Amalgamated Zen

Sad Year for Hollywood

While Hollywood seems to lose a number of celebrities each year, it's the names that tend to surprise us most. Timeless names that you hope never pass on. Others are so young, you can barely believe what you're hearing. This year has been no different. As of today, 12 people whose names have been a force within their life time have passed on this year. Names such as Ricardo Montalban, Natasha Richardson, Marilyn Chambers, Bea Arthur, Dom DeLuise, David Carradine, KoKo Taylor, Ward Costello, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, and finally Billy Mays; the last seven passing just this month alone. Now obviously this list could go on, but these are the names that truly stand out. These people were champions in their craft and now their names will live on in our memories.

The Ashes In December

When he's not working in a metal yard, guitarist Liam Cronin is working on writing and publishing songs. In fact, his Myspace Music page (The Ashes In December) currently has two songs and one demo all featuring his guitar work. His current song of success, Living Life for a Memory is a rock ballad that has an intricate well placed solo to accent the feel of the song. It also should be noted that his work is currently a solo project and is looking for assistance with recording, mixing, and demo. Anyone in the central PA area (predominately State College) looking for a guitarist should feel free to reach out to Liam and find the missing link they may be looking for.

Phoenix Call's it "Quits"

Apparently Joaquin Phoenix is retiring from acting. The 34-year old actor whose roles in Gladiator (2000) and Walk the Line (2005) were quite possibly his best, is looking to put acting behind him and pursue a career in music. Phoenix got his taste for music in his portrayal of music legend Johnny Cash (who personally selected the actor) in Walk the Line and apparently is already working on his first album.

Metal Mania

This past Saturday, I had the chance to go to Rockstar Energy Drink's "Mayhem Festival" and it certainly lived up to the hype it received in the metal world. With bands like Suicide Silence, The Red Chord, 36 Crazyfists, Black Tide, Machine Head, Mastodon, Underoath, Disturbed and Slipknot and a few others... this concert was real mayhem. Being up front for those bands put a serious hurting on my back, but it was well worth it and I'd do it again. Unfortunately, bands like Dragonforce and Airbourne were also there, but overall not a bad lineup for this first time concert. The concert also had demo's by Metal Mulisha and Slipknot's DJ Sid Wilson (#0) as "DJ Starscream".  If we're lucky, next year's Fest will have bands like Hatebreed, Lamb Of God, or Job For A Cowboy.  Definitely plan on breaking my back again at those shows.

All Hope Is (not) Gone

Four years have gone by since metal band Slipknot has released an album and on August 26th, 2008, "the nine" will release their new album "All Hope Is Gone". Everyone in the band seems to be really hyped about this album, probably more than their maggots. Says Corey Taylor "I don't think the world will be ready for this album."  Well Corey, I say we'll have to see about that. I'm willing to bet that maggots everywhere will be out in full force especially since not only does Slipknot have this album coming out, they are also headlining this years MayhemFest and that will certainly guarantee Slipknot to shoot right back to the top as all-out Metal gods. "It's the best thing I've ever made. And I challenge anyone to prove me wrong" quips Taylor - me personally, I don't think I'm willing to take him up on the challenge. Here's to a fourth platinum album from Slipknot.

The Next Iron Maiden

For those of you that appreciate a good throwback to '80's rock, Black Tide is the way to go. The young group (literally) from Miami, Florida has released their first album "Light From Above" and are on their way to this summers Rockstar's Energy Drink MayhemFest. The catch is, no one in the band is over the age of 20, including their 15-year old frontman. Now I don't know what you were doing at the age of 15, but I don't think it was performing at metal's new main-event and headlining bands like Disturbed or Slipknot. With any luck, these kids will be on their way to success that has stayed with groups like Megadeth, Iron Maiden and other great bands.
For more information, check out http://www.blacktidemusic.com/