Chad's Heavy Metal Blog

For the most part, XXV succeeds. It gives us a chance to hear the 2008 version of Vader reliving, and in some cases reinventing their back catalog. Plus the originals are all still there to be heard if you want to pick up those CDs. XXV is a 2 disc set, and there's a version available that has a DVD as well.

The songs on the first CD includes material from their 1990 demo Morbid Reich, many of which also appeared on their 1993 full length debut The Ultimate Incantation. There are also songs from 1995's De Profundis and 1997's Black To The Blind.

Read the complete Vader - XXV Review

(CD cover courtesy Regain Records)

The '80s and early '90s were the heydey of hair metal. Those bands were on the radio and sold out concerts across the world. Their biggest radio hits tended to be the ballads, the type of songs that would bring out the lighters at shows back before there were cell phones. Here's my list of the best hair metal ballads. I limited it to one song per artist, and since I don't consider Guns 'N Roses a hair band, you won't see "Sweet Child Of Mine" on this list, even though it's a great song. Check out my list, then post your favorite hair metal ballads, and ones I may have missed.

Best Hair Metal Ballads

1984 was an interesting year in heavy metal. Stalwarts like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden were still going strong, but newer bands like Metallica and Dio were ready to try to wrestle away their crowns. More extreme bands like Celtic Frost and Mercyful Fate released excellent albums in 1984, as did more commercial MTV friendly bands like Ratt and Twisted Sister. Take a look at my list, then post your feedback in the comments section below.

Top 10 Heavy Metal Albums Of 1984

And in case you missed any of the earlier lists, here they are:

• Top 10 Heavy Metal Albums Of 1983
  
• Top 10 Heavy Metal Albums Of 1982
  
• Top 10 Heavy Metal Albums Of 1981
  
• Top 10 Heavy Metal Albums of 1980
  

After releasing their debut in 2005, Atlanta’s Withered returns with a new CD on a new record label. The band also has had a couple of lineup changes, bringing aboard bassist Mike Longoria and drummer Beau Brandon. Folie Circulaire features a guest appearance from Napalm Death’s Barney Greenway, and also a cover version of Necrophobic’s “Into Armageddon.” Guitarist/vocalist Chris Freeman tells us the story of the unusual album title, the collaboration with Greenway, their lyrical influences and other topics.

Chad Bowar: It’s been a few years since your last CD. How has the band’s sound evolved from Memento Mori to Folie Circulaire?
Chris Freeman: I think the most noticeable change is that Folie Circulaire is much more focused. The album flows better and is more cohesive. With Memento Mori, we were a new band that was trying to find its way. The writing process was all over the place. It was originally intended to just be a demo/EP, but after Lifeforce showed interest we ended up writing a couple more songs to make it a full length. To me that really affected the finished product. Although Folie Circulaire took some time to write, we knew what we wanted from the beginning so we set out to do just that. The result is darker and more suffocating than Memento Mori.

How did the collaboration with Barney from Napalm Death come about?
It's been something we've wanted to do for years. His vocals and Napalm Death have always had a big influence on us, especially back in the Social Infestation days. We approached Barney through a mutual friend (Albert Mudrian at Decibel) and he was very receptive to the idea. So, we made the arrangements and it actually happened. He was a real pleasure to work with. We are quite honored to have his contribution.

Read the complete Withered Interview
Read the Folie Circulaire Review

(photo courtesy Prosthetic Records)

Now that the summer is heating up, so are the releases. June was the strongest month so far when it comes to the depth and breadth of really good CDs. This month's number one is also my top CD so far this year. There were a bunch of releases that received 4 out of 5 stars, and it was extremely difficult to narrow them down to the best five. Take a look at my list, then post your lists and comments below.

June 2008 Best Heavy Metal CDs

Here are my other monthly best of lists for 2008:

• January 2008 Best Heavy Metal CDs


• February 2008 Best Heavy Metal CDs
• March 2008 Best Heavy Metal CDs
  
• April 2008 Best Heavy Metal CDs
  
• May 2008 Best Heavy Metal CDs
  

Immortal is traditional power metal with some progressive moments. The songs are powerful and melodic with singalong choruses and big hooks. Pyramaze also uses keyboards, but more for atmosphere and background, not as the primary instrument. Their restrained use of that instrument is a wise one in a genre where it is often very prominent.

The progressive elements also add a nice twist to Pyramaze's sound. It lets them experiment a bit, and they are able to showcase their musicianship. It never gets out of hand, as the songs are pretty focused and the longest one is only six minutes. Tempo and time signature changes help make the songs more interesting as well.

Read the complete Pyramaze - Immortal Review

(CD cover courtesy Locomotive Records)

Every week I recommend a different metal band you might not be familiar with. Most metal fans know the major artists, but sometimes it’s nice to dig a little deeper to more underground or even unsigned bands. This week’s recommended band is Psychotic Waltz. They started as Asian back in the mid ‘80s, and changed their name to Psychotic Waltz shortly thereafter. Their debut was 1990’s A Social Grace, and they released four studio albums before breaking up.

Psychotic Waltz played a unique brand of progressive metal. It was complex with a lot of psychedelic influences. There were also a lot of contrasting elements. Some parts were very mellow while others were more intense and metallic. Singer Buddy Lackey later changed his name to Devon Graves and has released a couple of albums with his new band Deadsoul Tribe. All of Psychotic Waltz’s albums were excellent, but if I had to recommend just one, it would be 1992’s Into The Everflow.

Genre: Progressive Metal
Comparable Artists: Fates Warning
Location: California, USA
MySpace Page: www.myspace.com/psychoticwaltzofficial

If there’s an artist you’d like to suggest to be the recommended band of the week, send me an email!

Citizen Brain blasts off from the first note and never lets up. Gama Bomb tears through 15 tracks in under 40 minutes. Their style of thrash is fast and raw with a crossover vibe. It's old school, paying homage to groups like Nuclear Assault, Kreator and Sodom. Guitarists Luke Graham and Domo Dixon play riffs at lightning speed, and do plenty of soloing, both in brief bursts and more traditional extended sections.

Gama Bomb doesn't take themselves too seriously, which is reflected in their lyrics. They love zombies, and two of the song titles have zombie in the title. Other topics covered include sci-fi, horror and video games (there's a song called "Space Invaders"). Vocalist Philly Byrne delivers those lyrics in a spoken word hardcore style, but he has a falsetto that he belts out periodically that sets him apart from the usual thrash vocalist.

Read the complete Gama Bomb - Citizen Brain Review

(CD cover courtesy Earache Records)

A few years ago, the original lineup of Motley Crue got back together and have since been selling out concerts all over the world. It’s been a decade since they recorded a new CD with Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, Mick Mars and Tommy Lee as the lineup. The title track from Saints Of Los Angeles has done very well, and the rest of the album has been much anticipated. In addition, Motley Crue is launching Cruefest this summer, a traveling festival they are headlining along with support bands Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Trapt and Sixx A.M. (Nikki Sixx’s band). I interviewed drummer Tommy Lee about the new album and tour and the many other projects he’s involved with, including a reality show with Ludacris and an animated series.

Chad Bowar: Give us a preview of your new CD Saints Of Los Angeles.
Tommy Lee: It’s the first studio record we’ve made in nine and a half years, or whatever it is. That’s exciting. There’s nothing better than new music. We love going out and playing the older hits, but we’re musicians and we’ve got to have some new stuff to keep us in the game. We’re really pumped. The record’s dope. We hope you dig it.

Since you guys have been around so long, are you noticing a second generation of fans at your shows?
I’ve seen that the last few years. It’s been a real eye-opener. For a long time we were playing for people in our age group. All of a sudden we look out and see a guy my age with his seven year old on top of his shoulders throwing up the horns singing “Shout At The Devil.” When I look out now I see all ages, colors, it’s pretty wild. It’s a sign of longevity. When little kids are coming to check you out, you know you’re doing something right. We’re still going.

Why did you decide to put together a traveling festival tour like Cruefest?
We talked about this since the first time Ozzfest came out. You know you’ve nailed it when you have your own festival. Finally it is here.

Read the complete Motley Crue Interview
Read the Saints Of Los Angeles Review

(photo courtesy Eleven Seven Music)

1983 was a very good year for heavy metal. It saw the debut album of Metallica, who would change the face of the genre. New Wave Of British Heavy Metal bands were still making an impact, and 1983 was the year that Def Leppard would skyrocket in popularity. Old standbys like Ozzy and Iron Maiden also made the list. Here is the latest list as I make my way year by year through the best metal albums of all time. Make sure to post your comment below on the ones I got right and the ones you think should be included on the list for 1983.

Top 10 Heavy Metal Albums Of 1983

And in case you missed any of the earlier lists, here they are:

• Top 10 Heavy Metal Albums Of 1982
  
• Top 10 Heavy Metal Albums Of 1981
  
• Top 10 Heavy Metal Albums of 1980