2017 – Green and Black Music

Rush: Satanic Prog Rock?

December 19, 2017February 5, 2018 Green and Black Musicrush 2112, rush pentagram1 Comment

Rush are rock’s perennial nice guys. While other bands were snorting coke and gallivanting with groupies, Rush garnered a reputation for resting quietly in hotel rooms. Soft-spoken and intelligent, Canada’s finest power trio are true gentlemen. Imagine my surprise to learn that Rush are allegedly disciples of Satan! It was rumored that Rush is an acronym for “Ruled Under Satan’s Hand.” People literally believed that Rush were practitioners of the black arts! Rumors of Satanism first began to circulate with the release of 2112. Much of the confusion centered around…

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Anthrax: Satan’s Lounge Band

December 14, 2017 Green and Black Musicanthrax state of euphoria, l'amour brooklyn0 comment

Anthrax seemed unstoppable in the late 80’s. State of Euphoria continued to build on momentum from previous records. MTV took a liking to the band, playing videos for “Anti-Social” and “Who Cares Wins.” The album climbed to #30 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold in 1988. Anthrax also found themselves on high profile tours. They toured with Iron Maiden on the Seventh Son of a Seventh Son tour before joining Ozzy Osbourne in support of No Rest for the Wicked. When they finally embarked on a headlining tour,…

Album Reviews Articles

Metallica: Master of Puppets (Remastered) – 3-CD Expanded Edition Review

December 4, 2017December 5, 2017 Green and Black Musicmaster of puppets box set, metallica demos0 comment

Like Kill ‘Em All and Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets has been expanded to provide the ultimate Metallica experience. The sheer amount of content included in the deluxe box set is surely worth every penny. However, not everyone has the expendable income for a large purchase. Fortunately, working class fans can gain access to rare recordings with the 3CD Expanded Edition. The expanded edition has the feel of a mini box set. Thick packing ensures that this version of Master will stand out from other CDs. Folding out into…

Album Reviews Articles

Iron Maiden – The Book of Souls: Live Chapter Review

November 28, 2017 Green and Black Musiciron maiden 20170 comment

Iron Maiden concluded the widely successful Book of Souls tour in 2017. Unlike previous tours, there will be no DVD of the concert. In lieu of a video, Maiden simply released an old-fashioned live album. The Book of Souls: Live Chapter is available in multiple formats. Vinyl devotees will surely purchase the 3 LP set. Fans preferring the digital counterpart can choose between a standard double CD and Deluxe Edition. Be forewarned, the Deluxe Edition does not contain additional music. The accompanying book is still a worthwhile souvenir and is…

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Judas Priest: Unreleased Studio Tracks

November 21, 2017May 29, 2019 Green and Black Musicjudas priest bonus tracks, judas priest twin turbo0 comment

Judas Priest undertook an exhaustive campaign to re-master their back catalogue in 2001. Each release included bonus tracks. Scattered among live cuts were unreleased studio recordings. Join us, as we revisit the lost tracks of Judas Priest! RACE WITH THE DEVIL “Race With the Devil” is the sound of vintage Judas Priest! Recorded during the Stained Class sessions, this cover song is the only seventies track to surface under the reissue campaign. Originally recorded by The Gun, this tale of fleeing from the devil was a perfect fit for a…

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Iron Maiden: The Cover Songs

November 10, 2017November 10, 2017 Green and Black Musiciron maiden b-sides, iron maiden doctor doctor0 comment

Every Iron Maiden LP is a collection of original material. Singles are another story. B-Sides present an opportunity to record songs by other artists. The following cover songs show the light-hearted side of Iron Maiden. It’s the sound of a top-tier act cutting loose and having fun. I’VE GOT THE FIRE “Sanctuary” had garnered Iron Maiden praise as part of a compilation that documented Britain’s emerging metal scene. Already a live staple, the song was re-recorded and released as an official single. Side two featured live songs from a 1980…

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Trick or Treat: Heavy Metal Horror Movie (1986)

October 27, 2017October 27, 2017 Green and Black Musicfastway band, sammi curr, trick or treat gene simmons, trick or treat ozzy osbourne0 comment

The eighties were the golden age of heavy metal and horror movies. Occasionally the two worlds collided. One such union is the 1986 film, Trick or Treat. Trick or Treat stars a metal fan named Eddie Weinbauer who goes by the nickname “Ragman.” As a freethinking outcast, Ragman endures constant torment at the hands of classmates. Heavy metal provides not only an escape from suburban hell, but instills hope in a post-high school existence. Eddie takes inspiration from rocker Sammi Curr. An alumnus of Eddie’s high school, Curr found fame…

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Metal and Punk Songs Based on Horror Movies

October 23, 2017June 27, 2020 Green and Black Music3 Comments

THE RAMONES – CHAIN SAW The Ramones released their debut album in 1976. Among songs of sniffing glue, male prostitution, and beating brats with baseball bats was a song inspired by The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. “”Chainsaw” opens with the sound of…well…a chainsaw! The line, “She’ll never get out of there,” recalls the futility of escaping from a cannibalistic house of horrors. The pervasive dark humor of The Ramones is on full display. Mispronouncing “massacre” to rhyme with “took my baby away from me,” keeps a disturbing song lighthearted and fun.…

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The Undead: Having an Undead Summer Review

October 12, 2017October 12, 2017 Green and Black Music0 comment

It’s 2017 and The Undead are alive and well. Bobby Steele and company apparently had a blast during their summer tour. This October, the band released a new 7 inch titled Having an Undead Summer. To create the cover for their latest outing, The Undead tapped Tim Jacobus of Goosebumps fame. The colorful sleeve depicts a fun-loving monster catching a wave on his surfboard. I took advantage of the pre-order. For $7.50, I received free shipping, a pin, and an autographed copy of Having an Undead Summer pressed to orange…

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Slayer: The Seat Cushion Riot

October 5, 2017March 21, 2019 Green and Black Musicslayer 1988, slayer danzig tour, slayer trocadero philadelphia, world sacrifice tour1 Comment

Slayer shows are legendary for their brutality. Current Slayer concerts are fun but things were different in the early days. Crowds were passionate to the point of being crazed. Sometimes this passion could get out of hand, leading to bodily harm and property damage. Word of Slayer riots first came to me in 1990. To promote the upcoming release of Seasons in the Abyss, Slayer booked a small club tour. Billed as “A Week in the Abyss,” the band previewed new tracks along with fan favorites. I was too young…