MOUNTAIN – This decade spanning and generation jumping, Hard Rock and early years Heavy Metal band known to us all as Mountain, released their eighth studio album – Masters Of War, on Big Rack Records, back in 2007. Founding member and lead vocalist Leslie West sounds as formidable as ever on vocals. With lifelong band mate and drummer Corkey Laing by his side, Leslie West had carried the heavy, bluesy and Classic Hard Rock sound of Mountain straight into 2007 and beyond. Leslie and Corky are Hard Rock and Heavy Metal pioneers: personified, signed, sealed and delivered.
Masters Of War is an album devoted to Bob Dylan cover songs. Bob Dylan, a super historic figure in the history of all music. As impressive is the list of music genres that Bob Dylan has crossed over, equally or more impressive is his song writing. Without a doubt in my Metal mind… Bob Dylan is a living legend of song. What better musician and songwriter for Mountain to dedicate a complete album of covers? Masters Of War is a listen into two incredible worlds of music, the first being song writing excellence and the second being Heavy, Hard Rock excellence.
Leslie West, Corky Laing and Bob Dylan have paved the Rock ‘N’ Roll highway for generations to navigate and enjoy. Step in Ozzy Osbourne… one of Heavy Metal’s living legends, a Heavy Metal pioneer himself. Leslie West and Ozzy Osbourne share lead vocals, a duet if you will, on the heavy cover song Masters Of War. The combination of these two icons of Heavy Music makes for a song of historical Rock importance, in my Metal opinion. Just a great song, sung by two vocalists that have entertained my Metal ears for decades.
Choosing a favorite song from Masters Of War is a task, the totality of genuine Hard Rockin’ greatness makes for an overwhelming listen for me. If you are looking to shake loose the hidden and locked up boogie woogie Rock ‘N’ Roll side of you… then let me recommend multiple listens to Everything Is Broken. Mountain grabs my boogie woogie soul while I listen to this song and wakes it up, shakes it around and reminds it – that there really are times when you have to get down to the tune that’s Rockin’. Metal as my witness, Everything Is Broken is brought to life again by Mountain.
Subterranean Homesick Blues will have you foot stomping, head nodding and shuffling those shoulders of yours uncontrollably. If this song does not have that type of affect on you, then please check into the clinic that is called – “No Rock ‘N’ Roll Exists In My Soul”. Tell ’em Stone from Metal Odyssey sent your sorry, mellow, lame butt there too.
Taking into account, the Rock historic significance of Bob Dylan and Mountain, it’s only fitting that these two music legends came full circle in the songs heard on Masters Of War. As I listen to Mr. Tambourine Man, I am awe struck at this songs importance to the early culture of Rock Music in America. At the end of my Metal day, it’s those pioneering Rock legends of yesteryear that remind me just how all it all started. Through these Bob Dylan cover songs on Mountain’s Masters Of War, I’m reacquainted once again with Rock and Roll history.
* Corky Laing is the lead vocalist and plays drums on Like A Rolling Stone. The combination of only vocals and drums on this cover song, serves up for a cool and modern listen of this classic song.
* Warren Haynes, (Gov’t Mule and The Allman Brothers Band), plays lead guitar on Serve Somebody and guitar on The Times They Are A-Changin’.
Track Listing For Masters Of War:
Masters Of War
Serve Somebody
Blowin’ In The Wind (Heavy)
Everything Is Broken
Highway 61 Revisisted
This Heart Of Mine
Subterranean Homesick Blues
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Seven Days
Mr. Tambourine Man
Like A Rolling Stone
Blowin’ In The Wind (Acoustic)
LONG LIVE MOUNTAIN.
LONG LIVE BOB DYLAN.
Stone.
“W.A.S.P. “The Last Command” is a Heavy Metal album that has enormous energy, loaded with heavy riffs and guitar leads. I am a W.A.S.P. fan, I by no means want to sound bias, yet this is a classic example of just how sensational, fun and at times provocative the Heavy Metal music and lyrics of W.A.S.P. truly are/were. Released in November of 1985, it is my opinion that “The Last Command” provides more Heavy Metal music muscle than many bands of this genre and time period. The bonus tracks are key, (these bonus tracks are found on the reissue version), there are 7 in all, with W.A.S.P. doing a heavy duty cover of the infamous Mountain song “Mississippi Queen”. Blackie Lawless on lead vocals and bass is the epitome of Heavy Metal then and now, his vocals are a focal point for me, extremely riveting. The 5 live bonus tracks are infused with an electrifying energy of all things Heavy about this band, these songs are quality live recordings. After you listen to the 3 opening songs, the captivating Heavy Metal of W.A.S.P. will have you wishing you owned “The Last Command” for the last 20 plus years! I have never known of or listened to a W.A.S.P. album that I never liked. “The Last Command” kicks the Metal into high gear and should always be played LOUD for maximum enjoyment. I highly recommend “The Last Command” to all W.A.S.P. fans, Heavy Metal and Metal fans and any fan of quality Heavy music from the decade of the ’80’s.
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