Heavy Metal Resource-Picks

This page was last updated on: November 7, 2009

Pick of the month for 10 - 2009

Rammstein-Liebe Ist Für Alle Da

I have revamped the picks section into more of a buyers guide. I figured that I would give a little more exposure to albums that are must haves and are still available as far as I know. If you have questions beyond the descriptions given, email me. Thanks for checking this section out.

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Been a big Rammstein fan for a long time now. The band is incredible live with all of their pyro and stage antics. What always comes first however is the music. After hearing the bands first single 'Pussy' which I wasn't exactly fond of, I was wondering where they were gonna be musically. What always carries me however is my faith in this band always doing it up right. After a listen to the complete album, it was obvious that the rest of the album was very good and up to their usual standards. If you are a fan of the band, this one is a no brainer. Rock solid Rammstein style music! Check out the other picks below as well. Definitely don't miss these titles!

I guess in some ways I am in the minority. Being more of an 80's Kiss fan, I found quite a bit to like here. This album is really a mix of the 70-90's eras. There is nothing groundbreaking as Kiss isn't a band to rewrite anything in their music. They just deliver up fun hard rock and roll, and this album is definitely fun in my opinion.

Favorite Tunes: Modern Day Delilah, Russian Roulette, Stand, Danger Us, When Lightning Strikes

I never walk away from a new album from Swiss rockers Gotthard with any form of disappointment. This band knows how to get it done and how to do it well. 'Need To Believe' is a very worthy successor to the previous 'Domino Effect' album. Plenty of mid tempo rockers and some very good lighter stuff. Essential!

Favorite Tunes: Shangri La, Unspoken Words, Unconditional Faith, I Don't Mind, Don't Let Me Down

It's actually been years since I had listened to Mr. Big. Their first couple of albums were really good, but for some reason I kind of lost track of them. I bought probably 3 or 4 albums total and then just kind of forgot about them. 'Back to Budokan' is a return for the band with a double disc live set that sounds pretty decent.

Favorite Tunes: This one is a live album. Usually don't point out favorites as it is most of their best in live format.

This album comes very welcome to the fans of earlier Danger Danger as it marks the return of Ted Poley after a very long absence. The album is what you would expect from the band with a more updated sound. Rockers and lighter tunes aplenty. Ted sounds really good on vocals and really helps bring the band full circle.

Favorite Tunes: That's What I'm Talkin' About, Killin' Love, Fugitive, F.U.$, Beautiful Regret, Never Give Up

This one is all about humor. Steel Panther is a band that features musicians such as Russ Parrish and Ralph Saenz among others although they don't go by those names in this band. The music is based in late 80's pop metal and there is plenty of crude content throughout. It's fun, but not something to spin often.

Favorite Tunes: Death To All But Metal, Fat Girl (Thar She Blows), Asian Hooker, Turn Out the Lights

This came straight out of left field. Alot of times when bands do seasonal music such as Christmas, there is some form of parody to it. This is absolutely not the case with this album. It is very well done and treats not only the Halford penned stuff with respect, but the traditional songs as well. I love the intensity of some of these tracks too!

Favorite Tunes: Get Into the Spirit, Winter Song, What Child Is This?, I Don't Care, Oh Holy Night

Blackie and company are back again with the latest offering 'Babylon'. The album is true to W.A.S.P. form and probably the only downside is that there are 9 total tracks of which two are cover tunes. The bands own penned stuff is decent as usual. Typical of what you expect from this band and Blackie also makes a statement politically.

Favorite Tunes: Crazy, Babylon's Burning, Burn, Into The Fire, Seas of Fire, Promised Land

Missed this one somehow back in 2007. Happened to stumble across the videos for 'Sign of Fear' and 'Fighting the Darkness' and was floored as usual. The album has 'Fighting the Darkness' in three parts. It's typical of Primal Fear, but not necessarily predictable which makes it fun. Very good stuff if you don't have it yet!

Favorite Tunes: Sign of Fear, Face the Emptiness, Everytime It Rains, Fighting the Darkness, Psycho

Side project of Linkin Park's Chester Bennington. What makes this release good is the more straight forward approach to the bands sound. It isn't another Linkin Park. Another interesting tidbit is that Amir Derakh is on this. Old school fans will remember him from his days with one of my old favorites, Rough Cutt. Good stuff!

Favorite Tunes: Fire, Too Late, Inside Of Me, Let Down, End Of The World, Walking in Circles