Tag: Judas Priest

I See the Evening Star Rise Up, Shining Out On Me- Peace to a Fallen Friend!

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Today is the Celebration of Life for a fallen bro, much too young. I’m honored to be asked to play guitar for the event. Thoughts to Patrick, Tiffanie, PJ and all family and friends who his light touched.

Peace Jim!

I’m home once more, much better for
The things that I have found
Much wiser now, so simple how
Each time I turn around
I see the evening star rise up
Shining out on me
And now I understand at last what it means
What it all means

MLB 2012 Postseason, Metal Edition

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Alright we are one round into the MLB Postseason schedule. I guess two rounds if you consider the new Wild Card game a round. Thought I would weigh in with another music/sports blog. Those who read my blog regularly know two of my favorite things are music and sports and I enjoy wedding the two together when I can.

Here are some thoughts and predictions on the playoff teams.

Starting with the NL & AL Division Series

Giants v Reds

San Francisco Giants– Skin O’ My Teeth, Megadeth

The Giants did get past the Reds but had to do it in dramatic fashion. Losing the first two games at home and then sweeping the Reds in Cincinnati was no small feat, but, they barely hit and need to be careful or they will be home sitting on the skin of their behinds!

Cincinnati Reds– Red Road, Slavior

Unfortunately for the Reds the road they hit was a dead end. Ouch, tough way to end a season losing three straight playoff games at home. Latos proved why San Diego Padre fans are glad he was traded, losing his cool and the game in the series finale. I thought pitchers stopped crying after the age of 12.

Cardinals v Nationals

St. Louis Cardinals- Another Hit and Run, Def Leppard

Yes, Def Leppard was a Heavy Metal band at one time. The never say die Cardinals did it again. This time totally deflating the Nationals and their fans in the 9th inning of game five of the NLDS.

Washington Nationals–Bang Your Head(Metal Health), Quiet Riot

If you are a Nats fan you have to be hitting your head against the wall wondering what happened. And how in the world could they shut down their best pitcher makes no sense! Kind of like dating a supermodel but you can’t touch her…what’s the point?

A’s v Tigers

Oakland A’s–Green Manalishi, Judas Priest

The A’s were a beast this year catching and overtaking the mighty Texas Rangers. Too bad such a great season came to a screeching halt.

Detroit Tigers–Hell Cat(s), Scorpions

Triple crown threat, these Tigers are looking good… now to slay the dreaded Yankees.

Orioles v Yankees

Baltimore Orioles–Seduction of a Birds Folly, Against the Natural

Even the Yankee fans are sick of the Yankees and wanted to see the Orioles win. New blood needed. Orioles players, much like the band Against the Natural are not well known but both kick butt!

New York Yankees –On and On, Michael Schenker Group

It just goes on and on for the Yankees. Baseball is not better with them in the playoffs every year. I am suddenly a huge Tigers fan.

NLCS & ALCS Predictions

Giants v Cardinals

San Fransisco Giants–Home Sweet Home, Motley Crue

The Giants have to play better at home than they have of late or they are going home early. Giants are  kind of the Padres north so I have to root for them. Here is a trivia questions for you sports fans. Who is the only person to be on the field in uniform for ALL five of the Padres playoff seasons? See answer below.

St. Louis Cardinals–Flying High Again-Ozzy Osbourne

They won it all last year and are poised to do it again even without Albert Pujols.

Prediction-Giants Win

Tigers v Yankees

Detroit Tigers–Die With Your Boots On, Iron Maiden

The country depends on you to knock out the Yankees. It will be tough though and if they’re gonna die, die with your boots on!

New York Yankees–Sad But True, Metallica

Yes the Yankees are deep into the postseason again. Anyone else sick of them yet? Sad but true they will most likely beat the Tigers and head to their 5,000th World Series, bla, bla, bla!

Prediction-Yankees Win

World Series 2012

The Fall Classic comes down to Giants v Yankees in my opinion.

Musical selection for this match up…. Into the Void, Black Sabbath. Who ever wins, baseball fans will be thrown into the void for the winter. At least we have the NFL!

Prediction-Giants Win

Trivia answer Bruce Bochy was a player in 1984 and Manger in 96, 98, 2005 & 2006. Tony Gwynn was a player in 1984, 96 and 98 but not around for the last two playoff teams.

Music to Relax! Fight, “Reality, a New Beginning”

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Alright, most of you are going to think I am insane!

Fight was a 90s heavy metal band formed by Judas Priest singer Rob Halford. They were not a thrash metal band like Metallica but very heavy nonetheless.  In addition to Halford’s powerhouse vocals Fight always had great, very crunchy very musical guitar riffs.

I know heavy metal isn’t for everyone. It is an acquired taste that grows over time, but, in my opinion well worth the time. Many amazing virtuoso musicians over the last 40-50 years have chosen this hard edged rock as their genre as it allows for musicality and creativity not afforded in other popular styles.

So how can this song be considered relaxing music? It is kind of like how you feel after a workout. Your endorphins release and you get what they call a “runners high.”  There have been times I was driving home from a rough day and cranked a band like Fight..probably a little bit towards full volume and it really helped me get all the aggressions out. It calms me right back down like a nice shoulder massage would.

This is definitely different than the typical pastoral music I usually share on my “Music to Relax” articles. Although I know it is not for everyone maybe you can obtain  more of a grasp on why people truly do love heavy metal music. There are other forms of ‘ugly’ music that people enjoy as well. Think of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring or some free Jazz that does not follow the ‘normal’ ideals of nice sounding music.

Keep your ears open my friends!!