Those 80’s Songs: Bon Jovi- You Give Love A Bad Name
Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet Lyrics and Tracklist | Genius

I still remember it like it was yesterday. The first time I ever heard that band and song. I was just about 3 years old and the people working at my house had their boom box on and I’ll never forget the words and what happened next. “Shot Though The Heart and You’re To Blame. Darlin you give love, a bad name.” From that moment, I was sold. The first band that ever had a real impact on me and the album that set everything in motion. Bon Jovi and Slippery When Wet. What a way to start things off. The song “You Give Love A Bad Name” was and still is to this day, a huge favorite of mine. Every time I hear it, I can’t help but sing along. And when I go see a Bon Jovi concert. You best believe that I’m singing as loud as I can.

Bon Jovi- You Give Love A Bad Name:

Deep Cuts: Metallica- The God That Failed
The God That Failed by Metallica on Amazon Music - Amazon.com

Metallica’s “Black Album” has so many hit songs it’s not even funny. Even with all those, there’s still some other gems that are often overlooked like this deep cut, “The God That Failed.” This song has an interesting story behind it as it’s based on James Hetfield’s experience with his mother’s death and her beliefs in Christian Science to rid her of the cancer that was killing her. This isn’t the first song nor the last to touch on this subject in the Metallica catalog. Another interesting fact about the song is that, this song was never released as a single, but was the first of the album’s songs to be heard by the public. “The God That Failed” has been played live over 100 times since the release of the “Black Album.”

Metallica- The God That Failed:

Great Music Videos: How To Destroy Angels- The Space In Between
How to Destroy Angels (Mariqueen Maandig, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross) | Angel band, Trent reznor, Good music

This past year has been quite a ride. Through all the craziness though, a couple good things have been able to happen. For example, with all the time and working from home, I’ve been able to delve back into albums I haven’t listened to in a while. And within that, I’ve been able to show my young daughter some really great tunes and videos. One of which is this great video from How To Destroy Angels for the song “The Space In Between.” The video, directed by Rupert Sanders (who is primarily known for creating video game advertisements) is a very dark and interesting video that harks back to the days when videos were great. This is one hell of a great video and should be viewed a lot more!!


How To Destroy Angels- The Space In Between:

The Other Side: Lady Lazarus

True artistry is not easy to find these days. So many supposed artists lack the depth, honesty, and creativity to make something truly compelling. A while back I found an artist that captures all those things and then some. Enter Lady Lazarus aka Melissa Ann Sweat. Since her debut album Mantic in 2011, Melissa has been honing her craft and delving deeper and deeper with each album. When you listen to her music there is a real sense of courage, urgency and truth pouring out of her. There’s also a journey taking place as you venture into the albums. There’s a darkness within the songs but, a feeling of hope and light at the end. The words conveyed are poetic and somber while the voice channels different energies and feelings to really encapsulate the mood. Musically, the minimalistic approach makes everything stand out and the chills that it gives is worth it. If you are looking for something that’s inspiring and hopeful, than Lady Lazarus is just what you need.


Impossible Journey Of My Soul Tonight:

Miracles:

All My Love In Half Light:

Mantic:

Songs In TV/Film- Coldplay- Don’t Panic in Rescue Me
Critics At Large : Rescue Me: Flawed But Arresting

I will be totally honest with you. I can’t stand Coldplay but, there is one song they have that I’ve enjoyed over the years and it’s thanks to the show Rescue Me. Many years ago, while watching Rescue Me (if you aren’t familiar with the show, you should definitely watch it. It’s fantastic and it’s in my top 5 all time for favorite TV Shows), a Coldplay song began playing at the wrap up part of the episode. To my surprise, the song really was beautifully chosen and fit the scenes perfectly. Over the years, the song “Don’t Panic” by Coldplay has been the only song of theirs that I could really stand. Anytime I hear this song, it makes me think of Rescue Me.


Coldplay- Don’t Panic in Rescue Me:

Track One: Megadeth- Holy Wars… The Punishment Due
Megadeth - Holy Wars "Instrumental" (Remastered By: Nate Whittaker) | Megadeth, Nate Whittaker | Nate Whittaker

Megadeth’s album Rust In Peace is a tremendous record. It’s definitely one of the best metal albums of all time. The guitar work on the record is beyond superb. In fact, the first song on Rust In Peace, “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due” is one of the quintessential metal songs of all time. As a first song on an album, this is one of the best. The song itself has an interesting background. It was inspired by the Northern Ireland conflicts at the time. Holy Wars, since the release of Rust In Peace, has been a live staple for over 30 years now. It truly is one of the greatest track one’s of all time.


Megadeth- Holy Wars… The Punishment Due:

Band Of The Week: Invent Animate
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One of the most intriguing things about heavy music and its many sub-genres is the ability to take from all of them and make something fun and interesting. Recently I came across a band that has taken bits of metalcore and added some really cool prog elements as well as a tinge of ambience to find a balance that hits you like a ton of bricks when it all kicks in. That band is Invent Animate. Since their inception, they have played and toured with bands like Silent Planet, Northlane, Erra, Currents, After The Burial and many others. Their new album, Greyview (out now via Tragic Hero Records), is a summation of the description above but offers more than what you’d expect. The arrangements and space on these new songs showcase a band that is truly dedicated to writing deep and lasting songs. Invent Animate is a band that is on the verge of truly finding their sound and separating themselves from their peers.

Invent Animate- Greyview:

Those 80’s Songs: Def Leppard- Pour Some Sugar On Me
Hysteria (Deluxe) de Def Leppard sur Amazon Music - Amazon.fr

The 80’s were a very fun time. I grew up listening to all the bands from that era. Some are still favorites to this day. It’s fun these days to hear certain songs from that era and it not only takes you back but, it also provides a bit of fun. One of those songs I remember being a lot of fun is Def Leppards “Pour Some Sugar On Me.” Hysteria was such a huge album for the band and for the era. That whole album is basically full of singles. I’ll never forget seeing the videos for all those and singing along. “Pour Some Sugar On Me” was definitely the one that stood out the most at the time. Interestingly, this song was the 4th single from the album and it’s what helped propel the album to sell even more millions of copies.


Def Leppard- Pour Some Sugar On Me:

End Of Album Songs: Queens Of The Stone Age- I Think I Lost My Headache
Queens of the Stone Age – I Think I Lost My Headache Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

The album Rated R by Queens Of The Stone Age is impeccably extraordinary. I still remember hearing this album in the summer of 2000. It was the perfect album for that time and has remained a favorite of mine for many years. One of the things I remember most about the first time I heard this album was the closing song “I Think I Lost My Headache.” The trip of this album is quite a journey that, when you get to this song, it really encapsulates it. Songs like this especially one albums such as Rated R, make a pretty fun and interesting statement.

Queens Of The Stone Age- I Think I Lost My Headache:


Anticipated Albums: Chevelle- Niratias
Chevelle Drops 'Self Destructor' Single, Unveils First 'Niratias' Album Details - Blabbermouth.net

Chevelle is one of the most under appreciated and underrated bands out there. For over 20 years now, they’ve been one of the most consistent rock bands out there. Now in 2021, Chevelle is gearing up to release their ninth (yes, I said 9th) studio album, Niratias (Out March 5th). The first single and video for “Self Destructor” is out now and it’s a banger for sure. When we can go out and enjoy live music again, I guarantee that when they play this song live, it’s going to kick some major ass.


Chevelle- Self Destructor: