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.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

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!

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Joker - Joker [1990]

Country: USA

Year: 1990

Line-up: Tony Ingala (vocals), Nick Sikich (guitar), Joe Miro (guitar / keyboards), Brian Smolar (bass), Mike Stone (drums)

Track Listing:
1. I Want Love
2. Say Yeah
3. Lorraine
4. Party For Your Life
5. Somewhere In Time
6. She Wants Vengeance
7. Pledge An Allegiance
8. Remember
9. Change
10. Hey Salesman

Request of: Mike

Fletchanator's comment: There's nothing unique about Joker, but the first of two albums they put in the early 90s (followed up by 1992's Cool Deal) is a good effort. The sound is tight party rock, with a vocalist who reminds me of TNT's Tony Harnell. There's some rough edges around the singing, but the guitars are very good. Definitely worth checking out.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Dirty Looks - Gasoline [2007]

Country: USA

Year: 2007

Line-up: Henrik Ostergaard (vocals/guitar), Paul Lidel (guitar), Trevor Huster (bass), Bruce Rivers (drums)

Track List: 1. Doesn't Count The Juice
2. 2nd Chance (Didn't Take It)
3. See You In The Morning
4. Through Your Eyes
5. If The World Stopped Spinning
6. Over Me
7. Stick Around
8. "I Am That I Am"
9. Everythings Gonna Be Alright
10. New White Naked
11. Trick Of The Moon

Fletchanator's comment: I don't usually upload such recent albums, but I was so pumped about Dirty Looks putting out a new album last year, I thought I'd share it. After an absence of 9 years, Henrik and the boys returned with a classic slice of West Coast sleaze rock. While Gasoline doesn't quite measure up to the classics Cool from the Wire and Turn of the Screw, it's a great album. These boys haven't lost anything over the years, and most importantly haven't compromised their sound. The best song is "If the World Stopped Spinning", which is classic Dirty Looks and wouldn't have been out of place on Cool from the Wire. Recommended.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Xcursion - Xcursion EP [1983]

Country: USA

Year: 1983

Line-up: Mark Slaughter (vocals/guitar), Al "Rex" Rumley (bass), Anthony White (drums)

Track Listing:
1. Mouthful of Steel
2. Love is Blind
3. Can't Take It
4. Skull Queen

Fletchanator's comment: Okay, this isn't hair metal or hard rock. It's NWOBHM, kind of like a cross between Iron Maiden and Odin. What does make it worthy of this blog is the fact that it featured a young Mark Slaughter in his first band, prior to Vinnie Vincent Invasion and Slaughter. It's a worthy addition to any hair metal collection for that reason.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Shooting Gallery - Shooting Gallery [1992]

Country: Finland/UK

Year: 1992

Line-up: Billy G. Bang (vocals), Andy McCoy (guitar), Dave Tregunna (bass), Paul Garisto (drums)

Track Listing:
1. Restless
2. Teenage Breakdown
3. Nature Of My Business
4. Don't Never Leave Me
5. House Of Ecstacy
6. Little Bit Of Magic
7. I Mess Around
8. Striptease
9. Brown Eyed Girl
10. Devil Calling
11. Leave Me Alone
12. Dandelion

Fletchanator's comment: I've been looking for this album on CD for a few years, and would you believe I found it in the discount bin at a music store? This is the only album by Shooting Gallery, a band most noted because it featured former Hanoi Rocks guitarist Andy McCoy (you'll find Hanoi Rocks' Two Steps from the Move on this blog). It also features former Kill City Dragons singer Billy G Bang (their only album is also on this blog). Unfortunately this doesn't live up to the greatness of Hanoi Rocks, in fact it's not even better than Kill City Dragons. It's sleazy hard rock like those two bands, but doesn't reach the heights of either. Still, it's pretty good and definitely worth adding to your collection if you don't already have it.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Frozen Ghost - Frozen Ghost [1987]

Country: Canada

Year: 1987

Line-up: Arnold Lanni (vocals/guitar/keyboards), Derry Grehan (guitar), Wolf Hassel (bass), John Bouvette (drums)

Track Listing
1. Should I See
2. Promises
3. Beware The Masque
4. Yum Bai Ya
5. Love Like Fire
6. End Of The Line
7. Time Is The Answer
8. Love Without Lies
9. Soldiers Cry
10. Truth In Lies

Fletchanator's comment: Debut from Canadian AOR act Frozen Ghost, formed by former Sheriff members Lanni and Hassel, along with former Honeymoon Suite guitarist Grehan. If you like radio-friendly rock in the vein of Icehouse, Richard Marx and Sheriff, you'll enjoy this.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)