Great Metal Albums of 1989: Mass- Voices in the Night

It’s rather amazing, at least to me, how much difference production on an album can make. On Mass’s album, “Voices in the Night,” the production is much better than their 1986 debut, “New Birth.” Then again, “Voices in the Night” was produced by one Michael Sweet. You might have heard of him, he’s with some band called Stryper. The difference in production between the two albums is like chalk and cheese and we get full appreciation of Mass’s potential, which I knew they always had because I had seen them live on the debut tour.

Thanks to my sister, I already knew the opening title track and it does give an indication of great things to come. That is followed by a straight forward “Nine Tonight,” which is no doubt about meeting someone at nine o’clock. I don’t know if the date goes well but the harmonizing on the song is done very well, almost like Stryper. The better production does allow you to hear what a good singer Louie St August really is.

“Voices in the Night” takes a more metal direction on “Reach for the Sky” as we get some real power chords. It’s the rest of the band’s turn to shine here. Kevin Varrio and Joey Vadala prove what a great rhythm section they are together and Gene D’Itria hammers out the first of many great guitar solos. After that, things slow down as we get the first of two power ballads. In this case, it’s “Chance for Love.” We get more cool harmonizing and Louie doesn’t break a sweat with the change in vocals and Gene hammers out a great solo. It’s a good song but as far as Mass power ballads go, “Do You Love Me?” from the debut is by far their best one.

After that little lull, things go back to some more serious hard rocking on “Turn It All Around” and “Carry Your Heart.” Both are those fist pumping anthem type vibes with some more great harmonizing. They’re those songs you would want to hear played live, especially with the guitar solo as it fades out on “Carry Your Heart.” They go more melodic metal on “Miles Away.” Don’t be fooled by the melody here as it is backed up by some serious power chords. This one could be the hidden gem.

“Call Out Your Name” is the second power ballad on the album and at the beginning, while Louie is singing tenderly, it lures you in with the expectation of a power chord which doesn’t happen until the chorus. When the chords come, they really come and Gene nails the appropriate guitar solo and by now, the harmonizing is without question.

“Follow Me” gets you to do exactly that as it’s the first three songs of the hard rocking exit to the album. It’s nothing spectacular but it does the job, a good straight up rocker. “Staying Alive,” and no it’s not a Bee Gees cover, carries the torch as it’s a great metal tune. It too is a candidate for hidden gem. As for the closer, “Still of the Night,” I get the feeling that I’ve heard this one before but can’t find it. It doesn’t appear on the debut nor the 1988 EP, “Take You Home.” Then again, it doesn’t matter because it rocks the album out to the end.

Track Listing:

1. Voices in the Night
2. Nine Tonight
3. Reach for the Sky
4. Chance to Love
5. Turn It All Around
6. Carry Your Heart
7. Miles Away
8. Call Out Your Name
9. Follow Me
10. Staying Alive
11. Still of the Night

Louie St. August- lead vocals

Gene D’Itria- guitar

Kevin Varrio- bass

Joey Vadala- drums

Michael Sweet- backing vocals

True, we could go for days listing great metal bands which escaped with little notice. Mass was certainly one of those bands who had the potential to go farther than they did. “Voices in the Night” showcased this band’s true potential.

Next post: I’m finally going to post about this compilation album which has contributed to some of the albums I’ve visited recently. Now is a good time because everyone from my employers to the supply teaching agencies I also work for to even the British American Football Referees, which is my hobby I get paid for, all want me to do courses and exams at the moment. So, now is the perfect time to post a compilation album and because the album has 30 songs and on vinyl has seven or eight on one side which are chapters, you will have:

Protect The Innocent: Part 1- The First Chapter

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Great Metal Albums of 1988: Stryper- In God We Trust

“In God We Trust” is one Stryper album I know the least about. I knew of its existence but I listened to it very little and now that I have had a couple of good listens, I am asking myself., “Why did I ignore this album?” I could probably throw out several semi viable excuses but that would serve no purpose because the album is far better than what I remembered way back in 1988.

My first impression of “In God We Trust,” has me thinking of a recent post by Aphoristical on bands who do really good harmonies. Well, the harmonizing on this album is superb! It could be down to Michael Sweet doing a lot of the backing vocals himself with support from guitarist Oz Fox. Needless to say, we all know what a great singer Michael is. He, along with the rest of Stryper is my main argument against those who claim that Christian rock bands were made up of second rate musicians. As far as singers go, I put Michael Sweet in the top class along with Bruce Dickinson, Ronnie James Dio, do I need to go on? Still, the harmony vocals on this album are just great and if you want a good example of Michael’s vocals, the track I recommend is the power ballad, “I Believe in You.”

Harmonies aside, the real star of this album is Oz Fox. He just rips solos all throughout the album and while many people acknowledge his guitar playing ability, it doesn’t get shouted out as much as it should. Oz Fox is one kick ass guitarist, end of story. I could site just about every track on the album to back up my argument but I think the best track to do that is “The Writings On the Wall.” He just solos his way all throughout the track and even the rhythm guitar breaks on it are mind blowing.

Like with the previous Stryper albums, the Jesus lyrics come through loud and clear. All songs tell the listener to turn to the Lord and be saved or face eternal damnation, although they don’t use those words directly. Those of you who have been following me for awhile, know that lyrics don’t bother me. When I listen to the album, I feel no inclination to burn my Mercyful Fate albums and pour my beer down the drain. BTW, back in the 1980s, I often listened to these two bands together. I called it my ‘Heaven and Hell’ moments. Anyway, the fact that they are singing about Jesus is not important because the music behind it is just fantastic.

Jesus lyrics or not, they must have done something right because three singles were released from the album with two, “I Believe In You” and “Always There For You,” breaking into the top 100. Both of those and the non- charting third single, “Keep the Fire Burning,” are all good songs but for me, the best tracks are the already mentioned “The Writing’s On the Wall” and my vote for hidden gem, “It’s Up 2 U.” They get the nod because they both showcase Oz’s guitar work the best.

Nit picking here but one criticism of “In God We Trust” is the order. In my humble opinion, “Come to the Everlife” should have been the closer. It just has that closer vibe with the melody and certainly the melodic guitar solo ending the track and what better way to end a Christian metal album than to invite everyone to join them in the everlife. The tracks following “Everlife” are good but feel stuck on after. Still, it’s one minor point with an album which is so good in so many other ways.

My other question is why is bassist Tim Gaines absent?

Track Listing:

1. In God We Trust
2. Always There for You
3. Keep the Fire Burning
4. I Believe in You
5. The Writing’s on the Wall
6. It’s Up 2 U
7. The World of You and I
8. Come to the Everlife
9. Lonely
10. The Reign

Stryper

Michael Sweet- lead and backing vocals, guitar

Oz Fox- lead guitar, backing vocals

Robert Sweet- drums

Additional Musicians

Billy Meyers- keyboards

John Van Tongoren- keyboards

Steven Croes- Synclavier programming

Brad Cobb- session bassist

Whatever your views on Christian rock or rock from any religion, one can’t deny that with “In God We Trust,” Stryper deliver their message in cool metal style.

Next post: Europe- Out of This World

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

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Great Metal Albums of 1988: Briar- Crown of Thorns

With heavy metal bands being a dime a dozen in the late 1980s, it was very easy for bands to come and go unnoticed. In some cases, it was whether you were in the right place at the right time to catch a particular band. That was the case for me with UK metal band, Briar. I discovered them when I saw them open for Styper in London in 1987. Another reason why they might have not gotten true recognition is that while they were pretty good that evening, I wasn’t wowed by them either. Still, it was enough for me to check out their previous album “Take On the World” and their 1988 offering, “Crown of Thorns.”

Here’s another take from the evening, the song I remember the most from their set was “One Foot Back in the Door.” When I got “Take on the World,” I assumed the song was going to be on that album but it wasn’t. However, it does appear on this album. Here’s another idea, because they played that song, I assumed that it was going to be released as a single and it might have been. There was a vague air of familiarity when Briar played the song in London but I don’t remember it as a single. On the other hand, the song that made its way onto MTV in the US was “Frankie.” Both songs were worthy of being released as a single, they have that vibe to it but it’s the deeper cuts which interest me more.

When Briar stick with the melodic metal, which they do for most of the album, things sound really good. The opening title cut and tracks like “Back and Wild,” (my vote for hidden gem) and “Another Day in the Life of a Fool” bear witness to this. All three tracks are straight forward, let’s get down to business songs which are really good. Furthermore, one of their two covers, the one of Thin Lizzy’s classic, “The Boys Are Back in Town,” is done quite well. In fact, I’m going to step into the ring of controversy and declare that I prefer this cover to Bon Jovi’s cover of the same song on the “Make a Difference” compilation album. As for the other cover, Los Lobos’s “La Bamba,” well let’s just say that it’s pretty amusing though metalled out fairly well. I do like the guitar solo on it and Dean Cook has a nice drum fill at the end.

Again, they’re not bad tracks but “Spirit of the Wood” attempts to go a bit progressive at the beginning before going back to Briar basics. Perhaps they realized they shouldn’t veer to far away from their bread and butter. Saying that, the guitar at the intro and between the verses is quite alluring. “Empty Words” is a decent but unspectacular power ballad. Normally, I would say that the album ends with a cool closer and “Everyone’s Going Crazy” is just that. However, officially, it’s not the closer because that is the two second long track, “Fart.” Yes, it’s literally that!

One thing I can say for sure from listening to “Crown of Thorns” is that Briar were a good tight band. Kevin Griffiths has double duties on vocals and bass, just like Lemmy. His vocals are good and I can’t fault his bass playing. The guitar duo of Dave Fletcher and Darren Underwood make a great combination. I like the way they complement each other on the Thin Lizzy cover. Maybe they should have done more, even one guitar solo trade off. Drummer Dean has already been mentioned and what he does on “La Bamba” he does throughout the album. Together, they did make a good band.

Track Listing:

1. Crown of Thorns
2. Frankie
3. Just Another Day in the Life of a Fool
4. Back and Wild
5. La Bamba
6. One Foot Back in Your Door
7. Spirit of the Wood
8. The Boys Are Back in Town
9. Empty Words
10. Everyone’s Going Crazy
11. Fart

Briar

Kevin Griffiths- lead vocals, bass

Dave Fletcher- guitars, backing vocals

Darren Underwood- guitars, backing vocals

Dean Cook- drums

There are probably many reasons why Briar , like so many other bands, never made the big time. It’s basically down to the fact that they were competing in a very saturated market at the time. As “Crown of Thorns” shows, they had the tools. Oh yes, I’ve decided that in the not too distant future, I will write a Cover vs. Cover or even an Original vs. Cover vs. Cover post in reference to “The Boys are Back in Town.”

Next post: Stryper- In God We Trust

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

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Great Metal Albums of 1987: Briar- Take On the World

Sometimes it’s a case of being in the right place at the right time when it comes about discovering a new band. I’m sure that was the case with some bands with many of you. In this particular instance, my discovery of British metal band, Briar, came when I saw them support legends Stryper at the Hammersmith Odeon in May of 1987. Stryper were absolutely phenomenal that night and I was sure that my one friend Dave was going to convert right there and then. Furthermore, another friend, Tim, was hit by a flying bible but someone else grabbed it before he realised what happened. Oh yes, I’m posting about Briar. Actually, I don’t remember anything spectacular about them and the song I remember most, “One Foot Back in the Door,” appears on their next album. However, there was something about the band or I wouldn’t have remembered them after all these years.

Their 1987 album, “Take on the World,” opens with the title track and what you get sets the tone for the rest of the album. It’s a straightforward metal tune with some decent guitar and vocal work. It’s a good track to lead off the album but the next track, “Closing In,” is better. The intro is straight to the point but very catchy. It’s a song to bob your head along to while you are driving or sitting down and listening to. However, it does tail off a little in the middle and there could be a little more oomph to the chorus but the guitar solo makes those issues very minor.

“Odd One Out” is a faster paced song which keeps going right to the chorus and that’s my minor complaint about it. The chorus sounds a little lazy but again, this is more me nitpicking because the rest of the song, guitar solo included is very good. The chorus issue goes away on the next track, “Everybody,” in spite of the fact that the lyrics are one of those ‘I’ve heard this before’ type. It’s sung with more passion and there are some good heavy guitar riffs and a cool solo trade off between guitarists Dave Fletcher and Darren Underwood. The two D’s carry that on to the next track, “Always Gonna Love You” with a great lead guitar intro. This is the fastest song on the album, though it’s not near Exodus speed but it’s a good headbanger nonetheless. Especially with another guitar solo trade off.

With expectation building as the album goes on, one might think “Lorraine” would be an extra super track. It’s not bad, there is some good strong riffs on it but it’s more of a plateau than an ascension in metal build up. I don’t know if a single was ever released from the album but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was this track. I think my problem with the track is that there is no guitar solo and I think the inclusion of such would have given it the boost it needed.

Now, as you know, I am a sucker for a great power ballad and “Without You” had the potential to be such. Unfortunately, the track is let down from what I feel is lousy production. The guitar work is very good and maybe it’s time to comment on Kevin Griffiths vocals because while he sounds good on the rest of the album, his vocals are the only thing not adversely effected by the production on this track. Fortunately, all is well because Briar go out on a total high with the closer, “Keep On Running.” It has that 80s, ‘let’s make them think it’s recorded live’ effect on it but in this case, that only makes it sound that much better! There is definitely some oomph to this track and it’s my favourite on the album right down to the fantastic guitar solo. Oh yes, message to Blackie Lawless, Kevin Griffiths plays bass as well as sings lead and proves you can do both effectively.

Track Listing:

1. Take On the World
2. Closing In
3. Odd One Out
4. Everybody
5. Always Gonna Love You
6. Lorraine
7. Without You
8. Keep On Running

Briar

Kevin Griffiths- lead vocals, bass

Dave Fletcher- guitar, backing vocals

Darren Underwood- guitar, backing vocals

Dean Cook- drums, backing vocals

Briar came and went unnoticed by most of the metal world but not by me. I urge you to take a second and have a listen to the “Take On the World” album, I can assure you it won’t be time wasted.

Next post: I am taking a bit of a hiatus for the next two weeks or so. Next week, I have a 72 hour shift at work, (I get paid to sleep in) and then I will visit my daughter. Next Sunday, I am going to do something which one would have thought I would have done growing up in America. Unfortunately, it was always one of those things I was meaning to do but never got around to it. I will be going with my two sons to London to watch an NFL game. When I get back from that, Mrs 80smetalman and I are going away for a couple of days. When I do return, I will be taking a leaf out of 2loud’s book and writing my own Cover vs. Original post. Stay safe until then.

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

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Styrper- The Yellow and Black Attack

On one occasion in 1984, I resisted the temptation of the devil. Sometime in late August, TCN Hot Rock premiered a Christian heavy metal band on its radio programme. The deejay stated that the band they were playing called themselves ‘headbangers for the Lord’ and that very much intrigued me. So, on that particular Sunday morning, personal history was made as this was my introduction to the now very famous Christian heavy metal band Stryper.

I can’t remember which one of the six songs from their debut EP, “The Yellow and Black Attack” was played on that morning but what I do remember was that I very much liked what I heard. To me, Stryper could hold their own with their secular counter parts in every way. This album has everything a metalhead could ask for. Some crunching power riffs that come through straight away on the opening track and continue all the way to the end. All the vocals on the album were truly amazing and I had a lot of praise for the singer, I didn’t know his name at the time. Of course there was a tight rhythm section but in most cases for me, especially back then was how good the lead guitar was. Well, I don’t think anyone could debate me if I say that Oz Fox belongs up there among his great guitar peers. The best thing about “The Yellow and Black Attack” is that you get all of those ingredients on each one of the six songs on it.

One thing I have stated over the past three decades was that with many heavy metal bands, they start out hungry for success and that raw hunger is expressed on their initial demo or even the debut album, some beyond that. That hunger is definitely there on this album. They might have been singing and playing their hearts out here and the result was that the music could be capable of turning stones into bread.

The problem Stryper had with both Christian and secular audiences was that no one knew how to take Christian heavy metal. Christians had always branded metal Satanic and some thought that the fusion of Christianity and heavy metal to be sacrilege. As for the heathen, many were put off by the threat of Jesus lyrics. One critic referred to them as “Quiet Riot singing Jesus music.” That’s more of an insult for Stryper than to Quiet Riot. Stryper doesn’t sound like them at all to me. True, Stryper proudly sing about their love for their Saviour but having listened to this band so many times in three decades, I have never found myself wanting to go back to the fold.

Personal note: I was a Born Again Christian during my teenage years of the 1970s but all it did for me was mess my head up more than any drugs or music ever could. However, I don’t begrudge anyone who has spiritual beliefs and if they want, I would happily listen to Stryper with them.

Track Listing:

1. Loud ‘N’ Clear
2. From Wrong to Right
3. You Know What to Do
4. Co’mon Rock
5. You Won’t Be Lonely
6. Loving You

Stryper

Michael Sweet- lead vocals, guitar

Oz Fox- lead guitar, backing vocals

Tim Gaines- bass, backing vocals, keyboards

Robert Sweet- drums

They didn’t know it back then but Stryper laid down the foundations that built the bridge between the gulf of Christianity and heavy metal with this, their debut EP, “The Yellow and Black Attack.” From here, Stryper would go onto bigger and better things and whether or not you were a Christian or heathen, their music would touch the metal souls of many metalheads.

Next post: Chicago 17

To buy Rock and Roll Children, go to: https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Roll-Children-Michael-Lefevre/dp/1609763556/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1507042433&sr=8-3&keywords=michael+d+lefevre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Rise of Christian Rock

Normally, I don’t write three posts in a week unless in exceptional circumstances which this is. Nothing major, I’m just going to be in Blackpool for the weekend and working a lot next week so I won’t be able to post again until next Friday. However, this doesn’t excuse any of you from your homework assignment from the last post. Only kidding.

1984 was the golden year of heavy metal but it also saw a huge rise in the interest in what has become known as ‘Christian Rock.’ With the onslaught of accusations of rock music being Satanic, Christian youth needed something they could listen to without their beliefs being affected. What emerged was a large number of bands and artists who were Born Again Christians and wanted to use music to spread their word and entertain the flock. I remember back in 1984 a lot of bands of this nature coming on the scene. In fact, early Sunday mornings, my local radio station had a four hour slot called TCN Hot Rock, where they would play music from Christian groups. When I did listen to it, I immediately dismissed the false belief that Christian bands were second rate musicians who were only using religion as a gimmick because they weren’t good enough to make it mainstream. Really, some people actually thought that. No these people could really wail and the music was very good and to shoot down another myth, not all the songs were in your face about Jesus.

You’d be surprised how many bands there are who are considered Christian Rock, even some of those who were popular among us heathens. Did you know that three of the four members of U2 were Born Again Christians? Adam Clayton is the only non believer in the band. Needless to say, their music got a lot of air play on TCN. As did another band who I featured here not too long ago, The Alarm. Other artists also came onto my radar thanks to this radio programme, including former Kansas star, Kerry Livgren. I’ll be featuring his album two posts from now. There was Mylon LeFevre, (no relation), Petra, the Daniel Band and it was here that I got my introduction to some heavy metal band called Styper. You might have heard of them.

The Alarm

U2

I remember one song getting a lot of airplay on TCN Hot Rock during the summer of 1984 so I thought, I would share it with you. It’s by Steve Taylor and it’s called “We Don’t Need No Color Code.” The song actually is a rant against a supposedly Christian College in the South who was accused of racist practices.

Like with everything to do with religion, the concept of Christian Rock is great. Like I said on other blogs, I can listen to Stryper and Mercyful Fate in the same sitting. There are some pretty amazing musicians who are Born Again Christians and I think that’s cool. However, like with everything else, people mess it up and make it look bad. The rise of Christian Rock gave rise to the arrogance in the attitudes of those who listened to it. Some would take this to extremes and if you’ve read “Rock And Roll Children,” (shameless plug), you’ll know what I mean.

Next post: Originally, I was going to put a song by the Daniel Band on this post but when I listened to their 1984 album, “Rush Out of the Darkness,” I was so impressed that I’m going to make it my next post.

To buy Rock and Roll Children, go to: https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Roll-Children-Michael-Lefevre/dp/1609763556/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1505466016&sr=8-3&keywords=michael+d+lefevre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Top 10 Christmas Songs

With Christmas rapidly approaching and the radio playing all sorts of Christmas songs from Bing Crosby to Band Aid, it got me thinking (a dangerous thing I know) about the Christmas songs I like. Normally, the ones I prefer are either metalised carols or parodies. I have 2 CDs which contain a lot of both. Now, after putting in a little thought, here are my top ten favourite Christmas songs.

10. Slade- Merry Christmas Everyone

9.  Bob Rivers and Twisted Radio- White Trash Christmas

8. Bob Rivers and Twisted Radio- Jingle Hell’s Bells

7. The Darkness- Christmas Time

6.  Bob Rivers and Twisted Radio- Frosty the Pervert

5. Bob Rivers and Twisted Radio- Walking Round in Women’s Underwear

4. The McKenzie Brothers- The Canadian Twelve Days of Christmas

3. Weird Al Yankovick- The Night Santa Went Crazy

2. Stryper- Winter Wonderland

1. Twisted Sister- Any song from the Twisted Christmas album

True, Bob Rivers and Twisted Radio features heavy on the list but only two songs are from the above album. Number 8, “Jingle Hell’s Bells” is both a parody and a great rocker in the form of AC/DC. Anyway, those are my top ten Christmas songs and with that, I would like to wish all on here a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday and Seasons Greetings.

To buy Rock And Roll Children, go to: http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London