Archive for Metallica

Newer Entries »

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!

4 Comments »

METALLICA – MY SILENT AUCTION/THRASH METAL WIN!

Posted in 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's thrash metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's thrash metal, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's thrash metal bands, 1990's metal music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal memorabilia, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1993, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school thrash metal bands, old school thrash metal music, rock music, silent auctions, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands, thrash metal legends, thrash metal memorabilia, thrash metal music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 14, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Oh how I love to stumble upon Metal memorabilia without trying. That is exactly what happened when I glanced upon this particular Metallica lot at a recent, (monthly), silent auction. How recent? It was this past January of 2010. Where was this silent auction? At an antique mall… where else? What is this Metallica lot? None other than the enormously popular – LIVE SH*T: BINGE & PURGE, which was released back in 1993. This version, (see images below), was up for bid as a sealed-in-plastic package, minus the tour equipment transport box version. This package included three sealed VHS videos, a tour program, a copy of an access pass to the Snakepit portion of the stage and a cardboard stencil of the scary guy image on the packaging. I just couldn’t resist my Metal self… therefore… I placed one solid bid on this Metallica bounty. A bid of $3 meager dollars was already put down on this Metallihistory. I grinned upon seeing the other lone and miniscule bid… $20 bucks I wrote down along with my “official” bidders number, too late to recant now… Metal game on.

Did I bid too low? Did I bid too high? The ever antagonistic, self doubting thoughts, seemed to envelope my mind like a cornerback blitz from the Philadelphia Eagles defense. I never owned this piece of Metallica Thrash Metal before… as astonishing as that may seem. Back in 1993, I was very, very, broke… and broke again. My Metal buying habits came very close to a standstill for a few years, back in the early ’90’s. Metal truth be told, I usually get outbid on these silent auctions… I tend to bid low… or so it seems. Approaching a silent auction or any auction for that matter, needs to be done with an open mind… and NOT an open checkbook!

As the days went by, I checked in on my $20 bid on this Metallica item… I was the highest bidder up until the closing yell of – “bidders, put your pens down!”. I was semi-psyched upon learning that the winner for this Metallica lot was me. Why was I semi-psyched? Heck, I always want stuff cheap… real cheap. Free is even better. Regardless, I picked up this now vintage Metallica lot from the antique mall a few days after the auctions close and was Metal smitten about it too. The tour program is worth the $20 bucks alone, in my Metal opinion. This program is chock full of incredibly cool tour photos of Metallica, with reprinted correspondence/letters that have to do with all things Metallica… it’s Metal history. Metallica history is a good thing to feed the Metal mind with.

So, after 18 years of not having LIVE SH*T: BINGE & PURGE in my Metal collection, I finally landed it through a silent auction at an antique mall. Metal be damned, if someone told me back in 1993, that I would one day, 18 years later, win this Metallica package at an antique mall’s silent auction… I would have told that person to go suck an expired egg. Rest assured, I am regularly checking out this silent auction… one of these days I will land the big Metal fish… and you will all know about it on Metal Odyssey.

Here is the copy of an access pass to the Snakepit:

Here are the 3 VHS videos that are still sealed. Don’t worry, I am going to watch them… I still own a, (gulp), VCR. The tour program is also shown at the bottom of this pic.

At the end of the Metal day, I’m pleased to have bid the $20 bucks for this Metallica booty. I still would like to get my hands on the tour equipment transport box version too someday… it has the 3 CD’s as a Metal bonus. I’m not complaining though, I feel fortunate that I have the few extra bucks to spend now, compared to my financial situation back in 1993. Plus I’m just enjoying collecting Metal and Metallica.

1 Comment »

HEAVY METAL HISTORY: LOLLAPALOOZA – 1996 CONCERT POSTER!

Posted in 1990's rock bands, 1990's rock music, concerts, grunge, grunge bands, metal odyssey, Music, rock festivals, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 29, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

A concert or festival that exhibits a diverse lineup of bands and/or solo musicians is always going to make some noise. The 1996 Lollapalooza concert, held on July 23, 1996, at the Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana takes the Metal prize here for diversity! Just take a look at the concert poster below, listing some of the acts that took to the stages of Lollapalooza in ’96: METALLICA, SOUNDGARDEN, WAYLON JENNINGS, RAMONES, RANCID and SCREAMING TREES. I revere the Ramones, listen to Rancid on a regular basis and could never be more proud of it… Tim Armstrong just amazes me with his song writing, vocals and musical multi-talents. Soundgarden I took a liking to from the start, definitely my favorite Grunge Band ever… Black Hole Sun… ’nuff said. Screaming Trees, (quiet pioneers of the Grunge style in their own right), I will give an open ear to from time to time still. Waylon Jennings, a country legend… he passed away too damn young at age 64, back in 2002. Metallica, a core band of mine. Thrash Metal giants, icons, regardless if Load from ’96, ReLoad from ’97 and St. Anger from 2003 were not up to my Metallica standards. (Hey, any Metalhead or fan of any music genre has their unique personal standards). I never gave up on Metallica… Death Magnetic proves Metallica never gave up on their fans either.

Looking back on this Lallapalooza concert in ’96 is Heavy Metal history. No, not everyone on the bill was/is Heavy Metal, nonetheless… this event was Heavy Metal history. The same can be said that Lallapalooza ’96 was Punk Rock history too. Country and Grunge history at that. If I had attended this Lallapalooza Concert back then, I have a funny feeling, I would have had a tremendous time. Musical diversity was found at this concert and that is not a bad thing at all… in my Metal opinion. (Throw in the fact that Lollapalooza did not have any televised talent show contestants/winners on stage… and you have instant credibility).

This is a very plain and unexciting looking concert poster. Still, these posters were hung up on telephone poles, handed off to passers-by and maybe hung inside convenience store windows as well? I cringe at the thought of just how many of these historical posters were ripped down, torn up and thrown away, once this concert came to pass. The bottom Metal line is that this poster represents a moment in time, a moment in Rock history, Heavy Metal history.

6 Comments »

METALLICA – “CREEPING DEATH” PICTURE DISC IS THRASH METAL HISTORY

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's thrash metal albums, 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's thrash metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal picture discs, 1980's metal bands, 1980's metal music, 1980's thrash metal, 1990's thrash metal bands, collecting heavy metal albums, cool album covers, current thrash metal bands, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1984, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1984, heavy metal picture discs, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, new wave of british heavy metal, old school heavy metal, old school thrash metal music, rock and roll hall of fame members, rock music, scary album covers, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands, thrash metal cover songs, thrash metal legends, thrash metal music, thrash metal picture discs with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 3, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Any regular visitor to Metal Odyssey knows, that from time to time, I like to post about Heavy Metal picture discs. This past year of 2009 was when I realized how much I really like collecting them… again. Back in the ’80’s, I picked up quite a few Heavy Metal picture discs. The picture discs that survived from being sold or traded by me over the decades, I have in recent months been showing to the world on Metal Odyssey. Here is a cool picture disc from Metallica, a Thrash Metal band that really needs no Metal introduction on Metal Odyssey. Metallica is in the elite class of Metal, a band that is partly responsible for my being a lifetime Metalhead. Uh, thank you, Metallica… very Metal much. Metallica’s first three groundbreaking albums will always be considered, in my Metal opinion, a major part of the puzzle in the creation and evolution of Thrash Metal Music. This is the Metallica I most revere, (and it is not due to my growing up with these first three albums either). The first three albums from Metallica experimented and brought forth a style of Metal Music that was/still is original as a personal signature. I pulled this Metallica gem out of a stash of mine this past week:

METALLICA – CREEPING DEATH – PICTURE DISC, 1st ISSUE

SIDE 1:

SIDE 2:

Why is this Creeping Death picture disc considered a 1st issue? Answer: There is NO barcode found on side 2, the 2nd issue of Creeping Death HAS the barcode on side 2.

Those pics of Metallica on Side 2 of this picture disc are now… vintage. Kirk Hammett on the left, Lars Ulrich on the top, the late Cliff Burton on the right and James Hetfield on the bottom. Yup, Metal time does seem to fly.

This Creeping Death picture disc was released sometime in 1984. (I just do not know the exact month/day of it’s 1984 release… I will continue my Metal research and update this post once I do know).

Although it is not printed on this actual picture disc that I own, this is a U.K. release, on the Music For Nations record label – I have found this information upon my Metal research through the years.

The infamous, picture disc letter & number code found on this Creeping Death 12″ is:

P12 KUT 112 – (you can see it, on the above side 2 image too)

I am absolutely psyched, that this Metallica Creeping Death picture disc is still in my collection. As I delve further into it’s track listing, the Thrash Metal History just seems to come alive… as you read on, you shall see what I mean!

The track listing on Creeping Death: (The image above, of side 2, shows it as well)

Side 1:

Creeping Death

Side 2:

Am I Evil?

Blitzkrieg

Am I Evil? and Blitzkrieg were two songs labeled together as – Garage Days Revisited, (the above image of side 2, shows this).

Creeping Death is from Metallica’s second studio album: Ride The Lightning, (released in July of 1984. I can remember the first time I listened to this Ride The Lightning album, it was sometime back in 1984… I held onto and stared at the album jacket as the songs played on and I never felt more awe struck in my entire young life. Yes, I do remember trembling, upon my very first listen to For Whom The Bell Tolls… it was a listening experience so unreal, I can never forget it. Creeping Death, however, was/is just as sensational a song from Ride The Lightning as any of the others.

Metallica Ride The Lightning – greatness never fades, it only grows stronger.

Am I Evil? is the b-side single on Side 2, a song originally written and made famous by Metal legends… Diamond Head, from the Diamond Head 1980 debut album – Lightning To The Nations.

Metallica’s cover version of Am I Evil? was only found on this Creeping Death 12″ picture disc, up until it was released on the Metallica album – Garage Inc., (a double album of cover songs), in November of 1998.

Blitzkrieg is the second cover song on side 2, a song originally written and released by the Heavy Metal band – Blitzkrieg. This song was originally released in 1981, on the Blitzkrieg 7″ single – Buried Alive. The song Blitzkrieg was later released on the Blitzkrieg 1985 album – A Time For Changes.

So there you have it, some Thrash Metal and Heavy Metal History surrounding the 3 songs found on this Metallica Creeping Death 12″ picture disc. I find it of Metal importance, to understand where the songs originally came from… and from what band and/or album. Die hard fans back in 1984 knew who Diamond Head was for sure, yet for Metallica to also embrace a song from Blitzkieg and make it work as a Thrash Metal cover, just magnifies the brilliance that Metallica created together as a band. To just listen to a song is one thing, to know the linkage of a song makes it all the Metal better… it’s called Metal roots, Metal history.

8 Comments »

A HEAVY METAL MUSIC FLASHBACK FROM 1987!

Posted in 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's hair metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's thrash metal, 1987 heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, classic heavy metal, current heavy metal bands, heavy metal albums 1987, heavy metal bands, heavy metal concert posters, heavy metal festivals, heavy metal history, heavy metal memorabilia, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school thrash metal music, rock music, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands, thrash metal legends, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands, vintage thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 30, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Now this is a flashback of Heavy Metal history.  This is a promotional advertisement from 1987 for the Monsters Of Rock (festival) at Donington Park out in the U.K., the lineup of bands was obviously powerhouse! This huge Heavy Metal event took place on August 22, 1987. Metallica was just on the rise, (sounds weird saying that), with their unreal great, 1986 Master Of Puppets album, which catapulted them to historical Metal heights. Cinderella was still promoting their debut album Night Songs. Anthrax was supporting their Among The Living album, a great Thrash Metal album indeed. DIO being on the bill was perfect timing, with Dream Evil being released on July 21, 1987. W.A.S.P. was a hot ticket for this Monsters Of Rock, after their Inside The Electric Circus album’s release in November of 1986. Then there was the headliner, Bon Jovi, being almost a year to the date of the Slippery When Wet album release of August 18, 1986.

Would these same bands actually be included in a Heavy Metal festival like this in 2009? I doubt it, especially when you look at the direction in which Bon Jovi has taken musically. Anthrax and Cinderella are not in the spotlight currently. DIO is touring, only not at a level of intensity of the late 1980’s, nonetheless, Ronnie James Dio and his band would be a solid compliment to a Heavy Metal jamboree anywhere today. Metallica would be the headliner in 2009, without question!! W.A.S.P. would be a perfect band for any Heavy Metal event in 2009, not a second thought about that one!

Over the years, um, decades, I have seen Cinderella, DIO and Metallica live. Memorable Metal moments for me, each one. I would still be ecstatic to see W.A.S.P. someday live… man, that would be the Metal icing on the cake for me. W.A.S.P. is definitely my favorite band out of this group. I would gladly accept a chance to see Anthrax live somewhere in the future as well, regardless of who is at lead vocals. The artwork on this promo is, in my Metal opinion, old school 1980’s Heavy Metal. Neat stuff.

Leave a comment »

METALLICA “JUMP IN THE FIRE” PICTURE DISC – THIS 1983 RARITY IS ONE TO OWN

Posted in 1980's thrash metal albums, 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's thrash metal music, 1980's heavy metal picture discs, 1990's thrash metal bands, collecting rock music, creepy album covers, hard to find heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal memorabilia, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1983, heavy metal on vinyl, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school thrash metal music, rock and roll hall of fame inductees, rock and roll hall of fame members, rock and roll memorabilia, scary album covers, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands, thrash metal legends, thrash metal music, thrash metal picture discs, thrash metal songs with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 18, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

Metallica is synonymous with Thrash Metal elite. They are one of the originators of the Thrash Metal genre. Who can argue about their legacy or status within the world of Metal? My favorite Metallica albums are the first three, Kill ‘Em All (1983), Ride The Lightning (1984) and Master of Puppets, (1986). I was in high school from 1980 to 1985. I had to serve out an extra half year in high school, due to being a half credit shy of graduating in 1984. (Long and boring story). During my high school years in the early ’80’s  – Metallica was enormously huge, a focal point of Metal period. I bought any oddball import, EP and picture disc I could get my hands on back then… especially if it was Metallica. Granted, Metallica may not be my favorite Thrash Metal Band ever, (Slayer takes that Metal prize), still they are a band that has given me tons of unreal great, Metal memories.

So many of these great oddball items and albums of Vintage Metal I have either sold, gave away or misplaced?! over the decades. I actually put a stop to this madness several years ago, now I keep unreal Metal tabs on my music collection. Recently, I was going through a real sweet stash of Heavy Metal albums that I have fortunately kept and put away for some years. These are all vinyl man! I have only about a dozen or so real gems when it comes to picture discs, I immensely appreciate each one of them. This past week I posted a Motorhead picture disc – Beer Drinkers, which I found in this unreal cool, bounty of albums. Now, I present to the world, my newest discovery. A Metallica picture disc that I have owned since 1983, it has never left my possession, yet for some years I did not think I had it still. Making a Metal discovery like this, in your own music collection, is one exhilarating feeling. To be reunited with this Metallica Jump In The Fire picture disc, is worth a thousand Metal smiles for me. This little demon dude is a real Metal kick – I list the specs on this rare gem below.

Metallica – Jump In The Fire:

* Picture Disc – Die Cut

* Release Date – 1983

* Two Songs: Studio Side – Jump In The Fire, Live Side – Phantom Lord

* 1st Pressing – no barcode

* U.K. Import

* PKUT 105 – this is the designation found on the back of this picture disc. It is the designation of being the first pressing with no barcode.

* “Issued under license from Megaforce Records Inc.” is printed on the backside of this picture disc.

* A “Music For Nations” logo is also found on the backside.

* “Music For Nations 8 Carnaby Street  London W1V 1PG” is printed on the backside.

I did my research on this Jump In The Fire picture disc, using several internet record sites as sources. This version/first pressing – non-barcoded example that I own, is referred to as rare. I’m a happy Metalhead.

3 Comments »

My Least Favorite Ozzy Osbourne Song Ever Is…

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal ballads, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, classic heavy metal, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock music, cool album covers, creepy album covers, guitar legends, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1983, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1983, heavy metal solo vocalists, heavy metal songs 1983, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music, scary album covers, spooky metal album covers, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal songs with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 25, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

MetalOdysseyOzzy Osbourne, the Heavy Metal Prince of Darkness. Ozzy Osbourne – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with Black Sabbath. Honestly, I revere the living hell out of this Heavy Metal legend. I did get to see Ozzy Osbourne live in concert twice during my lifetime. For me, those two concerts were unbelievable, with Metallica opening up for Ozzy in New Haven Connecticut, (at the spooky New Haven Coliseum) – it was The Ultimate Sin Tour for Ozzy and Metallica was promoting their legendary Master of Puppets album. The other Ozzy concert I saw had Queensryche open for Ozzy in Springfield, Massachusetts, (at the Springfield Civic Center), on this same Ultimate Sin Tour. Alright, so it is obvious I think the Metal world of Ozzy Osbourne… fine. However, by process of elimination, there has to be my least favorite Ozzy Osbourne song out there and there is one. I do not think much of the song, uh, ballad So Tired from Ozzy’s Bark At The Moon album. This song, ugh, ballad is responsible for my distaste of most Heavy Metal ballads ever released since, by any band. This album was released on December 10, 1983. Don’t get me wrong here, the Bark At The Moon album as a whole, is unreal good. Three songs on this album are incredible for me… Rock ‘n’ Roll Rebel, You’re No Different and of course – Bark At The Moon. These three Ozzy songs I can hold up on a Metal pedestal forever. Plus, Jake E. Lee on guitar is a Metal bonus to listen to.

So Tired is a song that in my Metal opinion, is overwhelmingly dull and depressing and does absolutely nothing but annoy me beyond belief. Who exactly is supposed to be so tired in this song? Is it Ozzy himself? Someone that Ozzy knows? I really do not care in the darn least who is tired. I get tired too, yet I never whine about it like Ozzy did in this song. Sure, maybe the tired theme was about waiting around for a love lost… who cares. So Tired is a perfect example of what happens when a Heavy Metal icon decides to go the Pop and Bubble Gum Music route with a song. Sappy city is open for tourists with So Tired. Get out the kleenex, So Tired is now playing… sniffle, sniffle, I am so moved. The orchestration in this song only annoys me more.

To me, So Tired just never seemed to fit in with the Bark At The Moon album. So Tired is a downer in the midst of some riveting Heavy Metal songs, a huge let down, like the depressed dude at a party trying to bring everyone else down with him. The video for So Tired, (which was on MTV too often back in the day), was so ridiculous that even I felt embarrassed for Ozzy. When the Bark At The Moon album was reissued, So Tired should have been omitted from the track list… it is that lousy – for me. In my Metal opinion, So Tired is the lowest moment of Ozzy Osbournes unparalleled and ultra legendary Heavy Metal career.

Ozzy Osbourne "Bark At The Moon" Large album picture

1 Comment »

Slayer is in my Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!

Posted in Drums, Guitar, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal blade, Metallica, Music, Slayer, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 8, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

I just do not understand how the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame can induct Metallica on April 4, 2009, into their shrine, yet Slayer is not enshrined along with them. It is to my understanding, that one important prerequisite for enshrinement into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is to have 25 years pass since the release of a bands first album. Do not mistake me for one Metal second here, I am a steadfast and loyal fan of Metallica since “Kill ‘Em All”, Metallica deserves their enshrinement. It is too unfortunate that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame could not look back on Thrash Metal history for a second. They would realize if they did the research, that Slayer is of equal value in comparison to Metallica in regards to the formation, foundation, evolution and progress of Thrash Metal!

I do not need to see actual sales figures of albums over the last 25 years to know that Metallica has sold more than Slayer, of course that is fact. Regardless, I do not hesitate to assume that sales figures are not a prerequisite for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame membership. I never give much credence to the Grammy Awards, yet Slayer has won two! Slayer, if anything, has never changed course, always have kept the extreme Thrash Metal meter on high for the last three decades. Slayer has stayed true to the Thrash Metal genre, never selling out, never. Slayer released “Show No Mercy” in December of 1983, on Metal Blade Records. I remember that time period very well, my crowd of Metal friends and I looked upon Metallica and Slayer as basically – equal. Throughout the years, I still considered both of these Thrash Metal giants to be of equal status. Metallica did go a more commercial and Heavy Metal route with “Load”, “Re-load” and “St. Anger”, however, I personally never gave up on Metallica just for their experimentation with the Metal. I have seen both Metallica and Slayer live over the years and in my honest Metal opinion, they were equally great!8421371

Slayer as I mentioned earlier, have always delivered, without question, very fast, very heavy, Thrash Metal. Slayer has exhibited consistency, loyalty, endurance and quality musicianship to the world of Thrash Metal since 1983, isn’t that worth something to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Slayer has released, since 1983, 10 studio albums (which I am including “Undisputed Attitude”), 2 live albums and 2 EP’s. Compared to a vast majority of any Rock band since 1983, that is quite an impressive catalog of album releases. Just to reiterate, I wholeheartedly agree that Metallica deserves their place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! No one has to convince me of that! It would have been very cool, actually justified, to see Slayer be recognized at the same time.

For now, Tom Araya, Jeff Hanneman, Kerry King and Dave Lombardo are in my very own, self proclaimed, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Paul Bostaph, in my Metal opinion, filled in on drums tremendously while Dave Lombardo was out, therefore, Paul Bostaph is in too. I have spoken my Metal mind.

1 Comment »

Cliff Burton will always be remembered by this Metallica fan.

Posted in concerts, Guitar, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, james hetfield, Metal, Metal Church, metal concerts, Metallica, Music, Rock, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on April 4, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

3791052I was extremely lucky enough to see Cliff Burton, the late bass playing legend for Metallica, at two live gigs in 1986. The first live experience I had seeing Metallica with Cliff Burton was in a large club setting, (The West Hartford Ballroom, West Hartford, Connecticut). Metal Church opened for Metallica, what a night. The second live gig I experienced seeing Cliff Burton was a rather very large gig. Metallica opened for none other than – Ozzy Osbourne! This exciting concert took place at the New Haven Coliseum, New Haven, Connecticut). (During 1986, Metallica was touring in support of their album “Master of Puppets” and Ozzy Osbourne was touring in support of his album “The Ultimate Sin”) My Metal memory cannot recall the exact dates of these shows, yet they both occurred in the brutally cold Winter months of 1986!

Let me say this much, as I witnessed Cliff Burton up close, in the large club setting, I still never have witnessed, to this very day, another Metal bass player that was so electrifying and physically into the music as Cliff was. It was because of Cliff Burton that I emulated his style of headbanging! Cliff Burton, from seeing him so up close that night, made it so vividly clear to me, that he was the master of his bass guitar, he was really enjoying the music he was playing. I could see in his face, the raw and yet enthusiastic emotion of what Thrash Metal really was. I will never forget that night, nor can I forget seeing Cliff Burton truly feel the Thrash music he was playing. Again, this is my own personal, live, first hand account from what I witnessed while watching Cliff Burton play his bass. (I of course remember James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett too from that night!).

The New Haven concert was of course, bigger, therefore my nose bleed seat did not afford me the exclusiveness of being up close to the stage this time around. However, I did witness Metallica with Cliff Burton for a second time, live – they literally blew the roof off the coliseum with their brand of Thrash Metal fury! I remember gazing down on the entire stage, revering Metallica, taking it all in, taking each person on that stage for granted. Now, reflecting back, I grin while thinking of the New Haven concert. On that night, the thrill of seeing Metallica was euphoric to say the least, yet I was also equally thrilled that night to see Ozzy Osbourne on stage too. Just to pause for a moment, I and no one else for that matter on that particular evening, knew, that this very well would be the last time we would see the great Cliff Burton play his bass guitar live. These Metal life lessons have taught me to no longer take any person you enjoy for granted. Reflecting on these terrific Metal moments of my past reminds me, to cherish the moments I have today, to cherish family, friends, Metal music and good times. 

Clifford Lee Burton – February 10, 1962 – September 27, 1986

Congratulations, Cliff Burton, on your induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with your band Metallica, on April 4, class of 2009! 

5 Comments »

Greatest Metal album of all time – list #4!

Posted in Alice cooper, Black Metal, Gene Simmons, Guitar, Hair Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Heavy Metal Reviews, james hetfield, Led Zeppelin, Metal, Metallica, Paul Stanley, Rock, Thrash Metal, Vocals, W.A.S.P. with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 30, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

412770Well, here I am, continuing my research and very own and personal Metal journey of deciding what the greatest Metal album of all time is. As with the past 3 lists that I have compiled, these lists are nominees only, in no particular order. Plus, a point I need to make is, it would be “fun” and “cool” to add every Metallica, every Led Zeppelin album ever released to these lists, wouldn’t it? I just cannot do that, for I need to keep “some” integrity flowing around here! There will be a few entries from respective Metal bands however, only due to their enormous impact on the evolution and culture of Heavy Metal. I should not be too far away from “finishing” these lists, I cannot wait to see what Metal album I choose as the greatest ever! Once I do make that illustrious and personal Metal decision, I will definitely detail the reasons for why I chose that particular Metal album, you bet. Without further delay, here are another 15 classic Metal albums that I nominate for greatest ever:

1.   Led Zeppelin – “ll”

2.   Led Zeppelin – “lV”

3.   Metallica – “Kill ‘Em All”

4.   Quiet Riot – “Metal Health”

5.   Venom – “Black Metal”

6.   Krokus – “Headhunter”

7.   Kiss – “Love Gun”

8.   Mercyful Fate – “Melissa”

9.   Rush – “Moving Pictures”

10. W.A.S.P. – “The Last Command”

11. Twisted Sister – “Under The Blade”

12. Twisted Sister – “Stay Hungy”

13. Accept – “Restless and Wild”

14. Alice Cooper – “Welcome To My Nightmare”

15. Ted Nugent – “Cat Scratch Fever”

I will continue on with the deliberations, I will keep all of you fellow Metalheads worldwide posted on this ongoing personal Metal journey towards the greatest Metal album of all time!

Leave a comment »

Greatest Metal album ever – the saga continues!

Posted in Album Review, Death Metal, Drums, Extreme Metal, Guitar, Heavy Metal, Heavy Metal Reviews, Iron Maiden, james hetfield, Led Zeppelin, Metal, Metal Reviews, Metallica, Music, ozzy, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , on March 27, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

496190You know, after writing my last article regarding the greatest Metal album ever, I will refuse to ponder! After sleeping on the thoughts of what makes a Metal album the greatest of all time, I realized that I cannot be a jelly head and not step up and announce what I feel is the greatest Metal album ever created. Patience is a virtue however, I need to continue my research, add more lists of great & legendary Metal albums as nominees, follow my Metal heart and then decide. So, in a Metal nutshell, this topic shall be a series of articles leading up to my personal Metal decision on what Metal album is the greatest of greats. I may have a decision within days, it may take a couple of weeks, I am in no rush to make such an important and personal Metal decision! For once the decision is made, I cannot go back on my Metal word and say – “but” or “I changed my mind” – none of that immaturity will I bestow on the world of my fellow Metalheads out there. Now, without further delay, here is a list of 15 more incredible Metal albums that I have personally nominated to might become the greatest of all time. (There is no importance at this time in regards to the order of this list, these again, are nominees):

1.    Guns N’ Roses – “Appetite for Destruction”

2.    Metallica – “Ride the Lightning”

3.    Thin Lizzy – “Jailbreak”

4.    AC/DC – “Back In Black”

5.    AC/DC – “Powerage”

6.    Iron Maiden – “Iron Maiden”

7.    Iron Maiden – “Piece of Mind”

8.    Judas Priest – “Stained Class”

9.    King Diamond – “Abigail”

10.   Exodus – “Bonded By Blood”

11.   Ozzy Osbourne – “Blizzard of Oz”

12.   Black Sabbath – “Heaven and Hell”

13.   Deep Purple – “Machine Head”

14.   Anthrax – “Among the Living”

15.   Pantera – “Cowboys From Hell”

I definitely will have to continue on with some more nominations here, I am not going to just rattle them off the top of my Metal head, I need to clearly think about the albums and then justify to myself their significance to the world of Metal. I find this truly fun, it really beats watching the 24 hour news networks and listening to their robotic talking heads reading from tele-prompters! There will be more nominees to come, stay tuned, be patient, I will make an informed Metal decision on choosing the greatest Metal album ever.

2 Comments »

What is the greatest Metal album ever? Something to ponder…

Posted in Album Review, Death Metal, Drums, Extreme Metal, Guitar, Hair Metal, Heavy Metal, Heavy Metal Reviews, james hetfield, Metal, Metal Reviews, Metallica, Music, ozzy, Power Metal, Slayer, Slipknot, Thrash Metal, Vocals with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 27, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

3117816Here we go, a “fun” exercise in Heavy Metal debate, one of the more controversial question’s in Metal music history. What Metal band made the greatest Metal album ever? I like to cut to the chase by having this debate as “all inclusive,” meaning every Metal genre get’s involved here. This without doubt, becomes a personal issue for most Metal fans, I can accept that for I take this topic very personal as well. I never like to get caught up with which genre of Metal is better, nor do I like to get childish and say Slipknot is better than… 

The age old question of what is the greatest Metal album ever has more of a historical importance to it. This is really an open ended question, for what merits the album to be the greatest anyway? Does the greatest Metal album have to be from the onset of Heavy Metal, say the late 1960’s – early 1970’s? Would this be due in part for the greatest Metal album would be the cornerstone and/or building block of the future of all Metal music? It is an obvious acceptance in the world of Metal music, that “hit” singles do not constitute any appreciation, applause or adulation amongst real Metal fans. Metal music, as a rule, is underground, dark, no hits needed please. The Heavy Metal and Hair Metal genres have garnered most of the “hit” singles for us, that is fine with me. My main point I am conveying here is it should not be necessary for the greatest Metal album ever to be loaded with radio friendly hit songs.

There are many ideas to consider when choosing the greatest Metal album ever, the list could actually be endless with criteria! Here are some questions that could be posed to this debate:

1. Is the album groundbreaking for it’s Metal genre?

2. Is the album representative of a sound that is fresh & new while still staying true to Metal?

3. Musically, is the album cutting edge? Is the album musically basic?

4. Does the greatest Metal album incorporate several Metal genres? Does it bestow influences of past Metal?

5. How memorable should this Metal album be? Quite memorable for me I am sure.

6. Is the greatest Metal album ever – created by a powerhouse/well known Metal band, or a more “fan favorite” underground Metal band? 

7. Just as I feel about the hit singles approach, I do not/never have given any credence to the sales figures or chart position of any of my favorite Metal albums, I leave that to the “Pop” & “bubble gum” music world thank you.

8. Is this greatest Metal album ever a concept album? Could it possibly be an EP?

9. Could the greatest Metal album ever be just instrumental? Partial vocals? 

10. Could the album cover have any influence on how a person feels about the music? I could not be swayed by the album art when making a decision on the greatest Metal album ever.

Well, it is all about preference when it really counts. Many Metal fans want their greatest Metal album to be the heaviest music there is out there, while other Metal fans may opt for history being made in the music, on this album. I really do not see any wrong or right way to judge, I feel it becomes far too personal a choice for me to truly make. This is why I have to chuckle when some music critic in the mainstream media comes up with a personal choice of the greatest Metal album of all time. A bigger chuckle for me is when a readers choice poll gets printed in a mainstream music magazine and it is the classic, cliche’ unveiling of a Metal album that is thrown down your throat – that this is the Metal album of the ages.

For those who feel I should be more adventurous and just say which Metal album is what I consider to be the greatest of all time, well, here are a few candidates I feel are worthy. Forgive me for not being able to say which album I deem as the all time greatest Metal masterpiece. I am guilty of loving all Metal and I am infatuated with too many Metal albums to nail it down to just one greatest. Here is my top ten list, not in any particular order, for nominees of the greatest Metal album of all time.

1. Metallica – “Master of Puppets”

2. Queensryche – “Operation Mindcrime”

3. Black Sabbath – “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”

4. Slipknot – “All Hope Is Gone”

5. Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Are You Experienced”

6. Led Zeppelin – “Physical Graffiti”

7. Slayer – “Reign In Blood”

8. Rush – “2112”

9. Black Sabbath – “Black Sabbath”

10. Motorhead – “Ace of Spades”

In a perfect world, sure, I would pick one of these fine Metal albums above and bestow it as the greatest ever. I am certain my list of nominees are quite different than my fellow Metalhead fans out there, some may agree partially to my list. Tomorrow, for heaven sake, this list of mine could change in a heartbeat! That is how amazing Metal music is for me, I could honestly come up with another list of 10 nominees for greatest Metal album ever! Somewhere out in the world of Metal music, is the greatest Metal album ever recorded. It is definitely being listened to and enjoyed by an unknown number of Metalheads, at this moment you are reading this article. Rest assured, this list is not set in Metal stone for me, yet I do reflect back to these Metal releases each and every time that I ponder the greatest Metal album ever…

1 Comment »

KREATOR has created incredible Thrash Metal!

Posted in Album Review, Death Metal, Drums, Edguy, GammaRay, Guitar, Heavy Metal, Heavy Metal Reviews, Kreator, Metal, Metal Reviews, Metallica, Music, Over Kill, Power Metal, Scorpions, Thrash Metal, Vocals with tags , , , , , , , on March 22, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

91556921Hey, I hold one heck of a strong allegiance to Thrash Metal. Veteran Thrash originators like Slayer, Metallica, Exodus, Anthrax, Megadeth, Destruction, Over Kill, Testament and even young newcomers like Black Tide and Warbringer set me straight on the road to Thrash Metal glee. My main point of this article is to shout out loudly and proudly to the entire world that – Kreator is one unbelievable Thrash Metal band, wow. What has me so impressed by Kreator, is that they have released 2 amazing Thrash albums in a row! Starting with “Enemy of God”, (released in January of 2005), then this January of 2009 brought us the incredible “Hordes of Chaos”. I am not, in any way, taking away the Thrash Metal greatness of their achievements from the 1980’s and 1990’s. Kreator has, experimented musically in the past, yet this has never been an abomination to me by any means. 

If you are a fan of Heavy Metal, Metal or  Thrash Metal, you simply have to give Kreator a listen if you have not already. There are mainstream “music critics” out there who do not have a clue, they do not even know that Kreator is generating throngs of fans worldwide with their tours and quality albums. Furthermore, these so called professional “music critics” are always the first to cry out that melody and Thrash/Death Metal do not exist together. Well, Kreator pretty much adds melody to their Thrash, you are not getting just a flurry of riffs and chords that go nowhere with pummeling blast beats. 

The essential and basic ingredients to achieving top tier Thrash Metal is accomplished here with Kreator. On “Enemy of God” and “Hordes of Chaos”, you will hear lyrics on violence, anarchy and just about every dark image you can imagine. The guitar riffs, leads and solos are second to none in the genre. The lead vocals are powerful, distinct and never take center stage over the music itself. The rhythm section is a lesson in Thrash Metal 101, beating you down into a Thrash submission that elevates you at the same time. Kreator hails from the fine country of Germany. Over the last couple of decades or more, Germany has been infamous for the Power Metal greatness that it exports, (Scorpions, Accept, Edguy, GammaRay, etc). Well, Germany has in my opinion, delivered to the Metal world, what I regard as one of the greatest and most underrated Thrash Metal bands that has ever existed – Kreator.

Kreator initially bestowed their greatness to the Thrash Metal genre in 1986, with “Flag of Hate”. Obviously, Kreator is a veteran Thrash Metal band, they have sustained and persevered like so many others in Metal. Since then, there have been lineup changes with the band, which to me, is a natural occurrence within any Rock music genre. The current Kreator lineup is as follows: Miland ‘Mille’ Petrozza on vocals and guitar, Jurgen ‘Ventor’ Reil on drums, Christian ‘Speesy’ Giesler on bass and Sami Yli-Sirnio on guitar. I highly, without hesitation, recommend the entire Kreator catalog of music to savvy Thrash Metal fans worldwide – especially “Enemy of God” and “Hordes of Chaos”, these two albums alone are Thrash Metal gold for me.

3 Comments »

Newer Entries »