It’s hard to believe that one of rock’s original masterpieces was released in 1977. The master of the microphone was an overweight talented musician/actor from Texas with a very unlikely name: Meat Loaf. The groundbreaking album was titled, “Bat Out Of Hell.” The release composed by master wordsmith Jim Steinman contained the staple jukebox favorite, “Paradise By The Dashboard Light,” as well as the tear jerking “Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad,” and in my estimation one of the best rock songs ever “For Crying Out Loud.” It didn’t matter where you were from or where you were going, if you happened into a bar in the late 1970’s (and still today) or karaoke (help us) you were bound to hear Meat’s voice loud and clear ringing the bridge of “Paradise.”
What many people may not realize is, “Bat,” has become the third largest selling album of all time, behind Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” and The Eagles “Greatest Hits.” To this day, it continues to sell a million cd’s a month. Though Meat Loaf had released many cd’s after the original “Bat,” it wasn’t until 1993, and his re-teaming with Steinman, that together they made history again. The release: “Bat Out Of Hell 2: Back Into Hell.”
This was the first time in Meat illustrious career that he released a number 1 song “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That), that subsequently hit the coveted number one position in 28 countries around the world. Also for his passionate heartfelt effort, he won a Grammy Award for “Best Rock Vocal Solo Performance” for the song. Combined record sales for “Bat,” and “Bat 2” has exceeded 52 million copies to date.
On October 31, 2006, the trilogy will be complete. “Bat Out Of Hell 3: The Monster Is Loose,” will be released on Virgin Records. It is once again, a major accomplishment for Meat and Steinman. The title track “The Monster Is Loose,”
is a balls to the wall rock and roll hammer to head all the way. From the beginning guitar riff and thumping heartbeat of the beast, one can already tell we’re in for one hell of a wild ride.
This time around Meat’s got some heavy hitters in his corner. Bat 3″ was produced by hit-maker Desmond Child (Aerosmith, Cher, Bon Jovi, Kiss). Additional vocal arrangements by Todd Rundren (producer of the first “Bat Out Of Hell”). Steinman has penned 7 songs for the cd. The release also contains songs by Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue), John 5 (Marilyn Manson) and Marti Frederkisen (has written with Aerosmith). Instrumental performers include Brian May of Queen, on a revival of Steinman’s song “Bad For Good.” Steve Vai on “In The Land Of The Pig, The Butcher Is King,” (vegetarian’s won’t like this song) and Marion Raven, in her U.S. introduction. Raven is the first female recording artist since Cher (“Dead Ringer For Love”) to duet with Meat Loaf on the Steinman classic “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now,” recorded previously by Celine Dion. Dion may have captured the heart of the song, but Meat has captured the soul. It is an amazing rendition. He along with Raven, have made it their own.
But have no fear, if it’s a kinder gentler Meat is your taste, he’s got that covered also. Some of the best ballads on the cd are “Blind As A Bat,” a very pinyin “Cry Over Me,” and “If God Could Talk.” Meat’s vocals have never sounded better or stronger, and have never rocked harder. Many rock fans and critics are in for a shock. This is one rock star that isn’t afraid to take chances and is a passionate about his craft as he was at the beginning, maybe even more so. October 31, may be best known as Halloween, but rock music fans will remember the date for a completely different reason: THE MONSTER IS LOOSE…
BY TINA MRAZIK
