I consider the following must own classics:

Rock City (1977)
Narita (1979)
Fire Down Under (1981)
Restless Breed (1982)
Born In America (1983)
Thundersteel (1988)
The Privilege of Power (1990)

Fire Down Under is so incredible! I listen to it all the time. But really I can’t say I’ve heard a bad Riot album. Sadly I have never seen them live. :-( RIP Mark, your musical legacy will live on.

Mark Reale, the founding guitarist of the legendary metal band RIOT, passed away earlier today (Wednesday, January 25) in a San Antonio hospital due to complications of Crohn’s disease — an ailment he has battled for most of his life. He was 56 years old.

Reale had reportedly been in a coma for the past two weeks after suffering a subarachnoid hemorrhage on January 11.

Mark spent most of his life working and performing while enduring almost constant pain and the side effects of treatment for Crohn’s disease. He was in Texas bravely attempting to practice for the shows, but was felled by a severe onset of Crohn’s symptoms, leaving him in the Intensive Care Unit at an undisclosed facility. Mark was struggling with these symptoms throughout the production of RIOT’s new album, “Immortal Soul”, and guitarist Mike Flyntz recorded a major portion of the guitars on the LP with Mark’s creative direction while Reale was unable to perform.

“With the news that Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, his bandmates would like everyone to send positive vibes to the guitarist at this time. Iommi is currently working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan–the “IRON MAN” of Rock & Roll remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery.

“This comes as Black Sabbath–Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums)–are writing and recording their first album in 33 years in Los Angeles (still set for release this fall) with producer Rick Rubin. They will now go to the UK to continue to work with Tony. Further information will be released as it becomes available.”

From Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s website:

What Is Lymphoma?

Lymphoma is the name for a group of blood cancers that develop in the lymphatic system. The two main types are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

In 2010, about 628,415 people are living with lymphoma or are in remission (no sign of the disease). This number includes about 153,535 people with Hodgkin lymphoma and 474,880 people with NHL.

Hodgkin lymphoma has characteristics that distinguish it from other diseases classified as lymphoma, including the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. These are large, cancerous cells found in Hodgkin lymphoma tissues, named for the scientists who first identified them. Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most curable forms of cancer.

NHL represents a diverse group of diseases distinguished by the characteristics of the cancer cells associated with each disease type. Most people with NHL have a B-cell type of NHL (about 85 percent). The others have a T-cell type or an NK-cell type of lymphoma. Some patients with fast-growing NHL can be cured. For patients with slow-growing NHL, treatment may keep the disease in check for many years.

KING’S X 2012 tour dates:

Mar. 28 – Dirty Dog Bar – Austin, TX
Mar. 29 – Warehouse Live Studio – Houston, TX
Mar. 30 – Trees – Dallas, TX
Apr. 01 – House of Rock – Corpus Christi, TX
Apr. 03 – The Rock – Tucson, AZ
Apr. 05 – Key Club – West Hollywood, CA
Apr. 06 – Brick by Brick – San Diego, CA
Apr. 07 – The Coach House – San Juan, CA
Apr. 10 – Don Quixote’s – Felton, CA
Apr. 12 – Cargo – Reno, NV
Apr. 13 – The Boardwalk – Orangevale, CA
Apr. 14 – Pound West Oakland – Oakland, CA
Apr. 17 – Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR
Apr. 18 – El Corazon – Seattle, WA
Apr. 21 – Herman’s Hideaway – Denver, CO

They are not getting any younger so if you’re a fan you know how great they are, don’t miss ‘em! And if you haven’t seen them do it!!

“We are thrilled to announce that a special Helstar 30th Anniversary Concert will take place in Houston, Texas on Saturday, March 24th at Warehouse Live! The entire show will be audio & video recorded and later released as the first official live Helstar album and DVD! Tickets are on sale now at this location!:
http://warehouselive.frontgatetickets.com/choose.php?a=1&lid=63404&eid=71956”

I remember back in 86 Remnants of War was constantly played on my turntable. Helstar has put out quality metal for many years and is definitely a classic band. I love ‘em. Happy anniversary Helstar!

Captain Beyond’s self titled album from 1972 is one of the best hard rock records of the 70s. I freaking live that album. If you haven’t heard you MUST! Spotify link to Captain Beyond

RIP Larry.

The original line-up for Captain Beyond were singer Rod Evans, drummer Bobby Caldwell, guitarist Larry “Rhino” Reinhardt, bassist Lee Dorman and keyboardist Lewie Gold. Rhino Reinhardt and Dorman also had played in Iron Butterfly.

Excellent Chuck tribute and historical article.
NPR Remembers Chuck

Art by Peter Bergting

The original lineup of the legendary heavy metal band BLACK SABBATH — Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums) — has reunited and has begun work on a brand new album. The group’s first studio effort in 33 years — the songwriting for which is already half complete — will be produced by Rick Rubin, who has previously worked with METALLICA, SLIPKNOT, SLAYER and SYSTEM OF A DOWN, among many others. The band hopes to begin recording the CD in January for a fall 2012 release via Vertigo/Universal Republic in the U.S. and Vertigo in all other territories. A world tour will follow, including an appearance at the U.K.’s Download festival on June 10, 2012.

If you answered yes, check out the full album stream of Estonian folk metal band Metsatöll forthcoming album “Ulg.” If you answered no, check it out anyway, you just might become a fan of Estonian folk metal because Ulg sounds great! The album was released on November 1, 2011 through Spinefarm Records. This band has been around for over 10 years and has released a bunch of albums (discography below). I’ve heard some of their stuff before but this album really struck me. They use a lot of traditional instruments, is that a didgeridoo I hear? They really do a nice job of combining the the traditional sounds with metal. Listen to it!

The name “Metsatöll” is an ancient Estonian euphemism for wolf. Ulg is intended to mean “howl” or “cry” (I think).

Metsatöll discography:
Terast mis hangund me hinge (Steel frozen in our souls) (1999)
Hiiekoda (Sacred Grove) (2004)
Terast mis hangund me hinge 10218 (Steel frozen in our souls 10218) (2005)
Sutekskäija (Werewolf) (2006)
Lahinguväljal näeme, raisk! (See you in the battlefield, damnit!) (CD/DVD) (2006)
Raua needmine (Curse upon Iron) (CD/DVD) (2006)
Iivakivi (Fertility Stone) (CD) (2008)
Kõva Kont (Hard Bone) (2DVD+CD) (2009)
Äio (2010)
Ulg (2011)

When asked whether guitarists can still send audition videos to be considered for the vacant lead axeman position in NEVERMORE:

Dane: “Yeah, they can still send them, but it’s really kind of challenging to wade through all the stuff. Some of these kids are amazing; some of them suck. It’s just kind of overwhelming. To tell you the truth, I’d rather have Jeff [Loomis] back, but you never know what’s gonna happen with that. He’s been calling me. We still talk. But I don’t know…”

Here’s the interview (the Jeff part is at 9:00)