This is episode one of a weekly playlist, which contains proper solid rock and metal new and old. As a child of the 80s it's going to centre around NWOBHM / MWOTHM extending to thrash, symphonic, hard / heavy rock, southern and possibly tentatively exploring other areas too. Do make requests in the comments, but if has 'core' in the genre or is too black or doomy or detuned it's unlikely to move me too much.
First is the Spotify playlist (I think you have to click through to the Spotify app to listen to the songs in full) scroll down further for my notes.
- Shirley Knott
Lords of Black - Malevolently Beautiful (intro) and Merciless from II (2016)
Ronnie Romero is the closest thing we have to the great Ronnie James Dio and he makes a powerful sound despite looking like a sweet young thing. Lords of Black is just one of his projects, also see The Ferrymen and Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow. Their latest album is
Icons of New Days but these tracks are from the previous album, Lords of Black II.
Nightrain - Guns 'n' Roses from Appetite for Destruction (1987)
One of the classic all-time metal albums and one of those rare albums where you can actively enjoy every song. This selection marks the fact that the original members made
a historic reunion at Download the other weekend.
Where We Go - Mick's Jaguar from Frame and Fortune (2018)
Their bio says "if Thin Lizzy and The Sex Pistols had a rebellious love child". This track has an early AC/DC vibe, verging into punk crossover territory.
Rats - Ghost from Prequelle (2018)
The commercial sound and pretty vocals seem at odds with the satanic theme but there's something very compelling about the theatricality. The new album makes it clear that commercial is the direction they're determined to travel. I don't recommend the album but this much-anticipated single lives up to the promise and has probably taken the charts by storm.
Ashes of Dawn - The Sea Within from The Sea Within (2018)
A new album from a prog supergroup. Much of the album is quite gentle and reflective. but his track and An Eye For an Eye have a bit of life.
The Mistchild - Whyzdom from As Time Turns To Dust (2018)
For me, the number one symphonic metal band. This is from their most recent album, which doesn't quite eclipse the previous album, Symphony for a Hopeless God but maybe I've not listened to it enough times yet. If you like this, try
Echoterra, A Sanguinary Greed.
Lifebringer - A Sound of Thunder from It Was Metal (2018)
Power metal, clean female vocals and excellent songwriting. A Bandcamp discovery. If you like this, try
Kobra and the Lotus,
Unleash the Archers and
Helion Prime
Phantasmagoria - Annihilator from Never, Neverland (1990)
Verging into thrash but in a class of their own. Jeff Waters is a great songwriter and performer who has never really achieved the success that he deserves. Seen on tour recently in a fantastic line-up with Testament who gave them their first support slot. They were supporting the fantastic new album
For the Demented, but this track is from their second commercial release.
This Time - Night Flight Orchestra from Sometimes the World Aint Enough (2018)
I love Night Flight Orchestra, sure it's musical and catchy but it's happy-music with balls. If you like this, you must try
Graham Bonnet band.
Beware the Train - Trick or Treat from Rabbit's Hill part 2 (2016)
A pair of metal concept albums based on the Watership Down novel? How does that work? Very well! The band are Italian and this album features guest apperances from the likes of Tim "Ripper" Owens and Tony Kakko, though perversely I've chosen an instrumental.
Reef - Place Your Hands (1996)
PYH is one of the all-time feelgood songs. Reef have just put out a new album but it's hard to live up to a classic like this one from 1996. Hole? Hope? Who cares.
Tankard - Breakfast for Champions from R.I.B (2014)
A very experienced band that crosses over into thrash, and take their drinking as seriously as their music.
Dr Stein - Helloween from Keeper of the Seven Keys pt II (1988)
A jolly track from a real classic album. If you like this, try
Unisonic, a recent project that re-unites Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen
Hallowed Be Thy Name - Iron Maiden from Number of the Beast (1982)
Up there with Appetite for Destruction in the list of most classic albums of all time. Every track a winner. Bruce had brought a new sound to Maiden, very different to Di'Anno on the first two albums. Apparently Maiden nicked some lyrics for 'Hallowed' from 'Life's Shadow' by Beckett and have settled up for that. This track is an epic concert finisher and great bookend for this week's playlist.
Further listening - I put all of the new Rock and Metal releases each week (that I like) into
this New Rock and Metal albums playlist where they remain for about a month before rolling over into
2018 Rock and Metal album releases.
And finally - talking of Donington (which will always be 'Monsters of Rock' to me)
