Years Of Decay 1980

1980… Well, it was a long time ago. Yes… 40 years ago… Damn… We are getting old? LOL. Yes, it looks like, but our taste for music is the best. Eheh.

Many classics were released at that time. Albums that today still and will be always a cult, classic, amazing, updated, wonderful, stunning, etc etc etc.

Enjoy our selection from 1980, and have a great Sunday.

Motörhead – Ace of Spades
November 1980, Bronze Records

I was once thrown out of a Motörhead gig in Glasgow. Leaving the details to your imagination will probably make it cooler than the reality that they chucked me out for crowd surfing, I had to wait outside till the end to get my jacket and I missed the band playing “Ace of Spades”!

Motörhead are/ were one of those iconic bands whose legendary status was established so long ago that those who weren’t around right at the start (I was born in ‘81) might overlook just how phenomenal they were at their peak. Sure, they kept churning out quality, whisky soaked bluesy, hard rock right till the end, but those early records with the original trio of Lemmy, “Fast” Eddie Clarke on guitar and “Philthy Animal” Taylor on drums can’t be touched, with “Ace of Spades” for my money being about as perfect as a rock record can get. read more

Talk about music with swagger. “Love Me Like a Reptile”, “Fast and Loose”, “Jailbait”, “The Chase Is Better Than The Catch”, “(We Are) The Road Crew”, (not to mention the legendary title track), you can take just about any song from this album and it will leave the competition for dust, along with its daughter. The band play like they’ve been up for days and it hasn’t made a dent, and with Fast Eddie shooting off one bluesy lick after another, alongside Taylor’s irrepressible drumming and Lemmy’s relentlessly hammering bass, you couldn’t ask for a more perfect soundtrack to the lascivious tales of women and excess. From the man who always walked it like he talked it, people don’t say Lemmy is God for nothing.

RIP Lemmy
RIP Eddie Clarke
RIP Phil Taylor

Tom Boatman

Judas Priest – British Steel
April 1980

This historic and still relevant band was formed in 1969 in Birmingham, England influened by the sound of gothic doom from Black Sabbath and influences of riffs/ speed from Led Zeppelin. As well, adding their own twist of vicious two-lead guitar attacks and driving sound that they are known for.

Judas Priest is one of the noted forerunners in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal that swept airwaves at this time. Setting the groundwork for speed and thrash metal, their success was catching many a person who wanted that belligerent rock sound. This was their sixth studio album to follow “Unleashed in the East (Live in Japan)”, “Killing Machine”, “Stained Class”, “Sin After Sin”, “Sad Wings of Destiny” and “Rocka Rolla”. read more

“British Steel” was a very successful album, having entered the British charts at number three and launching numerous hit singles from its creation.

“Breaking the Law”, first track and run away hit, grabs on with a riff that stays constant with rebellious vocals. Memorable theme song of rebellion and catchy to this day. “Rapid Fire” is a full on charge of amazing guitars, emphasizing that thrash metal sound and again excellent vocals from Rob Halford, lead singer. “Metal Gods”, an anthem song for this group. Slower, heavier riffs and bare expression in vocals. “Grinder”, next track after “Metal Gods” and “United” have more intense signature thrash sound, more developed as the album continues on to next break away hit, “Living After Midnight”. This was an 80s party song and very well received track. They owned with the opening riffs and catchy tune of the lyrics. Next stand out song for me was “Steeler”, as more of a listen happens, the thrash and speed metal sounds becomes more prominent. Another excellent offering on this album. I remember the album artwork, the hand displaying the razor blade and clever use of space for Judas Priest name and album. I also remember crowding in front of the television on a Friday night with snacks and parents yelling at me, “not too loud, ok?” Do you think I could listen, no! This was my night to watch the videos, sing along to the songs and just sink into the sounds I loved. Judas Priest was one of those favorites for me and still is today.

Darksun

Ozzy Osbourne – Blizzard of Oz
September 1980, Jet Records

Well… When this album was released I was just a kid and to be honest, I never thought that one day I would metal. But well, that day arrived and THANK YOU my beloved metal. So let us talk a bit about this album. For many the best album of Ozzy Osbourne. Well, not for me. Even if this album is a very good classic, Yes a classic. Don’t try to say it isn’t, cause it is. read more

It was the first album I heard from Ozzy Osbourne? No, it wasn’t. But its a classic, like I, said already. From this album, we have two songs that are one of the most known songs from Ozzy Osbourne‘s solo career. Should I say it? It’s is really necessary? Ok then… “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley”. But we can’t forget songs like “Steal Away (The Night)” or even the ballad “Goodbye to Romance”. This album is unique and timeless and with one very good work, from one of the best guitar players from that time.

RIP Randy Rhoads

The Key Keeper