Review: Piss – Pantera (single, 1992/2012)

Purchase Piss for 99c from Amazon.com

Pantera – Piss (single)

Hard to believe that 20 years have passed since the release of Vulgar Display of Power, but alas time flies when you are rotating in the mosh pit of life. So, it was with pleasant surprise that I find this “new” song out by Pantera, that will be added as a previously unreleased bonus track for the deluxe anniversary edition of Vulgar Display of Power.

I’m pleased that Vinnie Paul found this track in the vault, but I have to wonder why it was left out. Perhaps for time limitations then on CD’s, since most artists were still in the LP limit length of two sides? It would have fit in well, with Phil’s screaming, Vinnie’s tight drumming, Dimebag’s soaring guitar work, and the steady bassline. One reviewer on Amazon.com claims that it was put together from pieces and recorded more recently. Vinnie Paul claims that it is not, according to Blabbermouth.net. Plus, Phil and Vinnie Paul’s days of working together are pretty much over.
For 99c how can you go wrong – this is a must have for any Pantera fan. Buy now and download or wait for it to come out on the reissue of Vulgar Display of Power.

Listening notes: Purchased and downloaded from Amazon.com, because Itunes sucks. Listened through stock built in speakers on my Lenovo R61e laptop. Will be listened to a lot more in other places. Rock on!

Book Review: Black Tooth Grin by Zac Crain

Click to purchase or for more information from Amazon.com

Black Tooth Grin: The high times, good times, and tragic end of “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott by Zac Crain

It was with pleasant intrigue that I came across this recent addition to the Stillwater Public Library in my local community. Published in 2009, by Da Capo Press, Black Tooth Grin traces a linear path of the life of Darrell Abbott, better known as Dimebag by the music world and his friends.

Zac Crain’s writing felt a bit sterile during the early chapters, but Crain loosens up into a hybrid of riveting novel and factual reporting, like the journalist that he is. His use of block quotes from interviews is liberal, but they flow with the story. Of course, we know how this story ends.

Many of us who came to know Dimebag his genius guitar playing with Pantera and on into Damageplan only know the surface of what made the man tick. My unique perspective coming into this book is that I know the creative mind and soul and how it ticks – always a bit off-kilter. I am one, my first husband was one, and many of my friends are that I have met along the way in my life. Crain tried to ferret that out, post-humously, through extensive research from existing articles that Dimebag did during his lifetime and through lengthy discussions with the persons in Dimebag’s life who were close to him.

I’m tempted to give a lot of spoiler facts in this review, but I’ll leave that for your own discovery. I will say, however, that I’ll bet the person that Zac Crain wanted to interview the most was Darrell’s and Vinnie Paul’s mother, Carolyn Abbott. If you believe in Heaven, she was waiting for her son to arrive in the clouds.

For folks who were raised on or spent their early adult life (like myself) falling in love with the sound of Pantera, as it broke ground for the so-called nu-metal bands that came in the days after the Seattle grunge scene collapsed, Black Tooth Grin will bring back some memories. It also sheds some light on the breakup of Pantera when Phil Anselmo left to pursue other projects.

As I read along, there was a lot of emphasis on Dimebag’s comsumption of Jack Daniels shots with a splash of Coca Cola – called a Black Tooth Grin – among other types of alcohol. He had reached the point of what is called a functioning alcoholic since it was not affecting his playing ability or performance on statge. However, I am left to wonder, how long would he have lived if he had not gotten shot at Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio?

The book does include a discography of Dimebag’s projects through the years. I just may have to go vinyl store digging. That is if you all don’t beat me to it. I see Power Metal is available on import CD from amazon.com, much to Phil Anselmo’s chagrin, I can assure you.

My reasoning for 4 out of 5 is the weak opening quality of the writing, plus I feel that while Crain dug deep and did treat his subject with respect, I wanted to have him go a little deeper, psychologically, but sometimes that’s when doors shut and you have to know your limits as a writer. I do recommend this book whether you were a huge fan of Pantera or not.

Soundcloud Mix Track – Jaga-Jagusia-Mix’12 DJ WhiteHill aka DJ Amigo

Jaga-Jagusia-Mix’12 DJ WhiteHill aka DJ Amigo

Just want to say a few quick things about DJ Whitehill. Sometimes when I look for something upbeat to work to, I turn to dancehall mixes. The mix of Polish language in the tracks with English blends in to the the beat of background noise for me and I can actually get other work done – which is why I haven’t been able to critically post anything in a while.

In this particular track posted for free listening on Soundcloud, DJ Whitehill mixes in soccer crowd chants (in Polish) throughout the hour-plus long mix. The beat stays fairly steady throughout and would be a good workout mix, if you are so inclined.

One of my favorite portions comes after the 50 minute mark – when there is a lady singing about hooligans. Funny in a wry way since this is after all a futbol, soccer, pilka nozna themed mix. For DJ Whitehill’s Chicago Fire friends, he also includes the video game track from Tetris toward the end.

Well done and I encourage you to check him out. I’m not all metal, but though this blog will stick mostly to the harder edged reviews, you may see things from networked friends in here. Salud!

Listening notes: Streamed from soundcloud.com at link above, through Altec-Lansing speakers that really need to be replaced.

The Black Dahlia Murder – Ritual (2011)

Sitting at an affordable $6.99 for the mp3 album from Amazon.com, I encourage blaspheming fans of metal to check out The Black Dahlia Murder’s Ritual. I’ve been sitting on this purchase for a while (I downloaded the purchase in September 2011), but think it needs a proper review in light of this resurrected Nao Me Diga Ezine blog. I purchase this in support of the band after they received some ridiculous press in regards to some crime.

1. A Shrine to Madness – Opens with a black metal symphonic haunting that slams into a full sonic assault on your ears. (You know it is required that you listen to loud, right?) The title grabs me since that what I feel like my whole life is right now.
2. Moonlight Equilibrium – Speed is the name of the game here, with rolling riffs and drums – like a spray of a machine gun and the run from the scene of the massacre.
3. On Stirring Seas of Salted Blood – Use of the lower register that rattles your rib case and other parts of your core. A slower pace, but still brutal.
4. Conspiring with the Damned – We get slammed back into the fast lane with the hammer down and the accurate double kick work, but still with melodic overtones in the guitar work. The bridge slows you down with a ritualistic sound.
5. The Window – My head can’t stop moving when this song is on. Bridge guitar solo, passionate. The most sensual track so far of the album.
6. Carbonized in Cruciform – Intense song. Piano work at the end, brings you back down.
7. Den of Picquerist – A bit of a different sound. Shortest track, clocking in at 1:30.
8. Malenchanments of the Necrosphere – The song title is a mouthful. Growling vocals and chugga chugga guitar work mark this song, until the bridge where there is a soaring guitar that could be influenced by Stevie Ray Vaughan or Yngwie Malmsteem. Second half of the song is not as chugga chugga as the first half, right off the solo, but then we come full circle into that style that marked the opening segments.
9. A Grave Robber’s Work – Title conjures up images of some very rapid digging in order to not be caught. Why can I envision an almost comical video to this song? You know like that Iron Maiden video for “Run for the Hills” with the sped up imagery from the old black and white Westerns.
10. The Raven – Head rolling, hair swinging, as the bird herself soars through the night air.
11. Great Burning Nullifier – Intense, brutal. But nothing outstanding on this track. However, chorus may have been the inspiration for the album title.
12. Blood in the Ink – Death crosses to black with the symphonic work in this one – violins – haunting. This may be one of my favorite tracks of the album. A fitting end – “suicide is the only way out” – unless of course you just don’t listen to the CD. But I encourage you to, not suicide, but listening to/ buy this album.

Final comments – as with all bands – sometimes you have to be in the right mood to full appreciate what they are and are capable off. The album is well mixed. The growling vocals are almost discernible enough with better listening equipment (like high end headphones) I could make out lyrics. I do not have the benefit of a lyric sheet since this is a download. Nor do I know if a lyrics were included in the liner notes in the physical CD version.

Listening notes: Lenovo R61e laptop hooked up to Altec Lansing speakers – of which I think I need new ones now since one sounds blown.

Van (metal inspired poetry)

Van

I climbed aboard
cinco brasileiros
e uma ‘mama’
e me
cold outside
Snow falling around
Warm inside
laughter and fun
and some tension, too
Such is the life
On the road
How do we get there
from here
How did I get here
from there?

27 November 1996

Note: Somewhere in the Chicago suburbs, Overdose played that night. I rode with them to the next gig in Muncie, Indiana. Overdose opened for Crowbar on that tour. It snowed, so we had to stop and piled into a hotel room to wait out the storm before going on. It was an interesting experience and I’m glad I did it.

Metal

Metal

The power of the music
drew me closer to the stage
moving in a rhythmic trance
I knew of no yesterday
no today
no tomorrow
I watched the band
the players and their skill
sweaty flesh on all sides
decibels penetrating my skull
and all I could consciously thing was–
do they remember me?

(journal entry 23 Sept 1996)

Blast from Past (Wichita KS scene)

I haven’t had mental capacity to put any reviews into comprehensive words so I’m sharing a journal entry from December 7, 1992. Last names are omitted and only last initials used to protect privacy. (If anyone reading this has even an exterior photo of The Ritz bar/club from that era in Wichita, I’ll be glad to link to it from this entry.)

It’s another open jam night at the Ritz–I am here–ah yes a Monday tradition–ritual for me now. Tonight–the Difference is hosting it. Brad C. is drumming–He’s of Thrill Hippies fame you know. They are playing lots of cover tunes–and quite well I might add–the vocalist’s voice is seeminly right for all the songs they’ve chosen. As this is being penned–they are performing “Knocking on Heaven’s Door.” There are 6 of them–2 guitars, a bassist, a keyboardist, drums, and the vocalist.

Brad has noticed me–I’m sure of it. If not, he soon will. I like watching him in action–he is so full of passionate energy when he plays–Ever since Sept 22, I seem to have been focusing more on the rhythm section of a band. Of course, I’ve always wanted to learn the drums. But you know parents–I couldn’t twirl a baton right either for that matter–

I watch Brad intently–(“I don’t wanna work. I wanna bang on the drums all day”) The cigarette lit–cherry glowing brightly–ashes–bright–flying away–burning holes in the jeans?

These guys even cover James Brown well! drinking beer–watching Brad–Yeah, I feel Good, Damn fuckin’ horrorshow good!

Marshall is missing–what’s up with that?!? Perhaps he just hasn’t arrived yet–but it’s past 11pm.

Flipside–to what? Ha! they sound good–but this mix is bad–Brad pointed it out to me–Of course he is correct as–well–let’s just say–sometimes–Ha!

Roger is here now too–sigh–he insists on getting me something for xmas–I don’t fuckin’ celebrate that holiday–I do get the day off that day because this is a fuckin’ Christian nation!

I’m sitting more or less in between Brad and Rog–it’s weird–because I had been dating Rog before–and now I am seeing Brad–God! Saturday night was good–the Great Mother Spirit has been good to me–On the way here–for example–she told me to hesitate as the arrow turned green–a fuckin’ semi–18 wheeler–blasted through the red light! I would have been killed or at least seriously injured! But back to this Brad v Rog thing–well I don’t know what to do–I love ‘em both–they’re in the same band–THRILL HIPPIES! So it’s just going to be weird. Oh well– ‘cest la vie, ‘cest la guerre . . .

ZZ Top as a four piece?
Roger: “No I don’t think so. Not now, not ever! You look depressed. I hope that I don’t (or didn’t) contribute if you truly are.”

I have a lot on my mind I suppose–Chris, Brad, Roger–the band–even Clint is here just hangin’ tonight–hangin’–that reminds me–I have Brad to thank for securing the Budweiser bats for me–

The night is weird–the full moon approacheth!

I’ve been accused of being a groupie–NOT!–I desire more than that–agent perhaps?

Roger is great when he’s playin’ bass on stage–he’s a fuckin’ show off–ham–but that’s cool–people like that–high energy–it’s catching–the audience picks up on it–feeds off it–

Clint on keyboards? What’s up with that? Strange but true yes–Clint is the TH’s sound man–a buzz descends upon me–Marshall is here now–the Ritz is a “complete” place again–

Roger: “I’d like to suggest my theory– ‘that you simply are who you are, nothing more, nothing less.’ Stay that way!”

They say that art mimics life–so true so true–lyrics–true–inspired by life–music accompanying–yes–sometimes minor keys–yes art mimics depressing life . . .