Appetite

Closing out the week with what is widely considered to be the best hard rock/metal debut ever. That of course being Guns 'N Roses 'Appetite For Destruction'. Everyone and their mother has has heard this album or at least half of it. Rising out of the ashes of two Sunset Strip bands, GnR featured one of the most bad ass lead singers in Axl Rose and one of the best guitarists in Slash. The band was the perfect mix of danger and awesome songs. You didn't know what you were gonna get with this band. Tracks like 'Welcome To The Jungle', 'Paradise City' and 'Sweet Child O Mine' continue to be played on the radio and be covered by many a band. Some twenty odd years later this album is still a classic.

This record to me is still one of those ones where you crank up on a Friday night on the way to the bar. There's just something about this record, it was the album every band on the Strip in the 80's wanted to make but never did. Sadly this was the best album GnR ever put out. Sure the Illusion records have their moments but nothing like this. Real shame that GnR has become somewhat of a soap opera and a laughing stock of late. This band had the potential to be the biggest band in the world.

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Green Vinyl Dream

Time for some obscure rock. Nothing fancy here just some good solid rock. Green Vinyl Dream hail from Southern California and gained some attention locally by winning a battle of the bands and being played on the world famous KLOS radio station. Aside from that there's not a whole lot on this band. It's kinda of either ya knew em or knew someone who liked em. The music here is best described as alt rock and rock, I'd even go as far as classifying it as Christian Rock. Lyrics are a tad upbeat and can be interpreted as Christian Rock. The self title debut is best suited for a modern rock radio station. The music is college rockish at times but still really solid nonetheless. While the band seems to have dropped off the scene recently, this album is worth a spin.

Like I said I wouldn't have known about this band if it wasn't for a friend who recommended that I give it a spin. I really dug it and it's one of those upbeat rock records. While I'm not entirely sure if they were trying to capture the Christian Rock audience, it still works as a modern rock album. Released in 2000, it still has a sound that sounds very modern. Given all the dark and satanic stuff I spin on occasion, this is really a nice change of pace.

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Blessing In Disguise

Time for a bit more of the proggy metal. Green Carnation were a band that formed out of the ashes of In The Woods...Hailing from Norway the band released a handful of albums before being put 'on hold' in 07. The band may be best known for releasing 'Light Of Day, Day Of Darkness' a one track album that clocks in at an hour. 'A Blessing In Disguise' is the follow up and features and heavier at times sound. The album is concept record of sorts. Solid album and in my books their best.

I got into the band around the time of 'Light Of Day, Day Of Darkness'. I was mystified by a band releasing a one song album that was a hour long. While that album has its moments, 'Blessing' is what drew me into the band. The music was heavy and proggy, while the lyrics were dark and poetic at points. I could relate lyrically to the album at that point in my life. It was a very dark and trying time. And while at this current point, those feeling tend to appear every so often, this is an album I can spin and feel better for listening to it.

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The Rev

Pulling a 180 from yesterday's posting and going with something a little more soulful. The first of three 'green' postings this week. Al Green without a doubt is in the top ten of soul/R&B singers ever. Along the likes of Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gay, etc. The man has been making consistent albums since the late 60's. Even his Gospel records are great. His 'Greatest Hits' album is considered by many to be one of the most well put together greatest hits packages ever. Originally released back in 75 and reissued twenty years later in 95, this album has all his hits. Perfect for chill out to or show off that sensitive side.

I grew up listening to Al Green and to this day I will crank up 'Let's Stay Together'. The man has such a powerful yet smooth voice.  Further testament to how great this man really really is. He's an ordained pastor, he survived an attack in which he was burned with a pan of boiling grits. Oh not to mention he quit making R&B albums for years and only put out Gospel albums. Some say that's career suicide, but not Al, he laughed it off and returned to making R&B records again. Solid greatest hits album and worth playing often.

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Blood For The Master

Starting this week off with some blackened death metal from the South. Normally not the first thing when you think of New Orleans. Normally you think Jazz, Dixieland, and to more metal extent the NOLA sound. Goatwhore hails from New Orleans and plays a more updated blackened death metal style. While their early records were on the more black metal side, the band has evolved some. Featuring members of Solient Green and Acid Bath, 'Blood For The Master' is their fifth album, only being released a few months ago. This album is pretty much straight forward in your face metal. It won't melt your face, but you may feel like you got punched in the gut pretty hard.

I've been following this band for a few years now. Once you get past the shocking name of the band, there is actually some good metal here. The band continues to progress more and more with each record. It's a Monday and this seemed like a good pissed off angry record to post. Worth a spin to blow off some of that Monday aggression.

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Demolition

Time to go across the pond for the weeks final posting. Girlschool were your typical NWOBHM band with the exception that it was an all girl metal outfit. Something of a rarity back in the early metal days. 'Demolition' was their debut record and probably their most well known featuring their two most well known tracks, "Demolition Boys" and "Emergency". The band gained some success over the years. But are also known for playing with Motorhead under the moniker Headgirl in 81. The collaboration with Motorhead has continued through the years. And as Lemmy will tell ya those girls can drink ya under the table. Classic early NWOBHM for all the true headbangers.

Posting this cause even in today's metal world an all girl metal act is still somewhat of a rarity. You'd think that over time more would exist. Now granted there are plenty of females who play metal, whether fronting a band or playing guitars or what not. The problem is with most of the acts it's seen as a gimmick or something to add sex appeal to draw it some listeners. And we all know that's complete bull. The majority of the women in today's metal bands are really talented and should be seen for more than just the sex appeal factor.So go out and show support for the ladies, they put up with a lot.

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The Ichthyologist

Feeling a little proggy for today's posting. Giant Squid are one of those unique Bay Area bands that seem to be impossible to label. Progressive metal with hints of atmospheric metal and good ol fashioned hard rock. The band has gained some high praises in the metal community for their work. 'The Ichthyologist' is their second album and features a few guest musicians, such as Anneke Van Giersbergen (The Gathering),Karyn Criss (Crisis), Kris Force (Amber Asylum, Neurosis), Lorraine Rath (Amber Asylum, The Gault). The album is a concept record about a man stripped of humanity and left with nothing but the sea in front of him. He adapts inhuman ways to survive the shock of human loss and total emotional tragedy, becoming something else entirely in the process. Needless to say this album is a trip. Recommended for the open minded fan.

I posted this as one of left field bands that people in the underground always talk about. The concept of the album is really interesting to. It's not something that you're gonna see a mainstream band put out. In a way it makes you think a little. It's always refreshing to see a band push the limits of what music can be. Storytelling seems to be a lost art when it comes to music lately. And that's really sad. The listener should not only be sucked in by the music, but also become entangled in the story and lyrics. Everyone has a story to tell, but it's in the way it's told that determines if you will be remembered.

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Opus Eponymous

Mid week and time for some spooky music. And time for something fairly recent. Ghost emerged onto the metal scene within the lat year or so under a cloud of mystery. Blending a mix of what can best be described as Blue Oyster Cult meets Mercyful Fate. Satanic but with a blend of that 70s rock. This is one of those bands you either dig or ya don't. Led by a namelesss Ghoul and his band of anonymous musicians. Ghost plays a throwback to occult metal. The stuff you don't want you're parents to listen to. The band has gotten high praise from the likes of James Hetfield and Phil Anselmo, so you can make you're own judgments from there. Bottom line, 'Opus Eponymous' is one of those albums you should listen to.

I was intrigued when I first read about this band. I thought how ludicrous it is to have an anonymous band. Surely if this information age, you can find out who plays in this band. Rumors swirl on who actually does and even if this is a gimmick, this works. You've captured the attention of metal heads. It's genius on a many levels. The whole thought of staying anonymous is nothing new in today's world. Posting this just makes me wanna go off the grid for a while and become one of the anonymous souls. Sometimes it's good just to get away from what's troubling you and shroud yourself in mystery.

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Mandylion

Time for something a little more atmospheric and a bit gothy in nature. The Gathering have been around since the mid 90's, originally starting out as a death/doom metal band. They released two albums under that genre one with male fronted vox and one with male and female vox. Then the band released 'Mandylion' in 95. This album marked a change for the band, leaning more towards a more atmospheric metal nature. It also marked the debut of new female vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen. Their third album proved to be the one that set the standard for female fronted metal albums. Front to back this is an amazing record. It also started a wave of incredible albums by the band. Anneke left after the 'Home' record in 06. The band soldiered on with a new female vocalist and continue to push the bounds of what music is. This is where it started though. Definitely an album to relax to.

I came across The Gathering probably around 2000, the time their 'If_Then_Else' album came out. If nothing else the album had a great title. But I didn't fall in love with the band, in fact it was quite the opposite. I found the music to be bland and if anything a cure for my insomnia. So I wasn't impressed. Years later the 'Home' album came out and I found myself digging a few tracks off of it. I decided to go back and dust off the older catalog. I figured I've grown as a listener. This time around the music hypnotized me and I fell in love with it. It's perfect music just to chill out to. Not to mention Anneke's lovely voice. Of course she's guested on numerous albums. In fact she appears on another bands album which will be posted later this week. Everything ties in. Good music for an escape and just to relax after a rough day.

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Brewtality

New week and time to move onto the G's. Starting off the week with some Skate Punk. Gang Green were a band out of Boston that had an affinity for skateboarding and a certain cheap beer in Budweiser. Starting out as mostly a punk back in the 80's, the band sort of transitioned into Heavy Metal during their time with RoadRunner Records. 'Another Case Of Brewtality' was released in 97 and marked a return to the skate punk roots of the band. This is pretty much a cheap beer drinking record. With lyrical themes ranging from being evicted to getting trashed to getting tricked into bed again. Best enjoyed with what else, a Budweiser.

I felt this was an appropriate posting since I spent my weekend at a Beer Festival. Heritage Festival in STL here was wonderful. 80 beers from 20 local breweries. Sampled my fair share of delight and did my civic duty and poured my fair share. This seemed like a good album to close out a weekend of boozing. I got into this band a few years back from an old co worker who has this wonderful collection of obscure punk and blues music. The album is just like a frat boys soundtrack. Nothing to be taken seriously. So raise a glass and rage on.

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The Mantle

Closing out this week a day early. Regular updates should resume next week. Gonna deviate from the norm for a bit and post some what of a classic modern record if you will. 'The Mantle' from Agalloch is nothing short of a masterpiece to me. I fell in love with this band right around this album came out and it's always in rotation. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, the band has released a handful of albums and a smattering of EPs since the late 90's. 'The Mantle' takes you on a trip through excellent guitar work, stellar vocals, and the sounds of nature. The music is hard to classify here and really shouldn't be.

This album for me has gotten me through a lot of dark times in my life. And I'm sure it will down the road. The past week hasn't been the easiest to get through, but I've been through worse. And while the album is somewhat somber in melody at times, it serves as a album that pulls me through whatever is troubling me. The best memories in life are made with music and in troubling times it's music that pulls us from the brink and lets us find our salvation once again.

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Force of Evil

And now back to some Metal. This one is kind of an obscure one to some. Force of Evil were a side band if you will, consisting of members of Iron Fire, King Diamond, and Mercyful Fate. Fans of Diamond and Fate know there have been many side projects over the years. This one stand out mainly because it's the guitar duo of Shermann and Denner once again leading the axe attack. The significance here being this was the first time the duo had played together in over a decade. The self-titled debut is pretty much what you would expect from the duo, great riffs and solos. The weak link here being the vocals. Not saying they're terrible, but far from being great. Fans of traditional heavy metal will find this to be right up their alley.

Currently the band is on hold. The last album came out in 05. The band has been busy with other bands and the liking. I posted this in light of King Diamond once again playing live this year and the fact the almost all of the original lineup of Mercyul Fate played with Metallica in Dec. Shermann and Denner are among I think the best guitar duos in metal. Go back and listen to the first two Mercyful Fate records. I still get chills listening to those. The guitar work is simply amazing. And while I'm not the biggest fan of the band, it's still worth breaking out every so often.

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Live In Vegas

Well short break turned into longer break as I'm currently in the process of relocation. So here's the final two F bands this week. Should return with some normalcy next week. This is gonna be the silly post if you will. We're all familiar with the cartoon Family Guy. After all it's one of the most successful shows currently out there and along with The Simpsons the only thing that's keeping Fox afloat. All Fox jokes aside, Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlene along with the cast and musical mainman Walter Murphy decided it was time to cash in even more and release a Live CD of the family preforming a number of saucy tunes. 'Live In Vegas' is just that, chock full of cameos and adolescent humor. While cartoons putting out records really isn't anything new, this one isn't all that bad. Much like the show it has it's funny moments. So if you're a fan, you'll enjoy this one. After all stupid humor gets me through my day.

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Mothership Connection

Mid week and time to turn this sucka out. How bout some 70's Funk? Parliament was one of the most influential bands to come out of the 70's. Countless acts have sampled the bands music. Led by the mastermind George Clinton, the band featured a revolving door of amazing musicians. Bootsy Collins tends to get recognized the most. The band live was a mind trip to see. Which brings me to one of the most influential Funk albums. 'Mothership Connection' start to finish this record takes you on a funkadelic trip til your mind is blown. Perfect album to get the party started.

So this album does tend to stray off the path of what I normally listen to. This kids is what we call a guilty pleasure. Oh yes, I do have a few of those. I've never denied what an amazing talented bunch of musicians Parliament was. I mean this album alone has about two dozen people playing on it. Here's how wide spread and influential this album really is. In 2011 The Library Of Congress added the album to the National Recording Registry, declaring "the album has had an enormous influence on jazz, rock and dance music." That's a pretty elite list right there. Research it and see what else is on there.

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Anywhere

Traveling out to the land of the rising sun for today's post. Yes time for some Japanese Heavy Psych. Better know as some early 70's Psychedelic Rock. Japan probably isn't the first place you think of for psych music. But there's quite a bit that's come out of there. Perhaps it explains Godzilla, I'm not sure. Anyways, Flower Travellin' Band were formed in the late 60's and specialized in their unique brand of psych music. 'Anywhere' is the band debut album and while 4 of the 6 songs are covers (Black Sabbath, Muddy Waters, The Animals and King Crimson) the album is a trip. If you can get past the Engrish lyrics at points, i.e. House Of The Rising Sun, there's a lot of trippyness going on here. Worth checking out even if it's for a cheap laugh.

I recently got into this band after finding their album 'Satori' on a now defunct blog. The tag line the author used was 'best listened to with a loaded gun at your head'. I mean hell I'm not passing this one up. Sure enough much like this album it's a trip. Definitely one of those lets take a sheet of acid and trip balls records. Psychedelic Rock has always intrigued me. It's like Garage Rock on acid. It's simple yet complex. And sometimes it's fun just to zone out with the headphones on and get lost. The band came together after the lead singer came back from London to see his friend John Lennon, who actually turned him on to psych rock. The Beatles are more influential than anyone will ever realize. The band only release a few more albums before calling it quits in the mid 70s. They did reform shortly before lead singer Joe Yamanaka died on cancer in 06. The band is well known amongst the psych rock circle as a pioneer of the Japanese Heavy Psych sound.

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Jade

New week still in the F's. Gonna change up the blog in some sense after some beer drinking suggestions. So starting the week off with some female fronted metal. Flowing Tears hail from Germany and play the standard gothic metal if ya will. The band started in the late 90's under the name Flowing Tears & The Withered Flowers before shortening up the name. 'Jade' was the first LP to be released under the new name. This is one of those dark gothic female fronted sorrow filled albums. The band is still together albeit with a new singer. The newer material is a bit more of the pop gothic metal sound.

I got into this band about a dozen years back, in fact the track 'Lovesong For A Dead Child' from this album is what lured me into this band. It was a good mix of depression and really well crafted melodies. The band's material is rather hard to track down stateside even though at one point the band was signed in the US to Century Media. I found their 'Serpentine' album during my first tour of living in St. Louis. I picked that up and that album pretty much continues the dark mood. 'Jade' is one of those albums I go back to when I want something female fronted but with a dark undertone to it. Perfect record for that sorrow filled night.

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Metal Polka Party

Enough with the doom this week, lets end it with some Humppa. Or as some may know it, polka. Ok not that polka, but metal polka. Finntroll hails from Finland, but the songs are sung in Swedish. Confused yet? The band combines folk metal with traditional Humppa. 'Jaktens Tid' is their second release and captures the band in their most Trollish era. Yes the music revolves around Finnish myths and Trolls and such. This is one of those band where ya wanna grab a few beers and dance like a drunken metal head. Like you ever needed an excuse to do that, but if ya did, enjoy this.

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Epoch

Time for some more doom n gloom. Fen hails from the UK and is named after the area known as The Fens, which are mysterious landscapes. The area proves to be ripe with inspiration for the music. The music can be best described as Post Rock/Atmospheric Black Metal. Think somewhere along the lines of Alcest and Agalloch. 'Epoch' released last year is the bands second full length record. The album is eight tracks long and clocks in at just over an hour, so you're in for some long awe inspiring tracks. Worth a listening if ya wanna escape the world for a bit.

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