life, and a little more

Believer's Gabriel Song Samples

Mar 12

metalman777music, videos Believer, christian metal, metal, music, thrash No Comments

Bravewords.com reported:  in honor of the upcoming release Gabriel, Pennsylvania based thrashers BELIEVER are releasing a second track ‘Stoned’ via the band’s MySpace page. Gabriel will be available next week, March 17th through Cesspool Recordings / Metal Blade Records.

Says drummer Joey Daub: “As we were mixing Stoned, the ripping old school death metal riff and locking into a groove felt great until we added the weird piano section. After repeated listens to this part during the mix, both Jeff and Kevin developed throbbing headaches and severe nausea. It must have been the odd, conflicting timing between the keys, guitars and drums totally screwing with their inner ears or something. Obviously Kurt and I felt great (not sure what that says about us), but I guess that’s what one might call ‘feeling the song’. Warning: Listening to this section over and over again may induce physical illness.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB7b1AMXg2o]

From the bands MySpace page.:

Believer has gained worldwide recognition for their boundary-breaking, artistic form of extreme metal. Joined by bands Cynic and Pestilence, Roadrunner Records pushed a prog-metal/thrash campaign with the three bands called, “The Breed Beyond” and solidified Believer among the ranks of unique, creative musical acts. The centerpiece of their 3rd release, Dimensions, was a metal opera that brought them great praise from fans and musicians worldwide and threw open the doors to collaborations between metal and orchestral musicians and sealed the band’s legacy.

Formed in the mid eighties by guitarist/vocalist Kurt Bachman and drummer Joey Daub, the Pennsylvania based Believer was destined to put their mark on the music scene. With the early line-up of Bachman, Daub, guitarist Dave Baddorf and bassist Howe Kraft, Believer secured a deal with East Coast indie label R.E.X. Music. The band’s debut album, Extraction from Mortality, was greeted with vast acceptance in the metal world and also drew attention from Roadrunner Records. The band’s second offering, Sanity Obscure, released by Roadrunner saw the band breaking new musical boundaries and establishing themselves as creative and experimental musicians in the metal community. With a new label and bassist, Wyatt Robertson replacing Kraft, Believer set out in support of Sanity with a European tour and an extended tour of the States with fellow thrashers Sacrifice and Bolt Thrower. Upon completion of the tour, Bachman and Daub parted ways with Baddorf and Robertson. With a new musical vision for their 3rd record, they again called upon friend and violinist Scott Laird, and his opera-trained sister, Julianne Laird, who both made brief appearances on previous Believer releases. Fellow musician and friend Jim Winters and cellist Glenn Fischbach rounded out the band and 1993’s Dimensions was the end result of this collaboration.

After a long hiatus, Believer is back with an intense fury and the band’s new record, Gabriel, once again sees Believer conquering new musical and artistic territory. With an upgraded sound and songwriting that has been alluded to as a “sick, insane cross between Tool, Voivod, NIN, and Destruction”, Believer’s 4th release Gabriel shows a band simply not focused on regurgitating and reliving their past. To this end, Bachman and Daub have surrounded themselves with new creative blood in keyboardist/programmer Jeff King, guitarist Kevin Leaman and bassist/programmer Elton Nestler. Securing a new home with legendary Metal Blade Records, Believer is determined to win over fans of old and new with their brand of ‘Believer-esque’ metal.

Woman

Jan 27

metalman777audio, humor, music christian metal, metal, music, sodom and america, XL and DBD No Comments

So I’m pulling out some old music and I run across XL and DBD’s Sodom and America. XL and whosy-whatsie you say? Imagine putting a rapper with a bunch of heavy metal dudes and you have XL and DBD (Death Before Dishonor).  They released an album called Sodom and America in 1993 and it is still a favorite to listen to.

This album is on my iPod and it started playing the other day.  A song entitled “Woman” came on and it just brought  a smile to my face.  It chronicles a story of a woman who starts living a “loose” life and ends up in a very bad situation.  Listen below:

[audio=https://dl-web.getdropbox.com/get/Music/08%20Woman.mp3?w=844dec09]

I know a beautiful woman in her early 20′s – she thinks she ain’t worth a red cent
She looks in the mirror, but it couldn’t be clearer that she’s pretty but isn’t content

But the way she lives and is so she gives herself to any guy gets hurt(?)
so  she is lifting up her skirt for a jerk who don’t work now he’s gone and she feels like dirt

Always trying to be accepted don’t wanna be rejected so she tags along with the clique
cuz today Bobby Jones(?) on Cosmopolitan it seems she aint ever gonna fit

So I try to break it down for the woman it doesn’t matter how good she looks anyway
cuz I was reading in the Bible that it says all of us are fearfully and wonderfully made

Woman – your beauty is fleeting
Girl – your charm’s misleading
Woman – your beauty is fleeting
Girl – your charm’s misleading

I saw a beatiful girl walking down the hall with her school books in her hand
all the guys know her in an intimate way cuz she gives herself up to any man

As time goes on her lust grows strong and her mind starting to get real sick
cuz now she likes women and she got cold busted in the corner giving Lisa a kiss

Now she’s out of high school playing the fool cuz she’s a centerfold in a magazine
Making 10 grand a year it doesn’t seem clear why she’s in the porno video scene

Once to tease now she aims to please at magazines made only for adults
She used to go to church now she’s living like dirt the high priestess of a satanic cult

Woman – your beauty is fleeting
Girl – your charm’s misleading
Woman – your beauty is fleeting
Girl – your charm’s misleading

Why don’t you just renew your mind and stop acting like a stupid little kid
But that won’t happen no that’s never gonna happen until you find out who Jesus Christ is

Now sick and tired of pretty young ladies feeling like that ain’t worth trash
Doing anything just to feel accepted but they’re losing their integrity fast

Quit trying to be what other people want and realize who you finally are
Cuz God is the One who made you woman and to Him you’re nothing but a star

Woman – your beauty is fleeting
Girl – your charm’s misleading
Woman – your beauty is fleeting
Girl – your charm’s misleading

Why don’t you just renew your mind and stop acting like a stupid little kid
But that won’t happen no that’s never gonna happen until you find out who Jesus Christ is

Woman

Woman

Woman

Woman

Yeah, they just don’t write songs like that any more boys and girls!

I love the content of the song and the message it is trying to get across.  I love the humor and the seriousness as well.  Plus the guitar work is pretty good too!

The last song on the album is entitled Afrock and it is awesomely awesome.

[audio=https://dl-web.getdropbox.com/get/Music/12%20Afrock.mp3?w=5f2819bf]

I’ll just give you the chorus to this song and you can see why it is so great!

I’m a hardcore-afro-wearing-hip-hop rocker
NO SELLOUT! (x3)

I’ll bet you can’t find that in any other song!

Samples from all 11 songs of Stryper's new album, Murder By Pride

Jan 12

metalman777audio, music, videos christian metal, hair metal, murder by pride, stryper No Comments

[viddler id=c4508100&w=437&h=392]

More samples from Stryper's Murder By Pride

Jan 03

metalman777audio, music, videos christian metal, hair metal, music, stryper No Comments

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4k2EjbpZno]

Samples from Stryper's forthcoming Murder By Pride

Dec 21

metalman777music, videos christian metal, hair metal, music, samples, stryper No Comments

from Stryper’s website:

“After years of speaking to fans and hearing comments like “more guitars”, “more solos” and “more screams”, I decided to keep those comments in mind as I wrote each song. It was important to me to try to get back to that early sound of Stryper yet at the same time, to remain relevant today. It’s certainly not an easy thing to do but as I listen to “Murder By Pride”, I think that was accomplished.

I got the idea of the title “Murder By Pride” from seeing pride consume dreams, goals and many times, lives.  We all deal with pride and it can be crippling, so I wanted to write a lyric and a theme that would be a constant reminder of that. This record has been in the works for a long, long time and I can only hope that it was worth the wait!” ~ Michael Sweet

Of the three, I have to say that 4 Leaf Clover sounds really awesome!  Well, listen below and see for yourself!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skcNDMm41c8]

New Christmas Song From Theocracy

Dec 19

metalman777audio, humor, music christian metal, christmas music, heavy metal, music, theocracy No Comments

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2008 FROM THEOCRACY!

PUSH PLAY BELOW TO LISTEN TO THE SONG

[audio=https://dl-web.getdropbox.com/get/Music/Theocracy%20-%20Rudolph%20vs.%20Frosty.mp3?w=4f0722e0]

RUDOLPH VS. FROSTY (Smith)

Everyone knows Rudolph has a big, red shiny nose
And Frosty comes to town every December when it snows
But did you know that those two never really got along?
I bet you’ve never heard this Christmas song…

“I’ve paid my dues for years and years, I’m Santa’s very favorite deer, so I should be the second in command at Christmastime,” says Rudolph
“Pull the sleigh where Santa goes and light the night with my red nose, I think it’s time for me to get what’s mine”

“Night lights are replaceable–a talking snowman’s magical; my agent says I need a bigger piece of Santa’s pie” says Frosty“
I bring children real joy, not just the latest stupid toy, I think it’s time for me to get what’s mine”

Then Rudolph rang his reindeer bells
Turned and sang with all the elves

Hey Hey Hey
Santa’s on his way
You’d better stop that bickering before it’s Christmas day
Ho Ho Ho
Egg nog and mistletoe
And Santa’s gonna take a torch and melt you to the floor

“Frosty, you’ve got coal for eyes, when things get hot you won’t survive, so get out of my way, this job is mine all mine (now snowman step aside),” says Rudolph
“Rudolph, man, your claim to fame’s a lightbulb and a funny name, and everybody knows I’m next in line”

Rudolph with your nose so bright
Won’t you kiss my corn cob pipe

Hey Hey Hey
Santa’s on his way
You’d better stop that bickering before it’s Christmas day
Ho Ho Ho
Egg nog and mistletoe
And Santa’s gonna mount you in his living room for show

“Hey Rudolph!”
“What?”
“I wrote a song about you!”
“Oh boy…”

“You wanna hear it? Here it go!

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
Had a very shiny nose
And when ol’ St. Nick saw it
He thought it would look really good mounted on his wall”

“Oh you think that’s funny? Well check this out:

Frosty the Snowman
Was a puddle on the ground
And a makeshift scoop for the reindeer poop
Is the best use for his magic hat I’ve found”

With a nod of his head, Rudolph took to the sky, and swooping down, he gouged at Frosty with an antler to the eye
But Frosty struck right back and grabbed his bright red nose, and turned it right into a popcicle as Rudolph’s whole head froze
But Rudolph broke the ice, shook his antlers twice, and raced back in to strike again
But then a “Ho Ho Ho!” came booming from the sky, the echoed voice of you-know-who

With the cookies and milk and a bowlful of jelly in his belly
And a dash through the sky, and a twinkle in his eye, St. Nick
With a bag full of toys for the good girls and boys on his shoulder
And a “Ho Ho Ho!” and a “Look out below!” St. Nick

With the cookies and milk and a bowlful of jelly in his belly
And a dash through the sky, and a twinkle in his eye, St. Nick
With a bag full of toys for the good girls and boys on his shoulder
And a reindeer call and a “Dash away all!” St. Nick

“You two ougtta be ashamed, you’ve sullied Santa’s perfect name, this operation would go down the drain if I retired,” says Santa
“Neither of you gets the job, so go and join the Grinch’s mob, and Merry Christmas both of you, you’re fired!”

Then Santa broke into a smile
Said, “Everyone else stay awhile!”

Hey Hey Hey
Santa’s here today
And now it’s time for Christmas dinner, everyone awaits
Ho Ho Ho
Everything’s alright
‘Cause Mrs. Claus has whipped us up a Christmas feast tonight

Hey Hey Hey
Santa’s here today
And now it’s time for Christmas dinner, everyone awaits
Ho Ho Ho
Everything’s alright
‘Cause Santa’s having venison and snow ice cream tonight

Ratt versus Whitecross

Oct 21

metalman777audio, music christian metal, metal, music, ratt, whitecross No Comments

So our music comparison continues.  We’ve looked at Iron Maiden and Queensryche, two 80′s metal icons.  The next two bands to look at are Ratt and Whitecross.

Ratt was one of my favorite bands and their music was as catchy as it was flashy.  Their lyrics were a little less than uplifting, so a Christian alternative was “needed”.

Enter Whitecross, one of Christian metal’s finest bands. Whitecross was formed in 1986 and they sounded incredibly like Ratt.

[audio=https://dl-web.getdropbox.com/get/Music/Round%20and%20Round.mp3?w=6992c141]

Ratt – Round and Round

[audio=https://dl-web.getdropbox.com/get/Music/06%20Because%20Of%20Jesus.mp3?w=09da8cb7]

Whitecross – Because of Jesus

(sorry this post is so short! had a root canal today and this is about all I can manage!)

Iron Maiden versus Barren Cross

Oct 18

metalman777Christianity, audio, music, videos barren cross, christian metal, iron maiden, metal, music, rock 3 Comments

If I had to nail down the most bestest metal band in the world, I’d have to give the title to Iron Maiden.  They’ve sold over a 100 million records, have the best vocalist and bassist ever, and just generally kick major butt.

As I posted in a previous blog entry, I never listened to Iron Maiden as a teen.  What I did listen to as a young Christian was the clean, “non-satanic” alternative,  Barren Cross.

I do have a very special place for Barren Cross in my heart.  My very first metal concert ever was in Fresno, CA, and headlining was BC!!  Well, headlining is a slight misnomer, as they were the only ones playing, and it was in a small church.  But they rocked my face off!  (I still cringe with embarrassment as I remember my mom talking to the lead singer after the show.  She told him to cut his hair!)

Remember, I didn’t listen to Iron Maiden, but my friends kept saying that BC sure sounded a lot like them.  Years later, I was listening to the local rock radio station and I heard a song that I swore was Barren Cross.  I thought to myself, how cool, playing some old Christian metal!  The DJ then announced they had played an Iron Maiden song.  I couldn’t believe at how similar they sounded!

That was the day I went and got the entire Iron Maiden discography and Iron Maiden became my favorite metal band ever!

Is it really possible to duplicate Bruce Dickinson’s soaring vocals and Steve Harris’ galloping bass lines?  Mike Lee and Jim LaVerde come as close as your going to get.  You take a listen below.

[audio=http://dl-web.getdropbox.com/get/Music/07%20Powerslave.mp3?w=c40494b2]

Iron Maiden – Powerslave

Powerslave was Iron Maiden’s fifth studio album and it was released in 1984.  The two most notable songs that are always garner airtime are Aces High and 2 Minutes to Midnight.

[audio=http://dl-web.getdropbox.com/get/Music/10%20Two%20Thousand%20Years.mp3?w=432043b3]

Barren Cross – 2000 Years

State of Control was Barren Cross’ third album and was released in 1989.  It is a very well produced and is still one of my favorites!

So, do you think Barren Cross sounds a lot like Iron Maiden?  If you need another listen, here are two different videos I found on youtube.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLvBwPOjZWI]

Iron Maiden’s Can I Play With Madness

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAWYP64ip3Y]

Barren Cross’ Imaginary Music

Where Have I Heard This Before?

Oct 15

metalman777Christianity, audio, music christian metal, heavy metal, music, queensryche, recon, sacred warrior No Comments

A few months ago I wrote a blog post telling of my love for music and how that love was started.  I got started on the Christian Metal scene quite early, all the while ignoring the mainstream metal movement for the most part.

When I came to my senses years later, I realized how much the Christian metallers (is that a word?) ripped off the original artists such as Queensryche, Ratt, Metallica and AC/DC.  Maybe ripped off is too strong of words, but the Christian metal bands definitely borrowed similar sounds and styles.  That was quite alright with me back in the day.  As a young Christian, I was taught that Judas Priest and Iron Maiden were devil worshippers and that I should not listen to them.  But bands like Saint and Barren Cross, which sounded almost exactly as the aforementioned bands, were ok to listen to.

Anyways, I thought it might be fun to spend a few blog posts comparing some of the mainstream metal acts to their Christian counterparts.

First up is Queensryche versus Sacred Warrior versus Recon.

[audio=https://dl-web.getdropbox.com/get/Music/Child%20of%20Fire.mp3?w=4a88a5ec]
Queensryche – Child of Fire.  Released in 1984

I would have to say that Queensryche is one of those bands whose entire discography is kept on my iPod at all times.  They are premiere musicians and I love every one of their albums.  They were pretty popular in the mid 80′s, so of course their sound would be “borrowed” by other bands.

[audio=https://dl-web.getdropbox.com/get/Music/02%20Children%20of%20the%20Light.mp3?w=60e627c0]
Sacred Warrior – Children of Light.  Released in 1988

One such band that was heavily influenced by Queensryche was the band Sacred Warrior.  They released four studio albums, all of which were very good.  Click here to read a good review of each album.

[audio=https://dl-web.getdropbox.com/get/Music/03%20Ancient%20of%20Days.mp3?w=359a0060]

Recon – Ancient of Days.  Released in 1990.

Recon only has the one album to their name, but what an album!  One can very quickly see the influence of Queensryche in almost every note.  Click here for more information.

[polldaddy poll=999170]

This is a new addition to the WordPress.com blogs.  Thought it would be fun to add a poll just because I can!

Our Corpse Destroyed – Strength to Strength

Sep 16

metalman777music, videos christian metal, christian punk, metal, music, OCD, our corpse destroyed, punk No Comments

Our Corpse Destroyed has finally released their new album, Strength to Strength.  For those of you who might not have heard of OCD, you sure have missed out on some phenomenal punk music.

I originally thought that the new CD wasn’t coming out until October.  I was browsing around iTunes and actually found it.

It looks like iTunes thought it would be released in October as well!  The “buy album” button worked and poof! I now own the new OCD album.

The video below plays some music from the first album as well as the second album.  The sound is different enough to be noticed.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQhdTxQ7r8Q]

OCD’s first album, Avenge Your City, is pure punk goodness.  Big bass lines, catchy barking background vocals, short songs that pack a huge punch – these are all on the first CD.

Strength to Strength hit me more as a metal album.  The big bass lines are way more subdued and the guitar is prominent.  The gang vocals are there, but just not as pronounced.  One song even has a mini guitar solo!  This is a great album, but I was taken aback at the sound change.  I will need to listen to this one a few more times before I absolutely love it.

I had the chance to see OCD about a year and a half ago when they came to Merced.  The put on a phenomenal show, packed with high energy and exuberance.  All the guys were super nice.  I took some pictures and made this crappy slideshow:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Po5Tn1REug]