Hard Rock and Metal music reviews

I would like to edit my review because this has 2 good songs in For Whom The Bell Tolls, and Fade to Black. I'm not a huge Metallica fan. I just like about 3 of their good albums in Black Album, Master of Puppets, and this Ride the Lightning.

I'm a big Metallica fan. I have every one of their CDs (including the rare original "Complete Garage Days," which is contained almost entirely on Garage Inc.) This is one of their best. "For Whom the Bell Tolls," "Fade to Black," "Creeping Death," and "Fight Fire With Fire" are all very good classic Metallica. For Who the Bell Tolls is my favorite lyric song (I love the lyrics). This album is slightly overrated but still good.

RIDE THE LIGHTNING IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE BEST ALBUM FROM METALLICA AND IS BETTER THAN MASTER OF PUPPETS AND AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.THIS ALBUM IS TERRIFIC WITH ANTHEMS LIKE RIDE THE LIGHTNING,FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE AND FADE TO BLACK AND IS CERTAINNLY BETTER THAN ANY ALBUM FROM CRAPPY BANDS LIKE FOREIGNER,GREEN DAY AND NIRVANA.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I remeber listening to this album when I was approx 17 and absolutely loving it. I have been listening to it again recently. There are a few good tracks but its nowhere near as good as "The Real Thing" or "King For A Day" which cracks me up in a lot of parts due to its ridiculous and meaningless extremeness.
"Land of sunshine" and "Midlife Crisis" are ok. "Caffeine" and "Smaller and Smaller" are good although the latter drags on a bit. "RV" is ok for a while, but you know the drill pretty quickly after a while. The highlights would be "Everything's ruined" "A Small victory" and "easy". "Be Aggressive" and "Malpractice" are plain stupid and annoying. "Kindergarten" bores me. Still though, Angel Dust is a good album, just not my favorite anymore. It is a deranged effort with some mysterious yet troubling moments. Contrary to most people, I have more trouble with Patton's voice in Angel's Dust than in The Real Thing.

yep, this masterpiece is only 7 bucks...$6.95 plus tax....
anyway, this album is amazing, showcasing Patton's wierd vocal styles...
best songs are:A small victory, Kindergarten, land of sunshine, midlife crisis....hell, the whole album rocks, get it, its cheap and well worth all seven dollars!

Personally, my favorite album from my favorite band. Unfortunately, I'm too young to have had the plessure of experiencing Faith No More when they were together. This was the first Faith No More album I purchased, and after listening to it and the other Faith No More CD's I've come to have more appreciation for the genius and complexity of albums and songs. This CD and Faith No More in general is the perfect example of just how, for lack of better words, "awesome" and "entertaing" music can be.

Land Of Sunshine - 5/5
One of the first songs I've heard on this album prior to purchasing it and one of the best ones on it. Good fast-paced beat with a great range of vocals throughout. The fortune cookie and self-help lyrics are a joy to listen to
Caffeine - 5/5
One of the more aggressive songs on the CD. Heavy rhythm that you can really get into.
Midlife Crisis - 5/5
Probably the most popular and and most mainstream song on the album, but for good reason. This song has FNM's press-titled "rap-metal" beat and lyrics in the beginning, which perfectly changes into a more alt-pop chorus.
RV - 5/5
This is hilarious, but just a good all around song at the same time. Crazy lyrics and a rhythm that transitions from a slow narrative to a faster, louder chorus.
Smaller And Smaller - 4/5
Another good heavy song with Mike's "Pattonted" growling scream.
Everything's Ruined - 5/5
Tied with From Out Of Nowhere as my favorite Faith No More song. Everything's Ruined simple has everything. It starts off with Patton's slow, moody voice, which transitions into a heavy metal chorus, which again transitions into melodic singing with incredible background instrumentals. This song is truly an epic that must be heard.
Malpractice - 4/5
A straight up aggressive song with some crazy guitar riffs and a nice surprise in the middle.
Kindergarten - 4/5
A semi-slow, semi-heavy song with some enjoyable aution lyrics in the background.
Be Aggressive - 3/5
Not a bad song, but one of the few Faith No More songs that never really grew on me. Some interesting lyrics however. Oh, Roddy, and your crazy lyrics, :)
A Small Victory - 5/5
Another incredible and epic song that really adds to the variety of the CD. Great melodic guitar throughout and incredible vocals.
Crack Hitler - 3/5
Another good song, but one that I never really gave enough attention. The more I listen to it the more I like it though.
Jizzlobber - 5/5
A pure heavy, aggressive, and loud song. Quite a treat for the metal fans. It's another good song that adds to the variety of the CD. After listening to this song and backing up only two tracks, you can understand the complexity and variety of this album.
Midnight Cowboy - 4/5
A perfect ending for the perfect CD. This slow instrumental song just fits as the conclusion to this CD perfectly.

I rediscovered this email after a few years and bought it again... without hesitation.. for my music collection. So much of the metal and/or other genres this album and Queensryche gets sadly pigeonholed into sounds so dated and weak, but Queensryche are so much more than "metal" or "hard rock" or categories at least for Operation Mindcrime. The music is merely a vehicle for a story, and what a story!

The story of disillusionment with the government transcends, though written under the oppression, government lies and corruption, that was the Reagan years, this album's themes are equally at home under the current Bush regime where the leaders lie, and innocents die, and anyone with half a brain feels numb and helpless.

This album shines on all levels, the musicians are all at the tops of their games, nary a note is wasted, and as others have comments Geoff Tate's voice is a wonder, right behind Freddy Mercury in range and power, ability to carry and convey every single song, note, mood, and emotion with conviction. Both he and this album are so sadly underrated it's quite heartening to see all the five star reviews here of so many that get and appreciate this album's utter brilliance.

For those who don't believe in timeless metal? Buy this album. Those who like hard hard rock? Buy this album. Those who even like heavy rock theatre, again, buy this album. It's appeal is tremendous, it's music sheer power, and it's scope transcending so many music genres genius.

"Operation:Mindcrime" is, without a doubt, one of the Top 4 rock albums of all time. It ranks up there with "Tommy" by The Who, "The Wall" by Pink Floyd, and "Master of Puppets" by Metallica. You'll notice that 3 of these 4 albums each have a plot. It takes incredible talent to mix incredible vocals (Tate and Daltrey), excellent music writing (Queensryche, Waters, Townshend, and Metallica), and intelligent lyrics (Queensryche, Waters, Townshend, and Metallica). The one without a plot, of course, is "Master of Puppets", but that's another review.

This album was created at a point in the band's career in which Geoff Tate's voice was at its peak. His range was second-to-none for its time. (I reject the notion that Tate and Bruce Dickinson had similar vocals. The latter possessed neither the range nor Tate's ability to alter his pitch in mid-note.) The unbelievable vocals mixed perfectly with the music and the plot. All three united to portray exactly the message the group intended-a grim tale of a progressing revolution by a militant brainwashing organization.

The protagonist is Nikki, a meek and naive drug user disgusted with Reagan-era politics and religious hypocrisy. He joins Operation:Mindcrime and begins asassinating politicians, priests, and anyone else he's ordered to by Dr. X, a kingpin in the revolutionary cause. He is united with Mary, a prostitute-turned-nun and they fall in love. The plot begins to spiral into betrayal and murder until Nikki is caught by police and he is faced to hold himself accountable for his actions. An underlying message parallels Nikki's actions with that of the U.S. government's inability to account for it's own illegal activities.

If you enjoy rock music (that is, not of the Poison or Elton John variety), you have to listen to "Operation:Mindcrime". If the heavy metal sound seems too "old school", take into account when it was produced and the social environment surrounding it. Catholic or Protestant, Conservative or Liberal, the plot is appreciable by all (although maybe not by the elderly or the very young). Also think to yourself, "Are the attitudes and actions of the characters too far-fetched even by today's standards?" The bottom line is that truly outstanding music makes you think. Listen to it and and you'll love it.

OK, yeah, so I reviewed this already, but that was a stupid as s review. Well, maybe it was not that bad but my views on it have changed, so I must rewrite it.

For those who don't know, Queensryche is an American band from Seattle that fuses power metal (Iron Maiden) with prog rock (Pink Floyd), but it sounds nothing like grunge and it doesn't have cheesy vocals and Helloween-esque dungeons and dragons lyrics. Their 3rd album 'Operation: Mindcrime' (1988) is simply one of the best albums ever and my review title is no exaggeration, this stands as the best album I've ever heard. When it comes to a concept album, this is by far the best ever put out. Yes, it's even better than 'The Wall', 'Tommy' and 'Scenes From A Memory'. This has everything a rock/metal fan could ask for; superb vocals, musicianship that doesn't fail to impress, thrashy and speedy moments and even ballads. Sure, it's not very heavy and not very technical either. But that's not what matters here. What really matters here is the depth of the songs. Although don't get me wrong, I do appreciate techincal skill (that's why Dream Theater is one of my favorite bands), and I also like listening to technical music yet brutal (ex. Cryptopsy's 'None So Vile', Morbid Angel's 'Covenant' and Slayer's 'Reign in Blood'). Geoff tate is one of the best songwriters ever (with all the help of Chris DeGarmo), and is an amazing vocalist. Aside from his great voice he has ability to hold high notes and switch from a high shriek to a low growl (NOT a death metal growl), much like The Air Raid Siren. And the musicianship, while not that technical, does go perfectly with the vocals, what makes it a PERFECT album with no single boring moment. EVERY second of the whole hour it takes is just perfect. There is no filler to be found here. Every song here gets at least a 10 out of 10. The album also tells a story (duh, it's a concept album). I agree with other reviewers who said this is the besr story to be told an a CD. The main character is Nikki, a drug addict who seeks help, then meets Dr. X who brainwashes him and orders him to kill a politician and an ex-wh ore called mary. The rest you'll figure out. Anyway I'll go through my favorite songs.

After a short introduction (I Remember Now) the album starts with an instrumental (Anarchy X) that goes into 'Revolution Calling' which is my favorite song on the album, it has a very catchy chorus and an incredible solo in the beginning. Then come the title track which is another one of my favorite songs. 'Speak' has an Iron Maiden-ish opening riff with creepy vocals an in all is another good song. 'Spreading the Disease' has a great drum sound and vocals. 'The Mission' is the best ballad on the album, it starts soft with a phone ring, but during the chorus it becomes heavier. 'Suite Sister Mary' is the longest song on the album as well as the darkest song on the album. And also consist awesome female vocals, and Geoff Tate is like one BMF here. The comes the much maligned 'The Needle Lies', it is the heaviest song on the album, the guitars here kinda remind 'Freewheel Burning' by Judas Priest, don't skip this one. 'Electric Requiem' and 'Breaking the Silence' while not my favorite songs are still superb tracks. 'I Don't Believe in Love' is the best song between TNL and EOAS. Then there are 2 skits, 'Waiting for 22' and 'My Empty Room' which lead into perhaps one of the best hard rock songs ever, 'Eyes of A Stranger'. This one left me speechless when I first heard it, it ias one of the best album closers ever. No words can describe this song.

Another thing I should point out, while the production here is awesome I think the remastered has even more clarified the sound, the reason I didn't review that is because something seems to be f uc ked up with reviewing that. So I recommend that over the original.

I guess I won't go on anymore, I can't really do this masterpiece justice. It's just unbelievely good. If you are a rock/metalhead you MUST have this in your collection.

Like all the other AIC albums, this rocks! Every song on this is worth listening to. Layne Staley is the best singer in the world! AIC is nothing without him.

Hopefully you already know by now that Alice In Chains was easily one of the most talented,underrated bands of the 90's. With that said this in my opinion is their finest hour and greatest musical offering. This is where it all came togther. With Layne and Jerry's voice blending together over Jerry's guitar playing and the incredible musicianship of the rest of the band, everything just comes together to create some of the most soulful, heartfelt music you could hope for. The absoulte greatest thing about this cd though is that it features, "I Stay Away" which is possibly their greatest songs. This cd is easily worth twice the price so just go out and buy it damnit! Definetly a must for anyone who claims to be a fan of truly great music.

AIC's "Jar of Flies" is tied with A Perfect Circle's "Thirteenth Step" as one of the most hauntingly/beautifully enchanting records I have ever heard. Its all there folks, lyrics, melodies, harmonies and emotion. This is not music, it is transcendance to something more powerful. I cannot recommend this album enough.

This is what I think of Master of Puppets. 7 lousy songs, only 1 good song in the instrumental song but the rest.....this music can get you all mad, and upset. Go buy the Foreigner and Dire Straits CDs...they are the master of love songs!!!!!! Not Metallica. I still like Metallica, but this was not their best work.

Master of Puppets is a really overrated album, which I don't like music that just seems the same. I've bought a lot of Metallica CDs and thought, these guys are overrated, I mean James Hetfield can't sing, he just screams. He's not anything like Mark Knopfler, or Lou Gramm. Anyway, to this album, well, I thought this was a really annoying album, the title track is just nothing but screaming. Orion is about the only decent song off the whole CD. Rest of the other songs deserves zero stars. Metallica only made about 5 decent tracks, 4 of the others are off the Black Album. Listen to those 5 and stop messin' around with Metallica's lame songs. I will never forget Lars Ulrich, I like Metallica because he's a great drummer(one of the best drummers period!).
I'll give this 1 star because Orion rocks!! Rest of the other songs are crappy.......Buy this and the Black Album and avoid all the other CDs from Metallica. Thanks,

Brothers in Arms.

MASTER OF PUPPETS IS AMONGST THE GREATEST ALBUMS FROM METALLICA AND ANYONE WHO SLAMS THIS NEEDS TO BE SHOT.EVERY SONG IS GOOD SO I GOT TO GIVE IT NOTHING LESS THAN FIVE STARS.

This album isn't terrible however, if it hadn't became legendary and sold over 10, 000 000 000 copies I probably wouldn't have reviewed this CD, but what drives me to write this review is because of the question mark that hovers above my head about how? And why? Everyone considers this CD to a classic and some kind of landmark.

I bought this CD about half a year ago now and have given it many a listen, and I can honestly say that every time I haven't really enjoyed it that much. None of the songs have any particular deep meaning to them with the exception of "Hell's Bell's", the drumming is pretty much the same on every song, the vocals are very tedious and difficult to listen to after a while and the guitar works good but their isn't much variation and generally sounds similar to a majority of the bands other material.

Maybe I just don't understand "ACDC" that well or "Back In Black" was important back in 1980 when it was released and not now in 2006, but in my eyes it certainly isn't anything special.

Listen fans, before you sick Angus on me, know that I have nothing against AC/DC. They have a cool sound, they rock, the're a lot of fun. And Back in Black is undoubtedly their finest hour. But ever since BIB, AC/DC has been releasing the same album over and over again. They are a band that knows the meaning of the term "formula" and refuse to deviate from it. They take no risks. Brian Johnson is a decent frontman, he's got a great, raspy growl. But Angus Young is more an image than anything; he completely dominates the band, and he's a very average guitar player. And then where's the rest of the band? They are almost never in the spotlight, including Angus' brother Malcom.

So if you want some AC/DC in your collection, this is definitely the place to stop. And after this purchase, do please stop.

On their album Back in Black, AC/DC is a band that demonstrates all that is good and bad about hard rock. While there are some great, classical moments here that can not be ignored, this album could have been a masterpiece, while instead it does not quite work as a whole.

AC/DC is sometimes a great band, but they are certainly not perfect. It seems they get much of their attention because they know what their audience wants-- heavy riffs blended with masculine concepts-- but this does not make them exceptional, it rather makes them a sometimes-fun band that also lacks any sort of high-concepted artistic conviction.

Quite simply, their music is rather ordinary, and the moments of brilliance are rare, but their sense of party-like danceability and the number of times that they get you into rock-out mode are numerous. While many may say that this is one of the best hard-rock LP's ever recorded, yet they could have confused commercial success over artistic credibility, because as hard rock is concerned, there is a score of heavier bands that are better. Yet, at the same time, few of the bands are this much fun.

The soul behind AC/DC was simple, yet effective. A singer--in this case Brian Johnston-- sings with hard-crunching power about boozing, womanizing, etc and this adds a testosterone-heavy rush of flavor. Second, the refrain is easy, and proceeds to tell the listener what rock can sometimes be all about-- fun filled themes of teenage rebellion, with an immature, maudlin feel. Next, they synchronize their sound and create some very grand riffs, and this fusion creates a thrashing sonic texture. However, in Back in Black, there are many classical songs-- Hell's Bells, Shoot to Thrill, etc.-- but at the same time, they do not work as much when listened to consecutively. This is because the non-unique music begins to mesh, causing it to lose some of its power. Yet, when listened in small doses, they mostly rock... hard.

While there are some well-styled misfires in here that lack any real coherence, (Give the Dog a Bone,) and feel like filler; and it should be noted that unnecessary tracks are something that is the utmost boo-boo when making an adrenaline-charged heavy-metal record.

When the turntable stops spinning, the audience may agree that in a hard-rock album, the rockability can only lessen, but it still has to rock...hard. Back in Black's fuse only burns in quick shots for adrenaline, because when listened to as a whole, the flame is choked, and it ultimately almost fizzles into nothingness.

** 1/2 (Out of 4)

This album isn't terrible however, if it hadn't became legendary and sold over 10, 000 000 000 copies I probably wouldn't have reviewed this CD, but what drives me to write this review is because of the question mark that hovers above my head about how? And why? Everyone considers this CD to a classic and some kind of landmark.

I bought this CD about half a year ago now and have given it many a listen, and I can honestly say that every time I haven't really enjoyed it that much. None of the songs have any particular deep meaning to them with the exception of "Hell's Bell's", the drumming is pretty much the same on every song, the vocals are very tedious and difficult to listen to after a while and the guitar works good but their isn't much variation and generally sounds similar to a majority of the bands other material.

Maybe I just don't understand "ACDC" that well or "Back In Black" was important back in 1980 when it was released and not now in 2006, but in my eyes it certainly isn't anything special.

Listen fans, before you sick Angus on me, know that I have nothing against AC/DC. They have a cool sound, they rock, the're a lot of fun. And Back in Black is undoubtedly their finest hour. But ever since BIB, AC/DC has been releasing the same album over and over again. They are a band that knows the meaning of the term "formula" and refuse to deviate from it. They take no risks. Brian Johnson is a decent frontman, he's got a great, raspy growl. But Angus Young is more an image than anything; he completely dominates the band, and he's a very average guitar player. And then where's the rest of the band? They are almost never in the spotlight, including Angus' brother Malcom.

So if you want some AC/DC in your collection, this is definitely the place to stop. And after this purchase, do please stop.

On their album Back in Black, AC/DC is a band that demonstrates all that is good and bad about hard rock. While there are some great, classical moments here that can not be ignored, this album could have been a masterpiece, while instead it does not quite work as a whole.

AC/DC is sometimes a great band, but they are certainly not perfect. It seems they get much of their attention because they know what their audience wants-- heavy riffs blended with masculine concepts-- but this does not make them exceptional, it rather makes them a sometimes-fun band that also lacks any sort of high-concepted artistic conviction.

Quite simply, their music is rather ordinary, and the moments of brilliance are rare, but their sense of party-like danceability and the number of times that they get you into rock-out mode are numerous. While many may say that this is one of the best hard-rock LP's ever recorded, yet they could have confused commercial success over artistic credibility, because as hard rock is concerned, there is a score of heavier bands that are better. Yet, at the same time, few of the bands are this much fun.

The soul behind AC/DC was simple, yet effective. A singer--in this case Brian Johnston-- sings with hard-crunching power about boozing, womanizing, etc and this adds a testosterone-heavy rush of flavor. Second, the refrain is easy, and proceeds to tell the listener what rock can sometimes be all about-- fun filled themes of teenage rebellion, with an immature, maudlin feel. Next, they synchronize their sound and create some very grand riffs, and this fusion creates a thrashing sonic texture. However, in Back in Black, there are many classical songs-- Hell's Bells, Shoot to Thrill, etc.-- but at the same time, they do not work as much when listened to consecutively. This is because the non-unique music begins to mesh, causing it to lose some of its power. Yet, when listened in small doses, they mostly rock... hard.

While there are some well-styled misfires in here that lack any real coherence, (Give the Dog a Bone,) and feel like filler; and it should be noted that unnecessary tracks are something that is the utmost boo-boo when making an adrenaline-charged heavy-metal record.

When the turntable stops spinning, the audience may agree that in a hard-rock album, the rockability can only lessen, but it still has to rock...hard. Back in Black's fuse only burns in quick shots for adrenaline, because when listened to as a whole, the flame is choked, and it ultimately almost fizzles into nothingness.

** 1/2 (Out of 4)

This album isn't terrible however, if it hadn't became legendary and sold over 10, 000 000 000 copies I probably wouldn't have reviewed this CD, but what drives me to write this review is because of the question mark that hovers above my head about how? And why? Everyone considers this CD to a classic and some kind of landmark.

I bought this CD about half a year ago now and have given it many a listen, and I can honestly say that every time I haven't really enjoyed it that much. None of the songs have any particular deep meaning to them with the exception of "Hell's Bell's", the drumming is pretty much the same on every song, the vocals are very tedious and difficult to listen to after a while and the guitar works good but their isn't much variation and generally sounds similar to a majority of the bands other material.

Maybe I just don't understand "ACDC" that well or "Back In Black" was important back in 1980 when it was released and not now in 2006, but in my eyes it certainly isn't anything special.

Listen fans, before you sick Angus on me, know that I have nothing against AC/DC. They have a cool sound, they rock, the're a lot of fun. And Back in Black is undoubtedly their finest hour. But ever since BIB, AC/DC has been releasing the same album over and over again. They are a band that knows the meaning of the term "formula" and refuse to deviate from it. They take no risks. Brian Johnson is a decent frontman, he's got a great, raspy growl. But Angus Young is more an image than anything; he completely dominates the band, and he's a very average guitar player. And then where's the rest of the band? They are almost never in the spotlight, including Angus' brother Malcom.

So if you want some AC/DC in your collection, this is definitely the place to stop. And after this purchase, do please stop.

On their album Back in Black, AC/DC is a band that demonstrates all that is good and bad about hard rock. While there are some great, classical moments here that can not be ignored, this album could have been a masterpiece, while instead it does not quite work as a whole.

AC/DC is sometimes a great band, but they are certainly not perfect. It seems they get much of their attention because they know what their audience wants-- heavy riffs blended with masculine concepts-- but this does not make them exceptional, it rather makes them a sometimes-fun band that also lacks any sort of high-concepted artistic conviction.

Quite simply, their music is rather ordinary, and the moments of brilliance are rare, but their sense of party-like danceability and the number of times that they get you into rock-out mode are numerous. While many may say that this is one of the best hard-rock LP's ever recorded, yet they could have confused commercial success over artistic credibility, because as hard rock is concerned, there is a score of heavier bands that are better. Yet, at the same time, few of the bands are this much fun.

The soul behind AC/DC was simple, yet effective. A singer--in this case Brian Johnston-- sings with hard-crunching power about boozing, womanizing, etc and this adds a testosterone-heavy rush of flavor. Second, the refrain is easy, and proceeds to tell the listener what rock can sometimes be all about-- fun filled themes of teenage rebellion, with an immature, maudlin feel. Next, they synchronize their sound and create some very grand riffs, and this fusion creates a thrashing sonic texture. However, in Back in Black, there are many classical songs-- Hell's Bells, Shoot to Thrill, etc.-- but at the same time, they do not work as much when listened to consecutively. This is because the non-unique music begins to mesh, causing it to lose some of its power. Yet, when listened in small doses, they mostly rock... hard.

While there are some well-styled misfires in here that lack any real coherence, (Give the Dog a Bone,) and feel like filler; and it should be noted that unnecessary tracks are something that is the utmost boo-boo when making an adrenaline-charged heavy-metal record.

When the turntable stops spinning, the audience may agree that in a hard-rock album, the rockability can only lessen, but it still has to rock...hard. Back in Black's fuse only burns in quick shots for adrenaline, because when listened to as a whole, the flame is choked, and it ultimately almost fizzles into nothingness.

** 1/2 (Out of 4)

This album isn't terrible however, if it hadn't became legendary and sold over 10, 000 000 000 copies I probably wouldn't have reviewed this CD, but what drives me to write this review is because of the question mark that hovers above my head about how? And why? Everyone considers this CD to a classic and some kind of landmark.

I bought this CD about half a year ago now and have given it many a listen, and I can honestly say that every time I haven't really enjoyed it that much. None of the songs have any particular deep meaning to them with the exception of "Hell's Bell's", the drumming is pretty much the same on every song, the vocals are very tedious and difficult to listen to after a while and the guitar works good but their isn't much variation and generally sounds similar to a majority of the bands other material.

Maybe I just don't understand "ACDC" that well or "Back In Black" was important back in 1980 when it was released and not now in 2006, but in my eyes it certainly isn't anything special.

Listen fans, before you sick Angus on me, know that I have nothing against AC/DC. They have a cool sound, they rock, the're a lot of fun. And Back in Black is undoubtedly their finest hour. But ever since BIB, AC/DC has been releasing the same album over and over again. They are a band that knows the meaning of the term "formula" and refuse to deviate from it. They take no risks. Brian Johnson is a decent frontman, he's got a great, raspy growl. But Angus Young is more an image than anything; he completely dominates the band, and he's a very average guitar player. And then where's the rest of the band? They are almost never in the spotlight, including Angus' brother Malcom.

So if you want some AC/DC in your collection, this is definitely the place to stop. And after this purchase, do please stop.

On their album Back in Black, AC/DC is a band that demonstrates all that is good and bad about hard rock. While there are some great, classical moments here that can not be ignored, this album could have been a masterpiece, while instead it does not quite work as a whole.

AC/DC is sometimes a great band, but they are certainly not perfect. It seems they get much of their attention because they know what their audience wants-- heavy riffs blended with masculine concepts-- but this does not make them exceptional, it rather makes them a sometimes-fun band that also lacks any sort of high-concepted artistic conviction.

Quite simply, their music is rather ordinary, and the moments of brilliance are rare, but their sense of party-like danceability and the number of times that they get you into rock-out mode are numerous. While many may say that this is one of the best hard-rock LP's ever recorded, yet they could have confused commercial success over artistic credibility, because as hard rock is concerned, there is a score of heavier bands that are better. Yet, at the same time, few of the bands are this much fun.

The soul behind AC/DC was simple, yet effective. A singer--in this case Brian Johnston-- sings with hard-crunching power about boozing, womanizing, etc and this adds a testosterone-heavy rush of flavor. Second, the refrain is easy, and proceeds to tell the listener what rock can sometimes be all about-- fun filled themes of teenage rebellion, with an immature, maudlin feel. Next, they synchronize their sound and create some very grand riffs, and this fusion creates a thrashing sonic texture. However, in Back in Black, there are many classical songs-- Hell's Bells, Shoot to Thrill, etc.-- but at the same time, they do not work as much when listened to consecutively. This is because the non-unique music begins to mesh, causing it to lose some of its power. Yet, when listened in small doses, they mostly rock... hard.

While there are some well-styled misfires in here that lack any real coherence, (Give the Dog a Bone,) and feel like filler; and it should be noted that unnecessary tracks are something that is the utmost boo-boo when making an adrenaline-charged heavy-metal record.

When the turntable stops spinning, the audience may agree that in a hard-rock album, the rockability can only lessen, but it still has to rock...hard. Back in Black's fuse only burns in quick shots for adrenaline, because when listened to as a whole, the flame is choked, and it ultimately almost fizzles into nothingness.

** 1/2 (Out of 4)

by 1974 KISS was the biggest band in the world and the rocked on their legendary live album "ALIVE" includes the Greatest party hard song of all time "Rock n Roll all Nite" "Deuce" "Strutter" "Hotter than Hell" "C'mon & Love me" & many more head banging classics. The Album is most must have if your a KISS fan, fantastic live tracks,
"SO LETS ROCK 'N' ROLL ALL NITE & PARTY EVERY DAY"

I received this LP as my 9th birthday present when it had just come out, and recently bought a used copy of the remaster of it.

All the complaints about how artificially-enhanced this album is are spurious, as if 3/4 of the "live albums" in history aren't re-constructed and optimized for maximum effect in the post-production. Eddie Kramer did an amazing job, and his role was central in making this one of the ear-splatteringest, heaviest records of all time. I listened to the remaster in headphones on 11 and afterwards I had to lie down it was so head-crushingly loud.

The versions of the tunes on this make their studio counterparts sound like "Alvin and the Chipmunks Play Kiss". Every song just completely obliterates its corresponding appearance on the first 3 albums that preceded it, as if their studio records were just a run-through and the live one was meant to be "here's our songs played by Satan on steroids" by comparison.

What's telling is that there are no visuals, and despite this band's reliance on the poly-pyrotechnic stage show and all the criticism about how the theatrics were there to conceal the crappy music, the tunes stand up just fine. The truth is that without good tunes nobody would have cared that the drumkit was levitating or that the bass player was breathing fire. Someone said that in the '70s even the bad music was great, and the very worst twaddle on this album is like Vivaldi compared with the crap that passes for music today. Jessica Simpson couldn't write songs this good, even if she were to receive Brian Wilson's brain in a transplant... that's how hopeless things have gotten.

This record just roars and blows your head off from start to finish, every song just builds and builds the momentum... let's just say it's worth a Deuce, even if it does put yet more money into the misogynistic, greedy hands of Gene Simmons.

KISS' first few albums did nothing to convey the showmanship of this original foursome. "Alive" took the band from being an oddity and attention getter to all out stars. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons recall time after time in various interviews, how fans remarked they were better live, and wished there was a way to share that. Well, these dynamic "rock-trapeneurs" had the will and found the way to get this experience captured.

This was the first ground-breaking live album, that spawned a popular trend of captured live performances.. After "Alive" artists showed their chops by doing a live album (Peter Frampton, Bob Seger, Cheap Trick, Ted Nugent, etc). This pre-dates MTV and pre-fab artists with PR, wardrobe and marketing departments in the wings. This was rock and roll at it's finest. This release made "Rock and Roll All Nite" a modern classic.

At age 13, Metaldiva's very first hard rock concert in 1976 was seeing Kiss at Olympia Stadium in Detroit. It was the winter following this concert which was recorded downtown at Cobo Arena. This was when you could get a ticket for about 20 bucks and it was the ONLY way to see your favorite artists AND you had to show up at school the next day wearing a t-shirt to proved you were there. This is during the rock heydays when you experienced the performance with the artist and musicians and lip-synching was for American Bandstand only.

"Alive" truly captures the band on it's way to international stardom and becoming a marketing phenom. The energy from those now famous Detroit audiences is electric. Every song is good, solid New York rock and roll. Don't miss "Black Diamond" with lead vocals by Peter Criss. His seldom heard lead, is the voice of the time, gravelly and classic. Although you can't see the show, there's enough sparkle in the tracks to feel the excitment. This stands the test of time because the music is just plain good. When it comes to music, you can do acrobatics and shocking things on stage and get a little radio play and record sales, but to last for decades, you have to have good solid music. Kiss does on "Alive" and many subsequent albums that followed. The shocking on stage antics, though outrageous at the time, seem rather mild today, but they, with Alice Cooper, took rock from just something to listen to, to shows you couldn't wait to get in to.

Rockgod, my husband, was part of the entourage which went in 1976 and was at the tender age of 14, and my first boyfriend. In 2000, we saw them on their farewell tour, with Ted Nugent, in Sacramento, CA. We got a few seconds of radio-time on the local classic rock station as we celebrated 25 years together and 25th anniversary of that first concert for the both of us. They were never better!!! Our metalbabies adore them now, too.

Metaldiva Sez: This is a classic first of 70's rock performances that anyone can enjoy. These gentlemen received a well deserved nod at the VH1 Rock Honors. If you love hard rock, shock rock, glam rock, KISS will satisfy all your needs.. Get it home and enjoy...