Tag: mean mistreater

mean mistreater - do or die
The 9C Files, Vinyl

The 9C Files: Mean Mistreater’s Do Or Die

There’s an alternate reality, a shadow world if you will, where Mean Mistreater, the Austin, TX metal upstarts came out in the late 80s, and after months of hard work delivered their sophomore album Do or Die to the label. The response from some cigar-chomping exec with dollar signs in his eyes (I’m thinking specifically of this image) would leer and hand them a dictionary-sized pile of notes, probably starting with things like “the drums are too busy”, “why is it so fast?” and – perhaps most horrifying – “can you make it more, you know…sexy?” Thank god we don’t live in that shadow world, and thank god Mean Mistreater are here not changing a damn thing from their fantastic debut, giving us a ripping storm of a heavy metal record, all bite to accompany its massive bark.

Continue reading “The 9C Files: Mean Mistreater’s Do Or Die“
Unknown's avatarChrisLeave a comment
Playlists

(Un)Focused Definition Ep. 59: The Mid-Year Metal Report

I’ll be honest: about half of my trip to Italy was spent listening to Italian progressive rock – mainly the Quella Vecchio Locanda debut, the debut from Le Orme I also picked up while at Discoteca Laziale in Rome, and some mid-70s Banco del Mutuo Soccorso. Another quarter was spent listening to David Bowie live albums, and then the last few days was a mad escapade trying to sort my mid-year report for Nine Circles. Usually I do nine records as part of our Nine Circles ov… series, but something happened. Turns out I loved metal this year. I think it gave me a lot of comfort in times of great stress and depression. So not nine, not even a baker’s dozen…but 32 albums, a tasting of which is presented for your perusal, enjoyment, or distress below.

Continue reading “(Un)Focused Definition Ep. 59: The Mid-Year Metal Report”
Unknown's avatarChrisLeave a comment
Playlists

(Un)Focused Definition Ep. 38: The One With A Bunch Of Stuff I Still Need To Listen To

The world is a dumpster fire and I haven’t been coping very well. I can’t find any space in myself, and every breath feel like Im suffocating. So this is a playlist of a bunch of music that’s come in over the past week I still need to listen to, digest, and figure out what it means – if anything – to me. Sorry, I try to use this time and place to let go, but I can’t right now. I hope you’re in a safe place physically, mentally, and emotionally. I didn’t say “good” place – that might be asking too much. But a safe place, even if only temporary, I really wish for all of you.

Continue reading “(Un)Focused Definition Ep. 38: The One With A Bunch Of Stuff I Still Need To Listen To”
Unknown's avatarChrisLeave a comment
Playlists

(Un)Focused Definition Ep. 30: Best of 2024: Metal Honorable Mentions

Last playlist of the year is all metal. On Thursday I released my Nine Circles Honorable Mentions, and it’s a beast: 25 albums that moved and rocked me in some way. So similar to last week’s (Un)Focused Definition this is going to focus on those albums, with the final, “official” best of metal list coming in the first year of January, and then my “all-in” playlist accompanying the year-end round up post here, sometime in mid-January. I want to say I’m looking forward to getting back to older albums again, but the truth is there were so many great records released this year I’m having a blast going back and revisiting them all. So grab your denim vest, don your spikes, and let’s get heavy for round #2 of great 2024 metal.

Continue reading “(Un)Focused Definition Ep. 30: Best of 2024: Metal Honorable Mentions”
Unknown's avatarChrisLeave a comment
Playlists

(Un)Focused Definition Ep. 13: 2024, Bringing The Heavy (Another Slightly Past Mid-Year Review)

Not gonna lie: I enjoyed the stroll through 2024’s big hitters. And I have my attention being torn in a myriad of directions, having to get the Nine Circles playlist ready, the next post in Cinema Dual’s ongoing Kurosawa retrospective, a concert to attend Friday (I’m seeing Dweezil Zappa), and an extended weekend in the mountains to celebrate the last days of Summer. All of which is just my roundabout way of saying it’s time for another abbreviated post celebrating the music of 2024. This time we’re focusing on the heavier side of the spectrum, so expect the playlist this week to be loud, fast, and ferocious. Except when it’s slow, low, and meditative. Or progressive. This is why I love metal so much, you know?

Continue reading “(Un)Focused Definition Ep. 13: 2024, Bringing The Heavy (Another Slightly Past Mid-Year Review)”
Unknown's avatarChrisLeave a comment