Category Archives: Heavy Metal

Classic Rock, Genre, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Song Reviews

KISS – Hooligan (Song Review)

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“I mean, you know how cool I am”

It might seem odd to use a song he’s not particularly known for, and didn’t write or sing, to salute original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley. But Hooligan is a great example of Frehley as a team player and how his impeccable, instinctive and characterful guitar playing elevated any song he played on. The 1977 Peter Criss vehicle probably isn’t a song that rides high in anyone’s ranking of KISS’s greatest work but I’ve always had a big soft spot for it. Criss’ hollering is infectious, I love the old-timey rock ‘n’ roll vibe and I’m a sucker for Paul Stanley’s use of capos for rhythm guitar parts. But, best of all, Space Ace wrings out a memorable and effortlessly cool guitar solo that crackles with electricity. And his soaring guitar part over the song’s climatic chords is one of KISS’ most joyous and euphoric moments. Ace, who has sadly left the planet aged 74, inspired legions of people to pick up guitars (including me) but there will never be anyone quite like this beloved, otherworldly legend ever again.

Classic Rock, Genre, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, Song Reviews

Fist – Name, Rank & Serial Number (Song Review)

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“Now tell me the positions of your guns and armoured forces”

The debut single from South Tyneside’s Fist, this darkly amusing track depicts a military interrogation from the point of view of a stymied torturer who, despite his best efforts, can only obtain his captive’s Name, Rank & Serial Number. It’s a fantastically vibrant and catchy track. In particular, Keith Satchfield (who sadly passed away in early 2025) deserves a medal for his infectious, rhythmic vocals and inventive lyrics. Fist’s recording career ended up all too brief but in that short run they released some of the best tracks of the whole NWOBHM era. On Name, Rank & Serial Number, Fist managed the rare feat of being classic and definitive while also being startlingly original.

Black Metal, Genre, Heavy Metal, Song Reviews

King Diamond – Black Horsemen (Song Review)

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“That’s the end of another lullaby”

Black Horsemen is one of my favourite metal album closers of all time and it also succeeds perfectly in bringing King Diamond’s 1987 ghost story concept album Abigail to a satisfying conclusion: lyrically, musically and emotionally. As with the rest of Abigail‘s tracks, Black Horsemen is chock full of dazzling musicianship, deadly riffs and King Diamond’s demented theatrical vocals. But the song is elevated by a serene, Randy Rhoads-esque acoustic guitar intro that evokes the sun rising as the horrific goings-on at the La’Fey mansion come to an end. And the climatic guitar solo is so joyous it feels like an ecstatically received curtain call.

Classic Rock, Genre, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, Song Reviews

Gillan – No Easy Way (Song Review)

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“You are so lovely, you are so beautiful”

There’s no easy way to shake off sorrow but listening to this classic Gillan tune, from 1980’s thumping Glory Road album, is guaranteed to blow away the blues. Gillan were a monster band and on No Easy Way they are at their boisterous, swaggering best. Guitarist Bernie Tormé runs riot all over this, unleashing a chaotic torrent of guitar to kick things off and then livening up the whole track with all sorts of howling bends and bombs. “Let it all pass by” is a bit of classic Ian Gillan life philosophy and he’s on brilliant rock ‘n’ rolling form here too. The sweet way he sings the quiet middle section is a wonderfully heartwarming bit of emotional connection.

Black Metal, Genre, Heavy Metal

Master’s Hammer – Geniové (Song Review)

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“To the land of awesome mysteries”

Ritual., the 1991 debut album by the Czech Republic’s Master’s Hammer, is one of my favourite black metal albums. And Geniové  (translated to English as “Wizards”) is one of my favourite black metal tunes. It doesn’t have the blasting extremity of a lot of later black metal but it has the crafted riffs and occult lyricism of Mercyful Fate, craggy vocals, creepy castle atmosphere and the band’s patented timpani which gives the track an idiosyncratic and enigmatic sense of drama. Essential.

Genre, Heavy Metal, Song Reviews, Thrash Metal

Anthrax – Lone Justice (Song Review)

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“Clear the streets as he rides into the town”

Lone Justice is one of the more mid-paced traditionally heavy metal songs on Anthrax’s second album, 1985’s Spreading The Disease. It doesn’t have the pummelling intensity of thrashers like A.I.R. or Gung-Ho and it’s fairly cartoony in terms of riffs and lyrics. But it’s still one of my favourite songs on the album. It’s got some great Steve Harris style bass going on and has a thumpingly hard-edged delivery, mainly due to Scott Ian’s hugely crunchy guitar tone. The track’s slower pace also allows the band’s (then) new vocalist Joey Belladonna to shine. He pushes a lot of air on the verses before settling in to a very cool melodic mode for the chorus. It’s so exhilarating that I don’t even mind constantly mishearing his description of the hero’s “stubbled chin” as the much less cool “double chin”.

Classic Rock, Genre, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Song Reviews

Twisted Sister – Stay Hungry (Song Review)

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“Expect no sympathy”

He’s more known for his iconic image and abilities as an imposing and phenomenally entertaining frontman but let’s hear it for Dee Snider, the singer. Twisted Sister’s Stay Hungry, the opening track from their 1984 album of the same name, is an upbeat, bare-boned rocker and paean to bloody-minded perseverance (something these New Yorkers knew all about). But it would ring hollow without Dee selling it like he does. He gives it his all, especially during the pre-chorus that pushes his voice to the top of its range where it’s at its most exciting and emotive. Fired up by his impassioned delivery, Stay Hungry becomes rousing and empowering. A superb album opener that leaves you hungry for more.

Classic Rock, Doom Metal, Genre, Heavy Metal, Song Reviews

Trouble – Bastards Will Pay (Song Review)

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“Fight ’em with peace and love”

Trouble’s self-titled 1984 debut (also known as Psalm 9) is one of the crucial early doom metal masterpieces, notable for its crushing guitar tones and the sincerity of its biblical imagery. But for all its timeless God-fearing doominess, what I really love about Trouble is how evil-sounding and aggressive it is. On Bastards Will Pay the Chicago band bash out charging and crunchy riffs from hell and Eric Wagner delivers anti-war lyrics with righteous intensity. It’s hippy stuff on paper but not with Wagner at the mic. When he hollers “you fuckin’ bastards are gonna pay” you just know they will. In this world or the next.

Genre, Heavy Metal, Song Reviews, Thrash Metal

Megadeth – Mary Jane (Song Review)

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“Prepare my friends to follow me”

Thrash giants Megadeth go all King Diamond on Mary Jane, weaving a witchy tale of vengeance from beyond the grave. Taken from 1988’s drug-addled So Far, So Good… So What! the track has a thick ghostly atmosphere (aided by the album’s reverb-heavy sound) and a haunting mix of clean and distorted guitars. As always with Megadeth, the guitars are state-of-the-art with numerous twists and turns but frontman Dave Mustaine excels vocally too with a tortured and hate-filled performance. Nowadays I tend to associate ‘deth with songs about politics and society but, in their earlier days, songs about magic and the occult were pretty common and Mary Jane is one of my favourite of the lot. In fact, it’s one of my favourite Megadeth songs… period!

Genre, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Song Reviews

Heavy Load – Heathens From The North (Song Review)

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“Sweeping away in their ships of dragon”

Taken from 1981’s Metal Conquest EP (one of 2024″s most essential and overdue metal reissues), Heavy Load’s Heathens From The North is an epic Swedish metal wonder. It’s got brawny, snaking riffs, awesome rough-hewn vocals from Ragne Wahlquist and a glorious choral intro which doubles in magnificence when it returns in the midst of a sweeping guitar solo. It’s the kind of muscular, steady-as-she-goes Viking metal that really floats my longboat.

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HMO salutes Ragne Wahlquist who has sadly passed away aged 69.