Children of Bodom

 Today in 1997 Children Of Bodom released the album Something Wild

Espoo,Finland Melodic Death/Power Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1993-1997 (as Inearthed), 1997-present

Named for an infamous murder case in their homeland (The Lake Bodom Murders), Children Of Bodom quickly became one of the top metal bands from Finland, with their potent and oft-imitated blend of progressive-laced speed/power metal with ferocious black vocals proving to be a hit with metal fans the world over, as evidenced by their Top Ten placings in the 2000's.

Spinefarm Records

Alexi Laiho – vocals, lead guitar

Alexander Kuoppala – rhythm guitar

Janne Wirman – keyboards

Henkka Seppälä – bass

Jaska Raatikainen – drums

1. Deadnight Warrior (3:21)

2. In the Shadows (6:01)

3. Red Light in My Eyes, Part 1 (4:28)

4. Red Light in My Eyes, Part 2 (3:50)

5. Lake Bodom (4:01)

6. The Nail (6:17)

7. Touch Like Angel of Death (7:46)

8. [silence] (0:10)

Total Time: 35:58

This album was recorded under the moniker 'IneartheD'. The band had to change its name to 'Children of Bodom' to get out of their rip-off record deal with a small Belgian label so Spinefarm could release 'Something Wild'.

Recorded and mixed at Astia Studio.

The first edition has different logo on the cover.

The only song on this CD that truly has lyrics is "Touch Like Angel of Death". The rest were all made up on the spot in Alexi's mind during the recording process.

Limited imports come as digipack with shaped CD, like the reaper's hand.

The intro of "Deadnight Warrior" is taken from the movie "It" and the intro speech for "The Nail" is taken from the movie "Ben-Hur". The opening riff for "Red Light in My Eyes, Part 2" is from Mozart's Symphony No. 25 and later there's a riff from his Requiem K.626: 'Confutatis'; the intro to Red Light in My Eyes, Part I is from Bach's Two Part Invention No. 13.

At the end of "Touch Like Angel of Death" there is silence, followed a hidden keyboard session (01:19) often refered to as 'Coda', played by Alexi and Alexander (both one hand of the keyboard). Originally, this melody is from Miami Vice. This instrumental is NOT 'Bruno The Pig' (read below).

The original version of the CD contains a hidden track "Bruno The Pig" after track 7 has ended (this means: after the hidden keyboard solo). 'Bruno The Pig' is nothing but an 8th track containing 10 seconds of silence.

The Spinefarm Digipack re-release has an early version of 'Children of Bodom' as a bonustrack. The track also appeared on the 'Children of Bodom' split.

8. Children of Bodom (Early Version) 5:10

The Japanese edition has a cover of Sepultura's "Mass Hypnosis" (04:03).

Nuclear Blast re-issues comes with metallic cover and two cover songs:

08. Silent Scream (Slayer) (3:17)

09. Don't Stop At The Top (Scorpions) (3:24).

The CD also has enhanced features for the computer like the "Deadnight Warrior" music video.

The Korean edition came with a bonus track from Tokyo Warhearts:

8. Deadnight Warrior (Live in Tokyo) 3:31

The 2008 re-issue comes with bonus tracks:

8. Children of Bodom (Original Single Version) (05:10)

9. Mass Hypnosis (Sepultura Cover) (4:04) *

* at the end of this bonus track is some silence followed by the hidden keyboard solo 'Coda' that was at the end of 'Touch Like Angel of Death' on the original editition of the album.

In the 2008 re-release there are some errors in the booklet.

Under the photo of Henkka Blacksmith, it reads Janne Wirman and under the photo of Jaska Raatikainen it reads Henkka Blacksmith. However the correct names correspond with the photos of Alexi Laiho, Janne Wirman and Alexander Kuoppala.

Something Wild is the debut album by Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodom, released in 1997.

The album presents a darker and generally more experimental sound than the one present in their later albums, and contributed most to the infamous genre controversy of their classification as a death metal or black metal band at the time. A fair helping of black metal was still present, due to Alexi Laiho's stint (as lead guitarist) in Impaled Nazarene and his self-professed "roots being in black metal".

In a recent interview Laiho claims that the band at the time were inspired by "a lot of black and death metal bands" such as Dissection and Hypocrisy as well as classic rock/metal bands like the Scorpions, and that many other new bands in the scene were "trying to sound like Dimmu Borgir", leading to them wanting to do something "different". Laiho had gone on to consider the album their "most important", as it "put us on the map".

The song-writing here is much more free-flowing and the use of keyboards and strong neo-classical metal influences are much more prevalent than they would be in future releases such as Hatebreeder or Follow the Reaper.

The "Deluxe Edition" was released much later in 2002 and includes bonus material.

25 Ta Life

 Today in 1995 25 Ta Life released the EP Keepin' it real

New York City,New York Hardcore punk, metallic hardcore

Status:Active

Years active 1991 – present

The band was started by Frank Smarra (bass) and Harry Minas (drums) in Astoria, Queens, N.Y., they were soon joined by Fred Mesk (guitar) and together wrote most of the material that would be on their early releases.

In early 1992, they recruited former Agnostic Front roadie Rick Healy (AKA Rick ta Life) who added the lyrics to all the songs. They adopted the name after it was suggested by Freddie Madball. Madball also helped the band by giving them guest appearances at the end of their sets. 25 ta Life played their first full show at Studio 1 in New Jersey on May 10, 1993 supporting Obituary. After a few failed attempts to add a second guitar player, Beto (formally of D'mize & Madball) joined the band in late 1993. In January 1994, Bassist and co-founding member Frank Smarra left the band due to family commitments and was replaced by Warren Lee. The band continued to play a large number of shows in the tri-state area and up and down the East Coast. In early 1996, 25 ta Life traveled to Europe, playing in Italy, Germany, Austria, Belgium and Poland for the first time. By late 1997, co-founding member Harry Minas left the band and was replaced by Seth Meyer from One4One.

25 ta Life opened for Agnostic Front's reunion show at the Wetlands in December 1996 and then played all of AF's East Coast dates along with Madball, Hatebreed and H2O in early 1997. They went to Japan in April 1997. Warren and Beto left in May 1997 after the West Coast tour. Mike from One4One joined on bass in June 1997 and they went to Europe in July 1997. They recorded Strength Through Unity in July 1997, writing half of it on the spot. Loyal to da Grave featuring Freddy from Madball and Lord Ezec from Crown of Thornz/Skarhead was written and recorded in less than an hour. Mike left in August 1997 and was replaced by Dave from Faction Zero. Later that month, they went to Puerto Rico and recorded two songs for the New York's Hardest 2 Compilation with Candiria and SFA. In October–November 1997, Biohazard took 25 ta Life on a short eight-show tour of the East Coast from Washington DC to Boston. Seth Meyer left the band in February 1998 and was replaced by Rob Pallotta. The band recorded its first full-length album "Friendship, Loyalty & Commitment" in 1999.

We Bite Records

Rick Healey vocals

Harry Minas drums

Warren Lee bass

Fed Mesk guitar

Beto lead guitar

1 Wise to da Game3:17

2 Separate Ways2:21

3 End the Hate3:12

4 Da Lowdown3:08

5 Short Fuse2:51

6 Keepin It Real3:56

Total length: 18:45

Vader

 Today in 1992 Vader released there debut album The Ultimate Incantation

Olsztyn,Poland Death/Thrash Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1983-present

One of the earliest death metal bands from behind the Iron Curtain, Vader was formed in 1986 and is still going strong today, making them unquestionably the most well-known Polish death metal band in existence. Their style is of the old school of brutal, heads-down death metal, with their albums being of a consistent style and quality. September 2004 sees the release of their newest album, The Beast.

Earache Records

Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek − rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass guitar,[lead vocals, lyrics

Krysztof "Doc" Raczkowski − drums(R.I.P. 2005)

Jacek "Jackie" Kalisz − bass guitar (credited, did not perform)

Jaroslaw "China" Labieniec − rhythm guitar, lead guitar (credited, did not perform)

1. Creation (Intro) (1:29)

2. Dark Age (4:40)

3. Vicious Circle (2:53)

4. The Crucified Ones (3:36)

5. The Final Massacre (4:54)

6. Testimony (4:00)

7. Reign - Carrion (6:48)

8. Chaos (4:27)

9. One Step to Salvation (3:48)

10. Demon's Wind (4:27)

11. Decapitated Saints (2:27)

12. Breath of Centuries (4:51)

Total Time: 48:24

Lyrics by Vader.

Music by Vader.

Originally recorded at the Sunlight Studio with Thomas Skogsberg, but neither the record label or Vader was pleased with the outcome (supposedly due to only a drum machine being available), so it was decided to try another studio.

The Ultimate Incantation is the debut album by Polish death metal band Vader. It was released in 1992 by Earache Records. A music video was shot for the song "Dark Age", which was directed by Kimmo Kuusniemi and Tanja Katinka. The cover art was drawn by Dan Seagrave. The album was originally recorded at Sunlight Studios with Thomas Skogsberg, but neither the record label or Vader was pleased with the outcome and decided to use another studio because of technical issues. The new studio that they recorded at was Rhythm Studios in England with producer Paul Johnson. Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek commented on Decibel magazine about recording album at Sunlight Studios, saying:

“[...]It was rather an opportunity to record our debut album at the famous Sunlight. We knew many fabulous LPs [had been] recorded in this studio, so the whole of Vader was more than happy. [...] There was no real acoustic drum kit in the studio. Not one of us was expecting or had worked before on such equipment. We had nothing to say, but had to keep recording on what we had available. We owned no professional equipment yet. [...] We had to use rented stuff and what was provided to play in the studio. My guitar was maybe good enough for live performances, but far from being studio-ready. Doc brought some cymbals and pedals and that was it. [...] All we had in-studio were electronic drum pads and a combo amp for guitar. Vader was all about blastbeats… and that electronic drum kit was not made for that"

Stigmata

 Today in 1990 Stigmata released there debut EP Strength in Hate

Troy, New York Hardcore Punk (early), Hardcore Punk/Metalcore/Groove Metal (later)

Status:On Hold

Years active: 1989-2016

New York metal unit Stigmata was formed in 1989 by singer Bob Riley, guitarist Mike Maney, and bassist Dan Walsh, all of whom previously teamed in the short-lived Cranial Abuse. Lineup changes regularly plagued the group during their formative years, and after the completion of their first two albums, The Calling of the Just and The Heart Grows Harder, second guitarist Jason Sunkes signed on in late 1992, with drummer Jason Bittner recruited in early 1994. Following the third Stigmata LP, Hymns for an Unknown God, Maney left the group, which continued on as a four-piece. Bassist Buddy Armstrong replaced Walsh for the Redemption Songs EP, and in 1997 Bittner went on a leave of absence to tour with Crisis. After a live album, Pain Has No Boundaries, both Maney and Bittner returned to Stigmata for 2000's Do Unto Others...

Cfy Records

Bob Riley Vocals

Jay Bourdeau Guitars

Mike Maney Guitars

Dan Walsh Bass

Pat O'Reilly Drums

Side A

1. Thawing

Side B

2. Fed Up

3. Trenchmouth

Recorded at The House of Faith, South Bay Area, Palo Alto, California.

Autumn's Ruin

 Today in 1990 Autumn's Ruin released there self titled debut EP

Akron, Ohio Heavy/Power Metal

Status:Split-up

Years active: ?-1990, 1990-? (as Winters Bane)

An Akron, Ohio based band who, after their 1990 breakup, would be reformed into Winters Bane. They recorded/released one cassette EP earlier in 1990. Their songs (besides the 4 on the tape) included "Corridor Of Bones", "Token (Of Misery)", "The Pale Moon", "Good Day Gone Bad", "The Drifter", "Twilight Eyes", "Who Knew?", "Torment & Agony", and several more. They changed bass players in May 1990, and by their September 22 1990 show at Flash's in Cleveland, Ohio they had written and completed all the songs listed above and numerous more. They are also thanked in the credits of several other Ohio area Demo-Bands such as Silent Knight, Ludaci, and a few others. In late 1990 they split up, with Lou St. Paul continuing the band with a new lineup as Winters Bane. Most of the original members would return to the band in the following years as Winters Bane, and some Autumn's Ruin material would be remade and appear on Winters Bane's "Season Of Brutality" promo cassette in 1995.

Independent

Jackie "Blade" Livengood Bass

Todd Bertolette Drums

John "Doomsday" Stevens Guitars

Lou St. Paul Guitars

Jeff Caudill Vocals

Side A

1. Widow Of The Web 04:21

2. Second To None 04:06

Side B

3. Dice (With Death) 04:25

4. Tower Of Pain 03:26

16:18

Recorded at Gattusos Studio, Akron Ohio. 1990.

Dokken

 Today in 1988 Dokken released the Live album Beast From The East

Los Angeles, California Heavy Metal, Hard Rock

Status:Active

Years active:1977-1989, 1993-present

At a time when the charts were ruled by pop-metal acts, Dokken was a major attraction throughout the 1980s. With vocalist Don Dokken's captivating stage presence and guitarist George Lynch's high-energy style, the band combined rockers such as "Kiss of Death" and power ballads such as "Alone Again" in order to create a number of best-selling albums.

Elektra Records

Don Dokken Vocals (lead)

George Lynch Guitars

Jeff Pilson Bass, Keyboards, Vocals

Mick Brown Drums, Vocals

1. Unchain the Night 05:38

2. Tooth and Nail 03:18

3. Dream Warriors 04:09

4. Kiss of Death 05:21

5. When Heaven Comes Down 03:44

6. Into the Fire 05:02

7. Mr. Scary 07:00 instrumental

8. Heaven Sent 05:12

9. It's Not Love 06:14

10. Alone Again 05:34

11. Just Got Lucky 05:02

12. Breaking the Chains 05:21

13. In My Dreams 05:02

14. Walk Away 04:30

01:11:07

Recorded live in Japan, 1988. Except track 14 is a studio recording.

The 2 LP US version as well as the Japanese version contains three bonus tracks: Standing in the Shadows, Sleepless Nights and Turn on the Action.

Official video: 'Walk Away'.

Also released on tape in 1988.

Death

 Today in 1988 Death released the album Leprosy

Altamonte Springs, Florida Death Metal (early), Death/Progressive Metal (later)

Status:Split-up

Years active: 1983-1984 (as Mantas), 1984-2001

One of the more storied bands in metal, the band known simply as Death is recognized as one of the most influential bands in the field of death metal. Their origins date back to 1983, with the first incarnation of the band, then known as Mantus, featuring guitarists Chuck Schuldiner and Rick Rozz along with drummer Kam Lee. Lee and Rozz would leave to form Massacre in 1985, though Rozz would return, along with other ex-Massacre members, in 1987. Schuldiner eventually moved to San Francisco and teamed up with drummer Chris Reifert (who would later form Autopsy) and it was this duo who recorded the legendary debut, Scream Bloody Gore. A raw, primitive affair, bearing quite a similarity to another death metal pioneer in Possessed, Gore created quite a buzz at the time, and the seeds of the infamous Floridian death metal scene had thus been planted. Schuldiner then moved back to Florida, hooked up with the aforementioned Massacre members, and two more landmark albums, Leprosy and Spiritual Healing, were released, with the band's popularity steadily increasing.

In 1991, Schuldiner decided to take the band to another level. With an all-new lineup, 1991's Human presented a different view of death metal, mixing advanced technical musicianship with brutal riffing. As influential as the early material was on early death metal bands, Human and the later Death albums have proven equally influential on a host of 90's technical death metal bands. Now with regularly shifting lineups, Death continued progressing in the technical death metal field until 1996, when Schuldiner decided on another change. Dissatisfied with his own vocals, and desiring a less death metal style, he disbanded the group and started the project later to be known as Control Denied. After some dabblings with that project, Schuldiner decided to record one more album as Death, that being The Sound Of Perseverance, after which he formally revived Control Denied.

In 1999 Chuck was diagnosed with a brainstem tumor, and he spent much of the next two years battling cancer. Though it was reported in 2001 that he might be improving, eventually the disease took over, and sadly he passed away on December 13, 2001. Almostly universally reported as a truly nice guy, he will be missed by all metal fans, but his legacy will live on.

Combat Records

Chuck Schuldiner(R.I.P. 2001) – Guitar, Bass (uncredited), Vocals

Rick Rozz – Guitar

Terry Butler – Bass (did not play on the album, but was credited for it)

Bill Andrews – Drums

1. Leprosy (6:20)

2. Born Dead (3:27)

3. Forgotten Past (4:36)

4. Left to Die (4:37)

5. Pull the Plug (4:26)

6. Open Casket (4:55)

7. Primitive Ways (4:33)

8. Choke on It (5:54)

Recorded at Morisound Recording, Tampa.

Mastered at Fullersound, Miami.

Trivia: Despite being both credited and pictured on this album, Chuck Schuldiner said that he handled the bass parts not Terry Butler, who only joined the band right after the recording sessions of "Leprosy" were completed. So, this means that "Spiritual Healing" was Butler's only proper recording with Death.

Re-issued by Century Media in 1998.

2008 Century Media Records digipack reissue bonus tracks:

9. Open Casket (Live) (4:49)

10. Choke on It (Live) (5:50)

11. Left to Die (Live) (4:35)

12. Pull the Plug (Live) (4:26)

13. Forgotten Past (Live) (4:33)

Re-issued in 2007 by Back on Black Records as gatefold LP.

Leprosy is the second album by death metal band Death, released in 1988. Notably different in tone and quality from the 1987 debut, it is the first example of Scott Burns' work heard on many of the death metal and grindcore albums of that era. The cover is featured in Metal: A Headbanger's Journey.

The title track "Leprosy" was covered by the blackened death metal band Akercocke on their 2007 album Antichrist. Dutch melodic death metal band Callenish Circle covered "Pull the Plug" as a bonus on their Flesh Power Dominion album. Finnish thrash metal band Mokoma covered the track "Open Casket", with lyrics in Finnish and titled "Avoin Hauta", on their EP Viides Vuodenaika. "Pull the Plug" was also covered by American band Revocation.

In a death metal special by the German "Rock Hard" Magazine, Leprosy was voted the no. 1 of the 25 most important death metal albums of all time.