You know something… I am sick and tired of the throw away mentality that surfaces about, in regards to the media in which we listen to music. Turntables are still being sold and so are cassette tape decks. I can understand if younger generations are not at all interested in vinyl records, cassette tapes or (gulp) – 8-track tapes. The younger dudes did not have record or tape collections to replace with CD’s… a very costly endeavor at that, which can take a lifetime to rebuild with CD’s, depending on how large your music collection was. However, in the last three years alone, I have purchased two “brand new” combination stereo systems for my daughters and guess what? Both of these combination stereos have built-in cassette decks!! Both stereos were purchased at Target, a major upscale department store that is supposedly in the know – on the cutting edge of having the latest home electronics technology! So, if cassette tapes are supposed to be so archaic, so outdated and symbolic of poor taste in music listening enjoyment, then why are they still being manufactured? To pacify us older dudes who have still hung on to our cassette collections? Out of sympathy for us nostalgic Metalheads?
My number one music genre, is of course, Heavy Metal and all related Heavy and Extreme Music genres. With that appreciation I have for my music, I still covet the Heavy Metal cassettes that I, to this very day… hunt down and find at thrift stores and yard sales. Hey, I have the means to still play them! As a bonus for me… my model year 2000 Ford Tauras has a built-in… you guessed it… cassette deck! Therefore, I am not wasting my loot when I purchase these Heavy Metal cassettes from yesteryear. No matter what thrift store I frequent, the standard price for each cassette tape is only fifty cents. Fifty cents!! C’mon, let’s be real, that is nothing compared to the sticker prices for the newly released, Heavy Metal CD’s you find today. My recent CD purchases, of the newest releases of Metal bands, have ranged in price from $9.99 upwards to $17.99… and we are not talking about any one of them being a double CD either! These CD prices will never thwart my addiction to Heavy Metal and frequent purchasing. The point I am making is simple… for fifty cents, I am still getting the same enjoyment from the music I listen to, albeit the sound quality of a CD versus the cassette tape equates to the CD wins. (I will not argue about the sound quality)
There are dozens of Heavy Metal cassettes that I find that are currently not available on CD. The cassettes I buy must have the original liner notes intact, in near mint to mint condition. Take my word for it, these liner notes are a piece of Heavy Metal nostalgia for the respective band on the cassette… I still get a kick out of reading the cool liner notes that have full lyrics and interesting credits. You would be surprised at what one may learn from reading the liner notes of these old cassettes… especially the ones that are currently not available on CD. I have posted in the past, the last laugh the turntable and record albums are currently having on the music marketplace… it is the Heavy Metal cassette tape that is silently having the last laugh as well.
Duff McKagan, you know, the very famous and former bass player for the legendary Guns N’ Roses and current bass wizard for Velvet Revolver? Yeah, that guy. Well, let me tell you, Duff McKagan has his brand new solo, (if you will), album out right now and it is in my Metal opinion, sensational. Really, these tunes that Duff McKagan provides with Loaded are just that – loaded. Loaded with quality Hard Rock driven tunes. These songs have catchy hooks and an almost unmistakable Punk Rock vibe happening throughout the entire album. Loaded is groove laden and if I am not mistaken, not over-produced! I can honestly say, that I hear a bit of overall polish missing and I love that!!
It is an obvious Metal music marriage, the paranormal being put to lyrics in Metal songs. Any King Diamond album supports this statement, that is for certain. Horror and the paranormal rules the Metal world’s lyrics with it’s mystery, shock, and imagery. This to me, is one of the great attributes to Metal music, the paranormal and horror has given personality and life to throngs of Metal bands as: Alice Cooper, Misfits, Kiss (with makeup), Lordi, Rob Zombie, Slipknot, Danzig, W.A.S.P., Cannibal Corpse and of course, King Diamond again. The list could go on and on, regarding which Metal bands represent the horror and paranormal subjects best.
Boy, would I just love to have a sit down conversation with the scholar or scholars who back in the late 1980’s, decided that vinyl records along with turntables, were no longer considered a technological advancement. What did the album ever do to anyone? How about the turntable? Sure, once the CD technology was introduced, (I will not lie), I was the first dude on my side of town to own a CD player and the very 2 CD’s that were currently being sold at the time. I just loved the selection of CD’s that were out there for the first decade, wow. It took about 10 seconds to peruse the 12 titles that were currently being sold. Well, like anyone else, I did sell/and or ditch quite a few albums due to the fact I could not upgrade my turntable for 15 years or so. However, I was smart enough to keep enough of the vintage Heavy Metal vinyl, plus I have obtained most of the vinyl that I parted ways with years ago.
I like to think of Heaven as my destination goal, once I leave this world of course. Yeah, it is cool for the Metal genres to write and sing about hell, hell’s kitchen, fires of hell, “Highway To Hell”, etc., etc., yet that is not where I want to be going. I often hope and wonder, will Heaven have everything that is “good” about our lives? Will heaven allow Heavy Metal? I would hope and pray that the late Jimi Hendrix is allowed to have his guitar and play up there in the clouds. I would not doubt for a second, that the angels and saints could not enjoy the late Joey Ramone’s singing. Music as a whole, has made planet Earth more enjoyable, music has definitely made my life more fun and inspiring, I am comfortable thinking I speak for millions of people.
Yes, I am an avid watcher of the Travel Channel’s: Anthony Bourdain “No Reservations”. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this show, Anthony Bourdain is a writer, chef and likes to travel. As Anthony Bourdain travels the globe, he encounters every culture and diverse eatery you could imagine, therefore, Anthony Bourdain eats well on every episode. There are several reasons why I enjoy watching Anthony Bourdain, for starters he has a laid back, chilled out demeanor about him, he always treats different cultures and people with respect, he likes all types of food and drink and narrates each episode with a tasteful and humorous dialogue. Honestly, this show is light years better than any scripted, shallow junk you may find on network television. After being a loyal viewer of Anthony Bourdain “No Reservations” for a few years, I was enlightened and thrilled by two episodes that were aired this past year. Here is the skinny on these two COOL episodes:
, and what a refreshing Punk Rock band this is! The constant Punk vibe you hear throughout “Music From Regions Beyond” is addicting, man, this album will grow on you. The first two tracks are obviously the heaviest sounding, both musically and vocally. “Hotprowl” and “Afterworld” rock heavy with sincere Punk Rock groove. “Hechizo de Amor” is a Spanish track, the vocals are sung in Spanish and the music has Latin flavor all over it. From the guitar to the percussion and bass, this song is a strong statement of musical diversity for Tiger Army. Like all the tunes on this album, it makes you move. “Spring Forward” has great lyrics, based on a moment of time and reflection. This song, like all the others, is just down right great stuff. There are no pretentious moments on “Music From Regions Beyond”. The overall quality of the songs and their lack of over indulgence into excessiveness is what makes this one great album and band. No question, for me this is as diverse as any Punk album in recent years. In my opinion, Nick 13 is a great vocalist, song writer/lyricist and plays one heck of a Punk & Rockabilly guitar. Jeff Roffredo plays stand-up bass and James Meza plays drums, I really dig this trio called Tiger Army! If you are into the Ramones, the Misfits, Osaka Popstar, AFI or a fan of Punk Rock in general, you really have to give Tiger Army a listen and get hooked by their infectious Punk vibe! Tiger Army will prove to you that Punk Rock is still happening right NOW!
Here is my opinion, as to why the legendary SEX PISTOLS belong in the METAL music family. There are 3 reasons that come to mind, (rather quickly at that), and all 3 reasons are factual. Here it goes, enjoy:
It is so refreshing, extremely comforting, to know that there are factually dozens of Heavy Metal and Hard Rock bands that MATTER, bashing out their new releases and touring, since the 1970’s and in some instances, the late 1960’s!! So much for critics who cite “shelf life” of Heavy Metal. There are so many legendary Heavy Metal bands out there that are in their 3rd or 4th decade of championing the flag of Metal for all of us Metalheads. I hereby SALUTE the following list of legendary and historical bands that were/still are instrumental in shaping and defining the world of METAL music – as we know it and enjoy it today. I say THANK YOU to these bands! It is my opinion, that these bands are still around today for they are masters of their musical craft. It is my METAL opinion, that each and every one of these bands belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (some bands on this list already are there). I may miss some bands that should be on this list, however feel free to comment on those bands who belong on this HEAVY METAL & HARD ROCK list and they shall be added. The criteria I am using is: The band is Heavy Metal or Hard Rock * The band has been around since the late 1960’s or 1970’s and still are performing as a band or members are doing solo careers and/or recording new material – the band is current. Here is the list (in no particular order), enjoy:
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
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