It may come as a bit of a surprise to many but, Vulgar Display of Power is Pantera’s sixth studio album. Released on February 25, 1992, it is the second Pantera Album from Atco Records (Cowboys From Hell was the first), and the second record that featured the new Pantera sound. The four previous releases featured a very different, Glam Rock sounding Pantera. In fact, the great “Dimebag” Darrell (R.I.P.) used to be know as “Diamond” Darrell before the band’s evolution to pure Heavy Metal!
The goal of Vulgar Display of Power was to be the heaviest album ever, and at that time, it just may have been! Pantera took the notions of violence and anger and translated them into site and sound as never before. Not only Phil Anselmo’s lyrics in songs like “Mouth for War,” “F****** Hostile,” “Walk,” and “By Demons Be Driven;” but the power of harnessed chaos in Dime’s guitar riffs, Rex’s crushing bass, and Vinnie Paul’s (R.I.P.) thunderous drum playing. Their live shows are legendary, bosting the largest circle pits of the era. The explosive band caused every crowd in every city to explode in a chain reaction.
The title of the album is taken from the 1973 movie, The Exorcist (a great movie, BTW!). The album cover is of a man being punched in the face. Classic! It is an illustration of what this record does to the listener.
Vulgar Display of Power has been dubbed “one of the most influential Heavy Metal albums of the 1990s.” Another critic commented that it “is one of the most satisfying Heavy Metal records since Metallica’s early-80s cult days.” The record has been listed in the “1001 records you must hear before you die.” Everyone agreed that Pantera was “head and shoulders” above everyone else. In 2017, Rolling Stone ranked Vulgar Display of Power as 10th on their list of the “100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time.”
Pantera was the perfect storm of a band – all four members were the best of their craft – that created the perfect storm of a record – a pure ass-whoopin’!
Favorite songs: A New Level; Walk; This Love
Rating: 10/10!! A must-have for the lover of raw metal power!
In lieu of my upcoming nuptials, I want to share a playlist of my favorite wedding songs. The first part of the playlist includes songs that would be perfect for walking down the aisle, and the second half includes songs for the first dance and reception. Listen to the playlist here. Whether you’re getting married soon or not, these love songs will not disappoint.
Clair de Lune, L. 32 by Claude Debussy
lovers’ carvings by Bibio
Chopin: Waltz No. 9 in A-Flat Major by Chopin
Sea of Love by Cat Power
At Last by Etta James
Wedding Song – Acoustic by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Make You Feel My Love by Adele
Unforgettable by Nat King Cole
Canon In D by Cello Music Songs
If I Ain’t Got You – Piano & Vocal Version by Alicia Keys
Moon River by Frank Ocean
January Wedding by The Avett Brothers
I’ll Be There by The Jackson 5
What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You by Mr. Lauryn Hill
I Would Do Anything for You by Foster The People
Hung Up On My Baby by Isaac Hayes
Live And Die by The Avett Brothers
Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac
Marry You by Bruno Mars
The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) by Marvin Gaye
I must admit, this record (and band) snuck up on me like a haymaker sucker-punch! Released on March 29, 2019 (Season of Mist), Something Wicked Marches In is the debut album from (the “Super Group”) Vltimas. Though the sound of the record is very well mixed and produced, the FEEL of the record is very much old school Death Metal; and you already know The Saw loves some old school Death Metal!
So, first, we must talk about the band. Vlitmas is a three-piece, which is hard to believe when you hear it, but understandable when you consider who these three are. David Vincent (ex-Morbid Angel) is known around the world as a premiere vocalist and bass player. His work on the early Morbid Angel records helped set the pace and style of Death Metal. His vocals are a combination of gutteral and lofty clean. He really has a beautiful voice (in either fashion) and his delivery is near perfection in style and material. Vincent is from Texas (and he stereotypically looks the part!), but sings with a European accent. His song writing is always impeccable; dark and eerie, but on time.
Rune “Blasphemer” Eriksen (ex-Mayhem) is the masterful Black Metal guitarist from Portugal who set the standard for how his genre’s music should sound. His style, therefore, is less about power chords and breakdowns and more about fast picked tremolo melodies and harmonies, and you already know I love some harmony! He really gives the band a dark feel, but at the same time, his tone almost makes you feel like your floating through time.
Flo Menier (Cryptopsy) is the legendary Canadian drummer that wrote the book on blast-beats, laying the groundwork for what would become Technical Death Metal. He is easily one of the best Tech-Death drummers in the world. His long history of drumming could be studied in the universities! Is style is very smooth, though extremely fast; with off tempo changes, he really powers the sound of every song forward as he sets the pace.
When you bring these three monumental styles together,you get Something Wicked Marches In. Every single song on this record is a literal masterpiece. The record definitely has an early Morbid Angel time-change stamp to it. Each song floats along on Vincent’s awesome vocal style and his brutal bass playing. All the while, Eriksen’s ever changing riffs of melody and harmony fill out the space; adding a thickness that you rarely find in a three-piece band. And his talent gives you something more to this than revisiting Morbid Angel’s past. Flo drives this devilish machine forward, on every song, with his trademark change-ups – blast-beats and lightning double base, and smooth symbol/tom combinations. Nothing about this album feels forced, and never does it seem like Vlitmas is trying too hard. In fact, quite the opposite is true. The three masters blend their respective styles together in a way that has never been done. In a time in Metal history when Death Metal morphed into Tech-Death, Slam, Deathcore, etc (all of which I love!), Something Wicked Marches In is pure Death Metal, perfectly done so as to be a modern masterpiece.
Song List:
Something Wicked Marches In
Praevalidus
Total Destroy
Monolilith
Truth and Consequence
Last Ones Alive Win Nothing
Everlasting
Diabolic Est Sanguis
Marching On
Favorite Songs: I’m telling you, every song is an individual masterpiece! “Monolilith” and “Last Ones Alive Win Nothing” are at the top for me.
Rating: 10/10!! Best of 2019!
Have you listened to this album? What do you think? What’s your favorite song?
I am a true believer that self-care is one of the most important things to incorporate into our daily routines. Now that the stress of final exams is piled on top of election panic, COVID anxiety, social upheaval, taking care of ourselves emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally is crucial. I try to do one thing every day that brings me joy and comfort. Self-care looks different for everyone, but here are some ways I like to wind down to make sure I don’t get too burned out. Some might work for you, some might not. Some take more time than others, and may only be accessible to you after finals are over. The important thing is to recognize what you love to do and make a little bit of time for it every day!
Re-read your favorite book.
Go on a long walk in nature. Even if it’s a short one, walking every day has been found to be very beneficial for our mental wellbeing.
Buy a plant and watch it grow.
Watch your comfort show.
Call a friend.
Make a collage.
Take a really really really long shower.
Set a schedule for yourself and stick to it.
Go to bed early.
LISTEN TO WKNC!
Buy yourself something you’ve been wanting for a long time.
Bake something sweet and share it with people you love.
Clean your room.
Organize your closet and donate your old clothes.
Paint or draw, even if you’re bad at it.
Dance around your room.
Dress up for no reason.
Journal, journal, journal! Writing out all the things I’m stressed about helps clear my head.
Redecorate your room/home.
Watch concerts of your favorite artists.
GET. OFF. SOCIAL. MEDIA.
Find new music and update your playlists.
Buy some new skin/hair products.
Light a candle.
Make some tea, hot chocolate, or any warm beverage.
This week my Friday Favorites are my favorite lofi beats to relax to in honor of finals coming up. Be sure to check out these songs and more on WKNC’s Spotify page.
1. this girl by Elijah Who
No lofi playlist is complete without the addition of Elijah Who, one of the most well known beat makers within the genre.
2. nagashi by Idealism
Simple piano melody plus a chill beat plus the sounds of rain make for an interesting track that anyone would love.
3. Cut My Hair by Mounika
This lofi song uses a sample from a Cavetown song I love, and it’s perfect for studying and relaxing.
4. Ms.Prettybooty by The Deli
Great song from a beat maker, you can find more good vibes on their BandCamp. The Deli’s albums, especially “Encounters” are incredibly well-produced works.
5. she only likes me when i’m drunk by frumhere
A hazy, chopped-up sample from Shannon Saunders and an addictive beat makes for a classic favorite.
6. Small Things by softy
A quintessential lofi mini-playlist would not be complete without a track that comes with a piano melody and a good beat.
Album cover art for Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version by Ol' Dirty Bastard
ALBUM: “Return to 36 Chambers: the Dirty Version” by Ol’ Dirty Bastard
RELEASE YEAR: 1995
LABEL: Elecktra Records
BEST TRACKS: “Shimmy Shimmy Ya,” “Brooklyn Zoo,” “Raw Hide,” “Don’t U Know”
FCC: Every track
For the uninitiated, Ol’ Dirty Bastard was one of the founding members of the legendary group Wu-Tang Clan, and indisputably the most eccentric. RZA was the mastermind behind the group’s mythos (and not to mention their beats), GZA was philosopher, and Raekwon was the chef, but ODB was definitely the wild card. His erratic life in the public eye – from dozens of run-ins with the law, to riding in a limo to cash a welfare check, to escaping rehab – served only to feed into his image as hip-hop’s drunken uncle.
But I am not here to discuss his fame – or infamy – depending on who you ask. Let’s talk about his presence on the mic.
Fortunately, ODB’s vocal performances were just crazy enough to stand up to his life outside of the booth. Nowhere is this more apparent than on his debut solo album, Return to the 36 Chambers: the Dirty Version, released in 1995. From the very first track – which is one of the best intro skits on any hip-hop album – Ol’ Dirty Bastard is characterized as a larger-than-life figure that spends just as much time on wax rambling half-coherently as he does rapping. If he isn’t doing either of those things, he’s singing with a one-of-a-kind delivery that mixes feverish yelping with warbled vibrato. This complements his uncanny ability to switch his emotional tone instantly, which ranges from drunken sorrow to unhinged lunacy. The only thing that can balance out ODB’s volatility is the RZA’s calculated production. Throughout the album, he combines samples from soul, funk, and English-dubbed kung-fu films to create a variety of grimy beats.
On Return to the 36 Chambers: the Dirty Version, Ol’ Dirty Bastard makes it clear that he has no interest in sounding like other artists. With his unmistakable voice and idiosyncratic personality, he was truly in a lane of his own, or as Method Man put it: there ain’t no father to his style. This album is a must listen for any hip-hop fan, and an experience in and of itself.
What’s going on Butcher Crew it’s ya girl, your Master Butcher, The Saw and finals are creeping up on us!! It’s like this semester flew by and we are now almost on break. Thank God. BUT one thing stands in our way of being stress-free and relaxed… and that is FINALS; one of the most stressful times in a student’s academic career. But have no fear, the Saw is here to survive finals week; aka, “Hell Week.” Now, when I say “butcher,” I don’t mean failing your exams. I own a Butcher Shop, so I need to use some play-on words sometimes. You know how people sometimes say, “I killed it,” or “I crushed it” when they finish something that took a lot of time? Yeah, that’s what I mean by butcher.
I have several papers and final projects I need to finish and I have started them this week. I know finals can be a very stressful period for students during this time. It’s also so easy just to tell yourself “you have more time” and you will “do a lot of work tomorrow,” but end up staying on your phone, watching a movie or a TV show, or talking to your friends and family. Trust me, I have been there; but I have a few tips that I have been practicing that has helped me prepare and finish my finals with less stress!
Plan ahead: I look at the days all of my finals are due and write them down in my calendar. When the deadline gets a little over a month away, I start to write down when I am going to start researching and working on my finals. This reminds me that I need to start looking at ideas and topics to use for my assignments. I would also write down the days that you want to begin working on your projects. I usually do research two weeks before the assignments are due, I then write and do more research a week before due date, and finally the week they are due, I will make some final touches before I turn them in. Professors usually have assignments in the course that help you plan for your finals. It’s better to plan ahead so you can have more time!
Have a research week: Usually, a week before I start the writing process of my final papers, I will take a week to read textbooks, articles, primary sources, secondary sources, and any texts that will provide information to my topic. I take notes on these readings and this helps me begin thinking about how I want to form my paper and which way I want to go with it. This also helps you begin to write your paper; you will already have ideas that you can go ahead and write about (don’t forget to cite your sources in the correct citation format). It’s okay if you don’t get all of your research done that week! You will have more time to do more research if you need to.
Begin with the first thing that is due: After your week of research, the following week When having so many assignments to look after, I usually start with the first thing that is due since I will have less days. Then, I will work on the next thing that is due, and so on. I have an easy hint that will help you finish your assignments in a less stressful manner: divide the assignment throughout each day. For example, I have a 15-page papers due one week. Now, this isn’t so bad because I am going to write 3 pages a day for 5 days (I usually do Monday – Friday). That is a piece of cake! It doesn’t make the workload seem that big when you are writing a few pages a day. Do this with each of your assignments and you will have your assignments done a few days before the deadline in no time! By doing this, you will have time each day to do more research for your papers while you are writing. You can also use the weekends to do extra work if you need more time to work on your assignments. Then on the day your assignments are due, all you will have to do is turn them in!
Listen to a final exam playlist: Music makes everything better. Especially working on finals, it will help you concentrate on your work since you won’t get distracted by the things around you. I have a few playlists that I like to listen to while I am working. Sometimes I like to listen to metal because there’s just something about it that keeps me productive and glued to my work. I also like some more lo-fi/R&B playlists that also soothe me while I am writing.
Take breaks: It’s okay to take some breaks here and there! You gotta eat and use the bathroom at some point! I like to work for an hour/hour and a half, without getting distracted, and then take a 30-minute break. This will help me relax my mind so it is refreshed to do some more work. This is also when I will talk to my roommates, text my friends and family back, and get on social media. I set a timer so I know when to get working again. I usually put my phone across the table from me so I am not tempted to get on it. This has worked so much.
Don’t be too hard on yourself: Hype yourself up and tell yourself you’ve done a good job. You are doing the best you can and performing at the best of your ability and that’s all that matters. You’re getting it done and you are killing it! Be proud of yourself and everything that you have done. You can either be your biggest fan or worst enemy.
Finals are a stressful time, but hopefully these tips can help you survive finals and be less stressed. And always remember, finals week isn’t as stressful and terrifying as The Saw’s Butcher Shop 😉
What are some tips and tricks that have helped you survive finals?
