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Heavy Metal, Hard Rock And All Extreme Music Rules. Always Has, Always Will.

So let it be Metal written, so let it be Metal told.

Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Classic Rock and all Extreme Music Rules. There you have it. That’s how I feel and no one can change my Metal mind on this. When I reference “Extreme Music”… it is an all encompassing and generic term that I personally use. This includes Punk Rock, Death Metal, Black Metal, Gothic Metal, Grindcore, Hardcore and any and all sub genres of such Extreme Music. Metal be thy name.

* To all of the plastic mainstream “awards shows” that are televised throughout the year and continue to ignore the music and bands that are, (gulp), Heavy, (except for Revolver Magazine’s Golden Gods Awards), they can all kiss my Metal lovin’ ass.

* To the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: (I think you all know this one is coming), you can kiss my Metal lovin’ ass.

* To all the phony millionaire/billionaire record executives throughout the decades that shunned Heavy Music so that zit-faced boy bands and lip syncing performers could get “pushed” up the charts and on radio… you can all really pucker up… and kiss my Metal lovin’ ass.

* To those “Four Cartels” of the music industry, that abolished Heavy Metal from FM airplay and MTV back in the early ’90’s… kiss my Metal lovin’ ass. You losers.

* To all the writers who give “lousy” reviews on a band’s album, (while not bothering to listen to the given album), due to a respective band having conservative views… you all can really kiss my Metal lovin’ ass. You know who you are too, you political phonies with dumb-ass agendas.

* To all the liars behind the misleading and bias “record charts”, just keep on fooling the public and kiss my Metal lovin’ ass while your at it.

* To all the members of the “Flavor Of The Month Club” when it comes to music: Hey! Kiss my Metal lovin’ ass! You bet you know who you are… now your embarrassed.

* To that old and cranky, dictatorial political group known as the PMRC, that wanted to “change the world” through their radical thoughts and abuse of power, many years ago… see below:

* To the idiots that decided to have “amended” versions of CD’s to sell, go ahead… kiss my Metal lovin’ ass. Censorship IS NOT COOL, especially when it comes to music. Um, wasn’t there something once known as – Freedom Of Speech in America? Kiss my Metal lovin’ ass again, you pathetic censor morons.

* To any band or musician who openly supports a presidential or any political candidate and gets mixed up in the immoral and unethical world of politics, by having a benefit concert for “political fundraising”… I don’t want you to kiss my ass. Please, just keep Rock ‘N’ Roll out of electing any millionaire/billionaire politician. Here’s a Metal thought: instead of having a fund-raising concert for some slimy politician, try having a fund-raising concert for a children’s hospital or orphanage. Duh. Duh again.

* To all the Phd’s, text book scholars and lawyers who “think” Heavy Metal promotes and causes violent behavior and deplorable acts on society… you can all take a bow… and while your bending over… kiss my Metal lovin’ ass.

* To all those who are annoyed that I use the fabulous word “Metal” so much in this and other posts on Metal Odyssey… um, you don’t have to kiss my Metal lovin’ ass at all. I actually have pity for you, due to the symptom you have, which is called: Metal envy. It must suck to have it.

I’m in a Metal lovin’ mood of the highest degree today, obviously. Then again, I’m always in a Metal lovin’ mood, only today it just feels so damn good. To all the nay sayers and antagonists of Heavy Music throughout the decades… hey… kiss my Metal lovin’ ass. You know why? Hell, we Metalheads, Punks and Extreme Music fans WON. The bands and the Heavy Music we love never hid, dried up or ran away. Many Heavy and Extreme bands have come and gone… still countless of these bands are still touring and making music to this very second.

I consistently try to remind visitors to Metal Odyssey, that there are scores of pathetic and narrow minded groups of people in our society that want to “control” and censor the Heavy Music that has made my life and countless other lives better. Self righteous and mean spirited groups like the PMRC need to be brought up over and over again, so fans of Heavy Music know of their censorship agenda that they set into place more than two decades ago. You can try to bury something that stinks and pretend it never existed… only the “stench” still lingers.

One last thought. To all of the idiots and “deep thinkers” that years ago would tell me “someday you will mature and stop listening to Heavy Metal and all that other garbage your listening to”… KISS MY METAL LOVIN’ ASS.

Metal Be Thy Name.

Stone.

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HATEBREED To Headline Stillborn Fest! Plus: HATEBREED U.K. And Asia Tour Dates!

Posted in concerts, hard rock music, hardcore bands, hardcore metal music, hardcore punk rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags 98kupd arizona's real rock, big red night of the dead, connecticut metal bands, hardcore bands, hardcore metal, hardcore punk rock, hatebreed, hatebreed asia tour dates 2010, hatebreed tour dates 2010, hatebreed uk tour dates 2010, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, jamey jasta, metal music, metal odyssey, metalcore, Music, rock music news, stillborn fest 2010 on October 15, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

(New York, NY) — HATEBREED have announced a fist full of east coast headlining shows this winter as STILLBORN FEST. “We’re excited to continue with our Holiday tradition of doing Stillborn Fest. It’s going to be great to play for all of our diehards in the North East.” The band will celebrate the 15 year anniversary of the release of “Under The Knife” which came out on cassette & 7″ in 1995’. Jasta adds, “We’ll definitely be adding some old jams back into the set. See you there!

Supporting on this short run are FOUR YEAR STRONG (Allentown & Poughkeepsie), H20 (Allentown only), A LIFE ONCE LOST, THIS IS HELL, TRAPPED UNDER ICE & Stillborn Recording Artists THY WILL BE DONE, THE WORLD WE KNEW & STRENGTH FOR A REASON (where noted.)

12/27/10 – Syracuse, NY @ Lost Horizon with: A Life Once Lost, Thy Will Be Done, The World We Knew & Hate Your Guts

12/28/10 – Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock with: Four Year Strong, H2O, Trapped Under Ice, This Is Hell, Thy Will Be Done, The World We Knew & Strength For A Reason

12/29/10 – Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance with: Four Year Strong, A Life Once Lost, Trapped Under Ice, Fireworks, This Is Hell, Thy Will Be Done, The World We Knew & Strength For A Reason

12/30/10 – Hartford, CT @ Webster Theater with: A Life Once Lost, This Is Hell, Thy Will Be Done, Hate Your Guts, The World We Knew & Strength For A Reason

** HATEBREED will also be participating in this year’s 98KUPD’s “BIG RED NIGHT OF THE DEAD” on October 23, 2010, alongside DEFTONES, ALL THAT REMAINS, MUSHROOMHEAD, PRONG, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES & more! For more info click here: 98KUPD Arizona’s Real Rock

HATEBREED will be hitting various parts of the globe as well, with shows in the UK, Japan and a first ever visit to South East Asia! Dates can be found below. Visit HATEBREED – myspace music for more international tour info.

10/27/10 – Tennis Indoor Senayan – Jakarta, INDONESIA

10/30/10 – V Hall Seoul – REPUBLIC OF KOREA

10/31/10 – KHS Auditorium Taipei – TAIWAN

11/02/10 – The Butter Butter Bangkok – THAILAND

11/04/10 – Scape – SINGAPORE

11/06/10 – World Trade Center Hall D Manila – PHILIPPINES

11/08/10 – Club Quattro Tokyo – JAPAN

11/10/10 – Bottom Line Nagoya – JAPAN

11/11/10 – Club Quattro Osaka – JAPAN

HATEBREED – Self Titled and fifth studio album of original songs, released on September 29, 2009, on Koch Records, (now E1 Music).

HATEBREED – UK TOUR DATES:

12/06/10 – Bristol @ The Fleece – UK

12/07/10 – Nottingham @ Rescue Rooms – UK

12/08/10 – Glasgow @ Garage – UK

12/09/10 – Sheffield @ Corporation – UK

2/10/10 – Birmingham @ Academy 2 – UK

12/11/10 – Stoke @ Sugarmill – UK

12/13/10 – Leeds @ Cockpit – UK

12/14/10 – Manchester @ Club Academy – UK

12/15/10 – Portsmouth @ Wedgewood Rooms – UK

12/16/10 – London @ Garage – UK

(Source: Entertainment One press release, October 14, 2010)

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

HATEBREED – myspace music

HATEBREED – Official Website

HATEBREED – Since 1994 and still HARDCORE!

LONG LIVE HATEBREED & HARDCORE METAL!

Stone.

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ALL THAT REMAINS “… For We Are Many” – A Formidable Album From One Of Metalcore’s Finest

Posted in hard rock albums, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal odyssey, metalcore bands, metalcore music, Music, rock music, rock music news, rock music reviews with tags ... for we are many album review, adam dutkiewicz, all that remains, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal music, jeanne sagan, metal music, metal odyssey, metalcore, metalcore albums 2010, metalcore bands, Music, new england metal bands, oli herbert, philip labonte, rock album reviews, rock music, rock music news, rock music reviews on October 14, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ALL THAT REMAINS – From the very onset, with the intro Now Let Them Tremble… All That Remains establishes the Metal fact they are not going to sugarcoat a damned note on their fifth studio album – … For We Are Many, released on October 12, 2010 on Prosthetic Records/Razon & Tie. I would never expect anything less than a fast, furious and angrier than a yellow jacket wasp sound from All That Remains, on their new album. That intro really did lead me down the path to an excellent Metalcore storm that … For We Are Many is all about. The Metal pride of Western Massachusetts has fabulously delivered on their new album, making it very difficult for me not to write a 5,000 word review on it.

For We Are Many has Philip Labonte belting out vocals that more than border on Death Metal, he exhibits some ear popping vocal noise that is a welcomed part of All That Remains brand of Metal, to my ecstatic ears. Philip can diversify vocally, like a Metal chameleon he resonates with gritty harmony on The Last Time, a straight edged Metalcore song that exemplifies why this genre can claim it’s Metal legitimacy in my Metal History book. If there could ever be an accessibly Extreme Metal song, then The Last Time is it.

If I have said it once before, I shall say it once again… Oli Herbert is a Metal asset to All That Remains. It’s just a matter of time before Oli becomes a household name amongst the Metal masses, if he hasn’t become one already. Oli can shred, just listening to the leads he comes out with is reason enough to become a fan of All That Remains. Plus, when I listen to Oli on any song, it’s listening to a guitarist who obviously reveres Old School Metal and Hard Rock, by incorporating the vibe of yesterday into the Metal of today.

Not to ignore Mike Martin on guitar, he has more devastating licks in his Metal bag of guitar tricks than I can count. Anytime I listen to All That Remains, especially now with their latest album, I want to scream out to the Metal community that Oli and Mike are a Metal guitar duo that can’t be contained… they have been unleashed unto the here and now and listening to these guys is a Metal reality check. From The Outside is a song that exemplifies exactly what I’m trying to convey here, Metal be thy name this song explodes with guitar driving force.

Now, try to name off five bass guitarists in all of Metal that are female. Nice try. Jeanne Sagan has been the Metal thunder glue for All That Remains since the 2006 diamond in the rough… The Fall Of Ideals. Jeanne isn’t gonna shy away from letting her Metal presence known… she plays stompingly tight alongside drummer Jason Costa, making this All That Remains band a formidable force. I really liked this band lineup on 2008’s Overcome, now I really, really, like this All That Remains lineup.

If Keepers Of Fellow Man doesn’t get your adrenaline fired up, then your probably in a frozen state of consciousness. Melodic driven, with the heaviness of duo guitars, a rhythm section spiraling out bombastic beats and Philip’s barbed wire vocals, carries this song in unison, to stadium crowd heights. Uh, yeah, Keepers Of Fellow Man is more than likely my favorite song on this album. This song is just one of twelve, that truly are all Metal encompassing, like an impermeable net dropping down on my brain and making me succumb to it’s Metal stranglehold.

The Waiting One is such a fantastic song that having it be the album closer is genius. This song is Heavy, even with it’s breakdowns and intervals of acoustic guitar. The layering affect of The Waiting One is what gives it it’s Metal brilliance. Plus, Philip Labonte exhibits a vocal soft side that quite frankly should be exposed more often. Philip gives off the same Metal cool when he croons as he does when he growls and shouts… in my Metal opinion.

All That Remains makes their Metal flow with plenty of melodic moments married with their trademark Metalcore sound throughout … For We Are Many. The heaviness is apparent, like a supercharged continuum, therefore, loyal All That Remains fans can’t possibly be disappointed with their new album. As each All That Remains album gets released, I hear more strength and confidence in the songwriting and music across the Metal board from this excellent band.

Adam Dutkiewicz returns as producer for this new All That Remains album. (Jason Suecof produced 2008’s Overcome). Adam is like a New England “National Metal Treasure”… he has that “knack” for bringing this Metalcore sound and vibe into a state of exceptionality. Anyone familiar knows Adam is a multi-instrumentalist and music producer that has helped catapult his band, Killswitch Engage, into mega-Metal notoriety.

The Metal accolades I have bestowed upon this new All That Remains album, is due to the sheer fact that this album finishes what it started, a heightened sound and feel to what these twelve great songs give off. With acute care into the songwriting and lyrics, while succeeding in the balancing act of melodic and Heavy Metalcore on … For We Are Many, Philip Labonte, Oli Herbert, Jeanne Sagan, Mike Martin and Jason Costa should by now, have some Metal swagger in their steps.

* For more info on ALL THAT REMAINS, just click the link below:

ALL THAT REMAINS – myspace music

ALL THAT REMAINS:

Philip Labonte – vocals

Oli Herbert – lead guitar

Mike Martin – guitar

Jeanne Sagan – bass

Jason Costa – drums

… For We Are Many – Track Listing:

Now Let Them Tremble

For We Are Many

The Last Time

Some Of The People, All Of The Time

Won’t Go Quietly

Aggressive Opposition

From The Outside

Dead Wrong

Faithless

Hold On

Keepers Of Fellow Man

The Waiting One

LONG LIVE ALL THAT REMAINS.

Stone.

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IRON MAIDEN “The Number Of The Beast” – Metal Excellence From 1982 Is Never Forgotten

Posted in 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, new wave of british heavy metal, progressive metal music, rock music, rock music news with tags 1980's heavy metal albums, Black Sabbath, bruce dickinson, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, Iron Maiden, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, new wave of british heavy metal, nwobhm, progressive metal music, rock music, sabbath bloody sabbath album, steve harris bass guitarist, the number of the beast album on October 11, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

IRON MAIDEN – Just the album cover art with Eddie descending upon the devil is Metal excellence. Derek Riggs was the real deal in creating Iron Maiden album covers… no one else comes even close in my Metal opinion. Getting past the album cover art from The Number Of The Beast and diving into the songs is like a parallel journey of the Metal senses. This is an album, where the cover art represents the songs heard within to brilliant perfection. Invaders, The Number Of The Beast, Run To The Hills, Hallowed Be Thy Name and Children Of The Damned are songs that I can listen to and instantly have this album cover art imbedded in my minds eye. Every song on this ultra-incredible Iron Maiden album does this to me for argument sakes.

This album cover art for The Number Of The Beast has never lost it’s awestruck affect on me, nor have the songs. I toil away, within my own thoughts, as to which album is the “greatest” Heavy Metal album ever… almost on a daily basis. I chose the Black Sabbath classic, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath from 1973, some years ago and have stuck to it since, as being the “greatest” Heavy Metal album ever. Of course this is a “personal” choice of mine and it may change one day… so is the life of being a devout Metalhead, I guess. What gets at me though, is every time I listen to The Number Of The Beast, I feel as this album can very well be considered “the greatest” Heavy Metal album ever. Metal be thy name.

I have always looked upon the first six Iron Maiden albums as being my personal favorites. Convict me of being “Old School”… only I’m not crying in any damned beer about it. God forbid If I remember which albums are the true “classics” of the Heavy Metal genre. To embrace Iron Maiden’s The Final Frontier as the way it “should be” and totally disregard the true essence of this legendary band’s Metal identity of style and sound would make me a phony fan. The Number Of The Beast is an unforgettable Heavy Metal album for me, due to it’s dark themes and 100% dark sound, feel and vibe. The Final Frontier is a new album from Iron Maiden, while The Number Of The Beast is a pulsating highlight of this bands career.

The Number Of The Beast would be the last studio album that has Clive Burr sitting behind the drums. Yes, Iron Maiden did have another drummer… and he was pretty damn good too. Clive Burr was the drummer on the first two Iron Maiden albums as well: Iron Maiden and Killers. This album is also the first that showcases the uncannily soaring vocals of Bruce Dickinson. I look upon The Number Of The Beast as one of the keys that unlocked the door to Metal for me, introducing me to a darker side of Metal when it came to lyrics, as well as the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal – (NWOBHM).

The Number Of The Beast was released back in March of 1982, while Screaming For Vengeance by Judas Priest was released in July of the same year. Suffice to say, I realized quickly that these British Heavy Metal Bands were very serious about their Metal back then… and still are. The mood that The Number Of The Beast radiates is untouchable by any other band, a mood so unique that it seems to zero in on my sub-conscious and touches off a feeling of eerie psyche-outness.

Hallowed Be Thy Name is my favorite song on this album, very haunting and desolate are the lyrics. Waiting for your time to die by hanging is as depressingly creepy as you can get with lyrics, only Iron Maiden makes this song seem almost inspiring through it’s melodic Metal… thanks to Dave Murray and Adrian Smith on guitars. Steve Harris on bass even makes the rhythmic melody escalate on this classic Metal song.

On these earlier Iron Maiden albums, especially The Number Of The Beast, the sound coming from Steve Harris’s bass is unlike anything I had ever heard before, almost like Steve Harris was a lead guitarist playing bass. Steve Harris brought to my attention as a young lad, that the bass guitar was just as magical as the guitar to my Metal sponges otherwise known as ears. The atmosphere that Steve Harris created with his bass along with Dave and Adrian’s duo guitars throughout the songs on The Number Of The Beast is what gives this album and band their Metal trademark, in my Metal opinion.

Even as a young lad, I never interpreted Iron Maiden to be a Satanic band due to this or any album they created before it. I was into Creature Feature on Saturday mornings and I never thought of Boris Karloff, Béla Lugosi or Lon Chaney Sr. or Jr. to be Satanists either. I’ve always left the Satanic finger pointing to the self-righteous Phd’s and scholars, that try to tell the human race how to live. Metal be thy name.

Any band of any Rock genre can tweak or change their entire approach, in how they want to sound or write music. The one constant that can never change is which album or albums that any respective band created that are considered to be measuring sticks of a particular Metal era… and looked upon as classics. The Number Of The Beast is one such classic, from an era when Heavy Metal was not just being molded into form, Heavy Metal was breathing a new found life into a generation of fans that are undisputedly loyal to this very moment. I’m one of them… and The Number Of The Beast shall continue to breathe it’s tantalizing, Old School and macabre teetering spell on me till the end of days.

This is one Iron Maiden album I still have the vinyl copy of… still in unreal great condition too. I without question, upgraded this classic to CD years ago as well. No, I don’t have a cassette version, yet if I find one I’d probably buy it, just to play in my good ‘ol Ford Taurus. The Number Of The Beast has become, over the decades, not just a required album to own if you are a Metalhead… this Iron Maiden album could easily be described as an absolute and necessary appendage to thine Metal senses. This is my Metal opinion, so let it be Metal written, so let it be Metal done.

* For more info on IRON MAIDEN, just click this link: IRON MAIDEN

IRON MAIDEN as they appeared on The Number Of The Beast:

Bruce Dickinson – lead vocals

Steve Harris – bass

Dave Murray – guitar

Adrian Smith – guitar

Clive Burr – drums

Original 1982 Track Listing For The Number Of The Beast:

Invaders

Children Of The Damned

The Prisoner

22 Acacia Avenue

The Number Of The Beast

Run To The Hills

Gangland

Hallowed Be Thy Name

* On May 9, 2009, I posted why I feel Black Sabbath – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is the “Greatest Heavy Metal Album of All Time”. Just click the large header below to read it… if you like.

The greatest Heavy Metal album of all time is…

* On December 6, 2009, I posted about my antique store find… the picture disc of IRON MAIDEN – Run To The Hills. The B side is the song – Total Eclipse, which did not appear on The Number Of The Beast in 1982. Total Eclipse later appeared on the 1995 CD reissue of The Number Of The Beast. You can read more about this fantastic picture disc I found, with photos of it, by clicking the oversized header below:

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

LONG LIVE IRON MAIDEN.

Stone.

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GRAVE DIGGER – “The Clans Will Rise Again” Releases October 12th In U.S.!!

Posted in hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Power Metal, power metal bands, power metal music, rock music, rock music news with tags german power metal bands, grave digger, grave digger highland farewell song, hard rock music, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs 2010, heavy metal videos, highland farewell music video, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, power metal albums 2010, power metal bands, rock music news, speed metal music, the clans will rise again album on October 9, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

GRAVE DIGGER – 2010 marks the 30th Anniversary of Grave Digger, further cementing their legendary Heavy, Speed and Power Metal status with the release of their 15th studio album – The Clans Will Rise Again. This new studio album from Grave Digger has a U.S. release date of October 12th, on Napalm Records. * The European release date was October 1st, 2010.

Germany is the birthplace for many important Heavy Metal Bands over the decades, (ACCEPT, Scorpions, Helloween, Gamma Ray, Kreator and Edguy to name a many few), with Grave Digger bestowing their very own identity, brand and sound as well. You cannot discount Grave Digger, when the topic of German Heavy Metal Bands of influence comes up.

Axel Ritt has taken over all guitar duties as the newest member of Grave Digger on The Clans Will Rise Again. Guitarists Thilo Hermann and Manni Schmidt left Grave Digger, due to personal and musical differences, before entering the studio to record The Clans Will Rise Again.

There is no better time of the year than October, to have a brand new studio album released from Grave Digger! With the days growing shorter with sunlight and Halloween only a few weeks away, this new Grave Digger album will be a welcomed listen to my Metal scorched ears!

GRAVE DIGGER:

Chris Boltendahl – vocals

Axel Ritt – guitars

Jens Becker – bass

Stefan Arnold – drums

Hans Peter Katzenburg – piano & keys

* For more info on GRAVE DIGGER, just click on the cool links below:

GRAVE DIGGER CLAN.com

GRAVE DIGGER – myspace music

* Check out the music video for Highland Farewell below! This song is on The Clans Will Rise Again. A Potent and Power packed song that grabbed my Metal attention from the opening bagpipes!

Track Listing For The Clans Will Rise Again:

Days Of Revenge

Paid In Blood

Hammer Of The Scots

Highland Farewell

The Clans Will Rise Again

Rebels

Valley Of Tears

Execution

Whom The Gods Love

Spider

The Piper McLeod

Coming Home

When Rain Turns To Blood

Watch Me Die (Bonus Track)

LONG LIVE GRAVE DIGGER!

Stone.

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HELLOWEEN “7 Sinners” Releases November 9, 2010 In U.S.! Some HELLOWEEN thoughts…

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, power metal albums, power metal bands, power metal music, rock music, rock music news with tags 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, andi deris, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, helloween, helloween 7 sinners, metal music, metal odyssey, michael weikath, Music, Power Metal, power metal albums, power metal bands, rock music news on October 7, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HELLOWEEN – Power Metal pioneers and ultra iconic, HELLOWEEN will be releasing their 13th full-length studio album, 7 Sinners, via The End Records, on November 9th, 2010. (This is the U.S. release date). Originating from Germany, Helloween is an influential and important band in the history of Metal. Since their 1985 album release – Walls Of Jericho, Helloween has been an undisputed leader in the Power Metal genre. I’ll never forget buying Walls Of Jericho on cassette years ago… I thought I was the coolest dude on the block for stumbling onto Helloween. Even though I have Walls Of Jericho on CD, I never let go of the cassette version.

Kai Hansen was terrific as the lead vocalist and guitarist for Helloween. (Gamma Ray obviously gets my Metal endorsement to the fullest). Michael Kiske was formidable as the lead vocalist for Helloween, his vocals on Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I are legendary. I’d have to pick Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I as my favorite Helloween album of all time… alright, tied with Walls Of Jericho! It’s not that easy, in choosing my favorite Helloween album of all time. (Chameleon from 1993… is not my favorite).

Yes, I even liked Unarmed – Best Of 25th Anniversary, which was released on March 30, 2010. No, it was not the Power Metal force we have all come to expect from Helloween, only this album I found to be a very cool listen. Some of the greatest Helloween songs ever, were re-structured with string arrangements and a choir. Dr. Stein really gets a Rock ‘N’ Roll makeover that I find to be a fun listen. At the end of the Metal day though, I’m sure relieved and psyched that Helloween is back, with their potent Power Metal that I’m expecting on 7 Sinners.

Andi Deris is an incredible vocalist as well, he can sing Metal lights out. Whoa… can Andi carry a note and sing the roof off. I can honestly say that Gambling With The Devil from 2007 is so powerful, that having a “three way tie” for my #1 Helloween album is Metal justified. Gambling With The Devil is simply put… riveting. Plus… I’ll throw in the Metal fact that founding member and guitarist Michael “Weiki” Weikath is a super nice guy to interview, one of the “good guys” of Metal… hands down. Kai Hansen is also a super nice guy to talk to… a genuine class act.

So, yeah, I get all pumped up anytime Helloween is about to release a new album. This is a band that I could easily write 500,000 words about and still want to write more. Seriously though, how many bands have their been in Metal, or any Rock genre for that matter, that can boast having “3” amazing lead vocalists in their bands history? Not too many I would imagine. I’m really looking forward to getting my copy of 7 Sinners… and on that day I’m going to be one psyched-out Metalhead. Those are my Metal thoughts for now about Helloween… I’m certain I’ll be reviewing 7 Sinners come November, you can bet your bottom Metal dollar on that one!

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

HELLOWEEN – Official Website

HELLOWEEN

Track Listing For HELLOWEEN – 7 Sinners:

Where The Sinners Go

Are You Metal?

Who Is Mr. Madman?

Raise The Noise

World Of Fantasy

Long Live The King

The Smile Of The Sun

You Stupid Mankind

If A Mountain Could Talk

The Sage, The Fool, The Sinner

My Sacrifice

Not Yet Today

Far In The Future

* The premium version of 7 Sinners will include a deluxe digpak, extended booklet and an exclusive bonus track. (Source: Helloween Official Website)

LONG LIVE HELLOWEEN!

Stone.

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HALFORD IV “MADE OF METAL” – THE METAL GOD… Has Returned With A Vengeance!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags 1980's heavy metal music, halford IV made of metal, hard rock music, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, made of metal album review, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, Rob Halford, rock music, rock music news, rock vocalists, the metal god on October 6, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HALFORD – Oh, how The Metal God has cometh and made a Metal album that is mega-primed for satisfying my Metal hunger! Halford IV – Made Of Metal, released on September 28, 2010, on Metal God Entertainment, is clearly a raised fist to the air hailing all things… METAL. If one has a difficult time understanding as to why Rob Halford is called… The Metal God… and one is clueless about Judas Priest and Fight, then all one needs to do is sink their ears and awareness into Halford IV – Made Of Metal and thy should understand what the hell The Metal God is all about.

Not detracting here from what has put Rob Halford on the highest level of the Metal hierarchy, Halford IV – Made Of Metal is like a symbol of what The Metal God is all about… singing his lungs out on exceptionally written songs, both in Metal music and lyrics. It would be too damn easy for Rob Halford to rest on his laurels and reap the decades of Metal glory that he has so rightfully earned. Instead, Rob Halford has come out with all guns Metal blazing and has released an album that should make the earth shift off of it’s axis, just a tad, when played at it’s maximum volume.

Now, there is a song on this new Halford album that just seems to be so unbelievably great to my Metal ears and soul, that I’m pinching myself to make certain I’m not dreaming as I listen to it. It’s an exhilarating experience, of a profound mega-Metal high when I listen to this song… Thunder And Lightning. Throughout all of my Metal lovin’ life, I have continuously searched out for the songs, albums and the bands that make me Metal high. Thunder And Lightning is that thunder strike of a song, that I shall turn to for inspiration and psyche-out therapy for the rest of my Metal guided life.

Rob Halford is simply classic on vocals during Thunder And Lightning, with Roy Z. and Metal Mike Chlasciak on guitars making it freaking soar, trading off their licks to Metal perfection. It’s the intensity and the non-stop groove that’s happening with this song that makes it so damn delicious to my Metal senses. When a song can capture and hold onto a psyche-out vibe like this, it is a song that is worthy of my telling the entire world about.

Honestly, I can’t count how many times I have listened to Thunder And Lightning in the short time that I have owned Halford IV – Made Of Metal. Whatever Rob Halford and Roy Z. have tapped into when they wrote this song, it is nothing short of mystical for me. This song only solidifies the fact that music is indeed… a language all it’s own. Let those Metal vibrations pour into my Metal soul!! Metal be thy name.

I Know We Stand A Chance, based on it’s lyrics, is a love song. This song plays out with both a Hard Rock and Metal feel, with Rob Halford’s vocal harmony streaming through the music flawlessly. A very memorable song, both for it’s music and lyrics. Three quarters through this song it kicks up a couple of notches with some electrifying and melodic fret work that I know I’ll be hearing in my sleep.

Like There’s No Tomorrow showcases Rob Halford, the Metal vocalist for the ages. Sure, Rob Halford has his vocal peers amongst him, the difference is, this is The Metal God we are listening to on this album. This song is incredibly memorable beyond belief. Is it the vocals of Rob? Could it be the dualing guitars? The imbedded bass thumping? The drum beats and cymbal smashing? Try all of the above. Melodic and soaringly heavy is this song, drawing it’s strength from the totality of the band.

Twenty-Five Years is a powerful and Heavy ballad, both with it’s music and lyrics. Rob Halford exemplifies why he is truly a remarkable vocalist as he sings Twenty-Five Years. By delivering this song through his emotionally charged vocals, in a story form, that lends itself as being deeply personal to The Metal God. This is by far not a depressing song for me, it is a serious break in the Metal experience that I cannot shun away. Lyrically there are life lessons that are taught here, making for a Metal reality check that has been handed down by this living Metal Legend.

We Own The Night and Heartless are melodic listen’s into just how Rob Halford and his band can play accessibly Heavy songs, one’s that probably would have been a huge hit if Heavy Metal ruled MTV and FM radio like it once did in those loud and colorful ’80’s. Even when Halford comes across with some commercial appeal, they are still damn Heavy as hell… flooded with Metal molasses. Rob Halford just sounds like he beamed up his vintage vocal self, from decades long ago, surpassing my Metal expectations on not just these two songs… the entire album.

Yes, The Mower is by far and large… the heaviest, meanest and most Metal song on this new Halford album. Even Rob’s vocals are screeching with an evil intensity that is downright scary on The Mower. I love it. This is the other side to Rob Halford’s vocals, piercing, angry and impressively dark. Speed Of Sound has the vibe and sound that is tailor made for a Judas Priest – Turbo Part II… if there ever was to be such an album. However, Speed Of Sound is Heavy and doesn’t get saturated with any synthetic sounds that the long past Turbo album radiates.

Alright, there is a “semi-stinker” on this album. I’ll give Rob Halford and his band a pass on this though. I owe ’em that much for making my Metal world so deliriously fine from Thunder And Lightning. Um, well, this song is pretty much a stinker. Made Of Metal is the song. There are some bad flashbacks happening in my brain, each time I hear the techno-electronic voice that is part of the intro to this song. Mr. Roboto flashbacks that is. I still have never recovered from Styx messing around with electronica… and that goes too far back for my own liking. The “roboto” voice re-appears towards the end of this song too, not cool. It’s just a dated song that doesn’t fit the Metal mold of this album and I don’t like to use the word… dated.

Make the bad Mr. Roboto go away, make the bad Mr. Roboto go away, make him go now.

Undisputed is the one song on Halford IV – Made Of Metal that can be of “big time” commercial value for the future. The lyrics are borderline corny… this song is about an undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, whoever that may be. This song would be perfect for the next (gasp) Rocky sequel or as an entrance theme for some WWE Wrestling Superstar. The Metal itself is brilliance on Undisputed, with scorching guitar leads and tough as nails riffs. Vocally, Rob Halford resonates with late ’70’s Judas Priest on Undisputed, capturing his very own classic self as only he can do.

For all intents and Metal purposes, Halford is backed up by one damned fabulous band. Mike Davis on bass and Bobby Jarzombek on drums hold it all together like a Heavy Metal pillar of unbreakable steel, giving each song an added dose of supercharged thump. I without hesitation, openly admit, that Halford IV – Made Of Metal has rolled into 2010 and taken me for a sensational Metal ride. This Metal ride I’m highly endorsing to fellow Metalheads, both young and old, stateside and worldwide. Don’t let this new Halford album be “the one” that you pass over for another day. Halford IV – Made Of Metal needs to heard… NOW… and forever.

* For more info on HALFORD, just click here: ROB HALFORD.com

Track Listing For HALFORD IV – MADE OF METAL:

Undisputed

Fire And Ice

Made Of Metal

Speed Of Sound

Like There’s No Tomorrow

Till The Day I Die

We Own The Night

Heartless

Hell Razor

Thunder And Lightning

Twenty-Five Years

Matador

I Know We Stand A Chance

The Mower

LONG LIVE HALFORD.

THE METAL GOD HAS RETURNED.

Stone.

6 Comments »

DEATH ANGEL – 2011 NORTH AMERICAN RETRIBUTION TOUR – DATES LISTED!

Posted in hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands, thrash metal music, thrash metal tours with tags bonded by blood thrash metal band, death angel, death angel retribution tour 2011, early man, hard rock music, heavy metal music, hexen, lazarus a.d., metal music, metal odyssey, Music, north american retribution tour 2011, relentless retribution album, rock music news, thrash metal 2010, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands, thrash metal legends, thrash metal music, thrash metal tours 2011 on October 4, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

DEATH ANGEL – In support of their new and incredible sixth studio album, Relentless Retribution, DEATH ANGEL will be touring the United States with one stop in Canada, beginning on January 30, 2011. Beginning in Raleigh, North Carolina and commencing on February 26, 2011, in the city that these Bay Area Thrash Metal Legends know very well… San Francisco California! EARLY MAN, LAZARUS A.D., BONDED BY BLOOD and HeXeN will be on tour with DEATH ANGEL as well! This looks to be a kick-ass tour of Old School joining forces with New School Thrash Metal!

* DEATH ANGEL – Relentless Retribution was released on September 14, 2010, on Nuclear Blast USA.

2011 NORTH AMERICAN RETRIBUTION TOUR DATES:

January 30 @ Volume 11, Raleigh, NC

January 31 @ The Casbah, NC

February 1 @ Jaxx, W. Springfield, VA

February 2 @ Crazy Donkey, Farmingdale, NY

February 3 @ Rocko’s, Manchester, NH

February 4 @ Club Hell, Providence, RI

February 5 @ Montage Music Hall, Rochester, NY

February 6 @ Mod Club, Toronto, ON, Canada

February 7 @ Peabody’s, Cleveland, OH

February 8 @ Blondie’s, Detroit, MI

February 9 @ Reggie’s Rock Club, Chicago, IL

February 10 @ Phoenix Hill Tavern, Louisville, KY

February 11 @ Riot Room, Kansas City, MO

February 12 @ Conservatory, Oklahoma City, OK

February 13 @ Numbers, Houston, TX

February 14 @ Emo’s, Austin, TX

February 15 @ White Rabbit, San Antonio, TX

February 16 @ Rail Club, Ft. Worth, TX

February 18 @ Club DV8, Tucson, AZ

February 19 @ Clubhouse, Tempe, AZ

February 20 @ Chain Reaction, Anaheim, CA

February 21 @ Cheyenne Saloon, Las Vegas, NV

February 22 @ The Key Club, Hollywood, CA

February 23 @ Brick By Brick, San Diego, CA

February 24 @ The Boardwalk, Orangevale, CA

February 25 @ Lost On Main, Chico, CA

February 26 @ Slim’s, San Francisco, CA

(Source: DEATH ANGEL – Official Website)

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

DEATH ANGEL – MySpace Music Page

DEATH ANGEL – Official Website

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

EARLY MAN – myspace music page

EARLY MAN ARMY.com – Official Website of EARLY MAN

* For more info on LAZARUS A.D., just click on the link below:

LAZARUS A.D. – myspace music

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

HeXeN – myspace music

EARLY MAN will be touring to support their new studio album, DEATH POTION, released on July 20, 2010, on The End Records.

BONDED BY BLOOD will be touring to support their new studio album, EXILED TO EARTH, released on August 10, 2010, on Earache Records.

LAZARUS A.D. will be touring to support their 2009 studio album, THE ONSLAUGHT, released on March 3, 2009, on Metal Blade Records.

LAZARUS A.D. will also be supporting their sophomore release – Black River Flows, which is slated for a February 1st, 2011 release on Metal Blade Records!

HeXeN will be touring to support their 2008 studio album, STATE OF INSURGENCY, released on August 5, 2008, on OSM Records.

LONG LIVE DEATH ANGEL.

LONG LIVE THRASH METAL.

Stone.

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WHITE ZOMBIE “Make Them Die Slowly” – Reflecting On A 1989 CD I Can’t Part With

Posted in alternative metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags 1980's heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal music, alternative metal music, hard rock music, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, horror metal music, make them die slowly 1989, make them die slowly album review, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rob zombie, rock music, rock music news, white zombie on October 3, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

WHITE ZOMBIE – Released back in good ‘ol 1989, Make Them Die Slowly was the second full-length album from White Zombie, (the first full-length being Soul Crusher, released in 1987). The late ’80’s was an ultra-terrific time for Heavy Metal, only the “wave of glory” of commercial acceptance and attention was starting to drift swiftly towards the Grunge movement, by 1990. White Zombie came upon the scene in ’87 with their brand of Noise Rock, eventually indulging into various music styles, while still keeping the heaviness intact. Industrial, Groove, Funk and Heavy Metal were Metal styles that White Zombie incorporated together all so well. Many articles and Rock historians also refer White Zombie to the Post-Thrash genre as well.

I can openly admit, that this Make Them Die Slowly CD has been in my possession since it’s 1989 release and I cannot part with it. The first reason for this is I really, really, dig this White Zombie album and band. Even in it’s unpolished grandeur, this is White Zombie breaking down some serious status quo. This band was where it all began for Rob Zombie! The second reason is, it is out of print. My original 1989 CD version of Make Them Die Slowly is selling for $169.88 (U.S. funds) as a “used” copy on Amazon.com… and there is currently only “one” for sale there! Whoa, baby, whoa.

There is a 1993 reissue version of Make Them Die Slowly for sale on Amazon.com, selling for $99.99 as “new” and $16.99 as “used”, all in U.S. funds. That is a dramatic drop in the selling price, when comparing the “used” version from 1989 to that of the 1993 reissue. In all Metal honesty, I was not aware of the “actual” value of my CD discussed here, not until today. I always knew it was an original pressing from 1989 and the value would be a bit high… only this is far out amazing to me! In hindsight, I wish I had purchased a dozen copies or more of Make Them Die Slowly back in ’89!

My cousin Randy is to blame for my buying this White Zombie CD back in ’89. He used to manage a combination collectibles and record store that was very, very cool. I would go there just about every day for a number of years, from the mid ’80’s right up to the mid ’90’s. I would cash my paycheck at this store… leaving with enough money to buy beer and gas. The rest of my hard earned loot would go into buying CD’s, tapes, vinyl, sports cards and comics. Those were the days… I know. I no longer buy sports cards or comics, just in case you were wondering.

Randy would always have his finger on “the pulse” of Rock ‘N’ Roll and Heavy Metal. If there was a new and cool band to check out… Randy knew about ’em. There was that one visit to his store, where he had Make Them Die Slowly on display… and Randy wasn’t talking me out of buying it. Thanks Randy! Man, this cool cousin of mine had landed me some fine picture discs of Metallica, Iron Maiden and Motorhead too. Many bands he steered into the direction of my ears… Fight is one that stands out, back in ’93. When Rob Halford left Judas Priest, whoa… that was a big deal back then. Randy is still alive and doing just fine… just in case you are wondering.

When I first listened to Make Them Die Slowly, I realized rather quickly that White Zombie was not the stereotypical ’80’s Arena Rock or Heavy Metal Band. Rather, White Zombie was a band totally different from what I was used to hearing… this band wasn’t Thrash, Traditional Metal, NWOBHM or straight up Hard Rock. This White Zombie band caught me off guard and I initially liked what I was listening to. Sure, this band was “different”, only they were not lean on the heavy side of the Metal aisle and the vocals of Rob Zombie sounded too fiendishly bizarre for me to pass over.

Back in ’89, I felt like I stumbled on some “underground” band that not many people knew about. I never gave it a second thought, as to White Zombie becoming anything special anyhow. Listening to what I liked was the main priority then, as it is now. This White Zombie album was never going to be exalted as a masterpiece, no way. The production across the board is raw and steely on Make Them Die Slowly, arguably an album of demos… not anywhere near the overall sound and production that their 1992 studio album La Sexorcisto: Devil Music, Vol. 1 would radiate. (That album is a multi-million unit seller and still makes my prehistoric stereo speakers smoke).

In the midst of all the styles of Heavy Music that White Zombie seemed to tap into, there is always that “sliver” of Punk that I seem to catch onto with their music. Acid Flesh may have it’s non-stop groove and sparse funkiness about it, still it walks a fine line with the Punk flirtation. The same can be said for Power Hungry, only the guitar licks are crunchy enough to make any Punk comparison an extremely mild one. “Demonspeed” carries such a raw atmosphere of sound, it isn’t far fetched to think it’s a live recording during the first half minute it plays. If there is one constant to be heard on this album, it’s that this White Zombie band played with a fiery enthusiasm that my ears cannot dismiss away. “Demonspeed” is one Heavy mutha’ of a song and is my favorite on this album.

Revenge is fueled with enough kick ass, thunder-stomp Metal that it is dizzying. The repeated riff that gives Revenge it’s Metal bite, is extremely close to that of Tony Iommi’s signature riff from Zero The Hero, heard on the 1983 Black Sabbath album – Born Again. Godslayer plays at 7:14 long and is the “epic” on this album. Rob Zombie’s vocals on Godslayer gives way to the notion that maybe he was a fan of Glenn Danzig. I never picked up on the vocal similarities between Rob Zombie and Glenn Danzig, while listening to Godslayer so many years ago. This is the only song where I feel any vocal similarities between these two Metal heavyweights exists. I’m certain though, that it is all coincidental anyways. Maybe.

The overall Heavy Groove and styles that Make Them Die Slowly breathes was another solid building block towards the Metal that Rob Zombie was to eventually release as a solo superstar. Truthfully, listening to this White Zombie album is like listening to the Rob Zombie blueprint and dancing skeletons to his future. To usher in the ’90’s with a band as heavily diverse as White Zombie, probably means more to me now than it did then. I never cared to figure out really, the “fad” sound of any decade. White Zombie was no fad… this was as legit of a Heavy Band as any genre could grasp.

As I look back on the doorstep to the ’90’s, White Zombie was the band that snuck in through the front door and made themselves very comfortable in the hearts, minds and ears of more than just this Metalhead. This is “one of those” Metal albums that I appreciate more in 2010 than I probably did back in ’89. Maybe my growing appreciation lies in the fact, that White Zombie made me realize that it was cool to diversify the Metal menu, having me look upon them now, over two decades later, as Metal innovators.

WHITE ZOMBIE as they appeared on Make Them Die Slowly:

* Note: In doing my Metal research, I have read that John Ricci did not play guitar on Make Them Die Slowly. However, John Ricci is in the group photo found in the liner notes of this CD, with his name appearing below him. I have come across, through Metal research, that John Ricci left White Zombie the day Make Them Die Slowly was completed… due to having Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I am going with that he played guitar on this album… unless a credible source “close” to the recording of this album can tell me otherwise.

Rob Zombie – vocals

John Ricci – guitar

Ivan DePrume – drums

Sean Yseult – bass guitar

Track Listing For Make Them Die Slowly:

DEMONSPEED

DISASTER BLASTER

MURDERWORLD

REVENGE

ACID FLESH

POWER HUNGRY

GODSLAYER

* More Metal research about Make Them Die Slowly, revealed the following: that “some” CD’s were released with the printing on the liner notes “spine” being incorrect. The “incorrect” spelling or error is: Let Them Die Slowly… appears on the spine. “Let” and not “Make” is the error. My CD version has this error on the liner notes spine… take a look at the pic below to see for yourself:

As you can also see from the above pic, Rob Zombie is one damn cool illustrator!

* Make Them Die Slowly was produced by Bill Laswell

* Make Them Die Slowly was originally released in 1989, on Caroline.

* As stated in the liner notes: All Lyrics – Rob Zombie, All Music – White Zombie and All Illustrations – Rob Zombie.

* The liner notes show “one” Special Thanks, it goes to… Rock & Punk Legend… Iggy Pop.

Here is the White Zombie band photo that is in the liner notes.

From left to right: Ivan DePrume, John Ricci, Sean Yseult and Rob Zombie.

Here is an illustration that is in the liner notes, drawn by Rob Zombie:

The above illustration has the words: “Bite Down Sucker” in top right corner. “Hell” is spelled out on the fist of the monster dude.

LONG LIVE THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL OF WHITE ZOMBIE!

Stone.

3 Comments »

Hellfueled – Revisiting “Midnight Lady” EP From 2004!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hellfueled – Official Website

Hellfueled – myspace music

* Current Hellfueled lineup:

Andy Alkman – vocals

Jocke Lundgren – guitar

Henke Lonn – bass

Kent Svensson – drums

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

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

Track Listing For Midnight Lady EP:

Midnight Lady – (Taken from the album Volume One)

Endless Work – (Previously unreleased demo)

Big Fat Eight – (Previously unreleased demo)

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

* Produced by Fredrik Nordström and Patrik J. Sten

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

* Extra Bonus Material:

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

LONG LIVE HELLFUELED!

Stone.

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ARSON ANTHEM “INSECURITY NOTORIETY” – RELEASES OCTOBER 12, 2010!

Posted in hard rock music, hardcore bands, hardcore metal music, hardcore punk rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Punk rock, punk rock albums, punk rock bands, punk rock music, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music news with tags arson anthem, assjack band, down, extreme music, hank williams III, hardcore albums 2010, hardcore music, hardcore punk, hardcore punk bands 2010, heavy metal music, louisiana hardcore bands, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, phil anselmo, ponykiller band, Punk rock, rock music news, Thrash Metal on September 24, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ARSON ANTHEM – The first “full length” studio album from ARSON ANTHEM – Insecurity Notoriety, will be released on October 12, 2010, on Phil Anselmo’s very own… Housecore Records. The triple threat combination of Hardcore, Thrash and Punk are what you can expect from ARSON ANTHEM… with the onslaught of Hardcore dominating their music. Sure, you can call ARSON ANTHEM a “supergroup” based on their incredible lineup, only this is a band that brings it Hard… Heavy… and F’n Hardcore! No bullshit found in the music of ARSON ANTHEM.

*As Phil Anselmo has stated about Insecurity Notoriety: “This is vicious Hardcore, so trip out on this record!” – (Hard Rock Hideout Interview, September 20, 2010)

ARSON ANTHEM:

Mike IX Williams – vocalist

Phil Anselmo – guitars

Hank Williams III – drums

Collin Yeo – bass guitar

* Brief Metal career background on the members of ARSON ANTHEM:

Phil Anselmo has forged in Metal, his legendary career as lead vocalist for the iconic Pantera. Phil is the vocalist for the kick-ass and Louisiana born Metal Band – Down. Superjoint Ritual and Christ Inversion are just two more past bands that Phil has been a driving force behind. Mike Williams is the lead vocalist for the Metal Band – Eyehategod. Hank Williams III played bass for Superjoint Ritual and is a vocalist/guitarist for his very own Metal/Punk Band – Assjack. Collin Yeo heads up his eerie and alternatively contagious band – PonyKiller.

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

ARSON ANTHEM – myspace music

* For more info on Housecore Records, just click on link below:

HOUSECORE RECORDS

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

DOWN – myspace music

* For more info on Hank Williams III and Assjack, just click the link below:

Hank Williams III – Official Website

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

EYEHATEGOD – myspace music

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

PonyKiller – myspace music

* The debut and self-titled ARSON ANTHM EP, (8 songs), was released on February 19, 2008, on Housecore Records.

Track Listing For ARSON ANTHEM EP:

Year Of The Fork

Doomed Morale

Bunker Life

Hammer Them Out

Wrecked Like Clockwork

Cops Shoot Coke

The Avoider

Sri Lankan Medication

LONG LIVE THE HARDCORE OF ARSON ANTHEM!

Stone.

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HOLY MOTHER “TOXIC RAIN” – 1998 METAL ALBUM FOREVER UNLEASHES IT’S METAL POTENCY!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags 1990's heavy metal bands, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, holy mother heavy metal band, holy mother toxic rain 1998, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, Power Metal, power metal bands, rock music news, speed metal, toxic rain album review, traditional heavy metal music on September 22, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HOLY MOTHER – This third studio album, Toxic Rain, released in 1998 by Holy Mother, is one hell of a solid chunk of Traditional Metal. Toxic Rain downpours with a sound and style of American Power Metal in the vein of DIO and Obsession, along with a thick influence from Judas Priest and the Old School/Traditional Metal essence that the NWOBHM is so remembered and revered for.

With Metal roots originating from Long Island, New York, Holy Mother is a Metal Band that should not be bypassed for any lack of commercial success, mainstream snubbing or mid-’90’s media ignorance towards Heavy Metal. Great and real Metal will always rise from the ashes or raise it’s victorious fist from any catacombs of dormancy.

Becoming aware of Holy Mother and Toxic Rain all started with my trip to Music Outlet in Enfield, Connecticut. Best Metal Buddy, Scott Coverdale took me to this very cool and independently owned record and CD store that he frequents consistently. That day, I observed Scott walking about Music Outlet with a sinister grin upon his face… “I got it”… is what he said to me. I looked down upon the CD he was holding and it was Toxic Rain. Man, Scott was psyched out of his mind to have landed this CD… and now I know why.

Now that I own my personal copy of Toxic Rain, I realize the reason why Scott was grinning from ear to ear at Music Outlet that day. This album = Metal. Damn, you could not find a better representation of Traditional Metal, built with speed, blazing guitar leads and victorious riffs, than this Holy Mother album. The drumming of Jim Harris is like a battle call to Metal arms, his ultra-potent fills and supercharged timing are the icing on the Metal cake for Toxic Rain.

Vocalist Mike Tirelli is not gonna be in the back of the line ever, not according to my Metal scorecard. Mike is also a former vocalist for Riot and Burning Starr, making for an impressive Metal resume. I can compare Mike’s vocals to that of Mark Boals (of Yngwie J. Malmsteen fame) and Michael Vescera (of Obsession and Loudness fame), only adding in a harder edge.

Rich Naso on guitar lays it down heavy and steady from start to finish on Toxic Rain, with shades of Speed Metal wizardry gelled together with many extremely relevant and Traditional Metal tones. Rich never runs out of ultra delectable guitar licks… he’s just a cool player to hear on this album. Randy Coven on bass, has played with Yngwie J. Malmsteen and Riot during his Metal career. Creating a Metal family tree is evident, with this Holy Mother lineup of 1998.

The decade of the 90’s is NOT the lost era of Metal. Many, many, Metal Bands were releasing albums and touring during the 90’s. (Thank you… Slayer, W.A.S.P., Pantera and Overkill, to name a few). Instead, it will always be remembered by me as the decade where the mainstream media did NOT cover Metal… or great Metal for that matter. If Holy Mother released Toxic Rain in the mid to late 1980’s, hell, it would have probably received a ton more promotion and circulation amongst the media. This is my Metal opinion… and I’m not budging from it.

If you want me to be “street” about summing up this Toxic Rain album in one sentence, well, here it goes: Holy shit is this Holy Mother band unreal great on Toxic Rain! For me to “refer” this album to fans of Metal is really absurd. I need to bellow: Buy this Toxic Rain album if you believe in your own damned Metal salvation! Seriously, if your looking to make that purchase of a classic Metal release… Toxic Rain can be as viable a choice as any. So let it be Metal written… so let it be Metal done.

Once you hear Wars kick in, this song’s speed and rugged crunch shall be the leading Metal indicators that Holy Mother is not screwing around on Toxic Rain. The title track – Toxic Rain is a deluge of Metal that forces it’s way upon my ears, all the while I’m taking it all in like a parched desert floor during a tropical downpour. Again, its the speed + power which = holy shit great Metal here. Again, that’s as “street” honest as I can get.

My favorite song on this now revered Metal album is – My Destination. I’ll tell you what my destination has always been… to discover and listen to great, quality laced Metal, just like Holy Mother. My Destination has a melodic power surge running wild and it’s riveting to say the Metal least. The River carries it’s melodic drive through the vocals of Mike Tirelli and the savory leads and solos of Rich Naso. This song is a heavyweight like all the others on Toxic Rain, it showcases no doubt’s that Mike Tirelli can hit the high notes. You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ is the lone cover song on this album. This Judas Priest Metal classic is given it’s justified due from Holy Mother, it’s worth cranking it up on high, still there’s nothing like the original. A solid cover it is and very worthy of many obligatory headbanging moments.

Losing My Bet closes out Toxic Rain, a song that sustains the consistent quality, heaviness and unrelenting power of sound that Holy Mother plays from the very onset. No one song sounds alike on Toxic Rain and Losing My Bet is an exclamation point to this statement. The only similarities heard between all 11 songs are that of the astute allegiance to Metal that Holy Mother plays so damn well.

I must factor in that the vocals of Mike Tirelli and the guitar playing of Rich Naso are standout on each song, while Randy Coven on bass and Jim Harris on drums are fabulously tight together. Once Losing My Bet comes to a close, I have that Metal hunger to listen to this Holy Mother album again… and again. That is a benchmark of being a great Metal album for me, when I can state something like that.

I could say, without any hesitation, that Toxic Rain is one of the very best Metal albums from the 90’s decade. (Criminal Afterlife is another Holy Mother album I feel this same way about as well, only that is for another post). You are getting the entire Metal ball O’ wax with Holy Mother’s playing on Toxic Rain… no run of the mill, no “standard stuff” or copycat crap going on with this band. Hopefully Holy Mother can make a return down the Metal road and release some potent, new material. Holy Mother is yet another Metal reality check, as to there being great bands from the 90’s that flew under the Metal radar by me… and I’m thankful Scott Coverdale uttered those now infamous words toward my way, during one cool visit to Music Outlet… “I got it”.

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

HOLY MOTHER – myspace music

* HOLY MOTHER – Toxic Rain was released on A.B.S. Records

HOLY MOTHER as they appeared on Toxic Rain:

Mike Tirelli – vocals

Rich Naso – guitar

Randy Coven – bass

Jim Harris – drums

Track Listing For Toxic Rain:

Wars

Electric

Toxic Rain

The Rats Keep Runnin’

My Destination

Live To Die

The River

You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ (Judas Priest cover)

Symptom Of Withdrawal

Melting Pot

Losing My Bet

LONG LIVE THE METAL OF HOLY MOTHER!

Stone.

2 Comments »

PANTERA – “THE WILL TO SURVIVE” DEMO IS A HIDDEN METAL TREASURE

Posted in hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags 1990's heavy metal albums, 1990's heavy metal bands, cowboys from hell, cowboys from hell deluxe edition, dimebag darrell, guitar legends, hard rock music, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, pantera, phil anselmo, rex brown, rock music news, the will to survive demo, vinnie paul abbott on September 20, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

PANTERA – On September 14, 2010, Rhino Records released the 3-CD Deluxe Edition of Cowboys From Hell. PANTERA rules. Originally released back on July 17, 1990, on Atco Records, this was the album that catapulted PANTERA as a relentless and blazingly bad-ass live band. Metal be thy name, that is the truth. 2010 ushered in the 20th Anniversay of Cowboys From Hell, whoa… seems like yesterday to me when this unreal great album came out. Cowboys From Hell marked the fifth studio album from PANTERA… the first four being on their own label called Metal Magic. PANTERA rules.

It’s an endless Metal debate, as to which PANTERA album is the very best. I like to go with Cowboys From Hell, Vulgar Display Of Power and Far Beyond Driven as my personal top three. Hell, it’s very difficult for me to pin one PANTERA album against another. PANTERA rules. As I see it, PANTERA was the pit bull in the backyard, that was set loose to protect and spread the cause of Metal in the decade of the ’90’s… and they did just that and then some. Metal be thy name.

There is one demo, that was never released before, on disc 3 (the demo disc) which is The Will To Survive. Whoa, do I like this song a Metal ton. Phil Anselmo sounds like Rob Halford… or can I say has some heavy duty Rob Halford influence in his vocals, on this demo. After listening to this song a couple dozen more times… I will even make a Metal stretch by saying, that I hear a bit of Geoff Tate in the vocals of Phil Anselmo too. The Will To Survive of course was written and had it’s parts recorded well before there was a Vulgar Display Of Power, even before Cowboys From Hell.

I’m calling The Will To Survive demo a hidden Metal treasure. Why? For one, it’s not a song I would have expected to hear on this deluxe edition of Cowboys From Hell. Sure, the thought crossed my mind of maybe hearing something from the Metal Magic era of PANTERA… only this song surpasses what I initially thought it would sound like, both in it’s Traditional Metal style and sound. Trust me… the late and ultra legendary Dimebag sounds fabulous on guitar too, giving The Will To Survive a Speed Metal/Power Metal vibe that really leaves me whining for more.

If there were more hidden Metal treasures like The Will To Survive still on tape somewhere… locked away… I pray that Vinnie Paul, Rex Brown and Phil Anselmo would turn ’em loose on us fans someday, with one entire CD of PANTERA songs that have NEVER been heard before in any form. PANTERA rules.

Why do I keep stating “PANTERA rules” throughout this post you may query? There really is nuthin’ to question here… PANTERA F’N RULES. Always did… always will. Call me a PANTERA fan boy? Hell, I’m not alone there and I’m in good company, thank you very much. Plus, I’m damn proud to be one. Yes, I strongly urge any and all fans of Metal and of course, PANTERA, to get a copy of this Cowboys From Hell – 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition.

* Recently, I interviewed Phil Anselmo for my very good Metal Buddies over at HARD ROCK HIDEOUT. You can check out this HARD ROCK HIDEOUT exclusive by clicking the large link below or by clicking any HARD ROCK HIDEOUT link you see here.

PHIL ANSELMO – THE HARD ROCK HIDEOUT INTERVIEW!l

*An abbreviated breakdown of the 3 disc Cowboys From Hell – 2oth Anniversary Deluxe Edition:

* Disc 1 is the Cowboys From Hell studio album remastered. Disc 2 contains 12 live songs. Disc 3 has 11 demos from the Cowboys From Hell sessions, which includes The Will To Survive.

LONG LIVE THE METAL OF PANTERA!

REST IN PEACE, DIMEBAG.

Stone.

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CANNIBAL CORPSE – 1998’S “GALLERY OF SUICIDE” ON 180-GRAM VINYL – RELEASES SEPTEMBER 28, 2010!

Posted in Death Metal, death metal music, extreme metal music, extreme music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags 180-gram vinyl gallery of suicide, 1990's death metal bands, 1990's death metal albums, cannibal corpse, death metal albums 2010, death metal bands, death metal legends, death metal music, extreme metal music, gallery of suicide album 2010, heavy metal music, heavy metal on vinyl, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music news on September 19, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

CANNIBAL CORPSE – The sixth studio album from Cannibal Corpse, Gallery Of Suicide, will be re-released on 180-gram vinyl on September 28, 2010, on Plastic Head. Originally released on April 21, 1998, on Metal Blade Records, Gallery Of Suicide was the second album to have George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher on vocals. This was also the first Cannibal Corpse album to have Pat O’Brien on guitar.

This album it outrageously brutal, from the song titles and lyrics to the Death Metal barrage heard within. ‘Nuff said about this album… alright, it’s wicked F’n Heavy. With every Metal re-release on vinyl, it certifies the fact that there are Metalheads out there that want to hear their bands the Old School way. Just like the Metal I live for, vinyl will never go away.

* As with most vinyl and 180-gram vinyl releases, Gallery Of Suicide is being touted as a “limited release”. I have seen it available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

* For more info on CANNIBAL CORPSE, click on the link below:

CANNIBAL CORPSE – Official Website

CANNIBAL CORPSE, as they appeared on Gallery Of Suicide:

George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher – vocals

Jack Owen – guitar

Pat O’brien – guitar

Alex Webster – bass

Paul Mazurkiewicz – drums

Track Listing For Gallery Of Suicide:

I Will Kill You

Disposal Of The Body

Sentenced To Burn

Blood Drenched Execution

Gallery Of Suicide

Dismembered And Molested

From Skin To Liquid

Unite The Dead

Stabbed In The Throat

Chambers Of Blood

Headless

Every Bone Broken

Centuries Of Torment

Crushing The Despised

Stone.

2 Comments »

AS I LAY DYING – FALL NORTH AMERICAN 2010 TOUR SCHEDULE WITH ALL THAT REMAINS, UNEARTH & CARNIFEX!

Posted in death metal music, extreme metal music, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, metalcore music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags all that remains, as i lay dying, as i lay dying fall tour 2010, carnifex, death metal bands, death metal music 2010, extreme metal bands, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal tours 2010, metal albums 2008, metal albums 2010, metal music, metal odyssey, metalcore bands, Music, rock music news, unearth on September 17, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

AS I LAY DYING – Whoa. Here is a Metal tour that has already gotten underway on September 14, 2010, in El Paso, Texas… As I lay Dying is headlining with support from: All That Remains, Unearth and Carnifex… whoa again. Check out the tour dates below to see if this great Metal tour is in your backyard or down the Metal highway from you:

As I Lay Dying with All That Remains, Unearth and Carnifex:

09/14 – El Paso, TX @ Club 101

09/15 – Odessa, TX @ Dos Amigos

09/16 – Abilene, TX @ Midnight Rodeo 3

09/17 – Little Rock, AR @ The Village

09/18 – Memphis, TN @ New Daisy Theatre

09/19 – Knoxville, TN @ Valarium

09/20 – Covington, KY @ The Madison Theater

09/21 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Orbit Room

09/22 – Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s

09/23 – Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom

09/24 – Clifton Park, NY @ NY Northern Lights

09/25 – Hartford, CT @ Webster Theatre

09/26 – Quebec, QC @ Imperial De Quebec

09/27 – Montreal, QC @ Metropolis

09/28 – Ottawa, ON @ Capital Music Hall

09/29 – London, ON @ Cowboys

10/01 – Winnipeg, MB @ Garrick Center

10/03 – Saskatoon, SK @ Odeon

10/04 – Calgary, AB @ Macewan

10/05 – Edmonton, AB @ Edmonton Event Center

10/07 – Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theatre

10/08 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon

10/10 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater

10/11 – Chico, CA @ Senator Theatre

10/15 – Yuma, AZ @ Club Blackout – * With Carnifex, Beg For Life and Demise Of Hollywood

* (Source: Metal Blade News Update Newsletter, September 17, 2009)

* For more info on AS I LAY DYING, just click the link below:

AS I LAY DYING – myspace music

* For more info on ALL THAT REMAINS, just click the link below:

ALL THAT REMAINS – myspace music

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

UNEARTH – myspace music

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

CARNIFEX – myspace music

AS I LAY DYING are touring in support of their album The Powerless Rise, released on May 11, 2010, on Metal Blade Records.

ALL THAT REMAINS are touring in support of their album … For We Are Many, released on October 12, 2010, on Razor & Tie.

UNEARTH are touring in support of their album The March, released on October 14, 2008, on Metal Blade Records.

CARNIFEX are touring in support of their album Hell Chose Me, released on February 16, 2010, on Victory Records.

These are some potent and seriously brutal Metal Bands!

LONG LIVE METAL!

Stone.

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ACCEPT “BLOOD OF THE NATIONS” – A METAL TRIUMPH AND RETURN TO METAL GLORY FOR ACCEPT!!

Posted in hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, music reviews, rock music, rock music news with tags 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, accept blood of the nations, accept heavy metal band, accept reunion 2010, blood of the nations album review, frank herman, hard rock music, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal songs, mark tornillo, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, peter baltes, rock music, rock music news, stefan schwarzmann, wolf hoffmann on September 14, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ACCEPT – I received in the U.S. mail on Monday… ACCEPT – Blood Of The Nations (deluxe digipak) from Best Metal Buddy – Scott Coverdale. There are many Metal albums that have kicked my ass over the years… and then then came Blood Of The Nations. This new ACCEPT album hasn’t just kicked my ass today… it’s as if I opened up a box of unlimited Metal whoop ass and now I don’t know how to contain it or fight it off. I guess I’ll have to take my Metal whoopin’ as a man each and every time I listen to any or all of Blood Of The Nations. Understand please, what I’m about to say in describing my first listen through of this unreal/new ACCEPT album, here it goes… F’n Metal be thy F’n name.

ACCEPT guitarist and founding member Wolf Hoffmann describes in the liner notes, meeting up with new lead vocalist Mark Tornillo and producer Andy Sneap as “miracles”. As a lifetime fan of ACCEPT, Stone calls holding onto this Blood Of The Nations digipak while these 13 new Metal songs from this legendary band is being absorbed into my ears, at maximum level… a miracle. As a fan, I’ve always embraced the Metal fact that ACCEPT was no more. For nearly fourteen years, the 1996 studio album Predator seemed like it was the last any of us Metalheads would hear from ACCEPT. Well… Metal miracles really do happen and ACCEPT is F’n BACK!

Now, I would not be coming across so damn excited here, if it wasn’t for the powerful surge of premium Metal that ACCEPT has created on Blood Of The Nations. Trust me, if this was average or even slightly good Metal from this new ACCEPT album, I would call it out as such or not bother to write about it at all. Instead, the world needs to know… ACCEPT has returned with a Metal double drop kick to the face, with an amazingly energized and psyche-out filled Metal album. Crap, it seems like all of the “Old School dudes” are kicking everyone’s Metal ass in 2010, doesn’t it?

The vintage ACCEPT sound is all heard here on Blood Of The Nations. The dueling guitars of Wolf Hoffman and long time member Frank Herman brings back to Metal glory the searing and scorching riffs, leads and solos that were such a dynamic trademark of this band. Metal… the ACCEPT way. The formidable chorus that bellows behind the lead vocals of Mark Tornillo on songs – Blood Of The Nations and Shades Of Death are a valiant reminder that ACCEPT has returned with their Metal legacy written on their chests. Metal… the ACCEPT way.

Speed is not a bashful guest on Blood Of The Nations. Locked And Loaded is as easily recognizable as a feisty nod to ’80’s Speed Metal as I could ever wish for. Whoa, this song is fast… and it never relents with it’s raging Metal tempo. Locked And Loaded will easily remind fans of the Metal glorious Restless And Wild album and just how the speed jumped out of those songs back in 1982. Time Machine is pumped-up with plenty of muscular Metal grooves and carries along a heavily melodic pace. The Balls To The Wall era background chanting gives Time Machine a retrospective Metal haze, that is yet another Metal signature of ACCEPT.

So, understand please, with what I’m about to say in regards to my listening to Blood Of The Nations for the fourth time today… F’n Metal be thy F’n name. Realistically, the more I listen to this new ACCEPT, the more I’m realizing that Scott Coverdale just might be right in his calling Blood Of The Nations: Metal Album Of The Year. Wolf Hoffmann and Frank Herman aren’t just on fire with their guitar riffs, leads and solos… they are like crazed human Metal torchs on guitar. One listen to Pandemic and my Metal point is made quite clearly here. Pandemic! Pandemic! Hell yes… Metal… the ACCEPT way.

New World Comin’ rises with an intensified Metal groove that is enriched by the bass thumpin’ of founding member Peter Baltes and the thunder stompin’ of Stefan Schwarzmann on drums. New World Comin’ is the ACCEPT Metal anthem of 2010, bringing the mid ’80’s Arena Metal vibe to a new generation of Metalheads worldwide. Is this my favorite song on Blood Of The Nations? F’N HELL YEAH!!

Look, the reason for my elevated Metal excitement every so often, while doing an album review is due to: A. The respective band is a core/lifetime favorite of mine and B. The Metal contained within is absolutely legitimate and reflects what I feel Metal is supposed to be about… loud, powerful and full of pump-you-up sound, style, energy and feel. Blood Of The Nations is all this for me and then some. Just the prolific way in which Blood Of The Nations opens up with Beat The Bastards is evidence alone as to my prior explanation. Beat The Bastards showcases the melodic yet still fast and heavy character of ACCEPT. Angst filled and still victorious laden, the lyrics of this song are stuff of ACCEPT legend.

The Abyss and Blood Of The Nations guide me into this Metal world of ACCEPT 2010 and I am all the better Metalhead for it. This is Metal that isn’t farting around the beer keg here. The song Blood Of The Nations hails freedom, dreams and ideals… all the important aspects of life that are worth “fighting for”. I, like Scott Coverdale, can’t resist the overall patriotic appeal that this song Blood Of The Nations stands for.

Kill The Pain is a strong Metal… ballad. You read that correctly, ACCEPT has created a killer of a ballad, with 0% plastic sappiness, just stark reality of missing someone that is dearly lost. The guitar solo which ends Kill The Pain resonates with the emotion of this songs lyrics. Kill The Pain brings that moment during this ACCEPT album where I can come down from my Metal psyche-out high. All the while I can still enjoy an incredibly arranged song that showcases Mark Tornillo’s vocal diversity.

The overall Metal sensory experience can truly be better described by listening to these songs on Blood Of The Nations for yourself. Just when I think the Metal exhilaration running through my veins will subside… another song begins on this album that maintains the psyche-out level to a maximum level. ACCEPT has been resurrected and their Metal is dominating on Blood Of The Nations. ACCEPT has returned and ACCEPT has fortified my Metal soul once again.

Teutonic Terror has Mark Tornillo singing his lungs out. Mark comes across on this song as if it’s his personal favorite. Is it? I don’t know for sure. This is the ACCEPT lead vocalist now and I’m digging every syllable Mark Tornillo belts out. Do I miss the ultra Metal legend Udo Dirkschneider? Of course I do, I would be sadly mistaken if I didn’t. With the way life constantly intertwines and develops new paths to navigate, people move on and take their own journey. UDO has taken his solo Metal journey and I have and forever shall support him. I can only admire and applaud the loyalty to the cause of Metal that Udo Dirkschneider has exhibited throughout his historically fantastic Metal career.

This isn’t an album that needs to “sit with me” in order to figure out it’s Metal domination factor.

As with so many bands that are still touring and/or recording today, ACCEPT is a Metal franchise. Their name is branded in the Metal hearts, souls and minds of countless Metalheads the world over. Regardless of having a new lead vocalist, if you are going to maintain consistency, having founding and long-time members of a band only adds to the credibility and legitimacy of the music. If a band is going to have a new lead vocalist, he/she better be good and symbolize the true identity and sound of that bands career. Mark Tornillo is damn good. Wolf Hoffmann, Peter Baltes and their band ACCEPT have returned in a most amazingly formidable way, maintaining the Metal sound and style that solidifies this band as… legendary.

ACCEPT:

Mark Tornillo – vocals

Wolf Hoffmann – guitar

Peter Baltes – bass

Frank Herman – guitar

Stefan Schwarzmann – drums

All music & lyrics by: Baltes, Hoffmann and Tornillo*

* Rolling Thunder – music & lyrics by Frank & Tornillo

Track Listing For Blood Of The Nations:

Beat The Bastards

Teutonic Terror

The Abyss

Blood Of The Nations

Shades Of Death

Locked And Loaded

Time Machine – (bonus track)

Kill The Pain

Rolling Thunder

Pandemic

New World Comin’

No Shelter

Bucket Full Of Hate

LONG LIVE ACCEPT!

Stone.

7 Comments »

ACCEPT “BLOOD OF THE NATIONS” – 2 DAYS TO GO UNTIL IT’S U.S. RELEASE! SOME METAL THOUGHTS…

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, accept, accept blood of the nations, accept heavy metal band, blood of the nations album, hard rock music, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, rock music, rock music news, the abyss song, wolf hoffman guitarist on September 12, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ACCEPT – Their back. With a new lead vocalist in Mark Tornillo. Wolf Hoffman and Herman Frank are the guitar duo with Peter Baltes on bass and Stefan Schwarzmann on drums. This is ACCEPT 2010… and I can’t wait to get my ears melted by the scorching Metal that Blood Of The Nations is about.

I’m feeling quite confident that Blood Of The Nations will be a great listen. Why? Well, I entrust in the words from Metal Odyssey’s correspondent Scott Coverdale… who has stated today: “Blood Of The Nations is a strong contender for Metal Album Of The Year“. Scott Coverdale goes on to say: “Regardless of where you purchase your CD’s, be it f.y.e., Best Buy, Target, Walmart or an independent mom/pop record store, if they aren’t carrying Blood Of The Nations… demand it!

Scott Coverdale continues to say: “This album is definately the heaviest album that Accept has ever recorded. I would even say it is a bit faster and heavier than Restless & Wild. For all those who are skeptical of Mark Tornillo being able to fill an UDO-less Accept, you will definately be pleasantly surprised, almost to the point you’ll like his vocals better… in my opinion. Producer Andy Sneap is a genuis”.

Stone’s thoughts: Wow. Now, for the Metal record, I am an UDO advocate, one who feels strongly that his vocals are the signature of this legendary band we have known and embraced as ACCEPT over the decades. Scott Coverdale has his Metal opinion and he is very much entitled to it, just like anyone else. Indeed, with an “UDO-less” ACCEPT, there will be a huge void to fill in the vocals department, certainly. I have listened to just one song from this new ACCEPT album – The Abyss. I have been Metal impressed by this song since I first heard it, dating back to May 3rd, 2010. The band sounds 100% Metal potent, with Mark Tornillo’s vocals sounding just super to my ears. If anything, while listening to The Abyss, I hear a “touch” of UDO in Mark’s vocals. Is it just me? I don’t know. Still, Mark Tornillo is a unique vocalist, a veteran front-man and comes with plenty of Metal credibility.

Coverdale has already listened to this new ACCEPT album quite a few times now… and he is Metal thrilled to say the least. I look forward to giving my Metal insight/review on this new ACCEPT album in the very near future.

* Producer for Blood Of Nations, Andy Sneap, has woven his legendary Metal career working with the likes of: Megadeth, Exodus, Testament, Blaze Bayley, Arch Enemy and Onslaught… just to name more than a few.

* Legendary ACCEPT guitarist Wolf Hoffman is credited as being the photographer for the front cover image on Blood Of The Nations.

ACCEPT – Blood Of The Nations releases on September 14, 2010 in the U.S. on Nuclear Blast.

* For more info on ACCEPT, just click on the really cool links below:

ACCEPT – Official Website

ACCEPT – myspace music page

* Century Media Records online (aka) CM Distro is a site where you can buy ACCEPT – Blood Of The Nations. Just click right here to get it: Century Media Records/CM Distro

ACCEPT vocalist Mark Tornillo has made his mark in Metal History with New York/New Jersey’s Heavy Metal/Power Metal ambassadors – TT Quick.

* For more info on TT QUICK, click here: TT QUICK – myspace music

* In case you missed it on Metal Odyssey back on May 3rd, 2010, check out the post which featured the still video/song for The Abyss, from Blood Of The Nations. Just click on the big and luring link below and you can listen to The Abyss:

ACCEPT – “THE ABYSS” FROM “BLOOD OF THE NATIONS” ALBUM – HERE IT NOW! PLUS MORE ACCEPT INFO!

Blood Of The Nations – Track Listing:

Beat The Bastards

Teutonic Terror

The Abyss

Blood Of The Nations

Shades Of Death

Locked And Loaded

Time Machine (North American Bonus Track)

Kill The Pain

Rollin’ Thunder

Pandemic

New World Comin’

No Shelter

Bucketful Of Hate

LONG LIVE ACCEPT!

Stone.

7 Comments »

JUDAS PRIEST “METAL GODS” & PRIMAL FEAR COVER OF “METAL GODS” = UNREAL METAL GREATNESS!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal songs, metal odyssey, Music, power metal music, rock music, rock music news with tags 1980's heavy metal albums, british steel album 1980, greatest metal songs, hard rock music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, Judas Priest, metal gods song, metal is forever primal fear album, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, nwobhm, power metal bands, primal fear, ralf scheepers, Rob Halford, rock music, rock music news, the metal god on September 11, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

JUDAS PRIEST & PRIMAL FEAR – What do Judas Priest and Primal Fear have in Metal common, besides both being Metal Bands? METAL GODS. As I and so many countless others will attest, “nothing beats an original”… only Primal Fear covers the Judas Priest original – Metal Gods like they were put on this Earth to do so. Originally heard on the 1980 studio album from Judas Priest – British Steel, Metal Gods has been a lifetime favorite Metal song for me.

Hell, this British Steel album is downright Metal sacred and easily one of the greatest Metal albums ever created. I remember the first time I heard Metal Gods off of this British Steel album… whoa… whoa again. The British Steel album in and of itself is a thoroughbred classic Metal album for the ages… and Metal Gods catapults this reasoning of mine fifty fold.

I can recall, with Metal ease, listening to this one track on British Steel, that is Metal Gods, continuously. I would pick up the turntable needle and drop it back down at the beginning of this incredible song, each time it ended. Metal be thy name. It is the obvious and sheer muscularity of Metal, that this Judas Priest original of Metal Gods bestowed upon thine ears, which made me stand at attention in Metal awe so many years ago. This Judas Priest original still has that same Metal affect on me… and I don’t see it waning anytime soon.

The repeated opening riff throughout Metal Gods is like my very own psyche-out Metal stimulant that makes me feel really, really, good. I vividly remember looking up at my Judas Priest poster, which hung on my bedroom wall when I was a teen, while any Judas Priest album was being cranked up by me. When Metal Gods was played at maximum volume, I would then proceed to play air guitar and bang thine head like an out of control Metal lovin’ maniac. Um, I guess I still do that when I listen to this song… so let it be Metal written, so let it be Metal done. (Only I don’t have a Judas Priest poster on my bedroom wall today… my Metal supporting wife won’t allow it and I do understand).

Being a futuristic look into the unravelling of mankind’s involvement into the “dabbling” and experimenting with the science of robotics, Metal Gods is a song about robotic creatures/machines known as… Metal Gods. These Metal Gods taking control of their surroundings and the very same people who created them, while mankind falls victim to their evil control, is the theme that this song gets across quite clearly. Not too far fetched in my Metal opinion. Who knows how advanced our technology will take us all eventually? Herculean robotic machines may very well be the norm some day in our future… and they could eventually get pissed off at us.

Yes, Rob Halford is the Metal God and I will never dispute that title he carries with Metal honor and pride. However, Ralf Scheepers is no cheap imitation of Rob Halford. Ralf can flat-out sing Metal. Ralf Scheepers… maybe a strong candidate for being the Power Metal God? Listening to the Primal Fear cover version of Metal Gods for the first time was like the second coming of when I first heard this prolifically immense song, so many years ago. Primal Fear could have “covered” Metal Gods or they could have covered it with F’n Metal Might. My Metal senses tell me… Primal Fear covered this Judas Priest classic with F’n Metal Might.

No one has to take my Metal word for it, that both the Metal Gods original and the Primal Fear cover verson are unreal Metal greatness. All you have to do is seek out these Metal songs for yourself and give ’em a Metal try. You can give me a Metal thank you later… after you realize Metal Gods is probably one of the greatest Metal songs ever written. For lifetime/veteran Metalheads out there… hopefully you understand my Metal reasoning and agree with my Metal thoughts on… Metal Gods. I have a funny feeling that many of you fellow Metalheads do understand.

Primal Fear – Metal Is Forever/The Very Best Of Primal Fear was released back on April 3, 2007, on Nuclear Blast. This is a double CD, with CD 1 containing 16 greatest hits and CD 2 containing 9 Metal Classics. The cover of Metal Gods is heard on Metal Classics. This double CD showcases just how fabulous this German Power Metal Band known as… Primal Fear was, is and forever shall be.

* For more info on Judas Priest, click here: JUDAS PRIEST

* For more info on Primal Fear, click here: PRIMAL FEAR – Official Website

LONG LIVE JUDAS PRIEST AND PRIMAL FEAR!

Stone.

5 Comments »

VALIENT THORR “STRANGER” – A FUNTASTIC, ROCKIN’, THRASHIN’, METAL MASHIN’ OLD SCHOOL METAL BASH!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags hard rock music, heavy metal 2010, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, nwobhm, old school heavy metal, rock music, rock music news, stranger album review, thrash metal music, valient himself, valient thorr, valient thorr stranger album on September 10, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

VALIENT THORR – One look at the above headline for this Valient Thorr – Stranger album pretty much says it all. Or does it? Well, the headline probably could suffice with most Old School Metalheads who don’t give a crap about details… an album is supposed to just deliver the Heavy Music goods and be done with it. Have no fear fellow Metalheads, party freaks, moshers, space travelers, Punks, Thrashers and Old Schoolers… Valient Thorr does deliver something for all of you with Stranger. This is Valient Thorr’s fifth album in seven years, releasing September 14th on Volcom Entertainment. With nearly 250 shows a year for most of this run, touring with everyone from Motorhead to Joan Jett, Valient Thorr has certainly proven they are a knuckles pounding the pavement, no bullshit band with those numbers.

Years ago, I mean decades ago, when the cool word floating around was “crossover”, with bands such as D.R.I. and M.O.D. and to an extent Anthrax, they were taking a little bit of every Hard & Heavy genre out there and incorporating it into their very own sound. Valient Thorr doesn’t just have shades and influences of just about every cool music genre in the history of modern day Rock ‘N’ Roll. This Universe exploring band is potently stocked with all of the hell raising, fist pumping, shot-gun beer swilling and garbage can kicking qualities one could only wish for… and then some. Valient Thorr knows how to play some kick ass music.

Is it appropriate for me to state that Valient Thorr has created a “funtastic” album with Stranger? You bet it is. You see, as I listen to the music, (lyrics aside), of Valient Thorr, it makes me feel like jumping right into this album and being a part of the whole damn scene that is going on within these songs. Lyrically, these songs are not just about chugging down a beer and playing darts. Valient Thorr has something to say and they are more than psyched-out to get their point across.

Escapism is a necessity for me and I seek it out through music, through Rock ‘N’ Roll, um, Metal. Hitching a ride on the escapism Space Shuttle that Valient Thorr is navigating is one hell of a trip. I’m the kind of guy that doesn’t need his steak “cooked to perfection”, in other words, I sometimes like ’em raw. Valient Thorr is spreading their raw talent and raw sound across this globe for good reason… to one day hopefully make all those Kidz Bop CD’s disintegrate into millions of pieces, from the sheer presence of this band’s musical existence.

Plus, Valient Thorr is no slouch band either, fans of Heavy Music will either connect with their sound or run for cover. If running for cover is the option one chooses, then they should make sure to bring along a case of laxatives with them… cause they are obviously chronically constipated. Gillionaire is a wake up call to the materialistic morons of Planet Earth and I can only second Valient Thorr’s strong and resounding message they convey here. Oh, yeah… Gillionaire Rocks with plenty of pent-up attitude and blue collar angst that makes the vibe thrive, through every note.

Sleeper Awakes is even more attitude laced with gang vocals aplenty and scorching guitar leads, with a searing guitar solo that fortifies my hunger for… Metal. Disappearer mixes some speed, speed and more speed with it’s overall… speed. Metal be thy name does Disappearer grab my damn attention and smacks it senseless. Double Crossed has some wholesome Old School rhythm and does not shy away from being guitar friendly. Riffs and solos abound on Double Crossed that semi-convinced me it was 1984 all over again. “You will pay, I’ve just been double crossed” might very well be my #1 Metal chorus of 2010… and beyond.

The more I listen to Stranger, the more I wonder if the members of Valient Thorr were born on Planet Lemmy Kilmister. Why I think that you query? It’s the I don’t give a shit – take our Rock ‘N’ Roll or bust attitude that Valient Thorr radiates so, um, eloquently. Sudden Death Is Nothing is kinda easy for me to point at and declare as my favorite song on Stranger. Whoa… it’s the blitz of Thrash that races unapologetically straight into my ears, that makes Sudden Death Is Nothing so damn memorable.

Woman In The Woods is for all Metal intents and purposes… eerie… and I like that. The guitar tones and even the tempo shifts are haunting. Is there really anything that Valient Thorr doesn’t experiment with musically? Maybe Kidz Bop. “Vision Quest” is relevant Metal, while also being a reminder that Old School Metal never dies. I catch onto some late 80’s Anthrax vibration while listening to “Vision Quest” and “Habituary”, both with the Metal, gang vocals and vocals of Valient Himself.

It would be a dream come true to have Valient Thorr play at one or both of my daughters weddings someday. Hell, it would be the best damn music to ever invade my ears at a wedding for Metal sakes. Throw in the Metal fact this band is just down right contagious, with their free spirited attitude towards Heavy Music and yes Virginia… there is a Thorrior Claus. Valient Thorr would tear the roof off of a wedding hall and I would want to be there to witness it. Um, I wouldn’t want to pay for the damage though.

One final song to mention, “Future Humans” might be a spine-chilling look into the future of mankind, regardless, this song freakin’ Rocks like there is no weekend, um, I mean tomorrow. It’s the thunder stomping beat and guitar driven nature of “Future Humans”, that makes me want to jump up and down on the hood of a pristine limousine, parked outside of a five-star restaurant. Metal be thy name.

Valient Thorr is a band that is difficult not to admire and gravitate to. They are a gritty working man’s Heavy Music band that should really gain some major Metal momentum with the release of Stranger on September 14th. Fans of NWOBHM, Old School/Traditional Metal, Hard Rock and well… any Metal, should hopefully dig Valient Thorr like I do. This band already has some fiery momentum happening already, it’s just the thought of them gaining legions more Thorriors worldwide and galaxy wide that makes me sleep better at night. I’m now a Thorrior… and it serves me right.

VALIENT THORR:

Valient Himself – vocals

Eidan Thorr – guitars

Nitewolf – bass

Sadat Thorr – guitars

Lucian Thorr – drums & percussion

* Stranger is set to release on September 14, 2010, on Volcom Entertainment.

* Stranger is produced, recorded and mixed by Jack Endino.

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

VALIENT THORR – myspace music

VALIENT THORR – Official Website

Track Listing For Valient Thorr – Stranger:

Gillionaire

Sleeper Awakes

Disappearer

Double Crossed

Night Terrors

Sudden Death Is Nothing

Woman In The Woods

Vision Quest

Habituary

The Recognition

Without Hope, Without Fear

Future Humans

Thorriors Of The Galaxy Assemble!

Stone.

2 Comments »

THE NEW CZARS “DOOMSDAY REVOLUTION” – AN INDUSTRIOUS & CREATIVE APPROACH TO ROCK MUSIC DIVERSITY

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags Alice cooper, alternative metal music, doomsday revolution album, doomsday revolution album review, greg hampton musician, hard rock bands 2010, hard rock music, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal music, industrial metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, modern metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, the new czars on September 8, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

THE NEW CZARS – Releasing on September 14, 2010, on Samson Records, is Doomsday Revolution, the debut album from The New Czars, which electrifies with an approach to making diverse and Heavy Music coexist together. To say that Doomsday Revolution is a storm cloud of Modern Rock/Hard Rock can be another way to describe this album. When a new Hard Rock or Heavy Metal band dares to be original, it’s like an anomaly these days. Doomsday Revolution does mix it up well with moments of Hard, Heavy and Industrial Rock. The New Czars take their mixed bag of music experience and do deliver a debut album that steers away from any same old mentality.

The New Czars do dare and succeed to set themselves away from the rest of the pack and that alone deserves a hell raising horns to the air. Regardless if The New Czars are a new band unto the world of Heavy Music, these are seasoned and talented musicians all the same. Greg Hampton, is no stranger to the Rock Music industry. Greg is the lead vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, lyricist and producer for Doomsday Revolution and he comes packing with impressive Rock ‘N’ Roll credentials. With wearing so many “hats” in getting this album to it’s final pressing, I can only marvel at the true spirit of Rock ‘N’ Roll Greg Hampton possesses.

Greg Hampton was a lead guitarist and songwriter for Alice Cooper’s concept album Along Came A Spider, as well as playing bass and keyboards amongst a variety of other things, on this macabre masterpiece from 2008. Greg also co-produced, mixed and played various instruments on Lita Ford’s 2009 comeback album – Wicked Wonderland. Greg, as with his band mates Paul Ill (bass) and David “Chilli” Moreno (drums), sound as if they have been doing this gig together for quite some time… only this is their debut album and three is not a crowd.

Let’s throw in the fact that a Rock Music legend, the likes of Adrian Belew of King Crimson fame, lends contributions to Doomsday Revolution on guitar and the credibility factor and peer respect for The New Czars only becomes more admirably real. It’s the blue collar and do-it-yourself Rock musicians that give rise to and/or expand on a non-trendy sound and vision, in which they want to share with the rest of the Rock community. Greg and his band The New Czars are doing just that with Doomsday Revolution, without any flirtation with the flavor of the month society.

Doomsday Revolution unwraps it’s heavy side with the Industrial edginess from Keep On Goin’. The hardened vocals and guitar licks of Greg Hampton simultaneously keeps this song moving at an addicting tempo. If this opening track is any indication of the music prowess that The New Czars are intending on releasing unto thine ears… then one best get ready. There are so many more muscular riffs, leads and solos to follow from Greg’s guitar throughout this album. No song style on Doomsday Revolution is immune from the imagination of his guitar playing. Confessions takes right over where keep on goin’ left off, with an almost maddeningly loud vibe that rises from this song. I envision a full scale implosion of my decades old stereo speakers, at any moment, while this song is being cranked to high.

The New Czars are not all about full-throttle and face to the pavement heaviness on Doomsday Revolution. Why Do U Have 2 Lie exhibits Greg Hampton vocally toning things down, amidst a mid-tempo Hard Rock swirl of sound. The old adage of “less is more” holds true with the lyrics of Why Do U Have 2 Lie, showing lyrics can be emotional and smart by not saying too much. Time Stops is an unexpected surprise on this album. Another mid-tempo ballad, Greg Hampton proves he can croon with a David Coverdale like accessibility. Melodic and hooky, Time Stops also incorporates a sitar for some Eastern World ambiance. The guitar solo more than helps Time Stops to stray away from feeling like a ballad, which is just another amazing musical element to an already amazing song.

Don’t Watch Me showcases some exemplary drumming from David “Chilli” Moreno, with spastic drum fills that coincide perfectly to this song’s anxiety filled lyrics. Greg Hampton let’s it all loose vocally, making Don’t Watch Me sound as an angst filled memoir from a paranoid soul. What separates Greg Hampton from being just another Heavy Music vocalist is his ability to adapt to a song’s theme, turning on and off degrees of emotion in his voice, in such a fantastic way it’s borderline uncanny.

The title track, Doomsday Revolution takes no prisoners with it’s Hard and Heavy Industrial mayhem, which comes across as The New Czars answer to their version of an anthem. Trust me, the chorus on Doomsday Revolution alone is enough to get the adrenaline pumping up the psyche-out meter. Only Dreaming is another ballad stopover, this time around the tempo is slow and unsuspectingly alluring. Greg Hampton could very well shun off the Hard Rock & Metal Gods and make his fortune as an unplugged crooner… only this is a musician who seems to revel in his Rock ‘N’ Roll diversity more than anything else and revel he should.

With 16 songs to digest on Doomsday Revolution, there are no dull moments. How could there be with such a fortified stack of diverse songs such as this? Be it Industrial, Rock, Hard Rock or slivers of Traditional Metal, you will hear it on this album. Just don’t stray too far away… for the Alternative and Electronica bug will be poking you on the back from the likes of Funky Detour. Yes… there is a “Funky” vibe happening within this song that sneaks and swirls it’s way through with subtle ease.

Obviously, I walk away with the impression that Greg Hampton strategically sandwiched himself between two skillful and time tested players in bass guitarist Paul Ill and drummer David “Chilli” Moreno. As it is in the world of professional sports teams… your only as good as your players and The New Czars have come to play.

I can’t resist to mention, that to my Metal ears, I can hear somewhat of an Ian Gillian poise and swagger in the vocals of Greg Hampton. A personal interpretation to the fullest extent of course, so convict me for being a lifelong fan of quality Rock vocalists and hearing what I do. I conclude, that after several thorough listens to Doomsday Revolution, I feel compelled to put Greg Hampton on the list of today’s current quality vocalists. To overlook Greg’s guitar play would be a travesty… really, he is that good.

If ever there was a surefire flag bearer for Music Appreciation 101, then it is Greg Hampton and his band The New Czars. Don’t be afraid to take chances, is what we are all taught from an early age. Greg Hampton has taken many very cool chances with Doomsday Revolution and from the sounds of it, he has come away unscathed. The totality of musicianship from The New Czars Greg Hampton, David “Chilli” Moreno and Paul Ill have left an undeniable impression on my ears, an impression that won’t evaporate for me anytime soon.

Fans of Industrial Rock/Hard Rock, Progressive Rock genres and Modern Hard Rock/Metal should strongly consider picking up Doomsday Revolution. Guitar enthusiasts are urged to take an earful of what Greg Hampton is playing on this album. Old School Metalheads who are looking for an alternative to single-based genres should be forewarned: you might just get hooked on what this album is all about.

* For more info on The New Czars, just click on the link below:

THE NEW CZARS – myspace music

From left to right: Paul Ill, Greg Hampton and David “Chilli” Moreno.

The New Czars:

Greg Hampton – vocals & guitar

Paul Ill – bass

David “Chilli” Moreno – drums

* Adrian Belew (King Crimson) – contributing guitarist & Rock legend

Track Listing For Doomsday Revolution:

keep on goin’

confessions

desperate

why do u have 2 lie

don’t watch Me

Time stops

brush with the devil

so sure

abstract prague

crashed

doomsday revolution

only dreaming

Tell Me

had 2 do it

funky detour

crotch critters

THE NEW CZARS… A WHOLE NEW BREED OF ROCK.

Stone.

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