06-08-2009
Update 6.08.09
Return of the Big Four? (And More)
Maybe not a return, but a return to form, anyway. We’re coming off a year with a great album by Testament a solid one by Priest and one of the best from Metallica (yes, I still think so). And this year we are looking at new ones from Anthrax (new singer hasn’t really been heard by the masses - and, by ‘masses’, I mean the fanbase, which I assume is still pretty strong), Megadeth and Slayer.
Now, with Anthrax - I would love to see John Bush back in there. Simply great singer, but I am happy to give Dan Nelson a shot and we’ll see. Musically, these guys haven’t released a bad album yet, so I’m pretty confident the music will be very strong.
Megadeth, based on their last album (of course, personnel has already changed), should be solid. I really liked United Abominations - thrash about the whole way through (with the exception of that A Toute la Monde re-do). Nonetheless, assuming they don’t regress to their mid-to late-90s style, this should be one to look forward to.
Slayer. Very excited about this one. Along with Anthrax, this is a band that has changed its style quite a bit, but has yet, in my opinion, to release a bad album. Yeah, I really liked Diabolus, too. Actually, my least favorite Slayer album is Divine Intervention and even it’s not too bad.
Overkill may have a new one this year, too. Man oh man. Lots to look forward to this year. What else was new this year? Michael Schenker Group (I hear good things), Chickenfoot (from what I’ve heard, this is MUCH better than the Van Halen material done with Sammy), Heaven and Hell (Sabbath) was very good, too. And let us not forget the new Iron Maiden documentary about their last tour - Flight 666.
Trying to get better about updating S&T more often; I know it’s been too long when I forget how to login!
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06-08-2009
Open Up and Say … Ouch
Well, nothing original or new to say about the Tony Awards…Like most other people, I did NOT watch them, but heard all about the Bret Michaels incident where he missed his mark (sounds like the Tony people trying to sidestep liability) - basically was late and got knocked pretty hard by backdrop piece. Heard he missed rehearsal because he was doing a solo show and the band is somewhat pissed about that anyway. Now he’s broken his nose and getting stitches on his lip? That’s what I’ve read. That’s right, I read it, so don’t take anything here as real news.
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05-06-2009
Update 5.06.09
Ozzy Was Wasted
Ozzy recently admitted to being wasted during all filming of “The Osbournes”. I thought he already admitted to being on prescription drugs during this time, but now he also says he was drinking and smoking dope. Is this a plea for attention? Who cares? Shouldn’t he be a little embarrassed about this? Maybe even keep it to himself? I guess I’m too old to think it’s cool. Or perhaps Ozzy has set the bar too high for himself. I mean, this is like hearing Charlie Manson admit to tearing the tag off a new mattress.
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05-06-2009
Update 5.06.09
Heaven & Hell aka Black Sabbath’s New Album
Well, here it is. Just getting through my second listen as I write this. Put me down as a huge Dio fan as well as Sabbath. I’ve heard this one was right there with Dehumanizer, but I don’t know – that’s a favorite of mine. This one (”The Devil You Know”) is nowhere near as immediately catchy. Pretty well paced and only one or two songs really jumped out the first time around. Dio has a definite style, there’s no denying that (this even reminds me of “Strange Highways”, which is a compliment). Maybe it will sink in and go up on my list, but as of now, it’s just pretty good. You know what to expect and so far, it hasn’t blow away any expectations. Of course, these guys are too good to release a stinker. Overall, pretty doomy and some nice riffs (”Fear”), but not too fast and nothing has blown me away yet. Nonetheless, very enjoyable and consider this a positive review.
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05-06-2009
Update 5.06.09
Def Leppard Reissues “Adrenalize”
Really? Why? I’m sure the 5 people that bought it the first time are really pumped. I can’t believe how horrible this band is now. I mean, I wouldn’t care, except I’ve heard their really early stuff. And now they just suck.
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04-06-2009
Update 4.06.09
That Metal Show (aka TMS)
Finally!!! Seriously, I can’t believe it took so long to get this off the ground. And that Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson were on the version that was broadcast. Ha ha. But I’ve been a big fan of Eddie Trunk for about 9 years now, having first listened to his show when I lived in NYC around ’00 and ’01 (back then it used to be one night per weekend and was expanded to two at some point). Eddie’s one of those guys that talks the talk and walks the walk. He’s a super passionate guy about hard rock and heavy metal and it shows through his knowledge and adoration of the musicians. He’s had a great show for years and has been on VH-1 Classic for a long time as well, hosting stuff.
So now he’s got two buddies of his that are also comics and the three of them have a hack talk show about metal.
In all seriousness, I love it. But it is pretty hack. Very low budget and it seems that each episode is about 8 minutes long stretched to a half hour via commercials. Eddie’s career in radio has allowed him to make friends with some real legends and that is who comes on the show. Great discussions about metal, great guests and Jim and Don seem very likeable. I like that they are both obviously big fans of metal music.
My main criticism is that neither comic seems to comfortable on camera. I’ll be surprised if it stays on long enough. Nonetheless, I will be watching. And if you love metal and love talking about metal and spend time talking with people about it, then you’ll love the show as well. So please watch it. We need something like this.
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04-06-2009
Update 4.06.09
New Mastodon
Blood Mountain was probably my favorite of theirs so far and it was also most likely their most progressive. I think Mastodon has the same problem (for me, anyway) as a lot of newer metal bands – samey-ness. Meaning, I just have problems telling anything by them apart. I really enjoy Remission and Leviathon as well, but couldn’t tell them apart easily. Same with Lamb of God, though I listen to their albums more, so I’m a little better about telling them apart.
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04-06-2009
Update 4.06.09
Faith No More back together?
Is Roddy Bottom available? Seriously, big fan of their earlier stuff, not too familiar with their post-Angel Dust material. Would love to see them together again and pumping out material.
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04-06-2009
Update 4.06.09
New Kreator
Anyone hear this yet? I am definitely interested. I see good online reviews, but the ones in print haven’t been so great. I absolutely loved Enemy of God; what were the odds a 20-year old metal band from Germany would put out something of that calibur in 2005? It was freakin’ awesome and if you’ve heard Hordes of Chaos yet, let me know what you thought/think. Thanks.
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04-06-2009
Update 4.06.09
Priest and Testament weren’t bad either
And these two weren’t bad either. Really liked Testament right off the bat. Great all the way through, but it took repeated listens for some of the tracks to stand out. Judas Priest’s Nostradamus, on the other hand, I didn’t really like. It all sounded like one song and I thought (and still do) that the concept was lame and cliché. It’s like a Spinal Tap joke or something. Anyway, after some time and several listens, Nostradamus has really grown on me. Very solid and sounds good, but I look forward to a more traditional album (i.e., collection of songs) from them in the next couple of years.
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