Stuck In My Skull 460 -- "Dragon's Grail" [Symphonic Metal Week III]

Symphonic Metal Week III || Artist: Nota Profana || Song: "Dragon's Grail" || http://youtu.be/ap1-k-hv0C8 ||

Comments: Good morning everyone! I am back, and pleased to announce that this week is a theme week! That's right, folks, this week I'm writing about awesome tracks you've never heard from the wonderful world of symphonic metal! Just to mix things up, I might also post some of DJ Abso-Newt-ly's posts he gave me this week, so I don't bore anyone.
To open this week, I've got a band out of Venezuela called Nota Profana. I'm not used to hearing symphonic (or really any) metal out of South America, but if Nota Profana is any indication, this continent is more than able to hold its own. Nota Profana definitely has all the elements of a traditional symphonic metal band -- excellent guitars, an epic double bass drum, and even a pretty awesome female vocalist -- paired with what appears to be some serious choral and symphonic elements. Basically, Nota Profana put metal into a symphony, and it sounds great. Check it out!

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AMANDA-- "WORK B**CH" by BRITNEY SPEARS

Good morning everyone! Today I'm bringing you the latest and greatest from none other than Britney Spears. Tabloid drama aside, she has worked really hard to evolve and re-invent herself over the years. You may not personally find her music appealing but her work ethic is deserving of some respect. It has gotten her very far in the music business and happens to be the subject of her newest single "Work Bitch." Largely in spoken word, Spears tells listeners that if they want toachieve success in this world they had better get busy working not unlike Ru Paul's "Supermodel (You Better Work)." The thing perhaps most striking to me is the strong club beat contributed by Otto Knows. The song, produced and written by will.i.am, is ladden with synth and undoubtedly her most EDM inspired  track to date. "Work Bitch" is more satsifying than I care to admit and the perfect music for dancing the night away or getting motivated to do work! Enjoy and have a great weekend!

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AMANDA-- "SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL" by THE ROLLING STONES

Hey all! I don't have much to say about today's song except it is so much fun and a real favorite in our family. "Sympathy for the Devil" gives an account of human history from the point of view of Lucifer himself, whose not shy about his many exploits-from the crucifiction of Jesus Christ to the assassination of JFK. Jagger in the role of the Devil doesn't take all of the credit for the many atrocities committed against man but one cannot help being both slightly amused and terrified by the gleeful arrogance in his voice. Adding to its overall masterfulness and originality is the percussion, which gives the song a samba rhythmn and almost mystical if not hypnotic feel. Here the Stones are at their best and certaintly their most devilish. Happy listening and enjoy!

Fun fact: "Sympathy for the Devil" created a controversy upon its release in 1968, leading some to believe that the members of the band were real-life Satan worshippers and involved in the occult.

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Mental (Health Break)

Hey everyone,
Chris is taking the week off -- sorry for the lack of notice. Everything will be back to normal next week, but this week I'm waaaaay too stressed.
Check back Wednesday and Friday for more awesomeness from Amanda, and I'll try to put some entries by Newt up this week.

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AMANDA-- "LET MY LOVE OPEN THE DOOR" by LUMINATE

Happy Friday all! Today's song comes from a contemporary-ambient rock group from Texas, Luminate. As you can probably guess from the name, they are a Christian band. I generally don't listen to Christian music with the exception of Skillet but their cover of Pete Townsend's "Let My Love Open the Door" blew me away this week. The song is one of Townsend's biggest hits and the "love" he sings about can be interpreted as either romantic love or "God's love," likely explaining why Luminate would choose to cover it. I came across the song while watching the season two finale of HBO's "The Newsroom" and in the context of the show (a cheesy, celebratory montage) it works quite well. Honestly, just from listening, you probably wouldn't have any idea the group is Christian, not that it really matters. Their version is obviously very different from the 80's original but the soft, ambient sound is a real treat to the ears. It's not easy to explain exactly but the overall tone strikes me as richer and grander. The slower tempo also makes it extremely easy to appreciate Pete Townsend's genius -namely the beautiful lyrics and composition. Moreover, it's a feel good rock song that may or may not give you lots of warm fuzzies inside. Enjoy and have a terrific weekend!

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Shout Out and Huge Props

Hey guys, Chris here with a special announcement. The one and only DJ Abso-Newt-ly has hit a major milestone -- he's got 1000 views! If that weren't enough, everyone's favourite has promised to acquire a mixer and start producing some epic remixes for all his loyal fans. Read all about it and hear a great song here. Congrats, man, and we can't wait to see where you go next!

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Stuck In My Skull 459 -- "Keelhauled"

Song: "Keelhauled" || Artist: Alestorm || http://youtu.be/ta-Z_psXODw ||

Comments: Ahoy, mateys! Today be Talk Like a Pirate Day! Unfortunately, my pirate is a bit rusty so I'm not going to attempt to write this entry in Pirate English right now, but if I have some spare time I might give it a shot later. In honor of TLAP Day, I present some vintage pirate metal -- Alestorm and their classic hit "Keelhauled." There's not much to say about "Keelhauled" and Alestorm that can't be heard in this track -- the lead singer is also rocking a keytar (which is amazing in and of itself, I love keytars), they dress like pirates, and are so cheesy that I find myself unable to dislike them. Alestorm is the funniest thing I've heard lately, and pretty catchy to boot. Check them out, and happy Talk Like a Pirate Day!

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AMANDA--"DEFINED LINES" by THE LAW REVUE GIRLS *NSFW*

Good morning all! As I'm writing this post, I'm very excited because I'm going to take the opportunity to talk about something I consider important. Stuck In My Skull is and always will be first and foremost a music blog but now and then I like to have a little more depth to my posts. Until now, I've neglected to say anything at all about Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines." Whether you love it, hate it, or don't care, there's no denying it's gotten quite a lot of attention the last few months-negative and positive. I'm not here to tout my own views or push any kind of agenda on people but as a female and all-around person I largely agree with the feminist assessment of it as overtly misogynistic, rape-y, and just plain creepy. Nothing happens in a vacuum, not even pop music. In a society where sexual harassment and assault (of women predominately) are prevalent, it really perturbs me to see this song sitting at the top of the charts. Feel free to disagree as is your right. There are too many issues with "Blurred Lines" between the lyrics, rated and unrated music videos, and the comments Thicke has made about his motives for it to be remotely agreeable to my ears. The controversy has spawned several feminist parodies, including today's video and my personal favorite: "Defined Lines" by the Law Revue Girls, a student group from Auckland University. I'm almost certainly biased here but I enjoy the heck out of it. For one, the parody reverses the genders to make a point about sexism. I don't think meeting objectification with objectification is the answer but given the outrage from many men, I'd say it worked to an extent. It's also just refreshing to see Thicke directly called out for his actions and the message in his song countered with one that promotes female sexual agency, gender equality, and consent, which the music industry, and the world, could use more of. Warning: the filter and clothes come off, so better to save this one for home guys. Thanks for reading and enjoy!

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Stuck In My Skull 458 -- "Stunner"

Song: "Stunner" || Artist: dan le sac vs Scroobius Pip || http://youtu.be/aFSD2IvXecs || 

Comments: Many apologies for getting this entry out so late, guys, but trust me, this is worth it. Let's open by by saying there's a free download, link can be found at http://www.lesacvspip.co.uk. Now let's talk about the artist. Dan le sac vs Scroobius Pip is a producer/rapper duo from England, who I've mentioned a few times. I first brought them up way back in Entry 3, revisited that song in Entry 403, and talked about another song in Entry 23. All of that has been the duo's older work, though -- I haven't really paid them much attention lately.
My failure to pay them attention has been a great and terrible mistake. This song just came out of nowhere, smacked me in the face, sat me down, and taught me a lesson in good music.This song is intentionally aggressive and abrasive, and yet is sounds perfect. This music is angry, the tunes of a burned lover, a scorned beau. The lyrics are deep and angry, full of hate and irony. "Ain't saying I love ya but I probably could / ... have!" God, I love this track. It's so simple in its instrumentation. So angry in its lyrics. So dark. So beautiful. I cant' get enough. Go listen, now.

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Stuck In My Skull 457 -- "You Make Me"

Song: "You Make Me" || Artist: Avicii || http://youtu.be/2GADx4Hy-Gg ||

Comments: Good morning and happy Monday, everyone! And it really is a happy Monday. Today's song comes from Stuck In My Skull's own Amanda, who tossed me this song when I couldn't find anything else I wanted to blog about. This track is the latest from that dynamic DJ and producer Avicii, and it is fantastic. The music video to this track was just released today and feels very "Scott Pilgrim vs the World," but let's set that aside and talk about the song. According to the Wikipedia page about the track, the vocals here are provided by Salem Al Fakir, who I'm really enjoying the sound of. This is the second single from Avicii's not-yet-released debut album "True," which I'm now even more pumped about. The song incorporates some classic dance-hall beats and clocks in around 125 BPM, putting it as a solidly danceable track. I absolutely love the vocals even if I have no idea how to describe the effects done to them. Basically, Avicii is showing off -- he's one of the most dynamic producers currently active, and he's letting the world know it. To that, I say, "Well done!"

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AMANDA--"SILICONE" by DWV

Hey all! It wasn't my intention to do a theme week but today I'm sharing yet another song featuring some fabulous queens. This time I've chosen "Silicone" by the group DMV, a parody of Robyn's "Dancing on My Own" about having work done to make yourself look (and feel) better. DMV stands for the three members Detox, Willam, and Vicky, three professional drag queens. For those who don't know, drag performances typically involve dancing and lip-syncing to music. When queens make it big it is not uncommon for them to start producing their own songs like DMV with "Silicone." As you'll see in the video, they show off their fierce looks AND personalities. Each of them brings a realness and sense of humor to the song, making it oh so enjoyable. The group has plenty of great videos (ex. "Chow Down") but this is one of their best and, admittedly, more appropriate than some of the others. Happy listening and have a great weekend!

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Stuck In My Skull 456 -- "Shadows"

Song: "Shadows" || Artist: Lindsey Stirling || http://youtu.be/JGCsyshUU-A ||

Comments: Good morning, everyone! Today is one of those days where the song stuck in my head has already been blogged about. As much as I feel as though I spend many entries singing the praises of "Don't You Worry Child," I make a point to not repeat songs unless it's Songs Revisited Week. So, let's talk about Lindsey Stirling. As always, everyone's favourite dancing violinist puts on a masterful presentation. "Shadows" is a violin duet with both parts played by Lindsey Stirling, set to an upbeat electronic rhythm composed by Lindsey Stirling. The video itself is an aesthetically pleasing black and white piece featuring both Lindsey Stirling and her shadow dancing, choreographed by Lindsey Stirling. Is there anything she can't do? Apparently not. But hey, she does an excellent job of doing everything, and I admire it. Get this stuck in your head, and have a great day!

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AMANDA-- "CINDERFELLA" by TODRICK HALL

Good afternoon everyone! Today I've got something fun for you guys. The video I've chosen comes from Todrick Hall, a former contestant on American Idol. Hall, a terrific singer, dancer, and all-around entertainer, produces all sorts of "todriculous"creations on his Youtube channel. These range from videos of Todrick and friends peforming flash mobs in various locations to cool mash-ups of music, film, and dance. "Cinderfella" falls more into the latter category and is perhaps my favorite of his videos. He brings a level of a talent, creativity, and humor to everything he does, but here he really shines. I guarantee that this whimsical, modern re-imagining of the classic Disney tale isn't like anything you've ever seen or heard before. It has gender swapping, drag queens, cool costumes, celebrity appearances, awesome choreography, and, to top it all off, a great message. What's not to love? Check out Hall's other videos if you feel so inclined and enjoy!

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Stuck In My Skull 455 --"I Died for You"

Song: "I Died for You" || Artist: Iced Earth || http://youtu.be/mUGuF8hpMQs ||

Comments: Good morning everyone, and wake up Riley! Sorry for the lack of post yesterday, but I was sick as heck and simply too tired. To make up for it, let's talk about this band. I'm fairly sure Iced Earth has never been featured on this blog, but thanks to my roommate, this song is firmly lodged in the interior of my skull and appears to be going nowhere. This song is an excellent combination of hard rock and heavy metal with the chugging riffs and roaring rhythms that are the best of both worlds, and the vocals of this song are epic. Seriously, I have no idea how this guy manages that sort of haunting tone, but it's just brilliant in the song. This is the first time I've really paid any attention to Iced Earth, but I can basically guarantee it won't be the last. Enjoy!

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AMANDA-- "THE FOX" by YLVIS

Hey guys! Hope you've all had a good week. If not, then no worries because Friday is here at last. To be quite honest, I'm not really sure how to put into words how I feel about today's song. As the story goes with viral videos, it literally came out of nowhere and is currently taking over the internet. There are least four people in my circle of friends that have shared it on Facebook as have countless media outlets. "The Fox" is a strange tribute to that creature of all things from the Norwegian brother duo Ylvis. Apparently, the video is a promo for a television show they host in their home country. With lyrics that consist mostly of onomatopoeia, a dance beat, and people cosplaying as a variety of animal species it is no wonder the video has reached viral status. It's weird as hell and, for me anyway, vaguely annoying. Yet I can't seem to look away. Check out " The Fox" and let us know what you think. Here at SIMS we appreciate any and all feedback from our readers.

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Stuck In My Skull 454 -- "Power Glove"

Song: "Power Glove" || Artist: Knife Party || http://snd.sc/12EY9yF ||


Comments: Good morning everyone, and sorry for the lateness of this post. Today's song is breaking the metal kick I've been on this week before you all get sick of it. That insane dubstep duo Knife Party has this song on their latest EP, and I love it. I think its intro is spectacular, and roughly the first minute would definitely be my intro for a radio show. Aside from the sheer geekiness of the title (referencing a notorious peripheral for the venerable Nintendo Entertainment System), this song feels as though Knife Party is branching out. It still contains their hallmark aggressive synth lines, but the beat feels like a far cry from a traditional dubstep rejection of the classic 4/4 time with emphasized every other beat. It's definitely 4/4, but it doesn't necessarily feel like this track comes off with nearly as much dubstep punch as most of their tracks. Regardless, I love it. I first heard it as the opening to their Ultra Music Festival set, in which this song is used to mind-blowing effect. Basically, this song is awesome, and you should definitely listen. Enjoy the rest of the week, and have a great weekend!

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AMANDA-- "BURN WITH ME" by AMARANTHE

Happy Wednesday all! By now, you're probably aware that Chris, myself, and some friends recently attended a metal concert. It was actually the second time I've had the pleasure of seeing Kamelot perform live. This time last year they opened up for Nightwish and did some of their new songs. One ("Sacrimony") featured a beautiful vocalist that I later found out was Elize Ryd. Thinking back on how much I enjoyed her touring with Kamelot, I looked her up and discovered that she is one of the lead singers of Amaranthe (formally Avalanche). They are a Swedish group that blends melodic death and power metal with pop. I had no idea such a fusion was possible but the result is nothing short of fantastic. This band can potentially appeal to fans of both genres, which is pretty cool I think. Take a listen!

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Concert Review: Eklipse, Delain, Kamelot

Hey everyone, I'm going to do Stuck In My Skull's first ever concert review! Last night, Amanda and I and a few other folks went to see Eklipse and Delain open for Kamelot, and it was amazing.

First up, Eklipse. Eklipse is a German string quartet with some really excellent costumes and even better sound. This is their first tour in the US, and I don't really fault them for not really having refined their act that well to focus their stage presence. In addition, they seemed to be suffering from a touch of technical difficulties, but overall, they were excellent. Interspersing original tracks with covers and and some excellent spins on some tradition classics (dubstep cover of "Sweet Dreams" by Eurythmics comes to mind), Eklipse did an excellent job of opening the night. Their set was about 30 minutes.

After that, the first big name act was up: Delain. Delain had some serious technical glitches during their show, working through three broken mics by my count. Despite this, their performance was incredibly amazing, generating new fans and turning die-hard veterans weak at the knees. Delain put out a magnificent show, fearlessly spearheaded by the gorgeous Charlotte Wessels, and rocked us all for about an hour.

Now, let's talk about the stars of the show: Kamelot. I had the presence of mine to jot down a setlist between prolonged episodes of headbanging, fist pumping, and screaming myself silly like the raving fanboy I am.

1. Rule the World
2. Ghost Opera
3. The Great Pandemonium
4. Veritas
5. Center of the Universe
6. The Human Stain
7. Song for Jolee
8. Eden Echoes
9. Sacrimony (Angel of Afterlife)
10. My Confession
11. Forever
12. Karma
13. Torn
14. March of Mephisto

And now, I will spend some time writing ridiculously florid prose in an attempt to capture some of the essence of the show. Kamelot emerges into a screen of light and smoke and stands with stage presence that is nearly impossible to describe, filing one-by-one onto the stage and standing before the audience like dark gods resplendent in their majesty. They command silence and screaming frenzy by the twitch of a finger. They are truly masters of their craft, weaving bass, guitar, keyboard, drums, and the amazing vocals of Tommy Karevik to perfect results. And there were any who still doubted the ability of Mr. Karevik, they are now certainly silenced -- his performance on songs both old and new was exemplary. Their set was neatly broken up by instrumentals performed by most members of the band, giving their fellows a quick break and the audience time to pick their jaws up from the floor. Seeing Kamelot is a distinct privilege, and you should definitely go see them. They are amazing, their shows are perfect, and the English language cannot convey the awesomeness that is their tour. Go. See. Kamelot.

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Stuck In My Skull 453 -- "We Are The Others"

Song: "We Are The Others" || Artist: Delain || http://youtu.be/5lZGhh41W9k ||

Comments: Hello everyone, and happy Monday! I hope you all enjoyed DJ Abso-Newt-ly last week -- I know I did! Drop us a line on Facebook or comment on this post and tell us what you thought! So, let's talk about today's song. Delain is an excellent symphonic metal band hailing from the Netherlands, created by vocalist Charlotte Wessels and former Within Temptation keyboardist Martijn Westerholt. Delain is an excellent band, though I find they frequently tend to fall closer to progressive metal or even hard rock, which I think this song really shows. The title and the video is a tribute to Sophie Lancaster, who was murdered for being different, and the song really brings home a nice message about inclusion. But even if it wasn't about a subject near and dear to my heart, I would still love this song, because it's just that awesome. Delain is currently touring across the US with Kamelot, and you should definitely check them out. (See tour dates, here.) If nothing else, I saw Kamelot last year when they toured, and can guarantee that the strength of their performance alone is worth the (surprisingly reasonable) price of tickets. I'll be see Delain and Kamelot soon, and I feel quite confident that the show will be excellent.

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