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Thrash Covers Classic Rock

The 80’s were a magical time. Heavy metal underwent a metamorphosis as the genre transformed into a snarling, speed obsessed mutation. This new breed of metal heroes had their own influences and often recorded heavier takes on 70’s classics. From AC/DC to Pink Floyd, enjoy these thrash metal versions of classic rock songs. SLAYER- IN A GADDA DA VIDA Slayer was featured on the Less Than Zero soundtrack beside an eclectic blend of performers. Rather than waste a new composition on a movie soundtrack, Slayer recorded a metal version of…

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Rob Halford Guest Appearances

They call Rob Halford the “Metal God” for a reason. His high-pitched shriek and biker persona set the precedent for future metal singers. Many have tried to imitate Halford’s unique style but invariably fall short. Fortunately, the Judas Priest vocalist has freely lent his signature vocals to bands new and old. Enjoy the following guest appearances of the inimitable Rob Halford! SKID ROW – DELIVERING THE GOODS Skid Row used the occasion of B-Sides to record cover versions of their favorite songs. “Delivering the Goods” may be the most memorable…

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Ten Heavy Metal Documentaries

Heavy metal has an intensely loyal fan base. We voraciously devour any output from the bands we love. Liner notes and interviews offer insight into the genre but we always yearn for more. Documentaries can fill that gap. Whether you are into classic, thrash, or death metal, there is a film on this list for every metal fan. THE DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION PART II: THE METAL YEARS The Decline of Western Civilization famously documented the LA punk scene. By the mid-eighties, heavy metal came to dominate the Sunset Strip.…

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Metal and Punk Christmas Songs

Christmas songs don’t have to be boring. Put aside visions of saintly carolers and crank up the volume. The following songs are festive offerings from the louder side of rock and roll. RAMONES – MERRY CHRISTMAS (I DON’T WANT TO FIGHT TONIGHT) This famous Ramones song originally appeared as a B-Side to “I Wanna Live.” Thankfully, the potential of the song did not got go unnoticed. “Merry Christmas” was saved from obscurity and released on the following LP. A memorable video reminded the masses that The Ramones were alive and…

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Ten Thrash Metal Videos

Few promotional opportunities existed for thrash metal bands in the pre-internet days. MTV largely ignored the genre. One exception was a 2-hour block of music videos on Saturday night. Patient thrashers were rewarded with visual offering from their favorite bands. The following list is not comprehensive. It does, however, present ten classic videos from the golden age of thrash! MEGADETH – WAKE UP DEAD “Wake Up Dead” was released as the second single from Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying? The video featured Megadeth performing in a cage as rabid fans climbed…

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Songs With Sequels

PIGS ON THE WING Pink Floyd’s 1977 concept album is a largely dark affair. “Pigs on the Wing (Part One)” offsets the ominous mood that quickly overtakes Animals with a gentle acoustic guitar. “Pigs on the Wing (Part Two)” is nearly identical to the first version. A praise of domesticity, companionship offers reprieve from a cruel world. Serving as cheerful bookends to a grim album, both versions are essential to the overall vibe of Animals. MY MY, HEY HEY (OUT OF THE BLUE)/HEY HEY, MY MY (OUT OF THE BLACK)…

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Ten Replacement Singers

Losing a lead vocalist often spells the end of an established band. Fickle fans can turn their attention elsewhere and initial chemistry is often shattered. Swapping singers isn’t always a disaster. The following front men have given their bands a second lease on life. BRIAN JOHNSON AC/DC were poised for international success in the late 70’s. Highway To Hell had peaked at number 17 on the US charts. After several albums, the band was FINALLY breaking in America. The future looked bright until tragedy struck on February 19th 1980. Charismatic…

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Judas Priest: Unreleased Studio Tracks

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

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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Metal and Punk Songs Based on Horror Movies

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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