We all know those songs. There's something about the lyrics, or the melody, or the rhythm that makes you feel awesome the moment the song starts up. Maybe it's just nostalgia or memory-association, taking you back to a great time of your life. Maybe it just calms you into complete tranquility. Maybe you rock out so hard you find yourself drained of aggression and rage, and you're right back to tranquility. Whatever, they're all so goddam great.
I played "Vaughan Williams - Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis" back in high school, and even then, the mingling of the strings, the lone, somber singing solo of the violin, the rumbling of the string bass, it all comes together to grip my heart and soul in a way almost no piece of music has been able to do. 5+ years later, I still shed a few tears as the strings ebb and swell, and I really think that's how it'll be until I'm on my death-bed.
Anyway, link:
Kaizers Orchestra has been probably my number one favorite band for the past 4 years or so, but when I was driving down a highway in Wisconsin in May while listening to "Prossessen", I suddenly felt more awesome and content in the world than ever before. I haven't the slightest clue what they're singing about, but that's just not the point. The melody and percussion set me at ease, is all. It's my understanding that "Prosessen" is one of Kaizers Orchestra's least-liked songs. Maybe it's all in the lyrics, but from where I stand, it's one of their best. No matter how I feel, I can listen to this song and all is right in the world.
Rhapsody of Fire is an Italian band which I personally categorize as "symphonic rage metal", because of their occasional masterful use of a symphony and their ability to turn my blood to untempered, out of control fire. They have at least a half-dozen songs that make me want to punch a hole in the fabric of reality, but for the sake of the thread, I'll have to choose "Raging Starfire". Yes, the title is somewhat corny. On the other hand, when I listen to it, all I can think is ARE YOU READY TO UNLEASH THE FUCKING FURY!?
True story: I was sick as a dog the week of Christmas last year, but when I was driving around to do some last-minute shopping, I had a metal-induced rage turn into a metal-induced (temporary) health that kept me going strong the whole day. Two guesses what band I was listening to.
I played "Vaughan Williams - Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis" back in high school, and even then, the mingling of the strings, the lone, somber singing solo of the violin, the rumbling of the string bass, it all comes together to grip my heart and soul in a way almost no piece of music has been able to do. 5+ years later, I still shed a few tears as the strings ebb and swell, and I really think that's how it'll be until I'm on my death-bed.
Anyway, link:
Kaizers Orchestra has been probably my number one favorite band for the past 4 years or so, but when I was driving down a highway in Wisconsin in May while listening to "Prossessen", I suddenly felt more awesome and content in the world than ever before. I haven't the slightest clue what they're singing about, but that's just not the point. The melody and percussion set me at ease, is all. It's my understanding that "Prosessen" is one of Kaizers Orchestra's least-liked songs. Maybe it's all in the lyrics, but from where I stand, it's one of their best. No matter how I feel, I can listen to this song and all is right in the world.
Rhapsody of Fire is an Italian band which I personally categorize as "symphonic rage metal", because of their occasional masterful use of a symphony and their ability to turn my blood to untempered, out of control fire. They have at least a half-dozen songs that make me want to punch a hole in the fabric of reality, but for the sake of the thread, I'll have to choose "Raging Starfire". Yes, the title is somewhat corny. On the other hand, when I listen to it, all I can think is ARE YOU READY TO UNLEASH THE FUCKING FURY!?
True story: I was sick as a dog the week of Christmas last year, but when I was driving around to do some last-minute shopping, I had a metal-induced rage turn into a metal-induced (temporary) health that kept me going strong the whole day. Two guesses what band I was listening to.
