Random thoughts and viewpoints on great bands and their music. I am a huge fan of classic metal and hard rock. It's what I grew up with, and what I continue to grow with. Feel free to post or comment, I really dig chatting with fellow music snobs. MUYA!
This year seemed to have alot of releases in the traditional vein, so there were lots to pick from. At #9, from California, White Wizzard - Flying Tigers.
I picked up on these guys a few years back with their High Speed GTO EP. While not sounding exactly like Priest or Maiden, you can hear their influence.
Flying Tigers carries on from where the debut and their 2nd album, Over The Top, left off. However this time around they have sacrificed a bit of the speed and heaviness, and added another layer that really kicks off in the 2nd half of the record. The last 6 tracks are taken more as one larger progressive piece (called Starmans Son) with different tempos and moods. Not to say it doesn't rock ,because it sure as hell does, but it was something I wasn't expecting from this act. This is exactly where the charm lies in this recording. Great choruses, traditional riffage and brilliant vocals from Wyatt Anderson.
Tunes like Starchild, Night Stalker, and Night Train To Tokyo carry the NWOBHM flag high, while later tracks like the amazing Demons and Diamonds show a different and more ambitious side of the band. Another record this year that was a bit of a grower for me, and still love listening to it. I don't know all the details, but this band has had quite a few member changes (this album was recorded with three members), so I can only hope they get a solid lineup and contnue putting out some top notch metal. No official vid from the album, but here is the previously mentioned Starchild. Enjoy!
Please support the bands you like and buy their albums!
This years list has quite a few bands that are new, or are new to me. This band is both. Next up is from a Canadian act, and their first full length. #10 - Skull Fist - Head Of The Pack.
Formed in 2006, in Toronto, Skull Fist are part of the New Wave Of Tradtional Metal, that seems to be producing some great music from Canada. Along with Cauldron, Striker, and a few others, there are some great traditional sounds coming from our home country.
Judging from some of the song titles on the album, and the band name, there may be some collective groaning, but these guys are the real deal, and their album proves their love of all things heavy metal. Frontman/Vocalist/Guitarist Jackie Slaughter is a brilliant player along with his partner Jonny Nesta (guitarists take note), and should carry this band to higher levels of greatness. Plus, ANY band that does a Tokyo Blade cover...well enough said!
Their Facebook page carries the description "Seriously Serious Heavy Metal Dudes Fighting the World for the Greater Good of Rock!" Sounds like a band I can get into!
I can't really pin who Skull Fist sound like (which is a good thing), but think early 80's metal, NWOBHM, and a dash of Kill 'em All era Metallica, and you get the idea. I don't know what it is with great Canadian vocalists, and the high register (Geddy Lee, Rik Emmett, Russ Dwarf ,Sebastian Bach), but add Jackie Slaughter to that list as well. Great voice.
I don't think I have a fave tune on the record, but the title track, Commanding The Night, and the mid paced Commit To Rock are standouts. I've said it before, I'm really happy that their are newer ,younger bands who did not grow up in the glory days of Metal, but continue to carry the flag high and respect it. Not to mention doing a kick ass job themselves! The Gods are proud. Here's to the new breed.
Remember To Support The Bands You Like And Buy Their Albums!
My next pick for the year is a band I have only followed the past couple releases, and the new one is a killer. #11 - Symphony X - Iconoclast.
Symphony X is a progressive metal act from New Jersey. Although I'm familiar with them over their career, I have not paid much attention until the past couple of albums. This one is their 8th, and is probably the heaviest one they have ever done. The guitars are crunchier, the drums are faster, and Russell Allen still proves he is one of the best vocalists on the planet. This record is technical, heavy and catchy. Guitarist Michael Romeo plays like his hands are on fire...just awesome. This album is available in a 2 disc version, and a single disc version. Most of the tunes hover around the 6 minute mark and really show the bands technical and creative ability.
The album is a nice blend of crushers like Heretic and Dehumanized, as well as catchier tunes like Children Of A Faceless God and The End Of Innocence.
This record took a couple of spins to sink in (like all the best albums do), and I find I'm spinning it quite often. The boys are on tour this winter through Canada, and will be worth checking out for sure.
I'll sign off with a video clip from this album. Enjoy!
Back with the next one in my best of 2011. Another new band, this time from the UK. #12 The Treatment - This Might Hurt.
The past few years have spawned some fantastic new young bands that are not afraid to take and show their influences from the best classic hard rock bands. I don't know how old these guys are, but they were not around during the heyday of AC/DC, UFO, or even later bands like Tesla or Skid Row, but mix those up and you're getting a view of The Treatment. I'm an avid reader and subscriber to the best music mag out right now, Classic Rock, and an article about them introduced me to the band.
The Treatment is a five piece from Cambridge. As their bio states, they are classic sounds filtered through young hearts and minds.
The record kicks off in killer fashion with the opener, Departed, and my fave track, The Doctor. Think high energy AC/DC and classic Aerosmith...Vocalist Matt Jones really shines on the slower Just Tell Me Why, and proves he's a genuine talent. They have a potential hit single in the power ballad Nothing To Lose. Honestly, there isn't a bad track on the album, and probably could have rated higher on my list this year. A perfect summer album to crank up (being that is winter now, crank it up anyway). They did a tour in the UK with Alice Cooper this year, so I hope they gain some momentum and eventually take over the world. Looking forward to album #2. Great!
This is the first single, a little ditty entitled, Drink, F**k Fight.
As always, Support The Bands You Like And Buy Their Albums!
Hello again! I'm back with my next pick for the year. About half the bands on my best of list this year are new discoveries for me. The is band has been around for a few years, and have about 4 full lengths under their belt. This is their latest, #13 Widow - Life's Blood.
These three guys are from Raleigh, NC., and have been around since 2000. I stumbled across this while buying CD's online, and thought I'd take a chance...I'm glad that I did.
Definitely influenced by the glory days of Metal (Priest, Maiden, Malmsteen) and classic NWOBHM, Life's Blood is a stormer from start to finish. Great vocals, guitars, and melodies. If you are a fan of more traditional metal, you need to check this album out (I know I will be researching their back catalog). They would have been a big deal back in the mid 80's for sure (and I mean that as a compliment). I'm glad there are bands that still hold the traditional flag high. Going to sign off with a clip of my fave tune from the record, it's one of the faster tracks and will give you a good idea of where Widow is coming from. Until next time...
Remember, support the bands you like and buy their albums!
With the amount that I blog (sorry guys), I figured I better get to it or I'll never get these 15 albums done! I am a real old schooler, but I do always keep my out for newer acts. This band has been around for a few years, but they are new to me. #14 - In Solitude - The World, The Flesh, The Devil.
These Swedish upstarts have been compared to the mighty Mercyful Fate (what is it with all the new bands dropping MF as an influence?) and that is the main reason I wanted to check them out. I don't hear alot of MF in these guys, but they do have a classic NWOBHM sound, and an obvious love for all things Black Sabbath. A little doomy, cool vocals from Hornper, and not as extreme as the cover and title might suggest.
I enjoy a band that mix things up a bit. Most of the tracks hover around the six minute mark, and vary in tempo and atmosphere. The musicianship and energy will have you bobbing your head in no time. My fave tracks are the more off the top off the album: the title track, and the brilliant Serpents Are Rising and Demons. If you like your Metal with tasty hooks, twin guitars and a hint of Sabbath, then check this out. Here is a clip, enjoy! Back soon with #13! Remember, support the bands you like and buy their albums!
There is a music board I have posted on for years that has a Best Of list every December. I thought it would be fun to post my picks here on the Quarry, and share my picks with all my friends. I'll have them all up by Christmas Day, and hopefully have some fun doing it. Don't expect long reviews and in depth thoughts on each record (even thought I love each record), I'll just give a quick synopsis and why I dig them.
My taste in music is actually quite broad, but it's generally gotta rock hard, with passion, and creativity. I love great vocals, and melodies, and always a taste of old school. ;) So to start things off: #15...Journey - Eclipse.
Although I'm generally a hard rock and metal guy, I have always been a fan of Journey. Since around the time of their classic live album, Captured, and their classic Escape, I have listened to their albums and kept up with their career. 2008's Revelation was their true return to form with new vocalist Arnel Pineda. This is the follow up.
The first thing I really noticed about this album is that guitarist Neal Schon is back in a big way. I'm not sure if he has played as many brilliant leads as he does on this record. Pineda is proving he is not a Steve Perry clone, and his vocals soar. Overall a great record and I'm already looking forward to the next one. There is really something to be said for the older acts who can release a new record and have it sit proudly beside their classic material. The last two Journey records do just that. Standout tracks are City Of Hope, Edge Of The Moment, and Chain Of Love. For all fans of Journey and AOR...get this album. Here's a clip of a tune off of Eclipse. Remember, support the bands you like and buy their albums!
