My Music Wrapped 2023

Top 10 My Chemical Romance songs

OK so I swear that I made this list years ago? I could not find it (damn you Mandala effect) so I have made this anew. If you were so kind to join me in the marching band to join the black parade, I would welcome it very much! 

My Chemical Romance (often abbreviated as MCR) is an American rock band that gained widespread recognition and popularity in the early to mid-2000s. The band is known for its unique blend of punk, emo, and alternative rock, and their music often incorporates dark and theatrical elements.

The Ghost of You

A melancholic and emotionally charged song with a music video set during World War II. This song explores themes of loss, heartbreak, and the emotional impact of war. The music video, set during World War II, enhances the sense of loss and tragedy.

Mama

A track known for its dramatic and theatrical elements, often performed with a lot of energy during live shows. It touches on themes of chaos, rebellion, and survival in a turbulent world.

Na, Na, Na

A high-energy, punk-inspired song with a rebellious and catchy chorus. This high-energy track expresses feelings of rebellion, independence, and a refusal to conform to societal norms.

Bulletproof Heart

 A song featuring a blend of rock and pop elements, known for its upbeat and melodic sound. The song has an upbeat and optimistic sound, conveying the idea of resilience and not giving up in the face of challenges.

Disenchanted

A heartfelt and introspective song with emotionally resonant lyrics. "Disenchanted" explores feelings of disillusionment and the emotional aftermath of a failed relationship.

I'm Not Okay (I Promise)

One of My Chemical Romance's most iconic tracks, known for its anthemic and energetic sound. 

Teenagers

A song that addresses teenage angst and rebellion, known for its catchy chorus. 

I Don't Love You

A heartfelt and emotional ballad with a softer and more melodic sound.

Famous Last Words

A track with an anthemic sound and lyrics that convey a sense of determination.

Welcome to the Black Parade

One of, If not the band's most famous and recognizable songs, characterized by its epic and orchestral sound, and often considered a rock anthem.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog; your support and engagement mean the world to me!

Top 10 Scooter Songs

Alright party posse! 

Tie your shoes and prepare to ask how much is that fish and find dave! SCOOTER TOP 10 ARE YOU READY!?!!? Scooter is a well-known German electronic dance music group. The group was formed in 1993 and is best known for its high-energy, techno and trance-influenced music. Scooter has achieved significant success in the European music scene and is known for their chart-topping singles and albums.

Fire

A high-energy track featuring pulsating beats and powerful energy, and honestly I would also say it's got metal elements too.

Jump That Rock

A collaboration with Status Quo, combining Scooter's techno sound with a rock twist. 

FCK 2020

A song that addresses the challenging year 2020, known for its catchy and somewhat humorous title.

Ti Sento

A dance version of the Italian song "Ti Sento" originally by Matia Bazar, adapted with Scooter's signature style.

Hyper Hyper

One of Scooter's earliest hits, known for its energetic beats and catchy melody.

J'adore Hardcore

A dance track with a sing-along chorus and typical Scooter energy.

Jumping All Over The World

 A song that's part of the album of the same name, known for its danceable beat and inspired millions to do jump style.

Maria

A high-energy track with a repetitive and memorable vocal sample.

Nessaja

A major hit for Scooter, recognized for its uplifting and memorable melody.

The Logical Song

A cover of Supertramp's classic, fusing the original's melody with a techno dance twist. 

Thanks, Dave, for reading and for visiting my blog, your support means the world to me. 

Until next time LONG LIVE THE RAVE!!!!

Top 10 Eminem Songs

Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is a highly influential and acclaimed American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He is one of the most successful and well-known artists in the history of hip-hop and popular music. Eminem is known for his complex and often controversial lyrics, as well as his rapid and skilful delivery. 

Now I loved Eminem best in his slim shady era, but he has extraordinary talents that transcend time and genres. Here's my 10 fave Eminem songs.

Rap God

The song showcases Eminem's rapid-fire lyrical delivery and intricate wordplay, cementing his reputation as one of the greatest and fastest lyricists in the rap genre. "Rap God" gained immense popularity and was particularly celebrated for its third verse, where Eminem delivers an impressive string of complex rhymes and flows at an astonishing speed. The song also touches on various themes, including his career, his impact on the rap industry, and his own influences. The title "Rap God" reflects Eminem's status as a rap icon and his influence on the genre. The song has been recognized for its technical prowess and is often cited as one of Eminem's greatest achievements in terms of his lyrical and rapping skills.

Crack A Bottle

It's known for its catchy melody and playful, humorous lyrics. In "Crack a Bottle," the three artists celebrate their success in the music industry and their ability to captivate an audience. The song's title, "Crack a Bottle," is often used as a metaphor for opening a bottle of alcohol to celebrate and have a good time. The song was a commercial success and topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. "Crack a Bottle" is recognized for its upbeat and infectious sound, and it's a notable collaboration between Eminem, Dr. Dre, and 50 Cent, three significant figures in the world of hip-hop.

Just Lose It

Eminem playfully mocks various celebrities, including Michael Jackson and Madonna. The song encourages listeners to let loose, dance, and have a good time. It features a catchy beat and humorous wordplay. The song was a commercial success and received attention for its playful and satirical content. The accompanying music video includes Eminem impersonating various celebrities, contributing to the overall humorous and light-hearted tone of the song. "Just Lose It" is often cited as one of Eminem's more playful and comedic tracks.

Guilty Conscious

The song is known for its storytelling style and its use of two different perspectives to present a moral dilemma. In "Guilty Conscience," Eminem and Dr. Dre assume the roles of the devil and the angel on a person's shoulders, respectively. They offer conflicting advice to a man in various questionable situations, such as infidelity and violence. The song explores themes of moral choices and the consequences of one's actions. "Guilty Conscience" is often praised for its creative and thought-provoking storytelling, and it showcases Eminem's early lyrical prowess. The song's format, with conflicting voices representing good and evil, adds a unique and engaging element to its narrative. It remains a notable track in Eminem's discography.

Sing For The Moment

Eminem discusses the power of music, the impact of his own music on listeners, and the role of artists in addressing social and political concerns. The song touches on themes of censorship, the influence of media, and the responsibilities of artists. Eminem's lyrics in "Sing for the Moment" reflect his personal experiences and struggles, making it a deeply personal and introspective track. The song's use of the Aerosmith sample adds a melodic and emotional dimension to the song. It has been praised for its depth and social commentary, making it one of Eminem's significant works.

The Real Slim Shady

The song is one of Eminem's most iconic and well-known tracks and is known for its humorous and satirical lyrics. In "The Real Slim Shady," Eminem playfully takes on various personas and engages in self-deprecating humour, as well as poking fun at celebrities and pop culture figures. The song's catchy chorus and upbeat production contributed to its popularity. The song received critical acclaim and was a commercial success. It won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. "The Real Slim Shady" is celebrated for its humorous and clever wordplay and is often cited as one of Eminem's signature tracks.

My Name Is

Eminem uses humour and wordplay to introduce himself and his alter ego, Slim Shady. The song pokes fun at various aspects of pop culture and includes references to celebrities, as well as Eminem's own experiences and struggles. The catchy chorus and playful tone contributed to the song's popularity. "My Name Is" was a breakthrough hit for Eminem and established him as a prominent figure in the world of hip-hop. It received critical acclaim for its clever and satirical lyrics and is often regarded as one of Eminem's early classic tracks.

Stan

The character Stan becomes increasingly unhinged in his letters, expressing his obsession with Eminem and his growing disillusionment when Eminem doesn't respond to his fan mail. The song's narrative explores themes of fame, celebrity, and the responsibilities of artists to their fans. "Stan" is widely acclaimed for its storytelling and emotional depth, and it is often cited as one of Eminem's greatest works. It has become an iconic and influential track in the world of hip-hop and popular music. The song's title, "Stan," has even entered the English language as a term for an obsessive fan.

Without Me

Eminem takes a humorous approach and addresses various aspects of his career and persona. He pokes fun at the controversies he's been involved in and playfully criticizes other celebrities and figures in the entertainment industry. The song's chorus, with its repeated refrain of "Guess who's back? Back again," became particularly memorable. "Without Me" was a commercial success and received positive reviews. The song's music video, which parodied various pop culture references, further contributed to its popularity. "Without Me" is celebrated for its wit and comedic approach, and it's often cited as one of Eminem's signature tracks.

Lose Yourself

In "Lose Yourself," Eminem raps about the struggles and determination required to overcome obstacles and seize opportunities. The song is known for its intense and motivational lyrics, as well as its distinctive and memorable melody. The beat and Eminem's rapid-fire delivery are central to the song's appeal. The song was a massive commercial success and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2003. "Lose Yourself" is widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time and is celebrated for its lyrical complexity and emotional depth. It's an anthem of determination and empowerment and remains a standout track in Eminem's career.

Thanks for visiting my blog and reading this post, your support means the world to me. 

See you again soon!

Top 10 Life Is Strange Songs

Life is Strange is a popular episodic video game series developed by Dontnod Entertainment and published by Square Enix. The series is known for its narrative-driven gameplay and the ability to make choices that impact the story and its outcomes. This is one of my favourite game series of all time. The first game in the series was released in 2015, and it has since expanded to include several titles and spin-offs. Each game in the series focuses on a different set of characters and storylines, but they all share the common theme of choices and consequences.

The decisions players make throughout the games can significantly impact the narrative and lead to different outcomes, making "Life is Strange" known for its branching and emotionally charged storytelling. The series has gained a dedicated following for its unique approach to narrative-driven gaming. With 5 titles under its belt and numerous books and comics Life Is Strange keeps growing, and I hope it continues, and we get another instalment soon. I love the series and its soundtracks, and today I am picking 10 of my fave songs from the games.

Crosses - Jose Gonzalez

"Crosses" adds to the emotional and atmospheric depth of that particular scene or moment in the game. José González's music is celebrated for its ability to create a mood of introspection and contemplation.

The Right Way Around - Daughter

 "The Right Way Around" by Daughter is one of the tracks chosen to complement the game's storytelling and mood. It adds to the overall immersive experience of the game for players.

No Woman - Whitney

"No Woman" is one of Whitney's signature songs and has been widely acclaimed for its soulful and melancholic sound. The song is known for its warm, horn-driven arrangements and Julien Ehrlich's distinctive falsetto vocals. It's often associated with themes of love, longing, and introspection. It's perfect for those melancholy scenes in the game that have lingered with me. 

Banquet - Bloc Party

A fun and freeing experience is having a break while on the run and rocking out to this in a run-down hotel in LIS2. "Banquet" is one of Bloc Party's most popular and recognizable songs and has been a staple in their live performances. The track has been praised for its fusion of post-punk and indie rock elements and is often associated with the mid-2000s indie rock revival. The song's lyrics touch on themes of desire, relationships, and youthful exuberance. "Banquet" is celebrated for its infectious and dynamic sound, and it has remained a favourite among fans of indie and alternative rock music.

On Melancholy Hill - Gorillaz

"On Melancholy Hill" is one of the songs that enhance the emotional and immersive experience of the game and has become one of my fave songs, and it always takes me back to the part of the game it appeared in. 

D.A.N.C.E - Justice

A really fun upbeat dance track in Life Is Strange 2 that has stuck with me since its appearance. Music plays an essential role in setting the atmosphere and mood in the "Life is Strange" games, and the inclusion of "D.A.N.C.E" by Justice adds to the overall experience of the game.

Creep - Mxmtoon

It's a cover but a cover so good that it felt fresh and new. The song sums up Alex life and feelings living in a new town. Radiohead's "Creep" is celebrated for its raw and emotionally charged lyrics, and it has become one of the band's signature songs. Mxmtoon's cover of the song adds her own style and interpretation to this classic track.

Death With Dignity - Sufan Stevens

Love this one, The song is known for its poignant and introspective lyrics and appears in Life Is Strange spin off titled The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit. 

On The Flip Of A Coin - The Streets

From the first time I heard this in Life Is Strange 2 it stuck with me throughout my play through such an interesting and catchy song. The streets are great at telling a story and I love how it resonates with myself and with LIS2. The song reflects on themes of luck, chance, and the unpredictable nature of life. Mike Skinner's lyrics often delve into personal and relatable experiences, and "On The Flip Of A Coin" is no exception, as it explores the idea that life's outcomes can be as uncertain as the flip of a coin.

To All Of You - Syd Matters

This always plays in my mind at random points, and it makes me smile, and sometimes it also makes me sad. I always envision Max walking down the school corridor and thinking of all that happens in the first game to her. Tragic, beautiful, powerful. The song is known for its gentle, melodic sound and evocative lyrics. It's often associated with the game's themes of adolescence, friendship, and choices. The song captures a sense of nostalgia and youthful yearning, making it a fitting choice for the soundtrack of a game that explores the complexities of growing up and facing difficult decisions. The emotional and atmospheric quality of "To All of You" has made it a favourite among fans of both the band and the game.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog; your support and engagement mean the world to me!

Top 10 ATTACK ON TITAN songs!

To commemorate the end of the ATTACK ON TITAN series, I have decided to list my 10 fave songs from the anime. This will include, openings and ending themes aswell as OST from all seasons of the titan shifting series.

Jiyuu No Tsubasa - Linked Horizon

The second opening is kicking off my list. Linked Horizon are absolutely outstanding with all of their musical work they have provided for the attack on titan series. The title means Wings Of Freedom. The song explores the themes of freedom, struggle and victory over oppression and how it is an ongoing battle.

Red Swan - Yoshiki, Hyde

A truly beautiful song that has made me cry a few times. "Red Swan" is a song about the power of love and hope, as well as the courage to keep fighting despite adversity. The lyrics tell the story of someone who is trying to make a better life for themselves despite their fear and hardships. The singer encourages them to try and keep going, to reach for the stars, to overcome the darkness in their life. The singer uses the imagery of a red swan to symbolize their determination to reach the light and to fly away despite the pain. The song speaks to the strength of the human spirit and the willingness to break free from cycles of hurt and find happiness.

Under The Tree - Sim

A dramatic, emotional track from Sim and yes SIM will appear again on this list, they are absolute TITANS with their music. It was so awesome to have SIM appear and make two songs for this anime which have gone on to gain critical success. "Under the Tree" is a song about wanting to hold onto a relationship with someone who has left, despite time moving forward and the uncertainty of whether the other person feels the same way.

Attack On Titan - Hiroyuki Sawano

Ok so Hiroyuki Sawano is an incredible musician and composer for piecing the next few songs together on my list. What starts is electro followed by the orchestral choir which is the signature musical style Hiroyuky brings with his original soundtrack. His music brings the destruction, emotions, betrayals and grandiose battles to scale!

Bauklotze - Hiroyuki Sawano

Hange makes their last stand with this beautiful song accompanying it. The song's title means "Building Blocks" in German. While the lyrics themselves may not have a direct connection to the plot or themes of the series, the song's overall composition and use within the show contribute to the viewer's experience and engagement with the story. Sawano's music has played a significant role in making "Attack on Titan" a memorable and emotionally powerful anime series.

You See Big Girl - Hiroyuki Sawano

Death and destruction coming from a seemingly unstoppable beast that towers over 60ft high this track captures that feel of seeing the death and destruction and even madness that follows from seeing an ally turn into the very thing that has been killing your friends and family. The use of various languages and the blend of orchestral and electronic elements in the soundtrack contribute to the overall epic and intense experience of the series.

Boku No Sensou - Shinsei Kamattechan

A truly terrifying military march lead into death and destruction, what would happen if the armies of the world had titans in their control? It would be scary, and this one backs it up but it's so damn catchy! JUSTICE, JUSTICE LA LA VIVI DA! The title means My War.

The Rumbling - Sim

Once again we have Sim with their strongest song dedicated to the horrific ground shaking event known as The Rumbling! The song ties in and captures Eren’s perspective for the last season. Eren having a catastrophic plan and fights to control his own destiny.

Shinzo Wo Sasageyo! - Linked Horizon

Come on now, sing it loud and proud with me my brother's! SASAGEYO, SASAGEYO, SHINZO WO SASAGEYO! The title means dedicate your hearts!

Gurren No Yumiya - Linked Horizon

The song that started it all, first time I heard this, I was blown away and so hyped. It always gets me hyped and singing and imagining just swinging along slashing Titans down. The title means the bow and arrow of crimson.

Thank you very much for visiting my blog and for all your support. 

If you are interested I have a story I made set in the AOT universe, It's free to download HERE!

Thirty Seconds To Mars: It's The End Of The World, BUT It's A Beautiful Day (REVIEW!)

Thirty Seconds To Mars are one of my all-time fave bands and safe to say after the last album being a total dud, I can happily shout out that THEY ARE BACK!!!!! It's the End of the World, but It's a Beautiful Day is the sixth studio album by American rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars, released on September 15, 2023, through Concord. It is the first album after their debut without guitarist Tomo Miličević who left the band in June 2018. So going into the album prior to any song release I was sceptical because the last album America, frankly sucked in my opinion, and it really let me down. However, following Stuck's single release I was taken back hearing a new pop synth rock track from Mars which was also so very catchy.

From there I binged the track relentlessly until they dropped their next single, Life Is Beautiful, and again it was another chill and beautiful track I binged, and you won't believe what happened next? Well I pre-ordered the Deluxe album from HMV and then oh yes I loved their next two single's they dropped prior to the album release Get Up Kid and World On Fire. Catchy and beautiful tracks the boys dropped and so here comes me listening to this new album religiously since it dropped or rather arrived in my hands. The album I ordered got delayed a few days as this was supposed to arrive on September 15th which was the same day as my CFM2 CD and honestly this time round Corey Taylor new album was disappointing and 30STM's was phenomenal.

1: Stuck

The lead single from the album and a very funky, catchy, high energy track which Jared said celebrates the arts.

2: Life Is Beautiful

Dramatic beats with upbeat empowering lyrics that are chill and catchy.

3: Seasons

Acoustic and very chill vibes with this song as it's stripped back with again catchy and relatable lyrics. 

I have been singing along to this quite a bit in the car, well that also applies to the whole album.

4: Get Up Kid

Piano in this is stunning and so is its catchy whoa's and empowering soft chorus.

5: Love These Days

An absolute truth in a song. As with other tracks I find this relatable and catchy. 

It's a beautiful and apt song.

6: World On Fire

It feels like a song about coming out of depression as you feel your drive again and things will be better now. Nice message and it's very electronic.

7:1

Got to channel our inner Freddie Mercury with the ayy-oh's in this one haha, it's catchy and again electronic.

8: Never Not Love You 

A soft and powerful emotional songs that I feel is so relatable. I love this one, no it's more of an adore. 

I adore this song, it's very personal.

9: Midnight Prayer

The first time I heard this song I was confused because it did not sound like Jared Leto singing to me, and I was an idiot to not realize sooner that it's Shannon Leto singing this one. HOWEVER! It has quickly become one of my most repeated songs from the album. Electronic and synthy. Another very relatable song for me with this one though.

10: Lost These Days

This one is another stripped back acoustic track and feels like a follow up to Never Not Love You or rather another alternative way of telling that story of the relationship breakdow and I also relate and feel this song. It gets very electronic towards the end.

11: Avalanche

Another one of my most played tracks is Avalanche it feels like a song that was a perfect fit for the Love, lust, faith and dreams album. First time I heard this song I felt it, it hit me and it made me smile.

The deluxe edition of the album features a slowed down version of Stuck and an Alt version of Never Not Love You. Both are you know good as to be expected. I could not hear any differences in the alt version of Love.

So yes, I love this album, and it feels really special and personal to me with how I can relate and feel all the emotions from the songs and how Jared expresses the lyrics. Softer, chill, emotional and catchy is what this album is, and it's full of the human spirit and experiences of life. Honestly this album is phenomenal in my opinion and I love it to bits.

10/10

Jared's WWE 2K Soundtrack

Alright it is time to continue my short series on WWE 2K soundtracks me and my friends picked and here is the third and final instalment with Jared Davies picking a few songs for his soundtrack for a WWE 2K game. Time for Jared to clutch and end this series with style, I can tell you this is going to be a fun list!

1: Linkin Park ft Jay Z - Numb/Encore

2: Three Days Grace - I Hate Everything About You

3: Skillet - Legendary

4: Steel Panther - Eyes Of A Panther

5: Sabaton - Night Witches

6: Nickelback - Animals

7: Rise Against - Prayer Of The Refugee

8: Papa Roach - Getting Away With Murder

9: Seether - Betray & Degrade

10: Shinedown - Cut The Cord

Alright that concludes this short, fun and interesting series where me and my best mates picked our own dream WWE 2K soundtrack. Any other list or blog post recommendations please let me know :)

STAY SHINY!

Sleeptoken - TAKE ME BACK TO EDEN (ALBUM REVIEW)

Sleeptoken the hot new metal band that has become a fast rising sensation from viral videos on tiktok to youtube shorts. Sleep Token are a British rock band from London, formed in 2016. The group is an anonymous, masked collective led by a frontman using the moniker Vessel. They have been categorized under many different genres, including alternative metal, post-rock/metal, progressive metal and indie rock/pop.

Take Me Back To Eden starts with a slow build with Chokehold kicking off the precession, around the 2 min mark the instrumentals kick off sounding like a chainsaw has just started up, and then we go back mellowy with Vessel's sing-song lyrics which are heartfelt. When the "You've got me in a chokehold" hits the instrumentals swell to accompany the message being sent, love has got a chokehold on our singer and it's not letting go.

After Chokehold we are ushered straight into my fave prior to the album the viral mega hit The Summoning. Now the summoning starts with heavy instrumentals, but again we divulge into a slow melodic tempo with Vessel the singer delivering the words in a near sinister fashion, this one is so catchy, and I have been singing along to it since I was first shown it by my best mate James. James is obsessed with this band, and so he has made me go and check out SleepToken's latest album and here we are as I am typing my thoughts on the album live as I go. The heaviness of this song intertwines with catchy slow melodic laid back sound and one moment you will be headbanging, the next you will be slow bobbing moving side to side or on your knee's singing along to the sky giving your emotions all into this song. The screams performed on this one are also so good! Around the 3:25 mark we are hit with a groovy heavy breakdown that makes you want to stomp your feet and tip bins over BUT again we are quickly hushed away to calm down and chill with the music as it build's to a softer near jazzy like sound then. Sing with me now "Oh and my love, did I mistake you for a sign from god, or are you really here to cut me off, or maybe just to turn me on. Cause these days, I would be lying if I told you that, I didn't wish that I could be your man, or maybe make a good girl bad. I got a river running right into you, I've got a blood trail, red in the blue, something you say or something you do, the taste of the divine!" Oh my god this smooth as silk, erotic breakdown in the song is so mind-blowing, it's so different but so good! Had no idea that would work so well, Sleeptoken really knows how to mix genre's and sounds together well.

We get to Granite now a slow, pop, synthy melodic song. Vessel goes into a full rap breakdown in this one, and it is quite impressive I must say. It's yet another great mix of genre's and sound, and then we have rap like what? Damn, he got bars that can flow like water just so smooth. We have a breakdown around the 2:40 mark where we are hit back with the metal to get us headbanging in a groove again and Vessel smoothes things off accompanying the metal.

Aqua Regia starts with such a beautiful laid back synth sound and joined by a lovely piano piece as Vessel make's the lyrics flow flawlessly. Piano again is so lovely with this song, it's a softer song by its nature, the acoustic guitar blends that come in are also so stunning. Catchy and chill overall.

Vore is next, and this one is HEAVY! Full on screams are here echoing in my ears like a pig to slaughter. Sleeptoken really are a band for everyone, there are songs here for everyone to enjoy. Other than the screams Vessel is whispering along until we hit near the 2min mark where the song meets a chill and Vessel is clean singing along before more of the hard hitting drums and guitars come back at us like fireworks on the 4th of July. The high notes hit before the scream comes back in is amazing. This switch from aggressive to clean vocals is impressive. I feel for me this is one of their weaker songs, I am not so fussed on Vore as I am with the rest at this point, but that's not saying Vore is bad because it's not, it is good.

Ascensionism comes now, and it's starting slow and has the melancholy like feel with its minor piano notes. Beautiful soft sung lyrics, and then we get back into trap like beats following Vessel spitting bars yet again. This is one that will get you grooving moving your head and shoulders to, it's a great flow to be fair to it. We get some whispering vocals and then out of nowhere hit back with heavy metal like woah hang on Ves, I wanted to be more prepared before my flight or fight response kicked off haha. We switch back to the softer vocals with piano soon after my fight or flight response got me all geared up anyway haha. BACK TO FIGHT NOW AS THE METAL RETURNS IN FULL HEAVY SWING TO END THE SONG!

Are You Really Ok? Plays right now, and it starts slow and acoustically with a sweet laid back guitar tuning us into Vessel's soft lyrics. A very soft rock kind of song then the heavy instruments kick off around 3mins mark but don't worry it's still pretty soft and then around 4mins mark the heavy instruments get laid back, and we are bare witness to the soft stylings once more to close us out of the song.

The Apparition comes next, and it starts with Vessel isolated and then an electric, dare I say Spanish style guitar accompanies the vocalist. 1MIN mark we get some synthy keyboard and then drum and bass, what kind of experimentation lies in this apparition? Vessel continues to near rap with the flow of lyrics he delivers along with the drum and bass instrumentals. 2min 20 mark we go back to the heavy nature as Vessel pours his emotions into the lyrics, and then he delivers lines as quiet as a mouse and then the instruments close us off with synth and drum and bass.

DYWTYLM - A near laid back Caribbean like instrumental to start with like an autotuned Vessel singing along. Do You Wish That You Loved Me is the song here if you could not tell from the acronym anyway there's a weird like blend then of computerized sounds before Vessel carries on asking his question of love? This is lovely and laid back, I really liked the unique instrumentals in this.

Time for Rain, Vessel starts off pouring his emotions into the piano on this track. As usual with sleeptoken this one starts slow but builds to some metal rhythms as Vessel keeps his lyrics flowing like a fountain. I don't know how they do it, but I am sure glad I am hearing it work out so well for them. We go from the metal back to the slow powerful emotions poured out with the piano accompanying Vessel, and we quickly get that burst of metal to end the rain.

Time for the penultimate song on the album which is the title of this album, yes it's time for Take Me Back To Eden. Slow start now will this build or will it remain calm and soft. Of course the metal comes into play from 2min 30 mark only for it to leave again 30 seconds later. Vessel comes at us with his hard hitting flow as he raps the lyrics out, damn this vocalist can do anything he wants. When the rapping starts we get the piano and sound of like a rainforest with rain and birds tweeting until Vessel comes back soft with the tempo of the Piano picking up. 5min 30 mark the other instruments join back in until 6min mark where they stop for a brief moment then we get all the instruments back in harder once more. Screams close out the song with heavy instrumentals accompanying it.

Euclid is our closing song now, what a bizarre journey of music this has been, Sleeptoken really are the future, and they have a bright one from what I have heard here. Euclid starts with Piano and Vessel flowing the lyrics then we get this near robotic synth vocals before switching back to the same piano chilled tempo with Vessel flowing the lyrics like a running water tap and this switch happens a few times in this song, it's really quite something else. Lovely song actually and we do get rushes of the heavy instruments before the soft nature plays back and this happens on and off in this song a few times. Robotic vocals and synth and a piano closes this album off.

If this is the future of metal, we are in uniquely good hands. Sleeptoken are the hot new band we should all keep an eye on because the only way forward is going up past Eden now.

4/5

Punk Rock Factory - It's Just a Stage We're Going Through (ALBUM REVIEW)

Come take a trip to the sausage factory to listen to Welsh punk rockers new musical covers album. Punk Rock Factory are a high energy welsh band who bring the punk rock nature to songs we already know BUT have never heard them before. PRF formed in late 2014 in South Wales, Uk, Peej (vocals, guitar), Benj (bass, vocals), Ryan (guitar) and Kob (drums, vocals), PRF combine everything you love about 1990s/2000s punk rock, and reimagine classic and hit songs like you've never heard them before and are now embarking into the musicals. PRF record, mix, film, write and pretty much have done and do everything from their home base studio titled "The Sausage Factory" and they gained a lot of success from these brilliant takes on classic hits and during the lockdown era of life in the UK they gartered up thousands of followers and views from social media apps like TIKTOK, which is where I discovered them and fell in love with the bands covers and I shared them about with friends to ensure they see the magic that is PRF, and they are only growing bigger, larger, better with fans and followers worldwide alike. They frequently bring friends along to their music to collab and enjoy the fun and to date the band has had guest performances from members of acts such as Protest the Hero, Bowling for Soup, Ice Nine Kills, Mest, Rufio, Ten Foot Pole, Zebrahead aswell as Encanto star Jessica Darrow and many more!

It's Just A Stage We're Going Through released on all music platforms and physical copies on March 31st. Be sure to check it out and purchase it where you get your music from.

The Tracklist

1: Rewrite The Stars

2: You'll Be Back

3: Waving Through A Window

4: December 1963 (Oh What A Night)

5: Defying Gravity

6: I Dreamed A Dream

7: City Of Stars

8: Mama Mia

9: Shallow

10: You're The One I Want

11: I Will Follow Him

There were no doubts that the kings of turning any song into a punk rock classic would churn out another belter of an album especially considering the way they went here with turning some of the classic iconic hits of musicals into punk rock tunes and boy, oh boy, they are chunes! On paper or in theatres these songs you know and love you may go "how could a band cover musicals and turn them punk rock?" well this question you ponder is answered, solved and heard here in PRF's newest album of course. The album starts off strong with Rewrite The Stars, and then we are hit with Hamilton heavyweight You'll Be Back, and then we get a sort of sombre song from Waving which does not feel so sombre but feels sort of like a battle cry anthem. There are songs here I never knew or heard of prior to this so my image of those songs will be just incomparable compared to this first time hearing them here on this album. The songs I have never heard prior to PRF's versions are You'll Be Back, Waving Through A Window, Defying Gravity and City Of Stars, and now I am afraid of hearing the original versions because I know they won't even come close to the epic-ness that Punk Rock Factory installed upon them with their takes. Defying Gravity for example I have always heard from friends who seen the musical Wicked that it is a song that even the most classical trained singers struggle with singing but here I felt it was perfect, Peej did it justice. I do feel a lot of the songs I don't know are ones which I need to grow into more with so with time I am sure to appreciate and love them more, but I am impressed and I enjoyed this album. You can without a doubt headbang, dance and sing in your underpants having the time of your life to these versions of those iconic hit musicals.

8/10

So if you want fun with friends, family or even strangers and want to down a few good pints and have a laugh together Punk Rock Factory always has your back, and It's Just A Stage We're Going Through backs that up once more from the band's amazing discography. 

Last weekend Saturday 25th March I watched the boys put on a hell of a show in a sold out Cardiff, Great Hall and I cannot wait to see them again! Thanks for reading my sausages!

Stay Punky!

Exorcise The Demon - Original song/poem/lyrics by SJONES

You can't put me in the ground,
Because my soul is unbound,
My freedom comes at the expense,

And the lives of the guilty are my tax, 

Running wild, wild and free,

All aboard this crazy train,

Come partake in the leaves of the wisdom tree,

You cannot see, You cannot be,

The devil inside of me,

Lost and alone, nowhere to go,

Oh, father please can you exorcise me?,

Sanity is overrated,

My demons are the goat headed,

Making my life a misery,

Just cut me open and set me free!,

You cannot see, you cannot be, 

The devil inside of me, 
Lost and alone, nowhere to go,

Oh, god please exorcise me,

 

(GROWL)

YOU CANNOT ESCAPE ME!

I AM THE SINS YOU CARRY!

MY CLAWS WILL SINK AND SHATTER,

YOUR BONES BENEATH ME,
MARK MY WORDS,

THE DEVIL IS YOU, AND YOU ARE ALL OF ME!!!!

(GROWL)

You cannot see, you cannot be, 

The devil inside of me,

Lost and alone, with nowhere to go,

Exorcise this demon out of me,

Top 10 Ozzy Osbourne Songs

The last top ten song list I did was about Black Sabbath now we journey into it's frontman's music catalogue. So this list consists of songs he has made outside of Sabbath.

Ozzy Osbourne is an English singer, songwriter, and television personality. He rose to prominence during the 1970s as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath, during which period he adopted the nickname "Prince of Darkness".

10: Bark At The Moon

The song is about a creature, MOST LIKELY a werewolf, who once terrorized a town, was killed, and later mysteriously returned to once again wreak havoc upon the villagers. Perhaps Ozzy's most iconic music video, Bark At The Moon was also his first. The video saw the singer playing up to his madman image in full Hammer Horror b-movie fashion. Drafting in the talents of make-up artist Rick Baker, who was fresh from working on both Michael Jackson's Thriller and American Werewolf In London (both directed by John Landis), Ozzy went full-ham to terrorize the MTV generation and it worked.

9: Straight To Hell

The song is about dealing with drug addiction and also talks about death. When he puts his mind to it, Ozzy can be a menacing bastard. The line 'I'll make you scream/I'll make you defecate' is delivered with more glee than perhaps was necessary, but the accompanying cackle afterwards seals Straight To Hell as one of the more brilliantly maniacal songs in Ozzy's contemporary catalogue.

8: Ordinary Man

The title-track to Ozzy's 2020 record, Ordinary Man dissects Ozzy's history in a more candid way than almost any other song in his canon. A beautifully crafted piano ballad, it makes perfect sense that Ozzy would draft in fellow rock icon Elton John as a guest for one of his most well-crafted ballads. This is the definitive Ozzy duet, a reflective masterpiece that caps off a career spanning over half-a-century.

7: Scary Little Green Men

You know what, I first heard this song from the Jason Mamoa video, and I was obsessed! Jason looked amazing and this song was just fun and just became such an earwig for me because of how catchy it was. The song is about aliens discovering and landing on our planet.

6: I Don't Wanna Stop

Such a fucking nasty riff and hell of a banging catchy song! It was my fave to play on Guitar Hero DS! Zakk fuckin Wylde SLAYS!

5: Hellraiser

Written by Lemmy, Hellraiser feels decidedly more like a Motorhead track than anything else in Ozzy's repertoire (which goes some way to explaining why Lemmy and the gang decided to cover the song the following year on March Or Die). Even so, Ozzy's voice brings the perfect heavy metal histrionics for the song's greased up stomp, cementing it as a heavy metal anthem for the 90s. The song would ultimately go on to be used by wrestling team The Hell Raisers, showing Lemmy's ear for great wrestling themes began long before he teamed up with Triple H.

4: No More Tears

With its soaring synths and steadily building guitars, you'd be forgiven for thinking No More Tears was an anthem of empowerment, a reflection of the healing Ozzy underwent after going through rehab. The truth was far more bizarre. Lyrically centred around a serial killer, No More Tears was another example of Ozzy using dark subject matter as fuel for the new direction he was taking, reinventing his image just in time to avoid the mass culling of 80s rock stars that grunge precipitated. One of the last tracks written for the album, No More Tears came together in the studio as bassist Mike Inez conceived the opening riff (though Inez ultimately didn't play on the record, he was credited with 'inspiration' in the album's liner notes) and Ozzy repeatedly sang the title line.

3: Mr. Crowley

The song is about Edward "Aleister" Crowley, a British practitioner of black magic. Though Ozzy and co. largely played it straight with a mixture of stadium rock and heavy metal for his solo debut Blizzard Of Ozz, Mr. Crowley proved the singer hadn't turned his back entirely on themes of horror and the occult that had been so crucial to Black Sabbath in the beginning. Opening on an iconic keyboard solo from Don Airey, the song is everything the Prince Of Darkness should be, its lyrics inspired by infamous occultist and magician Aleister Crowley.

2: Diary Of A Madman

Oh man, I fucking love this one, and I have heard it a handful of times due to Machine Head using it before they come out to play just to you now set the tone for what awaits. The song is about mental illness and how people live with it. Though Diary Of A Madman caught Ozzy on a creative peak, it also saw the emergence of interpersonal issues which would colour the rest of the decade. Songwriting credits were not issued to all members of the band, ultimately causing bassist Bob Daisley and drummer Lee Kerslake to depart. Worse still, the album would ultimately become coloured by tragedy when Randy Rhoads was killed in a plane accident while the band were on tour, the record's virtuosic playing and experimentation made all the more poignant for the loss of one of its driving forces.

1: Crazy Train

What a monster of a song and damn catchy too, my top track from Ozzy. The lyrics deal with the subject of the Cold War and the fear of annihilation that existed during this period. One of the best solo's in metal. Absolutely everything about it is iconic; from Ozzy's maniacal cackle, to the thumping heart-beat of bass provided by Bob Daisley, Lee Kerslake's rumbling drum-beat that evokes a train in its own right and of course Randy Rhoads' iconic riff.

And that is my list, If you have any recommendations for lists or blog posts please send them to me.

Stay Shiny!

Top 10 Black Sabbath Songs

Welcome back, and today you are in for a treat with this long awaited list! My top 10 fave Black Sabbath songs!

Black Sabbath were an English metal band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. They are often cited as pioneers of heavy metal music. The band helped define the genre with releases such as Black Sabbath, Paranoid and Master of Reality.

10: Black Sabbath

Let's start by going self-titled from their debut album of course and a good list opener with the dread this song starts with. It's difficult to overstate the importance of this song to both Black Sabbath and heavy metal in general. The band was inspired to write the song when they saw a cinema playing the 1963 Boris Karloff film Black Sabbath. Bassist Geezer Butler observed that people loved seeing scary movies, but there wasn't much scary music out there. This was also the peak of the hippie era and the four working-class kids from Birmingham, England were sick of songs about peace and love. The group wrote a song called "Black Sabbath" and changed their name from Earth to the same. The track is an absolute masterpiece and does feel like a mini audio-horror film. There was nothing like it on the charts, and the group quickly began writing similar songs. Five decades later, "Black Sabbath" remains a high point of their live show.

9: Sweet Leaf

MMmf I love a good chunky sound and da guitars are chonky boi's in this. Before the group spent their days getting snowblind, they liked to smoke a little "Sweet Leaf." They really, really liked it. "My life was empty, forever on a down," Ozzy sings. "Until you took me, showed me around/ My life is free now, my life is clear/ I love you sweet leaf, though you can't hear." Right before they recorded it, Tony Iommi took a bit hit of weed. "It bloody choked me," he wrote in his book. "I coughed my head off, they taped that, and we used it on the beginning of 'Sweet Leaf.' How appropriate: coughing your way into a song about marijuana. . . And the finest vocal performance of my entire career!"

8: Symptom Of The Universe

Anyone else gets immediately taken back to Brutal Legend game whenever they hear the starting riff? The song was an influence on the development of thrash metal and was composed largely by guitarist Tony Iommi, with lyrics by Geezer Butler. Its closing passage, very unlike the rest of the song, evolved from an in-studio jam, created spontaneously in a single day.

7: God Is Dead?

I was so excited to hear OG Sabbath was returning and this was the first song I heard of the new stuff, and I was so hyped this has classic and iconic Sabbath written all over it. Both the song title and figure on the single's cover, by Heather Cassils, are a reference to Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher who is famous for saying that "God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers?".

6: Die Young

Ok so this was Dio's era in Sabbath and this is one I have always liked from his time with the band. "Die Young" is the sixth track on the Heaven and Hell album, credited like all the songs to Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler. The lyrics, written of course by Dio, appear to be about the futility of life in the face of its ephemeral nature. Like all of Dio's lyrics, they take some poetic turnings, so it's up to the listener. Check out the sudden softening of Dio's vocals, now singing in the high register, on the middle section. The song is also notable for its live performances; it's been a staple of Dio's, Gillan's, and Martin's sets, and typically features some lengthy instrumental work.

5: Changes

Quite a heartbreaking song from Sabbath, it's made me cry many times as I relate it to myself and my life experiences. Ozzy & Kelly's version is also powerful. The song's piano melody was composed by guitarist Tony Iommi, who was experimenting with the instrument in the studio. The lyrics were by bassist Geezer Butler, and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne has referred to the song as "heartbreaking". Quite different from Sabbath's previous work, the song was described as a "forlornly pretty" ballad by critic Barney Hoskyns. It was inspired mainly by drummer Bill Ward's breakup with his first wife.

4: Children Of The Grave

Oh, fuck yeah! Another diabolical tune which reminds me of Brutal Legend and also Guitar Hero! I love this one! This is another anti-war tune and the threat of a nuclear war and that the youth needs to stand against the corrupt politicians and just spread peace and love, or the wars will put an end to the human race.

3: War Pigs

God-damn, where to start on this iconic anti-war song? It's fucking sick as fuck mate! The four members of Black Sabbath may have had little use for hippie music, but they certainly agreed with the movement's anti-war stance. "War Pigs" is their most famous political song, but it began its life as a satanic number called "Walpurgis." The label didn't love the lyrics, so they simply changed it to an anti-war song called "War Pigs." It was the height of the Vietnam War, and Geezer Butler had little trouble pouring all his anger and frustration onto the page. It's nearly eight minutes long and was never a single, but audiences latched onto the track, and it became a crucial part of their live show. It remains their opening number to this day.

2: Iron Man

I am Iron Maaan such a fucking iconic song dudes! When hearing the guitar riff for the first time, Ozzy Osbourne said that it sounded "like a big iron bloke walking about". The original title was "Iron Bloke" before Geezer settled on "Iron Man" and he started to write lyrics around that title. Butler wrote the lyrics about a man who travelled into the future and saw the apocalypse. In the process of returning to the present, he's turned into steel by a magnetic field. He's rendered mute and isn't able to warn people of his time in the future and of the impending doom. His attempts at communicating with them are ignored and mocked. This causes Iron Man to become angry and drives his revenge to man-kind by causing the same destruction seen in his vision. Obviously as time has gone on Marvel have adopted it for their number 1 Avenger as his unofficial theme, yes that is right it's Iron Man. One of the most metal as fuck solo's and bass riffs ever.

1: Paranoid

An absolute iconic belter! Black Sabbath were almost done with their second album when producer Rodger Bain told them it was a little short. He asked for one more quick song, and when the rest of the group stepped out for lunch, Tony Iommi began composing a new riff. The group loved what they heard, and Geezer Butler started writing lyrics. "I don't think we even know what the word 'Paranoid' meant at the time," Iommi wrote in his book. "That's why we left it to Geezer, because we considered him to be the intelligent one." They never thought the song would become a huge hit. "It probably took four minutes to write," said Iommi. "It's that basic, simple thing, that catchy theme, that seems to appeal to people." The label loved the song and insisted it be the first single, even changing the name of the album from War Pigs to Paranoid. It was their first hit in America and changed their lives forever.

Alright and that is my list, come back in a few days to see my next top ten songs list!

Ozzy list is coming soon!

Stay Shiny!

Top 10 Guns N' Roses Songs

I am back in the hot seat with another top 10 song list and this time from classic rockers Guns N' Roses!

Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1985. When they signed to Geffen Records in 1986, the band comprised vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler.

10: Garden Of Eden

The first time I heard this I was so blown away that it was by GNR the speed of it was just mind-blowing for me to know it was by GNR. One of the underrated tracks they made and one of my faves.

9: Live & Let Die

I am placing this cover here because to me this is better than the original.

8: Patience

A beautiful song wish a lush memorable whistle. The music and lyrics of "Patience" were both written by Izzy Stradlin. The motivation for the track is generally accepted to be the troublesome relationship between Axl Rose and his now ex-wife Erin Everly, though this was never stated on the album or interviews.

7: Nightrain

A nice catchy one here and I remember it so often because of how easy going the vocals and guitar riff's are. "We were living in the Gardener Street studio, where we had one little box of a room. We had no money but we could dig up a buck to go down to this liquor store. It happened to have this great wine called Nightrain that would fuck you up for a dollar. Five dollars and you'd be gone. We lived off this stuff." - Duff - Hit Parader March 1988

6: Knockin' On Heavens Door

A tune! Beautiful as hell! Also, I had no idea this was a cover BUT hey fair play to GNR they do some banging covers!

5: You Could Be Mine

The Terminator made this song so iconic let's be fair and that's why I put it at number 5.

4: November Rain

A sombre song, powerful and beautiful. Has made me cry in the past because of the emotion and power within it. "November Rain is a song about not wanting to be in a state of having to deal with unrequited love." - Axl Rose.

3: Paradise City

Ooof what a song, what a great riff too and damn catchy. Burnout Paradise's theme song was this, and it gives me fond memories of that game. Before they got famous and everything fell to shit, the five members of Guns N' Roses were actually close friends. It was during those critical early months that the group collaborated on many of their best songs. "Paradise City" came to life one night when they were driving home from a gig in a rented van. "We were drinking and playing acoustic guitars," Slash wrote in his book. "I came up with the jangly intro to what became 'Paradise City.' Duff and Izzy picked it up and started playing it while I came up with the chord changes. I started humming a melody and played it over and over. Then Axl chimed in: 'Take me down to the Paradise City.'"

2: Welcome To The Jungle

The first song I heard from GNR was this one and who can remember playing their hearts out to this song on Guitar Hero! Is there a better opening song on a debut album than "Welcome to the Jungle?" It sets the stage perfectly for every other song on the album, and really for the band's entire career. Axl Rose once claimed the song was inspired by a chance encounter he had with a deranged man in New York City. "This guy came up to me," he said. "He said, 'You know where are you are? You in the jungle, baby! You gonna die!'" The video for the show shows Axl arriving in Los Angeles on a bus, still with hay in his mouth, and he quickly becomes absorbed by the madness of the city. MTV originally only aired it late at night, but viewers loved it, and they began playing it in prime time. It changed everything for the band.

1: Sweet Child O'Mine

Probably the number 1 most covered song for bands to play but hey it is iconic as fuck and an absolute tune so of course people would want to cover it and play it so much. "Sweet Child O' Mine" was born out of a spontaneous jam the members of the band undertook very late in the sessions for Appetite for Destruction. Axl wrote lyrics about his girlfriend Erin Everly, even if he never quite finished them. The line, "Where do we go now?" was originally an honest question. He didn't know where to take the song at that point, but it seemed to fit and so it stayed in. It became their only Number One hit in America.

Alright and that is my list, come back in a few days to see my next top ten songs list!

Stay Shiny!

Top 10 Beast In Black Songs

Back in blog with a brand-new top 10 list and today features a power metal band from Helsinki who I have been a fan of since first hearing in 2019. So I wanted to make a list to give them a shoutout and try and entice people to check them out by giving you my 10 fave songs from Beast In Black.

Beast In Black is a Finnish-Greek-Hungarian power metal band that was founded in 2015 in Helsinki by guitarist and songwriter Anton Kabanen.

10: Blind & Frozen

Probably the first song I heard from Beast was this one thanks to Spotify's Discover weekly thing they do every week (it's a handy tool for new music). Power metal, synth, great powerful vocals and a screeching guitar solo and keys, this is what kicked me into listening to more of Beast! I thought this would be a good one to kick off my list.

9: No Easy Way Out

Alright so this is a cover of one of the best songs from Rocky 4 (of course) and of course they do it justice, and it kicks ass! So this is a bonus song from Beast's second album and to me that album has been their best so far.

8: They Don't Care About Us

Hear me out, this is another cover and they bring justice to MJ's song. Bringing their sound to a Michael Jackson song is just so satisfying and for me, they make the song better. This is the last song on their latest album "Dark Connection" and I, for one, favour this over the original. I know it is quite something else when you prefer a cover over the original song. 

7: Crazy, Mad, Insane

The synth, the robotisisms with this one made it stick out a lot for me. They did bring this out with a video around xmas time quite recently, and it just reminded me of how good this one is and how unique and different it is and I think that is what makes it just stay with me and make me rank it at this spot so much.

6: Hardcore

One of their most creative and unique and somewhat sexy videos they have for a song BUT the message with the video is that of playing with fire because you play with fire you get burnt ONLY in the video you want to go to this insane VR experience and shag a robot? Well prepare to be shagged back haha! A sweet solo and the chorus is quite catchy, I love it; "I am the whiplash you are the thunder, a primal hunger, now is the time, my kinda lady, silver and crazy, no room for maybes, we're partners in crime, HARDCORE!"

5: Blade Runner

This song is a loving tribute to the sci-fi epic film or franchise named after it. The synthy power metal guitars and heavy drums followed by a steady chunky groove is what made this song stick out the most to me and what makes me put it slap in the middle of my list. 

4: Broken Survivors

The video is dedicated to Kentaro Miura, a Japanese Manga artist and the creator of the epic Manga Beserk, who passed away on May 6th 2021. Guitarist Anton Kabanen comments, “We all hurt, we all break, we all feel sorrow and profound pain, for that’s the price of being fragile and delicate. But with this same fragility and delicacy we may open ourselves to kindness, gentleness, joy, understanding, empathy, caring, longing and love. I believe Kentaro Miura knew this very well, as he imbued his characters of Berserk with these qualities, and complex yet accessible emotional depths. He knew how to make hearts beat, and how to make souls resonate, because he could feel it. This is what made Berserk meaningful to me, and undoubtedly to many other devoted admirers as well. Hence, we BEAST IN BLACK, aimed to prepare something unique to encapsulate the warmer and gentler side of Kentaro’s humanly vulnerable characters. With eternal love and respect for Kentaro Miura, we proudly present you: Broken Survivors!”

3: Die By The Blade

‘Die By The Blade’ is another one of the ‘Berserk’ manga related songs and apart from its very straightforward song title, the lyrics deal with a deeper issue than it might seem at first glance. Music-wise it’s a definite BEAST IN BLACK style heavy metal earworm and Yannis‘ powerful and emotional all-or-nothing type of performance deserves a special mention! I think "From Hell With Love" is my fave album from Beast In Black, so many of my fave songs are from that album alone which backs up how much I love the songs and album.

2: Cry Out For A Hero

The song is a kick ass track and solid heavy metal to be fair, and it's also based on Ken from Fist Of The Northstar too. This is the opening from their second album "From Hell With Love" and it pretty much sets the tone for what awaits. This one is catchy and powermetal to a T with it also feeling like a cross between Judas Priest and Bonnie Tyler at the same time with this track and I freaking love it. The riff plays in my head from time to time whenever I am talking about Beast In Black.

1: Sweet True Lies

Power metal plus 80's equal this catchy belter of a song from BEAST. This song always gets stuck in my head with its catchy chorus and melody and for me this just narrowly beats the number 2 on my list. I love the chorus and song so much. 

That's all folks, hope you liked the list and have a new band to listen to with Beast IN Black. 

Thanks ever so much for checking out my blog!

Stay Shiny!

Top 10 Five Finger Death Punch Songs

HOW THE HELL, HAVE I NOT DONE THIS LIST BEFORE?!

You know I love FFDP right? Damn, I swear I did this list BUT HEY if I cannot find it then, REDO IT!

This will be tough, but I am determined to get this list done! FFDP done some great covers but for the sake of this list, I will be excluding them.

Five Finger Death Punch, also abbreviated as 5FDP or FFDP, is an American heavy metal band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2005. The band originally consisted of vocalist and keyboardist Ivan Moody, rhythm guitarist Zoltan Bathory, lead guitarist Caleb Andrew Bingham, bassist Matt Snell, and drummer Jeremy Spencer.

10: Lift Me Up (Ft Rob Halford)

This was a titan of a track when it was released, and it still god-damn is! Ivan & Rob deliver a sick as fuck collab for us with this one. You can think of this one as being in need of being lifted from depths of addiction or maybe from just being down from being that person who always helps others and never gets the same back. 

9: Remember Everything

To me this is hands down one of the most emotional and powerful songs I have ever heard and FFDP it hits home hard to me and always makes me cry every time I listen to it. 

8: Burn MF

The angst of this song I feel it so much, and occasionally I cannot help but to listen and yell along waving my middle finger about going "BURN MF! BURN MF! BURN!" haha. When you hear this live it is on another level thanks to the energy and vocals from thousands of people around you also singing that chorus.

7: A Little Bit Off

You ever woke up and not felt right? This song captures that perfectly and resonates with me strongly. 

6: Never Enough

I guess this one can be summed up as being an outcast and everything you do to matter or fit in is never enough, well that's how I feel, and it was among the block of first songs I heard from FFDP and I think my good friend James Evans introduced me to them.

5: Wrong Side Of Heaven

The video is all about war and it's effects pretty much and that's what this song is also and just dealing with it. Powerful, emotional and beautiful song, one of their best!

4: Jekyll & Hyde

On some level I believe we can relate to this catchy killer track. Funny story with this one basically the band trolled their label and shot the video themselves, and it is quite a fun and funny video just like the next entry to the list. The band has said in interviews that this one was made from Ivan's early morning calls and voicemails he sent to the band regarding lyrics, and they pieced it all together to form this.

3: Under & Over It

This is just straight up brash FFDP firing back at the haters and their label saying we are who we are, and we ain't going to change. I love this one so much!

2: Hard To See

One of the first songs I heard from FFDP was this one, and it was incredible and still is. "It's about seemingly irresolvable differences. It's valid in just about any setting: politics, religion, relationships… Everything is 'only an opinion' based on limited information, yet people sometimes get attached to their point of views to the extreme…in fact, to the point they would launch wars over them." - Zoltan Bathory

1: The Bleeding

I have got to say that this song is fucking amazing and intense as hell especially live. My friend Lewis G and his band Hammerstrike played this every time and dedicated it to someone every time I have seen them play, and it was always epic.

Yo! Thanks for reading and checking out my blog, follow for more!

Stay Shiny!

TOP 10 Babymetal Songs

Wooooo here we go! I was so lucky to see Babymetal perform in a sold out Cardiff venue before the pandemic kicked off. I said back in 2019 about how they are a band to watch out for in the decade ahead and boy am I right? Despite losing a member they are still touring and kicking major arse!

Babymetal is a Japanese kawaii metal band consisting of Suzuka Nakamoto as "Su-metal" and Moa Kikuchi as "Moametal". The band is produced by Kobametal from the Amuse talent agency. BRAND-NEW ALBUM "THE OTHER ONE" COMING SOON!

10: Head Bangeeeeerrrrr!!!!

Kicking off my list with this BANGEEEERRRRR!!!! It's calm and cute to start, and then you get smacked with the girls signature cutesy aggression and some epic growls from the backing band. This one performed live is always a fucking delight, the crowd fist bumping and joining in with their growls is fucking sick! The "oi, oi!" is awesome. Also being a Welshman and having only seen Babymetal play to a sold out venue in Cardiff a few years ago, I was blown away so many people joined in singing the start too. 

9: Meta Taro

One of my all-time faves tbh, it's like a kid's lullaby in how it is sung in its intro and chorus but the rest ooooof. M! E! T! A! META! 

8: DA DA DANCE!

Catchy and sick beats it would be epic to play on Dance Dance Revolution in some arcade tbh. 

7: PA PA YA!!

So this is everything we come to love from Babymetal BUT they collab with thai rapper F.HERO who drops a sick flow alongside the band's catchy cute and backing growls.

6: Oh! MAJINAI

The girls toured with Sabaton and decided to team with Joakim for a song AND IT'S FUCKING GENIUS! Sabaton X Babymetal was a crossover WE DID NOT KNOW WE NEEDED! ITS AWESOME AND A LOT OF FUN! Wrap your arm around mine now and lets go in a circle singing NAI NAI NANA NAI!

5: BxMxC

The first time I heard this I was blown away. It's such an impressive song especially the insane speed Su-metal takes with the rapping and damn the drums go hard in this song. It's even more impressive hearing it live in person being performed. Mad respect for this tune!

4: Karate

Listen to me when I say Babymetal's second album Metal Resistance was heavily anticipated after their debut album and when Karate emerged from the heavens thanks to the Fox God. We knew our prayers were answered and Babymetal were not just a one and done deal and that they still kick ass. They put a lot of metal musicians and musicians to shame in general to be fair. This one is fierce but when it comes to it's chorus it gets sort of emotional YET very catchy. 

3: Megitsune!

Catchy and groovy and a whole lot of fun, this song is amazing. It's a stable for them to play live, and it's fun to jump around or jump left to right singing "Sune!". 

2: Doki Doki Morning.

This song is awesome! It also gives me heavy vibes of Dragonball Z Budokai 3 vibes with its sound. It has Babymetal's metal then switch into cutey catchy dancing pop music and then switches back it's gruesome! I love Babymetal for their unique sound. 

1: Gimme Chocolate 

The first song I heard from Babymetal is their biggest hit of course, and It still kicks ass today, IT IS SO FUN ALSO! I love the chaotic energy this track gives off and the metal ladies just boost the energy levels with their high energy and their dancing too. The guitar solo was just wicked good too. So catchy and so fun and metal af. 

Hey, thanks for reading my list and checking out my blog, it means a lot. 

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Stay Shiny!