Halloween Music Theme Blog

I must admit that the thought has crossed my mind once before, but after reading my buddy Renfro's Halloween music and movie special, I had to chime in.  I, too, love the fall.  Football season, Basketball season and the season of the witch, Halloween.  Ever since I was a kid, I have always thought of Halloween as my favorite holiday.  It's the time of year, the weather, cool, creepy, and the sun is going down earlier and earlier.  I always went to the Haunted Houses and typically had a great time but whenever I left the Haunted House, I always walked away with ideas on what I would have done to make it better.  Scaring people.  That's what it's all about.

If you read this this blog you already know that I am an avid fan of all things "Metal".  Halloween is the time of year that most metal-heads call their own.  I change the playlist of my ipod specifically for this reason.  I like to "hear" Halloween during this time of year.

One of my favorite all-time songs for Halloween is "Scared" by Dangerous Toys.  This song was inspired by Alice Cooper according to the band and I believe it I was in probably 9th grade in high school when I first heard it on Headbangers Ball.  Absolutely pure cheese, but great none-the-less.



Hey Man I think I like being scared!

That is a great, fun song.  Now on to the Evil Elvis...Danzig.  This is a man that has taken Halloween themed music to another level.  I have always enjoyed his music and no matter which of his previous bands(Misfits, Samhain) you listen to, there is always a hint of darkness, evil and Halloween. From the first Danzig album this is "Am I Demon"



Just listen to that riff by John Christ.  Great guitarist, too bad he and Glen could not get along after the fourth Danzig album.

Now this is where I get a laugh from from most folks, but if you love your metal, King Diamond is your King of all things Halloween.  I have no idea why I have enjoyed his music over the years, but I continue to listen to his stuff, album after album, and enjoy every bit of it.  Here is "Halloween (Reissue) (Album Version)" from the King.






Next up is a taste of evil from Megadeth called "The Conjuring (24-Bit Digitally Remastered 04) () [Explicit]" from the classic album "Peace Sells...But Who's Buying".




Finally a classic from one of my favorite bands Metallica, it's a little ditty called "The Thing That Should Not Be"



Those are some of the classic Halloween "vibed" songs that are on my playlist year after year.  There is so much more that I jam out to, but those songs always make me think of Halloween.

There is one more, absolute classic that should be on everyone's playlist.  As you will hear in the background children are crying and the music is intense.  It brings a tear to my eye.  Bottoms up...





Now playing:

Megadeth
Rust In Piece Live

Why I won't upgrade to iPhone 4

The iPhone.  The name that absolutely changed the way cell phones have been used and abused since the first iPhone made its debut back in June of 2007.  I remember being on Sprint and dying to have an iPhone.  Here it is only 3 years later and a move to West Virginia later, I am now on AT&T and am a happy owner and user of an iPhone 3GS.  I have gone through some of the best phones available over the past couple of years and with the 3GS I couldn't be happier.   On a side note I am a huge fan of Android technology and with the switch to AT&T there was really no quality Android phones available at the time.  My wife gave the Sidekick a try and this phone was a huge piece of trash.  The rumor is that the Nexus One may start being sold at AT&T instead of only at Google.  I would probably give that phone a shot as it is considered one of the best Android phones available.  Now on to the topic at hand...I do love my 3GS and I was so tempted to jump on board with the iPhone 4.  So far I am extremely happy that I didn't.  Apple truly did not think this phone out.  Yes it has a beautiful display, yes it has a front facing camera and yes it has reception issues.  As if being on AT&T is not enough, the geniuses at Apple decided to put the antenna on the side of the phone in the exact place most people would hold it while making a call.  Do a quick search on youtube and you will see what I mean.








I hate to say it but somebody fell asleep while testing this thing.  I upgraded my 3GS to iOS4 and it really has made my 3GS complete.  No issues with reception (I do realize how hard that is to believe) and fortunately iOS 4 is running without any issues.  As a "techie" I follow and listen to people such as Leo Laporte and Kevin Rose and just about anyone at TWIT.tv.  Believe me when Leo Laporte says a device has flaws, the device has flaws.  I really believe that Apple will probably see the error of their ways and find a solution, it may be too little too late.  Android has only been gaining momentum for the fast 18 months and gaining ground.  As I said before, I love technology and with good competition, great products are developed.  Will the iPhone 3GS be my last iPhone?  Maybe, but I love it for what it is.  As the times change, I'll wait to see what happens next year in June when iPhone 5 makes it announcement.  For now, the 3GS is doing the trick for me.




Now playing:


Danzig "Deth Red Sabaoth"




What a great return to form.  The Evil Elvis is back...Horns up \m/!!!

Test blog from my iPhone. Hopefully this works.

Change of pace in West Virgina

After working in the Charleston WV area for the past two months, it is now official.  I have made the move to the mountains of West Virginia and my wife and daughter have joined me.  The movers brought our stuff up last Monday and our house is still full of boxes.  It seems like it is going to take forever to fully unpack and with a two year old it may take that long.  Good news is my Xbox360 and the Internet is working but no Direct TV at my house.  Don't ask...On an unusual note, I find it hard to believe that AT&T is the superior phone service here in Charleston.  How is that even possible.  Needless to say I am currently a happy IPhone user.  Anyway, I have basically declared Sunday nights as official "two beers and bed night".  Its hard to believe that its almost time to go back to work and start another week of the grind.  My boss is back from vacation and will probably be in an "ass-chewing" mood tomorrow.  Lovely.  A long week ahead with the 4th of July looming next weekend.  Maybe we'll have most of the unpacking complete next weekend.  Still keeping it metal.  Got the Iron Maiden/Dream Theater show in DC coming up real soon and it will be a nice break from work plus I get to hand out with a buddy from way back.  Renfro, I've been reading your posts and I know you are excited about the show.  It will be killer.  I haven't seen Maiden since the Powerslave tour way back in the day and I know that they won't disappoint.  

Now Playing:
Nevermore "The Obsidian Conspiracy"

The name is Bond, James Bond...

007

A legend in cinema from the very first release "Dr. No" to the latest release "Quantum of Solace", James Bond films have been a favorite series of mine since my dad took me to see "Moonraker" at the theater way back in 1979.  As a fan I have seen each Bond film numerous times and have enjoyed many lazy Saturdays being entertained by the classic Sean Connery flicks, somewhat unbelievable Roger Moore and Timothy Dalton cheese-tastics and the great Pierce Bronson versions and now the absolutely incredible Daniel Craig movies.  I thought that today would be a good day list my top 5 Bond flicks and would like to invite responses and personal lists as well.  First I'm gonna list all of the Bond movies in order of release and then get to the good stuff:

1. Dr. No
2. From Russia With Love
3. Goldfinger
4. Thunderball
5. You Only Live Twice
6. On Her Majesty's Secret Service
7. Diamonds Are Forever
8. Live and Let Die
9. The Man With The Golden Gun
10. The Spy Who Loved Me
11. Moonraker
12. For Your Eyes Only
13. Octopussy
14. A View To A Kill
15. The Living Daylights
16. License To Kill
17. Goldeneye
18. Tomorrow Never Dies
19. The World Is Not Enough
20. Die Another Day
21. Casino Royale
22. Quantum of Solace

Top 5
1.  From Russia With Love:  In my opinion this is the best of the Connery films.  Its got it all.  Crazy gadgets, sexy women and good storyline.

2.  Casino Royale:  This was the James Bond that the world was waiting for.  Daniel Craig brought an element of "darkness" to his role as Bond.  Realistic storyline, no cheese included.  Sorry Sir Connery, Craig has became my favorite Bond.  At the end of the movie when Craig quoted the famous phrase "the name is Bond, James Bond" everyone in the theater was convinced that a new legacy in Bond history had begun.  He has turned Bond into a person that could exist in today's society.

3.  Goldeneye:  Bronson took the roll by the balls and reigned supreme throughout his years serving Her Majesty's Secret Service.  I enjoy all of the Bronson films but his first go as Bond was fantastic.

4.  The Man With The Golden Gun:  Good story, cheesey weapons and storyline and in my opinion the best of the Roger Moore films.

5.  Quantum of Solace:  I can't begin to explain how hard it was to narrow down all of these classic films to a top 5 but I must admit Daniel Craig has become a fantastic Bond and truly owns the role.  I read today that Craig is contracted for two more Bond films.  I am looking forward to seeing more of Craig as there will be no doubt that with the technology in today's film industry, each of his films will be instant classics that will rival a great history of Bond movie classics.

If you are a fan of Bond then no doubt you have a Top 5 as well.  Feel free to comment and post your lists and thoughts.

Enjoy!

Ipod today
Miles Davis "Kind of Blue"

What happened to blue laws???

As I have warned follower's before...this is a bitch session. What happened to the blue laws? There was a time when retailer's had to be closed on Sundays and just about every major holiday. I, of course, had to work today being that I have chosen the retail lifestyle for a profession. Now I don't mind working on Sunday's, I just wish that people that shop on Sunday acted like they have a little sense and a little respect to employees that would truly rather be off than listening to unhappy shoppers. My store closed at 6:00pm today. These hours have been posted for the better part of two weeks and yet multiple asshole customers show up just after 6:00pm complaining that we should be open. Why on earth would we close our doors a little earlier than normal to allow our employees a little extra time to spend with their loved ones on a holiday. One customer in particular was so mad that he was threatening to shop at our competitor from now on. Good bye and good riddance. We were open from 9-6pm today and if you couldn't take time out of your busy schedule to show up during our holiday hours, we open back up tomorrow at 6:00am. If you don't like it, tough shit...like I said at the beginning...What ever happened to the blue laws???

Most under-rated metal band ever...

Annihilator

If you know me then you know I am a fan of all types of music, especially metal. I'm gonna bring to light a band that up until last year that I had heard of but had never heard. The band is Annihilator from Canada. I came across a collection of their music from a friend of mine at work who told me to give them a shot as he was aware of my motto when it comes to metal, "the heavier, the better!". The band features guitarist Jeff Waters and he is the lifesblood of this project. He is, by far, one of the greatest metal guitarist that has ever shredded a fretboard. The band are known in the music industry as pioneers of thrash metal and are often referred as influences to many of today's younger metal generation of bands. Annihilator formed back in 1984 and have been putting out great metal ever since. I only wish I would have given them a chance all those years ago when I first heard the name. How would I describe them? Try mixing Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Testament and you might be able to imagine the sound that is Annihilator. In my research of Annihilator's history and origins I have come across one particular subject that comes up over and over. Jeff Waters is a friend to the fans of Annihilator. I have not come across one story of Waters being an ass or a jerk. I come across countless tales of how he is completely friendly and takes time to talk to people when he is off stage. For that reason alone I must say I regret not trying to catch a live show by them years ago. My buddy Renfro likes to rates albums and I'm gonna take a page from his book and list Annihilators works over the years and give a top 5.
Here is a list of Annihilator's albums:

Studio albums
Alice in Hell (1989)
Never, Neverland (1990)
Set the World on Fire (1993)
King of the Kill (1994)
Refresh the Demon (1996)
Remains (1997)
Criteria for a Black Widow (1999)
Carnival Diablos (2001)
Waking the Fury (2002)
All for You (2004)
Schizo Deluxe (2005)
Metal (2007)

Here is my top 5:
1. Alice in Hell. This album was the beginning of a beautiful start. Incredible guitar playing and catchy riffs. This is a must own.



2. Never, Neverland. Album #2 and this is no sophomore slump. Waters and crew continue where they left off on Alice. Shred + Thrash = Classic

3. Schizo Deluxe. I realize that most fans regard the first three albums as the best of the best but Schizo and All For You hit me just right. Schizo has vocalist Dave Padden and for some reason I really dig his vocals.

4. All For You. This album may have turned off a few fans with the introduction of Dave Padden on vocals, but I love it. Great music and great mix of thrash and metalcore. Probably the most commercial album they have ever released.



5. King of the Kill. Jeff Waters does the vocals on this one. Great album, great sound. Thrashtastic!



I really wanted to add more than a few videos but when I was surfing youtube there was a ton of good stuff and it became very hard to pick and choose. I recommend checking out his NAMM show videos and his Hughes and Kettner amp demo tour. His interaction with the fans is a testament to his talent and true appreciation of his fans. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to the new Annihilator album due out in late May of this year. Enjoy!

Counts, this is for you:
Ipod jam
Annihilator (of course)
Alice in Hell