Aside from being a great song, the story of how the Wicked Fools’ “Beverly” dropped in my lap is simply unbelievable.

Much like Christopher Bowes’ other band Alestorm, Gloryhammer doesn’t take its themes too seriously. The music, however, is another matter.

Motley Crue’s ‘Theatre of Pain’ doesn’t equal the power of ‘Shout at the Devil’ or the sleazy fun of ‘Dr. Feelgood,’ but it’s worth another listen.

If there’s one word to ‘Win Hands Down,’ and Armored Saint in general, it’s consistency. You know what you’re going to get, and you get it every time.

Unfortunately, I’m not hearing the energy and power of classic Iron Maiden. It can be done, though. Judas Priest proved that last year.

A visit to a pub with Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi led to Ian Gillan joining Black Sabbath for ‘Born Again,’ released on Aug. 7, 1983.

‘Sabotage,’ released in July 1975, finds Black Sabbath still at the height of its powers, but on the brink of slipping into chaos – and that translates into the music.

Savatage’s ‘Return to Wacken’ is a bit misleading, since it includes studio versions rather than live songs. But there’s still a reason to celebrate.

Turns out, the third ‘Decline of Western Civilization’ film – the only one I’d never seen before – was the most enlightening of them all.

‘Holy Diver, released on May 25, 1983, found Ronnie James Dio setting a new course after work with Rainbow and Black Sabbath.