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Immortal is Black Metal’s Greatest Gift to the Internet
Who is Immortal? Well, according to this brief description from the Know Your Meme Website, “Immortal is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1989. As a subgenre of metal, black metal is characterized by extremely fast tempos, double-kick pedals, and tremolo picking. Various black metal bands have been known to wear face paint (AKA corpse paint) in their performances, although this is not exclusive to black metal.” They had released the album Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism in 1992, along with a bizarre music video for their single “The Call of the Wintermoon.” Years later with the rise of the internet, they have become one of the greatest gifts not only…
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5 Favorite Non Big 4 Thrash Metal Bands
As a lifelong metalhead, I love Thrash Metal. Most people generally love or acknowledge the existence of the Big 4 Bands of Thrash Metal. Those bands are Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax. What is thrash metal? “Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is a subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and often fast tempo. The songs usually use fast percussive beats and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work. The lyrics often deal with social issues and reproach of The Establishment, using direct and denunciatory language, an approach borrowed from hardcore punk.” However, there are so many great bands outside of those big 4 bands that…
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Okilly Dokilly the Ned Flanders Themed Band is the Deepest Part of Metal
This is The Deepest Part. A column where I explore what I feel is the Deepest Part of a Topic or even an obscure internet community. In this edition I am covering a metal band you have to listen to at least once in your life. It is a band you didn’t even know you wanted. It is the Ned Flanders themed Okilly Dokilly. The Discovery of Okilly Dokilly You see, every week, on Spotify, I get a Discover Weekly playlist where they review what I listen to and they make 30 suggestions. I listen to them, and this curious song and image popped up… Now, being an avid Simpsons…
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8 WTF Pieces of KISS Merchandise
If there is one band synonymous with merchandising, throughout their 40+ year history, it has to be KISS. I admit, some of the things the marketing gurus have thought of are ingenius. However, there are some that I am not sure what was going on at the drawing board. I love them as musicians and performers. I was able to see them live for the first time last summer at Chicago Open Air. It was pretty damn amazing. Having said that, if you’re a true die hard fan, do you have everything here? Page a Day Tongue Calendar Yes, a page a day calendar of Gene Simmons’ infamous tongue. Does…
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5 Weird Black Metal Music Videos
Black Metal gets a bad reputation sometimes. It is sometimes unclear what they are going for in their work, and there is some genius in that. The early music videos for the genre, were just, plain ridiculous. Whether it is bad or not is subjective to the viewer, but they are bizarre. Here are 5 of my favorite Black Metal videos to watch at a party. Hecate Enthroned – An Ode From a Haunted Woods This is a weird one. The frontman, I presume, of Hecate Enthroned starts of by Vogue-ing for some reason… Then they show that they are doing some sort of ritual. You know how? They got…
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“Beyond the Pale” by Machine Head is Friday’s Ear Worm
It is Friday and that means there is a slew of new releases in all genres. Of course, we cover Metal, and I wanted to cover the new single release that has been stuck in my head the moment it hit my ears, “Beyond the Pale” by Machine Head. Does it stack up to other Machine Head greats? As a metal head, in the metal community, I often hear people striving for the “heaviest” music. For me, personally, I just look for whatever sounds good whether its Deicide in the Brutal Death Metal genre or something like BabyMetal of the Kawaii Metal genre. So Robb Flynn of Machine Head was…
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Is the New Arch Enemy Album “Will to Power” a Cut Above the Rest?
It is Friday, and that means new music! This time I am reviewing the new album by melodic death metal band Arch Enemy, Will to Power. I usually have to be in the mood for most death metal. The music style is definitely an acquired taste. However, I am always in the mood for Arch Enemy. I feel they have managed to separate themselves from the other death metal bands while still shredding like nobody’s business. How do they do this? About Arch Enemy The whole band is great, but there are two key elements that I feel help them. The very strong songwriting and guitar playing of Michael Amott.…
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Deadlift Lolita Are the Heroes We Deserve
Who are Deadlift Lolita? Let me take you back… A few people on the Western Hemisphere are familiar with Kawaii Metal. What is Kawaii Metal? Here is a brief intro from the Wikipedia page: “Kawaii metal (also known as idol metal, cute metal, or kawaiicore) is a musical genre that blends elements of heavy metal and J-pop that was pioneered in Japan in the early 2010s. A typical kawaii metal composition involves combining the instrumentation found in various types of heavy metal music with J-pop melodies and a Japanese idol aesthetic.” It is awesome and very delightful. Sure it is in a foreign language but the melodies and harmonies are…
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You Should Check Out These Metal Covers from OHP
Recently, by chance, with all of the social media accounts and people trying to break the mold out there, I was able to discover an metal artist called OHP. His name is Oren. He runs a recording studio In Los Angeles CA. In the studio he records, produces, and mixes different bands and solo artists. He also serves as a drummer for several bands playing live in the Los Angeles area. On his YouTube channel you will find metal covers of popular songs, Gear Reviews, and the random odd video. He record all my covers himself, including recording all the instruments, mixing and mastering the songs. In addition, he also…
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New Music Friday – Alice Cooper, Make Them Suffer, Byzantine, Masterplan
Every Friday I load up my Release Radar playlist on Spotify and listen to new music from my favorite artists. Then I go out an order the vinyl that is available to order to double support the artist. The few pennies I earn them on Spotify from listening on the god and the record sale I feel is a good way to go. So what are my recommendations that were released this week? I have legends here like Alice Cooper and up and coming artists like Make Them Suffer. “Paranormal” by Alice Cooper You would think after being in the music business for almost 50 years one would lose steam,…
