Tuesday, May 18, 2010

\m/ THE METAL SALUTE \M/ THANKS-RJD

Holy DiverRonnie James Dio is known for popularizing the sign of the horns in heavy metal. His Italian grandmother used it to ward off the evil eye (which is known as malocchio, Dio's term for the gesture). Dio began using the sign soon after joining (1979) the metal band Black Sabbath. The previous singer in the band, Ozzy Osbourne, was rather well known at using the "peace" sign at concerts, raising the index and middle finger in the form of a V. Dio, in an attempt to connect with the fans, wanted to similarly use a hand gesture. However, not wanting to copy Osbourne, he chose to use the sign his grandmother always made. The horns became famous in metal concerts very soon after Black Sabbath's first tour with Dio. The sign would later be appropriated by heavy metal fans under the name "maloik", a corruption of the original malocchio. Thank you Ronnie James, for giving us the ultimate "Metal Salute" \m/

Monday, May 17, 2010

Dominicus' "Blast Beat Manifesto" of the Week...Dial "Black Dahlia" for MURDER

I know my absence has been felt within the world of the BRC...however, being that I live in the land of Nashville, we currently took on a bit more of the water than we could handle. Did I have my weak moments??? But of course. Has tragedy struck when there seemed to be no hope? But of course....and that is why we have the Metal.

The past three weeks have been momentous and thus comes the BLAST BEAT MANIFESTO of the WEEK! This week we have been jamming the The Black Dahlia Murder.

Do you feel insane?? Are you looking for the melody and the chaos to bring your cold beating heart to a stop before it is once again resurrected to scare the doubters?? The BDM has many songs of slaughter and insanity to calm even the devastated of souls....but but these jams in and you will melodically find your self swaying to the depth of the deeps with the morbid story telling of the Black Dahlia Murder.

What is he saying?? That's right..the lead singer is like Gollum from Lord of the Rings in the flesh...But with shredding guitars and blistering guitars who really cares...it only makes it that much more epic. Now..sit back and enjoy the madness..



And...if anyone knows where they have "Heavy Metal Bowling Night" let a brother know!

RIP - Ronnie James Dio \m/ "Neon Knights" Daily Tribute

Live from Radio City Music HallEach day this week, I shall post a new video in honor of our beloved RJD, the "Master of the Moon" and the perfector of the usage of the "evil horns." Dr. Beaulivian and I saw him live and in his glory for the last time a couple of Years ago with Heaven and Hell (The true Black Sabbath) at the US Bank Arena. Yes, they did serve up some tasty blues based metal with ozzy but the total jams on the first two albums with Ronnie cannot be touched. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to see Dio rock out one last time. In his mid 60s, the voice and passion were as strong as ever. Please enjoy "Neon Knights" \m/

Sunday, May 16, 2010

RIP - Ronnie James Dio (7/10/42 - 5/16/2010)

Evil or DivineToday is a sad, sad day for the World of Metal. Yes, my brethren...the true Godfather of Metal (which Ozzy is not) and the inventor of the "evil horns - \m/," Ronnie James Dio passed on this morning. His amazing voice will be heard no more but fortunately he left us with a fine body of work that is as glorious as it is timeless. Between his offerings with Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath in addition to his masterful solo material, we have access to plethera of metallic glory. Holy Diver, Heaven and Hell, Children of the Sea, We Rock, The Sign of the Southern Cross, Rainbow in the Dark, Stargazer, etc......the list of magnificence goes on and on. Ronnie James will truly be missed and will never be forgotten. Here is one of my faves...please enjoy \m/

Friday, May 14, 2010

Desmondo's Weekly Page Turner - "Fargo Rock City: A Heavy Metal Odyssey in Rural North Dakota" by Chuck Klosterman

Fargo Rock City : A Heavy Metal Odyssey in Rural North DakotaWho said Metalheads were not edumacated??????? Chuck Klosterman is an absolutely amazing writer. His masterful storytelling and witty writing style make "Fargo Rock City" an easy and entertaing read even for folks with serious reading comprehension issues (Yes, that would be me) \m/ The first time I picked it up, I seriously could not put it down until it was through. I first read his book about 7 Years ago and just picked it up again earlier this week. Honestly, it was even better the second time around. "Fargo Rock City" is Chuck's personal memoir about growing up a sexually repressed metalhead in rural North Dakota. This has to be one of the funniest books ever written. Please read this if you get a chance....With a voice that flows like one of Yngvie Malmsteen's guitar solos, Klosterman rides upon and tackles the glorious history of the "Metal of Hair", beginning with that fateful day in 1983 when his older brother brought home Mötley Crüe's Shout at the Devil. Many of us can relate to this. I mean...is this not the was that all metaleads born between 1970-1975 were introduced to "The Metal?" The 11 Year old Klosterman was not quite ready to rock on one time as his hair was too short and his farm was too quiet -- but he still found a way to bang his little 5th Grade head. Before the journey was over, he would slow-dance to Poison, sleep as an unkowing Christin Lad beneath pentagrams and inverted crosses, lust for Lita Ford and Janet Gardner and get radiclly intellectual about Guns N' Roses and Metallica. Here he goes again on his own, going down the only road he's ever known....." \m/\m/\m/\m/\m/