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