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General => Archive => General Music Archives => Topic started by: bl5150 on June 26, 2014, 10:11:56 PM
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Welcome to my fogey-riffic Top 50! .....first albums up over the weekend
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....... and apologies in advance for the longwinded intro …….(if you’re not interested in a bit of background and how I went about it all then don’t waste your time. It’s a bit tl:dr.)
I must say I’m constantly amazed at the diversity of taste of many of the forumites here on DTF but in my case it ain’t no box o’chocolates – you know pretty much what you’re gonna get style wise – mostly rock and metal with a focus on the 80’s and 90’s sound , big melodies, big guitars and most often big musicianship….and maybe the odd surprise to keep things interesting. There will not be any post punk ambient space sludge mathcore revival :neverusethis: or anything of the sort - just plenty of rocking metal with some metallic rock thrown in for variety.
I spent 15 years of my life living and breathing the guitar too , so above average guitar playing is generally a prominent component of music I like. The only thing I don’t tend to connect with in the rock-metal spectrum (aside from “growly” metal) is lighter/classic prog rock . Having said that there’s a small , but amazing, sweet spot where rock and prog meet that generally involves a bit more in the way of heaviness ,melody and hooks where I’m very ,very happy.
I’m also very much a melody/music person first and foremost – lyrics/concepts are of little interest to me if the musical side doesn’t grab my ear pretty quickly first and even then……. to this day I don’t know the exact lyrics to some of my favourite songs. So while I sincerely marvel at the analytical efforts of many forum members in their top 50’s in terms of lyrical content(both albums and DT songs) I never really go into such a depth of analysis. So the write ups here will be more general/conversational/trivia related rather than some sort of analytical breakdown .
Needless to say it’s been a task to cull 3000+ albums from 1300+ artists spanning mid 70’s to current (the majority of which I rate highly) down to 50 (about 1.5% ) so I’ll do my best to explain how I’ve gone about it. Compromises have had to be made and in the end it’s turned out a bit more like a top 50 most influential artists (with my fave album listed) rather than my absolute top 50 albums as of right now.
The main challenges in finalising the list were :
- My top 6-7 or so artists are my top by quite some way , so a simple Top 50 albums risked turning into a discography of those few artists
- After those top few artists the next hundred or so artists/albums are so close it would be hard to feel like I’ve done a list any list justice without mentioning way,way more than 50 albums.
I’ve read a number of the old Top 50’s and taken some inspiration from others that have listed one album per artist and also TAC/Nick who listed some closely associated albums/honourable mentions alongside etc… and have come up with my own mix to try and maximise content without it being information overload (hopefully).
The rules I imposed on myself initially in order to whittle the list down were as follows:
-One place per artist (I have tried to have a single album for each artist but on six occasions I have a tie - the albums are either by the same artist or a related project).
-Huge weight has been given to bands and albums that really played a big part in my life ,– so there has been lots of thinking back to the amount of time I spent listening to/obsessing over various bands and albums in order to get some sort of ranking. As a kid –and even today - I tended to fall in love with a great album and play nothing else for weeks or even months. Lots of deserving albums missed out because of this rule but it needed to be done to have a hope of getting anywhere near 50.
In the end I managed to cut it down to my favourite 125 artists (<10% based on my collection) using the above criteria before it got really difficult. Numbers 1-30 are pretty much set in stone but 31-125 are so close it’s not funny , so in order to help decide the final 50 I have added a further filter:
-When in doubt go with a style that is most representative of my current taste– which is generally trending heavier and more progressive. Simple exercise…..what would I rather listen to right now?
The structure I settled on is broken down into the following elements (choose to ignore whatever part you like – or the lot :) )
1) The Top 50 albums according to the stated criteria. I will aim for at least 7 albums listed per week to keep things humming but still allow time for discussion.
2) In the process of doing this very gradually over 7-8 months , and changing numbers 31-50 countless times , I did write ups for 75 albums. It seems a shame to waste that work so I will have 25 runners up which will be listed with comments in the opening “runners up week” (5 posts per day across 5-7 days) . It’ll be a bit of work but I want to get this bit done quick so it’s there for people to refer to but doesn’t drag out for weeks and exhaust everyone before the main Top 50 list. Feel free to ignore this if only interested in the top 50. I would encourage you not to though as there’s some good obscure and less obvious stuff in there. After the runners up I will begin the proper top 50 .
The runners up will be labelled numbers 75-51 but the numbering is just arbitrary.
All of the 75 albums above will have artist, album name, album year with anywhere from 2 to 4 of my favourite tracks linked.
3) As in Nick’s list I will note an honourable mention as part of each of the top 50 – it will be at the bottom of the post and will consist of just a band name, album name and year only with a one sentence comment if they’re not well known to give a hint as to the type of music. I will hyperlink this to one track that I feel is worth a listen. I know at least a couple of you are interested in some of my more obscure (wimpy) melodic rock/AOR faves and this is where you will find a number of those listed – many of which suffered at the hands of the “when in doubt, go current taste” rule. Although a number of those may not have aged as well as the metal stuff, EVERY album listed anywhere in this thread has been very highly regarded at some point and played a big part in my life.
Doing this list has been a real trip down memory lane and I hope you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed judging and writing it. I have pre-prepared (almost) everything a bit at a time since my name hit the waiting list November 2013 …….. so I can now sit back, post at my leisure and enjoy it with you rather than trying to write to a deadline as I go. . I am hoping that most followers will discover plenty of new bands to check out too. There’s a good mix of classics and obscure gems + plenty of links to make it easy to check out some samples. Funny thing is , after months of listening to nothing but great music while doing this , I’m over it and missing trawling through a whole load of worthless gravel hunting for the odd gold nugget.
Hopefully a few will “follow and shit” Pretty much all the albums listed were bought around the year of release unless noted – I was born 1974 so that gives you an idea of my age at the time of purchase if that’s of interest.
And away we go…………………
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I'll be following. Expecting to see some avant-garde jazz fusion deathprog.
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I'll be following. I listen to some AOR but not as much as some others here, and most of what I listen to is very recent (there are some exceptions of course), so I have especially neglected the older stuff - the exact kinds of albums and artists I expect to see listed here. So this top 75 is probably going to cost me a bit. :mehlin
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I'll be following. I listen to some AOR but not as much as some others here, and most of what I listen to is very recent (there are some exceptions of course), so I have especially neglected the older stuff - the exact kinds of albums and artists I expect to see listed here. So this top 75 is probably going to cost me a bit. :mehlin
Plenty of stuff in the list isn't easily obtained - I've had to set up a Youtube account just to provide samples for a few - so let me know if you need assistance with anything that's impossible to find.
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If there's no post-industrial blackgaze, I'm going to be severely disappointed.
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Its extremely difficult for someone to win me over with their musical tastes as I'm the most closed minded person on earth when it comes to music. But Brent, you get an A plus. Following, this will be a good one.
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Thanks jj - hopefully I don't disappoint. Feeling the pressure now ;D
Here we go with the first 5 runners up ...........most of the links are Youtube , but if you want better sound quality Grooveshark is often better. Hopefully I've done a decent job linking - I have no idea what I'm doing - will double check them later tonight.
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#75 Great White: s/t
Released: 1984
Great White carved out a nice little niche for themselves with their bluesy rock and reached peak popularity in the late 80’s with their cover of Once Bitten, Twice Shy which went #1. From there the descent was pretty steady , as it was for many of their peers. The two albums from around that time (what else) - Once Bitten…….. and ……..Twice Shy were quality releases for that style but what a lot of people (and plenty of Great White fans) don’t realise is that there was a debut self titled album in 1984 that was as “metal” as anything being done at the time by bands like Motley Crue . The guitar sound used by Mark Kendall was quite unique for that style (almost bluesy metal) – it had a metal crunch but an earthy sound and I wish they’d persisted with it.
Their touring activities are a good indication of how things went over time – at their commercial peak in the late 80’s they toured in support of Bon Jovi , in 1984 behind this album they toured in support of Judas Priest.
The record was (unfortunately) a commercial failure and as a result of pressure from their label their next album Shot In The Dark saw a clear move towards the more laid back bluesy rock that became their signature sound. I sometimes wonder what they could’ve been as a hard rock/metal act as this debut is a classic and Jack Russell was a great vocalist for this style. The lyrics in songs like Stick It (one of my all time favourite rock tracks) are rather childish in retrospect but typical of the 80’s and at the time it was a cool song. I’m not big into lyrics anyway so I still really enjoy it today. I like pretty much everything on it and their cover of Substitute is great fun too. The ballad – the 500,000th song titled “Hold On” – is a great rocking ballad too. A neglected classic.
Favourite Tracks: Stick It (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSydo1kLmUE) , Substitute (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOr27H43Nbs) , Bad Boys (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bO-c4jcmVc) , Hold On (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdq4r0gLXGE)
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# 74 Wildside : Under The Influence
Released 1992
What we have here is a must have for fans of “hair metal” – it probably deserves a spot for the cover alone but these guys really were about the best example of a band that were about to hit the big time if not for a dose of the flannelette flu. They had the looks, the sound and the talent and had a lot of hype around them as they worked their way up via the Hollywood club scene.
Everything about this record was done right. They have a sound that I would describe as Skid Row meets Ratt with a sprinkle of early GnR. The production is mindblowing- the record was actually produced by Andy Johns and recorded in large part at Van Halen’s 5150 studios – the first “outside’ band to do so. So there was really no expense spared and that’s understandable seeing as they were the subject of a bidding war between Capitol and Polydor that was resolved with a seven figure 5 record deal with Capitol (one of the biggest in years at the time) . The album is chock full of attitude , great songs and is very well played. The couple of more commercial songs are also great and the anthemic So Far Away was on heavy rotation in my late teens.
Unfortunately it all unravelled fairly quickly. By the time of release (May 92) the scene was on its last legs and despite their reasonably successful tour with Babylon A.D. they (along with anyone else with hair and talent) were dropped like a hot potato , presumably along with their rock solid 5 year deal , and replaced at Capitol with Blind Melon and various assorted shite.
Favourite Tracks: Hang On Lucy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_aeCiZAAhc) , So Far Away (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lf_1nVBKo0) , Clock Strikes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXs5C8l0sMs)
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#73 Megadeth : Rust In Peace
Released 1990
I've managed to squeeze 3 albums from my Big 5 of thrash into the Top 75 and here's the first . The Big 5 for me are Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Annihilator and Testament. Each of these bands , for the most part , really only nailed the sound I like (well writtten,heavy but melodic/hooky) across a whole album once and in the case of Megadeth I feel Rust In Peace is the best example.
I like tracks off most of their albums but , even though there's the odd filler, this is the only one I would listen to without thinking too much about the Skip button. I also don't think Marty Friedman ever came close to repeating the brilliance he showed here……within Megadeth anyway.
Truth be told I've never been much of a fan of Mustaine's vocals either but here they really suit much of the subject matter - "next mistake..............NO MORE MISTAKES!" As I indicated there's really only 4 or 5 albums I rate as thrash classics and this is one of them - as an added bonus the production here is crystal clear. The addition of Marty Friedman and his exotic playing really added a new dimension to Megadeth and I was a bit disappointed in what followed given the great start here.
Favourite Tracks: Tornado of Souls (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lcm9qqo_qB0) , Hangar 18 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-oU2xlViRQ) , Holy Wars...The Punishment Due (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP_-YIhgF3w)
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#72 Glory : Positive Buoyant
Released 1993
This album is rare ,little known and most people who do know of it (established Glory fans – who have fan club catch ups in a telephone box) don’t tend to like it. There’s a big wrap for ya! Well I do like it !
Glory were fairly solid Scandi rock in the vein of Treat and at least two of their albums (Danger In This Game and 2 Forgive is 2 Forget) are solid affairs. This album was originally going to be branded as a solo album for guitarist Jan Granwick , who like all the better players of the era does have his “own sound”. For some reason it was released under the Glory name at the last minute. It features roughly two thirds instrumental tracks (which is what upset the traditional fanbase) and the rest are vocal tracks with Goran Edman of Malmsteen (and just about everyone else) fame.
Jan Granwick is an interesting player – perhaps a bit like Ralph Santolla , in that quite I often feel that his studio playing comes off as sloppy/unrehearsed and then he’ll do something that drops my jaw and all is forgiven.
Anyway – sample some of my highlighted tracks and see what you think. I really got into this album big for a while there (90's) – it’s a shame nobody else seemed to.
I've linked two instrumental tracks and one vocal (in that order)
Favourite Tracks: Forbidden Fruit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPnFU5gmDWs) , Different Voices (https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/Different+Voices/6RUOoa?src=5) , Get A Good Thing Going (https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/Get+A+Good+Thing+Going/6RULdt?src=5)
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#71 Balance of Power : Book of Secrets
Released: 1998
This is Balance of Power’s second album – the first had been recorded with a different vocalist and was just average. The story goes that the band were shopping their 2nd album's music around for distribution (ex a vocalist) and one of the labels happened to be Nightmare Records . Nightmare Records was owned and founded by Lance King who replied “not only do you have a record deal but you have a singer – me!” After recording three strong albums with Balance of Power , Lance left and later resurfaced in Pyramaze who might be a bit more familiar to some of you.
My one concern is with the rather computer generated drum sound – I read in an interview somewhere that much of the music for this album was recorded in a tiny home (flat) studio where there wasn’t enough room for a full drum kit , so in that context the sound on this album is a bit of an achievement.
The album concept is loosely based around a book called The Bible Code – I think something to do with the Dead Sea Scrolls but don’t quote me on it. There are short little interludes within and between songs with a booming British voice quoting from the book. The music is big , bombastic and melodic heavy rock/metal with soaring vocals - Lance King sounds a bit like Harnell/Tate/Labrie with a Harnell like range. To be honest sometimes it sounds like he’s doing it a bit too easy , such is his range.
Favourite Tracks: Book Of Secrets (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-TNNd7im2A) , Miracles and Dreams (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJhPia_bJvI) , Walking On Top Of The World (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiDzoPbr7PI)
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Stick It is a great tune for sure. Its too bad Great White is always going to be linked with that tragedy in Rhode Island
Megadeth is of course great.
Everything I've heard from Balance of Power is very good; always meaning to check them out further.
Not familiar with Wildside or Glory, will have to check them out.
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Just listened to everything. Rust In Peace was the only one I was familiar with, so there was a bit to go through. I'm not really much of a Megadeth fan but they have a handful of songs that I do like, Hangar 18 being a particular favourite of mine.
Glory is a maybe. I liked the third track but I'm not a fan of instrumentals in general, those were so-so to me, so I'll listen to more of that album next week.
Great White is a maybe awell. Didn't mind what I was hearing but my interest wasn't piqued much at all. I'll probably listen to the album anyway, though.
Wildside and Balance of Power fared a little better, I might be interested in those. I'll look into streaming those albums next week aswell.
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Following...
and shit..... :biggrin:
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Pops a few Geritol and follows.
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Pretty cool list and write-ups. I be following with great interest. :corn
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Following, as if you didn't know :biggrin: I'm looking to find some stuff I don't know in her and we're off to a good start.
I'm a fan of Blues-y Great White but haven't heard the S/T other than Stick It and Substitiute. Will give it a go when I can get n Youtube after work.
Megadeth I like some of, maily when Marty was on guitar. Half of RIP is awesome.
Wildside I think I've heard but don't remember much about.
Not sure i've heard of Glory but they sound like I might like them.
BoP are... ok. Not a band that grabbed me particularly.
Anyway, good luck mate.
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I'm looking to find some stuff I don't know in her
tell me more
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Thanks for following guys - appreciate it and all your -uh - "experience" ;D We should have plenty of cool discussion once I get to the classics.
If there's no post-industrial blackgaze, I'm going to be severely disappointed.
I'll be following. Expecting to see some avant-garde jazz fusion deathprog.
;D Don't hold your breath.
I'm looking to find some stuff I don't know in her and we're off to a good start.
I've got a few tricks up my sleeve but , given we're talking the cream of the crop , I expect you to know the vast majority. Hopefully you'll be spending a little and for Bolsters............check out the honourable mentions in the Top 50 - also a few little known AOR classics in the main list.
Talking of money .............whenever I was struggling to get myself up for typing up an entry for this list , I tried to think about the prospect of sending Chad totally broke and it gave me another burst of energy ;D
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That's a great shot if you and the Mrs in the OP! ;D
Definitely following. Nothing wrong with the first Great White album if only for nostalgic reasons.
Rust In Peace :metal
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I'm looking to find some stuff I don't know in her
tell me more
Whoops. That's what happens when your excitement gets the b etter of you and you rush. Not making it any better am i? :biggrin:
And Brent, don't worry about Chad's wallet. He seems minted!
Re Great White, I absolutely love Hooked. That's their best for me. They were great live too.
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Chad has one of those George Costanza wallets. You should see it.
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Just realised I have that Great White album on vinyl. I'm sure it was with a different cover with the band on it and maybe a slightly different track list which GW did alot back then. Shot in The Dark and Once Bitten had different tracklists in the UK.
edit here it is
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/01/StickGW.jpg/220px-StickGW.jpg)
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ok so I've had a listen to the links now.
The Wildside is excellent - so good I was going to buy it until I saw how much it was going for!
Glory - I had a listen and found it a bit hit and miss. That first instrumental was irritating. Hated those trills in the melody. He doesn't sound a good enough player to be doing instrumental stuff.
Listened to the track Vodka And Ice and it grew on me, mainly when Goran stopped singing. I really don't like his voice. It was sort of ok though. I liked some of the other tracks I found from other albums. 2 Forgive Is 2 Forget was very good. No Goran Edman to ruin things there! Worth investigating if I can find any.
edit - wow, another expensive album. Oh well.
edit 2 - Listened to the Balance Of Power now. I said originally they were ok... I hadn't heard this album because its a cracker :metal I could really do without the voice overs but otherwise a great album.
And these didn't even make the top 50. Holy shit we're in for a ride :biggrin:
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Definitely following this one, but my wallet will probably regret it.
Only familiar with Megadeth in those first 5. I never really took the time to check out Great White, and not familiar with the rest. Here we go.
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Chad keeps a large wallet so his back pocket compensates for his small .. um..front pocket. ;D
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Just realised I have that Great White album on vinyl. I'm sure it was with a different cover with the band on it and maybe a slightly different track list which GW did alot back then. Shot in The Dark and Once Bitten had different tracklists in the UK.
edit here it is
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/01/StickGW.jpg/220px-StickGW.jpg)
I saw Great White on tour with Judas Priest on the Defenders tour for this album. I remember they had a shirt that said, Stick It with a big middle finger and they did a cover of the Who's, "Substitute".
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Will definitely follow this, even if I don't not know a quarter of the artists.
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Just realised I have that Great White album on vinyl. I'm sure it was with a different cover with the band on it and maybe a slightly different track list which GW did alot back then. Shot in The Dark and Once Bitten had different tracklists in the UK.
edit here it is
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/01/StickGW.jpg/220px-StickGW.jpg)
I saw Great White on tour with Judas Priest on the Defenders tour for this album. I remember they had a shirt that said, Stick It with a big middle finger and they did a cover of the Who's, "Substitute".
That cover (Substitute) is on this album.
And Kade, GW did bluesy hard rock well. As I said earlier, Hooked is their best for me.
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ok so I've had a listen to the links now.
The Wildside is excellent - so good I was going to buy it until I saw how much it was going for!
Glory - I had a listen and found it a bit hit and miss. That first instrumental was irritating. Hated those trills in the melody. He doesn't sound a good enough player to be doing instrumental stuff.
Listened to the track Vodka And Ice and it grew on me, mainly when Goran stopped singing. I really don't like his voice. It was sort of ok though. I liked some of the other tracks I found from other albums. 2 Forgive Is 2 Forget was very good. No Goran Edman to ruin things there! Worth investigating if I can find any.
edit - wow, another expensive album. Oh well.
edit 2 - Listened to the Balance Of Power now. I said originally they were ok... I hadn't heard this album because its a cracker :metal I could really do without the voice overs but otherwise a great album.
And these didn't even make the top 50. Holy shit we're in for a ride :biggrin:
Thanks again everyone - I'm glad you like the BoP and Wildside Paul. I do agree with you about the Glory (as hinted in my write up) - that album made it more because I knew it had been important to me at the time , even though I'm not such a huge fan now. I recently rated it at <85% which is the lowest of any to be mentioned in this thread. 2 Forgive IS 2 Forget is definitely their best vocal album as you've noted.
Unfortunately , as you've also noted , a lot of these albums had minimal runs and often don't come cheap on CD - or a genuine copy anyway.
I didn't realise you were so down on Edman's vocals - so you don't like Eclipse either?? Funny you mention Vodka and Ice.....I listened to that while doing this and noted a bit of malice in the lyrics and thought to myself "this could only be talking about Malmsteen", so I hunted around and sure enough I found an interview where it was confirmed that Malmsteen was ripping him of on royalties at the time.
The Great White copy you have - released as Stick It - was a re-release in the 90's I believe
That cover (Substitute) is on this album.
And Kade, GW did bluesy hard rock well. As I said earlier, Hooked is their best for me.
I mentioned Substitute in my write up and fave tracks , so the King was obviously distracted by his subjects.
I do like Hooked as well but a few of the tracks off the debut (Stick It especially) were big songs for me.
I'll try and get some more up tonight but struggling with the leg at the moment - if not , then tomorrow.
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I'll be sure to check out this list. One of the very few lists on this forum that might actually interest me! :tup
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.............whenever I was struggling to get myself up for typing up an entry for this list , I tried to think about the prospect of sending Chad totally broke and it gave me another burst of energy ;D
Chad has one of those George Costanza wallets. You should see it.
Chad keeps a large wallet so his back pocket compensates for his small .. um..front pocket. ;D
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The pot shots just fly when one isn't here to defend ones honor. I see how it is.
Following... no shit.
Busy day today, so I won't be able to sample this first batch until tomorrow morning.
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:lol
Like Chad I need to listen to a few albums. I never check a few of these bands out when I was a teen in this era.
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Welcome Chad :D
Here's some more ......I expect many of these runners up (and later, the honourable mentions) won't be as well known as those in the main list , which is a big reason I did them. In many ways the releases that are least known but only just miss out on the Top 50 are likely to be of more interest to more people than the classics.
Anyway.........a few more.
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#70 Bangalore Choir: On Target
Released 1992
Gets a spot in my list just for the cleavage (re-released later without the chick :tdwn ) but also because it’s a damn solid album of heavy rock with the obligatory ballad or two. For some reason I remember exactly where I heard of this band. I was reading one of the music mags I used to look at in my school days (probably Hit Parader) and there was mention of a Randy Rhoads benefit gig for the scholarship fund his mum had set up in his name. I was a huge Ozzy/Rhoads fan and so I read on. There were a whole load of big names playing but one name that stood out (not knowing who a band is was not allowed) was Bangalore Choir.
Details of the gig I found ...........
https://www.nobitching.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=4677
Once I looked into them I sorta got the idea – I was vaguely familiar with David Reece from his one Accept album and I knew of Kurt Mitchell from Hericane Alice and I’d actually bought some of his guitar instruction cassettes ;D – Learn to Burn if memory serves correct. So we have a solid lineup in prospect. The original guitarist lined up was actually Joey Tafolla but that didn’t work out for whatever reason. Cripes – I can’t remember what I did yesterday and yet I can remember this shit ::)
Reece used to get crap for being some sort of Coverdale clone and personally I don’t get it - sure he does the odd “Hmmm.mmmm” in DC style but he really does have quite a distinctive voice – a powerful rock/metal voice that I really like on the right music . He’s also been involved in some absolute shite like that Sircle of Silence disc Suicide Candyman which ended up as a beer coaster.
This is pretty much by the numbers heavy rock style wise but the songwriting and playing is a big cut above most of what was around at the time. A couple of soaring ballads but also some ballsy rockers like All or Nothing and a stonking cover (much heavier and much better) of Autograph’s demo Angel In Black. Doin’ The Dance was a Bon Jovi/Aldo Nova co-write. Supposedly Max Norman (producer) really sweetened up the much heavier demo material for this but I can’t really comment on that as I haven’t heard the demos.
And yes……….this is yet another band that got their timing totally wrong in that 1991-1992 time and they vanished as quick as they appeared – literally dropped from the label weeks after release.
I know that Paul's got this one as he really upset me a few weeks back by posting the chickless cover ;D
Favourite Tracks All Or Nothing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owzy1FpHIy0) , Angel In Black (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yaH25LapWM&feature=kp) , Slippin Away (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKyRdFW9rI0)
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#69 Glenmore: For The Sake of Truth
Released 1994
Here’s another obscure album I can barely find a review or mention of on the net but they were a firm favourite of mine for a while. Like many of the hidden gems in melodic rock and metal it was released early-mid 90’s (this will become familiar) and barely sold a unit , except to scavengers like me who were still on the hunt for good rock music and prepared to get their hands dirty finding it. :hat
Supposedly named after the whiskey of the same name they’re out of Germany and played catchy hard rock/melodic metal with a slightly progressive edge – there’s more meat in the musical structures than many bands of the same ilk. I find it quite hard to compare them to other bands – there’s whiffs of Heavens Gate , early PC 69 and maybe Queensryche but they really have their own sound. Singer Jurgen Volk has a real screech on him but I don’t find it too much to bear. Good guitars and drums (Jorg Michael popping up as he has a habit of doing) and a nice clean production. Take A Look is the attempt at a commercial song and I like it. Give em a go and see what you think. I love the unexpected outro riff to finish off Neverending too (same as used under the guitar solo)………always cool to see an unexpected riff/change of direction , a trait I liked in Criss Oliva's writing.
If you like the sound of them then the debut album Materialized is almost as good ..and probably just as hard to find.
Favourite Tracks Take A Look (Inside Your Heart) (https://youtu.be/bhQg3RH-1fA), Political Games (https://youtu.be/5oNqznQO8ko) , For The Sake Of Truth (https://youtu.be/W1umOs787ss) , Neverending (https://youtu.be/EnngYcp8cB4) , Soldier of Fortune (https://youtu.be/U2xaIruBuNk)
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#68 Lion : Trouble In Angel City
Released 1989
Long before Doug Aldrich was making a name for himself in Dio and Whitesnake I was a big fan of his work in Lion , Bad Moon Rising, Hurricane and his unrecognised cameo on House of Lords’ Sahara album. I remember back in the days when you had no choice but to buy CDs that Lion’s Dangerous Attraction album was one of those Ebay gems that you needed to fork out $50 or more to have a hope of getting your hands on one.
Anyhow…….I would consider Doug one of my favourite guitarists but at the same time I view him as a bit one dimensional. He can get quite repetitive with his bluesy rock stuff as seen in Whitesnake and Burning Rain and his solos don’t contain a huge amount of variety at times (I also found his solo albums rather boring) but on the positive side ; when he nails it he fucking slays it due to incredible picking and legato technique and he has a quality that I love in a rock guitarist and that’s huge attack on the strings . Guitarists will know what I mean by that – not many guitarists have it but other names that come to mind with a similar feel include Van Halen, Zakk Wylde , Jake E Lee and John Norum.
Lion had its roots in England with singer Kal Swan (ex- Tytan) and they moved to the US and recruited then young gun Doug Aldrich to record their first EP and then on to debut album Dangerous Attraction. They followed this up with Trouble In Angel City which was a mish mash of new songs , a Slade cover (Lock Up Your Daughters) and (massively superior) re-records of songs off their earlier EP. And for me this is their best album . Lion came to end after drummer Mark Edwards suffered a severe neck injury (bike accident) but Swan and Aldrich re-appeared soon after with the rhythm section of Bangalore Choir and with a new name – Bad Moon Rising. Given the two key members remain I consider them essentially the same band.
Bad Moon Rising produced three albums – the first s/t was Lion style rock , the second (Blood) was far more bluesy rock (still very good) and the third was some sort of alternative crap.
Kal Swan’s voice is a bit love/hate (or perhaps an acquired taste) but if you don't mind his constipated style and enjoy flashy guitar work then I can’t imagine you’d dislike either of these albums. The solo spots in Forgotten Sons and Dark Side of Babylon are big highlights and I love the groove on Blood In The Streets. In fact the solo in Forgotten Sons is mindblowing and one of my favourite air guitar moments ever. It's a bit low in the mix unfortunately but listen carefully.
There's a real progression you can see from the hair metal of Lion to the more rootsy hard rock of the s/t BMR debut and then the more groove based stuff on the follow up BMR album "Blood"
So for something different I have linked to one song from each below
Forgotten Sons (from Trouble In Angel City) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKyLFBmykeo)
Dark Side of Babylon (from BMR s/t debut) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV7eL6KZtcI)
Blood On The Streets (from BMR album Blood) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0oryksm6MI)
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#67 House of Lords: Demons Down
Released 1992
Here we go again ………….1992 , a band that had everything going for them , just about to break the bigtime with their best ever release (the prior release Sahara had charted #121)and grunge blows them off the face of the Earth before you can say “Nirvana”. They were no more only months later.
This is the last of the three albums recorded by the classic HoL partnership of James Christian and Gregg Giuffria. Aside from the great songs and pompy keyboards from Giuffria it’s really James Christian’s vocals that are the signature of the band. The other musicians came and went but they all had one thing in common – they were far better than the average ……..everyone from Chuck Wright, Lanny Cordola, Ken Mary, Tommy Aldridge, Doug Aldrich (played almost all of the guitars on Sahara uncredited )
HoL was actually put together with that sort of thing in mind – a supergroup of sorts formed out of the ashes of the band Giuffria with handpicked talent, top song writers and in the early stages the picking was done by Giuffria and Gene Simmons who owned the label they recorded their first 2 albums with. Christian had just missed out on the gig for Quiet Riot but the tape got him the HoL gig eventually.
All three albums (s/t, Sahara and Demons Down) are classics and it wasn’t an easy choice but in the end I felt that only Demons Down nailed every aspect – the first couple had the odd extra filler and the production now sounds a bit dated/overdone. Demons Down sounds as good today as it did then and is a bona fide classic of melodic rock.
Favourite Tracks: A shitload of them - but here's 4 ...... O Father (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teJ7W6FwIHI&feature=kp) , Demons Down (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkuPz8To7Rw) , What's Forever For (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMbWCY3_vB4) , Spirit Of Love (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieqs3Oyct9w)
As an aside another very rare album that's pretty good is Rumble Tribe : Fire , Water , Earth and Stone which was heavily backed by James Christian - he produced it, did backing vox and the disc includes grittier versions of the songs Demons Down and Cold Day In Hell (from his solo album). A sample here : Deeper Than Black (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3jR7gXIMfM)
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#66 Anthrax: Spreading The Disease
Released 1985
Given my need for a particular type of melody/hook in my music it’s quite common for me to adore one particular album and yet see nothing much at all in another album from the same artist that many fans consider similar or superior. Dream Theater for starters – and such is the case with Anthrax. Among The Living seems to get the gong for the classic of Anthrax classics – for me there’s only one song I ever play from that (and one song that could compete with anything on STD) and that’s Indians.
In a nutshell Spreading The Disease just nails the idea of melodic thrash and contains a number of my favourite metal songs , especially Medusa .
Favourites: Medusa (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NJ0KkmwgEo) , Lone Justice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T3z1ZjtpHg), Armed and Dangerous (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60bGmDp8JB0), The Enemy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5dL4Ay4SpU)
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Working on the links - will get the Glenmore ones up tomorrow as I need to upload them to the net myself.
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Shame on you for mentioning Lion without mentioning their best song! (not even kidding with this, seriously)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJd_0cZtcc4
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I was just listening to Demons Down yesterday! HoL is fantastic - DD is definitely my favorite from their first three. Their 2000s output is just as good, and the new album this year is pretty solid. I've got a couple of Bangalore Choir tracks from the MRR collections I have, but don't know them too well. Anything from MRR is going to be solid though.
Guess I got 10 bands to investigate tomorrow.
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Shame on you for mentioning Lion without mentioning their best song! (not even kidding with this, seriously)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJd_0cZtcc4
haha - if you reckon ;D I suppose I could've got Stan Bush a mention out of that who recently had the huge honour of becoming part of the Transformers Hall Of Fame
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Shame on you for mentioning Lion without mentioning their best song! (not even kidding with this, seriously)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJd_0cZtcc4
haha - if you reckon ;D I suppose I could've got Stan Bush a mention out of that who recently had the huge honour of becoming part of the Transformers Hall Of Fame ::)
It's a metal song with a badass riff and a killer solo and high vocals, about robots fighting. If you can't see how that is clearly the greatest thing ever, then you have no right writing a top 50 list! :getoffmylawn:
And Stan Bush is probably in the company of the likes of Optimus Prime and Orson-Welles-bot. That's one hell of an honour.
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Just kidding J Boy.
Anthrax is the only thing I'm up to speed on in the last update. Great underrated album.
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Love all of those albums but not heard the Glenmore. Not even a whiff of that one has ever entered my world but sounds interesting. The cover had me thinking singer-songwiter/ West Coast crap but sounds like I might like it
The HoL is their best and one of the best of the genre.
Love that Lion album. Lock Up Your Daughters was great when Slade did it and its better here.
On Target is excellent.
Spreading The Disease is probably my favourite Thrash album. Madhouse is such a great song and spoke to me in my line of work :biggrin:
Awesome list so far. Nearly as good as mine! :biggrin:
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Those are my favorite releases too from House of Lords and Anthrax!
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I think DD is the only HOL album I don't have on cd.
More to check out. :facepalm:
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Before I go on I should reiterate something I said in the intro - these #75-#51 slots haven't been ranked and so , to me , there's a couple in this group of 5 that maybe aren't as strong as some of the earlier ones. In the end though the difference between discs/bands outside the top 25 is in most cases minimal and they all held a Top 50 spot at some point in my deliberations. When I have ranked (top 50) I have done so more on the basis of their influence in my life rather than my current thoughts , although they are in many cases one and the same. Hope that confused you as much as it did me. :neverusethis:
Anyway ,here's (another) one for ya ...............
(https://images.dailystar-uk.co.uk/dynamic/1/281x351/199004_1.jpg)
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#65 Loudness: Soldier of Fortune
Released 1989
This release is pretty much essential for fans of Mike Vescera fronted Malmsteen……I’d rate it as good or better than any of them. For those not familiar with Loudness they are/were one of Japan’s greatest metal acts and Akira Takasaki was a very highly regarded guitarist – a very strong lead player with a distinctive crunchy rhythm sound . I haven’t been into anything much they’ve done since this album , which was the only full album of original material they recorded with American singer Vescera. .
I do listen to some of the older material with the Japanese vocalist - Lightning Strikes and Thunder In The East were solid albums. Lock’n’Loll Clazy Nights (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b4w08xusl8) was always a cool (and funny) song , as was We Could Be Together (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7SoKq4HRoo) which was a bit of a fave of mine.
Thunder In The East (1985) had been a decent seller in the US for them but the two albums that followed (Lightning Strikes and Hurricane Eyes) flopped and Soldier of Fortune was a last ditch attempt to crack that market with an American singer. Diehard Loudness fans (especially their home fanbase) saw this album as a sellout but for me Vescera made the great music all that much more accessible . The rockers kick arse and Takasaki’s solo on Lost Without Your Love is one of my all time favourites and one of the best examples of trills I’ve heard….something I used as an example when teaching.
Aside from Running For Cover and Demon Disease which are a bit filler-ish , it’s pretty hard to find a weak track.
Favourites: Lost Without Your Love (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTLBoz2byGo), Red Light Shooter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2spX-Ed1YI), Soldier of Fortune (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B92FJPZkfdc&index=1&list=PL71E0B1E77CE342B1) (start of the solo is tapped) , You Shook Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhejVuKl2wc&index=2&list=PL71E0B1E77CE342B1)
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#64 Ricochet: Among The Elements
Released 1996
To me this release sits somewhere between prog rock and prog metal - it’s too heavy in parts to be prog rock but a bit light on to be prog metal. Anyway – perhaps imagine a wimpier WDADU and you might get some sort of idea what we’re dealing with. Let’s just call it prog metal.
This indy release was one of the few bands I discovered playing this style in the mid 90's who were unknown but had quality songs. It’s also one of the few prog bands at/near the lighter end of the spectrum who can structure a song in a way that appeals to me. The musicianship is pretty good for the time, the songs are very melodic/catchy – unfortunately the only area where it falls down (badly) is in terms of production. It's a shame there wasn't a chance at a follow up like DT had , although they're clearly not in DT's league.
It does sound a bit dated these days so I’m not sure whether anyone here will appreciate it – check out the samples though and see what you think. It got plenty of listens from me back in the day and there’s barely a trace of it on the internet. It gets its spot more because it captured my imagination a bit back then rather than it being a huge favourite now. It is very good for a self funded indy release.
Favourite Tracks: I Can't Follow (https://youtu.be/jF44AWUKuJo) , Holy Bell (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Cy50kLKASo) , Visions End (https://youtu.be/oz4FlbaYY8s)
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#63 C.I.T.A. Act One- Relapse of Reason
Released 1995
CITA stands for Caught In The Act , which was their original band name but they had to ditch that for trademark reasons. Discovered in the late 80’s by Bobby Barth (Axe) , he guided them through the process of getting a deal and produced the album – they even feature a track from his band Axe which is Silent Soldiers. Blob will be pleased to know that it also features a writing contribution from Stan Bush on the song Two Hearts. There really isn’t a total dud of a track on it.
The sound is big and bombastic with big vocal harmonies and strong elements of early Bon Jovi , Def Leppard, Loverboy and even some occasional progressive bits and pieces. Unfortunately the lead guitarist is just okay but if you were a fan of Bon Jovi’s rock style and quickly got sick of them around/after Keep The Faith then this is certainly worth a listen. They even make use of the talk box guitar on a track or two.
Looking back now it is a bit too close to Bon Jovi at times but I used it in the same way as I did SIAM to replace the turds that Queensryche were releasing. However you look at it , it’s a quality release that’s very good for the style it is (very 80's).
Favourite Tracks: These Eyes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s17mQwR8OMU) , Stand or Fall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_FexwBBEdo) , Through The Years (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik1-kz-vYyI)
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#62 Vinnie Moore: Meltdown
Released 1991
Along with Lowdz I was responsible for keeping the Shrapnel record label afloat in the 80’s and enjoyed plenty of the shredders who knew how to craft a song……guys like Macalpine, Becker, Saraceno, Housholder etc…….. I picked this up second hand for $5 unheard (along with Tyketto’s debut) which was one of my better music shopping gambles as both are classics.
I already had Vinnie Moore’s early albums – I was a fan but was getting a little over the whole neo-classical thing by then - and Meltdown was just the tonic. It was one of the few examples where a neo-classical shredder managed to successfully “crossover” a bit and do a good shred rock album that grooves a bit and I rate it as his best (and one of the best albums of its kind) to this day.
Favourite Tracks: Deep Sea (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GamV4TG9I-k#t=1062), Cinema (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GamV4TG9I-k#t=1465), Last Chance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GamV4TG9I-k#t=2468) The whole album is there - I have linked to spots in that whole album listing
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#61 Glenn Hughes: From Now On
Released: 1994
This is an absolutely fantastic sounding album – easily one of the best in my collection in terms of production. Following Glenn’s drug/alcohol problems in the mid 80’s and getting booted from Sabbath , he performed guest spots on some fantastic albums (Phenomena and Norum) as he began to re-establish himself in the early 90’s but this was his real comeback as a solo artist and what an album!
It is more on the AOR/bluesy rock side but it’s just an amazing sounding album with a fantastic band that includes the very tasteful Thomas Larsson on guitar and Michaeli/Leven/Haugland from Europe covering keys/bass/drums. Hughes also used some great songwriting collaborators (Bruce Gowdy, Richard Baker,Jean Beauvoir,Pat Thrall, Mel Galley).
Pretty much all of the material he recorded after this I can live without – he has an amazing voice but seems to feel the need to be Mr Funkadelic and/or endlessly scream his head off but when he (rarely) uses his voice to best effect he is one of the best. Highly recommended for a more relaxed listen than most of the albums on this list and IMHO a bona fide AOR classic.
It also features a cool re-record of the Deep Purple classic Burn
Favourite Tracks: The Only One (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_ogA5WlkX4), From Now On (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzpwuDe-Dd0) , Burn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHeSKxmcQ2A) , Into The Void (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwa9pdl8K8Y)
There's plenty of 80's style rock in these runners up , but rest assured there's a higher weighting of metal in the Top 50.
I might take a break from this pace tomorrow and resume Tuesday.
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Lock’n’Loll Clazy Nights :lol
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I've been meaning to check out that Glenn Hughes album for a little while, but those samples didn't do much for me (aside from Burn, but that doesn't really count :lol ). Might still check it out at some point.
I checked out that Loudness album on Spotify a while back and recall liking it. I listened to some others too. I can't remember exactly what, but I liked it. I tend to forget about things when I only have them on Spotify, so I'll have to revisit it.
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Brent, have you heard Mike Vescera's main band, Obsession. Awesome band, classic 80's metal all the way.
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Brent, have you heard Mike Vescera's main band, Obsession. Awesome band, classic 80's metal all the way.
I have Methods of Madness but not the stuff done in the 2000's+
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You're fucking killing me dude. I still haven't checked out update the first update, now I got a dozen or so to checkout.
Just checking now how much of these are on Grooveshark, or if it would be better to use Spotify to build a playlist.
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Changed my mind ;D ................I want to get these runners up done and dusted . The pace is killing me too Chad so I want it outta da way ;D Once I get to the Top 50 I'll slow it down.
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#60 Roxus : Nightstreet
Released 1992
It’s time for a bit of local Aussie talent – these guys lived about 40 mins drive from me and were well known around the traps as a solid band. Things started to really get cooking for them when local music identity Molly Meldrum signed them to his label , they had a hit single with Where Are You Now (penned by the famous Randalls and demoed up by James Christian at one point) and things looked great for them.
In what will become an obvious pattern (if it’s not already) this was released in 1992 and joined the graveyard of great rock albums swamped by Cobain and Co. Juno Roxas later released a shite solo album and tried to break the US (worked with Jeff Paris) but it all came to nothing. I have some demos he did with Paris and they’re good without being anything great.
This album is essential for fans of “hair metal”/"cock rock"………..if you like Danger Danger etc…..this album has everything you want. Strong vocals , solid musicians and well written songs for the most part.
Favourite Tracks: Rock'n'Roll Nights (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K37aEqCsSbY) , Midnight Love (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h8737koqRI), Stand Back (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6TTPdDiiho)
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#59 The Storm: The Storm
Released 1991
What do you get when you combine one of the best rock/AOR singers on the planet (Kevin Chalfant)with 3 ex members of Journey (Rollie, Smith and Valory), Josh Ramos (Hardline etc..) on guitar and a Bob Marlette/Beau Hill production?? Two of the best AOR albums ever.
Up until today this listing was for the second of those albums (Eye of the Storm) but , to be quite frank, after listening to it earlier today I struggled with the wimpiness LOL. This list is weighted towards my current taste if there's doubt and so, even though the debut is a bit less consistent , I have switched to that because at least the more upbeat tracks rock a bit.
My tolerance to this sort of sappy stuff is diminishing but if I ever feel like a fix of that sort of thing then both of these albums are really fantastic . I love Chalfant’s voice, the playing and production are absolutely top notch and both albums got plenty of airtime back in the day.
Eye of The Storm (the second album) is just a bit ballad heavy for me at the moment but it’s about as good as it gets in that department.
Favourite Tracks : You Keep Me Waiting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rF_e4q008o) , You're Gonna Miss Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqh0xykEdiw)
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#58 Eyes: Windows of the Soul
Released 1994
Gawd - more wimpy stuff but if I'm in the mood it might as well be one of my favourite rock singers doing it. I really enjoy it when rock/metal singers with the required flexibility add their power to more commercial material. Only the best (Soto, Free etc...) can do it well.
If you asked me which singer appears on more discs than any other in my collection , my best guess would be Jeff Scott Soto. I really went nuts there for a while in the 90’s tracking down everything he’d appeared on. My first exposure to him was on Malmsteen’s debut and I’m sure I described him as “the worst singer I’ve ever heard on a major release”. I then purchased the follow up Marching Out and after a good listen I checked the notes to find out who the new vocalist was and goddamn – Jeff Scott Soto! What an amazing improvement.
Jump forward a few years and a local band manager who had taken me under his wing recommended that I check out the debut by a band called Talisman , which I soon did . I was floored by how good it was and enquired as to who was singing – Jeff Scott Soto LOL………..a much smoother sounding vocal than on the Malmsteen stuff and from there I went nuts getting all his stuff which was rather expensive as he’s Mr Everywhereman.
Anyway………….one of his many bands was Eyes (where he took over from James Christian prior to releasing anything) - the debut is often cited as a bit of a melodic rock/hair band classic and it certainly is a good album. This album , although it was released after the s/t debut, was actually recorded prior and is basically what the debut was GOING to be before a change in direction. Windows of the Soul is much softer, more AOR but IMO is a more consistent album that’s aged much better and contains quite possibly JSS’s best vocal performance- just smooth power from start to finish in what is a testament to his flexibility across different styles. When I’m in the mood for some more laid back commercial rock , this fits the bill nicely. The last track (It's All Over - appropriate) rocks a bit and is a favourite – other highlights include the opener Cheyenne and Love Lies (the big vocal note JSS hits near the end is one of those moments I rewind and repeat quite a bit).
Favourite Tracks: Cheyenne (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu9s6dVFv6M) , It's All Over (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pm6sEdTZN3c) , Love Lies (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOPtz5HHq_s) , Don't Turn Around (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmmL96igs1k)
Don't Turn Around was on both albums.
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No 57; David Lee Roth : A Little Ain’t Enough
Released 1991
If the pattern’s not hitting you yet (great albums released early 90’s just before/as grunge hit and which were commercial flops) then it will ;D Dave’s star was certainly fading by this stage (the peak being the massive hype around the US festival gig when he was in Van Halen) but it still “made gold’..
I distinctly remember buying this on cassette in a bargain bin for $2 only weeks after its release, so I’d risk betting it didn’t chart well in Australia. I’ve always been a fan of Dave’s and had really enjoyed the prior two solo efforts – with this one I gave it a few listens and then forgot about it. Over the years though my appreciation for it has changed to the point that it’s my favourite DLR solo album. I still rate Eat ‘Em and Smile highly , but Skyscraper to me hasn’t aged so well. ALAE on the other hand I think has aged great and (if you can say this about DLR and retain your credibility) I think that has a lot to do with what I see as a big step up in the maturity of the music and what I think is also a huge step up in his lyric writing/story telling. There’s some real clever lines to be found , as there is on Van Halen’s latest ……………some really cool stuff in there.
As per usual Dave put together a fantastic line up and here’s my chance to get Jason Becker a mention in this thread – he does a sterling job ,much better than I expected at the time ( a lot of shredders don’t cross over to this style so well) and that’s even without the tragic health issues he was beginning to deal with. There’s a great variety of moods with the usual goofy stuff (title track) to the more smoky blues club feel of Tell The Truth , which for some reason always reminds me of “Black Velvet.” Lady Luck is an awesome commercial rocker, Shoot It features a brass section ( trendy at the time), It’s Showtime is a typical VH style boogie and Last Call has a cool Walk This Way vibe about it.
This is a hugely under rated album in my book and is sadly the last we would hear from a (relatively) healthy Jason Becker. It’s also the last thing of Dave’s I really rated highly until the most recent VH album (yes, DLR band had it’s moments)
Favourite Tracks: A Little Ain't Enough (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=konUjNnCy14), Tell The Truth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSLf6PqzELA) , Baby's On Fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIlDh72E9EE), Lady Luck (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIKgpZxaK4c) , Dogtown Shuffle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTSKVW-myus)
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#56 Shotgun Messiah : s/t
Released : 1989
It’s amazing what I’m capable of putting up with in the vocal department when the music (and in particular the guitar work ) is to my taste. Yes – even glam metal with average vocals. And I mean real glam …….the hair, the eyeliner, lyrics about skool roolz and a drummer called Stixx. I don’t normally take much notice of lyrics but these guys have that down too – you can just imagine the time spent writing timeless stuff like this “ don't tell me my hair's a disgrace-up yours, get outta my face” :hefdaddy :metal
There’s really only 2 bands I ever took much notice of in this realm – Tigertailz and Shotgun Messiah. I was always a casual Tigertailz fan (although their stonking, glammed up cover of Creeping Death (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cp_GXO64fE) got almost as much play outta me as the original from Metallica) but Shotgun Messiah were on another level. This type of band generally wasn’t known for great musicianship , so Shotgun Messiah are like the Dream Theater of glam metal. They can really play , especially guitarist Harry Cody who’s one of those guys who came along a few years too late and unfortunately faded into obscurity in the early 90’s when grunge toasted everyone in the scene.
He’s not Petrucci like in terms of technique but he has most of what I like in a guitarist – awesome attack and attitude , a keen sense of melody and he pushes the instrument to its boundaries at times. Shotgun Messiah produced a second album (Second Coming) which is also very good and featured the very cool Heartbreak Blvd (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRnXHeZFSJw) but for me the debut is the most consistent. One of the tracks I have linked is an instrumental called The Explorer – as you’re listening to that have a think about how many other glam bands could’ve or would’ve attempted anything like that. Hail the kings of glam metal and one of the great debut albums.
Favourite Tracks: Nervous (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmM_4zvV4Tk) , Don’t Care About Nothin' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-OUOfBWvhs) , The Explorer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZdFjifS41o)
Useless trivia: The band began in Sweden under the name Kingpin and later moved to LA to try and break big (they did in fact crack #99 on Billboard with this album) . Singer Zinny Zan was earlier in a band called Easy Action along with future Europe guitarist Kee Marcello. Zinny left for the 2nd album with vocals handled by bassist Tim Skold who later went onto some well know industrial bands and also Marilyn Manson.
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A Little Ain't Enough. :tup It's always been my favourite DLR solo album too. It has stellar production courtesy of Bob Rock, and some great rockers on it. DLR Band is a strong album too. I never much liked the Vai era stuff at all. Actually, I just don't much like Vai at all regardless of who he's playing with.
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Holy shit, I just listened to The Storm this week. I swear it has been about 10 years since i spun it. I saw them open up for Bryan Adams on the Waking Up The Neighborhood tour. Great show.
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That Roxus album is fantastic, proud to have that cd in my collection. That DLR is fantastic too, great to always listen to Jason Becker also.
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Just kidding J Boy.
Oh, and it's all cool Tim. I just love that .gif of The Shat, and look for any opportunity to use it.
Oh, Jesus Christ... four more!!! I've got that DLR. Excellent album, but his solid stuff was just too inconsistent for me back in the day. I should have a relisten to this one.
The Storm cover looks familiar.
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You'd dig Roxus too.
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Yeah, I was not fond of the DLR album. I thought it paled compared to his first two. No not that silly one he did while in VH.
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You're fucking killing me dude. I still haven't checked out update the first update, now I got a dozen or so to checkout.
Just checking now how much of these are on Grooveshark, or if it would be better to use Spotify to build a playlist.
A number of them I've had to upload to Youtube myself as they're nowhere to be found on the internet so I'd make use of the links - that's what's taking me a lot of the time so I hope they get used. A number of them are on Grooveshark but I found the search engine too much of a pain in the arse when it came to individual songs so most of them are Youtube.
I've given myself a migraine (no jokes) and so I'll grant you all a couple of days to catch up on links if you wish and I'll return Tuesday/Wednesday with the last batch of runners up and then on to the main event. Looking forward to any feedback.
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You'd dig Roxus too.
I have a feeling I'll dig a lot of this. I can see the cash flowing out of my wallet already.
You're fucking killing me dude. I still haven't checked out update the first update, now I got a dozen or so to checkout.
Just checking now how much of these are on Grooveshark, or if it would be better to use Spotify to build a playlist.
A number of them I've had to upload to Youtube myself as they're nowhere to be found on the internet so I'd make use of the links - that's what's taking me a lot of the time so I hope they get used. A number of them are on Grooveshark but I found the search engine too much of a pain in the arse when it came to individual songs so most of them are Youtube.
So far, the only ones NOT on Grooveshark are Glenn Hughes, Glenmore, Ricochet and CITA. 16/20 ain't bad. It's easier to take the GS links on the go on my iPhone. I just built a playlist with 42 songs on it. Mrs.jingle ain't gonna be too happy if I'm sitting at my laptop for all of that. I can listen as I take the dogs for a walk, or run any errands this way.
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Sounds like a smart way to do it - I'm pretty certain you'll find something to like amongst it all.
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Found the Glenmore for a reasonable price from Germany via Amazon. :biggrin:
Good god, where to start?
The only one I've never heard is the Ricochet.
That Vinnie moore album is quality. His first 3 were all so different from one another - the neo -classical one, the fusion-y one and this one the shred rock album (sorta satriani-ish). Great player.
Eyes were great, mainly because of JSS.
The DLR is a great album, only beaten by Eat 'em & Smile. Jason Becker :hefdaddy He would have been an absolute genius.
I have that Shotgun Messiah on vinyl from back in the day. The guitarist does an uncanny impression of Vai but I didn't rate the album at all and have never bothered replacing it.
That Roxus is pretty good, but on the lighter end of my taste.
The Storm is the best Journey album not made by Journey, but I'm not the biggest Journey fan.
I cannot stand Glenn Hughes or his voice so won't be bothering with that one. Even worse that Robert Plant. I'd rather listen to Goran Edman on repeat than one minute of Glenn. And to reply to your previous question, I love Yngwie's Eclipse, despite Goran Edman. He doesn't ruin it but doesn't add anything either.
I have a C.I.T.A album and its pretty good. Not heard this one though.
That Loudness album (and those others you mentioned) are excellent. I like Vescera's voice alot.
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Even worse that Robert Plant.
It pains me to say this to you, but it's another Fredo day for you.
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Even worse that Robert Plant.
It pains me to say this to you, but it's another Fredo day for you.
Is that Canadian for "I've come round to your way of thinking?" :lol
Not familiar with that phrase. I'm guessing it means I've failed.
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Yup. He's saying your dead to me. A Godfather reference. :lol
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The Storm is the best Journey album not made by Journey, but I'm not the biggest Journey fan.
idk, Strangeways made a pretty good Journey album
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Never heard of many of these bands. I need a time machine. I never gave the Vescera fronted Loudness a chance. They lost me at that point. Thought it was a flagrant and lame attempt to gain an American audience. I should check it out though.
Their Loud Live Alive is one of the best live albums these ears have ever heard.
I had the DLR on cassette too, and also saw that tour with Jason. God bless him. I have never bothered to get it on CD though.
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Yup. He's saying your dead to me. A Godfather reference. :lol
Ahh. Never seen it.
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Yup. He's saying your dead to me. A Godfather reference. :lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Weaop_aiTg#t=104
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Found the Glenmore for a reasonable price from Germany via Amazon. :biggrin:
Good god, where to start?
The only one I've never heard is the Ricochet.
That Vinnie moore album is quality. His first 3 were all so different from one another - the neo -classical one, the fusion-y one and this one the shred rock album (sorta satriani-ish). Great player.
Eyes were great, mainly because of JSS.
The DLR is a great album, only beaten by Eat 'em & Smile. Jason Becker :hefdaddy He would have been an absolute genius.
I have that Shotgun Messiah on vinyl from back in the day. The guitarist does an uncanny impression of Vai but I didn't rate the album at all and have never bothered replacing it.
That Roxus is pretty good, but on the lighter end of my taste.
The Storm is the best Journey album not made by Journey, but I'm not the biggest Journey fan.
I cannot stand Glenn Hughes or his voice so won't be bothering with that one. Even worse that Robert Plant. I'd rather listen to Goran Edman on repeat than one minute of Glenn. And to reply to your previous question, I love Yngwie's Eclipse, despite Goran Edman. He doesn't ruin it but doesn't add anything either.
I have a C.I.T.A album and its pretty good. Not heard this one though.
That Loudness album (and those others you mentioned) are excellent. I like Vescera's voice alot.
I take it that you liked the Glenmore then - certainly one of my favourite "totally unknown" albums in my collection.
I never felt that Cody was a Vai impersonator but I can understand the dislike for the album , as I hinted in my review. It's really just the guitar playing that gets me through. The linked tracks are the only ones I listen to these days.
I also understand the hate for Hughes (and Plant ;D ) but IMO the listed album is one of the few where he does a good job. But I know what it's like with some artists that just don't do it for you no matter what - the fact he's a total douchebag doesn't help ;D
Here's the last batch of runners up. Those who've picked up a few here may want to keep an eye on the 50 honourable mentions still to come - a number of them are actually better than some listed here but were relegated due to less "life impact." You'll need to do a bit more follow up there as much less info/links will be provided.
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#55 Killer Dwarfs: Dirty Weapons
Released 1990
My favourite release from the crazy Canadians - not much to say except it's some really cool melodic rock with a nice Andy Johns production. Like most of the bands in this list they are pretty much unheard of in Australia (God knows how much time I spent in total tracking this stuff down) but I gather it got a decent amount of airplay in the US and Canada back in the day. I recall their earlier stuff was really hard to find - albums like Big Deal/Stand Tall regularly went for $100+ on Ebay
Favourite Tracks: Dirty Weapons (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lkq05ZkDIUU) , Nothing Gets Nothing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEgsjhHlaZA) , All That We Dream (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_jOSBSJguA)
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#54 Fair Warning : s/t
Released 1992
Over time I would say that Fair Warning were probably my favourite German rock band. They were effectively the band for Zeno Roth (younger brother of Uli) for his Zenology album - also a good one - and when Zeno decided to quit the game the band decided to carry on under the name Fair Warning. My first album of theirs was Rainmaker which was a lot softer than the debut - over time I gravitated toward the more hard rocking debut and the later album "4".
As per usual this landed at the wrong time but they did make a huge dent in the Japanese market and remain a big act there to this day.
Favourite Tracks: Hang On (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_mKM8bIaUA) , Out On The Run (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ki0dm9JBkEs) , Take A Look At The Future (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHSHt5Qa2FE), Heat Of Emotion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHNf2i3dqLc)
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#53 Stryper : Against The Law
Released 1990
More early 90's ::) and like many releases from around that time , it was the band's last for some time.
To this day Stryper have never put out an album that I think is great from start to finish but this isn’t far from it and is their best IMO......the new one is good too. The good tracks on this are fantastic and , with a little help from the Skip button I ran this album into the ground for some time. It was a bit of an unusual time for them –presumably as a reaction to the industry at the time, they significantly toughened up their image and ditched most of the overtly religious stuff which , to be honest, suited me fine.. They also suddenly morphed from yellow and black spandex and makeup to hanging out in a jail cell in trench coats , jeans and beards for the promo pics. A strypless Stryper.
The whole band put in a great showing here (Oz Fox’s best by a mile) and my favourite song (Caught In The Middle) features a bit of a dream pairing – Sweet on lead vox and Soto on backing vox. The opening track is an interesting , funky and rather cool version of Earth,Wind and Fire’s Shining Star.
Favourite Tracks: Caught In The Middle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kaOoKZgvTo), All For One (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5hYZaCYhDs) , Two Bodies (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz70prmVDsA) , Rock The Hell Out Of You (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w62H39wyxQ), Shining Star (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_oAUdlNY98)
Those who like a good scream - check out Caught In The Middle 3.20 in.............:)
While we're talking Christian bands - I couldn't fit them into the lists but anyone who likes this sort of stuff should check out a CD called Battle Cries by a band called The Brave. Outside of Stryper , it's probably the most consistent Christian rock CD I have. Sample: Running All My Life. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcd4A4YnDck) The only other overtly Christian band that I was ever really big into at some point was Holy Soldier. Plenty of others had their moments (Guardian for one) but that's about it in terms of bands I'd go back to these days. I'm not religious but good music's good music.
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#52 Bonfire: Point Blank
Released: October 1989
Bonfire produced a couple of the best German hard rock albums ever with their 2nd (Fireworks) and 3rd (Point Blank) releases , after which they seemed to lose the plot. Fireworks had a couple of immense songs on it but also plenty of filler – in comparison , and despite the huge number of songs featured here on Point Blank (15 +2 little interludes) , there is little in the way of filler and it benefits from a huge production (almost too huge at times) from Michael Wagener.
At about the same time as this release they also had the song Sword and Stone featured on the pretty awesome Shocker movie soundtrack…this track was actually written by Stanley/Kulick/Child and demoed up for KISS’ s Crazy Nights but never made the cut.
Point Blank contains everything from AOR-ish ballads through to heavy rockers in a similar vein to what you might expect from Pretty Maids. All band members put on a good show but Angel Schleiffer (who didn’t play on the prior album) on lead guitar is particularly good. I don't think I've ever heard so many artificial harmonics on the one disc.
I recall going on a huge hunt for this album , doing the rounds of various stores after school –at the time of release it was not available as a cassette (all my music was in this format at the time) and so I actually had to get this imported from Europe on vinyl – my first vinyl purchase- and then take it to someone to dub it onto tape for me. And it was worth all the trouble. The best stuff on this album (see links) is some of the best Scandi rock/metal ever put on tape and the rest, at worst , is still pretty good.
Favourite Tracks: Waste No Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_aALqSz_9o#t=202) , Never Surrender (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_aALqSz_9o#t=2470) , Say Goodbye (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_aALqSz_9o#t=2248) , Know Right Now (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_aALqSz_9o#t=3004) , Tony's Roulette (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_aALqSz_9o#t=831)
Above links are to the relevant parts of the same full album listing.
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#51 Chicago : Chicago 17
Released: 1984
We might as well totally wimp out before starting the more metal-heavy Top 50 :neverusethis:
Chicago are a pretty damn amazing band - they must hold all sorts of records.
I can't imagine there'd be too many bands, if any, with the balls to begin their career with three double albums of fusion in the space of two years. God knows how many singers they've used over the years but most of them have been fantastic. They had 5 consecutive number one albums , 21 top 10 singles and 25 of their 34 albums have gone platinum. They charted better than any other American band during the 70's, are second only to The Beach Boys in terms of overall chart success and were the first American band to chart in the top 40 in five consecutive decades.
This was a unique one for me - I was brought up on a diet of Chicago from a very young age as my father was a fan . I can remember all the songs we played but I cannot find any official compilation that contains all those songs which leads me to believe that the "album" I grew up listening to was either some unofficial Australian compilation or a home made job put together by my dad. Over the years I've picked up a number of their studio albums covering their various eras - the more loose , improvisational early stuff to the more focused jazz rock of Chicago V , right through to the mostly balladesque 80's material.
On paper I really shouldn't like any of it - none of it is really to my normal taste but they have a knack for writing melodies that grab my ear - even the wimpiest of ballads such as If You leave Me Now are firm favourites with me. Perhaps I was brainwashed by my dad :-\
For the purposes of this list it was a matter of selecting an album that best represents the material I grew up on. The early material contained some fantastic stuff but also plenty that was a bit too progressive for me - it was more a combination of the jazzy rock and big ballads that caught my ear ...........I really loved the signature horn section either way.
Today if I was to grab a Chicago album to play it would like either be Chicago 19 or Chicago 17......both fantastic sounding records. Chicago 19 is possibly their rockiest material and has some great songs - even some nice guitar solos - and is the most obvious choice given my taste. It seems to divide Chicago fans down the middle as it really loses a lot of what made Chicago Chicago but I think taken on its own merits it's a wonderful album. However a big part of the signature Chicago sound that I grew up with was the voice of Peter Cetera and although Jason Scheff does a good job on 19 it's not quite the same. I feel that 17 also retains some hints of their jazzy past better than say 16 (has more "oomph" too) .........with We Can Stop The Hurtin' it's also a bit of a throwback to the social commentary seen in some of their earlier lyrics. I'm also a big fan of the Cetera/Champlin combo we have on tracks like Hard Habit To Break. So 17 gets the nod.
Favourite tracks: Hard Habit To Break (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y_XdwLtHiU), We Can Stop The Hurtin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbfFsLIyeiw)] , Remember The Feeling (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMyCwEJEkFQ), You're The Inspiration (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrJSKvX0AcI)
I actually posted all that by mistake - meant to hit preview :) Will add links later and resume with the Top 50 in the next day or two.
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#51 Chicago : Chicago 17
Released: 1984
Favourite tracks: Hard Habit To Break, We Can Stop The Hurtin , Remember The Feeling, You're The Inspiration
Yes!
Remember the Feeling is such a great track, but hey, the entire album is great as far as I'm concerned. Once In A Lifetime is also a huge favorite of mine. And I'm sure I've said it a thousand times, but Chicago 17 is one of the best sounding albums that has ever been recorded. The production and cleanness of sound is phenomenal.
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I thought I had a pretty good knowledge and range of music until you came on here Brent. :lol
I have only heard Fair Warning's later stuff, which is pretty decent. Never really got into Stryper, Chicago or Bonfire.
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My favorite release from Killer Dwarfs too- awesome release
Great disc from Stryper too. I think No More Hell to Pay is Strypers best release overall.
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Got through the first 2 updates.
Great White - meh... something about Russel's voice is hit and miss for me, and the tracks you listed were a miss. Heavy? Sure. But I'd hardly say this could compare to be as 'metal' as Crue... who's current release would've been Shout at the Devil.
Wildside... this scratched me where I itch. Nice and melodic and heavy. Nice guitar tone. "Blind Melon and various assorted shite". Quoted for truth.
Megadeth... I just never got them, or this album. :dunno: Still to this day, the 'big 5' (surprised Pantera isn't in that group?) of thrash do nothing for me.
Glory... really nice. Will investigate
Balance of Power ... this too was freakin hawt. Almost progressive rock in it's nature. I suspect this will be purchase worthy.
Bangalore Choir ... "damn solid album of heavy rock with the obligatory ballad or two." Isn't this the basic formula for glam/hair metal? Really nice set of tracks you suggested. Man, 1992 was a great year for glam/hair metal, wasn't it? Just when it should've been at it's peak, the industry changed lanes without signalling.
Glenmore was pretty good. Given there's a ton of new stuff on your list for me already, and invariably a shit-ton more to come, I'll pass on trying to hunt this one down.
Lion/BMR... ok, didn't wow me.
Anthrax... was better than Megadeth, but not something I'd go out of my way to revisit
Just skimming through the above... no favorite tracks from Bonfire?
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Just skimming through the above... no favorite tracks from Bonfire?
I actually posted all that by mistake - meant to hit preview :) Will add links later and resume with the Top 50 in the next day or two.
That included proof reading and adding links :P ............will get to it right away :-*
Re Great White...............fair enough but tbh I never found Shout At The Devil all that heavy. Take another couple of tracks from the Great White (I didn't necessarily list the heaviest as my faves) like Street Killer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNvYrlgHl48) and Down On Your Knees (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miScEqZP9nY)and I'd class those as heavy as Crue and sound a damn side better in the production too.
I knew you'd love the Wildside :tup ..........and Balance of Power.
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Bangalore Choir ... "damn solid album of heavy rock with the obligatory ballad or two." Isn't this the basic formula for glam/hair metal?
Yep - that's what "obligatory" means ;D
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I thought I had a pretty good knowledge and range of music until you came on here Brent. :lol
I have only heard Fair Warning's later stuff, which is pretty decent. Never really got into Stryper, Chicago or Bonfire.
Pretty awesome update again Brent. Only one I don't know and love is the Chicago. Never really heard them and from how I imagine them they are too light for me.
The rest are staples on the Lowdz' playlists.
When it comes to Bonfire, Fireworks is my favourite, followed by this and Don't Touch The Light, The rest aren't anywhere near the quality of these 3. They went chasing US radio are started to suck - even covering Seet Home Alabama. When they are from Germany :biggrin:
I'd probably rate this Stryper album behind To Hell With The Devil and In God We Trust. The new one is excellent too. I love the crunchy guitar sound the guys have. I'm no Christian so I listen to them for the music rather than the message in the same way as I can listen to metal bands singing about Satan without being a Satanist.
On the subject of Christian bands I always enjoyed Whitecross. Any love for them here?
Got through the first 2 updates.
Great White - meh... something about Russel's voice is hit and miss for me, and the tracks you listed were a miss. Heavy? Sure. But I'd hardly say this could compare to be as 'metal' as Crue... who's current release would've been Shout at the Devil.
Maybe its because he sounds like Robert Plant - and he's shit :lol
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I faintly remember Bonfire.
Don't think I've ever heard a single song by the Killer Dwarfs. seriously.
The Fair Warning sounds interesting. I will check it out.
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You're killing me with four and five recommendations per album. What ... do you think we're all laid up with shattered legs like you!?!?! I got to get back to work on Wednesday!! And now that school is done for the jingle.kids, Mrs Jingle actually wants to spend time together in the evenings!!!
Only wanted the first 10 seconds of this ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ilI-OdOj1Y
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:neverusethis:
There's a hint re some douche who might be making an appearance later on :)
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but not that one :neverusethis:
Well that's the runners up done - I think it proved worthwhile. From here on there'll be a brief honourable mention in each listing with a link to one song if you wish to follow up on it.
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#50 Shy: Shy
Released 2011
tracks
1. Land of a Thousand Lies
2. So Many Tears
3. Ran Out of Time
4. Breathe
5. Blood on the Line
6. Pray
7. Only for the Night
8. Live for Me
9. Over You
10. Sanctuary
11. Save Me
12. Union of Souls
At a guess I’d be struggling to get into double figures if I was to try and name the albums released since the year 2000 that have seriously impressed me – this is one of only 4 to make this top50 list. It would undoubtedly be higher if not for a bias towards albums that have impacted me over a longer period of time.Come to think of it I don’t imagine that I would’ve had too many objections if this spot was taken up by Excess All Areas , their classic melodic rock album from 1987. That just makes it all the more amazing that 24 years later, six years after the last record with their regular singer Tony Mills, with main main Steve Harris dying from cancer and with a brand new singer , that they released what I consider to be their best ever (and heaviest) album.
Those who know me are familiar with my apathy towards the vast majority of the cookie cutter , project style releases out of Frontiers etc……….don’t get me wrong, I am grateful that a label has taken on the role of flag bearer for melodic rock/metal music but I’d rather one song off this album than a dozen from most of the others , including bands featuring my favourite artists like W.E.T This album was on the Escape label btw.
You only need to look at the song titles to know it’s not just another one of “those albums.” The songwriting shows an effort and imagination that’s lacking on so many similar releases , so although it’s not breaking any new ground stylistically it’s a case of I’ve heard it all before and yet I haven’t.....and that's refreshing these days. So many elements that I like are covered on this album – the lush soundscapes are characterised by (an admittedly one dimensional) heavy keyboard presence and (often) heavy riffing. There’s everything from AOR/melodic rock to songs pushing the borders of prog metal , sometimes all in the one track and always with melody all over the place. Sanctuary is a good example of a love song taken to a much more interesting place than you might expect.
I can’t say enough good things about it. Lee Small on vocals is absolutely flawless and has a delivery akin to a lower pitched but equally powerful Glenn Hughes (just for you Paul :-* ).
This was my album of 2011. And RIP Steve Harris who died only weeks after the release of his best work
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Favourite Tracks: So Many Tears (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZZ5Njd8P5w), Land Of A Thousand Lies (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISRLjB7kJhs), ,Only For The Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PajHMXdU_Ms) ,Sanctuary (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JZheI9VKps) , Blood on The Line. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYZ9srIsJt4)
Honourable Mention: Tommy Shaw - Ambition. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnUb1bBm2CI) I'm not a huge Styx fan but I like Tommy's voice - this album sees him shine in a more basic AOR setting.
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Never heard of Shy but like the samples; especially Land of a Thousand Lies.
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I have a digital copy of Access All Areas and it's fantastic. Gotta check this too obviously.
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Loved Excess All Areas back in the day, especially the Cliff Richard cover! but they never lived up to that level again until this album. It's an excellent album, especially in light of the trauma involved as you say.
I agree with everything you said there, especially the cookie cutter nature of much of the scene these days, the same writers and players over and over. This album rocks though, and I like that.
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Just checked that first Shy track you posted Brent, So Many Tears. It's fucking killer, needs my attention I think.
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Loved Excess All Areas back in the day,
Yeah, me too. I also enjoyed Brave The Storm.
I was intrigued when this came out a few years ago. I actually bought the digital version. Listen to it a couple of times, but not since. It will be on today's playlist.
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Glad you guys are liking the Shy - it's one of only 2 or 3 albums from the last few years that have stayed on rotation for an extended period. I love it.
Time to go back .........
(https://s16.postimg.org/7f2kl7upt/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/7f2kl7upt/)
#49 Vanden Plas : Color Temple
Released April 1994
Tracks
1. Father 05:40
2. Push 04:19
3. When the Wind Blows 07:12
4. My Crying 05:28
5. Soul Survives 09:08
6. Anytime 07:07
7. Judas 06:04
8. Back to Me 05:33
9. How Many Tears 08:14
10. Days of Thunder (bonus- on mine anyway)
This is the indie debut from Vanden Plas and , unlike their attempts at more epic, concept driven progressive metal on the releases that followed this is pretty much ballsy melodic metal with a progressive edge… it used to be very rare (I had to upload songs again) but not sure what the situation is now.
They do have quite a distinctive sound mostly thanks to vocalist Andy Kuntz but at the same time you can certainly hear some of their influences -Queensryche on songs like When The Wind Blows and Dream Theater on Soul Survives. There’s also hints of Dokken at times. But then the bonus track Days of Thunder is almost commercial hard rock.
Andy Kuntz’s vocals have improved with time but he’s certainly decent on this album – it’s the musical style here that I think suits them best. Each of the albums following this contained 2 or 3 songs that I loved (Rainmaker off The God Thing is a freakin monster but the rest was underwhelming) but I always felt they were a touch short on raw talent and ideas to compete in DT’s space and should’ve stuck to their knitting as displayed here or at least been more gradual with the change in styles. Threshold I think were a band who worked within their limitations whereas Vanden Plas have at times stretched themselves to the point of way too much filler (Far Off Grace being the worst example).
Having said all of the above I think they’ve finally got close to nailing the prog thing on their most recent effort , where they kept it shorter on songs/higher on quality – I rate it around the same (perhaps a touch weaker) than Colour Temple , but seeing as I’m focusing on the most influential albums in my life Colour Temple is certainly the one. Highly recommended if you enjoy catchy, crunchy melodic metal. For an indie release at the time , the production is a gem too.
Favourite Tracks: When The Wind Blows (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGBJafMErdo) Push (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5eIHEDzMow) , My Crying (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zpoRoHbMtE), Father (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmwyMdkAMbI),, Days Of Thunder (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5dV4g_AafY)
Honourable Mention: Metallica: Master of Puppets - won't bother linking as it's self explanatory. Favourite Track: Disposable Heroes.
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Finally! Something I don't have to go and listen to. Love me VP, and Andy is a very unique and distinctive vocalist. Rainmaker is indeed a killer track, on an otherwise good album. I think I'd put my vote towards Beyond Daylight ... that was until 4 months ago when Chronicles came out. My AOTY so far. Still loving it.
Good selection. :tup
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This is the only VP album I don't have.
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I've heard of VP, but wasn't familiar with their material. Songs sound good!
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I think you got your pick for #49 and your HM mixed up.
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I think you got your pick for #49 and your HM mixed up.
No, he got it right.
As for Shy/Shy... if this is #50, I'm in for a world of hurt with this list. That was freakin wicked.
Still gotta check out some of the 60-50 albums.
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VP are one of those strange bands for me, and it tends to be the Prog Metal bands - I enjoy it whilst I'm listening but there isn't enough melody or variety in it to really stand out. I bought Far Off Grace years ago and enjoyed it, played it alot but couldn't tell you a thing about it. Other albums I tried were very much the same.
Singer's great, all the musicians ar great, but its all a bit of a blur. I could listen to it now and enjoy it but nothing really calls me back to it.
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Re Metallica ............I'm happy with my decision TAC :D To even make HM in my list is a huge honour :P ;D I've only ever been a casual Metallica (and thrash) fan and when a thrash album grabs me there's generally a fair slab of great musicianship (esp. lead guitar ) involved. Now unfortunately Hetfield is the best guitarist in Metallica. I think I , and many others, also have some sort of bias - all things equal - to albums that we bought around the time of release. When MoP was released I was a 14 yo who was very much into rock , not metal and by the time I started to take interest in metal I was a fairly handy guitarist who had become (and remains) a bit snobbish about the need for good leads and IMO at that time Hammett's solos tended to detract from rather than enhance a song and I viewed him as a guy who used the wah pedal to disguise sloppy playing.
I am not quite so focused on that now but , despite my love of the rhythm work on MoP and some catchy songs , that's still a big factor in why I would tend to grab Rust In Peace instead. It would've been nice to see a Hetfield/Friedman or Hetfield/Skolnick album I reckon - best of both worlds. Having said all that , any album mentioned anywhere in this thread was very close to a top 50 spot - we're talking fractional differences here. The only way I could split a lot of them was on "life influence" and for me that wasn't huge with Metallica even though I love the album. It's also why a fantastic album like Shy is a bit lower than otherwise might be the case (due to its recent release)
Speaking of the mid 80's...............back we go.
(https://s28.postimg.org/6ryvvqpeh/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/6ryvvqpeh/)
#48 Icon : Night of the Crime
Released 1985
Tracks
1. Naked Eyes 4:04
2. Missing 4:30
3. Danger Callin' 3:40
4. Shot at my Heart 3:21
5. Out for Blood 5:41
6. Raise the Hammer 3:32
7. Frozen Tears 3:58
8. Whites of their Eyes 3:46
9. Hungry for Love 4:17
10. Rock my Radio 4:14
Icon’s Night of the Crime is a really interesting combination of AOR and metal and a bit of an underground classic in the melodic rock/metal world. Their debut was pretty straightforward release – all hard rock/metal and established them as a force to be reckoned with. Stephen Clifford has a very identifiable voice that I really like and Dan Wexler , likewise, is/was a very good guitarist with his own sound – half the battle.
For this, their second album , they went for a much more commercial vibe and introduced well known songwriter Bob Halligan Jr to help on around half the songs and producer Eddie Kramer/ mixer Ron Nevison (Europe, Ozzy, KISS etc..). The result is a very slick sounding record both in the AOR moments and the rockers. I have no doubt that fans of the first album were scratching their heads a bit but looked at independently it’s a fantastic group of songs and there’s a real dramatic atmosphere to the album. Interestingly a large number of the keyboard sounds were done via guitar synth - unfortunately I'm old enough to have been playing when a synth hanging off your guitar was considered cool :-\
Of course such a good album could only produce one result – it was a commercial flop, the singer gave it away after becoming a born again Christian and they were dropped from Atlantic before the album was even released. They returned later with Jerry Harrison on vocals ( a much harsher sound) for the very good album Right Between The Eyes. They also released the much more AOR sounding An Even More Perfect Union….a signed, numbered limited edition which I also have. Both albums with Harrison contain some killer songs but also far more filler than Night of the Crime.
One of the great melodic rock/metal bands of the mid-late 80’s and very unlucky not to have been bigger than they were. Rock My Radio is a touch throwaway compared to the rest but there really isn’t a dud track on this.
Favourite Tracks: Whites of Their Eyes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvZf0guchSo), Missing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdHkjD0UilA), Danger Calling (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXqyVdiu0aQ), Frozen Tears (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=algk0T6xfqc),Out For Blood
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6G0P6YvKsI)
Honourable Mention: Tyketto: Don't Come Easy (https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCEQyCkwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DA2vG-zlvvk0%26feature%3Dkp&ei=npu0U9bREMemkQXshoDYBA&usg=AFQjCNHxwcTQj52zNf3PZztyet6lFA-KUw&sig2=Y4kr51dcrFI2tchJkTLIAQ&bvm=bv.70138588,d.dGI) - a melodic rock classic.
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Interesting pick. I have the first Icon and listen to it often as I think its an awesome 80s straight up metal release. You were right with this second release, I was scratching my head big time after listening to it. I'll give it another listen.
Not too many people will know of Icon, I'm sure.
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Yesterday I clicked on one of your YouTube links for a song by The Storm and through a series of related links I saw this Icon album as a related video. Never heard them before, but I really liked what I heard. Listened to about the first half of the album and will finish it up in the next couple of days.
I had to laugh when it popped up here the very next day. Good stuff.
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Welcome FreezingPoint - I remember you from the melodic rock thread when we were discussing Roth I think? . Good to have another member of the good taste brigade on board ;D
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I thought this update was going to be Hammerfall. But this album is good, so I'm not even disappointed. :D
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Thanks!
Saw your selection of DLR earlier in this thread. My favorite album of his, as I think I mentioned before.
Expecting good things from this list, I'm sure there will be a lot to like and a lot I have to listen to. I'm trying to comment in general more often, and am sure there will be things to say here. Looking forward to the rest!
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re listened to Night of the Crime. Great stuff!
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re listened to Night of the Crime. Great stuff!
:tup
Here begins a run of a few more "easy listening" albums , after which we'll be mostly rocking :metal all the way to the end.
(https://s24.postimg.org/8nkdvs3sh/3001.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/8nkdvs3sh/)
#47 Pink Floyd: A Momentary Lapse of Reason
Released 1987
Tracks
Signs of Life
Learning to Fly
Dogs of War
One Slip
On the Turning Away
Yet Another Movie / Round and Around
A New Machine (Part 1)
Terminal Frost
A New Machine (Part 2)
Sorrow
This was actually a very late entry into the Top 50 that resulted from a last minute review of my childhood cassette and vinyl collection......it must've been among my earliest purchases . As soon as I saw the cassette it triggered memories and , once played, I realised that this album really played a big part in my childhood. Learning to Fly (and the subsequent tour) did very well in Australia , so I imagine my liking for that song on the radio was the trigger. I seem to recall playing little else for a few months now that the memories are coming back to me. It’s always a good sign when you remember every note and melody after not playing something for decades. Most of the stuff being released these days stays with me for about 5 minutes , if that.
I’ll be honest – the genre of music into which Pink Floyd generally gets placed (psychedelic, ambient etc….) contains very little of interest to me but Pink Floyd have something the others don’t – David Gilmour. Given that I’ve been a guitar nut most of my life I was bound to stumble onto them at some point and , aside from the odd classic on the radio , this album was my starting point.
I suppose I should quickly address the issue of whether this is a “true Pink Floyd album.” To be honest I really don’t care – it certainly is to me. I was 13 years old when this was released and , like many other classic bands that had line-up changes in the 80’s/90’s just as I was discovering them , this is the album that I identify with and as far as I was concerned at the time Dave Gilmour WAS Pink Floyd. I’m well aware of Waters’ reputation in terms of poetic writing and brilliant concepts(and spitting the dummy) but , given my priorities in music, it’s pretty clear to me that the most important “half” of Pink Floyd from my point of view(incl. vocally) is front and centre on this album and it’s more than possible that I may even prefer the Waters-less Pink Floyd.. And really – the lyrics on songs like Learning To Fly are more than adequate as far as I’m concerned.
One mystery (given my almost obsessive appetite for discovering new music that I like) is why I never really bothered to go back into their discography properly . . It’s much easier to research a band you know you like. I think perhaps their legendary status meant that I felt I could easily put the exercise off until later, knowing that I’d never have any trouble getting my hands on Floyd material , and so I concentrated on hunting things that were more of a challenge to find. I also had the impression (rightly or wrongly) that AMLOR had a bit more of an “edge” to the guitar sound and was likely to be more compatible with my taste than their earlier material.
Anyway – back to the music for a second. Aside from the significant drawback of being a vocal song or three short there isn’t too much I don’t like about the album. The cinematic , atmospheric and bluesy intro sets the scene for the album and perhaps has a Shine On vibe. Learning to fly is a standout and again the atmospheric bluesy, yet mechanical vibe sucks me right in. Aside from some fairly pointless stuff in amongst the "New Machine’s" and perhaps Yet Another Movie which is good but something I could imagine Phil Collins singing , the remaining vocal tracks are all fantastic , with the standout for me being On The Turning Away. The melodies and guitar work on this track are magical and I even happened to notice some very well written lyrics in there :laugh:
On the whole I think the first half is almost flawless (Dogs of War would rate below the rest) and the second half certainly has its moments. Not a perfect album by any means , but it was a big part of my musical journey and still impresses me now , so it’s deserving of a place.
I will at some point work my way back through the discography properly (with the help of the DTF discog thread) but , however that goes, I can’t imagine songs like Learning To Fly and On The Turning Away being anywhere but right up the top of my favourite PF songs.
Favourite Tracks: On The Turning Away (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojf18wT_Xtk), Learning To Fly (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mKDvp7MavQ), One Slip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eER7ppOcViI), Sorrow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvChSZBKb6A)
Honourable Mention: Saraya - When The Blackbird Sings (1991) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObKSJzOEE9M) ..........a hot , black (haired) bird who can sing like one too . My favourite female rock vocalist and a great band.
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Well, if you're gonna use the discog threads to learn PF, you better jump in right now, seeing as how we're right in the heart of the best of what they ever did. This was my first PF release 'as it happened', and still has a special meaning to me (and JUST missed my top 50 - it finished at 53). On the Turning Way is my favorite track, but I tell you... that opening guitar in Sorrow is something to behold. Waters may have been a critical ingredient to the 70s era Floyd stuff, but as you mentioned, was going in a different direction than the band wanted to. Musically and commercially, the differences between The Final Cut and AMLOR show which version was stronger. Survival of the fittest baby!
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Had a go with the first half of Night of the Crime this morning. Meh... production sounded a little dated, and it felt kinda generic to me. Wait... Out for Blood just started. Nice intro. Nothing wrong with this, just didn't wow me.
Tyketto... somehow slipped off my radar, and I never went back to check them out.
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"Danger Calling" from Night of the Crime is one of the catchiest songs I've heard in recent memory
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I actually like AMLOR. Only got it within the last couple of years though...
..and Icon?? Wow!
Yup, I definitely remember them but I never got anything by them.
And I never followed Danny Vaughan from Waysted to Tyketto.
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AMLOR is really good. It's one of those albums that has a certain mood that is inescapable once I start listening, especially the second half of the album.
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Love AMLOR. It maybe even my favorite Floyd album. Just got it on vinyl two months ago as well to continue that collection.
Yet Another Movie is probably my favorite song on that album, followed by Sorrow. Lots of atmosphere in this album, which is something I am really big on.
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So, back to close off my thoughts on 75-50
Killer Dwarfs... was never a fan.
Chicago ... I know enough, and they're always enjoyable.
On to the new stuff:
Fair Warning... this I liked.
Stryper... I still scratch my head why I don't dive deep into these guys. I've always liked everything I've heard.
Bonfire... sounded ok, I think. The production (especially on Waste No time) was a hot mess. Everything just blurred together.
Phew, ok, now I'm totally caught up.
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Had a go with the first half of Night of the Crime this morning. Meh... production sounded a little dated, and it felt kinda generic to me. Wait... Out for Blood just started. Nice intro. Nothing wrong with this, just didn't wow me.
Tyketto... somehow slipped off my radar, and I never went back to check them out.
tut tut Chad. Tykettoo is awesome! I even sent their best song in your roulette. You have no excuse :biggrin: And with Bonfire, try Fireworks - its alot better sounding.
I have to say I like the Icon and Pink Floyd (though I'm no big PF fan ) but prefer both your honourable mentions over the actual choice. Saraya's WTBS is a great "proggish" melodic rock album. Its' sort of a hard rock version of Queensryche's Empire (same producer). Their first album was bluesy hard rock so the follow up was a bit of a surprise. They then disappeared. Shame as Sandi Saraya was hot.
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Tyketto... somehow slipped off my radar, and I never went back to check them out.
yeah, you should change that
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Just checked out Shy.... Holeeeeeee shit...
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Just checked out Shy.... Holeeeeeee shit...
No kidding, eh?
You're such a whore. ;)
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Had a go with the first half of Night of the Crime this morning. Meh... production sounded a little dated, and it felt kinda generic to me. Wait... Out for Blood just started. Nice intro. Nothing wrong with this, just didn't wow me.
Tyketto... somehow slipped off my radar, and I never went back to check them out.
tut tut Chad. Tykettoo is awesome! I even sent their best song in your roulette. You have no excuse :biggrin: And with Bonfire, try Fireworks - its alot better sounding.
I have to say I like the Icon and Pink Floyd (though I'm no big PF fan ) but prefer both your honourable mentions over the actual choice. Saraya's WTBS is a great "proggish" melodic rock album. Its' sort of a hard rock version of Queensryche's Empire (same producer). Their first album was bluesy hard rock so the follow up was a bit of a surprise. They then disappeared. Shame as Sandi Saraya was hot.
I agree with a lot of this feedback - without rehashing my first post , the fact that I felt I could only cut it to 50 if I made it mostly about "life impact' has meant that , especially in the lower rankings , albums that I may not rate as high right now are getting a run. I totally agree about the Bonfire production and hinted at that in my write up - unfortunately as far as Fireworks goes for me its Ready For Reaction (awesome!) and the rest (just ok).
If you put a few of these albums in front of me now and asked me to rank them as to what I want to play right now it'd go something like this : Shy, Saraya, Icon, Tyketto, Bonfire ............however the Icon/Bonfire were by far the most influential in terms of listening time when I was "learning the ropes." A big reason I've gone to the trouble of the runners up and HM's is to bring back into the discussion albums that I really wanted to see mentioned but (under the criteria) couldn't make it.
Another update (or two) later.......
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It's all good. Take a look at my first top 50, and people would shart themselves over the first 6 entries, and then wtf over a few more. Life impact plays a big role... and it's Top 50 of all time, not just at the moment.
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(https://s13.postimg.org/3o3ss8kur/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/3o3ss8kur/)
#46 Noiseworks: s/t
Released 1987
Tracks
1. Burning Feeling
2. Love Somebody
3. Take Me Back
4. No Lies
5. River Of Tears
6. Welcome To The World
7. Edge Of Darkness
8. Little Bit More
9. Only Loving You
10. It's Time
I'm not expecting much love for this , but you never know your luck. I imagine only the Aussies will be familiar with the band.
Noiseworks are an Australian band who became local chart toppers with their brand of commercial rock in the late 80's - AMG who do the biogs for my music streaming service call them "one of the better metal bands of the late 80's" :rollin Ummmm - NO! . I'd put them somewhere in between pissweak rock (Simple Minds) and hard rock . Perhaps imagine Simple Minds book a surgeon for a strapadictomy + testosterone injections and emerge with some gonads. Some call it high tech AOR - in any case they certainly don’t sound like your stereotypical Aussie rock (AC/DC,Choirboys etc…)
They had a decent team behind them too – their debut was on CBS and produced by the very well regarded Mark Opitz. . Vocalist Jon Stevens is an absolute champ who took a chance and moved to Australia from NZ to try his luck - he has awesome pipes and belts it out even better 20 years later too(I saw him live just recently) - guitarist Stuart Fraser has a rather scratchy tone but it’s unique to him and I grew to like it well enough.
The album itself has two fairly distinct types of songs - there's the more upbeat pop rock and then the slower, much more atmospheric tracks. And like most albums with a unique atmosphere to them , when I listen to this album it “takes me back” to when I often listened to it etc...……… . It's also relatively cheese free compared to most of the stuff around at the time . Highly recommended for non-Aussies to check out if you can get into relatively light rock and yet another ripper from the year 1987.
Jon Stevens of course went on to front INXS for an extended period after the death of Michael Hutchence. There were also strong hints he’d been sussed out for the Van Halen gig for VH 3 – personally I think he would’ve kicked ass and I wish he'd done a harder rock album of some description. I love this guy's voice when he's belting it out.
I've put a mix of the rockers and atmospheric tracks in the samples, starting with the more commercial stuff. I'm surprised I had to upload many of these myself - it was big enough in Oz to think it'd be on Youtube/Grooveshark :-\
Favourite Tracks: Take Me Back (https://youtu.be/FXH9abKiLYo) , Little Bit More (https://youtu.be/IJ-DbW_G8vc), It's Time (https://youtu.be/_ljbFmknJB4), River Of Tears (https://youtu.be/OnqJxcx2P6Q), Welcome To The World (https://youtu.be/8XOEI8U_rW4),
Honourable Mention: Triumph - Surveillance (https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDgQtwIwBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DgLxEF5CMDSg&ei=OR22U6TRH8n2kAWqpoCQDg&usg=AFQjCNFYGGSEV9F1uwDQRnH-BcTtIhIuqQ&sig2=0Pg4ZkI5MF_A1qE0YqETYQ&bvm=bv.70138588,d.dGI) ...........another goodie from 1987 and the linked track kicks ass.
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(https://s22.postimg.org/o5kpeq1jh/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/o5kpeq1jh/)
#45 Red Dawn: Never Say Surrender
Released 1993
Tracks
1. Flyin' High 5:45
2. I'll Be There 4:11
3. Liar 3:23
4. Dangerous Child 6:17
5. Promises 5:36
6. I Can't Get Over You 5:39
7. Christine 4:05
8. Take These Chains 5:02
9. She's On Fire 5:23
10. Never Say Surrender 4:51
This is one of THE definitive AOR albums and for a one off project it’s just an amazing set of songs and performances – full of melody/hooks and stellar guitars.. A couple of the band members had some pedigree - David Rosenthal on keys had been in Rainbow etc as had Chuck Burgi on drums, bassist Greg Smith played with Alice Cooper etc….….. but for all intents and purposes this is like a supergroup of relative unknowns , if that’s possible. Larry Baud on vocals – who replaced original vocalist Mitch Malloy - sounds like Michael Bolton after a bolus of steroids + No Doze and guitarist Tristan Avakian (who was never really heard of again) studied guitar under Vinnie Moore and it shows. He’s also very obviously influenced by Steve Vai.
So imagine that style of singer over the top of lush keys and a slightly more restrained Steve Vai /Vinnie Moore on guitar playing commercial rock a la Journey with a dash of House of Lords keyboard pomp and that’s the sort of sound here.
All in all just an amazing album and yet another little known masterpiece from the early 90’s released to the sound of crickets.
Favourite Tracks: Flying High (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9Cn_JNZsbw), Liar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxZ_MxcPqEM),Never Say Surrender (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFCdKZmIWJY) I'll Be There (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2g2z7zKp4E)
Honourable Mention : Valentine - Valentine (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6P_SBs6Ojk)
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It's all good. Take a look at my first top 50, and people would shart themselves over the first 6 entries, and then wtf over a few more. Life impact plays a big role... and it's Top 50 of all time, not just at the moment.
And us forgeys have much more life for the mucis to impact on than these whipper snappers who only have 50 albums :biggrin:
Red Dawn = awesome. Don't need to say anymore. Did I use these in your roulette Chad? They were lined up.
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And us forgeys have much more life for the mucis to impact on than these whipper snappers who only have 50 albums :biggrin:
And one of them only had a top 33 album list!
Red Dawn = awesome. Don't need to say anymore. Did I use these in your roulette Chad? They were lined up.
Nope, but the writeup has me THOROUGHLY intrigued. Can't say the same for Noiseworks. :lol The cover even makes them look like INXS wannabees
Brent, you fail for not linking Headed for Nowhere (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20KHrPs5Uiw) with Triumph/Surveillance. That's easily one of my top 5 guitar riffs ever.
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Surveillance is neck and neck with Allied Forces for my favorite from Triumph.
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Thunder Seven is this guys favorite. Never hear of the last 2 and will check them out.
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Never rally heard any Triumph back int he day. When I heard Hugo's cover of Magic Power I got interested. Allied fORCES FOR ME, sURVEILLANCE 2ND.
I urge all the Mel Rock fans to try that Red Dawn album. Great write up. Didn't know Avakian studied under Vinnie Moore. Shame he disappeared as he had chops.
notice how I avoided any mention of Noiseworks? It's better that way. :biggrin:
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I urge all the Mel Rock fans to try that Red Dawn album. Great write up.
Did so. It was wicked!
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Time to up the ante :metal - from here , aside from a couple of more bluesy rock/AOR interludes , it's all rock and metal.
(https://s11.postimg.org/ex1vdoopb/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/ex1vdoopb/)
#44 Annihilator: Never Neverland
Released 1990
Tracks
1. "The Fun Palace" 5:51
2. "Road to Ruin" 3:42
3. "Sixes and Sevens" 5:20
4. "Stonewall" 4:50
5. "Never, Neverland" 5:29
6. "Imperiled Eyes" 5:27
7. "Kraf Dinner" 2:41
8. "Phantasmagoria" 3:59
9. "Reduced to Ash" 3:09
10. "I Am in Command" 3:34
In September 1990 , within a week of each other, two thrash metal classics were released…………Rust In Peace and Never Neverland. To me there are four classics of that genre that just nail the combination of heaviness, melody and great guitar work (more the rhythm work for Metallica and Anthrax) and they are: Rust In Peace, Spreading The Disease, Master of Puppets and Never Neverland….Testament were also a favourite but to me they never managed a totally killer album.
In the case of Annihilator and Anthrax it seems to be widely acknowledged that Alison Hell and Among The Living are the “classics” but to me neither are in the same ballpark.
Anyway………all of those bands bar Annihilator (see later) had only one album that totally clicked with me and Never Neverland was the album that got the most airplay in my bedroom so here it sits in my Top 50 just ahead of the others. The key man of course is Jeff Waters who for a little while there was IMO close enough to world’s most under rated guitarist. He seems to suffer from a condition that makes it impossible to keep a band together for more than five minutes and unfortunately the vast majority of music released since hasn’t been worthy of mention but , when he was in his sweet spot , not many could touch Jeff Waters. He combined the right hand of Hetfield and Mustaine with the left hand of Friedman and I would say in some respects better than Friedman during this period. The combination of crunching rhythms , quieter interludes and progressive, technical ,melodious (h/t JLB ;D ) shredding on this album is about as good as it gets.
One other thing about Annihilator back then is that the various themes (everything from girls confined to home by crazy grandmothers,crazy dreams, general disorder, environmental damage, drunk driving to schizophrenia to macaroni cheese) combined with Jeff’s crazy guitar playing always made me feel like I was listening inside a lunatic asylum :lol Very cool…I think. Hmm. The second half of the album falls away quite a bit , but the first half is so damn perfect that it justifies its spot.
The follow up Set The World on Fire took the whole Black Album sellout thing to a new level and was a big change in direction – everything from regular thrash to AOR style melodic rock. Like TBA (even more so) it was considered a horrible sell out at the time by diehard fans but taken on its own merit (perhaps as a Jeff Waters solo album) it’s another (their last) great album and of course features a killer rhythm section with our very own Mike Mangini. The guitar playing is possibly even better than on Never Neverland – a classic softer metal/rock album that almost got this spot in the list.
Favourite Tracks: The Fun Palace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k8gLyE0jqQ) , Stonewall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY-ofhy3lNs), Never Neverland (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1pczbrbiK0) , Sixes and Sevens (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jctHb5Wvt8I)
Honourable Mention : China - Sign In The Sky (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz7fMJdDtbk)
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Never really looked into them too much. Only familiar with Alison Hell.
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Never really looked into them too much. Only familiar with Alison Hell.
If you're not banging your head by the end of Fun Palace I'll eat my hat jj ;D
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I just listened to it. Kick ass tune!
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Knew from the title change what it would be. Awesome album! :metal :metal
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I had a listen to some Annihilator a couple of years ago on recommendations from her. Didn't do anything at all for me.
YOur honourable mention however, is a great undiscovered gem. Bought this on vinyl on release after seeing them support someone back in the day (so many gigs I don't remember who). NOt a classic from start to finish but some really good songs in there.
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#43: Place Vendome: s/t
Released October 2005
tracks
"Cross the Line" 4:56
"I Will Be Waiting" - 4:56
"Too Late" - 4:17
"I Will Be Gone" 5:12
"The Setting Sun" 4:48
"Place Vendome" - 3:58
"Heaven's Door" - 4:06
"Right Here" - 4:13
"Magic Carpet Ride" - 4:01
"Sign of the Times" - 5:16
I’d always been an admirer of Michael Kiske but I found limited highlights in the early Helloween material - to be quite frank I think the "Keepers" albums are over rated. There were a number of tracks I loved from the Kiske era (I Want Out and Mankind to name a couple) but a whole lot more that did nothing for me. After his self imposed exile the last thing I expected was a project like this that covers everything from AOR to (light) metal with beautifully written songs and awesome performances across the whole range from Kiske. I never figured him as an AOR singer but it does suit him here. And that this set of great songs was written almost entirely by Denis Ward for this project is equally mindblowing.........I think the quality is better than anything he's done in his more full time bands.
I remember reading that Kiske recorded the vocals in his home studio and sent the tracks to the band to work on – and that he was disappointed at how heavy they’d made some of it. Well I don’t agree with him there but to think that the band never met in the studio makes this even more of an achievement. I rate pretty much every track highly , although I do have my favourites as linked.
As mentioned previously I'm over the whole Frontiers project band thing but this is one hell of an exception. It's also rather ironic that Kiske produced perhaps the best album of his career fronting a group essentially made up of the original band of Andy Deris , his replacement in Helloween.
Favourite Tracks: Cross The Line (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12znzF4hHd4), Sign of the Times (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpbGLCdyNPQ), Magic Carpet Ride (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WajFTm-_swY), The Setting Sun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yewth-5uVrQ)
Honourable Mention: Snakes In Paradise - Garden of Eden (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnhBPkjEtN4) One of the better voices around the place Stefan Berggren and his band - he later also joined Company of Snakes with Moody/Marsden from the old Whitesnake
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Kiske is awesome!
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Kiske is awesome!
Hell fuc#ing YES!!
The Keepers albums are not overrated. They are Vocal Tour De Forces.
And that Place Vendome album is great!!
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Great album, no doubt. But PC 69 are awesome. I actually prefer their singer (David Redman not Andi Deris - yuk) to Kiske. I was never a huge Helloween fan at all and have only got into them in the last 3 years or so - and I love the Keepers albums, but Dark Ride is possibly my favourite.
PV is an excellent melodic rock album. Good call.
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The first PV is incredible. The second was a bit of a disappointment. When I saw this as an entry, I knew Tim would be in here pretty quick with his man-love for Michael. :biggrin: I also agree the Keepers albums are over-rated... I've tried, but they just don't click for me, and if that's the best that Helloween has to offer, well, guess I'll just take a pass. I love Kiske outside of Helloween though, maybe I just fell his voice is perfectly suited for a more melodic sound as opposed to power metal? I dunno.
Never did get into Annihilitor, and I doubt I will. Tried a few tracks.... meh.
With a Lowdz recommendation, guess I need to check out China.
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The first PV is incredible. The second was a bit of a disappointment. When I saw this as an entry, I knew Tim would be in here pretty quick with his man-love for Michael. :biggrin: I also agree the Keepers albums are over-rated... I've tried, but they just don't click for me, and if that's the best that Helloween has to offer, well, guess I'll just take a pass. I love Kiske outside of Helloween though, maybe I just fell his voice is perfectly suited for a more melodic sound as opposed to power metal? I dunno.
Never did get into Annihilitor, and I doubt I will. Tried a few tracks.... meh.
With a Lowdz recommendation, guess I need to check out China.
I'll make it easy for you :biggrin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJjzjpLWN7Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VS68hX6e0A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Hbi_sTdh_g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsQvpenI5iw
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FWIW:
- I agree that almost anything with Kiske is a vocal tour de force , I just don't think the Keepers songs are that great, with the odd exception. i'm glad Chad agreed with me - one more than I expected :neverusethis: I'm a bit the same with Gamma Ray (I love Heading For Tomorrow - the song -for example, but find I don't connect with most of their stuff) so I think it's more a Kai Hansen thing. I haven't got around to the most recent few Helloween discs but I was enjoying Master of the Rings back in the day before a mate nicked it and didn't return it , didn't like Time of the Oath , loved the 2nd half of The Dark Ride but not as much the first. So Helloween are very hit and miss with me , but I do really like them when a song does gel. If Notepad pops in for this discussion I might need tear gas and water cannons. :o
- Andi Deris - yuk
but Dark Ride is possibly my favourite.
To quote one of Australia's dumbest ever politicians - "Please explain " ;D
I also like Readman era PC69 Paul and I'm still tossing up whether they get an HM - having said that I found they got a bit same-ish after a while. The peak for me is Electrified/Sonic Dynamite , which both got a lot of airtime with me.
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When I saw this as an entry, I knew Tim would be in here pretty quick with his man-love for Michael. :biggrin:
:metal
FWIW:
- I agree that almost anything with Kiske is a vocal tour de force , I just don't think the Keepers songs are that great,
I'm Alive
Future World
Keeper Of The Seven Keys
Halloween
We Got The Right
Eagle Fly Free
March Of Time
You Always Walk Alone
A Little Time
Twilight Of the Gods
Would all like to have a word with you.
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OK TAC - but they'll need to make an appointment :P It might be a while too as I give priority to new applicants rather than those I've already interviewed and rejected many years ago. ;D
I will give them another listen but I would be amazed if my opinion has changed years later on music that , for the most part, I didn't rate at all . I'll let you know if I have some sort of epiphany.
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I just don't love Deris' voice, but its not enough to ruin The Dark Ride. I'm more likely to reach for that over the other albums. I do quite like some of Pink Bubbles too but it does suffer from that crazy German "humour". So I'm not a typical Helloween fan. :biggrin:
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The one Kiske era track I regularly play is Mankind (off Pink Bubbles) - if they were ever going to produce an album that really grabbed me that would've been it because I love that style but unfortunately the album was too "out there" and very patchy.
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OK TAC - but they'll need to make an appointment :P It might be a while too as I give priority to new applicants rather than those I've already interviewed and rejected many years ago. ;D
I will give them another listen but I would be amazed if my opinion has changed years later on music that , for the most part, I didn't rate at all . I'll let you know if I have some sort of epiphany.
What's funny is that Mankind is one of my least faves off of Pink Bubbles.
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I suppose it makes sense TAC given our wildly diverging views on the quality of the Keepers stuff ........and Savatage .... and ;D But just to highlight that great minds do still think alike at times I have an album coming up in the next few updates that was not only in your Top 50 but in exactly the same position .
Anyway............back to it
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#42 Riverdogs: Riverdogs
Released 1990
Tracks
1. Whisper
2. Toy Soldier
3. Big House
4. Holy War
5. Baby Blue
6. I Believe
7. Water from the Moon
8. Rain-Rain
9. Spooky
10 America
Here we have yet another qualty rock album from the early 90’s that came and went with barely a whimper. It’s a much more mature, stripped back bluesy rock than most of the stuff making waves at the time – not too many huge choruses to be found – but it’s certainly very well written and performed. I don't listen to it all that often these days but when I feel like something a bit more "rootsy"/bluesy then it's near the top of the go-to list.
The lyrics and music (mostly written by Lamothe) are rather dark at times - often to do with the futility of war or war vet stories - but very well done . The vocal delivery is powerful and soulful and Viv Campbell puts in what is in my opinion his most tasteful performance as a guitarist with some very nice, well targetted soloing… Top session drummer Mike Baird is behind the kit and there’s a cameo on keys by Kevin Gilbert on the song “America.” Most of the songs sound as if they were originally intended to be more semi-acoustic and the arrival of Campbell gave the music the kick in the ass that takes them into a more rock kinda territory. It's not what I'd necessarily call an immediate album but something that will possibly work its way into your playlist over time.
The actions of Viv indicate he expected big things from the project too – he was originally just intending to produce the band’s demos but threw away his position with Whitesnake to hook up with these guys full time and has stated on more than one occasion that this album is his proudest achievement.
The band got together on and off over the years but effectively disbanded shortly after the album’s release (and flop). Viv was moved by their label (Epic) across to the Shadow King project which I have featured below as an honourable mention. If like me you love Lou Gramm's voice , especially when rocking a bit , then that's definitely worth a listen.
Favourite Tracks: Water From The Moon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SirBGd7uhGU), Holy War (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p8XIIPe4T4) , Whisper (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZfZN5FnoDs&feature=kp), Spooky (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KuSbr53vZ0)
Honourable Mention: Shadow King - s/t (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Uj0SZQvi7Y) .......as mentioned above Lou Gramm rocking out a bit more than he did in Foreigner with Viv on guitar. Another very short lived project.
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Had a listen, found it very enjoyable. Vocally, reminded me a lot of Coverdale as well.
Who recommended the Shadow King recently? Was it you in the AOR thread? I know I checked them out, and put 'em on the list. Really dug them.
China... very enjoyable as well. Can't find much on them on the interwebz. Vocally, reminded me a lot of Toby Hitchcock.
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i believe I recommended Shadow King to Big Hath in the melodic rock/AOR thread when he ran one of his suggestathons :D
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i believe I recommended Shadow King to Big Hath in the melodic rock thread when he ran one of his suggestathons :D
that was it. Another album that is now making frequent appearances in the rotation.
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i believe I recommended Shadow King to Big Hath in the melodic rock thread when he ran one of his suggestathons :D
that was it. Another album that is now making frequent appearances in the rotation.
Ok, that's it. I bookmarked that post (and the PM you sent me Brent), and finally made my way through those recommendations a few weeks back. That's why it's so fresh in my mind. I was loving that one.
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(https://s23.postimg.org/t5pgl4t4n/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/t5pgl4t4n/)
#41 Symphony X : The Divine Wings of Tragedy
Released March 1997
tracks
1. Of Sins and Shadows 04:58
2. Sea of Lies 04:19
3. Out of the Ashes 03:40
4. The Accolade 09:51
5. Pharaoh 05:29
6. The Eyes of Medusa 05:26
7. The Witching Hour 04:15
8. The Divine Wings of Tragedy 20:43
9. Candlelight Fantasia 06:45
Truly one of the classic albums in the prog metal space, this is everything it should be : epic and beautiful , yet brutally powerful. Nobody here needs to be introduced to mobster extraordinaire Russell Allen so I won’t bother other than to say he’s in peak form here – the rest of the band are spot on too and on songs like Eyes of Medusa guitarist Michael Romeo just about redefines the meaning of the word “crunch”.
I like parts of many SX albums – everything from Twilight In Olympus, Odyssey to Paradise Lost, but for me DWOT is where they really nailed it across the vast majority of an album. If I had to be picky songs like Out Of The Ashes, Pharoah and The Witching Hour don’t hold my attention as much as the more epic tunes. I have no issue listening to this from start to finish and it contains a few of the most magical metal toons ever written in the way of The Accolade, Eyes of Medusa, Of Sins and Shadows etc…..
Favourites: The Accolade (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr4gPS0gpdE), The Eyes Of Medusa (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zwgI6_kw0w), Of Sins and Shadows (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzU2W5Zsra8&feature=kp)
Honourable Mention: Y&T - Ten (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwaUNZQ5k8E)
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An excellent choice! I'll take the Odyssey over it, but only by a slim margin.
Y&T... like Stryper, I love them every time I listen to them, but don't have anything in my library from them. Another act that just slipped by me.
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been out for a few days but looking really good here;
Noiseworks deserves more attention, they were an amazing rock band and that album is killer.
I have a digital copy of that Red Dawn and it's excellent.
Love taht Annihilator.
That first Place Vendome album is melodic rock heaven.
Symphony X is of course classic.
Don't know Riverdogs but love Campbell so I should fix that.
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Besides the debut, you cant go wrong with any Symphony X. This one is a classic
Y&T is a very underrated band.
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I'm not a huge Sym X guy but Divine Wings is definitely my fave from them.
Like the Y&T mention but for Ten???
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I'm not a huge Sym X guy but Divine Wings is definitely my fave from them.
Like the Y&T mention but for Ten???
Pound for pound Ten is probably my favourite Y&T album. Think I put Mean Streak in my top 50? Love Ten though. And after a couple of less awesome albums (Contagious was downright shit!) it was a welcome return to form.
The SX is fine. They lack melody for me but they're ok.
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Yeah, Ten would be my fav from them too.
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Good to see you back Kade - I needed you a couple of days back when I was copping it re Noiseworks ;D
Re Y&T I obviously agree with you guys that Ten is their most consistent. I love Meniketti but the best I can do with the old albums is make a cracking compilation from them - just a couple of tracks from each float my boat. I linked to the track Surrender but I think Red hot & Ready is probably the track that brings back the memories for me - must've got plenty of airplay.
Anyway..................here's how we stand after the first ten in the Top 50.
#50 : Shy-Shy
#49: Vanden Plas- Colour Temple
#48: Icon: Night of the Crime
#47: Pink Floyd: A Momentary Lapse of Reason
#46: Noiseworks-Noiseworks
#45: Red Dawn-Never Say Surrender
#44: Annihilator-Never Neverland
#43: Place Vendome-Place Vendome
#42: Riverdogs-Riverdogs
#41; Symphony X - The Divine Wings of Tragedy
And on to #40
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#40 Armored Saint: Symbol of Salvation
Released: May 1991
Tracks
1. Reign of Fire 03:57
2. Dropping Like Flies 04:39
3. Last Train Home 05:19
4. Tribal Dance 04:07
5. The Truth Always Hurts 04:20
6. Half Drawn Bridge 01:26 instrumental
7. Another Day 05:32
8. Symbol of Salvation 04:36
9. Hanging Judge 03:45
10. Warzone 03:38
11. Burning Question 04:18
12. Tainted Past 07:04
13. Spineless 04:19
Good old 1991 -1992 ……..and another classic. Speaking of “classic” , very few metal bands were playing this classic style by the time the 90’s came around….a refreshing “nod to the old school”. So count me very pissed off when Armored Saint called it quits after this fantastic album – John Bush IMO was far more suited to this style than Anthrax and is/was one of the best metal singers ever.
Sadly (aside from very minor parts rescued from demo tapes on Tainted Past) the album did not feature Dave Prichard who passed away from leukemia just prior to recording – he did play a large part in the writing of many of the best songs , including full credit for Reign of Fire – one of my all time favourites. He was replaced by Phil Sandoval – ex member and brother of drummer Gonzo. This , like the Shy album ,is a great example of triumph in adversity because it certainly brought out the best in them.
The last track Spineless is appropriately named as it’s pretty weak , but the rest is catchy, melodic, heavy metal –just the way I like it. All in all ,this thing rocks from start to finish and is the crowning achievement of this band (one of the most under rated ever) and John Bush. The fact that bands such as Anthrax and Fates Warning pounced on band members also speaks volumes.
Metallica’s “black album” swamped just about every other metal release in 1991 but I know what I’d be listening to if given the choice. (I do like TBA btw)
Favourite Tracks: Reign of Fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEyFqO6R7og), Tainted Past (https://youtu.be/i1ZvuGFPPP8) , Burning Question (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D21dQ67vitg), Symbol of Salvation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlOiwEcJk8I)
Honourable Mention: Lionsheart- Lionsheart . (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soC2yKB6r00) These guys made 3 good albums but I've gone for the debut mainly because of the linked track (Portrait) which is a big fave with me and one of the biggest guitar sounds ever laid down. It's based on the Dorian Gray story.
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Armored Saint is one of the most underrated metal bands ever. This, along with March of the Saint, are my favorites from the band. But all of their releases are awesome.
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Think I put Mean Streak in my top 50?
#23
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Think I put Mean Streak in my top 50?
#23
:tup
Thanks Stato! :biggrin:
That Armored Saint passed me by back in the day but was (I think) a TAC recommendation which proved to be excellent.
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Good to see you back Kade - I needed you a couple of days back when I was copping it re Noiseworks ;D
Bastards, just went back and read their posts. *shakes fist*
Paul and Chad, you guys should check out a couple of songs, it's actually really great stuff.
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Know of Armoured Saint, but don't know anything by them. Another obscure band (relatively speaking) that didn't get any airtime up here, so I never latched on to them. Will listen.
I'm pleasantly surprised that I'm 4/10 on the first batch of albums. I'm predicting I'll finish in the low/mid-20s.
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This is the only VP album I don't have.
I fixed this problem on the weekend.
I'm 6/10.
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Good old 1991 -1992 ……..and another classic. Speaking of “classic” , very few metal bands were playing this classic style by the time the 90’s came around….a refreshing “nod to the old school”. So count me very pissed off when Armored Saint called it quits after this fantastic album – John Bush IMO was far more suited to this style than Anthrax and is/was one of the best metal singers ever.
Sadly (aside from very minor parts rescued from demo tapes on Tainted Past) the album did not feature Dave Prichard who passed away from leukemia just prior to recording – he did play a large part in the writing of many of the best songs , including full credit for Reign of Fire – one of my all time favourites. He was replaced by Phil Sandoval – ex member and brother of drummer Gonzo. This , like the Shy album ,is a great example of triumph in adversity because it certainly brought out the best in them.
Hell YES!! :metal
Just listened to Raising Fear last night.
One of the greatest live bands I've ever seen. The amount of energy emanating from John Bush is unbelievable. The guy is a one man nuclear reactor on stage. Shame about Dave. The guy was fuc#ing very cool. Saw them a bunch of times back in the day including twice on this tour.
But most memorable was the last time with Dave. Jeff Duncan was already in the band and they played reign Of Fire and Spineless. So at least I got to see him perform a couple of the SOS tracks. And Gonzo was the heaviest drummer I've ever seen. Standing not far from his kit, you could feel the ground shake and my chest thump.
SOS made the TAC Top 50 too. I freaking love this album. This is one of those albums where a band goes "next level". We were talking about how cool Blackie sounds in the other thread yesterday, but John Bush has such a unique voice and delivery. Not to mention the fact that he's a GREAT lyricist.
The opening verse to Tainted past is one of my favorite lyrics ever:
"The cynical view that has been taken
Is blowing my mind
I can't seem to piece it all together
I guess it takes time to unwind
To let the dust settle
And let cooler heads prevail"
Here's a shot of John on top of a stack at the Living Room in Providence. I believe they are playing NIB when I took this pic.
(https://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z246/TACPics/JB1.jpg) (https://s195.photobucket.com/user/TACPics/media/JB1.jpg.html)
Various shots taken 1988-1989
(https://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z246/TACPics/AS1.jpg) (https://s195.photobucket.com/user/TACPics/media/AS1.jpg.html)
(https://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z246/TACPics/AS2.jpg) (https://s195.photobucket.com/user/TACPics/media/AS2.jpg.html)
(https://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z246/TACPics/AS3.jpg) (https://s195.photobucket.com/user/TACPics/media/AS3.jpg.html)
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Just had a spin of SoS. Really really nice. Given how much I'm likely to be wow'd by your list, I'll file this one away as a 'maybe'. Shy and Red Dawn are already purchase-worthy, so I gotta pace myself, or I'll be putting up another huge list in the 'rate my haul' thread in a month. My iPhone already requires some deft management to get the songs on there I want, and my 120GB iPod is almost full.
Now on to Lionsheart.
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I own 7/10, have heard 9/10 and love 5/10. In your eyes, in your mind, I'm 2/7 :biggrin:
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Lionsheart was fabulous!! Fabulous early 90s melodic metal. Sounded like a harder/edgier version of Great White. Can't put my finger on what vocalist (maybe Jack Russell?) he sounds like, but I loved it.
That's all. Carry on.
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Missed the Lionsheart link. I've got that cd buried in the attic somewhere. Totally forgotten about it but seem to remember i liked it. Vocals a bit metal Coverdale-ish?
Going to have to look for it at the weekend. Got to sort my attic out to make it easier too. Bloody kids - life was so much easier :biggrin:
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Missed the Lionsheart link. I've got that cd buried in the attic somewhere. Totally forgotten about it but seem to remember i liked it. Vocals a bit metal Coverdale-ish?
Going to have to look for it at the weekend. Got to sort my attic out to make it easier too. Bloody kids - life was so much easier :biggrin:
Or you could just do this - https://grooveshark.com/#!/album/Lionsheart/6703255
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Missed the Lionsheart link. I've got that cd buried in the attic somewhere. Totally forgotten about it but seem to remember i liked it. Vocals a bit metal Coverdale-ish?
Going to have to look for it at the weekend. Got to sort my attic out to make it easier too. Bloody kids - life was so much easier :biggrin:
Or you could just do this - https://grooveshark.com/#!/album/Lionsheart/6703255
Can't do that inn the car though, and that's where most of my listening is done these days. And I get paid for it :biggrin:
Good album though - just been listening on Youtube. Listened to some Grim Reaper and Onslaught too. Lionsheart is the best though.
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I own 7/10, have heard 9/10 and love 5/10. In your eyes, in your mind, I'm 2/7 :biggrin:
Fuck yeah, great post.
Age of the Joker has actually grown on me and I actually spin it quite regulary.
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Good to see the discussion (and cool photos) that Armored Saint/Lionsheart generated. Apologies for a short break in transmission - my body is doing its best to slow me down at the moment. Apparently it doesn't like a 75 hr working week on minimal sleep while rehabbing mutiple leg fractures and has now thrown migraines at me. So I've taken the hint and slacked off a bit the last 24 hrs.
The first Lionsheart album is probably the best known but the rarely mentioned 2nd (Pride In Tact) and 3rd (Under Fire) have some great songs too , although nothing quite as huge as Portrait - Under Fire features the guitarist from Tyketto (Brooke) going a bit more hard rock.
Here's a couple of samples from each album
Deja Vu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbQoacaLc_Q
Gods of War (from Pride In Tact) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXgvtMz8rjA
Devils Train https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUQScLV6JT0
Let The Children Play (from Under Fire) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg5kJrK8B_M
I'm going to spend the day today listening to my current #39 artist to be sure, to be sure. Update later today.
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Hey Brent tried to send you a PM, but box is full
Sorry to hear about your injuries; hope things get better soon
Just want to pass along thanks for mentioning Night of the Crime. I bought it and its an outstanding release; one of the best melodic rock discs I've heard.
I still think their debut is one of the best pure metal releases of the 80s; what did you think of that one? Jason
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Thanks Jason - I enjoy introducing people to good music (as if you can't tell) so I'm glad you liked it and yeah - the Icon is pretty iconic ;D I definitely liked the debut but didn't think it was quite in the same class as Night Of The Crime. Quite different albums though,huh? As I mentioned in my review there's also some good stuff on their later albums with the different singer.
Here's a couple of samples from the albums as mentioned in my write up:
Holy Man's War (from Right Between The Eyes- more hard rock) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Oa2WulzylI - note the cameo by Alice Cooper .
Far Cry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ajm5StR3VM
Eyes Of a Prisoner (from An Even More Perfect Union - more AOR) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcfdkNdUnDc
Both of those discs cost me a small fortune back in the day.
Given the criteria I laid out (most influential albums/artists) I expect all you guys to know most of the albums as we get deeper into it - although I still have a couple of tricks up my sleeve in the top 50. Most of the rare stuff , now that we're through the runners up , will be melodic rock and in the HM's. I'm slowly killing off my chances of ever winning a roulette with you guys ;D
Mail box is clear now (sorry) - 25 messages isn't much of a capacity and it can fill up before you know it.
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I'm slowly killing off my chances of ever winning a roulette with you guys ;D
Mail box is clear now (sorry) - 25 messages isn't much of a capacity and it can fill up before you know it.
Unlikely given this quote:
3000+ albums from 1300+ artists spanning mid 70’s to current (the majority of which I rate highly)
Mail box is clear now (sorry) - 25 messages isn't much of a capacity and it can fill up before you know it.
I don't think it's necessarily the number of messages, but the size of them - unless XJ changed the limits for new members. I've got 99 messages, and only 66% full.
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I'm at 148 messages, 98.7% full, because I'm lazy and only clear them out when I need to. That's consistent with jingle's figure for a limit of 150, not 25.
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You guys are both Alumni though, probably why you have huge inboxes. I only have room for 50.
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I didn't even realize it wasn't consistent for all user groups. That would make sense.
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I'm at 148 messages, 98.7% full, because I'm lazy and only clear them out when I need to. That's consistent with jingle's figure for a limit of 150, not 25.
You are not lazy my friend. I do know what you are though. :biggrin:
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My limit is 25 messages too, and I've been around a couple of years. Didn't realise you bad boys had massive boxes.
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Well, there's a thread you can post in (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=786.0) to get into a usergroup based on when you joined, you just have to reply to it and then wait a really long time. The one I'm in has basically no requirement, anyone can get into it, so at the very least you guys could double your PM limit. Perhaps more if you are entitled to be in a higher group.
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Well, there's a thread you can post in (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=786.0) to get into a usergroup based on when you joined, you just have to reply to it and then wait a really long time. The one I'm in has basically no requirement, anyone can get into it, so at the very least you guys could double your PM limit. Perhaps more if you are entitled to be in a higher group.
Thanks man.
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(https://s13.postimg.org/o13twfxib/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/o13twfxib/)
#39 Bon Jovi : Slippery When Wet
Released: August 1986
Track listing
1. "Let It Rock" 5:27
2. "You Give Love a Bad Name" 3:42
3. "Livin' on a Prayer" 4:09
4. "Social Disease" 4:18
5. "Wanted Dead or Alive" 5:08
6. "Raise Your Hands" 4:16
7. "Without Love" 3:30
8. "I'd Die for You" 4:30
9. "Never Say Goodbye" 4:48
10. "Wild in the Streets" 3:54
I’ve spent a lot of time – for the first time in many years- listening to the first four Bon Jovi albums over the last day or two. Firstly to decide which album gets priority and second , whether I want to leave them in the Top 50 at all. Mention of their name these days induces a rolling of the eyes and various less than complimentary adjectives cross my mind. There’s various reasons for that but 20+ years of releasing crap and the distinct impression that I’d want to knock JBJ’s dentures out the back of his scone if I got to know him are a good start.
Unfortunately if I banned every tosser who had been releasing crap for the last 20 years……..well.
(https://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/88957265/Geoff+Tates+Queensrche+Cabaret.jpg)
As I listened to these albums a few things became clear:
- Based on the criteria I set out they deserve their spot , probably higher – but I feel better with them down here :laugh:
- Tico Torres is a better than average rock drummer
- Despite many of my favourite tracks being on the debut and New Jersey , SWW is by far the most influential in my life and the most consistent….and Bad Medicine has too much cringe factor..
- The key to the Bon Jovi music I like is that Richie Sambora was just as prominent in the music as JBJ – I’d almost forgotten the degree to which he’s all over these albums with his pick slides, harmonics, artificial harmonics and whammy bar work etc…….and how important that was to the music for me. The minute he became part of the backing band for JBJ’s corporate country rock housewife crap is when I switched off. So I basically have nil interest in anything post New Jersey.
Half of the members of the forum here probably weren’t even born the last time Bon Jovi rocked , but “Slippery” really was a big part of the soundtrack of my childhood and spawned a number of massive singles – Livin On A prayer, You Give Love A Bad Name , Wanted Dead or Alive. Without Love, Never Say Goodbye.
It’s hard to think of too many other rock albums that were so huge for so long – it set all kinds of records including “first rock album to feature three top 10 singles” and “first rock album to chart #1 with a #1 single concurrently” . It’s also hard to believe that Polydor had told them that this album was their absolute last chance – big singles or you’re gone. I recall Bruce Springsteen labelling them a “5 minute wonder” around this time too.
I think Bon Jovi on the New Jersey tour (supported by Roxus) was also my first gig which adds some sentimental value - either that or Satriani Flying In A Blue Dream tour which were both 1989. This live recording of Runaway (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic9Syojekb8#t=96) in the mid 80's is a good timestamp on the Bon Jovi that I enjoyed. To make the write up more appealing I’ve used the original cover art too ;D - it was actually released in Japan that way .
Favourite Tracks: Raise Your Hands, Let It Rock , Living On A Prayer, Wanted Dead or Alive, Wild In The Streets (no links - sure everyone knows them whether they like em or not)
Honourable Mention: White Lion-Pride (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cQiLnjg4LU): talking of bands where the guitarist just gets them over the line with me. Vito :hefdaddy I like a few tracks off each album - right back to All The Fallen Men off Fight To Survive - but Pride seems their most consistent. Never made a truly great album IMO.
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I wore out my SWW album that I had to get a second album. :lol so many great tunes.
Also Pride is a killer album.
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Bon Jovi is too chick rock for me. I can tolerate the songs from the first few albums on the radio, but would never get any of their discs; especially the new tripe.
White Lion never did much for me.
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Their last 3 albums are boring city. I can't listen to them.
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I gave up after Keep The Faith. Good update Brent. SWW made my top 50 too. I heard Wanted DOA on the radio the other day, and man ... DAT SOLO!!! :hefdaddy
Totally agree with everything you said about Pride. Vito was so under-rated, and Tramp had a great voice. But they always had 2-4 "filler" sings on every album. For every Lady of the Valley, we had to endure a track like All Join Our Hands :facepalm:. Pride is as close as they came to greatness ... Though I do like the other two as well. I think I tried their 2008 reboot, but can't remember anything about it since the only thing that was White Lion about it was Tramp.
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I love SWW, and Pride is good too, although Mane Attraction has always been my most listened to of theirs.
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I gave up after Keep The Faith. Good update Brent. SWW made my top 50 too. I heard Wanted DOA on the radio the other day, and man ... DAT SOLO!!! :hefdaddy
Totally agree with everything you said about Pride. Vito was so under-rated, and Tramp had a great voice. But they always had 2-4 "filler" sings on every album. For every Lady of the Valley, we had to endure a track like All Join Our Hands :facepalm:. Pride is as close as they came to greatness ... Though I do like the other two as well. I think I tried their 2008 reboot, but can't remember anything about it since the only thing that was White Lion about it was Tramp.
Don't forget WL's debut Fight To Survive (that was one of the old tapes in the fogey thread) - it's very raw but All The Fallen Men (https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/All+The+Fallen+Men/3ik8LU?src=5)(nice riff!) and El Salvador were faves way back when.
I totally agree re the solo in Wanted Dead or Alive. When I was teaching guitar I used that solo as an example of using artificial harmonics to enhance a solo. Very cool :tup
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As a good poser, I've only heard It's My Life and really liked it. I even remember getting The Circle and enjoying it quite a bit. But it's been years since I heard both! Will re-listen them, just for old times' sake.
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I really can't stand Bon Jovi.
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No argument from me. At the time they were awesome, and there was hot chicks at the gigs! :heart
I was a fan from first hearing the Runaway single. New Jersey made my top 50 and is an awesome melodic rock album. This one is shorter and more to the point and saved them after the poor 7800 degrees.
The only decent album they released after New Jersey was Have A Nice Day and there have been some stinking turds along the way. Jumping on the coun try bandwagon was one thing but Coldplay? No thanks.
And I don't buy the Richie is a rocker thing because 2 of hhis 3 solo albums have been snoozefests. He's the best singer in the band though.
Love your Honourable Mention. Loved White Lion back in the day. Pride is their best, then Mane Attraction. The rest are patchy at best. Vito Bratta was an excellent EVH clone. I miss his playing and songwriting.
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SWW is good. Undoubtedly a classic of the era. Have to say that I prefer New Jersey though. Some of the later songs on SWW just don't cut it for me. They are the only tow Bon Jovi albums that I ever listen to.
Have to get around to listening to Pride one of these days. I enjoyed Mane Attraction.
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Great write up on Bon Jovi, B!
Definitely a soundtrack to a lot of my teenage years as well. Not that they were a favorite, but that you couldn't escape them. Saw them many times in the 80's, most notably as openers for Scorpions in 1984. They put on such a great show, I bought their debut the next day.
Wasn't into 7800 but SWW was pretty solid. I do favor New Jersey by a mile though.
Bon Jovi always put on a hell of a show. And really, the music was decent enough. As mentioned above, Richie was vastly underrated. The guy was a machine. All of the BJ guys seemed like likeable dudes (except for Alec John Such!).
Tico Torres was VERY solid.
And you're right about them being influential. I rank SWW as one of the most influential rock albums...ever. Obviously the Hair Metal movement was well underway before Bon Jovi, but none of what happened in the last half of the 80's happens without the success of SWW. It totally blew up the scene, and as evidenced by your Honorable Mention, do we even hear of White Lion without Bon Jovi?
And to tie the Armored Saint and Bon Jovi picks together, here is a shot taken sometime in 1988. Me and John Bush, and YES, that is a SWW tour shirt!
As you can see, a little too much :hat going on at the time. :lol
(https://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z246/TACPics/JB.jpg) (https://s195.photobucket.com/user/TACPics/media/JB.jpg.html)
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SWW is good. Undoubtedly a classic of the era. Have to say that I prefer New Jersey though. Some of the later songs on SWW just don't cut it for me. They are the only tow Bon Jovi albums that I ever listen to.
Have to get around to listening to Pride one of these days. I enjoyed Mane Attraction.
The first half of SWW is definitely stronger, although I still like most of it. The stuff I like on New Jersey is all at the start, so I feel the same way about that album as you do about SWW. Between those two albums though, that's a lot of good music. Never much got into Bon Jovi before or after those two albums.
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at the Metal Church :metal :metal It took me a while to get this up as the tied decision was made late and I had to re-write the lot. I now think that maybe they should've been ranked higher but we're talking top of the class for anything inside the top 50 and differences are fractional here , so I didn't bother moving it.
(https://s18.postimg.org/uj6wh0agl/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/uj6wh0agl/)(https://s21.postimg.org/7jz5vf7f7/bid.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/7jz5vf7f7/)
#38 (TIE) Metal Church: Hanging In The Balance/Blessing In Disguise
Released 1993/1989
I struggled to declare a winner here , so a tie it is.
Like Armored Saint, Metal Church are one of the most underrated metal bands ever. They almost seemed to be stuck in no man’s land between the classic metal of bands like Armored Saint/Vicious Rumors and the Big 4 of thrash and perhaps as a result they failed to cement the fanbase they deserved within either camp. To me though this mix was just perfect – classic metal with thrashy elements, big catchy melodies etc…
I grew up during the Howe era of the band and so , although I do like the Wayne albums too, working my way back to those early albums was a little underwhelming after experiencing the pure power and ferocity of Howe. My first exposure to the band was Blessing In Disguise which contains two of my all time best metal songs – Fake Healer and Badlands. Fake Healer is for me the quintessential Metal Church song – it contains all the classic Metal church elements that I love . A big metal sound , huge riff , a typically well written Vanderhoof lyric containing a cutting/sarcastic social commentary and the powerful, venomous vocal delivery of Howe makes you believe it!! Angry has never sounded so catchy as Metal Church. I rarely take a great deal of notice of lyrics but Metal Church have some classics and this is surely one of them – serious and funny at the same time. For this reason they were often labelled “thinking man’s metal” and I wouldn’t argue with that at all. And just in case you think I’m exaggerating their intelligence - they rejected Lars Ulrich as drummer back in 1981. ;D Their only weakness from my point of view is a lack of top notch lead guitar work.
So Blessing In Disguise was a big influence , has a great metal production and contains 3 of my all time favourite songs (I’ll add in Anthem To The Estranged). But it does tail off a bit at the end and over time, like many of the few who’ve actually heard it , the final Howe fronted album Hanging In the Balance has become my overall favourite. Although to some it may not quite have the highs of Blessing In Disguise there’s barely a weak track in site and it is a far more diverse and well written album as a whole. And as with many albums in this list – right place, wrong time for the band.
First the elephant in the room ,in more ways than one – whoever designed the cover art for this album needs to be shot (twice to be sure). This was an album released right into the teeth of the grunge storm and it really needed everything going for it and they do that?? They obviously missed the marketing of their old label Elektra – this was released on Joan Jett’s label Blackheart Records and I’m not sure that metal was their forte. Having said that they got it right in the production department with Paul O’Neill (Savatage/TSO) on board and it’s clear that he pushed them out of their comfort zone and into some much more progressive areas. The only negative from me is that the guitar sound lacks the balls of Blessing In Disguise. Kirk Arrington is a strong presence on the drums with his distinct cymbal heavy sound.
The songs are tremendous and really push the boundaries of classic metal. There’s certainly plenty of straight out metal songs (6 or 7 ,all of which are strong, even the bonus track) but then there’s the huge metal ballad Waiting For A Saviour, the thrash of Conductor , the folk metal of End Of The Age (ahead of its time) and the 8 minute long thrashy progressive metal of Little Boy – not a song about The King of Pop but a clever look from the eyes of a “little boy” in Japan at the events around the Hiroshima bomb (which was also known as “Little Boy”).
My favourite tracks on Blessing In Disguise are clear as day but I don’t know where to start with Hanging In The Balance as far as choosing favourites or a few tracks to represent the album , which is always a good sign.
Favourite Tracks:
Blessing In Disguise: Fake Healer, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MZfNOUji-I&feature=kp) Badlands (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTKo0oB_OCk), Anthem To The Estranged (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYWbMZASpFU)
Hanging In The Balance : Gods of Second Chance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09WQmhBdxZc), No Friend of Mine (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3vlCXbqZvs), Waiting For A Saviour (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwd6MHmqWhM), Conductor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp0WgKU93Zk), End of the Age (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D109HYXx3s), Little Boy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vWhMawmVZw)
That’s a minimum 7 (of 12) tracks to provide a cross section of Hanging In The Balance – all as good as each other in their own way.
Trivia: Hanging In The Balance features Jerry Cantrell on lead guitar on the opening track.
if anyone likes the Metal Church then the other Howe era album The Human Factor is also worth a listen , if only for the title track and In Harms Way , both of which are metal classics.
Honourable Mention: GNR: Appetite for Destruction – very close to making the top 50 but suffered from over exposure in the end.. No links.
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I'm looking forward to going to church for once.
Appetite ... What needs to be said. Classic metal without a doubt. Made my top 50. I'm not sure anything has displaced it as the best selling debut of all time?
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I can't recall if I've heard any Metal Church before, but I haven't heard the albums.
And putting one of the greatest hard rock album of all time as an honourable mention? Tsk tsk!
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Appetite is pure classic.
Badlands is an awesome tune and easily my favorite from what Ive heard from Metal Church
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Hmm. NOt heard much MC but haven't been at all impressed with what I have heard.
AFD - Loved it then came to hate it due to overexposure, and having not listened to it in a decade and more I love it again. Their only album worth playing, though Chinese Democracy wasn't awful.
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Two great Metal Church albums, especially Hanging In the Balance. Don't forget the great The Human Factor. All three of the Mike Howe albums are terrific!
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I have quite a few Metal Church albums and they are all really solid. Blessing in Disguise would easily be my fav though, amazing metal record.
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Two great Metal Church albums, especially Hanging In the Balance. Don't forget the great The Human Factor. All three of the Mike Howe albums are terrific!
I did squeeze a little note about The Human Factor in at the bottom. Just a bit more filler than the others IMO but I like most of the stuff with Howe - just a great, passionate old school metal vocalist. There's really only a couple I rate higher and none of them are from The Big 4.
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(https://s27.postimg.org/8y2nfaq3z/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/8y2nfaq3z/)
#37 Angra: Angels Cry
Released November 1993
Track listing
No. Title Music Length
1. "Unfinished Allegro" 1:15
2. "Carry On" 5:03
3. "Time" 5:54
4. "Angels Cry" 6:49
5. "Stand Away" 4:55
6. "Never Understand" 7:48
7. "Wuthering Heights" (Kate Bush Cover) 4:38
8. "Streets of Tomorrow" 5:03
9. "Evil Warning" 6:41
10. "Lasting Child 7.35
I. "The Parting Words"
II. "Renaissance""
Time to crack open the helium because we have Andre Matos on deck. Here’s a vocalist that I like most of the time and struggle a bit with at others , but the music here is so damn good I can live with it even when he grates a bit. This is one hell of a debut album - released in that 1992-1993 era when I was really into all these great new bands (incl. DT) and Angra were one of the prime movers in taking prog metal to a new level. Some class Angra as pure power metal but to me the depth of songwriting and musicianship is so much greater than a Helloween or Gamma Ray etc… that at the very least I’d call it power prog with more than a touch of neoclassical. The Brazilian sound is only present sporadically (mostly in Never Understand) , but would become a much more prominent element in the follow up Holy Land , which is rated higher by many. For me though , each album after the debut got just a bit less impressive.
All the players on this are fantastic , including bassist Mariutti ………..if I was to pick one part of this album to showcase the brilliance of these guys it would be the solo/breakdown section of Carry On . My jaw dropped when I first heard it and it was on constant replay – sounds like DT at their heaviest with the funky horn section of an Extreme tune. The full speed ahead drumathon that some power metal bands engage in is usually a big turn off to me but here it is used to good effect and the music around it is so damn good I barely notice anyway.. Talking of turn offs – I know many Angra fans love their version of Wuthering Heights but it’s not for me and contains a lot of what I don't like about Matos……..a few marks off just for that.
Overall though – one of the few albums of the genre that challenges Dream Theater for musicianship and compositional skill and quite possibly the best prog metal debut ever. Brilliant.
Favourite Tracks: Carry On (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn7y5ShTWWU&feature=kp) , Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT3uj5_7b6A&feature=kp) , Angels Cry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWN22crmHBQ) , Streets of Tomorrow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giGfuBp1Vlk), Evil Warning (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84Qe2NP4AbQ)
Honourable Mention: Westworld- Cyberdreams (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0hRAkyjC9c) - top notch melodic rock - quite progressive in parts - with talent from Riot, TNT and Danger Danger.
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Guess I need to give this a little more replay. I was always more impressed with the final Matos-era albums, and the early Edu era as well. The bookends of their first and last two albums are somewhat blecht for me. Fireworks-Rebirth-Temple is where it's at for my liking.
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Fair enough - I do like Fireworks but find the Edu albums patchy ...........a few faves on each album but nothing to compare to the debut as a whole album for me. I think a lot of weight goes to where we started sometimes - just seems to work out that way , even though it shouldn't make any difference objectively.
I think I'll get exactly the same response from you to my next update - great band, wrong era ;)
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I think a lot of weight goes to where we started sometimes - just seems to work out that way , even though it shouldn't make any difference objectively.
I hear ya. I'm totally guilty of that on with a LOT of artists.
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(https://s27.postimg.org/8y2nfaq3z/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/8y2nfaq3z/)
Fuck I love this album, it's amazing.
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Guess I need to give this a little more replay. I was always more impressed with the final Matos-era albums, and the early Edu era as well. The bookends of their first and last two albums are somewhat blecht for me. Fireworks-Rebirth-Temple is where it's at for my liking.
There are spreads of brilliance all through Angra's career IMO. I'm a pretty big fan of the Edu albums too, particaly AC, love the heaviness of it. Aqua is a grower and Temple is classic too. I'm a pretty big fan of Holy Land too.
EDIT: Forgot Rebirth, great discography from this band.
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Metal Church was so-so. I liked the middle section of Hanging in the Balance. Some songs were great, but some didn't work for me - got a little to close to the thrash sound that never really appealed to me.
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Back on track with Angra. I don't listen to them often, but when I do its always great. Fireworks is the most likely to get played, followed by Holy Land (the two I own). Someone had Temple Of Shadows in a top 50 and that's really great too.
Your honourable mention is fine - but I prefer the first one.
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(https://s24.postimg.org/gas1bquj5/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/gas1bquj5/)
#36 Elegy: Supremacy
Released 1994
Tracks
"Windows of the World" - 5:10
"Angel´s Grace" - 7:09
"Poisoned Hearts" - 5:26
"Lust for Life" - 5:21
"Anouk" (instrumental) - 1:53
"Circles in the Sand" - 4:42
"Darkest Night" - 4:10
"Close Your Eyes" - 0:39
"Supremacy" - 5:01
"Erase Me" - 7:27
Here we have another helium powered vocal and more power prog - and again .....one of the very few bands that have the huge intensity/speed in the guitar and drum work but still manage to maintain my attention with some nice variety and melody in their songwriting. They also usually manage to miraculously squeeze all the elements into a 5-6 minute song.
That this band wasn’t better recognised in prog metal circles is criminal – there’s barely a mention even on the internet and yet they really were right up there with the bands like DT , Symphony X and Angra that took prog metal onward and upward in the early 90’s Now these guys hail from the Netherlands and had all sorts of hard luck stories with labels etc (they had a worldwide deal inked with Polydor that was withdrawn at the last minute ….thanks Kurt) …..and never worked with the big budget production many others had .
As an example of where they were at even very early in the piece , here is a link to the rather poor "semi-live" video they self-produced for I'm No Fool (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1qGRJa-8bg) off their debut in 1992 – bear in mind that this was released at around the same time as Images and Words , so they didn’t have that template to work off like plenty of others that released albums in 1993-1994.. The songwriting and sounds are not as complex , consistently brilliant or lush as DT – I think the word is probably “intense” and it's pretty amazing, even though it's raw and the guys were very young . I actually think I may have bought that album on the same day as I&W and , even with that for competition, this got plenty of airtime and I was seriously impressed. Another of my favourite tracks off the debut for those interested: The Grand Change (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd4Cx4aMU98)
Henk van der Lars is a pretty crazy guitarist and when you add in some nice melodies and Ed Warby smashing the drums it’s a pretty imposing combo. The only polarizing thing is vocalist Eduard Hovinga (later in Prime Time etc...) who can be love/hate. Aside from the odd duff note I grew to like him , probably just a subconscious thing to allow me to listen to the music :). As is often the case with Euro bands with ESL the lyrics are laughable at times , but that’s allowed. The debut album really only garnered attention in Japan and at my joint. ;D
The album listed here is the second release Supremacy which is more even , a bit more catchy/accessible , better produced ……just a little bit more consistent overall. It’s also a lot more progressive with some power metal elements at times too. There’s even a nice ballad (Lust For Life). Unfortunately the last couple of tracks aren’t quite up to the standard set by the first seven but overall it’s a great album.
After three albums with Hovinga on vox they recruited Ian Parry (Vengeance, Consortium) and recorded a number of albums with him . I find most of the Parry albums rather up and down (plenty of favourites among plenty of dogs) , aside from the first one State of Mind which is much more consistent and which I would also recommend people check out. I really like State of Mind and Supremacy and this spot could've gone to either but I’ve given the nod to Supremacy as the first incarnation of the band influenced my music life quite a bit more .
Favourite Tracks: Angels Grace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKcIAmlFcFs) ,Circles In The Sand (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxntbNcafQ) (comes in very hard as an instrumental leads into it) , Windows of The World (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e17I1lFA-7c),Lust For Life (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNaMwmuimfQ), Poisoned Hearts (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72w1V8ZK750)
Honourable Mention: Sons of Angels: s/t (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5O0DKyuZGU)- good time rock with some nice guitar work. I don't know anyone else who really rates this much but I always really enjoyed it. I love the construction of the guitar solo on the linked track. One of the few I had on vinyl. Another to sample: Fly (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-5ZL9gymPg) They also had a minor hit with Cowgirl which isn't a big fave of mine.
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I only have the Parry fronted albums, but I think that all four of them are pretty good, with Forbidden Fruit being the best. I remember listening to the earlier three, and (perhaps because I really like Parry's vocals) though ... meh. Supremecy is on Grooveshark, so I might give it a spin to see if that's what I still think.
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I only have the Parry fronted albums, but I think that all four of them are pretty good, with Forbidden Fruit being the best. I remember listening to the earlier three, and (perhaps because I really like Parry's vocals) though ... meh. Supremecy is on Grooveshark, so I might give it a spin to see if that's what I still think.
Well I don't like the last couple of albums much :P ;D (Forbidden Fruit incl) and to be frank - to me Henk Van der Lars IS Elegy and those last two albums have one original member (the bassist). So aside from the fact I don't rate the music it's barely Elegy to me anyway. I tried but didn't like em and I thought it showed that Rondat was an instrumental guy and had never written with a band like this before. Having said that - from the Parry era I love State of Mind and there's some great stuff on Manifestation of Fear - also a few turds.
Note that the Grooveshark listing is missing the track Angels Grace which is one of the better tracks.
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Anotehr one to check out.
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I only checked out Elegy because of Parry, so (good or bad) I have no historical point as to what or who Elegy should be. Thanks for pointing out the missing track, I'll be sure to YT it.
Edit: not a bad album, but you're right... vocally it's not doing much for me. Perhaps it's because it's the debut, and the subsequent albums with Hovinga offer an improvement? Musically it was good - Warby is a beast of a drummer.
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#36 Elegy: Supremacy
Released 1994
Here we have another helium powered vocal and more power prog - and again .....one of the very few bands that have the huge intensity/speed in the guitar and drum work but still manage to maintain my attention with some nice variety and melody in their songwriting. They also usually manage to miraculously squeeze all the elements into a 5-6 minute song.
That this band wasn’t better recognised in prog metal circles is criminal –
Sounds like something that should be right up my alley. I've never heard them before.
Checked out Cirlces In The Sand. NICE! This is officially on The List.
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#36 Elegy: Supremacy
Released 1994
Here we have another helium powered vocal and more power prog - and again .....one of the very few bands that have the huge intensity/speed in the guitar and drum work but still manage to maintain my attention with some nice variety and melody in their songwriting. They also usually manage to miraculously squeeze all the elements into a 5-6 minute song.
That this band wasn’t better recognised in prog metal circles is criminal –
Sounds like something that should be right up my alley. I've never heard them before.
Checked out Cirlces In The Sand. NICE! This is officially on The List.
I think I have checked out the odd track here and there, but probably the Parry era as I've always associated him as the singer in Elegy. Didn't mind that first track but prog metal really isn't my thing overall. DT really are the exception. The other bands are uusually very same-y and I get bored after a few tracks. They forget the song. Anyway, I'll check some more tracks out but don't see a purchase here. Wallet lets out a huge sigh. You've cost me a few quid already Brent :biggrin:
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I think I have checked out the odd track here and there, but probably the Parry era as I've always associated him as the singer in Elegy. Didn't mind that first track but prog metal really isn't my thing overall. DT really are the exception. The other bands are uusually very same-y and I get bored after a few tracks. They forget the song. Anyway, I'll check some more tracks out but don't see a purchase here. Wallet lets out a huge sigh. You've cost me a few quid already Brent :biggrin:
No worries - I thought there was a small chance you might like them . I think I saw Prime Time in your listening posts and thought maybe you may have got there via Elegy , but obviously not.
I only checked out Elegy because of Parry, so (good or bad) I have no historical point as to what or who Elegy should be. Thanks for pointing out the missing track, I'll be sure to YT it.
Edit: not a bad album, but you're right... vocally it's not doing much for me. Perhaps it's because it's the debut, and the subsequent albums with Hovinga offer an improvement? Musically it was good - Warby is a beast of a drummer.
Sorry I confused things a bit by talking about the debut but Supremacy is the 2nd of the 3 to feature Hovinga. The third (Lost) is considered their best by some but I found it had less substance, less intensity and where there was a great track it was often let down by a fluffy chorus. As an example - Everything (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjfzoiw_JQU)- awesome song, pre chorus , pissweak chorus. Sorta like Elegy's Blind Faith ;D The other song I return to is Crossed The Line (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3od4q9_2QM) - if you like those it might be worth following up on.
Always liked the cover too
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/23/Elegy_Lost.jpg)
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(https://s27.postimg.org/dcuinuwhb/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/dcuinuwhb/)(https://s17.postimg.org/pgfk30g2j/3002.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/pgfk30g2j/)
#35(TIE) Gary Moore: Wild Frontier/Corridors of Power
Released 1987/1982
Two awesome but very different albums.
Well what about this guy’s resume……..in a band called Skid Row with Lynott before Thin Lizzy and involved on and off through Lizzy’s career , then a stellar rock career followed by a commercially successful blues career. I know he pissed a lot of people off by basically disowning (and slagging off) his rock period but hey – it means a lot to me even if it didn’t to him :D He did seem to be back on the righteous path just before his untimely death.
I've done something similar here to what I did with Metal Church. I had one album in mind (Wild Frontier) , but as I list these - if there is any doubt at all - I'm spending the day listening to the best 2 or 3 albums by the artist just to be sure I got it right , as much of this has been done without listening to a whole discography in a short period. I came to the conclusion that while Wild Frontier is more of my era and undoubtedly more influential in my life , as we sit right now I'd probably tend to grab Corridors of Power - perhaps because I played Wild Frontier into the ground. I had underestimated how the more raw, classic sound of COP has grown on me. In fact I thought it sounded like a more mature and classic album than most of the albums that followed. i don't want to re-write the whole thing so the rest will focus on Wild fronter.
To get the negatives out of the way Wild Frontier does have a pretty shitty production (incl Thunder Rising being quieter than the other songs on my copy) , programmed drums and two of the tracks are just remixes. But they’re far outweighed by some of Gary’s best playing and I don’t think he’s sounded better vocally then here. The album has some great songs , many of which have a Celtic/Irish flavour and are obviously dedicated to his homeland– the album is also formally dedicated to Phil Lynott who I believe was meant to sing on the title track before his untimely death. Over The Hills And Far Way got played a ridiculous amount at home , as did one of the better guitar instrumentals put on tape with The Loner. I'm not a fan of what Nightwish did to Over The Hills at all :-\
I’m pretty certain I first came across this when his cover of Friday On My Mind was a minor hit in Australia – as per usual the guitar solo caught my ear and off I went. The follow up to this was After The War which felt rushed to me and , given what happened shortly after, I’m guessing his heart was no longer in it. So for me it's his last great rock album.
Favourite Tracks:
Wild Frontier: Over The Hills and Far Away (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZCnq7yvXtk), The Loner (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAeQjuTVmbU), Wild Frontier (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wfKjTrB98w) , Strangers In The Darkness (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt_fW6RV1_g) .
The link for Over The Hills is the radio edit with the different solo , but I thought it was cool to see the vid. There's some truly horrific mimed for TV performances of Over The Hills on Youtube : eg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akDUVhHyw60 Love the keys man :facepalm:
Corridors of Power: Don't Take Me For a Loser (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJOeNGCqzMA&feature=kp), Wishing Well (cover) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qKkKHJ1weo), Falling In Love With You (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0teCbunxi_A)
Honourable Mention: Jimmy Barnes: Freight Train Heart - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn-BeXNNDYM). - Close enough to Barnesy fronting Journey and a great melodic rock album. The linked track has one of Neal Schon's best solos
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Thought it might have been Wild Frontier from the thread title. COP is classic, but I'll take Wild Frontier over it anyday.
Freight Train Heart is amazing too, love it.
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Corridors Of Power is fantastic. Made The TAC Top 50 as well. I love Gary Moore.
I'd take After a The War over Wild Frontier though and day of the week. :)
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A whole lot of awesomeness there. I love Gary Moore. I can't tell you how many times I saw Out In The Fields on MTV. That was the only video they played of his with frequency.
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I went with the live We Want Moore as my Gary Moore album in my top 50. GM had to be there. He was a big early influence on my guitar playing pre blues and after. Saw him live numerous times too, and on the Wid Frontier tour.
Great choices - I struggle with the production on all those 80s albums but he songs and playing are great. Gary was a legend and I hate that he's gone, especially as he was returning to a celtic -rock sound.
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I went with the live We Want Moore as my Gary Moore album in my top 50. GM had to be there. He was a big early influence on my guitar playing pre blues and after. Saw him live numerous times too, and on the Wid Frontier tour.
Great choices - I struggle with the production on all those 80s albums but he songs and playing are great. Gary was a legend and I hate that he's gone, especially as he was returning to a celtic -rock sound.
We Want Moore would make my top 3 Gary albums, amazing.
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After the War made my top 50, but any Gary Moore pre-blues (and a lot of that) is awesome. I had the fortune of seeing Gary Moore open for Def Leppard along with Krokus on the tour for Corridors of Power-motherfucking Ian Paice on drums, holy shit-and he blew both Krokus and Leppard away. Top five guitar player for me. Wild Frontier is actually my least favorite 80s Moore album, but since I still love it that doesn't say a lot. :lol
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I must revisit After The War - wouldn't have played it in decades - but I have a feeling it'll have the same effect. I went into that album wanting and expecting to like it (it even had Ozzy on it :metal ) and so I even went to the trouble of buying vinyl with a special patch. And with all that positive anticipation I was still totally underwhelmed. To me it was missing something , but obviously I'm a bit on my own there.
On with the show............and the mighty Timo Tolkki ;D
(https://s12.postimg.org/m1obocddl/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/m1obocddl/)
#34 Stratovarius: Fourth Dimension
Released 1995
Tracks
1. "Against the Wind" 3:48
2. "Distant Skies" 4:10
3. "Galaxies" 5:00
4. "Winter" 6:32
5. "Stratovarius" (instrumental)6:22
6. "Lord of the Wasteland" 6:11
7. "030366" 5:46
8. "Nightfall" 5:09
9. "We Hold the Key" 7:53
10. "Twilight Symphony" 6:59
11. "Call of the Wilderness" (instrumental) 1:30
I don't want to make a habit of having ties , but I'll just note that this was a very close call between what I consider the three "classic" albums - the first three with Kotipelto - Fourth Dimension, Episode and Visions. The latter two contain some of my favourite songs (Uncertainty (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXCkSMTPuu0), Kiss of Judas e (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2uLSvT0ERM)tc....) but Fourth DImension has a marginally higher rating , some sentimental value as my first and most played album and it contains the song "We Hold The Key" which is what got me hooked on the band in the mid 90's. As is already apparent I was having a great time with prog/power metal in the first half of the 90's and it was great to be around to discover bands like this, along with Symphony X, Angra, Elegy, Vanden Plas etc.... as they were making their mark. I was late teens and really missing a lot of the hard rock bands that had vanished and this genre was one of the few with some melody and musicianship to keep me happy , and so my tastes started to get heavier.
Fourth Dimension was a transitional album for Stratovarius – Timo Tolkki relinquished vocal duties to concentrate on guitar and the great Timo Kotipelto moved in. This album was prior to the addition of Jens Johannson on keys and Jorg Michael on drums so this is the only album recorded with this line up . It has one of those covers that I imagine grabbed my eye in the record store too – this was my first Strato album , bought around the time of release.
As is the case with prog metal I have a very small sweet spot when it comes to power metal – I don’t mind well placed use of speed but basically I want epic, melodic music that isn’t some sort of double kick drum clinic and this album delivers that in spades. There’s plenty of speed in the opening tracks , but before I can tire of it there’s the laid back but epic Galaxies , the instrumental self titled track and the ballad Winter. We then get a return to speedy power metal on Lord of the Wasteland.
If it all stopped there you would have a very good power metal album, but they're just warming up. Aside from the rather naff attempt at Rage For Order style metal on 030366 , the final few tracks on this album are top shelf. Epic, beautiful and powerful with my equal favourite Strato track among them (We Hold The key) . I’ll never forget the first time I played that track to test out a new car stereo – my jaw just about hit the floor. The keyboards sound a little dated these days but that guitar sound – wow.
As the years went on I continued to buy most of their albums but the strike rate (songs I like per album) got less and less. Anyway- if you prefer a bit more of the epic and a bit less of the stereotypical power metal speed then I’d recommend Fourth Dimension.
Note that since Tolkki left the band their music has once again become more well rounded and catchy, so my interest has been rekindled and Nemesis in particular is a monster – according to my ratings it's their best ever. However I’m focused on the albums that had the most impact on me over a period of time and Fourth Dimension gets the nod.
Favourite Tracks: We Hold The Key (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSnP5nZjs_w) , Twilight Symphony (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZQbTFBML4M), Nightfall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCCMKwcMrZ8), Galaxies (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiyQMX9QQpk)
Honourable Mention : Danger Danger- Revolve (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voiCMg6pEik) Top notch hair metal - a lot of my favourite tracks of theirs reside on other albums but IMO this is their most consistent across a whole album
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Back when Tolkki could actually write a somewhat decent song. :lol Not my favourite Strat album, but it's not a bad one.
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Whoa, a band I know. Dreamspace is still my favorite Stratovarius album, though.
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Episode and Destiny were my favourites of the old albums, but these days nothing can touch Nemesis.
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Whoa, a band I know. Dreamspace is still my favorite Stratovarius album, though.
o/
Though Fourth Dimension is pretty good as well. Shame for not mentioning my favourite track though, which would be Lord of the Wasteland.
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Episode and Visions are my favourite albums by them, but Dreamspace is great as well. Favourite track here is Against The Wind :metal
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I haven't listened to Stratovarius in a while, but Fourth Dimension is a great album :metal However, I was disappointed when I realized that 030366 is a total Screaming in Digital rip-off :lol
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I was disappointed when I realized that 030366 is a total Screaming in Digital rip-off :lol
I had no idea...that is disappointing. :|
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I had the fortune of seeing Gary Moore open for Def Leppard along with Krokus on the tour for Corridors of Power-motherfucking Ian Paice on drums, holy shit-and he blew both Krokus and Leppard away. Top five guitar player for me.
Yup, me too. My first concert. June 25, 1983, Cape Cod Coliseum.
Never got into Strats, and definitely not Danger Danger.
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Yeah, this was when Tolkki knew what he was doing. Not one of my favs but amazing Strato. Probably deserves a revisit from me. I think a useless bit of trivia is that 030366 is Tolkki's birthdate.
That Danger Danger album made my top 60 I think, it's incredible, one of the best melodic rock albums of this millenium.
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I tried, but could never get into Stratovarius. The one song that did always stick out to me however, was Kiss of Judas.
Never heard anything from this disc.
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I tried, but could never get into Stratovarius. The one song that did always stick out to me however, was Kiss of Judas.
Never heard anything from this disc.
I'd suggest We Hold The Key and Uncertainty among the links I included - if you can't get into those then I doubt much of the rest would be up your alley
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That Danger Danger album made my top 60 I think, it's incredible, one of the best melodic rock albums of this millenium.
Great Danger Danger album. I mentioned it in my top 50 but Screw It is their best for me, even with the cock rock lyrics. Andy Timmons is as good a guitarist as in any hair metal band.
I'm not the biggest Strato fan - I haven't heard this full album but have heard some of the songs on the best of I bought years ago (Chosen Ones? I think). Like with Hammerfall I find the music pretty bland at times and I can't take too much of those kick pedals going 1000bpm all the time. They have some good songs though, and I agree with you about the new version of Starto - much better than Tolkki's latter days.
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Guess I better give this Strato a go. Episode and Fright Night were my first Strato albums, and I wasn't ever to impressed with them. Someone (Bolsters I think) sent me stuff from Nemesis in my roulette, and WOWZERS! Loved it. That's a great album. Though I continue to give Revolve a spin, Screw It! is also my favorite DD album.
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Guess I better give this Strato a go. Episode and Fright Night were my first Strato albums, and I wasn't ever to impressed with them. Someone (Bolsters I think) sent me stuff from Nemesis in my roulette, and WOWZERS! Loved it. That's a great album. Though I continue to give Revolve a spin, Screw It! is also my favorite DD album.
Pun intended? :P
Revolve was the first Danger Danger album I heard, but I found it very weak and tame. Later on I found Screw It, which is easily my favourite.
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Sorry for the couple of days delay - I was all ready to go but decided to listen to most of the discography of the next artist prior to posting and it's been a challenge. Almost there.
That Danger Danger album made my top 60 I think, it's incredible, one of the best melodic rock albums of this millenium.
Great Danger Danger album. I mentioned it in my top 50 but Screw It is their best for me, even with the cock rock lyrics. Andy Timmons is as good a guitarist as in any hair metal band.
I'm not the biggest Strato fan - I haven't heard this full album but have heard some of the songs on the best of I bought years ago (Chosen Ones? I think). Like with Hammerfall I find the music pretty bland at times and I can't take too much of those kick pedals going 1000bpm all the time. They have some good songs though, and I agree with you about the new version of Starto - much better than Tolkki's latter days.
Re Stratovarius I agree totally about the drums as I noted and for that reason I would never buy a "best of" from a power metal band as I generally like the songs that their main market don't - the slower, more powerful ones......which is why I prefer Fourth Dimension and Nemesis as there's less of it.
I also understand re Screw It......if you were to ask me to list classic D2 tracks I would immediately go for stuff like Crazy Nights, Don't Blame It On Love, Beat The Bullet etc......I just find maybe 1/3rd of that album redlines on my tackymeter ;D - being an 80's boy I have a fair tolerance too. It doesn't even offend me - it more pisses me off that such a great band wasted the opportunity to totally nail it. And yeah - Timmons is No 1. I just felt that to make this list I had to be comfortable with an album being more consistent and I think Revolve is. The only thing I don't agree with in the above discussion is Blob's comment that Revolve is weak/tame.........that would be Stan Bush singing songs about kids toys ;D
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I also understand re Screw It......if you were to ask me to list classic D2 tracks I would immediately go for stuff like Crazy Nights, Don't Blame It On Love, Beat The Bullet etc......I just find maybe 1/3rd of that album redlines on my tackymeter ;D - being an 80's boy I have a fair tolerance too. It doesn't even offend me - it more pisses me off that such a great band wasted the opportunity to totally nail it. And yeah - Timmons is No 1. I just felt that to make this list I had to be comfortable with an album being more consistent and I think Revolve is. The only thing I don't agree with in the above discussion is Blob's comment that Revolve is weak/tame.........that would be Stan Bush singing songs about kids toys ;D
Hey, that song wasn't even originally written for Transformers, so you shut your whore mouth! :lol
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Holy shit - how long did that take to get a bite? :lol The fastest mouse in the West :hefdaddy
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:lol That's why they call me Mr Speed. :zydar: :P
And lucky timing. This is the first I've been on the internet for hours.
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:lol That's why they call me Mr Speed. :zydar: :P
And lucky timing. This is the first I've been on the internet for hours.
The ladies in Oz tell me that's not why they call you Mr Speed... :lol
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..............tessen :neverusethis: Hopefully you guys weren't so easily convinced I'd gone all trippy on ya ;D Sorry for the delay - I'll try and have 3 or 4 up in the next 48 hrs.
(https://s30.postimg.org/kh9e2fypp/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/kh9e2fypp/)
#33 Threshold: Psychedelicatessen
Released 1994
Tracks
1. Sunseeker 8:16
2. A Tension of Souls 7:10
3. Into the Light 10:02
4. Will to Give 5:01
5. Under the Sun 3:05
6. Babylon Rising 4:32
7. He Is I Am 5:52
8. Innocent 4:37
9. Devoted 7:43
Threshold .............stupid me decided to listen to their whole discography before posting this and I'd forgotten how many albums they'd done and how same-ish a lot of it is. It was a struggle but I wanted to do it to make sure my tastes hadn't changed drastically and also because I'd noticed a decent amount of discussion on the band on DTF and wanted to be across the whole discography a bit better than I had been.
I would hazard a guess that most DTF'ers who are fans got into Threshold during the "Mac era" and as is often the case where I've come in a bit earlier than most , my favourite album can be an outlier. Among the very few Threshold fans I know , the opinion on Psychedelicatessen is a 50/50 split - it's either considered clearly their best or among their worst. I obviously come down on the side of the former.
My first Threshold CD was Wounded Land all the way back in 1993 when they were very much an underground prog metal band - it seems they are now much more widely appreciated. The song Paradox (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMclIE0gr8w#t=1449) was what got me interested and the more I think about the way I interact with Threshold the more I think that's a good description of the band......a paradox.
- they are considered prog metal and yet they're just as much melodic rock as they are metal in many ways
- they are considered prog metal and yet have have had no real virtuoso musicians at the forefront. I would call them a very "tight" band but the lead guitar in particular is intermediate level at best. They seem to have a knack of creating well structured songs and melodies that can get the audience past this where other bands might not.
- they are considered prog metal and yet while listening to them I rarely feel like or act like :metal I'm listening to metal. On most albums they have a nice, if rather repetitive, power chord rhythm crunch but it's so compressed that it loses much of its heaviness.
- I find almost all of their albums to be pleasant listens with little need for the Skip button but , in many cases, I have no real memory of any particular song or desire to go back any time soon.
As I went through the albums I also saw a lot of parallels to my DT experience over the years. They started with an album (Wounded Land) that had a few great tracks but was inconsistent and featured a performance from Wilson that's not near his best. The 2nd album (as listed here) was a huge step up and the third (Extinct Instinct) was just a little bit off that but still a great album. Psychedelicatessen and Extinct Instinct (the I&W and Awake) , unlike most of the Mac era albums, sound like they mean it , have a edge to the guitar sound and some more unique and thoughtful melodies- they sound like nothing else in the discography. Psychedelicatessen in particular makes me feel like :metal and Extinct Instinct has a couple of songs (Forever and Virtual Reality) that were on constant rotation for a while there.
After Extinct Instinct I continued to follow them intently (as I did DT after Awake) but they gradually lost a bit of what made them great for me with each album - with Threshold they lost their edge , with DT the melodies. And like DT , Threshold have rediscovered a lot of what I liked about them earlier with their last two albums. DT have the melodic structures I like again and Threshold (with Dead Reckoning and March of Progress) are rediscovering their edge and Damian's vocals on the most recent release have that feeling back again.
A discussion about Threshold invariably gets to the Mac vs Wilson argument and on paper Mac should get my vote but , aside from the fact that my favourite album features the forgotten Glynn Morgan (the best METAL singer of the lot) , I'd tend to favour Damian Wilson after doing my huge listenathon. Although he has a nasally tone that I may usually find annoying , and there's the odd song he really doesn't suit , I find that his far more dynamic range and emotion gets him over the line. Mac has a nice distinct tone but after listening to numerous Mac fronted albums back to back it becomes a bit of a monotone. I believe that given the relative simplicity of the music that Threshold need an emotive vocalist and Wilson and Morgan both deliver this. Mac did push himself once or twice on Clone and Dead Reckoning but it was all too rare for my liking.
Pychedelicatessen is very unique within the Threshold catalogue. It features the heaviest vocal, a guitar sound that actually sounds :metal and songs that , to me at least, are far more interesting and varied than most of their other material. I played this and Extinct Instinct to death in my late teens/early twenties(early -mid 90's). The first linked track was the "single".
Favourite Tracks: Innocent (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcbTprYFZ6s), Sunseeker (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sfxeCR0EmA), Into The Light (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLfkaZfbNKE), Will To Give (https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/Will+To+Give/51VDbc?src=5), A Tension of Souls, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6ep1vXeTfk)
TAC wasn't happy with my last HM so here's a long distance dedication for you mate :-*
Honourable Mention : Winger - Pull (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyBd9BOhd2c)
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I think this is the only Threshold album I don't have.
Pull is amazing too.
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Pull is so good.
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I do like Threshol;d. They're not a huge favourite or anything, but whilst listening I enjoy them. I like that they're not quite prog metal, not quite power metal. There's more emphasis on the song than most prog metal and the riffs aren't just chugging away on a low B in odd meters like most prog metal.
I've not heard this album and only recently listened to Wounded Land of the early albums, but listening to the tracks now its pretty awesome stuff. I have the last 2 and Hypothetical.
I like the singer. I don't love Wilson's voice -- i think as you say its that nasal factor to it, and I find he sounds a bit condescending. That may be my imagination but I can't escape the thought when listening to him.
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I got into Threshold about 3 years ago, but started with the Wilson era stuff, being a huge fan of his. I'll have to go back and revisit this one, as it's usually the odd man out (literally, with Morgan) in my Threshold listening rotation. Can't remember the last time I listened to it (according to iTunes, it was February/2013). I definitely see your point on why they are and are not prog metal - I think their strength is definitely in their writing. I don't find Mac-era samey at all - pound for pound, those are 5 incredibly solid albums. No absolute standout songs, but no clunkers either.
And Pull is my favorite Winger album - good choice there.
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I'm listening to Extinct Instinct right now, it's incredible.
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I like Threshold...a lot. But evidently not enough to have those first few early albums. They are on The List.
And B, Pull THIS, buddy! :biggrin:
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Forgot to say - Pull is a classic album. What happened when hair metal grew up. And it rocks.
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(https://s16.postimg.org/5nsxzwn2p/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/5nsxzwn2p/)
#32 Conception: In Your Multitude
Released 1995
Tracks
1. Under A Mourning Star 5:10
2. Missionary Man 3:40
3. Retrospect 3:12
4. Guilt 3:47
5. Sanctuary 2:57
6. A Million Gods 7:45
7. Some Wounds 4:35
8. Carnal Comprehension 4:22
9. Solar Serpent 3:56
10. In Your Multitude 6:39
Before Ark (Ostby)and Kamelot (Khan) they were together in Conception , one of my early favourite metal bands.
Most of the albums in this list have a very unique sound – something missing in a majority of rock and metal releases these days. Conception were not only an amazing band with a unique sound but with Khan’s unusual (brilliant) voice and Tore’s tone they had a real ability to create an atmosphere all their own. I’m sure that a few of you guys know what I mean when I talk of “atmospheric” albums that take you back to when you listened to them as a kid...
Anyway ………Khan and Tore Ostby are a real winning combination that I really miss. Parallel Minds is only marginally behind in my ratings and Flow a bit further back again but both have a number of awesome tracks. In the end though I feel that In Your Multitude is the most consistent across the whole album. A metal classic as far as I’m concerned.
When Conception gave it away I followed Khan across to Kamelot and was hugely disappointed in Siege Perilous………….I thought it was absolute shite and that Khan had aligned himself with a bunch of hacks not worthy of his voice. It must’ve been 7 or 8 years or more before I gave Kamelot another chance and realised what a mistake I’d made ignoring the albums that came later. I still prefer Conception but Kamelot’s few best with Khan are now firm favourites too.
Sadly both Khan and Tore seem to have all but given it away. If you like Tore (or DC Cooper) I would also recommend checking out DC Cooper’s solo album which is a bit of an all star affair and another good album... a bit more melodic rock/metal though. The linked track (see HM below) is by far the most progressive and the "epic" of the album.
Favourite Tracks: Retrospect (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSn3X4jPxpk) , Some Wounds (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hdUEYVPFdw), Solar Serpent (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLiA7jM9PWo), Sanctuary (short ballad) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-7hrKBJvKQ), Carnal Comprehension (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Lm2qcHmOCY)
Honourable Mention : D.C. Cooper - s/t (as mentioned above) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4jGnhh7r_8)
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Another strong sing that I need to check this band out. :facepalm:
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Another strong sing that I need to check this band out. :facepalm:
Use the links (I assume everyone knows I'm linking all the fave tracks for your listening pleasure ;) ) - if you don't like the linked tracks I doubt you'll like them period.
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I had digital copies of a couple Conception albums on my iPod before it crashed a couple of years ago. Never bothered to reaquire.
I tried, but it just didn't take me.
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(https://s7.postimg.org/7fwsz26uv/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/7fwsz26uv/)
#31 Judas Priest: Painkiller
Released September 1990
Tracks
1. "Painkiller" 6:06
2. "Hell Patrol" 3:35
3. "All Guns Blazing" 3:56
4. "Leather Rebel" 3:34
5. "Metal Meltdown" 4:46
6. "Night Crawler" 5:44
7. "Between the Hammer & the Anvil" 4:47
8. "A Touch of Evil" 5:42
9. "Battle Hymn" (Instrumental)0:56
10. "One Shot at Glory" 6:46
Aside from selected songs off Screaming For vengeance thru Turbo I was never a huge Priest fan prior to Painkiller , so my recollection of the time at which Painkiller arrived Is a bit scratchy but I’m pretty certain that they were at that point (following Turbo and Ram It Down) considered by most to be a band that was no longer a leader but a follower and basically washed up. What it was exactly that happened in order to produce this brutal return to form I’m not sure , but the addition of Scott Travis and his capabilities was obviously a big part of it.
Access to this style of music on radio was almost nil as I was growing up , so no doubt I first heard Painkiller on 3RRR radio – a local independent station that was about the only place I could hear this type of thing. I recall the host making a huge deal over the new Priest album and thinking “yeah,yeah” because he’d done the same thing over Ram It Down but when I first heard the album preview tracks he had (Painkiller , Nightcrawler and A Touch OF Evil) I was pretty much floored. It was an amazing combination of fierce metal, melody and catchy songs – so right up my alley. It also has that sort of atmospheric element to it that helps an album stay with you ……..I could almost imagine being stalked by some weird being as I listened to Nightcrawler or imagine a fierce battle during One Shot At Glory , which , if forced to choose, is probably my favourite track. It’s a bit of a shame that this was their last album with Halford for ages but what a way to go out! A classic album that is chock full of my favourite Priest songs.
I am yet to work my way back to pre-SFV days - I will at some point but it’s pretty rare for me to maintain interest deep into the 1970’s. SFV and DOTF are both great albums but don’t match up to Painkiller . The only song that comes close for me (and it may still be my favourite Priest song ever ) is The Sentinel. But as an album Painkiller stands alone.
BTW I still dunno what “paratamize you” means – I imagine this online definition is ah…..tongue in cheek :biggrin: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=paratamize
Favourite Tracks (no links- I'm sure you know em): One Shot At Glory, Painkiller, Nightcrawler, A Touch of Evil
Honourable Mention: Warrant : Dog Eat Dog (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYyOWCoCXTs)
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Painkiller is absolutely stunning. I could not believe my ears when it was released. Incredible. Their live show on that tour was great too.
Saw Warrant in both a club and arena in 1989 and they excelled live in both types of venues. Very enjoyable live. But studiowise, I was not a fan, and have never bought a Warrant album.
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Priest was one of those acts that passed me by. As I explored rock/metal music in the 80s, I always just assumed they'd be too heavy/thrashy for me - I think one of my first listens of them was the song Painkiller, and Robbie's pitch/tone/screams were just too much for me at the time. For whatever reason, I just never made the effort to return to them. Just re-listened to the song, and musically it's the tits; vocally Rob still makes me wince.
Dog Eat Dog is so unlike DRFSR and Cherry Pie. So :2metal: with a couple of ballads (that were crap imo) thrown in for good measure. It was like the what Skid Row did between their s/t and Slave to the Grind - they went glammie/commercial to make their name known, then went all metal (which I assume is their natural sound). However, I stopped following them afterwards - went off to University, and lost track of most of my beloved glam/hair metal bands. Any recommendations on post DED albums?
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There's 3 or 4 good songs on Ultraphobic - I still haven't properly listened to the Robert Mason stuff , but I do like his voice.
Jani Lane was a cut above as a songwriter though and it's a shame he's best known for Cherry Pie. Even on that album Mr Rainmaker, Uncle Tom's Cabin and I Saw Red are top notch. I have various boots around of Jani's solo stuff like Jabberwocky but can't remember if it's any good - Paul might remember.
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I will say that I love Uncle Tom's Cabin.
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So far................
#50 : Shy-Shy
#49: Vanden Plas- Colour Temple
#48: Icon: Night of the Crime
#47: Pink Floyd: A Momentary Lapse of Reason
#46: Noiseworks-Noiseworks
#45: Red Dawn-Never Say Surrender
#44: Annihilator-Never Neverland
#43: Place Vendome-Place Vendome
#42: Riverdogs-Riverdogs
#41; Symphony X - The Divine Wings of Tragedy
#40: Armored Saint: Symbol of Salvation
#39; Bon Jovi: Slippery When Wet
#38: Metal Church: Hanging In The Balance/Blessing In Disguise
#37: Angra: Angels Cry
#36: Elegy: Supremacy
#35: Gary Moore: Wild Frontier/Corridors of Power
#34: Stratovarius: Fourth Dimension
#33: Threshold: Psychedelicatessen
#32: Conception: In Your Multitude
#31: Judas Priest: Painkiller
Possibly a bit more metal than might have been expected from me but the rock/metal balance is about to even out a bit more from here.
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I had digital copies of a couple Conception albums on my iPod before it crashed a couple of years ago. Never bothered to reaquire.
I tried, but it just didn't take me.
Yeah this. I'd take Threshold over them. Ark didn't float my boat either.
Painkiller is mid tier Priest for me but that still means its a fine album. A bit too heavy for me at the time but its been a grower.
Warrant's Dog Eat Dog is a great hair metal album. Jani Lane was a great songwriter, not given the props he deserves because, well, he was in Warrant and wrote Cherry Pie (in about the time it took to play it through once - that takes skill).
Been listening to the DC Cooper album too. Very,very good and another purchase I'm going to be stung for :biggrin:
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I will say that I love Uncle Tom's Cabin.
This. So. Much. Absolutely fabulous song, easily my favorite from them.
Well, I'm 10/20 on the list so far (which I'm pleasantly surprised about) .... though I didn't have the specific Elegy or Strat albums, but do have a bunch from them; and Conception I have listened to a few times, but don't own the album. Someone else had it on there Top 50 ... checking - Mister Gold. Recently too. I got Under and Mourning Star from YtseBitsySpider in my first roulette. Excellent track.
Great list so far. Probably the second best Top 50 I've seen. :neverusethis:
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Great list so far. Probably the second best Top 50 I've seen. :neverusethis:
Thanks for the compliment, it really means a lot to me, Chad. :neverusethis:
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It was like the what Skid Row did between their s/t and Slave to the Grind - they went glammie/commercial to make their name known, then went all metal (which I assume is their natural sound).
I don't know why you'd assume that. Both albums sound equally natural to me. Bands evolve, and bands were especially evolving quickly during those few years coming into the '90s.
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It was like the what Skid Row did between their s/t and Slave to the Grind - they went glammie/commercial to make their name known, then went all metal (which I assume is their natural sound).
I don't know why you'd assume that. Both albums sound equally natural to me. Bands evolve, and bands were especially evolving quickly during those few years coming into the '90s.
I wouldn't call the Skid Row s/t overly Commercial/Glammy. Sure it was catchy, as Youth Gone Wild and 18 And Life were huge. It's a fairly solid debut. Definitely not as heavy as Slave, but to J Boy's point, I'm sure the heaviness of Slave definitely scared a lot of the fickle fans off.
Skid Row spent all of 1989 opening for Bon Jovi's New Jersey tour, which basically was everything for them. They would then jump on Aerosmith's Pump tour. I truly believe the Bottle Incident set them back as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=109IvSmPLsY
Language NSFW!
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I saw them on the Pump tour, and when they opened for GnR for Use Your Illusion. My point was that the jump from Cherry Pie to Dog Eat Dog was a pretty big leap in heaviness (just like Skid Row-Slave to the Grind) - exactly as Tim pointed out that it might have put some people off that were into the 'commercial-ness' of thes bands before those albums. When you look at how SR followed up with Subhuman Race, it's easy to see that their s/t was the lightest and most accessible of the bunch. I just made the assumption that Warrant may have followed that same path, but don't know any of their subsequent releases after DED.
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I saw them on the Pump tour, and when they opened for GnR for Use Your Illusion.
Saw Warrant open for Paul Stanley on his club tour and Motley Crue's Dr. Feelgood tour.
For Pump, we got Skid Row.
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I saw them on the Pump tour, and when they opened for GnR for Use Your Illusion.
Saw Warrant open for Paul Stanley on his club tour and Motley Crue's Dr. Feelgood tour.
For Pump, we got Skid Row.
That's what I meant... that we got SR for Pump and UYI tours.
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I saw them on the Pump tour, and when they opened for GnR for Use Your Illusion.
Saw Warrant open for Paul Stanley on his club tour and Motley Crue's Dr. Feelgood tour.
For Pump, we got Skid Row.
That's what I meant... that we got SR for Pump and UYI tours.
For UYI the first time through, we got Soundgarden. Would've preferred Skid Row.
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There's 3 or 4 good songs on Ultraphobic - I still haven't properly listened to the Robert Mason stuff , but I do like his voice.
Jani Lane was a cut above as a songwriter though and it's a shame he's best known for Cherry Pie. Even on that album Mr Rainmaker, Uncle Tom's Cabin and I Saw Red are top notch. I have various boots around of Jani's solo stuff like Jabberwocky but can't remember if it's any good - Paul might remember.
I have heard Jabberwocky and it didn't do anything for me. Very light, acoustic-y stuff iirc.
Post DeD there's only the last album, with Robert Mason on vocals, that's any good. It's sort of AC/DC-ish hard rock but pretty good.
Ultraphobic was a write-off for me. Detuned grungey bandwagon jumping shite on the whole. One decent track on it that I remember- something about child abuse I think but its so long since I listened to it I don't remember.
Cherry Pie is a great album and the song is fine for what it is. Its not claiming any kudos for poetry or musical complexity. Its a pop song with dodgy lyrics aimed at MTV and it did what was intended. Though as they say, be careful what you wish for because it made them and ruined them in one go.
It was like the what Skid Row did between their s/t and Slave to the Grind - they went glammie/commercial to make their name known, then went all metal (which I assume is their natural sound).
I don't know why you'd assume that. Both albums sound equally natural to me. Bands evolve, and bands were especially evolving quickly during those few years coming into the '90s.
They were just maturing. The first albums these bands were kids. They were a few years older by their 3rd albums. Also there was the backlash factor against hair metal by that point and those bands were accused of being wimpy. By album 3 they heavied it up. Add Extreme (took them to their 4th album) and Winger to the list too with Pull, though they weren't really a hair metal band, they just disguised themselves as one to get a deal and radio/MTV exposure.
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I just checked out a couple of those Conception tracks, they were so good. Looking online though, seems all their albujms are out of print and prices are crazy. Might have to settle for digital copies.
Painkiller, well that was number 16 or something on my list so....
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I just checked out a couple of those Conception tracks, they were so good. Looking online though, seems all their albujms are out of print and prices are crazy. Might have to settle for digital copies.
Painkiller, well that was number 16 or something on my list so....
If there's something like that you'd kill for in CD quality , PM me and I'll see what I can do re getting you a CDR.
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I just checked out a couple of those Conception tracks, they were so good. Looking online though, seems all their albujms are out of print and prices are crazy. Might have to settle for digital copies.
Painkiller, well that was number 16 or something on my list so....
If there's something like that you'd kill for in CD quality , PM me and I'll see what I can do re getting you a CDR.
I'll have a better look around, and check out some more songs, if they are all quality, who knows, I might splash out and bite the bullet. I've done it many times before.
Also, I just checked that DC Cooper song, that was fucking killer too. What are you doing to us Brent??
EDIT: I'm 11/20 so far.
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I just checked out a couple of those Conception tracks, they were so good. Looking online though, seems all their albujms are out of print and prices are crazy. Might have to settle for digital copies.
Painkiller, well that was number 16 or something on my list so....
If there's something like that you'd kill for in CD quality , PM me and I'll see what I can do re getting you a CDR.
And shipping charges shouldn't be too unreasonable!!! :lol
Kade... I Grooveshark'd that DC album this afternoon. All I got to say is
(https://img.pandawhale.com/post-1371-MOTHER-OF-GOD-gifs-meme-mK7y.gif)
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Glad you like the DC - always been my favourite album with him on. Members of PC69, Conception and Vanden Plas too , so.... :tup
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I just checked out a couple of those Conception tracks, they were so good. Looking online though, seems all their albujms are out of print and prices are crazy. Might have to settle for digital copies.
Painkiller, well that was number 16 or something on my list so....
If there's something like that you'd kill for in CD quality , PM me and I'll see what I can do re getting you a CDR.
And shipping charges shouldn't be too unreasonable!!! :lol
Kade... I Grooveshark'd that DC album this afternoon. All I got to say is
(https://img.pandawhale.com/post-1371-MOTHER-OF-GOD-gifs-meme-mK7y.gif)
lol, yeah, unlike that killer website you showed me that how me spending my money until the shipping costs were calculated!
Yeah, I had a listen to a couple of the tracks from the DC album and it's excellent. That one seems easier to find at reasonable pricing.
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Painkiller is the definition of heavy metal.
As far as Warrant goes, I've always been a casual fan, and found them above alot of their contemporaries. Uncle Toms Cabin is a phenomenal track and easily the best they've done.
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Painkiller, well that was number 16 or something on my list so....
17, but who's counting? :lol
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Painkiller, well that was number 16 or something on my list so....
17, but who's counting? :lol
Hmmm......close enough. :lol
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(https://s13.postimg.org/lr6m5obrn/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/lr6m5obrn/)
#30 Crimson Glory: Transcendence
Released: November 1988
Tracks
1. Lady of Winter 04:00
2. Red Sharks 04:52
3. Painted Skies 05:16
4. Masque of the Red Death 04:15
5. In Dark Places 07:03
6. Where Dragons Rule 05:07
7. Lonely 05:18
8. Burning Bridges 06:32
9. Eternal World 03:54
10. Transcendence 04:34
When the origins of progressive metal are discussed the names like Queensryche and Fates Warning (deservedly) come up but I rarely hear Crimson Glory mentioned – I would tend to elevate them into that group of bands that were frontrunners in the 80’s and set the scene for DT to take it to the next level in the 90’s.. And nobody could accuse them of not having their own sound either – there’s no more unique vocal than that of the mighty Midnight and their guitar sound was a very distinctive harmonised sound that , along with the fantasy style lyrics, really worked for the music.
I like all of their first 3 releases – I rate Transcendence as the most consistent but the debut and Strange and Beautiful each have some fantastic moments. Strange and Beautiful seems to cop a lot of criticism but if you listen with an open mind and without preconceived ideas of what the band should sound like I think it probably has more top notch songs on it than the debut.
A great band and Midnight would have to be one of the more unique, passionate and classic voices of metal ever. RIP. :hefdaddy
Favourite Tracks: Lonely (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ5P_VYMrG8), Where Dragons Rule (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D6yvqEDx0c), Painted Skies (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHgLJ99r5l4), Masque of the Red Death (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHOsKlB8Ln8)
Honourable Mention: Von Groove - Chameleon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c02qQJJJY94).......Chad should be onto this. The album was also released as "Mission Man" with a slightly inferior track listing. Top notch Canadian hard rock and for those who know LRS (recent release) this is the drummer from LRS handling vocals and drums. There's a video clip here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSOlOCSrb0M that I didn't know existed, but I used a different link above as the sound is crap.
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Easily Crimson Glory's greatest album, pure metal perfection.
Gotta check Von Groove. As you mentioned Brent, I only know the name from LRS.
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Easily Crimson Glory's greatest album, pure metal perfection.
Gotta check Von Groove. As you mentioned Brent, I only know the name from LRS.
Von Groove's first 3 are worth a look - the debut had a couple of ripper tracks (House of Dreams (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFXErouOwc8) for one) but was way too long and full of filler and the third (Test of Faith) almost sounds like a different band (think John Farnham Whispering Jack style AOR) but is very good. Their later albums I find rather uninspired.
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was expecting dragonforce
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I've noted a few times that I don't appreciate speed for the sake of speed in power metal and the whole double kick to the ends of the Earth, so don't place any bets on them appearing. . I actually don't mind them from time to time in small doses though , but near Top 50 in a 3000 CD collection? Ah...no ;D
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That Von Groove song kicks fucking ass.
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The first two Crimson Glory releases are metal perfection. I tried many times to get into S&B, but just found it boring and such a drastic change.
If Crimson Glory stayed with their original sound and actually released material on a semi regular basis, they would have been a much bigger force.
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IIRC, I have Jay to thank for introducing me to CG. Guess I should check out the s/t debut as well?
Von Groove s/t is on Grooveshark, and unfortunately nothing else on Spotify.
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IIRC, I have Jay to thank for introducing me to CG. Guess I should check out the s/t debut as well?
Von Groove s/t is on Grooveshark, and unfortunately nothing else on Spotify.
Yeah I sent you "Painted Skies" in one of your roulettes...........one of my favorite power ballads ever.
Check out "Heart of Steel" or "Valhalla" from the s/t. All of it is awesome though.
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Easily Crimson Glory's greatest album, pure metal perfection.
Gotta check Von Groove. As you mentioned Brent, I only know the name from LRS.
Von Groove's first 3 are worth a look - the debut had a couple of ripper tracks (House of Dreams (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFXErouOwc8) for one) but was way too long and full of filler and the third (Test of Faith) almost sounds like a different band (think John Farnham Whispering Jack style AOR) but is very good. Their later albums I find rather uninspired.
That Crimson Glory is killer. Got that on vinyl back in the day, as much for the cover as anything :biggrin: Midnight had an awesome voice. I like Strange & Beautiful too but its a very different album to this one.
I only have Von Groove's 1st - listened to it a couple of days ago, its on the "what album are you listening to" page. I like it and it helped that it was a sunny day.
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IIRC, I have Jay to thank for introducing me to CG. Guess I should check out the s/t debut as well?
Von Groove s/t is on Grooveshark, and unfortunately nothing else on Spotify.
Fuck yeah you should!
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IIRC, I have Jay to thank for introducing me to CG. Guess I should check out the s/t debut as well?
Von Groove s/t is on Grooveshark, and unfortunately nothing else on Spotify.
Fuck yeah you should!
Yeah, so I did that today. F'n killer.
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IIRC, I have Jay to thank for introducing me to CG. Guess I should check out the s/t debut as well?
Von Groove s/t is on Grooveshark, and unfortunately nothing else on Spotify.
Fuck yeah you should!
Yeah, so I did that today. F'n killer.
Fuck yeah!
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My first thought for thread title was huffdaddy42 but I restrained myself :angel:
(https://s23.postimg.org/gq81hb287/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/gq81hb287/)
#29 Giant: Last of the Runaways
Released 1989
Tracks
1. I'm a Believer 5:44
2. Innocent Days 5:16
3. I Can't Get Close Enough 6:06
4. I'll See You in my Dreams 4:46
5. No Way Out 4:03
6. Shake Me Up 4:16
7. It Takes Two 4:58
8. Stranger to Me 5:57
9. Hold Back the Night 4:11
10. Love Welcome Home 4:51
11. The Big Pitch 5:07
This is among best AOR release of the late 80's/early 90's and close enough to the consummate album in that style. I can’t recommend this more highly if you like melodic rock played to perfection- this is seriously a guitar and songwriting clinic this thing. Essentially a supergroup of session musos led by Dann Huff on guitar and vocals (great vocalist and amazing guitarist) the album didn’t chart its socks off but did manage a top 20 hit with the mega-ballad I’ll See You In My Dreams.
There are 2 or 3 tracks here that I consider weaker than the rest , but “the rest” are amazingly good , so don’t worry too much . As far as the guitaring goes – I rate other players higher but when I was playing , if I’d been asked who I want to play/write like , the answer would be Dann Huff. He has amazing chops , amazing writing skills – he can shred with the best of them but always knows how to craft a tasty solo that does just enough to leave you itching for more ,which is a real art. He's no dud as a vocalist either. They actually tried out numerous vocalists for the gig (including Mark Spiro I believe who had some co-writes on the album) but in the end Dann reluctantly took on that job as well .
As always I’ve recommended a few tracks via link – the shredding intro to I’m A Believer should shine a light on how this differs in scope from most music of its kind. Awesome songs, playing and crystal clear production. This quality of songwriting in melodic rock is pretty much a thing of the past – if the world was fair these guys would have been HUGE . It’s a tragedy (for us ) that Dann has spent the best part of the last 15 years in a producer’s chair in Nashville.
BTW the follow up Time To Burn is a bit more hard rock and a touch less consistent but still a fantastic album.
Favourite Tracks: I'm A Believer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olDAzz0KDbk), Innocent Days (https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/Innocent+Days/1YWb5n?src=5), It Takes Two (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcpZnhde8j4), Hold Back The Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjATl2YoHmE), I'll See You In My Dreams (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iug0X6cJDDM)
Honourable Mention: Treat-Organized Crime : (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4NXZyUlrmw) I'd rate Coup De Grace (their last album) a bit higher as this album is half killer, half filler but in terms of the crtieria I set out for this list , Organized Crime gets the nod. And the killer is just that if you're into Scandi hair metal.
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I've to admit I thought this when saw the title :rollin
(https://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/65/6553/UNT4100Z/posters/the-x-files-i-want-to-believe-print.jpg)
(https://sd.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/i/keep-calm-and-be-a-believer-8.png)
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(https://www.pagecovers.com/user-covers/10-27-2012/belieber_.jpg)
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I just played this disk at work this week. :metal
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phenomenal album. It's been in heavy, heavy rotation since you mentioned it in the AOR thread.
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I randomly listened to a couple of Giant albums a while back, Promise Land, and of course this. When I looked to see more about them, I was floored that they only have four albums to their name. Man, I need to take another crack at them, because it was absolutely genius.
As for the thread title... I knew it wouldn't be this, but the first thing that came to my mind was ...
(https://www.allancockerill.com/images/monkees.jpg)
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As for the thread title... I knew it wouldn't be this, but the first thing that came to my mind was ...
(https://www.allancockerill.com/images/monkees.jpg)
same here :lol
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I randomly listened to a couple of Giant albums a while back, Promise Land, and of course this. When I looked to see more about them, I was floored that they only have four albums to their name. Man, I need to take another crack at them, because it was absolutely genius.
As for the thread title... I knew it wouldn't be this, but the first thing that came to my mind was ...
(https://www.allancockerill.com/images/monkees.jpg)
You'll be floored by the next album too ;)
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I like what I've heard from Giant
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I knew it was going to be this album from the thread title right away. I think it was either you Brent, or it may have been Paul that pimped this in the melodic rock thread that made me check out Giant's earlier work. This is definitely their best album, amazing melodic rock with of course incredible guitar work.
The only Treat I have was Coup and the best of. From what is on the best of, I'd take the last one, but great band. I hope they do manage to put out another album.
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Great pick on the Giant. I really like Time To Burn as well, and there is that one song on their third album I enjoy a lot, Don't Leave Me In Love.
I discovered Treat somewhere on here and really liked Coup De Grace. It wasn't until about a month ago I found out that they released albums in the 80s as well. What do you think their album "Dreamhunter"? I've listened to that one a bunch and even learned a couple of things off of it. I haven't gotten around to listening to Organized Crime yet.
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Great pick on the Giant. I really like Time To Burn as well, and there is that one song on their third album I enjoy a lot, Don't Leave Me In Love.
I discovered Treat somewhere on here and really liked Coup De Grace. It wasn't until about a month ago I found out that they released albums in the 80s as well. What do you think their album "Dreamhunter"? I've listened to that one a bunch and even learned a couple of things off of it. I haven't gotten around to listening to Organized Crime yet.
Don't Leave Me In Love is a great song and was a reject from Last of the Runaways..............just goes to show how on fire they were :hefdaddy
Dreamhunter was highly regarded back in the day but , to be honest , I thought it was over rated. Personally I stick to Organised Crime and Coup De Grace.
Note that the 2nd half of Organised Crime is much stronger than the first and features a great remake of a track off their debut (Get You On The Run) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoIs36idRaw) The track I linked above was a firm favourite too - Conspiracy.
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(https://s24.postimg.org/rnhoi6q1t/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/rnhoi6q1t/)
#28 After Forever: s/t
Released: April 2007
Tracks
"Discord" – 4:36
"Evoke" – 4:23
"Transitory" – 3:28
"Energize Me" – 3:09
"Equally Destructive" – 3:31
"Withering Time" – 4:31
"De-Energized" – 5:09
"Cry with a Smile" – 4:25
"Envision" – 3:56
"Who I Am" – 4:35
"Dreamflight" – 11:08
"Empty Memories" – 4:55
"Lonely" 5.03
This is a rare one for this list on a number of fronts - the only female fronted band , one of the few released in the 2000's and about the only album in my life where I have tolerated growls ;D I can’t say they add a great deal from my point of view but they’re used relatively sparingly and basically I’ll put up with a bit to hear Floor :hefdaddy. It’s also an album that really has something for all tastes - Floor’s flexibility means that vocally there’s everything from operatic to ballsy metal (often in the same song) , there’s brutally heavy songs, beautiful ballads and the catchy , more commercial flavour of the single Energize Me.
I’d been following After Forever for a while when this came out but certainly not since the beginning (they were actually formed at about the same time, possibly a bit before, Nightwish) – but long enough for Floor to be my favourite metal diva by some distance. Having said that I felt that until this album they’d never managed to put together a disc that’s solid from start to finish. And so , in the same vein as Armored Saint , I was very disappointed to hear that they’d called it quits after releasing their crowning achievement. Years later and now that disappointment has been replaced with excitement . I always said I’d be far more interested in Nightwish if they got Floor Jansen and being smart operators they took my advice. :hat I’m drooling with anticipation at what Floor will do with some good Nightwish songs.
Favourite Songs: Evoke (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7BFBW3psp0), Energize Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjm4BrNAf6s), Cry With A Smile (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpTG2tyuqPE), Envision (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdlF1CUrC28), Equally Destructive (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXDUrBDvM88)
Honourable Mention: Crown of Thorns- s/t (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUVQ-fcVVe8) .........not your usual melodic rock band. All black guys and Jean Beauvoir (who goes all the way back to the Plasmatics) out front with his blond mane/mohawk. The debut and Lost Cathedral are worth a listen for some good poppy melodic rock. This debut album features a co-write with Paul Stanley
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Never checked out AF, but just listened to that first track you put and it was pretty good, worth checking out.
I have one Crown of Thorns album, can't remember which one, it's alright, nothing special IMO.
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Never checked out AF, but just listened to that first track you put and it was pretty good, worth checking out.
I have one Crown of Thorns album, can't remember which one, it's alright, nothing special IMO.
Crown of Thorns had a habit of releasing alternating good/crap albums , so check which one you have ;D Some of the best songs they did were actually on their Raw Thorns (Unreleased Demo) disk and also the Voodoo X album. From the CoT - just the debut (one track linked above) and Lost Cathedral.
I'm nowhere near as into them now as I was back in the day but they were different and had some really good songs.
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Gonna check out some After Forever...but right now I'm rocking out to Showtime, Storytime..... :metal complete Floorgasm!
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Never checked out AF, but just listened to that first track you put and it was pretty good, worth checking out.
I have one Crown of Thorns album, can't remember which one, it's alright, nothing special IMO.
Crown of Thorns had a habit of releasing alternating good/crap albums , so check which one you have ;D Some of the best songs they did were actually on their Raw Thorns (Unreleased Demo) disk and also the Voodoo X album. From the CoT - just the debut (one track linked above) and Lost Cathedral.
I'm nowhere near as into them now as I was back in the day but they were different and had some really good songs.
I have Karma.
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OK.....not the worst but nowhere near their best. See what you think of the linked sample in the original post plus maybe Winterland (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhkS2Xjx1J4)(the Stanley write) and The Healer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iq7aFTDwWU) , also from the debut
From Lost Cathedral - Live and Die (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWt7rEX4lQo) - interesting art on the vid :) , Greed of Love (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRCDXskTrL8).
If you don't like that group- don't bother .
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They were a hell of a lot better than what I remember hearing on Karma.
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For those that want to check out After Forever, be forewarned... the albums prior to the the s/t are very inconsistent, and filled with much more growlies/grunts from Mark Jansen - they were originally a death metal cover band - so probably right up Kade's alley at least. They've had a lot of nice female guests as well - Sharon, Simone, Amanda... all the top female voices. The s/t is the most balanced, and the best display of Floor's range and diversity - most of the previous albums had her pretty much just doing operatic vocals - and combined with the male vocals being exclusively grunts on the first few albums, it just wasn't a good combination for my tastes.
You definitely highlighted the best album Brent. Though, I will say I'm pleasantly surprised this is even on your list, let alone so high.
Greg... if you want to check out more Floor, definitely go the Star One route, and perhaps ReVamp's latest album, Wild Card (it's better than their debut). I'll PM you.
Sorry for the derail. Back to the regularly scheduled programming.
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Does sound good, cause I liked that track Brent previewed, might be another one to check out. :facepalm:
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Remagine is reasonably conistent too Chad - and doesn't have Mark Janssen - maybe 2/3rds quality. Boundaries Are Open, Being Everyone and Face Your Demons are rippers. But yeah - you can make a great compilation of the other albums and that's about it.
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:corn
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I've never heard of After Forever, but the moment you mentioned the word growls, I tuned out
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I've never heard of After Forever, but the moment you mentioned the word growls, I tuned out
I don't think there's a single growl on any of my suggested tracks. It's just a few tracks and nothing of any great significance. If a few growls is enough to write off the whole album then I get it - but I'm pretty much the same as you when it comes to growls and it doesn't affect me here. At worst , skip a few of 13 tracks. I should've mentioned there's a duet with Doro on one too.
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I've never heard of After Forever, but the moment you mentioned the word growls, I tuned out
I don't think AF is up your alley Jay, but Energize Me is a pretty quick (3 mins) and rockin melodic metal tune - with no growls. Equally Destructive is my second fav from the album.
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(https://s4.postimg.org/nemwnvqrd/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/nemwnvqrd/)(https://s28.postimg.org/vlb0ixj21/3001.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/vlb0ixj21/)
#27: Lillian Axe: Psychoschizophrenia/Poetic Justice (TIE)
Released 1993/1992
Lillian Axe often had a level of sophistication to their songwriting that put them a cut above the majority of their peers. The two albums listed here are very different to each other though and I couldn't split them in the end. Poetic Justice I love because it just rocks and also has beautiful ballads such as See You Someday - but Psychoschizophrenia is a different kettle of fish altogether. I'll focus on that one here as it's quite a unique album and an under appreciated gem.
Here we have the only album ever where a band quite dramatically changed their sound to fit with the times and did such an amazing job on it that it became my (equal) favourite release of theirs. As a rule those sort of albums are a disaster.
Now they certainly didn’t “go grunge” but they did create a real dark, brooding atmosphere and write lyrics and music with much more depth and content (there are some explanatory notes included on what each song is about – it’s all a bit abstract , but many relate to mental illness) .They also add some mildly progressive elements to what fans had come to expect. You could never mistake the great voice of Ron Taylor but other than that you might think it’s a totally different band , such was the change. This is “thinking man’s rock/metal” and I obviously think they did a wonderful job in updating /maturing their sound. It's certainly not something to listen to for brightening up your day , but an extremely well written album that you may need to be in the mood for and/or might take time to work its magic on you..
I loved it from the minute I heard it.
For something more immediate and rocking , get out Poetic Justice – even just for the cover. ;D
Favourite Tracks (Poetic Justice): Mercy , (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL1qQ4IrURQ) Living In The Grey (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHnRps1qA7s), See You Someday (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dww8sIOfWLE) , Dyin' To Live (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPH7eHyAqrU), The Promised Land (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar4dPxS9kZM)
Favourite Tracks(Psycho):Deepfreeze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW7ogG9N-L8), Stop The Hate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsWRurjbf6s) , Voices In My Walls (https://grooveshark.com/#!/s/Voices+In+My+Walls/3JH32P?src=5), Those Who Prey (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvXSh8cm07U) , Deep Blue Shadows (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy9WN_VXgAc) , The Day I Met You (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLTjAT-kLK4)
Honourable Mention: Waysted- Save Your Prayers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrs9b5qRwWE)- Danny Vaughn pre-Tyketto with the UFO boyz. Great melodic rock and cost me a small fortune back in the day .
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Don't know Lilian Axe at all. Must. Check. Out.
Waysted... someone gave me a song of theirs in my last Roulette (Lowdz?) - How the West Was Won. Loved it. Can't remember if I checked out the whole album, but I guess I know what's on the listening docket this afternoon.
Fuck, do some more albums I already know, will ya??? You're killing us with this "Top 125" shit. :lol
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I'm killing me too :D - but I thought many of the best finds for you guys might be just outside the top 50 and so ,seeing as there definitely won't be a v.2, I thought I'd go for it and send you all broke in one go :hat
Once we get to Top 20 you'll know most of em for sure.
The track I linked above for Waysted is a ripper too.
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Waysted!! :metal
B, now you're talking. Save Your Prayers is a real good album but I definitely prefer the Fin albums.
Waysted... someone gave me a song of theirs in my last Roulette (Lowdz?) - How the West Was Won. Loved it. Can't remember if I checked out the whole album, but I guess I know what's on the listening docket this afternoon.
That would be your good buddy TAC.
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Don't know Lilian Axe at all. Must. Check. Out.
Waysted... someone gave me a song of theirs in my last Roulette (Lowdz?) - How the West Was Won. Loved it. Can't remember if I checked out the whole album, but I guess I know what's on the listening docket this afternoon.
Fuck, do some more albums I already know, will ya??? You're killing us with this "Top 125" shit. :lol
Yes you must. They were in my top 50, with the same Poetic Justice album. The run from album 2 Love & War, Poetic Justice and Psychoschizophrenia was just awesome. They died a death after that for me. 1st album is ok too.
That Giant album is a classic. Dan Huff is a great player and his voice is great for this music. Made my top 50.
The Waysted is ok but not an album I'm that familiar with tbh.
The AF is not for me.
Crown Of Thorns- 1st album is a cracker- did I not use them in your roulette Chad? Maybe a it was just a rec in the Melodic rock thread. The others not as good but the Voodoo X album was a return to form, although the production is shit.
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Crown of Thorns isn't ringing any bells, and I don't have them in my iTunes library, so you must not have.
Listened to Poetic Justice - excellent album. I give it a B+. But if I bought every B+ album I ever heard.... It's gotta be an A before I consider it purchase-worthy. Will try Psychoschizophrenia tomorrow. re-listening to Save Your Prayers atm. Another solid B+
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Don't know Lillian Axe and I've never checked out Waysted, even though I like Danny Vaughn.
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Don't know Lilian Axe at all. Must. Check. Out.
Waysted... someone gave me a song of theirs in my last Roulette (Lowdz?) - How the West Was Won. Loved it. Can't remember if I checked out the whole album, but I guess I know what's on the listening docket this afternoon.
Fuck, do some more albums I already know, will ya??? You're killing us with this "Top 125" shit. :lol
Yes you must. They were in my top 50, with the same Poetic Justice album. The run from album 2 Love & War, Poetic Justice and Psychoschizophrenia was just awesome. They died a death after that for me. 1st album is ok too.
That Giant album is a classic. Dan Huff is a great player and his voice is great for this music. Made my top 50.
The Waysted is ok but not an album I'm that familiar with tbh.
The AF is not for me.
Crown Of Thorns- 1st album is a cracker- did I not use them in your roulette Chad? Maybe a it was just a rec in the Melodic rock thread. The others not as good but the Voodoo X album was a return to form, although the production is shit.
Not a bad strike rate - fair enough re After Forever...............not for everyone.
Voodoo X did have poor production and is a bit like Raw Thorns , which is also a cracker with poor sound. Not a return to form though as it was recorded 4 years prior to the CoT debut :P ;D
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(https://s11.postimg.org/hay54fan3/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/hay54fan3/)
#26: Labyrinth: Return To Heaven Denied
Released: July 1998
Tracks
1. Moonlight 05:43
2. New Horizons 06:23
3. The Night of Dreams 04:48
4. Lady Lost in Time 05:33
5. State of Grace 03:08
6. Heaven Denied 04:58
7. Thunder 04:21
8. Feel (Cenith X cover) 04:23 instrumental
9. Time After Time 05:07
10. Falling Rain 06:24
11. Die for Freedom 07:00
As I've said numerous times already...when I see something classified as Euro power metal I am always on the defensive , expecting a double kick drumathon with an extra helping of cheese = boredom. Generally the only way I can get into this style of album is with frequent use of the Skip button , allowing me to just listen to the slower more powerful tracks. There are really only 2 albums in this style that I would happily listen to from start to finish these days - Stratovarius' Nemesis and this one. But very different albums they are (https://www.greensmilies.com/smile/smiley_emoticons_star-wars-yoda3-rot.gif)
The Strato is heavy , intense and music to rock out to :metal What comes to mind with this album though is the word “majestic” – it is just beautiful and barely a crumb of cheese in site. And when the double kick is used(regularly) it’s done in a tasteful and often inventive way with frequent changes of pace to keep things from getting boring. I can't over emphasise what an achievement that is in my case....just to retain my interest , let alone the :heart I have for this album. It sounds like Fates Warning does Hammerfall at times.
I love Fates Warning but where I sometimes find them a bit too mechanical/ sterile/flat , that’s where this Labyrinth albums succeeds. It has many of the best elements of Fates Warning (including vocalist Tyrant who sounds like Ray Alder ) but with an extra dose of energy ,a production that gives the music room to breathe and a nice combo of prog / power metal elements. It’s melodic , majestic, powerful and progressive, yet catchy and there’s not a single dud track on it. A yummy recipe and yet another album I struggle to find any reference to outside of the most obscure corners of the internet.
Labyrinth sit atop the family tree of bands like Vision Divine and Rhapsody and I reckon this album is much better than anything from those bands. They also have some other strong albums themselves but this sits apart from all but the most recent (not coincidentally RTHD Part II ) which is also very strong and sees the return of guitarist Olaf Thorsen to the band. Tyrant and Thorsen seem to create magic together but neither are near as strong without the other. And yes - they were formed in Tuscany ;)
Favourite Tracks:,State of Grace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT5GFcfztYI), Moonlight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFaaIZQy_do) Falling Rain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9z7V005QKc), Die For Freedom (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMozs7yuYw0), Heaven Denied, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79474MuJ5bg)
Honourable Mention : Pretty Maids- Jump The Gun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCuTLnDSVdY) .....also known as Lethal Heroes in some countries. The album that got me into Pretty Maids and still the most consistent from their classic era IMO. Dan Wexler was involved with this - like the Icon guitar sound Jay? :)
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Thats the best Pretty Maids album that I've heard from them.
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Not sure if I'd take Jump the Gun or Future World, but JTG is awesome, as is most Pretty Maids.
Just listening to State of Grace now, and this is amazing. Reminds me of a mix of Pyramaze, Black Majesty and yeah a bit of FW too. Another one to definitely check. You are pimping some good ass shit man!
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When I saw the title, I was thinking 'what Italian band is it going to be?' I figured it would likely be power (not prog), but wasn't expecting Labyrinth - that's actually one of the bunch I don't know much about! You couldn't have highlighted Odd Dimension. Absolute Priority, Pathosray, Secret Sphere, Amaze Knight, Karnya, DGM, Daedalus, Soul Secret, Mind Key, Stargate, or Genius? That would've saved me yet another album to check out.
And as for Pretty Maids... Kade or JJ recommended Future World and that was the one early era album I got, along with a greatest hits album. Been picking up everything since 2006 - they're freakin awesome.
2 more albums to listen to today. :evilmonkey:
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Sorry mate but the minute you hear Moonlight I reckon you'll :drool:
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Sorry mate but the minute you hear Moonlight I reckon you'll :drool:
It's good, but I can't say it wows me any more than any other Italian (or Euro) prog/power metal band. Sure, Rhapsody is the ultimate definition of cheese metal, but others are as good as what I'm listening to.
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Ah well , not to me ;D This album connects with me where most others don't.
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When I saw the title, I was thinking 'what Italian band is it going to be?' I figured it would likely be power (not prog), but wasn't expecting Labyrinth - that's actually one of the bunch I don't know much about! You couldn't have highlighted Odd Dimension. Absolute Priority, Pathosray, Secret Sphere, Amaze Knight, Karnya, DGM, Daedalus, Soul Secret, Mind Key, Stargate, or Genius? That would've saved me yet another album to check out.
And as for Pretty Maids... Kade or JJ recommended Future World and that was the one early era album I got, along with a greatest hits album. Been picking up everything since 2006 - they're freakin awesome.
2 more albums to listen to today. :evilmonkey:
You do like your Italian prog/power metal. :biggrin:
Not heard this Labyrinth. I've heard them but not got anything by them. Sounds good though, will check some out. Its payday today, just don't tell my missus :lol
Pretty Maids are awesome.. First album I heard was Wake Up To The Real World, which I loved. The last couple were even better. I have the early albums too but not devoted enough time to them yet. Future World was very good.
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I never got into Pretty Maids
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I never got into Pretty Maids
It's never too late :biggrin:
Motherland and Pandemonium are just awesome
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtlV87cG084&list=PLnuuOK76qX_DwClNwPy2g306-vpbhLYjE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2as4ruSXQBA&list=PLnuuOK76qX_DwClNwPy2g306-vpbhLYjE&index=2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZrmVdsKoqw
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I never got into Pretty Maids
It's never too late :biggrin:
Motherland and Pandemonium are just awesome
Seconded.
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I never got into Pretty Maids
It's never too late :biggrin:
Motherland and Pandemonium are just awesome
Seconded.
x3.
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I've only got Louder Than Ever and Motherland, but like both. I've been meaning to go back through their discography.
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Really liked that Labyrinth - agree with all you said in the review. Costing. Me. A. Fortune. Brent.
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2nd half of that Labyrinth album was more memorable than the first. Given my love for Italian power metal artists, I'd been meaning to check them out, and this might go in the purchase-worthy category.
You better get to that top 20, and albums/bands we already know pdq mate.
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ok, a bit late but I'm now scoring this for the 1st 20
own - 12/20
heard - 16/20
love - 10/20
I think I have a higher hit rate with the special mentions! They have cost me some cash so far. Not had to buy anything from the main list yet.
The current batch of 10 i have a higher hit rate.
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Good to see some love for the Labyrinth :tup
I think I have a higher hit rate with the special mentions!
I thought that might be the case and is the reason I went to the extra work . Because I had so much trouble getting the 50 I went for "life impact" which involves quite a number of albums that I really don't fancy as much any more but which were very important at some point in my life.
You better get to that top 20, and albums/bands we already know pdq mate.
On a review of the Top 20 I reckon 16 are gimmes for you guys - the other 4 I'm not as certain of. :hat There's only one where I'd say there's a chance of nobody knowing it....Paul spoils a lot of that fun ;)
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Labyrinth is on The List. Love Vision Divine but have never gone back to check out Labyrinth.
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And just to prove the huge diversity in my taste..............some 70's. ;D ::)
(https://s29.postimg.org/5w0gtvljn/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/5w0gtvljn/)
#25 The Doobie Brothers: The Captain and Me
Released 1973
Tracks
1."Natural Thing" – 3:17
2."Long Train Runnin' – 3:25
3."China Grove" – 3:14
4. "Dark Eyed Cajun Woman" – 4:12
5."Clear as the Driven Snow" – 5:18
6. "Without You"– 4:58
7."South City Midnight Lady"– 5:27
8. "Evil Woman" – 3:17
9."Busted Down Around O'Connelly Corners" – 0:48
10. "Ukiah" – 3:04
11. "The Captain and Me" – 4:53
The first album I ever owned will be featured a little later but this one I was brought up on from toddler stage, so I suppose this comes first. Of the dozens of records that my dad played while I was a kid , only 4 artists really gained any traction with me - Chicago , Dire Straits, Eric Clapton and top of the list is The Doobie Brothers. They’re also one of many big bands that I enjoyed just as much after a major lineup change that would divide the fanbase. Because I'm a fogey (but only just) I hit my peak listening years at a time when Pink Floyd was Waters-less , Chicago was Cetera-less, ACDC was Bon-less, Halen was DLR-less and in almost all cases I like both versions of the band , or in some cases prefer the “non classic” lineup. I really had no attachment at all to the "classic lineup". And the same goes for The Doobie Bros. One of the few constants across all eras is guitarist Patrick Simmons who I feel is quite under rated as a writer and player.
Obviously the different eras of the Doobies are very different given the background of Michael McDonald and the flavour he brought to the band - I can appreciate the more rock/funk angle of the earlier stuff and the more soulful McDonald material. Both eras are so melodic , catchy and well written that I really enjoy both. I was very close to making this a tie with Minute By Minute which contains the great title track and What A Fool Believes.
The gong goes to The Captain and Me though , mostly because it has the legendary China Grove and Long Train Runnin but also due to the diversity of sounds. Everything from the melodic rock of China Grove , the funky rhythms of Long Train Running, the tasty blues soloing in dark Eyed Cajun Woman , the folksy Clear As The Driven Snow , the pedal steel of South City Midnight Lady etc………every track has its identity. And this came out in 1973 – three years before Boston’s debut which is often heralded as the beginning of classic AOR – China grove might have something to say about that too. And then there’s Evil Woman which borders on metal for the time. An absolute classic and the fact that it sits this high in my hard rock/metal focused list speaks volumes..
Favourite Tracks: China Grove (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv4fNvgstdw) , Long Train Runnin (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnD0eVdHJfI), Dark Eyed Cajun Woman (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZXTUFbQEwk),Ukiah (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8zmhu3DggY)
Honourable Mention : Michael Thompson Band - How Long (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHJjIhHno_0) - Silky smooth AOR with session regular Michael Thompson laying down some very tasteful guitar over the distinctive vocals of Moon Calhoun. Chill out music. Outro solo lingers a bit on the linked track but that's where most of the guitar work is.
Next up - my favourite metal album of the last 5 years.
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Always quite liked the Doobs. I have their best of, wasn't any more of a fan than that. Quality music.
That Michael Tompson was smooth, never heard of him but with some of that guitar playing, he's definitely someone I should check out.
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I can't even call myself a 'best-of' fan... I only know about a half dozen songs, the ones that get/got radio airplay - China Grove of course being one of them. The Doobie's just never struck me as a band I needed to get in to.
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When I was in my covers band a few years back we always played China Grove, and it was actually one of my favs to play, such a killer song.
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I can't even call myself a 'best-of' fan... I only know about a half dozen songs, the ones that get/got radio airplay - China Grove of course being one of them. The Doobie's just never struck me as a band I needed to get in to.
I've never heard a DB song as far as I know. They seem to get alot of respect but I never thoought they would be anything I would be intersted in (edit - just played the links- its fine but not my kind of thing). Played the MTB link. The song nearly sent me to sleep but the solo was good. Didn't mind that it went on as it was nice. I need a bit more "oomph" in my AOR though.
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Doobie's were just your straight 70's classic rock. China Grove, Long Train Running, Listen to the Music, Jesus Is Just Alright were probably their biggest hits, and maybe Takin' It To the Streets.
EDIT: How could I forget What A Fool Believes.
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Along with Black Water, Take Me In Your Arms, Rockin Down the Highway, and Listen to the Music, that's pretty much the extent of my knowledge.
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Along with Black Water, Take Me In Your Arms, Rockin Down the Highway, and Listen to the Music, that's pretty much the extent of my knowledge.
I'll put money down you hear the other songs and you'll be like, "I know this as well!"
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Along with Black Water, Take Me In Your Arms, Rockin Down the Highway, and Listen to the Music, that's pretty much the extent of my knowledge.
I'll put money down you hear the other songs and you'll be like, "I know this as well!"
Invariably... I was just referring to what I had in my iTunes library.
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I'm surprised you just have single songs and not just a greatest hits.
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This write up is going to be a bit of a general love in for a Mr Urban Breed who sings on many of my all time favourite metal tracks :hefdaddy - apologies for mentioning a couple of other discs :angel:
(https://s15.postimg.org/f5412chwn/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/f5412chwn/)
#24 Trail of Murder: Shades of Art
Released 2012
Tracks
1. Shades of Art 04:30
2. Carnivore 03:58
3. Lady Don't Answer 04:38
4. Mab 04:09
5. I Know Shadows 04:30
6. Your Silence 05:14
7. Higher 03:57
8. The Song You Never Sang 03:15
9. Nightmares I Stole 04:02
10. Child of Darkest Night 04:42
11. Some Stand Alone 03:47
12. My Heart Still Cries 05:22
This is one of only three albums released in the last 5 years or so that I feel strongly about in a positive way- the other two being the Shy (#50) and DT12. First some history behind my :heart for the eccentric man , urban Breed (yes he likes the first name without the capital letter).
One of my early proggish metal discs was Tad Morose's Sender of Thoughts and it was through my interest in this band that I discovered Mr Breed who arrived later and appeared first on A Mended Rhyme and then another three after that , each one getting a bit better. Even though the music was a bit up and down I knew that with the right material this guy could slay it. The final Tad Morose disc with him appearing was Modus Vivendi which is the HM below - the link contains one of my all time favourite power metal tracks, but like all the Urban Breed albums pre-2012 they either contained half killer (but what killer :hefdaddy ), half filler and/or the production was crap. In the case of Modus Vivendi it was a bit of both.
The Bloodbound discs he appeared on have better production but are again only maybe a third killer. Definitely worth checking out though as the good tracks are also faves of mine. I'm no huge Maiden fan but the Maiden inspired material on Nosferatu is fantastic and the heavier more proggy stuff on Tabula Rasa is cool too.
Some samples of each;
from Nosferatu : Nosferatu, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmnCNLq_p7Y) Behind The Moon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5Y1jqQkcuw), Metal Monster (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntJdIwJVhvE)
from Tabula Rasa : Take One (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnfiVOpOkR8) , Plague Doctor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heNxRiGnZsM)
So , if you can't already tell, I love this guy's voice ..........he has the power and range to match just about any of my favourite metal singers , throw in a bit of Mike Howe sneer and an amazing ability to craft vocal melodies that I find memorable and it was just a matter of waiting for the right material with a good production. And that's what Trail of Murder delivers.
This disc took a very long time to surface – after leaving behind his gigs with Tad Morose, Bloodbound and later on Pyramaze (never recorded with them) Breed put the band together in 2005 , recorded between 2007 and 2011 , mixed/mastered in 2011 and released in October 2012 – that’s Def Leppard/Boston type speed. But it was well worth the wait. There isn’t a weak track on this but faves as linked. Your Silence brings the best of Conception to mind – likewise Nightmares I Stole and Crimson Glory……..the opening (title) track has a commercial edge but still with plenty of balls.
That this album was released in 2012 and made my top 25 speaks volumes – it is already one of my top melodic metal albums of all time and can only rise up the rankings. Given the criteria I laid out at the start this is as high as I felt I could place a recent release. I’ve never really seen it discussed anywhere , so either nobody knows about it or I have crap taste . It brings together Breed with guys who have played with him in past projects (Akerlind, Olsson) and is effectively a Breed solo album.
If you asked me where my current tastes lie when it comes to metal I could almost just hand you this disc. It’s fresh yet retro , beautiful yet brutal ,heavy yet very melodic, well produced and another one of those albums with its own (menacing) atmosphere. I’m not one for commenting on lyrics normally but Breed has also done a great job there too– much of is abstract but there’s obviously a lot more thought in it than your average metal album. I felt so strongly about it after purchasing that I took the time to write an in depth song by song review , something I haven’t done before or since. I won’t repeat that here but I’m sure you get the picture anyway.
Favourite Tracks (where do I start?): Your Silence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNimW2q1yRU), Nightmares I Stole (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IsCEY628Cw), Shades of Art (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIU2rkhibZo), Some Stand Alone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvJSHaICZmg) ,Carnivore (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDoeKx9_ETo),, My Heart Still Cries (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEnvS_tvNp8),
Much to my surprise the whole album has recently appeared on Grooveshark.
Honourable Mention: Tad Morose- Modus Vivendi (https://youtu.be/0S22boOZCAQ) - as mentioned above. The linked track "Take On The World" is one of the best power metal songs ever IMO - great combination of heaviness and melody. Shame about the muddy production.
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More artists I don't know.
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(https://s11.postimg.org/a6ycc2tvz/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/a6ycc2tvz/)
#23 Ten : The Name of the Rose
Released 1996
Tracks
1. The Name of The Rose 8:31
2. Wildest Dreams 5:33
3. Don't Cry 5:00
4. Turn Around 3:52
5. Pharaos Prelude 3:54
6. Wait For You 5:31
7. The Rainbow 6:03
8. Through The Fire 8:19
9. Goodnight Saigon 7:02
10. Wings of The Storm 5:02
11. Standing In Your Light 7:16
12. The Quest 4:52
13. You're My Religion 6:48
A couple of you guys know Andrew from Tassie and his mr.com website – well (I’m going to show my age here) back in the days before that website and before the internet was ubiquitous Andrew was running a little mail order CD shop. He used to send out catalogues each month and we’d chat on the phone about new releases etc……..and every now and then he was kind enough to just ship me some CDs he was sure I’d like on a buy/return basis. Well one day a parcel turned up with the debut albums from both Ten and Harem Scarem. Needless to say he had my taste down pat. That would’ve been around 1995-96.
Anyway………from that point both bands became big favourites. Ten do seem to be a bit of a love/hate proposition and I imagine that’s in large part due to Gary Hughes’ deep vocals and limited range. It never really bothered me and in the end it just makes them stand out from everyone else. I place a lot of value in a band having their own sound , which is one of the reasons I find so little to like among new releases in the melodic rock area these days. The band behind Hughes was also very solid with Greg Morgan and Vinny Burns (ex-Dare) on guitar.
Ten have been around ever since (with the odd break)and , although they’ve produced plenty of great songs, as albums I don’t think they ever matched the first few . The debut is fantastic , and contains one of the most beautifully written ballads ever written (Loneliest Place In The World) but overall I think The Name of the Rose is a better ,more consistent and heavier album. It’s also the start of Hughes’ penchant for writing about grandiose topics of history/legend/fantasy – in this case stuff like Egyptian gods on my favourite track Wait For You. It’s also one of the few albums they recorded where the production is half decent – in fact their third album The Robe may have been their best if it didn’t sound like it was recorded in an outdoor dunny.
Interestingly the debut and TNOTR were both recorded in the same sessions and were released only 6 months apart in 1996 - they certainly don't sound like two parts of the same album to me , so presumably there was a conscious decision made to keep the tunes for each album a bit different in style and sound.
Favourite Tracks: Name of the Rose (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lEFza29eMI), Wait For You (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLBB50L4Dy4), Goodnight Saigon, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmzNi4K5GO8)
Honourable Mention: Dare - Out of the Silence - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9mp2Zw2gwE) The first main gig for Ten guitarist Vinny Burns. Celtic tinged chill out AOR and acknowledged widely as a classic of the genre.
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Trail Of Murder is a great album - I do quite like Tad Morose but they do get same-y after a while. I went through a big power metal kick a couple of years ago but overdosed on the sameness. I really couldn't tell one band from another. Mr Breed has got a great voice. I agree about the production comments too.
Ten are a very hit and miss band for me. TNoTR is just a great album. I went with Spellbound in m top 50 but this ran it close. Very epic album. Never had a problem with Gary Hughes voice, though it does operate in the same range the whole time. They lost me with a couple of albms in their mid career (Far Beyond The World and Babylon - that other fans seem to love) and they never quite got back up there. They are a bit Axel Rudi Pell in that they don't deviate from their sound at all - you know what you're going to get.
But when GH writes for Bob Catley great things happen! :metal
edit - The Ten albums often suffer in the production side of things too. It must be Gary's ears as all their albums sound muddy to me. Spellbound stands out to me as the guitars cut through a bit more than usual.
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I first got into Ten when a buddy of mine at the time (around 2003) burned a disc full of mp3s to help me expand my prog-metal horizons, as I really only knew DT. Ten, Vanden Plas, Shadow Gallery were on that, along with a few other unknown bands I've never seen discussed around here. X was the Ten album. The earlier albums are stronger musically, but weaker production wise. I think I agree with Paul's comments word for word. Pretty consistent, and they don't stray too far from their formula. Spellbound would get my nod as my favorite.
I like what I've heard from Tad Morose, and really need to dig into them a bit. Liked the few rec's you gave me a while back, but I need to get them an album at a time. Now I know which album to fire up.
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Love Ten, seriously underrated. Name of the Rose I'd say is easily their best album, amazing melodic rock, and it's just song after song of great melodies and songwriting.
That Dare album too is awesome.
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Love Ten, seriously underrated. Name of the Rose I'd say is easily their best album, amazing melodic rock, and it's just song after song of great melodies and songwriting.
That Dare album too is awesome.
:tup
Trail Of Murder is a great album
i might not be back for #22 for a few weeks now - I'm having the same experience I had when I first got Trail of Murder and cannot stop playing the thing.
They lost me with a couple of albms in their mid career (Far Beyond The World and Babylon - that other fans seem to love) and they never quite got back up there.
But when GH writes for Bob Catley great things happen! :metal
I think Far Beyond The World is a decent effort - Glimmer of Evil I really liked. Babylon .......................well I thought I was the only one. Every time I've seen a discussion re Ten a fair % of the fans tend to count Babylon as their masterpiece. I came into that as a huge fan and it was a one play job for me - and I'm not sure I even managed one whole listen. Totally not memorable......like most concept albums.
FTR Bob Catley's The Tower was extremely close to a place in this list.
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Babylon is probably my least fav Ten album, and Far Beyond the World would be my second fav behind Rose. Never understood the negativity for Far Beyond, great rock.
The only really great song on Babylon was the opener, as you guys said the rest is totally forgettable.
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More artists I don't know.
I'll be very interested in your thoughts on Trail of Murder/Tad Morose/Bloodbound samples when you get around to it Kade - you were front and centre in my mind as "he most likely to be impressed". I can't stop playing em all over again.
Anyway.............onward and upward. Just as #24 was a love fest for Urban Breed , so #22 is for Mark Free.
(https://s8.postimg.org/6v674r9zl/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/6v674r9zl/)(https://s30.postimg.org/sp706nwel/signal.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/sp706nwel/)
#22 Unruly Child: s/t and Signal: Loud and Clear (TIE)
Released 1992/1989
Mark Free is undoubtedly one of the more versatile voices in rock– not to mention one of the most powerful. He was one of the” go to” men for singing on demos from big songwriters like Judithe Randall in the 80’s , he hooked up with Carmine Appice and became the lead vocalist in the classic lineup of metal band King Kobra for two albums - also LA Rocks which later became Eyes - and then left and recorded three classic melodic rock/AOR albums.......Signal, Unruly Child and Long Way From Love (see HM) In fact he was so versatile that he had the snip , became a chick and is still putting out good albums as Marcie Free with a newly resurrected Unruly Child at the age of 60. ;D And no I’m not kidding . Either way- Mark , Marcie- he/she had and has one of the most amazing voices in rock.
Signal was the first of his more melodic rock/AOR albums and at this moment in time it's probably a touch soft for my taste but in my mind it's an AOR classic and features some great vocal performances and some tasty guitar work. Some may know of Jan Uvena (drums) who did stints with Alice Cooper and Alcatrazz. There were plenty of great songwriters involved here too (Mark Baker, Bob Halligan Jnr - who was also a big part of Icon's Night of the Crime) - those with a good ear will recognise the song "Go" as a reworked , and probably better, version of Triumph's Running In The Night. I imagine those who don't mind the lighter side of Giant will like this . I have linked below to songs which I think do a good job of highlighting Free's vocals. The label did $#% all to promote this album and it faded into obscurity.
Next Free got together with Bruce Gowdy (ex Stone Fury/World Trade) and Guy Allison (World Trade) – two of the best writers in the biz – and Unruly Child was the result. Top notch rockers and soaring ballads throughout with a huge production from Beau Hill. Mark’s voice is a touch low in the mix but when it matters he has the power to overcome that. Another amazing debut and another band that was dropped like a hot potato even before the album was released - virtually to the day that grunge hit the scene like a hurricane. Talking of hurricanes they returned 6 years later with Hurricane (and now Foreigner) vocalist Kelly Hansen – very good album but not quite the same without Free.
There seems to be plenty that think one or the other of Signal/Unruly Child is far better than the other but I think they're equally classic in their own way. These days I would favour the Unruly Child.
Once again – they don’t make ‘em like this any more. I can’t really think of a better album released in 1992 either – or can I ?
Favourites (Unruly Child): Who Cries Now (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-o-6tHwM8I), Wind Me Up (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu74eIGaweg), When Love Is Gone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w-V5CT5VSo), On The Rise (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_iGlnA36kk)
Note to Chad - Grooveshark's listing of the Unruly Child is missing Track 2 - Take Me Down Nasty
Favourites (Signal): You Won't See Me Cry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4zdqjjnKbU) , Go (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m82EuK-5C7o) , This Love This Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUm5T5bw2oM), Does It Feel Like Love, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuoJJjNIhPA)
Honourable Mention: Mark Free : Long Way From Love- (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITQq2Bk7baE) I don't think any of these 3 albums do the perfect job of capturing Free at his best - the production on Signal needs a little more punch and he's too low in the mix on Unruly Child -but vocally this album might just be the best sounding. Basically a bunch of reworked melodic rock demos from "the Randall's" but if you can forgive the drum machine there's some great (wimpy) songs and vocals.
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Checkin' out some of those Trail of Murder samples right now man.
I only have the latest one from Unruly Child (forget the name) which is pretty nice melodic rock. I need to check out their older stuff.
I heard some of Mark Free's older stuff which is quality, but again so hard to find. I gotta say Free's voice suffered after his sex change operation IMO.
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Totally dug that Trail of Murder album. Purchase-worthy for sure. Brent, clean out your inbox mate, and send me a list of the 'killer' Tad Morose Songs that are essential. Might make a little 'best-of' list so that I don't bog myself down with unworthy music.
*le sigh* ... two/three more new albums to check out.
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Totally dug that Trail of Murder album. Purchase-worthy for sure. Brent, clean out your inbox mate, and send me a list of the 'killer' Tad Morose Songs that are essential. Might make a little 'best-of' list so that I don't bog myself down with unworthy music.
*le sigh* ... two/three more new albums to check out.
Yeah, fuck me hey, some quality amazing music coming from this list so far, and I haven't even checked every album here I don't know.
I fucking loved that Trail of Murder, you've nailed my taste Brent, killer stuff. That Tad Morose song was great, but yeah, that production is pretty horrid.
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Unruly Child: s/t
Signal: Loud and Clear
Mark Free : Long Way From Love
I got all three of these recently after Unruly Child was suggested in the AOR thread. Great albums!
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(https://s23.postimg.org/a744k0fx3/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/a744k0fx3/)
#21 XYZ: s/t
Released 1989
Tracks
1. Maggy
2. Inside Out
3. What Keeps Me Loving You
4. Take What You Can
5. Follow the Night
6. Come On N' Love Me
7. Souvenirs
8. Tied Up
9. Nice Day to Die
10. After the Rain
This album seems to suffer from a reputation that it’s some sort of Dokken ripoff and the only apparent reason is that Don Dokken produced it. Aside from that and a nice crunchy rhythm guitar sound I’m not sure what the fuss is – the singer and guitarist both have their own unique (fantastic) sound. In my opinion, XYZ were much better and have a lot more variety in their music than most of the big names that made it in hair metal , including plenty of Dokken material. I’d have trouble splitting them if you asked me who was my favourite , so that’s an indication of how highly I thought of them , given they only had two genuine albums.
Even before this album XYZ were pretty well known about the US rock scene and were the house band at The Whiskey in the mid 80’s. This release didn’t come until ’89 and once again I think this band came along a couple of years too late – they were on a big label for this (Enigma) and cracked the Billboard at #99 but they came and went very quickly. Not for me though……….I played this over and over and transcribed most of it too. I eventually bought the official tab (which now goes for megabucks on Ebay if you can find it).
Although the rhythm section shines too, the key players are Terry Illous on vocals and Marc Richard Diglio ,one of the most criminally under rated rock guitarists ever. Terry has a very distinctive voice with plenty of power and range (see last note of Souvenirs :hefdaddy ) and in recent times has ended up fronting Great White. Diglio really had it all – strong on rhythm and lead (tick) , has his own easily recognisable sound (tick) and often has a real rhythmic, funky style of lead playing with elements of Bratta and Bettencourt (tick).
There’s not a bad song on this and everything from commercial rockers, heavier rock to big ballads. I know some who prefer the follow up album Hungry - I think that possibly sounds more lively on the production side (s/t is perhaps a bit too slick) but IMO the songs aren’t quite as good across the album. Hungry is definitely worth tracking down too though.
Favourite Tracks: Take What You Can (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF0LLupSDX4) ,Nice Day To Die (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEQ7v4U42O4), Maggy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnRSoo4sEIo), Souvenirs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d--GddN13o), Tied Up (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMrQcbMsVUI)
NOTE: As seems to be common the Grooveshark album listing is missing Track 6 C'mon and Love me.
Honourable Mention: Stun Leer : Once (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_w9pOm2D6A)- solo project from Doug Howard of Touch. Pretty straight forward melodic rock but had my attention for quite a while back in the day.
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So far................on the main list
#50 : Shy-Shy
#49: Vanden Plas- Colour Temple
#48: Icon: Night of the Crime
#47: Pink Floyd: A Momentary Lapse of Reason
#46: Noiseworks-Noiseworks
#45: Red Dawn-Never Say Surrender
#44: Annihilator-Never Neverland
#43: Place Vendome-Place Vendome
#42: Riverdogs-Riverdogs
#41; Symphony X - The Divine Wings of Tragedy
#40: Armored Saint: Symbol of Salvation
#39; Bon Jovi: Slippery When Wet
#38: Metal Church: Hanging In The Balance/Blessing In Disguise
#37: Angra: Angels Cry
#36: Elegy: Supremacy
#35: Gary Moore: Wild Frontier/Corridors of Power
#34: Stratovarius: Fourth Dimension
#33: Threshold: Psychedelicatessen
#32: Conception: In Your Multitude
#31: Judas Priest: Painkiller
#30: Crimson Glory: Transcendence
#29: Giant: Last Of The Runaways
#28:After Forever:s/t
#27: Lillian Axe: Poetic Justice & Psychoschizophrenia
#26: Labyrinth: Return To Heaven Denied
#25: The Doobie Brothers: The Captain & Me
#24: Trail of Murder: Shades of Art
#23: Ten : The Name Of The Rose
#22: Unruly Child: s/t & Signal: Loud and Clear
#21: XYZ: s/t
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XYZ is a pretty good release, but it is a little too slick
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Unruly Child and Signal are decent bands - play them both fairly regularly and they are certainly AOR royalty. I did expect to see them on this list :biggrin:
You mentioned Bruce Gowdy from Stone Fury, now there was a band!
Kade, that last UC album is very similar to the 1st one, as though they set out to write a carbon copy like DT were accused of with I&W and ADTOE.
I have the 1st 2 XYZ albums and both are very good, the 1st one is best. I don't rate them as high as Brent, I found them to be a bit of a Dokken copy but not as good, there's more filler on those two albums than Dokken albums in the T&N - BFTA era.
I don't own that Stun Leer album but have heard it on Youtube. Very good melodic rock.
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In this batch:
own 7/10 - though counting the ties I own 9/12. Purchasing that Labyrinth too.
heard 7/10
love - 7/10 (or 10/12)
and in total
own - 19/30
heard - 23/30
love - 17/30
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Another new one.
Although, I have a digital copy of that Stun Leer album, and it's awesome.
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Since the last time I posted my knowledge (I think it was #34), I'm only 4/14, though I give myself a +3 for Judas, Conception and Giant. Know those albums, just don't own them.
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I'd be confident giving myself 17 from that list in total. Some I know better than others.
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The name Mike Slamer has been a fairly prominent part of my listening for at least 25 years. I could've chosen any number of albums and I'm a bit bummed at not being able to squeeze in Steelhouse Lane's Slaves of the New World for one , but I've decided to stick with the Slamer/Greer combo and have selected two albums recorded almost 20 years apart.
The HM (Wall of Silence) was produced by Slamer and he has co-writes but , even though he's not credited , I swear he played on it.
(https://s28.postimg.org/kjkuvpczt/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/kjkuvpczt/)(https://s29.postimg.org/mt0ssqh5v/image.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/mt0ssqh5v/)
#20 Streets: Crimes In Mind/ Seventh Key: The Raging Fire (TIE)
Released 1985/2004
Streets was my first exposure to Slamer and also (indirectly) to Kansas. It was the first band where Slamer and Greer collaborated closely and it also happened to feature Greer’s Kansas bandmate Steve Walsh on vocals. It’s basically a more straight ahead, rocked up, guitar heavy Kansas sound and I really like it. The guitar work is really cool for the time as well. The first Streets album was good but a bit patchy - they really hit their stride here and it’s yet another little known classic. Three of the ten tracks aren’t quite at the same level as the rest , but the level on the seven best is fantastic.
Slamer is a bit of a hermit in terms of his public profile but he sure knows how to surround himself with the right people. If you look back to his first big band City Boy and their album from 1979 - on bass we have Mutt Lange and on harmonica Huey Lewis ;D I don't know whether Slamer tought Lange or vice versa but another thing Slamer can do (in modern times) is get a sound quality/production on a shoestring budget that would put a lot of bigger bands to shame. No names :angel:
The Seventh Key features Greer on vocals who was a bit of a revelation to me at the time. Just more fantastic melodic rock.
Favourite Tracks (Streets) Don't Look Back (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FwmdwjG-z4) , Crimes In Mind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUByO41sBpg) , I Can't Wait (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8aZxuchp9o), Turn My Head (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XLITZlzaKg),
Favourite Tracks (Seventh Key): Cross The Line (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zu_nG9-ahQ) , It Should've Been You, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmm8-gKQ12k) The Sun Will Rise (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDW93_EE4e8) , Winds of War (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG_DCYp8sfM)
Honourable Mention: Wall of Silence- Shock To The System (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_2BEAsG0Ns).............Canadian melodic rock with Slamer twidldling the dials.
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Never checked out Streets but love Slamer and Seventh Key. That's easily the best album from them. Gonna check those streets songs and WOS now.
Also, I went back and found a digital copy of Lillian Axe, Poetic Justice. It was okay but didn't blow me away at all.
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Ok, now you're just cheating and disobeying the rules!
Three more to add to the list - though I did check out this years release from Seventh Key, and remember that it was very enjoyable, but didn't quite stick to the ribs.
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I remember the Streets album being released. Don't remember much about it though.
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Ok, now you're just cheating and disobeying the rules!
Three more to add to the list - though I did check out this years release from Seventh Key, and remember that it was very enjoyable, but didn't quite stick to the ribs.
Soz :D .................Cross The Line is fucking killer :hefdaddy Not that's a build up to a chorus
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Ok, now you're just cheating and disobeying the rules!
Three more to add to the list - though I did check out this years release from Seventh Key, and remember that it was very enjoyable, but didn't quite stick to the ribs.
Soz :D .................Cross The Line is fucking killer :hefdaddy Not that's a build up to a chorus
Yeah, probably the best song on there, great climax to the solo at the end too. I actually love the verse riff in this, very Sabbath.
Chad, the new one is actually something I come back to now and then for something a bit lighter but it's not the best introduction to the band, the best is right here. The latest was decent enough but doesn't come close to this.
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Once again – they don’t make ‘em like this any more. I can’t really think of a better album released in 1992 either – or can I ?
Note to Chad - Grooveshark's listing of the Unruly Child is missing Track 2 - Take Me Down Nasty
On the first point, you better be able to think of a better album from 1992! I can think of a couple right now.
On the second point, yes it is there. You just need to select the "show more songs" option at the bottom. Whoever uploaded it didn't do the tracklisting correctly, and has it at #1, therefore it gets hidden below the main album listing.
Great sounding album... another one to add to my lump of purchases that I can feel coming on. Production seems a little thin, but otherwise this is a great sounding album.
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(https://s15.postimg.org/9fk0vp80n/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/9fk0vp80n/)
#19 Tesla : The Great Radio Controversy
Released 1989
Tracks
1. Hang Tough
2. Lady Luck
3. Heaven's Trail (No Way Out)
4. Be A Man
5. Lazy Days, Crazy Nights
6. Did It For The Money
7. Yesterdaze Gone
8. Makin' Magic
9. The Way It Is
10. Flight To Nowhere
11. Love Song
12. Paradise
13. Party's Over
What do you get when you combine the songwriting prowess, heaviness and catchiness of Def Leppard/Bon Jovi in their prime with a bluesy/ Southern influence , some 70’s Aerosmith, lose the big hair and add a Tom Keifer style glass-gargling vocalist? Tesla - and to me they’re the ultimate band in this rootsy rock style, ahead of bands like Cinderella. They also did a better job of it than Great White who IMHO went way too commercial.
Like most of the bands in this list , almost nobody knew them at the time here in Australia other than diehards , but while looking back at this album I was surprised to see just how well they charted in the USA. I never realised they had stats like this (via Wikipedia):
- All of their first 5 albums (and that includes 2004’s Into The Now) cracked the Billboard top 35
- Psychotic Supper and FMAJ almost made top 10 and were the highest charters
- The first 3 studio albums + FMAJ went platinum , TGRC went multi platinum despite charting lower than PS
- Love Song and Signs (live) were top 10 singles.
Anyway………when it comes down to it I rate all of their first three albums very highly , and while many of my favourite songs (Song&Emotion , Modern Day Cowboy for two) come from other albums I find TGRC to be the most consistently great across all the songs. It was hard choice but if I think back and do the usual criteria of which album got the most play without using Skip , then it certainly wins there too.
There’s a whole load of different degrees of heaviness on this album and it all works – Paradise in particular shows what they were capable of when they decided to push their song writing beyond the usual. The sort of stuff that made them one of the few bands of their type not to be totally wiped off the map in the early 90’s. They were also ahead of their time a bit later on with the FMAJ , which played a large part in setting off the rash of Unplugged albums in the 90’s.
Favourite Tracks: Paradise, Flight To Nowhere, Lady Luck ...............won't link as you guys know 'em.
Honourable Mention: Tower City - All Or Nothing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-nLH1C0tV8) ..............these guys could've been big but wrong decade! Unfortunately they only produced one complete , well produced album and that was their debut A Little Bit Of Fire in 1996. It's a bit of an AOR classic but a bit fluffy for me these days - like a watered down Def Leppard . Sample (title track). (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6ja_f6JcOw) This here is their ironically named and incomplete second release - I really don't know what happened but it was released with the songs' production varying from anything between horrible to quite good (thankfully on the best tracks) If you think of it as a high end demo then you'll be right. But it shows a progression to a harder sound and the songs that were completed reasonably well are killer. Here' another good one. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoOJ0mCydoM) Shame about them calling it quits in the middle of this. Useless trivia : Larry Saltis is one of my favourite AOR voices and also fronted The New Monkees - presumably that will mean something to someone in the US/Canada. He also handles guitars on this very competently.
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OK, just gave a couple of those Seventh Key tracks a listen. Not sure if I have room for them in my listening. Sounds like a modern day Foreigner.
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Great write up on Tesla, B. Funny you mention Great White. For this album, Tesla did a co headlining tour with Great White, with Firehouse opening. Luckily, the show here had Tesla headlining.
If you ask me, i might rate this 4 th out of the original four, but this is FULL of great songs.
Paradise is my all time favorite Tesla track.
Tesla also had a huge UFO influence, and Makin Magic is very reminicient of Chapman era UFO.
Love The Way It Is, Lady Luck, and Yesterdaze Gone.
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Finally! An album I don't have to discover! This too made my top 50, and song-for-song, is their best. MR and PS have higher highs, but also have lower lows. And you're spot on that FMAJ helped kick off the unplugged trend (I think Clapton was really the first bit one, but Tesla I recall being 2nd to the game).
Top notch album.
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Love those first 4 Tesla albums and the new one. Just looking back they didn't feature in my top 50 but they could easily have done - maybe if I'd made it a top 100 like Brent's doing they would've been there. :biggrin:
They were a big fave back in the day - great live too. Certainly not a typical hair metal band - they had too much substance for that.
Never heard the Tower City album -
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Back to that XYZ, I found there was just too many ballads for my liking
Love the first three Tesla discs, all excellent! Whats the sitrep on the forth one, Bust a Nut?
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Back to that XYZ, I found there was just too many ballads for my liking
Love the first three Tesla discs, all excellent! Whats the sitrep on the forth one, Bust a Nut?
What's a sitrep?
Bust A Nut is AWESOME!!!!!
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situation report
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If there is one thing that I have always admired about Tesla, it is their ability to make a great rock record, and The Great Radio Controversy is no exception. Sure, some of their albums sound different and are influenced by the times in which they were made, but I always end up finishing one of their albums saying, "That album rocked."
The Great Radio Controversy is probably my favorite by them. There just aren't any songs that I skip or am unenthusiastic about. When they took creative chances on the album, it tended to pay off. Just putting on the beginning of Hang Tough you think, "This is going to be great." And then you get to the solo and you say "This is going to be amazing."
Back to that XYZ, I found there was just too many ballads for my liking
Love the first three Tesla discs, all excellent! Whats the sitrep on the forth one, Bust a Nut?
What's a sitrep?
Bust A Nut is AWESOME!!!!!
Agreed! I really like Bust A Nut. It may even be my second favorite after this one. It may be a bit more dry in terms of sound (it definitely sounds 90s - but not bad at all) and there are some great songs on there - I enjoy Shine Away, Rubberband, Mama's Fool, and Alot To Lose. The rest are great too.
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I took a long time to get into TGRC. It was the slow beginnig that threw me - I loved Hang Tough but the next 2 didn't hit the spot for me. Its a long album too. Once I got throught hat "its not MR II" I came to prefer it over the debut. In fact MR is my 3rd favourite after TGRC and PS.
Bust a nut is 2/3 of a great album. Some filler in there but some great songs too. A little influenced by the grunge era, though not grunge-y per se, its the slower, more ballad-y songs I prefer. Great fold out Hugh Syme cover too.
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Bust a nut is 2/3 of a great album. Some filler in there but some great songs too. A little influenced by the grunge era, though not grunge-y per se, its the slower, more ballad-y songs I prefer. Great fold out Hugh Syme cover too.
Agreed. I didn't like it much when it first came out, but when I revisited it recently, it's aged well for me. Still fourth in a four-horse race though when compared to the first 3 discs.
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situation report
Sorry, I don't speak Canadian. :biggrin:
Agreed! I really like Bust A Nut. It may even be my second favorite after this one. It may be a bit more dry in terms of sound (it definitely sounds 90s - but not bad at all) and there are some great songs on there - I enjoy Shine Away, Rubberband, Mama's Fool, and Alot To Lose. The rest are great too.
Cry, Shine Away, and Solution would be my Top 3 from that album.
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What you guys pimped me a little while back from Tesla was good, looks like I need to check out this one. Wasn't a fan of the new stuff though.
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If I could go back I think I'd swap Tesla into this position and Skid Row back to #19 but hey- we're talking fractions at this point.
(https://s11.postimg.org/buhbfnv1r/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/buhbfnv1r/)
#18 Skid Row : s/t
Released 1989
Tracks
1. Big Guns
2. Sweet Little Sister
3. Can't Stand The Heartache
4. Piece Of Me
5. Eighteen And Life
6. Rattlesnake Shake
7. Youth Gone Wild
8. Here I Am
9. Makin' A Mess
10. I Remember You
11. Midnight/Tornado
Skid Row owned 1989 in the hard rock world with their debut album – 5* platinum and 3 hit singles (18 & Life, I Remember You and Youth Gone Wild) make it an amazing successful debut. It has the songs to back it all up too. If I had to pick a few weaker tracks they’d be Piece of Me, Makin a Mess and Here I am but that’d be clutching at straws – this album is near perfect heavy rock/hair metal/ whatever………..I’m not one for getting all uptight about genres. It’s an album that manages to be much heavier than compatriots like Bon Jovi and Europe but still retain the same sort of commercial appeal with some huge singles. The sound on this album is fantastic too courtesy of big label budget (Atlantic) and a Michael Wagener production. It’s was a tight thing between listing this or the heavier Slave To The Grind but in the end I reckon this album got more air time and it a touch more consistent. Having said that - at this very moment I'd probably grab STTG. I need to keep reminding myself that this is about "life impact" and there are a number of albums ahead that I almost never play now but which had a huge impact back in the day.
Anyway -both great albums and it’s hard to believe that the same guys wrote some of the shite that has been released since.
There’s all sorts of trivia around this album, including the name needing to be bought from Gary Moore, but the most interesting is the relationship with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. The Skids got their deal with Atlantic via BJ’s manager Doc McGhee and also got on the New Jersey tour – in return for being such a great mate JBJ of course insisted on the band signing away the publishing from their debut album and the deal was done. Nobody was expecting it to go 5* Platinum and of course some angst developed around this. Supposedly Sambora relented a few years later but not JBJ as far as I'm aware.
Favourite Tracks: Youth Gone Wild, Rattlesnake Shake, 18 and Life, Midnight/Tornado , Big Guns .............no links as again - sure you guys know this stuff.
Honourable Mention : TNT - Tell No Tales (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN7Jd3NMTa0)
Up next...................the album I mentioned earlier that I expect nobody to know. Feel free to surprise me .
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Never was much of a Skid Row fan, but that TNT is excellent.
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Skid Row.... :metal
However, I feel like Slave is the better album. A bit more on the metal, a bit more raw.
I have to say, I'm surprised we haven't seen any Van Halen until this point.
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Love Skid Row w/ Bach.
Slave to the Grind blows the s/t out of the water IMO, but the s/t is still great; just shows how good STTG is.
Why this band doesn't just put differences aside and get back together is silly.
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I think I knew that JBJ tie in. Agree with everything you said, including the comparison's to STTG. This finished high (11th) on my original Top 50. I played the fuck out of this album, and holy shit did I want Sebastian Bach's hair. I had such a man-crush on him.
Really been meaning to check out more of TNT - Harnell sounds great with Starbreaker, and he fucking slayed on the ProgNation tour. Guess I only have one more to add to the list today.
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(https://s9.postimg.org/5rsjzf2d7/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/5rsjzf2d7/)
#17 House of Spirits: Turn Of The Tide
Released : 1994
Tracks
1. Dawn 01:31
2. Turn the Tide 04:34
3. Wasteland 04:35
4. Keep Me from Dreaming 05:23
5. Close to the Edge 04:43
6. He Waited 04:04
7. In My Heart 05:50
8. The Eye of a Storm 04:53
9. In a Daze 04:15
10. Final Mistake 04:19
11. Time Has Come 05:39
Back in the early 90’s when I was on my crusade to discover all the best new prog metal I stumbled onto a cool tune by a band called Jester’s March (Rain Falls ) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QhR78yd8OY) – that became a firm favourite with me and , as you do , I investigated further .Unfortunately I found that I didn’t like much else that they’d done but I did keep tabs on them enough to discover House of Spirits which was formed out of the ashes of Jester’s March. Add in a couple of new band members , Uwe Baltrusch (guitar ,ex Mekong Delta ………crazy band) and Jorg Michael (ex- everyone) on drums, and Turn of the Tide was the result .
The singer Olaf Bilic has that sort of Queensryche-ish vibe but he has a much more delicate voice (nice way of saying less powerful) than a Geoff Tate or Midnight. The music isn’t anything ground breaking I suppose but by the same token I’ve never heard anything else quite like their very atmospheric brand of prog metal – ....I used to kick back and just immerse myself in this album. Bilic’s vocals are a big part of that but it’s the music too. It is supposedly a concept album but don’t ask me what about :angel: A tide that turns perhaps.
This is yet another disc that seems to have vanished from the record books – there’s barely a trace anywhere on the net but I'm hopeful it’s one that a few here will like . For me it's just one of those albums that had a big impact.
Favourite Tracks: Close To The Edge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtOQhy7Sxa8) , Keep Me From Dreaming (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exFf5RU1O7w) , , In My Heart, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XWl6tnlUnc) , Wasteland (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLYoUWhY3hI) , He Waited (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyEFo2ZUAZg)
In My Heart is one of the best "metal ballads" in my collection..........would make Queensryche in their prime proud. :hefdaddy Now that I'm listening to it again , I'm wondering if I've ranked it high enough. Love this album.
Honourable Mention: Heaven - Knocking on Heaven's Door; (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP_14PDcgBg&list=UU7rItKxXI2F7r-oSFWcFDGQ) A long lost classic of Aussie rock that nicely combines the classic pub rock that we're known for with some more melodic rock moments....definite shades of DL's High'n'Dry in parts. I'm pretty sure they supported Judas Priest when I saw them with Ripper. Link is there as usual but here's a few extra : No Turning Back (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17YCRp_Ia3k&list=UU7rItKxXI2F7r-oSFWcFDGQ) , , Nowhere To Run (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbF-9ygxhYI&list=UU7rItKxXI2F7r-oSFWcFDGQ)
Had to upload them myself.
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Sorry, can't surprise you. Never heard of either.
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Skid Row! Finally something I actually know! :biggrin: :metal
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That Skid Row is a classic debut. I prefer it to STTG. I didn't go with the heavier direction. Didn't even buy it after hearing a couple of the singles which is strange considering how much I played the debut. I saw them live touring with Vain and Vain kicked their ass. Sebastian was great though.
Never heard of your wildcard so you can sleep easy there Brent.
Love that TNT album. it was a soundtrack to my teens - one of many. :biggrin: The guitar playing kicks all kinds of ass and those vocals - it was meant to make my list (an honourable mention at least) but forgot it :facepalm:
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Sorry, can't surprise you. Never heard of either.
Same.
Even I have never heard of Heaven, but they sound damn good. Looking on wiki, Rowan Robertson is a current member, nice.
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B, I freaking loved Heaven. I had all three albums, though I definitely prefer Where Eagles Fear To Tread.
Wasn't Alan Fryer the runner up to Brian Johnson for the AC/DC gig?
Looking on wiki, Rowan Robertson is a current member, nice.
Really? Wow!
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Eagles? Is that the US pressing? ;D Good album with some interesting guests too.
The album I listed was also produced by Paul O'Neill - for a band unknown in their own country (diehards aside) they managed to draw some talent. Guitarist on KOHD was Mitch Perry who's also got a fair pedigree.
There was plenty of crossover with AC/DC in various ways - their early sound , management etc..... and yeah - not sure if he was 2nd on the list but I believe he was in line for the gig. I like his voice but not sure he would've fit with AC/DC.
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Eagles was released in the US as were all three. Not sure who distributed then. I had all three on cassette. My first exposure to them was the video to In The Beginning. Can't link it here cuz I'm at work on my phone.
They did a great cover of the Supreme's Love Child too.
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I was having a joke with you Tim ;) The album was called Where Angels Fear To Tread.
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I was having a joke with you Tim ;) The album was called Where Angels Fear To Tread.
I was typing quick at work. I get it.. :facepalm:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_KOpvXcYWc
Awesome tune and album anyway.
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(https://s30.postimg.org/f04egnrjx/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/f04egnrjx/)
#16 Dokken : Beast From The East (Live)
Released 1988
Tracks
1. "Unchain the Night" 5:38
2. "Tooth and Nail" 3:18
3. "Standing in the Shadows" 4:27
4. "Sleepless Nights" 4:08
5. "Dream Warriors" 4:09
6. "Kiss of Death" 5:21
7. "When Heaven Comes Down" 3:44
8. "Into the Fire" 5:02
9. "Mr. Scary" 8:13
10 "Heaven Sent" 5:12
11. "It's Not Love" 6:14
12. "Alone Again" 5:34
13. "Just Got Lucky 5:02
14. "Breaking the Chains" 3:55
15. "In My Dreams" 5:02
16. "Turn on the Action" 4:58
17. "Walk Away" (studio track)
NOTE: CD version (not JAP) loses 3 tracks that were on LP/cassette (which I had) – Standing In The Shadows, Sleepless Nights and Turn On The Action.
This might seem an unusual choice for my first live album in the list but it does what I expect from a good live album and that is to add some life and interest that isn't there on the studio tracks.
It was really intended to be a battle between Back For The Attack and Under Lock and Key for this spot but when I did my little reminiscing exercise it was clear to me that BFTE was my most played (and first) Dokken album – it had most of their best songs and a bonus studio track exclusive to the release. Sure - the drums are very flat and the rhythm guitar a bit scratchy, but I think the performances are great otherwise – esp Lynch who changes things up from the studio versions in a tasteful way. Choosing this album also avoids me having to make the hard decision between the other two albums. ;D FWIW I had decided that if it came down to it I would’ve gone for Back For The Attack. It's a tie based on just songs but the real key is it has a much more lively, crunchy production whereas ULAK is rather flat in that department , which is a shame as I love that album , esp deeper cuts like Will The Sun Rise. . And that goes for Tooth and Nail too which is why I think the live album is the better representation of those songs. Just that intro at the start to Unchain The Night is magic.
I have included Up From The Ashes as an HM below – IMHO it’s almost as good as anything Dokken recorded and one of the best ever twin guitar attacks put on record. Lynch’s Sacred Groove (half instrumental, half vocal with Glenn Hughes/ Ray Gillen/Nelson) would've been under consideration too if it weren’t for the two atrocious tracks with Mandy Lion – dafuq ? :facepalm:
For those very casual Dokken fans , i might as well mention that it's probably worth tracking down the song Back For The Attack which was a B-side to Dream Warriors but didn't make the album. Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWsiSijRU-Q
Favourite Tracks: Unchain The Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd_CtmdMS4I) , Kiss Of Death (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blyizZX6Oew), Mr Scary, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_gyWqsZ6Jo) It's Not Love, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WlS3DdS7f8) Dream Warriors (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPRHI9-LaGc),Alone Again (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVD_gxwp-BA) , Into the Fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0ocVKAV5b0)
Honourable Mention: Don Dokken : Up From The Ashes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOp1UayDY0w)...........great album that I seem to like a bit more than everyone else :D Great twin guitars from Norum and Billy White. It's a shame Billy didn't do more rock like here as he made Norum seem tame on this. Ex- Watchtower so he was probably cruising along , but great stuff to my ears. He has the solos on the linked track.
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Damn, always keep meaning to check Ashes.
That live album is incredible.
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Wolf, check out Ashes, its an fantastic release.
Beast from the East is one of my favorite live albums. 5 stars!
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Good to see love for the beast :tup I'm surprised actually - normally when I raise this album the response is that it sounds like shit etc.......never understood that myself. Same with UFTA actually. Both great albums.
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(https://s30.postimg.org/5nb7m2jb1/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/5nb7m2jb1/)
#15 Joe Satriani: The Extremist
Released 1992
Tracks
1. Friends
2. The Extremist
3. War
4. Cryin'
5. Rubina's Blue Sky Happiness
6. Summer Song
7. Tears in the Rain
8. Why
9. Motorcycle Driver
10. New Blues
Two of the benchmark guitar albums when I was a teenager learning the instrument were Steve Vai’s Passion and Warfare and , even more so, Surfing With The Alien by Satriani. My guitar teacher at the time recommended that I check it out (or get my dad to buy it is more like it) and I can remember being floored at how good it was. That cassette barely left the player for months but in the end I had total overkill on it because in my high school grad year 3 years later (so 16 or 17yo) I did electric guitar as a subject – the first time ELECTRIC had been offered which was cool – and my 3 feature performances at my exam were Circles, Always With Me Always With You and Midnight. Rather nervewracking in front of an examination board who seem like they'd never seen an electric guitar in their lives. So I played stuff off that album every single day for a year and even though I’ve given the guitar away years ago I reckon I could almost still play most of that stuff it’s so ingrained into my head. It probably deserves this spot but in the end I got sick of it.
The next album Flying In A Blue Dream – I’d be giving that the gong if not for the vocal tracks which I didn’t like much at all. Take them out and I think it’s his best album. The Forgotten Pt 2 , the title track , One Big Rush etc.... are amazing but I struggle with the idea of having an album in this list where I skipped half of it.
The Extremist , like FIABD, is almost flawless ,has no vocal tracks and is a bit more polished and has a bit more feeling /depth than Surfing……………Satch was at the peak of his powers around this time but everything that came after this I either didn’t like (s/t as an example) or was half killer, half filler (Crystal Planet). His first three albums are essential and he was also my first or second major gig , so he played a big part in my musical life. I can also say that I saw Satriani live with hair!
(https://jasobrecht.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Joe-Satriani-Relativity-promo-photo.jpg)
Favourite Tracks: Motorcycle Driver, Summer Song, The Extremist, War, Friends
Honourable Mention: Steve Vai - Passion and Warfare (#post_15JoeSatrianiTheExtremistReleased1992Tracks1Friends2TheExtremist3War4Cryin#0395Rubina#039sBlueSkyHappiness6SummerSong7TearsintheRain8Why9MotorcycleDriver10NewBluesThetwobenchmarkguitaralbumswhenIwasateenagerlearningtheinstrumentwereSteveVaisPassionandWarfareandevenmoresoSurfingWithTheAlienbySatrianiMyguitarteacheratthetimerecommendedthatIcheckitoutorgetmydadtobuyitismorelikeitandIcanrememberbeingflooredathowgooditwasThatcassettebarelylefttheplayerformonthsandintheendIhadtotaloverkillonitbecauseinmyhighschoolgradyear3yearslaterso16or17yoIdidelectricguitarasasubjectthefirsttimeELECTRIChadbeenofferedwhichwascoolandmy3featureperformancesatmyexamwereCirclesAlwaysWithMEAlwaysWithYouandMidnightSoIplayedstuffoffthatalbumeverysingledayforayearandeventhoughIvegiventheguitarawayyearsagoIreckonIcouldalmoststillplaymostofthatstuffitssoingrainedintomyheadItprobablydeservesthisspotbutintheendIgotsickofitThenextalbumFlyingInABlueDreamIreckonIdbegivingthatthegongifnotforthevocaltrackswhichIdidntlikemuchatallTakethemoutandIthinkitsprobablyhisbestalbumTheExtremistlikeFIABDisalmostflawlesshasnovocaltracksandisabitmorepolishedandhasabitmorefeelingdepththanSurfingSatchwasatthepeakofhispowersaroundthistimebuteverythingthatcameafterthisIeitherdidntlikestasanexampleorwashalfkillerhalffillerCrystalPlanetHisfirstthreealbumsareessentialandhewasalsomyfirstorsecondmajorgigsoheplayedabigpartinmymusicallifeIcanalsosaythatIsawSatrianilivewithhairhttpjasobrechtcomwp-contentuploads201012Joe-Satriani-Relativity-promo-photojpgI#039mhavingtroublewiththeforumatthemoment-can#039tgetthelinkstopostproperlyurlhttpswwwyoutubecomwatchvokLDkcexiVg)
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I had trouble with the above post - things vanishing etc...and couldn't get links to work. Most of you guys will know it anyway.
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Huge fan of Dokken in the T&N - BFTA era. Was looking forward to the live album but found it flat and uninspired compared to the studio versions. I had the cassette version too, with the complete album on it. I like the studio track tagged on at the end too. I have to say I would listen to the three studio albums rather than this.
I was disappointed in the Don Dokken solo album too, considering the talent involved. Played it recently and enjoyed it but it suffered from no George Lynch, even though I liked John Norum.
BFTA made my top 50 and I don't know what you're saying about the production- sounds perfect to me. That Lynch rhythm sound is my perfect tone. :biggrin:
Satch is god.
FIABD made my top 50. Unlike you I love the vocal tracks even though Joe ain't no singer. I think those tracks have a charm to them that would be lost with a "proper" singer. I Believe is just a great song.
I was disappointed with the Extremist when it came out. Starts off fine but I find it short (though admittedly longer than SWTA)- especially as New Blues did nothing at all for me. It did signal the direction the next album would go and that was when things started to slip for me. I know he couldn't just make SWTA and FIABD over and over but I missed that catchy fun style. He's hardly ever recaptured that since.
Crying is a beautiful track. I took the girl I was dating to see the tour for TE and she was in tears during this track and I almost was too. As close as I ever got with music and as Alice said, "I Never Cry".
Vai's Passion & Warfare is a great piece of work too. He is not from this planet and can sometimes be too weird to really enjoy, but when he's on he's on. Of the lesser lauded tracks Blue Powder is just awesome. I first heard that as a free flexi disc giveaway through a guitar mag long before P&W came out.
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BFTA made my top 50 and I don't know what you're saying about the production- sounds perfect to me. That Lynch rhythm sound is my perfect tone. :biggrin:
Well I don't know what you're saying :P
Point out where I criticised BFTA and I'll provide an official retraction ;D
FWIW I had decided that if it came down to it I would’ve gone for Back For The Attack. It's a tie based on just songs but the real key is it has a much more lively, crunchy production whereas ULAK is rather flat in that department , which is a shame as I love that album , esp deeper cuts like Will The Sun Rise. . And that goes for Tooth and Nail too
Re Satch .........I agree with much of what you said. As I explained The Extremist was really just a "next best" behind "Surfing" which I did to death and FIABD which has many of my favourite tracks but too much filler IMO. I actually created a version of that without the vocal stuff - that would be my favourite "album" but I can't really post my edited version :D
I'm surprised nobody liked the House of Spirits...........looks like I'm the only one who owns that for a reason :blush
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Coz tried to connect me to Dokken, and I had a go with a few (BFTA, ULaK, and maybe TaN). Liked them, but not quite enough to continue to go back to them or purchase.
The late 80s saw an attempt to make instrumental music more radio friendly and commercial - led by both Satch and Vai. I had SWTA, FIABD, and P&W. All fantastic albums. Somehow lost the discs over the years, as none of them sit in my iTunes library - and as ya'll know, I'm trying to reconnect with instrumental music.
Nice updates.
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BFTA made my top 50 and I don't know what you're saying about the production- sounds perfect to me. That Lynch rhythm sound is my perfect tone. :biggrin:
Well I don't know what you're saying :P
Point out where I criticised BFTA and I'll provide an official retraction ;D
FWIW I had decided that if it came down to it I would’ve gone for Back For The Attack. It's a tie based on just songs but the real key is it has a much more lively, crunchy production whereas ULAK is rather flat in that department , which is a shame as I love that album , esp deeper cuts like Will The Sun Rise. . And that goes for Tooth and Nail too
Re Satch .........I agree with much of what you said. As I explained The Extremist was really just a "next best" behind "Surfing" which I did to death and FIABD which has many of my favourite tracks but too much filler IMO. I actually created a version of that without the vocal stuff - that would be my favourite "album" but I can't really post my edited version :D
I'm surprised nobody liked the House of Spirits...........looks like I'm the only one who owns that for a reason :blush
Just realised i read your review wrong - that's what happens when men try to multitask - trying to watch football from last night, cricket (we're close to winning a test match!) and read DTF, whilst listenning to music and watching the kids. Something had to give :biggrin:. You were criticising the live album sound (which I agree with) not BFTA - :facepalm:
Youtubed the House of Spirits and it was ok. Didn't stand out enough for me - I think I'm getting very picky these days. Maybe its music overload
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Coz tried to connect me to Dokken, and I had a go with a few (BFTA, ULaK, and maybe TaN). Liked them, but not quite enough to continue to go back to them or purchase.
*Bitch slaps*
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Coz tried to connect me to Dokken, and I had a go with a few (BFTA, ULaK, and maybe TaN). Liked them, but not quite enough to continue to go back to them or purchase.
*Bitch slaps*
oooohhhh... do it again. DO IT AGAIN!!!
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No Steely Dan in this thread.
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I feel that the Extremist is one of the most underrated Satch albums. I'd say it would make my top 3 quite easily. War, Why, title track, Moto Driver, Friends, all some of his best songs.
I remember as a young guitarist too hearing Surfing with the Alien for the first time. Fucking blew my socks off.
Yeah, I wasn't a fan of that House of Spirits at all really.
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Satch is on of those guys that I just could never get into and seeing him live with DT cemented that. I find his work with Chickenfoot generic.
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Chickenfoot sucks.
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Chickenfoot sucks.
I was looking forward to Chickenfoot. Satch can write a great song and Sammy Hagar can sing. Unfortunately it ended up being boring.
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Chickenfoot sucks.
I love Hagar and Satch but Chickenfoot..............meh. Glorified jamming.
King - try something like The Forgotten Pt 2 off FIABD - if you can't get into the way he makes the guitar wail on that then there's no hope for you ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rsdZHcRM9c
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I own a ton of his albums. I got into him so early on but he faded for me fast. Same with Vai. Can't explain really.
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I like Beast From The East a lot.
Never got into Satch or Vai. Not a huge fan of instrumental albums. Not sure why.
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I own a ton of his albums. I got into him so early on but he faded for me fast. Same with Vai. Can't explain really.
Similar for me. All the albums are good but the earlier ones were great. I think it was the lack of fun that changed.
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It just didn't catch me. I played them but never had the "Wow" factor that makes you play the damn albums over and over and obsess on it and play it to all your friends. I still try to force the music I love down my friends throats. :lol
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Chickenfoot sucks.
I love Hagar and Satch but Chickenfoot..............meh. Glorified jamming.
King - try something like The Forgotten Pt 2 off FIABD - if you can't get into the way he makes the guitar wail on that then there's no hope for you ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rsdZHcRM9c
That's probably my fav from Flying in a Blue Dream.
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Two of the benchmark guitar albums when I was a teenager learning the instrument were Steve Vai’s Passion and Warfare and , even more so, Surfing With The Alien by Satriani. My guitar teacher at the time recommended that I check it out (or get my dad to buy it is more like it) and I can remember being floored at how good it was. That cassette barely left the player for months but in the end I had total overkill on it because in my high school grad year 3 years later (so 16 or 17yo) I did electric guitar as a subject – the first time ELECTRIC had been offered which was cool – and my 3 feature performances at my exam were Circles, Always With Me Always With You and Midnight. Rather nervewracking in front of an examination board who seem like they'd never seen an electric guitar in their lives. So I played stuff off that album every single day for a year and even though I’ve given the guitar away years ago I reckon I could almost still play most of that stuff it’s so ingrained into my head. It probably deserves this spot but in the end I got sick of it.
The next album Flying In A Blue Dream – I’d be giving that the gong if not for the vocal tracks which I didn’t like much at all. Take them out and I think it’s his best album. The Forgotten Pt 2 , the title track , One Big Rush etc.... are amazing but I struggle with the idea of having an album in this list where I skipped half of it.
The Extremist , like FIABD, is almost flawless ,has no vocal tracks and is a bit more polished and has a bit more feeling /depth than Surfing……………Satch was at the peak of his powers around this time but everything that came after this I either didn’t like (s/t as an example) or was half killer, half filler (Crystal Planet). His first three albums are essential and he was also my first or second major gig , so he played a big part in my musical life. I can also say that I saw Satriani live with hair!
It's like you're telling my all about my teenage years. Passion and Warfare and Surfing With the Alien were like my bible. FIABD, I didn't like AS much, probably because of the vocal tracks as well. Then the Extremist? Oh DAMN! Killer from front to back. Remember when Sony used Sumemr Song as the music for one of their commercials? I was freakin' stoked!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29g0vMROK3I
I also didn't care for much that came after the Extremist, though the live disc from Time Machine was really good. I think my favorite tune from any of those Satriani albums is still Crushing Day.
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Very cool Cozmo. Speaking of "crushing" the live version of Crush of Love on Time Machine is a fave too. I can understand why some of this stuff is a bit hit and miss with some - being a guitarist helps you appreciate some of it ......not only the technical side but the emotion/feel in something like The Forgotten.
Some great guitar albums on the menu for tomorrow too............and the next day , and the day after that , and that......... ;D
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Satch is on of those guys that I just could never get into and seeing him live with DT cemented that. I find his work with Chickenfoot generic.
Likewise. It's session guitarist rock backing tracks with Sammy Hagar singing over it. I like a few tracks on Surfing With the Alien, but in general his guitar playing does nothing for me. Not a huge Vai fan either, despite him playing with artists I'm a huge fan of.
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In your write up for Stariani you say the first 3 are essential. Are you missing out the 1st album Not Of This Earth? That was my first exposure to Satch and it left an impression after the shred I'd been listening to. Those first 4 are great. I agree about the S/T though I kknow lots of people like it. All his albums since have been half and half as you say.
Wish I could play those Satriani tracks and how cool that you got to study electric guitar. I would have done that if I'd had the chance, even though my playing is pretty shocking to say I've been at it 30 years now! :biggrin: :loser:
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Yeah, you're right - i meant first 4. I had three in my head as I'd been talking about my first three - I worked my way back to the debut later. I think "Surfing" must've been my first guitar 'shred' album. I would've been 13 when I got it and can't imagine I had much before that. But I went crazy from that point .......
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Not of This Earth is very underrated and has some amazing songs. Driving At Night and Memories are amazing.
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(https://s28.postimg.org/8nyo7vbo9/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/8nyo7vbo9/)(https://s29.postimg.org/l6r2po2r7/301.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/l6r2po2r7/)
#14 Europe: The Final Countdown/ John Norum : Face The Truth (TIE)
Released 1986/1992
Ranking The Final Countdown was one of the harder ones to do -in terms of influence during my teens there's not too many bigger albums but , after listening to it today for the first time in years, I was pretty uninspired. I suppose my tastes are changing and so on , but it also seems to have dated rather badly all of a sudden. So it had to be Top 15 no doubt ,but I've put it back near the bottom of that range as a result of current taste. And to cement its position I have tied it with a related project that could easily hold the #14 position itself and has dated a lot better - John Norum's Face The Truth , which is easily the best thing he ever did IMHO.
I imagine a few of you would’ve preferred to see Wings of Tomorrow or Prisoners In Paradise here but based on my criteria it’s pretty clear TFC deserves the spot. Back in 1986 there was an extended period where 3 albums only were on rotation – TFC, Slippery When Wet and 5150. I actually think everything from Wings of Tomorrow through to PIP are great albums – even when they get a bit sappy you can usually be assured of some tasty guitar work from John or Kee as compensation. These days perhaps I might make a compilation of the more rocking tracks from The Final Countdown , Out Of This World , and PIP along with some non-album tracks like On Broken Wings and Break Free. Come to think of it I did always tend use the Skip button a bit on all Europe albums but TFC is the one I’d be most likely to play and enjoy from start to finish back in the day.
In revisiting the album I learned to my surprise that Carrie (#3) charted higher than The Final Countdown (song) – certainly not the case in Australia but it was in the US.
One weird thing to me is that John Norum bagged it and left , citing the whole “too fluffy” excuse , and then produced his solo album Total Control which IMO wasn’t really any heavier. ::)
Onto Face The Truth – John's brilliant second (and last decent) solo album – he was at the absolute peak of his powers on this and , if I’m honest , it’s more consistent than any of the Europe albums . Just a brilliant mix of heavy rockers, ballads and aggressive lead playing that we expect from John. Sharing vocals is also a very in form Glenn Hughes, which I'm sure will impress Paul ;D. For mine it's a melodic hard rock classic. It's worth noting that there are two quite distinct editions of this album , each of which have two exclusive tracks. It is a much better album if you put together the whole 13 tracks. Solid rhythm section too - basically the same as on the Don Dokken album (Baltes & Dee)
The Jap/Euro Disc from 1992 has Still The Night (which also featured on Hughes/Thrall) and We Will Be Strong - a cool ballady duet with Joey Tempest. The US (1994) pressing drops those two and adds live versions of Don't Believe A Word (Lizzy) and Free Birds In flight (instrumental). Norum likes his Thin Lizzy - another of the album tracks is a cover of Opium Trail.
Favourite Tracks (Europe) : On The Loose ,Danger On The Track , Ninja , The Final Countdown ................no links.
Favourite Tracks(Norum) : Face The Truth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loVkyPm8O8s) , Distant Voices (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SusesBL0wg4), Nightbuzz, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZBKQunTOAM) Time Will Find The Answer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USxiDzSncsM) , Still The Night (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7Hr6fSQNp8) , We Will Be Strong (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lr7CUp9Uy0)
Honourable Mention : Jaded Heart - Mystery Eyes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNaPVvTgUUY) ..........a few of you guys have been liking Michael Bormann on the new Silent Force. This is the first album I owned with him singing - back in 1998.
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(https://s30.postimg.org/g8lud5c1p/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/g8lud5c1p/)
#13 Harem Scarem : Mood Swings
Released: 1993
Tracks
1. Saviors Never Cry 4:00
2. No Justice 4:33
3. Stranger Than Love 3:57
4. Change Comes Around 4:59
5. Jealousy 4:08
6. Sentimental Boulevard 4:22
7. Mandy 1:53
8. Empty Promises 4:16
9. If There Was a Time 4:55
10. Just Like I Planned 3:16
11. Had Enough 3:54
If Giant and Red Dawn represent AOR perfection then this may well be the equivalent in harder melodic rock. I’m sure Chad is proud of his Canadian brethren because they’ve put out some of the best melodic rock of all time, especially the first two albums. The first is more AOR and a classic in its own right but this is where they got the balance just perfect – it’s harder rock but with the melody and hooks of the debut. And an enormous production job – wow. And all this in an environment where selling an album like this was as easy as pushing shit uphill with a pointy stick.
They learned their lesson though and lost the plot a bit with some of the releases that followed trying to move with the times(although I still like a few of those albums) but it was here that they hit their peak. As the title suggests this has everything from ballads to acappella vocal tracks to a guitar instrumental to heavy rockers and the performances are fantastic all round. I’m going to end up repeating adjectives over and over – just check it out if you don't know it !! Huge !
Favourite Tracks: Saviours Never Cry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEIOJkG7Rlo), No Justice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGxx8hyzKbE), Empty Promises (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-F3I9gaQfo), Sentimental Blvd (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyG44-K0y58)
Honourable Mention: Toto- Mindfields (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFQ0BUc2wjM)..................not an obvious choice from this band but an under rated album and the linked track is immense.
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3 stellar albums there Brent.
Europe featured in my top 50 with PiP - my go to melodic rock album. But as you say everything from WoT to Pip was essential, though I 'm not the biggest fan of Out Of This World as it's to weak sounding. Some good songs though.
Love that John Norum album. That cover of Opium Trail may even be better than Lizzy's version imo. I enjoyed Total Control when it came out and was a fan of JN - I liked his cross pollination of Lizzy, Gary Moore and Yngwie. Love Is Meant To Last Forever is a great song, and there are some others, but it had alot of filler. And some vocals from Goran Edman again :-\
Hated it when he went downtuned and "modern". Stops me from enjoying the new Europe albums as he's taken that sound with him.
Mood Swings is a classic. I'm not as in love with it as many as I didn't hear it back in the day and only tracked it down after hearing Weight Of The World and Overload, both of which I loved. I may even prefer the debut too, though it is a great album, no doubt. The only thing I don't like on it is the train chugging sound on the verses of Change Comes Around.
Saw them at Firefest a couple of times and they were only ok live.
The only Toto album I have, or have heard all the way through, is Falling In Between. I have never owned any of their other work and am not a fan of "the hits" at all, but this album has a prog metal lite edge to it. The title track sounds like they want to be DT.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MP-JkSPfRg
Great update.
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Don't know the Norum album, so I got one to check out. TFC and PiP for me is very akin to Harem Scarem s/t and Mood Swings. TFC/s-t being on the softer side, but still filled with great songs start to finish. PiP/MS is where both bands perfected themselves. Mood Swings made #10 on my list - that album for me is absolute melodic rock perfection. Their re-record of it last year is pretty good too.
Unfortunately, for both Europe and Scarem, I lost track of them. After Voice of Reason and the subsequent Live in Japan release, I wasn't digging their attempt to transition of their sound with the times, and combined with being at University I simply didn't follow. Then about 3 years ago, I stumbled on Weight of the World - I think Kade may have brought it to my attention. Holy fuck, I missed 9 albums! Well, went back and checked, and although I still would rather skip their late 90s output (and let's completely forget the Rubber years!), their 2000s stuff is top notch. Ditto with Europe... missed that they reformed until a year or so ago. Their four albums from this millennium are all pretty solid as well.
I too saw Scarem live - at a club with about 200 people last summer, their first show in 5 years. I dunno if I just like them better, if they did perform better, or if it had something to do with being 5 feet from Pete and Harry, but my experience was way better than Paul's. They were fantastic.
(https://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww265/jingle-boy/DTF%20items/11B440A4-3509-47B1-9B9B-B616C0D9C5EB_zpsgr8zwbuq.jpg)(https://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww265/jingle-boy/DTF%20items/E17B9088-26A1-4F5F-915D-F98B19564B3A_zpsu1azbb5j.jpg)
Met Pete after the show, he was a cool guy.
Also saw them a couple months later, over the Labour Day weekend in an even smaller club about 5 minutes from my house, with about 30-40 people. It was nothing more than a glorified rehearsal. 'twas a shit club, and there was no promotion for it.
Mrs.Jingle actually knew the guys back in the day, hung out and traveled with them (I guess you might call her a groupie :lol) on some of their road travels.
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I didn't know the Mrs. was into music Chad?! I thought she did it for love!
BTW, I love TFC and Norum's solo album. I have not heard it in decades. I had it on album. I should download it if available.
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I didn't know the Mrs. was into music Chad?! I thought she did it for love!
She's not anymore. I think she hung with them more for the drinking - hell, it was 25 years ago, so she was more of a partier. I apparently settled her down. :lol
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I have proof my wife settled down. She did shots at a big party with all the girls there and when she mixes that with beer......not a good thing. The porcelain goddess helped her 3 weeks ago. :lol
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Great picks! Mood Swings is a melodic classic
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Great picks! Mood Swings is a THE melodic classic
Fix'd
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The Final Countdown ................no links.
Fear not. I've linked one of the greatest live versions of the song I've ever witnessed. Amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkMWdI2IKiw
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:lol
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The Final Countdown ................no links.
Fear not. I've linked one of the greatest live versions of the song I've ever witnessed. Amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkMWdI2IKiw
Haha - I remember that actually. It gained a fair amount of exposure a few years ago................thanks for the reminder :hefdaddy
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Here's a great version of TFC live from 2013. Very cool. Also mad love for Mindfields! :metal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyWajWueH2w
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The Final Countdown ................no links.
Fear not. I've linked one of the greatest live versions of the song I've ever witnessed. Amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkMWdI2IKiw
What. The. Fuck.
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(https://s29.postimg.org/m2ujd6jtv/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/m2ujd6jtv/)
#12 Extreme II: Pornograffiti
Released 1990
Tracks
1. Decadence Dance
2. Li'l Jack Horny
3. When I'm President
4. Get the Funk Out
5. More than Words
6. Money (In God We Trust)
7. It's a Monster
8. Pornograffitti
9. When I First Kissed You
10. Suzi (Want's Her All Day What?)
11. He-Man Woman Hater
12. Song for Love
13. Hole Hearted
Extreme and their relatively unique brand of funky rock/metal infused with a healthy sense of humour and blistering guitar work were a huge favourite back in the day- and still are today.
I had a real hard time choosing between Pornograffiti and III Sides but in the end , as I stated in the criteria it comes down to which had the biggest impact on me and then it becomes fairly obvious. Porno was my first album of theirs , I played it the most by far , I played the songs regularly in my band etc…….
I like the debut but the songs aren’t quite at the same level – still a great guitar album. Porno is a bit more fun/cheeky and III Sides a great batch of more mature songs. I’ve not liked much , if anything , that Cherone or Nuno have done outside of the band and that includes Van Halen. Cherone fits so well into the funky metal/cheeky stuff and is a perfect counter to Nuno’s playing – ask him to sing with power and range……..not so much.
Very solid rhythm section behind them too. This is clearly one of the best guitar rock albums of the 90’s and a big favourite of mine in my teenage years particularly. I like every track on it , even the ballads, but I tend to skip More Than Words purely because it's been done to death.
Like most bands in this list they have a unique sound and were really on their own in this style . It’s always interesting when Extreme come up in conversation……………”oh yeah, More Than Words – nice song”. Nobody other than diehards seem to even know what most of their material is like. :facepalm:
For anyone who doesn’t have them I can heartily recommend this album and III Sides , along with the Take Us Alive DVD which captures them live in peak form.
Favourites: Decadence Dance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoKJpcROgJk), When I'm President (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOINdsjJsDg), It's A Monster (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS899wUCWa8),Get The Funk Out (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHIk2DTIsZ0)
Honourable Mention: Survivor- Too Hot To Sleep (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICJCiavISj8).....It’s hard to believe I couldn’t find room for Survivor in the Top50 – they recorded one of the most definitive AOR albums ever (Vital Signs) + an all time classic song that I loved as a kid (Eye of the Tiger). Too Hot To Sleep was the last album of their classic era and is a bit more rocked up than most of their other material.
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The Final Countdown ................no links.
Fear not. I've linked one of the greatest live versions of the song I've ever witnessed. Amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkMWdI2IKiw
What. The. Fuck.
I know what that is without looking. Ear abuse.
And Porno is a great album. Made my top 50. A song for every occaision on this album but it works as a whole (hearted ;D) too. Made Nuno a star.
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#43 on my list. I agree with pretty much everything you said Brent - except for the favourites. Nothing wrong with those you called out, but He-Man, and Money would top my list. I wish More Than Words wasn't so overplayed, because I think it would be a great song... I just can't stand it because I've heard it no less than 17,000 times.
Survivor slipped by me, and I think they are a band (along with Giant) I really need to take a look at.
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Funny thing is i put this on the car stereo earlier on, before your update. :omg: I played the shit out of this album back in the day. I bought the debut on release as it got a great review in Kerrang. Wasn't wowed by it but it was ok. Porno though, jeez, blew it out of the water.
I'm with you on nothing after III Sides does anything - although I quite like the Dweezil Zappa album Nuno produced and played/sang on. I really didn't like Punchline. At all. And Saudades was ok I guess but nothing that makes me want to revisit it.
I missed your HM too. THTS is a great album. I went with Vital Signs in my top 50 but this isn't far behind.
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(https://s30.postimg.org/n0g9br7zx/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/n0g9br7zx/)
#11 WASP : The Headless Children
Released 1989
tracks
1. The Heretic (The Lost Child) 7:22
2. The Real Me 3:20 Cover: The Who
3. The Headless Children 5:46
4. Thunderhead 6:49
5. Mean Man 4:47
6. The Neutron Bomber 4:10
7. Mephisto Waltz 1:28
8. Forever Free 5:08
9. Maneater 4:46
10. Rebel in the F.D.G. 5:08
It would’ve been easy to do the obvious thing and pick The Crimson Idol here - great album and no doubt one of the best few metal concept albums. But if I’m honest , the s/t debut and The Headless Children got far more play from me. I consider all three as metal classics , but for me The Headless Children is the ultimate combination of the carefree , debauched “up yours” attitude of the first few albums (sans the over the top theatrics/shock rock) and a progression to a more serious and thoughtful (often political) lyrical content as seen on The Crimson Idol…….all with a diversity of music not seen on either of the others. It’s beautiful , haunting and brutal at the same time. I don’t normally bother to comment on drum sounds but the drum sound of Frankie Banali here is HUGE and gave the whole album an extra kick in the ass.
Leading up to this album Blackie had been in a neverending battle with the PMRC and he was majorly pissed off – something that comes through very clearly in what I think is his most aggressive, passionate vocal performance. It’s quite likely the best lineup of the band too. In fact I think it’s their heaviest , most musical and catchiest album over all ……………I say that without having taken much notice post Crimson idol. I bought Still Not Black Enough and didn’t like it and nothing I’ve heard since has made me want to follow through.
Favourite Tracks: The Heretic (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6F791TdCBY), Mean Man (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooZ1CcL8M5k) (ultimate fire up song for power sports I found ;D ), The Headless Children (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AQtvOChvW4), Forever Free (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_E4suqdKx4), Rebel In The FDG (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYDNTSp6Ck8)
Honourable Mention; Stage Dolls:s/t (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTcKxjUQ-xg)...........Norway's Bon Jovi - sort of . Quality melodic rock/AOR.
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Too Hot To Sleep is an amazing album. One of my favourites from the genre, and definitely my favourite Survivor album. Shame on you not finding a place for it in your top 50!
Never liked Extreme's music, outside of the Bill and Ted soundtrack. Cherone's voice often just bugs the crap out of me.
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Wow you're throwing them out now Brent :biggrin:
You haven't cost me any money for a few days either.
Another excellent pick. Great album and a big step up in the quality stakes whilst retaining most of what made them WASP. I found Inside The Electric Circus to be disappointing but this was WASp back on form. I did do the obvious and went with Crimson Idol, but the first 2, this and Idol are awesome slices of 80s metal.
They were great live to, but Blackie stole all his moves from Paul Stanley.
And I bought that Stagedolls on release and was disappointed in it. Couple of good songs but not great for me. SInger's voice was a bit weak, like a camp Bryan Adams. Not listened to it in years.
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It’s always interesting when Mr. Big come up in conversation……………”oh yeah, To Be With You – nice song”. Nobody other than diehards seem to even know what most of their material is like. :facepalm:
Edited to cite another example. That used to irritate the hell out of me. I always wanted to blast Addicted to that Rush and He-Man Woman Hater for people like this. "THIS is the band that wrote that insipid little ballad. Still like them?" :lol
EII:P was SOOOOO good. My favorite is probably It's a Monster. Song for Love is pretty f*cking amazing as well. I played the crap out of that disc for a very very long time. Hell, I think it may be time to dig it out and give it another spin. Haven't done so in a while.
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Awesome choice with the Headless Cross, it's amazing.
I've tried to get into Extreme, but just don't care too much for them.
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Err, it was The Headless Children jj. Headless Cross is a great album too. :biggrin:
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paying attention: Jay sucks at it.
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Okay, Final Countdown is such a stellar album, it probably the best of their earlier stuff IMO, great rock, great guitar playing.
Jaded Heart are pretty good solid melodic metal, but nothing mind blowing. I have a couple of their albums and their decent.
Chad was responsible for getting me into Harem Scarem, and I'm glad he did. Easily their best album and since discovering it, it would possibly make my top 50, it's awesome.
Toto is a band I should know but just never really got around to checking out. I know all their singles and hits though and I do have the last one, which wasn't bad.
Extreme have always been pretty hit and miss to me, but that album is pretty good.
I acquired Too Hot to Sleep a few months back and love it. Great solid AOR with amazing vox from Jimi. The title track is incredible.
Headless Children would probably be top 3 for me. I love this band so much, I adore every single one of their albums. Headless Children had so many highlights and I love the proggier elemnents in the title track. Mean Man, Rebel, Thunderhead, Bomber all quality. And Forever Free is one of the most underrated amazing ballads ever. Don't forget the bonus tracks, they are just a high quality as the album songs.
Don't know Stage Dolls.
Awesome choice with the Headless Cross, it's amazing.
Fuckin' great album that one. ;D
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lol at Headless Cross!
Mood Swings :tup :tup :tup
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Ha, I can honestly say that I haven't heard any album yet that starts with Headless C, that I don't love
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Well here we are folks - Top 10. If I had not implemented the "one placing per artist" rule then you would've seen plenty of these bands already (really a domination by the Top 15-20) . The albums that follow are extremely close in terms of my love for them all , so the rankings are in large part a reflection of my Top 10 artists over a lifetime and my most influential album/s from each.
Thanks for all the cool feedback above - possibly the only thing that surprised me was the apathy towards Extreme by a few who I assumed would be all over them.
I'll drop the pace back a bit now Paul ;D - I still need to finalise my write ups for No's 1 & 2 and am pretty short for time. I don't expect there to be any amazing discoveries for you guys from here on the main list but there may still be some chance in the HM's.
Where I'm sure most of you know the songs I won't bother linking favourites.
On with the show.............
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#10 KISS: Killers
Released 1982
Tracks
1. I'm A Legend Tonight
2. Down On Your Knees
3. Cold Gin
4. Love Gun
5. Shout It Out Loud
6. Talk To Me
7. Sure Know Something
8. Nowhere To Run
9. Partners in Crime
10. Detroit Rock City
11. God of Thunder
12. I Was Made For Loving You
13. Shandi
14. Rock & Roll All Nite (Live)
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I expect I won’t get away with this without someone accusing me of cheating – yes it is a compilation/best of but it also contains 4 extra tracks not available anywhere else , 2 of which happen to be among my top 10 KISS songs ever . That's a whole side (half an album for those young 'uns ;D ) of new music . If you still think I've cheated then - ah -- tough titties ;D
I am certain that this was my first album ever (1982 ish – so age 7yo) and I think it was the only piece of music I had until I spent my pocket money on Van Halen’s 1984 3 years later. I was a big collector of KISS cards in primary school and have a complete set or two somewhere . So I listened to almost nothing but KISS for 2-3 years and this album was really a perfect introduction to the band – many of their most essential songs and four extra tracks . The best of + bonus tracks was a format demanded by the record company after the relative failure of Unmasked (the first album not to go platinum since DTK) and The Elder , which was a worldwide flop. Nowhere To Run was supposedly one of the first tracks written for The Elder but it was shelved when the concept took shape.
When it comes to KISS I like them best when Paul is belting it out and the new tracks on this find Paul at the peak of his powers and the songs do a good job of bridging the gap between their 70’s sound and the heavier stuff to come on Creatures. Paul really is in top form and Bob Kulick out-Aces Ace with some of the solos. Nowhere To Run (especially) and I’m A Legend Tonight are two of my all time favourites , Down On Your Knees (a Bryan Adams co-write) is a good steady rocker – only Partners In Crime lets it down a bit.
The Australian version that I have has two extra tracks – Shandi (an Australia-only hit) and Talk To Me. Some of the songs also have slight edits/fade outs not on the original. There’s plenty of cover trivia with this one too – aside from the dodgy fashion it was the first cover to feature Eric Carr and also features Ace frehley who doesn’t play on the new tracks. There is also a German version with the altered logo due to SS upsetting the boat on the Nazi side of things.
(https://mikeladano.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/sam_2248-1.jpg?w=275&h=275)
This album is a special one for obvious reasons and seeing as I find most KISS albums half killer , half filler at best it’s one of the few I can just throw on and enjoy without needing to press Skip.............all KILLERS :metal
Favourite Tracks (from the exclusive ones): Nowhere To Run (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeUVOCrsG2s) , I'm A Legend Tonight, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RHhsmSoiCg) Down On Your Knees (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzjrqaPzuFo)
Honourable Mention: Clockwise - Nostalgia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZmNVfDjAlY) ......................those who liked the Glory album earlier and/or 2 Forgive IS 2 Forget (as noted) might be up for this one. Another project by Jan Granwick with Benny Soderberg on vox and the rhythm section of Europe (Haughland/Leven). Cool guitar heavy melodic rock.
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That is easily the best "best of" from Kiss. I have no idea how many greatest hit sets have been released for the band, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's in the 30 range.
The 4 new tracks on Killers are four of the best tracks ever from Kiss and are worth the price alone.
Very cool pick.
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A compilation was also my intro to KISS - Smashes, Thrashes and Hits. That also got me to get the albums around that release - Crazy Nights, Hot In the Shade, and Revenge. Otherwise, don't have anything else from them. I should probably do something about that someday.
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Oh - and here's the list pre Top 10
#50 : Shy-Shy
#49: Vanden Plas- Colour Temple
#48: Icon: Night of the Crime
#47: Pink Floyd: A Momentary Lapse of Reason
#46: Noiseworks-Noiseworks
#45: Red Dawn-Never Say Surrender
#44: Annihilator-Never Neverland
#43: Place Vendome-Place Vendome
#42: Riverdogs-Riverdogs
#41; Symphony X - The Divine Wings of Tragedy
#40: Armored Saint: Symbol of Salvation
#39; Bon Jovi: Slippery When Wet
#38: Metal Church: Hanging In The Balance/Blessing In Disguise
#37: Angra: Angels Cry
#36: Elegy: Supremacy
#35: Gary Moore: Wild Frontier/Corridors of Power
#34: Stratovarius: Fourth Dimension
#33: Threshold: Psychedelicatessen
#32: Conception: In Your Multitude
#31: Judas Priest: Painkiller
#30: Crimson Glory: Transcendence
#29: Giant: Last Of The Runaways
#28:After Forever:s/t
#27: Lillian Axe: Poetic Justice & Psychoschizophrenia
#26: Labyrinth: Return To Heaven Denied
#25: The Doobie Brothers: The Captain & Me
#24: Trail of Murder: Shades of Art
#23: Ten : The Name Of The Rose
#22: Unruly Child: s/t & Signal: Loud and Clear
#21: XYZ: s/t
#20 :Streets: Crimes In Mind & Seventh Key : This Raging fire
#19 : Tesla : The Great Radio Controversy
#18: Skid Row :s/t
#17: House of Spirits: Turn of the Tide
#16: Dokken : Beast From The East
#15: Joe Satriani: The Extremist
#14: Europe: The Final Countdown & John Norum: Face The Truth
#13: Harem Scarem: Mood Swings
#12: Extreme II : Pornograffiti
#11: WASP: The Headless Children
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#9 Whitesnake: 1987
Released 1987
Tracks
1. Still of the Night 6:36
2. Bad Boys 4:06
3. Give Me All Your Love 3:31
4. Looking for Love 6:33
5. Crying in the Rain 5:37
6. Is This Love 4:43
7. Straight for the Heart 3:39
8. Don't Turn Away 5:10
9. Children of the Night 4:24
10. Here I Go Again 87 4:34
11. You're Gonna Break My Heart Again 4:11
And my winner for best studio album of 1987 goes to……………………..1987! (released as s/t in US , "1987" in Europe) But boy – what a year in rock/metal. I won’t bother with band names but check out this list : Appetite For Destruction, Hysteria,Permanent Vacation,Pride, Surfing With The Alien,Fireworks,Wild Frontier,The Eternal Idol,Hall of the Mountain King, Freight Train Heart,Keeper of the Seven Keys 1, Back For The Attack,Leatherwolf, Once Bitten……,Excess All Areas, Crazy Nights, Abigail, Girls Girls Girls and so on………………and some lighter stuff – Kick , Tunnel Of Love, Into The Fire, Joshua tree, AMLOR - truly the golden years right about then.
So……….. Whitesnake made a big play for the American market with a harder rocking yet commercial sound and boy , did they succeed. The album reached #2 on Billboard and they had a number one hit with Here I Go Again , which was my favourite song to play for many months. And seriously – what more could you want? Huge hair , huge choruses, huge hooks, huge guitars and a huge woody watching Tawny Kitaen writhe around on car bonnets. :drool: And of course those vids featured basically nil actual players from the album as they’d all been given the ass by then. We got to see Viv Campbell and Vandenburg miming John Sykes’ parts (although AV did actually guest solo once on the album). And of course seeing as everything about Whitesnake/Here I Go Again was huge we got 3 keyboardists in the video too – too cool! ::)
Like many my age (around 13-14 at the time) I was unaware of the earlier more bluesy rock in their catalogue - once I’d digested this album I raced to the record store to pick up Saints and Sinners only to be shocked at how “wimpy” it sounded in comparison , and also that Crying In The Rain and here I Go Again were actually covers of said earlier material. Two freaking awesome covers mind you of tracks long forgotten by most. I also didn’t realise I’d been jibbed an extra two tracks (Looking For Love and You’re Gonna Break My Heart Again) that were on the Euro version until decades later. Only one track on this I might skip (Children of the Night) – the rest are either fantastic ballads or humongous rockers – truly one of the biggest guitar sounds put on tape and , for the time , a pretty damn heavy album if you allow for the ballads.
It's a shame the Coverdale/Sykes team was limited to this one outing (not counting the Slide It In remake). Sykes has been a massive disappointment ever since and must go down as a bit of a wasted talent in my book.
The remake of Here I Go Again with Dann Huff was one of the few Huff related songs I'm not a fan of. The original with Sykes is far better.
Favourites: Still Of The Night, Crying in the Rain, Here I Go Again, Bad Boys, Straight For The Heart, You're Gonna Break My Heart Again
Honourable Mention: Hurricane- Slave To The Thrill. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE1CEAlaFf4) Hansen /Aldrich = awesome. Interesting album cover too ;D
PS - On revisiting 1987 today I don't think I'd skip Children of The Night either :) Used to back in the day though.
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:2metal:
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That is easily the best "best of" from Kiss.
No, that would be Kiss Alive! :biggrin:
Very odd choice for a Kiss album, and never one I'd choose, but you still get points for including Kiss at all. :hat
And :tup to Whitesnake. Killer album from start to finish. Slave To The Thrill ain't bad either.
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Never got into Kiss at all.
Love that Whitesnake, and just to show how strong the album is, my fav is actually Looking for Love.
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That's a helluva list of albums from '87, and you missed Crazy Nights, Future World, Hold Your Fire, Surveillance... and on the softer side - Gowan! Love his album from '87. Wouldn't call it the best from '87, but man it still holds up. Song for song, one of the best from the 80s. For Whitesnake, I gave the nod to Slip of the Tongue in my list, with the s/t getting an honorable mention. Still, both are as good of a great back-to-back effort as you can get.
Yet another HM from you I don't know. Gonna have to try and tackle that list sometime.
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and you missed Crazy Nights
Did not! :P and the others were covered by "and so on" ;D
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Some other amazing 1987 albums;
The Legacy, Speed Metal Symphony, Dream Evil, Visual Lies, Contagious, Out of the Sun, Second Heat, Mind's Eye and Maximum Security.
Brent, have a squizz at your PM's please.
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Brent, have a squizz at your PM's please.
sounds dirty
:heybaby:
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Brent, have a squizz at your PM's please.
sounds dirty
:heybaby:
Sort of. It was a question about Virgin Steele. :lol
Was gonna send you one too but can't remember if you were a fan.
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Don't know 'em too well. Someone gave me a song of theirs (JJ?) in my roulette's. Never went any further with them.
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Forgot to mention that Hurricane was another one that was on my list to check out.
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Whitesnake s/t has to be one of the ultimate 80s metal albums
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Kiss Killers?! Must be a Bob Kulick fan. :biggrin:
Great Whitesnake album. Just a killer of an album.
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Another class update though Killers is a surprise. My favourite KISS compo was Double Platinum. Two of those new songs were awesome and 2 sucked a big one. I am a huge KISS fan so no arguments from me. I love unmasked and The Elder :omg:
Whitesnake 1987 is a great album. I was a big fan of their earlier stuff, from Come & Get It onwards. I was fine with the shift to a more American sound, and Sykes was a great guitarist.
1987 was my favourite year for music for all the albums you named and more (Keel's 1987 album! :metal)
The Hurricane STTT album is a cracker too.
Not heard that other HM but will check it out as I enjoyed the first two Glory albums (and bought the 2nd one).
Will do the math on where I'm up to at a later date - we're getting ready to go away for a few days but I'll still check in, though I'll be on the phone so I apologise in advance for crap spelling etc.
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#8 Def Leppard : Pyromania
Released 1983
Tracks
1. Rock! Rock! 'Till You Drop 3:52
2. Photograph 4:12
3. Stagefright 3:46
4. Too Late for Love 4:30
5. Die Hard the Hunter 6:17
6. Foolin' 4:32
7. Rock of Ages 4:09
8. Comin' Under Fire 4:20
9. Action! Not Words 3:52
10. Billy's Got a Gun 5:27
This was one hell of a tight contest between High n Dry and Pyromania (Hysteria never came into it , although I like that too) - for me Def Leppard were at their peak on these two albums. An awesome combination of ballsy rock and melody that they (and pretty much nobody else) ever really matched.
Actually come to think of it , I’d also rate Retroactive higher than Hysteria – some fantastic leftovers on that.
In recent years it seems that DL have almost tried to distance themselves from their early “metal days” with comments that they’d always intended to be a popular rock band etc….I know they upset a lot of people in the British scene with their push for the US pop charts. Anyhow - they seem to have got their wish because when it comes to discussing the band these days they’re usually lumped in with bands like Bon Jovi and Posion. To me though they were always in a much more "metal" category than those bands – and what most of their post- Pyromania output would indicate. Their debut was generally considered NWOBHM and , although the same attitude wasn’t quite there and things were polished up by Mutt Lange , the harder edges of HnD and to a lesser extent, Pyromania were in many ways at least as heavy as bands like ACDC, Motley Crue and Judas Priest were producing at the time.
In the end I’ve gone for Pyromania as I think it has just a few more stellar tracks and it was , by quite some way , my most played Def leppard album. It really has everything I want in a melodic rock/metal album – great songs, melodies, playing and no filler in site. It’s hard to pick a favourite track but if forced to I would lean toward deep cuts like Comin Under fire and Stagefright.
A classic album and the perfect balance between the rawer style of the first two albums and the OTT poppier production of Hysteria…. and for the first time we got Phill Collen and those really HUGE backing vocals too.( not that HnD was shabby there either)
Speaking of Phil Collen he had a nasty fever during the recording of Pyromania, took off his shirt to keep cool and hasn’t put it back on since ;D
Favourite Tracks: Stagefright, Comin Under Fire ,Diehard The Hunter, Too Late For Love, Foolin
Honourable Mention: Masquerade-s/t (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S9srO99wyc) .........Swedish cock rock that was a cut above most of it. Typically 80's style Scandi lyrics but heavier guitars than most. Possibly hasn't dated as well as some but got plenty of listens back in the day. The linked track is one of the mid range more wimpy tracks.
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Too Late For Love, Foolin' & of course photograph are absolute classics. Great Pick!
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The first three Def Leppard albums are classics; this is my favorite of the three.
I'm not interested in any of their material after this one though.
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Awe, c'mon Jay. Retroactive is actually really good. Give it a shot.
I give Hysteria the slight edge over Pyromania, despite Love Bites - easily my most despised power ballad from that era. Let's just forget that track ever was recorded, ok? Still, these albums are pretty much a coin toss for my tastes. Pyromania has a bit more edge to it; Hysteria is a little more polished, and suffers a little from over-commercialization. But, it is what it is.
Not a bad song on Pyromania. Great choice.
And yet ANOTHER HM I have to check out.
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You know Def Leppard was a band I never really got into. I know their hits but they never really grabbed me enough to check out their albums. Photograph though was a song that makes me think I should check this album out.
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Yes, Stagefront!
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You know Def Leppard was a band I never really got into. I know their hits but they never really grabbed me enough to check out their albums. Photograph though was a song that makes me think I should check this album out.
For your tastes, definitely go with this over Hysteria.
Damn... just looking at this track list reminds me how incredible this album is. Haven't spun it in a while. Will rectify that. I did Whitesnake s/t today. Felt like I needed a smoke after it. :lol
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I would say that Pyromania is the last album that DL made that wasn't "slick" in production. it had a raw edge to it.
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You know Def Leppard was a band I never really got into. I know their hits but they never really grabbed me enough to check out their albums. Photograph though was a song that makes me think I should check this album out.
For your tastes, definitely go with this over Hysteria.
Damn... just looking at this track list reminds me how incredible this album is. Haven't spun it in a while. Will rectify that. I did Whitesnake s/t today. Felt like I needed a smoke after it. :lol
Alright, I'll have a listen.
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Apologies in advance for the triple tie - I couldn't separate these no matter how hard I tried as they're each so different , yet so good. There will be no studio albums tied within the Top 5 , so I'm not going to wimp out on the very top rankings, although it was tempting :angel:
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#7 Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force: Rising Force/Marching Out/Odyssey (TIE)
Released 1984/1985/1988
We're now well and truly into the realm of bands that, absent the "one place per artist rule" could easily have 2 or 3 albums in my Top 50 and Yngwie Malmsteen is no exception........in fact I've included three and still had a hard time excluding Trilogy and Eclipse. The run of Rising Force, Marching Out , Trilogy, Odyssey and Eclipse is about as good as it gets .
A little history might be in order for the donut munching leviathan. His given first name is actually Lars which is actually quite a good tip in regards to his personality. ;D He was Swedish born but was scouted out by Mike Varney of the famous Shrapnel label and brought over to the USA where he was paired up with Ron Keel for the Steeler album and then the No Parole From Rock'n'Roll album with Alcatrazz which is a bit of an old classic . Malmsteen left Alcatrazz after the success of his debut album , to be replaced by Steve Vai.
Some comments on the individual albums:
Rising Force: To understand how big this album was in the guitar playing community you really had to be there. I was a ten year old and I'd heard of him among my shredding pals :hat Here was a relatively unknown Swedish guy playing neoclassical guitar shred who not only cemented a new genre (although he's clearly influenced by Blackmore) but debuted an album in this style that cracked the Billboard Top 100 and won a Grammy. Unheard of! Now the guy's a total cock but I' happy to give him his due.
Whatever you say about his sacrificing of melody for speed (more of a problem later in his career IMO) I think that album contains some fantastic songs and , rather ironically, the two big weak points for me were the vocal tracks featuring none other than the guy who was later to become one of my all time favourite singers...Jeff Scott Soto. At this point though I found his vocal style very annoying.
Marching Out: When I picked up Marching Out I was relieved to hear that they'd recruited a new singer who sounded fantastic ::) - I soon realised that it was the same guy , he'd just matured in leaps and bounds . It also saw Yngwie move towards a more song oriented format with the odd instrumental , which he has maintained for the most part to this day. In terms of the albums that mean anything to me I'd say this is clearly his heaviest effort - it really is a blistering set of songs and there's a real aggression in the playing that goes beyond pure speed. The power of this little supergroup can be seen in this live footage - allowing for the time , technology and lack of backing vocals it's really a powerhouse performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y16UkdXQLgA This band also brought together the two guys that would form the nucleus of another of my favourite bands.
Odyssey Once again a very different album to the others . This one saw the legendary Joe Lynn Turner join forces with Yngwie to create his most commercial and most successful album ever . It's much more melodic rock/AOR than Marching out but with a heavy edge to it and quite possibly Joe Lynn Turner's best ever vocal performance. Unfortunately Yngwie basically disowns this album but almost everyone but him seems to think it's fantastic. JLT's another "interesting" personality - I would've loved to be a fly on the wall in the studio with those two egos out of control. Lots of fucking fury unleashed I'd imagine.
Favourite Songs (Rising Force): Far Beyond The Sun , Black Star , Icarus Dream Suite Op 4, Little Savage
Favourite Songs (Marching Out): I'll See The Light Tonight, On The Run Again , Soldier Without Faith, I Am A Viking
Favourite Songs (Odyssey): Rising Force, Deja Vu , Crystal Ball , Now Is The Time, Heaven Tonight
Honourable Mention: Tony Macalpine : Premonition (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJv191qND2U)..............doesn't get mentioned very often but contains a lot of his best playing IMO.
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Just finishing up a listen to Pyromania and it's actually really quite good. I'm surprised how much I enjoy it. Besides the first track which is too ACDC for me, it's solid, might pick it up.
Anyway;
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:hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
Yes, 3 perfect albums right there. Out of the three, I'd probably take Odyssey. Perfect mix of shred and melodic rock. I love Yngwie's playing on this one, and it shows glimpses of variety in his playing that I wish we saw more of. (Crystal Ball intro for example.)
As you mentioned the introduction of Marcel and JSS on Marching Out is spectacular. Also, that album has one of the most star studded lineups ever, with Strato and Hammerfall members also.
Also, love the Macalpine mention, that definitely is most probably his most underrated album, great stuff.
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Not much of a fan of the s/t, but the other two are excellent records. Heaven Tonight was my first exposure to Yngvie. I never stuck with him thru the 90s (Trilogy is the only other album I own), and that too is a great album. I probably prefer it to the first two - probably because I like Boals over JSS.
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Trilogy is killer.
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Marching Out is one of my all time favorites
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You know, to be honest, I'd probably take Trilogy over Marching Out too.
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To be honest I wanted to make it a 5 way tie with Trilogy and Eclipse ;D
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Eclipse was one I never really fully got into. I should go back to that one.
Now Fire and Ice, there's a stellar album, underrated too.
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Love me some early Yngwie! Rising Force rules! :metal :metal :metal
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He lost me a bit with Fire and Ice - to me it was a bit by the numbers. I liked the title track and Final Curtain (stretching the memory) but I thought there was plenty of filler. I initially liked Teaser but came to view it as a bit lame over time. For mine Eclipse is a much stronger and better sounding album.
Tracks like Devil In Disguise , Judas, Demon Driver kick ass. And the ballad Save Our Love has possibly his most beautiful solo ever.
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Alright definitely will get my Eclipse cd out.
Teaser is probably the weakest on F&I and I too thought it was a bit lame, and I can take some cheese. How Many Miles to Babylon, No Mercy, Fire and Ice, Forever is a Long Time, Final Curtain and the instrumentals are all amazing tacks. The Japan song Broken Glass has song moments too.
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I think I was kinda un-awed by him after Trilogy. I went and saw him on that tour. What I came away with was the realization, that most of us now know, is that its all awesome speed and shred. When I watched him I just felt like.."Man...if he could only slow down for a sec and belt out some tasty melodies" :lol Still a pioneer and incredible talent, but I feel he could have been SO much more.
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I think I was kinda un-awed by him after Trilogy. I went and saw him on that tour. What I came away with was the realization, that most of us now know, is that its all awesome speed and shred. When I watched him I just felt like.."Man...if he could only slow down for a sec and belt out some tasty melodies" :lol Still a pioneer and incredible talent, but I feel he could have been SO much more.
Well you probably stopped at the wrong time - Odyssey and Eclipse (the next 2 ) contain a lot of his most melodic playing. Check out some tracks like Crystal Ball , Now Is The Time, Save Our Love
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No, I've heard his later stuff, and yes there's some more melodic slower stuff. By the trilogy point though, his luster had worn off a bit for me. The later material was good, but it's kinda like that "The moment had passed" feeling for me. Also by then he was really starting to show his dickhead side, and that really turned me off too.
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;D He certainly wouldn't have made the list if there was a "no dickead rule". Neither would a few others.
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True Dat! Hey...he made my list too! ;D
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(https://s27.postimg.org/t5d70qd1r/302.jpg)
:letam: :2metal: :metal
Finally getting into some stuff I know well. Whitesnake and Oddyssey are favourites of mine aswell.
As for Def Leppard, I never really got into Pyromania. I should give it another go.
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(https://s27.postimg.org/ogu11gpsf/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/ogu11gpsf/)(https://s13.postimg.org/sjo1obss3/301.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/sjo1obss3/)
#6 Talisman : Talisman/Humanimal(TIE)
Released 1990/1994
I wasn't far off another triple tie here with the s/t, Genesis and Humanimal but I managed to cut it to two. All three albums are very different and influenced me in their own way.
I mentioned in the prior entry that the Rising Force band brought together a couple of guys that would form one of my favourite bands and here they are. I will run a bit of history by you as to the way the band was formed and progressed. After the Marching Out album Marcel Jacob (master bassist) moved on to work with John Norum (Europe)on his debut solo album. During the preparation for the second Norum solo album Jacob left when many of his song ideas were rejected and found himself without a band. Jacob began the process of demoing up his songs with Goran Edman on vocals (spewing he didn't stick around hey Paul ? ;D ) and other well known musicians such as Jason Bieler (Saigon Kick). Eventually Edman left to work on Malmsteens's Eclipse and Jacob made contact with his old bandmate Jeff Scott Soto and the rest is history. Of all the Soto projects , Talisman stands head and shoulders above the rest for me , although I really like most of them. I have a ridiculous collection of his rarer material ::)
I can actually remember they day I bought the Talisman debut - I still recall the great feeling I used to get going into "Metal For Melbourne" buying artists like this back in the early 90's and catching the train home checking out the booklets etc.... and the satisfaction of knowing that I'd just unearthed another gem of an album that almost nobody knew about :hat
So onto the albums themselves which are quite diverse:
Talisman s/t: Although the original demo version of the band included a dedicated drummer Marcel ended up playing rhythm guitar , bass and drums on the debut. Lead guitarist Christopher Stahl did an amazing job and vanished into thin air after this album. This is certainly very different to anything else they released - much more AOR but still pretty heavy in parts. This is really the album that cemented my love for Soto's voice (much smoother here than on Marching Out - the chameleon strikes again) and although it may not have aged as well as some of the others , this was my number one played album for some time.
Genesis: Genesis saw them toughen up their sound and add very slight elements of the funky edge that would become more obvious later. Once again Marcel handled a lot of the rhythm guitar and drums , but we had the addition of long term lead guitar maestro Frederik Akeeson (currently boring himself shitless playing backup guitars in Opeth ;D :-X ) Great album and probably their most straight ahead hard rock effort.
Humanimal: I didn't know what to think the first time I heard this album :omg: Firstly the last piece of the band puzzle was added (Jamie Borger ex-Treat on drums) which made a big difference , but geez - this album is all over the place. Before I scare you off , check out the linked tracks ;) The rockers on this fuckin rawk :metal
I have no doubt that this album could alienate some with its frequent jumps from one style to another. There's the Chilli Pepper influenced opening track where uber talented bassist Marcel Jacob (RIP) shows off his chops without delay , the ballad All In All brings to mind JSS's love of Terence Trent D'Arby.....and then , as another exercise , let's examine the last four tracks . The acoustic ballad Since You've Gone, the epic rock/metal of Humanimal , the 60's style barbershop quartet?? (I'm not old enough ;D ) sound of Doin' Time and the brutal almost grungy assault of Hypocrite.
Somehow they manage to pull all this off without sounding contrived or messy....to me anyway . It's hard to believe there were another 8 tracks (mostly good)that were recorded in these sessions that didn't make the album. They were released on the very rare (at the time) Humanimal Part 2 which of course I paid a mint for only to see the whole lot released in one package years later at a bargain price. :censored That's happened more times than I care to remember.
If you like your rock hard ( but with many detours), great musicians and prominent bass lines from one of the best in the biz then this album is worth checking out. Even if you don't like the softer stuff the heavy tracks are :hefdaddy - if there's such a thing as a 5 minute epic then the title track is it. Akeeson's guitar just builds and builds.
If you want something a bit safer try the self titled debut or Genesis first , both of which are also fantastic.
In fact I like all their albums except Cats and Dogs - speaking of which I have a leftover unreleased track from that album called All Wound Up in CD quality direct from the Jeffmeister .......fun song about getting off your face but 10 times better than anything on the album. If any Talisman fans want it (not sure about attachment sizes etc....and how that might work) then let me know. I also have it in 320k if worst comes to worst.
Favourite Tracks (s/t) : Break Your Chains (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8ioJeqEKbw), Queen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmriw6FqmVM), Standing On Fire , (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcvSHTRHAeQ)I'll Be Waiting, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no5DuQAxg8k) Day By Day, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHP16PtYPCc) Just Between Us (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X97eOsHrXXg). The outro instrumental Great Sandwich (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK4oS0NbDZo) is also good.
Favourite Tracks (Humanimal): Humanimal, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgZSsSedWPY) Fabricated War , (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCp7L5UP5s8) Seasons , (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwlQZ_mCDTo) D.O.A.P.S , (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlXNRKGS4hk)Blissful Garden (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NqoVLyPQWo) .............it took me a few years to figure out that D.O.A.P.S stands for "diary of a pop star".
Honourable Mention: Fate - Scratch'n'Sniff (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I647E-0_mO4) This may only be of interest to guitar freaks. Fate was an AOR band formed as a side project by Hank Sherman of Mercyful Fate. By the time this was recorded there was only one original member (bass) but on guitar was the crazy man Matthias Eklundh. This guy makes Steve Vai seem normal but if you don't mind the typical bad Scandi accent/lyrics and you like some wild guitar and some nice melodies at times..........this might be worth a listen. The only album Matthias did that was really accessible .
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The debut and Genesis both have songs I like, with Genesis probbably being my preferred album. I checked out the rest on Spotify, but they moved further away from my kind of thing. Even the first two are kinda average for me.
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I have good reason to be proud of the degree to which I brainwashed my little sis when it comes to music. :angel: Tonight she took me to rehab (not that sort ) and she rocked up with Harem Scarem , Talisman and Dream Theater in the car - not for me , for herself.
When I told her about the Top 50 I was doing she rattled off 17 of the top 20 off the top of her head :omg: :hefdaddy ;D
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:lol
I so did that to my brother as well and though he forged his own path musically I loved that me playing albums over and over influenced him.
Hell, my dad did that to me as well!
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To be honest I wanted to make it a 5 way tie with Trilogy and Eclipse ;D
Oh yeah, forgot I also have Eclipse. Then I stopped following for some reason.
Coz sent me some Talisman in my first roulette (I'll Be Waiting), and I liked it plenty. Checked out Genesis, but it didn't really stick to me. Maybe I should see if there's some kind of compilation out there, as I think there would be plenty I'd like, but if they're inconsistent, not sure I'd come back to them with any regularity.
ANOTHER HM to add to the list. What the fuck is so honorable about them if no one's ever heard of them?? :lol
Now, predictions as for what's still to come on the Top 6 (in no particular order)
Halen
Dream Theater
Winger - oh, Tim will love you for this :biggrin:. Can't remember if they were an HM already or not?
hhhmmm... some Karlsson project, perhaps Allen/Lande?
AC/DC... doubt it, but c'mon! You're from Oz!
Savatage
If Winger was an HM already, or if I'm stretching with AC/DC, I'll put Hardline down as an alternate.
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Not bad ;) Winger was an HM - I dedicated it to TAC ;D And you somehow managed to change the thread back to #7 - there's only 5 left.
If I remember I'll try and put together a Best OF list for you for Talisman and Tad Morose when I finish all this. In the meantime I'd check out the Humanimal samples I linked and see if you like those. I reckon Humanimal the song is epic.
As far as Malmsteen goes I reckon Eclipse isn't too bad a place to stop. If you like Mike Vescera then perhaps check out Seventh Sign which is pretty strong.
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Not bad ;) Winger was an HM - I dedicated it to TAC ;D And you somehow managed to change the thread back to #7 - there's only 5 left.
:vfs:
I thought there were only 5 left, but then when I checked the subject of my post, it was on #7 - must've been because I quoted a post when you were still on #7.
Ok, so swap out Winger for Savatage, and scrap AC/DC. Still, lack of Hardline (should it turn out to be so) makes jingle.boy :sadpanda:
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Love Talisman, I don't think have a a weak album really. I'd probably just take the debut over Humanimal. My fav though could actually be Life, love that one. Their 5 Men Live DVD is one of the greatest live DVD's I've seen too, quality.
As for Fate, I only have the self titled. didn't give it much attention but I should get it out again. Never really checked out anything else, although I do quite like IA as a guitar player.
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If Winger comes around the Boston area, I need to hijack Tim to go to the show with me. :lol
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If Winger comes around the Boston area, I need to hijack Tim to go to the show with me. :lol
I would love to tie him to a chair and have Kip do a live saucy performance of Seventeen just for him, spandex, dance moves and all.
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If Winger comes around the Boston area, I need to hijack Tim to go to the show with me. :lol
I would love to tie him to a chair and have Kip do a live saucy performance of Seventeen just for him, spandex, dance moves and all.
:rollin :rollin
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:lol
I don't think Kip wears spandex anymore though :lol
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If we're making guesses for what's left, I'll throw out Journey. Probably Frontiers. Definitely not Raised on Radio. :lol
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That turd of an album ROR. :lol 3 songs are only worth spinning.
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:lol
I don't think Kip wears spandex anymore though :lol
He could pull them out once more for this special occasion.
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With "Can't Get Enough" playing in the background.
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I think Tim might prefer Emergency ;D
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If Winger comes around the Boston area, I need to hijack Tim to go to the show with me. :lol
I would love to tie him to a chair and have Kip do a live saucy performance of Seventeen just for him, spandex, dance moves and all.
LOL
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Excellent choices. I think my favorite JLT offering with Malmsteen is Hold On. Stratospheric vocals and that solo has one of the scariest guitar tones ever. Damn.
Also a fan of the first Talisman album. I may have checked out the second one, but it just didn't stick with me like the first one. Standin' on Fire is great. Just Between Us reminds me a lot of "When It's Love" from Whitesnake '87, for some reason.
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Thanks for all the comments guys - before I go on I just want to put it on record that I have swapped #5 and #4 about 500 times and I'm still going , so it's a toss of the coin. I love each band equally. :heart
As far as Hardline goes (Chad) it was a very late omission from the HM's - it was so hard to cut it down to the 125 ;D In the end I felt that , while a great album, it wasn't huge for me in terms of influence/life impact....and there's hundreds more of those Also......if still in doubt after all the criteria I set out I tended to go for something I thought you guys may not know about in the HM's. Seems I'm doing a decent job there :P The weird thing about Hardline is that my favourite track is the Jap bonus track When Love Leads The Way :-\ Another reason it may have been eliminated is that Gioeli is clearly quite influenced by Rob Lamothe from Riverdogs who were already making an impact with me long before Hardline existed and are also in the Top 50.
Anyway.........another one coming tomorrow. Heads or tails........
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Well, Hardline does have more than one album - though let's just forget about II, and yes... Gioelli is the only consistent member on the other two, so I guess it's understandable. Perhaps not forgivable, but understandable. :lol But still... Schon rock's the fuckin debut album.
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If Winger comes around the Boston area, I need to hijack Tim to go to the show with me. :lol
I would love to tie him to a chair and have Kip do a live saucy performance of Seventeen just for him, spandex, dance moves and all.
You guys are lucky I'm on vacation and can't comment. See you in a few days.
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If Winger comes around the Boston area, I need to hijack Tim to go to the show with me. :lol
I would love to tie him to a chair and have Kip do a live saucy performance of Seventeen just for him, spandex, dance moves and all.
You guys are lucky I'm on vacation and can't comment. See you in a few days.
hehe
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(https://s28.postimg.org/6vo5lw561/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/6vo5lw561/)
#5 Queensryche: Operation Mindcrime
Released 1988
Tracks
1. I Remember Now
2. Anarchy-X
3. Revolution Calling
4. Operation: Mindcrime
5. Speak
6. Spreading the Disease
7. The Mission
8. Suite Sister Mary
9. The Needle Lies
10. Electric Requiem
11. Breaking the Silence
12. I Don't Believe in Love
13. Waiting for 22
14. My Empty Room
15. Eyes of a Stranger
As mentioned already this album/band and my #4 are bascially tied - the only way I could separate them was to give the edge to my #4 band due to a longer period of consistent output....or perhaps , to be blunt , my number four band didn't release 20+ years of aural diarrhoea topped off by Dedicated to Cabaret. :facepalm:
Either way this is one fantastic album and , for me , clearly the best concept metal album of all time.........and from about the only decent band, aside from Metal Church, to come out of Seattle :) . Not only does it have a story that flows well from song to song (the story is always a distant second for me to the music anyway) but the key is each song stands on its own as a great song regardless. The concept can be read here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation:_Mindcrime. and is one of the few examples (Crimson Idol being another) where the concept adds to the music for me. In this case the political/criminal undercurrent really adds a menacing tone to what is already fantastic music. Much of the political commentary is just as relevant today actually.
Although I do like the earlier material too (EP + The Warning) , this album was the midpoint of an amazing 3 album run of Rage For Order, OM and Empire. All quite different albums and all awesome in their own way but for me Mindcrime just nails it the best in all departments - music/vocal, lyrics and cohesiveness. I think this stands up as well now as it did then. I'm not normally one for listening to the drums in great detail but Scott Rockenfields playing on this really adds a lot I believe.
One of the true prog metal innovators here and an album containing a number of my all time favourite songs. Brilliant - not much more to say .
Favourite Tracks: Eyes of A Stranger , Operation Mindcrime, Speak, Breaking The Silence...........very hard to pick faves - they all are.
I'll be back tomorrow with another instalment - 'til then ..........sweet dreams you :neverusethis:
Honourable Mention: Jeff Paris : Lucky This Time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zao9HMB-1G0) Good straight up singer/songwriter/guitarist with a combo of harder rock and AOR. The linked track is a Paul Stanley co-write and sounds like it could've been off Hot In The Shade (not always a good thing). Another softer one here : Stop Playing With My Heart (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kss_rgOXLoY) The title track ended up being re-done by Mr Big on Lean Into It.
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Great inclusion on anyone's top 10. Made #8 for me. Flawless album - tainted only by the thought of what might have been, and what we actually got - 20 years of aural diarrhea. I still remember the day I got this CD from a flea market, after the release of Empire and the commercial acceptance that got. I put this in and was completely blown away. Empire went right to the back burner.
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At the time of release I didn't know what to make of Empire - it was obviously a good album but it felt like a letdown after Mindcrime. Over time though I have come to appreciate it more on its own merit rather than "in comparison to." I would still rate it third behind OM and Rage For Order. I have to be in the mood for Rage For Order but it's a great album that doesn't get enough credit. I would've loved to hear it with a more modern production though....powerful songs like Walk In The Shadows would sound even more amazing with an Empire era sound IMO.
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Can never go wrong with this great album.
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What the hell...........I don't expect to be around much tomorrow now so here's another to keep things lively .
(https://s2.postimg.org/wdbxtjaat/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/wdbxtjaat/)
#4 Savatage: Gutter Ballet
Released 1989
Tracks
1. Of Rage and War
2. Gutter Ballet
3. Temptation Revelation
4. When the Crowds Are Gone
5. Silk and Steel
6. She's in Love
7. Hounds
8. The Unholy
9. Mentally Yours
10. Summer Rain
11. Thorazine Shuffle
Here we have another innovator in what I suppose you could call progressive metal prior to the arrival of DT and others in the 90's. I'm no expert on the early days of "symphonic metal"/metal operas etc.........but I can't think of too many who had already incorporated the piano and strings into metal like Savatage did with this album in the late 80's. Much of this was due to the influence of producer (and defacto band member) Paul O'Neill who had started with them on HoTMK but didn't really assert his influence until Gutter Ballet.
I think most of the symphonic/"metal opera" bands of today owe Savatage some credit. It may seem a bit passe these days but there really was like nothing else like it back then and I was hooked from the minute I heard songs like Gutter Ballet, When The Crowds Are Gone, Hounds, Summer Rain. Jon Oliva had a great ability to switch from a smooth emotive vocal to a blood curdling scream and his brother Criss (RIP) remains one my favourite guitarists to this day.
This album in many ways bridges the gap between the pure metal of the prior album Hall of the Mountain King and the Broadway metal concept album that followed (Streets).....it's about half of each style This was my first Savatage album and was a great introduction to both sides of the band . I then worked my way back to HoTMK (also a likely top 50 album contender) and bought all their new stuff from then on. I enjoyed almost everything they did from there to one degree or another but for me this was their peak. The cover alone was enough to grab the attention - awesome art.
There is a touch of filler here and there but the great stuff (most of it) is just that good it really doesn't matter.......it's worth a purchase just for cuts like Gutter Ballet and When The Crowds Are Gone . Savatage sound like nobody else has before or since and I (obviously) think they are vastly under rated in terms of their contribution to metal in general . A masterpiece that , just like Mindcrime, is a real musical journey that was ahead of its time and sounds just as good today.
In terms of rewind/hair on back of neck moments that I played and played over and over the solo section of Gutter Ballet would be right up there. The change of pace at the end of Hounds is another and really the whole Gutter Ballet, Temptation Revelation, When The Crowds Are Gone grouping.
TAC won't like this one on his return either :D - we occupy opposite ends of the discussion on whether Savatage have any musical "chops."
Favourite Tracks: Gutter Ballet (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQZYTnxzeRk) , When The Crowds Are Gone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoLbjaYpsNk), Temptation Revelation, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz0qZPLXYsQ) Hounds, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr8O5B2S8Kc) Summer Rain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0WZVphAZqI)
Honourable Mention: Lynch Mob : Wicked Sensation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuA5pTmZEdU)
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gave Gutter Ballet a spin recently - stellar album.
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Reporting in from my camping holiday in the wilds. I just couldn't stay away, much to the annoyance of my other half lol. Great updates. Cant argue with any of these making a top 50 and some made mine.
Gutter Ballet was my first sava album and still probably my fave with Streets close behind.
Yngwie was a huge influence for me and I was a fan from the Alcatrazz album. Next picked up Marching Out on release and the awesome 1st solo album at the same time. Such a shame he is such a prick. Have you read the As Above So Below biography? Everyone who ever met him thinks he's a twat. They cant all be wrong. He went downhill from the 90s for me with only the Concerto Suite (a Lowdz top 50 pick) ang Facing The Animal worth a listen after Magnum Opus. I wasnt much of a fan of fire and ice mainly due to the vocals from Goran Edman. Hes just too weak sounding. No fire (pun intended) in his voice.
Pyro is def lep,s best.
Cant argue with Talisman. All their albums are quality. RIP Marcel. Great songwriter and bass player. His bass drives alot of their songs.
Mindcrime was joint no 1 in my top 50 so I think we can say I rate it.
Right, back to camping!
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The recent two albums are the few ones from this list I actually know and love. :D Mindcrime is a classic, and Gutter Ballet is a great (and, I think, pretty underappreciated) output by Savatage. The title track is just fantastic, definitely my favourite.
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Two absolute sensational picks. Mindcrime made number 7 I think for me and Gutter Ballet was in the high twenties.
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I've only heard Streets from Savatage, but I'll check Gutter Ballet out some time.
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I've only heard Streets from Savatage, but I'll check Gutter Ballet out some time.
You really should man.
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2 perfect metal albums
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Looking through your list and seeing what you like(d) I'm surprised there isn't a Triumph album in there somewhere.
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Looking through your list and seeing what you like(d) I'm surprised there isn't a Triumph album in there somewhere.
I think he may have had Surveillance as an HM
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Looking through your list and seeing what you like(d) I'm surprised there isn't a Triumph album in there somewhere.
I think he may have had Surveillance as an HM
That I did.
Looks like I might have time for #3 today after all. Before I do get into my Top 3 (Images and Words is #3) I want to make a little comment on the rankings – separating these Top 3 has been like deciding who my favourite kid is. Queensryche and Savatage were clearly above the rest , and then the Top 3 are on another level again and depending on the ranking criteria used I could easily see either of them at number one. And I’d be happy to see any of them at number one.
As I noted in my intro the only way I had a hope of ranking the artists and albums was based on their impact on my life rather than pure album ratings – not only the album but the artists themselves over the course of a lifetime. This made it tough for Dream Theater for a few reasons:
- By the time DT arrived on the scene I’d been a fan of #1 and #2 bands for 5-8 years – growing with them through my teens
- If we assume that to make it this high in my list an album might need a rating of 90%+ and we look at the albums under consideration, then some interesting facts emerge related to other Top 10 artists and their albums compared to Dream Theater. Below is a list of bands # 1-8 and how many albums of theirs I rate 90%+ and which were therefore actively considered for the list:
Malmsteen (5) , Savatage (4), Queensryche (3),Talisman (4), Def Leppard (3) , My #1 artist (7), My #2 artist (7)…….and Dream Theater (1)** ……mind you I’d rate Images and Words 150% if I could. The fact that I have elevated DT above the majority of those huge artists in my life based almost entirely on the brilliance of Images and Words speaks volumes I think. So does this pic :D
(https://i39.tinypic.com/2cdwsk6.jpg)
Only Dream Theater and one of the Top 2 has had enough of an impact to turn me into a collector and one of my prized possessions is that I&W sealed longbox with expanded art. Others……..original German pressing, white Brookvale , red/gold swirl sealed No 6 and another red/gold unsealed signed by MP.
**Note that DT12 currently has a rating of 92% but I need to give that more time. Next is ADTOE and Awake in the 80s’ (still excellent) and the rest tail away pretty quick all the way to ToT and SC in the 50’s.
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(https://s1.postimg.org/urr82e0nf/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/urr82e0nf/)
#3 Dream Theater: Images and Words
Released 1992
Tracks
1. Pull Me Under 8:14
2. Another Day 4:23
3. Take the Time 8:21
4. Surrounded 5:30
5. Metropolis—Part I: The Miracle and the Sleeper 9:32
6. Under a Glass Moon 7:03
7. Wait for Sleep 2:31
8. Learning to Live 11:30
Three words – “prog metal perfection.”
I first heard Pull Me Under on a late night metal radio show in ‘92 and I was into the city ASAP to buy the album. It was a real WOW moment similar to when I first heard Gutter Ballet a couple of years earlier.
Some consider that this album was the beginning of prog metal , but for me most of the true pioneers have already been mentioned in the list. What this album DID though was to redefine the meaning of the term and also the expectations for anyone who dared follow in their footsteps. And that included Dream Theater themselves because , despite releasing some great material , I don’t think they’ve ever come close to matching it. Here’s the perfect album and ah……… ???
Despite its ranking, if I was asked “ what is the most perfect album in your collection purely in terms of the music?” then this would be it - easily. And when I say “perfect musically” , what I mean by that is that it is the only album EVER (IMO) to package the heaviness and virtuosity on display – not to mention the variety - within very well written, melodic and catchy songs without a single minute of filler. There’s a very fine line for me between progressive elements enhancing a song and just outright “wankery” and on this album everything falls on the right side of that divide. All of DT’s other albums (Dt 12 aside) have songs that do not and , to be honest , the vast majority of songs in the ToT to BCSL period fall in that basket for me. I wouldn’t underestimate the KevMo factor in my love of I&W either.
If I were to do a Top 50 DT songs then every song from I&W would feature in the top 15. I think I’ve said all I need to say………….. a masterpiece.
Favourite Tracks: All of them.
Honourable Mention: Bad Habit - Revolution (https://youtu.be/xsfEOn_UiME) .........Swedish melodic rock with some really nice guitar work from Sven Cirnski. If you prefer something a little bit heavier their Atmosphere album might be more your cuppa tea - sample here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJEQF6yhbtE) It's all pretty fluffy though.
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It topped my list. I was first introduced to DT in late '96. Being a glam/classic rock snob, other than Mindcrime, I'd never heard anything like this ever. And it puts O:M to shame with it's pure technical brilliance. One of the top 5 influential albums of my life for sure... probably #2 (Led Zeppelin IV being my most influential). The only album I can consider truly - TRULY - flawless. I don't spin it too much these days, but it's always unadulterated joy whenever I do.
Savatage... I became a fan by seeing TSO in concert. Took a couple of years to investigate Savatage, and I don't listen to them nearly enough. Everytime I spin an album of theirs (doesn't matter which one), I always thing "damn, I need to listen to Savatage more often". The sad thing is that I discovered their discography in one swoop, so I haven't spent the time to "know" their albums.
Will spin Gutter Ballet in a moment.
New prediction for Top 2 - Halen (5150... SHOCKER) and either Rush (Power Windows) or Maiden (Powerslave or PoM). Your list fails for omitting one of them though. You better not fail by omitting both!
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I&W is always a worthy choice.
I was kind of underwhelmed with O:M. It was all right, but nothing like it had been built up to be.
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You better not fail by omitting both!
I thought you guys might feel refreshed with a list that's not chock full of Maiden and Rush ;D The only impact that Maiden or Rush have had on my life is influencing bands that I really do like. I'm a casual Maiden fan and don't listen to Rush at all (not through lack of trying either) . Soz......:neverusethis:
I reckon if people think about the guitarists that I have raved about at times , then the top 2 might become more obvious.
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I was kind of underwhelmed with O:M. It was all right, but nothing like it had been built up to be.
And this is why people don't respect Alabama
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That's sad.
I could give 'em a dozen better reasons. :P
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You described I&W perfectly.
Masterpiece is right!
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It was in the twenties for me I think. Brilliant album.
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To this day, I pull out I&W and it still gets me every time I spin it.
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My favourite DT album, and a Top 10 album of all time for me. Just brilliant.
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Images and Mindcrime..... :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
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Through my many years of DT fandom I've read the same story many times and I too discovered DT in this way.
Late night radio show that played new untested tracks. They played PMU and I was BLOWN AWAY. I was in a hair metal
band and we were doing OK, getting some regional gigs as well as lots of local ones and I thought I was a pretty decent
drummer. Hah...I heard PMU and the very next day I drove straight to the record store and bought I&W whereby
MP schooled me in what my abilities on the drums really were. The arrangements of those songs and their approach
left me in awe.
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I&W was joint top for me with O:M. Couldn't split them. As you say, a perfect album. Only 4 albums have made me sit up and go :omg: :omg: :omg:
The first was Rush's AFTK
The 2nd was Yngwie's Rising Force
3rd was O:M
4th was I&W
I'm really hoping 5150 doesn't make the top 2 because this could easily be my top 20 so far and I can't stand 2/3 of 5150.
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You have seen his username, right?
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You have seen his username, right?
:biggrin:
Too used to thinking of him as Brent (though I hear it in m head as Brint with the Aussie accent!) but now you mention it... shame, I thought he had pretty good taste :biggrin:
I just thought he liked the amps... that would be much better.
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And then there's the studio , the 5150 guitar and then there's the possibility that I just AM a 5150
(https://img.izismile.com/img/img4/20110718/640/that_crazy_nicholas_cage_640_46.gif)
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(https://s30.postimg.org/jjw681rbx/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/jjw681rbx/)(https://s7.postimg.org/6c3jj9etz/Clipboard01.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/6c3jj9etz/)
#2 Ozzy Osbourne: The Ultimate Sin /Randy Rhoads Tribute (LIVE) - TIE
Released : 1986/ 1987
(https://s28.postimg.org/pzpz6kyu1/Clipboard03.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/pzpz6kyu1/)
(https://s22.postimg.org/3pdnahxql/Clipboard02.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/3pdnahxql/)
I rate every single album from Blizzard of Ozz to No More Tears a classic , so I like the Ozzman a lot. I think he's under rated as a vocalist and , if nothing else, boy could he attract some talent. I'd make particular mention of Bob Daisley here as someone whose name was not up in lights but who had a whole lot to do with most of Ozzy's best songs.
Both of these albums are 100% ers for me , were hugely influential and so I really cannot split them - I would also feel bad if either Randy Rhoads or Jake E Lee did not get a mention in this list.
Ozzy Osbourne has been a huge part of my musical journey. Back in the mid 80's I used to get my dad to set the VHS to record a show called Rage in the wee hours of the morning. These days I imagine the show plays crap around the clock but back then there was at least a couple of hours of rock and metal between 2am and 4am on a Sunday morning. Most of it was pretty average but one day in 1986 (12 yo) I stumbled onto this video for the song Lightning Strikes - link goes to the solo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om24gvzWcLY#t=160
After watching that I was fucking well hooked - God knows how many times I rewound and replayed that solo. I was already a fan of KISS and Van Halen but that video took my desire to be a good guitarist to a new level. Jake had the looks, the moves and the chops in abundance - so much so that I barely noticed Ozzy looking like a juiced up drag queen .
I can barely remember what I did last week but I can quite vividly remember dragging my dad into the record store to buy the album - which would be my first real "metal" album too. So we go to the cassettes and find it - Dad looks at me sideways as if I'm some sort of devil worshipper when he sees the cover (I was 12 years old) but agrees I can buy it. So I remove the cassette cover from the shelf and THIS
...............................
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/87/OzzyOsbourneSpeakOfTheDevil.jpg)
is behind it :omg: ;D
Whoops - more explaining.
So there my journey began and I worked my way backwards , quickly picking up Bark At The Moon , Blizzard and Diary (on a 2 for the price of one tape). I bought every new release shortly after it hit the shops right up until Ozzmosis , after which I sorta lost interest.
While I haven't ranked Ozzy as my all time favourite artist I wouldn't mind betting I've listened to him more than any other artist over the years .
Getting back to my two favourites
1) The Ultimate Sin: This record seems to get bad press from left , right and centre . Ozzy himself has pretty much disowned it and Zakk Wylde is quoted as saying it's pissweak compared to BATM. That's something I just don't get because to me it's heavier sounding than BATM if anything. Sure it has some commercial sounding stuff on it but overall it's certainly not some sort of commercial sellout. Aside from the awesome guitar work of Jake E Lee , Ozzy puts in a top performance and I actually find a lot of the lyrics quite well thought out. Many topical subjects of the time were covered including nuclear war, the demonising of metal music/artists etc........ every track on it has a special place for me. The guitar SOUND could've been better but on the other hand I almost find it adds character to the album. I just love his playing on this and I recall not only being initially gutted when I got NRFTW and realised Jake had left , but also after playing the debut Badlands. While good I really missed the "metal" Jake.
2) Randy Rhoads Tribute; This is an amazing snapshot of the brilliant Randy Rhoads at the peak of his powers .......powers that were unfortunately not allowed to grow even further due to his untimely death. The songs on this record (from Blizzard of Ozz especially) sound so much heavier and more lively than they did on the studio recordings - they really get taken to a whole new level. I would listen to this rather than Blizzard every day of the week. Ozzy sounds fantastic and Randy just slays on everything , including the Sabbath songs which take on a whole new energy too. This album was also my first wake up that Sabbath even existed. The only issue I have is the lack of more material (and the better songs) from Diary of a Madman......at the time Diary had been recorded but not released. Aside from that , and the fact that Randy's probably just a bit too prominent in the mix, it's perfect. I have the tab for this sitting around here somewhere and had it down pat at one point - wouldn't have a hope now but if I ever get my shit together and pick up the guitar again then this album will be a great starting point to get the juices flowing.
Favourite Tracks: Again - all of them. If you don't know the albums and want a sample then perhaps try Shot In The Dark, Never , Lightning Strikes, Killer of Giants from The Ultimate Sin. On the Tribute album ............I Don't Know , Mr Crowley , Relevation(Mother Earth). Most/all of these don't seem to be on Youtube - Sharon's on the job. I'll upload some samples if anyone really need them - just let me know.
Actually ......The Ultimate Sin can be listened to here : https://grooveshark.com/#!/album/The+Ultimate+Sin/191511
Honourable Mention: Michael Schenker Group : Written In The Sand (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDiE1vmryGU) ..........quite a laid back rock album , initially a JAP only release (my copy) but later got a Euro release without the bonus tracks. Leif Sundin on vocals is always good to listen to. Bonus tracks are re-records of Cry For The Nations and Into The Arena.
#1 might take me 2 or 3 days as it's the only one I didn't put some prep work into beforehand.
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No More Tears is the only Ozzy I have. One of those acts that slipped me by, and I'm quite certain 80s Ozzy would've scratched me right where I itched 25 years ago. Now, I'm sure I'd enjoy it, but not sure it would really grab me, at least without me dedicating myself to it like I did all my other 80s musical discoveries back then. But I should give it a go sometime nonetheless.
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Nice to see an Ozzy album in a list, but The Ultimate Sin isn't what I'd consider one of Ozzy's better albums.
It has a lot of good stuff on it, but it doesn't touch the Rhoads era albums, or No More Tears imo. I've even put Ozzmosis and BATM ahead of it, maybe even Down to Earth. That said, I love all of those albums, so that's not implying that it's bad at all. :tup
My favourite tracks would be Never (which I heard on the radio and loved before I got the album), the title track, and Shot in the Dark.
Randy Rhoads Tribute is great. It's a shame he didn't get more time to give us more music, whether with Ozzy or otherwise.
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Where on Earth did you hear Never on the radio in Australia? Must be either internet or some obscure local radio with a dedicated metal show.
Never is a great, under rated song. The verses are nothing wonderful but the pre-chorus and chorus are fantastic and the build up to the solo :hefdaddy Just that few seconds around 2.40- 2.55 where he gets that awesome vibrato and wail - only Jake and a few others can give me chills with just a few notes like that.
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Where on Earth did you hear Never on the radio in Australia? Must be either internet or some obscure local radio with a dedicated metal show.
You probably didn't get it there, but it was Full Metal Racket on JJJ. It was later at night on one day of the week. They also used to occasionally play DT stuff, even JLB's solo stuff, and I got into Skid Row when they played The Threat. This would have been maybe 2002 - 2005 that we listened to it. Good times!
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surprising pick, but an awesome pick regardless.
Ultimate Sin is so underrated.
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I love early Ozzy having never been much of a Sabbath fan until the split. The reason for my interest was certainly Randy and then Jake. Jake certainly had style and after seeing the TUS tour (and meeting Jake and Ozzy) I wanted a blue Charvel so bad -= I wasn't as keen on the black and white model.
I love the guitar sound on TUS and the riff to Never is one of my favourites. BATM had not done it for me at the time so this was a return to form.
Whilst DOAM was my favourite Ozzy album I do love Tribute. Its a great live album and we know the guitar wasn't touched up in the studio. Shame it wasn't longer.
Didn't see that HM coming. NOt in my favourite MSG albums. The first half dozen are his best work.
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I thought that Schenker album might get a WTF or two ;D From my point of view down here near Antarctica the vast majority of the bands in this list outside of the biggest of names had zero profile in this country and UFO/Schenker were the same. I did a pretty good job of tracking most things down but Schenker wasn't one . So I had no knowledge of him until very late and I think WITS might actually have been my first Schenker related album.
I got Perfect Timing because I read it was fantastic and I thought it was average , same with Save Yourself (other than Anytime) and then much later I looked at the others , the best of which probably came out when I was around 6 or 7 years old and again had zero exposure out here. There's plenty of songs on the other albums that I like , but I've got to them much later in life and so , aside from the fact that I find most of the albums half filler , they really weren't influential at all. WITS doesn't rock very hard but it's a good consistent listen when I'm in the mood for it .
I agree with you about Diary............I rate that higher than Blizzard and I could easily have tied that in too. I adore stuff like You Can't Kill Rock'n'Roll , Tonight, Over The Mountain, Diary and the magnificent S.A.T.O. Having said that Ozzy's voice had opened up and sounded a lot better (less whiny) by the time The Ultimate Sin was done. He was off his face for most of 1986 but he still sounded as good as he ever did.
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Not much interested me after TUS. I wasn't a Zack-false harmonic-allthe time- Wylde.
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Wow, TUS made it pretty low in my list but it's easily my favourite Ozzy record. Great pick.
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Saw Ozzy on this tour with Metallica in 84. Absolutely love Killer Of Giants. After Bark At The Moon which in my eyes was a poor album, this was back to the Ozzy I know.
About the show, Jake E. Lee was pointing his head stock into the crowd when some A-hole pulled him in by it. He got back on stage and Jake E. lost it. His guitar didn't work and he tossed it across the stage. And by toss I mean threw it! He started pointing at the guy until the police came and got him.
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Bark At The Moon which in my eyes was a poor album
I think this too. I never understood the praise for BATM.
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It had a few very good songs but was such a weak album after the 1st 2 masterpieces.
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It had a few very good songs but was such a weak album after the 1st 2 masterpieces.
Yup.
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Bark At The Moon which in my eyes was a poor album
I think this too. I never understood the praise for BATM.
It's at least level with TUS. I don't understand why this forum apparently sees such a difference. The title track alone is one of the best things Ozzy has ever done.
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All about personal taste. Ultimate Sin is far and away my favorite Ozzy album. Not even close really.
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All about personal taste. Ultimate Sin is far and away my favorite Ozzy album. Not even close really.
Wow, awesome.
Bark At The Moon which in my eyes was a poor album
I think this too. I never understood the praise for BATM.
It's at least level with TUS. I don't understand why this forum apparently sees such a difference. The title track alone is one of the best things Ozzy has ever done.
Agree that the title track is one of Ozzy's best, but that's really the only thing on the album that gets me going. To me, there is such a difference in quality it's astounding.
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There's quite a few tracks on BATM I really like - and it wasn't until Paul told me that I realised it was issued without Slow Down which is one of the best and makes a big difference - Spiders is shite. I also really like Bark At The Moon (played that soooo many times on guitar too) , Now You See it , Rock'n'Roll Rebel , Waiting For Darkness.
That concert you spoke of King would've been '86 , not '84. That tour video (The Ultimate Ozzy) was , along with VH's Live Without A Net , my first concert video purchase. Jake rulz :hefdaddy
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You are correct sir. Those years just blend together and of course since both albums came out in 86 :facepalm:
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assuming bl5150 finishes his list he now sets the record for most albums in a top 50 albums list with 60.
TAC was the previous record holder with 59 top 50 albums.
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Should have #1 up over the weekend.
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assuming bl5150 finishes his list he now sets the record for most albums in a top 50 albums list with 60.
TAC was the previous record holder with 59 top 50 albums.
:lol
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There's quite a few tracks on BATM I really like - and it wasn't until Paul told me that I realised it was issued without Slow Down which is one of the best and makes a big difference - Spiders is shite. I also really like Bark At The Moon (played that soooo many times on guitar too) , Now You See it , Rock'n'Roll Rebel , Waiting For Darkness.
That concert you spoke of King would've been '86 , not '84. That tour video (The Ultimate Ozzy) was , along with VH's Live Without A Net , my first concert video purchase. Jake rulz :hefdaddy
I quite like the album now but I didn't back in the day. Slow Down helps a lot - why the UK didn't get that track is beyond me. I always had a soft spot for So Tired but I might be in a minority there.
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Back from vacation!!
Nice to see an Ozzy album in a list, but The Ultimate Sin isn't what I'd consider one of Ozzy's better albums.
It has a lot of good stuff on it, but it doesn't touch the Rhoads era albums, or No More Tears imo. I've even put Ozzmosis and BATM ahead of it,
My favourite tracks would be Never Killer Of Giants, the title track, and Shot in the Dark.
Randy Rhoads Tribute is great. It's a shame he didn't get more time to give us more music, whether with Ozzy or otherwise.
I agree. I thought The Ultimate Sin was a cliff like drop off at the time. Still do.
assuming bl5150 finishes his list he now sets the record for most albums in a top 50 albums list with 60.
TAC was the previous record holder with 59 top 50 albums.
:lol
It was a calculated move, I'm sure! :lol
Saw Ozzy on this tour with Metallica in 84.
Dude, it was 86! :lol
I had one set of friends that went to Worcester, another set went to Providence. I made plans with the Providence guys. Bad move. The Worcester show went on, and Providence was cancelled! :censored Missed Metallica.
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Tim, I'm old dammit! :lol
All these years blend together. I guess I should just Google before I post but who has the time to open up all these tabs. *The new grumpy man of the 2000* :lol
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(https://s29.postimg.org/3x5qg400j/301.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/3x5qg400j/)(https://s12.postimg.org/iuf67tnm1/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/iuf67tnm1/)(https://s27.postimg.org/t5d70qd1r/302.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/t5d70qd1r/)
I loved those first two Yngwie albums, but Trilogy blew. I also ignored Odyssey (those pictures!), but these days I think Odyssey is quite awesome.
Also, regarding Fate, I had A Matter Of Attitude. Liked it a lot. Didn't know they had more albums.
Tim, I'm old dammit! :lol
Hey you're the same age as me! Oh wait..nevermind. :lol
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Before I get onto my #1 (world's worst kept secret - the band at least) I'll thank all you fogeys and fogeys-in-waiting for participating and making this thread - in the Olympic tradition - the best Top 50 ever ;D I made it a much bigger task than it needed to be but I wanted it to be not only a list of classics but a bit of a chance to discover some new bands . If anyone needs any help/info on any of the bands mentioned then just PM me.
And so......the winner is..................
(https://s3.postimg.org/jnbqcak0f/Clipboard03.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/jnbqcak0f/)
#1: Nitro - O.F.R.
Released 1989
1. Freight Train
2. Double Trouble
3. Machine Gunn Eddie
4. Long Way From Home
5. Bring it Down
6. Nasty Reputation
7. Fighting Mad
8. Shot Heard 'Round the World
9. O.F.R.
Oops - wrong file........:neverusethis:
(https://s30.postimg.org/e8gxqsz65/300.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/e8gxqsz65/)
#1 Van Halen : Van Halen
Released 1978
1. Runnin' With The Devil
2. Eruption
3. You Really Got Me Cover: The Kinks
4. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
5. I'm The One
6. Jamie's Cryin'
7. Atomic Punk
8. Feel Your love
9. Little Dreamer
10. Ice Cream Man
11. On Fire
(https://www.vhnd.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Eddie1-300x489.jpg)
if ever there was a simple album cover that did a great job of letting you know exactly what was inside then this was it - Eddie's guitar generating it's own heat , David Lee Roth holding his mic suggestively......you just knew this was going to rock. I wasn't even around (music aware ) but I can only imagine the impact this album had - it sounds bloody heavy today let alone in 1978 and is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest debut rock/metal albums ever. I've certainly never heard anything from that era that even comes close. For me it is THE best ever.
As I stated at #3 , when it comes to purely music my #1 is Images and Words. Van Halen in particular though interacted with me on another level and it wasn't just the music - it was attitude , swagger and humour. It's metal and it's tons of fun. Many of the things I love about Van Halen are very much love/hate and so I totally understand why people don't "get" the classic Van Halen albums .
My Van Halen experience started in 1984 at the age of 10. I was already a big KISS fan and Van Halen were my 2nd major band. It would be easy to imagine that I first heard them on the radio playing Jump or Panama but that's not the case. Like Ozzy , my first exposure to the band was on the late night Australian music show called Rage. They had one of their metal specials on and it was a group of four videos - the three track "live" promo they recorded at The Whiskey featuring Running With The Devil , You Really Got Me and Jamie's Cryin' , along with the live clip from Fresno 1979 of Dance The Night Away. I've included a couple of the clips below along with another very patchy audience clip from the same Fresno gig of Light Up The Sky ..............this 78-79 period was when they really owned the stage and were near untouchable. Recently there was an amazing clear upgrade of this Fresno gig on Youtube but the :censored took it down before I could get around to capturing it.
I saw VH recently and wasn't greatly impressed - DLR sang while chewing gum FFS - but it was in this 1979 period that I wish to God they'd recorded professional live footage (perhaps they have it stashed?) because contrary to the myth Roth was good live back then , hit all the high notes and remembered "the fucking words." That didn't last long though ;D
You Really Got Me (Whiskey promo) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V6VBKsO-Fk)
Dance The Night Away (live) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEvpreZcAfI)
Light Up The sky (audience) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0pCt44GygA)
So 1984 was my first purchase and I worked my way backwards. If I was to rank my Top 20 most listened to albums of all time then all of the VH albums from the debut to OU812 would be represented in that list.
Back to the debut - I'm told that it was a WTF moment for the guitar playing community the likes of which had not been seen since the arrival of Hendrix and it's not hard to see why. It wasn't just the 2 handed tapping , or Eddie's brutal "warm up exercise" Eruption that inspired a generation of shredders - there was a heaviness, a fire on this album that is still pretty much unmatched. And that's why it gets the gong amongst their catalogue - although each album has its special place with me (Fair Warning and 1984 were under consideration) I don't think they ever matched or bettered it in terms of :
- Eddie's guitar sound and playing. I don't believe he really progressed greatly as a player over time - in fact I think he went backward in many ways during the 79-82 period and peaked again around 84-88.
- heaviness
- production (most albums released today don't sound near as good) .........recorded pretty much live in the space of a week , like most of their albums
Like Dream Theater with Labrie , Van Halen started at the peak of their powers and it was damn hard trying to even maintain similar altitude.
As I worked my way through their catalogue I just fell in love with the whole vibe of the band. Not only was the music rocking , the guitar playing brilliant etc... (if very unorthodox and not very "musical" at times) but there was an intangible element to the band that connected with me. I pretty much loved everything about them ...............from Roth's ADHD style , charisma, humour and vocal histronics to the whole idea of the band throwing in ad libs , "Whoo"'s , "Owww"'s and laughter in the background - nobody else had the nads to pull this stuff off. And each time I listen with ear buds in I hear something new. Then their was their bitching logo, Eddie's cool look , his striped guitars,his pick slides and whammy bar feel, his penchant for going mad scientist with his gear and certainly the comedy value in many of their songs.
Eddie's playing also connected with me in a way nobody else did. As a musician who reached a decent level myself - I don't consider Eddie a great master of the instrument in a truly musical sense. He wouldn't know a Dorian mode if it hit him in the guts. He once described his own playing as "falling down the stairs and landing on my feet" and that's how I see it too - he's very much a feel player who manages to make weird shit sound good. And like most players of this type , when they have an off night (especially an improv) they can sound bloody awful and I've heard Ed sound terrible too. All that said he had a fire and a cheeky humour that he was able to get across in his playing that matched the music and Roth's attitude.....and the chops to make it sound damn special.
Some quick thoughts on the other albums:
VH 2 : A flat production ,a questionable cover of You're No Good and yet an all time favourite or two like Light up The Sky. I feel on this album and WACF the humour element took over a bit and while the music wasn't quite as strong , tracks like DOA and Beautiful Girls were certainly entertaining
Women and Children First: Moved even further in the humour direction - still a very good album but songs like Fools, Romeo Delight, Everybody Wants Some and Take Your Whiskey Home were again great for a laugh and cool songs but not quite in the class of the debut. Ed's lead playing was not as strong around this time either IMHO
Fair Warning: More complex arrangements , a darker mood and yet still plenty of laughs on tracks like Dirty Movies and One Foot Out The Door (dat solo :hefdaddy ). Certainly a highlight and Ed's rhythm playing seriously impressed too. Possibly their best writing along with the debut and 1984.
Diver Down: An album that was rushed into existence and written and recorded in weeks due to the label demanding an album after the unexpected success of (Oh) Pretty Woman .........sure it's half covers but still contains some great moments - Little Guitars, The Full Bug and Secrets among them. The rhythm playing on Hang Em High is uber cool.
1984: Ed stepped up the leads here and regained a lot of the fire of the debut and his playing was again more varied and inspired. Whatever you think of Jump and Panama (I have no problem with them) there's some blistering stuff on this and great aggression reminiscent of the debut in songs like Girl Gone Bad and House of Pain. Top Jimmy is a cracker too.
5150: Sammy's debut and while it sounds like ass now , back in the day I loved it. Still a huge fan of Dreams, Summer Nights, 5150 etc...... but avoid a number of songs.
OU812: Under rated and suffered from a weak production but this is the last album that really inspired me with it's guitar work - Sucker In A 3 Piece is Eddie going out with a bang. Some clunkers on here but Mine All Mine, AFU and Sucker are :metal
FUCK/Balance : Not the VH I grew to love - Eddie lost the Kramer for a fat sounding EBMM and his fire went with it. He started recycling stale licks over and over and for me that was a real loss. Having said that I still love both records as they still contain some wonderful songs and it's on songs like Pleasure Dome that Alex and Mikey get time to shine. It becomes obvious that Alex has progressed a ton over the years. Faves from these albums: Judgement Day, The Dream Is Over, Pleasure Dome , Seventh Seal , Feelin'
ADKOT: A fine return to form - plenty not to like but was far better than I expected and Roth's lyrics are masterful.
There's my mini VH Discography thread - done ;D
Oh - did I forget 3 ? Oops ;D
So there we have it - a pretty clear number one for me and the leftovers from the writing prior to this album fueled much of the rest of their catalogue. There's plenty of trivia around the album and I have half a room full of memorabilia I could chat about, but I'm already in tl:dr territory.
Favourite Tracks: All of em but if I had to pick one - I'll go for one out of left field with On Fire. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6z-nxAYhGw)
Thanks guys :metal :metal :metal I can now get back to discovering new music and posting weird shit in the album listening thread - both of which i have missed.
Honourable Mention: Brazen Abbott: Live and Learn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUT91P-_St8)
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I can't complain with this pick. Easily one of, if not THE best hard rock album of all time. :metal :metal
Nitro. :lol
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I'm a 'best of' fan between the debut and 1984. Don't have any of the full albums. Have all the Hagar era albums, and regrettably III. Prim still a bigger Hagar era fan, but the debut is stunning.
Great list Brent ... I got some catching up to do on some albums. But hey! Here's an HM that I already know (thanks Paul).
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I had to buy this album twice because I wore the first one down! :metal
Awesome #1!!
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Amazing debut!!
Brent, excellent job with this list and with the write ups.
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Amazing debut!!
Brent, excellent job with this list and with the write ups.
Amen, Brother.
Love early VH. They do NOT get nearly enough mentions around these parts.
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Had to bring these out again since you mentioned Nitro:
(https://pi0rsw.bn1302.livefilestore.com/y2pEtg177LR4dHtw8ZQVG8jL6ip5rAP8DwtJ6We3kbZ0s3I-EoFsFFrDGLCT58L0KhYh-I5WMqwxnUEaz38a6GQ6SNaUAP7vhvIpgFML8kIamE/nitrodumb1.gif?psid=1)(https://pi0rsw.bn1302.livefilestore.com/y2pVGfVMzSX-bl46min3k-sJw2Z-qXd-ekiPFso72g7hoRJQmvKlx6fRRZhkPT-4gvGas1BM1zYKkxERTGOl1TgXiRFI0wdyDrA4BrUeF5YQ84/nitrodrum2.gif?psid=1)
Van Halen...just amazing. I started myself on The Best Of, Vol. 1. It was one of those albums that changed my musical life, back when I was 10 or so. I had no idea that they changed singers or anything like that, but I distinctly remember parts of that album blowing me away. The opening to Ain't Talkin' Bout Love, listening to Can't Stop Lovin' You a million times, and the solo section in Humans Being.
But the first Van Halen album that I bought and listened to all the way through was the debut. It is probably my favorite of the Roth era albums. What tone. I've tried to get that sound, and have come pretty close sometimes, but something about that Van Halen I guitar sound just has something more - just magical in a sense. I also think it is probably the most consistent song wise of the Roth era.
I ended up actually transitioning in to the Sammy albums - or at least liking them better, but over the years I have a new found appreciation for the early stuff. I always loved VHI, but decided to explore the rest of the early catalog in more depth over time. I really like VHII - especially Women In Love, and Fair Warning. The ones that I am not too big on, and think are their weakest albums, are Women And Children, and Diver Down. Especially Diver Down. I just don't like too much on that record.
I really do like the Hagar era, especially 5150 and F.U.C.K. Unfortunately, while Eddie was still a great guitar player, there isn't too much as the albums progress that blows me away. A shame really. As the band (in my opinion) became more consistent and better songwriters, the guitar playing almost too a backseat to the song. (I feel this especially on F.U.C.K. However, The Dream Is Over solo: :metal) Of course, depending on your view, this could be a good thing. Songs don't need crazy guitar fills all the time. But when I need that early VH style, I have plenty to choose from.
I agree about OU812. There are some good things happening on that album, and it is underrated, but it does have its problems. It would be tough to follow 5150, and Eddie's guitar sound on that album is probably my least favorite of the Hagar era. Too much of the Eventide IMO. Not crisp enough.
In any case, good list. There are a bunch of albums you mentioned that I have to check out and catch up on. Great job.
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I like OU812 a lot, especially when it came out. Seems to have personality. I did not take to 5150 at first, though it has aged quite well
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I was expecting 5150 as number 1. In anticipation I listened to it yesterday and its still 2/3 great 1/3 crap - and I guessed wrong. As I said in my top 50 I'd take Eat Em And Smile over it by a mile.
VH I is a great album and a fitting No 1. Like all VH albums for me its got a couple of poorer tracks but there's no arguing witht he impact.
Fair Warning made my top 50 and is my favourite, followed by 1984. The rest have a few good tracks here and there.
Hated OU812, still do.
FUCK and SS were better. Still enjoy those two. III was utter crap. So glad I didn't buy that one.
Its been a great ride and lived up to big expectations.
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I'm a casual VH fan, but appreciate the pick.
Great list man, well done.