Post from: Metal Martyr

In 1996 I, like many Danzig fans had a stupid look on my face when I played the new release at the time, Danzig 5: Blackacidevil. Blackacidevil was a hard, swift kick in the nuts to 99.9% of Danzig fans that were highly anticipating the new album. Glenn had parted with American Records, canned all the other members and decided to produce the album himself.

Though the 3 following albums after Blackacidevil have been a slight improvement, they still have done almost nothing for me. When I read this weekend that Danzig is recording a new album I wasn’t excited, I wasn’t enthusiastic and I wasn’t hopeful.

It would be nice to hear Danzig return to the route sound they had with American Records but I doubt that is likely. Glenn wants to do things his way and his way only. I imagine I’ll be greatly under-whelmed by anything Danzig ever releases again. I don’t even hold out with hope any more, like I’ve done with other long time favorites.

(Image: Newscom)

Post from: Metal Martyr

Off of the top of my head I can think of two bands that should get inducted, well before Metallica, such as Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. There are other bands that I’d like to see get inducted…after the previously mentioned bands. I don’t want to see Dave Mustaine inducted under Metallica. He deserves to be inducted for his band, Megadeth, not a band that he contributed to. So with them on top, here are five bands of the Metal Genre that I believe should be inducted.

• Megadeth: A given. If Metallica can get inducted after releasing albums such as St. Anger then Megadeth deserve a nomination, right?
• Motorhead: A huge influence on so many of the rock and metal bands of today. How has this not happened yet?
• Pantera: Seriously, they had a huge impact on the metal scene and they don’t get enough credit for persevering and pushing through the grunge era.
• Danzig: With the contribution of The Misfits, Samhain and , well, let’s at least say the first four Danzig Albums, Glenn has made some great music that has influenced a lot of bands to include Metallica. Though I get tired of the satanic overtones in everything that he does these days, Glenn is a a great composer of music.
• Slayer: If Metallica can get inducted, why can’t Slayer? They had some totally awesome albums over the years, even though everything kind of went bland after Season In The Abyss. they still have had a huge impact on the metal scene since their inception.

Sure these are some old school names, but there aren’t many other bands that deserve recognition. There are a handful that deserve an honorable mention such as Exodus and Anthrax. Sadly Motley Crue will probably be inducted before any of these bands, even Maiden or Priest. That’s how the corporate jack-offs in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame roll.

So, the ultimate question; who do YOU think deserves to be inducted in to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame from the metal (in general) genre?

Post from: Metal Martyr

Post from: Metal Martyr

Blabbermouth reported

According to Pennyblood.com where you can read about Randy’s roll:

The Graves centers around two sisters, played by Clare Grant and Jillian Murry, out for a final hoorah before one settles in at college across the country.  But stopping off to sight see in a creepy mining town soon becomes a nightmarish diversion for the ladies.

In the interview Randy describes his roll as:

“The character named Luke is pure aggression – which is what I am when on stage,” Blythe explained.  “He intimidates and keeps townspeople in line.  I’m Tony Todd’s bitch in the movie! I got to deal with a really cool special fx guy and there’s a knife involved, so there was just blood everywhere.  When I got done I looked like the cover of the Samhain record Initium.”

The above picture is the Samhain album that Randy is referring to. If you’re not familiar with Samhain, it was Glenn Danzig’s band shortly after The Misfits. The Misfits where deemed as horror punk but Glenn Danzig took Samhain in to more of a rock direction with a dark sound to it. Samhain was raw, aggressive and grim sounding. Six years later Glenn changed the name to Danzig and the rest is history. If you dig Danzig and the Misfits but never ventured in between, you’re missing out.

You can check out photos and read up more on this at Pennyblood.com ro check out the official The Graves website.

Image Source: Amazon.com

Post from: Metal Martyr

Bet you though I forgot about this new feature again like I did last week. Hell you probably forgot about it too. I’m reaching back into some old school metal here. Everything pre-1994. I’m sure you’ve probably seen them all or at least heard the songs, but their still fun to watch, especially the cheesy Holy Wars video. Enjoy.

Playlist

1. Skid Row – 18 And Life
2. Danzig – Mother
3. Megadeth – Holy Wars
4. Motley Crue – Looks That Kill
5. Ozzy – Bark At The Moon
6. Pantera – The Art Of Shredding
7. Slayer Seasons – In The Abyss
8. Sepultura – Refuse/Resist
9. Gwar – Sick Of You
10. Judas Priest – You Got Another Thing Coming

Post from: Metal Martyr

I was reading an article on Blabbermouth this morning about Rick Ruben. IN particular it was three of the members of Slipknot. Shawn Crahan, Jim Root and Corey Taylor all commented on working with rick and Corey was the only one that didn’t have a lot of good things to say about Ruben. Other artists have said that Rick is rarely in the studio to include most recently, Metallica. Corey Taylor said “And for me, if you’re going to produce something, you’re f*cking there. I don’t care who you are.”

This got me thinking about a few things. Death Magnetic is a good album and Subliminal Verses is one of my favorite Slipknot albums, but could they have been better had Rick Ruben had more in-studio time? Would the little production flaws that Death Magnetic has still be there? Would Subliminal Versus be heavier and less Stone Sour sounding? I think back now about Slayer. Wen wasthlast time Rick Ruben produced a really good Slayer album like everything pre-Divine Intervention? Ruben has produced every Slayer album since Reign In Blood, Every System Of A Down Record, the first 4 Danzig albums, but looking at his discography it seems like after 1996 he started to take on so many projects a year. Seven this year alone. It’s not wonder that the bands rarely see him. He’s flying all over the place, working with so many people at one time.

Now I don’t mean to disrespect Rick Ruben. He’s produced some amazing albums in the past, but like Corey Taylor said, If you’re paying this dude a substantial amount of money you would expect him to be there and not just popping his head in every now and then or working with his assistants. It seems today that Rick Ruben has become a brand name to stamp on the back of a CD case. “The Rick Ruben Stamp Of Approval”. Too many projects and not enough time spent with the band actually producing the album.

There are too many great producers out there these days, to the point that there are so many choices. I think more bands should make an effort every now and then to change things up and try someone different instead of the “If It’s Not Broke…” theory. Sure it’s a big chance to take after you’ve worked with the same producer 2 or 3 times, but if you want to progress you have to try different things. Break new ground and seek improvement as opposed to staying on the same plateau. Otherwise you’re just making the same album over and over again. Sometimes it takes a different producer to get you off that plain and sometimes it takes a good producer to keep the momentum going and climbing.

Post from: Metal Martyr

I’m a Misfits fan since the mid 90’s when a co-worker/friend of mine introduced me to them, but it wasn’t until I saw a live show with then vocalist, Michael Graves, before they put out American Psycho. They played most of the classics and I loved it. I say most of the classics because they are all classics…with exception of the new stuff. American Psycho had some really great songs but Famous Monsters sucked and Project 1950 was only ok.

Anyway, you probably know the story goes that Doyle left in 2000 and it was never really clear why. Since then Jerry Only has hinted at a Misfits reunion several times and Glenn Danzig has pretty much put an end to the rumor every time it’s asked about. As you know now, Doyle has his own new band called Gorgeous Frankenstein and recently told The Cleveland Scene this:

“We were actually going to do a Misfits reunion with Glenn,” says Doyle. “But Jerry put a fuckin’ monkey wrench in it. [In] 2002, we had meetings … And [Jerry] kind of fucked it up, him and his manager. We were going to do a record, do a tour and everything. So let all the Misfits fans put that in their pipe and smoke it.”

Put that in your pipe and smoke it…that’s so 90’s. Well if this is true then thanks for screwin’ that up, Jerry. I’m sure everyone loves you and your post punk buddies version better.

Now I haven’t heard this new Gorgeous Frankenstein, but I have read some rather bad reviews of it. Should I listen to those reviews? Probably not because American Psycho got a terrible review but I really like that record. Maybe one day I’ll check out the whole thing, but until then I kinda of dig this song. Still riding the horror theme gimmick and Elvis’y singing, but ok. It also has former WCW girl Gorgeous George Dancing on stage and in the video…who doesn’t like to look at that? Video After the fold.

Post from: Metal Martyr

Cannibal Corpse Tomb Of The Mutilated: I thought this albm cover was cool back then and I still dig it to this day. Yeah, it’s kind of sick and twisted…but that’s Cannibal Corpse for you. They didn’t show this one in the magazine, but it’s in the online list.

Deicide Once Upon The Cross: Although these days I’m not the Jesus hater that I was back when this was released, I understand that it’s just a picture. No big deal. I respect the art and still think this is a cool metal album cover. The original art presented is inside the cover and depicts Jesus on an autopsy table, with his chest open.

Metallica Kill ‘Em All: It doesn’t really show much more than a bloody hammer and that’s all you really need to see. One of the most simplistic yet kick ass album covers of all time. If I had a choice to go back in time and choose between the original knife and toilet picture of “Metal Up Your Ass” and this one for their debut, I would pick this one. It’s timeless!

Megadeth Youthanasia: Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying was in the magazine, and they mention that in this day of post 9/11 that it almost foretold the future and makes it a timeless classic. I can agree, but the most graphically violent Megadeth album cover is Youthanasia, depicting how we are hung out to dry. Babies hanging from a clothes line…what more can you say?

Danzig Thrall Demon sweat Live EP: Although I don’t consider Danzig a great live band, this CD cover, drawn by then DC Comics artists Simon Bisley is awesome. Just look at it….that’s a cool cover, especially if your a Danzig fiend! Simon has also done art work on Danzig 6:66 Satan’s Child and I think he did the work for The Lost Tracks Of Danzig

Rage Against The Machine’s debut album showed a Buddhist monk in Viet Nam during a protest in Saigon in 1963 that set himself afire. What is so great about some dude setting himself on fire? He did this out of protest of the killing of other Buddhists by the government at the time. It was an actual photo that won the Pulitzer Prize and the monk that set himself on fire did it and didn’t move. He didn’t get up running and screaming in pain. He set himself on fire and sat there and let himself burn to death without a word!

Open Defiance, a band out of Northern Virginia. I bought this at a small record store back in1996. I don’t know what has happened with this band since, but back then it was a cool cd. I’m not to huge on it these days, but they had that classic photo of a baby holding up the middle finger on the debut album cover. Sure it’s not really an original idea these days and you’ve probably seen it a million times since then, but back in ‘96 it was the shit.

This last one is so vile and disgusting that I could not post the picture here. You’ll have to click on the link to see who it is and what album cover. It almost makes me sick when I look at this one. Be warned, the following album cover is not for weak stomachs. Click the link below.

The Worst Most Disgusting album cover EVER

Image Source: All Images from Amazon.com with the exception of the Open Defiance picture which was taken with a digital camera by the author.

Post from: Metal Martyr

Post from: Metal Martyr