October 31-Metal Massacre 31

Hell's Headbangers
2016

It is November 2nd and I am now two days late with this piece. I had every intention of posting this review on Halloween, but sometimes life....well, it just gets in the way of things. Actually, is it life that's the problem or is it my demonically-possessed home computer? Whatever the case, October 31 has a new album out and I couldn't be happier! Seeing as I've covered this traditional heavy metal band plenty of time over the years I won't go into any long winded bits about the who, what and where of October 31. That's not to say that stuff isn't important, but it kind of takes a backseat to matters when you are talking about a new October 31 disc that is all covers! Yes, you heard me right. Named after the Metal Blade Records' sampler series that started it all(!),  "Metal Massacre 31" is nothing but cover songs from one band that sure as hell knows how to pull them off! As a long time fan of King Fowley (Deceased, ex-Doomstone, ex-Abominog) and company I have enjoyed the numerous tributes that October 31 has dolled out since first forming in 1995. On their very first demo, 1996's "Voyage to Infinity", this Virginia-based metal band covered the Warlord classic, "Child of the Damned". From there we heard cover songs from Witchkiller, Lizzy Borden, Judas Priest, Saxon, Uriah Heep, and even Mötley Crüe! The thing is those were just cover songs on official October 31 releases. This band has also appeared on tribute albums to Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, and Riot!  So, yes, October 31 obviously has no problems as far as paying tribute to other artists. All of which brings us straight back to this wicked awesome /must-have recording. Due out on November 25th, "Metal Massacre 31" is made up of cover songs that are exclusive to the Metal Massacre series. Or at least the first seven volumes! Starting off with Death Dealer's "Cross My Way" (from Metal Massacre IV), October 31 covers both "well-known" bands from the series (Omen, Tyrant, and Hallow's Eve) and some of more obscure ones (Aloha, Final Warning, Titanic, and War Cry). There's Demon Flight's "Dead of the Night" from the first Metal Massacre compilation and the aforementioned Hallow's Eve from Metal Massacre VI. Along with "Heavy Metal Virgins" by Aloho and Tyrant's "The Battle of Armageddon" you get to hear October 31's take on Omen's "Torture Me" and they even cover Sacred Blade's "The Alien"! Over the course of this 30 minute plus album, October 31 ultimately pays homage to ten bands. Whether it's power metal bands like Titanic ("The Awakening") and Final Warning ("the Warrior") or just the plain old fashioned thrash of Omen, October 31 gives it a go with plenty of gusto to spare! At the end of the day that is really what I love about this classic band. Just like every other recording that October 31 has laid to tape, "Metal Massacre 31" is as fun as it is technically sound. The album is spiked with adrenaline and King Fowley's enthusiasm is as contagious as it has ever been! For October 31 fans this one is a given!!!






PS: If you've never heard October 31 before then this cleverly-titled album is as good a place to start as any. Available for pre-order by heading here, "Metal Massacre 31" goes a long way towards showing the heart and soul of this highly-energetic traditional heavy metal band. Lead by the one and only King Fowley, October 31's inspired brand of fist bangin' metal was built by heavy metal fanatics in order to serve other heavy metal fans. While it's true that King Fowley's vocal delivery might not suite all taste buds, October 31 as a whole is just way too much fun to pass up! All of the musicians in October 31 love what they do and that kind of epic enthusiasm  is sorely missing in the today's heavy metal scene.







!

October 31-The Fire Awaits You (2014 Re-Release)

Hells Headbangers
2014

With October 31 becoming a part of the Hells Headbanger family (which sure seems like a match made in heaven doesn't it!!!!) fans and collectors alike will soon be treated to deluxe re-reissues of the group's first two albums. Released back in 1997, "The Fire Awaits You" was the first full-length release from October 31 and it officially introduced the band's distinct take on all things heavy and loud  to a scene that (at the time) had no idea what was awaiting them! For the most part the heavy metal community did embrace the band back then and, as far as debut albums go, "The Fire Awaits" shows a band that was good, but had much more to offer in the years that would follow. If nothing else this album, which was recorded at Oblivion Studios in Upper Marlboro, MD in the spring of 1997, showcases the "humble" roots of King Fowley (vocals, drums and keyboards) and company as they created their own brand of horror-themed heavy metal by combining elements of speed metal, traditional heavy metal, N.W.O.B.H.M. and horror punk together! Standing beside King Fowley (also of Deceased) and his commanding vocal delivery are guitarist Brian Williams and bassist Jim Hunter. Collectively they make an imposing terror trio and while this album isn't quite up to par with October 31's excellent sophomore release ("Meet Thy Maker") it's still a fun album to put on in the background for when you find yourself in a "metal mood"! As an added bonus this re-issue comes with the group's 1996 demo, "Voyage to Infinity" (which included a cool cover of  Warlord's "When Darkness Covers The Sun"), and features two additional covers in the form of  "I Don't Know" by Ozzy Osbourne and "Public Enemy Number One" by Iron Maiden. All three covers are interesting as they are not just cookie-cutter copies of the originals. Instead each track offers something different as October 31's unique take on the who traditional heavy metal sound is itself different! My only gripe with these covers is the Iron Maiden choice. Choosing a number from "No Prayer for the Dying" makes little to no sense as King Fowley would have destroyed life itself if he would have tackled something from any of Iron Maiden's first seven albums! Instead October 31 covers a Iron Maiden track from the nineties? What gives? It's a minor complaint I admit (OK, it's a stupid complaint I realize!), but that would have really made this album just shred! All in all though this is a nice re-release from the fine folks over at Hell's Headbangers and, knowing the company and their top-notch work, one would imagine that the package will be as cool as usual. As the two re-issues are not due out until the end of January everyone should be by that point (somewhat) recovered from the usual Christmas overspending so I do suggest snagging and bagging this one! Is it as good as the follow-up full-length? No, not really. But as far as horror-themed heavy metal goes it's hard to go wrong with October 31! The band is really a one of a kind outfit and given the various elements that get added into the mix here it's all rather infectious. Obviously the band's many choices of covers over the years (October 31 has also covered the likes of Saxon, Judas Priest, Overkill, Mötley Crüe and Lizzy Borden in their time together!) provide an indication as far as what awaits the listener when you crack open one of their CDs. Even then imagine listening to a band like October 31 and (also) uncovering the likes of Paul Di'Anno-era Iron Maiden and the Misfits! For October 31 it's all about taking those various influences to a place where originality springs forth from inspiration and in a manor where it can be no one else but this Arlington, Virginia act! So, even if this one is a tad "rough" around the edges it's still a different creature altogether and proof that even if you were a little late to the game (Fowley and his band-mates hit the scene in 1995) you can still be outstandingly original!

October 31-Meet Thy Maker (2014 Re-Release)

Hells Headbangers
2014

Originally released in 1999, and serving as the full-length follow-up to the October 31 album "The Fire Awaits You", "Meet Thy Maker" is a case study in how take something that was good (ie: This band's already distinct take on horror-themed traditional heavy metal) and make it ever better! This sophomore release saw the band, which was lead as always by Deceased's King Fowley (vocals and drums), add a rhythm guitarist to the fold by the name of Kevin Lewis (Cryptameria, Nailhead and Overlord). The "two guitar attack plan" allowed for more versatility all-around out of October 31 and it certainly seems as if it helped to light a creative fire under guitarist Brian "Hellstorm" Williams because his lead solos here are nothing short of bad ass! With bass duties being taken care of once more by Jim Hunter (While Heaven Wept, Twisted Tower Dire) this new four-piece brought a shit-load of enthusiasm and energy to the party making the difference between album number one by October 31 and album number two stick out like a sore thumb! Things get turned up to 11 (I love you Spinal Tap!) as King Fowley takes his boys on a journey into the heart of darkness all while tearing the f**k out of anything and anyone that comes in their way! These four gentlemen serve up a huge can of whoop-ass by means of this wicked combination of "Killers"-era Iron Maiden,  "Painkiller"-era Judas Priest and"South of Heaven"-era Slayer! If all of that sounds cool on paper just wait until you get a load of it in live, dripping buckets of blood baby, color! If the original album wasn't cool enough (I mean, it came with a snapping Saxon cover in the form of "Power and the Glory" folks so what more could you ask for????) this upcoming re-release will also feature bonus material including the group's 1998 EP, "Visions of the End"! That alone would make this re-issue a real treat (especially as this bunch pulls off a smashing cover of  Lizzy Borden's "Give 'Em the Axe" on said EP!), but then you also get the following bonus material as well:

1)"When Darkness Covers the Sun" (which was recorded during the sessions for "Meet Thy Maker" and is one fiery slab of primitive heavy metal goodness!)

2) A 1997 demo version of "The Chosen One" 

3) A 1999 demo version of "Meet Thy Maker" with Chuck Parsons on lead vocals (Very cool and gritty version to boot!)

4) A live version of "The Chosen One" from 2000 with Shawn Pelata on lead vocals (Again, a cool version that is raw, but real and very METAL if you know what I mean!!!)

So, what it all comes down to is this. With this upcoming 2014 re-release of "Meet Thy Maker" Hells Headbangers has delivered the goods as far as choice bonus material and this is a MUST OWN for fans of October 31! With a new album also scheduled for 2014 it looks as if good things are in store for King Fowley and his crew although (and I hate to say this as I am really starting to dig this group) the chances of October 31 suddenly having a breakout moment are probably slim. This sort of heavy metal comes from the heart and is wicked cool, but let's face it today's kids just don't seem to be all that interested in "normal" heavy metal anymore. Instead of having it served straight-up it has to be mixed with this or that which is a shame as October 31 has so much to offer metalheads who like their metal with muscle and menace! Still, I'll keep on shouting from the rooftops about this kind of traditional heavy metal until my dying day because it's in my blood and a band like October 31 fills me with warm feelings! Yeah!

October 31-Gone to the Devil (7" EP)

Hells Headbangers Records
2013

With a new full-length album in the works for Virginia's October 31 (yes!) this 2-track, 7" EP, which features a pretty sweet cover version of Uriah Heep's "Too Scared to Run"!, should have fans worked up in anticipation for the group's long-awaited return! As this is the first new recordings from King Fowley and his cohorts in eight long years, it's comforting to know that this heavy metal collective stills sounds hungry. Formed in 1995, and still featuring the distinct lead guitar playing of "Brian "Hellstorm" Williams,  October 31 looks as if they have found a wonderful new home with Hells Headbanger Records. Judging by the picture below this 7" EP, which features a "Throw your horns in the air like you just don't care!" title cut that is pure heavy metal gold!, is a must for fans and collectors alike! I mean that thing looks awesome right? And the band's first new material for their new label really is as cool as the artwork for this 7" EP. It's a win-win situation for October 31 fans! And speaking of their new label, Hells Headbangers Records is also re-releasing the group's first two albums with a shit-load on bonus cuts on both of them! Sweet right? Hopefully within the next week or so I'll review both of those, but in the meantime I simply cannot recommend "Gone to the Devil" enough! Anyone who likes their heavy metal a little crazy, but with a totally kick ass, fist bangin' delivery should dig these two tracks and everything that October 31 stands for! You can pick up "Gone to the Devil" at the link below.

http://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/october-31-gone-to-the-devil.asp

October 31-Bury The Hatchet

Hells Headbangers
2014

Due for release on October 14th, "Bury The Hatchet" is the forth full-length album from heavy metal legends October 31. It's also the group's first full-length album since "No Survivors" and that particular disc came out in 2005! So yeah, it has been nine years since we last heard from King Fowley and company. That's nine LONG years and about eight too many if you ask me, but hey, it's better late then never! And man, is it ever good to see October 31 return with a thunderous record like this! Joining King Fowley (vocals/drums) here on "Bury The Hatchet" is ex-Overlord guitarist Brian "Hellstorm" Williams and bassist Jim Hunter of While Heaven Wept and Twisted Tower Dire. As per usual King Fowley (also of death thrashers Deceased) fills in the spaces with his perfectly-suited voice and fantastic drumming while the "string" section here is nothing short of spectacular! "Bury The Hatchet" finds October 31 rampaging through thick waves of traditional (head banging!) heavy metal and speed metal while rolling out the same (Read: Always Awesome!) kind of monster riffs and fanatical drumming that the band has become known for! For fans of October 31 the wait will have been worth it as "Bury The Hatchet" continues this band's crusade to bring traditional heavy metal back to the spotlight. With a total of ten tracks and a run-time of nearly 42 minutes, "Bury The Hatchet" is classic metal for the modern age. For those who love straight-up, fist-bangin' and head thrashin' METAL it simply does not get better then this!

"Thunder And Steel Down Under"-A Tribute To Riot

Skol Records
2015


It's another fine Metal Monday so check this one out my friends and fellow metalheads. It's way past the point of being long-overdue, but Skol Record's "Thunder And Steel Down Under" is the first ever Riot tribute album. The fact that it has taken so long to put one together is wrong on so many levels, the least of which is A) how universal Riot's form of U.S. power metal is and then (as heard on this limited edition CD) B) how easily it lends itself to being covered. Thankfully this 14-track compilation not only addresses this gross negligence, but it does so in grand fashion and with the exact kind of style and grace befitting of such a classic band as Riot! And speaking of classics, "Thunder And Steel Down Under" features more than a few golden gems from Riot's amazing back catalog and they are given the royal treatment by many a great band that has already been featured here on Heavy Metal Time Machine! We're talking about the likes of Crystal Viper, Night Demon, October 31 and Rocka Rollas  (to name just a few) and here on the limited-edition "Thunder And Steel Down Under" these four bands join up with ten other great artists in order to pay homage to one of heavy metal's true unsung heroes! Obviously not all tribute albums are created equally and compilations in general can be so hit or miss. We all know this to be a sad fact of life. But again, we are talking about Riot and if any band has a back catalog that is perfectly suited for covering it would be this one. And it should go without saying, but on "Thunder And Steel Down Under" the list of bands that Skol Records assembled for this project is impressive. Besides those mentioned we have Savage Master, Attacker, Dexter Ward and Axel Rudi Pel (again just to name a few!) and it all adds up to one album that was so damn-near perfect that I had to stop and ponder the fact on more than one occasion! So, without further adieu let's jump right into this Riot tribute album! Produced by the one and only Bart Gabriel (Sacred Steel, Crystal Viper, Jack Starr's Burning Starr), "Thunder And Steel Down Under" is indeed a rare specimen in that it offers a tribute album that is actually worthy of the band of which it covers! Crazy right? Well, as strange as that sounds its the truth. We start things off with Ferdy Doernberg's brief instrumental take on "Soldier" before we are bowled over by Axel Rudi Pell's version of "Warrior". So far so good right? It only gets better friends as "Fire Down Under" sounds great in Attacker's hands! Already we see how right Riot's music can sound in the hands of those who share a true love and appreciation for the band and their remarkable brand of traditional and power metal! It should be noted at this point that income from the sale of this special album will be given to Sir Tony Reale (father of the late Riot guitarist and founding member, Mark Reale) so we're talking about great metal music for a great cause! It's win-win time all around! But anyway, Walpyrgus is up next with "Outlaw" and if you haven't figured it out for yourself by now let me just say again how well-suited this band is in regards to being covered! Wow. Riot is really something in regards to their back catalog and how many killer songs they have and it's a treat to hear how easily it transforms into straight-ahead metal and heavy power metal/thrash! When we are talking about Riot we are talking about the kind of traditional heavy metal  band that should be huge! Their form of power metal is absolutely slamming and yet it's so well-written and constructed that it can be turned on it's head and still sound fantastic! Few bands can stake that kind of claim, but then again Riot is in a league of their own. All of which begs the question why it hasn't happened sooner? Why has it taken so long for this classic American band to get a tribute album all their own? I wish I knew. Anyway, Savage Master is on board now with "Swords And Tequila" and it's at this point that we hear one of the only so-so tracks on the compilation. It's not that Savage Master is bad or anything. In truth I happen to love the band and their debut album received high marks for all of us here at Heavy Metal Time Machine. Even so I will admit that their cover of "Swords And Tequila" sounds coldly hollow when compared to the original. And that's a shame as "Swords And Tequila"is an absolute classic in it's own right. But hey, they can't all be winners right? From Savage Master we turn to  the neoclassical style of Angelo Perlepes' Mystery. I enjoyed their cover of "Sign Of The Crimson Storm" as it has a Dio flair to it. Next up is October 31 and they take on "Loanshark". Now the guys in October 31st are no strangers when it comes to cover songs so finding them on a Riot tribute album isn't all that surprising. What is surprising though is how little their cover of "Loanshark" sounds like the original. It's more of a punk thrash take on Riot and depending upon whether you are a fan of October 31or not you will either love it or hate it. I like it quite a bit as it is different in a good way and it offers a unique perspective of the music of Riot. From there we are served up one choice cover after another from band's here in the U.S. and bands from over in Europe. To save a bit of time and space the remainder of this tribute album looks something like this:

Alpha Tiger- "Flight Of The Warrior" (A solid cover that is a nice mix of flash and fury)
Stallion-"Rock City" (Good even if it can't touch the originals appeal)
Rocka Rollas-"Riot" (Nothing fancy or anything it's just the Rocka Rollas doing their thing)
Evil United-"Altar Of The King" (A Straight down the middle of the road shooter that hits it's target dead on)
Night Demon-"Road Racin'" (One of my favorite Riot numbers done by one of my favorite new bands)
Dexter Ward-"Running From The Law" (Totally kicking cover choice done right)
Crystal Viper feat. Todd Michael Hall-"Thundersteel" (A nice way to end this tribute)

As they are all really good covers there is no reason to get too technical about each track. Still, highlights for me (band-wise) would have to be: Rocka Rollas, Evil united, Night Demon and Dexter Ward. Especially Night Demon. Their cover selection has always been a guilty pleasure of mine so having one of my new favorites cover one of my old favorites was simply cool. And that's really what this tribute album is all about
when you get down to it! "Thunder And Steel Down Under" is all about a great group of bands and artists (both new and not so new) coming together to celebrate one of metal's finest bands and the life of one of it's finest members (Mark Reale). If the actual music isn't enough to sway you though then consider the fact that this compilation comes packed with a nice booklet with notes from each band. Consider it a little bonus if you will. In the end "Thunder And Steel Down Under" makes up for a great deal of lost time. It addresses a  gaping hole that previously existed and it honors not only Riot, but the bands that Riot influenced. As it is limited to a mere 1,000 copies I would definitely recommend that you not wait too long to buy this fantastic CD. It's worth every penny and it's for a good cause. What more could a Riot fan ask for?

The 55 Best Releases Of 2013

As has been the case for the past couple of years now my "Year End Best Of" list is a bit different from most you will likely read. If this is your first visit here then here's the deal. Instead of writing about 2013's "Best Of" album's in a general sense I choose instead  to cover only releases that I've reviewed myself. This doesn't mean that there are no albums out there that I consider to be better options then these particular ones. There are some other albums that I personally added to my own private collection that absolutely floored me! But, if I didn't cover them with a write up then they didn't make this list. It's as simple as that. What wasn't simple though was trying to shift through and sort out the best of the best! There was simply put FAR TOO MUCH good music released in 2013 for me to try to cover it all! In no way is that a bad thing. If anything that just goes to show that 2013 was a good year to be a fan of "heavy metal" as there was awesome releases from the field of N.W.O.B.H.M. (what with comeback albums like "Life Sentence" by Satan as well as "Forgotten Dreams" by Salem!) all the way up to and including black metal (Stellar Master Elite anyone?)! Obviously it would be a huge undertaking then to even attempt to cover each and every release that impressed me so I  dug through the ranks and will highlight just a "few". These are not ranked though so they just appear in random order. I simply numbered them in an attempt to keep the list from getting too far out of hand! If I missed any albums then please forgive such transgressions as I am all too human. With that said, sit back and enjoy this list friends and be sure to keep an eye out for albums that you might might have missed the first time around. I've provided links to each and very review in an effort to make it all a little more interesting for you the reader and so that you can go back (at your leisure of course!) and read why I found said albums to be so good to begin with! Also, each album will include a brief description of the genre (ie: Satan being N.W.O.B.H.M, A Sound Of Thunder being power metal, etc.) and, should I feel so inspired, possibly even more as to why it made my list. Oh, one last thing (and I almost forgot this part!). There were a TON of re-releases that were epic (Nitro anyone? How about Mox Nix?), but I choose not to include those as they were technically not "new albums". The same went for live albums that happened to be released in 2013. Deep Purple, who I still love!, release a live album ("Live in Paris 1975") back in 2013 that was simply killer. But, A) It was a live album which I'm not keen on counting here and B) More importantly it was from WAY BACK in the day. My list covers just 2013 "studio" releases with just one exception (read on for that bit). Whether they are on major labels or demo recordings doesn't matter so much as they are studio recordings. OK, with that I'm finally done so read on and, as always, comments are welcome (including your favorite albums of 2013!).

1)Asomvel-"Knuckle Duster". Pictured above, "Knuckle Duster" is the sound of a British hard rock/heavy metal band tearing through Lemmy-approved, dirty and dusty, everyman rock with more then enough whiskey and cheap beer involved to wash away the working-man blues we all feel from time to time!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/11/asomvel-knuckle-duster.html

2)Salem-"Forgotten Dreams". Possible my favorite comeback story of the year, this is great N.W.O.B.H.M./traditional heavy metal from a band that was sadly passed over the first time around.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/10/salem-forgotten-dreams.html,

3)Nomad Son-"The Darkening". Forget Black Sabbath as Nomad Son are the real leaders of the doom rock/doom metal scene!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/08/nomad-son-darkening.html

4)A Sound Of Thunder-"Time's Arrow". This power metal band, which is fronted by the amazing Nina Osegueda, get's better and better with each new release! With a new LP scheduled for 2014 will this finally be the year that the world wakes up to how epic this band is? Lord knows they deserve every bit of accolade they receive and then some!
 http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-sound-of-thunder-times-arrow.html

5)Lady Beast-"Lady Beast". Great female-fronted heavy metal from a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based act.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/04/lady-beast-lady-beast.html

6)AC Angry-"Dirty Denim". Pretty cool hard rock/rock and roll!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/09/ac-angry-black-denim.html 

 7)Gypsy Chief Goliath-"New Machines Of The Night". Thin Lizzy meets traditional heavy metal.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/09/gypsy-chief-goliath-new-machines-of.html

8)Intöxicated – "Rock 'N Roll Hellpatröl". Dirty and mean rock and roll!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/03/intoxicated-rock-n-roll-hellpatrol.html 

9)The Sterling Sisters-"Hale". Excellent Dark Americana!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-sterling-sisters-hale.html

10)Nightglow-"We Rise". Sensational heavy metal. Enough said!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/04/nightglow-we-rise.html

11)Shock-"Once Denied". Another comeback story of sorts from a Canadian power/thrash band.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/05/shock-once-denied.html

12)BornBroken-"The Healing Powers of Hate". Death/thrash that's meant to be played LOUD!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/05/bornbroken-healing-powers-of-hate.html

13)The Ragged Saints-"The Sound of Breaking Free". This one was actually the sound of a Finnish band proving that rock music is alive and well!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-ragged-saints-sound-of-breaking-free.html,

14)Hell-"Curse & Chapter". British metal with N.W.O.B.H.M. influences.
 http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/11/hell-curse-chapter.html

15)Tales Of Pain-"Into The Labyrinth". Heavy metal/melodic power metal band from Mexico that someone needs to sign ASAP!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/10/tales-of-pain-into-labyrinth.html 

16)Brutus-"Behind the Mountains". This is how you show love for seventies hard rock and heavy metal!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/05/brutus-behind-mountains.html

17)Stone Cold Kill-"Out For Blood". A young metal band that draws from Asomvel and Motörhead!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/12/stone-cold-kill-out-for-blood.html 

18)The Brink-"Would You Love Her". Rock and roll...
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/02/chosen-resolution.html 

19)Lucid Dreams-"Lucid Dreams". And this is how you show love for all things AOR, hard rock and heavy metal!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/11/lucid-dreams-lucid-dreams.html

20)Promiscuity-"Basic Instinct". This digital EP offered some of the best sleazy, blackened speed metal of the year! Another band that should be snapped up and singed!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/10/promiscuity-basic-instinct.html

21)Stellar Master Elite-"II: Destructive Interference Generator". Black metal, rock and roll and heavy metal all done up with class and style.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/09/stellar-master-elite-ii-destructive.html

22)Kryptos-"Coils Of Apollyon". Technically this was first released in 2012 before being re-released in 2013, but I'm making an exception as the combo of doom, thrash and traditional heavy metal/N.W.O.B.H.M. is just flat out wicked!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/07/kryptos-coils-of-apollyon.html
23)Eron-"Never Enough". Thrash rock with groove and a serious amount of attitude!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/11/eron-never-enough.html

24)Queen V-"The Best of Queen V". Hard rock/heavy metal with wondering female lead vocals!
 http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/06/queen-v-decade-of-queen-v.html

25)Ancients-"Heart Of Oak". Progressive metal influenced by Celtic Frost .
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Anciients-Heart+Of+Oak

26)Witch Cross-"Ax to Grind". A classic album from a classic heavy metal act.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/05/witch-cross-axe-to-grind.html

27)Satan-"Life Sentence". One of two release that Brian Ross was involved with that made this list! N.W.O.B.H.M for the uninitiated.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/05/satan-life-sentence.html

28)Blitzkrieg-"Back From Hell". And this is the other release from Brian Ross and, as with Satan, it's all about N.W.O.B.H.M. done right!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/12/blitzkrieg-back-from-hell.html

29)Against The Grain-"Surrounded By Snakes". Heavy metal/raw rock and roll that draws as much from Motörhead as it does from bands as diverse as C.O.C. and Metallica!
 http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/12/against-grain-surrounded-by-snakes_15.html

30)October 31-"Gone to the Devil". This 7" single showed that there was still plenty of life left in this great traditional heavy metal act!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/11/october-31-gone-to-devil-7-ep.html 

31)Lumbar-"The First and Last Days of Unwelcome". Phenomenal doom.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/11/lumbar-first-and-last-days-of-unwelcome.html

32)Chosen-"Resolution". This self-release would be a wonderful addition to the collections of Atheist and Cynic fans! 
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/02/chosen-resolution.html 

33)Blood Of Kings-"Starvation". A Seattle band providing proof-positive that killer speed/thrash can still be found if you just know where to look.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/08/blood-of-kings-starvation.html

34)Storm Warning-"Storm Warning". Never mind the fact that I got burned on ordering a copy of this cassette demo (no thanks to Heavy Merch who stiffed me for a tape and pin!) as this is still cool metal in the vein of Gotham City!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/05/storm-warning-storm-warning-demo.html

35)Beasto Blanco-"Live Fast Die Loud". Hard and heavy rock featuring current Alice Cooper bassist Chuck Garric. Endorsed by Johnny Depp of all people!
 http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/09/beasto-blanco-live-fast-die-loud.html

36)Naga-"Naga". A 2-track demo of incredibly slow doom.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/01/naga-naga.html

37)The Deep End-"Cop This". AC/DC love at it's best!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-deep-end-cop-this.html

38)Badmotorfinger-"It's Not The End". Hard rock? Rock and roll? Heavy metal? A little of everything really.
 http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/08/badmotorfinger-its-not-end.html

39)Free Fall-"Power & Volume". Swedish hard rock.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/06/free-fall-power-volume.html 

40)Serpent Crown-"Serpent Crown". Heavy power metal/thrash with insane female vocals!
 http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/07/serpent-crown-serpent-crown.html

41)To The Pain-"To The Pain". Bits of thrash and doom!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/07/to-pain-to-pain.html

42)Implosion Circle-"The Angry and Enraged". Groove heavy thrash.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/10/implosion-circle-angry-and-enraged.html

43)Palms-"Palms". Post-rock.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/06/palms-palms.html

44)Romero-"Take The Potion". Stoner rock goodness...
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/03/romero-take-potion.html

45)Legend-"The Dark Place". More N.W.O.B.H.M....
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/07/nwobhm-wednesday-legend-dark-place.html 

46)Norselaw-"Serpent In The Circling Sea". Punk heavy metal meets the N.W.O.B.H.M. movement?
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/08/norselaw-serpent-in-circling-sea.html 

47)Ghost Avenue-"Ghost Avenue". Melodic rock/hard rock, traditional metal and N.W.O.B.H.M. influences.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/09/ghost-avenue-ghost-avenue.html

48)Turbo Lovers-"Hopelessly Addicted". I was hopelessly addicted to this Ohio heavy metal band and their cool blend of AC/DC, Motörhead, Green Day and The Dead Boys!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/12/turbo-lovers-hopelessly-addicted.html 

49)Dogs Of Delphi-"Irons In The Fire". Kansas City stoner rock/heavy metal with a mad case of the blues!  http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/10/dogs-of-delphi-irons-in-fire.html

50) Lucid Skies-"Hounds". Classic hardcore meets a more metallic version of Pantera.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/11/lucid-skies-hounds.html

51) Stiletto Farm-"Bad Reception/Strawberry Sundae Red". A 2-track release from a sleazy UK hard rock/heavy metal band that isn't afraid to acknowledge their punk rock outlook on life while simultaneously doing their best to re-imagine Twister Sister  as a modern day garage rock band!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/12/stiletto-farm-bad-receptionstrawberry.html
52) Seremonia-"Ihminen". Seventies rock/acid rock with flutes!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/09/seremonia-ihminen.html

53)End Of Green-"The Painstream". Dark rock, goth rock, etc.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/08/end-of-green-painstream.html

54)Fear Theories-"So It Begins". Traditional heavy metal, power metal and thrash metal that also draws from the likes of Clutch, Helmet and Prong.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/08/fear-theories-so-it-begins.html 

55)Ambush-"Demo Tape". A Stellar traditional heavy metal/N.W.O.B.H.M.-influenced band from Sweden. Should be signed to a major label right now otherwise something is very wrong with the state of modern record labels these days!
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/08/ambush-demo-tape.html

Zamboni-Zamboni

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Appropriately-enough formed in October of 2010, Zamboni is a punk-infused crossover/thrash metal band whose two founding members (Robert Orr-guitar, vox, mixing, engineering and Chris Butera-bass, vox, artwork) hail from Brooklyn, NY and Wantage, NJ. The self-titled "Zamboni" is this quirky band's first full-length album and it follows in the footsteps of 2013's "Sucks! The Stupid EP" and a couple of releases from 2011*. On this flat-out fun (!) nine-track album we're treated to a vast array of influences that range from thrash (Testament, Exodus, Kreator, Overkill, Megadeth, Lääz Rockit, Anthrax, and Forbidden) to crossover (The Accused, C.O.C., Suicidal Tendencies, M.O.D., Cryptic Slaughter, Leeway, and D.R.I. ) with a few cool odds and ends (Carnivore, Dead Kennedys, S.N.F.U., October 31, and The Ramones) tossed in for good measure! While "Zamboni" itself features a pair of guest drummers (and good ones at that!) in a live setting members Robert Orr and Chris Butera will utilize a drum machine from this point forward. That's neither here nor there really as "Zamboni" is the subject at hand and this is one hell of a groovy topic that you are going to want to invest time in over and over again! With great song titles like "Nuclear Hatred", "Brain Hemorrhage", "Norman Bates", "Killer Croc", "Stick em", and "World War Z" you should have a pretty good idea of what you're getting yourself into ahead of time, but just in case let's just say that a album like "Zamboni" could effortlessly sit between Slayer and S.O.D. in your collection! You can pre-order this short but sweet album by clicking on this link. Incidentally that same link will give you a chance to hear the awesome crossover/street metal number that is "The Greater Evil" and it's just one of many cool tunes that make up this highly-recommend debut album from Zamboni!


* In 2011 alone the band released a demo entitled "Blood on the Ice", the aptly-titled "Mother of the Resistance EP," and the self-explanatory album, "Live Stupidity". Zamboni's back-catalog can be downloaded for free by heading over to the group's bandcamp page that is provided below. 

Links:

https://zamboni.bandcamp.com/album/zamboni
https://www.facebook.com/Zamboni666
https://twitter.com/ZamboniMetal

Free Metal Monday: Hells Headbash Part 2

Hells Headbangers has this awesome 30+ track compilation available for free and you can you can find it here. Along with music from some of my key faves like Acid Witch, October 31 and High Spirits this utterly wicked comp. includes unreleased upcoming tracks from Satanic Warmaster, Profanatica, Abysmal Lord, Archgoat, Nyogthaeblisz, Bonehunter, Demonic Christ, Embalmer and Evil Army! All of which just makes me say "Wow!" as this is one rage-worthy download if ever there was one!! And yes, I do love that cover artwork!!!! Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!

Weekly Round-Up

Alright, seriously folks where does the time go! Wasn't it just the Friday after Thanksgiving? Did I blink and miss something? It seems more and more that with each new day my life is being lived with the fast-forward button duct-taped down. I just don't know how to explain the whirlwind weeks anymore! But anyway, I did get more done this past week then I thought possible so let's look ahead to see what's planned for the new week. I still owe a review of of October 31's re-release of "Meet Thy Maker". I'm hoping to get that done by Saturday morning. Otherwise, look for reviews of D.D.T., Sideburn, Legion Of The Damned, Unicorn and Pretty Wild. In addition I'll have an interview with Romanian band Dirty Shirt and (no promises) I will shoot for a Forgotten Gem as well! Until this time next week remember to live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment you're given. And, as always, live it all Loud and Proud!!!!!

Weekly Round-Up

Greetings! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you were able to spend it surrounded by the love of family and friends. Yesterday it was just my children and my parents and it was more then enough love-wise and enjoyment-wise. There was turkey with all of the fixings and plenty of Strongbow and white wine to go around. Add in afternoon coffee and pumpkin pie as well as football and falling asleep by the second game and it was a very productive day I'd say! I do hope that all of you had as good a time as I did. As for this upcoming week? Well, I can't make any promises, but I do hope to finish up some drafts I have started on albums by the likes of Iron Mask, Truth Corroded and Dirty Shirt. Also, besides the Wargasm demo collection pictured above, I may try to cover some re-releases from October 31. And I still need to try to get around to the new releases from Satan's Host and Borrowed Time! Wow, as I type all of that I suddenly realize that my post-Thanksgiving plate is overflowing! I better get started asap if I hope to squeeze it all in!

Free Metal Monday: Hells Headbangers-Compilation vol. 7

Home to such acts as High Spirits, Witch Cross, Tiger Junkies and Midnight (all of which, besides being  fave moments of mine/bands we've covered here at HMTM, are included on this wicked awesome digital compilation!) Hells Headbangers is a label that covers a lot of ground (genre-wise) not only with it's roster of artists, but on track-wise on "Compilation vol. 7". This freebie is simply the latest cool compilation from this very cool label and besides the already mentioned four acts this 21-track release features the likes of October 31, Children Of Technology, Nunslaughter, Cemetery Lust, Evilnight, Nocturnal Graves and Zemial! You can find it here: http://hellsheadbangers.bandcamp.com/album/free-compilation-vol-7  and, if that's not enough excitement for you, you can preview/download the previously released compilations here: http://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/freeoffers.asp