Archive for Metal

WEDNESDAY 13 ‘Calling All Corpses’ – Horrificus Terrificus & Damn Fun Too!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, horror metal, horror punk, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on February 14, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

WEDNESDAY 13 – Yes, Wednesday 13 wears his Alice Cooper “badge of influence” on his sleeve. I find it admirable, thank you. Calling All Corpses is a Horror Punk/Metal album that Alice Cooper should have made last year without any billionaire producer pulling the strings. Instead, this is a Wednesday 13 album and he uses his ghoul-given talent and cool as hell band to deliver 13 horrifying songs of thump and stomp on Calling All Corpses. These are songs that fans of Horror Metal, Horror Punk, Gothic and Hard Rock should easily get motivated to bounce up and down to, while kicking their neighbors trash cans over, under a moonlit sky.

Calling All Corpses is a party album. A crank-it-up-loud album. A “who gives a shit about the economy that our elected politicians screwed up” album. Wednesday 13 obviously realizes that Rock ‘N Roll was supposed to be (gasp) FUN in the first place and runs with it with infectious gusto. Wednesday 13 will never release an album to make you “think”, hell no. Wednesday 13 makes hard & heavy driven music to accommodate your escape from the stupid-ass stimuli that invades your space and day.

I appreciate Wednesday 13 for not trying to impress any Rock scholar out there who feels that the Rock history’s sun set and rose on 1969. The Punk fueled I Wanna Be Cremated and the hammerin’ Ghoul Of My Dreams may never get performed on any elitist Grammy stage, still, these songs have more substance than half of the audio sewage I suffered through, while listening to and watching that music comedy awards show.

It is not a ghastly move to buy Calling All Corpses and become absorbed by the Horror Punk/Metal and lyrics that spill from it. Calling All Corpses does not come across as cliché’, nor does this album ever drift off into repetitious content. If you’re looking for cliché’ and repetition, then watch a re-run of last Sunday’s Grammy Awards. This is a style of music born from good-times Rock ‘N Roll and it’s deserving of my Metal praise. Metal be thy name.

* Calling All Corpses was released  on October 11, 2011, via DevCo Entertainment.

Calling All Corpses Cast and Crew:

Wednesday 13 – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards

Roman Surman – lead guitar, background vocals

Jack Tankersley – bass, guitar, background vocals

Jason “Shakes” West – drums, background vocals

Brent Clawson – additional background vocals

Calling All Corpses – Track Listing:

Blood Fades To Black

I Wanna Be Cremated

Ghoul Of My Dreams

One Knife Stand

Calling All Corpses

Miss Morgue

Silver Bullets

Bad At Being Human

London After Midnight

Candle For The Devil

We All Die

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Blood Fades To Black (reprise)

* For more info on WEDNESDAY 13, click on the link below:

http://www.wednesday-13.com

LONG LIVE WEDNESDAY 13.

Stone.

FEAR FACTORY – Announce New Bassist

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, industrial metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on February 13, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Band Continues Work On Forthcoming Album

FEAR FACTORY today confirms Matt DeVries as the band’s new bass player. DeVries, previously of Chimaira and most recently Six Feet Under, joins the band replacing Byron Stroud. The announcement comes as the band continues work on their upcoming new album, planned for release early Summer. The album is currently being mixed in Canada by Greg Reely while artwork for the album’s packaging is nearly complete.

DeVries comments: “I have been asked by Dino and Burton to join one of my favorite bands. I have been a fan of FEAR FACTORY since 1992 and I could not be more excited to be part of this incredible band. We have shared the stage many times together and now I’m beyond stoked to be on the same stage playing together. Thank you to all my fans worldwide for sticking by me and I will be seeing you all on the road very soon.”

Guitarist Dino Cazares and vocalist Burton C. Bell note: “We are very excited to have Matt playing bass for FEAR FACTORY. We feel he is a great addition to our touring lineup. He has been a friend for a very long time and he’s a great musician who will be a perfect instrument in the FF machine.”

FEAR FACTORY’s new album will follow 2010’s highly regarded Mechanize. Said Blabbermouth of the record, “this is the album fans have been waiting for…a fiery and evolved rebirth of the band that changed metal in the ‘90s.” Revolver Magazine called Mechanize, “one of the best albums of the band’s career. Its combination of new-wave melody, rapid-fire aggression, and electronic ambiance sounds as fresh today as FEAR FACTORY did nearly 20 years ago. Call it the soul of their new machine,” while Decibel Magazine added, “FEAR FACTORY are back and beyond intact.”

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info on FEAR FACTORY, click on the link below:

http://www.fearfactory.com

http://www.youtube.com/FearFactoryMusic

LONG LIVE FEAR FACTORY.

Stone.

KITTIE – Trish Doan Returns As Bassist

Posted in Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on February 13, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

The cat’s out of the bag!

After posting a few teasers on their facebook page about a big announcement regarding the band’s future, KITTIE have now announced the departure of their bassist Ivy Vujic and the return of Trish Doan!

In a statement on the band’s website Ivy wrote:

“After 4 amazing years of jamming with my crazy metal sisters of Kittie, I am officially resigning as their bass player.

I’ve had an incredible time touring the world with these ladies and I am very grateful for all the fun I’ve had and amazing things I’ve had the opportunity to experience.

My last appearances with Kittie will be our upcoming hometown shows in London (February 17th) and Toronto (February 18th), as well as the Soundwave festival in Australia immediately after (February 25th – March 5th). I wish the Kittie girls the best of luck in all of their future endeavours and I know they will continue to be successful in whatever they do.”

Trish comments:

“I am very happy to be reunited with the Kittie family. The girls and I have remained close friends over the last 7 years and I am excited to have this amazing opportunity. I am looking forward to seeing everyone when we go back on the road this spring. I wish Ivy all the best!”

Morgan Lander about Ivy’s departure and Trish’s return:

“Ivy has been friend and partner in crime for over 4 years, we love and respect her wishes to depart from the band and move onto another phase in her life.

Trish has been a member of our extended family since she joined the band in 2005 and we are welcoming her back into the band with open arms.  We are ecstatic that she will be returning to bass duties and are looking forward to the (US) tour this spring! We love both girls and are glad that we all remain friends, first and foremost.”

Welcome back, Trish!

(Source: Massacre Records)

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

KITTIE – Official Website

MASSACRE RECORDS

LONG LIVE KITTIE.

Stone.

OVERKILL – Studio Video Online: Reveals Recording Process For ‘The Electric Age’

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , on February 12, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Iconic Thrashers OVERKILL have revealed a behind the scenes video that outlines the recording process they used for their upcoming new record The Electric Age. Recorded at GEAR Studios, owned and operated by bassist D.D. Verni, the video outlines specific gear and techniques used and how it had shaped the bands raw unfiltered sound over the last few releases. View the video HERE! The Electric Age is set to be unleashed March 30, 2012 via Nuclear Blast.

(Source: Nuclear Blast News)

* For more info on OVERKILL, click on the link below:

OVERKILL

LONG LIVE OVERKILL.

Stone.

SAVAGE MESSIAH, WORMROT & GAMA BOMB – FREE Album Downloads! From EARACHE RECORDS!!

Posted in grindcore, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal albums with tags , , , , , , , , on February 11, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Just this morning, I received an email from Metal Buddy KINGER over at Demolish Fanzine – 1980’s Heavy Metal Revival informing me of some terrific Metal news. FREE Metal album downloads from EARACHE RECORDS! Metal be thy name. During a horse shit economy, like this one the world is reeling in at the moment, FREE album downloads for Metal fans, from a record company, is Metal righteous. There are three FREE Metal albums to download over at EARACHE and they’re all complete albums in their entirety (just in case you were skeptical).

All you need to do, to get these FREE album downloads, is click the link below! Whoa!

http://www.earache.com/free/

A Metal kudos to EARACHE for the FREE album downloads of SAVAGE MESSIAH, WORMROT & GAMA BOMB. Here is what the album covers look like:

SAVAGE MESSIAH – Plague Of Conscience

This new SAVAGE MESSIAH Thrash Metal album releases on February 28th, 2012 on EARACHE.

WORMROT – DIRGE

This Grindcore assault from WORMROT was released on May 3rd, 2011, via EARACHE.

GAMA BOMB – Tales From The Grave In Space

Way back in March of 2010, I downloaded this GAMA BOMB album from EARACHE for FREE… courtesy of the heads up I received from Metal Buddy KINGER.  This GAMA BOMB album was released back on February 9th, 2010, via EARACHE. Yes, GAMA BOMB does kick some Thrashin’ ass.

* For more info on EARACHE RECORDS, click the link below:

LONG LIVE KINGER.

LONG LIVE SAVAGE MESSIAH.

LONG LIVE WORMROT & GAMA BOMB. 

LONG LIVE EARACHE RECORDS.

Stone.

MUNICIPAL WASTE – ‘The Fatal Feast’ Album Cover Art Revealed

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, speed metal, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , on February 11, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

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.

MUNICIPAL WASTE:

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.facethewaste.com

http://www.facebook.com/municipalwaste

LONG LIVE MUNICIPAL WASTE.

Stone.

KREATOR – Reveal ‘Phantom Antichrist’ Cover Artwork!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , , on February 10, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

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.

________________________________________________________________________
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.

________________________________________________________________________
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.

________________________________________________________________________
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!

______________________________________________

(Source: Nuclear Blast News)

* For more info on KREATOR, click on the link below:

Kreator – terrorzone – Official Kreator Website

LONG LIVE KREATOR.

Stone.

ANTHRAX, TESTAMENT & DEATH ANGEL – Crocodile Rock Cafe, Allentown, Pennsylvania: Concert Review – February 6th, 2012

Posted in concerts, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , on February 10, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

A Concert Review & Metal Experience To Share! 

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.

___________________

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!

____________________

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.

________________________

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.

____________________

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.

_____________________

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.

_______________________________________________________

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

ANTHRAX

DEATH ANGEL – Official Website

TESTAMENT LEGIONS.com

Gene Hoglan – Hoglan Industries.com

LONG LIVE ANTHRAX.

LONG LIVE TESTAMENT.

LONG LIVE DEATH ANGEL.

Stone.

ELIMINATOR – Updates On New Jersey Thrash Metal Force: New Book, New Website, New Lineup, Announce Regional Live Dates

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal news, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , on February 9, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

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 – Signs To Massacre Records, New Album ‘The Void’ Releases April 2012

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

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!

DERIDE:

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.

Wanna Know What’s Kicked My Metal Lovin’ Ass Recently?

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , , on February 7, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

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 ‘Beyond Magnetic’ – Thrashing Raw, Rough & Tough, As This Legendary Band Was Supposed To Be In The First Place

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal albums with tags , , , , , , , on February 5, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

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:

METALLICA

LONG LIVE METALLICA.

Stone.

BACKSLIDER / NIMBUS TERRIFIX – Split: An Ultra-Tumultuous Grindcore and Hardcore Collision!

Posted in Extreme Metal, extreme music, grindcore, hardcore music, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 8, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

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.

Tracklisting:

BACKSLIDER:

Steady Diet of Vitriol

Sadistic Sack of Shit

Marrow Turns to Dust

Shallow Victory

Jerusalem Syndrome

NIMBUS TERRIFIX

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.

Jamey Jasta – Announces Solo Record Due Out This Summer 2011, Song Samples Available!

Posted in Extreme Metal, hardcore music, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on April 15, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

(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.COM

Jamey Jasta – Official Twitter

JASTA – Official Facebook

LONG LIVE JAMEY JASTA.

Stone.

IWREASTELEDABEARONCE – “YOU AIN’T NO FAMILY” MUSIC VIDEO!

Posted in avant-garde metal music, Extreme Metal, extreme metal bands, extreme metal music, extreme music, heavy metal music, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, metalcore music, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , , on March 24, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

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 – “HELLBILLY DELUXE 2” BLASTS WITH HEAVY METAL, HORROR AND DIRTY FUNKY COOL!

Posted in 1990's heavy metal music, album covers, Album Review, cool album covers, creepy album covers, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal bands, current heavy metal music, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2010, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2010, heavy metal songs, heavy metal vocalists, horror metal, Metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 28, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

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 – “MELISSA” FOREVER REIGNS A METAL CLASSIC!

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal bands, 1980's metal music, 1980's thrash metal, 1983 heavy metal music, black metal music, cool album covers, creepy album covers, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1983, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1983, heavy metal songs 1983, heavy metal videos, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, metal music albums, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 24, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

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 – DEBUT ALBUM IS FULL BLOWN METAL!

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED – Track Listing:

1. Ghost Town

2. From The Abyss

3. Creating Our Machine

4. Blood on Wood

5. In a World So Cruel

6. Manifestations

7. Voices Within the Walls

8. The Darkest Eyes

9. Fear in the Sky

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

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

Ravage - Banner group photo  2009

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

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

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

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

CROWBAR “Sonic Excess In It’s Purest Form” – Sludge Metal At It’s Finest

Posted in 1990's doom metal bands, 1990's heavy metal albums, 1990's metal bands, 1990's sludge metal albums, 1990's sludge metal bands, 1990's heavy metal music, Album Review, collecting metal music, cool album covers, doom metal albums, doom metal bands this decade, doom metal music, essential metal music albums, essential sludge metal albums, extreme metal music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, metal music, metal music albums, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, Music, new orleans metal bands, new orleans metal music, sludge metal albums, sludge metal albums this decade, sludge metal bands, sludge metal bands this decade, sludge metal guitarists, sludge metal music 2001, sludge metal vocalists with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 17, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Crowbar - "Sonic Excess" small album picCrowbar 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

Crowbar "Sonic Excess"  large album pic