Archive for vintage heavy metal albums
KISS "UNMASKED" ALBUM POSTER FROM 1980 – CHECK IT OUT!
Posted in classic rock music, 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 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, classic rock albums, classic rock music, hard rock music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal posters, kiss, kiss album covers, kiss albums, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music, vintage heavy metal albums on April 17, 2010 by Metal Odyssey
KISS – Back on May 20, 1980, Rock icons KISS released their 8th studio album – Unmasked. I honestly love this album, especially the songs Is That You?, Shandi, Naked City and She's So European. I posted about how much I adore this KISS album back on September 3, 2009, you can check it out if you like by clicking the header below:
KISS "Unmasked" – 1980 album I listened to all Summer of 2009
This post is about the incredibly cool poster that came inside the album jacket of Unmasked. (Check out the pic below of me holding this KISS Unmasked poster gem). I never measured this poster for it's exact dimensions, just by looking at the pic below will show you it's big enough! I want to definitely frame this KISS Unmasked poster sometime soon. I've kept this poster safely tucked away within the Unmasked album jacket sleeve, along with the vinyl of course… since 1983!
I obtained this KISS Unmasked album and poster from a trade I made with a high school classmate… back in 1983. This dude wanted my Billy Squier – Emotions In Emotion album in exchange for this KISS Unmasked album! Back in 1983, when this dude requested this trade, I simply said… no problem! Man, it was a no brainer! I already had KISS Unmasked on 8 track… yes, 8 track, hey, this is 1983 we are discussing here. Therefore, my wanting KISS Unmasked on vinyl made perfect sense at the time… plus I knew the Unmasked poster was included with the trade too.
Don't get me wrong, I really dig Billy Squier, always have and always will. That Emotions In Motion album is pretty solid, in my Metal opinion. Everybody Wants You and She's A Runner are my two favorite songs from Emotions In Motion. However, this is a Metal trade that served me right!
I never hung this poster up on a wall, sounds crazy, yet I never had enough room to showcase all of my Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal favorites back in the '80's. As I look back now, I'm glad I never did hang up this poster, it probably would have gotten ruined from thumb tacks and sun rays beating on it. This KISS Unmasked poster has been carefully preserved within it's respective Unmasked album jacket sleeve, after all these years.
Here's what my KISS Unmasked poster looks like:
This KISS Unmasked poster still has a nice glossy sheen to it too.
Here is the front cover to my KISS Unmasked album. There is some wear along the edges and corners of the album jacket, it has has been played/enjoyed many a time over the years!
Here's what the back cover of my KISS Unmasked album jacket looks like:
LONG LIVE KISS ROCK 'N' ROLL!
Stone.
"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 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, classic rock, hard rock bands, hard rock music, heavy metal bands, heavy metal cassettes, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music, vintage heavy metal albums 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:
Deep Purple – Smoke On The Water
Nazareth – Razamanaz
Motorhead – White Line Fever
Def Leppard – Rocks Off
Rainbow – All Night Long
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!
JUDAS PRIEST – "A TOUCH OF EVIL LIVE" 2009 ALBUM IS LIVE AND LEGENDARY PRIEST
Posted in 1970's heavy metal bands, 1970's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal bands, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal music, Album Review, cool album covers, creepy album covers, essential heavy metal albums, essential heavy metal songs, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal bands, heavy metal bands from england, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, live heavy metal albums, metal music, metal music albums, metal odyssey, Music, new wave of british heavy metal bands, old school heavy metal bands, old school metal bands, rock music, vintage heavy metal bands with tags 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, a touch of evil live album, glenn tipton guitarist, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal bands 2009, heavy metal music, ian hill bass guitarist, Judas Priest, judas priest a touch of evil, judas priest a touch of evil live, judas priest albums, judas priest heavy metal band, judas priest live, judas priest songs, k.k. downing guitarist, live heavy metal music, live heavy metal music albums, live metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, new wave of british heavy metal, nwobhm, old school heavy metal music, rob halford vocalist, scott travis drummer, the metal god, vintage heavy metal albums on December 22, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
Judas Priest is one Metal Band that I cannot ignore, especially when they release a new album. These Metal Gods can release a studio, greatest hits and as in this case, a live album and I will eagerly buy it. A Touch Of Evil Live is live with all the glorification of Judas Priest's heavy history… and why shouldn't this legendary Metal Band be glorified? The guitar duo of Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing is dominant on each and every song, with the Metal God himself, (Rob Halford), showcasing his vocal exuberance. Ian Hill on bass guitar and Scott Travis on drums are in Metal sync together, they add all the more Metal fuel to these live Judas Priests songs. As I listen to A Touch Of Evil Live, understanding that this is live recordings from 2005 and 2008 fills me with total Metal wonderment, that this band has not grown old, only grown better. In my Metal opinion, Judas Priest sounds as heavy, fast, hard and vicious as they did in the early 1980's. I would lay it on the Metal table and be truthful, if A Touch Of Evil Live sounded like a bunch of half enthused, Metal musicians, going through the motions. Judas Priest IS Metal, captured live with all the power and mystique that I have appreciated from them, these past three decades.
The song list on A Touch Of Evil Live is a very strong representation of vintage Metal, showing just how many great songs are in the Judas Priest catalog, dating back to 1977. This live album may not have the household hits from Judas Priest, instead, it encapsulates the deep album cuts that made Judas Priest legend. Dissident Aggressor, from the 1977 album Sin After Sin, is brought forth to live sensation three decades after it's initial release. Beyond The Realms Of Death is re-energized live, giving a nod to the unreal great 1978 album – Stained Class. Eat Me Alive comes across live, with the same Metal nastiness that The Priest originally set out to convey, from their 1984 album Defenders Of The Faith. Painkiller, A Touch Of Evil and Between The Hammer & The Anvil are three potent Metal songs from the now classic Judas Priest album from 1990 – Painkiller.
Judas Rising and Hellrider are the first two songs on A Touch Of Evil Live, both songs cementing the Metal foundation to follow that is patented and hell bent Judas Priest. These two opening songs, have me appreciating the reunion album Angel Of Retribution from 2005… all the more. Riding On The Wind is a great choice to represent the Screaming For Vengeance album from 1982. Riding On The Wind deserves all the Metal acknowledgment it can derive, being a deeper track from such a monumental Judas Priest album. Prophecy and Death are the two songs taken from the newest Judas Priest studio album released in June 2008, the concept album – Nostradamus.
* My favorite song on A Touch Of Evil Live is… A Touch Of Evil. The thunderous Metal charge, that this song pounds away with, gets me 100%, certified psyched out. Trudging with flares of being an anthem, A Touch Of Evil IS as bona fide a Judas Priest song you can ever ask for.
I have always been a fan of live albums, especially when they are not tweaked apart to death, this live album from Judas Priest is not tweaked over, in my Metal opinion. A Touch Of Evil Live has all the hard and heavy that I have come to expect from Judas Priest, they give these songs that extra Metal power – live. Hey, this is not the greatest Judas Priest album ever, nor is it the greatest live Metal album ever made either. What A Touch Of Evil Live does demonstrate, is that Judas Priest has kicked some Metal butt the past five years, reestablishing themselves as one of the Metal elder statesmen that do and should command Metal respect. Since 2005, one thing has been Metal certain… The Priest Is Back! A Touch Of Evil Live is a very good, live Metal album from an ultra great and Metal historic band… Judas Priest.
A Touch Of Evil Live Was Released On July 14, 2009
BADLANDS – 1989 Heavy Metal Debut Album Still Reigns Supreme
Posted in 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's hard rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's hard rock bands, Album Review, classic hard rock music, classic heavy metal, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock, collecting heavy metal albums, cool album covers, essential hard rock albums, essential heavy metal albums, essential heavy metal songs, guitar legends, hard rock music, hard rock vocalists, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1989, heavy metal drummers, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1989, heavy metal vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rock guitarists, rock music, rock vocalists, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands, vintage heavy metal songs with tags 1980's hard rock music, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal guitarists, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1990's heavy metal bands, badlands, badlands album 1989, badlands debut album, badlands hard rock band, badlands heavy metal band, badlands track listing, classic rock, dreams in the dark song, eric singer drummer, greg chaisson bass guitarist, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, heavy metal music, jake e. lee guitarist, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, ray gillen vocalist, strawberries records & tapes, vintage heavy metal albums on October 26, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
Badlands was a Heavy Metal band that I caught onto the instant they released their debut/self titled album – Badlands, (on Atlantic Records), back in 1989. I purchased this Badlands cassette at Strawberries Records & Tapes, located right around the corner from Central Connecticut State University on New Britain Avenue. I was a student at CCSU back in 1989, very much broke to the Metal wind. Therefore, my Heavy Music purchases were not abundant, I chose quality over quantity. With so little funds to buy music as a college student back then, being choosy was a necessity. Badlands with their classic and ultra talented lineup of musicians became a necessity for me. From the very first listen through of this album, (in my case cassette), to say that Badlands left an earthshaking mark on me is the understatement of the decade. The Heavy Metal onslaught of cool and psyched out vibrations, that this Badlands album gave me back in 1989, has once again reintroduced me to that same experience this past weekend.
My best buddy – a.k.a. – best Metal buddy – a.k.a. – Scott, well, he remembered just how much Badlands and their debut album resonated with me back in the day, therefore Scott landed me a CD copy of Badlands. Scott was my roommate at CCSU, my best man at my wedding and if anyone knows my Metal tastes and background… it is him. Thank you Scott, for this Metal gift of Badlands this past Saturday. Getting Badlands on CD in the mail was like experiencing Christmas Day on this cold, dank and rainy day in October. F'n unbelievable surprise.
It is an unreal great feeling to have this Badlands CD finally in my collection. I have never let go of my Badlands cassette since 1989… and I never will. To the best of my Metal research, this Badlands CD is extremely hard to find at retail. Out of print perhaps? Badlands is definitely one of my favorite Heavy Metal albums that I have ever listened to. I only wish this band was able to stay together forever, yet lead vocalist Ray Gillen was called to heaven a little early, on December 1, 1993 at the age of 34. The unreal great guitarist – Jake E. Lee and Ray Gillan on vocals may be the two main musical focal points of Badlands, yet Eric Singer on drums and Greg Chaisson on bass make for an ear bending and jaw dropping rhythm section – stuff of legend. Anyone that knows and enjoys Old School Heavy Metal can certainly identify with Badlands, this band is from that mold. Jake E. Lee proved with Badlands that there was definitely a Heavy Metal life for him away from Ozzy Osbourne.
The eleven songs on Badlands encompass the melodic driven side of Heavy Metal enormously, with the late Ray Gillen's unique vocals surpassing many of his peers of that time, when it came to harmony and range. I include the late Ray Gillen in with Tony Martin, Jeff Scott Soto, Gary Barden, Jorn Lande and Joe Lynn Turner when it comes to lead vocals status in Old School Heavy Metal. He belongs with this select group of singers. (I definitely left out some names here, yet I think my point is made). If not for his passing away at age 34, I am convinced Ray Gillen would have been a top tier Heavy Metal and/or Hard Rock vocalist to this very day. With so many new vocalists coming out of the woodwork in all of the Metal genres since the 1990's, too many of them sound like each other or have little regard for originality. This is why I can never tire from the late Ray Gillen's vocal talent.
My favorite song on Badlands is Dreams In The Dark, I played it six times over, very loud the other night and it served me right. Yes, I acted very silly jumping around in my basement like a psyched out kid, while this song and the rest of Badlands cranked. As the ultra great Blackie Lawless would say… I don't need no doctor. All I need is to delve back into the Metal world of Old School Heavy Metal, (on a very consistent basis), turn on some Badlands and let the bull crap of the world around me, wallow in it's own decrepit stank. I don't look back upon Badlands as a supergroup, instead I look upon them as a fabulously talented Heavy Metal band that was too short lived. Long live the legacy of Badlands – their Heavy Metal still reigns supreme for me.
Track List For Badlands:
Dreams in the Dark
Jade's Song
Winter's Call
Dancing on the Edge
Streets Cry Freedom
Hard Driver
Rumblin' Train
Devil's Stomp
Ball & Chain – (this song is not on the vinyl record version of Badlands)
How I Discovered Motorhead And My Favorite Motorhead Song Ever
Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's rock music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's metal bands, 1990's rock music, classic heavy metal, classic heavy metal albums, classic metal, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, collecting heavy metal albums, collecting metal music, collecting rock music, cool album covers, current heavy metal bands, essential heavy metal albums, essential heavy metal songs, feel good stories, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1983, heavy metal albums 1984, heavy metal memorabilia, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1984, heavy metal on vinyl, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal odyssey, Motorhead, Music, old school heavy metal, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands, vintage heavy metal songs, vintage rock albums with tags "fast" eddie clarke guitarist, 1970's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal bands, classic rock music, current heavy metal bands, filthy animal taylor drummer, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal music, lemmy kilmister bass guitarist, lemmy kilmister vocalist, metal music, mikkey dee drummer, Motorhead, motorhead heavy metal band, motorhead iron fist album 1983, motorhead killed by death song, motorhead no remorse album 1984, motorhead promotional posters, motorhead songs, Music, phil campbell guitarist, rock music, strawberries records & tapes, vintage heavy metal albums on October 21, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
Motorhead is and always will be a core favorite Heavy Metal Band of mine, (a top 3 band without a doubt). I was first introduced to this prolific band back around 1983, a friend of mine in high school gave me an 8-track of a live Motorhead bootleg. (This dudes name was Rich, I am glad we had crossed paths back then). The sound was enormously awful, (the actual 8-track didn't help), the lead vocals were beyond raspy and unclear and the Heavy Metal Music being played was raw, uncommercial and unlike anything I had ever heard before in my young life. I loved it. I was beyond thrilled at listening to this Motorhead 8-track. I was enamored by every unpolished intricacy that my rookie Metalhead ears heard. Here is this band, on a beat up 8-track, recorded as a live bootleg somewhere far away in the world, that only a dozen or so dudes in my high school even knew about at that time in 1983. All that was written on the blank white sticker on this 8-track was a barely legible – Motorhead Live. I'll never forget that… an Old School Metal memory at it's most innocent. I was awe struck by the unnatural vocals of Lemmy Kilmister and his bass was over powering to boot. Gimme some more Motorhead is what I said.
I wound up buying the Iron Fist album by Motorhead first, (on vinyl of course). This Iron Fist album was released on April 17, 1982, I bought it sometime in 1983… owning a real Motorhead album became a dire Metal necessity then, I needed to get the Metal ball rolling in starting my Motorhead collection. Not having too much money as a teenager, I did not make another Motorhead album purchase until the double album No Remorse was released – which was September 15, 1984. (I can't recall if I actually bought No Remorse on it's release date, who would care now? I do remember that I bought it right away though!). Buying No Remorse heightened my awareness, attitude and respect for Metal Music in 1984 – I now had a legitimate greatest hits of Motorhead in my possession. My favorite Motorhead song ever, is on No Remorse, it actually was a brand new song added to this greatest hits track list at the time. Killed By Death. An unreal and damn incredible Metal song for me then… still is now in 2009.
When I listen to Killed By Death today, it is like I am hearing it for the very first time again. I cannot figure that out, why bother? All I know is what this song does for me, it gets me extremely pumped up and motivated beyond Metal belief. The Heavy Metal and Roll vibe and groove that Killed By Death bestows is unlike any Motorhead song pre-1984. I was so fascinated back in 1984, while holding the double album jacket, staring at the front cover artwork of Snaggletooth, a.k.a. War-Pig and having my ears being ignited by Motorhead Metal. It felt like my little teenage world was made into a more tolerable place to exist in, with the Heavy Metal of Motorhead being at the ready for me to escape in. I could never forget just how much this No Remorse album of greatest hits means to me still, especially the song Killed By Death. Yes, I still have this No Remorse album, this double album is like Metal gold to me. I have kept it in pristine condition since September of 1984, this album is one of the fortunate ones that never was traded, sold, lost or given away by me.
I bought No Remorse at the no longer existing – Strawberries Records & Tapes. I even begged, bribed and pestered the Strawberries manager for months, to give me the Motorhead No Remorse promotional poster that hung on the store wall. (Back then, large record stores had class, they would actually give away any and all promotional posters for free, that is correct… for free). This Strawberries manager turned out to be a Metal hero for me… upon one of my extremely many trips there, he saw me enter the store and informed me the No Remorse promo poster was mine. That's one cool memory – simple, innocent and Metal. This Motorhead No Remorse promo poster was hung up on my college dorm wall at Central Connecticut State University and survived. (I don't know how it survived either). This same poster now adorns my basement wall… surrounded by many, many other Metal posters. However, this Motorhead No Remorse promo poster will forever remain as the Metal epicenter of my Rocked out basement, while the No Remorse album will remain as an integral reason as to why I revere Motorhead and Metal Music in the first place.
*My original copy of this Motorhead No Remorse – double album, depicts the same artwork on the front cover, however, the graphics Motorhead No Remorse are in deep red type.
KISS "Sonic Boom" album cover & track listings!
Posted in 1970's classic rock bands, 1970's classic rock songs, 1970's hard rock bands, 1970's classic rock music, 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal music, 1970's Rock, 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's popular rock bands, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's hard rock, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal music, classic hard rock, classic hard rock bands, classic hard rock music, classic heavy metal, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, collecting music, cool album covers, current hard rock albums, current hard rock music, current hard rock songs, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal music, current rock albums 2009, essential classic rock albums, essential hard rock albums, essential heavy metal albums, essential heavy metal songs, essential rock albums, Hard Rock, hard rock albums 2009, hard rock music 2009, hard rock songs, hard rock vocalists, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal favorites, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, heavy metal songs 2009, heavy metal this decade, Metal, metal odyssey, Music, new hard rock album, new heavy metal album, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, recent heavy metal albums, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music, vintage hard rock albums, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands, vintage heavy metal songs, vintage rock albums with tags 1970's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1990's heavy metal music, classic hard rock, classic heavy metal, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock music, current hard rock music, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal music, eric singer drummer, gene simmons bass guitarist, hard rock music 2009, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music 2009, kiss, kiss 2009, kiss detroit rock city song, kiss heavy metal band, kiss lick it up song, kiss love gun song, kiss rock and roll all nite song, kiss sonic boom album, kiss sonic boom album cover, kiss sonic boom bonus dvd, kiss sonic boom songs, kiss sonic boom track listing, metal odyssey, Music, paul stanley guitarist, paul stanley vocalist, rock music, tom thayer guitarist, vintage heavy metal albums on September 20, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
KISS Sonic Boom will be released on October 6, 2009, in the U.S., exclusively at Walmart, Walmart.com and Sam's Club. Sonic Boom is a 3 – disc set: a CD of 11 new KISS songs, a 15 song newly re-recorded KISS Klassics CD and 1 KISS Bonus Live DVD. Cool. I will be buying my copy of Sonic Boom first thing on October 6th, (right after I bring my daughters to school). Admitting that I am stoked about KISS returning with Sonic Boom is a Metal understatement! The wait is coming to an end… a new KISS album is upon us, for me it will be Christmas in October, uh, Kissmas in October that is. Long live KISS Rock and Roll!
The Bonus Live DVD is footage from the KISS 2009 South American Tour in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A 20 page booklet will be included inside Sonic Boom as well. Sonic Boom will come as a DigiPak.
Track Listing for KISS Sonic Boom:
1. Modern Day Delilah
2. Russian Roulette
3. Never Enough
4. Yes I Know (Nobody's Perfect)
5. Stand
6. Hot And Cold
7. All For The Glory
8. Danger Us
9. I'm An Animal
10. When Lightning Strikes
11. Say Yeah
Track Listing for the KISS Klassics CD:
1. Deuce
2. Detroit Rock City
3. Shout It Out Loud
4. Hotter Than Hell
5. Calling Dr. Love
6. Love Gun
7. I Was Made For Lovin' You
8. Heaven's On Fire
9. Lick It Up
10. I Love It Loud
11. Forever
12. Christine Sixteen
13. Do You Love Me
14. Black Diamond
15. Rock And Roll All Nite
KISS Bonus Live DVD Track Listing:
3. C'mon And Love Me
4. Watchin' You
5. 100,000 Years
6. Rock And Roll All Nite
Posted in 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's popular rock bands, 1980's rock music, 1980's hard rock, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, Album Review, classic hard rock music, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, cool album covers, essential classic rock albums, essential heavy metal albums, essential heavy metal songs, essential rock albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal memorabilia, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1980, heavy metal on vinyl, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, rock music, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands with tags 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's kiss albums, ace frehley guitarist, Album Review, anton fig drummer, classic rock, classic rock albums, gene simmons bass guitarist, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, heavy metal music, is that you song, kiss 1980, kiss hard rock band, kiss heavy metal band, kiss heavy metal songs, kiss unmasked album, Music, paul stanley guitarist & vocalist, peter criss drummer, shandi kiss song, vintage heavy metal albums, what makes the world go round song on September 3, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
KISS. I have the fever… it is the addiction to this enormous American Heavy Metal juggernaut that hooked me back in grammar school… the (gulp), 1970's that is. Over this past Summer of 2009, (actually it goes back to last Winter too), I have ultra consistently listened to the KISS album "Unmasked"… after each listen I am a better Metalhead for it. Unmasked was released back on May 20, 1980, right before I embarked on my High School years. By now, for anyone who reads my stuff regularly, may be tired of my mentioning that I owned 8 track tapes… still, I need to tell the world that I owned Unmasked on 8 track, thank you all for understanding. The memories that get stirred up inside my Metal mind, each time I listen to Unmasked are good ones… the Summer of 1980… going to the UCONN Basketball Camp, collecting odd and evil looking spiders in my backyard and having no worries in the world other than entering a new teenage chapter in my life.
Now that the memories are out of the way, I could care in the least about the controversy, rumors or paid professional Rock critic reviews regarding Unmasked. Frankly, like the scene from Gone With The Wind, the character Rhett Butler (played by Clark Gable), says sternly to Scarlett O' Hara (played by Vivien Leigh), "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn". That is it in a Metal nutshell… I don't give a damn. The last time I checked, this album peaked at #35 on the U.S. Billboard Album Chart and was certified Gold by the RIAA on July 30, 1980. So there obviously were other KISS fans out there who liked this album too, going all the way back to 1980. I have read over the years, that Peter Criss never played drums on the Unmasked album, that Anton Fig played all the drums and was uncredited in the liner notes. Again, I don't give a damn.
Shandi was the song that was supposed to be the big hit from Unmasked… or so I have read over the decades. Was it the big single? I don't give a damn. All I know is that this song reminds me of lazy, hot, sunny and care free Summer days of when I was fourteen years old. When I listen to Shandi now, it makes me feel good… so Metal be it. My favorite song from Unmasked is… a tie. Is it possible to have a tied favorite of songs from one album? I don't give a damn. Here they are: Is That You? and What Makes the World Go Round. Is That You? opens up this album in the finest of KISS fashion, it is a song in my Metal opinion, that embodied everything that critics of KISS hated most… contagiously hard driven grooves and bad ass lyrically. KISS could not have chosen a better opening song for Unmasked. What Makes the World Go Round is probably the one KISS song that gets played the loudest by me – ever. I quantum like it, therefore that is it. Metal case closed. It is my Metal opinion that Paul Stanley sings outstandingly great on this album. The original vinyl version of Unmasked came with a very large poster, depicting KISS in a comic book/cartoon form, shunning their KISS masks to reveal their faces with KISS make up still on. (This is shown on a smaller scale, on the very bottom of the album front cover). I did inherit this album on vinyl with it's bonus poster, years ago – in a trade.
She's So European and Naked City are Gene Simmons songs personified. As I see it, these two Gene Simmons songs stand side to side with his vocal classics God of Thunder and Christine Sixteen. Two Side of the Coin is an Ace Frehley classic. I cannot express any other way, the Metal conviction I feel towards this song… it Rocks. There is no need to make any other unnecessary comments about it. I listen to and write about the bands and albums that have made my life enjoyable, KISS Unmasked is as perfect an example of this. I never have and never will, get caught up in what the professional overpaid critics of the Rock world say about a band or album. Even if such said band does not care for their own specific album or song they created, if I still dig it, well then, I don't give a damn.
BLUE OYSTER CULT – "Fire Of Unknown Origin", 1981 album is a Rock Classic
Posted in 1980's classic rock bands, 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's popular rock bands, 1980's rock albums, 1980's rock music, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's hard rock, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, Album Review, classic hard rock, classic hard rock bands, classic hard rock music, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock bands, classic rock music, classic rock songs, cool album covers, essential classic rock albums, essential hard rock albums, essential heavy metal albums, essential rock albums, Hard Rock, hard rock album review, hard rock songs, hard rock vocalists, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal music, heavy metal vocalists, metal odyssey, Music, old school hard rock, old school heavy metal, Rock, rock music, rock music vocals, rock vocalists, vintage hard rock albums, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands, vintage rock albums with tags 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's hard rock music, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's heavy metal, 1980's heavy metal music, blue oyster cult, blue oyster cult 1981, blue oyster cult fire of unknown origin album, blue oyster cult hard rock band, blue oyster cult rock band, boc, burnin' for you song, classic heavy metal, classic rock, classic rock albums, classic rock music, classic rock songs, eric bloom vocalist, hard rock album review, heavy metal music, Music, vintage heavy metal albums on August 27, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
Blue Oyster Cult released "Fire Of Unknown Origin" in 1981, which was perfect timing for me. I already had Kiss, Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Queen, Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC and Bad Company in my system back then, being wowed by Blue Oyster Cult was my ears next step in branching out into the Heavy Music world. Back in 1981, there was the choice of buying music on 8 track, I bought "Fire Of Unknown Origin" on this medium – thank you very much. (I no longer have this 8 track from yesteryear, the 8 track player is a memory as well). This album is just another example of what melded my Metal and Hard Rock Music tastes at a young age, (I was fifteen years old in 1981). Another stepping stone album, if you will, towards the lifetime of Metal and Hard Rock Music adoration that I behold. In my Metal opinion, this BOC album is an early 1980's Heavy Metal meets Hard Rock album, that has consistently lured me back for many a listen over the years.
I always appreciated the lead vocals of Eric Bloom. The mellowness that carpets his vocals is a signature sound of BOC. The biggest hit from "Fire Of Unknown Origin" was "Burnin' For You", where the vocals of Eric Bloom and the semi-heaviness of the music really compliment one another. This song was a mainstream FM radio favorite for years, one of my favorite Hard Rock songs ever. "Joan Crawford", "Heavy Metal: The Black and Silver" and "Fire Of Unknown Origin" are three other songs from this album that I could never get enough of. I have always liked this entire album, "Fire Of Unknown Origin" comes highly recommended from me to younger and new fans of BOC and/or Classic Rock. This is one of those times where I honestly state, this is just a great album of Hard Rock and heavy songs, a true classic.
Y&T – "In Rock We Trust" is '80's Heavy Metal I trust
Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's popular rock bands, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, classic metal, classic rock albums, classic rock music, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, essential metal music albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1984, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1984, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, Metal Reviews, Music, old school heavy metal, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands with tags 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1984 heavy metal bands, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, dave meniketti guitarist & vocalist, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, heavy metal music, in rock we trust album 1984, joey alves rhythm guitarist, leonard haze drummer, Music, phil kennemore bass guitarist, vintage heavy metal albums, y & t heavy metal band, y&t 1984, y&t heavy metal band, y&t in rock we trust album on August 18, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
I received in the mail today, a package from my best buddy, Scott. In this package was a CD, "In Rock We Trust" by Y&T. Now, this is the kind of mail that I like receiving… not bills or junk mail, just pure 1980's vintage Heavy Metal. Talk about a solid Metal reminder of how power grooved this Y&T band was back in the '80's. This album was released way back in 1984, (the year I was supposed to graduate High School). I opted for an extra half year of High School back then, yet that is Metal history now. I listened to "In Rock We Trust" in it's Metal entirety, just minutes after it was unleashed from the bubble mailer that brought it to my Metal safe haven. Every song on this album is a Heavy Metal winner, for me. From the Heavy Metal chorus to the riffs and leads and everything else heavy in between, makes this album ripple with thunderous Metal might. I just have recently been listening to the Y&T album "Contagious", take my Metal word on this… "In Rock We Trust" out heavies "Contagious". I have never been a strong advocate for comparisons within a Metal band's music catalog, I feel each album that is created is unique. There are those times, where exceptions are made on Metal Odyssey. Seriously, if anyone out there is considering to buy some Heavy Metal from the '80's, this album I undoubtedly recommend.
My best buddy Scott made my Metal day today… little did I know that this CD was coming my way, I guess I did not realize I needed a vintage fix, of some heavy duty Y&T Heavy Metal, either. Man, these ten songs hit me in all of the right ways today. Like Scott said to me on the phone today… "this Y&T album is just darn good Summer Heavy Metal". I could not agree with him more… only I will take it one Metal step further, "In Rock We Trust" is one darn good year long Heavy Metal album. I see Scott's point however, these songs make you feel like you are packing up the car, heading to the beach or one big time keg party… and it is the late '80's, where your only worries are having cash for gas, chips and beer. Ahhh, the stuff that vintage Heavy Metal makes you think about… Metal really is worry free music after all. If making a feel good Heavy Metal album back in 1984 was considered a crime, then Y&T is guilty on all Metal charges.
"Lipstick And Leather" and "Don't Stop Runnin'" are the two hits that made their way on FM radio and MTV back in '84. Both songs are heavy rockin' through and through. I really have taken a liking to the first song – "Rock And Roll's Gonna Save The World", it starts off rather slow and steady, yet it gives every indication that this is just the prelude to the pumped up Heavy Metal that engulfs my Metal senses. "Breakout Tonight!" and "She's A Liar" are two songs that exemplify the signature 1980's vibe of Heavy Metal. "In Rock We Trust" should come with a sticker of recommendation on the front CD cover… that reads: Play these songs loud – it will serve you right. Y&T with "In Rock We Trust" served me right today. I just cannot fathom as to why I never owned this Y&T album until today… I guess that no longer matters, this Heavy Metal gem is in my Metal possession now. This is just another reason why I can never take Metal Music or my best buddy Scott for granted.
Y&T as they appeared on "In Rock We Trust": Dave Meniketti on lead guitar & lead vocals, Phil Kennemore on bass guitar & backing vocals, Joey Alves on rhythm guitar & backing vocals and Leonard Haze on drums & backing vocals.
DIO "The Last In Line" will last my Metal Music lifetime
Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, classic metal, cool album covers, creepy album covers, essential heavy metal albums, essential metal music albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 1984, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal odyssey, Music, old school heavy metal, power metal music, ronnie james dio, scary album covers, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands with tags 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, Album Review, claude schnell keyboardist, dio, dio heavy metal band, dio mystery song, dio the last in line album, dio the last in line song, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, jimmy bain bass guitarist, Metal, Music, ronnie james dio vocalist, vinny appice drummer, vintage heavy metal albums, vivian campbell guitarist on August 12, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
DIO, Ronnie James Dio, my Heavy Metal vocal savior, when I served time in High School, back in the 1980's. (I know I use that punch line about High School often, regardless, it is just the plain truth). The lyrics of DIO's songs were motivating, captivating and always exhilarating for me while I was growing up in my late teen years. For Metal sake, DIO's lyrics were influential to me while I was in my early twenties as well. What I took from the lyrical creativity of Ronnie James Dio so many years ago, I no longer take hold of as strong. As I grew up, (well, I think I matured somewhat since the '80's), the lyrics of DIO seemed to take on a more entertaining feeling… lyrical interpretation has changed for me over the years, based on life experiences. Seriously, when I used to listen to the song "The Last In Line", back in High School, well, I equated the lyrics to my being the last in line. I was a typical authority hating – know it all as a teenager, therefore, totally normal for a Metalhead back in the 1980's. Fast forward to 2009, I equate the lyrics as inspiring still, only I do not dwell on myself and always being the victim, (as I did as a teenager). Plus, being a middle aged Metalhead, I now respect or tolerate authority, depending on the situation. The Heavy Metal of DIO and many, many other Metal bands from decades past encouraged and instilled a strong feeling of hope for me, when I was young… I shall never forget this. The escapism of DIO's Heavy Metal was the elixir that worked for me years ago… this escapism still works for me now. That is why this 1984 album from DIO "The Last In Line", will last my Metal Music lifetime.
"Mystery" is another song from the "Last In Line" album that is in my Metal opinion, untouchable. This is one song, that lyrically, I can still relate to. Life is a mystery, plain and simple. There really is nothing more to scrutinize… no one really knows where they are going to be tomorrow. Heck, back in High School, the guidance counselors used to waste their time with us kids, asking us where we want to be, what we want to do when we grow up. These guidance counselors all had a job to do, with fine intentions. The truth is, the paths I took to get where I am now were filled with detours, delays, trauma, luck of the draw, misfortune and certainly fortunate opportunities. In other words… mystery. They don't teach this in school. I never knew when I was going to get married, plus I never knew how many children my wife and I would have. Mystery.
This is by far and large, the single most influential Heavy Metal song I have ever listened to in my life. Now, the next time you are on a dreaded job interview and the interviewer asks you – "where do you want to be in five years, ten years from now"?… look at this fool straight in the face and tell he or she, as Ronnie James Dio so eloquently put it, "it's always a mystery, not what it seems to be, it's always a mystery, just like you and me".
Yngwie J. Malmsteen "Trilogy" – Classic Power Metal Music on high
Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's power metal bands, 1980's power metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1986 heavy metal music, 1986 power metal albums, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, classic metal, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, european power metal, guitar solos, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal solo albums, heavy metal solo artists, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, old school heavy metal, Power Metal, power metal guitarists, power metal music, vintage heavy metal albums with tags 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal guitarists, 1980's heavy metal music, 1986 power metal music, Album Review, anders johansson drummer, classic heavy metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, jens johansson keyboardist, mark boals vocalist, Music, power metal music, power metal songs, trilogy 1986 power metal album, vintage heavy metal albums, yngwie j. malmsteen guitarist, yngwie malmsteen guitarist, yngwie malmsteen trilogy album on August 6, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
I always thoroughly enjoy the Metal musical intricacies that quality Power Metal embellishes. Yngwie J. Malmsteen "Trilogy", (released in 1986), has the rich and textured heavy musical elements, that make this album an all time favorite of mine. If you embark on a listen of "Trilogy" and are unaware of Yngwie Malmsteen's guitar virtuosity, then your ears and senses are in for a Metal treat. (If you hold total disdain for the Speed Metal genre that meets Power Metal, well this album is not for you). "Trilogy" is a Metal album for me, containing some of the most melodic Power Metal songs I have ever encountered. Certainly, the classical trained Yngwie Malmsteen takes Metal center stage, with his glistening guitar skills on this album, however, lead vocalist Mark Boals captivates my Metal attention just as well. Both the musicianship and vocals compliment each other in the highest of Metal fashion on "Trilogy". In my Metal opinion, Mark Boals vocals adds a dimension of harmony that magnifies the song writing, lyrics and melodious brilliance on this album. Metal truth be spoken… this is my favorite Yngwie Malmsteen album ever. Each time I listen to these songs, I am sincerely amazed at how gifted a lyricist and song writer Yngwie Malmsteen is. I am not fibbing when I declare, that this is not one of the – run of the mill, 1980's Heavy Metal albums out there. In fact, if I was to compile a list of must have 1980's Heavy Metal albums, "Trilogy" would have to be on that list.
I feel what has captivated me, over the years with "Trilogy", is the accessibility of the songs. I revere a great guitar solo and/or guitar instrumental any day of the year, with this Yngwie Malmsteen album you get the best of both, alongside songs that are injected with plenty of Metal highs and non-existent lows. "Crying" and "Trilogy Suite Op 5" are the two instrumentals that give Yngwie Malmsteen the spotlight, exemplifying that he was bred for this… no longer a rising star and in 1986 a legitimate star. "You Don't Remember, I'll Never Forget" opens up with the pumped up keyboards of Jens Johansson, Power Metal style. This song is my favorite on "Trilogy", every second of this track is memorable for me. "Liar", "Queen In Love" and "Fire" are of equal melodic value, that are Power Metal laced with emotion filled lyrics. The overall feeling I have always received from "Trilogy" is that Yngwie Malmsteen made a commercial style, Power Metal album, that really blazes along with catchiness at every turn. I have never likened Yngwie Malmsteen to be showy, I have always looked upon him as a complete musician.
Sure, Yngwie Malmsteen had released albums in years prior to "Trilogy" that were heavier, yet does heavier always equate to never diversifying musically? In this case, with these songs, the answer is no. There are times when a Metal guitarist can make a song sound thick with passion and high emotion, on "Trilogy", Yngwie Malmsteen makes all nine songs sound this way.
Yngwie J. Malmsteen – all electric, bass and acoustic guitars, Mark Boals – lead vocals, Jens Johansson – keyboards and Anders Johansson on drums
IRON MAIDEN – "Cross Eyed Mary" 1983 cover song is a rare Metal Music treasure
Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, Album Review, cool album covers, cover songs, essential heavy metal albums, essential metal music albums, essential progressive metal albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal cover songs, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal memorabilia, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1983, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Iron Maiden, Metal, metal music, metal music ep's, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, Music, old school heavy metal, prog metal albums, prog metal music, progressive metal, progressive metal albums, progressive metal music, progressive metal music eps, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands with tags 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal, 1980's heavy metal music, adrian smith guitarist, Album Review, bruce dickinson vocalist, classic heavy metal songs, classic rock, classic rock music, dave murray guitarist, derek riggs artist, emi records, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, heavy metal music, Iron Maiden, iron maiden 1983, iron maiden cross eyed mary cover song, iron maiden heavy metal band, iron maiden mascot eddie, iron maiden piece of mind album, iron maiden the trooper single, jethro tull rock band, Metal, metal music, Music, nicko mcbrain drummer, steve harris bass guitarist, vintage heavy metal albums on August 5, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
Iron Maiden released their fourth studio album, "Piece Of Mind" in 1983. An amazing Heavy Metal album it was and forever will be. I bought that album back in '83… stared at the front cover for hours, which in fact, probably equals out to actual days. I have always been mesmerized by artist Derek Riggs artwork of mascot Eddie. This album does not contain the cover song of "Cross Eyed Mary", instead, it was released as a "b" side to the single "The Trooper", taken from the "Piece Of Mind" album. To the best of my Metal research, "The Trooper" single was released on June 20, 1983. I frequented a small and independent record store on an almost daily basis back in the '80's, (I won't divulge the name of this store for personal reasons), upon a daily stop there… there it was… Iron Maiden "The Trooper" Maxi Single on vinyl no less!! My Metal memory is very vivid about this moment… I stared this beautiful Iron Maiden rarity down, bought it and have kept it pristine ever since. Plus, this was the only copy this store had, I never saw this Iron Maiden single on vinyl again. (Certainly, there has to be more out there in collections or online today, I just never happened to come across one in person). This Iron Maiden Maxi Single as it is called, again, is on vinyl that is the actual size of an album -(an EP if you will), it plays at 45 rpm.
As for "The Trooper" it is and always will be an amazing work of Metal Music, this song no Metalhead could ever possibly tire from. An unreal great Metal song is "The Trooper". Now, for the Metal juicy part of this important single… "Cross Eyed Mary". I always have and will continue to give Jethro Tull a listen now and again… they are cool by me, despite what Metallica may think of them. The original Jethro Tull version of "Cross Eyed Mary" does not even come remotely close, to the prolific Metal power of Iron Maiden's cover version though. I am talking extremely Metal prolific, when I mention this Iron Maiden cover of "Cross Eyed Mary". Whoa, man, this Iron Maiden cover sends Metal chills up and down my spine. I am not sugar coating a thing… this Iron Maiden cover is the real thing, hands down it is my most favorite and cherished Metal cover song that has ever been recorded. Not to sound cheesy or lame here, the opening guitar leads sends me into Metal orbit… really. Bruce Dickinson is outstanding on vocals with this song, Iron Maiden took hold of "Cross Eyed Mary" and turned it into a Metal masterpiece. NO flutes or piano are on this Iron Maiden cover version of "Cross Eyed Mary", no sir.
My copy of "The Trooper" vinyl single looks just like the above image, with the exception that my copy has "Maxi Single – super sound version" printed on the front cover, inside a red outlined circle. The bottom image shows what the Japanese import version of "The Trooper" looks like on CD, however, "Cross Eyed Mary" is NOT on this CD single!? The two songs on this Japanese import are: "The Trooper Live (2003)" and "The Trooper" (album version). Go figure that out, the same artwork, it is "The Trooper" single, yet "Cross Eyed Mary" is not included anymore. It would have been Metal genius, if Iron Maiden included "Cross Eyed Mary" on their "Somewhere Back In Time: The Best Of 1980-1989″ album, that would have been a perfect song to add into the historical Metal mix. I am just psyched that I still have this vinyl single of Iron Maiden, this is one Metal treasure I just will not part with – no way.
Some Metal extra notes about this Iron Maiden single, to benefit, guide and nourish your Metal mind:
Iron Maiden, as they appeared on "The Trooper" and "Cross Eyed Mary": Bruce Dickinson on lead vocals, Dave Murray on guitar, Adrian Smith on guitar, Steve Harris on bass guitar and Nicko McBrain on drums. * This 1983 "The Trooper" single was originally released on EMI records.
My favorite KISS album of all time is…
Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1982, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music, vintage heavy metal albums, Vocals with tags 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, ace frehley guitarist, Album Review, eric carr drummer, gene simmons bass guitarist, gene simmons vocalist, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, heavy metal music, kiss, kiss 1982, kiss albums, kiss creatures of the night album, kiss heavy metal songs, kiss i love it loud song, Music, old school heavy metal albums, paul stanley guitarist, paul stanley vocalist, space ace, vinnie vincent guitarist, vintage heavy metal albums on July 27, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
I am a lifelong Kiss fan, guilty of admiring a Heavy Metal band that has influenced the genre of Metal both musically, theatrically and of course… commercially. Out of the entire Kiss catalog of Heavy Metal, there has to be my favorite album of all time… my choice of favorite Kiss album seems to change yearly. (Oh well, that is my Metal dilemma I have to live with). As of today, Sunday, July 26, 2009, my favorite Kiss album of all time is "Creatures Of The Night", (released in 1982). This Kiss album came out after "The Elder" album, making for quite the triumphant, Heavy Metal return. When I first heard the song "I Love It Loud", man, was I ever psyched out of my Metal mind! I was serving time in High School when this album released, having this Kiss song to play loud back then was true innocent rebellion. Playing this song and the entire "Creatures Of The Night" album loud today, well, is just because I want to and can. (No more rebellion is left in my system… I think).
In my Metal opinion, this Kiss album is arguably their heaviest studio album ever created. (The live albums are darned heavy too, however, I am comparing the studio albums). "War Machine" is definitely my favorite song off of this prestigious album. Gene Simmons on lead vocals is classic – I can hear the anger flow from his voice and the lyrics only add credence to this interpretation. "Danger" is one tough and heavy Kiss song that Paul Stanley sings lead vocals on. For a Paul Stanley sung tune, this is as fast and furious as it ever gets. "Saint and Sinner" is a bass lovers dream of a Heavy Metal song, with Gene Simmons giving what I consider, one of his best lead vocal efforts ever. "Creatures Of The Night" is melodic as it is heavy, a Kiss song that without hesitation, is my favorite Paul Stanley – on lead vocals, song. I say this until it hurts, that I have never been the biggest fan of ballads in Heavy Metal. There are always my exceptions to this personal rule. "I Still Love You" is one damned cool and heavy ballad that Paul Stanley sings. Paul Stanley turns some sappy lyrics into a song that I can still crank up, to this day.
"Keep Me Comin'" is the one song off of this album that I have liked the least. This song is not terrible, I won't skip over it while playing the entire album… yet it never seemed to get my Metal adrenaline perking over the years. "Rock and Roll Hell" and "Killer" round out the rest of the songs from "Creatures Of The Night", making for nine Kiss songs total, that are now considered by me, vintage Kiss. Metal truth be told, if you are embarking on building your first Kiss music collection, making "Creatures Of The Night" your initial purchase is a profoundly wise choice. The overall Heavy Metal power is in my Metal mind, abundant on this album.
As a side note, the articles and stories I have read and/or heard over the years is that both Ace Frehley and Vinnie Vincent receive guitar credit for this album. Frankly, it does not stir me either way, as to who actually played lead guitar and on which songs, this album is too great for such controversy to hinder the end result. Whichever guitarist did play, they played excellent. Ace Frehley does appear on the front cover of the album, therefore I shall close my eyes each time I listen to this album and picture Space Ace as the lead axe man. The late Eric Carr played some top notch and cool Heavy Metal drums for Kiss… the proof is in the music found on this album. I always considered "Creatures Of The Night" to be the Kiss album that launched them into the decade of the '80's. This is an album that will launch any new fan into a believer.
Autograph "Turn Up The Radio" – A Heavy Metal tune I still turn up loud
Posted in 1980's hair metal bands, 1980's hard rock albums, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's popular rock bands, 1980's rock albums, 1980's rock music, 1980's hair metal music, 1980's hard rock, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, Amon Amarth, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock, classic rock music, cool album covers, glam metal, glam metal music, Hair Metal, hair metal music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal concerts, Music, old school heavy metal, vintage heavy metal albums with tags 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's hair metal music, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal music, Album Review, autograph, autograph hair metal band, autograph heavy metal band, classic heavy metal, connecticut, hair metal music 1984, hartford civic center concerts, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal itunes, heavy metal music 1984, itunes, keni richards drummer, randy rand bass guitarist, Reviews, sign in please autograph album, steve lynch guitarist, steve plunkett vocalist & guitarist, steven isham keyboard player, turn up the radio autograph song, vintage heavy metal albums on July 4, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
Autograph was a Heavy Metal/Hair Metal band that for me, were cool to rock out to back in the '80's. Their hit song "Turn Up The Radio" (released on "Sign In Please" in 1984), is one of those reasons why I will stop by itunes on a very rare occasion. (I have not dived in head first to itunes just yet, I am an Old School Metalhead that still digs the album, CD, cassette and the irreplaceable – liner notes). With that out of my system, I did purchase the single "Turn Up The Radio" off of itunes back over the Winter of 2009. (I have not replaced my cassette version of the album "Sign In Please" by Autograph with a CD version… even after all these (gulp), decades. However, itunes does have it's cool worthiness where you can just buy a single song that comes to your mind… this Autograph tune came to my mind one last Winters day, I just could not get it out of my head. (Hey, that last phrase is an Electric Light Orchestra song). I am aware that itunes may not have every single Heavy Metal song ever recorded, yet itunes delivered "Turn Up The Radio" for me and I am turning that classic Autograph song up loud – and proud.
The intro to this song is for me, psyche you out and psyche you up city. The drum beat, the bass, the synthesizer kicking in, the guitar riff, all of it happening like Heavy Metal dominoes during that outstanding intro. "Day in day out, all we know, things go better with Rock" is a classic Heavy Metal anthem, lyrically cool. I sometimes wonder to myself, if this song was to come out today, brand new, in 2009, would the title of this song be – "Turn Up The ipod"?, or maybe – "Turn Up The mp3"? It is a humorous thought at that. Seriously, when this song is turned up loud and I mean loud, it really kicks some serious rump roast. When I play this song loud while driving my car, cleaning the house or playing air drums, man, I feel like nothing can stop me. Nothing.
I saw Autograph live – as an opening act for Heart back in 1985. Heart was out promoting their "Heart" album, while Autograph was truly an up and coming Heavy Metal band promoting "Sign In Please". Heart was super excellent live, however, Autograph was without a doubt, a quality, loud, pumped up, Heavy Metal opening band. I remember like it was yesterday… the practically sold out crowd at the Hartford Civic Center, (located in expensive Connecticut), was universally thrilled by Autograph. That is from my very own sensory perception, of how it all unfolded before my eyes. In my Metal opinion, when Autograph played "Turn Up The Radio", that night at the Hartford Civic Center, for me, it was a show stopper.
The band line-up for Autograph, on "Sign In Please" was: Steve Plunkett on lead vocals & rhythm guitar, Steve Lynch on lead guitar, Randy Rand on bass guitar & backing vocals, Steven Isham on keyboards & backing vocals and Keni Richards on drums.
Dee Snider – Widowmaker "Blood And Bullets" is 100% Metal Music
Posted in 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal music, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, classic metal, essential heavy metal albums, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal solo vocalists, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, Metal Reviews, Music, old school heavy metal, vintage heavy metal albums, Vocals, W.A.S.P. with tags 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal music, Album Review, blood and bullets album, classic heavy metal, dee snider, dee snider vocalist, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal music, Metal, metal music, Music, old school heavy metal, twisted sister heavy metal band, vintage heavy metal albums, w.a.s.p. heavy metal band, widowmaker heavy metal band on June 24, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
Dee Snider is and forever will be a real Heavy Metal icon. (I have said this time and again, this is just how I feel). This man needs no introduction to Metalheads worldwide… he has flown the flag for Metal with unmistakable pride. Dee Snider had another kick to the face Heavy Metal Band during his illustrious career – Widowmaker. My best buddy in the universe introduced me to Widowmaker just a week ago. You heard that right, just one week ago. Let's face it, there is an infinite amount of Hard Rock and Metal music out there to be heard and enjoyed. I could never fathom the task or have the time, to listen to everything ever created in Metal Music. Widowmaker just so happened to be a band I was always aware of, yet I never heard more than a couple of tracks from them throughout the years. Having my buddy give me a copy of "Blood And Bullets" was a great surprise, like a Heavy Metal bonus falling from the sky and into my lap.
Dee Snider sounds quite simply, awesome, as the front man for Widowmaker, on "Blood And Bullets". In my Metal opinion, this album ranks right up there with Twisted Sister's "Under The Blade" and "You Can't Stop Rock and Roll" albums. I use the Twisted Sister albums as comparisons for obvious reasons, plus the full throttle Heavy Metal power is all over "Blood And Bullets". This album is just like mixing in the old school sound of these Twisted Sister albums I mentioned, while adding a major dose of extra confidence and Metal attitude from Dee Snider's lead vocals. The way in which I interpret Dee Snider's vocals, is that of a man who was set out on a mission, a mission to prove to the Metal world that Dee Snider had no intention on making a commercial Metal album. Instead, this was a Metal release that was infused with dynamic song writing and musicianship – Metal musicianship.
Granted, this album was released in the early 1990's but do not let this fool you for one Metal second. There are throngs of Metal bands out there today, that could only wish to have created an album this good. I think of another steadfast favorite Metal band of mine, while listening to "Blood And Bullets"… W.A.S.P.. Why you may ask? It's all about the grooves, the uncanny and powerful feeling I get when listening to this brand of Metal. W.A.S.P. is a band that I can pinpoint with accuracy, as having released albums containing great Metal songs, no fillers. There are no fillers to be found from Widowmaker here as well. "Blue For You" is the one song that had me smirk upon my first listen, for I anticipated that maybe it would inherit some Blues quality, judging by the song title. This song does rip with a bluesy guitar sound from the get go… the Metal Blues that is. "Emaheeval", "The Widowmaker", "Evil" and "The Lonely Ones" are the first four tracks on this album… I cannot put into words the Metal excitement these songs carry.
My buddy set off for a trip to Lebanon, accompanied by his wife and son, after I received this Widowmaker album from him. I wish him and his family the safest and happiest trip they could possibly wish for. I also cannot wait for him to get back to the States, then I can rant and rave his ears off about what a Metal trip "Blood And Bullets" has been for me. Yes, without a doubt, I am beating the Dee Snider – Metal drum very loudly here. I felt the sense of urgency to get the word out and remind those who love Metal, that Widowmaker's "Blood And Bullets" is damn good music. I am forever being Metal schooled, it is a profound and exhilarating experience each time it happens. It only serves me right, that this time around, it is the legendary Dee Snider and his other band Widowmaker.
My favorite Ozzy Osbourne album is…
Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's metal music, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, classic metal, classic rock, classic rock music, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal solo albums, heavy metal solo artists, heavy metal solo vocalists, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, Metal Reviews, Music, old school heavy metal, ozzy, Ozzy Osbourne, rock and roll hall of fame inductees, rock keyboard musicians, rock vocalists, vintage heavy metal albums, Vocals with tags 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's metal music, blizzard of ozz album, bob daisley bass guitarist, classic heavy metal, classic heavy metal albums, diary of a madman album, don airey keyboardist, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, heavy metal music, lee kerslake drummer, mike bordin drummer, Music, old school heavy metal, ozzy, Ozzy Osbourne, ozzy osbourne albums, ozzy osbourne vocalist, ozzy osbournes first two albums, randy rhoads guitarist, robert trujillo bass guitarist, rudy sarzo bass guitarist, tommy aldridge drummer, vintage heavy metal albums on June 18, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
I would like to take this opportunity, to let the entire world know, which Ozzy Osbourne album is my favorite of all time. Oops, it is a tie. "Blizzard Of Ozz", (1980) and "Diary of a Madman", (1981). Why, you may query? These first two Ozzy albums to me, represent the real, original, building block, style of Heavy Metal sound, that energized the 1980's into the powerhouse Metal decade it was. Plus, lest we never forget, the greatness of the late Randy Rhoads on lead guitar, on both of these essential Heavy Metal albums.
It is very important to note that on the reissue version of "Blizzard Of Ozz", during the re-mastering process, Mike Bordin is now on drums and percussion with Robert Trujillo on bass. The original drummer, on the original album, was Lee Kerslake and on bass was Bob Daisley. They are all fabulous musicians, I am not swayed either way. Don Airey is on keyboards for the original album. The key is that the legendary, late Randy Rhoads is the guitarist! Just to hear Randy play his signature sound on "I Don't Know", "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" still sends chills 28 years after this release. Randy Rhoads and his unique guitar sound and style truly helped shape the evolution of Heavy Metal and it's many prominent guitarists for decades. This album is not just a turning point for Ozzy, it is a focal point of reference and reverence for so many Heavy Metal musicians and fans alike. A bonus track is added into this reissue, "You Lookin' At Me Lookin' At You". This song is similar in structure to "Rock & Roll Rebel" from Ozzy Osbourne's "Bark At The Moon". It is a song that is a welcomed addition to this classic album, any song is – that has Randy Rhoads playing. This album has stood the test of time, it feels strange for me to now say that the lyrics, song structure and arrangements with Randy Rhoads leads and riffs are powerhouse. Yet, with the new generation of Ozzy, Randy Rhoads and Heavy Metal fans, getting the word out after all these years is worth every second if it means passing this Heavy Metal jewel on to new listeners.
I know that I do reflect a couple of decades back, (quite often), in my posts… the reason is simple, this incredible Heavy Metal music was created and released decades ago! That is my point of relevance for me, so much of the Heavy Metal that I was into in the late 70's onward, I still listen to this very day and is now considered classic and vintage. I can remember having the coolest algebra teacher back in High School, Mr. Z. was his name. Mr. Z. allowed his students to bring into class – albums to play on his stereo. How cool is that? It is not too often, with any generation, to reflect on any Algebra teacher from High School as being cool. Well, one of my buddies back then, brought into our class one day, the "Diary Of A Madman" album. This was really the first time I gave this Ozzy gem a thorough listen. I was ecstatic, thrilled beyond Metal belief upon hearing these tunes on this album. (Mr. Z. seemed to dig this Ozzy album too, I can still remember seeing his face showing the appreciation, while the Metal blared). Needless to say, my grades in Mr. Z.'s Algebra class were very respectable, due in part to the cool nonconventional way of teaching, using Heavy Metal as an inspiring teaching tool. Mr. Z. rocked back then, I hope he is still as cool today, wherever he may be.
With tracks such as "Over The Mountain", "Believer", "Little Dolls", "You Can't Kill Rock and Roll", "Flying High Again" and "S.A.T.O.", the odds of ever hearing such amazing Heavy Metal songs this potent and on one album again, are pretty slim. Back in 1982, after listening to this Ozzy album, I was set Metal straight – for a lifetime.
Happy Metal Birthday, Klaus Meine – Scorpions vocalist
Posted in 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's Rock, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal music, Album Review, classic metal, classic rock, cool album covers, essential hard rock albums, essential heavy metal albums, essential rock albums, Hard Rock, hard rock album review, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal from germany, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, Metal Reviews, Music, Rock, Scorpions, vintage hard rock albums, vintage heavy metal albums, Vocals with tags 1970's classic heavy metal, 1970's classic rock, 1970's cool album covers, 1970's scorpions heavy metal, 1970's heavy metal, 1975 scorpions heavy metal, Album Review, classic hard rock, classic heavy metal, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock, cool album covers, francis buchholz bass guitarist, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, in trance 1975 scorpions album, in trance scorpions album, klaus meine vocalist, Metal, metal music, Music, rudolf schenker guitarist, rudy lenners drummer, Scorpions, scorpions heavy metal band, scorpions metal music, uli jon roth guitarist, ulrich roth guitarist, vintage heavy metal albums on May 25, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
It is May 25th, 2009, Memorial Day in the United States. Today is also… the 61st birthday for Klaus Meine, lead vocalist for the incredible, dynamic and legendary Scorpions. Metal Odyssey gives out a loud, Metal filled, Happy Birthday to Klaus Meine! I can go on for days as to how much Metal joy that Klaus Meine and the Scorpions have given me, with their Heavy Metal, throughout my life. My favorite Scorpions album ever, is "In Trance" – this album showcased an up and coming Heavy Metal band that was filled with the Metal hunger and talent needed to sustain such a long standing, unbelievable career. Released in 1975, the third album, this is a Scorpions release unlike their "Animal Magnetism", "Blackout" or "Love At First Sting" albums. This is Scorpions Metal that was raw, rough and edgy, in other Metal words – great tunes without the Arena Rock flamboyancy. Do not get me wrong, I support and revere every album ever released by the Scorpions. Only this is a Scorpions band in their Metal infancy, the dynamics are clearly heard on this album, which makes me choose "In Trance" as my favorite Scorpions release. This vinyl Metal Classic still exists in my collection today, after so many plays on the turntable. I am still amazed that I was able to keep this album, in such incredible condition, for this long!
"Top of the Bill" is my favorite track on "In Trance", this song exemplifies what true old school Heavy Metal sounds like. The Scorpions musicians over the decades are stand alone – top of their Metal game players. Klaus Meine is realistically, for me, a top ten, all-time Heavy Metal vocalist. You can argue that Klaus Meine is a top ten, all-time Hard Rock vocalist as well. (Take your pick or pick both). "In Trance" does not lack in quality of musicianship or song writing, in my Metal opinion. This was an album that really represented this time period well, representing what Heavy Metal from Germany sounded like. (Thank you Germany). I am confident in saying that the world of Metal has embraced and revered the Scorpions to this very day. Thank you Klaus Meine for sharing your unique and unbelievable vocals with us, you and the Scorpions are in a Metal class all your own!
Scorpions as they appeared on "In Trance" in 1975: Klaus Meine on lead vocals, Ulrich Roth on lead guitar & backing vocals and lead vocals on "Dark Lady" & "Sun In My Hand", Rudolf Schenker on rhythm guitar & backing vocals, Francis Buchholz on bass guitar & backing vocals and Rudy Lenners on drums & percussion.
Having a lousy day? Then listen to W.A.S.P. "Live… In The Raw"
Posted in 1980's live heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal music, Album Review, classic metal, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, horror metal, live rock albums, Metal, metal concerts, metal music, Metal Reviews, Music, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage live heavy metal albums with tags 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's live heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal music, Album Review, Blackie Lawless, chris holmes guitarist, classic heavy metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, heavy metal music, johnny rod bass guiarist, Metal, metal music, metal music review, Music, steve riley drummer, vintage heavy metal, vintage heavy metal albums, W.A.S.P., w.a.s.p. heavy metal band, w.a.s.p. live in the raw album on May 25, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
W.A.S.P. released "Live… In The Raw" on November 27, 1987. I always thank the Metal Gods for W.A.S.P. existing. Blackie Lawless is one of my Metal heroes. This live album/CD is one heck of a Metal ride, an outstanding set of vintage W.A.S.P. tunes that are monstrously power driven. My best buddy in the entire Metal galaxy introduced me to W.A.S.P. back in the mid 1980's, it was the greatest gift I have ever received from him. I know this line has been used millions of times before, however, being introduced to W.A.S.P. back then is the Metal gift that keeps on giving. Look, if you are in need of some legitimate Metal music that will pick you up, power you up and make you flip off your enemies and/or antagonists, well, "Live… In The Raw" is all the Metal fuel you need. There has always been something about the in your face and straight up brand of Heavy Metal that W.A.S.P. provides, it has been a Metal elixir for me going on three decades now. The legendary W.A.S.P. lineup on this live album was: Blackie Lawless on lead vocals & rhythm guitar, Chris Holmes on lead & rhythm guitar, Johnny Rod on bass & backing vocals and Steve Riley on drums & backing vocals.
I always dig the live concert albums that make me feel like I am/was there to experience it. "Live… In The Raw" is one of those albums for me. From the opening track of "Inside The Electric Circus" to "The Manimal" in the middle of the set, to "Blind In Texas" – this is full throttle, old school Heavy Metal, that makes me forget about all the morons that try to make my life miserable. I recommend with full Metal pride, this album/CD to anyone just getting interested in discovering what W.A.S.P. is all about. "Harder Faster" and "9.5 – N.A.S.T.Y." are two incredible live tracks, I envision Blackie Lawless actually singing these songs with his trademark crazed look about his face as I listen. (Hey, what else would anyone be envisioning while listening to live W.A.S.P.? Huh? Daisy and floral gardens? Cute little chipmunks? I do not think so). This live album is an all Metal feel-good experience, courtesy of one of the most commercially unacceptable bands in the world… the PMRC's worst nightmare, the undeniable W.A.S.P..
Black Sabbath – "Mob Rules" still rules the Metal world
Posted in 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal music, Album Review, Black Sabbath, classic metal, classic rock, cool album covers, dio, essential heavy metal albums, heaven and hell heavy metal band, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, Metal Reviews, Music, old school heavy metal, ronnie james dio with tags 1980's metal, 1980's heavy metal, 1980's metal music, Album Review, Black Sabbath, black sabbath 1981, black sabbath mob rules album, classic rock, dio, geezer butler bassist, heaven & hell heavy metal band, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, Metal, metal music, mob rules album, Music, ronnie james dio vocalist, tony iommi guitarist, vinny appice drummer, vintage heavy metal albums on May 23, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
In my Metal opinion, this is such a tremendous album, a true Metal mainstay for so many years. Released in 1981, this is Old School, Black Sabbath that time cannot age. I highly endorse "Mob Rules" to be in every Metal fans music collection. Every song is enormous, with the prolific riffs and leads from Tony Iommi on guitar, I so admire this musician. Geezer Butler on bass and Vinny Appice on drums make for what I consider one of the greatest rhythm sections in Metal history. Ronnie James Dio is pure Metal perfection on vocals. Between the music and Dio's voice, this Black Sabbath lineup takes a back seat to no one. "Voodoo", "Turn Up The Night", "Slipping Away" and "Mob Rules" are songs that have that unrelenting Metal energy that does not subside. Unbelievable Metal Classics, in my Metal opinion. "E5150" is an instrumental that has the eerie Black Sabbath ambiance flowing over, a perfect fit for this album. The real sleeper tune on this album, for me, is "Country Girl" – this song has a really cool groove going on, a real Heavy Metal song that doesn't get the same attention as the previous tracks I mentioned.
"Mob Rules" is, as I see it, one of the most complete Metal albums ever made, it has the songs, vocals, Metal and lyrics. The album artwork definitely gets a Metal thumbs up! This macabre artwork definitely fits in with the song "Mob Rules". I remember the very first time I heard the opening riff to "Voodoo", I still get the same Metal rush from it now as I did back in 1981. I distinctly remember when this Metalhead buddy of mine, back then, held this album jacket in his hands, put the vinyl on the turntable, turned to me and said: "Dude, wait 'till you here this song "Voodoo" ". I knew at that moment, it was some special Metal awaiting me. It is an amazing Metal accomplishment, for these four musicians to still be creating new music together in 2009, as Heaven & Hell. Do not skip over this Metal gem for too long, you could be enjoying it right now!
I refuse to be a closet KISS fan
Posted in 1970's hard rock, 1970's heavy metal, 1970's Rock, 1980's hair metal music, 1980's hard rock, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal music, classic metal, classic rock, concerts, cool album covers, Gene Simmons, Hair Metal, hair metal music, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal memorabilia, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal concerts, metal music, Music, old school heavy metal, Rock, rock and roll memorabilia, rock music, vintage heavy metal albums with tags 1970's kiss band, 1970's hard rock music, 1970's heavy metal, 1980's kiss band, 1980's heavy metal, 1990's kiss band, ace frehley, classic heavy metal, classic rock, Gene Simmons, Hard Rock, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal music, kiss, kiss albums, kiss creatures of the night album, kiss heavy metal band, kiss live concert, kiss memorabilia, kiss rock memorabilia, metal music, Music, new haven coliseum, Paul Stanley, peter criss, vintage heavy metal albums on May 22, 2009 by Metal Odyssey
KISS. The makeup, the attitude, the stage show, the costumes, the KISS trading cards from the 1970's, the marketing machine which throws the KISS logo on just about anything. Wait a minute, there is of course… the music, uh, I mean the Heavy Metal. Since about 5th grade, (a long time ago, in a parochial school, far, far, away), I have been a KISS fan. You betcha. I am not a closet KISS fan either. No way will I disregard to anyone, a lifetime love I have for such a behemoth of a Heavy Metal icon, which is KISS. I will not part with my unopened wax box of KISS trading cards from 1978. No sir. What in the world is there to be ashamed of? KISS is the epitome of Heavy Metal success, both commercially and musically, in my Metal opinion.
I have had the opportunity to see KISS live, albeit without makeup. I unfortunately, never had an opportunity to see them live with makeup. Quite honestly, the only drawback about seeing KISS live was… the venue where the concert was. The New Haven Coliseum, (which no longer exists), was by far, the creepiest, most decrepit, armpit of an arena, ever to exist on planet Earth. I mean, this building was not even cool creepy, it was just a plain nightmare gone wrong. This arena was located in New Haven, Connecticut, of course. Alright, enough about that incompetent structure. The KISS concert was loud, bright, festive, loud again and darn right good. I have seen better live shows in my day, yet I am not complaining about anything that KISS did on that stage. It was a night to celebrate Heavy Metal, with a band that carried the flag for Heavy Music since their introduction to the world. This was the KISS "Asylum" Tour, back in good ol' 1985. I will tell you this, it is a real Metal treat, to see my daughters revel in the KISS tunes, to know and see how much the music of KISS means to them, as it always has for me. My daughters were extremely excited when they saw KISS on television the other night, (I absolutely refuse to discuss this show on Metal Odyssey, let's just say it is on the Fox Network and is a Pop music show). Hey, anytime KISS can get exposure to a new generation of fans is fine with me.
I remember being in High School, when all of a sudden, it was uncool to like KISS anymore. Well, that was what was happening in the penitentiary like High School I attended. Metalheads were abundant, yet KISS became almost taboo to talk about. So, I took advantage of this situation. I asked all the super cool know-it-alls that no longer liked KISS, if they were willing to sell their KISS albums and anything KISS. I made out like a bandit. I had more KISS posters, albums and fanzines than I knew what to do with. Plus, I acquired it all dirt cheap. Then, one day, in 1982, KISS made a loud and triumphant return with their release "Creatures Of The Night"… all of a sudden, these fair weather KISS fans are asking me, if I would sell them any of my extra KISS memorabilia and/or albums. Go figure. Since the mid '70's up until present day, I have embraced the Heavy Metal that KISS has created. Even the ballads and Gene Simmons dating Cher I have accepted. Yes, the made for television movie "KISS Meets The Phantom In The Park" I have always accepted too. The changes in the KISS lineup never has made me flinch either, any KISS fan knows that the original four are the best. I am not ashamed to say this, for once a KISS fan, always a KISS fan. What other reason was there not to believe this, back in the day when I joined the "KISS Army"? I enlisted into the KISS Army decades ago, I have never gone awol since.