Purple

Time for a bit of a throwback this time around. To the mid 90's we go. Where grunge was king and wearing flannel was cool. A period I'm not entirely sure I've visited in the blog yet. In any case it's time for some Stone Temple Pilots. Originally formed back in 86, the band didn't release their debut record until 92. Their debut record 'Core' yielded a few hit songs and pushed the band into the forefront of the ever growing alternative scene. However the critics were so kind, often labeling the band a bad Pearl Jam knockoff. The band carried on and in94 released their number one album 'Purple'. The band was riding high off the singles 'Vasoline' 'Big Empty' and 'Interstate Love Song'. The band seemed to be destined for greatness until the reoccurring demons of frontman Scott Weiland kept appearing. The band went on hiatus for a bit and the released a few more albums before splitting up in 2002. Band members went on to play in various other acts, most notably Velvet Revolver and Army Of Anyone. The band got back together in 08 and still remains a somewhat dysfunctional band today. But for a short time harken back to the days of old with a great alternative record.

'Purple' was the first CD I ever bought and I still have it to this day. Same copy too. It's seen better days perhaps, but I loved that record. For the most part I still do too. It was a good album from a band that received more flack than any other top selling band out of that era. True the band was dysfunctional, but isn't that what rock n roll is all about. I think if the band didn't have all the dysfunction they would have been a lot bigger than what they were.

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Raw Power

Final week of the S bands and going out with some diverse albums this week. Starting and ending the week on a Punk note, so lets get things started with some Iggy & The Stooges. Led by the wild man Iggy Pop, The Stooges along with the MC5 helped shape the early Punk scene in Michigan. The band formed in 67 and released a few albums before they broke up in 74. Each of their albums stands on its own, but for my money the classic is 'Raw Power'. The album produced by Pop and David Bowie, who at the time was riding high on his Ziggy Stardust persona, crafted the influential album. Many musicians is several genres have hailed this album as their favorite, not to mention the countless covers of tracks like 'Search And Destroy' and 'Gimmie Danger'. Despite a weak initial response, the album over the years has grown into a classic. The Stooges broke up shortly after the albums release. Pop went into rehab for a bit before coming out as a solo artist. The Stooges have since reformed and continue to tour. This album though remains the highlight of The Stooges career.

Iggy Pop remains one of the great frontman in music, hands down. The man practically invented stage diving and the art of cutting yourself on stage. The man puts so much energy into the music and live show it's crazy. There's a story that Henry Rollins has told about trying to outdo Iggy on stage and how it can't be done. That right there speaks volume. The live show should be the place where everything comes together. You want people to leave with no voice, covered in sweat and the best memory of a live show ever. Sadly it doesn't always happen that way. Of course you can't control certain things, but nevertheless if you're not up there giving it your all, my thought is you shouldn't be up there at all. There's not many people that can control a stage like Iggy can, even at his age now he can still do it.

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Stolen Babies

Closing out the week with something a little off the path and bizarre if you will. What could be best be described as Avant-Garde Metal in the vein of bands like Oingo Boingo and Mr. Bungle. Stolen Babies hail from California and are an Avant-Garde Cabaret inspired Metal band. Intrigued yet? The frontwoman also plays the Accordion. Got your attention now? Originally formed as a 12 piece High School performance troupe, the band trimmed it's members and cut their first demo in  02. Another demo and EP soon followed and by 06 The End Records had picked the band up and released their debut 'There Be Squabbles Ahead'. This album is a bizarre mix of styles, truly you have to hear it to actually see what I'm talking about. An interesting album for the curious and diverse listener that is for sure.

The End Records did a good job of trying to get the band out there. However when you play a unique style of music, it's easier said then done sometimes. The band just released to follow up 'Naught' this past month, some six years after their debut. The band has been getting out there touring with Devin Townsend and Kataonia and soon to be hitting the road with Turisas and Firewind. I like to dust this album of when I'm feeling a bit off or overly creative. The sound is really unique and isn't for everybody, but it's at least worth listening to at least once.

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Steely Dan

It's been some time since I've posted any Classic Rock, so figured I'd sneak some in here between the weird stuff. Steely Dan were one of the more successful rock group of the 70's, churning out what seemed to be hit after hit. Comprised of the duo Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, Steely Dan blended Rock with elements of pop, jazz, R&B and funk to create their sound. Formed in 71, the band did toured for a few years before becoming strictly a studio band. The band split up in 81 and eventually reunited in 93. During the time both Fagen and Becker stayed low key in the music business. While the band has been back together for sometime, Fagen has maintained a solo career that has produced some solid albums. 'A Decade Of Steely Dan' captures the magic of the band in their prime. This is the definitive starting point for anyone new to this band. The smart and witty listener will surely enjoy this collection.

Steely Dan was another one of those bands that seemed to be always playing when I was growing up. 'Aja' seemed to be a staple in the house for years. 'Reelin' In The Years' still remains a favorite as well, something about the guitar work on that track. Steely Dan for me has always be the smart persons choice in music. The writing has always been top notch as well as the borderline obsession with getting the perfect sound in the studio. The band once used 40 different studio musicians to make a record, yeah that's not obsessive. Still it seems to be the prefect fit when you're feeling smart.

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Soilwork

End of the week and a Black Friday post dump if you will. Starting off with some Swedish metal. Much like their fellow countrymen In Flames and Dark Tranquility, Soilwork play what can be referred to as an updated Gothenburg Sound. Formed in the mid 90's under the name Inferior Breed, the band quickly changed names to Soilwork and released a few album to some acclaim. The sound was a melodic death metal vibe, but 2001's 'A Predator's Portrait' showed the band updating their sound a bit. This album was their debut for Nuclear Blast and marked the beginning of what some consider their best work. Much like In Flames the band has moved towards a more modern metal sound. This album though along with the follow up 'Natural Born Chaos'  is some of their finer work. The later album was produced by Devin Townsend, but not to be outdone, the title track here features Opeth frontman Mikael Akerfeldt. Solid release for those who are looking for the slice of Swedish Metal.

I've always been into the whole Swedish metal scene. There's been some great bands and even better albums that have come out in the past two decades. I got the chance to see Soilwork some years back, I wanna say opening up for Hypocrisy. This was right around the time 'Natural Born Chaos' came out and the band was beginning to get noticed. The live show was full of great energy and the band was really tight and on mark. After seeing them I became a fan and have been one since. Granted there's been a few low points on the album releases but still solid modern metal. A band that could and sometimes does get played on hard rock radio, but deserves more credit.

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Twelve

Forging ahead and changing genres yet again, it's time for what some may consider Punk's first lady. That's right time for some Patti Smith. Best known for her debut album 'Horses', Smith has been a fixture on the poet/punk rock circuit since 75. She however may be more known for her song 'Because The Night' which was co-written by the Boss, Bruce Springsteen and later covered by 10,000 Maniacs. Over the years she has continued to release album to acclaim, but I'd thought I'd go off the beaten path a little bit with her and post her 07 Covers record 'Twelve'. This is a full blown covers album, which features covers of Hendrix, Neil Young, Nirvana, The Doors, Tears For Fears, and The Rolling Stones to name a few. For those familiar with her work, you will realize this isn't a typical Covers album. Patti puts her unique spin on each track and makes it her own. Not everyone will get this album or for that matter Patti Smith, however it's still a unique record that shouldn't be passed up.

I'm a sucker for Covers albums, plain and simple. I love to hear other people interpretations on other songs. Some are better than others, some are just laughable. I've been a fan of Patti Smith for some time now. 'Horses' remains a timeless classic. She's a celebrated and hated musician and poet. Love her or hate her, you can't deny her talent and influence on the genre.

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Higher!

New week and already behind so gonna post a few before the holiday here. Starting off this week with some Funk and R&B. During the 60's and 70's there were plenty of Funk bands, but perhaps none quite as funky as the eclectic Sly & The Family Stone. Formed in 67, the band was built around friends and family of Sly Stone. Billed as a multi racial and gender based group, the band was together until 83. The band had a rotating lineup before the band split up. Sly Stone has been somewhat of a recluse over the years. In 87 he was busted for drugs and sent to jail effectively putting him into retirement. In 2011 the band made a few festivals appearances, but it has been reported the Sly Stone is homeless and living out of a van in a rough part of LA. Sad times for a great musician. 'Higher!'  is a best of package that showcases the bands hits from the early days through the mid 70's. Released by Starbucks music in 05, this remains as one of the better best of packages out there for the band.

I remember growing up and hearing Sly & The Family Stone on the radio. I loved the high energy of the music and I just wanted to get up and dance around every time I heard 'Dance To The Music'. To this day I still crank that song whenever I hear it. There's an amusing story about this album and it's partly why I decided to post it. My folks bought this record at a Starbucks on their way out of town. My dad had always been a fan of the band and had recalled stories he had heard about Sly Stone. My mom tells the story as them driving along the California coast with this album at full blast. My father rocking out as only he could and my mother laughing hysterical at the grand nature of it all. I tell that story in honor of the holiday this week. Always give thanks to the folks, no matter what hell they have put you through as a child.

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Slough Feg

Ending the week a few days late, but what the hey. Time for some more Metal. This time is comes courtesy of Slough Feg. Formed in the early 90's, the ban was originally known as The Lord Weird Slough Feg before shortening the name around 05. The name comes from the main villain in a British comic book series. Hailing from the Bay Area, the band features Guitarist/Vocalist Mike Scalzi, who for a period of time was in Hammers Of Misfortune. The band plays a mix of traditional Heavy Metal fused with element of Prog Metal. Overall the sound is timeless and really groovy in parts. From the lyrical end it's a mic of Folk Tales and Mythology. The band has released eight albums to date, each receiving excellent reviews in the metal community. Proof of this is their last effort 'The Animal Spirits'. Released in 2010 on Profound Lore Records, this album from start to finish is a beast to be reckoned with. Both the music and the vocal jump out at the listener and pull them in. One of the better albums to be released in the past few years, definitely worth a listen.

Slough Feg was one of those bands I kinda stumbled upon. I had become familiar with Hammers Of Misfortune and found Slough Feg via them. Musically it reminds me of the whole NWOBHM scene. Straight up no apologies in your face headbanging metal, the way it used to be. Vocally speaking Mike's delivery is unique and it helps. The way the story comes together in the song coupled with the driving guitars, just like hypnosis. What gets me is the band always gets good reviews and yet remains in the underground. Once again putting a band out there that people may not be aware of in hopes to spread the word.

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At Sixes And Sevens

Catching up on things after a long weeks worth of work. We finish off the week with some more Metal. Up first is some female fronted Symphonic Gothic Metal. Sirenia hails from Norway and was the band that Morten Veland formed after leaving Tristania. Sirenia pretty much starts where the second Tristania record leaves off. In fact if you didn't know any better you may mistake it for a Tristania record. 'At Sixes And Sevens' is a solid debut album. The formula worked for Tristania, so why change it. A symphonic mix of harsh vocals and clean female vocals dominate the record. Morten plays everything on the album, and enlisted a hired female singer to sing those parts. It's a good record for fans of the genre and in reality probably their best effort to date. Worth checking out if you like the genre.

Tristania, along with Nightwish and Lacuna Coil, were some of the early female fronted goth metal bands I got into. Tristania really wasn't the same after Morten left and while they have tried, their last album wasn't their best by any means. Sirenia captured that old Tristania feel again. The by the book sound and melody pulls the listener in. If you're not a fan of the genre, you may find this album a tad boring and formulated. The band continues to release material despite not being able to hold onto a female vocalist for more than one album. With the addition of former X Factor contestant Ailyn, the band has deviated from the norm on the last two records. Good band to demonstrate the genre to people and the albums aren't all that bad.

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Single Bullet Theory

Mid week and it's time for some more Metalcore. Single Bullet Theory have made a name for themselves and the band that will open for just about any band it seems. The band has been around since 2000, releasing a few albums before breaking up and then getting back together again in 08. Formed by former Pissing Razors guitarist/vocalist Matt DiFabio, the band plays a fairly standard version of Metalcore. This is one of those bands in which people either enjoy em or hate em. Having seen them live multiple times I enjoy em. Up for grabs is their 2003 debut 'Route 666'. A solid slice of Metalcore that features reworked songs from their EP and Demo. A solid effort, the album does set the tone early of what to expect. Give it a shot is all I can say, you might enjoy this one.

I've seen this band several times over the years and the general reaction by crowds has always been mixed. Granted the band has had some trouble holding onto a steady lineup over the years, but the music remains pretty solid. Musically it's your typical East Coast Metalcore sound, but a tad bit heavier and thrashier in spots. Solid group of guys that get overlooked a lot. Great album to thrown on every so often.

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Sigh

Time to switch up gears and post some Japanese Avant Garde Black Metal. Sigh have been around since 89 and are credited as being one of the first Japanese Black Metal bands. Having originally been signed to Euronymous' Death Like Silence label, the band started out has a Black Metal act before progressively adopted a more Avant-Garde sound in recent years. The thing with Sigh of late is, much like bands like Ulver, you are never really sure what you're gonna get album to album. Proof here is 2001's 'Imaginary Sonicscape', an album which is as musically varied as one can get. Drawing influences from Black Metal to Jazz to Disco. The album was their first release for Century Media and marks the point where the band begins to experiment more with their sound. While the album barely made a splash stateside initially, it has become a fan favorite in recent years. For those seeking something a little out of the ordinary, this album will definitely do it for you.

Sigh is a truly unique band in the sense that they've covered bands like Bathory and artists like John Coltrane. Yeah, never thought you'd hear those two artists in the same breathe huh. I've recently gotten into this band, their 'Gallows Gallery' record is a good starting point. The recent addition of a female vocalist/saxophone player has brought a new element into the band. Not to mention she holds a PHD in Physics, makes this band that much more of a trip. Neat little bit of trivia, if you take the first letter of all their studio albums, it spells Sigh, twice over so far. This is a band that should be checked out if for anything, the crazy mix of influences.

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10 Days Out

Another week of S bands and continuing on with another collaboration album of sorts. This time is more of a Blues thing. Kenny Wayne Shepherd has been making a name for himself in the Blues scene since he released his debut album at age 17. Shepherd has continued to amaze critics and fans alike with his touring and releases over the years. Perhaps best known for his hit 'Blue On Black' which has crossed over to both Rock and Pop stations over the years. No stranger to playing with legends, Shepherd decided to release an album in which he plays with some of the legends themselves. The result was the CD/DVD '10 Days Out: Blues From The Backroads'. The documentary follows Shepherd around as he plays and spotlights the legends of the Blues genre. Included are the likes of BB King, Bryan Lee, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, and the remaining members of Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf's band. The DVD alone is worth watching and the accompanying CD proves Shepherd's worth among the legends. Great listen for fans of the old and new Blues.

I got into Kenny Wayne Shepherd when his debut 'Ledbetter Heights'  was released. Around that time I had been diving into the Blues pretty heavily. I was amazed by Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn at the time. I heard 'Deja Voodoo' on the radio and swore it was a lost SRV cut. I found out it was this 17 year old kid wailing away on the guitar. I was sold then and there. By the time his next album, 'Trouble Is...'  came out which had 'Blue On Black' on it, I was convinced this guy was gonna be the next SRV. After seeing hime live a few times live, I still stand by the statement. Never disappoints live, playing the guitar like no ones business. Always good to crank any album from him when ya got the Blues.

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Snowy Shaw

Closing out week number two of S bands is something a little different. It's a Live album that is career spanning and features some guests. Snowy Shaw is known in the metal community for being in about 50 bands throughout his career. Highlights include playing in, Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, Illwill, Memento Mori, Dimmu Borgir (For about a week), Dream Evil, Norte Dame and Therion. In addition to playing in those bands his also done photo work for a bunch more. Earlier this year he released a Live show from 2011 that spanned his career. Entitled 'Snowy Shaw Is Alive!' is features Snowy playing songs from the majority of his bands and features guest appearances by the likes of Andy LaRocque, Mike Wead, Hal Patino, Mats Levin and Thomas Vikstrom. This is a pretty lenghty album and I had to split it into two parts. Worth a listen, it's kinda a trip to hear some of these songs done his way.

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Part 2

Of One Blood

Behind on the last weeks postings thanks to work and sleep. So here's a double shot of goodness from last week. First up is the Boston based Metalcore band Shadows Fall. The band has been around since the mid 90's and are considered one of the bands in the New Wave Of American Heavy Metal (NWOAHM), with bands like God Forbid, Killswitch Engage and Lamb Of God. The band released their debut 'Somber Eyes To The Sky' in 97 with then unknown vocalist Phil Labonte. Phil now fronts All That Remains, who has had some recent success with their releases. The band continued on with new vocalist and former Overcast frontman Brian Fair. Continuing to to tour and open for bands like King Diamond, Death and Cannibal Corpse, Century Media took noticed and in 2000 released 'Of One Blood'. The album was somewhere in between hardcore and melodic death metal. In a sense this was the birth of the Metalcore genre. The band over the years has gained some attention, even so far as being signed to Atlantic Records for a brief time. However this album stands as starting point of their career and is a gem in a field of mediocre crap. Century Media re released and remixed the album in 08 and this is that version. Production wasn't the best on the original and this mix really brings out the songs.

I got into these guys by the fact that they toured with King Diamond back in 2000. I'm always interesting in what bands support the King when he hits the road. This was a peculiar choice just on the fact that they were an unknown band who had just one album under their belts. However the music spoke for itself, the anger coupled with the clean vocal breaks seemed a good fit. Metal at this time was just starting to recover from all that alt/nu metal crap. This album for me is still one of my favorites from them. Their follow up 'The Art Of Balance' was really a better produced and sounding record, but something about the gritty sound here pulled me in. Good album to crank and let loose to.

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Crimson

Mid week and it's time for some depressing Goth Metal. Hailing from Finland, Sentenced started out as a Death Metal band before changing gears midway through their career. They later adopted a doom/goth sound which they kept until the end. That sound is what gained the band more fans. 'Crimson' proves the bands sound wasn't a one time record trick. Released in 2000, the album showcases a depressing and somber metal tone through and through. With songs like 'Killing Me Killing You', 'Bleed In My Arms', and 'No More Beating As One', you kinda get the sense that this is a dark sand somber record. And it is for all intensive purposes. Sadly the band released only a few more albums before calling it a day in 05. The bands final show was filmed for a DVD/CD released entitled 'Buried Alive'. Stellar DVD if ya haven't seen it. Sadly any thoughts of the band reforming were shot down with the passing of guitarist Miika Tenkula in 09 due to heart failure. However the band lives on in the hearts and ears of metal heads.

Sentenced for me was always a doom n gloom band. I loved the stuff I had heard from the 'Down' and 'The Cold White Light'  records. Sure it was dark and depressing but somehow songs about death and the like were kinda upbeat. Plus the band has done some ridiculously awesome covers. Check out their version of Radiohead's 'Creep' or The Animals 'House Of The Rising Sun', the later is just an awesome drunk cover. Since the demise of the band, the members have kept busy with other bands like, Poisonblack, The Man Eating Tree and KYPCK. The latter band being a Finnish band that sings about Russian History, a very interesting mix. This is one of those bands I wish wouldn't have ended when then did, I feel like they had quite of bit of good music left to make. Still when the dark mood hits, always nice to throw one of their records on.

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Sculptured

Continuing on with the strange Metal of sorts this week, it's time for a band that hails from the Pacific Northwest and who has never played a live show. Sculptured is the brain child of Agalloch guitarist Don Anderson. Actually Sculptured came before Agalloch. The band has been around since 96 and has only released 3 albums to date. The last album, 'Embodiment: Collapsing Under The Weight Of God'  was released in 08. Sculptured is an unique band in the sense that much like Agalloch, it incorporates various styles of Metal and blends it into a unique mix. Each album is similar, yet worlds apart. To prove my point I've uploaded their debut and one of my all time favorite Metal albums ever, 'The Spear Of The Lily Is Aureoled'. Recorded in the Winter of 97 and released in the Spring of 98, the album is a unique mix of folk metal and death metal of sorts. You could go as far as calling it Avant-Garde Death Metal. A mix of guitars, horns and blast beats at time, set up the listener for a very interesting trip. This, like all their albums is a headphone album. So bust of the headphones and crank this album.

I got into Sculptured around the same time I found Agalloch. The unique mix of a horn section into an Avant-Garde Metal album really pulled me in. That and the mix of clean and death vocals works really well here. Lyrically the album is somewhat of a love story. Songs like 'Her Silence' and 'Almond Beauty' are just nothing short of pure epic in my book. This is one of those records I can play every week and never get tired of. I could probably do that with each of their albums in fact. Little known band that deserves a lot of credit.

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Scale The Summit

Week 2 of the S bands and it's gonna be somewhat of a Metal week, so strap in. Starting the week off is some Instrumental Prog Metal. Fans of the genre should find this one a little interesting. Scale The Summit hail from Houston TX and play Prog Metal minus a vocalist. The interesting thing is the guitars in the band are custom 7 and 8 string guitars, oh and there's a 6 string Bass too. Intrigued yet? Formed in 04, the band has released 3 albums to some acclaim. Having also toured with bands like Dream Theater and Between The Buried And Me, the band has been making a name for themselves out on the road as well. Decided to go with 09's 'Carving Desert Canyons' for tonight's selection. 8 tracks clock in at 40 min, not what you might expect with a Prog Metal band. However this album is actually pretty good and technical. Worth checking out if you are a fan of the genre.

I got this CD along with a bunch of other stuff after displaying my music knowledge for some trivia question. I had never heard of the band, but keeping an open mind threw it in and was impressed. I got the chance to see them open up for Between The Buried and Me, along with Cynic and Devin Townsend. Along with Devin they were the highlight of the night. The low light, having my car towed by some jackass business owner. Anyways, the band does play the style well and for being a technical band of sorts, really pull it off well live. Really seems like a promising band and one to watch out for in the coming years.

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Hall Of The Mountain King

Closing out this week with some American Power Metal. Savatage was one of the more well known names in American power metal. Led by the Oliva Brothers, Jon and Criss, the band formed in 83. Releasing a handful of records before their opus 'Hall Of The Mountain King'  in 87. Widely regarding as a classic in the genre, this album had it all. Of course the bands next album 'Gutter Ballet' was too shabby either. That album opened the doors further for the band. Sadly Criss wass killed by a drunk driver in the early 90's the band wasn't able to recapture the magic. Putting out several more album before going on hiatus in 01, several members of the band have surfaced in various other bands, most notably Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Jon Oliva's Pain. Jon Oliva has stated the a Savatage reunion is highly unlikely, fans of the band still remain hopeful.

I found Savatage through listening to Trans-Siberian Orchestra, only realizing later that albums like 'Gutter Ballet'  and 'Hall Of The Mountain King' served as earlier primers for what would eventually become TSO. Savatage was really a band that was ahead of its time. Taking a cue from European Traditional Metal acts and putting an American spin on it. Their first couple of albums were a bit heavier than what the band would evolve into over the years. While the band hasn't been around for over a decade now, the other bands formed from the ashes have all been really good.

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This Ain't No Fit Place

Time for another shot of NWOBHM this week. This time it's from UK based Savage. Another little known band that found some recognition when Metallica covered their song 'Let It Loose' on their 'No Life Til Leather' demo. Savage were formed in 76 and by 81 were featured on a NWOBHM split with other bands. By 83 their released their debut record 'Loose N Lethal'. That recorded was released on the tiny label Ebony Records, which also released Mercyful Fate's debut mini LP 'Nuns Have No Fun'. Little known fact about the albums artwork, which was done by Gary Sharpe-Young, who went on to become a respected metal/rock journalist. The band put out another album before splitting up round 86. The band resurfaced a decade later releasing three new albums in the mid 90's'/early 00's on the indie NWOBHM label Neat Records. Another decade passed before the band released a new album earlier this year. I could go with the debut record, but I've decided to go with a best of compilation that was issued in 02 from Neat. 'This Ain't No Fit Place: The Best Of Savage' covers the band up until that point. This is a solid collection considering the bands earlier material has long been out of print. Worth a listen if you're feeling nostalgic.

Savage was another one of those bands that really was just a blip on the NWOBHM radar back in the day. I honestly think Metallica was the only reason the band got some attention. And oddly enough, outside the demo and a few early live gigs, Metallica never played the 'Let It Lose' after that. The band had a style that was NWOBHM mixed with a tinge of speed/thrash metal. Savage were to me one of the better sounding NOWBHM bands of the time. And 'Loose N Lethal' is a great example of that.

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Nemesis Divina

Haven't posted any old school Black Metal in a while so figured it being Halloween and what not, it was high time to bust out some corpse paint and sing about the Dark Lord. Satyricon was formed in the early part of the 90's. Around the time of the second wave of Black Metal. Another Norwegian Black Metal band in an overcrowded scene perhaps. Their first two albums and subsequent split with fellow Norwegians Enslaved were all very well received. The pinnacle in the work was however 'Nemesis Divina' which was released in 96. This is about the time the whole second wave of Black Metal began to fall apart. Bands split and members were jailed for various crimes. However this album remains the bands best effort. For the most  part Satyricon has operated as a duo, consisting of Vocalist/Guitarist/Bassist Satyr and drummer Frost. The band continues to tour and release albums. The style has evolved into more of a modern radio friendly black metal sound. However if you want to relive the old Black Metal days this is the perfect album to do so.

Satyricon were up there with the ranks of Emperor, Mayhem and Burzum when it came to good Norwegian Black Metal Bands. But something happened after this album got released, the got bad. Like Cradle Of Filth bad. Oh I hear the boos now. Over the years Black Metal has become a joke, sounding more and more radio friendly. Stop with trying to add industrial influences or orchestral influences, it's not working. It all sounds the same no matter where the band hails from. And the corpse paint is oh so ridiculous too. Yeah its good to relive the old days every so often.

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