To say I like Thrash metal is an understatement. Thrash metal is what defines the whole movement for me. The first proper metal band I heard was Metallica back when I was 8. Our lives were blessed with this music. My friends loved it, we all just got it. To those of you who are unaware of what Thrash metal is let me give you a quick crash course. Thrash metal began in the early 1980’s, primarily in the United States of America. Bands from the Bay Area ( San Francisco) and The East Coast (New York) combined the sounds of The New Wave of British Heavy metal ( bands such as Motorhead, Iron maiden, Saxon, Diamond Head and Venom) and Punk/Hardcore ( Sex Pistols, Black Flag, UK Subs).
With this article you only need to know about 4 bands. These 4 bands are the big players/innovators of the genre. You have Metallica, arguably who made the Genre. Metallica really took an embarrassing metal scene and made their mark by bringing it back down to earth. Instead of spandex and clad they wore t shirts and jeans. Their approach to music was what people wanted to hear because its straight to the point, aggressive, and dealt with subjects other than Sex, Drugs and Warlocks. As the band was beginning to gather steam they fired their second guitarist, Dave Mustaine. Mustaine didn’t take the ordeal well, fuelled by anger, rage and wanting sheer revenge on his former band mates he formed Megadeth. Megadeth took the core sound of Metallica, made it faster and a hell of a lot more complex. With members Chris Poland and Gar Samuelson they started to incorporate the sounds and timing patterns of Jazz Fusion. Both Chris and Gar were previously in The New Yorkers who were a Jazz Fusion band. Megadeth had a turbulent start from the very beginning. And it wasn’t long before the revolving door of never ending line up changes began. Chris Poland was fired during the debut album tour and in came Kerry King.
Kerry King was from the third band in this story, Slayer. Fed up he left and joined Megadeth. It was to be short lived though and King returned to Slayer after playing only a handful of shows with Megadeth. With his return to Slayer, King and the rest of his band mates crafted the jewel in the crown for Slayer. The 1986 album “Reign in Blood”. If you thought Metallica and Megadeth were heavy, think again. Slayer raised the bar to a whole new level. Their heavy sound, intensity and satanic driven lyrics were unparraled that era. This leads us to the last of the 4 bands.
The 3 bands I have mentioned so far were more or less scattered round the same area. Metallica being from San Francisco,Megadeth being from Los Angeles and Slayer from Orange County. While Thrash on the west coast was taking place it was also happening on the east coast, mainly New York. Anthrax had all the traits of a Thrash band but were a lot more light hearted, often humorous. Their fun sound and talented vocalist Joey Belladonna really struck a chord with the scene cementing them in the big 4. Let us recap now.
The Big 4 are:
Metallica
Megadeth
Anthrax
Slayer
Why ?
Each band innovated and pioneered the genre, selling more albums than any of the other bands in Thrash.
These bands have being going since the early 1980’s and to this day there all still going strong making new albums. Over the years between the bands, feuds and rivalries happened. Grunge music came killing the commercial success of Thrash and hard times hit all 4 bands. It wasn’t until the mid 2000’s Thrash really began to start getting popular again. New Thrash bands such as Municipal Waste, Evile and Bonded By Blood led the charge. With this, interest was restored in the original Thrash bands. I must stress the Big 4 never went away. They just changed musical styles to stay relevant in modern metal, to varying degrees of success and critism. It was only once the public eye turned back to Thrash, the Big 4 went back to writing more Thrash orientated music. It was a pretty astounding thing but these bands had never played on a same bill together. This was thought never to happen, but in 2010 what was thought impossible did. In Sophia, Bulgaria at the Sonisphere open air rock festival. All 4 bands played on the same stage,on the same night and history was made. The event was witnessed by thousands there and was also broadcast to cinemas worldwide. I watched in the Carlisle Vue Cinema with my brother Alex, his girlfriend Cayce and my good friend Tom. A truly unforgettable experience.
It wasn’t long after this night the mumblings started to happen. The rumours started spreading and the press started the blab about the obvious. When will it happen again. So this year after much speculation, the worst kept secret of all time became reality. The Big 4 are going on tour together worldwide with the Sonisphere festival. Well the UK for now, with more announcements to be made. The news came to me and I should of been happy. Why wouldn’t I be, 4 bands I love are playing together in the UK.
The truth is I couldn’t give a damn. I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about the event. Sonisphere can go to hell with their manufactured cash in. I have a lot of problems with this whole Big 4 thing now and I’ll explain why. I don’t like how the Big 4 is becoming a brand now. I mean the DVD release of the original night was fair enough but what now with new shows. T Shirts, pens, pencils, posters ? it wouldn’t surprise me. Another reason is the heavy metal media. They killed Thrash in the first place and they’ll do it all again once they’ve made there buck from it. They’ll parade the bands round and sing there praise. But as soon as something more lucrative comes along they’ll cast them aside once again and stop plugging the genre killing it. And most of all is the fans. Fickle people who will attend the show knowing like 3 songs per band and claiming to have been fans all along. I can’t be bothered with this whole charade and I’m sure a lot of Thrash fans feel the same. I’m sure most will go anyways and deal with the idiots which are fair enough. It’ll be a great show, don’t get me wrong. So this year I’ll be waiting for the bands to tour smaller venues with the real fans. The people who live and breath Thrash.
I could have a bee in my bonnet about nothing here. And a lot of people reading this with disagree with this article. I respect your views whatever they may be. I just don’t want to see something I love and we grew up with sold out more than it has been.
Matt.Adamson.
Monday, 10 January 2011
Monday, 8 November 2010
Download 2011 Predictions....... yes already
Yesterday in work the nailbomb was dropped. I was peppered with the questions, when do you want your holidays for next year ? The truth is how on earth am i meant to know that. We still haven't came out of 2010, yet its company policy to ask now ? So here i am wracking my brains out trying to predict when is a good time to book. The first thing that came to mind is the Download Festival, at Donnington Race Track in Derbyshire. If you don't know Download is, its the spirtual home of Live Heavy Metal music in the UK. Its been taking place here for years, sometimes under different banners such as The Monsters Of Rock Festival.But Its always been a key staple in the Heavy Metal Live year.
Since 2008 i have been going to the festival yearly, I love the place. I don't think theres many things in life now where your feeling your going back to basics. Its that time of the year you get to kick back with your friends, the sun, alchohol and well relax. How could it get any better ? the music.
Year in year out they manage to pull of a roster of bands which will fit everyones tastes in music. Some years may be weaker than others, but the 3 years ive been going ive not had bad time with the music. Theres never been a point ive thought theres no bands i want to see here.
With having to take time off for the festival all ready i started to have a good think about who could possibly be playing next year. Bare in mind what i'm saying is speculation. But logically there may be more truth than first meets the eye.
The Thrash 4 ? : For those who don't know the term Thrash 4. This is the term for the 4 big bands in Thrash Metal. This being Metallica,Slayer,Megadeth and Anthrax. 2010 has been a huge year in the revival or should i say survival of thrash metal. Sonisphere (Download Festivals Rival) In Sofia, Bulgaria. Saw the 4 big bands take the same stage at once in one night. This was thought impossible until 2010. Through these events the Heavy Metal Media has shone the light on these titans once again. You can't read any Metal magazine without some coverage of these bands. This is why i think its impossible for Download Festival not to book at least on of these bands, if not two. Thrash is definitly back for now and it would be foolish no to capitalize on it.
Ozzy Osbourne ?: This year saw the passing of Ronnie James Dio. One of the finest singers in the Metal world. The singer of Elf,Rainbow,Dio and Black Sabbath (Heaven and Hell) was revered world wide, and the news of his loss was a great shock to the Metal world. Since his passing there has been rumblings of what Sabbath are going to do now. It doesn't take a monkey to relise what the obvious thing to do is. One word. Ozzy. Osbourne will likely hit the stage of Download this year, whether under his own band or Sabbath is the question though. He's currently done well in the charts with his new album Scream and his recent UK Ozzfest has been a major sucess. Maybe not Sabbath in 2011 but i think Ozzy could be a big contender of getting a headlining slot.
Van Halen: Theres been rumblings of this for years, but next year this could actually happen. After a sucessful US tour after a very shaky start, with Eddie going back to Rehab. Its looking more likely Van Halen will be landing on European Soil for a tour. In a recent interview with returned singer David Lee Roth he's hinted the UK and further more a New Van Halen album is in the works ! Download will be no doubt keeping a tabs on this. If your reading this and you work for Download. Get them now !
Soundgarden: First off i'm not a fan of Chris Cornell. But damn has that guy wrote some good music. Black Hole Sun, Spoonman thats enough reason this band could be at Download 2011.
Other bands i predict for Download 2011 are as followed:
Alter Bridge
Nuclear Assault
Down
Bring Me The Horizon
Arch Enemy
Bon Jovi
The Cult
Mastadon
I could really go on forever speculating who is going to show up on the bill. But i'll leave you with this. If you want a good idea who could be showing up do your research. See when your favourite bands new album is out, what there tour schedules are. Of course it won't state Download as of yet, but if the dates are free theres the chance they could be there. Also interviews with band members, they can let a lot slip without thinking about it.
7 months to go, i know its early, too early but hope to see you there.
Matt Adamson.
Since 2008 i have been going to the festival yearly, I love the place. I don't think theres many things in life now where your feeling your going back to basics. Its that time of the year you get to kick back with your friends, the sun, alchohol and well relax. How could it get any better ? the music.
Year in year out they manage to pull of a roster of bands which will fit everyones tastes in music. Some years may be weaker than others, but the 3 years ive been going ive not had bad time with the music. Theres never been a point ive thought theres no bands i want to see here.
With having to take time off for the festival all ready i started to have a good think about who could possibly be playing next year. Bare in mind what i'm saying is speculation. But logically there may be more truth than first meets the eye.
The Thrash 4 ? : For those who don't know the term Thrash 4. This is the term for the 4 big bands in Thrash Metal. This being Metallica,Slayer,Megadeth and Anthrax. 2010 has been a huge year in the revival or should i say survival of thrash metal. Sonisphere (Download Festivals Rival) In Sofia, Bulgaria. Saw the 4 big bands take the same stage at once in one night. This was thought impossible until 2010. Through these events the Heavy Metal Media has shone the light on these titans once again. You can't read any Metal magazine without some coverage of these bands. This is why i think its impossible for Download Festival not to book at least on of these bands, if not two. Thrash is definitly back for now and it would be foolish no to capitalize on it.
Ozzy Osbourne ?: This year saw the passing of Ronnie James Dio. One of the finest singers in the Metal world. The singer of Elf,Rainbow,Dio and Black Sabbath (Heaven and Hell) was revered world wide, and the news of his loss was a great shock to the Metal world. Since his passing there has been rumblings of what Sabbath are going to do now. It doesn't take a monkey to relise what the obvious thing to do is. One word. Ozzy. Osbourne will likely hit the stage of Download this year, whether under his own band or Sabbath is the question though. He's currently done well in the charts with his new album Scream and his recent UK Ozzfest has been a major sucess. Maybe not Sabbath in 2011 but i think Ozzy could be a big contender of getting a headlining slot.
Van Halen: Theres been rumblings of this for years, but next year this could actually happen. After a sucessful US tour after a very shaky start, with Eddie going back to Rehab. Its looking more likely Van Halen will be landing on European Soil for a tour. In a recent interview with returned singer David Lee Roth he's hinted the UK and further more a New Van Halen album is in the works ! Download will be no doubt keeping a tabs on this. If your reading this and you work for Download. Get them now !
Soundgarden: First off i'm not a fan of Chris Cornell. But damn has that guy wrote some good music. Black Hole Sun, Spoonman thats enough reason this band could be at Download 2011.
Other bands i predict for Download 2011 are as followed:
Alter Bridge
Nuclear Assault
Down
Bring Me The Horizon
Arch Enemy
Bon Jovi
The Cult
Mastadon
I could really go on forever speculating who is going to show up on the bill. But i'll leave you with this. If you want a good idea who could be showing up do your research. See when your favourite bands new album is out, what there tour schedules are. Of course it won't state Download as of yet, but if the dates are free theres the chance they could be there. Also interviews with band members, they can let a lot slip without thinking about it.
7 months to go, i know its early, too early but hope to see you there.
Matt Adamson.
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Internet, Interthreat.
Ive been thinking about this for sometime now. Have you ever went online and see something distasteful it pisses you off ? sure you have. Its a common occurance these days. Personally as much as the internet is great i find it a royal pain in the ass. Most of all i can't stand people who bitch about major/minor problems online. I put my hand up, in the past ive done it. But for the love of god it is the most irratating thing ever. Sometimes i want to grab people and give them a good slap.
Come on man it could be a million times worse than what it is. I also dislike all the self made big men on the internet. You know what i'm talking about. The people who run there mouths off about anything. A tenner bet you meet these people there a bunch of cowards who wont stick to there guns on any matter. If you can't back it up do not run your mouth. Period.
Politics is especially something which is a pest. You get left wing people online shooting down establishments but when it comes to the crunch they wont do nothing about it. Whats the point having a innervoice if you don't act on it ? this is why the internet fucks some people up. Personally i'm somewhere in the middle, slighly more to the left. Previously i was more right wing, i oppose war now. It is a mindgame for old men to decide which countries dick is better. Grow up and talk problems through.
With the internet everyone knows too much about everyone. Its not right anymore. Theres no mystery to anyone, with a click of a button you can usually find out everything you need to know. More interestingly google announced recently with 11 pictures of anyone they can find out who they are in seconds. Now tell me is that right ? no.
What i'm getting at here is the internet is essentially a second world. It doesn't give you an excuse to voice every opinion because you can. You should write and treat it with respect. At the end of the day ask yourself, would i do this in reality ? its too easy to click a comment button down and attempt to sandbag someone. Listen and hear people out.
The internet was made for learning and sharing. Remember that, strive to be true to yourself instead of an internet fake.
Come on man it could be a million times worse than what it is. I also dislike all the self made big men on the internet. You know what i'm talking about. The people who run there mouths off about anything. A tenner bet you meet these people there a bunch of cowards who wont stick to there guns on any matter. If you can't back it up do not run your mouth. Period.
Politics is especially something which is a pest. You get left wing people online shooting down establishments but when it comes to the crunch they wont do nothing about it. Whats the point having a innervoice if you don't act on it ? this is why the internet fucks some people up. Personally i'm somewhere in the middle, slighly more to the left. Previously i was more right wing, i oppose war now. It is a mindgame for old men to decide which countries dick is better. Grow up and talk problems through.
With the internet everyone knows too much about everyone. Its not right anymore. Theres no mystery to anyone, with a click of a button you can usually find out everything you need to know. More interestingly google announced recently with 11 pictures of anyone they can find out who they are in seconds. Now tell me is that right ? no.
What i'm getting at here is the internet is essentially a second world. It doesn't give you an excuse to voice every opinion because you can. You should write and treat it with respect. At the end of the day ask yourself, would i do this in reality ? its too easy to click a comment button down and attempt to sandbag someone. Listen and hear people out.
The internet was made for learning and sharing. Remember that, strive to be true to yourself instead of an internet fake.
Monday, 7 June 2010
I think i can say i quit smoking.
Currently it is the 8th of june at 5am in the morning. The weather outside is clear the birds are singing and my room is stuffy,hot and annoying. I just can't fall asleep and for the past few hours ive been frantically been looking for things to do to at least try and send me off...... I'm still awake,lets write.
Today marks 21 days since ive had a ciggarette. I think i can say ive officially quit and you know i can actually feel a difference already.
Breathing has become a hell of a lot easier, its strange but you really don't notice until you quit. Its like having a weight taken off your chest its pretty amazing.
The first 3 days of quitting are hellish. Lets face it, its an addiction and with anything you have to throw away its going to be hard and i'm not going to lie it was.
I still get the urge to light up now. Its a hard thing to describe but you get extremely wound up and irratable, as time goes on its getting less and less as it leaves my system.
I think in all honesty this is the first time in a year and a half ive had Nicotine out my system for more than a week. I wasn't a heavy smoker but i could smoke through a pack a week. Malboro Lights being my favourite... well ex favourite.
Its a long time, a very long time. I can remember my first ciggarette now and i can remember saying i'm never going to get hooked on these. A year later i was clearly in denial until i realised i couldnt go 3 days without lighting up. It wasn't until i looked into the effects of smoking i relised just how dangerous it is. I watched someone die of stage IV Lung Cancer and it was the most horrific thing ive ever seen. They literally bled to death from the inside out, you could hear it gargling in their lungs as they breathed faithlessly. Its a haunting sound. Almost like blowing through a straw into a drink only on the inside. I knew i had to quit. But it isnt easy and 2 nights ago i gave in and bought 30 ciggarettes but strangely i left the shop i didn't light up. Nor when i got in the car or when i got home.
It'd been a rough day at work and download is coming out i'll have one. I'm very glad i didnt now as news would hit me which was a bit of a shock.
As i walked into the house i showed my mam the new Malboro Light packet in an amazed like fashion and she just glared at me. I knew something was up. Her uncle had just been diagnosed with Lung Cancer. My heart sank and i got this horrible gut feeling. I felt selfish and naive. It'll never happen to anyone i know i said, well it just did. I don't know him well but regardless its terrible news, i really hope they can do something.
It was at that moment i relised the games up, i handed the packs over to my mam still sealed and i'm going to try never to smoke ever again.
I sometimes feel i glorified smoking. I did. I was caught in the image and the awe with it. I guess you could say i was the Tobacco companies perfect candidate. I take it all back and regret it. Smoking was cool until someone i know started dieing from it.
The only way to quit Smoking is to go cold turkey. Nicotine patches wont work neither will overdosing Nicotine. It'll remain there until you smoke or the next patch goes on. To escape you must look the demon in eye and tackle it head on. Its not an easy task to do, but once your free you look back and think just what was a thinking.
Matt.A
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today."
James Dean
Today marks 21 days since ive had a ciggarette. I think i can say ive officially quit and you know i can actually feel a difference already.
Breathing has become a hell of a lot easier, its strange but you really don't notice until you quit. Its like having a weight taken off your chest its pretty amazing.
The first 3 days of quitting are hellish. Lets face it, its an addiction and with anything you have to throw away its going to be hard and i'm not going to lie it was.
I still get the urge to light up now. Its a hard thing to describe but you get extremely wound up and irratable, as time goes on its getting less and less as it leaves my system.
I think in all honesty this is the first time in a year and a half ive had Nicotine out my system for more than a week. I wasn't a heavy smoker but i could smoke through a pack a week. Malboro Lights being my favourite... well ex favourite.
Its a long time, a very long time. I can remember my first ciggarette now and i can remember saying i'm never going to get hooked on these. A year later i was clearly in denial until i realised i couldnt go 3 days without lighting up. It wasn't until i looked into the effects of smoking i relised just how dangerous it is. I watched someone die of stage IV Lung Cancer and it was the most horrific thing ive ever seen. They literally bled to death from the inside out, you could hear it gargling in their lungs as they breathed faithlessly. Its a haunting sound. Almost like blowing through a straw into a drink only on the inside. I knew i had to quit. But it isnt easy and 2 nights ago i gave in and bought 30 ciggarettes but strangely i left the shop i didn't light up. Nor when i got in the car or when i got home.
It'd been a rough day at work and download is coming out i'll have one. I'm very glad i didnt now as news would hit me which was a bit of a shock.
As i walked into the house i showed my mam the new Malboro Light packet in an amazed like fashion and she just glared at me. I knew something was up. Her uncle had just been diagnosed with Lung Cancer. My heart sank and i got this horrible gut feeling. I felt selfish and naive. It'll never happen to anyone i know i said, well it just did. I don't know him well but regardless its terrible news, i really hope they can do something.
It was at that moment i relised the games up, i handed the packs over to my mam still sealed and i'm going to try never to smoke ever again.
I sometimes feel i glorified smoking. I did. I was caught in the image and the awe with it. I guess you could say i was the Tobacco companies perfect candidate. I take it all back and regret it. Smoking was cool until someone i know started dieing from it.
The only way to quit Smoking is to go cold turkey. Nicotine patches wont work neither will overdosing Nicotine. It'll remain there until you smoke or the next patch goes on. To escape you must look the demon in eye and tackle it head on. Its not an easy task to do, but once your free you look back and think just what was a thinking.
Matt.A
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today."
James Dean
Friday, 14 May 2010
A Momentary Lapse of Reason.
If you asked me a year ago what i would be wanting to do as a career i would of been able to give you an answer straight away. At the present its a very different situation. The truth is i don't really know anymore.
Don't get me wrong i'm very happy with life at the moment. Ive got my girlfriend Nicky who i care very much for. Ive got my friends and family a job and well Gooch (Gooch is my Fiat Sceicento). But career wise i'm stumped now.
I was in a band a year ago, Sawn Off Idol. I really saw myself doing that for the rest of my life at the time. I was so happy with things, it was like a dream come true. We were anything but big time but singing in a bands my dream and well it came true. A year after it began it was over and i was left feeling empty. A dark void filled my life and it was difficult but i got over it.
To this day i still want to sing in a band, its still my dream. But its so difficult now, its just hurdle after hurdle. I can't get a line up sorted and my patience is wearing rapidly. A don't think theres ever been a band without problems arising though.
After Sawn Off i relised i need a back up plan, something to keep me going until things take off. When i'm 21 i'm applying for my LGV License (Large Goods Vechicle). Trucking is also another dream as mine, growing up around a scrapyard it runs in my blood,I can't escape it. Too most people i imagine when a Lorry goes by no one thinks much about it, with me i'm mesmorised by it. I remember being about 5 or 6 down at the yard always pestering the Truckers to let me sit in the Truck whilst they were getting paid off my grandad. Of course most would say no but every now and again one trucker would say yeah sure kid, let me show you my truck. Allister was my favourite trucker he took me for a ride in the truck one time, it was sweet.
Since i passed my driving test last year ive fell in love with the road. Theres something very romantic about it and majestic, it sounds weird but it almost becomes your friend. I feel at peace on the road.
This has been more or a less a frustration release blog. I feel a hell of a lot better after writing this out. More blogs will be coming soon of better interest, its been far too long.
Love and Bruises
Matt.A
ps. the blog title is the name of a Pink Floyd album, it fucking rules make sure to check it out.
Don't get me wrong i'm very happy with life at the moment. Ive got my girlfriend Nicky who i care very much for. Ive got my friends and family a job and well Gooch (Gooch is my Fiat Sceicento). But career wise i'm stumped now.
I was in a band a year ago, Sawn Off Idol. I really saw myself doing that for the rest of my life at the time. I was so happy with things, it was like a dream come true. We were anything but big time but singing in a bands my dream and well it came true. A year after it began it was over and i was left feeling empty. A dark void filled my life and it was difficult but i got over it.
To this day i still want to sing in a band, its still my dream. But its so difficult now, its just hurdle after hurdle. I can't get a line up sorted and my patience is wearing rapidly. A don't think theres ever been a band without problems arising though.
After Sawn Off i relised i need a back up plan, something to keep me going until things take off. When i'm 21 i'm applying for my LGV License (Large Goods Vechicle). Trucking is also another dream as mine, growing up around a scrapyard it runs in my blood,I can't escape it. Too most people i imagine when a Lorry goes by no one thinks much about it, with me i'm mesmorised by it. I remember being about 5 or 6 down at the yard always pestering the Truckers to let me sit in the Truck whilst they were getting paid off my grandad. Of course most would say no but every now and again one trucker would say yeah sure kid, let me show you my truck. Allister was my favourite trucker he took me for a ride in the truck one time, it was sweet.
Since i passed my driving test last year ive fell in love with the road. Theres something very romantic about it and majestic, it sounds weird but it almost becomes your friend. I feel at peace on the road.
This has been more or a less a frustration release blog. I feel a hell of a lot better after writing this out. More blogs will be coming soon of better interest, its been far too long.
Love and Bruises
Matt.A
ps. the blog title is the name of a Pink Floyd album, it fucking rules make sure to check it out.
Saturday, 24 October 2009
Zombie Apocalypse Now
Its funny isnt it ?
How Zombies have been driven so far into the minds of the human race, if you asked most people they would say the dead will rise from the earth one day.
Ok so not everyone, but ask movie goers and they'll swear by it.
Growing up in the 90's i played a lot of games based round zombies, Resident Evil,The House Of The Dead, Zombies Ate My Neighbours, the list could go on forever. At the same time however i was watching a large amount of movies which had some form of a Zombie in it.
I'm familiar with the phrase Zombie, your familiar with the phrase Zombie, everybody on the planet knows what a Zombie is.
The thing is with Zombies the majority of the population think its fiction, made up childs play.
But on the island of Haiti there have been numerous recorded incidents of the dead rising due to neurotoxins. These Zombies are able to walk and move, nothing more nothing less.
So ok there not the flesh eating kind thats gonna eat your brains out, but the dead have rose officially.
But what if the flesh eating dead did actually rise one day ?
Just think about that for a second. The more you think about it the less fun it sounds everytime it echoes round your brain. It would be a disaster on a global scale, no human being would be able to escape it.
Where would you go ? how are you going to eat ? what are you going to drink ? is it safe to drink the water ? the amount of questions this scenario raises is endless, its quite simply terrifying.
If it ever happened theres the possibility of society collapsing. This would lead to no power, no lights.
Fear would become the main instinct of everyday survival. Constantly watching your back not only for Zombies but Humans. We as a race are notorious for greed and power, we've killed millions of ourselves for these luxories. Its very easy to assume we'd be exactly the same if an event like this occured.
Insanity, Paranoia and other mental illnesses would likely increase throughout humanity.
Encountering Flesh Eating beings everyday would no doubt have a huge effect on a humans mind and behaviour. Night fall is when the real horror would begin though.
All those torches and candles you stocked up are going to run out sooner or later, ponder the thought of hearing these beings in the dark, unable to see them knowing there getting closer. I find the thought frightning and i'm sure some people who read this will.
So what are the chances of the undead rising you ask ? its hard to say exactly but its very unlikely. But here are a few ways of how it could.
CJD
Do you remember the term Mad Cows Disease ? its practically unheard of these days thanks to improvement and stricter guidelines to cutting beef. But before 1989 Between 460,000 and 482,000 BSE-infected cows entered the human food chain in the UK before health officials relised. That means some beef was contaminated with the always fatal virus, Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.
Its killer and it can take years to take effects, you die a slow and painful death as effectivly your brain rots away.
In some cases when the cows had it they would randomly start vicously attacking each other. A CJD infected human may not be an undead zombie but if these events started happening others could get infected spreading the virus. Most likely this would of happened by now and remains a theory.
Parasites:
Over half the human race is infected with the brain parasite Toxoplasmosa. studies have shown if you've got it your more likely to go bat shit crazy, maybe so crazy you'll start eating people.
Again this remains theory.
Neurogenesis:
This is the ability to regrow dead cells and tissue, its being tested and trialed now. Who knows what it could lead too !
Nanobots:
These are microscopic robots which are currently being developed for medical uses. Seems like a great idea until scientists created the very first Nano Cyborg. Scientists did this by fusing a tiny silicone chip to a virus. The first thing they found out is these cyborgs can still operate for up to a month after the death of the host.
Zombies don't seem that unreal after all then do they ?
After reading this i want you to relax if you've managed to get yourself worked up. This was wrote just as a bit of fun to let you think constrcutivly what you'd do in a situation like this.
I also want to raise awareness of the issues ive covered in this blog such as CJD.
Personally i don't believe the undead are going to rise anytime in the near future, however theres the possibility of highly contagious viruses causing plauges. Many media figures have said this would be similair to a "Zombie" outbreak, i agree with this.
But relax it might never happen ;) enjoy life !
Don't wait for that shuffling of feet and groaning
How Zombies have been driven so far into the minds of the human race, if you asked most people they would say the dead will rise from the earth one day.
Ok so not everyone, but ask movie goers and they'll swear by it.
Growing up in the 90's i played a lot of games based round zombies, Resident Evil,The House Of The Dead, Zombies Ate My Neighbours, the list could go on forever. At the same time however i was watching a large amount of movies which had some form of a Zombie in it.
I'm familiar with the phrase Zombie, your familiar with the phrase Zombie, everybody on the planet knows what a Zombie is.
The thing is with Zombies the majority of the population think its fiction, made up childs play.
But on the island of Haiti there have been numerous recorded incidents of the dead rising due to neurotoxins. These Zombies are able to walk and move, nothing more nothing less.
So ok there not the flesh eating kind thats gonna eat your brains out, but the dead have rose officially.
But what if the flesh eating dead did actually rise one day ?
Just think about that for a second. The more you think about it the less fun it sounds everytime it echoes round your brain. It would be a disaster on a global scale, no human being would be able to escape it.
Where would you go ? how are you going to eat ? what are you going to drink ? is it safe to drink the water ? the amount of questions this scenario raises is endless, its quite simply terrifying.
If it ever happened theres the possibility of society collapsing. This would lead to no power, no lights.
Fear would become the main instinct of everyday survival. Constantly watching your back not only for Zombies but Humans. We as a race are notorious for greed and power, we've killed millions of ourselves for these luxories. Its very easy to assume we'd be exactly the same if an event like this occured.
Insanity, Paranoia and other mental illnesses would likely increase throughout humanity.
Encountering Flesh Eating beings everyday would no doubt have a huge effect on a humans mind and behaviour. Night fall is when the real horror would begin though.
All those torches and candles you stocked up are going to run out sooner or later, ponder the thought of hearing these beings in the dark, unable to see them knowing there getting closer. I find the thought frightning and i'm sure some people who read this will.
So what are the chances of the undead rising you ask ? its hard to say exactly but its very unlikely. But here are a few ways of how it could.
CJD
Do you remember the term Mad Cows Disease ? its practically unheard of these days thanks to improvement and stricter guidelines to cutting beef. But before 1989 Between 460,000 and 482,000 BSE-infected cows entered the human food chain in the UK before health officials relised. That means some beef was contaminated with the always fatal virus, Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.
Its killer and it can take years to take effects, you die a slow and painful death as effectivly your brain rots away.
In some cases when the cows had it they would randomly start vicously attacking each other. A CJD infected human may not be an undead zombie but if these events started happening others could get infected spreading the virus. Most likely this would of happened by now and remains a theory.
Parasites:
Over half the human race is infected with the brain parasite Toxoplasmosa. studies have shown if you've got it your more likely to go bat shit crazy, maybe so crazy you'll start eating people.
Again this remains theory.
Neurogenesis:
This is the ability to regrow dead cells and tissue, its being tested and trialed now. Who knows what it could lead too !
Nanobots:
These are microscopic robots which are currently being developed for medical uses. Seems like a great idea until scientists created the very first Nano Cyborg. Scientists did this by fusing a tiny silicone chip to a virus. The first thing they found out is these cyborgs can still operate for up to a month after the death of the host.
Zombies don't seem that unreal after all then do they ?
After reading this i want you to relax if you've managed to get yourself worked up. This was wrote just as a bit of fun to let you think constrcutivly what you'd do in a situation like this.
I also want to raise awareness of the issues ive covered in this blog such as CJD.
Personally i don't believe the undead are going to rise anytime in the near future, however theres the possibility of highly contagious viruses causing plauges. Many media figures have said this would be similair to a "Zombie" outbreak, i agree with this.
But relax it might never happen ;) enjoy life !
Don't wait for that shuffling of feet and groaning
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Nothing To Gain - Vio-Lence (Review)
Machine Head are pretty much one of the biggest Metal bands in the world. There is no doubt Robb Flynn is one of the masterminds behind revolutionising Thrash metal and The important Metal revival of the entire Planet. He may of had his moments of lets say selling out, but equally he must be credited for marching through the verbal onslaught and creating the masterpiece, The Blackening. He's one of the few people who managed to reinstate his integrity after such an event, Raise your glass, Metal Up Your Ass.
Machine Head are a fantastic band and an explosive act Live, they really gave Metallica a run for their money when i saw the two play the same show back in febuary. Davidian being Electric Live, easily best performance of the set.
But i want to take you back to a simpler time, 20 years ago when Robb Flynn was involved in his first serious band, Vio-Lence fronted by Sean Killian.
The band consited of Sean Killian, Robb Flynn, Phil Demmel (who as of recent years ironically joined Machine Head), Dean Dell on the bass and Perry Strickland on the skins.
Vio-Lence werent just some other Thrash band, they were balls to the wall straight out insanity. Pushing Thrash metal to its limits. Vio-Lence were an explosive band with literally killer riffs and a speed unparreled on the circuit at that times. You werent that fast unless you were Violence. After 8 years the band broke up in 1993, having 3 LP's and 1 EP they found very little success and after a brawl with a Local Gang Flynn parted ways with Vio-Lence.
Inner Tensions and the Threat of being killed, Robb Flynn left the band with the Band crumbling soon after to form Machine Head in 1993.
With that brief history out of the way i want to start my actual review of Vio-Lences last LP,
Nothing To Gain, released in 1993.
The Album starts with the song Atrocity, first thing i noticed about this was how unusually slow it is for Vio-Lence. If anything it sounds like a blue print for what would become Machine Head. As the song builds up it explodes into a hard hitting chunk of a riff that simply melts yours ears. The bass sounds like machinery very similair to that of Nuclear Assualt, its fantastically executed. Drum wise Perry Strickland maintains his solid drum sound. Then all of a sudden Sean Killians comes in and what can i say. I was shocked.
Sean Killian on previous albums had a very whiny voice, he almost sounded like he didnt know if he was coming or going, but he made up for it with heart and passion he truly was a good frontman live regardless of having not the best of voices.
On this album he seems to of really focused of his good points rather than his weaknesses. He sounds like an aggresive version of Suicidal Tendencies vocalist Mike Muir. A good thing i personally like.
As the album fades out of track 1 it creeps into Twelve Guage Justice, clearly the best song on this album. Its hard hitting Vio-Lence at their very best, a solid song with some of the best solo's ive heard in a long time. It was obvious at this stage in there careers Robb Flynn and Phil Demmel were destined to play together, you hear the solo's it makes you smile with awe there great. The rest of the album all starts to have this very same dark feeling about it, its a very moody album with even a listen makes you feel theres inner tensions within the band at this point. But theres something about that aspect which really pays off. Its almost as if there saying its over but where going out with one hell of an evil sounding bang.
Too often though you find yourself with the slow driven songs sounding too similair, but musically there well wrote and recorded pretty well.
The recording quality of this album is very similair to any other Metal band at that time, somewhat underwhelming but somehow the music shines through as it sticks in your head. If music has that effect on you its a good thing. Other songs which shine on this album are Killing My Words which is more of a Sean Killian Brutal rant, Colour Of Life sounding more like early Vio-Lence (Eternal Nightmare era), and Pain Of Pleasure which has Murderous Riffs and a suprisingly good vocal performance from Sean Killian.
Esentially i must say this is the weakest outing of Vio-Lences releases but theres some gems to be found on here. If you love thrash track this one down, it can be expensive now cause its out of print but its an enjoyable listen which finds you headbanging without thinking about it.
The funny thing about Vio-Lence for me was i initially hated them. I just couldnt get round Killians vocals. But like a lot of things you grow used to it and you start to like it, it becomes familiarity. The unique thing is about his singing is he has a very original style which is actually very hard to sing if you try it, Unfortunatly most people including myself hate it when you first hear it. I urge people to go back though, i listened to all the stuff again and really enjoy it now. His voice combined with Flynn and Demmels riffs/solos, Dells bass and Sticklands solid drum sound made one hell of a force to be reckoned with in the 1980's early 1990's.
I Love Vio-Lence now, would go as far to say more than Machine Head by a Longshot.
Machine Head arent a bad band, there anything but there fantastic. But as times went on ive slowly started to dislike bands based round one person. A bands about family and the passion of doing what you love together, Vio-Lence had this. Machine Head to me just seems like Flynns selfish brain child, hats of to him, great songs, great musician. But Blood is Thicker than Water when it comes to music. Thats my opinion.
So what became of Violence ?
Robb Flynn went off to form tourque which evolved into Machine Head in 1994, His album Burn My Eyes earned cult status and arguably in my opinion has the best opening track ever made. Robb Flynn would not Rejoin his former band on the renunion which lasted 2001-2005
He was replaced by Troy Fua
Phil Demmel Reformed with Vio-Lence after 8 year hiatus in 2001 and played with them until 2005, he then was hired as a session musician on Machine Heads Through The Ashes of Empires and then asked to join the band permantly for The Blackening. Demmel is still to this day a member of Machine Head
Sean Killian left music for good after 1993 and settled down and had a family. He however later reformed Violence in 2001 for The Thrash of the Titans benefit concert for singer of Testament who was diagnosed with testicalar cancer that year.
The concert raised money to get Chuck Billy (Testament) The treatment he needed to cure his diesease. Killian continued with the band until 2005 when they disbanded once again.
He is once again happily living with his family.
Deen Dell rejoined the band once again in 2001 for the Thrash of The Titans benefit until 2005
Perry Strickland also returned for the 2001 benefit and remained till the very end 2005
Quite the fitting end for Vio-Lence,
Pioneers of Thrash Metal.
Machine Head are a fantastic band and an explosive act Live, they really gave Metallica a run for their money when i saw the two play the same show back in febuary. Davidian being Electric Live, easily best performance of the set.
But i want to take you back to a simpler time, 20 years ago when Robb Flynn was involved in his first serious band, Vio-Lence fronted by Sean Killian.
The band consited of Sean Killian, Robb Flynn, Phil Demmel (who as of recent years ironically joined Machine Head), Dean Dell on the bass and Perry Strickland on the skins.
Vio-Lence werent just some other Thrash band, they were balls to the wall straight out insanity. Pushing Thrash metal to its limits. Vio-Lence were an explosive band with literally killer riffs and a speed unparreled on the circuit at that times. You werent that fast unless you were Violence. After 8 years the band broke up in 1993, having 3 LP's and 1 EP they found very little success and after a brawl with a Local Gang Flynn parted ways with Vio-Lence.
Inner Tensions and the Threat of being killed, Robb Flynn left the band with the Band crumbling soon after to form Machine Head in 1993.
With that brief history out of the way i want to start my actual review of Vio-Lences last LP,
Nothing To Gain, released in 1993.
The Album starts with the song Atrocity, first thing i noticed about this was how unusually slow it is for Vio-Lence. If anything it sounds like a blue print for what would become Machine Head. As the song builds up it explodes into a hard hitting chunk of a riff that simply melts yours ears. The bass sounds like machinery very similair to that of Nuclear Assualt, its fantastically executed. Drum wise Perry Strickland maintains his solid drum sound. Then all of a sudden Sean Killians comes in and what can i say. I was shocked.
Sean Killian on previous albums had a very whiny voice, he almost sounded like he didnt know if he was coming or going, but he made up for it with heart and passion he truly was a good frontman live regardless of having not the best of voices.
On this album he seems to of really focused of his good points rather than his weaknesses. He sounds like an aggresive version of Suicidal Tendencies vocalist Mike Muir. A good thing i personally like.
As the album fades out of track 1 it creeps into Twelve Guage Justice, clearly the best song on this album. Its hard hitting Vio-Lence at their very best, a solid song with some of the best solo's ive heard in a long time. It was obvious at this stage in there careers Robb Flynn and Phil Demmel were destined to play together, you hear the solo's it makes you smile with awe there great. The rest of the album all starts to have this very same dark feeling about it, its a very moody album with even a listen makes you feel theres inner tensions within the band at this point. But theres something about that aspect which really pays off. Its almost as if there saying its over but where going out with one hell of an evil sounding bang.
Too often though you find yourself with the slow driven songs sounding too similair, but musically there well wrote and recorded pretty well.
The recording quality of this album is very similair to any other Metal band at that time, somewhat underwhelming but somehow the music shines through as it sticks in your head. If music has that effect on you its a good thing. Other songs which shine on this album are Killing My Words which is more of a Sean Killian Brutal rant, Colour Of Life sounding more like early Vio-Lence (Eternal Nightmare era), and Pain Of Pleasure which has Murderous Riffs and a suprisingly good vocal performance from Sean Killian.
Esentially i must say this is the weakest outing of Vio-Lences releases but theres some gems to be found on here. If you love thrash track this one down, it can be expensive now cause its out of print but its an enjoyable listen which finds you headbanging without thinking about it.
The funny thing about Vio-Lence for me was i initially hated them. I just couldnt get round Killians vocals. But like a lot of things you grow used to it and you start to like it, it becomes familiarity. The unique thing is about his singing is he has a very original style which is actually very hard to sing if you try it, Unfortunatly most people including myself hate it when you first hear it. I urge people to go back though, i listened to all the stuff again and really enjoy it now. His voice combined with Flynn and Demmels riffs/solos, Dells bass and Sticklands solid drum sound made one hell of a force to be reckoned with in the 1980's early 1990's.
I Love Vio-Lence now, would go as far to say more than Machine Head by a Longshot.
Machine Head arent a bad band, there anything but there fantastic. But as times went on ive slowly started to dislike bands based round one person. A bands about family and the passion of doing what you love together, Vio-Lence had this. Machine Head to me just seems like Flynns selfish brain child, hats of to him, great songs, great musician. But Blood is Thicker than Water when it comes to music. Thats my opinion.
So what became of Violence ?
Robb Flynn went off to form tourque which evolved into Machine Head in 1994, His album Burn My Eyes earned cult status and arguably in my opinion has the best opening track ever made. Robb Flynn would not Rejoin his former band on the renunion which lasted 2001-2005
He was replaced by Troy Fua
Phil Demmel Reformed with Vio-Lence after 8 year hiatus in 2001 and played with them until 2005, he then was hired as a session musician on Machine Heads Through The Ashes of Empires and then asked to join the band permantly for The Blackening. Demmel is still to this day a member of Machine Head
Sean Killian left music for good after 1993 and settled down and had a family. He however later reformed Violence in 2001 for The Thrash of the Titans benefit concert for singer of Testament who was diagnosed with testicalar cancer that year.
The concert raised money to get Chuck Billy (Testament) The treatment he needed to cure his diesease. Killian continued with the band until 2005 when they disbanded once again.
He is once again happily living with his family.
Deen Dell rejoined the band once again in 2001 for the Thrash of The Titans benefit until 2005
Perry Strickland also returned for the 2001 benefit and remained till the very end 2005
Quite the fitting end for Vio-Lence,
Pioneers of Thrash Metal.
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