Tokyo Tales

Time to go back to the land of the Rising Sun with today's post. Japan as I said is a running theme through these posts. Power Metal, something I don't think I've really posted a whole lot of here. The mention of it brings to mind fantasy, Tolkien, and massive festival sing a longs. So lets go to where it started from, Germany. The Germans have pretty much perfected the art of Power Metal, churning out bands since the mid 80's. May as well be as the official music of the country. So let's pay homage to it with of the original German Power Metal bands. Blind Guardian tend to be the flag bearers for the genre. Doing it since '86, the band consistently delivers epic Power Metal. Although the band did start out like the other Metal import from Germany, as a Speed Metal band called Lucifer's Heritage. In fact the roots of the band go back to '84.

The band has officially released two Live albums thus far. I'm gonna focus on the first one. 1993 saw the release of 'Tokyo Tales'. Ten years later in '03 the band would release the Double Live record, 'Live'. The latter record is a more career spanning effort. While 'Tokyo Tales' focuses on their bands first four albums. The album is 12 tracks of epic sounding Metal. Simply showcasing what this still fairly young band could accomplish. The album was recorded over two nights in Tokyo. The first night was at Koseinenkin Hall in Tokyo on December 4, 1992 and the second night was at the NHK Hall in Tokyo on December 6, 1992. Japan in the mid 90's couldn't get enough Metal apparently. Nothing's really changed there either.

There's something about Power Metal in a Live setting that just makes you wanna put your arm over some random stranger and belt along to epic courses about Tolkien. It reminds you that being a Metal head is like being part of a bigger community and being part of something great.

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Live '84

In sticking with the controversy theme of sorts, we shift gears into some Live Punk. This time courtesy of Punk icons Black Flag. The band of course was at the forefront of the American Punk movement in the mid 70's and continues to remain a cult and iconic band today. Most Live Punk shows were circulated as bootlegs back in the day, as the tape trade scene was still a relevant way to hear new music. You know before the Internet killed it. In any case official Live releases tend to be a bit few and far between. With that being said, this release, 'Live '84' was initially only released on Cassette. The sound is a bit weak as it was remixed and released on CD in '98 by Guitarist Greg Ginn.

'Live '84' embodies the raw energy that Punk was. Loud, fast and downright angry at times. The album was recorded sometime in '84 at The Stone in San Francisco. The venue may sound familiar as that's where many of the Bay Area Thrash bands got their start playing Live. The album captures the rotating lineup that was Black Flag. The only constants at the time were Guitarist Ginn and vocalist Henry Rollins. Both Bassist Kira Roessler and Drummer Bill Stevenson had only been in the band for about a year at this point. The record isn't a typical short Punk record. In fact it opens up with the monster eight minute track "The Process Of Weeding Out". In fact there's only a handful of tracks that clock in at under three minutes. In fact instead of focusing on the bands earlier material which was praised by many, the album focuses on material from the albums, 'My War' and 'Slip It In'. It captures the band both at what could be described as their height and their fall. The band continued on for roughly another couple years before falling apart. The band has in recent years reunited with various members. There's of course been no shortage of mud slinging and lineup changes. So much so that Greg Ginn is now the only original member in the band.

The band of course spawned numerous members who went on to play and form different acts. Most notably Greg Ginn formed Gone and did some work with former Minutemen Bassist Mike Watt. Early vocalist Keith Morris went on to play in rival Punk band The Circle Jerks and is currently fronting a new Punk band, OFF!. Rollins of course is the most famous to come out of Black Flag. Releasing solo albums, as well as material with the Rollins Band. In addition to that he's a author, a spoken word master and occasionally pops up on TV, most recently on the History Channel. Rollins of course is one of those people I find in music that has a huge love/hate relationship among the masses. For all that's been done and said about the man, he did front one of the most iconic Punk bands ever. And no one can ever take that away.

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At The Arena Ov Aion

Controversy, it's a lot like milk. It can do you good or if you're lactose intolerant, it can back fire. And yes pun intended. Music in general despite the genre has never been a stranger to controversy. From The Beatles to Death Metal acts to Pop music. It's all been done before. Someone runs their mouth or does something stupid and it makes headlines. One genre perhaps makes more waves than others and that's Heavy Metal. It's got a checkered past and is no stranger to controversy. There are many sub genres, but Death and Black Metal seem to get a lot of attention when it comes to controversy. So for this post I've decided to go with some controversial Black/Death Metal in the form of the Polish band Behemoth.

Behemoth have been around since the early 90's when a couple of Polish teens decided to form a Black Metal band. Since then the band has tooled around in the underground before gaining some notoriety in the past few decade or so. Led by Bassist/Guitarist/Vocalist Negral, the band issued a few demos in the early 90's before releasing their first EP 'And The Forests Dream Eternally' in 94. The band continue to release material and tour largely unnoticed before 2002's monster of an album 'Zos Kia Cultus'. That's where things began to change. The band began to gain steam and gain some attention due to their crushing Live shows. With two Live videos under their belt, the band released 'At The Arena Ov Aion-Live Apostasy' in 2008. Culling material from their entire career, this Live album is, well brutal. The album was recorded Live at La Loco in Paris France on February 17, 2008 during the European Apostasy tour.

Never to one to hide opinions or mince words in the media. Negral has made it clear his and the bands dislike for organized religion. He's even gone as so far as tearing up a Bible on stage a few times. An act that's landed the band in court in Poland and on the watchdog list. However at current time the band is still free to play in Poland, but it comes with great protest by the state. In addition to that, Russia has recently barred the band from playing there, so far as detaining the band. In 2010 though Negral was diagnosed with Leukemia and was forced to take sometime off while Negral underwent treatment. Eventually Negral underwent a Bone Marrow transplant and has since recovered. Once again no stranger to controversy, Negral did do a stint on a Polish singing competition show that raised a few eyebrows.  In the end the band continues to record and tour, although the end may be in sight for the band as Negral has stated about the uncertain paths he wants to take regarding the band. Controversy, ever present no matter where you turn.

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Saints Will Conquer

I have the thing where I tend to cross reference another band in a post then a few posts later profile that particular band or artists. Sometimes by choice, other times by accident. This is one of those posts. Few posts back I profiled Anthrax. In that post I made reference to Armored Saint. For what they are, Armored Saint seem to be a forgotten band of the 80's Metal scene. So let's take a trip back and revisit their Live record, 'Saints Will Conquer'

Somewhere in my collection I have a copy of the record on vinyl. It's unopened and I may have paid like $2 back when I was slumming around Phoenix. In fact the CD version is actually different from the vinyl, but more on that in a sec. Armored Saint to most people are know for having former Anthrax vocalist John Bush in their ranks. Others may know the tale of how John Bush almost became the singer for Metallica around the time of 'Ride The Lightning'.  But most die hard Metal heads know that Armored Saint were a pretty well known band with lots of radio and MTV airplay in their hey day. However for as a well known band in their initial ten years together, they only released an EP, four studio albums and a Live Record. The band dissolved after Bush was asked to join Anthrax in the early 90's as well as the untimely passing of Guitarist Dave Prichard from Leukemia. However in '88 the band did release a short little Live album called 'Saints Will Conquer'. The original vinyl release only 5 live tracks and a cut from their original EP. The CD version actually added two more songs in "Chemical Euphoria" and "Long Before I Die". As far as I know it's far from a full set. The band at that time had been riding high for some time. The album was recorded at the Agora Ballroom in Cleveland OH on October 9, 1987. Short in nature it serves as a reminder of what a great band Armored Saint was at the time.

Like many of the great 80's metal bands, Armored Saint did make a comeback. Releasing 'Revelation' in 2000, the band was poised for a comeback of sorts. However Bush continue to sing for Anthrax on and off again and Bassist Joey Vera has been busy with his other band Fates Warning. The band has more recently released an album. 'La Raza' was released in 2010 with some splash but again the band seems to be on a get together when we feel like it mentality of late. There is talks of a new record in the near future. Armored Saint to me still sounds fresh as they did when they first unleashed 'March Of The Saint' on us some nearly 30 years ago.

 

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Burning Japan

There's something about Japan. From the amazing food, to the technology, to the sheer weird stuff and even to the Godzilla sightings. However all kidding aside there's one thing that Japan takes seriously and that is Live Music. This post is one of the many with the show being recorded in Japan. And what better way to start off then with a Japanese only release. Sweden's Arch Enemy have been flying the flag for Swedish Metal for the past two decades now. Initially a side project when Guitarist Michael Amott left Grindcore Gods Carcass, the band has continued to solider one, proving you don't always need a male vocalist to get your attention.

By 1999 Arch Enemy had three albums under their belt and went from being big in Japan to catching ears in Europe and the US. Led by the Amott brothers, the band released their first record 'Black Earth' in 96 and by 99 begin to pick up some steam carrying on what is commonly referred to as "The Gothenburg Sound". Not forgetting where they had a cult following, the band returned to Japan in 99 to promote their new record 'Burning Bridges' and to records a Live record. The Live record would turn out to be, 'Burning Japan, Live 1999' and be only released in Japan under the Toy's Factory label. The album is somewhat of a hard to find release stateside as it was never officially released here by the bands label, Century Media. The album is 11 tracks of pure metal. While the sound is a bit low, you could still see a band beginning to grow. The album also marks the final release with vocalist Johan Liiva.

Arch Enemy then proceeded to do a 180 if you will. The band released early demos of some new material featuring the new vocalist. The majority of people assumed the new vocalist was a guy, just from the sheer brutality of it all. Alas is turned out to be a woman. Angela Gossow would continue to front the band for the next dozen years. Angela stepped down in 2014 only to be replaced by another female, ex The Agonist singer Alissa White-Gluz. The band continues to make some pretty decent albums. Their latest effort 'War Eternal' shows a return to some older material.

I had the chance to see Arch Enemy on what was prolly their second US tour with Angela. The band was promoting at the time their new release 'Anthems Of Rebellion'. And I have to say even with Hate Eternal on the bill, that was seriously an extreme show. I was up front in a pretty well packed Troubadour club in Los Angeles, staring up at Christopher Amott all night. Bewildered to see some amazing guitar playing to say the least, but watching how tight the band sounded. One of the best metal gigs I've been to. And say what ya will about the band today, the 'Burning Bridges' album remains my favorite release from the band.

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Alive 2

For a band that's been around thirty plus years now, picking out a Live album shouldn't be too hard. Well in the case of Anthrax it's really not. The band to date has 5 of em under their belts. And why not Anthrax is a band that demands to been Live. Despite the numerous lineup changes and an almost questionable name change, the band has been part of the Big 4 for the past three decades, helping fly the flag of Thrash Metal. So for the selection I've decided to go with the 2005 'Reunion' show 'Alive 2 - The Music'.

Every since 1993 fans of the band wanted a return of vocalist Joey Belladonna. Former Armored Saint vocalist John Bush stepped in and made some outstanding records til 2003. By 03 Anthrax made a comeback record if you will in 'We've Come For You All', signaling what was sure to be a return to the glory days. Of course given the Anthrax history it was too good to be true. Bush was once again dabbling around with Armored Saint, bassist Frank Bello would go on to play with Alt-Rockers Helmet and the rest of the band kinda wondered if this was the end. However the Metal Gods intervened and delivered a Thrash Metal comeback in the form of bringing back vocalist Joey Belladonna and Guitarist Dan Spitz. The reunion was seen as a blessing by most. But in some ways it was short lived. The band parted ways once again with Belladonna shortly after the reunion and Spitz decided to call it a day. Everyone thought, great Bush is back in the band. In true Anthrax fashion the next few years were questionable at best with an unknown new vocalist in Dan Nelson. Things of course fell apart and once again paved the way for another Belladonna reunion. As again in true fashion the band hasn't been without some lineup changes over the past few years. But lets take a trip back to the first reunion.

It seemed like a great idea to bring back the classic 'Among The Living' lineup. Why not? Anthrax had gained some steam with their comeback record. 'Alive 2 - The Music' was released in 05 as a separate CD/DVD release. The band was riding high and this album captures that high. Classics pretty much fill this Live record, each song a fan favorite, there's no lull here, just straight forward in your face thrash from a classic lineup. The album was captured Live on June 3, 2005 at the legendary Starland Ballroom in Sayerville NJ. So move the furniture, crack a couple of cold ones and turn this one to 11.

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Unplugged

Continuing with the theme of Live records, MTV Unplugged was a groundbreaking idea at the time. Take bands and strip them down in an acoustic setting and see what happens. Lot of good stuff happened. Lot of iconic moments happened. This is one of those iconic moments, this is Alice in Chains 'Unplugged'.

Alice In Chains were at the forefront of the Grunge movement in the early 90's. Hailing from Seattle like so many of the other Grunge giants of the time. The band rode high along with the other Grunge bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney, Pearl Jam and many more. The band had quickly gained attention with their first record, 'Facelift'. Songs like 'Man In The Box' and 'Bleed The Freak' quickly gained radio attention and MTV airplay. By the time '92 came and grunge exploded AIC was ready with the critically acclaimed 'Dirt' record. The song 'Rooster' shot the band to the front of the grunge movement. But as the times changed and Grunge began to die off so did the band. Plagued by the heroin addiction of frontman Layne Staley, the band quickly began to fall apart. Releasing only an EP and a Self Titled record over the next four years, people began to wonder if the band would ever keep going. By '96 the majority of fans wondered how long Staley would hang on. Reports of overdoses and the like began to circulate. But just before the final nail went it, we got an amazing Live record.

'Unplugged' would prove to be the bands Swans Song for a period. The band had been off the road for some time and fans wondered of this was the end of AIC. But somehow the band got an Unplugged gig for MTV. The band fronted by a clearly frail and weak Staley, proved there was something left in the tanks still. Powering through the bands classic Grunge hits, each sounded more eerie and better than the original at times. 13 tracks of pure Grunge goodness. 'Unplugged' proved to be the final nail in the AIC coffin. Staley would go on to briefly appear in the Supergroup, Mad Season. Guitarist Jerry Cantrell went on to work on solo material which featured current Metallica Bassist Robert Trujillo. Sadly another Live record and a Box Set went on to be the last releases before the untimely death of Layne Staley due to a heroin overdose in 2002.

1999 was the last year in which any original AIC material was released. It would be ten years later before the band would reform with a new front man and release their comeback 'Black Gives Way To Blue' in 2009. While the band continues to record and tour with the new lineup, most of us are left to wonder what would have become of the band had Staley stayed clean. While we will never know, we are left with some classic albums and classic Live record.

 

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