The NEW Heavy Metal Box Set From Rhino

“Yeah, billion dollar baby

I got you in the dime store,

No other little girl could ever hold you

Any tighter, any tighter than me, baby.

Billion dollar baby

Reckless like a gambler, million dollar maybe

Foaming like dog that's been infected by the rabies.

We go dancing nightly in the attic

While the moon is rising in the sky.

If I'm too rough, tell me,

I'm so scared your little head will come off in my hands.

Million dollar baby,

Billion dollar baby,

Trillion dollar baby,

Zillion dollar baby.”

--Alice Cooper, 1972.

Ok, this is a departure of sorts for me.

I am about to review something I do not own; and will not own for a few weeks.

No, I have not played it yet on Yahoo or anything like that; and I even own the majority of it.

Rhino has done what many people consider to be a Herculean if not Impossible task and created a Heavy Metal Box Set.

I ordered mine last week. I really should not be spending the money right now, but this was too good to avoid.

For the fans of Spinal Tap, the box itself looks like an amp that has knobs that one can push up to eleven—other amps only go to ten--still among the most humorous moments from the film.

The song list has some fairly expected and unexpected material. As shown on the Rhino site:

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida - Iron Butterfly
Summertime Blues - Blue Cheer
Easy Livin - Uriah Heep
Highway Star - Deep Purple
Billion Dollar Babies - Alice Cooper
Lost Johnny - Hawkwind
Bad Motor Scooter - Montrose
Working Man - Rush
Man On The Silver Mountain - Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow
Detroit Rock City - Kiss
The Ripper - Judas Priest
Cat Scratch Fever - Ted Nugent
Lights Out - UfO
Godzilla - Blue Oyster Cult
Demolition Boys - Girlschool
White Witch - Angel Witch
The Phantom Of The Opera - Iron Maiden
Neon Knights - Black Sabbath
Ace Of Spades - Motorhead
Am Evil? - Diamond Head
Nice Boys - Rose Tattoo
Attack Of The Mad Axeman -Michael Schenker Group
Denim And Leather - Saxon
Blitzkrieg - Blitzkrieg
Gangland - Tygers Of Pan Tang
Witching Hour - Venom
You've Got Another Thing Comin' - Judas Priest
The Number Of The Beast - Iron Maiden
Star War - Raven
Say What You Will - Fastway
Black Funeral - Mercyful Fate
Animal (F**k Like A Beast) - W.A.S.P
Mean Streak - Y&T
Holy Diver - Dio
Queen Of The Reich - Queensryche
Whiplash - Metallica
Rock You Like A Hurricane - Scorpions
Metal Health - Quiet Riot
Into The Fire - Dokken
Balls To The Wall - Accept
Round And Round - Ratt
Wanna Rock - Twisted Sister
The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams -Hanoi Rocks
Midnite Maniac - Krokus
I'll See The Light, Tonight - Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force
Crazy Nights - Loudness
Shake Me - Cinderella
Watch The Children Pray - Metal Church
To Hell With The Devil - Stryper
A Little Time - Helloween
Wrecking Crew - Overkill
Caught In A Mosh - Anthrax
Peace Sells - Megadeth
Still Of The Night - Whitesnake
Rock Me - Great White
Talk Dirty To Me - Poison
Bathroom Wall - Faster Pussycat
Hall Of The Mountain King - Savatage
Kiss Me Deadly - Lita Ford
Hail And Kill - Manowar
Trial By Fire - Testament
Welcome Home - King Diamond
South Of Heaven - Slayer
One - Metallica
Cult Of Personality - Living Colour
Youth Gone Wild - Skid Row
Cowboys From Hell - Pantera
Beg To Differ - Prong
Dead Embryonic Cells - Sepultura

Yep, seems like quite a few tracks and the “experts” will argue with what shows up and what does not. For example, who does not expect “Summertime Blues” by Blue Cheer? Yet, Highway Star over Smoke on the Water? I understand it, as I made a traveling Metal CD for my car and chose Black Night by Deep Purple over either of those two selections.

Most of these songs I own, but I am intriqued by a few tracks: namely
the Hawkwind, Montrose, Girlschool, Angel Witch, Diamond Head, Rose Tattoo, Michael Schenker Group, Blitzkrieg, Raven, Fastway, Hanoi Rocks, Krokus, Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force, Metal Church, Overkill, Anthrax, Faster Pussycat, Testament, King Diamond, Prong, and Sepultura songs. Which essentially means I do not own these songs—I think.

The rest offers some unique moments like a Savatage cut—and one of my personal favorites on that one; Mercyful Fate; Lights Out by UFO is one of my all-time favorite songs by one of my all-time favorite bands; Ace of Spades is, if not THE greatest song ever released certainly among the top ten; a predictable yet fun BOC song (hey, someone sometime place Red and Black or Astronomy on something for the TRUE Blue Oyster Cult fans); The Saxon track is great; and Gangland is among the best cuts of NWOBHM (new wave of British Heavy Metal).

The tracks by others range from predictable (Another Thing Coming by Priest) to “HUH?” Like, and this is a minor bitch, but no “Breaking the Law” by Priest? Come Now. “Number of the Beast” and “Phantom of the Opera” by Maiden yet no “Fear of the Dark?” Alas, the fans will argue. It should be further noted that I refuse to not buy it because of the lameness of “Glam” bands like Poison, Ratt, Quiet Riot and the like; although I am fully aware that Rhino's Offices are located in Los Angeles.

I also figure contract/rights options must have eluded Rhino’s ability to put any Ozzy Osbourne Black Sabbath material or early Van Halen. And to be fair, some of the lines between what is Heavy Metal has blurred with Classic Rock; so that Sabbath and Van Halen might now have changed their position as metal bands; although I am betting even money this is a rights/distribution matter.

Personally, I miss the lack of current Power Metal and I think a bit more Thrash is offered here; but again my bias is showing.

None of my criticisms will squelch my enthusiasm for this Box Set to be released in early October. Finally someone has taken this vast form of music and try to give it a more definitive history. Who knows, maybe if this takes off, they will do a Power Metal, Thrash Metal, and Classic Metal box (someone email this blog column to Rhino).

Go reserve yours now; even if like me you own over half the songs. I am more than confident that the booklet included in the picture of the box set will be done in Rhino's committed style to detail and their professional quest of excellence. Thankfully someone had the foresight and the ability to make this Heavy Metal Box Set; I am very very pleased.

Viking Metal--Falkenbach--Heralding: The Fireblade

“The night the long swords where grinded

And the shields were forged in blood,

By the hands of most dexterous blacksmiths,

And sacrifices were given to the Goddesses and the Gods,

In the woods by the mighty tree,

Known in heathen kingdoms as the mighty Irminsul,

That was built as an immense landmark

Of heathen pride and honor

And a symbol of what shall be....”
-- Falkenbach “Heralder” from Heralding: The Fireblade

Lately I have been playing some Viking/Pagan metal.

No, really.

Some great moments exist on these albums, my current favorite is Falkenbach—Heralding: The Fireblade.

There is a beer hall chorus at least one of these songs on all albums. Usually there is some type of flute or winded instrument that rises to the forefront over the heavy bass and drum.

The guitars are more rhythm-ish in this style of music, often giving way to the background while a Mandolin or glockenspiel takes the center stage.

The bands also have an old age “pagan” sounding chorus at some point. Often the bands will sing in their native Nordic tongue. Falkenbach is considered among the most influential.

The keyboards act as symphony of sorts.

On Heralding the Fireblade, the opening track is very typical of Viking Metal. Heathen Foray has every above element and manages to sound very fresh and innovative.

On the second track, the guttural, screeching vocals of a crazed Norseman is heard as the guitars have a distinctive “POWER METAL” sound. Still, enough background sounds remind the listener of the past Norse conquests. Heralder is among my favorites on this one.

The rest follow the pattern of softer/melodic songs followed by the bellow and strength of thudding and thundering metal sounds.

Refined in such countries as Germany, Finland, Iceland, Denmark, and the like; this is a relatively untapped sound in the US.

And no, I do not consider HammerFall as Viking or Pagan metal.

Falkenbach-- Heralding: The Fireblade
Heathen Foray
Of Forests Unknown
Havamal
Roman Land
Heralder >mp3
Laeknishendr
Walkiesjar
Skirnir

Megadeth: Metal Sells And I Am Buying

“Can't say what's on my mind

Can't do what I really feel

In this bed I made for me

Is where I sleep,

I really feel I warn you of the fate

Proven true too late

Your tongue twists perverse

Come drink now of this curse A

nd now I fill your brain

I spin you round again

My poison fills your head

As I tuck you in your bed

You feel my fingertips

You won't forget my lips

You'll feel my cold breath

It's the kiss of death”
--Dave Mustaine of Megadeth; “Tornado of Souls” from Rust In Peace, 1990.

I recently went to a garage sale and snagged every remastered Megadeth CD. I had owned some and then sold them all on eBay as a big lot. Realizing soon after that is was a tactical error of judgment, I decided to find them “eventually” and simply bought a “Best of” collection.

I replayed three of them this weekend and was amazed at the dynamic qualities of each.

Rust in Peace is my favorite at this time because of the hard edge and clever lyrics. The most “accessible” to the general person is Countdown to Extinction as it seems to have the most “hits.” Peace Sells, But Who’s Buying was the third I played. I like that one a bit, although the misguided version of Ain’t Superstitious really does not belong on the album.

I often wondered why Megadeth is often viewed as “an also ran” when it comes to fan choices as I know the comparisons to Metallica exist. I blame leader Dave Mustaine for the comparisons as he just cannot let some things go. For those not in the know, Mustaine (lead guitarist and vocalist and visionary of Megadeth) was once a member of Metallica. Depending on which story is old at any given time, Mustaine was either too “under the influence,” too obnoxious, too different, wanted to be too much of the front man, or too pissed to stay in Metallica. The fallout affected his relationship with James Hetfield, though he has remained fairly friendly with Lars Ulrich.

Not that it is of consequence, Mustaine seems the one who cannot move on; which tends to hinder the efforts of Megadeth.

Silly posturing aside, I enjoyed the CDs on a second run-through of sorts by repurchasing them and enjoying them again. For a mere dollar per CD, quite a nice deal to own a very good chunk of the Megadeth catalogue for $9.00.

The Worst of the Worst: Volume I

“You Sold Me Out…”
Ray Davies of the Kinks.

I kind of hate to say it, but there really are some bad albums/groups/songs out there that fit in the genre of metal. My least favorite is the GLAM Metal music, which someone from Anthrax referred to GLAM as Gay Los Angeles Metal. Poison, Crue, Ratt, Cinderella, and the like are terribly wretched in excess and lack of musicianship. Still, I offer some of my least favorite hard rock and metal moments.

Kiss Dynasty, Unmasked, the Solos, and Music From The Elder are very weak. Dynasty is disco; Unmasked is horrid and misguided. The solos are really really horrible; Music From the Elder is insane: a concept album with the tendancies towards the fantasy genre--too insipid for words. Do I really consider Kiss metal; no, but there are those who do.

Alice Cooper’s Lace and Whiskey and Goes to Hell. Alice lost his sense of sick humor on both of these weak efforts. Cooper’s trademark ability to let the guitars rock are also missing. There is no reason to own these.

Anything by Everon is a waste of time and money. Everon was billed as Progressive Power metal; it sounds like Journey except Journey rocks more. That is all I need to say.

Take your pick on GLAM. This genre is also known as 80s Hair Bands. All of it stinks for the most part and was an excuse to make hard rock and metal marketable for the MTV audience. It did so, but in the process made hard rock bands look like cartoons. The best thing of the genre, I must admit, is that it pissed off some folks who decided to pick up their guitars and play: thus Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer and others who admit that they started their evolution as a result of hating GLAM or Hairband metal. This proves the point that good things can come from bad or every dark cloud has a silver lining; although I doubt the members of Slayer would like that analogy.

Later Metallica efforts have bored me. I like St. Anger; but most of the rest of the last decade’s version of Metallica has left me wishing for the past. Metallica is not the only band that has done this, but they are the most surprising.

Later Van Halen efforts have done the same as Metallica. For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (follow the first letters, kids and see what Van Halen has done for you) and one gets the idea. When I saw “Right Now” on a Pepsi commercial, it was obvious the boys (see those first letters again) “blanked” us all.

More as time permits; but this will keep you rolling. Oh and enjoy the Kiss clip; absolutely the worst song of the genre in my most humble opinion.

Ayreon Human Equation: Is It Ayreon or is it Pink Floyd?

“Move to the truth

Breath the sunlight burning in her open arms

Break the chains that

Bind you to a past that feeds this bitter days

Seize your only chance

Follow the stars that beckon you through blackened skies”
--from Ayreon “Signs,” 2004.

Ayreon’s Human Equation is a progressive metal concept album about how complicated one’s past can make ones present…to a degree.

The album’s musical talent is the rock opera mogul Arjen Anthony Lucassen. The trick in the music is to make the metal standup to a backdrop of a story—in this case a relatively simple one where an auto accident victim’s best friend and girlfriend watch over him as he suffers from a coma. Each day of his twenty day ordeal develops a different emotion, not only for the victim, but for those watching over him.

The album is interesting to listen to and unique; my problem is that it has way too many prog-rock Pink Floyd, Moody Blues, and Jethro Tull overtures. I love the bands I just listed, but when I play metal, I expect…well...metal.

Certain ideas of concept albums I respect (Kamelot’s Epica and jag Panzer’s Thane to the Throne as examples) and others bore me (Tommy By The Who or Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd).

The music in this one saves me to a degree from being bored; but I cannot give it a whole-hearted hoorah. It is simply indulges and outright copies Pink Floyd song structures and signatures far too often for my tastes.

I will try it again when I feel more relaxed and not in the mood for a “Metal” album and perhaps my feelings might change.

Ayreon Human Equation Tracklist:

CD 1
Day One: Vigil
Day Two: Isolation
Day Three: Pain
Day Four: Mystery
Day Five: Voices
Day Six: Childhood
Day Seven: Hope
Day Eight: School
Day Nine: Playground
Day Ten: Memories
Day Eleven: Love
CD 2
Day Twelve: Trauma
Day Thirteen: Sign
Day Fourteen: Pride
Day Fifteen: Betrayal
Day Sixteen: Loser
Day Seventeen: Accident?
Day Eighteen: Realization
Day Nineteen: Disclosure
Day Twenty: Confrontation

Primal Fear: For the Fans of Judas Priest

“Free choices always had the chance

To play the music you like true and faithful

You support this sound and rhythm

You back up it's future from deep in your heart

Faster beats are pounding

While the fans are shouting

Metal is forever

In every single matter

Metal is forever

Nations come together.”
--“Metal is Forever” by Primal Fear from Devil’s Ground, 2004

Often the most sincere for of flattery is imitation.

Hence Primal Fear. Their albums are great exercises of tough, no-nonsense, straight-forward and basic Heavy Metal. Tough dueling guitars, the heavy thud of the drums, the perfectly timed bass riffs, and the screaming vocals are all pleasure to the ear.

But wait, you have heard this before.

Known as Germany’s version of Judas Priest, they truly sound that way. Perhaps the most unique departure from their usual hum is Seven Seals. More melodic than many of the counterparts, this is a fine album.

The rest are good enough, but the Judas Priest sound is very apparent. The video for Angel in Black shows the depth and consistency of the above.

Enjoy them, as they are a great band; but beware the repercussions of Screaming for Vengeance.

Ghost Opera: An Amazing Triumph for Kamelot

Welcome all to curtain call

At the opera

Raging voices in my mind

Rise above the orchestra

Like a crescendo of gratitude

This is my song

Like the dead

am on the other side

Their howling in my head

No remorse and no redemption

Hush my dea

Let the music fill the night

And soon it’s all we hear

--Kamelot “Ghost Opera,” 2007.

I loved, I mean LOVED, Black Halo from Kamelot.

Ghost Opera has changed my opinion of the group.

Not only are they masters of intricate feelings, masterful musicians, and quality craftsman; they are also capable of changing tempos and themes.

The intro to Ghost Opera Solitaire and Rule The World are heavy in approach, classical in approach as well. These guys could have fit in Wagner’s world as easily as the world of Judas Priest.

The third track Ghost Opera is an essential song in their often spirited and musical repertoire. Speed meets classical overtones encompass the essence of this track. The bass playing is so crucial in this song. It also musically hearkens back to Black Halo. This track methodically and orchestrally plods along to an incredible crescendo.

Among my favorite tracks is the keyboard laced fourth track: The Human Stain. This is a true triumph of Kamelot. The background vocals, the melodies and the tenderness of Khan’s voice are essential to their “sound.”

When I first heard the fifth track, Blucher, I was instantly reminded of their LP Epica it would fit their scope of that album. Slightly bouncy and totally jarring in the rhythm section; this is the track that perhaps is the heaviest on the album.

The sixth track, Love You To Death, is classic Kamelot that gives a nod to Karma. Middle-Eastern influence is common in this song. The heavy bass pounds and resonates as the violins interplay with the keyboards. And against the background of the female vocals mixing with Khan adds to the layered and textured depth that Kamelot fans have grown accustomed to experiencing.

The seventh track Up Through the Ashes continues the themes of the sixth track, with more guitars.

The eighth cut, Mourning Star, has a Celtic and monk-influenced style. To be frank, it is a pleasure for the ear as it begins, followed by the metal power.

Silence of Darkness follows a nine and is one of the more quick numbers on the album; played with Kamelot’s (and power metal’s) speed guitar and double base. This track is probably the most similar to the Kamelot that most fans know.

The tenderness of the band is shown in the tenth track—Anthem. This is simply stated beautiful music.

Eden Echo closes the album in pure power/speed metal form. This is yet another Kamelot track that would sound so awesome live.

On The American release, the “bonus” track is a dispensable one—The Pendulous fall. Not among my favorites, it is a strong, yet formulaic Kamelot number.

As one can tell, I highly recommend this one. I have waited for Kamelot’s Ghost Opera for months and was far from disappointed.

Kamelot: The Ghost Opera:

Solitaire
Rule The World
The Ghost Opera
The Human Stain
Blucher
Love You To Death
Up Through The Ashes
Mourning Star
Silence of Darkness
Anthem
Eden Echo
Pendulous Fall