1990s

New Music Monday Blog Skid Row United World Rebellion Chapter One

In this New Music Monday Blog, we are going to get into the new music and the EP from Skid Row.  The EP is called United World Rebellion Chapter One.  We are going to get into history of this once 1980’s Pop Metal and into this great EP music.  Let us get into the history.

History

Skid Row was founded by Rachel Bolan, who is the bass player, and Dave “The Snake” Sabo, who is the lead guitar player, in a town of New Jersey in 1986.  Rachel and Dave filled out the rest of the band with Scotti Hill, who is the second guitar player, Rob Affuso, who is the drummer, and lead singer Sebastian Bach, who replaced Mark Fallon.  Jon Bon Jovi was good friends with Dave Sabo and each promise each other if one made it big to help the other person out.  Bon Jovi’s management sought out Skid Row and sign them to a management deal while the band signs a deal with Atlantic Records in 1988.  In 1988, the band return the studio to record their first record.  Jon Bon Jovi asked Gary Moore, who was part of Irish Blues band called Skid Row, if you would sell the name to American Skid Row for $35,000 US Dollar.  Gary Moore agreed to sell the rights to the name but the rest of his former band mates still dispute these events.  Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora signed Skid Row to a punishing deal which would become an issue when the band became successful.  The band toured and opened up with Bon Jovi.  Skid Row released their self titled record in 1989.  It was success with hit songs like “I Remember You,” “Youth Gone Wild,” and “18 And Life.”  The record went five times platinum.  The band went back into the studio in 1990 to record their second record which is called “Slave To The Grind.”  It was released in 1992 and it went number one in the first week of sale.  It produced hits like “Monkey Business,”  and “Wasted Time.”  The band went on a world tour with mostly Guns N’ Roses.  Before the band started working on their third record, they recorded EP called “B-Sides Ourselves” in 1992.  The band started recording their third record in 1994 with Bob Rock, who replaced Michael Wagenger at producer.  “Subhuman Race” was released in 1995.  It produced some hits but it was not as successful as their last two records.  Sebastian Bach was fired by the band in late 1996.  There was a fight between Bach and Balon about opening up for Kiss.  The band never really broke up but they did play under another band name called Ozone Monday with Shawn Mars.  Rob Affuso left the band and was replaced with Charlie Mills.  The band performed under the name Ozone Monday from 1998 to 1999 around the world.  In 1999, the band went back with the name Skid Row and hired new lead singer, who is Johnny Solinger.  Charlie Mills left the band and was replaced by former drummer of Saison Kick, who is Phil Varone.  The band released their fourth record, which was called “Thickskin” with Phil Varone  on drums and Johnny Solinger on vocals.  This record was the first record in eight years.  Dave Gara came a board to play drums in 2004.  “Revolutions per Minute” was their fifth record and it was released in 2006.  The band did several tours around the world and on the water as a cruise.  In 2010, Dave Gara left the band and was replaced by Rob Hammersmith on drums.  In 2011, rumors started to fly that Bach was returning to the band as the lead singer.  Dave Sabo put all those rumors to a stop after Bach started it on “That Metal Show.”  In 2013, the band signed a record dead with Megaforce Records.  They put out this EP, which is called “United World Rebellion Chapter One.”  This band has put out five studio records, two EP, one live record, and one greatest hits.  Let us get into the music.

Track List:

Kings Of Demolition

I love the heavy guitars and bass in your face at the beginning.  Johnny singing is strong and solid.  I love the main riff with some nice playing from the rhythm selection of the band.  I love the melody from the singer.  There is some solid lyrics on this opening track.  This is a really good singing with some great music and well written lyrics.  There is an awesome guitar solo towards the end of the song.  There is a normal Skid Row ending to the song.

Lets Go

Just like the opening track, “Lets Go” starts out the same way but a little bit slower.  However, it has a nice pace with some solid lyrics, I love Johnny’s singing better than Bach’s vocals.  I believe Bach’s vocals would not fit on the music Skid Row is putting together on their last three records.  There is some nice lyrics.  There is an awesome and well place guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  This song you can hear the punk influence in the band.  Another awesome ending to a song.

This Is Killing Me

I love the touch of the acoustic guitar with a slight overdrive guitar over the top with a short guitar solo.  Johnny is singing with passion and feeling along with some great lyrics.  I love the pace of this song.  The drums and bass are calming but perfect for the song.  I love the well placed keyboards in the background.  They put some nice lays of the music here.  In the middle of the song, I can hear a nice dancing bass line in the background.  There is a nice guitar break towards the back half of the song that turns into a nice short guitar solo.  I kind of feel that one was forced.

Get Up

I love how the guitar starts out with bass and drums being the forces point at the beginning.  The drums and bass are forced in the main part of the song.  I love the touch of the guitars.  I love the singing from Johnny and the lyrics he is signing.  I love the pace and the way place back up vocals.  I love the change of pace towards the middle of the song.  It goes right back to the main riff.  I love the guitar solo ending the song.

Stitches

I love the fade in guitar work with some nice drums and killer bassline.  This music is pretty sick in a good way.  Johnny comes in with a nice punk like singing.  This song is in your face but in a nice way.  I am not a fan of the lyrics but they will have to grow on me.  The music is making this song right now.  This is a perfect ending to this EP.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.skidrow.com

Twitter:  @OfficialSkidRow

In the end, Skid Row has been a band has been on my radar.  They were a band that was at the end of the 1980’s metal scene.  I believe to this day they do not get the credit they should for their music.  Was their first record like all the bands of their time?  Yeah, their records after that shows more than just your normal 1980’s metal bands.  Yes, they are part of that era and they cannot block that out of their career.  I have to say Skid Row has come a long way from their self titled record.  Even with Bach, the band did get heavier and I felt they push themselves away from their peers.  This band has re-establish itself in the hard rock and metal world.  Skid Row was awesome in the 1980’s and early 1990’s but I feel this is the real Skid Row.  Skid Row is back and better than ever.  I cannot wait to see what the next chapter.  I highly recommend you checking this band out.  Let me know what you think of it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Music Monday Blog Drowning Pool Resilence

In this Music Monday blog, we are going to get into the new release from a 2000’s hard rock and metal band, who is Drowning Pool.  The record is called “Resilience.”  We are going to get into the history of the band and then into the music.  Let us get into the history of Drowning Pool.

History

Drowning Pool was founded in 1996 in Dallas, Texas founded by C.J. Pierce, who is the guitar player, and Mike Luce, who is drummer.  They met Stevie Benton, who is the bass player, and then Dave Williams, who is the original lead singer.  Their first record, which is “Sinner” was released in 2001 and band went into the mainstream when they played Ozzfest. Dave Williams was founded dead in his tour bus.  He had some heart problem that he did not know about.  In 2003, Drowning Pool replace Dave Williams with Jason Jones.  They shift the music style from the dark to more of mainstream sound.  They band release their second record called Desensitized in 2004.  They band had success with a single called “Step Up” however, the record did not do that well.  Jones band left the band in 2005.  Ryan McCombs, who is the former ex singer of Soil at the time, replace Jones on vocals in 2005.  In 2006, the band recorded a new song for The Saw movie.  The band then signed a record contract with Nikki Sixx’s new record label, which is Eleven Seven Music.  Drowning Pool released their third record called “Full Circle” in 2007.  In 2009, the band released their first live record called “Loudest Common Denominator.”  The band started working on their fourth record which would be self-titled.  The record was released in 2010.  This mark a first in the band’s history that the band had the same lead singer on two records in a roll.  The band started working on their fifth record, however, Ryan McCombs left the band to reunite with his former band, who is Soil, in 2011.  Drowning Pool replaced McCombs with Jasen Moreno in 2012.  That same year, they released their first single, which was called “In Memory Of,” for their up coming record on the ten anniversary of their original lead singer’s death.  It was a tribute song for Dave Williams.  “Resilience” was released in 2013.  This is the record that will be featured on this blog.  Let us get into the music.

Track List:

Anytime Anyplace

The opening track is in your face and driving music.  There is some nice heavy guitar, drums and bass.  I love the singing from the singer.  It kind of reminds me of their first lead singer.  The drumming is pretty solid.  This is a pretty heavy song and reminds me of the music from their first record.  Jasen singing is solid and lyrics are very good.  This is a great opening song to “Resilence.”

Die For Nothing

I love the beginning for the music.  There is some soild guitar, bass, and drumming playing here.  I love Jasen’s singing on “Die For Nothing.”  He wrote some solid lyrics.  This is a pretty solid song and straight in your face.  I love the guitar break towards the end of the song.

One Finger and a Fist

I love the start to the song.  It is just Jasen singing.  I love the pace of this record and song.  I love the drumming, bass and guitar playing on this song.  This song is clearly going around the singer which was the case on most of their songs on the first record.  I love they have gone back to that for their roots.  This is Drowning Pool music.  Jasen has written some nice lyrics and his singing is pretty solid.  There is a quick guitar solo towards the end of the song.  This is song is in your face from the start to the finish of the song.  I can understand why this was a single off this record.

Digging These Holes

I love the guitar riff at the beginning of the song.  I love the drumming and bass playing.  The singer is singing is spot on with some great lyrics.  I love the guitar and bass playing towards the end of the song that lead into a pretty good guitar solo.  This is a pretty solid song.  It is in your face but in a nice way.  The ending could have been better.

Saturday Night

This is another single off this record.  I love the music at the beginning of the song.  I love the singing from the lead and back up singers.  I love the lyrics  on “Saturday Night.”  I love the guitar break between the singing.  The drummer is playing his ass off on this song.  What was that?  That was a great guitar riff that should have been explored at the end of the song.

Low Crawl

I love the music at the beginning.  The drumming is off the charts with some nice support from the bass player.  I love the singing from Jasen with some great lyrics.  I love the pace of the guitar playing.  There was some great guitar work at the middle part of the song.  I love the drop off on the heaviest of the song to a nice calming music just to be built back up to main riff.  I love the ending to this song with some music in your face with the singer screaming.

Life Of Misery

I love the guitar playing at the beginning.  I love the drumming and bass playing.  I am not fan of Jasen’s singing at the beginning of the song.  It does not fit but it starts to fit deeper in the song.  There is some solid music and great lyrics.  I love this song but I did not like the beginning on the singing side.  I guess it is one of those songs that needs to grow on me.   There is an awesome guitar solo with some awesome hard-hitting drumming at the end of the song.  I love how the guitar player echos the singer.   The bass player is right in your face.  This is a great song.  I am glad Drowning Pool is back.

Broken Again

This is classic Drowning Pool guitar riff at the beginning with the effects on it.  The drumming and bass playing is solid.  During the main riff it drops off but the singing puts it in your face in a nice way.  Jasen wrote some nice lyrics on this song.  I love the pace of this song.  He has a pretty good range on this song.  I am glad they let the bass go to front line at the end of the song.  I love the well placed back up vocals on this song.

Understand

I love the sound sample that they use with a nice drum intro.  The guitar playing is solid.  The music drops off into versus.  I just do not like all the effects on the singer vocals.  They put it off pretty quickly to some nice singing over some heavy music.  They wrote some awesome music on “Understand.”  Jasen wrote some great lyrics on this song.  I am glad they let the bassist run front before it was covered back up by the guitar player.  I love the ending.

Bleed With You

I love the nice heavy gutiar riff to a nice acoustic guitar riff.  The music is pretty solid on this song.  There is some nice music and great lyrics.  I love pace and theme of this song.  This song, which is “Bleed With You”, should be their next single off this song.  I love the meaning of this song.  I love the singing towards the end of the song.  This band knows they have a great singer and they are using him in all the right ways.  This song is a great example.

Skip To The End

I love the guitar and drumming work with the bass echoing at the beginning.  I hate all that reverb on the singer’s vocals.  The music is OK.  It is kind of let down for being the last song.  Jasen wrote some great lyrics on this song.  I am not a fan of this song. It is kind of disappointing song before the bonus tracks.

In Memory Of

This song is memory of their first lead singer, who was Dave Williams.  It is first song they record with Jasen.  I have to say  they put some thought behind this song.  The music is pretty solid.  I love the lyrics.  I love the guitar work on this song.  The semi guitar solo throughout the song.  Drowning Pool did a great job on this tribute to their first singer and long time friend and music brother.

Blindfold

I love the Black Sabbathish guitar riff with effect at the beginning.  I love the drumming and bass playing on this song.  The drumming is off the charts.  I love the singing and lyrics.  For being a bonus track, “Blindfold” shows the world that this band has some great unreleased songs.  I love the ending of this song.

Original Line Up:

  • Dave Willians – Lead Vocals
  • Mike Luce – Drums
  • C. J. Pierce – Guitar
  • Stevie Benton – Bass

Current Line Up:

  • Jasen Moreno – Lead Vocals
  • C.J. Pierce – Guitar
  • Stevie Benton – Bass
  • Mike Luce – Drums

Former Lead Singers:

  • Jason Jones (2003 to 2005)
  • Ryan McCombs (2005 to 2011)

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.drowningpool.com

Twitter:  @DrowningPool

Closing, I am glad this band has went back to their roots.  I love the last two records with Ryan McCombs of Soil.  Jasen Moreno has taken to band back to their roots and to another level.  I also love the record they did Jason Jones and I understand why he was let go from singing.  This record from start to finish ids solid from the music, lyrics, and singing.  They have a great singer and I hope he is around for a while.  I am really looking to seeing this band live.  I grew up listening to this band when they had Dave Williams.  I love their performance on WWE or WWF Summerslam PPV.  I was sad to hear of his death.  I thought it was death of the band too.  I loved their next record but it was not Drowning Pool.  I came back to the band on Ryan’s second record and loved it.  I was pretty upset when he left for his crappy band called SOiL.  I love this record and I love Jasen’s singing which is better than Ryan.  The music is Drowning Pool and they found ways to work with their new singer.  This is a solid record and I believe this record is just the start for this great band to return to the mainstream.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Music Monday Blog Tom Keifer The Way Life Goes

In this Music Monday Blog, we are going to get into the first solo record from lead singer Cinderalla, who is Tom Keifer.  There is two things I love about this singer’s first solo record.  First thing, it is so different than his band’s music.   Second thing, Tom Keifer voice is fine and health.  Tom went for vocal box surgery and no one knew as a fan base if he was going to sing again or at the level he did back in the 1980’s.  I am happy he is back.  I am going to back down his music career and then get into this great solo record.  Let us get into the history of Tom Keifer.

History

Carl Thomas Keifer was borned in 1961 in Springfield, Pennsylvania.  He grew up loving the blues and later founded Cinderella with bassist Eric Brittingham in 1980.  Jon Bon Jovi discovered  Cinderella in 1985 at Empire Rock Club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  With a recording contract from Mercury/Polygram Records, Jeff LaBar, who is the lead guitar player, and Jim Dmec, who is the drummer, join the band that same year.  Fred Coury replaced Jim Dmec on drums to make it on their “Night Songs” record.  In 1988, Cinderella released their second record, which was called “Long Cold Winter.”  “Heartbreak Station” was released in 1990 as their third record.  Fred Coury left the band after a short tour and joined Arcade with lead singer of Ratt, who is Stephen Pearcy.  Tom lost his voice during the recording of their fourth record.  This delayed the recording of the “Stilling Climbing.”  He went for several operations to solve this problem  Fred was replaced Kenny Aronoff to finish drum tracks on the record.  The record had some poor sales and dropped off the charts.  Mercury Records drop the band and the band went on a hiatus or broke up in 1995.  In 1997, the band resurfaced to record a few new tracks for their first Greatest Hits record, which was called “Once Upon A…”  The band did tour in 1998 which led for a live record, which was called “Live At The Key Club,”  to be released in 1999 under Cleopartra Records.  Cinderella was singed to Sony Records in 2000.  However, before they could release their fifth record, they were dropped by Sony.  It led the band and Sony to be in court fights over the music.  The band has done several tour dates but in 2008, the band was forced to cancel their tour dates due to Tom’s vocal chords.   In 2009, the band stated that Tom’s voice is back to normal and went on a few more tours.  The band is still together and Tom is health.  Tom has been working on this record since 2003.  “The Way Life Goes” was record in 2013 under Merovee Records.  He worked on this record with his wife Savannah Keifer.  Let us get into the music.

Track List:

Solid Ground

There is some nice guitar work at the beginning of the song.  Tom screams over the top of some nice music.  He wrote some nice lyrics and music.  This is a different pace to his Cinderella music.  There is some nice drumming and bass playing on this song.  There is some nice guitar work.  Tom’s singing is solid.  This is a great opening track to his first solo record.

A Different Light

Tom comes in singing with an acoustic guitar.  There is some nice music and good lyrics.  I love how the chorus came together.  I love the drumming and bass playing.  This is a nice calming song.  The main versus reminds something he would write with Cinderella but the chorus is a little different.  This song sounds like a Bon Jovi song or one of Jon’s solo songs.  I love this song.  I love the fade out ending.

It’s Not Enough

I love the effect on the guitar.  Tom’s singing is strong with some great lyrics.  I love the drumming and bass playing.  This is a song I could see Cinderella do back in the day.  His vocals chords sound very strong so far on this record.  His wife’s back up singing is spot on and blends nicely with his vocals.  Savannah Keifer, who is Tom’s wife, is all over this record because she helped her husband write this record.  She has a beautiful voice.  I love the fade out ending to this song too.

Cold Day In Hell

I love the acoustic guitar and then the harmonica from Pat Buchanan.  Tom wrote some nice music and lyrics on this song.  I love the back up singing on this song.  It is perfect for this song.  I love the sax playing from Jim Horne.  It gives this song a nice change of pace to the rest of the songs on this record.  This is a killer chorus.  I love the build up to the ending of the song.  Once again, another fade out ending.

Thick And Thin

I love the piano playing on this song.  This song gives this record a different element.  He has some nice lyrics on this song.  I have crazy thought he wrote this song for his wife.  I love how there is guitar to expand the music from the piano.  The drums and bass are a nice support.  Man, these are some great lyrics.  He put some thought into these words.  I love the short guitar solo towards the middle of the song.

Ask Me Yesterday

I love the guitar work at the beginning.  This is a thinking man’s song.  I love the lyrics.  He wrote some nice music for ten years and how time made them really good.  I love how the drums and bass are nice support throughout this record.  There is some nice music on this song.

Fools Paradise

“Fools Paradise” has a little pick up from the last two songs.  There is a programming on this song and you can hear it.  Midi Programming is coming from Mitch Goldfarb.  Tom is singing is pretty solid with some great lyrics.  I love the guitar work and the lays of guitars on this song.  There is a nice guitar break towards the middle of the song.  Drums and bass playing are spot on but I kind of wish he would do more with the drums and bass on this record.  I love the exiting guitar solo to end the song.

The Flower Song

“The Flower Song”  is his first single off this record.  I love the acoustic guitar at the beginning of the song.  I love the touch of the slide guitar playing on this song.  There is some nice back up vocals.  Tom’s singing is solid and wrote some great lyrics.  I love the music because it is almost like a folk song.  I love the calm drumming and bass playing on the song.  I love the trade-off from the slide guitar and the normal guitar players on a short solo.  There is some organ playing deep in the background.

Mood Elevator

I love the music on this song.  This song should have been a Cinderella song.  Tom’s singing is strong with some great lyrics.  The drums and bass playing have pick up.  I love the lyrics and the singing from the back up singers.  There is some nice guitar work on this song.  This song is so much a different pace to the rest of the song.  It kind of does not fit on this record, however, there is always songs like that on every record.  I still dig this song.

Welcome To My Mind

I love the guitar work at the beginning of the song.  There is an awesome main riff.  I love the midi programming on this song from Blair Daly.  He did a great job.  I love the music and lyrics.  I almost want to say this should be his second single off this record.  Svannah has some solid back up singing on this song.  I love the guitar break to a nice low-end guitar solo.  There is a nice fast pace on this song.  “Welcome To My Mind” makes “Mood Elevator” fit on this record.  It is a nice pace for the record now.  It makes sense.  This is a great song.

You Showed Me

“You Showed Me” brings it back down with some nice piano playing.  I love the support from the guitar playing.  The drums are perfect with a nice bass line on this song.  I love the lyrics.  Thank you, Tom for letting the bass player dance up and down that neck.  This is a great song.  This song needs to be a single off this record.  Tom’s singing is off the charts.  I love this record so far.

Ain’t That A Bitch

I love the the guitar riff on this song.  There is some nice music on this song.  Tom has written some nice lyrics with his wife and Conley White.  There is a nice pace to this song.  The drums and bass playing are pretty solid.  There is a nice short guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  I love the exiting guitar solo.  Nice touch!

The Way Life Goes

The beginning is a little weird and different but comes together.  It has a heavy Blues feel to it.  I have listen to Blues in my time but not a lot.  I know enough to love the music.  I love Tom’s singing and he wrote some great lyrics. I love the touch on the back up singers.  I love the meaning behind this song.  It has a nice theme to it.  Nice drumming and bass playing from Ben Strano and Michael Rhodes.  Pat Buchanan playing a nice harmonica.

Babylon

Mitch Goldfrab back on Midi Programming.  I love the playing from the bass and drums.  I love the music and lyrics on this song.  This is a perfect song to finish off this great first record from Tom Keifer.  I love how this song flows and the pace is perfect.  This is a great song.

Line Up For Tom Keifer’s Band

  • Tom Keifer – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar, and Keyboard
  • Greg Morrow – Drums, Percussion
  • Michael Rhodes – Bass Guitar
  • Tony Harrell – Piano, B3 Organ, Wurlizer, Clvinet

Here is his website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.tomkeifer.com and www.cinderella.net

Twitter:  @TomKeiferMusic and @Cinderellanet

In the end, this was pretty impressive solo record.  I knew it was in him.  Tom Keifer and his wife wrote some great music.  I have to say this is a different pace to his music with Cinderella.  Most artist release a solo record and they sound like their parent band.  I love when artist do something different from their parent band.  Geoff Tate from Queensryche did it twice.  Don Dokken from Dokken has done it twice.  There is other artist like former lead singer from Skid Row.  Bach solo music sounds like Skid Row.  Rob Halford has done it but still sounds like his Judas Priest.  The same can same about Ronnie James Dio and Ozzy.  This is no knock on their music.  It is still good but I love when an artist goes solo and does something different.  This is what music is all about.  Their guests were not the mainstream guys like you normally do see on most solo artist records.  Pat Buchanan did some great guitar works.  He has some great solo music records also.  You need to check him out.  Back to Tom, I am so glad he is back and fully heathy on the vocal cord side.  He sounds great.  I have been a fan of Cinderella for a long time.  This is a great record and I will be listening to this record non stop.  There has been some great new releases in 2013.  I have to say this record has to be in my top five of 2013.  I highly recommend this record if you are a Cinderella fan or just love some great rock to hard rock with a touch of blues.  Go get some!   Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  Thanks Tom for some great music over the years.  I has been an honor listening to your music.  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Credit Source:  (I pick up the history part from wikipedia.)

New Music Monday Queensryche Frequency Unknown (Tate Version)

In this Music Monday blog, we are going to get into the new release from Queensryche and it is called Frequency Unknown.  This release is the Geoff Tate version of the band.  Queensryche spite with their lead singer and former band mates are fighting over the name.  The other Queensryche will be releasing a new record with their new lead singer. I will have that review here soon.

History

Queensryche was founded in 1982 in Washington.  Chris DeGarmo met Mark Wilton to form a band called Joker.  Mark Wilton met Scott Rockenfield and Chris met Eddie Jackson.  They changed the name to The Mob.  Geoff Tate joined but he was not interested in playing metal covers.  The band recorded their first EP called Queen Of The Reich.  The band discovered there was another band with the same name of The Mob.  They rename the band Queensryche from their first EP.  The key is they misspelled it.  Queensryche was signed EMI Records in 1983.  They supported the EP with a tour by opening up for Quiet Riot and Twisted Sister.  After the tour, they went into the studio to record The Warning, which is their first studio release, and it was released in 1984.  Their second record was called Rage Of Order in 1986. In 1988 Queensryche release their first Concept Record which is known as Operation: Mind Crime.  The band toured with Metallica, Guns and Roses, and Def Leppard.  After that successful record, the band put out in 1990 their must successful and most selling record known as Empire.  Just like Mind Crime, Empire pumped out several hits and the record reached #7 on the United States music charts.  The band appeared on MTV Unplugged and released Live record with Operation:  Mind Crime.  The band took time off but in 1994 they released the follow-up to Empire which is Promise Land.  Like most Metal bands, they took a hit when the grunge scene hit the mainstream.  The band put out their final record with original lead guitar player Chris DeGarmo.  The record was called Hear In The Now Frontier.  The record had two hits but record itself did not do good.  Chris left the band and it was not made public why he left the band.  He is now a full-time pilot.  Chris was replaced by Kelly Gray and he produced their next release called Q2K in 1999.  Just like Hear In The Now Frontier, the fans did not like the direction of the band.  The band was forced to play in clubs and theaters like most of their peers.  The band put out their second live record in 2001 and fired Kelly Gary for ongoing problems and personal habits.  In 2003, the band enter the studio to worked on Tribe and reports that Chris DeGarmo worked with the band again.  He helped co write four songs but he never rejoin or decline that he was part of the band.  However Kelly Gary’s replacement was Mark Stone, which work with Tate on his first solo record, Mark Stone finished the record as the second guitar player.  The band went on tour with Dream Theater to support in 2003.  In 2004, Queensryche got a ton of interested from fans when they announced they are going to do a follow-up to the 1988’s release Operation:  Mind Crime.  Operation:  Mind Crime II was released under new record label Rhino in 2006.  The band put a greatest hits called Signs Of The Time with Chris DeGarmo on one new song.  In 2007, the band put out a cover record that was called Take Cover.  Mark Stone left the band to work on his side project called Speed-X but there was reports that he was fired from the band.   Mark was forced to record both the lead and rhythm guitar parts for American Soldier, which was three concept record, that Queensryche put out.  It was released in 2009.  Dedicated to Chaos was the final record with Geoff Tate  and it was released 2011.  The band had a meeting without Tate and they decided to outsource their fan club and fire their band manager, who is Tate’s wife.  The band hired Todd La Torre as the lead singer.  Geoff Tate filed a lawsuit against the band on that he has the rights to the name.  The judge ruled that Tate and his former band mates could use the name until the next court date which is in November of 2013.  This blog is on the Tate version of the band.  He has several artist and former members of the Queensryche band.  Let us get into the music.

Track List

Cold

There is some strong action from the drums and an awesome guitar riff.  Tate’s singing is really strong.  I am not a fan of the lyrics.  I can barely hear the vocals in the song.  It just seems like the guitar is right by the recording mic the whole time.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.

Dare

There is some nice guitar work and drum action at the beginning.  Tate is more to the front as the guitars seems like they are in the background.  I am not a fan of the lyrics.  It just seems like these first two songs the lyrics were rushed to get the record out to the public.  I am not sure how I feel towards the middle of the song.  I love the guitar build up from the break and the ending.

Give It To You

I love the acoustic guitar at the beginning of the song.  I really do not like Tate’s singing in this song.  Once again, I am not a fan of the lyrics.  This song has a good pace to it.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  There is some great music so far on this record.

Slave

I really love the guitar work at the beginning of the song.  The drums and bass are pretty solid too.  I love the guitar work when Geoff Tate comes in singing.  Once again, I am not fan of the lyrics and singing, however, it is better than the first few songs.  I am starting to see an ongoing theme in  this record to me.  There is some nice drumming towards the end of the song.

In The Hands Of God

I am not sure how I feel about the beginning of the song.  The guitar work is a little weird for Queensryche music.  I am not a fan of lyrics but his singing is pretty good.  I really do not like the back up vocals on this song.  The low to high singing is not working for this song.  I kind of like the guitar solo.  This is a bad song from start to finish.

Running Backwards

I like the guitar work and the drums and bass are pretty strong in this song.  Running Backwards has a nice start to the song.  I am not a fan once again of the lyrics.  It is a little better than the rest of the record.  It just seems like they put Tate’s vocals in the background to the rest of the band.  There is a nice guitar solo in the back half of the song.

Life Without You

Life Without You has a strong guitar and drumming work.  It calms down like old Queensryche.  I am not sure on how I feel about the drums and bass during the main riff.  I just feel the lyrics were rushed but this is the best set of lyrics on this record.  I do like the bass work towards the back half of the song.

Everything

Everything starts out with some nice piano work and almost like drum machine that Linkin Park would use in their music   The music seems so far in the background.  The guitar and bass are pretty good.  Geoff Tate has some good singing but the lyrics I could do without.   Tate sounds like he is singing in the metal box.  The chorus on this song is really good along with the lyrics.  I believe this is one of the better songs on the record.  The guitars on this record are too much in the front over the rest of the band.

Fallen

I love the drums and the guitar work at the beginning of the song.  I can hear but barely hear the second guitar solo.  I do not like the lyrics on this song.  The music is pretty solid on Fallen.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the back half of the song.  Please, do not sing over the guitar solo and it did not fit.  There are some songs it fits but not here.

The Weight Of The World

I love the acoustic guitar at the beginning of the song.  I can do without the reverb and delay on Tate’s vocals.  I kind of do not like his singing and melody.  Plus, on top of all this for being the last song the lyrics are pretty bad.  This song just seems too slow for everything that is going on in the song.  There is a pretty neat guitar solo towards the end of the song.

Re-record Hits

I Don’t Believe In Love

I really love this song and I get why bands re-record their hits.  I have to say this a really bad version of this song.  The guitar sounds too bright and Tate has too much reverb on his vocals.  It just seems so empty.  The back up vocals are bad.

Empire

The guitar seems different and drums are too bright.  I can barely hear the bass and once again Tate has reverb on his vocals.  It is not as bad as I Don’t Believe In Love.  The back up vocals are a little better on this song.  This is a pretty solid re recording of Queensryche classic song.

Jet City Woman

It is something with the studio where they recorded all these songs.  They seems so empty and the guitar solo seems a little different than the original.  Tate’s vocals are like the original but there is still too much reverb.  Towards the end of the song, it seems like kids are doing the back ground vocals with Tate.  This is bad version.

Silent Lucidity

It is something with the studio they are recording in because all these songs seems very empty and has a ton of holes in them.  This one seems ok and better than the rest of the songs.  Tate just seems like he is singing a little different in this version.  It is not good but it is far from the original song.  It is just another bad version.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.queensryche.com

Twitter:  @queensryche @geofftate

In closing, I am a huge fan of Queensryche and I was sad to hear they broke up.  I was excited to see each version come up with music.  I have to say this version of Queensryche is NOT Queensryche.  Sorry Tate!  I love your singing and I will still support you and your former band mates.  This record is Tate’s solo record and it is a shame that the Queensryche name is all over this record.  This hurts the brand than helps it.  I will say this is better than Tate’s first record. His second solo record was better than these two records. I have not heard the other version of Queensryche minus Tate.  Who knows that might be bad too.  The parts I have heard I am a little excited because the new singer sounds like a younger Tate.  Plus, I love the fact they are going back to the earlier records.  If this was a Tate solo record, I would have loved it and I still do to some point.  I have to block the name out to maybe it will grow to like this record.  There are some pretty good songs but there are too many fillers.  I believe Tate needs to take a year off from lyric writing and relax.  I believe he is over work and burn himself out.  Please, let me know what you think of this record.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Credit Source:  (I pick up the history part from wikipedia.)

New Music Monday Blog Filter The Sun Comes Out Tonight

In this Music Monday Blog, Filter is the feature band and the new record called “The Sun Comes Out Tonight.”  Filter is well-known in the 1990’s for their huge hit “Hey Man Nice Shot,” which everyone thought they were talking about Kurt Cobain shooting himself.  It is still mystery of what they were singing about.  Filter had several hits in the 1990’s and I have been a fan since.  Let us get into the history of this band and then the music.

History

Richard Parker, who is one of founding member of Filter, played guitar in a band called Nine Inch Nails.  He tour for NIN record “Pretty Hate Machine.”  Richard left the band after the tour and began a new project which would be called Filter with Brain Liesegang.  Filter signed record company in 1994 with Reprise Records.  “Short Bus” was released in 1995 with the big hit “Hey Man Nice Shot.”  They had another hit off that record called “Dose.”  Filter went back into the studio in 1998 to start working on their second record which would be release in 1999 and it was called “Title Of Record.”  They had a three singles which are “Welcome To The Fold,” “The Best Things,” and the huge hit song “Take A Picture.”  Filter went into the studio in 2001 to begin work on “The Amalgamut.”  It was released in 2002 with hit songs like “Where Do We Go From Here,” and “American Cliche.”  Sales of the record were short because of Richard Parker entering Rehab which led to lack of touring and support for the record.  Filter took a break from touring and recording.  Richard Parker team up with members of Stone Temple Pilots to form the supergroup called Army Of Anyone.  Army Of Anyone put out their first record and did not sale very well.  Richard disappointed with the success of that Supergroup project which lead to their break up in 2007.  Filter finally went into the studio to record their fourth record in 2007 and their first since 2002.  The record was called “Anthems for the Damned.”  It was a more serious record than the rest that was released in the past.  The record was finally released in 2008 and had hits like “Soldiers Of Misfortune” and “What’s Next.”  In 2008, Filter started to work on their fifth record called “The Trouble With Angels.”  There was no singles off this record, however, this record brought Filter back to their first three records.  The fan base holds this as their cult classic.   The band enter the studio to record their sixth record which is the one that will be reviewing in this blog and it is called “The Sun Comes Out Tonight.”  The band put out their first single called “What Do You Say.”  Let us get into the music.

Track List

We Hate It When You Get What You Want

The open track has that classic Filter sound to it.  The programming and sampling is awesome.  Richard Parker sounds great.  The drumming and bass work is right there with the old school sound.  Richard has some great lyrics on this song.  Filter keeps it going after their last release, which was “The Trouble With Angels.”  This is a great opening track.

What Do You Say

The first single off this great record is “What Do You Say.”  Just like the opening track, “What Do You Say” starts out like the old Filter sound.  I believe this band never really loss its sound.  They were experimenting on their fourth record.  There is nothing wrong with that and still was a pretty good record.  Richard is singing is solid with some awesome lyrics.  He has his screaming going on in this song.  The music from the guitar, bass, and drums are solid.  I love the music breaks in “What Do You Say.”  This is a perfect first single off this record.  It also has a nice ending.

Surprise

I love the start of this song with the samples and acoustic guitar.  Richard’s singing is really good on this song.  This song reminds me of “Take A Picture.”  He has out did himself on this song.  The drums are really good.  This song right now is my favorite song off this record so far.  I really enjoyed the build up towards the end of the song.  “Surprise” has a nice and fitting finish.

Watch The Sun Come Out Tonight

I love the effects on the samples and the vocals.  Richard comes in with an awesome guitar riff that turns out to be the main riff.  Once again, I tip my hat to him for having some solid lyrics and music.  I am loving the drums and bass on this song.  It is a perfect back up to the singing and guitar.  I love the ending of this song.

It’s Got To Be Right Now

I love the guitar effects on the one guitar.  The other guitar is same riff but really solid.  I love the singing and the lyrics.  This song seems like it could have been part of their 1990’s records.  The drums and bass are simple but this is perfect for the song.  It is what the song is calling for in its theme and process.  This is not the best song but not the worse on this record.  The lyrics are to the point and love the build up for the ending.

This Finger’s For You

The drums kind of has a flare from Led Zeppelin but a little bit heavier at the beginning.  I love the guitar and programing while Richard sings.  There is some pretty solid music and lyrics on this song.  The drums and bass are about where they need to be with the process of this song.  The music is awesome and this can be turn up without leaving anything behind.  The title of the song explains everything.  I love the music break with a semi guitar solo.  I love the sampling drums at the end of the song.

Self Inflicted

I love Richard screaming at the beginning.  It brings me to the old school of Filter.  This song seems like “Hey Man Nice Shot.”  I love the lyrics.  They are straight to the point and have some meaning.  I love the verses music and then the pick up for the chorus.  Parker has written some great music for this song.  I love the pace of this song.  It has a nice ending.

First You Break It

I love the acoustic guitar and pace at the beginning of this song.  Once again, this song reminds me of “Take A Picture.”  For programming metal band, their Ballard or slow songs are really good.  They make sense and not what you expect from them.  The lyrics and music are solid.  This is up there as one of my favorite songs off this record.  The drums move this song not the singer or guitar player.  The drummer leads us to a nice journey of music.  I love the singing towards the end and the build up.

Burn It

I love the programming at the beginning of the song.  The guitar in the background is a nice touch.  When it comes forward, it is right in your face.  The lyrics are pretty solid for the theme of this song.  I love Richard’s singing.  He is on it like back in the 1990’s.  I just wish and hope this band gets some looks from this record.  There is a nice pace to music and the drums are really solid off this track.  Richard has a nice guitar solo towards the back half of the song.

Take That Knife Out Of My Back

The sampling and programming is slow and nice to the point.  The lyrics are simple but perfect.  I believe this is the last song they wrote for the record.  I love the guitar riff in the song.  Richard’s screaming is perfect along with the drums and bass playing.  There is a nice pace to the song.  This is a pretty solid song towards the end.  I believe this should be the second single off this record.  It has a nice ending.

It’s My Time

I love the piano action at the beginning of the song.  I love the lyrics along with the music.  This is thinking music but to me this is thinking about growing up listening to this band.  Damn, time has went by pretty fast.  Richard has still has it as a song and lyric writer.  These songs make me want to get back into music.  This is a great song.

It’s Just You

The beginning of this song reminds of something off Owl City record.  However, Filter put their twist on it. There is some solid music and lyrics.  I am so proud of this band of what they are and what they have become in the world of hard rock and metal.  I love the lyrics and it comes straight from the heart.  I love the ending and this is a perfect ending to this great record.  FILTER is BACK!!!  Last record is the same thing.

Here is original Line Up:

  • Richard Patrick – Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Programming, Drums, Producer, Engineer
  • Brian Liesegang – Programming, Keyboards, Guitars, Drums, Producer, Engineer
  • Matt Drvenkar – Answering Machine Vocals
  • Kevin Hanley – Additional Guitar Noise

Here is their current Line Up:

  • Richard Patrick – Lead Vocals, Guitare
  • Jonathan Radtke  – Guitar, Backing Vocals
  • Phil Buchman – Bass Guitar
  • Jeff Friedl – Drums
  • Elisa Mallin – Drums

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.officialfilter.com

Twitter:  @OfficialFilter @RichardPatrick

In closing, I have not been disappointed with this band’s music since they started.  They have not put out a bad record.  I am not a huge fan but I will say I have becoming more and more of huge fan.  I believe this record has put me to the point I have become a huge fan.  I have grown up listening to this band and I was too stuck in the past,which meaning like the 1970’s and 1980’s.  I believe their was nothing wrong with that. I still follow this band like Candlebox, Stone Temple Pilots, Cold, Soundgarden, and Alice In Chains.  There are band I wish would have kept on going but this band I am glad is still going.  They put out a solid record and you need to support them.  If you are new to this band, please, go back and check out the rest of their music.  I highly recommend this music.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Credit Source:  (I pick up the history part from wikipedia.)

New Music Monday Black Sabbath 13

In this special Music Monday blog, we are going to take a look at a record many of us have been waiting for in years.  We are talking about the new music from Black Sabbath.  This is the first new studio record from Black Sabbath with Ozzy as the lead singer in about 35 years.  I have to say this record has went over really well with everyone in the world.  This record went #1 in the first week in 50 countries.  Let us get into the history of this great pioneer metal band and then the music.

History

Black Sabbath was founded in 1968 under the name of Earth.  As they have learned later on they found there was another band under the same band name of Earth in England.  Earth changed their name to Black Sabbath in 1969 from 1963 horror movie Black Sabbath.  They wrote their most haunting and evil song after their band name.  Black Sabbath was signed to Warner Bros in the states.  They release their debut record of Black Sabbath in 1970.  The record companies push Sabbath back into the studio in June of 1970 to record their second record.  It was supposed to be called “War Pigs.”  Warner Bros changed the name to “Paranoid” and lead with the title track as their first single.    “Paranoid” was released in early part of 1971 and went to #2 on the music charts.  In the early part of 1971, the band enter the studio to record “Master Of Reality.”  Following the World Tour of “Master Of Reality,” the band took break from touring and recording.  However, in June 1972, the band was back in the studio recording “Vol. 4”, it would be released in later part of 1972.  In the summer of 1973, they enter the studio, which was a house outside of Los Angeles, to record “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.”  The record was released in the later parts of 1973 after a long and beat up time to come up with music and ideas for “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.’  Sabbath went on a World Tour for the year of 1974.  In the early part of 1975, the band started working on “Sabotage.”  It would be released in July 1975.   Also in 1975, the record company put out the band’s first greatest hit, which was called “We Sold Our Souls For Rock And Roll.”  In 1976, Black Sabbath added a keyboard player, who was Gerry Woodruffe, to their next record, which was “Technical Ecstasy.”    It was released on September 1976.  In 1977, Ozzy quits the band just before Sabbath was supposed to be entering the studio.  Dave Walker was brought in to replace Ozzy on vocals.  They performed live with their new song “Junior’s Eyes.”  Ozzy had a change of mind on leaving the band and wanted to rejoin the band in January 1978.  Ozzy was welcome back but all the new songs they wrote with Dave Walker had to be tossed because Ozzy could not sing those songs.  “Never Say Die!” was released later part of 1978 and it marked the last studio recording for Ozzy in Sabbath for a while.  The band return to LA area to start working on new songs but the band was doing too much drugs and drinking way too much.  Ozzy had no ideas and did not want to practice. Ozzy was busy getting drunk and doing drugs. Tony fired Ozzy and had Bill Ward his buddy and lead singer he was not the singer of Black Sabbath anymore.  The band went through several line up changes in the 1980’s.  Ronnie James Dio replace Ozzy on vocals and this was the most success the band had in the 1980’s.  They also had Ian Gillin, who was from Deep Purple fame, on “Born Again” record as the lead singer, which to this day it is cult classic.  Then the band had Tony Martin and Ray Gillan, who replaced Glenn Hughes.  Glenn Hughes was on the record “The Seventh Star.”  Glenn to this day still does not remember recording that record with Tony.  At this time in Sabbath, Tony was the only original member of the band.  This record was supposed to be Tony’s first solo record but the record company said no to the idea.  Finally, in 1997 Black Sabbath with all four original reunited for a tour on the Ozzfest.  They would play along the side of Ozzy’s solo band.  The band did several recordings in Europe for their live record called “Reunion” that was released 1998.  It also mark the first time in years that the band recorded new music in a studio with Ozzy.  They recorded three songs but only two made the live record.  In the spring of 2001, the band went into the studio with Rick Rubin to start working on new record with Ozzy on vocals but Ozzy was called away to finish up his solo record “Down To Earth.”  Black Sabbath reunited with the Heaven And Hell line up and toured with Dio.  The band later started to work on new songs for the new Black Sabbath.  The band released the new record, which was “The Devil You Know,” under the band name of Heaven And Hell.  The band toured the world until Dio received some bad new about his health.  Ronnie James Dio pasted away on May 2010 from stomach cancer.  The Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund is still active to this day and please support.  Rest In Peace Dio!  In November 2011, Black Sabbath reunites with Ozzy on vocals in the studio with producer Rick Rubin.  Bill Ward could not play the drums because of other things going on in his life.  There are several different stories out there about this situation.  Brad Wilk of Rage Against Machine was called in to play drums on the record.  “13” was released last week in the United States.  It has mark the first studio record from Black Sabbath in 18 years and the first with Ozzy in 35 years.  Let us get into the music!

Track List

End Of The Beginning

The classic dark dooming guitar riff from Tony at the beginning.  It is supported by some great drumming and bass playing.  This song reminds of something off the early Black Sabbath.  This is really creepy.  I love how Ozzy is singing over the guitar playing.  This song is extremely haunting and awesome.  I love the lyrics.  This is a great opening track to this great record.  I love the pick up towards the middle of the song.  I also love the fact that Ozzy has no effects on his vocals.  He also sounds really good on his singing.  Tony has a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  I love how they let the drums and bass fill the spaces during the guitar solo.  I mean there is a rhythm guitar but it is not over the top like most rhythm guitars with the solo.

God Is Dead?

God Is Dead? is  the first single off this record.  Just like the opening track, this song is pretty creepy.  They have found the fountain of youth on this record so far.  I love the guitar work.  The drums and bass is pretty solid.  They have out did themselves on the music.  Once again, Ozzy has no effects on his vocals.  He sounds like old school Ozzy.  I love the pick up for the chorus and then the music pulls back to the background during the versus while Ozzy’s vocals are pushed forward over the music.  The band has written some great lyrics and music.  This is a great song for a single.  This record seems like it could be forty years old.  Tony has a great guitar solo towards the end of the song.  I love the time changes on this song.

Loner

I love the start to Loner with the solid guitar, drums, and bass.  This song seems like it would have been part of “Master of Reality” or “Vol. 4.”  This is classic Ozzy singing and lyrics.  I am really loving the fact there is no effects on his vocals.  I am really enjoying this guitar solo and I love the effects that are put on the Tony’s guitar.  Brad has done an awesome job on the drums.  Tony did a pretty good job on the ending guitar solo to finish up the song.

Zeitgeist

Tony has the Planet Cavern acoustic guitar sound going.  Bard playing the congas is a very nice touch.  This is the only time that Ozzy has effects on his vocals and it is perfect.  The bass is just right from one of the best in the business.  I love the lyrics on Zeitgeist.  Tony has some great guitar work towards the end of the song.  It is a nice touch for the song.

Age Of Reason

Brad has some awesome drumming and the bass and guitars are solid.  Ozzy is singing is solid and lyrics are really good.  I am loving the pace of this song.  I love how this song developed with the some keyboard action in the middle of the song.  I love the music on this song.  There is awesome guitar riffs throughout this song.  Tony puts together a pretty good guitar solo in the later parts of this song.  It has a perfect ending.

Live Forever

The guitar riff is pretty solid with the drums and bass at the beginning of  “Live Forever.”  The main riff is classic Black Sabbath.  Ozzy has his classic singing with some great lyrics.  Once again, it seems like this song could have been off one of their earlier records.  This is one of my favorite songs so far off this record.  Tony has a solid guitar  solo towards the back half of the song.

Damaged Soul

I love the sample or sound effects they use at the beginning of the song.  I love how the drums, guitar, and bass comes into the song.  The music is pretty solid.  Ozzy has some reverb on his vocals but it fits where they are taking this song.  Classic Tony’s guitar riff bleeds throughout this song.  I love the double vocals from Ozzy.  It gives you the crazy feeling that the song is trying to get out.  Tony has some pretty awesome guitar breaks and solos throughout this song.  The music is awesome on this song.  I am loving the ending guitar solo.

Dear Father

“Dear Father” is the final song off the record before we get into the bonus tracks from special edition from www.bestbuy.com.  There is classic Black Sabbath music and Ozzy singing and lyrics are solid.  I am loving the pace and the feeling on this song.  It is a perfect song to finish this comeback record.  Brad is killing it on the drums.  He is not Bill Ward but if someone told me Bill Ward played on this record, I would have believe them.  I love Ozzy’s melody on this song.  The rain storm is perfect and echoes the time in the past and the record that put them on the map.

Methademic

I love the start of this song.  Tony has a nice acoustic guitar riff.  It is a thinking music.  It then slams right into your face with the distorted and evil guitar riff.  The bass and drums are solid.  Ozzy is solid on his vocals and lyrics.  This song has a good pace to it.  Tony has an awesome guitar solo in the later part of the song.    It has a nice ending to the song.

Peace Of Mind

“Peace Of Mind” has an awesome guitar riff.  It is deep, dark, and thick.  Ozzy has some awesome singing and lyrics also on this song.  Brad drum beat is simple but it is to the point.  I love how the guitar and drums echo off each other.  I love how this song ends.  It is perfect.

Pariah

I love the beginning of Pariah.  There is an awesome main riff.  Bulter is all over that bass along with Tony’s guitar work.  Dear lord, this has to be the best song of the bonus tracks and maybe the record itself.  This has to be a song they never used back in the day.  This is a great song.  I love how they moved the guitar down to an acoustic in the later part of the song.  It goes back to distorted and Tony has guitar solo that fits this song.

Naivete In Black

“Naivete In Black” is the finally song from the bonus tracks and the record.  I love the fast pace of the song.  Ozzy has been pretty solid throughout this record.  The lyrics are done up really well.  I love the movements of the riffs.  Tony has a nice guitar break in the middle of the song.  I love the ending to this song and the riff going out.

Current Line Up

  • Ozzy Osbourne – Lead Vocals
  • Tonny Iommi – Guitars
  • Geezer Bulter – Bass

Special Guest Drummer

  • Brad Wilk – Drums

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.blacksabbath.com

Twitter:  @OfficialSabbath

In closing, I am glad Sabbath reunited and put out mind-blowing new record.  It seems like they never broke up and all the music between did not happen.  Geezer Bulter did a great job on the lyrics and bass playing.  Ozzy did a great job helping write the music and the singing.  Tonny Iommi was off the charts good on the guitars.  Brad Wilk from Rage Against The Machine was as close as you are going to get on drums to Bill Ward.  I was pretty sad to see Bill Ward was not playing drums on this record.  I do not understand why but I saw the reports and stories.  It is funny to think that Ozzy was picked on by Geezer and Tony in school would end up fronting one of the pioneers of metal music.  “13” was a solid record from start to finish that is including all the bonus tracks.  I do not know which one is my favorite or favorites.  I enjoyed listening to all the songs.  I am looking forward and hoping to hear more new music from this line up of Black Sabbath.   I highly recommend this record from the old school metal guys or the new to the music of metal.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Credit Source:  (I pick up the history part from wikipedia and some from stories I heard throughout the years.  Most came from Talking Metal and Eddie Trunk.)

New Music Monday Blog Alice In Chains The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here

In this Music Monday Blog, we are going to get into the new release from Alice In Chains.  The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here is their fifth studio record from this Metal Grunge band.

History

Alice In Chains was formed in 1987 by original lead singer Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell, who is the lead guitar player.  The band was filled out with Sean Kinney, who is the drummer that was in another band with Jerry, along with original bassist Mike Starr.  Alice In Chains signed with Columbia Record in 1989.  They release their first official release which was their EP We Die Young.  The huge success of the EP Columbia rushed the band back in the studio to record their first full studio record, which was called Dirt.  Dirt was release in July 1990.  In 1991, Man In The Box music video hit the MTV rotation and the band did not look back since.  In 1993, Mike Starr left the band during the band’s tour and was replaced by Mike Inez.  It is kind hard to believe this is true, however, the summer of 1993 Alice In Chains did their last major tour with Layne Staley under Lollapalooza.  Alice In Chains went back into the studio with acoustic guitars to record songs, which was never supposed to be release.  This EP became the first EP to be at the top of the charts.  Jar Of Flies had such hits like No Excuses, I Stay Away, and Don’t Follow.  Before 1994 tour, Layne went into rehab for his drug issues.  This tour would have had Metallica, Suicidal Tendencies, Danzing, and Fight but Layne went back using heroin.  This forced Alice In Chains to pull out of the tour and was replaced by Candlebox.  Alice In Chains was not active in the beginning of 1995 which led Layne Staley to join the supergroup, who was Mad Season, for one release.  In the middle part of 1995, Alice In Chains enters the studio for the final record with original lead singer Layne Staley.  This self title called by the record company but the band called it Grind.  This 1995 release had four hits on it, which three of the songs had Jerry Cantrell as the lead singer.  The band choose not to support the record with a tour, which is believe there was drug abuse in the band again.  The band did a live show for the famous MTV Unplugged, which was their first live show in three years.  The band went on to do a few live shows with reunited Kiss with their original line up.  I saw them for the first time at old Tiger Stadium on June 28th, 1996.  Layne Staley last show live was on July 3rd, 1996 in Kansas City.  Jerry Cantrell and the rest of his band mates recorded his first solo record, which was Boggy Depot, which was supposed to be Alice In Chains songs but Layne could not record new music.  In 1998, Alice In Chains with reunited Layne Staley went into the studio to record Layne’s two final record songs.  The two songs, which are Get Borned Again and Died, were suppose to be on Jerry Cantrell’s second solo record, which was Degradetion Trip.  Jerry Cantrell’s second solo record he dedicated the record to Layne Staley after finding out about his death in 2002.  Mike Starr pasted on in 2011 with years of drug abuse.  In 2005, Alice In Chains reunite with new lead singer Willian DuVall.  They released their fourth studio record and first with new lead singer called Black Gives Away To Blue in 2009.  Alice In Chains has released five studio records, two live records, a few greatest hits, and three EPs.  Let us get into this record.

Track List

Hollow

Hollow has that classic Alice In Chains riff style.  It has the old school Alice In Chains feeling.  The vocal is what made Alice In Chains back in the day and today.  I know this song and record has it through out.  The drums and bass playing is pretty solid.  This is a great opening track for their second record with new lead singer William DuVall.  AIC (Alice In Chains) has done a great job on the music and I am joining the guitar solo does the end of the song.

Pretty Done

Pretty Done just like Hollow does not miss a beat.  There is some solid music so far on this record.  I am loving the lyrics so far on both songs.  This record so far sounds like their last record which is not a bad thing.  The last record was a great comeback record for AIC.  Jerry has a solid guitar solo halfway through the song.  There is solid playing on Pretty Done and a nice finish to it.

Stone

I am loving the bass and drums start to Stone.  It reminds me of the old days of AIC.  The guitars are solid too.  Jerry and William singing is perfect just like when Layne and Jerry did it on the first three records.  I am loving the lyrics like the other two songs.  I love the break on the music.  There is a nice guitar break and then turns into a nice guitar solo halfway period of the song.

Voices

I love the start of Voices with the distance and then fade in with the acoustic guitars.  Voices reminds me of something I would have heard off Jars of Flies EP.  There is some pretty solid lyrics along with some great music.  This is one of my favorite songs off this record so far.  I really like how they went back to use the acoustic guitars.  I have always thought that Jar of Flies was the best music they have ever put out.  This is a very talented band and I am glad they are still around.

The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here

I love the start of this song and I also love how everyone is playing different things.  It gives a different feeling to the song.  This is a pretty creepy song so far.  This has a little Black Sabbath feeling in the music.  I will be honest I am not a huge fan of the lyrics but the music is pretty good.  Mike is walking up and down his bass guitar.  Asides the lyrics, I just feel like this song is too long for itself.  I hate to say this about the title track of the record.  At least, it has a pretty solid ending.

Lab Monkey

Lab Monkey has a weird start on the guitar.  The drums and bass are pretty strong when they come into the song.  William has some pretty solid singing.  I love how they are able to keep the old AIC singing style.  I was afraid this band would be doomed with a new singer.  This is a pretty good song from the music and lyrics.  I love the wah petal on the guitar towards the end of the song.  Lab Monkey picks up with the creepy stand point like The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here.  There is nothing wrong with that.  It is a great song.

Low Ceiling

Low Ceiling has that Man In The Box guitar riff kind of at the beginning but changes through it.  This song reminds me of something and I just do not know what it is.  There is some great music and lyrics on Low Ceiling.  I am loving the drumming along with the bass playing.  Jerry does not have the best guitar solo but it is fitting for the song but the later part of it is gets better.

Breath On A Window

Breath On A Window has some great guitar playing with great playing by bass and drums.  There is some great lyrics and music.  This record has not been a disappointment.  AIC has done a great job so far.  There is a nice guitar break halfway through the song.  I am loving the guitar work towards the end of the song.

Scalpel

Scalpel has acoustic guitar at the beginning with some great singing.  Once again, I love this band that brings out the acoustic guitars.  There is nice music and lyric writing throughout this song.  This is a nice calming song and it is not in your face.  There is some great singing between Jerry and Will on this song.

Phantom Limb

I love the strong guitar riff along with the drums echoing it.  The music is solid with some great lyrics dancing on top of it.  I love the music changes throughout Phantom Limb.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the later parts of the song.  AIC has done a great job on this song.  I am pretty speechless on it.  I love how they ended the song.

Hung On A Hook

Hung On A Hook has a great start.  There is some pretty interesting music and singing.  I am enjoying the pace of the music.  There is a ton going on in this song.  AIC still has it and I am looking forward to seeing this music and the band live.  I love the turn in the music towards the end.  There is some nice guitar effects.

Choke

The last song is Choke has the perfect ending song for this record.  I love the drums with the bass echoing it.  Of course, there is a nice touch on the acoustic guitars.  This song sounds like it could have been on the last record.  There is some great lyrics and music once again from AIC.  This is a great song to finish this great record.  I love the guitar work towards the end of the song.  It also has a great ending to Choke and the record.

Band Line Up From 1987 to 1993

  • Layne Staley – Lead Singer
  • Jerry Cantrell –  Lead Guitar, Back Up Singer
  • Sean Kinney – Drums, Piano
  • Mike Starr – Bass

Bands Line Up From 1993 to 2002

  • Layne Staley – Lead And Back Up Singer, Rhythm Guitar
  • Jerry Cantrell –  Lead Guitar, Lead And Back Up Singer
  • Sean Kinney – Drums, Piano
  • Mike Inez – Bass

Current Line Up From 2005 to Present

  • William DuVall – Lead Singer And Back Up, Rhythm Guitar
  • Jerry Cantrell –  Lead Guitar, Lead Singer And Back Up Singer
  • Sean Kinney – Drums, Piano
  • Mike Inez – Bass

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.aliceinchains.com

Twitter:  @AliceInChains

In closing, I enjoyed listening to this record and I am looking forward to listening to it a little bit more.  This record is not their best record but Alice In Chains like a very few bands have not put out a bad record.  Some bands have one song and they put some fillers songs around it just to get the record out.  I am not saying Alice In Chains has a bunch singles on this record.  They put some thoughts in their songs and their filler songs above average than the rest of the filler songs from other bands.  I also love how they were able to keep their style and sound.  It is hard for a band with some line up changes and big time with a loss of a orinigal singer.  This is a very talented band and I am glad I was able to grow up listening to them and Candlebox and Stone Temple Pilots.  I highly recommend this record and let me know what your thoughts are about this record.  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

(History information was pulled from wikipedia website. The credit goes to them during my research.)

New Music Monday Blog Aerosmith Music from Another Dimension!

In this Music Monday Blog, we are going to get into the latest and overdue record from Boston Legends known as Aerosmith.  Aerosmith’s last record was Honkin’ On Bobo which was released in 2004.  It has been twelve years for original music and that record was Just Push Play in 2001.  Aerosmith was founded in 1970 in Boston.  Aerosmith signed with Columbia Records in 1971 and in 1973 Aerosmith debut record hit the shelves.  Aerosmith is a really successful band in American history.  They have sold over 150 million records worldwide and 65.5 million in the United States.  Aerosmith was put in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 2001 and listed in Rolling Stones 100 Greatest Artist Of All Time.  Aerosmith has put out 15 studio records, 5 live records, 11 greatest records, 68 singles, and 7 video records.  We are going to do the latest from this band and it is 15th record, which is called Music From Another Dimension!  Let us get into the music.

LUV XXX

There is a voice in the opening track.  It gives you an outer space type of feel and sets theme of this record from Aerosmith.  I am loving the drums, bass, and guitar work at the beginning of the song.  I am not liking the singing and effects on Tyler’s vocals.  I am not a fan of lyrics either.  The music is old school Aerosmith but the singing is something you would hear from Moroon 5.  The music kind sounds like Love In Elevator and melody.  I am love the guitar break from Joe Perry.  Joey Kramer still has it on the drums.  Great music but just bad lyrics on this song.  I hope this not a theme throughout this record.

Oh Yeah

Great drumming at the beginning of Oh Yeah, the guitar has a late 1970’s feel to it.  I am not too sure on the lyrics just like the opening track.  The music is pretty solid with a nice guitar break and then a little guitar solo from Joe.  I am not a fan of singing and lyrics.  This record is missing something and it feels like it was rushed even though they took forever to out this record.  I did like that ending to Oh Yeah.

Beautiful

What is up with the beginning of this song?  Come on stop reliving the rap days of Aerosmtih and Run DMC.  Steve you can not rap and same thing with the rest of your band members.  This song is really bad.  They should have put a rapper on this song.  It would have been a little better because the music is pretty solid.  I love the guitar solo from Joe.  I am glad there was a good solo at least.  So far this is the worse song out there and on this record.

Tell Me

I am love the beginning of this song.  It has nice singing from Steve and acoustic.  Please cut off the reverb on Steve’s vocals.  You are not the greatest singer in the world but you do hold your own.  I did not like how the drums came into Tell Me.  I am kind of liking the lyrics on Tell me.  This is a pretty solid song.  So far this is beyond the best song on the record.  This is what I am looking from this legendary band.

Out Go The Lights

Out Go The Lights has a some solid guitar and drumming that echoes some from their earlier work.  Joey has some solid drumming and bass playing from Brad.  The lyrics are pretty good too.  Steve is singing like he did in the past.   Is this record turning period in the right direction after the first three bad songs? Joe has a solid guitar break in the first quarter part of the song.  This is a pretty solid song.  It has well written in every part of this band.  I am loving the back up singing too.  There was a great stop and the start-up from the drums.  Joey then rides the cow bell into sunset.  The back half of the song has some nice trade-off from all the guys in the band while Steve just chills in the background.  There is a nice touch on the fade out of the music for the ending.

Legendardy Child

This song sounds like something off Get A Grip or Just Push Play.  There is a solid start to the song.  I am enjoying the lyrics and guitar work.  The drums and bass are right there up to Aerosmith standards.  So far, Aerosmith has turn the corner on this record.  This is another good song.  Joe has a great guitar solo towards the end of the song.  I like the ending of Legendary Child.

What Could Have Been Love

This is the first Ballard on this record.  I like Steve’s singing and Joey and Joe’s playing on this song.  The lyrics are well written.  I do enjoy their ballads in the past so this one lives up to those songs.  Joey has some great drumming on this song.  There is some great melody.  I just feel this song does not need back up singing.  This is a great song.  I love the ending to the song.

Street Jesus

Street Jesus start out with a sample from the street and the guitar comes in.  It is an average to below average guitar riff.  Steve’s singing is average.  I have heard better from this band.  The main part of the song is Ok.  I really not liking this song.  The title is a little cheesey.  I like the drum beat and the bass playing on Street Jesus.  I could do without the rest of the members on this song.  I really do not like what they did at the end of the song.  At least Joe has a great guitar break and solo in the middle of the song and it sounds like the two guitar players are trading off solos.   I could not finish listening to this song that how bad it was for me.

Can’t Stop Loving You (feature with Carrie Underwood)

Here is another Ballard song on this record.  Steve and Carrie are a good fit on this song.  Their voices and vocals fit perfectly together.  This song has a nice pace to it.  I love how they bend together.  I am also liking the music.  It has a little country touch to it and it is not because Carrie is singing on this song.  Please, cut the reverb off Steve’s voice.  This is a well written song and it is one of my favorites so far on this record.  I love the fade out of the song at the end.

Love Alot

I love the drum action at the beginning.  There is some great music but the lyrics are a little weak again.  I am enjoying the melody that Tyler has on Love Alot.  I just feel there could be better lyrics than the ones that are on this song.  I just feel he is singing the same thing over and over.  I know there are different words but it echoes too much.  I really did not like the ending of the song.

We All Fall Down

The start of We All Fall Down has some singing with piano work which is well written.  Steve has a nice melody and is singing great.  Here is another slow song and the lyrics are average.  They are livable to what I have heard on this record.  To be honest, drums and bass are great on the song but Aerosmith could live without them on this song.  I am loving the guitar riff on this song but really do not need them.  It might make more sense towards the end of the song for the guitar, bass, and drums.  I really not a fan of the ending.

Freedom Fighter

Freedom Fighter has a great bass, guitar, and drum working.   I am not a fan of the singing and the lyrics.  This is pretty bad song.  I really love the music on this song but I could do without the lyrics and singing.  I do not know where they came up with this song.  To me, this is not Aerosmith.  Is this a Joe Perry solo song that he brought over to Aerosmith? I know he has done that in the past and had some success with it.  This song does fall short but I love the ending of the song.

Closer

I love the effects on the guitar at the beginning and a well written riff.  I love the blues singing from Steve.  It fits the feeling of the song and the theme.  The music is pretty good and nice blues guitar solo between versus.  I am also enjoying the lyrics.  It has a pretty solid ending to the song.

Something

The beginning sounds like something from a hockey game and video game.  I am enjoying the guitar playing.  Joe sounds like Gene Simmons after a bender.  He did get better as the song went on but please Joe play the guitar and do back up vocals.  You are not a lead singer.  I do not know how I feel towards this song.  It has a pretty good ending.

Another Last Goodbye

I am enjoying the piano and flute playing at the beginning.  Steve singing is pretty good also and with some really good lyrics.  Steve is singing his heart out on this song.  This is a great song to end this bad record.  Please, do not get me wrong there are some gems on this record.  Damn!  Steve really hit it on this song.  His singing is the best I have heard from him in a long time.  I have to be honest this song could be shorter.  The lyrics getting pretty boring as the song goes on with the singing at the very end of the song.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.aerosmith.com

Twitter:  @aerosmith

Closing out, I will be really honest on this record.  Is there are some good songs and gems on this record?  Yes, there is but they are not great song or up to Aerosmith’s standards.  I feel they cut them short on many of these songs.  I just feel this record is missing something.  Is the band getting along and are they talking about their music?  I just feel they are not talking to one another.  Two summer ago, Aerosmith almost replace Steve Tyler as lead singer.  I do not know how much of that put into this release.  I just know they have been working on this record for a while.  I am glad they are still together.  I am glad they are touring and I might have to see them this upcoming summer.  I saw them at Tiger Stadium with Kiss and Slavia.  It was one of the best shows I saw that year.  I believe that is the last time I was in Tiger Stadium.  Well to wrap this up, I have to say just because I did not like this record and dogged on it.  It does not mean you will not like it.  We as music fans have a ton of chances to listen to the record before we buy it.  Just what I said there are some good songs.  I just feel there are too many filler songs to get this record out to the people.  Let me know your thoughts.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Music Monday Blog Soundgarden King Animal

In this Music Monday Blog, we are going to look at the reunion record of Soundgarden.  King Animal was released in the later part of 2012.  Soundgarden was founded in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by Chris Cornell and Kim Thayil.  Soundgarden was the first of the Seattle Grunge bands to sign with a major label in 1988.  They found their success in the 1990’s like the rest of their friends like Alice In Chains, Nirvana, etc.  The band broke up in 1996 because of create direction issues.  They reunion in 2010 and King Animal followed shortly after that.  Soundgarden has six studio records including this record.   They also have one live record, four greatest hits records, and six EP’s.  Let us get into the music.

Songs

Been Away Too Long

This song is the first single off of King Animal.    Nice overdrive guitar riff at the beginning and then the drums come in with the bass.  Chris still has his voice and kept it healthy.    This song is something you would hear off their record called “Down On The Upside.”  It has a nice pace to the song.  This is a great comeback song for this great metal group.  There is some great music on this song.  Great finish to the song.

Non-State Actor

I am loving the guitar effect and the opening riff with a strong backbone from the drums and bass.  I am loving the music and great placement from the singer for his singing lines.  I am loving the lyrics on the last two songs.  There is a nice pace to the song.  I love the short guitar solo from Kim.  This band was never afraid to put guitar solos in their songs.  Nice finish to this song.

By Crooked Steps

I love the drums and guitar work set in the background at the beginning of the song.  It sounds like it comes slowly to the front and then snaps right into your face.  I am loving this song so far.  This reminds me of old school Soundgarden.  It has that deep dark theme in the music and lyrics.  The guitar riff is simple but it fits for what the band is trying to do in this song.  Nice guitar break and solo from Kim in the later part of the song.  This song is my favorite song so far on King Animal.  I am loving the well placed back up vocals with Chris singing over the top of it.  I am loving the building up for the ending of the song.  It has a great finish.

A Thousand Days Before

A Thousand Days Before starts out with some nice guitar work.  I am loving the drumming on this song and Chris comes in with the bass player.  I am loving the timing of the bass when it enters the song.  He does not starts with the drums when most bass players starts playing with the drums.  There is some great guitar work on this song.  It is a little slower pace to the rest of the songs from the beginning of the record.  Chris puts some thought in singing on this song.  I love the lyrics.

Blood On The Valley Floor

This song has that old school Soundgarden guitar playing, which is what made them famous.  It has that Classic Black Sabbath dark evil guitar riff.  I am not saying this is a Black Sabbath guitar work.  It has the sounds of it.  This is something I could hear off their first few records.  I am loving Chris’s singing on Blood On The Valley Floor.  This is one of my favorite songs.  Great drumming towards the end.

Bones Of Birds

There is some great guitar work at the beginning of Bones Of Birds.  This song is slower than the rest of the songs.  It is perfect timing for a slower song.  There is some solid drumming and bass work on this song.  Chris has a nice melody and lyrics in this song.  There is some well placed simple keyboard work on this song.  This is a very well written song.  The music echoes the feeling of the lyrics that Chris wrote for Bones Of Birds.  This is a great song.  I love it.  Nice touch on the end of the song with a simple bass line too.

Taree

Taree starts out with drums and guitar work that echos something off Superunknown.  This sounds like something between Black Hole Sun to Fell On Black Days.  Taree sounds like a loss track off Superunknown.  This is a great song.  I am loving it.  It is one of my favorite song on this record so far.  I love the guitar break in the middle of the song.  This is a great comeback record so far.  All the songs do not sound like fillers.  Soundgarden has put their soul into all of these songs so far.

Attrition

Attrition starts out with some nice guitar work at the beginning of the song.  I am loving the melody in this song.  There is some great double vocal singing.  One is high and the other is low.  Nice touch and well placed.  There is some great drumming and lyrics also on this song.  This song was straight to the point.  I love the ending of this song too.

Black Saturday

Black Saturday has nice acoustic guitar work with congas in place of the drums.  I love the dancing bass playing with some great singing from Chris.  The drums come in but they play the background.  I love the build of in this song.  The distorted guitar comes in but does not over power the rest of the music.  This is extremely well written song.  This song has some nice rhythm and pace to the music.

Halfway There

Chris with an acoustic guitar playing while singing.  The drums just like the last song comes in but it is more of backup with the bass playing.  I love main and chorus riff.  There is a ton going on in this song.  Yet another well written song from Soundgarden.  Chris has written some great lyrics.  I love the meaning and theme behind them.  Kim has a great guitar break to semi guitar solo.  This is the new Soundgarden.  This song defines the new Soundgarden sound in their music.  This band has a turn a corner unlike their other peers.

Worse Dreams

Worse Dreams has some great guitar work at the beginning of it.  I love the drums and bass line at the beginning.  This is one sick bass line.  It is well placed with the drums.  The guitar echos the bass playing.  The music is pretty powerful.  This band is pushing the limits of music on this song.  This song sounds like something off The Doors hey day.  It is like Soundgarden took their sound and mixed it with the The Doors sound in this song.  I am loving this song.

Eyelid’s Mouth

Eyelid’s Mouth has some drums and bass work with guitar work in the background.  The main riff is something else and powerful.  Chris has some good singing.  There is one part of this song that sounds like deeper Alice In Chains singing.  There is a nice pace to this song.  I am loving the back up vocals on this song.  I love the guitar solo towards the end of the song.  This touch on the fade out for the end of the song.

Rowing

Rowing starts out with a nice bass line and drums.  I am loving the singing.  I am loving that double vocals.  This song has a folk feel to it.  I love the touch on the guitar playing.  The lyrics I could live without but they fit perfectly for this song.  Chris is baring his soul on this song.  Rowing has a nice build up to it.  Kim has a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  This is nice finish to this comeback record from Soundgarden.

Current Line Up

  • Chris Cornell – Lead Vocals and Rhthm Guitar
  • Kim Thyil – Lead Guitar
  • Matt Cameron – Drums and Backup Vocals
  • Ben Shepherd – Bass Guitar and Backup Vocals

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.soundgardenworld.com

Twitter:  @soundgarden

In closing, I have been a fan of Soundgarden growing up.  I did not like them at first and they grew on me over time.  Once I understood what they were doing and they were one of the few bands that I liked back in the 1990’s along with Alice In Chains, Candlebox, Cold, and Stone Temple Pilots.  I and everyone else was excited to hear they were getting back together.  I was hoping they would put out some new music and here is some new music since their last record called Down On The Upside in 1996.  King Animal gives the hardcore fan everything that they expect from Soundgarden.  Soundgarden gives the fans and music listeners more  and I am talking about a new sound we have not heard from this band.  I am talking about the songs like Halfway There and Rowing.  King Animal is a great comeback record and I love the direction of this great band.  I am hoping they stay together and keep putting out new music.  I am looking forward to seeing them live this summer.  I recommend this record and let me know what you think of this new music.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Blog Kiss Monster

In this Music Monday Blog, we are going to get into the latest record from Kiss.  This is their 20th record in their career and it is called Monster.  This record is the follow-up record to Sonic Boom.  Here is a little history of this legendary band.  Kiss was founded in January 1973 in New York City.  This band has went through several line up changes but still found some success.  They have twenty studio records and ten live records, which they are best known for them.  They were one of the first bands in 1970’s to push the live records as a trend.  They have about thirteen greatest hits records.  Kiss also has five box sets in the market.  They had thirteen of their records from live and studio that went Gold in the United States.  Kiss has also had thirteen of their records from live and studio that went Platinum in the United States.  Kiss is pretty well-known for their live performance.  They are also known for their make up and their character that they dress up for their stage act.  Kiss was the first band to sell lunch boxes, action figures, etc.  Kiss was their marketing machine to drive their fame.  Kiss like most great bands are not in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.  Let us get into the music.

Hell Or Hallelujah

The opening track has a solid guitar work at the beginning of this song.  This is a classic Kiss song.  This song is a little be slower than the normal Kiss songs.  The lyrics are really bad but the music is great.  This is their first single from this record.  There is a great guitar solo towards the end of the song from Tommy.  This song finish pretty strong.

Wall Of Sound

I love the start of this song.  There is solid playing from all the members in the band.  Paul’s vocal has aged very well.  Most lead singers in the later part of their career cannot sing their old songs and some of their newer ones.  The lyrics are a little better on this song.  This is so far my favorite song from “Monster.”  The pace of this song is just right for Kiss.  The ending is about average for the song.

Freak

I love the music on “Freak.”  This is a great all around song but the lyrics are bad.  I could hear this song on their first few records.  There is a great guitar solo from Tommy.   It has a pretty solid ending.

Back To The Stone Age

There is a nice bass and drum work at the beginning of the song.  This is a nice driving music.  I love the music.  The lyrics once again is really bad.  It has a classic Kiss sound.  It is kind of sounds like “Love Gun” or “I Love It Loud.”  Back To The Stone Age has a solid finish.

Shout Mercy

There is a nice guitar riff with a good backbone from the bass and drums.  The lyrics are like classic Kiss lyrics.  I love the music.  Nice fitting guitar solo is well placed in the song.  Shout Mercy has a great finish.

Long Way Down

This song, which is Long Way Down, is the second single released from Monster.  It has a solid music with some good lyrics.  There is more singing from Paul on this record then Gene.  It just seems like it. There is a nice simple guitar solo and it is spot on in this song.  There is also a nice ending to the song.

Eat Your Heart Out

There is a different pace of the song with just singing at the beginning of it.  There is some great music.  I love the guitar work.  This song sounds like Poison, who is a band from the glam rock days in 1980’s.  There has some thoughts that Poison has stolen music from Kiss.  I am not saying that Kiss is stealing music from Poison but it sounds like it.  Everything has been done in music.  There is only a few notes in music so there will be songs and music that might sound like another song or music.  In most cases, it might have one more note or one less that the general music ear might not pick up on it.  Anyways, the lyrics on this song are just bad but the song has a great finish.

The Devil Is Me

This song has a nice guitar, bass, and drums.  This is a nice in your face Kiss music.  The lyrics are bad.  There is a nice guitar break towards the middle of the song.  The song went from good to boring.  This song should be shorter.  It is a Kiss ending.

Outta This World

There is a solid start to the song.  It also has a nice pace to the song.  It is a simple and to the point to the music.  I am not a fan of the lyrics and this song is pretty boring.  The guitar work and solo is perfect.  This song just like some other songs towards the end of this record could be shorter.  There is some nice drumming on this song.  I could heard this song on one of their first few records.

All For The Love Of Rock And Roll

This song seems like it is too slow for Kiss.  However, I am really enjoying the lyrics,  I am also loving the theme of the lyrics.  I hear a little country music influence in this song.  It has a perfect ending and the song reached the point.  The length of the song is perfect.  It also has a perfect ending.

Take Me Down Below

I am loving the beginning of this song.  Gene has the thunder bass kicking in this song.  Take Me Down Below has great music.  It is a classic Kiss song from the music and lyrics.  I love the guitar solo.  It kind stays in the low-end but hits the mid notes with some high-end.  It is a party song from the music and the lyrics.  It has a nice ending.

Last Chance

There is a nice bass line at the beginning of the song.  This song has a nice fast pace to it.  It reminds me of old Kiss.  This is a classic Kiss song from the music and lyrics.  There is some good back up vocals.  I love the music.  This song comes into your house to have breakfast and then just leaves you without food.  It is gets to the point.  There is a nice guitar solo in the middle of the song.  Nice build up for the ending of the song.  It is just right for the end of the record.  Kiss leaves this record on a high note.

Here is the current line up for Kiss:

  • Gene Simmons – Bass guitar, vocals
  • Eric Singer – drums, vocals
  • Paul Stanley – rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Tommy Thayer – lead guitar, vocals

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.kissonline.com

Twitter:  @kissonline

In closing, I am not a huge Kiss fan but I do enjoy listening to their music.  I am fan but not part of the Kiss Army.  I was stun that they came out with a follow-up to Sonic Boom.  I was also stun that they came out with Sonic Boom.  Most older bands do not like to put out new music because their fan base do not care about the new music.  I believe the only fans that care about the music is the hardcore ones or person that loves new music.  I feel that Monster from Kiss was rush to be pull out  for a reason to do a tour.  The music on this record is classic Kiss and is really solid.  They did a great job.  I do not know if they took old riffs that they wrote back in the day.  The lyrics I feel this band has run out of ideas.  There are some gems on this record.  I believe around those gems there are too many filler songs.  What I mean by that, it is a song that is there to fill up the record to get it out to the market.  There is nothing wrong doing that because some of those filler songs might become hits or just underground hit with hardcore fans.  There are three songs that I do really love from this record and they are “Wall Of Sound,” Take Me Down Below,” and “Last Chance.”  I just feel this record is a let down from Sonic Boom. I really enjoyed listening to Sonic Boom. If you are a hardcore fan of Kiss, check this record out and add it to your collection.  If you are a general fan of Kiss or just a hard rock or metal fan, I would see if you can find a place to preview it before buying it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser