What are you listening to now? : The Guardians Edition

Armored Saint - "Delirious Nomad" (1985)

Traditional heavy metal from Los Angeles, USA.

Pantera - "Metal Magic" (1983)

Pantera's debut is a far cry from their glory days with their sound taking more of a glam metal direction & appearing to be a combination of KISS, Van Halen & Judas Priest. Dimebag was only 16 or 17 at the time & he can already shred like a bastard though. It's certainly not as bad as some people make out but I wouldn't bother with this record even if you're a diehard fan.

2.5/5

Pantera - "I Am The Night" (1985)

Pantera - "Projects In The Jungle" (1984)

A much better record than "Metal Magic". This is legitimate heavy metal & sounds like a combination of Queensryche & Def Leppard. So underrated.

3.5/5

Helloween - Walls of Jericho (1985)

This will be the first time that I've ever listened to a full Helloween album.

King Diamond - "Abigail" (1987)

My go-to King Diamond-related release these days.

4/5

Ozzy Osbourne - "Randy Rhoads Tribute" (1987)

The best of Randy's Ozzy records in my opinion although I do prefer "Speak Of The Devil" in terms of Ozzy's live albums.

4/5

Savatage - "Power Of The Night" (1985)

Blind Guardian - "Imaginations From The Other Side" (1995)

I've never been much of a fan of European power metal but Blind Guardian are the exception.

4/5

Nasty Savage - "Nasty Savage" (1985)

Iron Maiden - "Rock In Rio" (2002)

4/5

Iced Earth - "Alive In Athens" (1999)

If all power metal sounded like this then I'd be pretty chuffed. This is a three hour triple live album affair from the absolute peak of their career with excellent performances & production (except that you can't hear the bass guitar). It's heavy as shit & metal as all fuck. Ridiculously long though.

4/5

X Japan - "Art Of Life Live" E.P. (1998)

You won't find a better example to highlight why we needed a clan system than this little E.P. that includes a single 34 minute live rendition of a supposedly classic Japanese symphonic power metal epic. I could tell within seconds that this was not gonna be my thing & my score may not be as relevant as that of genuine fans of this sort of thing. Yay! It works!!!

2.5/5

Saxon - "Innocence Is No Excuse" (1985)

Helloween - "Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part II" (1988)

I've never been much of a fan of the band or of European power metal in general but this is probably my favourite Helloween release. At least there are a couple of really decent tracks that I get a lot of enjoyment out of. When taken overall though, it's still a bit of a chore to sit through.

3/5

Grim Reaper - "Fear No Evil" (1985)

The second album from this meat-&-potatoes NWOBHM outfit.

Iron Maiden - "Live After Death" (1985)

Halford - "Live Insurrection" (2001)

A high quality double live album that showcases Rob at his best. This is a seriously metal release.

4/5

Metallica - "Hardwired...to Self Destruct" (2016)

I think this is Metallica's best studio album since the "Black Album" but it's still a deeply flawed piece of work. 

3/5

Blitzkrieg - "A Time Of Changes" (1985)

NWOBHM style heavy metal from Leicester, England.

Venom - "Possessed" (1985)

Taipan - "Taipan" E.P. (1981)

Australian NWOBHM-style heavy metal that reminds me of early Tygers Of Pan Tang with a bit of an early Motley Crue commercial edge to it. Possibly the earliest Aussie metal release worth mentioning.

3.5/5

W.A.S.P. - "The Crimson Idol" (1992)

4.5/5

Bengal Tigers - "Metal Fetish" E.P. (1982)

Aussie hard rock that hints at heavy metal at times. The production is very much in the underground NWOBHM style & the vocals & lead guitar work are very good. Fans of early Riot, Twisted Sister & AC/DC should find a fair bit to enjoy here.

3.5/5