Category: My Sunday Song

My Sunday Song – “Run Like the Devil” by Tony Martin

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For My Sunday Song #404, Harrison has chosen “Run Like the Devil” by singer Tony Martin. The song is off Tony’s 2022 solo album, ‘Thorns’, which was his first solo album since 2005’s ‘Scream’. The song was written by Tony Martin and Scott McLellan who plays guitar on the song (and the album). The former Black Sabbath singer really brings the metal on this song and the album. 

The song’s lyrics are dark and foreboding, while the music is heavy, and fast and little brighter. I am not sure the actual meaning behind it, but for me the song speaks of the evil that is always lurking and poking at you. You have to rise up, fly away and get away from it as fast as you can. Stay ahead of all the evil out there and do great things. If you make the wrong choices, it will hold you back and you will die, withering on the vine.

Musically, the song is really close to speed metal and it will crush your soul with the heaviness of it. Tony’s vocals soar at times as he races through the lyrics to keep up with that tempo. And he can still hit those crazy high notes. The drums are fast and frenzied and fabulous. Their bombastic strength is the driving force behind the song. Scott’s guitar work is lightning quick and he definitely shines on here as well, I mean just listen to that solo. The song is a super-heavy blistering track that shows how Tony is so good at what he does.

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My Sunday Song – “1633” by Blaze Bayley

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For My Sunday Song #403, Harrison has chosen a song from one of his favorite singers, Blaze Bayley. The song is “1633” off his 2010 album, ‘Promise And Terror’. The song wasn’t a single, but is a main force to the album. Blaze wrote the song and is the lead singer. If you don’t know Blaze, he was on Wolfsbane and for short time, he was lead singer to Iron Maiden. If it wasn’t for Harrison, I don’t think I would’ve ever given Blaze much thought, but I have found a few things I like including this song.

The song appears to be about Galileo who believed in Copernicus’ theory that the earth was not the center of the universe and it in fact revolved around the Sun. In 1633, The Catholic Church condemned and put Galileo on trial for this viewpoint. According to the song, Galileo’s sight and abilities were given to him by God so how is it offensive to God. I love a song that educates as well as entertains.

The song starts off with a beast of a bass line and that bass line is the driving force of the whole song. The guitars are heavy and nasty and deliver a driving rhythm. Blaze’s vocals are solid and I like the way he handles that chorus. The song can be a little repetitive, but it doesn’t get bothersome. In fact, it makes it a little catchy and after a few listens, you are all in. The end brings the bass back hard and heavy and the guitars and drums become explosive. Blaze does just that and blazes through the lyrics, almost rapping to a point. Then more guitar work to take us out. A real beast of a song.

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My Sunday Song – “To Hell And Back” by Sabaton

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For My Sunday Song #402, Harrison’s next pick is from the power metal band Sabaton. The song is “To Hell And Back” off their 2014 album ‘Heroes’. The song was the first single off the album and has become one of the band’s most popular songs. It was written by lead singer Joakim Broden and bassist Par Sundstrom. The band thought he was nuts to do this song, so Joakim took and used it as inspiration to make this song great. Joakim has stated he is most proud of this song.

“To Hell and Back is about Audie Murphy who was the most decorated soldier in the U.S. from World War II. The song is about his battle with PTSD after the war and inspired by his own poem called “The Crosses Grow on Anzio” from Audie’s book ‘To Hell And Back’. Some of the lyrics even quote the poem. It is a great story about his struggles after witnessing all his friends and fellow soldiers that were killed during battle.

The song is done as a cross between heavy metal meets spaghetti western a la Ennio Morricone style per Joakim. The song has a folksy feel to it and has a lot of keyboards that sort of sound like flutes. It breathes a fresh life in to the song. Joakim’s vocals are great, no screaming, but at times very chant like. There is a great guitar solo included albeit a little too short. The song is catchy and there is a familiarity to it that will get you singing along after just one listen. I have never listened to Sabaton and was surprised by how much I enjoyed this song.

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My Sunday Song – “A Night To Remember” By Slade

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For My Sunday Song #401, we are starting another 10 picks and this time the choices are coming from our Aussie friend, Harrison Kopp. Harrison has been a friend of the site for years and he co-hosts Grab a Stack of Rock along with Michael Ladano who picked the last 10 songs. We kick off this set with the song “A Night to Remember” by the band Slade. The song is from their 1981 album ‘Till Deaf Do Us Part’ and it was not a single which is a shame as it totally kicks ass…wait, I’m spoiling everything. Oh well, you can read on if you’d like.

Like most rock & roll songs, this is pure sexual innuendo. It is about sex and a night that they will both remember as they explore each other’s bodies and go at hard all night. Lines like “Oh, I know, if you’re ready for me, my hot rod’s ready to burn” and “I’ve bin savin’ my skin machine for you” are both pretty self-explanatory. If you can’t read between those lines, well, I’m afraid you’ll probably never have sex. Sorry, but it’s true.

The opening is bombastic and explosive. The energy is electrifying and you can feel the sexual tension about to explode. Noddy’s vocals are superb and if you want to know who sounds like him, easily Kevin Dubrow from Quiet Riot (hmm…those two have a history together I believe). The guitars are a fast, the drums are deadly and the bass is laying down a groove. You hope the sex doesn’t go as fast as the tempo or she is going to be sorely disappointed. I love the keyboards at the end as they don’t show prominently anywhere else in the song but here and it adds a new texture to it like maybe they are done with their night and this is them relaxing, smoking a cigarette afterwards.

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My Sunday Song – “The Age of Darkness” by The Darkness

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For My Sunday Song #400, we end Mike’s Choices with The Darkness’ “The Age of Darkness”. The song is from the 2021 album ‘Motorheart’ and the song is a Japanese Edition Only track as all of Mike’s picks have been. And a great run of tracks they were. This one is different. I will leave it at that and explain more as we go.

The song is not the typical Darkness song. The themes of the lyrics is a cross between Assassin’s Creed, Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings and King Arthur and any other song about Knights, dragons, castles and the like. The lyrics are full of humor and it is all done in good fun and for a good laugh, but at the same time, it is really great in it’s own sweet way.

The vocals are not Justin as you’d expect…nope. This is Dan Hawkins, his brother and rhythm guitarist. His vocals aren’t falsetto like his brother, he has a much deeper, grittier tone. He almost speaks the lyrics…okay, he does speak the vocals. And yet, he does them perfectly. The music is dark, ominous and pure metal with a Tenacious D vibe as well as Sabbath so it is to be taken seriously and not at the same time. If you like Medieval Times, then this song will be right up your alley.

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My Sunday Song – “I Am The Best You Can Get” by Hollywood Monsters

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For My Sunday Song #399, we are to a song and band I was completely unfamiliar with. The song is “I Am The Best You Can Get” by the band Hollywood Monsters. The song is the Japanese Bonus Track fro their album ‘Thriving on Chaos’ and was released in 2019. When I saw the lineup of this band, I knew all the players. It was Steph Honde on vocals, Glen Drover from Megadeth on lead guitar and Alexis Von Kraven also of Megadeth on drums. With this line-up you know then this is going to be one heavy ass song. And you’d be right.

I’m not a 100% sure the meaning behind these lyrics, but for me it seems that the person is going insane and the insanity has taken control of this person. The song is from the insanity’s point of view and he keeps telling the person that the insanity is the best you can get it. When it doesn’t it need him anymore, it will let him die I guess. It is a dark song no matter what it really means. This is how I’m looking at it and makes it most interesting for me.

Mike has this to say about the track…“Always a surprise when the Japanese bonus track is one of the highlights.  The heavy, thumping “I Am the Best You Can Get” slays!  “Heavy” is an understatement!  Vocalist Steph Honde goes from scream on the verses, to growl on the chorus.  The droning chorus is the best part!  This one features (Canadian) Glen Drover on lead guitar and Alexis Von Kraven on the relentless drums.  The Japanese CD even comes with a printed interview with Steph Honde – though I cannot read Japanese!” For me another best part is those drums. When Alexis hits those skins, it reverberates throughout your body. You can feel every beat. Mix that drum beat wit Glen’s guitar licks and this is a beast of a song. And kudo’s to Steph for giving every ounce of his voice to this one. His relentless screams convey the darkness of this tune. Great stuff.

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My Sunday Song – “Straight Down the Line” by Shaw Blades

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For My Sunday Song #398, we are to the next Japanese Bonus selection in Mike’s Choices. This time around we have the song “Straight Down the Line” by the band Shaw Blades. This short lived band of two great friends consisted of Night Ranger’s Jack Blades and Styx’s own Tommy Shaw. The boys were also part of the supergroup Damn Yankees. This song was written by both and was the Japanese Bonus track on the stellar debut album simply titled Shaw Blades. Later, Tommy did include it on his album 7 Deadly Zens but with Kevin Cronan on backing vocals instead of Jack (and that is the one I have the video for…sorry).

The song seems to be about a woman Tommy loves but she doesn’t love him back. She is out trying to find herself and that one thing to complete her and they are all dead end roads like a trip to Mexico, voodoo, a new age guru, being a Hollywood Star. When she looks in the mirror, I don’t know if anyone is looking back. She seems empty. He still loves her and hopes she’s thinking of him and will come back to him. He believes she’s the one for him. I hope she finds herself. She reminds me of Jenny and Forrest Gump.

What does Mike have to say about the song…”Straight Down the Line” is the gem.  It’s the fastest song of the whole bunch, upbeat but light, and a blast in the car.  Tommy’s intricate little lightning fast guitar hook is a tasty delight.  Tracks like this are why collectors really seek out Japanese imports.  They are their own rewards.” And he isn’t wrong on his view of the song. There is a light, upbeat feeling despite the sadness in the lyrics of this lost go trying to find herself. The guitar work is great and it is such a catchy, airy song. I will have to go crank it in the car and see if he’s right about it being a blast. I have a feeling he is!

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My Sunday Song – “Scatter” by Ratt

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For My Sunday Song #397, we are on to a song by Ratt. Mike picked the Japanese bonus track for the song “Scatter” off the band’s comeback album from 2010, ‘Infestation’. Nothing better than a Ratt Infestation!! The song was written by Warren DeMartini and Stephen Pearcy like they do most of the on this album. It wasn’t much of a comeback album as it was the last album they have released so far. An amazingly good album, that saw the band turn in to mess with each other suing this one and that one. It is awful..but I’m off track. Back to the song.

I didn’t really find anything about the meaning of the song so I’m interpreting it my own way. The song makes the woman out to be thief, but I don’t think she’s a criminal. I think she’s a thief of the heart. Every time she gets to close to a guy, she runs, she…well…she scatters. She leaves the guy broken hearted as she stole his heart. Tell me what you think?

The song is a pure Ratt Rocker! You have Warren’s nasty guitar riffs and he is all over this thing and even on backing vocals along with Carlos Cavazo. Stephen’s vocals still have that grit, but at this point in time, it seems to have aged well as he still sounded like Stephen of earlier Ratt. And well, Bobby Blotzer and Robbie Crane keep the beat going effortlessly. This is a scorcher of an song, and the guitar is king on this one. This to me is actually one of the cooler songs on the album and it should’ve been on the U.S. pressing.

Mike’s review of the song when he review the album was as follows: “Their Japanese bonus track is a cool slow groove rocker called “Scatter”, with a great memorable chorus. This is the best song to me.”

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My Sunday Song – “I’m Not That Way” by Journey

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For My Sunday Song #396, we are now on to Mike Ladano’s sixth pick and this time around it is a ballad from Journey called “I’m Not That Way”. The song is on the 2000 album ‘Arrival’ and sees singer Steve Augeri on lead vocals. Of course you still have Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain two friends that will be friends forever…cough, cough. As well as Ross Valory and Deen Castronovo two other regulars of the band. This song was written by Schon, Cain, Augeri and Kim Tribble

The song seems to be about a guy who loves awoman and that woman was with another man. But they broke up and her heart is broken. He so wants to move in and tell her he loves her and he won’t do the things her old boyfriend did as he’s not that way. But he feels it might be too soon as she is still reeling as he holds her in his arms and she is still crying over the love she just loss. Yeah, dude…probably too soon. You will be a rebound and not the deep, true love you are wanting from her. Be patient…but not too patient as she might rebound with somebody else. Just my two cents.

The song is a ballad as Journey does do those well. A slow tempo, some soft guitar picking by Neal. Augeri’s vocals are as soft and tender as Neal’s playing. You can hear Ross’ bass line lay down a smooth groove. The song though for me, doesn’t pick up enough in the chorus for me to really get connected to it, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good song as it is, but I don’t know if it is enough to have kept it on the album.

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My Sunday Song – “Weight Of The World” by Storm Force

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For My Sunday Song #395, we are on Mike’s next Japanese Only selection and this time around it is by the Canadian band Storm Force and it is from their fantastic album ‘Age of Fear’. The song is the “Weight of the World” and although not a single, it should’ve been on the album. I have the album on CD and my copy is missing this one, although it is autographed by the band. And that band is guitarist Greg Fraser, who Ladano has interviewed before, singer Patrick Gagliardi, drummer Brian Hamilton and bassist Mike Berardelli. And for those that don’t know, Greg is the guitarist for a band called Brighton Rock as well. Another killer band.

The song appears to be about someone under a great deal of pressure. They keep getting hit with one thing after another and the weight of it all is waving heavy on their soul. It gets to be so much they are having anxiety attacks as they are having trouble breathing. It is becoming too much to handle, but yet people keeping coming at you. I am sure he is not alone with that feeling. Now, the song came out in January 2020 and a couple months later Covid lockdowns occurred and I have a feeling this song would’ve been relatable to millions of people during that time.

The song opens with a wicked bass line from Mike Berardelli before the band joins in. Patrick’s vocals are the final piece to the puzzle and let me tell you he slays this one. He really digs deep and you almost feel like he is feeling the weight of the world. He is really the highlight for me as his vocals have just enough grit and yet silky smooth at the same time. He sounds so rock & roll here. Simply killer. That doesn’t mean the rest of the band doesn’t kill it either because when you have their talent, they make it seem so effortlessly. The final piece to the puzzle is Fraser’s solo and man does he deliver a great piece that really ties the song together. Simply wonderful song that should’ve been on the album everywhere. Now, I have to go buy the Japanese Edition to get this one song. Thanks Mike!!

Mike reviewed the album on his site and he had this to say about the song…“A solid rocker, “Weight of the World” might express how some of us feel right now.  “The weight of the world is tearing out the heart of me.”  Ever felt that way?”

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