Now I’m 36 years old. A short 4 years before I hit the big 40, I find it weird that I’m sort of thinking about that. However, that’s still some time away, so let’s talk about today!
Last year, I talked about 5 songs that blew me away. 5 tunes that made my metaphysical brain splatter all across the walls, then stayed with me once said metaphysical brain came back together. I hinted that if more than enough people read that post enough I’d possibly do it again, and while it wasn’t looked at a massive amount of times, there was just enough views that I said “Screw It”, and decided that it would become a yearly tradition. So, with that out of the way, here are 5 songs that blew me away.....part 2. Let’s begin!
1) Metallica - Enter Sandman (Video)
We’re starting this list off with a song that maybe I shouldn’t have watched it’s music video for all the way back in 1991!
So, here’s a weird fact about my family. Normally, it’s the Mother that goes “Don’t Tell Your Father”, but not in my household. Anyways, I’m sitting in the living room of our first home, when my Dad comes in and goes “Hey, promise me you won’t tell Mom, and you can watch this music video with me”. I must have said okay, and my Dad turned the TV on, and flips the channel to MTV. From there, I was treated to one of the darkest and scariest music videos I ever saw at that age! There were flashing lights, snakes, a bed getting run over by a semi-truck, and all sorts of trippy yet oddly attention grabbing imagery. My Mom comes in, and to say she was mad is massively underselling it. Looking back in hindsight her outburst was completely understandable, as I had nightmares for a solid week if I recall correctly.
Judging by that little story, you can see why Metallica’s iconic song of nightmares stuck with me, and that’s definitely a reason why. The other reason why Enter Sandman stuck with me was the sound. It was the intense guitars & bass, the thunderous drums, and James Hetfield’s raspy and brutal vocals. I’ve certainly diversified my musical tastes in recent years, but it’s because of the one little song that firmly cemented my love, and set me down the path of the Metalhead later on in my life. So, thank you Enter Sandman for that!
2) Darkthrone - Kathaarian Life Code (Video)
I almost shit myself when I first listened to this song. No joke!
I said this all the way back in 2015, but Darkthrone’s second album sent absolute chills through me when I first listened to it. A Blaze In The Norther Sky was equal parts haunting & heavy, and while you could feel that throughout the record’s run time, it’s most potent when you listen to the opening track. I was blown away by the absolute brutality of this nearly 11 minute song. From the creepy intro with it’s eerie chanting, to the lightning fast guitars & drums, to Nocturno Culto’s screechy Black Metal voice, it’s hard for some non-metal music lovers to not have Kathaarian Life Code even remotely get stuck in their heads. The style is definitely not for everybody (Even some metalheads), but if you even have a sliver of curiosity swimming about in your head, then maybe give this song a try?
3) Alan Parsons Project - Standing On Higher Ground (Video)
Sometimes, heaviness doesn’t come from instrumentation. Sometimes, heaviness doesn’t come from vocal work. And sometimes, heaviness doesn’t come from being metal. Sometimes, heaviness comes from lyrics, and some of the heaviest non-metal lyrics I’ve heard came from the Alan Parsons Project of all groups. Standing On Higher Ground blew me away with it’s lyrics, which I found to be incredibly introspective. Here’s just the first few:
“I know the truth
But I can't say
And I have to turn my head
And look the other way
I'm not afraid
And I won't lie
As long as I see no wrong
I won't need to testify”
You might laugh, but listening to the song really made me look back into myself once or twice. It’s nice when music makes you think, but it’s especially nice when a song has you look inward at yourself, and makes a gear or two turn. Metal or not, it’s great when a tune does this.
4) Korn - Justin (Video)
There have been plenty of Metal songs that have mad me cry or gave me chills, but there has never been a song that disturbed me so much like Justin did. To keep the story short: Korn were asked by the Make-A-Wish foundation to visit to a kid named Justin, who was suffering from terminal Stomach Cancer at the time. The experience simultaneously humbled yet haunted the band so much, that they made a tribute song to Justin on their 3rd album. What blew me away about this tune is that Korn somehow captured the essence of dying. Not just dying, but that of a young life going away far too early in their life. Justin isn’t a fast track, but a slow funeral-like dirge, complete with exceptionally mournful singing from Jonathan Davis. It chills your spine, regardless of whether you’re listening to it live or not. You may be emotionally drained a little after listening to Justin, but I bet that you won’t deny it’s power.
5) Queen - I’m Going Slightly Mad (Video)
I talked about Queen last year, and I felt that perhaps they deserved another spot. This time around, I’m talking about a song of their’s that came out when Freddy was still alive. Granted, on the verge of death seemingly everyday, but alive regardless.
Funny enough, what blew my mind away wasn’t necessarily the music. Sure, the drums, guitar, and bass were wonderful, but like Standing On Higher Ground, they were simplistic. No, what blew my mind about IGSM was Freddy Mercury. Despite being on death’s door seemingly everyday since the late 1980s, the iconic frontman still had a grasp on life that can only be described as beautiful. Despite looking like he had a brush up against the Grim Reaper, he still managed to deliver a powerful performance. Sure, the lyrics are exceptionally absurd, as is the imagery of the music video for the song, but it’s Freddy’s energy that just has the headphones glued to my fat head for the entire run time. It’s Freddy’s ability, despite looking like a ghost at times, to stare Death in the face & flip him the bird. So, because of that love of life, I’m Going Slightly Mad blew me away!
And those were 5 more songs that blew me away. Yet another selection of seemingly mismatched pieces of music, everything on here just works in some way for me! So, I’m taking the rest of today off to enjoy all of the benefits that this day has to offer. See you all tomorrow on Easter!
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If you’d like to see my first list in this series, click on the link below:
5 Songs That Blew Me Away (Part 1)
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