Music Review: Michale Graves - Illusions Live/Viretta Park

Every once in awhile I come across an album that keeps me enamored with it in such a way that I can listen to it over and over all day and not get bored. It doesn't happen often. It happened with Warren Zevon's Genius greatest hits collection and with Mike Patton's Mondo Cane, there was also the soundtrack album for Once. Now it has happened with Michale Graves' Illusions Live/Viretta Park. A live album, no less! That's a first. There is something about this album that is just completely entrancing. It sucks me in and refuses to let go.

Music Video: Saxon - "Frozen Rainbow" (acoustic)

Saxon is still out there doing what they do best. Recently they released an album of rearranged live acoustic takes on some of their classics. The little I've heard sounds pretty darn good. All these years later and they still sound awesome. If you don't believe me:

Concert Review: The Big 4 (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax) at Yankee Stadium 9/14/11

All things considered the day started just like any other day. I woke, showered, had some breakfast and got on the computer for a little pre-work time. 8am rolled around and I left the house, headed for work. I arrived, got my computer turned on, checked my email and started the days work. Nothing unusual there, but there was something different about this particular day. You see, it was September 14th and that was the day that the Big 4 was happening at Yankee Stadium, and I was going! To say I was a little excited would be an understatement.

Music Review: Testament - Live at the Fillmore

The 1990's were strange times for metal. Supplanted by alternative and grunge, the metal legends of the 1980's found themselves either trying to adapt or soldiering on in the underground from which they born from long ago. Metallica cut their hair and introduced a bit of rock to their sound, Megadeth softened a touch and flirted with the mainstream, Anthrax, well, I'm not sure what they were up to, and Slayer was doing punk covers. Then there was Testament, despite lineup shake ups, they soldiered on and even got a bit heavier, flirting with a death style. This reissue of their 1995 concert in their hometown of San Francisco shows the band doing what they do best, delivering their brand of trailblazing material.

DVD Review: Slayer - Still Reigning

Slayer is one of those metal bands that have left an indelible mark on the genre of thrash metal. They are one of precious few bands that even non-fans have heard of. There is always talk of the big four, and while there are always other influential bands, these four are widely known for a reason. They are that good and have attained a popularity level that transcends their style. In many cases there is an album or two that have pushed them across the line into something of legend. In the case of Slayer I can think of two, one is my favorite album of theirs Seasons in the Abyss and the other is the subject of this concert, Reign in Blood from 1986.

DVD Review: Megadeth - Rust in Peace Live

A sea of excited metal heads chants "Me-Ga-Deth!" over and over. A lone figure carrying a custom made Flying V guitar walks to the center of the stage and raises his arms triumphantly over his head. The crowd in turn raises theirs in agreement, cheering ever louder. The figure then asks: "You know why we're here, right?" Of course they know, answering with still louder cheers. Then the iconic opening riff brings the rest of the band to the stage and the show begins.