Customer Reviews

Bat Out of Hell 2

5 star:		(85)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

That point may very well be different for everyone. But this album will help you find it. Lost? Depressed? Suicidal? Searching? Confused? Anything other than feeling alive and at peace? That may sound like an antidepressant commercial, but I'm just prepping you for one of the greatest albums ever made - as Meat Loaf is certainly no more subtle.

This album, every time I put it on, gives me a wake-up call. Meat Loaf/Jim Steinman's music is so emotional, so human, so real, artistic, accessible - this album is where everything came together (again!) and reminded a few million people why music is so important in one's life. I think the most important purpose about music is that it makes a person feel. It moves you. And very few things out there are more intense than this. Warning: this album is not for the casual fan of bland music. Not everyone deserves these songs. But if you think you are human, you may just pass the test.

I'm not going to waste any more than this lone sentance to utter what a shame it is that some call this music cheesy, campy, pompous, etc. - give us a break. This album is one of the best ever made. There's so much to say, it's probably doing more justice to analyze minimally here. Even nostalgic people from the first Bat Out of Hell era love this album - and THAT's a rare thing indeed, to have an album that easily rivals another classic from its own lineage-and by the same fans.

These songs address life. There's not a weak spot on the album, and not a wasted minute. I saw an interview once where Meat was asked to respond to the criticism of his songs being so long. With impeccable retort, he reasoned that none of these songs are as long as life itself. How dare anyone scorn repitition, given that probably any of these offenders' own music choices contain drum loops or samples repeated 500 times? Bat II is in your face, passionately dramatic, and far more gutwrenchingly moving than even any movie could ever hope to accomplish. If you are questioning why so many people consider Rock and Roll a religion, this album will make you believe. Listen to "Everything Louder than Everything Else:" It's loud, in your face, anthemic, - it's the only thing that matters when you're in that moment. The bagpipes at the end are awesome. The instrumental composition "Back into Hell" is highly impressive and thematic with the album as a whole.

When I'm left questioning my purpose on the planet, I take this album for a spin - 10 years later it's just as fresh - I go through the cathartic "Life is a Lemon and I Want My Money Back" (one of the greatest songs ever), into the divine "Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through," on to the confession stage with "It Just Won't Quit," and on and on until the only less-than-perfect song "Lost Boys and Golden Girls" concludes this emotional roller coaster of almost 80 minutes. It's the best 12-step program there is. The songs are diverse, rocking, musical, ... perfect. Oh, and the opening ditty "I'd do Anything for Love" doesn't hurt the record either. What better alternative to the uninspired, lackluster 'alternative' music of the nineties. If lightening can strike 3 times with the upcoming Bat 3, then our Savior of Rock and Roll is alive and well. We survived disco (ok i wasn't even born yet), grunge, techno, boy bands, rap, .... and good music always wins out. There is nothing bad about this album and everything good about it. I own a diverse cd collection of almost a thousand cd's, and Bat 2 has earned a solid permanent position in my top 10. If you find Jim Steinman's songwriting to be too over-the-top, than you, my friend, need a cleansing of the soul. Yowsah.

In all seriousness: Bat out of Hell II: Back into Hell is one of the best (and cheapest) ways of therapy out there. I could write a doctoral thesis on the power of each song, but find it out for yourself. A review shouldn't give away the ending, but rather it should motivate you to investigate. Not all commercial success sellers are crap. Indeed, this album is the antithesis.

For some reason, people ask me - and I'm not kidding - "What is it that Meat Loaf won't do for love?"

So here's the list:

HE WON'T:

* Lie to you (and that's a fact)
* Never forget the way you feel right now, oh no, no way
* Forgive himself if you don't go all the way tonight
* Ever do it better than he does it with you (so long, so long)
* Ever stop dreaming of you every night of his life (no way)
* Forget everything and "see that it's time to move on"
* Let it all turn to dust so we'll all fall down
* Be screwing around

For those of you really curious about the inner workings of his heart and level of commitment, here's what he will, in fact, do for love...

HE WILL:

* Run right into Hell and back
* take a vow and seal a pact
* be there til the final act
* do anything you've been dreaming of
* Raise you up and help you down
* Get you right out of this Godforsaken town
* Make it all a little less cold
* Hold you sacred and hold you tight
* Colorize your life because you're so sick of black and white
* make it all a little less old
* make you some magic with his own two hands
* build you an emerald city from grains of sand
* give you something you can take home
* cater to every fantasy you got
* hose you down with holy water if you get too hot
* take you places you've never known

*all items listed are from the Meat Loaf song "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" from the album Bat Out of Hell 2

Practically every genre of music has its own masterpieces. Late 70's white-boy rock fantasy is a genre not many people appreciate, but I have the age and background to. This album is exactly like its great predecessor "Bat Out of Hell"; it makes up for not being the groundbreaking shocker BOOH1 was by being more complex and much longer (without sacrificing any energy). Steinman's writing is brilliant, and Meat Loaf's vocals are just as good as in 1977 (voice less angelically beautiful now but he's even better at drenching the songs in emotion).

"Bat Out Of Hell II" is the first CD I've ever owned, hence there's a special place in my heart preserved for this magnificent album.

As Meat's old fans know, it represented his metaphorically return to the front line of the music industry. After years of staying in the shadows without any real worth mentioning big hit, came "Bat" no. II which namely was a sequel to his former major hit album and all time classic "Bat Out of Hell" (see my past review) and functioned as a continuance to the latter.

One fact must be cleared - under no circumstances does this album put his predecessor to shame. It's a unique achievement in the rock genre without any alike around. With titles like "I'd do anything for love...", "objects in the rear view mirror", "lost boys and golden girls" - soon enough you realize that someone has done a great deal of work for you ,and you better listen ! Pay extra attention to the unforgettable "Out Of the Frying Pan (and into the fire)" a fantastic action performance.

I can determine safely that this is a masterpiece .I do not give that honor easily, but believe me, this album deserves it. It had made his advent appearance at the end of 1993, and I've been listening to it enthusiastically ever since. Time hasn't diminished the power and depth of this super fine music creation; there is only a low depreciation over this CD,so you can listen to it time and again and, to me, that's the definition of a classic music.

All in all, if consider yourself a rock fan you should buy it, you wouldn't regret your decision.

We all know who Meat Loaf is. If it weren't for his smashing 1977 debut album, BAT OUT OF HELL, Meat Loaf would be virtually unknown. In 1993, after seven years since his 1986 album, BLIND BEFORE I STOP, Meat Loaf released the album BAT OUT OF HELL II: BACK INTO HELL, the smashing sequel to his 1977 predecessor. I was always pretty fond of Meat Loaf's music, but this album just turned me from a minor fan to a major fan. This album, which is my favorite Meat Loaf album, is spectacular.

I'D DO ANYTHING FOR LOVE (BUT I WON'T DO THAT)
The first single from the album. This song was the first song I had heard from Meat Loaf, back in 1993. Since the time of this single's release, I have loved this song. This song is extremely powerful in its music and lyrics. Now, the version we've all heard on the radio was well over five minutes, which is not enough time to enjoy this powerful song. The video version ran to a mere 7:40 (7 minutes, 40 seconds). Enough time to enjoy the song, but still not enough, for even the video version of the song was still not in its entirety. This album version is the full-length version that runs to an exact 12:00 (12 minutes). Yeah, it is a long song, but it is worth the whole 12:00, for this song is just one of the all-time best from Meat Loaf. Now, the female vocalist in the song was only credited as Mrs. Loud. Mrs. Loud's real name is Lorraine Crosby. But for her appearence in the video (which has a Francis Ford Coppola "Dracula" concept to it), Meat Loaf hired the beautiful actress, Dana Patrick, who also appeared in Meat Loaf's video for "I'd Lie For You (And That's The Truth)". This song was such a huge hit, that it shot straight to #1 in 28 different countries, including the U.S. (Billboard Hot 100). Now, people are always asking, "What is it that he WILL do for love? What is it that he WON'T do for love?" Well, it's about time you all know what it is he will do and won't do for love:
DO's:
He'll run right into Hell and back. He'll be there till the final act. He'll take a vow and seal the pact. He'll do anything you've been dreaming of. He'll raise up, he'll help you down. He'll get you right out of this God-forsaken town. He'll make it feel a little less cold. He'll hold you sacred, he'll hold you tight. He'll colorize your life, since you're so tired of black and white. He'll make it all a little less old. He'll make you some magic with his own two hands. He'll build an emerald city with those grains of sand. He'll give you something that you can take home. He'll cater to every fantasy you have. He'll hose you down with Holy water if you get too hot. He'll take you places you've never known.
DON'T's:
He'll never lie to you and that's a fact. He'll never forget the way you feel right now. He'll never forgive himself if you two don't go all the way tonight. He'll never allow any turning back. He'll never do it better than he does it with you. He'll never stop dreaming of you every night of his life. After awhile, he'll never forget everything. He'll see that it's still not the time to move on. He'll never let it turn to dust and let you and he fall down. He'll never be screwing around. There you have it: plain and simple.

LIFE IS A LEMON AND I WANT MY MONEY BACK
This 8:00 (8 minute) song is just a rock out classic for me. I love the heaviness in the guitars and drums. Great song.

ROCK AND ROLL DREAMS COME THROUGH
The second single from the album. This 5:50 (5 minute, 50 second) song is another classic.

IT JUST WON'T QUIT
A 7:21 (7 minute, 21 second) classic.

OUT OF THE FRYING PAN (AND INTO THE FIRE)
This is another great classic tune, running at 7:24.

OBJECTS IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR MAY APPEAR CLOSER THAN THEY ARE
The third single from the album. This 10:15 ballad is just pure amazing. The piano in the song fits very well to the song's story. Seems as though that Jim Steinman (who has written each song on this album) has a tendency to write songs that extremely long. He has written "It's All Coming Back To Me Now" (performed by Celine Dion) (a 7:37 tune), "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" (performed by Bonnie Tyler), (a 7:01 tune), "Holding Out For A Hero" (performed by Bonnie Tyler) (a 5:50 tune), and many others that were very long. Not only were Jim Steinman-penned tunes extremely long, but they were also major hits for many artists.

WASTED YOUTH (Poem)
Performed by Jim Steinman. Jim Steinman is the voice behind this creepy and graphic poem.

EVERYTHING LOUDER THAN EVERYTHING ELSE
Great.

GOOD GIRLS GO TO HEAVEN (BAD GIRLS GO EVERYWHERE ELSE)
Great.

BACK INTO HELL (Instrumental)
A Creepy-As-Hell instrumental piece.

LOST BOYS AND GOLDEN GIRLS
This is a great ballad, and one of the shortest songs on here. This song only runs to 4:28. Two other songs on here run just over 2:00, and they are "Wasted Youth" and "Back Into Hell".

This is one of Meat Loaf's greatest masterpieces. I have been listening to this CD ever since I bought. That only goes to show you that this album is just amazing. I'm hoping that BAT OUT OF HELL III will be as great as BAT OUT OF HELL and this here first sequel.

Nothing else to say-- this cd is amazing-- You WILL be suprised if you are a non-believer (that sounds weird to say), but this is undoubtedly in my top 10 albums list-- and im 15 years old. You can tell im 15 because of how little i know about the band, but the point is... uh... i forgot... Oh yea- GET THIS CD!

I'll start off by saying that I must've heard "I'd Do Anything For Love" at least 100 times growing up and thought it was a great song; a long opus where a male singer describes with poetic similes his expecrience with love and this girl while he keeps coming back to the statement that he'd do anything for love except the negative aspects. Finally, at the very end, the girl speaks and eternal love is pledged. (You may interpret the song differently if you wish; one thing I like about it is how ambigous it is).

I loved that song, but I knew barely anything about it's singer: some big man named Meat Loaf who'd been in Rocky Horror and the more recent The Mighty. Then I heard "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" on the radio one day and my love for Meat Loaf was heightend. In the time since, Bat Out of Hell became one of my favorite albums. All the same, I lusted for the Bat Out of Hell II album. I finally found it (in a shop in England for Christ's sake) and after hearing a first track I knew by heart, I entered its world. I stepped back into Hell.

What makes this album so great is that it manages to really feel like a sequel; all the epic musical greatness of its predecessor, which is one of the greatest albums of all time, by the way. Steinman's genius is shown in how he takes ignored views, coarse language, teenage crushes and situations, and even modern brand names, and fills these lyrics with music that comes from everywhere, using piano & guitar to motorcycle sound effects. It's poetry coming from the backdoor of Hell.

Life is a Lemon...so true. And try getting It Just Won't Quit out of your head. The Wasted Youth monolouge is twisted humour of course, but it's the perfect intro into Everything Louder Than Everything Else, the ultimate teenage rebellion song. My one and only complaint is that Lost Boys and Golden Girls feels a little weak and the beautifully serious Objects in the Rear View Mirror would have made a better closer.

Critics attack this album 'cause it's over the top. They don't realize that's how most teens and Meat Loaf fans like their music. My love for "Anything For Love" has been increased even further. It is, after all, the longest pop song ever at 12 minutes (yeah, I know it's only that long 'cause of it's long musical interludes and constant repititions, but it's still a masterpiece). So here's to one of one of the few albums that is always great to listen to, that can truly create and image of its singer, and that truly IS art.

And remember, a wasted youth is better by far than a wise and productive old age.

This CD has everything! Before it, I wasn't really into the hard stuff, but the instrumentation and melodies on this CD will turn anyone to the other side. Great Job, Meat Loaf!!!

While the above title may not be true, it is certainly a coin toss between the two Bats. This one is just as good, if not better than the original classic. I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) who doesn't love that song? Life Is A Lemon is a bit of a different song for Meat Loaf, but still a fine one. Objects In The Rear... is possibly my favorite track ever from Meat. His vocal performance on it is unbelievable, also Steinman keeps his lyrics "serious" for once, throughout most of the song at least. Rock N Roll Dreams is a great song too, and so is Everything Louder. Wasted Youth is hilarous (the first time you hear it at least). A bit of an exhausting effort to listen through, but with Steinman's vision, Meat's voice, and the array of excellent musicians gathered together for this album, you will not be disappointed in it.

I used to be really, really into Meat Loaf, before I was tempted away by the likes of metal and (more recently) goth bands. I bought this on cassette when it first came out, and I loved it. Bat out of Hell (the first one) has to be one of the most overrated albums of all time. Despite the odd good track (Bat out of Hell, for crying out loud), overall I actually don't listen to it anymore, like I used to. But Back into hell, well, this album is truly fantastic. Burdened with extremely long song titles (I think Type O Negative still hold the record ;-)) they are almost as meaningful as the songs themselves. There are few songs I have heard that touch me like "Objects in the rear view mirror..." and "It Just won't Quit", and the pure angry-yet-I-don't-really-care style of Wasted Youth/Everything Louder than everything else are proof that Meat Loaf, although getting on a bit now, is still one of the greatest singers, and Jim Steinman is without doubt Meat Loaf's greatest asset. Albums such as Bad Attitude and Midnight at the lost and found, were on the whole poor. "Meat Loaf Goes Pop" might have been a better title for MidnightATLAF (which curiously looks like meatloaf, (MATLAF) anybody noticed that before?. Back into Hell is a true classic, and is Meat Loaf's greatest album. I really hope that he recovers from the pointless, messy nonsense that is Welcome to the Neighbourhood, and he and Steinman produce something between them again, hopefully straying away from Steinman's recent tendency to produce a clone of "I would do anything for love" (Celine Dion's "All coming Back to me Now", anyone?). Will we see a Bat out of Hell 3? hopefully not, since that title would be poor! But come on Meat/Jim, give us some more. Its been hard and lonely years without an album like this one.