I like giving “Sunday Metal” a theme, and so this theme is “Songs of My Youth”. I found heavy metal as a teenager and it’s always been a big part of my life. I wanted to highlight some songs that stand out from those youthful days.

Twisted Sister was pivotal for me for a few reasons.

“Stay Hungry” was my first album (a record). My younger sister got it for me for Christmas.

My mother instantly hated it. Scared her. 🙂

Twisted Sister and Dee Snider, their interactions with the P.M.R.C., how my Mom devoured Tipper’s message and well… it drove a lot of things in my life, be it good, bad, tension, or whatever. Stories for another day.

Of all the songs on “Stay Hungry”, “Burn in Hell” always stood out to me. It sounds all evil and terrible, not just the title but even the music  sounds all foreboding. If you just focus on the hook of the chorus chanting “you’re going to burn in hell!” and how scary that will be, how that will offend the sensibilities of some… well yeah, that’s what makes it cool. 😉

But even cooler then was to actually listen to the whole of the lyrics and realize how the song is actually quite positive and provides a warning for people that don’t keep their life on the straight and narrow. Really, it’s exactly the message those scared and offended by the song would appreciate, but they’re too focused on the artistic delivery and miss the point completely. That made the song especially cool, because of that form of delivery.

 

I like giving “Sunday Metal” a theme, and so this theme is “Songs of My Youth”. I found heavy metal as a teenager and it’s always been a big part of my life. I wanted to highlight some songs that stand out from those youthful days.

Mötley Crüe was a big band of my teenage years. They were always dangerous, they were always something the parents didn’t like, and they wrote some fun songs.

“Kickstart My Heart” was perfect, because I was a senior in high school, had a car, and just felt unstoppable. Life was good.

 

I like giving “Sunday Metal” a theme, and so this theme is “Songs of My Youth”. I found heavy metal as a teenager and it’s always been a big part of my life. I wanted to highlight some songs that stand out from those youthful days.

Another Poison track, because the bottom line with them was simple: they provided a good time, and the anthem to go along with it. Plus, their videos were always fun — count the outfit and guitar changes. 😉

I like giving “Sunday Metal” a theme, and so this theme is “Songs of My Youth”. I found heavy metal as a teenager and it’s always been a big part of my life. I wanted to highlight some songs that stand out from those youthful days.

As I got more into thrash and “real metal”, I was simultaneously going through some rougher times in life. I found music helped me express myself when I couldn’t find the words to adequately convey my emotions. The lyrics, the music, the mood, the way a song would help me emote. It was a way to cope, to deal, to release, and ultimately overcome.

Dark Angel’s “The Promise of Agony” was one such song:

(Don’t worry, I’ve long since overcome these feelings).

I like giving “Sunday Metal” a theme, and so this theme is “Songs of My Youth”. I found heavy metal as a teenager and it’s always been a big part of my life. I wanted to highlight some songs that stand out from those youthful days.

Fall 1990. College radio. WXJM. “Cliff” (that was me) starts his first radio show, “Over The Edge” on a Saturday morning at 9 AM.

First song?

Accept, “Fast As a Shark”

 

I like giving “Sunday Metal” a theme, and so this theme is “Songs of My Youth”. I found heavy metal as a teenager and it’s always been a big part of my life. I wanted to highlight some songs that stand out from those youthful days.

Give me all the flack you want, but Poison was an enjoyable part of my youth (and yes, they are “heavy metal” since “hair metal” is enough of a subgenre — deal with it). Their songs embodied what we wanted: nothing but a good time; action; dirty talk; whatever. I mean, sex, drugs, rock-and-roll, right? Rock and roll all night, party every day with booze and hot women, etc.. Fuel for teenage dreams.

Then, Poison proved they could be deep. Well, deep for them. I do remember a bunch of us over at Bill’s house one afternoon just hanging out. The TV was on in the background, MTV playing (back when they played music videos), and then “Something To Believe In” came on. Someone called everyone over to watch, because well… all things considered, the band, the reasons, the context, everything… it was a little heavier, a little deeper, a little different. Somehow it was a significant thing in our teenage lives.

I like giving “Sunday Metal” a theme, and so this theme is “Songs of My Youth”. I found heavy metal as a teenager and it’s always been a big part of my life. I wanted to highlight some songs that stand out from those youthful days.

Like any music embraced by teenagers, parents are unlikely to understand it. I recall one day sitting in my bedroom and my Dad came in. I don’t recall his motivation, but the end result was me playing Exodus’ “Last Act of Defiance” for him to try to help him understand something… and him thinking I was out of my mind for listening to such drivel. 🙂

I like giving “Sunday Metal” a theme, and so this theme is “Songs of My Youth”. I found heavy metal as a teenager and it’s always been a big part of my life. I wanted to highlight some songs that stand out from those youthful days.

Without question, Bryan introducing me to Anthrax was a pivotal moment. It was the first “hard(er)” band, my intro to thrash. But of course, it wasn’t a thrash song, it was a rap song — “I’m the Man”

It provided the right transition for me. The humor opened the door, and I started exploring other Anthrax songs and albums. I liked what I heard, and my love of thrash was born.

I think Believer‘s “Sanity Obscure” is a good metal album. Thrashy, technical, and willing to experiment.

While the band has had their ups and downs (and it seems recently a member has been dealing with serious health issues, which has put the band in an understandable limbo for a while), they’re still marching on.

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

And besides… how can I not love a band where the drummer shares in my obscure last name? 😉

My first exposure to the band Living Sacrifice was their “Nonexistent” album. It was OK. I wasn’t into that style of vocals and while I thought the music was heavy I just couldn’t get past my dislike of the vocals.

Sometime last year I was scrolling through my iTunes library to find something to listen to and found the “Nonexistent” album and tried again. Out of curiosity I Googled the band to see if they were still around and sure enough they are!

In fact, they had a “new” album out, “Ghost Thief”.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc812DiScXU]

I really dig this. It’s thrashy, has a groove (I love the outro). Brutal. Just damn fine metal.