http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php METALSETLISTS collects and centralizes set lists from heavy metal concerts from around the world. en Sat, 31 Jul 2010 22:14:39 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.metalsetlists.com/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=29 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:45:00 GMT Wrote this for the school newspaper. I'd like your feedback.

_____________________

Day after day you sit in class, and your secret sleeps silently below the surface. You hear classmates discussing their lifestyles comfortably; their way is the societal norm. You can’t help but feel like an outsider, and you doubt the time will ever be right to speak your mind.

You fear that your parents will weep in shame, your pastor will rally the congregation against you, and, above all, you fear your friends will alienate you. For thousands of students in America today, these feelings are typical. Although this anxiety is commonly associated with homosexuality, for a growing number of students another closet exists. The truth is, many teens are too fearful to admit their irreligion.

Atheism is the lack of belief in a god or higher power, and for many teens religion is as unappealing as ever. Several factors have contributed to this feeling, including the decline in family church attendance and the failure of the religious community to combat an increasingly secular pop culture. Those facts, coupled with the all-but illegalization of school prayer and other measures, have loosened religion’s death grip on American youth.

Teens today feel a natural urge to stray from their family religion, in part due to the typical angst and rebellious tendencies that come with growing up. The rise in child abuse in the Catholic Church has also done little to improve the image of religion. Despite these changes, atheism is still a largely unacceptable taboo at the American dinner table, so to say, especially in conservative hotbeds such as Miami County.

Across the board, atheism has been discouraged. Our society is just liberal enough to encourage the free exchange of ideas, refractory periods for teens to ‘find themselves’, and the tolerance of non-Christian religions. But somehow a disbelief in God warrants your labeling as a murderer and practitioner of abortion, bestiality, and immorality.

In a study by the University of Minnesota shortly after 9/11, researchers found that when asked whether they thought a particular group agreed with their own personal vision of American society, most Americans trusted Jews, immigrants, Hispanics, homosexuals, and Muslims considerably more than atheists.

The study also found that nearly 50% of all parents would be most concerned with their child marrying an atheist over any other minority group.

It is not surprising why many atheist teens find themselves afraid to admit their irreligion. For many students, they fear that they will be ostracized for ‘preaching’ their beliefs, known as militant atheist. In fact, in the process of writing this article, I was accused myself. Why is it that atheists are so discouraged from sharing their ideas? Christians are permitted to wear their fish and crosses without persecution, the Bible is studied in English class, and Christians gather at the flag pole to pray before school.

Even in science class, our temples of deduction and reason, our teachers teach Darwinian evolution sheepishly and with a low voice, for fear of religious backlash in the community.

I would like to extend a comforting hand to my fellow atheists at Troy High School. You have nothing to fear. This is America, and in America we believe in the free expression of ideals. Christians can wear their hearts on their sleeves, and so can you. I do not advocate the demolition of religion, just as I would not appreciate Christians calling for my extermination. I do, however, advocate an admission of faith (or lack thereof), no matter what that may be.

Our society was founded on compromise and tolerance, and we must come to terms with our own differences. Do not let evangelists keep you in your closest any longer. Think for yourself, read, and thank your teachers for their dedication to free thought. You are not a freak for believing something different. Your mind is merely one of a millions contrasting hues in this massive rainbow called America. Embrace yourself, and embrace the diversity around you. It can only benefit our environment.

Sit down with your family and friends, and let them know how you really feel. Tell them that you have thought about your atheism for quite some time. If they truly love you, (and I suspect they do) then they will accept you. Your confession may be shocking and acceptance may be hard to come by, but this is our cross to bear.

Know well that your fellow disbelievers are here for you, and we will stand strong with you in your convictions. You’re in good company. ]]> ChildrenofSodom http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=29 http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=27 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:18:07 GMT Sorry for the lack of MM updates. I'll do them a lot more often now!

Until It Sleeps
Suicide & Redemption
Battery

Didn't catch the first of Until It Sleeps, but man, I'm glad. If it was anything like the rest of the song, it was bad. :hecho: Hetfield's vocals are pretty bad, but what is really bad here are the guitars. This song basically proves that Metallica and be a alt. rock band! :flame: Pass.

Suicide & Redemption is one of the 2 songs off of Death Magnetic that I honestly don't care for. Yeah, it's another instrumental track like the first records, but it really doesn't serve any purpose. Once again, until the halfway decent solo, it's just Metallica once again proving they can be a hard rock band. No metal in sight.

But really, can I stay mad at this nights Mandatory Metallica when the first Metallica song I fell in love with is on?! Battery is the song that got me into Metallica and had me start listening to the Mandatory Metallica program. Everything about it is fantastic. I dunno what else to tell ya.

Hopefully they throw it in the setlist as a surprise on Saturday! :light: ]]> mankvill http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=27 http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=25 Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:21:21 GMT Hero Of The Day
That Was Just Your Life
(Anesthesia)--Pulling Teeth/Whiplash

Hero Of The Day would be better, I think, had it been written by a different band. James' vocals are TERRIBLE in this song. Probably the worst I've ever heard. Ugh.

The first song off of Death Magnetic, That Was Just Your Life is an alright song, although I think it could've been better. I like albums that open with a bang, and this one wasn't that good in the beginning. Great solo, though.

I had no idea wtf was going on when (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth started. I seriously didn't think it was Metallica at first; not until it went into Whiplash. I could've done without it. However, Whiplash is awesome. The solo on this song is insane! One of my favorite Metallica solos so far! ]]> mankvill http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=25 http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=24 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:06:48 GMT Until It Sleeps
Cyandie (Live)
Eye Of The Beholder

Only heard a little bit of Until It Sleeps but I could tell I didn't like it. I listened to the whole thing and it's just another slowish song. Not cool for a thrash band, damnit!

Cyanide is from Death Magnetic and it sounds fantastic live and in the studio (that version is on Metallica's site). I really love the Bass part before it kicks in. And the lyrics are good stuff, too. James founds fantastic on it. A+

I've heard Eye of the Beholder before and I think it's my favorite song off of AJFA right behind One. Great everything about it. Got a great beat. ]]> mankvill http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=24 http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=23 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:49:51 GMT Of Wolf And Man
Last Caress/Green Hell
One

Of Wolf And Man is really good. Might be my second favorite song off of The Black Album, right after Enter Sandman. Vocals are great too.

Last Caress is such a great song when Metallica does it, but I think I prefer the Misfits version. It's all good, though. Green Hell is way faster and more "metal" to me. Good cover!

One is probably the only Metallica song that I listened to a lot before I started listening to Mandatory Metallica. The solo's here are blistering! So awesome. ]]> mankvill http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=23 http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=22 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:13:13 GMT Don't Tread On Me
The Wait
Phantom Lord

Kind of a weird beginning, Don't Tread On Me went into being easily recognizable from The Black Album. The lyrics to me are kind of...stupid. But everything else is the norm for the Black Album. So it's okay.

What in the hell are up with these vocals! This is a Killing Joke cover and I've never heard them before. Eh, this is a lame song. That's all I'm gonna say about that.

Woo! Old, fast Metallica. Well, faster. Anyway, the opening riff kind of reminded me of Municipal Waste for some reason. It's definitely not the fastest on Kill 'Em All, but it'll do. It's another by the books thrash song from Metallica. It's okay. ]]> mankvill http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=22 http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=21 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:55:46 GMT Jump In The Fire
Remember Tomorrow
Damage Inc.

When Jump In The Fire started, I assumed it was from Garage Inc. because it sounded like nothing I had ever heard before. It's on Kill 'Em All which is gettting better and better. Great song.

Remember Tomorrow is the Iron Maiden cover that I've already heard on Mandatory Metallica before, but I'm so glad I got to hear it again. Love this song so much, better than the original! Mwahahaha.


Good God! The beginning of Damage Inc. made me think it was from Load or something, but I was damn wrong. This is one of the best Metallica songs i've heard and definitely the most brutal I've ever heard. ]]> mankvill http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=21 http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=20 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:34:03 GMT Sad But True Hit The Lights Welcome Home (Sanitarium) Sad But True was, when I first heard it, one of those songs that I knew of when I heard it, but never what it was called or who performed it. I kinda had the same thing with Raining Blood with that opening riff. This, while not a fantastic... Sad But True
Hit The Lights
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)

Sad But True was, when I first heard it, one of those songs that I knew of when I heard it, but never what it was called or who performed it. I kinda had the same thing with Raining Blood with that opening riff. This, while not a fantastic Metallica song, is just a fun one and I can imagine headbanging to this in concert.

AUGH! I'm a sucker for this intro. I love stuff that builds up to a rockin' speedy song. Woah, James is screaming in this song. I don't think I've evver heard him do it that much! But, damn, this is so good! Barely sounds like Metallica at all, especially those solos.

Ehhh...I don't like slow songs like these from Metallica usually. Meh, that backing guitar gets really annoying to me. And James' vocals. That's about it for this song. ]]> mankvill http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=20 http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=19 Sat, 16 Aug 2008 06:17:23 GMT Seek And Destroy
The God Who Failed
Dyer's Eve

Seek And Destroy: Classic and my favorite song off of Kill 'Em All. Can't really say much more. Horns up!

The God Who Failed isn't a thrash song, but for The Black Album, it's one of the better ones, I think. A fun song to me.

Dyer's Eve is awesome! Just everything about it is really brutal and awesome. Absolutely loved it.

Really tired, so short post. :P ]]> mankvill http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=19 http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=18 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:58:56 GMT Through The Never
Whiskey In The Jar
Blackened


Through The Never isn't too bad. I can definitely it belongs on The Black Album. I kinda like the Black Album more than most people. A lot of the songs are pretty catchy, and this is no different. Not too bad!

Originally by Thin Lizzy, Whiskey In The Jar was the radio DJ's favorite off of Garage, Inc. and he said he shut off the phones during the song so he could listen to it! To me, this song has a kind of "Old Western" ting to it just a bit. It's very nice. I've never really listened to Thin Lizzy before, but the Metallica version of them certainly doesn't sound too bad!

Blackened: What can I say? It's an awesome song. The soft interlude leading to a nasty (in a good way) rest of the song is just great. I'm a sucker for those "soft beginning, hellaciously fast/heavy song" type of things. I do believe, however, that the drums could've done more and been more faster. That's why I prefer Slayer ultimately. Well, that among other things. :P Classic Metallica!



Couple notes:

1.) My internet should (although I'm still skeptical) be up for good tomorrow evening.
2.) There won't be a MM post for Thursday because I got caught up watching the Olympics and forgot to listen. Go USA! ]]> mankvill http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=18 http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=17 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 07:08:00 GMT Hero Of The Day
The Ecstasy Of Gold
My Friend Of Misery

"Hero..." is disgusting. Everything about it screams "This can't be Metallica". I said "What the hell is this?" out loud at least three times during this song. I wasn't even sure that they were playing Metallica for the longest time. It actually reminded me more of blink-182 for most of the song. Just bad.

I've never actually heard the studio recording for Ecstasy Of Gold, and it's kinda cool. Another solid instrumental song from Metallica. That's about it.

Another weak song. It's not that this song is particularly bad, it's just particularly bland. Nothing special about it at all. The bass does get kind of annoying for me, too.

I guess it's fitting that today is the worst Mandatory Metallica seeing as how yesterday's was the best. ]]> mankvill http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=17 http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=15 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:31:23 GMT Master of Puppets
Remember Tomorow
Fight Fire With Fire

Master of Puppets is a classic by anyone's standards and for good reason. This is what someone could use to define the word "heavy metal". Fast guitars, awesome solos, and an all-around epic sound. Great stuff! Not the best on the MoP CD, but certainly a classic song.

Remember Tomorrow is an Iron Maiden song that Metallica covered for a recent tribute disc to them. I'd never heard the original until I got home. And lemme tell ya, the Metallica version is awesome. The original is good too, but the Metallica version just kicks so much ass. They should cover more Maiden!

Ride The Lightning is such a great album and this opener is fantastic for it. And I'm gonna go ahead and say this is the fastest Metallica song I've ever heard. Anyone know of any others? Please let me know. The vocal structure is kind of weird, but it ultimately works for the song in the end. Such an awesome song.

This was probably the best Mandatory Metallica so far. ]]> mankvill http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=15 http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=14 Sat, 09 Aug 2008 06:59:45 GMT Leper Messiah
Stone Cold Crazy
Bleeding Me

Leper Messiah is an alright song, but to me it seems like the mean to which all Metallica songs should be judged. It's good, but not great. To me, this is what Metallica should sound like on a bad day.

Stone Cold Crazy is fun but it's way too short. Not one of my favorite cover songs that they've done, but entertaining none the less. They won a Grammy for this, right?

Bleeding Me. When I heard this was the next song, I dreaded it because it was from Load. And the beginnings of the song led me to believe that I was correct in not looking forward to it, but it turned out to be not half bad in the end. ]]> mankvill http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=14 http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=13 Fri, 08 Aug 2008 07:01:43 GMT Sorry for the lateness on this one, just got my internet back for good. (Or so it seems.)

Trapped Under Ice
King Nothing
...And Justice For All

If only Metallica kept their sound like in Trapped Under Ice, they'd be bigger than they are today. Well, maybe not overall, but certainly in the metal fans' eyes. Great speed, the vocals go well along with the song and the solo is nice. Very nice indeed.

King Nothing isn't as good as Trapped Under Ice, unfortunately. The biggest turn-off to this song for me is not the vocals or the music, but definitely the lyrics. How stupid can it get? If you're a rock or metal band and include the lyrics "I wish I may/I wish I might" in any part of your song, then...yeah.

...And Justice For All is such a long song. Good thing it's not terrible. I think this song would work much better being much faster, but for what it is, it's okay. James sounds pretty good most of the time. I think the vocalwork on this CD is where I most prefer Metallica. Overall, pretty good. ]]> mankvill http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=13 http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=12 Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:39:12 GMT Internets are screwy with me, pardon for the lack of updates. :tongue:

Aug. 4:

Wherever I May Roam
Helpless
Ride The Lightning

The first song I got into about halfway through. I feel like this is a pretty poor song. The guitars just sound kind of annoying to me. Maybe it's the key they're in sometimes? I dunno. The vocals during the chorus aren't really that good either. Ah well.

Helpless is even worse to me. I knew right away it was a cover. Call me old fashioned, but the time signature (I guess) is so weird on this song and I really didn't like it. It just seemed to go on and on too. A huge miss for me. The bass parts sometimes are really cool, however.

Ride the Lightning, while not my favorite from that album, is certainly good. I can kind of see why Metallica fans prefer James' voice from the first three albums. It fits this song perfectly. Face-melting solo, too!

Aug. 5

Of Wolf And Man
No Leaf Clover
Creeping Death

It took me a while to figure out the name of the first song, but I identified it about halfway through. I've been meaning to try this song because it reminds me of the song titles from Nattens Madrigal, hehe! Although, this song really isn't that great to me. Really boring.

No Leaf Clover was the S&M version. Blech. James sounds despicable here and lame. The music even has a terrible interlude with what sounds like a spoken part?! Ugh. This is not thrash or metal Metallica. Although:

Creeping Death:

:rocker:

'nuff said. ]]> mankvill http://www.metalsetlists.com/blog.php?b=12