Great Metal Albums of 1979: Ted Nugent- State of Shock

This album has a bit of irony to it for me. As you have probably read many times until your sick to death of it now, I spent three months of 1979 in musical isolation. Actually it was Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, known in the film "Full Metal Jacket" as the home for the crazy brave. At the time, many of us referred to it as the land of sun and sandfleas. I digress. During those three months, I had no information of what music was coming out. Then one night, I pulled a guard duty where a radio was playing nearby. I was able to listen to it and several times during my duty, there was an advertisement for tickets to see Ted Nugent's always kick ass live show in Savannah, Georgia. I concluded that he must have a new album out and when I went home on leave, five weeks later, I saw the "State of Shock" album at my local store.

When I first heard the album all of those long years ago, I thought it was brilliant, although it could be said that it was because I was musically starved at the time. Killer tracks like "Paralyzed" and "Satisfied" still come to mind and show what a true artist Ted Nugent is and how he can wail on a guitar like very few people could both then and now. The problem for me is time, having refamiliarised myself with the album, I am now in the mind that it doesn't quite live up to the knock out punch of "Cat Scratch Fever," Weekend Warriors" or the later "Scream Dream." Still, there is nothing wrong with the album, it is still a great album with some fine guitar work from the master himself.

Track Listing:

1. Paralyzed

2. Take It Or Leave It

3. Alone

4. It Don't Matter

5. State of Shock

6. I  Want To Tell You

7. Satisfied

8. Bite Down Hard

9. Snake Charmer

10. Saddle Sore

Ted Nugent

Ted Nugent- lead guitar, vocals

Charlie Huhn- rhythm guitar, lead and backing vocals

Walt Monaghan- bass

Cliff Davies- drums, backing vocals

Let's not get into an argument on whether "State of Shock" compares to some of the other Ted Nugent classics. It is a good album and for me, it was a great reintroduction back into music after being deprived of it for so long.

Next Post: Triumph- Just a Game

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Great Metal Albums of 1979: AC/DC- Highway to Hell

I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to get another post out before the weekend, but fortunately, as schools in the UK break up for half term on Friday, there isn't a need for supply teachers. Therefore, I am able to bring you that album that consciously influenced my decision to join the ranks of heavy metal. "Highway to Hell" was the album that basically ended the seventies and opened up the door to the eighties for me and I've been eternally grateful ever since.

For me, the title track alone would make this album but the other songs lift it up to a place where you need the Hubble Telescope to see it. Those hard rocking riffs just set my head to bobbing and I just can't stop it. While, I can go on forever about the first song, the album in no way loses anything with the nine other songs. "Touch Too Much" is a brilliant headbanger and with "Beating Around the Bush," there has been no other lead-rhythm guitar combination that has been performed better than the way the Young Brothers do it on this song. Then, there is the amusing lyrics on "Walk All Over You." Many times in the company of a lady, I have thought or even told her, "You look so good under me." Of course, I have also experienced the lyrics in the song "Shot Down in Flames."

Track Listing:

1. Highway to Hell

2. Girls Got Rhythm

3. Walk All Over You

4. Touch Too Much

5. Beating Around the Bush

6. Shot Down In Flames

7. Get it Hot

8. If You Want Blood (You Got It)

9. Love Hungry Man

10. Night Prowler

AC/DC

Bon Scott- vocals

Angus Young- lead guitar

Malcolm Young- rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Cliff Williams- bass

Phil Rudd- drums

As I said before, originally I was going to wait until the end of my journey through 1979 to visit this album, but with Hell's Bells coming to town this weekend, I thought it appropriate to visit it now. Don't worry, I'll let you know how Hell's Bells are in the next post and if they continue to be note perfect. If there is any album to get me into the mood for the night, it would be "Highway to Hell." This for me, kicked my ass into the 80s.

Next post: Ted Nugent- State of Shock

To buy Rock and Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London

Great Metal Albums of 1979: Saxon

In a song on a later album, which I will cover down the line, Saxon asks, "Where were you in 79 when the damn began to burst?" I know I mentioned it before but I thought I should bring it up again because back in that year, Saxon were one of the bands who fired the first salvos at the damn. Their self titled first album was the weapon of choice and this album reminded me why I like to listen to up and coming bands so much. It contains a raw, gutsy, hungry sound that many heavy metal acts would possess when they were making their way up the ladder of success.

The first track, "Rainbow Theme" may not be a throat grabber of an opening song but it does the job in turning your attention to the album. I love the guitar work on the second track, "Frozen Rainbow"as well as the Thin Lizzy influence on "Judgement Day." The rest of the album would lay the ground work for the later success of Saxon from the unmistakable vocals of Biff Byeford to some impressive guitar work from the likes of Graham Oliver and Paul Quinn. Another track that definitely stands out for me is "Stallions of the Highway." It shows why I have always liked this band so much.

Track Listing:

1. Rainbow Theme

2. Frozen Rainbow

3. Big Teaser

4. Judgement Day

5. Stallions of the Highway

6. Backs to the Wall

7. Still Fit to Boogie

8. Militia Guard

Saxon

Biff Byeford- vocals

Graham Oliver- guitar

Paul Quinn- guitar

Steve Dawson- bass

Pete Gill- drums

Back in 1979, heavy metal as we know and love it was still in its infancy, although back then, we didn't realise how fast it would grow up. Saxon are one of the more unsung heroes of heavy metal. This first album shows the hunger that they had and metal bands after would acquire. So in salutation, have a listen to the first album from a great British band, Saxon.

Next post: I was going to save this until the end of my 1979 journey but as I am going to see AC/DC tribute band Hell's Bells on Saturday, I thought I would make "Highway to Hell" my next stop.

Hells Bells

FFI: www.hellsbells.info

To buy Rock and Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London