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Week Ending:
11 January 2025

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Album Of The Week

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TheBigBlack

You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll

Twisted Sister - You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll (1983)

[Hard Rock]

By album number two Twister Sister were still an underground band. They had signed to Atlantic by this point, so with some major label money and push, this would be the album that would truly introduce them to the rock world. It certainly wasn't a smash hit, but did position the band to break into the mainstream on follow up Stay Hungry (1984). 'The Kids Are Back' opens the album at a mid-pace, but with a real feeling of muscle, and the Dee Snider snarl cuts through the atmosphere like a knife. 'Like A Knife In The Back' follows with the same intensity. This is a band that writes more than songs - they write anthems that insist you sing along, and these songs are proof of that. 'Ride To Live, Live To Ride' is an ode to the open road, and it really feels like the wind is blowing through your hair as you barrel down the highway. The leads of Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda are perfectly crafted throughout, and take the songs to the next level, especially on this track. Snider sounds like Alice Cooper at times when he snarls the lyrics, and this is possibly heard more on this album that any other, but his raspy voice soars when he sings the big melody choruses. 'I Am (I'm Me)' unfortunately drags the album back to its time, and this suitable 1983 pop-rock song reminds the listener that the band were just as capable as being a pop band as a hard rock band when necessary. Songs like these are sprinkled across all their albums, and without them the band would have had no radio airplay exposure, so it needs to be seen as a necessary evil. 'We're Gonna Make It' opens side two with a punch to the gut, sounding like a lost song from W.A.S.P., but it is a fairly forgettable paint-by-numbers affair. In fact. The entirety of the second half of the album slumps in comparison to the first, with 'I've Had Enough' and 'I'll Take You Alive' being largely vapid songs. 'You're Not Alone (Suzette's Song)' is the obligatory big ballad of the album, and Snider's ode to his new wife. It is exactly the sort of tear-jerker you'd expect from an early 80s hard rock band. Luckily the album does end on high note, with 'You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll' - one last fist-pumper before it's all over. Twisted Sister certainly had better albums than this one (the follow up 'Stay Hungry' is considered a masterpiece by many), but the charm here is the intensity. This feels like an animal in a cage waiting to break free. The band knew they were close to fame, and played like they would stop at nothing to get there.

Artists: New Additions

These are new artists added this week.

Click on any images below to see artist details.

Amiensus

Black Metal (Progressive)

Amiensus is an American progressive black metal band, formed in 2010. It has members based in Washington and Minnesota, U.S.A.

Core Discographies: New Additions

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

Core Discographies Links: New Additions | New Releases | Coming Soon | Themes

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

Click on any links below to see release details.

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Amiensus
Reclamation (Pt. II)

[Album]
30 August 2024
Black Metal (Progressive)

'Reclamation (Pt. II) is the fifth album by Amiensus. It is part 3 of a 2 part album.

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Amiensus
Reclamation (Pt. I)

[Album]
26 April 2024
Black Metal (Progressive)

'Reclamation (Pt. I) is the fourth album by Amiensus. It is part 1 of a 2 part album.

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Linkin Park
One More Light

[Album]
19 May 2017
Nu Metal

'One More Light' is the seventh studio album by Linkin Park. It is the band's final album to feature two of their longtime members: co-lead vocalist Chester Bennington, who died from suicide by hanging two months after the album's release, and drummer and band co-founder Rob Bourdon, who opted to not return for the band's reformation in 2024. Despite the mixed critical reception, the album performed well commercially, debuting at number 1 in several countries; it also became the band's fifth number-one album on the Billboard 200 and was certified Gold in five countries.

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Linkin Park
The Hunting Party

[Album]
14 June 2014
Nu Metal

'The Hunting Party' is the sixth studio album by Linkin Park. It is the first album since Meteora (2003) not to be produced with Rick Rubin, who produced the band's previous three studio albums. The album's title is a contextual metaphor: Linkin Park is the party that is hunting to bring back the energy and soul of rock. Stylistically, The Hunting Party is a departure from the electronic rock and experimental sound of the band's previous two studio albums, A Thousand Suns (2010) and Living Things (2012) and marks a return to the band's nu metal sound. The album received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its return to the heavier rock sound of their older albums. It debuted at number 3 on the US Billboard 200. The album was certified Platinum in United States for the sales of one million copies.

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Candlemass
Psalms For The Dead

[Album]
8 June 2012
Doom Metal

'Psalms For The Dead' is the eleventh studio album by Candlemass. At the time of its release, the band stated that this would be their final album, though bassist and founding member Leif Edling has since retracted this claim. It is, however, the last Candlemass album recorded with singer Robert Lowe, who left the band just six days before its release.

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Oasis
Dig Out Your Soul

[Album]
6 October 2008
Rock

'Dig Out Your Soul' is the seventh studio album by Oasis. It received positive reviews from critics for its harder rock and psychedelic rock sound that the band created, and it was a commercial success.

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Radio Birdman
Zeno Beach

[Album]
?? June 2006
Punk

'Zeno Beach' is the third studio album by Radio Birdman. Their first album in 25 years, it maintains much of the sound the band had in the 1970s. Drumming was prided by You Am I drummer, Russell Hopkinson.

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System Of A Down
Hypnotize

[Album]
22 November 2005
Nu Metal

'Hypnotize; is the fifth and final studio album by System Of A Down. It was released six months after the release of its companion album Mezmerize (2005). Both albums debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

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System Of A Down
Mezmerize

[Album]
16 May 2005
Nu Metal

'Mezmerize' is the fourth studio album by System Of A Down. Upon its release, the album received acclaim from critics. The album sold over 450,000 copies in its first week (over 200,000 more than Toxicity (2001) did), and immediately topped the Billboard 200. At a length of just over 36 minutes, it is the band's shortest studio album.

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Twisted Sister
Still Hungry

[Album]
19 October 2004
Hard Rock

'Still Hungry' is an album by Twisted Sister. It is a re-recording of the 1984 album Stay Hungry, with seven bonus tracks written around the same era as the original album.

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System Of A Down
Steal This Album!

[Album]
26 November 2002
Nu Metal

'Steal This Album!' is the third studio album by System Of A Down. Produced by Rick Rubin and Daron Malakian, it peaked at number 15 on the US Billboard 200. In early 2002, medium-quality MP3s of the album were released on the internet under the name Toxicity II. The band issued a statement expressing disappointment that fans were hearing material that was unfinished, and they worked to release a completed, better quality version of the album, hence the album title.

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System Of A Down
Toxicity

[Album]
4 September 2001
Nu Metal

'Toxicity' is the second studio album by System Of A Down. Expanding on their 1998 eponymous debut album, Toxicity incorporates more melody, harmonies, and singing than the band's first album. Categorized primarily as alternative metal and nu metal, the album features elements of multiple genres, including folk, progressive rock, jazz, and Armenian and Greek music, including prominent use of instruments like the sitar, banjo, keyboards, and piano. It contains a wide array of political and non-political themes, such as mass incarceration, the CIA, the environment, police brutality, drug addiction, scientific reductionism, and groupies.

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Misfits
Famous Monsters

[Album]
5 October 1999
Punk

'Famous Monsters' is the fifth studio album by Misfits. It is the second in the post-Danzig era of the band, and the last album to feature Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, Michale Graves, and Dr. Chud, who would all quit the band in 2000.

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System Of A Down
System Of A Down

[Album]
30 June 1998
Nu Metal

'System Of A Down' is the debut studio album by System Of A Down. The album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in February 2000. After the success of the band's following album, Toxicity (2001), it was certified platinum and has since gone double platinum.

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Acid Bath
Paegan Terrorism Tactics

[Album]
12 November 1996
Metal (Sludge)

'Paegan Terrorism Tactics' is the second and final studio album by Acid Bath. It is the band's last album before their disbanding in 1997 due to the death of bassist Audie Pitre. The cover art was painted by Dr. Jack Kevorkian.

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Uncle Slam
When God Dies

[Album]
17 January 1995
Thrash Metal (Crossover)

'When God Dies' Is the third and final album by Uncle Slam.

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Eric Clapton
The Cream Of

[Compilation Album]
?? September 1994
Classic Rock

'The Cream Of' is a greatest hits compilation album by Eric Clapton. It includes work from two of his bands, Cream, and Derek & The Dominos as well as his solo work.

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Acid Bath
When The Kite String Pops

[Album]
8 August 1994
Metal (Sludge)

'When The Kite String Pops' is the debut studio album by Acid Bath. It is considered an underground classic and an early example of sludge metal. The album's artwork is a self-portrait made by notorious serial killer John Wayne Gacy while in prison awaiting execution.

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Uncle Slam
Will Work For Food

[Album]
1 February 1993
Thrash Metal (Crossover)

'Will Work For Food' is the second album by Uncle Slam.

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Anvil
Worth The Weight

[Album]
14 February 1991
Heavy Metal

'Worth The Weight' is the sixth studio album by Anvil. It is Anvil's only release on Mausoleum Records and their only release with Sebastian Marino on guitar, replacing Dave Allison.

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Jimi Hendrix
Cornerstones (1967-1970)

[Compilation Album]
?? August 1990
Classic Rock

'Cornerstones (1967-1970)' is a posthumous compilation album by Jimi Hendrix. The album entered the U.K. Albums Chart in November 1990 at No. 5, its highest position during a sixteen-week stay in the chart.

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Anvil
Past And Present (Live In Concert)

[Album]
?? July 1989
Heavy Metal

'Past And Present (Live In Concert)' is the first live album by Anvil.

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Anvil
Pound For Pound

[Album]
21 September 1988
Heavy Metal

'Pound For Pound' is the fifth studio album by Anvil.

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Uncle Slam
Say Uncle

[Album]
25 February 1988
Thrash Metal (Crossover)

'Say Uncle' is the debut album by Uncle Slam.

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Anvil
Strength Of Steel

[Album]
21 May 1987
Heavy Metal

'Strength Of Steel' is the fourth studio album by Anvil. It is the group's sole charting album in the United States, peaking at No. 191 on the Billboard 200 album chart in 1987. It was also the band's first release on Metal Blade Records. Metal Hammer included the album cover on their list of '50 most hilariously ugly rock and metal album covers ever'.

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Anvil
Backwaxed

[Compilation Album]
22 April 1985
Heavy Metal

'Backwaxed' is a compilation album by Anvil. It features five unreleased tracks recorded during sessions for previous albums, and five previously released tracks. It is Anvil's only album with a main title not consisting of three words with the first and third words starting with the same letter.

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Radio Birdman
Living Eyes

[Album]
?? July 1981
Punk

'Living Eyes' is the second studio album by Radio Birdman. The band split up shortly after it was recorded in 1978.

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Blue Oyster Cult
Spectres

[Album]
?? December 1977
Hard Rock

'Spectres' is the fifth studio album by Blue Oyster Cult. The album features one of the band's biggest hits, concert staple 'Godzilla', and was certified gold by the RIAA on January 19, 1978.

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Eric Clapton
Slowhand

[Album]
1 November 1977
Classic Rock

'Slowhand' is the fifth solo studio album by Eric Clapton. It is titled after Clapton's nickname, it is one of his most commercially and critically successful studio albums.

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Radio Birdman
Radios Appear

[Album]
?? July 1977
Punk

'Radios Appear' is the first studio album by Radio Birdman. The album was hailed by many as a breakthrough album in Australian rock and a decisive change from the uneventful early mid-seventies scene.

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Blue Oyster Cult
Agents Of Fortune

[Album]
21 May 1976
Hard Rock

'Agents Of Fortune' is the fourth studio album by Blue Oyster Cult. The Platinum-selling album peaked at No. 29 on the U.S. Billboard chart. The band became a bigger concert attraction after the release of the album, in part due to extensive airplay of '(Don't Fear) The Reaper', to this day a staple of rock-station playlists. This is the only album in the group's discography to have at least one lead vocal performance by each original band member.

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Blue Oyster Cult
On Your Feet Or On Your Knees

[Album]
27 February 1975
Hard Rock

'On Your Feet Or On Your Knees' is the first live album by Blue Oyster Cult. The album reached No. 22 on the Billboard 200, in so doing becoming the band's highest-charting album in the United States.

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Eric Clapton
461 Ocean Boulevard

[Album]
1 July 1974
Classic Rock

'461 Ocean Boulevard' is the second solo studio album by Eric Clapton. The album topped various international charts and sold more than two million copies. The album was Clapton's return to the recording studio after a three-year hiatus due to his heroin addiction. The title refers to the address on Ocean Boulevard in Golden Beach, Florida, where Clapton lived while recording the album.