Although I suppose we could come up with a definition of metal based on some combination of objective musical criteria (e.g. double-bass drumming, de-tuning, distortion, etc.) or some common sense standard like the Supreme Court’s definition of pornography (i.e. “you know it when you hear it”), I have a nagging suspicion that metal is best defined by the particular emotions it most commonly expresses. See the rest here
I’m sorry to hear about Chris Squire’s passing. He was quite a bass player and artist. R.I.P. See the rest here
That’s too bad about Chris. I hope he gets better soon. The only Yes I know other than the hits is Tales from Topographic Oceans, which you played for me in college. I’m not sure you were trying to make me a fan… See the rest here
Judas Priest
Budokan, Tokyo, Japan
March 11, 2015
Although the show was delayed for half an hour due to an equipment malfunction, the Priest delivered the goods (see what I did there?) as only they can. Rob’s voice sounded strong from the onset and if anything only got better over the course of the two-hour show. See the rest here
At the Gates/Engel
Liquidroom, Ebisu, Japan
February 9, 2015
I caught At the Gates in Ebisu, Tokyo, where I used to live when I had money. I was grading papers all day, so I arrived just before curtain. First up were openers Engel. I immediately noticed Engel were Engelin-less: Niclas Engelin, the band’s founding guitarist and presumably the source of their name, no longer tours with his band, I guess because he joined In Flames. See the rest here
I saw BABYMETAL live last week and have a ticket for the At the Gates show in three weeks. Babymetal kicked serious ass, performing a nearly two-hour show in front of a sold out arena of 20,000. Aren’t there child labor laws in Japan? Here is the set list:
Babymetal
New Year Fox Festival
@ Saitama Super Arena
January 10, 2015
Okay, the wife is not feeling well and I have succumbed to the same flu. However, I remain restless and wild and here I am on Saturday night in the man cave. See my cat respond to the new Within Temptation live Blu-Ray. I am now watching the new Judas Priest Blu-Ray! See the rest here
Wife’s asleep. Got a dissertation defense to attend tomorrow. And yet here I am in the JaPaBoCaveTM enjoying Slipknot live @ Download 2009 with my cat Lucifer. R.I.P Paul Gray…
Live Report :
Knotfest Japan 2014
Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan
November 15-16, 2014
Completely sold out, Knotfest Japan launched in the crisp, cold morning with two opening bands, including the Japanese hardcore band Crystal Lake. Their brief set got the crowd warmed up, with hardcore fans “picking up change” in the pit and the rest of us head-banging. See the rest here
The merch line is epic. It opened at 8am. I took this picture at around 1pm. Somebody’s getting paid!
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