Newsletter 9 August 2025

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Week Ending:
9 August 2025

Album Of The Week

How Do We Rate Album Of The Week?

TheBigBlack

Balls To The Wall

Accept - Balls To The Wall (1983)

[Heavy Metal]

Although in recent years Accept have been thought about as a legacy act, regardless of them releasing a stream of consistent albums for decades, it is important to remember they were at the forefront of acts leading heavy metal in the early 1980s. The vocals of Udo Dirkschneider are often cited as an influence, and guitarist Wolf Hoffman was amongst the first to bring neo-classical influences into heavy metal. By the band's fifth album Balls To The Wall they were a well-oiled metal machine, and it is often the album still talked about today as their most important. Oddly enough, it has also often been discussed due to its album cover and song lyrics, both seen as being linked to homosexuality in some way. The band themselves have indeed confirmed they deliberately added some subtle references, as heavy metal was all about challenging social taboos. Whilst more open-minded European audiences saw the connection and made sense of it, American audiences just didn't get it resulting in censorship plaguing the initial U.S. release. To the censors singing about violence and Satan was regarded as OK, but gay references crossed some sort of line. Obvious hypocrisy aside, the title track opens the album nicely, and the crispness of the modern production is immediately noticeable. Dirkschneider's gravel-mouthed vocals cut the chorus to shreds, and a metal classic is born. The song has been covered more times over the decades than anyone could count. 'London Leatherboys', one of the tracks often mistaken to be about gay men (it is actually an ode to motorcycle clubs), is a similar tempo and again kicks in a big sing-along chorus. Fans by this point would notice a clear change in song writing on the album, moving from the more in-your-face metal songs from previous album Restless And Wild (1982), to an easily digestible version of the band. This was clearly an album that was written to appeal to a wider audience than just metal fans. Having said that, 'Fight It Back' makes a good play at older fans as a throwback to their earlier work. The slick production and mid-tempo songs continue throughout the album, with songs like 'Head Over Heels' and 'Losing More Than You've Ever Had' fading into each other without much to distinguish them. 'Love Child' stands out as a perfect example of 1983 heavy metal track and could be at home on any album by any band from the era. 'Losers And Winners' carries Side B best, with another punchy guitar-line typical of the era. 'Winter Dreams' wraps the album with the obligatory ballad, and is largely forgettable except for the soulful soloing. Listening to the album today brings a feeling of nostalgia, but also the realisation that most of it isn't really anything above average. It is an album that has to be heard with the history of the era in mind, and only then can it be understood why it holds a special place in metal history. It was launch-pad cited by various younger bands to leap from to evolve the genre, and that is what still makes it important - regardless of the content.

mindkiller8

Paranoid

Black Sabbath - Paranoid (1970)

[Heavy Metal]

Growing up, the only exposure I had to pre-80's music really was through my dad's collection. He had some great bands, but it didn't include Black Sabbath. The other influence on my music interests growing up was AM radio, and you certainly weren't going to hear the likes of 'War Pigs' playing on a Thursday afternoon. If fact the first time I heard this song was the cover by Faith No More, which I loved. I was never one to go back and listen to the history of a band or a song once I started buying their music. There was so much new music to listen to in the 80's/90's I didn't think to go back. In any case it's clear that Paranoid is a seminal album for Black Sabbath. There might be arguments against their debut being the top of the pops, but for me, Paranoid was the one album I chose to listen to and still enjoy to this day. I kinda feel this review actually doesn't need much explaining as I believe anyone interested in the band knows this album very well. In any case I'll provide my view. Opener 'War Pigs'. Referencing what I mentioned earlier, it was great to reconcile with the original. Still blows me away that this music royalty was created in 1970. Blows me away. They lads had a knack for rhythm and Ozzy with his moody but somewhat childish vocals. Almost seem we are waiting for his balls to drop. Yeah, sue me if you don't agree. Maybe it was the production. In any case it turns into classic hit after classic hit, with 'Paranoid', 'Planet Caravan' and 'Iron Man' blowing your mind on what is just side one of the L.P. 'Panet Caravan' for me is the outliner for the first side. Only 3 tracks in you have this solemn offering with distortion of Ozzy's vocals you can hardly recognise. A really interesting interlude. The need for it at track 3, not so sure. 'Iron Man' is just so over the top. With that bass drum intro leading into a simple strum of the guitar before we get into business. Probably my fave of the record. The second side as for many bands seems to be a challenge to meet the quality of side A. Maybe just slightly Paranoid suffers from this a little. However if you invest the time you will find the intricacies that while different to side A, still offer a different attractiveness. Love the cheeky lyrics in the intro to 'Hand Of Doom'. 'Rat Salad' instrumental being the clear classic and a bold choice by the band as instrumentals aren't everyone's cup of tea. But it is a one-in-all-in by the band and all 3 of them blast out such a memorable classic. I have to point out Bill Ward on this and his incredible effort on this track. Amazing!!! Finishing with 'Faries Wear Boots'. Impressed by the band's knowledge of faries but any case, grab me a napkin so I can wipe my face after indulging such a record. I'm done. No desert for me thank you.

Core Discographies: New Additions

These are new releases available in the Core Discographies this week.

Remember, Core Discographies accepts Requests. Click HERE to request your favourite album to be included.

Click on any links below to see release details.

MP3

FLAC

Flotsam And Jetsam
Ugly Noise

[Album]
21 December 2012
Thrash Metal

'Ugly Noise' is the eleventh studio album by Flotsam And Jetsam. In order to make this album, the band used PledgeMusic, encouraging their fans to contribute funds to its recording and the band themselves to donate to charity as a part of their fundraising. The album marked the first Flotsam And Jetsam album recorded with two of its original members Michael Gilbert (guitar) and Kelly David Smith (drums) since 1997's High. Original bassist Jason Newsted also co-wrote some songs for the album, but did not officially rejoin the band. It is the last album to feature Jason Ward on bass, and Edward Carlson on guitar, although he would be featured on the re-recording of No Place For Disgrace (2014).

Flotsam And Jetsam is an American thrash metal band that was formed in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1981. Before settling on its current name in 1984, the band had existed under three different names, Paradox, Dredlox and Dogz. They are also notable for featuring a then-unknown Jason Newsted, who was the band's bassist from 1981 to 1986, when he left the band shortly after the release of their debut album to join Metallica. Despite not achieving similar levels of commercial success as some of their thrash metal contemporaries, the band emerged as part of the second wave of the genre in the mid-to-late 1980s (along with Sepultura, Testament and Death Angel).

MP3

FLAC

Serj Tankian
Imperfect Harmonies

[Album]
21 September 2010
Nu Metal

'Imperfect Harmonies' is the second studio album by Serj Tankian.

Serj Tankian (born August 21, 1967) is an Armenian-American musician and activist. He is best known as the lead vocalist of the alternative metal band System Of A Down, which was formed in 1994. Tankian is regarded as one of the best vocalists in heavy metal, with praise given to his unusual delivery and his wide vocal range. In 2006, he was ranked No. 26 on the Hit Parader list of 'Top 100 Heavy Metal Vocalists'. A study conducted by VVN Music found that Tankian possesses a high and diverse vocal range of 4.2 octaves. In 2002, Tankian co-founded the non-profit political activism organization Axis Of Justice, alongside guitarist and fellow activist Tom Morello.

MP3

FLAC

Flotsam And Jetsam
The Cold

[Album]
14 September 2010
Thrash Metal

'The Cold' is the tenth album by Flotsam And Jetsam. This album has a more progressive metal approach than previous albums. The use of more technical syncopation and rhythms is prevalent throughout. Odd time signatures and elements of technical metal are used as well.

MP3

FLAC

Annihilator
Annihilator

[Album]
17 May 2010
Thrash Metal

'Annihilator' is the thirteenth album by Annihilator.

Annihilator is a Canadian thrash metal band founded in Ottawa in 1984 by Jeff Waters. Waters is the band's sole constant member and has acted as its guitarist, bandleader, writer, producer, engineer, and occasional bassist and vocalist. They are also considered to be part of the "second wave" of thrash metal bands from the late 1980s and early 1990s. Annihilator is the highest-selling Canadian heavy metal group, although most sales have been generated outside of Canada.

Label(s):

Earache Records (Region: Europe)

Riot! Entertainment (Region: Europe)

MP3

FLAC

Candlemass
Candlemass

[Album]
22 May 2005
Doom Metal

'Candlemass' is the eighth studio album by Candlemass. It is the band's last album to feature vocalist Messiah Marcolin.

Candlemass is a Swedish epic doom metal band formed in Upplands Vasby, a suburb of Stockholm, in 1984 by bassist, songwriter, and bandleader Leif Edling, alongside drummer Matz Ekstrom. The band has had a defining influence on doom metal, with the epic doom genre itself taking its name from their debut album Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (1986). Along with Pentagram, Saint Vitus, and Trouble, Candlemass has been recognized as one of the "big four of doom metal". After releasing five full-length albums and extensively touring throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Candlemass disbanded in 1994 but reunited three years later. Following another breakup in 2002, the band reformed in 2004 and has continued to record and perform ever since.

Label(s):

Nuclear Blast Records (Region: International)

MP3

FLAC

Aura Noir
The Merciless

[Album]
1 October 2004
Black Metal

'The Merciless' is the fourth studio album by Aura Noir.

Label(s):

Peaceville Records (Region: Europe)

Tyrant Syndicate (Region: Europe)

MP3

FLAC

Arch Enemy
Anthems Of Rebellion

[Album]
23 July 2003
Death Metal (Melodic)

'Anthems Of Rebellion' is the fifth studio album by Arch Enemy.

Performer(s):

Per Wiberg - Keyboard [Guest]

Label(s):

Century Media (Region: International)

MP3

FLAC

Annihilator
Double Live Annihilation

[Album]
25 March 2003
Thrash Metal

'Double Live Annihilation' is the second live album by Annihilator.

Label(s):

AFM Records (Region: Europe)

MP3

FLAC

Arch Enemy
Wages Of Sin

[Album]
25 April 2001
Death Metal (Melodic)

'Wages Of Sin' is the fourth studio album by Arch Enemy. It is the first Arch Enemy album to feature the vocals of Angela Gossow, and their first to feature a female vocalist. It is also their first album recorded in C tuning, starting a trend which continues across their discography. It was first released on 25 April 2001 in Japan, but the European and American releases were delayed until 18 March 2002.

Performer(s):

Michael Amott - Guitar [Member]

Daniel Erlandsson - Bass Guitar [Member]

Per Wiberg - Keyboard [Guest]

Label(s):

Century Media (Region: International)

MP3

FLAC

Arch Enemy
Burning Bridges

[Album]
21 May 1999
Death Metal (Melodic)

'Burning Bridges' is the third studio album by Arch Enemy. It is the first Arch Enemy album to feature Sharlee D'Angelo on bass and the last studio recording to feature vocalist Johan Liiva, as well as the last album to feature a male vocalist to date.

Performer(s):

Michael Amott - Guitar [Member]

Daniel Erlandsson - Bass Guitar [Member]

Per Wiberg - Keyboard [Guest]

Label(s):

Century Media (Region: International)

MP3

FLAC

Aura Noir
Deep Tracts Of Hell

[Album]
?? October 1998
Black Metal

'Deep Tracts Of Hell' is the second studio album by Aura Noir.

Label(s):

Peaceville Records (Region: Europe)

MP3

FLAC

Arch Enemy
Stigmata

[Album]
21 April 1998
Death Metal (Melodic)

'Stigmata' is the second studio album by Arch Enemy. The album was Arch Enemy's first to see worldwide release.

Performer(s):

Michael Amott - Guitar [Member]

Daniel Erlandsson - Bass Guitar [Member]

Label(s):

Century Media (Region: International)

MP3

FLAC

Arch Enemy
Black Earth

[Album]
12 December 1996
Death Metal (Melodic)

'Black Earth' is the debut studio album by Arch Enemy.

Performer(s):

Michael Amott - Guitar [Member]

Daniel Erlandsson - Bass Guitar [Member]

Label(s):

Wrong Again Records (Region: Europe)

MP3

FLAC

Aura Noir
Black Thrash Attack

[Album]
?? September 1996
Black Metal

'Black Thrash Attack' is the debut studio album by Aura Noir. This is the first album to feature Blasphemer (Rune Eriksen) from Mayhem on guitars. As indicated in the title, this album is a mix of black metal and thrash metal and as such contains quite a few hints at early German thrash bands such as Kreator and Destruction.

Label(s):

Century Media (Region: U.S.A.)

Malicious Records (Region: Europe)

MP3

FLAC

Icehouse
Masterfile

[Album; Compilation]
16 November 1992
Rock

MP3

FLAC

Helmet
Meantime

[Album]
23 June 1992
Alternative Rock

'Meantime' is the second studio album by Helmet. Despite initially only achieving moderate commercial success, peaking at number 68 on the Billboard 200 chart upon release in 1992, the album influenced multiple bands in its wake, and has been well received by music critics and is considered an influential album of the metal genre. It has continued to sell consistently well in the years since its release, and in 1994 was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album has sold over 2 million copies worldwide.

Helmet is an American alternative rock band from New York City formed in 1989 by vocalist and lead guitarist Page Hamilton. Helmet has had numerous lineup changes with Hamilton as the only constant member. Since 2010, the band has consisted of Hamilton, drummer Kyle Stevenson, guitarist Dan Beeman and bassist Dave Case. The band broke up in 1998, but reformed in 2004.

Performer(s):

Andy Wallace - Mixing [Producer]

Label(s):

Interscope Records (Region: International)

Atlantic Records (Region: International)

Amphetamine Reptile Records (Region: International)

MP3

FLAC

Dire Straits
Brothers In Arms

[Album]
13 May 1985
Rock

'Brothers In Arms' is the fifth studio album by Dire Straits. It was the first album in history to sell over one million copies in CD format. It spent a total of 14 non-consecutive weeks at number one on the U.K. Albums Chart (including ten consecutive weeks between 18 January and 22 March 1986), nine weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 in the United States and 34 weeks at number one on the Australian Albums Chart. It was the first album to be certified ten-times platinum in the U.K. and is the eighth-best-selling album in U.K. chart history. It is certified nine-times platinum in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and is one of the world's best-selling albums, having sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.

Performer(s):

Mark Knopfler - Vocals / Guitar [Member]

Label(s):

Vertigo Records (Region: Europe)

Phonogram Records (Region: Europe)

Warner Bros. Records (Region: U.S.A.)

Core Discographies: This Year's Releases Coming Soon

These are new releases coming to Core Discographies soon.

All new releases are available.

Digital Library: New Additions

These are new releases added in the Digital Library this week. These will be tagged at a future date.

Digital Library Links: Digital Library

Click on any links below to see release details.

Heathen
Bleed The World, Live

[Album; Live]
25 March 2025
Thrash Metal

'Bleed The World, Live' is the first live album by Heathen,

Label(s):

Nuclear Blast Records (Region: International)

Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts
Coastal (The Soundtrack)

[Album]
2025
Folk Rock

Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts
Talkin To The Trees

[Album]
13 June 2025
Folk Rock

'Talkin To The Trees' is the forty-ninth studio album by Neil Young.

Plush
Live USA '24

[Album]
2025
Hard Rock

Psycroptic
Divine Council

[Album]
2022
Death Metal

Wolf
Shadowland

[Album]
2022
Heavy Metal

Philm
Time Burner

[Album]
2021
Metal

Various Artists
Metal Massacre XV

[Album; Compilation]
2021
-Various-

Warrel Dane
Praises To The War Machine [Reissue]

[Album]
2021
Metal

Insidious Disease
After Death

[Album]
2020
Death Metal

The Rolling Stones
World Tour 1994/95 (Voodoo Lounge In Japan)

[Album; Live]
2019
Classic Rock

Various Artists
Woodstock, Back To The Garden (50th Anniversary Experience)

[Album; Compilation]
2019
-Various-

Various Artists
Woodstock, Back To The Garden (The Definitive 50th Anniversary Archive)

[Album; Compilation]
2019
-Various-

Thou
Magnus

[Album]
2018
Doom Metal

Thou
Rhea Sylvia

[E.P.]
2018
Doom Metal

Willard
Underground

[Album]
2018
Grunge Rock

The Faceless
In Becoming A Ghost

[Album]
2017
Death Metal

Hath
Hive

[E.P.]
2015
Death Metal (Progressive)

Thou
Heathen

[Album]
2014
Doom Metal

Zombie Inc.
A Dreadful Disease

[Album]
2011
Death Metal

Various Artists
Songs From The 100 Best Australian Albums

[Album; Compilation]
2010
-Various-

Jello Biafra And The Guantanamo School Of Medicine
The Audacity Of Hype

[Album]
2009
Punk

Ram-Zet
Neutralized

[Album]
2009
Metal

Thou
Tyrant

[Album]
2007
Doom Metal

Velvet Revolver
Slither

[Single]
2004
Hard Rock

James Murphy
Feeding The Machine

[Album]
1999
Death Metal

Performer(s):

James Murphy - Guitar [Member]

Steve DiGiorgio - Bass Guitar [Guest]

The Rolling Stones
Anybody Seen My Baby (2)

[Single]
1997
Classic Rock

The Rolling Stones
Anybody Seen My Baby (1)

[Single]
1997
Classic Rock

The Rolling Stones
Anybody Seen My Baby (3)

[Single]
1997
Classic Rock

The Rolling Stones
Wild Horses (Live) [Edit]

[Single; Promotional]
1996
Classic Rock

The Rolling Stones
Wild Horses (Live)

[Single]
1996
Classic Rock

Zoic
Total Level Of Destruction

[Album]
1996
Heavy Metal

The Rolling Stones
Got Me Rocking (2)

[Single]
1994
Classic Rock

The Rolling Stones
Got Me Rocking (1)

[Single]
1994
Classic Rock

The Meanies
Gangrenous

[Album]
1991
Alternative Rock

The Rolling Stones
Terrifying (1)

[Single]
1990
Classic Rock

The Rolling Stones
Terrifying (3)

[Single]
1990
Classic Rock

The Rolling Stones
Terrifying (2)

[Single]
1990
Classic Rock

Miles Davis
1958 Miles

[Album]
1979
Jazz

Miles Davis
Quiet Nights

[Album]
1963
Jazz

Miles Davis
Miles Ahead [Mono]

[Album]
1957
Jazz

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Week Ending: 9 August 2025

Album Of The Week

Accept - Balls To The Wall (1983)

Black Sabbath - Paranoid (1970)

Core Discographies: New Additions

Core Discographies: This Year's Releases Coming Soon

Digital Library: New Additions

TheBigBlack's Last.FM Listening History

⚠️ Known Page Issues

Week Ending:
9 August 2025