thrash metal

New Music Monday Blog Evile Skull

In this Music Monday blog, we are going to get into the latest record from Evile.  The record is Skull. We are going to get into the history and then into the music.  Let us get into the history.

History:

Exile was formed in 2004 as a cover band but behind the scenes, they started to write some orignal songs.  In 2004, the band released their first EP, which is called “All Hallows Eve.”  In 2006, they released their second EP, which is called “Hell Demo.”  Both of these EPs were limited runs of like 200 to 350 units each.  The band went on tour with Excodus in parts of Europe.  The band signed a contract with Earache in 2006.  In that same year, they changed their name from Exile to Evile.  In 2007, the band started to record their first full length record called “Enter The Grave.”  It received some great ratings from the media.  They toured with several different bands throughout 2007 to 2009.  I am talking main acts like Megadeth to Machinehead.  In 2009, the band began work on their second record, which was called “Infected Nation.”  The band’s record had a pretty successful first week of sales.  Later part of 2009, Mike Alexander, who was the bass player, was rushed to the hospital and later passed away.  The band did two tribute shows for their falling band mate.  They did cover songs of Mike’s favorite bands or songs.  The band picked Joel Graham as their new bass player in December of 2009.  They announced US tour for 2010.  They supported acts like Kreator and Overkill.  The Overkill tour is where I saw them and I have been a fan since.  I just wished they played longer.  After, they finished their set.  I went down to their merch stand and brought one of each of their CDs in their music career.  I know it was only two but that is saying something about the band.  The band started to headline some fests or on the main stage.  In 2010, the band started to work on their third record, which was called “Five Serpent’s Teeth.”  The record was released in later part of 2011.  There is one song, which is “In Memoriam,” on this record that is a tribute to their first and fallen bass player.   In 2013, the band began working on “Skull” and it would be their fourth record.  After the record was done, Ol Drake, who is their orignal lead guitar player, left the band.  He was replaced by Piers Donno-Fuller  in 2014.  Let us get into the music.

Track List:

Underworld

There is some sound effects at the beginning of the song.  The drums and guitars roll in with fast and impact to your speakers.  It is fast just like the old school Evile.  This is thrash metal at its finest.  Matt’s singing has always remind of James from Metallica.  This is what Metallica is supposed to sound like today.  I love the lyrics and they are well written.  There is a nice thrash metal guitar solo towards the back half of this song.  It is well written.  There is a nice finish to this song and the opening track.  This is a solid start to this record.

Skull

There is some nice heavy music at the beginning.  I am loving the drums and bass playing at the beginning of this song.  Matt has some nice in face singing.  I love the lyrics and some nice melody.  The music change in the midpoint of the song.  The guitar playing is pretty goof at this point of the song.  This band is living up to the old school thrash metal.  There is a nice guitar solo with some nice time and rhythm changes to it in the back half of the song.  I have always love when they put a ton of reverb on back up singers to give that strong sound to their vocals.

The Naked Sun

I love the guitar playing at the beginning of the song.  The music is pretty solid.  There is some nice lyrics and some great singing at points.  I love the length of these songs.  They are just about right for this style of music.  I love the start to the guitar solo.  It goes into a full force towards the end of the song.  Ol out did himself on this guitar solo.  The drumming is hard hitting.  These guys can sing and they are just screamers.

Head Of The Demon

I love the music at the beginning of this song.  The guitar playing on this record has been awesome.  I am glad to see a band take their time writing some good tunes.  I love the slower pace of this song compare to the beginning of this record.  Matt took his time and put down some well thought lyrics.  I am loving the back up singing on this record so far.  Nice and well written guitar solo is towards the end of the song.  I love double bass on the drums but that was a little out-of-place.  The double bass is so out-of-place and it over took the guitar solo to a point.

Tomb

I love the acoustic guitar at the beginning.  The drumming is well place and I love the style of it.  I love the singing from Matt and he wrote some nice lyrics.  I love how the music is taking shape.  I love the build up to the heavier part of the song.  I love how they returned to the acoustic guitar music towards the end of the song.  It turns into a nice guitar solo.

Words Of The Dead

I love the music at the beginning of the song.  There is some nice drumming and guitar playing.  I love the singing with multiple singers.  I love the bass breaks and the speed of the music.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  There is some nice lyrics and singing.

Outsider

There is some nice new school thrash metal style of music at the beginning.  There is some nice well written lyrics.  I am not sure I feel about the back up singing on this song.  Matt’s singing is solid but I just feel he could sing a little be more than his singing talking style.  There is a talking part that not go well with the song.  I love the scream of “Outsider” and then the guitar solo comes into full focus.  I love the music on this song.

What You Become

I love the music at the beginning.  I am loving the drumming on this song.  Matt’s singing fit nicely on this song.  There is some well written lyrics.  I love how the lead singer blends with the back up singers and back to the lead.  It has a nice touch.  It is hard to describe.  There is an awesome guitar solo towards the end of the song.

New Truth Old Lies

I love the short acoustic guitar and hard-hitting of the heavy music that came in afterwards.  I love the rhythm and melody from the singer.  There is some nice lyrics.  I love the guitar solo towards the middle of the song.   This is part where double bass makes a little bit more sense.  This is a great song to finish this great record.  Evile did a great job on the music and lyrics.

Orignal Line Up:

Matt Drake – Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar

Ol Drake – Lead Guitar

Mike Alexander – Bass Guitar

Ben Carter – Drums

Current Line Up:

Matt Drake – Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar

Ol Drake – Lead Guitar

Joel Graham -Bass Guitar

Ben Carter – Drums

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.evile.co.uk

Twitter:  @evileuk

Closing, I love this band and I am glad they brought back the old thrash metal sound and music.  Of course, they put their twisted on it.  Overall, this is a great record.  I love how they kept true to themselves.  Matt has done a great job on the lyrics.  Some of the singing was ok but very good overall. I will be adding this record to my line up of records to play once in a while.  There is some solid drums and guitar playing.  I love the guitar solo but with Ol leaving the group.  How will the music and sound along with guitar solos change?  Will this band change too much?  I hope Evile stays as close to what they were on all their records.  They will change a bit because of the different and new players in the group.  I am looking forward to their new music in future.  This is a great band and album.  I highly recommend it.  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 Anvil Hope In Hell

In this New Music Monday Blog, we are going to get into a band I wish I had a chance to see them way back in the day.  I am talking about the band called Anvil.  This is their new record that is called “Hope In Hell.”  This record is their fifteenth studio record.  This band has went through several line up changes but Lips and Robb are the only original members.  Anvil has been known to influence several big names in the Metal, Speed Metal, and Thrash Metal world.  They never made it until their movie hit the air a few years back.  We are going to get into the history and then the music.  Let us get into the history.

History:

Anvil started in Toronto, Canada back in 1973.  A few high school friends who are Steve “Lips” Kudlow, who is the lead singer and guitar player, and Robb Reiner, who is the drummer.  Marty Hoffman, who is a guitarist and neighbor, was in the band for one show but left shortly after it.  In 1978, Dave “Squirrely” Allison, who was the second guitar player and Ian “Dix” Dickson, who was the bassist joined and the band called themselves Lips.  The band released their first record which was independent release called “Hard N’ Heavy.”  The band was signed to Attic Records and they changed their name to Anvil.  David Krebs and Paul O’Neil signed Anvil as their management team.  They had Attic Records to release them from their contract because they could get them on a major label.  David stop returning phone calls and did not get the band a major label contract.  His management team release the band from their contract.  In 1987, the band signed with Metal Blade Records by William Howell.  Metal Blade Records re-release their first three records and their fourth record, which is called “Strength Of Steel” in the United States.  “Strength Of Steel” was the most commercially success in the United States.  It reached 191 on the Billboard 200.  The band was picked up by Maximum Records and then from 1996 on the band was signed to Hypnotic Records and Massacre Records, which is from Germany.  Anvil will say to this day if it was not for Germany for buying their records.  There would not an Anvil today.  In 2001, the band put out “Plenty Of Power.”  They toured and toured and there would be gigs where no one was there to watch them play.  In 2006, the band decided to record a record called “This Is Thirteen” with  Chris Tsangarides, who is the producer from “Metal On Metal” record.  It was released in 2007.  The band was filmed in a movie called “Anvil! The Story Of Anvil”  This movie put the band back in the public mind.  They released a book on the band author by Lips and Robb.  They appear on “The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien” which was the first time the band was on TV.  They supported AC/DC, which was in the United States, and Saxon, which was in United Kingdom, on their tours.  The band went on headline tour of Europe in 2010 and sell out each place they played.  In 2011, the band release their fourteen studio record, which is called Juggernaut of Justice.  Also in 2011, the band release their second greatest hits record and all their old records under their new record label.  Glenn Gyorffy in 2012 quit the band and was replaced by Sal Italiano.  In 2013, Anivl put out their fifteen studio record, which is “Hope In Hell.”  They are out on tour supporting this record.  Let us get into the music.

Track List:

Hope In Hell

The opening and title track of the record is “Hope In Hell.”    The beginning has some sound effects and the guitar, bass, and drums jump into the song.  The drums and bass has a nice groove and pace to them.  I love the guitar playing from Lips.  Lips’ singing is pretty solid.  I love the lyrics he has written on this song.   There is a nice guitar solo from Lips about the half way point of the song.  I have always love his guitar playing through all their records.  This song has elements from the first few records.  I love the ending to the song with the sound effects.

Eat Your Words

I love the fast pace and the drumming is insane on this song.  The bass playing is simple but it fits the song and it is perfect.  I love the guitar riff on this song.  I love the lyrics.  It is classic Anvil lyrics.  Robb is playing out of his mind on this song.  Lips is killing it with the a guitar solo half way through “Eat Your Words.”  This is a classic Anvil song.  I love the exiting guitar solo at the end of the song.

Through With You

I love  the distortion on Lips guitar .  I love the drums and bass.  “Through WIth You” has a nice driving feeling.  Lips wrote some great lyrics and he is singing is pretty average.  I love it.    I love the melody.  I also love the guitar playing during the chorus.  This record so far has a nice pace to it.  This song is not as fast as the last few songs but it has a nice pace and groove.  I love the guitar break half way through the song.  It turns into a nice guitar solo.  I love the build up guitar solo towards the end that ended the song.

The Fight Is Never Won

I love the guitar, bass, and drum action at the beginning of the song.  The drumming is pretty insane on this song.  I love Lips’ singing and lyrics.   He has a nice melody on this song.  The drums are something else on this song.    There is awesome guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  The bass playing has been pretty solid throughout this record so far.  The last few songs has had some nice guitar solos ending the song.  This is yet another pretty solid ending.

Pay The Toll

I love the groove and pace so far on this song.  The guitar, bass, and drums are awesome.  I love the music on “Pay The Toll.”  I am not a fan of the lyrics but it is classic Anvil.  Lips’ singing is pretty good.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  I have to say this guitar solo just seemed a little forced into the song.  This is a quick and to the point song.  I love some of Anvil’s short songs.

Flying

I love the drumming at the beginning and the guitar and bass enters the song.  There is a nice guitar solo before singer starts to sing.  I love the lyrics and singing on this song.  This song has some meaning for the band that is one thing I love about this band.  They put some feelings and emotion behind their lyrics.  There is a nice guitar break and guitar solo towards the end of the song.  I love the build up to end the song.  Nice guitar solo to end the song with the drums and bass going nuts too.

Call Of Duty

I love the music at the beginning of the song.  I love the lyrics.  I love the pace and rhythm of the music.  I will have to look it up.  It seems Anvil wrote a song for the Video Game franchise.  It just seems like they wrote a song for the video game.  It is not the case.  There is a killer guitar solo towards the middle to the back half of the song.  Anvil wrote some awesome music and lyrics on “Call Of Duty.”  The ending on this song is one of the best ending for a song so far on this record.

Badass Rock N Roll

I love the start to this song.  It has that old school classic hard rock meets speed metal to metal.  I love the drumming on this song.  I love how Lips is singing on this song.  This song sounds like a song that Kiss of Gene Simmons would have been singing if he wrote it.  Hey Kiss, here is your next cover song.  There is a nice and well placed guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  I really love how the guitar and the rest of the band re-enter the back into the main part of the song.   I love the lyrics and the ending to this song.

Time Shows No Mercy

I love the drumming at the beginning with some well place highlighting from the guitar and bass player.  I love the short guitar solo before they enter the main part of the song.  I love the lyrics and the singing is pretty solid.  The music is pretty song.  There is an awesome guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  The drumming is crazy during the guitar solo.  Most drummers would sit in the pocket because they do not want the song sound thin.  I will have to say this song does not sound thin.  I love the build up to end the song.

Mankind Machine

The song starts with some sound effects.  The guitar and drums come in to start the music part.  The bass is shortly after that with the singer coming in strong.  I love the singing and the lyrics on this song.  The music sounds like a bunch of robots or machines.  There is a nice guitar break to a solo towards the back half of the song.  There is a nice drumming break just after the guitar solo.

Shut The Fuck Up

The last song of the record before the bonus tracks.  It starts how as a fast pace to the music.  I love the lyrics and the singing.  This is a pretty solid record so far.  This is classic Anvil.  The music is so good on this song.  This is a perfect song to finish this great and soon to be classic Anvil record.

Hard Wired

I love the drumming, bass, and guitar playing at the beginning of the song.  There is a nice short guitar solo at the beginning just before Lips starts to singing.  I love the melody he wrote for his singing.  There is some nice lyrics.  The guitar solo towards the middle of this song is good but it just feels a little forced into the song.  I love the ending to the song.

Fire At Will

The song starts out with some strong music with everyone playing at the same time.  Lips singing is pretty solid with some great lyrics.  I love singing before the chorus and then in the chorus.  I love how they set up the guitar solo and the well placed solo in this song.  This guitar solo feels right in the song.  This is a perfect ending with the bonus tracks for “Hope In Hell” record.  I love how the song ends.

Current Line Up:

  • Steve “Lips” Kudlow – Lad Vocals And Lead Guitar
  • Robb “Geza” Reiner – Drums
  • Sal Italiano – Bass Guitar

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.anvilmetal.com

Twitter:  @AnvilMetal666

Fuel the fire, Anvil keeps on going and they are still writing some great music and records.  Anvil puts out yet another classic record.  I know I was not their at the beginning but I wish was to see Anvil at the beginning of their career.  I discover them before their movie came out.  I heard some of their tunes.  I had a hard time finding their records.  I overpaid for their first greatest hits because I wanted to play it on my radio show, which is www.stfu.fm.  I wanted to support this great band.  I had a chance to meet the whole band outside of their Chicago show.  I was able to get all their records from www.ebay.com and some release.  I have to say this record “Hope In Hell” as lived up to the rest of their records.  This record is solid from start to finish.  I highly recommend you checking out this record and this band.  I would go see the movie if you have not.  If you are not a metal fan, I would go see it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Credit source: history part of this blog came from Wikipedia.

New Music Monday Blog Megadeth Super Collider

In this Music Monday blog, we are going to get into the latest record from Megadeth and it is called Super Collider.  This is the second record with original bassist Dave Ellefson since returning to the band.  This is their first record since 2011.  We are going to get into the rich history of one of the pioneers of Thrash Metal and then the music.  Let us  get into the history.

History

Dave Mustaine was oringally part of Metallica as a lead guitar player until he was fired in 1983.  He was fired for his drinking and drug abuse problem.  Dave Mustaine met Dave Ellefson in the same year to form Megadeth.  Megadeth recorded a three song demo and was signed to Capital in 1984 while hiring Chris Poland as their lead guitar player.  The band in 1985 began recording their debut record, which was “Killing Is My Business….And Business Is Good!” under Combat Record, which was independent record company under Capital.  After blowing half the budget on drugs and alcohol, the band was forced to fire their producer and produced their own record.  This record has been looked at as a cult and fan favorite.  In 1986, the band started to record their second record, which was “Peace Sells… Who’s Buying?”  Megadeth did not like how the record sounded so they finally moved up to the major record, which was Capital.  Capital Records hired Paul Lani to remix the record and released in 1986.  This record pushed Megadeth into the mainstream of Hard Rock and Metal in the 1980’s.  The band went on several date tours but drug abuse force the band to go through several different line up changes.  Megadeth started to work on their third record called “So Far, So Good… So What!” in 1988.  Several more line up changes happened before they even started to work on their fourth record.  Chuck Behler (drummer) and Jeff Young (guitar player) were fired while Dave Ellefson went into rehab.  Nick Menza was brought in to play drums.  Megadeth covered “No More Mr. Nice Guy” for Wes Craven’s film “Shocker.”  This marked the first time in Megadeth’s history the band recorded a song as a three-piece band.  In 1990, the band started searching for their second guitar player.  The band saw guys like Slash, who was in Guns and Roses and turned down the gig to stay with Roses, and Criss Oliva, who turned it down from Savatage.  Dimebag Darrell, who was from Pantera, was offer but wanted his brother, who was Vinnie Paul, to play drums.  Jeff Loomis from later fame Nevermore was offer but Dave Mustaine was worried about his age.  Marty Friedman was told by Jeff Loomis to try out for Megadeth.  Marty was rejected at first but later Mustaine hired him in 1990.  It was just in time for the band to record their next record, which was “Rust In Peace.”  The band was sober and this is the first time at this point a producer, who was Mike Clink, made it through the whole recording process without being fired.  “Rust In Peace” would mark the most success this band will ever have from any era and history.  The next record was “Countdown to Extinction.”  It had several hit songs and the record debuted number two on the Billboard Charts.  Megadeth recorded another hit song called “Angry Again” for a film called “Last Action Hero.”  After being drop by Aerosmith for comments by Dave Mustatine, the band return to the studio to record “99 Ways To Die” for the soundtrack for Beavis And Butthead Experience record.  The band return to the studio record a follow-up record to “Countdown To Extinction” which would be called “Youthanasia.”  The record appeared number four on the Billboard Charts.  Jimmy Degrasso was bought in to play drums and replaced Nick Menza.  Nick did play drums on Megadeth’s next record which was called “Cryptic Writings.”  It appeared number ten on Billboard Charts.  It also had the highest single, which was “Trust”  in the band’s history on the Mainstream Rock Tracks.  There was several other hits off this record.  “Risk” was the next release from Megadeth in 1999.  “Risk” was a let down to their longtime fan base and critics.  It also marked the end of Marty Friedman on the second guitar.  Al Pitrelli replaced Marty for the remaining tour dates.  Capital Records after fourteen years working with Megadeth released them from their contract.  Capital Records had two new songs from the band so they added it to their Greatest Hits record.  Megadeth signed with Santuary Records.  They released “The World Needs A Hero” in 2001.  It shown their hardcore fans  that the band went back to their metal roots.  It had “Moto Psycho” that appeared number twenty-two on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Charts.  In 2002, Megadeth announce they have broken up because of injury to Dave Mustaine.   In 2004, after fighting Dave Mustaine started working on new material for the next Megadeth record.  Nick Menza signed on but later was released.  Marty Friedman could not reach an agreement to work on the new project.  Dave Ellefson declined an offer from Mustaine.  Dave Mustaine stated that Ellefson was saying his injury was faked.  Chris Poland was hired as the lead guitar player and marked the first time since the 1980’s Dave and Chris worked together.  In 2004, Megadeth released “The System Has Failed” and it went to number eighteen on the Billboard Charts.  Chris Poland worked as session guitar player.  He was replaced by Glen Drover and his brother, who was Shawn Drover, replaced Nick  on the tour.  In 2007, Megadeth released their eleventh studio album, which was called “United Abominations.”  It marked the first recordings of Glen and Shawn Drover and James Lomenzo.  This record appeared number eight on the Billboard charts and this is the first time they hit the top ten since “Youthanasia” in 1994.  Glen Drover left the band because of family.  He was replaced by Chris Broderick from Nevermore.  In 2009, Megadeth put out their twelfth album called “Endgame.” They went out on tour to support the record and play “Rust In Peace” from start to finish on its 20th Anniversary.  Dave Ellefson returned to Megadeth after eight years of not being around.  Megadeth return back into the studio after all the “Big Four Show” and record “Sudden Death” for Guitar Heros in 2010.  This mark the first recording with Dave Ellefson on bass since 2001.  In 2011, Megadeth released “TH1RT3EN” and it hit number eleven on the Billboard Charts.  “Super Collider” is the record that is being featured on this blog was released in 2013 under Dave Mustaine record label, which is called Tradecraft.  The first single off this record is called “Super Collider.”  “Super Collider” went to number six of the Billboard Charts.  Let us get into the music.

Track List:

Kingmaker

The opening track has some sound effects but jumps into some killer guitar riffs.  Dave’s singing is on key.  There is some solid drumming and bass playing.  I love the high pace to the music and the movement on the guitar playing.  I love those short guitar solos from the guitar players.  I am not a huge fan of the lyrics but they are not worse.  I could live with them.  I love the switch off on the guitar solo from Dave and Chris.

Super Collider

Super Collider is the first single off this record.  I am loving that opening guitar solo with a nice rhythm guitar, bass, and drum playing.  Dave’s singing is spotted on along with some great lyrics.  This is old school Megadeth.  He found away to bring it back to life.  This sound reminds me of “The Killing Road.”  I love that guitar solo towards the middle of the song.

Burn!

I love the guitar playing at the beginning of Burn!  There is a nice guitar solo at the beginning.  I love the guitar break and the drumming.   The bass playing from Dave E is setting up the drummer nicely.  I love the lyrics.  I am enjoying this record so far.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  I am loving the end of this song.

Built For War

Built For War has a nice pace to it.  Dave’s singing is solid and of course classic Megadeth guitar break before the versus.  I am loving that main riff.  The drums and bass are off the charts good.  The lyrics are pretty good.  I love the harmony from the vocals towards the back half of the song.  The guitars, bass, and drums echo this theme.  There is a pretty good ending guitar solo of the song.

Off The Edge

I love the beginning of this song.  I am really enjoying the lyrics and the music.  This is a pretty solid song.  I love the melody from the singer.  He put some thought behind this song.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  Once again, I love the trade-off on the guitar solos.

Dance In The Rain

Dance In The Rain has the lead singer, who is David Draiman, from Disturbed guest on it.  I am loving the guitar playing at the beginning.  I am also loving the lyrics.  The drumming is awesome with the bass playing echoing it.  There is a some nice guitar work on the song.  I love the guitar solos throughout this song.  David Draiman is towards the end of the song during the fastest part of the song.   I loved how they used David Draiman on this song.

Beginning Of Sorrow

Hello Dave Ellefson on the bass at the beginning.  I love his playing because it echos the classic Megadeth tunes.  This song is no different from those classic hits.  I love the music and lyrics.  Dave’s singing is solid like the norm.  Holy Shit that is an awesome guitar solo.  The drums and bass are perfect.  I love the added acoustic guitar behind the guitar solo.  The drums make this song feel like a metal song.

The Blackest Crow

I love the drums and the folk sound to the start of the song.  It is a different twist on this metal record.  I love how they blend the distorted heavy guitar.  This is a slow song to the rest of the record.  Dave is singing great and this kind of out of his element from his past work.  This is a band that could work with a country singer after listening to this song.  I would say someone like Johnny Cash if he was still alive.  I am enjoying the lyrics on this song.  I love the guitar solo towards the back half of the song.  This is a pretty dark but bright song at the same time.

Forget to Remember

There is a simple but perfect guitar riff at the beginning.  The bass, drums and second guitar comes in to echos the same riff.  Dave’s singing is solid with some pretty good lyrics.  I love the pace of the song.  It is a nice driving song. I love the effects they put on the lead singer towards the end of the song.  I love the ending of this song.

Don’t Turn Your Back…

I love the start of this song.  There is some Blues action at the beginning.  I love that heavy guitar riff to start into the main part of the song.  This is a pretty fast song.  Dave is singing really well on this song.  There is some solid lyrics with a theme and meaning.  I love the ending guitar solo.

Cold Sweat

This is a cover from the band called Thin Lizzy.  I am happy to see Megadeth putting covers back on their records.  This is a heavier cover song than the Thin Lizzy.  Megadeth did a great job on this song.

All I Want

This song and next two are from exclusive edition from Best Buy.  In other words, they are bonus tracks.  I love the guitar riff at the beginning.  I do not like the melody on the lead singer’s singing.  The lyrics are just average for Megadeth’s standards.  I really did not like the ending of the song.

A House Divided

I love the start of this song.  Nice touch on the horn selection.  I love guitar work on this song.  The lyrics are pretty than the last song but average to slight above for Megadeth.  I love the time changes on this song.  For being bonus track, it is not a bad song.  It is pretty good.

Countdown To Extinction (Live In Pomona, CA)

I believe you know this song.  If you do not, you need to go back and listen to that great record.  I love the sound for being a live recording.  This is a pretty good recording of this song.

Original Band Line Up:

  • Dave Mustaine – Lead Vocals, Rhythm and Lead Guitar
  • David Ellefson – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
  • Gar Samuelson – Drums, Timpani
  • Chris Poland – Lead Guitar

Current Band Line Up:

  • Dave Mustaine – Lead Vocals, Lead, Rhythm, Acoustic Guitar and Slide Guitars
  • Chris Broderick – Lead, Rhythm, Acoustic Guitars, and Backing Vocals
  • David Ellefson – Bass Guitar and Backing vocals
  • Shawn Drover – Drums, Percussion

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.megadeth.com

Twitter:  @Megadeth

In closing, I am a huge Megadeth fan so I have been with them thick and thin.  I enjoyed all the music they have put out over the years.  I came board the Megadeth train about the mid 1990’s.  I was not there from the beginning because of my age, which is mid 30’s.  I saw this band at the top of their powers and the low.  However, they are back and climbing back up in the mainstream, Megadeth is back.  “Super Collider” is not a let down from their last record “TH1RT3EN.”  There is some really good songs on this record and I could hear some of them start to chart on music charts.  The only thing I do not like about this record is the production.  I just feel this record is too bright for a metal record.  The songs do not sound full.  The new Black Sabbath “13” record is full sounding and that is with one guitar player.  This Megadeth record needs four more guitars or bass guitars and it will not sound as full as the new Black Sabbath.  With all that at the side, this is a great record and I am glad they are still writing some great music.  I highly recommend this record, which is “Super Collider,” from Megadeth.  Also if you are a fan of this band, you NEED to see this band live.  They are awesome live.  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 Blog Testament Dark Roots Of Earth

In this music blog, we are going to get into one of the godfathers of thrash metal.  The band and record is called Testament Dark Roots Of Earth.  Testament was founded in 1983 under the band name Lagacy but later had to their change the name to Testament because of another band using that name. Testament has put out ten studio albums, three live records, and two EPs in their thirty year career.  Their latest record has them the highest on the US music charts in their career, which is twelve.  This band has went through so many lineup changes but they still found success.  Let us get into the music.

Rise Up

Nice start to the record is right in your face and classic thrash metal guitar playing.  Drumming is holding up its end.  This is a great start to the record.  Billy Chuck is stronger than ever with his singing.  I am loving the lyrics.  This song sounds like something you would hear in their 1980’s heyday.  I love the guitar solo in this song.  This is what thrash metal is and always will be in its lifetime.  This is a great opening track.  Perfect ending.

Native Blood

Native Blood starts out with some killer guitar playing and nice back up from the backbone of the band, which is the bass and drums.  I love the pace of this song.  It is not as fast as the opening track but has a great pace to the song.  I love the rhythm of the singing and drums.  The drummer is the most under rated drummer in the world of music.  This is a well written song.  This is a strong start to Dark Of Earth.  There is a simple and straight to the point guitar solo that gets a little complex towards the end of its run.  Nice touch of having singer sing on top of it for a bit.  The lyrics are little average but the music brings it to above average.  I am loving the build up for the ending to the song.  Classic thrash metal ending.

Dark Roots Of Earth

I am loving the acoustic guitar with distorted guitar at the beginning of the title track of the record.  I am loving the lyrics and the pace of the singing.  The drums and bass are pretty solid in the song.  The guitar work is over the top but in good way.  Nice guitar break towards the middle of the song.  This song has a nice pace.  This is my favorite song so far on the record.  I love the pick up of speed towards the back half of the song and the guitar solo.  Then the moving back to the opening the riff and enters back to the main riff.  The opening riff is the closing riff which is perfect for this track.

True American Hate

I love how everyone starts at the same time on the True American Hate.  I love the guitar solo at the beginning.  This is a strong in your face main guitar riff.  Billy Chuck is in your face on his singing.  I am love the theme of the lyrics.  There is some great drumming and bass playing on this song.  I am loving the double bass action from the drums.  To be honest, True American Hate could live without a guitar solo but that is just me.  If it was going to have one, it should be simple and straight to the point like the lyrics and the rest of the song.  It is still a good guitar solo but it drags the song too long.  This is one song that needs to get to the point and end it.

A Day In The Death

I am loving the opening bass line and the drums with guitar coming in over it.  Nice start to A Day In The Death!  This song is not too fast but not too slow.  I am loving the lyrics and theme.  There is some pretty solid guitar work on the song.  There is some well placed back up vocals.  I am loving the build up to the guitar solo.  There is a well place guitar solo and an extremely well written one.  I love how the band is putting a little focus on the bass player.  Most bands do not do that too much.

Cold Embrace

Cold Embrace starts out with some acoustic guitar with another guitar dancing in the background.  The drums come in with the bass with a simple and smooth beat.  The singer comes with a nice calming singing.  Cold Embrace is showing the talent in this classic metal band.  This is a great thinking song and a very well written song.  Testament did a great job on this track.  Here is another track that is in my favorite column.

Man Kills Mankind

Man Kills Mankind gets back to the old school thrash metal.  This song has a great pace and solid playing all the way around.  Nice pace on the singing.  I am loving the lyrics.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  Man Kills Mankind has a solid finish. This is another song I could hear back in the day.

Throne Of Thorns

Throne of Thorns has a nice acoustic guitar riff with a heavy guitar over the top of it.  The drums and bass are pretty solid in the song.  The main guitar riff is pretty something else.  This band has always found some great guitar riffs.  I am loving the theme of the lyrics.  It is has fantasy feeling to it.  There was a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  This a pretty good song but I know for a fact I could not sit through the extended version of this song.  Nice ending to the song!

Last Stand For Independence

Here is a nice in your face metal song.  I am love the drum break at the beginning of the song and throughout it.  There is solid playing from the drums, bass and the guitar players.  I love the lyrics and the singing.  This song has a nice pace.  There is a pretty good guitar break and solo towards the back half of the song.  I love the ending to Last Stand For Independence.

Dragon Attack

This is a Queen cover song.  The music is solid.  I am a fan of bands doing covers but I could do without this one.  If I still had my radio show, I would throw this into the my cover show.

Animal Magentism

This is a Scorpions cover song.  I could do without this song.  Not a fan!

Powerslave

This is an Iron Maiden cover song.  Just like Animal Magentism, I pass on this song too.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.testamentlegions.com

Twitter:  @testamentband

Closing out, I have been a huge fan of this band for a while.  I believe they are the most under rated band coming out of the thrash metal scene.  I did not see them topping their last record, which was The Formation Of Damnation.  Dark Roots Of Earth is an awesome follow-up to their last one.  I hope they put out another record sooner than later.  I could do without the covers but the original songs are pretty solid.  I really enjoyed the title track, Cold Embrace, and Rise Up.  If you are a fan of thrash metal, you need to get into the pit and check out Testament new one. If you are a fan of this band back in the day and have been gone, go get this record.  It is a solid great and gives you everything that your thrash metal heart seeks.  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

https://i0.wp.com/www.metalunderground.com/images/covers/Accept_-_Stalingrad_cover.jpg

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