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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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Rush: Satanic Prog Rock?

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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Articles Observations and Musings 

Anthrax: Satan’s Lounge Band

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,…

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

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…

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Iron Maiden – The Book of Souls: Live Chapter Review

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

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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Trick or Treat: Heavy Metal Horror Movie (1986)

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

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

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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