2020 – Green and Black Music

Thin Lizzy – Rock Legends Review

November 25, 2020November 27, 2020 Green and Black Musicthin lizzy box set0 comment

The long anticipated Thin Lizzy box set has finally arrived. This 7-disc behemoth dates back to 2012 when Universal announced the unearthing of over 100 Thin Lizzy tapes. More than 700 unreleased recordings were purported to exist in that massive discovery. Thin Lizzy fanatics salivated at the thought of unused recordings. What could be included in that arsenal of material? Surely demos, live material, and alternative versions of classic tracks would be there. Perhaps there even existed half-written songs that never escaped the walls of a Guinness soaked rehearsal room.…

Articles Observations and Musings

Black Sabbath: Walpurgis

July 29, 2020 Green and Black MusicBlack Sabbath 1970, Black Sabbath Peel Sessions0 comment

Black Sabbath made quite an impact in 1970. While their doom-laden blues won over rock fans, the name caused dread amongst conservative parents. Both album cover and lyrical content aligned with expectation. Inside the gatefold, an inverted cross doubled down on occult imagery. In contrast to the self-titled debut, the follow-up Paranoid minimized occult references. Sure, “War Pigs” mentioned “witches” and “Satan,” but that imagery was used as a critical commentary on war and the folly of man. Other songs like “Hand of Doom” were still dark and foreboding, yet…

Album Reviews Articles

Danzig Sings Elvis Review

June 29, 2020June 30, 2020 Green and Black Musiccleopatra records, danzig colored vinyl0 comment

Danzig Sings Elvis is finally a reality. Glenn has been talking about this record longer than I can remember. Much like the promised reissue of Who Killed Marilyn or a DVD of the Danzig Legacy TV Special, I assumed an Elvis covers record would never see the light of the day. On the contrary, the concept morphed beyond its original EP conception into a full-length record that is destined to become a Danzig classic. A glance at the track-list reveals that none of the usual Elvis tracks have made the…

Articles Top Ten Lists

Thrash Covers Classic Rock

May 31, 2020June 5, 2020 Green and Black Music0 comment

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…

Album Art Exploration Articles

The Not Man: A History of the Anthrax Mascot

March 6, 2020March 8, 2020 Green and Black Music1 Comment

Anthrax has the most unique mascot in heavy metal. Instead of a demonic beast or undead specter, the band adopted a grinning, balding, goofball as their official representative. Meet the Not Man! The Not Man first appeared on t-shirts while touring behind Spreading the Disease. Vinyl copies of Among the Living immortalized the newly minted mascot with an insert. By consciously shunning the skull-centric imagery that haunted the heavy metal landscape, Anthrax used art as an extension of their legendary sense of humor. By 1988’s State of Euphoria, the Not…