For Madmen Only

Atomic Opera | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 10, 1994)
• Original Release Date: 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000008D13
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,484 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Joyride

2. Justice

3. Achilles' Heel

4. I Know Better

5. All Fall Down

6. War Drum

7. Blackness

8. December

9. This Side of the Rainbow

10. New Dreams

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid Atomic Rocker, July 30, 2007

By 

NEOPROG RAN (EL PASO TX) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: For Madmen Only (Audio CD)

Chunky guitar, good singing, Sam Taylor production...sounds like I'm talking about King's X. After reading the reviews on this band, I decided to try them out being a big fan of King's X and the galactic cowboys. I'm glad I did. This is a fabulous debut from this Texas band. It's too bad the Texas sound didn't catch on like the Seatle sound. Taylor was a great producer. Anyone know where he is today?? I love the song december.

4.0 out of 5 stars ATOMIC GREATNESS!!!, November 2, 2005

By 

Anonymous (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For Madmen Only (Audio CD)

Years ago, a new wave of metal (consisting of crunchy riffs, incredibly tight figures and stupendous 4-part vocal harmonies) eminated out of the Houston (Katy, to be more specific), Texas area. In the early '90s, great bands such as King's X and the Galactic Cowboys emerged somewhere between the fall of the hair-metal movement but immediately before the Seattle Alternative explosion. Atomic Opera was another great band to rise out of the same mold. 'For Madmen Only' was their first major release and put them on the map to stand up along with their other Katy, Texas counterparts.

What makes this recording so special was the talents of producer Sam Taylor who produced perhaps the better periods of the Galactic Cowboys and King's X recordings as well. Falling somewhere between the heavy side of the Cowboys but the harmonic and production (sound) side of King's X, 'For Madmen Only' is a great addition to anyone who cares to hear a tremendous vocally-dominant metal band. Tracks like "JoyRide," "Justice" and "Blackness" are superb rockers with choruses containing walls of vocal bliss and catchy (but heavy) hooks. And perhaps Atomic Opera's stronger side is their ability to write slower (ballad?) songs like "This Side of the Rainbow" and the very emotional "December."

Why 4 stars? First off, the recording isn't completely consistent. While the aformentioned songs are really special, some others on this recording are forgettable. Additionally, though incredibly strong in the studio, I've heard from more than 1 source that (despite the limited touring they've done) they are a very poor live band. Unfortunately, that doesn't fair well with what is done from a huge production-standpoint in the studio. Currently, leader Frank Hart is putting together a solo record and Atomic Opera still exists to some extent. They released 2 more CD's after this one which were mediocre at best. However, if you enjoy this one, try tracking down 'Alpha and Oranges.' Also produced by Sam Taylor, 'Alpha' was the demo release of songs which landed A.Opera their recording contract. In some ways, I actually think 'Alpha' may be a more consistent record in regards to songwriting! However, for a really great listen, check out 'For Madmen Only!'

5.0 out of 5 stars OLD SCHOOL ROCK/METAL, June 12, 2005

By 

OLD SKOOL METALHEAD (SPARTA,TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For Madmen Only (Audio CD)

I HEARD THE TRACK "JUSTICE" ON THE HEADBANGERS BALL SO MANY YEARS AGO.IT WAS A SOUND THAT STUCK WITH ME AND I HAD TO GET THE ALBUM(CASSETTE). I EVENTUALLY WORE IT OUT AND IT BROKE.THE BAND IS VERY COMPIRABLE TO KINGS X ,WHOM THEY HAVE TOURED WITH.THERE IS A COMPLETE BLEND OF SLOW SONGS ALONG WITH A NICE CRUNCHY METAL. GREAT GUITAR WORK AND SOUND ON THIS AND ALL THEIR ALBUMS.BUY THIS ALBUM!!!!!