Done for the term

Well our second term is almost here which means we have one more term left, yes! It also means no more blogging...for school anyway. I still plan on blogging even though I don't have to anymore. It's weird. I came into this thinking it would be incredibly boring, and more or a less a waste of my time. Turns out, it's a great way spend time waiting for the bell to ring in the morning, opposed to sharing the hallways with hundreds of people and feeling claustrophobic. I'll still be sticking to music for the most part, but possibly blog about things in recent news that interest me, I don't know.

Student Blogging

Well as you may or mat not know, this is a school blog for AP Lang/Comp. We have to blog every week with a specific word count and number of blogs. Sometimes I hear people complain about the blog, but for the most part I like doing it a lot. I don't have a computer at home so sometimes it's difficult to meet the necessary requirements, but it gives me a good reason to come to school a little earlier, and let's me give my opinion on the topics that interest me most. Mostly stuff about music. Bands, Cd's, instruments, games, etc.


Lately, I've been coming in to school early every morning in order to work on and/or try to stay ahead on the blog. Most of the time I think I'm meeting the word count, but if not I know I'm at least meeting the number of blogs needed for that week. This started out as a blog completely dedicated to Metallica. but after a while you start to realize that one band isn't nearly enough to blog about all the time. So I expanded it to every rock/metal band. Regardless if I liked them or not. And eventually I just said I'll blog about anything music related.

But all in all I think blogging is a great thing for students to do. Most kids are on the computer more than writing in a notebook anyway and some were probably blogging before it was part of our grade, so why not? I think people have a lot of opinions and a lot to say about a wide variety of topics. Politics, music, games, books, cats, dogs, life, death...anything. So it's not like it's all that hard to find somethings to blog about. Just pick something and move on.

The only thing I don't like about blogging for school is, there's a limit for what you can say or talk about without getting offending people. I'm not saying I want to insult anyone for any reason, but sometimes, and I know it's true for everyone, I want to really let out what I have to say and use the vocabulary I choose. But I can't do that due to censorship and the possiblility of people being offended. But I guess with my topic being music I can't really get too many people mad enough to where it would be a big deal. But some people's blogs are all about expressing their opinion on things that can get really ridiculed. Subjects like politics and religion can get really heated really fast. That's why I chose to do something that no one should get to upset with. But other than that, I like to blog. It's an easier way to help your grade in AP Lang/Comp. while being somewhat entertained.

Killswitch Engage in Waterloo

I'm always looking for upcoming concerts in my area. Whether it be here in Cedar Rapids or Waterloo, if a band comes to town that I somewhat enjoy, I'm trying to get a ticket. The best concert I've been to so far was at the McElroy Auditorium in Waterloo. It featured five bands including; One, Social burn, Wicked Wisdom, Non point, and Sevendust. It was an awesome show. I got to meet every band and get autographs, except for Sevendust. I guess they think it necessary to charge 60 bucks to meet them, whatever. Anyway, on March 21, 2009 Killswitch Engage is coming to the McElroy and I'm dying to go. The headliner is actually Disturbed. They're okay but I like Killswitch more.

Usually I'm not a huge fan of bands that like to scream rather than sing, as you may have guessed in my Trivium post. But these guys are an exception. There's a nice even amount of both sing and scream. Enough anger but also harmony, and all that stuff. Their vocals are killer and their instruments will blow you away! i'm not sure who else will be there, but I'm sure it will be an amazing show either way.

The headliner is the more popular band, Disturbed. I'm sure a lot more people recognize this name. Now I'm not a huge fan, or hardly a fan at all but I think they'll put on a good show. i just hope they don't play they're new song Indestructible. I know it's no use hoping they won't but God I hate that song. I can't understand a word he's saying. All he does in that song is call himself indestructible, and mumble. I can't quite grasp it. Oh well, they have other songs that are listenable. Down with the Sickness, Prayer, Remember, and I guess Stricken are all pretty good in my eyes.

The ticket price is something that I can't really complain about. There will be something like four bands there, two of which are big time names, and the tickets are around 35 dollars. I'd say that's a pretty fair price for a four band concert. Anyway I'm sure it'll be awesome. If you're looking to get the anger out I'd suggest some Killswitch Engage!

I HATE TRIVIUM!

Alright all you Trivium fans, I know how you think Trivium is one of the best metal bands out there right now, and they might be, but the truth is there not that good. Don't get me wrong I love the music. The guitar, drums, even the bass but I cannot stand the "singing." Notice the quotes there around singing, yeah more like screaming to me. And I know what you're going to say and you can save it. Yeah, I'm not the biggest fan of bands that yell but I do like Killswitch Engage and Slipknot, so you can't say I hate it. But with Trivium it all sounds the same to me. Almost like he's repeating the same lyrics over and over and over again without change the tone or anything. It drags on. I do however, enjoy the parts of the songs where he's actually singing. I don't understand why he would ruin his voice like that, it's great! Maybe it's just my taste in music. Maybe it isn't...oh what's that word...hardcore enough I don't know. Overall I'd give the instruments somewhere around a 9 or maybe even a 10, but for the singing/screaming until I throw up, about a 1 maybe a 2.

My friend was the one that recommend the band to me. I was looking to check out some stuff that I'd never heard before, and he told me Trivium was a good band. We have similar taste in music, but apparently not similar enough. So instead of throwing the CD away like I probably should have, I gave the CD to my friend. maybe he'll enjoy it a little more than I did.

Riff By Riff

In all my two and a half years of playing guitar I've put most of my focus on one band, Metallica. They were the ones who got me into playing in the first place. I heard Master of Puppets and decided what I wanted to do. Now years later I'm able to play Master and a bunch of other Metallica songs all the way through. But it wasn't the easiest thing in the world. We're talking about the best band ever. The ones who revolutionized thrash metal, and inspired thousands of people to play the guitar, drums, bass, or sing.

A lot of people will tell you that playing a Metallica song is easy to do, and I will say they aren't that hard, for the most part, but that's what makes the band great, simplicity. The challenge is nailing the riff without error, and matching the break-neck speeds of either James or Kirk, depending on what style you play, rhythm or lead.

When it comes down to it for me lead is harder than rhythm. This is especially true when talking about Kirk Hammett. His soloing technique is amazing, and can't be matched by anyone else no matter how hard they try. A lot of these newer bands try to copy his style but aren't all that successful. He combines blues into metal and gets that sound that could almost knock you over. At the same time Hammett can have really passionate solos, that show his true love for the instrument, and that he isn't just a guy that can pick fast and use a lot of effects. He is the meaning of metal guitar. Pure, raw, technical, passionate, etc.

When we talk about James on the other hand, it isn't as much speed as it is power and rage. James is an amazing player, and he can sing while playing songs like Battery, Blackened, and Damage Inc. to name a few. He's like the driving force behind the band. Without those heart-stopping riffs their wouldn't be a Metallica. Just another metal band in the mix.

By far the best band ever, with the possibility of having the best guitar duo ever, Metallica's Kirk and James, are what makes the unique. Not trying to take anything away from Lars, who is a killer drummer, but guitar is usually what stands out for most bands, and for the metal gods that are Metallica it's takes them to the top.

Top ten metal albums

Here is the list of the top ten metal albums of all time according to Metal-Rules.com, and there are some very good bands on the list, check it out and tell be what you think!

10. Judas Priest- Screaming For Vengeance

This is the one Judas Priest album that you have to have according to most metal heads. Priest is one of the leading bands in the metal movement, and by far one of the greatest bands in music history. They're hell bent for leather, and they kick off our list at number 10.

9. Slayer- Seasons in the Abyss

Considered to be Slayer's last classic album, Seasons in the Abyss is one of the ultimate speed metal albums. Kerry King on lead guitar never stops the action and with songs like War Ensable, and the title track it's easy to see why it made the list at number 9.

8. Dio- Holy Diver

Alright, if you don't know this album, or at least this song you're not a true metal fan. Ronnie James Dio, and Holy Diver are two elements that without, the metal world wouldn't be the same. put up your devil horns it's Dio!

7. Iron Maiden- Peace of Mind

Ah Iron Maiden, a true die hard metal band till the end. These guys are so metal they make up three songs on this list! Not hard to see why when you have a voice like Bruce Dickinson in the band.

6. Iron Maiden- Powerslave

Yes, two times in a row. I told you these guys were the real deal. After Number of the Beast and Piece of Mind, Iron Maiden was looking for more and they got what they needed with Powerslave.

5. Slayer- Reign in Blood

No not Raining Blood, although a common misconception, the album is called Reign in Blood. Perhaps the definitive Slayer album with "godly" songs like Raining Blood and Angel of Death.

4. AC/DC- Back In Black

This is an album everyone knows, metal fan or not. If you listen to music at all or have ever been to a party you've heard this CD. AC/DC's first CD without singer Bon Scott who had died previously. The band thought they were finished but Brian Johnson saved the band and did a great job at keeping them a float with Back in Black.

3. Metallica- Ride the Lightning

Finally some recognition! Metallica's second album Ride the Lightning is nothing but metal. Considered the bridge between Kill Em' All and Master of Puppets, with songs like Fade to Black and Creeping Death

2. Iron Maiden- Number of the Beast

Okay, they have to stop doing this. On the list once again and with the number two spot! Number of the Beast. There's no doubt about it, Iron Maiden are true innovators at what they do, and are one of the most recognizable bands out there.

1. Metallica- Master of Puppets

Can you believe it? Who knew Metallica was metal enough to top the list of most metal albums of all time? *Sarcasm Well if you don't believe it than you obviously haven't heard this album. Considered by thousands to be the best Metallica album Master of Puppets is pure anger, rage, and hate. True metal.

Heavy Metal Box Set

This past Christmas all I really asked for were CD's. When I opened this gift I was suprised at what it was. A box in the shape of a Marshall amp that held four metal albums. This is a great collection of artists, mostly from the eighties. Bands like Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Diamond Head, and Motorhead. There's also the more glam metal bands that I don't want to mention, but I know some people like. Bands like Posion, Ratt, Whitesnake, and other people. There is something in here for everyone.

Like I said before I'm not a fan of the glam metal. Guys dressing like girls, and wearing make-up isn't exactly appealing to me, but there's a lot more to this box set than that. Everything from, speed metal, thrash metal, death metal, etc is on here.

The set also comes with a booklet containg all the bands, and there songs that make up these cd's. The book describes what the songs mean, and how they made them successful.