Sonata Arctica's Debut: Ecliptica: A Lesson For All Other Power Metal Bands

"What the hell am I waiting here for,
Expecting you to come and give away your life…

Just for a moment of my time,
Have a hole where I should have a heart,
I'm made of wood,
I'm falling apart,
I would give a kingdom for one more day."

Tony Kakko of Sonata Arctica from the song "Kingdom For a Heart" from the album Ecliptica, 1999.

The debut of Sonata Arctica’s first album, Ecliptica, is a lesson for every Power Metal performer.

A smashing package with a handful of “singles” that are catchy and fast. The lyrics are entertaining to a degree, but the playing is fast, furious, and articulate. I fully understand how “articulate” sounds, but these guys are technically masters of their instruments.

Blank File opens the album with the traditional Arctica high vocals and quick paced guitars.

My Land slows it down a bit to capture the heavy metal bass riffs and thundering drums with the guitars filling the air with their cutting jabs.

The next four songs capture the essence of the band and have become concert standards.

8th Commandment, the first “hit” is a song of angst that ties the band together perfectly. The bold vocals, the dicey guitar solos that soar, the keyboard solos that add a touch of flair against the background of the steady rhythm section of drums and bass are the components of a strong song. The song is about the angst of having a partner that lies and the revenge that will ensue. The opening riff sets the standard for all Power Metal that remains today.

Replica (the second hit) slows it down but the lyrics of mankind’s angst reign on this quasi-ballad.

Kingdom For a Heart (the third hit) is, in my most humbled opinion, is the best song on the album. So catchy, so reminiscent of the past; and yet so fresh. The lyrics, the changing tempos, and the music blend so perfectly in this one song.

Full Moon (the fourth hit) is another amazing moment that calls back to the realm of folklore as it is a song about a man turning into a wolf—the wolf being a later signature image of the band.

Letter To Dana is one of the weaker moments of the album. With the opening flute, it almost sounds Jethro Tull-like.

Unopened (the fifth hit) stands as one of the greatest songs in the Power Metal genre. Honestly, it is amazing that this band has so many signature tunes on one album. This one is so catchy it is unreal. The only knock is perhaps for the overuse of “tickling” keyboards. You would understand that last line if you heard the bridge of the song. It is simply about unopened letters and unrequited love.

Picturing the Past and Destruction Preventer are standard fill-in material; but no less fascinating for a band of such amazing talent.

This is an excellent debut album by a band of such promise as Sonata Arctica—and they have never failed to deliver.

The Myths and Legends of Kamelot

“There's a way from it all,

Though the chances are small,

We'll come back again...

Won't you think it over...

Life is a pendulous fall...

But maybe worth the pain... And soon enough we'll go... Where nobody can touch us…”

--Youngblood and Khan “Pendulous Fall” from the CD The Myths & Legends of Kamelot, 2007.



In a somewhat common ploy for the completest collectors out there, Kamelot’s management and the band have released a European only CD of their B-Sides and added tracks called The Myths and Legends of Kamelot.

In my haste, I bid on two of them from eBay and won them both. One will be going up for auction later so I can recoup some of the money.

Before one runs madly out in a dash to search this collection (which is very good); I would offer this advice: check the bonus tracks on your CD’s. The majority of this collection is available elsewhere.

The following is the song list with their original location:

Track 1: Future King: Bonus Track from the Japanese Karma
Track 2: Like The Shadows: Bonus from Japanese Epica
Track 3: Ne Pleure Pas: Bonus from Karma (Don’t You Cry in Italian)
Track 4: Soul Society: Radio Edit from Black Halo
Track 5: Epilogue: Bonus from Japanese Black Halo
Track 6: We Are Not Separate: Bonus Track from The Expedition
Track 7: We Three Kings: Bonus Track from The Expedition
Track 8: One Day: Bonus Track from The Expedition and Japanese Siege Perilous
Track 9: The Haunting: Radio Edit From Black Halo
Track 10: March of Mephisto: Radio Edit From Black Halo
Track 11: Can You Remember: Bonus from Japanese Fourth Legacy
Track 12: Snow: Bonus Track from Epica
Track 13: Season’s End: Bonus Track from Japanese Ghost Opera
Track 14: The Pendulous Fall: Bonus Track from Ghost Opera
Track 15: Epilogue (Live): Bonus Track from Japanese One Cold Winter’s Night

Since I own many of these on the CD’s, there were a few I did not have: namely Future King, Like The Shadows, Epilogue, and Season’s End. The rest I had in some form or another.

It makes me think that the Japanese CD’s are THAT much better. No wonder they always sell on eBay.

The tracks offered herein are relatively reflective and more of the orchestrated offerings of the band. This is not meant as a put down of sorts, but they are the tracks most likely to be cast off an album for a power metal band. They capture Khan’s voice and Thomas Youngblood’s guitars and writing style. They also always capture the magnificence of keyboard player Oliver Palotai, bassist Glenn Barry, and drummer Casey Grillo.

Any offering from Kamelot is, of course, excellent. Still it is interesting to note that SPV has chosen this as a European release and has ignored the American market where so many of these tracks remain unavailable.

Seek it out, but before so, check the various songs on the various Kamelot collections owned.

Sonata Arctica Reckoning Night--A Therapy Session

"I am your poison candygram,

The love that's meant to fade away.

Vade retro, alter ego, move aside, I'm choking on this life...

I think I tolerate your hate, as long as you're afraid.

All I wanted was to be with you and suffer every day...”

Apparently Tony Kakko, lyricist of Sonata Arctica must have been going through some rough patches on an emotional rollercoaster as the Reckoning Night CD might show. That or he was breaking the bonds with someone for whom he once cared. Whatever the case, Reckoning Night was as much of a listening pleasure as it has been theraputic for me.

I love the orange cover and the signature “Wolves art/homage” that Sonata Arctica is known for. The ship in a sea of turmoil fits the verbal imagery perfectly.

Misplaced, Blinded No More, Ain’t Your Fairytale, Don’t Say A Word, My Selene, Wildfire, and Shamandalie are all pretty much about the bitterness of unrequited, unfulfilled, and rejected love.

That said, this album has some of the bands best songs.

Ain’t Your Fairytale and Don’t Say A Word (actually using the word “whore” throughout the song) standout as the classic Sonata Arctica standards. Misplaced, Blinded No More and Wildfire are among my favorites though. This one is the one that really rocked for the band, followed by the often criticized Unia. There were the greatest hits and best of packages that followed along with the For The Sake of Revenge CD/DVD live combo. Still, I think this one has their best playing as a band. Yes, please ignore the Boy Who Wanted To Be A Puppet. I cannot believe they made a single out of that one; lyrically lame but kind of catchy.

The band has an edge that takes them to a higher level as a Power Metal Band. The vocals have bite, the keyboards are incredible, and the guitars are crisp. The rhythm section could use more thunder and power for me, but a minor complaint as on this album—they shine. This album’s production is a bit muddy, but I am no expert here.

Reckoning Night has it all, a purpose in the lyrics, speed and flash in the guitars, clever tunes and true melodic power. It also was the first Sonata Arctica I owned, and I have revisited it a few times in the recent weeks (for reasons look at the first paragraph of the text) and it has also given me a bond to share.

"Reckoning Night" (2004)

Misplaced

Blinded No More

Ain't Your Fairytale

Reckoning Day, Reckoning Night

Don't Say A Word

The Boy Who Wanted To Be A Real Puppet

My Selene

Wildfire

White Pearl, Black Oceans

Shamandalie

Wrecking The Sphere

World In My Eyes

Two Minds One Soul

Ye Old Metal 1973-1975

“Comin' to you across country

Hoping boogies still allowed…

You ask do we play heavy music;

Well are thunderheads just another cloud, we do

Not Fragile, straight at you.

Then we vanish to the night,

Still in your ears but out of sight

Not Fragile.”
--Randy Bachman of BTO; Not Fragile, 1973.

Martin Popoff has done it again. I just received my latest book from Martin, Ye Olde Metal Volume II: 1973 to 1975.

I was impressed with the volume of insight on some key albums of the time period that Martin included. There are interviews with band members about key tracks and the formation of the music of the albums as well as tours and the like.

In this fantastic volume, Martin explores some of my favorite hard rock/early metal albums. They include:
Piledriver by Status Quo
Billion Dollar Babies by Alice Cooper
New York Dolls by The New York Dolls
Sweet Freedom by Uriah Heep
Loud ‘N’ Proud by Nazareth
Montrose by Montrose
II by Bachman Turner Overdrive
Burn by Deep Purple
Bridge of Sighs by Robin Trower
Only Want You For Your Body by Buffalo
Not Fragile by Bachman Turner Overdrive
Welcome To My Nightmare by Alice Cooper
Hair of the Dog by Nazareth
Go Girl Crazy by The Dictators
Fandango by ZZ Top
Bandolier by Budgie
Fool For The City by Foghat
Come Taste The Band by Deep Purple.

Now of these releases, on CD, I own both Alice Cooper albums, both BTO albums, both Deep Purple albums, both Nazareth albums (as everyone who knows me is still puzzled by my love of Nazareth), The New York Dolls album, and Fandango by ZZ Top. After reading the review, I have ordered the Robin Trower CD.

I have to admit to not heard any Budgie and not knowing anything about Foghat other than Foghat Live. Buffalo I have never heard of; I admit further that I really think Montrose is over-rated. I also was under the delusion that The Dictators was more of a punk band; but that might be my misinterpretation. I am confident that Martin will correct me somewhere down the line. I once owned the Uriah Heep album on LP; no Uriah Heep on CD.

As far as the others, my brother Mark owned the BTO’s as I stole his LPs when he left for college. Sorry Mark, that is what happened to them. Not Fragile is their best, and I played it last evening when reading Martin’s review. The treasure to me in this book was reading the Alice Cooper reviews as Billion Dollar Babies is my favorite Alice Cooper album and one that I would argue is among the best albums of the mid-1970s. Martin’s interviews with band members like bass player Dennis Dunaway, and commentaries about Michael Bruce, really gives an insight that is otherwise unknown.

What I also enjoyed in this book is how open the musicians are about what they were doing and thinking when the albums were made. The BTO stuff is just filled with incredible bits and pieces of unique trivia.

I also loved that one of my all-time favorite albums, Burn by Deep Purple was included, as it is one of the most often ignored albums by the band.

I once proudly announced to my friends that through imports and the like that I owned every Nazareth album on CD. I remember buying the eight-track of Hair of the Dog when I was a sophomore in high school in 1979, and playing it while driving with Will Parks at 70 miles per hour on Canal Road in Ottawa, Illinois blasting it through the speakers of Will’s Ford Maverick as Bob Weber was tossing his lunch in the back seat. Those days were fun. I loved it; especially Don’t Judas Me and Changin’ Times. OK, Hair of the Dog said “son of a bitch” and Love Hurts was the hit; but this is such a rich and rugged album; I could not understand how the arrogant snobs at Rolling Stones referred to all Nazareth albums as “Dog Food” in their record review book. I also love the Close Enough For Rock ‘N’ Roll album (thanks for buying it for me Mark, in 1981) as a favorite and I hope Martin includes it in the 1976-1977 volume (hint hint as I will send him this review and politely ask for a comment).

If you like the albums listed, if you were alive in this time and listening to music, and if you have any interest in the formation of hard rock and heavy metal, go here and buy Martin’s book as he will give you a numbered edition and personalize it for you: http://www.martinpopoff.com/. He also has Ye Olde Metal Volume I (awesome material); his very honest reviews in his The Collector’s Guides To Heavy Metal that cover the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s in three volumes; and books on such diverse groups as Blue Oyster Cult, Dio, Black Sabbath (arguably the best Rock Music book I have ever read), UFO, and Rush among others. How often will you see a book on UFO or BOC for goodness sake? His writing is engaging and informative and he considers all aspects of the music. I cannot wait for his Judas Priest book.

I have to blame Martin for my lack of sleep last night, and my neighbors will blame him for the loud “Miss Misery” blaring from the speakers as I listened to the albums as I read his album stories.

And lest you think I get a cut, I merely struck an email to Martin last year and he was kind enough to email me back and establish positive rapport, as he does frequent this site upon occasion. Thanks Martin, and I am envious of his job. He is a good guy with brilliant commentary and the ability to “get the story” from these musicians who very well may be reluctant to talk. Buy his stuff and learn the stories behind the greatest music created.

A special Message this week for my foreign guests--leave a comment if you would.

Lately I have had many of my European friends as well as South American and Asian friends visit.

Do me a favor, just leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Since Germany, or Deutschland, has had the most visits, I left a great German band’s video for you. Go Scorpions!

Thanks and best of the best for you for bringing an interest to my site.

Deepest Purple

“Black night, black night,
I dont need black night,
I cant see dark night.
Maybe I'll find on the way down the line
That I'm free, free to be me.
Black night is a long way from home.”
--Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple from the single “Black Night.”



As I was playing the Heavy Metal Box Set, I was surprised and pleased by some of the artists/selections chosen.

I have always been a Deep Purple fan and have always felt that a box set of the band is long long overdue.

Noting that, the selection from Heavy Metal Box Set, Highway Star, is better than the obvious Smoke On The Water, but I would have preferred Black Night.

Minor whining, I suppose—as Speed King would be another great choice.

Since all of the Deep Purple albums have been remastered and now are available, I would highly recommend snagging them. The band has a long and entertaining history, as I am more convinced now than ever that Ritchie Blackmore is a true originator in the classification of Heavy Metal—considering his solo work, his work with Rainbow, and of course his groundbreaking talent in Deep Purple.

For an excellent book on Deep Purple, I recommend The Complete Deep Purple by Michael Heatley http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Deep-Purple-Michael-Heatley/dp/1903111994/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-4229849-1028705?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192968229&sr=1-2

The best albums (in my opinion and in order) are In Rock, Machine Head, Fireball, Burn, Come Taste The Band, Stormbringer, Who Do We Think We Are, and The Battle Rages On. For a nice discography, go here: http://www.thehighwaystar.com/rosas/jouni/discoidx.html

In the meantime, some of these albums are available at Yahoo Music for a try. This is truly the band that set the tone for what today has been classified as Metal. Lemmy agrees with me that Deep Purple are the true original Metal Band, not Sabbath.

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

Unia from Sonata Arctica: A More Commercial Triumph

“It's hard for me to love myself right now

I waited, hated, blamed it all on you

It's hard for me to love your face right now

I'm waiting, hating, needing, being me

I need you less and less

And every day leads us farther away

From that moment

It's hard for me to hate myself right now

Finally I'm understanding me

One day we may have whole new me's and you's

But first I need to learn to love me too.”
--from Paid In Full by Sonata Arctica

Sonata Arctica’s latest CD is Unia.

This is a bit of a departure from their usual Power/Melodic Metal to a more commercial mainstream. Still, it works on many levels.

Quite frankly, it seems to me that the Fins have borrowed a page from Kamelot’s successful and commercial release of Black Halo.

The albums starts with an up-tempo number: In Black And White—the pure speed of the band and the intricacies of how they play is duly noted. The band follows with the first “single” Paid In Full, as the lyrics at the beginning note: this is the song of redemption for leaving a relationship after feeling the pain and blame. Hits a bit close to home for me personally right now going through a separation (and I must admit that do not HATE anyone), but it rocks and moves and sounds fantastic. For The Sake of Revenge is perhaps my favorite track on the album, although I am sure that will change. There is a serious tone and a “feel” to this one that is different from many other Sonata Arctica songs. This is perhaps their most introspective.

Many of the other songs are in the vein of Broken from Winterheart’s Guild. They seem to sway and flow and then show the metalesque quality of Power metal. The song Caleb is kind of odd to be honest, haunting and creepy in the beginning, and then turns into a thundering moment. I am really not sure how to take it, but it is different. Harvest and World’s Forgotten soar towards the end of the CD, Fly With A Black Swan is one of the heaviest on the CD and I think a great choice for a second single would be Good Enough Is Good Enough: a great retrospective moment.

Critics have hit this one for being too soft and too much “marked at a commercial market,” but to be frank, this could very much be a breakthrough album for the band. I have played it for five days straight in the car thus far and I can attest that it grows more and more interesting with repeated listens.

Sonata Arctica’s Unia Track list and lyrics hyperlinks:
1) In Black And White

2) Paid In Full

3) For The Sake Of Revenge

4) It Won't Fade

5) Under Your Tree

6) Caleb

7) The Vice

8) My Dream's But A Drop Of Fuel For A Nightmare

9) The Harvest

10) The Worlds Forgotten, The Words Forbidden

11) Fly With The Black Swan

12) Good Enough Is Good Enough

You Tube Paid In Full Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1zkXdqcajk

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

And now, for a quick free plug of fun.

If you like older metal (and hey, who doesn’t?), I just received an email from my correspondence friend and my favorite metal writer Martin Popoff that may be of interest. Martin has written the BEST Metal Guides and Band Books on the Planet. His BOC and Black Sabbath books are interesting, fun, and just beautiful to look at. He has also written excellent books on Rush, UFO, Dio; as well as the Top 500 Metal Songs, Top 500 Metal Albums, and Guides to the 1970s and 1980s Metal.

He is also a good guy.

To quote from Martin’s email:

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a new book …It’s almost like an academic journal, the very first of a series, the intention being a little library of similar books covering a pretty big chunk of metal history.

Ye Olde Metal: 1968 To 1972

The Concept:
Detailed examination of early hard rock albums, many lost to the sands of time, some merely in need of a celebratory re-visit. Primarily through the use of new, exhaustive interviews with the band members who were there – the focus being on one classic album - Martin meticulously pieces together the complete story of each album, lending his respected critical eye to the record, massaging in bucket loads of trivia previously unpublished.

The Records:
Blue Cheer – Vincebus Eruptum, MC5 – Kick Out The Jams, Sir Lord Baltimore – Kingdom Come, Bloodrock – Bloodrock, Warpig – Warpig, Cactus – One Way… Or Another, Mountain – Nantucket Sleighride, Uriah Heep – Look At Yourself, Nitzinger – Nitzinger, Dust - Hard Attack, Humble Pie – Smokin’, Buffalo – Dead Forever…, Captain Beyond – Captain Beyond, Trapeze – You Are The Music… We’re Just The Band.

The next one in the series will cover the years 1973 to 1975, and I’m working on it already.

The book is full trade size 6” x “9 format, 230 pages, and includes front and back cover shots of all the records discussed.

Contact Martin Popoff at: martinp@inforamp.net if interested. You can also check out his website from my links below.

Hope to hear from everyone reading this post and/or other posts in the blog responses.

Radio and Power Metal

“The walls around me, eyes surround me, feed my fear again.

I must be freed or I will die before the harvest moon, my friend.

I do not have another year in me, you've gotta set me free.

The dream is alive, I can run up the hills every night,

Go around and see another side of the tree.

Freedom has a meaning for me, howl with me.”

--Sonata Arctica from The Cage, from the LP Winterheart’s Guild, 2003.

Not to highlight a band this week, I thought I would explain a slight advantage of AOL.

No, really.

Many of you have heard me rail against corporate America (Time/Warner owns AOL) on my major blog site (see below’s link list).

Not this time, though.

AOL Radio has some XM sites and a few of their own. In fact, AOL has the most comprehensive metal stations available. My favorite, when searching the net, is to play Power Metal. In the space that it is taken me to type this and this morning while surfing, I have heard Manowar’s Odin’s; Iced Earth Star Spangled Banner; Stratovarius’s Kiss of Judah; Avantasia’s Chalice of Agony; Blind Guardian’s Myth; Rhapsody’s Erian’s Mystical Rhyme; Hammerfall’s Heeding The Call; something from Elvinking I do not recall; Stratovarius’ Black Diamond; A live track from Sonata Arctica; Sonata Arctica’s The Cage; Dragonforce’s Pound and Ground; Edguy’s Super Heroes; Kamelot’s Karma and more.

This shows a great mix of various incantations of power metal.

I usually will find a group I have not heard of previously by playing this channel. For example, Wuthering Heights—a great band—was found on this station. I am not sure of the cut, but they played one from The Shadow Cabinet. I immediately ordered it from Den at Sentinel Steel (also see the Links List below) at a great discount.

So if you have AOL Radio, the commercials at a minimal, they know their metal—take a chance.

There is a Classic Metal Station; Liquid Metal Metalcore; Metal Moshpit; Hair Metal Death Metal; Black Metal; All Slayer; and All Metallica stations.

Now if I could only download it at work, my life would be more complete.

The First Metal Album: Deep Purple In Rock, 1971

“Saturday night and I just got paid…

Gonna fool about ain't gonna save.

Some people gonna rock some people gonna roll…

Gonna have a party to save my soul.

Hard headed woman and a soft hearted man…

They been causing trouble since it all began.

Take a little rice take a little beans…

Gonna rock and roll down to New Orleans.

I'm a speed king--you go to hear me sing;

I'm a speed king see me fly.”

--Deep Purple “Speed King” from In Rock, 1971.

So what is the first “metal” group?

I was rewatching Sam Dunn’s Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey the other day and I was trying to piece together the first groups and songs.

Blue Cheer’s Summertime Blues is too Psychedelic for me. I would also add that whenever I hear it, I think of The Who.

Steppenwolf’s Born to Be Wild is too “biker bar/Harley” for me. I think the term may have gotten a nod from the song, but this is like saying Muddy Waters was the first rock artist because he used the term rock and roll.

Dunn’s approach, as with many band members, was that Black Sabbath was the first; but I would argue that Deep Purple’s In Rock, Fireball, and Machine Head were actually the first Heavy Metal Albums by the first Heavy Metal band—even though they have a keyboard—sorry Jon Lord.

Deep Purple’s greatest album, In Rock, has the quintessential “Speed King;” truly the first sustained speed metal rocker that clashed through the speakers with speed and crunch. It also contains Blood Sucker and Child in Time. Both simply rock hard—with Child in Time being the first Metal Anthem. Flight of the Rat is not my personal favorite, but it follows the pattern and Into The Fire, Living Wreck, and Hard Lovin’ Man truly make this the first classic of the genre.

This is nothing to do with Black Sabbath and is not meant as an insult to Sabbath, but this is the sustainable album that churns and offers glimpses of speed dominance, power chords, a high pitched vocal, and heavy thudding rhythm sections against the backdrop of Ritchie Blackmore’s fantastic guitar solos.

In Rock is an album all rock fans and Heavy Metal fans can agree upon.

“Come taste the band” (a latter effort by Deep Purple) and enjoy the first TRUE Heavy Metal classic album: Deep Purple In Rock, 1971.

Deep Purple: In Rock, 1971
Speed King

Bloodsucker

Child In Time

Flight Of The Rat

Into The Fire

Living Wreck

Hard Lovin' Man

Epica: The Phantom Agony: Opera Metal At Its Best

“Follow your common sense

You cannot hide yourself behind a fairytale forever and ever.

Only by revealing the whole truth can we disclose,

The soul of this bulwark forever and ever…

Forever and ever.”

--Epica from Cry For The Moon, The Phantom Agency, 2004.

Epica’s The Phantom Legacy is among the best Melodic/Opera-influenced Metal albums made.

Simone Simon’s vocals are incredible—there is a hint of soft yearning mixed with the power of self-confidence and sheer energy.

Mark Jansen adds the guitar and his guttural growls. Jeroen Simons on drums is a true talent. Ad Sluijter craftily plays the unique guitar riffs while Coen Janssen (no relation to the former) adds the keyboard magic and Yoes Huts thunders on the bass riffs.

The "hidden" talent of Epica is they add three violins, two violas, two cellos, and background vocals.

Phantom Legacy has their classics in Cry For The Moon (see the You Tube track) as well as Sensorium, Feint, and Illusive Consensus.

This is a band that understands that great tunes and sharp lyrics adds to the pleasure for the listener--and it does not hurt that I agree with their smart and liberal themes.

Simone Simons is a favorite of the band Kamelot, who named their fifth album after this group. Simons joins Kamelot on "The Haunting" and other moments from Black Halo. Her vocals are nothing short of amazing.

The sheer power of Epica (as their name suggests) is the “epic” quality of the classic musical influences which is presented as a backdrop to heavy metal musical moments.

The Phantom Agony contains their freshest moments as well as some surprises.

Epica has just signed with Nuclear Blast—which will hopefully lead to greater exposure.

If they are good enough for Kamelot, they are good enough for me. Try Epica's Phantom Agony, as it will not disappoint.

Sonata Arctica Provides Relief Against The Cold

“Time has come for everyone, to think what we have done.

Open your eyes and see, it's not a dream.

You aim for a common goal, you are one with your foe.

If only we could wake up soon and scream.”
--Sonata Arctica “Abandoned, Pleased. Brainwashed, Exploited” from the LP Winterheart’s Guild, 2003.

Sonata Arctica’s 2003 release of Winterheart’s Guild is among the greatest examples of Power/Melodic Speed Metal that exists.

The opening track, “Abandoned, Pleased. Brainwashed, Exploited,” sets the tempo for the rest of the albums, as it is lyrically interesting and played at an incredible speed.

The album then slows to “Gravenimage,” one of the less appreciate tracks, and then segues into what could be the greatest tracks of the genre—“The Cage” and “Silver Tongue.” Both are brilliant with the flash of guitars and keyboards against the power of the rhythm section that meshes the sound into pure delight. “The Cage” is such a powerful song, one that truly defines this band.

The entire rest is pure delight, with “Broken” and “Ruins of My Life” standing out.

The album is so pure and giving.

I played this one for some students and most were blown away. The speed, the vocals, and the power of the album is what truly shows the standout quality of the work.

The band is from Finland and can play like no one else. Their brand of metal touches us with their bestial sense of longing and rejection overlaying the entire compositions set against nature and natural scenes. This is truly a remarkable piece of work.

Tracklist:
Abandoned, Pleased, Brainwashed, Exploited
Gravenimage
The Cage
Silver Tongue
The Misery
Victoria's Secret
Champagne Bath
Broken
The Ruins Of My Life
Draw Me

Jag Panzer: Thane To The Throne

“The mirror knows a face no one else can know

Points to the path that I must go”
--Briody/Conklin of Jag Panzer from “King At A Price” from Thane To The Throne, 2001.

In high school, I performed Macbeth—I played Ross—not really a worthy part as his name is not mentioned in Jag Panzer’s Thane To The Throne 2001 Release.

Jag Panzer has been on the metal scene since the 1980s and has won over fans for their fast and furious bass riffs courtesy of John Tetley (good beer name) and incredible drumming of Rikard Stjernquist—followed by the lyrical and guttural growls of Harry “The Tyrant” Conklin, the shared keyboards and guitars of Chris Brodrick and co-founder and writer Mark Briody. Often criticized as being little more than a Judas Priest knock-off, the band scored to incredible heights with Thane To The Throne.

By the way, is being compared to the greatness of Judas Priest really a bad thing?

Thane To The Throne takes the highlighted moments of Shakespeare’s tragedy and breathes new life in the angst of murder and the human greed of betrayal—and does so in a backdrop of thunder. Quiet and reflective moments of classical music exists on this masterpiece as well, but the thunder of taking an inward look at the cruelty of Macbeth’s vaulting ambition is the key to the music of the CD.

Lyrically, Jag Panzer borrows a few good lines from Shakespeare, and why not? It is impossible to beat the Master of the language. Thematically, the murder of Banquo—the loss of one’s closest ally for no reason other than greed—is explored and given a very modern sense of inner destruction. The battle with Macduff of the young upstart who has a sense of justice over Macbeth’s lust for power is also powerfully explored.

It is impossible to single out any particular moments or songs, as the piece should be viewed as a whole, but the first track “Thane of Cawder,” the second track “King At A Price,” and the final track “Tragedy of Macbeth,” all standout among the best of Jag Panzer’s best album.

For me, it was a somewhat personal journey, playing the CD, from my past as I have performed Macbeth 25 years ago and taught Macbeth every year for the first decade of my career. For fans of the play, this work will not disappoint. For fans of Metal, this is Jag Panzer at their best.

Jag Panzer: Thane To The Throne, 2001
Thane Of Cawdor
King At A Price
Bloody Crime
The Premonitions
Treachery's Stain
Spectres Of The Past
Banquo's Final Rest
Three Voices Of Fate
Hell To Pay
The Prophecies (Fugue In D-Minor)
Insanity's Mind
Requiem For Lady MacBeth
Face Of Fear
Fall Of Dunsinane
Fate's Triumph
The Downward Fall
Tragedy Of MacBeth

You Tube:

Jag Panzer King At A Price:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mEEVGTSGBM

Oh, Those Lists Will Kill You Every Time!

“We’ve taken too much for granted,

And all the time it had grown.

From techno seeds we first planted,

Evolved a mind of its own.

Marching in the streets…

Dragging iron feet.

Laser beaming hearts…

Ripping men apart.

From off I’ve seen my perfection,

Where we could do as we please.

In secrecy this infection,

Was spreading like a disease.

Hiding underground…

Knowing we’d be found.

Fearing for our lives…

Reaped by robots scythes.

Metal gods

Metal gods”

--Rob Halford of Judas Priest from “Metal Gods” from the LP British Steel, 1980.

I bought an issue of Kerrang recently that listed the top 100 Greatest Rock albums. Now, these things are always up for debate, but Kerrang is basically a metal magazine and they can for the most part, have a metal bias. All of which is fine with me, when you know the audience, do what you wish. Anyway, the top twenty were:

20. The Wildhearts—Earth vs. The Wildhearts
19. The Clash—London Calling
18. Judas Priest—British Steel
17. Van Halen—Van Halen
16. Led Zeppelin—Led Zepplin
15. Metallica—Metallica (AKA the Black Album)
14. The Ramones—The Ramones
13. Green Day—American Idiot
12. Motorhead—No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith
11. Pantera—Vulgar Display of Power
10. Nirvana—Nevermind
09. Slayer—Reign In Blood
08. Bon Jovi—Slippery When Wet
07. The Sex Pistols—Never Mind The Bollocks
06. Iron Maiden—The Number of theBeast
05. Black Sabbath—Black Sabbath
04. Led Zeppelin—Physical Graffiti
03. AC/DC—Back in Black
02. Metalica—Master of Puppets
01. Guns ‘N’ Roses—Appetite For Destruction.

OK, now I know I should not do this, but WHAT?!

Some I would put on a list, but, JON BON JOVI? Uh…NO! Physical Graffiti is a fine album, but it is not heavy or hard—it is more bluesy. Sex Pistols, Ramones, Green Day are all punk—as I would argue Nirvana is grunge. The Wildhearts I just have NEVER heard of, so no fair judging, but still.

So I am offering my top ten Hardest and Best Metal and Power Metal—feel free to pick apart and judge.

10. Kamelot—The Black Halo
09. Stratovarius—Visions
08. Alice Cooper—Billion Dollar Babies
07. Dio—Last In Line
06. Iron Maiden—Piece of Mind
05. Rush—Moving Pictures
04. Black Sabbath—Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
03. Deep Purple—In Rock
02. Metallica—And Justice For All…
01. Judas Priest—British Steel

Honorable mentions include Rainbow Rising by Rainbow, Reign In Blood by Slayer, The first Black Sabbath Album, The debut of Van Halen, Heaven and Hell by Black Sabbath, Back In Black by AC/DC, The Glorious Burden by Iced Earth, Epica by Kamelot, Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden, School’s Out by Alice Cooper, Highway To Hell by AC/DC, Sad Wings of Destiny by Judas Priest, Hair of the Dog by Nazareth, The Black Album by Metallica, Blizzard of Oz by Ozzy Osbourne, The Heavy Metal Soundtrack, Agents of Fortune by Blue Oyster Cult, Power of the Dragonflame by Rhapsody, Fire of Unknow Origin by Blue Oyster Cult, Lights Out by UFO, Jaws of Death by Primal Fear, Chapter V by Hammerfall, Master of Puppets by Metallica, Virgin Killer by The Scorpions, Destiny by Stratovarious, Blackout by The Scorpions, Infinite by Stratovarius, Eric the Red by Tyr, and Inhuman Rampage by Dragonforce.

Have fun picking me apart.

Oh, and from YouTube: Metal Gods by Judas Priest--enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeqsR314erg

Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath Review--My First "Real" Metal Album

"Just remember love is life,

And hate is living death.

Treat your life for what it's worth,

And live for every breath.

Looking back I've lived and learned,

But now I'm wondering.

Here I wait and only guess--

What this next life will bring."

--Geezer Butler, from "National Acrobat," from the LP, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, 1973

What a great album; one that I think is well ahead of its time. This is still probably my favorite of the Sabbath albums—the first six are incredible—and this one also has the most “pop” sounding songs.

My favorite is the opening riff of Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath which set the tone for the entire album. This was a heavy rock album. Iommi outdid himself on this one. The song changes tempo and builds on the opening riff again and again.

The second cut, a National Acrobat is one of the most classically melodic of the Sabbath catalog, cutting in and out of rock’s steady beat with a rhythm section that thunders. I am not as much a fan of Fluff, as I am of the others, but it has a nice tranquil moment. Sabbra Cadabra has another enchanting opening riff that builds as the song progress, with choppy drums and a thundering bassline. Ozzy’s vocal blast through on this number—almost as tough as they are on the next cut: Killing Yourself To Live.

Who Are You is the made-ready for radio hit that everyone ignored. Perhaps relying too much on the synthesizer sound, this easily sounds the most dated.

The album closes with the two best songs in my opinion. Looking For Today almost has a Jethro Tull-esque quality to them—perhaps the flute—perhaps not; as they are treasures for the ear and the mind. Looking For Today thumps and thunders along with a familiar “Metal” chug and churn. Spiral Architect has a beauty and wonderment about it that is perhaps the most unique cut at the time for the band. There is some philosophy in the lyrics, some strain in the vocals—a strain that is controlled. The guitars swirl and the rhythm section takes the listener along for a ride.

My bias shows as I love this album; but I think it is the one most fans would agree shows a grace of Black Sabbath. This is a classic Metal album that sounds somewhat fresh and clearly inventive—even today.

Tracklist:
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
A National Acrobat
Fluff
Sabbra Cadabra
Killing Yourself To Live
Who Are You
Looking For Today
Spiral Architect

The “rare” Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath promo video from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uReAUILc1w

Staying Up Too Late--Kamelot's Epica

If the war by heavens gate released desire,
In the line of fire someone must have known
That a human heart demands to be admired,
Cause in the Center of the Universe,
We are all alone.

I have played Kamelot’s Epica for the second time this evening, and I have enjoyed it once again.

Taken from Goethe’ s Faust, the power metal outfit have composed a great album of songs about the journey from this world to the Nether regions of Hell, only to save a true beauty of humanity and find the vain suffering of mankind.

This is heady stuff to be certain.

The opening riff and power of Center of the Universe (see the YOU TUBE Link) is one of the better examples of power metal I can imagine—an incredible voice in Kahn, the keyboards that add a symphonic quality, the heavy chug of the bass, the clarity of the drums, and the speed of the guitar chords.

Edge of Paradise offers a “classic” sound quality of Ancient times that begs for attention.

The silent moments, as it were of Wander and On The Coldest Winter Night give the listener a reflective time.

The power and bombastic grandeur of the rest of the album has a subtle hint of loss, decadence, and desire.

One can feel the ache of loss and mounting fear of Feast For The Vain and Lost And Damned. The musical interplay of Mouring After and III Ways To Epica close the album on a strong note.

Take a listen and take a chance with what I consider Kamelot’s strongest album.

Kamelot—Epica, 2003
Tracklist:
Prologue
Center Of The Universe >mp3
Farewell
Interlude I (Opiate Soul)
The Edge Of Paradise
Wander
Interlude II (Omen)
Descent Of The Archangel
Interlude III (At The Banquet)
A Feast For The Vain
On The Coldest Winter Night
Lost & Damned
Helena's Theme
Interlude IV (Dawn)
The Mourning After (Carry On)
III Ways To Epica
Snow (Bonus Track)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNFfjoKfUgQ

The Rest of the List

"What can this device be?
When I touch it, it gives forth a sound;
It has wires that vibrate and give music;
What can this device be that I found?"

--Geddy Lee from Rush 2112, 1975.

Here is the rest of the list of the CD's owned. Notice some "Classic rock" and "Hard Rock" is included, and I put Cheap Trick In There because...uh...I do not know, I just like them and they have a harder edge.

-AC/DC-
High Voltage
TNT
Powerage
Let There Be Rock
Dirty Deeds
Highway To Hell
Back In Black
For Those About To Rock
Blow Up Your Video
Live
Flick of the Switch
Razor’s Edge
Fly On The Wall
Ballbreaker
Stiff Upper Lip
Volts
Live From Atlantic Studios

-Aerosmith-
Aerosmith
Get Your Wings
Toys In The Attic
Rocks
Draw The Line
Night In The Ruts
Greatest Hits
Permanent Vacation
Pump
Get A Grip
Nine Lives
Young Lust
Just Press Play
Oh Yeah
Honking On Bobo
Live San Antonio 10/28/02


-Bachman Turner Overdrive-
II
Not Fragile
Four Wheel Drive
Freeways
BTO’s Greatest

-Black Sabbath-
Black Sabbath
Paranoid
Masters of Reality
Volume IV
Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath
Sabotage
Never Say Die
Technical Ecstasy
We Sold Our Souls For Rock and Roll
Heaven and Hell
The Mob Rules
Born Again
Live Evil
Eternal Idol
Headless Cross
Cross Purposes
Tyr
Forbidden
DeHumanizer
Reunion
Past Lives

-Blue Oyster Cult-
Blue Oyster Cult
Tyranny and Mutation
On Your Feet or On Your Knees
Secret Treaties
Agents of Fortune
Spectres
Cultosaurus Erectus
Mirrors
Fire of Unknown Origin
Extraterrestrial Live
Club Ninja
Revolution Of The Night
Best of BOC
Worshippers of the Telescopes
Tales Of The Psychic Wars
Heaven Forbid
Curse Of The Hidden Mirror
Essential Blue Oyster Cult

-Boston-
Boston

-Cheap Trick-
Cheap Trick (CBS/Epic--1977)
In Color
Heaven Tonight
Live At Budokan Complete 2 CD Concert
Dream Police
All Shook Up
One On One
Next Position Please
Standing On The Edge
The Doctor
Lap Of Luxury
Busted
Budokan II
Greatest Hits
Woke Up With A Monster
Sex America (CBS-Epic Anthology)
Cheap Trick (Red Ant--1997)
Authorized Greatest Hits
Silver
Essential Cheap Trick
Music For Hangovers
Rockford
Milwaukee 1997
Sitting On The Stools
Trick’d Again—Hard Rock Café Live


-Alice Cooper-
Love It To Death
Killer
School’s Out
Billion Dollar Babies
Goes To Hell
Welcome To My Nightmare
From The Inside
Lace and Whiskey
Flush The Fashion ‘80
Special Forces
Raise Your Fist And Yell
Dada
Zipper Catches Skin
Constrictor
Trash
Hey Stoopid
Mascara and Monsters: Best of Alice Cooper
Last Temptation
Classicks Live
Box Set

-Corrosion of Conformity-
In The Arms Of God

-Deep Purple-
Shades of Deep Purple
Book Of Talisman
Deep Purple
Fireball
Machine Head
Made In Japan
Who Do We Think We Are
Storm Bringers
Burn
Come Taste The Band
Made In Europe
Last Concert In Japan
In Rock
Powerhouse
When We Rock, We Rock
Perfect Strangers
The House Of The Blue Light
Nobody’s Perfect
Slaves And Masters
The Battle Rages On
Purpendicular
Single Hits I, II, III

-Def Leppard-
On Through The Night
High ‘N’ Dry
Pyromania
Hysteria
Adrenalize

-Ronnie James Dio-
Carolina County Ball (W/ELF)
Trying To Burn the Sun (W/ELF)
Holy Diver
Last In Line
Sacred Heart
Dream Evil
Lock Up The Wolves
Master Of The Moon
The Very beast of Dio

-Dokken-
The Very Best of Dokken

-Dream Theater-
Train Of Thought

-Fight (Rob Halford)-
War of Words

-Filter-
Short Bus

-Free-
Fire And Water
Highway

-Fuel-
Monuments To Excess
Sunburn
Something Like Human

-Fury In The Slaughterhouse-
Mono

-Godsmack-
Godsmack
Awake

-Grand Funk Railroad-
We’Re An American Band
Some Kind Of Wonderful

-Guns ‘N Roses-
Appetite For Destruction
G ‘N’ R Lies
Use Your Illusions I
Use Your Illusions II
The Spaghetti Incident

-The Guess Who-
Best Of The Guess Who (RCA)

-Helloween-
Keeper Of The Seven Keys I
Keeper Of The Seven Keys II
Walls Of Jericho
Helloween
Master Of Rings
Judas
Chameleon

-Iced Earth-
The Blessed And The Damned
The Glorious Burden

-Iron Maiden-
Iron Maiden
Killers
The Number of the Beast
Piece of Mind
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
No Prayer For The Dying
Power Slave
Singles Collection
Fear Of The Dark
Live After Death
Somewhere In Time
Fear Of The Dark
The X-Factor
Virtual X
Brave New World
Best of the Beast
Best of the B-Sides
Bonus Tracks
Dance of Death
Matter Of Life And Death

-Judas Priest-
Rocka Rolla
Sad Wings of Destiny
Sin After Sin
Stained Glass
Unleashed In The East
Killing Machine
British Steel
Point of Entry
Screaming For Vengeance
Defenders of the Faith
Turbo
Ram It Down
Painkiller
Box Set
Angel Of Retribution

-Kiss-
KISS
Hotter than hell
Dressed to kill
Alive
Destroyer
Rock and Roll Over
Love Gun
Alive II
Double Platinum
Ace Frehley solo album
Gene Simmons solo album
Paul Stanley solo album
Peter Criss solo album
Dynasty
Unmasked
The Elder
Killers
Creatures of the Night
Lick It Up
Animalize
Creatures of the Night (U.S Edition)
Asylum
Crazy Nights
Revenge Alive III
Peter Criss Solo--Out of Control
Ace Frehley’s Solo--Ace Frehley’s Comet
Ace Frehley’s Solo--Trouble Walkin’

-Korn-
Korn
Life Is Peachy
Follow The Leader
Issues

-Led Zeppelin-
I
II
III
IV--The Ruines Album(AKA Zoso)
Houses Of The Holy
The Song Remains The Same Soundtrack
Physical Graffiti
Presence
In Through The Out Door
BBC
Early Days
Boxed Set 2

-Marilyn Manson-
Antichrist Superstar
Mechanical Animals

-Mastodon-
Leviathan

-Meatloaf-
Bat Out of Hell
Dead Ringer
Bad For Good (Jim Steinman solo)
Bad Attitude
Midnight At The Lost and Found
Blind Before I Stop
Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell
Welcome To The Neighborhood
Very Best Of Meatloaf
VH1 Storytellers
Live & Alive (Bootleg)
Bat Out Of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose

-Megadeth-
Capitol Punishment
The World Needs A Hero

-Metal Church-
Blessing In Disguise

-Metallica-
Ride the Lightning
Master Of Puppets
And Justice For All
Metallica
Garage, Inc.
Load
ReLoad
St. Anger

-Motley Crue-
Too Fast For Love
Shout At The Devil
Theatre Of Pain
Dr. Feelgood
Girls, Girls, Girls
Decade Of Decadence

-Motorhead-
Best of Motorhead

-Nazareth-
Nazareth
Exercises
Razamanaz
Loud ‘N’ Proud
Rampant
Hair of the Dog
Play ‘N’ The Game
Close Enough For Rock ‘N’ Roll
Hot Tracks
Expect No Mercy
No Mean City
Malice In Wonderland
The Fool Circle
2XS
Sound Elixir
The Catch
Cinema
Snakes ‘N’ Ladders
No Jive
Move Me
Greatest Hits
Dan McCaffrey Solo--Dan McCaffrey Into the Ring

-Nine Inch Nails-
Pretty Hate Machine
Downward Spiral
Further Down The Spiral

-Ted Nugent-
Free For All
Live At Hammersmith ‘79
Out Of Control
The Ultimate Ted Nugent

-Ozzy Osbourne-
Blizzard of Oz
Diary of a Madman
Ultimate Sin
Tribute
No More Tears
The Ozzman Cometh
The Osbourne’s Soundtrack
Live At Budokan

-Jimmy Page/Robert Plant-
Unledded

-Powerman 5000-
Tonight The Stars Revolt

-Queen -
Queen I
Queen II
Sheer Heart Attack
A Day At The Races
A Night At The Opera
Jazz
News Of The World
Live Killers
The Game
Greatest Hits Volume I (British Import)
Hot Space
The Works
A Kind of Magic
Live Magic
The Miracle
Live At Wembley
Innuendo
Greatest Hits Volume II (British Import)
Made In Heaven
Greatest Hits Volume III
Back To The Light (May Solo)
Mr. Bad Guy (Mercury Solo)
Great Pretender (Mercury Solo)
Barcelona (Mercury Solo)

-Queensryche-
Operation Mindcrime
Greatest Hits

-Quiet Riot-
Mental Health

-Rainbow-
Rising
Final Vinyl
Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll
Bent Out Of Shape

-David Lee Roth-
Crazy From The Heat
Gold

-Rush-
Rush
Fly By Night
Can’t Fight It Live 5/17/75
Caresses of Steel
2112
Hemispheres
All the World’s A Stage
A Farewell To Kings
Permanent Wave
Moving Pictures
Exit…Stage Left
Signals
A Show of Hands
Hold Your Fire
Presto
Test For Echo
Chronicles
Counterparts
Vapor Trails
Feedback

-Scorpions-
Lonesome Crow
Fly To The Rainbow
In Trance
Virgin Killer
Taken By Force
Lovedrive
Animal Magnetism
Blackout
Love At First Sting
Savage Amusement
Crazy World
Face The Heat

-Slade-
Play It Loud
Slayed?
Slade Alive
Sladest
Old, New, Borrowed, And Blue
Slade In Flames
Nobody’s Fool
Whatever Happened To Slade?
Slade Alive Volume II
Return To Base
We’ll Bring The House Down
Till Deaf Do Us Part
The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome
Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply
Rogues Gallery
You Boyz Make Big Noize

-Slayer-
Reign In Blood
South Of Heaven
Seasons In The Abyss
Hell Awaits

-Soundgarden-
Soundgarden

-Staind-
Break The Cycle
Dysfunction
Shout It Out (Live 08/25/99)
14 Shades of Grey

-Therion-
Deggial

-Thin Lizzy-
Very Best Of Thin Lizzy

-Three Doors Down-
The Better Life

-Twisted Sister-
Big Hits And Nasty Cuts

-Two (Rob Halford)-
Voyeurs

-UFO-
Force It
Lights Out
Obsession
Strangers In The Night
No Heavy Petting
No Place To Run
The Wild, The Willing, The Innocent
Mechanix

-Van Halen-
Van Halen
Van Halen II
Women and Children First
Fair Warning
Diver Down
1984
5150
OU812
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge

-Vent-
Head

-Rob Zombie-
Past, Present, and Future

-ZZ Top-
ZZ Top
Rio Grande Mud
Tres Hombres
Fandango
Tejas
Deguello
El Loco
Eliminator
Afterburner
Recycler
Antenna
Greatest Hits

Rhythmeen