Lacuna Coil - BEST BAND EVER.

So backstory on this, I've been listening to Lacuna Coil, a metal band from Italy, since around 2003. Oregon-B exposed me to this band and with every album that gets released, I like them that much more.

The music is heavy, the lyrics are very well written, and let's just face it...Cristina, the lead singer (pictured above) is just smokin' hot, and even moreso in person!

I recently saw them a few days ago in concert at Neumos in Seattle. This was a tiny venue where I could have almost literally reached out and strummed on the guitars of the band. I was in the second row and loving it.

Their sound is perfect. Her and Andrea Ferro (the lead male vocal) have voices that don't need to be put through any mixing equipment because they are flawless. High energy show with a band that hasn't forgotten their roots. Every person on stage has refined their talent enough so that when they are all working together, it's just absolutely flawless and awe inspiring. I've been to many concerts and hands down, Lacuna Coil is the best band I have ever seen live. End of f**king story.

What makes it even more awesome is that Cristina actually shook my hand. :P Yep. I sound like a tween girl, but seriously...when you've listened to a band as much as I have listened to them, actually seeing the band live, and literally being 6 feet away from them is just something that is undescribable.

Lacuna Coil is an unstoppable musical juggernaut that I will follow FOREVER!!!

ROCK ON LACUNA COIL!

The Universe Have Spoken

I would buy Daniel Simpson (assailant) breakfast at Denny's for this fine night's work.

Kudos to the Noel Gallagher pusher, you're the man!

Daniel Simpson, the "Oasis-truly-eats-a-bag-of-dicks-and-I'm-not-gonna-stand-for-it-anymore" hero.

Moment Of Silence For Don LaFontaine

I've long been pondering putting in a memoriam section for those individuals who pass away that I have great respect for, and I didn't honestly see the first one go to Don LaFontaine, the King of Hollywood Voice Overs.

As corny as some might say, Don is a legend in my universe. This is literally a guy almost all of us have grown up with. True, maybe not in a hero type role, or as a role model...but someone that can immediately spark thousands of memories at the instant sound of his voice.

Five thousand movie trailers in a 33 year career, this guy is world renown for his voice. To think that his voice was so awesome, that he was both a celebrity from it, and lived off it.


It's very unfortunate that people as unique as this step off our worldly plain so quickly, but at least on the brighter side, he's just started on his career of being a Hollywood epic, and completely unmatched by anyone else.

Hats off to you Mr. LaFontaine....the movies will be a bit more bleak in the future.

To the epic voice over hero, Don LaFontaine.

Definately Not "The Fad"

In reviewing the blog, I realized that all the figures of triumph I've named (namely the heroines) have been all female. Well far be it from me to ignore my fellow name. In keeping with the tradition as the first heroine was a musical artist, I'm naming the first hero as the band Chevelle.
I caveat with saying I'm not deep into music. True I played the piano but only when I was forced to, I dropped my Music Appreciation class in college, and I cannot stand such "music greats" as the Beatles, U2, and Lynard Skynard. I don't reasearch and memorize who bands are, their histories, or where they come from. Hell, most of the time I don't even know the names of the songs. However, I can say that I do recognize talent when I hear it.
Chevelle is good for several unusal reasons. First and foremost, the band looks like a couple of gents you'd sit next to at a bar with, or go play poker with on a Friday night. They're not fanatical or tattoo with some image to maintain. They honestly look like they just got out of class and they're on their way home.
Secondly, their musical range is diverse, but not all over the place. They don't do the Metallica thing (please don't sue me Lars) and have a CD compiled with both speed metal and slow dance songs (LAAAAAAMO), or attempt to capture every sound under the sun. Most of their music is in the realm of "a big group of slow walking angry guys" or "bar fight music".
Finally, the biggest asset is the lead singer. He has a very wide vocal range, and his ability to sing while screaming (in a limited manner) is a very rare find indeed, and prevents the "cookie monster" lyrics that have made such bands as Static-X notorious for (no offense guys, you still rock). His ability to harmonize is also very well versed. Having these guys go duo with possibly a female band (I think he'd counter Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil well) would just be the bomb.
"But Azureal, I heard these guys are a Christan band". I don't know if this is true or not, but I really doubt it, and I honestly don't care. I'm pretty positive when I hear "God bands" because they all have those long guitar riffs and the almost wall climbing, weepy vocals (12 Stones you bastards...holy crap did you trick me). Blech. Chevelle is nothing of this sort.

Chevelle, the "we're-gonna-have-your-back-in-a-fight" heros!

Put This In Your Throne And Honor It

I've learned so much from TV and the Internet, and not shockingly, I'm still learning of new stuff that shocks me to no end.

A sandwich of epic porportions, I first learned of the Fool's Gold Loaf sandwich watching tv. I can't remember what show it was, but the basic gist is this. This sandwich was a favorite of Elvis, and was based in Denver. This leviathan sized sandwich used a full loaf of bread (hollowed out of course), a jar of peanut butter & jelly each, and a pound of cooked bacon. By my rough estimates, this "sandwich" would weight approximately 4.5 to 5 pounds total (pre-cooked weight).

Further more, the article cited pointed out that this sandwich contains nearly 42,000 calories. That is 21 times your daily recommended caloric intake. That would be the equivelent of eating 42 of the Jack-In-The-Box Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburgers. I would be interested in finding out the amount of fat in this sandwich, which could vary well be the side quest of my next grocery store visit.

I'm would be tempted to try eating this gargantuan sandwich for the mere bragging rights, however, my conscience tells me better for the following reasons:

- I know how much saturated fat is in a single tablespoon of peanut butter...but a whole jar? Uhm, no.

- I go to the gym regularly to avoid having seizures. I don't want to toss all that work down the drain just to have a sandwich inspired coronary.

- I feel slovenly enough after eating a regular burger, I'm sure this would rise me up to "Jabba The Hutt" rank.

Fool's Gold Loaf - The "Heart Burster" hero (sandwich)