My Heavy Metal Journey

 First month of the year means first new music of the year. I love new music! So I'll get right into it. Here are my picks for best albums of January.   Haunt - Mind Freeze  Mind Freeze feels like an old school heavy metal album. Partially due to production, but mostly because that's exactly what it is. Dueling guitars, driving bass and drums, and perfectly timed synths along with the old school approach to vocals, all come together to make a great work of art.  There isn't any wasted space in the album. There are no weak tracks, it's a pleasure to listen to front to back. If anything the run time of 37 minutes leaves me wanting more. Which is probably why, as a write this, I am on my 3rd play through today.  Given their old school approach, I don't think drawing comparisons to NWoBHM is unfair. But I don't think that's doing them, or the album justice. The album has an oddly unique, yet familiar sound and feeling.  The album starts with Light ...

 It appears to me that music gets criticized much more unfairly than any other form of mainstream or publicly consumable media. Especially metal. I am sure hip hop fans can relate to a great degree as well. But even the most mundane and wholesome forms of music seem to come under increased scrutiny in comparison to movies, tv or visual art.  I know many of us have heard someone say music is evil, satanic, too sexual, condones murder, and an absurd number of other bullshit. It's constant and there are people out there who truly believe it will warp the minds of the youth. I am certain if someone sites anything, music, video game, tv, art, as the reason they commit a crime or act like a jackass, it's only because they are passing blame to avoid responsibility for their actions.  I won't pretend like the music we listen to doesn't have some kind of influence on us. But no more than the tv shows we watch, the poetry we read, or the preacher we listen to.  There hav...

 I found myself looking for a new podcast to listen to. Specifically a music podcast. So I hit Spotify and looked at the top music podcasts. I ran across a podcast called "Your Favorite Band Sucks". A little research led me to believe it was a comedy podcast hosted by some guys named Mark and Tyler. So I figured what the hell. I'll give it a shot.  Comedy is seriously becoming a term we use far too loosely. Nothing these guys say is funny. They do laugh at themselves often. I guess that's what makes it funny. Ok... I have laughed 3 or 4 times.  One of their big complaints is that bands mimic, steal or borrow from other artists. Well no shit Sherlock. That's how influence works. It's the most natural thing to hear something you like and want to create your own version. They often throw fits about how a band is credited with starting something when it isn't true. Ok. That's fair and in some cases a fun fact, but has exactly dick all to do with wheth...

 Well. I had planned to write about something completely different today. But life doesn't care what I had planned.  Today the world learned that Neil Peart, legendary drummer and lyracist of Rush had passed away on January 7th of brain cancer.  For me personally this is devastating. When I first expressed an interest in playing drums my father introduced me to Rush. Basically saying you don't get to be a drummer without looking up to this guy. He was absolutely correct. The Professor got his nickname for a reason. No drummer worth a damn doesn't count him amongst their influences. I imagine few musicians do.  I'm not usually all that shook up over celebrity deaths. Musicians are the only ones that ever get to me and even then it's not usually that bad. The Rev got to me. So did Chester Bennington. But otherwise I may feel a pinch of sadness and reflect a little on what these guys and gals mean to me. That's usually it.  It's different today ...

 Here we go! My best of that nobody asked for.  Before I get to my top albums I'm throwing in some bonus catagories that everyone needs to check out.  I will link to the first few. These are bands that deserve your attention. So I'll make it as easy as possible on you. The rest I am sure you know how to find. Single of the Year Dispositions - For You YouTube   This is a bruising track with tons of emotion. You just may cry while you're headbanging. I am looking forward to hearing what these guys have in store for the future. Local Album of the Year Mother Freud - Mother Freud Spotify YouTube  Go back and read my review of the Bayside tour at Gas Monkey Live. It'll tell you everything you need to know about the band.  I am trying to personally push them over 1000 listens on Spotify. But they deserve hundreds of thousands.  From what I have been able to gather they formed in January and wrote and...