album review – Whipped Owl

Metal Monday 11-1-2021

Welcome to a new weekly post that I will call Metal Mondays, where I will rank the albums of a certain artist in the metal and hard rock genre from worst to best. As I am a list and ranking person, I am unable to have a simple discussion on what a band’s good albums are, as well as their not-so-good ones. I must rank them in some sort of order, or I will not be able to participate! This also makes for a fun debate, don’t you think?

NOTE: I will rank full length STUDIO ALBUMS only. There will be no live records, greatest hits, or EP’s here.

This week, we will dive into the deep catalog of Great Britain’s own, Judas Priest! Considered one of the pioneers of heavy metal alongside Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden, Judas Priest boasts a backlog of hard driving metal few can counter with. Featuring the godlike vocals of Rob Halford and possessing the twin guitar attack of Glenn Tipton and KK Downing, the band was a force in the late seventies and through the mid-nineties. A blip in the radar with Halford’s decade-long departure, Priest has rebounded with their main man at the forefront and a trio of solid albums.

#18:

The second of the unfortunate albums written with replacement vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens. Nothing to say about this one. There is some decent material, as is the case on any Judas Priest record. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough of it here.

Best Song: Machine Man

Best Deep Cut: Machine Man

#17:

A two-hour double concept disc? Yikes! Some very good tracks, but not nearly enough worthy material to hold my attention for long. This was an ambitious idea that simply did not work.

Best Song: Prophecy

Best Deep Cut: Prophecy

#16:

The first “Ripper” Owens album. The low rankings have little to do with his singing ability as it does the songwriting. A very heavy record, but I just find it difficult to get into. Again, there are some songs worth a listen. Album closer, Cathedral Spires, is fantastic.

Best Song: Cathedral Spires

Best Deep Cut: Cathedral Spires

#15:

An attempt to get back to its winning sound, somewhat derailed by the synth-driven Turbo album, Ram It Down mainly misses the mark. Save for the lead-off title track and the brilliant, Blood Red Skies, the rest of the record consists of forgettable riffs and songs.

Best Song: Blood Red Skies

Best Deep Cut: Blood Red Skies

#14:

The first Judas Priest album features an almost hippy look and progressive rock sound, which may shock fans who have only known the band since they broke out the leather and spikes. This is not a horrible first release, rather, the sound of a band who had yet to find its winning formula. That said, when I go back and listen to Rocka Rolla, I can feel much bigger things are on the horizon. One for the Road, Run of the Mill, and the title cut are all worthy of a listen, the latter receiving some love from the band on its most recent concert tour.

Best Song: Rocka Rolla

Best Deep Cut: Rocka Rolla

#13:

It’s not that Point of Entry is a bad album. In fact, there are some strong songs on this offering, such as the classic, Heading Out to the Highway, as well as album standout Desert Plains and Solar Angels. Point of Entry features the band attempting to allure mainstream rock radio fans. Unfortunately, coming off British Steel, there isn’t enough standout material to compare.

Best Song: Desert Plains

Best Deep Cut: Desert Plains

#12:

A fine rebound after the meandering Nostradamus, Redeemer of Souls has a vast collection of songs that should keep the listener engaged and rockin’! Pay special attention to Dragonaut, Halls of Valhalla, March of the Damned, Down in Flames, and Cold Blooded. This album is a precursor to what the band is able to conjure up on its next release!

Best Song: Dragonaut

Best Deep Cut: Dragonaut

#11:

The Rob Halford comeback album, Angel of Retribution represents a triumphant return for the Priest. Songs that need to be listened to include, Judas Rising, Deal with the Devil, Revolution, and Hellrider.

Best Song: Deal with the Devil

Best Deep Cut: Deal with the Devil

#10:

An often-maligned album, Turbo indeed experiments with synthesizers and other sound effects, albeit much of it performed with a winning formula. This is especially true of the lead-off, Turbo Lover, as well as the vastly underrated, Out in the Cold. Meanwhile, Locked In, Private Property, Parental Guidance, and Rock You All Around the World make for an enjoyable journey through side one, even if some of the lyrical content is at times, juvenile.

Best Song: Turbo Lover

Best Deep Cut: Out in the Cold

#9:

Sandwiched between more well-known records that we will talk about in a minute, Sin After Sin is an underrated album that features Priest classics, Sinner and Dissident Aggressor. Other tracks worth a mention include, the Joan Baez penned, Diamonds and Rust, as well as Starbreaker and Here Come the Tears. Do not sleep on this one!

Best Song: Starbreaker

Best Deep Cut: Starbeaker

#8:

Dubbed, Hell Bent for Leather in America due to a school shooting (with a slightly different track listing), Killing Machine represented the band headed towards its arena rock sound that it would perfect on subsequent albums. Featuring the Priest concert staple, Hell Bent for Leather, as well as the successful cover of Fleetwood Mac’s, The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown), the record also boasts strong tracks, Delivering the Goods, Running Wild, and the outstanding ballad, Before the Dawn. This is another offering that feels like it gets overlooked.

Best Song: Hell Bent for Leather

Best Deep Cut: Delivering the Goods

#7:

Well, I didn’t expect anything this good! The latest Judas Priest record features many solid to strong tracks, including the title cut, Lightning Strike, Evil Never Dies, Never the Heroes, Necromancer, and Spectre. By far, my favorite of the Priest comeback (Halford’s return) albums that finds its way on in my house quite often.

Best Song: Evil Never Dies

Best Deep Cut: Evil Never Dies

#6:

The band’s second release found the band heading toward its trademark sound, although some remnants of the trippy Rocka Rolla era remains. The result is a very good sophomore effort. Priest classics, Victim of Changes and The Ripper lead the record off, while Tyrant and Genocide headline the second half.

Best Song: The Ripper

Best Deep Cut: Tyrant

#5:

An outstanding album that leads off with the dominant first side of, Exciter, White Heat Red Hot, Better by You Better Than Me, Stained Class, and Invader. Meanwhile, the second side that includes, Saints in Hell and the classic, Beyond the Realms of Death is nothing to sneeze at.

Best Song: Beyond the Realms of Death

Best Deep Cut: Exciter

#4:

This is a landmark Judas Priest record that checks all the boxes one may look for:

Classic Priest songs that stand the test of time? Breaking the Law, Metal Gods, Living After Midnight

Solid mid-tempo rockers? Grinder, You Don’t Have to Be Old to Be Wise, The Rage

All out blitzes in speed metal? Rapid Fire, Steeler, with latter containing the brilliant two-minute outro that serves as a blueprint for the American thrash metal scene that was soon to hit.

Only the unforgivable, United, prevents British Steel from moving up higher on the list.

Best Song: Breaking the Law

Best Deep Cut: Steeler

#3:

A comeback album of sorts, as it comes off the heels of a subpar offering. This record marks the debut of the thunderous, and criminally underrated drummer, Scott Travis, and he makes his presence known with the opening drum intro to the entire album. A rather heavy album, Painkiller is a riff maker’s paradise, while Tipton and Downing shred like there’s no tomorrow. A killer record. Highlights include the epic title track, Hell Patrol, All Guns Blazing, Leather Rebel, Night Crawler, Between the Hammer and the Anvil, as well as the brilliant and haunting A Touch of Evil.

Best Song: Painkiller

Best Deep Cut: Night Crawler

#2:

From the opening chords of The Hellion and into Electric Eye, there is little doubt that this would be an epic album. The record does not let up, either. Riding on the Wind, Bloodstone, and (Take These) Chains follow in succession, leaving the listener punch drunk. The breakneck title track, Devil’s Child, and the anthem, You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ highlight a brutal second side. Add it all up, and you have an outstanding album.

Best Song: You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’

Best Deep Cut: Devil’s Child

#1:

I’ve mentioned in other posts how the oversaturation of classic rock radio has ruined many songs and albums for me, and that it seems the records that are void of a huge radio hit seem to stand out front (see AC/DC’s Powerage album). This is certainly the case with Defenders of the Faith. Although not a single song became a smash single, collectively, this is Judas Priests’ finest overall body of work.

The accelerated tempos of Freewheel Burning and Eat Me Alive, straightforward rockers, Jawbreaker, Rock Hard Ride Free, Some Heads Are Gonna Roll, and The Sentinel, the doomy, Love Bites, and the haunting ballad, Night Comes Down cement this record at the top of a very impressive musical mountain.

Best Song: Love Bites

Best Deep Cut: Love Bites

Metal Monday 10-25-2021

NOTE: I will rank full length STUDIO ALBUMS only. There will be no live records, greatest hits, or EP’s here.

This week, we get a bit heavy and discuss the mighty Slayer. Or perhaps it’s SLAAAAYERRRRR! Part of the Big 4 of American thrash, and hailing from Huntington Park, California, Slayer has been around for nearly 40 years, recently retiring in 2019.

Slayer features the double guitar attack of Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, the thrash metal drumming excellence of Dave Lombardo, and the blood curdling screams of vocalist Tom Araya. They were the one band that legitimately scared me when I was younger. Attending and surviving one of their concerts in the old days was an accomplishment on its own.

#11

Slayer experimented on this one and the result is the worst album of their career. That said, I find there are some decent offerings here, such as Bitter Peace, Death’s Head, and Stain of Mind. Even a bad Slayer album has some opportunity.

Best Song: Bitter Peace

Best Deep Cut (Aren’t ALL Slayer Songs Deep Cuts?): Bitter Peace

#10:

The album with a made-up name. Recorded with Gary Holt on guitar and Paul Bostaph on drums, this is a rather weak offering. It’s not a horrible record, but there is nothing that reaches out and grabs the listener. When the Stillness Comes sounds like King’s attempt to channel his inner Hanneman and write something on the more moody and melodic side. But again, we have our moments here.

Best Song: Chasing Death

Best Deep Cut: Chasing Death

#9:

This album, appropriately released on September 11, 2001, starts off with a bang with the trifecta of Disciple, God Send Death, and New Faith. Unfortunately, things go south for a while until Bloodline completely saves the back half.

Best Song: New Faith

Best Deep Cut: New Faith

#8:

The first album to feature Paul Bostaph on drums, Divine Intervention is the also the first Slayer record that disappointed me (nothing to do with Bostaph’s drumming!). Again, there is hope with, Killing Fields, Dittohead, and 213.

Best Song: Killing Fields

Best Deep Cut: Killing Fields

#7:

Lombardo’s return! I really have nothing against Paul Bostaph, I promise! He’s an amazing talent, but Slayer needs Lombardo like AC/DC needs Phil Rudd (sorry, Chris Slade!). Coincidently, this album is a return to form for the band. Check out Flesh Storm, Skeleton Christ, Eyes of the Insane, and Jihad, for starters.

Best Song: Flesh Storm

Best Deep Cut: Flesh Storm

#6:

This record doesn’t get a lot of love in my opinion. I find it extremely underrated. I love the title cut, especially the middle breakdown. In fact, nobody does the driving, mid-tempo thrash like Slayer, especially when placed within an otherwise fast song (see World Painted Blood, War Ensemble, and Angel of Death for reference).

The record is a perfect mix of top speed and slower thrash, such as Psychopathy Red (fast) and Playing with Dolls (slow). Other standouts are Hate Worldwide and Human Strain.

Best Song: World Painted Blood (it WAS a single, so I guess not a deep cut)

Best Deep Cut: Human Strain

#5:

Now we get into the classic five albums. These five records feature Slayer at their creative peak, with Hell Awaits representing the band heading toward its classic sound. More polished than its raw predecessor, the album features the amazing title cut, complete with its breathtaking thrash metal opening. No matter how many times I listen to this song, the two-minute jam before the lyrics starts gets me going every time! Other strong tracks include At Dawn They Sleep and Necrophiliac.

Best Song: Hell Awaits

Best Deep Cut: At Dawn They Sleep

#4:

Dangerous, hungry, and raw. That is how Show No Mercy sounds to me, nearly 40 years after its release. That Slayer had yet to find its defined sound does not matter on this album. Slayer classics on this record include The Antichrist, Die by the Sword, and Black Magic.

Best Song: Die by the Sword

Best Deep Cut: Fight Till Death

#3:

Fresh off their iconic Reign in Blood, Slayer decided not to rewrite history and went for a more stripped down and slower approach. While Silent Scream and Ghosts of War conjure up the ghosts of Slayer past with their fast tempos, the meat of this record is in the mid-tempo numbers, including the classic title cut, complete with it’s haunting album intro. Further robust offerings include Mandatory Suicide and Behind the Crooked Cross.

Best Song: South of Heaven

Best Deep Cut: Behind the Crooked Cross

#2:

Considered the standard in thrash metal by many, Reign in Blood comes in at a tidy 34 minutes. I remember the old cassette that had the entire 10 songs on one side. Flip it over and play it again!

The classic Angel of Death leads it off. That breakdown in the middle is mind-blowing. Alter of Sacrifice and Jesus Saves anchor the middle section, while the album closing duo of Postmortem and Raining Blood is unequaled. The breakdown after the intro and before the vocals on the title cut is, in my opinion, the finest thrash riff there is.

Best Song: Angel of Death

Best Deep Cut: Postmortem

#1:

Simply put, the finest collection of Slayer songs in its catalog. A perfect mixture of blazing speed, mid-tempo, and doom and gloom thrash, Seasons represents the final chapter in the classic Slayer era.

The fast: War Ensemble, Hallowed Point, Born of Fire

The mid-tempo: Blood Red, Spirt in Black, Temptation

Doom and Gloom: Expendable Youth, Dead Skin Mask, Skeletons of Society, title cut

This was the record that introduced me to how much of a whack job Ed Gein was!

Best Song: Seasons in the Abyss

Best Deep Cut: Spirit in Black

Metal Monday 10-17-2021

NOTE: I will rank full length STUDIO ALBUMS only. There will be no live records, greatest hits, or EP’s here.

This week we will talk about the legendary Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness. Ol’ Oz has been doing this for nearly fifty years, first as the lead singer of heavy metal trendsetter Black Sabbath, and then his own solo career. Of course, who can forget his TV show? Ozzy has enjoyed a few stints in Sabbath, and the band has taken part in a successful farewell tour, leaving Osbourne to his own band. It is Ozzy’s solo albums that we will rank this week.

#11:

Featuring Robert Trujillo and Mike Bordin, this album mostly misses the mark. It has nothing to do with the musicians, rather, the songs themselves. While Zakk Wylde plays guitar on the record, he does not take part in any of the songwriting. For this matter, Ozzy collaborated on the outside and the result is the #11 ranked album in Osbourne’s catalog.

Best Song: Facing Hell

Best Deep Cut: Facing Hell

#10:

Firewind guitarist Gus G. and drummer extraordinaire Tommy Clufetos debut on this record. Not much else to write about.

Best Song: Let it Die

Best Deep Cut: Let it Die

#9:

Another rather weak effort here, as well. After lead single, I Don’t Wanna Stop, the album provides few memorable moments. Closer, Trap Door ends things on a somewhat positive note, however.

Best Song: I Don’t Wanna Stop

Best Deep Cut: Trap Door

#8:

This one had Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler pounding the four string. Not a bad effort, but not the first Ozzy album I would put on, either. I do enjoy lead single, Perry Mason, as well as the ballad, See You on the Other Side. The album’s highlight for me is, I Just Want You.

Best Song: I Just Want You

Best Deep Cut: I Just Want You

#7:

A poppy affair, this album has some decent moments, however, not enough to push it higher into the countdown. The title track, Never Know Why, Killer of Giants, and Fool Like You are pleasurable listens. That said, the highlight is the one smash single which closes out the record, Shot in the Dark.

Best Song: Shot in the Dark

Best Deep Cut: Never Know Why

#6:

I’ve got to hand it to Ozzy. I didn’t think he had it in him at this point in his career. I truly enjoy this album, despite my standoffish expectations. Lead single, Under the Graveyard is the one song most folks will be familiar with, and the number is quite catchy. This is not the highlight, however. Straight to Hell, All My Life, Eat Me, and Scary Little Green Men are all worthy of a spin or two. For me, the record’s shining moment is on, Goodbye, a tune that starts with a plodding tempo, before moments of an all-out assault that reminds this reviewer of 80’s thrash.

Other surprises on Ordinary Man are the collaborations, first with Sir Elton John on the title cut, and later with Post Malone to close out the record with, It’s A Raid and Take What You Want.

Best Song: Goodbye

Best Deep Cut: Goodbye

#5:

This album features the debut of guitarist Jake E. Lee, in the unenviable situation of replacing the iconic Randy Rhoads, who was killed in a plane crash. Lee carries himself better than admirably, proving himself a talented guitarist in his own right, as well as a competent songwriter. The record, while notches below the first two, is a solid effort from Ozzy, nonetheless. In addition to the smash title cut, the album contains underrated deep cuts, You’re No Different, Centre of Eternity, Slow Down, and Waiting for Darkness.

Best Song: Bark at the Moon

Best Deep Cut: Waiting for Darkness

#4:

A huge record, upon which Ozzy toured on as part of his first farewell tour, No More Tears featured a polished sound and significant contributions from Motorhead’s Lemmy Kilmister. A brilliant bass guitar line drives the smash title cut, while ballads, Mama, I’m Coming Home, The Road to Nowhere, and Time After Time give the album plenty of MTV and radio hits. Give a listen to deep cuts, I Don’t Want to Change the World and Desire.

Best Song: No More Tears

Best Deep Cut: I Don’t Want to Change the World

#3:

The introduction of 21-year-old Zakk Wylde as the new guitarist, this album doesn’t receive a ton of accolades, but is as underrated of an Ozzy record as there is. With MTV hits, Miracle Man, and Crazy Babies, leading the way, the record sold more than 2 million copies in the US alone. Give a spin to single, Breakin’ all the Rules, as well as deep cuts, Devil’s Daughter (Holy War), Bloodbath in Paradise, and Fire in the Sky.

Best Song: Fire in the Sky

Best Deep Cut: Fire in the Sky

#2:

Ozzy’s first solo record also unleashed guitar wizard Randy Rhodes, formerly of Quiet Riot fame. An incredible album, Blizzard features major hits, Crazy Train, I Don’t Know, Mr. Crowley, Suicide Solution, and Goodbye to Romance. Quite a way to stick it to your estranged former bandmates in Black Sabbath! That said, Sabbath were doing their own great things around this time. Give the haunting Revelation (Mother Earth) a try.

Best Song: Mr. Crowley

Best Deep Cut: Revelation (Mother Earth)

#1:

While most would flip this album with Blizzard of Ozz, I tend to disagree. Nothing against the debut, however, I find the follow up to be a more cohesive, if less commercially successful collection of songs. The first half is brilliant, with Over the Mountain, Flying High Again, You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll, and Believer. Meanwhile the album closes with the more than solid trio of, Tonight, S.A.T.O., and the epic title cut.

Best Song: You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll

Best Deep Cut: You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll

Metal Monday 10-4-2021

NOTE: I will rank full length STUDIO ALBUMS only. There will be no live records, greatest hits, or EP’s here.

This week, we will study the Thunder from Down Under, AC/DC. Here is an iconic rock band that has been around for close to 50 years, which is unfathomable to me. The band has undergone several lineup changes due to dysfunction and tragedy, yet its core members throughout most of its history has been the Young brothers, Angus and Malcolm (died 2017).

Obviously, Angus Young is the most visual member of the band with his schoolboy outfit and raucous guitar solos, while the lead singer tandem of Bon Scott (until his death in 1980) and Brian Johnson give a strong voice to the songs. However, it is some of the more subtle things about AC/DC that draw me to the band, including the four on the floor rock solid drumming of Phil Rudd, as well as the eighth note throbbing bass lines of Cliff Williams. The late Malcolm Young was the main songwriter, along with his brother, and authored some of the most badass rock guitar riffs of all time.

#16:

Not much to write here.

Best Song: Fly on the Wall

Best Deep Cut: Fly on the Wall

#15:

A couple of strong tracks to lead off the record, but things fizzle out quickly after that.

Best Song: Heatseeker

Best Deep Cut: Go Zone

#14:

Again, not too much going for this record, either, although I do enjoy the title cut.

Best Song: Flick of the Switch

Best Deep Cut: Guns for Hire

#13:

This album and subsequent tour were plagued by personnel issues, namely, Malcolm Young’s departure due to illness. Meanwhile, Phil Rudd’s legal trouble did not allow him to tour, while Brian Johnson’s hearing issues forced him off the road mid-tour, to be replaced by Axl Rose.

Best Song: Rock or Bust

Best Deep Cut: Sweet Candy

#12:

This album had some decent moments, however, once again, there is a fair amount of filler. I do enjoy the title cut, as AC/DC continues a trend of leading off with their best song.

Best Song: Stiff Upper Lip

Best Deep Cut: Meltdown

#11:

The return of Phil Rudd after a long absence. As a drummer myself, I admire his robotic-like style, and his ability to produce such a fat sound. The man has no frills but go ahead try to stay on point as consistently as he does. As for the album, it’s okay.

Best Song: Hard as a Rock

Best Deep Cut: Whiskey on the Rocks

#10:

This record almost had no chance, coming on the heels of the wildly successful Back in Black. That said, it’s a pretty strong output, with some solid deep cuts (obviously the lead-off title track carries the whole thing).

Best Song: For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)

Best Deep Cut: Put the Finger on You

#9:

The final album for Malcolm Young. Black Ice has some great songs, including (stop me if you’ve heard this one before) the lead-off Rock and Roll Train. Big Jack, Anything Goes, and War Machine highlight a strong first half, however, the record is way too long at 15 songs. If it were cut down to the normal 10-11, we would be talking about putting this one higher up on the list.

Best Song: Rock and Roll Train

Best Deep Cut: War Machine

#8:

When I heard AC/DC was releasing a new album, I didn’t have high expectations. At this point in their illustrious career, I was expecting something along the lines of Rock or Bust. Boy, was I surprised when I started listening to this one. Give the band credit. They put out a very good album.

Best Song: Through the Mists of Time

Best Deep Cut: Realize

#7:

A comeback album of sorts following a string of subpar offerings, The Razor’s Edge put the band back in the limelight. Featuring the iconic Thunderstruck, as well as singles, Moneytalks and Are You Ready, the record was promoted with a very successful world tour. AC/DC was back!

Best Song: Thunderstruck

Best Deep Cut: The Razor’s Edge

#6:

The classic title cut starts this one off with a bang and it doesn’t really let up. A dirty sounding album with other standout tracks, including, Rocker, Problem Child, and Squealer.

Best Song: Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

Best Deep Cut: Squealer

#5:

The first internationally released AC/DC album (there were two releases in Australia only), High Voltage contains many of the same songs as the pair of domestic releases.. The album features It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll), Rock ‘n’ Roll Singer, Live Wire, TNT, and the title track as its standouts. A very underrated record and a sign of things to come for this new band.

Best Song: Rock ‘n’ Roll Singer

Best Deep Cut: Rock ‘n’ Roll Singer

#4:

A lot of folks may wonder if I am feeling okay for ranking this one so low. Trust me, I think it’s a great album! It’s just that there are three beasts ahead of it!

An introduction to new vocalist Brian Johnson following the untimely death of Bon Scott, Back in Black has become an all-time iconic record, with several songs that will be played on classic rock radio forever. Starting with, Hells Bells, and continuing with, Shoot to Thrill, the album also contains the classic title cut and the uber-successful, You Shook Me All Nite Long.

If I were to have a gripe with this album, however, it would be that classic rock radio has played the hits to death, almost to the point that I cringe when I hear them, even though they are fantastic songs. Furthermore, some of the other songs don’t do much for me. While I enjoy, Have a Drink on Me, and, What Do You Do For Money Honey, I cannot seem to get into, Given the Dog a Bone, Shake a Leg, and Let Me Put My Love Into You. In addition, I still have no idea how Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution is still a favored track of so many.

Best Song: Hells Bells

Best Deep Cut: Have a Drink on Me

#3:

A short little ditty at eight songs, Let There Be Rock never strays too far from my AC/DC playlist. From the groove of the title track to the drive of Dog Eat Dog, Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be, and Whole Lotta Rosie, this one is a masterpiece, and also features, probably my favorite AC/DC song, Bad Boy Boogie. Also, don’t fall asleep on Overdose.

Best Song: Bad Boy Boogie

Best Deep Cut: Overdose

#2:

Perhaps the reason I love this record is because there are no huge radio singles in the bunch. Nope, there is just a collection of great rock and roll songs. Strong songs? Where do I start? Rock ‘n’ Roll Damnation, Down Payment Blues, Riff Raff, Sin City, What’s Next to the Moon, Gone Shootin’, and Up to My Neck in You. I almost feel bad for the other unnamed tracks because they are decent themselves.

Best Song: Rock ‘n’ Roll Damnation

Best Deep Cut: Gone Shootin’

#1:

Why is this ranked number one? Well, let’s find out. Starting with the gigantic title cut and going straight into, Girls Got Rhythm is a strong one/two punch. But it doesn’t stop there. This album also features, Walk All Over You, Touch Too Much, Shot Down in Flames, Get it Hot, If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It), and the grooving Love Hungry Man. Whew!

Best Song: Shot Down in Flames

Best Deep Cut: Touch Too Much

Metal Monday

NOTE: I will rank full length STUDIO ALBUMS only. There will be no live records, greatest hits, or EP’s here.

This week we will visit everybody’s favorite masked marvels: KISS. I was introduced to the amazing world of rock and roll by my best friend in second grade, who, by the way, has gone on to become a wildly successful vocalist in the genre himself. No, I will not reveal who it is. Besides, I haven’t personally talked to this individual since that day his family moved away.

Anyway, this buddy of mine turned me onto KISS. Until then, I was an oldies fanatic, particularly of Elvis Presley. KISS was my first venture into anything current. Let me just say, as a seven-year-old kid, WOW, was I blown away! These guys were unpredictable and dangerous! And, at that point, nobody had a clue what they looked like underneath the war paint.

The first album I bought (or my parents were kind enough to buy for me) was Alive II. Remember the photo when you opened the album up? That stage? Unbelievable! From there, I went back and became familiar with Alive I, as well as some of the studio albums, such as Destroyer and Love Gun. Let’s just say I was hooked, and because of KISS, and my now famous classmate, I began to explore other rock and roll bands such as AC/DC and Black Sabbath.

So, here begins the album ranking. As there are 20 studio albums, some of the write-ups may be brief. Again, the aforementioned live records will not be included, although Alive I is arguably the biggest and most important KISS album available.

#20:

Nothing really to say about this one. Even KISS has to have their worst album, and this is it.

Best Song: A World Without Heroes

Best Deep Cut: A World Without Heroes

#19:

The original classic lineup ends before our very eyes. Another forgettable album.

Best Song: Talk to Me

Best Deep Cut: Talk to Me

#18:

Are you seeing a trend with the decade associated with these first few bottom feeder records?

Best Song: Crazy, Crazy Nights

Best Deep Cut: Bang Bang You

#17:

KISS trying to fit into the 80s glam metal scene. Not particularly my cup of tea, but there are a few decent songs here, including the solid hit single, Heaven’s on Fire.

Best Song: Heaven’s on Fire

Best Deep Cut: I’ve Had Enough (Into the Fire)

#16:

See my comments for Animalize. Copy, paste. Take out, Heaven’s on Fire. Insert, Tears are Falling.

Best Song: Tears are Falling

Best Deep Cut: King of the Mountain

#15:

The last studio album we have from KISS. It’s okay, considering it’s 2012.

Best Song: Hell or Hallelujah

Best Deep Cut: Shout Mercy

#14:

The album where the band took off the makeup. Decent offering, but nothing special.

Best Song: Exciter

Best Deep Cut: Exciter

#13:

The great Eric Carr’s last album. Amazing tour for this one but a long and meandering record with too few highlights. That said, the brilliant, Hide Your Heart, and the ballad, Forever, more than makes up for the filler.

Best Song: Hide Your Heart

Best Deep Cut: Betrayed

#12:

Carnival of Souls/The Final Sessions-1997

This is the album KISS was working on before doing an about face and agreeing to reunite with original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. It is the final record to feature guitarist Bruce Kulick, a key figure during the band’s 1980s movement. The group eschewed its classic hard rock style for an alternative, grunge-sounding record. As much of a disaster in the making as that sounds, Carnival of Souls isn’t a bad album at all.

Highlights include, Hate, Rain, Master and Slave, Childhood’s End, I Will Be There, Jungle, and the Kulick-fronted, I Walk Alone.

Best Song: Master and Slave

Best Deep Cut: Master and Slave

#11:

The reunion album with Frehley and Criss. KISS decided to cash in on its gigantic reunion tour and head back to the studio with all four original members. The result is a mixed bag with some solid songs, including the excellent title track, but overall, this record represents a disappointment considering the expectations (albeit unfair) that came with it. Rumors of creative differences and whether Frehley and Criss are actually on the record persist.

Best Song: Psycho Circus

Best Deep Cut: Dreamin’

#10:

Disco-KISS! This album gets a bad rap, but it is pretty decent offering in my opinion. It’s not my go-to record, however, I would put this one into my player before the previous ten. The band was experiencing its share of tension by this point, and it depends on who you talk to as to whether Criss played on it.

Best Song: Sure Know Something (the “Unplugged” version is fantastic)

Best Deep Cut: Sure Know Something

#9:

This was the first KISS album in 11 years and the first to feature the Stanley-Simmons-Tommy Thayer-Eric Singer line-up. For a band so long in the tooth, Sonic Boom was a very strong showing by a band who was, perhaps, out to prove that the derailment of the classic lineup wouldn’t necessarily mean the complete end of the group.

Best Song: Say Yeah

Best Deep Cut: Never Enough

#8:

A criminally underrated album. This was the first KISS record to feature Eric Singer on the drums, replacing the late Eric Carr. It featured the singles, Unholy, I Just Wanna, and God Gave Rock and Roll to You II, although the latter track being one of the weaker ones in my opinion. Other strong cuts include, Take it Off, Thou Shalt Not, and Domino.

Best Song: Take it Off

Best Deep Cut: Take it Off

#7:

The first entry for one of the original six classic KISS records, Hotter Than Hell is, according to me, the weakest of the bunch. That said, its still a pretty solid offering, featuring the classics, Parasite, the title cut, and Let Me Go, Rock and Roll. Meanwhile, the album is boosted by deeper cuts, Goin’ Blind, Comin’ Home, and Got to Choose.

Best Song: Goin’ Blind

Best Deep Cut: Goin’ Blind

#6:

The best KISS album that nobody talks about, Creatures features Stanley, Simmons, Vinnie Vincent, and Eric Carr. A few hits here, such as the title cut, I Love it Loud, and I Still Love You. More obscure tracks worth a listen are, Keep Me Comin,’ Rock and Roll Hell, and War Machine.

Best Song: I Still Love You

Best Deep Cut: Keep Me Comin’

#5:

KISS was touring behind this album when Alive II was recorded. Love Gun was the beginning of the end for the first tenure of the original band. It features Ace Frehley’s monster hit, Shock Me, as well as the title track, which is still a staple in the band’s live set.

Best Song: Shock Me

Best Deep Cut: I Stole Your Love

#4:

This is sort of an overlooked KISS classic, but still a strong record, nonetheless.

Best Song: Hard Luck Woman

Best Deep Cut: Take Me

#3:

Many consider this to be the best KISS album, and they have a strong argument. Featuring perhaps the best KISS song, Detroit Rock City, as well as the smash ballad, and the band’s only #1 song, Beth, Destroyer is KISS at their peak, especially considering that they were coming off the high of the KISS Alive album.

Best Song: Detroit Rock City

Best Deep Cut: King of the Nighttime World

#2:

Other than the anthem, Rock and Roll All Nite, there is little else in the way of a hit song on this album, and perhaps that’s why it is so damn good. Classic rock radio hasn’t ruined it. Room Service, Two Timer, Rock Bottom, C’mon and Love Me, and She are amazing songs that never get skipped over when this fantastic album is in my player.

Best Song: C’mon and Love Me

Best Deep Cut: C’mon and Love Me

#1:

For the second week in a row, I have identified, in my mind, that the band’s best album is their first. And for the second week in a row, the band still went on to have an enormous career. I love this record for its rawness, another similarity to last week’s band, Motley Crue, on its first couple of albums. There is not a weak track among the ten offered, with Strutter, Nothin’ to Lose, Firehouse, and 100,000 Years joining more popular hits, Cold Gin, Deuce, and Black Diamond as the main highlights.

Best Song: Black Diamond

Best Deep Cut: Strutter