They got some traction with the single “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” from the “Dawn Patrol” album in 1982. The future looked bright.
Then their record label “Boardwalk” went under.
But they had a believer in former Boardwalk vice-president Bruce Bird, who organised a deal with Irving Azoff to sign the group to MCA. Night Ranger would be the first signing to Bird’s new imprint under MCA, Camel Records Inc.
“Midnight Madness” came out in 1983. Check out the ages of the guys in the band.
Jack Blades is 29, Brad Gillis is 26, Jeff Watson is 27, Kelly Keagy is 31 and Alan Fitzgerald is 34. These are seasoned pros, who have paid their dues in other bands since the start of the Seventies.
And in 1983, fame came to them in the form of music television.
MTV would turn regional club acts into arena acts instantly on the back of a song, and “Sister Christian” along with “(You Can Still) Rock In America” became the songs that launched Night Ranger across North America.
While the album has alot of good songs my favorite is the first song on Side 2.
“Touch of Madness” is written by Jack Blades.
The eerie music box gets your attention immediately.
Then a heavily palm muted arpeggio single note riff kicks in before, all hell breaks loose with the blues slide rock riff from the 19 second mark.
The playing is excellent.
At the 42 second mark, the verse groove comes in. It’s groove Rock and Kelly Keagy thunders on the kit.
Blades delivers a stellar vocal,
The lyrics suggest a feeling of being drawn to someone who has a captivating and mysterious quality.
She say “I get high when I want to Don’t ya think you need it too” I need a touch, I need a touch of madness
All of the religious leaders in the 80’s got it right, that the youth of the world had been seduced by the devil’s music. We liked to get high when we wanted to and Mister Juana was a favourite.
The “touch of madness” is the irresistible allure of someone’s unpredictable and exciting nature.
I need a touch, a touch of madness
The lead break is Randy Rhoads-esque. Building on a simple motif and embellishing it with fast scalar runs.
I like how you get another verse, pre and chorus after the solo section. It’s the reason why it clocks in at 5 plus minutes.
All the music here has been released before circa 2003 when the band remastered their albums on their own Motley Records label.
But let me highlight how many issues of the album they have done recently.
In 2022, they released a Limited Edition, Reissue, Black/Clear Split Vinyl edition.The music on this edition was just the normal album.
In 2018, they released a Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Clear With Red Swirl Vinyl Edition. The music on this edition was just the normal album.
In 2016, they released a Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Red With Black Swirl, 180g Vinyl edition. The music on this edition was just the normal album.
In 2011, they released a Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Mini Vinyl Replica edition. The music on this edition was just the normal album.
Again in 2011, they also released a Reissue, 180g, Gatefold edition. And again, the music on this edition was just the normal album.
Between 2003 and 2023, they also released various CD versions of the album with wording like, HDCD, Club Edition, Limited Edition, Enhanced, Reissue, Remastered and SHM-CD (for Japanese Releases). Apart from the 2003 edition, it’s been the same album re-released.
But, it’s selling for $370AUD. It looks like a nice collectors piece and if you don’t have this album, you’ll be thinking “why not”, but at that price I would have expected something to be included that hasn’t been released as yet.
Take a cue from Mr Coverdale, who puts the effort in with his evolution compositions, different jams/rehearsals of the songs and live recordings.
STEVE JOBS
At 12 years old Jobs called Bill Hewlett (the co-founder of Hewlett-Packard) to ask for spare computer parts.
Jobs got the parts and a summer job working the assembly line at Hewlett-Packard.
Steve Jobs, believes asking is the single thing that “separates the people that do things from the people that just dream about them.”
METALLICA
Brian Slagel is putting together the Metal Massacre compilation album.
Slagel met Lars Ulrich a year ago at a Michael Schenker concert. Lars calls him up and asks him, “if he puts together a band can he be on the record?”
BON JOVI
It’s 1982 and Jon Bon Jovi has just finished writing and recording “Runaway”.
He shopped it around and couldn’t get a record deal. He couldn’t get a band together to play live because original bands didn’t make enough money.
Luck would have it that a brand-new radio station would open in New York. It was so new it didn’t have a receptionist so nobody was there to stop Jon from walking straight to the DJ and asking him to play “Runaway”.
The song quickly gained traction and Hobart entered Bon Jovi into a contest the radio station was running for the best unsigned band.
Jon won, he got his Mercury deal and by the summer of 1983, the song had become a huge hit.
It’s amazing what could happen from asking.
SONG ON REPEAT
“Crime Of The Century” by Revolution Saints.
That Chorus hook is undeniable. It’s from the new album “Eagle Flight” which has Joel Hoekstra and Jeff Pilson joining Deen Castronovo.
Check it out.
BONUS SONG I’M LISTENING TO
“Burn For Me” by The Night Flight Orchestra. It’s the Bowie “Modern Love” feel which hooks me in and then that feel gets put in the TNFO blender and what comes out is an infectious AOR Rock song.
It was released in 2004 on Ytse Jam Records, the official bootleg label of the band created by Mike Portnoy and John Petrucci, but Portnoy was the main driver.
Yep, the thing that bands are doing right now, Dream Theater has been doing it since 2003. Marillion, one of Portnoy’s favorite bands have been doing it even earlier via their fan club.
This was also released as part of their Inside Out record deal via the “Lost Not Forgotten Archives” on 12 May, 2023.
The CD contains pre-production demos as well as instrumental versions of the songs and songs that did not make it on to the album, or were recorded around the same time. Also included are six tracks the band recorded as a Christmas gift for their friends.
The band started this recording process as Majesty. By the end of it they would be Dream Theater.
They started it with Chris Collins as the vocalist. Then a whole year would pass before Charlie Dominici would join Mike Portnoy, John Petrucci, Johnny Myung and Kevin Moore. This is the band that recorded the debut album.
Afterlife – Instrumental Demo
It’s my favorite track from the debut album and it was the first new track they wrote upon returning home from Berklee in the Summer of 1986.
It’s straight ahead speed technical Metal and the instrumental demo highlights it.
And Johnny Myung is one hell of a bassist.
The harmony solo between the keys and guitar is still here, however the solo before is different to the recorded version.
The song was performed live with vocalist Chris Collins however it had different lyrics and melodies.
The Killing Hand – Instrumental Demo
It’s weird how my two favorite songs on the debut are the first two songs written.
You can say this song is the start of the Dream Theater epics.
That section after the solo still hooks me.
The Ones Who Help to Set the Sun – Instrumental Demo
The working title of this song was “Death Of Spock”.
It’s the most progressive of the tracks so far and the Arabic Metal feel is very prominent in the demo.
The Rush influence is also prominent when you hear the song instrumentally.
Ytse Jam – Instrumental Demo
Well the song was written to be an instrumental so instrumental demo doesn’t make sense.
Regardless, it’s a fan favorite and that Intro gets peoples attention immediately.
Cry for Freedom – Instrumental Demo
I needed to rehear it to remember it. A leftover from their Berklee jams.
Standard riffing that seems lost without a vocal melody.
But I do like the Sunset Strip riff from about 2.40 and then the change in feel at 3.00. The drums play a simple groove, the synth takes the lead and it sounds like “Stranger Things” took it for their intro. Or maybe the band was heavily influenced by the “Signals” album from Rush.
It’s also been preformed live with Chris Collins.
Resurrection of Ernie – Instrumental Demo
It’s like a John Carpenter soundtrack piece and I like it.
The music here has never been used or rewritten for another song, so it’s a true rarity.
Drum Solo – Instrumental Demo
I hate drum solos in concert and I hate them on albums. If they add some music to it and have the drums doing intricate things then I’m all in.
Portnoy created it for a contest that Modern Drummer magazine was running. The prize, “Neal Peart’s Tama Drum Set”.
Portnoy submitted it under the title “Peartnoy’s Complaint”.
He didn’t win.
A Fortune in Lies – Instrumental Demo
It is the opening track on the album. I still get hooked on the verse riff and how the keys decorate it.
And in the demo here, there’s no Chorus
Only A Matter of Time – Instrumental Demo
It’s missing the excellent synth lead which defines it.
A Fortune in Lies – Early Charlie Demo
Charlie Dominici is a great vocalist.
But at 36 years of age when he joined the band, he was always on borrowed time with the Dream Theater guys.
Mike Portnoy said it was like having Billy Joel singing in Queensrÿche. In this case it was more Steve Perry singing in Dream Theater.
A good singer in the wrong band, they would amicably part ways after this album.
Afterlife – Early Charlie Demo
My favorite track with a killer chorus. But you had to wait for it.
The Ones Who Help to Set the Sun – Early Charlie Demo
You hear a lot of Marillion in the demo and I like it.
These “Early Charlie” Demos are the ones that got the band signed. A friend of Portnoy’s had an ex-band mate who left Combat Records to start Mechanic Records and on June 23 of 1988, Majesty signed their deal.
Once signed, Terry Date was selected as Producer, who at the time had a reputation for making albums sound great on a low budget.
Portnoy’s 4 track came out and away they went with the Pre-Production demos.
A Fortune in Lies
Afterlife
Ytse Jam
Only A Matter of Time
The Ones Who Help to Set the Sun
The Killing Hand
Light Fuse and Get Away
All of the pre-production demos are more polished than the instrumental demos.
The solos are still a work in progress however most of the elements are there.
“Light Fuse And Get Away” was newly written during this phase.
“Status Seeker” was written just before they entered the studio and never demoed.
The entire album was recorded and mixed in 3 weeks.
Shortly before the release, the guys were informed of another unsigned band who held the registered trademark for the name Majesty. So they had to change their name.
And Dream Theater was born.
The album dropped on March 6, 1989 to little promotion and fanfare. The label reneged on their promise to fund a video and provide touring support.
It was dead on arrival as the guys retreated back to their basement rehearsal studio and their day jobs at delis, Chinese food places and music stores.
To Live Forever – Xmas Demo
The song was written after the guys watched “Rattle and Hum” from U2.
It’s stuff like this which I like from Dream Theater. They would take all kind of influences and still make it sound like Dream Theater.
On here, you can really here the pop vocals in Dominici.
Mission Impossible – Xmas Demo
A little jam with Portnoy losing his shit at the end of the song at Petrucci who was wailing away.
Golden Slumbers/Carry that Weight/The End – Xmas Demo
A Beatles medley.
O Holy Night – Xmas Demo
It’s not a Xmas demo with a Xmas song.
A Vision ’89 – Xmas Demo
I like Dominici’s vocals as well. Then again I’m a fan of this song, so I enjoy all versions of it.
This one is very Queensryche like.
And there you have it.
If you want to hear Dream Theater as a technical speed Metal band with various influences of other styles then this is the album.
The actors have joined the writers in taking industrial action, because they want streaming giants to agree to a fairer split of profits and better working conditions.
And a recent Black Mirror episode has made em all worried about digital replicas, so they want further protection in this area.
Mark Ruffalo went on to say that while actors and screenwriters have “made great content”, the business brains behind them had “created an empire of billionaires”, who are “laughing like fat cats” and “believe we are no longer of value”.
You see, actors are paid residuals. Residuals are a form of royalty paid to actors when movies and TV shows air on television after their initial run.
Residuals came into practice in the 60s and were updated to include Cable TV. But it doesn’t work for streaming because streaming shows aren’t scheduled.
Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator of “Squid Game,” forfeited all residuals when he cut a deal with Netflix.
It earned Netflix nearly US$1 billion, but Hwang got none of that bounty.
You see, Hwang would get a large upfront fee to create “Squid Game”. It would be large enough to tempt him to forfeit all residuals. Netflix and Hwang both gambled and Netflix won.
And while some actors are paid well because they had the “old gatekeeper power” to get residuals higher, the rest struggle, while the streaming services and studios along with their CEO’s earn billions and multi-millions.
WHAT MAKES IT
Because no one knows what will make it big. Here is a snippet from a newsletter that Billy Oppenheimer writes;
Zemeckis replied with “It’s a minefield, Tom. You never know what’s good…It’s a minefield! It’s a goddam minefield! We may be sowing the seeds of our own destruction.”
There is no safety net or guarantee that things will become popular.
After Bon Jovi finished recording “Slippery When Wet”, producer Bruce Fairbairn was hoping it would get a Gold Certification, which is 500,000 sales in the U.S. Currently the album is at 13,364,000 units sold.
David Coverdale just recovered from surgery after a bad sinus infection. He had fired everyone. He was over $3 million in debt to Geffen. The music to the songs which would make up the 1987 album were recorded. All he had to do was sing.
And he hoped there was a place for Whitesnake in the market dominated by Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Scorpions and Europe. It’s at 8 million and counting in U.S sales.
“Welcome to the Jungle” from Guns N’ Roses performed poorly in both the United States and the United Kingdom when first released in September 1987.
As the band’s popularity grew steadily in 1988, on the back of “Sweet Child O Mine” and their ferocious live performances, it became a sleeper hit in the US and reached the top 10 of the Billboard charts. It was then re-released in the UK, charting within the top 40 there.
In June 2005, it was certified Gold in the U.S.
By 2017, it surpassed 3 million in sales however it’s never been re-certified.
Nirvana’s second album “Nevermind” was released in September 1991 with low expectations, hoping to sell 500,000 copies.
The album entered the Billboard 200 at number 144.
It entered the top 40 in November.
When December rolled around, the album was selling 300,000 copies a week.
By January 1992, it replaced Michael Jackson’s “Dangerous” at number 1 on the Billboard charts.
The album has gone on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide.
When Def Leppard released “Hysteria” in 1987, they were expecting the same sales as “Pyromania”. In addition, due to the lengthy recording process, in order to break even they had to sell a minimum of 5 million albums.
After 8 months, the album had sold 3 million in the U.S and the band was preparing to wrap up their tour, take a short break and go back into the studio.
Then “Pour Some Sugar On Me” and “Love Bites” hit the airwaves. The popularity of the singles led to renewed interest in the album and the band was back on the road.
The “Hysteria” tour ended on 27th October 1988. By then the album had moved 7 million units in the U.S. It was basically moving a million units a month in the U.S from June.
By May 1990, the album was at 10 million units in the U.S. and it’s still selling today.
DO THE WORK YOU LOVE
It’s a strong mindset to work on a project and knowing that no one will possibly care about it once it’s released.
But the ones that do it, do it because it’s a need to create and they live to create. If it’s successful, the money and fame is a byproduct of their need to create.
THE JOURNEY
When Bruce Springsteen dropped “Born to Run” in 1975 he was 11 years into his journey. During those years he was in and out of numerous bands and his first two albums as a solo artist bombed.
When “Appetite For Destruction” came out in 1987, Guns N Roses were an 7 year over night success. And the album was a slow burner. It took over a year to get traction and once it did, it was outselling everyone.
During these periods, “talented” and “schooled” musicians were in their thousands. But the biggest artists didn’t come from Julliard or Berklee.
If your are not committed to the journey talent doesn’t matter.
Will people talk about Michael Schenker in 20 years time?
We all knew who Michael Schenker was from his time in UFO and Scorpions, but none of us could name his MSG tunes correctly.
He wasn’t on MTV and back in the 80s, there was no Spotify, no YouTube, no BitTorrent and no internet where we could go and look up his MSG output.
Radio in Australia never played MSG.
Basically if you didn’t own his albums or know someone who did, it’s like he didn’t exist.
But he was all over the guitar magazines. It’s how I came across him.
The first MSG album came out in 1980 and it stiffs in the major U.S market. Japan however loved Schenker where his popularity remained high on the back of his Scorpions and UFO contributions.
The second MSG album came out in 1981 and it did nothing as well. Something had to change. Original singer Gary Barden was fired in 1982 and Graham Bonnet fresh from his stint in Rainbow was hired. Album number 3 came out the same year (along with the “Live at The Budokan” album) and again, it did nothing. Bonnet was fired and Barden was back in for the tour.
And here we are at album number 4 released in 1983.
Commercially, it stiffed again in the major North American market. It’s forgotten from the conversation.
But it’s a favorite.
I could have picked alot of different songs from “Built To Destroy” as it’s that good. But this time around I wanted to write about “The Dogs Of War”.
It’s written by Gary Barden and Michael Schenker.
Drums and bass start it all off. A simple groove yet so catchy with Schenker decorating the Intro with feedback, chords and leads.
It builds until the verses kick in.
Nothing worth taking, all was forsaken
A sense of loss as there was nothing of value left to hold onto or protect.
Hit on the blind side, caught in the spotlights
Exposed and vulnerable, as if suddenly thrust into the spotlight without any preparation, leaving you exposed and defenseless.
Warning came late, no chance of alluding
It conveys a sense of helplessness and a lack of options.
Shadows were long as they forged through the night
I like the way this is delivered vocally. It’s almost classical and yet it feels new wave.
The line tells me it’s about perseverance and determination amidst challenging circumstances.
Looking for signs of the day, Deep in their minds as they walked out of sight
A sense of introspection and anticipation as we search for signs of hope or a brighter future. A mindset of seeking out positive change or opportunities in the midst of uncertainty or darkness.
The line “deep in their minds as they walked out of sight” suggests that despite being physically present, our minds are occupied with thoughts, hopes, and aspirations.
Mission completed all were defeated Branded with fire, now filled with desire
“Mission completed all were defeated” suggests that a goal or objective was successfully achieved, but it came at a cost. The mention of being “branded with fire” tells me that the experience was intense and left a lasting mark. However, instead of being discouraged or weakened, there is a newfound sense of determination and passion, as they are now “filled with desire” for more.
Message came through on the wings of a prayer Feelings were high for a time
The line “Message came through on the wings of a prayer” suggests that guidance or inspiration arrived unexpectedly, perhaps in a moment of spiritual connection or hope.
“Feelings were high for a time” indicates a period of excitement and enthusiasm following the completion of the mission. Emotions are intense and elevated during this phase, reflecting the sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.
Slap on the backs for the ones who had dared To run with the wolves of our time
These lines honor those who have dared to defy conventional norms and expectations, applauding their willingness to take risks and venture into uncharted territories.
They embody the spirit of running alongside the metaphorical “wolves” of their time, showcasing their courage and tenacity in the face of adversity.
Michael Schenker embodies this spirit. At 15 he left Germany to join UFO in the U.K. Imagine that, in 2023.
The dogs of war, will bite the hand for a price, and then hear them roar
The destructive nature of conflict and the willingness of certain individuals or entities to engage in acts of aggression or violence for personal gain. The phrase “dogs of war” symbolizes those who are eager to participate in warfare or engage in hostile actions. They are portrayed as fierce and relentless, driven by their own motives and desires.
The line “will bite the hand for a price” suggests that these individuals are willing to turn against their own benefactors or allies if offered a sufficient incentive.
It implies that loyalty can be easily swayed by material or monetary rewards, and they will not hesitate to betray those who once supported them.
Their mission completed, the innocents bleeding
Overall, this phrase captures the bittersweet nature of achieving a goal or objective while acknowledging the devastating impact on the innocent individuals caught in the crossfire.
To buy someone’s freedom’ who pays?
The question challenges the notion of freedom as something that can be easily obtained through financial means. It prompts us to consider whether true freedom can be bought and whether the act of purchasing it merely shifts the power dynamics or perpetuates a system of inequality.
A lot of the lyrics in the 80s got blasted and they still get blasted by music writers as being immature.
That is the case for some songs and some acts still make a living on writing simple immature lyrics with simple rhymes, laced with sexual innuendos.
Then you get other lyricists who write with some depth and double meanings. Gary Barden is one such lyricist. He’s also pushed out the “tease/please/knees” kind of lyrics as it was a symptom of the era he was in but overall his output is a lot more mature.
And Michael Schenker. He’s a lifer and what a rollercoaster lifestyle he’s had. He didn’t top the charts as a solo artist but his impact is as large as his UFO and Scorpions career.
When Twisted Sister disbanded in 87, Dee wasn’t in the news a lot, except for a few little paragraphs here and there in a magazine about his upcoming “Desperado” project.
Then that project got killed by record label bosses at Neglektra.
And the biggest voice in my life was missing during the “golden commercial years” of metal and rock music.
Then Widowmaker got up and running, however Grunge came and after a two albums, the band was done.
A solo album called “Never Let The Bastards Wear You Down” revived hope that more would come. But it didn’t eventuate.
However Dee is a lifer when it comes to music. He battled tooth and nail to make it, so there was no way he was going to lay dormant for long.
And like it was written in some holy book, Dee came back, more diverse than ever. He became a movie maker, a radio show host, a solo artist, an author and when TS reformed, he led them up front all the way to the last show.
“For The Love Of Metal” came out in 2018 and it is basically metal music the way I know it.
His solo music doesn’t have the same public acceptance as the Twisted music, but it doesn’t mean it’s not important or influential. As I’ve said before, a million sales of an album doesn’t mean you have 1 million fans. You just have a million people who purchased the album.
The question any artist should be asking is, how many people actually listened to the album from start to finish?
In a one to one commercial sale, it will never be known how many people listened to the album at least once and how many people listened to the album over a hundred or a thousand times.
“Mask” is a great song.
Depending on how you experience the album, it’s either hidden deep in the album at track 8 or it’s at the start of the B side of the vinyl.
That intro riff hooks me in right away. It’s thrash power Metal like.
With torn and bleeding smiles we move on And mouth all different kinds of broken promises Why should our days be spent in denial While counting our faults and ripping our hearts out
These lines express the struggle of carrying on with a facade of happiness despite inner turmoil.
The smiles we wear is depicted as torn and bleeding, indicating the pain and suffering we endure internally.
We continue to make promises we cannot keep, adding to the brokenness within. The questioning of why one should spend their days in denial is a desire for honesty and authenticity, rather than pretending everything is fine.
The act of counting faults and ripping hearts out shows a self-destructive pattern of dwelling on personal flaws and causing emotional harm.
These lines highlight the complexity of navigating through life’s challenges while grappling with inner turmoil and the longing for genuine connection and self-acceptance.
The face you see is not our own It hides our tears and shades our eyes The heart you touched has since grown cold We wear the mask that grins and lies
We live in a world of suppression.
The idea of each one of us presenting a false image to the world, concealing our true emotions and vulnerabilities behind a mask is real.
The face that others perceive is not a genuine reflection of our inner feelings. Instead, it serves as a shield to protect ourselves from judgment, pain, or further emotional exposure.
The heart that was once open and receptive has now become distant and detached.
The mask we wear may project a smiling and seemingly content facade, but it conceals the truth and hides the pain beneath the surface.
Behind our doors the time cannot be whisked away Crashing and burning, leaving hints of darkness Deep within their withered faces, lines are sunken in We say we’re fine behind the mask We say we’re fine, why do you ask
The passage of time and the struggles that accompany it. Behind closed doors, the weight of time cannot be escaped or avoided.
The phrase “crashing and burning” conveys a sense of chaos and turmoil that leaves traces of darkness in its wake. The imagery of withered faces with sunken lines reflects the toll that time and life’s challenges have taken on us.
Despite the weariness and pain hidden within, we still maintain the facade of being fine. We wear a mask of contentment and happiness, even when asked about our well-being.
The repetition of “we say we’re fine” emphasizes the disconnect between our true emotions and the image we project to the outside world. Its easier to maintain appearances and avoid delving into the depths of our inner struggles.
The subject matter is serious and the music is thunderous.
A little Frontiers Records project known as “Revolution Saints” is now four albums deep. The self-titled debut came out in 2015. Songs like “Back On My Trail”, “Locked Out Of Paradise” and “Way To The Sun” with Neal Schon led the way. I was also a fan of the excellent Eclipse cover, “How To Mend A Broken Heart”.
The sophomore album “Light In The Dark” hit the streets in 2017 with the excellent “Freedom” as the standout track.
Third album, “Rise” came out in 2020 and with the song “When The Heartache Has Gone”, they broke the million streams on Spotify. The trilogy of albums also saw the end of the first iteration of the band with the departure of Doug Aldrich and Jack Blades.
And then “Eagle Flight” landed in 2023.
Once I heard it, I had to write about it.
Joining Castronovo is Joel Hoekstra and Jeff Pilson. Two excellent musicians and songwriters with resumes to match.
But the main songwriter is Alessandro Del Vecchio again, the Max Martin, Jim Vallance and Desmond Child of Italy. according to my math, Del Vecchio’s song writing credits for Frontiers album releases would be a thousand plus. If it wasn’t for Del Vecchio, Revolution Saints wouldn’t exist.
With each song I will highlight the songwriters, to showcase the casting net that Frontiers President Serafino Perugino casts to get quality songs for his projects.
Eagle Flight
Written by Alessandro Del Vecchio, Francesco Savino and Rossella Moscatello. Savino and Moscatello are from the metal band False Memories, another Frontiers act, who released an album, “The Last Night Of Fall” in 2021.
This song is pure melodic rock with Castronovo’s tobacco stained Steve Perry like vocals.
Del Vecchio plays on this as well, delivering a stellar performance on the keys/piano.
Under the sky we will fly like eagles
Eagles are known for their strength, grace and ability to fly at great heights. Eagles are used to symbols of freedom, courage and vision. The phrase conveys a sense of freedom, power and soaring above our limitations. You can overcome obstacles, rise about your circumstances and experience a sense of exhilaration and triumph.
Our dreams are mirrored from our thoughts, grounded by a thousand hopes
Our dreams are a reflection of our thoughts and aspirations. Our minds project our desires and wishes into the world, creating a mental image or a “mirror” of what we hope to achieve. Each hope serves as a foundation, providing us with the strength and resilience to persevere through challenges and obstacles.
Talking Like Strangers
Written by Alessandro Del Vecchio and Joel Hoekstra and it’s a Hoekstra riff that kicks it off.
It’s got that major key vibe, and man that Intro solo from Hoekstra had me playing air guitar. Musically it sounds like a Firehouse song and I like it, as I think the first two Firehouse albums are excellent.
But the Chorus has that Euro Pop vibe. Almost ABBA like. And man, Castronovo hits some highs here.
Need Each Other
Written by Alessandro Del Vecchio and Italian pop songwriter Francesco Boccia.
The Chorus.
Press play on it it.
And then stick around for the guitar solo from Hoekstra.
Kids Will Be Kids
Written by Alessandro Del Vecchio and Kristian Fyhr.
Fyhr is the vocalist in several Frontiers acts like Seventh Crystal and House Of Lords.
An almost funky like groove starts it off, but once the intro guitar lead kicks in, its melodic rock heaven.
Castronovo is again nailing the vocal melody.
We were too young to know, that grown ups never lie, kids will be kids no matter what
It expresses the idea that when we were children, we were naive and unaware of the fact that adults sometimes deceive or lie.
As children, we tended to trust adults completely and believed that they always spoke the truth. However, as we grow older, we come to realize that adults are fallible and capable of dishonesty.
And regardless of what children may experience or learn about the world, they will still behave like children. Children have their own unique perspectives, innocence, and tendencies to be playful, curious, and impulsive.
The nature of childhood remains constant despite any revelations or disillusionment that may occur as children become more aware of the complexities of the adult world.
“It still has the pop sensibility of Journey but with Joel and Jeff in the band I feel it is a bit heavier.
I grew up with heavy metal and I love playing songs with that kind of power.
Johnny Gioeli, the singer from Hardline, who Neal and I had been with in the early 1990s, produced my vocals for me. I have always admired Johnny’s vocals. He coached me on Zoom.”
I’ll Cry For You Tonight
Written by Alessandro Del Vecchio and Francesco Boccia.
It’s like a ballad, but it’s still got enough weight to rock. Blues rock that is.
Crime Of The Century
One of my favourite tracks on the album and it’s written by Anders Wikstrom who is/was the guitarist and songwriter in the Swedish hard rock band Treat for the band’s first three records. Since the late 80’s he has amassed a portfolio of close to 300 credits on Discogs.
That Chorus hook remains with me long after the song is finished. Castronovo is channeling his love of Paul Stanley.
Gotta break thru the walls Just to find that my heart is still beating
The idea of perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges or difficult situations.
Are you determined to overcome obstacles in order to discover that you are still alive and capable of experiencing life?
Set Yourself Free
Written by Alessandro Del Vecchio and it feels like it came from Night Ranger aka “Why Does Love Have To Change?”
Just press play and enjoy.
Sacred
Written by Alessandro Del Vecchio, Kristian Fyhr, Nikos Sofis and Saal Richmond. Sofis is a Greek songwriter/lyricist and Richmond is created the band IN-SIDE. If you like acts like Alan Parsons Project, Toto, Work Of Art and Europe then you will like IN-SIDE.
Jeff Pilson’s bass rumbles here perfectly locked in with Castronovo’s drums. It’s almost galloping.
Another favorite, just behind “Crime Of The Century”.
Once More
Written by Alessandro Del Vecchio and Francesco Boccia.
Castronovo is the highlight here, especially in the Chorus.
And Hoekstra nails the solo section.
Save It All
Written by Alessandro Del Vecchio, Kristian Fyhr and Stefano Mainini who also wrote songs for Sunstorm’s “Brother In Arms” album before this.
Hoekstra puts his stamp on this song. The guitars are phenomenal.
In most of the interviews I’ve read, Castronovo has said he doesn’t write lyrics and if it wasn’t for Del Vecchio, this project wouldn’t exist.
As a fan of Dokken and the song writing of Jeff Pilson, I would have loved to see some Pilson co-writes. Then again, the writers used here, have done a stellar job.
Iron Maiden, is one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time.
In September 2015, they released, “The Book of Souls”. The press release had something like this, “the album features eleven epic tracks, including the 18-minute-long “Empire of the Clouds.”
“The Book of Souls” takes its inspiration from several sources, including the Mayan civilization and the ancient Aztec mythology. Talking about the inspiration behind the album, Iron Maiden’s bassist, Steve Harris, said, “We all love exploring the myths and legends of different cultures around the world, and I think fans will really enjoy seeing how we’ve taken these ideas and turned them into something new and exciting.”
The album is also known for its successful chart performance, reaching number one in several countries worldwide.
The album’s tracks are not typical radio-friendly tracks; instead, they are epic journeys that take the listeners on a ride.
If Eternity Should Fail
Written by Bruce Dickinson. The song is played in drop D tuning and it originally had been written for one of Dickinson’s solo albums.
As Dickinson explains in a Kerrang interview;
The demo was done and the band just copied what Roy [Z, along time Bruce collaborator] and I did in his bedroom. In fact, the little keyboard bit in the beginning is me in Roy’s bedroom.
In a Rolling Stone interview, Dickinson described the song being about a machine designed by the evil Dr. Necropolis that steals the souls of men.
After the effects laden Intro, it really kicks into gear at the 1.32 mark.
Dickinson is at his best here, with each word and syllable clearly pronounced.
What the hell does “reefing a sail” mean?
I had to look it up.
Waiting in line at the ending of time if eternity should fail
It is open to interpretation.
The idea of a final judgment or reckoning, where all souls must wait in line to be judged, even if eternity itself were to come to an end.
Or it could be the idea of waiting for something that may never come, even in the face of eternal time. This interpretation could speak to the human experience of waiting for something unattainable or out of reach, despite the seemingly infinite amount of time available.
At the 5 minute mark it kicks into overdrive, classic Maiden. At 5.45 we get the harmonies.
I could have done without the demonic voice at the end.
Speed Of Light
Written by Adrian Smith and Bruce Dickinson.
Nothing super original about this musically as it is a track with alot of Deep Purple swagger mashed up with “From Here To Eternity” from the “Fear Of The Dark” album.
Shadows in the stars, we will not return, humanity won’t save us, at the speed of light.
It’s not just words to fit the music. There is a lot to unpack here.
“Shadows in the stars” could be interpreted as a metaphor for the human condition of feeling small and insignificant in the face of the vastness of the cosmos.
“We will not return” suggests a finality, perhaps implying that humanity is on a one-way journey towards some unknown destiny or fate.
“Humanity won’t save us” suggests a lack of hope or faith in the ability of human society to solve the problems facing us. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the current state of the world, where many pressing issues such as climate change, political instability, and inequality remain unresolved.
And the phrase “at the speed of light” suggests a sense of urgency and the idea that time is running out. This could be interpreted as a warning that we need to act quickly and decisively if we want to avoid a catastrophic future.
It conveys a sense of resignation and a lack of hope for the future. It suggests that we may be on a collision course with some form of disaster, and that there may be little we can do to avoid it.
The Great Unknown
Written by Adrian Smith and Steve Harris.
The Intro.
It reminds me of “Aerials” from System Of A Down. And I like it.
But it doesn’t lift off after the Intro and Dickinson is hard to decipher vocally.
But make sure you stick around for the harmony solo which kicks in at 4.11, before the main solo.
Overall if the great John Kalodner was sequencing the album, this song would be left off or it would be heavily edited to a 4 minute song.
The Red And The Black
Written by Steve Harris.
This song confuses me. It’s sort of a classic but it’s not. But depending on mood it is. Hear me out.
After the bass doodling, the whole Intro is classic Maiden.
We hear the vocal melody played on the guitar before the first verse kicks in. And it’s excellent. But the singing that comes next is way too busy and indecipherable. Even Harris has said in various interviews that Dickinson freaked out at singing this because there are so many words.
Lyrically it’s based on a 1830 French book called “Le Rouge et le Noir”.
The story is about a man trying to rise up the social ladder via working hard and then abandoning his ambitions as he spirals down with mental illness.
See myself in the hall of mirrors A different shape every step I take A different mind every step of the line But in the end they are all mine
The idea of self-reflection and the complexity of one’s identity.
The “hall of mirrors” is a metaphor for the mind or the self, as we look inward and see different versions of ourselves reflected back.
Our perception of ourselves is constantly changing.
At 2.26, they start the woh-oh part.
At 2.58, the song moves into another section. The lead guitar plays the vocal melody and it works this time around.
And they move back to the woh-oh part.
Chance your luck a four leafed one
Success is uncertain and one must take a chance or a risk in order to achieve it. The “four-leafed one” emphasizes the idea that success or good luck is rare, like finding a four-leaf clover in a field of three-leaf clovers.
When the chorus kicks in it’s in major key territory.
At 6.34, a harmony section kicks in and then an excellent lead. I think it’s from Janick Gers. And there still another 6 minutes to go.
Another excellent lead kicks in at 8.38.
And the piece d resistance is the lead break that starts at 9.40. You need to stick around for that. It continues to the 11.53 mark.
It’s only fitting that it ends with the woh-oh part.
When The River Runs Deep
Written by Adrian Smith and Steve Harris.
How good is the riff that kicks in at the 35 second mark?
But the vocal melodies don’t do it justice.
The Book Of Souls
Written by Janick Gers and Steve Harris.
A baroque like intro from Janick Gers gets things started.
At the 58 second mark it goes into an Arabic feel, more “Powerslave” Ancient Egypt like than Aztec/Inca.
Prophecy of sky gods
The foretelling made by deities associated with the sky. In many cultures, the sky is seen as a domain of the gods, and so predictions made by them would be considered especially significant.
The sun and moon Passing of old ways will come true soon
A prophecy of change and transformation. The sun and moon are often seen as powerful symbols of change and cycles of renewal.
But the song could have done with some editing.
Death Or Glory
Written by Adrian Smith and Bruce Dickinson who bring pack the power of the first three Maiden albums.
Lyrically it continues Dickinson’s love affair with aerial combat, which he covered in “Aces High” and “Tailgunner”.
Musically, the whole solo section is definitely worth pressing play for.
Shadows Of The Valley
Written by Janick Gers and Steve Harris.
An intro reminiscent of “Wasted Years” and “Paschendale”. And I’m hooked.
And musically the song is great. Melodically it is great. Lyrically it’s not so great.
Tears Of A Clown
I love the groove on this, written by Adrian Smith and Steve Harris, the song is praised by Dickinson as his favourite track and it is based on comedian Robin Williams’ depression and suicide in 2014.
Tomorrow comes, tomorrow goes But the cloud remains the same Wonder why he’s feeling down Tears of a clown
A façade of happiness, even though the person is struggling with inner turmoil or sadness. Hiding their true emotions, just as a clown hides their true face behind a mask or makeup.
The Man Of Sorrows
Written by Dave Murray and Steve Harris. An arpeggiated Intro with a lead. Perfect.
Then the vocal melodies come in and Dickinson is crystal clear.
And when the Chorus kicks in, it brings back memories of “Wasting Love” from the “Fear Of The Dark” album.
Looking through a mist of truth That we believe an elusive cloud
We perceive reality as hazy or unclear, and we struggle to discern what is true and what is not. Truth may be difficult to perceive clearly, perhaps because of personal biases or limited information. We see truth as something that is difficult to grasp or pin down.
The things we find are hard to say now That we live through day to day
Do you struggle to articulate your thoughts and experiences. You may feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the world around you, or you may be grappling with difficult emotions or circumstances.
Find it hard to force the reasons Why we find it hard to die
A feeling of hopelessness, reflecting on the mystery of human mortality and the meaning of life.
As we look to see the man of sorrows Passing knowledge to those who don’t know
Is the “man of sorrows” a reference to Jesus Christ, who is often depicted as a figure of suffering and compassion in Christian theology?
The line suggests that this figure is offering guidance or insight to those who are open to receiving it.
As we watch all our friends passing over As they pass through the edges of time
The passage of time and the inevitability of death.
Steve Harris had to deal with a loss of a family member and a close friend during the writing and recording of this album.
The passing of friends and loved ones, has led Harris to contemplate the meaning of life and mortality.
From the Thin Lizzy like harmonies to the lead breaks the whole solo section is excellent.
Empire Of The Clouds
It’s long. 18 minutes in length but this song will be seen as a masterpiece if it isn’t seen that way already.
Written by Bruce Dickinson.
The track tells the story of the “British R101” airship, which crashed in northern France on 5 October 1930 during its maiden voyage.
Over the course of various interviews during the album’s release, we found out that the song was written entirely by Bruce Dickinson, who initially intended it to be about “World War I fighter aeroplanes.”
Dickinson abandoned the idea after using the same theme for the song “Death or Glory,” also from The Book of Souls.
At the time of recording, Dickinson was reading “a big, sort of encyclopedic crash report” of the R101, entitled “To Ride the Storm”.
It took Dickinson about a month to compose the song during the recording sessions.
The track features Dickinson’s debut on piano and the rest of the band had to play along to this piano track while following instructions from Dickinson and producer Kevin Shirley.
And how good is that piano riff and melody. It sounds like it’s out of sync with the metronome but that’s what makes it sound even better.
And when Dickinson starts singing with the catch cry “to ride the storm”, you stop and pay attention.
To ride the storm, to an empire of the clouds To ride the storm, they climbed aboard their silver ghost To ride the storm, to a kingdom that will come To ride the storm, and damn the rest, oblivion
At 6.35, the guitars play the Intro piano melody and at 7.00 the song changes tact. The Instrumental section starts with all playing SOS Morse Code.
Then the best part of the song. A melodic lead in a Major Key kicks in at about 7.10 and I’m stopped in my tracks.
These harmonies continue to 10.04, when the first of the individual leads kicks in.
At 10.35, the song changes feel and tempo. And the riff.
Wow. It gets the foot tapping and the head banging.
At 11.00 it goes back to one of those harmony riffs.
And like Chekov’s Gun, they bring back that riff from 10.35 with a vocal melody at 12.31.
Anton Chekhov is a Russian playwright and he famously said that “if a gun is introduced in the first act of a play, it should be fired by the third.”
This riff is like the gun.
And at 13.00 it changes tact again, more operatic and cinematic. And progressive.
But at 13.40, that riff is fired again.
The empire of the clouds, just ashes in our past
On 11 March 2016, the band announced that the song would be released as a 12″ picture disc single for Record Store Day limited to 5,500 copies, using the front cover of the Daily Mirror from 6 October 1930 as the cover artwork. The single’s B-side features an interview with Dickinson and McBrain, entitled “Maiden Voyage”, in which they recount the song’s creation.
In conclusion, “The Book of Souls” is an album that showcases Iron Maiden’s musical brilliance, passion, and maturity.
The songs are not to formula as they don’t have the weight of MTV or label pressures to do that. What you get is an album that allows the musicians to follow their creative muses.
I wouldn’t walk out of a concert if any of these songs came up in the setlist and for that, this album has aged well.
Then my vinyl came in and I listened to it the old way, cranking the stereo with the lyric sheet in front of me.
And I kept thinking.
Stryper would like to have their yellow and black colors back. The colors of caution. If you grew up in the 80’s you would know that Stryper had the “Yellow And Black”. And as much as those colors are associated with Stryper, as part of the Stryper reunion in the early 2000’s, one of the stipulations from Michael Sweet was that he wouldn’t wear the Yellow and Black anymore.
So Metallica took it 20 years later.
In the “So What” interviews conducted by Stefan Chirazi and available on the Metallica website, Chirazi asked James Hetfield what the colour yellow means. James, responded with the following;
“Yellow, for me, is light. It’s a source of goodness. So against the black, it really pops.
My vision was I wanted this album [to be] called “Lux Aeterna” because that summed up all the songs for me, kind of an eternal light that was always inside of us that maybe is just now coming out.
And I was out-voted, which is great. “72 Seasons” is definitely more chewable. But that colour came out of “Lux Aeterna.”
“72 Seasons” is released on their own “Blackened Records”.
They are free to do what they want, and it all happened because they control their masters and the highly lucrative back catalogue. Not another label or some investment fund. It is them.
They print so much vinyl they purchased their own vinyl press. Because they can.
As part of the press releases, Hetfield stated “the first 18 years of our lives, that form our true or false selves. Much of our adult experience is re-enactment or reaction to those childhood experiences”.
So here we go.
72 Seasons
As told to Stefan Chirazi, in the “So What” interview, this is what James had to say about it; “It was the “72 seasons of sorrow,” and I dropped the “sorrow” part because the first 18 years of life aren’t all sorrow”.
One thing about the songwriting team of Hetfield and Ulrich is that they sure know how to start off a song.
When that fast riff comes in at 50 seconds it’s mosh pit time. And at 65 seconds it’s the same riff but played with a hard rock feel.
“Shot down, traumatic, time haunted by the past”
What an opening line.
It’s easy to read the situation as someone who has experienced significant emotional trauma, and this trauma continues to affect them in the present.
The opening phrase “shot down” is interesting to me. It generally implies a sudden, unexpected loss or defeat. This could be a reference to a specific event that caused the trauma, such as the loss of a loved one or a significant failure.
And with the phrase “time haunted by the past”, it suggests that it is difficult to focus on the present, as the events of the past are a constant reminder.
Shadows Follow
I gotta say, I like the way this song starts. Actually all of the riffs in this song are headbanging.
I also like the whole “Seething, breathing, nightmares grow”. It’s a different vocal style for Hetfield. It’s simple and very melodic.
“Facing my demons, now I run, still my shadows follow”
It’s menacing and it goes to show the mind state of Hetfield as he tries to confront his inner demons or personal issues, but despite his efforts to escape or avoid them, the problems continue to affect him.
And then there is the word “shadows”.
It could be interpreted as a metaphor for the negative aspects of Hetfield’s personality or past experiences that continue to linger and affect him.
Screaming Suicide
This track is classic Metallica.
Rob Trujilo thinks this song would be a killer in the live arena because there is a groove element to it.
Via the “So What” interviews, Trujilo has stated that; “the verse in that song is different from anything Metallica’s ever done, and it’s surrounded by this groove that is just so infectious, it captures you, kicks you in the ass, and, well, you’ve got to move.”
Lyrically it’s dark.
In the first verse, Hetfield is telling us about a voice inside and how it is questioning if he’s good enough and how he should just give up.
In the second verse, the lyrics state;
“Then a voice appears, whisper in your ears, “you are good enough”, throwing down a rope, a lifeline of hope, never give you up”.
Does it suggests a moment of encouragement and support as the rope is pulling Hetfield out of the dark hole or is the rope a noose.
The phrase “you are good enough” could be a powerful statement of validation and acceptance.
How can it be that the Metal God known as Hetfield is struggling with feelings of inadequacy or self-doubt?
But is the voice offering a message of self-worth and confidence as a way to trick the person into listening to it.
How good is the section from 3.50?
Sleepwalk My Life Away
The Intro.
It builds perfectly. The bass is dominant while the guitars decorate like “Enter Sandman”.
And the bluesy riffing is back.
Maybe it’s back too much but i don’t care.
“Stagger on through the fog in the midnight sun”.
Its metaphorical.
It could represent a challenging and confusing situation that the person is facing, where they must navigate through unclear circumstances (the fog) while enduring a continuous period of brightness and clarity (the midnight sun).
Additionally, the word “stagger”, a lack of balance, due to alcohol or some other addiction, shows that the person is unable to maintain their composure in the face of difficulty.
You Must Burn
Hearing this, I can hear those groove metal tracks like “Harvester Of Sorrow” and “Sad But True”. And I like it.
Via “So What”, this is what Trujilo had to say about the twisting middle section;
With this particular middle section that came to be, that was really centered around a jam and was very moody, and there’s a danger to it; I like how the bass is walking. It’s got a feel to it where it’s “walking through a forest,” like a scene from a Tim Burton movie or something. That’s the feel I get. And James and I just started kind of grooving on it. It was just the two of us.”
How good is the riff at 4.26?
“Smile as it burns to the ground, the perfect don’t want you around, question yourself you may learn who’s the next witch you must burn”
Smile people as you watch that something you disliked or have been rejected from burn to the ground.
The latter part of the line, “question yourself you may learn who’s the next witch you must burn,” is more metaphorical. Its asking is to reflect on our own actions and judgments, perhaps in relation to the exclusion we also might have experienced.
Overall, this line seems to be expressing a somewhat dark and cynical perspective on social dynamics and human behavior otherwise known as social media.
Lux Aeterna
I had to look up what “Lux Aeterna” meant. I knew that “Lux” meant “Light” but wanted to know more. Well “Eternal Light” is the answer.
While acts like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Def Leppard became commcercially successful, the biggest Metal band in the world right now, wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for Diamond Head.
A tribute to “Diamond Head”, their “Kill Em All” album and their fans.
“Amplification, lighting the nation” Hetfield sings.
Crank it.
Crown Of Barbed Wire
“So tight this crown of barbed wire”
The Metaphorical Crown of Thorns.
The “crown of thorns” is often used to refer to the painful burden that someone is forced to bear.
The “crown of barbed wire” suggests the heavy burden Hetfield is carrying, that is causing him pain and distress.
Barbed wire is also used to create boundaries or to keep people in or out of certain areas. The “crown” of barbed wire could represent the sense of being hemmed in or limited in some way.
I like the “Harvester Of Sorrow“ feel in the Interlude and Solo Section.
Chasing Light
“Harvester Of Sorrow” is back again. I love the groove from the original song and I like it here.
Then it morphs into a speed Metal track.
How good is that Chorus?
I’m screaming at the top of my lungs, “chase the light, lean on me”.
If Darkness Had A Son
The military style drumming hooks me in. And the way Hetfield builds the guitars reminds me of “Now That We’re Dead” which is my favorite song from the “Hardwired” album.
Let’s go back to 2019.
I remember it well. Metallica were about to arrive in Australia to play a lot of sold out shows, but the tour was cancelled a week before the shows as Hetfield entered rehab again.
Are we surprised when Hetfield chants “temptation”?
“If darkness had a son, here I am”
What an iconic and powerful line.
It suggests a willingness to confront the darkness and embrace one’s own inner struggles, but it also carries a sense of danger and potential for evil.
Too Far Gone
It’s classic Metallica.
And I’m a big fan of the fast punk vibe in the Chorus.
Finally Kirk Hammett breaks out some decent licks. Especially the fast picking bit between the Chorus and Verse. Very “Master Of Puppets” like.
And that “all away” section is perfect.
The song ends with “make it through the day, just for today”.
Room Of Mirrors
It’s a punk song.
“In a mirrored room, all alone I stand, strip away the phantom fame”.
It shows a desire for self-reflection, authenticity, and honesty. Hetfield wants to show us who he truly is, without the illusions of fame and celebrity getting in the way.
And I like that Thin Lizzy like harmony after the solo, which they use a few more times throughout the song.
Inamorata
I had to look up what it meant.
“Inamorata” means “the woman that a man loves”.
The woman here is called Misery and when Hetfield sings “She’s not why I’m living” and “She’s not what I’m living for”, you feel every word.
Via “So What”, this is how Hetfield sums it up; “Misery as my mistress, and I’m trying to hide her. I enjoy her at certain times, but I don’t want the world to know about her.
I don’t want to introduce her to the world because it’s not okay. So misery as a mistress, it does serve a purpose in my life, but I don’t want it to be my life, and I’m tired of it running my life.”
Via the “So What” interviews, Trujilo stated they “hit a grand slam with “Inamorata”. It’s a cross between a beautiful old film with a really cool painting or something… it resonates “California.”
5.11.
It’s the breakdown. The hi-hat shimmering in the background. The bass playing a groove. Swing like. The guitars decorate.
It’s got a Bill Ward Sabbath groove and swing.
And Hetfield, The anguish.
Then the harmonies begin, like “My Friend Of Misery” and a section from “Orion”.
“Darker Still” is a song by the Australian band Parkway Drive. It is also the title track of their 2022 album.
It is one of the best Metal tracks released in the 2020’s decade.
When it comes to Metal, there is always a discussion as to “what is Metal?”
Growing up in the 80s, there was a period up to about 1985 when any album with distortion guitar was classed as Metal.
This meant that you would find AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Kiss, Metallica, Venom, Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Twisted Sister, Judas Priest, Van Halen, Scorpions and Quiet Riot (just to name a few) in the Metal section. Even Punk bands ended up in the Metal section.
But the scene fragmented. Blame the labels and MTV.
The massive sales of albums from Def Leppard, Scorpions, Judas Priest and Van Halen in 84 and 85, paved the way for the massive sales to come from Bon Jovi, Europe, Guns N Roses, Whitesnake and Def Leppard again between 1986 and 1989.
The labels needed new names and suddenly Glam/Hair Metal was a thing, Hard Rock was a thing, Melodic Rock was a thing, Thrash Metal was a thing, Death Metal became a thing, Melodic Metal became a thing and then Melodic Death Metal became a thing.
And somehow a thing called Black Metal and Extreme Metal became a genre.
On the other side you had Speed Metal, which morphed to Power Metal and then elements of that style became known as Symphonic Metal and another element became known as Pirate Metal.
And we all know that Grunge came and created a wasteland of rock acts. Industrial Metal and Industrial Rock started to rule the wastelands, and then Alternative Rock and Alternative Metal came briefly just to give way to Nu Metal.
And before Nu Metal, there was Grindcore, Hardcore, Doom Metal and everything else that didn’t fit in.
Parkway Drive started off in the 2000s with a Metalcore label. Metalcore is described as a fusion music genre that combines elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. Its known for its use of breakdowns, slow, intense passages conducive to moshing.
These days Parkway Drive is basically a Metal act (and a pretty big one) that has so many different styles in their repertoire.
Like Metallica.
Metallica in the 90s, had became a very different version to the speed Metal band that started off. While their 80s output focused on speed, they did push some boundaries in the progressive Metal world before scaling it back to end up with the biggest selling groove Metal album ever.
Then they incorporated Blues Rock and Southern Rock into their sound for the “Load” and “Reload” album cycles. And when Nu Metal became a thing with no guitar solos becoming the norm they did this as well with the “St Anger” album. But since the fans became madly in anger with them, they never returned to the “No guitar solos”.
Metal to me is an “anything goes” attitude. And that’s what Parkway Drive brings to the table.
“Darker Still” has a lot of solos. Melodic solos. Emotive and sad by Jeff Ling who is the lead guitarist and man, he plays the sections wonderfully. But the recording sessions for this album along with some personal issues broke him and he lashed out badly at vocalist Winston McCall.
Just the way it begins with the whistling and the acoustic guitar is enough to hook me in.
But it’s the whistling melody which comes in at the 28 second mark that forms the foundations of the song. Because the same melody appears later as a solo, and with a choir and with violins and it’s massive.
Especially from 4.08. You hear it all, the guitar lead, the voices and the violins. Just close your eyes and let the music take you away.
And Ling breaks free again, for one of his best solos.
The song’s lyrics to me are about a person struggling with depression and the darkness that comes with it. It describes the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of self-destructive behavior, unable to break free despite the toll it takes on their life and relationships.
The chorus of the song is powerful, with the lyrics “And the night grows darker still”
This line speaks to the idea that even in the darkest moments of our lives, there is still hope and the possibility for redemption and recovery.
After they finished doing the tracking for the “Darker Still” album, the band members started the process of breaking up. No one wanted to be in the band anymore.
More volatile meetings were held and the guys realized they needed help.
Rhythm guitarist and manager, Luke Kilpatrick, saved the band. He suggested that they get counseling. Like Metallica.
The April 2022 tour they cancelled of the U.S for undisclosed reasons was due to the weekly counseling sessions they started to have.
And they made it.
Until I die, until I die and the night grows darker still.
destroyerofharmony 