If you're reading this, thank you. I hope that talking about my music and other things that interest me will let people who find my profile be comfortable in being a friend. The easiest thing for me to talk about is my music which is mainly metal. I enjoy other genres but those are for another day.
I listen to most kinds of metal but what I listen to depends on two things.
1. My Mood
2. Am I out of skips on Pandora?
As far as my mood goes, whenever I'm going through a breakup or just a generally shit time, I gravitate toward heavier bands in the Black and Death Metal area. That's how I found Thy Art is Murder, got into bands like Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir and re-discovered Cannibal Corpse. I'll still listen to them, even when things are going good, but it usually takes some foul emotions for me to start looking for bands like those to begin with.
When I'm looking for motivation, as much as it sounds like a stereotype, I start putting on Hardcore, Punk and Metalcore. Hatebreed is a must, Dropkick Murphys work to get me moving, Bleeding Through is a shot in the arm as well. West Coast punk like NOFX, Pennywise or Bad Religion are musical caffeine to me.
It's also good to have a sense of humor and history. I've seen every episode of Metalocalypse, listen to Brian Posehn and wore out my Green Jelly cassette back in the day. I also love watching Music Documentaries, anything from Banger Films is always good history.
I'm also for being inclusive. That's what drew me to Metal to begin with. Being the fat kid in High School and finally being accepted as is in a mosh pit is very cathartic. Sadly, as the years have worn on and the Internet gives anything with a Brian Cell and hands a voice, you see the elitists pop up. People who insist that Metal is the only way, people who insist THEIR Metal is the best.
It goes beyond that and crosses into social boundaries as well. It's tough to find a band with female members that isn't being judged on their looks first, talent second. You get bands that think being homophobic, tone deaf, knuckle dragging cockwaffles is the norm. I won't name any bands here but if you want to talk about them in forums or PM's, I'm sure we know who the offenders are.
While I do like the sound that Behemoth makes, their views on Religion are too out in left field for me. I see no good in burning churches and persecuting those who follow a different faith. It confirms every backwards belief the mainstream media and religious fundamental types have about the music and its fans. Bands like Norma Jean and (at one time) As I Lay Dying were able to remain true to their faith without being preachy.
Hopefully this isn't ending too abruptly but I'll wrap up this post here. I'll have more thoughts on different topics coming soon but this is the best place for me to start. Until next time, remember my personal philosophy on being metal...
Head Up, Horns High!
BBH