metalmaniac777

But Tony, you ARE guilty...

...guilty of having kickass auctions, that is!!!!

Keel: s/t

"King of the Rock" ~ Keel

DEF LEPPARD: "Songs From the Sparkle Lounge"

Repeatedly, fans' cries for another "Pyromania," "Hysteria," or heck, even "Adrenalize" have fallen on deaf ears as the band continues to do whatever they want regardless of fan demand. But much like a leopard can't change its spots, each D.L. album has shown at least some portion of the band's sound, and "Songs From the Sparkle Lounge" (still a stupid title) is no different. Except for a few songs, the hooks aren't as catchy as the D.L. hooks of old, but they are still catchy. The guitars don't rock as hard as they did back in the day, but they do still rock. The harmony vocals don't swell as much as they did in the "Hysteria" days, but they are still there. In other words, when compared to Def Leppard in their heyday, this new CD sort of disappoints, but taken on its own terms, it's a fine rock 'n' roll album.

Def Leppard: "Songs From the Sparkle Lounge"

"Proud to be Loud" ~ Keel

Here's what's been getting some serious spin-time in my stereo lately...

Cynical Limit:s/t

Def Leppard: "Songs From the Sparkle Lounge"

Chyld: "Saints & Sinners"

Anew Revolution: "Rise"

Chryztyne: "Tales of Paradise"

CYNICAL LIMIT: s/t

This is ex-Angelica guitarist Dennis Cameron's new band. Picked it up when it first came out a couple years ago, slotted it into the Christian metal section of my collection, and then forgot about it until recently at which time I gave it another listen. Pretty cool stuff; not quite the shredfests that the Angelica albums were, but still very melodic and at times a touch heavier than Angelica, as evidenced by the awesome opener "The Code" with its gang-vocal "NO!" chorus shouts.

I'm pretty fussy about what I keep nowadays, but even after spinning this one again, it still merits a place in my collection. Angelica fans, or fans of quality Christian melodic hard rock/metal in general, should definitely seek this one out.

For some stupid reason, my work computer is preventing me from accessing the website, but no matter, I heard all I need to hear--Barren Cross is working on new material! Hopefully Mike Lee (Michael Drive) hasn't gone so "mad hatter" on us that he steers the band in an experimental direction. I want to hear a heavy, hard-hitting, oldschool (with modern production values) Barren Cross album! If they can maintain a state of control, they will once again rock for the King in the atomic arena and unapologetically rattle your cage...

Hmmmmmm...kind of likin' what I'm hearin' here.

I like Razormaid a lot, but I absolutely love Bangalore Choir. I don't really have any hopes for the new disc...but for me, 'On Target' will always be a classic.

I agree with everything Geoff said. Except the part about liking Razormaid. They never impressed me much.

...I'm in constant shock over Skid Row ratings...this must be one of the most overrated bands in the world...Bach has great high voice but where's melody, changing tone, where's good songs (apart from Youth), only agression...I don't see it...why people don't rate as much Matijevic...

All right, clearly this guy needs to be . Dissin' the Skidsters should be baneeable offense.

Seriously, it's really a matter of personal taste. Vocals with "attitude" are more important to me than pitch-perfect melodious vocals, so while Matijevic might technically be a "better" singer than Bach, I much prefer the aggression/attitude that Bach brings to the microphone. Someone looking to be awed by technical brilliance might prefer Matijevic or Coverdale or whoever. All depends on what your ears wanna hear.

Here's the 2nd stage of trying to determine which letter is the overall favorite. This time around, we focus on the favorites from the letters "N" through "Z"...from this group of winners, which one do you think takes the crown? Once we've figured out the favorite "N-Z" band, we'll run it against the favorite "A-M" band and see exactly what letter of the alphabet reigns supreme.

My vote goes to Skid Row. Still one of my all-time favorite bands, the masters of melodic aggression by which all others are judged.

OK, what say you?

Latest acquisitions...

Anew Revolution: "Rise" (kickin' modern hard rock/metal)

Def Leppard: "Songs From the Sparkle Lounge" (hoped for better, but not too bad)

I own exactly 3 comedies: Clerks, Clerks II, Chasing Amy, and The 40 Year Old Virgin. In other words, for every 100 violent action/horror movies I own, I own one comedy film. Personally, I consider that a pretty respectable ratio.

No soft spot for classics like 'Naked Gun' and that sort of stuff?

Naked Gun was OK. I'm a huge fan of the original Porky's. The first Police Academy was pretty funny too. The first time I watched Hot Shots! I laughed my ass off, but it hasn't held up so well. I also recently watched Superbad which had me cracking up. So, you see, it's not that I'm opposed to comedies and even like a few of them here and there, but my primary cinematic tastes are of the blood-and-guts variety.

The only people I want to kill are mimes, jaywalkers, and slow drivers...does this make me evil? (Cue the opening chords of Widowmaker's "Emaheevul.")

 

Frankly, I long ago stopped trying to "understand" or "justify" why I like violent movies. It's a movie--I watch it, enjoy it, and move on with my day.

 

You know what I don't understand? Sitcoms. How can anyone enjoy those retarded shows? Horror to me is not watching 90 minutes of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre...it's having to watch 30 minutes of Two and a Half Men.

Okay, I'm curious now, mate. I'm not a huge fan of A LOT of sitcoms, but do you mean to say you like none? Not even 'Seinfeld'? Even 'Friends' in it's prime was pretty damn funny, I have to admit. I also enjoyed 'Ned and Stacy', 'Two Guys a girl and a pizza place', 'That 70's Show' and currently I think 'How I met your mother' is excellent. Sadly, that is possibly the complete list of the ones I do and have ever liked, and for every one there are at least 100 I despised.

 

But I'm losing focus. Just wondering what you watch for a laugh, mate? Do you like any comedy movies at all? Any non-sitcom comedies on TV? Don't be a stone, man.

Admit it, Geoff, your curiosity is not the only part of you that's aroused by me.

OK, Seinfeld was mildly amusing at times and I often derived a chuckle or two from Friends, but that's pretty much it. Oh, wait, I am a big fan of Sledgehammer, a politically-incorrect 80s sitcom that only lasted 2 seasons. Even bought the box sets when they were finally released on DVD. Thankfully they had the wisdom to remove the laugh track...God, I hate those things. Like I'm so stoopid that I have to be told when to laugh.

As for movies...I own exactly 3 comedies: Clerks, Clerks II, Chasing Amy, and The 40 Year Old Virgin. In other words, for every 100 violent action/horror movies I own, I own one comedy film. Personally, I consider that a pretty respectable ratio.

Call me a sadist (like Mark).

Technically, that's incorrect. A sadist is someone who enjoys inflicting pain upon others. I will merely make you suck on a shotgun barrel and blow your skull apart like an overripe watermelon being smashed by a sledgehammer. You won't feel a thing.

Sounds kind of kinky. I'm in!

I'm (not) a sadist...you're a masochist...what a most excellent partnership has been formed!!!

Call me a sadist (like Mark).

Technically, that's incorrect. A sadist is someone who enjoys inflicting pain upon others. I will merely make you suck on a shotgun barrel and blow your skull apart like an overripe watermelon being smashed by a sledgehammer. You won't feel a thing.

HITMAN (Unrated)--cool, stylishly-violent action movie...some nifty carnage-laden shootouts.

 

AVP: REQUIEM (Unrated)--saw the "censored" cut in theaters and thought it was just OK, but thought I'd give the unrated version a try, since it supposedly has additional blood, guts, and gore.

Do you ever watch...ahh...happy normal movies?

Hasn't your counsellor told you change your viewing habits yet?

Short answer...no. I once had an informal chat with the Chief Psychologist here at the prison where I work who said that I was drawn to dark, disturbing movies because my life is normal, relatively happy, and (for the most) peaceful and therefore I gravitated toward violent/bloody films as a form of escape.

Without being a a pshychomalomajist, I reckon it could be you're just an evil, evil person...

I reckon the psychologist was wrong too. Mark just likes these movies because he wants to kill people and likes watching these movies for ideas. I see it happen all the time.

 

On a serious note, I don't know how you do it, mate. I love a good horror flick as much as the next guy, but I NEED something different as regularly as possible. I remember once I watched nothing but horror movies all week and it was so shit...my state of mind was messed up and it wasn't cool. It was just depressing... plus the movies generally have one story line with a few frills and that kills me.

 

Anyway, I'm done. Glad to be of service. And all that said, as I said, I still love the movies and own a lot too...just not Mark's freakish obviously troubled amount.

The only people I want to kill are mimes, jaywalkers, and slow drivers...does this make me evil? (Cue the opening chords of Widowmaker's "Emaheevul.")

Frankly, I long ago stopped trying to "understand" or "justify" why I like violent movies. I know some folks, like dear ol' Geoff here, can be mentally affected by watching grisly cinema too much, but it's just never had that affect on me. It's a movie--I watch it, enjoy it, and move on with my day. It has no impact on my mood or feelings.

You know what I don't understand? Sitcoms. How can anyone enjoy those retarded shows? Horror to me is not watching 90 minutes of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre...it's having to watch 30 minutes of Two and a Half Men.

Mike, I really didn't find it to be much better. Yes, additional blood/guts/gore is always an improvement in my book (they did add in one sweet decapitation scene), but the movie as a whole is still somewhat lacking. Not terrible, but they're still a long way from making a totally kickass Aliens-vs-Predator film. Frankly, if you didn't like the theatrical cut much, I don't see where this "uncensored" version is going to change your mind.

Hey Mark, how was the unrated version of AVP:Requiem? I heard there really wasn't that much difference...but wanted your opinion.......thanks, Mike.

 

AVP: REQUIEM (Unrated)--saw the "censored" cut in theaters and thought it was just OK, but thought I'd give the unrated version a try, since it supposedly has additional blood, guts, and gore. Haven't watched it yet though...

No boobs....but a nice tush!!

 

Now that is one sweet-ass picture...

(God, I crack myself up...)

HITMAN (Unrated)--cool, stylishly-violent action movie...some nifty carnage-laden shootouts.

 

AVP: REQUIEM (Unrated)--saw the "censored" cut in theaters and thought it was just OK, but thought I'd give the unrated version a try, since it supposedly has additional blood, guts, and gore.

Do you ever watch...ahh...happy normal movies?

Hasn't your counsellor told you change your viewing habits yet?

Short answer...no. I once had an informal chat with the Chief Psychologist here at the prison where I work who said that I was drawn to dark, disturbing movies because my life is normal, relatively happy, and (for the most) peaceful and therefore I gravitated toward violent/bloody films as a form of escape.

Of course, I'm not sure how good a shrink he was, because his solution to everything--and this is no joke--was, "Go home and masturbate five times. You'll be so tired that nothing else will matter."

Turns out he was a liar...it only took four times.

Here's what's been getting some serious spin-time in my stereo lately...

Miss Crazy: "II"

Rob Rock: "Garden of Chaos"

Broken Silence: "Discerning the Times"

Darren Smith Band: "Keep the Spirit Alive"

Legend: s/t

I wasn't blown away by ballad "Let Go" though.

Yeah, it's a track that definitely builds up and I didn't even notice the chorus the first time, but by the 3rd chorus some beautiful atmosphere has been created.

Um, yeeeeah, beautiful atmosphere isn't an ingredient I require out of my metal bands, but I digress.

There is nothing more metal than beautiful atmosphere.

Geoff, it's official, you are a poser, not a pureblooded metalhead. Your Headbanger's Club membership is hereby revoked. Then again, if it makes you feel better, the Club threw me out too once they found out I hate Iron Maiden...

On topic, I checked out the samples for Anew Revolution and liked what I heard.

Latest acquisitions...

Cruella D'Ville: "Showdown in Tinseltown"

Miss Crazy: "II"

Rob Rock: "Garden of Chaos"

All courtesy of our very own Mike (Whiplash)!