Great Metal Albums of 1983: Virgin Steele- Guardians of the Flame

 

Virgin Steele's 1982 debut album might have passed me by, (I blame being in the service at the time), but their second album, "Guardians of the Flame," didn't. I have a friend of my sister's to thank for that because she was a big Virgin Steele fan. It was this album that she played on cassette in her car one day and the rest was history.

What hooked me straight away is that my all time favourite Virgin Steele song is the opener on "Guardians of the Flame." "Don't Say Goodbye Tonight" is one of those with a fast catchy beat that hooks you immediately. One can't helped to headbang away to this tune. It is helped by the guitar work of Jack Starr, then the entire album is as well, and the rhythm section sounds the tightest on this song. What's best is that lead singer, David DeFeis doesn't try so much to be Joe Cool metal singer on it. His vocals are good enough but his attempts at high screams have always been off putting for me. He doesn't do that on "Don't Say Goodbye Tonight."

DeFeis does those things on the next two tracks but fortunately, Starr's guitar work cancels out the screams and makes those songs enjoyable. Maybe he gets the hint by track four because he doesn't scream on "The Redeemer" making it a strong, powerful track. I sense a little Black Sabbath influence here and done well. The song is seven minutes long but a lot of that is Jack laying down the jams, so it's a very enjoyable track.

Following a brief instrumental is the title cut. It begins like any other straight forward Virgin Steele metal tune but then in the middle, it goes totally progressive rock. I mean that when I listen to this part, I could be listening to Emerson, Lake and Palmer. However, it works with the second longest song on the album, just shy of seven minutes. You got to give them credit for having the balls to stretch out a bit here and credit where do for pulling it off. Again, Jack Starr has an influence on it too.

Things go back to more power metal after that with three really strong metal tracks. Then the album closes with the ballad like, "A Cry in the Night." Using a ballad as a closer is always risky but there is a great guitar solo towards the end that helps to take the song out in very good way and has me making mental notes to listen to it again.

Track Listing:

1. Don't Say Goodbye Tonight
2. Burn the Sun
3. Life of Crime
4. The Redeemer
5. Birth Through Fire
6. Guardians of the Flame
7. Metal City
8. Hell or High Water
9. Go All the Way
10. A Cry in the Night

[caption id="attachment_3729" align="aligncenter" width="308"] Virgin Steele[/caption]

David DeFies- vocals, keyboards

Jack Starr- guitar

Joe O'Reilly- bass

Joey Avazian- drums

I was impressed by the second album from Virgin Steele, "Guardians of the Flame" and I would seek out their later material. So what I ask myself is why I never got their debut album. If any of you can shed light on whether I've committed a travesty or had a lucky escape by not listening to it, I would be very grateful.

Next post: Waysted- Vices

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

Great Metal Albums of 1983: Girlschool- Play Dirty

During the torrent of new wave of British heavy metal, (NWOBHM), Girlschool were somewhere in the middle. They weren't mentioned in the same breath as the giants of the time but they were better known than other bands like Diamond Head and Raven. True, their music didn't get the airplay it deserved but most metalheads in 1983 knew who they were. I was fortunate on one occasion in the year to catch one of the few times the title track from the album, "Play Dirty," got played on MTV.

"Play Dirty" marked a change in direction for Girlschool towards a more softer rock sound. Some would compare them to Def Leppard, really? However, the softer sound comes out with the first two tracks on the album. It is the first time, to my knowledge, that keyboards were ever used on a Girlschool album. Those tracks aren't bad but they aren't real headbangers either. Things do go much heavier with the third one, the title track. Even then, there are keyboards at the bridges on the song and though I have to admit, they compliment that part of the song well, it took me a couple of listens to get used to it. Besides, Kelly Johnson's guitar solo on said song makes counters any keyboards.

Track four, a cover of T-Rex's "20th Century Boy," marks a definite return to more traditional ground. I get the feeling that the band had a lot of fun recording this cover because it sounds good. Marc Bolan would have been proud. Even if he's not, "Play Dirty" goes even harder after that with "Breaking All the Rules." Now this song sounds like the Girlschool I knew and love. Keyboards are used again on "Burning in the Heat" but only as a scary movie type introduction. Something I give Ozzy credit for starting but done by many metal bands then and now. After this introduction comes more traditional Girlschool. For me, it's probably the best lesser known track on the album.

After wowing with those more harder songs, things go back to the sound of the opening tracks. Keyboards a plenty here for I get the feeling that on "Surrender" that they were trying for a Night Ranger or Journey type hit single. However, it wasn't released as one so this is a paradox that baffles me. It's still a cool song and Kelly nails another cool guitar solo. The keyboards die with that song because "Rock Me, Shock Me" is a true Girlschool anthem. They should have played that on the radio but that's the good thing about buying albums. You get to play the best songs from them that radio won't play to yourself. The closer is a good rocker and the title has me wondering. In Britain, knob is a slang term in the media so I wonder if they were attacking the media or at least some person in it.

Track Listing:

1. Going Under
2. High and Dry
3. Play Dirty
4. 20th Century Boy
5. Breaking All the Rules
6. Burning in the Heat
7. Surrender
8. Rock Me, Shock Me
9. Running for Cover
10. Breakout (Knob in the Media)

[caption id="attachment_2373" align="aligncenter" width="276"] Girlschool[/caption]

Kim McAuliffe- rhythm guitar, lead vocals tracks 3,5,7,8,9,10

Kelly Johnson- lead guitar, lead vocals tracks 1,2,4,6

Gil Weston- bass, backing vocals

Denise Dufort- drums

Additional backing vocals: Lemmy, Vicky Blue, Marc Haircut

Don Garbutt- keyboards

While I like the album, "Play Dirty" marked a downward turn in Girlschool's fortunes. Kim McAuliffe would leave shortly after the release and the US tour would never materialize. Shame, I would have loved to have seen them. That wouldn't come for another two years but still, even with the keyboards, "Play Dirty" is still a decent album.

Next post: Virgin Steele- Guardians of the Flame

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

Great Metal Albums of 1983: Raven- All For One

 

In 1983, not only the likes of NWOBHM bands like, Def Leppard, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest were gaining headway in the US but other bands like Raven were establishing themselves as well. It is true that Raven never came close to the commercial success the bands mentioned would go on to achieve, many metalheads would know of them nonetheless. One reason might be albums like their 1983 "All For One" album, which some people say was the last of their golden age albums.

"All For One" has everything any metalhead needs to like in a metal album. It has a straight ahead power chords augmented by some cool guitar solos from Mark Gallagher. Meanwhile, his brother John proves he is a decent vocalist and like Lemmy can play bass at the same time, thus fulfilling the second half of the rhythm section with drummer, Rob Hunter. I know I have said this many times about many bands but Raven were a good band that didn't have the breaks of some of their NWOBHM contemporaries.

What I like about this album is that all of the tracks can be seen to be pure metal, if such a thing exists now a days. That starts right away with the first two tracks but it's the third track, "Sledgehammer Rock" that really grabs my attention. The power of that song takes the album that much higher. In the 80s, many bands would use the technique of an a cappella harmonizing followed by a killer guitar riff but not done so much in 1983. Raven do it very well with the title track. Then they follow it up with some cool opening guitar riffs on "Run Silent, Run Deep."

Only knowing this album on vinyl gives me the advantage of dividing "All For One" in two because Side 2 definitely outshines Side 1. It helps that the second side starts with my favourite track, "Hung, Drawn and Quartered." This track is in the Judas Priest vein but Raven put their own mark on it, especially with Mark's guitar solo on it. The next track, "Breaking the Chains" is the second best track so we get a one-two punch here that knocks you out. Again, we hear more impressive guitar work from Mark at the beginning of "Breaking the Chains." It has a cool chorus and it's well sung. The three remaining tracks, while not as dynamic as the two that lead the Side 2 charge, are very good songs in their own right. When they're finished, you know that you've listened to a true metal album.

Track Listing:

1. Take Control
2. Mind Over Metal
3. Sledgehammer Rock
4. All For One
5. Run Silent, Run Deep
6. Hung, Drawn and Quartered
7. Breaking the Chains
8. Take it Away
9. Seek and Destroy
10. Athletic Rock

John Gallagher- bass, lead and backing vocals

Mark Gallagher- guitars

Rob Hunter- drums, backing vocals

While "All For One" is probably my favourite Raven album, I don't quite agree with the last of their golden age theory. I thought they put out some fine material after, which I will cover in the appropriate year. Still, if you're a metalhead, you can't go wrong with this album.

Next post: ~Girlschool- Play Dirty

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

Great Metal Albums of 1983: Savatage- Sirens

 

[caption id="attachment_3714" align="aligncenter" width="220"] UK Version[/caption]

"Sirens," the debut album from one of my favourite bands of all time, is probably the only album released in 1983, which I actually own on CD. All the others, are either on vinyl or cassette. Plus, my copy is the 2011 remaster which has three really good bonus tracks. The reason for this is that they didn't come to my attention until I saw them live in support of Ted Nugent in 1986. I was impressed with their music although I have to admit at the time, Jon Oliva's vocals that evening didn't totally bowl me over. However, that was enough to check out their album at the time, "The Power of the Rock" and I liked it. For some reason, I never inquired of any records before that and while I bought all the subsequent albums, I didn't realize they had albums preexisting Power. Curse me for a fool but now I've fully rectified that.

Let's pretend for a moment, I did things properly and bought "Sirens" when I should have. I would have still been totally impressed with this album and the band and would have loved them from that point. If I heard this and their other three albums before I had seen them live, I would have simply assumed that Jon was having a off night and enjoyed their show that much more. That is because "Sirens" has all the qualities which have made me a mad 'Tage follower.

One problem I have discovered from listening to a CD in the car is that driving distracts you from properly listening to the album. I have always liked it when I listened while driving but I often missed the intricate little details that Savatage put in their songs and only now that I am listening it in the house, do I fully appreciate how good it is. Every song on the track radiates classic Savatage from the almost mysterious opener, "Sirens," to the closer, "Out in the Streets." Each song has it's own identity while reminding you who's singing and playing the song. If I have to pick favourites, it has to be "Scream Murder," which barely beats out the closer.

For all my lack of impression of Jon's vocals when I saw 'Tage that evening in July, 1986, he sounds fine on "Sirens." Even that shriek he is more famous for on "Hall of the Mountain King" is done very nicely on the title track here. He sound even more mental (in a good way) on "Rage." Therefore, while even the hardest Savatage fan, if that's not me, knows that Jon's vocal ability is limited, he does very well with what he has here. As for brother Criss, his best guitar solos are on the last two tracks, probably why they're my favourite, he does some really catchy hooks throughout the album. His solo on "I Believe" is quite good too. While the brothers Oliva show their stuff here, the rhythm section of Steve Wacholz on bass and Keith Collins on drums do their part in making this album so good. Hearing the album as I have the past few days, I think it knocks "Handful of Rain" off the number five spot on my list of favourite Savatage albums.

Track Listing:

1. Sirens
2. Holocaust
3. I Believe
4. Rage
5. On the Run
6. Twisted Little Sister
7. Living for the Night
8. Scream Murder
9. Out on the Streets

[caption id="attachment_3715" align="aligncenter" width="276"] Savatage
I couldn't find a photo of this lineup online so I scanned the back cover of the CD[/caption]

Jon Oliva- shrieks of terror, vocals

Criss Oliva- metalaxe, guitars

Steve 'Dr Kildrums' Wacholz- barbaric canon, bass

Keith Collins- the bottom end, drums

Savatage's debut album might have escaped my notice in 1983 but I did eventually get to listen to it. I slightly regret not getting "Sirens" then as it would have been the beginning of my loyal devotion to this band. However, no use fretting because even though it is such a great album, Savatage would go onto to bigger and better things. Still, what a great springboard to launch from.

Next post: Raven- All For One

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Great Metal Albums of 1983: Fastway

 

Fastway that hasn't probably been said before or I've said about other albums from other bands. All the elements of a good album are present here. "Easy Livin'" is a good attention grabbing opener, especially with the metalabilly sound coming through almost straight away. There are some more harder metal sounding tracks on the album in the form of "Another Day" but even on that one, Fastway put their mark on it. One track that is certainly different is "Heft." That song is what some would call "way out there." There is the hard bluesier hippy feel to the song. One that you would listen to in the same vein as you would listen to a Pink Floyd album, but Clarke's hard crashing guitars on it remind you who is actually playing the song.

With "We Become One," since it was released as a single, one might be inclined to think it would be some sort of metal anthem. That song doesn't quite come up to anthem status but it's still a cool song. There is a little left over from "Heft" in it and while it's still a cool metal song, I can see why commercial radio would have ignored it. More fools them I say. If any song comes anywhere to being an anthem, it's got to be the next track, "Give it All You Got." I think that one would have fared better on radio and I like how the song ends. It leads perfectly to my favourite track on the album, "Say What You Will." The best was to describe it is even more metal metalabilly, (there I used it again). I like the little lead guitar bits during the verses, which lead to another killer solo before all coming together for a great metal climax.  The penultimate track is okay but nothing to get over excited about. It keeps things ticking over nicely for the more memorable closer, "Give it Some Action." That is unless you own the original vinyl or later CD pressings which include the bonus track, "Far Far From Home." Having it on cassette, I didn't get the bonus track but no matter, I enjoyed the album.

Track Listing:

1. Easy Livin'
2. Feel Me, Touch Me (Do Anything You Want)
3. All I Need is Your Love
4. Another Day
5. Heft!
6. We Become One
7. Give it All You Got
8. Say What You Will
9. You Got Me Runnin'
10. Give it Some Action
11. Bonus track, not available on all releases: Far Far From Home

[caption id="attachment_3709" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Fastway[/caption]

Dave King- vocals, harmonica

Fast Eddie Clarke- guitars

Jerry Shirley- drums

Mickey Feat- bass (uncredited)

While I've been singing the praises of Fast Eddie Clarke on the album and it's deserved, I have been ignoring the other two members of Fastway and that's unfair because both of them deserve their share of the credit on why their debut album is so good. King's vocals are impressive, especially as I finally got around to listening to the missing bonus track. Had it been included on all copies of the album, it might have done better in the sales department. Jerry Shirley proves he's a tidy drummer and deserves as much praise as well. With all three coming together, Fastway created a very cool first album.

Next post: Savatage- Sirens

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

Great Metal Albums of 1983: Metallica- Kill'Em All

 

God, I'm thinking about the near fatal gaff I made back in the summer which would have caused me to write about this fantastic album in the wrong year. Never should have allowed myself to have been misled by Hit Parader. Then again, the article wasn't about Motley Crue so they were bound to be misleading. Furthermore, I didn't hear of Metallica until 1984 and experienced their second album before this one. Anyway, now that's history, I can pontificate on what a great album, "Kill'Em All," Metallica's debut album really is.

It certainly is a great album. Back in 1983, Metallica were hungry and not weighted down by what they thought listeners wanted or dictated to by corporate record producers. That fact surely shines through on the entire album. Some have argued that this album came out when Metallica were good. Nah, I say they're still good, it's just back then, they just didn't give a fuck. That attitude was what got this album and their next three into hearts of many a metalhead like me.

"Kill'Em All" might not sound as polished as other albums but that's a good thing here. It opens with a thrash sounding "Hit the Lights," which opens things up very nicely. If I had listened to it when I should have, I would have embraced thrash right then and there. Probably my favourite track on the album, "The Four Horsemen," defines what Metallica both were and would be come. The song may be over seven minutes long but it's not one that has you looking at your watch waiting for it to end. Especially with all the changes in it. "Motorbreath" has my favourite Kirk Hammet guitar solo from the album on it.

After "Jump in the Fire," which is a good song, I just can't explain why, comes the very intriguing bass instrumental compliments of the late, great Cliff Burton. It's very interesting to say the least and it paves the way for some more really good thrash tunes. There's a cool intro on "Whiplash" while "Phantom Lord" is straight ahead thrash and my second favourite here. Things only seem to improve on "Kill'Em All" after that. I love the intro to "No Remorse" with the lead guitar wailing away before the crunching rhythm sets in. A trademark that many thrash bands have copied ever since. Hearing it, I am of the mindset that Kirk owes some of his lead guitar greatness to the rhythm support provided by James Hetfield. Things don't end there! The albums closes out with not one but two great songs, "Seek and Destroy" and "Metal Militia." Both are great! It can be said that in 1983, Metallica thrust themselves and thrash upon America.

Track Listing:

1. Hit the Lights
2. The Four Horsemen
3. Motorbreath
4. Jump in the Fire
5. (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth
6. Whiplash
7. Phantom Lord
8. No Remorse
9. Seek and Destroy
10. Metal Militia

[caption id="attachment_3378" align="aligncenter" width="346"] Metallica[/caption]

James Hetfield- lead vocals, rhythm guitar

Kirk Hammet- lead guitar

Lars Ulrich- drums

Cliff Burton- bass

Whether or not the world was ready for it, Metallica brought something new and fresh with "Kill'Em All." A raw, ferocious sound that would influence many thrash bands for years to come. I do regret not listening to the album in the year it came out but I'm glad I got it now.

Next post: Fastway

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

Great Metal Albums of 1983: KISS- Lick It Up

 

Coming out of the marines in 1983, I was a much different person than when I went in four years earlier. Not only had I changed but a lot of things in the world around had changed too. Around the four month mark after becoming a civilian, while watching the TV show, "Video Rock," a song with a vaguely sounding voice began singing a song that to me sounded rather promising. Then the programme flashed up the artist and song title and it was at this point, I learned that KISS had come out of make up and that would forever be what I would most remember 1983 for in the musical sense.

I had already warmed to KISS after hearing their previous album, "Creatures of the Night" so the song played on the video, "Lick It Up" was no surprise and I quite liked it. Therefore, KISS continued their journey back into my acknowledgement. Before that and though I never really mentioned here but have done so in other blogs, I ignored KISS during the late 1970s. Some could argue that they didn't put out anything worthy during that time but that wasn't it for me. I ignored them because I was going through deep religious phase back then. One of my fellow Christians stated that KISS was an anagram for Knights In Satan's Service and I believed it. So, I avoided them on the misguided belief they were Satan worshipers. I won't go into details here but if you want to read more about it then here it is:  https://peacefulrampage.wordpress.com/2017/01/18/my-confusion-of-religion-and-music/

I've heard all the talk about the unmasked 80s KISS not being the best period in their history. I won't enter into that debate. I would be the first to admit that "Lick It Up" doesn't quite reach the heights of classics like "Destroyer" or even "Creatures of the Night" but for me, "Lick It Up" was the right album at the right time. Plus, say what you like, but it's better than their attempts at sounding more commercial in the early 198os.

Something I have always loved about any album is when the 'hit' single is not the best track on it. Although there are plenty of albums I like that are exception to this. "Lick It Up" is not the best song on the album that bears its name. There are several tracks which are better. Let's start with my personal favourite, "Young and Wasted." Of course the song title brought me much amusement, especially that they applied to me quite a bit during that time. However, I like the more aggressive intro this and several other songs on the album I rate higher than the title track. For "Young and Wasted," it just seems to be done the best. On "Not for the Innocent" and "Gimme More," I can hear the Vinnie Vincent influence on the guitar. "Dance All Over Your Face" is a really cool tune and "And on the Eighth Day" closes the album out rather well. A great majority of the songs on "Lick It Up" just seem to be in your face cool rockers. Say what you will about this album, but I quite like it.

Track Listing:

1. Exciter
2. Not for the Innocent
3. Lick It Up
4. Young and Wasted
5. Gimme More
6. All Hell's Breakin' Loose
7. A Million to One
8. Fist Like a Glove
9. Dance All Over Your Face
10. And On the Eight Day

[caption id="attachment_3693" align="aligncenter" width="300"] KISS[/caption]

Paul Stanley- rhythm guitar, lead vocals

Gene Simmons- bass, lead vocals

Eric Carr- drums, backing vocals

Vinnie Vincent- lead guitar, backing vocals

Vinnie Vincent would leave KISS after this album. According to which camp you belong to, he was either fired or left on his own accord. He would go onto put out a solo record which I will definitely visit when I hit 1986. As for KISS, for me, "Lick It Up" was their way completely back into my attention and they would continue to be there for a long time.

Next post: Metallica- Kill'Em All

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