The Ranker: Megadeth

I am not sure why, but the other day I got in my head that I should rank Megadeth’s albums. Not all of them, just the studio albums. They are the most prolific of the so-called “Big Four” with 14 studio albums (they also have four live albums and a couple greatest hits type packages). The next most prolific is Slayer, who are about to release their twelfth album, then Anthrax with ten, and lastly Metallica with nine. Megadeth does have their fifteenth release coming in the not too distant future. In any case, I really like the band and their consistency of releasing records, despite the revolving door of musicians.

Sound Byte: Pro-Pain - Voice of Rebellion

I remember when my music tastes were beginning to expand beyond glam metal and grunge in the early-90’s, I felt encouraged to try stuff based on cover art. You remember, back in the day when you could go to a music or movie store and browse stuff, there really is no better way to find some new stuff. Doing this I was turned on to bands like Pantera, Sepultura, Biohazard, and Pro-Pain. I remember listening to that first Pro-Pain album, The Foul Taste of Freedom. That was a pretty solid album and certainly a little different than I was used to, not being much of a punk or hardcore fan. It was also early in the rapping metal days.

Sound Byte: Ranger - Where Evil Dwells

My journey through the musical landscape has been a strange one, not unlike my cinematic journey. They both began late, did not have a lot of outside guidance and required a lot of floundering around by me. To that end, my discovery of certain bands and styles has been roundabout to say the least. My experience is vastly different than that of many of my friends. I am not sure if that is good or bad. In any case, one of the recent albums to cross my desk is the debut full length from Ranger, a modern throwback.

Video Alert: Allegaeon - “Threshold of Perception”

I have been a fan of these guys for a few years. Their music is heavy, technical, catchy, and just kicks ass. I really recommend that you check them out. Below is the video for a tune off their latest album, Elements of the Infinite. It is fun to see them shed the seriousness and make a silly video. These guys know there way around their instruments, it also looks like they were beat after a tour and had some time to kill. Either way, it is a good tune.

Music Review: Jeffrey Nothing - The New Psychodalia

I have no idea when it was that I first started listening to Mushroomhead. The best I can figure is that it had to have been around the release of their major label debut, XX, back in 2001. Whenever it was, it did not take me long to become a big fan of their sound, which struck me as a cross esteem Slipknot and Faith No More, an intriguing alternative take on nu-metal. Since those early days, I have seen them live a few times, and always loved their stage show. That brings us to now, the band has just released their fifth album and I am just not feeling it.

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:

Music Video: Red Fang - "Blood Like Cream"

I do not know much about Red Fang, but their music rocks. On top of that, they clearly have a sense of humor. Not a terrible combination. They have released a video for their new single, “Blood Like Cream.” It is a fun take on a zombie apocalypse and features Portlandia's Fred Armisen. Check it out:

Music Video: Behemoth - "Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel"

Behemoth is a pretty awesome band, there really is no denying it (well maybe, but whatever). They are getting ready to release their new album, The Satanist, this coming February. To help whet your appetite, they have released a video for the album's first single: “Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel.” It is a solid tune and and the video is definitely the things of which weird, nightmarish dreams are made of. On a side note, it seems that Behemoth mastermind, Nergal, is doing well with this treatment for leukemia (diagnosed in 2010). A word of warning, this video is NSFW.

Music Review: Black Sabbath - 13

I don't remember just how old I was, but I know I was young. I was not much of a music fan yet, but I had inherited an old receiver and turntable from my father and was listening to some of his old records. Among the stacks I uncovered Black Sabbath's Paranoid. It was unlike anything I had ever heard before and I listened to it over and over again. I remember listening to "Electric Funeral" incessantly. I would later learn the importance of this band and these early recordings. Now, we have new music from these legendary creators of doom.

A Revisitation: Type O Negative

In my limited music exposure I have come across a few bands that released albums that were ahead of their time as well as bands that found me lagging behind. I have just experienced a brand new situation. Prior to this past week, I do not think I had encountered anything like this. I have been listening to a band I have been a fan of for years but have not listened to for awhile and I have discovered an entirely new respect for them. Perhaps I have finally caught up to where they were so many years ago. The band? Type O Negative.

Single Minded: As I Lay Dying "Cauterize"

As I Lay Dying is one of those bands I never thought I would like. Many years ago I wrote them off as just another screamo act. Things began to change when I saw them on one of the Sounds of the Underground tours. I had missed the first few opening acts and found these guys just about to take the stage. All I can say is wow! They were pretty impressive and I have been a fan ever since.

Music DVD Review: Gojira - The Flesh Alive

If you like hard hitting metal to groove to that blends extreme with groove and melody and you aren't listening to Gojira, you are in for a treat. These guys deliver pure, unencumbered, heavy metal. The music they produce is a force of nature. Heavy, unrelenting, skull shattering metal. With The Flesh Alive, they have captured their live set in a few different venues and takes us behind the curtain to he writing process and the touring cycle.

Single Minded: Children of Bodom - "Shovel Knockout"

Children of Bodom is one of those bands I have always meant to pay more attention to. They have been around long enough and had enough success that the idea of listening to them should be a no brainer. For one reason or another I just haven't. They are now prepping a 15th anniversary CD/DVD release, perhaps it is time I pay more attention.

Single Minded: Trioscapes - "Blast Off" (Live)

Between the Buried and Me is a band that I have not really listened to all that much. I know I should, and I want to, it just hasn't happened yet. What does that have to do with Trioscapes? Well, it is the brain child of BTBAM's bass player, Dan Briggs. He got together with Walter Fancourt (saxophone) and Matt Lynch (drums) for what was supposed to be something of a one off project, but has seemingly turned into something more. Now, I have stumbled across them, more specifically I saw this live studio performance of the song "Blast Off" from the forthcoming album Separate Realities.

Music Review: Job for a Cowboy - Demonocracy

I must admit, Job for a Cowboy is not a band I ever paid a lot of attention too. That has been changing since their last release, 2009's Ruination, but they still fell pretty low on the totem poll. In their ninth year of existence, Job for a Cowboy has almost completely turned over their lineup. With the impending release of their third album they find only original vocalist, Jonny Davy, remaining. The latest additions are Tony Sannicandro on guitar and Nick Schendzielos (formerly of Cephalic Carnage) on bass. Now, I have to admit, these latest changes are certainly helping to push them in the right direction.

Music Review: Lamb of God - Resolution

What can be said about Lamb of God that has not already been said? Well, probably a lot and from far better sources than I. However, this will not stop me from sharing a few words about them. Simply put, they are one of the best metal acts in the game. Simultaneously raw and refined, this is a band that knows how to go about their craft, furthering their abilities and expanding their horizons while not forgetting the core of their consent genre. They are among the upper echelon of metal, of this there is no doubt. Resolution only helps to prove it.

Music Review: Dub Trio - IV

Let me be right up front with you about two things. The first is that I really don't know what "dub" means in relation to music, although I do know it is something more than just a part of the band's name. The second thing is that without even knowing what it is, I cannot say that dub music is my thing. Of course, my limited experience suggests that it is most commonly used in relation to reggae, rap, and house music, none of which are really in my wheelhouse. By know I am sure you are wondering just why in the world would I purposefully write about Dub Trio if it is something you know so little about? Here is the interesting thing, Dub Trio came to me under the guise of experimental metal. How very interesting.

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: Anthrax - Worship Music

Wow, what a long strange trip it has been. The band seemed to have been in a constant state of flux for the past decade. There was the parting of ways with longtime frontman John Bush, who joined the band in 1992. There was the reunion of the classic lineup and their tour with Judas Priest (what a great show that was). Then we had the recruitment of vocalist Dan Nelson and the recording of an entire album that was scrapped (would love to hear some of that stuff). Finally the core band reunited with classic-era vocalist Joey Belladonna, the Big Four tour, and now the release of a much overdue album. Phew. Well, let me tell you that the wait has been well worth it. While Worship Music is not one to break down barriers, it is one that brings Anthrax back to the discussion and is really a solid slab of metal.

Music Review: Across the Sun - Before the Night Takes Us

Prior to getting my hands on this, I had never heard of Across the Sun before. Now, after listening to Before the Night Takes Us, I cannot shake the feeling that I have heard them before. There is something strangely familiar about their particular mash up of genres,  but I cannot quite put my finger on it. In any case, the album is perfectly listenable, easy to get into, and they show a good deal of technical skill. However, with that said, I do not feel they are living up to the skills hinted at across the album.