helterskelter.ca, Birmingham (2025)

13/10/2025

October 13, 1985 - 2025: 40 years of: Evil Invaders.

A full-frontal assault.

It's 1985 and Razor makes the rules. Afire from April's Executioner's Song LP, the game was morphing into Armageddon. The blade is sharpen, the Harley-Davidson is roaring and the Marshall are humming ...Canada's invaders are taking-over.

Rabid and loud, the instrumental of "Nowhere Fast" slice the scene in half. Hammering with precision in turbo-mode, both warnings of "Cross Me Fool" and "Instant Death" are dominant and decisive.

Before the war-dance, the brutal "Thrashdance" moshed them all, while "Speed Merchants" is an accurate description of the material within. In total chaos, the fall of the "Iron Hammer" crushes the feeble competition, as the glorious crew of "Evil Invaders" stumps all of the globe.

Leather bound and diesel driven: this is pure speed-f**king-metal.

Rebels and first-class power-punch, RAZOR's impact is imminent ...as both Californian and German scenes were left in awe. A serious thrashmetal feast with serious consequences. RAZOR would deliver more evil deeds done dirty cheap with 1986's Malicious Intent LP.
*
Evil Invaders = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBWBwoM67Gs
Evil Invaders = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRbV_92Yts8&list=OLAK5uy_k0jRGnUkOBxGJ6gQwkenPqRk9vLhpM-o8
*
head to Miami here:
https://helterskelter.ca

13/10/2025

October 13, 1995 - 2025: 30 years of: Ozzmosis.

No rest for the Madman.

After 1991's Platinum powerhouse No More Tears CD and a very, very short retirement, Ozzy Fu***ng Osbourne was back in writing-mode. During this post-Seattle era, new shades of heaviness shine ...a mutation from osmose to Ozzmosis.

The verdict is, the gavel falls, following "Perry Mason"s case. More massive metal and groove hammer's down the competition with "Thunder Underground" and the ugly "My Jekyll Doesn't Hide" duality. The fine melodramatic "I Just Want You" stands-out, while the equally posh "See You On The Other Side" is top-draw arenarock. Out of the blizzard, a cool slab of hard-stuff from "Ghost Behind My Eyes" and the eclectic "My Little Man" rings aloud.

Welcome back aboard in the low-end department, life-long friend: Geezer Butler. The guitar duties are performed by Zakk Wylde, yet handled by Joe Holmes on the road to nowhere. Ozzmosis CD also features writings collaboration from Tommy Shaw, Lemmy and Steve Vai.

Mister Osbourne's busiest era. His agenda would feature numerous Ozzfest Tours, the original BLACK SABBATH reunion and eventual return with new material, with 2001's Down To Earth CD.

RIP Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025)
*
Perry Mason = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QapkGK-6G90
See You On The Other Side = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9yYJ6ZAYns
I Just Want You = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4nI2V07X6k
Ozzmosis = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFl--6IjzMU&list=OLAK5uy_mFRg5Y7xMC6CBxgI-k1SOIZjn5fKjw8V4
Interview on Howard Stern in 1996
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoGWfRc3wfk
Live in Santiago in 1995
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAkgxYvnJ4s
Live on David Letterman in 1996
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYm9YgtkfBc
some guy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5voIDaaRvcE
*
head to the centre of eternity here:
https://helterskelter.ca

12/10/2025

October 12, 1990 - 2025: 35 years of: In Memorium.

Lee's out.

From grind to doom, leaving NA**LM DEATH behind, the world's fastest band ...Lee Dorrian now makes an improbable extreme 90° make-over. Walk into the forest, towards the CATHEDRAL.

Large headroom drums comes crashing down and is fully engulfed by a fat-tone, as we celebrate the "Mourning Of A New Day". A heavy monolith of dire consequences rocks to a dramatic beat, as the scene sheds "Ebony Tears". In a rocknroll twist, PENTAGRAM's "All Your Sins" receives the doom-treatment, while the funeral "March" finale, is a 7min+ instrumental turmoil in the saddest of all keys.

Extreme conditions demand extreme responses: CATHEDRAL answers.

The rabid punk screamer and crew harvests a new outlook on extreme-metal, an extension of TROUBLE and early BLACK SABBATH. Signing with Earache Records, the band would release their full-length debut, 1991's trendsetting supernatural caravan Forest Of Equilibrium CD.
*
In Memorium = full MCD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7i6msnZNpA&list=PLfPyttDnjLP67GDot2f1Z61ZwqAPcyjL_
Live in London in 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ2OMP7m1uw
*
enter the violet vortex, here:
https://helterskelter.ca

11/10/2025

October 11, 2005 - 2025: 20 years of: Roadrunner United.

A metal celebration.

1980, Ground Zero for true Heavy-Metal and it some Holland basement, a revolution was brewing. From indie-imports, to record-label, to full blown worldwide juggernaut ...Roadrunner Records is the blue-print for dedication. From menacing to major and currently part of Warner Music Group's global portfolio, heavymetal's harder edge infection-timeline probably wouldn't haven been this efficient without RR's involvement-case.

A Silver Wedding ...with Heavy-Metal.

Underling 25 years of hard-stuff in 2005, the label united a massive collection of it's past and current-roster for a unique project. A mind-blowing essay featuring new music from all angles of metal, united under the black sabbath of rock. Led by our scene Captains: Dino Cazares, Matt Heafy, Joey Jordison and Robb Flynn who crafted most of the songs, they, along 57 Roadrunner artists produced: The All-Stars Sessions. A total of 18 tracks of thrash, death, power, black et melodicmetal all issued under a demented firing-range.

The one night only Live in New-York City marathon, is one special gathering. Another one of a kind experience in heaviness, celebrating Roadrunner Records's multi-faceted impact of all corners of the extremes.

RIP Joey Jordison (1975-2021)
*
The End = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XqRQmGoaB4
Roadrunner United: The All-Star Sessions = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi-fA4Y6FvA&list=PLPj-ARbMA9A6xHFx3CnRTSa6gJ9RVwnrs
Roadrunner United: The Making-Of = full DVD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcRL_yBONJg
Roadrunner United: The Concert = full DVD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ8VJAmb9YM&list=PLPj-ARbMA9A5vhPeoZdezMM04yeb058vN
*
way more Roadrunner / Roadracer / RC stuff here:
https://helterskelter.ca

10/10/2025

October 10, 1995 - 2025: 30 years of: Ugly.

Beauty in darkness.

Bursting out with the explosive emotions of 1993's River Runs Red debut-CD, this gang has a different twist. From the depth of the indie NYHC-scene, arises it's favorite rodent: Brooklyn's Life Of Agony.

Forget about the Big Apple, this is the biggest guitar-tone of all, as "Seasons" kicks-in. Thump, groove and that velvety voice. The heat rises-up a notch on the street-level vibed "I Regret" and the build-up on the sick introvert title-track of "Ugly".

Heaviness, crunch and sentiment are flying high on "Other Side Of The River" and the tearful "Let's Pretend". Newwave gets a 90s facelift on the SIMPLE MINDS classic "Don't You Forget About Me" ...a beautiful touch that fits like a glove.

With DIY esthetics, even in this saturated scene, their thrashmetal sounds is unmistakable. Almost gone, was the hardcore punches as this is a fully mature band ...yet the jump-factor is still present on some cuts.

The seed is sown, emo-rock before emo-rock was even a thing. Mid 90s metal-bands with character and soul, new soundscapes and fresh attitude. On stage, the delivery was close to perfection, what a wonderful time to be alive, I know, I was there.

LIFE OF AGONY would tweak the pace and embrace new horizons, as displayed in 1997's Soul Searching Sun CD.
*
Ugly = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Mi07oOSE7Y&list=OLAK5uy_mQzaBST8M1zkqZrhVI-QAEhaYBVASn6Pw
Interview in NYC in 1995
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbCA8Giy93I
MuchMusic interview on Power30
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s3wIblFfkY
some band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRQLdgflY60
*
Words and music ...and websites:
https://helterskelter.ca

09/10/2025

October 9, 1990 - 2025: 35 years of: Souls Of Black.

A reign of terror.

Following 1989's slick Practice What You Preach LP, the pressure was on for record #4. San Francisco's waters were still raging, as Testament were now locked and loaded for the arenas. The final era for Thrash-Metal's Golden Age.

A quiet classical-guitar intro opens up as the freightrain "Face In The Sky" hits were it hurts. Louder and meaner, this time they take no prisoners. Thrashmetal riffs abound on "Falling Fast" where monster Chuck Billy even tries the almost deathmetal grunts. Menacing and foreshadowing their demonic future.

In this era of intelligent-metal, more political cynicism is infused within on the swingin' title-track "Souls Of Black", the massive murder mastodon "Seven Days Of May" and the social inequities of "Malpractice".

And now the powerballad, not a hardrock-songs, but once again, a powerful melodramatic roller-coaster. Alex Skolnick shines on the lead-guitar and leaves no untouched-frets behind. Thrashmetal-powerballads: a unique TESTAMENT signature-move now firmly part of their "Legacy".

Live in Autumn 1990, on the Euro-edition of the Clash Of The Titans, along SLAYER, MEGADETH and SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and later on JUDAS PRIEST's US-leg Tour ...our Bay-Area boys were in good company and on the last lap before metal-stardom. Likely bound to-be thrashmetal's next big thing ...but some black-album changed all of that.

TESTAMENT kept the heaviness pouring in a now thrash-hostile landscape, with 1992's The Ritual CD.
*
Souls Of Black = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YT8XX-640w
The Legacy = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2XT6_P3Zfk
Souls Of Black = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFmPArvG1ec&list=PLBnJv6rImVe9I94pJS5j40eTKE8Jh1kvz
MTV interview in 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1t7aju_4fc
Live in Toronto in 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fp4_2S0riM
Seen Between The Lines = full DVD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju8XHJ1VmNo
some kids
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fdxQ1Y_nFY
*
more greenhouse effects here:
https://helterskelter.ca

09/10/2025

October 9, 1990 - 2025: 35 years of: Seasons In The Abyss.

Sad autumn in the abyss.

After 1988's morbid exhibition South Of Heaven LP, the evil ones would take another route. 1990, once again, top year for thrashmetal releases. After the tidalwave of brutal thrash LPs of the late 80s, it was now time to celebrate. Caught in a mosh with 1990's Chart-toppers ANTHRAX, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and the recent perfect performance of MEGADETH ...thrash's very own antichrists were now in line for another killing.

Thrashmetal's State Of The Union Address: "War Ensemble". This is pure SLAYER known for speed, aggression and blistering solos. The endless war topic is displayed and abused on this signature-track. The hemorrhage continues on "Blood Red", where simpler riffs intertwine and creates a lively vibe. Mid-decade speedmetal rings aloud on the incendiary "Born Of Fire" and "Hallowed Point", where Mr. King and Mr. Hanneman haven't let us down in the whammy-bar department.

The lighter thrash is felt on "Expendable Youth" and the harder to swallow "Skeletons Of Society", were the E-downstroke is somewhat over-used. Shades of rock-format are found on not one, but two specific tracks: the Ed Gein tell-all "Dead Skin Mask" and the closing title-track for "Seasons In The Abyss". While we were all in awe with South Of Heaven's dark venture in "Spill The Blood" ...yet this time, the latter cuts feels uninspired.

Once again produced by Rick Rubin, Seasons In The Abyss is a solid CD, but a softer release when bench-marked against their previous offerings. Immediate comparison with METALLICA's eventual 1991 Black Album spring to mind as accessible arena rock-thrash groove ...the scene's dreaded mutation.

Still haunting the chapel, SLAYER's mosh would fight 'till death during both editions of the Clash Of The Titans tour and eventually return with 1994's Dave Lombardo-less Divine Intervention CD.
*
War Ensemble = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqnC54vbUbU
Seasons In The Abyss = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DECp8LKurKs
Seasons In The Abyss = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp7b0OAxDUg&list=OLAK5uy_ngrpL63PeSWGR9yNU3cozWOEpesq5XRtE
MTV interview on Headbanger's Ball in 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAHq2dF9D7Y
Live in Virginia in 1991
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7uGpqF1wGc
some band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLe3MFFP9XI
*
Hardening of the websites:
https://helterskelter.ca

08/10/2025

October 1985 - 2025: 40 years of: Endless Pain.

Germany strikes back.

19-F**KIN-85: Year One for Speed-Metal, the most vile music on the face of the planet. The war-dance started with the METALLICA / MEGADETH rattlehead rivalry, sped fast as a piranha with EXODUS and even Canada had it's very own warriors of ice in VOÏVOD and the evil invaders of RAZOR.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Switzerland had extremist CELTIC FROST terrorizing the genre with morbid tales and Deutschland had the mad butchers DESTRUCTION and the sepulchral voice of S***M. It was now time to welcome to the teutonic-thrashmetal arena: Essen's KREATOR.

Hate and suffering takes form on the title-track "Endless Pain", a speedmetal cut that raises the bar quite high in the brutal department. More zero to none annihilation is spat on "Total Death" and on the roaring double-bassdrums of "Tormentor", none shall survive this assault, none shall defy !

The raspy quasi-deathmetal vocals make an ungodly apparition on "Storm Of The Beast" and the über-speed of "Son Of Evil". In a twist of faith, these dying victim screams are not from main-man Mille Petrozza, but from skins-man Jürgen Reil AKA Ventor.

This album also contains, the now classic signature-cut "Flag Of Hate". The speediest of speedmetal at full speed. The dominant flag has been raised, the conquering flag of loud German-metal. At that point in time, KREATOR were one the fastest band on the planet, until October 1986 ...in some cause for conflict when a Los Angeles band fought back with the Reign In Blood LP.

KREATOR: the agents of brutality of pristine ex*****on.

40 years of aural massacre that eventually mutated into a mental slavery of thrash progression. The Tyrant grew into the Tormentor, who became the KREATOR ...one of thrashmetal's most respected acts. Love 'em or hate 'em, in full spree-mode, the band would challenge the clock with 1986's Pleasure To Kill LP ...one of speedmetal's most violent revolution.
*
Endless Pain = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw3AnT7KS_8&list=OLAK5uy_mxqvtaxULdrwqn6sVhrkTEmUiVkT67sCc
Live in Germany in 1985
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n7DU_CE188
Live TV show in 1986
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL7AA2KlD8w
*
Out of the dark, into the websites:
https://helterskelter.ca

05/10/2025

October 5, 1970 - 2025: 55 years of: Led Zeppelin III.

A perfect trifecta.

Rock giants from 1969's Led Zeppelin II LP are an unstoppable force of Nature. The formula is quite intact, yet the decibels would cry for dear life. A new decade is here and LED ZEPPELIN are massive as Stonehenge.

Quick metallic rock, instantly grips the crowd with "Immigrant Song" and the equally heavy "Out On The Tiles". This airship does it heavier.

The fine folk "Friends" keeps the vibe under a cool haze, while the blues-licks of "Since I've Been Loving You" sheds immediate tears. A bohemian mist fills the hall with "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" and diametrically, the slide-guitars of "Celebration Day" slices like razors.

On top of the world, without communication breakdowns, the band would conclude their initial cuatro, with 1971's Led Zeppelin IV LP.
*
Led Zeppelin III = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eHkjPCGXKQ&list=PL6ogdCG3tAWjCMKSrok3vemaoBa2cfxmz
Live in Copenhagen in 1971
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41H0dJTFl8g
*
more physical graffitis here:
https://helterskelter.ca

04/10/2025

October 4, 2005 - 2025: 20 years of: Shovel Headed Kill Machine.

A lesson in crude modern mosh.

Following 2004's glorious Tempo Of The Damned CD, The Bay was roaring again. Brutal returns from DEATH ANGEL and TESTAMENT woke the dead. Exodus's comeback would face, again, a line-up change: extra guitars from HEATHEN's Lee Altus and leading drums from Paul Bostaph and welcome aboard behind the microphone the hardcore Rob Dukes.

Plowing the scene away with hate, the "Raze" is real. Fueled by "Deathamphetamine", "I Am Abomination" are the last acts of defiance ...a mid-range filled tone, that destroys everything above sea-level. Energized by a metal-command, the loaded "44 Magnum Opus" fires away, while the strong title-track for "Shovel Headed Kill Machine" is a fail-proof brutal impact is imminent catastrophe.

Thrashmetal's rebirth is fully complete, as more fast down-picking shall be exposed by: SEPULTURA, SLAYER and the new tragic serenades of CELTIC FROST.

On a roll, the fast delivery of FedEX-ODUS would grind more bodies into the toxic waltz, to the sounds of 2007's The Atrocity Exhibition ...Exhibit A CD.
*
Shovel Headed Kill Machine = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyLvOD_8yRE&list=OLAK5uy_mDgEpYB6RrpM9kLla_7pHvwEgxt8_faJc
Interview in 2005
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm-tIu8Zl20
Live in Holland in 2006
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmBIBGvKW3M
*
more good friendly violent fun here:
https://helterskelter.ca

03/10/2025

October 3, 1980 - 2025: 45 years of: Lightning To The Nations.

From wave to tsunami.

It's 1980 and the New Wave Of British Heavy-Metal now swallows the hard-scene. From LEPPARDS to TYGERS to wild GIRLSCHOOLs ...to shiny diamonds. A new street-vibed zeppelin now hovers over the United Kingdom, it's shape ? ...a DIAMOND HEAD.

Marshalls melts on cue, as "Lightning To The Nations" strikes outta the clouds ...a crisp statement with serious consequences. Like a freight-train, speedmetal before speed-metal, as "The Prince" steers us into the left hand path. Rockin' between denim and leather: "It's Electric" is one of the coolest cut of the era, while "Helpless" flexes muscles into actual steel. Testosterone attitude and Flying V driven, these rebels are giving punks a run for their money.

An anthem, a calling, a coronation, as "Am I Evil ?" rings aloud. A witchy 7min+ juggernaut that lays the table for METALLICA's modus-operandi and thrashmetal itself. No track is as important to heavymetal's history as this one, a true genesis of the genre.

Overdriven hardrock in a pentatonic-scale, a firm hellish exposition. Once gain, the Midlands provides young teens that would shape the upcoming decade in a rebellious way. The other White Album that almost wasn't, as every record-label turned it down. Independently produced and later properly re-released, the high voltage of Lightning To The Nations LP is the spark that electrified Great Britain.

Cranked in a zirconian way, DIAMOND HEAD would sign to major-label MCA and craft more intricate riffology with 1982's Borrowed Time LP.
*
Lightning To The Nations = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KriGSJ2jQu4&list=OLAK5uy_l12le05EtRk_nmlI38Tkeq1ZNtpJBbBko
Radio interview in the UK in 1980
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkzWibqRrgg
TV performance in 1980
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV92lN0udyo
*
Am I website ?
https://helterskelter.ca

02/10/2025

October 2, 2000 - 2025: 25 years of: Musique.

From somber darkness ...to electro-pop ?

It happened and it sounded beautiful. So few non-blackmetal bands come from Norway, yet Theatre of Tragedy's twisted trajectory is an uncommon trek. From 1998's melo-doom Aégis CD, they owned this vibe and as the millennium turned they went full 90° to a far-fetched once inaccessible extreme: dark industrial-pop !

[ˈmjuːzɪk] AKA Musique.

Rich sub-bass instantly fills the room as the "Machine" winds-off. Matched along the voice of an angel, with a Reznor-like vibe, this dance is different, lovable and also deeply alienating. Crunchy heaviness breaks down walls on "City Of Light" and the hammering "Crash / Concrete" is an iron fist in a velvet glove, a stomper not performed by RAMMSTEIN.

The alt commercial flair of "Image" and the hypnotic beat of "Musique" are perfectly tailored for the Berlin / Tokyo after-hours dance-floors, while the heavy kicks and haunting melodies of "Radio" solidifies the mad genius behind this band. The main focus is expressed with Liv Kristine's mesmerizing chants on "Reverie". A lonely white-rose in the mud, a warm melody in a cold digital age ...pure eerie gothicmetal.

"One and four, was for the Commodore."

A new era is here and all the technologies are at our fingertips. Fashion and art took a turn deep into the future and extreme-metal also got tempted. Edgy bands like MORTIIS, AND OCEANS, THE KOVENANT and even MAYHEM were all caught in a cyber make-over.

THEATRE OF TRAGEDY's binary-formula would be uploaded again on 2002's Assembly CD ...the last Liv Kristine collaboration.
*
Image = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJba0rldUGk
Machine = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRB-3hmB1UE
Musique = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_xGTbsnbXI&list=OLAK5uy_m3ibePVTrYYV_eiZ0GL8Oep-F7p6_2KGk
Live in Norway in 2001
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwvsfSqjb3A
*
Velvet Helterskelter they fear.
https://helterskelter.ca

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