June 7th 1955 – January 25th 2012

*Our brother Mark Reale went home to be with our Lord this day January 25th 2012 after a long battle and complications from Crohns disease. He is survived by his father Anthony Reale and was precede in death by his mother Frances Reale. Mark was born June 7th 1955 in Brooklyn New York at a time when rock and roll was flourishing with many new sounds. Early in his life, his first interest had been the movies. ever so curiously, he had shown an interest in films. But then, songs he heard on the radio began to change that. He quickly began to love music from the Beatles and Cream. Mark lists George Harrison and Eric Clapton as great influences. When he was 7 years old his grandfather bought him his first basic guitar to practice on and later his father bought him a new guitar and amp, his passion had begun.

In the early to mid 70′s his influences included the likes of Edgar Winter, Ronnie Montrose and Rick Derringer. He also loved a range of bands and artists from Al Di Meola to Deep Purple. In 1975 Mark formed his band RIOT, then at a block party Mark’s father found vocalist Guy Speranza. Mark’s guitar style and his passion for writing songs that told stories that were so deep and moving had made a real connection with those who would become life long fans. The fans felt so connected to Mark because the lyrics in RIOT’s songs were extremely close to the stories of their own lives. His song writing style could weave tales of anything from old lore to battle fields and warriors, personal loss and triumph. And heavy metal anthems that will be with us for decades to come.

With heart-felt thanks to the fans around the world, the United States, Japan, Europe and all points in between. The RIOT army meant everything in the world to Mark—it’s what kept him going. The loyalty and love of the fans fueled his passion and desire to continue making music for as long as possible.

Please keep the memory of Mark alive within you.

Shine on, Mark shine on!

*From Mark’s website

Without any valid scientific basis [and kicking up much dust in the process] they ascribed multiple evils in society to be rooted in popular music—see The PMRC Filthy Fifteen below.

I’ve mentioned this before on this site: hats off to Dee Snider and Frank Zappa as they were surprisingly two of the only musicians/artists who weren’t afraid of this “musical lynch mob” and appeared in court regularly to take them head on with their lofty claims. Where was everyone else though? When the going got tough, most bands ran to the hills; whether they were on the “list” or not… (sic—ed). Honorable mention goes out to Jello Biafra for his many rants as well. Get this, his house was actually raided in response to complaints by the PMRC!  Yes, they brought Biafra to trial in Los Angeles for distributing “harmful material to minors” in the Dead Kennedy’s album Frankenchrist.

In reality (lines are blurred here), the dispute was about neither the music nor the lyrics from the album, but rather the print of the H.R. Giger poster Landscape XX that was included with the album. Biafra believes the trial was politically motivated; it was often reported that the PMRC took him to court as a cost-effective way of sending a message out to other musicians with content considered offensive in their music.

As the late, great Zappa said in a 1985 Los Angeles Times interview:  “The Recording Industry Association of America didn’t agree to this stickering of albums on moral grounds, but business ones. The industry has a huge financial interest in anti-home taping and piracy legislation. And guess who runs the committee that oversees this legislation? Sen. Strom Thurmond, whose wife is a member of the PMRC. I think the connection’s pretty clear.”

GO FRANK!

“The record industry is acting like of bunch of cowards. They’re scared to death of the fundamentalist right and want to throw them a bone in hopes that they’ll go away. But this stickering program will just start a precedent— they’ll always want more.” ~Frank Zappa

[quoted in Parents Warn: Take the Sex and Shock out of Rock, Los Angeles Times 1985]

OK, so what were the fifteen songs that were so bad that it was worthy of locking up our daughters and or burning said records? Hold onto your hats, you’re going to get a chuckle out of this one.

After all the dust settled, basically the Recording Industry Association of America [RIAA] eventually added a “Parental Advisory—Explicit Lyrics” sticker to certain products.

Looking back, it seems that sticker only helped the artists in question to sell more albums as the kids wanted to hear those even more with its elevated “bad or evil” status…go figure.

*It’s worth noting that nine out of the fifteen were deemed bad because of sexual references.

Of course they had to throw in some satanic references for good measure:

• Mercyful Fate [i.e. King Diamond]
• Venom

L.A. rockers Mötley Crüe were also included (everyone knows they are “satanic” haha) since they had just released “Shout At the Devil” on vinyl and cassette. It’s worth noting though, despite the album title and [comically sarcastic] satanic leanings; they ended up with a “violence” label for the song “Bastard.” This list cracks me up, as it was so carefully planned to have a bit of each category of what they deemed offensive.

Lastly, the kings of Heavy Metal—Black Sabbath had to be on the list, but they were trashed [pun intended —ed] for drug and alcohol abuse for their classic from the Born Again LP “Trashed.”

Is it me, or is this list and whole PMRC thing a bit sarcastic? I mean are they really after those fifteen artists/bands? I don’t think so…perhaps it’s just another reaction against the holy grail of “dirty” rock music or the trinity of musical culture that many fear so much [or enjoy, depending on how you look at it]:

Sex, Drugs and Rock n’ Roll!

Hate to start off sounding negative like that and or put it that way, but it’s true. Some of these demos are mere band rehearsals, some are “live”, some sound like a 10th generation cassette copy (and some might be just that -ed), but luckily the top 25% I would say are recorded quite well and even look like a real-deal “finished product”.

Enter Demolition Hammer.

These thrash dogs are from New York and what a treat for your ears! Each song unfolds more and more layers of crisp and tasty riffs. I kept thinking, OK when is it going to bomb-out and or throw me into the “disinterested” mood which would in turn prompt a swift ejection and placement into the “crap” pile. Well, I am happy to report that never happened! As a matter of fact I listened to this demo, which is called “Necrology” from start to finish and my ears were thanking me for the extreme pleasure their music provided.

Steve Reynolds – Vocals/Bass

James Reilly – Guitars/Vocals

Derek Sykes – Guitars

Vinny Daze – Drums

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What about the sound?

*Listen to Neanderthal

*Listen to Infectious Hospital Waste

They are obviously wearing their SLAYER influence proudly on their sleeves, which is cool. You gotta’ start somewhere right, so why not be influenced by one of the best on the scene?!

The six songs are similar to the speed of Exodus with the standard shout-type background vox that’s popular these days, but Demolition Hammer is headed into more of a “death metal” direction, mostly in the vocal department as the riffage is straight up [underground] Thrash Metal.

Hats off to drummer – Vincent Civitano (aka’ Vinny Daze) who is quite the “sticksmith.” The main beef [being a drummer], is that most of the demo’s we get for review have weak drummers who are just plain “sloppy.” Not the case with Vinny! Check out the tracks “Mercenary Aggression” and “Infectious Hospital Waste” for prime examples of his tight playing and precision double-bass execution.

The demo was engineered by John Rosenberg and recorded at Water Music, Hoboken, N.J. in May 1989.
Cover Art & Logo by Vinny Daze.

I would file this alongside Canada’s Sacrifice, California’s Vio-Lence, Arizona’s Sacred Reich or New Jersey’s Nuclear Assault (four of my favorites). If you like those bands then you will most likely click with “DH.”

~Buy or die!

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2012 Update:

The band ended up releasing three full-length albums between 1990 and 1994. Century Media Records released a complete anthology back in 2008, which includes every title from their first three albums, two pre-production demos from Time Bomb, and one video clip.

I am sad to learn that drummer Vincent Civitano (a.k.a. Vinny Daze) passed away in 1996. R.I.P. Vinny!

This demo [from 1989] is still considered a rare gem in the Metal Underground. The tape has circulated far and wide and is enjoyed by fans on You Tube and many other popular download sites.

The verdict is pretty much unanimous and everyone who listens seems to agree (for a change) and can attest to the quality of their music. Unfortunately there were many bands such as this that were not able to survive the turn from the late 80′s and into the early 90′s.

Discography

• Skull Fracturing Nightmare (1988)
• Necrology (1989)
• Tortured Existence (1990)
• Epidemic of Violence (1992)
• Time Bomb (1994)
• Necrology: A Complete Anthology (2008)

Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith & former SikTh front-man Mikee Goodman have joined forces for a brand new studio project called PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION.

Oftentimes, musicians—especially established ones—like to stay within their musical comfort zone and prefer to walk the tried and true path rather than breaking out in search of new pastures. Primal Rock Rebellion doesn’t fit that bill!

The is a project of UK musicians with different stories to tell, a project that is attempting to be both reassuring and unexpected at the same time. On the one side, there’s Adrian, a key member of Iron Maiden (a band he first joined back in 1980) and since that time, Maiden has gone on to become one of the biggest hard rock bands the world has ever seen, playing to vast crowds all over the world, while opening new doors in parts of the globe many people will never even have heard of! Their last studio album, The Final Frontier, hit the number one slot in over 28 countries.

With Maiden’s reputation having been forged through their ability to blend well-crafted vocal & guitar melodies with the sheer brute force of prime heavy metal, it will surely come as no surprise that the début Primal Rock Rebellion album, Awoken Broken, delivers fully on both fronts, but with an extra nod to the underground, the alternative and the downright edgy—an aspect of the music that is enhanced from start to finish by the presence of ex-SikTh front man  Mikee Goodman. Generally speaking, this is a more mature and experienced Mikee, showcasing a strong, melodic voice plus an impressive vocal range, using the more “adventurous” end of his repertoire as a way of providing contrast and effect.

In essence, Primal Rock Rebellion is the meeting of different minds, different mentalities and different musical backgrounds, but the result is very much a cohesive, self-produced whole… albeit one that reflects the individual talents of the musicians involved: Adrian provides the guitars, the bass and the advanced song-writing skills—the sense of drama, of light and shade, of music designed to stir the senses, all of them.

Right from the start, it’s been very much a labor of love.

“It was great working at my own pace and in my studio with no time constraints. I think during the making of this album I went around the world twice with Maiden, working on the project in between. In the process, it allowed for a bit more of an experimental approach.”

~ Adrian

Meanwhile, Mikee goes head to head with this renowned player as a full writing & production partner, adding new (sometimes surprising, often experimental) layers to the tracks, and ensuring that the music glistens with an inherent contemporary sheen.

“Adrian inspired me in many ways. I learnt the importance and the power of choruses in songs. Adrian also gave me a lot more belief in myself melodically. I think we pulled each other out of our comfort zones, creating something fresh and exciting along the way. We co-produced the album together, and the whole recording process was very relaxed—no deadlines, just honing the songs naturally as we recorded them, a new experience for both of us.”

~ Mikee

IN ADDITION to the Primal Rock Rebellion pair, there are backing vocals on three of the tracks (delivered by Tarin Kerry, discovered by Mikee while he was acting as producer for a band she was in), viola on the bulk of the songs (provided by Abi Fry of Bat For Lashes), plus original SikTh member Dan ‘Loord’ Foord on drums.

The album was produced by Adrian and Mikee, and mixed by Simon Hanhart, whose previous credits include everyone from Tin Machine to Saxon. The album features 12 tracks and it will be available on digi-pak CD, digital download and double coloured vinyl in gatefold sleeve.

1. No Friendly Neighbour 4.53
2. No Place Like Home 3.06
3. I See Lights 4.59
4. Bright As A Fire 6.21
5. Savage World 3.38
6. Tortured Tone 5.08
7. White Sheet Robes 5.16
8. As Tears Come Falling From The Sky 0.47
9. Awoken Broken 4.58
10. Search For Bliss 4.13
11. Snake Ladders 4.43
12. Mirror and the Moon 5.04

Their début album, Awoken Broken, will be released on 27th February 2012 through Spinefarm Records.

You can hear and download the album track I See Lights below.

Pic Mathias Nielsen

Typically the “Frozen in Time” series covers old school photos and rare memorabilia, however I thought I would highlight a recent event that took place at the Fillmore in San Francisco. In case you haven’t heard, METALLICA played four special 30th Anniversary shows with a stellar line up of guest musicians. Most notably were original guitarist Lloyd Grant (who was the guitarist on the Metal Massacre compilation), original bassist Ron McGovney (Hetfield’s childhood friend and roomie) and even guitarist Hugh Tanner who had never been on stage together.

Lloyd has never played live with the band, Ron (who was replaced by Cliff B.) hadn’t played with them for 29 years and Hugh was the peep who actually introduced James to Lars.

Jason Newsted was also invited [and showed up] to scream lead vox and thrash the bass on “Whiplash” and others. The main man himself — Dave Mustaine tore the place apart and hopefully buried the hatchet once and for all with the band.

And get this, the above icons (if that weren’t cool enough already) were not the only ones who participated. Here’s a run down of the other guests:

• Bob Rock (of course he had to be invited, and played bass on some St.Anger era music)
• Ozzy
• Geezer Butler
• Mark Osegueda (Death Angel)
• Soul Rebels
• Kid Rock (whatever)
• Lou Reed (shoe in)
• Rob Halford
• John Bush (now you know what it would’ve sounded like)
• Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains)
• Danzig
• Jim Martin (Faith No More)
• Pepper Keenan (Down and Corrosion of Conformity)
• Gary Rossington (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
• Animal (Anti-Nowhere League)

*Sorry if I missed anybody, I am sure there were many others.

Robert Trujillo was probably the luckiest one of all. Can you imagine being in his shoes and getting to share the stage and jam with those legends?!

I am glad that METALLICA finally removed their head out of the sand and did something worthy for a change. Most of what they did at these shows was amazing! For example they played 77 different songs in the four set lists/nights.

Finally, they acknowledged their roots, their friends, and some their idols. It was reported that Lääz Rockit and Armored Saint were the opening bands even! Talk about a kick-ass “blast from the past.”

The only one missing was the late Cliff Burton, however there was a huge pic of Cliff on the screen at various times throughout the week when some of his friends reminisced and shared stories —I thought it was grand that the band finally played “To Live is To Die” and “Orion.”

Thank you Metallica for this truly amazing retrospective showcase.

Click on any image to view the slide show. Use arrows to navigate

*All stills created from Mathias Nielsen’s You Tube footage.