Ozzy Osbourne "Bark At The Moon"

I meant to post this back on November 15, but i lost track of the days.  Anyways, on November 15, 1983 Ozzy Osbourne released his third studio album entitled "Bark At The Moon."  This was the first Ozzy solo album to feature former Rough Cutt guitarist Jake E. Lee who replaced the late great Randy Rhoads after his death.  This was also the first Ozzy album to feature Tommy Aldridge on drums.  One of the biggest issues with this album is the fact that when it was released, it said that all songs were written by Ozzy Osbourne.  Jake E. Lee was not happy with this as we wrote a lot of the material for the album.  Ozzy has stated that it was co-written by him and Lee.  Lee stated on an episode of That Metal Show that he wanted credit for what he wrote for Bark At The Moon.  Just like Ozzy's first two solo albums, this album sold very well.  It peaked at No. 19 on the U.S. Billboard album charts and was certified Gold (selling 500,000) in the U.S. within just weeks after its release.  It has now sold over 3 million copies in the U.S. to date.  My favorite songs from the album are the title track, "You're No Different," and "Rock N Roll Rebel."  I own this album on cd, cassette, and vinyl.  What are your favorite songs from the album?  Do you own the album?  Did you buy the album when it came out?  Did you like/dislike the album? 

Personnel:

Ozzy Osbourne - Vocals

Jake E. Lee - Guitar

Bob Daisley - Bass Guitar

Tommy Aldridge - Drums

Don Airey - Keyboards

Track Listing:

1.  Bark At The Moon

2.  You're No Different

3.  Now You See It (Now You Don't)

4.  Rock N Roll Rebel

5.  Centre Of Eternity

6.  So Tired

7.  Slow Down

8.  Waiting For Darkness

W.A.S.P. "Inside The Electric Circus"

During this week in November of 1986, W.A.S.P. released their third studio album entitled "Inside The Electric Circus."  I wasn't able to find the exact release date for this album either.  Some sources say November of this week, others even say September.  This was the first album to feature Blackie Lawless playing rhythm guitar.  After Randy Piper left the band after the "Last Command" tour, Blackie voted against playing bass on another album, so they brought in King Kobra bassist Johnny Rod into the band to play bass so Blackie could play guitar.  This was also the last W.A.S.P. studio album to feature Steve Riley on drums, as he left after the "Inside The Electric Circus" tour.  The title track "Inside The Electric Circus," refers to the band's point of view when they look out into the audience describing it as a "circus" and the "animals are all insane."  Blackie has often described this album as the band's worst album.  He said it was a "tired record done by a tired band," implying that they had been recording and touring non stop with no time to write a good follow up record.  The charts spoke otherwise though.  The album reached No. 60 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the U.S. in 1987 and remained on the chart for 19 weeks.  This however did not match the success of their previous album, "The Last Command."  The album also featured two covers which was a little unusual for the band.  The covers were the highly successful Humble Pie's "I Don't Need No Doctor" and the Uriah Heep cover "Easy Living."  W.A.S.P. fans either like or dislike this album though, there's no in between.  I own this album on cd, cassette, and vinyl.  My favorite songs off the album are the title track, "Shoot From The Hip," and "Restless Gypsy."  What are your favorite songs from the album?  Do you own the album? Were you able to buy it when it came out?  Did you like/dislike the album?

Personnel:
Blackie Lawless - Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitar
Chris Holmes - Lead Guitar
Johnny Rod - Bass Guitar & Vocals
Steve Riley - Drums & Vocals

Track Listing:
1.  The Big Welcome
2.  Inside The Electric Circus
3.  I Don't Need No Doctor
4.  9.5. N.A.S.T.Y.
5.  Restless Gypsy
6.  Shoot From The Hip
7.  I'm Alive
8.  Easy Living
9.  Sweet Cheetah
10.  Mantronic
11.  King Of Sodom And Gomorrah
12.  The Rock Rolls On

Motley Crue "Too Fast For Love" Leathur Records

On this day (November 10, 1981), Motley Crue released their debut album entitled "Too Fast For Love" on their own record label "Leathur Records."  I was a bit unsure of the exact release date, some sources say this day, others say it wasn't released until December.  There were three different pressings of "Too Fast For Love." The first pressing is the rarest and most valuable with only about 900 to 2,000 copies being pressed according to most sources.  The first pressing had an all black and white cover like the first picture above.  Vince Neil also threw a fit about it because on the back and on the lyric insert his hair was completely blown up and looked horrible as you can see in the picture.  The 2nd and 3rd pressing had the same cover which was restored to color with red lettering instead of black and white.  The 2nd and 3rd pressings are the most common, especially on Ebay, but be prepared to spend about anywhere from 100 to 300 dollars as it is a very sought after collectable.  Too Fast For Love would later go on to be rereleased by Elektra/Asylum Records in August of 1982.  The Elektra version featured a different song order and omitted the song "Stick To Your Guns" for some stupid reason.  The album was also partially rerecorded and remixed for the Elektra release.  In July of 2005, Motley Crue rereleased the 3rd pressing of Leathur Too Fast For Love on vinyl limited to 5,000 copies.  With it also came a rerelease sealed copy of the Crue's first single "Stick To Your Guns/Toast Of The Town.  Both also had limited edition gold stamps on them as well.  Most Crue fans seem to prefer the Leathur version over the Elektra version, as the Elektra version took away a lot of the rawness that the Leathur version had.  I unfortunately do not own any of the original pressings, but have been trying to win a copy off Ebay.  I was however, able to get a copy of the rerelease and that alone is probably the rarest Crue item I have.  My favorite songs off the album are "Live Wire," "Merry-Go-Round," and "On With The Show."  What are your favorite songs from the album?  Do you own any of the pressings?  Were you able to buy it when it came out?  Did you like/dislike it?

Personnel:
Vince Neil - Lead Vocals
Nikki Sixx - Bass Guitar
Mick Mars - Guitar & Vocals
Tommy Lee - Drums & Percussion, Vocals

Track Listing:
1.  Live Wire
2.  Public Enemy #1
3.  Take Me To The Top
4.  Merry-Go-Round
5.  Piece Of Your Action
6.  Starry Eyes
7.  Stick To Your Guns
8.  Come On And Dance
9.  Too Fast For Love
10.  On With The Show

W.A.S.P. "The Last Command"

On this day (November 9, 1985), W.A.S.P. released their second studio album entitled "The Last Command."  I was a bit unsure of the release date of this album as most sources say that it was released today, whereas others say it was in late October, but does it really matter?  W.A.S.P. kicks ass!  The album is more or less a "stand up" to the PMRC (Parents Music Resource Center) who declared war on bands and artists that used violent, vulgar, and sexually explicit lyrics in their music.  This album was W.A.S.P.'s first album to sell over a million copies certifying it Platinum.  This is also W.A.S.P.'s highest charting album in the U.S.  It reached No. 47 on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart in early 1986.  This was also the first album to feature Tony Richards' replacement, Steve Riley on drums and was the last W.A.S.P. album to feature co-founding member Randy Piper on guitar.  After riding off the success of their self-titled album, W.A.S.P. decided to take a different direction with this album.  Bassist and lead singer Blackie Lawless stated in an interview that he played about 14 different instruments on this album.  The opening song "Wild Child," was originally written by Blackie to give to Motley Crue because him and Nikki Sixx were friends, but Nikki felt that the song was out of Vince Neil's vocal range.  The song "Cries In The Night," is a remake version of the song "Mr. Cool," a song that Blackie used to play in his old bands called Sister and Circus Circus.  "Sex Drive" is also a song that Blackie used to play in Sister.  My favorite songs off this album are "Widowmaker," "Blind In Texas," and "The Last Command."  I also own this album on cd, cassette, and vinyl.  What are your favorite songs off the album?  Do you own the album?  Were you able to buy it when it came out?  Did you like/dislike it?

Personnel:
Blackie Lawless - Lead Vocals & Bass Guitar
Chris Holmes - Lead & Rhythm Guitar
Randy Piper - Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Steve Riley - Drums & Vocals

Track Listing:
1.  Wild Child
2.  Ballcrusher
3.  Fistful Of Diamonds
4.  Jack Action
5.  Widowmaker
6.  Blind In Texas
7.  Cries In The Night
8.  The Last Command
9.  Running Wild In The Streets
10.  Sex Drive

Motorhead "Ace Of Spades"

On this day (November 8, 1980), Motorhead released their monumental fourth studio album entitled "Ace Of Spades."  While often considered as the band's best album, it is also seen as one of the most influential hard rock/heavy metal albums.  It is also said to be the most influential album that helped spawn the 1980's thrash metal movement.  The album was also listed in the book called "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die."  The album also peaked at No. 4 on the U.K. album charts and was certified Gold by March of 1981.  My favorite songs from this album are the title track, "Love Me Like A Reptile," and "The Hammer."  I unfortunately do not own this album, but will definitely pick it up at some point in the future.  Do you own this album? Were you able to buy it when it was released?  What are your favorite songs from the album? Did you like/dislike it?

Personnel:
Lemmy Kilmister - Lead Vocals & Bass Guitar
Eddie Clarke - Guitar
Phil Taylor - Drums

Track Listing:
1.  Ace Of Spades
2.  Love Me Like A Reptile
3.  Shoot You In The Back
4.  Live To Win
5.  Fast And Loose
6.  (We Are) The Road Crew
7.  Fire, Fire
8.  Jailbait
9.  Dance
10.  Bite The Bullet
11.  The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
12.  The Hammer

Ozzy Osbourne "Diary Of A Madman"

On this day (November 7, 1981), Ozzy Osbourne released his second studio album entitled "Diary Of A Madman."  This is probably my favorite Ozzy solo album.  This album sadly was the last album to feature guitarist Randy Rhoads who died in a plane crash the following year.  The album was also certified triple platinum (selling over 3 million copies) in the U.S. in October of 1994.  In honor of Randy Rhoads, in 2011, this album and "Blizzard of Ozz" were rereleased as a Deluxe 30 year anniversary edition.  My favorite songs from this album would have to be the title track and "You Can't Kill Rock N Roll."  I also own this album on cd, vinyl, and cassette.  Do you own this album? Did you buy it or were you able to buy it when it was released?  What are your favorite songs from the album.

Personnel:
Ozzy Osbourne - Lead & Backing Vocals
Randy Rhoads - Guitars
Bob Daisley - Bass Guitar
Lee Kerslake - Drums & Percussion

Track Listing:
1.  Over The Mountain
2.  Flying High Again
3.  You Can't Kill Rock N Roll
4.  Believer
5.  Little Dolls
6.  Tonight
7.  S.A.T.O.
8.  Diary Of A Madman 

Iron Maiden "Live After Death"

All great rock/metal bands in history always released that one great live album and the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden was no exception.  On this day (October 14, 1985), Iron Maiden released their first ever live album called "Live After Death."  It was recorded during their World Slavery Tour 84/85 in support of their fifth studio album "Powerslave."  The majority of the live album was recorded at Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, CA and the last 5 songs on the album were recorded at the London Hammersmith Odeon in London, England.  The live album contained live tracks from all of Iron Maiden's previous studio albums making it a must-have live album for any Maiden fan.  Songs that were included were hits such as "The Number Of The Beast," "Run To The Hills," and "The Trooper."  My favorites from this album were "Running Free," "Hallowed Be Thy Name," and "2 Minutes To Midnight."  I unfortunately only own this album on cassette.  What are your favorite tracks from the album.  Did you buy the album when it came out?  Do you currently own the album?  Did you like/dislike the album?

Personnel:

Bruce Dickinson - lead vocals and guitar on "Revelations"
Dave Murray - guitars
Adrian Smith -  guitars and backing vocals
Steve Harris - bass guitar and backing vocals
Nicko McBrain - drums

Track Listing:

1.  Intro:  Churchill's Speech
2.  Aces High
3.  2 Minutes To Midnight
4.  The Trooper
5.  Revelations
6.  Flight Of Icarus
7.  Rime Of The Ancient Mariner
8.  Powerslave
9.  The Number Of The Beast
10.  Hallowed Be Thy Name
11.  Iron Maiden
12.  Run To The Hills
13.  Running Free
14.  Wrathchild
15.  22 Acacia Avenue
16.  Children Of The Damned
17.  Die With Your Boots On
18.  Phantom Of The Opera

Slayer "Reign In Blood"

On this day (October 7, 1986), thrash metal band Slayer released their third studio album entitled "Reign In Blood."  Reign in Blood is considered to be a favorite by many thrash metal fans.  Many critics referred to it as the heaviest album ever made.  This was the first Slayer album to land on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart peaking at number 94.  The album was then certified Gold in November of 1992.  One of the most well known and most interesting songs on the album is the opening track "Angel Of Death," which talks about Josef Mengele who conducted human experiments on the Jews during the Holocaust.  Although the album was remarked as "too short," the band said they were going for a more "aggressive" sound with this one and didn't feel the need to repeat guitar riffs over and over to make a song longer.  Alongside Metallica's "Master of Puppets," Anthrax's "Among The Living," and Megadeth's "Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?," Reign In Blood is considered to be the most influential thrash metal album.  Other then the two popular songs "Raining Blood," and "Angel of Death," my other favorite songs from the album were "Postmortem," "Epidemic" and "Criminally Insane."  I unfortunately don't own this album, but it will definitely make it into my music collection at some point.  What are your favorite songs from the album? Did you buy it when it came out? Do you own the album? Did you like/dislike it?

Personnel:

Tom Araya - Lead Vocals and Bass Guitar
Kerry King - Lead and Rhythm Guitars
Jeff Hanneman - Lead and Rhythm Guitars
Dave Lombardo - Drums

Track Listing:

1.  Angel Of Death
2.  Piece By Piece
3.  Necrophobic
4.  Altar Of Sacrifice
5.  Jesus Saves
6.  Criminally Insane
7.  Reborn
8.  Epidemic
9.  Postmortem
10.  Raining Blood

Saxon "Denim And Leather"

On this day (October 5, 1981), British heavy metal band Saxon released their 4th studio album entitled "Denim and Leather."  Although Saxon didn't make it as big as other New Wave of British Heavy Metal acts such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, the Denim and Leather album is considered to be a classic heavy metal album.  The title for the album "Denim and Leather," was inspired by the popular clothes that metal heads wore during the early 1980's, which was denim jeans or a denim jacket, or a leather jacket or leather pants.  This album also spawned two of Saxon's best selling singles, "And The Bands Played On" and "Princess Of The Night."  I personally do not own this album, but after listening to it to post it on my blog I really want to get it now because it's a great heavy metal album.  My personal favorites from the album were the title track, "Princess Of The Night," and "Fire In The Sky."  What are your favorite songs from this album?  Did you buy it when it came out?  Do you own the album?  Did you like/dislike it?

Personnel:
Biff Byford - Lead Vocals
Paul Quinn - Guitars
Graham Oliver - Guitars
Steve Dawson - Bass Guitar
Pete Gill - Drums

Track Listing:
1.  Princess Of The Night
2.  Never Surrender
3.  Out Of Control
4.  Rough And Ready
5.  Play It Loud
6.  And The Bands Played On
7.  Midnight Rider
8.  Fire In The Sky
9.  Denim And Leather

Motley Crue "Shout at the Devil"

On this day (September 26, 1983), Motley Crue released their sophomore studio album "Shout at the Devil."  This was considered by many to be Motley's breakthrough album into the mainstream.  The album went platinum in less than six months of release and reached #12 on the Billboard 200 album chart, making it Motley Crue's most successful album so far.  Next to Quiet Riot's "Metal Health," Ratt's "Out of the Cellar," and W.A.S.P.'s self titled album, it is considered to be the most influential album that sparked the 80's L.A. metal scene.  The singles released from the album were "Looks That Kill" and "Too Young To Fall In Love" which both came with accompanying music videos that received heavy airplay on the newly founded "MTV."  The album also sparked a lot of controversy with religious groups because the word "devil" is used in the song name and there was a pentagram used on the cover of the vinyl releases.  What most people are familiar with though, is that "Shout at the Devil" was actually supposed to be called "Shout with the Devil," but bassist and main songwriter Nikki Sixx decided against this after a series of unfortunate events.  The album also features a really good cover of the Beatles' song "Helter Skelter."  A lot of Crue fans will tell you that this is Motley Crue's heaviest and best album, but that of course is a matter of opinion.  My favorite songs off this album are Bastard, Knock Em Dead Kid, and Too Young To Fall In Love.  I also own this album on cd, vinyl, and cassette.  What are your favorite songs off the album?  Did you buy it when it came out?  Did you like or dislike it?  Do you currently own the album?

Personnel:

Nikki Sixx - Bass Guitar
Mick Mars - Lead and Rhythm Guitars
Vince Neil - Lead Vocals
Tommy Lee - Drums and Percussion

Track Listing:

1.  In The Beginning
2.  Shout At The Devil
3.  Looks That Kill
4.  Bastard
5.  God Bless The Children Of The Beast
6.  Helter Skelter
7.  Red Hot
8.  Too Young To Fall In Love
9.  Knock 'Em Dead, Kid
10.  Ten Seconds To Love
11.  Danger

Ozzy Osbourne "Blizzard Of Ozz"

On this day (September 20, 1980), Ozzy Osbourne released his debut solo album entitled "Blizzard Of Ozz."  This album would not be released in the U.S. until 1981, but would eventually go on to sell over six million copies and is Ozzy's biggest album to date.  After going on a 2 year hiatus after he was kicked out of Black Sabbath, Ozzy showed that he still had the heavy metal madness in him when he released this kick ass album.  This album featured former Quiet Riot guitarist Randy Rhoads, who is now referred to nowadays as one of the greatest guitar players that ever lived.  Of course everybody knows the song "Crazy Train" on this album, but a few of my personal favorites on this album are the opening track "I Don't Know," "Mr. Crowley," "Suicide Solution," and the instrumental track written by Randy Rhoads called "Dee" which was written for Randy's deceased mother.  I own this album on cassette, cd, and vinyl. What are your favorite songs off this album?  Did you like/dislike it?  Do you own the album? Did you buy it when it came out?

Personnel:

Ozzy Osbourne - Lead Vocals
Randy Rhoads - Guitars
Bob Daisley - Bass Guitar
Lee Kerslake - Drums
Don Airey - Keyboards

Track List:

1.  I Don't Know
2.  Crazy Train
3.  Goodbye To Romance
4.  Dee
5.  Suicide Solution
6.  Mr. Crowley
7.  No Bone Movies
8.  Revelation (Mother Earth)
9.  Steal Away (The Night)

Twisted Sister "Under The Blade"

On this day (September 18, 1982) Twisted Sister released their debut album "Under The Blade" on the independent British record label called Secret Records.  While Twisted Sister's "glam look" fooled many people, their music proved otherwise with guitarists Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda's pounding guitar riffs that displayed elements of traditional heavy metal.  Under The Blade would pretty much remain a "secret" until it was later rereleased in 1985 by Atlantic Records.  The tracks that really stood out to me on this album were "What You Don't Know (Sure Can Hurt You)", "Shoot 'Em Down," and the title track.  I own the Secret Records version on vinyl and cassette.  What are your favorite songs of the album?  Were you able to buy it when it was released?  Did you like or dislike this album?  I am doing this blog for a school assignment and will be posting more entries in the days to come, so keep coming back to my blog to see new entries.

Personnel:
Dee Snider- Lead Vocals
Eddie Ojeda - Lead & Rhythm Guitars
Jay Jay French - Lead & Rhythm Guitars
Mark Mendoza - Bass Guitar
A.J. Pero - Drums and Percussion

Tracks:
1.  What You Don't Know (Sure Can Hurt You)
2.  Bad Boys of Rock N Roll
3.  Run For Your Life
4.  Sin After Sin
5.  Shoot 'Em Down
6.  Destroyer
7.  Under The Blade
8.  Tear It Loose
9.  Day of the Rocker