Saturday Singles: Rockstar Frame-"Dark Necessities" (Red Hot Chili Peppers cover)

Rockstar Frame is a hard & heavy rock band from Italy that is fronted by lead singer Faith Blurry. I had high praise for the band's debut album "Rock 'N' Roll Mafia" and I expect more of the same when this group releases it's sophomore album, "Bullet For Birthday", in March. This hot new single is a choice cover of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' song "Dark Necessities" and it is all set to appear Rockstar Frame's forthcoming release. So far it is only available to view on YouTube*.

*Warning! The above video features quick flashing videos!!

Free Metal Monday: Angerhead - "Iron Fist" (Motörhead cover)

Active since February of 2011, Angerhead is a stone-cold killer San Jose, California-based metal band that is lead by mad-man Paul Hastey and rounded out by guitarist Eric Beard (Bomb and Scary, Dr. Chunk), bassist Jim Pegram (Patryk deRosa) and drummer Ron Redeen (ex-Brother Cain). This heavy-rockin' four-piece has two top-quality  EPs to it's name (2012's "Pissed Off!" and 2014's "Angerhead") and both recordings (which BTW are highly-recommended kids!) were independently-released. While these two distinct EPs have helped set this punk/hardcore-infused heavy metal/thrash quartet apart from the pack chances are good that it's Angerhead's soon to be released 3rd EP, "Fueled by Rage", that will be the real game changer! In addition to three original compositions, "Fueled by Rage" includes a choice cover of Motörhead's "Iron Fist". As a life-long fan of Motörhead I just have to say that as far as covers go this one is fanFUCKINGtastic! If ever a band did right by Lemmy and the lads then this is it! It's quite obvious that the members of Angerhead are big-time fans of Motörhead as they put a shit-load of heart and soul into this classic cover song that you can/should download for free by clicking here. Even if the other three songs on "Fueled by Rage" are merely so-so this incredibly heart-felt tribute to Motörhead will be enough to push Angerhead out in front of the crowd! Granted I don't foresee that happening (the other three songs being decent at best and what not) as everything that I have heard from Angerhead has so far been solid. Hopefully I will get a chance to review "Fueled by Rage", but in the meantime be sure to give this ass-kicking cover a chance.

Free Metal Monday: Sky Valley Mistress: "Paranoid" (Black Sabbath Cover)

For today's first Free Metal Monday offering I present a simply awesome cover version of "Paranoid". Just the other day I introduced you to Sky Valley Mistress and their brand new single, "Hell Ain't Got Your Hound". That KILLER song had me all covered in goosebumps and thinking that I might just have discovered the greatest female-fronted heavy rock/doom rock of all time! The band's take on "Paranoid" was released on April 19th, 2014 and it furthers that thought process!! Lead by my new favorite front-women Kayley "Hell Kitten" Davies, Sky Valley Mistress is all at once groovy as f**k and as deadly as they come! This (must-have) name-your-price download has me thinking about what Black Sabbath would have sounded like if they were more of a fuzzed-over HEAVY rock band that had been influenced by seventies garage rock and early Motörhead! Well, that and if they had been fronted by magnificent lead singer like Kayley! If you are any kind of fan at all of strong and powerful (fuzzy!) rock and roll, doom rock, or stoner/blues rock then you are going to want to not only check out this unbelievable cover song, but EVERYTHING that this Darwin, UK-based foursome has to offer! Oh, and you can thank me later! 

Ignitor-Mix Tape '85

Independent/Self-Release
2013

This short piece is a holdover from yesterday's Free Metal Monday feature as well as a brief news piece about the band's upcoming schedule and their forthcoming album. For those who do not know the name, Ignitor is heavy/power metal band from Texas that is fronted by Jason McMaster (Dangerous Toys and Watchtower). This 2013 release finds the band covering songs from the likes of Anthrax, Venom, Judas Priest and Exciter and it can downloaded fro free by clicking on the link at the bottom of this article. It fit's in nicely with the group's last studio album, 2012's "Year Of The Metal Tiger", and features the following track listing:

1.	Deathrider (Anthrax cover)
2.	Fast as a Shark (Accept cover)
3.	Violence and Force (Exciter cover)
4.	Into the Coven (Mercyful Fate cover)
5.	Witching Hour (Venom cover)
6.	Hell Bent for Leather (Judas Priest cover)
7.	A Lesson in Violence (Exodus cover)
8.	Highway Star (Deep Purple cover)

As far as the new album is concerned it is tentatively scheduled for spring 2016. Even though the band is currently hard at work at Emphatic Audio Recording Studio in Austin, Texas putting everything to tape (ya!) they have managed to secure a spot on the main stage at next year's Ragnarökkr Metal Apocalypse festival in Chicago, Illinois! The event will be held at Reggie's Rock Club on May 6th & 7th so be sure to mark your calendars and get yourself prepared for what will surely be two days of metal madness! For more information on this Texas heavy/power metal band be sure to head here and as promised here is the link for Ignitor's all covers album,"Mix Tape '85"

Mia Doi Todd-Floresta

City Zen Records
2014

Just released a few weeks back, "Floresta" is a choice collection of Brazilian covers from inspiration singer-songwriter Mia Doi Todd. Featuring this (indie folk/word music) artists' favorite moments, it is also the latest in a long line of highly-respected/well-loved albums from the always evolving Mia Doi Todd. Inspired by a 2009 tour to Brazil (as well as a life-long love of Brazil, it's culture and of course it's music!), "Floresta" finds this L.A.-native strolling about at a leisurely pace where ideals such as comfort and hospitality are but a given! This collection also goes a long ways toward further cementing this graceful singer's status as a creative (read: endless creativity from this beautiful soul!) and wonderfully imaginable artist. As bold and colorful as the country that inspired it, "Floresta" is simultaneously invigorating and relaxing and thanks to a "cast of all-native players" it ends up feeling as authentic as the woman who helped mold and shape this charming collection! For a true artist who has conquered every musical challenge that appeared before her with pride and heartfelt determination, Mia Doi Todd's latest work should stand the test of time and end up being a release that many people will no doubt turn to in times of joy and distress. "Floresta" is long-over and well-deserved vacation where the listener is able to travel far away from the ordinary and mundane in order to land in world where peace, love and understanding not only exist, but ultimately reign supreme and unchallenged. Thank you Mia Doi Todd for allowing us to pick up our bags and our burdens and journey there with you so that we too can freely share in all the peace and love that our hearts have been longing for!

Danger Zone-Fire Fire (Single)

Self-Release/Independent
2014

It's been two years since we last heard from Italy's Danger Zone. The thing is, based solely on the high quality melodic rock/hard rock that fans (incl. yours truly!) have come to know and love so much from this Bologna-based group, that seems like more of an eternity! Formed in 1980 (with highly skilled guitarist Roberto Priori serving time as the sole original member!) and known as much for the cult 1984 release, "Victim Of Time" (one EP that I have long dreamed of seeing it get a proper* CD release!) as they are for their excellent 2012 comeback album, "Undying" (with a handful of demo recordings and the very cool "Line Of Fire" nicely sandwiched in-between the two proper studio releases) Danger Zone has long been the type of band that is lovingly embraced by those in the know while (sadly) mainstream success seems to be just beyond the group's reach. One can only hope that the future holds better things for Roberto Priori and his brother's in arms as Danger Zone, which is lead by Giacomo Gigantelli (Spitfire) and (as of this fantastic cover song) has "officially" welcomed new bassist Matteo Minghetti into the fold (with long-time drummer Paolo Palmieri (as wonderful as ever) rounding things out) is simply far too talented and way too good to be ignored forever! Maybe the group's next release (reportedly in the works and rumored to be issued later this year or early 2015) will finally open some eyes & ears to this band's full-potential? In the meantime Danger Zone has released this digital single as a means to tide over fans and possibly hint at what is in store for the new album. Originally performed by Japanese band EZO and often-times covered by Danger Zone on the live stage, "Fire Fire" is a damn near perfect choice of covers for these Italian hard rockers seeing as it's chock full of contagious riffs and it hits the listener from all these different directions at once! Available on iTunes as well as Amazon, "Fire Fire" initially slipped past me someone how this summer but I've more then made up for that oversight by BLASTING (!) this hot slab of hard rock fury over and over again since just discovering it this past Friday! You can check out them video for this hell-raising rock number right below and if you are not entirely  familiar with this highly-underrated Italian group then be sure to check out any of links that I've posted below!

 

*There is a bootleg split CD by Revenge of True Metal Records floating around, but more then anything I would love to see this incredible EP re-mastered and re-packaged with some bonus demo material and possibly even "I Can't Live Without You" from the 1987 compilation album Metalmaniac!

Links:

"Line Of Fire" review:
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2011/04/danger-zone-line-of-fire.html

Article about "Victim Of Time":
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2012/05/forgotten-gems-danger-zone-victim-of.html

Review of 2012's "Undying":
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2012/10/danger-zone-undying.html

Pÿlon-Homo Homini Lupus

Roxx Records
2014

Now in their 12th year together, with (current) vocalist/guitarist Matt Brand and (former) drummer Tinu Christen having first hand-crafted the band's firm foundation together back in 2002, Switzerland’s Pÿlon are now on album number six with the excellent "Homo Homini Lupus". Still (in spite of such an impressive back-catalog which also features two splits with Painwork and My Silent Wake) it was only last year's "The Harrowing Of Hell" (initially released in 2012 on vinyl and in 2013 on CD as a collaborative effort between Roxx Records and Quam Libet Records) that served as my introduction to Pÿlon and their classic take on doom metal. Ever since that divinely inspired moment I've found myself at the mercy of this band's well-honed style and crafty delivery! On "The Harrowing Of Hell" (which, if you are not at all familiar with, you can discover by way of my 2013 review posted below!) the band, now featuring a line-up of vocalist/guitarist Matt Brand, guitarist Oliver Schneider (Mink Security), bass guitarist Reto Hardmeier (Punish, ex-Aliengates) and drummer Beni Mayer, perfectly balanced original content with a creative re-imaging of the well-known Black Sabbath number, "Paranoid". On "Homo Homini Lupus" (an album that marks another turning point for this Swish collective!) the band once more blends original content with a unique cover track. This time around the band truly surprises the listener with their take on Slayer's "South of Heaven"! Featuring guest musician Tim Gaines (Stryper) on bass, "South of Heaven", or (if you will) this band's choice to cover such a classic thrash number,  finally answers a question that I have pondered since I first bought Slayer's fourth album back in 1989 or 1990*. That question was "What would it sound like to have a Christian metal act cover a song that features such strong apocalyptic imagery?". Well, now I know. It sounds AMAZING! But, here's the real deal about this album. The original material here is absolutely incredible! As briefly touched upon above, "Homo Homini Lupus" moves the band into new territories previously only hinted at on "The Harrowing Of Hell" with the original compositions "Crowned", "Al-Hahar" (featuring a verse in Modern Hebrew!) and the album's first single, "Saligia", which can be previewed here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-xWNxdKLiQ), taking doom in a direction quite similar to a certain Malta-based outfit. And incidentally that particular band donated the use of their lead singer for this upcoming full-length endeavor from Pÿlon! That's right, I'm talking about another one of my favorite doom bands in Nomad Son and on "Homo Homini Lupus" the vocal talents of Jordan Cutajar are put to good use with each and everyone of the original compositions here coming across as nothing short of brilliant! All six of Pÿlon new tracks are exquisite in their own right, blending doom rock and doom metal fundamentals with clever arrangements and intelligent, thought-provoking/soul searching lyrics, but with the addition of Nomad Son's hugely talented Jordan Cutajar such numbers (especially the later half of the new tracks like "Saligia", "Is se donnent du mal", "Crucifer" and "The Curse of Eden") take on a life of their own making "Homo Homini Lupus" an absolute must for doom connoisseurs! Prior to this posting I actually mentioned to the fine folks at Roxx Records how heavenly I found this release as that's how griping Pÿlon's latest is! Obviously the Nomad Son connection and the Slayer cover alone will draw in plenty of curious onlookers, but as a whole this really is masterful work! If only I could share more with you, but sadly you'll just have to wait until June to experience it for yourself. As a final note there is a special package available to the first 100 pre-orders of this exception album. For a limited time all pre-orders (well, at least the first 100!) will come with an exclusive lithograph hand signed by all of the members of Pÿlon! Not only is that a neat idea, but it will most assuredly become a sought-after collector's item down the road! Why wait then? Find out more at:  www.roxxproductions.com

Link to Pÿlon "The Harrowing Of Hell" review:
  
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/05/pylon-harrowing-of-hell.html

* My memory fades as I grow older and I no longer remember exactly what year it was that I first bought this album on cassette tape.

Halestorm-ReAniMate 2.0: The CoVeRs eP

Atlantic Recording Corporation
2013

Don't ask me to explain the rationale behind the title of this EP or the reason that it's spelled out like that. That's like asking me to come up with a list of all of the so-called "advantages" of  our "You'll have to pass it first to see what's in it" (not so) Affordable Care Act. Your guess is as good as mine! But never mind that piece of the equation as here we have the second EP of cover's from Pennsylvania's Halestorm. The first one was released back in 2011 and featured an odd assortment of covers ranging from Skid Row ("Slave To The Grind") to Lady Gaga ("Bad Romance")! Other then maybe the weird choice of covering Daft Punk's "Get Lucky", which works fine as a hard rock number I suppose, this EP is a bit more logical. This time around the band's choices include Judas Priest ("Dissident Aggressor"), AC/DC ("‘Shoot to Thrill") and Pat Benatar ( "Hell Is for Children."). The band should get major props for covering a lesser-known Judas Priest song. As much as I love Rob Halford and his band, and they are every bit as good live as on disc, the last thing the world needs right now is another cover of "Living After Midnight" or "You've Got Another Thing Coming"! So it's cool that lead vocalist/occasional second guitarist Lzzy and the rest of the group at least try their hands at something different. Now, having said that, I am going to sound like a real hypocrite here but I loved their AC/DC cover. Sure, fire away at me about how this was one of those numbers where Halestorm didn't exactly dig that deep into AC/DC's back-catalog, but I've also loved the number and besides, having a female sing it sure as heck gives it a real "twist"!  OK, the Pat Benatar cover was cool even if it didn't quite few as if Lzzy gives it the heart-wrenching ache that "Hell Is For Children" really deserves. Pat sang this one with hurt in her heart as she conveyed the horror of child abuse. Lzzy has the skills, but not the emotional dept needed for such a haunting number. Meanwhile we get a totally unnecessary cover of  "Gold Dust Woman" by  Fleetwood Mac. It sure seems as if  the band didn't give a lot of thought to this one either as the song, while amazing when sung by Stevie Nicks, has been covered way too many times before and is just so-so. The last track on Halestorm's second collection of covers is one that I freely admit to not being at all familiar with. Lzzy and the guys take on Marilyn Manson’s "1996" and, having never heard the original (and having no desire to as, pardon my French, Marilyn Manson sucks big hairy monkey balls!), I can't say what (if anything) they add to the original. But, fair guess here, I have to imagine it's better then Manson's original cut if only for the reason that it's not Manson singing it! Overall that means that there are more good numbers then bad and, even if this pales in comparison to their last full-length studio album, "The Strange Case Of....", it's not a complete waste of time. My advice then? Sure, why not? You could do a lot worse then this EP that's for sure!

Ghoul-Intermediate Level Hard-Core

Tankcrimes
2013

Men in masks with made-up names playing heavy metal. Now where have we heard that before? In this case it's Oakland, California's Ghoul who have been playing their hybrid combination of death metal, thrash metal, grindcore and punk/hardcore since 2001. In reality I'm not exactly new to this bunch from Creepsylvanian as I covered their 2011 album, "Transmission Zero". This new EP features 5 tracks all of which are covers. In well under 10 minutes, and in true splatterthrash-like form, these mutants (Cremator, Fermentor, Digestor and Dissector) haphazardly tear their way through songs by GWAR, Fearless Iranians From Hell, Willful Neglect, N.O.T.A, and Dayglo Abortions. As these bands are likely early influences for the group, which means I wasn't the only one to have discovered the Fearless Iranians From Hell, the EP serves as a fun, if rather sloppy (in true punk hardcore fashion) history lesson of sorts. It's also a diversion from the (occasional) ho-hum heavy metal scene where some bands seem to blend together. While these kinds of "tribute" releases are not exactly new (see Metallica's  "The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited") the way in which these mutants arranged at least the first cover is. Anyone who is familiar with "Learning English, Lesson One" by Die Toten Hosen will appreciate the irony of this band roping in/kidnapping a guest musician for one track. It's one thing to just cover a bunch of random tracks, but it's another thing altogether when you're able to snag a member of said band that you are covering for the song. With that said, here are the individual tracks and, while they are nothing fancy, they do have a punk rock appeal to them.

1. "Americanized" (GWAR cover featuring Oderus Urungus)
2. "Blow Up the Embassy" (Fearless Iranians From Hell cover)
3. "E.M.S.&D." (Willful Neglect cover)
4. "Propaganda Control" (N.O.T.A cover)
5. "Proud to be Creepsylvanian" (Dayglo Abortions cover originally released as “Proud to Be Canadian”)

 
Available for only three dollars (the digital download version at least) it's worth owning in you're into these sorts of things (cover albums) or are a fan of the band. Meanwhile a vinyl 12" (in solid red nonetheless!) is available as well as a CD version. Oh, and you can even download the first cover track for free (link below) if you so desire. Not too bad all around I'd say! 

Order yours now at THIS LOCATION. 
The vinyl 12”can be found  HERE. 
And the digital Gwar cover of  "Americanized" is FREE HERE.




 
https://www.facebook.com/GhoulunaticsAsylum
http://www.creepsylvania.com
http://www.tankcrimes.com
https://www.facebook.com/tankcrimes

(the) Melvins-Everybody Loves Sausages

Ipecac
2013

 
"Everybody Loves Sausages", which I had hoped to cover awhile back, but in typical fashion my review is late coming, is a 13 track album of covers. Vocalist/guitarist Buzz Osborne explains in the promo's notes that "This record will give people a peak into the kind of things that influence us musically". Those influences apparently range from the likes of Roxy Music to Venom! With guest's stopping by to lend a helping hand (among the list is Scott Kelly (Neurosis) and Jello Biafra) the band cuts through these various tracks like a skilled surgeon. Truly only (the) Melvins can cover Queen's "You're My Best Friend" and pull it off as equally as Throbbing Gristle's "Heathen Earth"! While the full list is below I really dug their take on The Kink's "Attitude" (featuring Clem Burke of Blondie), Venom's "Warhead" (featuring Scott Kelly of Neurosis), Roxy Music's "In Every Dream Home A Heartache" (with Jello Biafra and Kevin Rutmanis) and the Pop-O-Pies number "Timothy Leary Lives". Really the only number I didn't care for was their cover of David Bowie's "Station To Station". Overall a fun album and it's cool to see the roots of Buzz Osborne and company. I'm not quite sure if this will appeal to casual listeners or not, but fanatics, as well as love who dig cover albums, will certainly want to scoop this bad boy up!

The complete track listing with original artist and guest player notation:
1. Warhead (Venom; Guest: Scott Kelly of Neurosis)
2. You're My Best Friend (Queen; Guest: Caleb Benjamin of Tweak Bird)
3. Black Betty (Original artist unknown)
4.  Set It On Fire (The Scientists; Guest: Mark Arm)
5.  Station To Station (David Bowie; Guest: JG Thirlwell)
6.  Attitude (The Kinks: Guest: Clem Burke of Blondie)
7.  Female Trouble (Divine, written by John Waters)
8.  Carpe Diem (The Fugs)
9.  Timothy Leary Lives (Pop-O-Pies)
10.  In Every Dream Home A Heartache (Roxy Music; Guests: Jello Biafra and Kevin Rutmanis)
11. Romance (Tales of Terror)
12. Art School (The Jam; Guest: Tom Hazelmeyer)
13. Heathen Earth (Throbbing Gristle)

Slaves On Dope-Covers EP Vol. 1

Self-Release/Independent
2013

Slaves On Dope are one of those polarizing groups where people seem to be either crazy about them or dead-set on writing them off as nu metal cast-offs. I'll come right out and say that I'm not here to argue either point, but rather I'm here reviewing this EP because I dig cover songs/cover albums. I especially dig album's/artists like this that offer metalized versions of songs you wouldn't normally expect to be heavy and twisted. With the exception of "Digging the Grave" (Faith No More) these are all tracks that fall well under the tag of "hard and heavy". You could perhaps argue that Loverboy's "Working for the Weekend" (which opens this EP up) or Genesis ("Mama") are not too far removed from getting a serious heavy metal look, but covering Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing" and Sheriff's "When I'm With You" are kooky choices on any level! So, what do these Canadian alt-metallers do with the material at hand? It should first be mentioned that this isn't the band's first rodeo as they have covered Black Sabbath in the past as well as Poison. So, Slaves On Dope know their way around cover songs. With that said the first single from the EP was Slaves On Dope's take on "Mama" (which you can hear below) so let's tackle that one first. "Mama" was actually the first single from Genesis' self-titled 1983 album and this one-time hit, at least in the hand of Slaves On Dope", is tapped for into for it's sinister and dark nature. While their version is obviously heavier it's a good choice for the band as it translates rather well into a gritty street-rocker. While "Mama" was a good choice for the first single as it's a dark and crunchy rocker "Working For The Weekend", which actually opens this EP comes off (unfortunately) as a tad lifeless. In a way I think trying to make Loverboy's 1981 hit into something dark (when it's clearly meant to be an upbeat nod to having fun) was a bad call, but it's not without merit as the band does give it their all. "Digging the Grave" works well as a grunge-inspired thrasher as the source material was heavy to begin with. And then there is Sheriff's "When I'm With You". I was really wondering about how they would pull off this cheesy ballad. As I never liked the original (it made me want to puke) I feared it would be truly dreadful, but it's a cool take on the cut and actually makes it bearable to the listener! It's a really interesting choice to make into a heavier rocker so what do they then do with "Sexual Healing"? Well, it's both good and bad. It does work as a heavier, almost sleazy, grunge cut and Slaves On Dope play it full-tilt. It's only that when you've heard the original and experienced the original (if you know what I mean) then hearing it like this takes away a lot of it's "power". As it's played for fun though it's all good in the hood as they say. Of the bunch my favorite is probably "Mama" followed by "Digging the Grave" with "Working for the Weekend" being my least favorite. All in all it's a cool little EP though.
 
http://www.noisecreep.com/2013/04/09/slaves-on-dope-genesis-mama/

Ichabod Crane-Rot Your Brain

Self-Release
2012

I remember I used to have this mix tape back in high school (or maybe college) with a cover of "Our Lips Are Sealed" (Blondie) by this punk/hardcore band. Man, I wish I still had that tape. For the life of me I can't recall the band's name. I mention this as way of an introduction to state the fact that not only do I love eclectic cover choices, but I love Blondie. So, with a band that I happy to get all warm and fuzzy about (Ichabod Crane) opening up their new EP with a cover of "Call Me" well, that makes for a hell of a good time my friends. "Grease Lightning" (Grease") done up hardcore/death metal style is also beyond epic folks. All of the tracks on this EP are
covers except for the excellent track "Huddled Masses." The lone original number sounds as if it has been performed by a horde of raging heavy metal demons. If it was not for the fact that that I can see their smiling faces I would be half tempted to think that "Huddled Masses" was assembled in a secret lab somewhere with the ultimate goal being nothing less then the enslavement of the human race! For a local band these lads lay down some of the sickest and most vile riffs imaginable. Thrash, hardcore and death metal always make for a wicked cocktail anyway so for Ichabod Crane to create something that sounds like C.O.C., Slayer and Megadeth all doing shots together with Satan that says something. It's interesting to note that these lads can take a track like "Plowed" (Sponge) and not only make it their own, but make it sound like the most METAL THING EVER is epic with a capital "E"! Of course, nothing beats hearing a hardcore thrash version of the Saved by the Bell theme. What a way to finish off this (way too short) killer EP. It's truly a shame that I am late to the game when it comes to this Ohio act because this is another case of a local band that sounds better then a good chunk of the music that comes through my inbox these days. You can find out more about the band at their Facebook page and according to band member Scott the EP will be a "pay what you want" download on the band's bandcamp page after the release show which is coming up this week if I am not mistaken.

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Ichabod+Crane-Brimstone (Review of the band's excellent album "Brimstone")

U.D.O.-Celebrator: Rare Tracks

Sooner or later you knew it was bound to happen. After 25 years and 13 full-length albums we are finally getting an odds and ends collection of unreleased songs, rare tracks and exclusive remixes from the one and only U.D.O. himself. Over the course of 2 CDs you get 25 songs that run the gamut from simply smashing to just plain weird: "Balls To The Wall (Piano Version)" anyone? Good to bad it's all here in the shape of alternate versions of classic songs to previously unreleased material (some of which should have been released and some of which I could take or leave) and of course some killer guest appearances like "Head Over Heels" (Hammerall feat. Udo Dirkschneider) and "They Only Come Out At Night" (Lordi feat. Udo Dirkschneider). My favorite cover on this 2 CD set would have to be Raven and Udo taking on "Born To Be Wild". I have a N.W.O.B.H.M. sampler somewhere in my mess of a room with this older song on it and I always had a soft spot for it. That said of all the material it is perhaps the piano ballads that surprised me the most. Udo shows himself to be more then capable of pulling off these simple arrangements and, as weird as they may sound on paper, they do work to a degree. Considering the fact that "Balls To The Wall" was the first Accept song I ever heard and from there I grew to love both Accept and Udo it is all the more interesting to hear it arranged like this. It's so simple and yet so far from left field that it defies logic and only God knows why it works as well as it does. All told this is one of those collections that features more strong moments then throwaway tracks thankfully since that is always the fear with these sort of albums. It has some really strong moments and I'd have to say it's a must own for U.D.O. fans.

Slander-Get Em Slandered

Self-Release/Independent
2012


When British heavy metal band Slander released their lone album, “Careless Talk Costs Lives”, in 1991 little did anyone know that it would go on to become a cult classic. Here it is now in 2012 and the band (who reunited in 2009) are finally working on a proper follow-up. In the meantime Slander are shortly due to release a covers EP, "Get Em Slandered", as a way to introduce their new members. The band is currently made up of new lead singer Si Staples, guitarist Andy Saxon-Lamb, new bassist Pete Hewitt and drummer Andy "Eddie" Edwards. Now, if your a regular reader of our blog then you should surely know by now that both Metal Mark and I love everything about this band. With a sound that recalls both eighties classic heavy metal and the NWOBHM scene in general this four-piece band are old school in nature while still offering enough of a modern edge to give listeners a nice kick in the pants. This EP (due for release sometime in the next month or so) covers a look of ground, music-wise, from NWOBHM (Diamond Head and Iron Maiden) to rock (Kiss) to even thrash (Anthrax). I love their cover of "The Zoo" by hard rock band the Scorpions. It's a long-time favorite of mine. It's a classic cut and the way in which Slander handles it shows both appreciation for the Scorpions and reverence of hard rock. The same must be said of "Am I Evil" by Diamond Head. Obviously when most people hear that this song is to be covered they think of Metallica. While the boys in Metallica did a fine job with it I like Slander's cover too. Their version is much closer to Diamond Head's original vision. It's gritty and raw, heavy and nasty all without losing the old-fashion heavy metal charm of the original version. "Diamonds & Rust" (Joan Baez/Judas Priest) is another track that is just killer. It is very much in vogue with Judas Priest's version. It comes off as classic heavy metal while "Madhouse" (Anthrax) is about as heavy and thrashed out as Slander gets. Having heard "Madhouse" hundreds of times (I grew up on Anthrax) it is interesting to hear it done in a different fashion. "Hallowed be Thy Name" (Iron Maiden) is done in loving fashion and again you can tell how much Slander loves classic heavy metal/NWOBHM. You just get this sense that these guys love listening to heavy metal as much as they love playing it. Meanwhile "Detroit Rock City" is just plain fun to listen to. It's crunchy and heavy and, while they certainly don't take themselves too seriously on the number, they still manage to rock the living daylights out of this Kiss classic. This is a nice little stop gap before the band's next album (due sometime in 2013 at the earliest) is released. Find out more about Slander at their Facebook and/or Myspace pages below.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Slander-UK/108078912580631


http://www.myspace.com/slandermetal

Slander- "Get Em Slandered" Track List Update

This past Wednesday (May 2, 2012) I did a write-up on Slander's upcoming EP of covers. The EP, "Get Em Slandered", serves a similar purpose to Metallica's "The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited". Now, just as that was Metallica's first recording to feature new bass player Jason Newsted (a underrated bass player if ever there was one) this new EP will show off the new members of Slander while also tiding fans over until the new album arrives. For a more thorough overview of the project (as well as an interview with the band) see the link below. So, without further delay the rest of the covers are as follows: "Am I Evil" (Diamond Head), "Diamonds & Rust" (Joan Baez/Judas Priest), "Madhouse" (Anthrax) and "Hallowed be Thy Name" (Iron Maiden). With the exception of Anthrax (more of a speed metal/thrash style) the rest of the bands are obvious influences on Slander's sound. Since I just now got these in my e-mail I have not had a chance to listen to them. That said, if they turn out to be anywhere as cool as the other two covers ("Detroit Rock City" and the "The Zoo") then this EP will be savage!

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=slander-get+em

Slander-Get Em Slandered (sneak peek)

Slander are one of those bands that both Metal Mark and I love. Their NWOBHM-inspired take on heavy metal is exceptional. Recently the band sent me two songs to listen to from their forth-coming EP, "Get Em Slandered". The EP, which is an album of covers, will serve the purpose of introducing fans to Slander's new lineup. The band is fronted by Simon Staples and features Andy Saxon-Lamb (guitars), Andy 'Eddie' Edwards (drums) and Pete Hewitt (bass). After being away from the scene for 15 years (has it been that long?) the band are currently writing and demoing tracks for their second album. With producer Carl Harris at the helm the band is meanwhile set to release this EP shortly as a way to please Slander fans who are anxious for new material. With the new voice of Slander being singer Si Staples (and the addition of top class bass player Pete Hewitt) fans should have no fears that the new material will be every bit as killer as "Careless Talk Costs Lives". Since there is no cover art available yet for the EP, and no official track listing as far as I know-this really is a sneak peek folks, I'm left with talking about just two of the cover songs: "Detroit Rock City" & "The Zoo". First off "Detroit Rock City". Surely some will look at the choice of covering Kiss and scratch their heads. After all it is a song that has been covered time and time again. You know what though? It just makes sense. "Detroit Rock City" is a classic number. It is the very definition of rock and roll. So, being that Slander can rock just as hard as any other band of their era it's a good call. Yes, it's been covered a billion times, but it's all about the spirit of rock and roll being alive and well! The band is having fun here and, seeing as they obviously are not taking things too seriously, frankly it's all good. It chugs along at just the right pace and takes a page or two out of NWOBHM's swagger. The song does a great job of not only showing off Stapers' voice, but showing that the band itself has little rust. "The Zoo" is also a nice little rocker and a cool choice to cover. I still love hearing this number on FM radio and in Slander's capable hands the track is a real rage-out moment. It's got a crunchy metal backbone and old fashioned charm. Sort of like the band itself. Both numbers show that the band hasn't lost any steam after all these years and can still kick up a fair amount dirt and debris. I look forward to not only this covers EP, as these two tracks are kick ass heavy metal, but the new album as well. You can find out more about Slander at their website below. I've also included two additional links. The first has an interview that we did with the band sandwiched in between two reviews of the band's first release while the second link is of the interview alone.

http://www.slandermetal.com/
(Slander's Website)

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Slander-Careless+Talk+Costs+Lives+
(Interview w/ band along with two seperate reviews of "Careless Talk..."

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2012/04/interview-with-slander.html

(Interview only)

Cover songs in metal-Observations

I have ranted on about cover songs before here. This time I just wanted to throw out a few observations about who to and not to cover.

The top three hard rock/metal acts to cover. Now this doesn't mean everyone can pull off covering these acts. However these are three of the most covered acts in metal and hard rock and with good reason.

1-AC/DC-So many bands cover AC/DC. Why? Because they are classic or because their music is easy to play? Some of both, but the second factor probably wins out. Not too difficult to cover.
2-KISS-Same reasons to cover as with AC/DC. Again many covers of their songs turn out well because they are very simple to play.
3-Black Sabbath-Certainly more difficult to cover than the above two, but another very popular act to cover. Many acts do target their more basic tracks to cover. Not a bad choice for a heavier act to tackle.


Top three hard rock/metal acts not to cover or you need to be pretty skilled to cover these guys

1-Iron Maiden-You have to have some guts and a whole lot of talent to take on covering a Maiden song. This isn't KISS, you can't fake or fill your way through a Maiden song. I do find it interesting that most bands that cover Maiden tend to cover Dianno era-Maiden. Is that because they love that period of that band so much or because their singer can handle Paul's vocals easier than they can Bruce's vocals? I would say it's the second one.

2-Led Zeppelin- Like with Maiden, you can't just wing covering Zeppelin. Fans know these songs by heart and you hit something weak in a cover it will be enough to make fans turn it off. As with Maiden I think bands frequently choose some of their more simple songs to take on.

3-Alice Cooper (anything they did between 1971 and 1974)-This one may sound like a strange choice because this band was not nearly as skilled of players as Maiden or Zeppelin. However they played offbeat quirky music that you can't just pick up and convey by merely reading the sheet music and hoping it works out. There was a certain feel to Alice's music during this time that's not easy to cover.

***Feel free to add your own thoughts about cover songs.

Crimson Ghosts-Earth E.P.

Necro-Tone
2008



The Crimson Ghosts are a tribute band of sorts as they play only Misfits covers. Yet it's the interpretation that sets them apart because they do instrumental surf versions of the Misfits. Now this idea might bother some fans who feel that so much of the sound of the Misfits depended the vocals of Glenn Danzig. That's true, but I think these versions of the songs allow you to hear and even better appreciate the rhythms of the music. Most other Misfits covers take the songs as they and just transfer then entire as is to fit the format of the band covering them, but they don't really alter the arrangement. That's where the Crimson Ghosts are unique in their covers because I think really approached the basic mechanics of each song and found ways to keep the melody but alter parts to fit the pulsing, reverb-driven surf style that they love. Yet they managed to make versions interesting and truly put their brand on them. Such as the Misfits' "Night of the living dead" always seemed to me to be one body of music moving forward yet the Crimson Ghosts managed to separate and emphasize certain parts without losing the feel of the original. So we get some killer stripped down surf versions of "London Dungeon", "Horror Hotel" and seven more trakcs that do justice to the Misfits and their fans. Obviously fans of the Misfits and surf punk should love this one but also fans of hard rock or metal who love music with lots of steady pace changes will find a great deal to enjoy as well.

http://www.myspace.com/crimsonghosts

Teach ‘em all: A High School Tribute to Metallica

Self-produced
2008

This is the third effort from High School Tribute project which is lead by teacher/producer Patrice Beaudette who has given a group of talented young people a chance to make their own album. The other two projects were dedicated to KISS, but this time Metallica are the object of the tribute. I remember discovering Metallica as a teenager as I listened in awe to a tiny radio cranking out “For whom the bell tolls” on a late night radio show back in the summer of 1985. I remember having to pick my chin off the floor in early 1986 when my ears first soaked in the Master of puppets. Even though Metallica never quite became what I hoped, it’s still great to hear young music fans appreciating the contributions of this band. So we get eleven tracks which includes some of the more standards like Creeping Death and Welcome home (Sanitarium), but much to their credit they tackle some slightly lesser known tracks like “Eye of the beholder” and “The thing that should not be” as well. For some reason the lesser known tracks seem to be the ones that this group excelled on. My sticking point with covers is that an artist needs to bring something of their own ideas to the mix or else it’s pointless. The major difference that these performers brings are the vocals because we get both and male and female vocals throughout and different performers that have various vocal ranges. That’s not to say that all of the vocals work, but the variation certainly helps to make it more interesting and most of the vocals are strong. Now the first part of the music that struck me was the drum sound, it was raw, pounding and quite honestly I loved it. I only wish the rest of the music had been as solid, but the guitar tone was often just adequate. There are a few minor changes in arrangement and what was done was fine, but it could used a few more risks and a little more energy. As a whole I think this is certainly a better than average tribute album and maybe even more so considering the age of the performers and the fact the majority of these tracks are over six minutes in length. Certainly an interesting project that the people involved can be proud of.

http://www.myspace.com/highschooltributes