The Dark (Metal Church)

While it is not quite in the realm of such albums as "Reign in Blood" and "Master of Puppets," this album is another one of the many reasons why 1986 was one of the best years in metal history. Like many of the other thrash metal bands at the time, most of the album's lyrics have themes of politics, war, and violence. What truly made this band unique were the trademark screeching vocals of the late David Wayne. Unfortunately, this album would be the last featuring him (until the late 90's), as he went on to form the band Reverend.

Ton of Bricks: As with many thrash albums, the opener is a fast relentless number. This song in particular features a cool introduction, some awesome riffs, mindblowing solos, nicely delivered verses and choruses, and more all in exactly three minutes...
9 out of 10

Start the Fire: There's something about this song that seems to make it (intentionally) humorous. I'm guessing it's either the song's slightly by-the-numbers structure or the incredibly goofy lyric "I just love to see my parents flee..." While it probably deserves an 8 or a 9, I'm giving it a 10 for its cool riffs, strong drumming, and general catchiness.
10 out of 10

Method to Your Madness: Another by-the-numbers track, although this one is nowhere near as cheesy. Standouts include a seemingly lighter tone, some nice vocals, some cool riffs, and a good chorus. The lyrics on this one are particularly interesting and are about the life and times of a soldier in combat.
9 out of 10

Watch the Children Pray: Perhaps the band's most famous song and the best on the album. Like some of Metallica's old ballads, you could consider this to be a ballad though it has several moments of heaviness. Highlights of this one include the atmospheric intro, some passionately delivered vocals, awesome riffs (especially before the choruses), great drumming, and a nicely done song structure.
10 out of 10

Over My Dead Body: Let me just say that the main riff on this song sounds a bit the main riff of Metallica's "Master of Puppets" (or is it the other way around?). Other than that, the track features some other solid riffs and some particularly strong howls in the choruses.
7 out of 10

The Dark: With the exception of "Watch the Children Pray," this may be the darkest track on the album. It is also noteworthy for its dramatic introduction, cool verses, some great riffs, and an unusual but catchy chorus. The lyrics kinda remind me of Annihilator "Alice in Hell" and describe a speaker who is paranoid about demons "lurking in the dark."
10 out of 10

Psycho: The album's quality slightly dips for the last few songs. This may be the weakest track on here, but it still has a few cool moments. Highlights include an interesting structure, some good riffs, and some more interestingly done shrieks.
7 out of 10

Line of Death: A nice thrashy track much like the fifth number. The verses are particularly cool and the chorus is interesting as well. Lyrically, the song is about the paranoia at the time due to the Cold War.
8 out of 10

Burial at Sea: I suppose you could consider this to be another one of the album's epics. The theme of the lyrics seems to be about blind conformity using a doomed voyage as a nice little metaphor. I feel that this could've been better and seems to lack a certain spark that's present on some of the other songs, particularly during its chorus.
8 out of 10

Western Alliance: Musically and lyrically, the song brings to mind Metallica's "Damage Inc." Musically, it is basically another thrasher with some interesting noises during the solo section (I've read that the sounds were made by a folding chair...). Lyrically, it is another of those songs calling for revolution and all that.
8 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 86 out of 100, 86%, and 4 stars. It has a slightly dated sound but it's worth the purchase for old school metal fans.

Bonded by Blood (Exodus)

This is another one of those albums I've been meaning to review for quite some time now, as it is widely seen as one of the greatest thrash albums of all time. Like most of the other thrash metal debuts, the production on this album is quite raw and the lyrics deal with the standard topics of death, destruction, and the Devil. Along with all of that, the shrieks and wails of (the late) vocalist Paul Baloff make this album a bit of an acquired taste.

Bonded by Blood: After a short dramatic build-up, we get to the album's first thrasher. This one features a nice introduction, a great main riff, nicely done drumming, awesome verses and choruses, some awesome solos, and probably the best vocals on the album. The lyrics detail the (presumably fictional) events occuring at a metal concert. A classic track.
10 out of 10

Exodus: A track that got me a few more listens to get into. Basically, it is another thrasher much like the opener. Some particular highlights include some strong riffs, some unusual sounding vocals (for Baloff anyway...), and a really awesome chorus that's pretty fun to sing along to.
9 out of 10

And Then There Were None: We now go to a more mid-tempo track featuring a nifty drum pattern, a cool main riff, some nice sing-along verses and choruses, and a really cool solo section. The lyrics are your typical "end of the world" variety. Amusing how such a serious topic has become a metal cliche...
9 out of 10

A Lesson in Violence: Another one of the faster tracks featuring some cool riffs, great riffs, and another awesome chorus. Lyrically, it's basically your typical "don't fuck with me" song; only it doesn't sound whiny at all...
9 out of 10

Metal Command: To quote Baloff "this track is a fast one, but aren't they all?" This is probably one of the more accessible tracks featuring lighter guitar riffs (though still pretty fast), and some catchy verses and choruses.
9 out of 10

Piranha: My favorite track on the album. This one makes use of a nice drum introduction, cool sounding riffs, great verses, an interesting chorus, and an awesome solo section that features the whammy bar fetish popularly associated with early Slayer. To hear a really awesome version of the song, check this out (http://youtube.com/watch?v=igt5uzPieCQ&mode=related&search). This version is made particularly memorable by Baloff's fun stage banter and the extended guitar solo played by Gary Holt.
10 out of 10

No Love: Probably the album's slowest song. This one features a cool (though slightly cliched) accoustic introduction, more great riffs, a neat chorus, more awesome solo section, and a really awesome last verses featuring some particularly demonic vocals in the background. The lyrics seem to be a narrative describing a sadistic speaker and his latest sacrifice.
10 out of 10

Deliver Us to Evil: At over seven minutes long, this is the album's epic track. Like many epics, it has several different riffs and tempo changes. I particularly enjoy the introduction, several of the riffs, and its particularly cool chorus. The lyrics basically depict a battle between Heaven and Hell. By the looks of things, Hell seems to be winning... It is a great song, though it doesn't quite have the same flame as the previous tracks.
9 out of 10

Strike of the Beast: Unfortunately, the last song doesn't quite match up with the other songs on here. It is still pretty good and features an interesting main riff. The lyrics are also intriguing and describe the plights of a demonic figure.
8 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 83 out of 90, 92%, and 4.5 stars. I'd say that this is the band's greatest album and one that surely hold its own against such thrash classics as "Ride the Lightning" and "Rust in Peace." The only flaw I'd say the album has is that it gets a little generic every now and then. Poseurs beware...

Danzig III: How the Gods Kill (Danzig)

If you bought this album expecting some of the bluesy hard rock similar to the first two albums, you may be in for quite a shock. The blues influence is still there in a way, although the hard rock has been replaced by crushing metal and dark atmospherics. I think this may be the best album of the band's career and one where the line-up displayed the greatest chemistry, especially considering vocalist Glenn Danzig.

Godless: This may be the greatest track Danzig ever put out. It is an epic track that goes into several different moods in the course of nearly seven minutes. The highlights include the horrifying introduction, dark contrasts between the slow and fast sequences, absolutely amazing bellows by Danzig, some mind-blowing riffs, cool drumming, and a sermon-like speech delivered by Danzig that truly adds to the song's dark atmosphere.
10 out of 10

Anything: It's certainly no epic, but this track has its fair share of theatrics. The first minute and a half is almost like a ballad with its softer riffs and some beautiful croons. The rest of the song shows off some heavier riffs and stronger vocals. I particularly enjoy the lyrics on this one, as they basically describe a speaker willing to offer anything to an unknown listener. It brings to mind Black Sabbath's "NIB."
9 out of 10

Bodies: One of the bluesier tracks on the album and one of the rare moments in which bassist Eerie Von gets a nice chance to shine. The entire band really shines on this piece and each part seems to give the song some cool layers. The main riff sounds similar to one of the riffs used by Led Zeppelin on their song "How Many More Times." The lyrics are also interesting as they seem to be about some sort of soul fighter...
10 out of 10

How the Gods Kill: A track similar to the beginning of "Anything" with a heavy riff that has been compared to the main riff of "Twist of Cain." The vocals on this one are especially good. Also, the lyrics are interesting and seem to describe a speaker with an urge to achieve greater power, perhaps a prequel to the lyrics found on "Anything."
9 out of 10

Dirty Black Summer: I believe this was the song chosen as the album's main single. This was also the first Danzig song I ever heard, as I watched a video of it on VH1's "Metal Mania" station a few years back. Musically, it is a slight plodder with a cool main riff and an interesting chorus.
9 out of 10

Left Hand Black: One of the fastest and heaviest tracks on the album, perhaps second only to the opener. This one features some particularly awesome riffs, strong bellows, cool drumming, and a great chorus. The lyrics on this portray some dark imagery and feature some pretty weird sounding lines ("Kinda like a dog with seven pupils in its eye...").
9 out of 10

Heart of the Devil: Another bluesy number, although this one is more similar to the style used on such tracks as "She Rides" with a dark twist. This track features a cool main riff and some vocals. It's a bit more shallow than some of the other songs on here, but it's still a great track.
9 out of 10

Sistinas: The album's true ballad and one that features some eerie synths, some of Danzig's best vocals, and plenty of musical layers. The lyrics are a bit similar to the ones on "Anything" and the chorus's lyrics seem to be taken straight out of "End of Time" off of the debut...
10 out of 10

Do You Wear the Mark: Another heavy track featuring some great riffs, some cool drumming, and a great chorus. The lyrics also seem to make a reference to Cain.
9 out of 10

When the Dying Calls: One of the ploddier tracks that has an interesting sounding riffs and vocals. I don't think there's too much else to say about it, but it's still a cool sounding song.
8 out of 10

This album gets 92 out of 100, 92%, and 4.5 stars. As previously stated, this is easily the band's magnum opus and one that is highly recommended to purchase. I'd make it your second or third album buy though, and it adds on to the surprise and darkness of the work.

Tattooed Millionaire (Bruce Dickinson)

Dickinson's first solo album was released in 1990 while he was still a member of Iron Maiden. Of course, the sound is dramatically different than the epic metal he recorded beforehand with Maiden and in his three most recent solo albums. In hindsight, this album's style and tone seem to set up for the sound that would appear on Maiden's next album "No Prayer for the Dying." Musically, it has an almost hair metal tone and some slightly more accessible song structures. The album is also noteworthy for featuring the guitar playing talents of Janick Gers, who would later replace Adrian Smith during Maiden's 90's era...

Son of a Gun: This track is probably the most like Maiden you're going to get on this album. Musically, it features some nice accoustic riffs, strong vocals, and a heavy chorus. From how I interpret the lyrics, they seem to be about a mass murderer. The song also features the immortal line "Take me to Jesus with Judas my guide," which was made ironic by the song "Judas Be My Guide" released by Maiden in 1992...
9 out of 10

Tattooed Millionaire: Like most of Dickinson's future title tracks, this one is easily a classic. Musical highlights include some catchy riffs and vocals, nicely done verses, a few cool solos, and a standard sing-along chorus. The lyrics are a satirical look on the glam metal scene that was popular at the time (though not for much longer...). The lyrics are also ironic on this one, given the song's almost poppy tone.
10 out of 10

Born in '58: While it's not quite a ballad, it has a rather mellow tone. The highlights of this one are the nicely done vocals, the mellow and slightly subdued mood, and the cool chorus. The lyrics are somewhat autobiographic and seem to reflect upon Dickinson's childhood.
7 out of 10

Hell on Wheels: This is another hard rock track, although it's lighter than some of the other songs on here. Musical highlights include a nice riff, some rapidly delivered vocals, and a nice chorus.
7 out of 10

Gypsy Road: I'd consider this to be the album's main ballad. The song doesn't exactly stand out but the chorus kinda reminds me of the one that appears on "Accident of Birth" (the title track).
7 out of 10

Dive! Dive! Dive!: One of my favorite songs on the album. The style is similar to the one found on the title track. Due to the hard rock inspired riffs and Dickinson's raspy delivery, I could almost imagine AC/DC performing this song. Other highlights include the nice vocal parts and the cool chorus. The lyrics are basically about submarine combat and seem to have a bit of innuendo in them...
10 out of 10

All the Young Dudes: A cover of the famous David Bowie song of the same name. I never would've suspected Bowie being an influence on Dickinson's sound... While the addition of this track seems to have a bit of filler intent, the version does do the track some justice.
7 out of 10

Lickin' the Gun: One of the sleazier tracks on the album. This track features a nice main riff and an interesting chorus. The lyrics seem a bit of fun at politicians and some of the censorship laws.
7 out of 10

Zulu Lulu: The style of this track always brings to mind a classic rock song. Musical highlights include some nice riffs, a few cool vocal harmonies, and a catchy chorus. The lyrics are basically of the one night stand type and seem to have a rather humorous tone (although I'd say about all of the album does...).
8 out of 10

No Lies: Another track that is similar to some of Iron Maiden's material. The introduction has been compared to Maiden's "Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter" and the title makes me think of "No More Lies..." Other highlights include a really catchy chorus and some nice riffs.
8 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 80 out of 100, 80%, and 4 stars. This is a good album to get for fans of Bruce Dickinson and glam metal. It's also an album you can get for a rather low price for if you can find it... It's nothing like "The Chemical Wedding," but it's still a fun listen.

Cryptic Writings (Megadeth)

This is easily one of the band's more unusual albums. Like the two previous releases ("Countdown to Extinction" and "Youthanasia") and the follow-up ("Risk"), it continues the slight commercialization of Megadeth's sound. It features a nice variety of styles musically including ballads, radio friendly hard rock, some electronic effects, and even a few thrashers that are sure to please even the older fans. Lyrically, it continues the band's more personal themes but also include a few moments of social commentary as well (though NOTHING like what would appear on such future efforts as "United Abominations...").

Trust: The album opens with an epic ballad, a rare start for this band. Let me just this is a modern classic and a song that has stayed on Megadeth's live set to this day. It is a break-up song but it's not as extreme as say "Loved to Deth." Musical highlights include an awesome drum introduction, some nicely done orchestrations throughout (especially during the solo section), some great vocals, strong verses, and an uplifting chorus.
10 out of 10

Almost Honest: After the opener, we now get a track that's practically hard rock. The upbeat tone of the song probably annoys several people, but I still enjoy the track. The song's highlights include some strong bass playing, a catchy main riff, and a nicely executed sing-along chorus. The lyrics continue the break-up theme shown on "Trust." Only this time, the story is told from the prespective of a remorseful breaker.
9 out of 10

Use the Man: Another ballad track and one of the more interesting songs lyrically. Dave Mustaine has stated that he wrote a song about a guy he heard about who overdosed on heroin just before he was about to quit. The song has also been interpreted as being about Mustaine himself... Musical highlights include an interesting sample of the song "Pins and Needles" by the Searchers, some accoustic and electric riffs, some eerie orchestral effects, and a great chorus.
8 out of 10

Mastermind: One of the bizarre tracks on the album with some electronic influences musically and lyrically. Musically, it features some great riffs, awesome bass playing, some unusual electronic effects on the vocals throughout the song, a very weird chorus, and Mustaine's screams at the end of the song are pretty amusing too... The lyrics are basically about the theme of dehumanization due to excessive use of the Internet (...stops and stares at the laptop...).
8 out of 10

The Disintegrators: If you bought this album and wanted to hear some balls to the wall thrash metal, then this may be the song for you. The lyrics aren't quite as thought provoking as past thrashers, but they definately sound pretty badass. Apparently, he thought of them while he was pissed off and waiting for traffic... It is musically noteworthy for featuring some incredible riffs, a strong vocal delivery, and a catchy pre-chorus and chorus. It seems to bring to mind "Poison was the Cure" in a way.
9 out of 10

I'll Get Even: When I first read the lyrics online, I was expecting a major thrasher. Instead, we get the third album's ballad, although it has a different feeling than some of the others. Musical highlights include a nice introduction, a heavy bass presence throughout the song, a nice chorus, some interesting verses, and the interesting lack of a guitar solo. The lyrics are basically about someone who has decieved by a friend and is plotting revenge...
7 out of 10

Sin: One of the more hard rock styled tracks on the album with a dark mid-tempo pace, a few cool solos, some dark vocals, and a nice song structure. The lyrics are some of Mustaine's most cryptic, and seem to be about a mass murderer.
8 out of 10

A Secret Place: Another bizarre track featuring a strange atmosphere, some nice use of distortion, and some catchiness in the verses and choruses. The lyrics have a similar theme of Judas Priest's "Beyond the Realms of Death," in which a man gets lost in his mind and is unable to escape...
7 out of 10

Have Cool, Will Travel: Is it me or does this seem to have a slight country influence in its tone? It certainly is an interesting track featuring some interesting harmonica here and there, a nice riff during the verses, and a nice chorus. The lyrics are a nice slice of social commentary and deal with the media's reactions towards violence in schools.
7 out of 10

She-Wolf: An album highlight featuring some Maiden-like gallops, some great vocals, a strong chorus, and a great solo section. The lyrics are some of the first fantasy themed lyrics penned by Mustaine since the days of "Rust in Peace." Another track that is deservingly a fan favorite.
10 out of 10

Vortex: A track that seems to combine the speed metal tendencies of "She-Wolf" with the weird distortion of "A Secret Place." As a result, the song's highlights include some nifty riffs and interesting sounding vocals. The lyrics on this one are also quite cryptic and include a nice occult reference or two.
8 out of 10

FFF: The album closes out with its fastest, heaviest track. Highlights of this one include some nice riffs, an interesting chorus, and a few cool solos. The lyrics deal with the popular topic of political revolution. I'm pretty sure the title stands for "Fight For Freedom."
7 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 98 out of 120, 82%, and 4 stars. It's obviously nothing like the early albums, but it's worth checking out for Megadeth fans that are more open minded. And it's certainly better than the next two albums that would follow...

Touched by the Crimson King (Demons and Wizards)

As you may or may not, Demons and Wizards is the side project of Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer and Blind Guardian vocalist Hansi Kursch. They released their debut album in 2000 to great acclaim (I believe it was even nominated for a German Grammy or two...). Due to their main projects, it would take five years before a follow-up was recorded and released.
The band makes use of Iced Earth's chugging riffs and of Blind Guardian's Queen-esque vocal harmonies. The band is made unique by a significently more upbeat tone, a few folk elements thrown in here and there, and lyrics based mostly upon literature.

Crimson King: The album opens right away with a strong epic track. Highlights of this one include some cool choral vocals throughout the song, a strong delivery by Hansi, an uplifting chorus, plenty of awesome riffs, and an almost folk-ish bridge after the second chorus. The lyrics are based upon the Crimson King, the main antagonist of Steven King's "Dark Tower" series, which much of the album's lyrics are based upon in some way or another.
10 out of 10

Beneath These Waves: A more mid-tempo track that features some nicely done riffs, passionate vocals, a nice pre-chorus, a moving chorus, and an interesting almost choral segment towards the end. The lyrics are based upon the famous novel "Moby Dick."
9 out of 10

Terror Train: Probably the heaviest track on the album. This song was also the one that was chosen as the album's single and was made into a music video as well. Musical highlights of this one are the awesome riffs, strong vocals, and an interesting pre-chorus and chorus. The lyrics are about Blaine the Mono, an antagonist in the third and fourth "Dark Tower" books. I don't know anything about the series, I just got this information from Wikipedia (although I've heard Anthrax are big fans of the series as well...).
9 out of 10

Seize the Day: The album's first mainly accoustic track, although it's not as emotional as the others. Lyrically, it has been said to either be about the protagonist's journey to the Dark Tower or about Sam and Frodo's journey to destroy the One Ring in "Lord of the Rings." Musical highlights include some nice accoustic riffs and a nicely done chorus.
8 out of 10

The Gunslinger: The second of the album's more epic tracks as it features a more dramatic introduction, some awesome chugging riffs, awesomely done vocals, and a really cool chorus. The lyrics on this one are based upon Roland of Gilead, the main protagonist of the "Dark Tower" series.
10 out of 10

Love's Tragedy Asunder: Lyrically, this is one of the more cryptic tracks on the album. My guess is that it is basically about two lovers who are forced to part from each other due to unfortunate circumstances (or maybe that's just me...). Musical highlights of this track include some beautiful accoustic guitar playing, emotional cello playing by special guest Krystyna Kolaczynski, an amazing chorus, and some nicely done soft/heavy trade-offs.
9 out of 10

Wicked Witch: The track that is the most often referred to as the weakest track on the album. It is basically another accoustic ballad, though it is significently lighter than the others. While the structure feels a little directionless, it features some great vocal harmonies. The lyrics are about the Wicked Witch of the West from "The Wizard of Oz." A very interesting topic for a metal band (Personally, I'd find it to be very amusing if a band like Pink Floyd wrote a song like this...).
8 out of 10

Dorian: While this one may be one of the most interesting songs lyrically, it may be the weakest track on the album. It does feature some decent riffs and a cool chorus. The lyrics are based upon the short story "The Picture of Dorian Gray," a most intriguing topic indeed...
8 out of 10

Down Where I Am: Easily my personal favorite track on the album. It is basically the album's last accoustic ballad and features some melancholic riffs, the most passionate vocals on the album, a few heavy parts towards the end of the song that greatly add to the atmosphere, and an absolutely amazing chorus. The true spotlight of the song is one the lyrics. From what I interpret, they are about the emotions of a father whose child may have been born physically or mentally handicapped. It truly is a tragic song that is made ironic by the fact that Schaffer actually became a father around the time this album came out...
10 out of 10

Immigrant Song: Obviously this song is a cover of the famous Led Zeppelin song of the same name. While "Down Where I Am" makes an astounding closer, this is still a great cover. Personally, I think the riffs give the song a more epic atmosphere and the vocals really add on to the Viking feeling to it. I'd say it's worth a listen and may even rival the original...
9 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 90 out of 100, 90%, and 4.5 stars. I consider this to be a very strong album and one that surely hold its own against some of the bands' best material. It isn't too hard to find either, as it should be available at your local Best Buy. Now if only I could find their debut album...

Kill 'Em All (Metallica)

While this isn't the band's best album, it is easily one of their most energetic efforts. While there are hints of the band's future sound in a few of the tracks, much of the album's style has been described as a combination of the bands Diamond Head and Motorhead. The album is also noteworthy for being the only Metallica album in which guitarist Kirk Hammett did not recieve any writing credits, as four of the tracks are co-written by Dave Mustaine before he was fired from the band...

Hit the Lights: The album begins with the first Metallica song ever written (actually written by vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield in a band known as Leather Charm). The song's tone kinda reminds me of "Ace of Spades" by Motorhead. Musical highlights include a cool introduction featuring some good drumming, a strong bass presence, some awesomely done riffs, great verses and choruses, and plenty of face melting.
9 out of 10

The Four Horsemen: Even in their early days Metallica had a few epic tracks. This track is memorable for its introduction, cool sounding riffs, catchy verses and choruses, some great solos, some great bass playing, and a neat sounding bridge. The track deserves a 9 or a 10, but ever since I had Megadeth's "Mechanix" (basically this song played even faster without the bridge...) this version feels way too slow...
8 out of 10

Motorbreath: One of the album's punkier tracks that is memorable for being the only Metallica song written entirely by Hetfield. This track is another one with a slightly Motorhead-esque feel to it musically and lyrically. The musical highlights include a cool introduction, some nicely done riffs, a great chorus (although Hetfield goes a bit off-key during the phrase "it's HOW I live my life..."). The lyrics are basically a glorification of life on the road.
9 out of 10

Jump in the Fire: One of the more accessible tracks on the album and probably one of the more bizarre. The song is at a slower pace than the rest of the album but it is quite energetic. Musical highlights include a great main riff, a catchy chorus, and some nice solos. Due to Mustaine co-writing this track (among several others on here), the verses kinda remind me of retro Megadeth in their structure.
9 out of 10

(Anesthetia) Pulling Teeth: Easily the best track on the album as it is basically a four minute bass solo by bass god Cliff Burton. It never gets boring due to Burton using some pretty effects pedals, some complicated sequences, and is eventually accompanied by drumming by Lars Ulrich. The beginning of the solo kinda reminds me of the guitar solo during Blue Oyster Cult's "(Don't Fear) the Reaper..."
10 out of 10

Whiplash: We now go back to some major thrashing. Highlights of this one include one of the best introductions on the album, an awesome flow during the verses, a catchy chorus, mind blowing riffs, and more awesome solos. The lyrics are similar to the ones on "Hit the Lights" and seem to also have some influence from Motorhead's "(We Are) the Road Crew" in the last verse (Ironically, Motorhead won a Grammy for their cover of this song...)
10 out of 10

Phantom Lord: Another one of the slightly more bizarre tracks on the album with an epic tone to it. The lyrics on this one are basically about metal monsters and all that type of stuff. Musical highlights include some interesting verses and riffs, a nice chorus, and a strangely mellow sequence in the solo section that would later be used by Megadeth on their song "This Was My Life..." Ironically, one of Hetfield's former bands was called Phantom Lord...
8 out of 10

No Remorse: Lyrically, this track is notable for being one of the band's first anti-war songs, a topic that would later be a major part of their sound. Musically, you could consider this to be another one of the album's epic tracks. Highlights include a nice introduction, a cool chorus, and some cool riffs.
8 out of 10

Seek and Destroy: The most commercial track on the album (despite it being the second longest on the album at 6:50...) and one that seems to be covered the most. Musical highlights of this one include the famous introduction, some great verses, and some catchy pre-choruses and choruses.
10 out of 10

Metal Militia: After having this album for over 3 years, I still cannot get into this song. It really feels like a mess both musically and lyrically. Lyrically, it is another one of those tracks about war and metal monsters and all that stuff. I'm not too sure if I can really forgive them for using the word "metalization" (is that even a word?). Musically, it feels rather incomplete although it has a few nice riffs and a neat chorus.
6 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 87 out of 100, 87%, and 4 stars. While it is a strong album, I wouldn't recommend it as a first purchase for the kid who's only heard "Enter Sandman..." It's certainly worth a buy for seasoned thrash fans if you don't have this album already...

Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (Iron Maiden)

Yet another classic album that was released in 1988 (I also find it funny that this is their seventh studio album...). Musically, this is a continuation of the sound found on the previous album "Somewhere in Time" which featured the slightly controversial bass and guitar synths. The songs on this album are also noticeably darker than any from that album.
This is one of Maiden's most unique effects lyrically. While several of the albums have themes within them, this is the only true concept album the band ever put out. The story told on this album is about the life of a tragic prophet known as the Seventh Son (based on the novel "Seventh Son" by Orson Scott Card.). Due to the cryptic nature of the lyrics, there are multiple ways to interpret the story. Unfortunately, this album would soon be the last to feature guitarist Adrian Smith until 2000's "Brave New World."

Moonchild: Easily one of the darkest songs the band has ever written both musically and lyrically. The story begins with Lucifer himself appearing to the Seventh Son's mother (not unlike how Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary...) and warning her about the destiny of her Seventh Son. He also makes the threat that her soul "shall be damned" if she tries to commit suicide. It is also during this time that "seven angels and seven demons battle for [the Seventh Son's] soul." Of course, it is made unclear who wins...
The track is made memorable for its introduction featuring some soft vocals backed by accoustic strums, the synth sequence after the beginning, the dark riffs, the snarling vocals, great bass playing, awesome verses, incredible choruses, and a solo section that sounds like an absolute nightmare. Overall, my personal favorite song on the album.
10 out of 10

Infinite Dreams: We now switch to the perspective of the Seventh Son's father, himself a Seventh Son, who is tormented by horrifying nightmares. Despite his fright and confusion, he is at the same time intrigued by their mysterious meaning.
Musically, this is a unique track featuring a slower first half with a dreamy introduction, well done vocals, an awesome solo section, and some pretty cool verses. Another one of my personal favorites.
10 out of 10

Can I Play With Madness: On this song, the Seventh Son's father visits a prophet to seek the meaning to his nightmares. Unfortunately, the prophet does not help him and even taunts him with a promise that "[his] soul's gonna burn in a lake of fire..."
This is one of the more commercial tracks on the album featuring a bizarrely upbeat tone, some interesting synths, some slightly bouncy verses, a catchy chorus, and a rather short solo section (for Maiden anyway...). It's still a great chorus song though.
9 out of 10

The Evil That Men Do: The final song told from the view of the Seventh Son's father and deals with the Seventh Son's conception. It is also made clear that his parents do love each other, but seems to separated by mysterious circumstances. Although the fate of the Seventh Son's father is made unclear, he promises to return to his lover...
This song is another one with a slightly commercial feel, but the tone of this one is much darker. Musical highlights of this include a cool introduction, some rapid verses, catchy pre-choruses and choruses, a wide vocal range, great riffs, and strong bass playing. A song that is deservingly a fan favorite.
10 out of 10

Seventh Son of a Seventh Son: The Seventh Son is finally born and, right away, the forces of Good and Evil try to "manipulate the use of his powers before it's too late."
While this song isn't quite in the ranks of some of the other title tracks, it is still pretty strong. Highlights of this one include a dark atmosphere, some strong vocals, a long solo section that features some spoken dialouge in the beginning and some choral sounds towards the end, synths that add on to the song's dark mood, and a chorus that is truly a mouthful...
9 out of 10

Prophecy: Some time later, the Seventh Son's powers become greater as he masters clairvoyance, healing, and the power of prediction. He also becomes aware of his destiny as the deciding factor in the battle of Good and Evil. In this song, he foresees an impending disaster that threatens the village he lives in. Though he tries to warn and save the villagers, his efforts are fruitless and the people even blame him for the disaster.
I'd say this track is one of the more unique on the album (despite about 20 other bands using "Prophecy" as a song title...). Highlights of this one include an eerie introduction, more awesome vocals, and some verses and choruses that have an interesting sound to them. Not exactly the catchiest song on here, but it's still quite strong.
8 out of 10

The Clairvoyant: On this song, the Seventh Son reflects on his life and the powers he has gained. Unfortunately, the Seventh Son is killed at the end of the song, but it is not made clear if he was the victim of his overwhelming powers or a victim of suicide...
This song is another one of the more commercial tracks on the album. The song is made memorable by a bass introduction that brings to mind "Innocent Exile," great riffs in the verses, nicely done vocals, and a great chorus.
9 out of 10

Only the Good Die Young: As the Seventh Son dies, we switch perspectives between him and the Devil. The Seventh Son is revealed to be just another stalemate in the battle of Good and Evil, and that is very likely to last for all eternity. Some of the metaphors they use in this song are pretty unique, while others are just bizarre ("The demon in your head will rape you in your bed at night?").
Musically, this track is made memorable by its galloping riffs, catchy pre-choruses and choruses, some interesting verses, a wide variety of vocals, and a repetition of the opener's introduction at the end of this song (Thus making the album one big circle...).
9 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 74 out of 80, 93%, and 4.5 stars. All in all, this is yet another classic Iron Maiden album and one that is easily the Top 5. If you call yourself a Maiden fan and don't have this album, then I can only hope it's because of budget problems...

Back in Black (AC/DC)

Hard to believe that this is my 100th review. I figured I'd do something special for it.
This is the first real album I ever bought. This was the album that got me interested in hard rock and metal. This was the album that inspired me to be a musician. Before I purchased this album, my CD of choice was the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack (Don't ask...).
As you may or may not know, this album was written and recorded in the wake a major tragedy. A few months prior to the album's release, vocalist Bon Scott passed out after a drinking binge and choked to death on his own vomit (although there are a bunch of other theories...). The band decided to carry on in his memory and managed to hire vocalist Brian Johnson, whose trademark shriek truly sets him apart from any other hard rock/metal singers. Given that the album has sold over 20 million copies in the United States alone, I'd say that this is one of the rare cases in which the infamous Lead Singer Switch actually works (are you taking notes, Van Halen?)...

Hell's Bells: Quite possibly the greatest album opener ever recorded. The track is famous for a dark yet infectious atmosphere, dramatic introduction, triumphant riffs, excellent verses and choruses, some sweet solos, demonic vocals, and the use of a bell so foreboding that it sounds as if it is being rung by the Dark Lord himself... All in all, one of the album's many classics and one that I'm pretty sure everyone knows.
10 out of 10

Shoot to Thrill: Movies seem to always play this track when there's a scene with a car chase (like that god-awful "Dukes of Hazzard" for example...). This one does work well with its energetic pace, awesome riffs, great solos, and a nicely done chorus.
9 out of 10

What Do You Do For Money Honey: The next two tracks have a bit of an upbeat vibe compared to the opening tracks. This one features a great introduction, nicely done riffs, a great chorus, and some nice solos. The lyrics are also worth a mention as they are basically about a speaker who keeps on putting down a gold digger... Probably the wittiest lyrics the band wrote outside of the Bon Scott era (Lyrically, that man is just about unbeatable...).
9 out of 10

Givin' the Dog a Bone: It is another great song, though it may be the weakest song on the album. This song has more great riffs and solos. The biggest flaw of this track is that the chorus is a bit too repetitive...
8 out of 10

Let Me Put My Love Into You: The slowest song on the album, but nowhere near a ballad (I'm pretty sure AC/DC has only recorded one of those...). For some reason, the song's atmosphere always brings to mind a trucker or someone struggling with insomnia. Other musical highlights include the nice riffs and a cool chorus. The song's lyrics and title are also noteworthy, as they secured a spot for the band on the PRMC's infamous Filthy Fifteen list...
10 out of 10

Back in Black: Another track that everyone seems to know. Musical highlights of this one include a catchy main riff, an awesome solo section, an awesome chorus, and some rapid vocals that are almost rap-like...
10 out of 10

Shook Me All Night Long: I'm pretty sure I've heard this song at every high school dance I've ever been to... The tone of this one is noticeably lighter than the rest of the album but it still features a nice introduction, some great riffs, vocals on a slightly lower register, a great chorus, and annother awesome solo. It is a "love song" lyrically, but how many "love songs" have you heard where it's NOT about lustful intercourse? Honestly?
9 out of 10

Have a Drink on Me: We now return to a style similar to the third and fourth tracks. This one features some great riffs and a nice chorus. The lyrics are basically an ode to drinking like a fish, which is odd given the previously stated circumstances. The lyrics are probably the main reason why this song was featured in the movie "Beerfest..."
9 out of 10

Shake a Leg: This track is one of the more overlooked ones on the album. I enjoy it for its slower beginning, almost angry verses, great riffs, and the heavy chorus.
9 out of 10

Rock 'n' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution: Probably one of the album's most unique tracks musically as it features a more mellow beginning with a spoken stanza, some heavy riffs with a strong blues vibe, some great vocals, and an awesome chorus.
10 out of 10

Overall, the album gets 93 out of 100, 93%, and 4.5 stars. This album really only has 2 flaws: 1) some of the tracks are so horribly overplayed, you just might want to kill yourself (Hell, this album is stored in the same part of my brain as Christmas music...).
2) All of the poseurs who call themselves fans of the band (even though they've probably only heard of this album and maybe 5 other songs at the most...) who wear those shirts featuring this album may give you a really bad taste in your mouth...
Despite its flaws, the album truly deserves its title of being an influential masterpiece. After just a few listens, you are guaranteed to be singing along to the songs on the album with a horrible sounding falsetto... Hell, you probably know half the song anyway...

High Voltage (AC/DC)

AC/DC's discography is a little complicated in its beginning. Before making it big in the rest of the world, they released 2 albums in Australia known as "High Voltage" and "TNT." For their first international album released in 1976, they basically combined the two albums. 7 of the songs on here are from "TNT" and the other two are from "High Voltage." A few of the other original "High Voltage" tracks have been made available in the United States due to the release of the EP "74 Jailbreak," but a number of songs are still only available in Australia (although I wonder iTunes is doing some pretty amazing things these days...). Just thought I'd clear that up, let's get to the review...

It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll): The album opens with a pure classic. The lyrics are basically about the difficulty to find success in the entertainment industry (ironically, this song gets covered a lot...). Musical highlights of this track are the awesome riffs, nicely done verses, a catchy chorus, and a solo section featuring trade-offs between the guitars and bagpipes played by the late vocal god Bon Scott.
10 out of 10

Rock 'n' Roll Singer: One of the album's more fun tracks, as it is basically about someone who has a dream to "be a roll 'n' roll singer." This one has some particularly nice verses, a good chorus, and a sense of humor thoughout.
8 out of 10

The Jack: One of the slower and bluesier tracks on the album. From what I've read, the lyrics were inspired by a groupie who claimed that a member of the band gave her an STD. The lyrics are even funnier live... The music of this one features strong bass, great riffs, some shining vocals, an infectious chorus, cool solos, and the sound of boos and hisses as the song is finished...
10 out of 10

Live Wire: The longest track featuring a nice chorus, some cool riffs, nice vocals, and some great solos. The lyrics are about the standard topic of a man's badassness (I still don't think that's a word...). A good song and one that may be one of the band's more overlooked.
8 out of 10

TNT: Probably the album's best known track. This track is made famous by the colossal main riff, catchy verses and choruses, the cool solos, and the catchy "Oi!" chants throughout the song. The lyrics are pretty much of a continuation of the theme of the previous track.
10 out of 10

Can I Sit Next to You, Girl: I believe that this is one of the band's oldest songs, as a version of it was recorded with original vocalist Dave Evans in 1974. This one is memorable for its cool riffs, some nice verses, and a nice chorus.
9 out of 10

Little Lover: A track that may even bluesier than "The Jack." This and the following track were the tracks from the original"High Voltage" album. Musical highlights of this one are the sleazy riffs, an interesting chorus, strong lead and backing vocals, and some strong drumming.
8 out of 10

She's Got Balls: Probably the weakest track on the album, but it's still pretty good. The title is particularly amusing, and the lyrics were written for Scott's wife. This one has some nice riffs and a chorus that is quite humorous in its delivery.
8 out of 10

High Voltage: While it's not the best song on here, it does have potential to become a classic and still remains on the band's live set. Highlights of this one include the great main riff, the catchy chorus, an upbeat tone (although I suppose most of the album has that), and some nice solos.
8 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 79 out of 90, 88%, and 4 stars. Even in their beginning, AC/DC could still churn out classics in their trademark energetic delivery. This would eventually comes to be the stepping stone from which even more classics ascended. A good buy for new fans as well.

2112 (Rush)

While they're not exactly a metal band, Rush was truly the band that paved the way for such bands as Queensryche and Dream Theater. They are widely recognized for their amazing technical abilities (especially drummer Neil Peart) and their well thought out lyrics (written by Peart...). While there are a wide variety of topics in the lyrics, individual plays a major theme in some spots.

2112: Unlike many other artists, Rush decided to open the album with the 20 minute title track (instead of close with it). Due to the fact that the song is divided into seven different sections, I will review each section specifically...

I: Overture: With the exception of one sung line towards the end, the entire movement is instrumental. Musical highlights include some cool keyboards at the beginning of the song, some nice riffs, and several different moods. Apparently, there is a snippet of the "1812 Overture" hidden in this song somewhere...
9 out of 10

II: The Temples of Syrinx: In this song, we are introduced to "the priests of the Temples of Syrinx." Basically, they are the group that controls the Solar Federation and oversees everything that is part of their 22nd century society. Musical highlights of this movement include some heavy riffs, some strong shrieks courtsey of bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee, and a nicely done chorus.
10 out of 10

III: Discovery: This movement is where the story truly begins. We cut to an unnamed narrator, who finds an old guitar in a cave one day. He is amazed by the device (apparently, there are no guitars in 2112...) and begins to tinker with it a bit. He ends up creating music that is entirely different than the music approved by the Temples and, expecting praise, rushes to tell the Priests of his discovery.
Musically, this part shines in its uniqueness. Backed by the sound of the waterfall, this track is a more mellow movement that turns the spotlight on the soft vocals of the narrator and his guitar tinkerings. At first, the playing is more simple but eventually becomes more complex as the song goes on. Truly one of the epic's big highlights.
10 out of 10

IV: Presentation: When he presents the guitar to the Priests at the Temple, the results are quite different than what the narrator had predicted. Instead of praising him, the Priests abhor his discovery. They then destroy the instrument, citing that "it doesn't fit the plan" of the Solar Federation...
Musically, it is another heavy part similar to the second movement. This song is made unique by the contrasting vocals and music during the verses and choruses. The verses, delivered by the narrator, are lighter musically and more tender in the vocal delivery. The choruses, delivered by the Priests, are heavy musically and filled with piercing shrieks.
10 out of 10

V: Oracle (The Dream): Shocked and dismayed by his rejection, the narrator returns back to the cave where he found the guitar. He eventually falls asleep there and has a dream where he meets an oracle who takes him to a location where "The Elder Race still learn and grow." He is amazed to see the serenity of the world around him, but is depressed when he realizes that it is just a dream...
Musically, this is probably the most varied movement (besides the overture) featuring a mellow, dreamy beginning and some heavier verses afterwards.
10 out of 10

VI: Soliloquy: A few days later, the narrator is still depressed. he is obsessed with his dream and feels that he cannot go for another day living in the world the Solar Federation created. He then commits suicide, in hopes of traveling to the world in his dream...
Musically, most of this album is more of the mellow type of stuff as the narrator softly laments. The song becomes heavier as he ends his life and then fades into the final movement...
8 out of 10

VII: Grand Finale: The epic closes out with another instrumental, only this one is much heavier and faster. Musical highlights include a beginning riff that kinda sounds like the main riff of AC/DC's "High Voltage," some other cool riffs, and some creepy processed vocals towards the end.
The ending of the song is quite confusing lyrically. There are 2 arguments for it. One, the Elder Race has returned to retake control from the Solar Federation or two, the Solar Federation has tightened their grip even tighter on the glaxy. I suppose the real question is if the glass is half full of half empty...
9 out of 10

Overall, the epic gets 67 out of 70, which rounds up to a 10 out of 10.

A Passage to Bangkok: After the title track's lyrical seriousness, we now get to hear a few more light hearted numbers. Lyrically, you could consider this to be a nice ode to smoking weed. Musical highlights of this one include an upbeat tempo, a subtle but catchy chorus, and the appearance of the infamous "Turning Japanese" riff (although this came out a few years beforehand)...
8 out of 10

The Twilight Zone: You could consider this song to be the filler of the album. I've read that this track only took a day to write and record. Musical highlights include a subdued chorus and some interesting verses. The lyrics are events taking place in the Twilight Zone that range from meeting a man with three eyes and being the "brand new toy" of "a giant boy." It may be filler, but it's still pretty amusing...
7 out of 10

Lessons: This is one of the only Rush songs in which the lyrics are written by guitarist Alex Lifeson. The song's basic theme seems to be about learning from your mistakes and all that. Musically, it has an interesting chorus, some strong wails, and a few cool riffs here and there.
7 out of 10

Tears: The standard ballad of the album with lyrics written by Lee. It is basically a love song featuring some tender vocals, a nice chorus, and keyboards played by famous artist Hugh Syme.
8 out of 10

Something for Nothing: Not too much shines about this one musically besides its uplifting chorus. The spotlight is on the lyrics of this piece. I find the theme to be similar to the one of the title track, as it is basically a piece that encourages the listener to seize the day and all that.
8 out of 10

Overall, this track gets 48 out of 60, 80%, and 4 stars. The biggest flaw of the album is that the five remaining songs are greatly overshadowed by the stunning title track. Having said that, this album also proved to be the big breakthrough the band had hoped for, and would be followed by even greater endeavors...

Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd (Lynyrd Skynyrd)

I don't really know too much too much about Southern rock. I do know that this is a pretty strong album. The band seems to have great chemistry and are good songwriters. Much of the band's strength lies upon the guitar trio (a technique later put to use by such bands as Iron Maiden...), the strong bass playing, and the sly lyrics and delivery of vocalist Ronnie Van Zant.

I Ain't the One: Opening the album is a nice little featuring an interesting riff, some nice piano playing, and a nice chorus. From what I can interpret, the lyrics seem to be about a speaker who is apparently accused of getting a woman pregnant...
8 out of 10

Tuesday's Gone: The album's first ballad and one that features some well done vocals, some great riffs, a slow pace, and a nice chorus. The lyrics are about the end of a relationship and the speaker getting onto a train, perhaps as an attempt to forget about his past.
8 out of 10

Gimme Three Steps: Probably my favorite song on the album and one I seem to hear on the radio the most. Musical highlights include some nice riffs, a cool introduction, some nicely vocals, some nice bass parts, and catchy verses and choruses. The lyrics are also quite amusing and are about a speaker who dances "with a girl named Linda Lou" and soon faces the wrath of her "big and bad" boyfriend...
10 out of 10

Simple Man: The album's second ballad and another one of the album's best. This one features some of the best vocals on the album and a really strong chorus. The lyrics on this one are basically about a mother giving advice to her son on how he should live his life. A few of the lines are a tad predictable but it's a well done piece.
9 out of 10

Things Goin' On: One of the more mellow tracks on the album but it's nowhere near a ballad. The track is made memorable by a nice bass groove, some great piano playing, and some nice jam segments. The lyrics are also interesting as they seem to deal with segregation, not exactly the safest of topics when you're a Southern rock band...
8 out of 10

Mississippi Kid: As evidenced by the title, this one seems to have some strong Delta blues influence. Highlights of this one include a dry tone, some nice guitar playing, and the fitting use of harmonica.
8 out of 10

Poison Whiskey: One of the album's more overlooked tracks. It's a good song that features some good riffs and some nice organ playing. I just don't think it stands out as much as some of the other tracks do.
8 out of 10

Freebird: Absolutely amazing. If you don't believe me, ask that guy who started requesting this song at every concert he went to...
10 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 69 out of 80, 86%, and 4 stars. I'd consider this to be a classic album and one recommended for people interested in Southern rock. I'm certainly interested in hearing more albums from this band.

Rising (Rainbow)

It seems like everything about this album seems to be destined for greatness. The band's lineup at this time was probably one of the best in metal as it featured former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, Black Sabbath/Dio vocalist Ronnie James Dio, future Dio bassist Jimmy Bain, the late Black Sabbath/Jeff Beck drummer Cozy Powell, and keyboardist Tony Carey. The album was also overseen by producer Martin Birch. While the band has been extremely influential in the development of such genres as power metal, I've always considered the band to have more of a classic rock sound to them.

Tarot Woman: My favorite track on the album, although my copy always starts skipping during this song... The song is strengthened by its interesting keyboard introduction, some great riffs, nicely vocals, catchy verses and choruses, and a cool solo section. The lyrics have that typical medieval feel to them are basically about a speaker's encounter with a fortune teller.
10 out of 10

Run With the Wolf: A more mid-tempo number made unique by its rolling main riff and cool chorus. I haven't quite figured out what the lyrics on this are about.
8 out of 10

Starstruck: This track is one of the bluesiest on the album and features an interesting riff, some rapid vocals, a nicely done groove, and a cool chorus. The lyrics on this one seem to be about a groupie that annoys the band (kinda like Led Zeppelin's "Living Loving Maid...").
8 out of 10

Do You Close Your Eyes: After years of hearing Dio sing about rainbows and the night, it feels extremely awkward to hear him sing about "making sweet love to him" (and he's not exactly the world's most attractive man either...). Musically, it is the shortest track on the album as it features a nice chorus and a good riff and a nice keyboard bit.
8 out of 10

Stargazer: The album's big epic both musically and lyrically. Musical highlights of this one include the appearance by the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, a nice introduction with some great drumming, mystic verses, an epic chorus, strong vocals, strong riffs, and another cool solo section.
On this song, we hear the story of an amibitious wizard who orders his servants to build him "a tower of stone" so that he can demonstrate his ability to fly. When the tower is completed presumably nine years later, the wizard attempts to fly but falls to his death "instead of rising." While the lyrics are slightly D&D-ish on the surface (but hey, what with Dio isn't like that?), I tend to interpret the song as a warning against corruption.
10 out of 10

Light in the Black: Another one of the album's longer tracks and probably the fastest and heaviest song on the album. The song is noteworthy for a catchy chorus and a shitload of solos. The lyrics continue the story of the previous track, as the wizard's servants wonder what to do with their lives now that their master is dead...
8 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 52 out of 60, 87%, and 4 stars. I get the feeling that this album would be absolutely amazing if it was given a slightly better production. It's certainly worthy of a purchase and it's a nice place to see where Dio was starting to develop his talents.

Led Zeppelin IV (Led Zeppelin)

This is one of those albums that makes you wonder: What can be said that hasn't been said? It is very often seen as one of the greatest rock music albums of all time and sold more than 23 million copies in the United States alone. It also shows the band's expanding talents and abandoning their bluesy sound that dominated their first two albums. While the album still has a great deal of blues influence, the folk sound on their third album continues to develop on this album.

Black Dog: A strong opening track made famous for its introduction and the call-and-response trade-offs between the vocals and the riffs in the verses. The lyrics are about the band's most common topic, sex. The song's title has nothing to do with the lyrics and was inspired by a black dog the band found in the recording studio.
10 out of 10

Rock and Roll: Commercial watchers should recognize this song from all of the Cadillac advertisements. This song features some great drumming, good riffs, a strong vocal performance, catchy verses and choruses, and piano playing by Rolling Stones road manager Ian Stewart.
10 out of 10

The Battle of Evermore: This song is a classic example of a folk influence in the band's sound, especially in the playing of guitarist Jimmy Page. The track is also notable for featuring Fairport Convention vocalist Sandy Denny, who was the only guest vocalist the band ever performed with. Musical highlights include some cool vocal harmonies, mandolin playing by Page, and some nice accoustic parts. The lyrics are particularly interesting and boast medieval imagery influenced by "Lord of the Rings."
8 out of 10

Stairway to Heaven: Do I even have to say anything?
10 out of 10

Misty Mountain Hop: One of the album's more upbeat tracks and seen by many as filler on the album. Musical highlights include strong drumming, an electric piano played by bassist John Paul Jones, and some nice vocal harmonies. The lyrics are believed to be about a bunch of hippies who get together in a park, are encountered by police, and eventually go to the Misty Mountains (another "Lord of the Rings" reference).
8 out of 10

Four Sticks: Easily the most unusual track on the album featuring some bizarre riffs and some funky vocals. The title of the song was inspired by drummer John Bonham playing the song with four drumsticks. I suppose this is the album's title track, as "Four Stcks" is one of the many names given as the title of the album.
8 out of 10

Going to California: Another accoustic song and one of my personal favorites on the album. Musical highlights of this one include some awesomely played accoustic guitar, awesome vocals, and mandolin playing by Jones. The lyrics are full of great imagery and are supposed inspired by singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell.
10 out of 10

When the Levee Breaks: Probably the song on the album that is the most similar to the band's earlier sound. This is to be expected, as this is a cover of a song performed by blues musicians Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie. It features some nice drumming and a heavy riff, but I'm still getting a feel for this song.
8 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 72 out of 80, 90%, and 4.5 stars. It may be a little overrated, but it truly is an awesome album. It is also a pretty safe buy, as they play half of the album pretty regularly on the radio...

Billion Dollar Babies (Alice Cooper)

Widely seen as the band's best album, this record also shows Alice Cooper at their critical and commercial success. Of course, the album also shows them at the height of their infamy as every other authority group was out to stop them. Like many artists, the controversy did not cause the band to falter. In fact, it only fueled the fire...

Hello, Hooray: Written by a Rolf Kempf, this song seems to have been made for the stage. Musical highlights include a theatrical tone, some nice riffs, upbeat verses and choruses, and some good vocals. The lyrics are basically about being at a concert and also seem to have a bit of a quirky touch to them ("circus freaks and hula hoops..."). Overall, a classic song and probably the best concert opener.
9 out of 10

Raped and Freezing: One of the shorter tracks on the album featuring a bizarrely upbeat tone, catchy verses and choruses, some nice riffs, and more entertaining vocals. Legend has it that the lyrics are based upon an incident in Mexico that Cooper refuses to go into detail about...
8 out of 10

Elected: A rewrite of an older song of theirs known as "Reflected," there's something about this song that makes me want to get my ass and do something... Musical highlights of this one include a bouncy introduction, more catchiness in the verses and choruses, a humorous political rant erratically spoken by Cooper towards the end of the song, and some horns thrown in for good measure. The lyrics are a political satire, and are based upon Cooper's desires to run for president. You know, it's not unheard of for a rock star to go into politics. How many times has Ted Nugent said that he's running for the governor of Michigan?
10 out of 10

Billion Dollar Babies: The nicely done title track features a cool drum pattern, a strong bass presence, more catchiness, cool riffs, and some interesting duets between Cooper and folk singer Donovan. Apparently, the guest appearance wasn't even planned and Donovan just happened to be in a nearby studio where the band was recording this album...
9 out of 10

Unfinished Sweet: The longest on the album. Highlights of this one are a nice introduction, more upbeat verses, some interesting vocal harmonies, and a jamming section that seems to take up half the song. The lyrics are also amusing, as they are about someone who indulges in Halloween candy and ends up going to the dentist... The song tends to get a little overlong though...
7 out of 10

No More Mr. Nice Guy: Easily the famous track on the album. Highlights of the album include the famous guitar riff, the upbeat verses, the catchy chorus, the lack of a guitar solo, and some interesting vocal harmonies. The lyrics seem to be about Cooper reflecting on his infamy and are also about the newfound treatment of his father, who was ironically a minister...
10 out of 10

Generation Landslide: A more laid back track with a much lighter tone than the rest of the album. The lyrics are once again satirical and are based upon the state of the family. This track is also notable for featuring the band referring to themselves as "Billion Dollar Babies," a title the band would name themselves after their split with Alice Cooper (the vocalist).
8 out of 10

Sick Things: Although they're not exactly a trilogy, the three final tracks are among the darkest on the album. This one makes use of a dark atmosphere, some interesting horns, some nice bass riffs, dark vocals, and a strong chorus. The lyrics are cryptic on this one, and seem to be about the band's fanbase (although we can only wonder what he means by the phrase "I eat my things..."). The only flaw the song has is that it takes a while to really get in gear.
8 out of 10

Mary Ann: The shortest track on the album and probably the most bizarre. Musically, it is your basic piano ballad featuring a nicely done croon and some cool piano melodies. The lyrics are a rather unusual dedication to the speaker's lover ("Mary Ann, I thought you were my man..."). It's not exactly "Wait for Sleep," but it's a cute little tune.
8 out of 10

I Love the Dead: This track had some potential to be the best on the album, but it unforunately falters. I really enjoy the first half of the song as it features a dark atmosphere, some nice bass playing, and creepy sounding vocals. Unfortunately, the rest of the song brings it down as it is extremely repetitive and doesn't match the dark first half. The lyrics of the one are also notable as they deal with the controversial subject of necrophilia, a topic usually reserved by such bands as Slayer and Cannibal Corpse...
7 out of 10

So this album gets 84 out of 100, 84%, and 4 stars. While it is a little inconsistent and maybe a tad overrated, it is still a worthy purchase for fans of the band. Of course, what person who calls themselves a fan doesn't have this album?

Destroyer (KISS)

KISS went through a great series of changes to capitalize on the success of their famous live album "Alive!" The most notable thing is the hiring of producer Bob Ezrin, who worked a great deal with Alice Cooper and who brought in several different writers to help compose material. The album also uses previously unheard of techniques (for KISS) such as a choir and an orchestra... Even though it seemed to signal the beginning of the end for the band, the album does pull it off pretty successfully.

Detriot Rock City: A classic track that has gone to become a fan favorite. Musical highlights of this one include some awesome drumming, a few nice bass fills, some good riffs, a catchy chorus, and some interesting sound effects. Apparently, the lyrics are about a fan of the band who was killed in a car accident on his way to a show... The song itself is awesome, but I really need to take off a star for the god-awful introduction that takes up 2 minutes of the song. I took it off my iPod when I got tired of fast forwarding through it every time...
9 out of 10

King of the Night Time World: The end of the opener fades into this party anthem. Musical highlights of this one include some great riffs, great drumming (personally, I consider Peter Criss to be a really underrated drummer...), a nice guitar solo, and a catchy chorus. The lyrics are basically about the band reaching out to a (female) fan offering to take her to "the Night Time World," where she will be the band's "Midnight Queen..."
8 out of 10

God of Thunder: Probably the darkest track on the album and one that serves as a stepping stone for bassist Gene Simmons's Demon persona. Musical highlights of this one include the classic introduction, a cool chorus, some nice riffs, a strong bass presence, samples of children screaming (I've read that they are Ezrin's children...), and another nice solo. I think this is may be the best track on the album.
9 out of 10

Great Expectations: The first of the album's two ballads. Highlights include the (quite frankly) cheesy choir, some nice guitar riffs, and an interesting chorus. The lyrics on this are also about a female fan, although the band is more direct about their intentions this time ("You watch me beating my drums. You know what my hands can do, and you wish you were the one I was doing it to..."). I was originally going to give this song a 7, but I think I'll give it another star just for the song's sense of humor (I hope that's what they were going for...).
7 out of 10

Flaming Youth: Despite co-writing the song, this song does not even feature the guitar playing of Ace Frehley. Apparently the riffs were played by Alice Cooper guitarist Dick Wagner, as Frehley was playing a card game during the recording sessions... Musical highlights of this one include an upbeat tune, a nice chorus, and some good riffs. Lyrically, the song is an anthem for their teenage fans and the whole "stand against your parents" thing. Of course, I'm pretty sure almost all of them have kids of their own now...
7 out of 10

Sweet Pain: Who would've thought that a song about S&M could be so happy sounding? While this one is probably the weakest track on the album, it's still good. Highlights include some good riffs, a catchy chorus, and some R&B-esque backing vocalists.
7 out of 10

Shout it out Loud: Another one of the band's famous party anthems. Musical highlights of this one are hearing Simmons and guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley duet throughout the song, the catchy verses, the addicting (and slightly bone-headed) chorus, and some good riffs.
9 out of 10

Beth: Easily the most unique track on the album. This ballad is notable for featuring an orchestra and Peter Criss on lead vocals. Overall, the song is one of the best on the album and Criss puts on a strong performance. What's funny about this song is that he's the only member of the band that's even on it...
9 out of 10

Do You Love Me: We now get a final hard rock anthem with this track. Musical highlights include good verses and a nice chorus. I've read that Nirvana once performed this song at a concert... The lyrics are another boosting of the band's ego, and deal with a band member's lover who enjoys the fame she gets. Of course, the speaker is asking if she really loves him for who he is. Of course, this is coming from the band that's had sex with THOUSANDS of women...
8 out of 10

Rock 'n Roll Party: This is the title that Wikipedia gives for this track. Of course, it's not really a song as it consists of a minute and a half of crowd noise. It seems like it'd be a good idea if it was put in the front of the album or something like that. It really has no purpose...
5 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 78 out of 100, 78%, and 3.5 stars. The album is packed full of bone-headed cheesiness (well, do you expect? It's KISS for God's sake...), but it does have its share of good songs. Probably a good one to start with, although I'm still procrastinating on buying more albums of theirs. To be honest, I got this one for its cheap price and to see how goofy it sounded. It sure as Hell is a fun listen...

Horrorscope (Overkill)

This album is yet another example of how 1991 was a good year for metal. While this was the last album to feature the talents of drummer Sid Falck, it is the first album to feature the twin guitar duo of Rob Cannavino and Merritt Gant. As a result of their presence, the band's sound on this album is more progressive and complex than its previous ancestors. The album is also notable for featuring the producing talents of Terry Date, who has produced albums for such bands as Pantera and Soundgarden.

Coma: This song may be one of the more accessible tracks on the album due to its slightly normal verse-chorus structure. Musical highlights include a nicely done accoustic introduction, some great riffs, good verses, a strong chorus, and some really good drumming. The lyrics are cryptic though the imagery brings to mind "A Nightmare on Elm Street." I particularly like the line "sleeping with a time bomb."
9 out of 10

Infectious: The next three tracks are easily the best on the album. This one is made strong by awesome riffs, strong vocals by Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth, several awesome sections throughout the song, and a chorus that truly lives up to the song's title. The lyrics are basically Blitz declaring his badass-ness in the standard thrash way. While he is not a writing mastermind, he does throw in a few phrase every now and then...
10 out of 10

Blood Money: Lyrically, this seems to be where Blitz's sarcasm gets a chance to shine. The lyrics are basically about the classic tale of religious deception, though karma seems to finally be coming around. Musical highlights include some heavy riffs, a really catchy chorus, some nice bass parts by D. D. Verni, great riffs, and a wide variety of vocals.
9 out of 10

Thanx for Nothin: Probably the fastest track on the album and easily one of my favorites. The track is made memorable by some memorably heavy riffs, some interesting verses, a really catchy pre-chorus, and a unique chorus. I recall this one being quite amazing when I saw them on Gigantour.
9 out of 10

Bare Bones: One of the more dramatic songs on the album made memorable by the interesting piano introduction and bizarre verses and chorus. I've yet to figure out what the lyrics are about...
8 out of 10

Horrorscope: A strong plodding track made memorable by a dark tone, a cool introduction, some nicely done vocals, good verses, a more subtle chorus, and more great riffs. The lyrics provide some strong imagery, especially in the chorus.
9 out of 10

New Machine: Another plodding number similar to the title track. This one features a nice introduction, some good riffs, interesting versesn, and a good chorus. The lyrics seem to be about conformity and that type of thing. The first verse has some strong imagery in it as well.
9 out of 10

Frankenstein: Now this is a cover of the famous instrumental of the same name. While nothing about it really jumps out at the listener (to this one, anyway...), it has some cool riffs and some occasional bass fills.
7 out of 10

Live Young, Die Free: After several slower tracks, we now get back to some thrash. It's nothing like the first four tracks, but it's a good song. The lyrics are basically your standard anthem of angst.
7 out of 10

Nice Day for a Funeral: Another slightly plodder number and one of the darker tracks on the album. The song is made memorable by its subtle chorus. The lyrics on this one are also particularly cryptic...
7 out of 10

Soulitude: Easily the most bizarre track on the album as it could be considered a ballad. Musical highlights include some passionately done vocals, some nice accoustic and electric guitar riffs, an outstanding chorus, and a strong chorus. The lyrics on this one seem to be the most personal on the album and seem to be about reflecting on one's life.
9 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 93 out of 110, 85%, and 4 stars. This album could be considered a classic example of awesome thrash and a good purchase for old and new fans of the genre. It should also be at a relatively good price, as I got my copy at FYE for only $11.99...

Killers (Iron Maiden)

This album is notable in Iron Maiden's history for a number of reasons. It is the first to feature guitarist Adrian Smith, who would eventually become a songwriter surpassed only by bassist Steve Harris (who wrote this entire album...). The album is also the first album of theirs to feature the work of legendary producer Martin Birch, who has produced such bands as Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult. This is also the last album to feature vocalist Paul Dianno, who was fired due to drug abuse and eventually formed such bands as Battlezone and Killers (not the famous modern American band...).

Ides of March: Arguably Maiden's greatest opener, this track is a two minute instrumental that sets the mood for the album. I believe that another version of this song was released by Samson under the title of "Thunderburst..."
10 out of 10

Wrathchild: One of Maiden's most famous songs and one that has stayed on the live set to this day (and one that Paul Dianno has probably re-recorded about 50 times...). The lyrics on this one are about a man who sets out to find his biological father, presumably with violent intentions. Musical highlights include the famous bass riff, the great verses, Dianno's snarl, a great chorus, and a well done solo section.
10 out of 10

Murders in the Rue Morgue: One of the song's more epic tracks featuring a nicely done introduction, some great verses, a nicely done chorus, and some great choruses. The lyrics are based upon the short story of the same name written by Edgar Allan Poe. I tend to overlook this album quite a bit, but it's a classic song.
9 out of 10

Another Life: This song seems to have more of a hard rock than most of the other tracks on here. Musical highlights include the strong introduction, some sleazy sounding guitar riffs, strong drums played by Clive Burr, and some great sounding verses. The lyrics seem to be about suicide and how powerless the speaker feels. Of course, the lyrics seem to go against the upbeat music. The song is also noteworthy for repeating the same verse three times (a bit of writer's block there, 'Arry?). On the bright side, you'll know all the lyrics by the time the third verse rolls around...
8 out of 10

Genghis Khan: The second of the album's two instrumentals. This song features some grea melodies and a nice epic tone. The biggest flaw is that it is a bit too short. I think it could've been a bit more developed...
9 out of 10

Innocent Exile: I've read that this was one of the first songs ever written by the band. This one features an awesome bass introduction, some good riffs, interesting verses, and nicely done vocals. The lyrics are basically about a speaker's feelings of hopelessness when he accused of murder.
8 out of 10

Killers: The most epic track on the album and also one of the darkest tracks. The track is made amazing by an awesomely done introduction, a wide vocal range (especially the evil laughter towards the end), awesome verses, a strong chorus, and amazing riffs. As evidenced by the title, the lyrics are about a serial killer who preys upon innocents walking "through the subway" to satisfy "a voice inside [him]..."
10 out of 10

Prodigal Son: The album's sole ballad and one that features a nice emphasis on accoustic guitars, a nice introduction, some mellow vocals, and a nice chorus. While some of the interpretations of the song I've heard suggest a strong occult tone to it, I tend to see it as more of a good ol fashioned love song...
8 out of 10

Purgatory: Probably the album's fastest track featuring some rapid verses, cool pre-choruses, catchy choruses, and great riffs. The lyrics on this one are extremely cryptic and seem to be about a soul traveling through another plane or something along those lines.
8 out of 10

The Twilight Zone: Originally, this song was only on the American edition of the album, but it is included on the album's international remaster. The song isn't anything too amazing but it features some nice riffs and a nifty chorus. The lyrics are about a man who has been dead for three years and mourns the fact that his lover is still alive. The song is also noteworthy for being the only song on the album co-written by another band member (not unlike what Megadeth is doing nowadays...), guitarist Dave Murray.
8 out of 10

Drifter: Closing the album out is this very upbeat track both musically and lyrically. Musical highlights include a cool introduction, very happy sounding verses, a nicely done chorus, and a catchy outro. While the rest of the album has more depressing themes, this song seems to be about a speaker who has overcome their personal struggles (and homicidal urges) and has become a reformed drifter.
8 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 96 out of 110, 87%, and 4 stars. Of course, Maiden has better albums but this one is easily one of their most energetic and interesting. It is certainly worthy of your money, although all of the band's first seven albums are safe buys (and most of the others if you become a big fan like myself...).

Tyr (Black Sabbath)

Released in 1990, this album is the follow-up to the previously reviewed "Headless Cross." This is the third album featuring vocalist Tony Martin and the first to feature the rhythm section of Whitesnake (drummer Neil Murray and Cozy Powell). Musically, it is quite similar to the previous album except for a slightly muddier production and a greater emphasis on keyboards. Lyrically, the band has completely shed their lyrical fetish for the dark side and Satan in favor of a more religious theme. While the band has denied that this is a concept album, many of the songs deal with themes of Christianity and Norse mythology.

Anno Mundi: Whenever I hear the backing vocals in this song, I always get reminded of Styx... The title is Latin for "in the year of the world," which refers to the year creation took place. Musical highlights include the strong vocals, the plodding riffs, some nicely done keyboards, a pretty good chorus, and the song's overall epic tone.
9 out of 10

The Law Maker: This rapid number seems to be done in an almost power metal style. I think this is may be a nominee for Sabbath's fastest track. The lyrics are about a corrupt figure who "seek[s] out souls of the sinner [to] trade for gold." Musical highlights include a rapid pace, strong riffs, great verses, an awesome chorus, great drumming, and strong vocals all the way through. This is a song I'd like to cover, although I don't think anyone would know that it was a Black Sabbath song...
10 out of 10

Jerusalem: A more mid-tempo track compared to the first two numbers. Musical highlights include a good main riff and a nice chorus. The lyrics do a good job of providing good imagery. I particularly like the lines "A thousand eyes are staring, but the blind still lead the blind." I think Martin is a better lyricist than people give him credit for.
9 out of 10

The Sabbath Stones: Now this track is 100% doom metal. I like to think of this one as the "lost Ozzy track." Musical highlights include dark riffs, changing moods, great vocals, and great imagery from the mystical lyrics.
9 out of 10

The Battle of Tyr: The next three songs seem to be an unofficial trilogy of songs dealing with Viking themes and Norse mythology. This track is basically the standard keyboard piece that seems to appear on every single post-Dio album ("Gates of Hell," "Stonehenge," etc). The atmosphere is great and it kinda sounds like something from an epic film score, but it's obviously filler...
7 out of 10

Odin's Court: Lyrically, the second part of the trilogy describes Odin, the Norse god of war and perhaps the feelings of the Norse people in general ("The land you loved is now so barren and so cold. The name of God rings out so high in your soul..."). I believe there's a metal band by the name of Odin's Court, I'll have to give them another listen... Musically, this is a mostly accoustic number that is made memorable by its good imagery and shining vocals...
8 out of 10

Valhalla: ...Which lead the track straight into this heavy plodder. The lyrics on this one are about Valhalla, the afterlife for Viking warriors who died in battle and a favorite topic for all bands from Led Zeppelin to Manowar. They also seem to hint at Ragnarok as well... Musical highlights of this one include the dark and heavy riffs, the strong chorus, and more great vocals.
8 out of 10

Feels Good to Me: This track is definately the most out of place on the album. It is a power ballad that was obviously put on the album at the last minute to get some radio airplay (I highly doubt it worked...). Musically, it features a synth heavy tone and an interesting chorus. Lyrically, it is a nice little love song that totally goes against the rest of the album's lyrics. Having said that, it's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. It kinda reminds me of "Keep it Warm" off of "Born Again," except that its chorus is not as annoying...
7 out of 10

Heaven in Black: The another fast, heavy track. Musical highlights of this one include some awesome riffs, great verses, strong vocals, and one of the heaviest choruses on the album. The lyrics are based on an event when a group of people built a cathedral so beautiful that their Czar blinded them so that they could never build anything better...
9 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 76 out of 90, 84%, and 4 stars. While this album seems to be misunderstood by many of its listeners (Hell, the All Music Guide gave it only 1 star...), I find it to be a good listen and worthy of a purchase. Of course, you also don't have very much to lose due to its extremely cheap price. I believe I bought my copy at a FYE for only $7 or 8.99...

The System Has Failed (Megadeth)

Despite this album being seen as Megadeth's big comeback, this originally wasn't even intended to be a Megadeth release. In a manner not unlike Black Sabbath's "Seventh Star," this album was originally intended to be a solo album by bandleader Dave Mustaine (who essentially is Megadeth...) but the record company made a statement that he owed them one more Megadeth album. Unlike "Seventh Star," the album is actually good and shows that even after his infamous hand injury, Mustaine can still shred with the best of them... The album is also notable for the playing of special guest Chris Poland, who was the lead guitarist on the band's first two albums...

Blackmail the Universe: After the sounds of missiles firing and a sample of a fictional news broadcast, the album's opener turns into a thrasher. Highlights of this song include the samples throughout the song, the blistering riffs, strong vocals, great guitar solos, and several different sections. The lyrics seem to be about the War on Terror and include a few references to the Cuban Missile Crisis back in the 60's. An excellent song.
9 out of 10

Die Dead Enough: A slightly more commercial track but one that features strong riffs, great verses, an awesome chorus, some great solos, and some eerie backing vocals after the song's last chorus. The lyrics on this one seem to describe how Mustaine feels that everything he does isn't good enough.
9 out of 10

Kick the Chair: Easily the thrashiest track on the album and one that sounded amazing live... The lyrics on this one are a satirical take on America's court system that only Mustaine could pull off... Musical highlights on this one include some strong verses, a great chorus, an absolutely amazing solo section, and face melting riffs all the way through...
10 out of 10

The Scorpion: One of the darker tracks on the album featuring more interesting samples in the beginning and end, some great verses, a strong chorus, and more great solos. Not in a way not unlike Metallica's "Sad But True," this song seems to be about drug addiction (I'm guessing heroin...) told from the drug's point of view.
9 out of 10

Tears in a Vial: After having 4 classic tracks in a row, we finally get to one that's nice so classic. It's still a great song that features some interesting distortion, a great vocal performance, a wide variety of sections fast and slow, and some strong riffs. Like such songs as "Trust," this song seems to be about the end of a relationship. Unlike the band's other break-up songs, this one seems to be on the narrator's part...
8 out of 10

I Know Jack: In a manner rare in Megadeth's works, we get a short tune that gets us prepared for the next track (although they did do it on "Rust in Peace..."). This track is made unique by the cool riff and the spoken sample from the famous "Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy" speech.
8 out of 10

Back in the Day: Is it me or does the introduction sound almost exactly like an Iron Maiden riff? Oh well, I suppose it fits the subject matter of the piece. Highlights of this track include the aformentioned introduction, some great verses, another strong chorus, some great solos, and a strong closing section. The lyrics are Mustaine's ode to old school metal and the famous music scene in the Bay Area. I'm suddenly having one of those "I was born 20 years too late" moments...
9 out of 10

Something That I'm Not: 21 years after he left Metallica, Mustaine finally released a song about his anger towards them... With such lines as "You didn't ever make metal buddy, metal made you" and "to sell out all your friends and stab them in the back," much of that venom is obviously directed towards drummer Lars Ulrich... Musically, it feels a little directionless and a tad whiny, but it features an interesting riff and some slightly catchy verses.
8 out of 10

Truth Be Told: Lyrically, this song is one of the songs on here that reflects Mustaine's newfound religious outlook on life (he became a born again Christian while the band split up) and is based upon the story of Cain and Abel. Musical highlights include some great riffs and a strong chorus.
8 out of 10

Of Mice and Men: Another one of the more commercial tracks on the album and also the album's most mellow song. Musical highlights include an interesting song structure, some interesting distortion during the chorus, and some riffs during the verses. Lyrically, this song is about Mustaine reflecting on his life from when he was 17 to when he was 25.
7 out of 10

Shadow of Death: Despite it being a little more than two minutes long, the track does a good job of standing alone. The lyrics are also religious and basically are a reading of one of the psalms in the Bible. Musical highlights include some great drumming, some interesting sounding vocals, great riffs, uplifting solos, and an overall epic atmosphere.
8 out of 10

My Kingdom: I think that is probably the weakest track and possibly one of the weakest tracks Megadeth has ever recorded. It feels really disorganized in terms of musical structure and makes a poor closer. I suppose the last segment is kinda cool... The lyrics are full of medieval imagery and seem to quote Metallica's "To Live is to Die" at one point...
6 out of 10

Overall, this album earns 99 out of 120, 83%, and 4 stars. Despite possessing a little filler (and the fact that this is really is a Dave Mustaine solo album...), it really holds its own against some of the album from the band's classic era. Recommended for fans of such records as "Countdown to Extinction" and "Rust In Peace".

Train of Thought (Dream Theater)

This album is notable for several reasons. First of all, this was the first Dream Theater album I ever bought. It is probably the band's most accessible record since "Falling Into Infinity" yet it is also the heaviest album the band has put out (with "Awake" and "Systematic Chaos" just behind...). The band also got controversy for including some modern metal characteristics such as down tuned guitars and occasional rapping in a song or two... The lyrics have also gotten controversy, as they are slightly dumbed down compared to works of the past. Of course, they may have still burned out from the thoughtful overdrive on "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence..."

As I Am: The opening track is memorable for its sprawling introduction, great riffs, strong verses, interesting pre-choruses, a nice chorus, an awesome solo section, and an overall slightly radio friendly vibe. The lyrics basically deal with the belief of never selling out. Interesting how that works, considering how often they drastically change their sound... I'm also pretty sure that this is the first time they used the word "fuck" in a lyric...
10 out of 10

This Dying Soul: Steps 4 and 5 of the "Alcoholics Anonymous" suite. Musical highlights of this one include a great introduction and plenty of melodies that have been done before and have been revisited in future songs ("Repeatance," anyone?). Like the other songs, the lyrics are about a man's recovery from alcoholism with the help of the 12 Steps Program. It's a great song, but I may have to take a star off for a few rap-isms in the first half of the song.
9 out of 10

Endless Sacrifice: A nicely done ballad with lyrics about dealing with a long distance relationship, a topic some of us know about all too well... Musical highlights include a nicely done accoustic introduction, some nicely done verses, a heavy chorus, some interesting stuff going on in the solo section, a heavier second half, and another slightly radio friendly vibe (despite it being over 10 minutes long...).
9 out of 10

Honor Thy Father: Although this is probably the heaviest track on the album, it is also probably the weakest. The biggest problem are the frankly immature lyrics, which deal with drummer Mike Portnoy's hatred of his stepfather. Some of the vocals during the verses can be a tad annoying... Having said that, this song does have a strong introduction and a good chorus.
7 out of 10

Vacant: A short ballad type track that seems to serve as a preparation for the next track. Musical highlights include some passionate vocals by James Labrie, cello playing by special guest Eugene Friesen, and some nice piano playing by Jordan Ruddess. The lyrics on this one seem to be about the thoughts and feelings of a speaker who is witnessing the death of a loved one. The band has done more emotional songs ("Space Dye Vest." Need I say more?), but this is still a well done piece.
8 out of 10

Stream of Consciousness: An epic intrumental that brings to mind such songs as Metallica's "To Live is to Die" and "Orion." It has a very somber tone that makes it go hand and hand with the previous one. It may be a tad overlong at times, but it's full of interesting parts, outstanding melodies, and great solos. This may be the best intrumental the group has ever done.
9 out of 10

Killing in the Name of God: At this point in the album, one can't help but be a tad worn out... Musical highlights of this one include a strong introduction, some great riffs, and more interesting things in this song's solo section (I believe there's a message in Morse code in here somewhere...). The lyrics on this basically address the beliefs of cults such as the Branch Davidians and the power misused by their leaders.
8 out of 10

This album earns 60 out of 70, 85%, and 4 stars. While it doesn't quite have the elegant feel of such albums as "Images and Words" or "Scenes From a Memory," it still has some ass kicking songs that will please fans of the band's heavier material.

Beyond Fear (Beyond Fear)

Beyond Fear is the solo band of Tim "Ripper" Owens, former vocalist for Winter's Bane and Judas Priest (after metal god Rob Halford left the band) and current vocalist for Iced Earth. I believe this project was created while Iced Earth was having some down time after releasing "The Glorious Burden" and out of Ripper's urge to release some of his own material. While he isn't the most brilliant writer around, his band does offer up a good release.

Scream Machine: Much like Fight's "War of Words," this album opens with its fastest, heaviest, and probably most misleading track. Musical highlights include a cool introduction, heavy riffs, a strong chorus, soaring vocals, and some great solos. The song title kinda sounds like the name of an amusement park ride...
10 out of 10

And...You Will Die: One of the better tracks on the album with its interesting introduction, strong riffing, mid-tempo verses, and an interesting chorus. From what I can interpret, the lyrics seem to be about a serial killer or something along those lines.
9 out of 10

Save Me: One of the more average tracks, though it's still pretty good. The riffs are pretty good and the chorus is also interesting. The lyrics are some of the more personal, and seem to involve some of Ripper's personal struggles to achieve.
7 out of 10

The Human Race: This song is one of several attempts for Ripper to get a bit more political lyrically, as it is about the usual metal topic of us destroying the world. Musically, not too much about this stands out besides an interesting pre-chorus and a good chorus.
7 out of 10

Coming at You: More of the same, except this one has a really cool chorus and some nice vocals. The lyrics still don't make very sense to me...
7 out of 10

Dreams Comes True: The standard ballad that appears on almost every album. Musical highlights of this one include some nice accoustic and electric riffs, a cool chorus, and a rather predictable structure (Iced Earth anyone?). The lyrics are about Ripper's idea of Paradise and involve some of the standard ideas such as childhood and cleanliness.
8 out of 10

Telling Lies: Another more political track lyrically, this time directed towards George W. Bush and the war in Iraq. He doesn't go as deeply as some other artists have, but it's still a good track. Musical highlights include a strong introduction, some great riffs, some good vocals, and a pretty nice chorus.
8 out of 10

I Don't Need This: Another more average track, though this one features an interesting structure and a cool riff. The lyrics are more of the personal brand, and seem to be a parasitic individual that Ripper has put up with for too long and is doing something about it. A cliched topic, but I suppose it works...
7 out of 10

Words of Wisdom: After ten years of taking shit from the press for replacing whoever, Ripper finally seems to be fighting back... While it's a decent track, nothing about it really stands out about it. I swear I heard a riff or two on here on "Telling Lies..."
7 out of 10

My Last Words: Something about this track seems to stand out more than the others. Musical highlights include a lighter tone (though it's still heavy), some good verses, a great chorus, and some cool vocals. The lyrics seem to be about the last thoughts of a man who is about to die in a plane crash... One can only wonder if Ripper got some inspiration from the movie "United 93..."
8 out of 10

Your Time Has Come: Again, there's not too much to say about this one. The lyrics are basically a continuation of the lyrics off of "Words of Wisdom." Musically, there's nothing special besides the interesting chorus and some of the riffing. I suddenly feel as though he is talking to me...
7 out of 10

The Faith: I have a feeling that this could've been even better... The lyrically basically are about Ripper's love for metal and wouldn't sound too out of place on a Judas Priest or Manowar album... I think there may be a diss towards Metallica in here somewhere... Musically, it features a cool introduction, a nice chorus that kinda sounds a bit like "Coming At You," and some good verses.
8 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 86 out of 120, 72%, and 3.5 stars. While it is a slightly average album, it still has its moments of greatness. I do find it funny that all the tracks that got high ratings were co-written by guitarist John Comprix (except for "My Last Words"). Just don't a follow-up album anytime soon, as Ripper and bassist Dennis Hayes will be kept busy when Iced Earth's next two albums come out (only two more months left)...

Something Wicked This Way Comes (Iced Earth)

This album is mostly seen as either the band's best album or their worst. As this is the follow-up to "The Dark Saga," the sound continues the more accessible songwriting trend seen on that album. This is also the first of the two album featuring lead guitarist Larry Tarnowski (although he's credited as a guest on the album...). The album is also notable for featuring a song pattern of thrashers and ballads. While it can be seen as some sort of musical roller coaster ride, it probably is the album's biggest flaw...

Burning Times: A strong, heavy, and slightly dramatic song opens this album. This one features some varied vocals by Matt Barlow, nice drum fills by Mark Prator, awesome riffs with dark imagery, a strong chorus, and a great solo section. Like most of the album, the lyrics are about religious hypocrisy.
10 out of 10

Melancholy (Holy Martyr): The first of the many ballads. This one features a nice main riff, ultra dramatic vocals (although sometime he does overdo it a little...), and a strong chorus. Like many of the band's ballads, this song suffers from just plain predictability. Soft verses, heavy choruses...it's the same formula used in about every Nickelback song...
9 out of 10

Disciples of the Lie: I think it's probably around an 8, but it's a great song. This one features heavy riffs, a wide variety of vocals, a nice chorus, some great drumming, some interesting organs played after the second chorus, and a dark bridge. This one is about bandleader/guitarist Jon Schaffer's experiences in Lutheran school.
8 out of 10

Watching Over Me: Written in the memory of Schaffer's friend Bill Blackmon, who died in a motorcycle accident when they were teenagers. He is also the one responsible for the name Iced Earth. Musical highlights of this one include passionate vocals, another strong chorus, some nice accoustics during the verses, and a guitar solo played by producer Jim Morris. It has emotion put in it, but it also has the predictability.
9 out of 10

Stand Alone: In standard power metal fashion, we have an anthem telling its other to "listen not to those who preach" and to be true to themselves. Musical highlights include some good riffs, an interesting chorus, and a good solo.
7 out of 10

Consequences: Another ballad. Right around this time, the formula gets a bit old, but the songs are still good. Musical highlights of this one include some nice accoustic guitars, some nice vocals, and a more subtle chorus. The lyrics on this one are basically about Earth's destruction at the hands of humanity and the band's hopes for a better future...
7 out of 10

My Own Savior: The biggest thing that is noteworthy about this track is the inclusion of the lyric "Life's a bitch, Life's a whore, Nothing less, Nothing more..." The other standouts on this track include the unique vocal sequencing during the verses, good riffs, an interesting pre-chorus, and another interesting chorus.
7 out of 10

Reaping Stone: The most unique of all the ballads on here, although I suppose that doesn't say too much. As the song is co-written by bassist James MacDonough, there is a strong bass presence during the song. Musical highlights an interesting introduction, a plodding pace, another more subtle chorus, and a nice thrashy bridge with some eerie shrieking vocals. The lyrics are probably the most cryptic written on the album.
7 out of 10

1776: One of the band's rare instrumentals. I'm assuming the title is based upon Schaffer's love for American history, a concept later noctoriously used on 2004's "The Glorious Burden." This song features some nice melodies, cool solos, and flute playing by Susan McQuinn.
7 out of 10

Blessed Are You: The album's last (true) ballad... Musical highlights of this one include a cool chorus, some nice guitar riffs, and vocals that range from above a whisper to a triumphant bellow. The song's lyrics are dedicated to the band's large fan base. It's a good song, although it'd be cool to see a thrasher written for us...
8 out of 10

Prophecy: Like some of the other Iced Earth albums, the last three songs form a trilogy that seems to outshine the rest of the album's material. The musical highlights on this one include the foreboding verses with a dark bass riff and strong vocals, some awesomely done melodies, and some awesomely done thrashing towards the end. The lyrics are about a group of beings who are the sole survivors of a massacre caused by early mankind. In revenge, they prepare for the birth of their Chosen One (better known as Set Abominae, the band's mascot), who will bring the downfall of the human race. It kinda reminds me of the material from "Night of the Stormrider," both musically and lyrically.
10 out of 10

Birth of the Wicked: This is probably the weakest part of the trilogy, but it sure kicks the crap out of half of the stuff on here... This song features some energetic verses, a strong chorus, and more awesome melodies. The lyrics on this time fast forward to the time when Set is being "born of the Beast," and tell more of his destiny "to bring the end."
10 out of 10

The Coming Curse: At over nine minutes, this is the album's big epic to close out the album. Musical highlights include the piano introduction, the heavy verses, the heavy and EXTREMELY catchy chorus, some strong vocals, a great solo section, and a dramatic outro that showcases some operatic voices. The lyrics on this one are from the perspective of Set himself, as he reflects his destiny and what he is to do for his race. You know, the story really reminds me of "The Omen," a film series that Schaffer is a fan of...
10 out of 10

Overall, this album earns 109 out of 130, 84%, and 4 stars. I get the feeling that the rating is that high because of the album's closing trilogy. . . On a future note, the trilogy is really a lyrical teaser for the two album saga that will be released by the band relatively soon (the first part, "Framing Armageddon," will be coming out September 11th...). The trilogy was also infamously re-recorded with current vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens as part of their "Overture of the Wicked" EP that was released a few months ago. Overall, this is a good one to introduce to potential fans.

Defenders of the Faith (Judas Priest)

Although some people see this as a repetition of the sound on the previous record "Screaming for Vengeance," I tend to see this album as a sort of transition between their "classic" sound and their attempt at emulating hair metal. I also see this album as one of their more overlooked albums, overshadowed by such albums as the previous record and "British Steel." Having said that, I also consider it to be one of their best.

Freewheel Burning: Right away, we open the album with one of the heaviest tracks. This one features some intense riffs, extremely fast vocals during the verses and bridge, a strong chorus, and an awesome solo section. The lyrics seem to be about a group of people who "ride the universe" and all that badass type of stuff.
10 out of 10

Jawbreaker: Another fast track though nowhere near the speed of the opener. This one is memorable for its nice main riff, cool verses, a catchy chorus, and a nicely done solo section. While it does deserve a 10, it may give you a really bad taste in your mouth once you figure out what the song is actually about...
9 out of 10

Rock Hard, Ride Free: One of the more commercial tracks on the album and one that I would classify as a "biker anthem." This one features some good riffs, cool verses, strong pre-choruses, and a nicely done shout-a-long chorus. The only flaw I'd say the song has is its slightly overlong solo section, although it still has some cool parts here and there.
9 out of 10

The Sentinel: A candidate for the album's epic track. Musical highlights include a cool introduction, some cool verses, another great chorus, more awesome riffs, and an eerily done segment towards the end of the song with some interesting vocal effects. The lyrics are about a warrior called The Sentinel who people attempt to kill (and fail). For some reason, the lyrics kinda remind me of "Transformers..."
9 out of 10

Love Bites: Easily the darkest, one of the slowest, and most atmospheric song on the album. This song features a dark introduction, some cool drum patterns (this whole album really has the drum sound from Hell, I will say...), cool riffs, and a great solo section. The lyrics on this one are about a sort of vampire who feeds upon an unidentified victim...
9 out of 10

Eat Me Alive: An otherwise filler track made noctorious by the infamous PMRC, who objected to the sexual lyrics and placed it on their Filthy Fifteen list. Not too much stands out about this one besides some nice riffs, strong drumming, and a good chorus.
8 out of 10

Some Heads Are Gonna Roll: Another slightly commercial track written by Bob Halligan, Jr, who had previously written "(Take These) Chains" for the band. This one features some nicely done verses, cool pre-choruses, a good chorus, and nice riffs all the way through. Lyrically, this is basically a "don't let the bastards grind you down" type of song.
9 out of 10

Night Comes Down: The standard ballad track that seems to appear on almost every Priest album (since the 80's anyway...). Not too much about this one really stands out about this one, but it has a nice chorus and a cool atmosphere.
7 out of 10

Heavy Duty/Defenders of the Faith: Unlike most other Judas Priest title tracks ("Hellbent for Leather," anyone?), this is the weakest track(s) on the album. I'm not sure if you can really call it a song, as it mostly is just chanting and constant ego boosts... The lyrics are about the glory of metal and all that stuff, a subject later used in a mocking fashion such as 3 Inches of Blood...
7 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 77 out of 90, 86%, and 4 stars. While the second half kinda drops off a bit, the album is still a solid release and one of the more accessible Judas Priest albums out there. It was also their last awesome album until 1990's "Painkiller."

Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)

So many reviews for Iron Maiden and none about any of the albums featuring vocalist Paul Dianno? Surely it is blasphemy...
While Bruce Dickinson is a much better singer, Paul Dianno had a more punk influenced tone that went well with the raw sound the band had at the time. While much of the album is influenced by punk and blues, we also get a glimpse at some of the progressive rock influences that would later dominate the band's sound in the future. This album is also the only album to feature guitarist Dennis Stratton, who left the band a few months after the album was released.

Prowler: The album opens with one of the most bizarre tracks on the album. I suppose it's not that bizarre musically as it features some interesting sections, a nice wah-wah guitar riff in the introduction, and some strong bass. The lyrics are truly some of the most bizarre bassist Steve Harris has written. Basically, it's about a guy who flashes people and masterbates in front of them...
9 out of 10

Sanctuary: One of the punkier tracks on the album and included as an extra track on the American edition of the album (aren't we such lucky bastards?). Musically, it is very upbeat with a cool main riff, a nice chorus, and some sound effects that sound like sirens. Lyrically, it is one of the many songs of the DiAnno era that deals with running from the law.
8 out of 10

Remember Tomorrow: One of the two ballads on the album featuring some particularly good vocals, some cool solo sections, a spacy tone, and some good riffs. The lyrics on this one are cryptic in their delivery, but are allegedly about a relative of DiAnno's who served in war.
9 out of 10

Running Free: Due to the extremely heavy blues influence, you probably wouldn't think that this is really Maiden (of course, you probably also have only heard "Run to the Hills" and "Number of the Beast..."). Musical highlights include a cool drum pattern by Clive Burr, a nice bass riff, a generally upbeat tune, and some catchy verses and choruses. The lyrics are basically about the mayhem caused by your typical rowdy runaway teenager.
9 out of 10

Phantom of the Opera: The album's big epic track and a major fan favorite. The lyrics are obviously about the famous musical of the same name, and seem to switch views between the Phantom and Christine. Musical highlights of this one include the awesome introduction, the awesome melodies in the verses, a simply incredible solo section, and the sound of what appears to be a laser gun at the end of the last verse...
10 out of 10

Transylvania: An instrumental that seems to serve as a preparation for the psychedelic trip ahead. The riffs use a nice gallop and there are some nice solos played here and there.
8 out of 10

Strange World: The second of the album's two ballads. I detect a heavy Pink Floyd influence in this song and in "Remember Tomorrow." The lyrics are some of the most mysterious the band has ever written, and is believed to be about a dark society where "you never grow old" and where "smiling faces [are] ever so rare." It's a nice track to relax to, though it may be the weakest on the album.
8 out of 10

Charlotte the Harlot: We now go back to the slightly style shown towards the beginning of the album with this energetic tune. This is also the first installment of the legendary "Charlotte the Harlot" series about the infamous hooker of the same name. We are also introduced to a speaker who Charlotte once loved until she decided to "make [her] ends as a blood whore." This song is also noteworthy for being the only Maiden song that is entirely written by guitarist Dave Murray.
9 out of 10

Iron Maiden: Like Black Sabbath before them and hundreds of bands after them (myself included), Iron Maiden decided to write a song using their name as the title. While it is a great song, I have the feeling that's the only reason why it's stayed on the live set for 30 years... Musical highlights include some nice verses, a cool main riff, a great chorus, and the fact that it's one of the only Maiden songs without a guitar solo...
9 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 79 out of 90, 88%, and 4 stars. While it may not be a good listen for newcomers, it is still a solid album and a sure classic. At least buy it for "Phantom of the Opera..."

Into Glory Ride (Manowar)

It amazes me how films such as "300" and "Gladiator" do so well in America yet we never caught on to Manowar back in the day... On this album, we find our favorite "He-Man" rejects joining forces with drummer Scott Columbus, whose powerful playing allowed the band to go into an even heavier sound than before. By the power of Grayskull, let's get to the damn review...

Warlord: After the sounds of (interrupted) sex, we get the fastest and heaviest track on the album. Musically, it features strong riffs in the verses and a nicely done chorus. Lyrically, it is basically bassist Joey DeMaio talking about how big of a badass he is and we even get a little insight into some of his political views ("Stop sending money, send them all a bomb...").
9 out of 10

Secret of Steel: This is the first of the album's several epic tracks with its strong bass presence, a wide variety of vocals sung by Eric Adams, and an interesting chorus. Lyrically, this one seems to be about someone who is "called by the Gods" to wield "the great Sword of Steel..."
8 out of 10

Gloves of Metal: A ploddy track featuring some decent melodies, particularly in its chorus. This is the standard "Hail Metal" song that the band seems to include on every album. They always make me wonder... What if the members of Manowar are really closet rap fans...
8 out of 10

Gates of Valhalla: The second of the epic tracks. Musical highlights include a dramatic introduction with very high notes hit by Adams, another slightly ploddy number after all that,
some cool riffs, and what appears to be Adams having an orgasm towards the end of the song. This song is pretty much the standard Viking song that appears on every song (although almost all of them are about the glory of Odin nowadays as evidenced by their latest album "Gods of War.").
10 out of 10

Hatred: For a band that was once the loudest band in the world for 20 years (the title now held by punk band Gallows), Manowar really has a lot of ploddier numbers... Musically, it gets kinda dull at times but it has some cool harmonies here and there. The lyrics were supposedly inspired by some issues they had with their old record company...
7 out of 10

Revelation (Death's Angel): It's not quite a thrasher, but it's one of the faster tracks on the album. There is a strong gallop during the verses and a very strong chorus. The lyrics on this one are about a classic battle between the forces of Heaven and Hell, focusing mainly on who appears to be God Himself. I always find it funny how the band switches sides of battle so easily...
9 out of 10

March for Revenge (By the Soldiers of Death): Yes, the title is very silly... At a length of 8 and a half minutes, this is the biggest epic on the album both musically and lyrically. Musical highlights include triumphant verses, epic choruses, and an ultra dramatic bridge featuring equally dramatic vocals. The lyrics are a narrative of a soldier who is out to conquer a village in the memory of his "fallen brother."
10 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 61 out of 70, 87%, and 4 stars. It is another solid album recommended for fans of such bands as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Dio. That is, if you can mind all the horridly campy cheesiness...

No More Tears (Ozzy Osbourne)

This album was the start of many changes in Ozzy's sound, some of which have stayed to this day. First of all, the music itself is probably at its dramatic since his days with Randy Rhoads. This album also was the first album to use more personal material lyrically. Unfortunately, this album also marked the start of Ozzy bringing in outside writers to help compose his material (not unlike Aerosmith...). While his future albums would feature work with hack songwriters and Brittany Spears producers, this album showcases the band's cooperation with Motorhead bassist/vocalist Lemmy...

Mr. Tinkertrain: The song begins with the sounds of distressed children and bouncy toy noises before the opening riff melts your face off... Musical highlights include the heavy as Hell introduction, the dark verses, the strong chorus, dark vocals by the Ozz, and an awesome solo. The lyrics are about the plights of a sex offender, a controversial topic that the singer portrays a little too well...
10 out of 10

I Don't Want to Change the World: I believe the 1993 live version of this song actually won him a Grammy. Musical highlights of this one include nicely done riffs, excellent drum fills by the late Randy Castillo, and a cool chorus. The meaning of the lyrics isn't too hard to find out, as you don't really have to go much deeper than the title to figure them out...
9 out of 10

Mama I'm Coming Home: The first of the album's ballads and one of his best to date. Much of the song's strength lies with the Southern rock influenced guitar playing and the moving chorus. The lyrics are about Ozzy telling his wife Sharon (whom he calls Mama) how much he cares about her. The song would later be reworked by the Foo Fighters for their work "My Hero..."
9 out of 10

Desire: This is one of those tracks that always make me want to go out and do something with myself. Musical highlights of this one include the classic introduction, the catchy verses and even catchier choruses, and the riffs. The lyrics are just as motivational and describe a speaker's drive to succeed in what they do.
9 out of 10

No More Tears: Easily Ozzy's most epic track to date, with the possible exception of "Diary of a Madman..." Musical highlights of this one include the famous bass introduction "inspired" by bass player Mike Inez (although longtime bass player Bob Daisley played on the whole album...), cool pre-choruses and choruses, some strong riffs, and an interesting collection of samples and orchestrations after the second chorus. While Ozzy has stated that the lyrics are about a serial killer, there are also some elements that deal with prostitution (maybe it's about Jack the Ripper...).
10 out of 10

S.I.N.: From what I understand, the song's title stands for "Shadows In the Night." While it has a feeling of filler, the guitar work is wonderfully done and the pre-chorus and chorus are extremely catchy. I will say that Ozzy's vocals sound a little more strained on this one than usual...
8 out of 10

Hellraiser: One of the most famous tracks on the album and one that should be familiar to fans of "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas." Musical highlights of this one include the epic introduction, the catchy verses, the nicely done choruses, and more riffs with a strong bass presence. Co-written by Lemmy and included on Motorhead's ill fated album "March or Die."
9 out of 10

Time After Time: While it is one of the weakest tracks on the album, it still a great deal of emotion in its delivery. All I can say is that the track itself doesn't have too much depth to it and the other ballads are much better. It's still a good song though with a nice chorus and a good solo.
7 out of 10

Zombie Stomp: Much of this song's strength lies on its lengthy, bizarre introduction. While the verses and choruses on this one are quite catchy, there doesn't seem to be too much substance on this one (although I suppose the majority of Ozzy's material has that problem...). Still features some mindblowing riffs though.
9 out of 10

A.V.H.: After owning this album for around 4 years, I still don't know what this title stands for... Once again, this song features catchy verses, pre-choruses, and choruses and more great riffs.
8 out of 10

Road to Nowhere: A final ballad closes out this album. The chorus on this one is particularly moving. The lyrics are basically about Ozzy reflecting on the many mistakes he has made in his life.
8 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 96 out of 110, 87%, and 4 stars. While "Blizzard of Ozz" is obviously his greatest album, this one comes in a close second. It would later prove to be his last truly classic album, as his more recent albums are pretty much full of crap. Yet for some reason, I still buy them...

Superunknown (Soundgarden)

How often is it when a band's most experimental album is their most commercially successful? While Soundgarden retains some of the energetic rock sound found on their previous album, much of this album dabbles in such music genres such as Middle Eastern, doom metal, and more ballady material. Like almost everything involving vocalist Chris Cornell, the lyrics are extremely cryptic and depressing.

Let Me Drown: The album begins at a mid-tempo pace characterized by an interesting introduction, cool riffs, dark verses musically and lyrically, and an interesting chorus. I'm guessing that the lyrics are about someone who wishes to be left to drown in their self pity.
9 out of 10

My Wave: One of the few upbeat tracks musically and lyrically. Musical highlights include good verses, cool riffs, and a catchy chorus. Lyrically, I find the song similar to Nirvana's "Come As You Are" in its welcoming tone.
9 out of 10

Fell On Black Days: The first of the album's ballad tracks, though this isn't as emotional as what is to come. The chorus in particular is nicely done.
9 out of 10

Mailman: One of the heavier tracks on the album with a crushing main riff, interesting vocals, and a dark chorus. The lyrics are particularly dark, and are about a speaker who seems to have fallen in love with their mailman...
9 out of 10

Superunknown: Another more upbeat track. Musical highlights include nicely done riffs, a cool pre-chorus, and a really catchy chorus. The lyrics seem to be about people who misunderstand the band.
8 out of 10

Head Down: One of the many tracks heavily influenced by a Middle Eastern style, although the tone is almost doom metal... This one features eerie verses, bizarre vocals, a nice chorus, and cool use of a mellotron by drummer Matt Cameron. The lyrics seem to be about a group of people whose purpose in life seems to bring down the lives of others, perhaps with a clergic origin...
8 out of 10

Black Hole Sun: The band's most famous song and winner at the 1994 Grammy Awards. Musical highlights include melancholic verses and an emotional chorus. According to Cornell, the lyrics have no meaning, but the song seemed to take on new significence after the death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain...
10 out of 10

Spoonman: Another upbeat tune that is notable for featuring Seattle's most famous street performer Artis the Spoonman. The song's title actually originated on the set of the movie "Singles" in 1992 when Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament considered it as the movie's band name. It's kind of overrated, but it's still a good song.
8 out of 10

Limo Wreck: Another dark track similar to "Mailman" in its delivery. This one features cool verses, a cool chorus, and more cryptic lyrics.
9 out of 10

The Day I Tried to Live: One of the more laid back songs on the album with a strong bass presence, interesting vocals, and a nice chorus. The song's lyrics seem to deal with the classic theme of insanity.
10 out of 10

Kickstand: Like "Face Pollution" off of the previous album, this is a fast punk-inspired number that's only a minute and a half long. It's fast and intense though not exactly a classic.
7 out of 10

Fresh Tendrils: One of the more bizarre song titles on the album. It's more of the weaker tracks on the album, but it features some good riffs.
7 out of 10

4th of July: Are you sure Tony Iommi had nothing to do with the composition, because this is Black Sabbath worship if I ever heard it... Musical highlights include the down-tuned main riff, the extremely dark verses and choruses, the bizarre sounding vocals, and the cool guitar solo that creeps in from time to time. Cornell once stated that the lyrics were written while he was tripping on acid...
10 out of 10

Half: Easily the weirdest track on the album with heavy influence of Middle Eastern music. The tracks is also notable for featuring bassist Ben Shepherd on lead vocals, guitar, and bass. A good song, despite its just plain weirdness.
7 out of 10

Like Suicide: I find that this track has a tone similar to "Mind Riot" off the previous album with its laid back tone and psychedelic influence. The vocals are also noteworthy as they are lower than the other songs and seem to be a warning for the way he would sing on his future material both solo and with Audioslave. The lyrics are also interesting, as they are a reflection of when Cornell killed a bird that was injured when it flew into his door.
7 out of 10

Overall, this album gets out 127 of 150, 85%, and 4 stars. The biggest flaw I'd say this album has is that it has too many songs. They're all good but anything that has more than 12 songs is a little overwhelming for me...

Paranoid (Black Sabbath)

For my 80th review, I think I'll do a review of what is widely seen as one of the greatest metal albums of all time (although it's practically classic rock by today's standards...). There's not too much to say about it that hasn't been said. Even non-metal fans should recognize a few of the more famous songs on here...

War Pigs: Originally, this was intended to be the album's title, but this was changed due to the intensity of the Vietnam War. With that being said, this song is obviously a protest song against war in general and the politicians who "hide themselves away" as soldiers are sent out to die. Musical highlights include a dark introduction, bluesy verses with a nicely done call and response riff, awesome solo sections, and melancholic vocals by Ozzy Osbourne.
10 out of 10

Paranoid: Like many other famous metal songs ("Smoke in the Water" comes to mind...), this song was written in about 15 minutes and was originally seen as merely filler material. Lyrically, it is basically about someone who is extremely depressed and is unsatisfied with his life. Musical highlights include the world famous main riff, a cool introduction, an awesome guitar solo by guitar god Tony Iommi, and a generally upbeat tone that totally does not match the lyrics...
10 out of 10

Planet Caravan: A track that is either loved or loathed for its extremely spacy atmosphere. If not for the vocals, you could probably convince someone that this is a Pink Floyd song. The lyrics match the spacy tone, and are basically about a group of beings that "travel through the unvierse" and describe what they see. Musical highlights include nicely done percussion by drummer Bill Ward, the spacy riffs, and the eerie vocals that don't sound a thing like Ozzy. According to the Black Sabbath fan site, Ozzy achieved this sound by singing through a Leslie speaker.
8 out of 10

Iron Man: Oh yes, the world famous metal track whose main riff everyone probably knows. While I think it is extremely overplayed (like about half of the tracks on here), it is still an awesome track that I do enjoy when it is played. The complex lyrics are about a man who foresees a future of destruction, travels back in time to warn his people about the future, "turned to steel in the great magnetic field," and became responsible for the dark future in the ensuing rampage. Musical highlights include the famous main riff, the equally famous introduction, the incredibly awesome bass playing by Geezer Butler, and the awesome solo sections.
10 out of 10

Electric Funeral: Despite being a fan favorite (one of my personal favorites off of the album), this song did not appear on the band's live set until around 1978 and was played after that until the original band's reunion with Ozzy. The lyrics are filled with incredibly dark imagery, and are basically about the end of the world caused by nuclear war and radiation. Musical highlights include the awesome riffs and the dark vocals. I'm happy to say I can play this whole song on bass guitar.
10 out of 10

Hand of Doom: A dark epic that is mostly responsible for the development of doom metal. The term "hand of doom" itself has also gone down in history as a lyrical metal cliche. The lyrics are the first to be about drug abuse, and deal with the use of heroin. Musical highlights include the changing moods musically, the dark bass presence, the cool riffs all the way through, and more dark imagery.
10 out of 10

Rat Salad: The first of Sabbath's many instrumentals, only this one does not bring about Iommi's fetish for the accoustic guitar. Instead, we get an interesting bluesy number that focuses greatly on the drumming. You could say that this is Sabbath's answer to Led Zeppelin's famous instrumental "Moby Dick." I've also read that metal megastars Van Halen considered calling themselves Rat Salad...
7 out of 10

Fairies Wear Boots: This track is the song that shares the highest number of similarities to some of the material on the band's debut album. The lyrics are based upon an incident during which a very high Geezer Butler was attacked by a group of skinheads. Highlights of this one include the introduction, the cool main riff, and the jamming that occurs towards the end of the song.
9 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 74 out of 80, 93%, and 4.5 stars. An easy candidate for Sabbath's best album, although I have a major soft spot for 1980's "Heaven and Hell" (see that review for more information...). A nice listen for newer fans of metal who want to get away from all the crap coming out these days.

Hall on the Mountain King (Savatage)

Even before the days of "Gutter Ballet," Savtage used a great deal of epic theatrics in their sound. This was the first album they released under the direction of producer Paul O'Neill, who has stuck with the band to this day (although now they're better known as the guys in Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The album is also notable for its strong focus on the classically influenced guitar playing of the late Criss Oliva.

24 Hours Ago: Right away, the album opens with a strong guitar riff, screeching vocals, and a determined attitude that flourishes from the song's beginning to its ending. Also worthy of note is the brief bass solo towards the end of the song. The lyrics seem to be about a speaker who is fed up with how his life seems to be going.
8 out of 10

Beyond the Doors of the Dark: Hearing this song gave me a whole new respect for vocalist Jon Oliva. I'm pretty sure he goes into about 4 different vocal characters in the first stanza alone... The track also features great riffs, strong backing vocals in some spots, and an extremely dark atmosphere.
10 out of 10

Legions: Beginning with a cool bass introduction by Johnny Lee Middleton, this mid-tempo track is notable for its verses and its shout-a-long chorus. It's safe to assume that the song was written for the band's fanbase, which was growing more and more as time went on.
8 out of 10

Strange Wings: For some reason, this track always makes me think of some of Dio's more commercial track ("Mystery" for instance). Of course, this song is WAY less cheesy... Musical highlights include a cool introduction, interesting verses, a strong chorus, a nice solo, and a vocal duet towards the end of the song featuring the late Badlands vocalist Ray Gillen.
9 out of 10

Prelude to Madness: Unlike most other Savatage instrumentals, this track is far more than Yngwie Malmsteem-like wankery. In terms of atmosphere, this song seems to pave the way for the upcoming title track with its dark mood and sound effects of a thunderstorm in the beginning. The second half of the song actually makes use of the classic classical song "In the Hall of the Mountain King." All in all, it is a strong display of Criss's guitar skills.
10 out of 10

Hall of the Mountain King; Arguably the greatest track on the album, featuring a strong introduction, cool verses, an epic chorus, extremely strong wails and evil laughter from Jon (Jon has a really cool sounding evil laugh...), nicely done backing vocals, and awe-inspiring guitar work all the way through. The lyrics are more of the fantasy inspired sort, and are basically about the actual Mountain King.
10 out of 10

The Price You Pay: Not quite as amazing as some of the other songs on here, but it is nicely done. It is noteworthy for more cool guitar work and nicely done verses.
8 out of 10

White Witch: Probably the heaviest track on the album with strong riffs and an addictive chorus. The lyrics seem to be about the classic theme of a relationship gone wrong, using the White Witch as a metaphor.
10 out of 10

Last Dawn: Basically an accoustic instrumental before the last track. A beautiful track that sets up for the closer, but not too much else to say about it.
8 out of 10

Devastation: The introduction kinda makes me think of Led Zeppelin for some reason. This features some nice riffs and a good chorus. The lyrics seem to be about the end of the world and feature a few memorable lines. "We should've listened to what Christ had to say..."
8 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 81 out of 90, 90%, and 4.5 stars. This one of Savatage's greatest albums and is a fine example of 80's metal done right. Recommended for fans of classical metal and the Sava-Legions who haven't bought it yet. I got it for $9.99 at FYE (along with the other 2 albums I've reviewed)...

Systematic Chaos (Dream Theater)

I had originally intended to review "Scenes From a Memory," but I came to the conclusion that I wasn't quite ready to fulfill that task. So instead, I will be reviewing the band's most recent album, released just a month ago (June 5, to be exact...).
Every Dream Theater album has its own sound, and this one is no exception. Personally I find this album to be a musical mixture of "Train of Thought," "Octavarium," and "Awake" thrown in for good measure. Lyrically, this is easily the band's darkest album with the themes of war, religion, and the occult (an extremely rare topic for the band).

In the Presence of Enemies (Part 1): Perhaps as a nod to Pink Floyd, the opener and closer are two parts of the same song. Apparently, this was intentionally done as the album was being mixed (the band thought that the track made a good opener and closer...). The band also stated that the two tracks will be performed back to back in concert (God, I hope I get to see them again...). Basically, the first half features a five minute instrumental/introduction and a more mellow second half. The second half really brings up the rating with its great verses and emotional choruses. The only flaw I'd say this song has is the introduction. While it is technically awesome, it is rather easy to get bored...
9 out of 10

Forsaken: One of the more commercial tracks with its more traditional song structure. The lyrics are interesting and deal with a man's encounter with a vampiress. The biggest highlight of the song is the passionate chorus. This album just might have some of the best vocal performances ever sung by James Labrie.
9 out of 10

Constant Motion: After a few mid-tempo tracks, we now go to the heavy tracks. As evidenced by the lower vocals and heavier riffs, this track is pretty much Metallica worship. The biggest things of note on this song are the catchy chorus and John Myung's little bass solo after the second chorus. A good track, although it's probably the weakest track on the album (which is ironic, as it is among the heaviest...).
8 out of 10

The Dark Eternal Night: Another heavy track that the listener will either love or hate. The lyrics are interesting and seem to be about a feared monstrocity that has risen to torment humanity. Musical highlights include a riff that kinda sounds like one from "This Dying Soul," an interesting vaudeville-esque solo section, and hearing Labrie share the microphone with the demonically distorted vocals of drummer Mike Portnoy.
9 out of 10

Repenteance: The fourth part of the band's famous "Alcholics Anonymous Suite" (the 8th and 9th steps to be exact). Unlike the previous parts which were mostly heavy in their delivery, this one is particularly mellow and subdued. The main melody is actually taken from a part of "This Dying Soul" with some spacy effects thrown in here and there. It is a tad repetitive, but it makes sense given the context of the suite. The lyrics on this song reflect the steps in which a recovering alcoholic establishes the regrets felt in his life and seeks to make ammends for them. The first half consists of the lyrics and the second half is a collage of various speakers speaking of their regrets. I won't mention all of their names for the sake of space, but there are some interesting names in the bunch...
9 out of 10

Prophets of War: The biggest thing to note about this track is how they had a contest to get 50 fans into the studio to perform the chants heard in the song. The chants probably are the best part of the song, as there are too many other highlights. The lyrics on this one seem to be about the war in Iraq, a topic that everyone seems to have a song about (yes, I count myself in that...)
7 out of 10

Ministry of Lost Souls: An epic ballad that is nearly 15 minutes long. Of course, hearing that number probably sends you running already. Let me assure you that this is one of the best tracks on the album and easily the most emotional. My personal interpretation of the lyrics is that they are about two people who are separated for all eternity. According to the band, the song is about a man who saves a woman from drowning and dies in the process. Musical highlights include a beautiful chorus and an awesome solo section.
9 out of 10

In the Presence of Enemies (Part 2): The longest song on the album and my personal favorite. Like the first part, the themes of this song are religious, though with a dark twist. Musical sequences include a darkly mellow beginning known as "Heretic," the extremely heavy "Slaughter of the Damned" (with an another amazing chorus), the heavy instrumental sequence called "The Reckoning," and the epic closer "Salvation." It must be heard to be believed...
10 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 70 out of 80, 88%, and 4 stars. After a couple more listens, I'd consider this album to be one of their most unique and one of their best. The album is also noteworthy for reaching 19 on the Billboard 200. Let me assure you, I don't think MTV had a damn thing to do with it...