So, I stumbled upon another band seemingly trying to trump KISS and the CRUE [again] by the name of the BLACK VEIL BRIDES. They have a new single out entitled ‘Fallen Angels’ (we’ll let you decide). And then as I was thinking about it, I’m like geezis…there’s gotta be like a dozen “Fallen Angel(s)” out there from around planet rock that kick more ass than this.
Here’s ten of ‘em…
1.) IRON MAIDEN – ‘The Fallen Angel’
Off of the album Brave New World (released in 2000) this song shows up at track #7. Brave New World marked the return of original IM singer Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith. It’s not MAIDEN at its best, but…it’s MAIDEN dammit.
2.) DIAMOND HEAD – ‘Fallen Angel’
Released on the 2005 album, All Will Be Revealed. It’s not the original DIAMOND HEAD, but…it’s DIAMOND HEAD dammit.
3.) DIO – ‘Fallen Angels’
Gotta give a nod to RJD in here. This one showed up as track #8 on DIO’s third album entitled Sacred Heart. The album was released in 1985, and was recorded at Rumbo Studios in Los Angeles. Remember that crazy wicked laser dragon?
4.) BLUE OYSTER CULT – ‘Fallen Angel’
Track #7 on Cultosaurus Erectus released in 1980. The track doesn’t often get mentioned among the album’s better ones, but I dig it. And the album, overall, sees BOC getting back to their heavier hard rock roots that made them popular in the late seventies. Some BOC diehards even opine this is the bands’ best album.
5.) ROBBIE ROBERTSON – ‘Fallen Angel’
Alright…I might take some heat on this one, but Robbie’s ‘Fallen Angel’ is literally about THE BAND’S Richard Manuel, who sadly took his own life back in 1986 (Robbie was an original member of THE BAND, and frankly, is also a killer guitarist).
The track shows up on Robbie’s self-titled solo release from 1987. The album features cameo appearances from Peter Gabriel and Bono, and was recorded alongside award-winning producer Daniel Lanois.
6.) AEROSMITH – ‘Fallen Angels’
This is the 8-minute plus last track ballad on Nine Lives (Track #13) released in 1997. Frankly, I can’t stand this song. And the album stunk, but…it’s AEROSMITH.
7.) JOHN ENTWISTLE – ‘Fallen Angel’
Track #7 on Too Late the Hero. This was John’s fifth solo album (released in 1981), and features Joe Walsh on guitar. This one’s just classic. And Johnny played some bad ass bass fiddles back in the day. “Nobody loves a Fallen Angel…once he’s hit the ground.”
8.) STYX – ‘Fallen Angel’
Alright…say what you will about STYX and ole Dennis DeYoung. But this ‘Fallen Angel’ still has to be better than this f*cked-up Black Veil Brides song (I just wanna know how long it takes these girls to get dressed and made-up?).
9.) POISON – ‘Fallen Angel’
I’ll probably take some heat on this one, too. But I don’t give a shit. This song still has to be one of my all-time favorite guilty pleasures. Hell, the whole record (Open Up and Say…Ahh!) might even be my all-time favorite guiltiest 80′s hair-rock record. Late night drunken karaoke mega-hit and all, this still might be the best ‘Fallen Angel’ on the whole damb list. “Win big…Mama’s fallen angel!” (Come on, I know you’re gonna crank this sucker up as soon you’re done here).
10.) KING CRIMSON – ‘Fallen Angel’
Last (but certainly not least), we’ll end this crazy list with a nod to the mighty CRIMSON.
This ‘Fallen Angel’ appears as track #2 on their 1974 release, Red. And it was said to be about a boy who gets his younger brother to join the Hell’s Angels with him, and eventually watches him die in a fight in New York City.
Some folks have considered Red to be one of the heaviest albums of all time. And Kurt Cobain was a huge CRIMSON fan. It just seems appropriate to put the period on this “angelic” list right here.
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