Lost Classic #3

Being from Canada, I have always followed a lot of the Hard Rock and Metal bands our country has produced.  Most have not gone on to multi-platinum success, but the quality has been high, and always influential. Ottawa's Exciter were one of the premier forces in North American Metal in the early 80's.  While other bands like Anthrax, Metallica and Slayer went on to larger audiences, and bigger successes, Exciter was left behind, but not before releasing some of the greatest Metal of the era.  

Their second album, Violence & Force is a classic.  At the time, when I was a teeneager, we were always on the lookout for new bands, and discovered a ton of great stuff from the era.  Bands like Raven, Anvil, Mercyful Fate and Venom were a big part of our musical tastes at that age.  I bought this as a blind buy, it had a crazy cover, and the band members on the back looked pretty cool.  I remember actually sending a note to the band asking for a patch for my jacket...and I'm still waiting lol.  Anyway, this record is full of classic metal, and really should be considered (along with the crushing debut Heavy Metal Maniac) as one of the original examples of Thrash.


 Not a bad track on the record, full of pounding drums and thrashy riffs.  The highlight for me has always been drummer Dan Beehler's voice.  The record is full of true metal anthems such as Scream In the Night, Pounding Metal, Delivering To The Master, and the blistering title track.  I've often felt that although fans in the know get it, Exciter really should have been bigger.  At the time they were playing shows with Motorhead, Anthrax and Mercyful Fate, and those bands all became legendary.  However, it's not a popularity contest, and Exciter put out some classic records.  It's too bad people weren't paying attention.  Violence & Force needs to be recognized as a classic of the genre.  Here's the title track.  Until next time, Horns Up!

My All Time Fave Albums #25

Here's another great record that had a huge influence on me growing up.  A band ahead of their time, with chops, a great image, and most importantly, incredible songs that stand the test of time.  I bring you Sweet, and their 1974 masterpiece, Desolation Boulevard.

My first experience with this album was through a neighbors teenage son, who one afternoon introduced us 8 year old kids to Ballroom Blitz, knowing that we all loved KISS.  After hearing that, I was hooked.  I actually didn't own a copy of it until Junior High, and once that happened, it was in regular rotation.  The version of the record we grew up with was not the same version that was released in the UK.  Our version was a combination of the UK Desolation Boulevard, and their previous album, the amazing Sweet Fanny Adams, along with the two singles Ballroom Blitz and Fox On The Run.  This was something I didn't realize until sometime in the last 15 years.  I now have both versions ,and they both rule in their own right.  

Desolation Boulevard is full of pop rock/glam hooks and chunks of Andy Scott's proto-metal guitar and Steve Priest's bass.  Songs like the above mentioned hit singles blend along deep hard rockers like Set Me Free, Into The Night and Sweet F.A.  The record also includes one of their greatest tracks ever in The Six Teens, where vocalist Brian Connolly really shines.  The UK version includes the riffy Turn It Down, more Glam Metal in Medusa, and drummer Mick Tucker's (who should be mentioned in the same breath as Bonham and Moon) tour de force, The Man With The Golden Arm.

For me, Sweet (along with the mighty Slade) is a band that although they did have some great success with their early hit singles, should have been one of the biggest rock bands ever. The four albums from Sweet F.A. through to Off The Record are as good (or better) than most hard rock stuff from the 70's.  Now, I list them along all the great rock acts of all time..., most know them for Little Willy and Ballroom Blitz.  A criminally underrated band (especially in North America), Sweets's influence can be heard in almost everyone from Def Leppard to Motley Crue, and most of the late 80's L.A. hard rock scene.  One of the all time greats.  Here's a vid of their amazing (and personal fave), Turn It Down!  Do exactly that!! R.I.P Brian and Mick. Until next time...

My All Time Fave Albums #24

Back with another classic slab of tunage.  The next album that I'd like to talk about is one I've been spinning for 30 years or so.  The band was originally a leader in the NWOBHM movement (even though they don't like to admit it), and went on to become one of the biggest selling hard rock acts ever.  The band is Def Leppard, and the album is High N' Dry.

I have very fond memories of this time of my life, and there are many albums I consider to be the soundtrack to my my life, and in particular my teenage years.   This record is one of them. I discovered this album right before Pyromania set the world on fire. High N' Dry is a steamroller of heavy riffs, a killer rhythm section, and NWOBHM 's youthful energy.  Mutt Lange came on board for this album to refine the Lep's sound, and brought out what I consider (along with the follow up Pyromania) to be the bands greatest performances.  High N' Dry contains not one bad track, and is a stormer from start to finish.  Lead off track, Let It Go starts the proceedings with an AC/DC influenced main riff, and a gritty edge that flows throughout the record.

It continues from there.  (Another) Hit and Run is my all time fave Lep track. Chunks of melodic hard rock follow in deep cuts like Lady Strange, Mirror Mirror, and the stunning instrumental, Switch 625.  A combination of timing (Metal was enjoying a resurgence in 1981), great songwriting, and top end production would culminate in Def Lep producing not only their best album, but one of the greatest Metal records of all time.  There have been many a summer night with myself and the boys blasting this in the warmth of brotherhood and cold beer.  Still in regular rotation (I'm spinning it now), High N' Dry stands as a testament to British Metal and youthful exuberance.  Although a different beast, Lep still continue on, and I'm glad to see they still throw a couple tracks from this record into their tour setlist.

Enjoy the classic vid of the title track!  RIP Steve Clark

I'll be back soon with some of my fave records from the past. Stay tuned.

NWOBHM forever.

Breezy's Top 15 of 2012!! Pt.4

So my computer at home went down, and I haven't been able to blog at all.  I figured since I finally do have a new computer, it might be time to finish out my Top 15 of 2012.  Not to mention my ipod is also down, so trying to remember a few from the list is tricky.  I'm glad I still buy CD's ,but to go through them all would be a bit of a job to remember my complete list from 2012.  This was my Top 5.

5. Viking Skull - Cursed By The Sword

Viking Skull have become a fave of mine over the past few years.  From the UK, they combine the foot stomping attitude of AC/DC, with the buzzsaw riffs and vocals of Motorhead and a touch of classic Sabbath.  Straight up, no frills, drink too much heavy rock n' roll. Cursed by the Sword is full of killer riffs ,and big fat drums. Vocalist Roddy Stone sounds like Lemmy's little brother, and guitarists Dom Wallace and Frank Reagan lay down some brilliant riffage.  Fave tracks include Five Fingers Of Steel, the moody This Is The End, and the soon-to-be-classic, My Bitch Talks Too Much.  If you're a fan of real rock n' roll, you need to get this record now.  And I know if you read my blog, you're already looking for it.  Enjoy!


4. Eclipse - Bleed & Scream

This record, along with my #3 pick, are my surprises for 2012.  Eclipse are pretty much the opposite of Viking Skull.  Way more stream lined, tons of vocals, with a nice blend of classic AOR and Hard Rock.  When I was in High School in the mid 80's, a record like this would have been at the top of the charts, a blend of say Survivor, Def Leppard and Motley Crue, all with a very modern edge.  Vocalist Erik Martensson is the star of the show here, but his bandmates prove they are no slouches either, in particular the tasty solos pulled off by guitarist Magnus Henriksson.  Every song on this record is a winner, and no song got more play from me this year than the title track.  Seriously, if you like melodic hard rock, stop what you are doing and go get this album.



3. Imperial State Electric - Pop War

After leaving The Hellacopters, Nicke Andersson formed Imperial State Electric.  This is their 2nd full length, and what a record it is.  Wearing his influences on his sleeve, the record sounds like the bastard child of 70's stalwarts The Runaways, KISS, and Cheap Trick.  Some of the best classic pop rock songwriting I have heard in a while.  If classic rock radio ever got a hold of this they could make it massive.  Straight up rock anthems like Uh Huh and Sheltered In The Sand, rub elbows with more creative numbers like Waltz For Vincent. I have gone back to check out their first album and the multitude of singles, and they all rock.  This is a band that I will be following from here on in.  Hopefully Nicke and the boys can make it to this side of the pond so I can see them live.  Great record.

2. KISS - Monster

 
I never thought that almost 40 years after becoming a KISS fan, they would still be putting out music, little lone putting out stuff that would rival their greatest albums.  After the brilliant comeback that was Sonic Boom, KISS has actually topped it.  Staying to their roots and influences, with no outside writers or producers, Monster is the record KISS should have made over 20 years ago.  Full of great riffs, and nods to the past (I hear Humble Pie, The Who, Small Faces, Stones), here is a band in the winter of their career putting out some of their best music.  If you were ever a fan of KISS, you will dig this album.  If not, you never listened in the first place.  KISS, welcome back ,The Army is proud.

 
1. Rush - Clockwork Angels

So here we are at Number 1. Like KISS, Rush has released a record this late in their career that can stand aside the classics, and is the best record they have done since 1984's Grace Under Pressure.
A concept album with a steampunk theme, Clockwork Angels rocks when it needs to and pulls back when necessary. Tunes like Caravan and Headlong Flight are some of the heaviest stuff they have ever done, and The Wreckers is one of the best Rush songs ever.  Closer, The Garden is one of the most brilliant creative songs they have ever recorded.  I have caught them once on this tour, and will seeing a 2nd show this summer.  Rush still dominates on stage and on record.  This cannot be the end.


I hope you all enjoyed my list this year!  I'll be back soon with more classic albums that rounded my musical tastes and sensibilties.  Look for posts on classic records from Def Leppard, Sweet and Sex Pistols.  As always keep the faith and MUYA! 


  


 

 

Breezy's Top 15 of 2012! Pt. 3

Here we go with a few more of my  top albums for the year.  3 more great releases touching on all things that are great about hard rock and metal.

#9 - Flying Colors - S/T

After Mike Portnoy left Dream Theater, I was already wondering what his next project would be.  Well, he has a few on the go, and this one is the one I'm enjoying the most.  Flying Colors is a supergroup of sorts, featuring members from bands such as Spock's Beard, Dixie Dregs and Deep Purple.  The album is a great mix of Hard Rock, Pop and Prog.  If this record ever got some Radio attention ,there are a couple of possible hits in tunes like Kayla and The Storm, and a pretty ballad in Better Than Walking Away.  Performances from all members are stunning, in particular guitarist Steve Morse, and singer Casey McPherson.  A great record from start to finish with hints of the members Prog abilities, and a fresh sound that really should have them leading the way for awhile.  Looking forward to the live DVD.

#8 - Cauldron - Tomorrow's Lost

Toronto's Cauldron are back with their 3rd full length, and are on my list again this year.  Tomorrow's Lost continues on the path of the previous records.  Old schoolers will appreciate the guitars and melodies, complete with catchy choruses and worship of all things NWOBHM. I hear lots of stuff everywhere from Mercyful Fate, to Saxon, to even bands like Dokken and Skid Row.  A blend of all styles that makes them somewhat unique. Tunes like opener, End Of Time, or the ultra catchy Fight For Day is the kind of stuff I could listen to all day.  First single and video, Nitebreaker, show the bands penchant for writing a great hook without sacrificing power.  All you old horror movie fans need to check out the video below.  One of Canada's best.

#7 - Kreator - Phantom Antichrist

German gods Kreator return with their next slab of power in Phantom Antichrist.  This album is really a continuation of the sound of their previous 3 releases that started with the legendary Violent Revolution in 2001.  Lots of speed and thrash here, but with some cool breakdown and instumental passages.  Like all the records on my list, there is no filler.  Fave tracks are Death to the World and United in Hate. For a band that has been around the Thrash scene since the mid 80's, Kreator have proven once again that they are the leaders, and not the followers, and that the Big 4 should really pay attention because their peers are playing circles around them these days. The live DVD included with the album shows Kreator still can bring it live, with power and violence, along with musicianship and melody. Awesome.

Breezy's Top 15 of 2012! Pt. 2

There was alot of great music released this year, so it wasn't a problem gathering a list of 15.  Here's the next batch of my picks of the year.

#12. Unisonic - S/T

If you were ever a fan of Helloween (which you must be), you will remember the original classic lineup had a brilliant vocalist in Michael Kiske and a uber guitarist in Kai Hansen.  There was a falling out many years ago, and fans were waiting for some form of a reunion.  Well, here it is.  This full length is the follow up to their Ep, which was also released this year. Is this Keeper Of The Seven Keys?  No.  But it does have some of the elements of the early Helloween classics, with a more modern hard rock approach,and occasionally pop rock elements. There is not a bad track on the album.  Lots of chugging guitars, great solos and choruses, and Kiske proves he still has the pipes.  Kai Hansen, along with guitar partner Mandy Meyer (Krokus),play to their strengths on tracks Never Too Late, Star Rider and the title track.
I like this album, mainly because I wasn't expecting them to take the more AOR/Hard Rock approach they did.  Lots of great stuff...buy it.

#11. Hardline - Danger Zone

In 1992, Hardline released what is one of my all time fave Hard Rock albums in Double Eclipse. The album, which featured Journey's Neal Schon, was a perfect slab of American hard Rock with an AOR vibe.  At the time grunge was ruling the airwaves, and kept bands like Hardline from reaching the top.
The band carried on the past 20 years (in one form or another, without Schon), and have arrived with another great album in Danger Zone. Like the debut, it's all melodies and great vocals.  The songs are all well written, and Johnny Gioeli's vocals are still leading the way.  Classic tracks like Stay, Fever Dreams, and What I'd Like carry the melodic torch high, and are a reminder that if you are a fan of melodic hard rock, that there are still lots of bands producing great music if you look for them. Already looking forward to the next release from Hardline.
Highly Recommended.

11. Testament - Dark Roots Of The Earth

If you're a fan of Metal, you are probably a fan of Testament.  One of the more underrated American thrash bands who would fit along nicely with The Big 4, if they ever made it The Big 5.  The past two releases are some of Testaments best work, and this one keeps up with it's predecesors.  Dark Roots Of The Earth is heavy, fast, and catchy.  Testament plays to their strengths, the guitars of Peterson and Skolnick, along with the bellow of vocalist Chuck Billy.  The headbanging starts right off the top with the opener Rise Up, and first single, Native Blood.  Skolnick and Peterson have never sounded better, as the album is filled with blistering, yet melodic guitar work.  The bonus edition contains covers of Scorpions, Maiden and Queen, so you can see where some of their influences lie.  Another great album from Testament.

Breezy's Top 15 Albums of 2012! Pt. 1

I might be the worst blogger ever.  I listen to music everyday, mostly the classic stuff, but I don't seem to find the time to put in a new post for you all.  I promise I'll be better in the new year ;).  There was a ton of great new music as well this year, and I've put together a little list of albums and bands that I played a ton over the past 12 months.  Some bands you may recognize, and there are some cool new bands that hopefully I'll turn you on to.  I'm going to do them in groups of three or four this year, so I can finish the list by New Years.  I hope you enjoy this years list!

#15. Propagandhi - Failed States

I've always been a fan of punk, mostly the classic UK and US stuff.  Here is a band who's back catalog I need to check out.  Propagandi are a four piece from Portage la Prarie, Manitoba, and this is their 6th(!!) album...I have to pay more attention, because these guys are brilliant.  Manic, yet somehow controlled, Failed States owes more to Canadian legends Rush and Voivod than it does to The Clash or Sex Pistols.Lets call it metallic punk, firmly rooted in the left.  Great musicianship (killer guitar work) and vocals, with progressive tendencies.  Opening track, Note To Self, is six minutes long (which is about 4 minutes longer than your average punk track).  The title track is a stormer, along with Cognitive Suicide and Duplicate Keys Icaro (An Interm Report).  My surprise of the year.  An excellent record.

#14. Huntress - Spell Eater

Huntress are a band from Oregon/California, who look like a bunch of hippy bikers fronted by a platinum blond model, and they sound like 1982 was last year.  This is a good thing.  Classic sounding metal, with hints of classic Priest and Maiden, along with the Thrash giants of the 80's. This album is thrashy and modern, and will appeal to fans of older metal. Songs like Eight Of Swords, Snow Witch and The Dark show where the bands roots lie, but it is done in a refreshing manner with lead vocalist Jill Janus powerful style. It seems the metalheads are split on this release; some love it, some not so much.  Any band that embraces what metal was about back in it's heyday is ok with me, and I'm pretty sure Huntress with continue to do so. Here's the vid for Eight Of Swords. Check it out!

#13. Steelwing - Zone Of Alienation

The past few years have seen a resurgence of retro-styled bands. Like Huntress, Steelwing are flying the classic metal banner high.  From Sweden (who have always produced some great hard rock and metal), this is Steelwing's followup to their fantastic debut, Lord Of The Wasteland. Tons of guitars, great melodies, catchy choruses and soaring vocals are all here.  Along with influences like Maiden and Manowar, I hear some Dokken and Crue in Zone Of Alienation. Flat out rockers like Full Speed Ahead and Solar Wind Riders sit nicely along more lengthy epics like Lunacy Rising.  I've said it before, I'm happy there are bands that still put out music like this.  If you liked metal in the 80's, you need to give Steelwing a spin.  Check out the vid below!

I'll be back soon with my next batch of albums that made up my soundtrack for 2012!