Thursday, June 29. 2006
I just came across this on YouTube. This is from Megadeth's 1984 debut show. Can ANYONE tell me who the guitarist is?
When you figure it out, check out the full story at Blabbermouth.
Friday, June 16. 2006
Korn Front Man Jonathon Davis is down for the count with a rare blood disease called ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura). While I am not a fan of Korn, I really don't like hearing of someone being that ill.
From www.famliydoc.org:
ITP stands for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. "Idiopathic" means that the cause is unknown. "Thrombocytopenic" means the blood doesn't have enough platelets. "Purpura" means a person has excessive bruising. You may also hear ITP called "immune thrombocytopenic purpura."
The following singers stepped in at the Donnington Festival for Jonathon: Corey from SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR, Dez from DEVILDRIVER, Jesse from 10 YEARS, Benji from SKINDRED, Shadows from AVENGED SEVENFOLD, and Matt from TRIVIUM.
Jonathon expects to be back to normal shortly. For more information, click here
Tuesday, June 6. 2006
6-6-6
The number of the Beast. Evil is to reign.
Or not.
Deicide was to release their new album on this day. Earache states the Deicide album isn't ready for full release and is releasing an EP on ITunes as well as a video through You Tube instead.
Slayer was to release their new album and kick off their tour, but had to postpone the start of their tour so Tom Araya could heal from gall bladder surgery. Slayer is, though, releasing an EP through Hot Topic stores and a special t-shirt commemorating the day.
Maybe the bands can write it off as divine intervention?
Also on 6/6/06:
It's International Slayer Day. KFK Industries is slated to release their new album. The Omen remake is being released this day.
And here's a link to Slayer's Kerry King's guest chat with us at kingsnake.com.
Monday, June 5. 2006
Cannibal Corpse, the forefathers of death metal as we know it, are back with a vengeance. Kill is hard. Not like Cannibal was ever pussified, but this one is hard. It starts off like a punch in the chops and a kick in the nether regions and does not let up. Hearing it, I yearn for the hella pits I have been in. As I have said before I always worry when a band I have loved for a long time starts releasing things these days. Are they going to change? Well Cannibal has proven that they, much like a good whiskey, only get better with age.
This album brought back they days of Eaten Back to Life for me for some reason. Hard, fast, and straight in your face. They show the delicate balance between death and nlack metal.
I really liked some of the changes between the chunk guitar and an almost melodic tone on both "Murder Worship", "5 Nails In Your Neck" and "Necrosadistic Warning," however, the pauses in "Necrosadisitic Warning" left me bored (a second of silence in the pure aggression that is Cannibal). The solo, though, was lovely.
The drumming is flawless. Double bass that when turned up can make your heart stop.
The first video and single off this album is "Make Them Suffer," a kick ass song. Over the years, I have always defended the aggression of the land of death metal, and recently some of the newer acts are too busy sounding evil in their growls while losing themselves completely lyrically. That is one thing I have always adored about Cannibal, be it back in the Chris Barnes days or present. They don't try too hard to be what they are, they just be.
Whatever mix that is needed to create the perfect death metal band has always been present in the land of Cannibal Corpse.
Favorite Tracks:
Time to Kill is Now
Purification By Fire
Tuesday, May 30. 2006
Being a metal head, I shouldn't like country right? Well when it is David Allen Coe, country is cool. Often referred to as "Outlaw Country", his most mainstream song is "Take This Job and Shove It" (even tho his performance isn't the one that made him famous) but anyone who has been in a hole in the wall bar with a juke box knows the song "You Never Even Called Me By My Name". I have yet to be in a bar after midnight when this song come on and not seen someone singing it, from the Punkiest Punk to the most uptight Yuppie.
If you are a fan of Pantera you will also know one other of his songs at the very least. "Jack Daniels If You Please" was often used as a warm up occasionally played during their shows. Dimebag was a huge Coe fan, and rightly so. When I heard Dime, Vinnie and Rex were releasing an album that had Coe on Vocals, I must say I got mildly excited. I love the Southern Rock Genre, unfortunately the majority of that is older than I am. What a perfect match (in my mind at least) for another great mix of Metal and a little dash of something else. This album is heavier than most southern rock you will ever hear, and it at times rivals some of the best thrash bands. Dime has some incredibly hard riffs at times.
Between the Humorous "Cowboys do more Dope", the sweet sounding ballad "Arizona Rivers", the catchy title track "Rebel Meets Rebel" and the heaviest track (featuring Hank Williams III) "Get Outta My Life" this album spans the genres of Metal, Rock, Country and Blues. And all the Genres Blend together Seamlessly. I honestly can say I really love this CD.
One side note, this may be the last recording with Dime on it, so if you are a true Die-hard CFH, you must buy this. This album defiantly comes from the hearts of 4 Cowboys From Hell. The hardest part is knowing this is a one shot album.
Track Listing
1. Nothin' to Lose
2. Rebel Meets Rebel
3. Cowboys Do More Dope
4. Panfilo
5. Heart Worn Highway
6. One Nite Stands
7. Arizona Rivers
8. Get Outta My Life
9. Cherokee Cry
10. Time
11. No Compromise
12. N.Y.C. Streets
Saturday, May 27. 2006
All month long VH-1 has been celebrating what they call Metal Month. The month will end in an awards show that I'm pretty sure Jethro Tull will not win an award at. Super Group debuted this past week (and it was mildly amusing., but can someone tell me, did Sebastian Bach try to have surgery or is that just age?). They have a 4-part documentary called Heavy: The Story of Metal. I have seen the first episode. While I feel that they are kinda on track on how the music spread the way it did, I think they had a bit of narrow-minded-ness. To them Metal spawned from Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. While in some respect I can see that, Metal also spawned from Alice Cooper (grandfather of the now Goth Movement) and even as much as I regret saying it (Dynasty anyone), and Kiss (forefathers of the glam movement). The series episode titles seem to cover it all. "Welcome To My Nightmare" (episode 1), "Looks that Kill" (Glam Episode), "British Steel" (70s British Rock), and "Seek and Destroy" (as they word it, "A walk on the dark side").
One thing I notice (and perhaps that will change this evening) is that the heavier end of the spectrum is left in the lurch. While I love the mainstream glam as much as the next gal, I must say there has been little to no mention of harder stuff. Everything they are playing is mainstream safe music. I think something like this would have been better suited to FUSE rather than VH-1. I have yet to hear a mention of the heavier side of metal, even the skater punk music of the 80s (hell Suicidal was in Encino man), the thrash end has been well, vanilla, and heaven forbid I have yet to hear a mention of death metal. I don't know if they feel playing Some Kind of Monster covers their butt on that end, but if you didn't like Metallica before, watching them cry will make you like them even less.
Anyhow, I'm babbling, Rock Honors will be Wednesday May 31, 2006 and the honorees are Kiss, Queen, Judas Priest, and Def Leppard. No mention which members will be in Kiss makeup. Am I thrilled with the choices? Not necessarily. Will I watch? Yes. Bands performing that evening will be Foo Fighters, All American Rejects and Godsmack. There is also an Air Guitar Championship.
I think for nostalgia's sake it will be fun. The whole month has been. But as always I'm left feeling a bit miffed that many of my favorites have been left by the side for the vanilla side of rock. The month is almost over, but if you find yourself sitting around the house doing nothing this holiday weekend, kick back and relax with the older stuff. Nothing ground breaking here. You may find some laughs. Of course remember to watch the Pantera BTM Friday night. Our touch of sprinkles on the vanilla sundae of Metal.
Friday, May 26. 2006
No longer the little label that could, Roadrunner Records signed Megadeth on May 16. What does that mean for those of us who yearn for the Vic of old? Well, I am pretty sure we will NOT be hearing a new version of "Crush." Of course Big Dave has always been best at times of political strife, as well as when he can really get angry about something. Well, times of political strife are here, so get angry, Dave, and hit us hard.
From Roadrunner Records:
Mustaine says of his new home "It is exciting to be some place you are respected, understood and appreciated. The truth is there's a lot of people I've known there over the years. I'm stoked we're all coming back together again to work on this project."
Megadeth is in the process of planning Gigantour 2, and the line up is still pending, but let's all hope Dave and the boys are able to get angry enough to hit us with some hard core old skool thrash.
Wednesday, May 17. 2006
Horror Sexy
Some things always amuse me. How Rob Zombie can make music sexy and scary at the same time.
He channels cheesy stripper songs and adds a dash of the Devils Rejects to make horror sexy music.
I love the intro song which is exactly that, an intro. Short, could have melded a tad better for a smooth transition in a heavier song. I must say I like "The Scorpion Sleeps." Although it can be a bit cheerleader anthem at times. But sometimes I like my music like I like my horror movies, super cheesy. "Let It All Bleed Out" is a pretty decent fast paced song and one of the heavier tracks. "17 Year Locusts" is a bit too slow for my tastes. Much like he has in the past, there are quiet intros to most every song. Nice to hear when you are listening to it loud, but at respectable tones, it tends to get lost.
Lyrically, it could be better. I like continuity to my lyrics. Some people are heavy on the instruments, but I hang on the words. Songs need some sense to them. Some of the songs actually sound like stuff off of his older songs. I hear "Living Dead Girl" in "American Witch." Sometimes its good to stay the same, and sometimes you really need to expand a bit.
One thing you can say about Rob since he went solo is that he is always Rob Zombie. Nothing changes really. If you like his stuff from before you will like this. Nothing excessively impressive, but nothing disappointing. Rob is Rob, the Zombie Man. Occasionally I wish he would go back to the heavier days of White Zombie, but this is nice relaxing super sexy tunes. Overall a decent album. Fans of the Zombie Man will not be disappointed. He sounds the same as always.
Saturday, May 13. 2006
Tracii Guns Band
Hometown: Los Angeles, Ca.
http://www.tracii-guns.com
also Lyden Moon, Wrath
Friday May 12, 2006
Vnuks Lounge - Cudahy WI
First off let me say this. Vnuk's has done a WONDERFUL job with their remodeling of their location and making a great location for club shows. The sound was really very nice for a bar and in all honesty I must say it sounds a gajillion times better than any of the three rooms at the Rave. You could actually hear EVERYTHING cohesively. The only real complaint I could come up with is that seating to relax is limited. But a helluva nice place. Oh yeah one other thing Vnuks has over the Rave is toilets that won't back up. Gotta give them props for going that extra mile and getting the Toto. I can't count how many shows I have bleached my boots after getting home from the Rave. In fact nothing sucks more than coming home and walking in snow in socks because the boots are too sticky from evil knows what to walk on my floors. So props to Vnuks for one helluva remodel. From a south side dive bar to a great concert venue.
Wrath - Their show wasn't bad at all. There were some sound issues. It almost sounded as though one of the guitars were off. They did 5 songs, all originals and had three solos. I personally would have enjoyed a few more songs over the solos. Michael Brigham did a nice clean solo. AJ could have slowed his down more. He was doing a Deville Solo showing off how fast he could go. Speed isn't always what matters. One thing I just cant help but comment on. Brigham has to be a bastard child of Dave Mustaine. Either that or he is channeling him on stage. From how his hair looks to how he interacts with the crowd to even how he plays, I swear he is a Dave less the anger. Not that it's a bad thing, but just something that struck me. All songs performed were originals and pretty darn decent. Heavy however Brigham actually sings. It's a lovely thing to see. These guys are competing in the Emergenza Semi Finals at The Rave Bar June 2, 2006. Old Skool thrash fans give these kids a shot.
Lyden Moon - Lyden Moon is a phenomenal guitarist. Plain and simple. His shows are always hard for me to comment on because I am always focused on vocals and well there aren't any in his shows. Moon only does instrumentals. Transitioning between songs with bluesy, jazzy, classical and rock feels, he has always put on one helluva show. I first saw Moon a while back opening up for Michael Angelo Batio's band C4. Moon makes it all seem effortless. And he can make everything sound cool, including the Charlie Brown theme Song. Joel Thierfelder on bass and Mark Altergott on Drums round out the group. Moon really should be bigger than he is, however I think the lack of vocals does hurt him career-wise. Musically, it makes the group a wonderful change. Moon hits people from every genre of music with something to enjoy, and I strongly suggest if you are a Midwesterner to give this man a shot. He has shows in Illinois and Wisconsin in the next few months. Moon and his band put on one helluva performance. His most recent CD (#4 to be exact) Fire It Up is on sale now being released in 2005. This is someone to see if you are a guitar freak.
Tracii Guns Band - The line up for this band is 3/4 the original LA Guns line up. Tracii (obviously) on lead guitar, Paul Black on Vocals, Nickey Alexander on Drums, and the fourth member, well that's Tracii's son Jeremy Guns on bass. I had a hard time with the singer. Perhaps I'm just so used to the way Phil Lewis sounds on the songs. Black did grow on me, and what he lacked sound wise he more than made up for as a showman. This man worked the crowd like one of the best. It was a small show attendance wise, but the band seemed to really have a blast and that transferred into the crowd. Lots of old time fans there who really had a blast. Tracii as always, was phenomenal on guitars. I must say, having the band introduced and hearing the bassist was Tracii's son was hard. Rock Stars can't grow up and do things like normal people. They just can't! Of course that also reminded me I am no longer a wild child either. I did like the selection of songs. Lots of the older stuff- "No Mercy," "Sex Action," "Rip and Tear," "Electric Gypsy," "One More Reason." All the old harder songs. Naturally their big song "Ballad Of Jayne" was played. For a short while Tracii appeared to be having a Brides of Destruction flashback. A few shorts of Crue songs were played. The coolest part of the evening to me is it brought back to mind the days of early glam metal. When THE place to be was the Sunset Strip. That was the feel of the place. A time I missed here in WI but watched on MTV with jealousy. I must say the band were all incredibly nice, hanging out with the fans (which is always a plus of club shows) and I finally after many years attempting got to meet Tracii. He was a helluva nice guy and a doll. It's always wonderful when the band remembers the fans who put them there, and he does. They still have many dates left. Give the Guns a shot.
Upcoming Dates:
Tue 16th - Eck's Saloon, Denver, Co.
Wed 17th - In The Venue, Salt Lake City, Ut.
Thu 18th - The Bouquet, Boise, Id
Fri 19th - Ash Street Saloon, Portland, Or.
Sat 20th - El Corazon,Seattle, Wa.
Sun 21st - Spokane, Wa. -
Tue 23rd - San Francisco, Ca.
Wed 24th - Los Angeles, Ca.
Thursday, May 11. 2006
Heaven help me. I would actually buy this CD, really I would. I have no clue why other than to keep the collection complete. It may be my OCD kicking in but I would buy it. That is IF it exists.
What CD you may ask? Well the new Guns N Roses Cd. The one that supposedly has been ready for oh maybe 20 years? Ok I'm exagerating. Only 10.
According to Axl Rose on the Eddie Truck show, when asked about it, stated "Sometime this fall or late fall." His band could be heard rehearsing in the background. "It will be out this year."
I coulda swore I heard that old song and dance before.
Apparently GNR now has Dizzy Reed from phase two of GNR, former Nine Inch Nails guitarist Robin Finck, bassist Tommy Stinson from the Replacements, guitarist Richard Fortus from the former Psychedelic Furs and Love Spit Love, and keyboard player Chris Pittman. It is also rumored that Izzy Stradlin from GNR phase one is back. Buckethead left the band in 2004.
GNR has four shows at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom, then off to Europe to play several music festivals.
Let's just say "IF" Chinese Democracy ever does come out, you will see it reviewed here. Until then, we can all wonder if it even exists.
Tuesday, May 2. 2006
I was anxiously awaiting midnight May 1 when Rebel Meets Rebel came out. Probably the coolest ever "Country" singer teams up with the Abbott boys and Rex Brown. Two years after we lost Dimebag in a horrible fashion, a new album is released.
It's a great album. Good summertime, backyard drinking music. And of course nothing goes better with a good beer than a David Allen Coe CD.
Country Pantera? Sound Odd? Not to me. The southern boys of metal never made a secret of their roots. Dime and Vinnie's dad was country songwriter Jerry Abbott who owned Pantego Studios in Pantego, Texas. Folks who have heard Pantera warm up have heard the Classic David Allen Coe song Jack Daniels If You Please. And honestly, the man wrote the song My Long Hair Just Can't Cover Up My Redneck.
To hear a clip of Rebel Meets Rebel visit the website.
More Dime News
Dime Vision is being released as well May 2. It is a DVD of Dimebag's life put out by his Brother Vinnie Paul. Dime was one of the greatest heavy metal guitarists, and from spending a bit of time with the CFHs back in the day, a helluva nice guy.
Thursday, April 20. 2006
Adult Swim is about to get grind.
Debuting this August on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim is a new cartoon that will get all of our hard core panties in a bunch, "Death Clock Metalocalypse," about a Norwegian Black Metal band call Deathklok. Adult Swim was already pretty damn cool, but now they are just getting hard core cool. From the trailer, it looks a bit Airheads or Spinal Tap with a touch of the blackness.
Right now there are 20 episodes on the schedule. Michael Amott of Arch Enemy is lending his talents and his voice. It is always hard to tell if something is going to be good from the previews, but one thing I can tell: the music is going to rock.
Death Clock Metalocalypse
Who would you put in a supergroup of metal folk? I'm not sure, and honestly, the last place I would expect to get music news is my husband's Maxim magazine, but hey, we take it where we get it.
VH-1 pulled together five musicians, in hopes probably that they would kill each other and maybe get a good show. However, according to the article in Maxim , everyone got along.
So who who should go in a metal supergroup? You would need a legend, a legacy, a hair band member, a hardcore member, and a thrash member. VH-1 hit up their group of regulars:
The Legend - Ted Nugent
The Legacy - Jason Bonham
The Hair Band - Sebastian Bach
The Hard Core - Evan Seinfeld
The Thrash - Scott Ian
Would have been fun to toss in Glenn Benton, Chris Barnes or King Diamond, but hey - still a pretty diverse group of fellas.
The mission - To record and preform in front of an audience after living with each other for two weeks. Honestly, with some of the egos present here, I personally am amazed they lived, but I will be tuning in.
Tuesday, April 18. 2006
Ok I admit it. I miss Max. I have always been into the vocals in music more than anything else. The words speak to me. I have failed on the bass and guitar, and let's just say I am a tad intimidated by the drum kit in the basement. But it's safe to say Derrick Green has grown on me with this CD. He has finally found his way in the land of Sepultura. Igor Cavalera on drums, Andreas Kisser on guitars and Paulo Xisto on bass round out the original trio of the group.
This CD has something that I love about the older Slayer CDs as well. It plays almost like one straight song. A long, hardcore, heavy song. And also perfectly seamless. A song to get the aggressions of the day out with. A song that makes me want to throw down and hit the pit. Yes, some girls really did like to hit the pit and work out those pent up angers. But I digress.
This CD is such a throw back to the Old Skool metal that I love so dearly. Hard, heavy with ripping guitars and heart stopping double bass. Strength and force come through each song. This is the best album the band has released since Roots back in '96 or even perhaps Chaos AD in '93. The others were merely a growing period for the band. They have found the missing pieces of the puzzle and are verging on being a force to be reckoned with again in the thrash world.
Favorite songs:
"Convicted In Life" (this will be the first video off the album)
"Ostia"
"Still Flame"
A release like this album early in the year has me eagerly anticipating the rest of the year. One very nice touch was the tribute to the late great Darrel "Dimebag" Abbot. Two years is too long already for us to be without this god of a man, but it is a nice touch to remember him. It also reminds me that metal is not just music, it's a family and a way of life.
Saturday, April 8. 2006
I recently rediscovered my love of music. It wasn't a new band or a concert that did it, though; it was our new radio. A year ago hubby and I made the switch to Sirius Satellite radio. I used to think it was a joke to pay to listen to music. So what if there are no commercials? Well, you know, commercials must make the difference.
Now, I have heard Motley Crue on the radio, but I have never ever heard C4, Deicide or Cannibal Corpse on the radio. Nothing wakes you up on a long drive home like "Hammer Smashed Face," let me tell ya. And I can honestly say I am really looking forward to Buckcherry's new release - and I can promise you won't hear many of their songs on terrestrial radio.
If you have a deep seated love of music no matter what style, I would seriously suggest satellite. Yeah it costs. Yeah you have to pay 12-15 bucks a month, but honestly, when you can choose from a selection like these companies are offering, I would never turn back. At this point I would rather sit in silence than be with out my new lover, My Sirius. Between the music and My Bubba the Love Sponge I am never alone.
Sirius
http://www.sirius.com/
XM
http://www.xmradio.com/
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