Whitesnake - Whitesnake 1987

You can't go wrong with Whitenake.  The self-titled album "Whitesnake" in 1987 just went beyond the word  "masterpiece."


Just a brief history about this band, Whitesnake was founded by David Coverdale in 1978 after his Deep Purple's departure.  From the start Whitesnake went through a successful journey but this self-titled album released in 1987 clearly marked the band's reputation in music history.  This is also band's most commercially successful album selling more than 8 million copies in the US alone!


The fire blasting axework from John Sykes is just a match made in heaven with Dave Coverdale's powerful husky voice.  What a combination!  John Sykes played the whole album and his guitar playing will pierce listener's skull from beginning to an end.  (One thing I don't understand is why David Coverdale fired John Sykes after the recording of this album.)


What more can I say about this album???  You must listen it for yourself.  Every song is beyond the belief/1  The great hits were "Here I Go Again" and "Is This Love."


I believe everyone should own this album.

Dio - Holy Diver

No one can argue that Ronnie James Dio (RIP) is the most respected, beloved and simply the best heavy metal vocalist in history!


After been through legendary Black Sabbath and Rainbow, he created his own legend, the DIO and its first album "Holy Diver" in 1983.  "Holy Diver" showed what Ronnie is capable of and listeners can feel his medieval-like powerful voice and sound all over. Needless to say, this is considered to be one of the best metal albums ever!


The first song "Stand Up And Shout" emits traditional powerful metal sound supported by heavy guitar riff, strong bass and drums.


One of the best songs from the album "Holy Diver" is a heavy mid-tempo song that gives listeners a cold chill on the neck.


Starting with chiming acoustic guitar sound then transforming into fierce beast like electric guitar riff, "Don't Talk To Stranger" is just a song in an art form.  Vivian Campbell's guitar solo is right on the money.


The track "Straight Through The Heart," "Invisible" and "Shame On The Night" will pound your heart with iron while you are listening.


Then there is famous and classic "Rainbow In The Dark."  I don't think I need to explain about this song.


Every song in this album deserves a standing ovation.  PERIOD.


Ladies and gentlemen, buy this album.  This is the album that deserves a prime spot on your CD rack, if not on your wall.  I strongly recommend this album!


Now, I'll give my body and soul to whomever bring Dio back from Hell!


RIP Dio!  We miss you so much...

Quiet Riot - Metal Health

This is it!  There was a song that brought heavy metal to the mainstream from underground and that song was "Cum on Feel the Noize."  Originally, the song was played by "Slader" in 1973 and Quiet Riot was forced to cover this song to make the album a little safer investment for a record company.  The album was released on March 11, 1983 and the title was "Metal Health."


Prior to the recording of this song, all members encouraged Kevin Dubrow (RIP) to sing lifelessly and so did other members' instrumental playing but the producer was still able to over-dubbed the song a few times to include in the album.


Finally the album was released and Cum on Feel the Noize reached #5 on November of 1983 on Billboard chart and that was the first highest ranking heavy metal song ever reached by heavy metal band.  In addition to that, the album "Metal Health" was the first heavy metal album to reached #1.


After their huge commercial success, the record companies signed every possible heavy metal band who had long-hair, tattoos and played double drums regardless band's musical talents.  The popularity of heavy metal finally came to an end by "Nirvana" in 1990.  Then all of sudden, like blink of an eye, the market for heavy metal was obliterated.


As many of you know, Quiet Riot was formed by the world's most beloved guitarist Randy Rhoads and his friend and bassist Kelly Garni (now he is a photographer in Las Vegas) in 1973.  Randy Rhoads was in the band until and second album (their 1st and 2nd albums were released in Japan) then left Quiet Riot to play with Ozzy Osbourne.  Then, Randy left us for good on March 19, 1982 from a tragic and untimely airplane crash.


"Metal Health" is Quiet Riot's 3rd album and also a debut album in the U.S.A.  The last track "Thunder Bird" was a tribute to Randy Rhoads.


Except the songs Metal Health, Cum on Feel the Noize and Thunder Bird, I found this album a little boring.  Maybe Quiet Riot hit the jackpot with this album due to Randy's blessing to his old pals.  However, because of its history and milestone it has achieved in music, I highly recommend this album to everyone.

Dokken - Under Lock And Key

This is one of my favorite albums from Dokken.  The album starts with "Unchain The Night" then move on to awesome mid-tempo "Hunter" and then their masterpiece "In My Dreams!"


"In My Dreams" is my absolute favorite song from this band.  Probably one of their best songs.  Also the music video is very cool.


Then there is uplifting song "It's Not Love" and heavy and blazing riff "Lightnin' Strike."


George Lynch's guitar playing is absolutely fantastic in this album.  Too bad that Don Dokken and George Lynch don't get along, the main reason why this band is torn apart.


Despite Dokken is labeled as "LA Metal," their musicianship and talents should be considered seriously.


I highly recommend Under Lock and Key album to everyone who can appreciate true 80's metal.


Cheers~!

Ozzy Osbourne - Randy Rhoads Tribute

Ah~  The world's most beloved guitarist, Randy Rhoads (December 6, 1956 – March 19, 1982). 


Where can I start?  Randy sure was the genius.  No doubt and most of you will agree.  He is the one who made Ozzy's solo career successful after leaving the Black Sabbath.  Randy wrote most of songs (though credited by all band members) in Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman.  It is well-know that Randy was obsessed with trains when he was a kid.  Guess who wrote the song "Crazy Train???"


Randy often viewed as an "angel" among his acquaintances and his fans due to his good nature and personality.  But most of all, it is his guitar playing and sound make him a true "angel."  It sure is celestial.  There is nothing I can describe how beautiful his guitar playing and sound is unless you hear it for yourself. 


Every song in this Tribute album is precious.  The last track "Dee" is a studio session track.  The song was meant for his mother Delores Violet Rhoads.  You could hear Randy's voice in this one.


I highly recommend this Tribute to everyone who hasn't heard it.  This is the all time masterpiece and Randy Rhoads will be remembered forever.


Oh, please bring Randy back to us.


P.S.  Did you know that Jackson guitar was originated because of Randy Rhoads?  Jackson guitar is considered to be a heavy metal oriented guitar.

Yngwie Malmsteen Trial By Fire: Live in Leningrad

Wow~!


This is one of the best live albums from my collection.  I own both CD and VHS.  This is the legendary live concert in Lenningard, Soviet Union in 1988.  I believe he did close to 30 shows and all shows were sold-out!


I got to know Yngwie in 1990 from a friend of mine and I saw this live on a laser disc (yap, not a DVD).  This was my first Yngwie encounter.  


Sometimes I don't know what to say and that is exactly how I felt when I saw this live.  Yngwie's guitar playing was just out-of-this-world!  I couldn't believe a man could play like that.  I had heard Yngwie's name here and there but I didn't know that he was a "Guitar God" until I saw his playing.  Ever since this album, I became Yngwie's diehard fan until "War to End All Wars" album.  


All songs are great and so is his showmanship in this performance.  Though CD and DVD are overdubbed and edited in the studio but still this is a great album.  Every song contains Yngwie's pride and bears the imprint of genius.  You will be surprised to find out how all songs are quite different from its original studio versions.


Yngwie was at his best, this was his moment of life and this is Yngwie's best live album.  I highly recommend this CD or DVD.  You won't regret it.  DVD contains more songs than CD.  

Cinderella - Night Songs

Hello World!

This is my first blog and first post.  I am going to use this space like my journal, posting whatever I want. 

Cinderella was (not "is") my first heavy metal band I liked.  But I still love this album.

I love every song on this album.  This is a great work done by them!  Don't let that long hair and make-up fool you.  This is a heavy guitar riff based album.  The overall sound and song compositions are highly advanced.  If you think this band is just another glam lipstick band from the 80s, think again.


I used to listen to the tape over and over again everyday, especially the song "Somebody Save Me."  Once again, all songs are true gems.

Gosh, can't belive it's been almost 30 years since this album was released.  I am happy to see that all original members are still together.


If you like a hard-rock heavy metal, you will love this album.

Oh, please bring back 80s...