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.