Clive Burr (1957-2013) Passed Away at 56

The man behind the drum kit in Number of the Beast, Clive Burr has passed away on 12 March 2013. Clive  well known as Iron Maiden former drummer in their early years, playing in the first four albums, Iron Maiden (1980), Killers (1981), Number of the Beast (1982) as well in live album Maiden Japan (1981).

from Wikipedia:
Burr was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the treatment of which left him deeply in debt. Iron Maiden staged a series of charity concerts and were involved in the founding of the Clive Burr MS Trust Fund. Burr used a wheelchair because of his condition.
He was also the patron of Clive Aid, a charity formed in 2004. Clive Aid has continued to raise awareness and funds for various cancer and multiple sclerosis programs around the world through the staging of rock events.Burr attended many of these events.
Burr died in his sleep on 12 March 2013. He was 56

from official website of Iron Maiden

World reaction for the news, gathered from twitter and other social network:

www.ironmaiden.com
We are deeply saddened to report that Clive Burr passed away last night. He had suffered poor health for many years after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and died peacefully in his sleep at home.

Steve Harris said “This is terribly sad news. Clive was a very old friend of all of us. He was a wonderful person and an amazing drummer who made a valuable contribution to Maiden in the early days when we were starting out. This is a sad day for everyone in the band and those around him and our thoughts and condolences are with his partner Mimi and family at this time."

Bruce Dickinson adds “I first met Clive when he was leaving Samson and joining Iron Maiden. He was a great guy and a man who really lived his life to the full. Even during the darkest days of his M.S., Clive never lost his sense of humour or irreverence. This is a terribly sad day and all our thoughts are with Mimi and the family”

FrankBello ‏@TheFrankBello
RIP to the great Clive Burr. He inspired a generation of players- he will be missed..

Scott Ian ‏@Scott_Ian
Just heard about Clive Burr from a Chilean journalist. Sad sad news. My thoughts are with his family.

Charlie Benante ‏@skisum
CLIVE BURR...One of My Favorite Drummers of all time. A quick Story. It was 1981 I was hanging with Friends in..

Chris Jericho ‏@IAmJericho
Sad to hear of the passing of Clive Burr-great drummer and big part of @IronMaiden’s success. He looked so cool too

Andreas Kisser ‏@andreaskisser
R.I.P Clive Burr!

Mike Portnoy ‏@MikePortnoy
So sad to hear of the passing of Clive Burr...RIPI was so

David Ellefson (Facebook)
saddened to hear of Clive Burr passing away today. He was one of my all time favorite Metal drummers. I'm thankful for his music and contributions. My condolences....

TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"After a long battle with multiple sclerosis, my dear friend Clive Burr [former IRON MAIDEN drummer] passed away in his sleep last night. We worked together on a project called DESPERADO from 1988-1990 and shared some great times, and sadly forgotten musical moments. I'm blessed to have spoken to him a couple of days ago on his birthday, shared some memories and a few smiles. 

Dee Snider ‏@deesnider
Today 3/8 is legendary Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr's bday. I spoke to him today. He is very ill with MS. Send him love & prayers!

Michael Amott ‏@Michael_Amott
RIP Clive Burr :(

See here for the List of Iron Maiden tribute cover
other Iron Maiden news from Metal Harem

Highlord - The Warning After (2013)

Remember Highlord? A power metal act from Turin, Italy, they are well remember for their breakthrough albums, When Aurora Falls.... and Breath of Eternity about ten years ago. Beyond that point, it seem the band gone into mediocrity without the world noticed their late albums. This month, Highlord back again to bring the seventh studio album to power metal audience, The Warning After. The significant changes was singer Vasce who sung in Aurora Falls was not around anymore, replaced by Andrea Marchisio. This also applied to bassist and keyboardist who are new mates to the band. This left only drummer Luca 'T-1000' Pellegrino and guitarist Stefano Droetto as original members.

If you wanted the symphonic and chorus metal as in Aurora Falls, The Warning After did not opened with that cheesy overture. Rather, Tonightmare (typo?) is unusual opening for power metal act, bringing intrique melodic verses to capture our attention.  So soon, The Goggle Mirror answered with keyboard riff that lead to rather progressive feel song. Brother To The End is confirming that The Warning After now leading to more dark and progressive metal territory, rather to their power metal roots. Couple of songs in this new song, with notable No More Heroes is maybe the 'lightest' song around there to be labelled power metal feel. A piano and string ballad in Of Tears And Rhymes. And The Warning After that goes quite epic. Last song is something special featuring Ralph Scheepers duet vocal in Arcade Warriors.

So that we are in the path of musical chances in Highlord. This is good considering they are in the land of power metal cheesy, Italy. Sure a couple of re-tuning are necessary to outstanding them from the rest. The Warning After fall into more progressive feel than what we expected from the creator of Aurora Falls. Guitars and keyboard parts are well crafted, drum sounds a bit mechanics,.. well, T-1000 was doing it. And singer Andrea Marchisio works hard to lifted the song by his singing. So done the most basic requirements to keep the album alive well for Highlord's fans.

Metal Harem class: ******* seven stars out of ten

Highlord - The Warning After (2013)
buy it here

1. Tonightmare
2. The Goggle Mirror
3. Brother To The End
4. Inside The Vacuity Circle
5. Standing In The Rain
6. No More Heroes
7. Of Tears And Rhymes
8. The Warning After
9. In This Wicked World
10. Arcade Warriors featuring Ralph Scheepers

Luca 'T-1000' Pellegrino, Drums
Stefano Droetto, Guitars
Andrea Marchisio, Vocals
Emanuele Salsa, Keyboards
Daniele Veronese, Bass

album review for Highlord The Warning After 2013

Eternal Tears of Sorrow - Saivon Lapsi (2013)

Eternal Tears of Sorrow is a good name for a band played more than one musical genre. EToS is a melodic death metal band, come from Finland. Their best album I am been aware of is Chaotic Beauty in 2000. Taking that thirteen years has passed and with numbers of album in between, which I hadn't listen, come in now Saivon Lapsi. This is their seventh studio album, is fruitful work with a mixed of power metal riff, good orchestration and death metal singing.

Promising started in intro Saivo, and then the riff is in. Begining verses, ..."I am your leader, / I am the winter storm,...." is best line to growl under such riff. Dark Alliance is good started, it is a good mixed on all elements of orchestration, gothic choir, riff and growl. On second track Legion Of Beast, come with keyboard passage and interesting answering drum licks. Dance of December is dark death metal feel, the band best in building up their stuffs, take all the necessary notes to make the composition awesome. The band also invest a good moment of duet singing between bassist Altti Veteläinen who do the growl and Jarmo Kylmänen who doing the clean vocal. Such take turn things best balance in The Day, where clean singing enjoying his extra singing line. Intermission piano ballad is in Sound Of Silence, which is also a track with good backing female voices. The last part of album didn't seem to down in quality with Beneath The Frozen Leaves and Swan Saivo all awesome composition. We then have ACT III: Saivon Lapsi Angelheart, Ravenheart as the closing act.

So that the band make it again, another underrated album from underrated melodic death band. Saivon Lapsi is intense with intrigue solos, orchestration, exchanging singing of power metal, death metal and female gothic metal voices. All mixed with good care. It is a good album to connect within these several genre. Listener from both side will enjoy this album.

Metal Harem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Eternal Tears of Sorrow - Saivon Lapsi 2013
buy it here


01. Saivo
02. Dark Alliance
03. Legion Of Beast
04. Kuura
05. Dance Of December
06. The Day
07. Sound Of Silence
08. Beneath The Frozen Leaves
09. Swan Saivo
10. Blood Stained Sea
11. Angelheart, Ravenheart (Act III: Saivon Lapsi)
12. New Dawn (JP Bonus Track)
13. Another One Falls Asleep (JP Bonus Track)


    Altti Veteläinen – vocals, bass guitar
    Jarmo Kylmänen – clean vocals
    Jarmo Puolakanaho – guitar
    Mika Lammassaari – guitar
    Janne Tolsa – keyboards
    Juho Raappana – drums

Bon Jovi - What About Now (2013)

It is clear, that Bon Jovi will not turn back the time doing a release in a vibes of New Jersey or Keep the Faith. They are just a band that need no more Bad Medicine or Bed of Roses, and move on. In the past decade, the band wrote in  wider musical spectrum, playing in country influenced soft rock, modern rock and pop. But with high end output, that make us believed they did it in full passion. The couple last releases of Bon Jovi gives us clue how the band heading, gospelic music, motivational and touching lyrics. What About Now is just another chapter of it. Written in the time of American crisis, where the American dream seems evaporated in the air just within years, Jon Bon Jovi trying to inspire us with his poetic writing.

I don’t wanna be another wave in the ocean
I am a rock, not just another grain of sand (that’s right)
I wanna be the one you run to when you need a shoulder
I ain’t a soldier but I’m here to take a stand Because We Can

She’s in the kitchen starin’ out the window
So tired of livin’ life in black and white
.........................................................

...it is clear, a powerful opening verse. Written by Jon and Richie, this is Bon Jovi post 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong era. Mainly focus on the drum driven tempo, Jon delivered the inspirational lyric to make this one of Bon Jovi best take in the late 2010s.

When hope is gone and all you want is the truth
You carry on when it seems no use, it seems no use

If I got one thing I got something to prove
We all got nothing if there's nothing to lose (I'm With You)
I'm with you... 

is no wait for a melancholy slow song in the second row. This track highlight Richie's takes in the solos.
.....................................
You want to start a fight?
You´ve got to take a swing
You got to get your hands in the dirt
To see what the harvest will bring

You want to raise your voice?
Don't be scared to breathe
Don't be afraid to hurt
Don't be ashamed to need
tonight, we're alive

Who´ll stand for the restless?
And the lonely? For the desperate? And the hungry?
Down for the count, I'm hearing you now
For the faithful, the believer
For the faceless and the teacher
Stand up and be proud... What about now?

The album's title song. These are some of my favorite verses on the album, along with this, beware of lefty and mandolin in one song ...

Well I’m a teacher I’m a farmer I’m a union man
It’s getting hard to make a living in this hard land
We ain’t working in our factories all these jobs went overseas

Does anybody want, Does anybody want
Does anybody want what’s left of me

They just don't let the album slip away with somber, the love song does exist in style. With,..

I feel just like Picasso
And you're my master piece 
.........

No matter how I try
No matter what I do
I'm still painting pictures of you. 

and kinda..

I laid down in her garden
Naked on her floor
Windows up, the curtains blowing
She don’t lock the door

Amen, Amen

At the banquet table
A beggar at a feast
I felt her tongue between her lips
And I forgot to breath
We stayed there ‘til the candles burned the carpet 
.........

It is clear, that the lyrical aspect is one of the thing I enjoy most from the album. Despite listening to this is album even more feel doing a sabbatical year, it is an en joyful experience. Mostly also for the factor that Jon Bon Jovi still has the magic to bring you back to unchallenged '80s era. Band mate such as drummer Tico controlled all the beat with mature strike. Hugo the bass thumbing-ers lay the low frequency foundation just to make sure we enjoy the best accompaniment. And keyboardist David Bryan put the soundtrack string in magical air. Some will find the album emphasized too much on 'deeper' meaning, lack of continuation of Bon Jovi in the past, especially long time fans that didn't catch up with their latest material. But I myself will accept their musical direction. The last notes on this album review will be ....

I can’t hurt but I still feel
I know that life’s a battlefield
When a time get tough
I’m a soldier

When it’s time to the fight
It’s just my side right on my side
I’m an army of one
I’m a soldier

Never give up
Never give up
Never
Never give up
Never let up
Ever
Never give in
You’re an army of one

Metal Harem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Bon Jovi - What About Now (2013)
buy it now at Amazon

01. Because We Can
02. I'm With You
03. What About Now
04. Pictures Of You
05. Amen
06. That's What The Water Made Me
07. What's Left Of Me
08. Army Of One
09. Thick As Thieves
10. Beautiful World
11. Room At The End Of The World
12. The Fighter
13. These Two Hands
14. Not Running Anymore
15. Old Habits Die Hard
16. Every Road Leads Home To You

• Jon Bon Jovi – lead vocals, guitar
• Richie Sambora – guitar, backing vocals
• Hugh McDonald – bass, backing vocals
• Tico Torres – drums
• David Bryan – keyboards, backing vocals

Recent Metal Band doing Iron Maiden Cover 2010-2013

Although Iron Maiden already has 666 compilation albums, the world seem not enough with that. Cover of Iron Maiden song keep coming out, from unknown metal band seeking fame, to veteran band such as Testament and Kreator. The world keep celebrate what might be the greatest metal band on earth by doing a tribute song. Here is a fictional compilation tribute album, cover of Iron Maiden song from the last couple of year. The article in Wikipedia listed almost all notable cover album of Iron Maiden, but I found they are not updated and missed out recent addition to the list. Here is a list of metal band doing Iron Maiden cover that not included in any official tribute album, for now. And for more information on Iron Maiden tribute and cover project see this blog.

List of Recent Notable Band doing Iron Maiden cover song:

Testament – Album Dark Root of Earths (2012)
 Powerslave

Kreator – Album Phantom Antichrist (2012), also appear on special EP “The Big Teutonic 4”
The Number of the Beast

Ensiferum – Single Burning Leaves , album Unsung Heroes (2012)
 Wrathchild

Iced Earth – Album Dystopia (2011)
The Trooper

Stryper –Album Covering, special Stryper cover album (2011)
The Trooper

Rhapsody of Fire - Album From Chaos to Eternity (2011)
Flash of the Blade

Tankard – Special album called “The Big Teutonic 4”
The Prisoner

Angelus Apatrida – album Clockwork  (2010)
Be Quick Or Be Dead  [limited edition bonus]

Fatal Embrace – Album The Empires of Inhumanity (2012)
Killers (Iron Maiden cover - bonus track)

Reinxeed – album 1912 (2011)
Aces High

Trilogy - album Empieza el Juego (2012)
Flight of Icarus

Symbyosis - album On The Wings Of Phoenix (2005)
The Loneliness of Distance Runner

Clairvoyants - album Word to the Wise (2009), previously Italian Iron Maiden cover band
Hallowed be Thy Name - featuring Andre Matos vocal
Wasted Years - not issued in album but available on Youtube featuring Timo Kotipelto

Sturm Und Drang - Album Rock n Roll Children [Limited Edition] (2008)
Fear of the Dark

Metal Styx - Магический амулет (Magical Amulet) (2012)
Brave New World

After Forever - album Exordium [EP] (2003)
The Evil That Men Do

Cradle of Filth - album Lovecraft & Witch Heart Disc 2 (2002)
Hallowed By Thy Name

Eternal Tears of Sorrow - album Chaotic Beauty (2000)
Flight of Icarus

Argus - album Argus (2009) - band from USA
Phantom of the Opera

re-Vision - album Chapter IV: ...All For The Sake of Love (2009), Germany female fronted power metal band, the band also serves as Paul Di'Anno's backing band in Germany
Strange World

Meanwhile official Iron Maiden cover studio albums that didn’t make to the Wikipedia list, mostly after 2010  are:

Beast Over Greece (2012)
Metal Hammer Greece issued a full CD of Iron Maiden tribute, notable bands such as Wardrum, Spitfire and Bob Katsionis on board.

1. Spitfire - Where Eagles Dare
2. Wardrum - Be quick or be Dead
3. Nightstalker - Running Free
4. Bob Katsionis & Peter Ellis - Moonchild
5. Dream Weaver - Flight of Icarus
6. Mahakala - Hallowed be thy Name
7. Acid Death - Deja vu
8. Dark Nova - Chairvoyant
9. Convixion - Sanctuary
10. Marauder - Children of The Dammed
11. Maidenance - Alexander The Great

Thomas Zwijsen - Nylon Maiden (2013)

buy it here at Amazon , talented acoustic guitar player doing Iron Maiden cover instrumentally

1. Aces High (3:43)
2. Rainmaker (3:30)
3. The Trooper (4:21)
4. Dance Of Death (8:35)
5. Can I Play With Madness (3:33)
6. Blood Brothers (8:00)
7. The Clairvoyant (4:32)
8. Wasting Love (6:07)
9. Wasted Years (4:43)
10. The Clansman (with Blaze Bayley) (8:42)
11. The Talisman (9:01)

Maiden United - Across The Seventh Sea (2012)

buy from Amazon

1. Only the Good Die Young (5:18)
2. 2 Minutes to Midnight (6:54)
3. Prowler (4:21)
4. Flash of the Blade (4:13)
5. Children of the Damned (4:53)
6. Infinite Dreams (5:54)
7. 22 Acacia Avenue (8:59)
8. The Evil That Men Do (4:35)
9. Wasted Years (5:48)

Damian Wilson (THRESHOLD, HEADSPACE): Vocals
Ruud Jolie (WITHIN TEMPTATION): Guitar
Joey Bruers (UP THE IRONS): Bass
Marco Kuypers (CLOUDMACHINE): Piano
Mike Coolen (WITHIN TEMPTATION): Drums

Iron Maiden Tribute - The Soldier Has Returned (2011)

Country: USA - buy it here at Amazon

01. Steve Overland (of FM) - Can I Play With Madness
02. Steve Grimmett (of Grim Reaper) - 2 Minutes To Midnight
03. Paul Dianno (of Killers) - Wrathchild
04. Doogie White (of Rainbow) - Hallowed Be Thy Name
05. Paul Dianno (of Killers) - Running Free
06. Doogie White (of Rainbow) - The Evil That Men Do
07. Paul Dianno (of Killers) - Phantom Of The Opera
08. Steve Grimmett (of Grim Reaper) - Number Of The Beast
09. Paul Dianno (of Killers) - Iron Maiden
10. Steve Overland (of FM) - Run To The Hills
11. Gary Barden (of MSG) - The Trooper

Jimi Hendrix - People, Hell and Angels (2013)

Are you old enough to experience the day waiting for Jimi Hendrix releases? Nope, I am not, Jimi's last day was in 1970 and it was decade before my first day on earth. When the new Jimi Hendrix album announced weeks ago, I did get a tiny of goosebumps waiting for the release. So, with the time different of about forty years gap, can we still connect with the buzz on that age? The music is the only way to do that. People, Hell and Angels is the latest post-humous release from Jimi. Actually this is the 12th post-humous album from him, quite a number for the die man, isn't? Sound quality is great, fresh as the recording of our age. Beside that with the chances of audio recording taste to turn the sound into vintage, this album hardly different what we always here by now.

The album started with catchy riff of Earth Blues. Right after that we presented Jimi signature singing in his patented blues style. Very charming if you really miss the vibe of his voice. The song itself easy to absorbed, just a couple spin and it become familiar. Fans of Hendrix-ism wah wah will found the next track, Somewhere a great mix between blues song and guitar playing. The prove of this part is in song Crash Landing, where the lyric, "... you don't love me, you just want me..." can be so natural become part of blues theme. The sound of '68, the year of this recording done, come out shinning in Hear My Train A Comin', where the guitar riff trying to emulate the coming voice of a train. Bleeding Heart is almost 80 percent instrumental. The full instrumental track is Easy Blues, something for those looking to study Jimi Hendrix jamming session. Follow by Inside Out and Hey Gypsy Boy. The last song is Mojo Man, and producer put mellow instrumental Villanova Junction Blues as closing chapter.

It's surely a nostalgic listening experience inside People, Hell and Angels. It's not a missing chain of what we believe we have now, neither a hidden treasure we haven't listen to, but we surely brought back to the '68 and '69 era. Jimi Hendrix unmatched guitar will add new licks library to enthusiast of this guitar legend. Band mate were mostly featuring Billy Cox and Buddy Miles. Production is fine, rawness of Jimi's stratocaster is well preserved. Learn how he can make friend with voice noise and blend it into musical elements. The album is seeking for commercial purposes with Jimi Hendrix name, but the contains material is up standard blues man song. Highlight is Crash Landing, Earth Blues, Hear My Train A Comin' and Hey Gypsy Boy.

Metal Harem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Jimi Hendrix - People, Hell and Angels (2013)
album review , buy it here - Amazon

1. "Earth Blues" 3:33
2. "Somewhere" 4:05
3. "Hear My Train a Comin'" 5:41
4. "Bleeding Heart" 3:58
5. "Let Me Move You" 6:50
6. "Izabella" 3:42
7. "Easy Blues" 5:57
8. "Crash Landing" 4:14
9. "Inside Out" 5:03
10. "Hey Gypsy Boy" 3:39
11. "Mojo Man" 4:07
12. "Villanova Junction Blues" 1:44

Code of Silence - Dark Skies Over Babylon 2013

Recently, a record label and promoter Rock N Growl become new destination for news and interesting, mostly newcomer, bands. The next band called Code of Silence is a new sensation on their lineup, this band comprised of member from UK and Brazil. Playing eclectic blend between old school heavy metal and hard rock, even with a taste of AOR, their genre can only be termed as melodic metal band. The debut album called Dark Skies Over Babylon come out this week. Member of band come from notable band, such as guitarist Ben Randall , ex Power Quest. Their power horse is singer Gus Monsanto, ex Adagio and most familiar as ex Revolution Renaissance. Moment of listening tell the band is uplifted their reputation as seasoned musician as the album heavily rocks.

Omerta serves as intro, the time to adjust your hifi before the storm of melodic metal comes in, Bitter Sweet Paradise. This is a heavy metal but with an AOR feel in it. I love the pentatonic-exotic harmonic guitar fill in the beginning of the song. Especially special is the second song, Sky Is Falling Down. The riff is going to be their asset in the future and the verse again started in rocking AOR singing. Tame the Tempest will swing you around with its Axel-Rudi-Pell-like guitar tones and intro riff. Then come in darker themed in Dark Skies Over Babylon, which is now using ‘70s guitar tone ala Zepelin. This is a moment Gus getting some quality time to spend his voice character. Seventh Seal sounds like Dokken era metal. The rest of album still got enough interesting moment, song like Black Abyss is there, Midnight Caphedral (Veritas) in Gregorian ambience match the situation in Vatican right now following resignation of Pope Benedictus. And its close with melodious piano ballad Here to Heaven.

Great album with creative mix of resources ranging from AOR to heavy metal materials. The overall theme of Knight Templer with this kind of music is rather out of ordinary, given this story usually done in power metal kind of music. Guitarist Ben Randall proves versatile in creating many styles. Gus Monsanto also shine better from any of his previous appearances. Keyboardist Scott McLean convert many space left by other member with his eclectic styles string and fills in. This is one of great debut album, set the ball high for the team to advanced their career. Again this line up from Rock N Growl is not mistaking and worth every cent to try on.

Metal Harem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Code of Silence - Dark Skies Over Babylon 2013
buy it here - Amazon

1. Omerta (Intro) (1:51)
2. Bitter Sweet Paradise (5:27)
3. Sky Is Falling Down (3:51)
4. Tame The Tempest (6:32)
5. Dark Skies Over Babylon (7:31)
6. Seventh Seal (6:09)
7. Witches Of November (5:12)
8. Black Abyss (5:53)
9. Knights Of The Crimson Cross (5:07)
10. Midnight Caphedral (Veritas) (6:44)
11. Here To Heaven (6:31)
Witches Of November (Original Demo — bonus track) (5:11)
Here To Heaven (Original Demo — bonus track) (6:33)


Gus Monsanto (Vocals)
Ben Randall (Guitar)
James Murray (Bass)
Scott McLean (Keys)
John Clelland (Drums)