BEST OF 2011

chicka yeah!

2011 has been the biggest year in the short history of the Moombahton movement so we here at Metal Top Hat wanted to take the time to run down our top 5 releases of the year.

5) Moombahsoul Vol. 1

Heartbreak's June compilation showcased the sexiest side of Moombahton.  Fans of the movement know it all began with "Shy Day" and blossomed into three volumes of fun in the summer of 2011 and this one started the ball rolling.  Heavy hitters DJ Melo, Riot Earp, Pickster One, Jon Kwest, Munchi, and of course David Heartbreak lined up to drop some smoothness on all of us.  Great for a summertime cruise through your neighborhood or for grooving with friends at a barbeque, the soulful tracks ushered in the warm temps with style and grace and still rock dance floors well into the cold months.
The Weeknd "Rolling Stone" ( Heartbreak's Remix ) by David Heartbreak Pickster - Stay Together Feat. Kris Hill by PicksterOne
DJ Melo & Jon Kwest - Ecstasy by azdjmelo

4) Verano Del Moombahton

Little material came into the blogosphere from pioneer Munchi this past year following a 2010 filled with releases.  One of the finest compilations to rise above the clatter was his summer release, Verano Del Moombahton.  Here again we're introduced to moombahton's versatility with tracks like "Jimi Knows" transforming nearly any type of tune into a dance floor destroyer.  Pickster One, Teen Wolf, and Sazon Booya are some of the highlighted producers.
Sazon Booya - Mis Armas |Verano De Moombahton| by Sazon Booya Munchi - Jimi Knows by Munchi
Hostage - Straight Raw by HOSTAGE

3) The Spring Of Moombahton

By far the longest release of the year was this massive compilation put together by Lightening Eyez and set free on the first of August despite its title.  Featuring both Light and Dark sides of moombahton and released simultaneous with the even larger re:BIRTH of Wildstyle comps, this 46 track set showcased the up and coming nature of the genre.  The through note of versatility again shined as listeners were treated to the gamut of styles intertwining their way into the moombahton subconscious.  Producers like Flubba, SAUR, 2 Deep, DJ MADD OD, and J-Trick flexed their muscles along with many others.
J-Trick & Anndyk - Blaze It (Original Moombahcore Mix) by J-TRICK Jungle Toaster by flubba
2Deep & babySTEPS - Horn Swag (Original Mix) by 2 DEEP
Top 2 after the jump!

End of 2011 in Rock

Mike Starr, Jani Lane, Cory "Flattus Maximus" Smoot

As the year comes to a close, we here at Metal Top Hat would like to remember three men who lost their lives.  Alice In Chains bassist Mike Starr, Warrant frontman Jani Lane, and GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot, all left this world too soon; they will live on through the music they created and shared with us all so take a second out of your day and watch these videos of fallen rock stars at their peak.


Alice In Chains - Brother (1992)

Warrant - Heaven (1989)

GWAR - Womb With A View (2004)

Roxy Employees React to VH Rehearsals

Might as well POSE!

Legendary Hollywood venue The Roxy played host to the reunited Van Halen for two months as the band rehearsed for their upcoming world tour.  Employees of the iconic Sunset Strip locale we forced to hold their tongues for the duration of the rehearsals to keep the strictest silence on the greatness happening around them.  Now employees are sharing some of their fondest memories of these two months; employee "Scotty" said:

“What was my favorite part about it? Everything. I know it sounds stupid, but I can’t put it any other way. To walk through the club and have Eddie Van Halen smile at me or pat me on the back, the guys were so nice, it was unbelievable. In my 9 years at the club, this is by far one of the best things that’s happened.” 

More memories are available at the Roxy website.

Thursday Night acoustic-Rockers!

(1991)

(1988)

(1991) RIP Jani Lane

Axl v Slash Put To Rest??

Bros R Bros 4 Lyfe

For more than 15 years die hard GN'R fans have longed to see the core Appetite line up reunite but due to personality conflicts within the band, mainly between Slash and Axl Rose, those fans have longed in vain.  Much has been said about how the front man led his troops and much has been said against him for the way it all seemingly came unravelled in the first half of the '90s; but it appears that the olive branch may have finally been extended.  In a piece for Esquire magazine Slash said,

"The split between Axl and I was a quiet one. But because there was so much attention on the breakup — and are we going to get back together? — it got built up into this monster that led to a kind of animosity that wasn't the focus for me. Neither one of us wants to be down each other's throats for no reason. At this point, I'm trying to put it to rest."

I for one look forward to the day when the peace can finally return to this tattered and torn family.  There's so much hate out in the world that it's great to see Slash trying to bring about some love; he's right, it's gone on for so long now it's time for the feud to die.  As the GN'R boys head into the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame in 2012 here's hoping they can all work it out for the good of us fans; the world needs great bands like Guns because as Slash put it,

"When I see footage of Guns N' Roses, I see that fucking hunger and attitude. You could not fuck with those five guys. It was just raw. It was this lean, hungry thing on its way up. It was as sincere as any rock 'n' roll that I've ever heard, and I'm proud of that."

Late Wednesday 60's Brit Rock Sesh

it's 2AM GMT technically

Been rocking out to The British Invasion compilation today, thought I'd share three of the best I've heard so far.

(1963) - The Dakotas were actually managed by Brian Epstein and this track, written by John Lennon hit #1 in the UK, #9 here in the states.

(1964) - This Lennon/McCartney original landed Peter And Gordon on top of the US and UK music charts.

(1964) - Originally recorded by the Clovers, Liverpool Merseybeat group The Searchers took the song into the top five on the US charts in 1965.

Van Halen Tour Announced

Van Halen - Long Version Trailer from Van Halen on Vimeo.

Last Friday Van Halen announced the boys will be returning to the road in the new year with tickets for their upcoming tour going on sale January 10th.  This will be the first tour for the band since their 2007 - 2008 reunion tour and they will again be fronted by their original lead singer "Diamond" David Lee Roth.

Bon Jovi Hoax Starter Unearthed!

pssh!  It lasted all of 10 minutes anyways

The internet was up in arms last week over a rumor that legendary hair metal singer Jon Bon Jovi had died, now MTH has learned that a Philadelphia based metal band may be to blame.  Asbury Park Press reported that Jeffery Goho, lead singer of Minutia, has been getting a lot of flack over the comments which just started as a twitter goof with a friend,

"Long story short, I was talking to my band members on their down time, and we got so worked up in the conversation, I just kind of took the liberty and started (the rumor), because I was so irritated."  Goho continues, "It was like, ‘Jeez, (Bon Jovi) was a household name due to the music, not the business.’ So I’m not proud of it. I’m getting a lot of backlash from it, but as stupid as it sounds, that’s how it started. I just had a blurb and went with it."

Jon Bon Jovi seemed unfazed by the noise taking to Facebook to state, "Heaven looks a lot like New Jersey."

THURSDAY NIGHT THUNDER

Here are three great cuts from MTV's 1995 KISS Unplugged show.  PLASTER CASTER.


NOTHIN' TO LOSE.


ROCK N' ROLL ALL NIGHT.

Skrillex Announces Intimate LA & NYC Weeks

soRRy foR paRtying

American Dubstep Wunderkind Skrillex just announced plans to play two weeks of intimate shows on both coasts to SPIN Magazine.  Happening the last week of January and into February 2012, the kid will be teaming up with big league guests including Diplo, 12th Planet, Spank Rock, Skream And Benga, and also MTH faves Munchi and Nadastrom.

Los Angeles
Tuesday, January 24 @ Dim Mak Tuesday at Cinespace (Skrillex, Alvin Risk, KOAN Sound)
Wednesday, January 25 @ Echoplex (Skrillex vs. 12th Planet, Diplo)
Thursday, January 26 @ Exchange (Skrillex, Zedd)
Friday, January 27 @ Avalon (Skrillex, Huoratron, KIll the Noise)
Saturday, January 28 @ The Palladium (Skrillex, AraabMUZIK, KOAN Sound, Munchi)
Sunday, January 29 @ L.A.Live Event Deck (Skrillex, Benga, Nadastrom, Special Guest TBA)

New York
Tuesday, January 31 @ Webster Hall (Skillex, AC Slater)
Wednesday, February 1 @ Pacha (Skrillex, Zedd, Sazon Booya)
Friday, February 3 @ Roseland Ballroom (Skrillex, Zane Lowe, Spank Rock, Special Guest TBA)
Saturday, February 4 @ Terminal 5 (Skream & Benga, KOAN Sound, Tokimonsta)

The Mothership tour has been hitting massive stages across the country so I'm sure these crowds will be in for a night to remember.

Neil Pondering Crüe Exit

30 Years Later

After spending a great portion of his life fronting one of the hardest rocking bands in the world, Vince Neil told the Las Vegas Sun he may be giving up his role as lead singer following a string of Vegas dates in February 2012.“It’s not definite, but I am thinking seriously about it...I’m sitting on my yacht, contemplating my future, and I'm not sure it will be with Mötley Crüe after Las Vegas. Great things are coming up and pushing me in another direction...This is all about me thinking about the second half of my life, thinking about my future, and that future might not include Motley Crue after Vegas.” (LV Sun)

Neil, who turned 50 this year has fronted the band since it's formation in 1980.  The Crüe's 30th anniversary tour in 2011 has been one of the most successful of their career and with bands like the Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Beach Boys all making big money off major come back tours, I'm sure this won't be the last we see of Vince and the boys.

Mr. Big Live Acoustic Album Coming To US

Recorded in Tokyo last January, Live From The Living Room will be release in late February according to Braveworlds.com.  "Mr. Big were invited to the WOWOW TV Studios in Tokyo to perform a special show in an intimate setting. When the talk of a broadcast first came up, the band wanted to present something different than they’ve ever done before."  Lead singer Eric Martin says, "We did an acoustic show at the Hard Rock café in Singapore in 1996 that (till this day) is one of my favorite live recordings. It had a stripped down, up close and personal feel to it. If we were going to do something like that again it would have to be extra special."  Really looking forward to this, one of my favorite albums ever is Paul Gilbert's 2003 release Acoustic Samurai.  Here's a great video of the boys out on the road earlier this year.

Jon Bon Jovi....DEAD?!?!?!

NAW FOOL

Just another damn twitter inspired death hoax!  The Jersey crooner is alive and well according to TMZ.  In celebration of his life here's a great live video of the boys from 1995 with Jon describing how it should end for a man of his caliber.

Moombahton Monday

Original Title I know

We here at MTH have been big supporters of the Moombahton movement for a few years now and with all the heat coming out lately, it's easy to see that this thing will continue harder and faster into 2012.

Rot10 Musik - The Take Over Vol. 1: Moombahton by Rot10 Musik
Rot10's Moombahton Take Over Vol 1 was released on Beatport last week to critical acclaim.  These cats at Rot10 know what they're doing, enlisting Sazon Booya, Kid Cedek, and ETC! ETC! among others to show the world what Moombahton in 2012 will be all about.

Generation Bass Presents:: New Wave of Moombahton Vol. 1 by ViciouzViv
Reaching the net today is Generation Bass' New Wave Of Moombahton Vol. 1.  This 2 "disc" comp features tracks from the hottest up and coming moombahtonistas; with the likes of 2Deep, gLAdiator, J-Trick, and again Kid Cedek lending their talents.  As with much of the music in this vein it's a free comp brought to us all by Mixmag.  Both Mixmag and GB have been huge supporters from the very beginning of Moombahton so you know there's some amazing stuff on this comp.

Bach Is Back! (New Video)

Here's the all new music video for the single "Tunnelvision" off Sebastian Bach's newest release, Kicking And Screaming on Frontiers Records.  Whataya'll think???  Personally, a lot of people don't like the last season of Trailer Park Boys but I personally think Sebastian Bach single handedly kept that show afloat for it's final ride on the air.

Another Thursday Night Filled With METAL

Judas Priest's "Grinder" off seminal record British Steel (1980)

3 Tracks for Ted Nugent's B-Day

Stranglehold ('77)

Cat Scratch Fever ('78)

Free For All ('79)

We here at MTH would like to send a warm and happy birthday out to Ted Nugent (63).  Wildman, I hope you had a great one!

LA Weekly's Top 20 Hair Metal Albums EVER

Last Friday LA Weekly posted a top 20 Hair Metal albums list and here are the top 5:

5.  Motley Crue - Shout At The Devil (1983)

4.  Skid Row - Skid Row (1989)

3.  Motley Crue - Too Fast For Love (1981)

2.  Def Leppard - Pyromania (1983)

1.  Guns N' Roses - Appetite For Destruction (1987)

Now more than half of these albums were recorded and released before my birth so I can't comment on how the scene lived or how fans reacted when these albums came out.  I also unfortunately can't really comment on how hot groupies were or how gnarly shows were down on Sunset in the late 80s.  But I will say that this list is an excellent read and should be checked out by all who are interested in Hair Metal.  More after the jump!

Put Your LIGHTERS Up!

Run Di Track!!

UPDATE:  After DnB legend Doc Scott threatened to sue over copyright infringement the LIGHTER comp has been taken down...fortunately for us the internet is the land of freedom so I've fixed the broken links to the new DL location.  Check out Doc Scott's fury below!

Comment on Tropical Bass

from @docscott31 twitter

from @docscott31 twitter

from @docscott31 twitter

from @docscott31 twitter 

Download the comp after the jump.

Happy B-Day DJ JWLS!!

Today marks Miami DJ JWLS' 21st year on this earth and I'm sure he'll be doing it up right tonight with some good ole fashion legal drinking!  Gonna feature a few of his latest tracks for everyone to enjoy, IT'S A CELEBRATION!
Steve Starks x JWLS - Circus (Original Mix) by JWLS
Taken from Billy The Gent Presents: Through The Wire
JWLS x Heartbreak - Pimpin' (Original Mix Sample) by JWLS
Taken from Heartbreak's M7 EP

Taken from Mad Decent's Nadastrom X Sabo Present: Moombahton Remixes

December 8th, A Sad Day

John Winston Lennon 10/09/1940 - 12/08/1980

"Dimebag" Darrell Abbott 08/20/1966 - 12/08/2004

Today MTH honors two legendary musicians who were taken on the same day in history 24 years apart.    RIP

Here's some great footage of Lennon from the early 70's released in 2000 as "Gimme Some Truth: The Making Of John Lennon's Imagine Album".





From Dime's brother Vinnie Paul:

"On this day 7 years ago I had the best friend i've ever known takin from me forever!!!!!!! I would just like to say DIMES SPIRIT forever shines on like the stars in the sky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lets celebrate his life,music,LOVE and spirit and do a Blacktooth in his honor!!!! Getcha pull and light em up!!!!! WE MISS YOU DIME , YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN!!!!! BIG LOVE FROM BIG BROTHER!!!! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!!!"

Heavier Than Most

It was announced earlier today that classic metal group and huge MTH favorite Guns N' Roses will be inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame in the first half of next year.  Along with fellow 2012 inductees (white rappers) The Beastie Boys, (English R&B group) The Small Faces, (Beatle amigo) Donovan, and (fellow LA rockers) The Red Hot Chili Peppers; the GN'R fellows will take the stage on April 14th, 2012 in Cleveland, OH to receive this great honor.  Although a performance by the original members seems highly unlikely, it is likely that all will be in attendance to accept the honor.  Slash told Billboard.com, "with Guns 'N Roses, there's really no guessing exactly how it will go. I suppose if it happens, everybody will get some sort of ducks in order."


We here at Metal Top Hat really miss the old days of shirtless Slash and mesh shirt wearing Axl running around stage like in this live video of "Move To The City" from the band's Use Your Illusion World Tour DVD.  But, we're definitely living in the past...

5 Soul Classics Just Cause

I've been on a major soul kick lately and I've had this Sam Cooke track stuck in my head for a few weeks so I thought I'd post a few tracks that have got me by the chain lately.  Enjoy!

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