AlexRox.com

By 1988, Iron Maiden were megastars. Top twenty and top ten albums. Top twenty and top ten singles. Millions of records sold. And sold out stadiums throughout the world. If you were in middle or high school at the time, you’d be hard pressed not to find a jean jacket wearing metal head with a giant Iron Maiden emblem on the back. And continuing their success, Maiden released one of their all time fan favorites, ‘Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.’

Ghost have unveiled some new cover material. A short ep entitled ‘Phantomime.’ And the lead single, ‘Jesus He Knows Me,’ has proven to be an immediate hit. Making waves through the rock and general music world immediately upon release.

The newest installment of KISS’ ‘Off The Soundboard’ series is one of the most special releases under the bands moniker. Capturing a short, but intensely impressive era of the band. By 1984 KISS had taken off the make up. And moved on from Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. A carousel of guitarists had moved through the band. Including Vinnie Vincent, who dug KISS out of the hole they were in. However, the band wasn’t willing to give Vincent the contract he deserved. Enter Mark St. John, a New York guitar teacher that took over and dominated the lead guitar role.

By 1988, Van Halen were the biggest band in the world. Sammy Hagar had established himself as a superior replacement to David Lee Roth. And ‘5150’ became the first #1 album out of four for the Pasadena legends. So the band tried to take it to the next level with 1988’s ‘OU812.’

By the mid 90’s, heavy metal was becoming heavier and heavier. Bands like Pantera and Sepultura were dominating the charts. Glam had all but faded. And traditional outfits like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, although worshipped and respected. Were beginning to become ‘the old guys.’ Despite some of them releasing their heaviest and best material. And caught in the middle of all of the changes was Ronnie James Dio. Coming up with some of his strongest works ever with ‘Strange Highways’ and ‘Angry Machines.’

Following the death of final original member Gary Rossington, Lynyrd Skynrd were left with a pulsating question: Do we continue the tour or not? Is it really Skynyrd without any original members? After much deliberation, it appears that the band has decided to continue with their 50th anniversary tour.

True to their nature. Metallica have done an excellent job of Pavloving the metal fan base prior to releasing a new album. Their first three singles have done well. And have received positive reviews overall. And now the band has released one final teaser before the big day. By releasing the title album track ’72 Seasons.’

Every once in a while an album comes out that changes the way people think about a genre of music. Usually innovating a movement that becomes mainstream, then oversaturated and then eventually dies. The first Zeppelin and Sabbath albums. Van Halen’s first. Metallica’s ‘Kill ‘Em All.’ Among a few others. But one album that gets overlooked for its inspiration. What it did for metal and hard rock. And the movement that followed is King’s X’s 1988 debut ‘Out of the Silent Planet.’

Over the past 20 years or so there’s been a trend of legendary hard rock and arena acts doing cover albums of their influences. Everyone from Def Leppard to Poison. To Queensryche and Anthrax. Tesla and Aerosmith. So it would stand to reason that a band like Saxon would get on board. Releasing their first covers album ‘Inspirations’ in 2021. And now the follow up ‘More Inspirations’ has the band putting their straight forward metal take on some of their favorite artists yet again.