I guess Korn isn't well regarded around here but for me these guys are the best at combining hard de-tuned metal with melodic and interesting vocals.
For some reason, Mr. Lawless & co entirely passed me by; ditto Belladonna's legacy. There was so much intensity in those days and the concentration required to suckle the marrow of your preferred practitioners sufficiently so demanding, that choices had to be made and certain oeuvres had to be ignored: something had to give. On the other hand, that what was core manna to so many can, thirty years or more, later, represent luscious, virgin territory to the ignorati, has to be good news in some respects. I've been back to college for a sabbatical in reacquainting myself with the origins of (early) 'Maiden and feasting on one of Metal's most fabulously organic tales of creation. I find it singularly rewarding to get into the nooks and crannies of a band's lineage and (re)familiarize with the recollections of its birthing and execution: members current and old, folk involved in the management thereof, producers and fans alike, plus the input of seasoned critics. Thence to pause the VT and hit the turntable or CD, in order to appraise such well trodden pathways with a fresh perspective. For example, playing The Number Of The Beast to better appreciate the absolute hurricane that is Dickinson's blaring battle horn or the swingier bits of Clive Burr's repertoire and then, better appreciate Nicko McBrain's outrageous technique and finally, the really absurd genius of Harris himself, on multiple levels. I do feel it's time somebody incorporated a University of Rock & Metal. Hail.
That first WASP album is magical...then you get to stuff like The Headless Children and The Crimson Idol and it took them to a whole other level.
I agree that the first W.A.S.P. album is really good. For me, it's stood the test of time unlike a lot of other metal and hard rock that came out of the LA scene. Blackie's voice has a real gravitas to it even singing about fairly banal subject matter. I think his voice translated to the more serious stuff like The Headless Children very well for this reason. The music is also of high quality as well.
See them live - it'll seal the deal. They bring the heavy in concert but retain that weird quirkiness with the country and other influences. Lots of fun - last time I saw them they did this thing where they were picking out people in the crowd wearing different band t-shirts and then doing a snippet of each band's music. They were shifting from Iron Maiden to Rammstein to Motorhead and nailing it every time. Impressive. And they weren't planted 'cuz I was the guy in the Rammstein T. D.D.
Speaking of "see it live", The Missing Link Tour is on the road right now with Mastodon and Clutch. The night I saw them Clutch was on before Mastodon closed the show. I wouldn't want to follow Clutch onstage and from what I saw, by the end of this tour Mastodon won't want to, either. New Clutch album in the fall and the two new tunes they played were smokin' hot in the Earth Rocker style. D.D.
Personally I think they nailed it with their remasters...but I'm not as picky as some around here. Certainly the Crimson Idol remaster sounds far and away better than the original pressing.
I think we have a lot of folks with PhDs in Rock & Metal in this thread who could be Professors at that University
blackie has a perfect voice to sing hard rock/metal just like alice cooper does. blackie is even good on the handful of ballads w.a.s.p. has done. "forever free" and "hold on to my heart" have killer vocals by blackie especially the unplugged "hold on to my heart"
The best I've heard is on this collection: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Carrere-Yea...ie=UTF8&qid=1430019866&sr=1-19&keywords=saxon Those are the one's I have, tons of bonus and live tracks on them. I can't count the beers I drank listening to their first 2 discs as a teen. Always put them above all the other early 80's L.A. bands.
I bought the first W.A.S.P. album when it came out and loved it. One of the few albums (cassette in this case) that I remember when and where I bought it. Not sure why. Still listen to it, and to The Last Command but for some reason I stopped listening to them after that. I have heard The Headless Children and it's a great album. What are the best three albums not listed above? What are some random great songs?
the 3 best not listed are crimson idol dying for the world dominator or babylon K.F.D. is a really interesting album. its industrial metal. the songs worked great live. maybe get the live album DOUBLE LIVE ASSASSINS since it has 9-10 songs from studio albums released after headless children. some cool random songs not on the albums i mentioned? "who slayed baby jane", "helldorado", "let it roar", "asylum #9", "raging storm" and "clockwork mary"
Mother Engine heavy psych from Germany! Approved bootleg of the bands gig at the KEEP IT LOW FESTIVAL at Feierwerk Munich, October 19 2013. Setlist: 1. Nebel (Arbeitstitel) 2. Trümmer 3. Colour (Arbeitstitel) 4. Brett Hart 5. Relief Chris Trautenbach - Gitarre Cornelius Grünert - Schlagzeug Christian Dressel - Bass Homebase: Plauen, Germany
Since Matthew Tate covered the albums, I'll tackle some random essential songs post Crimson Idol: Seas of Fire Crazy Into The Fire Mercy Long, Long Way To Go My Wicked Heart Hate To Love Me Charisma Asylum #9 Come Back To Black Somebody To Love (one of the best covers of all time!)
Although broadly ignorant of their output, that vocal is oh-so familiar. I do remember it as a soundtrack to an epoch, emanating from innumerable Heavy Rock pubs, bars and clubs which peppered the northern English citadel wherein I cranked out my degree in Creedlore. Coming after the Zeppelin/Purple/Sabbath genesis, then flashing blade of the NWOBHM, I guess the sight of so much make up and overly starched hair, felt ere so incongruous to a footsoldier of Kilminster: even if it was all executed in subconscious reverence to classic Kiss and that whole 'party' imperative. It's why I was always so impressed with BOC; to a Limey, they conveyed certain, inexplicably romantic tenets and critical aspects of '70s [heavy] rock 'n' roll Americana' but with a twist so so intelligent it transcended that whole, mindless binge vibe, even though their own 'experimentations' undoubtedly transpired. Just listening to Blackie, now, its like, "oof! What a voice!" Bring it hither...
The Burning Crows - Murder at the Gin House 1. Hell To Pay 2. Come On 3. Shine 4. Alright 5. Goodbye (To the Sunshine) 6. 11:27 7. Little Bit More 8. She's the Summertime 9. Feels Like Home 10. Holding on Having listened to The Burning Crows Murder at the Gin House a few times now, I can say that it is a very good album indeed. The big riffs, infectious hooks and hard rock swagger we all know and love are there in spades. Whippz and Lance's dual guitars complement each other perfect, Will's dirty bass groove, Chris's tight as f**k drumming, and of course Whippz's vocals make for a fine hard rock recipe. Shine From the first album Time Slow Up, Get Down All The Way I should note that it is not on general sale until June. I got an early copy as I was a Pledge music contributor.
I’m not sure about the remasters but I like the originals a lot. The Headless Children is a great sounding CD. Either way, no matter what format or version you listen to, Blind in Texas will still kick your ass.
Question: Are UK pressings (LP) of Priest better than the US ones? I just have the UK of 'Killing Machine' and that one kicks.
Ok, that's cool. I'm listening to the US 'Sin after Sin' right now, which prompted my question. It's a little flat sounding. Anyway, have you heard the UK 'Killing Machine,' because to me, it's really, really good.
