Seasons in the Abyss (Slayer)

After the intensity of "Reign in Blood" and the melodic doom of "South of Heaven," Slayer finally found a way to merge the two styles into one. The result is one of the band's best albums and perhaps second only to the previously mentioned "Reign in Blood." Lyrically, the album expands the subject matter found on "South of Heaven" though it includes an occult reference here and there. The album is also noteworthy for being the last one to feature drummer Dave Lombardo until 2006's "Christ Illusion."

War Ensemble: This song starts the album off in a way similar to the famous "Angel of Death." It's certainly not as intense as that number, but it's still a strong opener and a classic Slayer track. As evidenced by the title, the lyrics are based upon warfare and all that stuff.
9 out of 10

Blood Red: A shorter and slower track with a nice groove to it. It also features a neat introduction and some interesting verses and choruses. The lyrics basically deal with communist regimes and their violent attempts to keep the peace...
8 out of 10

Spirit in Black: One of the faster tracks on the album featuring some rapidly done verses, an interesting chorus, and plenty of good riffs. The lyrics are similar to the songs on their earlier albums but are certainly not as graphic. They provide a portrait of the Horned One himself and portray him as a Mephisto-esque character offering power and immortality. The song also gets props for making subtle references to "Hell Awaits" and "Reign in Blood."
9 out of 10

Expendable Youth: There's not too much to say about this track musically, as it's basically another slow number with some nice grooves. Lyrically, the song seems to be about gang warfare and specifically about victims "caught in the crossfire."
8 out of 10

Dead Skin Mask: One of the album's greatest and darkest tracks. It is heavy in atmosphere and features a dark introduction with a creepy spoken segment from bassist/vocalist Tom Araya, nicely done verses, a cool chorus, strong riffs, and the sounds of a woman and/or child towards the end of the song. The lyrics are equally dark and go into the warped mind of serial killer/necrophiliac Ed Gein.
10 out of 10

Hallowed Point: Another one of the faster numbers featuring some fast riffs and a strong chorus. The lyrics are probably some of the most graphic on the album.
7 out of 10

Skeletons of Society: While the song is seen by many as filler, this song is one of my favorites. It is a slower song with a main riff almost exactly like "Expendable Youth," but I think it's done better on this song. It also features some sinister verses, some interesting solos, and a strange chorus. The song never fails to give me imagery of skeletons marching in some sort of assembly line...
9 out of 10

Temptation: Probably the album's most bizarre track. The lyrics are similar to "Spirit in Black" and return the theme of the Devil's Deal. The song's destinctness lies in the music as it feature some double tracked vocals during the verses (apparently, the move was unintentional...) and a cool though slightly awkward chorus.
8 out of 10

Born of Fire: The album's final thrasher before the dramatic closer. This song features plenty of strong riffs, cool verses, and an interesting chorus. I will say that the lyrics on this one are particularly cool sounding.
8 out of 10

Seasons in the Abyss: I think this was the sound the band was trying to go for when they wrote the song "Spill the Blood." It is a strong epic track with a nicely done introduction, some cool verses, a catchy chorus, and a more mellow tone in contrast the heavier tracks on the album. I've yet to figure out what the lyrics are about though...
10 out of 10

Overall, the album gets 86 out of 100, 86%, and 4 stars. All in all, it's another Slayer classic and an essential buy for any metalhead. The main flaws I'd say the album has are that Tom Araya's vocal delivery is rather strained and the songs are rather formulatic at times. Of course, that latter comment is to be expected...

Moving Pictures (Rush)

Though the band had previous success with such albums as "2112" and "Permanent Waves," this album is where the band truly achieved their major breakthrough. With this album, the band's songwriting became a bit more accessible and, dare I say, radio friendly. Fortunately, not a damn part of it feels dumbed down in any way...

Tom Sawyer: Probably the band's most famous song memorable for its well known synthesizer riffs, strong drumming, nicely done verses and choruses, and some cool solos. The lyrics (co-written by frequent Rush collaberator Pye Dubois) look at the classic character Tom Sawyer and see him as a symbol of the "modern day warrior."
10 out of 10

Red Barchetta: An awesome track featuring an energetic delivery, a fast and upbeat tone, some great gutar and bass riffs, awesome drumming, and some cool harmonies throughout. The lyrics are based upon a short story known as "A Nice Morning Drive."
10 out of 10

YYZ: A nice little instrumental that shows off the band's skill with their instrumental. Ever member shines on this one and there are awesome riffs, melodies, and solos to be found throughout. Apparently, the line is based on the code for the Toronto Pearson International Airport. It can get a little wanky, but it's definately awesome. I can only imagine what it's like in concert...
9 out of 10

Limelight: Another one of the album's more famous songs and a fan favorite for years to come. In contrast to the frustration filled lyrics, the album has a particularly upbeat tone. The verses are nicely done, the chorus is a catchy one, the riffing is great, and the drumming is awesome as ever. The lyrics basically deal with the band's newfound fame and drummer Neil Peart's growing dissolution.
10 out of 10

The Camera Eye: At eleven minutes, this is the longest song on the album and probably the band's last pure epic. The song is largely driven by its keyboards, a rapid first half, a slower second half, and some nice harmonies. The lyrics are pretty cryptic on this one.
9 out of 10

Witch Hunt: My favorite track on the album and the album's darkest number. It is noteworthy for its dark riffs, eerie bass playing, strong verses and choruses, and synth playing provided by artist Hugh Syme. The lyrics play on the theme of fear and describe how it can influence the masses into madness...
10 out of 10

Vital Signs: Closing out the album is its most unusual track. The track is greatly influenced by styles such as raggae and has some pretty interesting harmonies here and there.
8 out of 10

Overall, this album recieves 66 out of 70, 94%, and 4.5 stars. It is definately a classic album and it just might be the band's best. It makes a really good starting point for people curious about the band. The superior technical ability and the vocals of bassist Geddy Lee do make it an acquired taste though. I'd say it's worth it...

The Glorious Burden (Iced Earth)

With Rob Halford back in the ranks of Judas Priest, the fate of replacing vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens came into question. Fortunately for him, there was an opening in Iced Earth as vocal god Matt Barlow had abdicated from his throne in exchange for a career as a cop... While the band has had an unstable line-up history, the reception towards him has been quite controversial. Tim is certainly a competent vocalist, though he lacks the emotional qualities possessed by Barlow.
The album is different than before musically as the guitars seem to take on a lighter tone than before. The most dramatic change is the lyrical change. The political and historical themes on this album are certainly a far cry from the demonic and religious themes of the past. Having said that, the sound is still Iced Earth.

The Star Spangled Banner/Declaration Day: Yes, this song's introduction is none other than our national anthem. It's certainly not like Jimi Hendrix's version, but it's fitting and effective. The track itself is a classic track featuring some awesome vocals, uplifting riffs, and a really cool chorus. As evidenced by the title of the song, the lyrics deal with the Revolutionary War and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
10 out of 10

When the Eagle Cries: The first ballad on the album and probably the better of the three. Like many Iced Earth ballads, it has a by-the-numbers feeling to it but it is also heartfelt. It also features some melancholic verses and an awesomely done chorus. What the track is most memorable for are the lyrics, which deal with the feelings most of us felt on September 11th.
8 out of 10

The Reckoning (Don't Tread On Me): While it's not exactly a thrash metal tune, it's certainly fast and aggressive throughout. The track features some strong riffs, a nice chorus, some angry vocals, and a melodic bridge. The lyrics describe the aftermath and the action taken after 9/11. It is a little gung ho but it's a good track.
8 out of 10

Green Face: Three minutes long and one of my favorite tracks oon the album. It is another heavy track featuring a cool introduction, some strong verses and pre-choruses, a wailing chorus, and a cool but brief solo. From what I've read, the lyrics on this one are about the Navy SEAL's or something along those lines. Some of the lines are extremely goofy ("I'll be where the metal meets the meat!").
9 out of 10

Valley Forge: The one track on the album I always seem to overlook. Musically, it is another ballad with rapid accoustic strumming during the verses and an interesting chorus. The album's lyrics are about the current state of the United States (no pun intended) and ask if we stll have our original ambition, using "a soldier at Valley Forge" as a metaphor. It is rather preachy, but decent.
8 out of 10

Attila: This just might be my favorite track on my album and is one of the more epic numbers. I enjoy the track for its dramatic introduction, energetic verses with some cool riffs, an awesome chorus, and a really cool bridge that features cool vocal trade-offs (I swear Barlow singing in there somewhere. Hell, he co-wrote the track...). The lyrics on this one begin a little break from the American history theme and discuss the plights of Attila the Hun. I believe guitarist Jon Schaffer once stated that he wrote this song while watching the History Channel...
9 out of 10

Hollow Man: The album's third ballad and possibly the weakest track on the album. It does feature some nice accoustics and a nice chorus, though it is another by-the-numbers ballad. And Ripper doesn't really have the voice for ballads like Barlow does/did. The lyrics on this one are a complete departure from the history theme, as they deal with self reflection and overcoming melancholy.
7 out of 10

Red Baron (Blue Max): Several elements of this song (and I guess the album overall here and there...) remind me of Iron Maiden, particularly the song "Aces High." Musically, the song features an uplifting introduction, some heavy riffs, some soaring vocals, and some interesting verses and choruses. The lyrics (one of the few songs co-written by Owens) are basically about the plights of the Red Baron during World War I and his eventual demise.
8 out of 10

The Devil To Pay: In Iced Earth tradition, the last three songs form an epic trilogy. In this particular case, the theme is based around the famous Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. Due to the battle's complexity and my limited knowledge on the subject, I won't go into that much detail. The album's booklet does include some interesting notes that may provide some enlightenment...
Musically, the song features another reindition of "The Star Spangled Banner" with "Dixie" in the background, a melancholic first verse, some heavier mid-tempo verses following by a strong chorus, and some nice orchestrations during the song's instrumental sections (though it is like that during the entire trilogy), and some military drums fading into the next track...
9 out of 10

Hold At All Costs: Part 2 of the trilogy and the shortest part at a mere 7 minutes (compared to the 13 minute other parts...). This track has another slow introduction, more heavy mid-tempo verses, and a pretty nice chorus.
9 out of 10

High Water Mark: Easily the strongest part of the trilogy. This track features an awesome drum introduction that sounds a bit like the introduction of Megadeth's "Trust," some mellow verses featuring Owens and Schaffer exchanging vocals with some eerie choral vocals in the background, the following verses are the heavy type but feature some awesomely done harmonies and have an energetic vibe that was lacking on the previous tracks, an amazing instrumental section, a few triumphant and epic sounding verses towards the end, and an eerie epilouge that closes out the song on a melancholic note. Surely awesome...
10 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 95 out of 110, 86%, and 4 stars. It has a different sound and has a strong amount of cheesiness, but I still find myself enjoying it. Of course, I may say that as this was the first Iced Earth album I bought. I'd recommend it for fans of more traditional power metal and for the band's American fanbase. . .

Angel Of Retribution (Judas Priest)

I've been meaning to write a review for this album for quite a while. It was the first album released since the band's 2003 reunion with vocalist Rob Halford. While their return is not quite as triumphant as say Iron Maiden's, it's certainly good to see Priest returning to their former glory. Musically, the album is truly one of their most varied and goes from the majesty of "Sad Wings of Destiny" to the heaviness of "Painkiller." As a nod to the past, several of the tracks feature titles of previous songs within their lyrics.

Judas Rising: Starting the album off is this epic opener. The song is noteworthy for its introduction which brings to mind "Victim Of Changes," heavy riffs, strong drumming, powerful verses, an awesome chorus, and some great vocals by Halford. With the lyrics seem to be about Judas himself escaping from Hell, I think it's along the lines of a metaphor for the band's comeback.
10 out of 10

Deal With the Devil: One of the album's faster tracks and co-written by producer Roy Ramirez (better known as Roy Z). This one features some rapid riffs and vocals, some cool sounding verses, and a strong chorus. The lyrics on this one reflect on the band's career from their humble beginning "down at Holy Joe's."
9 out of 10

Revolution: I'd consider this track to be something along the lines of "United" with a more modern twist here and there (is that rapping during the song's fade-out?!). It is a nice catchy track with some cool riffs and choruses, but it's probably the weakest track on the album. The lyrics are another statement about Priest's comeback though they're rather foolish if they think they're starting some sort of revolution.
7 out of 10

Worth Fighting For: The first of the album's two ballads (unless "Eulogy" can be counted as one) and one that seems to have a bit more of a rock-ish vibe to it. I enjoy the song for its nicely done riffs, cool chorus, great vocals, and some nice solos. The lyrics seem to be about the end of a relationship.
9 out of 10

Demonizer: One of the album's heavier tracks with some influence from "Painkiller" (even mentioning the character by name...) and some of the material with vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens. The track is notable for its heavy riffs, pounding drums, and a chorus that reads like a nursery rhyme ("The scream of a demon, there's evil about! They've come to possess us; out, demons, out!"). From what I understand, the lyrics seem to be about some sort of epic battle between the Hellion (the metallic eagle shown on the "Screaming for Vengeance" album cover) and the Painkiller.
8 out of 10

Wheels Of Fire: A nice biker anthem done in a classic 80's style. It kinda reminds me of something off of "Defender of the Faith." Musically, it is notable for its cool riffs and a nice chorus.
8 out of 10

Angel: The album's pure power ballad with some nice accoustic and electric guitars, emotional vocals, and a nice structure. Halford may not have much of a voice for ballads (what do you expect from a guy known as The Metal God?), but he puts on a steller performance. The lyrics on this one are particularly mournful.
8 out of 10

Hellrider: Another heavy track with an almost epic feel to it. The track has a really cool introduction, awesome riffs, powerful vocals, amazing drumming, dark verses, a triumphant chorus. It's just one of those songs that just might pound you into submission.
9 out of 10

Eulogy: A short three minute track that relies greatly on the atmosphere and its simple piano playing. It also features some mournful vocals and softer riffs. I'm not too sure what the lyrics are about, but they are full of lament. I get the feeling that it could've gone a little deeper.
7 out of 10

Lochness: This 13 minute epic is unlike anything Priest has done before and may signal the future direction of the band's sound. Musically, it is a slower number featuring some slow and crushing riffs, eerie vocals, and one of the best choruses the band has ever written. The big flaws of the song are that it's rather overlong and EXTREMELY cheesy. Of course, this all is being said the guy who studies cryptozoology as a hobby and has written lyrics about the Chupacabra...
8 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 83 out of 100, 83%, and 4 stars. It's not exactly Priest's best album, but it's proof that they are pushing on with some newfound power. It may be a good buy for new fans, as it does sum up several aspects of the band's sound.

Hidden Treasures (Megadeth)

I guess you could consider this to be an album. It's certainly their most unusual as it is a compliation of all the songs that had been used only for film soundtracks and tribute albums. While some fans have referred to it as a Megadeth cash cow, it serves as a smart alternative to buying every soundtrack the band appears on. And the fact that the songs are awesome certainly doesn't hurt either...

No More Mr. Nice Guy: Starting the album off is an Alice Cooper cover taken from the "Shocker" soundtrack. The track is notable for being the only Megadeth song recorded as a power trio (drummer Nick Menza had already joined but the band had yet to find guitarist Marty Friedman). The track itself isn't too bad. It adds some interesting riffs here and there and even includes a few solos (as the original didn't really have any solos to begin with). The main flaw I'd say the song has is that the vocals and spoken segments tend to get a little over the top...
7 out of 10

Breakpoint: Taken from the "Super Mario Brothers" film is this classic thrasher. Its riffs seem to be rather similar to "Kick The Chair" in a way, but it's surely an awesome song. I also enjoy the song for its nicely done chorus, some cool solos, and an amusing spoken segment towards the end of the song.
9 out of 10

Go To Hell: A slower track from the soundtrack of "Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey." It's definately not a ballad as it features a strong bass introduction with some awesome bass playing, some dark verses, an interesting chorus, a dark tone, and cool solos. The lyrics are also a major highlight as they describe a speaker's experience as he experiences his death, funeral, and descent into Hell...
9 out of 10

Angry Again: Probably the famous song on the album and one that has remained a classic to this day (originally released on the "Last Action Hero" soundtrack). Musically, it is a mid-tempo track with some cool sounding verses, a catchy chorus, some cool riffs and bass playing, and a dark tone. In a way, this song feels like it could've been off of "Youthanasia," but it truly stands on its own just as well. I will say that the lyrics on this one may be some of the smartest Mustaine has ever written, especially during the first verse.
10 out of 10

99 Ways To Die: While this was taken from the "Beavis and Butt-Head Experience" compilation album, it sounds like another track that could've been off of "Youthanasia." The verses and overall tone bring to mind "Victory," only with an approach that's not quite as silly... The track is also notable for its cool riffs, melodic pre-chorus, and a really cool sounding chorus.
9 out of 10

Paranoid: A Black Sabbath cover taken from the famous "Navitity in Black" tribute album. Like many covers, it's not as good as the original but it certainly does it some justice. It does expand on a few solos nicely. I'm not too sure if Mustaine's vocals really fit the tune though...
7 out of 10

Diadems: This may be one of the darkest songs in Megadeth's career, which seems fitting for the movie it was featured in ("Demon Knight," a spin-off from the "Tales From the Crypt" series). I do enjoy it for its dark tone and its eerie riffs and vocals, though it can get a little directionless at times.
8 out of 10

Problems: Closing out the album is a nice Sex Pistols cover. It's not an amazing song by any means, but it kicks the crap out of their version of "Anarchy in the UK..."
8 out of 10

Overall, the album earns 66 out of 80, 83%, and 4 stars. The cover songs are rather unnecessary, but the originals are some of the best songs the band ever wrote. Unfortunately, the album remains out of print here in the States. I got mine as an import from Best Buy for $13.99...

Practice What You Preach (Testament)

After playing an epic style of thrash metal for their first two albums, the band seemed to be taking things to a simpler approach for this album. The album loses some of the band's accoustic fetish found on "The New Order" and the songwriting seems to have slightly dumbed down. On the bright side, the lyrics seemed to advance a bit more and go into more political themes than before (although this happened with a lot of bands actually...). While the occult lyrics are more entertaining to read, there are some pretty smart lines found throughout the album...

Practice What You Preach: Opening the album is the band's well most known song, having been a modest hit on "Headbanger's Ball." The song may be a little repetitive at times, but it features some catchy verses and choruses. I really enjoy the song's riffs, bass playing, solos, and some cool sounding vocals. The lyrics seem to warn a listener about commiting hypocrisy (perhaps another televangelist song?).
10 out of 10

Perilous Nation: One of the album's better tracks featuring a cool introduction, some strong bass riffs, some nice verses, and a great chorus. The lyrics are some of the more political and have some pretty cool lines about Big Brother and all that kinda stuff.
8 out of 10

Envy Life: After the two fast tracks, we get a slower mid-tempo number. While it has a nice groove to it and a few death growls from vocalist Chuck Billy, it does tend to get a little dull here and there.
7 out of 10

Time Is Coming: We now go back to a faster track with some great riffs, a catchy chorus, angry verses, and some cool solos. The lyrics are full of venom and are your standard anti-government type of stuff.
9 out of 10

Blessed In Contempt: One of the album's highlights featuring an introduction that brings to mind "Abduction" by Bruce Dickinson, some good riffs, a nice chorus, and nice harmonies. The lyrics seem to be about child abuse.
9 out of 10

Greenhouse Effect: Another one of the album's more famous songs. Musically, it does have some interesting verses, some cool riffs, and a nicely done chorus. The song is just as famous for the lyrics as they deal with the destruction of the rain forests of South America (you know, they have rain forests over in Africa and Asia...).
8 out of 10

Sins Of Omission: Now this song is pretty frigging awesome. Easily one of the heaviest song on the album with some really heavy riffs and harmonies. The lyrics are also intense and have some dark imagery.
9 out of 10

The Ballad: Something about this song seems to be extremely tongue in cheek. It's probably the title, and they were probably forced to write something like this by the record company (tis how hundreds of hits are concieved...). Having said that, it is still a good song with some nice accoustic playing, strong vocals, and cool harmonies here and there.
8 out of 10

Nightmare (Coming Back to You): I think this song was the band's attempt to write something fast and punkier. It's got a cool groove, though nothing really amazing. The lyrics seem to be about the music industry.
7 out of 10

Confusion Fusion: In standard Testament fashion, the album closes out with an instrumental. There's not too much to say about it...
7 out of 10

Overall, the album gets 82 out of 100, 82%, and 4 stars. There are plenty of good songs on here, though it is slightly dull compared to the first two albums. While the album proved to be one of their best selling albums, it also paved the way for the band's mid-90's implosion. I will say that the album is significent to me for being the first Testament album I bought. In hindsight, I think that "The New Order" would've made a better first buy...

Rigor Mortis (Rigor Mortis)

Rigor Mortis is one of those bands that had a slightly dated but extremely awesome sound. While their style is unmistakably thrash metal, it also became influential on death metal due to its more intense tempos and gory lyrics. The band is also noteable for featuring Ministry guitarist Mike Scaccia and GWAR bassist Casey Orr in its ranks. The other members (vocalist Bruce Corbitt and drummer Harden Harrison) are certainly no slouches and add greatly to the album's... greatness...

Welcome To The Funeral: The album begins with a nice sounding instrumental. While the song seems to be there mainly to provide atmosphere, it also seems to be some sort of overture as some of the riffs do sound a bit like what is to come. Of course, I'm not sure whether this is intentional or not...
8 out of 10

Demons: It was the lyrics of this song that got me interested in the band as they are quite violent and amusing (Of course, there were on a Christian anti-metal website...). Musically, it begins with a nice mellow opening leading into some intense thrashing. It also feature some cool verses, some nice vocal trade-offs between Corbitt and Orr here and there, and a cool ending.
9 out of 10

Bodily Dismemberment: My favorite song on the album and that features an incredible introduction, some great riffs and solos, demonic vocals, cool drumming, a strong bass presence, and a cool chorus. The lyrics on this one are some of the most amusing and describe an S&M encounter gone horribly wrong...
10 out of 10

Condemned To Hell: This is one of the more standard tracks on the album. It does feature some cool riffs, a nice chorus, and a neat little bass solo during the song's solo section. It is a good song, though there are way better songs on here.
7 out of 10

Wizard Of Gore: Based on the old splatter film of the same name, this song is a nice highlight. The introduction in particular is interesting, as it has a bouncy but eerie feeling to it. It also has its fair share of riffs and evil sounding vocal harmonies as well. The lyrics are based about the plights of a killer and have an almost funhouse like quality in its delivery ("Bone collections, tissue samples, buckets of blood, bowls of eyeballs...").
10 out of 10

Shroud Of Gloom: One of the faster and shorter songs off the album. It features some really fast verses, an awesome chorus, awesome riffs, great drumming, and cool sounding vocals during the chorus.
9 out of 10

Die In Pain: This song is unique for featuring Orr performing on lead vocals. His voice is far different than Corbitt's but I think he does an awesome job with his delivery. Musically, it is another punk influenced number with an extremely fast pace, incredible riffs and solos, a strong bass presence, cool verses, and a really catchy chorus.
9 out of 10

Vampire: One of the more unique tracks on the album featuring an awesome introduction, some cool drum patterns, cool bass playing, plenty of great riffs and solos, and an interesting structure. I'd say the lyrics are quite self-explanatory...
9 out of 10

Re-Animator: Another one of my favorites featuring an interesting movie sample, great riffs, and a really catchy chorus with some nice vocal trade-offs. The lyrics are based upon the movie of the same name, which is about a man who brings corpses back to life...
9 out of 10

Slow Death: The album closes out with another of its more standard numbers. It does feature plenty of strong wails, cool riffs, and a nice sample in the beginning of the song.
7 out of 10

Overall, the album gets 87 out of 100, 87%, and 4 stars. Despite a dated sound and some questionable production, this truly is a classic album and worth checking out if you can find it. The remastered version also features 3 bonus tracks that are pretty interesting. I've found that the CD's on this album are exceedingly rare. You're probably better off just buying it off of iTunes along with the "Freaks" EP (it still amazes me that Rigor Mortis is on there to begin with...).

Reign In Blood (Slayer)

An album seen by many as one of the greatest thrash metal works of all time. You know what, this album really needs no introduction. Let's get to the review...

Angel Of Death: Starting the album off is the band's second most famous song (most famous being the title track I think...) and right away transports you through the album's lyrical journey through Hell. The lyrics are about the plights of infamous Auschwitz physician Josef Mengele and drew ensuing accusations that Slayer were neo-Nazis. Musically, the song is noteworthy for its intense introduction, awesome barks and screams by bassist/vocalist Tom Araya, fast as Hell riffs and solos, some sweet melodic sections, an awesome drum solo performed towards the end by Dave Lombardo, and an awesome chorus.
10 out of 10

Piece By Piece: The introduction starts off at a mid-tempo pace and then goes straight into this two minute thrasher, which is memorable for a nice chorus, cool riffs, and some quickly delivered vocals. Not too much to say about the lyrics besides that this is the only place I've ever heard the word "modulistic."
9 out of 10

Necrophobic: The shortest track on the album, at only 1:41, and probably the fastest on the album as well. This must be where grindcore comes from... The track is notable for the constant drumming, some cool solos, and vocals that are too damn fast to sing along to (wait... Did I say sing along to? I meant yell...).
8 out of 10

Alter Of Sacrifice: Probably my big favorite of the shorter tracks. Musically, it starts with a faster section though not exactly thrashing and then becomes a bit slow and slightly heavier. The lyrics describe some sort of Satanic ritual in which a person takes part in sacrifice and transformation...
8 out of 10

Jesus Saves: I believe this song was the start of the band's Jesus hating tendencies as opposed to just liking Satan (which I find ironic as Araya is Catholic...). The track is made distinct by its dramatic minute long introduction that features some awesome riffs and a slower tone. By the time the fast parts come around, you just kinda wish that they had stuck to the slow thing for a song...
9 out of 10

Criminally Insane: Aside from the opener and last 2 songs, this is another one of the album's more unique tracks. It is made great by its cool drum introduction, a slower pace in the beginning before the thrashing, and some nice verses and choruses.
8 out of 10

Reborn: I find this song to be particularly intriguing lyrically, as they describe a witch that is burned at the stake and swears revenge upon their reincarnation. Musically, it is but another thrasher featuring some nicely delivered verses and cool riffs.
8 out of 10

Epidemic: Probably the weakest track on the album though it has some cool harmonies during the verses. The lyrics are about disease and all that but they don't go too deep.
8 out of 10

Post Mortem: Another one of the album's more dramatic songs and probably one of its overall slowest. Highlights of the song include the dramatic introduction, some cool riffs and solos, a mid-tempo first half and a thrashing second half, great drumming, some cool sounding vocals, and an ending that fades into the closing song...
9 out of 10

Raining Blood: ...which was the first song I ever heard from this album and the one that got me interested in the band (once again, from the "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" soundtrack...). It is notable for its infamous introduction, dramatic build-ups, some awesome riffs and drumming, and some nicely done thunderstorm effects that bring to mind a gorier "Black Sabbath."
10 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 87 out of 100, 87%, and 4 stars. I don't think Slayer has ever outdone this release. Is it overrated? Yes. Is it an acquired taste? Oh yeah. Is it still awesome? HELL YEAH!! Highly recommended for newer thrash fans.

Dehumanizer (Black Sabbath)

Before they had their full blown reunion with Ozzy Osbourne and before Heaven and Hell made waves this year, Black Sabbath briefly reunited with bassist Geezer Butler, drummer Vinny Appice, and vocalist Ronnie James Dio. The sound is extremely different than the sound found on "Heaven and Hell" and "The Mob Rules." This album takes on an extremely dark, depressing, and heavy sound both musically and lyrically. The album's lyrics are a departure from Dio's D&D metaphors and use more modern themes.

Computer God: Opening the album is this strong epic track. It starts out on a mid-tempo pace during the first two verses and choruses, goes into a melancholic bridge, and closes out its last verses with a thrashing tone. Other noteworthy parts include a drum introduction that kinda sounds like "Headless Cross" (though not as cliched), plenty of snarls and croons from Dio, some awesome bass fills, and plenty of awesome riffs and solos. The lyrics are about society's obsession with technology and deals with a computer that is worshipped as a god.
9 out of 10

After All (The Dead): An incredibly slow and dark number that is notable for its eerie riffs, creepy sounding vocals, some great verses, and a subtle chorus. The lyrics are extremely cryptic on this one. I've read an interpretation saying that it is about the band itself...
9 out of 10

TV Crimes: One of the faster tracks on the album and one of the singles released from the album. It is strong for its heavy riffs, vicious vocals, and an amazing chorus. The lyrics are rather cliched and are about, you guessed it, televangelists...
10 out of 10

Letters From Earth: We now get another slower number named after the Mark Twain series of the same name (I'm assuming anyway). I've heard that the lyrics are about Satan writing to God and telling Him what things are like on Earth. Musically, it is memorable for its slower pace, heavy riffs, nicely delivered vocals, a cool chorus, and a nicely done solo section.
9 out of 10

Master Of Insanity: Good God, this track is insane (no pun intended). It begins with an eerie bass solo, some intense riffing and vocals during the verses, a melodic pre-chorus, a heavy chorus, and some cool solos. The lyrics seem to deal with the destruction of the world and the disintegration of an individual's sanity.
10 out of 10

Time Machine: Fans of "Wayne's World" may recognize this one as it was briefly played at some point during the movie. Musically, it is another fast number with great riffs, cool verses, and a nice chorus. The lyrics are basically about changing yourself or changing the past, though there are themes of self reflection as well.
9 out of 10

Sins Of The Father: One of the weirder tracks on the album that is noteworthy for its interestingly delivered verses, a nice chorus, and some cool riffs. The lyrics basically take a deep look into the subconscious and the madness that seeks to escape the realms of the mind.
8 out of 10

Too Late: Here is the album's ballad featuring some softer vocals during the verses, some nice riffs during the verses and choruses, and a cool chorus. I'm not sure what the lyrics are about specifically, but they have cool imagery in the chorus. I particularly like the line "Something heard you..."
8 out of 10

I: Probably the only optimistic song on the entire album. While it kinda lacks the fire of a true anthem, it does feature some great riffs and a strong chorus. The lyrics stress individualism in the classic Dio way, though a few of the metaphors are extremely goofy (like when Dio proudly declares, "I'm a whore!")
8 out of 10

Buried Alive: This may be the weakest track on the album, but I will say that it features a really cool main riff.
7 out of 10

Overall, the album gets 86 out of 100, 86%, and 4 stars. Although it is certainly an acquired taste, I'd consider this to be one of Sabbath's strongest and most consistent albums. This album is also rather difficult to find here in the States. I got my copy in a Prague record store...

Origin Of The Species (Drachen)

On the surface, Drachen is an aggressive power metal band influenced by the likes of Manowar, Iron Maiden, and Iced Earth. Once you go a little deeper, the band is made unique by their Christian themed lyrics. As I've said before, certain lyrical themes don't really bother me unless the music is good. And by God (no pun intended), this music is good!

Conviction: My favorite track on the album despite being only 2 minutes and 50 seconds long. The track is memorable for its mind blowing riffs and solos, awesomely done harmonies between verses, and a really cool sounding chorus. The lyrics are basically about Christ reflecting on such events as his Temptation and the Crucifixion.
10 out of 10

Broken Bones: I find this track to be one of the more interesting tracks lyrically, as it describes the creationism-evolution debate. Musically, the track is notable for its nicely done riffs, a cool chorus, and some interesting samples towards the end of the song that support Creationism using the development of Old World monkeys as evidence. Certainly intriguing, I will say.
8 out of 10

Lucifer: At less than two minutes long, this is the shortest track on the album. I'd also consider it to be the fastest and heaviest, as it features some interesting riffs and deeper vocals. The lyrics are basically told from the point of Lucifer and describe his amusement felt towards the human race. It is a good track, though not as strong as some of the others on here.
7 out of 10

Heart of the Dragon: One of the more pedestrian tracks on the album featuring some nice riffs and a neat little bass solo at one point. The lyrics describe a hunt to slay a dragon, though I personally interpret the lyrics as being about the Crusades or something along those lines.
7 out of 10

Mammoth Lake: Closing out the EP is this seven minute epic featuring an awesome introduction, some nicely done vocal harmonies, an interesting structure, some great riffs, a slower pace throughout most of the song, and an interesting spoken segment towards the end of the song. The lyrics on this one describe a journey taken by a man seeking a mammoth herd that has survived to the present day, perhaps as a throwback to the lyrics on "Broken Bones."
10 out of 10

Overall, the EP gets 42 out of 50, 84%, and 4 stars. The EP has its share of classics and makes me optimistic for the band's future. Especially considering that singer Matthew Horner has since departed from the band and has been replaced by Freak 13 singer Raven (the main band of bassist Chester Moore). Its also easily buyable off of iTunes. Go check it out.

Capture The Magic (Icarus Witch)

Hailing from Pennsylvania, Icarus Witch is a band that has had a great deal of recognition in the underground for their modern brand of traditional metal. I would describe them as a power metal band with influences from guitarists such as Ritchie Blackmore and Randy Rhoads. A few other quirks include the bass playing of Jason Myers, the vocals of Matthew Bizilia and the historical/supernatural lyrics.

Storming The Castle: The album opens on a triumphant and uplifting note with this anthem. Musically, it is memorable for the constant shredding during the verses and solos, soaring vocals, and an interesting chorus.
8 out of 10

Capture The Magic: I believe this was the single released from the album. It seems to have a mysterious yet uplifting tone in its delivery. The lyrics are of the escapist variety and seem to have a theme of motivation as well.
8 out of 10

Soothsayer: This mid-tempo track is notable for a memorable main riff, some interesting vocal patterns, and a nice chorus. I also hear a bit of Eastern influence here and there as well. The lyrics are about a speaker's visit to an ancient fortune teller.
7 out of 10

Forevermore: One of the more energetic tracks on the album with its fast paced verses, interesting pre-chorus and chorus, and some nice riffs. The lyrics tell of a Romeo and Juliet-esque story set in ancient Japan (I'm assuming anyway...).
7 out of 10

The Ghost Of Xavior Holmes: Probably the best track on the album and the first song I ever heard from the band. The lyrics tell the tale of a ship's voyage into disaster that "cost the lives of sixteen." The story is complimented by some interestingly sequenced verses, bizarre but effective choruses, a nice melodic break in the middle, plenty of riffs, and ripping solos.
9 out of 10

Darklands: The soft ending of the previous track fades into this number, which may be the darkest track on the album. The song is notable for its different riffs, interesting vocals, mid-tempo pace, cool solo sections, and an interesting chorus. The lyrics tell the tale of a society that lives in a world of darkness and must take part "in an eternal battle for light."
9 out of 10

Nemeton Forest: I'd say this is probably one of the more overlooked tracks on the album. It is notable for its strange sounding riffs, a cool chorus, and an interesting structure overall. The lyrics seem to speak of a site that was once used for Druid rituals.
7 out of 10

Awaken The Mountain Giants: Of all of the tracks, this one is probably the weakest on the album. While it does have an interesting chorus, it really feels rather incomplete as a whole. From what I understand, the lyrics are about a group of mountain giants who are awakened when a clan attempts to slay a rival village across the way. Kinda reminds me of the big trees from the "Lord Of The Rings" series.
6 out of 10

S.A.T.O.: As a nice little bonus track, we are treated to a cover of an Ozzy Osbourne song. The track is most notable for featuring special guest Dokken/Lynch Mob guitarist George "Mr. Scary" Lynch. Like the original, it features plenty of shredding, soaring vocals, some nice verses and choruses, and cool soloing. I think it may actually be better than the original (which says a lot, given the presence of Randy Rhoads...).
8 out of 10

Overall, the album gets 69 out of 90, 77%, and 3.5 stars. It has its tendencies to sound simplistic at times, but it does have its share of good songs worth checking out for classic metal fans.

Pork Soda (Primus)

Primus is easily one of the weirdest bands I listen to. I would have to describe their sound as funky alternative metal with some subtle prog influences here and there. Another way I like to think of them is like Rush but with goofier lyrics and vocals provided by bass god/vocalist Les Claypool.
This was the first album released after the highly successful "Sailing The Seas Of Cheese" and is often seen as the band's darkest album both musically and lyrically. Musically, it is similar to their earlier efforts though it has a much muddier tone in its delivery. The album still shows a sense of humor lyrically, but it is also extremely bleak at the same time. Some of the more common topics include dismal everyday situations and individuals with particularly miserable lives...

Pork Chop's Little Ditty/My Name Is Mud: The album opens with one of its darkest and most famous tracks. It is renowned for its heavy bass riffs, great riffs and soloing by guitarist Larry "Ler" LaLonde, darkly delivered verses, and a cool chorus. The lyrics are about a laid off blue collar worker who kills a friend of his "with an aluminum baseball bat" after an argument. This was also the song the band was playing when they were pelted with mud during the infamous Woodstock '94...
10 out of 10

Welcome To This World: So what kind of world is the listener being welcomed into? It's certainly one that sounds interesting. Musically, it is an upbeat track with some goofy riffs and vocals, plenty of amusing wails, and a nice chorus.
9 out of 10

Bob: Probably the most album's most somber track (which seems to say quite a bit with this album...). Musically, it features a melancholic tone, oddly infectious verses, cool sounding riffs, dark yet catchy vocals, and lyrics that seem to make you feel guilty for singing along. The song's lyrics are allegedly about a friend of the band's who commited suicide.
9 out of 10

DMV: On this track, the melancholy suddenly transforms into frustration and rage, although this time its lyrics are directed towards the Department of Motor Vehicles (BMV here in Indiana...). Musically, it is one of the catchier songs on the album with its strangely upbeat pace, cool riffs and verses, and some cool solo sections.
9 out of 10

The Ol' Diamondback Sturgeon: Part 3 of the famous Fisherman's Chronicles. This is probably the most laid back track musically and also features some nice flowing verses and some cool bobbing riffs. Like the other two parts of the trilogy ("John the Fisherman" and "Fish On"), the lyrics are obviously about fishing. On this song, the sport seems to be told from the fish's point of view...
8 out of 10

Nature Boy: One of the album's odder tracks lyrically. It is basically about a man who dances around his house naked, fills out his tax forms (while petting his kitty), and boasts about his collection of videos ("loads of Ren and Stimpy" and a little bit of porn...) all while hoping that "no one can see [him]..." Musically, it features a nice main riff, a catchy chorus, and a slightly overlong solo section.
8 out of 10

Wounded Knee: Drummer Tim "Herb" Alexander's contribution to this album. Basically, it is a precussive instrumental featuring some interesting instruments and tribal influences. I do get the feeling that it could've been developed a bit more...
8 out of 10

Pork Soda: It's not very often you see a song of such confusion and creepiness. It does feature a nice chorus and some very bizarre riffs. I have no idea what the lyrics are about, though they're rather creepy...
7 out of 10

The Pressman: Originally released on their debut live album "Suck On This," the song's lyrics tell a rather dismal about a man who is obviously a pressman. It does feature a few cool riffs here and there and an interesting structure.
7 out of 10

Mr. Kringle: Another extremely bizarre track (for Primus, anyway...). It is notable for its use of upright bass, the nice riffs, a nice chorus, and a particularly dark tone. The lyrics depict a conversation between (presumably) Les and a man known as "Mr. Krinkle" (later revealed to be Faith No More drummer Mike Bordin). I believe this was another one of the album's big singles.
9 out of 10

The Air Is Getting Slippery: This track is a particular favorite of mine despite its short length. It does feature a bouncy tone, more upright bass playing, a banjo solo played by LaLonde, and fun sing-along verses. The lyrics are basically full of amusing nonsense and allude to such bands as Pink Floyd and the Residents.
9 out of 10

Hamburger Train: Another instrumental though this is definately more developed and drawn out. It has some really cool riffs, though it does get a little wanky here and there. Also worthy of note is a sample taken from a "Cheech and Chong" movie...
9 out of 10

Pork Chop's Little Ditty/Hail Santa: There's not too much about this track really. Just some random mandolin playing and the use of jingle bells during "Hail Santa." The title is certainly amusing I will say...
7 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 109 out of 130, 84%, and 4 stars. Despite the album's dark tone, it has gone on to be the band's most successful album. It is certainly an awesome album though "Sailing The Seas Of Cheese" is probably the best album to buy for newcomers.

Louder Than Love (Soundgarden)

This was the band's second full length album and the last one released before signing to a major label and breaking through the mainstream with "Badmotorfinger." It is also notable for being the last Soundgarden album to feature the bass playing talents of Hiro Yamamoto, who left the band to focus on his education. Musically, it still has the signature fusion of punk, metal, and psychedelia though it's a bit muddier and quirkier than the band's later efforts. There's something about this album that makes it sound even better when you're listening to it around 3 am...

Ugly Truth: This song begins the album on a solid note. There are pretty cool riffs and some cool imagery. The lyrics seem to deal with themes of materialism and vanity.
8 out of 10

Hands All Over: This track is one of the more psychedelic songs on the album and one of the album's big singles. The track is notable musically for its cool sounding riffs, shining vocals, and some catchy verses and chorus. The lyrics on this one are particularly interesting and feature some bizarre metaphors for the destruction of the environment.
9 out of 10

Gun: One of the album's heavy tracks, though nothing like the headbangers ahead. Musically, the track starts as a dark plodder and becomes faster and heavier with every verse. The riffs are strong and the vocals on this one are some of the harshest Chris Cornell has ever recorded. The lyrics seem to discuss ideas of some violent revolution. Funny how they can make such common topics sound so bizarre...
9 out of 10

Power Trip: Musically, I'd describe this track as standard Led Zeppelin worship. Some parts of it kinda remind me of "Dazed and Confused," especially the bandshee wails from both guitars and vocals in the beginning. The rest of it is a ploddy number with some blues influence. Lyrically, the song shares the band's hopes for success though it is delivered in an almost sarcastic fashion.
8 out of 10

Get On The Snake: A major fan favorite off the album and one of the album's heavier efforts. While it has an interesting structure, it features some headbangable riffs, some great verses, and a cool chorus. Surely a classic track.
9 out of 10

Full On Kevin's Mom: Whoever Kevin is, it must really suck to be him... Musically, it just be the album's heaviest track and sorta feels like a prototype for the dynamic "Jesus Christ Pose." From what I can understand, the lyrics are understand how a friendship between three guys drastically changes after one of them goes "full on Kev's mom..."
9 out of 10

Loud Love: One of the album's more famous songs and another fan favorite. Like most of the other tracks, it features some great riffs and cool vocals. The chorus on this one is also particularly catchy.
9 out of 10

I Awake: This is the only song on the album featuring no input from vocalist/lyricist Chris Cornell. Written by Yamamoto, the track is a really dark track with a few eerie riffs, an interesting structure, and some strong wails. The track is very interesting lyrically as they are credited to a Kate McDonald. The "lyrics" consist of a note that Yamamoto once recieved from McDonald as she was his girlfriend at the time.
10 out of 10

No Wrong, No Right: While it's not as strong as some of the other tracks, I still like this song a lot. The riffs on this one are really dark and the vocals hit some pretty weird sounding notes. The lyrics also do a nice job of conjuring some dark and doomy imagery.
8 out of 10

Uncovered: I think this may be the album's weakest track, though I may say due to being not as familiar with it. It does feature some pretty intriguing lyrics. I really like the lines "Hey, Mr. Shame, have you got a name? I don't feel like calling you Buddy." A little goofy on the surface but it says a lot once you think about it...
8 out of 10

Big Dumb Sex: Just the title and lyrics of this song are enough to give it a 10. The lyrics mock the "love" songs of hair metal and cock rock, skip the goofy innuendos, and go straight to the point (Hey, I know what to do. I'm gonna fuck fuck fuck fuck you..."). Musically, it is certainly no slouch and is a dark number with some interesting riffs, ugly sounding vocals (in a good way), and a really catchy chorus. This song is said to be one of the other factors in Yamamoto's departure, as he thought the band wrote a butt rock song...
9 out of 10

Full On (Reprise): Perhaps to add insult to injury, the band decided to end the album with a cute little reprise of "Full On Kevin's Mom." There's not too much to say about it, though it is pretty amusing.
7 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 103 out of 120, 86%, and 4 stars. I've probably overrated this a little bit, but it really is one of my favorite albums of theirs. It's certainly a worthy buy once you've checked out their later albums. And how can you go wrong with a 12 song album that's only $9.99?

Night of the Stormrider (Iced Earth)

Fans who have only heard Matt Barlow's vocals may be in for quite a shock. This album is the first and only album featuring vocalist John Greely, whose death metal inspired shriek is certainly an acquired taste. The band's history hasn't exactly been kind to him either as he atempted to steal money from other band members (particularly bassist Dave Abell) and occasionally made prejudiced comments onstage.
Musically, this is probably the band's greatest work. While the majority of the songwriting is (as usual) done by guitarist/bandleader Jon Schaffer, there is a great deal of input from Abell and lead guitarist Randall Shawver. The band also has a more unified feel than normal (shame it didn't last...).
The album is also lyrically intriguing. Like many IE albums, it is a concept album and deals with a man who becomes disillusioned by organized religion and manipulated by the forces of evil. It is a cryptic story and much of it seems to be open for specific interpretation.

Angels Holocaust: The album begins on a truly dramatic note as the man denounces his faith after witnessing the aftermath of an unseen battle. Just about everything is awesome in this song. The choirs in the introduction sound like they could be from some classical piece, the riffs are awesomely done, the solos are great, there is plenty of wailing, and I'm pretty sure there are about 10 different segments within the song. Truly a classic.
9 out of 10

Stormrider: The ending of the previous track goes straight into this thrashier number. I believe this is the point of the story in which the man's heart becomes blacker and blacker and he becomes known as the Stormrider (I'll call him that anyway...). The track is notable for its awe inspiring opening segment, strong riffs, some cool drumming, lead vocals performed by Schaffer, a cool solo section, and a great chorus.
9 out of 10

The Path I Choose: Another speedy number featuring some awesome riffs, an interesting structure, and a cool chorus. The song also features some interesting vocals from the high pitched moans in the beginning to the almost death metal growls during the verses. In this song, the Stormrider has been completely corrupted by evil and realizes his destiny.
9 out of 10

Before the Vision: A brief minute long tune that serves as an interlude between the two tracks and shows off the band's accoustic guitar skills and Greely's vocals. Confused as to what he must do, the Stormrider soon recieves instructions from an unknown source. The mysterious guide tells him to "ride forth with pride" to the desert plains, where he will find the answers to his questions...
9 out of 10

Mythical End: One of the more obscure tracks of the band's career and quite possibly the weakest track on here (though I may say that due to being not as familiar with it as I am the other tracks...). I will say that it features some cool riffs, an interesting song structure, and some interesting vocal melodies. The lyrics depict the Stormrider attacking and slaughtering a group of desert nomads. I'm not too sure if this was his destination or a nice little stop along the way...
8 out of 10

Desert Rain: It's not as epic as some of the other tracks, but I think it could be considered as one. The introduction is one that is elaborate and mystifying, there are plenty of awesome riffs, the solos are great, the chorus is nicely done, there is a nice little duet between Greely and Schaffer during the first verse, and some nice riffs that have an almost Eastern feel to them. At this point, the Stormrider has reached his destination but did not find what he searched for. He begins to contemplate his life and purpose.
10 out of 10

Pure Evil: I like to think of this track as an underground anthem. It is probably the album's most famous track and one of the best songs Iced Earth ever recorded. This is one of the many IE songs I'd like to do a cover of. The introduction really does an awesome job of conjuring adrenaline, the riffs are incredibly awesome throughout, the solos are excellently done, there is some good drumming, the pre-chorus is heavy yet catchy, and the song has strong imagery. I think the lyrics on this one deal with a battle between Good and Evil for the fate of the Stormrider (hmm... kinda reminds me of Iron Maiden's "Seventh Son" saga...). I don't think it says who wins, but I'm guessing Evil achieved victory...
10 out of 10

Reaching the End: Much like "Before The Vision," this track is a nice accoustic interlude before the grand finale. The vocals are done with good taste on this one with some softer singing, a few spoken lines, and an eerie vocal line before the lead vocals come in. At this point, the Stormrider has reached the end of his quest. Of course, does that statement refer to his spiritual journey or a physical destination?
9 out of 10

Travel in Stygian: There is a lot that can be said about this song. It is just amazing. One of the best songs Schaffer has ever written. There are plenty of awesome riffs from the incredible introduction, the amazing solos, and a nice crunchy breakdown during the middle of the song. I like to think of the song as a vocal workout as it features harsher moments, some cleaner sequences, high pitched wails during the verses, and some cool vocal trade-offs during the chorus. The keyboards also play a major role in the song as the chorus features some nice background synths and the song ends with an incredibly beautiful piano solo that lasts for a minute or so. The song's lyrics deal with the Stormrider's unknown demise (perhaps as a result of the battle during "Pure Evil.") and his descent into Hell. As he dies, he reflects on his life and finds that he has no regrets about the paths he chose in his life...
10 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 83 out of 90, 92%, and 4.5 stars. I think that several of the tracks were done better on such albums as "Days of Purgatory" and "Alive In Athens" though I may be a tad biased that due to hearing those versions first (and being a big Barlow fan...). It is certainly an awesome buy once you've checked out some of their accessible work...

No Rest For The Wicked (Ozzy Osbourne)

This was the last album Ozzy released during his 80's era and was also the first to feature guitarist Zakk Wylde. While previous guitarist Jake E. Lee was certainly a talented player, Wylde really adds a fresh and ballsy feeling that was absent in Ozzy's sound. Musically, the album retains the more hedonistic vibe of the albums with Jake E. Lee but also provides some foresight for the darker direction that would lay ahead...

Miracle Man: The album opens with a fast upbeat number featuring some solid riffs, some sarcastic vocals, an awesome solo, and a really catchy chorus. Like many other metal bands at the time, this song's lyrics make humorous commentary towards the sex scandal involving televangelist Jimmy Swaggert.
9 out of 10

Devil's Daughter: Like many of the songs on here, this song is a bit shallow though it is still entertaining. The track is made interesting by some catchy verses and choruses, some memorable samples of a crying baby during the beginning of the guitar solo, and a title that brings to mind Black Sabbath's "Devil and Daughter..."
8 out of 10

Crazy Babies: I believe this track was one that got a bit of play on MTV and all that. The track is notable for its sleazy main riff and the goofy vocals during the verses and choruses. While Ozzy himself has no idea what the lyrics are about, but the most common interpretation I've heard is that they're about crack babies...
8 out of 10

Breaking All The Rules: While this is one of my favorite tracks on the album, I'm not too sure what to really say about it. It is memorable for some cool riffs, a nice chorus, and interesting vocal effects towards the end. The lyrics are obviously the rebellious done in that standard Ozzy way.
8 out of 10

Bloodbath in Paradise: This is easily the darkest track on the album and one of my personal favorites. It features an eerie introduction with bizarre keyboards and spoken segments, great riffs, dark vocals, strong verses and choruses, and a great solo. Depending on who you ask, the lyrics seem to be either about the Vietnam War or the plights of Charlie Manson.
9 out of 10

Fire In The Sky: This is one of the standard Ozzy ballads that is on almost every album (they were amazing on the first two albums. I think it became an obligation around 1983...). It does have a nice chorus and an interesting tone to it, though it's not too amazing. The lyrics seem to be based upon Ozzy's reflections upon his childhood.
8 out of 10

Tattooed Dancer: We now return to the sleazier sound that dominated the first half of the song. This song is one of the more overlooked tracks and features some nice drumming, great riffs, and another nicely done chorus.
8 out of 10

Demon Alcohol: Another one of my favorite tracks with a nice party vibe to it. The riffs are awesome, the drumming is good, the vocals are excellently delivered and Ozzy does throw in some enteraining fills, and the chorus on this one is a lot of fun. The song's lyrics deal with alcoholism and seem to be a sort of sequel to "Suicide Solution," even alluding to the title in the last verse...
8 out of 10

Hero: The album ends with an interestingly placed hidden track. Musically, the song is another ballad with a nice tone and nice vocals. Much like "I Don't Know" and several other songs, the song's lyrics attempt to denounce Ozzy's iconic status. I get the feeling this was a song they were either forced to include or one that was too personal to be a main track. I'm guessing the first one...
8 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 74 out of 90, 82%, and 4 stars. Like many of the albums without Randy Rhoads, the sound of the album is rather shallow but it is still pretty entertaining. Given the ballsy and fun tone to it, it'd probably be a nice album to listen to while partying or drinking or whatever...

Masters of Reality (Black Sabbath)

When was the last time I reviewed a Black Sabbath album that was actually from the Ozzy Osbourne era? It's definately been a while...
Although the band's style hadn't changed much since the release of the previous album "Paranoid," the direction of the album seems to be darker in its direction and delivery. The guitar appear to be tuned down even further, the bass has a stronger presence, and the vocals are sinister as ever. The lyrics also seem to be in a darker direction as well and have a variety of themes.

Sweet Leaf: With its pounding sludge riffs and marijuana praising lyrics, this song would pave the way for a whole new metal genre known as stoner metal... Highlights include a great main riff, nicely sung verses, a great solo section, and one of the most amusing opening segments in metal (the sound of guitarist Tony Iommi coughing after smoking a joint...).
10 out of 10

After Forever: Lyrically, this song is a response to the accusations of Satanism they endured during their beginning years and still today. Given that the lyrics are about a speaker's love for Christianity, one can wonder if there's a bit of sarcasm to be found in its conception. Musically, it is notable for having a dark introduction, some nice bass parts, awesome riffs, and great verses.
9 out of 10

Embryo: This song is an extremely brief interlude (Hell, it's only 28 seconds long) before the next track. There's not much to say about it, though it has a nice bouncy feel to it.
8 out of 10

Children of the Grave: The famous song off the album and most likely my favorite. The song is famous for its awesome introduction, brilliantly delivered vocals, great bass, awesome riffs, some great solos, and an eerie closing segment that sounds pretty creepy wearing headphones. Much like "War Pigs," this song's lyrics are about the conflict in Vietnam but seem to be more optimistic for the future.
10 out of 10

Orchid: The album's second instrumental and one that appears to be a bit more developed than the bouncy "Embryo." It makes use of some pretty nice accoustic guitar playing. It's filler, but it's pretty filler.
8 out of 10

Lord Of This World: Another one of my favorite tracks that I enjoy for its strong riffs, awesome verses, and its doomy pace. The lyrics on this one are pretty cryptic and describe someone who "[chose] evil ways" and eventually pays for his sins and hypocrisy.
10 out of 10

Solitude: This is probably Sabbath's first real ballad and first love song that wasn't about drugs (with the possible exception of "Warning," although that was a cover song...). Musical highlights include some flute playing by Iommi, interesting bells and precussion, vocals that sound quite odd, and an atmosphere that brings to mind a tree village or something along those lines. Quite spacy and depressing...
8 out of 10

Into the Void: Another track that has been quite influential in the formation of doom metal (although you could say that about anything from Sabbath's first three albums...). It features some dark riffs and vocals, cool verses, and some nice solos. The lyrics are similar to "Wicked World" in a way and describe the efforts of space trave as the rest of the population suffers back on Earth.
9 out of 10

Overall, this album earns 72 out of 80, 90%, and 4.5 stars. It is brought down by some slightly unnecessary filler, but this is probably one of my favorite Sabbath albums, especially during the Ozzy era. It is a very promising buy and one that should come pretty cheap. I got mine at Sam Goody 3 years ago for only $6.99...

Dirt (Alice in Chains)

Along with such albums as Nirvana's "Nevermind" and Pearl Jam's "Ten," this album is often considered to be a classic grunge album. Of course, that accolade never makes much sense to me as Alice in Chains is truly a metal band at heart. While the sound of this album isn't too different than the one on "Facelift," it does seem to have a more unified and darker tone. The album's lyrics contain themes of depression, despair, and angry and also seem to reflect vocalist Layne Statley's infamous heroin addiction (which took his life in 2002...). Basically, this is onne of those classic albums that's good to listen to when you just want to crawl in a hole and die...

Them Bones: The album opens right away with this energetic yet sludgy number. With its strong riffs and eerie chorus, it has proven to be one of the band's most popular songs (of course, "Guitar Hero" might have something to do with it as well...). The lyrics are quite bleak and seem to describe the inevitability of death in life. The sudden start kinda turns me off at times, but it's a great song.
8 out of 10

Damn That River: I'd consider this to be the musical sequel to "We Die Young" off of the previous album in the sense that it is a fast short number. The song is notable for its strong riffs, great vocals, and an awesome chorus. The lyrics are particularly interesting and contain some unusual lines.
10 out of 10

Rain When I Die: Probably my favorite song on the album and one of the best tracks the band has recorded. It features an outstanding introduction, strong bass playing, awesome riffs, effective vocals, some great verses, and a fade-out towwards the end that seems to fool me every time I hear it. The lyrics on this one are dark in their delivery and describe a speaker's doubts and fear in a relationship. Interesting indeed...
10 out of 10

Down In A Hole: One of the album's ballads and one of the more emotional songs put on display. It is musically notable for its melancholic riffs, beautifully delivered vocals (for Statley anyway...), and awesomely performed verses and choruses. The lyrics on this one are particularly melancholic and describe the end of a relationship (perhaps the one mentioned in the previous song...). It is said that guitarist Jerry Cantrell was afraid to play this song for the band because he felt the song was too soft...
10 out of 10

Sick Man: While this is one of the album's weakest tracks, it is a good song that is memorable for its unusual song structure, bizarre riffs and vocals, and some nice drumming here and there. The song is one of several songs on here about Statley's heroin addiction.
7 out of 10

Rooster: Another one of the album's more famous songs. The track is made awesome by its dark loud and soft contrasts in structure, some strong riffs, great bass playing, some passionate vocals, and some awesome verses and choruses. The lyrics on here are particularly personal and describe the feelings of a soldier as he is serving. The song is based on Cantrell's father, as he had served in Vietnam back in the 70's. For some reason, it reminds me of Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters's lyrics and the death of his father during World War II (hopefully I'll get a Pink Floyd review on here sometime soon...).
10 out of 10

Junkhead: Another one of the song's weaker tracks though it also is quite interesting in its structure and delivery. The song is notable for its bizarre chorus, dark verses, and strong riffs. The lyrics on this one deal with Statley's addiction and also seem to look at society's attitudes towards addicts in some spots.
7 out of 10

Dirt: This song is particularly dark and one of the bleakest tracks on the album. Musically, it shines in its dark verses and a particularly bitter chorus. The lyrics on this one seem to be contemplate suicide and seem to describe a relationship of sorts as well.
8 out of 10

God Smack: This song has achieved more significence in recent years (Well, recent as in late 90's, early 2000's...) due to a certain nu metal band naming themselves after this song. The song itself is quite enjoyable featuring a great main riff, an awesome chorus, and some rather bizarre vocals during the verses. Lyrically, it is another song that references Stateley's addiction.
9 out of 10

Iron Gland: Basically, this track is an interlude that seems to serve as a preparation for the listener as they descend into the darkest songs on the album. The track is only around 40 seconds long, but it is memorable for its opening yells delivered by Slayer vocalist/bassist Tom Araya, a dark set of power chords, and an eerie voice delivering the famous phrase "red rum..."
8 out of 10

Hate to Feel: Easily the heaviest track on the album musically and lyrically. Musically, it uses some dark sludgy riffs, a wide vocal range, bitter verses, a strong pre-chorus, and a sinister chorus. Lyrically, it is about an addict's thoughts and feelings and expresses some really dark imagery, especially in the verses.
9 out of 10

Angry Chair: Another dark track that I seem to overlook a bit more than most of the other songs on here. It is made memorable by its interesting riffs, great vocals, and an interesting chorus. The lyrics on this one are quite cryptic.
9 out of 10

Would?: The album closes out with another one of the album's most famous tracks. The album's lyrics were written in the memory of Mother Love Bone vocalist Andrew Wood, he himself having died from a heroin addiction (and inspired figureheads of the grunge community to form the supergroup Temple of the Dog). Musically, it is notable for some great riffs and an interesting song structure.
9 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 114 out of 130, 88%, and 4 stars. All in all, it is another great Chains record and a great introduction for newer fans. The album is also a good purchase as it only costs $9.99 in every store I see it...

Megadeth's Best to Worst

1) Rust In Peace (91%)
2) Killing Is My Business. . . And Business Is Good (90%)
3) Countdown To Extinction (87%)
4) Peace Sells. . . But Who's Buying? (86%)
5) So Far, So Good. . . So What? (86%)
6) The System Has Failed (83%)
7) Hidden Treasures (83%)
8) Cryptic Writings (82%)
9) United Abominations (78%)
10) Youthanasia (77%)
11) The World Needs A Hero (75%)
12) Risk (72%)

Risk (Megadeth)

After years of merely reading reviews, it's time to rant about my personal take on what is seen as Megadeth's worst album. I suppose it's no wonder that I avoided buying this album for years; it truly is Megadeth's worst effort. It was the first to feature drummer Jimmy DeGrasso and the last to feature guitarist Marty Friedman, effectively bringing an end to the "classic" Megadeth lineup. Musically, the album experiments with several different genres including electronica, disco, and even a little bit of country here and there. Lyrically, it does feature the classic lyrical fury of Dave Mustaine though it is extremely toned down on this effort. Of course, the album was a critical and commercial failure...

Insomnia: The album begins on quite an interesting note with this song. It is one of the heavier tracks but it has a very interesting electronica/techno influence in its delivery. Some of the backing vocals are rather weird at times and a few of the spots are a tad whiny, but this is one of the better songs on the album. I particularly enjoy the riffs and the bizarre chorus. Given the title, the song's topic is quite obvious. It basically laments the insomnia Mustaine suffered during the 80's due to his deadly drug addictions.
8 out of 10

Prince of Darkness: Do not be alarmed, this album still has at least one metal song on it. If there is any reason to buy this album, surely this is it. Certainly was my excuse anyway (besides the fact that I wanted to have all of Megadeth's studio albums...). Lyrically, I find the song to be quite similar to the Rolling Stones's "Sympathy For The Devil" in the sense that it is about Satan speaking to a listener and telling them of his exploits. There are some strong lines and Mustaine does an excellent job in the delivery. Musical highlights include a nicely done spoken introduction, atmospheric riffs, some great backing vocals, and a cool chorus. It's not exactly heavy, but it's certainly a keeper...
10 out of 10

Enter the Arena: Now this just might be Megadeth's worst song ever (if you can even call it that). The idea behind it is neat as it is meant to serve as a climatic introduction to the next track. The recording was actually done live at a concert so you think it'd be pretty cool. Just a few problems...
1) This interlude is not connected to and does not flow into the next track in any way other than the chanting of its title.
2) Quite frankly, the crowd sounds bored and Mustaine sounds like he was forced to do the whole shenanigan (which really wouldn't surprise me...).
I'd give the song a 6 but I'll be generous here. It would've been a cool addition if it was done in the proper fashion. Wow, I spent that long ranting about a 45 second interlude. I should get an award...
5 out of 10

Crush 'Em: This song is often considered as Megadeth's sports anthem and is done in that disco style I mentioned earlier. I suppose it is a catchy song and has some nice bass playing, interesting riffs, and a catchy chorus. But there are so many things on here that just make the listener stand in confusion... Is Mustaine seriously rapping during the bridge?! The lyrics are also rather odd as well and are basically shallow jock rock declarations of victory. Seriously guys, Queen did it so much better...
7 out of 10

Breadline: For the next few tracks, we are treated to (or tortured with) some more mellow songs. I wouldn't consider this track to be a ballad but it does have a much lighter tone and some creepy techno vibes in some spots. The chorus is memorable and it does have a decent groove to it. The lyrics are also interesting as they depict the life of a homeless person "dancing on the Breadline."
7 out of 10

The Doctor is Calling: This song is another of the rather goofy tracks. It is a lighter song though it has a dark atmosphere and an interesting groove to it. What really lets this song down are the cheesy spoken segments and the fact that it is rather dull overall. "Breakpoint" did a schitzo treatment that is much more amusing (especially on the spoken segments part)...
7 out of 10

I'll Be There: Dedicated to the band's extremely loyal fans in South America (especially Argentina and Brazil), this track is a nice little ballad though nothing amazing. The vocals are quite heartfelt, the chorus is good, and the electronic elements are done in a tolerable fashion. While such tracks as "In My Darkest Hour" were about Mustaine needing someone to be there for him, this track deals with Mustaine wanting to be there for his fans and loved ones. You can't deny intentions like that.
7 out of 10

Wanderlust: This song was definately different than what I expected it to be musically. Judging by the lyrics and some of the comments I heard about it, I was expecting something a bit heavier. Of course, we get stuck with what appears to be a country ballad... I suppose it's somewhat tolerable and has a memorable chorus. I will say the lyrics on this one are really great. The song uses cowboys and Western metaphors to describe life in the music industry and the new bands attempting to overpower the old. Can't help but feel that it reads like an epitaph...
6 out of 10

Ectasy: Lyrically, this song is similar to "Almost Honest" in the sense it has a theme of deception in a realtionship. Musically, there's not too much to say about it besides that it has some nice vocal harmonies and an interesting chorus.
7 out of 10

Seven: After those mellow moment we now get a heavier track. Unfortunately, it starts out so promising but then ends up as a dull mess. I suppose the chorus on this one is decent. The lyrics are also decent and deal with the concept of the Seven Deadly Sins.
7 out of 10

Time (The Beginning): While the next tracks have similar titles and concepts in their lyrics, they are very different songs. This track is another mellow song that is made memorable by some accoustics and well done vocals. The lyrics on this one lament the speaker's loss of time and his inability to "tie [its] hands."
7 out of 10

Time (The End): This track could almost be considered a metal track. It does feature an awesome opening riff but it suffers from rather odd vocals and its overall short length. This song continues the previous one's theme lyrically and also mentions Chronos, the Greek god of time...
8 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 86 out of 120, 72%, and 3.5 stars. The album is absolutely horrible at first listen, but some of the songs are nicely done. They really should've considered releasing this under a different band name (like how U2 did that "Passengers" album). Well, I guess it'd be a good purchase for more open minded Megadeth fans. Just don't expect them to play any of these songs in concert these days unless it's for the Rock In Rio...

Nightfall (Candlemass)

While we're on the subject of doom metal, I thought I'd review this monolith of doom. Released in 1987, this is the band's second album and widely seen as their best effort. The album is also the first to feature drummer Jan Lindh, guitarist Lars Johansson, and vocalist Messiah Marcolin (though he is no longer with the band...). While the others are strong musicians, the spotlight is truly on Messiah. I would describe his singing style as like Ozzy Osbourne with a shitload of vibrato...

Gothic Stone/The Well of Souls: The album opens with one of its most dramatic tracks and a big fan favorite. While it does drag on a little at times, I enjoy it for its awesome introduction, sweet riffs, some notes held incredibly long by Messiah, and a catchy chorus. From what I've read, the lyrics are based on the Well of Souls sequence during the film "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Still need to see that one...
9 out of 10

Coden Gigas: A brief instrumental that seems to serves as an interlude between the previous track and the next one. While it does sound cool, it is pretty much filler...
7 out of 10

At the Gallows' End: My favorite track on the album and one of Candlemass's best songs. Lyrically, I'd describe it as an answer song to Iron Maiden's "Hallowed Be Thy Name" in the sense that it is about a man who is about to die on the gallows reflecting on his life. Musical highlights include some truly amazing vocals, contrasting fast and slow parts, and plenty of awesome riffs.
10 out of 10

Samarithan: I'd consider this to be the album's slowest song and another fan favorite. While it is a little slow, it does feature some nice riffs, great vocals, and an interesting song structure. The lyrics on this one are quite intriguing, and describe a man who is greatly rewarded by Heaven after giving hospitality to a homeless man 50 years prior.
8 out of 10

Machre Funebre: This song is quite an interesting addition as it is a cover of a classical song originally written by Polish composer Frederic Chopin. While it does feel a little out of place on the album, it is certainly atmospheric and a bit creepy...
9 out of 10

Dark are the Veils of Death: This is probably the fastest track on the album featuring some great riffs, cool vocals, and more great sequencing. It does feel a bit overlong though. The lyrics on this one are particularly cryptic.
8 out of 10

Mourner's Lament: This track is another one of my favorites. It is one of the slowest songs on the album and features brilliant verses, a great chorus, truly tortured vocals, great riffs, and even a nice little bass solo hidden in there. The lyrics are some of the most emotional on the album and describe a man who is mourning the death of his son.
10 out of 10

Bewitched: The closest thing Candlemass ever had to a hit single that I'm aware of. While it is another slower song, it does feature some interesting backing vocals, some cool sounding riffs, and a nicely done chorus. The lyrics are based upon the story of the Pied Piper and are quite interesting. I will say that the majority of the rhymes are rather stale. "Take my hand and understand?" How many people have used that one?
10 out of 10

Black Candles: Closing the album out is a final instrumental. It's not exactly "Orion" here but it's pretty good and has a strong mournful atmosphere. The song is also noteable for being one of the only songs not written by bassist/bandleader Leif Edling. The track was composed by guitarist Mike Wead and was apparently written in the memory of a friend of his. Ironically, he doesn't play on this album...
9 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 80 out of 90, 89%, and 4 stars. The only flaw I'd say the album has is that some of the instrumentals are a tad filler-ish and it is a tad inconsistent at times. It's certainly a good purchase that'll grow on you with time.

Master of the Moon (Dio)

Dio is but one of the many classic metal bands that has forged on into the modern day. While the album's sound is similar to the band's classic era, it does feature a darker and slower feel in its delivery that gives it an almost doom metal style. The album is also noteable for being the third to feature the guitar playing of Craig Goldy, who had previously played on "Dream Evil" and "Magica."

One More For the Road: The album opens with a fast number done in the usual Dio fashion. Compared to the other numbers, it is a tad out of place but it's one of the album's best numbers. It has made memorable for some awesome riffs, great verses, a catchy chorus, and brilliant vocals.
9 out of 10

Master of the Moon: Like many other Dio albums, the second song is the epic title track. The title is notable for a nicely done chorus, great vocals, and some interesting riffs. The lyrics on this one stress themes of individuality and describe a group of people that seeks to change the mannerisms of others.
9 out of 10

The End of the World: While this isn't a shining classic, I find it to be an interesting song. Musically, it is noteable for its nice riffs and a great chorus. Lyrically, it is basically Dio's take on the modern music industry. Let's just say that it's not exactly positive...
8 out of 10

Shivers: This is another energetic number though nothing as fast as the opener. I'd also consider this to be one of my personal favorites on the album in terms of music and lyrics. Musically, it benefits from a great main riff, some nice verses, and an interesting chorus. The lyrics are interesting for Dio and describe love at first sight in a unique fashion...
9 out of 10

The Man Who Would Be King: Another slightly epic track and one of the album's more controversial numbers lyrically. While its title is based on the book of the same name, the lyrics deal with the war in Iraq and all that. It is musically noteable for its interesting beginning, some strong riffs, emotional vocals, great verses, and nicely done choruses.
9 out of 10

The Eyes: I'm pretty sure this is the third or fourth Dio song to feature "Eyes" in its title... One of the more unusual tracks on the album and another album highlight. The track is made memorable by the bizarre effects in the guitar's main riff (or are those just keyboards?), nicely done verses, a great chorus, and some great vocal harmonies. The lyrics are particularly interesting and describe a speaker's paranoia concerning outsiders violating his privacy. Teen angst or a homage to "1984?"
9 out of 10

Living the Lie: Another one of the faster tracks, though it has a little less depth than some of the others. It does feature some great verses and a strong chorus though.
8 out of 10

I Am: I think this may be the weakest track on the album, though it's still pretty good. It has a nice introduction and some nicely delivered vocals. The chorus kinda bugs me though... The lyrics on this one stress independence and inner strength in typical Dio fashion.
7 out of 10

Death By Love: This track is a particularly interesting one lyrically. It's basically a love song made unique by mentioning several of the band's previous song titles ("Evil Eyes," "Sacred Heart," etc). Musically, it features some nice riffs and a great chorus.
8 out of 10

In Dreams: This track is another one of the odder numbers. I'm not too sure what the lyrics are about, but they have a dark tone to them. Musically, it is made unique by interesting riffs and some unique sequencing in the verses and choruses.
7 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 83 out of 100, 83%, and 4 stars. This album is another solid Dio album and certainly worth checking out if you're a fan. The album's doom metal sound is rather ironic in hindsight considering that Ronnie James Dio would rejoin his former partners in Black Sabbath this year under the name Heaven and Hell...

Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs (Ministry)

If "The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste" was the catapult, then "Psalm 69" as surely the album that would finally launch the band into their first major commercial success. The album is also noteable for being the first to feature the talents of Rigor Mortis guitarist Mike Scaccia, who brought in a thrash influence in the band's industrial metal sound.

N.W.O.: The album opens on a fast, angry, and slightly infectious note. It is made memorable by some strong riffs, catchy drums and structures, and some interesting samples towards the end of the song. Given that the samples consist of speeches by former president George Bush, I'm assuming that the song is about the band's take on the Gulf War.
9 out of 10

Just One Fix: One of the album's more accessible tracks. The track is notable for its overall catchiness, great riffs, and a nice chorus. The only flaw I'd say it has is that it's slightly repetitive. I'm guessing the lyrics are about drug addiction.
10 out of 10

TV II: Quite frankly, this track is a bit of a mess. I'd describe as a sound collage and features some weird samples, a bizarre structures, strange riffs, and an almost punk rock feel to it. While the song does have an overall uneven feel to it, the lyrics does have a few interesting lines. I think the lyrics are basically about people who watch too much television.
7 out of 10

Hero: After the disappointment and slight confusion over the last track, we get some nice speed metal. I'd say this track is overlooked and features some great riffs, cool solos, some nice sounding vocals, and a great chorus. The lyrics seem to be about military combat and reference GI Joe a time or two...
9 out of 10

Jesus Built My Hot Rod: Ministry's most famous song and one of their more light hearted efforts I'd say. The track is noteworthy for its amusing spoken introduction, strong drumming, nice riffs, and some humorously catchy scatting provided by Gibby Haynes of the Butthole Surfers.
10 out of 10

Scare Crow: Easily the longest and slowest song on the album. This one features some great riffs, interesting vocals, cool verses, and a nice chorus. The lyrics on this one are particularly cryptic.
8 out of 10

Psalm 69: The title track is an interesting track featuring some nicely done sampling, some nice choral effects here and there, some great riffs, and a unique song structure. The lyrics on this one are based on the teachings of Aleister Crowley and organized religion.
8 out of 10

Corrosion: If not for "TV II," this would probably be the album's weakest track. While it does feature some intense drumming and great riffs, it does take a while to really start up. It may be the heaviest track on the album.
7 out of 10

Grace: I'd describe this track as another type of sound collage. This one is done better than the last and does creep me out with some of the samples and stuff it uses. I'm guessing that the theme of this song is about Armageddon and the Apocolypse.
7 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 75 out of 90, 83%, and 4 stars. It gets a little inconsistent every now and then, but I'd say it's a good purchase to make. I also think it's a good purchase for people who don't know too much about industrial metal. Snap it up if you can find it.

Dreaming Neon Black (Nevermore)

It's been quite a while since I did a review for Nevermore. This album is widely seen as either the band's best or worst album. Guitarist Pat O'Brien is long gone and been replaced by former Forbidden guitarist Tim Calvert. While the band's trademark crunch remains, this album is a bit more melodic than past efforts and includes a few more ballads than usual. The album is also interesting lyrically and can be described as a concept album of sorts. While it's not quite a narrative, the album describes a speaker's demise of sanity after the loss of his love. The truly tragic thing is that it's believed to be based on a true even that happened to vocalist Warrel Dane. Apparently, a girlfriend of his once disappeared after joining a bizarre cult and is believed to have drowned at some point...

Ophidian/Beyond Within: Following a bizarre sample from the movie "Lord of Illusions," we open the album with a thrasher. The track is made memorable for some awesome riffs, great verses, strong choruses, and a nicely done melodic bridge. We are introduced to the speaker, a dark and cynical man, presumably Dane himself...
9 out of 10

The Death of Passion: One of the album's heavier tracks featuring a strong bass presence, some heavy riffs, powerful vocals, an awesome chorus, and some nifty sounding verses. The lyrics seem to describe the speaker's state with a bit more detail than in the opener.
9 out of 10

I Am The Dog: This track seems to be a bit lighter than the previous tracks though it still features some strong riffs, nicely done verses, a great chorus, and some nicely done vocals. The lyrics seem to discuss the events in his nightmares in detail. From what I understand, the dream consists of seeing his lover crying out for the speaker as she drowns...
9 out of 10

Dreaming Neon Black: A nominee for Greatest Metal Ballad Ever Written. This is an absolutely amazing track featuring some accoustic strums in the verses that bring to mind "Odin's Court" by Black Sabbath, extremely emotional vocals (especially in the closing segment), a very heavy chorus, a beautiful vocal solo and duet performed with guest vocalist Christine Rhoads, and a high amount of passion. The lyrics are also strong and describe the speaker's longing for his lost love.
10 out of 10

Deconstruction: Another one of my favorite tracks on the album featuring a powerful introduction, some slower but heavier riffs during the verses and choruses, strong vocals, an awesome chorus, hard hitting verses, and a nice melodic break after the second chorus. On this track, the speaker seems to be sharing his views upon organized religion and contain some very smart lines ("and on the eighth day, God made the Art of War and laughing planned the end...").
10 out of 10

The Fault of the Flesh: Quite possibly the heaviest track on the album featuring some powerful riffs, evil sounding vocals, and a great chorus. The lyrics on this one continue the religious segment of the story, and seem to lash out at the cult that corrupted the speaker's lover and their ways of life.
9 out of 10

The Lotus Eaters: I'm really not sure how to classify this track. It is another slower song similar to the title track yet it features some heaviness in it. Highlights include some nice riffs, subdued verses, a heavy chorus, and some strong vocals. the lyrics on this one seem to question God Himself and ask why He allowed the events to take place.
8 out of 10

Poison Godmachine: Lyrically, this song seems to be the anti-media song that seems to appear in just about every album. Musically, it is mostly a heavy plodder featuring some strong riffs and a nicely done chorus.
8 out of 10

All Play Dead: Right around here, the tracks gets a little mushed together although they're still nicely done songs. This track is another slower song with some riffs and a more mellow chorus. For some lyrics, the lyrics give me some imagery of some kind of cult suicide... Is this intentional?
8 out of 10

Cenotaph: Despite it's greatness, this is probably the weakest track on the album. It does feature some strong riffs and some interesting vocals though. The lyrics on this one continue to mourn the loss of the speaker's lover. Judging by the title, it also adds some details that her body was never found...
8 out of 10

No More Will: This song is notable for featuring a nicely done accoustic introduction, some heavy riffs, and a great chorus. The lyrics on this one seem to note how the speaker seem to have "no more will to live..."
9 out of 10

Forever: Not counting the 6 minutes of silence following the track, I'd consider this to be the shortest track on the album. The track is musically similar to "The Lotus Eaters" in a way though without that track's heaviness. It features a nice guitar riff and some interesting vocals in the chorus. The track seems to end the story by the speaker promising to his lover that "[she'll] never die" in his heart.
8 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 105 out of 120, 88%, and 4 stars. All in all, this is probably Nevermore's finest hour and certainly an interesting listen. It may take a few listens to really get though. And it's also rather hard to find. I get to buy mine off of iTunes...

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC)

Note: I'm going to be reviewing the American edition of this album.
The history of this album is particularly interesting. It was originally recorded and released in 1976 but did not see release in the United States until 1981 due to the major success of "Back in Black." The international version also put "Love At First Feel" and "Rocker" in place of "Jailbreak" and "R.I.P." While I'm interested in hearing the original Australian albums, this'll have to do...
I'd consider this to be the band's dirtiest album both musically and lyrically (probably why it wasn't released in the States for 5 years...). Lyrically, it shows vocalist Bon Scott at his most humorous and the riffs are big, dumb, and dirty. The overall feeling may make you want to take a shower after you're finished listening to it...

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap: The most famous track on the album and one everyone should know. The track is made memorable for its famous main riff, interesting but effective backing vocals, a catchy chorus, and a nice solo. The lyrics are your standard ode to assassins and back door men. Overall, a classic track.
10 out of 10

Love at First Feel: From what I understand, this is one of the only AC/DC tracks not availible in Austrailia. Oh well, I don't think they're really missing out on anything... It has a few nice riffs and a fun chorus, but nothing else too shines about it. The lyrics deal with a speaker who "falls in love" with a girl after having sex with her, and doesn't even know her name...
8 out of 10

Big Balls: Another one of the more famous tracks on here and easily one of the more entertaining. Musical highlights include a fun tone in its delivery, some nice backing vocals, some nice riffs, and a fun sing along chorus. The lyrics are some of the funniest the band ever concieved. Now, is this a clever satire of high class life or just an excuse for vocalist Bon Scott to sing "I've got big balls" over and over?
9 out of 10

Rocker: This is one of the fastest, shortest, and quite possibly heaviest songs in the AC/DC discography. While it's a good song, there's not too much to really say about it.
8 out of 10

Problem Child: This track is another album highlight, though nothing too godly. Musically, it features some great riffs, some nice solos, good drumming, nice verses, a catchy chorus, some badass sounding vocals, and a nice surprise ending...
9 out of 10

There's Gonna be Some Rocking: One of the bluesier tracks on the album with a more upbeat tone, some nice riffs, some nice backing vocals, and a nice chorus. The lyrics are basically about a concert. Not quite amazing, but a unique addition.
8 out of 10

Ain't No Fun (Waiting Round to be a Millionaire): At over seven minutes long, this is the longest song AC/DC has ever released. Don't let the length intimdate you, as it seems half of it is just repetition of the chorus. The tone musically is similar to the previous track with some laid back riffs, a nice chorus, and some interesting commentary by Bon ("this is a true story, but the names have been changed to protect the ugly..."). The lyrics are about a man who mooches off
his girlfriend while he dreams of becoming a rock star. The first half is good, though the second half gets a tad repetitive...
7 out of 10

Ride On: Truly my favorite track on the album and one of the best songs the band has ever released. Musically, you could consider this track to be a ballad with some almost Western imagery. This just sounds like the kind of song you'd play while you're alone and depressed in a hotel room. Other highlights include some lighter riffs and backing vocals, a passionate vocal performance, some great solos, and a moving chorus.
10 out of 10

Squealer: The album closes out on a down and dirty note both musically and lyrically. Musically, this features an interesting bass groove, some nice riffs, some softer verses, and an interesting chorus. It probably should get an 8, but it tends to be a tad repetitive at times. Lyrically, this is one of the songs you probably wouldn't play out in public (unless you felt like disturbing people... Hmm... I should try that sometime...).
7 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 76 out of 90, 84%, and 4 stars. While there are better albums and the sleaziness may turn off some people, this album does entertain. This could be viewed as one of the last "fun" albums the band would write, as their next few efforts became a bit more serious. Well... serious for them, anyway...

Cross Purposes (Black Sabbath)

This album was the first released after the band's brief reunion with vocalist Ronnie James Dio and drummer Vinny Appice and the release of "Dehumanzier." With Dio gone, the band decided to bring back Sabbath's whipping boy vocalist Tony Martin and recruited former Rainbow drummer Bobby Rondinelli. Also worthy of note is the presence of bassist Geezer Butler, who seemed to have stuck around after "Dehumanzier."
Musically, the album's sound could be seen as similar "Dehumanizer" with a touch of the "Headless Cross" thrown in for good measure. The album is also noteable lyrically for a wide variety of topics covered. This album was also the first I ever bought from the Tony Martin era; I found it at Walmart of all places for $7...

I Witness: Given that this was the first song I ever heard from the Tony Martin era, it pretty much blew me away at first listen. This song features some particularly heavy and bluesy riffs, some awesomely done vocals, awesome verses, a great pre-chorus, and an interestingly done chorus. The lyrics of this one are about the Amish society and also remind me of the movie "The Village."
9 out of 10

Cross of Thorns: A ballad with a particularly dark tone. This track features some strong keyboards, some nice riffs, a heavy chorus, and great vocals. While it's a great song, it's one of the several songs on here without that much depth to it. From what I've read, the lyrics are based upon the religious war in Ireland.
7 out of 10

Psychophobia: This track is probably the fastest on the album and one of the shortest at around three minutes. The riffs are on this one are really good, the chorus is interestingly done, and the song's structure is quite nice as well. The lyrics on this one are about the infamous Branch Davidians and a few of their exploits. I think the line "it's time to kiss the rainbow good-bye" may be a jab at Dio...
9 out of 10

Virtual Death: With a sound that's not unlike some of Alice in Chains, we get a slice of doom metal that just might make you want to crawl in a hole and die. The track is notable for its dark bass introduction, some great riffs, creepy vocals, nice drumming, a really cool song structure, and a pace that brings to mind suspended animation. I interpret the lyrics as being about drug addiction. Overall, probably one of the best songs from the Tony Martin era.
10 out of 10

Immaculate Deception: This track is made memorable by the crushing riffs, a strong keyboard presence, some great drumming, a strong chorus, a slower first half, and a faster second half. The lyrics seem to be about a relationship. I particularly like the phrase "it's knowing that feeling of coming home to where my spirit lies."
8 out of 10

Dying for Love: Probably the sappiest song Sabbath ever recorded with the exceptions of "Changes" and half of "Seventh Star." Despite its sappiness, it's probably one of the more emotional songs on here. Musical highlights include some cool keyboard lines, some great guitar playing, passionate vocals, and an uplifting chorus. The lyrics are more optimistic and show hope for the state of the world. To sum it up, it's like Hear 'N Aid without all the goofiness...
7 out of 10

Back to Eden: Another one of the heavier tracks although this one goes at a slower pace. The track is good for its nice main riff, a cool chorus, and some good verses. The lyrics seem to be about supernatural figures watching the previously mentioned state of the world. It's a good song, though another slightly shallow track.
7 out of 10

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle: For some reason, this track kinda reminds me of "Shot in the Dark" by Ozzy Osbourne, especially in its opening. Other highlights of the track include some cool verses, great verses, and a nice chorus. I'm making the guess that this track is about child abuse or something along those lines. I've read that they made a video out of this track.
8 out of 10

Cardinal Sin: I've never been that crazy over these last two tracks. I will say that this track is one of the darkest on the album (except for "Virtual Death" of course...) in both atmosphere and lyrics. Musical highlights include the dark atmosphere, an interesting song structure, dark riffs, and an interesting chorus. I'm guessing the lyrics are a bit of a jab towards corrupt priests, particularly the molesting Catholic kind (all apologies if I offended any Catholics reading this...).
7 out of 10

Evil Eye: The album closes out with another one of the slower songs that features an interesting chorus and a few nice riffs. The most noteworthy aspect of the track is that it was co-written by guitar god Eddie Van Halen, who couldn't be credited due to contract issues (of course, what's the point considering most of this album's listeners know about it?). This is made the most in the more lust filled lyrics. It's a good song, though nothing exactly amazing.
7 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 79 out of 100, 79%, and 3.5 stars. While this is probably one of Sabbath's more forgettable albums (like most of the Tony Martin era...), it is definately a solid listen that is worth picking up if you ever get the chance.

Sad Wings of Destiny (Judas Priest)

This album is widely known as one of the band's best albums and one that was extremely influential to the growing metal scene at the time. It is also a major step up from the band's debut album "Rocka Rolla" (of course, I still need to hear that album...), and showcases the growing talents of vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and KK Downing, and the band's overall songwriting.

Victim of Changes: The album opens with one of the best songs the band has ever recorded. The song was actually two songs in one, with the first half originally known as "Whiskey Woman" and the second half was originally known as "Red Light Woman" (a song actually written by Halford's previous band Hiroshima). The lyrics are basically about a woman who the speaker is in love with and who the speaker also feels a combination of love and pity for. Musical highlights include a nice fade-in guitar introduction, some extremely passionate vocals, awesome riffs and solos, and some well done harmonies.
10 out of 10

The Ripper: After the epic opener, we get a three minute (give or take) speed metal opener. It's not exactly a fast or heavy track, but it makes up for it in atmosphere. Highlights of this track include the random screams by Halford and a few made by the guitar during the solo section (probably where Slayer got the idea...), some great riffs, awesome solos, and cool sounding verses. The lyrics are obviously a homage to the infamous Jack the Ripper "or, if you'd like, Jack the Knife."
9 out of 10

Dreamer Deciever: A slower track that you could be considered a ballad of sorts. This one also features a dreamy atmosphere, some great imagery, some strong lower vocals and some interesting screams towards the end, great accoustic playing, and cool solos. The lyrics are more escapist in nature and describe a couple who is taken on a trip by a Dreamer "through the purple hazy clouds." A very interesting sounding trip indeed...
9 out of 10

Deciever: Now this is a speed metal track to wake us up from the last track's dreaminess. This track features a particularly cool chorus, some awesome riffs, soaring vocals, and some more great solos. It's hard to say what the lyrics are about though...
9 out of 10

Prelude: This track is a cute little instrumental played by guitarist Glenn Tipton on piano. While it's not the most amazing thing in the world, it does feature nifty lines and some eerie synths in the background.
8 out of 10

Tyrant: Another one of the fast, heavier tracks. This track is notable for the awesome riffs, great verses, interesting chorus, a wide variety of vocals, some interesting two-part vocal harmonies, a strong bass presence (especially during the solo section), an interesting song structure, and plenty of awesome solos. The song's lyrics are obviously about a tyrant who oppresses the people of his nation without remorse.
9 out of 10

Genocide: I believe this would be the part of the concert where Halford used to get out a cannon (note: this was 5 years before AC/DC came up with their own 21 gun salute)... Musical highlights include a great introduction, a nice chorus, some cool verses, awesome riffs, cool sounding guitar effects, some nice drum patterns, and an interesting structure.
9 out of 10

Epitaph: Fans of Queen may enjoy this track as the style used is quite similar. Basically, the song is a piano ballad carried by Halford's astounding vocals and vocal harmonies. Hard to believe the Metal God could also be emotional in his delivery. The lyrics are also powerful, and describe an old man mourning the death of a friend. Some of the lines are pretty frigging brilliant I'd say ("he is our tomorrow just as much as we are his yesterday."). Why doesn't Priest write lyrics like these anymore?
10 out of 10

Island of Domination: The song closes out with a final fast track. This song seems to be particularly theatrical compared to the others (of course, that's saying a lot...). The song makes uses of more awesome riffs, dramatic vocals and a bit of what I like to call the "honky tonk vocals," some great solos, and a nicely done song structure.
9 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 82 out of 90, 91%, and 4.5 stars. This is easily one of the band's strongest releases although it may be between this and 1990's "Painkiller." Due to the slight weirdness of some of the songs on here, this may take quite a number of listens to really get into. Let me assure you that it is worth it...

The World Needs a Hero (Megadeth)

After the critical and commercial abortion known as "Risk," Mustaine and the band decided that they needed to go back to playing metal. Unfortunately for many fans, guitarist Marty Friedman didn't exactly agree with the change and was replaced by Savatage/Asia guitarist Al Pitrelli. As the album is combination of the group's thrash metal sound and the commercial rock sound of their last 2 albums, Mustaine has referred to this album as a step in the right direction rather than a total direct to form (perhaps the same thing will be said for "St. Anger..."). This album would also be the last one to be released before Mustaine's infamous arm injury in 2002.

Disconnect: The album begins with a track that has a slightly mellow tone but it is still quite upbeat and energetic. The vocals on this one are particularly well done and the chorus is great as well. The lyrics seem to be about the dehumanization of society. A strong opener that may take a few listens to truly enjoy.
8 out of 10

The World Needs a Hero: One of the more subtle tracks on the album and one that features some nice drumming, strong bass playing, some nice distorted backing vocals during the pre-choruses, and a more subtle chorus. Like almost all of Megadeth's other title tracks, the lyrics are more political in their meaning and are about revolution.
8 out of 10

Moto Psycho: I believe this song was released as a single when the album was out. Musical highlights include a more accessible tone to it, some nice riffs, and some really catchy verses and choruses. The lyrics seem to be about life in the rat race, although a few of the lines are rather questionable ("I hit the road to I Don't Know and look for Tough Shit Street?").
9 out of 10

1000 Times Good-Bye: This song is a bit of an epic track, though nothing like that the album's last track... This is another one of Megadeth's break-up songs though it's nothing like "Trust" or "Last Rites/Loved to Deth." Musical highlights include some nice riffs, a cool chorus, a few nice solos, and an interesting pre-chorus and outro using a phone conversation as its basis. It's a good song, although it does have a few juvenile moments...
8 out of 10

Burning Bridges: While it's a good track, there are some things I don't like about this one. Although the riffs are pretty good, the chorus can really get on one's nerves. The lyrics are basically about hypocrisy and who against their own beliefs, although a few of the lines really don't work ("being brave ain't chicken shit?"). I'm tempted to give it a 7, but the riffs and a nice groove make up for its flaws (somewhat)...
7 out of 10

Promises: The album's ballad and the sole song to feature a writing credit from Pitrelli. Musical highlights include some nice accoustic guitar playing and some eerie backing vocals during the chorus. The lyrics on this one are basically about two lovers who are unable to be together on Earth and swear to reunite in the afterlife.
7 out of 10

Recipe for Hate/Warhorse: I find this track to be one of the more interesting on the album. The first part is a slower song that mainly focuses on Mustaine's spoken vocals, although it does feature a nice little guitar solo. The second half of the song is a bit thrashier with a dramatic introduction and some cool solos. The lyrics are full of some nice phrases and seem to describe a speaker who feels that he is too useless for what he hopes to accomplish. I read that Mustaine was rather pissed at the label during the writing of this song (among several others...).
7 out of 10

Losing My Senses: Another track I wasn't too crazy about at first but still find it to be good. Musical highlights include a few interesting riffs and an odd chorus. The lyrics seem to be about self-reflection and have some pretty cool lines, especially in the choruses.
7 out of 10

Dread and the Fugitive Mind: This track was originally released on the compilation "Capitol Punishment: the Megadeth Years" as a teaser for this album. Musically, the verses are very similar to the verses off of "Sweating Bullets" but it also features a great pre-chorus, a nicely done chorus, and some cool solos. The lyrics are also interesting and describe someone who is skeptical yet fearful of what will happen after death. I suppose you could describe it as an Agnostic anthem...
8 out of 10

Silent Scorn: Basically, this is a short little instrumental that seems to serve as a little interlude. There's nothing too much to say about it, but the trumpet is certainly an interesting addition (although it's nothing new, as "Into the Lungs of Hell" features an interesting little horn section...).
7 out of 10

Return to Hangar: Much like how Metallica released "Unforgiven II," Mustaine decided to write a sequel for the classic "Hangar 18." Musically, it has a few similarities to the original song but it does have its own riffs and solos. The most intriguing aspect of the song is in the lyrics. as the first song was about a government facility housing alien life forms, this song shows the aftermath of "when foreign life forms ressurect" and kill all of the people inside...
7 out of 10

When: At over 9 minutes long, this is the longest track Megadeth has ever released. This track is one of the most interesting songs on the album as the first part is based off of the riffs of Metallica's "Call of Ktulu" (also where the famous "Hangar 18" originated...) and the second part uses the nearly exact structure and melodies of Diamond Head's "Am I Evil?" Mustaine has stated that it was intentional as a homage to Diamond Head and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. The lyrics are full of venom, especially in the first half, and are Mustaine's reaction to all of the people who have doubted and hated him. This would probably get a 10 if not for the plagarism...
8 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 91 out of 120, 76%, and 3.5 stars. It's not quite an amazing album, but it has its share of good songs and paved the way for the modern classics that would follow after the band got together...

Octavarium (Dream Theater)

As evidenced by the album's title and artwork, this is the band's eighth album. Like many of the band's more recent albums, the content of this one has the source of great controversy. Perhaps as a reaction to the heaviness of "Train of Thought," the album's songs seem to have a significently lighter tone than usual. Although there are a few metal tracks on here, most of the songs on here pay tribute to some of their more non-metal influences such as U2 and Muse. While there are a few cringe-worthy moments, I really enjoy this album.

The Root of All Evil: Part III of the "Alcoholics Anonymous Suite" featuring steps 6 and 7 ("Ready" and "Remove," respectively). Musically, it is a mostly heavy piece with a few lighter moments here and there. Highlights include the soft introduction that builds up into an absolutely grinding riff, some interesting vocal effects, some cool solos, and the lighter parts sound pretty cool. I think this is my favorite track on the album.
9 out of 10

The Answer Lies Within: We now gets a soft ballad after the opener's heaviness. This one features some pretty piano playing, a nice vocal performance, and some cool orchestration. The lyrics read like a self-help book... It's a sweet song though it tends to be slightly shallow and a tad predictable.
7 out of 10

These Walls: I suppose you could consider this track a ballad although it has its share of heaviness. The track has been compared to Linkin Park at times, but I'd consider this to be a bit more tolerable... Musical highlights include a cool introduction, some great riffs, another great vocal performance, a nice chorus, a great solo, and some cool orchestrations.
9 out of 10

I Walk Beside You: A more upbeat track that has been compared to U2 in terms of style and delivery. The lyrics on this one are more motivational and involve a speaker who offers his help to anyone who needs it. I've heard a religious interpretation or two about it. Musical highlights include some interesting verses, a nice chorus, and some upbeat riffs.
8 out of 10

Panic Attack: Easily the album's heaviest track and one of my personal favorites. I think you can tell what this song is about just by the title. Musical highlights include a dark introduction, some crushing riffs, a nice bass presence in some spots, more interesting vocals, great verses, great solos, and a generally cool structure.
10 out of 10

Never Enough: One of the album's most controversial songs musically and lyrically. Lyrically, it is a huge middle finger to all of the people who expect too much from the band (record companies, fans, etc...). Musically, it is a more alternative influenced track that has been viewed as a direct rip-off of Muse's "Stockholm Syndrome." From the sound of this track, maybe I should check out some Muse sometime... Musical highlights of the one include some bizarre vocals, a heavy tone, an interesting chorus, and some great riffs and solos.
7 out of 10

Sacrificed Sons: I suppose you could consider this track to be a ballad, though not quite in the sense of the others on here. The track is a 10 minute epic, perhaps as a preparation for the monster up ahead. The lyrics are about the terrorist attacks on September 11th and the band's perception of the terrorists's Jihad mentality. Musical highlights include some interesting samples, great piano playing, more great vocals, and a spine-chilling outro.
9 out of 10

Octavarium: Ah, yes, the title track... A 24 minute epic that goes through 5 different sequences in its sonic journey. Shall I go into detail?
45 out of 50, which reduces to 9 out of 10

I. Someone Like Him: The epic opens with a mellow but dark first part. Musical highlights include the slightly overlong keyboard introduction (I remember my dad saying he nearly fell asleep during it...) and some eerie vocals.
In this part, we are introduced to the unnamed narrator. He expresses a strong "Carpe Diem" mentality and shows discontent for the lifestyle of another unnamed man, who "live[s] each day just like the last." He swears to "never be someone like him..."
8 out of 10

II. Medicate (Awakening): In this part of the song, the man wakes up with "a doctor sitting next to [him]." As it turns out, he had just been awakened "from a state of catatonic sleep" that lasted for 30 years...
Musically, this continues the more mellow sound of the first part but it seems to be lighter in tone. It feels a bit more energetic.
9 out of 10

III. Full Circle: This is where the unusualness of the song begins both musically and lyrically. Musically, it is a quicker tempo with some nicely delivered verses, a cool chorus, and some cool riffs.
Lyrically, it seems to be about the man coping with all the things that have taken place in the 30 years. There are a lot of references to a great deal of things from "Gabba Gabba Hey Hey" to Iced Earth/Beyond Fear frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens.
10 out of 10

IV. Intervals: After a bit of loopiness, we feel a great deal of anger in the music and lyrics. The track is musically memorable for heavy riffs and some strong vocals. I swear when James Labrie hits those lower notes, he sounds almost exactly like Dave Mustaine...
The lyrics of this song seem to express his anger and frustration over all the years that was taken from him. The lyrics also seem to revisit the theme of "Never Enough" with the lines "The calls of admirers who call to adore, drain all your lifesblood while begging for more..." Don't you just feel loved?
10 out of 10

V. The Razor's Edge: This track basically ends the epic on a big, slightly slow, dramatic note. Musically, there's not too much to say about it besides that the riffs and vocals are nicely executed. The lyrics seem to end the story right where it begins...
8 out of 10

Overall, the album gets 68 out of 80, 85%, and 4 stars. I'd consider this to be one of the band's best albums and one that I'd recommend for anyone with more mellow tastes (. . .weirdos). The album also has some particular significence to me, as I saw them on tour while they were supporting this album. Truly was an awesome show. . .

Iron Maiden's Best to Worst

1. Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son (93%)
2. The Number Of The Beast (93%)
3. Powerslave (91%)
4. Brave New World (88%)
5. Dance Of Death (88%)
6. Iron Maiden (88%)
7. Killers (87%)
8. The X Factor (87%)
9. Piece Of Mind (87%)
10. Somewhere In Time (84%)
11. A Matter Of Life And Death (83%)
12. Virtual XI (83%)
13. Fear Of The Dark (79%)
14. No Prayer For The Dying (77%)

No Prayer for the Dying (Iron Maiden)

This album is widely seen as Maiden's worst (with the possible exception of "Virtual XI"). The album's style is a dramatic departure from the sound of "Seventh Son." The songs have simpler structures and shorter song lengths. The synths are still there (and remain to this day), but they've mostly been pushed into the background. This is also the first album to feature guitarist Janick Gers, who joined after the departure of Adrian Smith and who played on Bruce Dickinson's solo debut "Tattooed Millionaire." The biggest change of all is within the vocal delivery of Bruce Dickinson. On this album and its follow-up, "Fear of the Dark," his voice goes from his clear operatic tenor to a raspy style that has been described as being similar to AC/DC's Brian Johnson. But enough ranting, time for the review...

Tailgunner: For some reason, I find this track to be very similar to "Aces High" both musically and lyrically. Musically, it is an energetic track featuring some nice riffs and a decent chorus. Lyrically, the song is about the bombings and dogfighting that occured between the British and the Germans during World War II. I read that Dickinson got the title of the song from a porno... A pretty good song, although it is a tad shallow.
8 out of 10

Holy Smoke: Probably the best track on the album. Musically, it is a fast number featuring some nice riffs, cool verses, a strong chorus, and some interesting solos. The lyrics are about the classic subject of TV preachers and are done with some nice sarcastic wit. The track is also one of the rare times in which they swear in a song (besides the figurative "damn" and "hell" here and there...).
8 out of 10

No Prayer for the Dying: The pace of the album slows down with this ballad of a track. Musically, it features some mellow riffs and some of the best vocals on the album during the verses. The lyrics are about someone who is unsure of events in their life and prays to God for guidance, a rare event in the metal realm. It's a good song, although the riffs sound very similar to "Infinite Dreams" and the last verse is a tad awkward.
7 out of 10

Public Enema Number One: One of the weaker songs on the album, although it features an interesting verses and a rather odd chorus. The lyrics seem to reflect upon the state of the world today.
7 out of 10

Fate's Warning: I'd consider this to be one of the album's best songs and a rather underrated number. Musical highlights include some nicely done riffs, cool verses, and a really good chorus. The lyrics take on a fatalist point of view and ask for the motives behind events both good and bad. It kinda reminds me of "Sea of Madness" in a way.
9 out of 10

The Assassin: Another album highlight and probably the album's most theatrical song. The lyrics are particularly intriguing and decribe a hitman who does the job for the adrenaline rush he recieves from it. Musical highlights of this one include a few cool riffs, a catchy chorus, a dramatic atmosphere, and some backing vocals that make it sound like a show tune...
9 out of 10

Run Silent Run Deep: A slightly epic track based upon the movie of the same time. I've read that the lyrics, written about a submarine conflict, were apparently written by Dickinson during the "Somewhere in Time" sessions. Musically, it features an interesting chorus and a riff that brings to mind something like "Flight of Icarus."
7 out of 10

Hooks in You: Part 3 of the "Charlotte the Harlot" saga (even though it's only seen as one due to the reference to "22 Acacia Avenue...") and the only song on the album co-written by Adrian Smith. It is another energetic number featuring an interesting chorus.
7 out of 10

Bring Your Daughter... To the Slaughter: Now this is what I call a guilty pleasure track... Ironically, the track actually was concieved as a solo song by Bruce Dickinson to be included on the soundtrack of "Nightmare on Elm Street 5." Not only is the song partially responsible for Dickinson's solo career, Maiden's version of the song became their only Number 1 single in England... Musical highlights of the song include a more fun cock rock feeling to it, a nice chorus, some nice bass riffs, and an entertaining vocal performance.
8 out of 10

Mother Russia: The album's longest song and most epic track. Musically, it has a nice dramatic feeling in its atmosphere, a strong synth presence, and some interestingly delivered verses and choruses. The lyrics reflect upon such events as the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
7 out of 10

Overall, this album gets 77 out of 100, 77%, and 3.5 stars. I'd say this is Maiden's weakest album but there are a few classic tracks Maiden fans such as myself should be able to enjoy. Just don't expect it to be awesome and you'll like it even more.. Although I'm having doubts that it was worth the $15.99 I paid for it at Best Buy...