Rock

New Music Monday The Black Dahlia Murder Everblack

In this Mondy Music blog, we are going to get into the latest record from The Black Dahlia Murder from Michigan. The record is Everblack which is their sixth studio record in their music career. We are going to get into the history and then the music. Here is the history.

History

The Black Dahlia Murder was formed in late part of 2000 in Waterford, Michigan. It was named after unsolved murders. They were signed to Metal Blade Records in 2003. Ryan Williams joined the band to replace David Lock just in time to record their first record, which is “Unhallowed.” The band toured and then released their second record, which was “Miasma,” in 2005. After the tour for Miasma, Zach Gibson, who was the drummer, and Pierre Langlois, who was drummer, left the band. Pierre was on drums after Gibson. The band replace Zach Gibson with Shannon Lucas. In 2007, the band released their third record, which was “Nocturmal.” The band went on a World Tour with Cannibal Corpse to support their new record and celebrate 25 years of Metal Blade Records. In 2008, they joined tour with several different metal bands for Summer Slaughter Tour. After the tour, John K guitarist left the band and was replaced with Ryan Knight in 2009. In the later part of 2009, the band released their fourth record, which was “Deflorate.” They tour to support the record. In 2010, they kept on touring while writing their next record. In 2011, they released their fifth record, which was “Ritual.” In 2012, the band gets another line up changes. Max Lavelle replaces Ryan Williams on bass. Shannon Lucas steps down as the drummer and was replaced by Alan Cassidy. In 2013, the band released their new record called “Everblack.” Let us get into the music.

Track List:

In Hell is Where She Waits For Me

Heavy and hard-hitting music at the beginning from the drums, bass, and guitars. There is some talking but I can not make it out because it is not loud enough. The lead singer comes in screaming. The guitar playing on the main part is solid. The singing is the type you can barely understand what he is saying. The lyrics that I have picked are pretty solid. There is some nice back up singing too. I love time changes towards the middle part of the song. There is some nice double bass from the drums about that time. This is a pretty solid song. I love slower guitar solo at the beginning of it and then it picks up towards the middle and end of the solo.

Goat Of Departure

I love the guitar playing at the beginning. The drumming is good but it starting to sound the same from song to song. I love the lyrics they wrote for this song. I really not a fan of the back up singing on this song. I love the guitar solo towards the end of the song.

Into The Everblack

I love the guitar work and the drums fit perfectly even though it is the same beat. It changes a bit when the singer comes into the song. I hate the chopping guitar playing. I get it fits but it sounds very messing during the main part of the song. I love the keyboard part in this song. It gives a break to the same old in the song and the record. The guitar playing coming out of it. It is some pretty impressive playing. It leads into a short guitar solo.

Raped in hatred By Vines of Thorn

I love the guitar playing at the beginning and the slower drum beat. This song has a nice pace and I love it. It gives you a different feeling unlike the rest of the record. I love double bass but this is a bit overkill. I love the lyrics and the singing. The listeners can understand the singers a bit. I do not know how I feel about the lyrics but it is what it is. There is a pretty well written guitar solo towards the end of the song.

Phantom Limb Masturbation

The song starts with the vocals in your face. This song echos the songs at the beginning. The drumming slight different but about the same. I love the lyrics they placed on this song. I love the chorus music. There is a nice short guitar solo at the quarter point of this song. There is another guitar solo towards the middle part of the song that is a little longer than the last one. This one is a little well thought about it. I love the pace of the music and solo itself.

Control

Just like the last song, the vocals start it out but the music is right there after the start of the song. I cannot pick up the lyrics. There is some well written guitar riffs on this song. The drums are pretty complex and well written. He has been kicking some serious ass throughout this record. This song is short and to the point. There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song and I love how the guitar solo keeps on going to the end of the song.

Blood Mine

I love the guitar playing and bass too. The drums can let off on the double bass at least one song please. Asides that, I have been loving the drums towards the end of this record. I cannot understand the vocals so I cannot pick up the lyrics. I love the title of the song. I am not sure on the duo singers at least on this song. There is a guitar solo towards the end of the song but it is short and sweet to the point.

Every Rope A Noose

Oh my God, I love the drumming at the beginning. It has pretty awesome beat. I love the guitar playing. I love the singing but I cannot understand the singers. This song has a nice fast pace and it is perfect towards the end of the record. The double bass makes so much sense at this point of the song. There is a well placed guitar solo towards the end of the song. There is a nice piano playing at the end that comes into full focus to end the song.

Their Beloved Absentee

I love the singing from the group of singers at the beginning but they were so far in the background and volume is to low. This is a straight driving song. It has a nice pace. This is a classic extreme metal song. I love the pace. I love the music on this track. I love the guitar solo towards the end and it is well placed.

Map Of Scars

There is some nice well-written music from the drums and guitars. The bass playing is pretty simple but it is perfect. I cannot understand the singer so I cannot judge lyrics. I guess I could look up the lyrics on the net. This is a perfect song to finish a great record from this Michigan band. Great song and nice ending to this record.

Original Line Up:

Trevor Strnad – Vocals

Brian Eschbach – Guitar

John Kempainen – Guitar

David Lock – Bass

Cory Grady – Drums

Current Line Up:

Brian Eschbach – Guitars

Alan Cassidy – Drums

Max Lavelle – Bass

Ryan Knight – Guitars

Trevor Strnad – Vocals

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.facebook.com/theblackdahliamurderofficial

Twitter: @bdmmetal

Closing, overall, this is a great record and I really enjoyed this song. I wish I could understand the singers a bit more but I understand because it is the singing style. There is some nice music on this great. I kind of wish drums were a little bit different from song to sing but that is hardest job in this band. I get what he is trying to do and it is pretty limited. They place guitar solos in the right spots to break up the song. I love how some times the guitar solos keep going during main part of the song at the end. It gives a nice and different sound. Great Job! It is a nice touch for someone that does not like this singing type but love the music. It seems every song of this type of metal needs a guitar solo to break up song. If they do not put the guitar solos in the songs, the songs will become white noise. I love this band and I cannot wait to hear their next record. I highly recommend this band and this record. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter: @djweiser

Instagram: @djweiser13

New Music Monday Blog Halestorm The Strange Case Of…

In this Music Monday Blog, we are going to get into the latest and second record from Halestorm. It is called “The Strange Case Of…” and was released early last year. We are going to get into the history and then the music from Halestorm. Let us get into the history.

History

Halestorm started back in 1997 from Lzzy and Arejay, who are brother and sister. The two put out an EP, which was called “Don’t Mess With The Time Man” in 1999. Their father played bass for the band before Josh Smith in 2004. The band was finished up the band with Joe Hottinger, who joined in 2003. The band signed record contract with Atlantic Records in 2005. They released their second EP, which is out of print like their first one, and it was called “One And Done.” Their full length record, which was self titled, was released in 2009. Their first single “I Get Off” received heavy air play. They released several more singles off this record. They are also known to tour a ton and they have toured with several different bands. In 2010, they released their first live record, which was called “Live In Philly 2010.” In 2011, they released their third EP, which was cover record, and it was called “ReAnimate.” In 2012, they released their fourth EP, which is called “Hello, It’s Mz. Hyde.” This EP was a sneak peek on their second full length record, which is called “The Strange Case Of…” “The Strange Case Of…” was released in 2012 and is the record that featured on this blog. In 2013, Halestorm won a Grammy for Best Hard and Metal Performance Category. They became the first female fronted band to win and be nominated for this award. “Freak Like Me” is the first single to reach #1 on Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks in 2013. Let us get into the music.

Song List:

Love Bites (So Do I)

This is the first single off this record. There is a nice pace with some killer to hard-hitting drums. There is a nice guitar and bass playing. I love the singing from Lzzy. The lyrics are not my style but they are well written. There is a nice guitar solo towards the end.

Mz. Hyde

This is the fifth and final single off this record. I love the guitar and drumming at the beginning. I love her singing. I love the lyrics. The music is pretty solid. There is some nice time changes throughout this song. The ending is a little weird.

I Miss The Misery

This is the second single off this record. I love the music and singing at the beginning. I love the lyrics. Lzzy singing is pretty solid. I love this song. The ending is pretty solid.

Freak Like Me

This is the third single off this record. I love the guitar playing so far on this song. The singing is pretty solid with some great lyrics. I love the lyrics. The music is pretty solid. I just feel the drums are pretty calm for a Halestorm song. The guitar solo towards the end is pretty solid.

Beautiful With You

This song is off pace with the record. It is a good song but it is not their style. I just feel the record company made them make a song like this. It is good. It is too mainstream for a band that were themselves make the mainstream. I am not a fan of this song.

In Your Room

What the hell is up with the last two songs? I cannot listen to it. The lyrics are too thoughtful for this band. The music is solid if it was 1984 and they were Heart.

Break In

Again!!! I am starting to get pretty upset. This one is kind of in their style than the last two songs. I have a feeling half of this record. I will not be listening to again. I will be passing on this one too.

Rock Show

Yay!!! Finally a rock song. I love the guitar playing and the music at the beginning. I do not like the lyrics but the music is pretty solid. I love the bass playing. There was a solid guitar solo towards the end of the song.

Daughters Of Darkness

The beginning of this song is pretty dark. The music is pretty solid. I am not a fan of the lyrics but the song is pretty solid. I will listen to it again.

You Call Me A Bitch Like It’s A Bad Thing

I love the drumming and the music at the beginning. There is a guitar part that reminds me of something of an Alice In Chains song. I love the lyrics and they are pretty well written. I love the short guitar solo towards the middle of the song. I feel this song needs some kind of music break. It is the same thing over and over. It is kind of boring towards the end of the song.

American Boys

I love the guitar playing and drumming. It has a nice pace and great music. I am not a fan of the lyrics and it kind of kills the song for me. I will pass on this song.

Here’s To Us

This is the fourth single off this record. I love the acoustic guitar. I love the music and it has a nice pace for a slower song. The lyrics are pretty solid and well thought. I love this song.

Here’s To Us (Guest Version)

The only different from the first version. I love the guitar solo and there are different singers available and singing. I love this version better.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.halestormrocks.com

Twitter: @halestorm

Closing, I have been a fan of this band since their first record. I loved their first record. I was pretty excited to see them do a few EP’s and this one, which is their second record. It took me a long time to write a review and I am sorry to my readers and the band. I enjoy doing these music reviews but they are pretty time-consuming. I will get better when it is all said in done. Anyways, this record starts out pretty solid. I am loving it until I made it to the middle part of the record. There were three songs I could do without. They are not my style of music. I always look at this band as a hard rock to slight metal band. They are not a pop act and I felt those songs they were trying to be a pop act. If anything how they were themselves on their first record, mainstream music came to them. They are good songs if you like that type of music. The back half of the record was pretty solid with some rock tunes. The lyrics overall was average. There were some songs where they were above average. Overall, I was pretty disappointed with this record. There are some songs I will be listening to again and I enjoyed them. Give this band a listen. They are still upcoming band. I believe their next two records will be awesome. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djwieser

Instagram: @djweiser13

New Unknown Music Thursday Blog Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals Walk Through Exits Only

In this Unknown Music Thursday blog, we are going to get into solo record from former lead singer of Pantera. I am talking about Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals and their record Walk Through Exits Only. We will get into the history of the band and then the music. Let us get into the history.

History:

Phil Anselmo joined Pantera in 1987. The rest is history for this great 1990’s power house. Pantera had several hits in mainstream and several in metal world. Towards the middle of 1990’s with Pantera, Phil joined a super group called Down in 1991. It was a side project but later become his main band. Down had a few hits in the metal world. In 2003, Pantera broke up and that led to the shooting and death of one of the founding members of Pantera, who was Dimebag Darrell in 2004. There has been rumors after rumors of reuniting of Pantera. It might never happen. Down was his main band until Superjoint Ritual was formed early 1990’s but did not release their records until early 2000’s. In 2011, Phil decided to work on a solo record and it was later released in 2013. Let us get into the music.

Song List:

Music Media Is My Whore

It has a nice heavy and fast pace guitar. Nice drumming with well written bass playing. I love the pace. It reminds me of a faster heavier Pantera. I love the lyrics and singing. I love the guitar solo towards the middle of the song. The singing and some of the music reminds more as his days in the band called Down. This is a great opening track.

Battalion Of Zero

The music from the second track is just as fast and heavy as the opening track. I love the pace and the singing. I love the touch of the effects on this vocals. I love the drumming and bass playing. The guitar playing sounds the same as the first track. Phil has written some nice lyrics on “Battalion Of Zero.” The ending is pretty interesting. It has a nice creepy piano playing. I like it.

Betrayed

“Betrayed” is slower than the first two songs. I love the pace. This song sounds different from the first two songs. I love the guitar playing. Phil singing great with some great lyrics. There is a nice guitar solo towards the middle of the song. To me, it sounds like the guitar player is playing the same riff over and over again through the song. They could not write another few riffs to break it up.

Usurper Bastard’s Rant

This song is beyond fast. It is a little too fast for my taste. This song sounds like pure white noise. I love Phil’s singing and lyrics. The music is pretty good asides for the speed of the song. The guitar playing is off the charts. I love the short guitar solos. I love the music and singing towards the end of the song.

Walk Through Exits Only

I love the music and singing at the beginning of the title track. The drumming on this song is awesome. This song is short and to the point.

Bedroom Destroyer

Some of Phil’s singing does not really go well with the music. This has to me my favorite song off this record so far. It is hard to understand the singing on this song. I can not comment on the lyrics. There is some nice guitar playing towards the end. I am not liking the effects on the bass guitar at the end.

Bedridden

This is a fast and to the point song. I love the lyrics. The music is better than the rest of the songs. I love how they call on his punk influence. I love the guitar playing towards the of the song. I love the ending of this song.

Irrelevant Walls And Computer Screens

This is the longest song on the record. I love the beginning with the music and the singing. They put some thought into the guitar playing on this song. I love the drumming and bass playing. I love the guitar solo and dueling between the two guitars. Even though there is only one guitar player in this band. I love how Phil has taken some other song titles and threw them into this song’s lyrics. The music on this track gets better and better as the song goes deeper. The ending and the back half of the song is pretty interesting music. It is the same thing over and over but it works.

Line Up:

Phil Anselmo – Vocals
Marzi Montazeri − Guitars
Bennett Bartley − Bass Guitar
Joe Gonzalez − Drums

Here is his website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.philanselmo.com

Twitter: @philiphanselmo

In closing, I was pretty excited to see that Phil came out with some new music and I love the fact Phil is still out there making music. I was a pretty big fan of Pantera back in the early 1990’s. I love some of the songs off his first solo record. I just feel he could have done better than this record. I can see people enjoying this record. All the music from track to track sounds the same. It is like they took a few riffs and used them in all the songs. The last song was a little different. The guitar player put some thought and wrote some great riffs on it. This is not his finest work but it is not his worse. I love how the record is short and to the point. If you are a Pantera or just a Phil fan, I recommend you checking out this record. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Unknown Music Thursday Blog Black Wizard Black Wizard

In this Unknown Music Thursday Blog, we are going to get into another newer and upcoming band. The band is called Black Wizard and the record is their self titled. There is not much on the history of this band. They were formed before 2009 or 2010 because of their Facebook joining date. I do not know about you but I am looking forward to get into this music. I love how they label themselves. Let us get into the music.

Track List:

Spacer

There is a nice acoustic guitar at the beginning of the opening track. There is some nice drumming and bass playing. It is pretty calming at first. I love how they worked the second guitar playing over the top of everything. I love the effects on the guitar. The music is pretty strong so far on this song. The singing is pretty good and it fits the music. The effects on his vocals are perfect mix and haunting. I love the back up vocals. There is some pretty good lyrics on “Spacer.” I love the guitar break and time changes about the mid-point of the song. It sounds like time changes. There is a pretty solid guitar solo but short towards the end of the song. I love the ending.

Young Wisdom

I love the music at the beginning. The singer is singing pretty good. There is some pretty good lyrics too. I love the drumming on this song. The bass playing has been pretty solid so far on this record. I love the guitar playing on this song. I love music change half way through with the acoustic guitar and then enters a short guitar solo. It enters a slower part of the song. This is a pretty dark song. There is a nice guitar break towards the end of the song that turns into a pretty good guitar solo.

Midnight

I love the drumming and guitar playing. The singer is singing like all the rest of the tracks and it is pretty good. I love how they used the back up vocals on this song. This song has a nice pace to it and a little different from the rest of the songs thus far. There is some nice music on this song. I have to say this is one of my favorite songs so far on this record.

H.U.G.H

This song might come off being heavy but it has some weird influence in it that I cannot figure out. I love the singing and the music is pretty good. I love faster pace towards the back half of the song. The drumming and bass playing is solid for being the backbone of this band. They have a really good rhythm selection. I love the guitar solo that is short and to the point. I love how they are using the back up vocals on this song. I love the ending to this song.

Danger Dances

I love the acoustic guitar and the slightly distorted guitar at the beginning. I can hear some Radiohead influence on this song. This might be the shortest song on the record, however, it is one of the best songs as far as it comes to the music side. They wrote some great music on “Danger Dances.”

Somethin’ Sweet

I love the classic hard rock sounding guitar at the beginning. The drumming and bass playing are pretty solid. I love the bass playing in the main part of the song. I really not a fan of bass players playing with a pick. The drumming is pretty crazy on this song. The lead singer is singing is solid with some great lyrics. The lead singer’s screaming singing is well placed and not over the top. I love the guitar players trading off on the guitar break.

Appetite

I love the guitar playing along with the bass and drumming. I love the singing on this song. I am not a fan of all the effects on his vocals in some parts. I love the guitar playing at the mid-point of the song. There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.

Wicked Wanderer

The last song on this record is “Wicked Wanderer.” The guitars remind me of something that Megadeth would do on their songs. The drumming and bass playing is solid. I love the bass playing before the singer starts to sing. I love the build up to the main part of the song. This is a pretty solid ending track to this record. There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song. I love how the guitar players are playing the same riff to give that double-sided sound. I love the ending to this song.

Line Up:

Kyle Fee – Bass
Eugene Parkomenko – Drums
Adam Grant – Vocals And Guitars
Johnny de Courcy – Vocals And Guitars

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.blackwizard.bandcamp.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Wizard/97722554850

Twitter: no address

Closing, this is a pretty good band with a heavier side that you do not want to mess with anytime. I love the music and the singing. There are some parts of the singing that I just feel the band needs to get away from with the effects on the vocals. Overall, the music is pretty solid and lyrics are pretty good. They wrote a nice first record and I highly recommend you to check this band out. You will not be disappointed. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djwieser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

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 Hard Rock And Metal Dream Line Up

In this Monday music blog, we are going to talk about my fantasy line up for a Hard Rock and Metal band. Some of these artists might or might not be part of a metal or hard rock group. It is kind of marriage of music. They can be alive or dead. With the growth of these “Super Groups” this could be a fun topic and I am looking at these artists to be together pass their prime of their career. Let us get into the line up.

Drummer

I have three drummers in mind just in case if you can not get one.

Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin) – I believe his hard and soft hitting would bend in to the thought pattern of this band.
Neil Peart (Rush) – Just like Jason Bonham, Neil does the same thing in Rush and could be a better drummer. It has been a debate for years with friends.
Robb Reiner (Anvil) – Robb is a really good drummer. He can keep up with Jason and Neil but the problem he plays too hard at times. I was going to throw Keith Moon (The Who) but he has the same problem. I love Robb’s drumming in Anvil and he brings the item of thrash metal and speed that Jason and Neil do not.

Bassist

I have three bassists in mind that could support the drummer and build a solid backbone to this fantasy band.

Joey Gittleman (The Mighty Mighty Bosstones) – Joey coming from Ska band with some punk background would give an item that might work or not work in this fantasy band. This band needs a bassist that will dance but sit in the pocket and Joey is one of the best in the Ska Scene.
Cliff Burton (Metallica) – I believe we did not get to see the true Cliff Burton because he died too soon. The short body of work shown me enough to put Cliff at the top of the list Cliff could sit in the pocket with the drummer but go off and dance around any guitar player.
Pete Way (UFO) – Pete’s style could help seal up the drums to the guitar players while still run around like Cliff did in Metallica. The problem I would have Pete is lack of pushing the limits.

Keyboard

This player needs to be special and another support item to this band. I have three idea players. There are some rich players that play this instrument.

Paul Raymond (UFO) – He will be a great fit. He is use to play with a great guitar player and bassist. Plus, he will play guitar when it make sense in the song over the keyboard and the other way around. Let us face it, not all songs needs two guitar players or keyboards in it.
Tuomas Holopainen (Nightwish) – He plays both the support as back up and yet can go to the lead over the guitar or bass. He is not a very good singer even though he did sing on the first two records of Nightwish. He could help with the song writing and lyrics.
Billy Joel – I know what you are thinking when I am suggesting Billy Joel. He is a talented player on the piano. The only problem is playing more of a keyboard and not be the lead singer. He can sing a few songs but could be a great back up singer for the lead. Just like (Nightwish), he can help with the sing writing.

Rhythm Guitar Player

This band might not be need two guitar players but if we are going to fill it. Here is the idea three players.

Paul Raymond (UFO) – see above.
John Sykes (Whitesnakes, Blue Murder, Thin Lizzy) – John can do everything between lead vocals, lead, and rhythm guitar. There could be a nice balance between two lead guitar players. John has done a few of that in Thin Lizzy or Whitesnake. He could be a good fit in this band.
Chris Garza (Sucide Silence) – This band being a newer band. There is a short body of work. This band is an extreme metal group with some speed. It might give something different than all the classic rock members that I have been naming.

Lead Guitar Player

The lead guitar player needs to be someone special that will not take over the group and make it all about him or her. He will need to know his role a super group. You can take out like Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendix, etc.

Chris DeGarmo (Queensryche) – This guy was it as far as great metal lead guitar players back in the back in the 1980’s. He was very underrated. Everyone had their man crush on Eddie Van Halen, Kirk Hammit, etc. Chris just like John Sykes can sit in the pocket but when it comes to the solo. Your mouth will drop to the floor.
John Sykes (Whitesnakes, Blue Murder, Thin Lizzy) – see above. John could go back and forth, which could be a good thing.
Robby Krieger (The Doors) – Robby like Chris DeGarmo is underrated guitar of his era. He could fit what the song is doing and the theme of it. He is a very good player and could support the drums, bass, keyboard, and singer.

Lead Singer

I had a lead singer in mind through out this whole process and I wish I could head this music from this band. Here are my three lead singer.

Jim Morrison (The Doors) – Jim could bend his style into in any music and I believe the band could fit this music around his lyrics and poetry. He was the start of the hard rock and metal music. His dark themes in his lyrics will go with all the music from all these great artists.
Kevin Martin (Candlebox) – Kevin is an awesome singer. Kevin’s singing style has an attitude in all songs even in love songs. Kevin would bend his style to this band. Kevin is a great lyric writer.
Ronnie James Dio (Dio, Rainbow, Black Sabbath) – Why not Ronnie? Dio is one of the best lead singer in the history of hard rock and metal. Dio could sing in all styles. He loved the fantasy so some of these artists could get along with him and write some great music.

Line Up:

Jim Morrison (The Doors) – Lead Vocals, Spoke Words
Chris DeGarmo (Queensryche) – Lead Guitar, Back Vocals
Paul Raymond (UFO) – Rhythm Guitar, Keyboard, Back Vocals
Joey Gittleman (The Mighty Mighty Bosstones) – Bass Player, Back Vocals
Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin) – Drums

In the end, this was tough. I thought this would be easy. I realize these band members might not get along. Jim with his drug and drinking problems would cause a ton of issues in the band alone. Jim and Jason would be out all night with Joey but Joey would head home after a while. Chris does not want to be a star nor touring artist that’s why he is not in Queensryche. Paul would be the leader to keep everyone in line. The music that this band would put out would be something else. I would love to hear this music but there are a ton of different styles and I do not know how they would get along. If you take Joey out on bass and put Cliff, would Cliff put more harmony in this group? Would Kevin or Dio as the lead singer make more sense? Asides, Jason on drums put Neil on drums. There are several questions. How would Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, etc on guitar. What about Geoff Tate. Tim Ripper Owens, and Rob Halford on vocals? There are several more questions. What about extreme metal singer at vocals? Like Chris Burns? I like this line up being a fan of them. 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 Music Blog State Of Tours And Music Industry

In this music blog, we are going to talk about the state of the music industry and what bands have to do to make their money. We love our music throughout human life. It was pasted down from Generation to Generation. We went from Bach to Flo-rida. I realize how that sounds. Being a metal head, I enjoy all music.

Bands in the past would put out record and tour to support that record. They would get their income from record sales. As many of you know that is not the case. With the birth of the internet, we as listeners found ways to get music at a cheap price or free. Napster took a ton of heat back in the day. It was the Facebook for college student for music. One person would buy the music and then “share” it with other people for education purpose. Transferring files from computer to computer. How is this different with cassette taping when a radio station played the music. It is really is not. The question is downloading the digital files is the cause of the lack of CD sales. This pie graph shows us from 1980 to 2010 of the percentage of way people buy their music.

: The Credit to voluntaryXchange

As you can see the growth of the CD in the late 1980s to 2003. In 2010, CD is about 50% of the sales of how music listeners get their music. People are still buying music so why do we always say the Music Industry is dying. Here is my thought. We look to Wallstreet and seeing the big Record Companies saying their bottom line is just bad. They have the big acts like the Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, etc. There are ton of Independent Record Companies, Bands make their own record label, and or they are selling their music on their own website. This article has some great information (Why We Shouldn’t Worry About The Decline Of The Music Industry?) Here is some data from this article from Frobes. Music groups in 2003 put out 38,000 new albums but in 2008 music acts put out 75,000 new albums. With the state of economics, bands keep putting out music in 2010 at 75,000 new albums. Bands are still putting out more music in 2010 then 2003 when CDs were at its peak as far percentage of sales from the pie graph above. Here is the stat that proves from this same article (www.forbes.com).

From 1999 to 2009, concert ticket sales in the US tripled from $1.5 billion to $4.6 billion, vastly exceeding the growth of inflation and population growth.

I wonder how much of percentage is coming from the big acts with their high ticket prices. People want to be entertained and they want to forget about their bills or lack of jobs. I wonder how much effects physical or digital copy with the lack of money. The lack of funds is the money going more to the live music then the studio music. I was talking to friends and others about this issue. I am finding people are picking live music by how good the new studio records. It is the opposite from what was going on before the 1990s.

Let us take a look at pretty successful hard rock band. The band is going to be Bon Jovi. At the height of their power, Bon Jovi was a huge group back in the 1980’s. We are going to look at their most successful record in their prime and their latest record.

Here is the stats:

Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet sold 28,000,000 in the world and went in the United States 12x Platinum.

Bon Jovi – The Cicle sold 3,000,000 in the world and went in the United States Gold

What does this say about the band or the music industry? I do not think it is a negative look at Bon Jovi. I believe it shows that people are not buying records as much as they use to in the past. These stats do include downloads. I believe what is happening on record sales. People are buying one or two songs that they like from the album asides buying the whole like they did in the past. Let us look at another artist but current.

Here is the stats:

Britney Spears – …Baby One More Time sold 30,000,000 in the world and sold only 12,144,000 in the United States.

Britney Spears – Femme Fatale sold 3,000,000 in the world and sold 769,000 in the United States.

Britney Spears came into the scene 10 years after Bon Jovi as far as a recording artist. I believe we are seeing a trend from these numbers. Numbers do not lie. As far as big record companies and well known artists their sales are down. If we go beyond the well known artist and big record companies, there are new bands coming up and doing very well. I realize some are doing it for the love for the music and that is why most bands get into this career.

In closing, let us face it and it is true. People are downloading singles and not buying the whole records. I am old school on getting and listening to my music. I love getting the hard copy but over the last few years. I have been downloading my music. Here is why I am doing it. I have not time to sit down and order or go to a record store. Two it is to storage files in a computer then having CDs and racks all over my place. I believe this is happening in the book industry too. People are buying less and less paper backs or hard covers and downloading their books into their Nook, Kindle, or Tablets. We are getting into the computer age and this is the change that most people do not like it. Music being an art will live on and people will spend their money on this product. Live music will live on and bands and artists will make their money their. As music fans we need to support the bands. If you have pick, it is fine. Just make sure you are buying your music in any form. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Music Blog Accept Stalingrad

In this music blog, we are going to get into the latest record from Accept which is called Stalingrad. Accept started back in the late 1960’s in Germany. They started picking up speed in 1976 as a professional band. Accept has went through several line up changes throughout the years. They have also split up a few times in their career. However, they have a wealth of music, Accept has put out thirteen studio albums including the one we will talk about here, which is Stalingrad. They have three live records and four greatest hits records. They also put out two EP’s. This band is best known for helping the speed metal era. The song that everyone knows from Accept is “Balls To The Wall.” The band reunion in 2009 with new lead singer, who is Mark Tornillo, from T.T. Quick. They put the “Blood Of The Nations” in 2010. This band is climbing up the charts here in the states. Let us get into the latest record, which is Stalingrad.

Hung, Drawn and Quartered

This opening song on this record has the nice classic Accept intro to Hung, Drawn and Quartered. This is some great speed metal music. Mark did not leave the last recording session from “Blood Of The Nations.” Mark has written some awesome lyrics. The guitar, drums, and bass work is hell of a job on this song. The production is nicely done from the producer. There is a nice guitar break and solo with a good ending. This is a great opening track.

Stalingrad

The second song has a strong driving intro to start of it. It also has a nice guitar and drum work. There is also a great guitar solo break in it. This song has powerful lyrics and singing from Mark. There is also nice well placed back up vocals. Mark has written some great lyrics. Nice touch on the snare drums and great guitar work towards the end of this song. Stalingrad has a strong ending.

Hellfire

I love the effect on the bass and nice touch on the drums and guitar working around the bass. There is a great break and then well written guitar riff. Mark has strong singing and great lyrics, which I love. This is a pretty nice driving song which is classic Accept. This is a great song all the way around. Accept is stronger than they have ever been. Wolf has an awesome guitar solo along with nice trade-off with the other guitarist. Hellfire has a nice strong finish. This is my favorite song on the record so far.

Flash To Bang Time

This song has heavy guitar and driving drums with well placed vocals from the lead singer. Mark is singing great with some well written lyrics. I love the guitar work on Flash To Bang Time. I wish you can hear the bass a little bit more throughout this record. I love the guitar solo and the ending of the song.

Shadow Soldiers

The beginning of Shadow Soldiers has a nice effect on one of the guitars along with nice acoustic guitar. It then snaps into a nice heavy guitar riff with a short guitar solo over the top of it. I love the pace of this song. Mark is singing great with a well placed melody. I love the theme of this song and nice touch on the back vocals. I believe this song is too long but still good. This song has a nice fitting ending.

Revolution

I love the drum work at the beginning of the song. Great touch on the fade in with the guitars and well written lyrics and singing from Mark. Revolution is a simple music and it hits the point of the song with perfect back up vocals in the song. The guitar work on this records is something else and I love the nice dueling guitar solo in this song. The ending is a complex ending to Revolution.

Against The World

Great beginning for the music. I love the lyrics on Against The World. Mark has always wrote some great lyrics. This is a nice driving song like most on this record. Nice guitar solo and I love the build up to the solo. Against The World has a great finish to the song.

Twist Of Fate

I love the guitar work in the beginning of the song. Mark is singing great in this song with some powerful lyrics. The guitarist wrote a nice main guitar riff. Twist of Fate has a nice slow to medium pace to the song, which gives the listener a different mood than the rest of the record. I love it and it is perfect. I love the build up to the end of the song and the guitar solo at the end. This is in your face ending. Nice touch on the fading out of the song.

The Quick And The Dead

I love the guitar work and drums at the beginning of the song. It has a nice pace to it. Mark is singing strong with some great lyrics. He has written a nice melody. The chorus is a little weak but the main part of the song is pretty strong. This is still pretty strong song. I am loving the dueling back and forth between the guitar players and bass player. I am hearing more bass in this song than the rest of the record which is great. The Quick And The Dead has a strong finish to it.

The Galley

There is an awesome spooky guitar riff with the drums. I love the main guitar riff. It is well written and perfect for the theme of the song. The Galley has a nice touch to bring the bass forward than pushing it to the back of the music. Mark is singing great and wrote some great lyrics. This song is too long and could be shorter. I love the acoustic and the slowing down of the song towards the end it. This song has a great finish and perfect way to end the record.

Current Line Up of Accept:

Mark Tornillo – Lead vocals
Wolf Hoffmann – Guitar
Herman Frank – Guitar
Peter Baltes – Bass guitar
Stefan Schwarzmann – Drums

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.acceptworldwide.com

Twitter: @accepttheband

In closing, I really enjoyed this record. Accept has a great record and I believe they are getting stronger with age. Stalingrad brings back the good old days of speed metal in the 1980’s. Stalingrad is a classic Accept record. Any of these songs could have been on Breaker, Balls To The Walls, or Metal Heart. I really enjoyed the following songs Hellfire, Twist Of Fate, and Shadow Soldiers. If you were a fan of Accept back in the day, you will not be disappointed with this new line up and the music they are putting out now. You as a listener will be stun by Mark’s singing and lyric writing with the legendary guitar player. Congrats to Accept to have the balls to put out new music and writing great new music. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

New Blog Roit Immortal Soul

In this music blog, we are going to check out one of my favorite underground metal band called Riot. The last record from this great band out of Brooklyn, New York is called Immortal Soul, which is their fourteen studio album. Riot was formed in 1975 by the late great guitarist Mark Reale. They reach their peak a little bit in the early 1980’s but had a long successful career. The band went through so many line up changes but yet had a different sound in each of the eras which makes this band unique. Riot had fourteen studio albums, three live albums, one greatest hits, and one ep album that was only released in Japan. Let us get into the music.

Riot

Mark wrote a nice in your face guitar riff in this song. It is a pretty fast pace song. It has the classic sound from Thundersteel along with great singing. Mark also wrote a nice guitar solo, which he has been known for throughout the years. It is a well written song and great song opening song for this record.

Still Your Man

Still Your Man has a nice guitar and bass riffs throughout the song. There are hard-hitting and in your face drums. The singing is nice and fits the music along with great lyrics. This song finishes nicely. Nice job on this song!

Crawling

Crawling has a nice start to the song and I love how they did it. There is a nice heavy guitars with a great short solo at the beginning of the song. The singer has a nice vocal melody and great lyrics. I love the feeling and the sound of this song. There is a nice simple guitar solo towards the end of the song along with a great finish to it.

Wings Are For Angels

This song has a nice fast pace drums with a simple guitar riff to fill into the song. I believe his singing and voice does not fit with the music. I love the music. They did an excite job on it. The drummer is playing his ass off on this song. There is an awesome guitar solo and it has to be one of the best ones on this record. Wings Are For Angels has a nice ending with drums and guitar.

Fall Before Me

Fall Before Me has nice guitar and drum work along with a nice touch with the acoustic guitar. The music in this song is a great fit for this singer. He wrote some great lyrics. This song sounds like a rock anthems form the late 1970’s. I love it.

Sins Of The Father

Sins of the Father has a nice guitar at the beginning with drums. Tony Moore is singing very nice here with some great lyrics. So far this song is my favorite song on this record. I love the fact with all the line up changes they stayed true to their sound that they have created throughout the years.

Majestica

This is an intro song for the next song. It has great guitar riff that fits in the old 1980’s metal pop sound.

Immoral Soul

Majestica runs into a nice drums with guitar work in Immoral Soul. There is also a great bassline. Tony has written some great lyrics and is singing his ass off in this song. Mark of course wrote a great guitar solo. The band did a great job on the ending of this song.

Insanity

Insanity starts out with the singer and then the guitars enter with the drums and bass. In this song, everything is floating around the singer, which is change of pace from the rest of the songs on this record. This is a great song. This song is showing the finest work from Mark’s guitar work. Nice touch on the fading ending it fits the mood of the song.

Whiskey Man

Whiskey Man has a nice guitar intro. I love the lyrics but some parts of this song his vocals really does not fit with the music. The lyrics are sneak up in your face along with the singing. This is not greatest guitar solo but it fits in the song and music. Most bands get it. Not all songs need guitar solos or drum fills. Sometimes the most simple thing is the right thing.

Believe

Believe starts out with a nice angry guitar intro with the drums and bass. This is a well written song all the way around. Riot did a great job on this song. I love the time changes and the great finish to the song.

Echoes

Echoes has great guitar work from high to low. There is a nice flow with the lead vocals and nice touch on the back up vocals. This is my favorite song on this record along with Sins Of The Father. This song was a the perfect song to finish up a record and a great career. It is so sad because this band should have been bigger then what they were in the world of music.

Roit line up on this record:

Tony Moore – Lead Vocals
Mark Reale – Guitar
Mike Flyntz – Guitar
Don Van Stavern – Bass
Bobby Jarzombek – Drums

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.riotsweb.com

Twitter: no twitter account

In closing, I really enjoyed this record and all their records throughout their career. When I discovered this great band, I had to pick up all their records. It is sad to see this be their last record but at least I have this great music to listen to rest of my days on this earth. I love how they stayed true to their 1970’s sound but yet pulled off their slight thrash metal days in the 1980’s. My two favorite songs on this record is Sins Of The Father and Echoes. I wish I would have seen this band play live along with several other bands. I did not get a chance to see them live. Go check this record out and let me know what you think. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

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