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MANOWAR “The Dawn Of Battle” – EP From 2002 Revisited

Posted in Album Review, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , on October 27, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MANOWAR – Over the decades, when it comes to my favorite bands, the collector “bug” will always kick in whenever I come across CD singles, EP’s, picture discs, 7″ vinyl, etc. that have been released with their music. Manowar released The Dawn Of Battle EP or as it is also called, enhanced CD single, back in 2002 on Nuclear Blast. Magic Circle Music, (founded by Manowar’s co-founding member and bass guitarist, Joey DeMaio), is also the co-label.

There are three songs, (The Dawn Of Battle, I Believe and Call To Arms) and CD-ROM bonus material on The Dawn Of Battle. My favorite out of the three songs is Call To Arms, it just thunders along with classic Manowar Heavy Metal power. There is nothing better than a heavy duty, psyche-out, Heavy Metal anthem to invigorate my Metal senses. Call To Arms supplies an ample dose of psyche-out splendor for me, with Eric Adams pronouncing each syllable of this song’s lyrics with a victorious Metal cockiness that he is so damn great at.

I Believe is a song straight from the Manowar text book of personal power, strength and victory. The tempo is dictated by the rhythm section of Joey DeMaio on bass and Scott Columbus on drums. The sheer power that the Heavy Metal stomp of Manowar provides on I Believe, is enough to make my home stereo speakers shudder at their mountings. Hail Manowar Heavy Metal!

The Dawn Of Battle is without a doubt, the fastest and Heaviest of the three songs heard on this EP. Eric Adams comes across with more vindictiveness on this song vocally, than on the other two songs. He does the near-spoken word at the mid-point of The Dawn Of Battle, which is characteristic. Manowar has a fabulous way of making their breakdowns feel awe inspiring. Guitarist Karl Logan is his excellent self on all three songs, providing plenty of melodic leads and ground shifting riffs.

Oh yeah… how about this cover artwork for The Dawn Of Battle… damn, it’s brutally intense stuff! It’s MANOWAR. I make no apologies for digging it myself… Metal be thy name.

* Call To Arms is also found on the 2002 studio album from Manowar – Warriors Of The World. I Believe and The Dawn Of Battle are found on Warriors Of The World “Gold Edition” as bonus tracks.

This CD/EP also includes some very cool bonus material. There is a documentary, that lasts about 6 minutes or so, that features some behind the scenes footage of Manowar’s “Ringfest” performance from August of 2002. It has the sound engineer for Manowar, Jeff Hair, talking about how his responsibility to take care of the “live” sound details. The stage/equipment/instrument tech for Manowar who goes by the name of Dawk, also talks about how everything you see on a Manowar stage is “real” and put together by him. Dawk also states that Manowar plays at “7000 rms watts of power”… whoa, that’s power! It is mentioned that Dawk has been with Manowar since the early 80’s… since the beginning of Manowar. Jan Freitag, Manowar’s production manager, speaks on this documentary as well… only he speaks in a different language that sounds European to me, maybe German?

There are snippets of “live” footage showing Manowar performing at this 2002 “Ringfest”, showing Joey DeMaio (bass guitarist) taunting the police that supposedly were called to shut down Manowar from performing… due to the “live” music being played too loud. It’s funny stuff to watch, as Joey DeMaio drops a bucket load of “F” bombs on the evening’s developments. Needless to say, this “Ringfest” performance by Manowar was not shut down by anybody.

* A promotional trailer for the Manowar “Fire & Blood” DVD is also on this EP. It goes by rather quickly, lasting just over a minute or so. Still, it’s fun to have this stuff added to this EP… in my Metal opinion.

* The “live production lighting animation” segment of the bonus material lasts no more than 30 seconds. It shows still photos of the different stage lighting and setups that Manowar used during their tours. It’s nothing to jump up and down about due to it being “still” photos changing over, nonetheless it is interesting to look at.

It was fun to dig this Manowar CD/EP out and slap it into the computer to watch these bonus material segments, even if the running time on them was short. I definitely recommend this Dawn Of Battle EP to all Manowar fans… and Heavy Metal fans worldwide.

HAIL MANOWAR!

Track Listing For Dawn Of Battle:

The Dawn Of Battle

I Believe

Call To Arms

* For more info on MANOWAR, click here: MANOWAR – Official Website

LONG LIVE MANOWAR.

Stone.


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THANK GOD “Ice/Age” – Experimental & Punk = Mainstream Avenue Is Closed Dammit!

Posted in experimental music, extreme music, hard rock music, hardcore punk rock music, metal odyssey, Music, punk rock bands, punk rock music, rock album review, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on October 26, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

THANK GOD – With origins from Atlanta, Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina, Thank God is best described as a Punk, Experimental, Hardcore and Jam Band. With all of these descriptive genres going on, yes, Thank God does make a whole bunch of noise. Notable noise at that. One first listen through of Thanks God’s new album, Ice/Age and I realize that this band is a free styling and “who gives a crap what the rest of the world thinks” band. That’s what Experimental, combined with Punk and Hardcore is supposed to do to a band in the first place. Listening to Ice/Age tells me Thank God looks upon the words “status quo” as being toxic. With songs such as Shit and Wow to flood the senses into a bewildering blast of Hardcore Punk from Thank God, these two songs are worth slamming your body around to, at any hour… of any day… of the whole damn week. Still, Thank God can tone things down at times, with One Half being a semi-melodic introduction into where ever you may want to go, within your mind or by space travel. You can be your own damn navigator! The guitar notes and overall tempo of One Half gives off that feeling of… ready, set, now F’n go! (Which makes all the sense in the world… One Half precedes Set/Go). Set/Go elevates it’s tempo to berserk levels, with breakdowns galore. There are hints of Doom and Stoner guitar riffs that seem to sneak into Set/Go, adding another element that Thank God has thrown into this eclectic album of songs.

Hopefully, Thank God will not seek out any “polish” on the production end of the scale on their future albums. The blue-collar and garage-tinged atmosphere on Ice/Age, coupled with the youthful, “who gives a shit” attitude is just fine with me. The only instrument I would like to see Thank God not experiment with too often in the future with is the sax. I love the sax, however, Thank God incorporating this fine instrument into Ice/Age just doesn’t resonate any vibe of cool for me. Uncle Stone doesn’t likey. The sax, as played on this album, comes across as macabre to my ears, so maybe it has a vibe… o.k.? I just want Thank God to take the sax and put it away for now or put it on ebay. Then again, this is an experimental band I’ve been talkin’ about isn’t it? Regardless, the sax that was played on this album probably cried alone at night, knowing how it sounded and was treated.

Sax aside, Ice/Age is like a sign post that reads: Open minds may enter… others piss off. I like Thank God and their brand of noise. Vocally and musically, Thank God have their identity crisis in check. Thank God plays fast and delivers plenty of heavy moments to make me feel like my ears belong in their music. It’s bands like this, that push the elemental fusion of Heavy Rock genres into their own direction and walk away grinning… knowing they have freely expressed their language of music upon anyone who listens. I’m listening to Thank God and hopefully many others will too, just get off the mainstream bus that’s taking you to status quo la la land… dammit.

* Released back in July of 2010, on indie label Exotic Fever Records, Ice/Age is the debut full length from Thank God.

* THANK GOD are: Troy, Hank, Adam, Matt and Kevin – (Sorry, I don’t know which name goes with each dude in above photo of Thank God). Gee Metal whiz, I said I was sorry.

* For more info on THANK GOD, click on the link below!

THANK GOD – myspace music

GO GET ‘EM THANK GOD.

Um, don’t get the sax in trouble anymore.

Stone.


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CRADLE OF FILTH – “Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa” Releases November 9, 2010 In North America!

Posted in black metal music, extreme metal music, gothic metal, Hard Rock, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 25, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

CRADLE OF FILTH – As 2010 is drawing towards a close, the new Metal releases just keep on coming! On Novermber 9, 2010, Cradle Of Filth’s ninth studio album – Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa will be released, on Nuclear Blast USA for North America. Dani Filth and his band have returned… and from what I’m hearing, this Cradle Of Filth album is the fastest and heaviest yet! November shall be quite the “filthy” month for Metal once this Cradle Of Filth album hits the street. Did you get it? “Filthy”… Cradle Of “Filth”? Man, my corn-dog side is coming out again.

You can bet your last Metal dollar I’ll be buying this new Cradle Of Filth album… especially after I’ve had to endure looking at thousands of political campaign commercials while I’m trying to watch my nightly ghost hunting and paranormal reality shows on television. It feels like my Metal world has been invaded by all of these lying, slimy and backdoor dealing politicians, each time their overpriced commercial hits the t.v. screen.

I’m voting… you better believe it, it’s an American privilege that I shall never take for granted. It’s just that these phony politicians aren’t gonna “sway” my vote just because they are name calling and throwing stones at each other every night on television… like a bunch of preschoolers in a playground. I’m into facts and the pursuit of happiness… not mud slinging.

I don’t mean to get off track here… my Metal point is: I’m thankful that Metal exists, that bands like Cradle Of Filth exists, to keep my attention away from the political garbage that network news and politicians try to feed society on a daily basis. Long live Metal and Cradle Of Filth. Metal be thy name.

I’ve listened to Lilith Immaculate several times already… this is a strong epic song to savor on Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa. Atmospheric and layered in all of it’s eerily dark richness, with speed and heaviness not taking a back seat. Dani Filth is as vocally Extreme as ever, with Black Metal fire resonating from his every syllable. Extreme, Gothic and Black Metal fans will find plenty to embrace from this fantastic song. If the rest of Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa is like this… whoa.

Metal has never messed up a society… politicians have.

Track Listing For Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa:

The Cult Of Venus Aversa

One Foul Step From The Abyss

The Nun With The Astral Habit

Retreat Of The Sacred Heart

The Persecution Song

Deceiving Eyes

Lilith Immaculate

The Spawn Of Love And War

Harlot On A Pedestal

Forgive Me Father (I Have Sinned)

Beyond Eleventh Hour

Cradle Of Filth, as they appear on Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa:

Dani Filth – lead vocals

Paul Allender – lead guitar

James Mcllory – rhythm guitar

Ashley Ellyllon – keyboards, backing vocals

Dave Pybus – bass

Martin Skaroupka – drums

* For more info on Cradle Of Filth, click on the link below:

CRADLE OF FILTH – Official Website

Metal Reigns Supreme.

Stone.

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GWAR “BLOODY PIT OF HORROR” – Releases November 9, 2010! Album Artwork & Complete Track Listing!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 24, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

GWAR – In the midst of their two year long celebration of their 25th Anniversary – Slay – A – Bration, GWAR will be having their 13th studio album released on November 9, 2010. (I’m including in their “13” studio albums the 1992 EP – The Road Behind, hell, it has seven songs on it for Metal sakes and it counts). Bloody Pit Of Horror is the new studio album of 11 songs, releasing on Metal Blade Records. It is always comforting to know, that GWAR is lurking around the galaxy and giving us Metalheads on Earth another brand new album to annihilate our eardrums with… just 9 days after Halloween too.

GWAR:

Oderus Urungus – vocals

Balsac the Jaws of Death – guitar

Jizmak Da Gusha – drums

Beefcake The Mighty – bass

Flattus Maximus – guitar

Track Listing For – Bloody Pit Of Horror:

Zombies, March

Come the Carnivore

A Gathering of Ghouls

Storm is Coming

Tick-Tits

Beat You To Death

You are my Meat

Hail, Genocide!

KZ Necromancer

The Litany of the Slain

Sick and Twisted

* On October 28, 2010, GWAR will be performing on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon!!

* For more info on GWAR, their tour schedule and latest news, then click on the links below:

GWAR – Official Cyber-Fortress!

GWAR – myspace music

I LIVE FOR METAL.

Stone.

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THE CARS – DEBUT ALBUM FROM 1978 REVISITED

Posted in Album Review, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, metal odyssey, Music, new wave music, rock and roll news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 20, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

The Cars have always been summed up and best described as a New Wave Band. Alright, I’ll let that jive with me, only on their first album, The Cars had some serious Rock in their Wave. Missing Persons were a New Wave Band too, so was Men Without Hats and neither of those two bands come even remotely close in sounding like The Cars. So, were The Cars really a New Wave Band after all? A Flock Of Seagulls… now that’s what I consider a New Wave Band from the 80’s to sound like.

Due to the timing of The Cars being released, I gather it is probably “convenient” to lump this band into the New Wave crowd too. The debut and self titled album from The Cars was perhaps, just a few hundred slivers heavier, than your standard New Wave Band of the late ’70’s and early ’80’s. Sure, Missing Persons had a few “heavier” songs for their New Wave sound and style, with very decent drumming from Terry Bozzio, his playing and songwriting really was standout with that band. (Plus, Terry Bozzio was and still is an excellent drummer and all around musician too… in my Metal opinion).

I can recall hearing the “first” single off of this album, it was Just What I Needed. Can I recall the actual year I first heard this song? Ugh. Maybe it was 1979. No, I think it was 1980. Who really gives a flying elephant crap about when I first heard Just What I Needed. The simple fact is that I loved this song from the opening note. Seriously, this song’s significance lies in it’s originality for no other song really sounded like it, back in 1978.

I’m trying to “think back” and remember if there was another band out there that sounded like The Cars did, at the time of their 1978 debut album. This was 1978, not 1988, when a decade later you could swoop up a hundred New Wave Bands or so and compare them all against each other. Growing up in the late 70’s and early 80’s, I just accepted The Cars and their sound without giving any thought as to what music genre they belonged to. (Now that I’m a cranky old man, I scrutinize music genres like there’s no tomorrow). As each new song from their debut album trickled onto FM radio, I became more of a fan of them and this album.

Out of the nine songs heard on The Cars, seven of them made it to FM airplay. Seven! That is nothing to sneeze at either… how many Rock or Hard Rock bands can any of us name in 2010, that can boast seven songs from one album, being accepted into FM airplay and becoming hits? A “debut” album no less! It’s not as if these songs on The Cars were “Poppy” either, they were mainstream certainly, still a far cry from sounding “bubble gum”. These seven songs were played so often on the Connecticut FM radio stations, (WHCN, WCCC and WPLR), that I am guilty of never having bought this album, many years after it’s release.

Elliot Easton played guitar on The Cars with an obvious hard edge, his solo on Just What I Needed is an example of what I mean. It’s guitarists like Elliot that really exemplify playing for the song unselfishly and skillfully, versus the household name guitarists out there, who have accentuated their fame through piles of average solo albums throughout the decades.

Ric Ocasek’s vocals were meant for The Cars. I know that sounds rather cliche, only it’s so true. Ric Ocasek gave The Cars a booming personality with his vocals. The “modern” vibe that The Cars pulsated with through their songs seemed to stick to Ric’s voice like glue. The late/great Benjamin Orr not only played bass for The Cars, he was the lead vocalist on All Mixed Up as well. Benjamin Orr’s vocals were perfect for this song, giving it that added emotion and personal element befitting of the lyrics. (His vocals on The Cars 1984 hit Drive, from their Heartbeat City album is another memorably gigantic performance from him as well).

The Cars presented an edgy futuristic listen into Rock’s eventual “wide-open” Pop feel of the 80’s, courtesy of Greg Hawkes on keyboards and an open mindedness of this band to create songs that were fabulously accessible. Regardless of the Rock/Pop direction The Cars did take into the 80’s, this debut album is by far, their best full-throttle, Rock teetering on Hard Rock effort… with a New Wave approach, let’s not forget.

Moving In Stereo can be the cornerstone New Wave song for The Cars. There was and still is something almost fantastically mystical about my never wanting to turn this song off, when I hear it on the radio. Could it be that The Cars really are moving me, through stereo? I feel semi-scared now. Good Times Roll has all the ingredients of bursting out of it’s seams with a loud guitar solo and a psyched out tempo that doesn’t relent. It does not happen that way though. It’s the keyboards that administer the melancholy antidote of calm, making this song still feel like the good times are rolling, nonetheless… in a Logan’s Run sort of cosmic way.

The Cars as I look back upon them now, were a mighty decent Rock, I mean, New Wave Band. After all these years, however, it is more beneficial for me personally, to call The Cars debut album a Classic Rock gem. If I was to recommend that “one” album from The Cars to a civilization outside of our Milky Way, it would no doubt be their debut album. For those on this planet, that are just being introduced to The Cars, I would recommend their debut album as well. These excellent musicians that decided to call themselves The Cars, as I look back now, are a symbolic example of their era, showing just how dynamic and memorable a band could become, by solidifying a unique sound from a Rock meets New Wave fusion.

* THE CARS was released in June of 1978, on Elektra Records.

Track Listing For The Cars:

Good Times Roll

My Best Friend’s Girl

Just What I Needed

I’m In Touch With Your World

Don’t Cha Stop

You’re All I’ve Got Tonight

Bye Bye Love

Moving In Stereo

All Mixed Up


Rest In Peace, Benjamin Orr.

Stone.

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THE BIG BOPPER “Chantilly Lace” – Reflecting On Rock ‘N’ Roll’s Roots

Posted in 1950's rock music, people, Rock, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 17, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

The Big Bopper, (Jiles Perry “J. P.” Richardson, Jr.), was a pioneer of Rock ‘N’ Roll. Singer, songwriter, musician and an American disc jockey, The Big Bopper’s multi-tasking career was truly cut short tragically in 1959. February 3, 1959 is historically known as “The Day The Music Died”, with the untimely passing of The Big Bopper, Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens, due to their being in a small plane that crashed, from presumably flying into an Iowa blizzard. The pilot, Roger Peterson, also passed away from the crash.

While growing up as a young lad, I remember this story being told to me time and again by my parents. Eventually, the multitudes of television documentaries on 1950’s Rock ‘N’ Roll more than adequately covered this tragically historic event. I can remember playing my mother’s Buddy Holly 45 rpm’s and thinking about that awful day in Rock ‘N’ Roll history. I took to heart, the reality of this event despite my adolescence, I imagine it was due to the way I was raised by my parents.

The one true side story to this unimaginable day in 1959, was the one as told by Country legend, (the late), Waylon Jennings himself in many well documented articles and interviews. Apparently, Waylon Jennings was supposed to fly on this very same small plane, only he gave up his seat to The Big Bopper… due to The Big Bopper having the flu. Whoa. That is one side story I could not believe, even though I have seen documented footage of Waylon Jennings telling it himself. I guess when it is “your time”… that’s it.

Waylon Jennings had a remarkably legendary career, singing and playing his guitar in the Country, Outlaw Country and Country Rock genres. I missed out on two opportunities to see Waylon Jennings live, both times he played very close to my hometown in Connecticut. One such venue was The Warner Theatre, in Torrington, Connecticut. This unreal cool and Art Deco Theatre still plays host to many incredible bands crossing all music genres, along with a diverse mix of entertainers and shows. From the late George Carlin to Foreigner… The Warner Theatre has had them all, it seems. Waylon Jennings passed away at the very young age of 64, back on February 13, 2002.

I guess missing out on seeing Waylon Jennings two times, so close to home, serves as a reminder for me to cherish each Rock ‘N’ Roll performer and Metal Band I do get to see… from Slayer to Pat Benatar. Well, getting long winded on the roots of Rock ‘N’ Roll is something I’m very good at. It’s just the pure history, the factual beginnings of the music that I and so many billions of other people love so much, that I find so difficult to ignore.

Today, I ventured out with my wife and daughters on a Sunday cruise to do some shopping. Thankfully, the weather was 100% pure Autumn and sunny, with no rain or dreary weather to get in the way of our plans. One stop was to a store called Christmas Tree Shops, it is a semi-discounted department store, that focuses on a ton of items that my wife really digs. Plus, there usually is a small display of discounted CD’s for sale there too. Today however, I did not find a CD display… whatever, I’ll live. This store is where The Big Bopper came back to life again in my ears… his song Chantilly Lace was played on the rotation of music that was heard, while we shopped. Once again, my mind wandered right back into some Rock ‘N’ Roll thoughts…

A fabulous, Classic and Rock Historical song is Chantilly Lace. Just the vocals of The Big Bopper are enough for me, while I listen to this song. Flamboyant and loaded with Rock ‘N’ Roll confidence were the vocals of The Big Bopper. Metal as my witness, his vocals alone are enough to put me in a great mood. “Oh baby you know what I like”! Just the way he describes this girl in Chantilly Lace is legendary. “A wiggle in the walk and a giggle in the talk”, “Make the world go ’round”… the lyrical rhyme scheme is Rock ‘N’ Roll perfection at it’s earliest beginnings.

Despite Chantilly Lace being a Rock ‘N’ Roll song from 1958, there is something about it that radiates a relevant cool to me. This song always has been a “1950’s Rock ‘N’ Roll” favorite of mine, since the first time I heard it as a young lad. The incredible aspect about this song, is that there are no “in-your-face” guitars, drums or bass and it still Rocks like there is no tomorrow. The subdued volume of the instruments played on Chantilly Lace does help catapult the vocals of The Big Bopper and his enthusiasm for this song can’t be denied each time I hear it.

The girl is referred to as “honey” and “baby” during Chantilly Lace, making for as true a listen into Rock ‘N’ Roll’s innocence as you could ever ask for. Compare “honey” and “baby” to some of today’s female referenced adjectives you hear in popular music… and yes, Chantilly Lace is innocence. I don’t like to think of “what ifs” when it comes to life, The Big Bopper was here and he left us all with some incredible Rock ‘N’ Roll.

Chantilly Lace is a song that is immeasurable in it’s worth to Rock ‘N’ Roll History. I’ll always be a fan of The Big Bopper and be grateful for what he and his fellow peers accomplished back in those fabulous 1950’s. The Rock ‘N’ Roll seeds they all planted back then, have certainly grown into quite a remarkable existence in both music, culture and personal emotion.

* To learn more about the Warner Theatre, in Torrington, CT, click the link below:

The Warner Theatre

Rest in peace, The Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Roger Peterson, Waylon Jennings… and George Carlin too.

Stone.

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Heavy Metal, Hard Rock And All Extreme Music Rules. Always Has, Always Will.

Posted in classic rock music, extreme music, Hard Rock, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, news, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on October 16, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

So let it be Metal written, so let it be Metal told.

Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Classic Rock and all Extreme Music Rules. There you have it. That’s how I feel and no one can change my Metal mind on this. When I reference “Extreme Music”… it is an all encompassing and generic term that I personally use. This includes Punk Rock, Death Metal, Black Metal, Gothic Metal, Grindcore, Hardcore and any and all sub genres of such Extreme Music. Metal be thy name.

* To all of the plastic mainstream “awards shows” that are televised throughout the year and continue to ignore the music and bands that are, (gulp), Heavy, (except for Revolver Magazine’s Golden Gods Awards), they can all kiss my Metal lovin’ ass.

* To the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: (I think you all know this one is coming), you can kiss my Metal lovin’ ass.

* To all the phony millionaire/billionaire record executives throughout the decades that shunned Heavy Music so that zit-faced boy bands and lip syncing performers could get “pushed” up the charts and on radio… you can all really pucker up… and kiss my Metal lovin’ ass.

* To those “Four Cartels” of the music industry, that abolished Heavy Metal from FM airplay and MTV back in the early ’90’s… kiss my Metal lovin’ ass. You losers.

* To all the writers who give “lousy” reviews on a band’s album, (while not bothering to listen to the given album), due to a respective band having conservative views… you all can really kiss my Metal lovin’ ass. You know who you are too, you political phonies with dumb-ass agendas.

* To all the liars behind the misleading and bias “record charts”, just keep on fooling the public and kiss my Metal lovin’ ass while your at it.

* To all the members of the “Flavor Of The Month Club” when it comes to music: Hey! Kiss my Metal lovin’ ass! You bet you know who you are… now your embarrassed.

* To that old and cranky, dictatorial political group known as the PMRC, that wanted to “change the world” through their radical thoughts and abuse of power, many years ago… see below:

* To the idiots that decided to have “amended” versions of CD’s to sell, go ahead… kiss my Metal lovin’ ass. Censorship IS NOT COOL, especially when it comes to music. Um, wasn’t there something once known as – Freedom Of Speech in America? Kiss my Metal lovin’ ass again, you pathetic censor morons.

* To any band or musician who openly supports a presidential or any political candidate and gets mixed up in the immoral and unethical world of politics, by having a benefit concert for “political fundraising”… I don’t want you to kiss my ass. Please, just keep Rock ‘N’ Roll out of electing any millionaire/billionaire politician. Here’s a Metal thought: instead of having a fund-raising concert for some slimy politician, try having a fund-raising concert for a children’s hospital or orphanage. Duh. Duh again.

* To all the Phd’s, text book scholars and lawyers who “think” Heavy Metal promotes and causes violent behavior and deplorable acts on society… you can all take a bow… and while your bending over… kiss my Metal lovin’ ass.

* To all those who are annoyed that I use the fabulous word “Metal” so much in this and other posts on Metal Odyssey… um, you don’t have to kiss my Metal lovin’ ass at all. I actually have pity for you, due to the symptom you have, which is called: Metal envy. It must suck to have it.

I’m in a Metal lovin’ mood of the highest degree today, obviously. Then again, I’m always in a Metal lovin’ mood, only today it just feels so damn good. To all the nay sayers and antagonists of Heavy Music throughout the decades… hey… kiss my Metal lovin’ ass. You know why? Hell, we Metalheads, Punks and Extreme Music fans WON. The bands and the Heavy Music we love never hid, dried up or ran away. Many Heavy and Extreme bands have come and gone… still countless of these bands are still touring and making music to this very second.

I consistently try to remind visitors to Metal Odyssey, that there are scores of pathetic and narrow minded groups of people in our society that want to “control” and censor the Heavy Music that has made my life and countless other lives better. Self righteous and mean spirited groups like the PMRC need to be brought up over and over again, so fans of Heavy Music know of their censorship agenda that they set into place more than two decades ago. You can try to bury something that stinks and pretend it never existed… only the “stench” still lingers.

One last thought. To all of the idiots and “deep thinkers” that years ago would tell me “someday you will mature and stop listening to Heavy Metal and all that other garbage your listening to”… KISS MY METAL LOVIN’ ASS.

Metal Be Thy Name.

Stone.

20 Comments »

ALL THAT REMAINS “… For We Are Many” – A Formidable Album From One Of Metalcore’s Finest

Posted in hard rock albums, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal odyssey, metalcore bands, metalcore music, Music, rock music, rock music news, rock music reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 14, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ALL THAT REMAINS – From the very onset, with the intro Now Let Them Tremble… All That Remains establishes the Metal fact they are not going to sugarcoat a damned note on their fifth studio album – … For We Are Many, released on October 12, 2010 on Prosthetic Records/Razon & Tie. I would never expect anything less than a fast, furious and angrier than a yellow jacket wasp sound from All That Remains, on their new album. That intro really did lead me down the path to an excellent Metalcore storm that … For We Are Many is all about. The Metal pride of Western Massachusetts has fabulously delivered on their new album, making it very difficult for me not to write a 5,000 word review on it.

For We Are Many has Philip Labonte belting out vocals that more than border on Death Metal, he exhibits some ear popping vocal noise that is a welcomed part of All That Remains brand of Metal, to my ecstatic ears. Philip can diversify vocally, like a Metal chameleon he resonates with gritty harmony on The Last Time, a straight edged Metalcore song that exemplifies why this genre can claim it’s Metal legitimacy in my Metal History book. If there could ever be an accessibly Extreme Metal song, then The Last Time is it.

If I have said it once before, I shall say it once again… Oli Herbert is a Metal asset to All That Remains. It’s just a matter of time before Oli becomes a household name amongst the Metal masses, if he hasn’t become one already. Oli can shred, just listening to the leads he comes out with is reason enough to become a fan of All That Remains. Plus, when I listen to Oli on any song, it’s listening to a guitarist who obviously reveres Old School Metal and Hard Rock, by incorporating the vibe of yesterday into the Metal of today.

Not to ignore Mike Martin on guitar, he has more devastating licks in his Metal bag of guitar tricks than I can count. Anytime I listen to All That Remains, especially now with their latest album, I want to scream out to the Metal community that Oli and Mike are a Metal guitar duo that can’t be contained… they have been unleashed unto the here and now and listening to these guys is a Metal reality check. From The Outside is a song that exemplifies exactly what I’m trying to convey here, Metal be thy name this song explodes with guitar driving force.

Now, try to name off five bass guitarists in all of Metal that are female. Nice try. Jeanne Sagan has been the Metal thunder glue for All That Remains since the 2006 diamond in the rough… The Fall Of Ideals. Jeanne isn’t gonna shy away from letting her Metal presence known… she plays stompingly tight alongside drummer Jason Costa, making this All That Remains band a formidable force. I really liked this band lineup on 2008’s Overcome, now I really, really, like this All That Remains lineup.

If Keepers Of Fellow Man doesn’t get your adrenaline fired up, then your probably in a frozen state of consciousness. Melodic driven, with the heaviness of duo guitars, a rhythm section spiraling out bombastic beats and Philip’s barbed wire vocals, carries this song in unison, to stadium crowd heights. Uh, yeah, Keepers Of Fellow Man is more than likely my favorite song on this album. This song is just one of twelve, that truly are all Metal encompassing, like an impermeable net dropping down on my brain and making me succumb to it’s Metal stranglehold.

The Waiting One is such a fantastic song that having it be the album closer is genius. This song is Heavy, even with it’s breakdowns and intervals of acoustic guitar. The layering affect of The Waiting One is what gives it it’s Metal brilliance. Plus, Philip Labonte exhibits a vocal soft side that quite frankly should be exposed more often. Philip gives off the same Metal cool when he croons as he does when he growls and shouts… in my Metal opinion.

All That Remains makes their Metal flow with plenty of melodic moments married with their trademark Metalcore sound throughout … For We Are Many. The heaviness is apparent, like a supercharged continuum, therefore, loyal All That Remains fans can’t possibly be disappointed with their new album. As each All That Remains album gets released, I hear more strength and confidence in the songwriting and music across the Metal board from this excellent band.

Adam Dutkiewicz returns as producer for this new All That Remains album. (Jason Suecof produced 2008’s Overcome). Adam is like a New England “National Metal Treasure”… he has that “knack” for bringing this Metalcore sound and vibe into a state of exceptionality. Anyone familiar knows Adam is a multi-instrumentalist and music producer that has helped catapult his band, Killswitch Engage, into mega-Metal notoriety.

The Metal accolades I have bestowed upon this new All That Remains album, is due to the sheer fact that this album finishes what it started, a heightened sound and feel to what these twelve great songs give off. With acute care into the songwriting and lyrics, while succeeding in the balancing act of melodic and Heavy Metalcore on … For We Are Many, Philip Labonte, Oli Herbert, Jeanne Sagan, Mike Martin and Jason Costa should by now, have some Metal swagger in their steps.

* For more info on ALL THAT REMAINS, just click the link below:

ALL THAT REMAINS – myspace music

ALL THAT REMAINS:

Philip Labonte – vocals

Oli Herbert – lead guitar

Mike Martin – guitar

Jeanne Sagan – bass

Jason Costa – drums

… For We Are Many – Track Listing:

Now Let Them Tremble

For We Are Many

The Last Time

Some Of The People, All Of The Time

Won’t Go Quietly

Aggressive Opposition

From The Outside

Dead Wrong

Faithless

Hold On

Keepers Of Fellow Man

The Waiting One

LONG LIVE ALL THAT REMAINS.

Stone.

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SAMMY HAGAR – HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM METAL ODYSSEY!

Posted in celebrity birthdays, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 13, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

SAMMY HAGAR – On October 13, 1947, Sammy Hagar, the “Red Rocker” was born. Sixty Three years later, Sammy Hagar stands tall as one of the greatest in all of Rock. I, along with Scott Coverdale and the entire Metal Odyssey family, wants to wish Sammy a LOUD and fun filled HAPPY BIRTHDAY! My wife especially, well, she wanted to make certain to wish the Red Rocker a happy birthday today… she really digs him and rightfully so.

If Stone could buy a beer today for Sammy… I’d buy ’em by the rounds! A lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, Sammy has a vocal presence that is undeniably infectious and resonates nuthin’ but Rock ‘N’ Roll at 100% proof. There is something about listening to Sammy Hagar’s vocals that makes me and countless others feel like everything is alright… it’s all about good times.

Scott Coverdale and I can never get enough of The Red Rocker… he is as cool in 2010 as ever. Chickenfoot, ’nuff said. To keep the relevance fires burning in Rock Music like Sammy continues to do, only reflects on just how legitimate and honest he is as an all-around musician. Thanks for all of the fabulously memorable music you have created over the years Sammy!! Don’t ever stop ROCKIN!

Here is a roll call of the bands that Sammy has been a major part of, over his illustriously Rockin’ career:

MONTROSE (1973-1975)

That’s Sammy pictured in the far right corner of this album photo. This is the Montrose self-titled debut album from 1973. A classic band is Montrose, we’re talkin’ about Hard Rock & Heavy Metal roots here.

SAMMY HAGAR (Solo)

Sammy has released 11 solo studio albums over his legendary career. Street Machine was the fourth solo album from Sammy, released in 1979 on Capitol Records.

My favorite Sammy Hagar solo album is – Standing Hampton. This album was my very first Sammy Hagar album. Standing Hampton was released in 1981 on Geffen Records. I remember buying it at Bradlees department store in the early ’80’s. I worked in a grocery store in the same plaza as Bradlees… this album probably cost half of my paycheck back then, only it was well worth every penny. Baby’s On Fire is probably my favorite Sammy Hagar song ever. There’s Only One Way To Rock is a song that kicks ass from sunrise to sunset. Plus, Heavy Metal is a downright heavy hitter of a song too. Even if you own a Sammy Hagar “Greatest Hits” CD… buy Standing Hampton… you’ll thank Stone later.

HSAS – Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve – Released back in 1984, HSAS was a cool supergroup led by Sammy Hagar on lead vocals. Neal Schon (Journey) on guitar, Kenny Aaronson (Dust) on bass and Michael Shrieve (Santana) on drums. This Through The Fire album from HSAS kicks ass, it’s a great Hard Rock album that deserves more attention than it gets. No, this HSAS album is NOT dated… it has that deeply rooted sound that some of today’s Hard Rock Bands can’t capture.

VAN HALEN – Or, if you prefer, Van Hagar. Just an unbelievably smooth transition Sammy Hagar made in becoming the lead vocalist for Van Halen back in 1986… whoa. The debut album showcasing Sammy with Van Halen was 1986’s 5150 and that album will always be an incredible listen for me. If I had to choose a favorite Van Halen album with Sammy on lead pipes… it’s OU812 from 1988. Cabo Wabo, Feels So Good and Black And Blue are three songs that psyche-me-out beyond Metal belief. Metal be thy name.

SAMMY HAGAR and THE WABORITAS / WABOS – Just good times, feel good, party Rock ‘N’ Roll is Sammy’s Wabos band. If you have never checked out any of their albums, your missing out. This band Sammy assembled can Rock, Rock Hard or simply play it ultra-cool at times. My favorite Wabos album is Livin’ It Up from 2006.

CHICKENFOOT – Sammy’s second venture into forming a “supergroup” has succeeded in my Metal opinion. Chickenfoot ROCKS. ‘Nuff said. The detractors of Chickenfoot are just plain jealous, they have what is diagnosed as: Chickenfoot envy. Released in the Summer of 2009, the self-titled, debut album from Chickenfoot has all that Hard Rockin’ Summertime vibe I crave. With Joe Satriani on guitar, Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) on drums and former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony… yup, it’s a super-duper group.

LONG LIVE SAMMY HAGAR!

* For more info on SAMMY HAGAR, just click on the link below:

RED ROCKER.com

SAMMY HAGAR = GOOD TIMES!

Stone.

 

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IRON MAIDEN “The Number Of The Beast” – Metal Excellence From 1982 Is Never Forgotten

Posted in hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, new wave of british heavy metal, progressive metal music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 11, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

IRON MAIDEN – Just the album cover art with Eddie descending upon the devil is Metal excellence. Derek Riggs was the real deal in creating Iron Maiden album covers… no one else comes even close in my Metal opinion. Getting past the album cover art from The Number Of The Beast and diving into the songs is like a parallel journey of the Metal senses. This is an album, where the cover art represents the songs heard within to brilliant perfection. Invaders, The Number Of The Beast, Run To The Hills, Hallowed Be Thy Name and Children Of The Damned are songs that I can listen to and instantly have this album cover art imbedded in my minds eye. Every song on this ultra-incredible Iron Maiden album does this to me for argument sakes.

This album cover art for The Number Of The Beast has never lost it’s awestruck affect on me, nor have the songs. I toil away, within my own thoughts, as to which album is the “greatest” Heavy Metal album ever… almost on a daily basis. I chose the Black Sabbath classic, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath from 1973, some years ago and have stuck to it since, as being the “greatest” Heavy Metal album ever. Of course this is a “personal” choice of mine and it may change one day… so is the life of being a devout Metalhead, I guess. What gets at me though, is every time I listen to The Number Of The Beast, I feel as this album can very well be considered “the greatest” Heavy Metal album ever. Metal be thy name.

I have always looked upon the first six Iron Maiden albums as being my personal favorites. Convict me of being “Old School”… only I’m not crying in any damned beer about it. God forbid If I remember which albums are the true “classics” of the Heavy Metal genre. To embrace Iron Maiden’s The Final Frontier as the way it “should be” and totally disregard the true essence of this legendary band’s Metal identity of style and sound would make me a phony fan. The Number Of The Beast is an unforgettable Heavy Metal album for me, due to it’s dark themes and 100% dark sound, feel and vibe. The Final Frontier is a new album from Iron Maiden, while The Number Of The Beast is a pulsating highlight of this bands career.

The Number Of The Beast would be the last studio album that has Clive Burr sitting behind the drums. Yes, Iron Maiden did have another drummer… and he was pretty damn good too. Clive Burr was the drummer on the first two Iron Maiden albums as well: Iron Maiden and Killers. This album is also the first that showcases the uncannily soaring vocals of Bruce Dickinson. I look upon The Number Of The Beast as one of the keys that unlocked the door to Metal for me, introducing me to a darker side of Metal when it came to lyrics, as well as the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal – (NWOBHM).

The Number Of The Beast was released back in March of 1982, while Screaming For Vengeance by Judas Priest was released in July of the same year. Suffice to say, I realized quickly that these British Heavy Metal Bands were very serious about their Metal back then… and still are. The mood that The Number Of The Beast radiates is untouchable by any other band, a mood so unique that it seems to zero in on my sub-conscious and touches off a feeling of eerie psyche-outness.

Hallowed Be Thy Name is my favorite song on this album, very haunting and desolate are the lyrics. Waiting for your time to die by hanging is as depressingly creepy as you can get with lyrics, only Iron Maiden makes this song seem almost inspiring through it’s melodic Metal… thanks to Dave Murray and Adrian Smith on guitars. Steve Harris on bass even makes the rhythmic melody escalate on this classic Metal song.

On these earlier Iron Maiden albums, especially The Number Of The Beast, the sound coming from Steve Harris’s bass is unlike anything I had ever heard before, almost like Steve Harris was a lead guitarist playing bass. Steve Harris brought to my attention as a young lad, that the bass guitar was just as magical as the guitar to my Metal sponges otherwise known as ears. The atmosphere that Steve Harris created with his bass along with Dave and Adrian’s duo guitars throughout the songs on The Number Of The Beast is what gives this album and band their Metal trademark, in my Metal opinion.

Even as a young lad, I never interpreted Iron Maiden to be a Satanic band due to this or any album they created before it. I was into Creature Feature on Saturday mornings and I never thought of Boris Karloff, Béla Lugosi or Lon Chaney Sr. or Jr. to be Satanists either. I’ve always left the Satanic finger pointing to the self-righteous Phd’s and scholars, that try to tell the human race how to live. Metal be thy name.

Any band of any Rock genre can tweak or change their entire approach, in how they want to sound or write music. The one constant that can never change is which album or albums that any respective band created that are considered to be measuring sticks of a particular Metal era… and looked upon as classics. The Number Of The Beast is one such classic, from an era when Heavy Metal was not just being molded into form, Heavy Metal was breathing a new found life into a generation of fans that are undisputedly loyal to this very moment. I’m one of them… and The Number Of The Beast shall continue to breathe it’s tantalizing, Old School and macabre teetering spell on me till the end of days.

This is one Iron Maiden album I still have the vinyl copy of… still in unreal great condition too. I without question, upgraded this classic to CD years ago as well. No, I don’t have a cassette version, yet if I find one I’d probably buy it, just to play in my good ‘ol Ford Taurus. The Number Of The Beast has become, over the decades, not just a required album to own if you are a Metalhead… this Iron Maiden album could easily be described as an absolute and necessary appendage to thine Metal senses. This is my Metal opinion, so let it be Metal written, so let it be Metal done.

* For more info on IRON MAIDEN, just click this link: IRON MAIDEN

IRON MAIDEN as they appeared on The Number Of The Beast:

Bruce Dickinson – lead vocals

Steve Harris – bass

Dave Murray – guitar

Adrian Smith – guitar

Clive Burr – drums

Original 1982 Track Listing For The Number Of The Beast:

Invaders

Children Of The Damned

The Prisoner

22 Acacia Avenue

The Number Of The Beast

Run To The Hills

Gangland

Hallowed Be Thy Name

* On May 9, 2009, I posted why I feel Black Sabbath – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is the “Greatest Heavy Metal Album of All Time”. Just click the large header below to read it… if you like.

The greatest Heavy Metal album of all time is…

* On December 6, 2009, I posted about my antique store find… the picture disc of IRON MAIDEN – Run To The Hills. The B side is the song – Total Eclipse, which did not appear on The Number Of The Beast in 1982. Total Eclipse later appeared on the 1995 CD reissue of The Number Of The Beast. You can read more about this fantastic picture disc I found, with photos of it, by clicking the oversized header below:

IRON MAIDEN “RUN TO THE HILLS” PICTURE DISC – AN ANTIQUE STORE FIND!

LONG LIVE IRON MAIDEN.

Stone.

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BROKEN CITIES – Post Rock Single “Ravi” Is Worth A Listen

Posted in metal odyssey, Music, post rock, post-rock music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on October 8, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BROKEN CITIES – A Post Rock duo named Broken Cities from Oakland, California are releasing one single at a time… from their digital album – Flux. Ravi is the first instrumental single to be heard and released from Flux. Broken Cities “method of release is kind of like a pledge drive, there are 6 more tracks on Flux, in order to release them they need 6 goals in donations”, as so stated from their website. A Metal buddy of mine, Mike, sent me the info and link to Broken Cities and he is quite stoked about this musical duo.

After listening to Ravi multiple times, I can appreciate it. Broken Cities will eventually benefit from some better production as they continue onward in their musical quest, in the meantime Ravi is a fine instrumental to listen to. My appreciation for this song lies in the fact, that many bands I’ve followed over the years do incorporate diverse and progressive sounds within the structures of their songs. The Electric Light Orchestra, Dream Theater and The Mars Volta are such bands, to name a few. Atmospheric and yes… calming is Ravi. Sometimes I do take a two minute break from my Metal… it’s all about music at the end of my Metal day.

The single Ravi is available for purchase by “naming your price”, as it’s stated on Broken Cities website. As Broken Cities states on their home page: “We will be accepting donations and once the threshold is met for each track, we will release the next one. Our music is being released under a generous Creative Commons license. By doing this we want the whole album, (Flux), to be freely available after all tracks have been released. “We want our music to be heard. We are deeply passionate about music and feel that everyone should be able to enjoy it”. Check out this song for yourself, by clicking the link below:

http://brokencities.bandcamp.com/track/ravi

* Another BROKEN CITIES link to check out:

http://brokencities.com/Home.html

BROKEN CITIES ARE:

Nick Zomkowski

Scruffy

* Album artwork for Flux by: Ty Ennis and May Juliette Barruel.

There is a ton of music out there to be heard every minute of the day. I like branching out and listening to the “unknowns” too. I wish Broken Cities all the very best in their selling their song Ravi and the other 6 songs they have in the wake.

Go Get ‘Em Broken Cities!

Stone.

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Steve Lee – Rest In Peace

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock vocalists, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on October 6, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

STEVE LEE – Lead vocalist and songwriter for the Swiss Hard Rock Band, Gotthard, passed away from a motorcycle accident in Nevada, on October 5, 2010. Reports state that a tractor trailer skidded into an area where Steve Lee parked his motorcycle, with fellow bikers, on a rainy Nevada highway. Steve Lee has been the lead vocalist for Gotthard since their 1992 debut and self-titled album. Gotthard has been a Hard Rock import from Switzerland that has sold millions of records worldwide.

The world of Rock Music has truly lost a talented singer, songwriter and musician. Steve Lee was 47 years old. The Metal Odyssey family extends their condolences to all of Steve Lee’s family, friends and fans. Rest in peace, Steve Lee, you will be missed.

Thank you for the music, Steve Lee.

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HALFORD IV “MADE OF METAL” – THE METAL GOD… Has Returned With A Vengeance!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 6, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HALFORD – Oh, how The Metal God has cometh and made a Metal album that is mega-primed for satisfying my Metal hunger! Halford IV – Made Of Metal, released on September 28, 2010, on Metal God Entertainment, is clearly a raised fist to the air hailing all things… METAL. If one has a difficult time understanding as to why Rob Halford is called… The Metal God… and one is clueless about Judas Priest and Fight, then all one needs to do is sink their ears and awareness into Halford IV – Made Of Metal and thy should understand what the hell The Metal God is all about.

Not detracting here from what has put Rob Halford on the highest level of the Metal hierarchy, Halford IV – Made Of Metal is like a symbol of what The Metal God is all about… singing his lungs out on exceptionally written songs, both in Metal music and lyrics. It would be too damn easy for Rob Halford to rest on his laurels and reap the decades of Metal glory that he has so rightfully earned. Instead, Rob Halford has come out with all guns Metal blazing and has released an album that should make the earth shift off of it’s axis, just a tad, when played at it’s maximum volume.

Now, there is a song on this new Halford album that just seems to be so unbelievably great to my Metal ears and soul, that I’m pinching myself to make certain I’m not dreaming as I listen to it. It’s an exhilarating experience, of a profound mega-Metal high when I listen to this song… Thunder And Lightning. Throughout all of my Metal lovin’ life, I have continuously searched out for the songs, albums and the bands that make me Metal high. Thunder And Lightning is that thunder strike of a song, that I shall turn to for inspiration and psyche-out therapy for the rest of my Metal guided life.

Rob Halford is simply classic on vocals during Thunder And Lightning, with Roy Z. and Metal Mike Chlasciak on guitars making it freaking soar, trading off their licks to Metal perfection. It’s the intensity and the non-stop groove that’s happening with this song that makes it so damn delicious to my Metal senses. When a song can capture and hold onto a psyche-out vibe like this, it is a song that is worthy of my telling the entire world about.

Honestly, I can’t count how many times I have listened to Thunder And Lightning in the short time that I have owned Halford IV – Made Of Metal. Whatever Rob Halford and Roy Z. have tapped into when they wrote this song, it is nothing short of mystical for me. This song only solidifies the fact that music is indeed… a language all it’s own. Let those Metal vibrations pour into my Metal soul!! Metal be thy name.

I Know We Stand A Chance, based on it’s lyrics, is a love song. This song plays out with both a Hard Rock and Metal feel, with Rob Halford’s vocal harmony streaming through the music flawlessly. A very memorable song, both for it’s music and lyrics. Three quarters through this song it kicks up a couple of notches with some electrifying and melodic fret work that I know I’ll be hearing in my sleep.

Like There’s No Tomorrow showcases Rob Halford, the Metal vocalist for the ages. Sure, Rob Halford has his vocal peers amongst him, the difference is, this is The Metal God we are listening to on this album. This song is incredibly memorable beyond belief. Is it the vocals of Rob? Could it be the dualing guitars? The imbedded bass thumping? The drum beats and cymbal smashing? Try all of the above. Melodic and soaringly heavy is this song, drawing it’s strength from the totality of the band.

Twenty-Five Years is a powerful and Heavy ballad, both with it’s music and lyrics. Rob Halford exemplifies why he is truly a remarkable vocalist as he sings Twenty-Five Years. By delivering this song through his emotionally charged vocals, in a story form, that lends itself as being deeply personal to The Metal God. This is by far not a depressing song for me, it is a serious break in the Metal experience that I cannot shun away. Lyrically there are life lessons that are taught here, making for a Metal reality check that has been handed down by this living Metal Legend.

We Own The Night and Heartless are melodic listen’s into just how Rob Halford and his band can play accessibly Heavy songs, one’s that probably would have been a huge hit if Heavy Metal ruled MTV and FM radio like it once did in those loud and colorful ’80’s. Even when Halford comes across with some commercial appeal, they are still damn Heavy as hell… flooded with Metal molasses. Rob Halford just sounds like he beamed up his vintage vocal self, from decades long ago, surpassing my Metal expectations on not just these two songs… the entire album.

Yes, The Mower is by far and large… the heaviest, meanest and most Metal song on this new Halford album. Even Rob’s vocals are screeching with an evil intensity that is downright scary on The Mower. I love it. This is the other side to Rob Halford’s vocals, piercing, angry and impressively dark. Speed Of Sound has the vibe and sound that is tailor made for a Judas Priest – Turbo Part II… if there ever was to be such an album. However, Speed Of Sound is Heavy and doesn’t get saturated with any synthetic sounds that the long past Turbo album radiates.

Alright, there is a “semi-stinker” on this album. I’ll give Rob Halford and his band a pass on this though. I owe ’em that much for making my Metal world so deliriously fine from Thunder And Lightning. Um, well, this song is pretty much a stinker. Made Of Metal is the song. There are some bad flashbacks happening in my brain, each time I hear the techno-electronic voice that is part of the intro to this song. Mr. Roboto flashbacks that is. I still have never recovered from Styx messing around with electronica… and that goes too far back for my own liking. The “roboto” voice re-appears towards the end of this song too, not cool. It’s just a dated song that doesn’t fit the Metal mold of this album and I don’t like to use the word… dated.

Make the bad Mr. Roboto go away, make the bad Mr. Roboto go away, make him go now.

Undisputed is the one song on Halford IV – Made Of Metal that can be of “big time” commercial value for the future. The lyrics are borderline corny… this song is about an undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, whoever that may be. This song would be perfect for the next (gasp) Rocky sequel or as an entrance theme for some WWE Wrestling Superstar. The Metal itself is brilliance on Undisputed, with scorching guitar leads and tough as nails riffs. Vocally, Rob Halford resonates with late ’70’s Judas Priest on Undisputed, capturing his very own classic self as only he can do.

For all intents and Metal purposes, Halford is backed up by one damned fabulous band. Mike Davis on bass and Bobby Jarzombek on drums hold it all together like a Heavy Metal pillar of unbreakable steel, giving each song an added dose of supercharged thump. I without hesitation, openly admit, that Halford IV – Made Of Metal has rolled into 2010 and taken me for a sensational Metal ride. This Metal ride I’m highly endorsing to fellow Metalheads, both young and old, stateside and worldwide. Don’t let this new Halford album be “the one” that you pass over for another day. Halford IV – Made Of Metal needs to heard… NOW… and forever.

* For more info on HALFORD, just click here: ROB HALFORD.com

Track Listing For HALFORD IV – MADE OF METAL:

Undisputed

Fire And Ice

Made Of Metal

Speed Of Sound

Like There’s No Tomorrow

Till The Day I Die

We Own The Night

Heartless

Hell Razor

Thunder And Lightning

Twenty-Five Years

Matador

I Know We Stand A Chance

The Mower

LONG LIVE HALFORD.

THE METAL GOD HAS RETURNED.

Stone.

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WHITE ZOMBIE “Make Them Die Slowly” – Reflecting On A 1989 CD I Can’t Part With

Posted in alternative metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 3, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

WHITE ZOMBIE – Released back in good ‘ol 1989, Make Them Die Slowly was the second full-length album from White Zombie, (the first full-length being Soul Crusher, released in 1987). The late ’80’s was an ultra-terrific time for Heavy Metal, only the “wave of glory” of commercial acceptance and attention was starting to drift swiftly towards the Grunge movement, by 1990. White Zombie came upon the scene in ’87 with their brand of Noise Rock, eventually indulging into various music styles, while still keeping the heaviness intact. Industrial, Groove, Funk and Heavy Metal were Metal styles that White Zombie incorporated together all so well. Many articles and Rock historians also refer White Zombie to the Post-Thrash genre as well.

I can openly admit, that this Make Them Die Slowly CD has been in my possession since it’s 1989 release and I cannot part with it. The first reason for this is I really, really, dig this White Zombie album and band. Even in it’s unpolished grandeur, this is White Zombie breaking down some serious status quo. This band was where it all began for Rob Zombie! The second reason is, it is out of print. My original 1989 CD version of Make Them Die Slowly is selling for $169.88 (U.S. funds) as a “used” copy on Amazon.com… and there is currently only “one” for sale there! Whoa, baby, whoa.

There is a 1993 reissue version of Make Them Die Slowly for sale on Amazon.com, selling for $99.99 as “new” and $16.99 as “used”, all in U.S. funds. That is a dramatic drop in the selling price, when comparing the “used” version from 1989 to that of the 1993 reissue. In all Metal honesty, I was not aware of the “actual” value of my CD discussed here, not until today. I always knew it was an original pressing from 1989 and the value would be a bit high… only this is far out amazing to me! In hindsight, I wish I had purchased a dozen copies or more of Make Them Die Slowly back in ’89!

My cousin Randy is to blame for my buying this White Zombie CD back in ’89. He used to manage a combination collectibles and record store that was very, very cool. I would go there just about every day for a number of years, from the mid ’80’s right up to the mid ’90’s. I would cash my paycheck at this store… leaving with enough money to buy beer and gas. The rest of my hard earned loot would go into buying CD’s, tapes, vinyl, sports cards and comics. Those were the days… I know. I no longer buy sports cards or comics, just in case you were wondering.

Randy would always have his finger on “the pulse” of Rock ‘N’ Roll and Heavy Metal. If there was a new and cool band to check out… Randy knew about ’em. There was that one visit to his store, where he had Make Them Die Slowly on display… and Randy wasn’t talking me out of buying it. Thanks Randy! Man, this cool cousin of mine had landed me some fine picture discs of Metallica, Iron Maiden and Motorhead too. Many bands he steered into the direction of my ears… Fight is one that stands out, back in ’93. When Rob Halford left Judas Priest, whoa… that was a big deal back then. Randy is still alive and doing just fine… just in case you are wondering.

When I first listened to Make Them Die Slowly, I realized rather quickly that White Zombie was not the stereotypical ’80’s Arena Rock or Heavy Metal Band. Rather, White Zombie was a band totally different from what I was used to hearing… this band wasn’t Thrash, Traditional Metal, NWOBHM or straight up Hard Rock. This White Zombie band caught me off guard and I initially liked what I was listening to. Sure, this band was “different”, only they were not lean on the heavy side of the Metal aisle and the vocals of Rob Zombie sounded too fiendishly bizarre for me to pass over.

Back in ’89, I felt like I stumbled on some “underground” band that not many people knew about. I never gave it a second thought, as to White Zombie becoming anything special anyhow. Listening to what I liked was the main priority then, as it is now. This White Zombie album was never going to be exalted as a masterpiece, no way. The production across the board is raw and steely on Make Them Die Slowly, arguably an album of demos… not anywhere near the overall sound and production that their 1992 studio album La Sexorcisto: Devil Music, Vol. 1 would radiate. (That album is a multi-million unit seller and still makes my prehistoric stereo speakers smoke).

In the midst of all the styles of Heavy Music that White Zombie seemed to tap into, there is always that “sliver” of Punk that I seem to catch onto with their music. Acid Flesh may have it’s non-stop groove and sparse funkiness about it, still it walks a fine line with the Punk flirtation. The same can be said for Power Hungry, only the guitar licks are crunchy enough to make any Punk comparison an extremely mild one. “Demonspeed” carries such a raw atmosphere of sound, it isn’t far fetched to think it’s a live recording during the first half minute it plays. If there is one constant to be heard on this album, it’s that this White Zombie band played with a fiery enthusiasm that my ears cannot dismiss away. “Demonspeed” is one Heavy mutha’ of a song and is my favorite on this album.

Revenge is fueled with enough kick ass, thunder-stomp Metal that it is dizzying. The repeated riff that gives Revenge it’s Metal bite, is extremely close to that of Tony Iommi’s signature riff from Zero The Hero, heard on the 1983 Black Sabbath album – Born Again. Godslayer plays at 7:14 long and is the “epic” on this album. Rob Zombie’s vocals on Godslayer gives way to the notion that maybe he was a fan of Glenn Danzig. I never picked up on the vocal similarities between Rob Zombie and Glenn Danzig, while listening to Godslayer so many years ago. This is the only song where I feel any vocal similarities between these two Metal heavyweights exists. I’m certain though, that it is all coincidental anyways. Maybe.

The overall Heavy Groove and styles that Make Them Die Slowly breathes was another solid building block towards the Metal that Rob Zombie was to eventually release as a solo superstar. Truthfully, listening to this White Zombie album is like listening to the Rob Zombie blueprint and dancing skeletons to his future. To usher in the ’90’s with a band as heavily diverse as White Zombie, probably means more to me now than it did then. I never cared to figure out really, the “fad” sound of any decade. White Zombie was no fad… this was as legit of a Heavy Band as any genre could grasp.

As I look back on the doorstep to the ’90’s, White Zombie was the band that snuck in through the front door and made themselves very comfortable in the hearts, minds and ears of more than just this Metalhead. This is “one of those” Metal albums that I appreciate more in 2010 than I probably did back in ’89. Maybe my growing appreciation lies in the fact, that White Zombie made me realize that it was cool to diversify the Metal menu, having me look upon them now, over two decades later, as Metal innovators.

WHITE ZOMBIE as they appeared on Make Them Die Slowly:

* Note: In doing my Metal research, I have read that John Ricci did not play guitar on Make Them Die Slowly. However, John Ricci is in the group photo found in the liner notes of this CD, with his name appearing below him. I have come across, through Metal research, that John Ricci left White Zombie the day Make Them Die Slowly was completed… due to having Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I am going with that he played guitar on this album… unless a credible source “close” to the recording of this album can tell me otherwise.

Rob Zombie – vocals

John Ricci – guitar

Ivan DePrume – drums

Sean Yseult – bass guitar

Track Listing For Make Them Die Slowly:

DEMONSPEED

DISASTER BLASTER

MURDERWORLD

REVENGE

ACID FLESH

POWER HUNGRY

GODSLAYER

* More Metal research about Make Them Die Slowly, revealed the following: that “some” CD’s were released with the printing on the liner notes “spine” being incorrect. The “incorrect” spelling or error is: Let Them Die Slowly… appears on the spine. “Let” and not “Make” is the error. My CD version has this error on the liner notes spine… take a look at the pic below to see for yourself:

As you can also see from the above pic, Rob Zombie is one damn cool illustrator!

* Make Them Die Slowly was produced by Bill Laswell

* Make Them Die Slowly was originally released in 1989, on Caroline.

* As stated in the liner notes: All Lyrics – Rob Zombie, All Music – White Zombie and All Illustrations – Rob Zombie.

* The liner notes show “one” Special Thanks, it goes to… Rock & Punk Legend… Iggy Pop.

Here is the White Zombie band photo that is in the liner notes.

From left to right: Ivan DePrume, John Ricci, Sean Yseult and Rob Zombie.

Here is an illustration that is in the liner notes, drawn by Rob Zombie:

The above illustration has the words: “Bite Down Sucker” in top right corner. “Hell” is spelled out on the fist of the monster dude.

LONG LIVE THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL OF WHITE ZOMBIE!

Stone.

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Hellfueled – Revisiting “Midnight Lady” EP From 2004!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal videos, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 2, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HELLFUELED – In Metal Odyssey’s quest, this Halloween Season, to deliver reviews on Metal, Hard Rock and Punk Bands that bestow horror-theme tendencies of sound, style and persona, here is the very first installment for this gloriously wicked and frightful October of 2010… Hellfueled. This is one very cool Metal Band from Husqvarna, Sweden, not because I said so, it’s due to the clear fact they can write and play songs that are memorable. Anytime a band’s particular song or sound sticks in my Metal brain, it tells me that band is damn good. Midnight Lady is one hell of a memorable song from one hell of a memorable band that is Hellfueled.

Could it be a personal “gravitation” or “taste” in music happening here with Hellfueled? Probably. The only truth is, I would not go out of my way so often as I do, to just recommend pigeon crap on a platter. I try my hardest, to recommend the “coolest” bands and the creme’ de’ la creme’ of Metal, to my fellow Metalheads of the Metal Odyssey Battalion. Metal be thy name.

The song Midnight Lady opens up with a riff that was born to grab my attention and this song never let’s up on it’s ’80’s Heavy Metal outer-glow. Midnight Lady just lifts off from the onset and never seems to land to the ground, which is what good Heavy Metal is supposed to do in the first place. Despite the resonance of some Old School Heavy Metal from days long past, Hellfueled delivered a very relevant song in 2004 with Midnight Lady and it still is relevant in 2010, when compared to what’s being released at the moment.

Some may concur that Hellfueled isn’t playing anything that hasn’t been heard before. I counter by stating Hellfueled plays an European style of Traditional Heavy Metal and does so with a defiant level of confidence and talent. Just the three songs heard on this Midnight Lady EP, demonstrates the fire and hunger of a band, that trusts their style of sound and the path of heaviness they have chosen.

Reflecting for just a moment, to a band that just might be an influence to Hellfueled… Black Sabbath. Andy Alkman, the lead vocalist for Hellfueled, sounds remarkably close to that of the everlasting and legendary… OZZY. Vocals are supposed to be a unique characteristic, yet sometimes close similarities can occur between different singers, that is reality. I could not be more honest, in stating that Andy’s vocals are tailor-made for this style and sound of Heavy Metal. His vocals come across as natural and unforced, with any resemblance to Ozzy Osbourne being unintentional. If Andy’s intent was to vocally sound like Ozzy, well, then he obviously nailed it. Believe me, this is not the first place where Andy’s vocals have been compared to Ozzy.

The two previously unreleased demo songs, (Endless Work and Big Fat Eight), are very muscular in the Traditional Heavy Metal style, while not sounding as completely polished as Midnight Lady. Nonetheless, both of these demo songs can stand alone and take a pass on any further tweaking on the production side… the rawness brings out a more lean and mean aura to the vocals and overall sound of the band.

The music video for Midnight Lady that comes as a bonus to this EP is fun to watch. A teenage/college age couple are taking a late night cruise when all of a sudden, they drive by the Hellfueled band hitchhiking on the side of a dark and desolate country road. The girl in the car looks at the band as they drive by them and makes a goofy facial gesture at them. Game on.

Watch for yourself, as this couple finds out the hard way not to mess around with Hellfueled! Just click on the video box below!

Hellfueled takes the Traditional Heavy Metal style and plays it in a manner where I feel surrounded by their sound. Very strong, loud and enveloping are Hellfueled as they play on these songs, vocals included, with a guitar driven force. For new fans, this Midnight Lady EP makes for a solid introduction to Hellfueled.

I’ve seen the mp3 and CD/EP of Midnight Lady for sale on Amazon.com. It is worth picking up the entire CD/EP, as you are getting not only the two previously unreleased demo’s, your also getting the music video for Midnight Lady as well. This Midnight Lady EP is a terrific Metal listen and music video from Hellfueled that shouldn’t fly under your Metal radar. Plus… if you ever see Hellfueled hitching for a ride, don’t be foolish by not helping them out.

* For more info on Hellfueled, just click on the links below:

Hellfueled – Official Website

Hellfueled – myspace music

* Current Hellfueled lineup:

Andy Alkman – vocals

Jocke Lundgren – guitar

Henke Lonn – bass

Kent Svensson – drums

* Midnight Lady EP was released in Sweden in December of 2004, on Black Lodge.

* Midnight Lady EP had a worldwide release date in April of 2005, on Black Lodge.

Track Listing For Midnight Lady EP:

Midnight Lady – (Taken from the album Volume One)

Endless Work – (Previously unreleased demo)

Big Fat Eight – (Previously unreleased demo)

* Endless Work and Big Fat Eight are also listed as “Japanese Bonus Tracks” from Hellfueled’s debut album from 2004 – Volume One. (This info is listed on Hellfueled’s official website under “discography”.

* Produced by Fredrik Nordström and Patrik J. Sten

* The legendary producer/musician Fredrik Nordström founded Dream Evil, recruiting the incredible… Gus G. to join on with his band. The rest is Heavy Metal history…

* Extra Bonus Material:

Midnight Lady (Video) – (Directed by Charlie Granberg)

LONG LIVE HELLFUELED!

Stone.

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Jerry Lee Lewis – Happy Birthday From Metal Odyssey!

Posted in celebrity birthdays, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock and roll news, rock music, rock music history, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 30, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

JERRY LEE LEWIS – Metal Odyssey wants to extend a LOUD and ROCKIN’… Happy Birthday to Jerry Lee Lewis! On September 29, 1935, this living Rock ‘N’ Roll Legend was born. At age 75, Jerry Lee Lewis is still Rockin’ the house down wherever he plays! It is real Rock ‘N’ Roll Legends like Jerry Lee Lewis who wrote the book on Rockin’ stage presence. Be it Rock ‘N’ Roll, Country or the genre he helped to shape into form, Rockabilly, Jerry Lee Lewis is without question… a timeless singer, songwriter and performer. A pioneer of Rock ‘N’ Roll is he.

When I was just a young lad, I can remember watching the live concert footage of Jerry Lee Lewis on numerous Rock ‘N’ Roll documentaries. My Dad would tell me: “son, Jerry Lee Lewis use to cause quite the ruckus wherever he played back in the ’50’s!” My Dad actually did get to see Jerry Lee Lewis perform live at a theater in Hartford, Connecticut… back in those Rockin’ late ’50’s. He told me time and again, as I grew up, that Jerry Lee Lewis “live” was incredible stuff. From the stories told to me from my Dad, other unreal legends of Rock ‘N’ Roll played at the local Hartford area theaters as well… Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, The Everly Brothers and so on.

There are those moments, where I wish I could go back in time, just like Michael J. Fox did in those fun Back To The Future movies. Just to see the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis performing live, in the decade of those fabulous ’50’s, would be a Rockin’ time traveling experience for certain. Aw, heck, I would want to see all the legends of Rock ‘N’ Roll playing live back then… making for a very long stay, on a trip back through time. I guess those good ‘ol news reels and live concert footage from the ’50’s, that make up so many Rock ‘N’ Roll documentaries, will have to do for now.

* Jerry Lee Lewis was inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1986.

* Jerry Lee Lewis has a brand new studio album out, it’s titled: Mean Old Man and was released on September 7, 2010, on Verve Forecast/Shangri La. There are some very cool and legendary guest musicians on this album with Jerry Lee Lewis too. Here are just “some” of the great names: Ringo Starr, Kid Rock, Slash, Tim McGraw, Ronnie Wood, John Fogerty, Willie Nelson, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Sheryl Crow and… Eric Clapton! This is an abbreviated list too! I feel it’s pretty fine when some of the biggest names in Rock and Country Music can rally around Jerry Lee Lewis like that for his new album. A Metal kudos to all of ’em!

* There are 10 songs on the standard issued CD of Mean Old Man, with 18 songs on the deluxe edition.

* My personal favorite Jerry Lee Lewis song is Great Balls Of Fire. Sure, it may seem like an obvious choice, only it is my favorite from him. This song was covered by an all-time favorite band of mine… the MISFITS. Great Balls Of Fire can be heard on their 2003 studio album – Project 1950. This is an album of ten cover songs… all legendary hits from the fabulous ’50’s. The Misfits Jerry Only sings Great Balls Of Fire the only way that he can… and it’s fiendishly great. I highly recommend Project 1950 to any fan of Rock ‘N’ Roll… any.

I think the album cover for Project 1950 is very cool.

LONG LIVE JERRY LEE LEWIS!

LONG LIVE THE MISFITS!

AW, HECK…  AS THE LATE AND ULTRA GREAT RONNIE JAMES DIO ONCE SANG… LONG LIVE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL!!

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ALICE COOPER – Is Finally “Nominated” To The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame… Now What?

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 29, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ALICE COOPER – Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for “acknowledging” that Alice Cooper exists! Wow… that must really had been a strenuous and heated debate for all of you “corporate” board of directors over there to make. So, what are all of us Alice Cooper fans supposed to do now? Are we supposed to be excited? Are we all supposed to fall for your phony “corporate” game over there at The Rock And Roll Hall Of Shame? This is the same “institution” that nominated the uncannily iconic KISS last year and then decided not to induct them. DOLTS! Now… KISS isn’t even nominated this year!? WTF? Alas, the whole KISS debacle is for another post… another day.

Rock ‘N’ Roll History 101 to the “corporate” Rock Music scholars over at The Rock And Roll Hall Of Shame: Alice Cooper was known as a “band”. That’s right, Alice Cooper (The Band). From 1969 to 1973, Alice Cooper (The Band) released 7 studio albums. Alice Cooper then went solo, with the release of Welcome To My Nightmare in 1975. Alice Cooper (solo) has released a total of 18 studio albums from 1975 to 2008.

SO… WHICH IS IT… ALICE COOPER (THE BAND) OR ALICE COOPER (SOLO) THAT IS NOMINATED? GET IT STRAIGHT ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF SHAME. GET WITH IT. IT SHOULD BE BOTH THAT ARE NOMINATED, YOU POP-MAINSTREAM DUNCES. DOLTS!

I have been a lifelong fan of Alice Cooper (The Band) and Alice Cooper (Solo). No, I am not seventeen years old either, there are those days I wish I was though. I am old enough to know that the selection process for the nominees and inductees into this Rock And Roll Hall Of Shame is politically motivated by a clique of decision makers who thinks ABBA carries more “musical excellence” than the likes of: RUSH, Cheap Trick, KISS, T. Rex and The Moody Blues. (LOL). There are many more to add to this legendary list, however, my Metal point has been made clear.

At the end of the day, true fans of Alice Cooper (The Band & Solo), will never tire of their loyalty. A true fan cherishes the music their favorite bands and musicians create, regardless of what some millionaire CEO and his “out of touch” board of directors may say, in some overpriced building in Cleveland, Ohio.

A Rock ‘N’ Roll icon such as Alice Cooper does not need to be reassured of his status and acceptance by induction into any damn hall of fame. Sure, it is an honor to be inducted… only it should be a bigger honor to know your fans revere your music and accept you for who you are, regardless. Alice Cooper is BIGGER than The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame… and that “establishment” knows it.

I say this time and again… that I revere many of the bands and musicians that have been inducted into this building. The slimy political posturing, that affects the nomination and induction process is what ruins what would have been a very grand idea from the very beginning… to have a credible Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for fans to gravitate to. Sadly, that “type” of Hall Of Fame just doesn’t exist for this Rock ‘N’ Roll fan.

* Here is the “original” band lineup for Alice Cooper (The Band)… maybe someone can pass this information along to the Rock Music “scholars” that oversee who gets inducted into that building in Cleveland.

Alice Cooper – vocalist

Glen Buxton – guitarist

Michael Bruce – guitarist, keyboardist

Dennis Dunaway – bass guitarist

Neal Smith – drummer

LONG LIVE ALICE COOPER!

Stone.

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TWEAK BIRD – Self Titled Album Is Eclectic And Heavy!

Posted in Album Review, alternative rock bands, alternative rock music, avant-garde metal music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock and roll, rock music, rock music news, stoner metal music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 28, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

TWEAK BIRD – Brothers Ashton and Caleb Bird have rode into town from Southern Illinois, with their self-titled, eclectically fused and heavy, full length album. Released on August 31, 2010, on Volcom Entertainment, Tweak Bird is the follow-up to this bands 7 song EP, Reservations from 2008. From the looks of the album cover, Ashton and Caleb seem to be pretty psyched out about things… as well they should be, since Tweak Bird were invited as an opening act for the Progressively Alternative legends known as Tool this past Summer of 2010. Your music must be striking a heavy nerve and be interesting plus different enough for Maynard James Keenan to take such a prominent notice.

Well, I’ve taken notice of Tweak Bird too. Yes, I’m no Maynard James Keenan, still I have learned long ago that when you play from the heart and don’t follow the leader with your Heavy Rock sound, a band is going to stand out from the sea of clones. Tweak Bird has seemed to navigate themselves through this sea of clones and gathered up their Rock influences to make a menagerie of sound that is both Heavy and semi-Progressive. With a sprinkle of Alternative ambiance that seems to peer through the cracks of Tweak Birds’s sound, it’s still the Heavy Stoner riffs and chunkiness of Caleb’s baritone guitar that commands their sound.

There are moments, while I listen to Tweak Bird, that I feel I’m hearing The Sword in a slightly tempered down groove. Then, the vocal harmonies of Ashton and Caleb seem to combine for what makes this album stand apart from being just another Heavy assemblage of songs. The comparison likeness, no matter how subtle, to that of the great Geddy Lee, is not an out of the realm statement to make when mentioning the vocals of these two brothers.

One moment where Tweak Bird’s music gets diverse, Alternative if you will, is on the song A Sun/Ahh Ahh, where an extended saxophone solo by John McCowan, (who is referred to as “sometimes third band member” in a Volcom Entertainment press release), comes into play at around the two-minute mark of this song that runs 4:13. The overlapping and intermittent vocal ahh’s over the saxophone lends to an almost eerie feel… and I dig it. “A Sun/Ahh Ahh” comes to a close with the saxophone solo and fittingly makes sense.

Flute anyone? Tweak Bird incorporates the flute into “Flyin’ High”. This song simultaneously breathes a slow tempo while Caleb plays the thickest and heaviest Stoner riffs that makes me bang my head in slow motion. It can be done… slow motion headbanging… Tweak Bird taught me how. As with the saxophone, Tweak Bird makes the flute fit right into their Heavy motives, almost in a hallucinating sort of way. Cool.

The last song on Tweak Bird, “Distant Airways”, is the longest as well. Six songs clock in under 3 minutes, two songs under 2 minutes and one song barely over 4 minutes long. “Distant Airways” plays out at 6:15 long and doesn’t bore the senses as a useless and redundant epic either. The good ol’ saxophone makes its appearance once again on “Distant Airways”, giving these sax moments I hear a smoky lounge vibe that borders on the ultra cool. Hey… I have stated that Tweak Bird has shunned away the “clone syndrome” of Heavy Music and this song exemplifies this statement with ease. Distant Airways comes to a synthetic close with what sounds like a UFO taking off from some god forsaken crop field. A bona-fide Progressive moment. Cool again.

“Tunneling Through” showcases Ashton Bird hitting the drums hard (as he has been quoted: his hitting the drums hard being the “trick” in making his drums “sound good”). To me, Ashton’s drumming does sound good… and yes, it does sound like he hits the drums damn hard too. “Tunneling Through” gives way to a victorious feeling of “opening your mind” and journeying into the unknown. A tad psychedelic in it’s lyrical content? Sure thing. These lyrics married with the Stoner riffs and Heavy crunch, gives me that early 70’s Blue Cheer slap to my forehead. I point out this song as being my personal favorite from Tweak Bird.

Tweak Bird opens the album with “The Future”, a song that has proved to me that Psychedelic Heavy Metal does exist, especially when this type of cool experimentation occurs. “The Future” has a memorable and steady beat that is not short on the Heavy side of Tweak Birds’s bag of cool & Rockin’ tricks. “The Future” ends with lots of fuzzy distortion that might have me borrowing my daughters lava lamp very soon. The shortest song from Tweak Bird is “Round Trippin'”, playing at 1:12. The UFO’s have come to land! One listen to “Round Trippin'” and you’ll know what I mean there. This synth laced instrumental, puts an exclamation point on my tagging Tweak Bird as indeed… semi- Progressive.

Beyond is a track that takes the classic vibe of Surf Rock and beams it down into 2010… and is played the Tweak Bird way. Maybe the resurgence of Hawaii Five-O has some credibility after all. This song would make for a fabulous addition to this revamped television series soundtrack. Am I being a wise guy here? Nope. Beyond has all the feel and sound of modern day “Surfin’ USA”, only without the teeny-bop lyrics of actual… surfing. Cool.

The “Pop” or commercial accessibility of Tweak Bird’s songs sound non-contrived and it works well within the parameters of Heaviness that they pound away with. Caleb is an admitted T-Rex fan and loves Marc Bolan’s songwriting technique, thus the underlying reasoning behind a Classic Rock “Pop” characteristic, swirled within Tweak Bird’s overall sound. Clearly, Tweak Bird is a Heavy Band when it’s all said and done. Ashton and Caleb just mix it up by implementing the saxophone and flute within their Heavy Music playbook, showing that taking chances in Rock Music can make a comeback in 2010.

Do I like Tweak Bird? I sure do. I admire their making an album that is not generic. Knowing they are a Heavy Band is just the beginning… one must listen to each song and hear for themselves that the “unexpected” is just as cool as the “expected”. The one constant throughout the songs heard on Tweak Bird, is that you will hear Ashton and Caleb both playing Heavy… regardless if there are those intermittent moments of stylistic changes, the Heavy always returns.

Any multi-faceted, Rock Music nut should have a field day listening to Tweak Bird. Heavy Music fans that want a slice of Alternative cake, with their search for up and coming bands, might get exactly what they have been looking for with Tweak Bird. After listening to Tweak Bird several times, my use of the word “cool” has heightened… and I’m going for another slice of that Alternative cake. Cool.

* Tweak Bird was produced by Deaf Nephews – Dale Crover (Melvins & Altamont) and Toshi Kasai (Big Business & Altamont).

* For more info on TWEAK BIRD, just click on the cool links below:

TWEAK BIRD – myspace music

TWEAK BIRD – Official Website

Pictured above: Ashton on left, Caleb on right.

Track Listing For TWEAK BIRD:

The Future

Lights In Lines

Round Trippin’

A Sun/Ahh Ahh

Beyond

Tunneling Through

Sky Ride

Hazement In The Basement

Flyin’ High

Distant Airways

GO GET ‘EM, TWEAK BIRD!

Stone.

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World EXCLUSIVE Premiere – The Jimi Hendrix Experience “HEY JOE” Is Covered By THE NEW CZARS! LISTEN HERE FIRST!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, classic rock songs, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 26, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

THE NEW CZARS – Metal Odyssey is extremely proud and honored, to present to the Rock Music world, the World Premiere Exclusive listen of Hey Joe covered by The New Czars! Metal Odyssey is the only place you will hear this cover version right now! *(Just click on the arrow in the bar below, to hear this song, in it’s entirety for yourself!). This ultra classic song from the ever legendary and late Jimi Hendrix is timeless. Hey Joe was released by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, on their debut album, Are You Experienced in 1967.

This cover of Hey Joe by The New Czars is solid in both it’s relevancy and classic heaviness carried over from it’s time. Greg Hampton adds his unique vocals and guitar skills to a song that some may consider sacred and does so with such rightful Rock reverence, which makes me say whoa, well done! Greg’s vocals have an instilled “Classic Rock sound and vibe” that only makes his singing Hey Joe that much more real to me. In my Metal opinion, Greg Hampton and The New Czars have nailed down the true Rock essence of Hey Joe. Jimi Hendrix is probably smiling from above, as he hears this cover version of Hey Joe.

Greg Hampton tells Metal Odyssey: “I have been a lifelong fan of Jimi Hendrix. With the fortieth anniversary of Jimi Hendrix’s passing approaching, I’ve been listening to a lot of his music. I wanted to do something to commemorate Jimi Hendrix on this important anniversary, through song. This cover of Hey Joe I’ve been working on for quite some time and I am very proud of it. I hope the fans will appreciate this cover of Hey Joe and like it as much as I do”.

* This cover version of Hey Joe by The New Czars will be available for purchase on itunes, on October 5, 2010.

* Hey Joe will also be featured on the forthcoming EP from The New Czars, titled: Mining The Ruins. This EP is slated for a November 30, 2010 release.

* Greg Hampton, (founding member of The New Czars), plays all instruments on this cover of Hey Joe, except for drums which are played by The New Czars alumni and multi-instrumentalist Chris Collier.

* To listen to the World Exclusive Premiere of Hey Joe by The New Czars, click the arrow in the bar below!

Long live the music of Jimi Hendrix!

Long live The New Czars!

Stone.

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HALFORD “MADE OF METAL” – RELEASES SEPTEMBER 28, 2010!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 21, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HALFORD – The Metal God… Rob Halford and his mighty band Halford will be seeing their third studio album – Made Of Metal released on September 28, 2010! Rob Halford is a living legend of Metal… with his Metal legacy forever forged as the front man for Judas Priest, Fight and 2wo.

This forthcoming album from Halford just seems to put a Metal exclamation point on the “year of Metal releases”… 2010! I personally can’t wait to hear Made Of Metal. Whoa. Whoa again.

* Made Of Metal will be released on Metal God Entertainment.

* For more info on Rob Halford and HALFORD, just click on link below:

ROB HALFORD.com

Track Listing For: Made Of Metal:

Undisputed

Fire And Ice

Made Of Metal

We Own The Night

Til The Day I Die

There’s No Tomorrow

Speed Of Sound

Heartless

Hell Razor

Thunder And Lightning

Twenty-Five Years

Matador

I Know We Stand A Chance

The Mower

Here is a discography of HALFORD studio albums:

Ressurection (released August 8, 2000)

Crucible (released June 25, 2002)

Halford 3 – Winter Songs (released November 3, 2009)

Yes, Halford 3 – Winter Songs is a studio album, however it is a holiday album. I guess one may still state this is an “official” studio album from Halford and call Made Of Metal the “fourth” studio album. It really makes no difference to me… cause HALFORD rules no matter what.

LONG LIVE ROB HALFORD AND HIS BAND – HALFORD!

Stone.

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