30 Days Song Challenge: Week 3

day 15 - a song that describes you

“Am I I” – Dark Tranquillity. This is a song that looks inwardly, questioning the roles and purpose one has in this world. It’s not so much that I’m a constantly conflicted person. I just wondering what I all means as I struggle to find my place.

day 16 - a song that you used to love but now hate

“It’s Been Awhile” – Staind. I’ve lost all feeling for Staind’s radio-engineered brand of depressing rock. I first discovered one of their songs on a sampler CD and bought Dysfunction. It was dark and heavy, that style of so-called nu-metal that bands were developing. And I followed Staind’s sound to the radio, but after a while the sounds became stale.

day 17 - a song that you hear often on the radio

The what now? Radio...? Sorry, I try to listen to the radio once and while. Honestly, it doesn’t do anything for me. There’s no metal on the radio, especially in New England. I don’t mind listening to good classic rock station, but they tend to play the same hit songs. I’m pretty sure bands like Pink Floyd, Rush, Black Sabbath, etc wrote more than 3 or 4 songs. Fortunately, satellite radio offers a lot more choices and provides a place for music that isn’t on the Billboard Top 10.

day 18 - a song that you wish you heard on the radio

“Black Soul Choir” – DevilDriver. Possibly one of more catchy tracks from DevilDriver, this 16 Horsepower cover stomps and swaggers to Dez Farfara’s throat wrenching snarl. You can’t help bouncing your head along to the sinister groove. Honestly, I’d just like to hear any DevilDriver on the radio… a guy’s allowed to dream, right?

day 19 - a song from your favorite album

“Judith” – A Perfect Circle. A tenacious track from 1999’s Mer De Noms about the perils of blind faith and the justification of your own beliefs. The song captures the dirty angst in guitarist Billy Howerdel’s slide guitar and the raw emotion of singer Maynard James Keenan. This stands out as one of their best tracks and offers a perfect counterpoint to the melancholy despair of tracks like “3 Libras” and “Brena.”

day 20 - a song that you listen to when you’re angry

“Boom!” – System Of A Down. This song always ramps me up. The perfect thing to listen to when you’re already pissed off. This song is about the flagrant injustices forced on the people of this earth by those few who hold all the power. The video was filmed during a day of peace marches around the world. The message here is simple – we demand peace!

day 21 - a song that you listen to when you’re happy

“Holographic Universe” – Scar Symmetry. When you’re happy and you know it listen to Swedish death metal. I love the prog elements in Scar Symmetry’s ferocious sound, especially the 9+ minute “Holographic Universe” with its death growls, rapid thrash riffs, and spacey synths.

A Perfect Circle's "Judith":



Next week is the last week for the 30 Days Song Challenge.

Listen To This - May 15, 2011

What are you listening to? Here’s what keep me going this week:

Serj Tankian – Imperfect Harmonies/Imperfect Remixes

Serj’s second solo album and 4-song remix showcase his brilliantly quirky musical side. While not as metal (or even as rock) as his first album, Elect The Dead , this one is full of electronic sounds, catchy choruses, and poignant lyrics. I find myself listening to “Gate 21” on repeat. The ablum version uses mostly piano to accompany Serj’s emotional lyrics. The remixed rock version steps up the tempo and Tom Morello (Audioslave, Rage Against The Machine) adds his signature punchy guitar work. Other highlights include the dance-beat laden “Borders Are…” and the ballad “Wings Of Summer.” Serj sings “Yes, It’s Genocide” entirely in Armenia, refers specifically to the Armenia genocide of 1915 for which Turkey has not yet formally recognized. This is album is a musical journey and Serj is a brilliant guide.

Scar Symmetry – Holographic Universe

Scar Symmetry is a new band to me. I just got one of their more recent albums, Holographic Universe. It’s what I expect and love from Swedish melodic death metal. There’s plenty of heaviness mixed with soaring choruses, and high-energy vocals. I’d say that Scar Symmetry has a bit of prog to their sound as well. There’s just enough Dream Theatre influence to differentiate them from other bands without going over the top. I’ve heard that Scar Symmetry is getting a new singer, so I’m interested to see how their sound evolves. For now, Holographic Universe delivers the metal you need.

News and Tours:

There are rumors about a new music from A Perfect Circle. In the fall, APC played several shows, back-to-back, in a handful of cities. Each night they played one of their three albums start to finish. This summer’s tour is more extensive and highly anticipated. When A Perfect Circle emerged in the late 90’s they were one of the original ‘Super Groups,’ comprising members from several already famous bands (Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, and Josh Freese, who plays drums for everyone). The term super group seems ridiculous since bands constantly trade members or form other groups. Whatever you call them, I hope A Perfect Circle continues on.

Acrassicauda has embarked on their first us tour. Acrassicauda is an Iraqi thrash metal band. After leaving Iraq (where metal can get you killed) they're spreading their punishing sound across the US. Aggressive, technical, and lyrically intense (not surprisingly), their 4 song EP Only The Dead See The End Of War is dark and awesome. You must check out this band!

DevilDriver is out on tour with Danzig in support of their 5^th studio album, Beast. I’ve been following lead singer Dez Farfara on Twitter and the shows have been met with awesome fan feedback. I’m looking forward to seeing them in July! Check out my review of Beast: http://greenchamberstudio.blogspot.com/2011/02/evolution-of-beast.html

System Of A Down have started their reunion tour. I’m glad to see them back. I don’t know if there will be any new music coming soon, but at the very least I’d like them to come to the East Coast!

Valet Parn is a metal band from Greece. Check out their album. They’re on tour with long-time Greek death metalers, Septic Flesh (who also just released a new album, their seventh).