Heavy Metal Presents: Gates Volume 1 – Ascension
Melrose and Vine Records
MP3 Download: U.S. | UK
Released date: August 9, 2011

For over 30 years Heavy Metal — the sci-fi/fantasy comic — has graced comic shop shelves with visceral covers featuring Adonis-like men with rippling muscles and svelte, pointy-breasted semi-naked women. This year Heavy Metal has released a soundtrack of metal and electronica to accompany its first web comic: Gates. If that wasn’t cool enough, all net proceeds go towards the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund [...]

Motley Crue
Greatest Hits
U.S.: CD | MP3
UK: CD | MP3
Eleven Seven Music
Release date: December 5, 2011 (UK)

This year marked 30 years since the release of Motley Crue‘s debut album Too Fast For Love. After that record hit in 1981 the years have been packed with tragedy and infamy (with a sex tape or two thrown in) for the Crue. But in that time they, somehow, continued to make great music, most of which is compiled on this Motley Crue: Greatest Hits package.

The tracks are in chronological order beginning with the untamed “Too Fast For Love” to the more production heavy efforts of the fabulous “Dr. Feelgood” and “Home Sweet Home.” [...]

Chickenfoot
III
earMUSIC
Release date: October 24, 2011 UK
November 1, 2011 U.S.

Supergroups are always a precious thing. Usually the ego-meter is higher than the number of tracks recorded, but lower than the probability that it will crash and burn. Having two ex-members of Van Halen in Chickenfoot always sounded like someone was waving a blowtorch at a short fuse. The explosion would surely follow.

And yet here we are, two years after Chickenfoot’s self-titled debut album for album number two. According to guitarist Joe Satriani in his interview with Geeks of Doom, singer Sammy Hagar named the band’s second album III because drummer Chad Smith and bassist Michael Anthony wanted to call it IV. Well I’m glad that’s cleared that up then [...]

Tracer
Spaces In Between
Cool Green Recordings
Released October 3, 2011 UK: CD
October 18, 2011 U.S.: CD

Recently my concern with new rock music is that musicians have stopped listening to blues. The old blues masters is where rock originated and just about every great rock song has a heavy blues foundation. Sure, the new guys say they love the blues but then rip into clone riffs of AC/DC, Led Zep, and all the usual classic rock bands ignoring the nuggets that made those bands great in the first place.

It takes balls to create a new sound by taking the most interesting parts and the intricacies of the greats to form something (almost) entirely your own. Tracer are not concerned with just copying the greats on debut album Spaces In Between. They’re interested in balls [...]

Batman: Arkham City Soundtrack
Various Artists
CD | MP3
WaterTower Music
Release date: October 4, 2011

As I’ve stated previously, I am huge fan of the soundtracks from all the Batman films. That might have something to do with the fact that I’m a huge Batman fan, which most of you may know by now, but you may not know my love for music. So, when the two are combined, it’s a perfect storm for pure Hunter Camp enjoyment. I mean, Batman-related songs from artists like Prince, Method Man, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, and The Offspring have been featured on various Batman soundtracks. That’s a great thing. So, when the announcement of the Batman: Arkham City soundtrack came out, to say that I was excited would be an understatement. It has literally been 14 years since the last high profile Batman soundtrack filled with popular music has come out. You may have noticed that Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies have only been accompanied by purchasable score audio, and the Arkham Asylum game came with no soundtrack [...]

Sebastian Bach
Kicking and Screaming
Frontiers Records
Released September 26, 2011 (UK) CD | MP3
September 27, 2011 (U.S.) CD | MP3

No matter how many years go by, how many reality TV shows he appears on, or how many times he defends Axl Rose, Sebastian Bach will always be the voice of Skid Row. It may be 15 years since he was part of that band and he has even tried to distance himself from that era. Despite these attempts it is clear on his new album Kicking & Screaming that this kind of music is what he does best [...]

Alice Cooper
Welcome 2 My Nightmare
Universal Music Enterprises
Released September 12, 2011 UK: CD | MP3
September 13, 2011 U.S.: CD | MP3

After the disbandment of the Alice Cooper band, its frontman went solo and in 1975 released his first album: Welcome To My Nightmare. 36 years later Alice Cooper has released its follow-up, Welcome 2 My Nightmare. And you thought Chinese Democracy took a long time to make.

Ok, ok, so it’s not the same thing. Alice has released 17 albums in between (not including the many live albums and countless best of’s) and been constantly busy. His albums have ranged from the brilliant (Hey Stoopid) to boring (Dragontown). Those who were disappointed with 2008’s Along Came A Spider will be delighted with this return to gruesome form.

As with most of Alice’s past albums, much of this is playful in a twisted way. The one-two of the beautiful “Something To Remember Me By” followed by a tale of grizzly revenge in “When Hell Comes Home” is sure to raise an evil smile [...]

Red Hot Chili Peppers
I’m With You
Warner Bros.
Produced by Rick Rubin
U.S.: CD | MP3
UK: CD | MP3
Release date: August 29, 2011

A lot has happened to the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the last 5 years. Since the release of their last album, 2006’s Stadium Arcadium, drummer Chad Smith joined Chickenfoot, bassist Flea went to school, singer Anthony Kiedis grew a moustache, and guitarist John Frusciante left due to ‘musical differences’ (why won’t bands just tell the truth and put out a statement that reads – to paraphrase Friends – ‘it’s just…we hate that guy’?). Now with Josh Klinghoffer on guitar duty, the Chili’s have released album number 10, I’m With You.

As I opened the case I kept repeating to myself, “don’t let me down, don’t let me down…”

Someone heard me. Loud and clear.

Stadium Arcadium had, apart from a small selection of songs including “Dani California” and “Hump de Bump,” had very little to revisit. At 28 tracks long, it was too much and a little self-indulgent. I’m With You includes half its predecessor’s number of tracks and twice the quality [...]

Muppets: The Green Album
Various Artists
CD | MP3
Walt Disney Records
Release date: August 23, 2011

NPR is currently streaming the upcoming compilation album Muppets: The Green Album for free (you can listen to the entire album right here below). The album features many of today’s most popular artists covering classic Muppets tunes.

I generally stay clear of “tribute” albums or compilations where your new favorite bands are assembled like some kind of snotty superhero team. This is because the implied mission of these records is to teach us morons how cool people like Buddy Holly were. (See: Rave On. Actually, don’t.) And besides, for those of us who already enjoy the subjects being covered, you only want to put the originals on when these little smug-fests are over. I get it. You like Leonard Cohen. So do we.

However, Muppets: The Green Album is one of the more fun various artist collabs I’ve heard since that Carpenters joint from the nineties. Starting with The Ok Go’s wonderfully reworked version of the “Muppets Theme,” you’re immediately invited into a world where the narrative isn’t so “Hey, dum-dum! I know better than you!” Alkaline Trio’s “Movin’ Right Along” will have you tapping your toes at your cubicles. And The Fray have a great time with “Mahna Mahna.: Although, just about every performance is more optimistic than the next, My Morning Jacket runs away with the album with an absolutely gorgeous version of “Our World.” [...]

Captain America: The First Avenger Soundtrack
CD | MP3
Alan Silvestri
Walt Disney Records
Release Date: July 19, 2011

This summer movie season has brought us the now customary overpowering glut of blockbuster superhero epics, and with them some interesting but ultimately unmemorable orchestral scores. It’s disappointing when esteemed composers like Patrick Doyle and James Newton Howard are put to work on movies such as Thor and Green Lantern and they can’t even be moved to create good music for them. Neither musical score packed even the slightest amount of the mystery, tension, and high adventure all classic action-movie scores bring to their accompanying films, although to be fair Doyle’s Thor soundtrack had its share of moments worthy of the God of Thunder. If the music doesn’t care about the characters and the on-screen action, then why should we? Most composers tend to fall back on the same musical motifs that do little to stand out as nothing more than the components of a standard soundtrack. It all sounds nice, but you won’t be humming the themes for hours or days after you see the movie or purchase the soundtrack CD [...]

Philip Sayce
Ruby Electric
Produced by Dave Cobb and Eddie Kramer
Provogue
Released July 18, 2011 (UK) CD | MP3

Recently blues rock has seen a resurgence in quality in new, young musicians. Far from imitating their parents’ record collection, the devil’s new breed is creating blues rock that is entirely their own. Wah-wahing his way to the front of the pack is Philip Sayce with his debut album Ruby Electric. But unlike blues godfather Robert Johnson, I’m pretty sure Sayce did not consort with His Unholiness to unleash his devilish talent.

Welsh-born, Canadian-raised Sayce is a very talented guitarist with some imaginative solos. His guitar licks are a mixture of Jimmy Page and John Frusciante; lots of choppy blues funk but can pull out a rocking tune like the no-messin’ “Take You Away.” For me the very best of the young blues players is Joe Bonamassa, and Sayce has the serious talent to wail on that fretboard alongside him [...]

Black Country Communion
2
J&R Adventures
Produced by Kevin Shirley
Released June 14, 2011 U.S.: CD | MP3
June 13, 2011 UK: CD| MP3

Rock supergroups are often a collaboration amongst musicians when one or more of their respective bands goes belly up. Sometimes, however, they are formed when musicians are taking time away from being awesome in their ‘day job’ to be awesome elsewhere. This brings us to Black Country Communion, a supergroup made up of Glenn Hughes ( ‘the voice of rock’ of Deep Purple fame), Jason Bonham (son of late Led Zeppelin drummer), Derek Sherinian (formerly of Dream Theater), and the new blues king, Joe Bonamassa.

As much of a fan as I am on Glenn Hughes — Deep Purple’s Burn is without question one of the greatest rock albums of all time and You Are The Music…We’re Just The Band by his first band Trapeze is one of the most underrated albums of the ’70s — it was the inclusion of guitarist Joe Bonamassa which really piqued my interest in this band. For me, Bonamassa is one of the most exciting and talented blues rock musicians alive. His solo albums demonstrate his great talent in fusing traditional blues with the sheer power and sometimes frightening speed of rock; something which makes blues music more interesting and, quite frankly, cooler. He brings all this and more to the BCC table and to its second album, simply titled 2 [...]

Anvil
Juggernaut of Justice
U.S.: CD | MP3
UK: CD
Produced by Bob Marlette
The End Records
Release date: May 10, 2011

The great thing about Anvil is that no matter what, they will keep on rockin’, keep on poundin’. Where some of their younger contemporaries have embarked on or completed farewell tours, insisting age has claimed another victim, Anvil will keep going.

For years now they have raised the bar for themselves with each new release. On their latest album, Juggernaut of Justice, they have raised that bar very high indeed; these are the best songs Anvil has ever written. After over 30 years together and in the form of their lives, they would be foolish to stop this juggernaut now.

Anvil previewed title and opening track “Juggernaut of Justice” on their Facebook page ahead of release. It’s a storming metal song with a typically catchy lead riff and unyielding rhythm that got me very excited and gave back-up to my argument that Lips is one of the most underrated lead guitarists in metal. The dildo-wielding, naked photo-posing Lips of old may not be around any more, but the most significant difference in him is that Lips is now an even better guitarist. His scintillating solos on the rampaging, Motorhead-esque “On Fire” will bring a smile (and an air guitar) out in all Anvil fans [...]

Thor: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
CD | MP3
By Patrick Doyle
Buena Vista Records
Release Date: May 3, 2011

One of the things I love most about seeing a movie for the first time is experiencing its music score. I have many favorites but the ones that affect me the most are the great adventure scores, from Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s jaunty and propulsive The Adventures of Robin Hood to John Williams’ endlessly hum-worthy Raiders of the Lost Ark. The best of these scores tend to plant themselves deep in my mind and always pipe up at moments when I need those sounds the most and my MP3 player is nowhere to be found. They calm my soul and motivate me to conquer each of life’s challenges, be they minor or potentially life-threatening, with a hearty laugh and my arms jutted forward like I could take off flying at any moment [...]

Soundgarden
Live on I-5
CD | MP3
A&M Records
U.S. Release date: March 22, 2011
UK Release date: March 21, 2011

Soundgarden is a band almost impossible to neatly define. So diverse is the band’s sound that anything they try — be it punk, grunge, rock, acoustic — nothing sounds out of place. Like contemporaries Faith No More, they manage to mix all of these influences together while still possessing an identifiable sound. This keeps their audience guessing, not just from album to album, but from each track to the next.

On new live album, Live on I-5, Soundgarden keeps this excitement going. It was recorded at various U.S. and Canadian venues at the tail end of 1996, just a few months before the band’s eventual break up. Thanks to this, there is a definite sense of anger within the performances, which added to the band’s natural energy and power on stage makes for an intensely frenetic and hugely impressive live album [...]

Whitesnake
Forevermore
Produced by David Coverdale, Doug Aldrich, Michael McIntyre
Frontiers Records
U.S: Release: March 29, 2011 (CD/DVD | CD | MP3)
UK Release: April 18, 2011 (CD | MP3)

In the age of the music video, TV in the late 1980s was swamped with big hair and sexy women; examples of both were provided in ample supply by Whitesnake. The band’s big-haired lead singer, David Coverdale, provided us at the time with some of the best rock songs, sung by one of the greatest ever rock voices and responsible for some of the filthiest lyrics in rock (anyone remember “Slow Poke Music”?), all as his model girlfriend cavorted semi-naked in the videos.

Forevermore is Whitesnake’s 11th studio album and marks a tremendous return to the great songs and songwriting of that time, which got most of us listening in the first place [...]

KISS
Destroyer
UK: CD | MP3
U.S.: CD | MP3
Recorded September 1975 and February 1976
Released March 15, 1976

Say it with me: “You wanted the best, you got the best! The hottest band in the world: KISS!”

Despite being the global phenomenon it is today, only a modest reception greeted KISS’ first three albums on initial release back in the 1970s. While all very good rock albums, it seemed KISS, Hotter Than Hell, and Dressed To Kill just couldn’t find a big audience. Between them they had what are now thought of as classic KISS songs such as “Strutter,” “Rock and Roll All Nite,” and “Parasite.” But it was the release of the stunning live album Alive! which turned KISS fever into a full-blown pandemic.

On March 15, 1976, a mere six months after Alive!, the band released its fourth studio album, which was produced by Bob Ezrin. It had rock anthems, ballads, wailing guitars, string sections, thumping drums, and the world’s most iconic musicians. This was to be the album which turned KISS from rock stars into superstars. And its title summed up the band’s intent: Destroyer […]

Metallica
Master Of Puppets
UK
U.S.: CD | MP3
Recorded September – December 1985
Released March 3, 1986

Metallica pierced the ears of metalheads in with their 1983 debut album Kill ‘Em All; a shocking statement of intent with its aggressive, fast onslaught of sonic terror. They hurdled the ‘difficult second album’ phase with ease on the mighty Ride The Lightning, signaling a grander scope of songwriting. These were good albums, full of promising talent that metal listeners hoped would turn into greatness.

When it comes to bands, every so often everything falls perfectly into place. The best of them experience this perfect moment maybe once in their career. That one album where every song is perfectly written, each vocal perfectly pitched with lyrics encompassing and evoking an issue or time. Master Of Puppets was Metallica’s moment.

Released on March 3, 1986, Master of Puppets has never been a ‘grower’ demanding repeated listens nor has it ever been considered a misunderstood work of genius. It is an immediate album. Right from its release it was considered a great metal album and in the proceeding 25 years since its release its reputation has only grown. The songs still hold up as iconic metal tracks, with the title song still being one of the defining anthems of the genre [...]

Motörhead
The World Is Yours
Producer Cameron Webb
Future PLC/Motörhead Music
Release date: January 17 (UK) | February 8 (U.S.) 2011

In 1975 Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister was fired from British space-rock group Hawkwind. He wasted no time in getting back on the music horse and quickly formed a new three-piece band which almost as a direct opposite to Hawkwind was loud, fast, and if it moved in next door to you ‘your lawn would die’. Lemmy continued to play the bass (despite having no experience when he joined Hawkwind four years earlier) and a suitable name was chosen. Sadly Lemmy was persuaded against calling his new band Bastard and changed it to the infinitely superior Motörhead.

An incredible 36 years later Motörhead is still going and continues to record new albums at an admirable rate. The World Is Yours is Motörhead’s 20th studio album and sounds as fresh as the first [...]

Faith No More
Live At The Brixton Academy
UK | U.S.
Recorded April 1990
Released February 4, 1991 (UK)

With the help of MTV and its heavy rotation of the video for “Epic,” Faith No More rose to prominence in the late 1980s. The band’s third album, and first with its new lead singer Mike Patton, Real Thing was an instant classic and made heroes of its makers. Duly, the band took the album on tour into the early nineties and chose one show to record for a live album. February 4th marks the 20th anniversary of the Faith No More album Live At The Brixton Academy. Recorded at the famous venue in London, England, it is Faith No More’s only official live album. And what an album it is.

Lead singer Mike Patton is a brilliant performer. At first he seems as if he is not taking it seriously by putting on silly voices at times, but as always his delivery is stunning. He may throw in a quick riff on New Kids On The Block’s “The Right Stuff” during “We Care A Lot,” but he has a voice very, very few rock/metal performers can match (or whatever the hell genre Faith No More fits into, such is the band’s mixture of influences and styles). On the track “The Real Thing” alone he exhibits such vulnerability, rage, and silliness, and easily switches between every type [...]