Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Minerva by Deftones

Today's Metal Track is Minerva by Deftones off of their 2003 self-titled album. Minerva is the Roman goddess of music, arts, poetry, medicine, and wisdom. Chino has stated that he is captivated by the beauty of women. This song is a tribute to wise and eloquent women sharing qualities with Minerva.

I get all, numb
When she sings it's over
Such a strange numb
And it brings my knees to the earth

And God bless you all
For the song you saved us

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Bonded by Blood by Exodus

Today's Metal Track is Bonded by Blood by Exodus. I know that can be a little confusing so let me say it this way: This is a song by Exodus titled Bonded by Blood. This is the title track off of their 1985 debut album.

This sounds very similar to Metallica's 1983 Kill Em' All album. They were both pioneers in the 80's Bay Area Thrash scene. The album was originally scheduled to be released in 1984 but due to artwork issues, it was delayed until the following year.

Scott's Instrumental Metal Track of the Day - For the Love of God by Steve Vai

For the love of God can we get some Steve Vai on here? Wait, I mean today's Instrumental Metal Track is For the Love of God by Steve Vai. This is off of his 1990 album Passion and Warfare.

This song oozes with emotion and feeling (All These Feels) and the accompanying music video is pretty powerful in its portrayal of various 'not so good' moments in history. Vai recorded this track on the fourth day of a ten day fast. He said "I do try to push myself into relatively altered states of consciousness. Because in those states you can come up with things that are unique even for yourself."



Also, check out this longer live version he recorded with an orchestra.

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House. This is off of the Australian band's 1986 self-titled debut album.

Weekend Wildcard - Don't You Want Me by The Human League

Today's Weekend Wildcard is Don't You Want Me by The Human League. This is off of their 1981 album Dare. This was their biggest hit and was the Christmas number one in the UK which is the name given to the single that is in the number 1 spot during the week of Christmas.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - White Cluster by Opeth

Today's Metal Track is White Cluster by Opeth. This is the closing track off of their 1999 album Still Life. This is a very underrated song. I hadn't listened to it much before I saw them play it live last year at Lincoln Theater.

The solo at the 6:23 mark will melt your face off!!! If you do nothing else, at least listen to that part.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Carol of the Bells by Dan Cummins and Adam Satterwhite

Merry Christmas! Today's Metal Track is Carol of the Bells as performed by my friends Dan Cummins and Adam Satterwhite. This is off of their EP Feliz NaviDan they released a couple of years ago.

If TSO ever needs new members, I know who is going to top their list of candidates!

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - This is Absolution by Killswitch Engage

Today's Metal Track is This is Absolution by Killswitch Engage. This is off of their 2006 album As Daylight Dies. This song is a great mix of heavy riffs and vocals mixed with melodies and clean vocals.

We will not die this way (This is absolution)
Death claims us no more (No more)
Do not grief, end the suffering
We will live, live eternal

Anchor yourself to the foundation of everything you love
Believe you have just begun to live

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Blindfolds Aside by Protest the Hero

Today's Metal Track is Blindfolds Aside by Protest the Hero. This is off of their 2005 debut concept album Kezia. The album revolves around the execution of a woman named Kezia. The story is told from the point of view of three characters in the story; Kezia, a priest, and the prison guard who is the executioner. Each character has three songs on the album.

This song is the third song from the prison guard's point of view. He is struggling with going through with the execution because he feels that it is morally wrong but at the same time it is his job and is what puts food on the table for his family. In the end, those obligations win out and he goes through with it.

Some great lyrics overall but these are my favorite:
"A sin I didn't care for, but a sin that paid my debts
A sin that fed my children and burned my smiles and cigarettes"

Scott's Instrumental Metal Track of the Day - O'er Hell and Hide by Baroness

Today's Instrumental Metal Track is O'er Hell and Hide by Baroness. It's not technically an instrumental but it feels like one since there are only spoken words. "Deal with it". This is off of their 2009 album the Blue Record. The disco style drums in this song are pretty interesting.

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - Is This Love by Whitesnake

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is Is This Love by Whitesnake. This is off of the band's 1987 self-titled album which was their most successful album. The music video features Tawny Kitaen (She's OK) who was David Coverdale's girlfriend at the time. The two later married but only lasted 2 years. She was also in the band's Here I Go Again video which is what she is probably most famous for. She was also Tom's Hanks' fiance in the 1984 movie Bachelor Party.

Weekend Wildcard - Zombie by The Cranberries

This Weekend's Wildcard is Zombie by The Cranberries. This classic is off of their 1994 album No Need to Argue. It was written during the Cranberries' English Tour in 1993, in memory of two boys, Jonathan Ball and Tim Parry, who were killed in a 1993 IRA bombing in Warrington. The bombings were the IRS's way to put pressure on the British Government to withdraw from Northern Ireland.

The line "It's the same old thing since 1916" is a reference to the Easter Rising of 1916 which ended British rule in Ireland and established an independent Ireland Republic.

Check out the number of YouTube views. Over 187 Million!

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - South of Heaven by Slayer

What better way to get your weekend kicked off that a little Slayer! Today's Metal Track is the title track off of their 1998 album South of Heaven. This was the follow up album to their famous 1986 album Reign in Blood. The band deliberately slowed the pace down to offset the speed of that album. The intro to this song is super wicked!

One might think this song is about Hell but it is actually about the demoralization of society on Earth which is still "South of Heaven."

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Terminus (Where Death is Most Alive) by Dark Tranquility

Today's Metal Track is Terminus (Where Death is Most Alive) by Dark Tranquility. This is off of the Swedish band's 2007 album Fiction. The creators of The Walking Dead should have worked this song into the Terminus episodes. The lyrics fit:

This is a ghost town
Alive with the echoes of failures fled
Lit up by shining faces,
That parade these streets
What used to be
Of humility is gone
You walk the mounds
Of skull and bones
Where living is denied
I see more movement in decomposition
Than in those hollow eyes

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Dark Matter Gods by Agalloch

Today's Metal Track is Dark Matter Gods by Agalloch. This is off of their most recent album, The Serpent & the Sphere, which was released earlier this year. I think this might be their best album to date and that's saying a lot. This song is a great example of the heavy, cosmic sound that is common on this album and with Agalloch as a whole.

Here is a great review of the album: http://www.metalinjection.net/reviews/album-review-agalloch-the-serpent-and-the-sphere

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - The Mason by Wovenwar

Today's Metal Track is The Mason by Wovenwar. This is off the band's self-titled debut album which was released this past August. Most of the members of the band are former members of As I Lay Dying. That band is on indefinite hiatus after the lead singer, Tim Lambesis, was arrested and charged with soliciting the murder of his estranged wife. He has since plead guilty.

Wovenwar is a little more accessible than As I Lay Dying mainly due to the clean vocals. The band is currently on tour with Periphery and will be coming to Cat's Cradle on January 10th if you want to check them out.

Scott's Instrumental Metal Track of the Day - War March by Andy James

Today's Instrumental Metal Track is War March by Andy James. This is the closing track off of his 2011 self-titled album. This play-through is full of finger-tapping goodness. Aside form his solo albums, Andy releases a lot of instructional videos, books, and CDs through "Lick Library".

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton. This song was written for the 1991 film Rush. The song won three Grammy awards for Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Male Pop Vocal Performance in 1993.

Ok, now for the Debbie Downer part. This song was written about Clapton's 4 year old son who died in 1991. He fell from the 53rd floor of a New York apartment that was owned by his mother's friend. Clapton stated, "I almost subconsciously used music for myself as a healing agent, and lo and behold, it worked... I have got a great deal of happiness and a great deal of healing from music". I don't know if I could ever get over something like that but I'm glad he was able to.

Weekend Wildcard - Killer Queen by Queen

This Weekend's Wildcard is Killer Queen by Queen. This is off of their 1974 album Sheer Heart Attack. This was Queen's first breakthrough hit that launched them into the mainstream.

Freddy wrote the lyrics to this track before the melody whereas he would normally do the opposite. The song was first recorded without guitarist Brian May who was in the hospital recovering from a stomach ulcer. The band left gaps in the recordings where May eventually filled in with guitar tracks. I've always loved this song because it is fun, unique, and well composed. 

RIP Freddy!

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Grind by Alice in Chains

Today's Metal Track is Grind by Alice in Chains. This is off of their self-titled 1995 album which is commonly referred to as the "Three-legged Dog Album" because it features Sunshine the Dog on the cover. Sunshine the Dog also makes and appearance in this video. The CD packaging came in three different color schemes. One with a transparent purple jewel case with a translucent yellow-green spine, one with the color scheme reversed and a monochrome version. I have the yellow-green case with the purple spine.

During the time before this album was released there were many rumors floating around such as "Layne was dead", "Jerry was dead", "the band had broken up", and "Layne had lost fingers due to his drug use." The band addresses those rumors in the opening verse:

In the darkest hole, you'd be well advised
Not to plan my funeral 'fore the body dies, yeah
Come the morning light, it's a see through show
What you may have heard and what you think you know, yeah

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Snakes of Jehovah by Killer Be Killed

Today's Metal Track is Snakes of Jehovah by Killer Be Killed off of their debut self-titled album released earlier this year. This supergroup is made up of Troy Sanders (Mastodon), Max Cavalera (Soulfly), Greg Puciato (Dillinger Escape Plan), and Dave Elitch (The Mars Volta). This song has a really cool sound to it and it's pretty cool to see 3 of the 4 members providing vocals.

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

Why do they always send the poor?!!

Today's Metal Track is BYOB by System of a Down. This was the first single released off of their 2005 album Mezmerize. This song is full of erratic vocals and tempo changes mixed in with extremely catchy riffs and beats. This track was the band's Top 40 single making it up to 27 and remains their highest selling single to date.

In this instance, BYOB stands for Bring Your Own Bombs instead of Bring Your Own Booze. It is a protest against the Iraq war which, in the song, is portrayed as party for the U.S. where everyone "brings their own bombs"

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Omerta by Lamb of God

Today's Metal Track is Omerta by Lamb of God. This brutal track is off of their 2004 album Ashes of the Wake. Omerta is an expression related to the "code of silence" that originated in Italy by the Sicilian Mafia. It is an extreme form of loyalty and solidarity in the face of authority.

One of its absolute tenets is that it is deeply demeaning and shameful to betray even one's deadliest enemy to the authorities. For this reason, many Mafia-related crimes go unsolved for decades. Sounds similar to the "No Snitching" code that is popular in some American communities.

Scott's Bonus Metal Track of the Day - Floods by Pantera

In honor of Dimebag Darrell, today we will have a bonus Metal Track! Ten years ago today Dimebag was taken from us after a deranged fan shot him while he was playing on stage. Dime is widely considered to be one of the greatest heavy metal guitarist of all time. On top of that, he was one of the nicest guys in the business. He was respected and loved by everyone that ever met him.

This song is off of Pantera's 1996 album The Great Southern Trendkill. It is a power ballad that contains one of the best solos I've ever heard (starts at 3:50). It is extremely soulful and powerful and gives me chills when listen to it. Dime originally wrote the solo back in the 80s when he was 22 years old.

RIP Dime! Although you are gone, your music will always inspire us and make us bang our heads for generations to come!



Check out this video of musicians remembering Dimebag

Scott's Instrumental Metal Track of the Day - Fuzz Universe by Paul Gilbert

Today's Instrumental Metal Track is Fuzz Universe by Paul Gilbert. This is the title and opening track off of his 2010 album Fuzz Universe. Paul was the co-founder of the band Mr. Big and was also in the band Racer X. Outside of those two bands, Paul has released numerous solo albums from 1998 through the present.

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - I Wish It Would Rain Down

In keeping with the Genesis theme for the weekend, today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is I Wish It Would Rain Down by Phil Collins. This is off of his 1989 album ...But Seriously. As you can see from the video, Eric Clapton provides some solid guitar work for this track.

Phil joined Genesis in 1970 as the drummer and eventually became the band's lead singer in 1975 after a replacement could not be found for Peter Gabriel.

Weekend Wildcard - Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel

This Weekend's Wildcard is Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel. This is off of his 1986 album So. This is a great song but the music video is even better. It won 9 MTV Video Music Awards in 1987 and as of 2011 it was the most played music video in MTV's history.

Before beginning his solo career, Peter Gabriel was a founding member in the progressive rock band Genesis. He eventually left in 1975 after tension among the band members due to the added attention gained for Peter and his flamboyant stage persona.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Daddy's Falling Angel by In This Moment

Today's Metal Track is Daddy's Falling Angel by In This Moment. This is off of their 2007 debut album Beautiful Tragedy. I saw them when they were touring for this album in 2007 at the House of Blues opening for Megadeth. Their success can only be attributed to their music. It is no way related to the attractiveness of the singer :)

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Tourniquet by Marilyn Manson

Today's Metal Track is Tourniquet by Marilyn Manson. This was his second major label single and was released in 1997. As with many Manson videos, this one is cool and creepy at the same time.

This song portrays the main character loathing in self-pity over a girl and the imagery is based off of a nightmare that Manson experience. At the beginning of the song you can hear vocals played in reverse that say "This is my lowest point of vulnerability." This girl would would make the main character feel like she loved him but she would only come to him when she was in need; using him like a tourniquet.

"Take your hatred out on me
make your victim my head
you never ever believed in me
I am your tourniquet"

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - God of Thunder by KISS

Today's Metal Track is God of Thunder by KISS. This is off of their extremely successful 1976 album Destroyer. I'm not a huge KISS fan but I've always liked this song. It's one of the heavier songs released by the band and it's iconic live performance is very metal including Gene Simmons performing a bass solo while blood spews from his mouth before flying to the top of the stadium. That's why I chose to post the live video. Good stuff!

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Eyes of a Stranger by Queensryche

Today's Metal Track is Eyes of a Stranger by Queensryche. This is the closing track on their 1988 masterpiece Operation:Mindcrime (I know I've mentioned this a few times already but whatever, it's true)

This song wraps up the concept album with the main character, Nikki, reflecting on his past actions as an assassin of political leaders for a revolutionary group led by Dr. X. He is looking at himself in the mirror and he doesn't even recognize the person he has become.

The vocals during the chorus are top notch
"And I raise my head and stare
Into the eyes of a stranger
I've always known that the mirror never lies"



Also, the guy who portrays Dr. X in the video totally looks like Dr. Krieger on Archer:

Scott's Instrumental Track of the Day - Five to Three by Guthrie Govan

Today's Instrumental Monday Track is Five to Three by Guthrie Govan. This is one of three tracks he performed for Jam Track Central earlier this year. The tracks were released under a package title Guthrie Govan Signature Series and included extras such as extended video track, backing tracks, solo tracks, and the tabs for the songs.

"When we arranged for Guthrie to come back to JTC HQ to film a new set of tracks we decided it was time that we prised out his closest guarded secrets. In order to coax out these nuggets of pure genius and really see exactly how his mind works we simply had to challenge him with the most difficult jam tracks we could create."

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - Every Rose Has Its Thorn

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is Every Rose Has Its Thorn by Poison. This is off of the band's 1988 album Open Up and Say... Ahh! Although Poison has had a ton of big hit over the years, this was their only number 1 hit.

Weekend Wildcard - If This Is It by Huey Lewis and the News

This Weekend's Wildcard is If This Is It by Huey Lewis and the News. This was the fourth single off of their 1983 album Sport which launched the band in to stardom. For the scenes where the band is buried up to their heads, the members claim to have actually been buried. The band later spoofed the scene during a cameo appearance for the movie Amazon Women on the Moon.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Good Mourning/Black Friday by Megadeth

Good Mourning/Black Friday by Megadeth is the Metal Track of the Day. This is off of their 1986 album Peace Sells... but Who's Buying. I felt this was appropriate for today. Be safe out there today. Maybe you can find some sales on Megadeth albums!

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Bulls on a Parade by Rage Against the Machine

Come Wit It Now! Today's Metal Track is Bulls on a Parade by Rage Against the Machine. This is off of their 1996 album Evil Empire. The band had already experienced success with their first album in 1992 but this song took them to the next level.

The bass line and Tom Morello's unique guitar technique are standouts in this major hit. This technique includes toggling between two pickups - one on and one off - while rubbing his hands on the strings over the pickups to create the effect that someone is scratching a vinyl disc.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Act of Contrition by Shadows Fall

Today's Metal Track is Act of Contrition by Shadows Fall. This is off of their 2004 album The War Withing which is still probably their best album. This one is loaded with great riffs and solos. The best part is the second half of the solo starting at about 2:32. The last couple of seconds are cut off at the end of the video but you don't miss much.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Native Blood by Testament

Today's Metal Track is Native Blood by Testament. This is off of their 2012 album Dar Roots of Earth. This song is about Chuck Billy's (singer) Native American Heritage.

Scott's Instrumental Metal Track of the Day - The Traveler by Scale the Summitt

Today's Instrumental Metal Track is The Traveler by Scale the Summit. This is the closing track off of their 2013 album The Migration. This video shows Chris Letchford playing through the song in the Rocky Mountains. It's not a live recording but he still shows you the techniques used in the song which includes a lot of finger tapping.

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - Three Times a Lady by the Commodores

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is Three Times a Lady by the Commodores. This is off of their 1978 album Natural High. Lionel Richie said he was inspired to write the song because of a comment his father made about his mother. His father said to his mother "I love you. I want you. I need you. Forever" hence the three times a lady.

Weekend Wildcard - I Need You Tonight by INXS

This Weekend's Wildcard is I Need You Tonight by the Australian rock band INXS (Pronounced "In excess"). This is the first single off the band's 1987  album Kick. This song was INXS's biggest hit and was their only song to hit #1 on the US Charts.

This is a classic 80's music video that won 5 MTV Music Video Awards including Video of the Year in 1988. It was also listed at #21 on MTV's greatest music videos of all time.

Sadly, in 1997, singer Michael Hutchence died from what was ruled a suicide. Many fans believe that his death was an accident and his wife indicated in a 1999 interview with 60 minutes that he may have died from autoerotic asphyxiation but this was never confirmed.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Die, Die My Darling by Misfits

Today's Metal Track is Die, Die My Darling by the Misfits. This single was recorded in 1981 but was not released on any of their original studio releases. Glenn Danzig, the lead singer, released the single in 1984 on his own label 7 months after the band broke up in 1983.

The title of the song comes from the 1965 British horror film Fanatic which was released in the U.S. under the title Did, Die My Darling. The artwork on the back of the single was done by Pushead who is famous for his artwork for Metallica. Speaking of Metallica, they covered this song on their 1998 cover album Damage Inc.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Rosetta Stoned by Tool

Today's Metal Track is Rosetta Stoned by Tool. This comical song is off of their most recent album, 10,000 Days, which was released in 2006. This is a very detailed, first person account of man's alien encounter. The title of the song is an obvious reference to historical Rosetta Stone and being stoned. Was this a real experience or was he just stoned?

During his encounter, he is given the details of mankind's ending as a warning. He was suppose to deliver the message and save mankind but he forgot to write it down and now he can't remember what they said.

"And after calming me down with some orange slices and some fetal spooning, E.T. revealed to me his singular purpose. He said. "you are the chosen one. The one who will deliver the message. A message of hope for those who choose to hear it, and a warning for those who do not." Me! The chosen one. They chose me!!!! And I didn't even graduate from *&%$ high school!!"

When this first came out, it took a while for the fans to figure out the lyrics since they were not included with the CD. You'll see why when you listen.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Now We Die by Machine Head

Today's Metal Track is Now We Die by Machine Head. This is the opening track off of their newest album, Bloodstone & Diamonds, which was released earlier this month. I just listened to it for the first time today. So far I like it but with metal it takes a few listens for it to really sink in. Enjoy!

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Iron Tusk by Mastodon

Today's Metal Track is Iron Tusk by Mastodon. This is off the band's 2004 album Leviathan. This was the album that really put Mastodon on the map. This song is brutal from the very beginning and never lets up.

The entire album is loosely based on Moby Dick. This song is about killing the "Physeter catodon" which is the scientific name of the giant sperm whale. In the book, Ahab is on a quest to seek revenge on the whale that destroyed his ship and severed his leg at the knee.

"Engage monster
Wreaking vengeance
Assault with all martial rage
Sail on"

Scott's Instrumental Metal Track of the Day - Hold On by Cloudkicker

Today's Instrumental Metal Track is Hold On by Cloudkicker; the name that Ben Sharp releases all of his music under. This is the opening track off of his 2008 album The Map is Not the Territory.

Ben is truly a lover of music and it is made evident by the way he releases his music. You can download all of his music from his website by using the name your price option. Like what you hear? Go download some: http://cloudkickermusic.com/music.

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac. This song is off of the bands second self-titled album which was released in 1975. This was the first album to include Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham and became the band's first major success.

This song was written by Stevie Nicks about a Welsh witch named Rhiannon that she read about in a novel titled Triad. Stevie found out later that Rhiannon originated actually a Welsh goddess and was surprised to find out that her lyrics still applied.

Weekend Wildcard - Darlington by Hans Zimmer (Days of Thunder)

Doing the NASCAR Racing Experience today so I figured I would pick an appropriate song.

This Weekend's Wildcard is Darlington composed by Hans Zimmer. This is off of the Days of Thunder Film Score. It was not included on the Official Soundtrack. It was finally released in 2013 for the first time. Famous guitarist, Jeff Beck provides the guitar work throughout the films score.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - The Frayed Ends of Sanity by Metallica

Today's Metal Track is The Frayed Ends of Sanity by Metallica. This is off of their 1988 album ...And Justice For All. This album marked the end of an era for Metallica (The best era). The success of this album and the video for "One" pushed the band into the mainstream. Three years later, they completely took the world by storm with the Black Album.

This song is about, you guessed it, losing sanity. The person is struggling to maintain a grip on reality: "Twisting under schizophrenia, Falling deep into dementia." He is very paranoid, thinking everyone is out out to get him and starts believing in crazy conspiracies. In the end, he even becomes skeptical of himself:

"Old habits reappear
Fighting the fear of fears
Growing conspiracy
Myself is after me
Frayed ends of sanity
Hear them calling
Hear them calling me!"

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Obey the Beard by Psychostick

In honor of Movember, today's Metal Track is Obey the Beard by Psychostick. Thanks to Walt for bringing this song to my attention today. This comical track is off of the band's latest album IV: Revenge of the Vengeance which came out last week. Apparently this song has been out much longer since this was posted on YouTube last year.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Fatal Tragedy by Dream Theater

Today's Metal Track is Fatal Tragedy by Dream Theater. This is another one off of their outstanding 1999 concept album Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory.

In the song preceding this one, Nicholas learns that he was a girl, Victoria, in a past life. During this song, Nicholas learns from an old man that a girl, Victoria, was murdered (Fatal Tragedy) and that the details surrounding the murder are still a mystery. From there, Nicholas becomes obsessed with unveiling the truth about the murder of his past self.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Ten Speed (Of God's Blood and Burial) by Coheed and Cambria

Today's Metal Track is Ten Speed (Of God's Blood and Burial) by Coheed and Cambria. This one is off of their 2005 album Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness (Whoa, that's a mouthful; Let's just say IV, part 1).

This is a pretty funny song about Claudio (The writer) and his subconscious which happens to be a possessed Ten Speed bike. Ten Speed keeps telling Claudio to kill off a character in the story but he doesn't want to because he loves her.

"But are you going to kill her off?"
"It's not your decision. I love the character, she stays."
"Yeah, well the only thing love's done is put you in this position; I say kill her off!"
"Yeah, but you say a lot of things... and how does that work? You're a bicycle"

Scott's Instrumental Track of the Day - Jessica by The Allman Brothers Band

As a follow up to Saturday's post, today's Instrumental Track is Jessica by The Allman Brothers Band. This fantastic jam is off of their 1973 album Brothers and Sisters. This video is from a live performance in 1982. How baller is Dickey Betts with that hat, shades, shirt, stache combo?

Not many people know this but I actually wrote this song for my lovely wife Jessica. Now, how The Allman Brothers released it in 1973, I don't know. Are they psychics, time travelers, wizards? I don't know. No one questions The Allman Brothers. At least that's what their lawyers told me.

Easy Like Sunday Morning Trac- The Thrill is Gone by B.B. King

Today's Easy Like Morning Track is The Thrill is Gone by B.B. King. This song was originally written by Roy Hawkins and Rick Darnell in 1951 which is a version of a similarly titled 1931 song written for the Broadway revue George White's Scandals. King's 1969 version became a huge hit and earned him the 1970 Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. This video is from a live performance in Montreux in 1993.

Weekend Wildcard - I'm No Angel by Gregg Allman

This Weekend's Wildcard is I'm No Angel by Gregg Allman. This is the opening and title track off of his 1987 album I'm No Angel. Gregg is better known as a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band along with his brother Duane.

"Come and let me show you my tattoo"

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Throes of Perdition by Trivium

Today's Metal Track is Throes of Perdition by Trivium. This is off of their 2008 album Shogun.

I think this song is about a guy who is being attack by everyone in the world; "Blind-folded and gagged stood waiting, With the whole world, my firing squad." He also talks about being stabbed in the back numerous times and that he just is so use to it that he disregards it.

Pull another knife out
Stick it with the rest of them
When my back is full
Turn me around to face it

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Runes to My Memory by Amon Amarth

Today's Metal Track is Runes to My Memory by Amon Amarth. This is off of their 2006 album With Odin on Our Side. The band provides you with an excellent display of shirtless headbanging in this video.

It's videos like this that make me want to have long hair. Obviously that is not in the cards for me. I'll stick with the bald headbanging. More aerodynamic and less intrusive to headbangers in close proximity. At the last Opeth concert I got a continuous face full of hair from the dude in front of me.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - In My Darkest Hour by Megadeth

Today's Metal Track is In My Darkest Hour by Megadeth. This classic is off of their 1988 album So Far, So Good... So What! Unlike most metal songs, this song has an emotional concept behind it related to isolation and loneliness and how when the narrator most need help, the ones he counted on were not there.

In my hour of need
Ha, you're not there
And though I reach out for you
Wouldn't lend a hand
Through the darkest hour
Grace did not shine on me
It feels so cold, very cold
No one cares for me

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Kings of the Carnival Creation by Dimmu Borgir

Today's Metal Track is Kings of the Carnival Creation by Dimmu Borgir. This is off of their 2001 album Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia.

I ran in to an old friend and fellow metalhead, Paul, this past weekend and told him about the blog. He is a big Dimmu fan and recommended that I post this track.

Scott's Instrumental Metal Track of the Day - Ka$cade by Animals As Leaders

Today's Instrumental Metal Track is Ka$cade by Animals As Leaders. This is the opening track off of their most recent album, Joy of Motion, which was released earlier this year. This is another solid song by the band that is on par with their other effort. A little bit of djent, a little bit of solos, and a lot of technicality.

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - Miracle by Foo Fighters

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is Miracle by Foo Fighters. This is off of the second CD on their 2005 album In Your Honor. This second CD contained acoustic songs compared to the hard rocks songs on the first CD. John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin plays piano on this song. Dave Grohl is a big Zeppelin fan.

Weekend Wildcard - Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra

This Weekend's Wildcard is Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra. This is off of ELO's 1977 double album Out of the Blue which was one of the most commercially successful albums released by the band.

Frontman Jeff Lynne locked himself in a wooden cabin in the Swiss Alps to write the album. After not coming up with anything for 2 weeks the sun shone in and he saw the beautiful Alp. He then wrote Mr. Blue Sky and 13 other songs over the next two weeks.

The song was played as a wake-up call to astronaut Christopher Ferguson on Day 3 of STS-135, the final mission of Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - I Want Out by Helloween

Happy Helloween!

Today's Metal Track is I Want Out by Helloween. This is off of the German power metal band's 1988 album Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt 2. This single was released on Halloween in 1988. I'll admit that I'm not that familiar with the band even though they have a huge following and have released tons of album over the last 30 years. They remind me a lot of Iron Maiden.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Fallout by the Devin Townsend Project

Adam filling in once again for the metal track of the day.  This track is Fallout off the new Devin Townsend Project album Z2.  This song comes from the first CD called Sky Blue which is the more "traditional" DTP music with Anneke van Giersbergen on many of the lead vocal tracks. The second CD is called Dark Matters and is the sequel to the Ziltoid the Omniscient album from 2007.

Enjoy!!

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Save Me by Damageplan

Since I'm in Texas I figured it would be appropriate to post a track from a Texas band. Today's Metal Track is Save Me by Damageplan. This is off of their only album New Found Power which came out in 2004. This band formed in 2003 after Pantera broke up (tear). It consisted of brothers Dimebag Darrell  and Vinnie Paul, Pat Lachman on vocals, and Bob Zilla on bass.

Dimebag was performing live with Damageplan on December 8, 2004 when a deranged fan shot him on stage along with others who tried to stop him. It is one of the biggest tragedies in Metal history.

RIP Dimebag

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Passenger by Periphery

Adam filling in for Scott today.  This track is a little lesser known track from Periphery.  This track is called Passenger and it's actually a track created by the group Haunted Shores, which coincidentally is a side project of Misha's and Mark's who play guitar in Periphery.  Once Mark joined Periphery after the departure of Alex Bois they decided to re-release this track with full band and vocals.

Scott's Instrumental Metal Track of the Day - Mercurial by Jeff Loomis

Today's Instrumental Metal Track is Mercurial by Jeff Loomis. This is the opening track off of his 2012 album Plains of Oblivion. This is another one of his playthrough videos he did for EMG. The song is awesome enough just listening to it but watching his technique as he plays it is even better. Jeff is the man!

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - Alone by Heart

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is brought to you by Heart; the American rock band fronted by sisters Nancy and Ann Wilson. This is off the groups 1987 album Bad Animals. It was originally written by Billy Steinberg and and Tom Kelly in 1983 but Heart made it a #1 hit in 1987.

Weekend Wildcard - Empty Vessels Make the Loudest Sound by The Mars Volta

This Weekend's Wildcard is Empty Vessels Make the Loudest Sound by The Mars Volta. This is off of their last album Noctourniquet which was released in 2012. Unfortunately, the guys called it quits after this album. The song title is a proverb meaning people who have a little knowledge usually talk the most and make the greatest fuss.

I think the song might be about someone who has given up on life. The line "You can do what you will with my body but I won’t ring the bell" is a reference to the old days where they would tie a bell to dead  people when they were buried in case they happen to still be alive. It's my favorite song on the album. It's very beautiful and unique.

"Higher than mountains
Of cavernous people
Searching for a lighthouse in the fog"

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Only by Anthrax

Today's Metal Track is Only by Anthrax. This is off of their 1993 album The Sound of White Noise. This was the first album with singer John Bush who replaced Joey Belladonna in 1992. James Hetfield once said that this was the perfect song.

"Revolve around yourself
It's you and no one else
Hard for me to stay
Swinging moods that change
From calmness to deranged
Unpredictable, unpredictable"

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

Today's Metal Track is Succubus by Death Angel. This is another one off of their newest album The Dream Calls for Blood that came out last year. A Succubus is a demon in folklore that takes the form of a woman and seduces men in their sleep in an attempt to drain their souls. I'm sure many remember the South Park episode with Chef's parents, "She's a god dang succubus!"

The riff used during the verses is pretty brutal \m/

"So now I close the book
And re-open these eyes
Stand up! I brush off the dirt
From a ride that I despised"

Scott's Metal Track of the Dau - The Hellion/Electric Eye by Judas Priest

Today's Metal Track is The Hellion/Electric Eye by Judas Priest. These two tracks are the opening tracks of the band's 1982 album Screaming for Vengeance with the The Hellion being the 41 second intro.

This song is inspired by the book 1984 by George Orwell and refers to the satellite that watches over the citizens at all times as part of the Big Brother style of government. When citizen are caught rebelling, they "disappear".

"Always in focus
You can't feel my stare
I zoom into you
But you don't know I'm there"



I always think of Carl when I hear Screaming for Vengeance. Starts at 0:50:

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Custer by Slipknot

Today's Metal Track is Custer by Slipknot. This is off of their newest album, .5 The Gray Chapter, which came out today. It is the first album without Joey Jordison and Paul Gray. The title of the album is a reference to Paul Gray who died in 2010. I've only listened to a few songs so the verdict is still out. I think I at least like it better than their last album.

Scott's Instrumental Metal Track of the Day - Immutable Dusk

Today's Instrumental Metal Track is Immutable Dusk by Pelican. This is off of their 2013 album Forever Becoming. This is the first album by the band to not feature founding guitarist Laurent Schroeder-Lebec. He left the band in 2012 stating that his heart just wasn't into it anymore. The touring guitarist, Dallas Thomas eventually joined the band full time and contributed to the writing process on this album.

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - Every Breath You Take by The Police

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is Every Breath You Take by The Police. This is off of the band's final album, Synchronicity, which was released in 1983. It was the best selling single in 1983 and the 5th best selling single in the decade.

Sting said that the song was written with a sinister tone even though many people see it as a positive song. The song was inspired by Sting's divorce where he became jealous and obsessed over his ex wife.

What is sad is that I'm sure there are still people out there that think this is a Puff Daddy song.

Weekend Wildcard - Locomotive by Guns N' Roses

This Weekend's Wildcard is Locomotive by Guns N' Roses. This is off of their 1991 album Use Your Illusions II. I've always liked this song because of the groove and the great guitar work by Slash on his numerous solos throughout the song. The outro starting at 6:23 is fantastic.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Necroshine by Overkill

Today's Metal Track is Necroshine by the masters of thrash, Overkill. This is the opening and title-track off their 1999 album Necroshine. However, this is one of those rare instances where I like the live recorded version better than the studio. This version is taken from the Wrecking Everything Live album recorded in their home state of New Jersey in 2002. The intro is fantastic and then Blitz's "ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah" kicks it to another level.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Holy Tears by Isis

Today's Metal Track is Holy Tears by Isis; not to be confused with the terrorist group ISIS. I probably just got added to Government blacklist somewhere for posting this :). This off of the band's 2006 album In Absence of Truth. I'm still bummed out that they disbanded in 2010. Maybe they will regroup one day and at least go on a tour.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - The Great Southern Trendkill by Pantera

Today's Metal Track is The Great Southern Trendkill by Pantera. This is opening and title track off of their 1996 album The Great Southern Trendkill. This song expresses a disgust for trends and the people that are easily manipulated by them.

"It's digging time again, you're nurturing the weakest trend
Those with the heart and the brain to get past this
Can spot a pathetic without even asking "

"Buy it at a store, from MTV to on the floor
You look just like a star, it's proof you don't know who you are"

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Diary of a Madman by Ozzy Osbourne

Today's Metal Track is Diary of a Madman by Ozzy Osbourne. This is the title track off of his 1981 album Diary of a Madman. This is a pretty cool song that is really unlike any other Ozzy songs. If it wasn't obvious, the story is told from the point of view of a person who is struggling with a mental illness.

Scott's Instrumental Metal Track of the Day - Autarch by Conquering Dystopia

Today's Instrumental Metal Track is Autarch by Conquering Dystopia. This is off of their 2014 self-titled debut album. This is a side project by Jeff Loomis and Keith Merrow that started due to fan demand from the duo performing gear review videos on YouTube. The other band members include Alex Rudinger from The Faceless on drums and Alex Webster from Cannibal Corpse on bass.

Easy Like Sunday Mroning Track - Who'll Stop the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival

This seams appropriate after a rainy weekend.

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is Who'll Stop the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival. This is off of the band's 1970 album Cosmo's Factory. This song is broken into 3 verses; historical, recent past, and the present. It refers to an seemingly unending malaise that men face "through the ages". "Five Year Plans and New Deals/wrapped in golden chains" is a general jab at government referring to Roosevelt's New Deal and the multiple Five Year Plans for the national economy of the Soviet Union.

Weekend Wildcard - Paid in Full by Eric B. & Rakim

This Weekend's Wildcard is Paid in Full by the hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim. This is the title track off of their 1987 debut album Paid in Full which is considered to be a benchmark album for the golden age of hip hop.

Rakim pioneered the use of internal rhyming which set a higher standard of lyricism in hip hop and rap. An internal rhyme is a rhyme that occurs in the middle of a line versus the usual rhyming at the end of the line (end rhyme). The song uses samples from the English dance music duo Coldcut.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Fossil Genera (A Feed from Cloud Mountain) by Between the Buried and Me

"Trust us and we will all be safe.
We are the new government."

Today's Metal Track is Fossil Genera (A Feed from Cloud Mountain) by Between the Buried and Me off of their 2009 album The Great Misdirect. This quirky song has a lot of connections with the concept story in their most recent album, mostly the Night Owls. The final 4 minutes of this song gives me chills; so good.

This song is divided into three parts; Beyond the Satellites, Below the Satellites, and Before the Satellites.

Beyond the satellites, the leaders (Night Owls) via "A Feed from Cloud Mountain", have been watching everything below the satellite for centuries.

Below the satellites (Earth), it is explained to the people that the Night Owls will be coming in from outer space and will overthrow the government. The people of Earth have mocked the stories and ideas of the Night Owls for too long and now they are taking over and will be in control of their thoughts from then on.

Before the satellites, or before the rise of civilizations, the Night Owls are creating their plan to take control over the human race before they become gods and threaten the existence of the Night Owls. "In simple times we must take control"

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Murmaider by Dethklok

Mermaid? Check
Murder? Check

Today's Metal Track is Murmaider by Dethklok. This is the opening track off of their 2007 debut album Dethalbum. If you couldn't tell, this hilarious song is about being murdered by mermaids. There is also an official video for this but it is NSFW. You can look it up yourself.

"Your life was ended by mermaids"

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

Today' Metal Track is NIB by Black Sabbath. This one comes off of their 1970 self-titled debut album. The title of the song was long thought to stand for Nativity In Black but the band maintains that it is a reference to Bill Ward's goatee which the band members thought looked like a pen nib. Geezer Butler's use of the wah-wah on bass is the highlight of this iconic song.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - The Zoo by Scorpions

Today's Metal Track is The Zoo by Scorpions. This classic metal track is off the German band's 1980 album Animal Magnetism. I just love the main riff in the song.

When the lead singer heard the riff for the first time, it reminded him of the time the band visited a street in New York City that was referred to as a "zoo". He went on to write the lyrics which refer to to various streets in New York, mainly 42nd Street.

Scott's Instrumental Metal Track of the Day - Undertow by Marty Friedman

Today's Instrumental Metal Track is Undertow by Marty Friedman. This ballad is off of his latest album Inferno which was released earlier this year. This is a very soulful performance by Marty.

Marty said that he had a very difficult time recording this because scheduling made it impossible to have the keyboard and synthesizer player he wanted in the same room with him. So he had to get the best players he knew to send him a bunch of tracks so that he could go through them.

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd.This is the title track off the band's 1975 album Wish You Were Here. This song along with the rest of the album refer to former band member Syd Barrett and his breakdown. The intro is what makes the song for me.

Weekend Wildcard - It's Still Rock and Roll to Me

This Weekend's Wildcard is It's Still Rock and Roll to Me by Billy Joel. This is off of his 1980 album Glass Houses. This song is about a manager trying to convince his client, Joel, to change his style and become more hip for the younger crowd. But Joel refused to changed and maintained that his music will be relevant no matter  what he looks like.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - L'Enfant Sauvage by Gojira

Today's Metal Track is L'Enfant Sauvage by the French metal band Gojira. This is the title track off of their most recent album, L'Enfant Sauvage, which was released in 2012. L'Enfant Sauvage is French for "The Wild Child".

This song and album are based on a film by the same name that tells the true story of Victor of Aveyron, a child who was found alone in the woods with behaviors closer to a wild animal than a civilized human.

As you can see in this video, the woman is converting from an adapted member of society into a "Wild Child". My favorite part is around the 3:03 mark when she awakens with the wolf.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Prophecy by Soulfly

Today's Metal Track is Prophecy by Soulfly. This is the title and opening track off of their 2004 album Prophecy. Max Cavalera, the lead singer and guitarist, formed this band after leaving Sepultura in 1996. On this album, Max decided to use two different bassists. On this track, David Ellefson from Megadeth provides bass. I had no idea he ever played with Soulfly until I watched this video and saw him.

That intro is pretty sweet.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Moon Above, Sun Below by Opeth

Today's Metal Track is Moon Above, Sun Below by Opeth. It's really more progressive rock than metal but who cares. This is off of their latest album, Pale Communion, which was just released last month. 1:25 -1:55 is just fantastic and the solos throughout the song are free flowing and fit really well with the song.

The entire album is really a progressive rock album with all clean vocals that is sending many Opeth faithfuls into tizzies right now because they want their old Opeth back! I'm really enjoying this album but I didn't go into it expecting the traditional death metal Opeth from Blackwater Park and Deliverance. I look at it as the great progressive rock album it was intended to be.

Scott's Instrumental Track of the Day - Arpeggios from Hell by Yngwie Malmsteen

Today's Instrumental Metal Track is Arpeggios from Hell by Yngwie Malmsteen. As stated in the video, this piece was put together for an instructional video and was simply dubbed Arpeggios from Hell. An Arpeggio is a musical technique where notes in a chord are played in sequence instead of all at once. It was later released as a bonus track on his 2010 album Relentless.

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - The Weight by The Band

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is The Weight by The Band. This is off the their 1968 debut album Music from Big Pink. This song is about a traveler who visits a southern town called Nazareth and meets different characters when trying to find a place to stay; The Devil, Carmen, Miss Mosses, Luke, and Crazy Chester. The band Nazareth got their name from this song.

When I first heard this song when I was little I thought the chorus said "Take a load of Fanny" and it always reminded me of my Aunt Fannie. Then for years I thought I was wrong and that it was actually Annie until I looked it up today. Turns out I was right to start with. There is a character named Anna Lee but there is also a character named Ms. Fanny who charged the traveler with the responsibility (The Weight or the load) to send her regards to the people in the town.

Weekend Wildcard - Lady by Styx

This Weekend's Wildcard is Lady by Styx. This is off of their 1973 album Styx II. After the song became a hit a couple of years later, the band switched record companies. This is the only song from the band's four Wooden Nickel-era albums that is still performed live. They have disowned all other songs from that era.

The singer wrote this song for his wife. He initially wrote it on an electric piano but when he got to the recording studio, there was an acoustic piano there and he liked the sound so much that he ended up recording it on that instead.

In hindsight, I should have worked this into our wedding reception! This was used in Old School as at Frank the Tank's wedding reception performed by the The Dan Band.



Old School

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - World Ablaze by Killswitch Engage

Today's Metal Track is World Ablaze by Killswitch Engage. This is off of their breakthrough album The End of Heartache which was released in 2004. This was the first album to feature Howard Jones on vocals and the first where Adam D was the lead guitarist. Prior to this album he provided the drums.

This particular YouTube video added the instrumental And Embers Rise to the end for some reason (The last 1:10). I couldn't find a version with just World Ablaze.

"Let it all fall!!!!
Set this world ablaze"

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - A Warrior's Call by Volbeat

Today's Metal Track is A Warrior's Call by Volbeat. This is off of the Danish band's 2010 album Beyond Hell/Above Heaven. It is dedicated to Mikkel Kessler, a world champion Danish boxer who provides guest vocals in the song ("Fight, Fight, Fight, Fight").

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Eyes of the Insane

Today's Metal Track is Eyes of the Insane by Slayer. This is off of their 2006 album Christ Illusion. This song won a Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 2007.

This is a really cool video that portrays the hardships and mental anguish of an American soldier through the reflection of one of his pupils. The reflections show horrific scenes of war and flashbacks of his family at home. I really like the part at 2:40 when the bomb drops and he is covered in debris before waking up in the hospital.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Salt the Wound by Exodus

Today's Metal Track is Salt the Wound by Exodus (Featuring Kirk Hammett). This is off of the band's upcoming album Blood In, Blood Out which is scheduled to be released October 14. This is the first album with vocalist Steve Zetro since 2004. Kirk Hammett, the original Exodus guitarist before joining Metallica, provides a guest solo on this song.

Scott's Instrumental Metal Track of the Day - Plateau of the Ages by Agalloch

Today's Instrumental Metal Track is Plateau of the Ages by Agalloch. This is my favorite song off of their newest album The Serpent & The Sphere.

The band is named after a resinous wood found in larger evergreen trees that are native to Souteast Asia. When the wood becomes infected with a certain type of mold, the trees produce a resin to fight off the infection which results in a dark and dense heartwood. The resulting wood is valued in many cultures for its fragrance and is use for incense. When I saw them live earlier this year they burn some of the incense during the show.

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn. This is off of his 1991 self-titled debut album. This one hit wonder landed Marc Cohn a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1992.

Weekend Wildcard - Beds Are Burning by Midnight Oil

This Weekend's Wildcard is Beds Are Burning by Midnight Oil. This is the opening track off of the Australian band's 1987 album Diesel and Dust. The band had many more songs but this was by far their biggest hit.

This is a protest song about giving native Australian lands back to the Pintupi, who were among the very last people to come in from the Gibson Desert in Australia. In 1984, due to a severe drought which had dried up all of the springs and depleted the bush foods, a group of the Pintupi people who were living a traditional semi-nomadic desert-dwelling life, walked out of the desert and made contact for the first time with European-Australian society.

"The time has come
A fact's a fact
It belongs to them
Let's give it back"

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Mist by Protest the Hero

Today's Metal Track is Mist by the Canadian progressive metal band Protest the Hero. This is off of their latest album, Volition, which was released in 2013. Chris Adler, from Lamb of God provided drums on this album because the previous drummer and founding member left before the recording process started.

This is  a pretty neat song that the band wrote honoring the people of Newfoundland. It's explained in more detail in the video but one of the big things they talk about is the fans holding up the stage and the drummer for them to finish a song after they almost knocked it down by rushing to the front.

Music starts at 1:55

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - People of the Lie by Kreator

Today's Metal Track is People of the Lie by the German thrash metal band Kreator. This is off of the band's 1990 album Coma of Souls. After this album the band began to experiment with other musical genres before returning to their thrash roots in 2001.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Funeral Bell by Black Label Society

Today's Metal Track is Funeral Bell by Black Label Society. This is off of their 2003 album The Blessed Hellride. This rhythm guitar in this song is pretty brutal. I think the song is about self-destruction through excessive lifestyles.

"Ohhhhhhhh
So high, and then I fell
Ohhhhhhhh
Can't stop the ringing of my funeral bell"

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Jake Leg by Baroness

Today's Metal Track is Jake Leg by Baroness. This is off of their 2009 album Blue Record. Jake Leg is a reference to an ailment caused by a Jamaican ginger extract (Jake) that was used to bypass the Prohibition laws. In 1930, Jake users started to lose the use of their hands and feet and had difficulty walking. Those that were afflicted were said to have Jake Leg.

Scott's Instrumental Track of the Day - 87 by Polyphia

Today's Instrumental Track is 87 by Polyphia. This is the opening track off of their debut full-length album Muse which was released just two weeks ago. This album was self-funded by the band's fans through an Indiegogo Fundraiser Campaign this year. The band also released two EPs during 2013. I haven't heard a lot by this young group but what I have heard has been decent.

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - Lily (My One and Only) by The Smashing Pumpkins

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is Lily (My One and Only) by The Smashing Pumpkins. This is off of their 1995 double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.

If you don't pay attention to the lyrics you might think it is just a sweet little love song. Instead, it is a Peeping Tom singing about peeping on Lily from a tree by her window. Eventually the cops come and get him and take him away. Very romantic.

"Oh Lily, I know you love me
Cause as they're draggin me away
I swear I saw her raise her hand and wave (goodbye)"

Weekend Wildcard - She Drives Me Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals

This Weekend's Wildcard is She Drives Me Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals. This is off of their 1989 album The Raw and the Cooked. This was the group's only major hit. They only released two studio albums with the other one being their 1985 self-titled album.

The band got their name from the 1960 film All the Fine Young Cannibals. It's hard to believe that they never were able to hit it big again after this great song.

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

Today's Metal Track is Question! by System of a Down. This is off of their 2005 album Mezmerize which is the first half of the Mezmerize/Hypnotize double album although they were released 6 months apart.

This song has to do with life, death, and reincarnation. The color red is central to the video, tying together the bird, the girl, the woman, and the baby in a cycle of rebirth.

"Do we, do we know, when we fly
when we, when we go, do we die..."

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Surprise! You're Dead! by Faith No More

Today's Metal Track is Surprise! You're Dead! by Faith No More. This is off of their 1989 album The Real Thing. This was the band's third album but the first to feature Mike Patton on vocals. This is one of the heaviest songs released by the band.

On September 2, the band revealed that they are working on a new album which is set to be release in April 2015. It would be the first FNM album to be released in 18 years!

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Shadow In Our Blood by Dark Tranquility

Today's Metal Track is Shadow In Our Blood by Dark Tranquility. These guys are from Sweden like many other Metal Bands. This is off their 2010 album I Am the Void. This was seen as the second part to their previous album Fiction.

From singer Mikael Stanne: "It's about a person, having a fatal disease, fighting with the thought that he's about to die soon. That evil lives inside him and may put him to an end any moment. This song reveals the thoughts that go through his mind."

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Descending by Lamb of God

Today's Metal Track is Descending by Lamb of God. This is off of their 2006 album Sacrament. Back when Jimmy and I lived in the Fraternity house, he had his drums set up in his room and I would bring my guitar up and we would jam to this song. It sounded just like this (just take my word on it :-b).

This song is about the singer's descent into alcoholism. He see's alcohol as both a god and a demon. On the one hand he worships it because it helps him deal with life, while on the other hand he blames it for all of his problems. Pretty vicious cycle. Randy Blythe, the singer who struggled with alcohol in real life, has now been sober for almost 4 years.

"This god that I worship
This demon I blame
Conspire as one, exactly the same
It's exactly the same"

Scott's Instrumental Metal Track of the Day - Scarified by Racer X

Today's Instrumental Metal Track is Scarified by Racer X. This is off of the band's 1987 album Second Heat. This video is taken from a 2005 DVD by Paul Gilbert titled Space Ship Live. Paul is the founding guitarist of Race X but is performing here with two non-Racer X band members for the DVD.

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - Waiting for a Girl Like You by Foreigner

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is Waiting for a Girl Like You by Foreigner. This is off of their 1981 album 4. This song set a record on the billboard charts for spending 10 straight weeks at the #2 spot without ever hitting the #1 spot. It was kept out of the #1 spot by Olivia Newton-John's Physical and Hall & Oates' I Can't Go for That (No Can Do).

Weekend Wildcard - Freakin Out by Death

This Weekend's Wildcard is brought to you by another band that will be playing at Hopscotch tonight. This is Freakin Out by Death off of their debut 1975 album ...For the Whole World to See. This protopunk band was 3 black brothers from Detroit; David, Dannis, and Bobby Hackney.

While the album was recorded in 1975, it wasn't officially released until 2009 when the band was rediscovered by record collectors and the band members' children. Death was offered a record deal in the 70's but the record company demanded that they change the name of the band. When the brothers refused, the record company wouldn't sign them.

The band pressed a few copies of the album on their own but ultimately never made it. About 30 years later, record collectors came across these rare records and suddenly the songs were being played in underground clubs and eventually one of their children heard it and recognized his father's voice. This lead to the record finally being released by Drag City records in 2009.

David Hackney, the guitarist and creative leader of the band, prophetically stated that his music would not be appreciated until after he was gone. David died of lung cancer in 2000. (RIP) An outstanding documentary of the band's incredible story is available on Netflix titled "A Band Called Death".

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Sudden Death is Nothing by Valient Thorr

Today's Metal Track is Sudden Death is Nothing by Valient Thorr. This is off of their 2010 album Stranger. This a great metal/rock track with a great groove and some killer riffs.

A group of us are going to see them play at Hopscotch tomorrow along with Mastodon and Death. Really looking forward to seeing these guy live again because they put on a great energetic performance.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - From Bulwark to Bane by Today I Caught the Plague

Today's Metal Track is From Bulwark to Bane by Today I Caught the Plague (Now named The Kindred). This is off of their 2011 album Lore.

Bulwark is something that provides protection while bane is something destructive. So I think the song is about going from a state of protection to destruction.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Swerve City by Deftones

Today's Metal Track is Swerve City by Deftones. This is the opening track off of their 2012 album Koi No Yokan.

For this album, the band used the Fractal Audio Systems Axe-FX Preamp FX Processor which creates the sound of multiple outboard amps and pedals and allowed for different tones. This was the first album that guitarist Stephen Carpenter used a different amp than he had used on all previous albums.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Art of the Mourning by All Hail the Yeti

Today's Metal Track is Art of the Mourning by All Hail the Yeti. I came across this band listening to Liquid Metal on Sirius the other day. This track is off of their self-titled 2012 debut album All Hail the Yeti.

Nothing says metal like a good ole western video :).

Scott's Intrumental Metal Track of the Day - In the Fading Light by Andy James

Today's Instrumental Metal Track is In the Fading Light by Andy James. This is off of his 2013 EP Psychic Transfusion. Andy shows off his skills for EMGtv in this playthrough video. Enjoy!

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town by Pearl Jam

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town by Pearl Jam. This is off of their 1993 album Vs. which was the follow up to their breakthrough debut album Ten.

This song is about a lady who has been stuck in her small little town for most of her life when an old flame walks in. He had moved away and moved on with his life. She wants to say hello to him but she is too embarrassed.

Weekend Wildcard - The Way It Is by Tesla

This Weekend's Wildcard is The Way It Is by Tesla. This if off of their 1989 album The Great Radio Controversy which launched the band into stardom.

The name of the album is a reference to the controversy of the true inventor of the radio. Nikola Tesla held numerous patents including one for a "system of transmitting electrical energy" and "an electrical transmitter." However, Guglielmo Marconi made the first-ever transatlantic radio transmission in 1901 and was credited as the inventor of the radio. Tesla argued that he did it with 17 Tesla patents.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Mechanical Animals by Marilyn Manson

Today's Metal Track is Mechanical Animals by Marilyn Manson. This is the title track off the band's 1998 album Mechanical Animals. This was the album that made me a fan and I still think it is the band's best to date.

The lyric "You were my mechanical bride" is a direct reference to Marshall McLuhan's critical study of popular culture titled The Mechanical Bride: Folklore of Industrial Man. This 1951 study was very critical of the media and its impacts on North American Culture.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Don't Talk to Strangers by Dio

Today's Metal Track is Don't Talk to Strangers by the legendary Dio. This is off of the band's 1983 debut album Holy Diver. Prior to this, both Ronnie and Vinny Appice  (Drummer) were playing with Black Sabbath. Both also returned to perform with Black Sabbath at various times in their career.

RIP Dio!

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Ashes in the Fall by Rage Against The Machine

Today's Metal Track is Ashes in the Fall by Rage Against The Machine. This is off of their 1999 album The Battle of Los Angeles which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 charts. This song is not as popular as many of their other tracks, including ones on this album, but it has always been one of my favorites from the band.

The song is about people who are oppressed by fascist leaders and their various institutions. It talks about the empty promises that are made by those leaders and how they try to convince the people that they are living in a great place. "This is the new sound, just like that old sound." One image portrayed in the song is people starving while they look through the window at meat that is left to rot.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Suite Sister Mary by Queensryche

Today's Metal Track is Suite Sister Mary off of Queensryche's 1988 concept album Operation: Mindcrime. This concept album follows Nikki, a heroin addict who has been brainwashed by a politician who goes by the name Dr. X. Whenever Dr. X says the word mindcrime, Nikki becomes a puppet and is made to carry out the commands of Dr. X, basically becoming an assassin.

Nikki befriends a prostitute-turn-nun, Sister Mary, and he begins to question the role he has taken with Dr. X. Seen as a threat, Dr. X asks Nikki to kill Sister Mary along with a corrupt priest. Nikki kills the priest but not Mary and goes back to tell Dr. X that he is out. When he goes back to get Mary, he finds her dead. He does not know if it was by his own hand or someone else's but the police find him with a gun and arrest him.

Scott's Instrumental Metal Track of the Day - Altitudes by Jason Becker

With all of the ALS awareness going on recently, I feel this song is appropriate. I've posted Jason Becker songs a couple of times already and talked about his disease but that was before the ALS thing went extremely viral.

Jason was an extremely talented virtuoso guitarist and remains a talented composer to this day. Talent like this doesn't come around very often and it is a shame that we never got to see his full potential. At the age of 20 (In 1989), he was diagnosed with ALS and given 3-5 years to live. In 1996 he lost his ability to speak and now communicates with his eyes via a system his father developed.

With that said, today's Instrumental Metal Track is Altitudes by Jason Becker. This is the opening track off of his 1988 debut solo album Perpetual Burn. This song is just overflowing with emotion and feeling. Hard to believe that he was doing stuff like this as a teenager.

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - Hey Love by Stevie Wonder

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is Hey Love by the extremely talented Stevie Wonder. This is the closing track off of his 1966 album Down to Earth. Stevie was only 16 when he recorded this song.

This was not a major hit for Stevie especially compared to his numerous other hits. I don't really know why because I think it is great. This track did go on to become a big hit for Detroit soul singer Betty Lavette the following year.

Scott's Weekend Wildcard - Once In a Lifetime by Talking Heads

This Weekend's Wildcard is brought to you by Talking Heads. This is off of their 1980 album Remain in Light. This song is about melting away in suburbia.

This video is exhibited in the New York Museum of Art. It features singer David Byrne dancing like a marionette. In the background, there are smaller clones of Bryne dancing in synch. The further the song progresses, the more the larger Byrne gets out of synch.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Thoughts Without Words by Shadows Fall

Today's Metal Track is Thoughts Without Words by Shadows Fall. This was the first single and video released off of their 2002 album The Art of Balance.

The song is "based around meditation and yoga," and on "trying to be able to calm the mind and experience things without constantly thinking them." In other words, being lost in the moment.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Terrible Lie by Nine Inch Nails

Today's Metal Track is Terrible Lie by Nine Inch Nails. This is the second track off of his 1989 debut album Pretty Hate Machine. This song is about a man who is struggling with his faith because everything in his life is falling apart. He blames God for doing this to him, calling His promises a terrible lie. Ultimately he seems to beg for salvation and want to retain his belief:

"My skin is begging you, please (terrible lie)
I'm on my hands and knees
I want so much to believe
Don't take it away from me
I need someone to hold on to"

I think about this song when I am playing golf and hit it in the rough and end up with a TERRIBLE LIE!

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Laterlus by Tool

Today's Metal Track is Lateralus by Tool. It is the title track off of their 2001 album Lateralus. This song is about two realms in life; physical and spiritual.

It's about expanding your mind into the unknown while being careful not to go too far into the spiritual realm and completely separate the body from the mind. Instead try "to swing on the spiral of our divinity and still be a human" and to push the boundaries while keeping the two connected.

"We'll ride the spiral to the end and may just go where no one's been.
Spiral out. Keep going, going"

Another cool note about this song is the use of the Fibonacci sequence (1,1,2,3,5,8...) in the opening lyrics. Maynard pauses between words to separate them based on the number of syllables.
Black | then | white are | all I see | in my infancy | red and yellow then came to be

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Cloak of Feathers by The Sword

Today's Metal Track is Cloak of Feathers and is brought to you by The Sword. This is off of their most recent album Apocryphon which was released 2012. This is a great mix of psychedelic rock, doom metal, and blues commonly referred to as Stoner Metal.

Beneath her cloak of feathers lies a body soft and fine
Eyes of hazel green, flowing hair as dark as wine
A thing of beauty to remember, but a sorrow to forget
She took all that I gave her 'till there was nothing left

Scott's Instrumental Metal Track of the Day - Oracle by Scale the Summit

Today's Instrumental Metal Track is Oracle by Scale the Summit. This is off of their 2013 album The Migration. This video is a play through by one of their guitarists, Travis LeVrier. I wish they would have included Chris in this one as well because their parts lay over each other so well.

Travis makes this look easy with his effortless playing. My favorite part starts at 2:05 with the sweet bass line that is soon joined by an overlaying riff.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - More Human Than Human by White Zombie

No Easy Like Sunday Morning to track today. Instead, we have a special birthday request for my man Jimmy Purcell.

Today's Metal Track is More Human Than Human by White Zombie. This one comes off of their 1995 album Astro-Creep: 2000. The video features some home video clips of Rob and his brother Michael when they were younger. Michael is better known as Spider One of the band Powerman 5000. This video won the MTV Video Music award for Hard Rock Video in 1995.

The title and the lyrics are references to the movie Blade Runner. 'More Human Than Human' was the slogan of the Tyrell Corporation, manufacturers of the replicants in the film.

Happy Birthday Jimmy!

Weekend Wildcard - Jump Around by House of Pain

This Weekend's Wildcard is Jump Around by House of Pain. This insanely popular song has been used everywhere from movies to sporting events. It was released in 1992 on the group's debut self-titled album.

The song features numerous samples including the Harlem Shuffle by Bob & Earl and Popeye the Hitchhiker by Chubby Checker. But the most recognizable sample is the high pitched saxophone sample taken from Junior Walker & the All Stars' Shoot your Shot song from 1967.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Disposable Heroes by Metallica

Today's Metal Track is Disposable Heroes by Metallica. This is off of their 1986 album Master of Puppets which is often referred to as one of the best, if not the best, metal albums of all time. I have to agree. This song is about soldiers and how they are viewed by their leaders as disposable.

I remember Isman Alston using some of these lyrics to write a poem for our AG English class in middle school. I'm surprised the teacher didn't pick up on it since he was a rock n' roll fan.

Soldier boy, made of clay
Now an empty shell
Twenty one, only son
But he served us well
Bred to kill, not to care
Do just as we say
Finished here, greetings death
He's yours to take away

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - White Walls by Between the Buried and Me

Today's Metal Track is a doozy by the progressive metal band Between the Buried and Me. White Walls is the closing track to their outstanding 2007 album Colors. This song is considered by many fans to be their best song. It's not my favorite but it's up there.

Tommy Rogers stated that "this song is about growing and realizing what you need to do in order to make yourself happy in music… cause when its all said and done, this is what people hear when we die. When I started playing music it was a blank canvas (white walls) and this journey I’ve lived so far are the paintings that will be seen when I die."

This is all we have when we die
It's what's left of us when we die
We will be remembered for this

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Ember City by Mastodon

Today's Metal Track is Ember City and is brought to you by Mastodon. This is off of their newest album Once More 'Round The Sun which was just released a couple of months ago.

This is a great song that is a little more polished than a lot of Mastodon's previous tracks but still packs a punch with tons of great guitar work and vocals. One reason is sounds a little more polished is because it features Brann Dailor (drummer) on vocals for the chorus who has cleaner vocals than Troy and Brent. Brann is starting to be used more for vocals in their recent albums which definitely adds another dynamic to their songs.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day: Killer Be Killed - Wings Of Feather And Wax

Adam filling in for Scott today bringing the Metal Track of the Day!

This track is called Wings of Feather and Wax by the band Killer Be Killed.  This band is a supergroup of sorts, with Troy Sanders of Mastodon, Dave Elitch formerly of The Mars Volta, Max Cavelera of Soulfly, and Greg Puciato of The Dillinger Escape Plan.  This track is the first track from the album and really gives listeners a taste of what to expect from the rest of the album.

What is interesting about this particular group is that because there are three vocalists each song can be a little different depending on who is the vocal lead.  Greg Puciato is also playing guitar in this band which is a step outside the box from his duties in Dillinger where he is the lead vocalist.

Scott's Instrumental Metal Track of the Day - We're Going In. We're Going Down. by Cloudkicker

Today's Instrumental Metal Track is brought to you by Cloudkicker which is the name that Ben Sharp releases all of his music under. He writes, records, mixes, and masters everything from his home.

This one is titled "We're Going In. We're Going Down." and is off of his 2010 album Beacons. He releases all of his music from his website using the name your price model. He still has a ton of stuff I have yet to listen to.

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - Take It to the Limit by Eagles

Today's  Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is Take It to the Limit by Eagles. This was the third single released off of their 1975 album One of These Nights.

This song is unique in that it features Randy Meisner on lead vocals instead of Glenn Frey. This caused great contention between the two. Oddly enough it was because Glenn wanted Randy to perform the song live instead of him because the fans loved the way he hit the high notes at the end. According to Joe Walsh, Randy enjoyed performing the song, but was not fond of being told he had to sing it.

Weekend Wildcard

This Weekend's Wildcard is Easy Lover by Phil Collins and Philip Bailey. This duet was released on Philip's 1984 solo album Chinese Wall and was also later released on Phil Collins' live album in 1990 and his compilation album ...Hits in 1998.

This video is basically a video about making the video.

Philip Bailey was a longtime member of Earth, Wind & Fire and Phil Collins was formerly in the band Genesis.

Scott's Heavy Metal Track of the Day - Dead to Rights by DevilDriver

Today's Metal Track is Dead to Rights by DevilDriver. This is the opening track off of their 2011 album Beast. This was the last album to include bassist Jonathan Miller. He was fired on tour in the UK by unanimous vote within the band and sent home from the tour.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Locust by Machine Head

Today's Metal Track is Locust and is brought to you by Machine Head. This is off of their 2011 album Unto the Locust.

Rob Flynn stated that "Locust is a metaphor. Locusts fly in a swarm, but they can't control which direction they fly; they float on the wind, they land, cause massive destruction, and then float away on the wind to leave you in the aftermath. The song is a metaphor for a type of person that sometimes comes into your life and has a similar effect."

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Dusk Dismantled by Trivium

Today's Metal Track is Dusk Dismantled by Trivum. This heavy track is off of their 2011 album In Waves. This song is brutal from beginning to end and is probably my favorite off of the album. A group of us thought we were going to see them at Lincoln Theater this past Monday but either they had to cancel or the website was wrong all along.

It's also fun to sing along by screaming DUST THIS MANTLE! Jessica doesn't appreciate it when I do that to her.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Peace Sells by Megadeth

Today's Metal Track is Peace Sells by Megadeth. This is the title track off of their 1986 album Peace Sells... but Who's Buying. The iconic bass line at the beginning of the song has been used as the theme song for MTV News' The Week in Rock segment since 1990. I'm not sure if they still run the segment or not though.

This song has been used in numerous video games throughout the years and remains a staple in their live shows. The skull that you see explode in the video is the actual skull used as the album cover on their previous album Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! Apparently Dave had a thing for ellipses when naming his albums.

Scott's Instrumental Track of the Day - Waves by Guthrie Govan

Today's Instrumental Track is Waves and is brought to you by the extremely talented Guthrie Govan. This is the opening track off of his 2006 debut solo album Erotic Cakes. When the band played live they were billed as Erotic Cakes instead of just Guthrie Govan. This is a wonderful song and Govan's playing is tremendously soulful.

My favorite comment from the Youtube video:
"Jesus is back!!
...and plays the guitar like a boss!"

Easy Like Sunday Morning Track - She Talks to Angels by The Black Crowes

Today's Easy Like Sunday Morning Track is She Talks to Angels by The Black Crowes. This is off of their 1990 debut album Shake Your Money Maker. In 2010 Chris Robinson stated that this song was loosely based on a goth girl he was acquainted with in Atlanta who was into heroin.

Yes, she'll tell you she's an orphan,
After you meet her family

Weekend Wildcard - How Soon is Now by The Smiths

This Weekend's Wildcard is How Soon is Now and is brought to you by the English rock band The Smiths. This song was not originally a big hit and was only released as a B-side on their 1984 single William, It Was Really Nothing. It was later released as its own single and included on the US release of their 1985 album Meat is Murder.

A cover version by Love Spit Love was used in the 1996 movie The Craft and was also later used as the theme song to the show Charmed.

I am the son, and the heir, of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
I am the son and heir, of nothing in particular

You shut your mouth
How can you say
I go about things the wrong way
I am human and I need to be loved
Just like everybody else does.

Scott's Metal Track of the Day - Where There's Smoke by Overkill

Today's Metal Track is Where There's Smoke by my favorite thrash band of all time Overkill. This is off of their brand new album White Devil Armory that came out last week. After decades of thrashing the boys prove that they've still got it. Tight riffs, great solo, and plenty of 'tude by my man Blitz!