List: Most Annoying Voices

I was having a conversation with a couple friends the other day. We were discussing a few bands and the thing that kept coming up was the voice of the vocalist. As we were chatting a list was starting to be made and why not make this a fun collaborative list! This list doesn’t necessarily mean they are terrible just that their voices aren’t easy to listen to (high pitched, nasally, obnoxious, etc). So, here we go…

Geddy Lee- Rush
Tom DeLonge- Blink 182/Angels and Airwaves
Perry Farrell- Jane’s Addiction/Porno For Pyros
Claudio Sanchez- Coheed and Cambria
Scott Stapp- Creed
Myles Kennedy- Alter Bridge/Slash
Daron Malakian- System Of A Down/Scars On Broadway
Justin Hawkins- The Darkness
King Diamond- Mercyful Fate/King Diamond
Gerard Way- My Chemical Romance
Davey Havok- AFI/Blaqq Audio
Steven Tyler- Aerosmith
Chris Carraba- Dashboard Confessional
Bert McKracken- The Used
Adam Lazzara- Taking Back Sunday
Brian Molko- Placebo
Billy Corgan- The Smashing Pumpkins
Chino Moreno- Deftones
Joey Belladona- Anthrax
Dani Filth- Cradle Of Filth
Ben Gibbard- Death Cab For Cutie/The Postal Service
Sully Erna- Godsmack
Chad Gray- Mudvayne/Hellyeah
Anders Frieden- In Flames
Chester Bennington- Linkin Park
Cedric Bixler Zavala- At The Drive In/The Mars Volta
Maria Brink- In This Moment
Dave Mustaine- Megadeth
Vince Neil- Motley Crue (anything post 1991)
Tim Armstrong- Rancid/The Transplants
Anthony Green- Saosin/Circa Survive
Brian Aubert- Silversun Pickups
Bjork
Jewel
Joni Mitchell
Joan Baez
Bob Dylan

Track One: Megadeth- Holy Wars… The Punishment Due

Megadeth’s album Rust In Peace is a tremendous record. It’s definitely one of the best metal albums of all time. The guitar work on the record is beyond superb. In fact, the first song on Rust In Peace, “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due” is one of the quintessential metal songs of all time. As a first song on an album, this is one of the best. The song itself has an interesting background. It was inspired by the Northern Ireland conflicts at the time. Holy Wars, since the release of Rust In Peace, has been a live staple for over 30 years now. It truly is one of the greatest track one’s of all time.

Megadeth- Holy Wars… The Punishment Due:

Collaborations: Metallica with Dave Mustaine

We all know the story of how Dave Mustaine was once a member of Metallica. I don’t need to go into that. Instead let us focus on when Metallica did their 30th anniversary shows at The Fillmore in San Francisco. During those shows, Metallica played a ton of songs they haven’t in years and it featured many guests including, Ozzy, Jerry Cantrell, Danzig and especially, Dave Mustaine. The mini set they played with Mustaine was pretty awesome. It’s definitely one of those moments that should be celebrated. Who knows, maybe we’ll get to see it again one day or even one more “Big 4” show.

Phantom Lord/Jump In The Fire:

Metal Militia:

Hit The Lights (with Ron McGovney & Lloyd Grant):

Album Rank: Megadeth

It’s been a while since I really sat down and listened to Megadeth. So the other day I put on their new album Dystopia and found I quite enjoyed it. To me it sounds like Dave was trying to recapture the feeling he and the band had during Rust In Peace. So much so, that Chris Adler’s drumming on the album has a Nick Menza feel to it. Anyways, I realized that Megadeth has 15, yes 15 albums, and I felt the need to rank them.

 

15) Super Collider:

 

14) The World Needs A Hero:

 

13) Thirteen:

 

12) United Abominations:

 

11) Endgame:

 

10) Risk:

 

09) Cryptic Writings:

 

08) The System Has Failed:

 

07) Dystopia:

 

06) So Far, So Good…So What:

 

05) Youthanasia:

 

04) Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good:

 

03) Countdown To Extinction:

 

02) Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying:

 

01) Rust In Peace:

Album Anniversary: Metallica- Ride The Lightning

30 years ago, Metallica stepped up their game following their debut album and released Ride The Lightning. The album was recorded in Denmark by Flemming Rasmussen, who would go on to produce their next two albums. Ride the Lightning is the last Metallica album to credit former guitarist Dave Mustaine, with co-writing any songs. He is credited on the title track, “Ride the Lightning”, and instrumental track “The Call of Ktulu.” Though only eight songs are on the album, the 47 minutes of sheer intensity is very prevalent. Starting off the album is “Fight Fire With Fire.” This song opens with a very classical melody then jumps right into the thrash madness. The title track “Ride The Lightning” balances the harmony of dueling guitars with a crunchy churning riff. “For Whom The Bell Tolls” has one of the best bass parts ever. This song is beyond recognizable and is still a crowd favorite at Metallica shows. Cliff Burton really shines on this song. “Fade To Black” wasn’t well received upon first listen, but this song really showcases the ability of the band to write great songs. The entire arrangement of the song from the melody, lyrics, and riffs are spectacular, not to mention the closing solo. “Trapped Under Ice” is a very underrated thrash song. The speed of the playing on this song is intense. “Escape” is a wildcard on the album. This song has a more melodic sensibility to it. Though it does show what kind of range James was starting to develop. “Creeping Death” is my personal favorite Metallica song, it was also the first song of their I learned to play, so there is some sentimental attachment to it. The riff on this track is heavy as hell. The interesting part of this song is the lyrics as they are all about the biblical exodus and the plagues of the Jews leaving Egypt. Closing out the album is the instrumental “The Call Of The Ktulu.” This song is epic, melodic, and heavy, all the things that Ride The Lightning represents.

Ride The Lightning was definitely a step in the right direction for Metallica. James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett really started to come into their own as a great guitar duo. Cliff Burton was a beast on the bass. Lars actually played with a passion. For many Master Of Puppets is considered their best album, I for one am in the minority in thinking that Ride The Lightning is. Not to take anything away from Master, I just have more of a connection to this album. 

 

 

By: Brian Lacy