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I decided to create this column because I'm a fan of Heavy Metal. Not only am I a fan, I also have great respect for the bands that are currently active and the bands that inspired us
all. Heavy Metal is an attitude, a way of life, an artform. This column is soley dedicated to the Metal albums that have made a difference in our lives. Albums that bring back fond, or depending on your perspective,
not so fond memories. Albums that are considered timeless classics. This column is quite simply a review page for the albums created by the true Masters of Metal. It is also an educational tool as well as a
reference guide for those who are unfamiliar with the pure artistry of music’s most prolific genre. All eras will be covered from the raw, bombastic sounds of the 70's Metal pioneers to the polished more complex
sounds of the 80's NWOBHM acts and to the bands that were inspired by their heroes. To refer to these passages as the "Golden Age"or "Old School" would be an insult. Instead, this is a forum to
praise the timeless works of the greatest Metal bands of all time.
Bob Mitchell, 2001
DEEP PURPLE- "Fireball" (Warner Bros. Records 1971)
 Many bands are refered to as "unique". Nothing could be further from the truth when one refers to DEEP PURPLE. They were one of the first and most
influential of all hard rock/heavy metal outfits. This classic boasts only seven tracks in all. It was also the bands seventh release. The title is most befitting as the album opens with what
sounds like a machine ready to do some major damage to the senses. In a few seconds, drummer Ian Paice introduces the band with his patended style of skin bashing that is,
arguably, unequaled by any of his contemporaries and the opening track "Fireball" which is also the title track sets the course for an unforgettable ride! The legendary "Mark II"
line-up is ever present with guitar-god Ritchie Blackmore, bassist Roger Glover, keyboard wizard Jon Lord, the afformentioned Ian Paice on drums and God himself on
vocals the great Ian Gillan. Other highlights include the mood swinging "Fools", then there's "No No No" the albums heaviest number, "The Mule" is a musical free-for-all
with lots of great moments. The band also shows a humourus side with the honky tonk influenced "Anyones Daughter" and of course a song that was indeed a chart
topper on both sides of the Atlantic "Strange Kind Of Woman" which is presently one the many Purple tunes that can be heard on Classic Rock/Heavy Metal radio shows
around the world. As far as the production is concerned, it must be noted that one of the principle engineers for this opus is none other than legendary producer Martin Birch
who later in his career went on to achieve world-wide success for his work with Black Sabbath and even more notably, Iron Maiden which would explain the rich clear
sound of the "Fireball" album! The musicianship is raw and flawless. The vocal performances are a must listen! For those of you who are aspiring to be a singer someday, this
is the man to listen to. Everyone knows that before Halford, Tate or Dickenson there was Gillan. This album comes highly recommended. It is THE blueprint album for any
showcase band. Own this piece of History and you will truly be inspired.
Other Recommended Titles:
"Machine Head" 1972
"Who Do You Think We Are?" 1973
"Perfect Strangers" 1984
"Battle Rages On" 1992
RIOT - "Fire Down Under" (Elektra Records 1981)
 So you wanna know how to start a Metal band eh? You say that you don't know what Metal is really all about? Well why not have yourself a RIOT? No
not a "Quiet" RIOT but loud, rude, street gutter RIOT that'll peel the paint off your walls! When this album first came out, it was our genre's proudest moment. One word can describe this
album.... unbelievable! These bad boys from Brooklyn, New York knew exactly what was on the Metal horizon back then. Before Judas Priest and Iron Maiden rose up to
prominence and dominated our world, RIOT was at the top of their game. This was their third offering as well as the "swan song' album for vocalist Guy Speranza. From the
opening all-to-familiar riff of "Swords and Tequila" this album spawned one classic after another with no signs of letting up. Next up is the blistering title track followed by the
Bad Company-influenced "No More Lies" followed by "Outlaw", "Don't Bring Me Down", the intensely heavy "Don't Hold Back" which boast one the raciest, most exotic
endings in Metal for its time, their tribute dragons and wizards in "Alter of the King" is performed with great musicianship, this being my personal favorite track. We then
continue with a shot back into reality with the solemn-blues based "No Lies" and the hard hitting, psychodramatic "Run For Your Life". The album closes with an ironic tribute called
"Flashbacks" which was the bands inadvertent way of saying that the era of Guy Speranza has sadly come to an end. Rounding off the band line-up are founding
member/guitarist Mark Reale along with guitar twin Rick Ventura accompanied by the great rythym section of bassist Kip Lemming and drummer Sandy Slavin. RIOT
obviously continued to put out some great albums through the years and enjoy a moderately successful career after the departure of Speranza. As a matter of fact, RIOT
achieved commercial success with their top forty single "Showdown" when the band was fronted by the late Rhett Forrester. They carry with them an impressive body of
work, but no doubt, "Fire Down Under" will be the album that the band will always be remembered for no matter what line-up or incarnation of the band, that you, the fans
prefer. This album is indeed their signature piece! This true gem ranks high with other milestones such as Maiden's "Number of the Beast", Saxon's "Denim and Leather",
Anvil's "Metal On Metal" and, in my opinion, the greatest Metal album ever, Accept's "Restless and Wild". In closing it must be stated that one of Brooklyn's proudest moments
was the day RIOT became a band!
Other Recommended Titles:
"Rock City" 1977
"Narita" 1979
"Restless Breed" 1982
"Thunder Steel" 1988
BLACK SABBATH - "Mob Rules" (Warner Bros. Records 1981)
 For many this album is a sure fire favorite! "Mob Rules" is the classic follow-up to the now legendary, multi-platinum "Heaven And Hell"
album. At the time of its release, it was met with great anticipation. Both critics and fans were awestruck at the sound and overall outstanding performance offered on this album. For years prior,
Sabbath were not necessarily media darlings. They had their fans, no doubt, but when MR came out they had reached unprecedented heights of fame and critical acclaim without
"selling out". With original vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, they had set the standards to what is now known, universally, as "doom-metal". Sabbaths earlier albums were dark,
brooding shrieks of terror that by and large have withstood the proverbial test of time. After Osbournes departure, they recruited the great Ronnie James Dio who at the time
had just completed a monstrously succesful stint with Blackmore's Rainbow. So now we fast foward to 1981 and "Mob Rules" hits the streets with the impact of a wrecking
ball striking a glass building! The opening track, "Turn Up the Night" is an energetic piece of Metal intensity. The next track is called "Voodoo" a bluesy, mid tempo piece with
great timing, simplistic riffing and catchy vocalization. Unquestionably, a great piece of music without loosing any of the bands "hard edged" approach. The track that follows
is the albums best offering and that is "Sign of the Southern Cross" which happens to be Mr. Dio's best vocal performance, overall, on this album. Other hightlights are
"E5150" an effects ladden track which flows right into the now famous title track "Mob Rules". We then move right along with "Country Girl", a number that posseses one the
best riffs ever in Heavy Metal. The album then moves along, flawlessly, with "Slipping Away". "Falling Off the Edge of the World" and finally the emotional "Over and Over". This
classic was produced and engineered by none other than Martin Birch (Deep Purple, Iron Maiden) so need I say any more about the overall production value? Along with RJD
the line-up is Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinnie Appice. I don't think it's necessary for me to illustrate to you kind readers what instrument each band member is a master of,
right? An honorable mention must also go out to keyboardist, Geoff Nichols. In summation, after this great album, Dio continued on with The Sabs and "Live Evil" was
released thus closing a chapter on the era of Dio. Afterwards, RJD went on to a hugely succesful solo career which continues to this very day. In 1991 Dio returned to
the fold for the release of "Dehuminizer". After a sold out world tour he left the masters of doom once again in 1993. In closing, Black Sabbath are one of the single most
recognized bands in our history. Each member, past and present, has been blessed with the gift of music which they have graciously shared with all of us through the years . No
matter what incarnation of Black Sabbath you prefer just remember............ THE MOB RULES!!!!!!
Other Recommended Titles:
"Heaven and Hell" 1980
"Live Evil" 1983
"Dehuminizer" 1992
ANVIL - "Forged In Fire" (Roadrunner Records 1983)
 With this Canadian quartet, so many labels have been bestowed upon them as far as the style of Metal they present. They've been called "speed
metal", "thrash metal", "power metal". Well here's an idea, how about just plain old HEAVY! With a name like ANVIL, how can they be called otherwise? Are some songs faster than
others? Sure. Are some songs slower than others? No doubt. Have they written songs they shouldn't have written? Well, we've all been guilty of that. But one thing is
for certain, this band was always HEAVY. Which brings us to the albums review. This was the bands third release and an amazing follow-up to the great "Metal On Metal" opus. The
album opens with the title track "Forged In Fire" an uncharacteristically slow, almost doom style number which remains a stapled favorite in their live performances. Next,
the band revs it up full speed ahead with "Shadow Zone", a sonic free-for-all. This song truly showcases the bizzare yet unique vocal talents of guitarist/vocalist known only as Lips.
Apart from the album itself, it's one their best songs ever. "Free as the Wind" brings the atmosphere down to a steady pace. A dramatic piece with dark, brooding passages.
Musically, this is one of the albums best moments. Next, and as always, the comedic side of the band shines brightly with "Butter Bust Jerky" which, in terms of irony, boasts the
best guitar riff on the album. We then proceed with other outstanding highlights "Future Wars", the Ted Nugent inspired "Hard Times-Fast Ladies", the ultra fast
"Motormouth" and the classic "Winged Assassins" closing out this great collection of music . Producer Chris Tsangerides has given the band a more polished sound than
their previous albums had offered without losing any of the dirt and intensity that initially made the Toronto-based Hellraisers world reknowned. In terms of past tense, the
overall songwriting at this point in their career had matured by leaps and bounds which makes the musicianship for this release very tight, melodic and intricate. Lips also turns in
one of his best overall vocal performances of his career on this album! The rest of the line-up features guitarist Dave Allison, rounded off by the solid rythym section of bassist
Ian Dickson and the bands show stopper, drummer Robb Reiner who just happens to be one of the greatest in Metal history! I purposely left out two tracks from this review
because the two numbers just don't belong into the scheme of things, in a matter of speaking. However this is certainly an album you must have in your valued collection
because it is, overall, a great album and one of our genres shining moments. Presently, Anvil are enjoying continued success and since the release of "Forged" they have
amassed an impressive body of work. They have maintained their status as Legends and are among the elite in the world of Metal!
Other Recommended Titles:
"Metal On Metal" 1982
"Pound For Pound" 1988
"Live Past and Present" 1989
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