top 10 most influental albums - Heafirst Edition. part two! Jonny from Oceans Of Birth And Death / deathblow It was incredibly difficult to narrow it down to solely ten releases, as almost everything Ive listened to has influenced me in some way, good or bad. But here it is. Thanks to John and Headfirst for this opportunity! Hare Krishna! 1.) John Williams - The Star Wars Trilogy Soundtracks I used to really be into movie scores and soundtracks. The Original Star Wars Trilogy is one of my favorite series on so many levels. The well-executed orchestration drives these cinematic masterpieces. John Williams inspired me to pick up a trumpet and to be involved with the school band, signalling my foray into obscurity and lonely awkwardness. The Imperial March is epic. The United States should adopt it as its national anthem. Then, aside from the seventh inning stretch, wed have a real reason to stand up at a baseball game. 2.) U2 - War My parents owned this record. I remember seeing the poignant cover, so I decided to borrow it. While the singles Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Years Day are amazing, the real gem is Like A Song. (Johnny Smrdel and I discussed this in a conversation that also included how much we hated the Eagles.) Larry Mullens drumming is really on point in that track. Say what you want about this band now, but this album was solid, a real revolutionary spirit eclipses it. 3.) The Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness I saw the video for the early 20th century silent film influenced Tonight Tonight at a friends house and was spellbound. This became the soundtrack that fueled my middle school hormonal angst (Billy Corgans nasally voice perfectly accentuated it.) A two-disc offering that signaled a drastic shift in genres for the Pumpkins, every track on here is distinctly unique and listenable. I remembered I borrowed it from one of my friends and lost one of the discs, so I had to purchase the entire album for him again, still not owning the actual album myself (I could have spared myself a lot of grief had CD-Rs or Itunes been available at that time). While Adore and Machina really pushed the envelope, this is undoubtedly SPs swan song. 4.) Rage Against The Machine - Evil Empire From politics to philosophy to literature and writing, this album influenced me in so many different realms. When it was released, I lived in Montana, and I didnt have access to cable where I lived, as the location was too remote for the providers. While I was visiting my grandparents in Florida, Bulls On Parade came on MTV (you know, back when they used to play music). From Tom Morellos signature wah-wah riff to the grainy video, replete with rebellious imagery and cryptic leftist sloganeering, it caught me completely off guard. This was unlike anything Id ever heard in my entire life. I picked up a bass guitar after hearing this and learned all the tracks from this and their self-titled album by ear. I also got to see them in live grandeur with the Wu-Tang Clan and Atari Teenage Riot in 1997, my first real concert. I chose this album instead of their debut release because it was my first exposure to the group. 5.) Zao - Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest One day, a high school chum actually showed me Zaos The Splinter Shards the Birth of Separation. I wasnt incredibly moved by it, aside from the fact that this angry music was coming from a Christian band. I was always under the impression that Christian music sounded like Audio Adrenalines Big House (if youve never heard it, Youtube it for a good laugh, the cheese factor is beyond gouda.) I decided that it was worth giving another shot, so I went to my local record store to buy it. To my surprise, they didnt have it, but they had the follow-up, Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest. I took a gamble and purchased it. At the commencement of the distorted guitars on the first track Lies of Serpents, A River of Tears, I got goosebumps on my skin. Then Dan Weyandts gravelly vocals kicked in, and I was hooked. The lyrical content was really poetic and profound. Im still astounded they were influenced by Jesus. 6.) Stretch Arm Strong (band) - Rituals Of Life In the days of scene yore, there was Black Flag, Minor Threat, and Gorillas Biscuits, bands that Id completely missed by over a decade. The torch was definitely passed to these upstarts from South Carolina. My same buddy who exposed me to Zao introduced me to Compassion Fills The Void. I thought it was OK, but it wasnt until I caught a live show of theirs that I became a believer. It was one of the most hype and electrifying stage presences of any band Ive ever seen. Any time those guys were in the area, I attended and joined along in the shout-alongs, finger-pointing, and high-intensity stage dives (still my favorite move.) The greatest thing about hardcore is being able to interact directly with the musicians, something you dont get from arena rock. Upon speaking with these guys, I discovered that some of them were high school teachers. That, in turn, influenced me to pursue a career in education (which I didnt finish, see album 8 haha). Rituals is catchy and positive, with some really empowering messages. 7.) Buried Alive (Band) - The Death Of Your Perfect World Damn, this album is pissed! PISSED! Before Napster was in full-swing, samplers were the best way to hear about new music. I picked up one of those Victory Style samplers and heard Poisoned Seeds by Buried Alive. The band had a vegan/vegetarian stance, as that was a song about animal rights. I figured Id give it a shot, still not completely sold on it (a recurring pattern in my music purchases). Boy, am I glad I did. The blistering intro track Watching You Die caught me completely off guard, erupting into a sonic onslaught of chugga-chugga guitars and syncopated punk rock drumming. I listened to this album religiously and it is still in my regular Ipod rotation, more than fifteen years later. Its perfect for lifting and cardio. After having been meat-free for several years, I got inked with Mike Skis iconic cover artwork. This album KILLS! 8.) Neurosis / Tribes of Neurot - Times of Grace/Grace While technically two separate works, these albums function like The Wizard Of Oz did with The Dark side Of The Moon or vice versa. They can be played on their own, but when mashed-up, its a completely different experience. While you can find versions of it online with both albums mixed together, the old school way of achieving this effect was to have two separate stereo systems. Youd have to push play on both units at the same time (after the second lions roar) and hope that youd get them to sync up effectively. When you did, tt was like a symphony of post/sludge metal meets atmosphere and ambience. Times Of Grace/Grace is slow and doomy, with a lot of dirge. At the same time, it possesses this subtle and esoteric beauty to it, as evidenced in the track Under The Surface. This group has had the most impact on my present day project. And I burned a lot of trees to these albums, back in the day. Lots. 9.) Hatebreed - Perseverance There are moments in your life when you reach an impasse and it seems almost impossible to cross beyond. I experienced such a time when I was discharged from the service. The real earth shattering epiphany was that I no idea what I was going to do with my life; it was like I was being thrown to the wolves. After stumbling across this album at the base exchange, I was surprised to see old Hatebreed still kicking it on a major label, nonetheless. I was already a fan of Satisfaction Is The Death Of Desire, which is a quintessential listen for every hardcore fan. I purchased the album and put it in my discman (ha remember those?). Proven kicks off with the chorus You want to see me fail? You wont get your chance! And that was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment. Jamey Jasta and crew are like amplified motivational speakers, and I can truly appreciate them for that. Stylistically, they hadnt compromised either. In the years following, it was my honor and privilege to share the stage with these guys on a few occasions. Music is real form of catharsis and this album helped me to persevere. 10.) Elliott- False Cathedrals So you play/attend a show. Its loud and angry, your eardrums are blown out, and youre all hot and sweaty from moshing: youre burnt out. Whats the perfect remedy after you hit up Waffle House with your buddies and their girlfriends? This album. The intro track Voices has this angelic choral arrangement accompanied by a piano and comes to a crescendo at Calm Americans, the most powerful offering on the release. The music is simple, but arranged in such a way that makes it texturally layered and deep. Theyre real big on guitar effects (reverb, delay), and it suits their style rather tastefully. In a voice that can be subdued or emotional, Chris Higdon has a crystal clear delivery. The real surprise was that it was released on Revelation. Hardcore purists will disagree with this heresy, but it trumps every Bold, Chain Of strength, and Youth of Today on that label. Yeah, I said it! The remix/b-side version Photorecording is equally competent. So throw on a cardigan, pomade that wave, and brew yourself a chai-- False Cathedrals is the perfect post-hardcore companion for a rainy day. Honorable Mentions: 108 Threefold Misery snapcase Progression Through Unlearning Azazel Music From The Ritual Chamber Deftones Around The Fur BOYSETSFIRE(official) After The Eulogy Godspeed You! Black Emperor Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven Drive Original Soundtrack
Posted on: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 02:46:04 +0000
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