Heavy Metal

by Heavy Metal / O.s.t.

Overview

The title Heavy Metal is somewhat misleading. Sure, this terrific soundtrack from the 1981 animated cult favorite features heavy metal and hard rock numbers. But the title refers to National Lampoon's sci-fi/fantasy magazine on which the film is based. Musically, Heavy Metal offers more than the title suggests, and the songs fit perfectly with their respective film segments. Heavy Metal was originally a double album, but at 62 minutes it fits just fine on one CD. Sixteen songs are contributed by Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult, Cheap Trick, Devo, Donald Fagen, Don Felder, Grand Funk Railroad, Sammy Hagar, Journey, Nazareth, Stevie Nicks, Riggs, and Trust; Cheap Trick, Felder, and Riggs each provide two. Most songs are exclusive to this soundtrack. The best-known song here is Journey's ballad "Open Arms." Blue Oyster Cult's darkly menacing "Veteran of the Psychic Wars" is a haunting gem. Devo's quirky, new wave interpretation of the Allen Toussaint-penned "Working in the Coal Mine" was a minor hit. Black Sabbath's blistering "The Mob Rules" is a fine example of the underrated Ronnie James Dio era. Felder's "Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride)" and "All of You" are well-crafted, and they make a good argument that he was the Eagles' secret musical weapon. Fagen's "True Companion" is a delightful jazz-rock song that would have fit nicely on a Steely Dan album. The odd thing is this five-minute tune is practically an instrumental; Fagen doesn't start singing until 3½ minutes in. Nazareth's "Crazy (A Suitable Case for Treatment)" has a hypnotic rhythm. Stevie Nicks' "Blue Lamp" is clean, upbeat pop/rock. Cheap Trick's "Reach Out" and "I Must Be Dreamin'" rely more on synthesizers than power-pop guitars. Riggs' "Radar Rider" is basic, catchy hard rock. ~ Bret Adams

Product Details

Release Date:	03/14/1995
Label:	Elektra / Asylum
UPC:	0075596069120

Tracks

1. Heavy Metal
2. Heartbeat
3. Working in the Coal Mine
4. Veteran of the Psychic Wars
5. Reach Out
6. Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride)
7. True Companion
8. Crazy (A Suitable Case for Treatment)
9. Radar Rider
10. Open Arms
11. Queen Bee
12. I Must Be Dreamin'
13. The Mob Rules
14. All of You
15. Prefabricated
16. Blue Lamp

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Don Felder   Primary Artist,Vocals
Trust   Primary Artist,Vocals
Stevie Nicks   Primary Artist,Vocals
Donald Fagen   Primary Artist,Vocals
Devo   Primary Artist
Riggs   Primary Artist,Vocals
Black Sabbath   Primary Artist
Cheap Trick   Primary Artist,Vocals
Journey   Primary Artist
Sammy Hagar   Primary Artist,Vocals
Nazareth   Primary Artist,Vocals
Grand Funk Railroad   Primary Artist,Vocals
Blue Oeyster Cult   Primary Artist,Vocals
Vinny Appice   Guitar
Ronnie James Dio   Vocals
Tony Iommi   Guitar
Sharon Celani   Vocals (Background)
Geezer Butler   Bass
Geoff Nicholls   Keyboards
Lori Perry   Vocals (Background)
Steve Perry   Vocals

Technical Credits

Don Felder   Composer,Performer
Lee Dorsey   Composer
Pete Agnew   Composer
Ronnie James Dio   Composer
Rick Neilsen   Composer
Norbert Krief   Composer
Allen Toussaint   Composer,Lyricist
Tony Iommi   Composer
Trust   Performer
Bernie Bonvoisin   Composer
Blue Oeyster Cult   Performer
Stevie Nicks   Composer,Performer
Riggs   Performer
Donald Fagen   Composer,Performer
Eric Bloom   Composer
Elmer Bernstein   Composer
Geezer Butler   Composer
Jim Peterik   Composer
Mark Farner   Composer
Robert James   Composer
Devo   Producer,Performer
Jonathan Cain   Composer,Lyricist
Pete Comita   Composer
Jerry Riggs   Composer
Irving Azoff   Executive Producer
Manuel Charlton   Composer
Kathe Duba-Noland   Musician
Gerald Riggs   Composer
Jimmy Pursey   Composer
Cheap Trick   Performer
Journey   Musician,Performer
Sammy Hagar   Composer,Performer
Rick Nielsen   Composer
Jimmy Iovine   Producer
Nazareth   Performer
Michael Boshears   Engineer
Michael Moorcock   Composer
Stephen Perry   Composer,Lyricist
Grand Funk Railroad   Performer
Dan McCafferty   Composer
Darrell Sweet   Composer
Marc Jordan   Composer
Steve Perry   Composer
Black Sabbath   Producer,Performer