Punk Flashback

 Todays Punk Flashback The Reducers

Things Go Wrong / We Are Normal (Vibes 1978). Classic mid tempo grungy bass driven single a la Stranglers with Lou Reed's 'Vicious' melody . Extremely catchy melodic punk. Another single though not in the same league Man With A Gun / Vengeance / Can't Stop Now (Vibes 79)

Band: Raggy F - Vocals. Graham Barstow - Drums. Roy Tynan - Guitar. Stuart Lyons - Bass

Hardcore Flashback

 Todays Hardcore Flashback Ensign

Hardcore/punk band from New Jersey. The band’s sound incorporates typical first and second wave hardcore punk with the modern-day version of the genre. There is also emphasis on melody similar to the likes of Kid Dynamite, Lifetime and Husker Du.

Classic Flashback

 Todays Classic Flashback Herman's Hermits

Herman's Hermits was an internationally successful 60s British rock band, from Manchester, England, formed in 1963. Part of the British Invasion, their trademark simple, non-threatening, clean-cut "boys next door" image made them easier to listen to and more accessible than other British Invasion bands.

Their first hit, "I'm Into Something Good", was produced by Mickie Most, reaching #1 in the UK (1963) and #13 in the US (1964). Other hits followed such as "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter" (1965) and "I'm Henry VIII, I Am". The last was said at the time to be "the fastest-selling song in history". The band played on these singles but many of their subsequent singles employed session musicians, including Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, with contributions from the band. The band's singles were written by top songwriters of the day. Regardless of how the records were made, the guitar player, Lek Leckenby, was a gifted guitarist. Indeed, all the other members were capable players and Peter Noone was a charismatic front man. The band was nominated for two Grammy awards in 1965, both for "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter". Noone and the band deliberately emphasized their Manchester accents on the record, which was never intended to be a single.

Born in Manchester, England, Noone was a child TV star in Coronation Street and in other TV work. He was still only 15 when he achieved international fame as teenage heart-throb as leader of the Hermits.

Herman's Hermits, whilst hugely successful in the mid-1960s, never topped the British charts again after their first hit, "I'm Into Something Good". However, they had two US No. 1's with "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter" and "I'm Henry the Eighth, I Am". The band disliked both songs, and never released them as singles in Britain. They appeared in several movies, including When The Boys Meet The Girls (1965) and Hold On! (1966). They also appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Dean Martin Show and The Jackie Gleason Show.

They enjoyed consistent success in Britain throughout the rest of the decade but they were even more popular in America for a while. Their hits continued until 1967's "No Milk Today". Soon, however, the Monkees had replaced Herman's Hermits as the simple pop rock act, and the Hermits' career declined. "There's a Kind of Hush (All Over the World)" engendered a revival, but the Hermits never again cracked the top 10 in the U.S. This song was, however, successfully covered by The Carpenters in their album "A Kind of Hush", released in 1976. The band continued releasing records throughout the 1970s with little success. In the end, Herman's Hermits were a band which were both blessed and cursed by the 'niche' in which originally they found success.

Happy Birthday

 Happy Birthday East Bay Ray

Raymond John Pepperell (born November 17, 1958), better known by his stage name East Bay Ray, is a guitarist best known for his membership in the San Francisco Bay area-based punk band Dead Kennedys. His guitar work was heavily influenced by surf music, jazz and rockabilly, and, alongside Jello Biafra's astute lyrics and unique vibrato-based vocal style, East Bay Ray's playing was one of the defining factors of the music of the Dead Kennedys, and by extension, of the "second wave" of American punk.

Happy Birthday

 Happy Birthday Paul Allender

Paul Allender (born 17 November 1970) is a lead guitarist best known for his work with the British extreme metal band Cradle of Filth. He was a longtime member with stints in the band from 1992–1995 and then again from 1999–2014.

Happy Birthday

 Happy Birthday Randy Black

Randy Black (born November 17, 1963) is a Canadian-born rock drummer and recording artist known best for his stints as the drummer for Bif Naked, Annihilator, and Primal Fear. Although Black's actual acoustic drum configuration is not unique to the field of drumming, Randy's playing style is notable for his ability to play ambidextrously with a symmetrical set of cymbals, specifically a dual set of remote hi-hats and ride cymbals to his right and to his left respectively. Current Drummer for Destruction.

Buckethead

 Today in 2015 Buckethead released the album Pike 212 - Hornet

Los Angeles, California Various Metal

Status:Active

Years active:1988-present

Buckethead (Brian Carroll) is an American musician, songwriter and guitar virtuoso, famed for his distinctive stage outfit and elaborate stage shows. He has released over 180 solo studio albums and performed on over 70 more since 1992. He has also made guest appearances on more than 40 different albums by various artists. His music spans such diverse areas as heavy metal, funk, ambient, jazz, electronic, and avant-garde music.

When performing in his theatrical persona, Buckethead used to wear a KFC bucket (emblazoned with an orange bumper sticker that read “FUNERAL” in black block letters) on his head and a plain white costume mask (commonly found in costume shops and used primarily for dramatic theater productions). More recently, he has switched to a plain white bucket no longer bearing the KFC logo. He also incorporates nunchaku, robot dancing, and toy trading into his stage performances. Buckethead’s persona represents a character who was “raised by chickens” and has made it his “mission in life to alert the world to the ongoing chicken holocaust in fast-food joints around the globe.”

Although a multi-instrumentalist, Buckethead is best known for his electric guitar playing. He has been voted number 8 on a list in GuitarOne magazine of the “Top 20 Greatest Guitar Shredders of All Time.”

Buckethead performs primarily as a solo artist. He has collaborated with a wide variety of high profile artists such as Les Claypool, Tony Williams, Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, Iggy Pop, Serj Tankian, Guns N’ Roses, Saul Williams, Mike Patton, Viggo Mortensen, and with Bill Laswell in Praxis. Buckethead has also written and performed music for major motion pictures, including: Saw II, Ghosts of Mars, Beverly Hills Ninja, Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and Last Action Hero.

Bucketheadland Records

Buckethead Everything

1. Hornet Part 1 05:28   instrumental

2. Hornet Part 2 04:48   instrumental

3. Hornet Part 3 02:55   instrumental

4. Hornet Part 4 10:51   instrumental

5. Hornet Part 5 04:11   instrumental

  28:13

Thanatos

 Today in 2014 Thanatos released the album Global Purification

Rotterdam, South Holland,Netherlands Death/Thrash Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1984-1992, 1999-present

Global Purification’ is the name of the sixth full length album of THANATOS…an illustrious name that has been haunting the Underground Metal scene since 1984…

After several demo tapes and line-up changes, Thanatos released two classic Thrash/Death Metal albums in the early 1990's via the notorious Shark Records: 'Emerging From The Netherworlds' and 'Realm Of Ecstasy'. The band shared the stage with the likes of Kreator, Sepultura, Death, Napalm Death, Bolt Thrower, Autopsy and Death Angel to name but a few.

In 1992 Thanatos split up due to a variety of reasons but was revived in 1999 by founding member Stephan Gebédi featuring a new line-up. The third Thanatos album, 'Angelic Encounters', was released in 2000 via Hammerheart Records. Despite great reviews the band was not really satisfied with this album. Two more personnel changes followed.

In 2002 the band recorded four new songs and two cover songs in a small 8-track studio to attract some interest from record companies. Baphomet Records/Red Stream released these recordings as the 'Beyond Terror' Mini CD.

In 2003 Thanatos signed a recording deal with Greek label Black Lotus Records, resulting in the release of 'Undead.Unholy.Divine.' in 2004. This album was mastered by Attie Bauw, the man responsible for mixing Judas Priest’s classic ‘Painkiller’ album amongst others. While recording their fifth full-length album ‘Justified Genocide’ in 2006, the band was informed of Black Lotus Records’ bankruptcy. The recording sessions for the album were put on hold and once again the future for Thanatos looked very bleak.

At the end of 2006 Stephan formed Hail of Bullets which grew into the monster we all know now.

Guitarist Paul also joined the reformed Asphyx and drummer Yuri and bass player Marco joined Melechesh. In the years that followed, all band members were extremely busy with their other bands/projects, but in 2009, a quarter of a century after the band's first incarnation, ‘Justified Genocide' was finally released by Dutch label Deity Down Records.

In 2012 Thanatos signed a deal with the mighty Century Media Records to re-release their complete back catalogue and in April 2013 Century Media offered the band a multiple album deal!

To coincide with the band’s 30th (!) anniversary in 2014, Thanatos now unleash their 6th full length studio album upon mankind. Produced by the band themselves and mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö, ‘Global Purification’ contains 10 brand new songs which see the band outdoing themselves in terms of power and sheer aggression. Despite the speed and aggression there are enough hooks, memorable riffs and melodies to have these songs cemented in your brain after a few listens.

The digipack version of the album contains a re-recording of ,,Dawn of the Dead” which of course was the opening track of the band’s debut album.

‘Global Purification’ combines elements of aggressive Thrash Metal and old school Death Metal and takes you back to the days when Metal was about breaking rules and boundaries instead of creating them…

Century Media Records

Stephan Gebédi Vocals, Guitars

Paul Baayens Guitars

Marco de Bruin Bass

Yuri Rinkel Drums

Guest/Session

Balgradon Xul Vocals (backing) (track 3), Vocals (additional) (track 8)

Thierry de Keizer Vocals (backing) (track 3)

1. Global Purification 03:32    

2. The Murder of Innocence 03:23    

3. Infestation of the Soul 05:13    

4. Queen of Gore 03:16    

5. Nothing Left 05:13  

6. World Jihad 03:14    

7. The Demonized Minority 04:09    

8. Feeding the War Machine 03:31    

9. Blood Will Be Spilled 03:16    

10. Bastion of Blasphemy 03:57    

  38:44  

Guitars and bass recorded at Coniex Cole-Studio in Elst, Gelderland, Netherlands.

Vocals recorded at Dynamo Studio in Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands.

Drums recorded at Spacelab Studios in Oedt, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.

Bloodbath

 Today in 2014 Bloodbath released the album Grand Morbid Funeral 

Stockholm,Sweden Death Metal 

Status:Active

Years active: 1998-present 

 Bloodbath came about as a collaboration of some of Sweden's finest, a break from their day jobs to go back to basics, basics in this case being classic old-school brutal death metal. Originally the plan was simply to release the one EP (2000's Breeding Death) and be done with it, but the members decided to make the project an ongoing affair, though the lineup has shifted over time and only the Katatonia duo of Anders Nyström and Jonas Renske remain from the original formation.

Peaceville Records

Lord Seth Bass, Songwriting (tracks 4, 6, 8), Lyrics (tracks 4, 6, 8)

Blakkheim Guitars, Songwriting (tracks 2, 7, 9, 11), Lyrics (tracks 2, 11)

Axe Drums

Sodomizer Guitars, Songwriting (tracks 3, 5, 10), Lyrics (tracks 3, 5, 10)

Old Nick Vocals, Lyrics (tracks 7, 9)

Guest/Session

Eric Cutler Guitars (lead) (tracks 2, 6, 9, 10)

Chris Reifert Vocals (track 11)

1. Let the Stillborn Come to Me 04:37    

2. Total Death Exhumed 03:51   

3. Anne 03:43  

4. Church of Vastitas 03:37  

5. Famine of God's Word 04:56  

6. Mental Abortion 03:47  

7. Beyond Cremation 04:41   

8. His Infernal Necropsy 03:35    

9. Unite in Pain 03:52    

10. My Torturer 04:17   

11. Grand Morbid Funeral 05:35    

  46:31  

A video was made for "Church of Vastitas".

Recording information:

Recorded Ghost Ward & City of Glass (March - September, 2014)

Mixed at Ghost Ward, Stockholm (September, 2014)

Mastered at Stockholm Mastering, Stockholm (September, 2014)

Angra

 Today in 2014 Angra released the single Newborn Me

São Paulo, São Paulo,Brazil Power/Progressive Metal 

Status:Active 

Years active: 1991-2007, 2009-present 

Angra are probably the second most well-known metal band to originate from Brazil (behind Sepultura), and released several critically acclaimed albums in the mid to late nineties. Solidly rooted in the European traditional metal mold, their work often resembled a cross of, say, Helloween with the progressive tendencies of a Dream Theater.

After a successful run in the late 90's, a rift developed amongst the members (relating to management of the band), resulting in a split into two groups. Vocalist Andre Matos, bassist Luis Mariutti, and drummer Ricardo Confessori departed, eventually forming Shaman, a band that had a successful run of its own before retiring in late 2006. The remaining members, guitarists Kiko Loureiro and Rafael Bittencourt, recruited three replacements and have carried on, their new style keeping the Euro flavor of previous releases while also being more melodic/hard rock oriented and less progressive.

earMUSIC

Rafael Bittencourt Guitars, Vocals (backing)

Kiko Loureiro Guitars, Vocals (backing)

Felipe Andreoli Bass, Vocals (backing)

Fabio Lione Vocals

Bruno Valverde Drums

1. Newborn Me 05:33

AC/DC

 Today in 2014 AC/DC released the single Rock or Bust

Sydney, Australia Hard rock, blues rock, rock and roll

Status;Active

Years active 1973 (1973)–present

Featuring one of the most recognizeable images in rock (diminutive guitarist Angus Young in his trademark schoolboy uniform), AC/DC has been in the business for more than forty years, scarcely changing their style from album to album but continuing to maintain a large following due to their simplistic yet effective hard rock and energetic live performances. They are undeniably Australia's most well-known rock export, and their style is one of the most recognizeable, and imitated, in the history of hard rock, rising to worldwide superstardom around the time of Highway To Hell, one of their seminal works. They've enduring setbacks in recent years (the failing health of Angus' brother Malcolm, the legal troubles of drummer Phil Rudd, resulting in both taking a leave of absence from the band), but Angus and crew soldier on.

Columbia Records

Brian Johnson – lead vocals

Angus Young – lead guitar, backing vocals

Stevie Young – rhythm guitar

Cliff Williams – bass guitar, backing vocals

Phil Rudd – drums

B-side "Play Ball (song)"

"Rock or Bust" is the second single and first track from the album of the same name by Australian hard rock band AC/DC. It was written by Angus Young and Malcolm Young. It was released for downloads on 17 November 2014, as a follow-up for the band's first officially released single from the album titled "Play Ball".

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was absent from the video shoot for the single, and was replaced by Welshman Bob Richards, who had previously played with Man, Adrian Smith, Asia and Shogun

Nemesea

 Today in 2011 Nemesea released the album The Quiet Resistance

Groningen, Groningen Province, Netherlands Symphonic Gothic Metal (early), Gothic Rock (later)

Status:Active

Years active: 2002 (as Nemesis), 2002-present

A symphonic goth metal troupe based out of the Netherlands, Nemesea were founded in 2002 by vocalist/composer Manda Ophuis and guitarist Hendrik Jan de Jong. Nemesea cut their teeth opening for fellow Dutch brood-rockers After Forever, with whom they were initially compared, before inking a deal in 2003 with independent label Ebony Tears, which would issue the band's 2004 debut album, Mana. Their 2007 crowdfunded sophomore studio LP, In Control, landed Nemesea a distribution deal with Rough Trade, and would eventually steer them in the direction of Napalm Records. Arriving in 2010, Quiet Resistance saw the group adding electronics to its sound, as well as dialing back on some of the neo-classical elements that sugared earlier works, in favor of a more straightforward alt-rock approach. Produced by Guido Aalbers (Muse, Coldplay, No Doubt), the band's much anticipated fourth studio long-player, Uprise, followed in 2016.

Napalm Records

Sonny Onderwater Bass

HJ Guitars, Lyrics (tracks 2-13), Songwriting (tracks 1-12, 14), Vocals (backing)

Manda Ophuis Vocals, Lyrics (tracks 2-14), Vocals (backing)

Lasse Dellbrügge Keyboards, Electronics, Songwriting (tracks 1-13)

Frank van der Star Drums

Guest/Session

Charlotte Wessels Vocals (track 6)

Marcus Klavan Vocals (track 8)

Matt Litwin Turntables (track 8)

Heli Reissenweber Vocals (track 14)

1. The Quiet Resistance 00:52   

2. Caught in the Middle 04:49   

3. Afterlife 03:12    

4. Whenever 03:31    

5. If You Could 03:53   

6. High Enough 04:13   

7. Say 04:04   

8. It's Over 03:59   

9. I Live 04:30    

10. Stay with Me 03:48   

11. Rush 05:26  

12. Release Me 03:39   

13. 2012 05:57   instrumental

14. Allein 03:58    

  55:51

Release dates:

November 17, 2011 - ESP/FIN/SWE

November 18, 2011 - GAS/BENELUX/ITA

November 21, 2011 - UK & the rest of Europe

November 22, 2011 - USA/CANADA

Official music videos:

— "Afterlife"

— "Whenever"

Recording information:

Drums, bass and vocals recorded in January / March 2011 at Kiksound Studios.

Keys recorded, produced and arranged in January 2011 at Kiksound Studios.

Guitars recorded at Studio Lobbes.

Kreator

 Today in 2010 Kreator released the Live album Terror Prevails: Live At Rock Hard Festival

Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany Thrash Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1982 (as Tyrant), 1982-1984 (as Tormentor), 1984-present

Once known as Tormentor, and before that as Tyrant, Kreator rose to prominence in the mid-eighties, joining Sodom and Destruction as the top-ranked German thrash bands of the decade. While albums such as Pleasure To Kill ruled the scene, the nineties found their popularity waning a bit, as albums such as the industrial-tinged Renewal* in 1992 and *Endorama in 1998, met with some critical acclaim but not commercial success, hardened fans seeming to have become disillusioned with straying from the raw, frenetic thrash of their earlier days. But founder Mille Petrozza forged on, and in the new millennium things turned around, with a new lineup in place and renewed vigor and aggression on display on 2001's Violent Revolution, the first of several albums in the 2000's that have found Kreator regaining its place among thrash's elite.

Rock Hard

- Mille Petrozza / vocals and guitars

- Sami Yli-Sirnio / guitars

- Christian Giesler / bass

- Jurgen Reil / drums

1. Choir Of The Damned (Intro) (1:30)

2. The Pestilence (7:35)

3. Hordes Of Chaos (5:07)

4. Phobia (3:22)

5. Enemy Of God (5:51)

6. Impossible Brutality (4:37)

7. Endless Pain (2:34)

8. Pleasure To Kill (3:28)

9. Terrible Certainty (5:15)

First part of the band's appearance at the Rock Hard festival, Gelsenkirchen in 2010.

Given for free as a digipack with the german magazine RockHard (December 2010 - number 283).

Recorded by Rockpalast Mobile.

Mixed at The Barracks (Düsseldorf, Germany).

Mastered at Skyline Tonfabrik (Düsseldorf, Germany).

The second part was released with the June 2012 magazine

HB

 Today in 2010 HB released the album The Jesus Metal Explosion

Forssa, Finland Symphonic Metal/Rock

Status:Split-up

Years active:2002-2016

HB is a Christian band from Forssa, Finland. Formed in 2002, they started playing rock but have since developed a more massive, heavy metal sound, with orchestral/symphonic backgrounds, and have always had a female lead vocalist. HB has grown to be one of the most popular Christian groups in Finland, and with their first English album Frozen Inside released in 2008, they've also had some attention from abroad.

Data Universum Oy

Tuomas Kannisto Bass

Antti Niskala Keyboards, Vocals, Lyrics, Strings arrangements (tracks 2, 5, 6)

Johanna Vocals

Samuel Drums

Bob Kanervo Guitars

Sofia Guitars

Guest/Session

Markus Malin Drums

Janne Karhunen Guitars

Minna Hyvärinen Piano (tracks 4, 7)

Mikko Sorri Piano (track 10)

Lasse Heikkilä String arrangements (tracks 3, 4, 8, 10)

Timo Oikkonen String arrangmenets (track 1)

Juhana Ritakorpi Strings, String arrangements (track 7)

Selina Mattila Unknown (track 4)

Ari Paloheimo Unknown (track 6)

Kaarle Mannila Choirs arrangements, Vocals (backing)

Sami Asp Vocals (backing) (tracks 1, 2, 5, 9)

Johanna Almark-Mannila Vocals (backing)

Matti Puttonen Vocals (backing)

Antti Pitkäjärvi Vocals (backing)

Johanna Boedecker Vocals (backing)

Tuomas Höglund Vocals (backing)

Maria Höglund Vocals (backing)

Kuhankeittäjät Vocals (choirs) (track 4)

Teemu Hämäläinen Strings

Ulla Eirola Strings

Mauri Kuokkanen Strings

John Emanuelsson Strings

Pekka Häkkinen Strings

Ulpu Rusi Strings

Outi Mäkinen Strings

Liisa Vollbehr Strings

Katrin Nachtigall Strings

Luis Perelló Strings

Anna Husgafvel Strings

1. The Jesus Metal Explosion 03:25   

2. Loaded 03:22  

3. It Is Time II 03:28    

4. Hands of Grace 04:22    

5. Nightmare 04:00  

6. Holy Bible 05:09   

7. Abandoned 04:24   

8. King's Design 04:35    

9. Joy upon the Lord 04:35   

10. The Lord of Lords 04:46  

  42:06  

English version of the album Piikki Lihassa.

Recording information:

Drums recorded at Petrax

Guitars recorded at Villvox

Strings recorded at Headline, Soundtrack, Volume

Vocals recorded at HooBee Oy, Fantom Studio, and Takajärvi-Soundworks

Vektor

 Today in 2009 Vektor released the album Black Future

Tempe, Arizona (early); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (later)

Progressive Thrash Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 2002-2004 (as Locrian), 2004-present

Thrash metal continues to thrive well into the new millennium, though thankfully Arizona's Vektor isn't going the stale retro route. The band self-released Demolition in 2006 and have since released a followup, Black Future, on the up-and-coming thrash label Heavy Artillery. Though the band now dismisses Demolition as little more than a demo and not a true representation of their sound, it does show quite a bit of promise and is not bad at all in its own right. Sure, it's a bit rough around the edges, and the production isn't what it should be, but their brand of progressive-laced Germanic thrash has something going for it. No doubt Black Future is the place to start when trying these guys out.

Heavy Artillery Records

David DiSanto Guitars, Vocals

Erik Nelson Guitars

Blake Anderson Drums

Frank Chin Bass

1. Black Future 05:03   

2. Oblivion 04:54   

3. Destroying the Cosmos 06:47   

4. Forests of Legend 10:16  

5. Hunger for Violence 05:30   

6. Deoxyribonucleic Acid 04:45   

7. Asteroid 06:49    

8. Dark Nebula 10:28   

9. Accelerating Universe 13:31   

  01:08:03

Edition with coloured Heavy Artilley, redcontacts on back cover, and "Builtbyicon" Matrix on disc.

Recording information:

Recorded at Villain Recordings in Phoenix, AZ. 

Helix

 Today in 2009 Helix released the album Vagabond Bones

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada Hard rock, heavy metal

Status:Active

Years active 1974–present

The Canadian heavy metal band Helix formed in 1974 in Kitchener, Ontario; comprising singer Brian Vollmer, guitarists Brent Doerner and Paul Hackman, bassist Keith Zurbrigg, and drummer Brian Doerner, the group debuted in 1979 with Breaking Loose. White Lace & Black Leather followed two years later, and was the first Helix release to feature new bassist Mike Uzilac and drummer Leo Nebudeck; with 1983's No Rest for the Wicked, the group signed to Capitol, substituting Nebudeck for another new drummer, Greg "Fritz" Hinz. Bassist Daryl Gray replaced Uzilac in time for the follow-up, Walkin' the Razor's Edge, which spawned the hit "Rock You"; 1985's Long Way to Heaven, meanwhile, topped the charts in Sweden. After touring in support of 1987's Wild in the Streets, Brent Doerner quit Helix, and the remaining quartet resurfaced with Back for Another Taste. In 1992, Hackman was killed when the group's van rolled down a 40-foot embankment after a concert in Vancouver; Helix forged on, however, with Brent Doerner returning to the lineup long enough to record 1993's It's a Business Doing Pleasure, which also featured guitarist Greg Frazer. In 1998, Helix -- now comprising Vollmer, Gray, Hinz, and guitarists Mark Chichkan and Gary Borden -- issued Half Alive. A collection of B Sides arrived in 2002, followed by the full-length Rockin' in My Outer Space in 2004. Power of Rock N Roll arrived in 2007.

Univerasal

Brian Vollmer - vocals

Sean Kelly - guitar, bass, background vocals

Brent "The Doctor" Doerner - guitar, background vocals

Steve Georgakopoulos - guitar

Brent "Ned" Niemi - drums

Rob MacEachern - drums

Greg "Fritz" Hinz - drums

Daryl Gray - bass, background vocals

Cheryl Lescom - vocals

All songs written by Brian Vollmer, Sean Kelly and Moe Berg except where noted.

The Animal Inside (Won’t Be Denied)

Go Hard or Go Home (Vollmer, Kelly)

Vagabond Bones

Monday Morning Meltdown

When the Bitter's Got the Better of You (Vollmer, Kelly)

Hung Over But Still Hanging In (duet with Russ Graham of Killer Dwarfs)

Best Mistake I Never Made (Vollmer, Kelly)

Make 'Em Dance (Vollmer, Gord Prior, Steve Georgakopoulos, Kelly)

Jack It Up (Vollmer, Kelly, McConnell)[7]

Unreleased tracks

It's a Long Way to the Top (AC/DC cover featuring Brent Doerner, Greg Hinz and Mike Uzelac)

Vagabond Bones is a studio album by heavy metal band Helix, released on November 17, 2009. It is Helix' 12th full-length studio album and 21st album released overall. It contains performances from members of the 1980s Helix lineup: Brian Vollmer, Brent Doerner, Daryl Gray and Greg Hinz, as well as former member and co-producer Sean Kelly. Kelly departed Helix during the production of Vagabond Bones, prompting the reunion of the 1980s band. Kelly remained on hand to finish the record before leaving to tour with Nelly Furtado.

During the early stages of recording, frontman Brian Vollmer reunited the surviving members of the No Rest for the Wicked lineup (Brent Doerner, Mike Uzelac, and Greg Hinz) to record a new version of the AC/DC classic "It's a Long Way to the Top", to be included as a bonus track. The track was dropped, and it appears unlikely that it will ever be released due to legal reasons. The CD was originally to be titled It’s Rock Science, NOT Rocket Science!, before being changed to Vagabond Bones after one of the songs on the album

Mechanical Poet

 Today in 2007 Mechanical Poet released the album Creepy Tales for Freaky Children

Moscow,Russia Orchestral Progressive Metal (early), Alternative Rock (later)

Status:On hold

Years active: 2002-2009

Mechanical Poet is an ambitious Russian band, formed around 2002. After the well-received Woodland Prattlers was released in 2004, the band broke up, citing artistic differences. Guitarist Lex Plotnikoff put together a new version of the band, with the first output being the interestingly-titled Creepy Tales For Freaky Children in early 2007. Creepy Tales mix hard rock, melodic progressive metal, and even a bit of goth rock, resulting in an accessible but not overtly poppy sound (save for "Once Upon A Day", where a lighter, poppier side of the band comes out). This seems to be a concept album of sorts, given the Tim Burton-esque artwork and the general soundtrack feel of the album as a whole. Apparently part of the story is continued in the band's next work, the even more adventurous Who Did It To Michelle Waters?. This is a pretty original band, and recommended to melodic prog metal fans in particular.

CD-Maximum

Vladimir Ermakoff Drums

Lex Plotnikoff Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Samples, Songwriting, Lyrics

Vladimir Nasonoff Vocals

1. Virus 04:01   

2. Fantasies 04:27   

3. Crawlers 04:47   

4. Rain 04:33  

5. Fremen 02:54   

6. Frontline 04:23   

7. Answers 04:14   

8. Ghouls 02:48   

9. God 04:19    

10. Cathedral 04:09    

11. Machines 04:06   

12. Witches 04:21  

13. Sands 04:14   

14. Stars 03:26   

  56:42

Deadlock

 Today in 2008 Deadlock released the album Manifesto

Schwarzenfeld, Bavaria,Germany Melodic Death Metal/Alternative/Groove Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1997-present

German straight-edge metallers Deadlock have gone for broke with Earth.Revolt, an ambitious concept album that brings together elements from several extreme metal genres. At their core they are a melodic death metal band, with one-dimensional metalcore-styled vocals (though a guest female vocalist breaks up the monotony in a few places), though at times they slide into black metal territory and also some gothic moments via some atmospheric keyboards. The result is less a blending of several styles and more a case of the band playing different styles as they see fit. The production and musicianship values are top-notch, and there's clearly an audience for this, but the overall package is lacking a bit in the originality department, particularly with the glut of metalcore/melodeath bands currently on the scene.

Lifeforce Records

Tobias "Tobi" Graf (R.I.P. 2014) Drums

Sebastian Reichl Guitars, Keyboards

Johannes Prem Vocals

Gert Rymen Guitars

Sabine Scherer Vocals (female), Keyboards

Thomas Huschka Bass

Guest/Session

Michael Popp Programming (Additional)

The Hitfarmers Mixing, Scratching

Warpath Vocals (track 5)

Sick Since Vocals (track 5)

Morten Løwe Sørensen Drums (10)

Michael Bernhard Gerber Saxophone (track 6)

Christian Älvestam Vocals (track 9)

1. The Moribund Choir vs. The Trumpets of Armageddon 01:10 instrumental

2. Martyr to Science 05:13

3. Slaughter's Palace 04:22

4. The Brave / Agony Applause 04:03

5. Deathrace 06:46

6. Fire at Will 04:53

7. Seal Slayer 05:39

8. Manifesto 02:24 instrumental

9. Dying Breed 05:38

10. Altruism 03:24

11. Temple of Love (The Sisters of Mercy cover) 03:07

46:39

Recorded at Slaughterhouse Studios by Sebastian Reichi.

Mixed and Mastered at Hansen Studios by Jacob Hansen.

Across Tundras

 Today in 2007 Across Tundras released the EP Full Moon Blizzard

Denver, Colorado (early) / Nashville, Tennessee (later) Progressive Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal/Rock

Status:Active

Years active: 2003-present

Inspired by progressive metal behemoths like Neurosis and Isis, Across Tundras formed in Denver, CO when vocalist/guitarist Tanner G. Olson (a former member of Sioux Falls, SD post-hardcore outfits Spirit of Versailles and Examination) joined forces with bassist Kyler Sturtz and drummer Heath Rave. Their first official release was 2005's Divides EP, which was shortly followed by 2006's Dark Songs of the Prairie album, released through Crucial Blast Records, and featuring epic semi-ambient compositions in the mold established by the band's heroes, only spiced with discreet traces of country music.

Crucial Blast

Tanner Olson Guitars, Vocals, Effects

Joshua Kauffman Drums

Adam Wheeler Bass

1. Razorewire Blues 04:16

2. Thunderclap Stomp 08:21

3. Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie 04:15

4. The Gallow's Pole 08:33

5. Phantom Ride 03:32

28:57

Sworn Enemy

 Today in 2007 Sworn Enemy released the album Maniacal

New York City, New York Hardcore (early), Crossover/Metalcore (later)

Status:Active

Years active:1997-1999 (as Mindset), 1999-present

Queens, NY, metal-hardcore hybrid group Sworn Enemy have been playing together since 1997. Vocalist Sal "Enemy" LoCoco, drummer Paulie Antignani, and guitarists Lorenzo Antonucci and Mike Raffello gigged often in the New York area, eventually attracting the attention of Hatebreed vocalist Jamie Jasta, who released the group's debut EP, Negative Outlook, on his Stillborn Records label in 2001. After adding bassist Mike Couls (formerly of Detroit's Cold as Life) the group continued its hard work ethic, clocking in over 100 shows in the second half of 2001. The popularity of their EP led to a major-label deal with Elektra and in 2003 their first full-length, As Real as It Gets, was released. Sworn Enemy then jumped back to the indies (Abacus to be exact) for the October 2005 release of The Beginning of the End. Soon after, the band underwent a drastic makeover, replacing their bassist, drummer, and guitarist Mike Rafello. The new lineup made for a more metal edged sound, akin to speed metal icons Exodus and Testament, and with a new blueprint set in place, the band made plans to record their sophomore album with I Lay Dying drummer Jordan Mancino filling in on the skins. Maniacal was released on February 12, 2008.

Century Media Records

Sal LoCoco Vocals

Jamin Hunt Guitars, Vocals (backing)

Lorenzo Antonucci Guitars, Bass

Guest/Session

Jordan Mancino Drums

Jason Suecof Guitars

Mike Raff Sr. Guitars

Jasun Krebs Guitars

1. Ignorance 02:43

2. Time to Rage 02:21

3. A Place of Solace 04:14

4. Weather the Storm 03:41

5. Destroyer 02:58

6. The American Way 03:17

7. Fear of Failure 03:19

8. No End to This Nightmare 03:18

9. Talk Is Cheap 02:59

10. Said and Done 05:24

34:14

One Man Army and the Undead Quartet

 Today in 2006 One Man Army and the Undead Quartet released the single Christmas for the Lobotomizer

Trollhättan,Sweden Death/Thrash Metal

Status:Split-up

Years active:2004-2012

This lengthy-titled band was one of several offshoots of The Crown, here featuring vocalist Johan Lindstrand. As heard on their debut album, 21st Century Killing Machine, their style wasn't a million miles away from The Crown, but nor was it a continuation of that band either. Rather, they played crunchy, modern thrash (inevitably bands in this style are compared to The Haunted, and One Man Army are in the same league), relentless and intense, with a spot-on production and venomous, convincing vocals from Lindstrand. After four albums, the band called it quits in late 2012, with Lindstrand back in his old, reformed band.

Nuclear Blast

Robert Axelsson Bass

Marek Dobrowolski Drums

Johan Lindstrand Vocals

Pekka Kiviaho Guitars (rhythm)

Mikael Lagerblad Guitars (lead)

1. Christmas for the Lobotomizer 04:08

2. Devil on the Red Carpet (live at Summer Breeze 2006) 05:48

3. Hell Is for Heroes (live at Summer Breeze 2006) 04:41

4. Bulldozer Frenzy (live at Summer Breeze 2006) 03:47

18:24

Limited to 500 copies, only available directly from Nuclear Blast.

Cruachan

 Today in 2006 Cruachan released the album The Morrigan's Call

Dublin,Ireland Celtic/Folk/Black Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1992-1997, 1999-present

Of the few bands that profess to be folk metal, Cruachan is arguably the folkiest -- many bands in this field are first and foremost metal bands with varying folk influences, but Cruachan almost does it the other way around, as their heavily Celtic folk aspect is as predominant as the metal aspect in their sound. The band has been active since 1992, when they formed as a result of the disbandment of another band (Minas Tirith), with many having come and gone over the early years. The folk sound can be startling upon first listen, especially if one is expecting a harder metal style, but Cruachan capture the Celtic ethos perfectly, and their blend of traditional melodies with metal is impressive and quite interesting.

AFM Records

Karen Gilligan Vocals

Keith Fay Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Banjo, Bodhrán, Percussion

John Clohessy Bass, Aldotrube

John Ryan Fiddle, Violin, Mandocello, Bowed bass, Banjo, Vocals (grunts, track 1)

Joe Farrell Drums, Percussion

Guest/Session

John O'Fathaigh Irish flute, Tin whistle, Low whistle, Recorder

Aine O'Dwyer Irish harp

1. Shelob 03:05

2. The Brown Bull of Cooley 05:26

3. Coffin Ships 01:50 instrumental

4. The Great Hunger 06:10

5. The Old Woman in the Woods 01:52

6. Ungoliant 03:56

7. The Morrigan's Call 01:52

8. Téir Abhaile Riú 04:16

9. Wolfe Tone 02:58

10. The Very Wild Rover 04:04

11. Cuchulainn 06:24

12. Diarmuid and Grainne 05:15

47:08

"The Very Wild Rover" is an adaptation of the well-known folk song "The Wild Rover".

"The Old Woman in the Woods" is an adaptation of the nursery rhyme "The River Saile".

Recording information:

Recorded and produced at Sun Studios in Dublin, during January and February 2006.

Mixed by Gail Liebling and Cruachan.