Great Metal Albums of 1984: Armoured Saint- March of the Saint

 

One question I have been asked many times back in 1984 and today by non-afficianadoes of heavy metal is: Don't you get tired of listening to the same sound all the time? My answer is no. The stereotype on metal is that they all play the same four chords over and over. That might be true with some bands but at least every band chooses four different chords to play. That is what makes their sound unique. Plus, it also has a lot to do with the singer and lead guitarist as well. I was asked this question when I was listening to some Armoured Saint back in 84 and their debut album, "March of the Saint" proved my point. They were pure metal but at the same time, sounded unique.

Most people who have experienced Armoured Saint know of the title track to this album. It has become their trademark song pretty much and I was exceedingly glad when they played it at Bloodstock in 2015. Boy, how time flies. If one song were to be used to introduce anyone to Armoured Saint, it would be that one. A great song to bring in the album and a great song to hear live. Of course, everything they played live on that day sounded great.

[caption id="attachment_2820" align="aligncenter" width="289"] Armoured Saint establishing their dominance at Bloodstock, 2015.[/caption]

Following the historic title cut are nine equally, well nearly equally, fantastic songs. Each song possesses the unmistakable vocals of John Bull and the guitars of Dave Prichard and Phil Sandoval backed up the rhythm section laid down by Joey Vera and Gonzo Sandoval. What you get is a total metal package. While most of the songs are pretty much equal in the kick ass stakes, I do think that "Seducer" does slightly rise above the rest in my opinion. I can't explain it but it just catches my vibe. However, there are lots of great things about the other songs. "Glory Hunter" is also a really cool track with some interesting little riffs in the middle of the song. Then again, there are some rather cool intro riffs in most of the songs. "Take a Turn" and "Envy" are great examples of that. That's the problem when I listen to this album. Every time I want to praise one particular track, the next one comes along and deserves equal praise. So, I have to go back to my previous statement, you get the total metal package on "March of the Saint."

Track Listing:

1. March of the Saint
2. Can U Deliver
3. Mad House
4. Take a Turn
5. Seducer
6. Mutiny on the World
7. Glory Hunter
8. Stricken by Fate
9. Envy
10. False Alarm

[caption id="attachment_4377" align="aligncenter" width="366"] Armoured Saint[/caption]

John Bull- lead vocals

Phil Sandoval- guitar

Dave Prichard- guitar

Joey Vera- bass

Gonzo Sandoval- drums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L764e7zZQvU

Since "March of the Saint," the band have said that they were totally disappointed with the final mix of the album because it was too commercial for the more heavy metal sound the band wanted it. They would make up for that for sure in future albums. Still, I have always enjoyed this album and will continue to do so.

Next post: Another band I who impressed the hell out of me at Bloodstock 2013, Black Emerald, will be having their album launch party for their debut: "Hell Can't Handle All of Us" in Reading, UK this Saturday. I'm on their 'Special Guest' list to which I am truly honoured! See, a note to fellow bloggers, say great things about a band and you get invited to album launch parties. Although everything I have said about Black Emerald is certainly true. Don't worry, next post, you will all get a full account of the evening with plenty of photos.

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

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Mercyful Fate- Don't Break the Oath

 

To this day, I'm not sure whether or not I should be disappointed by "Don't Break the Oath," the second album from Danish metal band, Mercyful Fate. I have to admit, I was expecting great things from them after hearing their great 1983 debut album, "Melissa" and another admission, it did take me a couple of listens before I really got into it. When I did, I discovered that it's still a pretty cool album.

For those of you who read my post on the "Melissa" album, you might remember that it was the album that really got me into black metal. What I liked about it was the fact that there were no backwards messages from the Dark Lord. On their best known song, "Black Funeral," lead singer King Diamond comes straight out and sings, "Hail Satan!" He doesn't do that on any of the songs on "Don't Break the Oath" and maybe that's what the disappointment was for me. After all, when I put the album on, I had my altar prepared and my knives sharpened so I could sacrifice a few chickens and goats. The album didn't inspire me to go through with it. Shame, I know.

On this album, King Diamond not only doesn't sing "Hail Satan," on some of the songs, it's hard to hear what he's singing. He could be telling us to eat our peas and carrots and we'll never know. Of course, the counter argument here is that with that versatile trademark voice and falsetto vocals, he could be singing about vegetables and would still sound good. I think the clearest he comes in is on the third track, "Desecration of Souls." However, it is the track after that I think is the best track on the album, "Night of the Unborn." King comes in nice and clear although at one point when he goes falsetto, he briefly sounds like a chicken being strangled but he pulls it down and delivers a great performance backed up by the guitar work of Hank Shermann and Michael Denner. This song reminds me so much of the black metal I loved on the previous album.

Speaking of the guitars, it is the work of Shermann and Denner that stands out the most. I didn't mention the first two tracks above on account of not being able to fully understand the vocals but these two guitarists push the songs through at a break-neck pace and that what makes those songs good. Even when they go a little prog metal on "The Oath," the guitars are just spot on. The vocals are good as well. I love how the slamming guitars mix well with King's vocals before going out on a cool guitar solo. That tight chemistry remains on the much more power metal like tracks"Gypsy" and "Welcome Princess of Hell." Always loving a bit of unpredictability, things slow down a lot so Michael and Hank show their softer side on the guitar instrumental, "To One Far Way." But things go out with a bang with the closer "Come to the Sabbath" and by the end, I forget why I thought I should be disappointed in the album.

Track Listing:

1. A Dangerous Meeting
2. Nightmare
3. Desecration of Souls
4. Night of the Unborn
5. The Oath
6. Gypsy
7. Welcome Princess of Hell
8. To One Far Away
9. Come to the Sabbath

[caption id="attachment_3680" align="aligncenter" width="362"] Mercyful Fate[/caption]

King Diamond- vocals

Hank Shermann- guitar

Michael Denner- guitar

Timi 'Grabber' Hansen- bass

Kim Ruzz- drums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoA7rBJIOPU

Unfortunately, after "Don't Break the Oath," Mercyful Fate would break up due to musical differences. As you will see in future posts, King Diamond would go on to have a fabulous solo career. But for now, I enjoy what a good album this is, even if I don't want to sacrifice anything.

Next post: Armoured Saint- March of the Saint

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

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Iron Maiden- Powerslave

 

Having had a glance back at posts about previous Iron Maiden, I mentioned when I posted about the "Piece of Mind" album, that the first Iron Maiden album I actually bought was "Live After Death," which wouldn't come out for another year after, "Powerslave." But it was buying that great live album that got me to get off my ass and check out their earlier albums, including this great 1984 offering, "Powerslave."

When you hear a song on a live album and then hear the studio version or vice versa, it's hard not to compare and contrast the two versions. It is even more of the case when listening to "Powerslave" because four songs from it are played on "Live After Death." There are some interesting comparisons both ways here. Take the opener. "Aces High" is a great song to open the album with. However, the live version is an even better song to open a concert on. It seems that the live version is played with much more intensity. That's just my opinion. Thinking about it more, one thing that pisses me off is the fact that whenever there is talk about the Battle of Britain, "Aces High," which is a great song to commemorate the battle, is never mentioned. This song is not only a great metal tune, it should be used as a teaching tool in schools.

On the other hand, the title track, sounds just average on "Live After Death." It's played well and all that but it just sort of blends in along with all the great songs from the other studio albums that are played live. However, it does stand out more on the studio album that bears its name and as a result, I get into it more. In regards to the other two songs from this album that appear on the live album, "Two Minutes to Midnight" and "Rime of the Ancient Mariner sound just as good played either way.

Now before stones start getting hurled at me, when I say that the title track stands out more, I am no way implying that the other songs on the album are sub par. I enjoy listening to all the songs on "Powerslave." "The Duellists" is a great song where guitarists Smith and Murray trade off solos very well. I also find the instrumental, "Losfer Words" very enjoyable as well. I think that like the previously mentioned song, Adrian and Dave were given more liberty to shine on their six strings and with fantastic results! "Back in the Village" is a more powerful Maiden track that gets more in your face. So you have a little bit of everything Iron Maiden can do at their best here and that makes a fine album.

Track Listing:

1. Aces High
2. Two Minutes to Midnight
3. Losfer Words
4. Flash of the Blade
5. The Duellists
6. Back in the Village
7. Powerslave
8. Rime of the Ancient Mariner

[caption id="attachment_3532" align="aligncenter" width="339"] Iron Maiden[/caption]

Bruce Dickinson- vocals

Steve Harris- bass

Dave Murray- guitar

Adrian Smith- guitar

Nicko McBrain- drums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg9aQvjMS60

Heavy metal was exploding across the world in 1984. Great bands from all around the world were making their mark but it was still great that all the great NWOBHM bands like Iron Maiden were leading the charge and still proving they were a force to be reckoned with. "Powerslave" stamps that point emphatically.

Next post: Mercyful Fate- Don't Break the Oath

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

Great Rock/Meal Albums of 1984: Billy Squier- Signs of Life

 

With all the great metal artists, old and new, releasing stellar albums in 1984, it was only natural that the best American artist not to have cracked the UK put an album out as well. Billy Squier's "Signs of Life" album came out in the summer of that year and would go platinum. However, I have always been reluctant to call "Signs of Life" a metal album because Billy tries to mesh his hard rock style with what was the current techno sound of the time. He uses a lot more synthesizers on the album and though they don't make the album suck, I still like it a lot, I do prefer "Emotions in Motion" and "Don't Say No" to this one.

Everybody identifies "Signs of Life" with Squier's best selling single, "Rock Me Tonight," which is on it. Before I go into that, I would like to mention the other tracks that appear here. On the opening riffs of the first track, "All Night Long," you are led to believe that this is going to be a total Squier metal fest. It is one of the hardest tracks on the album and has a pretty cool guitar solo. "Eyes on You" which follows the hit single, goes more into the vein I was talking about. The synths are there but you the hard rock roots which brought Billy Squier to the top still are present. Less keyboards appear on "Take a Look Behind Ya" and the guitars dominate. I do think it would have sounded better if the guitars were turned up a little more. Then it would have been an even cooler rocker, especially the way it ends on a guitar solo.

When I wrote about the Billy Squier concert in "Rock and Roll Children," I had to pick my sister's brains as she saw it and I didn't. During the playing of "Reach For the Sky" she said he used lights that flipped up. Listening to the song, I can imagine that this combination would have been amazing to see and hear. He couldn't have picked a better song to do this to. However, playing live, he wouldn't have had Brian May on stage with him to do the guitar solo on "(Another) 1984" and Mr May does work his magic here. Oh well, I guess you can't have everything.

On "Fall for Love," the keyboards are done very well to mix with the music. This is a more mellower song and the keyboards as well as the guitar suit it nicely. On the other hand, "Can't Get Next to You" is one of the best rockers on the album. The keys are used to compliment the music and are done so sparingly. Again, I think they should have turned up the guitars a little more but that's me. I think producer Jim Steinman must have had other ideas. Except for Brian's efforts on "(Another) 1984," this song has the best guitar solo on it and I sometimes think that this would have made a better closer than "Sweet Release." I stress, sometimes!

Now onto the single, "Rock Me Tonight." To be right to the point, I have always liked this song. It's my fourth favourite Squier song behind "In the Dark," "Everybody Wants You" and "The Stroke." See, Billy was great at putting out singles I liked. Back in 1984, I didn't really clock the effeminate nature behind the video to it. I was too busy rocking out to the song. However, this video is believed to have destroyed his career as a singles artist. It is said to have alienated him from hard rocking males and made him appear 'gay.' Unfortunately, this was more down to the narrow minded attitudes of people in 80's Reagan America than anything else. For me, video or not, I will always like "Rock Me Tonight."

Track Listing:

1. All Night Long
2. Rock Me Tonight
3. Eyes On You
4. Take a Look Behind Ya
5. Reach for the Sky
6. (Another) 1984
7. Fall For Love
8. Can't Get Next to You
9. Hand Me Downs
10. Sweet Release

[caption id="attachment_2462" align="aligncenter" width="192"] Billy Squier[/caption]

Billy Squier- lead vocals, guitars, synthesizers

Jeff Goulb- guitar, slide guitar

Alan St John-keyboards, synthesizers

Doug Lubahn- bass, backing vocals

Bobby Chouinard- drums

Brian May- guitar solo on (Another) 1984

I'll let you watch the video for "Rock Me Tonight" and make up your own mind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZvl2aqIyNg

When I wrote "Rock And Roll Children," I did so with the intention of showing how narrow minded and intolerant people were back in 80s Reagan America, especially towards metal and metalheads. The fact that everyone stopped taking Billy Squier seriously on account of one video proves my point. People seem to forget that he made three great albums and "Signs of Life" just happened to be one of them.

Next post: Iron Maiden- Powerslave

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

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Metal Church

 

Constant vigilance in perusing the heavy metal and imports sections at the local record shops as well as word of mouth from like minded friends played a major role in severing my reliance on commercial radio and MTV for all of my musical needs. Besides, by my calculations, it was in the Autumn of 1984 that both started down that slippery slope into totally sucking. If I had totally relied on that, I might not have ever discovered the debut album from Metal Church. Fortunately, I had a friend, the late 'Wild Swinging' Stacy Kroger, (may she rest in peace), who introduced me to the album.

For a young metalhead in the 1980s, Metal Church is a brilliant album to listen to. This is a pure metal album to say the least. In fact, I think there are some features that would influence other metal artists, some of whom would be more successful than Metal Church. King Diamond, you're one of the ones I'm looking at here. Take the opening track, "Beyond the Black." It starts with a soft intro where a hoarse whispering introduces things. You know, after all these times, I still can't fully grasp what the voice is saying. However, you can't contemplate it more because before you know it, some great guitar work comes in and the song then proceeds to pulverize the crap out of you. Just when you think, you've got it under control, there comes a tempo change or two. The fact that the song is over six minutes long has one wondering if it's the same song, but it is.

Things evolve nicely into the title track which is another metalhead's dream song. Then comes an instrumental where guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof gets to show off what he can do with a guitar and it's quite good. However, he's even more impressive on "Gods of Wrath," which is in similar style to the opener. A slow start before going into a mad frenzy.  Only this time, he shares the spotlight with the versatile vocals of David Wayne. On this album, Wayne can do it all. Sing almost ballad like and then screams the house down without straining his voice.

The second half of the album carries things over very well while at the same time, surprising you a little. All of the next four songs are why some future fans would call Metal Church thrash or speed metal. They are all very fast songs but the band shows they're truly up to the task. Then, keeping with unpredictability, the albums ends with a cover of the Deep Purple classic, "Highway Star," which is done very well at a blistering speed metal pace, or so I thought back in 1984.

Track Listing:

1. Beyond the Black
2. Metal Church
3. Merciless Onslaught
4. Gods of Wrath
5. Hitman
6. In the Blood
7. (My Favourite) Nightmare
8. Battalions
9. Highway Star

[caption id="attachment_4358" align="aligncenter" width="357"] Metal Church[/caption]

David Wayne- vocals

Kurdt Vanderhoof- guitar

Craig Wells- guitar

Duke Erickson- bass

Kirk Arrington- drums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeiOH3jyoFk

With the success of this debut album from Metal Church, they would be signed by the larger Electra Records and the rest would be history. Still, if you want to hear a band when they were at there lean, mean and hungriest, then I recommend this one.

Next post: Billy Squier- Signs of Life

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

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Motorhead- No Remorse

 

 Originally, the 1984 compilation album, "No Remorse" from Motorhead was on the list to be visited a little further down the line. However, with the recent passing of Fast Eddie Clarke, it would only be right and a proper tribute to not only Eddie but all three of the original members of Motorhead who are blowing the eardrums of the angels in that better place, to visit it now.

With all of the heavy metal floating around in 1984, I was certainly motivated into listening to as many heavy metal bands as humanly possible. Motorhead was one of them. I had heard a lot about them by then and wanted to listen for myself. Cue, the compilation album, "No Remorse," which came out in that year. What an album for anyone unfamiliar with to cut their teeth on! If someone who knew absolutely nothing about Motorhead asked which album they should experience first, I would definitely recommend this one.

"No Remorse" is much much more than some greatest hits album. Sure all the great Motorhead songs up til then are on the album. Hell, it wouldn't have been right if "Ace of Spades" wasn't the opener on it. In fact, it would be sacrilege! Then, there all the other great ditties like "Iron Fist," "Motorhead," "Jailbait," "Bomber" and "Overkill." Most would be content with thrilling the fans with all of those great songs and a few more. No, not Motorhead, with "No Remorse," there's twenty four songs. Some are great Motorhead songs, others are recorded live and there's the bonus of four previously unreleased tracks! So what you get here is a Motorhead party!

It was one of these new songs that would become my all time favourite Motorhead song. That song just happens to be "Killed By Death." Man, I just love that song. Probably because of the way that guitarists Michael Burston and Phil Campbell just solo all over the song and of course Lemmy's unmistakable vocals. While some may think it's a bit more melodic than traditional Motorhead songs, there's enough raw power in the song to let you know that it is indeed Motorhead playing it. Another great new song from the album is "Snaggletooth." That was is definitely worth a listen as well.

Track Listing:

Disc One

1. Ace of Spades
2. Motorhead
3. Jailbait
4. Stay Clean
5. Too Late, Too Late
6. Killed By Death
7. Bomber
8. Iron Fist
9. Shrine
10. Dancing On Your Grave
11. Metropolis
12. Snaggletooth

Disc Two

1. Overkill
2. Please Don't Touch
3. Stone Dead Forever
4. Like a Nightmare
5. Emergency
6. Steal Your Face
7. Louie Louie
8. No Class
9. Iron Horse/Born to Lose
10. (We Are) The Road Crew
11. Leaving Here
12. Locomotive

[caption id="attachment_1558" align="aligncenter" width="267"] Motorhead (original line up)[/caption]

Lemmy- bass, lead vocals except on "Emergency"

Phil 'Philthy Animal' Taylor- drums on Disc 1 tracks 1-5 and 7-11; Disc 2 1-5 and 7-11

Fast Eddie Clarke- guitar on Disc 1 tracks 1-5 and 7, 8 and 11; Disc 2 tracks 1-5 and 7-11, lead vocal on "Emergency"

Brian 'Robbo' Robertson- guitar on Disc 1 tracks 9 & 10

Michel 'Wurzel' Burston- guitar on Disc 1 tracks 6 & 12; Disc 2 tracks 6 & 12

Phil Campbell- guitar on Disc 1 tracks 6 & 12; Disc 2 tracks 6 & 12

Pete Gill- drums on Disc 1 tracks 6 & 12; Disc 2 tracks 6 & 12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL7-sbiGlzw

Motorhead was going through a lineup overhaul when "No Remorse" was released. Phil Taylor and Brian Robertson had left the band and guitarists Phil Campbell and Michael Burston and drummer Pete Gill would eventually join. Whatever the trouble that was going on in the Motorhead camp at the time, the sheer greatness of "No Remorse" cannot be denied.

Next post: Metal Church

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

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Saxon- Crusader

My trip through all the great albums of 1984 has led me to make many conclusions about the year, the music and certain bands. Here's another one. It is my belief that Saxon were the best band from the new wave of British heavy metal, (NWOBHM), age not to have made a major impact in America. Sure, I had heard of them and even heard a couple of their songs back when I was in the marines stationed on Okinawa and liked them, but I never got around to listening to them properly until early 1985 when I heard their classic "Princess of the Night" from the outstanding "Denim and Leather" album on a metal compilation album. While I did make up for that mistake afterwards, I still think that Saxon never really got the recognition in America they truly deserved. 

 Onto Saxon's 1984 album "Crusader." The problem is that when any band puts out the album one calls their favourite by that band, all other albums are held in comparison to that one. In my case, all Saxon albums are held up to the light shone from "Denim and Leather" and that's not particularly fair to "Crusader." What Saxon did on this album is to take all the great things from the one album and recreate it on this album while at the same time not making it a total clone of the former. I think the objective was achieved on "Crusader." I love the way "Crusader" opens. It starts with medieval fanfare with galloping horses and all before going into the big title track. For me, it's history coming to life through music as the story of crusaders is told in the song. It also helps that that period of history is one of my favourite eras. You know, knights on horses hacking down their enemies with swords, damsels in distress and catapults reducing castles to rubble, I love all that. I do think that if teachers play this song while teaching about it in school, more metalheads would wake up and pay attention and learn about all about the Crusades. 

 Tired cliche alert: One song doesn't make or break an entire album. The rest of "Crusader" holds up very well and I do hear all the good things done on "Denim and Leather" on it. It's just that one track, "Just Let Me Rock" seems to take all of those good things and incorporate them all into one song, although the title track of "Denim and Leather" seems to be the biggest influence here and that's not a bad thing because Saxon definitely did not simply clone that song. On that thought, "Bad Boys Like to Rock and Roll" sounds like a fusion of the "Denim and Leather" tracks "Rough and Ready" and "Midnight Rider" and again, it's done very uniquely and played outstandingly. The one song where there is no influence from my favourite Saxon album is the power ballad, "Do It All For You." Power is the key word in the song and it does belt your eardrums even though it's a ballad. However, the big clincher on the track is the Biff's vocals. His best effort definitely shines through here. I usually view covers of songs with a hint of cynicism and I did so with the cover of The Sweet classic, "Set Me Free." Another cliche alert: Saxon put their own stamp on it and make the song their own, believe me they do. It's not often that I like a cover as much, possibly more than the original, but I can't fault Saxon's efforts here. The answer, I think to why I like this song and all the other songs so much, is the guitar work of Oliver and Quinn. Both guitarists are simply exemplary on the album. 

 Track Listing:  

The Crusader Prelude

 Crusader

 A Little Bit of What You Fancy 

Sailing to America 

Set Me Free 

Just Let Me Rock 

(Bad Boys) Like to Rock and Roll 

Do It All For You 

Rock City 

Run For Your Loves

 Saxon 

 Biff Byford- vocals 

 Graham Oliver- guitar 

 Paul Quinn- guitar

 Steve Dawson- bass 

 Nigel Glockler- drums 

 While I might have only highlighted a few songs on "Crusader," let me just say that all the songs make this album great.

 Next post: Motorhead- No Remorse 

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

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Hellion

 

Upon further reflection back to 1984, I have come to the conclusion that I seemed to be in the right place at the right time when a particular metal band's song got played on MTV or their album just happened to be on display when I walked past the record store. In the case of this six song EP from American metal artists, Hellion, I don't exactly remember which one of those scenarios apply. For some reason, however, their name has stuck in my mind for over thirty-three years. In fact, I went through a period wondering if I was confusing Hellion with Helix but thankfully, I wasn't.

The debut album from Hellion is another cool stereotypical 80s metal album, plain and simple. Things open with the high energy "Break the Spell" and does its job in getting the metal juices flowing. There is a cool opening riff to the song which helps grab your attention before the fast paced action begins. Lead singer Ann Boleyn stamps her vocal authority on things and it all points to a good time had by all. Any doubts otherwise are cast quickly aside by my vote for best track, "Don't Take No." This is a slightly less fast paced ditty but the power behind the melody is attention grabbing. So is the little drum solo at the beginning. Again, Boleyn's vocals shine and there's also of course, the obligatory killer guitar solo and that's why this song gets my vote.

"Backstabber" takes things up a notch with its speedier riffs. On this song, Ann proves she has a very good voice provided she doesn't try to scream so much. On this track, her voice fits the music very well and a decent guitar solo is heard. Furthermore, the band do a good job in the backing vocals department on it. Another cool intro gets, "Looking for a Good Time" going in the right direction and that leads to a good steady metal tune with all the fore-mentioned elements present. That, in turn, leads to the next track, "Driving Hard," where the change of tempo does wonders for the song and if the guitar solo was a little longer, it would have been the best one on the album. "Up From the Depths" closes the party with it's theatrical intro/cool guitar solo intro before it belts out mayhem. Definitely the best song to close the album, the guitar solo makes that clear. If I've discovered anything about this album, the songs are definitely arranged in the correct order.

Track Listing:

1. Break the Spell
2. Don't Take No
3. Backstabber
4. Looking for a Good Time
5. Driving Hard
6. Up From the Depths

[caption id="attachment_4338" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Hellion[/caption]

Ann Boleyn- throat

Alan Barlem- guitar

Ray Schenk- guitar

Sean Kelly- drums

Bill Sweet- bass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90sYsHm-JGI

After this debut EP, Hellion would disappear for a few years. Wendy Dio would eventually take the band under her wing but that's for another time. So is the mistake to fire Ann Boleyn and bring in a male vocalist. So, there won't be any more Hellion posts until I get to 1987 so have a listen to this debut and enjoy.

Next post: Saxon- Crusader

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

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Helix- Walking the Razor's Edge

 

It's amazing the things that get stored in one's mind and come out when the mind needs them. Back in the 1980's, Helix were one of those bands I always wanted to explore more of but never got around to it. They first came to my attention in the summer of 1984 when I saw the video for the single from the "Walkin' the Razor's Edge" album, "Rock You." I made a mental note to buy this album but never did. I did try to look for it but it never made it to my part of South Jersey.

Like with some other metal bands in 1984, while many of them got played on MTV, you had to be in the right place at the right time to catch it. It was the same with White Wolf. Hell, I didn't even remember which song from this album I had seen the video for until I did a bit of research thanks to Wikipedia and Youtube. Seeing the video for "Rock You" jogged my memory and yes, I remember it now. Looking at it again, it was such a very 80s video but who cares, it's a good song.

But what about the rest of the album? Some of you might ask. Well, rest assured, let me say once and for all that "Walkin' the Razor's Edge" kicks total ass. True, there is a definite 80s vibe to the album and to Helix but no one can ever say that heavy metal is dated. However, I do find it difficult to pick a favourite on here, although I will take the first five songs over the final five, but not by much. "Young and Wreckless," "Animal House" and "When the Hammer Falls" are definitely the stand out tracks for me. "Feel the Fire" is also a good track that sounds like a Dokken tune. Again, I might prefer the first half of the album, I won't denounce the second half. "Give Me Good Lovin'" could have been a second single here. So record management, why wasn't it released as one? The ballad, "(Make Me Do) Anything You Want" was released as a single in Canada and it's a decent ballad. While the remaining songs don't totally grab me by the throat, they are good songs and do their job in making the album enjoyable.

What makes the album so good is the band themselves. Brian Vollmer might be trying to act like every other metal singer from the decade in the video but he has a good set of pipes. Brent Doerner and Paul Hackman wield their axes very well all throughout the album, fair dues to them. Doerner is the one who emerges from the water to play his guitar solo in the video but whichever guitarist lays down the solo on "When the Hammer Falls" gets the gong for best solo here. Daryl Gray and Greg Hinz provide a competent rhythm section rock for the rest to build on. As usual, a good band makes a good album.

Track Listing:

1. Rock You
2. Young and Restless
3. Animal House
4. Feel the Fire
5. When the Hammer Falls
6. Give Me Good Lovin'
7. My Kind of Rock
8. (Make Me Do) Anything You Want
9. Six Strings Nine Lives
10. You Keep Me Rockin'

[caption id="attachment_4334" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Helix and their friends[/caption]

Brian Vollmer- lead vocals

Brent 'The Doctor' Doerner- guitars, backing vocals

Paul Hackman- guitars, backing vocals

Daryl Gray- bass, backing vocals

George 'Fritz' Hinz- drums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_oBjinZQ7k

Was Helix Canada's best kept secret in the 1980s? Possibly but then Canadian bands seemed to get ignored more than their American and British counterparts. Hearing "Walkin' On the Razor's Edge" makes me wish I had Youtube back then. I would not have missed this cool album and waited over thirty years to finally get to listen to it.

Next post: Hellion

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

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Dio- The Last in Line

 

No further evidence to support the fact that 1984 was the year of heavy metal is needed beyond the fact that Dio had two songs from their second album, "The Last in Line" played on commercial radio. When I first heard the title track played on my local commercial station, I wasted no time in cranking up the volume and breaking out the air guitar. I was working at a parking lot at the time but it didn't matter one bit if I was the subject of people's attention. To hear such a song on the radio was completely mind blowing at the time.

The video to the track, "The Last in Line" was cool in my view but it did come in for a lot of criticism at the time. In the eyes of the religious fanatics, scenes of people getting tortured by Satan's minions was a major problem. Of course, if they bothered to watch the entire video, they would have seen that the protagonist in it does make his escape with the help of Ronnie himself. My conclusion was that it's a cool video for a great song.

"Mystery" the second single, didn't do quite as well but I love this song too and the video for it. The video is a more fantasy setting so no one gets tortured in it. After one showing of it on MTV, the vee-jay said "Mystery" was the closest thing to a ballad from Dio. Maybe so, it would be another twelve years before "Angry Machines" and the closer to it, which is a definite ballad. Still, I continue to love "Mystery."

Now, let me go to the four tracks which some people consider to be filler. I don't because I consider "Breathless," "I Speed at Night," "Evil Eyes" and "Eat Your Heart Out" to all be good tracks. Maybe the heavy breathing before "Breathless" is a little OTT but that intro and Ronnie's "No No No No No" more than cancels it out. Coming home from visiting my children the other night, I realise that I do speed at night. In some cases, I discovered that I was doing 80 on the motorway, so that song is very true. "Eat Your Heart Out" has a cool intro as well and I love how "Evil Eyes" ends. So, in my mind, these songs aren't filler.

As for the three songs I haven't mentioned, well, they are better than the four I just mentioned. "We Rock" would have been used to open their shows on tour for "The Last in Line" had they not had a better show opener from the "Holy Diver " album. "Stand Up and Shout" is one of the greatest show opening songs ever. But while it might not have opened the show, Dio still had the sense to play it on their next couple of tours. It is a cool song. "One Night in the City" is my hidden gem on the album. I have always loved Ronnie's ability to tell stories behind the great music and on this one, it's near perfect. The same can be said for the closer, "Egypt (The Chains are On.)" This too tells a great story behind what is some great music. I don't quite rate it as good as "One Night in the City" but it does make an excellent closer for the album.

Most people can attest to the great vocals of Ronnie James Dio and he does a superb job on "The Last in Line." However, the rest of the band needs their credit where due. Vivian Campbell lays down some brilliant guitar solos on here. Why some people call him overrated I'll never under stand. Jimmy Bain and Vinnie Appice remain the tight rhythm section on this albums as much as they were on the last one. Then there's the new addition on the album. It was here, keyboards player Claude Schnell joined the band and his contribution to the band is immense. All together, these five men work together and put out a fantastic album.

Track Listing:

1. We Rock
2. The Last in Line
3. Breathless
4. I Speed At Night
5. On Night in the City
6. Evil Eyes
7. Mystery
8. Eat Your Heart Out
9. Egypt (The Chains are On)

[caption id="attachment_4329" align="aligncenter" width="368"] Dio[/caption]

Ronnie James Dio- vocals

Vivian Campbell- guitar

Jimmy Bain- bass

Claude Schnell- keyboards

Vinnie Appice- drums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV4Tov1GBM

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhKaCpm6pPE

 

The best concert I ever went to in my life happened on this tour. Dio, supported by Twisted Sister was a night I will take to my grave with me as one of the great highs. One of the main contributors to this ecstasy was the fact that it was "The Last in Line" album. Thinking back to when I wrote about this concert in "Rock and Roll Children," I didn't highlight just how magnificent a show it was.

Next Post: Helix- Walkin' the Razor's Edge

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

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Twisted Sister- Stay Hungry

 

With all the fuss about the upcoming Christmas holidays and reading about various opinions of the "Twisted Christmas" album and why Twisted Sister made such an album, I thought I'd treat everyone to their most defining album, "Stay Hungry." It was by and far the most successful Twisted Sister album of all time and it made, to quote Dee Snider, 1984 "the year of the Sister."

Let me take you back to the golden year and where it first started. The massive sales of the album were spring-boarded by the huge hit, "We're Not Gonna Take It" and the very amusing video for it, that got tons of airplay on MTV. I never minded the fact that during the summer of 1984, it seemed to be on every time I turned the station on. The video for said song featured actor Mark Metcalf, famous for playing Niedermeyer in the greatest party film of all time, "National Lampoon's Animal House." Metcalf plays an overbearing dictatorial father who shouts constantly at his rock loving son. The son gets his own back by propelling his father out windows after turning into Dee Snider. It was all very hilarious and only those without any sense of humour wouldn't enjoy it.

[caption id="attachment_1033" align="aligncenter" width="281"] A scene from the video, "We're Not Gonna Take It."[/caption]

"Stay Hungry" spawned two more singles, "I Wanna Rock" which did fairly well in the charts. The video carried on the zaniness of the Niedermeyer debacle. It too was a very funny video. The other single was the power ballad, "The Price," which didn't break the top forty, but who cares because it is definitely up in my top ten of power ballads.

Singles aside, the remaining seven songs are just as awesome. The closest track to filler is "Don't Let Me Down" but it's better than many songs on other albums which  aren't considered filler. While "The Beast" never got played the last two times I saw Twister Sister at Bloodstock, it did get played the two times I saw them on tour for this album. "Captain Howdy" is a cool song. The title track is one of the best album openers of all time and the closer "SMF" is also outstanding as a closer and build the foundations as to why this album is so great. To my knowledge, there isn't a sane soul in the metal world who doesn't like "Burn In Hell." Except for the first time because it hadn't been written yet, it got played all the other times I saw the band live. However, the one small disappointment whenever I saw them live  was that they never played the song I call the hidden gem, "Street Justice." I like everything about this song from the cool intro to the guitar solo to the serious lyrics. Maybe that's why I think I'm different to the rest of the world because I seem to be the only person who really likes it. I've read that they played the song in 2009 when they played the entire album live. I wish I could have been there.

Track Listing:

1. Stay Hungry
2. We're Not Gonna Take It
3. Burn In Hell
4. Horror Teria

a. Captain Howdy

b. Street Justice

5. I Wanna Rock

6. The Price

7. Don't Let Me Down

8. The Beast

9. SMF

Twisted Sister

Dee Snider- lead vocals

Eddie Ojeda- guitars, backing vocals

Jay Jay French- guitars, backing vocals

Mark 'The Animal' Mendoza- bass, backing growls

AJ Pero- drums, percussion

Three videos from this iconic album is my Christmas treat to all of you, enjoy. Whatever else happened in the band's history before or since, the obvious thing is that "Stay Hungry" made Twisted Sister in 1984. It was definitely the year of the Sister and I wonder sometimes if I didn't convey that point in Rock and Roll Children.

Next post: The 12 Days of Christmas, several versions

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

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Ratt- Out of the Cellar

 

Here's a scene from "Rock and Roll Children." One night, after unsuccessfully trying to get into bars, the four main characters decide to head to one of the group's houses. While driving with the radio on, some power chords come blasting through the car's speakers. Intently listening to whoever the mysterious artist is playing, these words coming ringing true.

"I knew right from the beginning

That you would end up winning,

I knew right from the start,

You'd put an arrow through my heart."

The big single "Round and Round" brought Ratt into the homes of many Americans in the summer of 1984, with it being constantly played on radio and MTV. I can't deny the fact that it is most likely my favourite Ratt song of all time although there are a couple of others that might come close. I can't explain why this song is so good, not just to metalheads but many non-metalheads liked it too. That's why it got to number 12 on the Billboard charts.

Like the big hit, one thing that many of the songs on Ratt's debut album, "Out of the Cellar" have catchy intros that make your ears perk up and pay attention. True, some of the songs trail off a bit and end not as exciting as they begin but there isn't a bad song on the album. Saying that, except for "Round and Round" the second half of the album is better than the first. It's probably why the said single was put third on the album. A kind of high point on a more level ground. Furthermore and this is me totally nit picking here, I would have swapped "She Wants Money" as the opener and "Wanted Man" would have been fifth. The latter is a good song, I just think the former would have made a better opener.

Having heard "Out of the Cellar" on vinyl, flipping to side two, one is greeted with a great side opener in "Lack of Communication." This song opens the doorway for the best to come. "Back For More" was the second single on the album and I liked it more than what the charts indicated. I think it only got to 27 but that never bothered me because it is a cool song. The acoustic intro makes a great change up to the album and I can't fault Warren DeMartini's guitar playing on it or on any song actually. However, after single number two comes the hidden gem on the album and the one to rival "Round and Round" for my affections. "The Morning After" is just a fantastic song. I love all the tempo changes in the guitars on it and how they kick in big time on the chorus. It's hard to describe in words but even thirty three years on, I still don't tire of this song. Shit, maybe I should call it number one.

The last two tracks are strong and solid ones. I sometimes wonder if "I'm Insane" applies to me. After all, I feel that way sometimes. "Scene of the Crime" isn't the greatest album closer in history but it is probably the best song to close the album, especially with the intro.

Track Listing:

1. Wanted Man
2. You're In Trouble
3. Round and Round
4. In Your Direction
5. She Wants Money
6. Lack of Communication
7. Back for More
8. The Morning After
9. I'm Insane
10. Scene of the Crime

[caption id="attachment_4305" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Ratt[/caption]

Stephen Pearcy- vocals

Warren De Martini- guitar, backing vocals

Robbin Crosby- guitar, backing vocals

Juan Crocier- bass, backing vocals

Bobby Blotzer- drums, percussion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXlDPA52BXc

When people talk of the metal explosion of 1984, Ratt always gets a mention. Though many would accuse them of being too much the same on later albums, there is no debate that "Out of the Cellar" album was something fresh, at least to me.

Next post: Twisted Sister- Stay Hungry

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

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Quiet Riot- Condition Critical

 

It is the opinion of many metalheads now and in 1984 that Quiet Riot's fourth album, "Condition Critical" was not as good as it's predecessor, "Metal Health." I am one of those and my opinion is the same now as it was back in said year. But, was the album as bad as some people believe? My answer has always been a resounding "NO!" True, it's not as good as the last one but I still like "Condition Critical."

Quiet Riot did try to follow the formula they laid down on the very successful "Metal Health" album and I'm not just talking about the Slade cover. "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" isn't as good as "Cum On Feel the Noize" but I never decided to head to the fridge whenever it was played on MTV. Unfortunately, some people didn't agree with me, especially readers of Hit Parader (Motley Crue magazine) because Kevin DuBrow referred to the mag as akin to toilet paper. The magazine and readers hit out in response by giving the album negative reviews. One letter to the magazine asked "If I shoot Slade, would Quiet Riot die too?" I am glad that nobody got shot.

I think that the main difference between "Metal Health" and "Condition Critical" was the fact that the singles released from the latter weren't the chart toppers the ones from the former were. Even I have to admit that "Cum On Feel the Noize" and "Metal Health" are better than "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" and "Party All Night." If one was to take the singles away, the rest of the songs on the album are fairly equal. "Stomp Your Hands and Clap Your Feet" is a good song to get you moving to it. It does have a catchy singalong vibe to it. "Winners Take All" is a very good power ballad. It is definitely high up on my list in that category.  Furthermore, "Scream and Shout," (my favourite track), "Red Alert" and "Bad Boy" are all cool tunes too. When you put it all together, it does make a rather good album.

If there is one item on the album consistent with all of the songs, which hooks me every time, it is the guitar work of Carlos Cavazo. For me, it is his guitar playing that makes the songs good and therefore makes the album. He lays down some great solos on all of the songs here, it's hard for me to pick which one he does his best on. But if you put a gun to my head, I guess I'd have to say "Red Alert." Still, I won't take anything away from the rest of the band.

Track Listing:

1. Sign of the  times
2. Mama Weer All Crazee Now
3. Party All Night
4. Stomp Your Hands, Clap Your Feet
5. Winners Take All
6. Condition Critical
7. Scream and Shout
8. Red Alert
9. Bad Boys
10. (We Were) Born to Rock

[caption id="attachment_3552" align="aligncenter" width="379"] Quiet Riot[/caption]

Kevin DuBrow- vocals

Carlos Cavazo- guitars

Rudy Sarzo- bass

Frankie Banali- drums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyAg7usdIMA

Due to the lack of success, (Is 3 million copies sold a lack of success?) of "Condition Critical," Quiet Riot went from headlining arenas to headlining theatres. I was going to get tickets to see them at the Tower Theatre in Philadelphia but when I went to buy the tickets, I was informed that the date of the concert had been changed to a day where I was working. I was bummed I couldn't go. That might be what sums things up for Quiet Riot in 1984 but I still enjoy this album.

Next post: RATT- Out of the Cellar

To get Rock and Roll Children, email me at:tobyshcin

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Judas Priest- Defenders of the Faith

 

If I thought I didn't do Great White justice when I wrote about theirs as the first concert to take place in "Rock and Roll Children," then I should grovel to Judas Priest begging their forgiveness. The Judas Priest/Great White concert that happens in the first few pages of the book is the one I knew least about. I couldn't go on account of work and only had patchy accounts of the concert from people I spoke to who went. This meant my account of that night was, as one critic put it, bare bones, if that. So, to Judas Priest and their hardcore fans, I'm sorry. Though I do make up for it when I write about their 1986 concert. One of my biggest critics, my sister, said I nailed that one.

While the first Judas Priest concert might have been lacking in substance, the album they were touring in support of, "Defenders of the Faith" did get a good number of listens from the characters in "Rock and Roll Children." I have always held this album in great esteem and will put my head in the lion's mouth and declare that it is Judas Priest's most underrated album, ever! Sales wise, it did not match the numbers of its mega fantastic predecessor, "Screaming for Vengeance," and I put it a half a mark below it but "Defenders of the Faith" is one fantastic album.

The first seven songs are the reason why the album is soooo good. One by one each of those songs launch into an all out assault on your ears with such ferocity, you can't help but to head bang away and jump up and down to it. Even when one song ends, the next one grabs you by the throat and makes you give your undivided attention to it. When I say the first seven songs, I mean all of those songs, not just the ones some might be more familiar with like "Freewheel Burning" and "Love Bites," who when the premier of the video for it was announced on MTV was called "a family affair." Of course there's also my favourite track from this album and my third all time favourite Priest song, "Some Heads are Gonna Roll." I just love that song. "Jawbreaker," "Rock Hard, Ride Free" and "The Sentinel" all can cause an unsuspecting listener to lose control of their bodily functions as well. Plus, there's the amusing "Eat Me Alive" which a year later would be rank on the PMRC's hit list as the third dirtiest song. All great!

This not to say that the last three songs are in any way not up to scratch, they are good songs but intensity levels do tail off after "Some Heads are Gonna Roll." Things go slower tempo with the remaining three songs but the pounding doesn't let up. It just takes on a different form, nor does it detract from this great album in any way.

Track Listing:

1. Freewheel Burning
2. Jawbreaker
3. Rock Hard, Ride Free
4. The Sentinel
5. Love Bites
6. Eat Me Alive
7. Some Heads Are Gonna Roll
8. Night Comes Down
9. Heavy Duty
10. Defenders of the Faith

[caption id="attachment_1108" align="aligncenter" width="238"] Judas Priest[/caption]

Robert Halford- lead vocals

Glenn Tipton- guitar

KK Downing- guitar

Ian Hill- bass

Dave Holland- drums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C21PrOKRG8w

I've never really ranked Judas Priest albums before, except I knew that "Screaming for Vengeance" was my favourite. I have called "Defenders of the Faith" underrated but I am now declare it number two and not by much. It is a great under appreciated album.

Next post: Quiet Riot- Condition Critical

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