Rock 'N' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution

“Well, they say it's kinda fright'nin' how this younger generation swings.
You know, it's more than just some new sensation.
Well, the kid is into losin' sleep and he don't come home for half the week.
You know, it's more than just an aggravation.
And the cradle will rock.
Yes, the cradle will rock.
And I say, rock on!
Rock on!”

Van Halen from The Cradle Will Rock, 1980.

“My musical vision and statement is as pure as it gets. I care only about the delivery of the spirit of my noise, and the positive reaction from those who share my zest for it,” says Ted Nugent.

There is some wisdom in his words.

Last night I was flipping channels and I watched a documentary on VH1 about Heavy Metal, written and produced by Sam Dunn called Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey. It was a great show.

What I appreciated is the different genres of Metal that were shown. Now, I aave always been a punk rock fan at heart (Ramones, Clash, Sex Pistols, Dead Kennedys, and the like) but having grown up in the Midwest—as many will attest to—Heavy Metal was an obvious outlet.

We called it more hard rock, and today’s kids would call it the same. In fact, bands I call Heavy Metal, my students refer to as “classic rock.” Wow.

About three or so months ago, I added my favorite Metal tracks, but then I created a twenty CD-R set of “Hard and Heavy” metal-esque and hard rocker-esque tunes. With that in mind, I think I will update that list with a bit more education and a bit more indulged listening.

My best choices for Hard and Heavy Metal Rock tunes:

Balls To The Wall by Accept
Shoot The Thrill by AC/DC
Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath by Black Sabbath With Ozzy
Heaven and Hell by Black Sabbath Without Ozzy
Black Blade by Blue Oyster Cult
Billion Dollar Babies by Alice Cooper
Black Night by Deep Purple
Rock of Ages by Def Leppard
Last In Line by Dio
Welcome To The Jungle by Guns ‘N’ Roses
Keeper of the Seven Keys by Helloween
Number of the Beast or Fear of the Dark by Iron Maiden
Hellbent For Leather by Judas Priest
Let Me Go Rock ‘N’ Roll (Live Version) by Kiss
Symphony of Destruction by Megadeth
Sad But True or Master of Puppets by Metallica
The Ace of Spades by Motorhead
Shout At The Devil by Motley Crue
Razzamanazz by Nazareth
Stranglehold by Ted Nugent
Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne
Revolution Calling by Queensryche
Stargazer by Rainbow
Limelight by Rush
Virgin Killers by The Scorpions
Angel of Death by Slayer
Bad Reputation by Thin Lizzy
Rock Bottom by U.F.O.
...And The Cradle Will Rock by Van Halen

A friend is burning me the Metal Blade Box Set—I will let you know. Metal Blade is an obscure label. Until then, enjoy.

Oh an by the way, going through the mental stress of open heart surgery again, hard rock and heavy metal have been a very therapeutic method of releasing hostility. I cannot wait to work out to it.