Great Metal Albums of 1983: Tank- This Means War

 

Whenever a group of bands are identified with a certain area and style of music, there are those who stamp their names as standard bearers of that music but if you look down the list, there are many other bands in that group who typify that style but don't get the recognition they probably deserve. For example, when Southern Rock was at its commercial hey day in the very early 1980s, bands like Molly Hatchet, The Outlaws, 38 Special and Blackfoot were the bands people identified with that form of rock. Not many would be able to identify Doc Holliday, Johnny Van Zant Band or Mother's Finest to name just a few and they were just as good as the ones previously mentioned.

The same applies to the new wave of British Heavy Metal, (NWOBHM), which came out right after. Living in the US at the time, I knew and adored Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Saxon, Motorhead, Def Leppard but bands like Diamond Head, I only knew because I had seen them live. As for Tank, they came to my attention because I just happened to see one of their albums in the import section of my local record store. It wasn't the one I'm posting about now.

To be honest, I didn't listen to "This Means War" until I actually came to Britain and that was late 1986. A new friend who we nicknamed 'Trendy Bastard' because he dressed a little too much like Bon Jovi, had an extensive collection of music and one night, treated us to the album. It definitely made an impression on me because although I never bought this album, it has stuck in my mind for all these years.

All of the elements of NWOBHM are present on "This Means War." When I listen to it, I hear influences from Motorhead and Judas Priest. The songs are fast paced but not at a real break neck speed. Still, the power and rhythm combine to make them catchy. Algy Ward's vocals sound closer to that of Rob Halford and done competently.  Guitars are also done well, prime example being "I Won't Ever Let You Down," though I'm not quite ready to add Peter Brabbs and Mick Tucker to my guitar list. The best examples of what I'm talking about are the tracks, "This Means War," "If We Go, We Go Down Fighting," "Just Like Something From Hell" and "Echoes of a Distant Battlefield."

Track Listing:

1. Just Like Something From Hell
2. Hot Lead, Cold Steel
3. This Means War
4. Laughing in the Face of Death
5. (If We Go) We Go Down Fighting]
6. I Won't Ever Let You Down
7. Echoes of a Distant Battlefied

[caption id="attachment_3686" align="aligncenter" width="259"] Tank[/caption]

Algy Ward- bass, vocals

Peter Brabbs- guitar

Mick Tucker- guitar

Mark Brabbs- drums

Was it because so many British metal bands were gaining status in the US the reason why Tank got left out? While they might not have been as spectacular as the greats who did achieve, they were still a cool band and as "This Means War" proved to me, they deserve some recognition.

Next Post: KISS- Lick it Up

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

Great Metal Albums of 1986: Mercyful Fate- Melissa

 

My first experience of  the 1983 "Melissa" album from Danish metal band Mercyful Fate didn't come until early 1985 when I heard the best known song from the album, "Black Funeral" on a compilation album. During that time, I constantly heard the Jesus brigade going on about how the lyrics of rock songs all have hidden Satanic messages that mess with your subconscious. Well, it is safe to say that there are no such hidden subversive lyrics in the song, "Black Funeral." No, instead lead singer King Diamond just comes out and sings "Hail Satan." I've loved that song ever since.

"Black Funeral" isn't the only song on the Melissa album that has straight forward messages from the Dark Lord. There are lyrics in most of the songs here that grab my attention and fill me with much amusement. Take the second track, "Curse of the Pharaohs." Those lyrics, "Don't touch, never ever steal unless you're in for the kill or you'll be hit by the curse of the pharaohs" Continue to make me smile. After that is "Into the Coven" with, "Come, come into my coven and become Lucifer's Child." The penultimate track, "Satan's Fall" gives two different sets of lyrics to amuse. The first is "Bring me the blood of the unborn child." The second greatly amused my roommate at University in London and upon hearing it repeated "Satan's still alive." With all of these, one my think that I have upside down crosses on my front lawn and an altar in my backyard where I sacrifice chickens, goats and virgins to Satan. I don't because like so many millions of people, song lyrics don't effect me like that.

Satanic lyrics is only one reason to like this album. The music on "Melissa" is of top quality. Most metalheads know the unmistakable voice of King Diamond and his ability to go from a deep, low growl to his high pitched harmonies. On this album, he is probably at his best. However, what has gone less noticed is the guitar work of both Michael Denner and Hank Shermann. Not only do they hammer out some cool solos throughout the album, there is some nice little guitar breaks in the songs as well. Two more to add to the list of under appreciated guitarists. Furthermore, this is the only album that I know where the first three tracks all have catchy riffs. The opening riffs in "Evil" definitely grab your attention and when the song ends, the opening riffs to "Curse of the Pharaohs" keeps things moving. That's not all, the medieval sounding opening lead guitar intro to "Into the Coven" is done very nicely. So, all in all, this is an album to enjoy the music while being amused by the lyrics.

Track Listing:

1. Evil
2. Curse of the Pharaohs
3. Into the Coven
4. At the Sound of the Demon Bell
5. Black Funeral
6. Satan's Fall
7. Melissa

[caption id="attachment_3680" align="aligncenter" width="358"] Mercyful Fate[/caption]

King Diamond- vocals

Hank Shermann- guitar

Michael Denner- guitar

Tim "Grabber" Hansen- bass

Kim Ruzz- drums

Mercyful Fate's "Melissa" album was my first true indoctrination into black metal and it had the effect of getting me hooked on it. For me, it was the right album at the right time.

Next post: Tank- This Means War

To buy Rock And Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com 

Great Metal Albums of 1983: Lee Aaron- Lee Aaron's First LP

 

Onto the debut album from Canada's own Lee Aaron. Now, something else that the music websites say I got wrong. It seems that this album didn't come out in 1983. Originally it was released in 1982 and re-issued in 1984. However, I got this on cassette as part of a double album set with Lee's next album, "Metal Queen." Anyway, I thought for sure that it said on the cassette that the "Lee Aaron's First LP" was copyrighted in 1983 and have had it in my noggin for over thirty years that it came out in said year. Since it's too much trouble to go up into my attic and dig out the cassette to check, I must ask for clemency on any misrepresentation of this album.

Now that's over, let's move on. I remember reading an interview of Lee Aaron in 1987 where she said she laughs when she hears this, her first album. I can see where she is coming from. Back then she was brand new to the industry and rather naive and listening to the album, one can probably say that if she had more say on the album, it might have sounded different. She only wrote on four of the songs. Lee, I hope it wouldn't have sounded too much different because this first LP really rocks!

While she might slightly blush over the lyrics of the tracks, "I Like My Rock My Hard" and "Should Have Known," hell, I blush for her but they are still good sounding metal songs. In fact, I have to take my hat off to Rik Emmett of Triumph who produced the album. I always thought he did a good job of taking Lee under his wing because I can't fault any of the tracks on here. Her vocals are just phenomenal and there are some good musician work to accompany those vocals. Though I can't ascertain why Rik only played on one song, the opener, "Under Your Spell." Stand out tracks for me are "Night Riders" and "Took My Heart Away" to begin with. Her cover of the famous Willie Dixon blues classic, "I Just Want to Make Love to You," which has been covered by so many bands is one of the best. Before, I heard her version, it was Foghat's version I liked but now there's a power struggle in my brain. However, my favourite tracks on the album are definitely "Texas Outlaw," where she doubles with Buzz Sherman and the closing track and even though it's only on the 1984 re-issue, I'm going to include it here, "Under the Stars." This track is recorded live and makes me regret never seeing Lee Aaron live. So, while she might laugh at this album, I really like it.

Track Listing:

1. Under Your Spell
2. Lonely For Your Love
3. Night Riders
4. Texas Outlaw
5. I Like My Rock Hard
6. I Just Want to Make Love to You
7. Runnin' From His Love
8. Should Have Known
9. Took My Heart Away
10. Under the Stars

Lee Aaron- lead vocals

Rik Emmett- guitar, track 1

Dave Alpin- guitar, tracks 1 and 7

Rick Santers- guitar, tracks 2-4, 6, 8, 9

Earl Johnson- guitar, tracks 4,6,8

Frank Soda- track 5

John Albani- guitar, track 10

George Bernhardt- guitar, track 10

Buzz Sherman- co-lead vocals tracks 4 and 8, backing vocals track 8

Bill Wade- drums- tracks 1 and 7

Mark Santers- drums, tracks 2-4, 6, 8, 9

Gen Gratto- drums, track 5

Randy Infuso- drums, track 10

Gene Stout- bass, track 1 and 7

Rick Lazaroff- bass, tracks 2-4, 6, 8, 9

Peter Crolly- bass, track 5

Jack Meli- bass, track 10

Like I said, Lee Aaron might have been embarrassed about her first album but I'm sure not. It is a good rocking album even if the lyrics of some of the songs on it do sound a bit childish. Still, you can't fault her fabulous vocals and the musicians Rik Emmett put together to make this fine album. One of these guitarists will stay with Lee but you'll have to wait to her future albums before I sing his praises. In the meantime, enjoy this one.

Next post: Mercyful Fate- Melissa

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com 

Great Punk/Metal Albums of 1983: Suicidal Tendencies

 

In the mid 1980s, there would be the full coming together of punk and heavy metal. They would even have a love child called thrash as many of these new bands would site influences from both. However, if there was one album that could be identified as the one who spear headed this union, it would have to be the 1983 debut album from Suicidal Tendencies. While the album is labelled hard core punk on wikapedia and by other so called experts, millions of metal heads have taken this band and this album in particular into their metal bosoms. I, for one, would be responsible for unleashing it onto unsuspecting British students in 1986. Not that they ever complained.

There are no complex reasons as to why Suicidal Tendencies is widely accepted by both the metal and punk followings. The opening song answers any questions right off the bat. It starts out as a hard core frenzy that would have people banging themselves about in a mosh pit only to slow down in order for the listener to take in Mike Muir's genius lyric writing. In fact, it's the lyrics on many of these songs that make this album so brilliant. So instead of rambling on about it in paragraphs, I thought I'd do something different and share.

I Shot the Devil- Opens with "I shot Regan!" After Lebanon, I wanted to do that myself. Closing lyrics: "I shot Regan and I'll do it again and again and again." 

Subliminal- "Mind control the easiest way, sponsored by the CIA. It's a weapon you can not see, it's propaganda subliminally. They're fucking with me, subliminally." 

Institutionalized- "My mother started screaming Mike, Mike and I said what's wrong mom? She said what's wrong with you? I said nothing mom, I was just thinking. She said, "No, you're on drugs!" No, I'm okay mom, I was just thinking why don't you get me a Pepsi? She said, "No, you're not thinking, you're on drugs, normal people don't argue that way." I said, "Mom, will you get me a Pepsi please?" All I wanted was a Pepsi and she wouldn't give to me. All I wanted was a Pepsi, just one Pepsi and she wouldn't give it to me." 

I Saw Your Mommy- "I saw your mommy and your mommy's dead. I saw her lying in a pool of red. Chewed off toes on her chopped off feet. I took a picture because I thought it looked neat. But the thing I liked seeing the best was the rodents using her hair as a nest. I saw your mommy and your mommy's dead." 

I Want More- "Working like a maniac give yourself a heart attack on the minimum wage." 

Suicidal Failure- "I took all my mother's sleeping pills, jumped off a tall bridge. I drank three kinds of poisons, drove my car off a ridge. I gave myself a bag, put a noose around my head. I overdosed on heroin but I'm still not dead. I'm a suicidal failure, I got to have some help. I've suicidal tendencies but I can't kill myself." 

In between these songs are some short, to the point punk/thrash songs that would be a favourite in any mosh pit today. Another reason why metalheads love this album is there are some metal snobs out there who think punk musicians aren't up to standard. Yeah, I know. One can't fault any of the musical work by the band on the album. It's all good and why even the metal snobs love it.

Track Listing:

1. Suicide's an Alternative
2. Two Sided Politics
3. I Shot the Devil
4. Subliminal
5. Won't Fall in Love Today
6. Institutionalized
7. Memories of Tomorrow
8. Possessed
9. I Saw Your Mommy
10. Fascist Pig
11. I Want More
12. Suicidal Failure

[caption id="attachment_3670" align="aligncenter" width="249"] Suicidal Tendencies[/caption]

Mike Muir- lead vocals

Grant Estes- guitar

Louiche Mayorga- bass, backing vocals

Amery Smith- drums

When I introduced the album to my new friends in the UK, they pretty much spent the rest of the year singing or quoting lyrics from "I Saw Your Mommy" and "Institutionalized." That is the profound effect this album had on them. It had the same effect on anyone, punk or metalhead, who heard it. Suicidal Tendencies didn't know it at the time but their debut album was a cornerstone in joining the camps of these two genres.

Next post: Lee Aaron's First LP

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com