Album Review: Megadeth's Capitol Punishment - The Megadeth Years

Hello fellow Otaku & Metalheads, and welcome.....to Compilation Month 3!

I know it’s a month late this time, but we return yet again to the world of metal compilations. We’ve looks at a lot of fascinating collections of songs in prior years, and 2021 will be no exception. In fact, things might be more interesting in this still sadly plague-ridden year. To start things off this time around, I’m actually going to be reviewing a compilation I mentioned in 2019. A compilation from a band I’ve taken a look at twice so far on this blog. So sit back, relax, and enjoy my review for Megadeth’s Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years. Let’s begin!

Background
Taken from Wikipedia:

“The title of the album is an allusion to the band's persistent difficulties with their record label, Capitol Records. Megadeth ultimately left Capitol and signed with Sanctuary Records, but were contractually obliged to release one further album with Capitol, hence the greatest hits compilation. With the exception of material from the band's debut album, Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!, which was released on Combat Records rather than Capitol, the compilation contains songs from all Megadeth's previously released albums at the time, in reverse-chronological order. In addition to the new track "Kill the King", Capitol insisted on the inclusion of "Dread and the Fugitive Mind", a track recorded for the album The World Needs a Hero, then in the production stage. The band agreed simply to release themselves from their obligations to Capitol, but the enmity between band and label was memorialized in the title of the album, intended to demonstrate that working with Capitol was a form of punishment. It is out of print. As of December 2005, Capitol Punishment had sold 200,000 copies in the U.S.”

Reception for the most part was positive. Nick Lancaster of Drowned in Sound complained that there were more tracks from albums like Cryptic Writings and Risk instead of their earlier release. He also took a laser-focused aim at the inclusion of the "ludicrously moronic Crush 'Em", but said that "Dread and the Fugitive Mind" and "Kill the King" were a return to form. In a similar view, Steve Huey of AllMusic also criticized the compilation for focusing more on commercial material at the expense of the band's earlier work, as well as soundtrack songs like  "Go To Hell", "Angry Again" and "99 Ways to Die".

Basic Description
A fantastic thrash medley......that’s just a tiny bit weird.

I find some intriguing parallels between this compilation & Back To The Start in 2019 (Read Here). Mainly, the selection of songs picked for this are fantastic! With one notable exception (See the “Worst Track” section), you’re given a clear picture into Megadeth’s history from the year 2000 to 1986. You saw that correctly: the tracklisting on Capitol Punishment was ordered backwards rather than forwards. It goes from the then modern material, all the way to their earliest days. To make things weirder, this compilation opens up with completely new material, and while that does add to the character of the release it just comes across like record company interference. Yet for the faults presented, Capitol Punishment is a good compilation. There’s more of a casual vibe here, but the music presented is some of Megadeth’s best! Though I’d argue that the compilation the band would release in 2006 has a better selection, Capitol Punishment has some value to it.

Best Track
I said it back in 2019 when I reviewed Back To The Start, and I’ll be repeating myself here, but Kill The King hits like a Mack truck. Sound-wise not that much different than it’s appearance in 2006, this track is the perfect middle finger to any corrupt figure of power. Drums that sound like machinegun fire, guitars that shock the system, and Dave’s patented raspy singing, all come together to create something that is just Thrash magic.

Kill The King

A nice 2nd place track would just so happen to be the tune from their newest album that would come out a year later, Dread and the Fugitive Mind. Gone is any of that commercial feel from the band’s late 90s material, and it seems as if Megadeth went back to their old-school mentality. While the production & sound feel very modern for it’s time, the overall vibe & fell are distinctively Megadeth. I can definitely see why Capitol Records wanted this song on the compilation, as it certainly planted a seed or two in listeners’s minds about what was to come.

Dread and the Fugitive Mind

Perhaps the final positive thing I can say doesn’t come from the music itself, but from the song organization. Whereas Back To The Start is more disorganized & you don’t have a solid picture of their history, Capitol Punishment is perfect in it’s display of the band’s history. You get a good look into their past, and it all leads up to what was current in 2000. Definitely a plus!

Worst Track
Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years is a great compilation of song. From their earliest years to the then current material, you get a pretty clear picture of their history. Like I said above, what’s weird is the ordering: instead of going from old to new, they went from new to old. It’s not bad per se, as the tracklisting is clear & precise, but I find it strange that they decided to start with newer songs instead of old. Also, I find the slight emphasis on tunes from Cryptic Writings odd, and opening this compilation with new tunes also seems odd. Perhaps the most damning negative point about Capitol Punishment is that there is nothing from their first album represented on here, but in Capitol Records’s defense,  Killing Is My Business was released on Combat Records & not them.

Other
If you’re curious about listening to this album, then click on the link below:

Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years

Overall Impression & Rating
Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years is a fun selection of songs. The ordering of tracks from new to old (Excluding the openers) is easily a strange decision, and the slight emphasis on one record is equally strange. You get the feeling that there was some record company interference, but regardless the compilation is a lot of fun. Capitol Punishment may be for more casual Megadeth fans, but there’s still plenty of material on here that it would satisfy just about anybody that gets there hands on this. Take a listen, and hear for yourself.

Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years gets 7.5 to 8 out of 10.

And that was Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years. Not quite as essential as the compilation that would appear 6 years later, but there’s still a great bushel of song to listen to. With that out of the way, Come back in the middle of May, when some old Germanic friends come by for a visit. See you then!

Anime Review (Trash Anime Mountain): Girls Bravo

Hello fellow Otaku & Metalheads, and welcome.....to Trash.....Anime.....Mountain!!!

That’s right, I’m starting a new review series! Okay, maybe not a new series per se. I wanted to categorize the more trashy shows, and sometimes the more obscure shows, into it’s own review category. Doesn’t matter if it’s good, mediocre, or bad: if I know it’s trash, it’s definitely going into this review series. To start off Trash Anime Mountain, I’ll be looking at what may very well be the pinnacle of trash anime. I enjoy it thoroughly, but this has to be one of the most low-brow, juvenile, skin showing, yet oddly charming series I’ve ever watched. It’s so trashy, yet there’s something bizarrely heartfelt about it at the same time. So, be sure that you’re not allergic to girls, keep an eye on your bathtub, and enjoy my review for Girls Bravo. Let’s begin!  

Story/Setup
Taken from the Amazon Editorial Review:

“Yukinari's got girl problems - the poor guy is literally allergic to them. He can't even be in the same room as a girl without getting a rash. It's enough to put any red-blooded male in an awful mood. Here's the good news: things start looking up for Yukinari when he accidentally plays peek-a-boo with the naked girl-next-door. She freaks out and boots him in the face, magically transporting our hero to the coolest place ever - Seiren, a mystical land populated mostly by girls. As soon as he gets there, he meets Miharu, a super-bouncy, carefree cutie who can touch Yukinari without causing a rash! She becomes his roomie on Earth and - well, then it's all bathtubs, swimming pools, hot springs, and you're not even reading this anymore are you?”

Okay, this is what marks Girls Bravo as a denizen of Trash Anime Mountain. This series may very well be the most fan-service thing I’ve ever watched, and considering that 50 to 75 percent of my collection may be fan-service series, that’s saying something! From literarily the first minute of the first episode, you see the titular (Literarily) Miharu looking down into her bath water, her bare body evident to see. In each & every episode you see all kinds of fan-service: panty shots, boob jiggle, maids, tentacles (In 1 episode only), yuri, and just about every typical/atypical thing you can think of. While I am a fan-service junky, even I had to drop my jaw when I saw just how much their was! Because there’s so much, it’s easy to assume that their isn’t much of a story. However.....

There’s a surprisingly good story to Girls Bravo! It’s certainly not the deepest or the most illuminating (The overwhelming fan-service is definitely a contributing factor to this), but it’s well written enough that you’ll pay some attention to what’s going on, and there is a twist or two that’ll actually can catch you off guard. Not world shattering twists mind you, but definitely ones that are earned.

Animation
Right away, you can definitely tell that Girls Bravo is from the age of computer animation. If I’m being a little more honest, I’d say that it looks like there was some drawn work, but was enhanced by computers. It’s aged fairly well: though it’s obvious that it looks & moves like a show from the early to mid 2000s, for the most part it still looks good. The character move fluidly enough, and the various effects seem nice enough. Maybe not an animated marvel, but certainly not a visual abomination.

Voice Acting
Girls Bravo suffers from what I like to call the “Love Hina” syndrome. What do I mean? Well, for the most par the show has some good voice acting. Really good voice acting, if I’m being honest. Most of the characters in the show have a good voice behind, and even secondary character typically have some effort put into them. However, for every good bit of voice acting there’s somebody that’s not doing the best job. The character that I often don’t like speaking is Tomo: a younger character that becomes a main cast member, she’s genuinely very bratty, which is the point of her. Unfortunately, her voice can be rather grating. Again, she’s supposed to be a brat kid, but the voice acting is a little too obnoxious.

Characters
Much like the story, the characters of Girls Bravo are surprisingly good. I can easily understand why somebody wouldn’t like a majority of them. Yukinari can be a bit of a wuss sometimes, Miharu can be a little too ditzy, etc. However, despite the flaws, many of the characters are still highly likable! Yukinari is indeed a wuss, but he does what is right all the time. Miharu is indeed a ditzy, but her empathy & compassion is incredible. This kind of thing happens across most of cast: there’s an issue with them, but there’s also something likable as well. A bit whiplash inducing, but in an odd way adds to the show’s bizarre charm.

Availability & Pricing
Girls Bravo was a Geneon/Pioneer series way back in the day, and finding copies of the full show is exceptionally difficult. Individual volumes can still be found on Amazon, and they’re actually surprisingly well priced ($9.99 starting price for vol. 1). An easier but more expensive option would be the Funimation re-release of the full series under their S.A.V.E. program. This can also be found on Amazon, with starting prices for a new copy at $19.99. Collectors will probably grab the individual DVDs, but a more practical mind will gravitate towards the S.A.V.E. version.

Overall Impression & Rating
Girls Bravo is a far service tornado. You’re getting boobs, butts, and panty shots in your face so often it’s hard to see everything else. Once you do see everything else, you’ll find a likable show. Like I said above, it’s not deep, nor will you find the secrets of life & the universe as you watch, but the series is just a fun, dumb show at the end of the day. Girls Bravo is the kind of anime that you sit down, pop the DVD in, turn your brain off, and just have a fun time. This may not be for everybody, but for those that do want to watch it, they’re in for a hell of a time!

Girls Bravo gets a 7.5 out of 10.

And that was the premier of my Trash Anime Mountain review series, and it was a doozy! I don’t know often I’ll travel to this bizarre mountain, but when I do, you’ll bet that I’ll come back down with something strange. May is soon upon us, and I’ll seen you then with more content. Take care!

Album Review: W.A.S.P.'s Unholy Terror

Welcome back fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

The 3rd of April this year marks the 20-year anniversary one of the most surprising, out of nowhere albums, I’ve ever listened to. An album I wasn’t exactly looking forward to at first, but put aside all apprehensions by the time that I was done. It may mark a permanent shift in a iconic band’s personality & tone, and I can understand why people would be turned off by the music within. However, that should not stop you from enjoying an album that comes right out of nowhere......and it’s from W.A.S.P. no less! So shine up your cross, make sure that your pastor is legit, and enjoy my review for Blackie’s first release of the new millennium, Unholy Terror. Let’s begin!

Background
With the return of Chris Holmes in 1996, the gang would begin a tear in W.A.S.P.’s discography. There was the middle finger to relationships in K.F.D. in 1997, and the seeming return to classic form in Helldorado in 1999. Such a relationship would be put to the test sometime in 2000, when longtime frontman Blackie Lawless would change his life in a big way after becoming a Born-Again Christian, and the transformation of the band would begin. The wilder ways of the previous 2 releases (And by extent most of their 80s past) would go, and instead the socio-political experimentation that was on The Headless Children would return in force (Intertwined with obvious religious imagery).

The first release under this new direction would go by the name of Unholy Terror. Released on the 3rd of April, 2001, the album would show off the new leaf that Blackie turned, but this didn’t sit well with Holmes. He still wanted to be about Rock ‘n’ Roll, partying, & chicks, and didn’t want to think about things like politics or faith. So he left in 2001 (Whether before or after the album came out, I’m not sure), and to this day has claimed he’s never played on Unholy Terror at all. He hooked up with fellow ex-W.A.S.P. member Randy Piper's band Animal, but soon dropped out of that project also, and has since gone solo.

Basic Description
A surprise.

I stated this at the end of part 2 of my overview on W.A.S.P. (Read here), but I’ll say it again: I was not necessarily looking forward to this period of the band. While you can argue that the band’s 90s period was certainly in flux, you could say that Blackie was still having fun in a sense. Yes, 2 of the albums from that time were more serious, but there was still fun to be had. When Lawless first announced that he would become a Born-Again Christian, there were probably a lot of fans that felt a huge sinking feeling, and when I found out about this a few short years ago I got that feeling also. The leader of a Shock Hair Metal band turning a new, more holy leaf, seems like he was selling out just to cater to a new audience. So when I first sat down to begin listening to Unholy Terror, I admit I was hesitant to believe that the music on the record was good. Color me surprised by the time I was done!

Make no mistake: Unholy Terror is a religious album. From top to bottom, Christian imagery is heavily evident, and Blackie’s ego can definitely be felt. However, that would be doing this record a big disservice. Unholy Terror is God’s Not Dead 3 17 years prior to that movie’s release: highly religious, but simultaneously not afraid to criticize & question the very same church that inspired it. It’s not afraid to continuously poke the bear with reasons why people (Particularly young people) would want to leave the Christian church & never come back. It’s surprising at first, and I can still understand why listeners would not get into Unholy Terror due to it’s shift in theme (Especially when you compare it to the album that came out 2 years prior) and tone, but this is an album that’s genuinely worth your time....even if you listen to it just once.

Best Track
Like I said back in 2019, Locomotive Man is my favorite track of Unholy Terror. One of the meatiest songs on the albums (6 minutes & 3 seconds), you can definitely tell that this song takes a jab at all of the fake pastors, preachers, and tele-evangelists that spread their lies, not to mention how said lies whip their followers into a frenzy. It also talks about how blindly many worshipers believe that they’re going to Heaven due to their devotion to these individuals, and that even when presented with evidence some of them will not deter from their beliefs. Easily the most powerful song of the record.

Locomotive Man

Worst Track
Also like I said back in 2019, Unholy Terror doesn’t have any bad songs. From top to bottom, you’re treated to some potent Heavy Metal that’s also not afraid to ask a lot of questions either. The album’s only fault lies with Lawless himself. It’s not that he went Christian per se, but more of the fact that he waited until he became Born-Again, and then trashed the Christian Church afterwards. It gives some serious double agent vibes to me, almost as if he didn’t want to do Unholy Terror until he was already in. Maybe I’m looking at it the wrong way, but maybe I’m not. I’m not sure.

Other
If you’re curious about listening to this album, click on the link below:

Unholy Terror

Overall Impression & Rating
Unholy Terror is, as I said in 2019, a shockingly good album. I can easily understand people’s hesitation getting into Blackie’s more socio-policial/religious period of W.A.S.P. (Not to mention being turned off by his ever increasing ego), but this release shows that he can actually use that side of him for something good, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Much like Stryper, religious people will like it, but Agnostics & even some Atheists might get a kick out of the music on this record. If you’re up for some religious-themed Heavy Metal that’s got a bit of a bite to it, you enjoy Unholy Terror.

Unholy Terror gets a 9 out of 10.

And that was my review of Unholy Terror. The start of W.A.S.P.’s socio-political/religious period, the first release of this new era showed some potential for the band to do some good with this new direction, and with the 2 records after this it showed that they might do so. Alas, it was not to be, but regardless this album is great despite that. Well, tune in a little later this month, for I have the start of a new review series debuting. See you then!

Top 5 Religious Themed Metal Albums You Should Try

Happy Easter fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

I’ve certainly done a bunch of special posts for this holiday. From overviews on Stryper & Grim Reaper, to a review on Tourniquet’s first release & Stryper's only non-Christian record last year, it’s always fun to make treats for all of you. This year’s Easter treat is going to be rather different. Instead of an overview or a review, I wanted to make a list for you. 5 Heavy Metal albums, and they all have a touch of the religious side to them. Some have a lot of faith, why others don’t. Still, I wanted to show off a couple of the albums I came across that seemly oddly appropriate for this time of the year, and who knows.....maybe you’ll like these as well. With that out of the way, here are 5 Religious Themed Metal Albums You Should Try.

(To those who are Atheist or Agnostic, my apologies if this offends you in any capacity. I figured that some of you would get a kick out of this, so if this rubs any of you the wrong way.....my bad.)

1) King Diamond - House of God (Song)

I begin this list with an album that’s probably pure blasphemy among those with faith. King Diamond has never been afraid to show his disdain toward Christianity, and religion by extension. And so with 2000s House of God, he created what is perhaps his most ambitious album to this day. Taking the story of Rennes-le-Château & turning it into an incredibly frightening tale, this record show off the storytelling capabilities of the king. The atmosphere, coupled with the religious imagery, excellent instrumentation, and King’s patented raspy vocals, makes for a great start to the 2000s. It may be a little too clean with it’s production in places, but on sheer scale alone, I have nothing but respect for House Of God, and I enjoy it quite a bit.   

2) Orphaned Land - Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs (Song)

A relative recent release, Orphaned Land’s 2018 offering of metal is a potent one. Fusing together Progressive, Death, and Doom Metal into what is considered to be the origin of Oriental Metal back in 1994, their lyrics were often promoted a message of peace and unity, particularly between the three main Abrahamic religions, and their albums had some concept related to two extremes (A meeting of East and West, past and present, light and darkness, God and Satan, etc). Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs is no exception: perhaps their most aggressive album in certain places, the band’s intent on this record is no different than anything before this release. If you like your metal to have a touch of the exotic, then you might enjoy this!

3) Tourniquet - Stop The Bleeding (Song)

I’ll talk about another Christian Metal icon in a bit, but I do want to mention a group that deserve some time in the light also. Since 1990, the Christian Thrashers known as Tourniquet have embraced Jesus & mosh pits in equal measure, and it was their inaugural release Stop The Bleeding that put them on the map! While other Christian Metal group have a preach-like (But not necessarily abrasive) aspect to them....Tourniquet doesn’t go for that. Instead, their way of showing their faith is through brutal imagery, pounding instrumentation, and fierce vocals. I can understand why Tourniquet might be off-putting for some people, but they are a good alternative for those who like a little more force behind their Christianity.

4) W.A.S.P. - Unholy Terror (Song)

I’ve made a few criticisms towards W.A.S.P.’s frontman Blackie Lawless about his conversion to Christianity & embracing of more conservative politics in part 3 of my overview on the band (Which you can read here), and I still stand by what I said. However, his newfound faith was actually used quite well on the first three releases in the 2000s, and with particular potency on 2001's Unholy Terror. In a weird way it’s sort of the precursor of God’s Not Dead 3: despite very much being rooted in Christian ideology, it isn’t afraid to speak about why people (Especially young people) would want to leave the church & pursue their own path. On top of that, Unholy Terror isn’t necessarily afraid to question the motives of the Christian church, nor is it afraid to tackle issues that Christianity is afraid to here in the United States. It’s such a shame that Blackie would move away from this by the late 2000s, and become perhaps a little too religious & political, but for a brief period of time he was using his newfound faith for a good purpose. This is definitely one terror that isn’t scary!

5) Stryper - Soldiers Under Command (Song)

If I had this list as the “Top 5 Religious Themed Metal Albums You Should Try”, I would have proudly put this band’s second release right at number 1. For almost 4 decades, Soldiers Under Command is not just the definitive Hair Metal record, but also one of if not the most iconic releases in all of Christian Metal. On top of that, this release, whether intentionally or accidentally, helped give that proto Power Metal movement in the 80s a big template to work with! Putting that aside, however, you have perfect balance between the bands patented Hard Rock/Hair Metal sound, and a equally impressive Christian message behind the music. It’s obvious without being in your face. It’s preachy but not condescending, and it also respects listeners who may not be of the faith. The faithful embraced this release, and even a non-believer such as myself (I’m more of an Agnostic with Eastern tendencies) can’t help but smile when this album is playing. If there was ever one religious metal album you should have in your life, I’d say it should be this one.

And those were 5 religious themed metal albums you should try. This was a really fun list for me to make! I love I’ve done overview & reviews in the past, so I figured that something more simplistic was needed this time. I hope you all have a great Easter, and....actually, I got an idea. Join me next Sunday, as we take a look at a unholy terror’s 20 birthday! See you then!


***
If you’re curious about listening to these albums, then click on the links below:

House of God

Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs

Stop The Bleeding

Unholy Terror

Soldiers Under Command

The Top 10 Songs That Make Me Laugh And/Or Smile

Some last few smiles fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

Compared to the other 2 lists this month, this one was a bit easier to make. There was a little difficulty to be had, but I was able to assemble the music on here quicker. As you can see by the title of this post, these are 10 songs that make me laugh and/or smile. These aren’t the only songs that have this effect: there are way more tunes that give me some positive. The 10 that are here are just ones I thought of immediately, so that’s that. With that said, here are the 10 songs that make me fell all warm & fuzzy. Let’s begin!

10) Ebro - Got To Move (Song)
I feel so bad for putting this so low on the list! The guy that made this song & video is a very dear friend of mine. Known him for nearly a decade, Ebro is a wonderful human being that has a gorgeous smile & beautiful. On top of that, he can crossdress like a master, and has a hell of a set of vocal pipes! This song got put out fairly recently, which is probably why it’s so low on the list. Regardless, Ebro’s voice is at the top of the game, as it’s vibrant energy & force grabs a hold of your soul, and it’s sure as hell not going to let go. The music video just adds to this, as it’s usage of quirky humor adds to the fun. Please, give the video a watch. The sassy one needs the views!

9) Ministry - Under My Thumb (Song)
Okay, I got a funny story about this one. My folks are fans of the iconic Rolling Stones track, but when I played them the remake by one of the world’s most iconic Industrial Metal band it was pretty much a “Nope” kind of situation. Flash forward to a little later in 2008, when I happen to be playing it for 3 friends of mine. One of them was a little hippy-ish at the time, and was a huge Rolling Stones fan. By the time I was done, his reaction was to slowly turn his head towards me, and go “What the fuck was that?” In addition to be a cover that follows the spirit of the original surprisingly well, my friend’s reaction got me & the other two that were with me laughing, and that makes me smile. Speaking of funny story....

8) Nocturnus - Lake of Fire (Song)
I had known about the Sci-Fi flavorings of Nocturnus for about a year by the time that the 2017 Cosplay Society Halloween Party took place. Their unique take on Death Metal set them apart from the Florida scene, especially with their usage of keyboard & sound effects (Which is a huge no-no among Death Metal purists). I digress: I’m always the guy at the UNYCS that asks the DJ to play metal songs, and 2017 was no exception. Lake of Fire does take a little bit of time before it assaults you with it’s barrage of guitars & drums. The moment that the instrumentation started, I had a female friend go “Yep, that’s Josh’s song”. Moments like that will always get me to keep a song in my head.

7) One Must Fall: 2097 - Menu (Song)
I was a wee lad when this game came out. A little over 7 years old, to be exact. I had be playing the demo for quite a bit by the time of October the 10th, 1994, and I was familiar with the music that played in the menu. However, something about it felt different once I got my hands on the full game. There was something.....more withing the track. Something that wasn’t there in the demo, but seemed to come out once everything was revealed. I never had any true connection to console gaming in the 90s, so when it came to soundtracks like what was in One Must Fall: 2097, I have my own gaming memories from my childhood. I shall forever hold this simple piece of game music close to me heart, and will continue to do so until the day I die.

6) Cannabis Corpse - Dawn of Weed Possession (Song)
Goofy & brutal stoners. That is the best way to describe Cannabis Corpse. Simultaneously a tribute to one of the most iconic Death Metal bands in the entire world, and a hilarious group of guys that just weed. They might look like amateurs that probably won’t go anywhere, but it’s shocking at how skilled they actually are. 2019's Nug So Vile continues this mix of brutality and hilarity, and it’s perhaps the best song on the album that keeps me coming back & laughing. Dawn of Weed Possession, besides being absolutely goofy, is also a tribute to the Maniac Cop horror franchise. At first that seems like a mix that can’t work, but somehow it does to hilarious effect. It can’t be explained, so check out the link above to see what I mean.

5) Sabaton - Primo Victoria (Song)(Live)
I think it’s a safe bet to say that Sabaton will forever be one of the most unique Power Metal bands in the world. Forgoing the typical fantasy trappings in favor of historical warfare (WW1 & WW2 especially), they’ve conquered the world thanks to their legion of fans. You can thank songs like this for their well-deserved fame! The title track to their very first album as well as the first track you hear, you’d think a song about Normandy wouldn’t be an upbeat tune, but you’d be surprisingly wrong. The band definitely has nothing but respect for what they’re singing about, but they also put in quite a bit of infectious energy that’ll get you jumping. I can’t think of many other songs that can effectively help close out a concert quite like this one.

4) Everfrost - Actraiser (Song)
Hey, it’s Everfrost again! No, I’m not tired of bringing them up!

Actraiser was the first song that I ever listened to from these beautiful Finnish weebs, and I’m glad that I did! It’s melancholy aspect prevents it from getting even higher than it already is, but don’t take that as a knock to it’s overall quality. Actraiser is the definitive example of Anime being distilled down into it’s essence, and transfused into Power Metal to such a degree you can’t tell both sides apart. There’s a lot of warm & fuzzy in this track: without giving the story elements away, one of the main characters in Winterider begins having self doubts about protecting the group he’s with, but said group comes together for this character, basically say that they’re there for him no matter what is going on. If that’s not what Anime & Power Metal can accomplish, then I don’t know what does! speaking of Anime.....

3) Silvervale - Home (Song)
If there is an example of one good thing that happened during the plague ridden year of 2020, it would be the rise of the Vtuber. Whether in Japan or in the western world, this somewhat new form of entertainment allowed for content creators to connect with their fans without having to get close. Here in the U.S., Vtubers have really gotten popular, especially with the formation of Vshojo (The American/Western counterpart to Hololive, which in and of itself was a Vtuber agency for Japan/Asia). Though I’ve watched many of the entertainers in Vshojo and enjoyed them, the one I seem to constantly go back to is Silvervale. In her lore, she’s a Sakura Wolf girl that just wants to make a lot of friends & have fun with people. Since last year she’s gotten her model upgraded, and just a few weeks ago her facial animations have gotten a big boost, but the thing she’s wanted to do was a get out a song, and she did!

Home is a melancholy, almost dreamlike tune. There’s not really much in the way of instrumentation: there’s a little keyboard, some piano, and what I think is a pinch of Japanese instruments. What’s really the meat of the track is Silver’s voice. She sounds so cute in her livestreams, but on here there’s a lot of depth & soul with each word that comes from her mouth, and for her first time singing it sounds incredible. As she’s stated a few times, she made Home as a way to show her love for her fans, and it’s that dedication to her fanbase that makes me smile so much when I listen to this.

2) Queensryche - Best I Can (Song)
My jaw hit the floor when I first discovered this song last year. Actraiser certainly surprised me, but Best I Can took me completely by surprise. There have been plenty of uplifting metal songs throughout the decades, but as far as I know there has only been this track about a kid that gets into an accident with his father’s gun, and we later see that he’s permanently crippled....but that doesn’t stop him from trying to accomplish his dream. If anything, the accident just emboldens his desires, and that’s incredible if you ask me. The beginning is a little haunting, but that goes away once the main part of the song comes into play. As for the band that crafted this song, I can say that I’m not surprised that they did it. Queensryche were always on board with making music that had a societal connection, especially when they released Operation Mindcrime 2 years prior to the album Best I Can comes from. Regardless, the message of “Never Give Up” might be hokey sometimes, but it’s done so well on this track it doesn’t come across as lame. Best I Can makes me smile quite a bit, but there is one song on this list that just manages to pass it in terms of happy.....and you won’t be surprised as to what it is.....

And before we get to my number one, I wanted to cover some honorable mentions. Like I said above, there are hordes of songs throughout the 30+ years that have made me laugh or smile. The songs here do exactly just that, but maybe not as much or as strongly as everything else on here. Still, they do their job, and they do their job well. With that out of the way, here are my honorable mentions.

HM1) Travis Meyer - Devil Went Down to Jamaica (Song)
I’ve been listening to this, on & off, for over a decade and a half. Much like Dawn of Weed Possession, this song is pure stoner comedy. Certainly not as graphic as the previously mentioned tune, but maybe packed with more green goodness, this parody of the iconic Charlie Daniels track is lovingly well-made. Maybe a tiny bit crude in terms of it’s humor, but the spirit of it’s source material shines through the smoky haze.

HM2) Led Zeppelin - All of My Love (Song)
Like I stated back in 2019, In Through The Out Door is the only Led Zeppelin album I’ll ever like. The more Synth oriented direction, not to mention personal issues among the band members, led the group to create what is their least Led Zeppelin sounding album ever. All of My Love was the song from the album that stuck out to me, and even before I properly listened to the record, I always kinda had a thing for it. An ode to Robert Plant’s son who died two years prior, the mix of love & melancholy seemed odd to me when I was younger. When I got old, I understood why, and that brings a dignified smile to my face.

1) Van Halen - Jump (Song)
You shouldn’t be surprised by this.

The death of Eddie Van Halen in October of 2020 sent waves throughout the Rock & Metal communities, and you can still feels ripples once in a while five months later. Long considered an 80s music icon, his passing as all but assured that there won’t be a return of these legends to the stage ever again. Regardless, the music that he & his compatriots made is some of the best that Hard Rock/Hair Metal can provide, and Jump is in my view the best song they’ve ever created. Like I stated back in June of 2019 (Which you can read here), this song is just pure distilled happiness. The over the top keyboards, the cheery melodies from the guitar, bass, & drums, and David Lee Roth’s strong vocal work all come together to create a phenomenal track (Ironic, given that Roth left after 1984's subsequent tour). It recalls a much happier time. A time where we didn’t have to worry about a plague. A time where we weren’t at each other’s throats over so much bullshit, and a time where we were smiling a lot more. It’s this pure innocence that makes me smile & laugh so much, and it’s that laughter and smiling that has me put Jump as the number 1 song of this list.

And those were the 10 songs that make me laugh and/or smile. Maybe in the future I’ll do another one of these, but for the moment I think I’m good. This list was a relief for me, given what I put out back in January. Well, we got April near, so see you all then for more content. Until then, be sure to laugh or smile a little!

The Top 10 Moments In Television That Make Me Laugh And/Or Smile

Big smiles fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

As we continue on with this month of happy, we move onto the world of television. I’ve watched at horde of TV over the decades, and as such I remember some of the oddest things from that time. It’s ironic I say that, as this was actually a pretty tough list to make. As with the list from January, I’m stretching the definition of what Television is on here. Maybe even more so in some cases, but enough about that! Time for me to show you the top 10 moments in television that make me laugh and/or smile......let’s begin!

10) Deadliest Warrior: Season 3 - Vampires vs Zombies Final Fight (Scene)
I think that even fans of this late 2000s/early 2010s series knew that this may have been it. The problems that were cropping up in seasons 1 & 2 became a bit too obvious, and the direction that season 3 went deviated from the more relaxed approach. However, one laid-back moment came when Vampires vs Zombies premiered in 2011. A bit controversial when it was initially announced, it ended up being one of the most popular episodes of the season. It used a surprising amount of real-world science, all the while being incredibly entertaining at the same time. The final fight that showed off all of the testing was nothing short of magical. It may have been the last time that Deadliest Warrior would appear on the TV screen, but it sure as hell was entertaining!

9) Queen - I’m Going Slightly Mad (Scene)
Back in January I talked about Queen and their emotional track, These Are The Days Of Our Lives. It’s a beautiful song, but also a tearjerker at the same time. This song has none of that sadness. I’m Going Slightly Mad is perhaps the band at their silliest, and is a great counterpart to the more serious tracks. It also shows that despite being on Death’s door, Freddy Mercury still knew how to laugh & enjoy life. The whole band joins in on the antics, and the resulting music video is nothing short of silly chaos. It can’t be further described, so you just have to see it for yourself.

8) Cowboy Bebop - Ein High (Scene)
A Corgi that gets high off of magic mushrooms.....do I need to say anything else!?

7) Outlaw Star - Aisha In The Restaurant (Scene)
If you were to point a gun at my head and ask me between Cowboy Bebop & Outlaw Star, almost always I will say Outlaw Star. Make no mistake: Cowboy Bebop is a classic, and rightfully deserves all of it’s praise. I just have certain issues with it, but onto this scene! What can be said about Outlaw Star’s resident cat girl? She’s cute. She’s muscular & strong. She’s got a hell of an appetite....and she can occasionally be slightly ditzy. Case in point: when Gene & Jim take her to a restaurant because they “felt” bad for her, she decides to try to still go after them. As usual, Gene & Jim escape her escapades, and find some way to make her pay (Comically, of course) for her idiocy. Win!

6) AVGN - Chex Quest Review (Scene)
I gotta thank the Angry Video Game Nerd for venturing into the realm of PC gaming. While handheld & consoles will always be his domain, it’s nice that he’s willing to come over to my side of the fence once in a while, and I was smiling from ear to ear when he took a look at a classic Doom WAD from back in the day. I played the crap out of this in 96, and to see him experience the same joy I did tugs at the heartstrings. Of course, there’s also the Nerd’s patented usage of the F word, not to mention perhaps one of the best sketches he’s ever made in his decade+ career. He’s sent the flemoids to the beyond (And hell), and he’s sent laughter into me at the same time. Nice job!

5) 7UP Christmas Commercial w/Spot 1988 (Scene)
We all have that one commercial that gets us ready for the holiday season. That one commercial that lights the Christmas fuze, and explodes on Christmas day. Though I still believe that the Sainsbury commercial from 2014 is essential to watch once December comes around, the one that unleashes a nostalgia tidal wave would be the 7UP Dots and their quick wintry adventure in 1988.  Santa is leaving a house, when the Dots notice a fire truck fall out of his back. The duo then proceed to drive said truck to it’s rightful owner, and while their journey is indeed quick, there is nothing short of Christmas magic taking place during the 31 seconds it plays. People who didn’t grow up with this commercial might see it as silly, but for individuals like me it’s very significant.

4) Mythbusters - Ask A Ninja! (Scene)
If you were to mention Ask A Ninja, people’s minds would be transported back to the early years of Youtube. Back when things were more rough & tumble, and content creators wouldn’t have to worry about getting canned. In the case of Ask A Ninja, you had a white dude in a sterotypical ninja outfit, being an absolute dork with questions people send him. So when Mythbusters did an episode dedicated to exploring various myths about Shinobi, the Ask A Ninja guy was a perfect comedic fit. Despite the wonderful scientific experiments & analysis, the meat of the episode (For some people) was easily the humor! There was a lot that happened that made me laugh, giggle, snort, and at the very least made me chuckle. If you can ever find the episode or catch it on repeat, then prepare to laugh. Hi yah!

3) Yan Can Cook - Any Episode (Scene)
I talked about this back in January, but I’ll briefly mention it here: the rediscovery of an old childhood favorite tugged at my heartstrings & can get me to cry. This time around, I want to talk about how surprisingly funny an episode of Yan Can Cook can be! Perhaps the humor’s biggest strength is that it’s used at just the right moment. Martin Yan may be gimmicky sometimes with a bit, but it never overstays it’s welcome. As he cooks the signature dish(es) of the episode, he inserts quick little comments that get the audience to chuckle at the least, or laugh out loud at the most. On top of that, his cooking skills and recipes are informative for anyone interested in Chinese cooking.  

2) Yu Yu Hakusho - Genkai vs Suzuka (Scene)
The only reason that this isn’t my number 1 is because it goes by rather quickly. At only a minute & 23 seconds, it’s sort of a “Blink And You’ll Miss It” kind of scene. However, in that brief amount of time you’re treated to perhaps the goofiest fight in Yu Yu Hakusho’s run. From the moment I saw her in Season 1, I have nothing but love & respect for the badass Grandma known as Genkai. She loves her students, but has little tolerance for bullshit. So when a clown annoys her to no end, she goes to town & proceed to maul him like a rabid grizzly bear. She jumps on his spine, unleashes a tornado of punches, and for good measure kicks him square in the face. If for whatever reason you’re not laughing as this plays out, then I don’t know what to say!

Before we get to my number 1, I just wanted to cover some honorable mentions. Now, these points make me feel warm & fuzzy just as much as everything else. The only reason that either of these aren’t on the main list is because I wasn’t sure where to put them. With that out of the way, here are the honorable TV moments that get me to laugh and/or smile.

HM1) Sabaton - When Kids Show Up On Stage (Scene)
As a dear friend of mine once said: Sabaton are badasses with a heart of gold. Nothing shows off this fact more when the bad decides to bring kids up onto the stage. It’s an absolute treat for the kids, who are probably never going to forget the experience, and Joakim & the rest of the band become like a second metallic family to them. There’s multiple instances of moments like this from over the years, so it’s hard to say which one’s the best. Regardless, as the front Swede often says: Heavy Metal is for everyone!

HM2) Monster Girl Doctor - Diagnosing Spider Girl (Scene)
The spiritual successor to Monster Musume, this surprisingly wholesome fantasy series is also quite charming with it’s cast of ladies. One could make some easy connections to Okayado’s flagship series, but that would also be doing it a disservice. There’s a little more maturity, a little less fan-service, and the main character can be a bit more professional that the one from MM (Even though he’s a good guy in his own right). One of the best scenes happens towards the end of the show: after catching a near-theft, the resident Lamia and Centaur are sitting the Arachne seamstress down so she can explain herself. The conversation that comes up is actually rather sweet & realistic, and what happens at the end is nothing short of smile inducing.  

1) Monster Musume - Kimihito Kurusu Hugs Centorea Shianus (Scene)
I wasn’t able to find the best hug scene from this series, but luckily I managed to find one that’s just about as good. For as fan-servicey as a show about having a harem of monster girls can be, Monster Musume also happens to have some surprisingly tender & serious moments. Case in point: the lovable Kimihito is getting chased down by a giant boar (Who decided to chase down a devil girl that was causing them issues earlier), when the valiant centaur comes in & gives it a beating. Our lead begins to thank his rescuer, when she lets out an emotional outburst. Stating that’s she’s only useful when she’s already caused trouble, she eventually begins to cry by the end. Kimihito jumps on her backside to ride due to his ankle getting hurt. She still doubts herself, when the lovable dork gives her a hug of confidence, and the warm & fuzzies come right out. MM isn’t truly a deep show, but it’s moments like these that give the series (And the franchise by extension) more depth than people realize.

And those were the 10 moments in television that make me laugh and/or smile. I’m still surprised at how challenging this one was, but I managed to complete it all the same! Well, I got 1 more list around the end of the month, so tune in on the 28th when I’ll talk about the songs that make me fell all warm & fuzzy. See you then!

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If you’re curious about Yan Can Cook, then check out the link below:

Yan Can Cook (KQED)

The Top 10 Moments In Movies That Make Me Laugh And/Or Smile

Happy March fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

As you no doubt recall this past January, I unleashed a torrent of sadness on all of you. This month is going to be the exact opposite, and a tidal wave of happiness is gonna crash right on top of you! All throughout March, I got 3 lists showing of things that make me smile, make me laugh, or a pleasant combination of both. Today, I’m showing off the scenes in all of cinema that warm my soul, and give me the biggest grin. So let’s not waste anymore take, and take a look at the top 10 moments in movies that make me laugh and/or smile!

10) Honey I Blew Up The Kid - Diane & Oscar (Scene)
I am always a sucker for warm & fuzzy moments where characters reunite. The scene before this (Which I talked about here) is an absolute tearjerker, and I won’t lie when I say that this moment can get a tear or two out of me also. However, the smiles that come from seeing mother & son come back together are far more numerous than the tears that fall down my face. Honey I Blew Up The Kid isn’t quite as mature as the original movie before it, as this one is considerably more cutesy, but I cannot deny that I still get a kick out of this scene. Speaking of warm & fuzzy.....

9) Rugrats the Movie - Family Reunited (Scene)
As I said above, warm & fuzzy reunions are a-okay in my book. There’s just something about characters coming back together after being separated that tugs at my heartstrings, and this scene fundamentally is the same as above: a tragic event happens before, and then the happy counterpart happens not long after. I think I rate this one a little bit higher than the one at no. 10 mostly because of the connections to their beloved pooch. It’s odd that I’ve just watched this movie in recent years, when I recall growing up with Rugrats when they were on Nickelodeon. If you ever want to reconnect with your inner child, then you might want to watch this film.

8) Army of Darkness - This Is My Boomstick! (Scene)
I was one of those weird people that actually saw Army of Darkness before Evil Dead or Evil Dead 2. So when it came time to see the 1st two films, I experienced a big case of whiplash in terms of tone! Regardless, for a movie that tries to bank on it’s scary moments, it also happens to be equally hilarious at the same time. A big example of this is when Bruce Campbell climbs out of the pit at the castle: pretty peeved at being falsely accused of being with King Henry, he shows off the power & majesty of his “Boomstick”. He even manages to turn his sales pitch for it into a threat towards the crowd in front of him, and said crowd completely falls for it. It’s the kind of scene that only Bruce Campbell can command, and you’ll be laughing as you try to speak the lines!    

7) Jackass 3d - Duck Hunting (Scene)
Sometimes, you need a movie that just shuts your brain off and turns you to mush, and all 3 of the Jackass films easily fit the bill for me. However, if there was one dumb stunt of their’s that gets me to howl like a hyena, it would be in the 3rd film where I just shake from laughter. It’s nothing much: Just 6 guys out on a duck hunt from boats......with paintball guns.......shooting at “ducks” that are launched from an inflatable balloon. Honestly, it’s a hell of a lot more hilarious when you see it in motion, so give it a watch!

6) Die Hard - Hans’s Fall (Scene)
One of the most, if not perhaps the most essential action film, Die Hard’s legacy is without question. From the explosions, to the other practical effects, to the one liners, and to the characters, it’s easily to see why it’s in the public’s consciousness a little over 30 decades after it’s release to theaters. Though there are plenty of scene that’ll get you to jump out of your chair & cheer for Bruce Willis, it’s at the near end when he’s rescuing his wife that gets this reaction out of me. After practically destroying Alan Rickman’s gang, he corners him. After a scuffle, he promptly takes a bullet from Bruce, and almost drags Bruce’s wife with him. Fortunately, she’s saved from a crushing death. Alan on the other hand falls down, and turns into a bloody pancake. I can’t think of any other way to kill a 80s bad guy quite.....like.....this!

5) Schindler's List - Ending (Scene)
There are two kinds of “Hell Yeah” moments in film. You got the ones that make you jump out of your seat like the one above, and then you have scenes like this one. A much more dignified kind of “Hell Yeah” scene where one keeps quiet, takes in what unfolding, and a small smile shows up. Make no mistake: the ending to one of the saddest films in all of history will leave you crying your eyes out, but in an odd way I smile. As horrific as the events in the movie were, it is nice to see a “Light in the Dark” situation take place. 1,100 Jews were saved by the hand of a man once concerned with wealth & his ego, and it took an act of horrific cruelty to change his mind. Schindler’s List may not be for everyone, and I can understand why some would stop the movie after a point, but it’s moments like this that actually make it worth seeing till the end.

4) Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade - Airplane Tunnel Car Chase (Scene)
A movie that, to this very day, proves to me why cinema can be awesome! I remember sitting down with my parent’s tape, putting it into the VHS, and sat there for 2 hours & 7 minutes. Baring witness to one of the 80s best action films, Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade has become my number 1 movie of all time (Read here for further details), and also became a film for when I want to laugh. Case in point is when Indy & his Dad are in their getaway car, and they’re being chased by 2 Nazi pilots. The first one, in an act of incredible brilliance, decides to follow them into a tunnel. His wings are torn off, and becomes a flaming mass that contains a rather confused pilot. Then there the other pilot, and without getting into details.....yes just say he has his own moment of The Birds. It’s such an absurd set of circumstances, it somehow makes sense.

3) The Mummy - Wrong Side Of The River (Scene)
I remember way back in 1999 when I saw this movie in the theater with my folks, and despite how scary it was to me at the time, I love the absolute hell out of this movie! An example of how to do a remake right, The Mummy was a late 90s action legend, but it also had some pretty good humor spread throughout the film. A good example is when our heroes managed to fight back against some river pirates, but are forced to jump ship when it becomes too damaged. They end up being on one side of the river, and their rivals end up on the other side. The rivals state that they have all the horses, and......well, just watch it!

2) Mystery Men - Silent & Deadly (Scene)
We all have that one movie scene where it harkens back to our juvenile sense of humor. Where we forgo good taste, and embrace the wonder that is toilet humor. Despite it making only half of it’s cost, Mystery Men’s status as a cult-classic superhero parody cannot be denied. With a surprisingly great cast, it’s no wonder that it’s still talked about among it’s fans. If there was one scene that shows off how childish some of it comedy can be, hands down it’s when The Spleen shows up. I won’t get into details, but let’s just say that if you like fart jokes.....then this one is a gas!

Now before we get to my number 1, I want to cover some honorable mentions. Make no mistake: These scenes get me to laugh & smile as much as everything else on here. They’re not lesser in any way because of being at this point on the list, and no-one should think so. With that out of the way, here they are!

HM1) To Kill a Mockingbird - Scout Meets Boo Radley (Scene)
I spoke of this scene back in January, and I’ll say this again here: this scene is a tearjerker. From the mood and to the music, it’s obvious that this moment in the movie was meant to tug at the heartstrings. In an odd way, however, Scout meeting her mute savior is also a very heartwarming scene. Robert Duvall played the roll of the gentle (For the most part) giant without any hiccups, and Mary Badham’s pure innocence as Scout just makes for a beautiful moment in cinema history. If you don’t use a tissue during this scene, or if you’re not smiling, then something is very clearly wrong with you.

HM2) Lethal Weapon - Riggs vs Mr. Joshua (Scene)
Fun fact: I was a bit of a latecomer to Die Hard, but a much later arrival to the Lethal Weapon series. To me, I find both franchises to be action-packed classics. Filled to the brim with great actors, over-the-top set pieces, and some well placed humor, the Lethal Weapon franchise deserves it’s reputation, and it’s all thanks to fight scenes like this. Ironically, this is one of the more basic fights, but as a way to conclude the first film it’s more than appropriate. As with the death of main baddie Hans Gruber, seeing Mr. Joshua get mauled to death by Mel Gibson will get you to jump out of your seat & cheer loudly. You definitely don’t want to skip this!

1) Blazing Saddles - Welcome Sheriff (Scene)
I think it’s a safe bet to say that a movie like Blazing Saddles will never be made again. Thanks to certain people (*Cough* LEFTISTS *Cough*), we’ll never see this kind of film again (Despite it being written by a Black Man & one of the world’s most iconic Jewish comedians). It’s funny, it’s clever, and whether it was intentional or not, it is also one of the best pieces of anti-racist media to have ever been made. It’s ironic I say that, as my favorite scene also happens to be the most racist! I recall watching this movie for the first time in my late teens (17 if I recall correctly), and when I got to this scene my jaw dropped.....and I proceeded to laugh my ass off! If you want to know why I did, then give this scene a go. You might laugh a lot too!  

And those were the top 10 moments in movies that make me laugh and/or smile. Last year was harsh for all of us, but if we watch something that’ll give us a chuckle.....maybe it’s not all bad. Speaking of watching, I got another list coming, and that’ll be on the moments in television that get me to laugh. See you soon!