13 albums which will most definitely get you into metal music.

I'm not playing a heavy metal advocate here, but metal kicks ass! It's empowering music if you ask me. It is your friend in your time of need. It is your escape, a mental refuge, during sad times. We humans cannot avoid life's reality. For me, my passion for metal get's me through the day. I like to listen to different metal genres, practice some riffs, even sing along like a maniac in the shower. Hehe. I enjoy it in every way.

Six years, hundreds of artists and thousands of songs later, I still can't be confident of what genre I like the most. That's the thing. Metal is so versatile, that you can't pin point a favorite genre. And that is also the reason why it can be liked by anyone.

I've compiled a pretty solid list of all my favorite metal albums, which if you give a listen, might turn you into a metal head. Read on..

13. Follow The Reaper  - Children Of Bodom (Melodic Death Metal) 

This Finnish band is named after the Lake Bodom murders and play classic melodic death metal. They use symphonic elements in their songs, while playing at fast tempos. Sticking to their routine, this album contains songs tailored with rocket-speed riffs, growl vocals and melodic keyboard pieces. The overall theme for the album is horror and they pretty much fit right in the death metal super-genre like a jigsaw piece fits into it's puzzle.

12. Mesmerize - System Of A Down (Alternative Metal)

Alright, I'm going old school now. This is a band I started listening to 6 years back. I STILL have their entire discography in my music library. All the members look like freaks but they are quite the opposite. All of them are genius composers and disciplined instrumentalists. Mesmerize is one of their last albums they've released before they went on a hiatus. Much like their previous albums, with oblique lyrics, progressive riff-structures and versatile songs, Mesmerize blew me away. The single 'B.Y.O.B' won a Grammy in 2006!

11. Blizzard of Ozz  - Ozzy Osbourne (Heavy Metal)

Ozzy released this album after parting with Black Sabbath, which acted as a launch pad for his solo career. Blizzard heralds one of the best guitarists of all time, Randy Rhoads, before unfortunately passing away in an accident. 'Crazy Train', 'Mr. Crowley', 'Goodbye To Romance' are some of the songs which stand out from this album. With beautifully crafted heavy riffs, tight drum tracks,  and the ever-powerful Ozzy vocals, this went on to achieve 4x platinum status in the U.S.

10. Damnation  - Opeth (Progressive Metal)

After I heard this album, I had only one word for Opeth. Diverse. Damnation is Opeth's mellow masterpiece. It is unlike any of their other albums. Most people categorize this as "progressive rock". I don't know why, but to me, it has a very metal vibe. Devoid of growling vocals and distortion guitars, it takes the listener on a heavenly trip down melancholy lane. Akerfeldt's composition and arrangement is godly, which makes this album, divine.

9. Vulgar Display Of Power - Pantera (Groove Metal)

I can listen to this album starting form Track 1, 'Mouth For War' to Track 11, 'Hollow' without any breaks. One of the most influential heavy metal albums of all times, it's a raw, unadulterated mix of aggressive vocals, groovy riffs, heavy drumming and powerful lyrics. This is a staple in my "Muscle Music" playlist and I kid you not, during workouts, it slowly injects resolve into your brain, and you won't even notice it, you will however, feel it.   

8. Reign In Blood - Slayer (Thrash Metal)

This has been one of the saddest years in the history of metal. Jeff Hanneman, an integral part of Slayer, passed away. When I read the news, I had that sinking feeling. It was one of those moments which made me realize, that I'm a part of a huge family and I don't even know it. This album is Hanneman's best work IMHO. The composition and lyrics of each song are eternal. Obviously, the band recorded the songs with precision and passion alike. Critically-acclaimed and highly-favored by fans, Reign In Blood resides carved in stone, high up the metal mountain.

7. Images and Words - Dream Theater (Progressive Metal)

The album that got me into DT. Holy mother! The versatility in this album is incomprehensible. All these guys are in a different league when it comes to musical arrangement and song structures. The band stands in the forefront of progressive metal genre, and this is the album that started it all. The beginning track 'Pull Me Under' is the first song I ever heard of Dream Theater and I was hooked. So you see why I have a soft spot for this album. What do you get from a band full of perfectionists? A perfect album.

6. Sacrament - Lamb Of God (New Wave Of American Heavy Metal)

We are half way, and this list is already gotten heavier than plutonium. Listing this album now is like adding uranium to it! Excuse my chemistry geekery, but this is one bad-ass album. I'm going to be honest; It took me some time to get used to them. If you think groovy-thrash riffs, heavy duty percussion and growl-to-screech vocals is all there is to this album, you are wrong. It neatly disguises the technical proficiency, cleverly lurking under all the aforementioned attributes.

5. Peace Sells...but Who's Buying? - Megadeth (Thrash Metal)

One. Of. A. Kind. Album. This will remain in one of my favorites of all time, till I die. It is a treasure chest of awesome riffs and melodic solos. Each song is probably loaded with 5 to 6 classic thrash riffs, which are so much fun to play on the guitar. Dave Mustaine is a one-man army as all songs are written and composed by him. Peace sells... is a thrash metal classic and a must-listen. Do me a favor; Play 'The Conjuring' from the album and forward it to 2:55 and just shut your eyes. You'll see.

  
4. Paranoid - Black Sabbath (Heavy Metal)
Black Sabbath's magnum opus.  Everyone should listen to this album, doesn't matter if you're into metal or not. That's because it's not just an album. It's an essential event since the heavy metal epoch. Sabbath took heavy to a different level with this one. It's filled with doom-riffage galore, excellent drumming and Ozzy's ominous vocals. This album is omnipresent in almost every rock magazine's "Greatest albums of all time" list.

3. Metallica - Metallica (Thrash Metal)
The biggest of " The Big 4".  Metallica had a huge influence on me and I credit this album as my pathway into metal. 6 and half years ago, I heard 'Nothing Else Matters' and boom! I was sold. This album is 60 minutes of exhilarating music and has some of best compositions in Metallica's history.  Get ready, coz, it will engulf you into a heavy metal tornado and throw you out as a Metallica cult-head. Exit light. Enter night.

2. Sad Wings Of Destiny - Judas Priest (Heavy Metal)
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say this. This is my personal favorite album OF ALL TIME.  Every time I listen to this album, I feel the hairs stand up on my neck. You can feel the passion of the musicians. I have such undying respect for all of them. Especially, for the metal god, Mr. Rob Halford. He's like a sniper who strikes the metal bullet right in your head and it will stay there until you die. Heavy metal assault right here.

1. Number Of The Beast - Iron Maiden (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal)
Here it is.. I'm just some average joe, lost in a sea of millions of metal heads, writing this post. But I know this.. when I listen to this album, I always feel redeemed as someone who believes he's so much more. Music like this makes me realize that I'm not alone. I was never alone. Phenomenal instrumental and vocal performance in this album. The Number Of the Beast is the heavy metal classic waiting to be heard.

“Tears they flow, but why am I crying? After all, I’m not afraid of dying.." -  Hallowed Be Thy Name (Iron Maiden)

*Ends*

The pointy end

The corpses lie everywhere.. Left to be decayed. The army that once was. Now lies in a sea of blood..where they belong.

My cloak wisps in the wind as the man lies on his knees before me. His whimper is loud and liberating, as the cold of steel lies firm, on his sweat dripping neck. I hold my sword with a solemn grip, while I feel the sharp edge pushing against his soft skin...

This man had it coming. I lost everything to him. My world was shattered when he took away my love. Those eyes. They've left me marooned. Never to return. The first few months were the hardest. I cried every night. Soon, the tears dried out, only to leave vengeance behind. A cold-blooded revenge awaited. I found a purpose to live again. I knew that getting to him would be a tough task. I had to go through his army of assassins before I get to him. So I trained myself. Day and night.

Two years later
I was ready to meet my maker. So I set out on my redemption quest, ironclad and ready to kill. It was a long journey to his estate. Each determined step only reminded me of what awaited at the end. Death. I was going to kill them all. I knew that once I stepped foot in his territory, his guardians would descend upon me with all their might. The dark grey clouds above cast melancholy, almost signifying the day. I enter his gates. In the distance, our eyes meet, and I see a smile form upon his face summoning his guards. It's almost as if he knew.

There I was, alone, yielding a sword, and in front of me, was a army of hundred men. All of them, trained to kill. I fleeted towards them like a mountain lion. The battle was long and fierce, kill after kill, I moved forward. I savored each swing of the blade as I felt it thrust into warm bodies of these men fighting for a lost cause. One after another, they dropped dead. I emerged victorious, inflicted with deadly wounds but nothing bothered me anymore. The one-on-one awaited.
I saw his face aghast, as I walked slowly towards the deadly end.  He fell down to his knees, begging me to pardon him.

Blood red fury filled my eyes, my sword lifted and with one swift swing,  his head parted from his body.

I heaved a sigh and looked down upon my body riddled with cuts. I closed my eyes, as tears streaked across my face. I turned my sword around and pushed hard, as I felt the pointy end tear through my heart. The final cut.

The eyes. They return to me, at last...

*Ends*

Why I love Calvin and Hobbes...

Art, in any form is a real treat to your soul. It has the ability to speak to you just through your senses. Over the years I have realized that it plays a major part in our lives. The brilliance of art is that it not only challenges your interpretation, but also feeds it.

When I was growing up, as much as I can remember, the first art I really started appreciating was in the form of comics. That one page which I used to fight my brother for, to read first. We literally took turns day after day, on who gets to read the comics first, kinda like "early bird gets the worm" scenario. Might I enlighten you, I still love comics. I still read cartoon strips, comics, watch cartoons on TV and love collecting memorabilia.

Archies, Peanuts, Tarzan, Beetle Bailey were some of the strips which appeared on the paper, in my region. All these comics were witty and humorous . But there was one comic, which to my opinion, was the most enlightening of them all. The one and only, Calvin and Hobbes. You rarely come across a genius like this, in your life. I'm very aware I'm talking about a "comic strip", but it is treasured as the opposite. The mastery and the greatness of the comic unfortunately, cannot be quantified in words and this strip has outwitted and outclassed every comic strip in the print syndicate.

The funny part is I didn't understand the comic fully back then. The real wizardry enchanted the shit out of me, after I started reading this comics again, as a grown up individual. Below, I've interlaced some of my favorite strips with a few snippets of my emotions, explaining why I liked the comics, hopefully getting my point across to you all, that whoever has missed this, PLEASE START READING, and co-fans, let's revel in our joy.



One of the first reasons I loved the strip, was how amazing the art really was. Using that much little space to draw something like this, is no easy task. Finding this quality art in a comic strip. Are you kidding me?

 
The versatility. A guy who draws comical characters, can also draw realistic pieces like this. And let's excuse the art here, see the vernacular change. And Hobbes's words in the last bit, perfect!

 
Hahaha. This strip makes me laugh everytime. Never gets old. Bill Waterson not so subtly gave the readers a take on hunting rationale. The use of the 2D space is also worth noticing. The strip is non-linear but you still follow the comic exactly how you're supposed to.

 
Calvin's alter ego strips are just mindblowing. Spaceman Spiff, Tracer bullet, Stupendous Man, to name a few. As any kid, Calvin day dreams a lot. Let's take a moment and realize that all these are one man's creativity. We are literally in Waterson's head right now.The strip above exemplifies how alone Calvin actually is.

 
Never has a comic strip, ever, induced so much emotion in me, than this one. It is THAT simple. A 4-block non-colored, left to right, classic newspaper strip

I didn't want to make this post too long that is why I've limited to just 5 strips. Hopefully, you'll go and read the rest. Your world will come alive with snowmen, monsters under the bed, childhood denial of parents, pet bonding, school bullies, transmogrifiers, philosophical conundrums and the meaning of life itself.
 
Mr. Waterson, I genuinely thank you!

Calvin: "That is why I want to ask you. As a tiger, a wild animal close to nature, what you think we're put on Earth to do. What's our purpose in life? Why are we here?"
Hobbes: "We're here to devour each other alive"

*Ends*

Top 10 heavy metal songs to ring in the new year

Every year's end, people chime in with a new year message, a philosophical retrospect, a wish, a resolution...

For some, it is a celebration of a new beginning, for some an end relief and for some a hope of good things to come..For me, it's just a reminder that time is ticking away and it is important we cherish the present and hope things don't turn to shit.

I write this post not as an ode, but a reminder to myself that what I am, has been impacted over the years by what I listen to. And it is important we remember our influences and respect them.

10. Ace of Spades (Ace of Spaces) - Motorhead
Life's all about how you play the game. It's not whether you win or lose. That's my philosophy. And what a better song than this. Lemmy turns up his bass into overdrive and picks the hell out of that thing.    Speed drumming and riffing support him throughout. This song stood the test of time and remains the definitive Motorhead track. Don't take life too seriously and more importantly, "Don't forget the joker!".

9. Toxicity (Toxicity) - System Of a Down

There is no denial that no matter who you are, think, your government or your society messed up the place where you live. Some places more so than others. I visited my hometown in 2012 and there was so much of disorder and chaos, I instantly got reminded of this song. The band introduces this song with a clean guitar and gradually moves on to become aggressive with vocals and solid drumming. Toxicity is a cerebral track. 

8. Darkness Within (Unto The Locust) - Machine Head

When you include a song and an acoustic cover of that song, in the same album, you have balls. Machine Head aced it with "Darkness Within". Although I like the acoustic version better, I have to say, this is one monster of a song. What makes it special are the lyrics. Music my savior, save me

It starts off with an eccentric riff, and slowly builds up into a groovy-thrash anthem advocating self-redemption and salvation. A 'note to self' for anyone who wants to make it big in music. Also, don't forget to check out it's music video.

7. Countdown To Extinction (Countdown To Extinction) - Megadeth

On Dec 21st, 2012, idiots all over the world wanted to "celebrate apocalypse". That's one oxymoron which doesn't any need explanation. They LITERALLY counted down to extinction. The rhetoric really reminded me of this tune. Part of the best selling Megadeth album, it's an awesome composition. Whenever I get reminded of the date, I only reminisce in the palm-muted thrash riffing and Mustaine's  vocals in this song.

6. Set To Fail (Wrath) - Lamb Of God

What do you expect from an album titled "Wrath"? That is exactly what you get. "Set To Fail" is the best song of this album IMHO. There is no lead-up or a slow beginning. Right from the start, the brutality is in-your-face. The inherent anger is there for you to see, to listen, to feel.. The entire band's technical prowess pounces on you with extreme groove riffs, kill-force drumming and enraged growls. If you don't headbang or start air-drumming, better get yourself checked.

5. Nothing Else Matters (Metallica) - Metallica

This album, a.k.a the Black album is a gift to humanity. One does not simply miss listening to it.

And this song, is the album's trump card. Not many people know this, but power ballads by heavy metal bands are a big deal. Because, if they screw up, they remain like ink blot stains on a white shirt. Metallica, however nailed it. It is insanely popular and rightly so as it finds the right balance between easy listening and heart-touching lyrics.

4. Rock Hard Ride Free (Defenders of The Faith) - Judas Priest

The main reason I picked this is because I heard this song for the first time, in 2012. Hmph. I know. Can't believe I didn't discover this goldmine of a song much earlier. Insane distortion riffs, signature Priest sweeps, unbelievable high-pitch screams by my favorite vocalist, it is bound to leave you motivated for the coming year. Here's a lyric excerpt

Rock with a purpose, got a mind that won't bend. Die hard resolution, that is true to the end.  

Keep the faith!

3. Forsaken (Systematic Chaos) - Dream Theater

DT is a progressive metal mammoth. In the past year, I've heard their songs extensively. The lyrics are about a man in a illusion of believing beautiful things while infact, his blood is being sucked by a vampiress. The lyrics are entirely credited to Petrucci and might I suggest, to research on this guy. He is one impressive dude. His dedication and discipline are immortalized in his guitar playing. Although, Forsaken is not their best or technically complex as the others, I chose it because every single band member shines in this melodic song.

2. Brave New World (Brave New World) - Iron Maiden

Symbolism? Hell yes. Iron Maiden has been a huge influence and I cannot stress this enough. It might sound funny when I say influence, because it's a band which plays music.  This band is a global phenomenon, a vanguard of the NWOBHM movement. When you get to know them enough, through the music they create, it becomes so much more. It becomes a part of your life. 

An acousitic intro, groovy drums, perfectly synced rhythm guitars, and to top it all, poetic lyrics which Bruce justifies by singing in his operatic vocal style.

1. Heaven and Hell (Heaven and Hell) - Black Sabbath

The lover of life's not a sinner, the ending is a just a beginner.

The closer you get to the meaning, the sooner you'll know that you're dreaming...

Dio is a magician and this is his greatest trick. With lines like these in a song, you know you've struck gold. The song talks about the eternal good vs. evil battle inside of a human being. Clocking in at 7 minutes, this epic is a fusion of classic Sabbath riffs, captivating vocals, fluid tempo changes and possibly the best solo ever written. To me, this is a perfect blend of Iommi's boundless musical talent and Dio's powerful delivery. I probably heard this song every single day of 2012.

Have a very metal new year, all! \m/ \m/

"Oh, Angel...we can find our way somehow, escaping from the world we're in, to a place where we began.." - Angel (Judas Priest)

*Ends*

Happy

This is going to be interesting.. You guys must be thinking, look at this dumb fool who's titled a blog "Happy" and maybe he'll define it.

Well, yes and no. I want to write about just what happiness makes your life and what to me is real happiness. It's not like I found an happiness-inducing elixir lying around and drank it. Sometimes, you live through a moment and end up with a revelation. A larger than life feeling, and it's overwhelming.

The place where I live, one of the main outdoor activities is hiking. Because there are so many hillocks and mountains around, people have found joy in this tiresome activity and do it quite often. Now, don't you end up getting a wee bit curious in finding out why people get pleasure in climbing a rock. I can imagine if it was Mt. Everest or K2, but this, didn't quite understand why. I decided to experience it myself. 

5:30 PM
The sun was milder than the mid-afternoon time, scorching nonetheless. I set off on this crazy "hike", on a mountain where the legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine is centered around. "The Superstitions" they called it. Awesome, right. Yeah, by the time I got to the summit, I thought I was going to die.
Now, this was my first hike, so I didn't really know the pace at which I should be going. So, I started off, with my usual chirpy self, heavy metal blasting in my ears, air-guitaring, headbanging. The hikers who were on their way down were eyeing me like "Dude..you are gonna have it rough". I didn't see it then. 

5.45 PM
The trail was decent for a while, with a steady uphill climb, cacti strewn around the sides.. The landscape was beige with green patches of wild grass and rare blooms scattered here and there. I was moving with a decent pace sipping water once in a while and thought it is easier than I expected. Idiot. I was loving it so far. Having a friendly chat or two with the downhill hikers, patting their dog. Pretty sweaty college girls in tiny workout shorts. C'mon, what's not to love! 

5:56 PM
I was beginning to feel the hike. I had to rest a couple of times to catch my breath. And I realized I was constantly stealing looks with the summit and wondering why the damn trail seemed never ending. Anyway, after summoning my strength, I started off on the trail again, only to stop in another couple of minutes. I figured the trail was getting steeper by the climb.

6:20 PM
Gone was the dirt trail and now it was just straight up rocks. I saw hikers in front of me crawling their way up. I was exhausted, panting and contemplating if I should turn back. But I really wanted to see the sun set over the city I adore so much. I took one last sip from the water bottle and determined not to stop until I reach the top.

6:39 PM
The summit. Finally. My knees and ankles were killing me. I was exhausted beyond belief. The sky had turned bright orange with jet trails streaked across, like a beautiful canvas painting. I saw hikers, resting against rocks, tired but satisfied. A father holding up his daughter, silhouetted against the vermilion curtain. I walked slowly towards the edge, never taking my eye off the crimson burning ball of fire, going down the horizon.
My heart was pounding...pounding with joy. It was a moment of utter happiness. Not like the one you feel when you get an new TV or a new car. It's the happiness when you feel you taste a dish you made and realized, for the first time, tastes exactly like how your mom makes it. The similar feeling when your name is called out in your graduation ceremony. Every achievement in your past comes back to hit you and makes you feel alive. Happiness, the ultimate emotional paradox, was answered. 

Can I explain why I felt like that? No. I myself am still puzzled to why I felt what I felt. Such a trivial moment, yet a rare feeling. But there is one thing I learnt. This inexplicable feeling is overwhelming indeed and you are a different person after you experience it. You are content. You are real. You are..happy.

Time to go downhill.

"Recognize this as a holy gift and celebrate this chance to be alive and breathing. A chance to be alive and breathing." - Parabola (Tool)

*Ends*

Top 10 metal workout songs

I remember the first time I watched Rocky III. The movie started and this song "Eye of the Tiger" started playing. And the overwhelming sensation I was felt was inexplicable. I felt strong. I felt empowered. Here's an excerpt from this greatest workout song ever written.


Risin' up, straight to the top
Had the guts, got the glory
Went the distance now I'm not gonna stop
Just a man and his will to survive


Since then, I've been listening to songs and compiling a list for myself to which I feel I can push myself harder, run that extra mile. And I'm not just talking about pumping iron at the gym. I'm talking about building a strong resolve. To achieve strength...beyond strength.


Painkiller (Painkiller) - Judas Priest
Painkiller deserves this place. The song has fought it's way through the toughest competition. It is about a fictional metal messiah named well, The Painkiller, who resurrects mankind from evil. It is nothing but pure power, weaved with insane riffs, high pitched vocals, masterful drumming and face-melting solos. Priest delivers power like no other. I might as well have listed all of their songs and be done with the list. Enough said.
Extras: The Sentinel, Blood Red Skies, Jawbreaker, Ram It Down, Reckless, Between the Hammer and the Anvil, Some Heads Are Gonna Roll, Demonizer, A Touch of Evil


Fucking Hostile (Vulgar Display of Power) - Pantera 
From the masters of NWOAHM, comes a hate anthem, a song filled with so much of necessary hate, it uplifts you. This song is about you. Society teaches us a lot of wrong things. Sometimes, you have to just say "Fuck you" and believe in yourself and know that your way, is the right way. With aggressive vocals, super fast tempo and Dime's signature riffage, it is truly a vulgar display of power!
Extras: Cowboys From Hell, Domination, 5 Minutes Alone, Drag The Waters, War Nerve, Goddamn Electric, Uplift, Strength Beyond Strength, the entire Vulgar Display of Power album


Ruin (As the Palaces Burn) - Lamb of God
Oh Chris Adler..I solemnly swear to thee, I will be a devotee of your drumming for the rest of my mortal life. Ruin is badass. It doesn't give a shit of who you are, or what you are listening to before. When it starts playing, it transmogrifies your brain climate. It makes you ready to endure pain. Neck-snapping guitars and diehard vocals get overshadowed by the drums. Hold on tight guys, because you will drown in your own ruin, only to be revived as a stronger animal.
Extras: Set To Fail, Desolation, 11th hour, Vigil, Redneck, Blacken the Cursed Sun, Choke Sermon


I Am the Sword (Bastards) - Motorhead
The title gives you a hint of what's coming your way. Absolute power. The song's main theme is war. Lemmy's voice is godly. With a fast tempo, groovy guitars and a solid drum rhythm, it's an excellent workout song. Tried and tested.
Extras: Ace Of Spaces, Overkill, The Game, Killed By Death, Death Or Glory, See Me Burning 


Sons of Odin (Gods of War) - Manowar
I wish I was a viking. Seriously. Norse mythology is so fascinating. Manowar is classic when it comes to writing epic metal. Case in point, this song is about the gods of war. It's about sword and magic and death. They infuse these fantasy tales with tight guitars, warrior vocals and symphony which gives you guts of glory, ready for battle. And you are just in a gym..
Extras: Hail and Kill, Blow your speakers, Metal Warriors, Die For Metal, Warriors of the World


Imperium (Through the Ashes of Empires) - Machine Head
This Machine Head song is a perfect justification to the latin word, which translates to 'power to command'. It emphasizes self-control, confidence and inner strength. Rob Flynn's commanding voice, groovy thrash guitar bridges and loud percussion leave you with an unbreakable spirit. Let's call it a herald of triumph.
Extras: Halo, Be Still And Know, I Defy, Davidian, Now I Lay Thee Down

Sixpounder (Hate Crew Deathroll) - Children of Bodom
When I first got into Children of Bodom, I liked almost every song of theirs. Maybe it was the down tuned guitars or fast keyboards, it's probably the only melodic death band I ever favored. In this song like the others ones from the album, guitars overpower the keyboards which sounds borderline power metal. Heavy and loud. Just the way I like it.
Extras: Needled 24/7, Hate Crew Deathroll, Angels Don't Kill, Mask of Sanity, Children of Decadence, In your Face, Punch Me I Bleed


Ain't My Bitch (Load) - Metallica
Surprised? Yes.. Me too. First instinct was to choose Master of Puppets. But, as I heard it over a few years, this became my favorite Metallica workout song. I love the apathy in this song. Before we all go sexist on the band, the term 'bitch' refers to a problem and not a woman. Apart from the jumpy distortion guitars, the solo is noteworthy.
Extras: Master of Puppets, Sad But True, Enter Sandman, Seek and Destroy, King Nothing, Battery


Pull Harder on the Strings Of Your Martyr (Ascendancy) - Trivium
Trivium is one of those bands, which became popular very quickly after it emerged. This song from their second album is modern thrash and has some metalcore traces. I like the drums especially. Intricate and fast. The growling vocals also add to the power.
Extras: Like Light To Flies, A Gunshot To the Head of Trepidation, This World Can't Tear Us Apart, Torn Between Scylla And Charybdis, In Waves

Spirit Crusher (Sound of Perseverance) - Death
Ending this list with Death is a way of paying homage to one of the most talented metal guitarists of all time, Chuck Schuldiner. Rest In Peace. His high-pitched death growls, technically complex thrash riffs, make this song what it is. One of the best Death albums, IMO. 
Extras: Leprosy, Crystal Mountain, Denial of Life, Lack of Comprehension, The Philosopher


In life, one must always aspire to become stronger. Leave the weakness behind and embrace the brave idea of becoming a healthier, stronger and overall, a happier human being. 
Music is but, a mere catalyst in this path to totality.


"Power is everything." - Jin Kazama (Tekken 6)


*Ends*   

Alive

My eyes opened to red skies. The cold comforting black was gone. The ground below was scorching. I had to get up. My body ached. But I knew I had to get up..to run. From what?
I mustered up all my strength and with agonizing pain I lifted myself up. This ruin of a land spread for miles across. No one in sight. The landscape was just mountains and shriveled trees. I looked up to find the sun to guide me, but couldn't find it. Just a  pure, blood red sky. I looked down and I was bare foot. Suddenly I feel this overwhelming sensation that I'm not running from something, but towards it. An unknown quest.
I din't know what I was searching for but now I knew where to go. I started running..
The hot wind across my face din't stop me. I was running, like a madman. Nothing could stop me. With a steel reserve and no sense of time, I was sprinting across this vast canyon. The red skies now turned to burning crimson and then, to a wild purple. The wind became stronger, and colder.
The landscape had changed and the trees had disappeared and I felt the cold ground beneath my feet.

In front of me, was a huge mountain. A bare, grey stone. I knew that what I was searching for, was waiting on it.
I started climbing the rock and I saw this ethereal white light beyond it. I don't know how long I climbed for, but I finally could see the mountain top and the light  was a big moon on the horizon. I hurried up and reached the top.

Miles away, a man was standing near the edge of this flat ground. I yelled out for him but my voice was gone. I screamed hopelessly hoping that he could hear me. He was just looking up at the silent moon and I could see the tears on his face glisten in the moon light. Then, he turned around and looked at me, before he leaped off the edge.
With the final glance of his face, I had an epiphany, a sudden sense of fulfillment and never felt so alive before that moment, for he, was my savior, my salvation, my damnation. He was my nemesis. My reckoning. He was me...

"I end my quest. You fall into my arms at last" - Desert Plains (Judas Priest)

*Ends*