Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan recently ruminated on what bands are considered metal and what bands are not. While speaking to UGO.com about his new album with Loaded, The Talking, McKagan weighed in on the metal question.

“See, I don’t know what is ‘heavy metal,’” he said. “I was on That Metal Show yesterday, and they were [discussing] heavy metal drummers... and they didn’t have John Bonham. ‘Well, he’s not metal.’ But then they had Bill Ward from Black Sabbath. But if heavy metal is Slipknot, it would probably be Joey [Jordison]; he’s killer.”

McKagan went on to question if Led Zeppelin could be considered metal, but removed GN’R from the metal camp.

“What else is metal? If Led Zeppelin is metal, then hands down, John Bonham. But Guns N’ Roses is not – I would say we were not a metal band,” he said. “Metal to me when I was coming up was like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. That was metal. And Motörhead wasn’t metal to me.

“I think there is – with metal purists – a definite line. I’m probably like some dumb ass poking my nose into something I don’t know much about.”

Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax are collectively known as thrash’s Big Four – the cornerstones upon which the entire thrash movement is built, and the compass one uses to orient oneself when navigating the turbulent waters of that aggressive, precise, angry, powerful metal variant.

But thrash does not begin and end with those four bands. For each one of the Big Four there are dozens more who trod similar ground but never quite made the leap to superstardom. Here are the great thrash bands that came mighty close to dislodging one of the Big Four but didn’t quite get over the line.


1. Exodus

Another classic Bay Area thrash stalwart, Exodus was formed in 1980 by Kirk Hammett and Paul Baloff, with Hammett’s guitar tech Gary Holt stepping up to the co-axeman role early in the group’s history. While Hammett went on to bigger things with Metallica, Holt and Co. released the classic Bonded by Blood in 1985, and a few more albums before calling it a day after 1992’s Force Of Habit. A 2001 reunion led to several new classics, including 2010’s brutal Exhibit B: The Human Condition. Most recently, Holt was drafted into Slayer to sub for Jeff Hannemann while he recovers from surgery.


2. Sepultura

The brainchild of Brazilian brothers Max and Iggor Cavalera, Sepultura’s early lo-fi works were underground classics but the band started to shrug off the Slayer influences with Beneath the Remains in 1989. By the time Arise was released in 1991, Sepultura were poised to become the new kings of thrash, and their 1996 hit Roots was one of the few metal albums to survive the ’90s intact. Sepultura, however, did not: Max left to form Soulfly that same year, and Iggor left in 2007. The brothers reunited in the thrash-influenced Cavalera Conspiracy in 2007 and the band is preparing to release their second album, Blunt Force Trauma.


3. Annihilator

Another classic thrash band from Canada, Annihilator are led by virtuoso guitarist Jeff Waters, a huge influence on modern metal heroes Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom) and Willie Adler and Mark Morton (Lamb of God). Waters has played V-style guitars throughout almost his entire career, and currently dishes out ferocious thrash riffs on his signature Epiphone Annihilation-V guitars. Annihilator’s most recent release is a self-titled 2010 album that features a cover of Van Halen’s “Romeo Delight.”


4. Death Angel

These Bay Area thrash icons were formed in 1982 by cousins Rob Cavestany, Dennis Pepa, Gus Pepa and Andy Galeon. Right as they were poised to hit the big time with 1990's Act III, Galeon was sidelined by a traffic accident and the band were never quite able to capitalize on the buzz surrounding them. After a hiatus lasting most of the 1990s, the band returned in 2000, and their most recent thrashfest is 2010’s Relentless Retribution.


5. Bathory

Essentially a one-man band apart with occasional contributors brought in under a revolving door policy, Bathory was the creation of Quorthon, who formed the band when he was 17 years old in 1983. Bathory’s albums were typically quite lo-fi but Quorthon never let the limitations of his 4-track recording medium affect his songwriting or playing. Tragically, Quorthon passed away of heart failure aged 38 in 2004.


6. Voivod

A prog-inspired thrash outfit from Quebec, Canada, Voivod also tempered their metal with an occasional punkish edge, and were not afraid to delve into political post-apocalyptic science fiction themes in their lyrics. Although there are gems on all of the band’s albums (including those made after original guitarist Dennis “Piggy” D’Amour passed away in 2005), Nothingface (1989) and Angel Rat (1991) are held in particularly lofty regard among prog-thrash connoisseurs.


7. Overkill

Featuring the inimitable vocals of Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth, Overkill was at one time the musical home of future Anthrax lead guitarist Dan Spitz, and they hit the big time with The Years Of Decay in 1989. Produced by Terry Date (Pantera, Soundgarden, White Zombie), the album combined stellar production with complex song structures. It was followed up in 1991 with Horrorscope, which featured new guitarists Rob Cannavino and Merritt Gant, who teamed up for a particularly memorable cover of Edgar Winter’s Frankenstein. The band is still active today, and their most recent release is 2010’s Ironbound.


8. Kreator

Founded in Essen, Germany, in 1982, Kreator built on the sound of early thrash influencers Venom (see honorable mentions below) and punched it up with more precision and aggression. Guitarist/vocalist Mille Petrozza is one of the most furious rhythm guitarists in the genre, and is no slouch when it comes to soloing either. Check out the band’s 2009 release Hordes Of Chaos or their 1989 classic Extreme Aggression.

9. Sacred Reich

These Phoenix, Arizona, thrashers were fiercely political in their lyrical approach and equally aggressive in their raw, in-your-face production. Drummer Dave McClain joined in 1991 and went on to join Machine Head in 1995, while founder Phil Rind has reconvened Wiley Arnett, Jason Rainey and Greg Hall to play occasional shows. The 1993 album Independent is an excellent entry point into the band’s particular brand of aggressive thrash.


10. Forced Entry

This Seattle-area thrash band’s sound was so ahead of its time that only now are bands like Cynic catching up. Guitarist Brad Hull was a technical monster, writing cracking riffs punctuated with staccato harmonics and a fat, warm, midrange-heavy tone in an era when everyone else scooped the mids right out. Hull was also a wild man when it came to whammy bar tricks. The band’s crowning glory is 1991’s As Above, So Below, which was reissued in 2009 after many years out-of-print.

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KISS star Paul Stanley is going to be a father again. The singer-and-guitarist and his wife Erin have announced they are expecting a baby girl - their third child together.

He told People: "There is nothing greater in life than family, and my accomplishments as a father rank at the top of my successes. Erin and I are blessed with our expectation of the addition of another princess to our family and a new member of the KISS army."

The new arrival is due in August and the family, which includes Colin Michael, four, Sarah Brianna, two, couldn't be happier.

And Paul, who also has a 16-year-old son, Evan Shane, from a previous relationship, isn't worried about the impending sleepless nights, despite his advancing years. The 'Rock and Roll All Nite' singer joked: "I may be 59 but the only rocking chair this rocker is getting ready for is the one for my new baby."


Paul is set for a busy 2011 as KISS are recording their 20th studio album this year.

The group, which is comprised of Paul and bass player Gene Simmons from the band's original line up alongside guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer, are planning to head into the studio in March to start work on the follow-up to 2009's 'Sonic Boom'.

Tommy recently said: "The great news is that we are going in the studio again in the next month or two. We are starting to work on writing some songs, approach it just like we did with 'Sonic Boom' and keep it all in the band in terms of the writing, with no agenda besides writing great rock n' roll songs that we love.

"I'm sure you'll see a spanking new KISS album that's gonna kick some butt soon!"

Jake E Lee

Ozzy Osbourne's "other" guitarist, Jakey Lou Williams was for a long time the "also-ran" guitarist who joined bands and then left before they got famous - he did this with Mickey Ratt, who later became RATT, with Rough Cutt, and in Dio - each time not staying long enough to contribute to the band'sdebut release. His turn came around however, joining Ozzy Osbourne after the untimely demise of Randy Rhoads. He played on Bark At The Moon, and then on The Ultimate Sin, both of which are some of Ozzy Osbourne's strongest material. He is often overlooked however, due to the iconic status of Randy Rhoads, and the imposing presence of the man who replaced him, Zakk Wylde. He left Ozzy Osbourne's band in 1987, briefly playing in the band Badlands before fading to a relative obscurity.


Micky Moody

So many high profile guitar heroes have done a stint in Whitesnake, including such famous names as John Sykes, Steve Vai, Warren DeMartini and Vivian Campbell, that Michael Joseph "Micky" Moody is often overlooked and not given his due. Micky Moody, however, was the original guitarist, and played on nine of the band's albums - more than half of the band's catalogue! His tenure in the band was for 6 years, making him one of the longest serving guitarists in the band - On this score he is edged out by Adrian Vandenberg, Reb Beach and Doug Aldrich - however he probably takes solace in the fact that these guys devote a significant amount of their time reprising music that he created.


Craig Goldy

Another alumnus of the LA band Rough Cutt, Craig Goldy stayed in the band long enough to contribute to their early material. He followed a similar path to Jake E Lee by moving from that band to play in Dio, this time after the band had had two extremely succesful albums with guitarist Vivian Campbell. He contributed to the albums Dream Evil, Master of the Moon, and Magica - some of the very favourites for die-hard Dio fans. He was the last guitarist in the band, although was replaced on tours by Doug Aldrich for some dates, due to hand injuries.


Ross The Boss

Ross "The Boss" Friedman invented New York Punk, and then went on to play heavy metal in the loudest band in the world. In 1973 he cofounded The Dictators, the New York rock band that invented punk music. This band, along with the New York Dolls, influenced the punk rock bands that came later in the '70s and caused much public controversy, including The Ramones and The Sex Pistols.

By 1978, after three albums, The Dictators had disbanded and Ross The Boss had become a guitarist for hire. In 1980, backstage at a Black Sabbath concert in England, Ross The Boss met Joey DeMaio and together they founded Manowar, who went on to become one of the biggest bands in heavy metal, and still hold the world record for being the loudest band ever.

As a guitarist, Ross The Boss was a master of "tight but loose", playing with conviction and feel, with one foot in the blues and one foot in shred guitar. At the moment he plays in The Dictators as well as in the Ross The Boss Band.


Tracii Guns

The founder of LA Guns, and of Guns N Roses, Tracii Guns never quite became the household name that many of his contemporaries like Slash, Axl and Nikki Sixx did. This is a shame, because he is one of the best songwriters, performers and musicians of that era. A man who effortlessly and seamless combined blues, rockabilly and country with punk, rock, shred and metal, he's one of only very few guitarists who can claim to be both versatile and uniquely idiosyncratic. Tracii guns still plays in LA Guns today, and now uses a Floyd Rose equipped Telecaster-style electric guitar along with Marshall amplifiers.

Dan Hawkins

The "other" guitarist in The Darkness, Dan Hawkins was often overshadowed by his by his older brother Justin Hawkins, the flamboyant singer/electric guitar player/frontman for the band. It's easy to see why Justin got so much of the limelight - his falsetto singing, stage poses, adventurous outfits and outrageous performances onstage, and his hijinks and misadventures offstage were always bound to get the most attention from critics, journalists and fans alike. But the whole time while Justin was running around, pouting, and drinking enough champagne to drown Andorra, Dan Hawkins was there laying down the riffs and the hooks that made the band famous. With a killer tone delivered by the classic pairing of a Gibson Les Paul and a Marshall stack, he was also a key songwriter for the band, and was involved in the production of the albums. He now plays in the band Stone Gods.

We are very proud to Iron Maiden concert in Jakarta and at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) in Bali. This is the biggest concerts in Indonesia to open this year

Iron Maiden are currently guarded by Bruce Dickinson (vocals), Steve Haris (bass), Dave Murray (guitar), Janick Gers (guitar), Adrian Smith (guitar), and Nicko Mc Brain (drums), will bring about 19 song hits they include 'The Trooper', 'Aces High', 'Wasted Years', 'The Number of the Beast', 'Fear of The Dark', 'The Wicker Man', 'Moon Child', 'Run to the Hills', 'Powerslave', 'Revelations', 'Can I Play With Madness' and others.
He promises it will be a spectacular concert in addition to his own band is the one of the biggest heavy metal band in the world, as well as proper preparation will be done to ensure the quality of the show.

Iron Maiden concert will bring their own equipment. The band formed in 1975 it had released 31 albums, which included 15 studio albums. Personnel Band with Bruce Dickinson, Steve Harris, Dave Murray, Janick Gers, Adrian Smith and Nicko McBrain was last released an album in July 2010, 'The Final Frontier'. The lead singer, Bruce Dickinson, will drive their own private plane when it comes to Indonesia to bring their own all their stage equipment.

Meanwhile, in a press release, the founder of the band as well as Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris expressed how enthusiastic the group was to be able to perform in Indonesia.

"When we know we will perform in Indonesia for the first time, all members of the band are very excited and not only because Indonesia is one of the most beautiful part of the world and we can not wait to see it but also because we have so many loyal fans who want to see us perform "live", he said.

Ticket prices alone are not set too high for the size of a band Iron Maiden selegendaris Festival of class C 300 thousand of its position in the back, then Festival B Rp550 thousand and Festivals A Rp750 thousand.