The cover artwork for MUNICIPAL WASTE’s fifth studio album – due out in North America on April 10th and in Europe on April 13th – was created by Justin Osbourn of Slasher Design.
Tony Foresta – Vocals
Ryan Waste – Guitar
Land Phil – Bass
Dave Witte – Drums
(Source: Nuclear Blast News)
* For more info on MUNICIPAL WASTE, click on the links below:
http://www.facebook.com/municipalwaste
LONG LIVE MUNICIPAL WASTE.
Stone.
2012-02-10 – German Thrash Metal legends KREATOR just revealed cover art of the bands highly anticipated new album Phantom Antichrist. The piece has been created by iconic artworker Wes Benscoter who has worked for heavyweights such as SLAYER, DIO and BLACK SABBATH before.
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Phantom Antichrist marks the band’s debut for Nuclear Blast and is set to be released June 1, 2012 (Europe), June 5, 2012 (North America)! The album is currently being produced at the famous Fascination Street Studio with renowned producer Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA, SOILWORK, DEVIN TOWNSEND, AMON AMARTH) in Örebro, Sweden.
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As announced earlier, KREATOR will also release an exclusive 7“ single of the title song on April 20, 2012. The collector’s item will be available in coloured red vinyl (limited to 250 pieces) as well as in clear vinyl (limited to 250 pieces), exclusively available at the Nuclear Blast Mailorder.
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KREATOR will exclusively perform a new song during their shows at this years METALFEST open air events!
Keep your eyes and ears open – more info coming soon!
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(Source: Nuclear Blast News)
* For more info on KREATOR, click on the link below:
Kreator – terrorzone – Official Kreator Website
LONG LIVE KREATOR.
Stone.
It’s not everyday when I can witness three legendary Metal bands share the same stage… anywhere. As Anthrax being one-quarter of the The Big 4, along with Testament and Death Angel being pioneers of Thrash Metal in their own right, The Crocodile Rock Cafe in Allentown, Pennsylvania, surely did play host to quite the Metal historic group on February 6th, 2012. Thrash Metal history 101 was in session on this night and after all my years of loyalty to these bands, I was still… the student.
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Once you begin naming off the musicians from these bands, any tried and true Metalhead from the University of Old School will agree when I use the following words to describe these three bands: genre defining, influential, groundbreaking and resilient. With Joey Vera (Armored Saint) filling-in for Frank Bello on bass and Gene Hoglan aka “The Atomic Clock” (Testament, Dark Angel, Death, Fear Factory, Dethklok, Strapping Young Lad) doing his legendary part on drums for fellow legend Charlie Benante and the result was Anthrax being in the most ultra capable of Metal hands with the rhythm section. Hell yeah.
I was ecstatic to finally solidify plans to attend this concert, alongside fellow Metal buddies Danielle and Lee. They drove down from Bangor, Pennsylvania to pick up my Metal lovin’ butt and head straight to The Crock Rock. They both had purchased tickets to this Thrash event a couple of weeks prior, while my ticket was on hold after I phoned in my payment the day of the show. Off we went, with Danielle at the wheel, while all three of us shared our mutual excitement for the impending night of Thrash Metal glory that awaited us.
Left: Gene Hoglan (Legendary Drummer), Right: A Happy Stone! Hell, it isn’t everyday I run into Gene Hoglan on the street. Metal be thy name and hell yeah!
Gene Hoglan is a class act.
As we approached The Crock Rock, it was obvious this was not your average show happening on this night… the multi-numerous fans were lined up on the sidewalk and waiting civilly to enter the venue in the semi-cold, early evening air. Denim decorated with band patches. Leather. Concert tees. Bandanas. This was the fashion that adorned these fans as they stood there and I felt like Danielle, Lee and myself were going home where we belonged. Within moments the three dollar parking fee was paid and Danielle had backed into our “front row” parking space… right up against the tour buses for Testament and Death Angel. Metal be thy name.
While parked, Lee and I each had a ceremonial beer, while Danielle opted for a hard lemonade named after some dude called “Jack”. Time was of the Metal essence for we all wanted to catch Death Angel’s set. It didn’t take long for us to get into the line of Thrash devotees, all moving single-file, into one direction, a destination which echoed the blissful sound of live Death Angel Thrash. Once inside, the three of us didn’t even have to say it… for we felt it… we were home, where we belonged.
Left: Damien Sisson (bassist) of Death Angel, Right: You Guessed It.
Very friendly and much the conversationist, Death Angel bass wizard Damien cordially gave Danielle, Lee and I at least an hour of his time, well after the show ended. He admires the multi-musicianship of Prince and wouldn’t mind being the “Gene Hoglan of bass guitarists” someday. As we talked back and forth, the four of us shared more laughs than I could count!
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Damien picks up a booty of diverse Metal on vinyl while touring overseas and loves dropping that turntable needle down for that analog listening experience. Damien revealed there are four songs nearly done for the next Death Angel album, which he thinks will be released in either January of 2013 or sometime thereafter. Just a fun encounter we experienced with Damien.
Damien Sisson is another… class act.
Death Angel were incredible, seeing and hearing them in a club setting was damn perfect and they played like the Thrash Metal professionals they are famously known for. Mark Osegueda sounded unreal on vocals, a live performer that takes command of the stage and song. I love my Death Angel studio albums, only experiencing a live Death Angel set is nothing short of amazing. Hell, while I’m at it, the same can be said for Anthrax and Testament as well. As I stood there with my head beginning to bang harder and harder to the Thrash wall-of-sound, I’m smirking, realizing that Death Angel is just the beginning of this F’n night of F’n Thrash blitz!
The stage presence of Chuck Billy is something to behold. Chuck Billy is a warrior of both Metal and life. If there ever was a Metal legend that I look up to, it’s Chuck Billy. His battling and surviving the bitch known as cancer, along with leading Testament into a Thrash comeback of the century, while sounding more powerful than ever vocally, has me looking upon him with the utmost Metal respect.
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When Testament broke loose into More Than Meets The Eye, the intro vocal chant led from Chuck Billy speared into my Metal soul and delivered unto me that ultimate Metal moment… when exhilaration goes out of control within my senses and I’m feeling that Metal bliss. What an F’n band Testament is live. What an F’n band Testament is period. Holy shit they blew me away. Practice What You Preach. Into The Pit. ‘Nuff said. Damn right.
Anthrax came onto the stage and made an already Metal Thrashing Mad crowd even more Metal Thrashing Mad. Hell, the place went F’n nuts when Anthrax took the stage. F’n nuts. Please note, this was as packed a house as it gets at The Crock Rock, elbow-to-elbow and physical space at an F’n premium. I made my way to the side of the stage, with Metal buddy Lee clearing the way in legendary form. We both were in arm’s length of each member of Anthrax, as they went by us to dominate the stage. Whoa and Metal Mother of Mary.
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To say I was like a kid again, as Anthrax kicked out such songs as Fight ‘Em ‘Till You Can’t and Antisocial is a gross understatement. Metal as my witness, I never dreamt I would see Joey Belladonna front Anthrax again, let alone see Joey front Anthrax live at The Crock Rock. For Anthrax to even be doing a club tour is testimonial to their devotion to both their fans and the Metal they created. To share their legacy of Thrash, on an intimate live level like they are doing, makes me realize that Anthrax has truly kept it F’n real, after all these decades.
Metal Buddy Lee
Metal Buddy Lee caught up with Joey Belladonna at the end of the night. I was on the other side of the block… damn. Anyways, Lee’s encounter with Joey was nothing short of positive and memorable. Joey signed both Danielle and Lee’s concert ticket stubs. Ready for this? Lee gave me his signed ticket stub. Whoa. That’s why Lee is… a Metal Buddy! Whoa again.
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Yes, Joey Belladonna was spot-on with his vocals and Anthrax kept their set moving at hyper-speed. Scott Ian and the boys were controlling the Metal mass at The Crock Rock and everyone in attendance became anointed by the gospel according to Anthrax. Lee and I made certain to keep ourselves moving, attempting many times to start a pit of our own far from the stage. We deliberately began knocking into a few unsuspecting fans, these same fans who seemed rather disturbed that we were actually having an F’n good time. Others looked upon us with old school approval. Lee and I didn’t give a rats ass either way.
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As a Metal sidenote, I did bump into Testament bassist Greg Christian after the show. He was tired and enjoying a cigarette in the night air before calling it a day. Greg and I shared our complimentary thoughts for Chuck Billy, I then thanked Greg for the memorable Metal night and headed on my way. Meeting up with Greg was an unexpected surprise and he is another Metal class act to add to my long list.
This was an epic night of Thrash Metal. Old School Thrash. Thrash up your ass. Metal Thrashing Mad. We were all at home on this night of vintage Thrash at The Crock Rock… it’s where we belonged.
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* For more band info, click on the links below:
DEATH ANGEL – Official Website
Gene Hoglan – Hoglan Industries.com
LONG LIVE ANTHRAX.
LONG LIVE TESTAMENT.
LONG LIVE DEATH ANGEL.
Stone.
New Jersey Thrash act ELIMINATOR are confirmed for 2 regional shows in the area. The band is excited to finally hit the road again, and their all-out Thrash assault should not be missed. The band has also announced that their new bassist will be Menschen Hasser, and their new touring drummer for the time being will be Jerry Bakman (who will be filling in while Samus of Decrepit Birth is up in Canada).
ELIMINATOR also has a new website. Go shred with the band over at www.eliminatorthrash.com.
Warchild, the brainchild of ELIMINATOR has also written his first book entitled “Open Your Eyes: Choose Silence”, which can be found on the band’s new website, along with some new t-shirts: http://www.eliminatorthrash.com/#!merchandise
The content of the book focuses on nihilistic themes in the aphoristic tradition of Friedrich Nietzsche. The second half of the book contains a lot of poetry, ranging in a wide variety of topics from love to religion.
(Source: Team All About The Music – Publicity, Management, A&R)
LONG LIVE ELIMINATOR.
Stone.
DERIDE has been lurking around for well over a decade by now, making their first appearance in the summer of 1995.
The band released a self-titled EP as well as a 3 track demo tape before releasing the first album “Scars Of Time” in 2001 and the successor “First Round Knockout” in 2003.
After a break the band is now back with a new kick-ass lineup: Founding members Ole Walaunet (guitars) and Kjetil Greve (drums) were joined by vocalist Per Helge Lande and bassist Tony Vetas.
DERIDE’s new album “The Void” is scheduled to be released on April 27, 2012 via Massacre Records!
Per Helge Lande – Vocals
Ole Walaunet – Guitars
Tony Vetaas – Bass & Vocals
Kjetil Greve – Drums
* For more info on DERIDE, click on the links below:
http://www.myspace.com/deridebergen
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Deride/286775824189
http://www.massacre-records.com
LONG LIVE DERIDE.
Stone.
I’m not going to tip-toe around the Metal bush here. I am revealing what has kicked my Metal lovin’ ass recently to the world. Enjoy:
Last night, (February 6th), I took in the Anthrax, Testament & Death Angel show at The Crocodile Rock Cafe, in Metal enriched Allentown, Pennsylvania. These three legendary Metal bands kicked my Metal lovin’ ass into submission. I was joined by Metal buddies Danielle and Lee for this show and the three of us can agree about last evening’s Metal experience with these words: Good Metal times. I will be writing in more Metal detail, just how fun and Metal Thrashin’ Mad the night really was, within the next few days. There’s a couple of cool pics from this Metal experience too.
REVOCATION released Chaos Of Forms back on August 16th, 2011 via Relapse Records and it has served me Metal right. Oh, yes, it has kicked my Metal lovin’ ass from top to bottom. If you are in desperate need of listening to a Thrash Metal album that is so damn intense with its vocal aggression, guitar driven bliss, bass pummeling and percussion pounding assault, then buy Chaos Of Forms and thank the Metal Gods that this band exists. Metal be thy name.
LONG LIVE METAL.
METAL IS THE LAW.
Stone.
METALLICA – This Beyond Magnetic four song EP (Warner Bros.) is Thrashing raw, rough, tough and minus Lou Reed. This is the way a Metallica album of any amount of songs should be like. The songs are a reminder that releasing demos or anything rough or close to, is not such a bad idea after all… especially if you are of the legendary status of Metallica. During those golden years of early 80’s Thrash Metal, when tape trading and 8-tracks were commonplace, hearing those subtle and not so subtle mistakes in vocals along with distortion was never the sign of the apocalypse.
Any old school fan of Motörhead and/or Venom realizes the true essence and magic of the unpolished sound versus the unnecessary polished and (gulp) over polished product. The same Metal school of thought holds 100% true for old school fans of Metallica as well. Or, should I dare say, pre-Black album fans of Metallica. What Metallica has given the fans of both yesterday and today, is an EP that re-establishes the truth that they can write and play Thrash Metal with the same enthusiasm and bad-to-the-bone attitude as they once did for Kill ‘Em All, Ride The Lightning and Master Of Puppets.
I’m not the first to think or state this, yet, can Beyond Magnetic be the olive branch that Metallica is holding out towards us fans who made them world-famous and rich in the first place? I’ve yet to meet or know personally, anyone who has actually rocked-out to Lulu and anyone out there who has, undoubtedly has an extensive ABBA library of vintage vinyl that psyches them out too. If Beyond Magnetic is the Thrashin’ olive branch that Metallica is handing out, then I’m taking such olive branch and saying to this iconic band: THANK YOU.
Has Metallica been forgiven by me for such an avant-garde move with Lulu? Frankly, any artist of any artform can create what they wish. However, when you are of the magnificent influence and fame that Metallica is, this band should realize by now that us old school fans who were with them from the onset have feelings too. We don’t appreciate having our Metal vibes messed with. Beyond Magnetic makes me feel like everything is okay again between me and Metallica. Sound strange? Not to me. Music of any genre can touch the soul in ways that is unexplainable to even overpaid lab scientists. Lulu is the equivalent of McDonalds serving french fries without salt and their hamburgers without buns. Lulu is equal to the beer industry only producing non-alcoholic product.
Beyond Magnetic is Metallica being, well, Metallica once again. I only chuckle when I see that Rick Rubin is credited as being the producer for Beyond Magnetic. What in the world was there for Rick Rubin to produce? Let’s be real. Sorry Rick Rubin, I wasn’t born in 1999. Once Metallica can shed the billion dollar club from getting their claws and names associated with their work, then Metallica will be giving us fans their best work yet. Death Magnetic was a fine Thrash Metal release, only the smooth and polished production that coated that album took away from the mystique of Metallica keeping it real.
If Beyond Magnetic is a “test” that Metallica has launched, then said test is a success to my ears and Metal soul. These guys know fully what the majority of their “loyal” fans want from them, when it comes to their brand of Thrash Metal. Please Metallica, shed away those “fair weather” fans of yours and realize that you can release your next two or three studio albums being this raw, rough and F’n tough.
I am one of those fans of Metallica that can’t afford million dollar works of fine art. Oh, Metallica, let your billion dollar Hollywood fan club and disloyal post-Black album fanbase come to grips that you are truly the kick-ass and defiant band of Metalhead musicians you once were when it all first started. Beyond Magnetic is your stepping stone, Metallica, to waving goodbye to the kowtowing to that elitist establishment that we true Metalheads are not welcomed by. Thank you again, Metallica, for remembering that old school Thrash Metal will never say die. Metal be thy name.
BEYOND MAGNETIC – Track Listing:
Hate Train
Just A Bullet Away
Hell And Back
Rebel Of Babylon
* For more info on METALLICA, click on the link below:
LONG LIVE METALLICA.
Stone.
BACKSLIDER / NIMBUS TERRIFIX – Releasing on May 17th, 2011, is Backslider / Nimbus Terrifix (Split) via Give Praise. Backslider is a two-man Grindcore/Hardcore force originating from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Nimbus Terrifix is a Technical Hardcore outfit that calls Scranton, Pennsylvania: home base. In Metal preface, Backslider are representative of the future for Blastcore, while Nimbus Terrifix can set their sights on Hardcore notoriety, just as long as they remain so damn pissed off.
Both of these bands accentuate the raging noize and all things extreme about Metal. Listening to the split album from these two up and coming Hardcore bands is not something you want to do on the way to a “check-up” at the doctor’s office… both your blood pressure and heart rate will be increased while you are trying to feel if the skin has been ripped off your face. (I’m just kidding about the facial skin, then again, you never know).
No epics are in this genre of Metal. Nope. Just quick and obliterating Hardcore uppercuts to the chin that grind out frenzied drums, old school riffs and blunt force jabs of traumatizing vocals. You shall find no sanity in the punishing sounds that Backslider and Nimbus Terrifix dish out. In this world of Extreme Metal, song structures are obliterated into furious spasms of kick-to-the-teeth strikes and counter strikes that carry out one unified message: piss off mainstream.
Give yourself the gift of Hardcore this Spring and try out Backslider and Nimbus Terrifix… you might just find that the extreme punishment these two bands dish will have you asking for more. It’s just like putting your tongue on the terminals of a 9 volt battery, it shocks, it’s unpleasant and you still want more.
While I listen to both bands, I don’t know whether I want to break out or break in. Regardless, I realize that it was my own doing in opening up this can of extreme whoop-ass and I’ll open it again. In under twelve minutes, both bands combined to brutalize my senses and I’m alive to talk about it. It’s the unreal that I hear from both of these bands, that for all intents and purposes, makes it real to me. Metal be thy name.
Steady Diet of Vitriol
Sadistic Sack of Shit
Marrow Turns to Dust
Shallow Victory
Jerusalem Syndrome
Deadbeat
Roaches
Scranton Trinity
Broadcast Booth
* For more info on BACKSLIDER and NIMBUS TERRIFIX:
http://www.myspace.com/bsfastcore
http://www.myspace.com/nimbusterrifix
http://www.givepraiserecords.com
LONG LIVE BACKSLIDER and NIMBUS TERRIFIX.
Stone.
(Photo Credit: Jeremy Saffer)
New York, NY) — JAMEY JASTA of HATEBREED & KINGDOM OF SORROW will be releasing a solo record simply titled “JASTA” this summer on July 26th, 2011 via eOne Music. A record many years in the making, this is a very different project for Jasta. He explains in his own words in the video below.
WATCH THE VIDEO WITH SONG SAMPLES BY CLICKING THIS LINK: “JASTA” – Album Announcement Teaser!
A diverse variety of guest appearances can be found on this record. Tim Lambesis (AS I LAY DYING), pro skater Mike Vallely, Philip Labonte (ALL THAT REMAINS), Randy Blythe and Mark Morton (LAMB OF GOD) and Guitar God ZAKK WYLDE just to name a few.
JAMEY will be presenting and performing at this year’s REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARDS next week at the legendary Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
Jamey will be touring with KINGDOM OF SORROW this summer on the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. Visit Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival 2011 for ticket info, more information and breaking news.
(Source: eOne Music)
* For more info on Jamey Jasta, please visit:
Jamey Jasta – Official Twitter
LONG LIVE JAMEY JASTA.
Stone.
IWREASTLEDABEARONCE – An Avant-Garde Metal Band, they do not disappoint on the Extreme whatsoever. Just one listen to You Ain’t No Family will prove this point… very clearly. I always like wandering regularly, into the Extreme Metal side of the Universe. IWREASTLEDABEARONCE has caught my Metal attention and I really do not know how this band could become any heavier or more extreme. Is IWREASTLEDABEARONCE the future of Metal? In my Metal opinion, nope. However, this amazingly Extreme Metal Band is gonna make a run… at being at least a part of the future of Metal!
If you have neighbors that have been really annoying you lately, just turn the volume up very high on You Ain’t No Family, with the repeat button within reach, with your house windows up. This will make anyone aware instantly, that Extreme Metal exists and is not going away anytime soon!
I hope you enjoy this song and video of You Ain’t No Family as much as I do!
WARNING: This video and song is not meant for ABBA fans.
IWREASTLEDABEARONCE released their first full-length studio album – It’s All Happening on June 2, 2009, on Century Media Records. You Ain’t No Family is on this album. IWREASTLEDABEARONCE utilizes an array of music styles, from Metalcore to mellow interludes, only the end result is still the same… Extreme Metal. Avant-Garde, yes, only very Extreme!
LONG LIVE EXTREME METAL!
Stone.
ROB ZOMBIE IS BACK. HELLBILLY DELUXE 2 was released on February 2, 2010 on Roadrunner/Loud & Proud Records. If change was in the air, Rob Zombie has not smelled it. Rob Zombie has not even nibbled on the flavor of the month either. Thank the Metal Gods for the fact Rob Zombie has not undergone any self serving and self righteous soul searching with music. What Rob Zombie has created with Hellbilly Deluxe 2 is not the pre-packaged usualness of Heavy Metal. The funky heavy origins of White Zombie will always be hanging out in Rob Zombie’s albums… and why the hell not? Rob Zombie did have a valid Heavy Metal career before his name alone lit up the Metal marquees. Horror themed lyrics, funky grooves, sensational and at times bizarre sound effects, are once again the norm with Rob Zombie. Thank the Metal Gods for that.
If Rob Zombie were to come out with an album that featured acoustic ballads and songs that promoted saving the environment, I would most likely feel like the end was near for certain. Hey, string arrangements are heard on Hellbilly Deluxe 2, (courtesy of Tyler Bates), on The Man Who Laughs. This is the one song where each band member contributed to the writing of it’s music. The string arrangements are chilling, eerie and horror soundtrack material, what else would you expect? Rob Zombie makes any musical idea that comes to his Metal mind sound very cool, once it becomes a song. The percussion and drumming skills of Tommy Clufetos, creates a nightmarish image of one running away from whatever evil entity is chasing them, in my Metal interpretation. At 9:44, The Man Who Laughs is a Rob Zombie nightmare of an epic… which is a Metal compliment.
Werewolf Women Of The S.S. is about telling the truth behind Hitler’s diabolical plans to create a race of super women. Whoa. Now, that is subject matter that I would never, ever, in a million Metal years come up with myself! This is reason #1,000 as to why no one can touch the horrific and melancholic imagination of Rob Zombie. As a bonus, John 5 plays some shades of surf guitar that makes this song all the more surreal. Burn takes it to the Funk and Roll level, the kind of song you want to jump up and down to, in a dark field under a full moon. All Metal kidding aside, Burn really makes me feel like jumping up and down. Piggy D on bass and Tommy Clufetos on drums makes Burn thunder thump, like an invading band of gargantuan aliens from space, taking over a 1970’s disco.
Sick Bubblegum is Rob Zombie and his band accentuating their trademark heaviness with all of it’s non-stop and invitingly corrosive lyrics. This is Rob Zombie Heavy Metal… thank you Mr. Zombie for creating it. You have to look to the living legend of Horror Rock and Horror Metal himself, Alice Cooper, to get an understanding as to why this style of Heavy Metal is so non-negotiable. If you like, you buy and you listen. Rob Zombie has had no problems with people liking or buying over the years… shock and awe sells.
Throw in a clear fact that Rob Zombie has assembled an incredible band behind him… John 5 makes these songs scream Heavy Metal with his creative licks. Jesus Frankenstein is as hair raising as the title suggests, the haunting intro that has more darkness than a remote underground tunnel, John 5 lending a lead that seems to signal the apocalypse and an intermittent chorus of “All hail Jesus Frankenstein”, makes for the embodiment of Horror Heavy Metal legend.
Rob Zombie and John 5 are quite the dynamic Metal duo, I can literally hear the spontaneity that these two must bring to the recording studio, in these songs. (Rob Zombie and John 5 wrote each song, with the exception of The Man Who Laughs, as I noted above). This is Rob Zombie, Hellbilly Deluxe 2, with no artificial or superficial parts or extremities. This album is an eleven part Horror Film for my ears, with Heavy Metal that realistically carries it’s own weight with creativeness that Rocks and lyrics that shocks. Rob Zombie has returned once again… and that’s a sigh of Metal relief.
Stone.
* The sub-title of Hellbilly Deluxe 2 reads: Noble Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls And The Systematic Dehumanization Of Cool
* The liner notes of this CD are unreal great, they are vintage Rob Zombie, from the art and photography to the type fonts as well. Plus, these liner notes unfold to a large poster of Rob Zombie too! Perfect for framing and mounting on your dining room wall.
Track Listing For Hellbilly Deluxe 2:
Jesus Frankenstein
Sick Bubblegum
What?
Mars Needs Women
Werewolf Baby!
Virgin Witch
Death And Destiny Inside The Dream Factory
Burn
Cease To Exist
Werewolf Women Of The SS
The Man Who Laughs
Mercyful Fate released their first full length studio album, Melissa, back in October of 1983. I remember back then, a high school buddy of mine named rich, he had this album in his clutches as soon as it was released. Rich eventually asked me if I wanted to borrow this album and give it a thorough listen. Listen I did. Metal truth be told, this album spooked the hell out of me back then. Heck, it was 1983, how many bands were out there that sounded like Mercyful Fate with Kind Diamond’s vocals? I remember staring at this album cover, wondering to myself… I’ve been introduced to a band that is heavier than Judas Priest. In 1983, getting my Metal taste buds wet with Judas Priest and Black Sabbath was a big deal… Mercyful Fate just shook my Metal senses loose.
Quite honestly, I cannot recall which album I listened to first back in the day… Metallica’s Kill ‘Em All or Melissa. It doesn’t really matter. The Metal fact is clear, these albums changed the way I and countless others listened to Heavy Metal Music back then… period.
I appreciated Rich lending me Melissa back in 1983, he was a real deal Metalhead and a good dude. Fast forward to today, I have Melissa on CD, it is a staple in my collection, a true Metal Classic. Each time I listen to this album, I am blown away realizing Melissa is from 1983 and it still reigns with all the Metal fury it bestowed from it’s initial release. This was just the beginning for King Diamond… so much Metal history and total quality surrounds Melissa. I never hesitate to consider Melissa as one of the greatest Metal albums ever. If you never heard Mercyful Fate – Melissa before, don’t despair… it’s never too late to appreciate this album and song. Give Melissa a listen below and crank it LOUD!
Mercyful Fate, as they appeared on Melissa:
King Diamond – vocals
Hank Shermann – guitar
Michael Denner – guitar
Timi Hansen – bass guitar
Kim Ruzz – drums
LONG LIVE MERCYFUL FATE AND KING DIAMOND!
Charred Walls of the Damned released their self titled, debut album on February 2, 2010 on Metal Blade Records. Cutting to the Metal chase here, my ears are telling me Charred Walls of the Damned are not just a supergroup, they are an excellent Metal Band… period. There are many shades of Power Metal found within this debut album from Charred Walls of the Damned. How many dozens of American bred Power Metal Bands can you name? Europe outnumbers America in the Power Metal category, thus anytime a North American band even sounds remotely close to Power Metal, it peeks my Metal interest. That is why I am rather excited that founding member and drummer, Richard Christy, decided to embark on an Old School Speed Metal meets Power Metal adventure like this band. Shaking loose from the confines of The Howard Stern Show to create a legit and convincing Metal album is what Richard Christy has done. After listening to Charred Walls of the Damned several times, I’ve come to the Metal conclusion that Richard Christy could probably quit his day job. Then again, it’s not too shabby a gig, to be part of The Howard Stern Show either.
Richard Christy and Tim “Ripper” Owens played together as members of Iced Earth, from 2003 to 2004. Bass guitarist Steve Digiorgio has built his Metal legacy as a founding member of Sadus, while also playing for Death, Testament, Iced Earth and Autopsy… there are a few more, yet the Metal point is made here. Throw in the fact that Richard Christy was also the drummer for Death, from 1996 to 2001 and you have Metal credibility oozing from the Metal seams here. Legendary Metal producer Jason Suecof takes the helm on guitar and of course, producing Charred Walls of the Damned. It is in my sincerest Metal opinion, that Tim “Ripper” Owens does not have to look upon himself as ever being that other lead singer for Judas Priest… never again. Charred Walls of the Damned spotlights the Ripper’s vocals, while he clearly magnifies the power and emotion of each song with Metal conviction.
Truly, an album that has no dog for a song is rare during any era of Metal Music. Charred Walls of the Damned is just that album… from Ghost Town to Fear In The Sky, the unrelenting Metal assault that is unmistakably power charged, comes at you like an out of control heat seeking missile. Jason Suecof demonstrates his guitar appreciation with unreal great confidence and clarity. The Metal leads, riffs and solos rage throughout Charred Walls of the Damned, Jason Suecof can play. If I sound over zealous about this debut album, it’s that I’m only extremely psyched that these four Metal players have combined their skills and minds to deliver a quality Metal product.
Overall, these songs are built on speed, blended with the Power Metal vocals of Ripper and thunder struck by Steve Digiorgio on bass and Christy on drums. Charred Walls of the Damned teamed up to tinker with the traditional brilliance’s of Metal. Oh, did they tinker… the end result is the Metal parts are just as great as the Metal sum with their debut album. I really hope this is just the beginning of a long line of albums, from this “new” Metal Band they call – Charred Walls of the Damned.
For more about Charred Walls of the Damned, click here: Charred Walls of the Damned – myspace music page
CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED – Track Listing:
1. Ghost Town
2. From The Abyss
3. Creating Our Machine
4. Blood on Wood
5. In a World So Cruel
6. Manifestations
7. Voices Within the Walls
8. The Darkest Eyes
9. Fear in the Sky
Ravage is a Heavy Metal Band from Boston, (actually Malden), Massachusetts and is hell bent on keeping Classic Metal Music alive, loud and damn proud. Every song on this second album from Ravage, The End Of Tomorrow, (their Metal Blade Records debut, released on August 18, 2009), is writhing with Old School Heavy Metal influence. Ravage does a credible job at flexing their Metal muscles on each song, heavy, hard and speed are irreversible elements that dominate The End Of Tomorrow. No where is the Old School Heavy Metal influence more evident than in the cover of the Judas Priest classic – Nightcrawler. Ravage shows Judas Priest their deserved Metal respect by not ripping Nightcrawler to pieces with any unnecessary fills or excessiveness. A fabulous cover Ravage does with this song, Nightcrawler is a genius choice to add to their track list on this album, based on it’s creepy and dark theme.
I have found that, the more I listen to The End Of Tomorrow, the more I am being convinced that this album was released back around 1985. Alas, that is not such the Metal case… Ravage brings forth to 2009 the Heavy Metal song structures and ambiance of what I have come to expect from vintage Metal Church and early Judas Priest and Armored Saint albums, to name just a few Old Schoolers. After each listen to this album, it is very obvious that the members of Ravage have done their Classic Heavy Metal homework. Knowing and creating all of the heavy nuances of their influences only catapults quality and integrity, on an upmost consistent level throughout The End Of Tomorrow. The Halls Of Madness not only has a vintage Metal title, it also is quite the convincing Heavy Metal instrumental intro that brings back memories of early Helloween and Savatage, for me. There really is not a scapegoat song to point out on The End Of Tomorrow, all twelve songs have their own distinctive Metal bite, an album that I can hit play and let the Heavy Metal assault take it’s natural course. Excuse me for a Metal second as I proclaim The End Of Tomorrow as being a top favorite Heavy Metal album for me in 2009, in my Metal opinion. Ravage can play Heavy Metal… their original brand too… I would not tell a Metal lie.
Reign Fall lyrically expresses the ghastly imagery of what happens to those who cannot think for themselves, wasting away at the mercy of ones very own doing. Reign Fall, as well as every song on The End Of Tomorrow, is a throwback Metal feast of melodic speed crashing into riffs that are beyond run of the mill. Al Ravage reminds me thoroughly of a young Rob Halford, (Judas Priest), intertwined with a young Paul Dianno, (of early Iron Maiden). Hey, I am by no means putting Al Ravage in this heroic class of Heavy Metal vocalists… (not yet anyways), what I am pointing out is Al Ravage can sing Heavy Metal with marked influences and originality combined. Ravage knows they are Old School, using this phrase so much doing a review may sound very redundant, yet for any veteran fan of Heavy Metal from yesteryear, you know just how juicy it can get when a new album excretes all things good about the glory days of Metal… The End Of Tomorrow is an unleashed monster of what I am talking about here.
My other favorite songs on this album are: The Grapes Of Wrath, which takes a Heavy Metal swipe at all the idiot talking heads on television, these plastic morons get called out on the Metal carpet by Al Ravage here rather eloquently. Plus, The Grapes Of Wrath is authentically memorable for my Metal mind, I just cannot shake this song out of my senses. The Shredder is another manifestation of early Judas Priest influence, only it takes on it’s own Ravage originality… reminding me of the Judas Priest classic – The Ripper, only The Shredder is absolutely not a knock off or copy cat by any means. The End Of Tomorrow is one powerful way to conclude this album, fittingly the title song… lyrically doom laden, the end result is a reality check on the life we are leading and living now. The End Of Tomorrow has a Power Metal approach that echos of great Heavy Metal triumphs to come in the future for this killer “new” band they call Ravage.
Ravage, as they appear on The End Of Tomorrow:
Al Ravage on lead vocals
Eli Firicano on lead and rhythm guitars
Nick Izzo on lead and rhythm guitars
G.T.B. on drums
Howie Snow on bass
Track Listing for The End Of Tomorrow:
The Halls Of Madness
Reign Fall
Freedom Fighter
Damn Nation
The Shredder
Into The Shackles
In Shattered Dreams
The Nightmare’s Hold: Part One
Nightcrawler
The Nightmare’s Hold: Part Two
Grapes Of Wrath
The End Of Tomorrow
C’mon, is this album cover OLD SCHOOL HEAVY METAL or what? Not only does the Heavy Metal of Ravage stand on it’s own, (they could have issued a plain blue cover and that would not change the quality of Metal songs heard inside one bit), yet man, this is cool throwback artwork happening here. I cry out a huge Metal bravo! – to artist Edward J. Repka for creating a REAL Heavy Metal album cover for Ravage.
Crowbar was my Metal band of choice today. Sludge Metal with a healthy slice of Doom Metal at it’s very best is Crowbar. I gave another listen to Sonic Excess In It’s Purest Form and have walked away with the same Metal satisfaction as always – ultra Sludge Metal satisfaction that is. The slow trudging and heavy duty guitar riffs combined with the slow paced rhythm section, makes me scream in Metal glee that Crowbar has taken Old School Heavy Metal to a more dark and doom ridden place. The lyrics heard in the songs on Sonic Excess In It’s Purest Form are gloomy, mournful and visits the realms of self suffering, doubt and infliction. Well, that is what Doom Metal delves into, topics too touchy for the faint at heart mainstream. These lyrics explore what it must feel like when one is truly suffering from extreme mental anguish. Now, if you are to look past the psychologically driven lyrics, the Metal Music is an ear crushing experience and/or escape that seems to come at me from all sides. Crowbar plays their Sludge Metal like it surrounds me, repeatedly encircling my space like a slow marching invasion of Metal giants from a far away and spooky place. Cool.
Kirk Windstein on guitar and vocals is in my Metal opinion, a true non-glamorized hero of Metal. Kirk Windstein does not need any damn red carpet to walk down on… his blue collar Metal ethic is too good for that crap. Besides, hearing is believing, listening to Kirk play guitar is dark, creeping and heavy – a wonderland of gray clouds amidst a stormy sky over a bayou. His vocals are dominant and angry enough to be considered Hardcore, the enormity of emotions that are heard when he bellows out the lyrics are mesmerizing. Plus, Kirk Windstein is one hell of a riff enthusiast, he must have millions of dark and scary riffs recorded in his mind that are still waiting to be let out. There is nothing plastic about Crowbar, no artificial ingredients to be heard on this album. Unreal. All eleven songs on Sonic Excess In It’s Purest Form are a journey into the Doom and Sludge Metal world of Crowbar, a journey I find worth repeating. Hey, it is like the melancholy movie that grips you, a mood intense book that you don’t mind reading again and again… each time you catch onto something that you may have missed before.
* Sonic Excess In It’s Purest Form was released on August 21, 2001 on Spitfire Records.
Crowbar are they appeared on Sonic Excess In It’s Purest Form:
Kirk Windstein on guitar and vocals
Sammy Pierre Duet on guitar
Jeff (Okie) Okoneski on bass
Tony Costanza on drums
Sonic Excess In It’s Purest Form Track Listing:
The Lasting Dose
To Build a Mountain
Thru the Ashes (I’ve Watched You Burn)
Awakening
Repulsive In It’s Spendid Beauty
Counting Daze
In Times of Sorrow
It Pours From Me
Suffering Brings Wisdom
Failure to Delay Gratifacation
Empty Room
SKELETONWITCH released their second full studio album with Prosthetic Records, Breathing the Fire, on October 13, 2009. I could not resist the Metal temptation and need of picking up this new CD on my visit to f.y.e. today. As I stood there staring at the hellish and downright evil artwork on the front cover of Breathing the Fire, it dawned on me… the Metal wait is over for this new Skeletonwitch. Yeah, very often enough I want my Metal pretty damned fast and extreme in every musical facet. All twelve songs on this album are extremely worthy, I can’t point out any skip overs whatsoever. Skeletonwitch does not fall short of Extreme Metal – every song on Breathing the Fire is blended with the very best of several Metal genres.
Skeletonwitch brings forth the Thrash Metal attack combined with Old School Speed Metal, adding Death Metal and Black Metal influences just for great Metal measure. With all of these incredible Metal genres explored here, Skeletonwitch is a Metal band that I cannot pigeonhole into one genre. That is fine with me, I am sure Skeletonwitch could care in the least as well… Metal is… Metal. Breathing the Fire is one incredible Metal album to look back upon for 2009, it is like the late season, supercharged and extreme power blast of Metal Music that has set my Metal world ablaze. I always say, that with Metal bands like this, it makes me feel confident knowing that the flag for Metal will be waving high for years to come. Chance Garnette on lead vocals is as mean and talented as I could hope for – his dual Death Metal growls and Black Metal screams are what this music is about. Anyone familiar with Extreme Metal should agree, that this style of Metal was not meant for crooning out the ballads. Chance Garnette gets my Metal horns with thunderous praise. In my Metal opinion, Skeletonwitch can play, it’s not the easiest task to make an album of this Metal genre sound like a standout.
The guitar leads, dual leads and solos have a melodic, Old School – Speed Metal appeal, while never taking away from the overall dark mood of any of the songs. The rhythm section holds everything together like a vice and these songs grip my Metal psyche with pure Metal domination. I once read a professionally paid Rock critic write – melodic and heavy do not coexist… uh, they do. The Metal proof is in actually listening to Skeletonwitch and Breathing the Fire… the rest is Extreme and at times, melodic Metal candy for your ears. To extract each song and dissect it here would be nonsense, the overall themes to know are that these songs are about death and submitting to evil. ‘Nuff said. Ah, Metal. I will state, Blinding Black Rage is as horrific, evil and nightmarish of a song lyrically that I have ever heard. Ah, Metal… Extreme Metal, I love this stuff. This is the new generation of Extreme Metal, take it or leave it… I’m taking it. If you are looking for the current Metal that is happening now, take my advice and give Skeletonwitch – Breathing the Fire a thorough listen… it served me right.
Skeletonwitch as they appear on Breathing the Fire:
Nate “N8 Feet Under” Garnette – guitars
Chance Garnette – lead vocals
Derrick “Mullet Chad” Nau – drums
Scott “Scunty D.” Hedrick – guitars
Evan “Loosh” Linger – bass
Track Listing For Breathing the Fire:
Submit to the Suffering
Longing for Domination
Where the Light has Failed
Released from the Catacombs
Stand Fight and Die
The Despoiler of Human Life
Crushed Beyond Dust
Blinding Black Rage
Gorge Upon My Soul
Repulsive Salvation
Strangled by Unseen Hands
… And into the Flame
Highly recommended to all Metal fans all over the globe! That is just how unreal good Retribution from Shadows Fall is… that I start off by just bluntly recommending this new album. Seriously, Retribution is one solid chunk of Thrash Metal Music for me. On this new release, (released September 15, 2009), Shadows Fall sounds as if they are not holding back the hard and heavy for no one. I am not taking the easy way out by saying all ten songs are damn incredible. The all encompassing barrage of Metal fury, that highlights each turn and corner on Retribution, is like a Metal power rush to my brain that I do not want to end. In my Metal opinion, it very much seems as if Shadows Fall took a long and hard listen to the once in a millennium, Metal masterpiece from Slipknot called All Hope Is Gone… and decided they too wanted to raise their own Metal bar. The All Hope Is Gone influence I hear on Retribution, is deserving of a raucous Metal applause for Shadows Fall, for if this influence is to be true… Shadows Fall surely knows real Metal when they hear it. The unrelenting surge of Metal power both musically and vocally, (both lead and backing/gang vocals), found within Retribution, are the best ways I can describe my All Hope Is Gone comparison.
Brian Fair on lead vocals has never sounded this unreal great before, based on what my ears hear on Retribution. Brian Fair shows his harmonious side as a crooner and just as suddenly can deliver the bad ass vocals I have always expected… and he does so with the determination and tenacity of a seasoned Metal pro. If it was ever possible for Jason Bittner to elevate his already incredible Metal talents on drums, well, he did it here on Retribution… whoa. Jonathan Donais on lead guitar, takes full Metal command with creative leads that are above impressive. One recent professionally paid Metal Music critic wrote in the November 2009 issue of Revolver Magazine: “arguably the most mainstream-friendly album the group has made” – (?), uh, I beg to differ. First, I would never equate the word mainstream to Shadows Fall… never, ever, from 1998’s Somber Eyes to the Sky to 2007’s Threads of Life. Now, with Retribution, for this album to even be remotely considered mainstream friendly, well, that is like saying a Pit Viper hanging from a tree limb above your head is friendly too. Nickelback is mainstream friendly, with absolutely no disrespect of course, to them. This is just another perfect Metal example, that there are some Metal Music critics out there that never bother to listen to the album(s) they are being paid to review. Frustrating, to say the least.
My two choice picks on Retribution are: King Of Nothing and Embrace Annihilation. These are the two songs that just embody the core Thrash Metal essence of Retribution, in my Metal opinion. Shadows Fall has made me feel Metal secure, with their creating Retribution, this is an album that encapsulates all things powerful about Thrash Metal. Metal truth be told, I will be recommending this album to anyone who listens for the rest of my Metal life. Musical integrity and the respect for quality song writing are characteristics every band should uphold, Shadows Fall upheld them on Retribution ten fold. Shadows Fall will always have their Metalcore roots, with Retribution, they have imprinted themselves into the Thrash Metal genre like an unstoppable lightning strike.
Shadows Fall are:
Brian Fair on lead vocals
Jonathan Donais on lead guitar/vocals
Matthew Bachand on guitar/vocals
Paul Romanko on bass
Jason Bittner on drums
Retribution was produced by Zeuss and released on Ferret Music and Independent Label Group.
Alright, I am more than thrilled at this new Obituary album, “Darkest Day”, I am enthralled with Metal jubilation. Death Metal jubilation. I am also reminded as to why I am lured into the heaviest, most Metal bludgeoning genre there is… it is Obituary. These guys are not about making nice with the trend setters… forget about it. Obituary is Old School Death Metal lathered with extreme. Understand, however, that Obituary delivers grooves by the Death Metal bushels. From it’s deadly beginning track – “List of Dead” to it’s deadly ending “Left To Die”, I am going out on a Metal limb here by stating… “Darkest Day” is one of 2009’s best Metal albums period. Being one of the true forefathers of the Death Metal genre, Obituary lays their Death Metal cards out on the table here, you either are with them or with them. This is not a Death Metal band that you just want to try out, if you buy an Obituary album, you are either a fan or your about to become one.
“Outside My Head” is like a Death Metal march to take over the Metal Universe, Donald Tardy on drums is as decidedly relentless as a yellow jacket wasp, stinging it’s prey. “Your Darkest Day” has it’s vintage nod to Doom with riffs that will either scare the hell out of you or make you beg for more… I beg for more, please. Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath should feel so proud, that a Death Metal band of the caliber like Obituary, can incorporate the early Metal years – feel and vibe to their music… without straying away from the Death Metal manuscript of today. Obviously, this is my Metal opinion, what one Metalhead hears within “Darkest Day” can severely differ from another. “See Me Now” is extremely heavy – underscored, my choice pick as favorite track. John Tardy on vocals only enhances the seething heaviness of “See Me Now”. For that matter, John Tardy just flat out enhances this entire album with his vintage and aggressive vocals, this is all about vocal confidence and not being over the top.
By the time I hear “Truth Be Told”, it feels like “Darkest Day” has only lasted five minutes… it is that unreal good. Ordinarily, with an average Death Metal up and coming band, “Truth Be Told” would be their greatest song – with Obituary, every song here can be considered as great. What can be said about Trevor Peres and Ralph Santolla on guitars? They are damn good, no, damn unreal good. Lest not forget Frank Watkins on bass, he keeps the Death Metal rhythm moving at a fiery pace, giving me every reason to suffer from whiplash. Cool. Acknowledgment of Metal greatness is priority number one whenever I discuss the Metal genres with anyone or post on Metal Odyssey. My Metal goal is to get the word out about unreal heavy bands and/or albums… the word on “Darkest Day” is this – real, extreme and forged with Death Metal integrity. “Darkest Day”… Metal ownership of this album is a must, (what am I thinking), it is required. Obituary… Death Metal legends.
Megadeth. Just the name alone sounds like true Metal. Thrash Metal. The name Megadeth alone, reaches out and stuns the uninformed as to the fact, that this band is seriously heavy about all things Metal. One of the kings of Thrash Metal. Dave Mustaine… a founding father of Thrash Metal and unreal good guitarist, a Metal legend. (Gee, did I leave out any other important accolades here?). Really, any Metal fan has to agree that Dave Mustaine has the Megadeth Metal machine running full tilt… for quite a long time too. I am Metal giddy that “Endgame” is coming out on September 15th… the month of September looks better already, for me. If you do not count today, (September 2nd), there are just 13 days left until the Megadeth Thrash Metal onslaught of new material becomes heard in it’s entirety. That is less than two weeks away. I am Metal psyched. I was fortunate enough to see back in the late 80’s, a Metal triple bill of Savatage, Megadeth and DIO. The New Haven Coliseum was never the same after that show… that structure no longer exists. What a night of Metal it was… Megadeth blew me away, Dave Mustaine earned a fan for life. Dave Mustaine… Thrash Metal Champion. Megadeth shall return… Endgame.
Girlschool is a female and British Heavy Metal band that formed back in 1977. The first time I ever heard a song from Girlschool was back in 1983… on the infamous “Metal Shop” Heavy Metal – FM radio show. The early 1980’s were my Metal Music nurturing years, so many bands, songs and albums to digest as a hungry teen Metalhead. I would not trade in those Metal Music learning years for anything. There are bands that I revisit from time to time, that have perhaps just a few songs that I really listen to over the decades. Girlschool is one such band, they have one particular song that, man, I just can never forget about… “Play Dirty”, from their “Play Dirty” album, (released in 1983). “Play Dirty” was the fourth studio album from Girlschool. Over the years, I realized from reading many an article and collecting enough Metal Music, that the great Lemmy Kilmister of (the legendary) Motorhead, has his Metal ties to Girlschool. (This always made me feel that Girlschool was ordained with Metal integrity).
When I first heard “Play Dirty” back in 1983, I was blown away by the fact that this song was not just cool, it really rocked the roof off for me. I probably should have delved deeper into the Girlschool catalog of albums over the years… there still is time to do so. This song has stayed with me ever since my first time hearing it… I continue to make certain that this Heavy Metal classic of a song is always at the ready to be cranked up – whenever I get the Metal itch for it. I even bought this song off of itunes this past Winter, while buying up a bunch of Heavy Metal songs… just to make certain I had an extra copy of it. (Yeah, I really like this song a lot). Simply put, it is a high powered, melodic driven, heavy chorus laden, 1980’s Heavy Metal song. I surmise that it is the way this song all came together, with everything just seeming to click for me, that makes it so unreal memorable to my Metal senses.
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