Manny's top 25 overlooked metal/hard rock CDS

Here is my top 25 lists of overlooked albums from major bands and why I think they are worthy of your attention, I hope this inspires you pull these CDs out of your archieves:

1)

Why this AC/DC album is not more acclaimed is a mystery to me, Brian Johnson sings his ass off and Angus and boys show their Delta blues influence on songs like Badlands and Nervous Shakedown. Produced by the band themselves it goes for a rawer sound then previous Mutt Lange productions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9I3_1qMJG0

2)

After spending the previous three years prior to this release, putting out music influenced by new wave and Jack Daniels, Alice deceided it was time to re visit darker lyrical themes. Reuniting with producer Bob Ezrin and guitartist and co writer Dick Wagner, Alice creates this dark masterpiece of da daism. The music is not a return to his metal roots and certainly isn't new wave inspired sounds of his previous album. It is Alice working his way out of the darkness, neither Alice nor Warner Bros bothered promoting this album and it sunk without a trace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y2WQtcGoAc

3)

This is a Roger Waters solo album in but name only. This album picks up where the Wall left off, exploring some of the same themes and issues. It is also Roger Waters most personal album, an album that deals with his father's death in World War II, broken dreams, political protesting and evenin one song his experinces in dealing with Hollywood while making the film the Wall. This album served as Roger Waters swan song and was Pink Floyd's worst selling album at that point barely crawling to gold.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnnA_HJ_i30

4)

After flirting with disco and pop structures, and even diving into the world of concept albums, KI$$ were ready to reclaim their American heavy metal throne. This album kicks ass from beginning to end and even the sappy ballad they managed to sneak in, isn't half bad. From the first note to the last this was KI$$ announcing that if you wanted the best, you would still get the best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VKcJpgAt70

5)

When pinhead critics want to cite an example of Aerosmith's decline they always point at this album as exhibit A. Well f@$k them!! This album kicks ass it's drug drenched glory. Jimmy Crespo may not be Joe Perry but what he does is provide a boot in everyone's ass, from riff monster " Jailbait' to the title track, Jimmy Crespo is giving it his all. Steven Tyler's lyrics are pre Betty Ford mess we love and expected, how else can you explain the lyrical brillance of "Bolivian Ragamuffin".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dys_oTeguVw

6)

Ian Gillan out, Joe Lynn Turner in. Deep Purple's most commerical album ever in small part due to the addition of Joe Lynn Turner who brings gloss, spit and shine in order to try to halt a commerical decline. Sure it sounds more like later day Rainbow than Deep Purple, but who can deny the power of " Cut Runs Deep" or "Fire in The Basement" which marries Deep Purple's classic sound with a more commerical pop direction. This would be Deep Purple's last commerically successful album in the States.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSl_e1uKDns

7)

Ian Gillan returns and it is the beginning of the end of the Classic mark II line up. Abandoning the pop pretense of the previous Joe Lynn Turner incarnation, they go for the throat. Ian Gillan best vocal performance in years, while Ritchie Blackmore making sure his guitar is front and center, a return to form which was under promoted and failed to catch fire. What a shame.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cByP999tEXU


This was the final album from Soundgarden before the band quietly called it a day. The mood of this album is dark and almost oppressive. After two classic albums this is the forgotten album in the discography, an album that not cater to trends, career tractory or expections.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDRZtMkeRbY

9)

This album while success, it has since been ignored due to the previous albums being the iconic 'Who's Next" and "Quadrophenia". Also this album is the mellowest of the original line up with more introspective songs from the pen of Pete Townshend. This was the Who's version of 'Led Zeppelin III'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VKiquXkKYU

10)

Megadeth's 3rd album features Jeff Young who's only sin had commited his he had to follow Chris Poland and was in the band prior to Marty Friedman. Jeff Young provided that he could keep with the main man Dave Mustain riff to riff, and was able to add his stamp on this classic before being shown the door.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmQUIXeK5L0&feature=related

11)

On paper this line up of Brian "Robbo" Robertson and Motorhead sounds like a disaster but on vinyl, this album was powerful combo of heavy metal Motorhead style with Robbo's more bluesy journeyman style. ' marching off to war' " Rock it" surround no quarter, sadly this line up lasted only one album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9Qr8G0Lrvs

12)

I could easily choosen ' Born Again", "Seventh Star" or any other Tony Martin led Black Sabbath line up, but I choose this one because it is a favorite, and it features an inspired Tony Iommi writing some of his best riffs that should be heard by more Sabbath fans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-KjXMEIXkM

13)

Great album, nuff said
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcbqN-C3N1A

14)

This album was suppose to be The Doors answer to Sgt Peppers. It didn't really turn out that way. Due to Jim Morrison not liking one of the lyrics that Robby Krieger wrote, this is the one and only album that the credits for the songwriting are credited indiviually and not as the Doors. This album was filled with brass and horns but live they stripped to the bare bones, good Doors album showing their not afaird to take a musical leap of faith.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlVCVtWE8K4

15)

Venom taking the goofiest concept in metal (satan) and have ran with it for 28 years, this is Venom's idea of a prog album, a concept album about, Satan, demons and some other crap. 20 plus minutes of Venom bliss,as for the rest of the album, who cares.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CWXxcz-tHE

16)

Over the years Terrible Ted experimented with his sound, using synths, flirted with hair metal, even co wrote a song with Bon Jovi. On this album he says the hell with that and returns to form. Easily the best album he had done in years and even recruits original vocalist Derek St. Holmes. It is nice to see Ted had not changed one iota, same old sh!tty attitude, it was nice to have him back. It even show Ted Nugent has a heart in his tribute to his mentor Fred Bear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V39poP1Hoc

17)

Most Def Leppard fans ignored this album, which is too bad, this featured some of the band's heaviest and strongest songwriting in years. Forget the hookey title track, songs like Gift of Flesh" show a band who can still deliever the goods. I linked a song from the wrong album, my apologies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3UW2fR4x1Q

18)

Incredible that 20 plus years into their career they can create an album that gives no quarter to age or prevailing trends, long live Overkill.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV6AIIyuWlw

19)

Iggy Pop returns with Steve Jones on guitar, while not exactly reviving the Stooges sound, it is a return of form of sorts. Three cords and the truth. Sounds raw and live, like Iggy should.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzO72k0hUXI

20)

This was Graham Bonnet first and only Rainbow album. Ritche Blackmore turning away from his goth Dio years turns to Graham Bonnet to give them a more commerical edge. Songs like 'All Night Long" while having the dumbest lyrics in rock history has more hooks than a tackling box. Not all is given to radio friendly fodder, evidenced in songs such as "Lost in Hollywood".


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvd8RR0wvNg&feature=related

21)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBWRELywD3w

22)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8OGdBt915s&feature=related

23)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMDn6V7ZLhE

24)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBI14Q1adR0

25)

Freddie Mercury's final album is a moving album filled with images and words of man summing up his life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osid-eb5g9U

Nice list. Totally agree on Alice Cooper and KISS.

Some that would be on mine:

Schbopo wrote:

Nice list. Totally agree on Alice Cooper and KISS.

Some that would be on mine:

Love this three albums, and all three deserved more attention than they received during their original release date, especially " King for a Day", a great great album.

I totally agree with most of your choices manny.

More about "Slaves and Masters" and "The Battle Rages On" from JLT. You'll enjoy this interview.



Joe Lynn Turner On "Slaves & Masters"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_eQMiVbv0w

Joe Lynn Turner On "The Cattle Grazes On" and More
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rcfdFntrKs

Deep Purple working with outside songwriters to try to repeat Aerosmith's success would not sit well with me, as matter a fact it sounds like a horrible idea, it is no mystery why he was shown the door if this was one of things he was pushing Jon Lord and the rest of Purple to do.

Not only that why would Joe Lynn Turner and Ritchie Blackmore need outside songwriters help, they seem to write commerical ready songs without out the need of anyone's help.

Deep Purple could never do the Aerosmith thing in America because they were never that big in the States in the first place. Aerosmith was pretty huge in the 70's as far as I know. It was easy for them to regain those old fans and get new ones in the late 80's.

As for JLT, I love the man's voice, but in that interview he sounds a little delusional.

True, Deep Purple were huge in the early 70's but not on Aerosmith's level, and unlike Aerosmith Deep Purple never had an hit singles, so I agree Deep Purple could have recorded "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" ( the horror) and it would have sold maybe only a fraction of what Aerosmith's version did.

Joe Lynn Turner excellent vocalist but like Aerosmith said "Get A Grip"

Good choices, mind if I take a turn?

Nice job, Manny. I may not agree or know some of those choices, but you've obviously put some thought and effort into this.

As for Aerosmith, the timing was just right for those guys. The hair band/sleazy metal was making it's mark and it was the perfect opportunity for a band like Aerosmith, who did the "sleazy metal thing" back in the 70's, to come back and "show these kids how it's done."

DeathCult wrote:

Good choices, mind if I take a turn?

please do, I would interested in what your choices would be.

Schbopo wrote:

Some that would be on mine:

I really hate this album except two of the songs. It pisses me off they even call this a TS album. Beau Hill needs to be shot for this huge misstep.

Schbopo wrote:

Their best effort if you ask me. Definitely in my top 20 of all time.

I recently picked up Love Is For Suckers to fill out my TS collection. I've never heard it before, but I'd agree that there was just something missing here. First impressions are that the songs are very repetitive. For the most part, they seem to have found a format and stuck with it for every track. The beats/tempo sound the same, the group choruses, Dee repeating the same lines over and over. Not one of their better moments. I can see this one just being a space-filler, dust-collector in my TS discography.

I actually like that Twisted Sister album and I felt it was huge improvement over 'Come Out and Play" but it is more of Dee Snider solo album than a Twisted Sister album, and it looks like Reb Beach played on a few tracks but I am not sure which ones.

Good album but not great, lyrically it was a different from the other Twisted Sister albums, with Dee Snider writing sex songs for the first time and has far as I can remember last time.

Reb Beach played most of the album. Jay Jay French isn't even on the album. I wish I could find that article where Jay Jay spills the beans about this album. Beau Hill really manufactured that record.

Jay Jay French isn't even on the album!!!!!!! I remember buying this album when it was first released and being really disappointed, I listened to it again recently and enjoyed it.

Of course it is the only Twisted Sister album I have not bothered upgrading to CD. It is a good album but like Metalguy stated it is missing something, not sure what since I do like it.

manny wrote:

Jay Jay French isn't even on the album!!!!!!! I remember buying this album when it was first released and being really disappointed, I listened to it again recently and enjoyed it.

Of course it is the only Twisted Sister album I have not bothered upgrading to CD. It is a good album but like Metalguy stated it is missing something, not sure what since I do like it.

I read an article about 2 or three years ago with Jay Jay French just ripping that album apart and stating that he didn't play on it. I would love to find that article. I'm looking for it now.

Finally! I found it!

http://www.nic.fi/~rheikkil/suckview.htm

spectrefate wrote:

Reb Beach played most of the album. Jay Jay French isn't even on the album. I wish I could find that article where Jay Jay spills the beans about this album. Beau Hill really manufactured that record.

Reb Beach of Winger? Wow. I had no idea. Did Jay Jay leave the band at that point? Did the record company pull an "Ace" and claim he was still with the band, while having someone else play his parts? I'm not up on my TS History. I know they had early line-ups before Dee came aboard, but I thought the "classic" line-up played on all the studio albums.

Not to completely derail this thread, but as I understand it, Jay Jay and Eddie played a few parts on the LIFS album because Beau Hill didn't like the way the band sounded on the material. The drums were electronic drums which sound like crap and were played by Joey Franco, not A.J. Pero.

http://www.daveling.co.uk/doctwisted.htm wrote:

but by the time of their studio swansong, ‘Love Is For Suckers’
in 1987, Twisted Sister were on their knees. Sales were dwindling
and Pero had been replaced by Joey ‘Seven’ Franco,
while the credit for future Winger man Reb Beach (officially
for “additional guitars”) failed to disguise their
internal conflict. Dee believes Ojeda may even have been ejected
by that point. He also recalls an incident at an airport in
the group’s final days when fans pushed the rest of the
band out of the way to get to him.

“They didn’t know them, or care to know them,” says the singer regretfully. “The ‘Love Is For Suckers’ record was supposed to be a solo thing. I was shaken, trying to deal with the band’s failure. I was an idiot, I thought I could do it all myself.” “In his mind, Dee wanted a supergroup of Yngwie Malmsteens,” Jay Jay reflects. “He tried to fire me in the middle of the recording. He then got up and smashed the table during a discussion about the video for ‘Hot Love’. He said, ‘I fought for the power, I’ve got the power and I’m never gonna give it up’. Dee says he has no recollection of that, but it signalled the end for me. When it came to touring I was praying for ticket sales to bomb – and they did, everywhere. I was happy to see the smurfing thing die.”

That really sucks, I knew AJ Pero had left the band but even Eddie Ojeda is not even on the album, what a bunch of crap.

spectrefate wrote:

Finally! I found it!

[url=http://www.nic.fi/~rheikkil/suckview.htm

http://www.nic.fi/~rheikkil/suckview.htm[/quote[/url]]

Who is this Ronnie that they are talking about in the 2nd paragraph?

Quote :

Who is this Ronnie that they are talking about in the 2nd paragraph?

Ronni le Tekro, I believe.

I didn't know all that stuff about LOVE IS FOR SUCKERS either. I knew the band all but disowned the album after its release but never knew the gory details.

I saw Dee Snider's SMF's (his TS "cover band") in the mid '90s and he did play "Wake Up (The Sleeping Giant") off of that album, which had held up well (that's still my fave track from the album) ... Dee also made some comments about how the tour for that record was hell for them...he said something to the effect of "Great idea, record label! Take four guys who can't stand each other and stick'em on a bus together for six months!"

That makes sense that Jay Jay felt Dee wanted a band of Yngwie wanna be's, look at the line up for his Desperdo band,

Dee Snider-vocals
Bernie Torme-guitars
Clive Burr-drums and I have no idea who the bassplayer was, the album remained unreleased for years and of course Widowmaker had Al Piterlli on guitar, all better musicians than Twisted Sister, but missing the chemistry.

I think Marc Russell, who played bass for Widowmaker also, was the bassist in Desperado, but I could be wrong.

Widowmaker's BLOOD & BULLETS would be on my list of Overlooked Metal CDs now that I think about it. That was a great album. The second one (STAND BY FOR PAIN) was pretty lame though.