New Music Reviews, Album Reviews, CD Reviews, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock

Bon Jovi: Slippery When Wet (1986)

Melodic Hard/Glam Rock

Rating: 5.0/5.0

The apex of the 80's glam rock era may have come with Bon Jovi's 'Sippery When Wet.' If anything it put this New Jersey band on the map. Yet, it also set the standard by which others of the time would be judged. The raw enthusiasm cannot be challenged; the song writing is impeccable; the production nearly flawless. Sure Jon Bon Jovi and company put the 'hair' in hair rock/metal of the day. Their coiffed hair and crotch exposing spandex give rise to the detrimental appellation, 'poseurs.' Maybe they were posers and maybe they give rise to the harder, torn jeans metal, of Metallica, but they were a lot of fun. It's easy to sing along with 'You Give Love A Bad Name' and 'Livin On A Prayer.' Rock and melody never mixed so good. And 'Wanted Dead Or Alive' truly expressed the spirit of an ever touring rock band like ever before. It is an inspired number coming straight from the heart. 'Slippery When Wet' is definitely a classic album.

Footnote: the album has some controversy concerning its cover. The original concept was considered to 'pornographic' for mainstream America. Supposedly it was only released in Japan. If you can find this album, it is a true collector's treasure.

Judas Priest: Sad Wings Of Destiny (1976)

Heavy Metal

Rating: 5.0/5.0

Judas Priest's 'Sad Wings Of Destiny' is the single most influential work to turn me into a fan of heavy metal. Released in 1976, it turned the hard rock and metal world on it's head. Though as dark and foreboding as any previous Black Sabbath album, SWOD raised heavy metal to a new height in technical precision. Much of this is due to the twin guitar attack of K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton, the inspiring vocals of Rob Halford, and the brilliant, near complex, arrangements. 'Victim Of Changes' remains the essence of epic heavy metal. Even though later, JP developed into near 'pop' heavy metal, 'Sad Wings Of Destiny' still stands as a masterpiece of metal. This is one for everybody's library.

UFO: Strangers In The Night (1979)

Melodic Hard Rock/Metal

Rating: 5.0/5.0

UFO is one of my favorite bands. I grew up with them in high school and continue to follow their exploits today. 'Strangers In The Night' is the quinessential live album. This was UFO at the peak of their success, firing on all cylinders, thanks mostly to the greatest guitar god of that day, Michael Schenker. Mr. Schenker's performance is thrilling and nearly flawless. But this can be said of the entire band. Phil Mogg's vocals and between song banter (get the re-released extended version) is priceless. UFO blows the doors off the audience on the killer tracks 'Too Hot To Handle,' 'Lights Out,' and the ever popular 'Rock Botton.' This is great stuff!

Edguy: Burning Down The Opera (2003)

Melodic Heavy/Power Metal

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Edguy is the single band that helped me rediscover heavy metal after years of believing that melodic metal died with grunge in the early 1990s. (Yeah, I know: I should have known better.) Recorded mostly in Paris on their Mandrake tour, this is Edguy at their best: madness and melody which is all pure fun. I love this album even though it has some mixing overdubs (Kiss did it, so what?). Lead singer Tobias Sammett is over the top on every song and in between. The band plays with enthusiasm and precision. This is simply a great fun live album.