Great Metal Albums of 1984: Anthrax- Fistful of Metal

 

Normally, when I hear a band's second album before their first one, I appreciate what a great album the debut was, even if I prefer the second one. That was the case with Twisted Sister, Van Halen and Molly Hatchet for sure. However, there's always an exception and that comes in the form of Anthrax. My first experience with this band was the second album, "Spreading the Disease," and you will hear me sing its praises to the heavens. Now, I in no way, shape or form, dislike Anthrax's debut album, "Fistful of Metal," it has some great songs which I will elaborate on in a minute. What I do think is that "Spreading the Disease" was a major improvement from this one.

The big improvement comes in the form of the lead singer. While I have nothing against the vocal ability of Neil Turbin, he does some great things on "Fistful of Metal," it's just I think Joey Belladonna is a far superior singer. That's just my opinion. Therefore, I will cease the negative and go for the positive because I have always thought this was a brilliant, in your face, thrash album. In fact, I'll change my personal history and pretend that I first heard "Fistful of Metal" when it first came out in 1984.

Power chords of Scott Ian and Dan Spitz, combined the shrieks of Neil begin the album in a totally mad metal mayhem. Even though I hadn't yet heard the term 'thrash,' I would have thought that the opening song "Deathrider" comes out and grabs your attention. With the exception of Motorhead, I would have thought it was the most aggressive sound I ever heard back then. Following on immediately after is my favourite song on the album, "Metal Thrashing Mad." It's just as thrashy as its predecessor but there is a slight melody to the chorus and I do mean slight. Of all the tracks on the album, this one highlights Neil Turbin's voice the best.

What I have always liked about the cover of the Alice Cooper classic, "I'm Eighteen," is the fact that they don't thrash it up and they pretty much stick to Alice's formula. Hell, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. The next three tracks go back to more mad thrash. It is on the tracks, "Panic" and especially "Subjugator" that I fully hear the brilliant guitar work from Dan Spitz. Also on "Subjugator," rhythm guitarist Scott Ian has a cool guitar bit on it. It's certainly the best song of the three and I've always questioned why "Soldiers of Metal" was released as a single as there are better tracks to choose from. It still gives you a good mosh. Oops, that word didn't come out til 1985.

[caption id="attachment_1602" align="aligncenter" width="201"] Scott Ian- Anthrax[/caption]

"Death From Above" is my second favourite song on here. I can't explain the semantics as to why but I really love this song. Maybe it's how the song starts with a cool guitar solo from Dan but it just does it for me. The album concludes with "Anthrax," followed by a very cool instrumental, "Across the River" and probably the best song for the closer, "Howling Furies." Now there's a song that lets you know you've just had year ears bashed by a cool album.

Track Listing:

1. Deathrider
2. Metal Thrashing Mad
3. I'm Eighteen
4. Panic
5. Subjugator
6. Soldiers of Metal
7. Death From Above
8. Anthrax
9. Across the River
10. Howling Furies

[caption id="attachment_4427" align="aligncenter" width="347"] Anthrax[/caption]

Neil Turbin- vocals

Scott Ian- rhythm guitar

Dan Spitz- lead guitar

Dan Lilker- bass

Charlie Benante- drums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcLXOTwZ5tA

Looking back at history, I now realize how important "Fistful of Metal" was in establishing Anthrax in the metal world and laying down a foundation for them to go onto to better things. The band is certainly hungry on this album, no doubt. The weird thing is that shortly after the album's released, Dan Lilker would be forced out of the band by the same two band members whom he'd join up with a year later to make my all time favourite album. Still, that's something to worry about in the future but if you want a thrashing good mosh, then "Fistful of Metal" is one to have.

Next post: Lee Aaron- Metal Queen

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

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Metallica- Ride the Lightning

 

I have said many times throughout the journey through 1984, it was the golden year of the golden decade for heavy metal. Many metal bands got mainstream exposure on radio and MTV. Not only that, the exposure gave many metalheads a look into bands that were up and coming or just out of the limelight. One of these up and coming bands was Metallica with their second album, "Ride the Lightning."

Thinking back to that year, I don't ever recall Metallica getting any airplay on the radio or MTV. As I listen to the album, I have to conclude that while mainstream media gave many metal bands some great exposure, I don't think they were quite ready for a band like Metallica, even if metalheads were. After spending the year listening to all the great bands, Metallica was something different but interesting. It definitely had my attention. When I heard this album, I was blown away by the sheer power and hunger of this band.

While their debut album, "Kill'Em All," just wants to pound the crap out of you, "Ride the Lightning" does offer some, I stress some, melodic moments. One gets that impression on the opening notes of the first track, "Fight Fire With Fire," because it starts out with a full acoustic intro. However, it goes right into some very hard chords which lasts for three songs. In fact, all the times I've listened to the album, I seem to miss where "Fight Fire With Fire" ends and the title track begins. The comes the great "For Whom the Bell Tolls," a loud pounding but at the same time rhythmic tune. I really like this track but I was disappointed when they played it at Donington 1987. It just didn't grab me the way that it always does on vinyl.

Afterwards comes what I mean about melodic moments, my favourite track on the album, "Fade to Black." The first half of this song is a near power ballad and while it would be another seven years before we got to hear their most famous ballad, "Nothing Else Matters," I do hear some resemblances on "Fade to Black." But it doesn't stay melodic as the second half of the song goes back to more traditional Metallica soundings. An added bonus is the way that Kirk Hamett rips his guitar solo at the end.

With "Trapped Under Ice" and "Escape," you get more great Metallica mashing and like the first two songs on the album, you have to listen carefully or you'll miss where the one ends and the other begins. Then, if you thought your eardrums might get some relief, you'd would be sorely disappointed because "Creeping Death" comes along to kick your ass. This is a power song only slowing down slightly to deliver a more melodic chorus but then goes back to ear bashing. "Creeping Death" is decidedly my second favourite track on "Ride the Lightning." It may not have the melodic approach of my number one but it lets you know it's there and says you will like this song. Kirk's solo on here is very cool too. The album ends with the very interesting instrumental "The Call of Ktulu." All in all, this is a fantastic album and it reminds me of when Metallica were hard and hungry. The music on "Ride the Lightning" bears witness.

Track Listing:

1. Fight Fire With Fire
2. Ride the Lightning
3. For Whom the Bell Tolls
4. Fade to Black
5. Trapped Under Ice
6. Escape
7. Creeping Death
8. The Call of Ktulu

[caption id="attachment_3378" align="aligncenter" width="362"] Metallica[/caption]

James Hetfield- lead vocals, rhythm guitar

Kirk Hammett- lead guitar

Cliff Burton- bass

Lars Ulrich- drums, backing vocals on "Ride the Lightning"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEQnzs8wl6E

In the opening pages of "Rock and Roll Children," while the main characters are driving to the first concert in the book, one of them introduces the others to a new band called Metallica. It was the "Kill'Em All" album. Yes, back then, they were still making their way in the world and "Ride the Lightning" provided a springboard that would help launch them to greater things.

On another note, this album has been labelled thrash and speed metal. These were terms which I wouldn't hear for another year. I just considered Metallica great metal at the time. Furthermore, this trip down memory lane makes me sad that I missed the Metallica, WASP and Armoured Saint show. That must have been fantastic.

Next post: Anthrax- Fistful of Metal

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

Great Metal Albums of 1984: WASP

 

At this moment, I'm kicking myself for my lack of foresight in these last few posts. Knowing I would be posting about Black Emerald, I should have waited until after my posts about them to visit the Armoured Saint album. This would have made my links to this debut album from WASP and the "Ride the Lightning" album from Metallica more cohesive. Why am I obsessing about this? You may be asking yourself. Well that's because back in 1984, Metallica, WASP and Armoured Saint toured the US together. While I didn't see this package, something I duly regret, I heard some amazing accounts of the shows and that's why I wanted to post the 1984 releases from these three bands in succession. After all, it is part of our metal history.

The second this album was released, it became the subject of much controversy from the American religious right and eventually groups like the PMRC. The first target was the track "Animal (Fuck Like a Beast)." If you bought this album back in 1984, this track wouldn't have been on it. Reason being was that it caused such an uproar with the zealots that Capital records decided to pull it from the album. Wimps! Therefore, I'm going to rewrite history a little an include it here because it is my all time favourite WASP song.

On the original copy, the album begins with the single "I Want to Be Somebody." This was the song that actually got a little airplay on the radio and it is good. I don't know how he does it but Blackie Lawless manages to write tunes with a catchy vibe to it. Fortunately, Blackie and the band don't veer too far from that formula on the rest of the album. It is certainly there on the follow up track "L.O.V.E. Machine," although the following track "The Flame" isn't quite as catchy as the last two but not a bad song in any way. "B.A.D." has a a very cool opening riff and possibly the best guitar solo on the album.

If offending the religious fanatics wasn't enough, WASP had to go and have the America right question their patriotism. The track "School Daze" starts with a class full of children reciting the pledge of allegiance, which some attacked them for. However, if they bothered to listen to the lyrics, they would know that it's about the drudgery of high school and nothing unpatriotic. The pledge of allegiance was there because that's how the school day begins in America! Not that that ever bothered me because right after the pledge, the song goes into some hard  riffs and it's possibly the heaviest song on the album.

WASP's formula ticks things over very nicely on "Hellion." It's a cool track but nothing about it stands out from the other songs on the album. Afterwards though, comes the weakest link on the album. Now most of you know, I love a good power ballad and "Sleeping (In the Fire) is a brave attempt at one. However, Blackie doesn't have the voice for singing such songs. He sounds to strained as if his voice is going to crack at any second. It is redeemed by a great guitar solo.

Three really good songs close out the album. I especially like how "Tormentor" begins with the guitar solo but keeps its pace throughout. It's my vote for the hidden gem on the album and "The Torture Never Stops" makes the best closer for the album and gets the runner up vote for hidden gem.

Track Listing:

1. Animal (Fuck Like a Beast)
2. I Want to Be Somebody
3. L.O.V.E. Machine
4. The Flame
5. B.A.D.
6. School Daze
7. Hellion
8. Sleeping (In the Fire)
9. On Your Knees
10. Tormentor
11. The Torture Never Stops

[caption id="attachment_4414" align="aligncenter" width="234"] WASP[/caption]

Blackie Lawless- lead vocals, bass

Chris Holmes- guitar

Randy Piper- guitar, backing vocals

Tony Richards- drums, backing vocals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7COTI8k-rgo

The debut album from WASP would be a tool used by the religious right to wage war on rock music all throughout the 1980s. Like KISS, idiots would say that the band's name was an acronym for We Are Satan's People and We Are Sexual Perverts. While I am still lmao about this thirty plus years on, I still enjoy what a great album their debut was.

Next post: Metallica- Ride the Lightning

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

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