Top 100 Heavy Metal and glam rock acts from the MTV era - it's still real to me (4 Viewers)

[plinko]

WTF? You got me on this one, I missed the Craaft train apparently.

Tommy Lee played drums on this.  You'll have to take my word for it.

 

[MindCrime]

59. Tora Tora

Memphis, TN. Surprise Attack.  I always dug this one and it has stayed in my rotation for many many years. Follow-up was OK but flopped.  This is the kind of band I felt like could have kept an upward trajectory during grunge, with a solid enough effort, but I think they lost a little something off that debut.  And another one bit the dust. They've been back around and on point, had a record just a couple years ago and it was pretty impressive.  I reckon these ol' boys can still raise a roof 

Love's A #####
Phantom Rider fn kids, they look I remember Trixter looking

Silence the Sirens  - a quick google dive tells me this video was made by the singer's son

wiki says 

SLEAZEROXX interview with frontman Anthony Corder

Good band, had the cassette, some southern twang with rock and roll.
Lost in some hazy memories of 1988-1990, I remember seeing 2 summer shows at City Island in Harrisburg, PA. The bands all bleed together, but they were summer shows with multiple acts. Take these names and slice em up into 2 shows, add a whole bunch of beer, hairspray, and ripped up jeans, and there you have a couple years of young mindcrime’s life. 
 

Great White, Tesla, Kix, Tora Tora, Badlands, Little Ceasar, probably more that i forget.

 

[DJackson10]

67. Vain

Another story where a good promising band comes along in 1989 and gets wiped out by the business, I like this one alot, just the right balance of glam/sleaze and raw sound.  From San Francisco but these guys pulled off the L.A. sound just fine.  No Respect - killer album.  They never had the chance to follow it up, until it was too late to build off of the early buzz anyway.  Took their careers into their own hands and they are still out there plugging away.   Just a few years ago I sat outside my old office in Columbia, MD, on a Saturday, got stoned and listened to their live set at the Merriweather M3 Festival.

This was always a fun one to crank on my *checks notes* Sparkomatic tape player in my *checks notes again* 1984 Nissan Sentra hatchback 

@rockactionmight be able to fill us in on more Vain deets

Beat The Bullet

No Respect

I have NEVER made it to an M3 Festival.  Maybe this is the year?

Found these guys a few yrs ago. At first thought they were part of the New Wave until I realized they were out in 89. Solid find 

 

[DJackson10]

66. Bang Tango

What to say about Bang Tango, their name was goofy enough that they're still mocked over it, but similar to Vain (in a similar vein?) I thought their record Psycho Cafe was pretty excellent front to back, and they actually got some support into the 90's.  Their next record Dancin' On Coals came out around the same time as Slave To The Grind and it was no Slave To The Grind.  But it wasn't bad.  

Someone Like You
Dancing On Coals

Singer Joe Leste sounds like Billy Idol but also shrieks a lot

Bassist “Kyle Kyle” is a little showy. Fuller production here than with Vain 

Really got into these guys in the last 3 yrs of so. They got a really good live ALbum that is streamable on Spotify too with most of the hits. 

 

[DJackson10]

65. Britny Fox

Philly-based Cinderella Jr. even picked a couple of early band members from Cinderella.  I think these guys kinda blow, their lyrics were hopeless, but.. they had their day.

Girlschool   music for the lcd
Save The Weak   first look how cute we are

I hate these covers too
Gudbuy T'Jane  
Hair of the Dog  

Dean Davidson thing from 2007, he talks a little at 1:18.  Philly boy. I expect him to start #####ing about the Flyers offseason.

Pointless personal plinko ptrivia: Britny Fox and Bang Tango had played St Louis and were staying at the same Days Inn as me the night before I shipped off to the Air Farce.  I talked to some groupies for a while but never saw anyone from the bands.

Out of this trifecta of 1989ers.. I like Vain the best but I ranked them by popularity.  Onward, back we go to Germany.
 

You disappoint me here Plinko. Britny Foxx are my Philly guys. Girl School is one of my favorite songs of this era and Angel is my Heart and Stevie are two low key great tunes off Boys of HEAT.

Fun Fact I could've saved for Cinderella (I believe will be on this list eventually) but Bon Jovi discovered them at one of the old Philly Music Club/venues near me which no longer exist. I think the old building was in a fire and no one ever decided to renovate and fix it up so they tour it down. Real shame because Philly had some good bands that played there and from what Ive heard about it, would've been some place I'd have been often 

Also some trivia. Drummer Tony Destra EX Cinderella was killed in an auto accident in 1987 before Foxx debuted their first album

 

[DJackson10]

They had very good live album “Live Injection“. I came across this a year or so ago, and of course got lost down this rabbit hole: Full Bang Tango documentary- Attack of Life on youtube. This was 2015, so covers their return at M3 festival (i believe it was M3, could have been Rock on the Range or any of the others)

The album is on Spotify actually 

another random fun fact- Johnny Dee (drummer for Britney Fox) has been the drummer for Doro (of Warlock fame) for 20+ years now. (Yes- my head is filled with useless hair metal era knowledge)

Dee replaced original drummer Tony Destra who died in an auto accident in 87 before their Debut album. They had a sessions guy before getting Dee 

 

[DocHolliday]

Crüe's Too Fast For Love might dwarf Vain's debut, but other than that, there really weren't any albums better than No Respect by the Crüe. You're also right, but I'd add that Warrant doesn't even compare to Vain. They're living in two separate universes, those two. 

Too Fast for Love is a great album and easily Crues best work in my opinion..it is their only album that I play these days.  

 

[DJackson10]

64. Accept

You've got your balls to the wall, ma'am

Well, here's Udo.  Voice of an angel.

3-4 albums spanning the mid-80s that had no shortage of quality material.  Balls to the Wall with its um, overtones, Metal Heart and Russian Roulette which I somehow ended up with probably due to Columbia House shenanigans, and I liked it, pretty heavy ####.  

Fast As A Shark
Balls to the Wall  
Living For Tonite!

Years later, a song with Doro.. Dancing With An Angel  

Accept has a fantastic live album from their concert at Wacken a few yrs back with a live Orchestra. Always liked them Balls to The Wall was in Mickey Rourke's The Wrestler. 

 

[DJackson10]

63. Manowar

Why tell their story when they can tell it themselves?

Manowar

In our first mention of the late great Ronnie James.. a couple of these guys met while working support on the Sabbath Heaven and Hell tour, where fellow New Yorker RJD encouraged them to start a band.

Their success would open the door for various symphonic and "Viking" metal groups we're still enjoying today.

Battle Hymn  

Gloves of Metal   oh yeah, there were loincloths.  I feel like I remember more loincloths.

They tried to go a little more conventional, and it wasn't particularly good.  Blow Your Speakers was on MTV a lot, presumably due to mentioning MTV

One of those I wish I saw before they retired recently 

Warriors Of The World United (Live)

 

[DJackson10]

Moving right along, before I get into the work weeds

62. Blue Murder

Drummer god Carmine Appice played in freakin Vanilla Fudge, that old *******, as well as Cactus and Rod Stewart's band.  A brief fling with Ozzy led to his own floundering act, with an awesome name but not much else, and eventually he got together with John Sykes and did this

Sykes was in Tygers of Pan Tang, then Thin Lizzy for a minute, before catching on with Whitesnake, where he hit the big-time just by playing on that s/t record.  Coverdale fired the entire band after the recording was done.

Add the bassist from the Firm and we have Blue Murder.  Originally the lead singer was supposed to be Ray Gillen - of Badlands fame - but it sounds like Sykes just won out on the singing job.

Jelly Roll

Cover of Itchycoo Park that nobody asked for  

Honorable mention -- Carmine's King Kobra -- the theme from Iron Eagle! These boys look ready for training.

Heard of these guys don't know a tune. I know Carmine APpice from VH1 Classics that metal show with Eddie Trunk Don Jamison and the gang. 

 

[rockaction]

easily Crues best work in my opinion

Same here. I started a thread a while back asking if anyone thought it was better than Appetite For Destruction as far as debuts go. I think it was 60-10 for Guns N' Roses, but I'll hold firm and say that Crüe's album might be better from first track ("Live Wire") to last ("On With The Show"). 

 

[DJackson10]

61. Mr. Big / Racer X

Teenage guitar prodigy Paul Gilbert's Racer X - Into The Night  

If not for Racer X this would be lower, but then again, hitting the top of the Hot 100 is a bump.

Buffalo NY bassist Billy Sheehan had cut his teeth with pretty well regarded local act "Talas", and then David Lee Roth's band, then started Mr. Big with young Mr. Gilbert and singer Eric Martin.  Drummer Pat Torpey was in Impelliteri! among others, and unfortunately, he died of Parkinson's, bless you Mr. Pat Torpey you are not forgotten.

Anyway, they were alright, ####ed around with power drills, had some flashy stuff but nothing particularly catchy.  They blew up in 1991 with a toss-off acoustic number.

Saw them open for Aerosmith, uh, I think they were good?

Addicted To That Rush
Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy  

HOT OFF THE PRESSES - Tom Breihan's Number Ones column on To Be With You

Tom, Mr. Big was huge in Japan because RACER X was huge in Japan.  Hooking up with Paul Gilbert was a pretty shrewd move..

OK, I guess so.. there has been plenty more hammy crap..

Love Eric Martin. He's been doing guest vocals for Tobias Sammet in his Supergroup Avantasia (Tobias Edguy) and he was a guest singer on Scorpions concert with the Berlin Philamonic Orchestra for Big City Nights. 

 

[raidergil]

92. Giuffria / House of Lords

Here's about all I ever knew about Gregg Giuffria - for better or worse, he helped set the style for all those beautiful lions, the rock and roll keyboardists (see also, bb's Impellitteri)

ANGEL, 1976, sons of Washington, DC, and arguably Gene Simmons' first set of protoges.

Keytar god

Eventually he ends up leading his own act.. they have a hit early but fizzle out, he stays close with Gene who I think eventually orchestrates the House of Lords thing down in LA, where they try and ride the hair wave.  

Call To The Heart this is pure grade AOR, the good ####

I Wanna Be Loved  Lords' MTV "hit"

Cover of Can't Find My Way Home that nobody asked for

Anyway some other stuff happens and Giuffria is now a big money Las Vegas businessman or something.

I think the lesson is be nice to Gene

Bonus: Frank Zappa and Terry Bozzio singing about the band Angel

Sorry - way behind as @Anarchy99 had me under the gun for my Led Zep top 25. Random story: 1987 - taking late summer family trip (couple days) before school starts. Live in Rochester, NY, heading to African Lion Safari in Canada  - outside of Hamilton, Ontario - basically halfway from Buffalo to Toronto. When we got to Hamilton we found out USA was playing Canada that night in Canada Cup game. Sister & I pressed my parents to go to game. Went up to stadium &somehow we got 4 aisle seats 1 behind other in an upper section. We come back at night for game, in seats & my sister turns to me (she'd be great in this thread), points down a couple rows & said "those guys are from Giuffria" Sure enough, Greg Giuffria & another guy from band.  

More random, I later am looking around crowd, as I said we are way upper section, and in last row against wall is Walter Gretzky - yes, Wayne's dad.

 

[raidergil]

One of the 80s bands that has always seemed way underrated to me.   The guitar player was a beast, the guitar sound was fabulous, and the songs were filled with hooks.  I still listen to Loudness at least once a month.  

All these years later & as soon as I saw Loudness first thought - they had an amazing guitarist!

 

[Ron Swanson]

61. Mr. Big / Racer X

Teenage guitar prodigy Paul Gilbert's Racer X - Into The Night  

If not for Racer X this would be lower, but then again, hitting the top of the Hot 100 is a bump.

Buffalo NY bassist Billy Sheehan had cut his teeth with pretty well regarded local act "Talas", and then David Lee Roth's band, then started Mr. Big with young Mr. Gilbert and singer Eric Martin.  Drummer Pat Torpey was in Impelliteri! among others, and unfortunately, he died of Parkinson's, bless you Mr. Pat Torpey you are not forgotten.

Anyway, they were alright, ####ed around with power drills, had some flashy stuff but nothing particularly catchy.  They blew up in 1991 with a toss-off acoustic number.

Saw them open for Aerosmith, uh, I think they were good?

Addicted To That Rush
Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy  

HOT OFF THE PRESSES - Tom Breihan's Number Ones column on To Be With You

Tom, Mr. Big was huge in Japan because RACER X was huge in Japan.  Hooking up with Paul Gilbert was a pretty shrewd move..

OK, I guess so.. there has been plenty more hammy crap..

Loved these guys. Never saw them open for a big act but saw them at plenty of small clubs.  Mostly pre-To Be With You.  I hear they're STILL big in Japan.

 

[raidergil]

HUGE King’s X fan, and they are borderline royalty to many of my musical colleagues. KXM is a pretty damn good outfit as well. They really rock, but I miss the pairing of dUg’s vocals with Ty’s guitar arrangements. King’s X was special. 

Should have been so much bigger. I'm not a musician but remember seeing them at top of many lists for 'tightest bands'.

Big fan of KXM - think I read band hooked up at a kids birthday party of all things!

There's a well known store in Rochester - House of Guitars. Crazy place. Anyway, at least 10 yrs ago on a Saturday morning I heard on radio George Lynch going to be there in afternoon (well before KXM). I'm a big Lynch fan so grabbed couple things to have signed & went over.

Long story short somebody asked Lynch what bands he listens too & he said along the lines of 'I don't think you want my opinion. I thought Poison was crap & King's X was going to be huge'

 

[plinko]

A continuation on Tora Tora, and an honorable mention.. When I went to add them to the playlist I noticed they have new music, this song is clearly about Janis Joplin and it's pretty good.  https://youtu.be/GwJB_eGvoUU

Sounds like Black Crowes, which reminded me, I'm pretty sure the first time I heard Black Crowes I thought they sounded like Tora Tora.

Clearly Black Crowes are a better band than Tora Tora, and they don't fit here.. but "She Talks to Angels" alone had them in consideration.  If they had disappeared after Shake Your Money Maker?  I might have wedged them in

 

[plinko]

Should have been so much bigger. I'm not a musician but remember seeing them at top of many lists for 'tightest bands'.

Big fan of KXM - think I read band hooked up at a kids birthday party of all things!

There's a well known store in Rochester - House of Guitars. Crazy place. Anyway, at least 10 yrs ago on a Saturday morning I heard on radio George Lynch going to be there in afternoon (well before KXM). I'm a big Lynch fan so grabbed couple things to have signed & went over.

Long story short somebody asked Lynch what bands he listens too & he said along the lines of 'I don't think you want my opinion. I thought Poison was crap & King's X was going to be huge'

I have a big Lynch playlist.  Dude has never stopped for a minute.  I don't like the KXM so much, I'm usually game for some Lynch Mob though (now he says he won't use that which I get)

More on that later

 

[plinko]

58. W.A.S.P. 

Back smack in the middle of the eighties, when I was first getting into the stuff, it seemed like these dudes were solidly in everybody's top ten as far as heavy metal acts.  A lot happened in just a few years, and they sort of faded into the scenery.  As for me, I was never a fan, but I can headbang along.

I Wanna Be Somebody

Wild Child

The Real Me -  kicks ###, we'll allow it

 

[plinko]

57. Savatage

A lot to unpack here.

This is a band name I've heard other people mock but I always thought was pretty cool.  Silly / evocative / short, memorable

The band had been called Avatar but had to change it because they were sued by Future James Cameron or something.  

We wrote out Avatar on a big piece of poster paper... and Criss said, "Put a big S (like Kiss) in front of Avatar," and it was like, "SAVATAR." I was like, "That sounds like a really bad dinosaur," but we liked the way it looked. So then finally, out of nowhere, I don't remember who it was—it might have been Criss' wife or my wife—somebody said, "Take the R out and put a GE," and we did, and it was "SAVATAGE." I was like, "That was cool," not "SA-VA-TAGE," but "SAVATAGE," like "SAVA" for Savage and "TAGE" for mystical or whatever. From that moment on we were Savatage.

Jon Oliva and Criss Oliva started out in the late 70's, they made a few records that are unremarkable, then ultimately hooked up with producer Paul O'Neill, who was like their Alan Parsons and became an unofficial part of the band.

Beyond the Doors of Dark - AH! Inject these vocal theatrics into my veins Jon Oliva

Prelude to Madness - this kind of #### would eventually make them rich

On they went, a few more records, not exactly selling out stadiums but they built an international fan base.

If I Go Away - A nice ballad from their "rock opera" Streets

SADLY, Criss Oliva died in a car crash, in 93.

On their 1995 album Dead Winter Dead, they had this little piece, which got some play...
Christmas Eve / Sarajevo 12-24

Then some other stuff happened (Paul O'Neill took the reins), now they call themselves the Trans Siberian Orchestra, make heavy metal Christmas music, tour and print their own money every December.  ####### geniuses.

 

[MindCrime]

58. W.A.S.P. 

Back smack in the middle of the eighties, when I was first getting into the stuff, it seemed like these dudes were solidly in everybody's top ten as far as heavy metal acts.  A lot happened in just a few years, and they sort of faded into the scenery.  As for me, I was never a fan, but I can headbang along.

I Wanna Be Somebody

Wild Child

The Real Me -  kicks ###, we'll allow it

Was a Huge WASP fan, still go back and listen to the S/T album, Last Command, Electric Circus quite a bit. Love the Live in the Raw album as well. 
 

FYI- Blackie is still holding the WASP name together, hasn’t done much in the US in the last 20 years, but still plays all over Europe. Wasp is doing a 40th Anniversary tour in 2022, already announced Euro dates, and Blackie is on live with Eddie Trunk on SitiusXM today, speculation to announce US dates. 

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

57. Savatage

A lot to unpack here.

This is a band name I've heard other people mock but I always thought was pretty cool.  Silly / evocative / short, memorable

The band had been called Avatar but had to change it because they were sued by Future James Cameron or something.  

Jon Oliva and Criss Oliva started out in the late 70's, they made a few records that are unremarkable, then ultimately hooked up with producer Paul O'Neill, who was like their Alan Parsons and became an unofficial part of the band.

Beyond the Doors of Dark - AH! Inject these vocal theatrics into my veins Jon Oliva

Prelude to Madness - this kind of #### would eventually make them rich

On they went, a few more records, not exactly selling out stadiums but they built an international fan base.

If I Go Away - A nice ballad from their "rock opera" Streets

SADLY, Criss Oliva died in a car crash, in 93.

On their 1995 album Dead Winter Dead, they had this little piece, which got some play...
Christmas Eve / Sarajevo 12-24

Then some other stuff happened (Paul O'Neill took the reins), now they call themselves the Trans Siberian Orchestra, make heavy metal Christmas music, tour and print their own money every December.  ####### geniuses.

I had no idea these were the same guys.  Huh.

 

[MindCrime]

57. Savatage

A lot to unpack here.

This is a band name I've heard other people mock but I always thought was pretty cool.  Silly / evocative / short, memorable

The band had been called Avatar but had to change it because they were sued by Future James Cameron or something.  

Jon Oliva and Criss Oliva started out in the late 70's, they made a few records that are unremarkable, then ultimately hooked up with producer Paul O'Neill, who was like their Alan Parsons and became an unofficial part of the band.

Beyond the Doors of Dark - AH! Inject these vocal theatrics into my veins Jon Oliva

Prelude to Madness - this kind of #### would eventually make them rich

On they went, a few more records, not exactly selling out stadiums but they built an international fan base.

If I Go Away - A nice ballad from their "rock opera" Streets

SADLY, Criss Oliva died in a car crash, in 93.

On their 1995 album Dead Winter Dead, they had this little piece, which got some play...
Christmas Eve / Sarajevo 12-24

Then some other stuff happened (Paul O'Neill took the reins), now they call themselves the Trans Siberian Orchestra, make heavy metal Christmas music, tour and print their own money every December.  ####### geniuses.

Wow, WASP then Savatage, 2 of my favorites from the era. Check out Strange Wings with Ray Gillen (Badlands). 
Got to go to the Streets album release party at Hammerjacks in Baltimore when that album was launching, great guys. Years later, people are fawning over TSO and i just shake my head, lol.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

58. W.A.S.P. 

Back smack in the middle of the eighties, when I was first getting into the stuff, it seemed like these dudes were solidly in everybody's top ten as far as heavy metal acts.  A lot happened in just a few years, and they sort of faded into the scenery.  As for me, I was never a fan, but I can headbang along.

I Wanna Be Somebody

Wild Child

The Real Me -  kicks ###, we'll allow it

Fond memories of seeking out my copy of Animal [**** Like a Beast]

 

[raidergil]

Doro was actually cute in the "girl next door dresses like a headbanger for Halloween" sort of way..

Hottest and second most talented metal lady

Points for being a chick, there I said it

Agreed. One of my college dorm posters

 

[DocHolliday]

Was a Huge WASP fan, still go back and listen to the S/T album, Last Command, Electric Circus quite a bit. Love the Live in the Raw album as well. 
 

FYI- Blackie is still holding the WASP name together, hasn’t done much in the US in the last 20 years, but still plays all over Europe. Wasp is doing a 40th Anniversary tour in 2022, already announced Euro dates, and Blackie is on live with Eddie Trunk on SitiusXM today, speculation to announce US dates. 

Still a huge WASP fan as well.  Their first few albums are still in the rotation.    WASP opened for Kiss in ‘84 or ‘85 and it was one of the craziest shows I attended.   WASP and KISS put on great shows and more importantly, the crowd was pumped up and into it.  It was a fun, electric atmosphere and full of fights, puking, passing out and mayhem.   What a great time.   

 

[DocHolliday]

Wow, WASP then Savatage, 2 of my favorites from the era. Check out Strange Wings with Ray Gillen (Badlands). 
Got to go to the Streets album release party at Hammerjacks in Baltimore when that album was launching, great guys. Years later, people are fawning over TSO and i just shake my head, lol.

Savatage is another band that I consider greatly underrated.   Their early work was great hard rock and Criss Olivia is so underrated.  They morphed into TSO before our eyes which is kind of funny when you listen to Power of the Night or Sirens.   It’s cool that they kept growing and continued to earn a living making music without selling out.

 

[plinko]

Got to go to the Streets album release party at Hammerjacks in Baltimore when that album was launching, great guys. Years later, people are fawning over TSO and i just shake my head, lol.

I never got to experience Hammerjacks, I moved here at the same time as Art Modell's football team

 

[5-ish Finkle]

57. Savatage

A lot to unpack here.

####. Period. Yes. Period.

"Madness reeeeeeeeigggggggnssssss.....in the hall of the mountain kiiiiiiiiing.  OHHHHH YEAAAAAAaaaAAAAAH!!!!!!"

Criss Oliva was an awesome player.  Eff drunk drivers.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I never got to experience Hammerjacks, I moved here at the same time as Art Modell's football team

That ####### place wrecked my ears. I'm talking about the old Hammerjacks. Jesus, I had some fun there.

By the way, is there a better pairing of show bar name and a city than Hammerjacks? It's so Balmer, it hurts.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

I saw Dokken at a crap venue six or so months ago and Don was about the saddest thing I’ve ever seen on stage. He literally sat down on the drum riser for about 5-10 minutes in the middle of the set. He couldn’t sing a lick either. 

I saw Dokken almost 20 years ago, and Don was near to doing that THEN.  Kept going offstage to hide behind this big fabric barrier....that he didn't realize you could totally see through, and everyone got to see him sitting down to crack an Ensure(or somethin') and smoke every so often.

 

[MindCrime]

Confirmed- WASP tour starts end of October in the states. Armored Saint opening! 
 

Tour Dates

 

[scorchy]

That ####### place wrecked my ears. I'm talking about the old Hammerjacks. Jesus, I had some fun there.

By the way, is there a better pairing of show bar name and a city than Hammerjacks? It's so Balmer, it hurts.

I was 10 when the old Hammerjacks ceased-to-be but drove up from Salisbury for a bunch of shows at the Howard St locale.  Man, I loved that place.

 

[Sullie]

59. Tora Tora

Memphis, TN. Surprise Attack.  I always dug this one and it has stayed in my rotation for many many years. Follow-up was OK but flopped.  This is the kind of band I felt like could have kept an upward trajectory during grunge, with a solid enough effort, but I think they lost a little something off that debut.  And another one bit the dust. They've been back around and on point, had a record just a couple years ago and it was pretty impressive.  I reckon these ol' boys can still raise a roof 

Love's A #####
Phantom Rider fn kids, they look like I remember Trixter looking

Silence the Sirens  - a quick google dive tells me this video was made by the singer's son

wiki says 

SLEAZEROXX interview with frontman Anthony Corder

I was going to throw a fit (not really) if Tora Tora didn't make the cut - man I LOVED this band back in the day, well the first album on tape anyway.  I'm like 99% certain I wore through 2 tapes before I bought it on CD.

This song/video did the trick for me, I watched this one once and I was hooked - Walkin' Shoes and I'm not ashamed to say this album still gets a lot of plays in my rotation!

 

[zamboni]

I was going to throw a fit (not really) if Tora Tora didn't make the cut 

Not that familiar with their stuff, but have to respect any band that names itself after a somewhat obscure Van Halen song. 

 

[Tick]

57. Savatage

A lot to unpack here.

This is a band name I've heard other people mock but I always thought was pretty cool.  Silly / evocative / short, memorable

The band had been called Avatar but had to change it because they were sued by Future James Cameron or something.  

Jon Oliva and Criss Oliva started out in the late 70's, they made a few records that are unremarkable, then ultimately hooked up with producer Paul O'Neill, who was like their Alan Parsons and became an unofficial part of the band.

Beyond the Doors of Dark - AH! Inject these vocal theatrics into my veins Jon Oliva

Prelude to Madness - this kind of #### would eventually make them rich

On they went, a few more records, not exactly selling out stadiums but they built an international fan base.

If I Go Away - A nice ballad from their "rock opera" Streets

SADLY, Criss Oliva died in a car crash, in 93.

On their 1995 album Dead Winter Dead, they had this little piece, which got some play...
Christmas Eve / Sarajevo 12-24

Then some other stuff happened (Paul O'Neill took the reins), now they call themselves the Trans Siberian Orchestra, make heavy metal Christmas music, tour and print their own money every December.  ####### geniuses.

I heard of this band because it was listed as a Playmate's favorite band - I think she wrote "Miami's own Savatage!"

 

[plinko]

56. Testament

I am not qualified to talk about the Big Six of Bay Area thrash.  Usually on my radar, but a little heavier than what I was into, and not super hooky. 

Testament, Exodus, Death Angel, Lååz Rockit, Forbidden, Vio-lence

Testament I know the best, Laaz second best, Death Angel some, they got a little big in the late eighties.  Exodus I mostly know because that's where Metallica poached Kirk from.

Some of these guys' wikipedia entries are serious business.  Whoever wrote them should have written the Slayer 33 1/3 book.

Let the musics do the talking in this case..

Laaz Rockit  

Death Angel

Testament:

Over The Wall

Nutcrushing cover of Aerosmith's Nobody's Fault

 

[KarmaPolice]

Same here. I started a thread a while back asking if anyone thought it was better than Appetite For Destruction as far as debuts go. I think it was 60-10 for Guns N' Roses, but I'll hold firm and say that Crüe's album might be better from first track ("Live Wire") to last ("On With The Show"). 

That's a bold statement, but I haven't listened in awhile.  I think I will pop that on now.   For starters, at least it won't have Paradise City on it.  

 

[rockaction]

56. Testament

I am not qualified to talk about the Big Six of Bay Area thrash.  Usually on my radar, but a little heavier than what I was into, and not super hooky. 

Testament, Exodus, Death Angel, Lååz Rockit, Forbidden, Vio-lence

Testament I know the best, Laaz second best, Death Angel some, they got a little big in the late eighties.  Exodus I mostly know because that's where Metallica poached Kirk from.

Some of these guys' wikipedia entries are serious business.  Whoever wrote them should have written the Slayer 33 1/3 book.

Let the musics do the talking in this case..

Laaz Rockit  

Death Angel

Testament:

Over The Wall

Nutcrushing cover of Aerosmith's Nobody's Fault

Testament. Seen 'em live. Great act. Practice What You Preach was the height of their popularity. Actually, Souls Of Black might have been bigger, but I was disappointed with it, either because it was different or I had moved on from thrash. Way into thrash junior and senior year of high school, along with Sub Pop, of all things. I tended to always go where the talent was -- it was never about heavy or soft, melodic or not, etc. It was where the good songwriters were, IMO. And thrash had it for those two years.

Until I heard Sonic Youth's Goo for the first time. Then that and the Seattle sludge/grunge scene took over for me, and thrash bands fell by the wayside, except for Slayer and Pantera, of all acts. Pantera ####### rocked your face off for a time without the ugliness that Anselmo would later embody. 

Death Angel's Act III is just a tight, tight ####### album that shows off a total array of styles. "The Organization," "A Room With A View," and "Disturbing The Peace" run the gamut of pure thrash, acoustic thrash, and then funk/thrash. A truly underrated record from that year. 

Exodus's "Fabulous Disaster" was a nod to the movie Sid and Nancy and was a worthy song, however sociopolitical it was. "The Toxic Waltz," a paean to moshing, got pits going everywhere. They were the precursors to the elaborate killing fields metal shows are now. 

 

[rockaction]

That's a bold statement, but I haven't listened in awhile.  I think I will pop that on now.   For starters, at least it won't have Paradise City on it.  

Yeah, it's probably wrong, but oh well. It got ten votes, at least. If you like sped-up rock/glam, it's a wonderful album. In my later years, I find that Appetite is a bit uneven and takes itself maybe too seriously -- Crüe's Too Fast is campy delight all the way through, and even when its make-it-big earnestness turns into what could be called stupid, it's somehow redeemed by that undercurrent of camp. 

 

[rockaction]

Frankie died just the other night
Some say it was suicide 
But we know/how the story goes...

Broken down with his broken dreams
With a wink of an eye says "Suzie, listen to me..."
You must go on with the show...

Now on with the show/now I know with the show
C'mon baby/no no no no
Oooh my my my my my myyyyyy

 

[raidergil]

Very much a personal favorite, and taking us into a little Zeppelin-wannabe twofer.  Sad and frustrating (for me and potentially no one else) that this is no longer streaming anywhere.

I don't know why that is, not ambitious enough to dig that deep into the googlesphere.

Saw them open for Great White/Tesla when those 2 were trading off as headliners. I sang along to every song while rest of crowd just milling about. Debut album was so good & glad I digitized my CDs. I remember Eddie Trunk talking about their catalog & want to say its an issue with Ray Gillen’s estate & Jake E Lee.

If Jake ever wanted to reform Badlands he should hook up with Dino Jelusick: covering The Last Time by Badlands.

Kid has amazing voice (supposed to be touring as part of Whitesnake this year in Coverdale’s retirement tour).

 

[MindCrime]

56. Testament

I am not qualified to talk about the Big Six of Bay Area thrash.  Usually on my radar, but a little heavier than what I was into, and not super hooky. 

Testament, Exodus, Death Angel, Lååz Rockit, Forbidden, Vio-lence

Testament I know the best, Laaz second best, Death Angel some, they got a little big in the late eighties.  Exodus I mostly know because that's where Metallica poached Kirk from.

Some of these guys' wikipedia entries are serious business.  Whoever wrote them should have written the Slayer 33 1/3 book.

Let the musics do the talking in this case..

Laaz Rockit  

Death Angel

Testament:

Over The Wall

Nutcrushing cover of Aerosmith's Nobody's Fault

Love Practice What You Preach and Souls of Black. I’m honestly not sure why I didn’t get into more from this band. I will say that Over The Wall is one of my all time favorite thrash songs.

 

[MindCrime]

Saw them open for Great White/Tesla when those 2 were trading off as headliners. 

That must have been the bill on the shows I was trying to remember upthread. Couldn’t remember if it was Tora Tora or Badlands who opened up for Tesla/Great White.

 

[raidergil]

Saw that tour in Philly at the old JFK. You pretty much nailed the recap.

And here I thought it was only the Buffalo show. My group was there for Dokken, Scorps, VH. I loved Seek & Destroy but knew nothing else from Metallica. We talk to this day how it sounded like 45 minutes of the same song and couldn't believe how the crowd surged when they came on & how many left after! Don Dokken threw his mic stand in the air and had to pull an OBJ to keep it from hitting Lynch. So much tension on stage. Michael Schenker did his 1 arm whirl of his Flying V, it caught the stage on a swing & went into crowd. Then Sammy had mic problems & was swearing at techs while singing. What a show!

 

[raidergil]

Moving right along, before I get into the work weeds

62. Blue Murder

Drummer god Carmine Appice played in freakin Vanilla Fudge, that old *******, as well as Cactus and Rod Stewart's band.  A brief fling with Ozzy led to his own floundering act, with an awesome name but not much else, and eventually he got together with John Sykes and did this

Sykes was in Tygers of Pan Tang, then Thin Lizzy for a minute, before catching on with Whitesnake, where he hit the big-time just by playing on that s/t record.  Coverdale fired the entire band after the recording was done.

Add the bassist from the Firm and we have Blue Murder.  Originally the lead singer was supposed to be Ray Gillen - of Badlands fame - but it sounds like Sykes just won out on the singing job.

Jelly Roll

Cover of Itchycoo Park that nobody asked for  

Honorable mention -- Carmine's King Kobra -- the theme from Iron Eagle! These boys look ready for training.

Big fan of Sykes. Check out Thunder & Lightning from Thin Lizzy. He re-recorded many of the guitar tracks on Slide it In before the Whitesnake album. Was originally going to be in Winery Dogs with Mike Portnoy & Billy Sheehan.

 

[raidergil]

I saw Dokken at a crap venue six or so months ago and Don was about the saddest thing I’ve ever seen on stage. He literally sat down on the drum riser for about 5-10 minutes in the middle of the set. He couldn’t sing a lick either. 

With George joining for some songs I was going to go until I saw a video from previous show. And you're right - sad.

 

[DJackson10]

58. W.A.S.P. 

Back smack in the middle of the eighties, when I was first getting into the stuff, it seemed like these dudes were solidly in everybody's top ten as far as heavy metal acts.  A lot happened in just a few years, and they sort of faded into the scenery.  As for me, I was never a fan, but I can headbang along.

I Wanna Be Somebody

Wild Child

The Real Me -  kicks ###, we'll allow it

Great add here. they just announced their first US tour in Yrs for their 40th anniversary this year. One of the 15 on the PMRC banned list too. Great live band back in the day. Loved these guys just because of how controversial they were. 

 

[rockaction]

58. W.A.S.P. 

Back smack in the middle of the eighties, when I was first getting into the stuff, it seemed like these dudes were solidly in everybody's top ten as far as heavy metal acts.  A lot happened in just a few years, and they sort of faded into the scenery.  As for me, I was never a fan, but I can headbang along.

I Wanna Be Somebody

Wild Child

The Real Me -  kicks ###, we'll allow it

Can we conjure up the Chris Holmes interview from Decline II from somewhere? I'm going to go spelunking and see what I can't pull up. 

I don't know what to say. As somebody who has admittedly had trouble with drinking and considers himself a complete alcoholic that must abstain, I don't know how to approach this, really. But 1:18 in almost makes me puke, just because I've been there and know what sort of physical damage it's doing to him. Godspeed, Chris.

If anyone wants to treat it differently, or that's just par for the course, throw your horns up if you can handle his level. You have my respect. 

https://youtu.be/yUxXO3eSHa0

 

[DJackson10]

57. Savatage

A lot to unpack here.

This is a band name I've heard other people mock but I always thought was pretty cool.  Silly / evocative / short, memorable

The band had been called Avatar but had to change it because they were sued by Future James Cameron or something.  

Jon Oliva and Criss Oliva started out in the late 70's, they made a few records that are unremarkable, then ultimately hooked up with producer Paul O'Neill, who was like their Alan Parsons and became an unofficial part of the band.

Beyond the Doors of Dark - AH! Inject these vocal theatrics into my veins Jon Oliva

Prelude to Madness - this kind of #### would eventually make them rich

On they went, a few more records, not exactly selling out stadiums but they built an international fan base.

If I Go Away - A nice ballad from their "rock opera" Streets

SADLY, Criss Oliva died in a car crash, in 93.

On their 1995 album Dead Winter Dead, they had this little piece, which got some play...
Christmas Eve / Sarajevo 12-24

Then some other stuff happened (Paul O'Neill took the reins), now they call themselves the Trans Siberian Orchestra, make heavy metal Christmas music, tour and print their own money every December.  ####### geniuses.

Loved these guys and finally saw TSO a few yrs ago live. Great band. Sadly O'Neal died I 2017 in Tampa from a reaction to all the pill he had to take for all the illnesses and stuff he had.