What’s New in Music
The Monster is Loose!
By Mark Pavilons

The monster is definitely loose, and that beast is flying high through the blood-red sky.

The Halloween release of Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster is Loose, comes as good news fans of Meat and his style of honest rock. Music lovers can enjoy the sounds of Meat in this third and likely final, installment of what has become an epic rock legacy.

This was an ambitious project, spanning more than a decade, to bring it to fruition. The album also reunites Meat and lyric genius Jim Steinman, who, along with Bat Out of Hell veteran Todd Rundgren, combine to bring us a fresh, but distinct Meat Loaf sound. The album was produced by Desmond Child and mixed by Grammy winning engineer Greg Collins. Studio guests on this include Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx and Rob Zombie guitarist John 5. The guitar work of Steve Vai is also quite something.

Included is Bad for Good, from Steinman’s 1981 solo album of the same name. The new track features a very cool guitar solo by Queen’s Brian May. In similar operatic rock style, Steinman’s album Bad for Good would complement any Meat Loaf fan’s music library.

Also in keeping with tradition, three songs feature female artists - Marion Raven on the song made famous by Celine Dion, It’s All Coming Back to Me Now; Patti Russo on What About Love, and Jennifer Hudson on The Future Ain’t What is Used to Be. Every heathen on the planet should play It’s All Coming Back to Me Now at their funeral because Raven’s voice would surely summon the angels.

What makes Meat Loaf transcend the generations is his combination of powerful vocals, long, detailed stories and music that makes you smile whether backed by a string orchestra or sung at a karaoke bar. The Steinman tunes are distinctly recognizable from the Child songs, making for an interesting mix.

Toronto fans enjoyed Bat on Broadway at the Elgin Theatre Nov. 4. Each of the show’s three acts was devoted to songs in the album trilogy.

The album debuted at #3 in Canada and #8 in the U.S.

This is a must-have for fans who are now introducing their children to Meat Loaf. I only wish they still made the 12-inch vinyl picture discs!