As i was only a year and a half old when 'Bat Out Of Hell' was originally released in 1977, I wasn't a fan of Meat Loaf until a few years ago. I heard 'I would do anything for love' on the radio when it was released, bought 'Bat Out Of Hell 2' when the album came out, and was immediately hooked. 'Bat Out Of Hell' was the next Meat Loaf Album I bought, and I still listen to it often.

The album may have only eight tracks on it, but every single one is a lyrical and vocal masterpiece. Jim Steinmans lyrics are romantic, cynical, heartbreaking and full of emotion, and Meat Loaf's voice does justice to every song on the album. I am constantly amazed by the sheer power of Meat Loaf's voice - one minute soaring to a raging crescendo, then coming down to almost a whisper.

From the epic 'Bat Out Of Hell' - the ultimate crash song that Jim Steinman always wanted to write, to the beautiful ballads, 'Heaven Can Wait' and 'For Crying Out Loud', there is something for everyone on this album, and though it's now 23 years old, amazingly, it hasn't dated at all. Still a classic - if you don't own it, why not?