Being a band on tour, according to the plethora of songs that emerged during the era, was especially arduous during the 1980s. Right? Doing what you love to do in front of thousands of adoring fans for months at a time, girls throwing themselves at you, all the drugs and booze you could ask for, all the free swag coming your way, endorsement contracts and signature series…

The ‘80s, as legend has it, was the golden era for a successful band on tour. At the time, labels poured tons of money into a revenue-generating tour machine, and sometimes even would keep a lead singer out of jail for manslaughter charges (that’s you Vince Neil). On the other side of the coin, while labels provided a lifestyle that would make Bob Guccione Jr. envious, labels pushed bands hard to produce hit singles, to look a certain way, and to make money. It was a vicious cycle that often stripped bands of their “artistic freedoms” and forced them to write some female-friendly material, no matter how much we loved the end product as fans.

It’s only natural that our heart-heavy, road-weary rock idols would bear their souls to us about their hardships on the road. Cheesy or kickass, the following five songs epitomize a rock star’s life on the road.

No.5 “Hellraiser” – Ozzy Osbourne

“Hellraiser” appeared on Ozzy’s 1991 album, No More Tears, and was written by Ozzy, Zakk Wylde, and Lemmy Kilmister. In fact, Motörhead also record the track for their 1992 album, March ör Die, and was used for the movie Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth.

At the end of the day though, Ozzy isn’t complaining about being on the road and away from loved ones, he instead embraces it.

No.4 “Beth” – KISS

If KISS’ 1975 live album, Alive! was the band’s launching pad, it was “Beth” from 1976’s Destroyer that catapulted the them into the stratosphere. The album’s Peter Criss, Stan Penridge, and Bob Ezrin-written track, “Beth,” did this by broadening the fan base to include girls.

Three more heavy metal tracks about the tough life of a band on tour after the jump…

Lizzy Borden has spent over three decades creating some of the most theatrical metal in existence, releasing classics such as Love You to Pieces (1985) and Master of Disguise (1989), while obliterating audiences worldwide with a stage show that rivals that of Marilyn Manson and Alice Cooper. For his efforts, he has become nothing short of a metal icon. Now, to take the next step in furthering his career, Lizzy Borden has signed a worldwide solo artist deal with Metal Blade Records — the label that helped to launch him to commercial success over 30 years ago. Ready to once again captivate both veteran and adolescent metal fans alike, Lizzy Borden plans to release a new album in 2016, and tour the world in support of it, with a reinvigorated band backing him up.

Lizzy Borden comments:

I am extremely happy to re-sign with the same label we started with all those years ago [Metal Blade Records]. I’m excited to be working with Brian Slagel and all the Metal Blade family again. It’s been my home for all six of our (full-length) studio albums — with the new record being the seventh, and the start of a new series of albums to come. My focus for the last several years has been performing live and exposing my brand of American metal to countries all over the world. Now I feel is the right time to step back and push the re-start button. Time to get back to the art of creating new music. Touring around the world and having new fans discover Lizzy Borden for the first time has been rejuvenating, and so a new album seems like the perfect way to bridge the past with the future. I will take this part of my journey and these next series of albums as a solo artist, as I have for some of the past LB records and tours. I look forward to working with many different established musicians and friends, as well as some undiscovered talent like we have been lucky enough to unearth in the past. To all of our fans that have followed Lizzy Borden from the beginning and all the new younger fans who have just discovered us, I hope you will come along with me for this next chapter. I am inspired, excited, and ready to begin again.

Rock Hard \m/

“Sound the Siren” calls Skindred’s sixth studio album, Volume, home. The Napalm Records debut gets released on October 30th, and pre-orders can be made here. The album was recorded at The Strongroom studio in East London and was produced by longtime collaborator James “Lerock” Loughrey (previously worked with the likes of White Zombie, Depeche Mode, Manic Street Preachers).

A special deluxe edition that includes the brand new documentary Rude Boys For Life will be available exclusively at all Best Buy. Details on this edition will be available soon! Also, watch the trailer for the DVD below:

Rock Hard \m/

These two metalheads from Boston, Massachusetts, were kind enough to let us in on some tasty insights about a potential new album, which seems to be kind of in the works since they write music whenever they have some free time. That’s right! Free time, as in writing while taking a shit. At the rate these guys are rolling right now, the album could be slated for a 2016 release, but nothing is set in stone yet. We’ll leave that to Revocation to make the official announcement through Facebook or Metal Blade Records. Besides new material, David, who is a huge fan of H.P. Lovecraft, got to talk about his top five picks in the sci-fi horror genre, which includes one of our favorites, as well as The Thing and Alien.

Lastly, want to know who’s been a big influence on Revocation? If so, then hit the play button to watch our exclusive interview with the band.

So, coming across YouTuber FamilyJules7x’ 17-minute medley tribute to 38 gaming titles obviously got me and my fellow Yell! slaves hyperventilating with excitement.

Dude spent more than three years of his life working on this jam, which he calls “Replay: A Metal Tribute to the History of Video Games,” and with over 38,000 views since being uploaded yesterday (May 29th) it obviously well on its way to paying off. The Metal medley includes such classic titles as Pong, Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, World of Warcraft, Mass Effect 2, and The Last of Us.

FamilyJules7x explains the process and the self-imposed constraints he put on himself in producing this video in its YouTube description. So make sure you go there and give that a quick read through.

Rock Hard \m/

MTV has had nothing to do with music in a decade, so the fact that this article was run at all is a moot point. Nonetheless, let’s proceed.

The other day, in MTV.com‘s “Guy Code” channel, an article was posted that sought an answer to “Why Are There so Many Cute Girls at Metal & Hardcore Concerts Now?” Using a bastardized form of the scientific method, Ethan Fixell attempted to provide us an undeniable answer. (Note, I’d call Fixell an author or writer, but clearly he ain’t.)

After establishing his grounds for argument through varied sexist and objectification methods, and before jumping into some pick-up tips at an extreme show, Fixell led us to believe, using a quote from a female who was supposedly in attendance at a recent Pig Destroyer show in New York, that women are at metal shows now “Because they wanna meet dudes.” Fixell was also fixated on pointing out that women now have prime real estate to show off their side-boob because extreme music shows “aren’t as scary” as they once were because the Internet has demystified it and made it less intimidating. Really? Has Fixell watched anything related to metal or hardcore on the Internet lately? Has he seen this:

… or any of our 10 Explicit Music Videos?

Fixell was right about two things, mosh pit participants have developed something of a conscience and do pick one another up when someone falls and frontmen do ask fans to give space for the people upfront. But he’s wrong in his assumed reasons why. He’s basically said that moshers are soft these days, that a pit is no longer a place to punch or be punched. I don’t know if he’s been moshing at Raffi shows, but the moshers at the shows I go to are just as likely to punch you after you’ve been picked up than if you goosed his girlfriend. Also, it seems his equating band concern for their fans with being less hardcore, but the reality is bands are more aware today that fans can die at their shows if they don’t intervene. Caring for human life has nothing to do with being hardcore.

what a lame article. First of all his scientific method is off. Second, metalcore isn’t heavy metal. Third, yeah, he is being sexist. Fourth, extreme metal is demystified and less intimidating? Has he seen this https://vimeo.com/56447021 ? Also, a mosh pit is still a place to punch and get punched, but like he said, we also pick one another up now. That and the fact that bands ask fans to give room to the people in the front aren’t indicative of how hardcore your are, we’re all just a little more aware of the fact that people can die at these events.

Cute, hot, sexy, attractive: these are all subjective adjectives. There’s no denying that heavy metal fandom is dominated by males, but women are and always have been welcome. Instead of placing a value on them based on appearances and thus objectifying them, possibly further alienating them, let’s welcome them into the fold. Metal is about finding an extended family, a shared set of values and beliefs, about release, and about the damn music. Whether you got a V or a P between your legs, metal knows no sex.

So, dear Mr. Ethan Fixell, please leave the metal to the people who listen to it and please, shove your head back up your ass.

Rock Hard \m/

Watch the feature in the player above.

The 16×9 report told the story of two black women tied to the heavy metal world and their unfortunate set of experiences. First there’s Militia who fronts the New York-based all-female band Judas Priestess. The second is Laina Dawes, who’s a heavy metal journalist and has recently published What Are You Doing Here?: A Black Woman’s Life and Liberation in Heavy Metal with Bazillion Points (paperback – $12.45 or kindle – $8.95).

Despite coming at the industry from different angles, both of these women encounter the same sort of prejudice. Since Militia and Laina started out as fans, there’s no doubt that there are other women of color, or girls, who are experiencing the same sort of ignorance.

Admittedly, I’m usually surprised when I see anyone of color at a heavy metal venue, and I’m not in a small, unicultural city. The fact remains, however, that the majority of heavy metal’s fanbase is white and male. But that’s no reason for some of the horrible comments these women have received.

As soon as I saw this story, just a day after we published 5 Reasons Why We Listen to Heavy Metal, I knew I had to share it with you — especially after hearing Laina’s comments after 6:15:

I’ve been quite honest about, if it wasn’t for metal I would have killed myself … because you need that outlet for your anger.

The greater message in my article was that, for the most part, we’re drawn to heavy metal because of our sense of alienation.

Aside from some inappropriate comments from drunken, beligerant fans at a concert, it’s unbelievable that in this day and age that a record label would insist that a black woman wear a wig and/or straighten her hair in order to appear less “ethnic.” This is Militia’s experience, and I’m happy to hear that she hasn’t caved.

Watch and learn.

Rock Hard \m/

Have you ever been insulted by someone who doesn’t listen to heavy metal? Maybe you’ve been made to feel that your taste in music is inferior by such a person. These people usually make statements like, “How can you listen to that? It’s just screaming and there’s no melody. It’s so loud and aggressive.”

Well, yeah! All of that is sort of the point, you asshole. But we’ll get to that in a bit.

The thing is, at least in my case, I usually inadvertently solicit such a response because I try to introduce metal to non-metal listeners. Is it my fault that I think what I listen to is awesome and should be heard by more people? In my defense, I usually only attempt such a feat when I think the song or band offers something extraordinary, when I think that there’s something there beyond just the metal.

Everyone is entitled to their own taste in music. And, understandably, heavy metal is an especially difficult genre to appreciate from the outside. However, most metal fans have an appreciation for other types of music and that shows in the multitude of heavy metal subgenres. Does this make us better patrons of the arts? Well, yes, but the point is why can’t others at least acknowledge the talent of heavy metal musicians instead insulting us and implying that it’s an inferior musical genre?

Heavy metal has long been the pariah of the music industry. Sam Dunn talked about this in his documentary Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey. As a result of its outcast status, metal has attracted society’s outcasts, the kids who don’t fit into any other social group. That’s a generalization, but to a large degree it’s true. For this demographic, heavy metal has become a surrogate companion, and we’re happy to be exiled to the island of misfit toys. But as you send us away, don’t insult us; try to understand us and our sanctuary.

So, if you’re a heavy metal fan and have ever been insulted by someone’s prejudgment, let us go to bat for you. Aside from citing the studies that say we’re smarter and women finding men who listen to metal more attractive, next time it happens to you, cite any one, or all, of these five reasons why we listen to heavy metal.

What’s listed here may not be entirely exclusive to heavy metal.

5. We Party Harder
4. We Drink More
3. We Mosh
2. Um, Lemmy Is God
1. The Chicks Are Hotter

Just kidding. As true as this might be, this isn’t the real list.

Here’s the real list.

No.5 It’s Loud and Aggressive

Indeed, those who criticize heavy metal for being loud and aggressive are absolutely correct. And we revel in those qualities. Why? There are many reasons why. For starters, loud and aggressive is energizing and motivating. Sometimes there’s no better way to get the day started, or to get through the day, than to put on something that’s fast and hard. For athletes or anyone pushing themselves physically it can pump them up, give them that extra push to go the extra mile. For others, it helps them focus their concentration on a mental task or to overcome obstacles in their life.

Basically, heavy metal helps us dig deep inside ourselves to strive to be better than the status quo.

No.4 It’s a Release

I want to avoid using the term “cathartic.” Contrary to what outsiders may think, it’s heavy metal’s aggressive and sometimes violent nature that helps us cope with stress, anger, and other issues. The lyrics, which often deal with sensitive and real subjects, speak to us as we relate to them. It’s all simpatico.

In this sense, heavy metal can be calming and soothing. That’s one of the big shockers for people who don’t understand it. Who says that music that calms your emotions has to be all sad, soft, and depressing?

At the same time, some genres of heavy metal can lift one’s spirit, pulling them right out of a depressing funk or moment of rage. For me, KISS does this. No matter how dark my place is, once I hear some KISS I’m immediately transposed to a happier place. OK, so I might be bipolar.

All of what I’ve said in this entry is a release from one’s current state of mind in one form or another.

What are my top 3 reasons for listening to heavy metal? Find out after the jump…

If you still got cash left over after Christmas, then you might want to head over to Amazon now for your heavy metal fix to kick start the new year with a fresh collection of MP3 albums.

That’s right! Amazon is back with their yearly January megasale!

With over 10,000 metal and hardrock albums available for $5.00 at a finger click away, you just can’t avoid picking up a few classics or more recent releases from top metal dogs like Amon Amarth, Lamb of God, Cannibal Corpse, Queensryche, Megadeth, Testament, and Ghost, just to name a few. Better yet, you can also catch up on some of the releases from last year like The Black Dahlia Murder’s new album Everblack, and pick up Phil Anselmo’s solo project Walk Through Exits Only

The list on Amazon is simply massive and just too big for us to compile, but I’m sure if you look up an album you’ll most likely find it at a discounted price. Just keep in mind some sell for $6.99. Boo fucking hoo! So start filling up your online shopping cart now and enjoy your new metal collection.

Source: Metalsucks

Rolling Stone magazine isn’t exactly the metalheads Bible, yet the publication has listed its 20 Best Metal Albums of 2013. See the full list below.

All lists are subjective. While there are some interesting choices on the list, it has much too many hipster acts on it. Also, as I’ve said many times before, and as reflected on the RS list, it’s been a year for doom/acid/stoner metal/rock. Needless to say, there are a lot of “mellow” choices here and some would question the “metal-ness” of some of the entries. Overall, it’s not a horrible list if you broaden your definition of metal, but what the fuck is up with Melt-Banana?

There are some obvious omissions on the list as well, most notably Newsted‘s Heavy Metal Music, Autopsy‘s The Headless Ritual, Amon Amarth’s Deceiver of the Gods, Motorhead’s Aftershock, Black Sabbath’s 13, and Trivium‘s Vengeance Falls. The list could go on to include the following, and more:

–Soilwork – The Living Infinite
-Killswitch Engage – Disarm the Descent
–Ghost – Infestissumam
–Stone Sour – House of Gold & Bones – Part 2
–The Ocean – Pelagial
–Evile – Skull
–August Burns Red – Rescue & Restore
-Havok – Unnatural Selection
-Battlecross – War of Will
–DevilDriver – Winter Kills
–GWAR – Battle Maximus
–Dream Theater – Dream Theater
-Megadeth – Countdown to Extinction: Live
–Huntress – Starbound Beast

Rolling Stone’s “20 Best Metal Albums Of 2013”

20. Darkthrone – The Underground Resistance
19. Mastodon – Live at Brixton
18. Stomach Earth – Stomach Earth
17. Melt-Banana – Fetch
16. Steven Wilson – The Raven Refused to Sing (And Other Stories)
15. Voivod – Target Earth
14. Cathedral – The Last Spire
13. Church of Misery – My Kingdom Scum
12. Kylesa – Ultraviolet
11. SubRosa – More Constant Than the Gods
10. Clutch – Earth Rocker
9. Inter Arma – Sky Burial
8. Earthless – From the Ages
7. Dillinger Escape Plan – One of Us Is the Killer
6. Blood Ceremony – The Eldritch Dark
5. Gorguts – Colored Sands
4. In Solitude – Sister
3. Windhand – Soma
2. Kvelertak – Meir
1. Deafheaven – Sunbather

Let us know what you think of the RS list in the comments section below. Also, tell us what you think should be on the list.

Rock Hard \m/