This ones for Dimebag Darrell Abbott- RIP Damageplan/Pantera one year ago today

EDITED 11/30/09-"Your trust is in Whiskey, Weed and Slayer"-PANTERA- It was one year ago today I heard the awful news of Darrell Lance (DIMEBAG) Abbott's, (Pantera/Damageplan) tragic murder in Columbus, Ohio. I had just woken up, turned on the god awful local radio stations... The radio announcer from WDST (Woodstock, NY) announced that a tragic incident had happened at a Damageplan show (featuring Vinnie Paul Abbott and Dime Bag Darrell Abbott, brothers and former members of disbanded Pantera) in Columbus, Ohio. The radio announcer had said a few people were shot, and then the announcer said Dimebag was shot and to log on to Blabbermouth.net.... I then turned OFF the radio, in total denial..I usually don't believe anything that local radio announcers say, because they are usually full of SHIT, and paid to talk shit.
I got dressed, and I walked to the store for cigarettes and chow..I was humming Pantera tunes to myself, "Walk", "A New Level" as if to will Dimebag back to life..I was thinking to myself, "Maybe something horrid happened at a Damageplan show, maybe someone got shot, but NOT to put Dimebag's life over concert attendees, but NOTHING happened to Dimebag right?
I even remember going to therapy that day, asking my therapist what had happened at that Damageplan show... Did someone have beef with our fellow metal head Dimebag? WHY? Why would someone do that to Darrel Abbott?
I got home and logged online, and before I could even get onto to Blabbermouth.net. the horrible news of Dimebag's death was reported on AOL News... I sat there shocked, then I logged on to Blabbermouth.net. and shook my head and said.."This is true, and this is horrible"..I went into the AOL metal chat and kids were freaking out while the elitist metal heads didn't know what to say.. ... I stated in the AOL metal chat it doesn't even matter if you're a PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN fan, it's almost irrelevant considering the circumstances.. Why is it that people are so OBSESSIVE about musicians, people in leadership positions, entertainers, athletes that they live vicariously through them not defining there identity independently?.... Do fans think they "own" these people in leadership positions.....Why is it that us Americans are so obsessed with weapons that we shoot any one whom we have a conflict with? Why isn't there tighter security, including metal detectors, magic wands at concerts, clubs, sporting events and mass gatherings? WHY?
I'm 35 and I'm not a kid anymore. I went to high school two blocks from where John Lennon (Beatles) was murdered at the Dakota in Manhattan, NYC 1980..My grade school teacher had to explain what went down that night between John Lennon and random wingnut Mark David Chapman..I was so young, I didn't understand the dark side of human psychology/pathology at 9 years old... Now, I DO understand although I don't agree about the psychology of socio and psychopaths..It IS important to get help.... Strawberry Fields across the street from the Dakota (in Central Park) is dedicated to the memory of John Lennon whom was murdered on this date on December 8th, 1980..Ironically.24 years to the date of John Lennon's tragic murder, Dimebag Darrell Abbott of Pantera/Damageplan was murdered onstage in an unrelated tragic incident.

What happened at that Damageplan show a year ago today? A former Marine, Nathan Gale whom was mentally disturbed and obsessed with the metal band PANTERA, scaled a fence armed with a machine gun and 50 rounds of ammunition..Gale walked on stage (through a unguarded stage door) and shot Damageplan's guitarist, Dimebag Darrell Abbott and members of Damageplan's crew and many fans. A great sharp shooting cop on a will and instinct walked into the back door of the club as Gale held a gun to the head of a hostage. The cop shot Nathan Gale in the head, killing him and ending the crisis.. By then, a few people, including "DimeBag" Darrrell Abbot (Pantera/Damageplan) were tragically murdered, many of whom were trying to help out in that tragic crisis.
BTW, Nathan Gale had NO relationship with either PANTERA or DAMAGEPLAN..Not AT ALL..... So Gales murder of Dimebag is not an issue of personal/ musical betrayal or vengeance.... Not that the act of murder would justify those intense emotions.... Gale's murder of Dimebag was not provoked but pre meditated... Despite Gales insistent behavior once stating that he "wrote" Panteras lyrics and Pantera "stole" his lyrics, the conflict was in Gales head as his delusions got the best of him... I would not dignify Nathan Gales existence by calling him a PANTERA fan (or Damageplan fan) even if he once enjoyed their music... Gale was clearly INSANE and out to murder Dimebag Darrell Abbott and not at the show to mosh, enjoy the music and meet people..
Dimebag's murder was clearly the act of a psychopath ( Nathan Gale was psychologically disturbed) as random as it was..
Metal horns \m/ to officer James N. for ending the crisis (at the Damageplan show) wich could have resulted in more dead... Nathan Gale was mentally ill, delusional and obsessed with Pantera and the bands 2003 breakup as Gale went on a violent shooting spree..Gale was previously discharged from the military and given orders to see a shrink... Very tragic story..
So pleease, check your head, don't be so obsessive about anyone, and no one owes nobody anything. Don't bring weapons to any concert, club, or mass gathering. Just bring a smile and a good attitude, and have a good time, and if you're not having a good time, then leave, so others can enjoy themselves, and so others can live..Check your EGO's, weapons and check your head....That goes for all of you, and all of US, in all circumstances.
Don't believe what you read in the metal tabloids about PANTERA's breakup. Those guys in PANTERA might have their differences, but alot gets taken out of context in the press (pandering to the lowest common denominator of tabloid press to make a profit) and Phil Anselmo is pretty torn up about Dimebag's death...It doesn't matter what was said in the press, those guys in PANTERA are brothers whom had the best times of their lives together and loved one another... Pantera have toured the world ten times over, and they wouldn't want anything BAD to happen to former and current band mates, friends, family and YES YOU the fans....
BTW, I've seen PANTERA quite a few times and I've had some great times at their shows. Fans have jumped from the lower tiers of Giants Staduim (NJ-OZZFEST) to mosh in the pit while Phil Anselmo yelled, "Get back in your seats!"..I've seen Pantera with Slayer and Fear Factory where there was literally a sick ass pit, with no where to run or hide...Every time I've seen PANTERA I've had a GREAT time, full floor pits everywhere, the smell of weed and beer..Phil Anselmo once explained that despite what the guys in the suits say, metal isn't dead, as he brought some of the best underground extreme metal acts on tour with him including the mighty MORBID ANGEL..Phil Anselmo IS into black and death metal.. I remember when I was a college radio DJ (WFNP 88.7FM-New Paltz, NY ) someone showed me the cover of PANTERA's very first album "Power Metal"..Umm, those guys in PANTERA put a hole in the ozone layer as they were sporting big hair ala hairspray and braces.. They were so young back then..
Pantera cut their hair, and changed their image to almost redneck, confederate flag waving, whiskey drinking, Southern thrashers..From there on in, I don't care how elitist of a metal head you are, PANTERA had the world headbanging......
Sure they were cries that PANTERA were an EXHORDER clone (NOLA thrash metal) but a band with one guitarist (Dimebag) never sounded better and PANTERA and EXHORDER made peace with the musical comparisons... I love the way DIMEBAG Darrel Abbott (PANTERA guitarist) brought rolling, staccato thrash riffs with a bluesy Southern groove into the mainstream of metal....Pantera songs like "A New Level" and "Fucking Hostile" had great, catchy thrash riffs and were often a gateway for metal nubies getting into the metal scene for the first time.
The last time I saw PANTERA was March 13th, 2001 (I STILL have the tic stub) at the Mid Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, NY with Morbid Angel and SoulFly.. I bought a tic for a friend to enjoy the show with.. I wanted to check out Morbid Angel again and.. Steve Tucker's vocals were AWESOME! Phil Anselmo was in fine form that night but also humble saying "Hey anytime you want us to play here, anytime"....PANTERA even did a cover of Ted Nugent's "Cat Scratch Fever"..Fun show!..
Dimebag Darrells death happened on the swing home after Damageplan's tour with Shadows Fall, and the Haunted late last year. The Abbott brothers formerly of PANTERA have played stadiums worldwide, but were playing smaller, intimate venues with their new project Damageplan a year after PANTERA's breakup.
This ones for Dimebag Darrell as someone online said "If there is a God in the sky, he took Dimebag away because God needed a drinking partner".
Nate Gale's murder of Dimebag Darrell should not reflect badly on metal fans as this was an isolated incident of a random wingnut...
All of us metalheads are part of the same community, we go to the underground shows (wich are smaller) and we look out for each other ... To be a fan of underground metal, it takes loyalty when your fave bands get no radio airplay and aren't on MTV... Underground extreme metal bands aren't rich as they take time off from their day jobs to tour... Metal fans are the most loyal, KNOWLEDGEABLE fans in any genre of music...
So before I go to sleep tonight, I will have a shot of black tooth grin for Dimebag in his memory..Thank you Dimebag for all the great music, memories, riffs, and the hell raising good times... BTW, anyone whom behaves as irrationally as Nathan Gale, including YOU (and we all have dysfunctions, personality disorders) and is that angry at someone whom they don't know in any aspect of the entertainment industry or any walk of life, check your head if you're than impulsive, manipulative, obsessive,or are going to "act out".. Also tell any one else whom exhibits this behavior (including extreme rage, violence and most of all jealousy) to check there head as well..Ratt them out, and don't associate with them for your own safety...After all, as PANTERA said, this is about "RE-SPECT"; Respecting your selves, and others.. It doesn't matter if you like everyone or not, it's about NOT being violent. "Can't you see I'm easily bothered by persistence, one step from lashing out at you...."Is there no standard anymore? "Be your self, by your self, stay away from me, A lesson learned in life, known from the dawn of time... RE-SPECT, WALK, what do you say? RE- SPECT, WALK..Go home PUNK"-PANTERA (Walk).
The irony of all of this, is that all those guys in PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN had a great relationship with their fans. Mucho support to all of the DAMAGEPLAN and PANTERA crew.
R.I.P. "Dimebag" Darrell Abottt (Damageplan/Pantera) this drinks for YOU \m/ -l-
Also, RIP John Lennon (Beatles) whom died on this date in 1980, as now is the best time to "Give Peace a Chance"..
11/30/09-I can't believe that shit happened to DIMEBAG, he was the sweetest, most charismatic, charming, awesome shredder in metal, a true, grounded, nice guy, with a heart the size of TEXAS..We will always remember DIMEBAG, and the great shows, pits, and good times.
R.I.P. TO SOME COURAGEOUS METAL HEADS, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED:
Nathan Bray of Columbus, Ohio
Erin Halk of Columbus, Ohio
Jeff "Mayhem" Thompson of Texas (SECURITY for DAMAGEPLAN)

I loved DIMEBAG's squealing guitar leads, riffs, and charismatic personality-\m/ -l- Getcha Pull

CBGB's OMFUG: Adios CBGB goodbye amigos/CBGB's closing for good

As this will be all for our old friends at CBGB's. Thankfully 70's punk killed disco ( disco and bland classic rock) although punk has sold out, CBGB's offered some of the best club gigs in the NY metro area for over 20 years. Metal, hardcore, metal core, grind, death metal, nu metal, nu wave, you betcha, CBGB's WILL be missed. Thank you Hillel Krystal and all at CBGB's for 20 years of great music. CBGB's OMFUG acronym=Country, Bluegrass, Blues and Other Music for Unknowing Gormandizers..Thank you so much CBGB's for all you've done for music, standing ovation. Support music not rumors, support LIVE music not DJ's.

FROM CBGB's OMFUG:
"We are closing. Our landlord had neither the obligation nor the interest to give us a new lease when our old lease expired in August. Since then, we have been fighting a losing battle, trying to buy time, against our eviction."

"Unless a miracle were to happen, or the landlord were to have a change of heart, we knew we were gong to close. We just didn't know when. Now we do."

"An agreement has been reached... not to give us a new lease, but to give us time to find a new location."

"CBGB is officially closing by October 2006. No postponements, no court dates, no appeals... that's it."

"We are using this time to try and find a new location in New York."

"The rumors of us trying to open in Las Vegas and/or elsewhere are true... but not what you may think. We are staying in New York and we are looing for a space in downtown Manhattan. We are not moving to Las Vegas or anywhere else. We are, however, looking at opening up a sister club elsewhere... perhaps a CBGB West. But the original CBGB, though it will have to move, will remain in New York"                            
Stay metal, Stay brootal, Stay rational-Thanks-\m/ -l-

Black Sabbath and the Great rock and roll swindle

Soo, Black Sabbath were the beginnings of doom and sludge. Every other metal/doom band is the bastard child of Black Sabbath as they were invented to scare the hippies. I don't like Ozzy Osbournes solo material with out the late Rhandy Rhodes, and Sharon Osbourne sounds like a cunt to me with the whole Iron Maiden controversy on OZZFEST last summer.... Black Sabbath preffered to not pander to the industry and some populist notion of industry favoritism. I respect that...

That's ok, all you great dudes in Black Sabbath, you are in the rock and roll hall of fame anway, my salutes for being a major influence and inspiration.

The good news from SMNEWS.COM. Black Sabbath - Finally Inducted Into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, After 8 Nominations posted on 11-28-2005 @ 8:37 AM

Heavy metal godfathers, BLACK SABBATH will finally be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (after being nominated eight times) during the institution's 21st annual ceremony on March 13th in New York City. Other bands being inducted during the ceremony include the SEX PISTOLS and LYNYRD SKYNYRD.

In 1999, SABBATH frontman OZZY OSBOURNE sent the Hall a letter which sums up the Hall's importance:

"Just take our name off the list. Save the ink. Forget about us. The nomination is meaningless, because it's not voted on by the fans. It's voted on by the supposed elite for the industry and the media, who've never bought an album or concert ticket in their lives, so their vote is irrelevant to me. Let's face it, BLACK SABBATH has never been media darlings. We're a people's band and that suits us just fine."

Thanks-Stay METAL, Stay brootal-Tee \m/ -l-

New Vader EP on the way:"This Is the War"

First of all, I would like to thank AOL for adding a spellcheck to this beast of a journal...I sure do need to check my spelling and grammar, lmao.

With that said, there is a new VADER EP/MCD on the way entitled "This Is the War" as the Polish death metal invasion continues with great bands like Behemoth, Decpaitated and others touring the USA well into next year..VADER do release EP's now and then (problably as rationality to tour as often as they do) .as the theme of this EP (depsite it's cheesy CD cover art featuring kill bots) MAY BE the lack of humanity in war or battle as I'm judging from BOTH the CD, song titles and CD cover.. The CD cover (feauturing a picture of "kill bots") is a realistic notion that someday our governments will build machines (ro-BOTS) to go to battle,(in place of of human soldiers) there fore lessening the human toll in war..At least that's MY interpretation of this CD..However, elctronic machines can be programmed to KILL (human beings) with no human emotion, no rebellion, no conciencious objections ect... That's some scary stuff....After all, us Americans have to be pre programmed, briainwashed, robots to rationalize this war on Iraq, until the bodies come home and the middle class kids get drafted.....

FROM BLABERMOUTH.NET. VADER: New Song Available For Download - Nov. 18, 2005 A brand-new VADER track, entitled "This Is the War", has been made available for download at this location. The song comes off the veteran Polish death metallers' latest mini-CD, "The Art of War", available now on Regain Records. The EP was recorded at Hertz Studio and produced by Slawek and Wojtek Wieslawscy. The complete track listing for the mini-CD is as follows:

01. Para Bellum
02. This Is the War
03. Lead Us!!!
04. Banners on the Wind
05. What Colour Is Your Blood?
06. Death in Silence
07. This Is the War (video)

I would also like to add on a NON metal note, that Ryan Adams (RYAN NOT BRYAN) acoustic, studio cover of Oasis's "Wonderwall" (From the CD entitled "Love is HELL part one) is soo melencholy, dark and depressing that I'm actually"comforted" by his awesome version of that song...I hate Oasis but I'm amused by the arrogant behavior of the Gallager brothers (Liam and Noel of Oasis)...                                       Ryan Adams breaks "Wonderwall' down from a pop song to a stripped down, slow, acoustic, guitar picked, folk tune... Ryan Adams version of "Wonderwall" is devoid of  Oasis's pop chord progressions with it's mellow, acoustic fragility....  ...                  Sans Oasis's snarling, obnoxious vocals, Ryan Adams strips "Wonderwall" down to a skeleton with his depressing, erotic, croon..... The dark atmosphere of Ryan Adams version of "Wonderwall" could provoke newlyweds to juimp from a skyscrapers in a suicidal anguish, or comfort the most depressed in all thiier melencholy saddness..Fucking heartbreaking...

Normally I could care less about some AAA (Adult Alblum Alternative) artist like Ryan Adams, but his cover of Oasis's "Wonderwall" is so well done that even I would have to take notice... Nice cover tune Ryan, I'm not so alone in my darkness.. Ryan Adams version of Oasis's "Wonderwall' is uplifting in it's melencholy sadness.

 Ryan Adam's bringing Oasis's "Wonderwall" down to a Prozac crawl:

"Said maybeeEEee, ya gonna be the saves meEEee, gonna be the one that saaaves, meEEEe. You're my Wonderwall".

Thanks-Tee-Stay Metal-Stay brootal, Stay Sane- \m/ -l- 

Suffocation, Vader, Decapitated, Aborted @ The Chance-Poughkeepsie, NY 11/5/05 show REVIEW

Suffocation, Vader, Decapitated, Aborted @ The Chance-Poughkeepsie, NY 11/5/05 show REVIEW: I took a cab to the show, and while riding in the cab, just one block from the Chance Theater a radio announcer said, "If you're going to see Cryptopsy tonight they have CANCELED"... I'm thinking "NOOOOO!"..

However, I was hell bent on enjoying this show anyway and YES I did. I missed Canadian metal core act Despised Icon, and from what I was told, I wasn't missing much..Next up was Belgium's ABORTED. Aborted, whom have recently signed to the major indie label CENTURY MEDIA have released a slew of great grind CD's as this tour is their American debut. Now that ABORTED have inked a major indie deal, we'll be seeing more of these Belgium gore mongers here in the USA..... Aborted's GOREMAGGEDON CD comes to mind as they righteously represent a fresh brand of Belgium Euro grind. Aborted tore up the stage and seemed very cheerful and supportive of both the fans and their touring mates... Aborted played alot from their newest release and got the crowd moshing...

Next up were Polands Decapitated. Decapitated had cancelled a few previous tours here in the USA so this was the first time I had a chance to see them live.. With a new (tall, with nice chest tattoo's) vocalist these Polish teen sensations have grown up and matured musically....Decapitated played a good mix of old and new brootal tunes supporting their new release. Decapitated's new singer stalked the stage with mucho energy, riling the rabid fans into a headbanging frenzy... Decapitated played a blistering set of tunes from previous releases "Winds of Creation", "Nihility" and their new release...A good solid set from Decapitated and they shall be back touring the states early in '06 with NILE....

Next up was the incomparable VADER from Poland..Throughout Decapitated's set, some friends of mine from Connecticut unfurled a Polish flag, as this show of Polish support continued throughout Vader's set..This show of rabid fan support was.all too fitting for Vader, as they are one of the very first death metal bands to debut from behind the Iron Curtain. Vader's .very first demo, "Morbid Reich" is considered one of the most sought after death metal demos and a valuable collectors item....

With ominous opening theme music the crowd began to chant "VADER, VADER, VADER!"... .I couldn't help to think about the tragic death of VADER's former drummer DOC late last summer and I felt compelled to scream out "R.I.P DOC!!" for his great contributions to death metal drumming... Vader TORE. up the stage at The Chance playing such classics from SOTHIS, BACK TO THE BLIND, REVELATIONS, THE BEAST, LITANY and some new material..Me and some friends decided to request our favorite Vader's tunes and Peter of VADER graciously took us on... VADER ripped through a cover of the Slayer classic "Raining Blood" .and the pit opened up and went APESHIT. People climbed over the railing to mosh out to "Raining Blood" (an international metal anthem and you know it, pledge allegiance!) and everyone in that pit went CRAAZY. As Slayer's "Raining Blood" ended Vader's set admist cheers and devil horns \m/....

Next up was New Yawk Death metellers SUFFOCATION (NYDM) and they DID NOT disappoint....SUFFOCATION's Frank Mullen was in fine form at The Chance with his tongue wagging, gore inflicted, morbid humor. The pit was great as the old school metal heads took on the kids and kicked some ass... SUFFOCATION played some material from each of their releases including their latest release (after reforming) "Souls To Deny"..Frank Mullen seemed to have some funny, gory stories while introducing the next songs in their set list. Introducing "Liege " Frank Mullen said,:. "Hey, I'm inviting you all to a barbecue..::::crowd cheers::::. Yeh, we'll have some 'burgers, hot dogs, beer, and bring your girlfriends and boyfriends and we'll CUT them up, CHOP them up, and eat them!". LMAO..Frank Mullen has to be one the best front men in ALL of extreme metal with his GREAT gurgling vocals, charismatic stage presence.and morbid, gory humor akin to Cannibal Corpse live..Suffocation played TIGHT, with their stop on a dime breakdowns and the drummer was right on and the pit responded to these Long Island death metallers with a good, brootal mosh....It's no wonder that Suffocation are one of the most influential and imitated.death metal bands of all time with their trademark New York slam, death metal sound with some technical edges. Clones move over, Suffocation are your metal gods..

SUFFOCATION's setlist in no particular order: Infecting the crypts
Breeding the spawn
Souls to deny
Catatonia
Thrones of blood (AWESOME!)
Torn into enthrallment
Subconsciously enslaved (Funny story by Frank Mullen about being "pyscho" and trying to quell that psychological killer instict)
Prelude to repulsion
Funeral inception
Pierced from within
: Liege of inveracity

In all, it was a great night of no frills death/grind metal and it was nice to see some old school metellers there as I'm most comfortable in my death metal surroundings... Although the show only (as in most underground extreme metal shows in small market areas in the USA) drew only about 100-120 fans, the crowd was friendly as many had traveled hundreds of miles (from upstate NY, from Connecticut, from Massachusetts ect.) to see this excellent extreme metal tour package. I don't care WHAT you think of CRYPTOPSY's new CD "Once Was Not" (which is very good and diverse btw), Cryptopsy put on one hell of a live show, tighter than a bitches cunt, like a train flying down the tracks, killing you with their live brutality... I've seen CRYPTOPSY with each of their vocalists (Mike Disalvo, Martin Lacroix, and the return of original CRYPTOPSY vocalist Lord Worm) as they lay waste to even the best extreme metal bands out their today.... CRYPTOPSY shall return to the USA for another North American tour in '06 so catch them if you can..You will NOT be disappointed.... We'll be looking forward to snacking on some of those tasty worms with LORD WORM and Cryptopsy next year... .

-l-

Thanks-Tee-Stay Metal, Stay Brootal, Stay Troo-\m/ -l-

Thank you sister Rosa Parks (RIP)

On a somber note...Rosa Parks, one of the most important people in the USA's civil rights and in our countries history (or HERstory) movement passed away at the age of 92 last week. Known for her uncompromising stance against Jim Crow laws in the segregated South... Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to whites (and sit in the back of the bus, if the bus would even ALLOW blacks on) in the segregated public transportation buses.. .
Rosa Parks actions sparked a civil rights movement of boycotting segregated companies and civil disobedience against segregation.. Rosa Parks changed everything, for the better, along with many other courageous people in the USA's civil rights movement... Read the book, or buy the PBS special series on VHS or DVD "Eyes on The Prize" by Juan Williams..
I knew last year that Rosa Parks was sick, but in lue of her death, I'm soo GLAD that she lived long enough to see those changes (civil rights) she and others worked so hard for take effect...Me at 35, I am a quarter Cherokee Indian, half black and a quarter white. I was adopted at 9, by a single parented white woman. Now there ya go, multiculturalism and racial INTEGRATION at work as I'm a generation X'er.. That's how far we've come from segregation thanks to Rosa Parks and the civil rights movement of the late 50's and 60's..Rosa Parks gave us this gift of courage and.let's keep PROGRESSING..DON'T repeal civil, gay and women's rights gains..
Rosa Parks was amazing in her courage because she didn't PLAN on defying the Jim Crow laws, as much as she was simply fed up with it, being your average hard working woman in her 40's at the time.. The boycotts of the Southern public transportation systems and Rosa Parks civil disobedience personified the way many downtrodden, hardworking African Americans felt at the time..There was also ALOT of peer pressure for African Americans, due to segregation laws, to simply move to the back of the bus..Out of four African Americans that were told to move to the back of the bus, Rosa Parks sat down defiant..Rosa Parks action of civil disobedience took major courage because at the time African Americans were being criminalized and murdered for changing an unequal system..It is that sense of identity, self esteem, strength and courage that Rosa Park's had that inspires many of us.
Rosa Parks body lay in state in the Rotunda at the White House (Washington, DC), and I must say that if I could be there and say thank you to Rosa Parks, I WOULD... .
There is no BETTER person, out them all in the White House these days, than the woman whom lays in that coffin, her body in state,in the Rotunda in Washington, DC today.
So Pleease, a moment of silence for our sister Rosa, and a standing ovation.
NOLA rockers, The Neville Brothers payed respect to Rosa Parks so well in their tune from the CD YELLOW MOON::
"Thank you sister Rosa, you are the spark, that started our freedom movement, thank you sister Rosa Parks"
Thanks you sister Rosa, you are an inspiration, a beautiful person and you will always be remembered for your courage and convictions..
Have a Happy (SAFE) Halloween everyone, cheers to sister Rosa, have a great Samhiem, Stay Metal, Stay Brootal,PEACE- Thanks-Tee \m/ -l- .

ARSIS: New Arsis A Diamond for Disease; is AWESOME!!

WOW! It's great to hear a good tech/melodic death metal band from the USA for a change. Arsis, from Virgina, USA have released thier follow up to last years critically acclaimed "A Celebration Of Guilt" and maaaan, dood. This new Arsis EP/CD, "A Diamond for Disease" is AWEESOOME!
The title track of the new Arsis EP "A Diamond for Disease", clocking in at nearly 13 minutes long is an EPIC track boasting some exellent fretboard gymnastics and technical, guitar wizadry. . Technical, brootal, melodic, well written thrash with grind, this new Arsis EP RUULES.. The guitarist in Arsis is SHREDDING, playing apreggios, sweeps and hammer ons like it's no ones business. The title track of Arsis's "A Diamond For Disease", this ONE TRACK alone, KILLS any of this crap coming out of Sweden's Gothenbore (Gothenburgh) scene of melodic "death metal" and of course these horrid At The Gates/ In Flames melo- swede/death clones in the metal core scene...
The tabs for the title track of Arsis's "Diamond for Disease" must be an incredible tab for guitarists. Very tastefully done,  EPIC, melodic, brootal, tech,melodic death from Arsis... Keep in mind, that very mutch like Germany's Necrophagist (Onset of Putrefaction, one man band era) Arsis are a two man band, and a full band live.
The title track of Arsis's EP A "Diamond for Disease" alone is mind melding, never boring, with it's various crushing riffs, and tempo time changes. If a band writes a 12,-13,-15 minute tune, it should be done epic style as "ADFD" alone is worth the repeated listens. This tune is a masterpiece.
Geez, buy this CD. This new Arsis EP "A Diamond for Disease" is so awe inspiring...
I feel like I'm in on something special with this new Arsis CD, like the first time I listened to DEATH, or Necrophagist, or Nile, Morbid Angel, Cryptopsy, Suffocation. Or the first time I had sex and fell in love.
BTW, I think this new Arsis EP was produced, mastered and mixed by JAMES MURPHY. A familiar name in death metal huh? You SHOULD know who James Murphy is, as he was one of of the guitarists in the great extreme metal pioneering band:DEATH (RIP Chuck Schuldiner, we love ya man \m/). James Murphy has been recovering from cancer treatment and is doing well, back in the scene, producing and mastering up and coming great metal bands. Good job Murph, good production on the guitars.
I don't know if I should be talking about this new Arsis or sharing it with you. So bye. .
FROM WILLOWTIP RECORDS:

Hot on the heels from their critically acclaimed debut, "A Celebration of Guilt", the unstoppable ARSIS continue to fry minds and melt frets with their brand new 3-song EP, "A Diamond for Disease". Featuring the 13-minute title track, originally composed as a score for NYC's Ballet Deviare, "A Diamond for Disease" is an ultimate magnum opus of epic melodic death metal that explores layer upon layer of romantic lead guitar, that effortlessly manages to swim and dart between spidery mazes of mutating rhythms that recall the very best of "...And Justice For All" and "Heartwork". This is by far the band's most advanced material to date, as it was written from a standpoint of orchestral-like complexity, and as such, embraces a painstaking degree of detail in both harmony arrangement and melodic counterpoint. Look no further…"A Diamond for Disease" is an absolute swirling vortex of symphonic riff-o-rama destined to be 2005’s most powerful sonic orgasm. "A Diamond For Disease" was recorded with Eyal Levi (MISERY INDEX) at Hairy Breakfast Productions and mastered by James Murphy (DEATH, TESTAMENT, DISINCARNATE). The artwork and layout was created by the talented Mark Riddick.

ARSIS will perform LIVE with Ballet Deviare January 6th - 8th at 59E59 THEATERS in New York City. Please see www.balletdeviare.org for more information about this special performance.

ARSIS’ A Diamond For Disease will be released in stores on October 25, 2005. A 3 minute sample of the epic 13 minute title track is available at ARSIS’ official website, www.worshipdepraved.com, and Willowtip’s official website, www.willowtip.com.
Thanks-Tee-Stay Metal, Stay Brootal-Stay Troo- \m/ -l-