Final Sign’s
foundation
stems from a musical partnership between vocalist Shawn Pelata and guitarist
Brian "Hellstorm" Williams which dates back to 1999, when Brian contacted
Shawn with the hope of recruiting him to sing for a new project he was putting
together. That short-lived endeavor became K-OCTAVE—yielding a single, highly praised
album, “Outer Limits”, issued via Germany
Williams then
continued with his main band, underground metal giants OCTOBER 31; while Pelata
released two albums with melodic rock outfit LINE OF FIRE, as well as working
with metalcore cultists KILLWHITNEYDEAD. The two kept in touch, vowing
to one day work together again when the time was right. As a proponent of unstoppable riffs Brian
soon found himself with new players, and eight new songs in need of the right
voice and Shawn was brought on board, finally Final Sign was born. Releasing
some of finest traditional metal in the form of debut “Hold High the Flame”, it is time for The Sludeglord to share some
pure metal for true metal heads and who better to discuss that with than Shaun
Pelata, vocalist with the mighty Final Sign, as we once
again
turn the dial up to 11 because it is, after all one louder.
"All-time".
Really, "all-time"? Yeah, really. It's so hard, after 40+ years of
amazing heavy metal releases, to make lists like this. I think any metal fan
would say the same. Then to be limited to only five albums is there any task
more daunting to a fan?
Anyway, I poured a cup of
coffee (hey, it's only lunch time) and sat down to think of my list. It was
quite difficult whittling down to five albums (FIVE???), but after reheating my
coffee a few times I managed to get it done. There are SO many great bands that
I had to leave out (Armored Saint, Queensryche, Saxon,
Accept,
Ozzy-Sabbath,
Mercyful
Fate, etc) and so many albums in other styles that I love so much ('The Skull', 'Ancient Dreams', 'Ride The
Lightning', 'Show No Mercy'). I
just want you to know how much work this was and feel sorry for me. The pain is
real.
So, now that I have
reached the finish line, I present to you my Top 5 All-Time Favourite
Traditional Metal Albums.
5). The Scorpions – “Blackout”
SKAW-PYAAAWNS!!!!
Yes!! Such a great, enduring band! 'Blackout'
is my all-time favourite Scorpions album and was not going to miss
being part of this list. This album is pure energy! Klaus Meine is simply
raging on these songs. "Blackout",
"Now!", "Dynamite", "No One Like You" (!!!), "Can't Live Without You"...awesome,
awesome, awesome! I never get tired of playing this album. This is an album
where the production quality is so full and clear that it's absolutely
timeless. THIS is the kind of energy all bands need to play with.
4). Iron Maiden – “Piece of Mind”
As
I was writing this list, a buddy asked "Not 'Number Of The Beast'?"
For me, 'Piece of Mind' tops them
all. I love the songs, the mix, the cover art, the vibe, and most of all Bruce
Dickinson's vocals. Dear lord, the vocals! Bruce is in top, top form on this
record. "Where Eagles Dare",
"Die With Your Boots On",
"Quest For Fire", "Flight
Of Icarus"...brilliant, one and all. Also, if every heavy metal fan in
the world doesn’t know all the words to "The Trooper", I'd die of shock. Bruce is such a major
influence on me in terms of how I want to be on stage and the kind of power I
want to convey when I sing...and he's never been better than on 'Piece of Mind'.
3). Judas Priest – “Hell Bent For Leather”
I got into Judas
Priest with 'Screaming For
Vengeance'. MTV used to air the "You've
Got Another Thing Coming" video all the time when I was a kid and I
loved it. As I got older, started playing in bands, and delving into their huge
and growing discography, I ended up loving all eras of Priest (even the Ripper
era, although to a lesser degree). It's 'Hell
Bent For Leather' that makes this list, though. Rob sounds amazing on this
album. He's been a favourite of mine and a huge influence for decades now, but
his vocals on this album are stellar and full of fire. "Delivering The Goods", "Burnin' Up", "Running Wild", "The Green Manalishi", "Evil Fantasies", and of course the
title track, all just explode with intensity. I love it!
2). Dio – “Holy Diver”
'Holy Diver' is just such an essential
album for me. Everything from the music, to the vocals, to the lyrics ("Ride the tiger!") just resonates
with everything I love about heavy metal. Dio has such intensity to the way he sings and
to his presentation. There's this undercurrent of crushing energy to everything
he sings, whether it's the aggression of "Stand Up And Shout" or "Straight Through The Heart", or the enchanting falsetto on
"Don't Talk To Strangers",
or the uplifting swagger of "Caught
In The Middle". Every note is delivered with unmatched sincerity and
passion. When Dio
sings, you believe it!
1). Black Sabbath – “Heaven And Hell”
Seriously,
could there be anything else? Dio gets double-billing on my list because
he's Dio,
and nobody else is. This album is absolutely, 100% flawless heavy metal. Not a
single note is out of place. I even named the band "Final Sign" after the lyric in "Children of the Sea". It was my way of honouring not only the
very roots and traditions of heavy metal, but of honouring Ronnie James Dio himself. The
words "classic" or "iconic" or "legend" don't begin to do justice
to this brilliantly amazing example of badass badassery. Hyperbole, be damned!
This album IS heavy metal! BELIEVE IT!
Band info: facebook
