Rockucopia: Reviews, Rankings and Rock!

I just finished watching Anvil: The Story of Anvil. Absolutely worth the $5.32 I forked over to Blockbuster.

Being a metal/hard rock, I heard all the buzz about this documentary about a Canadian metal band that "never made it". I consider myself pretty well versed in the metal/hard rock bands of the 80's but I never heard of Anvil.

I learned a lot in 80 short minutes. Anvil was a major influence on a lot of metal/hard rock's iconic bands and musicians.

Metallica.

Slash from Guns and Velvet Revolver.

Anthrax.

Slayer.

That is a pretty incredible following for a band that most of the world never heard of or totally forgot about.

The band was approached by a long life fan, Sacha Gervasi about doing a movie about them and their 30 year history.

Hats off to you Sacha! Incredible job!

It was filmed in complete documentary fashion. The opening showed the band playing in Japan in the early 80's with the likes of Whitesnake, Bon Jovi, and the Scorpions. As we all know these bands went on to have incredible careers in the 80's and beyond.

But not Anvil.

After the 80's, the Toronto based band, fell off the music scene. They played small clubs and made albums but never reached the stardom that guitarist, Steve "Lips" Kudow and drummer, Robb Reiner dreamt about as teenagers.

They made a pact that they would keep on playing until they "made it big". And played they did, well into their 50's.

They both had day jobs to pay the bills but were still fueled with the passion to rock.

Some of things that happened to them you just couldn't believe. Playing in front of six people in a pub in Eastern Europe, missing trains, and inter band squabbling.
You almost couldn't believe this was for real. I thought to myself a few times this must be staged. However, no one could make this stuff up.

Lips and Robb fought the good fight and stayed the course for one reason only. They loved playing music, whether it was for five people or five thousand.

They were normal guys that never let their childhood rock and roll fantasies fade away. If you love metal/hard rock and you like human feel good stories then please check out "Anvil: The Story of Anvil."

By the way, they opened up for AC/DC this past summer.

Looks like they finally "made it!"

I pre-ordered Metallica Guitar Hero as soon as my buddy paid up his debt to me. He bet me the Bears would have a better record than the Patriots! This was even before Brady went down!

Now with my Gamestop gift card in hand, I ordered one of the most rocking and metal laden video games, Guitar Hero: Metallica. What is great about this game, is that the easy is really not easy at all. I am in my mid-30's and I barely keep up with all of Kirk's licks. I basically play until my finger joints begin to cease just like the Tin man in the Wizard of OZ.

All your favorite Metallica songs are included from their whole library. Creeping Death...One..Harvester of Sorrow...Master of Puppets..and new hits like All Nightmare Long. Nothing beats playing as one of the guitar gods, Kirk Hammett. You have a new appreciation on how talented he really is when you try to mimic his signature moves. You can also play the game as bassist, Robert Trujillo with all his stage stomping antics.

You also get great extras like concert footage from their past shows. The Metallifacts are food for any Metallica fan's head. Inside nuggets include what inspired certain songs, how each song inmpacted the band's career, and other obsure tidbits of info. If you love Metallica and the bands that inspired them, cough up the $60, put on your black concert T, and bang thy head!

I just downloaded "Cyanide" and "The Day That Never Comes" today. All I have to say is I can not wait for 9/12/08 to buy the new album. They sound like the Metallica of my youth once again!

St. Anger seemed like they were trying too hard. Everything since the Black Album until St. Anger, was a good for a hard rock band but not a Metal band! I wondered if Metallica would ever get back in to their shredding, ear bursting selves. I have to say if these 2 songs are a lithmus test of metal, they are back!

"Cyanide" reminded me of Kill "Em All! Kirk's massive guitar, Lars banging of the drums, and James' earthquake voice brought back the thunder! "The Day That Never Comes" starts slowly like songs off Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets, but like those classics....they come back kick you in the face!! I am extremely excited for the rest of the album! Damn my head is banging already!

Stay tuned for a full review of Death Magnetic...

I have listened to the album and love the whole thing! The sounds of Kill'em all, Master, Ride, and Justice trumpet throughtout Death Magnetic. James is back with his thrashing rythm guitar which has been missing since 1989. Metallica is back and better than ever! I can't wait to see them in January! Metal is back!

Folks, if you love ROCK as much as me, there are 10 songs your IPOD, tape deck, cd player, or 8 track(Ok I am reaching)must have ready at a moment's notice. BREAK GLASS NOW! These songs magically make your feet feel like concrete blocks on your gas pedal! Forget driving 55, you will be driving 105! Good luck to the boys in blue!

#10 Comfortably Dumb-Extreme
---The boys from Boston are Back! Nuno's guitar should be considered a weapon!
#9 Wild Side-Motley Crue
---Mick's Guitar and Tommy's drums set the tone!
#8 She Builds Quick Machies-Velvet Revolver
---Slash and Scott Weiland are lethal!
#7 Somebody Save Me-Cinderella
---This song just screams pissed off!
#6 The Pretender-Foo Fighters
---The Foos can rock with the best!
#5 My Curse-Killswitch Engage
---My fave song to play in Guitar Hero. Pure Aggression!
#4 Electric Eye-Judas Priest
---Priest at their shrieking and shredding best!
#3 Unchained-Van Halen
---All you have to say is classic Eddie!
#2 B*tches Brewin'-Candlebox
---Gone for 10 years, CB brings the heat!

And taking the top spot with the most destroyed Radar Guns is:

#1 Shoot to Thrill-AC/DC
---Rock Math: Angus + Brian Johnson=opening it up on the highway! Are those police flashers?