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New Music Monday Blog Five Finger Death Punch The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell Volume 1

In this New Music Monday Blog, we are going to get into their fourth studio record, which his called “The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell Volume 1.”  There will be a volume 2 release in the later part of 2013 and that will their fifth studio record.  We are going to get into the history of this band and then the music.  Let us get into the history.

History:

Five Finger Death Punch was formed in 2005 by Zoltan Bathory, who is the guitar player, and Jeremy Spencer, who is the drummer.  Zoltan Bathory was a bassist in his old band which was called U.P.O.  Matt Snell joins the band in 2006.  The band recorded music and then send it to Ivan Moody in Denver.  The band named themselves after some classic martial arts movies.  Ivan later that year flew out to Los Angeles.  They began to record their first studio record, which was called “The Way Of The Fist.”  The band did not have a second guitar player, however, Stevo “Shotgun” Bruno and Mike Sarkisyan recorded parts on the record while being mixed by guitarist Logan Mader.  Caleb Andrew Bingham joined the band for a few shows as their second guitar player.  He was later replaced by Darrell Roberts.  During this time, the band signed with the record company, which was “The Firm.”  In 2007, the band released their first EP, which was called Pre-Emptive Strike through American Itunes.  “The Way Of The Fist” was released in 2007 and enter the Billboard Charts Top 200 at #199.  They went on several major tours to support their first record.  They were on the Maythm Festival and Korn’s Family Values Tour.  They supported Disturbed during this time too.  The band re-release “The Way Of The Fist” in 2008 with few bonus tracks.  “Never Enough” was added on to the record and became the band’s second single off the record.  Darrell Roberts was asked to leave and was replaced by Jason Hook in 2009.  The band stop touring and supporting their first record at this time too.  “War Is The Answer” which is their second studio record was release in 2009.  It entered the Billboard Charts at #7.  The record had several singles including the cover of Bad Company’s song, which was “Bad Company.”  This is one of my favorite cover songs from a hard rock and metal band.  The band went into the studio to work on their third record, which was called “American Capitalist.”  The record was released in the later part of 2011.  The band brought in bassist Chris Kael to replace Matt Snell, who departed from the band.  The band had some success with this record but like their first two studio records.  They had several singles off “American Capitalist.”  Early part of 2013, the band began to work on their fourth record.  By May of 2013, the band announced they will be putting out two records.  “The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell Volume 1,” which is their fourth record and the one that will be review on this posted, and later in the year Volume 2 will be released.  The band realize they were writing some good tunes and they did not want to stop writing.  They dropped some tunes for a double studio record.  The band brought in several special guests and one was Rob Halford from Judas Priest.  They performed this song with Rob at 5th Annual Golden God Awards.  The second volume will be released in November, however, they just release the first single off that record called “Battle Born.”  Let us get into Volume One.

Track List:

Lift Me Up (Featuring Rob Halford Of Judas Priest)

There is some nice heavy guitars with the drums and bass.  The drums have a nice beat to it.  Ivan has a nice melody to his singing.  I am loving the lyrics.  I love how they are using Rob Halford on this song.  Their voices match really well.  This is a great opening track to this song.  Metal God still sounds great when he is singing.  I love the pace of this song.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  I love the ending of this opening track.

Watch You Bleed

I love the reverb on the singer’s voice and the nice acoustic guitar at the beginning.  I love the heavy guitars and the drums during the main part of the song.  Ivan wrote some nice lyrics on this song.  I love the fact that the drummer is using double bass during the main part of the song.  There is a nice guitar break that turns into a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  Nice touch on the ending of this song.

You

There is some nice music at the beginning.  I love the melody of this song.  Ivan wrote some nice lyrics on “You.”  I love the slower pace on this song.  It gives this record a different element.  This band reminds of Pantera back in the day.  I have to say they are today’s Pantera.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  It kind of feels forced into the song.  I am not a fan of the ending.

Wrong Side Of Heaven

I love the acoustic guitar with the second over the top of it in a semi guitar solo.  I love how they had the drums in the distance and it comes front.  I love Ivan’s clean vocals.  I love the lyrics.  They wrote some nice music on this title track.  There is a pretty good guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  I love how Ivan sings over the top of the back half of the guitar solo.

Burn MF

I love the heavy guitars and the drums highlighting parts at the beginning.  There is some solid bass playing on this song.  I am not fan of Ivan’s singing, however, the lyrics are solid.  The drums are insane on this song.  This song is straight to the point.  I love the ending.

I.M.SIN

I love the music at the beginning of this song.  I love  singing and lyrics on this song.  It fits the song and the theme.  Ivan wrote a nice melody to this song.  They pull a page out of Pantera’s music book and did the spoken words before a nice guitar solo.  I love the ending of this song.

Anywhere But Here (Featuring Maria Brink)

I love the heavy guitars at the beginning with a nice backing from the drums and bass.  I love the acoustic guitar with the heavy guitar at the front.  I love the melody and lyrics from Ivan.  I love the guitar solo at the back half of the song.  I wish they would use Maria more on this song.  There is another version of this song towards the end of this record.  It is part of the bonus tracks.  Why even have her on this song if you are not going to use her.

Dot Your Eyes

I love the drums and the guitar playing is pretty good at the beginning.  There is a simple but to the point bass playing.  This song reminds of “When Worlds Collide” from Powerman 5000.  The rhythm and melody from the singer and how the music is playing.  You can see that this band was influenced from the bands from the 1990’s.  I love how they are using the back up singers.  There is a nice guitar break at the end of the song.

M.I.N.E (End This Way)

There is some nice acoustic guitar playing at the beginning of this song.  I wish they used it more and more.  Ivan’s singing is good with some good lyrics.  I love how the bass and drums calm to fit theme of this song.  This song has a nice pace to it.  There is another forced guitar solo towards the middle of this song.  Can this band go one song on this record without a guitar solo?  They are well written but some are just forced into the song.

Mama Said Knock You Out (Featuring Tech N9Ne)

I love the guitar and drums at the beginning of this song.  This is the first cover on this record.  It seems like they always has a cover on all their records.  This is really bad.  I wish they did not do this song.  Are you kidding?  Really?!?!?!?!  This is the worse cover I have heard in a very long time.  I am good.  I cannot finish this song.

Diary Of A Deadman

I love the music at the beginning.  I am really not a fan of the spoken words on this song.  I love the guitar break.  These last two songs at the end of this record have been really disappointing.  I feel this is a bad way to end this great record.

I.M.SIN (Featuring Max Cavalra)

This is the first of three bonus tracks with guest singers.  “I.M.SIN” has lead singer from Soulfly, who is Max Cavalra.  I love the music as I said above.  I want to see how they work Max into this song.  They did a great job working him into this song.  I love this version better than the regular record one.

Anywhere But Here (Duet With Maria Brink)

This song features Maria Brink, who is the lead singer of In This Moment.  I love how they are using her on this version.  This is a better version.  They should have used this version on the main record not the other one.  There voices work well together.

Dot Your Eyes (Featuring Jamey Jasta Of Hatebreed)

“Dot Your Eyes” features Jamey Jasta from Hatebreed.  I love this version like the rest of the bonus tracks.  The second lead singer gives another element to the songs and music from this band.  This is a great song to end this record with the bonus tracks.

Orinigal Line Up:

  • Ivan L. Moody – Lead Vocals
  • Zoltan Bathory – Guitars
  • Darrell Roberts – Guitars
  • Matt Snell – Bass and Backing Vocals
  • Jeremy Spencer – Drums

Current Line Up: 

  • Ivan Moody – Lead Vocals
  • Zoltan Bathory – Guitars
  • Jason Hook – Guitars
  • Jeremy Spencer – Drums
  • Chris Kael – Bass

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com

Twitter:  @FFDP

Closing, this record is by far their best work to date.  I am pretty impressed because I thought their last two records were their best.  This band is at the top of metal world right now and I do not see them going away anytime soon.  They remind me of a modern-day Pantera.  Is this what Pantera would be doing today if they were still around?  It is a great question.  There were only two songs on this great that I would do without.  It was the last two songs before the bonus tracks.  This is a solid record and I can see them doing really well with it along with their Volume 2.  Volume 2 will be out later part of 2013.  I highly recommend you checking out this great record.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Unknown Music Thursday Blog My Enemyz Blood And Now Welcome…Pain

CD-Cover

In this Unknown Music Thursday blog, we are going to get into a new and unknown band, which is My Enemyz Blood.  This is their first record and it is called “And Now Welcome…Pain.”  There is not much history on this because it is a young and upcoming band.  This band was formed in the summer of 2012. This record, which is their first one, was release this year. Their second guitar, who is Rudy, joined in June the same year. They mix a few different styles of Metal.  They talk about it on their Bio on ReverbNation.com which is Groove Metal and Thrash Metal.  I cannot see Lamb Of God and Zakk Wylde sound.  I hear more Pantera type of style with heavier feel that we received in the 2000’s.  Let us get into the music.

Track List:

And Now Welcome…Pain

I love the sampling and the heavy guitar with some solid drumming at the beginning of the song.  The singer is classic in your face extreme metal vocals.  He does more singing than the old school guys.  He is more like Shadowfalls and Pantera.  I love his singing and the lyrics.  The guitar playing is heavy and solid.  The drumming and bass are a perfect support to this band.  I love the guitar break and into a nice solo towards the end of the song.  This is a great opening track.  I love the ending of this song.

Sick

I love the guitar work at the beginning.  I love the singer’s singing at the start of the song.  It is perfect for the song.  I love the lyrics on this song.  There is some solid drumming and bass playing on it.  I love the guitar playing.   Damn that is one awesome drum beat with some sick playing on guitar.  I love the guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  I love the in the face that this song gives the listener.

Eternal Hell

I love the start of this song with a nice church bells.  This reminds me a classic Slayer song called “Rain Of Blood” with that guitar riff.  I love screaming from the singer and the singing.  There is some solid lyrics and drumming with support from the bass player.  The guitar playing has a nice grove to it.  I love the guitar breaks between the singing.  There are parts of this song reminds me of old school Pantera.  I love the ending.

Face Your Fears

I love the sampling of the guitar and drumming.  It just snaps forward with the lead singer right in your face.  I love the pace of this song.  He has written some nice lyrics.  He is the modern-day Phil Anselmo of Pantera.  There is some solid music from the bass, guitar and drums.  My Enemyz Blood did a great job writing some killer music on this song.  I love the guitar work.  Holy shit!   I do not say that too much about guitar players work since I am a bass player.  I love the ending of this song.

Oblivious

I love the guitars, bass and drumming right in your face at the beginning of “Oblivious.”  I love the classic Megadeth break and the guitar playing and right into the main riff with the singer singing over the top.  I am not much a fan of this singing I have to say he has put his twisted on it that I like.  There is some over the top guitar playing on this song.  I will have to say these two guitar players have taken this band’s music to the next level.

Redacted

I love the screaming and drumming to guitar work.  I love how they have two guitar players that give a solid and thick sound to all their songs.  I love his singing but I am having a hard time understanding what he is singing.  I love the sample from the news and there is a killer bass playing.  This band needs to bring him out more often.  I love the build up to the end of the song.

Ultimate Revenge

I love the drumming at the beginning of the song.  There is a killer riff on the guitars.  I love the guitar break before the singer comes into the song.  There is some solid singing from the singer.  I love the lyrics.  They wrote some awesome music on this song.  I love the music towards the end of the song.  They did a great job on the back up vocals and they are well placed.

When I Leave Here

I love the fade into the song.  I love the music and the pace of this song.  I love drumming and the bass playing.  There is some sick guitar riffs on this song.  I love the rhythm on the singing and the melody from him.  I love the lyrics he is singing on “When I Leave Here.”  This is a nice driving song from start to finish.  I love the guitar break to a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.

Flowz Like Blood

I love the drumming and guitar playing on this song.  The bass playing is pretty solid and the singer seems like he is loss on this song.  I am not fan of the melody and rhythm of his singing that is what I mean loss.  I love the music on this song.  Singer has written some solid lyrics.  I love the well placed back up vocals.  I love the guitar break between the singing.  There is some nice time changes on this song.  There is sick guitar solo towards the end of the song.  I love how they ended that song and the record.

Line Up:

  • Richie Z – Lead Vocals
  • Kevin Mendenhall – Lead Guitar
  • Allen Blackwood – Drums
  • Mike Zimmerman – Bass
  • Rudy Gutierrez – Rythm Guitar

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.myenemyzblood.com

Twitter:  @MyEnemyzBlood and my guys @myenemyrudy and @MyEnemyMike

In closing, I have to say this is a pretty solid record from start to finish. The drummer and the guitar playing made this record the way it is from start to finish.  I love the pace of all the songs.  They are in your face and they will not let up.  They are killing your ass from the start of the record to the end.  I am not a fan of this kind of singing but the singer is pretty good.  They have master the art of writing some nice driving songs.  My Enemyz Blood is great at starting out all their songs.  There are not many bands that can get that right.  This band has found a way to do a good job on that part of song writing.  The only knock I have towards this band.  There is really no ending to any of their songs.  They just stop.  There is nothing wrong with that but the record sounds like one big song.  I know there is not what they are trying to get at because they are not like Mastodon or Rush.  Overall, this is a band is growing into their selves.  I believe adding the second guitar player and another mind to this mix.  I believe they will solve problems and come out with new ideas.  I pretty excited to see how this band turns out in the future.  I am hoping to see and meet these guys in person one day.  It was an honor to listen and write to this review.  Thanks My Enemyz Blood and Rudy for sharing this with me.  I recommend you checking their music out if you are a metal person.  Go get some and pass the word around!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

New Music Monday Blog Megadeth Super Collider

In this Music Monday blog, we are going to get into the latest record from Megadeth and it is called Super Collider.  This is the second record with original bassist Dave Ellefson since returning to the band.  This is their first record since 2011.  We are going to get into the rich history of one of the pioneers of Thrash Metal and then the music.  Let us  get into the history.

History

Dave Mustaine was oringally part of Metallica as a lead guitar player until he was fired in 1983.  He was fired for his drinking and drug abuse problem.  Dave Mustaine met Dave Ellefson in the same year to form Megadeth.  Megadeth recorded a three song demo and was signed to Capital in 1984 while hiring Chris Poland as their lead guitar player.  The band in 1985 began recording their debut record, which was “Killing Is My Business….And Business Is Good!” under Combat Record, which was independent record company under Capital.  After blowing half the budget on drugs and alcohol, the band was forced to fire their producer and produced their own record.  This record has been looked at as a cult and fan favorite.  In 1986, the band started to record their second record, which was “Peace Sells… Who’s Buying?”  Megadeth did not like how the record sounded so they finally moved up to the major record, which was Capital.  Capital Records hired Paul Lani to remix the record and released in 1986.  This record pushed Megadeth into the mainstream of Hard Rock and Metal in the 1980’s.  The band went on several date tours but drug abuse force the band to go through several different line up changes.  Megadeth started to work on their third record called “So Far, So Good… So What!” in 1988.  Several more line up changes happened before they even started to work on their fourth record.  Chuck Behler (drummer) and Jeff Young (guitar player) were fired while Dave Ellefson went into rehab.  Nick Menza was brought in to play drums.  Megadeth covered “No More Mr. Nice Guy” for Wes Craven’s film “Shocker.”  This marked the first time in Megadeth’s history the band recorded a song as a three-piece band.  In 1990, the band started searching for their second guitar player.  The band saw guys like Slash, who was in Guns and Roses and turned down the gig to stay with Roses, and Criss Oliva, who turned it down from Savatage.  Dimebag Darrell, who was from Pantera, was offer but wanted his brother, who was Vinnie Paul, to play drums.  Jeff Loomis from later fame Nevermore was offer but Dave Mustaine was worried about his age.  Marty Friedman was told by Jeff Loomis to try out for Megadeth.  Marty was rejected at first but later Mustaine hired him in 1990.  It was just in time for the band to record their next record, which was “Rust In Peace.”  The band was sober and this is the first time at this point a producer, who was Mike Clink, made it through the whole recording process without being fired.  “Rust In Peace” would mark the most success this band will ever have from any era and history.  The next record was “Countdown to Extinction.”  It had several hit songs and the record debuted number two on the Billboard Charts.  Megadeth recorded another hit song called “Angry Again” for a film called “Last Action Hero.”  After being drop by Aerosmith for comments by Dave Mustatine, the band return to the studio to record “99 Ways To Die” for the soundtrack for Beavis And Butthead Experience record.  The band return to the studio record a follow-up record to “Countdown To Extinction” which would be called “Youthanasia.”  The record appeared number four on the Billboard Charts.  Jimmy Degrasso was bought in to play drums and replaced Nick Menza.  Nick did play drums on Megadeth’s next record which was called “Cryptic Writings.”  It appeared number ten on Billboard Charts.  It also had the highest single, which was “Trust”  in the band’s history on the Mainstream Rock Tracks.  There was several other hits off this record.  “Risk” was the next release from Megadeth in 1999.  “Risk” was a let down to their longtime fan base and critics.  It also marked the end of Marty Friedman on the second guitar.  Al Pitrelli replaced Marty for the remaining tour dates.  Capital Records after fourteen years working with Megadeth released them from their contract.  Capital Records had two new songs from the band so they added it to their Greatest Hits record.  Megadeth signed with Santuary Records.  They released “The World Needs A Hero” in 2001.  It shown their hardcore fans  that the band went back to their metal roots.  It had “Moto Psycho” that appeared number twenty-two on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Charts.  In 2002, Megadeth announce they have broken up because of injury to Dave Mustaine.   In 2004, after fighting Dave Mustaine started working on new material for the next Megadeth record.  Nick Menza signed on but later was released.  Marty Friedman could not reach an agreement to work on the new project.  Dave Ellefson declined an offer from Mustaine.  Dave Mustaine stated that Ellefson was saying his injury was faked.  Chris Poland was hired as the lead guitar player and marked the first time since the 1980’s Dave and Chris worked together.  In 2004, Megadeth released “The System Has Failed” and it went to number eighteen on the Billboard Charts.  Chris Poland worked as session guitar player.  He was replaced by Glen Drover and his brother, who was Shawn Drover, replaced Nick  on the tour.  In 2007, Megadeth released their eleventh studio album, which was called “United Abominations.”  It marked the first recordings of Glen and Shawn Drover and James Lomenzo.  This record appeared number eight on the Billboard charts and this is the first time they hit the top ten since “Youthanasia” in 1994.  Glen Drover left the band because of family.  He was replaced by Chris Broderick from Nevermore.  In 2009, Megadeth put out their twelfth album called “Endgame.” They went out on tour to support the record and play “Rust In Peace” from start to finish on its 20th Anniversary.  Dave Ellefson returned to Megadeth after eight years of not being around.  Megadeth return back into the studio after all the “Big Four Show” and record “Sudden Death” for Guitar Heros in 2010.  This mark the first recording with Dave Ellefson on bass since 2001.  In 2011, Megadeth released “TH1RT3EN” and it hit number eleven on the Billboard Charts.  “Super Collider” is the record that is being featured on this blog was released in 2013 under Dave Mustaine record label, which is called Tradecraft.  The first single off this record is called “Super Collider.”  “Super Collider” went to number six of the Billboard Charts.  Let us get into the music.

Track List:

Kingmaker

The opening track has some sound effects but jumps into some killer guitar riffs.  Dave’s singing is on key.  There is some solid drumming and bass playing.  I love the high pace to the music and the movement on the guitar playing.  I love those short guitar solos from the guitar players.  I am not a huge fan of the lyrics but they are not worse.  I could live with them.  I love the switch off on the guitar solo from Dave and Chris.

Super Collider

Super Collider is the first single off this record.  I am loving that opening guitar solo with a nice rhythm guitar, bass, and drum playing.  Dave’s singing is spotted on along with some great lyrics.  This is old school Megadeth.  He found away to bring it back to life.  This sound reminds me of “The Killing Road.”  I love that guitar solo towards the middle of the song.

Burn!

I love the guitar playing at the beginning of Burn!  There is a nice guitar solo at the beginning.  I love the guitar break and the drumming.   The bass playing from Dave E is setting up the drummer nicely.  I love the lyrics.  I am enjoying this record so far.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  I am loving the end of this song.

Built For War

Built For War has a nice pace to it.  Dave’s singing is solid and of course classic Megadeth guitar break before the versus.  I am loving that main riff.  The drums and bass are off the charts good.  The lyrics are pretty good.  I love the harmony from the vocals towards the back half of the song.  The guitars, bass, and drums echo this theme.  There is a pretty good ending guitar solo of the song.

Off The Edge

I love the beginning of this song.  I am really enjoying the lyrics and the music.  This is a pretty solid song.  I love the melody from the singer.  He put some thought behind this song.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  Once again, I love the trade-off on the guitar solos.

Dance In The Rain

Dance In The Rain has the lead singer, who is David Draiman, from Disturbed guest on it.  I am loving the guitar playing at the beginning.  I am also loving the lyrics.  The drumming is awesome with the bass playing echoing it.  There is a some nice guitar work on the song.  I love the guitar solos throughout this song.  David Draiman is towards the end of the song during the fastest part of the song.   I loved how they used David Draiman on this song.

Beginning Of Sorrow

Hello Dave Ellefson on the bass at the beginning.  I love his playing because it echos the classic Megadeth tunes.  This song is no different from those classic hits.  I love the music and lyrics.  Dave’s singing is solid like the norm.  Holy Shit that is an awesome guitar solo.  The drums and bass are perfect.  I love the added acoustic guitar behind the guitar solo.  The drums make this song feel like a metal song.

The Blackest Crow

I love the drums and the folk sound to the start of the song.  It is a different twist on this metal record.  I love how they blend the distorted heavy guitar.  This is a slow song to the rest of the record.  Dave is singing great and this kind of out of his element from his past work.  This is a band that could work with a country singer after listening to this song.  I would say someone like Johnny Cash if he was still alive.  I am enjoying the lyrics on this song.  I love the guitar solo towards the back half of the song.  This is a pretty dark but bright song at the same time.

Forget to Remember

There is a simple but perfect guitar riff at the beginning.  The bass, drums and second guitar comes in to echos the same riff.  Dave’s singing is solid with some pretty good lyrics.  I love the pace of the song.  It is a nice driving song. I love the effects they put on the lead singer towards the end of the song.  I love the ending of this song.

Don’t Turn Your Back…

I love the start of this song.  There is some Blues action at the beginning.  I love that heavy guitar riff to start into the main part of the song.  This is a pretty fast song.  Dave is singing really well on this song.  There is some solid lyrics with a theme and meaning.  I love the ending guitar solo.

Cold Sweat

This is a cover from the band called Thin Lizzy.  I am happy to see Megadeth putting covers back on their records.  This is a heavier cover song than the Thin Lizzy.  Megadeth did a great job on this song.

All I Want

This song and next two are from exclusive edition from Best Buy.  In other words, they are bonus tracks.  I love the guitar riff at the beginning.  I do not like the melody on the lead singer’s singing.  The lyrics are just average for Megadeth’s standards.  I really did not like the ending of the song.

A House Divided

I love the start of this song.  Nice touch on the horn selection.  I love guitar work on this song.  The lyrics are pretty than the last song but average to slight above for Megadeth.  I love the time changes on this song.  For being bonus track, it is not a bad song.  It is pretty good.

Countdown To Extinction (Live In Pomona, CA)

I believe you know this song.  If you do not, you need to go back and listen to that great record.  I love the sound for being a live recording.  This is a pretty good recording of this song.

Original Band Line Up:

  • Dave Mustaine – Lead Vocals, Rhythm and Lead Guitar
  • David Ellefson – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
  • Gar Samuelson – Drums, Timpani
  • Chris Poland – Lead Guitar

Current Band Line Up:

  • Dave Mustaine – Lead Vocals, Lead, Rhythm, Acoustic Guitar and Slide Guitars
  • Chris Broderick – Lead, Rhythm, Acoustic Guitars, and Backing Vocals
  • David Ellefson – Bass Guitar and Backing vocals
  • Shawn Drover – Drums, Percussion

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.megadeth.com

Twitter:  @Megadeth

In closing, I am a huge Megadeth fan so I have been with them thick and thin.  I enjoyed all the music they have put out over the years.  I came board the Megadeth train about the mid 1990’s.  I was not there from the beginning because of my age, which is mid 30’s.  I saw this band at the top of their powers and the low.  However, they are back and climbing back up in the mainstream, Megadeth is back.  “Super Collider” is not a let down from their last record “TH1RT3EN.”  There is some really good songs on this record and I could hear some of them start to chart on music charts.  The only thing I do not like about this record is the production.  I just feel this record is too bright for a metal record.  The songs do not sound full.  The new Black Sabbath “13” record is full sounding and that is with one guitar player.  This Megadeth record needs four more guitars or bass guitars and it will not sound as full as the new Black Sabbath.  With all that at the side, this is a great record and I am glad they are still writing some great music.  I highly recommend this record, which is “Super Collider,” from Megadeth.  Also if you are a fan of this band, you NEED to see this band live.  They are awesome live.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Credit Source:  (I pick up the history part from wikipedia.)

New Music Monday Blog Texas Hippie Coalition Peacemaker

In this Music Monday blog, we are going to get into one of my favorite new artist in the last five years.  I have been a fan since their indy release where I pick it up from www.CDbaby.com.   The band is called Texas Hippie Coalition and the record is their third, which is called Peacemaker.  This band was formed in the northern part of Texas in 2008.  They tour to support from coast to coast for “Pride Of Texas.”  THC, who is Texas Hippie Coalition, calls their music “Red Earth Metal.”  They were influenced by the southern hard rock and some country.  THC signed with Carved Records and release their first national release which is called “Rollin’.”  “Rollin'” topped on the United States Heatseekers, which is entering or new music, at number 29.  “Peacemaker” was released in 2012 under the same record company and this is the record that will be review in this Music Monday blog.  Let us get into the music.

Hands Up

Hands Up starts out with a nice guitar work at the beginning.  It has some great drums and bass work too.  I love the singer’s vocals.  He has the classic rock to Pantera twist to his singing.  This has a nice driving feel to the song.  I love the feeling of this song and this is a great opening track.  I love the start so far to the record. Great ending to the song too.

Damn You To Hell

I love the start of this song.  It reminds me of something from Pantera back in the day.  This is a really great start for THC on this record.  Damn You To Hell has a nice driving feeling to it.  I really enjoying the guitar solo towards in the end of the song.  I love the lyrics and they are right in your face.  This song has a nice ending.

8 Seconds

I love the start of this song from the drums, bass, and guitar.  I love how the guitars bend and twisted between each other.  I love the lyrics and the melody.  This is a great song.  There is some nice guitar breaks  towards the middle of the song.  I love the build up to the end of the song.  Nice ending from the guitar and the drums.

Outlaw

I love the start of this song.  It has a metal country feel in his vocals.  There is some nice drums and guitar work.  I really enjoying the lyrics.  This is one of the best songs I heard from this band.  I love the chorus riff from the guitar.  I love the pace of this song too.  It has a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  It has a nice ending to the song.

Turn It Up

Turn it Up has some nice guitar work with some great drums and bass.  I love the singing from the singer when came into the song.  You can tend that it is about to snap into something heavy, which it does during the chorus.  I love the lyrics to this song.  This band could be huge in the 1990’s or even the 1980’s.  I love the pace to this song.  This is a great song.  So far this record is not a disappointment.  I love the guitar solo towards the end of the song.  There is some well placed back up vocals which makes sense in this song.

Wicked

I love the throw back 1980’s heavy guitar riff.  It rides on one note with the bass echoing it.  It is heavy as hell and I miss that in songs today until then.  I love the lyrics from the singer.  It has some great lyrics.  This song reminds me the good old days of metal.  I love the pace to this song.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  This is a great song.  I love how they ended the song.  Perfect on the fade out towards the end of it.

Don’t Come Lookin’

I love how they started out with the acoustic guitar and back to the distorted guitar.  It also had a nice short guitar solo towards the beginning of the song.  This song is a well written song.  They did a great job in all parts of the band on this song.  I love how they are bring the touch of the acoustic guitar.  I love the guitar solo towards the end of the song.  I have not heard some good guitar solos from a newer metal group in a long time.  It is very nice to hear it.  It has a great ending like all the rest of the songs.

Sex & Drugs & Rock And Roll

This song has some great guitar work and I love the effect that they put on it at the beginning.  I am also loving the acoustic guitar touch to this song just like Don’t Come Lookin’.  The singer is singing his heart out of this song.  There is some well written lyrics on this song.  He has some great ideas on songs.  I love the theme of this song.  I love the touch on the singing at the end of the song.  This is a great song.

Paw Paw Hill

I love the start of this song.  It has a heavy folk and southern theme.  It comes in with some great guitar work that is heavy as hell.  I love lyrics that touch on the sweet leaf and moonshine.   This song has a nice pace to it.  He has written some great lyrics on this song too.  I feel this song needs a guitar solo to break up the singing.  Asides that, this is a great song.

Peacemaker

I love the beginning of the song with the singer and the high-end bass riff.  Bassist goes lower as the song goes on with the nice touch with the guitar and drums.  I love the lyrics.  I have a feeling this song has back meaning that will come out in the later part of their career.  There is some nice guitar work from the rhythm and the lead.  I love the guitar solo towards the end of the song.  This is a great song.

Think Of Me

I love the piano action and the nice over the top guitar solo.  I really love the singing from the singer and the lyrics.  There is some great guitar work when it hits the main part of the song.  This is a great song and I did not see this one coming from this band.  I love the theme and lyrics in this song.  THC did a great job writing this song and record.  This is today’s power Ballard taken to the next level.  Nice guitar solo towards the end of this song.  I love the fact that they finish this song with the piano and then go back to the drums, guitar, and bass.  I love how they ended the song with the piano and the singer.

Here is the current line up of Texas Hippie Coalition:

Big Dad Ritch – Vocals
John Exall – Bass
Wes Wallace – Guitar
Gunnar Molton – Dummer

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.theoutlaw.com

Twitter:  @THCOffical

In closing, I am really happy with this record.  THC did a great job on this record and I love the process of this band as they move through their career.  I enjoy the music and the feeling of the old times when I was growing up listening to Pantera and White Zombie.  I am glad there is a band like Texas Hippie Coalition.  I am looking forward to seeing this band live.  I hope to see more music in the next few years.  This band is for really and I will write any review to get more people to know this band.  This is modern-day metal and I hope they stay together.  I hope one time in my life I could have some beers with this band.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser