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HELLOWEEN – “DR. STEIN” MUSIC VIDEO TO ROCK YOU OUT!

Posted in 1980's power metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, hard rock music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal videos, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music videos with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 7, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

HELLOWEEN – Germany’s legendary powerhouse of a Power Metal band are back! Pioneers of the Power Metal genre, this return of Helloween has a Metal twist… musically speaking. I hope you enjoy the Dr. Stein music video as much as I do… crank it up for it’s all about ROCK in the first place!

On March 30, 2010, Helloween released:

Best Of 25th Anniversary – Unarmed

If your looking to hear some of Helloween’s greatest hits, spanning their potent packed career of Melodic Power Metal, with some orchestration, horns, a choir and some adjustments in the songs arrangements, your in for a Metal, uh, musical treat!

LONG LIVE HELLOWEEN!

Stone.

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“LIVE AND HEAVY” CASSETTE FROM EARLY 80’S STILL ROCKS HEAVY!

Posted in classic rock bands, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 6, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

LIVE AND HEAVY – I bought this cool cassette sometime back in the early 1980’s. (See the pic of my cassette copy below). I cannot for the Metal life of me, remember if it was 1983 or 1984. It doesn’t really matter. The important thing about this cassette is it still plays! A mixture of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal bands are showcased on Live And Heavy… from Status Quo to Motorhead. (See complete track and band listing below). Each song is a live recording, (of course, why else is it called Live And Heavy?) A very fine aspect of this cassette is the vintage sound of the bands… these songs were recorded almost three decades ago!

I know for certain however, that I bought this cassette while I was in high school. The store where this cassette was found and subsequently purchased  you may ask? Why, Bradlees of course. Bradlees was a department store, in the town where I grew up in. A large department store for it’s time was Bradlees, with two floors. The record department had a decent selection of mainstream Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal for the day. Imports and underground Metal were not the norm at this department store. A vast selection of 45 rpm’s were always stocked at Bradlees, I bought a few there, that’s for sure. Still, it is this particular Bradlees where I landed this Live And Heavy cassette… and it is an import!!

Live And Heavy gets started in a fabulous way with track one: Smoke On The Water by the impeccable Deep Purple. I just can never resist classic Deep Purple, especially this song, which really encapsulates all the free spirit and sound of 1970’s Hard Rock. A lifetime favorite song of mine is Smoke On The Water. Sometimes I wonder to myself, just how important and influential Smoke On The Water was/is within the history of Rock and Hard Rock Music.

Whitesnake appears with their song – Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City and David Coverdale’s vocals sound classic. This Whitesnake song can be considered as Rock or Hard Rock… it’s not the Heavy Metal side of Whitesnake, which is still all very good with me. UFO is caught live here too, with Light’s Out In London, a kickin’ Traditional Heavy Metal song if there ever was one. Gillan Rocks out with Unchain Your Brain… a classic live Gillan song to have at that. Ian Gillan is an incredible legend of Rock period. After all of these years, I have never heard any singer sound remotely close to Ian Gillan’s vocals. Ultra Unique are Ian Gillan’s vocals, in my Metal opinion.

Def Leppard cranks out Rocks Off, from their 1980 – On Through The Night debut album. Two more lifetime favorites of mine are on Live And Heavy as well, with Motorhead bashing out White Line Fever and Rainbow playing All Night Long from their 1979 album – Down To Earth. Graham Bonnet is the lead singer for Rainbow on this live version of All Night Long. A supremely vintage and live version of Paranoid from Black Sabbath is the last track on Live And Heavy. Just hearing a younger Ozzy Osbourne sing on this live track is a Metal treat in itself.

Overall, the sound production is not of the highest caliber, still it is good enough for my Metal ears. As I stated earlier, this cassette of Live And Heavy is an import, with “Made In Ireland” printed on both sides of the cassette itself. The only logo to be found on the liner notes designating a record company is EMS. I can barely make out a line of type on the liner notes that reads: “All tracks recorded live on stage”.

If you happen to still collect and listen to cassettes as I do, don’t pass over Live And Heavy if it ever crosses your Metal path. I cannot verify if Live And Heavy was ever released on CD. This vintage live album for certain must have been released on vinyl… I just have never seen one.

Here it is… my cassette of Live And Heavy:

* I find the artwork of Live And Heavy to be Old School. There is a line of type on the liner notes that barely reads: “Design and Artwork: Cream”.

* The printing on this cassette reads below the words Live And Heavy: “See Inlay For Details”.

* Made In Ireland is printed on the left, while legal mumbo jumbo about copying rights are printed at the bottom side of this cassette.

Track & Band Listing For Live And Heavy:

Side One:

Deep Purple – Smoke On The Water

Nazareth – Razamanaz

Motorhead – White Line Fever

Def Leppard – Rocks Off

Rainbow – All Night Long

Side Two:

Status Quo – Roll Over Lay Down

Whitesnake – Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City

UFO – Lights Out In London

Gillan – Unchain Your Brain

Black Sabbath – Paranoid

LONG LIVE VINTAGE HEAVY METAL AND HARD ROCK CASSETTES!

Stone.

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RECKLESS LOVE – HAIR METAL EAR CANDY, LOADED WITH GOOD TIME CALORIES!

Posted in glam metal music, Hair Metal, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 5, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RECKLESS LOVE – If it sounds like Hair Metal and looks like Hair Metal… it probably is… Hair Metal. That is my label for Reckless Love and I’m sticking to it! I was recently introduced to this Reckless Love debut album from Metal buddy – Rob Rockitt at Hard Rock Hideout. After reading the review Rob Rockitt posted on HRH about this Reckless Love album, (March 31, 2010), I became very interested in this upcoming release. Reckless Love is being released as an import, with the release date being April 13, 2010.

After listening to this Reckless Love album a few times, it’s almost as if the Arena Rock glory years of the ’80’s have busted down my house door and ripped my Metal soul apart, filling it up with good times Hair Metal. I understand that I am no longer 21 years old and a free spirit anymore, yet this Reckless Love album sure makes me feel like my old Cutlass Supreme is sitting in the driveway and I’m working a Summer job just to buy beer… and Heavy Metal albums. Ah, Metal memories. How they become ignited from listening to brand new Hair Metal in 2010! Hey, that’s the same Cutlass Supreme that Best Metal Buddy, Scott Coverdale, took a joy ride with one night… it was covered with mud the next morning and it never ran the same afterwards. Gee Metal whiz… now the Metal memories are making me anxious.

Oh, yeah, back to this Reckless Love album… it held my Metal attention from beginning to end. I’m not embarrassed to admit, I actually tried to sing along to the chorus of many of the songs. The last song, Born To Rock is one heavy duty Hair Metal anthem, almost like a call to Hair Metal arms. If a University of Hair Metal exists, then the members of Reckless Love have graduated from it… summa cum laude.

This Reckless Love band can play, with their melodic momentum carrying through all 11 songs, like a tsunami crossing the Pacific Ocean. I never once considered stopping this album from playing, each time I listened to it. Pushing the “stop” button while Reckless Love is playing, would be like throwing away half of a Charleston Chew candy bar, knowing the remainder is gonna be just as delicious.

Admittedly, Reckless Love is commercially accessible, only don’t worry… this is not Disney Channel or Nickelodeon stuff. I just wonder… could it have been possible, that these guys embarked in a time machine and travelled back to 1986 and learned directly from the Hair Metal masters of Motley Crue, Ratt, Poison and Cinderella themselves? Anything is possible. Regardless of how this band learned how to play, they learned to listen to Old School Hair Metal first and foremost, this only makes sense after a few listens to their debut album.

Copy cats are Reckless Love? Dated sound? I’m not buying into it. Rock and Roll history is never going to be boxed up and shelved. Any band of any genre has a right to be influenced by classics of the past. Is Classical Music dated? The only things I consider “dated” in my Metal life are calendars. Any fan of 1980’s Hair Metal and/or Hard Rock should give Reckless Love a serious listen. Heavy Metal fans may just appreciate the high octane of sound and energy that Reckless Love is really schooled at.

* Reckless Love are from Finland, signed to Universal Music.

Track Listing For Reckless Love:

Feel My Heat

One More Time

Badass

Love Machine

Beautiful Bomb

Romance

Sex

Back To Paradise

So Yeah!!

Wild Touch

Born To Rock

Stone.

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HAPPY EASTER FROM METAL ODYSSEY!

Posted in 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's rock bands, 1970's rock music, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, family, holidays, life, living, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 4, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Happy Easter to all who celebrate this holiday, which represents a renewed inspiration and spirit for life, love, peace and happiness! Spring is the season where all the trees, shrubs, plants, weeds and the grass becomes green once again, (if you live in the cold parts of the world that is). Spring is a time to start anew and put into action every detail and/or project I’ve been wanting to accomplish. The best part of Spring is the warmer weather… for us folks who live in the “Winter States” and/or cold regions of the world, it’s an unreal reprieve!

* An extra special Happy Easter goes out to all of my family and friends… you all know who you are!

One of my favorite bands of my entire living life has been: The Electric Light Orchestra. Mr. Blue Sky from their Out Of The Blue album, (released in 1977), makes for a perfect song to applaud Spring’s arrival and this Easter weekend… with the weather where I live being gem perfect!

If you like to hear this ELO classic, Mr. Blue Sky, just click that magic box below!

LONG LIVE THE MUSIC OF ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA!

Spring reminds me of all the good that is in my life. (Hello family, friends and Rock and Roll). It also reminds me not to sweat the small and ridiculous stuff. ELO has always grounded me, giving my musical soul that positive jump start it needs from time to time.

Stone.

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SCORPIONS – “STING IN THE TAIL” DELIVERS THE ANTIDOTE OF HEAVY METAL EUPHORIA!

Posted in classic rock, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 3, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

SCORPIONS –  2010 has arrived and so has the Scorpions. Again. What can be accepted as the official goodbye studio album from the Scorpions leaves a Metal lump in my throat. Let’s put all the emotions aside just for now and relish the Heavy Metal excellence that Sting In The Tail is really all about. March 23, 2010 shall always be considered by this metalhead as a day of Heavy Metal honor… Sting In The Tail was released by arguably one of the most honorable Heavy Metal bands to ever record albums and tour the globe. It’s not rocket science to listen to this new Scorpions album and realize it is something special. This is one fan who will argue to the end that Sting In The Tail is more than likely one of the best Heavy Metal album to have been released in years. The Scorpions obviously wanted to release a fabulous album of 11 songs to be their last… they have succeeded in my Metal opinion.

The Good Die Young is a Power Ballad and hit’s my emotional Metal button like there is no tomorrow. My God is this a prolific Scorpions song, I cannot express in words just how it really resonates with me. The opening song Raised On Rock is not just THE best song for me on Sting In The Tail, I dare myself to find a better Hard Rock or Heavy Metal song released this year! Or last year too. This song is about what I and anyone who visits Metal Odyssey hold so dearly to our hearts… ROCK. It doesn’t get any better than this, a song glorifying being raised on Rock and Roll.

Lorelei is the second Power Ballad and it seems to lift this anti-ballad Metalhead up and slam him down. I repent! I repent! The Scorpions have made me like Power Ballads again! Well, at least their Power Ballads. SLY is the third Power Ballad and it is Klaus Meine once again proving he can sing his heart out with real emotion… not the fabricated stuff that is flooding the music industry these days. Klaus Meine has been doing this for decades… he is a vocalist for the ages.

Spirit of Rock is my second favorite song on this supremely contagious album. O.k., I can’t find another Hard Rock or Heavy Metal song that is better than this one either… that has been released in 2010 thus far. This song, as with Raised On Rock, flows only like a Scorpions Heavy Metal song can… with such melodic and heightened, heavy exuberance. The Best Is Yet To Come can be construed as a goodbye song from the Scorpions and I don’t want to say goodbye. This song is inspirational with it’s lyrics, I truly hope the best will come from this group of elite musicians, in their future projects and endeavors.

Pointing out the musicianship of the Scorpions on Sting In The Tail is best summed up this way: these are Heavy Metal veterans, despite any lack of a full original lineup over the years, Klaus Meine, Matthias Jabs and Rudolf Schenker are the epitome of Heavy Metal consistency and supremacy with decades of music to prove it. These three musicians are the core of the Scorpions, the mainframe if you will. The dual guitars of Matthias Jabs, (on lead) and Rudolf Schenker, (on rhythm), still have their powerful tones that have been enjoyed by my Metal ears for so many years. Pawel Maciwoda on bass and James Kottak on drums add incredible rhythmic thunder to this Scorpions band, they without doubt, add to the all encompassing heart and soul of Sting In The Tail.

Listening to and then falling in love with an album is all personal… not everyone is going to agree with me on my review of Sting In The Tail. This is an album that will forever lift me up and help me celebrate this ultra-glorious genre I know as Heavy Metal. The Scorpions have not stolen, they have politely taken my Metal soul for 2010 and maybe beyond. If Metal Odyssey handed out Metal’s of Honor… the Scorpions would receive the first. The Scorpions have proven to me years ago they are a Heavy Metal Band for the ages… Sting In The Tail only puts one hundred exclamation points after that Metal thought.

I make no Metal apologies for my Heavy Metal awakening, that the Scorpions have bestowed upon me with Sting In The Tail. I only extend one gigantic THANK YOU to this amazing band that has thrilled my Metal mind for decades, from my dazed and confused teen years to my middle-aged Metalhead life I have now… Scorpions, you have been there for me and countless other fans, now go out and kick some Heavy Metal ass like there is no tomorrow for the next three years!!!

* Metal Odyssey hopes and prays that Ron Keel’s Rock and Roll dream will come true… that the Scorpions will take his unreal great band KEEL out on the road with them sometime very soon!!! Please, Scorpions… Ron Keel is a good dude and KEEL deserve’s it!!

* Tarja Turunen – her beautiful voice can be heard on The Good Die Young.

* This Sting In The Tail CD also came with a cool punch-out card with 4 guitar picks! Once my daughter saw these Scorpions guitar picks, well, she has them for her collection now.

* The track listing on the back of this Sting In The Tail CD does have certain letters highlighted in red, when spelled out it reads: IT ROCKS

Track Listing For Sting In The Tail:

Raised on Rock

Sting in the Tail

Slave Me

The Good Die Young

No Limit

Rock Zone

Lorelei

Turn You On

SLY

Spirit of Rock

The Best Is Yet To Come

* Sting In The Tail was released on Universal Music Enterprises.

LONG LIVE THE SCORPIONS!

Stone.

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INCREDIBLE NEWS ALERT: HEAVY METAL SONG RECEIVED FROM 100 LIGHT YEARS AWAY!

Posted in astronomy, celestial studies, current news, hard rock music, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, life, living, metal odyssey, Music, paranormal research, people, physics research, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, space and science with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 1, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

INCREDIBLE NEWS ALERT: This press release was taken from the World Wide Incredible Scientific News of Importance News Bureau – (WWISNINB) – Dr. Matthias W. Zinkweller III of the United Laboratories of Intergalactic and Alien Studies for Independence and Thought has discovered, on March 31, 2010, a song that was received through their highly sensitive audio satellites. Only this song travelled from 100 light years away! States Dr. Zinkweller III: “This is definitely a song, there is melody, it is very heavy in overall sound and bears every likeness to that of the music we know as Heavy Metal here on Earth”. During this non-televised and near secretive press conference, Dr. Zinkweller III became emotional, needing assistance from fellow physics scholar and astronomer Dr. Antonio T. Assterginas. Dr. Assterginas added: We all know of the magnitude of world importance this discovery means to us all, we all must approach this discovery, with open arms and an open mind as well”.

Once Dr. Zinkweller III was able to restrain his emotions, he touched upon the vocalization of this Heavy Metal song from deep space: “We have brought in over 50 linguistic experts from around the world, trying in vain, around the clock, to decipher what language this may be. After nearly 16 hours of deliberation and experimentation, the pre-hypothesis is that this language is completely unknown to human kind. Our computer models and programs cannot even recognize a syllable from the vocals, heard on this amazing song. The only certainty, however, is that this is a Heavy Metal song that exhibits the Hair Metal genre”.

When asked by the press as to what further steps were necessary, in pinpointing just exactly where this Heavy Metal song from 100 light years was sent from, Dr. Assterginas interjected: We have not even come close to deciding exactly where and from what this Heavy Metal song originated from. All we can validate, through our computer models and data, is that this song travelled from an unknown destination to us, approximately 100 light years away”. One press representative asked if the vocals could be compared to any Earthly known singer from the Hair Metal genre, Dr. Assterginas replied: “We are not as well versed in the names of Hair Metal vocalists and/or musicians as we would like to be”. Names of Steven Tyler to Dee Snider were thrown at these two brave scientists from the press, still these two courageous scientists conceded their lack of knowledge with the names of known Earth bound singers of Heavy Metal.

Holy Metal on Earth is this an unreal news story or what?! I have always been a believer in UFO’s, Bigfoot, Mothman, The New Jersey Devil and yes… ghosts. However, this takes the Metal cake here! Somewhere out there… 100 light years away, are Heavy Metal aliens!!! How cool is this? I just knew we could not have been the only Metalhead planet floating around out there! I will do my very best to follow up on this unreal and mind blowing story of the century! I’m a tad numb right now… this is beyond fantastic news!

Talk about Heavy Metal history.

Stone.

Oh, by the way… APRIL FOOLS!

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METAL ODYSSEY’S GOOD TIMES ALBUM PICK: DAVID LEE ROTH – “EAT ‘EM AND SMILE”

Posted in 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's rock albums, 1980's classic rock, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, classic rock music, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 1, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

DAVID LEE ROTH – as front man for the unreal legendary Van Halen, this is the man who revolutionized stage presence. Flamboyant is his middle name. As a solo artist, David Lee Roth mixed things up a bit… from Heavy Metal and Hard Rock to a Frank Sinatra cover song in That’s Life. Let’s face it, in the world of Heavy Music, it doesn’t get any more diversified than that. I pick the 1986 solo album from David Lee Roth – Eat ‘Em And Smile as one of the best damned good times album I have ever listened to. Seriously. This album is chock full of songs, that makes me not give a crap about what bills are due or the world economy. Eat ‘Em And Smile, I swear, was created by David Lee Roth to celebrate partying and having fun. Back in 1986… I did both to the upmost limit, with absolutely no regrets. Eat ‘Em And Smile was an album that added to my fun Summer of ’86, reminding me of once again – good times!

Having one of my favorite guitarists of all time with Steve Vai on this album only made it more sweeter for me. Add the Metal fact that Billy Sheehan is on bass and this album seethes with ultra credibility. Gregg Bissonette on drums proved to be a solid choice for this band and album as well. I did get the opportunity to see David Lee Roth live, at the Hartford Civic Center for theis Eat ‘Em And Smile tour. A truly amazing show it was. I went with my late sister and her boyfriend at the time, we had a blast! My sister’s boyfriend’s name was Charlie… he was one cool corporate dude that could drink and have a good time. Our concert tickets stated: limited view. Yeah, limited view my butt… these seats were on the side of the stage, about 15 rows up! Those are great seats according to my Metal standards! We saw everything just fine from those seats, especially with David Lee Roth giving our section equal attention.

I just missed out in catching the sunglasses that David Lee Roth threw up into our section. Gee Metal whiz, if I wasn’t so loaded that night, I would have been able to catch them. Metal memories. I also took quite a spill, falling down a great many of the concrete stairs inside the Hartford Civic Center that night. As I got myself up and shook it off, I was greeted by hundreds of cheering fans… cheering for my fall that is. I took a bow and proceeded on my Metal way, with just a few bumps and buises.

My favorite songs on Eat ‘Em And Smile are: Yankee Rose, Goin’ Crazy!, Shy Boy and Tobacco Road. Granted, I do enjoy the entire album. Any and every time I listen to Eat ‘Em And Smile, it seems like I have to smile. This is the effect that David Lee Roth and his band put on me. I always enjoyed the music video for Yankee Rose too… funny, entertaining and it flat out ROCKS. If you have never given this album a listen, take a chance on having a (gulp) fun and good time. In the event you never have seen the music video for Yankee Rose, well, you can now by clicking on that cool box below.

DAVID LEE ROTH  – YANKEE ROSE

Track Listing For Eat ‘Em And Smile:

Yankee Rose

Shy Boy

I’m Easy

Ladies’ Nite In Buffalo?

Goin’ Crazy!

Tobacco Road

Elephant Gun

Big Trouble

Bump And Grind

That’s Life

* Eat ‘Em And Smile was released on July 7, 1986, on Warner Bros. Records.

* That’s Life was originally sung by Frank Sinatra and written by Dean Kay and Kelly Gordon.

LONG LIVE DAVID LEE ROTH!

Stone.

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JOURNEY “DEPARTURE” ALBUM FROM 1980 – A CLASSIC ROCK FLASHBACK

Posted in 1970's classic rock music, 1970's rock bands, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's rock music, 1980's classic rock albums, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's hard rock bands, album covers, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock music, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music history with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 31, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

JOURNEY –  released their sixth studio album, Departure, on March 23, 1980, on Columbia Records. This was my very first Journey album that I ever bought, sometime around 1980. Between this Journey album and Queen – The Game, I was becoming quite a Rock Music fanatic at the age of fourteen. Departure falls into the first dozen or so albums that I ever owned. As with Queen’s The Game album, this Journey album is an exquisite blend of Rock and Hard Rock songs. The FM radio favorite back in the day was Any Way You Want It, this song was the motivation for my buying this album to begin with. A genuine Hard Rock song, Any Way You Want It flowed through my veins like psyche-out serum. Aw, heck, it still does to this very day.

Walks Like A Lady is the mellow Rock song that FM radio caught onto as well, it’s chorus coupled with the simplicity and innocence in it’s lyrics, gives this song it’s appeal, almost spotlighting it amongst the other songs on Departure. Where Were You is one of my favorite Journey songs… ever. If a song can Rock me at age fourteen, then Rock me the same way three decades later… then it ‘s an impact song that did it’s deed in imbedding itself into my Rock and Roll psyche. Where Were You, as with Any Way You Want It, just brings back memories of my discovering what Rock and Hard Rock Music was really all about. Back in 1980, I found myself gravitating towards much more up-tempo and harder edged songs. Departure became another tile, on the Hard Rock ground floor that I was setting foot upon.

I’m Cryin’ for all intents and purposes, is Steve Perry at his very finest, unleashing his never to be duplicated vocals, with a spill-over of believable emotion. Line Of Fire has the saturated sound of Classic Rock boogie, pulsating with every imaginable vibration of 1970’s Hard Rock as well. Neal Schon’s guitar actually sounds like a backup singer on Line Of Fire, his signature tone is that expressive… to my ears. When I listen to Good Morning Girl in 2010, I can safely point to this song as the direction as to where Journey would go musically, on future albums. Steve Perry’s vocals being the focal point in a soft ballad, is a key part of the puzzle to Journey’s mainstream success and popularity explosion of the 1980’s. Good Morning Girl was the hint of more incredible things to come, from this legendary band and lead vocalist… only I did not have a clue of Journey’s future back in 1980.

Whenever I can reach into my music collection and pull out an album that resonates the roots of Rock and Hard Rock of my young adult life, it surely is an impeccable album for me indeed. Rock and Roll is more than an aging slab of vinyl or a hardened plastic disc referred to as a CD. Rock and Roll encompasses dozens upon dozens of genres, while these same genres are represented by bands that are iconic as well as lesser known. What comes out of all this are the emotions, vibrations and memories that the music instills in one. Journey – Departure is an album I look upon as an integral reason as to why I decided to take a Hard Rock trek in my early teens. Journey, as with many other Hard Rock bands of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, aided in my transition to Heavy Metal… and I never considered for one second of abandoning Journey or any other influential band from my youth… Metal be thy name.

Journey, as they appeared on Departure:

Steve Perry – lead vocals

Neal Schon – guitar & backing vocals

Ross Valory – bass & backing vocals

Gregg Rolie – keyboards, harmonica & backing vocals

Steve Smith – drums & percussion

* Gregg Rolie is the lead vocalist on Someday Soon.

* Neal Schon is the lead vocalist on People And Places.

* Check out the Official Journey website: JOURNEY

Track Listing for Departure:

Any Way You Want It

Walks Like A Lady

Someday Soon

People And Places

Precious Time

Where Were You

I’m Cryin’

Line Of Fire

Departure

Good Morning Girl

Stay Awhile

Homemade Love

* Bonus Tracks From 2006 Reissue:

Natural Thing

Little Girl

Stone.

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BONHAM – “THE DISREGARD OF TIMEKEEPING” FROM 1989 REVISITED!

Posted in 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's hard rock bands, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock drummers, hard rock music, hard rock songs, hard rock vocalists, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 29, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

BONHAM – It was sometime in 1989, I was a student in College and the debut album from Bonham was released, The Disregard Of Timekeeping. I first heard of this album courtesy of some FM radio station that played the single – Wait For You. (Note: The 2:09 intro – The Disregard Of Timekeeping is a track in and of itself, yet it belongs attached as a necessary segue to Wait For You). Upon hearing both this psyched up intro and Wait For You, I knew I extremely needed to buy this Bonham album. I picked up The Disregard Of Timekeeping as a CD in ’89 and have never grown tired of it since.

I never listened to the overpaid and supposed professional Rock Music critics who took cranky shots at Bonham and this album. Man, have I grown tired of hearing the same old criticisms about Bonham… one being that they were a Led Zeppelin rip off band and secondly, that drummer Jason Bonham could never be like his legendary father, the late John Bonham from the ultra iconic Led Zeppelin. Many of the criticisms I have read over the years about Bonham were/are not only unnecessary, they are just plain cruel. I knew back then, as I know now, that I will listen to what moves me and makes my Metal & Hard Rock soul happy. Metal be thy name.

WARNING: The following paragraph may be deemed too sentimental for some hardcore Metal and Hard Rock fans. Regardless, music is also about emotion and it can affect your life and invoke great Metal memories.

Going back to Wait For You, this song was THE song for my girlfriend and I, back when I was at College. It was OUR song! That girlfriend, well, she is now my unreal great wife. We still listen to this song together and make some flirty glances at each other while it Rocks on. (Sorry for the sappiness, sometimes it happens here on Metal Odyssey).

Playing To Win is another Hard Rockin’, Heavy Hittin’ and riveting song that plays out at 6:55, not long enough in my Metal opinion. I simply cannot find one trace of Led Zeppelin copycat in this song… that must really piss off those old and constipated professional Rock music critics. Guilty is as steadfast and hard drivin’ of a Hard Rock song as they come. Very melodic, very memorable and uh, very great is this song. Cross Me And See plays out better than many of the Hard Rock songs that are currently supposed to be “great” in 2010… and this is a deep album cut. Look out… I can almost hear those pissed off professional Rock critics, from days gone by, screaming with their dentures falling out after that last sentence!

Bonham jumped on board that 1980’s Hard & Heavy train and took my ears and memories along for the ride. Again, any Led Zeppelin comparisons are just a waste of time for me. How many young bands are out there today, that sound like Motley Crue or Nickelback? There are hordes aplenty! Comparisons and influences can never be avoided, when it comes to any Rock & Roll discussion.

I will forever listen to this Bonham album and be a better Metalhead for it. Um, HardRockHead for it. This is as legitimate a Hard Rock album, as it is a commercial Heavy Metal album, in my Metal opinion. Jason Bonham can take a Metal bow for having created this band when he did. As the ol’ Metal saying goes… let the music do the talking. The Disregard Of Timekeeping does just that, only it roars with a genuine Hard Rock and mainstream Heavy Metal sound that evokes positive emotion… for me.

Back on March 16, 2008, Daniel MacMaster, the lead vocalist for Bonham passed away, at age 39. When I first heard of this sad news then, I thought to myself… too damned young, a tragic loss. The passing of Daniel MacMaster leaves a void to the world of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Daniel MacMaster’s voice can forever be enjoyed by fans of the past, present and future, through the music he has left us all. I know I am one of those fans.

BONHAM, as they appeared on The Disregard Of Timekeeping:

Daniel MacMaster – lead vocals

Jason Bonham – drums, percussion

Ian Hatton – lead & rhythm guitars

John Smithson – bass, keyboards, violin

LONG LIVE THE MUSIC OF BONHAM!

Rest In Peace, Daniel MacMaster.

Stone.

10 Comments »

MY FAVORITE HARD ROCK ALBUM COVER IS…

Posted in 1970's classic rock albums, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's hard rock, 1970's rock bands, 1970's rock music, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 28, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Well, I posted what my favorite Heavy Metal album cover, (ever), is on March 25, just a few days ago. Iron Maiden’s debut album – Iron Maiden was/is my choice. Now, for my favorite Hard Rock album cover, (ever), that I would like to share to all, on the planet we call… Earth. Nazareth – No Mean City. This incredibly underrated Rock meets Hard Rock album was released back in January of 1979. May The Sunshine has it’s unique style – from a folk chorus to it’s overlay of genuine Nazareth Rock, it’s a fun filled listen for me always. The ballad Star is another tremendous listen, showing just how Nazareth could diversify their sound with the upmost credibility. Just To Get Into It is indicative of Nazareth Hard Rock, with Dan McCafferty’s vocals spilling out in all of his raspy splendor.

This unreal great cover art on No Mean City just screams Heavy Metal… only this is seriously a Rock colliding with Hard Rock album, in my Metal opinion. Rodney Matthews is the artist/illustrator for this incredible No Mean City album cover. In doing my Metal research, Rodney Matthews has quite the illustrious career in illustrating album covers for many bands of notoriety: Scorpions, Magnum, Thin Lizzy, Tygers of Pan Tang and Diamond Head… just to name a few. I applaud this fantastically talented artist, he gets a Metal Odyssey nod of Metal approval – multi-tenfold!

A long time ago, in a Metal year far, far, away, I bought this No Mean City album from a “cut-out” bin at a record store called Strawberries Records & Tapes. If you like, you can check out the post I did on this legendary album, with a more detailed review, by clicking on the header below:

NAZARETH “NO MEAN CITY” – 1979 HARD ROCK ALBUM IS A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

What is your favorite Hard Rock album cover? No Mean City just takes the Hard Rock cake for me.

Stone.

6 Comments »

CHARM CITY DEVILS “LET’S ROCK-N-ROLL” VIDEO… IT ROCKS!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums 2009, hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock music 2010, hard rock songs, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music videos with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 27, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

CHARM CITY DEVILS – This Hard Rock Band from the “Charm City” of Baltimore, Maryland caught my Metal attention last Summer of 2009. Their debut album – Let’s Rock-N-Roll was released on May 26, 2009. I have continued to listen to this album, quite regularly, since I bought it last Summer. Charm City Devils delivers American Hard Rock the Old School way… with foot stomping rhythms and melodic moments aplenty, Lets Rock-N-Roll is an album that flows along like a kickin’ keg party that ends too fast. There’s nothing ultra fancy about the Hard Rock Music of Charm City Devils… just blue collar and Hard Rock N’ Roll!

I blabbed about how much I like this album from Charm City Devils, with many more details, on October 18, 2009. There are those certain bands, that I just need to remind the world about more often, on Metal Odyssey. Charm City Devils is definitely one of those bands. Check out my past post on them, if you like, by clicking the header below:

Charm City Devils “Let’s Rock-N-Roll” – A Charming Hard Rock Album

I checked out Charm City Devils, last night, (Friday night), at the Crocodile Rock Cafe in Allentown, Pennsylvania, with Ryo Vie from The Rock and Roll Guru by my Metal side. Simply put, Charm City Devils ROCKED. I’ll have a few more cool details about this Charm City Devils concert, in the coming week… the headlining band that came out after Charm City Devils, well, they kicked some serious Metal butt! Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoy this Let’s Rock-N-Roll video and song from Charm City Devils as much as I do!

Now… crank this mutha up LOUD and Let’s Rock-N-Roll!!!

Stone.

2 Comments »

QUEEN – “THE GAME” MADE 1980 A YEAR I’LL ALWAYS REMEMBER

Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's rock bands, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's rock albums, 1980's rock music, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock albums, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's classic rock songs, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's hard rock songs, 1980's rock bands, 1990's rock bands, 1990's hard rock bands, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, family, feel good stories, hard rock bands, hard rock music, holidays, metal odyssey, Music, people, personal stories, real life experiences, Rock, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, rock music history with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 22, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

QUEEN – I can remember like it was yesterday, it was 1980 and I wanted so badly, as a Christmas gift from my Mom and Dad, Queen’s The Game album. I can recite what and how many albums I received as gifts from my parents when I was young, due to the fact that I so deeply appreciated each one. While growing up, my family may not have been “rich” with money, instead we were pretty “rich” with love. As a young dude, I never expected more than one album as a gift from my parents, with each passing Christmas and birthday. Receiving an album a few times during the year, as a thank you for helping out around the house and yard, was reality as well. Therefore, that “one” album at Christmas held some weight… and each album gift was always one of my choices that I made known to anyone who would listen.

1980 came upon me as a breakout year in my life… for I finally broke out of eight years of parochial school. (A Catholic School). I was now an official high school student… enrolled as a freshman. My Rock and Roll taste buds were changing by the week it seemed… so many bands I was hearing on the FM dial, still, so little funds to buy them.

When Christmas of 1980 finally rolled around, I was anxious as to whether or not an album would be under the tree at all. If there was an album, which one would it be? I had jotted down just about every KISS album on that wish list back in 1980, save for Double Platinum and Dynasty, which I already owned. I remember putting Queen’s The Game down on my wish list, I needed a real Queen album and this one would be as good as any. All I did own of Queen at this time in my life was the 45 rpm of We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions. Crazy Little Thing Called Love and Another One Bites The Dust were enormous hits for Queen on the FM dial in 1980. Each time I heard these two songs back then, it felt like Rock and Roll magic in my brain.

Once I heard these next two songs from this powerful Queen album, I was literally covered in ostrich bumps: Play The Game and Need Your Loving Tonight. The Hartford, Connecticut FM stations were very cool back in the late ’70’s on through the ’80’s, their spinning these deeper album cuts from The Game only made it more clear to me, that I absolutely needed this album! Listening to the song Play The Game made me feel like I was walking on air. It still does have that affect on me. Sure, Another One Bites The Dust has been overused commercially over the decades, I do understand. This entire Queen album still makes me feel more powerful than I really am… it’s as if it lifts me up and puts the troubles of the day below my feet.

I did see a wrapped album under the Christmas tree, that Christmas morning back in 1980 and it had my name on the tag. It was from Mom and Dad. Once the wrapping was taken off, (gently I might add, as not to damage a cool album), my eyes widened as big as Pennsylvania Dutch pancakes on a Saturday morning. Queen. The Game. In my hands, the entire album. Yes, I played it on my turntable every day during my freshman year in high school. Back in 1980, hearing the song Dragon Attack was a quick study in Hard Rock 101 for me.

This Queen album, single handedly inspired me as a high school freshman, in ways that I cannot even explain. The operatic and prolific vocals of the late and ultra legendary Freddie Mercury, the ever distinguishable guitar tone of Brian May and the rhythm being solidly accented by John Deacon on bass and Roger Taylor on drums. A Rock album for the ages was and still is – The Game.

LONG LIVE QUEEN. REST PEACEFULLY, FREDDIE MERCURY.

Stone.

4 Comments »

RATT – “INFESTATION” RELEASES APRIL 20, 2010… I’M IN!!

Posted in 1980's hair metal albums, 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1984 heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal bands, current heavy metal music, hair metal albums, hair metal bands, hair metal music, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1984, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands 2010, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2010, heavy metal news, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal bands, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 21, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RATT – Yes, I have that Metal fondness for RATT. Always have. Plus, I’m a big fan of the late Milton Berle too, his appearance in the Round And Round music video only made it that more cool. Stephen Pearcy’s “other” band Arcade is unreal great… for me. I inhale the debut and self titled Arcade album, from 1993, like it’s Heavy Metal oxygen. My favorite RATT album ever, is Out of the Cellar, from 1984. This Out of the Cellar album is super loaded with one memorable song after another. Metal be thy name.

There’s much abuzz around cyberspace as to: Does RATT still have “it”? Will this album be worthy? Why is RATT reforming at all? My Metal answer to any and all of these questions is:

LIVE AND LET METAL LIVE.

On or about April 20, 2010, I will obtain a brand spanking new CD of Infestation… and be damned glad I did. Will I like every song? Will I be disappointed for whatever reason? I cannot predict the Metal future. I’m not the Metal Nostradamus. I am anticipating, however, a bona fide and downright credible album from a group of musicians who know a thing or two about Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Look, for the nay sayers on the upcoming RATT release… it could be worse, there could be a brand new ABBA album coming out on April 20, 2010 instead. Worse yet, a CD/DVD deluxe edition of Jim Nabors could have been released as well. Think about those two chilling thoughts for a moment. Double whoa.

Vintage RATT:

For all the cool RATT info one could wish for, plus the first two singles from Infestation, (Eat Me Up Alive, Best Of Me) both streaming, check out these links below:

www.THERATTPACK.com

RATT – MySpace Music Page

RATT of 2010 is:

Stephen Pearcy – vocals

Warren DeMartini – lead guitar

Bobby “The Blotz” Blotzer – drums

Robbie Crane – bass

Carlos Cavazo – guitar

I just thank God each and every day that Hard Rock and Heavy Metal exists… period. This is RATT 2010, not some quickly put together, televised talent show winner that can’t remember their lyrics.

Ever since the Out of the Cellar album came out back in 1984, I seemed to have been imbedded with the sound of RATT ‘N’ ROLL. Back on May 19, 2009, I blabbed up and down, just how this RATT album brought great Metal joy into my teenage life back in ’84 . Check it out by clicking on the header below… if you like.

I drove my neighbors nuts with Ratt – “Out Of The Cellar”

LONG LIVE RATT ‘N’ ROLL!

Stone.

8 Comments »

KISS – “HOT IN THE SHADE” – REVISITING A 1989 KISS KLASSIC!

Posted in 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1989 heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, classic rock bands, current hard rock bands, current heavy metal bands, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1989, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1989, heavy metal songs, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal bands, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 15, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

KISS – I honestly don’t know what’s not to love about this KISS album. Since it’s October release back in 1989, I can’t ever refuse Hot In The Shade the moment my eyes make contact with it… I just have to play it and play it LOUD. This album is chock full of the patented KISS hard & heavy… with all the vocal harmony I could ever wish for. Melodic isn’t the word for a song like Hide Your Heart, super melodic is more like it. There should have been a disclaimer within the liner notes of Hot In The Shade for Hide Your Heart… that stating: Warning – this song is extremely contagious to your Hard Rock and Heavy Metal health!

Hot In The Shade opens up with Rise To It, man, if this KISS song doesn’t get a rise out of any fan of Hard Rock or ’80’s Heavy Metal, then that person should check into the: Sprawling Meadows Mellow Clinic for the Dazed and Confused. Seriously, if I am having a semi-funky day or I’m starting to feel a tad down, Hot In The Shade is a pump you up and psyche you out Heavy Metal prescription I reach for. Metal be thy name.

Even Michael Bolton got in on the act with Hot In The Shade, co-writing the power ballad – Forever alongside Paul Stanley. I guess if you need some teary eyed lyrics, just call Michael Bolton up and he will deliver the kleenex worthy goods. Never the excitable ballad fan that I am, Forever is one inspirational and love infested song. For being the power ballad that it is, I respect Forever and find it to be a decent listen. Plus, due to the intense psyched out mood I’m in while listening to Hot In The Shade, once Forever comes on… I keep on listening. It’s kinda funny how Forever is the song right after Love’s A Slap In The Face too.

Even a deep album track like Boomerang Rocks like there is no tomorrow, Gene Simmons sounds classic on vocals. Silver Spoon is another example of a deep track that resonates the classic hard & heaviness of KISS. Hot In The Shade was released at the tail end of the 80’s Heavy Metal boom… and what an asterisk KISS put at the end of this power packed decade. At the end of my Metal day, this is a KISS album from the past, that I would have no problem recommending to someone, who has never listened to this iconic band before. Is this the greatest KISS album ever? Of course it isn’t… yet it isn’t the Asylum album either.

KISS as they appeared on Hot In The Shade:

Gene Simmons – bass & vocals

Paul Stanley – guitar & vocals

Eric Carr – drums

Bruce Kulick – guitar

Track Listing for Hot In The Shade:

Rise To It

Betrayed

Hide Your Heart

Prisoner Of Love

Read My Body

Love’s A Slap In The Face

Forever

Silver Spoon

Cadillac Dreams

King Of Hearts

The Street Giveth And The Street Taketh Away

You Love Me To Hate You

Somewhere Between Heaven And Hell

Little Caesar

Boomerang

* KISS – Hot In The Shade was released on Mercury Records.

LONG LIVE KISS ROCK ‘N ROLL!!!

Stone.

13 Comments »

Check out my KISS Comic Book from 1978!

Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, classic rock bands, classic rock music, collecting rock music, current heavy metal bands, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal memorabilia, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal bands, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock and roll memorabilia, rock music, rock music history, sports, sports history with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 12, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

KISS – just about any and every item you can think of, has had the KISS logo or images of the band put on them. From lunch boxes to boxer shorts. Over the years, (since the late 1970’s), I have collected KISS collectibles. Still, I would not consider my KISS kollection to be very huge at all. In fact, my KISS kollection is quite modest, I have for some reason or another, showed much restraint in buying “anything” that has the KISS logo on it. One KISS kollectible that I did purchase back in the mid 1980’s was a comic book, from a comic book store that was quite messy and cold. I still have this cool comic book, (see the two pics below this post).

This KISS comic book was put out by Marvel Comics back in 1978. This comic book has 56 pages, a four page/pull out KISS poster and two pages dedicated to the making of the KISS movie – KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park. A KISS interview is also included in these same pages, in regards to their making this movie. I remember when network television carried KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park, it was on NBC, sometime around 1978. If my Metal memory serves me correctly, this movie was rather corn dog… still, it was KISS! I have not seen this KISS movie in probably 30 years now… quite a few years. I will most likely seek out this KISS movie on video or if it’s even on DVD? It would be a Metal hoot to just watch it again… for old times sake!

Going back to my KISS comic book… it is in excellent condition, not mint, yet that is still fine with me. I keep it in a protective plastic comic bag too, just to preserve it all the more.

Here is what the front cover of my KISS comic book from 1978 looks like:

Here is what the back cover of this same KISS comic book looks like:

This back cover advertises the four KISS solo albums from 1978!! The heading on this back cover ad could never be more true – A Milestone! Man, does this bring back some vintage KISS memories! Plus, 1978 was the year that my beloved New York Yankees beat down the hapless Boston Red Sox in a one-game playoff for the American League Eastern Division Title!! Another Milestone! That same legendary Yankees team went on to win the 1978 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers too!! Ahhh… the memories, the milestones, they are truly priceless.

1978… KISS… a KISS comic book… and Bucky Dent hitting a home run over the infamous Green Monster at the ever historic Fenway Park. It’s funny how one memory leads to another from a particular, remembered year.

LONG LIVE KISS!

LONG LIVE BUCKY DENT AND THE 1978 NEW YORK YANKEES TOO!

Stone.

10 Comments »

ALCATRAZZ – “ISLAND IN THE SUN” 1983 VIDEO AND BAND REVISITED!

Posted in 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal guitarists, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1983 heavy metal music, classic rock music, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1983, heavy metal songs, heavy metal videos, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 8, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

ALCATRAZZ – released their debut album No Parole From Rock ‘N’ Roll back in 1983. Island In The Sun was the “hit” song that was on MTV’s rotation and received some FM radio airplay as well. Alcatrazz featured Graham Bonnet on vocals and soon to be guitar legend – Yngwie J. Malmsteen. (Steeler released their debut and self titled album that same year, also featuring Yngwie J. Malmsteen and Ron Keel on vocals). Both Alcatrazz and Steeler are bands I liked very much back in the good ol’ ’80’s… still do. I’ve always and forever will be an admirer of Graham Bonnet’s vocals. Graham Bonnet has fronted many bands, my favorites are: Rainbow, Alcatrazz, Michael Schenker Group and Impellitteri. Yngwie J. Malmsteen is simply put… a core favorite of mine since I first heard him play with this Alcatrazz band. There is a whole bunch of Heavy Metal history surrounding Graham Bonnet and Yngwie J. Malmsteen, the number of bands, musicians and albums they have been connected with is amazing. A live version of Island In The Sun is also found on the live Alcatrazz album from 1984 – Live Sentence, with the subtitle No Parole From Rock ‘N’ Roll. Yngwie J. Malmsteen is the guitarist on Live Sentence as well. Eventually the great Steve Vai stepped in to become the guitarist for Alcatrazz, on their 1985 album – Disturbing The Peace.

No Parole From Rock ‘N’ Roll and Live Sentence are just two solid 1980’s Heavy Metal albums to revisit, listen to and enjoy. I really like the song Island In The Sun, the vocal harmony of Graham Bonnet combined with the guitar melodies of Yngwie J. Malmsteen just does it for me. This entire Alcatrazz lineup from 1983 was solid, in my Metal opinion. The video for Island In The Sun brings back some memories for certain… those late nights watching MTV with one eye open, back in the early ’80’s, (when MTV was just one station and really played music videos!) This video for Island In The Sun is goofy… it has that early 1980’s fun and appeal all over it. Nonetheless, the song itself is one terrific and melodic Rocker! Hopefully you will enjoy Island In The Sun as much as I do… you don’t have to like the goofiness of the video though! If anything, there never was a guarantee of an acting career for any of these Alcatrazz musicians… that’s for sure.

* Both No Parole From Rock ‘N’ Roll and Live Sentence were released on Polydor Records.

Crank up Island In The Sun… and have a chuckle or two at this video!

Here is what the 1984 Live Sentence album looks like:

Alcatrazz, as they appeared on both the debut album No Parole From Rock ‘N’ Roll and Live Sentence:

Graham Bonnet – vocals

Yngwie J. Malmsteen – guitar

Gary Shea – bass

Jimmy Waldo – keyboards

Jan Uvena – drums

The Best Of Alcatrazz was released back in October of 1998. This Best Of album also contains the studio version of Island In The Sun as well.

LONG LIVE ALCATRAZZ!

LONG LIVE YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN!

LONG LIVE GRAHAM BONNET!

Stone.

1 Comment »

JIMI HENDRIX – “VALLEYS OF NEPTUNE” LIMITED EDITION CD SINGLE I’LL SHOW YA!

Posted in 1960's classic rock music, 1960's psychedelic rock music, 1960's rock music, 1970'S classic rock guitarists, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's classic rock vocalists, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's rock music, album covers, classic hard rock music, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock guitarists, classic rock music, classic rock songs, classic rock vocalists, collecting classic rock, collecting rock music, cool album covers, guitar legends, hard rock guitarists, hard rock music, hard rock songs, hard rock vocalists, Heavy Metal, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal songs, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rare heavy metal cds, rock & roll, rock & roll hall of fame inductees, rock and roll, rock and roll hall of fame members, rock and roll news, rock guitar legends, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music history with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 7, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

JIMI HENDRIX – By now, hopefully all Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fans know that a brand new, studio album of 12 previously unreleased songs by this legend of guitar legends are being released on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010. The album is titled – Valleys Of Neptune. A limited edition, CD single has already been released in front of this forthcoming Jimi Hendrix album, it is aptly titled: Valleys Of Neptune as well. This limited edition CD single is just that… each CD single is individually numbered too!! A total pressing of only 15,000 were passed along to the whole planet! My CD single is numbered 13060/15,000. I bought mine at Walmart… sometimes there are those Metal finds at Walmart… sometimes.

As I see it, whenever a CD, vinyl album or DVD is individually numbered, it is adding credibility to it’s limited edition tag. With just 15,000 of these CD singles available upon it’s release, I would have to guess that there are not enough to go around? C’mon, there has to be throngs upon throngs of Jimi Hendrix fans out in the world that would want to own this CD single… I would hope.

As for the two songs heard on this CD single:

Valleys Of Neptune – this song grooves along, (really, it is a groovy song), Jimi Hendrix sounds great, (as he always did), on vocals. Jimi plays the guitar with his distinctive tone coming through with vintage brilliance. In all Metal honesty, I have listened to this song dozens of times since I bought this CD single, obviously I really like it! I only live once and I’m thankful these new Jimi Hendrix songs have landed in 2010. This song was recorded on September 23, 1969/May 15, 1970!

Peace In Mississippi – this is an instrumental… and it’s all about Jimi Hendrix and his guitar licks. The Godfather of riffs and Heavy Metal leads is heard by me ears as if it were a gift from Heavy Metal heaven. This heavy instrumental is 7:02 long and I wish it would carry on for an hour. This instrumental was recorded on October 24, 1968! I was 2 years and 10 months old when Jimi Hendrix recorded this!!

Jimi Hendrix is in the same class as any of Rock and Roll’s largest of legends, any new songs from him is equivalent to hearing a newly released Beatles or Elvis song. This is in essence, Rock History, re-educating me once again where the true roots of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal were sown.

* The recording dates for these two songs are courtesy of the liner notes.

* This CD single was released through Experience Hendrix and Legacy Recordings.

So there you have it, two newly released Jimi Hendrix songs on this limited edition CD single, just a heavy prelude to the full length album of 12 songs.

GOD BLESS JIMI HENDRIX.



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JIMI HENDRIX – “VALLEYS OF NEPTUNE” RELEASES MARCH 9th, 2010!!

Posted in 1960's acid rock music, 1960's classic rock music, 1960's psychedelic rock music, 1960's rock guitarists, 1960's rock music, 1970's classic rock bands, 1970'S classic rock guitarists, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's rock guitarists, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock music, classic hard rock music, classic heavy metal, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock guitarists, classic rock music, classic rock vocalists, guitar legends, hard rock guitarists, hard rock music, hard rock vocalists, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock and roll news, rock guitar legends, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music history, rock music vocals with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 4, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

JIMI HENDRIX – what else can I actually say that has never been said about this uniquely elite, guitar legend? One of the originators of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal guitar, the greatest or one of the greatest guitarists in Rock history… still, is that enough praise? Nope. I don’t think I could come up with the correct praise for Jimi Hendrix, really. All I can do is listen to the songs, the albums that Jimi Hendrix has his signature on and be glad I did. In my wildest of Metal dreams, a brand new Jimi Hendrix – 12 song, studio album is actually going to be released on March 9th, 2010 – Valleys Of Neptune. Less than a week away. Wow. Metal miracles do happen. From reading the advertising that is promoting this new Jimi Hendrix album, there is over 60 minutes of unheard music on Valleys Of Neptune!!

As with any true legend, they live on decades after their passing. Jimi Hendrix has always lived on through his guitar brilliance, song writing, vocals and pure Rock and Roll majesty… now Jim Hendrix lives on even louder come March 9th, 2010. It’s inevitable, another generation of Jimi Hendrix fans shall be recruited in 2010.

Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal as I know it in 2010, would not be the same, if Jimi Hendrix did not play guitar so many years ago.

God Bless Jimi Hendrix, his music has and always will live on for me.

JIMI HENDRIX – VALLEYS OF NEPTUNE

* Released through Experience Hendrix and Legacy Recordings

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METAL ODYSSEY CELEBRATES 1ST METAL ANNIVERSARY!

Posted in 1970's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal music, alternative metal music, anniversary, classic rock, classic rock music, collecting metal music, everyday experiences, everyday people, extreme metal music, gothic metal music, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal birthdays, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, horror punk, living, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, people, power metal music, Punk rock, rock and roll, rock music, southern rock music, thrash metal music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 1, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

On March 1st, 2009, I embarked on a Rock and Roll journey… to blog my Metal heart out about the music, bands, musicians, albums and songs I love the most. This Rock and Roll journey was named – MetalOdyssey. Both past and present bands, my concert experiences, what I buy for music, album reviews, Heavy Metal hunting finds and my best Metal buddy Scott Coverdale have all been covered. Scott researches Metal like a Metalaholic. Once in awhile, I have vented about what ticks me off: The Rock and Roll Hall of Shame, reality show know-it-all dads, Rolling Stone Magazine, The Grammys and the dreadful PMRC. I even posted about my new cat Toby that my family adopted too. My unreal great wife, well, she is responsible for prodding and suggesting that I do this Metal Odyssey blog gig. I look back now and understand why she wanted me to do this. Without her computer, graphics and software expertise, I never would have gotten this blog off the Metal ground. I Thank her with all the love and everything I’ve got for coaxing me into such a Metal thrill ride! It has been a ton of Metal fun.

Did I think I would cover, (most of the time, like, 90% of the time), Metal Music? Kinda did. You see, I also have a love affair with Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, Southern Rock, Alternative Rock, Rock and… at times, movie soundtracks. So, my Rock and Roll infatuation covers quite a bit of ground… it’s been that way my entire Metal life. Some may want to call me a Rock Music junkie… so Metal be it! I’m not bashful to express my allegiance to ELO, The Moody Blues, Dire Straits, The Doors, Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Boz Scaggs. Nor will I ever fib and say the Rocky movie soundtrack doesn’t still pump me up and psyche me out of my Metal mind! Bill Conti is a musical genius, John Carpenter is too.

What does the future hold for Metal Odyssey? MORE METAL! With that said, I will warn all of my loyal visitors and new visitors right now… don’t ever be bewildered if you find me blabbing and praising about straight forward Rock and Roll either. I love the roots of Heavy Metal, always have I been amazed at how this incredible form of music came to being. Heavy Metal history is sacred to Metal Odyssey.

Punk Rock I like to blab about too from time to time. Misfits, Ramones, Osaka Popstar, Rancid and The Casualties are my top favorites, they all shall get their justified and respected due on Metal Odyssey again.

In the coming months, hopefully years, I will continue on with this Rock and Roll journey called Metal Odyssey just as I have been doing. I would like to continue to inform, entertain and inspire friendly debate through my writings and reviews. I also get the biggest kick out of consistently finding Metal albums and CD’s dirt cheap at thrift stores, antique stores/malls and flea markets… lending my anecdotes and experiences of such finds to the world makes me feel happy. Any and all personal Metal experiences, (no matter how large or small), that I may encounter in the future will no doubt, be found right here on Metal Odyssey!

I also want to thank the new Metal buddies I have encountered through Metal Odyssey. These guys are fun to correspond with and make me more Metal wiser with each new post they create on their respective blogs, due in part to their personal perspective and knowledge of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Here is a roll call of these great fellow Metalheads who share the same passion as I do for Heavy Metal and Hard Rock music… check them out in the list below, if you already haven’t, they are a Metal kick!

Hard Rock Hideout – I write reviews and do interviews for this unreal cool site… the dudes and dudettes over there are super nice Metal buddies too. Hard Rock Hideout is super loaded with up to the minute news, reviews, interviews, Hard Rock Hideout Radio, videos and… you get the Metal point!

The Metal Files – This Metal buddy was the first to put Metal Odyssey on a blog roll! An industry insider and musician who knows more than a thing or two about what is really going on in Metal. Plus, I really take stock in his Metal opinions, even if he doesn’t like Steelheart.

Heavy Metal Addiction – A Metal buddy who invited me into a group of fellow bloggers to post the “Best Of” lists for 2009. A Metal gracious move I truly appreciate. Great reviews and insight aplenty to be had over there from this Heavy Metal blogging veteran. From his CD Scavenger Hunt to his concert reviews… good Metal stuff.

Metal Excess – This Heavy Metal site is loaded with reviews and honest insight too. A KISS fan exists at Metal Excess, which makes it all the more a Metal pleasure to go there constantly.

Demolish Fanzine – 1980’s Heavy Metal Revival – This Metalhead buddy loves 1980’s Metal, what’s not to love about it? This blog is enriched with the knowledge of a 1980’s fanzine veteran who has loads of Metal interviews and info to share… and I’m reading it.

Heavy Metal Time Machine – An old school Heavy Metal blogger who calls it the way he see it! That’s the way it should be for Metal sakes. Uniquely insightful and fun, (Clash of the Album Covers & Battle of the Bands), the reviews, opinions and anecdotes over there always keeps me thinking.

* I also want to thank WordPress.com for having a kick butt and easy to navigate blog site!

I do want to THANK EACH AND EVERY VISITOR to Metal Odyssey over this past first year! Regardless if your comments were friendly or not, heck, at least you commented! Without visitors to Metal Odyssey, there is no fun in blabbing about the music that gets us all through each day.

BE TRUE TO THE MUSIC YOU LOVE AND THE MUSIC WILL BE TRUE TO YOU!

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND THE FREEDOM TO LISTEN TO THE MUSIC WE CHOOSE!


Thank you all again,

Stone.

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RUSH – “WORKING MEN” ROCKS LIVE WITH VINTAGE CUTS

Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's classic rock vocalists, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's progressive rock bands, 1970's Rock, 1970's rock bands, 1970's rock music, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's rock music, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's hard rock songs, 1980's progressive rock bands, 1990's hard rock music, 1990's rock music, 1990's hard rock bands, 1990's progressive rock bands, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, current rock bands, hard rock bands, hard rock music, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive hard rock albums, progressive hard rock music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 26, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

RUSH is a band that lures me into their progressive Hard Rock world, like an insect flying into a backyard bug lamp. The main difference between me and an insect, (besides my being a human being), is that once I get zapped by the electrifying sound of Rush, I don’t turn crispy and bite the dust. Rush could very well release an album every year and I would buy it. This ultra iconic band’s albums brings back memories and makes new memories for me, on a consistent basis. Metal truth be told, the older I get, the more I have taken a stronger liking to the music of Rush. (I cannot figure this out, therefore, I won’t try to). Rush has released a total of nine live albums over their brilliant career, (counting Working Men), with All The World’s A Stage from 1976 starting this chain. Working Men will never go down as being the greatest live Rush album ever… yet it will not be considered sub standard either. This legendary band can’t compete with themselves, each live album they release, is a signature of where they are as elite musicians. What Rush does best, is give their fans consistency over the decades, while not sacrificing integrity in their musical product. Working Men exemplifies this integrity, with songs that are the most popular from their extensive album catalog.

Geddy Lee, (lead vocals, bass guitar & keyboards), Alex Lifeson, (guitar & vocals) and Neil Peart on drums, possess the uncanny abilities to keep their songs relevant and vibrant. It’s refreshing reality to know that Rush continues onward, entering their fourth decade of creating Progressive Hard Rock, in which they laboriously and consistently helped catapult into a beyond legitimate genre.

All 12 songs are taken from previously released live DVD’s, with the exception of One Little Victory, which is stated as previously unreleased. I come to the conclusion, that this “particular” live version of One Little Victory has never been released, it has appeared on Rush In Rio Live. The studio version of One Little Victory is the opening track for the 2002 Rush album – Vapor Trails. (A tad confusing as to the exactness of the previously unreleased meaning).

Working Men does meld the classics of Rush past, embarking on decades of gems… this live album opens with Limelight, (1981’s Moving Pictures) and Far Cry, (2007’s Snakes & Arrows), is track number six. Having Far Cry in the mix, is a standing true reminder, that Rush is ever the creative trio in recent years. The Snakes & Arrows studio album is an exemplary offering of modern day, Rush Progressive Hard Rock. To acknowledge such a recent Rush song like Far Cry, amidst this vintage lineup of live tracks, was the right move. How can any fan of Rush or such songs as Limelight, Tom Sawyer, Freewill, Working Man or Closer To The Heart resist such a classic compilation of live and Progressive Hard Rock excellence? I can’t resist, no matter how many live go rounds Rush gives these songs.

* The live DVD’s from which these Rush songs were taken from, to compile Working Men: Rush In Rio (2003), R30 (2005) and Snakes & Arrows Live (2008).

The Spirit of Radio, 2112, Dreamline, Subdivisions, and YYZ are the remaining tracks heard on Working Men.

Rush – Working Men was released on November 17, 2009, on Anthem/Atlantic Records.

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