Great Metal Albums of 1987: KISS- Crazy Nights

According to most KISS fans and fanatics I know, “Crazy Nights” is not the best KISS album. In fact, many put it near the bottom when rating KISS albums. However, to the world, it was one of the highest charting albums KISS had made in a number of years charting in at least eleven countries and even hitting the number four spot in both the UK and Finland. So it begs the question, why was such a successful album not held in the same esteem by so many metalheads and KISS fans? The truth is out there.

One thought could be the fact that the first single “Crazy, Crazy Nights” went all the way to number four in the UK singles charts. While universally agreed by British metalheads that it’s not KISS’s greatest song, it was always great to see a metal song do well in the charts during a time it was dominated by bubble synth pop from the likes of Stock, Aiken and Waterman. We saw it as sticking it to the trendies. On a personal note, the lyrics of the song has always had meaning for me. In a world that had it in for heavy metal, it reminded us that metalheads were a force to be reckoned with and not to give a crap as to what the rest of the world thinks of us. I even quote the lyrics towards the end of “Rock and Roll Children.”

They try to tell us that we don’t belong

That’s all right, we’re millions strong

This is my music, it makes me proud

These are my people and this is my crowd.

Three singles were released from the album and “Crazy, Crazy Nights” is the only one of those which doesn’t have keyboards. When KISS went to record the album, they were looking for something which would bring them back to their glory days. They brought in producer Ron Nevison to help and he shaped the sound of the album. Another point of KISStory here is that Gene Simmons was off doing other things so his contributions on “Crazy Nights” were minimal. Bruce Kullick stepped in and got four song writing credits and Eric Carr had one. They also had assistance from outside writers such as Desmond Child.

As for the album itself, after the biggest charting single opens it, things continue for the next three tracks. Each of those tracks reminds me of the KISS I had grown up with over the years. “I Fight Hell to Hold You” is the hidden gem on the album as it’s hard and heavy. I can say the same for “Bang Bang You” even if the lyrics would be considered not woke these days. They do make reference to ancient times when Paul sings that he’s going to shoot his love gun.

Let me be blunt here, in my opinion and that’s just what it is, I think that Bruce is the star of this album. His shredding on the majority of the songs is what makes them. If not his shredding some of his opening riffs like “No, No, No” for example. “When Your Walls Come Down” is another great example of Bruce’s brilliance. The two tracks before it are okay but don’t make me want to get up and headbang away to them. “When the Walls Come Down” injects new life into the album and save it from descending into mediocrity. Furthermore, it’s his guitar solo on the single, “Reason to Live” that I would show any interest in it. Otherwise, it would have been just another power ballad.

Bruce Kullick

Talking about Gene, while he only writes on four of the eleven songs on the album, three of them are very good. One of them I already mentioned. He writes with Bruce on “No, No, No” and that’s probably why it’s good. Gene lets Bruce do his thing on that one. “Good Girl Gone Bad,” which reminds me of the single “Tears are Falling” from their previous album and the closer “Thief in the Night” are both strong tracks. The closer is definitely more old school KISS. So I can theorize here that while Paul was looking for commercial viability, Gene, when he was around, kept KISS truer to its more metal roots.

Track Listing:

1. Crazy, Crazy Nights
2. I’ll Fight Hell to Hold You
3. Bang, Bang You
4. No, No, No
5. Hell or High Water
6. My Way
7. When the Walls Come Down
8. Reason to Live
9. Good Girl Gone Bad
10. Turn On the Night
11. Thief in the Night

KISS

Paul Stanley- rhythm guitar, lead vocals, keyboards

Gene Simmons- bass, lead vocals

Eric Carr- drums, backing vocals

Bruce Kullick- lead guitar

I’ll be blunt again, there are better KISS albums than “Crazy Nights” but I do like the fact that it and the singles stuck it to the trendies in 1987. My main takeaway from listening to it again after a long time is that Bruce Kullick needs more credit than what he’s actually given.

Next post: Twisted Sister- Love is for Suckers

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

To sign the petition for a knighthood for Bruce Dickinson, click the link: https://www.change.org/p/special-honours-committees-for-knighthoods-a-knighthood-for-bruce-dickinson

Great Metal Albums of 1987: Anvil- Strength of Steel

First, let me award Anvil’s “Strength of Steel” album the 80smetalman Award for “Best album of 1987 to have escaped my attention.” That’s where the paradox begins. In “Anvil, The Story of Anvil” documentary about the band, Lips laments that most fans only know of their first three albums, “Hard and Heavy,” “Metal on Metal” and “Forged in Fire” and don’t know about the albums they had released since. One of those mentioned was this album. However, while it did escape my attention at the time, “Strength of Steel” was the only Anvil album to chart in the US, hitting 191. Therefore, I must conclude that while the album is now a distant memory, it must have been fairly big at the time.

“Strength of Steel” opens with the title cut which opens with some foreboding bass and drums before the guitars come crashing down. What it does is let you know that Anvil hadn’t gone anywhere as it marks the band’s return to playing some serious metal. On my first couple of listens, I was about to confine the second track, “Concrete Jungle” to the filler heap. However, after subsequent listens, I should slap myself for even thinking of doing that. Robb Reiner’s drums open the track which is then accented by some intricate guitar work from Lipps. He lays down a nice solo and when it reaches its climax, is accompanied by some cool rhythm guitar licks. I also like how the entire band comes together to take the song out.

Robb’s drums and Lipps and Dave Allison’s guitars bring in “9-2-5” on an absolute high. Everyone can identify with a song about the daily working grind but when it’s done with a cool guitar solo, it makes it even better. Guitars introduce “I Dreamed of the End of the World” and boy does this song rock. I have decided that if I am around when the world is about to end, then this is the track I’m going to be listening to when it does. If the world hasn’t quite ended by the time the song is finished, the guitar swirling instrumental, “The Flight of the Bumble Beast” can take it the rest of the way. This could be a thrash song at that speed but the guitar solo keeps right along with it.

Here’s my one constructive criticism of the album. Songs about the working grind should be immediately followed by a party song. “Cut Loose” is about just going out and letting your hair down and with the intensity the song is at, plus the killer guitar solo, it’s my track of the album. However, it would have been better placed if it followed on right after “9-2-5.” No real biggie because it sets up the charge which is the second half of the album. “Mad Dog” leads the charge with it’s crunching guitars but the star of this track is the bass of Ian Dickson. It’s his bassline which keeps things together while the others go off on wild tangents. I do find Lipp’s little snigger at the end of the song quite amusing.

“Straight Between the Eyes” moves the heavy metal party along nicely. Loud, hard and angry, it just fits in well with the rest of the album. “Wild Eyes” is a cover of a song by The Stampeders but Anvil put their own unique spin on it and it sounds brilliant. You can’t miss Lipps’s unmistakable vocals on this one and of course, there are those angry guitars punctuated by a great guitar solo where Lipps just goes nuts and the rest of the band keep up with him really well. Then they sound like they want to go prog-metal on the intro of “Kiss of Death.” Actually, as the song gets into gear, this is more a doom metal track. The depressing sounding vocals and slow pounding guitars stress this point. Here’s my second constructive criticism of the album, this would have made a better closer than “Paper Generals.” Don’t get me wrong, “Paper Generals” is a cool track with its anti-war lyrics and if “Kiss of Death” wasn’t on the album, then it would have made the closer but I just feel the tracks should have been swapped. That would have made a great album even greater.

Track Listing:

1. Strength of Steel
2. Concrete Jungle
3. 9-2-5
4. I Dreamed of the End of the World
5. The Flight of the Bumble Beast
6. Cut Loose
7. Mad Dog
8. Straight Between the Eyes
9. Wild Eyes
10. Kiss of Death
11. Paper Generals

Anvil

Steve ‘Lipps’ Kudrow- lead guitar, vocals

Dave Allison- guitar, second vocal on “Straight Between the Eyes”

Ian Dickson- bass

Robb Reiner- drums

Lips and Roberson going for it. Anvil playing in Gloucester, UK 2016

I am pretty certain that Anvil didn’t play any songs from this album when I saw them in 2016. If I had heard “Strength of Steel” before I had seen them, I would have screamed to play tracks from it. After all, when I called for them to play “Forged in Fire,” they obliged me.

Next post: KISS- Crazy Nights

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

To sign the petition for a knighthood for Bruce Dicksinson, (to my non- British readers, it will count if you sign it) click the link: https://www.change.org/p/special-honours-committees-for-knighthoods-a-knighthood-for-bruce-dickinson

Great Metal Albums of 1987: Tigertailz- Young and Crazy

Making their way around the British metal scene in 1987 was Welsh glam metal band Tigertailz. While I never got the chance to see them live, I do know they played great London rock clubs such as The Marquee and the Royal Standard. Looking at this album cover, your initial reaction is probably similar to mine back then, they could rival Poison in the ‘rock dudes who look like chicks’ sweepstakes.

The funny thing is that their debut album, “Young and Crazy,” is similar to the Poison sound. I do hear the similarities between the two bands. However, I also note a KISS influence in some of their songs, the opener, “Star Crazy” and “Shameless.” Paul or Gene would both be comfortable singing either of those songs.

There is no doubt in my mind that Tigertailz were a competent band and there are some really good songs on it. The standout song for me is definitely “Livin’ Without You.” Crunching guitars and a pumping bass dominate the song but without losing any of the catchy melody. It is probably Steevi Jaimz best vocal effort and the crunching rhythm in the middle stamps its authority. Additional, there is a great drumroll from Ace Finchum and Jay Pepper lays down his best guitar solo. Definitely, my choice for best song.

The other thing is that because they look and sound similar to Poison, I want to compare and contrast them with Poison. What would be cool if Brett Michaels came and sang for Tigertailz as he is better than Steevi Jaimz while Jay Pepper is a better guitarist than CC DeVille. Just my opinion and of course, you are all free to offer yours. The teacher in me always welcomes debate.

Oh, another thing about the track, “Shameless,” is that while KISS influenced, in the middle of the song, Steevi does a David Lee Roth style spoken part. Is it as good as Dave? Well, not many singers can talk their way through songs like DLR but I will give Steevi and ‘A’ for effort. Where Tigertailz go original is the track, “City Kidz.” There is a blues like swagger to this song and a real cool rhythm guitar riff before a cool guitar solo. Okay, it gets the number two spot in the best song on the album category.

“Shoot to Kill” isn’t a bad track but it’s more filler with all the cliche heavy metal elements to it. On the other hand, “Turn Me On” is definitely the song for the rhythm section. It begins with Jaimz saying, “Come on Ace” and Ace responds with a cool drum fill. His drums take command but there is a good bass solo from Pepsi Tate in the middle. Less fortunately, it’s sandwiched between the two filler tracks. The former already mentioned track and “She’z Too Hot” has the same heavy metal cliches. Still, it’s not that bad. The title track is a more lively penultimate track where Jay is once again let off the leash on the six string. However, the album ends with a decent power ballad in the form of “Fall in Love Again.” At first it seems out of place but that thought is quickly erased and guitar and bass make it okay.

Track Listing:

1. Star Attraction
2. Hollywood Killer
3. Ballerina (Instrumental)
4. Livin’ Without You
5. Shameless
6. City Kidz
7. Shoot to Kill
8. Turn Me On
9. She’z Too Hot
10. Young and Crazy
11. Fall in Love Again

Tigertailz

Steevi Jaimz- vocals

Jay Pepper- guitar

Pepsi Tate- bass

Ace Finchum- drums

In respect to what I said about the Brett vs Steevi aspect. Steevi isn’t a bad singer but he wasn’t that good. It’s probably why Tigertailz got a new singer after this album. There is even a re-recorded version of my favourite track sung by the new singer. Anyway, this is a good effort from a band looking to make it. If the production had been better, then I think it would have been phenomenal.

Next post: Anvil- Strength of Steel

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

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Great Metal Albums of 1987: Whitesnake- 1987

Out of all the great metal albums which came out in 1987, the most noted of these had to be Whitesnake’s “1987” album. You don’t need me to tell you how this album tore up the charts in the year the album is named after and the following one. In fact, the album which kept it from attaining number one in the US was Michael Jackson’s “Bad” album. So it begs the question, why was this metal album so successful?

First, let’s go over some of the history in the making of this album. While recording it, David Coverdale was struck down with an illness which required hospitalization and later surgery. There was even doubts that he would ever be able to sing again. Thank the metal gods that this wasn’t the case. Now for the soap opera bit. Depending on who’s side you believe, David and guitarist John Sykes would part company while the album was recorded. From what I read on Wikipedia, (not the most reliable of sources), David accused John of trying to replace him and John was growing impatient at David’s seeming lack of motivation to get back in the studio. While this explains why the touring lineup is different from the recording one, it can be said that the album was born out of adversity.

Drawing my own conclusion as to why “1987” was so successful, I put it down that it was the combination of commercially viable songs and hard rockers, which ticked all the boxes. Most people know the hits from the album, “Still of the Night,” “Is This Love,” “Give Me All Your Love” and “Here I Go Again,” the latter re-recorded before released as a single. Note: after years of hearing the single version and then hearing the original version from the album again after many years, I prefer the original. These are good power ballads as was the rerecorded “Crying in the Rain,” which helped Whitesnake finally achieve commercial success in the US.

The other element behind the album’s success is that in spite of the top 40 singles, the other tracks proved that Whitesnake hadn’t forgotten how to rock out. First let me correct a misleading statement in the above paragraph. The first and last singles, “Still of the Night,” and “Give Me All Your Loving” were definitely not power ballads. Both are full steam ahead rockers with some great guitar riffs from Sykes. They lead the charge as the next track is also a serious rocker. In fact, the second track, “Bad Boys,” gets my vote for hidden gem. John shreds even better on “Straight for the Heart.”

John Sykes

What I sometimes find frustrating about albums which are reissued so many times is which version should I write about. In this case, since I had already established myself in the UK at the time, I will go with the European issue. The US issue omits two tracks, “Looking for Love” and “You’re Gonna Break My Heart Again,” which is a shame because America missed out on two good songs. The former, another power ballad which works and the latter, a definite straight up rocker. The strategic placing of both ballads and rockers go along way to cement the reason why this album was such a success.

Track Listing (European Release):

1. Still of the Night
2. Bad Boys
3. Give Me All Your Loving
4. Looking for Love
5. Crying in the Rain
6. Is This Love
7. Straight From the Heart
8. Don’t Turn Away
9. Children of the Night
10. Here I Go Again
11. You’re Gonna Break My Heart Again

Recording Line up:

David Coverdale- vocals

John Sykes- guitar

Neil Murray- bass

Aynsley Dunbar- drums

Don Airey- keyboards

Bill Cuomo- keyboards

Note: other musicians, including some from the touring lineup, were brought in on some of the re-recordings.

Whitesnake- 1987 tour lineup

David Coverdale- vocals

Vivian Campbell- guitar

Adrian Vandenberg- guitar

Rudy Sarzo- bass

Tommy Aldridge- drums

Shortly after the album soared up the charts, someone wrote to Kerrang stating that Whitesnake’s next album would be called “1991” as that was when it would come out, (history proved that person wrong), and the recording lineup would have Gene Simmons on bass and Lars Ulrich on drums. I can’t remember who the guitarists were going to be. However, the touring lineup would have Eddie Van Halen and Mick Mars on guitar, Jimmy Bain on bass and Charlie Benante on drums. That was the state of the band in 1987. While there might have been some truth to that, one can’t fault how super colossal of an album “1987” turned out to be.

Next post: Tigertailz- Young and Crazy

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@80smetalman

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Great Metal Albums of 1987: Overkill- Taking Over

In recent months, there has been a lot of talk as to which thrash band should join the big four to make the big five. Exodus is the most likely favourite, especially as it got a nod from Anthrax’s Scott Ian. Testament is another strong choice and I will keep plugging Kreator. However, I suspect that there are a good number of metal fans from Northern New Jersey who might speak out for Overkill. I’d be the first to say that they’d be a long shot, even though they were brilliant at Bloodstock 2015. However, after listening to their 1987 album, “Taking Over,” those odds might have got a little shorter.

Overkill establishing their dominance, Bloodstock 2015

The first two songs on “Taking Over” are a one massive thrash party. The sheer ferocity of those songs convince me that Overkill are a genuine thrash band as opposed to some of the pretenders that were coming out at the time. Then we get to the third track, “Fear His Name,” where Overkill prove that they are far more capable of just hammering out power chords at 500 mph. They slow down for the track and Bobby ‘Blitz’ Ellsworth shows he does have some good melody to his vocals and then there’s the shredding of Bobby Gustafson and boy can he shred!

“Use Your Head” doesn’t quite go back to the speed of tracks one and two but it has it’s moments. It’s definitely faster than the preceding track and there is a good power chord mosh part in the middle of the song. While the two Bobbys do what they do best on the song, I have to point out the contribution of the rhythm section on this one, which is very good. Furthermore, I am amused by the lyrics, “You’ve got a lot to learn. You got your head up your ass.”

Is there such a thing as progressive thrash? Because that’s what it seems like Overkill are trying to do on “Fatal If Swallowed.” The intro to this is really way out there before going into some fast thrash chords, which carry on for the remainder of the song only slowing down slightly for the guitar solo. But even though I have sung the praises of the first five songs, the second half of the album is even better. The title of the track “Powersurge” explains it all. Instead of slowing down, the band get their second wind and go even more thrashing mad nuts. All starting with a brilliant bass line from D. D. Verni.

It only gets better after that as the two best tracks on the album come in. Now, if I was thirty-five years younger and “In Union We Stand” was put on an infinite loop on a personal stereo, I could have won gold in the 10k walk at the Olympics. Whenever I hear the song, I just want to get up and move about really fast as the song has that effect. I love how the thrash guitars carry the verse before going full power chords at the chorus. It’s not only my favourite song on the album, but my favourite Overkill song of all time! You can imagine how absolutely nuts I went when the played it at Bloodstock.

A peaceful coexistence is dropping out of sight

So band together, together we will fight

Blasting the resistance, marching to the top

They started this, we say when it stops.

It’s another great song calling metalheads to unite but it doesn’t end there as “Electro-Violence” is also another great thrash track. If they had played this at Bloodstock, I would have been blown out of Earth’s atmosphere. This fast and furious song makes it perfectly understandable as to why the album ends with a more progressive song which is over seven minutes long. Saying that, there’s some great power chords on that one as well. Still, it ends the album on the right note.

Track Listing:

1. Deny the Cross
2. Wrecking Crew
3. Fear His Name
4. Use Your Head
5. Fatal If Swallowed
6. Powersurge
7. In Union We Stand
8. Electro-Violence
9. Overkill II (The Nightmare Continues)

Overkill

Bobby ‘Blitz’ Ellsworth- vocals

Bobby Gustafson- guitars

D. D. Verni- bass

Rat Skates- drums

“Taking Over” presents a good argument as to why Overkill should be considered as a candidate for making the Big Four the Big Five. But the question is whether their other albums measure up. Their previous one, “Feel the Fire,” also makes a good case. However, whether you think Overkill are a contender or not, this album is definitely a great one.

Next post: Whitesnake- 1987

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

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Rest in Peace Ian McDonald

Ian McDonald

It is my sad duty to report the death of former Foreigner guitarist Ian McDonald who sadly passed away, aged 75, after a long battle with cancer. Ian not only played guitar on Foreigner’s more hard rocking first three albums but also contributed on keyboards, drums and vocals. Unfortunately for him, he left the band after the third album, “Head Games,” and therefore, didn’t enjoy the commercial success of “4” and “Agent Provocateur” albums. Tributes have been pouring in for Ian all day from former band mates and musicians who knew him. This is yet another tragic loss to the music world. The only thing I can do in dedication to Ian is to play their first big single, which was a cruising song for my then 16 year old self and the song I consider the hidden gem of all Foreigner songs.

Rest in peace Ian

Happy 30th Birthday Wayne’s World

Wayne and with him always is Garth

Another reason to feel really old. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the release of one of the greatest heavy metal party films of all time, “Wayne’s World.” I really can’t believe the movie has been out that long! When it came out here in Britain way back in 1992, I saw it twice in the cinema and the moment it became available on VHS a few months later, of course I grabbed a copy!

This film embraced everything I loved about heavy metal and the lifestyle associated with it. I could identify with most of the characters and those I couldn’t identify with personally, I knew of someone who could. Being a married man with two small children when the film came out, it took me back to a few years earlier when my friends and I would cruise down the road with the car stereo playing. Although in our case, it was usually the Stormtroopers of Death. I could even identify with Phil because there were some occasions where I was ‘partied out.’ I was also a bit jealous because we didn’t have a rock club as cool as The Gasworks where I lived.

For those not familiar with the history behind the movie, the concept was born out of a television segment on the US comedy series, “Saturday Night Live.” “Wayne’s World” was a ten minute spot on the show where Wayne, played by Mike Meyers and his friend Garth, played by Dana Carvey are two metalheads who have their own cable access show of the same name. They would get up to all sorts of metal related antics. Often times, they would have guests actors on as well including and my favourite episode was when Aerosmith appeared on it.

Aerosmith on Wayne’s World. I tried pasting this from Youtube but it wasn’t having it.

Obviously, the movie is taken from the TV show. The quick synopsis of the film is that Wayne’s cable access show is bought by a seedy TV executive, Benjamin, played by Rob Lowe who intends to exploit it. At the same time, Wayne’s love interest, Cassandra, (Tia Carrere) who is also lead singer and bassist in a band also catches Benjamin’s eye and plans to make a video for her band. Let’s just say, everything unravels in a hilarious way with three endings. First the tragic ending, then the Scooby-Doo ending and finally the mega-happy ending. There are appearances by Meat Loaf, Alice Cooper and Robert Patrick, who played the T-1000 robot in “Terminator 2.”

Wayne and Cassandra

Have you seen this boy?

“Wayne’s World” not only appealed to metalheads, many people who wouldn’t normally associate themselves with heavy metal said they enjoyed the film. Back in 2003, I found that a colleague at the school I was teaching at was also a big “Wayne’s World” fan and on the last day of school, agreed to show it to our classes. Other teachers scoffed calling the film dated. However, we went ahead and the students were glued to the screen. They all said they loved it.

So, happy 30th birthday “Wayne’s World!” I hope everyone will watch it again or even for the first time. I know it will be as funny now as it was then. Party on!

Next post: Overkill- Taking Over

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

Great Metal Albums of 1987: Dokken- Back for the Attack

Have you listened to an album recently and found it was much better than when you listened to it years earlier? I recently had that experience with Accept’s “Russian Roulette” album and I was hoping the same thing was going to happen when I listened to Dokken’s 1987 album, “Back for the Attack.” I didn’t hate the album when I first heard it in 1987 but I thought the album lacked punch. The problem is that after hearing it three times recently, my view hasn’t shifted.

“Back for the Attack” sums up what happens to many bands. They are hungry on their first few albums and that hunger is reflected in the music and the way the band plays it. This was definitely true on the first three Dokken albums. They were hungry and it certainly shows and I could see that hunger for myself when I saw them support first Twisted Sister and then Judas Priest in 1986. Then the band makes the big time and when they do, it seems like they don’t have to try anymore. That is exactly the case with this album. It almost feels like Dokken are going through the motions and it’s why the album isn’t as good as the first three.

I think the main problem is the choruses of most of the songs. In some cases, it sounds like the band is hung over. It is the choruses where the lack of punch makes itself known. On many of the tracks, they start out with some great riffs, vocals and rhythm section and I start getting excited about it and then I hear the chorus and think, ‘”Are they trying?” It leaves me shaking my head until George Lynch is able to restore some excitement with a decent guitar solo.

For all my ripping on the album just now, it’s still pretty good. The main reason is the parts outside of the choruses where Don sings well, Jeff and Mick lay down a strong rhythm and George shreds. One song which manage to beat the chorus let down is the closer, “Dream Warriors,” which I am sure most of you know from the “Nightmare on Elm Street 3” soundtrack. That is one chorus which definitely has some punch. While the chorus is how I describe it on “Lost Behind the Wall,” it is a standout track nevertheless. I dig Jeff’s bassline and George does some of his best shredding. “Stop Fighting Love” has a great intro and an equally great George solo but it is let down by the lackluster chorus.

Taking what I have said about the album, it is the reason why I think “Mr Scary” is the best track on the album, it’s an instrumental so there are no choruses to be sung half-heartedly. George, Jeff and Mick just go and play their hearts out and the result is a brilliant track. Now, it is easy for me to blame Don for the bland vocals on the chorus but he does sing the verses of the songs with conviction, so it’s not that. Besides, Jeff and Mick also provide backing vocals. Still, you can’t go wrong on “Mr Scary.”

Track Listing:

1. Kiss of Death
2. Prisoner
3. Night by Night
4. Standing in the Shadows
5. Heaven Sent
6. Mr Scary
7. So Many Tears
8. Burning Like a Flame
9. Lost Behind the Wall
10. Stop Fighting Love
11. Cry of the Gypsy
12. Sleepless Night
13. Dream Warriors

Dokken

Don Dokken- lead vocals

George Lynch- guitar

Jeff Pilson- bass, backin vocals

Mick Brown- drums, backing vocals

What amazes me is how the chorus can affect a song. With all of these tracks on “Back for the Attack,” each starts out as if it’s going to be a killer song but then the chorus makes me think, “Oh, that’s it.” Otherwise this could have reached the dizzy heights the first three. Then again, the commercial success of the album could say that I am totally wrong here. I would like to hear your opinions on “Back for the Attack.”

Next post: 30 Year Anniversary of a Great Film

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

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Great Metal Albums of 1988: Agent Steel- Unstoppable Force

Thrash metal had definitely made its mark in 1987 as it seemed that thrash bands were coming out from everywhere. Combat Records, the record company which ruled 1986, was still turning out thrash bands in the following year. Some were great, other so-so. One of these was Agent Steel with their second album, “Unstoppable Force.”

“Unstoppable Force” isn’t a bad album, the problem is that because thrash bands were everywhere by this time, it suffers from the ‘it’s all been done before’ syndrome. There is little to make this album stand out among the best. However, this does not mean that this album is in any ways not a good album. While I say that there is little to make it stand out, it’s still better than nothing at all. One standout aspect is the vocals of John Cyriis. His vocal style is similar to that of Joey Belladonna in some regards but when he goes for the high notes, he hits and holds them at the highest level. The other pleasure of this album is the shredding of guitarists Juan Garcia and Bernie Versailles as they play some brilliant solos.

The first three tracks on the album as just in your face thrash metal tracks, good but otherwise unremarkable. It is the fourth track, “Chosen to Stay.” which really stands out. Although my first thought upon hearing it was, “Here’s another song which has an acoustic intro before going hardcore thrash.” However, it is done extremely well along with John’s over the top vocals and some great shredding. It’s not only the best track on the album but livens things up for the next few tracks.

“Still Searchin'” has a great metal intro and is more mid paced metal than thrash or speed metal. It’s a good change of pace and again, the shredding makes the song. “Rager” is appropriately named as it is one powerful frenzy of a song. Following on is the instrumental “The Day at Guyana.” Not a thrash song but there are many good power chords and some rather intriguing guitar work goes on here. Full marks to Juan and Bernie for wanting to stretch out. Also noteworthy is Chuck Profus’s drumming on the track. But the album ends like it begins with two thrashing but unremarkable tracks, though “Traveler” is probably the best song suited for a closer. That’s probably because it has a King Diamond feel to it.

Track Listing:

1. Unstoppable Force
2. Never Surrender
3. Indestructive
4. Chosen to Stay
5. Still Searchin’
6. Rager
7. The Day at Guyana
8. Nothin’ Left
9. Traveller

Agent Steel

John Cyriis- vocals

Bernie Versailles- guitar

Juan Garcia- guitar

Michael Zaputil- bass

Chuck Profus- drums

If I had written this post in 1987, some would say that it would have been a prophecy because Agent Steel broke up the following year. It’s a shame to see any good band dissolve because while I stand by the ‘all done before’ remark about this album, I think that if allowed to mature, then Agent Steel might have gone onto greater glories.

Next post: Dokken- Back for the Attack

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@80smetalman

I am also slightly disappointed that nobody seems to be signing my petition to have Bruce Dickinson knighted. To do so click the link : https://www.change.org/p/special-honours-committees-for-knighthoods-a-knighthood-for-bruce-dickinson