Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Wicked Lester - The Original Wicked Lester Session [1972]


Country: USA
Year: 1972
Line-up: Stanley Eisen (vocals), Steve Coronel (guitar), Gene Klein (bass), Tony Zerella (drums), Brooke Ostlander (keyboards)

TRACK LISTING
1. What Happens in the Darkness
2. She
3. Sweet Ophelia
4. When the Bell Rings
5. Simple Type
6. Love Her All I Can
7. Keep Me Waiting
8. We Want To (Shout It Out Loud)
9. Long, Long Road

Fletchanator's comment: Yesterday I uploaded a taste of Pantera before they were big, and now it's KISS before they were KISS. Well, half of the original KISS anyway, and the guys who've kept the band going all these years. Stanley Eisen became Paul Stanley, and Gene Klein became Gene Simmons. This is a bootleg, not an official album, since none was ever released by Wicked Lester. The sound is raw and even more simplistic than the subsequent KISS material, but is a must have for any fans of the make up-wearing glam legends.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Pantera - Metal Magic [1983]


Country: USA
Year: 1983
Line-up: Tony Lee Glaze (vocals), Darrell Abbott (guitar), Rex Brown (bass), Vinnie Paul (drums)

TRACK LISTING
1. Ride My Rocket
2. I'll Be Alright
3. Tell Me If You Want It
4. Latest Lover
5. Biggest Part Of Me
6. Metal Magic
7. Widowmaker
8. Nothin' On (But The Radio)
9. Sad Lover
10. Rock Out!

Fletchanator's comment: Before they were one of the biggest groove metal bands of the 1990s, Pantera were an unknown glam band from Texas. This is their small-time debut, with second vocalist Glaze, who would give way to Phil Anselmo when the band changed to a more heavy sound. It's almost hard to believe this is Pantera, but Darrell "Dime Bag" Abbott (RIP) is at his blistering best, shredding up the fret board. You can hear various influences, including Van Halen and KISS, and there's a hint of NWOBHM in there as well. Definitely check this one out!