AC/DC

 Today in 1997 AC/DC released the Box Set Bonfire

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.

East West Records

Live from the Atlantic Studios

Recorded live on 7 December 1977 at the Atlantic Recording Studios, New York, New York.

All tracks written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Bon Scott.

No. Title Length

1. "Live Wire" (T.N.T.) 6:16

2. "Problem Child" (Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap) 4:40

3. "High Voltage" (T.N.T.) 5:57

4. "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be" (Let There Be Rock) 4:14

5. "Dog Eat Dog" (Let There Be Rock) 4:42

6. "The Jack" (T.N.T.) 8:37

7. "Whole Lotta Rosie" (Let There Be Rock) 5:11

8. "Rocker" (T.N.T.) 5:33

Let There Be Rock: The Movie - Live in Paris

Recorded live on 9 December 1979 at the Pavillon de Paris, Paris, France.

All tracks written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Bon Scott.

Disc 1

No. Title Length

1. "Live Wire" (T.N.T.) 8:04

2. "Shot Down in Flames" (Highway to Hell) 3:39

3. "Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be" (Let There Be Rock) 4:31

4. "Sin City" (Powerage) 5:25

5. "Walk All Over You" (Highway to Hell) 5:07

6. "Bad Boy Boogie" (Let There Be Rock) 13:21

Disc 2

No. Title Length

1. "The Jack" (T.N.T.) 6:05

2. "Highway to Hell" (Highway to Hell) 3:31

3. "Girls Got Rhythm" (Highway to Hell) 3:20

4. "High Voltage" (T.N.T.) 6:32

5. "Whole Lotta Rosie" (Let There Be Rock) 4:55

6. "Rocker" (T.N.T.) 10:45

7. "T.N.T." (T.N.T.) 4:14

8. "Let There Be Rock" (Let There Be Rock) 7:34

Volts

All tracks written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Bon Scott, except where noted.

No. Title Writer(s) Length

1. "Dirty Eyes" (First title and lyrics to riffs of "Whole Lotta Rosie") 3:21

2. "Touch Too Much" (Same title as the track on Highway to Hell, different lyrics and music) 6:34

3. "If You Want Blood (You've Got It)" (First recording) 4:28

4. "Back Seat Confidential" (First title and Lyrics to the riffs of "Beatin' Around the Bush") 5:24

5. "Get It Hot" (Same title as the track on Highway to Hell, different lyrics and music) 4:17

6. "Sin City" (Live 1978 from The Midnight Special) 4:58

7. "She's Got Balls" (Live 1977 from The Bondi Lifesaver, Sydney) 7:57

8. "School Days" (T.N.T., not otherwise released outside Australia) Chuck Berry 5:24

9. "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" (longer version from T.N.T.) 5:15

10. "Ride On" (Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, followed by brief interviews) 10:03

Back in Black

All tracks written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson.

No. Title Length

1. "Hells Bells" 5:13

2. "Shoot to Thrill" 5:18

3. "What Do You Do for Money Honey" 3:36

4. "Given the Dog a Bone" 3:32

5. "Let Me Put My Love Into You" 4:15

6. "Back in Black" 4:16

7. "You Shook Me All Night Long" 3:30

8. "Have a Drink on Me" 3:59

9. "Shake a Leg" 4:06

10. "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution" 4:16

Bonfire is a five-disc box set by Australian band AC/DC, released in 1997, and remastered with a release in Digipak format in 2003. It was created as a tribute to the band's earlier singer Bon Scott and included the two disc soundtrack to the movie Let There Be Rock, some early unreleased tracks, a live recording from the Atlantic Records studio in New York and a remastered version of Back in Black.

The album was originally released in 1997 with the CDs all packaged individually in jewel cases, complete with full artwork. The original issue also features a poster, a backstage pass, keyring and a few other extras depending on the region. When the album was reissued in 2003 it was packaged in a large digipak, similar to a longbox, which featured either four- or five-disc trays. The four-tray versions contained the remastered Back in Black in its own case with booklet. All versions of the box feature a large book full of liner notes and rare pictures of the band, mostly from before Scott's death.

The boxset was the subject of a bit of derision from AC/DC fans for its limited content - two live albums (one previously released) and a select few rarities, as well as the Scott-inspired Back in Black, which of course does not feature Scott on vocals. AC/DC defended the release, stating that there was very little recorded by Scott that wasn't released.

Soundgarden

 Today in 1996 Soundgarden released the single Blow Up the Outside World

Seattle, Washington Stoner/Heavy Metal/Grunge Rock

Status:Split Up

Years active: 1984-1997, 2010-2017

As one of the first bands to record for the legendary Sub Pop record label, Soundgarden is generally regarded as one of the founding fathers of grunge, even though much of their work was of a far more rock/metallic nature than the likes of Pearl Jam or a Mudhoney, or even Nirvana. From a metallic standpoint, their peak was 1991's Badmotorfinger, with the later albums such as Superunknown (featuring their biggest hit single, "Black Hole Sun") showing a more alternative side to the band. The band parted ways amicably in April of 1997 to pursue other interests, with vocalist Chris Cornell hooked up with several guys from Rage Against The Machine to form Audioslave, and later continued pursuing a solo career. Finally, the inevitable reformation of the band took place in 2010, and two years later the King Animal album was released. They continued to tour and were rumored to be working on new material when Cornell sadly passed away while on tour in May 2017, presumably putting an end to a standout career.

A&M Records

Chris Cornell (R.I.P. 2017) Vocals, Guitars

Kim Thayil Guitars

Ben Shepherd Bass

Matt Cameron Drums

Side A

1. Blow Up the Outside World 05:46

Side B

2. Dusty (Moby mix) 04:34

10:20

Australian version track list:

01 - Blow Up the Outside World

02 - Gun (live)

03 - Get on the Snake (live)

04 - A Splice of Space Jam

Skew Siskin

 Today in 1996 Skew Siskin released the album Voices from the War

Berlin, Germany Hard Rock

Status:Active

Years active: 1990-Present

Fronted by charismatic female singer Nina Alice, Skew Siskin is first and foremost a heavy rock'n'roll band, with AC/DC being the plainest and most obvious influence. At their heaviest one can hear traces of Motorhead (Lemmy is apparently a big fan of the group). Their debut album scored a minor hit in America with "If The Walls Could Talk", which got some decent MTV play at the time. Skew Siskin clearly isn't about innovation, but for AC/DC-styled hard rock, they fit the bill perfectly. They haven't recorded since 2007 but are still active and touring.

Monongo

Nina C. Alice Vocals

Jim Voxx Guitars

Jogy Rautenberg bass

Drums ?

I Can't Take It With You

Fuck You

Dead One

B4

Shadows Of War

Genocide

Who Cares

Pussy Game

I Don't Care

Purgatory

 Today in 1996 Purgatory released there debut album Damage Done by Worms

Nossen, Saxony, Germany Death Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1993-Present

PURGATORY officially started in the beginning of 1993 as the continuation of the two bands MUSICAL MASSACRE and PROCESSION. The founding members Uwe (bass) and René (guit./ voc.) came from MUSICAL MASSACRE and PROCESSION contributed Lutz (drums) for the new band. At that time PURGATORY was only a project with insignificant attention, but when MUSICAL MASSACRE and PROCESSION split up, PURGATORY became serious.

In October 1993 PURGATORY recorded their first demo tape, which was a live recording called "Live...Perversion". A half year later the band released their first single: The debut 7" Ep "Psychopathia Sexualis", which was released by PERVERTED TASTE RECORDS in March 1994.

In August 1994 Sick from DARK DECADE became the new vocalist. The following 7" Ep was recorded with him. It was called "Sadistic Spell" where PURGATORY refined their style and improved their sound and was also released by PERVERTED TASTE REC.

Their first CD "Damage Done By Worms" was finally released in October 1996. The next climax was the first tour with VADER, which was bigger than the others, but short time later Uwe left the band. Usche, who played guitar in the already mentioned death metal band DARK DECADE, was recruited to be the new bassist.

In the beginning of 1997 PURGATORY released a split Ep with the band SEIRIM. Their second full time CD "Bestial" followed shortly after that, which was promoted on tour with IMPENDING DOOM and COERCION and later with VADER.

1999 there was another change on the bass: Torsten came from APROSOPY and adapted at once in the preparations for the impending CD which was recorded in May 2000. This trendless, brutal and fast album was unleashed in September 2000. It was called "Blessed With Flames Of Hate" and was also a PERVERTED TASTE REC. release. A lot of gigs and tours followed with SEIRIM, AMON AMARTH, VADER, PENTACLE, CENTURIAN and a lot more.

Perverted Taste Records

Lutz Drums

René Guitars, Vocals

Sick Vocals

Uwe Bass

Guest/Session

Janett Vocals (female)

Jens Eisbein Keyboards

1. Orgy of Sickening Dreams 04:59

2. Deep Under the Light 03:48

3. Sodomizing Time 04:36

4. Robes of Skin 04:52

5. Psychopathia Sexualis Pt. II 02:33

6. Necrocannibalistical Insanity 04:37

7. Brood of Incest 04:11

8. Irresolute Subjection 04:48

9. The Final Breath 05:02

10. Frozen Braincells 03:41

11. Paroxysm of Mortal Lust 04:46

12. Sadistic Spell 03:44

13. Necromanical Necropsy 03:35

55:12

CD bonus tracks (10-13) from Sadistic Spell (EP, 1995))

Recording information:

Songs 1–9 were recorded, mixed and mastered in March / April 1996 at Brückenhaus Audio Productions Dresden.

Songs 10-13 were recorded and mixed in October 1994 and re-mastered in April 1996 at Brückenhaus Audio Productions Dresden.

Engineered and produced by Jens Eisbein, Michael Heidrich and Purgatory.

All music and lyrics by Purgatory.

Additional female vocals by Janett.

All Keyboards by Jens Eisbein.

Cover artwork by Silvia Rumberger.

Layout by Maja/ Invasion.

Band photography by Bert Arnold.

Def Leppard

 Today in 1996 Def Leppard released the single Breathe a Sigh

Sheffield, Yorkshire, England NWOBHM (early), Hard Rock (later)

Status:Active

Years active:1977 (as Atomic Mass), 1977-present

In 1980, just before the impact of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) was truly felt, an unknown band by the name of Def Leppard released its debut album. On Through The Night has an accessible, undeniably British sound, yet was still had a rough metal style, unlike most of their future works, with tracks such as "Rock Brigade" and "Rocks Off" getting some good radio play. It's truly a great album, and is recommended even to those who aren't fans of the later DL albums. By the time of their next album, High And Dry, they had shifted producers and started developing the commercialized, pop-metal sound that would become their trademark for years to come. The rest of the eighties was owned by Def Leppard, with albums such as Pyromania and Hysteria proving massively successful while at the same time drawing the ire from "real" metal fans who found their work far too polished and poppy. Though they have had more of their share of ups and downs (drummer Rick Allen losing his arm in a car accident, the loss of Steve Clark), they have stayed the course, continuing to tour and release albums with that classic DL sound (1996's Slang an exception to this, an attempt to toughen and broaden their sound that wasn't well received).

Bludgeon Riffola

Rick "Sav" Savage Bass

Joe Elliott Vocals

Rick Allen Drums

Phil Collen Guitars

Vivian Campbell Guitars

1. Breathe a Sigh 04:06   

2. Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop) (live) 03:08   

3. Deliver Me (live) 02:47   

4. Slang (live) 02:26    

  12:27

Tracks 2 & 3: recorded on August 31st, 1996 at The Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountainview, CA.

Track 4: recorded on September 15, 1996 at The Molson Centre, Montreal, CAN.

Anthrax

 Today in 1995 Anthrax released the single High Octane

Yonkers, New York Speed/Thrash, Groove Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1981-present

As one of the so-called Big Four of 80's thrash metal (alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth), Anthrax enjoyed massive success in the 80's and still command a strong presence to this day. The group debuted with the raw, Metallica-ish Fistful Of Metal (the two bands being early signings to the Megaforce label), but it was the arrival of distinctive vocalist Joey Belladonna that coincided with the band taking off, with albums such as Spreading The Disease and Among The Living being bonafide thrash classics. By the end of the decade, however, relations between Belladonna and the others soured, resulting in his less-than-amicable departure. With new vocalist John Bush from Armored Saint in tow, Anthrax embarked on the second phase of their career. Despite good albums and Bush's unquestionable talent, Anthrax's popularity waned somewhat during the nineties, the band still holding on to their large fan base but not at the metal forefront as in years past.

The new millennium has seen the trials and tribulations of Anthrax reach almost soap-opera proportions. A reunion with Belladonna and old guitarist Dan Spitz led to a rejuvenated band and tour, and all seemed right with the world. But of course it couldn't last, and so out went Belladonna and Spitz, replaced by the unknown Dan Nelson and erstwhile guitarist Rob Caggiano. More drama ensued when Nelson was unceremoniously dumped from the band on the eve of a major tour, delaying the release of their already-recorded new album. And didn't we all see this coming? Joey Belladonna is back in the band as of May 2010, set to re-record vocals for the new album as well as tour. That new album, Worship Music, was released a year later.

Elektra Records

Scott Ian Guitars (rhythm)

Charlie Benante Drums, Percussion

Frank Bello Bass

John Bush Vocals

Guest/Session

Paul Crook Guitars (lead)

Dimebag Darrell (R.I.P. 2004) Guitars (lead) (track 3)

1. Random Acts of Senseless Violence 04:03

2. Fueled 04:02

3. King Size 03:58

12:03

Acheron

 Today in 1992 Acheron released then single Alla Xul

Tampa, Florida (early), Columbus, Ohio (now)Death/Black Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1988-2010, 2010-present

Acheron have been an cult band for several years, releasing albums on a several underground labels and having featured a variety of well-known death metal musicians over time as their lineup has frequently changed surrounding founder Vincent Crowley. Based on the one album reviewed here (1998's Those Who Have Risen), the basics of Acheron might be described as mid-paced Satanic death metal, with heavy, down-tuned, Celtic Frost-style guitar riffs and atmospheric keyboards that give the tunes a haunted feel. This is not a complicated band, there's little in the way of technical wizardry, but the songs are catchy in a dark kind of way, and to be honest this style really isn't all that common these days. They announced their breakup in April 2010, only to reform in December.

Gutted Records

Vincent Crowley Vocals, Bass, Lyrics

Tony Blakk Guitars (rhythm)

Vincent Breeding Guitars (lead)

Mike Browning Drums

Side A

1. Alla Xul 02:22

Side B

2. One with Darkness 03:16

05:38

7" EP pressed on blood-red vinyl. Limited to 1,000 copies.

Side A runs at 33⅓ RPM.

Side B runs at 45 RPM.

Recording information:

Recorded in November 1992, at Audio Lab Recording Studio in Tampa, FL, USA.