HEAVY PETTIN’ released 3 albums of hard rock back in the ’80s. In recent years the band from Scotland has been brought back to life via singer Stephen Hayman, and in October released their first full length album since 1989. Rock Generation features a fun set of hard rockers and anthems, and I like the sound (big guitars and even those 80s backing gang vocals at times). Fave cuts include “X-Rated”, “Brother Sister”, and “This Life”. The band has been busy playing live to support this album, more recently as support for Uriah Heep, (and) with April Wine in Europe.
*Check out the press info below, as well as the videos and links at the bottom,
The Scottish rock warriors Heavy Pettin release the title track and video from the brand-new studio album Rock Generation, which is set for release on on October 24th via Silver Lining Music. Pre-orders available now at this location.
Vocalist and founding member, Stephen “Hamie” Hayman comments: “Heavy Pettin are back!!!! Rock Generation is a celebration for all rock fans around the world… Made to ROCK ur Soul.”
Back in the ‘80s, Scottish rock ‘n’ roll warriors Heavy Pettin strode stages worldwide whilst their debut album, 1983’s Lettin Loose, threatened to break the rock world apart. They were seen as the natural ascendants to rock’s highest echelons, touring internationally alongside the likes of Ozzy Osbourne and Motley Crüe as wild Glaswegian whippersnappers. Then life happened and Heavy Pettin went on a triple decade hiatus.
Listening to Heavy Pettin’s first new studio album since 1989 – Rock Generation – feels more like a 30 week’ hiatus augmented by a supreme confidence. Led by founding frontman Stephen “Hamie” Hayman, featuring Dave “Davo” Aitken and Richie “St. James” Dews on guitars and backing vocals, plus David “Boycee” Boyce on bass and Mick “The Wizard” Ivory on drums, Rock Generation is a sonically-superb, classic song-strong rock ‘n’ roll return to that glorious slipstream between Def Leppard, Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy. The ten cuts bristle with full-frontal attitude and powerful melodies. Take the title track, with its hip swinging anthemic swagger, there’s “Oblivion” with guest vocals from Roni Lee which carries a true Celtic swing in its groove plus an addictive singalong chorus, while “X-Rated” fuses the attitude of Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street with the punch and panache of the Sunset Strip.
Made in Glasgow at Morsecode Studios and produced with a timeless sheen by Ciarán O’Shea, make no mistake, Rock Generation is only interested in bringing you on a thrill-ride through the carefree sweat and leather landscape of cut-loose heavy rock ‘n’ roll. It’s a mission which will demand -and receive- your willing acquiescence.
A band, and album that just don’t get enough attention! Mean Machine was LUCIFER’S FRIEND’s eighth album, and last for some 13 years. The album was a reunion with singer John Lawton, who’d left the band in 1976 to join Uriah Heep, while Lucifer’s Friend carried on for a pair of albums (and live shows) with Mike Starrs (ex Colosseum II). Lawton had left (fired) from Heep in ’79, and recorded a solo album in 1980, with members of Lucifer’s Friend backing him. But, the band was still promised (owed) Elektra one more album. Now, if you are familiar with Lucifer’s Friend’s catalog, you’ll know that the band changed with every album; not so much the personnel, but the direction. The debut was a heavy album, seen as a proto metal album in 1970, that sat comfortably alongside Deep Purple’s In Rock, Uriah Heep’s debut, and Black Sabbath’s first couple of albums. But nothing following that matched the heaviness of the band’s debut, instead veering off into fusion, and including more brass and orchestrated instruments.
Mean Machine brought the band back to being a guitar driven hard rock band. It fit in time with the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, and was full of guitar riffs from Peter Hesslein opening a number of well written serious rockers, with John Lawton returning to a more powerful sound, than some of the softer rock he’d sang during Heep’s pop-aimed era. Mean Machine is a solid album of 80s hard rock, well produced, starting with “One Way Street To Heartbreak”, and not really letting up ’til the end. Riffs, melodies, harmonies, memorable choruses, and great songs like “Hey Driver”, “Fire and Rain”, “One Night Sensation”, and “Born To The City”. The more pop anthem “Action” was released as a single, but neither the single or the album did much, as Elektra did very little to promote it; a shame as this is really worth hearing.
The band disbanded again after this, but would reform in the mid 90s for Sumo Grip. But, if you come across Mean Machine, check it out, a great underheard gem of 80s hard rock.
Well, I started out (months ago!) compiling a Top 50 list of favorite Alice Cooper solo songs. Many Alice lists I see on Youtube (and elsewhere) tend to mix the original band and his solo recordings into one list, but for me, I see (and hear) a big difference, so I absolutely have to separate the 2. Much like I wouldn’t compile a favorite list of Black Sabbath albums and include Ozzy or Dio albums! Anyway, a good half of this list was easy to come up with, but the bottom half got a bit tougher to choose. Feel free to leave your picks in the comments.
Hey Stoopid (1991)
I like Trash when it came out, but over time it hasn’t aged well with me, being Alice’s ‘Bon Jovi’ album, and too many guests that I’m not a fan of. So, Hey Stoopid is the follow up, still in that 80s style, and with even more guest players and co-writers. BUT, gone is the Bon Jovi feel and just better songs, and a bit more bite. I also like the cover-art here. But aside from maybe 2 songs (I don’t need to hear “Feed My Frankenstein” ever again), I love all of this. Favorites being “Snakebite”, “Dangerous Tonight”, “Little By Little”, “Hurricane Years”, and “Burning Our Bed”.
The Eyes Of Alice Cooper (2003)
I’ve seen this one ranked near the bottom on many Alice Cooper album rankings on youtube, and really wonder why(?) I think this is a great album, full of Alice rockers and ballads, and humor! Not perfect (I can do without “Novocain”), but “What Do You Want From Me”, “Man Of The Year”, “Detroit City” (w/ Wayne Kramer), “Love Should Never Feel Like This”, as well as the ballads “The Song That Didn’t Rhyme” and softer “Be With You A While”, are good to outstanding by me. Alice uses his touring band here, without an excess of ‘guest’ players, so it sounds like a band album. The original CD release of this album came with 4 different eye (and circle) colors.
Welcome To My Nightmare (1975)
An easy favorite for most; it’s the album that started off Alice’s solo career (effectively marking an end to the original band). His Nightmare band featured guitarists Dick Wagner and Steve Hunter (as well as the rest of Lou Reed’s band), who would work with Alice for some years to come But the concept, theatrics, and songs here are just classic. This included the anthem “Department Of Youth”, the live favorite “Cold Ethyl”, the top 20 hit ballad ” Only Women Bleed”, a guest appearance from Vincent Price on “Black Widow”, the introduction of the (recurring) character “Steven”,… The album would be made into a TV special aired as Alice Cooper: The Nightmare. More recently a live show from this tour was released on Record Store Day, featuring Alice’s new band performing a set that included (almost) the entire album, as well as a few previous AC hits. Alice followed up this album with Alice Cooper Goes To Hell, which can be seen as a sequel…
Brutal Planet (2000)
Alice didn’t record a lot during the 90s, like many other older artists, but as he tended to do ever few albums, he switched gears, creating perhaps his most ‘metal’ album this one, released in the summer of 2000. Taking in sounds of industrial or new metal at the time, with a heavier sound, and darker lyrics,, reflecting what was currently happening in music and the world. Produced by Bob Marlette, who’s credits included Rob Zombie, Marylin Manson, Rob Halford, and many others. Loved the title track, as well as favorites “Blow Me A Kiss”, “Pick Up The Bones”, “Cold Machines”, and the ballad “Take It Like A Woman”. The follow up, Dragontown, was pretty much a sequel to Brutal Planet. I liked that one too, just not as strong IMO.
Raise Your Fist And Yell (1987)
The follow up to Alice’s comeback album Constrictor. Taking on the 80s metal sound, and inspired by current happenings (the PMRC hearings), and slasher films! The second to feature Kane Roberts as guitarist and co-writer throughout. I played this album non-stop! Not a bum track here. I can still pull this out and love it. Featured the hit “Freedom”, plus “Prince Of Darkness” (from the John Carpenter movie), and favorites like “Give The Radio Back”, “Time To Kill”, and the slasher trilogy on side 2 (“Chop, Chop, Chop”, “Gail”, “Roses On White Lace”). Saw this tour twice.
Dada (1983)
The last album in what’s been labelled Alice’s ‘blackout’ years, and his last for Warner Brothers. This, and the 1 before it sold poorly, with little promotion, and no touring. I bought this one, and the 2 before it, off the 99 cent rack at a local convenience store! But hey, these weren’t bad at all! Dada being my favorite of Alice’s early 80s 4 album run, where he changed the look and sound to fit with the times. Dada featured a fresh sound, good songs, and flow, with standouts like “Former Lee Warmer” (formerly Warner), the hilarious “I Love America”, and epic “Pass The Gun Around”, highlighted by one of Dick Wagner’s most memorable solos.
From The Inside (1978)
Following Alice’s stay at an asylum for alcoholism, he co-wrote a lot of this with Bernie Taupin (Elton John), and used members of Elton’s band, as well as the likes of Steve Lukather, David Foster… From The Inside featured the hit ballad (Alice’s 4th in a row), “How You Gonna See Me Now”, as well as memorable rockers like “Serious”, “Wish I Were Born In Beverly Hills”, and the title track, plus a few more ballads and lighter cuts. A pretty clean sounding album, featuring stories inspired by his stay in the asylum, and the effect on those around him (“For Veronica’s Sake” about his dog). A solid album. Check out the non-LP b-side “No Tricks” as well, a duet with soul singer Betty Wright.
Zipper Catches Skin (1982)
See above! I played the heck out of this one. Lots of fun rockers like “Adaptable (Anything For You)”, “Tag, You’re It”, “Zorro’s Ascent”, as well as “I Am The Future” (from Class Of ’84). “Make That Money (Scrooge’s Song)”, and the hilarious title of “I’m Alive (That Was The Day My Dead Pet Returned To Save My Life)”. Featured guitarists (and co-writers) John Nitzinger, Dick Wagner, Billy Steele, as well as Mike Pinera, and players Erik Scott (bass), and Duane Hitchings (keys), among others. Wagner later claimed there was a lot of crack cocaine use on this one, but I liked it.
Constrictor (1986)
Alice’s comeback album, after finally kicking his previous habit (cocaine), made sober, and full of energy. The first to feature new guitarist Kane Roberts, as well as a return to a hard rock guitar sound and the classic Alice image (eye make up and leather). Produced by Beau Hill and Michael Wagener, who were big at the time with many 80s metal acts. The drum sound kinda gives this a dated sound now, but at the time, I’d never thought I’d get to see Alice (being a newer fan, and Alice being out of the public eye), but I got to see this tour. Constrictor was the first Alice album in years to chart, and get any radio play. Cuts like “Teenage Frankenstein”, “Give It Up”, and “Life And Death Of The Party” were favorites. It also included “He’s Back (The Man Behind The Mask)”, from Friday The 13th: Part VI (Jason Lives).
The Last Temptation (1994)
This last spot was the toughest for me to decide on… The Last Temptation was an Alice Cooper concept album, a series of morality plays….Anyway, the full story was explained over a series of comics by Neil Gaiman and Michael Zulli. The Last Temptation opened with “Sideshow”, and followed on with excellent rockier cuts like “Nothing’s Free”, “Bad Place Alone”, the title track, the single “Lost In America”, and lighter songs such as “Stolen Prayer” (co-written with Chris Cornell) and favorite “It’s Me” (co-written with Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades). The album featured guitarist Stef Burns (Y & T), as well as Derek Sherinian (keys), among others, as we as guest Dan Wexler (Icon) who co-wrote a number of songs, and played guitar on one. There was no tour for this album, but eventually a few songs were worked in to the live show. The 90s were a tough time to be an Alice fan!
And then…..Paranormal, Lace and Whiskey, Goes To Hell, Dirty Diamonds, Flush The Fashion, Trash, Along Came A Spider, Special Forces, Welcome 2 My Nightmare, Detroit Stories, Road,
GREYSTONE CANYON, from Australia release their third album in a few weeks. Something Borrowed…. Something New, features 9 tracks, including 5 classic rock covers! The band has 4 originals here, 2 instrumental, most likeable being the acoustic “Friend Of The Fox”. The 2 others are the guitar heavy “Stealing Our Freedom”, and the rockin’ “Drive Us”, which is a good tune, and makes me want to find out more from the band’s previous albums. But for me, it’s the covers here – the choices and performances are excellent. *Check out the press info & bio below, as well as the singles, a cover of Thin Lizzy’s “Suicide”, and UFO’s “Doctor Doctor”.
Australian hard rockers Greystone Canyon return with a powerful new single – a bold rendition of Thin Lizzy’s “Suicide”, available worldwide today, November 7th, 2025. The track is the first glimpse into the band’s forthcoming album “Something Borrowed…Something New,” due out December 5th, 2025, from Rockshots Records, marking their most authentic and organic release to date.
Faithful to the spirit of Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy’s timeless legacy, Greystone Canyon delivers a warm, punchy, and honest version of “Suicide”, enriched by their signature blend of melodic rock and gritty hard-edged groove. Recorded live with no click tracks or studio trickery, the single captures the raw chemistry of a band feeding off one another in the room – a true celebration of rock ‘n’ roll energy.
Produced by the band and engineered by Joel Taylor at Black Lodge Studio (Melbourne), “Something Borrowed…Something New” represents a turning point in Greystone Canyon’s journey. As the title suggests, it’s a hybrid record – a mix of new original songs and hand-picked classics from the bands that shaped their sound, including Thin Lizzy, Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, UFO, and Neil Young. The album bridges past and present, combining heartfelt tributes with fresh, road-worn originals such as “Drives Us,” “Friend of the Fox,” and “Stealing Our Freedom”.
Vocalist/guitarist Darren Cherry comments: “This is our most honest record so far – real instruments, real performances, all captured live in one room. We wanted to remind listeners of the warmth and punch that only true rock bands can create together. It’s pure, old-school energy and we had an absolute blast making it.”
Following the success of “Iron & Oak” (2024), which reached #18 on the Australian iTunes Hard Rock chart and earned multiple 10/10 media scores, the band is poised to bring their music to a new global audience with a record that’s equal parts homage and evolution.
Recommended for fans of Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, and ZZ Top, Greystone Canyon‘s new album “Something Borrowed…Something New” is out December 5th, 2025.
HNE (Cherry Red) is releasing a 5 CD box compiling URIAH HEEP’s studio and live recordings starting with the classic Live…January 1973 through to the live recordings from the Wonderworld tour. Not sure if there’s anything here that hasn’t been released before, but it seems likes an interesting collection. A busy period for Heep, featuring what most hail as the ‘classic line up’. Coming out November 28. *Track-listing below. Pre-order link at the end.
Following hot on the heels of Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, British hard rock legends Uriah Heep released their debut album in June 1970. Featuring David Byron on lead vocals, Mick Box on lead guitar and Ken Hensley on keyboards, ‘Very ‘Eavy Very ‘Umble’ is quite rightly regarded as a major influence on the development of hard rock and heavy metal. 1970 was the centenary of Charles Dickens’ death, and having originally been called Spice, they switched to the more Dickensian Uriah Heep when Hensley joined their ranks after spells in The Gods and Toe Fat before recording their debut.
Like their hard rocking contemporaries of the 1970s, it was live on stage where Uriah Heep truly shone, and no self-respecting rock or metal band of the era could be without a classic double live album, and ‘Uriah Heep Live’ (CD1) is no exception. Recorded at Birmingham Town Hall in January 1973, and released three months later, it delivered their third gold record in a row in the States, it remains a testament to the classic line-up of Box/Hensley/Byron/Kerslake/Thain.
Back in the days when bands were expected to be prolific enough to release two new albums a year, Uriah Heep released their sixth studio album ‘Sweet Freedom’ (CD3) in 1973, by which time they had been joined by drummer Lee Kerslake (Ozzy Osbourne) and bassist Gary Thain, which many see as the most enduring line-up of the band. The album saw Ken Hensley develop as a songwriter, with the music a blend of proto heavy metal and progressive rock, consolidating their growing popularity at home as well as the all important US market. ‘Sweet Freedom’ was followed by ‘Wonderworld’ (CD4) in June 1974, with the hard rock attack of Mick Box’s guitar, alloyed to Ken Hensley’s keyboards and David Byron’s operatic vocal approach making the band a formative influence on bands such as Queen. With a significant dent in the charts on both sides of the Atlantic, ‘Wonderworld’ featured the single ‘Something Or Nothing’, but was the last studio album to feature bass guitarist Gary Thain.
It was the classic Box/Hensley/Byron/Kerslake/Thain line-up that would record ‘Live at Shepperton ’74′ (CD5) the same year. Issued in bootleg style artwork, the album wasn’t given an official release until 1986, and captures the band in a more intimate setting in front of a much smaller, invited audience. CD2 was originally released as part of a deluxe version of ‘Live 1973’ and features the band in 1974 with a US Radio show session, and with film mixes from the Shepperton show and on an extended ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Medley’.
Uriah Heep continued to tour and release new albums until the present day. In 2025 they launched their farewell tour, celebrating 55 years of music. The package includes liner notes based on new interviews with founder member, Mick Box.
DISC ONE
URIAH HEEP LIVE 1973
1 Sunrise
2 Sweet Lorraine
3 Traveller In Time
4 Easy Livin’
5 July Morning
6 Tears In My Eyes
7 Gypsy
8 Circle Of Hands
9 Look At Yourself
10 Magician’s Birthday
11 Love Machine Rock ‘N’ Roll Medley
12 Roll Over Beethoven
13 Blue Suede Shoes
14 Mean Woman Blues
15 Hound Dog
16 At The Hop
17 Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On
18 Blue Suede Shoes
DISC TWO
U.S. RADIO SHOW 1974
1 Something Or Nothing
2 I Won’t Mind
3 Look At Yourself
4 Gypsy
FILM MIXES USED FOR RADIO
5 Easy Livin’
6 So Tired
7 I Won’t Mind
8 Something Or Nothing
9 The Easy Road
10 Stealin’
11 Love Machine
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL MEDLEY ’74
12 Roll Over Beethoven
13 Blue Suede Shoes
14 Mean Woman Blues
15 Hound Dog
16 At The Hop
17 Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On
18 Blue Suede Shoes
DISC THREE
SWEET FREEDOM (1973)
1 Dreamer
2 Stealin’
3 One Day
4 Sweet Freedom
5 If I Had the Time
6 Seven Stars
7 Circus
8 Pilgrim
Bonus Tracks
9 Sunshine
10 Seven Stars (Extended Version)
11 Pilgrim – Extended Version (Previously Unreleased)
12 If I Had the Time (Demo)
13 Sweet Freedom (Alternative Live Version) 14 Stealin’ (Alternative Live Version)
DISC FOUR
WONDERWORLD (1974)
1 Wonderworld
2 Suicidal Man
3 The Shadows and The Wind
4 So Tired
5 The Easy Road
6 Something Or Nothing
7 I Won’t Mind
8 We Got We
9 Dreams
Bonus Tracks
10 What Can I Do
11 Love, Hate and Fear (Previously Unreleased Version)
I really loved Arjen Lucassen’s Sonic Revolution album from 2023, Golden Age Of Music, so I am looking forward to Arjen’s upcoming solo concept Songs No One Will Hear, out next month. Currently listening to this album, and enjoying it; another amazing collective of stories, songs and performers and production from Arjen! (more to come) So far there are 3 singles from it, with the most recent “Goddamn Conspiracy” just out today.
*Check that out below, along with the previous 2 videos. See ordering info and links below press info…
Also on the same day, Arjen is re-releasing his very first solo album from 1993, Pools of Sorrow, Waves of Joy, as a deluxe version, with tons of demos, previously unreleased and new tracks. Check that out HERE.
Photo Credit: Lori Linstruth
Arjen Anthony Lucassen’s latest solo album, the apocalyptic Songs No One Will Hear, is set to be released in a month, on Sept. 12th, 2025 on Inside Out Music.
True to his signature style, this album offers an eclectic blend of tracks, moving seamlessly from powerful, epic songs to lighter, more playful ones. At its core, Songs No One Will Hear is bound by a profound concept: what would people do if they only had five months left to live because of an asteroid impact? Expect an emotional rollercoaster, delving into both the light and dark aspects of human nature.
Guiding the album is narration from Mike Mills (Toehider) along with collaborators like Irene and Floor Jansen (Nightwish, After Forever, Kamelot), Robert Soeterboek, Marcela Bovio, and Patty Gurdy, adding depth to the album’s diverse sound!
HEAVEN And EARTH is the band lead by British born guitarist/ songwriter Stuart Smith, with the band name taken from Smith’s 1998 solo album. As of 2021, Heaven And Earth released 5 albums (including Smith’s debut), as well as a mini-album of new and previously released songs. In his younger years Smith played in a band (in England) named ‘Stallion’, who made some recordings (unreleased). He also became a friend to Ritchie Blackmore, who Smith learned from as a player. Needless to say if you’re a fan of Deep Purple and Rainbow, Heaven And Earth fits in that class, and is highly recommended . And like Blackmore, Stuart Smith’s band would. Change line ups from album to album, always featuring great players and singers.
From the time of the first album I interviewed Stuart then, and as well for the the next few after. I’ll try and add these links below. Choosing just 10 songs was a tough task, for this sort of retrospective of Heaven And Earth. The band has been put on pause since the last album, while Smith is working on other (non recording) projects, but here’s hoping we’ll hear more from the band (in some version) in the future.
Heaven And Earth
Way back around 1999, this debut solo CD from Stuart Smith was sent to me. I had no idea who he was at the time, but going through the album’s credits and seeing names like Glenn Hughes, Richie Sambora, Joe Lynn Turner, Chuck Wright, Carmine Appice and even Kelly Hansen (yes, I had the Hurricane albums!), I thought this might be good! And I wasn’t disappointed. A number of excellent songs and performances here, but it’s the album’s title track that I liked the most, and I think best represents the album. This one, sang by Joe Lynn Turner is kind of a power ballad,; reminds me of something that might have suited Deep Purple’s Slaves and Masters. Later editions of this CD (as Heaven And Earth, featuring Stuart Smith) included a number of bonus tracks.
Prisoner
I believe Kelly Hansen was intended to be the H & E singer after Stuart’s solo album, but when Hansen got the opportunity to join Mick Jones’ new version of Foreigner, Smith had to find someone else. So, new singer on 2000’s Windows To The World was Kelly Keeling (ex Baton Rouge, Blue Murder, MSG). I loved this album, it is packed with classic songs ala 80s Rainbow, Deep Purple, early Whitesnake…
A classic riff/intro leads in to a smooth melodic rock tune, not overly heavy, but a memorable chorus, brilliant solo. An easily likeable song. I really liked Kelly Keeling as the singer on this album, he really fit that Deep Purple family (closer to Coverdale, IMO) In another era this could’ve been a huge hit for a number of bands.
Politician
Another killer riff, and this rocker is another highlight here, taking aim at a politician Stuart disliked at the time. Windows To The World was produced by Howard Leese (Heart, Bad Co), who also adds guitar, bass, and strings to a few songs here. Richie Onori on drums, Marvin Sperling on bass, Arlen Schierbaum on keyboards , The Japanese edition (which I’d like to find), adds a couple of extra tracks, notably a cover of “I Don’t Need No Doctor”.
Windows To The World included a number of other good songs, a very solid album, including “Dogs Of War”, “World’s Apart” and “Away From Harm”.
Screaming For Redemption
Following Windows To The World, there was a brief phase with legendary LA singer Paul Shortino. This short lived line up recorded 4 songs as part of the Taste Of Heaven CD, which featured 4 previously released songs, as well. Dave Chamberlain on bass, Scott Warren (Dio) on keyboards.
Waiting For The End Of The World
When Dig came out in 2013, it featured another new line up. It included upstate New York singer Joe Retta. At the time Retta and Smith were also part of Steve Priest’s SWEET, and had released Live In America in 2009. Fantastic production on this album. There is lots going on in this track between the guitars, acoustics, synths and Hammond organ…It’s only 5 minutes, but feels longer. Reminds me a bit of Rainbow, a bit of Kansas…and although not on my list, I like the way the ending flows in to the next track “Sexual Insanity” .
House Of Blues
It was hard not to choose more from Dig,; the run of the first 8 tracks is awesome! In there are a few other greats like “Victorious” and “Back In Anger”. But this is another favorite, a heavy blues rock track. Excellent album, cover design / photography by Glen Wexler, cool band logo by Ian Wexler.
I Don’t Know What Love Is
This is the ballad from Dig. Such a grand production, with the backing vocals, strings, acoustic guitar, Stuart’s big solo and Joe Retta’s vocal. Not to forget Chuck Wright’s bass lines. Chuck was a huge part of this album, and a few others. Again, in another time this song could’ve been a huge hit for someone.
Hard To Kill
The title track to the band’s follow-up to Dig, (IMO, a hard act to follow!) When I initially got this album (1 of 2 H&E albums on vinyl), I liked it, but was pre-occupied at the time with personal stuff (moving, etc…), so I kinda put it on the back burner for a bit. It later became a fast grower of an album, and with the similarities n cover art, a nice partner to Dig. The title track is a great lead off rocker for this album.
Walk Away
Also from Hard To Kill, Stuart comes up with another fine riff and intro. This one is easily likeable, with a great, memorable chorus. As a follow up to Dig, Hard To Kill is a bit more blues rock, and a bit less polished, like the band has settled into a comfortable sound. Ty Bailie on keys, Kenny Aranoff on drums.
At The End Of The Day
From the last Heaven and Earth album ‘V’, released in 2021. A strange time for the band, as more changes occurred, most notably gone was singer Joe Retta. I gotta admit, the album caught me off-guard, not just because of the changes, but because what seemed like a lack of press at the time, and I was not overly floored upon first listen. Whether it was the overall sound, the change of singers, or whatever, it took me a while to warm up to this one, and it is the album’s last song that really stood out for me before anything else. There is a lot of good songs here like “Drive”, “Ship Of Fools”, and “Nothing To Me”, and the band sounds great, but this song here is classic, with Stuart’s opening riff/intro, and most significantly this being the best to feature the powerful vocals of Italian singer Gianluca Petralia here. Starting off as a ballad, and building into a heavy 70s styled rock epic, heavy on the guitar, bass, and Hammond organ. Joining Stuart Smith here were keyboard players George Barabas and Mike Mangan, bass player Lynn Sorensen (also credited as producer), and legendary drummer Simon Wright.
The BOLTON IRON MAIDEN released 2 CDs years back, comprising of their studio & live tracks made back in the early-mid 70s, back before another band used the name and went on to become one of the biggest bands in Heavy Metal. BIM, then just known as ‘Iron Maiden’, were the 2nd British band to use the name at the time (before Steve Harris came along). Now from the band’s recordings comes a very limited vinyl release of their music, just 7 tracks, with a new cover (to the CDs). Check it out. And check out my previous features on the band, including an interview with Paul TJ O’Neill!
*Available on black vinyl (+ special edition) and colored vinyl.
Details:
Active between 1970 and 1976, the Bolton Iron Maiden (originally known as Birth and then Iron Maiden) was a psychedelic hard-rock band formed in Bolton by Ian Boulton-Smith (Beak) on lead guitar, Derek George Austin on bass and Paul TJ O’Neill on drums / vocals.
Influenced by contemporaries like Led Zeppelin, Cream, Free, Groundhogs or Andromeda, their music blended blues, hard rock, and progressive elements.
They soon built a strong reputation supporting acts such as UFO, Bedlam (with Cozy Powell), Caravan, Thin Lizzy…
In 1976, the band disbanded following the death of guitarist Ian Boulton-Smith from cancer.
In 2005, Paul O’Neill revived interest in BIM by releasing two albums, “Maiden Flight” and “Boulton Rides Again”, which compiled studio and live recordings. The proceeds from these albums were donated to Cancer Research and Macmillan Cancer Support. With the blessing of the more famous Iron Maiden and their manager Rod Smallwood, the band adopted the name “The Bolton Iron Maiden” to avoid confusion.
For the first time on vinyl, “Maiden Flight” collects their previously unreleased studio recordings from 1972 plus raw as live tracks circa 1975.
Insert with detailed liner notes and rare photos / memorabilia. Download card with extra (live) bonus tracks.
Ok, so there was no ‘Volume 2‘ to Alice Cooper’s 1974 Greatest Hits album, which marked the end of the original band. But, back in those days record companies pushed out plenty of Hits compilations = parts 1,2,3…. from acts that didn’t necessarily have huge catalogues. Mercury Records in Canada released a Best Of Uriah Heep, and a Best Of Uriah Heep: Part 2 — from the band’s first 5 albums! Alice Cooper released 7 albums in a 7 year run, and produced a number of hit singles, and more live favorites – from the band’s 5 classic albums from 1971-73. I’ve put together my own picks of those songs that were not A side singles and/or big radio hits, and I’ve included tracks from the band’s first 2 records (Pretties For You, 1969, and Easy Action, 1970) as they were excluded from Greatest Hits (as they weren’t on Warner Brothers, or did particularly well). I’ve included times, and kept each side to under 20 minutes, as per the LP standard times back then. As well I’ve included the single times, wherever possible.
Would be interested in seeing your choices in the comments!
Alice Cooper: Greatest Hits, Part 2
Side A
Reflected (2:50)
Shoe Salesman (2:48)
Return Of The Spiders (3:38)
Caught In A Dream (2:55)
The Ballad Of Dwight Fry (6:33)
You Drive Me Nervous (2:24)
Side B
Luney Tune (3:36)
Public Animal #9 (3:53)
I Love The Dead (5:08)
Working Up A Sweat (3:31)
Hard Hearted Alice (4:50)
Reflected
“Reflected” was the A-side of Alice Cooper’s first single. From Pretties For You. It is best remembered as the song that was later re-written as “Elected”. This was credited to Alice Cooper (band) as writers & producers. I almost included “Living” (the b-side), but left it off. Look up the band’s 1969 TV appearance ‘performing’ this song – HERE.
Shoe Salesman
The single from Easy Action, credited to band. I loved this one when I first heard this record. So different and easily likeable. How was this not a hit (even a minor one!) at the time?
Return Of The Spiders
The B-side to “Shoes Salesman”, also credited to the entire band. More upbeat and aggressive, and reflecting on the band under another name. Insistingly the band has re-done this for their upcoming reunion album, The Revenge Of Alice Cooper.
Caught In A Dream
The 2nd single and my favorite from Love It To Death, penned by Michael Bruce. Hard to see how this wasn’t a big hit.
The Ballad Of Dwight Fry
The epic tribute to American horror film actor Dwight Frye, this became a huge live favorite right away. I chose this for that reason, along with “I Love The Dead”, as both are among the top 10 AC songs ever performed live (according to setlistfm.com )
You Drive Me Nervous
The B-side to “Be My Lover” in some territories (“Yeah Yeah Yeah” was B-side in Canada & the US), and a great aggressive rocker that opens side 2 of Killer. Penned by Michael Bruce, Alice, and Bob Ezrin.
Luney Tune
Issued as the B-side to 1972’s “Elected”; a classic Alice teen trouble story & anthem, credited to Dennis Dunaway & Alice.
Public Animal “9
Also from School’s Out. Strange that there was no 2nd single from that album, as this would’ve made a perfect one. The only 7 inch version I see of this anywhere is a 4-track jukebox single from Thailand! This one got played live, and there’s great footage of the band’s performance of this at the Beat Club, in Germany.
I Love The Dead
Though not issued as a single (A or B), this was a big fan favorite and highlight of the live show, and I’m sure just the title alone created enough interest and controversy.
Hard Hearted Alice
There’s this (& “Working Up A Sweat”) from Muscle Of Love, both used as B-sides, and both played live at the time. An excellent ballad, about the band. Both would’ve made better A-sides than “Teenage Lament 74” (IMO).
Working Up A Sweat
The b-side to “Teenage Lament ’74”, opened side 2 of the album, and featured in the live set. Classic upbeat Alice track. I really had a difficult time narrowing it down to just 2 from MOL, due to vinyl time restraints. I also wanted to include “Big Apple Dreamin”, but opted for these 2).
Italian prog-rockers BLIND GOLEM have a new album coming out. Wunderkammerwill be released November 22, on Andromeda Relix Records. This is the follow up to 2021’s debut A Dream Of Fantasy. Wunderkammer includes an interesting cover version choice. For more details check out the press info below. Artwork is (again) done by Rodney Matthews. And the first single/video is the song “Born Liars”!
Description: organ, wah-wah heavy Les Paul guitar, massive choruses: all the classic ingredients that made Blind Golem debut album such an intriguing cult classic in 2021 for lovers of bands like Uriah Heep, Magnum, Rainbow, are back in full force for second album “Wunderkammer”, 11 songs showing a more developed personality and also featuring a great cover version of one of Heep’s more obscure songs, the “Demons and Wizards” outtake “Green Eye”. Cover art is once again an impressive painting by the great Rodney Matthews! Influences for the Album: Uriah Heep, Magnum, Lucifer’s Friend, Rainbow, Black Bonzo
Blind Golem is a project born out of a lifelong passion for classic hard rock, with a big Hammond organ, screaming wah-wah guitars, massive choruses. The original seed comes from members of the seasoned hard blues band Bullfrog (5 albums) joining with members of the tribute band Forever Heep, dedicated to the classic Uriah Heep repertoire, that played several times as a backing band for Ken Hensley himself, founding member of Heep. In 2021 the band released its first collection of original material, “A Dream Of Fantasy”, which featured Hensley himself on keyboards and slide guitar. The album got enthusiastic reviews especially from fans of that specific and immortal sound, the marriage of Hammond organ and big guitars. After several shows, including a prestigious appearance at the prestigious Porto Antico Festival in Genoa, the band entered the studio to produce it’s album of original material, showing a clear growth in personality, still maintaining firm roots in the classic, powerful and melodic sound of the first album. As an homage, the album features a strong cover of the most obscure Uriah Heep deep cut, “Green Eye”, an outtake from the 1972 classic ‘Demons and Wizards’ sessions. Cover art was made once again by none other than the legendary Rodney Matthews, responsible for countless classic covers for bands like Thin Lizzy, Nazareth, Magnum, Diamond Head, etc. The members of Blind Golem all come from experienced bands, having released several albums with Bullfrog, Rocken Factory and Forever Deep, and played thousands of shows through the years backing rock legends like Don Airey, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Bernie Marsden, and opening for Uriah Heep, John Lawton, Uli Jon Roth, Dan Baird, Doug Pinnick. Like the first album, ‘Wunderkammer’ is released by Andromeda Relix Records and it will also be issued on splendid double LP, in a gatefold package, in the near future.
Band Line-up: Andrea Vilardo, lead vocals. Simone Bistaffa, Hammond Organ, Piano, Keyboards. Silvano Zago, Guitars. Francesco Dalla Riva, Bass, Lead & Backing Vocals. Walter Mantovanelli, Drums.
Outsider Rock 