So Halloween is fast approaching and the time to spook will be here. Only problem is, is that i'm having a Halloween party, and i'm really struggling to find the right sort of playlist.
I mean, yes i'll play your standard 'Monster Mash' and 'Thriller' but aside from the novelty factor and hilarity those songs don't really sit well in my stomach. I'd prefer to listen to something that pop fans would call genuinely scary. So here's a few ideas that i'm just gonna throw out there to add to my playlist. Yes they're halloween themed, but they're not too cheesy, right?
This is Halloween is I suppose a generic choice covered by Marilyn Manson but its a bit of light-hearted fun before we settle into the proper music of the evening...I mean, no one takes that guy seriously anyway?
Okay now someone please tell me what Halloween party would be complete without a little Helloween...I mean, they're called Helloween for pity sake...and this awesome power metal song is perfect to set a deliciously spooky mood.
And i'm being a little biased here, I freaking love Iron Maiden and this is one of their best songs (in my opinion anyways) it's talking about the devil, so thats relevant and boy is it a feel good song to drink to!
Last but most certainly not least is the guy who invented Halloween himself. Mr Alice Cooper. There are not words to describe this legend.
So that concludes this 4 track playlist. Hope you all have an awesome Halloween! Stay safe, Ta-Ta! :)
Thursday, 25 October 2012
Friday, 27 July 2012
Chaos on the Catwalk
Hello blog world! Seems like i've been away for ages, haven't posted for you guys in so long, but here I am, ready to feed you with the random drivel I come out with.
Sorry dudes, but this is a post for the women out there who might share my problem.
Clothes.
It's like if you're not made of money or you are of a slightly curvier build, finding clothes that you like as a metal fan can be extremely difficult.
Thankfully, a lot of metal merchandise now encorperates a 'girly fit' t-shirt which saves us all buying massive male fit t-shirts that make us look like un-shapely whales. Especially with a monsterous chest like mine...I look huge :( But moving on, since I first discovered I really liked metal when I was around 13 years old I discovered it was almost impossible to find metal style clothes that flatter any figure that goes beyond a size 8 and so I have been forever buying mens fit t-shirts that could honestly fit as dresses.
What makes things even worse is that highstreet shops have now followed typical hipster trends by stocking girly style t-shirts with slayer or motorhead on, when clearly the overly fake tanned girls looking to buy the garments have no idea what a 'motorhead' is and wonders if 'Slayer' has anything to do with Buffy.
However at last one clothing company seems to have pulled through. I've known about Spiral clothing for a long while and have recently signed up to get their catalogue every month. Yes their normal range kinda pushes my student jobless budget but they've got a sale and budget range including tops with the most beautiful designs and nice style fits. Not only that but they sell duvet covers too? I'm sold.
I promise I will post something worth reading in the near future, meanwhile i'm currently prepping stuff for my birthday and bloodstock whilst also trying to get purple and blue dye from underneath my fingernails. Stay safe, ta-ta :P
Sorry dudes, but this is a post for the women out there who might share my problem.
Clothes.
It's like if you're not made of money or you are of a slightly curvier build, finding clothes that you like as a metal fan can be extremely difficult.
Thankfully, a lot of metal merchandise now encorperates a 'girly fit' t-shirt which saves us all buying massive male fit t-shirts that make us look like un-shapely whales. Especially with a monsterous chest like mine...I look huge :( But moving on, since I first discovered I really liked metal when I was around 13 years old I discovered it was almost impossible to find metal style clothes that flatter any figure that goes beyond a size 8 and so I have been forever buying mens fit t-shirts that could honestly fit as dresses.
What makes things even worse is that highstreet shops have now followed typical hipster trends by stocking girly style t-shirts with slayer or motorhead on, when clearly the overly fake tanned girls looking to buy the garments have no idea what a 'motorhead' is and wonders if 'Slayer' has anything to do with Buffy.
However at last one clothing company seems to have pulled through. I've known about Spiral clothing for a long while and have recently signed up to get their catalogue every month. Yes their normal range kinda pushes my student jobless budget but they've got a sale and budget range including tops with the most beautiful designs and nice style fits. Not only that but they sell duvet covers too? I'm sold.
I promise I will post something worth reading in the near future, meanwhile i'm currently prepping stuff for my birthday and bloodstock whilst also trying to get purple and blue dye from underneath my fingernails. Stay safe, ta-ta :P
Testament- Dark Roots of the Earth Album Review
(As featured on The Metalheadz facebook page- link below)
My jaw drops and my head bangs as soon as I hit the play button. Did I really expect anything less for the tenth album from American Thrash metallers Testament? They’re one of the bands that make me wish I was about in the 80’s to enjoy. But here we are in 2012 enjoying an album that almost seems to be sprung straight out of the decade of Def Leppard, drainpipes and old school thrash. With a ‘special guest’ slot booked for Bloodstock festivals this year, Testament are out to prove they’re not going anywhere soon. Phew.
This album is gloriously dark and angry, with themes on death and war that are poignant throughout. Sitting down and doing my usual ritual of listening to an album in its entirety, I can honestly say I enjoyed every track on the record. It has all the elements that a good thrash album needs. Face melting solos, extreme drum fills, grumbling bass-lines and powerful vocals from an amazing front-man.
Firstly the opening track of the album lets us know straight away that this is Testament, and you’re in for one hell of a ride. It’s deliciously speedy with a catchy gang vocal opportunity ‘When I say rise up, you say war! RISE UP. WAR!’ etc. The title track slows things down a little, but it’s a stomping song that really reminds you of their back catalogue of songs, showing that Testament have changed in some ways, but in others, they’re still throwing out massive thrash hits like the good old Testament always have (and probably always will!)
Personally, my favorite tracks on this album are A Day in the Death for its awesome bass riff and on the button lyrics. Secondly I can’t help but absolutely love the track Throne of Thorns, as it is both beautiful, sexy and dark all at the same time. As the penultimate song on the album it brings you onto the finishing track, which is the complete climax of the whole record, a fast paced song plucked from the depths of hell it seems.
From the outside Dark Roots of the Earth may look like a relatively small album, but all nine tracks combine together to create one giant masterpiece that I absolutely love. Get this album now.
My rating 9/10
Testaments official Website
The Metalheadz Page
My jaw drops and my head bangs as soon as I hit the play button. Did I really expect anything less for the tenth album from American Thrash metallers Testament? They’re one of the bands that make me wish I was about in the 80’s to enjoy. But here we are in 2012 enjoying an album that almost seems to be sprung straight out of the decade of Def Leppard, drainpipes and old school thrash. With a ‘special guest’ slot booked for Bloodstock festivals this year, Testament are out to prove they’re not going anywhere soon. Phew.
This album is gloriously dark and angry, with themes on death and war that are poignant throughout. Sitting down and doing my usual ritual of listening to an album in its entirety, I can honestly say I enjoyed every track on the record. It has all the elements that a good thrash album needs. Face melting solos, extreme drum fills, grumbling bass-lines and powerful vocals from an amazing front-man.
Firstly the opening track of the album lets us know straight away that this is Testament, and you’re in for one hell of a ride. It’s deliciously speedy with a catchy gang vocal opportunity ‘When I say rise up, you say war! RISE UP. WAR!’ etc. The title track slows things down a little, but it’s a stomping song that really reminds you of their back catalogue of songs, showing that Testament have changed in some ways, but in others, they’re still throwing out massive thrash hits like the good old Testament always have (and probably always will!)
Personally, my favorite tracks on this album are A Day in the Death for its awesome bass riff and on the button lyrics. Secondly I can’t help but absolutely love the track Throne of Thorns, as it is both beautiful, sexy and dark all at the same time. As the penultimate song on the album it brings you onto the finishing track, which is the complete climax of the whole record, a fast paced song plucked from the depths of hell it seems.
From the outside Dark Roots of the Earth may look like a relatively small album, but all nine tracks combine together to create one giant masterpiece that I absolutely love. Get this album now.
My rating 9/10
Testaments official Website
The Metalheadz Page
Monday, 16 July 2012
HellYeah- Band of Brothers Review
My review (as featured on The Metalheadz page!)
This is one super-group that never fails to impress. Catchy riffs upon catchy riffs mixed in with that feel good- HellYeah attitude. This new album, Band of Brothers is no different. With the first five tracks hitting you straight in the metal, like an unrelenting train, you’re sucked into the sound. This is studio album number three for the ‘Southern Metal’ Dallas guys, following success after success on tours and playing Download festival both in 2010 and 2012.
It’s a much heavier album than the previous two, and you know this from the first track onwards. It’s nice to hear the band members going back to their heavy roots on this heavy, beefy album.
Firstly, the title track ‘Band of Brothers’ pushes Chad’s vocals to the max, strong growling vocals mixed with sung sections that I can imagine would go down a treat at their live shows, ‘Just a band of brothers raising hell’ that lyric really sums up the feel of the album.
However if you want a low down filthy song to drink to then I’d recommend the fourth track ‘Drink Drank Drunk’ (try saying that when you’ve had one too many Jager Bombs!). This song is definitely for the party mood, but then again, so is the majority of the album. They do however tone the whole mood down by the 6th track, which opens with bluesy, country style acoustic guitar. It splits the album up nicely into two halves, the party half and the more serious, technical half. But that’s not to say the second half isn’t as enjoyable.
Unfortunately, It cant be all praise for this album since I couldn’t help getting a little bored with the overused riffs on some typical album filler tracks.
Overall, Band of Brothers is an album not to be sniffed at from HellYeah, granted its not going to be your album of a lifetime, but it is awesome nonetheless and will certainly get you off the sofa stamping your feet.
Hellyeah's official Band page
This is one super-group that never fails to impress. Catchy riffs upon catchy riffs mixed in with that feel good- HellYeah attitude. This new album, Band of Brothers is no different. With the first five tracks hitting you straight in the metal, like an unrelenting train, you’re sucked into the sound. This is studio album number three for the ‘Southern Metal’ Dallas guys, following success after success on tours and playing Download festival both in 2010 and 2012.
It’s a much heavier album than the previous two, and you know this from the first track onwards. It’s nice to hear the band members going back to their heavy roots on this heavy, beefy album.
Firstly, the title track ‘Band of Brothers’ pushes Chad’s vocals to the max, strong growling vocals mixed with sung sections that I can imagine would go down a treat at their live shows, ‘Just a band of brothers raising hell’ that lyric really sums up the feel of the album.
However if you want a low down filthy song to drink to then I’d recommend the fourth track ‘Drink Drank Drunk’ (try saying that when you’ve had one too many Jager Bombs!). This song is definitely for the party mood, but then again, so is the majority of the album. They do however tone the whole mood down by the 6th track, which opens with bluesy, country style acoustic guitar. It splits the album up nicely into two halves, the party half and the more serious, technical half. But that’s not to say the second half isn’t as enjoyable.
Unfortunately, It cant be all praise for this album since I couldn’t help getting a little bored with the overused riffs on some typical album filler tracks.
Overall, Band of Brothers is an album not to be sniffed at from HellYeah, granted its not going to be your album of a lifetime, but it is awesome nonetheless and will certainly get you off the sofa stamping your feet.
Hellyeah's official Band page
Saturday, 14 July 2012
Bloodstock Preview
So, as you may know, Bloodstock Open Air festival is right around the corner and my level of inside excitement is beginning to rise higher and higher. Yet not everything is perfect about this year's line-up. I like a bit of variety in my metal subgenres and unfortunately there doesn't seem to be that much about for this years metal fest.
Don't get me wrong...I love the majority of the bands that have been announced but there's two little words missing for me...FOLK and POWER! Yes, I will admit now that I am a complete folk and power metal nerd. I like cheese and flutes as much as any WoW player, and totally get my jig on at folk metal gigs. But there just doesn't seem to be any this year which I have to say disappoints me a little.
Last year (which was my first Bloodstock) blew me away with its variety of genres, ranging from the extremely corny (but equally awesome) Power Quest to the blackest of Norwegian blackness Immortal through to the random world of Devin Townsend Project. Even my Mum found herself enjoying some of the bands and she's a Wham! fan most of the time. I think that's a good thing! :S
This year, we have the god himself Alice Cooper headlining the Sunday, which will be a treat and a half especially if he does all his stage tricks. Although I think it's the evil nurses which the lads are looking forward to most! The mighty black metal Behemoth headlining the Friday will certainly ease us into what looks to be a weekend of black and thrash metal. But my main niggle with the festival is the Saturday headliner. Machine Head are good granted, but they're not the prestigious act we were promised and i'm a little confused why Bloodstock have been waiting for years to book a band which would be much more familar on Download territory.
BUT...I'm not going to complain as this year is chocka full of bands that are on my list of bands to see, here is my absolutely definitely do not want to miss list (main stage only so far :L):
Don't panic, I will review as many of the bands as I can when I get back and will give the festival a whole review also. That's one opportunity not to miss out on. If you have any opinions you want to share with me, again, if you think im talking utter bull then send me all the abuse you want! Will write some better reviews soon, especially since Testament are releasing their new album soon! Get to buying your Bloodstock tickets and maybe I just might see you there ;D Stay safe, Ta-Ta :P
Bloodstock Official Page
Don't get me wrong...I love the majority of the bands that have been announced but there's two little words missing for me...FOLK and POWER! Yes, I will admit now that I am a complete folk and power metal nerd. I like cheese and flutes as much as any WoW player, and totally get my jig on at folk metal gigs. But there just doesn't seem to be any this year which I have to say disappoints me a little.
Last year (which was my first Bloodstock) blew me away with its variety of genres, ranging from the extremely corny (but equally awesome) Power Quest to the blackest of Norwegian blackness Immortal through to the random world of Devin Townsend Project. Even my Mum found herself enjoying some of the bands and she's a Wham! fan most of the time. I think that's a good thing! :S
This year, we have the god himself Alice Cooper headlining the Sunday, which will be a treat and a half especially if he does all his stage tricks. Although I think it's the evil nurses which the lads are looking forward to most! The mighty black metal Behemoth headlining the Friday will certainly ease us into what looks to be a weekend of black and thrash metal. But my main niggle with the festival is the Saturday headliner. Machine Head are good granted, but they're not the prestigious act we were promised and i'm a little confused why Bloodstock have been waiting for years to book a band which would be much more familar on Download territory.
BUT...I'm not going to complain as this year is chocka full of bands that are on my list of bands to see, here is my absolutely definitely do not want to miss list (main stage only so far :L):
- Behemoth
- Alice Cooper
- Watain
- Testament
- Iced Earth
- Chthonic
- I Am I
- Evile
- Dio Disciples
- Mayhem
- Dimmu Borgir
- Paradise Lost
- Moonsorrow
- Sepultura
- Freedom Call
- Anvil
Don't panic, I will review as many of the bands as I can when I get back and will give the festival a whole review also. That's one opportunity not to miss out on. If you have any opinions you want to share with me, again, if you think im talking utter bull then send me all the abuse you want! Will write some better reviews soon, especially since Testament are releasing their new album soon! Get to buying your Bloodstock tickets and maybe I just might see you there ;D Stay safe, Ta-Ta :P
Bloodstock Official Page
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
Video Slaughtered the Metal Radio Star
Good luck to you if you're looking for a radio station that'll play the latest metal mixed with the good old stuff. Not just deathcore, grindcore and whatever other 'core's there are out there. It's taken some time, but I've managed to find a few radio stations that come close to perfection.
- Firstly, the online based station 'Onslaught Radio' is a good place to start, however I've found its more like a juke box/playlist of awesome music and not much at all in the way of live human interaction with a mic. They do plenty of interviews and gig reviews it seems, but like my blog, some of it seems to need updating. On the other hand, its a great source if you want an automatic playlist that you can do that assignment to, or cook to in the evenings
- Secondly, if you're a night owl, i'd try giving Kerrang! Radio a listen. However i'd avoid tuning in during light hours...avoid like the plague. Unless that is you like over played AC/DC anthems and You Me At Six...yeah, didn't think so. At night is when Kerrang! tend to spice things up a bit and make things interesting, featuring their DJ/Presenter Johnny Doom. Something to try if you're in the Birmingham/West Midlands area, you only have an FM radio and its midnight.
- Like Kerrang! Radio, Planet Rock can be rather hit and miss. Buut, if you love your old school rock then its the prime station for you. With a regular show presented by the king that is Alice Cooper, and tracks by Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Motorhead etc it's perfect for those who praise the ground our forefathers walked on!
- Lastly, and most definately not least is not a station, but a show. 'The Metalheadz' show on Calon FM is something i've only recently started to listen to, but already love and make it a regular thing of a Tuesday evening. (Yes, I am listening right now ;P ) It's up-to-date with a regularly metal updates on their Facebook page playing not just the mainstream bands but the obscure, unsigned and local bands you've probably never heard of. Local to Wrexham, you can tune in to 105.0 FM otherwise they have a listen live feature available for your listening pleasure. It's a down to earth show, with down to earth presenters and it deserves all the recognition it can get. Plus, their online presence includes interviews at metal festivals across the country with metal bands across the genre. All in all, my favourite thing of a Tuesday night! ;D
Sunday, 8 July 2012
I Am I?
Anyone who knows their stuff knows that Dragonforce have a firm hold on mainstream metal, backed by the infamously difficult track of theirs featured on Guitar Hero. Power metal at it's cheesiest form. Yet this sorta shifted in 2010 when vocalist ZP Theart left after reasons that were perfectly clear to the outside world...seem's like Mr ZP might have got too big for his boots? So anyway, Dragonforce held auditions to find a new singer and got on with it all, recording a new album and announing tours, whilst ZP Theart started up his own band. At first, I hadn't heard of I AM I before they got announced for Bloodstock, and naturally, being the nosy cow I am decided to look them up, wondering if they were just going to be a band based on Dragonforce's fame and popularity. And in a way, they kinda are. I mean, if it wasn't for ZP's fame and background in the genre, a band as new as them would be highly unlikely to play the main stage at Bloodstock unless they were something extremely groundbreaking. They're not, but they definitely are good, being a fan of power metal and all things cheesy I rather do like the over used string synth, nerdy guitar solo's and 80's style drumming. Certainly some material that I will be singing in the shower- loudly. To whet your appetite I'd try giving This is my life a listen. It'll bring back somewhat memories of 'singing' and air guitaring to Dragonforce in your bedroom, but enjoyable nontheless.
With their new album out already and a slot booked for Bloodstock, this is a band that'll rocket off into the sky, or will be forgotten about by the time the next issue of Metal Hammer is out.
Thanks guys for taking the time out of your busy lives to enjoy this post. Stay safe, Ta-ta! :P
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