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Just came back from an evening in New York City, which is loudly, joyously, and, in some cases, hydroponically feting Obama’s win. Quote of the night, by an exasperated policewoman to her colleague: “Why can’t people celebrate without guns???”
After I returned home, I sought a suitable soundtrack for the occasion. This was somewhat difficult. I have many anthems of discontent, few of victory. (Not much power metal around these parts.) All my usual suspects had to stand down – pissed-off, political grindcore; pissed-off, political thrash; misanthropic black metal; Bob Marley’s “Them Belly Full (But We Hungry).” The only candidates that came to mind were all hardcore punk.
Then a light bulb went off. I had found the perfect soundtrack – by Pantera, of all things. Not the Confederate flag-waving, race-baiting Pantera. I’m talking Vulgar Display of Power, which is basically a hardcore punk record with extreme chops. It has the thematic confusion typical of hardcore records – “Don’t mess with me” (“Walk”) screeds rubbing shoulders with calls for unity (“Rise”) and even an anti-racism song (“No Good (Attack the Radical)”).
Phil Anselmo is usually quite syntactically and grammatically challenged. But in “Rise,” he managed to string together some phrases that generally made a point: “Taught when we’re young to hate one another / It’s time to have a new reign of power”; “Every creed and every kind / To give us depth for strength.” Needing no translation, however, was Dimebag Darrell’s magnificent solo. If he were alive, he’d make a great Secretary of Shred.
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Of all things… Pantera. You really need to embrace Rhapsody (of Fire). Don’t let the pure cheese turn you away! There’s some fluffy plain fun power metal out there that needs to be discovered and embraced–one might even argue that PM is where the truly underground metal bands are.
I’m surprised by the polarized responses to this election. Some of the people I know are past elation, some are bitter in defeat. Personally, I’d like to see what this guy does over the next 4 years before I already rate his presidency a success or failure… but that’s just me.
I’m a little afraid that Rhapsody of Fire might burn me…with their flamingness. I am well aware of the power metal underground. Thanks to some of their proggier bands, I kind of don’t mind actual singing now. And they make metal’s most awesomely cheesy videos, by far.
I’m surprised by the reactions, too, esp. if they are what you describe in your part of the world. I would expect Europeans to be more measured and realistic about these things. America is a very large ship, and any movement, even with a new captain, will take a while to happen.
That’s where we differ: I’m generally allergic to prog. Proggy power metal gets on my nerves on the whole (so you’re never gonna see me at things like ProgPower USA); I like my power metal either sugary (see Kaledon!! you should’ve used this video in the post, really) or along the heavier lines of Grave Digger, Running Wild, etc.
I’m actually going to university in Ohio now, right in the bluest part of southeastern Ohio and, Quorthon Almighty, things are ridiculous down here. Unbelievably polarized. I still haven’t talked to friends back home to hear their responses–when I visited this summer, I made it pretty clear that even though I’ve become a US citizen, I don’t want to talk about politics so I’m just not sure what people over there tend to think.
As for Europeans being realistic… well… let’s just say I’ve heard some pretty absurd claims when I talked to people this past summer. The far-fetched conspiracy theories people have on why we’re not in the EU have contributed to some pretty annoying headaches.
I don’t know where to begin with that Kaledon video. That just might be the worst metal video I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen lots of bad ones.
Ohio – I see. Some call it the “The armpit of America.” I myself have never been there. Such polarization would be interesting, I think. I’ve generally only lived in super-red or super-blue places, and uniformity of opinion isn’t terribly exciting.
You’re welcome.
HEY, I thought New Jersey was the armpit? Ohio’s a swing state for a reason, I just wish people weren’t so freakishly polarized. Diversity doesn’t hurt but people here have to be the most liberalest liberal or the most conservativest conservative just to spite the other side. And the caricatures of both Rs and Ds I’ve heard are so absolutely ridiculous and derogatory, I’m at a loss for words.
HELP!
America can have two armpits, you know. Would that make Illinois the crotch?
You haven’t seen the liberalest liberals until you’ve been to the Bay Area. And, yeah, there’s ridiculous name-calling on both sides of the spectrum. Nothing humans haven’t done since the beginning of time. Your best solution is probably to turn up your iPod and drown them out with horrible power metal.
I was at the Obama rally in Grant Park last Tuesday night.
All I can say it was probably the next best thing to winning the Superbowl.
I was figuring the South would be the crotch, strictly anatomically speaking. Specifically, somewhere like Georgia.
Haven’t got an iPod, incidentally. I have my hands on an old dead one that’ll be spruced up soon. ‘Til then, this is more reason for me to buy ear plugs asap.