Weekend Wildcard - Loser by Beck

This Weekend's Wildcard is brought to you by Beck. This was his breakout hit back in 1993. It was first released as a single and it ended up getting him on a major label. Then he re-released it on the 1994 album Mellow Gold. This song has some great lines. What are your favorites?

"Got a couple of couches, sleep on the love seat"
"Gettin' crazy with the Cheese Whiz"

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Henchmen Ride by Testament

Today's Metal Track is brought to you by Testament. These guys were fairly popular in the late 80s and early 90s. They made a comeback in 2008 when they released The Formation of Damnation which included this song. This song has a killer opening riff that repeats throughout the song. Glad these guys are back. I still need to get their album from last year.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - In Shadow of Our Pale Companion by Agalloch

Of the many things that I am thankful for, one of those things is music. While minor compared to things like family, friends, health and freedom, it is something very important to us as humans. It fuels our creativity, evokes emotions, and brings people together.

Today's Metal Track is brought to you by Agalloch off of their 2002 album The Mantle. I am thankful for music as wonderful and thoughtful as this. When I listen to songs like this it gives me chills and almost seems to freeze time. I'm sure many of you have similar feelings with your favorite songs as well. All these feels!

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - March to the Sea by Baroness

Today's Metal Track is brought to you by Baroness. This is off of their double album from last year Yellow & Green. Less than a month after this album was released, the band was in a horrible bus accident in England where the bus feel 30 feet from a bridge. Two members suffered fractured vertebrae and one suffered a broken arm and leg. The two that suffered fractured vertebrae decided not to remain in the band after the accident.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - The Faded Line by Lamb of God

Today's Metal Track is brought to you by Lamb of God. This comes off of their 2004 album Ashes of the Wake. This has always been one of my favorites by these guys. I really love the galloping drum sections and the use of the high hats (Or whatever Chris Adler is using at the :42 mark. Drummers help me out). The outro to this one is outstanding as well.

Scott's Instrumental Track of the Day - Speed Metal Symphony by Cacophony

Today's Instrumental Metal Track comes from Cacophony. This short-lived dynamic duo of Marty Friedman and Jason Becker only released two albums in the 80's. Afterwards, the two released solo work and went on to join other bands. This is the title track off of their 1987 album Speed Metal Symphony. Cacophony is defined as "a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds". I'd say their mixture of sounds come together quite nicely.

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - Ride On by AC/DC

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track comes from AC/DC. This song originally appeared on the 1977 album Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap and was later released on the Who Made Who album in 1986 which was the sound track to the Stephen King movie Maximum Overdrive.

This is a great fan video with tons of great band footage with Bon Scott. He passed away in 1980 after a long night of drinking. The band went on to record Back in Black the same year in his honor. Ride on Bon, Ride on!

Weekend Wildcard - Axel F by Harold Faltermeyer

This weekend's wildcard is brought to you by Harold Faltermeyer. This song song is best known as the theme song for the Beverly Hills Cop Movies. It also makes a great appearance on Family Guy in the epsisode Meet the Quagmires.

Scott's Heavy Metal Track of the Day - Room 24 by Volbeat

Today's Metal Track is brought to you by Volbeat. This track is off of their latest album from earlier this year Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies. The song features guest vocals from the legendary King Diamond.

It was during the recording of this album that former Anthrax lead guitarist, Rob Caggiano, joined the band. He was producing the album and providing guest solo work and by the time it was completed they decided to make him an official member of the band.

Scott's Heavy Metal Track of the Day - Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath

Today's Metal Track is another from the band and the album that started it all, Black Sabbath. This self-titled track is the opener on the band's self-titled album which came out on Friday the 13th February 1970. I love the way this song opens. It is so haunting and eerie.

Can you imagine what it was like hear this for the first time in 1970? It was the beginning of a new genre of music. Interestingly, the album received negative reviews when it was first released because the mainstream critics were idiots and they just didn't know what to think of this style of music.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - The Light That Blinds by Shadows Fall

Today's Metal Track is brought to you by Shadows Fall. This was the band's breakthrough hit that is popular for its outstanding intro and guitar work. It is the opening track off of their 4th album The War Within which is still their most successful album. This song was featured as a bonus track on Guitar Hero II.

Brian Flair (vocalist) stated that "This song is about how people, TV, and other influences can convince you to be something you are not, and you stay that way because you think it makes you better or more popular, but inside you do not really feel that way and it disguises your true identity"

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - We Will Rise by Arch Enemy

Today's Metal Track is brought to you by another Swedish metal band Arch Enemy. This comes off of their 2003 album Anthems of Rebellion. The band is made up of former members of bands such as Carcass, Carnage, and Mercyful Fate. This video got heavy play on Headbangers Ball when it came out and was featured on one of the show's albums. I wonder if the little metal girl on America's Got Talent looks up to this female vocalist.

Scott's Instrumental Metal Track of the Day - Dauntless by Delorean

Today's Instrumental Metal Track is brought to you by my friends Johnathon Stone, Adam Satterwhite, Dan Cummings, and Jeremy Clark of Delorean. This is one of the band's earlier tracks. You can't see Adam in the video but he is on drums. This was a live performance at Cat's Cradle  in Carrboro back in 2008.

Easy Like Sunday Morning - Two Steps Behind by Def Leppard

This week's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track comes from Def Leppard. This awesome ballad is off of their 1993 Retro Active album and was also featured on the Last Action Hero Soundtrack. Retro Active was a compilation of B-sides and previously unreleased recordings. I was more familiar with it because of the Last Action Hero soundtrack which I still have on cassette. It's probably my favorite soundtrack. It includes other great songs by Alice in Chains, Megadeth, AC/DC, Anthrax, Queensryche, Aerosmith, and more.

Weekend Wildcards - I Keep Forgetting by Michael McDonald and Regulate by Warren G

This Weekend's Wildcard is a two for one. First, is the original. Michael McDonald released I Keep Forgettin' back in 1982 on his debut solo album If That's What it Takes. Prior to this album, McDonald was a part of the Doobie Brothers which began with him filling in for singer Tom Johnston who became ill in 1976.

This hit has been sampled numerous times by artists such as Warren G (Today's 2nd track), Jadakiss, Madvillain, and Solomun. You can see why too. That music is just too smooth.



Second, is one of the songs that sampled the original McDonald hit. Warren G and Nate Dogg released this major hit back in 1994 for the Above the Rim soundtrack and it also later appeared on his album Regulate... G Funk Era. The song was a major breakout hit for both artist and is one of the biggest hip hop songs ever and one of the biggest songs of the 90s. Whenever I hear this song I think of Randy Allen singing Nate Dogg's part in art class back in high school.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Two Weeks by All That Remains

Today's Metal Track is brought to you by All That Remains out of Springfield, Massachusetts. This is off of their 2008 album Overcome. Their lead singer, Philip Labonte, was the original singer for Shadows Fall but was only on the band's debut album Somber Eyes to the Sky. I got to see these guys once back in 2006 with Killswitch Engage at Tremont Music Hall in Charlotte. They were filling in for Shadows Fall who couldn't make the show for some reason that I can't remember.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Heavy Metal by Sammy Hagar

Today's Metal Track is a classic from Sammy Hagar. This song is off of his 1981 album Standing Hampton and was featured on the classic 1981 animated film Heavy Metal. The movie is an anthology of various science fiction and fantasy stories adapted from Heavy Metal magazine and original stories in the same spirit. If you have never seen it, it is a must watch for any comic or metal fan. The movie was also parodied by South Park a few seasons ago.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Angel of Death by Slayer

Today's Metal Track is brought to you by Slayer. If you haven't seen this video yet, you are missing out. Someone took Slayer's Angel of Death song and synched it with video clips of people going crazy at church. It is absolutely fantastic.

Angel of Death is based on Nazi physician Josef Mengele, who conducted human experiments at the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. It sparked controversy when it was released because the song was viewed as sympathizing with Nazis. The band has denied this saying that it is merely a documentary of what took place. Jeff Hanneman, who wrote it stated "When they read the lyrics, there's nothing I put in the lyrics that says necessarily he was a bad man, because to me – well, isn't that obvious? I shouldn't have to tell you that."

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Omnipresent Perception by Beyond Creation

Today's Metal Track is brought to you by Beyond Creation. I stumbled upon this band a few weeks ago on YouTube. They are a Progressive Death Metal Band from Montreal and have released only one album so far, The Aura, back in 2011.

Their vocals may be a little harsh for some listeners but the music is impressive. The most impressive of the group is the bass player. His 6 string fretless bass along with the 7 and 8 string guitars produce some interesting sounds.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Don't Tread on Me by Metallica

In honor of Veterans Day, today's Metal Track is Don't Tread on Me by Metallica. "Don't Tread on Me" is the motto of the Gadsden Flag which is one of the earliest American flags. It is named after the flags designer, Christopher Gadsden, and was used by the Continental Marines in the American Revolutionary Way. The rattlesnake on the flag appears on the cover of Metallica's 1991 self-titled album commonly referred to as the Black Album.

Happy Veterans Day! Also, while less important, Happy National Metal Day! \m/

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - She's Gone by Hall & Oates

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is brought to you by Hall & Oates. This major hit was originally released on their 1973 album Abandoned Luncheonette. It was later remixed in 1976  into this more pop-radio-friendly version that we all know today. Never knew that.

Weekend Wildcard - Junkhead by Alice in Chains

This Weekend's Wildcard is brought to you by Alice in Chains. This is tied with Rain When I Die for my favorite AiC song. Both are off their 1992 album Dirt (Holy cow! 21 years ago). As with all AiC songs this one has great vocals that are filled with emotion and feeling. Layne stated that when he and Jerry wrote the lyrics, it was a pro-drug song but when they added the music, it became an anti-drug song.

However you interpret it, it is obviously about the mind of a junkie and more specifically a reflection of their personal experiences with drug use as evident in the line "I don't go broke, and I do it a lot". My favorite version of the song is the version that is on their live album. In the last verse the lyrics after "What's my drug of choice?" transition from "Well, what have you got?" to "Whatever you got". Layne lost his battle with drug addiction in 2002 (RIP). So the ultimate message kids is "Drugs are bad, mmmkay".

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Three Little Pigs by Green Jellÿ

Today's Metal Track is brought to you by Green Jellÿ. They were originally named Green Jellö but had to change it due Kraft filing for trademark infringement on their Jell-O brand flavor. They band still pronounces their name as Green Jello even after the spelling change.

Although this band was not very talented, this song still rocks and is good laugh. Maynard from Tool actually provides the vocals for the 3 little pigs line "Not by the hair on my chinny chin chin" while Danny Carey from Tool provides the drums. I didn't that know until today.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Freedom by Rage Against the Machine

Today's Metal Track is brought to you by Rage Against the Machine. This song is the closing track on the funk metal band's self titled debut album in 1992. The breakdown at the end of this one is great. They normally close their shows with this song.

The video is focused on the case for Leonard Peltier, who was one of the leaders of the American Indian Movement (AIM).

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Revenga by System of a Down

Today's Metal Track is brought to you by System of a Down. See if you can keep up with these fast paced lyrics. They are included in the video to make it easier. This one comes off of their 2005 album Mezmerize. This album is considered to be the first half of the Mezmerize/Hypnotize double album even though the two albums were released 6 months apart.

These guys have been on a hiatus ever since these two albums were released. The band has had a difficult time starting on a new album mainly because Serj (singer) has said he is not yet ready to commit to another album and it would feel forced. Hope he feels that itch again soon.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Mother Puncher by Mastodon

Today's Metal Track is brought to you by Mastodon. This is such a brutal song with an amazing intro that builds and builds and then finally dropkicks you in the stomach like Johnny Cage. This is the next to last song on their 2002 debut album Remission.

I don't know the exact meaning of the song since there are very few words but I wouldn't stand close to your mother while listening to it! I do think it has something to do with fighting back against those who bring you down and tell you that you will never amount to anything.

"Change, stand, grow. These things you'll never be.
Taste your fate. All that you'll ever be."

Scott's Instrumental Metal Track of the Day - Requiem for the Living by Jeff Loomis

Today's Instrumental Metal Track is brought to you by the incredible Jeff Loomis. Sometimes you just have to sit back and watch in awe out how good some players are. Jeff is definitely one of those players. This track comes off of his most recent album Plains of Oblivion.

Easy Like Sunday Morning - In the Arms of Sleep by Smashing Pumpkins

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is brought to you by Smashing Pumpkins. This is a beautiful song off of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. I have no idea who made this video but it is the only one I could find with the studio version of the song. Just listen to it and ignore the video.


The Smashing Pumpkins - In the Arms of Sleep (HQ) from Achy dice on Vimeo.

Weekend Wildcard - Mama's Fool by Tesla

This Weekend's Wildcard is brought to you by Tesla. I got on a Tesla kick this week and listened to their entire Greatest Hits album while traveling for work. I forgot how awesome they were. I remembered them more for their songs like Love Song and their cover of Signs. Those are great songs, but don't rock as hard many of their other songs. Expect to see them featured again at some point.

This song starts out slow. Just wait for it...

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Focus Shift by Dark Tranquillity

Today's Metal Track is brought to you by Dark Tranquillity who is yet another metal band from Sweden. These guys have been around for 20+ years and are one of the longest standing bands from the original Gothenburg Metal Scene. This one comes off of their 2007 album Fiction.