8-5-2012: Dokken - Back for the Attack

Oddly, this rare Dokken gem is not on the US release of the epic 1987 album of the same name.  In fact, I'm I wasn't sure where in their catalog it came from until I saw the Wikipedia article saying it's a Japanese bonus track on there, but to me, the music and vocal style sounds more like "Under Lock and Key" era Dokken rather than "Back for the Attack" Dokken.

I first heard this song on HardRockin80s.com about 6-7 years ago and thought it was new Dokken, but lo and behold, it was not.  We did get a return to form with 2008's "Lightning Strikes Again" though, so it's all good.

Anyway, this one is an absolutely phenomonal song that most people probably don't know exists.  In my opinion, you could take any one of about half the songs on "Back for the Attack", replace it with this one, and it would have been fine.  Give this one a listen, especially if you're a die hard old school Dokken fan!

7-24-2012: Saxon - Krakatoa

There are a few hidden gems in the Saxon catalog, and this is definitely my favorite.  I found this song by accident back in the Napster era and was instantly blown away.  I subsequently purchased the entire Saxon catalog and never found where this came from.  Apparently, it's supposed to be a bonus track on some anniversary edition of Innocense, but who knows...it's not on my copy.
Check this out and a song called "Live Fast Die Young", which we'll save for another day...

7-19-2012: Running Wild - Shadowmaker

It's been a while, but I'm going to try and start posting at least semi-frequently again!
Running Wild has a new album and SURPRISE!  It kicks ass just like damn near every Running Wild album to date.  Yeah, they have some filler albums there in the 90s, but Rogues En Vogue was awesome and this thing is a real return to their 80s form!  Melodic riffs and the usual pirate themes throughout have you pumping your arm and yelling yo-ho-ho!  There's only a song or 2 that I consider a filler, and the rest of it is catchy as hell with months or even years of replay value.
This is the title track and quite possibly my favorite on the album.

6-6-2012: Helloween - Escalation 666

I know I just did a Helloween song, but it's 6-6 and you gotta find something relevant in the metal world.  It's not 6/6/06, but hey, close enough!  Great song here off the Dark Ride album.  VERY different album for them that I never liked until recently.  Check it out if you want some different sounding, kick ass metal!

6-4-2012: The Cult - Fire Woman

This song was easily the Cult's crown jewel.  A favorite on Metal Mania even now, you gotta love this one!  Even fans of old school 80s rock will recognize it...but if one of those people actually knows it's the Cult, well "you might be a real metalhead".  You've gotta go a little deeper than that IMO, but hey, knowing that this is The Cult is a nice start to weeding out poseurs!

6-3-2012: Saxon - Broken Heroes

I saw Saxon one time and it was roughly 5 months after 9/11...they shocked the shit out of me when they broke out this classic from Innocence is No Excuse!  This was the song that really got me hooked on them.  I had bought a "Best of Saxon" CD a few years before at a used CD shop in South County (I think CD Reunion), and this was the standout track.  I bought Unleash the Beast a few months after that and that was it, I was hooked!  Innocence is by far my favorite "classic" Saxon album, and this may very well be one of the best classic Saxon songs!