Diary - Ol Drake
Mike Alexander Raffle - A Thankyou
02/12/2009
Hello to all - haven't felt like updating this in a while but thought I would now.
I got a mail from Gary (Exodus) that he's gonna send some signed Exodus vinyl over. It got me thinking we could really raise some money for the family. I had the idea of holding a raffle at both shows.
We have some amazing raffle donations coming from the likes of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Metallica, Slayer, Machine Head, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Overkill, Exodus, Hirax, Trivium, Benediction, Andy Sneap (Sabbat), Annihilator, Gus G (Firewind/Ozzy), Ed Stone Rockwear, Peavey, Sonisphere Festival, Bloodstock Festival and much more. The support being shown is so amazing.
This support has re-enforced my passion for Heavy Metal and it's community. I'm so glad we are part of such an amazing and friendly group of people. This was a big reason Mike loved Heavy Metal - the people he'd meet. Everyone was, and is so supportive and friendly.
The support has helped so much. Mike's girlfriend, Hayley, was so overwhelmed by the support she texted me saying "Long live Heavy Metal!" and that's something I wouldn't imagine hearing from her! haha.
Please grab a raffle ticket from http://www.mikealexander.co.uk/raffle.php for £7.50 - or come along to one of the Mike Memorial shows on Monday/Tuesday
For more info visit http://www.mikealexander.co.uk/news.php
Metal Hammer Blog
30/09/2009
For the Amon Amarth/Entombed tour i'll be blogging via Metal Hammer - check it out!
Big thankyou to Metal Hammer!
http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/blog/evile-tour-blog-part-one-concussion/
Cliff Burton
27/09/2009
Today my thoughts are with all the people affected by Cliff, and all those who were privileged enough to be close to him.
When a man lies, he murders some part of the world. These are the pale deaths which men miscall their lives. All this I cannot bear to witness any longer. Cannot the kingdom of salvation take me home?
Infected Nations Week
24/09/2009
Had a great week for the release of "Infected Nations" - got into the UK album charts. If you haven't yet, get your copy now! http://www.evile.co.uk
Been practicing guitar ready for the tour and release show, been playing Destruction songs and our new material I forgot some of the old solos haha. I can't imagine how Kirk keeps up having to remember solos from years past. It's different playing solos you've written to solos you've learnt by someone else.
Watched American Psycho last night, so cool it with anti-semitic remarks.
Got my Homebrew Electronics Powerscreamer pedal back from Joel in time for the tour, can't leave home without it, love the squeel and tone it gives me live. Check em out!
Last rehearsal tonight before the tour. Mike's been really ill so hopefully we don't catch GooBoo off him.
Megadeth
18/09/2009
Today I went into Huddersfield to get a new Laptop and the new Megadeth album "Endgame".
I was with my parents and on the first listen, even my mum liked it. My dad's a big guitar fan and loved it too.
I was told it might take a few listens to get into, but it really kept my attention throughout.... and my case for this album is FUCKED. whoever shipped it sucks. Below are my brief thoughts on each track (Why? because i've been a Megadeth fan for years *edit* and no, not because we have an album coming out, I'm a fucking Megadeth fan):
1. Dialectic Chaos:
Guitars, lots of them. I'm not complaining. Broderick's playing is brilliant, suiting Megadeth really well.
2. This Day We Fight!:
Great to hear some more ridiculously intricate riffs with intricate singing over. Classic Megadeth sound and feel. I can imagine this being a very violent and fun song to see/hear live. Would love to have heard how this song progressed from scratch. It might sound cliche but it does have a feel of the "Rust" era for me.
3. 44 Minutes:
I had the chorus to this imprinted in my brain on the first listen, great song. Epic guitars and great song writing.
4. 1,320':
"Yes!!" was my initial thought. Classic Mustaine. 100% Metal. Some really interesting and intricate guitar work throughout.
5. Bite the Hand:
One of my lesser liked tracks on the albums, but heavy as hell riff and enjoyable to listen to.
6. Bodies:
Didn't overly like this at first but it's growing on me. Some awesome riffs and chord changes. Some really memorable melodies and playing that'll stick in my head for time to come definetly.
7. Endgame:
I hate how sometimes because a track is the "title track" you have an automatic dislike/higher expectation for it, which is what happened to me on the first listen, so this hasn't hit me yet (only on my second listen), but the guitar work and choruses are great. Infact as I'm typing this and it's playing i'm changing my mind, and I don't want to reach for the mouse and delete what I've just put.
8. The Hardest Part of Letting Go... Sealed with a Kiss:
Don't ask me why, but on the first listen, this was my favourite track. This is possibly because it brings back memories, and certain aspects of it are appt. for me at the moment. But still, a great track and defo probably my favourite on here.
9. Headcrusher:
No wait, this is my favourite. I absolutely fucking love this track. That chorus riff is so damn good, even if it is simple. So good. Death by the Headcrusher!!!!! This is the only track i'd heard prior to buying the album, so maybe that's why, but still, I love it.
10. How the Story Ends:
Heavy. Headbanging. An 'expected' track from Megadeth, but still throroughly enjoyable, Broderick's fretboard blew up tracking this song. It's true. ask him....
11. The Right to go Insane:
Yep, love it. The guitar work and riffs just keep my ears pinned all the time.
To conclude, I like this album a lot more than I expected to (and I expected to like it anyway). This lineup is great and you can tell they've come into their own as a group and work together really well. Dave Mustaine was, is and will always be 100% Metal. Thankyou Dave & Megadeth for such a great Metal album in 2009.
