Author Archives: Mark
Black Sabbath are back – and here’s why you need to be excited (Part 2)
I originally posted the above video in the comments section of my last post (click), but I couldn’t help but think it was worthy of its own post. Just look at that performance. Even Ozzy has some energy in him. More than me actually, and I’m young enough to be his great, great, great grandson.
If you still think this Black Sabbath reformation is nothing to be excited about, or the band don’t have it left in them to still perform, you are wrong.
Black Sabbath are back – and here’s why you need to be excited
11-11-11, it doesn’t matter whether you’re European, whether you’re American, or if you’re from Mars (Where the average American thinks Europe is), that date format should be correct to all around the universe. It is known as the day when the greatest Metal band of all time, its creators, Black Sabbath announced they are to reform.
Now, I am aware of the following things:
1. “The band have reunited with Ozzy in 1997 and continued to 2006 without releasing any new music.”
2. “Even if they did release new material, it will suck”
3. “I saw the band in 2004 and they sucked”.
4. “Ozzy is pretty much dead and probably being controlled by Sharon with a remote control. He even needs a Teleprompter”
But here’s the thing… The band could have easily NOT have reformed before sadly, one by one, members pass away. This could be your last time to see the band, and speaking as someone who hasn’t, I want this opportunity and so should you. It’s a world tour, so where ever you are, go see the band!
Next, Sabbath plan to finally release a new album. I know things fell through last time, but hopefully this time it’ll be different. Look, it’s 2011 and we KEEP being reminded how records supposedly “don’t sell anymore”. It’s being drummed into us on a daily basis. Bands reform and they go on as a nostalgia act touring big festivals and odd shows in order to make a buck (see Faith No More, Rage Against the Machine etc). This is different, the band seem to still have that fire inside of them and that desire to continue making music. Frankly, I don’t care if it’s not their best, but a brand new Sabbath album in 2012 or 2013, or whatever, amongst the Lady Gagas and Keishas of this shitty time in music, is an astonishing thing.
If you’re not excited for this reunion, you know where the X is 😉
Detective Mark to the rescue
I’ve never had my name in a title before, but now seems like the right time.
Before I embark on my epic post, please note that in the last week or two, I have been very isolated from the internet and general metal boards (not porn boards though, I’m always all over those), so I have no idea whether fans have already been discussing this already or not. However…
Today is the day that Black Sabbath have hinted they will make an announcement. If you have viewed their official site or Facebook page, no doubt you will have already seen the image highlighting the date 11-11-11. Today also happens to be the day that the UK’s Download festival will make an announcement (the festival is also celebrating its tenth anniversary).
Can you see where this going?… Today Download will announce that Black Sabbath will be headlining the festival next year (along with Metallica who are already confirmed). This will coincide with Black Sabbath‘s announcement that the original lineup has reformed.
Am I freaking genius or what? Ok, so it’s all pretty damn obvious already, but let me have my moment will you? If I’m wrong, I’ll eat my willy.
Stay tuned for the same post in roughly 5 hours and 20 minutes time, only it’ll be “official”.
Kerrang count down heaviest albums ever. Metalheads laugh.
In the news this week (well, not really news, but certainly lulz worthy), the UK’s Kerrang magazine has counted down what they consider to be the 50 heaviest albums of all time. Now, I haven’t read the full list, but looking at the top 10, the list is pretty damn shit. To be honest though, I’m just surprised My Chemical Romance, Paramore and Green Day (and yes, I didn’t bold those names for a reason) didn’t make the cut (and thank God).
The Guardian (a British broadsheet for those that don’t know) have posted an article in regards to the top 10, and that’s where I have got my information from.
10. Machine Head – Burn My Eyes
9. The Beatles – The White album
8. Sleep – Jerusalem/Dopesmoker
7. Electric Wizard – Dopethrone
6. Discharge – Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing
5. Napalm Death – Scum
4. Mastodon – Leviathan
3. Slipknot – Iowa
2. Converge – Jane Doe
1. Slayer – Reign in Blood
So onto my thoughts…
Well, firstly, The Beatles is an obvious WHAT THE FUCK? You’re trying to be ‘abstract’ and ‘quirky’ with your definition of “heavy”, I get it, I really do. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think ‘heaviness’ is necessarily defined by who can play the fastest and loudest to the point of it being simply noise (a top 10 filled with underground Death Metal bands that play to 60 people a night would be boring), but this is just wrong.
Next… No Metallica? Actually, good.
No Black Sabbath? List has failed completely now. I need not say any more… But I will, because I like the sound of my own voice (or words… only words don’t make a sound).
But, kudos for the inclusion of Napalm Death‘s Scum.
Iowa? That was the heaviest album I had ever heard when it came out. However, I was only 14 then. I assume (nay, hope) that the editors of Kerrang are not 14.
Slayer number one with Reign in Blood? I don’t know if I’d put it at number one, but I guess I’d defend its position in the top 10.
Everything else: Erm no, not really. Perhaps DoM should post its own Top 10 heaviest albums of all time (not me though, I listen to Spice Girls in my spare time).
Metallica to headline Download 2012
Catchy headline, am I right? It almost puts Chlamydia to shame.
Lulu may have only sold 13,000 odd copies in its first week (about the same number of wanks I have a week), and fans may have called it the last straw, vowing to boycott Metallica from now on (for the eleventh time no doubt), but that hasn’t stopped the band from being booked to headline next year’s Download festival in the UK.
Not only will ‘Tallica be headlining the festival though, but they will also be playing the Black album from start to finish, in its entirety, which kind of sucks because I was hoping to hear St Anger, but oh well.
For more information (and when I say “more”, I use that loosely, since I pretty much summed up everything), check out the official Download page.
