When the listener puts on LOST SOCIETY’s debut album, Fast Loud Death, they hear a band that sounds like they`ve spent a few years on the scene. Maybe it’s a couple of 20-something guys who decided it was their turn to be the thrash scene’s most promising band. In reality, the band members’ ages range from 17 to 19. The band was signed by Nuclear Blast Records at the end of last year following a successful playing at a Global Battle of the Bands. It was at that moment that LOST SOCIETY’s music began to creep out of Finland and into other parts of the world.
The album as a whole is fast paced and full of non-stop action. It has just about everything a listener hopes to find in a modern thrash metal album. The cover itself is classic thrash art. Even though they may not be of age in some parts of the world, they can party just as heard as thrash revival titans MUNICIPAL WASTE. No songs even hit the five-minute mark; their longest track is just over four minutes while their shortest is barely a full minute.
“N.W.L.” is a powerful start to the album. “I’m coming at you” growls front man SAMY ELBANNA. The band is letting the listener know they’ve arrived and they’re here to stay. Hints of METALLICA can be heard on the track when it comes to their guitar sound, but they make it all their own.
“Diary of a Thrashman” is an obvious homage to OZZY OSBOURNE’s defining Diary of a Madman, a kind of status that the band may obtain in their future. There aren’t a whole lot of vocals or lyrics on the track; it’s mostly just pure thrashing. It might be the track where they most closely resemble MUNICIPAL WASTE. The main lyric is “I’m gonna get a drink now.” It’s the kind of song you’d expect to hear on The Art of Partying.
“Fatal Anoxia” starts off by Elbanna letting out a short TOM ARAYA sounding yell a la “Angel of Death”. That’s about the extent of the SLAYER resemblance though. The rest is the band members screaming the title at a furious pace that has not let up since the album started. They then culminate with the sound of heavy guitar work and crushing percussion noises fading out. It leaves the listener prepared for what may come with their next album. This is the kind of album that can be played on repeat until that time. After this promising start, LOST SOCIETY is sure to develop a more distinct sound and leave the forefathers of thrash behind.
Randy Rhoads put down a legacy that is eternal in the history of metal.
RANDY RHOADS whose knack for melodic song writing and stunning neo-classical lead guitar style revolutionized metal in 1980s, died tragically thirty years ago today. Rhoads (December 6, 1956 – March 19, 1982) died in a plane crash while on tour with OZZY OSBOURNE, but he has left an indelible mark on generations of musicians to follow.
Rhoads who had been an early member of QUIET RIOT shot to fame when he auditioned for the guitar spot in OZZY OSBOURNE’s band THE BILZZARD OF OZZ. The combination of the soft spoken, but immensely talented Rhoads and Ozzy who felt he had to prove himself to the world after his dismissal from BLACK SABBATH was potent and changed the face of music. Rhoads is always remembered as a terrific lead guitarist and was often compared to the best players of his day like EDDIE VAN HALEN. However, equally important as Randy’s impact as a soloist was his legacy as a songwriter, his use of classical modes and his widespread use of major scales in rock and metal that had predominantly been full of brooding minor keys and old-style pentatonic blues riffs up until that point. He also helped innovate an popularize several styles and looks of guitars with his polka-dot Jackson Flying V’s. Although he is best remembered for songs like OZZY hits “Crazy Train”, “Mr. Crowley” “Suicide Solution”, “Over The Mountain” and “Flying High Again” most of his output, however brief is excellent and worthy of repeat listens.
Popular guitar players who have been influenced by Rhoads such as the late DIMEBAG DARRELL, ZAKK WYLDE, Phil Demmel of MACHINE HEAD and a host of metal lead players from the 80s and 90s used to and still do sing his praises. Although his music is among some of the most popular in the genre, you can still hear examples of his reach in many modern bands like ARCH ENEMY, REVOCATION, ANIMALS AS LEADERS, MASTODON, OPETH, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, JOB FOR A COWBOY, THE AGONIST, CHILDREN OF BODOM, WARBRINGER, ICEDEARTH, DECAPITATED, ALL SHALL PERISH and THE FACELESS among many, many others.
THE SWORD’s newest release, Apocryphon is one of the highest profile recent ones for Razor & Tie, who has re-established itself as a rising metal label, with indie ethics and major label distro. This is THE SWORD’s fourth album and a follow-up to a fairly successful album, Warp Riders. After contributing to the soundtrack of the box office smash The Avengers and playing METALLICA’s Orion Festival, they are a band to watch.
Apocryphon starts off strong. On “Veil of Isis” vocalist J.D. CRONISE channels a bit of OZZY OSBOURNE’s style. A nice visual of Armageddon is definitely a good way to open a metal album. The band seems to be warning the listener of their arrival with lines like “the dead will rise and the living must depart”. Another track, “Dying Earth” sounds similar to MASTODON’s “The Creature Lives”. The opening of “Dying Earth” has that same trippy feel to it. It is fitting since Cronise sings of magic and sorcerers. The concept of a post apocalyptic world is maintained.
“Seven Sisters” is the most standout song on the album. It is catchier than the rest and also causes the listener to consider their life. The sisters in the song spend their time trying to find solace in religion/superstition and wasting their lives away. Other characters wonder how much there is to know. The lesson to be gained is that one should not waste their life waiting for something that is never going to happen and should instead focus on learning from experience throughout their life.
THE SWORD chose to be particularly ambitious with this release. When writing the album many subjects were explored, which is reflected in the final result. Although this has enriched the material it has also presented the listener with much to think about, maybe even too much. This means that the album requires multiple plays in order to grasp it all. It turns out to be both a curse and a blessing for the group.
The album as a whole accomplishes the band’s task of transporting the reader to another place. This is done by presenting the image of a world after the “end” as well as having the listener consider the big picture. It is a big undertaking, but THE SWORD does just fine with it.
THE SWORD crafted an ambitious gem, to blow your mind.
Randy Rhoads whose knack for melodic song writing and stunning neo-classical lead guitar style revolutionized metal in 1980′s died tragically thirty years ago today. Rhoads (December 6, 1956 – March 19, 1982) died in a plane crash while on tour with OZZY OSBOURNE, but he has left an indelible mark on generations of musicians to follow.
Rhoads who had been an early member of QUIET RIOT shot to fame when he auditioned for the guitar spot in OZZY OSBOURNE’s band THE BILZZARD OF OZZ. The combination of the soft spoken, but immensely talented Rhoads and Ozzy who felt he had to prove himself to the world after his dismissal from BLACK SABBATH was potent and changed the face of music. Rhoads is always remembered as a terrific lead guitarist and was often compared to the best players of his day like EDDIE VAN HALEN. However, equally important as Randy’s impact as a soloist was his legacy as a songwriter, his use of classical modes and his widespread use of major scales in rock and metal that had predominantly been full of brooding minor keys and old-style pentatonic blues riffs up until that point. He also helped innovate an popularize several styles and looks of guitars with his polka-dot Jackson Flying V’s. Although he is best remembered for songs like OZZY hits “Crazy Train”, “Mr. Crowley” “Suicide Solution”, “Over The Mountain” and “Flying High Again” most of his output, however brief is excellent and worthy of repeat listens.
Turn this record up loud for full enjoyment!
Popular guitar players who have been influenced by Rhoads such as the late DIMEBAG DARRELL, ZAKK WYLDE, Phil Demmel of MACHINE HEAD and a host of metal lead players from the 80′s and 90′s used to and still do sing his praises. Although his music is among some of the most popular in the genre, you can still hear examples of his reach in many modern bands like ARCH ENEMY, REVOCATION, ANIMALS AS LEADERS, MASTODON, OPETH, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, JOB FOR A COWBOY, THE AGONIST, CHILDREN OF BODOM, WARBRINGER, ICED EARTH, DECAPITATED, ALL SHALL PERISH and THE FACELESS among many, many others.
Iron Man by Tony Iommi with T.J. Lammers (Da Capo Press)
Few other names in all of metal have the same importance as the name IOMMI. As the architect and soul of the sounds of BLACK SABBATH Tony Iommi practically invented the sound of metal music. This fact isn’t really up for debate. Iommi has seen it all, done it all and managed to still be standing tall after more than forty years in a career that is the stuff of legend. The toll of the journey and the mostly positive outcome is reflected in the books title Iron Man: My Journey Through HEAVEN AND HELL with BLACK SABBATH. As the book recounts, often in deep detail the back story of some of the most crucial times in not just metal history, but music history too.
Told in the laid-back manner you would expect, Iommi recounts the history of his early life in Birmingham UK, the formation of BLACK SABBATH and other tales. In spite of his (and everybody’s) copious drug use he has some surprising recall about events that have happened. Some of the stories are famous and well known and others not so much. Iommi does not look at the world through his purple-lensed glasses or another other color for that matter. He often paints himself in an unflattering light when he feels he deserves it and reflects back in time with brutal honesty. The 1970′s are definitely recalled as more wild than you have ever heard or dreamed. Perhaps like no one has yet to do in a book, Iommi recounts the entire history of BLACK SABBATH: all of the ups, the down and the in-betweens. He takes you to the low points of OZZY leaving SABBATH, coming back and what led to his eventual firing. Then he goes into great depth and insight about RONNIE JAMES DIO and his importance of reinvigorating the band and the brand. I learned things about DIO I never knew, which was great. All in all IOMMI recounts his friendships through stories involving LED ZEPPELIN, EMERSON LAKE AND PALMER, DEEP PURPLE, RICK WAKEMAN of YES, EDDIE VAN HALEN (whom is still a personal friend of his) JUDAS PRIEST, FRANK ZAPPA, GLENN HUGHES and many other classic bands. Covering the more recent years he discusses his IOMMI record, charity work and all of the current rank and file of metal stars who have befriended him and he appreciates them as well. Besides revealing his feelings about things like OZZFEST and the 1990′s SABBATH reunions with Ozzy he goes especially deep about the reformation of the DIO lineup, HEAVEN AND HELL; the highs of making new music and tours and the eventual illness and death of DIO which was heart breaking. He also talks about other fallen friends of his like COZY POWELL, DIMEBAG DARRELL and PETER STEELE as well.
Perhaps most surprising is IOMMI’s frankness when discussing his personal life. Ever the epitome of the buttoned up, classy and restrained British gentleman, he is not shy about talking about very intimate events of his life. He discussed his excessive drug use (although he claims he always felt responsible not to do more than the other in SABBATH), his workaholic nature that cost him his early marriages and his relationships with his children. Great detail was given about the extent of his recent hand injury that could have ended his career. He calls his current wife Maria (formerly Sjöholm, of DRAIN S.T.H.), the love of his life. It’s good to see Tony in a happy place in life as he looks back and he considers the future, including the possibility of anther BLACK SABBATH reunion to be wide open. A must have for fans and a great read for others interested in the history of rock and metal.
TMZ reports that ZAKK WYLDE hasn’t been getting along with his 20-year-old neighbor much. Apparently, after the kid left a sacrificial offering on his long and broke into his house, WYDLE has been forced to file a restraining order on the kid. Let’s hope ZAKK and his family stay safe! Details that TMZ broke are:
Zakk was in court Friday in Los Angeles where he testified his neighbor knocked on his door one day, shirtless, wanting to talk.
Zakk says he sent the guy home, but the next morning, he noticed the neightbor had left behind a “sacrifice” containing several bizarre objects, including a guitar covered in Sharpie marker and a boxcutter.
Zakk cited another incident where the neighbor allegedly broke into Wylde’s home studio proclaiming, “I must assert my dominance!”
According to Zakk’s wife, the neighbor has been obsessed with her husband forever — calling him “The Master” — and she’s afraid to live next to him.
The neighbor, whom Zakk described as “mentally ill” and diagnosed with Bipolar Type 1 disorder (considered the most severe form of this mental illness), was ordered to stay at least 50 yards away from Zakk and his family for the next three years.
In seemingly the biggest news in recent memory, the original lineup of BLACK SABBATH have announced that they are reuniting! That’s right, OZZY has returned to the fold with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward have begun rehearsing for a new album and a tour that will follow according to a statement that Birmingham Mail received from Iommi! Apparently this has been kept under wraps since OZZY and IOMMI began writing the new material back in June.
“We’re really looking forward to it and I think the stuff we’ve been writing is really good. It’s more back to the old, original stuff. It’s all been very hush-hush. Ozzy’s been the worst at trying to hold it back. He’s doing a lot of TV and he’s being asked stuff about a reunion and he’s going, ‘Well, I never say never.’ He told me, ‘I don’t know what to say.’”
Even though rumors have persisted regarding this since the death of RONNIE JAMES DIO, I was certainly not holding my breath so this official confirmation is one of the most exciting things I’ve read in quite some time. I, personally, have never had the opportunity to see BLACK SABBATH — I missed their reunion back in ’05 so this will be a dream come true for me. I will even be defending OZZY against those who will, undoubtedly, point toward his most recent output as a sign that the new album won’t be very good. To that I say, look at the IOMMI solo efforts, then look at HEAVEN & HELL’s output. I know that with all of these minds at work, this will be great. If IOMMI says that it’s got an old school vibe, who are we to question?
The one thing that I do have concern over is the health of drummer Bill Ward, who has faced a number of issues in recent memory, including a heart attack. Let’s hope that he is doing much better and that he won’t have any issues with a proper touring schedule on his plate once again!
Either way, this is going to be a truly intriguing experience and I can’t wait to see what comes next!
I don’t like power metal… at all… but I do like FIREWIND. I actually think the last FIREWIND album is better than GUS G’s output with OZZY and the two prior releases (‘Allegiance’ and ‘The Premonition’) were truly epic and fun records to listen to. Now, the news has come today that FIREWIND has completed writing on ten new songs for their new album. It is still unknown when the band will enter the studio, as GUS G is constantly traveling the world with OZZY but we expect to see the band enter the studio before the end of the year in order to set up a mid-2012 release!
For now, weigh in on your thoughts on FIREWIND and check out the video for “Mercenary Man”.
‘God Bless Ozzy Osbourne’ is finally finished. The documentary on the life of one of music’s heaviest icons, which was produced by his son Jack Osbourne, has been discussed for quite some time and now fans throughout the US will finally get a chance to see the film in theaters later this month! On August 24th (Weds) and August 29th (Mon), ‘God Bless Ozzy Osbourne’ will be shown nationwide in participating theaters, offering fans a candid view of The Prince of Darkness along with never-before-seen footage of BLACK SABBATH and interviews with icons ranging from Paul McCartney to Tommy Lee.
Ever since Jeffrey Phillip Wielandt was plucked from obscurity (and high school in Bayonne, New Jersey) to be the guitarist for OZZY OSBOURNE, he has been reinventing himself periodically over the last twenty-five years. Jeffery is better known today as ZAKK WYLDE and he has been a part of many chapters in the history of modern rock and metal. In both his stints with Ozzy, as a solo artist and with BLACK LABEL SOCIETY Zakk has built a legion of devoted fans. Guitar nerds worship him and now he is even a reference in pop culture (American Idol, Showtime’s Californication). Despite all of his many accolades he runs the risk of becoming a caricature of himself, perhaps due to the misconceptions people have about Zakk, some made even by his own fans. Too bad since this takes away from that fact that the guy is genuinely gifted, has written some epic songs with a largely consistent career up to now.
Cool colors. Still not a real gang.
On his new album (points off for a title so poor I will not type it more than once) Zakk does more of the “unplugged” stuff he has been mining since his solo Book of Shadows album dropped in 1996. Overtime he has been incorporating mellower elements in BLS to good effect. The album is a collection of some new versions of previous songs, some unreleased covers and a few surprises. “Overlord”, “Parade of the Dead” and “Riders of the Damned” are re-interpretations of songs from last years’ TheOrder of the Black (eOne Music) album and are all decently rendered and somewhat predictable. All of these songs do feature excellent piano work from Wylde where he really lets his inner BOB SEGER/GREG ALLMAN off the leash. Supporting him are some sweet string arrangements and more expressive bass work from JD DeServio than we have ever heard before. As always, Zakk never passes up a chance to show off his lead guitar prowess and this is no exception. If you are a disciple of his soloing style you will get more of the bluesy, pentatonic shredding he has made his name on. “Riders….” is one of the standouts here since it was one of the best tracks on the last album and has been totally recast. “Darkest Days” is similar to its existing rendition with campfire-side, finger picked guitar replacing some of the piano in the mix. The second version of the song with country star John Rich is even better than the previous one, with Rich taking a full verse of lead vocals by himself.
Zakk has always done a good job on cover songs. Most of the time he hits the mark well. The cover of the BLACK SABBATH deep cut “Junior’s Eyes” is an inspired choice as is the NEIL YOUNG/CSNY tribute “Helpless”. While Zakk doesn’t always have the widest range vocally to carry these tunes, he sings them with a lot of heart. Another cover, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is another fairly good choice and was a bonus track for TOOTB. Next comes the BLIND FAITH classic “Can’t Find My Way Home”. I ‘m not sure why, but as soon as I heard it, I have to admit I cringed. Based on events in his life recently I can see why the track has a lot of deep meaning for him. It’s a decent version, but like movies sometimes you just shouldn’t remake certain songs. The Christmas classic “The First Noel” closes out things and works pretty well. I think I may even prefer solo -acoustic guitar Zakk to all of his other work sometimes. Over all this is a good way to fill in the gap between albums and tours. If you are not a huge fan or completest, you can pass it by.
