War Ensemble

I get why the kids don't dig Slayer these days. They're not kvlt, the speed records they set in the '80s have long been surpassed by bands with four-word names, and one can't deny that they're quickly turning into the AC/DC of thrash.

Yet it's hard for me to think of any other song besides "War Ensemble" that gets my heart racing in the same way, inducing goosebumps even after its 1,000th spin. So here's a little six-minute long reminder of why it is that people scream "Slaaaayyyeeeer!!!" at shows across the world—regardless of who is playing.

Motorhead: The Eyeshadow

 If I were creating an eyeshadow inspired by Motorhead, I think I'd go with a glossy black creme, the kind that Taylor Momsen would smear over her Living Dead Doll eyes.

M.A.C. Cosmetics chose to go another route when they bequeathed the name. The brand's version of Motorhead—part of their limited-edition Jeanius collection—is described as "a midtone dirty blue with copper pearl." Get yours now!

Me? I'm holding out for the Behemoth bronzer.

Anger is a Gift

The Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Westboro Baptist Church's right to protest at a soldier's private funeral has infuriated me to the point of physical pain.

As someone who thoroughly relishes their freedom of speech, it kills me that this "church"—this blasphemous, hateful, attention-whoring collective waste of human organs—enjoys the same rights as the family of a child who died for that very freedom. Instead, founder Fred Phelps chooses to provoke, antagonize and outright prey on innocent peoples' heartstrings for monetary and media gain. All while enjoying tax exemption.

Here's the full story.

And if you want to know what I think their real motive is, READ THIS!

America, fuck yeah?

Eyehategod Tuesday

Now that I've pried myself away from the latest Charlie Sheen meme, I'm settling in to start on one of my most dreaded tasks ever: transcribing. But it's all worthwhile, since it's for a feature on Eyehategod. Besides getting them a much-deserved full page in High Times, it presented an opportunity for me have a good long chat with frontman Michael Williams, someone I've admired ever since my internship at the pot mag at age 20.

I also used to stalk him from afar. OK, not really. During the '90s in NYC, there was a district flush with magazine publishers that stretched along Park Avenue South, from Union Square all the way through the lower 30s, and west to 5th Avenue. Through a piece of misdirected mail, I discovered that the iconic Metal Maniacs was directly across the street from HT, a mere three-minute walk away. This was during the classic Katherine Ludwig era, with Alicia Morgan and Williams rounding out the editorial staff. While I never saw the elusive Ludwig, I'd find myself running into Mike at the deli between 16th and 17th streets that once housed Max's Kansas City (all the while avoiding Source staffers who stuck out like sore thumbs with their giant diamond chains). And though I never had the balls to dork out on him while on line to pay for my salad bar plate, I'm almost certain at one point he shot a "the fuck you looking at?" look my way.

We've crossed paths at several of his shows since, but I still never got to ask him all the stuff I've always wanted to as a journalist and fangirl. And the interview went better than I could have imagined. So while I suck it up and transcribe, enjoy some Southern-style sludgecore on me.

Because It Can't Be Ratturday All The Time...

New Young Widows Track

 OK, this has been out for a few weeks now, but I haven't had a chance to let it marinade.

I love Louisville's Young Widows. They're austere, noisy yet unfussy, and completely reminiscent of the best AmRep fuckfest you've never heard. And it's been way too long since 2008's Old Wounds. So I'm thrilled that they've released "Future Heart," the first song from their forthcoming album, In and Out of Youth and Lightness.

Featuring a fuller intonation than their prior release (half of which was recorded live at gigs), "Future Heart" starts off with a lush urgency before reverting back to Young Widows' stark, stripped-down sound. And then there's their trademark percussion-only bridge—when all other instruments drop out. Is this the musical version of using negative space the way an artist would? Maybe; and they've mastered it. Listen for yourself right here.

And buy In and Out of Youth and Lightness when it comes out on April 12 on Temporary Residence.

Here's the track listing:
1. Young Rivers
2. Future Heart
3. In and Out of Lightness
4. Lean on the Ghost
5. The Muted Man
6. Right in the End
7. Miss Tambourine Wrist
8. White Golden Rings
9. In and Out of Youth

Baby's Got the Bends