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- Review count275
- Helpfulness votes196
- First reviewMay 21, 2008
- Last reviewJune 22, 2011
- Featured reviews2
- Average rating4.8
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![Snakes & Arrows [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8310/8310268_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Rush Snakes & Arrows is an instant classic!
on October 16, 2008
Posted by: Fiend
from Pennsylvania
Geddy Lee, Neil Pert and Alex Lifeson have not only put out a sensational album with "Snakes & Arrows", the three musicians have shown the world what quality is about in writing and playing music. Geddy Lee on vocals sounds like gold. It is a necessary mention that Nick Raskulinecz produced this gemstone along with Rush. Nick has recently produced the latest releases for Shadows Fall and Death Angel, the list of bands he has made shine keeps growing. A great track to start with here is "Armor And Sword", this is a deep song relating to the struggles one has to endure before they reach their heaven, suggesting our own personal defenses we put up can also defeat us. I honestly can say that Neil Peart is one of the greatest lyricists of our time, to take a moment and enjoy just the lyrics of "Snakes & Arrows" is a treat. "Far Cry" starts off the album, this will have you knowing that Rush as a cohesive unit they are, knew to incorporate their individual, unique musical brilliance and in unison jam a lead that makes this song sound epic. "Hope" and "Malignant Narcissism" are the two instrumentals, both are reminiscent of past Rush instrumental greatness combined with a textured sound of what Rush is today. The liner notes are brilliant, with all of the songs lyrics, along with artistic photographs and images that assist in telling each songs story. World class musicians are Rush, with unparalleled song writing and lyrics. This album rocks and the lyrics make you think, there is nothing wrong with that at all.
What's great about it: Song writing, lyrics, vintage Rush sound, musicianship & this rocks!
What's not so great: none
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
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![Paul Stanley [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/b3f06820-2da6-4b13-bb45-6daa8b7df3dc.jpg)
Posted by: Fiend
from Pennsylvania
In 1978 each member of Kiss released their own solo album, with Paul Stanley giving it a convincing effort of strong vocals and some memorable heavy tracks. The two heavy tracks here are "Tonight You Belong To Me" and "It's Alright". Both songs are Metal and melodic and are the two I find most inspiring. "Hold Me, Touch Me, (Think of Me When We're Apart) is a ballad that is full of Paul Stanley's vocal passion and is quite moving and excellent. "Move On" is the only track that does not come off as a solid choice for this album, in my opinion it does not fit in with the overall flow of the songs. I always felt this album was slightly ahead of it's time, with Paul Stanley being solo here you can recognize in what musical direction he would be going in for the future. Anyone considering this album should know you are getting a really decent, legitimate, rocking effort from Paul Stanley.
What's great about it: Excellent vocals, melodic and at times heavy
What's not so great: "Move On" does not seem to fit in with the albums flow
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Destroyer [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/db4dc1c1-441b-414b-9319-3a26919cf955.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
30 years later, Kiss Destroyer is a keeper!
on October 15, 2008
Posted by: Fiend
from Pennsylvania
Kiss has stood the test of time and that is an understatement. Everything about Kiss, their music of course, the makeup, the imagery, the stage show and their Rock n' Roll attitude has all been copied and duplicated more times over than anyone can count. Not one Hard Rock or Heavy Metal band can touch Kiss when it comes to marketing, yet, behind all of this flattery, is still, the music of Kiss. "Destroyer" combines Hard Rock, Heavy Metal and some ingenious experimentation that has kept this album alive and well for over 30 years. "Beth" proved to be the most successful experiment for this album, being the first Kiss ballad up to that point in time and being a chart mover and seller. "Detroit Rock City" has the elements of Metal along with an intro that sets the stage perfect for this song. In my opinion, I feel "God of Thunder" can be looked upon as the first Doom Metal song ever recorded. The vocals and tempo of "God of Thunder" still raises the creep out meter for me after all this time, I like that. Kiss also experimented with a background choir on "Great Expectations", with Gene Simmons singing lead, I still sense a sliver of melancholy each time I listen to this song. "Shout It Out Loud" and "Do You Love Me" are just simply sensational Hard Rock classics. The lyrics overall are so memorable, these songs are so easy to get stuck in your head! Now, isn't that what a great album is supposed to do? After three decades of so many different Metal and Hard Rock genres being introduced, "Destroyer" by Kiss has risen to the top where it should remain.
What's great about it: Kiss, fantastic mix of Hard Rock & Metal, first Kiss ballad with "Beth"
What's not so great: none
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+3points
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![Along Came a Spider [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/b5f371c5-4051-431f-9e20-f7931dd0178c.jpg)
Posted by: Fiend
from Pennsylvania
Alice Cooper has reminded us all he is the living legend of Horror Metal. Alice Cooper has never had to reinvent himself, instead we receive the Metal goodies from the Horror Metal Master himself every few years and accept the musical offerings with glee. "Along Came A Spider" is the equivalent of reading a horror novel, watching a twisted horror film or just watching the nightly news period. Here, however, listening to "Along Came A Spider" is light years more entertaining. The story line is simple, we follow a serial killer's journey, from stalking his victims with "Prologue/I Know Where You Live", to falling in love with a potential victim with "Killed By Love", all the way to deep regret & sorrow for all of his evil actions with "Salvation". Alice Cooper's vocals are creepy throughout, as you follow the story line you feel like the actual character is really singing. Musically, this album is pure Metal, with a supporting cast of the very finest: Keri Kelli, Danny Saber, and Greg Hampton on guitar, with Slash appearing on lead guitar on "Vengeance Is Mine", Eric Singer on drums and Chuck Garric and Danny Saber again on bass. The liner notes are done extremely well, with complete lyrics and theatrical photo's depicting each song. This really is a total Metal package! Overall this release is eerie, macabre, haunting, and unabashed, in the end sprinkle a bit of remorsefulness from our lead character and you have what is a definitive Horror Metal work of art, that will be appreciated by Alice Cooper fans and Metal fans for generations to come.
What's great about it: Alice Cooper's creepy vocals, cameo from Slash, haunting music, lyrics & story
What's not so great: none
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![King of Fools [EP] [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6258/6258266_sa.jpg)
Posted by: Fiend
from Pennsylvania
Edguy is an outstanding Power Metal outfit straight from Germany. Thank you Germany, this is as talented of a Power Metal band as any other out there. Lead vocalist Tobias Sammet has incredible vocal range, hitting the high notes with inspired conviction that you can not just here, you can also feel. To compare Tobias to another vocalist, Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden comes to mind, this is an enormous compliment. Tobias has unique vocals, however, the similarities to Bruce Dickinson are feverish. "Holy Water" is a fast paced ballad which touches on human feelings and the inner soul, reaching out for inner peace. You will hear background orchestration on "Holy Water" that essentially sets the mood and imagery that Tobias Sammet was looking to convey, in which he succeeded. "King Of Fools", "New Age Messiah" and "The Savage Union" are steady catchy rockers, with melodic chorus, keyboards, guitars and rhythm section that seem to melt over one another to form brilliant Power Metal that really works. "Life And Times Of A Bonus Track" is basically a song that sums up how Tobias Sammet interprets the handling of bonus tracks in the music industry. This is a rather amusing and fun song to listen to, I really feel no one else can pull this song off except for Tobias and his eloquent way of telling his story. Of course Tobias has the finest musicians here, Jens Ludwig and Dirk Sauer on guitars, Tobias "Eggi" Exxel on bass and Felix Bohnke on drums. Overall, this EP will entice you to dig deeper into the Edguy catalog and become an instant fan of one highly respected and talented singer/songwriter who is Tobias Sammet.
What's great about it: Lead vocalist Tobias Sammet, great musicians, great lyrics
What's not so great: none
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Zombie Live [CD] [PA]](https://bestbuy.ugc.bazaarvoice.com/profiles/3545a/static/noimage70.gif)
Posted by: Fiend
from Pennsylvania
There are two ingredients necessary to pull off a live Metal concert and make it an experience for the listener on album. The first is to have the energy and feel so intense and magnified that the listener can visualize the performance vividly. Second is to create the musical atmosphere a non-stop, supercharged event of songs that belong on the set list, with each song being more powerful than the previous. Listening to the concert in its entirety without skipping around songs should be the end result for the listener. Rob Zombie has pulled this off here, with an unbelievably excited audience heard throughout in the background. Hearing the audience involvement in singing along to many of these tracks takes you right there, making you feel intimately involved in the listening experience. Many of Rob Zombie's Horror Metal classics are found here, with "Dragula", "Living Dead Girl", and "American Witch". Honestly, many of these songs sound better live than the studio versions, that again is due in part to that live energy and enthusiasm that is so key to this album. The intro to "Black Sunshine" is here, and the live version just rips apart at the seams and explodes with Metal abandon. John 5 does get a solo in here, the few minutes it lasts makes you crave for more. It is a relief to see "Thunderkiss '65" performed by Zombie. This is the funky, macabre, Metal song that catapulted Rob Zombie in his early days (1992) with his band White Zombie. Rob Zombie's vocal prowess does not disappoint here. John 5 on guitar is a Metal shredder, Piggy D on bass is excellent and Tommy Clufetos on drums is always the hardest working drummer in Metal. As a band, this unit is tight and sound like they have been together for years. Let's hope this is not the last time we here a Zombie concert put to album/disc, I want more!
What's great about it: John 5 as guitarist, Thunderkiss '65 is here, quality sound
What's not so great: none
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Blizzard of Ozz [Bonus Track] [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4542/4542285_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Ozzy's first solo album and it is legendary!
on October 12, 2008
Posted by: Fiend
from Pennsylvania
It is very important to note that on this reissue of "Blizzard Of Ozz", during the re-mastering process, Mike Bordin is now on drums and percussion with Robert Trujillo on bass. The original drummer, on the original album, was Lee Kerslake and on bass was Bob Daisley. They are all fabulous musicians, I am not swayed either way. Don Airey is on keyboards for the original album. The key is that the legendary, late Randy Rhoads is the guitarist! Just to hear Randy play his signature sound on "I Don't Know", "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" still sends chills 28 years after this release. Randy Rhoads and his unique guitar sound and style truly helped shape the evolution of Heavy Metal and it's many prominent guitarists for decades. This album is not just a turning point for Ozzy, it is a focal point of reference and reverence for so many Heavy Metal musicians and fans alike. A bonus track is added into this reissue, "You Lookin' At Me Lookin' At You". This song is similar in structure to "Rock & Roll Rebel" from Ozzy Osbourne's "Bark At The Moon". It is a song that is a welcomed addition to this classic album, any song is that has Randy Rhoads playing. This album has stood the test of time, it feels strange for me to now say that the lyrics, song structure and arrangements with Randy Rhoads leads and riffs are powerhouse. Yet, with the new generation of Ozzy, Randy Rhoads and Heavy Metal fans, getting the word out after all these years is worth every second if it means passing this Heavy Metal jewel on to new listeners.
What's great about it: Ozzy and Randy Rhoads, a bonus track on this reissue, all the lyrics
What's not so great: none
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Live in London [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7568/7568143_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Powerful, loud, live thrash from Testament!
on October 11, 2008
Posted by: Fiend
from Pennsylvania
This 2005 release from Testament, "Live In London", is one of the greatest live Thrash albums I have ever listened to. The original Testament lineup is intact for this performance, Chuck Billy on vocals, Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick on guitars, Greg Christian on bass along with Louie Clemente AND John Tempesta on drums. I simply cannot put into words how intense and powerful this performance is, you must simply have to hear this concert to believe it. Testament delivers the Thrash, like a thunderous explosion of molten metal, the music they deliver is such a driving force! Chuck Billy sounds great, belting out his trademark vocals and accentuating every important note on such legendary cuts as "The Preacher", "Into The Pit", and "Practice What You Preach". Chuck Billy talks to the crowd of fans in between a few of the tracks, this is cool for it always makes it feel and sound more live, like it should be. The entire set is of the highest quality as far as sound, this concert was very well produced for CD. The liner notes are loaded with photos on 5 pages, of all the musicians of Testament, taken from this live performance, it is a cool added touch to the package. The way Testament played for "Live In London", with all of the sound and production quality, makes this the measuring stick for all Thrash bands wanting to record a live concert.
What's great about it: Original Testament lineup, tremendous live production & sound quality
What's not so great: none
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Good to Be Bad [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8775/8775328_sa.jpg)
Posted by: Fiend
from Pennsylvania
After a decade of waiting, wait no more. Whitesnake is back and well worth the listen! David Coverdale has his vocals tuned into 1986 all over again, in other words his vocals are ageless. This is everything you could expect to hear from Whitesnake, the ballads, the melodic metal overflowing with guitar riffs, solos and memorable lyrics that you can sing along to when no one is looking. "All I Want All I Need" is my favorite track here and it is a ballad, if you are in love then this one really goes straight to the heart. "Lay Down Your Love" is the radio hit that has that David Coverdale swagger written all over it, just by the songs arrangement and lyrics, this is a classic Whitesnake song already. "Summer Rain" is another amazing ballad that will have you convinced that lyrically this is one of David Coverdale's best yet. There are the rockers here too, with "All For Love" and "Ready To Rock". The second CD is really neat, it has all live versions of past Whitesnake songs, including the hits "The Deeper The Love" and "Give Me All Your Love Tonight". The overall sound and production of the live recordings are top notch. A great extra on disc 2 is the enhanced video for "Ready To Rock", this is a cool video showing Whitesnake performing somewhere in an outdoor arena, focusing mainly on Coverdale himself throughout. The current Whitesnake band, besides Coverdale on vocals, is: Doug Aldrich on lead guitar (who keeps the signature Whitesnake sound alive and strong), Reb Beach on guitar, Timothy Drury on keyboards, Uriah Duffy on bass and Chris Frazier on drums. A comeback well done Whitesnake!
What's great about it: David Coverdale's vocals, great melodic metal & songwriting, 2 CD set
What's not so great: none
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Love Grenade [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8466/8466885_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Ted Nugent delivers the Metal thrills again!
on October 10, 2008
Posted by: Fiend
from Pennsylvania
Ted Nugent has not wandered off too far these days. In fact, Ted Nugent is as glorious and intense of a Heavy Metal performer as he has ever been. "Love Grenade" is an intense, fun, and loud album, what more can we expect from Nugent? The well respected musicians backing up Nugent are Barry Sparks on bass and Tommy Clufetos on drums, these guys are responsible for making this album sound so tight and Metal. "Aborigine" is a political statement, for Nugent he makes this song heavy and fun, with his vocals being the true standout here. "Journey To The Center Of The Mind" is a remake of Nugent's Amboy Dukes band of the late 1960's, wow how this song takes off and hammers home just how good of a Rock performer Nugent really is. The vocal harmony and chorus for "Journey To The Center Of The Mind" really makes this song come alive. "Girl Scout Cookies" is the single most funniest Ted Nugent and/or Heavy Metal song I have ever listened to in my life and that is a compliment. Just listening to Nugent sing about his love for eating Girl Scout Cookies is a riot! Plus, the song has an addicting slow beat groove that has you nodding in appreciation while you laugh, go figure. This is what "Love Grenade" accomplishes, it will make you laugh, feel sympathetic, take you back to the Amboy Dukes and most of all, it will convince you that Ted Nugent is just as serious as he is fun and games.
What's great about it: Ted Nugent and his great band behind him, 13 songs
What's not so great: none
I would recommend this to a friend!
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