LP Review: "Spectral Ascent" by Kabbalah

Spectral Ascent

Reading Jimmy Page's interviews over the years has been a darkly illuminating experience.

There was one particular discussion where he was talking about being in opium dens on the other side of the world with Robert Plant, on a songwriting expedition.

In my mind, there was a stunning picture of Page and Plant sitting on a stage, each wearing a fez, and smoking these large hookah pipes as they sang or at least tried to find the song.

We've all got at least one friend who'd read that little passage and think, "man, it would be awesome to hang out with them and smoke opium and hashish."

In some of the music they created, there's an element of this scene. Influences here and there could speak to this time, but Led Zeppelin never created this soundtrack. Page and Plant, touched on it a bit....

LP Review: "Plastic Surgery" by Heavy Traffic

Plastic Surgery

What an age to be alive?

Last night, I took in a show by the Leonas w/Morrigan at The Tick Tock Tavern. It was a pair of string bands that have nothing to do with this save giving us venue for a conversation.

My friend's wife asked me about plague metal...well that's not a thing yet, but it will soon be...because every kind of metal soon will be.

Music in the Twenty First Century is basically like fusion cooking. For the record, my newly minted Slow Cooked General Mi-Tso Chicken was spectacular.

Due to there only being so many chord progressions and scales, it's getting harder and harder for bands to keep things new and fresh. Some do and some don't, but those that can are able to raise their heads above the din and be heard.

LP Review: "Black Magic" by Alastor

Black Magic

The hardest thing for a lot of people is being able to stay composed under duress.

For myself, it's kind of a super power. In less than a second, Crisis Nik can come to the fore.  Being as normally, your friend and humble narrator, is a rather silly person, it's a shock to people when they see this for the first time.

It's something that has been very, very useful over the years. My entire demeanor changes. No longer, is it possible to be distracted. My focus becomes laser focused onto the issue at hand.

This is even the case in issues regarding my family. We all have emergencies in the family from time to time. Being able to stay calm, focused, and composed is really useful. Now, what's harder is when it's about music. You may  have noticed I play a bit of guitar.

Truth be told, I'm more of a guitar owner than a player.