Surprise Wrestling Post (For A Friend)

Hey fellow Otaku & Metalheads, got a bonus post to round out the year.

A couple months ago, a friend of mine asked if I could make a picture collage of all the wrestling stuff he’s gone to over 2019. I was happy to oblige, and right below is everything if not almost everything he went too. Also, he asked if I could some advertising for some small wrestling promotions, and put in a little blurb courtesy of my friend. In any case, enjoy!

“It's been a great ride these past few years getting a chance to meet the best talent in the professional wrestling world. to going to live shows and watching it all unfold before you. With help from my friends, and a phenomenal Independent Wrestling Promotions, and A great photographer, I bring to you a slideshow of events I went to and events I couldn't make but got help in seeing what happened. Safe to say I can't be anymore happier with my group of Wrestling brother's.”

Meet And Greets:

WM35 and Summerslam:

Indy Photos (Including Nzo In The Indies):

On a finale note, if you have some spare time, please check out Immortal Championship Wrestling and World of Hurt Wrestling. They’re both great independent organizations, and put on some spectacular shows.

Immortal Championship Wrestling: https://www.immortalwrestling.com/

World of Hurt Wrestling: https://wohwrestling.com/

And with those final words, I am now truly done with posts for 2019. I need a break for a few weeks, but I hope to see all of you in 2020!

(All Photographs were taken/provided by Tim Beagle And Justin Largetau, Mr Dan The Photo Man, Immortal Championship Wrestling and World of Hurt Wrestling.)

(If you’re curious about my friend, check here: https://www.facebook.com/byron.fonda)

Album Review: Everfrost's Winterider

Hello fellow Otaku & Metalheads. Pretty damn cold outside isn’t it!?

Normally I’d get out a holiday-themed anime review out, but I didn’t think of one. Finding a Christmas anime is somewhat tricky, and the ones I do want to take a look at are pretty difficult to locate. However, if you’ve paid attention to my prior 2 lists, you may have noticed me gushing about a new band from the icy reaches of Finland. A band that just so happens to be inspired by anime & manga, and contains a little bit of Visual Kei within it’s notes. That’s right, I’m gonna be talking about Everfrost!

Ever since early October when I discovered this band, I was immediately hooked. There have been plenty of metal bands (Power Metal or otherwise) that have at least grazed the land of the rising sun, but to sit down and listen to a group that have outright embraced Japan and it’s nerdy glory just warms my heart. I was fortunate enough to pick up the subject of today’s review weeks after I discovered it completely by accident thank’s a review of it from the Lair Of The Bastard music blog (Read here). Now normally I structure my reviews pretty tightly, but because of the nature of the album, but with how it affected me, I’m going to go a more “Loose” approach to the review. I’ll still have some form to things, but overall I’m going for a considerably more personal approach to how I look at this album. Anyways, shall we dive into the blistery world of Everfrost & Winterider!?

So let me start off by saying that this album......is deceptive. Highly deceptive, if I’m being honest. Right away, the cover of Winterider gives off an incredibly weeby vibe, and to be honest the music does continue the weebiness as it plays. However, that’s the genius of the deception. Yes, the music is weeby....but it’s the good kind of weeby! From my understand, the music that Everfrost plays takes place in the world that the band created. As stated in an interview (See here), Benji Connelly always wanted to combine Heavy Metal with Japanese anime and manga influences, and the rest of the band seemed to go along with this as well. The end result are albums that are quite detailed in terms of story & characters, and are also immersive as well. It obvious that a lot of care is put into the story & characters, and while I have a tiny issue with one aspect of the story (More on that later), I enjoyed it overall!

Even if you’re not big into anime, manga, and Visual Kei, you are still getting a hefty Power Metal package! You got the keyboards that conjure all kinds of noise, you got the soaring guitars, you got the bass that adds personality to the music, and you got some fantastic vocals from main singer Mikael Salo & guitarist/vocalist Markis Laito. Both put in a lot of work with their voices, as Mikael stands pretty tall when he sings, while Markis is like the loyal friend that knows how to kick some ass when he needs to. All together, these five beautiful Finnish dudes have come together, and somehow.....someway, created audible anime. Either they made a deal with Otaku Satan, or they’re really that nerdy, I don’t know. All I know is that even without their source of inspiration front and center, it’s obvious that these guys bust their ass in making some pretty unique Power Metal. I’ll be repeating this by the end, but I sincerely hope that Everfrost get popular enough here in the states. There are plenty of metalheads & Otaku that would just devour each and ever single track, and grab as much merchandise as humanly possible.

Now before I talk about some of the songs, I’d just like to give a quick apology to the band. Everfrost, I know I've left comments on your Facebook page. Hell, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt you’ve replied to my messages, and even put some of my stuff up front & center for people to see. However, I need to apologize because the first time I listened to your music, I was thinking to myself “This can’t work. This shouldn’t work. How does this work!?”. Upon realizing I was being a tad judgmental, I decided to take a step back, and assess the music in front of me. Almost immediately I came to the conclusion that sure, Power Metal mixed with anime & manga is completely natural! Hell, I had already been listening to such when I came across Battle Beast over 2 years ago thanks to their self-titled second album. Kicking myself for ever thinking this (Though I admit I still do just a tiny bit), I would just like to say......I’m sorry.

Picking the best song of Winterider was easy, and it has to go to Actraiser! All throughout the song there’s this sense of melancholy, and while it’s not overwhelming, it is easily felt, and creates a kind of tension as the song progresses. This is balanced out by how warm & fuzzy the track is at the same time. If I was to describe how I felt, I’d say that Actraiser is audio Shonen. The kind of song you’d hear in something like Naruto or Bleach, or maybe even Yu Yu Hakusho. We find that the main hero out of this little group of characters loses confidence with himself & his ability to protect his friends, but they don’t care. They’re with him, and they’re gonna stick it out no matter what. Sure that sounds stereotypical....but there’s something comforting about it at the same time. I like it!

Actraiser

So with all of the positivity out of the way, it’s time to get to the negative. Ironically enough, there actually isn’t all that much I can say about Winterider that’s bad. For starters, A Whisper In A Frozen Tale is the only song I’d say that isn’t good, but even then it’s only because of it’s running time. Seriously, 15 minutes!? Despite it’s running time, it’s actually constructed really well. A little jumbled in some small spots, but overall it’s crafted nicely. If the track had be lowered to 11 or 12 minutes, I probably wouldn’t have complained much.

A Whisper In A Frozen Tale

No, my biggest issue with Winterider is that the whole thing....is an emotional gutpunch. To give it credit, it does earn said gutpunch. Where as Blue Eyed Emotion (Their prior album) took a sledgehammer to your head & stomach in terms of emotional impact practically right off the bat, Winterider at least gives you a cushion to fall on after you’ve been punched in the feels. I will fully admit that I like a lot of my stories to have a happy ending, and given the nature of some of the tracks, I see why some listeners would expect this to happen. However, I listened to Winterider first rather than second, as the events that took place on the first release kind of reveal what was going to happen. Still, I will give Everfrost credit, and say that they softened the blow for listeners of this record. I only hope that the third release is a considerably happier affair than what came before it.

Winterider easily gets a 9 out of 10. I was close to giving it a perfect rating (Really close if I’m being honest), but those two things kept me from doing so. Still, I highly recommend this record to any metalhead who travels down the Otaku path like myself, and even if you’re just a Power Metal fan (Or fan of metal in general), it’s still one to seek out!

Well, everyone, this was my final post of 2019. I wanted to end it all on a surprise, and I hope that it was surprising for all of you. As for Everfrost, I just want to say thank you. Many bands have surprised me, and many bands have gotten me to turn around after some thinking....but you have managed to do both at the same time really quick, and because of that you’ve earned yourself quite the rabid fan! I sincerely hope you make it to the United States soon, cause I would like to shake your hand & buy as much merchandise as humanly possible.

Actually, I do have one last post I need to get up. It’s for a friend. Regardless, stay warm, stay safe, and always have the right people around you. Life is so much more easier when you have the right friends, and the right kind of family.


***
If you’re curious about this hidden gem of a band, right below are links to their albums & their websites. Enjoy!

Blue Eyed Emotion: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k9EudCouSneglNeimIaR_CiZkhWpU7kVM

Winterider: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mtMX3ZoCnbFHYAjB5Az0lyGynkTARscTk

Everfrost Website: https://www.everfrostband.com/

Everfrost Bandcamp: https://everfrostfinland.bandcamp.com/

Everfrost Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/user/tailsthefox241194

Also, I’ll be taking a look at Blue Eyed Emotion next December for it’s 5th anniversary. I definitely have some opinions on it......that’s for sure!

The Top 10 Albums Of The 2010s

Hey fellow Otaku & Metalheads.

With the 2010s ending in just a few weeks, I though I’d make one last list and talk about what I think are the best albums of the decade. The 2010s were a great year for Heavy Metal, with legends putting out some of their best material ever, and newer groups planting a firm flag into metal’s bosom, claiming a piece for their own. Some of the choices might seem strange at first, but trust me when I say that I’ll explain my picks as best as I can. That said, here are the 10 best albums of the 2010s!

2010) Ozzy Osbourne - Scream (Song)

Let’s start off this list with a classic staple. Ironically I was close to putting the Scorpion’s release in 2010 here instead, but I confess I never listened to it, so instead I’m giving it to the Prince of Darkness instead! I do admit that my love for Ozzy goes all over the place: some days I like his older & rawer music, and other days I enjoy his more commercially accessible work. Scream definitely is more accessible, and the hooks & riffs can be considered commercial at times, but I’ll bet a bunch of you younger Ozzy Osbourne fans like his newer material. It also doesn’t help the fact that after nearly a decade, he’s gracing the public with an all new record next month supposedly. Praise Ozzy!
                   
2011) Iron Savior - The Landing (Song)

A bit of an oddity on this list to be sure, but I think it earns it’s spot. The 6th release from one of Germany’s hottest Power Metal acts, The Landing is what I want from the style most of the time: hokey, goofy, cheesy, and most importantly lots of feel good vibes throughout the listening experience. There are times were I don’t mind my Power Metal to have a serious bent to it, but more often than not I want to be laughing and smiling (and maybe crying just a tiny bit) as this style of metal is playing. Speaking of a serious bent.....

2012) Sabaton - Carolus Rex (Song) & Devin Townsend - Epicloud (Song A/Song B)

True story: I had known about Sabaton as far back as 2010, and even listened to them on & off for a few years, but it wasn’t until 2016 that I became a dedicated fan (Hint Hint). In the case of 2012's ode to Sweden by the name of Carolus Rex, I’ve only owned it since 2017 after I got it from seeing my first Sabaton show.....and that’s certainly a mistake on my part! Though I still stand by the fact that it’s my least favorite out of their entire discography, that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy it, nor does it mean that I don’t understand why fans of the band enjoy it so much. Power Metal to a certain degree always had some trouble really sticking here in America, but when this tribute to one of Sweden’s most powerful rulers came out, plenty of people in my country devoured it like candy from a holiday stocking. It might not be an album I actively seek out when I’m in the mood for Sabaton, but it’s always there when necessary. On the other hand.....

One record I always go for is HevyDevy’s monolith, Epicloud! I had known about Devin Townsend since his SYL days, but it wasn’t until 2012 where it really clicked for me. For a long time I thought that Devin was a bit pretentious, and I can easily understand why newcomers would think this. However, that’s an incredible disservice to this man & his musical talents, as his imagination is constantly shown off in some of the most beautiful music created in the early part of this decade! Simultaneously heavy & emotional, there’s never been a guy that could be brutal with instrumentation, but have meaningful and touching lyrics. It’s all thanks to Epicloud that HevyDevy gained me as a fan, and maybe it’ll do the same for all of you!

2013) Ghost B.C. - Infestissumam (Song)

Opinions are gonna vary among Ghost fans as to what is the best release of the band. Some would say Opus Eponymous, others Meliora, and there’s probably some that go for Prequelle from 2018. For me, I’m in the camp that says Infestissumam is the best thing that’s been put out by the spooky band. Release a few years before Tobias Forge’s ego seemed to spiral out of control, Infestissumam is an album that’s equal parts creepy, scary, cerebral, and somehow fun at the same time. From the sinister nature of Year Zero, to the notes of Secular Haze that just worm into your brain, this record will put you into the cult of Ghost, and you’ll be a nameless ghoul in no time!

2014) Septicflesh - Titan (Song)

Out of everything that came out this decade, Septicflesh’s 3rd entry in the realm of Symphonic Death Metal is an album that impacted me a lot. Despite not being a massive fan of the genre, the first couple singles & eventually the full album helped me open up my eyes as to why people like the style. Titan, at least for me, is a perfect balance between the wonderfully done symphony elements, and the absolutely brutal Death Metal. Coincidentally I never actually bought it upon it’s original release, but instead nearly 2 years after it’s release in March of 2016. Still, if there was ever a gateway into the realm of Septicflesh, or Death Metal for that matter......it’s Titan.       

2015) Motörhead - Bad Magic (Song)

I don’t think it would have been right to leave off one of the absolute legends of Heavy Metal off this list. Despite it not doing anything really different from their 2013 album Aftershock, it may very well be one of the most consistent records Motörhead in terms of quality. Hard Rock, Blues, Punk, and Heavy Metal. Each of those flavors of music can be found on this release, and coupled with the health scares that Lemmy was going through before & after Bad Magic was released, it made the music that much stronger. It’s a shame that he passed away right at the end of 2015, but before he did, the old geezer showed us one final time that he & his band of metallic misfits will always be around.

2016) Sabaton - The Last Stand (Song)

Part of me didn’t want to put a band on this list twice, but at the same time I couldn’t help myself. The Last Stand wasn’t just the first Sabaton album I ever owned....it was the first time that things ever clicked for me about this band. Like I said earlier, I knew about this guys all the way back in 2010, but didn’t really get into their discography until 2016 due to the simple fact that I couldn’t comprehend how historical warfare and Power Metal could ever get along. Then the first 3 singles for the album came out, and for whatever reason they just worked for me. When the last single was released, that when I knew that I found something special. Since then, The Last Stand is one of my go-to Sabaton albums for when I want a pick me up, and I look forward to the day where my kids (If I have any) can sit down & listen to this with me.
       
2017) Kreator - Gods Of Violence (Song)

Hordes of Chaos charted at no. 165 on the Billboard 200. Phantom Antichrist made it to number 130. Gods of Violence? It is Kreator’s highest charting album here in the United States, reaching no. 118 on the Billboard 200. That is one of the reasons it made it onto this list, but the other reason is like many of the other albums on this list: it made a huge impact on me! I was always a huge Thrash fan before I discovered one of the cornerstones of German Thrash Metal, but was always a little hesitant to dip my toes into the water (German Thrash always seemed more aggressive for my tastes). Low & behold, I loved it from the first few notes of the first song. Hell, I loved the singles when they came out seemingly immediately! Given that it came out mere weeks after we elected what may very well be the worst president in my country’s history, Gods Of Violence unintentionally became the best protest album of 2017. So, to Millie Petrozza & the rest of the Kreator crew, I salute you!

2018) Judas Priest - Firepower (Song)

2018 seemed like a kick in the pants for Judas Priest. Nostradamus from 2008 was seemingly hated by many fans of the band (Excluding myself), and while Redeemer of Souls from 2014 was a big improvement in many aspects, there were some that still didn’t seem to love it. Well, those people absolutely blown away by Firepower! Scrapping the Fantasy/Power Metal like nature of the previous two albums, this release seemed to return the band to their Hard Rock/Heavy Metal roots. Thunderous, anthemic, and most importantly.......HEAVY! Even Rob Halford’s voice goes back to that classic screech he’s so famous for on older works on many of Firepower’s songs, despite maintaining his more modern baritone in other tracks. Despite issues with the band leading up to the release, Firepower is just another feather in the cap of a household name in the world of Heavy Metal.

2019) Rammstein - Rammstein (Song) & Everfrost - Winterider (Song)

So we’ve reached the end of the decade. The 2010s, once again, were a great decade for Heavy Metal, but 2019 may have had some of the best releases of the entire time. There were a ton of choices to pick from this year, but I wanted to be a little different than some, and give some love to the old guard & the new guard. For starters, let’s talk about one of the biggest comebacks in the world of metal with what may very well be Rammstein’s final release. I stated it back when I updated the overview, and I said it a few days ago, but I’m going to say it again: listening to this album felt like meeting an old friend you haven’t seen in a decade. An old friend who’s changed a lot, and in all the right ways. Everything that these Teutonic titans have done in the over 2 decades of experience have been sharped to a fine edge, and in the process have crafted what is most likely the best thing they’ve ever done. No song seems low quality, the production is phenomenal, and the whole package is enjoyable! I can’t say anything more, other than to listen to this industrial gem.

And then there’s the new guard, and what a curious case these Finnish fellows are! If you were to tell me a year ago that there was a Power Metal that was inspired by Anime & Manga, I would have laughed hysterically. Fast forward to 2019, and I’m not laughing at all! Ironically, I sorta had a similar situation with Everfrost like I did with Sabaton: I simply could not believe this combo worked.....but it did! Winterider is literarily from top to bottom songs you can put in just about any anime, and it would work! There’s happy songs on here, sad songs on here, and then there’s songs that just take a sledgehammer right to the feels! This really was a surprise for me, and I think it was for anybody that discovered this album. It might be hard to track as far as a physical copy is concerned, but I’m not joking when I say that this is one of the most essential metal albums for Otaku & Metalheads all over the world!

And that’s what I thought the best albums of the 2010s were. A diverse list to be sure, but one that’s filled with something for everybody. I can only hope that the 2020s still keep the light of Heavy Metal alight, but until then I still have one more treat in store. See you all really soon.