These guys were from the area in which I live. The band I was in back in 1989 opened up for them at a club called Swizzles. They were all very nice people. The singer Leather was very cool to us.
I just picked up an original Brain CD pressing of Restless And Wild, and man it's the best I've ever heard this album sound. When I think Accept it always comes back to Restless And Wild. I've heard Blood, it is very good, but to me not really Accept.
The first Europe and ONLY the first Europe is a very cool neoclassical metal album. After that, forget it man. And I can't stand Winger either.
Saw them open for Judas Priest on the Screaming for Vengeance Tour, City Island Harrisburg PA 1983. One of the best concerts I have ever seen. Maiden was so hungry, it was high adrenaline from start to finish.
It's too bad the first Maiden was not produced by Martin Birch. I think it would have been a much better sounding album. I think he could have really pushed the band too. Killers is such a huge progression from the first album. I think the two albums would have been a bit more unified with Birch at the board.
I love Total Eclipse. That track has that killer locked in drum part like the beginning of The Prisoner.
Volbeat is one of those new bands I just can't stand. The skeletons of their songs are so basic, just a few barre chords, and the singer is the worst. Most of their songs are dropped tuned 1 whole step and just drone on and on. I played a few of theirs in my last cover band. Hated it!
You have to hear the 1987 CD pressing of Rocka Rolla on Line Records. Everyone including the band bashes the production job on that album, but if you hear that pressing you won't understand why. It's a much more even, balanced recording than Sad Wings Of Destiny will ever be. Too bad the songs on Sad Wings are better.
I have the "Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Vol 1, 2 and 3. Really helped me dig into the obscure stuff. Invaluable info. His ratings on a lot of albums......uh....no!
After Powerslave the decline set in. Somewhere In Time was still pretty good but after that...goodnight.