The Music Banter Members' Journals Monthly Update Thread

[Trollheart]

Originally Posted by The Batlord

You've had a few odd choices, but if you reviewed Swansong then I will consider your Carcass review to be irrelevant.

Nope: "Heartwork". Not that I think it makes much of a difference. Yes I've had odd choices but I did ask for help and CERTAIN PEOPLE were too busy to help me so I had to make my own determinations. Definitely in some cases I chose the "easier" or more well-known albums, but I think I did ok all in all.

Mind you, you won't be happy till I listen to "Scream bloody gore", will you?

[Trollheart]

I think it's important that everyone --- everyone --- check the latest entry in Ego Tripping and lend Steph your support. You may not all read it usually, or you may, but guys she needs our help so please take a few seconds, click the link and give her your help. You'll see what I mean when you get there.

This is a time to prove we're a real community, not just a bunch of music-loving nerds. A member is in pain and needs our help. Let's offer it. Please.
Thanks.

[Trollheart]

I wouldn't go jumping to any conclusions just yet, but it may just be that the simmering, smouldering dark mountain that has been the Journals Section for the last month or more is counting down towards eruption in a volcano of ideas and entries. Maybe. At any rate, there are a few updates this week, as well as (gasp!) a new journal from an old and respected member. Let's see what it's all about then, shall we?

Anteater is looking at progressive metal, with a review of Queensryche's "Promised land", as well as a plug for Metal Month! Nice one, Ant! You'll find it all here in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...n-dollars.html

That new journal whereof I spake is from our old friend Engine, and he's started delving into http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...avy-music.html, with so far contributions from Siege, Carcass and Cattle Decapitation. Um. Expect it to get only more brutal! (No, it's spelled correctly)...

Ki is staying the course, and in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-music.html he and I are having something of a difference of opinion over Axxis's cover of the Yes classic "Owner of a lonely heart". Apart from that, he's got another song stuck in his head and is looking at his friends Pg.Lost again. Oh yeah, and the new Trivium album gets his attention too.

While his better half is rifling her http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ic-memory.html and digging out gems from Iron Butterfly, Ric Ocasek and the Stones, among others.

A broken computer doesn't keep Powerstars down! He's using his 3DS to make the occasional update, and this week in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html he's got a review of "Wasting light" by the Foos. Good on ya mate!

And so we come back to me. As Metal Month enters its third week in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html, we have reviews of albums from System of a Down, Moonsorrow, Bathory, Trivium, Satyricon, new albums from Sabbath and Megadeth, as well as another fall into the Meat Grinder, a Triple Box Set featuring Helloween, more of the Metal That Made Me and a whole lot more besides.

Apart from that, in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html there's (finally!) the promised return of Supernatural for season two, while The New Statesman season one wraps up, and I've even managed to get something reviewed for http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-reviews.html, with an album from a prog act called Willowglass.

And as ever, Unknown Soldier holds the line as he continues http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html through 1978, with more Judas Priest, live efforts from AC/DC and Ted Nugent, more albums that failed to be included as they did not reach his high standards, and even a heavy metal soundtrack album!

In other news: DJChameleon tells me he's working on material for his journal which should see the light of publication soon, and the lovely Vanilla has hinted she may grace us with her stunning presence, so perhaps things are beginning to look up.

Or am I just dreaming all this? Was that an alarm clock I heard? Time to get up already?
Fingers crossed for next week.
Till then,
Toodles!

[Trollheart]

I tell you one thing: it's just as well we shelved the idea of the League Table! Would have made very boring reading in recent months.

Well, the slight groundswell has, er, ground to something of a halt. Very little happening in Journal Land, but what there is I will regale you with if you look below...

Ki's getting to be top dog these days, and rightly so. He's putting a lot of work into http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-music.html, with this week another song stuck in his head, a further album from his favourite 15 and a debate on whether or not Nirvana are worth the hype? You're the man down in the engine room, Ki! And speaking of Engine, no real updates this week but I'm sure we'll hear from him very soon. Looking forward to it.

And where Ki goes can his lady(islingering) be far behind? Jogging her http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ic-memory.html this week is Roxy Music, on whom she's doing a special. Do I expect Lou Reed next week, given the tragic news?

Look out! Look out! There's a thief about! Powerstars is so lazy that he's decided to rip off some of my ideas for http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html. Well, we'll just see what these high-priced high-powered lawyers have to say about that, won't we? See you in court!

And speaking of me, as I never stop doing, Metal Month begins to draw to a close this week. It will actually carry well into next week, as it runs to the end of October, which is Thursday. But we're on the way out of the dark wonderfully noisy tunnel that is Heavy Metal, soon to emerge, blinking, into the sunlight of mainstream rock. Until then, you can console yourselves with reviews of albums by Anthrax, Motorhead, Korn, Slipknot, Amon Amarth, Metallica and more, as well as the last few letters in Trollheart's ABC of Heavy Metal. Oh, and one last chance to fall into the Meat Grinder! It's all happening at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html

And that's not all. Well, it sort of is. But nevertheless, I've managed to get the next three episodes of Babylon 5 into http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html, as well as signposting yet another new series due to start.

And who else but Unknown Soldier would we expect to play us out? http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html brings you two great albums from Scorpions and Thin Lizzy. How can you resist? Man.

And that once again is it for another weekly update. Gettin' a little predictable in terms of contributors, boys and ghouls (getting in early for Halloween, y'see?)! Anyone else feel like getting out their keyboard and ramming headphones on, giving us an update? Or maybe you think you can do it better, and want to start your own journal? New members are always welcome here, and there will be cake and biscuits at your house warming party, so why not join up?

(Note: There will be neither cake nor biscuits at the housewarming party. Nor will there be a housewarming party.)

Till next week then,
Toodles!

[Trollheart]

Before we get to this week’s update, a mystery. Somehow one of the posts in my main journal has disappeared. Thanks to the ever-vigilant Batlord I was made aware that my review of “Heartwork” by Carcass is no longer available. I have no idea where it went, why or how, but am working on getting it reinstated. It’s a worry though, and if anyone else has found entries missing or deleted from their journals, please let me know.

Okay then, that’s that. On with the update.

It’s starting to get a little more respectable round here. Some old favourites are returning, with even a new journal being started this week. Here’s how it breaks down.

The Batlord returns in triumph with the screaming, shredding, pounding sound of … rap music? Juggalo? Seems the phrase http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...lks-about.html has never been so appropriate, as the Lord of Metal takes a break from things heavy and loud and investigates the likes of Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid. Great writing as ever, though the music, er, sucks. (Disclaimer: the views expressed here are those of Trollheart solely and do not represent those of others associated with The Playlist of Life … oh wait. Yes they do.)

I’m not sure how happy his Batness is about sharing space with someone whose journal is called http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...seur-cave.html, but that’s what Briks is calling his first journal, and it looks to be an interesting one, with a review of Helloween. And spiders. Lots of spiders…

DJ is back too, as promised, and if you take http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...chameleon.html you’ll find a review of A$ap Ferg in a new “Razor’s Edge”. More to come soon, he assures us.

A man who has been busily beavering away over the last few weeks and keeping things going here at Journal Land, Ki is rating his favourite albums of this year as he tells us http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-music.html, kicking off with Daft Punk (must give that a listen, see what all the fuss is about) and Killswitch Engage.

Also returning this week is Mondo Bungle, who has some very personal writings in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...istortion.html

while Powerstars is paying his own respects to the late lamented Lou Reed in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html

Metal Month is over! After thirty-one days of power chords, screams and growls, pounding rhythms and jarring guitar solos --- most of which I’ve loved --- my first monthly special has come to a close. Hopefully a successful one. Rounding out the month are reviews of albums from Slayer, Overkill, Bring me the Horizon, Maiden and Lamb of God, among others. The ABC of Heavy Metal wraps up and we bring the curtain down in fine style. After all that it’s time to tone everything down for a little while my ears get back to normal, so we’re looking at the new album from Visage to ease us into the first days after Metal Month. This is, of course, as I’m sure you know, in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-journal.htmll, where so much more is planned, some of which may actually happen…

And what about http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html, I hear you cry? Do I hear you cry? No? Just the wind then… At any rate, we’re wrapping up season one of Futurama, so go check it out.


And who else but Unknown Soldier can tell you about the best rock music of 1978? Head to http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html and drool at reviews of Molly Hatchet and some more live albums from that year.

Which takes us, inevitably, to the end of another journal update and, interestingly enough, to the beginning of a new month. Glad to see some movement in these here parts, hope to see more next week. Oh, and if you see someone dressed in a stripy jumper, moving furtively with a sack slung over his shoulder, don’t pounce on him thinking he has my missing Carcass review: that’ll just be Powerstars, making off with some more of my ideas for his “special”. Don’t worry: I’ve got his number. He’ll be getting a very nasty surprise in the post real soon. Yeah, real soon…

Till next week,

Toodles!

[The Batlord]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

The Batlord returns in triumph with the screaming, shredding, pounding sound of … rap music? Juggalo? Seems the phrase http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...lks-about.html has never been so appropriate, as the Lord of Metal takes a break from things heavy and loud and investigates the likes of Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid. Great writing as ever, though the music, er, sucks. (Disclaimer: the views expressed here are those of Trollheart solely and do not represent those of others associated with The Playlist of Life … oh wait. Yes they do.)

Ten bucks says you've never even listened to either of them.

[Trollheart]

It's getting colder. Snow is beginning to fall in soft drifts on the roofs of the little houses down in Journal Land, and inside those little houses, the usual suspects are hunched over their computers, whispering strange incantations such as "Work you bastard!" and "Windows Eight my arse!" not to mention the ever-present "Oh WHY didn't I save that document?" Let's peek in on them, but be quiet, for they are subtle, and quick to anger. Well, maybe not subtle. But very quick to anger. And they keep a lot of sharp objects handy, just in case. Especially this one...

The Batlord continues to investigate the concept of "Juggalos" and Psycopathic Records (appropriately enough) with more from ICP, Blaze ma dead homey and other acts I'll never listen to. Whatever the case though, his writing is always worth reading.

Briks compares two of his favourite Black Sabbath albums in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...seur-cave.html

Two "Razor's Edge" features from the chamelonic one in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...chameleon.html, with Nine Inch Nails and Goodie Mob,

Engine is continuing to educate us all on http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...avy-music.html, lamenting the lack of success and demise of a band called Mare

But the prize for the most work done this week goes without question to Ki, who is enthusing over Dream Theater and Porcupine Tree, while also waxing lyrical about a lot of videogame music AND looking at another of his top fifteen albums! It's all here in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-music.html

Ladyislingering has her usual batch of favourite videos recalled from her http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ic-memory.html

and Powerstars is looking at the idea of bands breaking up in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html

Personally, I've been taking it a little easy after the stress of Metal Month, though you can be assured I'm working very hard behind the scenes on upcoming material. All I have though in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html for you this week is a review of Roger Hodgson's second album, while over at http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...-emporium.html there's another episode of "The Onedin Line", final notes on the end of season one of "Futurama" and another episode from "Les Revenants". Also, http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...i-reviews.html is back, with a review of the new album from Ghost Riders.

Unknown Soldier pounds his way into 1979 in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html, bringing us reviews of albums by Rainbow and Aerosmith: getting closer to the eighties, my man!

So that's it for this week. I'm sure everyone has lots planned for the coming week and months --- I know I have! --- particularly as Christmas hovers ever closer. You know me: always a special effort for the yuletide season! Hope to see some of you back who have been away before then, and of course anybody who wishes to join our merry band and open up their own journal is more than welcome to.

Till next week then,
Toodles!

[Trollheart]

I can’t blame anyone for not updating this week. If you read the “Tech support” thread (and sure why wouldn’t you?) you’ll already be familiar with my tale of woe, which resulted in my spending several days offline while I tried to figure out the problems with my computer, resulting in my having to completely reinstall Windows 7, a horror most of us would rather avoid and which it turns out was unnecessary, had I the requisite knowledge to have figured out what was going on.

But that’s all in the past now, and while I struggle to catch up --- even the update is a day late! --- others have been working busily away, so let’s see what they’ve been up to while I was grappling with the intricacies of Microsoft Security Essentials and hard drives without the proper plugs…

Anteater is enthusing about the debut album from Seal, all that time ago, in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...n-dollars.html

Come back to us, Batlord! Metal needs you! But though I cry and shout down the rabbit hole down which he was last seen disappearing, seems His Batship is deep into his juggalo phase, and continuing to explore the mysteries of Psychopathic Records, with a look at Anybody Killa (charming), Dark Lotus, more ICP and a somewhat personal reflection on his younger days. Yeah yeah but when is the Batcave reopening for business, is what I say? Until then, you can catch all this juggalo nonsense where http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...lks-about.html

Briks is looking at Helloween’s classic “Keeper of the seven keys” as well as Sabbath’s debut deep in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...seur-cave.html

DJ is kickin’ it with no less than three “Razor’s Edge”s, including Chvches and (no it ISN’T a spelling mistake, annoying built-in spellchecker! No I DIDN’T mean Churches! Please don’t auto correct for me I SAID please DON’T…) MGMT, and also has a very personal piece of writing about his mother. Feel for ya man, know just what you’re going through. Hang tough… Read it all by taking http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...chameleon.html

Ki has just realised that even though his journal http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...nal-music.html is apparently titled after a song by Elliot Smith (I didn’t know that) he has yet to run a feature on the man, who happens to be one of his favourites. Well, he’s setting that right this week. Also looking at AC/DC to see if they’re “Worth the hype” and finishing his list of top fifteen albums with entries from Devin Townsend (of course), Alesana and who else but Mr. Smith? Lots more to read too so head on over there: he’s becoming one of the most prolific writers in the journals section!

And his other half is scanning her http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...ic-memory.html wherein she’s written a feature on the Carpenters. Great group and a fine writeup.

Some more personal observations from Mondo Bungle in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...istortion.html

while Powerstars is gearing up for the festive season, announcing “The 12 days of Alternative”. Sounds interesting. Read about it here http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...sicalness.html

As I say, I’ve been very remiss in updating this week for reasons beyond my control. All I’ve managed is a new “Pet hates” in http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...d-journal.html --- hey! Be thankful! This almost became the first week when there were no updates from me! Lots planned for this week, especially as Christmas looms closer…

In the final year of the seventies, Unknown Soldier is taking on Thin Lizzy, Van Halen and Gillan: bet I know who wins! Step this way! http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...y-history.html Getting closer to the year of NWOBHM! Can’t wait to see how he reviews that!

So after a brief hiccup I’ll be back to updating as regularly as you’ve come to expect from me, and seems the other denizens of Journal City are (yeah yeah I know I said Journal Land, but this sounds better. Anyone who can come up with a snappier title do let me know!) getting their acts together, so the creative juices are flowing again and keyboards are tapping as we all head inexorably into the Season of Goodwill. Hopefully it can only get better from here on in.

Sorry for the delay with the update. Till next week, at the usual time,
Toodles!

[The Batlord]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Come back to us, Batlord! Metal needs you! But though I cry and shout down the rabbit hole down which he was last seen disappearing, seems His Batship is deep into his juggalo phase, and continuing to explore the mysteries of Psychopathic Records, with a look at Anybody Killa (charming), Dark Lotus, more ICP and a somewhat personal reflection on his younger days. Yeah yeah but when is the Batcave reopening for business, is what I say? Until then, you can catch all this juggalo nonsense where http://www.musicbanter.com/members-j...lks-about.html

I'v actually had the next chapter almost done for months now, I've just not got around to it yet.

[Key]

I had the same thing happen to me once with the deleted entry a while ago. I had posted it. I had seen the post. But when I came on an hour or so later, it was gone. I think it glitched or something.