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02/02/2025

February 1985 - 2025: 40 years of: PENTAGRAM.

The birth of American doom.

Way aside from the current blooming hardrock and thrashmetal scene, a dark Virginian caravan eventually ends on wax. Breed deep from the early 70s, this rebellion shall leave a massive rocknroll-footprint. From the left hand path, arises PENTAGRAM.

Staring into the eyes of your demise, this "Death Row" is a long waiting-line. Rocking with 70s hardrock flair along "All Your Sins" and "The Deist" ...the definite BLACK SABBATH Master Of Reality LP tone is evident. Dancing with the darkside under the "Sign Of The Wolf (Pentagram)", this groovy calling clears the airwaves of any present Holiness.

The fast-paced E-riffology of both "Relentless" and "Dying World" spree like children of the grave, while the affordable BLUE CHEER-like "20 Buck Spin" crushes Orange Amps into a liquid pulp.

Recorded in 1981 and 1982, iconic and imminent, the Pentagram (AKA Relentless) LP is a staple in a deep underground scene. Grassroot and addictive, their impact on American doom / stoner recently sprung back into the limelight, after 2011's Last Days Here biopic-movie. Frontmen Bobby Liebling is the East-Coast's Ozzy Osbourne.

Still in the trenches and still ignored by the 80s, the rocknroll rodeo shall produce more evil deeds with 1987's Day Of Reckoning LP.
*
Pentagram = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnppD_mEPz0&list=PL8MgqXJYAMVwlLCQOpx0k8l77VEyQlzEs
Live in New-York in 1984
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jHMAM3o7nU
some guy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-hdhM-0Nkw
*
some relentless websites:
https://helterskelter.ca

31/01/2025

January 31, 2000 - 2025: 25 years of: Deggial.

Sweden's zenith, again.

In suite with 1998's Vovin CD, this high-class symphonicmetal horde shall push the boundaries of classical, into traditionnalmetal. Therion is the breed on top of this new Euro wave.

Distinguished distortion crushes on the "Seven Secrets Of The Sphynx". An eerie gothmetal venture that keeps rolling with "Enter Vril-Ya" and the grandiose incarnation of "Flesh Of The Gods". The inclusion of Carl Orff's immortal "O Fortuna" divine calling is a fitting addition.

In full choir-mode, the "Deggial" title-track along the "Ship Of Luna" sails across uncharted territories. Like a dream, the Sumerian signature of "Eternal Return" and folk vibes of "The Fligh Of The Lord Of Flies" are another far, far left-field suprise attack.

At the turn of the millenium, while most of the scene was in-fighting between blackmetal and powermetal, THERION was spearheading the symphonicmetal genre further into the operas. The fall into eclipse shall continue in deep mythology on 2001's Secret Of The Runes CD.
*
Deggial = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzH2f6oFfPs&list=OLAK5uy_krLRA1TBSSj_gUQtKtqifK-2VuyN3s1NU
Live at Wacken in 2001
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5llR-7BE-o
*
more symphonies here:
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29/01/2025

January 29, 1980 - 2025: 45 years of: Permanent Waves.

Storming like a tornado.

Still caught between both hemispheres, RUSH's evolution would now put a closure on the adventurous 70s ...as the band would head to Morin-Heights Quebec to create more magic at: Le Studio.

"The Spirit Of Radio" comfortably sits aside both: prog and pop. Another taste of Americanized rock is proposed on "Freewill" and the slick riffing of "Entre Nous". Like a switchblade, they build a grandiose monument with "Jacob's Ladder" filled with might and crunch, while the 9:13sec foundations of "Natural Science" really is a sweet caress made of steel.

From this strange Villa, the heritage is strong. The best of both worlds, as the RIAA-certified Platinum was achieved during the rocknroll tide changing of 1980.

Even more tempted by a rock-formula with simpler signatures, RUSH would rearrange the decor with 1981's picture perfect Moving Pictures LP.

RIP Le Studio (1972-2003)
*
Permanent Waves = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws2hOsgrLVA&list=OLAK5uy_npYplEYAmBcund-gpc3v65mDrsZ3T2KPg
Interview in 1980
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGK2uWbOH30
Live in St.Louis in 1980
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQWYIIV9lbU
some band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Amj1YLcyFZ4
*
Ride the Red Barchetta here:
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24/01/2025

January 24, 1995 - 2025: 30 years of: Balance.

High precision posh rock.

One of the last arenarock bands from the glorious era, hits hard in the middle. In full balance, between the late 80s and the current post-grunge turbulence, the almighty Van Halen unbeknown delivers their last ...Van Hagar record.

The unlawful carnage continues, as we crack "The Seventh Seal". Dominant and defiant, the crisp hardrock ravages on with the wham-bam temptations of "Amsterdam" and the chest-pounding of "Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do)".

Like clockwork, the loud instrumental hammering of "Baluchitherium" contrast with the cocktail-powerballad of "Not Enough". Fast unchained cuts like "Aftershock" and the boogie-filled "Big Fat Money" reminds us that these atomic punks still have grit under their sleeves.

RIAA-certified 3x Platinum and musically on top, yet emotionally drained. This is the end of an era ...and the beginning of an epic public turmoil. Following an acrimonious June 1996 split with Sammy Hagar over musical differences, the band later pulled one of rocknroll's most blockbuster event / stunt to date: the one-night-only David Lee Roth MTV VMA reunion appearance. In front of a stunned September 1996 audience, the original VAN HALEN stood under the spotlights, showered with adoration and nostalgia worship. Promoting their Best Of Volume I CD featuring two new Roth-led tracks, the head-spinning chain of lead-singers is as followed: Sammy out - Dave in - Dave out - Gary in.

Worldwide excitement to worldwide confusion, fans and medias shall eventually be served a new VAN HALEN ...a twister led by ex-EXTREME's Gary Cherone: 1998's poorly received Van Halen III CD.
*
Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do) = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7JT8te5nss
Not Enough = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmUoDdd2hIA
Amsterdam = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpP6cdC0K28
Can't Stop Lovin' You = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kh_AGh3Gqs
Balance = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV1ghRKeepU&list=OLAK5uy_lq_RhRzqU0uCxAS5ME0xDFRxVVh9M_w9w
TV interview in 1995
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9x_SeOnWk4
Humans Being = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br7v0Av6rok
Live in Florida in 1995
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K1DYq6idfY
Can't Get This Stuff No More (with DLR)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYAcUXpmX2g
Me Wise Magic (with DLR)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U29j2IDn5Kc
MTV VMA in 1996 with DLR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bj9puD00Xc
MTV VMA press-conference in 1996 with DLR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFk6H0C8wrA
MTV VMA interview in 1996 with DLR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6mb9lwomog
MTV VMA aftermath in 1996 ...without DLR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yChrGlcqcO4
some band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qpc10SW86PY
*
A different kind of website:
https://helterskelter.ca

17/01/2025

January 17, 1990 - 2025: 35 years of: The Geto Boys.

NWA loves guns, the 2 LIVE CREW loves s*x ...the GETO BOYS loves both.

No East-Coast, no West-Coast, but mean mavericks from Houston. This third drive-by opus shall cement the upcoming gangstarap codes and load infinite ammunitions in illustrious badassery.

Never nice guys, as proudly displayed on "F**k 'Em" and the high-flag waiving firepowa band-anthem "Assassins". Both shots from the hip groove of "Size Ain't S**t" and "Let A Ho Be A Ho" shouldn't surprise any sistas out there.

Deep into the "Mind Of A Lunatic", we walk into the danger-zone with "Life In The Fast Lane". Rock hard beats and quick jabs, these dark alley ghetto boys ain't the new kids on the block. With a punk-fist they "Do It Like A G.O.", while the cool new ooze of "Gangsta Of Love" should've been on everyone's 1990's playlist.

So hardcore that their record-label's distributor had to apply an additional warning-label on the front artwork-sleeve. "Violent, s*xist, racist and indecent" ...these lovely trigga happy ni**az rap-a-lot !

A remixed version of their 1989 Grip It ! On That Other Level LP, the prime repackaged Geto Boys CD is an updated edge, all supervised under the eagle eye of Rick Rubin. Release by Def American Records, at the dawn of the gangstarap mainstream takeover, America had no fu**in' idea of what would rise ahead.

STILL hardcore, STILL insane and STILL in the hood, the next attack shall hit the early 90s rap-controversy face-first: 1991's We Can't Be Stopped CD. Everythin'z bigga in Texas !

RIP DJ Ready Red (1965-2018)
RIP Bushwick Bill (1966-2019)
*
Do It Like A G.O. = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5evK9NG4Oc
The Geto Boys = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAj8lz2WGCE&list=PLCz9URZvwyw1-MyjSWqzwPGFga-O0mVB_
Live in NYC in 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpqp3vUfjR0
*
more cap peelin' here:
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15/01/2025

January 15, 1990 - 2025: 35 years of: Stick It To Ya.

Las Vegas city of sins, city of SLAUGHTER.

Backline for ex-KISS slinger Vinnie Vincent, singer Mark Slaughter and experienced bassist Dana Strum wanted to be more than just part of a solo-project. Now paired with guitarist Tim Kelly and hard-hittin' drummer Blas Elias, these rocknroll new-kids were aiming for the big slice of the cherry pie.

After the commercial height of the glamorous 1986-to-89's hardrock excesses, the question remained: by 1990 was there any room left for innovations ? ...here comes more dynamics and dynamite !

The opening 100% ass-kicking "Eye To Eye" connects to the sweaty heart-pounding "Burnin' Bridges" ...this fresh band doesn't stop for nobody. "That's Not Enough" and "She Wants More" reaches out of your loud-speakers and puts the spotlight on the party. The fast-paced "Loaded Gun" is a single-bullet killer, while the power-ballad "Fly To The Angels" is pure magic in a bottle. The beautiful melodies and Mark's heavenly voice captures the essence of arenarock. To witness it live was a blessing, I know, I was there.

After "Rock And Roll All Nite" and "Big City Nights", we now get the mega bass-thumpin' heavyrock-anthem "Up All Night". The formula's the same, yet the boys still bring some high-gain attitude to the table. With heavy MTV-rotation, this one made SLAUGHTER a household name and still today is part of the array of hardrock's golden hits that epitomize the glorious 80s decade.

The companion Stick It Live EP is a fine bonus and displays the explosive energy the boys had on stage. And once again, Mark's vocal performance cannot be touched.

Still RIAA-certified 2x Platinum and little late to the party by 1990, Stick It To Ya is one of the last real vintage Sunset Strip vibed hardrock exhibition. Along fellow rebel-mates FIREHOUSE, EXTREME and TRIXTER, they did jam the house just before the rocknroll changing of the guards, courtesy of Seattle's late 1991 flannels.

SLAUGHTER stuck to their guns in a very different rock-landscape, as proven by their follow-up: 1992's The Wild Life CD.

RIP Tim Kelly (1963-1998)
*
Up All Night = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Za0gWXJW1w
Fly To The Angels = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukmobha2krY
Spend My Life = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJPz0VhJlSw
Stick It To Ya = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJaQB_aWn7s&list=OLAK5uy_nx-OSKoZDJzsCFmUZtri1jk_5IoEpWqrk
Interview in 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNnep3lgYWM
Live on Arsenio Hall in 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEETl9d6L78
Live in Binghamton in 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1GF_SftdDc
Stick It Live = full MCD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnR61Xr2CA0&list=PL-QbYf2ZidHTkfASdLZLQ1GIN3XPji3cm
Live ABC's In Concert in 1991
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZKdOxjlNJA
*
Click it to ya:
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11/01/2025

January 11, 2005 - 2025: 20 years of: Enemy Of God.

Thrashmetal's lethal patriarchs.

Following 2001's colossal Violent Revolution CD, Kreator almost single handedly led thrashmetal's millennium rebirth. From the experimental endorama to total metal mental slavery, all the cards are on the table. This unit is the enemy of god.

The hot riff-fest of the title-track for "Enemy Of God" burns like a buzzsaw blade. Clinical thrash and a higher form of aggression, as we barely recoup from this "Impossible Brutality". The gloves are off.

Our rotted society gets focused under this "World Anarchy" as we live under a realistic "Dystopia". Created to kill, "One Evil Comets - A Million Follow" and "Murder Fantasies" are both pure dragstrip modern thrash rash face-smash.

Some pain will last and with the flag of hate high at mast, the revolution continues. Changing the production and tones and adding a DIY-vibe, KREATOR shall pillage again with 2009's Horde Of Chaos CD.
*
Enemy Of God = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnu0pqMab9U
Impossible Brutality = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PejUkwietYI
Enemy Of God = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2LFIk0vbaU&list=OLAK5uy_n52o-EMmM3SA2bgt-YlCbgmeWk-qfxfkw
Interview in 2005
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeBC8WKGKQw
Like at Wacken in 2005
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74tDCKKCeFw
*
Servant in Helter - King in Skelter:
https://helterskelter.ca

05/01/2025

January 1985 - 2025: 40 years of: In The Sign Of Evil.

One thousand days in S***m.

German blackend-thrash awakes the dead. A new trio with an undergound EP cracks the deathlike silence ...this will hurt alot, as the grimy garage thrashmetal of S***M emanates out of the Iron Curtain.

Chainsaws fully tuned to massacre, this "Outbreak Of Evil" shall be a bloody mess. Rage and death is spewed by the "Sepulchral Voice" and the death-thrash vomit of "Blasphemer". A new anthem arises post-WW3, a gamma-ray filled radiation known as "Burst Command 'Til War" ...destructive black-thrashmetal is official.

VENOM on hyperspeed and proudly part of Europe's counterattack against the current American thrash assault. Intrinsic foundation for the upcoming blackmetal murders, the burning of S***M shall last a lifetime ...as proven by 1986's Obsessed By Cruelty LP.
*
In The Sign Of Evil = full EP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFL1BcWoL7Q&list=PLVnVqNQP2eqVdH-dmjC32s_YhEbbZqbiX
Live in Germany in 1984
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAs3jX69ku0&list=PLh3JQ-75Vg_91bO6W2KsGIGrMZ778wza4
some guy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHZKZF8DDJk
*
Code Red:
https://helterskelter.ca

***m

01/01/2025

January 1985 - 2025: 40 years of: Unholy Passion.

Heading south of heaven.

Following 1984's fast-jab Initium LP, the band now displays another side of death. There's punk, there's hardcore ...and then there's the thick cloud now known as SAMHAIN.

Crushing metal tones are displayed on the title-track for "Unholy Passion" and the furious ravage of "The Hungry End". Another MISFITS cut gets the twist of cain, as "All Hell" becomes part of the left hand black.

From punk to ambient, this 17mins EP would find a foot-hold in the blooming underground thrashmetal scene. The dim-lit rock of SAMHAIN shall later present the zenith of ghoulish punk: 1986's November-Coming-Fire LP.
*
Unholy Passion = full EP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-ojNKmmhlQ&list=PLvSr7YMicqHkh6IYMyezOgpzTDVOmB7of
Live in Los Angeles in 1985
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ORA2RSPGNw
some dude
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCw9smAODDA
*
inside the misery tomb:
https://helterskelter.ca

31/12/2024

Le voici: le bilan-annuel d'Helter Skelter. Depuis le début de mon aventure en Janvier 2017, j'ai créé 741 critiques. Voici un éventail de mes créations de 2024.

Elles vont comme suit:
- 189x critiques complète

Ce qui ce détail en:
- 42x critiques de disque thrashmetal
- 42x critiques de disque hardrock
- 18x critiques de disque deathmetal
- 13x critiques de disque heavymetal
- 12x critiques de disque classicrock
- 10x critiques de disque powermetal
- 8x critiques de disque blackmetal
- 8x critiques de disque alternatif
- 6x critiques de disque pop
- 5x critiques de disque melodicmetal
- 4x critiques de disque industriel
- 3x critiques de disque hiphop
- 3x critiques de disque punk
ainsi que:
- 15x critiques de film..voir les détails complet au: helterskelter.ca/reviews

L'ans prochain, la tuerie continue: 25ans depuis le nouveau millénaire, ce qui souligne:
- l'ultime audace de MAYHEM
- le re-branding de Tom G. Warrior.
- la zone déformée du Cap De La Madeleine... et la résurrection du Metal God lui-même: Rob Halford.

En 2025 nous célébrerons 30ans depuis l'ère post-grunge avec:
- la renaissance des cendres de Seattle via GARBAGE et les FOO FIGHTERS.
- une dose de Québec deathmetal avec AGONY, KATAKLYSM et NOVEMBER GRIEF.
- un nouveau métal-extreme, issu de projet légendaire avec FIGHT, G//Z/R et GRIP Inc...et des perles hardrock, trop souvent tassée sous le tapis signées VAN HALEN et SAVATAGE.

35ans depuis 1990 ...l'année pivot qui clôt les 80s et qui ouvre la porte aux hybrides:
- du neo-thrash proposé par SACRED REICH, DEATH ANGEL et PRONG.
- l'expension du deathmetal avec l'arrivée de CANNIBAL CO**SE, DEICIDE et ATHEIST.
- le chant de signe du cock-rock avec CINDERELLA, WINGER et les demoiselles de V***N.
- le premier clash entre MEGADETH, SLAYER, TESTAMENT et les yo de S.T.
- l'arrivé de trois nouveaux joueur dans la game: ENTOMBED, ALICE IN CHAINS et ...la Panthère.
- un retour au source pour IRON MAIDEN, ainsi qu'une aventure-solo pour leur leader...et la douloureuse vengeance du plus grand band heavymetal de touts les temps: JUDAS PRIEST.

Agenouillons-nous à l'Autel Du Métal devant ces ultime 40ième:
- les massacres speedmetal infernaux de KREATOR, EXODUS et deux slapshots des crazy Canadians de RAZOR.
- le projet fou de Dan, Scott, Charlie et Billy.
- les impressionnant débuts de POSSESSED, HELLOWEEN et PENTAGRAM...ainsi qu'une voiture qui ne devrait jamais rouler à 88mph.

2025 c'est aussi 50ans depuis les débuts d'Alice Cooper, AC/DC ainsi que du nouveau projet de Ritchie & Ronnie. Merci pour votre support, vos likes et vos commentaires.

I'M ONLY HAPPY WHEN IT RAINS !!!

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25/12/2024

December 25, 1989 - 2024: 35 years of: Consuming Impulse.

One of deathmetal's rawest exhibition of blunt force.

1989: the initial wave of deathmetal monoliths that paved the way for the early 90s brutal-scene and beyond. Some sick classics includes: Severed Survival, Realm Of Chaos, Slowly We Rot and the insalubrious putrefying artwork of CARCASS's Symphonies Of Sickness. When thrashmetal fails, look no further then deathmetal for a dose of dazzling brutality !

After 1988's aggressive speed offering of Malleus Maleficarum LP, Holland's best strikes again with a genre-defining record. Brutal riffs, brutal drums and one of the scene's most recognizable set of vocal growls in Martin Van Drunen. This is crystal pure Pestilence.

The onslaught kicks in with "Dehydrated" were body-parts fly-off in a mosh-pit frenzy ..."water" shall be your last word. The body-count continues on "The Process Of Suffocation" and the sickening stench reeks on another level on "The Trauma", where speed and brutality collides head first. "Deify Thy Master" is a fine track that puts the emphasis on Van Drunen's unique trendsetting vokills.

On a musical-scale, a new level is unlocked on the melodic-interlude of "Proliferous Souls" ...a taste of what would become the norm on their 1993 sophisticated Spheres CD. Last cut, the pounding laid-back intro of "Reduced To Ashes" sets the pace for Armageddon, a full be***al 4:55sec of aural desecration.

While RAZOR has "Evil Invaders" and SLAYER has "Altar Of Sacrifice", PESTILENCE has "Out Of The Body" ...the band's and one of deathmetal's most legendary tracks. The driving opening-riff sweeps everything on sight and let's the drum roll over the tombstones like a Tazmanian-devil. This tense experience reaches beyond metallic proportions as the song describes inner cells taking control of one's mind. Repulsive and effective.

One of the most vicious LP ever released, Consuming Impulse is a deathmetal stalwart. Brutal and in your face ...except for the tame inexcusable cheesy-artwork sleeve, courtesy of Roadrunner Records. Sadly this would also be the last association with singer Van Drunen, has he would soon after join the dark doomdeath Dutch unit: ASPHYX.

Diametrically this would spear the Patrick Mameli-led PESTILENCE 2.0, a deathmetal venture that would explore deeper musical horizons. A progression in aggression, as proven by 1991's top-shelf Testimony Of The Ancients CD.
*
Out Of The Body = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4zxrYUOXLo
Consuming Impulse = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtiuwlwEbLc&list=OLAK5uy_mY7LbyDnDqk2C32Qd96aieGE0yxmyfAA4
Interview in Texas in 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMp97zFn_tM
Live in Oakland in 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7kW1ZNHBsw
some tiny dude
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgMTNqP3Xrg
*
Consuming websites:
https://helterskelter.ca

12/12/2024

1994 - 2024: 30 years of: Black Vanity.

From depressed death to suave darkness.

Mutating from 1993's Godless Beauty CD, Sweden's CEMETARY are now slowing down and infusing British gothmetal into the mix. Watching yourself through the looking glass, this black vanity is a modern morbid tale.

Rock / metal crushes with the opener "Bitter Seed" and "Ebony Rain" ...a melancholic voyage deep into one's mind. A strong essence fills the room as "Black Flowers Of Passion" freely burns.

The macabre "Hunger Of The Innocent" is filled with type o negative blood while the lite rock of "Scarecrow" and doomy riffing of "Last Departure / Serpentine Parade" swings to a dim beat.

Melodicmetal, a marginalized counterculture from the usual Scandinavian deathmetal pistons. Gear up, as more dreamy melodies and ethereal landscapes shall spring 1996's Sundown CD.
*
Sweet Tragedy = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSMypYCHvRA
Black Vanity = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtRWmKwqkrk&list=PLSparcg3rR4fhcXRz6yZx0UtJGoNtAjNy
Live in The Netherlands in 1995
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtxvpomNbZk
*
An evil shade of Helter:
https://helterskelter.ca

07/12/2024

December 7, 1994 - 2024: 30 years of: Symphony X.

America has entered the powermetal circle: this is not a drill.

The doors of the hall have been wide opened by RIOT, CRIMSON GLORY and DREAM THEATER. And now, a metalized orchestra shall overdrive the game. From the underworld, please welcome into the arena, New-Jersey's SYMPHONY X ...yes, it's an East-Coast thing.

Fueled by fire "Into The Dementia", we ride hard, rolling on high RPMs and high melodies with "The Raging Season" and the Malmsteen-esque "Masquerade". Superior high-caliber powermetal.

The bold British blunt attack is felt on "Taunting The Notorious" and the razor cuts of "Thorns Of Sorrow". Their mystic might is put to test on the marathon of "Absinthe And Rue" and the epic 12:07sec crescendo-finale of "A Lesson Before Dying" ...a power progressive venom-filled trek.

Signed to Japanese label Zero Records, the mid to late 90s modern powermetal wave shall bloom in Europe, yet the American-branch of the genre would be proudly handled by SYMPHONY X.

During rocknroll tide-changing 1994, from a Michael Romeo shred-project to a full band caravan, they, along new and current frontmen Russell Allen, would repeat with 1995's The Damnation Game CD.
*
Symphony X = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4tubDG7wcw&list=OLAK5uy_nal49LD-Q_jIn0309i78IQBJBU-jrmkE8
*
more symphonies here:
https://helterskelter.ca

05/12/2024

! SOLD-OUT !

02/12/2024

December 2, 1989 - 2024: 35 years of: Symphonies Of Sickness.

Enter the mortuary.

Liverpool's meat grinders are opened for business ...and business is good. Deranged and barely out of the garage, the Carcass slaughterer now exhibit brutally, with some hints of finesse.

Decaying and grinding, they now fully "Reek Of Putrefaction" ...a brutal blast with a even brutaler stench. Riff-raffing along, we now dig deep into "Exhume To Consume" ...a fuming larva-plagued feast. The cool drum-intro beat of "Ruptured In Purulence" rapidly erupts into a vomit-stew, as the coda outro-riff of "Empathological Necroticism" elevates the groove into a mosh-jam.

Paramount deathgrind explodes on "Cadaveric Incubator Of Endoparasites", while the stomach-burns of "Crepitating Bowel Erosion" displays, again, both Walker and Steer's vocal fist-fight.

Raw and un-cooked.

From bloody body-parts to lumps of meat, the CARCASS evolution is getting its full load of proteins. Indecent and obscene, the UK offices of Earache Records were even raided by the morality. After a warning from local Law Enforcement, a revised censored artwork was later issued.

Forever changing their symphony and unique signature sickness, CARCASS would now change the entire deathmetal genre. From trio to quartet and leapfrogging over the competition, no one could've envisioned 1991's perfect posh melodic / grind hybrid of Necroticism: Descanting The Insalubrious CD.
*
Symphonies Of Sickness = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp7QjFRlreQ&list=OLAK5uy_nQWL1ZMqIdek2y-Mf5ZwD22kUShGLYi5M
The Peel Sessions = full EP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohqfD04UjAM
Live in Nottingham in 1989
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNz6XDcXjqA
Hard N Heavy Grindcore VHS
https://youtu.be/RBCj4Jv1B7E?t=4694
*
more symphonies here:
https://helterskelter.ca

01/12/2024

December 1, 1989 - 2024: 35 years of: Gutter Ballet.

A mix of melodicrock, infused by prog-power, packaged in a theatrical-rock set ...guess the band ?

Alice Cooper ? QUEENSRŸCHE ? KING DIAMOND ? ...Savatage is the answer. 1989: creative pinnacle for hardrock and thrashmetal, yet the Floridian-boys strayed far away from both scenes, crafting and perfecting a unique sound of their own.

While 1987's Hall Of The Mountain King LP is the first awakening of the SAVATAGE signature-sound, it is also the first of many LPs to feature producer / writer / fifth member Paul O'Neill. This union would catapult the band into epicrock with their eight-album collaboration and later furthermore with the multi-Platinum heavyweight supergroup TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA. Rock-fighters of the night, SAVATAGE now features exquisite piano and rich progressive melodies, all of these where fully bloomed on 1989's tour-de-force rock masterpiece: Gutter Ballet.

The opener "Of Rage And War" is a blazing metal rage that bites down hard. Balls-to-the-wall riffing of "She's In love" is another old-school cut that leaves us all in awe, while "The Unholy" wipes the floor with some more slick metal-riffs.

The instrumental "Temptation Revelation" interlude showcases quality musicianship by guitarist Criss and eerie atmospheric keyboard landscapes. The tearful "When The Crowds Are Gone" should've been a Top 40 FM-hit, as this one is a Meat Loaf-type emotion filled power-rock mid-paced number.

And now ...the pièce-de-résistance:

Epicness takes a stand on top of the hardrock-Everest and reaches Biblical proportions on the glorious title-track show-stopper. Inspired by 1986's blockbuster musical "The Phantom Of The Opera", "Gutter Ballet" is hardrock's strongest powerballad ever written and performed. The grandiose piece starts-off with a 1:23sec silky piano-intro and then all hells breaks loose. Fist-pumping heavymetal rhythms in a monumental start-stop riff and Jon's angelic / demonic voice. The progressive guitars builds-up to the ultimate climax as the lead-guitar machine-guns away at the 3:54sec mark. Magic and majestic ...a metal "Bohemian Rhapsody" of pure symphonic heaviness, geniusly wrapped in piano and string orchestration. One of the greatest heavymetal powerballads ever, simply: un-touch-a-ble. There was nothing like it before and nothing like it ever since.

While 1989's metal-arena wasn't ready for intricate melodicrock, the Gutter Ballet LP left a massive footprint into the rock / metal saturated-market of the era ...a decade before Europeans took over and re-electrified the genre with acts like RHAPSODY, SONATA ARTICA and NIGHTWISH. SAVATAGE ...purveyor of fine top-class US melodic-powermetal.

Caught between Mozart and madness, the mature band would push the progressive-elements from the back-alleys to the limelight, with 1991's Streets: A Rock Opera CD.
*
Gutter Ballet = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubmft9_LeE8
When The Crowds Are Gone = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv82_BvKjw0
Gutter Ballet = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6drDNcX6drc&list=OLAK5uy_mrPeSo2IENt6Gga1EdjEXrDa3_3xKHghc
MuchMusic interview in 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-0n7BHVGN4
Live in Anaheim in 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVJlxw-LYlM
some band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHhkXeFUrk4
*
Gutter Skelter:
https://helterskelter.ca

27/11/2024

November 27, 1989 - 2024: 35 years of: Resurrection Absurd.

Germany is now on the map.

1989: deathmetal's first expansion year ...and corpses arose worldwide. America, England, Sweden, Holland and now Germany yells back. Please welcome into the ring, the to-be atypical Morgoth.

Their brutal message is a "Dictated Deliverance", a sick discourse. More repulsions are executed on "Lies Of Distrust" and the rolling on tomb-stones of "Travel". The instrumental spree of "The Afterthought" displays a band with clear cohesive confidence.

When thrashmetal tames in brutality, only deathmetal is real. From the dark pits of Utumno, the MORGOTH crew would spit fire again with 1990's The Eternal Fall EP.

RIP Carsten Otterbach (1970-2018)
*
Resurrection Absurd = full EP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PG0JCdyvgs
*
Feel sorry for these websites:
https://helterskelter.ca

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