ALBUM REVIEW:Dee Snider displays power and passion on For The Love Of Metal

WHEN Dee Snider bellows out "I gave you yesterday" on 'Tomorrow's No Concern' it is a declaration that whatever is in the past, whether he is regarded by lame brains as a legacy act, or whatever the sneering voices may say he is as relevant and as prescient as when 'Under The Blade' was released.

The most recent live shows with Dee we witnessed were at the triumphant final UK Twisted Sister show at Bloodstock and an amazing solo show at Hammerfest - and each time, despite the circumstances, the fire in the belly of the man was evident.

And, on 'For The Love Of Metal' that fire has been stoked to inferno-like levels.

It might have been sparked by Jamey Jasta (who produced and wrote much of this) but this is Dee Snider in his purest essence: sheer metal honesty.

From the opening hyper-speed 'Lies Are A Business' through to the title track closer this is an essential purchase and will live on playlists well beyond 2018.

Jasta has coaxed a passion and power from Snider that we all knew existed. Indeed this collaboration takes the bombast and adds more finesse and added doses of heft.

At 63 Dee has never sounded so well. The 'heaviness' of the tracks doesn't diminish the quality of the vocals, the melody, and...fuck it, the sheer singalong of every single fucking chorus.

That so many musicians queued up be involved (Mark Morton of Lamb of God, Howard Jones of KSE, Joel Grind and Nick Bellmore of Toxic Holocaust and Alissa White-Gluz of Arch Enemy) should tell  Snider of the regard that he is held in by so many people. Fuck the haters, because this is Dee Fucking Snider.

And, in true metal 80s tradition there had to be a power ballad...he and Alissa duet on Dead Hearts (Love Thy Enemy). While such duets were much beloved by record executives this anti-bullying song feels timeless with some fantastic playing and Alissa's clean vocals and Snider's snarl.

But Snider's voice could have been seen as a template for many of the growlers that have come in his wake - there is an edge here that fits everything that went before and amps it up to another level, without once sacrificing tunefulness.

And, without ever once compromising - 'Running Mazes' and 'Roll Over You' have a metallic viciousness that is fucking spot-on.

But the real magic within 'For The Love Of Metal' is a timeless quality. Sure, you can hear Jasta's influence, you can dig within tracks to see the source influences, and even thrash sounds, but these facts do not take away from the fact that this is a triumphant, defiant 'fuck you'.

There is a self-awareness too - 'Mask' and 'I'm Ready' just nail that and much more. However, the more revelatory statement comes on 'Become The Storm' when Dee declares "No more time to reminisce". This isn't some nostalgia trip, and the sentiment is we can go through shit, we can be at our lowest and then salvation emerges in the shape of being amongst our brothers and sisters in loving heavy fucking metal.

In a similar vein 'The Hardest Way' - with Howard Jones - kicks more ass than a pissed off thoroughbred but we emerge -tested, and with the courage required in "stepping into the blinding light".

Closing off the album with the title track it is Dee's homage to metal - pick off the references and despite it all - this is not cheesy. This is a hymn to why we all love metal, and an ode to the enduring power of this community, the music that binds young and old in sweet abandon.

Mr Snider (and Mr Jasta too) we doff our caps to you, and are ready to headbang with you - as you say "we are all fucking metal".

Whether you buy or stream - just listen to this NOW. 

Review by Jonathan Traynor

For The Love Of Metal is out now on Napalm Records

LIVE REVIEW: HRH XI kicks off with a roar

LESS than 24 hours after Hard Rock Hell held its first ever Awards show, bleary heads were thrust aside as a core following also arrived determined to keep the party atmosphere going - and one man made sure that despite a family illness he was going to rock.

Dee Snider is a real trouper in every sense of the word - few can match his performance. However before he mounted the stage at HRH XI the other Thursday night acts had everyone revved up.

Ryders Creed, Idlewar, Killcode, Black Aces, and Wayward Sons delivered action packed sets - and that's no lazy cliché as each proved that they were determined to pack as much energy into every minute.

After last year's positive reception to the opening ceremony fire dancers took to the stage to bring the curtain up on proceedings. But the real bombast followed as Ryders Creed brought heavy blues in a tight and well-balanced 45 breathless minutes that left many gasping for more.

All the way from Southern California Idlewar are riding high with the release of their album 'Rite' out a matter of weeks before HRH on Off Yer Rocka. The trio were obviously out to prove a point with James booming out every line as determinedly as he hit his bass and Rick laid down licks aplenty.

New York City blues and metal rockers Killcode brought an anthemic rock and roll attitude, striding across the stage as if playing as Madison Square Gardens headliners, smiles and snarls in equal measure. On this display their next album - to be produced again by none other than Joey Z - is eagerly awaited by all at HRH.

Blues rockers Black Aces have choruses guaranteed to get those horns raised and the Knights of the Dark Order held them high for each song, pints aloft. With the crowd pleasing over of 'Rock 'n Roll Damnation' mid-set Black Aces once again prove their path is upwards.

It might have seemed on the surface that when Wayward Sons was announced the tag of 'supergroup' would be glibly given to them. But as soon as the album 'Ghost of Yet To Come' hit the shelves it was clear this was a distinct project. And, the confidence Toby Jepson has in the songs was clear in a set that only played one Little Angels track - 'Young Gods'.

Sam Wood is the perfect foil for Jepson's writing in his interpretation, as are the textures of long-time collaborator of Jepson's Dave Kemp. 'Small Talk', 'Ghost' and 'Backslide' were among many of the highlights.

With the atmosphere almost febrile in anticipation of the Dee Snider's set the packed main stage area was primed, ready and eager. Now that Twisted Sister have been laid to rest, many looked back at his 2016 Bloodstock show to see how the flamboyant front man could top that.

He did and more.

Drawing from TS songs and his release 'We Are The Ones' this was as good a set as anyone could have wished for. Strident, cajoling every audience member along, he may be going through a personally difficult time, but that didn't take one ounce of energy away from his performance.

Sure, 'The Kids Are Back', 'We're Not Going To Take It' and 'I Wanna Rock' had every voice raised, but the cover of Soundgarden's 'Outshined' brought a little poignancy, while Nine Inch Nails' 'Head Like A Hole' was a masterstroke.

The familiarity of his solo album amongst the crowd members was clear from the opener title track from 'We Are The Ones' and the awesome 'Crazy For Nothing'. And, yes every middle finger was raised in the air for 'So What'.

As the strains of 'Highway To Hell' faded away in ringing ears Mr Snider and his band left the audience members, happy, with ragged voices and beaming faces.

Review by Jonathan Traynor
Pictures by Darren McVeigh

NEWS: Hard Rock Hell XI add Dee Snider, Lynchmob and our very own The Answer

Hard Rock Hell unleash a US Invasion of quality bands plus more in their next wave of talent for HRH XI. And, Northern Ireland's The Answer join the line-up too!

Hard Rock Hell are loading up some serious talent and are proud to announce Dee Snider to this year’s already stunning line-up.

Dee Snider performed what band Twisted Sister said were its final shows last year whilst also releasing his solo album. The iconic frontman isn’t done with us yet! Dee is returning this Winter to headline the Thursday evening and unleash a torrent of creative fury at Camp HRH.

Also announced are Lynchmob. One of the most influential 80’s guitarists George Lynch developed a ground-breaking brand of guitar virtuoso, and HRH are proud to welcome this legendary band to the stage.

More talent to cross the Atlantic are HRH Favourites Tyketto and the reformed Femme Fatale.

Expect a big curve ball of anthems from Reef who will be joined by the incredible talents of The Answer, Von Hertzen Brothers and Australia's Black Aces. More stage 2 additions include: Burnt Out Wreck, Syron Vanes, KILLCODE, Florence Black, The Jokers, Fire Red Empress, Colour of Noise, The Kut and Louder Still.

These great bands join the festival's other already-announced bands Airbourne, Y&T, Gun, The New Roses and Syteria

To check out some of these great bands playing HRH XI,

Dee Snider

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-jhzr-bIXM

Lynch Mob

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_YyIa57nxk

Tyketto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMneTtAf2Uo
Reef
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bihoNRc8GDQ

Line-up stands as

Dee Snider – Airbourne - REEF - Lynch Mob – Y&T - Femme Fatale - Tyketto – Gun - The Answer  – Von Hertzen Brothers - Burnt Out Wreck – Black Aces – Syron Vanes - The New Roses - KILLCODE – Syteria - Florence Black – Colour of Noise -The Jokers – Fire Red Empress - The Kut – Louder Still

HRH XI will take place between Thursday 9th and Sunday 12th Nov 2017, amidst the beautiful landscape of North Wales, at Camp HRH in Pwllheli. 
Further details, ongoing updates, and bookings can be found at:
www.hardrockhell.com

Ticket hotline: 0207 193 1307

ALBUM REVIEW: Twisted Sister blow away the years with live release

Metal Meltdown – Twisted Sister Live At the Hard Rock Casino, Las Vegas - A Concert to honour AJ Pero

They may be long in the tooth and preparing for their final UK show at Bloodstock, but that doesn’t mean Twisted Sister are about to bow out, quietly whimpering there’s not a chance of that happening.

This Twisted F***ing Sister 17 track live album is a 17 pounder firing without mercy as each track is a visceral explosion hitting its target with shells of depleted uranium.

No armour will deflect this utterly fantastic piece of full-on energetic and passionate onslaught of pure metal. It kicks off with ‘What you don’t know’ a pure assault on your ears of primordial proportions.

Raw energy and emotion pores through the speakers only to lead you into ‘The Kids Are Back’. This will start to loosen up your neck muscles because starting to bang your head will be irresistible as you shout back during the chorus. This is rock that punches you in the face. And you will enjoy it.

'Stay Hungry’ rolls forward with the force of a tank at full throttle. It will just carry you forward with an unstoppable force of pure metal. A joy to behold.

But what do you call this 80-ton armoured animal thundering towards you? Only one name comes to mind - ‘The Beast’. This is the fourth song and with it Twisted Sister smash through the barriers.

Next ‘Shoot ‘em down’ brings the poor bloody infantry to the gathering, wave after wave of them. You will not stop rocking out to this fantastic tune superbly delivered. ‘You can’t stop Rock ‘N’ Roll’ is the perfect motto for this whole album as its just keeps attacking anything in its way.

The assault on your ears has no let up and no respite as Dee Snider belts out the troop’s battle cry ‘I Believe In Rock ‘N’ Roll’ and you will be yelling it by the time the song finishes. ‘Under the Blade’ just pumps it out to keep your adrenaline flowing whilst ‘I am (I’m me)’, another Twisted Sister anthem, will push you on with its heavy thumping rolling beat.

What can be said about the next song? The most iconic of all Twisted Sister songs. If you have never really listened to them this is the one you will have heard it at some point in your life. ‘We’re not Gonna take it’ is guaranteed to be the song that will just blast out when the tank charge starts.

Then comes ‘The Fire Still Burns’ which is directly dedicated to AJ Pero and thunders over the hills into the frontlines without mercy, while “The Price” comes in the quiet moments after the last of the fighting is over.

After the retrospective moment you realise the melodic metal is not over. No, not at all as ‘Burn in Hell’ grabs your hand tight and pulls you on back into the thick fog of war.

Dee takes a moment to pay a heartfelt tribute to A.J. Pero, their drummer, and it’s a beautiful tribute to the band’s drummer and close friend. And to seal the deal the next song ‘I Wanna Rock’ pumps out raw unstoppable aggressive power that makes you want to raise your fist to the heavens. The penultimate song ‘Come Out and Play’ grabs you by the scruff of your neck and drags you out of your foxhole and into the middle of a full on metal firefight.

The final song is a fantastic finale as ‘S.M.F.’ is the perfect way to close this armoured fist of an album using a massive barrage of metal to make sure there is nothing left of the battlefield.

This is an essential addition to anyone’s metal library, a celebration of the heyday of the band and what makes music glorious; the ability to raise the spirit, throw the fist into the air and yell.

The full package features the complete concert, as well as ‘Rockshow’, a bonus documentary that will take you through the band's 40-year ride from local club outcasts to world domination with exclusive interviews, archive footage from the ‘80s, and photo gallery. It includes both BluRay and DVD formats as well as an audio CD.

Set for release on 5th August, it will be available just before Twisted Sister headline Bloodstock on 12th August which is at the end of their European tour, and their final ever UK show.

Review by Ivor Whitten