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SAXON – “BACK ON THE STREETS” APPLE SHAPED PICTURE DISC FROM 1985!

SAXON – Back On The Streets, (die-cut), shaped picture disc FIND! This past week, I entered yet another antique mall and I stumbled upon this unreal great Saxon picture disc! I was in Metal glee, upon my eyes becoming affixed, to this piece of Saxon vinyl memorabilia. The price I paid for this Saxon find was $10, (U.S.), Metal money worth spending. I don’t know the actual value of this picture disc on the open Metal market, yet I have a funny feeling it is worth more than the $10 I spent on it. Looking around the world wide web, I did not find one dealer/site that has this Saxon picture disc for sale. (Now, can I honestly say it is not available anywhere on the internet? Of course not… I just have not seen one just yet). I will have to think, with Metal certainty, that this Saxon picture disc must be scarce. Oh, the feeling of making a Metal score like this! Why I feel so psyched is that this is a picture disc from 1985, it’s not as if it’s a current/newly released picture disc. Plus, the sheer fact that this is a Heavy Metal band that I really do like makes it only better.

SAXON – Back On The Streets – Shaped Picture Disc Specs:

Side A: Back On The Streets

Side B: Live Fast Die Young

* To the best of my Metal research, Live Fast Die Young has never appeared on any Saxon studio album. Maybe it has appeared on a Saxon bootleg? Anyone with further info on the song Live Fast Die Young is welcomed to comment. If this is to be the only Saxon recording that Live Fast Die Young is found on, man, that makes this picture disc all the more Metal important.

* This is a U.K. import, the picture disc code, (found at the bottom of Side B), is: RP 6103.

* Directly below the picture disc code is a small logo witch reads: Parlophone.

* Other text found at the bottom of Side B, reads: SAXONGS CARLIN MUSIC CORP., (and), 1985 Original Sound Recordings Made By EMI Records LTD., (and), 1985 EMI Records LTD.

The single Back On The Streets is from the Saxon album Innocence Is No Excuse, (released in 1985).

Saxon, as they appeared on the 1985 album Innocence Is No Excuse:

Biff Byford – lead vocals

Paul Quinn – guitarist

Graham Oliver – guitarist

Steve Dawson – bass guitarist

Nigel Glockler – drums

This super fine picture disc is shaped like an apple, with the stem actually protruding out at the top! Here is what this Back On The Streets – shaped picture disc looks like:

Side A:

Side B:

I thank my wife for taking the pics for Metal Odyssey… she is quite a Metal asset for me in more ways than I can count, I honestly don’t know what I would do without her… that is a Metal fact!

MANOWAR – “WARRIORS OF THE WORLD UNITED” METAL MUSIC VIDEO DEFENDS FREEDOM!

Posted in 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal bands, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's metal bands, 1990's power metal music, 2002 heavy metal albums, 2002 metal music, american heavy metal bands, cool album covers, current heavy metal bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, Metal, metal music, metal music albums, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, old school metal bands, power metal bands, power metal music, power metal songs, rock music with tags 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, american heavy metal bands, american metal bands, current heavy metal bands, eric adams vocalist, heavy metal anthems, heavy metal songs, heavy metal videos, joey demaio bass guitarist, karl logan guitarist, kings of metal, loudest metal band, manowar, manowar 2002, manowar heavy metal band, manowar metal band, metal music, metal music legends, metal music videos, metal odyssey, Music, scott columbus drummer, warriors of the world album, warriors of the world united song, warriors of the world united video on January 24, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MANOWAR. THE KINGS OF METAL. I have always stated… I won’t argue with them on that. I’m cool with it. I have always pumped my fists into the air to Manowar Metal. Manowar is a core Metal Band for me. Warriors Of The World United is an absolute tremendous Metal anthem – defending the freedom we all cherish. Freedom I shall never, ever, take for granted. Manowar is an American Metal Band that I shall never take for granted. There are those Metal Bands and the songs they write, that stand for what I believe in… Manowar and Warriors Of The World United exemplifies this. Warriors Of The World United resonates the spirit and pride of being free, wherever you may live, especially in this undisputed great country of The United States of America. I cannot control the feeling of getting psyched out, each and every time I listen to this song. Hopefully, you may like this song and video as much as I do. I am proud to be an American, a Metalhead and a fan of Manowar. Long live MANOWAR!

* For all the latest Metal news and happenings with MANOWAR, check out their official website by clicking this link: MANOWAR – Official Website

* Manowar released the album Warriors Of The World, on Nuclear Blast Records, June 4, 2002.

MANOWAR as they appeared on the album Warriors Of The World:

Eric Adams – lead vocals

Karl Logan – guitar and keyboards

Joey DeMaio – bass guitar

Scott Columbus – drums

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BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME – “THE GREAT MISDIRECT” IS A PROGRESSIVE & HEAVY MIND ADVENTURE

Posted in Album Review, alternative metal music, current heavy metal albums, current progressive metal albums, current progressive metal music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, Metal, metal music, metal music albums, metal odyssey, Music, prog metal albums, prog metal music, progressive metal, progressive metal 2009, progressive metal albums, progressive metal bands, progressive metal music, progressive metal songs, progressive rock music, rock music with tags Album Review, alternative metal music, between the buried and me, blake richardson drummer, dan briggs bass guitarist, diverse metal music, dustie waring guitarist, extreme metal music, hard rock music, hardcore metal, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, paul waggoner guitarist, progressive hard rock music, progressive metal 2009, progressive metal albums, progressive metal bands, progressive metal history, progressive metal music, progressive metal songs, the great misdirect album, tommy rogers vocalist on January 23, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME – The Great Misdirect is a Progressive Metal album that was released on October 26, 2009, on Victory Records. I received this CD as a Christmas gift from my wife and daughters, therefore, my first listen to The Great Misdirect was in the final days of last year. Metal truth be told, this is my very first Between The Buried And Me album that I have ever owned… or listened to. Stagnant, same-old, status quo and ho-hum are words that DO NOT describe The Great Misdirect. Heavy, progressive, semi-psychedelic, retrospective, layered and mind adventure are words THAT DO describe this dynamic album. As I listened intently to The Great Misdirect, I swear that this is a band that has taken a time machine from the mid 1970’s to present day… and they have been kidnapped and forced to create heavier music than they are used to, while still being able to incorporate their own style of Classic Rock into the structure of the songs. Call this thought nutty, call it science fiction, still, this is the type of mind wandering that Between The Buried And Me are all about with their lyrics anyways! It’s not just a fascination with this band being different that gets me… it’s the sheer fascination that this band is damned good at writing Heavy Progressive Music and playing it too.

Just by reading the lyrics to Fossil Genera – A Feed From Cloud Mountain, I realize that BTBAM’s vocalist Tommy Rogers is open minded and embraces the science fiction side of thought and conspiracy theories, (where his actual views stand on such topics, I do not know). Needless to say, just reading the lyrics found within the liner notes is an adventure. As goes Progressive Metal, the moment I sit back and chill to a lengthy interlude of mellow musical interplay, the quicker I have to sit up/get up to the heavy guitar riffs and leads, the bombastic rhythm section and/or the Extreme Metal vocals. (Pssst… I don’t mind it one Metal bit).

Yes, Grand Funk Railroad and any other Classic Rock band of legend should be proud of the astute usage of keyboards found within The Great Misdirect. Once again, Tommy Rogers is at the helm on the keys, raising such a familiar 1970’s sound that actually seems to resonate above the heaviness. Tommy Rogers also seems to go back and forth from extreme to traditional vocals rather effortlessly. As a unit, BTBAM are smart as they are talented with their playing, improvisation with this band in a live setting should never pose a problem.

Mirrors opens The Great Misdirect in a solemn, ultra mellow and quaint way. Lyrically, Mirrors exhibits a person who is without question, disassociated with the world around him/her… both people and things included. Ah, don’t let the opener of Mirrors fool you however, Obfuscation burrows right into my Metal soul… almost without warning, then subsides into a legitimate progressive pattern that BTBAM have indeed succeeded at. Metal Odyssey Note: Obfuscation means to be unclear, evasive or confusing. I actually had to look this word up, yeah, I did. Using a dictionary is cool.

Disease, Injury, Madness is over eleven minutes long, basically a Progressive Metal epic. Too bad this song wasn’t an hour long… it’s that good for me. As being an admirer of Mastodon, Daath, Dream Theater, Yes and The Electric Light Orchestra, my progressive Rock fan roots are as diverse as the Universe itself. Then again, when I think about it, isn’t the word diverse a major characteristic of Progressive Metal to begin with? Between The Buried And Me have recruited a NEW fan, I will gleefully dig into their back catalog without blinking a Metal eye.

Track Listing for The Great Misdirect:

Mirrors and Obfuscation – Metal Odyssey Note: (Mirrors plays out as an introduction to Obfuscation)

Disease, Injury, Madness

Swim To The Moon

Desert Of Song

Fossil Genera – A Feed from Cloud Mountain

Between The Buried And Me, as they appear on The Great Misdirect:

Tommy Rogers – vocals, keys and lyrics

Dan Briggs – bass, fretless bass

Dustie Waring – electric guitar, slide guitar, acoustic guitar and guitar effects

Paul Waggoner – electric guitar, steel string acoustic guitar, classical guitar and lap steel guitar

Blake Richardson – drums and percussion

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KROKUS – “ALIVE AND SCREAMIN'” IS A HEAVY METAL FIND ON VINYL!

Posted in 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal ballads, 1980's live heavy metal albums, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal guitarists, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal bands, 1980's metal music, 1986 heavy metal albums, 1986 heavy metal music, Album Review, cool album covers, current heavy metal bands, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1986, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal records, live heavy metal albums, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal bands, rock music with tags 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's live heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's krokus albums, Album Review, cool album covers, fernando von arb guitarist, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal music, krokus, krokus 1986, krokus alive and screamin album, krokus heavy metal band, live heavy metal albums, marc storace vocalist, mark kohler guitarist, melodic heavy metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal bands, scary heavy metal album covers on January 22, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

KROKUS – Alive and Screamin’, on vinyl and in mint condition, with it’s original album plastic still covering it… there it was, on one of my recent Heavy Metal hunting expeditions, sitting in an antique mall screamin’ for me to buy it. Five bucks I shelled out to bring this vintage, Old School Heavy Metal album home with me. Five bucks. This great Krokus album was opened by someone in the past, still, the vinyl and original inner sleeve itself is mint! Plus, as a Metal bonus, it plays just fine! I deliberately went to visit this antique mall for a find … a Metal find that is. It’s not as if there are truck loads of vintage or current Heavy Metal albums and memorabilia at this antique mall, not in the least. I really have to scour the goods, peruse the aisles and sniff out the Heavy Metal from where it is hiding. It’s good times for me, searching for Heavy Metal albums or anything Hard Rock/Heavy Metal related at these kind of places. I’m a nostalgic Metalhead, always was, always will be. Finding and collecting the Heavy Metal vinyl I once owned or never owned is a natural Metal high for me, especially when I land them mint and cheap! As long as I have a turntable or two to play these albums on, the Metal enjoyment shall carry on long after the purchase.

Alive and Screamin’ marked the first live album released by Krokus. Overall, this live album has fantastic sound quality, a very well produced live album. This live Krokus album proves for me, to be an Old School and heavy warm-up to the new upcoming Krokus album – Hoodoo, that is set for a February 26, 2010 release! What a heavy duty way for Alive and Screamin’ to start off, kicking into Heavy Metal gears with Long Stick Goes Boom, Krokus sets the tone for the remainder of this live album, they made the statement a long time ago… that they came to kick some Heavy Metal ass.

Stayed Awake All Night and Eat The Rich sound unreal great, with all of the heavy and live elements happening, it’s psyche you-out city! Metal truth be told, I really had a blast revisiting Alive and Screamin’… I actually spun this album on the turntable four times in a row! No skips or crackles… just a real mint album I found here. I actually wonder if this album was ever played in the past at all. I’m playing this album on a regular basis, loud too!

Headhunter is certainly the heaviest Krokus song on Alive and Screamin’, an all-time favorite Krokus song of mine too. Another Metal truth be told is: I actually like the live version of Midnite Maniac better than the studio version. Often times it happens this way for my Metal ears.

Screaming In The Night proves to be a quintessential Heavy Metal ballad, of historical Krokus importance. To this very day, I cannot get enough of Screaming In The Night, this song just seems to flow in it’s heavy uniqueness. Marc Storace on vocals sounds terrific on each song, the same can be said for each member of Krokus on Alive and Screamin’. Fernando Von Arb and Marc Kohler on guitars just seem to ignite these classic Krokus songs.

Krokus, as they appeared on Alive and Screamin’:

Marc Storace – lead vocals

Fernando Von Arb – lead guitar

Mark Kohler – rhythm guitar

Tommy Keiser – bass guitar

Jeff Klaven – drums

* Alive and Screamin’ was recorded live in the following cities: Amarillo, Texas, Cincinnati Ohio, Baltimore Maryland, Poughkeepsie, New York and Toronto, Canada. (Source: liner notes on the inside album sleeve).

Track listing for Alive and Screamin’:

(Note: Krokus studio album from where song originated in parentheses)

Long Stick Goes Boom – (One Vice At A Time)

Eat The Rich – (Headhunter)

Screaming In The Night – (Headhunter)

Hot Shot City – (Change Of Address)

Midnite Maniac – (The Blitz)

Bedside Radio – (Metal Rendez-vous)

Lay Me Down – (Alive and Screamin’)

Stayed Awake All Night – (Headhunter)

Headhunter – (Headhunter)

* Lay Me Down was the first time this song appeared on a Krokus album.

* Alive and Screamin’ was released in October of 1986, on Arista Records.

* The front cover of Alive and Screamin’ was created by world renowned illustrator – Les Edwards.

* I really, really, really, dig the front cover album artwork of Les Edwards – that is one evil looking vampire. If it’s not a vampire, then it is one vile and evil looking dude that I would not want to encounter in a dark alley. Metal be damned, this evil face sincerely reminds me of my old High School chemistry teacher as well. I wouldn’t want to encounter a vampire or my old H.S. chemistry teacher in a dark alley either.

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SATYRICON – “BLACK CROW ON A TOMBSTONE” VIDEO IS A BLACK METAL TRIUMPH

Posted in Black Metal, black metal 2008, black metal albums, black metal music, black metal songs, black metal videos, black metal vocalists, extreme metal music, extreme music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal videos, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, scary album covers, spooky album covers with tags black crow on a tombstone song, black crow on a tombstone video, Black Metal, black metal bands, black metal videos, extreme metal music, frost drummer, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, satyr vocalist, satyricon, satyricon the age of nero album, the age of nero album on January 21, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Satyricon – The Age Of Nero was released back on November 3, 2008. This is an album that gets increasingly greater for me, after each listen. One song in particular, Black Crow On A Tombstone, just stays in my head for days… weeks on end. I am not going to fight it off, it’s a fantastic song that I immensely enjoy. I can remember distinctly, the first time I listened to The Age Of Nero in it’s entirety… it blew me away. The grooves are abundant throughout this album, Black Metal reigns supreme through these songs. Satyricon created an album with The Age Of Nero that I would easily consider to be… Metal Album of the Decade. I’m not kidding around… the Metal… Black Metal, on this album is representative of what incredible song writing is all about, both musically and lyrically. Satyr proved to me, that you do not need to get mathematical, intricate or go over the top, in order to create a sensational Black Metal album such as this. Here is the video for Black Crow On A Tombstone – the darkness of the video compliments this song. Satyr sings this song with unreal conviction, which is an attribute I find so admirable and remarkable. Being pre-warned by the sight of a black crow, that impending doom is upon you, is the theme of this song. Here’s hoping you enjoy this great song and video as much as I do…

If you wish, you can read my full review for Satyricon – The Age Of Nero, which I posted on April 7, 2009, by clicking the header below:

Satyricon “The Age Of Nero” – this is serious Metal

LONG LIVE SATYRICON.

Well, sorry fellow Metalheads and Satyricon fans… apparently “WMG” (yeah, that record compnay) doesn’t want to “share” their music video’s with blogs like Metal Odyssey. It’s too bad, due to the fact that Metal Odyssey gives away FREE advertising for record companies like WMG day in and day out. Wherever you do go to finally see this amazing Satyricon music video, I hope you do enjoy it. Black Crow On A Tombstone is one HELL of a music video from one incredible Black Metal Band that is Satyricon.

Stone.

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THE LONDON QUIREBOYS – “A BIT OF WHAT YOU FANCY” FROM 1990 IS A HARD ROCK BLAST!

Posted in 1980's hair metal music, 1980's hard rock, 1980's heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's rock bands, 1990's rock music, 1990's hair metal bands, 1990's hard rock albums, 1990's hard rock bands, 1990's heavy metal music, 1990's rock albums, Album Review, cool album covers, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, hard rock album review, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, hard rock vocalists, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1990, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands from england, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1990, metal odyssey, Music, old school hair metal bands, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, rock and roll, rock music with tags 1980's hard rock music, 1980's hair metal music, 1990's hard rock music, 1990's hair metal bands, 1990's hard rock albums, 1990's hard rock bands, 7 o' clock song, a bit of what you fancy album, Album Review, chris johnstone keyboardist, guy bailey guitarist, guy griffin guitarist, hair metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock album review, hard rock albums 1990, hard rock guitarists, hard rock music, hard rock vocalists, heavy metal music, ian wallace drummer, metal odyssey, Music, music reviews, nigel mogg bass guitarist, rock and roll, rock music, spike vocalist, the london quireboys, the london quireboys 1990 on January 20, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

The London Quireboys – A Bit Of What You Fancy is a reason why I’m psyched I never unloaded my cassettes from years… um, decades past. I slapped this cassette into my home stereo today and I am just as enthused by the Hard Rock blast from The London Quireboys… as I was back in 1990. The London Quireboys put the Hard Rock pedal to the Metal on A Bit Of What You Fancy, no smoke and mirrors to be heard… just great, heavy, Rock and Roll! When I initially bought this cassette back in 1990, I did so only having heard their biggest hit from this album on the FM dial… 7 o’clock. This is a song that my wife, (girlfriend at that time) and I played over and over… and over again back in ’90! Is 7 o’ clock a party song? You bet your Metal life it is! Take a long drive to this entire album and leave your cares behind? Go for it! A Bit Of What You Fancy is like that hidden Hard Rock gem from 1990… only it is not hidden in my Heavy Music collection, no way! A Bit Of What You Fancy carries into my ears all the good times spirit that Rock and Roll is all about – with The London Quireboys delivering it in unabashed Hard Rock style. I should warn those of you, that have never listened to this album before… it is ADDICTIVE!

With my warning aside, I cannot tell people what to buy or listen to… only this time it is different. The London Quireboys debut album is certainly a MUST for fans of Old School Hair Metal, Hard Rock or just damn good Rock and Roll period. I imagine seeing The London Quireboys at a beer soaked, small club… while they play this album in it’s entirety, amidst a crowd of psyched out and Rockin’ fans going nuts all over the place. That’s right. The song – long time comin’ is as heavy and steady of a Hard Rock song that you will ever give to your ears. Am I going off too much on praising this album? Nope, it’s that great. Anytime an album can make me feel so damn good, is an album that shall be praised up and down, inside and out… for the world to read.

The London Quireboys put together an album that utilizes string arrangements, some brass and a keyboard player. Not quite the straight ahead approach of Hair Metal for 1990, was A Bit Of What You Fancy. A standout is take me home, this is absolutely a great song to end this album… so memorable, so much energy, a Hard Rockin’ exclamation point multiplied by 100. The London Quireboys took Hair Metal from the late ’80’s and added some, (a lot), of their very own Hard Rock character to the basic standards. Their style can be blatantly described as a combination of The Black Crowes and Cinderella, fused together with the admirable energy and enthusiasm of a band that obviously enjoyed creating these songs.

Spike on vocals, lends thick credibility to the hardness that this album radiates. Spike’s ultra raspy and gritty vocals makes the songs sound blue collar, an unintended characteristic that just seems to elevate this album and band. Guy Bailey and Guy Griffin on guitars just play man, there are no “steal the show” solos to drown out the total band feel. Chris Johnstone on keyboards, gives this album of songs the Classic Hard Rock texture and feel that I cannot ignore. Nigel Mogg on bass and Ian Wallace on drums provide all the tight and contagiously rhythmic grooves that hold these outstanding songs together. Thank you again, London England, for sowing yet another fabulous Rock and Roll band like The London Quireboys.

The Track Listing For The London Quireboys – A Bit Of What You Fancy:

7 o’clock

man on the loose

whippin’ boy’

sex party

sweet mary ann

i don’t love you anymore

hey you

misled

long time comin’

roses & rings

there she goes again

take me home

A Bit Of What You Fancy was originally released on Capitol Records.

A 20th Anniversary Edition of A Bit Of What You Fancy was released in 2009 on the Jerkin Crocus record label. There are 8 demo’s as bonus tracks found on this 20th Anniversary Edition. (I aim to get myself a copy of it down the Metal road… that’s for sure).

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MASTODON – “DIVINATIONS” PICTURE DISC SINGLE IS A METAL MUSIC FIND!

Posted in collecting heavy metal albums, collecting metal music, cool album covers, current progressive metal music, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock music 2009, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal on vinyl, heavy metal picture discs, heavy metal record finds, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, picture discs, prog metal albums, prog metal music, progressive hard rock albums, progressive hard rock music, progressive metal, progressive metal 2009, progressive metal albums, progressive metal bands, progressive metal music, progressive rock music, rock music with tags collecting heavy metal, collecting picture discs, current hard rock music, current progressive metal music, hard rock music, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal bargains, heavy metal finds, heavy metal music, heavy metal picture discs, hot topic, mastodon, mastodon crack the skye album, mastodon divinations picture disc single, mastodon metal band, mastodon progressive metal band, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal albums, progressive metal bands, progressive metal music, rock music on January 19, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MASTODON. Hot Topic. What do these two Metal Music names have in common? I recently, (last weekend), found the Mastodon – Divinations, 12″ picture disc single… at Hot Topic. Oh, that’s not all… this Mastodon picture disc single only set me back $2.54! That’s not a type-o… $2.54. Much cheaper than a pound of imported ham, currently selling at the local deli. (The original retail price for this picture disc runs around $14). You might query, as to how did I pay such a rock bottom price for this unreal great, Mastodon picture disc. Clearance racks RULE. As I entered Hot Topic, my wife informed me she was heading to the back of the store… to the clearance racks, was my Metal suspicion. It’s funny how I always become engaged by looking over the other stuff at Hot Topic, each time I go there, forgetting to hit the clearance racks first. The t-shirts, rings, vinyl album and CD racks never fail to distract my attention from those glorious clearance racks. I can always count on my wife to hone in on those racks of discounted Metal treasures though!

It’s always a Metal thrill when you can score your favorite bands on the discount racks. This is not the first time we have found very cool vinyl, discounted at Hot Topic. Just as we were checking out at the register, one of the Hot Topic employees raced over to the discount racks where this Mastodon picture disc was found… this employee proceeded to nab the lone remaining copy of Divinations, as well as other assorted vinyl too. She said she wanted to make her move, before the discounted stuff was gone. I can’t blame her one Metal bit. We did pick up other discounted vinyl at Hot Topic that same visit… I will wait to blab about it on future posts because the finds are that unreal great.

This Mastodon Divinations, 12″ picture disc single has the following two songs:

Side A: Divinations – (From the 2009 release – Crack The Skye)

Side B: Divinations (Instrumental)

I really, really, like the Progressive Metal that simmers with touches of psychedelia, from the Crack The Skye album that Mastodon released in 2009. I like it so much that I picked it to be #7 in my list of top 25 Heavy Metal albums for 2009. You can check it out by clicking the link below:

METAL ODYSSEY’S TOP 25 HEAVY METAL ALBUMS OF 2009

You can also just click on the header below to read my review for Mastodon – Crack The Skye, which I posted on May 6, 2009:

Mastodon “Crack The Skye” is a cool Metal journey to take

Here is the front view of this terrific Mastodon 12″ Divinations picture disc single:

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THE ROLLING STONES – FLASHBACK: 1964 NEW HAVEN ARENA CONCERT CANCELLED!

Posted in 1960's classic rock music, 1960's rock and roll albums, 1960's vintage rock albums, 1960's classic rock bands, 1960's rock & roll, 1960's rock & roll british invasion, 1960's rock music, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's hard rock, 1970's rock bands, 1970's rock music, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's rock bands, 1990's rock bands, 1990's hard rock bands, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, hard rock bands, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock & roll hall of fame inductees, rock and roll, rock and roll hall of fame members, rock and roll memorabilia, rock concert posters, rock music, rock music history with tags 12 x 4 album, 1960's classic rock music, 1960's classic rock bands, 1960's rock and roll, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's rock bands, bill wyman bass guitarist, brian jones guitarist, charlie watts drummer, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, englands newest hit makers album, hard rock music, keith richards, legends of rock music, metal odyssey, mick jagger, Music, new haven arena 1964, rock and roll hall of fame bands, rock and roll hall of fame inductees, rock and roll hall of fame members, rock and roll history, rock concert posters, rock music, rock music history, the british invasion of rock and roll, the rolling stones, the rolling stones 1964, the rolling stones cancelled concert 1964, vintage rock posters on January 18, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

I just get into Rock History sometimes… well, all the time that is. It’s all about the roots of Rock and Roll that peeks my Metal interest. The Rock Music legends of yesterday are the reason we have Hard Rock and Heavy Metal today. I may have mentioned this before, (here I go again), in the event a time machine does ever get off the ground… I’m on it! My destination? A Rock concert from the 1960’s or 1970’s. If I was to take a trip back in time, it would be just my Metal luck to travel to this night on Thursday, June 18, 1964. Once I arrived to the New Haven Arena, in New Haven, Connecticut, I would then be informed that The Rolling Stones were NOT going on stage! You read that correctly… the concert was cancelled, due to poor ticket sales! Granted, this was the very early years, uh, days of The Rolling Stones… only give me a Metal break! Gee Metal whiz.

Look at those ticket prices! $2, $3, and $4 respectively! Golly… if you spent an additional $2, your probably going from nose bleed seating to front row! Plus, it was only one show! If The Rolling Stones were to appear for only one show today, or any day, anywhere in the last four and a half decades… your talking pandemonium breaking loose! Throw in the fact, this historical concert poster also states there are three opening acts as well – The Chiffons, Younger Bros and The Epics… no fans for them either in New Haven, Connecticut, back in 1964!

I can easily stare at this concert poster of The Rolling Stones and easily wonder – what was the general public thinking back around this date? Maybe the hardness of The Rolling Stones was a tad too controversial for the general public, after all, American Rock and Roll back around 1964 was all about falling in love and surfing. (No, I am NOT making fun of American Rock and Roll of that time, only I am trying to make sense out of this cancelled concert). Maybe the cancellation of The Rolling Stones that evening correlates with America not being ready for a harder Rock sound? Were people scared to go see The Rolling Stones? It was in the month of June after all, a blizzard cannot be blamed for New Haven Connecticut not being into The Rolling Stones. A Hurricane? Doesn’t seem likely. Whatever the case might have been for this concert not selling tickets, it is one heck of a Rock moment in time to ponder!

Granted, The Rolling Stones were extremely new Rock and Roll recording artists to The United States general public, embarking on their first American Tour, with their second American album – 12 x 5 still to be released in October of 1964. Essentially, The Rolling Stones were touring with just one American album release under their Rock and Roll belts, (after only one month), that being England’s Newest Hit Makers, (released in May of 1964). Still, there is NO excuse! The Rolling Stones should have had some type of a showing of fans, at the New Haven Arena that Summer night on June 18, 1964. (In my Metal opinion).

The whole premise of my bringing this historic date in Rock and Roll history to light, is to wonder out loud to the world… WHAT WERE PEOPLE THINKING back on June 18, 1964? It’s THE ROLLING STONES! Without argument, one of the most historic, influential, original, talented and famous Rock bands to ever walk planet Earth! The Rolling Stones, (along with The Who, The Beatles, The Animals and The Kinks), arguably CREATED HARD ROCK! If this date in Rock History proves one thing, it’s that yes, The Rolling Stones DID pay their Rock and Roll dues. At the end of my Metal day, I am leaving this up to social psychologists, cultural think tanks and Rock Music historians to figure out. All I can do is look back on this date in Rock Music history and shake my head in disbelief.

* Please note that the word Golly was used on Metal Odyssey, yes it was, in the second paragraph.

* Metal Odyssey’s source for this unreal great story on The Rolling Stones cancelled concert of June 18, 1964 and it’s historic poster is from: Vintage Concert Posters.com

3 Comments »

ARCADE – REVISITING STEPHEN PEARCY’S “OTHER BAND” AND 1993 DEBUT ALBUM

Posted in 1990's hard rock music, 1990's heavy metal albums, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal guitarists, 1990's hair metal bands, 1990's hard rock albums, Album Review, collecting metal music, cool album covers, glam metal, glam metal music, Hair Metal, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, hard rock music, hard to find heavy metal albums, hard to find rock cd's, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1993, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music 1993, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music with tags 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal albums, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal songs, 1990's rock music, 1990's hair metal bands, arcade 1993, arcade album, arcade debut album 1993, arcade hair metal band, arcade hard rock band, arcade heavy metal album review, arcade heavy metal band, cinderella heavy metal band, current heavy metal musicians, donny syracuse guitarist, frankie wilsex guitarist, fred coury drummer, glam metal music, hard rock music, metal odyssey, michael andrews bass guitarist, Music, out of print heavy metal albums, ratt, ratt heavy metal band, stephen pearcy vocalist on January 18, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

In recent days, the 1993 debut and self titled album from Arcade found it’s way into my ears. (Thank you Best Metal Buddy Scott). Epic Records released this Arcade debut. You all should be quite familiar with Arcade’s front man Stephen Pearcy… lead singer for RATT and very much a prominent, memorable and flamboyant Hair Metal figure from the 1980’s. Fred Coury, the drummer for still another iconic 1980’s Hair Metal juggernaut – Cinderella, found that one of his Heavy Metal path’s led to Arcade as well. Hair Metal and Glam Metal aside, Arcade was just damn good Heavy Metal – period. In my Metal opinion, if Arcade was to have been assembled around 1985, (instead of the gray lined early ’90’s), they would have had their likenesses adorning highway billboards – all over North America. O.k., that might be of a Metal stretch, nonetheless, Arcade would easily have been bigger and more widely received during an earlier era. Revisiting Heavy Metal Bands from the past that are no longer together, makes for the credibility of just where Heavy Metal is today… these are the bands and musicians that kept the Metal flame burning during a ’90’s decade of Heavy Metal uncertainty. I was never uncertain about my beloved Heavy Metal during the ’90’s… and by the sounds of it, neither was Stephen Pearcy and Arcade.

What this debut album from Arcade shows me, is that Stephen Pearcy acknowledged within himself, that he had all the Metal ingredients and creativity to be a star outside of RATT. And certainly, I would hope the majority of us Metalheads know that RATT was no fluke, their heavy legacy still reigns to this very day. For Stephen Pearcy to be the lead vocalist for two bands of this quality and caliber is not an everyday accomplishment. Essentially, the same can be Metal said for Fred Coury respecively, on drums. Guitarists Donny Syracuse and Frankie Wilsex add credence to Arcade’s own Heavy Metal identity. The only reminder of RATT within the sound of Arcade is Stephen Pearcy’s vocals and he CANNOT be faulted for that.

It sounds very clear to me, that Stephen Pearcy and his Heavy Metal posse called Arcade, knew all along, just how to create and write a ballad. Cry No More, Mother Blues and So Good… So Bad… are extremely tolerable ballads to listen to. I can actually listen to these three ballads repeatedly! (Now, listening to any ballad repeatedly is a rarity in my Metal world). Arcade actually found that semi sappy to sappy lyrics don’t need to be coupled with excessively sappy music, that brings you to the brink of an emotional meltdown. I will admit, Cry No More has an acoustic guitar intro that carries on a very reminiscent tone and mood from Cinderella’s classic Power Ballad – Nobody’s Fool. Mother Blues is an unplugged/acoustic listen in Rock goodness, it really is. Sons And Daughters is the lone instrumental on Arcade. An acoustic instrumental that lends itself as the perfect segue to Mother Blues.

Arcade is one of those albums where it is obviously nonsensical to breakdown each song as a review. Those who have listened and liked this album may understand my point. Outside of the three ballads and one instrumental previously mentioned, the other eight songs are undisputed Rockers. If you are looking to revisit these songs or give them a first time listen, understand that the hard and heavy from Arcade doesn’t give me a moments break… and I like that! I try to steer away from pinpointing what exact genre Arcade belongs to… at the end of the Metal day does it really matter? Arcade is Hard Rock colliding with Heavy Metal, whatever one’s interpretation that differs from mine is a matter of personal Metal labeling.

From the onset, Dancin’ With The Angels is fair warning that Stephen Pearcy and Arcade are NOT about re-treading RATT. Messed Up World is my favorite song from Arcade. The lyrics of Messed Up World could not resonate any more loud and true for me. Relevance? This song is exploding at the Metal seams with it. Messed Up World could have easily been written for today’s nightly news features.

Arcade… they came, they saw, they Metal conquered.

ARCADE, as they appeared on their 1993 debut album:

Stephen Pearcy – lead vocalist

Donny Syracuse – guitarist

Frankie Wilsex – guitarist

Michael Andrews – bass guitarist

Fred Coury – drummer

The Track Listing For Arcade:

Dancin’ With The Angels

Nothin’ To Lose

Calm Before The Storm

Cry No More

Screamin’ S.O.S.

Never Goin’ Home

Messed Up World – *(Metal Odyssey Note: My favorite song, man, it’s a good one)

All Shook Up

So Good… So Bad…

Livin’ Dangerously

Sons And Daughters

Mother Blues

* Metal Odyssey’s Metal research has found there is an additional song on the Japanese version of Arcade – Reckless. No, I have never heard this song… yet.

* To the best of Metal Odyssey’s Metal knowledge, Arcade’s debut album – Arcade is out of print. Used copies are circulating for sale all around the world wide web. (I’ve seen used copies on Amazon Music).

4 Comments »

GRIM REAPER – “SEE YOU IN HELL” 1984 VIDEO EXPLODES OLD SCHOOL HEAVY METAL!

Grim Reaper – See You In Hell. This album was released in 1984, (on RCA Records). I was a senior in high school and in dire need of some Metal “pick-me-up” on a daily basis… Grim Reaper delivered with this album and song. Metal truth be told, See You In Hell was my very own anthem, that I would sing under my breath to my antagonists, back in those days. See You In Hell is still a very inspirational song for me today… and why not? It’s more polite to sing these lyrics under my breath at those who irritate me, than to say f**k off to them. I am a considerate Metalhead after all. Looking back on this debut album – See You In Hell from Grim Reaper, it just screams Old School Heavy Metal from every dark corner. Raw. Very raw. Grim Reaper later polished their Metal up a bit with their next two albums: Fear No Evil (1985) and Rock You To Hell (1987). Nonetheless, this debut album from Grim Reaper remains my favorite out of their three studio albums. I can remember catching this video for See You In Hell on MTV’s Headbangers Ball, it was absolutely a favorite Heavy Metal Music video of mine, back in the ’80’s… it still is.

At the end of the Metal day, See You In Hell is an album I look upon with the fondest of Metal memories. This wasn’t a superstar Heavy Metal band, instead this was a blue collar Metal band that brought the heavy goods to an eighteen year old who needed it most back in 1984. Grim Reaper was not built on selling their looks and style for GQ magazine… they were built on Metal. I understand lineup changes occur over the years, still, I sincerely hope for Steve Grimmett and Grim Reaper to maybe consider a strengthening of their Metal reformation – into a new album of headbanging songs… that would make my middle-aged Metal day.

The See You In Hell video below just explodes everything Old School Heavy Metal. From the overall production to the Metal of Grim Reaper… this was back in the day when the song and Metal mattered the most and not the smoke and mirrors of a visual experience.

To learn all you want about the career of Steve Grimmett, (lead vocalist of Grim Reaper, Onslaught, Lionsheart and The Steve Grimmett Band, click on his MySpace Music Page link here: Steve Grimmett/Grim Reaper/Solo Artist – MySpace Music Page

Here is a cool Grim Reaper – Tribute Site to check out: GRIM REAPER – Tribute Site

Grim Reaper, as they appeared on See You In Hell:

Steve Grimmett on vocals

Nick Bowcott on guitar

Dave Wanklin on bass

Lee Harris on drums

Track listing for See You In Hell:

See You in Hell

Dead on Arrival

Liar

Wrath of the Ripper

Now or Never

Run for Your Life

The Show Must Go On

All Hell Let Loose

LONG LIVE GRIM REAPER!

SEE YOU IN HELL!

14 Comments »

YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN’S RISING FORCE “HEAVEN TONIGHT” MUSIC VIDEO!

Due to some cool and Metal thought provoking – recent discussions and comments found on Metal Odyssey, (which I whole heartedly appreciate), I have decided to showcase a guitarist and lead vocalist that I really think the Metal world of. Yngwie J. Malmsteen and Joe Lynn Turner both joined Metal forces on the 1988 studio album – Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s Rising Force – Odyssey. Yes, I bought the CD Odyssey right around it’s release date of March 28, 1988, with no Metal regrets. Here is the music video for Heaven Tonight… my favorite song from Odyssey. In my Metal opinion, this song resonates the power of 1980’s Heavy Metal, with the classic guitar brilliance of Yngwie J. Malmsteen and the combination of Joe Lynn Turner’s harmoniously heavy vocals, this was as potent a Heavy Metal combination as any from the late 1980’s. I hope you enjoy this song and video as much as I always have! Metal truth be told… this song psyches me out.

Not every Heavy Metal Band, album or song is going to make the same personal impact on everyone. Yeah, I have read the professionally paid Rock critics reviews over the years regarding the album Odyssey. If I was to listen to what every professionally paid Rock critic says or thinks over the decades… I would then have an album collection numbering around – twelve. Music is a form of self expression, a world of escape. Music is like food… not everyone likes sardines on their pizza. I like to escape to the Heavy Metal Music that moves me, just like… Heaven Tonight and the album Odyssey.

LONG LIVE YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN & JOE LYNN TURNER!

I’m sorry to admit, that after this video was available for “sharing” it unfortunately was “pulled” from being an available video to share. Regardless, this is a fantastic video of Yngwie J. Malmsteen and Joe Lynn Turner together.

LONG LIVE YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN.

LONG LIVE JOE LYNN TURNER.

Stone.

11 Comments »

W.A.S.P. – “THE REAL ME” 12″ SINGLE FROM 1989 REVISITED!

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal cover songs, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal guitarists, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal bands, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, collecting heavy metal albums, collecting music, cool album covers, guitar legends, hard to find records, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1989, heavy metal cover songs, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal memorabilia, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1989, heavy metal on vinyl, heavy metal records, heavy metal vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, rare heavy metal records, rock music with tags 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal music, blackie lawless guitarist, chris holmes guitarist, collecting heavy metal, current heavy metal bands, frankie banali drummer, heavy metal collectibles, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music 1989, heavy metal records, heavy metal vinyl, johnny rod bass guitarist, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal bands, rare heavy metal records, rock music, the headless children album, the real me song, W.A.S.P., w.a.s.p. 1989 the real me 12" single, w.a.s.p. heavy metal band, w.a.s.p. the real me cover song on January 14, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Back in April of 1989, W.A.S.P. released The Headless Children, this proved to be THE album that really made me a lifetime fan of Blackie Lawless and his band. My best Metal buddy Scott, he is to blame for getting me into this album to begin with, I thank him for that. Sometime in 1989, (I can’t remember the exact month for Metal sakes), I bought the 12″ vinyl single of The Real Me from a back stabbing and obnoxious record dealer in very expensive Connecticut. The price back in ’89 for this W.A.S.P. record was $9.98. I could not resist the purchase, it was the only copy in that decrepit record store, it’s W.A.S.P. and the collectible side of my Metal brain always wins out in the end… especially when an item doesn’t cost a ton of dough. As a bonus, this 12″ single is enclosed inside a very, very, large W.A.S.P. poster, (see pics below). Back in ’89, I was still living at home, (with my parents), so my living space was a very small bedroom with walls already adorned with Metal posters… posters I just could not take down due to my loyalty and allegiance to so many bands. I am now glad I never hung this poster years ago, it’s basically in mint condition still.

The Real Me is a cover song from The Who, written by Pete Townshend… undisputed Rock legends. This song is found on The Headless Children album:

Here is what The Real Me 12″ single – record poster/jacket looks like when folded up flat:

The B – Side (or) Side Two Songs On The Real Me Single Are:

Lake Of Fools and War Cry

Lake Of Fools and War Cry are later found on the 1998 reissued CD version of The Headless Children.

The Real Me 12″ single was put out on Capitol Records. 1989 Sanctuary Productions Inc. is also printed on the back of this poster/cover.

Made In England is found on this same back poster/cover, (it appears to be rubber stamped). So, needless to say… this 12″ single of The Real Me is an import.

Please excuse the quality of my images below. Besides, being perfect is NOT Metal.

Here is the front side of this W.A.S.P. – The Real Me poster/record jacket:

The caricatures of Blackie Lawless, (guitar, vocals), Johnny Rod, (bass), Chris Holmes, (lead guitar) and Frankie Banali, (drums) are fun stuff. It’s Old School Heavy Metal. I probably won’t attempt to hang this poster up today… it’s just too vintage to ruin now. (Unless I find a poster frame large enough to hold it). Besides my picture disc of The Headless Children, this is the only other cool W.A.S.P. record I have, that is considered a limited vinyl collectible. I know I say this often, still, I’m just thankful for the stuff I did get ahold of and kept after all these years. Maybe I’ll find another W.A.S.P. vinyl collectible down the road, on one of my Metal hunts.

Here is the backside of this W.A.S.P. – The Real Me poster/record jacket:

The photo’s of W.A.S.P. on this poster are really cool and nostalgic to me. 1989 was a moment in Heavy Metal time that will never be forgotten by Metal Odyssey… I’m sure I speak for throngs of Metalheads worldwide.

5 Comments »

JUDAS PRIEST – “PAINKILLER” ALBUM FROM 1990 STILL EXPLODES METAL FEROCITY

Posted in 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's metal bands, 1990's heavy metal albums, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal songs, 1990's metal bands, Album Review, cool album covers, current heavy metal bands, guitar legends, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1990, heavy metal bands, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, rock music, thrash metal music with tags 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal albums, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal songs, 1990's heavy metal music, a touch of evil song, glenn tipton guitarist, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal grammy nominees, heavy metal music, ian hill bass guitarist, Judas Priest, judas priest painkiller album 1990, k.k. downing guitarist, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, painkiller album, rob halford vocalist, scott travis drummer, thrash metal music on January 13, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Ferocity: the quality or state of being ferocious. That is what I hear each time I crank up Painkiller from Metal legends – Judas Priest. Painkiller was released on September 3, 1990, on Columbia Records. Yes, the 1990’s was ushered in with quite a Metal explosion with this album. Consider that it was 1990, twenty years ago when this amazing Metal album was first released. My Metal point is this: if Painkiller was to have been released today, there is more relevance in it’s Metal in 2010 than ever before, encapsulating everything that is fast, heavy and hard about Metal Music. Honestly, if Painkiller was released in 2010, it would be an enormous candidate for my #1 Heavy Metal album of the year. However, the reality is that Painkiller is an album from the Metal past, only it seems to still have more of an impact on me than I could ever imagine. This was the 12th studio album from Judas Priest, (if you are to consider the 1978 U.K. release of Killing Machine, basically the same album as Hell Bent For Leather, only it is minus The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown). I am not reluctant to state, that this Judas Priest album is arguably the heaviest and fastest album in their catalog. Despite my abhorring the Grammy’s, Judas Priest was nominated for best Metal Performance in 1991 due to Painkiller.

The two songs on Painkiller that standout for me, which are easily two songs I can listen to every day of my life, repeatedly, are: Painkiller and A Touch Of Evil. My inner Metal struggle as of late, is knowing that A Touch Of Evil is my single most favorite, Heavy Metal song of my entire Metalhead life. Why is that an inner Metal struggle for me, you ponder? Well, due to the fact that I simply cannot believe I actually know this is the song! Plus, it did not dawn on me until recently… maybe sometime before the holidays of 2009. I will tell you this though… it is a really cool Metal feeling when it hits you and the realization kicks in, that you finally know that this is THE song. Could A Touch Of Evil ever be replaced by another Metal song as my lifetime favorite? Maybe. I’ll know when it hits me. One thing is guaranteed though… it would NEVER be a Daughtry song.

The song Painkiller is for all Metal intents and purposes… Thrash Metal. I applaud the fact that Judas Priest showed the world that yes… Thrash Metal is in their forte. All ten songs on Painkiller are immense, there is no weak link to be found. The re-release of Painkiller has two bonus tracks: Living Bad Dreams and Leather Rebel (Live). Both of these songs are great for me, still, I don’t see how a “live” bonus track ever fits into a studio album to begin with.

With Painkiller being the last studio album with Rob Halford at the vocal helm, (until the 2005 Judas Priest release – Angel Of Retribution), it showed us die-hard Metalhead followers of Judas Priest that we shall never take anything for Metal granted. Tim “Ripper” Owens is a fine lead vocalist, (taking over lead vocals on 1997’s Jugulator and Demolition from 2001), still there is only one Metal God, one original lead vocalist for Judas Priest… Rob Halford. During Rob Halford’s departure from Judas Priest, Fight became his very own Metal creation… a band that I uphold highly and find extremely thrilling. I did blab and brag about Fight one time… you can check it out by clicking the header below:

Fight was one incredible Metal band!!

Recently, the 2009 release – The End Of Tomorrow from Ravage, paid tribute to this Painkiller album and Judas Priest by having in it’s track listing… the cover of Night Crawler. Ravage did a fabulous Metal job at covering Night Crawler too. In 1990’s retrospect, yes, I would without hesitation, point right at Painkiller as being a top ten Heavy Metal album of that decade. Those of you who do own Painkiller hopefully understand my excitement over it… those of you who do not own Painkiller just yet, well, you are missing out on one damn incredible Judas Priest album for sure, in my Metal opinion.

Judas Priest:

Rob Halford – vocals

Glenn Tipton – guitar

K.K. Downing – guitar

Ian Hill – bass guitar

Scott Travis – drums

Painkiller was produced by Judas Priest and Chris Tsangarides.

Track Listing For Judas Priest – Painkiller:

Painkiller

Hell Patrol

All Guns Blazing

Leather Rebel

Metal Meltdown

Night Crawler

Between The Hammer & The Anvil

A Touch Of Evil

Battle Hymn

One Shot At Glory

Re-release Bonus Tracks:

Living Bad Dreams

Leather Rebel (Live)

27 Comments »

WANNA SEE MY MOTORHEAD BOOK? IT’S REAL COOL…

Posted in 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's hard rock, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal bands, 1981 heavy metal music, 1990's hard rock music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's metal bands, 1990's hard rock bands, 1990's heavy metal music, book reviews, classic heavy metal, classic rock, classic rock music, collecting rock music, current heavy metal bands, family, feel good stories, Hard Rock, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal book reviews, heavy metal history, heavy metal memorabilia, heavy metal music, life, life stories, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music books with tags "fast" eddie clarke guitarist, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal books, 1980's heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's hard rock bands, classic rock music, current heavy metal bands, hard rock music, heavy metal book review, heavy metal books, heavy metal music, lemmy, lemmy kilmister, metal odyssey, Motorhead, motorhead book, motorhead book from 1981, motorhead heavy metal band, Music, philthy animal taylor drummer, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music on January 12, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

The year was 1987 and I was yes, a Motorhead fan. (I still am a Motorhead fan, of course). As Christmas approached in 1987, my late mother had asked me what I would want for (potential) gifts. Well, most certainly they were Heavy Metal related gifts… vinyl albums, CD’s, posters and one very special book in particular. I was raised where you never received every gift on your list… so the bigger the list did not mean the more the gifts. So, with that thought in mind, I really crossed my fingers and hoped that this really cool book would be checked off of the request list that I gave to my mother. That really cool book was titled… MOTORHEAD. Oh yeah, Motorhead. Just the cover alone had me grinning from ear to ear, with Lemmy Kilmister, Philthy Animal Taylor and Fast Eddie Clarke in all of their Rock n’ Roll and goofy splendor. (See the really cool front cover pic of this book below, to see what I mean by that statement). To make a long Metal story short… my mother did buy me that Motorhead book for Christmas after all! I will never forget the smile on her face, as she saw the excitement in mine, upon my first opening that book up on Christmas day in ’87. The sentimental link this book has to my late mother, plus it being a book that’s just about Motorhead… well, it’s priceless to me, both the memory and this book combined.

This dandy Motorhead book was published by Babylon Books in 1981. (Whoa, I used the word… dandy, on Metal Odyssey). One odd thing about this book is that the pages are not numbered. I did count the pages myself, it was pretty easy to do too, yup, there are 64 pages total, (not counting the front and back covers). Throughout this Motorhead book, there are dozens of vintage black & white photos of Lemmy, Eddie and Phil, as well as oddball photos ranging from groupies to fanzine photos and illustrations. The Metal note to remember here is that this book documents Motorhead up until 1981, it is so easy to thumb through these pages expecting to see Brian Robertson, Wurzel, Phil Campbell or Mikkey Dee. This is as vintage as it gets with Motorhead history!

From Lemmy Kilmister’s very beginnings in Rock Music with The Sam Gopal Dream and later Hawkwind, this book lends itself to being a Motorhead 101 mini text book. A well documented history on just how Motorhead came together, through anecdotes and personal accounts makes for a fun and Metal educational read every time. A historical timeline of radio interviews and television appearances up to 1981 are also documented. What would this book be without a Motorhead discography? Albums, singles and bootlegs are covered! Biographies of Lemmy, Eddie and Phil are also included. Want to know the complete 1981 United States tour schedule that Motorhead had? The 1981 tour schedule is nailed down too! I could probably, with incredible Metal ease, blab away for paragraphs on end about the details found in this Motorhead book… unfortunately, I just can’t do that. Take my Metal word for it though… if you are a fan of Motorhead or of any Rock genre at all, this book is worth seeking and owning, both for it’s Rock History and nostalgia.

MOTORHEAD – Front Cover

Please excuse the quality of the photos here, sometimes Metal is Old School and these photos exemplify that. Actually, the ambiance that these photos represent, is just how this Motorhead book feels to hold and read. As a quick closing to the earlier story, about my receiving this great Motorhead book as a Christmas gift from my late mother back in ’87: Whenever my buddies, relatives or just about anyone that would come over to our house back in the late ’80’s, they would usually be confronted by my asking them… wanna see my Motorhead book? It’s real cool…

MOTORHEAD – Back Cover

I truly thank my unreal, great mom for this fabulous Motorhead book. It has served me right.

2 Comments »

HAPPY METAL BIRTHDAY TO AYNSLEY DUNBAR!

Posted in 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's rock bands, 1970's rock music, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's rock albums, 1980's rock music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, cool album covers, hard rock drummers, hard rock music, heavy metal albums, heavy metal birthdays, heavy metal drummers, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock and roll birthdays, rock drummers, rock music with tags 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's journey albums, 1980's heavy metal albums, aynsley dunbar discography, aynsley dunbar drummer, classic rock albums, classic rock drummers, classic rock music, david bowie, frank zappa, happy birthday aynsley dunbar, heavy metal birthdays, heavy metal drummers, heavy metal music, jake e. lee guitarist, journey hard rock band, journey rock band, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll birthdays, rock drummers, rock music, rock music legends, ufo heavy metal band, whitesnake on January 10, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Metal Odyssey wants to give out a LOUD Happy Metal Birthday to legendary Rock drummer – Aynsley Dunbar! Aynsley Dunbar turns a solid and cool 64 years of age on January 10th, (born January 10, 1946). Aynsley Dunbar’s association to Heavy Metal is with Whitesnake, UFO and Sammy Hagar, (to name a few), being the drummer on one or some of their respective albums. Being the drummer for Frank Zappa in the early 1970’s is a music milestone in itself. Aynsley was also a member of Journey, being the drummer for their first four studio albums, released from 1975 to 1978. Let’s be real however, Aynsley Dunbar is a fabulous Rock drummer… period. Regardless of Rock genres Aynsley Dunbar has played, at the end of the Metal day it’s all about talent and musical integrity… and he has proved it for decades. A complete list of Rock musicians and bands, that Aynsley has performed with over the decades, would be a who’s who in Rock History for certain. In celebration of Aynsley Dunbar’s birthday and legendary Rock career, I have compiled a very abbreviated list, (in no particular order), of just some of the great Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal albums that he played drums on and bands he was a member of. By no means is this a definitive list of albums that Aynsley Dunbar has appeared on, just a Rock solid salute to his achievements in Rock History.

Thanks for all of the great Rock Music you have created and been a part of Aynsley Dunbar.

Visit the Official Web Site of Aynsley Dunbar by clicking here: Aynsley Dunbar – Legendary Rock Drummer – Official Site

Whitesnake – Whitesnake, (1987)

UFO – Convenant, (2000)

UFO – Sharks, (2002)

Journey – Journey, (1975)

Journey – Look Into The Future, (1976)

Journey – Next, (1977)

Journey – Infinity, (1978)

David Bowie – Diamond Dogs, (1974)

Frank Zappa – Apostrophe (‘), 1974

Jefferson Starship – Winds Of Change, (1982)

Ian Hunter – All American Alien Boy, (1976)

Mick Ronson – Slaughter On 10th Avenue, (1974)

4 Comments »

LOUDNESS – 1991 ALBUM “ON THE PROWL” BULGES WITH MELODIC HEAVY METAL

Posted in 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal guitarists, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal albums, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal guitarists, 1990's heavy metal songs, 1990's metal bands, Album Review, collecting heavy metal albums, cool album covers, current heavy metal bands, hair metal bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1991, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1991, heavy metal music from japan, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, japanese heavy metal, melodic heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, old school heavy metal bands, rock music with tags 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal guitarists, 1990's hard rock music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal songs, akira takasaki guitarist, Album Review, current heavy metal bands, heavy metal album review, heavy metal from japan, heavy metal music, heavy metal vocalists, japanese heavy metal bands, loudness, loudness 1991, loudness heavy metal band, loudness on the prowl album, melodic heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, mike vescera vocalist, Music, obsession heavy metal band, on the prowl album 1991 on January 9, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

I listened to the 1991 album from Loudness today – On The Prowl. Alright, I actually listened to this album three times today. It’s that melodic driven Heavy Metal that gets me every time. Well, any quality Metal gets me every time it seems. My best Metal buddy Scott had landed me a copy of On The Prowl, he has great taste in Heavy Metal… I guess that is why we have tolerated each other for over two decades. For anyone not in the know about Loudness, they are a Japanese Heavy Metal Band that formed back around 1981. Thank you Japan. This is a darn good album, it plays out in three parts for me, with the first three songs Down ‘N Dirty, Playin’ Games and Love Toys being true to the core Hair Metal. Secondly, there is a power ballad, Never Again, which stands alone on it’s sole purpose to make the girls weepy. (I am not the power ballad guy… and this is the umpteenth time that this statement appears on Metal Odyssey). Nevertheless, Never Again is a good song, with lead vocalist Mike Vescera singing his emotion filled lungs out. (Mike Vescera is the lead vocalist for 1980’s Heavy Metal warriors… Obsession. A great band is Obsession… without question, great. Obsession is alive and well in 2010 too… with Mike at lead vocals. You can check Obsession out by clicking here: OBSESSION – Official Website

Mike Vescera was also the lead vocalist for Yngwie Malmsteen, from 1994 to 1995. Recently, while discussing Heavy Metal with my buddy Scott, (usually a daily experience), we went from talking about Loudness and Mike Vescera to Obsession to Yngwie Malmsteen… realizing that yes, they are all absolutely Metal connected. Heavy Metal is a closely linked world… one big Metal family tree, it often times seems.

Where was I? I unintentionally went Metal astray while explaining the Mike Vescera Metal affiliations… oh yeah… the third part of this Loudness album! That being there are songs that are straight up Heavy Metal – Deadly Player, Take It Or Leave It and Girl are just the way I like ’em, real hard and heavy. The last song, Find A Way, is a muscular and melodic ending to an overall very strong Heavy Metal album from Loudness. I must add that the musicianship of Loudness on this album is excellent. Akira Takasaki is a welcomed Metal listen on lead guitar, coupled with the sensational vocals of Mike Vescera and On The Prowl is an early 1990’s Heavy Metal standout. Don’t hesitate to get ahold of On The Prowl, the Heavy Metal that Loudness unleashes with these songs are worth owning. Add the Metal fact, that the relevance these songs carry into 2010 is quite irrefutable as well.

Long Live Loudness! Click here to get tons of Loudness info: Loudness MySpace Music Page

Track Listing For Loudness – On The Prowl:

Down ‘N Dirty

Playin’ Games

Love Toys

Never Again

Deadly Player

Take It Or Leave It

Girl

Long Distance

In The Mirror

Sleepless Night

Find A Way

22 Comments »

KISS – 1974 ALBUM “HOTTER THAN HELL” IS STILL JUST THAT IN 2010

Posted in 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's rock guitarists, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal albums, 1970's heavy metal bands, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock bands, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, collecting classic rock, collecting heavy metal albums, cool album covers, current heavy metal bands, guitar legends, hard rock music, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's heavy metal bands, 1970's rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, ace frehley guitarist, classic rock music, current heavy metal bands, gene simmons bass guitarist, hard rock music, heavy metal music, hotter than hell album 1974, hotter than hell song, josie and the pussycats cartoon, kiss, kiss 1974, kiss albums, kiss hard rock band, kiss heavy metal band, kiss hotter than hell album, metal odyssey, Music, paul stanley guitarist, peter criss drummer, rock music on January 8, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

In 1974 I was only eight years old. In 1974 KISS released their Hotter Than Hell album on Casablanca Records. I had not a clue as to who or what KISS was back in ’74. The heaviest bands I was listening to that year, was my mother’s Everly Brothers album and Josie And The Pussycats, (a Hanna-Barbera cartoon of a female Rock Band). It wasn’t until 1978 that I owned my very first KISS album, KISS Double Platinum, so I was only four years away from becoming a member of the KISS Army. I eventually traded for the vinyl/album copy of Hotter Than Hell, I was in High School at the time, now I can’t even recall the dude’s name who traded it to me. In later years, (sometime in the early to mid 1990’s), I sold this same Hotter Than Hell album to a crusty and shady record dealer. I regret that move… for a good number of years I went without replacing Hotter Than Hell in my Heavy Metal Music collection. Now, it is Metal safe to say, that I do own Hotter Than Hell on CD… and I am not parting with it – not a Metal chance. This is arguably, one of the greatest KISS albums ever created, a 1970’s Vintage Heavy Metal gem. Am I going too far or thick with the accolades here? Not a Metal chance again… just compare this album to a wide array of Hard Rock or Heavy Metal releases, just in the past decade alone, I am then convinced Hotter Than Hell is still just that in 2010 – Hotter Than Hell.

I will not lie to the fact, that this album does sound like it was recorded back in the early 1970’s. Dated? Alright, sure, only how much of a negative impact does that have on Hotter Than Hell as a whole? Not every song on Hotter Than Hell can be construed as dated either. I really can’t stomach the word dated when it comes to Rock, Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Music, it is a word that only should be used by archaeologists, who dig up ancient relics and/or artifacts underneath some pyramids or rain forest. Besides, the word dated has been politely replaced with two words that are more Metal politically correct… they are… Classic Rock. Whoever the dude or dudette is out there, that came up with the idea of creating the music genre – Classic Rock, is in my Metal mind… a very cool genius.

Excuse my going off on sort of a Metal tangent in the last paragraph, it has been awhile since my last one, plus it felt really, really good. It did.

When you listen to Strange Ways, the very last song on Hotter Than Hell, I cannot ignore the fact that Ace Frehley plays some unreal licks, all the while the repeated riff is decades worth of relevance. Comin’ Home is a KISS song that easily could have been on any KISS album up to and including their Unmasked album from 1980. Mainline is as authentic of a Hard Rock song from the 1970’s as I can ever point out. This is, (probably), my favorite Peter Criss sung KISS tune ever. Yes, that means I like Peter Criss singing Mainline a whole lot more than the ultra classic ballad… Beth. Hotter Than Hell and Let Me Go, Rock ‘n’ Roll are the two most famous songs from this album, they honestly are the top two tracks, only there are the other eight songs that truly shouldn’t take a back seat to them.

This vintage KISS album flows along like a Hard Rock meets Heavy Metal dream gone wild… 1974 style. Goin’ Blind is Gene Simmons at his extreme best vocally, (in my Metal opinion), just an amazing KISS song that in Metal hindsight, is a pioneering power ballad. I can listen to Goin’ Blind 20 times in a row and still feel the need to hear it again… and again. No, I am not kidding about that. Regardless if you are a KISS fan or not, Hotter Than Hell belongs in any Hard Rock or Heavy Metal album collection… it’s that genuine.

Hotter Than Hell is an album to uphold, play loud and enjoy for a lifetime. Long Live KISS.

KISS On Hotter Than Hell:

Gene Simmons – bass guitar, vocals

Paul Stanley – rhythm guitar, vocals

Ace Frehley – lead guitar

Peter Criss – drums, percussion & vocals

Hey, cut me some Metal slack… I was only 8 years old when I was into Josie And The Pussycats.

I was a toddler… Gee Metal whiz.

2 Comments »

EXODUS – “SHOVEL HEADED TOUR MACHINE” DVD/CD RELEASES U.S. JANUARY 12, 2009!

Posted in 1980's thrash metal bands, 1980's thrash metal music, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's thrash metal, 1990's thrash metal bands, 1990's thrash metal music, current thrash metal, current thrash metal albums, current thrash metal bands, current thrash metal music, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal festivals, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2010, live thrash metal music, metal odyssey, Music, new thrash metal albums, old school thrash metal bands, old school thrash metal music, thrash metal albums, thrash metal bands, thrash metal bands 2010, thrash metal guitarists, thrash metal legends, thrash metal music, thrash metal music 2010 with tags 1980's thrash metal bands, 1990's thrash metal bands, bay area thrash metal bands, current thrash metal bands, exodus, exodus band lineup, exodus thrash metal band, gary holt guitarist, heavy metal music, metal music, metal music 2010, metal odyssey, Music, thrash metal albums 2010, thrash metal bands 2010, thrash metal cd's 2010, thrash metal dvd's, thrash metal dvd's 2010, thrash metal legends, thrash metal music, thrash metal music 2010, wacken open air festival, wacken open air heavy metal festival on January 7, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Look out. Gary Holt and Tom Hunting mean Metal business… their legendary Thrash Band – Exodus is going to make another Thrash Metal thunder strike again in 2010. Shovel Headed Tour Machine: Live At Wacken And Other Assorted Atrocities, (on Nuclear Blast), hits the U.S. Metal Market on January 12, 2009 and the European Metal Market on January 15, 2009! That is this coming Tuesday, my fellow U.S. Metalheads. When I stop to think about it, there is nothing more Metal enlightening than having so many Old School Thrash Bands still creating albums, DVD’s and touring up to this point in Metal time, Exodus is just one great example.

This NEW Exodus release will be a 2 DVD and 1 CD package – U.S. The double DVD is live concert footage of Exodus at the Wacken Open Air Festival. The CD is live Exodus playing at the Waken Open Air Festival… we are going to get the best of both Thrash Metal worlds here, both audio and visual! This release features Exodus at the 2008 Wacken Open Air Festival. Also included on the DVD: Exodus documentary, never before seen footage, photo gallery and music videos.

Exodus Is:

Rob Dukes – vocals

Gary Holt – guitar

Lee Altus – guitar

Jack Gibson – bass

Tom Hunting – drums

The Wacken Open Air Heavy Metal Festival is annually held in Wacken, Schleswig-Holstein, Northern Germany. The Wacken Festival was first held in 1990, as a small concert promoting and showcasing local German bands. The Wacken Open Air Festival is now the major Heavy Metal festival held in Europe today.

To find out more about the Wacken Open Air Festival history and up to the minute news on the 2010 edition of this Heavy Metal celebration, click here: Wacken Open Air Festival

2 Comments »

BAD BRAINS – 1989 “QUICKNESS” ALBUM ENTWINES GENRES… AND BURNS

Posted in 1980's hardcore punk bands, 1980's punk rock bands, 1990's hardcore punk bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's punk rock albums, 1990's punk rock bands, 1990's punk rock music, 1990's rock bands, 1990's rock music, 1990's hard rock albums, 1990's rock albums, alternative rock albums 1989, collecting rock music, current heavy metal bands, current punk rock music, diverse metal music, diverse punk rock music, essential hardcore albums, essential punk rock albums, essential rock albums, hardcore punk rock history, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, independent record labels, metal odyssey, Music, old school punk rock, punk rock album covers, punk rock albums, punk rock history, punk rock music, rock music with tags 1980's punk rock albums, 1980's punk rock bands, 1980's alternative rock albums, 1990's punk rock albums, 1990's punk rock bands, 1990's rock albums, Album Review, alternative rock bands, alternative rock music, bad brains, bad brains band, bad brains hardcore punk band, bad brains quickness album, bad brains quickness album review, current punk rock bands, hard rock music, hardcore punk rock bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, music reviews, punk rock music, reggae music, rock music, rock music reviews on January 5, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Bad Brains. Forget about music genres. If there ever was a band that fuses together multiple Rock genres and flips the bird at the status quo simultaneously, it is Bad Brains. When I’m in the mood to listen to a band that plays from the gut, the heart… Bad Brains. Punk Rock, check. Hardcore Punk, check. Reggae, check. Hard Rock, um, check. Some flashes of Thrash? Bad Brains can. Oh, don’t forget about some Funk in the rhythm either… Bad Brains will deliver. Ska and Heavy Metal… it’s been part of Bad Brains diverse musical identity as well. If you are totally new to Bad Brains and all of this sounds confusing, need not worry, Bad Brains is the antidote to stagnant music listening. In other words, you are never going to hear of or find another band like them… and if you do, it would have to be a cover band of Bad Brains, which in the end would never come remotely close to the original.

Since Bad Brains released their debut, self titled album in 1982, there has been untold “flavors of the month” in Heavy, Extreme, Alternative and Punk Music. Since 1982, there has only been one Bad Brains. To span three decades while releasing eight ultra legit studio albums is monument. (Granted, their 2002 release I & I Survived was/is an instrumental dub album, with H.R. not present on vocals. Regardless, it shall always remain as a unique musical representation of/from Bad Brains). Think of it this way, it is easier to span three decades and release fifteen albums, all the while just two or three are justified. As I see and hear it, Bad Brains has accomplished what the Beatles, Ramones, The Who and Led Zeppelin, (to name more than a few), before them already had… an astoundingly identifiable style of music, which sound is impossible to confuse with any other band.

Bad Brains will forever be regarded as a Hardcore Punk originator and rightfully so. Only at the end of the day, what really matters is the overwhelming uniqueness that flows from their songs hot as magma, ultimately creating a cooling down – experience in music listening, which once again gets ramped up from the Bad Brains ride you embark on… a Bad Brains trip never stays the same. Sound cool? Bad Brains is just that. In the sad event you have never listened to Bad Brains, there is still time to redeem your hijacked and commercialized, MTV and/or VH1 soul. I picked the Bad Brains album – Quickness, as my listening choice today. Quickness may not be heralded as the greatest Bad Brains album made, regardless, I am not into any unfair comparisons to their iconic, self titled, debut album either. Quickness is a listen into just how an album can encompass so many great qualities of heavy, hard and at times softer song structure. This fantastic Bad Brains album was, (and always is), a slap to my forehead reminder that a band does not have to sell out sports stadiums and win multiple Grammy Awards, in order to be appreciated and accepted as realistically legendary, genuine, unapologetically diverse and damn right hard & heavy.

Bad Brains – Quickness was released in 1989, on Caroline Records.

Bad Brains – Quickness Track Listing:

Soul Craft

Voyage Into Infinity

The Messengers

With The Quickness

Gene Machine/Don’t Bother Me

Don’t Blow Bubbles

Sheba

Yout’ Juice

No Conditions

Silent Tears

The Prophets Eye

Endtro

The original Bad Brains lineup:

H.R. – lead vocals

Dr. Know – guitar

Darryl Jenifer – bass

Earl Hudson – drums

KATAKLYSM – “TAKING THE WORLD BY STORM” PICTURE DISC & “PREVAIL” ALBUM = DEATH METAL DOMINATION

Posted in 1990's death metal bands, 1990's death metal music, Album Review, canadian death metal bands, collecting metal music, cool album covers, creepy album covers, current death meal bands, Death Metal, death metal albums 2008, death metal music, death metal music 2008, death metal picture discs, death metal vocalists, extreme metal bands, extreme metal music, extreme metal music albums, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal picture discs, melodic death metal albums, melodic death metal bands, melodic death metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, scary album covers, thrash metal music with tags canadian death metal bands, collecting heavy metal, collecting picture discs, current death metal bands, death meal music, death metal album review, death metal albums, death metal albums 2008, death metal bands, death metal from canada, death metal picture discs, death metal songs, extreme metal albums, extreme metal bands, extreme metal music, heavy metal music, heavy metal picture discs, kataklysm, kataklysm 2008, kataklysm death metal band, kataklysm prevail album, kataklysm taking the world by storm picture disc, maurizio iacono death metal vocalist, metal music, metal odyssey, Music on January 4, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Back in the Summer of 2008, I came across a 7 ” picture disc from Kataklysm: Taking The World By Storm. This picture disc was released on May 30, 2008 on Nuclear Blast (Records). I bought this sweet picture disc off of the Century Media Records web site – CM Distro. (Damn, I just used the word sweet on Metal Odyssey). Kataklysm hails from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It’s great to see Death Metal staking it’s claim up in the Great White North, I’d rather see an export like Kataklysm come out of Canada, rather than an Alberta Clipper snow storm. (I can’t stand those Alberta Clippers… they always seem to dump a few inches or more of snow during rush hour traffic). Back to this unreal picture disc… the two songs on it are from Kataklysm’s tenth studio album – Prevail, released in North America on May 27, 2008, they are:

Taking The World By Storm

Breathe To Dominate

I really like Kataklysm… this band epitomizes perseverance and being true to Metal. Kataklysm is as hard and heavy as any in the Death Metal world, with their melodic tone making for an even greater listening experience, Metal time and again. Kataklysm really created a furious and Metal blinding album of songs with Prevail, Taking The World By Storm and Breathe To Dominate are two enormously justified Death Metal songs to appear on this picture disc. Adding this Kataklysm picture disc to my collection, only makes it all the more Metal potent. Take a Metal gander at this amazing 7″ picture disc below, I have shown you both front and back:

It’s always a great Metal treat, when the album artwork is brutal and hellishly unreal… fitting right in with the Death Metal theme. (Did I use the word treat back there?). The back cover shows Kataklysm, in all of their Metal glory, from left to right: Stephane Barbe (bass), Max Duhamel (drums), Maurizio Iacono (vocals) and Jean-Francois Dagenais (guitars).

The two songs on this picture disc, as well as every song on the Prevail album, are immensely dominant in all of it’s Death Metal extremity. Kataklysm comes at you from all Metal angles… there really is no room to escape, all you can do is listen to their songs on this picture disc and their Prevail album and be set Death Metal straight. Kataklysm plays extremely tight and solid, with a flurry of Thrash Metal thrown around for good Metal measure. The riffs are abundant and very memorable, you can’t possibly listen to these Kataklysm songs without walking away with several riffs and leads – buzzing in your head. Even if you are not a fan of Death Metal, (I could never fathom not being a fan of Death Metal), this Prevail album from Kataklysm will certainly leave a long lasting dent in your skeptic attitude. Maurizio Iacono is without Metal question… one of the most underrated vocalists in not just Death Metal, in all of Metal. (That is my Metal opinion and I am sticking to it).

Here is the track listing for the Prevail album:

Prevail

Taking The World By Storm

The Chains Of Power

As Death Lingers

Blood In Heaven

To The Throne Of Sorrow

Breathe To Dominate

Tear Down The Kingdom

The Vultures Are Watching

The Last Effort (Renaissance ll)

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