What better time period is there than the eighties for quality HEAVY METAL??? None I say...the eighties was the ultimate in generating excellent bands!! Anacrusis, Bolt Thrower, Tyton, Sanctuary, Manilla Road, Abattoir, Candlemass, OverKill, Testament, Exodus, Forbidden, Witchfinder General, Cerebus, Flotsam And Jetsam, Hallows Eve, Heir Apparent, Sodom, Heaven, Virgin Steel, Omen.....I could go on and on...the list of awesome bands is overwhelming!!! :) Well..I just wanted to stop by and say hallo! Skyklad www.metalgospel.com

Ya know something? Some of those bands I've never heard of. But, you are right. The 80's was the best time for heavy metal. And there was alot of it. It's mostly gone downhill in the 90's but there are still a few quality bands hanging around...

I agree..it seems to really have gone downhill in the nineties. I don't really want to complain though..just agree. Metal concerts are not the same as they used to be. I learned this the other night..and maybe it has come time to retire from going to shows..the younger generation does not catch what it's all about. It's not just music..it's a lifeforce within. I feel it..breath it....sleep it..live it! HEIL METAL!!!!!!!!

hehe Yeah, I hear ya. Being a big Metallica fan (of old) I see it totally. At concerts, kids now just don't understand what Metallica WAS and it supposed to be. It's like they are screaming and cheering for nothing. Especially the way they sang Fade to Black at their last concert.. It was really a joke.. :(

Uh boy..don't even get me started about Metallica. LOL...that band has commited a crime against the metal community that is absolutely unforgiveable from this stubborn metalhead!! No offense is meant..I just can't understand how a band who HAD such integrity and TALENT could make such horrible music as Load, Reload and whatever else they have released since. Oh well..it is over and I can still continue to cling to my favourite eighties bands..especially OMEN!! These guys where incredible!!! Are you familier with them?

Ahh, no. hehehe I don't know Omen but we agree about the way you feel concerning Metallica. Unbelievable.. What sadness.. hehe It's really ridiculous. Otherwise, one band that I know of who really stayed the same is Megadeth. I have been buying their albums.. Anthrax, one of my old favories, I stopped buying before Stomp 442. Ahh, but the M work? hehe I never bought anything after the self-entitled black album. That one wasn't even so great.. But atleast it still had some Metallica in it...

Uh boy...Megadeth..how the once mighty have fallen..to a crashing thud. I will no longer purchase their recordings..the last purchased was Cryptic Writings and that one just barely got by in my cd changer. Anthrax stopped getting my money when Joey left the band...I guess I'm just too stubborn for change..LOL..but even then you can have good change...Like Skyclad...these guys have consistently put out albums that have been different yet all are awesome. This is my favourite band by the way. They are INCREDIBLE!! Talk about uniqueness! The Gathering went from a male death vocaled band to a female vocaled band..I mean..that's a huge change but they are still incredible. Ok.they're not from the eighties but they're still awesome. Back to Skyclad..if you aren't familier with them maybe you might remember Sabbat?? This was Martin Walkyiers (THE LYRICAL GOD!!) previous band before Skyclad....or how about Satan (this is going back quite a few years)?..... Graeme English and Steve Ramseys band before teaming up with Martin to form Skyclad. You must check out Omen if you have the opportunity..talk about metal attitude!! These guys take the spirit of metal and make it come to life!!!

Okay, to be honest, I haven't heard the new Megadeth album. I bought it, but that's it... When Joey left Anthrax, they lost me as a fan as well... I'm gonna post that message about my musicness in just a minute...

This site is pretty cool. A place for 80's metal fans. Skyklad, I see you talking about OMEN....damn good 80' metal if you ask me. "Teeth of the hydra" is one kick ass song. Claziano, You're not the only one who was pissed when Joey Balladonna left Anthrax. They aren't the same anymore....to bad to because they were a hell of a band. :( I also was upset when Danny Spitz left too. Don't get me started on either Metallica or Megadeth. What has gotten into these two bands? Two of the biggest 80's bands and look what they have done to themslves! Sorry I got a little carried away. :)

Hehe. Well, I thought Megadeth was the last good metal band left but I haven't listened to their last album.. A few years ago, I was still kinda liking their music.. But I never really got into the older Megadeth - maybe that's why I was able to like their newer music so easy. I was way too busy listening to Metallica, Anthrax, Death, and King Diamond to allow anyone else into my time.....

I wasn't impressed with their new sound. "Crush'em" made me want to shoot'em. :) But that is just me.......kinda stuck in my ways a little I guess.

I happen to like every thing Megadeth put out. And I think Metallica's latest sucks. But that's just my opinion. I was invited to come here and so far I like what I see, lol!!

Hi, Blaziegrl and welcome! :) I agree with you. I seem to like Megadeth with the exception of the last album which I have not heard. Metallica was my favorite until Load. Even the black album was weak... Well, I'm glad you like the system so far. I'm actually home on a Friday night working on it off a laptop! hehe My little brother is using my main computer. Okay, lemme get back to work. Thank you for coming... :)

I'd recommend staying as far away from "Risk" as possible!! What a disgrace!!

Risk.. I don't remember if I bought that one yet. I probably did.. Skyklad, is that their first bad one? Which Megadeth albums do you dislike? Let me know...

Risk is their latest one...It is garbage in my humble opinion. Dave's attitude is incredibely arrogant and his only viewpoint now is to MAKE MONEY (forget making music). I know it is important to take care of one's family and survive in this world but metal music represents much more than just making money. It represents true emotion...integrity and honesty. Several eighties bands that where once great have taken routes that disgust me. As far as the rest of Megadeth's material goes I don't mind it...the first sign of weakness and attempt at making radio friendly dribble was on Cryptic Writings. Other fans of metal mention Countdown To Extinction as being a "weak" album but I disagree. BUT..nothing will be able to top Risk as far as weakness and lousiness goes!! I'm the toughest critic when it comes to metal because it's not just music..it's the lifeforce within!

Ya know - come to think of it I think I did listen to Risk.. I just don't remember it. I wonder why. hehe Terrible.. I guess Megadeth is gone too.. It doesn't shock me though. Not after what Metallica has done.. Nothing can shock me now... Imagine being the best and not caring about it...

Skyklad, You're not the only tough critic when it comes to music. When I first heard "Crush 'em" I thought what the hell is going on with these guys. I just couldn't believe that they would stoop so low and not even care what they put out. IMO If you're thinking about buying Risk you might be doing that...taking a risk.

:) Cool. We have some good critics here. :) I'll take your words' for it when it comes to good and bad Metal. :)

I guess you all think I suck now, but seeing Metallica live is still one of the best experiences of my concert going life. I know they aren't what they were (and my favorite Metallica is still Master of Puppets and Ride the Lightening)...no other album will compare.. but, I have seen Metallica 4 times, and am going to see them this December again. I expect nothing but an amazing performance, because live...they still kick ass! My opinion, not trying to force it on you guys. I just love metallica no matter what! :)

Mirdonomy..you don't suck..you are sticking to what you love and if you love Metallica the way they are then that's wonderful. I had gone to see them on the Load tour and it was absolutely heartbreaking! I expected the normal 3 plus hours show but got about an hour instead. While I used to be surrounded by people my own age I was surrounded by tons of baggy panted children..it was sad day for me. Growing up with the band as they where has caused me to be a tough critic on them today. Anyway..Enjoy your concert and also enjoy their newest release which should be out sometime soon. :)

It's okay to be a diehard fan. That's cool.. I just wish they would have kept their word. They said that they'd never conform.... It's sought of like me saying if I make millions of dollars this year I will donate half of it to the homeless. But when that time comes, I don't... Enjoy the concert anyway! :o Skyklad. What do you think the newest release will be like?

I'm dumbfounded not to offend but shouldn't we be glad that the baggy pants kids are going to the same concerts as we do? The hope is that our favorite bands make a comeback and good music becomes popular again. If nobody goes to their concerts, then they'll give up.

Well, Blaziegrl. That would be perfect, but.. The Metallica concerts that we're talking about here are actually the kind of music that the kids with the baggy pants like... We hate it! It's not the sound that Metallica is known for. It's the alternative sound of the 90's nowadays.. They went from having songs called: ...And Justice For All Shortest Straw Master of Puppets Fight Fire with Fire Fade to Black to this: Aint My Bitch ...Now if you know what the songs above sounded like and represented - you'll understand what I mean. :)

You have not offended Blaziegirl...and I mean no offence with my reply but I don't like those baggy panted children at metal shows...especially when while at that particular Metallica concert I did a survey of 15 of them and NOT ONE knew that Metallica had any albums before the Black album...This was the final straw.....or should I say..Shortest Straw..Pulled For You...Shortest Straw Has Been Pulled For You....Metallica went from being a premier METAL band..to an alternarock band. AND NOW I've found out that they are going to have DR. DRE produce their next record..and also that they'd like to experiement in the industrial part of music....uggghhhh!! I think it is necessary to research a band's past so it is aggrivating to see that kids only listen to the music because MTV tells them that it is what they should be listening to. To further my discontent with the "new breed of metal listeners" I recently attended a concert of In Flames and Moonspell and the place was infested with baggy panted, woolen cap/backwards cap..puffy sport jacket..newport smoking teenagers. Not only could I not see but some guy threatened to "beat yo face in" as he phrased it, because I stepped on his make up queen girlfriend who was sitting on the STAIRS..I figured you utilized stairs for walking..not sitting. This crowd did not interact with the band..or at least not the part of the crowd I could see....they didn't sing along or clap or yell..and most looked bored..either that or they had the "look at me..aren't I cool" look... To top it all off several of them that I questioned who where wearing metal shirts didn't even KNOW the bands material that they where wearing the shirt of!!! And one guy I asked about Metallica thought their first album was Ride The Lightning and he wasn't even sure on that. I am DEFINITELY stuck in the eighties....:)..because back then you could go to a metal show and FEEL the camaraderi and bond that each metalhead had with one another..you could be in or around the mosh pit and the minute you got knocked down there would be several hands to help you up. Everyone expressed their admiration for metal with concert shirts or band shirts on. The whole place was into the band on stage....this is not the case these days..many of the teenagers of today don't truly understand what metal is all about. And maybe I am wrong with all this but it means a lot more than just music to me..I take it very seriously....it represents the culmination of emotion and dedication to integrity and honesty portrayed through lyrics and musical composition of the utmost artistic expression. ok...I'm rambling and most likely making some enemies now..LOL..I just love metal so much that the invasion of rap and alternarock in this country has caused some not so great outcomes...and I feel very strongly for metal and it's emotional artistry. And I also understand that this all may come out like I'm some sort of expert on metal..I'm not...it's just my passion and love and it's not the same as it used to be as far as the metal "crowd" goes...Maybe I am too old but I will never stop listening to METAL....and I'm whining..LOL... Sorry if I have offended any of you..I surely wish I could express this in a more understandable manner but time is limited....

Right. There was definatly a special feeling in the concerts of a ways back. It's mostly gone now. I would hate for a band like Poison to suddenly change course and go grunge or alternative because the new fans like it. Ya know what I'm saying? That's what Metallica did. TRUE fans of the 80's have not died! They just need to wake up and go to some concerts. 30's and 40's are not too OLD to have alittle fun. People must get that impression. I am 28 and I would be thrilled to go see my favorite 80's bands. Especially Metallica - but not anymore. They have conformed to the likings of a generation that I am not part of. :(

The funny thing is I ran into some friends from New York..older guys and we felt the same way about the crowd at the Moonspell/In Flames concert. The baggy panted crowds will cause our bands to change their sound to fit the MTV mold of what SELLS...just look at Metallica..Megadeth and even Guns N Roses..whos new song is absolute BOLLOX!!! Axle does not sound good in industrial music..not after such gems as Appetite For Destruction and Use Your Illusion!