RAVEN anniversary

August 1983: Raven - All for One - Neat Records

This is the third album by the New Wave of British Heavy Metal band RAVEN.

A reviewer named Danthrax_Nasty, writing on August 16th, 2005, on The Metal Archives wrote this review. I think the review does a good of explaining this album, so I am going to give you the entire review below. This is what Danthrax_Nasty writes:

Recorded in London in 1983, and produced by Udo Dirkschneider of Accept, this was a major record for Raven. They had previously with their first two albums, and touring, solidified a strong fan base (doing tours with bands like Girlschool, and gigs with bands like (then) "young metal attack Metallica") which formatively uped the stakes so to say, or better put, it gave the band the ego boost they needed to move into the sound they were slowly growing into, and a hope of really cashing in one day as far as sales are concerned.

I'd argue that this is a turning point for Raven. The first two albums were total NWOBHM, with out a doubt, but this album really shows what the band was going to be turning into on future albums like Stay Hard, and Life's A Bitch, a more progressed sound with a more mainstreamed feel, but it still does have those NWOBHM leanings in its sound at points. Good or bad, this is a turning point, and this album gave Raven the opportunity for a major record label release (well their legendary live shows had a bit to do with that also).

Musically the bands really tight, and totally doing what only they did. Non-stop catchy rythms coated in high end vocal wails, shreding leads, and solos, and an attitude thats undeneibly metal. There are alot of total old school heavy metal riffs on here, but in alot of ways at the base of their music, Raven has always been a progressive hard rock band on speed, and playing at 11. Also, there is no lack for talent on this record. All the musicians are fully competent, overly energetic, and highly creative. These guys put alot into these songs, and its apparent. You wont find an album quite like this.

The production values are limitless, this is classic heavy metal with a sound unique to its time. Everything, from the vocals, to the drums, to the guitars has been masterly produced to hold a sound that is extinct. I highly recomend this album to anyone interested in classic 80's metal.

RAVEN - Take Control

VANILLA FUDGE heavy metal history anniversary

August 1967: Vanilla Fudge - Vanilla Fudge

Vanilla Fudge is the self-titled debut album by the American psychedelic rock band Vanilla Fudge. Released in the summer of 1967, the record is made up almost entirely of slowed-down, heavy covers, along with three short original instrumental tracks. It turned out to be the band's biggest album, hitting number 6 on the Billboard charts and number 8 in Finland. Interestingly, parts of the original stereo release were actually mixed in mono, including their famous cover of "You Keep Me Hangin' On." An edited version of that track came out as a single and became a big hit, too.

Wikipedia observes:

AllMusic's Paul Collins retrospectively rated Vanilla Fudge four out of five stars some time in the 2000s. He stated that "nobody could accuse Vanilla Fudge of bad taste in their repertoire" and that most of the tracks "share a common structure of a disjointed warm-up jam, a Hammond-heavy dirge of harmonized vocals at the center, and a final flat-out jam." However, he also said that "each song still works as a time capsule of American psychedelia."

The staff of Classic Rock Magazine wrote in 2021: "Released a year before Led Zeppelin blasted into action, the Fudge are one of those crucial bands who mixed heavy blues, psychedelia and raucously progressive musicianship in a way that helped pioneer what we now regard as metal."

You Keep Me Hangin' On | Stereo Unedited Version | Vanilla Fudge

Vanilla Fudge - You Keep Me Hangin' On (1967)

Vanilla Fudge "Keep Me Hangin' On" on The Ed Sullivan Show

BLUE CHEER heavy metal history anniversary

August 1968: Blue Cheer - Outsideinside

In January 1968 American heavy metal pioneers Blue Cheer announced themselves with the massive heavines of their influential debut album Vincebus Eruptum. That same year they returned with this album that is generally less heavy, but it is still Blue Cheer heavy, though!

Outsideinside is the second album by American rock power trio Blue Cheer. Philips Records put it out in August 1968, just seven months after their huge debut, Vincebus Eruptum. The band recorded parts of the album outdoors and parts indoors, which is how it got its name. Every member wrote songs for the record, and they also threw in two heavy covers: "Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones and "The Hunter" by Albert King. The album hit number 90 on the Billboard charts. Their single "Just a Little Bit" also made the charts, peaking at number 92.

Leigh Stephens – guitar; backing vocals on "Feathers From Your Tree"

Dickie Peterson – bass, lead vocals; backing vocals on "Feathers From Your Tree", "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "The Hunter"

Paul Whaley – drums; backing vocals on "Feathers From Your Tree", "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "The Hunter"

Wikipedia observes: In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Mark Deming commented:

[Outsideinside] captures the psychedelic side of their musical personality with greater clarity than the blunt approach of the debut; Outsideinside doesn't sound trippy so much as righteously buzzed, and the speedy roar of this the music is big enough that the legend that parts of this were so loud they had to be recorded outside seems not just plausible, but perfectly reasonable.

In a review of the two-for-one reissue of the album (coupled with Vincebus Eruptum), Pitchfork's Alexander Lloyd Linhardt noted, "Outsideinside converts their [Blue Cheer's] stylistic enthusiasm and leathery attitude into structured song. If it doesn't sound as influential as Vincebus's cataclysmic insanity, it's because it defines 'classic' rock."

Canadian journalist Martin Popoff praised the album where the band "pre-dispose of Purple, thwack the face of Hendrix, and generally pound psychedelia into the dirt" and concluded that "by most definitions this ain't heavy metal, but by most measures Blue Cheer stomp over Zep I and II".

1. "Feathers from Your Tree" 3:29

2. "Sun Cycle" 4:12

3. "Just a Little Bit" 3:24

4. "Gypsy Ball" 2:57

5. "Come and Get It" 3:13

6. "Satisfaction" Jagger/Richards 5:07

7. "The Hunter" 4:22

3. "Magnolia Caboose Babyfinger" 1:38

4. "Babylon" Peterson 4:22

Total length: 32:44

BLUE CHEER - Just A Little Bit

Dioghaltas black metal anniversary

August 13, 2020: Dioghaltas - Decomposition

Dioghaltas was active from 2019 until 2022, according to The Metal Archives. On Bandcamp it says: Washington State Black Metal formed 2019. Members: RW - Guitars; TS - Guitars; JK - Vocals; Et Vilia - Drums. On The Metal Archives there is only one release listed, and it is this EP. It sounded good in 2020, and it still sounds good to me.

Decomposition by Dioghaltas

IRON BUTTERFLY anniversary

August 13, 1970: Iron Butterfly - Metamorphosis album

Wikipedia observes: Metamorphosis is the fourth studio album by Iron Butterfly, released on August 13, 1970. It reached number 16 on the US charts and number 31 in Canada. Mike Pinera and Larry "El Rhino" Reinhardt joined Iron Butterfly for this album in early 1970. It was the last studio album to feature original organist and vocalist Doug Ingle. The album was recorded at American Recording studio and produced by Richard Podolor, engineered by Bill Cooper. The single "Easy Rider" reached number 66 on the Billboard chart and number 48 in Canada, making it the band's biggest hit aside from "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida". The album is noted for having one of the earliest uses of the talk box on a rock album, which Pinera used on "Butterfly Bleu."

1. "Free Flight" 0:49

2. "New Day" 3:21

3. "Shady Lady" 3:58

4. "Best Years of Our Life" 4:00

5. "Slower Than Guns" 3:50

6. "Stone Believer" 4:26

7. "Soldier in Our Town" 3:22

8. "Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way)" 3:07

9. "Butterfly Bleu" 13:57

Ron Bushy – drums

Lee Dorman – bass guitar

Doug Ingle – organ, vocals

Mike Pinera – guitar, vocals

Larry Reinhardt – guitar

After guitarist Erik Braunn left, the two new guitarists, Mike Pinera and Larry Reinhardt, gave the band the sound of psychedelic hard-rock grooves and bluesy jamming. Songs like "New Day" and "Easy Rider" show heavy riffs, while "Stone Believer" digs into deep, fuzzy blues-rock. The 14-minute closer "Butterfly Bleu" goes into psychedelic space-rock territory, and according to some people, it has some of the earliest, wildest uses of a talk box on a rock album. In my opinion, it's a diverse album that seems to have room for everyone in the band to shine. It's an adventurous work with various phases, from proto-metal to experimental, but overall it is not super chaotic or nonsensical. The band sounds great! I do not know the story behind the recording of the album, but looking back decades later, you can hear all the instruments clearly. You don't get the feeling that anyone is trying to drown anyone else out—like keeping the bass guitar silent or the keyboards hidden—and the drums sound great, too. Expect a bit of everything from late 1960s heavy rock, done with a big American flair.

Iron Butterfly - Easy Rider (Let the Wind Pay the Way)

Elgibbor abrasive lo-fi black metal anniversary

The original release date was April 15th, 2016, and later on in the year these two other versions were made available. The band's leader "Fire," according to The Metal Archives, used to be a satanist, but then became a Christian. Elgibbor is from Poland or at least began there in 1999 and is still active, now, apparently in the USA. The Metal Archives says: "Elgibbor" means "The Almighty God" in Hebrew. It looks there are 14 studio albums and two EPs, amongst other recordings.

August 13, 2016: Elgibbor - Revenger of Blood (2016), CD, Vision of God Records (Limited edition, Remastered)

August 13, 2016: Elgibbor - Revenger of Blood (2016), Digital, Vision of God Records (Bandcamp, Remastered)

This album is NOT for casual metal music listeners nor even casual black metal audiences, either. This is strictly for the dedicated fans of grim, necro, lo-fi, raw black.

Lyrics to "The Armor" seem to be from the book of Ephesians chapter 6, verse 10 to 17, from looking at The Metal Archives: "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Lyrics to "Lord of Light," as found on The Metal Archives : Thrown to the earth for hate and rebellion against humanity is the beast. Accuser, Tormentor, Liar. That is his nature. He has built an army of cheated, broken and fallen. Like a snake injects his venom and paralyzes his victim. Are you in the dark? Are you in the bonds of slavery? You can't do it alone there is power. There is strength that can change your life. It is not man. It is not the devil. It is the Creator who gave you life. He is always beside you and hears you. His Army of Light will come to your rescue. Riding a White Horse Lord of light."

Revenger Of Blood (Remastered & Expanded) by Elgibbor

SEPULTURA anniversary

August 13, 2021: Sepultura - Sepulquarta - Nuclear Blast Records

The Metal Archives says that this is a "Collection of re-recorded songs, each song features a guest musician."

Paulo Xisto - Andreas Kisser - Derrick Green - Eloy Casagrande

1. Territory 04:50

2. Cut-Throat 02:44

3. Sepulnation 04:20

4. Inner Self 05:10

5. Hatred Aside 04:04

6. Mask 04:41

7. Fear, Pain, Chaos, Suffering 03:44

8. Vandals Nest 02:56

9. Slave New World 02:56

10. Ratamahatta 04:13

11. Apes of God 03:16

12. Phantom Self 05:27

13. Slaves of Pain 04:07

14. Kaiowas 04:14 instrumental

15. Orgasmatron (Motörhead cover) 04:18

total time 01:01:00

David Ellefson Bass (track 1)

Scott Ian Guitars (track 2)

Danko Jones Vocals (track 3)

Phil Rind Bass (track 4)

Angélica Burns Vocals (track 5)

Mayara Puertas Vocals (track 5)

Fernanda Lira Vocals (track 5)

Devin Townsend Vocals, Guitars (track 6)

Emmily Barreto Vocals (track 7)

Alex Skolnick Guitars (track 8)

Matthew K. Heafy Vocals, Guitars (track 9)

João Barone Drums (track 10)

Charles Gavin Percussion (track 10)

Rob Cavestany Guitars (track 11)

Mark Holcomb Guitars (track 12)

Fred Leclercq Guitars (track 13)

Marcello Pompeu Vocals (track 13)

Rafael Bittencourt Guitars (acoustic) (track 14)

Phil Campbell (R.I.P. 2026) Guitars (track 15)

Rafael Nascimento Horn (track 12)

Mauricio Martins Horn (track 12)

Marcos Tudeia Horn (track 12)

Douglas Costa Horn (track 12)

Agnaldo Gonçalves Horn (track 12)

Kévin Codfert Violin (track 12)

Bechir Gharbi Violin (track 12)

Hamza Obba Violin (track 12)

Mohamed Gharbi Violin (track 12)

Yussef Belheni Violin (track 12)

Sepultura - Mask (feat. Devin Townsend) | Official Audio

MESARTHIM astronomy atmospheric black metal anniversary

August 13, 2020: Mesarthim - Planet Nine EP

1. Planet Nine 15:29

2. Burial 10:24

total time 25:53

MESARTHIM is an anonymous duo from Australia, formed in 2015, with themes of astronomy, physics, and outer space. On The Metal Archives, the two members are listed simply as "." and ".". Their sound is a mix of atmospheric black metal and electronic music, featuring extreme vocals and soaring synth melodies. According to reports, they performed live for the first time in September 2024 at the Cosmic Void Festival in London, wearing futuristic clothing and LED masks. They frequently use NASA telescope imagery and star charts for their aesthetic.

"Atmospheric Black Metal from Australia. Mesarthim have a unique way of blending electronic tunes & melodies with perfect black metal. They do this in a way that is so natural it never ceases to amaze me! Plus they just keep getting better & better at it! Just when you thought they had reached perfection... :)" -bmurator, Bandcamp

"When Mesarthim sends its transmissions to Earth, we are facing a planetary-scale musical event. Planet Nine concentrates what Mesarthim does best and even goes much further: between the title track—full of variations and even venturing slightly into electronic music (almost psytrance)—and 'Burial,' which features exceptional guitar solos, we are witnessing the absolute finest in atmospheric and cosmic black metal. What more could you ask for? Favorite track: Planet Nine." (translation from the original French) -Nocturnal Egg (Jordan), Bandcamp

Planet Nine (E.P.) by Mesarthim

Anniversary - Moscow Music Peace Festival 1989 - Day 2

August 13, 1989: Moscow Music Peace Festival

On August 12 and 13, 1989, the Moscow Music Peace Festival took place at Central Lenin Stadium in Moscow, USSR. During the glasnost era, this was a huge deal for metal behind the Iron Curtain. After Uriah Heep played there in 1987, this festival brought six big Western rock and metal bands together with three Russian bands to play the capital city. The "Russian Woodstock," the two-day event was put together by Russian musician Stas Namin and American manager Doc McGhee. Over 100,000 fans showed up, and it was broadcast live to 59 countries, including MTV in the U.S. The festival aimed to build peace between the West and East during the Cold War, and it also raised money for drug and alcohol rehab. The weekend wrapped up with an all-star jam session with members from different bands, and it was put out on album and video. The whole vibe even inspired the Scorpions to write "Wind of Change," which went on to become one of the biggest selling singles ever.Bands performing: Nuance, Brigada S, Skid Row, Gorky Park, Cinderella, Mötley Crüe, Ozzy Osbourne, Scorpions, Bon Jovi.

At the beginning of this Scorpions show there is an acoustic song with what seems like a small, private crowd, but after that song, the real show begins! This is not an acoustic show. It is big-time stadium heavy metal music with Scorpions performing for a good time for everyone. Scorpions here to rock Moscow like a hurricane, baby! It's 1989 and the people were hoping for an end to the brutality and repression of Stalinism. Scorpions is doing their thing, and the crowd is so hungry to hear the music!

Scorpions - Moscow Music Peace Festival 1989 - Full Broadcast (2nd Night)

Tormenta - Jungle Dead [single]

Jungle Dead" is the first single by Tormenta from Snoqualmie, which is some 30 miles to the east of Seattle, Washington, USA. This single is catchy, uptempo, brutal, breakdown-heavy, mosh-friendly groove metal with growled vocals. The band says that they have an album on the way. As of the time of this writing by Metal Bulletin Zine, the single is available on Bandcamp as a name-your-price release. That's very generous of the band, and it leaves you with no excuses not to jump into this mosh pit!

"Ask any racer, any real racer. It don't matter if you win by an inch or a mile. Tormenta's Tormenta." -Dominic Toretto

Jungle Dead by Tormenta

remembering IRON BUTTERFLY guitarist Erik Brann on his birthday

August 11: Erik Brann (August 11, 1950 – July 25, 2003)

Erik Keith Brann ([born Rick Davis]August 11, 1950 – July 25, 2003)

Erik worked with Iron Butterfly the following years: 1967–1969, 1974–1977, 1978–1979, 1979–1980, 1982, 1987, 1987–1989.

"Iron Butterfly is an American rock band formed in San Diego, California, in 1966. They are best known for the 1968 hit 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida', providing a dramatic sound that led the way towards the development of hard rock and heavy metal music. Although their heyday was the late 1960s, the band has been reformed with various members with varying levels of success with no new recordings since 1975. Their second album, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (1968), remains a best-seller, and Iron Butterfly was the first group to receive an in-house platinum album award from Atlantic Records." -Wikipedia

"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is the second studio album by the American rock band Iron Butterfly, released in June 1968. It is most known for its title track, a 17-minute composition that occupies the entirety of Side B. A massive commercial success, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida peaked at number 4 on the Billboard albums chart. It was officially certified a Gold album in 1968 in the United States, and on January 26, 1993, it was certified 4× Platinum. In Canada, it was on the charts for 91 weeks between October 14, 1968, and July 18, 1970." -Wikipedia

Iron Butterfly: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (2006 Remaster Full-Length)

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DAMN YANKEES anniversary!

August 11, 1992: Damn Yankees – Don't Tread - 1992

"Don't Tread is the second and final studio album by the American hard rock supergroup Damn Yankees, released by Warner Bros. Records on August 11, 1992. It features their second highest charting single, the power ballad 'Where You Goin Now' which peaked at number 20. The album itself reached number 22 on the Billboard 200 album chart."

"Damn Yankees were an American rock supergroup formed in New York City, in 1989. Consisting of singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw of Styx, singer/bassist Jack Blades of Night Ranger, guitarist Ted Nugent of the Amboy Dukes, and drummer Michael Cartellone (who would later join Lynyrd Skynyrd)." -Wikipedia

Damn Yankees - Don't Tread On Me (Video)

XOTH anniversary - technical progressive extreme metal mad science!

August 11, 2014: Xoth: Hostile Terraforming EP

The Metal Archives shows that this was the beginning of XOTH. XOTH is Seattle interdimensional, hyper-thrashing, shred-frenzied, alien-infested, polyrhythmic technical progressive extreme metal mad science made for headbanging!

Ben Bennett Bass, Vocals (backing)

Jeremy Salvo Drums, Vocals (backing)

Woody Adler Guitars, Vocals

Tyler Sturgill Guitars, Vocals

1. Cocoon Earth (Intro) 01:07

2. Terramorphosis 04:07

3. Ancient Sentient Ooze 03:00

4. The Rubicon of Humanity 05:09

5. Transcending the Energy Harvest 04:44

6. The Signal Decays (Outro) 01:20 total time 19:27

Hostile Terraforming by Xoth

Soldiers Of Steel Festival in Seattle is coming up! August 13-16

Happy birthday to Blind Guardian's Hansi Kürsch!

August 10, 1966: Hansi Kürsch birthday

Hans Jürgen Kürsch was born August 10, 1966 in Meerbusch, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. He is best known as the voice of the long-running heavy metal band Blind Guardian, singing with them since 1984.

Blind Guardian - Guardian of the Blind (Remastered 2017)

STRYPER heavy metal anniversary

August 10, 1984: Stryper - The Yellow and Black Attack - 1984, CD, Enigma

The Metal Archives shows that this -the debut EP, and the first release by Stryper- came out on July 21, 1984, but this version has two more songs than the original. The following information is from The Metal Archives: "CD Manufactured in Japan, silver with red characters. Sleeve printed in the USA. Track #3 a slower version of a track of the same name featured on their Roxx Regime demos. This version of the song has non-Christian lyrics. Track #8 from previously released EP of the same name. Tracks #1-2, 4-7 were very likely remixed from the original version in a way to make them sound more polished."

This YouTube version is simply from the Stryper YouTube channel, not necessarily the August 10, 1984 remixed version.

Stryper - You Won't Be Lonely

in memory of UNORTHODOX's Dale Flood

August 10, 2024: RIP Dale Flood

The Metal Archives shows that Dale worked with Unorthodox, Asylum, Obstination and Flood Foundation. The website shows that Dale Robert Flood was born October 29, 1963 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA and died on August 10, 2024. Dale played guitars and sang with the American doom band Unorthodox. The Metal Archives shows three albums by Unorthodox in 1992, 1994 and 2008: Asylum, Balance of Power, and Awaken. The album that I know best is Balance of Power! It is one of the most fun, uptempo doom albums that I have ever heard.

UNORTHODOX - To Kill a Monster (from 1994's Balance of Power)

LOUDNESS heavy metal anniversary

August 10, 1987: Loudness - Hurricane Eyes

The Metal Archives shows August 10, 1987 as the release date on Atco Records. The band achieved success in the USA with their 1985 album Thunder in the East, quickly followed that up in 1986 with the album Lightning Strikes, and not wasting any time in the action-packed busy schedule, the hard-working band in 1987 returned with another new studio album Hurricane Eyes. The band delivers prototypical 1980s heavy metal again with rockers and uptempo songs and great shredding, exactly what they are known for.

The Loudness fan on The Metal Archives named "kluseba" wrote about this album: "In the end, this record is a big step forward for the Japanese heavy metal legend ... Especially the vocals are performed with more versatility than ever before and give a very emotional touch to the release. Instrumentally, the drums sound better and more diversified than before. Bass and guitar vary more between the extremes of commercial, melodic and soft parts on one side and aggressive, chaotic and fast passages on the other side. This record is ... still among the better stuff they've recorded and contains a couple of classics such as 'SDI' that still happen to be relevant nowadays."

LOUDNESS - S.D.I.

SAISEIGA groove metal anniversary

August 10, 2022: SAISEIGA — Let It Shine! video

This is a 20-track video concert by Saiseiga, a heavy metal band formed in Tokyo, Japan, in 2020. Their music combines heavy riffing, modern groove metal, and melodic rock elements, with a mix of singing and growls. The band released their debut 芽 EP in 2021 and their first album The Sun in 2021, and they continue active today with their high-energy live shows and a driving, modern hard rock edge. LIVE映像】SAISEIGA - GO ON!

in memory of BLITZKRIEG guitarist Ian Jones

August 10, 2009: RIP Ian Jones (Blitzkrieg)

The Metal Archives shows that Ian worked with Blitzkrieg, Chrome Molly, Axe Victim, and Dead Easy. Ian worked with Blitzkrieg from 1980 to 1981: He played rhythm guitars on the 1980 Demo 15/16-11-80, on the 1981 single Buried Alive and the 1981 demo Blitzed Alive.

The following version seems to be the one from this era. It's what I found on YouTube.

Blitzkrieg - Buried Alive - 7 inch single. 1981

in memory of ASTARTE's Tristessa

August 10, 2014: RIP Maria "Tristessa" Kolokouri (April 6, 1977 - August 10, 2014)

The Metal Archives shows that Maria Kolokouri worked with the following bands: Lloth, Insected, The Clan Destined, Astarte, Vorphalack and Profane Serenity. However, I only know her work with ASTARTE, for which The Metal Archives shows: bass, guitars (acoustic) (1997-2014), keyboards, guitars (2000), and vocals (2003-2014). For fans of melodic extreme metal, mostly in the sound of melodic black metal, the 2007 album Demonized is the one that I know and prefer the most.

ASTARTE - God I Hate Them All

ARALLU Middle Eastern Black Metal anniversary

August 10, 2009: Arallu - The War On The Wailing Wall remastered (2009)

This is the debut album from the "Middle Eastern Black Metal from Jerusalem" band ARALLU. August 10, 2009 is the anniversary of the Bandcamp digital remastered version of the album.

"ARALLU from Israel are imbibing their Middle-Eastern influences and channeling ... the black metal template that they've been trying to perfect for over two decades ... forging a unique sound replete with traditional instruments like Saz and Darbuka, and exhibiting a penchant for the thrashy variant of the style" -Bandcamp

Forged within the geopolitical and religious tensions of the region, Arallu's lyrics critique blind zealotry and dogmatic faith as weaponized and resulting in a continuous cycle of war and violence.

ARALLU - Morbid Shadow (third song from The War On The Wailing Wall)

MORTIFICATION death thrash anniversary

August 2015: Mortification - Realm of the Skelataur (2015), 12" vinyl, Soundmass

The Metal Archives shows that is the vinyl edition of the album, the original version of which came out on March 9th, 2015. From looking at the list on The Metal Archives, it looks like this is studio album number 14 from the long-running pioneering Australian biblical death thrash metal band, active from 1990 until 2016, and again from 2026 to the present.

MORTIFICATION - Feed Your Hungry Ears (Live)

in memory of legendary producer Martin Birch

Martin Peter Birch (December 27, 1948 – August 9, 2020) was a legendary British music producer and sound engineer. He shaped the heavy sound of classic British rock and metal. He was born in Woking, Surrey. He started as an engineer for Jeff Beck, Fleetwood Mac, and Deep Purple. He engineered and produced eleven albums for Deep Purple alone. Deep Purple even dedicated the song "Hard Lovin' Man" to him. They called him "Martin Birch – catalyst." He also played acoustic guitar on Fleetwood Mac's 1973 album Mystery to Me.

In 1980, Black Sabbath hired Martin to produce Heaven and Hell. Sabbath had produced their own records before. They trusted him because he had already worked with Ronnie James Dio in Rainbow. He gave the record a famous bright midrange sound. He also produced albums for Whitesnake, Wayne County & the Electric Chairs, and solo projects by Deep Purple members.

In 1981, Martin teamed up with Iron Maiden for Killers. He stopped working with other bands to focus on Maiden. He produced ten straight studio albums for them. You can even spot him in Maiden's 1990 music video for "Holy Smoke." He retired in 1992 after producing Iron Maiden's Fear of the Dark.

Martin Birch died on August 9, 2020, at age 71. Legends like David Coverdale, Geezer Butler, and members of Iron Maiden paid tribute to his massive legacy in heavy metal history.

Steve Harris: “He was just absolutely brilliant. He wasn’t just a producer, he was a hands-on engineer too, so he knew how to get a great sound. He was also fantastic at motivating people; he just had a knack of getting the best out of you. He was also a really nice man, great fun with a terrific sense of humour and that made him easy to work with. We all got along with him really well and the whole band is very saddened by today’s news.”

Bruce Dickinson: “To me, Martin was a mentor who completely transformed my singing: he was a psychotherapist and in his own words a juggler who could mirror exactly what a band was. That was his special talent as a producer. He was not a puppeteer, he did not manipulate the sound of the band, he just reflected it in the best possible way. Apart from all of that he was a wonderful, warm & funny human being. Martin & I shared a passion for martial arts – he for karate and me for fencing which gave us another bond too. I’m so very sad to hear this news, it’s incredible that he has passed away at such a young age for a man who was so full of life.”

Rod Smallwood: “He was a fantastic guy who always shared a mutual respect with the band. He never, ever, let us down in the studio. He was a true gentleman and he will be hugely missed by everyone in the Maiden Family.”

Fleetwood Mac

1969 – Then Play On (engineer)

1970 – Kiln House (engineer)

1972 – Bare Trees (engineer)

1973 – Penguin (producer, engineer, mixing)

1973 – Mystery to Me (producer, engineer, guitar)

Deep Purple

1969 – Concerto for Group and Orchestra (engineer)

1970 – Deep Purple in Rock (engineer)

1971 – Fireball (engineer)

1972 – Machine Head (engineer)

1972 – Made in Japan (engineer)

1973 – Who Do We Think We Are (engineer)

1974 – Burn (engineer, mixing)

1974 – Stormbringer (co-producer, engineer, mixing)

1975 – Come Taste the Band (co-producer, engineer, mixing)

1976 – Made In Europe (producer, engineer, mixing) – recorded live in April 1975

1977 – Last Concert in Japan (co-producer, engineer) – recorded live in December 1975

Jon Lord

1971 – Gemini Suite (engineer)

1976 – Sarabande (producer, engineer, remixing)

Bernie Marsden

1979 – And About Time Too (producer, engineer)

Wishbone Ash

1970 – Wishbone Ash (engineer)

1971 – Pilgrimage (engineer)

1972 – Argus (engineer)

Rainbow

1975 – Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (co-producer, engineer, mixing)

1976 – Rising (producer, engineer, mixing)

1977 – On Stage (producer, engineer, mixing) – recorded live in 1976

1978 – Long Live Rock 'n' Roll (producer, engineer, mixing)

1986 – Finyl Vinyl (producer) – collection

Whitesnake

1978 – Snakebite (producer)

1978 – Trouble (producer)

1979 – Lovehunter (producer)

1980 – Ready an' Willing (producer, engineer, mixing)

1980 – Live... in the Heart of the City (producer, engineer) – recorded live in 1978 and 1980

1981 – Come an' Get It (producer, engineer, mixing)

1982 – Saints & Sinners (producer, engineer, mixing)

1984 – Slide It In (producer)

Black Sabbath

1980 – Heaven and Hell (producer, engineer)

1981 – Mob Rules (producer, engineer)

Blue Öyster Cult

1980 – Cultösaurus Erectus (producer, engineer)

1981 – Fire of Unknown Origin (producer, engineer)

Iron Maiden

1981 – Killers (producer, engineer)

1982 – The Number of the Beast (producer, engineer)

1983 – Piece of Mind (producer, engineer, mixing)

1984 – Powerslave (producer, engineer, mixing)

1985 – Live After Death (producer, engineer, mixing)

1986 – Somewhere in Time (producer, engineer, mixing)

1988 – Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (producer, engineer, mixing)

1989 – Maiden England (producer, engineer, mixing)

1990 – No Prayer for the Dying (producer, engineer, mixing)

1992 – Fear of the Dark (producer, engineer, mixing)

Other artists

1969 – Jeff Beck – Beck-Ola (engineer)

1970 – Peter Green – The End of the Game (engineer)

1970 – The Groundhogs – Thank Christ for the Bomb (engineer)

1971 – Stackridge – Stackridge (engineer)

1971 – Canned Heat and John Lee Hooker – Hooker 'N' Heat (Mixdown Engineer) – recorded in 1970

1971 – Skid Row – 34 Hours (engineer)

1971 – Toad – Toad (engineer)

1971 – Faces – Long Player (engineer)

1972 – Silverhead – Silverhead (producer)

1972 – Toad – Tomorrow Blue (engineer)

1972 – Flash – Flash (engineer)

1972 – Nick Pickett – Silversleeves (engineer)

1973 – Gary Moore – Grinding Stone (producer, engineer)

1978 – Wayne County & the Electric Chairs – Storm The Gates Of Heaven (producer)

1978 – Roger Glover – Elements (producer)

1979 – Cozy Powell – Over the Top (producer)

1982 – Michael Schenker Group – Assault Attack (producer, engineer)

ARALLU anniversary Middle Eastern Black Metal

August 8, 2001: Arallu - At War Against God 2001

Arallu is "Middle Eastern Black Metal from Jerusalem."

"ARALLU from Israel are imbibing their Middle-Eastern influences and channeling ... the black metal template that they've been trying to perfect for over two decades ... forging a unique sound replete with traditional instruments like Saz and Darbuka, and exhibiting a penchant for the thrashy variant of the style" -Bandcamp

Forged within the geopolitical and religious tensions of the region, Arallu's lyrics critique blind zealotry and dogmatic faith as weaponized and resulting in a continuous cycle of war and violence.

1. War of the Genii 04:12

2. Jewish Devil 04:27

3. At War Against God 04:32

4. Religions Are Dead 04:40

5. Outro 02:43 instrumental

6. Untitled 02:43

total time 23:17

Bandcamp and The Metal Archives show that some of these songs later on in 2002 they appeared on the album Satanic War in Jerusalem.

ARALLU - Religions Are Dead

"Satanic War In Jerusalem 666" (Physical/Digital Album) 2011 remastered by Arallu

anniversary of TESTAMENT's turning point

August 8, 1989: Testament – Practice What You Preach

Despite starting late in the '80s American metal timeline —with a debut album that did not come out until 1987— Testament was clearly a band working nonstop, taking advantage of their moment when it arrived in the rise of American thrash metal. After a successful debut in 1987 and a strong sophomore album in 1988, Testament proved in 1989 that they were fully ready to stand out. They took a chance and grabbed the bull by the horns. This third album marked the band's turning point. The broader audience of Music Television heard Testament's new, more melodic yet still thrash-based heavy metal sound —with actual singing and a more commercially appealing style— and the MTV and radio metal audiences liked it. Three albums in three years, backed by exposure beyond the thrash metal underground, a bit of radio airplay, and lots of touring, signaled that Testament had officially arrived. This was Testament, knowing full well to strike while the iron was hot.

Testament – Sins of Omission

Happy birthday to METAL CHURCH guitarist Craig Wells!

August 5, 1963: Craig Wells

Craig was a guitarist with Metal Church for the band's initial run from 1982 to 1995. He played with them again in 1998, says The Metal Archives.

His most important work with the band was: 1984 Metal Church [Guitars, Songwriting (tracks 1, 2, 4, 6-8)]. 1986 The Dark [Guitars, Songwriting]. 1989 Blessing in Disguise [Guitars, Songwriting (all tracks)]. 1991 The Human Factor Guitars, Songwriting [(tracks 4, 6, 8, 10)]. 1993 Hanging in the Balance [Guitars, Songwriting (track 6)].

Craig is retired from the music business, according to The Metal Archives.

METAL CHURCH - In the Blood

in memory of Dorsal Atlântica bassist Cláudio Lopes

August 5, 2023: Cláudio Lopes RIP 2023 (Dorsal Atlântica)

The Metal Archives shows that Cláudio Lopes (March 31, 1964 - August 5, 2023) was the bassist for the long-running Brazilian metal band Dorsal Atlântica from 1982 until 1996 and then again from 2012 until 2023.

Writing about the 1988 album Dividir & Conquistar, a reviewer says: "The bass guitar is one of the great moments about Dorsal Atlantica. This was slightly louder than the guitars on Antes do Fim; probably because of the lack of EQ. However, it isn't as loud here, but still shows that they wanted it to shine with attention. Mainly it can be heard mingled with the guitars and at some other moments with more of an emphasis. Like they actually had time to mess around with the mixing board. Instead of an imagined guerilla-like, do-it-now/do-it-quick recording session." -Byrgan, The Metal Archives

The band continues active today, and has been a long time: 1981 (as Ness), 1982-2001, and 2012-present. They have some 11 albums in total, including a re-recording of their 1986 debut album.

The bands biography says, translated from the original Portuguese, "Dorsal Atlântica is one of the first Brazilian heavy metal bands and is known for uniting two distinct audiences: metal and hardcore/punk. The trio was founded in 1981 and remains one of the most popular Brazilian bands to this day, even after ending their activities in 2000. Over the course of their career, DORSAL recorded 7 studio albums, the last one in England in 1996 produced by Paul Johnston (Cathedral, Bolt Thrower, Benediction). DORSAL performed alongside several international bands such as Venom, Exciter, Nasty Savage, Testament, Motörhead, Cradle Of Filth, and Anathema. At the 1998 Monsters of Rock festival in São Paulo, DORSAL shared the stage with Manowar, Saxon, Glenn Hughes, Megadeth, Savatage, Slayer, and Dream Theater. Carlos Lopes, the band's founder, gave his testimony about Brazilian metal for the 2007 Canadian documentary Global Metal by Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen."

DORSAL ATLÂNTICA - PANDEMIA

SOULFLY anniversary

August 5, 2022: Soulfly - Totem

"Totem is the twelfth studio album by American heavy metal band Soulfly. It was released on August 5, 2022, by Nuclear Blast. It is also the first album since 2002 to not feature long running lead guitarist Marc Rizzo who parted ways with the band in 2021. The album's producer Arthur Rizk, John Powers and Chris Ulsh contributed guitar solos." -Wikipedia

The album is a relatively direct-impact mix of groove metal, thrash, and death metal. It scales back some of the tribal-experimentation from earlier albums to focus on heavy riffs, fast tempos, and aggressive rhythms. This album, I would say, is a type of synthesis, a balance of all the things that Max likes in his music: metal, yes, but with some rough edges, and with a bit of sideways energy, too.

SOULFLY - "Scouring The Vile" feat. John Tardy (OFFICIAL TRACK)

SKILLET heavy rock anniversary

August 5, 2016: Skillet – Unleashed

Unleashed is the ninth studio album by long-running American heavy rock band Skillet. Wikipedia reports that, "The album was announced on May 20, 2016, and a lyric video was released for the track 'Feel Invincible' at the same time on the band's YouTube channel. Six days later, the band released a lyric video for the track 'Stars' on their YouTube channel. The album was certified gold by the RIAA on December 4, 2018, selling 500,000 copies."

Skillet - "Feel Invincible" [Official Music Video]