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