Archive for metal blade records

Metal Blade Records Signs Rivers Of Nihil – Demo From Upcoming Album Streaming Now!

Posted in Death Metal, death metal bands, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal music, Music, progressive death metal, progressive metal with tags , , , , , , on December 10, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

rivers-of-nihil

A new demo of track from the Reading, PA Modern Progressive Metal outfit’s upcoming Metal Blade debut now live!

Metal Blade Records is pleased to announce the signing of RIVERS OF NIHIL! The Modern Progressive Death Metal quintet, who formed in 2009, was born from the ruins of their decaying hometown of Reading, Pennsylvania and are on a relentless path of taking their music to the next level. RIVERS OF NIHIL‘s music is as dark and heavy as the coal and iron their home city was built upon, taking influences from some of Death Metal’s heaviest, most abrasive hitters: Morbid Angel, Gojira, Spawn of Possession and Decapitated, to name a few.

“We’re super stoked to be a part of the Metal Blade family! Being on a such a strong label with some of our favorite bands is truly an honor and we look forward to the future with Metal Blade.”

Go HERE to listen to the demo version of the new song “Rain Eater” from RIVERS OF NIHIL‘s upcoming Metal Blade Records full-length debut, which will be recorded with Erik Rutan (Hate Eternal) at Mana Recording Studios in Tampa, FL in March of 2013. Stay tuned to the band’s official Facebook page for updates from the studio and release date info.

About the Band:
The members of RIVERS OF NIHIL honed their chops as high schoolers in various bands in the Reading scene, eventually coming together to form RIVERS OF NIHIL in 2009. They recorded their first EPHierarchy that year with Carson Slovak (Century), regularly toured the Northeast and Midwest, and scored local opening gigs for the likes of Decapitated, Decrepit Birth, Suffocation, Dying Fetus, and Misery Index. Two years later they regrouped with producer Len Carmichael to record their next EP Temporality Unbound, which saw the band earn recognition in the national metal scene as well as start to attract the attention of record labels and eventually saw the band signing with Metal Blade Records in late 2012.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/riversofnihil

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RIVERS OF NIHIL is:

Jake Dieffenbach – Vocals

Brody Uttley – Guitars

Jon Kunz – Guitars

Adam Biggs – Bass/Vocals

Ron Nelson – Drums

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(Source: Metal Blade Records)

For more info on METAL BLADE RECORDS, click on link below!

http://www.metalblade.com

Stone - Motorhead Tee  pic:small

 LONG LIVE RIVERS OF NIHIL.

Stone.

KING DIAMOND – Signs Worldwide Record Deal With Metal Blade Records!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, horror metal, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on December 4, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

King Diamond - Abigail - promo cover pic - large!!

Metal Blade Records is pleased to announce that Grammy Award nominated KING DIAMOND has signed a new 3 album worldwide record deal with the label.

“This is gonna be awesome! Another perfect piece of the puzzle. We have the full backup of Metal Blade, and there’s an understanding between us that goes much, much deeper than before.

Our new business setup will noticeably benefit the fans in so many ways. You must have already noticed some of all the cool new stuff that is happening.

Now we can’t wait to get out there and start touring again!”

Stay Heavy,
King Diamond

King Diamond - B&W Logo!KING DIAMOND is quite possibly the most recognizable and prolific personality ever in heavy metal. Revered by icons as big as Metallica and Pantera to inspiring new upstarts like Goatwhore; KING DIAMOND, the man and the band, have left an indelible mark on the history, and now again, the future of heavy metal.

In August of 2008, KING DIAMOND joined Metallica on stage at Ozzfest in Dallas to perform the Mercyful Fate medley made famous from the Garage, Inc. album. Additionally, KING DIAMOND was featured alongside Motorhead’s Lemmy Kilmister as a playable character in Guitar Hero: Metallica in 2009.

By 2012, KING DIAMOND was prepared to return to the stage for a select number of shows. The band’s triumphant return to the stage were the highlights of both the Hellfest and Sweden Rock festivals in France and Sweden. Fans at these festivals were treated to the largest and most involved stage production in the band’s storied history. Horror concepts from multiple albums were used in the décor; fans can rest-assured that this show will only get larger and more impressive at future performances.

KING DIAMOND’s 30+ year musical career is one of the most storied in history of heavy metal, but the tale is not yet over. The most recent release, 2007′s Grammy nominated album Give Me Your Soul…Please, stands as one of the most critically acclaimed albums in an already iconic discography. Future albums will feature entirely new horror stories, concepts, haunting orchestrations, and the band’s signature brand of heavy metal from the mind of KING DIAMOND and the talented group of musicians in tow: Andy La Rocque, Mike Wead, Hal Patino, and Matt Thompson. Many more albums, tours, and ventures lay ahead.

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For news, updates, and all things King Diamond, go to: www.kingdiamondcoven.com

Official King Diamond links:

http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com

http://www.kingdiamondstore.com

https://twitter.com/realkingdiamond

http://www.youtube.com/realkingdiamond

https://www.facebook.com/kingdiamondofficial

http://www.facebook.com/kingdiamondmercyfulfateofficial

Metal Blade Records - block logo!____________________________________________________________

(Source: Metal Blade Records)

Stone - Motorhead Tee  pic:small

LONG LIVE KING DIAMOND.

Stone.

KING DIAMOND – Official Merch Store And Website Now Live!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on August 23, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

King Diamond guest on upcoming episode of That Metal Show!

King Diamond fans, rejoice! Metal Blade Records has teamed up with the infamous master of Metal himself, KING DIAMOND, to unleash a brand new official website and line of official merchandise. KingDiamondCoven.com is the new go-to spot for all things KING DIAMOND and MERCYFUL FATE; there you will find all the latest news, videos, photos, tour dates, discography, and more! In the brand new official web store, items ranging from t-shirts, hoodies, gym shorts, and bootie shorts, to items like beanies, sweat cuffs, and backpacks are currently available for preorder with more items set to be added each month!

Designs will cover KING DIAMOND’s entire catalog, not just the Metal Blade releases, so be sure to head over to KingDiamondStore.com (European fans go HERE) to check out current designs available for preorder and be sure to check back every few weeks for new designs and exclusive items including limited items that once sold out, will not be made again.

Metal Blade Records’ team has been working tirelessly around the clock with the King himself to bring his devoted fans high quality and highly demanded merchandise; gone are the days of having to pay too much money for low quality bootlegged merch! All items are being made with the utmost care to design and quality, worthy of even the most devout fans celebrated collection.

In other KING DIAMOND news; King recently took a trip out to Southern California to be a guest on the 11th season of VH1 Classic’s “That Metal Show” with hosts Eddie Trunk, Jim Florentine, and Don Jamieson. Tune into VH1 Classic on Saturday, September 8 @ 11pm EST. Go HERE for all the latest news on “That Metal Show.”

http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/

http://www.kingdiamondstore.com/

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For more info on Metal Blade Records, click on the links below!

http://www.metalblade.com/

http://www.facebook.com/metalbladerecords

http://twitter.com/MetalBlade

http://www.youtube.com/MetalBladeRecords

____________________________________________________________

(Source: Metal Blade Records)

LONG LIVE KING DIAMOND.

LONG LIVE METAL BLADE RECORDS.

Stone.

Wanna See My Vintage Metal Blade Records Button? It’s Really Cool…

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on July 8, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

METAL BLADE RECORDS – That’s my vintage Metal Blade Records button right above! You can’t beat that vintage logo, with the blood dripping! Whoa. I’m honestly amazed that this button is still in my possession after all these years! Back around 1983/84 is when I obtained this button too. Here’s the Metal story:

I vividly remember ordering (via mail-order) from Metal Blade Records the debut full-length, Show No Mercy, from the legendary Slayer. I also ordered the debut full-length, Be My Slave from Bitch. This Metal Blade Records button came inside the package with the two albums. Strange as it sounds, both of these vintage vinyls are no longer in my Metal collection; yet this button is! Don’t worry… I do have Slayer’s Show No Mercy on both cassette and CD still. Hell, yes I do! I never replaced that Bitch album though.

This is what the Metal Blade Records logo looks like in 2012.

I kinda chuckle now, at how stuff was ordered back in the “old days” and I shudder at the thought. Back in those early 80’s there was no internet. There was no QVC. It was “snail mail” or bust, baby! I remember requesting a Metal Blade Records flyer via “snail mail” and weeks later it arrived. That’s how it was done. Patience was a virtue for us pre-internet Metalheads and/or Rockaholics. Hell, yes it was!

I guess I’ll continue to keep this cool button and sell it down the Metal road for a ton of money. Just kidding about the ton of money part. Wait a Metal minute. No I’m not. Metal be thy name.

Metal Blade Records was founded by Brian Slagel, back in 1982.

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Slayer – Show No Mercy (1983)

BITCH – Be My Slave (1983)

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For more info on METAL BLADE RECORDS, click on that link below!

METAL BLADE RECORDS

LONG LIVE METAL BLADE RECORDS.

LONG LIVE KEEPING COOL VINTAGE METAL STUFF.

Stone.

Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel Featured In New Book: “Tales From The Stage”

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on June 22, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Take a personal journey with some of the biggest names from the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal movement as they relive their past, discuss the present, and enlighten us about their plans moving forward in the music industry.

Tales from the Stage Volume 1, written by Michael Toney, consists of 15 in-depth interviews with some of the most influential names from the hard rock and heavy metal genre. Each interview starts with basic personal questions (birthday, hometown, education, marital status, etc.), then dives into their career leaving no stone unturned. Interviews include Tracii Guns, Eddie Trunk, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Jeff Duncan, and Metal Blade’s own Brian Slagel, just to name a few.

A portion of the proceeds from each book sold are being donated to Ride For Dime,  a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting music education through America’s youth.

Order your copy HERE and be sure to use the discount code METALBLADE to receive 15% off your purchase.

__________________________________________________________

(Source: Metal Blade News Update)

For more info, click on the links below!

http://talesfromthestage.com

http://www.facebook.com/talesfromthestage

http://www.metalblade.com

LONG LIVE BRIAN SLAGEL.

LONG LIVE MICHAEL TONEY.

LONG LIVE HARD ROCK & METAL.

Stone.

MI Annex Presents: Metal Blade Records’ 30th Anniversary [unofficial] SXSW Day Party

Posted in Death Metal, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on March 5, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

JOB FOR A COWBOY, CANCER BATS, BATTLECROSS, PILGRIM, GYPSYHAWK and EARLY GRAVES set to devastate Austin Thursday March 15

Metal Blade Records has teamed up with Musicians InstituteAnnex (formerly Emo’s Annex) and co-sponsors ‘stache media to bring you one of the heaviest day parties devastating the streets of Austin this March, featuring JOB FOR A COWBOY, CANCER BATS, BATTLECROSS, PILGRIM, GYPSYHAWK, EARLY GRAVES and MI band TRUCELINE. The bands will be hitting the infamous 6th Street location for 6 hours of metal and hard rock, celebrating the label’s 30th Anniversary, with doors opening at 11:30am. The party will be free of charge and open to the public.

Be sure to get there early as the first 100 people in will receive a swag bag filled with goodies provided by Metal Blade Records, Indie Merch, and ‘stache media. There will also be a raffle held for some bigger ticket items, provided by Metal Blade and Indie Merch.

And as if a free show and goodies wasn’t enough, our good friends over at Indie Merch have gone above and beyond the call of duty and contributed to the beer fund. So help us celebrate our 30th anniversary and join us for some great music, some killer giveaways and free beer while it lasts. And don’t forget to get your raffle ticket at the door for your chance to win some cool items from bands like As I Lay Dying, The Black Dahlia Murder, Behemoth, Goatwhore, Amon Amarth and more!

WHEN: Thursday, March 15 – Doors at 11:30am – 6:00pm

WHERE: MI Annex 522 E. 6th Street, Austin TX

FREE!!!

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(Source: Earsplit PR)

For more info on the sponsors:

http://www.metalblade.com

http://www.mi.edu

http://www.stachemedia.com

http://www.indiemerchstore.com

For more info on the bands:

http://www.metalblade.com/jobforacowboy

http://www.metalblade.com/cancerbats

http://www.metalblade.com/Battlecross

http://www.metalblade.com/pilgrim

http://www.facebook.com/gypsyhawkusa

https://www.facebook.com/truceline

LONG LIVE METAL BLADE RECORDS.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

PENTAGRAM “Last Rites” – New Studio Album Releases April 12th, 2011 On Metal Blade Records!

Posted in classic metal, doom metal, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on April 4, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

PENTAGRAM – Last Rites, the seventh studio album from Doom Metal Pioneers and Metal legends, Pentagram, will be released on April 12th, 2011, on Metal Blade RecordsLast Rites is the first of a three album agreement Pentagram has with Metal Blade Records. Pentagram is led by it’s founding member and ever constant vocalist Bobby Liebling.

Pentagram alumnus and guitarist Victor Griffin returned to Pentagram in 2010, collaborating with Bobby Liebling on a studio album for the first time since 1994’s Be Forewarned. Last Rites contains eleven brand new studio tracks, proving once again, that Pentagram is far from closing the Metal history book on their Metal legacy.

* Last Rites has the Metal distinction of being the studio album released during the 40th Anniversary of Pentagram.

PENTAGRAM:

Bobby Liebling – vocals

Victor Griffin – guitar

Greg Turley – bass

Tim Tomaselli – drums

Track Listing For Last Rites:

Treat Me Right

Call the Man

Into the Ground

8

Everything’s Turning To Night

Windmills and Chimes

American Dream

Walk in Blue Light

Horseman

Death in 1st Person

Nothing Left

* For more info on PENTAGRAM, click the links below:

THE PENTAGRAM ARCHIVES – myspace music

METAL BLADE RECORDS

LONG LIVE PENTAGRAM.

Stone.

Between The Buried And Me – “The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues” Releases April 12, 2011! Some Metal Info and Thoughts…

Posted in Death Metal, Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal, progressive rock, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on March 26, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME – Here is some excellent news for all of you fellow Between The Buried And Me, Progressive Metal and Metal fans… The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues is being released on April 12th, 2011 on Metal Blade Records! This will be the seventh studio album released by BTBAM and their first on Metal Blade Records.

Currently, as of March 26th, 2011, a brand new track (Specular Reflection) from The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues is streaming right here: Between The Buried And Me – myspace music and here: METAL BLADE RECORDS. This new BTBAM song is worth every Metal micro-second of listening to and absorbing!

Specular Reflection clocks in at 11:21 and is progressively enriched with all things great about BTBAM. The piano key intro accompanied with orchestration and chorus, only leads me into the mind blowing, Extreme Metal journey that this ultra-talented band is so vastly known for creating. BTBAM fans won’t be disappointed while new fans shall be mesmerized and pulled into the Progressive and Extreme circle of sound that they’ll hear from Specular Reflection. Without a Metal doubt, I’m buying this new BTBAM album.

I have listened to this new song called Specular Reflection many, many, times now and I’m going to continue listening… and listening. I’ve always felt that Between The Buried And Me have been slightly ahead of their Metal time, now I feel they have arrived at being labeled “a Metal measuring stick” for their sub-genre. Metal be thy name.

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME:

Tommy Rogers – vocals & keyboards

Dustie Waring – guitar

Paul Waggoner – guitar

Dan Briggs – bass

Blake Richardson – drums & percussion

Track Listing For The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues:

Specular Reflection

Augment of Rebirth

Lunar Wilderness

* The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues was produced and engineered by Grammy award winning David Bottril alongside BTBAM.

* The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues was recorded at Metalworks Studios and Rattlebox Studios.

* For more info on Between The Buried And Me, click the links below:

Between The Buried And Me – myspace music

Between The Buried And Me – facebook

METAL BLADE RECORDS

LONG LIVE BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME.

Stone.

METAL MASSACRE XIII – 2006 Compilation Of Metal Is All About Extreme!

Posted in extreme music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock album reviews, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , on October 29, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

METAL MASSACRE – Released on June 13, 2006, Metal Blade Records continued their excellent Metal tradition of delivering a heavy dose of their best signed bands that their label has to offer, with another ear blistering installment to their historic Metal Massacre series – Metal Massacre XII. There are 19 songs on Metal Massacre XIII and that = Metal value. From Bolt Thrower to The Absence, this compilation of Extreme Metal bands never subsides with unmistakable intensity.

Here is a brief and summarized history of the Metal Massacre album series: In 1982, Brian Slagel, the founder and owner of Metal Blade Records, put together and released a compilation of unsigned and underground Metal bands… that first compilation album being aptly titled – Metal Massacre. Onward through the ’80’s and ’90’s, another eleven Metal Massacre compilation albums were released through Metal Blade Records. Back in 1995, Metal Massacre XII was released on Metal Blade Records and was tentatively the last in this incredible series of Metal compilation albums… until eleven years later, in 2006, when Metal Massacre XIII was released!

Admittedly, over the decades and throughout this entire series of Metal Massacre albums, I have been exposed to Metal bands that I was not too familiar with. This still held true with Metal Massacre XIII, with The Absence, The Ocean, Cellador, The Black Dahlia Murder, Gaza and Demiricous being bands that I have pursued with my ears, due to their being featured here. Metal exposure is a good thing… Metal be thy name.

The first band heard on this compilation is Cellador, with Leaving All Behind. Cellador is a Power Metal band from Nebraska… and they are as potently heavy as they are melodic. Leaving All Behind is built around guitar speed that is reminiscent of ’80’s Speed Metal. I’m hoping Cellador carry’s on their Power Metal ways… just an above decent band they are. The Black Dahlia Murder brings on the Extreme with Miasma and it is as punishing as any song they have ever made. Brutal stuff is Miasma… I dig it tremendously.

Six Feet Under is unleashed with Shadow Of The Reaper and it is a Death Metal delight. It’s all about the grooves man… the Death Metal grooves of Six Feet Under! Chris Barnes on vocals ferociously delivers, per usual. The Absence has become a big favorite of mine and From Your Grave is Melodic Death Metal at it’s very finest. A real fine listen on this Metal Massacre album is God Dethroned smashing it down with Sigma Enigma. This song I found to be instantly memorable for it’s hell bent consistency.

Amon Amarth and their song The Pursuit Of Vikings is my favorite song on MMIII. Melodic as all hell, Amon Amarth is a giant of a band. Melodic Death Metal can put me into one super great mood and Amon Amarth never disappoints me. The riffs kick some serious ass on this song, while everything just seems to come together perfectly. Amon Amarth can play my backyard barbecue next Summer… if they liked to. And The Hero Fails definitely provides one meaty dose of Metal Extremity with His Imperial Victory, the same can be said for Gaza with Cult… holy crap I’m telling you all, these two bands are Heeeaaavvvy and Exxxttrreeeeme. ‘Nuff said about that.

You can find Metal Massacre XIII just about anywhere CD’s are sold (online that is). I was able to get my “new” copy a few years back pretty cheap… (around $5 U.S.). Since the inception of Metal Blade Records Metal Massacre I, this is a Metal series well worth diving into with thine ears. Metal Massacre XIII is again, a tremendous value for the money. Plus, you are getting introduced to a bevy of very cool and dynamite Metal bands that your maybe unfamiliar with. I highly recommend, with Metal might, this Metal Massacre XIII to any fan of Metal worldwide… and to all alien Metalheads in outer space too.

* The ultra legendary Metallica were featured on 1982’s Metal Massacre… with their Thrash Classic – Hit The Lights.

Track Listing For Metal Massacre XIII:

CelladorLeaving All Behind

The Black Dahlia MurderMiasma

Six Feet UnderShadow Of The Reaper

Torture Killer Swarm!

DemiricousVagrant Idol

3Alien Angel

Bolt ThrowerThe Killchain

Into The MoatDead Before I Stray

The Red Chord Fixation On Plastics

Fragments Of Unbecoming Sterling Black Icon

Paths Of PossessionBleed The Meek

The Absence From Your Grave

God DethronedSigma Enigma

Amon AmarthThe Pursuit Of Vikings

Machinemade GodKiss Me Now Kill Me Later

The OceanOne With The Ocean

And The Hero FallsHis Imperial Victory

GazaCult

End It All Echo Of Cries

HAPPY HALLOWEEN WEEKEND, METALHEADS!

LONG LIVE METAL.

LONG LIVE METAL BLADE RECORDS.

Stone.

RAVEN – TOUR SCHEDULE: JULY 31st THRU OCTOBER 24th, 2010!

Posted in concerts, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal tours, metal odyssey, Music, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 17, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RAVEN – After releasing WALK THROUGH FIRE on March 30, 2010, on Metal Blade Records, RAVEN are on tour in support of this fabulous album of Old School Metal. RAVEN may be in your neck of the woods between July 31st and October 24th, 2010… so check out the tour dates below!

RAVEN are:

John Gallagher – vocals & bass guitars

Mark Gallagher – guitars

Joe Hasselvander – drums & percussion

The following are the RAVEN tour dates from July 31, 2010 to October 24, 2010, covering both European and North American cities. (Source: Metal Blade News Update)

* Metal Odyssey has no further concert information other than the dates disclosed.

European Tour Dates:

07/31 – Brande-Hörnerkirchen,DE Headbangers Open Air Germany

08/01 – Kerkradde, NL The Rock Temple

08/04 – Den Haag, NL Het Paard Club

08/06 – Wacken, DE Waken Festival

08/07 – Deinze, BE Alcatraz Festival

North America Tour (U.S. & Canada)Dates:

09/10 – Baltimore, MD, Sonar

09/11 – Virginia Beach, VA, Gill’s

09/12 – Springfield, VA, Jaxx

09/16 – Toronto, ON, Wreck Room

09/17 – Cleveland, OH, Peabody’s

09/18 – Chicago, IL, The Abbey Pub

09/19 – Detroit, MI, Blondies

10/01 – Seattle, WA, El Corazon

10/02 – Vancouver, BC, Red Room

10/03 – Portland, OR, Peters Room

10/22 – Dallas TX, Trees

10/23 – Houston, TX, Scout Bar

10/24 – San Antonio, TX, Scout Bar

* You can check out the album review for RAVEN – WALK THROUGH FIRE, which I posted on April 29, 2010, by clicking on that really cool header below:

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

LONG LIVE RAVEN!

Stone.

METAL BLADE TV – “ON THE BLACK CARPET OF REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARDS” 2010

Posted in hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal awards, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 25, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Jeff Paulick, lead vocalist/bass guitarist of Lazarus A.D. interviews some of the biggest, baddest and best Metal musicians attending and/or receiving awards at the 2010 Revolver Golden Gods Awards for Metal Blade TV! Vinnie Paul, Alice Cooper, Andrew W.K., Lemmy, Gene Hoglan, Brendon Small, Kerry King, Joey Vera, Burton C. Bell and Marilyn Manson just to name quite a few! Man, would I have loved to do that job with the microphone! Hire me Metal Blade TV! Um… please? Pretty Metal please?

Take a Metal gander at the 2 video’s below to see what I’m all excited about… and enjoy!

The actual broadcast of the 2010 Revolver Golden Gods Awards may have been cut-up and edited to pieces, still, the pre-awards black carpet chatting is cool stuff! A Metal kudos to Metal Blade TV! Maybe Metal Blade TV should just broadcast this event from the inside as well starting next year?

LONG LIVE METAL!

…AND HARD ROCK TOO!

O.K., LONG LIVE METAL BLADE RECORDS AND METAL BLADE TV!

The word “pretty” was used on Metal Odyssey… yup, in the first paragraph.

Stone.

METALMEISTER – A 1996 METAL BLADE RECORDS, COMPILATION OF UNRULY & EXTREMELY HEAVY… METAL!

Posted in black metal music, death metal music, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 6, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

METALMEISTER – Released back on July 23, 1996, on the legendary Metal Blade Records, this compilation of fifteen songs is a molten fireball of Metal Music! Fifteen bands, all signed to the Metal Blade Records label, (as of 1996), are featured on Metalmeister. From Cannibal Corpse and GWAR to Armored Saint, Metal Blade Records never put up any boundaries when it comes to Metal Music… and they still don’t. Metalmeister may be out of print, alas, I have seen numerous new copies for sale at Amazon.com for slightly over $1 U.S.!! That’s one meager buck for a heavy swath of Metal, Metalheads!

The one track on Metalmeister that isn’t heavy at all is Fall-Dark Waters by Decoryah. It’s quite an atmospheric song, reminiscent of The Alan Parsons Project. (!) Believe me, that is my most honest Metal opinion I have of this song. Plus, as a mellow bonus, this song clocks in at 7:16 too. I am not dismissing myself from ever listening to this song ever again, it’s just that it does not “fit in” with this Metalmeister compilation at all. In case you are wondering… Decoryah was a dark/ambient Doom Metal band from Finland, releasing two albums, two EP’s and two demos from 1992 to 1997. My Metal research has found this band broke up in 1997.

Wretched by The Crisis is just that, plus it sounds like the Pop Rock Band… Hanson going all Death Metal on my brain. I really don’t know of any other songs and or albums from The Crisis, this is just my Metal opinion on the one song from them, heard straight from Metalmeister.

Thankfully, the track immediately following this Wretched song is Here In After by Immolation. (Phew), Immolation does a Metal brain good, especially after listening to a Metal? song that leaves me bewildered. The song Here In After is Immolation NOT fooling around… this Death Metal Band always delivers the heaviest of goods to my ears. Metal be thy name.

Meat Sandwich by GWAR is… vintage… GWAR. There is something about these unearthly beings that makes me listen to them, with the upmost Metal curiosity. Meat Sandwich is as entertaining lyrically as it is Metal groovy.

Meat Sandwich can be found on the RAGNAROK album, released back on October 24, 1995, on of course, Metal Blade Records. Here is what the RAGNAROK album cover looks like:

Well, I covered my least liked songs first… then Immolation and GWAR saved the Metal day… now for the really cool Metal… step in Armored Saint. Creepy Feelings is listed on Metalmeister as previously unreleased material and from a 1989 demo tape. This was 1996 when this album was released, thus Creepy Feelings was very much a previously unreleased track of the time. Fast forward to March 7, 2000, when the Armored Saint album – Revelation was released… Creepy Feelings was included on it. This song is a killer… a melodic and hard driving force is Creepy Feelings with John Bush vocally at his finest.

This is what the Revelation album looks like:

I also posted a review for Armored Saint – Revelation back on July 24, 2009. You can read it if you like, by clicking the link below:

Armored Saint – “Revelation” brings forth Heavy Metal intensity

Psychotic Companion by Galactic Cowboys exhibits flashes of Thrash, Funk Metal and Heavy Metal commercial accessibility. One damn decent band was Galactic Cowboys, a cool song to have in this Metalmeister mix of Metal candy.

Blue Suit, Brown Shirt by one of Thrash Metal’s best non-limelight bands – Sacred Reich, is as hot as a blow torch firing straight up from hell. This song lasts 2:27 and it alone is worth the $1 and change you will pay for this Metalmeister CD. Mercyful Fate appears with Into The Unkown and is always worth a half dozen repeat listens… for me. King Diamond… ’nuff said. Into The Unknown is from the 1996 Mercyful Fate album… you guessed it… Into The Unknown.

Here is what the Into The Unknown album cover looks like:

Track Listing For Metalmeister – A Metal Blade Compilation:

Mummified In Barbed Wire Cannibal Corpse

Psychotic Companion Galactic Cowboys

Blue Suit, Brown ShirtSacred Reich

Into The UnknownMercyful Fate

Meat SandwichGWAR

The Enemy Inside Six Feet Under

She Said Skrew

Scorched EarthWardog

Here In After Immolation

Wretched Crisis

Before Today, Beyond TomorrowDesultory

The CurseAncient

Kill Yourself For BusinessUnited

Fall-Dark WatersDecoryah

Creepy FeelingsArmored Saint

* I received this Metalmeister CD as part of a “Christmas present stash” from Best Metal buddy Scott Coverdale… thanks buddy! This CD has proven to be the Metal gift that keeps on giving.

* Metalmeister – A Metal Blade Compilation was produced by Brian Slagel.

LONG LIVE METAL BLADE RECORDS!

Stone.

CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED – DEBUT ALBUM IS FULL BLOWN METAL!

Posted in Album Review, cool album covers, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal bands, current heavy metal music, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2010, heavy metal musicians, Metal, metal music, metal music albums, metal odyssey, Music, new heavy metal music, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, power metal albums, power metal bands, power metal music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 19, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Charred Walls of the Damned released their self titled, debut album on February 2, 2010 on Metal Blade Records. Cutting to the Metal chase here, my ears are telling me Charred Walls of the Damned are not just a supergroup, they are an excellent Metal Band… period. There are many shades of Power Metal found within this debut album from Charred Walls of the Damned. How many dozens of American bred Power Metal Bands can you name? Europe outnumbers America in the Power Metal category, thus anytime a North American band even sounds remotely close to Power Metal, it peeks my Metal interest. That is why I am rather excited that founding member and drummer, Richard Christy, decided to embark on an Old School Speed Metal meets Power Metal adventure like this band. Shaking loose from the confines of The Howard Stern Show to create a legit and convincing Metal album is what Richard Christy has done. After listening to Charred Walls of the Damned several times, I’ve come to the Metal conclusion that Richard Christy could probably quit his day job. Then again, it’s not too shabby a gig, to be part of The Howard Stern Show either.

Richard Christy and Tim “Ripper” Owens played together as members of Iced Earth, from 2003 to 2004. Bass guitarist Steve Digiorgio has built his Metal legacy as a founding member of Sadus, while also playing for Death, Testament, Iced Earth and Autopsy… there are a few more, yet the Metal point is made here. Throw in the fact that Richard Christy was also the drummer for Death, from 1996 to 2001 and you have Metal credibility oozing from the Metal seams here. Legendary Metal producer Jason Suecof takes the helm on guitar and of course, producing Charred Walls of the Damned. It is in my sincerest Metal opinion, that Tim “Ripper” Owens does not have to look upon himself as ever being that other lead singer for Judas Priest… never again. Charred Walls of the Damned spotlights the Ripper’s vocals, while he clearly magnifies the power and emotion of each song with Metal conviction.

Truly, an album that has no dog for a song is rare during any era of Metal Music. Charred Walls of the Damned is just that album… from Ghost Town to Fear In The Sky, the unrelenting Metal assault that is unmistakably power charged, comes at you like an out of control heat seeking missile. Jason Suecof demonstrates his guitar appreciation with unreal great confidence and clarity. The Metal leads, riffs and solos rage throughout Charred Walls of the Damned, Jason Suecof can play. If I sound over zealous about this debut album, it’s that I’m only extremely psyched that these four Metal players have combined their skills and minds to deliver a quality Metal product.

Overall, these songs are built on speed, blended with the Power Metal vocals of Ripper and thunder struck by Steve Digiorgio on bass and Christy on drums. Charred Walls of the Damned teamed up to tinker with the traditional brilliance’s of Metal. Oh, did they tinker… the end result is the Metal parts are just as great as the Metal sum with their debut album. I really hope this is just the beginning of a long line of albums, from this “new” Metal Band they call – Charred Walls of the Damned.

For more about Charred Walls of the Damned, click here: Charred Walls of the Damned – myspace music page

CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED – Track Listing:

1. Ghost Town

2. From The Abyss

3. Creating Our Machine

4. Blood on Wood

5. In a World So Cruel

6. Manifestations

7. Voices Within the Walls

8. The Darkest Eyes

9. Fear in the Sky

SIX FEET UNDER – “GRAVEYARD CLASSICS III” A DEATH METAL ALBUM OF COVER SONGS!

Posted in 1990's death metal bands, 1990's death metal music, 2010 heavy metal albums, cool album covers, cover songs, creepy album covers, current death meal bands, current death metal albums, current death metal music, Death Metal, death metal albums 2010, death metal cover songs, death metal guitarists, death metal history, death metal legends, death metal music, death metal music 2010, death metal vocalists, extreme metal music, extreme music, heavy metal albums, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school death metal music, scary album covers with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 12, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

I really get into Death Metal and have my core favorite, Death Metal bands. Six Feet Under is one of my core Death Metal bands of mine. When I listen to Death Metal, it’s like I’m getting back to my Metal basics… there’s no fooling around with this genre, just extreme vocals and groove infested, thunder splitting – Metal. Chris Barnes, with his ultra legendary, Death Metal growling vocals, is at his finest on Graveyard Classics III. This album marks the third installment of the Graveyard Classics series of cover song albums from Six Feet Under. Six Feet Under not only groove along at an impressively addicting pace, this album is damn F’n fun too. Yes, it is fun to hear Chris Barnes belt out his original and extreme vocals to ten amazingly historical Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Black Metal and Punk Rock songs.

One of the many reasons to admire Six Feet Under and their Graveyard Classics series, is their allegiance and recognition to so many historical and great bands from Rock Music’s past. It’s all about roots with these cover songs… and Six Feet Under covers them with Death Metal brilliance. My two favorite cover songs on Graveyard Classics III are: Destroyer by Twisted Sister and Not Fragile by Bachman Turner Overdrive. Six Feet Under plays Destroyer like they are going to take over the world… and implement a Death Metal master plan. Not Fragile showcases the guitar mastery of Steve Swanson, he really steals the Death Metal show on this song.

As I listen to Chris Barnes sing these two songs, I cannot help but not recognize that he is a fan of these bands he covers so well. Influence is a powerful word and bands like Slayer literally explode with it for so many musicians… Six Feet Under attests to this by covering At Dawn They Sleep. Six Feet Under may never be able to capture the Thrash Metal fire and intensity that only Slayer can deliver with At Dawn They Sleep, still, hearing such a fantastic Death Metal version of this classic is a thrill for me. The Frayed Ends Of Sanity is such a monumental choice for Six Feet Under to undertake as well, Metallica being the iconic Thrash Metal Band they are only drives home the reverence Chris Barnes upholds for Metal history. Oh, yeah, Six Feet Under plays this Metallica classic quite deadly well too.

What would a 2010 Death Metal cover song album, from Six Feet Under, be without an Anvil song? Metal On Metal only solidifies the fact that Anvil is as important a band to the history of Metal as any. Chris Barnes may not ever take over the vocal helm for Anvil’s Lips, regardless, he employs his very own grunt and growl trademark to a fabulous cover version. Just when you think Graveyard Classics III has all the historic Metal firepower to cover, A Dangerous Meeting by the unreal legendary Mercyful Fate is on this album too. A tough song to sing no matter who you are… Chris Barnes takes this song on and laces it with Death Metal vocal glorification. Psychotherapy by the Ramones and Snap Your Fingers Snap Your Neck by Prong are the fun moments for me on this album… two songs that probably no one ever would consider Death Metal material years ago. On Fire by Van Halen and Pounding Metal by (the blue collar) Thrash Metal vets Exciter, round out the ten Death Metal cover songs on Graveyard Classics III.

To say that Terry Butler on bass and Greg Gall on drums are very good is a Death Metal understatement… they are both excellent… the proof is in the songs. Six Feet Under has established their Death Metal legacy years ago, they are now just compounding this legacy, with an album of deliriously deadly cover songs called Graveyard Classics III. This is one damn fine listen – in Death Groove.

* Graveyard Classics III was released on January 19, 2010, on Metal Blade Records.

* Album Cover Art By: Dusty Peterson – Unreal great stuff… now thats Metal. Death Metal.


ARMORED SAINT – NEW ALBUM “LA RAZA” RELEASING IN MARCH 2010!

Posted in 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal bands, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal music, classic heavy metal, current heavy metal bands, current heavy metal music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2010, heavy metal vocalists, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, new heavy metal album, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, old school metal bands, rock music, traditional heavy metal music, vintage heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 9, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

The following news about the upcoming Armored Saint album, La Raza, was taken from the Metal Blade Records newsletter, dated December 4, 2009. In this newsletter, as told by Joey Vera, bass guitarist for Armored Saint:

Album Title – La Raza

Release Date – March 2010 – (no actual Tuesday date was mentioned)

Record Label – Metal Blade Records

Production Status – all the songs have been recorded and mixed * mastering, photo shoots, CD artwork and the running order of the songs are currently being finished up.

According to Joey Vera, this new Armored Saint album – La Raza, is “full on cardiovascular failure stuff” and is “Old School baby”!

* Heavy Metal credit where it is due: I first caught wind of a new Armored Saint album being finished and it’s release being on the horizon, over at The Metal Files – look for the post titled: DC4 and Warrior – 11/7/09 – Whisky A-Go-Go. It’s a really cool and credible read with an insiders view.

I’m really looking forward to this new Armored Saint album in March. After all these years I admire the Old School Heavy Metal bands that are still around and playing/making valid music. Armored Saint paid their Metal dues, now it’s time for this band to remind everyone what they are all about… 100% traditional/Old School Heavy Metal. 2010 is looking to be another unreal great year for Heavy Metal Music… thanks to Armored Saint’s return!

Armored Saint:

John Bush – Vocals

Joey Vera – Bass

Jeff Duncan – Guitars

Gonzo Sandoval – Drums

Phil Sandoval – Guitars

SLAYER – Revolver Magazine Salutes Thrash Metal Legends With The Book Of Slayer

Posted in 1980's thrash metal albums, 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's thrash metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's metal bands, 1990's thrash metal bands, collecting metal music, current thrash metal music, extreme metal music, guitar legends, heavy metal magazines, heavy metal music, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school thrash metal music, shopping for music, Thrash Metal, thrash metal 2009, thrash metal bands, thrash metal guitarists, thrash metal legends, thrash metal magazines, thrash metal music, thrash metal music books, thrash metal today, vintage thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 30, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Slayer small logoSlayer. Thrash Metal Legends without any doubt in my Metal mind. I caught onto Slayer from the very beginning. I ordered Slayer’s first album, Show No Mercy, through mail order – direct from Metal Blade Records, back in 1984. Since then, Slayer has been a band that I uphold as one of the greatest Thrash Metal Bands ever, (if not the greatest).I have seen Slayer live in a small club setting back in the late 1980’s, a fortunate Metal experience that I will never forget. Yes, Slayer is a core favorite of mine and that will never change.

Revolver Magazine has recently devoted a special issue to just Slayer. This special issue aptly called The Book Of Slayer, should be quite easy to locate at newsstands or large book stores. I actually found my Revolver Book Of Slayer at a Weis Grocery Store, this week of October 25th. I have been a subscriber to Revolver for several years now, this is a magazine that delves into all of the Metal Music genres. Revolver, in my Metal opinion, is the best mainstream Metal Music magazine out there today – based on it’s writing, reviews, content and interviews.

Slayer small logoThe Book Of Slayer covers the band from it’s infancy in 1981 to present day. Anecdotes, interviews, tons of photos and details abound and it is 100% Slayer. Plus there are four feature articles included about Slayer, from past issues of Revolver. Revolver documents Slayer throughout their entire career in excellent Metal fashion. Kerry King, Tom Araya, Jeff Hanneman, Dave Lombardo and Paul Bostaph are all included in the story telling and interviews. This is one Slayer collectible worth picking up – the content within it’s pages and Slayer knowledge you will gain is well worth the $5.99 cover price. New fans can catch up on some great Slayer history and veteran fans should find it hard to put down. I know I will be taking it with me just about everywhere.

You can also purchase The Book Of Slayer by going to http://www.revolvermag.com

The Book of Slayer - Revolver Magazine - large pic 2009

RAVAGE – “The End Of Tomorrow” – A Monster Of A Heavy Metal Album

Posted in Album Review, classic heavy metal, classic heavy metal albums, classic metal, collecting heavy metal albums, collecting metal music, collecting rock music, cool album covers, cover songs, creepy album covers, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal bands, current heavy metal music, essential heavy metal albums, essential heavy metal songs, essential metal music albums, halloween songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal bands from boston, heavy metal cover songs, heavy metal drummers, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal songs 2009, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, metal music albums, metal music today, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, Music, new heavy metal album, old school heavy metal, rock music, scary album covers, speed metal, spooky album covers, spooky metal album covers, thrash metal music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 22, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Ravage - Banner group photo  2009

Ravage is a Heavy Metal Band from Boston, (actually Malden), Massachusetts and is hell bent on keeping Classic Metal Music alive, loud and damn proud. Every song on this second album from Ravage, The End Of Tomorrow, (their Metal Blade Records debut, released on August 18, 2009), is writhing with Old School Heavy Metal influence. Ravage does a credible job at flexing their Metal muscles on each song, heavy, hard and speed are irreversible elements that dominate The End Of Tomorrow. No where is the Old School Heavy Metal influence more evident than in the cover of the Judas Priest classic – Nightcrawler. Ravage shows Judas Priest their deserved Metal respect by not ripping Nightcrawler to pieces with any unnecessary fills or excessiveness. A fabulous cover Ravage does with this song, Nightcrawler is a genius choice to add to their track list on this album, based on it’s creepy and dark theme.

I have found that, the more I listen to The End Of Tomorrow, the more I am being convinced that this album was released back around 1985. Alas, that is not such the Metal case… Ravage brings forth to 2009 the Heavy Metal song structures and ambiance of what I have come to expect from vintage Metal Church and early Judas Priest and Armored Saint albums, to name just a few Old Schoolers. After each listen to this album, it is very obvious that the members of Ravage have done their Classic Heavy Metal homework. Knowing and creating all of the heavy nuances of their influences only catapults quality and integrity, on an upmost consistent level throughout The End Of Tomorrow. The Halls Of Madness not only has a vintage Metal title, it also is quite the convincing Heavy Metal instrumental intro that brings back memories of early Helloween and Savatage, for me. There really is not a scapegoat song to point out on The End Of Tomorrow, all twelve songs have their own distinctive Metal bite, an album that I can hit play and let the Heavy Metal assault take it’s natural course. Excuse me for a Metal second as I proclaim The End Of Tomorrow as being a top favorite Heavy Metal album for me in 2009, in my Metal opinion. Ravage can play Heavy Metal… their original brand too… I would not tell a Metal lie.

Ravage "The End Of Tomorrow" tiny picReign Fall lyrically expresses the ghastly imagery of what happens to those who cannot think for themselves, wasting away at the mercy of ones very own doing. Reign Fall, as well as every song on The End Of Tomorrow, is a throwback Metal feast of melodic speed crashing into riffs that are beyond run of the mill. Al Ravage reminds me thoroughly of a young Rob Halford, (Judas Priest), intertwined with a young Paul Dianno, (of early Iron Maiden). Hey, I am by no means putting Al Ravage in this heroic class of Heavy Metal vocalists… (not yet anyways), what I am pointing out is Al Ravage can sing Heavy Metal with marked influences and originality combined. Ravage knows they are Old School, using this phrase so much doing a review may sound very redundant, yet for any veteran fan of Heavy Metal from yesteryear, you know just how juicy it can get when a new album excretes all things good about the glory days of MetalThe End Of Tomorrow is an unleashed monster of what I am talking about here.

My other favorite songs on this album are: The Grapes Of Wrath, which takes a Heavy Metal swipe at all the idiot talking heads on television, these plastic morons get called out on the Metal carpet by Al Ravage here rather eloquently. Plus, The Grapes Of Wrath is authentically memorable for my Metal mind, I just cannot shake this song out of my senses. The Shredder is another manifestation of early Judas Priest influence, only it takes on it’s own Ravage originality… reminding me of the Judas Priest classic – The Ripper, only The Shredder is absolutely not a knock off or copy cat by any means. The End Of Tomorrow is one powerful way to conclude this album, fittingly the title song… lyrically doom laden, the end result is a reality check on the life we are leading and living now. The End Of Tomorrow has a Power Metal approach that echos of great Heavy Metal triumphs to come in the future for this killer “new” band they call Ravage.

Ravage, as they appear on The End Of Tomorrow:

Al Ravage on lead vocals

Eli Firicano on lead and rhythm guitars

Nick Izzo on lead and rhythm guitars

G.T.B. on drums

Howie Snow on bass

Track Listing for The End Of Tomorrow:

The Halls Of Madness

Reign Fall

Freedom Fighter

Damn Nation

The Shredder

Into The Shackles

In Shattered Dreams

The Nightmare’s Hold: Part One

Nightcrawler

The Nightmare’s Hold: Part Two

Grapes Of Wrath

The End Of Tomorrow

C’mon, is this album cover OLD SCHOOL HEAVY METAL or what? Not only does the Heavy Metal of Ravage stand on it’s own, (they could have issued a plain blue cover and that would not change the quality of Metal songs heard inside one bit), yet man, this is cool throwback artwork happening here. I cry out a huge Metal bravo! – to artist Edward J. Repka for creating a REAL Heavy Metal album cover for Ravage.

Ravage - "The End Of Tomorrow" x-large pic

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER – “Deflorate” debuts at #43 on Billboard top 200 album chart

Posted in cool album covers, creepy album covers, current death metal albums, current extreme metal albums, current extreme metal music, current heavy metal music, current metal albums, essential death metal albums, essential metal music albums, Extreme Metal, extreme metal bands, extreme metal music, extreme metal music albums, extreme music, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal bands this decade, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, independent metal music record labels, melodic death metal music, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, scary album covers, spooky album covers, spooky metal album covers with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 28, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

The Black Dahlia Murder "Deflorate" small album picAs a life long Metalhead, whenever you see a Heavy Metal Band crack the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart it is cause for Metal celebration. With that said, whenever I witness an Extreme Metal Band crack this same album chart, well, the world suddenly becomes a better place indeed. Step in The Black Dahlia Murder… please. Their newest album – Deflorate, (Metal Blade Records), debuted at #43 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart the week of September 15, 2009. (12,000 units were sold in the first week of this albums release). YEAH! In the midst of dozens of bubble gum – Pop Music new releases, there arises… The Black Dahlia Murder. Let this debut week showing of this incredible band and album, be a Metal reminder to the commercial Pop/Elevator Music world, that Extreme Music lurks around every corner, back road, corn field, city street and CD aisle. Earlier this year, Cannibal Corpse cracked this same Billboard Top 200 Album Chart as well, I see an Extreme Metal pattern of awareness starting to develop here in 2009. Metal Odyssey is Extreme Metal proud of The Black Dahlia Murder, (and still damn Metal proud of Cannibal Corpse too). Real music… Metal Music. All of us Metalheads and the Metal Bands we follow are not going away anytime soon… METAL RULES.

*Deflorate also debuted at #5 on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums Chart.

*Deflorate also debuted at #4 on Billboard’s Top Hard Music Albums Chart.

*Source: Metal Blade Records News Update  – Newsletter dated September 25, 2009.

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER is:

Trevor Strnad – vocals
Brian Eschbach – guitar
Ryan Knight – guitar
Ryan “Bart” Williams – bass
Shannon Lucas – – drums

The Black Dahlia Murder "Deflorate" large album pic

KING DIAMOND – METAL BLADE TO REISSUE “THE GRAVEYARD” and “THE SPIDER’S LULLABYE” on OCTOBER 13, 2009!

Posted in 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal albums, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal songs, classic heavy metal, classic heavy metal albums, classic metal, collecting music, cool album covers, creepy album covers, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal music, current metal albums, essential heavy metal albums, essential metal music albums, extreme metal music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album reissued, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal bands this decade, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, heavy metal solo artists, heavy metal this decade, heavy metal vocalists, horror metal, king diamond, Metal, metal blade, metal blade records, metal music, metal music today, metal odyssey, Music, new heavy metal album, old school heavy metal, scary album covers, spooky album covers, spooky metal album covers, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 22, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

King Diamond - The Spiders Lullabye large imageKing Diamond, the legendary Metal front man for Mercyful Fate and Horror Metal/Heavy Metal icon. King Diamond and his band have left more than a mark on Heavy Metal history, a chunk of Heavy Metal history is King Diamond. On October 13, 2009, the infamous Metal Blade Records will reissue two King Diamond Classics… The Graveyard and The Spider’s Lullabye. Very cool. Just in time for Halloween… very cool again. Both albums have been re-mastered by King Diamond guitarist Andy LaRocque. The Spider’s Lullabye was originally released in 1995, with The Graveyard originally released in 1996. Bonus live bootleg footage will be available for download, for those who purchase either of these two reissues. The bonus footage for download will be these three King Diamond songs: The Spider’s Lullabye, Trick Or Treat and Up From The Grave. Reissue’s are always great, especially when they include new songs and/or videos – downloading the bonus content for these albums is fine with me, especially when King Diamond is looking at giving the fans the highest quality in sound and video. Man, I better start saving up some spare change or my Christmas want list is going to be very long with all of the new Metal CD’s that are coming out next month! Metal rules. King Diamond is a big reason why. King Diamond is delivering a Happy Halloween to his fans and all fans of Metal on October 13, 2009.

You can find out more about these reissues and King Diamond by visiting the official King Diamond/Mercyful Fate site and King Diamond’s MySpace page:

http://www.covenworldwide.org/
http://www.myspace.com/kingdiamond

King Diamond - The Graveyard large album image

Armored Saint – “Revelation” brings forth Heavy Metal intensity

Posted in 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's metal music, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal this decade, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, metal music this decade, Metal Reviews, Music, old school heavy metal, vintage heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 24, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Armored Saint "Revelation" small picArmored Saint is an Old School Heavy Metal band, a band that proved to me years ago, they were all about Metal. One listen to any album from the Armored Saint catalog and one will understand what I mean about all Metal. One album in particular, that really drives the message home as to the serious Heavy Metal Music that Armored Saint delivers is “Revelation”, (released on March 7, 2000, on Metal Blade Records). I bought this album as exactly such… on vinyl. This album is a twelve song, two record set, with three songs per side of each album. There still is a cool Metal rush I experience when holding onto an actual record, placing it on a turntable, then letting the Heavy Metal roar. Armored Saint does exactly that, they storm out of the Heavy Metal gates on “Revelation”, this album sets me on the Metal path I belong on. It is going on ten years since this album was released, yet the Heavy Metal that blasts from “Revelation”, is just as exhilarating as any new Metal music releases I have heard lately.

“Revelation” is one of those rare albums where I flat out tell my fellow Metal peers… buy it and be glad you did. You are getting more than you expect with Armored Saint, no songs are watered down, the musicianship is Metal superior and lead vocalist John Bush is one of the greats at fronting a Heavy Metal band. Armored Saint may not be Thrash Metal, nor are they Death Metal… they are bona fide Heavy Metal with an extra dosage of heavy. “Tension”, “Creepy Feelings” and “Damaged”  really showcase the vocals of John Bush, he never over reaches on any notes, he only defines how Heavy Metal is supposed to be sung. “Tension” is a song that is extremely relevant, lyrically, to what is currently taking place in corporate America. On “After Me, The Flood”, sure, John Bush lets out a scream or two, he mixes it up vocally with potent Metal fervor. “Revelation” seems to rupture at the seams with non-stop, great songs. If only every Metal album could be like this… skipping over tracks is totally unnecessary here.

“Den Of Thieves” is a heavy song that demonstrates the guitar brilliance of Phil Sandoval on lead guitar and Jeff Duncan on rhythm & lead guitar. This guitar duo erupts with melodic leads and contagious riffs that make my Metal day complete. “Control Issues” is arguably the heaviest song on this album, lyrically making quite the impact that the music itself intends. “No Me Digas” is the bonus track included on this album… it is sung in Spanish, the lyrics inside the album gatefold are in Spanish as well. I am not too fluent with my Spanish, however, I will say that this song rocks along well just the same. This song is proof to me, that Heavy Metal Music is without question, a universal language and expression – for us all to pump our fists in the air to. In the end, I have been Metal schooled again, this time by “No Me Digas” and Armored Saint.

As for the rhythm section of Joey Vera on bass and Gonzo Sandoval on drums, they play as tight and effective as any in Heavy Metal. The focal point of this band for me, is the all encompassing power of the music, without sacrificing a melodic moment here or there. I usually try not to spill over, too excessively, with Metal glee, in regards to a Heavy Metal album or band. “Revelation” is one Heavy Metal album that I want to put out to the world, to spread the Metal message that these songs need to be heard. Armored Saint deserves my admiration, every time I listen to this band and/or “Revelation”, it makes me Metal proud. Long live this Heavy Metal band they call – Armored Saint.

Armored Saint "Revelation" large pic

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