Saturday, April 18, 2020

Twisted Sisters - Under the Blade (1982) | Analysis, Fun Facts & Trivia

Twisted Sisters - Under the Blade (1982)

Tracklist front / back album image covers

Twisted Sister – Under the Blade (1982): The Ferocious Debut

Released on September 27, 1982, Twisted Sister’s Under the Blade marked the band’s explosive entrance into the heavy metal scene. With raw energy, aggressive riffs, and rebellious lyrics, the album established them as one of New York’s most notorious metal acts of the early ’80s.

The album blends hard rock, heavy metal, and glam influences, showcasing the band’s signature theatricality and anthemic style that would later define their 1980s legacy.

Album Overview

Artist: Twisted Sister
Album: Under the Blade
Release Date: September 27, 1982
Label: Secret Records (UK), Atlantic Records (US)
Genre: Heavy Metal, Glam Metal
Length: 36:50
Producer: Pete Way & Mark Mendoza
Recorded: Queensway Studios, London, UK

Background and Recording

Under the Blade was recorded in London with a focus on high-energy, aggressive performances. At this stage, Twisted Sister were an emerging underground band, blending the New York metal scene’s intensity with glam theatrics.

The band’s lyrics addressed societal pressures, rebellion, and personal empowerment.
Early recordings emphasized raw guitar riffs, pounding drums, and Dee Snider’s commanding vocals.
The album’s aggressive tone set the stage for their later, more polished releases.

Despite modest commercial success, Under the Blade became a cult classic, praised for its authenticity and raw power.

Album Credits

Twisted Sister Members

Dee Snider – Lead Vocals
Jay Jay French – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Eddie “Fingers” Ojeda – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Mark “The Animal” Mendoza – Bass, Backing Vocals
A.J. Pero – Drums

Production Team

Produced by Pete Way & Mark Mendoza
Engineered by Roy Neave
Art Direction & Design: Twisted Sister

Cover Art Design

✔ Cover Photography: Fin Costello
✔ Costume/Make‑up: Suzette Guilot‑Snider
📌 Source: Official Discogs listing & liner notes

About the cover:

The cover shows the band in early‑era metal styling — snarling, leather, studs, and makeup — photographed by Fin Costello, a noted rock/metal photographer of the late 1970s and early 1980s. This was not generic artwork — it was a staged band portrait capturing their underground metal identity.

Commercial Performance & Sales

Initially achieved moderate success in the US and UK
Later became a cult favorite in the heavy metal underground
Helped establish Twisted Sister’s reputation as a ferocious live act
Set the stage for future mainstream breakthrough with You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll (1983)

Popular Tracks

What You Don’t Know (Sure Can Hurt You) – Fast, riff-heavy opener with rebellious lyrics.
Bad Boys of Rock ‘n’ Roll – Anthemic and defiant, exemplifying the band’s early style.
Under the Blade – Title track; aggressive and confrontational, became a fan favorite.
Shoot ‘Em Down – High-energy, showcasing heavy riffs and percussive attack.
Tear It Loose – Raw metal energy with catchy hooks.

Critical Reception & Ratings

Praised for its aggressive guitars and Dee Snider’s commanding vocals
Seen as a raw, uncompromising debut that influenced early 1980s metal bands
Retrospective ratings: 7–8/10
Critics highlighted its authenticity and energy despite its relatively modest production

Fun Facts About Under the Blade

⚡ Produced by Mark Mendoza, the band’s bassist, ensuring a sound true to their live energy.
🎸 Guitarist Jay Jay French has cited the album as influenced by the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.
🎤 Dee Snider’s vocal style combines theatricality with raw metal aggression, a hallmark of the band.
🏆 The album became a fan favorite for underground metal enthusiasts, establishing Twisted Sister’s credibility.

Trivia

Under the Blade attracted controversy for its dark themes, later cited by the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) during the 1980s music censorship debates.
The album was remixed and re-released in 1999 with bonus tracks and live recordings.
It was recorded quickly on a limited budget, emphasizing energy over polish.
Songs from the album became staples in early Twisted Sister live performances, often performed faster and heavier than on record.

Did You Know?

📀 Under the Blade was the first Twisted Sister album to gain international attention, particularly in the UK underground metal scene.
🌟 The album’s raw aggression influenced bands such as Anthrax, Metallica, and early glam metal acts.
🎶 Dee Snider originally wrote some lyrics as a reaction to social pressures and personal experiences, giving the album a defiant tone.
🔊 Many fans consider this album heavier and more authentic than the band’s later, more commercial releases.

Twisted Sister – Band Biography and Legacy

Twisted Sister was a seminal American heavy metal band best known for its rebellious image, anthemic songs, and electrifying live performances. They became a defining force in 1980s metal, blending glam aesthetics with hard rock aggression.

Key Members (classic lineup):

Dee Snider – Lead vocals
Jay Jay French – Guitar
Eddie “Fingers” Ojeda – Guitar
Mark “The Animal” Mendoza – Bass
A.J. Pero – Drums (joined 1982, replacing previous drummers)

The band officially formed in 1972 in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, though their commercial success came a decade later.

Early Days

Originally, Twisted Sister started as a cover band playing in small New Jersey clubs. They struggled for years with lineup changes, honing their style between glam rock theatrics and heavy metal intensity. By the late 1970s, the classic lineup was solidified.

Their 1982 album, “You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll”, began earning them recognition, but it was “Stay Hungry” (1984) that catapulted them to worldwide fame.

Band Member Biographies

Dee Snider (Lead Vocals)

Born: March 15, 1955 – Astoria, New York, USA

Early Life

Grew up in New York City.
Showed interest in performing and writing from a young age.

Education & Family

Studied at Baldwin High School.
Married Suzanne Desrocher in 1981; they have four children.

Fun Facts

Wrote the band’s biggest hits, including “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock”.
Known for his theatrical stage presence, makeup, and high-energy performances.
Became an outspoken advocate for freedom of expression during the PMRC hearings in the 1980s.

Jay Jay French (Guitar)

Born: February 20, 1952 – New York City, USA

Early Life

Grew up in a musical household and played guitar from an early age.

Personal Life

Married with children (keeps private).
Known for guiding the band’s management and business decisions.

Fun Facts

Co-founded Twisted Sister’s management company.
Often responsible for the band’s trademark image and style.

Eddie “Fingers” Ojeda (Guitar)

Born: August 5, 1955 – Staten Island, New York

Early Life & Family

Comes from a musical family.
Married with children.

Fun Facts

Nicknamed “Fingers” because of his lightning-fast guitar playing.
Co-wrote many of the band’s key riffs and songs.

Mark “The Animal” Mendoza (Bass)

Born: May 13, 1955 – Staten Island, New York

Early Life & Family

Raised in Staten Island.
Married with children.

Fun Facts

Known for his aggressive bass lines and wild stage persona.
Played in multiple other metal projects after Twisted Sister’s initial breakup.

A.J. Pero (Drums)

Born: October 14, 1959 – Staten Island, New York
Died: March 20, 2015

Early Life & Career

Joined Twisted Sister in 1982.
Known for his powerful, high-energy drumming.

Fun Facts

A.J. Pero passed away suddenly while on tour with another band in 2015.
His drumming helped define Twisted Sister’s classic 1980s sound.

Discography Highlights

Studio Albums

Under the Blade (1982) – Debut album; raw, aggressive metal.
You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll (1983) – First commercial breakthrough.
Stay Hungry (1984) – Breakthrough success; includes hits “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock.”
Come Out and Play (1985) – Continued 1980s success.
Love Is for Suckers (1987) – Final 1980s album before initial breakup.
Still Hungry (2004) – Re-recording of Stay Hungry with bonus tracks.
A Twisted Christmas (2006) – Holiday-themed metal album.

Awards & Recognition

MTV Video Music Awards: Nominated in 1985 for “We’re Not Gonna Take It”.
Widely credited with popularizing glam metal theatrics.
Recognized for influencing punk-influenced metal bands and glam metal acts.

Fun Facts

Dee Snider famously testified before the U.S. Senate in 1985 against music censorship.
The band’s over-the-top makeup and stage costumes were inspired by shock rock acts like Alice Cooper.
Twisted Sister was inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame.
The music video for “We’re Not Gonna Take It” is considered one of the most iconic in MTV history.

Did You Know?

Twisted Sister originally performed under the name “Silver Star” in the early 1970s.
The band reunited multiple times after their 1987 breakup, including major tours in the 2000s.
They inspired countless metal and punk bands with their mix of humor, rebellion, and heavy riffs.
Dee Snider has acted in movies, hosted radio shows, and written books about his life in music.

Twisted Sister remains an enduring symbol of 1980s metal rebellion, combining humor, theatrics, and raw energy in a way few bands have matched. Their music continues to be celebrated by new generations of rock and metal fans.

Download Twisted Sisters Albums from Amazon

Twisted Sisters Full Discography by Labels

More Albums:

Twisted Sisters - Under the Blade (1982)

Twisted Sisters - You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll (1983)

Twisted Sisters - Stay Hungry (1984)

Twisted Sisters - Come Out and Play (1985)

Twisted Sisters - Love Is for Suckers (1987)

Twisted Sisters - Big Hits and Nasty Cuts (1992)

Twisted Sisters - A Twisted Christmas - Live (2007)

Twisted Sisters - Live at the Astoria (2008)

Twisted Sisters - Metal Meltdown (2016)