the heavy metal of 1987

The Heavy Stuff

1987 was a great year for metal, even though the radio airwaves were overrun with pop metal bands and other metal acts were not recieving enough airplay.   However, there was plenty of excellent material released, both in the glam metal subgenre and all of the others.      

Dream Evil
Dio

Producer:  Ronnie James Dio
Record Company: Warner Brothers 1987

Dio (the band) 1987: RONNIE JAMES DIO: vocals...VINNY APPICE: drums...JIMMY BAIN: bass...CRAIG GOLDY: guitars...CLAUDE SCHNELL: keyboards 

Faces in the window...

The cover of this cd seems to hint that the music contained within will contain plenty of evil undertones, and will ultimately be a return to the heavier Holy Diver Dio or the Dio with Black Sabbath sounds.  Those that are in love with the hook filled Dio music will surely enjoy this Dio release however.   The song writing is top notch as usual.  The title track would make any skeptical, soon-to-be-Dio-fanatic, hooked, with the pop sensibilites inserted sneakily into the music. Sunset Superman, even though the title and even lyrics are stupid, has a very unique and VERY poundingly addictive drum rhythm that is the driving force of the song.  Dio proves again he can write epics that are interesting. Some bands haven't learned that technique yet.  The following All the Fools Sailed Away is the epic for this cd, every Dio album has one, and it does not disappoint.  With classical influences, and it has a certain gentleness about it, that is difficult to describe.  Still, it captures all of the majesty his other works have, so expect to feel that rush when his vocals kick in full force.  I really enjoyed such tracks as Faces In The Window, which has an errie feel about it and is the only song that really captures the pure heaviness of the earlier Dio albums, I Could Have Been A Dreamer also is high on my list of Dream Evil favorites.  Its a very catchy radio-friendly tune.  I love everything on this cd, except for Overlove, it just doesn't seem to do it for me. 

Overall this is a superb Dio release, some fans might have been turned off by the catchier sounding material, but in 1987, a hook was necessary for a song.  All of the songs still hold up today and do not sound dated in the slightest.   The lyrics still rely heavily on the good/evil, fantasy themes, and are delivered flawlessly as only the mighty dwarf himself, Ronnie James Dio can.  Breathtaking.   Not as sinister sounding as one would think but still a very solid and stellar release from the master himself.  "We are evil and we are all divine, creations of the mind" 

Rating: 10/10   Reviewed by: Rainbowflame 

     

Fighting the World
Manowar 

All songs written and produced by Manowar No synths, no pedals, no wimps Just Power, Metal, and Might Record Company: ATCO/Atlantic 1987 Manowar (1987) : ROSS THE BOSS: guitars, keyboard...SCOTT COLUMBUS: drums, percussion...JOEY DEMAIO: 4, 8 string bass...ERIC ADAMS: vocals 

fighting the world!

Not a band to do anything subtle, this cd starts out with a surge of pure adrenaline, and that completely addictive rhythm that just gets the head to banging, fist in the air.  Fighting the World is enough to put faith back into the music for any metal head, just listening to the tastefully blazing guitar riffs and pounding rhythms that are the driving force for such catchy classics as Carry On, the title track and Blow Your Speakers, and you will begin to believe in the music.  Defender is a very uplifting song, not really a soft ballad, but one that is very moving and manages to get the feeling of the lyrics and theme across to the listener.  I do have to say that Carry On is one of my favorite Manowar songs, simply because of the heavy hook and the background vocals that help to create a huge wall of sound.  Violence and Bloodshed has that really heavy sound, and the fanastically pure and powerful voice of Eric Adams belting out Violence and Bloodshed and then that scream at the end are to die for.  Holy War really begins with Drums of Doom in my mind, coming from the distance and growing ever louder...and then explodes into the opening of the bass heavy Holy War.  Master of Revenge starts with a scream and (to me) is a bridge between Holy War and the assault of Black Wind, Fire and Steel, which is the song that Manowar played to become the loudest band ever in the Guiness Book of World Records, by playing it at an eardrum shattering 129 decibels.  Pay careful attention to the ending, Adams really does some amazing things with those vocal chords.  Wow.    

This is a very filling cd, with top notch songwriting and musicianship.  Religious groups attacked this band in the 80s for the promotion of violence among other things, which were all nitpicking false claims.  Sure there is violence, and maybe it is glorified a little, but Manowar is truly about glory, majesty, and unity.  To come together to celebrate truth and justice. An absolute must-have for anyone's collection.  If you finish this cd and do not feel inspired, uplifted, energized, and 100% in musical awe, ready to fight the world for truth and honor and greatness, then there is something seriously wrong with you.  "The battle rages--choose your side, DEATH TO FALSE METAL Forever, fighting the world" 

Rating: 9/10  Reviewed by: RainbowFlame 

       

Hall of the Mountain King Savatage 

Producer: Paul O'Neill Record Company: Atlantic Recording Company 1987 The 'Tage (1987): JON OLIVA: "the grit"...CRISS OLIVA: "The crunch"...STEVE 'DOC' WACHOLZ: "the cannons"...JOHNNY LEE MIDDLETON: "the thunder" 

in the hall.....of the mountain KING

This disc is more than just "enjoyable" or just "good" this is legendary stuff.  Its hard hitting from track one through ten...a nonstop onslaught of pure metal.  24 Hrs. Ago, begins it all with classic Savatage drums and sharp guitar, and then Jon Oliva's distinctively gritty vocals booms in on top of it all.  Beyond the Doors of the Dark is a very haunting song, and Jon's voice seems to be more crisper and cleaner at the beginning and then he feels he must scream "ah!!!!"  to punctuate the fact this song is going to turn into a rip roarer...the entire feel of this song is frighteningly nightmarish picture being painted by the masters of madness...the exchange between the chorus of souls booming "OHHH" and Oliva screaming "aahhhhh" is just awesome.  His vocals are the topping on the song, for he can sound so sinister, so deranged and insane all at the same time.  Legions is a cool song, that begins with a guitar riff that lurks in the background and then comes closer and closer, until Jon screams, and then guitar god, Criss Oliva breaks out into a full solo.  This makes the 3rd dark song on the cd...the next song is one of my favorites, it breaks out of the darker feel into a very distinctive guitar riff that is just dripping with that radio friendly hook.   The chorus is what really makes this feel like a radio single, Jon losing some of his grit to exchange it for a more mainstream vocal sound, and then the solo that is elegantly inserted into the heart of the song. Strange Wings comes together as a classic.  The next song, Prelude to Madness is Grieg's Hall of the Mountain King, arranged for Criss Oliva's fretboard dancing and technical skill....it rolls in with the wind, and out with the thunder right into Hall of the Mountain King, the Sava-signature piece about madness.  This is one of the coolest songs I have ever heard, it has that power feel to it, and I really get a kick out of the vocals.  The other songs are not quite as good, where the first six will capture the imagination immediately, the others need time to grow on you.  The Price You Pay turns out to be another radio friendly feeling song, White Witch is a speed metal rocker that really has no distinguishing features, Last Dawn is a haunting instrumental performed by Criss of course...which is really the intro to the next song, Devastation, is the most depressing song on here...leaving the listener on a real thundering note, but with depressed overtones...after you finish this, replay Strange Wings and you'll leave this musical journey feeling fullfilled.  

This cd will take you through the inner depths of madness, darkness and depression.  You will be dragged through heaven and hell and all the deepest darkest corners of emotion.  Pay special attention to Jon Oliva's vocals, they truly are the highlight here in most cases, he screams like no other, his laughter IS insanity, and the overall vocal performance is unique, like only Jon can do it. The late Criss Oliva's guitarwork is just fantastic, I often get teary eyed listening to this cd, for the guitar work is so beautiful and wonderful it just makes me think about what the world lost when they lost Criss Oliva.  So sit back and enjoy one of the most solid and powerful metal releases of our time. 

Rating: 9/10  Reviewed by: RainbowFlame 

     

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