Today in 1997 Orange Goblin released the album Nuclear Guru
London, England Stoner Metal
Status:Active
Years active:
1994-1995 (as Our Haunted Kingdom), 1995-present
Orange Goblin are the prototypical Rise Above Records band, as they mix elements of psychedelic stoner rock with Sabbathy doom, similar to labelmates Sheavy (or perhaps Manic Frustration-era Trouble). They keep motoring along, recently releasing their sixth album.
Man's Ruin Records
Martyn MillardBass
Chris TurnerDrums
Joe HoareGuitars
Ben WardVocals
Pete O'MalleyGuitars
Side A
1.Nuclear Guru06:46
Side B
2.Hand of Doom (Black Sabbath cover)09:36
16:22
Recorded 7 & 8 June at The Square Centre, Nottingham, England.
Today in 1997 On Thorns I Lay released the album Orama
Athens, Attica,Greece Death/Doom Metal (early), Gothic Metal (mid), Hard Rock (later)
Status:Active
Years active: 1992-1993 (as Paralysis), 1993-1995 (as Phlebotomy), 1995-present
Formed in 1992 as Phlebotomy, On Thorns I Lay has, over the course of their first six albums, drifted through various styles of atmospheric metal, with the early albums more traditional doomdeath-influenced and the later material more in the post-goth realm. The vocal styles have similarly varied, from mostly male death vocals up to Orama and female soprano vocals taking over as the major style on the later material, though founder/guitarist Stefanos still contributes vocals on the later albums. The band has a unique, somewhat relaxed style to their songwriting, based more on mood and effect rather than in-your-face riffing. Orama appears to be the majority choice for their best album, though the personal opinion here is that Crystal Tears is a shade better. They left their Greek homeland for Romania some time ago, but have since returned to Greece. After a 12-year absence from the recording scene, they put out Eternal Silence in 2015.
Holy Records
Stefanos Bass, Vocals
Christos Guitars
Roula Keyboards, Vocals (female)
Fotis Drums
Guest/Session
Thanazis Hatzaiagapis Guitars (lead)
Georgia Grammaticos Vocals
1. Atlantis I (6:15)
2. The Song of the Sea (1:39)
3. Oceans (6:34)
4. In Heaven's Island (4:24)
5. Atlantis II (7:06)
6. Atlantis III (2:36)
7. If I Could Fly (5:15)
8. Aura (5:42)
9. The Blue Dream (8:11)
Total Time: 47:45
"Written through the hot greek nights of summer '96. This is the reason that all lyrics speak about seas, oceans and of course lost islands like the dreamy Atlantis.
I hope that they can touch your soul as mine..."
Stefanos Kintzoglou
Layout by Holy Records.
Recording information:
Recorded at Passion Studios (Greece) in December '96 - April '97.
Mixed by George Gregos and On Thorns I Lay in May '97.
Los Angeles/San Francisco, California Thrash Metal, Modern Rock/Metal
Status:Active
Years active: 1981-present
Metallica must be considered one of the most well-known metal bands ever, with their work in the 80's in particular receiving accolades as amongst the finest metal works ever recorded. Formed in 1981 by the duo of James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, their youthful energy quickly gained them an incredible underground following, with their debut Kill 'Em All being one of the most anticipated underground releases of the era. And it did not disappoint -- arguably one of the first true thrash albums, it jumpstarted a thrash scene that would last for years to come. With each succeeding release their popularity grew, and with the release of 1986's Master Of Puppets (one of the most popular thrash albums of all time), it was clear that it would only be a matter of time before true worldwide fame would be theirs. They suffered a tremendous setback when bassist Cliff Burton was killed in a tour bus accident, but even that did not slow them down, as they recruited new bassist Jason Newsted and continued growing with 1988's ... And Justice For All.
The rise of Metallica to superstardom culminated in 1991 with the release of their self-titled album, also famously known as the Black Album. While the momentum of the past decade insured its success (and successful it was, reaching Number 1 and selling over seven million copies in the US alone), a chasm started to develop between the hardened early thrash fans and the mainstream audience that welcomed the "new" Metallica. This chasm was widened with 1996's Load, which saw the band further delving into mainstream hard rock and greatly lessening their thrash roots. Indeed, many early fans gave up on the band completely, but their mainstream popularity had risen to true superstar status by this time, and they are still regarded as one of the most popular metal bands of all time. After spending several years touring and recording miscellaneous projects such as the S&M band + orchestra collaboration, they released the somewhat controversial St. Anger in 2003, and later, in 2008, with new bassist Robert Trujillo solidly in place, came Death Magnetic, which appears to welcome at least a partial return to their thrashier roots. More recently they've recorded Lulu, a collaboration with Lou Reed (thus not really considered a Metallica album per se) that has drawn divided reviews at best.
Vertigo Records
James Hetfield – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar on "Carpe Diem Baby"
Kirk Hammett – lead and rhythm guitar
Lars Ulrich – drums, percussion
Jason Newsted – bass guitar
Additional musicians
Marianne Faithfull – additional vocals on "The Memory Remains"
Bernardo Bigalli – violin on "Low Man's Lyric"
David Miles – hurdy gurdy on "Low Man's Lyric"
Jim McGillveray – percussion
1. Fuel (4:29)
2. The Memory Remains (4:39)
3. Devil's Dance (5:18)
4. The Unforgiven II (6:35)
5. Better Than You (5:22)
6. Slither (5:13)
7. Carpe Diem Baby (6:12)
8. Bad Seed (4:05)
9. Where the Wild Things Are (6:54)
10. Prince Charming (6:05)
11. Low Man's Lyric (7:37)
12. Attitude (5:16)
13. Fixxxer (8:14)
A collection of songs that never made it onto "Load", almost more of a compilation album rather than a full-length.
Trivia: Metallica wanted to release "Load" as a double album but were forced to scrap that idea because of problems recording so many songs at one time. So as a result, only 14 songs made the final cut on "Load" while Metallica decided to save the rest for their next album, thus the birth of "ReLoad".
The cover of the album is original artwork depicting urine and blood. It is one of three photographic studies by Andres Serrano created in 1990 by mingling the artist's own urine and bovine blood between two sheets of plexiglass
ReLoad is the seventh studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on November 18, 1997 through Elektra Records. It is a sequel or counterpart to the band's previous album, Load, and also the final Metallica album of the 20th century. ReLoad debuted #1 on the Billboard 200, selling 417,000 copies in its first week. Only six of the thirteen songs have ever been played live. They include "Fuel", "The Memory Remains", "Devil's Dance", "The Unforgiven II", "Low Man's Lyric", and "Carpe Diem Baby". There are also occasional jam sessions of songs including "Bad Seed", "Better Than You" and "Fixxxer". ReLoad is currently certified triple platinum by the RIAA. It was the final Metallica studio album to feature bassist Jason Newsted, though it was not his last release with the band. ReLoad also marked the second and the last appearance of a new Metallica logo on an album, until the release of Garage Inc.
This was the second album to feature most, if not all, songs in E♭ tuning, with "Bad Seed" being played in D♭ tuning and "Devil's Dance" in D tuning. D tuning was earlier used for "Sad but True" on Metallica and later used for "Sabbra Cadabra" and Whiskey in the Jar" from Garage Inc.
Today in 1997 Manowar released the Live album Hell on Wheels
Auburn, New York Heavy/Power Metal
Status:Active
Years active: 1980-present
After almost thirty years in the business, Manowar continues to rally around their "Death To False Metal" battle cry. Though their over-the-top image and lyrics occasionally come across as slightly cheesy, their determination to stand by their beliefs is commendable, and the fact of the matter is that songs such as "Blood Of My Enemies", "Guyana", "Battle Hymns", and "Defender" rank as among the most brilliant, majestic metal songs ever recorded by any band. It's amazing that, after all this time, Manowar still has a sound that really isn't like anyone else, highlighted by Eric Adam's excellent vocals and a pounding rhythm section led by bassist (and chief songwriter) Joey DeMaio. While Manowar fanatics will doubtless argue that all of their albums are equally outstanding and brilliant, the opinion here is that their early work, particularly the first four albums, are far superior to their later albums, with the 1984 pair of Hail To England and Sign Of The Hammer being their best works. They've mainly stuck to releasing live albums and DVDs over the last decade, along with two studio albums in 2002 and 2007, and they're clearly still a major metal force in Europe.
Universal Music Group
- Eric Adams / Vocals
- Karl Logan / Guitar
- Joey DeMaio / Bass Guitar
- Scott Colombus (R.I.P. 2011)/ Drums
Disc 1
1. Manowar (5:25)
2. Kings of Metal (3:35)
3. Kill With Power (3:31)
4. Sign of the Hammer (4:53)
5. My Spirit Lives On (4:27)
6. Piano Interlude (1:31)
7. Courage (4:17)
8. Spirit Horse of the Cherokee (5:09)
9. Blood of My Enemies (4:24)
10. Hail and Kill (8:19)
11. Warriors of the World (3:01)
Total Time: 48:38
Disc 2
1. Wheels of Fire (4:36)
2. Metal Warriors (3:49)
3. Army of the Immortals (4:53)
4. Black Arrows (10:17)
5. Fighting the World (4:26)
6. Thor (The Powerhead) (5:09)
7. King (5:00)
8. The Gods Made Heavy Metal (5:34)
9. Black Wind, Fire and Steel (7:26)
10. Return of the Warlord (4:42)
11. Carry On (3:09)
12. Battle Hymn (12:40)
Total Time: 71:46
'Warriors of the world' is actually not a song, but a gathering of fan crowds shoutings
Hell on Wheels is the ninth album by heavy metal band Manowar and is also the band's first live album
Today in 1997 Lux Occulta released the album Dionysos
Dukla (early), Cracow (later),Poland Black Metal (early), Extreme Avant-garde Metal (later)
Status:Active
Years active: 1994-2002, 2011-present
Lux Occulta had a relatively short run in the late nineties, but remains the clear BNR favorite among Polish metal bands. Formed in late 1994, they reached their peak with 1999's My Guardian Anger, where they harnessed their highly original brand of frenzied, technical black metal, most notable for some brilliant keyboard and drum work. The followup, 2001's The Mother And The Enemy, went off the rails a bit, clearly showing a band in conflict, as the album featured several tracks in the mold of their previous works but also tracks that branched out in bizarre directions, such as the odd but ultra-cool Portishead-styled trip-hop of "Midnight Crisis" and "Yet Another Armageddon", and the industrial death march of "Gambit". To some these alternate tracks made no sense whatsoever, though to these ears they were a fresh addition and a great contrast to their more traditional works. Unfortunately it was this lack of direction that most likely led to the band's demise soon after Mother's release. As late as 2007 a revamped lineup was still in existence, but all was quiet until 2012, when formal work commenced on a new album, now set for a spring 2014 release.
Pagan Records
Jaroslaw "Jaro.Slav." Szubrycht: Vocals
Kastor: Guitar
Vogg (from Polish death metal band Decapitated): Guitar
U.Reck: Keyboards
Martin (also from Decapitated): Bass
Additional Musicians
Jackie: Bass
Kriss: Drums
Flute: Marcin Rumiñski
Female Vocals: Anna Wesolowska, Wizenna Nowotarska
1. The Birth of the Race (7:40)
2. Blessed Be the Rain (7:25)
3. Chalice of Lunar Blood (8:48)
4. Nocturnal Dithyramb (6:42)
5. Ecstasy and Terror (9:19)
6. Upwards to Conquer Heaven (6:51)
Total Time: 46:46
CD and tape format.
Re-released as Digi-CD in 2001 by Metal Mind Productions with "The Forgotten Arts" demo as a bonus.
Recording information:
Recorded during July 1997 at Selani Studio.
Dionysos is the second album by the Polish symphonic black metal band Lux Occulta (Latin for "Hidden Light"). The 2002 re-release of the album by Metal Mind includes the band's demo The Forgotten Arts, which can also be found on the band's Maior Arcana compilation, in its entirety as bonus material. Unlike the version on Maior Arcana, the version appended to this album retains the same running order as on the original release
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.
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.
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.
