July 1st 1987 #NapalmDeath released the album “Scum” #YouSuffer #Control #Sacrificed #HumanGarbage #Grindcore

Did you know..:

The song “You Suffer” was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s shortest song; the track is precisely 1.316 seconds long.

July 1st 1996 #PsychoticWaltz released their final studio album “Bleeding” #Faded #Locust #MyGrave #Sleep #ProgressiveMetal

Did you know…

In 2004, Metal Blade Records reissued Bleeding in a box set also containing the band’s second album “Into the Everflow” and a bonus CD.

July 1st 1991 #Massacre released their debut album “From Beyond” #Biohazard #ChamberOfAges #Succubus #DeathMetal

Did you know..

The song “Corpsegrinder” was originally recorded by the band, Death, which all members of Massacre have been a part of in the past.

July 1st 1992 #Immortal released their debut album “Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism” #TheCallOfTheWintermoon #BlackerThanDarkness #UnholyForcesOfEvil #BlackMetal

Did you know…

It is the only album to feature Armagedda on drums.

July 1st #Centinex released their debut album “Reborn Through Flames” #TheBeautyOfMalice #Molested #Resurrected #DeathMetal

Did you know…

The band did a cover of the Kreator song “Under the Guillotine” on this album.

July 1st 1990 #NapalmDeath released the album “Harmony Corruption” #MaliciousIntent #UnfitEarth #DeathMetal

Did you know…

It is their first album to feature Mark Greenway as the vocalist and Mitch Harris and Jesse Pintado as guitarists, and the last with Mick Harris on drums.

July 1st 1991 #CannibalCorpse released the album “Butchered at Birth” #Gutted #VomitTheSoul #CoveredWithSores #DeathMetal

Did you know….

Even though the album was banned, it was not given a censored re-release or new artwork.

July 2nd 1984 #Dio released the album “The Last In Line” #WeRock #TheLastInLine #Breathless #Mystery #EatYourHeartOut #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

The album reached number 24 on the #Billboard chart.

It was the first Dio album to feature keyboardist Claude Schnell.

July 2nd 1993 #DeepPurple released the album “The Battle Rages On” #TimeToKill #LickItUp #Anya #TalkAboutLove #HardRock #ClassicMetal

Did you know…

It was their last album recorded with the classic Mk II line-up.

The album reached number 192 on the #Billboard chart.

July 2nd 1991 #AliceCooper released the album “Hey Stoopid” #LovesALoadedGun #Snakebite #FeedMyFrankenstein #LittleByLittle #HardRock

Did you know…

The album reached number 47 on the #Billboard chart.

July 2nd 1984 #CirithUngol released the album “King Of The Dead” #MasterOfThePit #BlackMachine #DeathOfTheSun #AtomSmasher #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

The Cover of Michael Moorcock’s novel “Bane of the Black Sword” acts as the album’s cover.

July 2nd 1986 #Metallica released the single “Master Of Puppets” #ThrashMetal

Did you know…

The single was only released in France.

It was also sent out as a promo single from Elektra to radio stations in the U.S.A.

July 3rd 1990 #SuicidalTendencies released the album “Lights…Camera…Revolution!” #YouCantBringMeDown #Lovely #SendMeYourMoney #Alone #ThrashMetal

Did you know…

The album reached number 101 on the #Billboard chart.

July 3rd 2000 #InFlames released the album “Clayman” #PinballMap #BulletRide #Swim #SquareNothing #MelodicDeathMetal

Did you know….

The album’s cover art is based on Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man drawing.

July 3rd 1996 #Cryptopsy released the album “None So Vile” #DeadAndDripping #CrownOfHorns #GravesOfTheFathers #BenedictineConvulsions #TechnicalDeathMetal

Did you know…

It was their first album to feature bassist Eric Langois.

July 3rd 2012 #IcarusWitch released the album “Rise” #TheEnd #Tragedy #SayWhen #NothingIsForever #InTheDark #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

The band is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and formed in 2003 by bassist Jason Myers.

July 3rd 2009 #Suffocation released the album “Blood Oath” #DismalDream #ComeHellOrHighPriest #Undeserving #TechnicalDeathMetal

Did you know…

It was the band’s last album to feature original drummer Mike Smith in full.

The album debuted at number 135 on the #Billboard chart.

July 4th 1986 #FlotsamAndJetsam released their debut album “Doomsday For The Deceiver” #Metalshock #Hammerhead #IronTears #Desecrator #SheTookAnAxe #ThrashMetal

Did you know…

It was their only album with Jason Newsted before his departure for Metallica.

July 4th 1988 #DefLeppard released the single “Love Bites” #HardRock

Did you know…

It was the band’s only number 1 single on the #Billboard 💯 chart.

It also reached number 11 on the #OfficialCharts

July 5th 1988 #Slayer released the GREAT album “South Of Heaven” #GhostsOfWar #SpillTheBlood #ThrashMetal @TheDaveLombardo

Did you know…

The album reached number 57 on the #Billboard chart.

The band did a cover of the Judas Priest song “Dissident Aggressor” on this album.

July 5th 1984 #MetalChurch released their debut album “Metal Church” #BeyondTheBlack #GodsOfWrath #InTheBlood #Hitman #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

The band did a cover of the Deep Purple song “Highway Star” on this album.

July 5th 1986 #Motorhead released the single “Deaf Forever” #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

The song was featured in the soundtrack to the film, Urban Legend.

It reached number 67 on the #OfficialCharts

July 5th 1988 #Overkill released the album “Under The Influence” #HelloFromTheGutter #HeadFirst #NeverSayNever #Brainfade #ThrashMetal

Did you know…

This was Overkill’s first album to feature drummer Sid Falck.

The album reached number 142 on the #Billboard chart.

July 5th 1983 #SuicidalTendencies released their debut album “Suicidal Tendencies” #Institutionalized #Subliminal #Possessed #SuicidalFailure #CrossoverThrash

Did you know…

The re-recorded version of Institutionalized was nominated for the Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 1994.

‪July 5th 2019 #Abbath release NEW album “Outstrider” #LandOfKhem #HarvestPyre #TheArtifex #BlackMetal ‬

‪Did you know…‬

‪The album consists of eight original songs and a cover version of the BATHORY classic “Pace Till Death”.‬

July 6th 1986 #QuietRiot released the album”Quiet Riot III” #DownAndDirty #SlaveToLove #TheWildAndTheYoung #TwilightHotel #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

This was the first Quiet Riot album not to feature any cover songs.

The album reached number 31 on the #Billboard chart.

July 6th 1999 #Ratt released the album “Ratt” #OverTheEdge #Breakout #TugOfWar #AllTheWay #HardRock

Did you know…

This was their first studio album to feature bassist Robbie Crane.

July 7th 1984 #Helix released the GREAT album “Walkin’ The Razor’s Edge” #RockYou #WhenTheHammerFalls #GimmeGimmeGoodLovin #HardRock

Did you know..

The album reached number 69 on the #Billboard chart.

July 7th 1992 #DreamTheater released the album “Images And Words” #PullMeUnder #AnotherDay #TakeTheTime #Surrounded #ProgressiveMetal

Did you know…

It was their first album to feature James LaBrie on vocals.

The album reached number 61 on the #Billboard chart.

July 7th 1987 #FasterPussycat released their debut album “Faster Pussycat” #DontChangeThatSong #BathroomWall #Cathouse #SmashAlley #HardRock

Did you know…

The album reached number 97 on the #Billboard 200 chart.

July 7th 1998 #IcedEarth released the album “Something Wicked This Way Comes” #WatchingOverMe #BurningTimes #Consequences #ReapingStone #PowerMetal

Did you know…

It was the band’s first album to feature bassist James MacDonough and guitarist Larry Tarnowski.

July 7th 1986 #DavidLeeRoth released his debut album “Eat ‘Em And Smile” #YankeeRose #ThatsLife #TobaccoRoad #BigTrouble #HardRock

Did you know…

The album reached number 4 on the #Billboard chart.

July 7th 1987 #Toxik released their debut album “World Circus” #SocialOverload #HeartAttack #HauntedEarth #DoorToHell #SpeedMetal

Did you know…

The band was originally called Tokyo.

The re-release included a cover of the KISS song “Parasite”.

July 7th 1984 #Icon released their debut album “Icon” #OnYourFeet #KillerMachine #ItsUpToYou #UnderMyGun #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

The band is from Phoenix, Arizona and formed in 1979.

July 7th 2008 #BlazeBayley released the album “The Man Who Would Not Die” #SmileBackAtDeath #Blackmailer #AtTheEndOfTheDay #Samurai #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

The track “Robot” was released as the band’s first single.

July 7th 1995 #Sinister released the album “Hate” #UnseenDarkness #ArtOfTheDamned #TheBloodfeast #DeathMetal

Did you know…

The band is from Schiedam, the Netherlands, and formed in 1988.

July 7th 1998 #Crowbar released the album “Odd Fellows Rest” #NewManBorn #BehindTheBlackHorizon #PlanetsCollide #SludgeMetal

Did you know…

The re-released version contains a cover of the Iron Maiden song “Remember Tomorrow”.

July 7th 1989 #AliceCooper released the single “Poison” #HardRock

Did you know..

The single went to number 4 on the #Billboard hot 💯 singles chart.

“Poison” is one of Alice Cooper’s best known songs.

July 8th 2014 #JudasPriest released the album “Redeemer Of Souls” #MarchOfTheDamned #Dragonaut #DownInFlames #ColdBlooded #HallsOfValhalla #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

The album reached number 6 on the #Billboard chart.

July 8th 1994 #Helloween released the album “Masters Of The Ring” #WhereTheRainGrows #SoleSurvivor #StillWeGo #TheGameIsOn #PowerMetal

Did you know…

It was their first album to feature Andi Deris and Uli Kusch.

The album reached number 23 on the German chart.

July 8th 1991 #Anthrax released the single “Bring The Noise” #RapMetal

Did you know…

The song was ranked number 12 on #VH1’s 2006 list of the 40 Greatest Metal Songs.

It is also featured in the video games Die Hard Trilogy and #WWE Wrestlemania 21.

July 9th 1988 #DeathAngel released the album “Frolic Through The Park” #WhyYouDoThis #RoadMutants #OpenUp #Confused #ThrashMetal

Did you know…

The song “Bored” was used in a scene in the 1990 movie Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

July 9th 1946 #BonScott Legendary former singer with #ACDC was born!! #HardRock #ClassicRock

Did you know…

In the July 2004 issue of #ClassicRockMag , Scott was rated as number one in a list of the “100 Greatest Frontmen of All Time”.

July 9th 1965 #FrankBello bassist with #Anthrax was born!!! #HappyBirthday #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

Bello was originally a roadie and guitar technician for Anthrax, but later replaced Dan Lilker soon after the release of the band’s 1984 debut album Fistful of Metal.

July 9th 1991 #KIX released the album “Hot Wire” #GirlMoney #TearDownTheWalls #SameJane #ColdChills #HardRock

Did you know…

The album peaked at number 64 on the #Billboard chart.

July 10th 1942 Legendary singer #RonnieJamesDio was born!!! #RIP #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

The main stage of Bloodstock Open Air is named after him in tribute after Heaven & Hell pulled out upon his death.

July 10th 2015 #CradleOfFilth released the album “Hammer Of The Witches” #EnshrinedInCrematoria #TheVampyreAtMySide #ExtremeMetal

Did you know…

The album features new guitarists Marek ‘Ashok’ Šmerda and Richard Shaw and new keyboardist and female vocalist Lindsay Schoolcraft.

July 10th 2001 #Kamelot released the album “Karma” #Forever #TemplesOfGold #TheSpell #WingsOfDespair #PowerMetal

Did you know…

The album peaked at number 85 on the German Albums Chart.

July 10th 2001 #Avantasia released their debut album “The Metal Opera” #TheGloryOfRome #BreakingAway #TheTower #SignOfTheCross #SymphonicPowerMetal

Did you know…

The album is followed by the sequel The Metal Opera Part II.

July 11th 1981 #DefLeppard released the album “High ‘N’ Dry” #BringinOnTheHeartbreak #LetItGo #LadyStrange #OnThroughTheNight #HardRock

Did you know…

High ‘n’ Dry was Pete Willis’ last full-time album with Def Leppard.

The album reached number 38 on the #Billboard chart.

July 11th 1995 #Motorhead released the album “Sacrifice” #WarForWar #AllGoneToHell #OverYourShoulder #InAnotherTime #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

The title track was used in the movie Tromeo and Juliet, a film in which Lemmy appears.

July 11th 2000 #MotleyCrue released the album “New Tattoo” #HellOnHighHeels #NewTattoo #Fake #HollywoodEnding #DragstripSuperstar #HardRock

Did you know…

This is the only album by the band not to feature drummer Tommy Lee.

The album peaked at number 41 on the #Billboard chart.

July 11th 2014 #GraveDigger released the album “Return Of The Reaper” #HellFuneral #RoadRageKiller #NothingToBelieve #HeavyMetal @ironfinger

Did you know…

This was their final album to feature H.P. Katzenburg on keyboards.

July 11th 2006 #CattleDecapitation released the album “Karma.Bloody.Karma” #TheCarcassDerrick #Bereavement #AloneAtTheLandfill #Deathgrind

Did you know…

It was their ast album to feature drummer Michael Laughlin.

July 12th 1994 #Amorphis released the album “Tales From The Thousand Lakes” #BlackWinterDay #FirstDoom #MagicAndMayhem #TheCastaway #MelodicDeathMetal

Did you know…

The album was an influential release in the development of the melodic death metal and folk metal genres.

July 12th 1996 #Mortician released their debut album “Hacked Up for Barbecue” #FogOfDeath #Annihilation #Cremated #DeathMetal

Did you know…

The album has gone out of print, and has since been reissued as a two-on-one package with the band’s Zombie Apocalypse EP.

July 12th 1996 #DeedsOfFlesh released their debut album “Trading Pieces” #CarnivorousWays #AcidTroops #BrutalDeathMetal

Did you know…

They founded their own label, Unique Leader Records, which has since become home to a number of other death metal bands from around the world.

July 12th 2005 #TheBlackDahliaMurder released the album “Miasma” #AVulgarPicture #StatutoryApe #NoveltyCrosses #SpiteSuicide #MelodicDeathMetal

Did you know…

The album reached number 118 on the #Billboard chart.

It was their last with bassist David Lock.

July 12th 2005 #Obituary released the album “Frozen In Time” #Insane #OnTheFloor #StandAlone #SlowDeath #Blindsided #DeathMetal

Did you know…

It was their last album to feature guitarist Allen West.

July 12th 2011 #Decapitated released the album “Carnival Is Forever” #United #TheKnife #Pest #AViewFromAHole #TechnicalDeathMetal

Did you know…

It’s their first album to feature vocalist Rafał “Rasta” Piotrowski.

July 12th 1994 #AliceCooper released the album “The Last Temptation” #LostInAmerica #BadPlaceAlone #StolenPrayer #ItsMe #HardRock

Did you know…

Chris Cornell wrote the lyrics for “Stolen Prayer” and “Unholy War”.

July 12th 1986 #Destruction released the album “Eternal Devastation” #CurseTheGods #LifeWithoutSense #UnitedByHatred #ThrashMetal

Did you know…

The band was known as “Knight of Demon” from 1982 to 1984.

July 12th 1984 1985 #HallowsEve released their debut album “Tales Of Terror” #MetalMerchants #TheMansion #OuterLimits #PlungingToMegadeath #ThrashMetal

Did you know…

The band was from Atlanta, GA, and formed in 1983.

July 12th 2006 #Riot released the album “Army Of One” #Blinded #Shine #TheMystic #AliveInTheCity #ItAllFallsDown #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

It was the last Riot album to feature long time bassist Pete Perez.

July 12th 1989 #PrettyBoyFloyd released their debut album “Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz” #ToastOfTheTown #WildAngels #TheLastKiss #RockAndRollOutlaws #GlamMetal

Did you know…

The album reached number 130 on the #Billboard chart.

July 12th 1988 #JetBoy released their debut album “Feel The Shake” #Snakebite #FireInMyHeart #HardClimb #LockedInACage #BadDisease #GlamMetal

Did you know…

The album peaked at 135 on #Billboard 200 chart.

July 12th 1967 #JohnPetrucci guitarist with #DreamTheater was born!! #HappyBirthday #ProgressiveMetal

Did you know…

In 2012, Petrucci was ranked the 17th greatest guitarist of all time by a #GuitarWorld magazine reader’s poll.

July 12th 1950 #EricCarr “The Fox” former drummer with #KISS was born. #RIP #KissArmy

Did you know…

On March 21, 2011, a book that explored Carr’s entire life and musical career was released, titled The Eric Carr Story.

July 13th 1984 #GrimReaper released their debut album “See You In Hell” #RunForYourLife #Liar #TheShowMustGoOn #DeadOnArrival #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

The album reached number 73 on the #Billboard chart.

July 13th 2010 #HELLYEAH released the album “Stampede” #TheDebtThatAllMenPay #BetterMan #HellOfATime #StandOrWalkAway #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

The album debuted at number 8 on the #Billboard 200 chart.

It was their first album to feature bassist Bob Zilla.

July 13th 2004 #Dokken released the album “Hell To Pay” #Escape #Haunted #TheLastGoodbye #CareForYou #HardRock

Did you know..

It was their first studio album to feature lead guitarist Jon Levin.

July 13th, 2004: #Metallica released the single “Some Kind Of Monster” #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

The song won “Best Metal Performance” at the 46th Grammy Awards & was also nominated for “Best Rock Video” at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards!

July 14th 1992 #Megadeth released the GREAT album “Countdown To Extinction” #ForeclosureOfADream #SweatingBullets #SymphonyOfDestruction #CaptiveHonour #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

The album reached number 2 on the #Billboard chart.

July 14th 1992 #ParadiseLost released the album “Shades of God” #DaylightTorn #PityTheSadness #TheWordMadeFlesh #GothicMetal

Did you know…

The band did a cover of the Atomic Rooster song “Death Walks Behind You” for the Japanese edition.

July 14th 1998 #Angra released the album “Fireworks” #Paradise #WingsOfReality #MetalIcarus #ExtremeDream #PowerMetal

Did you know…

It was their last album to feature Andre Matos on vocals and Luís Mariutti on bass.

The Week in Rock & Metal

July 14, 2019VinylLAIR Leave a comment

Written By Braddon S. Williams aka “The Concert Critic”

On this date in history, 7/11/2019, I saw Alice Cooper for the 10th time. The show took place at the prestigious Honeywell Center in Wabash, IN.

It is challenging to do these reviews after seeing some of my favorite artists so many times. Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, and Slayer are all similar situations. On the one hand, I keep going back because these artists are ingrained in my musical consciousness and I have absolute passion for everything they do and all they stand for. A simpler reason is that they continue to play incredible shows.

Alice Cooper hit the stage with a brand new set (a haunted castle…quite amazing to behold) and dug deep into his treasure chest of songs and pulled out some gems I had never heard him perform before. The song My Stars from 1972’s School’s Out album was terrific, as was the title track from 1973’s Muscle Of Love. Not only did these songs bring some new energy to the show, they provided some exciting riffs for Alice’s all-star band to add their magical touches to.

Another deep cut that got a particularly hard rocking makeover was Roses On White Lace from 1987’s Raise Your Fist And Yell, providing a fast metallic riff for the shredding of Nita Strauss, one third of Alice’s assassination squad of lead guitar aces. Each of these three got plenty of space to shine, and each have their own distinctive style that suits different facets of Cooper’s career.

During one early song, Cooper displayed some tasty blues harmonica, accompanied by Wabash native Tommy Henriksen, who played some back and forth lead guitar with the bosses harp licks.

Ryan Roxie, the longest tenured of the trio, played lots of melodic and soaring lead lines from some of the most classic songs.

Once again, drummer Glen Sobel delivered an absolutely jaw dropping drum solo on the capacity crowd, accompanied by bass playing muscle man, Chuck Garric (who has been a mainstay since 2002).

As admittedly superb as the musicians are (and they are the top of the line, each and every one), no Cooper show is based solely on music, and this was no exception. The theatrics were all in place, from the giant Frankenstein monster who made a brief appearance during the opening Feed My Frankenstein, and a full rampage later on Teenage Frankenstein, to a truly spectacular larger than life evil baby (looking a bit like the Stay Puffed Marshmallow Man with Alice Cooper makeup!). This baby took place in the onstage “execution” of Alice by guillotine. Although the guillotine had a malfunction, the old gag still provides a great bit of suspense and entertainment. Alice did his straitjacket appearance while singing Steven from the magnificent Welcome To My Nightmare album (1975), and segued into Dead Babies from Killer (1971).

Cooper’s wife Sheryl played the part of the evil nurse with sadistic glee. So, this was the 10th time for me, but I’m not done yet! Going back for more in November, when Alice brings the show back to the Murat Theatre at The Old National Centre…to be continued!

On This Date in History

July 13, 2019VinylLAIR Leave a comment

Written By Braddon S. Williams AKA “The Concert Critic”

On this date in history, 6/25/2019, my bucket list was shattered…Shattered! Shidoobee, shidoobee, shidoobee…but I digress…I saw The Rolling Stones! The World’s Greatest Rock ‘n Roll Band! I never thought this would happen in my lifetime, but I finally got to witness these legends.

As fate would have it, Mick Jagger endured a heart surgery and the entire tour had to be rescheduled over his recovery, resulting in my friend and I getting to see just the second show on the tour!

We traveled through the insanity of Chicago traffic, through an intense hail storm, through being directed to 3 different entry gates before we finally arrived at our excellent seats. At this point I allowed myself to realize it was really going to happen!

I shot some video of Soldier Field steadily filling up with hordes of Stones fans, many of whom probably were feeling the myriad of emotions I was experiencing at the exact same moments.

The opening band, Whiskey Myers, played a good set of rocking Southern tinged Country Blues, and were well received.

Finally, as dusk was giving way to darkness, the lights and video displays started flashing and a booming voice announced the famous words, “Ladies and gentlemen…The Rolling Stones!” Keith Richards was launching into the high octane guitar riff of Jumping Jack Flash; Charlie Watts a millisecond behind him, already steadying the beat and propelling the engine that is the most iconic pure rock and roll band in the history of this universe.

Mick Jagger, 75 years young and fresh from heart surgery, was singing and gesturing, gyrating, displaying moves like, well…JAGGER…and Ron Wood was there with that big lovable grin, and the rest of the extended band were in lock motion with the four mains…and it was absolutely breathtaking!

I have seen the setlist from the Friday night show, and am impressed at how many songs were changed out for our show. The Stones are not a cookie cutter group that plays the same show in every city.

We got a different opening song, and a different acoustic set on the extended stage. Our acoustic songs were a rare Play With Fire, and a killer Sweet Virginia; proving beyond a doubt what I have said for decades;

The Rolling Stones are the best country band on the planet!

A sizzling Miss You midway through the show proved they are also the best r&b and disco band on Earth, too.

Bassist Darryl Jones was featured in an extended bass solo that showcased his funky side without being too flashy; in other words, classy perfection. The horn section had moments to shine, too.

As a former trumpet player I was happy to see an actual French Horn on You Can’t Always Get What You Want, instead of a trombone.

The sax player who took over from the late great Bobby Keyes delivered a sizzling solo on Brown Sugar, as did longtime keyboard guru and band director, Chuck Leavell.

The band introductions were super entertaining, displaying the adoration the fans feel for Ron Wood and Charlie Watts. The biggest love was shown to the immortal Keith Richards, who displayed his rogue pirate persona before he sang the soulful Slipping Away (one of my personal favorite Keith vocal songs) and the wonderful Before They Make Me Run. Keith made a mistake and started Midnight Rambler on the wrong guitar, resulting in Jagger stopping the band and proclaiming they were in the wrong key! Mick said it was still early in the tour and that they still had time for a fuck-up or two! Of course, the crowd loved his candor, and the Stones proceeded to play a blazing Paint It Black.

After a quick guitar change, Keith launched back into Midnight Rambler with a vengeance, and the band matched his intensity, delivering what for me was the highlight of a concert that was totally full of highlights…a stunning 11:30 worth of blazing, muscular, menacing blues…proving that these guys are most certainly not doing this for the money. That type of hunger and passion simply cannot be faked.

Each of the four primary Stones filled me with awe, from Jagger’s nonstop moving (the man literally never stopped for a moment), to his phenomenal harmonica playing and solid rhythm guitar work, Richards and Wood displaying what Keith lovingly describes as “the ancient art of weaving”, guitar lines playing cat and mouse between the two venerable masters, and of course the economy and rock solid dominance of Watts’ sublime drumming.

The sound was pristine (especially considering it was in a football stadium with an open roof) and the lights and video screens were state of the art.

I’m kind of bouncing in and out of the actual timeline, but some other highlights were an astonishing Tumbling Dice, Bitch, Honky Tonk Woman, Start Me Up, It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll, and Sympathy For The Devil.

There had been an online vote for a song and the winner for our show was Monkey Man…and it was a swaggering gem!

The encores were an incendiary Gimme Shelter and the finale of (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (complete with fireworks…a LOT of fireworks)!

For nearly 2 hours, these legends proved without a shadow of a doubt why they are simply the best at what they do. My bucket list is shattered…Long Live The Rolling Stones! Thank you Mick, Keith, Ronnie, Charlie…and all the rest. You guys are the soundtrack to my life…I got Satisfaction last Tuesday…if you try sometimes, you get what you need!

On This Date in History

July 3, 2019VinylLAIR Leave a comment

June 17th 1997 #Megadeth released album “Cryptic Writings” #Trust #AlmostHonest #UseTheMan #ASecretPlace #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

It was the band’s last studio album to feature drummer Nick Menza.

The album reached number 10 on the @billboard chart.

June 17th 1991 #VanHalen released the GREAT album “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge” #RightNow #Poundcake #TopOfTheWorld #Spanked #HardRock

Did you know…

The album debuted at number 1 on the #Billboard chart.

Who wants to see another Van Halen album with Sammy?

June 17th 2016 #Gojira released the album “Magma” #Stranded #Silvera #Pray #TheShootingStar #ProgressiveMetal

Did you know…

The single “Silvera” was nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.

June 17th 2011 #SymphonyX released the album “Iconoclast” #Dehumanized #WhenAllIsLost #Heretic #ProgressiveMetal

Did you know…

The debuted at number 76 on the #BillboardCharts

The album showcases the highest chart position and the most first-week sales in the band’s history.

June 18th 1972 #AliceCooper released the album “School’s Out” featuring his hit song School’s Out!!#LuneyTune #SchoolsOut #MyStars #BlueTurk #ClassicRock

Did you know…

The album peaked at number 2 on the #Billboard chart.

June 19th 1989 #Kreator released the album “Extreme Aggression” #LoveUsOrHateUs #DontTrust #Betrayer #FatalEnergy #ThrashMetal

Did you know…

The album’s original artwork was that of a man standing in front of a bathroom mirror looking at the reflection of his face falling off.

June 19th 1995 #WASP released the album “Still Not Black Enough” #GoodbyeAmerica #ScaredToDeath #Breathe #KeepHoldingOn #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

The album was originally slated for release as a Blackie Lawless solo album.

June 19th 2006 #Gorgoroth released the album “Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam” #Exit #WhiteSeed #CarvingAGiant #BlackMetal

Did you know…

It is the first Gorgoroth album with no Norwegian lyrics.

June 19th 1963 #SimonWright former drummer with #ACDC and #Dio was born!! #HappyBirthday #HardRock

Did you know…

He was also the drummer for Rhino Bucket and Operation: Mindcrime.

June 19th 2012 #Whitechapel released the album “Whitechapel” #MakeItBleed #DeadSilence #Faces #HateCreation #Deathcore

Did you know…

This is the first album to feature drummer Ben Harclerode. The album cover is an image of the Flag of Tennessee.

June 19th 2015 #Slayer released the single “Repentless” #ThrashMetal

Did you know…

SLAYER IS THE BEST HEAVY METAL BAND EVER!!!

June 19th 2012 #DyingFetus released the album “Reign Supreme” #InvertTheIdols #SecondSkin #InTheTrenches #Dissidence #TechnicalDeathMetal

Did you know…

Deluxe editions feature expanded artwork, a sticker, and the bonus track, “Dead Whores Love to Fuck”.

‪June 20th 1983 #IronMaiden released the GREAT single “The Trooper” #HeavyMetal‬

‪Did you know…‬

‪The single’s B-Side was a cover of Jethro Tull’s “Cross-Eyed Mary”.‬

‪The single reached number 12 on the #OfficialCharts‬

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June 20th 1983 #Witchfynde released the album “Cloak & Dagger” #CryWolf #StartCounting #RockAndRoll #StayAway #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

The band was one of the forerunners of the new wave of British heavy metal in the late 1970s.

June 20th 2000 #KingDiamond released the album “House Of God” #UponTheCross #FollowTheWolf #ThePact #BlackDevil #Catacomb #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

The album’s storyline is loosely based on the legend of Rennes-le-Château.

June 20th 1988 #Saxon released the album “Destiny” #ICantWaitAnymore #RedAlert #WeAreStrong #ForWhomTheBellTolls #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

It was their only studio album to feature drummer Nigel Durham and bassist Paul Johnson.

June 20th 1995 #BlackSabbath released the album “Forbidden” #GuiltyAsHell #GetAGrip #SickAndTired #TheIllusionOfPower #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

Ice-T did additional vocals on the song “The Illusion of Power”.

It was their last album to feature Tony Martin on vocals.

June 20th 2005 #DewScented released the album “Issue VI”

#BledDry #InDefeat #TurnToAsh #Vortex #ThrashMetal

Did you know…

A special edition, limited to 5000 worldwide, comes with a bonus DVD, with 17 live tracks from various shows between 2002-2005.

June 20th 2014 #Tankard released the album “R.I.B.” #RidersOfTheDoom #WarCry #EnemyOfOrder #HopeCantDie #RestInBeer #ThrashMetal

Did you know…

THE BAND LOVES BEER!!!

June 20th 2008 #ScarSymmetry released the album “Holographic Universe” #Morphogenesis #Trapezoid #FearCatalyst #MelodicDeathMetal

Did you know…

It is the last album to feature vocalist Christian Älvestam, who parted ways with the band shortly after the album’s completion.

June 20th 1989 #FaithNoMore released the album “The Real Thing” #Epic #FromOutOfNowhere #EdgeOfTheWorld #FallingToPieces #AlternativeMetal

Did you know..

“Epic” was ranked number 30 on #VH1’s 40 Greatest Metal Songs.

June 20th 1989 #MrBig released their self-titled debut album “Mr. Big” #AddictedToThatRush #BigLove #TakeAWalk #Merciless #HardRock

Did you know…

The song “30 Days in the Hole” was originally recorded by British rock band Humble Pie on the 1972 album Smokin’.

June 20th 1989 #Excel released the album “The Joke’s on You” #Drive #SeeingInsane #MyThoughts #TheStranger #CrossoverThrash

Did you know…

Megadeth frontman #DaveMustaine has said that the intro of “Enter Sandman” recalls the intro of “Tapping Into The Emotional Void”.

‪June 21st 1985 #MotleyCrue released the GREAT album “Theatre Of Pain” #HomeSweetHome #LouderThanHell #SaveOurSouls #UseItOrLoseIt #HardRock‬

‪Did you know…‬

‪The album reached number 6 on the #Billboard chart.‬

‪“Save Our Souls” was used in the Italian horror film Dèmoni.‬

June 21st 1987 #Helix released the album “Wild In The Streets” #DreamOn #WildInTheStreets #ShesTooTough #ShotFullOfLove #HardRock

Did you know…

The band did a cover of the Nazareth song “Dream On” on this album.

“She’s Too Tough” was written by vocalist Joe Elliott.

June 21st 1990 #Exodus released the album “Impact Is Imminent” #TheLunaticParade #OnlyDeathDecides #ObjectionOverruled #ThrashMetal

Did you know…

It was their first album to feature John Tempesta on drums.

The album reached number 137 on the #Billboard chart.

June 21st 1987 #WhiteLion released the GREAT album “Pride” #WhenTheChildrenCry #AllYouNeedIsRockNRoll #Wait #TellMe #Hungry #HardRock

Did you know…

The album reached number 11 on the #Billboard chart.

June 21st 1990 #Poison released the album “Flesh And Blood” #UnskinnyBop

#SomethingToBelieveIn #LifeGoesOn #RideTheWind #GlamMetal

Did you know…

The album peaked at number 2 on the #Billboard chart.

June 21st 1987 #Keel released the album “Keel” #UnitedNations #CherryLane #CalmBeforeTheStorm #HardRock

Did you know..

This was the band’s first album to be produced by someone other than Gene Simmons. “Calm Before the Storm” was co-written by Jimmy Bain of Dio and Rainbow fame.

June 21st 1969 #DeepPurple released the album “Deep Purple” #April #FaultLine #ChasingShadows #Blind #HardRock

Did you know…

The album peaked at number 162 on the #Billboard chart.

June 21st 2019 #Memoriam release NEW album “Requiem for Mankind” #ShellShock #AusterityKills #Undefeated #TheVeteran #DeathMetal

Did you know…

The band was formed as a tribute to late Bolt Thrower drummer Martin “Kiddie” Kearns.

June 21st 1985 #ACDC released the single “Danger” #HardRock #ClassicRock

Did you know..

In most territories, the single’s b-side was “Back in Business”, but in Australia and New Zealand, “Hell or High Water” was featured.

June 22nd 1992 #BlackSabbath released the album “Dehumanizer” #TVCrimes #MasterOfInsanity #TimeMachine #BuriedAlive #TooLate #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

It peaked at number 44 on the #Billboard chart.

June 22nd 1993 #MercyfulFate released the album “In The Shadows” #AGruesomeTime #TheBellWitch #Egypt #HeavyMetal

Did you know..

Some editions of In the Shadows contain a bonus track, “Return of the Vampire… 1993” that features Lars Ulrich on drums.

June 22nd 1993 #MorbidAngel released the album “Covenant” #BloodOnMyHands #PainDivine #DeathMetal

Did you know..

It was band’s breakthrough album due to its widespread exposure on MTV’s Headbangers Ball.

It’s described as one of the greatest death metal albums of all time.

On this day, On June 22, 2018, Vinnie Paul Abbott, of Pantera, Damageplan and HELLYEAH died at his Las Vegas, Nevada home, at the age of 54. It was later revealed that Abbott had died from a “dilated cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease.”

June 22nd 1993 #Death released the album “Individual Thought Patterns” #ThePhilosopher #MentallyBlind #Jealousy #Destiny #DeathMetal

Did you know…

It was their only album by the band to feature guitarist Andy LaRocque, and their first to feature drummer Gene Hoglan.

June 22nd 2004 #Motorhead released the album “Inferno” #TerminalShow #Killers #InTheNameOfTragedy #LifesABitch #InTheBlack #HeavyMetal

Did you know…

Steve Vai made a guest appearance on this album and played lead guitar on the song “Terminal Show”

June 22nd 2009 #Nightrage released the album “Wearing A Martyr’s Crown” #ShedTheBlood #CollisionOfFate #AmongWolves #MelodicDeathMetal

Did you know…

The Japanese version of the album includes a cover of Metallica’s “Holier Than Thou.”

June 22nd 2010 #Danzig released the album “Deth Red Sabaoth” #OnAWickedNight #JuJuBone #HammerOfTheGods #LeftHandRiseAbove #HeavyMetal

Did you know..

The album reached number 35 on the #Billboard chart.

It marked his highest-charting album since the release of Danzig 4 in 1994

June 22nd 1999 #Hypocrisy released the album “Hypocrisy” #ApocalypticHybrid #MelodicDeathMetal

Did you know…

The Japanese version includes three bonus tracks: “Self Inflicted Overload”, a demo version of “Elastic Inverted Visions” and “Falling Through the Ground”.

June 22nd 2007 #Candlemass released the album “King of the Grey Islands” #Destroyer #DevilSeed #Clearsight #DoomMetal

Did you know..

Candlemass had begun production on this album with Messiah Marcolin on vocals but canned these sessions’ recordings when he left the band.

June 22nd 1988 #VickyPsarakis vocalist with #TheAgonist was born!! #HappyBirthday #HeavyMetal

Make sure and check out today’s This Day In Metal video if you LOVE the band!!

This Week in Rock & Metal

June 23, 2019VinylLAIR Leave a comment

David Gilmour’s guitar collection set several auction records when nearly 130 instruments went up for bid at Christie’s in New York today. The former Pink Floyd frontman’s most iconic instrument, the so-called Black Strat, fetched $3,975,000, well above the estimated range of $100,000 to $150,000. Other big-ticket items included a 1954 Fender Stratocaster with the serial number 0001, which was used on the recording of “Another Brick in the Wall Part 2” went for over $1.8 million, a 1958 Gretsch White Penguin went for $447,000, and a 1955 Gibson Goldtop Les Paul, also used on “Another Brick” sold for $447,000. Christie’s declared all to be “world auction records.”

An acoustic 1969 Martin D-35, which Gilmour has used as his main acoustic in the studio since 1971, went for a little over $1 million, surpassing a record set by a Martin owned by Eric Clapton. A 1974 Electric Console stele guitar that Gilmour used on live performances of “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” went for $300,000 (it was estimated at $2,000). The 1976 Ovation Custom Legend he used to demo “Comfortably Numb” on went for $399,000. The guitar Gilmour played at Live Aid, a 1983 Fender Strat, went for $187,500. A 1984 Fender Stratocaster that George Harrison once played went for $212,500, while a 1986 Strat that Ringo Starr played went for $100,000. And Gilmour’s primary guitar for recording and performing between 1988 and 2005, the “Red Strat,” went for $615,000.

The auction’s centerpiece, the Black Strat, has a unique history, which is why it was so desirable. Gilmour purchased it at the instrument shop Manny’s in New York in May 1970 to replace another Strat that was stolen. Over the years, he made many modifications to it, changing its pickups, switches, inputs, tuners, and neck in the quest for the perfect sound. He played the instrument on nearly all of Pink Floyd’s iconic recordings from 1970 to 1983, including Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals, and The Wall. In the mid Eighties, Fender introduced a new line of Stratocasters and Gilmour picked up the Red Strat, retiring the Black Strat and loaning it to the Hard Rock Cafe. It was displayed in the restaurant chain’s Dallas location until 1997. Gilmour started using it again live for Pink Floyd’s reunion with Roger Waters in 2005 at Live 8. He continued to record with it on his solo albums, but Fender wound up making a replica of it in 2006 that he liked.

David Gilmour’s Guitars Sell for Millions at Charity Auction

June 20, 2019VinylLAIR Leave a comment

Written By Braddon S. Williams AKA “The Concert Critic”

On this date in history, 6/11/2019, I ended a 40 year ban and saw REO Speedwagon for the first time since 1979! This happened because a wonderful new friend won free tickets and invited me.

The concert took place at The Lawn in White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis. I had never been to this venue before and I was quite impressed with the sound and visibility of the stage area.

Sister Hazel opened the show, but I must confess that they basically served as background music for a really interesting conversation my friend and I were having. To their credit, Sister Hazel sounded quite good.

When REO hit the stage, we moved up much closer to the stage and I must say the venerable classic rockers played all their biggest hits and managed to breathe some new life into some older deep cuts as well.

Lead singer Kevin Cronin did a lot of talking between songs, but his speeches served a purpose, such as his introduction of the band, particularly describing lead guitar player Dave Amato as the “new guy”, even though he joined the band in 1989. Cronin also talked about the songwriting process before performing Golden Country on solo acoustic guitar. That is one of my favorite REO songs, and the intimacy of just voice and guitar was a nice little change of pace.

Another speech involved the song 157 Riverside Ave., which was featured on their first live album. Cronin reminded us that the live version on that album was recorded in Indianapolis at the Convention Center.

Since REO hails from Illinois, Cronin played up the neighborly aspect of the band’s relationship with Indiana.

All in all there was a good balance between the big power ballads and grittier rockers like Back On The Road Again, Keep Pushin’ and Ridin’ The Storm Out. The crowd was singing along and swaying to the hits for the duration of the show. I’m glad I lifted the ban, because this time around was way more fun than the show I saw 40 years ago!