Iron Maiden wants you for dead

III

Mon, 02 May 2005 08:00:02 GMT

Anybody else gonna be at the 12:01am show on May 18th(technically the 19th) or am I the only nerd up in this bitch?

Best Picture, Scott and Eli, Cobra power and 3S

Mon, 28 Feb 2005 23:51:51 GMT

I had hoped/predicted that Morgan would win best supporting actor, Hillary would win Best Actress(again) and that it would win Best Picture(f*ck the Aviator). But I thought Scorcese would win Best Director. Awesome job to Clint though. He's just as deserving.

Last weekend I got to hang out with my brother and nephew. We did various familyish activities at the Palisades Mall like go to the 4-D theater and go racing on the 4th floor. Good times. Speaking of cars Eli was quite fond of my car and wanted to drive it. So he sat on my lap and I pushed the pedals for him as he turned the wheel while we parked the car in the garage. This was pretty cool for me because it was something my Dad used to do with me in his 1971 Chevelle SS back when I was real young.

Also if anybody out there actually reads this and has Xbox live, get SF Anniversary Edition ASAP

Snow is falling incredibly fast and I just wish it was summer already

MDB

Thu, 24 Feb 2005 03:40:06 GMT

After watching Million Dollar Baby, all I can say is wow. What an incredible movie. I haven't seen a film as good as MDB in years if ever. It will be up there with Braveheart, The Godfather and every other movie I consider to be my favorites. I'm way too amazed right now to review it. All i'll say is Mo Cuishle. See the film to understand what i'm talking about. It's gaelic. Irish pride.

Maggie Fitzgerald: You gonna leave me again?
Frankie Dunn: Never.

These are stupid but whatever

Mon, 17 Jan 2005 20:07:36 GMT

You scored as Punk/Rebel.

</td>

Punk/Rebel

94%

Loner

81%

Stoner

75%

Goth

75%

Ghetto gangsta

63%

Prep/Jock/Cheerleader

63%

Drama nerd

25%

Geek

19%

What's Your High School Stereotype?
created with QuizFarm.com

Just passing time as I wait for Chrissy to come over

Thu, 16 Dec 2004 02:14:03 GMT

These are gay but if manly Air Force Irish men like Jim can do them, I guess I can 2.

1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before?
Did a decent job in college

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Well I do wanta try to work out all year long for 05 as opposed to my sporadic schedules of past days.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousin Lawrence

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My Aunt Pat whom I miss a great deal.

5. What countries did you visit?
The United States of New York

6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
I'd like to spend more time at the beach and maybe go on vacation somewhere.

7. What dates from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory forever?
Sep 11(Aunt Pat and Twin Towers anniversary of course), Oct 14(one year anniversary)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
School

9. What was your biggest failure?
being a boner

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
few hangovers

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My car

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
several people

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
" "

14. Where did most of your money go?
Car, video games, girlfriend

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Car

16. What song will always remind you of 2004?
Do they still make music these days?

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? I had already started training last year and was on creatine I believe so thinner unfortunately(that will soon change)
c) richer or poorer? uhhhh. I guess both

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Gone to the gym more often and not sporadically as I mentioned b4

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
be pissed off

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
with famly at home

22. Did you fall in love in 2004?
no I did in 2003 but it remained

23. How many one-night stands?
none

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Seinfeld will never be defeated.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
no

26. What was the best book you read?
Why Courage Matters by the awesome McCain

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
perhaps Necrophagist

28. What did you want and get?
My car

29. What did you want and not get?
I'm pretty satisfied materially

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Anchorman vecause Will Ferrell is good and Life Aquatic was good as well

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I will be 22 in 2 weeks exactly

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
more time for masturbation

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?
Expect the Unexpected fuckers

34. What kept you sane?
My Mom, Christina and Mikey

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Pars Hilton. I would hear people talk about how they like her work and I couldnt figure out what it was she did besides be a whore.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Dubya I suppose.

37. Who did you miss?
63rd

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Everybody at work is cool

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004:
Relatonships take work.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

Since day one I've been crass and far beyond.
I couldn't laugh, I couldn't cry ...
Before you judge me, take a look at yourself.
Condescending, outlivin' in a lie..

Despite all the pain in my heart grinding through,
it ain't due that you hate what I hate what you do

And everyday when the knife in my back starts to twinge n' turn,
My eyes are catching fire and my heart starts to burn.
A foot away from you is like a bit closer to heaven,
Then again it's like being needled 24/7

You look down to me to see the scum of the earth to be.
Fuck yeah, that's me, vile and obscene.
I ain't happy about it but at least I don't judge and decree
to be better than another human being.

Despite all the piety you've been consuming thus far,
Can anyone, somebody tell me what the fuck is going on?

Everyday when the knife in my back starts to twinge n' turn,
My eyes are catching fire and my heart starts to burn.
A foot away from you is like a bit closer to heaven,
Then again it's like being needled 24/7

Children of Bodom - Needled 24/7 bitches and niggas wordddddd

Fri, 12 Nov 2004 20:59:55 GMT

Had incredible sex and then I played Halo 2 for a few hours online and now i'm about to hop in my stang. Oh man times are good.

A salute to the Grand Prix

Tue, 09 Nov 2004 03:39:39 GMT

Well it's gone. My 95 Red Grand Prix that i've had for the past 5(almost 6) years has been sold. It's crazy because i've had an insane amount of memories in it. Some good, some bad...but overall, just lots of awesome experiences. I've also grown up a great deal in that time frame. I was just 16 when I got it and I look back at myself at that age and think shit, if I had known then what I know now. That makes me feel old. Dear lord. I am almost 22. Holy shit. But I digress. Tomorrow I get my new car and I can't wait to have some badass memories in that one.

The Legend Lives...

SVT Cobra

Never be forgotten old friend...

Tue, 02 Nov 2004 17:47:44 GMT

So Halloween was pretty cool. That's me and Chrissy on the left, Brendan Maloney bending over with Sean Hay licking his butt and Sarah and the other Krissy on the right. Good times.

It looks as if i'm finally gonna go through with the selling of the car. What car i'm gonna get now is trcky. I don't know if I want a convertible or an SUV. Do I want to be prepared for winter or summer? I've always wanted a convertible. But on the other hand, driving in my front wheel drive car now in the snow is a bitch. So this rear wheel drive convertble is gonna be even worse :( I just dont know.

Also the Bodom headlining show is gonna be crushing beyond belief. November 15th fukers.

Sun, 24 Oct 2004 09:08:36 GMT

I highly recommend everyone go to blockbuster and get rid of your crap dvds that you dont watch anymore to get awesome shit. I now have San Andreas and Halo 2 paid for because I got rid of my crap dvds. Yeahhh babyyyy!

Mon, 23 Aug 2004 05:53:11 GMT

Life's crazy sometmes man. It's amazing how things change. People leave. It really sucks. This whole people going to colleges deal isn't easy. I realized tonight how much i'm gonna miss Sean Farrell. We've been friends for years and in the past year we haven't hung out as often as we did the first few years and I regret that greatly. I guess that whole you don't know what you got till it's gone holds true for friends as well.

I guess i'm mad at myself more than anything. There's no way I should be going to RCC this semester. I should be done and be going to a 4 year. But i'm not. And I basically only have myself to blame. I'm certaintly smart enough. I'm just lazy and haven't been motivated. It's not that I necessarily want to go to Buffalo(where Farrell is going), I would only want to go because he's my friend and it would be awesome to room with him. I guess that's the problem. I don't really have a fucking clue what I want to do with my life. It's hard to have drive and be motivated when you don't know where your going. I know where I come from, but I don't really know where i'm going. And I guess I wish I had more of an idea of what I wanted to do and what I wanted to be.

I'm gonna kick RCC's ass this semester. All A's. And from there, who knows? Maybe i'll go up to Buffalo and see the Farrellster. Either way, now that i'm with the love of my life, I'm definitely going to include her into the scenario but when it comes right down to it, I gotta do whats best for me. She herself said she may go to a school in Florida. There's a good chance it's a path i'm gonna have to go down by myself. But that's something i'm used to.

Take it easy for a little while Metal brother. I hope(and i'm sure) our paths cross again real soon.

Yeah...

Sat, 26 Jun 2004 05:25:41 GMT

Fahrenheit 9/11 was incredible. I can't even describe all of the emotions that I felt whle watching it. To say that people MUST SEE IT is an understatement. They gave out bumper stickers that said SAVE THE USA Vote Bush Out which I will definitely put to good use. I could go into detail a little more but at this moment am I unable 2. I do think that Michael Moore and this documentary will take away votes from Bush and for that, he should be commended.

Mon, 14 Jun 2004 08:37:28 GMT

"I love the power glove. It's so bad."

The Wizard definitely needs to come to DVD. I miss the days(80's baby) when the NES and Fred Savage were riding high.

This next one is about a mountain built upon deception and greed...the Crystal.

Sat, 08 May 2004 08:32:50 GMT

Things have been gong really well. My new job pays real shitty but it's fun. School's tough(because I make it that way) but i'm managing. This friday will be 7 months for us. For our 6 month anniversary we saw the off Broadway play Embedded. Really amazing. Everything's been pretty damn good.

One of the most intelligent and funny shows of all time in my opinon, Frasier, goes off the air next week which is sad. But other then that, life's good. Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow has replaced Socom as the most crushing online game for me.

Hmmm...what else? Oh yes. Alcohol. Well I haven't had a drink in 5 months. Since New Year's to be exact. And it feels good. I've never felt as alive as I do right now. I believe i'm at a point where I can drink a little more moderately(maybe) and be alright. So i'm gonna have a drink or 2 one of these days.

I can't fuckin wait for Troy. I'm very sure that it's gonna be a killer movie and i'm also eagerly awaiting the Kill Bill DVD set with 1 and 2 and all the extras. Musically...new Unearth and The Cure are all I know of that has caught my eye. I guess I'll go see In Flames again(this will be the 5th time) even though their set is probably not gonna be that great(or dfferent). And that's about it.

And I know this is really late, but Bill Murray should have won Best Actor. Later Droogies Sez Mustaine.

Tribute to Death and Chuck

Mon, 16 Feb 2004 22:38:19 GMT

CKY's DERON MILLER Speaks Out On Upcoming DEATH Tribute: 'This Is The Real Deal' - Feb. 6, 2004

CKY guitarist/vocalist Deron Miller is widely credited for conceiving the upcoming DEATH tribute project, "Within The Mind - An Homage To The Musical Legacy Of Chuck Schuldiner", as a means to help guitarist James Murphy (ex-TESTAMENT, DEATH, OBITUARY) raise money for his medical bills (Murphy is currently receiving treatment for a massive brain tumor with which he was diagnosed in August 2001).

The project, which has the blessing of the family of late DEATH mastermind Chuck Schuldiner (who passed away in December 2001 after a battle with pontine glioma, a rare type of brain tumor), is expected to feature a number of special guest appearances, including those by Miller, Murphy, Dave Culross (MALEVOLENT CREATION, ex-SUFFOCATION), Mikael Thomson (SLIPKNOT), Paul Gray (SLIPKNOT), Brett Hoffmann (ex-MALEVOLENT CREATION), Ross Dolan (IMMOLATION), Mike Chlasciak (PAINMUSEUM, ex-HALFORD), and Terry Butler (SIX FEET UNDER, ex-DEATH, MASSACRE). Other musicians that are interested in participating (if their touring and/or recording schedules allow) include Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY, PAIN), Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT), Eric Peterson (TESTAMENT, DRAGONLORD), Luc Lemay (GORGUTS), Andy LaRocque (KING DIAMOND), Richard Christy (ICED EARTH, ex-DEATH, CONTROL DENIED), Rya and Chad of MUDVAYNE, Patrick Mameli (ex-PESTILENCE), and Jean-Francois Degenais (KATAKLYSM).

According to Murphy, "The track selection will span DEATH's career from 'Scream Bloody Gore' to 'Symbolic', the thought being that the 'Sound of Perseverance' songs are too recent to consider for a tribute CD." A June release through Holland's Mascot Records is expected.

Speaking exclusively to BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Miller explained his reasons for launching the project: "I never got to meet Chuck Schuldiner," Deron said. "He never knew I existed, and that will bother me for the rest of my life because I was one of his biggest fans and supporters. [DEATH's] 'Spiritual Healing' changed my life forever when it came out in early 1990. It was way ahead of its time...and still is...and from there I went on to learn every note, word, and solo on every DEATH record by heart. After living through the horror of Chuck's last days and hearing of the Schuldiners' financial misfortune...topped with James Murphy's illness and financial struggle, a tribute to Chuck and the music of DEATH became an imperative no-brainer. Rest assured: this project will be nothing less than top-notch, and of course...as usual, naysayers will be proven wrong. This is the real deal."

Oh yeah, fuck yeah!

Mon, 26 Jan 2004 08:00:37 GMT

So this weekend was...Maiden!!! Un fuckin believable. Amazing from start to finish. I saw them both Friday and Saturday night and both nights were very different yet very incredible. I was supposed to get in for free both nights, but I only got in for free Saturday. Big deal. I have no problem paying the 80 bucks for Maiden. I look it at like I paid $40 each night.

So friday we went and were up in the mezzanine. I preferred this to floor only because I didnt get their early enough to get a good spot up front so it would have sucked. It was actually kinda cool being up top. Good view and I didnt have a bunch of dudes super close to me that desperately needed to get laid. Nuff said. Arch Enemy opened and were crushing. Typical set list. Ravenous and shit from Anthems. Maybe other stuff I dunno I've seen them like 6 times I didnt really care as I was eager to see the Iron ones.

They hit the stage and it was killer beyond belief. Seeing Bruce in his outfits was quite entertaining and very Metal. Not one song off my favorite album Powerslave but what can ya do? Aces High would have ruled. I was expecting 2 Minutes to Midnight again but i'm glad they didnt play it as ive heard it about 6 billion times from Vice City and its my least favorite off the album. The title track or Rime of the Ancient Mariner would have been sick. Nothin off Somewhere in Time either. Ok enough of the negative. The positive was that they played my 2 favorites off the new one; Paschendale and the title track, Dance of Death. A bit too much off the new one though. Can I Play with Madness was a pretty cool surprise. Dunno if its better than The Clairvoyant as a pick for a song off 7th Son, but i'm just glad it was different. I like new things. I know that i'm gonna hear The Trooper and Hallowed be Thy Name and Fear of the Dark because this is what makes the fans wet their pants. Personally, i'd rather hear different shit but thats just me. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing Maiden no matter what they play. But if I could pick their setlist, it would look like this. Here's a side by side comparison of the actual setlist and my setlist:

Actual set
Wildest dreams
Wrathchild
Can I play with madness?
The trooper
Dance of death
Rainmaker
Brave new world
Paschendale
Lord of the flies ?!?!
Journeyman
The number of the beast
No more lies
Hallowed be thy name
Fear of the dark
Iron maiden
Run to the hills

My Dream set
Aces High
The Prisoner
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
Ghost of the Navigator
To Tame a Land
Powerslave
Only the Good Die Young
Paschendale
Genghis Khan
Charlotte the Harlot
22 Acacia Avenue
Dance of Death
Transylvania
Alexander the Great
Purgatory
Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Phantom of the Opera

Real Maiden fans will know why I had Charlotte the Harlot and then 22 Acacia Avenue right afterwards. Classic. In my set you got all the epics minus Hallowed be Thy Name cuz people suck its dick too much and I really think its one of the weaker epics when compared to Phantom, Rime, Tame a Land, etc. So on saturday, I didnt pay shit and got a backstage pass. This is what it looks like.

I put it up in my room on one of my Maiden posters:

And this is a pic of Nicko throwing his drumstick into the crowd.

I would have gotten some killer pictures had I brought my camera on Saturday, but unfortunately i'n retarded and only brought it on friday.

Today I had a great time with the one that I love and tomorrow is the first day of classes for the new semester. Ooooooohhhhhhh Yeahhhhhhh. Later droogies.

Iron FUCKIN Maiden

Fri, 23 Jan 2004 09:21:03 GMT

So tomorrow(or today) is Iron Maiden day #1. I'll be going to both the friday and saturday shows free due to my friend Brendan being the fucking man and a half. We'll be backstage and at one of the shows i'll be drunk and sober at the other. Havent decided which yet. Everything in moderation. Maybe. Then i'll be at the tuesday show as well with my old pal Farrell. Cuz 3 out of 4 ain't bad...

Another sick B-Day gift

Tue, 06 Jan 2004 19:39:47 GMT

Well for about 2 weeks now i've known about a gift that Brendan has been planning to give me for my birthday. According to him it wouldnt be ready in time for my birthday but that when I got it, it would be worth it. Well I finally got it last night and it's pretty damn awesome.

Brenden asked for a picture of me with my arm around somebody and I sent one to him. He then got a picture of Chuck and gave it to an artist who drew that out. It's one of the most crushing gifts i've ever gotten and he definitely spent way too much money on it. He's the fuckin man. Thank you Brendan Maloney. I'm not sure what else to say except I really appreciate all of the amazing and very personal gifts I received from everybody that cares about me. Thank you all.

Alcohol

Wed, 31 Dec 2003 22:40:41 GMT

Well i'm 21 now. My birthday was yesterday for those of you who didnt know. I drank but plan on drinking even more tonight. When I bought Jager from the liquor store, they didn't card me. When I bought beer from Mobil, they didn't card me. What the fuck is that?! For once I wanted them to card me!!!! Assholes. This new Braun Freeglider is the shit. It's just as close a shave as my mach 3 with less iritation. I sound like a commercial but it rules. And I finally got a digital camera.

That's the first picture taken and it was taken by my baby. I was already drunk in that picture so...yeah. It's 5 megapixels and I hear that's good so hopefully i'll start filming porns and stuff. Boioiioioioioioing.

This is one of the gifts my love gave to me on my Birthday yesterday.

The theme behind it is basically people that have influenced me in one way or another. Whether it be Chuck's music, Bill Murray's movies or William Wallace's legacy, they have all had an impact on me. She burnt that paper herself(on the bottom and the borders around Chuck) and must have spent a shitload of time on it. She's amazing and i'm a happy man. Can't wait for the new year!

December, December. I love you, December. Your only 10 days away(shut up I know that was gay).

Thu, 20 Nov 2003 06:20:28 GMT

Why December is going to rule

December 1st: Second Tattoo

December 1st-5th: My new Computer will be coming in the mail sometime around this time. Doom 3 fukers!

December 12th: Children of MOTHER FUCKING BODOMMMMM(Considering Chuck died on Dec 13th of 2001, I think it would be very appropriate for the Hatecrew to bust out the Philosopher)

December 17th: The epic ending to Lord of the Rings

4 People's birthdays that are very close to me are in December. Chrissy, Brendano, Robby are all in Dec. and my 21st(!!!!!) birthday is on December 30th. Dem niggas only be turning 20. Shhhiiiiiiiiit! There's also those holidays where jews play with candles and christians put those ornaments up on their lawn. Couldn't forget those. New Years is going to destroy as well. I better stock up on alcohol and Zeo cause i'm gonna need it!

In the spirit of the Aryan bear and other racial...ness? I thought i'd post this:

Support music, not rumors

Hahahahahahaha

Mon, 17 Nov 2003 08:19:23 GMT

Aryan Bear

Which Dysfunctional Care Bear Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

This was too fucking funny NOT to post.

Kaki Kills

Sat, 15 Nov 2003 23:09:05 GMT

Kaki King, the female acoustic virtuoso guitarist is quite impressive. I'm amazed at what this girl can do with a guitar. I'd say she's easily becoming one of my favorite guitarists. Everybody Loves You is an absolutely essential album to get in my opinion. \M/ Fuckers.

The Excellence of Execution

Wed, 29 Oct 2003 09:07:57 GMT

...Yeah that's right. That is now what the back of my old motorcycle jacket looks like. And this Halloween, i'm gonna be Bret the Hitman Hart. Yeahhhh baby! Best wrestler of all time. I got the shades and everything. Niggas don't know! The best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be!

Dance of Death - Album of the year

Wed, 10 Sep 2003 05:11:52 GMT

There is no doubt in my mind that Dance of Death is the best album to come out in 2003. Paschendale, Face In The Sand, the title track...my god every track is good. Can you hear that double bass on Face in the Sand? It goes throughout the whole song basically! Let's go Nicko! Kick ass Metal album that all of you should buy ASAP. UP THE MOTHER FUCKING IRONS!!!

Diamonds are Forever

Mon, 25 Aug 2003 09:10:40 GMT

After listening to a few Death songs today(which I do everyday, but today I just seemed to need a Death fix even more), I decided that I should make a little mini tribute post to Chuck. It seems fitting and I don't know why I haven't already done something like this. I found a review for each Death/Control Denied album and put them all up here. NO musician has had anywhere near as much of an impact on me as Chuck Schuldiner has. It's sad that so few people even know of his existence because he was a musical genius. Both with his guitar and his lyrics. He was simply the best songwriter in the history of Heavy Metal. And I think everybody can relate to his lyrics on his later albums.

Scream Bloody Gore
While not as mature or good as their later releases, Death's raw debut still holds a worthy place in my collection. With it's horror movie influenced lyrics, incredibly fast riffs and solos, and poor sound quality, this is about as Death Metal as Death Metal gets. Chuck really paved the way for a genre with this album, and he does not get NEARLY enough recognition. While I am not the biggest fan of Death Metal in general(I'm much more of a thrash and progressive type of guy), I like a few Death metal bands, and Death is my favorite of those. This album has some great songs, but it is very basic, and easily Death's worst album. However, considering how good all their albums are, this is not a bad thing! If you are familiar with Death's later work, you may want to check out Leprosy before you go near this, as it is a bit different than their later works. Still, songs like "Infernal Death", "Zombie Ritual", and "Evil Dead" will always be great straight up Death Metal tunes. If you are a fan of the genre, you already have this. If not, check it out, but be warned, it's raw, brutal death metal, and not everyone will dig it. Also, if you were ever wondering where Cannibal Corpse got the inspiration to write totally gorey lyrics, this is where it all began.

Leprosy
Along with Metallica's "Kill 'Em All" and Slayer's "Reign In Blood," this is the most pure form of metal ever. This is metal the way it was meant to be played, and many bands wouldn't be around today were it not for Death. "Leprosy" is an ultra-..., in your face, drive you through the ground sludgefest. Songs like "Born Dead" and "Primitive Ways" just bludgeon you with their raw brutality. Chuck Schuldiner and Rick Rozz are a great guitar duo. The solos are a definite plus and nothing short of impressive, but they are overshadowed by Schuldiner's brutal riffing and raw vocals. The drumming by Bill Andrews is also great, as there's plenty of double bass and cool fills to go around. I can't complain about any of the songs on this CD. They are all amazing, but newbies should immediately check out "Pull The Plug." Many regard it as one of the best Death songs. As for the rest of the CD, it's fast, heavy, and brutal with plenty of great guitar solos and riffs to keep you entertained for a long time. So, if you have a penchant for true metal, pick this up. You will not be disappointed.

Spiritual Healing, in my opinion, is the best work that Chuck Schuldiner and his companions ever produced. Spiritual Healing contains my favorite songs of this band: "altering the future" and "within the mind", and by the way, simply, due to this album I started to listen death-metal music [long time ago]. Playing with James Murphy, Death sound with more consonance than before. Believe me, killing riffs with awesome solos bring you the peak of unearthly pleasure. This album is full of intellectual music and just of beautiful melodies. Lyrics performed in smooth verse, which are very attractive. Schuldiner showed to the whole world how pretty death-metal music sounds, think that none of the bands have the same high-level album in this style.

Human
My favorite Death album...this one bridges the gap between the old school brutality of the first 3 records, and the progressive- ness of later albums like Individual Thought Patterns and Symbolic...to me this was always the heaviest Death record, and it also has the most technical stuff you'll hear from Death, aside from a few beautiful odd time passages on "The Sound of Perserverance"...Chuck's vocals are on point, the riffs are catchy yet brutal, the solos are amazing and performed flawlessly, the bass parts are really creative thanks to fretless work by Steve DiGiorgio...the drum work is EXCELLENT, performed by CYNIC drummer Steve Reinhart..he was the first Death drummer to incorporate alot of complex ride cymbal/hi hat tricks, and alot of overall skill and technical mastery..some have accused this drummer and later drummer Gene Hogan of overplaying, but i really think the drumwork adds alot to the music, making it more complete...high lite tracks are Flattening of Emotions, Suicide Machine, Together as One , and Lack of Comprehension.

"Individual Thought Patterns" may be loosely classifiable as death metal, but such a genre-bending masterpiece as this one goes far beyond the confines of one genre. Here death combine elements of death, thrash, and progressive metal to create a very heavy album that also boasts a potent groove. "Individual Thought Patterns" is a magnificent balancing act that blends heaviness, technical precision, and top-notch songcraft. The late Chuck Schuldiner's vocals blend screaming and singing for a fairly unique style. The guitar riffs are really fast, precise and cruncy, backed up by lightning-fast drumming and flowing bass lines provided by Steve DiGiorgio. Jazz Death? Maybe.

Symbolic
This is absolutely THE best metal album in history....thus far. I doubt any metal band will ever make an album that can stand up to "Symbolic." Still way ahead of it's time, this will fly over most listeners heads the first few times, but not becuase it's hard on the ears. This is music that requires a listeners full attention becuase there is so much to take in. I consider Chuck a composer who was in the same league as Beethoven. Every musician who contributed to "Symbolic" is a master of their instrument. No cheesey satanic lyrics here to speak of either, which so many metal bands resort to in a lame attempt to seem "evil." Chuck's lyrics offer insight into human behavior and the universe that surrounds us. Screw Metallica, Slayer, Morbid Angel, Emperor, etc., this is as good as it gets. As the boring corporate bands of today continue to send real people in search of true music, the legacy of Death/Schuldiner will live on.

The Sound of Perseverance
The worst part about Chuck Schuldiner being dead is that outside of death metal circles, his work was largely unknown, and now it just might fade into obscurity. Of course, the truth is that Chuck Schuldiner was possibly the greatest composer of rock music that ever lived; and I don't say it as a death metal fan, I say it as a music enthusiast, PERIOD! See, I think that music in general progresses over time, and that the best of modern rock is simply pushing the envelope on what can be accomplished musically. I think that many of the famous classical composers of history would probably be making rock music (even death metal) if they were alive today. I also think that quality death metal is on the cutting edge of what can be accomplished by the rock band format (guitars, bass, and drums, with room for accompaniment by other instruments, most notably keyboards). Unlike radio rock or pop, death metal is ABOUT THE MUSIC, not about catchy tunes (most popular music fans like a song because it's "fun to sing along with" or "easy to dance to" or "has a good beat") Further, I think that Chuck Schuldiner pushed the genre of death metal... hell, the genre of rock, of any kind!... to its absolute limits. While I don't believe that there IS a BEST Death album (Human, Individual Thought Patterns, Symbolic, and Sound of Perseverence are all equally good. If it were recorded better and not so quiet, Individual Thought patterns might actually be the best, but since it wasn't, we may never know), Sound of Perseverance is probably the most refined and articulate of the Death albums. This album is Chuck's best work. So, if you're one of those musical dilettantes that only buys one representative album from a band and hopes it's the best one, this is a good choice because it is the most polished effort by perhaps the most distinct and expressive musician of our time, and hopefully it will encourage you to buy more Death albums; and if you are not a dilettante, well then,...BUY ALL THE DEATH ALBUMS! If music enthusiasts of future generations have any sense, most of our contemporary musicians will have been forgotten, but Death and Chuck Schuldiner will be remembered as having produced the most beautiful, intense, and complex music of the late twentieth century.

Existence is purely a state of being. Turning the state of being into an art form is very tricky business. This especially rings true in the musical sense with all the limitations of genre and the expectations of fans and record labels. A very fragile existence it becomes for a musician. After having redefined the genre of thrash and laying the groundwork for death metal with his first legendary band, Death, Chuck Schuldiner returns to a more traditional metal style with his new ensemble Control Denied to prove he is doing ever so more than just existing musically. The music may have overtones of more melodic thrash or progressive metal but the overall tone is unmistakable Schuldiner's. A virtuoso guitarist, accomplished writer and arranger and a skilled producer Schuldiner brings to the table with Control Denied years of experience writing aggressive music. His natural ability to translate angst into complex musical arrangements that explore a multitude of sounds while remaining * The tight musicianship and progressive song writing of Control Denied is a mark of the excellence carried over from previous efforts by Death. Recruiting Tim Aymar for the vocal duties actually presents the biggest difference between the former incarnation of the Death sound and the new direction of Control Denied. The semi-operatic shrieks of Aymar are a far cry from the gut wrenching growls in Death and at times have a very European power metal influence. For Schuldiner, the Fragile Art of Existence represents a welcome musical change for him, allowing him to expand on melodic ideas and concepts that could only be touched on for breif moments in death metal. This musical growth sees an even greater level of musical complexity with blast beats working behind counter melodies and thrash guitar being incorporated into fusion-esque solos. All in all, Schuldiner's Control Denied has reigned in all previous musical expectations, turned them aback and brought forth a new beast armed with aggression and finesse and fully capable of defining a genre much like it's predecessor Death once had.

Thanks for your words of wisdom and for your music. You'll always be the best.

Iron Maiden's gonna get youuuuuu! And youuu! And youuu!!!!!

Sun, 27 Jul 2003 09:03:25 GMT

Holy shit Iron Maiden fucking rule. After 2 straight nights of the Iron one's, I can say that they are easily the greatest Metal band out there(Death arent around anymore but are still my favorite). The experience was simply astonishing. Hearing The Clairvoyant, Iron Maiden, The Trooper, Die With Your Boots On, Run to the Hills...its beyond words. I'm shot. So i'm gonna go to bed. But within a few days i'll have pictures and stuff.