Category: heavy metal

Great White updated the lyrics in their new cover of the Who’s “Substitute” to make a point

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 8, 1984 By Steve Newton "Fashions and trends are such a big part of our society right now," says Great White singer Jack Russell. "One week something is in, and the next week it's completely out again. And 'Substitute' really deals with that a lot--that was the main reason we wanted … Continue reading Great White updated the lyrics in their new cover of the Who’s “Substitute” to make a point

New Black Sabbath book details Ozzy Osbourne’s drunken chicken-slaughtering binges

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 9, 2004 By Steve Newton How Black Was Our Sabbath By Graham Wright and David Tangye. Sidgwick & Jackson, 237 pp, $34.95, hardcover. The subtitle of this new book on British heavy-metal legends Black Sabbath is An Unauthorized View From the Crew, as it was penned by Dave Tangye (assistant to vocalist … Continue reading New Black Sabbath book details Ozzy Osbourne’s drunken chicken-slaughtering binges

Analyzing the endless attraction of metal masters Iron Maiden

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MAY 28, 2008 By Steve Newton Iron Maiden is huge again. The British headbangers have embarked on a massive world tour that has brought metal maniacs out of the woodwork in droves. A 42,000-capacity stadium in São Paulo, Brazil, sold out in one week, and 125,000 tickets were sold in just over … Continue reading Analyzing the endless attraction of metal masters Iron Maiden

Krokus guitarist Fernando von Arb says that The Blitz producer Bruce Fairbairn is a very normal human being

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEB. 1, 1985 By Steve Newton Swiss heavy-metalists Krokus were scheduled to play the Commodore Ballroom late last year, but touring commitments with Sammy Hagar forced cancellation of the gig. And it's too bad, because--since the band is touring behind their strongest LP yet--the show promised to be an exciting one for … Continue reading Krokus guitarist Fernando von Arb says that The Blitz producer Bruce Fairbairn is a very normal human being

10 minutes on the phone with Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson in 1983

By Steve Newton I don't get out to that many rock concerts these days, mainly 'cause I'm an old fogie living out in the 'burbs and most of my concert-going buddies have either passed away (like Ferg) or moved back to Alberta (like the guys from Mad Duck). But my nephew Jeff offered to take … Continue reading 10 minutes on the phone with Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson in 1983

Bill O’Leary’s 1980 photo of Judas Priest’s K.K. Downing might be the most metal concert image of all time

Bill O'Leary photo By Steve Newton Just came across a photo by American concert photographer Bill O'Leary that blew me away, so I had to share it (with his permission, of course). It's a live shot of Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing that was taken on July 3, 1980, during Priest's British Steel Tour, at … Continue reading Bill O’Leary’s 1980 photo of Judas Priest’s K.K. Downing might be the most metal concert image of all time

That time back in ’84 when I asked Virgin Steele singer David DeFeis what the metal scene was like in New York

By Steve Newton I was playing some of my old interview cassettes from the '80s a while back and came across a short conversation I had in 1984 with David DeFeis, the singer and main songwriter for New York metal band Virgin Steele. At the time he was promoting the band's second album, 1983's Guardians … Continue reading That time back in ’84 when I asked Virgin Steele singer David DeFeis what the metal scene was like in New York

Heavy-metal expert Martin Popoff ponders his amazing career as a cranker-outer of books

By Steve Newton When you're a young, rock-obsessed kid living in a small town, anywhere you can buy music is like the ultimate candy shop. Fortunately for author Martin Popoff--Canada's leading authority on heavy metal--growing up in the wee burgh of Trail, B.C. offered several places where he could slake his thirst for new tunes. … Continue reading Heavy-metal expert Martin Popoff ponders his amazing career as a cranker-outer of books

Kingdom Come hopes to avoid Zeppelin comparisons with new In Your Face LP

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JUNE 30, 1989 By Steve Newton Diehard Led Zeppelin fans were either impressed or outraged when Kingdom Come's debut album came out two years ago. The LP--made here in Vancouver at Little Mountain Sound and produced by Bob Rock--sounded an awful lot like a tribute to (or cloning of) Messrs. Page and … Continue reading Kingdom Come hopes to avoid Zeppelin comparisons with new In Your Face LP

Megadeth brings its ear-busting metal noise to the Fraser Valley on April 28

By Steve Newton Fraser Valley residents with a hankering for heavy metal have something to look forward to. Megadeth has announced that it will play the Abbotsford Centre on April 28, which--thanks to the metal gods--is a Friday night. The band--which features the current lineup of founding guitarist-vocalist Dave Mustaine, guitarist Kiko Loureiro, bassist James … Continue reading Megadeth brings its ear-busting metal noise to the Fraser Valley on April 28