Heavy Metal Greats:

Overkill

It’s Malcolm, returning once again with the series Heavy Metal Greats. This week I am discussing Overkill, a heavy metal band that formed in New Jersey. As with many other bands, Overkill started small and then grew in the underground music scene. Because of their signature logo, stage presence, and relentless songs, Overkill has worked its way up to the level of the other Heavy Metal Greats.

Overkill is often recognized by its signature logo, that of a horned skull with bat wings. This logo is called “Death Bat,” and is present among one other band, Avenged Sevenfold, or "A7X." This band has been accused of stealing the logo, turning the old into new, and has been met with a great deal of antipathy from Overkill fans. Regardless, Overkill was the first to coin the logo, and holds the reputation as “that band with the bat-skull logo.” This logo appears on multiple Overkill albums, along with the signature Overkill title font.

Overkill is also known for its outstanding stage presence when performing live. It is hard to imagine what a band is like live when listening to their studio albums. For this reason, fans can attend concerts, or get a recording of them. Overkill has a good record when it comes to performing live, and is able to deliver much intensity, evident in the photo above of Bobby Ellsworth, nicknamed “Blitz,” for his ability to act insane and ferocious onstage.

Finally, Overkill’s studio albums are their most defining “metal” feature, and deliver an extreme burst of energy and ferocity, most present in their album Horrorscope. This album delivers intense riffs mixed with high-pitched vocals, contrasted by low bass picking and speedy, energized drumbeats. This upbeat sound and instrumental beauty form a hit album, for which Overkill is best known. Among this album are titles like The Years of Decay and Ironbound.

Overkill’s logo, stage presence, and heavy-hitting tracks define it as one of the Heavy Metal Greats. The band continues to experiment musically in the studio and perform live, ensuring that thrash metal will continue for the generations to come.

Sources:

http://www.masqueradeatlanta.com/artist/overkill

https://www.google.com/

http://heavymetal.about.com/od/bestmetalalbumsbyartist/tp/bestoverkillalbums.htm

http://diggwhat.com/2012/08/02/free-download-testament-dark-roots-of-earth-full-album-2012-deluxe-edition/

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Heavy Metal Greats:

Slayer

It is Malcolm, returning once again with another installment of Heavy Metal Greats. This week’s band of choice is the final member of the Big 4: Slayer. This band is widely considered the king of thrash metal, as they are extremely heavy in sound and blinding with their speed. Because of their dedication, album intensity, and timely formation, Slayer is one of the greatest heavy metal bands ever formed.

Bands’ levels of dedication are often determined by their physical stamina and ability to tolerate one another. Bands sometimes break up due to internal conflict and/or drug abuse; Slayer is one of the few that has managed to remain just as strong as it was 30 years ago. Until the year 2013, three of Slayer’s original four members were still in the band. Now, only bassist/vocalist Tom Araya and lead guitarist Kerry King remain the two original members. Slayer also has a great deal of dedication to its fans. While many bands may falter and “choke up” onstage, Slayer does not. The band performs just as (if not more) heavy than new, young bands. This dedication is hard to find, especially after 33 years of playing together.

Slayer has produced nine albums and is in the process of producing a tenth. Every one of their albums is as intense as the last, hitting its listeners with a barrage of shredding solos and riffs, combined with speedy drum beats, that are often too intense for some. These tracks, although only a few are everlasting metal hits, are relentless in energy and power. The band’s most successful album, Reign in Blood, features a track entitled Raining Blood, which begins with the sounds of light rain, accompanied by single guitar notes and the pounding of floor toms (on the drum set). The song then launches into a beefy guitar riff and a burst of double bass drums, making the song loud and hard to follow, yet highly enjoyable. This style, present in many of Slayer’s songs, set them apart from the slower, supposedly “heavier” bands.

Though heavy metal was first experimented with in the 70’s, it really only took off during the 80’s. This generation gave birth to Slayer and the other 3 members of the Big 4, thus inspiring new bands to take on the challenge that is heavy metal touring. Post-core and new-core metal fans will argue that Slayer is “old metal,” and they’re right; this is not an insult, however. The band is old because its speed and ferocity inspired three successive generations of metal heads to form bands of their own. Real metal heads know the band, recognize many of their famous tracks, and respect the band member for their ingenuity. This “founding father” mentality is what gives Slayer their wow factor and what helps define their legacy.

Slayer’s dedication, album intensity, and early founding are what make it one of the greatest heavy metal bands ever created. There is a reason as to why Slayer is one of the members of the Bid 4. Their intensity and speed in no way reflect their ages. For the moment, evident in their upcoming album and intent to continue playing, Slayer will remain a band for the future years ahead.

Coming up Next:

Sources:

https://coolstufftheblog.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/review-metallicaslayermegadethanthrax-the-big-4-live-from-sofia-bulgaria/

http://refdeth.deviantart.com/art/Wallpaper-Slayer-Black-Eagle-427563724

http://skullsnbones.com/slayer-to-perform-reign-in-blood-in-its-entirety-at-riot-fest/

http://666descargas666.blogspot.com/2012/08/overkill-discografia-completa.html

Heavy Metal Greats:

Megadeth

It’s Malcolm, once again, with a new installment of Heavy Metal Greats. This week, I’m discussing Megadeth, a very famous heavy metal band, and one of the participants of the Big 4. The band's wild success and popularity has landed them among metal stardom, and has earned them both a fan base and a legacy that is sure to continue. For their signature sound, notorious front man and fascinating album artwork, Megadeth has earned their reputation as one of the best.

Anyone who knows Megadeth has heard their signature riffs and chord progressions. The albums released by the band are also backed by the themes of nuclear fallout, warfare, and death. Though these themes may seem harsh or too extreme for the more peaceful types of people, the music is not abrasive, so much as intense and exciting. The prime example of this sound can be found in the band’s most famous album, Rust in Peace. The album is laced with heavy riffs, solos and artistic anger, and became a huge hit with the heavy metal crowd in its release year, 1990.

The front man has always been (and will likely continue to be) Dave Mustaine, lead guitarist and vocalist. There is much controversy surrounding the front man, most notably his mild, yet continuous antagonism towards another famous heavy metal band, Metallica. Dave Mustaine was, in fact, lead guitarist for Metallica before Kirk Hammett. Mustaine was kicked out of Metallica for his excessive violence, created by his and the rest of the band’s drinking. Following this expulsion, Mustaine and Metallica have had tense relations, yet keep their composure in front of the fans. Aside from this expulsion and antagonism, Mustaine has been notorious in front of the press for his controversial lyrics and religious turnaround. These factors have dubbed him as a highly infamous front man, as opposed to his seemingly normal band mates.

Megadeth has always had a signature character to represent them as a band. This character is Vic Rattlehead, a bald man with bony fingers. He can be found with iron staples, a metal visor, and ear blots, ans is so named for his representation of a victim (hence "Vic"). Vic appeared on each of the band's first 4 albums, respectively: Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!, Peace Sells...but Who's Buying?, So Far, So Good, So What?,and Rust In Peace. Megadeth's albums often contain artwork that satirizes political issues, both past, present and what could be, such as Area 51 found in Rust In Peace, or a view of the destroyed United Nations building, found in Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?

Megadeth’s signature sound, notorious front man and unique album artwork make them valuable inspirations to current metal core and post core bands, the new waves of heavy metal. Long have they played among the other greats, and will continue to serve as gifts to the headbangers and thrashers of the world.

Coming up Next:

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megadeth

http://hioth-rock.blogspot.com/2012/01/slayer.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RnWeznlU58

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vic_Rattlehead

http://metalodyssey.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/megadeth-rust-in-peace-large-album-pic.jpg

http://www.wallpaperup.com/25114/megadeth_bands_groups_heavy_metal_thrash_hard_rock_album_covers.html

Heavy Metal Greats:

Anthrax

Welcome back to Heavy Metal Greats. My name is Malcolm, and I’d like to welcome you to the second installment of this series. This week’s Great is Anthrax, another groundbreaking band in the heavy metal scene. This band’s first album, Fistful of Metal, debuted in 1984, paving their way to success. Like Metallica, Anthrax’s albums have, more often than not, become great hits, selling over 15 million records worldwide in under a decade. Their plethora of albums, huge fan base and hit songs rocketed them into heavy metal glory.

Anthrax, as of 9/12/14, has released 10 studio albums: Fistful of Metal, Spreading the Disease, Among the Living, and 7 others. Their most recent album, Worship Music, was released in 2011, and ranked #12 on the U.S. Billboard 200. This is just one example of the multiple successful albums the band has released. The most successful album released to date is Among the Living. Their least successful album was We’ve Come for you All, released in 2003, which still ranked 122nd on the top 200 list.

As for their fan base, Anthrax has over 2,500,000 likes on Facebook, and counting. This is not surprising, considering that the band formed in 1981 and has been touring and releasing records ever since. As with many other bands, Anthrax has their own website, where fans are notified of upcoming tour dates and album release dates; the website is simply called anthrax.com.

Anthrax is a band that continues to retain its unique sound, unlike so many bands that fall short of this quality and frequently change their styles around, confusing their fan bases. Because of their signature sound, Anthrax has managed to create multiple international hits. Their top 3, from 3rd to 1st, are as follows (according to loudwire.com): Caught in a Mosh, Armed and Dangerous, and I am the Law. These hits debuted from 1985-1987, the pinnacle of the band’s popularity. That is not to say that the band’s fame is at an end. On the contrary, the band’s most famous concert to date was held in Sofia, Bulgaria, where Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer, and Metallica (in casting order) performed before a crowd of tens of thousands of loyal fans.

For all their past, present, and expected future success, Anthrax is widely considered one of the greatest heavy metal bands to have ever existed. The Big 4 event was so monumental in heavy metal history that it is likely a similar event will take place in the future, with Anthrax performing, once again, as the opener. In the next installment, I will discuss Megadeth, another one of the Big 4, and in my opinion, another one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time.

Coming up next:

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthrax_(American_band)

http://about.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php?masterid=507866901&found=1&search=anthrax+among

http://facebook.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthrax_discography

http://loudwire.com/best-anthrax-songs/

http://www.bhsrampage.com/2013/11/20/megadeth-continues-their-legacy/

http://www.examiner.com/article/anthrax-guitarist-says-band-not-working-on-covers-album

Heavy Metal Greats:

Metallica

Hello, my name is Malcolm, and I’d like to discuss Metallica, the groundbreaking heavy metal band that inspired 3 generations of bands everywhere. The band formed in 1981, and has been a huge hit since. Because of their quality music, rock ‘n’ roll attitude,  and fantastic live performances, Metallica is considered one of the greatest heavy metal bands in existence.

Not all people favor this kind of music, but those who do are very adamant about it. The number of likes on their Facebook page and the number of albums sold by the band demonstrates the quality of their music. Their “Black Album” alone sold over 16 million copies. Their wild success clearly reflects their quality as a band.

Famous for their drinking on tour, Metallica’s members were inebriated during most of their live shows. They would often throw Solo cups (among other items) into the audience, just for fun. People became hooked upon this lifestyle and the accompanying attitude, so much so that at one point, Metallica began selling out every concert seat everywhere they went. Their dedication to rock ‘n’ roll is so fierce that they continue to go on tour, even when most of them have reached age 50.

Every show performed by Metallica sells out with record speed. They fill every seat in the house, and have unique tour shirts named for their albums, such as “Tour Magnetic,” named after their most recent album, Death Magnetic. I attended one of their concerts myself, during that very tour, and it was fantastic. The crowd was wild, the music loud, and the props very unique (designed to represent their albums’ cover art). After the concert, I snagged a T-shirt, and wore it frequently after that.

Although I have outlined a broad spectrum of the band’s best qualities, there is much more to be said than just how successful the band was and is. In my next installment, I’ll discuss the history behind another very famous band, Anthrax. This band is one of a select few to gain such popularity, which is why I look forward to discussing it.

Coming up next:

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallica

http://www.wallpicsize.com/hd-wallpapers/metallica-black-album-wallpaper-2820.html

http://collider.com/metallica-3d-nimrod-antal/

http://www.merch2rock.com/anthrax/