounds like chump change, yet it adds up throughout the years when you shop around a tad. I am going to put the DVD version of “Flight 666” on my want list for now… I listen to Metal light years more often than I watch Metal.

Now, for the Metal music on “Flight 666″… again, this is Iron Maiden! What in the Metal world could I possibly find fault with here? This live double CD is juiced up with many prime Metal tunes from the expansive Iron Maiden catalog of albums. Quality, quality and more quality. That is what you hear from the production, sound and of course, the Metal from this Iron Maiden live CD. No Iron Maiden and/or Metal fan could possibly expect any less from this band. When I listen to “Flight 666”, I truly realize how I have never grown weary of any Iron Maiden tunes. If anything, listening to this CD makes me appreciate this band all the more, Iron Maiden is still cranking out Metal across the world… and doing so with their trademark, brilliant musicianship. These guys have not missed a step going on three decades. “Flight 666” is proof of this. The Progressive Metal exuberance of Iron Maiden, with their multi-layered triple guitar attack are in a Metal class all their own. Being a live CD, the nuances and ambiance of the musicianship and the thousands of screaming Iron Maiden fans make for an exciting listen. Not everyone is into live albums… I never fell in love with every live Metal album I have listened to either – “Flight 666” is a live Metal album that I will boast about forever.

There are six tracks on “Flight 666” that are post “Powerslave” era Iron Maiden. “Wasted Years” and “Heaven Can Wait” are from the “Somewhere In Time” album. “Heaven Can Wait” is my favorite post “Powerslave” Iron Maiden tune, it is played live in incredible Metal fashion here. “Fear Of The Dark” is from, of course, the “Fear Of The Dark” album. “The Clairvoyant”, “Moonchild” and “Can I Play With Madness” are off of the “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son” album. The remaining eleven tracks are just killer, vintage and monumental Iron Maiden from the debut “Iron Maiden” album up to and including, the “Powerslave” album. The opening live trademark of “Churchill’s Speech” gets the Metal juices flowing for what is about to come… “Aces High”… pure Iron Maiden, pure Metal intensified! “2 Minutes To Midnight” and “The Number Of The Beast” roar with Iron Maiden – Metal history. I am glad to see that “Rime Of The Ancient Mariner”, from the “Powerslave” album, is added to this amazing set of Iron Maiden classics… at almost 14 minutes long, Iron Maiden makes an epic story turn to epic Metal greatness. My favorite Iron Maiden tune ever is found on “Flight 666” as well and I am ecstatic… “Revelations” from the “Piece Of Mind” album.

I guess you may have figured out by now, that I am a life long fan of Iron Maiden. I am obviously not alone with my Metal allegiance towards this band. I could go on forever about how much I dig this band and “Flight 666”, however, all great Metal posts must come to an end. If you are already an Iron Maiden fan, you know you will own this album, (if you not already have it). For new fans of Metal or Iron Maiden, it is time to get on board for “Flight 666”!!

Iron Maiden are: Bruce Dickinson on lead vocals, Dave Murray on lead & rhythm guitars, Adrian Smith on lead & rhythm guitars, Janick Gers on lead & rhythm guitars, Steve Harris on bass and Nicko Mcbrain on drums. If these guys are not legitimate Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, then nobody is. Iron Maiden is in my Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and they epitomize what the word Metal means.

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