JEFF HANNEMAN – A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE – METAL REWIND

Happy Friday Metalheads! Today, we remember Slayer guitarist, Jeff Hannemann, who’s birthday would have been this coming Sunday, but sadly passed away in 2013 at 49 due to liver failure.

Jeffrey John “Jeff” Hanneman met Kerry King in 1981 while auditioning for another band and approached him about playing together and forming their own band. King, who was in agreement with Hanneman, introduced drummer Dave Lombardo to Hanneman and after recruiting bassist/vocalist Tom Araya, Slayer was born. The band often played covers of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest songs at clubs and parties. During a show at the Woodstock Club, Slayer were noticed by Metal Blade Records founder, Brian Slagel, who asked them to record an original song for his Metal Massacre III compilation. The song “Aggressive Perfector” led to a recording contract with Metal Blade Records.

Jeff contributed both musically and lyrically to every Slayer album and wrote the songs “Raining Blood”, “War Ensemble”, “South of Heaven”, “Seasons in the Abyss” and “Angel of Death.” Jeff was a huge fan of early heavy metal and punk music and sported a DK (Dead Kennedys) symbol, as well as the likeness of Sex Pistols singer Johnny Rotten on his guitar. ESP also released a signature Jeff Hanneman model guitar, based on his Jackson Soloist. In 2011, Jeff had contracted necrotizing fasciitis which forced him to take a hiatus from Slayer and while the band had announced that he had recovered from the disease, he was still not well enough to return to Slayer. His death sent shockwaves through the metal community and changed the face of metal forever.

As a longtime Slayer fan who grew up in the 80’s when I first heard Slayer I was hooked. The first time I heard “Show No Mercy” and “Chemical Warfare”, there was no doubt in my mind that Slayer would achieve the success they have attained and beyond. If you went to any metal club, you would hear “SLAYER” chanted at least once or twice during the night and Slayer shows always have some very intense mosh pits. Rest in peace Jeff, you left us way too soon and the legacy you left the metal world will live on forever!!

CHECK OUT SLAYER FROM STUDIO 54 IN NYC ON THE COMBAT TOUR FROM 1985

ANTHRAX – SATAN’S LOUNGE BAND AT L’AMOUR BROOKLYN, NYC – 1989 – METAL REWIND

Happy Friday Metalheads! Hope you had a great week and are looking forward to the weekend. If you haven’t had a chance to catch my podcast interview with Alex Kayne from L’amour – The Rock Capital of Brooklyn, then click on the link below to hear all about the early days of heavy metal at one of the world’s most famous metal clubs in the country.

After my conversation with Alex it got me to thinking about Anthrax and their show as Satan’s Lounge Band and how it all came about. So let’s take a trip back to 1989 for  “Satan’s Lounge Band” better known as Anthrax.

Anthrax, who hail from New York City had gotten their start at L’amour’s and several local clubs throughout the NYC area in the early 80’s and in 1984 signed a record deal with Megaforce Records owner Jon Zazula and his wife Marsha. Once the members were finalized, they released a few albums that helped to land tours with Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne and Overkill to name a few, throughout the US and Europe.

The band however decided that they wanted to go back to their roots and booked 2 nights back to back at L’amour – The Rock Capital of Brooklyn, the club they frequented in their early days. The show was advertised under the moniker Satan’s Lounge Band – taken from the song “Bud E. Law Bomb and Satan’s Lounge Band” on side B of the “I Am The Law” 12 inch single.  Of course word got out quickly who really was playing the club and it turned out to be a packed house.

Check out the full set below and the video “Madhouse” Live at L’amour from MetalHead Video Magazine – Vol 1, which includes backstage footage of the band and the band performing Madhouse live. Enjoy!

SATAN’S LOUNGE BAND/ANTHRAX – LIVE AT L’AMOUR’S 1989

MADHOUSE – LIVE AT L’AMOUR – METALHEAD VIDEO MAGAZINE – VOL 1

IRON MAIDEN – HALLOWED BE THY NAME – METAL REWIND

Happy Friday Metalheads! Hope you’re having a great week. Today we take a trip back to one of the most classic songs by Iron Maiden from their third studio album called “The Number of the Beast’ for the track “Hallowed Be Thy Name.”

The track written by Steve Harris documents a prisoner being hanged for his crimes. This is one of Iron Maiden’s most popular songs and a concert staple because it’s one of the band’s favorite songs to play live. “Hallowed Be Thy Name” is also one of the most covered songs in their catalog with versions by Cradle of Filth, Iced Earth and Dream Theater to name a few.

The band were sued twice over a section of the lyrics that were taken from the British band Beckett’s 1973 song “Life’s Shadow.” Both cases were settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.

The song reached #9 on the UK music chart and #16 on the Irish music chart. Iron Maiden also re-recorded it for use in the UK on Channel 4’s 2007 series “Live From Abbey Road” as well as a version for BBC Radio which was used as a B side on the single of “The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg” from the “A Matter of Life and Death” album released in 2014.

Check out the original album track as well as a live version at Hammersmith Odeon in the UK from 1982 while the band were on the “Beast on the Road” tour for the album.

HALLOWED BE THY NAME  – ALBUM VERSION

HALLOWED BE THY NAME – LIVE IN THE UK 1982

WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE BAND TO SEE LIVE?

Hey Metalheads! I hope you’re having a great week so far. This month it’s all about your FAVORITE BAND LIVE and I want to hear from you. Each week I’ll choose two bands and please let me know in the comments below which one is your favorite.

Thanks to everyone who voted on their favorite band live. Last week it was Scorpions vs. Queensryche. My choice:

SCORPIONS

Here are this week’s choices:

KISS

VS.

VAN HALEN

e know in the comments below who your favorite is. Also, don’t forget to visit us The Metal Wire on Facebook and on Instagram (the_metal_wire). Have a METAL week! Horns up!

WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE BAND TO SEE LIVE?

Hey Metalheads! I hope you’re having a great week so far. This month it’s all about your FAVORITE BAND LIVE and I want to hear from you. Each week I’ll choose two bands and please let me know in the comments below which one is your favorite.

Thanks to everyone who voted on their favorite band live. Last week it was Judas Priest vs. Iron Maiden. My choice:

JUDAS PRIEST

Here are this week’s choices:

SCORPIONS

VS.

QUEENSRYCHE

I look forward to your responses. Let me know in the comments below who your favorite is. Also, don’t forget to visit us The Metal Wire on Facebook and on Instagram (the_metal_wire). Have a METAL week! Horns up!

WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE BAND TO SEE LIVE?

Hey Metalheads! I hope you’re having a great week so far. This month it’s all about your FAVORITE BAND LIVE and I want to hear from you. Each week I’ll choose two bands and please let me know in the comments below which one is your favorite.

Thanks to everyone who voted on their favorite Female musician. Last week it was Lizzy Hale – Halestorm vs. Simone Simmons – Epica. My choice:

SIMONE SIMMONS – EPICA

Here are this week’s choices:

JUDAS PRIEST

VS.

IRON MAIDEN

I look forward to your responses. Let me know in the comments below who your favorite is. Also, don’t forget to visit us The Metal Wire on Facebook and on Instagram (the_metal_wire). Have a METAL week! Horns up!

METAL WIRE PODCAST #7 – WE’RE BACK!

Happy Saturday Metalheads! We’ve been gone for a little bit but WE’RE BACK! Check out the latest Metal Wire Podcast streaming NOW!!

Thanks for all your support and I look forward to your comments, suggestions and as always, Keep it Hard, Keep it Heavy and Keep it METAL!!

VERY SPECIAL THANKS: A huge THANK YOU to a very talented artist and special friend Jerry Gonzalez for all your help and hard work on this podcast. You can check out his work at: jerrygonzalezart.com

Very special thanks to Dan Lorenzo and Vessel of Light for the use of the track “Rush of Blood” from their new album “Thy Serpent Rise” for the podcast!

CHECK OUT PODCAST #7 BELOW:

METAL WIRE PODCAST #7 – WE’RE BACK!

Happy Saturday Metalheads! We’ve been gone for a little bit but WE’RE BACK! Check out the latest Metal Wire Podcast streaming NOW!!

Thanks for all your support and I look forward to your comments, suggestions and as always, Keep it Hard, Keep it Heavy and Keep it METAL!!

VERY SPECIAL THANKS: A huge THANK YOU to a very talented artist and special friend Jerry Gonzalez for all your help and hard work on this podcast. You can check out his work at: jerrygonzalezart.com

Very special thanks to Dan Lorenzo and Vessel of Light for the use of the track “Rush of Blood” from their new album “Thy Serpent Rise” for the podcast!

CHECK OUT PODCAST #7 BELOW:

JEFF HANNEMAN – A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE – METAL REWIND

Happy Friday Metalheads! Today, we remember Slayer guitarist, Jeff Hannemann, who would have been 59 years old today, but sadly passed away in 2013 at 49 due to liver failure. It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost seven years since his passing.

Jeffrey John “Jeff” Hanneman met Kerry King in 1981 while auditioning for another band and approached him about playing together and forming their own band. King, who was in agreement with Hanneman, introduced drummer Dave Lombardo to Hanneman and after recruiting bassist/vocalist Tom Araya, Slayer was born. The band often played covers of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest songs at clubs and parties. During a show at the Woodstock Club, Slayer were noticed by Metal Blade Records founder, Brian Slagel, who asked them to record an original song for his Metal Massacre III compilation. The song “Aggressive Perfector” led to a recording contract with Metal Blade Records.

Jeff contributed both musically and lyrically to every Slayer album and wrote the songs “Raining Blood”, “War Ensemble”, “South of Heaven”, “Seasons in the Abyss” and “Angel of Death.” Jeff was a huge fan of early heavy metal and punk music and sported a DK (Dead Kennedys) symbol, as well as the likeness of Sex Pistols singer Johnny Rotten on his guitar. ESP also released a signature Jeff Hanneman model guitar, based on his Jackson Soloist. In 2011, Jeff had contracted necrotizing fasciitis which forced him to take a hiatus from Slayer and while the band had announced that he had recovered from the disease, he was still not well enough to return to Slayer. His death sent shockwaves through the metal community and changed the face of metal forever.

As a longtime Slayer fan who grew up in the 80’s when I first heard Slayer I was hooked. The first time I heard “Show No Mercy” and “Chemical Warfare”, there was no doubt in my mind that Slayer would achieve the success they have attained and beyond. If you went to any metal club, you would hear “SLAYER” chanted at least once or twice during the night and Slayer shows always have some very intense mosh pits. Rest in peace Jeff, you left us way too soon and the legacy you left the metal world will live on forever!!

CHECK OUT SLAYER FROM STUDIO 54 IN NYC ON THE COMBAT TOUR FROM 1985

WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE DRUMMER?

Hey Metalheads! Hope you’re having a great week so far. This month I want to hear from you guys on your favorite drummer. Each week I’ll choose two classic drummers and please let me know in the comments below which one is your favorite.

Thanks to everyone who voted on their favorite drummer last week. Last week it was Nicko McBrain vs. Mikkey Dee. A tough choice but my choice:

MIKKEY DEE

Here are this week’s choices:

TOMMY LEE

VS.

STEVEN ADLER

I look forward to reading your responses and let me know in the comments below who your favorite is and which lineup you like best. Also, don’t forget to visit us The Metal Wire on Facebook and on Instagram (the_metal_wire). Have a METAL week! Horns up!