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