Welcome back, or just welcome if it's your first time, for Episode 12 of the usual mix of rock and metal, new and old. Read my notes for the lowdown and if you spot any connections that I haven't, or have suggestions for future playlists, PLEASE leave them in the comments and earn yourself some kudos.
There's a link just below that you can and should subscribe to, and it will change and contain the latest selections each week. Below that is the playlist for episode 12. You can find all previous episodes / playlists by exploring the previous posts on this blog.
I think you have to click through to the Spotify app to listen to the songs in full. Underneath all that are my notes from this episode.
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Here is a link to the playlist that you need to subscribe to for the new episode each week )
- Shirley Knott
Antioch by Antioch from Antioch II:First Strike (2015) Independent Canadian band, this is from the second and possibly the best of their three albums. They're available from
bandcamp and note that you can buy their whole catalogue for a very modest price.
Until We Fall by Starkill (2018) I don't usually pay much attention to singles released ahead of an album because it's a marketing exercise, but I do particularly love this track and look forward to the whole album.
She Took An Axe by Flotsam and Jetsam (1986) from the early days of thrash, this is the debut album from the band that contained Jason Newstead, later Metallica's bassist. I remembered this track about the real-life axe-murderer while putting together a Halloween-based playlist.
King of the Kill by Annihilator from King of the Kill (1993) Compatriots of Antioch featured a little earlier. Jeff Waters is a real hero and IMHO hasn't received the recognition that he deservers as songwriter and musician. This is from an early album, their fourth studio release.
Not All There by Annihilator from For the Demented (2017) One more from Annihilator from their most recent album. A personal indulgence, I've enjoyed seeing them twice this year, supporting Testament, the first band to take them on tour.
Dressed in White from Fatal Portrait by King Diamond (1986) This album may not be as heavily-layerd musically as the following concept albums (Abigail, Them) but still has a ghostly 'Dorian Grey' type story and some good music.
Warlords by La Chinga from Beyond the Sky (2018) A new hard rock release from this band's third album.
All the Pretty Girls by The Darkness from Pinewood Smile (2017) As often happens, a band that doesn't take itself seriously produces very good music and have staying power. They started out in 2000, have had a break and reformed (some members played as Stone Gods at this time) and this is their fifth studio album.
We Set Fire by Pennywise from Never Gonna Die (2018) This is verging on punk but it's the kind of crossover that I really like.
A Brand New War by Shim from SHIM (2018) A new release and a new artist on me. This first track from the album had me hooked, although the rest of the alum is much less raucous.
True Rocker by Monster Truck (feat. Dee Snider) from True Rockers (2018) The third band from Ontario, Canada on our list this week.
Lies are a Business by Dee Snider from For the Love of Metal (2018) The man himself and there's certainly a lot to love about metal.
Queen of Swords by Seven Thorns from II (2014) Fairly recent Danish band but drawing on old-school metal for influence.
Scream of Madness by De La Muerte from Venganza (2017) I don't know anything about Mexican culture (except for what I've seen on Breaking Bad) but love the sounds this band produce.
Avec Vous by Vulcain from V8 (2013) This is from a relatively recent album by a band that goes all the way back to the early '80s. This sounds like it may have been recorded in the 80s too, but I value music over production.
Insane Pain by Grave Digger from The Living Dead (2018) This album reminds me very much of Lordi, GD are from Germany, also reaching all the way back to the 80s. There's some wacky stuff on this new album but TBH I'd probably take their older stuff, being more old-school and a bit less commercial party metal.
Witches Prayer by Cultural Warfare from Warmageddon (2018) One more new release, I've been looking forward to the album since the first single was released. It lives up to the promise, old-school thrash influences are strong with this one.
Clear the Way by Iced Earth from Incorruptible (2017) An epic track from an album that's become a real classic for me.
That's the list for this week.
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