Category Archives: Rants
Where have I heard this before?
Harm’s Way, a hardcore band from Chicago led by monstrous front man Lou Ferrigno, released one of the most punishing albums of 2011. Isolation is a beast from front to back. But fear not, metal nerds for whom “hardcore” is a dirty word, Harm’s Way has more in common musically with 90’s metal juggernauts such as Machine Head, Sepultura, and Entombed than they do with hardcore vets Madball or SOIA. Their inclusion on the “God Damn” tour with The Acacia Strain and Terror solidifies their position as rising stars of the hardcore/metal scene.
This is one of my favorite albums of the year, and well worth checking out regardless of your feelings about hardcore. I could easily write a full review extolling the virtues of Isolation, but what fun is that? Let’s instead talk about what pissed me off about it.
Balance is everything
Again, I found a band that wasn’t featured, to the extent of my knowledge, on this extremely knowledgeable metal site.
The name is Equilibrium, the country is Germany, the genre… some extreme traditional folk black metal or something along those lines. I find these distinctions between metal genres to be at least fallacious, but that’s just me.
Anyway, the video above is not new, but I hope you enjoy it as I do.
Losing your child to Metal
Losing your child to Metal is perhaps one of the worst things parents have to go through. If your parents are conservative assholes that believe the X Factor is a good role model for their kids, that is.
Writing for British tabloid, Daily Mail (we call it the Daily Fail over here, because we’re funny bastards), Diana Appleyard expresses a genuine concern for her 18-year-old daughter’s love for Metal, and in particular, her dress sense. Poor Diana, her daughter Charlotte would rather go to Metal gigs than pony clubs, and rather wear band tees and piercings than “normal” clothes.
“Charlie idolises various ‘metal’ rock bands, and dresses uniformly in black, with lots of leather and graffiti-strewn T-shirts. I try to buy her ‘normal’ clothing, but it stays firmly in the wardrobe. She loves the ‘biker-chick’ look, and seems to be deliberately cultivating a tough and streetwise image which, I believe, is completely at odds with her sweet, dreamy personality”
I agree Diana, it’s disgraceful. You should remove that Bring Me The Horizon shirt from her at once and give her a Slayer shirt to wear instead. That would be much better. Actually, on second thoughts, just remove the shirt and leave it at that…
Th1rt3en is drawing nearer…
Damn simultaneous releases, this almost feels like a competition between Metallica and Megadeth now… uh… wait… Scratch that.
Megadeth haven’t gone the full nine yards as their friends (insert sarcastic “ahem” here), and still keep us in suspense regarding how the remaining tracks on the new album will sound. However, for the most eager ones the final artwork, as well as the lyrics for each song and a gallery of HD promo pics of the band, have surfaced here.
Why on earth they appeared on the French page of Roadrunner is anyone’s guess.
Review: Machine Head – Locust Vinyl (Metal Hammer)
Today sees the release of the new issue of Metal Hammer magazine in the UK. The magazine is celebrating 25 years “of keeping it heavy” making this issue a very special edition. No, I’m not on Metal Hammer’s payroll, nor am I receiving commission for advertising the magazine, but as someone who was brought into the digital age kicking and screaming, the “free” Machine Head vinyl really does appeal to me. For years people, friends and lovers, have mocked me for clinging so tightly to CDs under their own misguided delusions that “MP3s are better”. Now I get to enjoy the sweet analogue sounds of Machine ‘fucking’ Head on vinyl and I’m #winning as always.
Damn you Metal Hammer, you made me pick up your “fan pack” magazine in order to get a physical copy of Unto the Locust (fuck digital copies), and now you’ve tricked me into buying your 25th anniversary special. Ah well, so I guess it’s time for me to clean the dust off my (*cough* dad’s) record player and blast some Machine Head goodness.
Machine Head – Locust vinyl (Metal Hammer 25th anniversary exclusive)
1. Locust (Album Version)
2. Beautiful Mourning (Live)
3. Bite The Bullet (Live)
Side A begins with the song ‘Locust’ taken from the band’s latest masterpiece, Unto the Locust. Those that heard the early ‘advance mix’ were no doubt disappointed with the track (I know I was), but the final album version kicked ass with a better mix and within the context of the album. Now imagine what it sounds like on vinyl and with huge Wharfedale professional speakers. The bass destroys and song as whole sounds incredible. Although not the best track on the album (‘I Am Hell’ could have really benefited from the vinyl treatment), it still makes for a great start to the record.
Side B contains the two live tracks. ‘Beautiful Mourning’ is a great track from The Blackening and a good choice since it doesn’t always get as much attention compared to other tracks on the album. The performance is flawless and makes for a phenomenal listening. It’s almost like the band are performing right in front of me. Each riff, each note, and each blast of the drum is played with complete precision. Final track ‘Bite the Bullet’ is also played brilliantly, but makes for quite an odd track choice. The song is far from being a favorite for me, but regardless, Machine Head are once again on fire.
Short, sweet, but definitely worthy of the £4.99 price. For more information on the magazine, click here.
