Pyromania

My first contact with this record was in '93 . I just was seduced by this kind of heavy metal/hard rock, and needed to know if Def Leppard were enough good or not to miss a concert in 17 days. I also went with my girlfriend, who just missed the concert of her life due to an examination ... but that is another story ... ;)
I borrowed from a friend Hysteria & Pyromania, and i liked the second one most, though i embraced the two records nearly instantly... 2 weeks ago i've seen a documentary vh1, ultimate albums... and i agreed, this is a truly good record, an ultimate one.
Foolin, comin' under fire, die hard the hunter, stagefright, rock of ages, photograph (dedicated to marilyn), too late for love, billy's got a gun...
Too polished? Hard rock with fury, feelin', composition, hooks, melody, great class, great solos, great production, Mutt pushed the boys to their limit, and they did great enough...
It was the same year than Canterbury, 83 ... I still see the 2 records fabulous, but sometimes, the producer/record companies could make the difference. Luck? Well, you have to be in the place in time, and you never know... Do the records need to get support? well, todaayy, i do not think so, too much money is wasted in marketing ... just make the record, and if it is good, people will buy it, go to a concert ... At least this is my thinking

By the way believe it or not, it is not my favourite from lepps, and i still have some others 10/10 for this band ;-) ... Maybe i like them :-D

10/10 brilliant

Canterbury

The third record from Diamond Head's essential discography. The one who is less famous. However it is a piece of art. It was said, in fact, they said that they were the true successors from Led Zepp. Big affirmation. For me it is 100% true. They managed to record 3 albums in 5 years (with some singles in between) which have nothing in common but originality & perfection. Well ... :-) ... more in common than this, just we could classify them in different styles, each one the best of them.
Lightning is pure, raw nwobhm -the best record in its style, the nº1 -, borrowed is a mix between nwobhm and hard rock - less raw, more polished -and canterbury, the softer, i would say it is hard rock.
This record is divided between the love songs & the epics ones. It is the mellower from the three, and some people here they thought they were sold... again, typical straight/square mentallity... :-(
Melody, composition, and arrangements even without the original line up (bass & drums) were great. For me a true classic. The song Canterbury is incredible, with the piano and the voice intro, a song which tells a historical story ... wonderful!
I cant understand the people who just criticise any band who add keyboards in their records. they do not listen. They need 2 only guitars... well, i do not mind how the hell is the song as long as it is a good song, though i doubt i could like some styles ..
Enough. Epic ones: Canterbury, fabulous, Ishmael, knight of the swords, the kingmaker, to the devil his due.
Love songs: I need your love, one more night, out of phase, and the first one, makin' music ... I always have loved the easiness of their lyrics and how damn good they are...
A really underrated record. They always tried to be originals, not to repeat themselves, and they really knew how to write songs.

My all-time favourite band. The three records are sacred.

Again, beyond any classification. Classic status

Forever in time

Well, this is quite simple. With no doubt this is THE record of 98. And probably of the whole decade. There was no other record which reached the perfection in composition, melodies, arrangements, voices and all together. The result: ten superb songs which separately would made valuable in any other record. The best thing is that they were all together in this masterpiece.
Praying Mantis did a memorable debut record: Time tell no lies. Most people would think that they hadn't top that one. My opinion is different: Forever in time is different in style (nwobhm vs. hard rock) and both records are strong and good, but forever is the one of 5 records to bring to a desert island. However the record has not achieved the recognized status the debut one did. But damm!, it really deserved it.
The keyboards are brilliant and give another dimension with the two guitars around it. I liked it since the first time i heard it. I believe they just made a piece of art.
Special mention to the producer Chris Tsangaridis but what more could i say about this record except that i love it, i love it ...
Forever in time, wasted years, changes, blood of an angel, valley of the kings, best years, the day the sun turn cold, man behind the mask ...
Remember my name is interesting since is the only composition from the new guy, Tony, which really helped with his voice match the absolutely brilliant compositions made from the Troy brothers along with Dennis. Guys, you really made it!

beyond any classification. classic timeless

Outside looking in

Another great discovery last year but bought this one, at the same time & vein than escape into the sun.
Bruce, Lou Gramm's partner songwriter, had not only good compositor skills but a superb voice, which can even match lou's... where has he been all these years?


These tears must fall, living a lie, walk through fire, any other time, on a wing and a prayer ...
it seems you are listening foreigner at its best.
Aor/hard rock as you prefer to label it, the truth is that the music is great. Reaching for a classic status. Hard to get recognition, enough deserved ...

Enough said.

10/10 brilliant

Keeper of the seven keys II

Last year i went to a Helloween concert inside the legacy tour... I enjoyed it very much, the singer was friendly and the band tried succesfully we get a good time. This year Helloween released expanded editions of all their discography. I found this one, 2cd for a real low price, so i got it, considering it a bit a souvenir from the concert ... :)
Eagle fly free, dr. Stein, march of time, the epic keeper of the 7 keys... i want out, the resignation letter from Kai, all instant classics ... the bonus record has remixes and a couple of new songs which i already had it.
I tried to get the 2cd keeper from japan -see the mixed cover-, but i guess it was too expensive (literally one egg and a half, they told me) ... :-(
Happy enough with this one, i guess i will get part I the day i see a reasonable price ;-)
I can't remeber if it was 88 or 89, but this is high speed metal at its best. My first contact was in 93, but i guess i was not prepared at that time.

10/10 keep it safe classic status

Escape into the sun

One of the first and biggest surprises which come from '06. I knew the record was going to be good, since Tony O'hora singing is hq, for me it is one of the best voices... but never expected that could reach the status of Forever in time, one of my all-time favourite records. A great surprise :-D
Broken soul, i do not know how many times i've had heard it :-),
escape into the sun, never alone -the only ballad-, black wings, more than we know, no more innocence, evil love ... all perfect hard rock.
Credit well deserved not only to Tony who sings brilliantly but the mastermind which wrote, composed, played and produced all the songs, Magnus Karlsson. Incredible work, hard rock first class really!!


10/10 brilliant

Once and future king II

I have to admit that i was first interested in this work because Sean Harris sang there in a couple of songs ... after hearing the two parts, i find in the second one my favourite with no doubt.
Without you is a wonderful ballad in which the guitar and the voice sing in a very emotional way. And the force of the record is present in the first song, kill the king in which DC Cooper sings brilliantly. There by the grace of the gods is another perfect song.
The composition and the work of each singer gaves the record a deep consistency. Gary Hughes, the owner and producer of the records (part I and II) proves to be a great composer. Special mention to the lyrics, which are not easy, simple, but after some listenings they seem to glue smothly within the music. A great work, one of the best works from the last years... did i say it already ;)

9/10 indispensable

Trial by Fire

This is an old one. The last one that Steve Perry did with Journey. I remember when i bought it, ('96) i just waited until i could buy the japanese version for the bonus track. Again to have a more valued record :)

Message of love sounded as separate ways. With strings, one more , and then the single when you love a woman... nice, but i prefer still she cries, with an absolute delicious slow piano solo, when i think of you, just the rain and the title track, trial by fire ...
an absolute masterpiece, very very underrated


Although arrival was a very good record, i think this one was far superior, though the other one was the real trial by fire

The single i bought, i did it because it was a steal, so cheap ... :-)
and because it had don't stop believin', open arms and who's crying now, apart from the title track. if prices are like this i would not mind buying everything :-D ... but sadly aren't :-(


10/10 indispensable. Perfectly polished. Aor at its best.

Classic Diamonds

This one i bought it in August. I have the collector's edition, with bonus extra tracks, and 'book format'. I love to get collector's items, since they give my collection somewhat added value.

I rule the ruins is an instant classic, as metal tango as well. the orchestra enhances these two songs and gives them another dimension.
Breaking the law, with UDO is an interesting version, though it is impossible to top the priest original.
The other song that i absolutely love is love me in black, but i prefer the original version than this one. The video is also fantastic.
being an original 'greatest hits' you can't get wrong with this one. It worths a try.

9/10 really nice to have

Black Rose

And another one ...
Nice cover, isn't it? Well the inside is nwobhm... for the new ones, new wave of british heavy metal ... which started back in the 80s ... This group is less known, i mean it does not belong to the great classics (Diamond Head, Praying Mantis, Saracen, Tank, Witchfynde, Angel witch, Holocaust, ... even Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, Saxon hold their first records in this style ), but it is good enough

Another unknown group? ... who cares! also got in ebay. The song i like most is keep the bright lights burning' which is exactly what i think it defines this kind of music, power chords, well constructed melodies that make you feel the music... a bit heavy? that's good ... unless you do not feel the music, it is worthless, at least this is my humble opinion ;-)
Still i have to listen it more... i do not have as much time as i would like to....
My complain is always not to bring the lyrics, though it is not as difficult to understand as others, you may miss some words

No point runnin' is also a good example of raw melodic metal ... I do not mind it is polished, let's say as Pyromania, as long as it is gooooodddd :-)

7/10 nice to have

Angel Witch

Also i was fortunate enough to get a new and sealed copy of 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition from debut album Angel Witch. It has 10 bonus songs and a cardboard envelope, gtreat :D
Yes fortunate enough! I won it in ebay :-)
Raw british metal from 80s, tremendous riffs and outstanding fast melodies ... nobody likes it? who cares! i am the happiest person in the world :-)
angel witch, atalantis, white witch, free man, angel of death, baphomet ...
Somebody will think -maybe think is not the word- they are satanic and say such things, well i can't help people talk about what they do not know ...

do you like nwobhm? then, indispensable

9/10 classic status

On a storyteller's night

One of my latest adquisitions is the Magnum's main opus, "On a storyteller's night".
This one is the special collectors edition, 20th anniversary.

Filled from head to toe with first class melodic hooks: how far jerusalem, before first light, two hearts, les morts dansant, on a storyteller's night -which was the first song i heard from them- , just like an arrow, last dance...
Although it is from 85, it stands the test of time. Since i first heard this record i wanted to own it, so i went to ebay, and when saw this 2cd set, i found what i wanted.

As far as all i heard from Magnum, this record shines in a different way, the songs come to my mind so easily and with such power that i can't help lovin' it :-)
I would classify it between aor and hard rock, in the same vein than Praying Mantis, Marillion ... (though i find this one more guitar oriented than keyboards..)

we are the victims of the night
ride against the wind
born to lose the fight

how far jerusalem, before the heart breaks down ... play it looooud and feel the epic ;-)

i want you here, to help me through the night
want you may dear, don't leave before first light

keep the night light burning, i'll come through wind and rain
keep the night light burning, i'll be with you once again

Good love
Mistaken
Two hearts
One achin'

It is really difficult to find such a perfect record, ;-) ... this one is amongst them. very few records will reach this status, so i have no better way to begin this blog than paying tribute to a true classic

10/10 classic timeless