Category Archives: News
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.
Last person on the way out of Chimaira, please turn off the lights.
Shocking update on the Chimaira front: both guitarists have left the band.
Holy shit.
Here’s what the last man standing (not counting new members who have replaced the original drummer, bass and the keyboard player), Mark Hunter, had to say:
Early in July, we were informed that Rob Arnold [guitar] and Matt DeVries [guitar] would be leaving Chimaira at the end of 2011. Of course, this was a huge blow, but there were no hard feelings. We understand that life invades art, everything runs its course, and we have to take different paths. We respect their decision and wish them only the best. We made heavy metal history together and that is all that matters at the end of the day. ‘Chimaira Christmas 12’ will be their last show, and we’ve been preparing to make it one that you’ll never forget.
I would personally like to thank Rob and Matt for all of their hard work, years of service to Chimaira, amazing songs, and for their friendship. Together we built something special that will remain for generations to come.
I’m looking forward to spending another five weeks on the road with two of the best (and criminally underrated) guitarists in modern metal.
What’s next for Chimaira in 2012? More on that very soon.
Rather than try and make light of unpleasant news, or downplay this by hyping up a new lineup, let’s take a few to honor Rob and Matt. My favorite solo of Rob’s is on ‘The Heart Of It All’ and my favorite riff of Matt’s is ‘The Dehumanizing Process’. I’ll be cranking those today. What about you?
Well, not to be a pessimist, rather simply realistic, this is pretty much the end of the band — both Rob and Matt are involved with Six Feet Under and it is now obvious they were just waiting to end whatever commitment they had to Mark , and the rest of the current lineup is almost all Daath anyway. I seriously doubt Mark would continue the band being the sole original member, and I also don’t see any of the older members coming back.
What’s done is done — it’s up to the band to wrap up the current tour, and we’ll keep you updated with any news.
Prepare your face to get rocked: Amorphis exclusive interview coming your way
I’ve had the opportunity to attend an Amorphis gig. Mind you, it’s a band that has been one of my favorites for the most part of the last 20 years, so when an opportunity to also interview them arose, I took it with both hands. The gig kicked my ass so hard it still hurts, and the guys were ubercool, so stay tuned to see what happened when our awesomeness collided with theirs.
The video above is a taste of things to come.
Hide your kids! Video of Loutallica performing is here
I honestly haven’t played that, and I’d advise you not to do it either, but hey, if you’re into this shit.. Go ahead.
Another video after the jump.
🙁
