Phil Anselmo goes solo.

A couple of days ago legendary metal vocalist Phillip H. Anselmo, announced his first solo album.

This being his first full solo album, although not his first solo outing (first solo stuff he laid down was on the recent War of the Gargantuas split Ep with Warbeast), seems that it's going to be angry. Just as angry as Mr. Anselmo can be.

Mr. Anslemo had this to say about the new album:
"It wasn't about doing a paint-by-numbers thrash or heavy metal record," he explained about his project. "It's an angry album that only I could do. I don't see anybody else out there screaming about the same shit I'm screaming about. On this album, there isn't any wordplay, there isn't any hidden message, it's all right there in front of you."

All thought it sounds like it is going to be a great album and I literally can't wait for the July 16th release date. But for me, and I'm sure there are some other fans out there that are wondering the exact same thing. What is happening with Down? When the announcement of their latest EP, Down IV part 1 - The Purple Ep, the band said that are another 3 EP's following suit, and in quick succession... But we still have not heard a peep about this. Am I a tool for thinking that phil should get back in the studio with down and leave all these solo endeavours for a later stage? Or am I just a passionate Down fan that wants fresh new Southern-in-your-face-fuck-you-Metal on my stereo? I'll let you decide...

But with all that said, I think this new solo journey of a legendary front man is something to look forward to.

Here is one of the tracks off of the above mentioned split ep.

Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor

Album review time again folks, this time we've got the brand new offering form the lord of horror, the one the only, ROB ZOMBIE!

The 5th studio album by Mr. Zombie, Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor, is released in the same week as his latest movie, Lords Of Salem.

Now we've all come to expect certain things of horror, craziness, and explicit sexual and satanic references, and Mr. zombie and his troop of musical misfits has once again not disappointed in the slightest degree.

This album following up on 2010's Hellbilly Deluxe vol. 2, had quite a lot to live up to, and it has lived up to the great expectations placed upon it.
The first single off the album is, Dead City Radio And The New Gods Of Supertown, is a great song. The typical track that is expected from the Zombie troop, great riffs, awesome groove, and dirty lyrics, sick sick track. But for me the defining track of the album has to be, Teenage Nosferatu Pussy, what a track! It's got an amazing hook, great lyrics and amazing riffs, such a sick track!
The Zombie crew even brings back their awesome dirty southern redneck grooves, with a track called, White Trash Freaks, what more would a dirty redneck want?
One track that prickled my interest particularly, is track number 9. It is a cover, but wow, what a cover! Grand Funk Railroad's We're An American Band, one of my all time favourite rock songs, and to say the least Mr. Zombie does this track more than Justice, he makes it even more awesome than it usually is! I love him for that!

It's a great album, sick sick bubblegum beyond measure!

Does this album dethrone Educated Horses as my go to Zombie album, yes, yes it has!!

Music elitism? no...

This something I've felt very strongly about for quite some time now.  A perversion of sorts between music fans, musical elitism, something that has implanted itself in SA-music scene, and at this point has festered into an irresponsible and idiotic culture that makes no one get along these days. I dont know how bad it is in other countries, but here in sunny South Africa, it is pretty bad.

Now i've always felt that music is something that should bring people from different cultures, religions, social-classes together, a common ground if you will. For some reason people who listen to the same genre of music be it pop, rock, rap, metal or whatever, get along, it not being a problem who they are, where they're from or what ever, they now have a common ground, a conversation starter, maybe a start of a friendship, or a relationship, you never know. Music is a powerful tool...

But lets not forget, that this powerful tool of music has been perverted, almost destroyed by this bastard child of social interaction called, Music Elitism.
Now as most of you know, I'm a metal head, always have been and always will be. But these days I'm almost disgraced to admit to this, purely because of this afore mentioned bastard child. I can remember the days of walking into a venue, for a whole day festival, 15 different bands playing, all different sounding, a 1000 people that looks different all supporting different bands, they all look different fitting into their own preferred sub-genre. And the funny thing about this scene is, everyone is getting along having a beer chatting and having a party, ah the good old days...
But all this, has been destroyed gone, and I highly doubt those days will get back again.

Although it is getting better, but in every sub genre there is one group of total assholes that spoils it for everyone. You can see them from a mile away, walking with their noses in the air, all high and mighty, bad ass motherfuckers. They give you a look of sorry you're not metal enough to like this band or not metal enough for my sub genre. The best comment I've heard from one of these fucks was; "You have long hair and a beard, but you're not wearing a band shirt, you're just another poser.", admittedly I had to hold myself back from killing this person, I was close though but i didn't act on it, i just turned around and walked away.
Now I'm wondering, where does this come from? This guy, did he have a bad childhood, or was he just trying to keep his taste of music's fan base pure? I don't know, I haven't seen him since this incident nor do I ever want to see him again, he's a jackass. But the thing still is, this elitism is destroying our cultural brotherhood.
People in the metal community are being divided, shows with bands from different sub-genres don't exist anymore, now it's all genre specific, and this is just furthering along this divide in our small and once strong little community. And its all thanks to these few stupid fuckers that cruise around from show to show to spoil it for all of us.

I don't know if I'm being silly or what, but this pisses me off. Why can't we all just get along like we used to back in the day, all be friends and just hang out. Music elitism is a bastard, one that must be killed, and quickly. It's destroying a brotherhood in an amazing culture.
So remember this next time you see one of these bastards, walk up to them, headbutt them and and tell the sad fuck to grow up and get a life...

Hearing and not listening...

Let me pose a question. When was the last time that you listened to music? And I mean really listen to it, not just hearing a song playing in the background or music blaring out of your car stereo, but actually listen to it?

And I'm sure as you answer this question to yourself, the answer is going to be; "wow, it has been awhile...".
And the truth is, I have the exact same answer. I realised it this morning, when i started to do an assignment for varsity. As per my usual convention, i get all my books out, and turn on my iPod. But as I looked over my shoulder, my vinyl collection caught my eye, (that will be LPs' or records for the uniformed younger reader). And then I realised, wow it has been awhile. I started flipping through them and found Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here. I put it on and sat down and started to work...
 Or so i thought...
As the intro for Shine on you crazy diamond started playing my focus was shifted away from brand new varsity textbooks and documents open on my laptop, to a vast row of old and dusty records.

I  went to sit down in front of my collection, and started the long process of taking each one out, looking at the covers, taking in the graphics, reading the track listings on the back, remembering how each song sounded being played.
Needless to say it brought back many memories of sifting through charity shop boxes looking for rare and forgotten gems, printed on the almost lost beauty of vinyl.

But I digress, back to the point. Looking through all my vinyls made me realise again that I haven't just sat down and listened to the music like I used to, and I believe that I'm all the poorer for it. It's a sad thing to admit, but it's the truth.
People just let life rush past without sitting down and enjoying the music. And to be honest it doesn't matter what genre of music you enjoy listening to, be it hip-hop, rave, dub step, metal, rock or pop. just take the time sit down and listen, just listen to the music, don't just hear it.
Remember that the artist you are listening to, put a little bit of themselves into that song or album, it's a look into their being. They make music to be listened to, not just to be heard, (although it seems that some of them do just that...).

I know, from reading old music and record magazines that in the 70's and 80's people used to have "listening parties". All that you would do when going to this party is literally sit around and just listen to  the music of the day, how awesome is that?? I think this is a lost form of partying, all that people care about today is drinking, getting laid, with music way too loud for anyone to enjoy.
I myself am fortunate enough to say that i have done this once before and it has been the best "party" I've ever been to.

Well I can honestly say after today, purely just listening to music (and not getting any work done), I have made myself a promise, that everyday, after all is said and done, I'm going to sit down in my room, lock my door and just listen, even if it is just for an hour. Just to sit down and listen.
And I invite you to try and do the same, I can almost guarantee that you will be the richer for it.

just a little piece of great music for you...

Is It Just Me??

Is it just me, or has other people also realised this? Last night we were watching The Spy Who Loved Me, classic Bond film, one of the best i must say, classic one-liners, great car, awesome gadgets, but i digress...

The women from the by-gone 70's and 80's era were prettier than the women of today, hands down. And I will argue this point with anyone.

My interest into this phenomenon was prickled again by seeing Barbara Bach playing Anya Asamova in the film, and low and behold an amazing beauty not seen these days.
Ok given she is not a great actress by any stretch of the imagination, but those days, good acting wasn't needed if you looked like that.

A little while later, a lady by the name of Caroline Munro appeared on the screen playing Naomi, a drop dead stunner, in anyones books. I couldn't think of any other big movies that she has starred in, but none the less, search her on google and just see what a beauty she really is.













After seeing the movie I thought about it some more, and I got out my Dukes of Hazzard series' and started watching them again. Seeing the woman that i believe is the most beautiful woman that has ever lived, one Catherine Bach, the real Daisy Duke, not the silly blonde Jessica Simpson floozy, but the curvaceous brunette wonder.

Now I am quite sure that any one would agree with me that this woman is prettier than a mess of catfish (now if your neck isn't as red mine, that means damn pretty).
















These are 3 beauties from a bygone era of beautiful woman, there are many many more of them, if you watch any of the old classics, you'll see them, they're easy to find, they're the ones, when they come on screen, your jaw hits the floor and you can't believe your eyes, thats them.

I hope this might have prickled your interest, and that the few woman that read my mad ramblings, will spread the word among their cohorts, to bring this natural curvy no make-up look back.

Factoid #1

Well as promised, here is the first in the series of quite interesting facts.

HOW TALL WAS NAPOLEON??

Well it is quite widely believed that Napoleon was a short little man. Wrong, this believe comes from a combination of mistranslation and propaganda.
The autopsy, carried out in 1821 by his personal physician, Francesco Antommarchi, recorded his height as '5/2'. which is now believed that this represents the french measurement of '5 pieds 2 pouces', which converts to modern measurements as 5 feet and 6.5 inches (1.69 meters).

The average height of Frenchmen in that era was 5 feet and 4.5 inches anyway, so that means Napoleon was probably taller than most people he came in contact to anyway.
In fact he was taller than the average englishmen, who was 5 feet and 6 inches.

After Napoleon gained power, he imposed eight requirements on all french troops. In the elite imperial Guard, Grenadiers had to be at least 5 feet 10 inches tall, and his personal guard, the elite Mounted Chasseurs, had to be a minimum of 5 feet 7 inches. So most of the time the soldiers around him were taller than him, creating the illusion the he is in fact short.












The British caricaturist, James Gillray was responsible for the first damaging image of the "little" Napoleon, in "the King of Brobdingang and Gulliver", inspired by by Gulliver's Travels.

In the picture to the left, George III is pictured holding Napoleon in his hand, inspecting him with an eye-glass saying,  "I cannot but conclude you to be one of the most pernicious little odious reptiles that nature ever suffered to crawl upon the surface of the Earth.'















One of the reasons for the survival of this myth is by the wide used term, 'Napoleon Complex', used to describe short people who make up for their lack of stature by being overly aggressive. There isn't actually any scientific evidence to support for this commonly held theory, neither is it an officially recognised psychiatric syndrome, and doesn't seem to occur in the animal kingdom.


I hope you all found this to be of an interesting flavour, and this made your mouths water for more.
Adios for now folks, until next time.

It's been a while

Wow so it has been quite a while since I have scribbled something on the walls of the internet...

Quite a few things have changed. working my ass off, going back to varsity next year, and riding as much as i can.
Yes thats right, I got my silly ass back into UJ. woohoo. Going to be a Lawyer one day. hell yeah

And riding yes, I ride mountain bikes now. Probably one of the most relaxing, exhilarating, exciting, hardest things I have ever done! I love it.

So this is just to say, that from now on, I am going to try my best to post twice a week. ONe random post like usual, and the second post for the week will be something with a bit more substance. Once a week I am going to give a quite interesting fact, a little something dug out of the the deep pools of knowledge, to remove the plague of general ignorance.


Just remember, if you're feeling down, do what stalin did.