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Articles by Ara Vahanian
Revisiting the Album "Master of Reality": Black Sabbath Reaches Peak Excellence Early
Black Sabbath Reaches Their Musical Peak Early With the Album "Master of Reality" Black Sabbath took themselves up to superstar status with their 1970 album Paranoid. Their 1971 album called Master of Reality is still a solid work and deserves recognition even over 53 years later. The classic song on this album and the one that stands out the most to me is the groove filled Children of the Grave.
Revisiting Napalm Death's 1992 Studio Album "Utopia Banished"
Introducing This British Band's Great 1992 Studio Album Utopia Banished is the very good 4th album by British death metal band Napalm Death. This is the first album that I heard from these guys, and I really have enjoyed it to this day even as we are in 2025. At this point in their career (1992), the band had an international feel for it. Danny Herrera, the person playing the drums on this album is of Mexican descent.
Revisiting Judas Priest's 1990 Studio Album "Painkiller"
Track Listing for the album "Painkiller" (2001 re-mastered version) Painkiller Hell Patrol All Guns Blazing Leather Rebel Metal Meltdown Night Crawler Between the Hammer & The Anvil A Touch of Evil Battle Hymn (instrumental) One Shot at Glory Living Bad Dreams Leather Rebel (LIVE version) Making the Case That "Painkiller" Isn't Judas Priest's Finest Album Painkiller is the classic 1990 album by British heavy metal band Judas Priest, at least as far as the magazines are concerned.
Review of the Album "Turbo" by British Heavy Metal Band Judas Priest
Here Is a More in Depth Introduction to a Very Forgotten Heavy Metal Album Of all the studio albums released by the band Judas Priest during the decade of the 1980s, Turbo may be the one that could be forgotten by some fans and this is one of those albums that I’ve always known about but had never really wanted to listen to until for the first time late in the year 2020. In spite of the album’s title, the songs are not a million miles an hour fast like a turbo race car.
An In-Depth Review and Analysis of Black Sabbath's 1970 Studio Album "Paranoid"
Track Listing for Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” Album War Pigs Paranoid Planet Caravan Iron Man Electric Funeral Hand of Doom Rat Salad Fairies Wear Boots Introducing the Album That Made Black Sabbath a Superstar Heavy Metal Band Paranoid is the second full-length album by British heavy metal band Black Sabbath released in 1970. I would make the case that this is the album that made Black Sabbath a superstar band. This was also the first Black Sabbath album that I heard in my life back in 1995.
Forgotten Metal Albums: Judas Priest's "Sin After Sin"
"Sin After Sin" is Truly a Metal Music Gem Sin After Sin is the 3rd studio album released by the one and only Judas Priest in 1977 which is obviously a long time ago but still the album needs perspective and review because it is these older heavy metal albums that would set the foundation for what was to come later. Also, one can and should appreciate the simplicity of this album.
Revisiting Judas Priest's 1978 Studio Album "Stained Class"
A Few Brief Reasons Why "Stained Class is Such an Influential Metal Album This 1978 album - Stained Class is one of those albums that deserves another analysis for being one of the most influential metal albums that would be the foundation for forming other metal bands. As of March 2025, the drummer Les Binks passed away and this is another reason why a review is necessary.
Forgotten Heavy Metal Albums: Sepultura's "Nation"
How is the Album “Nation?” Brazilian thrash and death metal band Sepultura came out with an average album called Against in 1998 which was their first studio album without lead vocalist Max Cavalera. Their 2001 studio album is called Nation. You would think that after a decent opening song called "Sepulnation" the album would be a fine thrash and death metal album with the band showing that they could thrive creatively without Max.
Album Review: "They Will Return" by Finnish Melodic Death Metal Band Kalmah
Kalmah Returns With an Even Stronger Studio Album Called "They Will Return" Finnish melodic death metal veterans Kalmah returned to the studio to record another album following their debut release Swamplord which was released in 2000. This album They Will Return though has a few lineup changes. Pasi Hiltula handles the keyboard duties and Janne Kusmin plays the drums on this album. Timo Lehtinen plays the bass guitar. Vocalist and guitarist Pekka Kokko still retains that raspy vocal style.
Revisiting Metallica's 1996 Studio Album "Load" as It Nears Its 30th Anniversary
A Highly Criticized Album is Nearing a Special Anniversary American heavy metal band Metallica raised much criticism following the release and promotion of the album Load. The question that some of us may be asking is how does the album sound more than almost 30 years after its release as of 2025? That’s one of the reasons why we revisit an album that is even more of a musical departure compared to Metallica’s super successful Black Album in 1991.
Revisiting Pantera’s "Cowboys from Hell" After Their Reunion
Introducing the First Pantera Album of Any Significance Cowboys from Hell, the famous 1990 studio album deserves another review after the band decided to reform and reunite in 2022. After their breakup in 2003, I never thought that the band would reform, especially because of the tensions that ensued.
Revisiting Tankard's 1986 Debut Album "Zombie Attack"
Explaining The Significance of the Album "Zombie Attack" German thrash metal band Tankard introduced to us their hard-hitting style of thrash metal starting in 1986 and even for that time, the album Zombie Attack is a pretty darn good one! Vocalist Andreas Geremia (Gerre) has been a part of the band’s journey since the start of the band’s career. I notice that he sounds a bit like Dave Mustaine in his early days, but he does a better job vocally than Dave Mustaine does.
Revisiting Opeth's 1995 Debut Album "Orchid"
This Longtime Swedish Band Got Their Career off to a Great Start Musically Swedish band Opeth that started off their career as a progressive death metal band released their debut album called Orchid in 1995, a year that was outstanding for international heavy metal bands. For the purposes of this discussion, international would mean bands formed outside of the United States.
Forgotten Death Metal Albums: "Yearning for the Grotesque" by Spain's Avulsed
This is Another One of Those Albums That is a Death Metal Musical Gem Yearning for the Grotesque is the 3rd studio album by Spain’s premier death metal band Avulsed released in February 2003 and it must be mentioned that these guys are vastly forgotten about or not even known by the majority of death metal fans which is a real shame because they are very talented.
Album Review: "The System Has Failed" Megadeth's Triumphant Return
Track Listing for the Album "The System Has Failed" Blackmail the Universe Die Dead Enough Kick the Chair The Scorpion Tears in a Vial I Know Jack Back in the Day Something That I’m Not Truth Be Told Of Mice and Men Shadow of Deth My Kingdom Chris Poland Returns as a Guest Performer for This Megadeth Studio Album "The System Has Failed" The System Has Failed is the 2004 album by American heavy metal band Megadeth. It is also the first album by the band since Dave Mustaine’s arm injury.
Revisting "Danzig 2 - Lucifuge" the Famous Second Studio Album by Danzig
We Introduce the Second Album by Glenn Danzig's Band: "Danzig 2 - Lucifuge" Danzig 2 Lucifuge is the second album of Glenn Danzig’s band Danzig released in 1990. If the first album Danzig was any indication of the man’s musical talent, Danzig 2 is another impressive release with its most well-known lineup. The album has a blues and country influence in it but it also has some standard heavy metal style in it such as in the song called Her Black Wings.
Episode Review And Analysis: "Gadget's Clean Sweep" in the Cartoon Inspector Gadget
Background for This Episode of Inspector Gadget "Gadget's Clean Sweep" Gadget’s Clean Sweep is the 18th episode of the 2nd season of the famous animated kids cartoon. It is one of my favorite episodes of the season. The episode has the main character Inspector Gadget traveling to London. In the episode, Inspector Gadget has been told by his boss Chief Quimby that he must travel to 19th century London to stop MAD agents from stealing the Queen’s crown jewels.
Exploring Coroner's Raw Debut Album "R.i.p". - 1980s Progressive Thrash
Introducing a Very Iconic Album in Thrash Metal History by Switzerland's Veteran Thrash Metal Band Coroner Coroner is one of the oldest bands in Europe and Switzerland. Their 1987 debut album R.I.P. or Rest in Pain is an album that is characterized by a very raw sound which was typical of that time. For those of you that enjoyed Metallica’s debut album you will most certainly enjoy this album as well.
Forgotten Hard Rock Albums: Pink Cream 69, "One Size Fits All"
Andi Deris of the Power Metal Band Helloween Does Lead Vocals On This Amazing Album In the history of hard rock, there are albums that are so amazing that they deserve more than just a standard review. They deserve analysis, respect, and praise. One such example is the album One Size Fits All by Pink Cream 69 released in 1991. The band was formed in Germany and this album had Andi Deris doing the vocals. Deris would leave this band and join Helloween in 1993.
Exploring the Groundbreaking Debut Album of Eldritch "Seeds of Rage"
We Introduce Eldritch and the Album That Got Them Off to a Groundbreaking Start Eldritch is a fantastic heavy metal band from Italy that has been around since 1991. That's over three decades of existence in the music business. Some of you reading this were not even born yet. Nonetheless, their debut album called Seeds of Rage was released in 1995 and is one of the best albums of its kind for sure.
A Look Back At Insomnium's Very Good 2004 Studio Album "Since the Day It All Came Down"
Insomnium is a melodic death metal band from Finland that I got into several years ago. Their 2nd studio album called Since the Day It All Came Down was released in 2004 and it is really good. The Songs "Nocturne" and "The Day It All Came Down" Set the Tone for This Great Album After the instrumental called Nocturne is the melodic, heavy and hard hitting song called The Day It All Came Down. Vocalist and bassist Niilo Sevanen makes a sharp growl before his vocals make their entrance.
Dark Tranquillity's "Fiction" Album Review - Entering Melodic Death Metal Greatness Once Again
The Album "Fiction" May Be This Band's Best Studio Album Since 1995's "The Gallery" Swedish melodic death metal band Dark Tranquillity came onto the heavy metal scene all the way back in 1989 and they have established themselves as one of the leading bands of the melodic death metal genre. Their 2007 album Fiction may be their best album since The Gallery in 1995. Vocalist Mikael Stanne does a few grunts in this album like Jeff Waters of Annihilator would do.
Review of the 2nd Album of the Death Metal Band Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse has turned out to be one of the best US extreme metal bands since its inception and I figured I might as well review another album in which Chris Barnes is the vocalist. That album is called Butchered at Birth and it was released in 1991. How Does This Album Begin? The album starts with a sort of growling noise among the messy guitar and it sounds like there is a beast in the background. This first song is called Meat Hook Sodomy.
A Review of the 4th Studio Album by Spanish Death Metal Band Avulsed
Spanish death metal veterans Avulsed really captured my interest with their awesome 1999 studio album called Stabwound Orgasm. Their 4th studio album called Gorespattered Suicide really takes things beyond an extreme level with album titles like that. This Album Begins With the Title Track The title track is the first song of this album and the tapping style drums and guttural vocals of David Sanchez Gonzalez immediately kick in.
A Review of the Album Nirvana Mtv Live Unplugged in New York
This Is a Very Famous LIVE Album In the Career of Nirvana In the brief career of alternative rock band Nirvana (if we can even call a seven year career brief), there is one album of theirs that some fans may forget about. That album is called MTV Unplugged in New York. That is a LIVE album performed by Nirvana on November 18, 1993 in New York City. However, the album was not released until November 1, 1994, almost six months after Kurt Cobain was found dead.
127 Songs About Crushes and Crushing on Someone
FlourishAnyway believes there is a playlist for just about any situation and is on a mission to unite and entertain the world through song. If you have a crush on someone, why not make a playlist of pop, rock, R&B and country songs about crushes? Enjoy it for yourself or make your move by sharing it with them. Danielle Elder via Flickr, CC-BY-SA 2.0, modified by FlourishAnyway Crushes: You're More Obvious Than You Believe Crushes aren't just for teens. Adults get them too.
Synth Album Review: "VHS-Highway" by Saros-FM
Karl has been a freelance writer for over 10 years. He's passionate about music, art, and writing! Initial Impressions Saros-FM’s VHS-Highway is a flowing voyage through rich, caressing and all-encompassing soundscapes that balance energy and soothing, gliding sensations. The album creates a feeling of peace, touched by melancholy and shaped by throbbing drums and deep bass wells. One of the most compelling elements of VHS-Highway is the melodies that Saros-FM weaves in his music.
"Straight Outta Smogtown" by Polish Thrash Metal Band Terrordome (Album Review)
Ara is a Journalism graduate from California State University Northridge who is always looking to explore his writing opportunities. Terrordome, Straight Outta Smogtown Length: 40:31 Genre: Thrash Metal Members: Mateusz Łapczyński: guitars and vocals Przemysław Pałka: guitars Simon: bass guitars Vitor Robson dos Santos Friggi: drums (Note: He is the only member of this band not from Poland.
Danzig, "Danzig 777: I Luciferi" Album Review
Ara is a Journalism graduate from California State University Northridge who is always looking to explore his writing opportunities. The numbers 777 symbolizing part of the album's title. Pixabay Is "Danzig 777: I Luciferi" Danzig's Weakest Album (as of 2021)? Glenn Danzig had a habit of releasing albums with weird titles in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The band’s seventh studio release is called Danzig 777: I Luciferi—once again having an album title having to do with evil and Satanism.
Asphyx, "The Rack" (Death Metal Album Review)
Ara is a Journalism graduate from California State University Northridge who is always looking to explore his writing opportunities. Why Asphyx Is a Famous Death Metal Band Asphyx is one of the oldest death metal bands in Europe, having been formed as far back as 1987. I always knew about this band, yet I didn’t start listening to their work until around 2018 or so.
Album Review "Realm of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness" by the United Kingdom's Bolt Thrower
Introducing Bolt Thrower's 2nd Studio Album "Realm of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness" The United Kingdom’s Bolt Thrower established themselves as one of the leading death metal bands in that country during their existence. Their 1989 studio album Realm of Chaos: Slaves to Darkness resembles a bit more of the death metal sound while still having the grindcore style drums. Those of you that are really familiar with this style will notice that these guys also sound a little like the band Morbid Angel.
Suicidal for Life by Suicidal Tendencies (Thrash Metal Album Review)
Ara is a Journalism graduate from California State University Northridge who is always looking to explore his writing opportunities. This photo represents what the band did musically, almost going off the edge with a hard hitting crossover thrash metal album.
Review of the Album "Danzig 6:66 Satan’s Child" by Danzig
Ara is a Journalism graduate from California State University Northridge who is always looking to explore his writing opportunities. Basic Details About Danzig 6:66 Satan's Child Length: 54:31 Release Date: November 2, 1999 Style: Industrial rock/metal with doom metal influences Personnel: Glenn Danzig: lead vocals and additional guitars Josh Lazie: bass guitar Joey Castillo: drums Jeff Chambers plays guitars as a guest performer.
Review of the Album "Scourge" by Xentrix
Ara is a Journalism graduate from California State University Northridge who is always looking to explore his writing opportunities. Could This Be a Transitional Album? Length: 52:34 Genre Type: Groovy thrash metal with influences ranging from Corrosion of Conformity to Pantera Scourge is the 1996 studio album by British thrash metal band Xentrix, and it would also end up being their last studio album before their first breakup.
All About Chihiro Anai: Former Member of Pop Music Group HKT48
Ara is a Journalism graduate from California State University Northridge who is always looking to explore his writing opportunities. Chihiro Anai hello-online picture board Chihiro Anai Achieved Success At a Very Young Age Chihiro Anai is a Japanese celebrity that was a member of the Japanese pop music girl group HKT48. Even though she graduated from HKT48 in July 2016, her impact with the group is still something that should be discussed.
Here's How Americans Abroad can File Back Taxes
In the past, if you were an American taxpayer who did not file a return for missed tax years, you were eligible to take advantage of what is called the Delinquent Information Return Submission Procedures. However, as of November 2020, the IRS has removed this program and it is no longer available. This program was mainly for those not eligible for the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program or the Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures in order to take care of their tax issues.
Review of the Album "Sentenced to Life" by Exarsis
Ara is a Journalism graduate from California State University Northridge who is always looking to explore his writing opportunities. Encyclopaedia Metallum The Metal Archives Who Is Exarsis? Exarsis is a thrash metal band that is from Kiato and Athens in Greece and they have been active since 2009. Their latest studio album called Sentenced to Life is an example of thrash metal that is modern, melodic, and aggressive at the same time.
Who Is Vocalist Capri Virkkunen?
Ara is a Journalism graduate from California State University Northridge who is always looking to explore his writing opportunities. The Beautiful Paivi "Capri" Virkkunen There are vocalists in the heavy metal genre that have not gotten enough exposure or recognition and one of those vocalists is Paivi “Capri” Virkkunen, known simply as Capri. Fans of the band Amberian Dawn will know that she is the vocalist that replaced Heidi Parviainen in 2012.
3 'Pain Points' for US Taxpayers in China
If you are an American national trying to figure out how to file your US taxes, chances are that you might stumble onto ‘pain points’ or challenges. Here are a few of the most common pain points that US expats typically face in the tax filing process: Unfiled income tax returns This is the most common issue that US expats run into when it comes to filing their taxes. Just because you are a US citizen living abroad, this does not exempt you from having to file a tax return in your home country.
100 Best Songs With Moon in the Title
I have been an online writer for over six years. I am passionate about books, philosophy, music, and the music industry. The moon is a romantic and sentimental theme featured in many songs. Here are the top 100! adriannesquick from Pixabay via Canva.com What Are the Best Songs About the Moon? The word "moon" has been used in songs to convey a plethora of emotions.
Review of the Album Called I, the Mask by Swedish Melodic Death Metal Band In Flames
What Is the Musical Style of the Album "I, the Mask?" The electronic sound is there at the beginning for sure and this gives away that you will not hear anything that resembles the band’s old style. Stylistically, the first song is similar to something that you would have heard on Reroute to Remain.
Review of the Album "Abducted" by Swedish Death Metal Band Hypocrisy
How Does the Album "Abducted" Begin? Swedish death metal veterans Hypocrisy have not only made me believe in their musical abilities through each album they have had but they also show me that regardless of the death metal style they use, they have that ability to make it work and sound more than satisfactory. After the short mostly instrumental track “The Gathering” the melodies kick in and with their 1996 studio album Abducted, they have entered the melodic death metal genre.
Review and Analysis of the Episode "Old Man of the Mountain" in the Cartoon Inspector Gadget
Introduction to Old Man of the Mountain Which Was Supposed to be Named The Great Divide Old Man of the Mountain is the 46th episode of the famous carton series Inspector Gadget. However, the title of the episode was supposed to be The Great Divide but there was a mix-up that caused the title of this episode to be named by mistake. What is the Episode Old Man of the Mountain Mainly About?
A Look Back at the Album "Razorbliss" by Gothic Metal Band Flowing Tears
The Album Razorbliss is Worth Listening to for the Title Track Itself Razorbliss is the 2004 studio album by German Gothic Rock band Flowing Tears and we are going back into a sort of “memory lane” moment as we analyze this album 20 years later in 2024. Has it stood the test of time? Is it better than before?
Review the Album "Capricorn" First Solo Album by Hard Rock Vocalist Mike Tramp
A Photo of Capricorn the Zodiac Sign and the Title of This Album Why is "Capricorn" a Significant Hard Rock Album Capricorn is the debut solo album by former White Lion vocalist Mike Tramp. Tramp is originally from Denmark and he started his solo career after the split of American band Freak of Nature. But even more that, we must be thankful that Mike Tramp made a big contribution to the American hard rock scene which really thrived and flourished with him being a major part of it.
Arch Enemy War Eternal: Perhaps This Swedish Band's Best Album With New Vocalist Alissa White-Gluz of Canada
Alissa White-Gluz is a more than great replacement for Angela Gossow to Do Lead Vocals Swedish melodic death metal band Arch Enemy has excited fans such as myself with their strong death metal vocals, great guitar rhythms, good solos, and music that is inspirational and really can help people get into a better mood! I decided to give their album War Eternal a review and analysis mainly because of their new front woman, Canadian born Alissa White-Gluz.
Revisiting the 1992 Studio Album"the Ritual" Testament Goes Mainstream and Excels
Songs List for Testament's 1992 Studio Album "The Ritual" Signs of Chaos (instrumental) Electric Crown So Many Lies Let Go of My World The Ritual Deadline As the Seasons Grey Agony The Sermon Return to Serenity Troubled Dreams Bay Area thrash metal band Testament showed that they were still a great band in 1992 when they released their 5th studio album called The Ritual.
Success and Suicide
Some years back, I wrote a piece here on Hub-pages about Suicide and Hunter S. Thompson. I loved him as a writer and when he chose to take his life, I felt it was an honorable decision. The man lived a full life, with countless books, movies made after his books, etc. When he took care of all that he needed to take care of and then, took his own life (because he was simply "done"), I wished him well and respected his decision.
Cutting: Why it's a growing trend among tweens and teens
My experience in working with this population, parallels, what is reported by studies and the media. In my practice, I am noticing an increase in self harming each year, and many times schools and parents are unaware, because kids are good at hiding it from adults. This is not to say they are hiding it from each other. In fact, many learn to cut from their friends. And many get help because a friend tells a trusted adult out of concern.
Nirvana, "Bleach" a Very Underrated Album That Still Deserves Praise Even More Than 30 Years Later
A List of All the Songs From Nirvana's 1989 Debut Album Including Two Bonus Tracks Not On the Original Pressing Of "Bleach" "Blew" "Floyd the Barber" "About a Girl" "School" "Love Buzz" "Paper Cuts" "Negative Creep" "Scoff" "Swap Meet" "Mr. Moustache" "Sifting" "Big Cheese" (bonus track) "Downer" (bonus tracks) "Bleach" Is an Album That Is Very Underrated Bleach is the first studio album by alternative rock band Nirvana. It still deserves attention even more than 30 years after its release.
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