During one of rock’s darkest time periods, one particular release kick started the genre that was seeing its most successful acts deteriorate as the 80s grew closer.
While headlining giants such as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath were experiencing hard times, Van Halen was emerging over the horizon and about to leave a permanent impact on the industry, desperately in need.
The young and talented Southern Californians revolutionized their reputation from Pasadena’s local attraction to the triumphant powerhouse of 1978 with their first studio album.
The band stormed the scene with their technically innovative musical skills and the strikingly flamboyant performances of their front man.
Their first album kicks off with a classic, “Runnin’ With The Devil,” which begins with the thunderous bass line by Michael Anthony followed by the introduction to guitarist Eddie Van Halen’s signature tone, Alex Van Halen’s precise drumbeat and front man David Lee Roth’s soaring vocals.
The next track, “Eruption”, highlights the pinnacle of Eddie’s masterful guitar skills with an instrumental that will become the new standard for learning guitarists trying to follow the same road to success.
“You Really Got Me”, the first cover song on the album, demonstrates the band’s natural capability to reinvent a tune that even they admired into their own unique style. “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” captures the energy of Van Halen’s anthem-like stage act.
Riff-based tracks like “I’m The One”, “Jamie’s Cryin’” and “On Fire” electrify listeners with fast, catchy and upbeat guitar and satisfying vocal harmonies from both Michael and Eddie.
Overall, the material this album projects took the industry by storm with Roth’s larger-than-life vocals, Alex’s gripping drum line, Eddie’s guitar mastery, and his high pitch collaborative harmonies with Michael to tie the album together. Each member’s attributes combine fluently to forge one of hard rock and heavy metal’s most influential album of all time.
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