IWRESTLEDABEARONCE - "It's All Happening" The Official Blog Metal Review

Well it's about time for my first album review. And what better album to start this off than IWRESTLEDABEARONCE's Century Media debut, It's All Happening? There is no other band in metal today that is as polarizing as IWABO. Their music, and esspecially this album sets them apart from pretty much every other band out there. Since I heard of them I've been trying to come up with a name for their genre. And, with a little help from iTunes, ADD metal is born.

Now, the album opens with the single "You Ain't No Family" which, we've all heard before and you know my thoughts on this song. The most surprising, and possibly addicting song on the album is track number two, "White Water In The Morning." I just love Krysta's voice during that time break in the beginning where she just sounds like such an innocent little girl It totally takes me by surprise.

Somehow, even though it's the shortest song on the album "Danger in the Manger" seems to be the most famous song off the album if you look at the band's MySpace page. Granted it has the coolest opening riff on the album but, I don't really see what the big deal is over this song. Other than it's fun as shit to play on Audio Surf. "I'm Cold and There Are Wolves Chasing Me" has the coolest name on the album. Krysta also does the little girl voice on this song for a short period of time. This song is more classic IWABO. Just random as Hell.

This song features the re-recording of their famous single "Tastes Like Kevin Bacon" which, other than having real drums and a cool time break before the clean vocals part, this isn't really different than the original. But, that time break adds a lot to the song. You wouldn't think it but it makes this song all the cooler. "The Cat's Pajamas" is probably the slowest song on the album. Not much to say about it.

This band really takes having irregular time signatures to heart in songs like "Pazuzu For The Win" and "Eli Cash vs The Godless Savages." Really playing on the whole "ADD" factor of their music. And, the album even features a techno based track in "Black-Eyed Bush" which is two and a half minutes of pure trippy.

All in all, this is a great debut album from a great band. I suggest you go out and get it now. I leave you with a video I personally shot of the band playing "You Ain't No Family." Enjoy.

(4 out of 5 goat heads)

I Kissed A Dragon

It would appear as though a man by the name of Andy Xiong has recorded a great instrumental piece and stuck Katy Perry's "I Kissed A Girl" over top of it. Now, I've never been a big fan of power metal... and I hate Katy Perry but, this is pretty cool. Mainly because it sounds like this guy can really shred on guitar.

A Few Quick Thoughts on Download 09

I saw a few quick thoughts because I only caught a few people's sets, thanks to the power of the internet and the fact that Download was streaming the main stage live on their website. But, thanks to the five our time-difference, the majority or the stream was when I was still asleep. Anyway, I managed to catch Korn, Slipknot, and of course, the big Faith No More reunion. I would've been watching Manson but, Download didn't feel like broadcasting him.

Anyway, we'll start with the main event, Faith No More. It was amazing to be able to watch Faith No More play their first show in almost 15 years. Even if it was just over the internet. It was so epic when Mike Patton (pictured above) came out on stage looking like a straight pimp with the rest of the band and played "Reunited". And of course they went on playing all their best songs. I was just glad they played "We Care A Lot" even if they did wait till the very-very end of the show to bust that one out. One thought I had during the show was, the song "Be Aggressive" sounds so much better live than it does on the album. It was a great show. Patton on the boys are better than ever.

Next up on my list to talk about is Korn's set. They went on right before Faith No More. Korn played a great set. I know that Korn isn't exactly the most popular band in the metal community but, fuck you, I liked them. Have ever since I was a kid. In fact, they were my first concert. I was glad to see Korn playing a show after Jon's whole "Solo" thing. Even if it was only 3/5ths of the band. They played most of their best songs. I was kinda suprised they didn't play any songs off the Untitled album. Again, I liked that album. I don't care what you say. Korn always puts on a great show. I was suprised to see them play "Another Brick In The Wall." I know they don't play that song often and they do it so well. On a side note, of all the bands I saw, there were the most girls flashing during Korn's set. I guess chicks dig the kilt... I think that's how you spell it.

Finally, I'll talk about Slipknot's set. As i understand it, this was Slipknot's first time headlining the Download Festival. Even though they play there almost every album cycle. They put on an amazing show as always. Slipknot never dissapoints when it comes to live shows. They're natural born performers. They played pretty much the same set list they played when I saw them. Except, they played "Sulfur" instead of "Purity". Plus, they actually had Pyro! I ound it annoying that whoever was working the cameras didn't have any of them focused on the audience during the "Jumpthefuckup" part of the show. That's what we wanna see. That part of the show is just to see 40k people jump in unison. Not to see Corey Taylor jump. he does that the whole show. Oh well. I had fun watching it. I wish I could've been there but, this is almost half as good. Which is good enough for me.

So, Have You Seen The New Killswitch Video?

If not, me and all the other mean kids will beat you up after school. Anyway, the new Killswitch video kinda looks like an old Killswitch video. This new video is directed by Lex Halaby who also directed the videos for "Rose Of Sharyn" and "My Curse." This may be why the video seems familiar. Now, Halaby seems to have a thing for slow motion/stop motion buy, hey, it works for him. I happen to like the video. But, I can see a lot of the metal community getting their panties in a bunch over the fact that it has the old "secret" love story premus. But, hey, if you don't like love stories you probably shouldn't be listening to Killswitch. Seeing as how, ya know, a lot of their songs deal with love.

The song is, well, a Killswitch song. It has crushing riffs, great vocals, and a catchy chorus. There's really nothing more to say. Well.... The new self-titled album comes out on June 23rd on Roadrunner. Here's the video for "Starting Over."

And My Hate For Brett Micheals Continues

But this is funny as Hell. I'm sure not a single one of you was watching the Tony awards... Neither was I. I don't like musicals. Anyway, Brett Micheals took time out from his busy schedule of sleeping with prostitutes to perform with his old band Poison at the awards show. And, now you see what happens when a washed up glam rocker with an over-inflated ego is basking in his own self image.

For your enjoyment, here's the only interesting thing that happened at the Tony's. It's great for that morning laugh that we all need.

A Video Game As Brutal As I?

Well, not just yet. Apparently the production of the game Brutal Legend has been posponed due to a lawsuit between Activision and Double Fine Productions. Variety explains more;

Activision has filed a lawsuit against videogame developer Double Fine Prods. that may prevent Electronic Arts from releasing “Brutal Legend” in October.

The videogame publisher claims that Double Fine missed a key deadline for “Brutal Legend” last year during its development and then set up the game with rival EA when it needed $7 million more and an additional nine months to finish it.

But Activision said in a lawsuit filed in the Santa Monica Courthouse, that it had never relinquished the rights to the game, in which it had already invested $15 million to develop. It also wasn’t paid back any money Double Fine was given to produce the game.

Company will suffer “irreparable harm” and lose not only sales from the game but also revenue from downloadable content, in-game advertising, merchandise and other opportunities if the release isn’t stopped, Activision said in the filing.

Now, this sucks on so many levels. I wasn't even aware this game existed until today when the suit surfaced. I mean, a metal themed game that's not Guitar Hero or Rock Band that stars Jack Black, Rob Halford, Lita Ford, Lemmy, and Ozzy? Hell yeah. Hopefully this lawsuit doesn't take all that long. This game seems like it'd be pretty damn fun.

IWRESTLEDABEARONCE Ain't No Family

Don't ya just love the smell of a brand new IWRESTLEDABEARONCE video? I know I do. And, the genre-fucking group has just released a new video for "You Ain't No Family." And, needless to say, I like it. Even if it is the most serious thing this band has ever done. They are getting a lot of shit for this video all over the internets. People calling it "gay hipster metal" and whatnot. I do not agree with this. I think they're an amazing band. And amazing people. As you may recall I got to hang out with them at one of their shows recently. They're just fun people and they project that into, well, everything they do.

The song is pretty classic IWABO. Nothing much to say other than it's a good song. It sounds like them without, ya know, repeating themselves. I think a lot of fans were scared that it would sound exactly like "Tastes Like Kevin Bacon" but it doesn't. The album It's All Happening just came out yesterday just came out yesterday. I haven't heard it yet but I hear it's amazing. Just like the rest of their stuff.