Back in 2002, Dolly Parton covered (gasp) “Stairway to Heaven.” I’m sure most people’s first reaction was to be horrified that the singer who brought us “9 to 5” would dare to touch Zeppelin’s crown jewel, but if you excuse Parton’s pop country days and focus on her early and late periods, the idea should be at least compelling. I… Read more »
During the show, a friend remarked that Charlie Benante was among the best speed metal drummers, up there with Lars Ulrich. Another guy remarked that he prefered Pantera’s Vinnie Paul (which of course discredits his opinion entirely). But both forgot about Slayer’s Dave Lombardo who I’ve long considered the genre’s best and most definitive drummer. He was simply brutal. Charlie… Read more »
January 6, 2006, Ram’s Head Live, Baltimore, MD Twenty years ago, Spreading the Disease was perhaps my favorite speed metal album. It wasn’t as dark as Reign in Blood or as self-consciously serious as Master of Puppets. It was positive and fun. So when I was offered a ticket to see Anthrax, I agreed without a second thought. Anthrax might… Read more »