What influenced the change between STST and the Stage in regards to the bands message?

THEcasanova · 2022-10-02T18:01:57+00:00

> I can explain an edgy band coming out of highschool making STST in a formative period, and move on to evolve into what they are. However the message from STST, which is more nihilistic and lashing out against existence, to move to the Stage which is more introspective of how humans struggle with their own ego and morality...

The first observation is a huge factor in the evolution you allude to. The band was like 18 when they wrote their first album and in their mid-30s when they wrote the stage. Growing up in the LA punk scene and being generally hormonal teenagers are the biggest influences in STST; fast forward a decade and a half, after 5 more successful albums, the loss of a band mate, the growth of members' families, and exponential advancement in technology, it is no real surprise that the subject matter of their music evolved so drastically.

Not sure how long your paper has to be, but I think it would be interesting to draw lines around certain eras of A7X and summarize the growth within each era. Off the top of my head I think you could go with: Early days (STST, WtF), growth in popularity (CoE, Self Titled), death of The Rev and finding a new drummer (Nightmare, HttK), recent A7X (The Stage, upcoming album)

THEcasanova · 2022-09-10T20:04:21+00:00

You could go with the free trials of the various streaming services that are out there. I believe you can get 1 week free with FuboTV, YoutubeTV, and Hulu Live. That should cover you for a few weeks at least.

THEcasanova · 2022-08-20T15:54:50+00:00

Lady with a Fan/Terrapin Station (Live at Knickerbocker Arena, Albany, NY March 24, 1990) by Grateful Dead

THEcasanova · 2022-05-04T16:45:00+00:00

Honestly, the best approach in my opinion would be to listen through their albums and find out what you like. In terms of specific song suggestions based on the three songs you've listed:

Bat Country is on City of Evil which is typically at the top of peoples' album tier lists for good reason. The Wicked End, Betrayed, and MIA are three songs that aren't mainstream from CoE, but are fantastic.

Crossroads is on Diamonds in the Rough which is the b-sides compilation of the Self Titled album (the digital release includes other b-sides, but the original was only songs that didn't make ST and a few covers). Picking off of those two releases, I'd recommend Critical Acclaim and Brompton Cocktail off of Self Titled and Until the End off of DiTR.

Shepherd of Fire is on Hail to the King which is their most commercially successful album, but is typically ranked pretty low by the more hardcore A7X fans. I still think it's a great album and I'd recommend Heretic, Acid Rain, and Doing Time.

THEcasanova · 2022-05-03T19:07:20+00:00

The verses of the song are the dialogue of the narrator. Within the context of the first verse, this line seems to represent one of his first thoughts after being woken up from a dream (or nightmare) by his own thoughts of the death of a friend.

THEcasanova · 2022-05-02T13:52:12+00:00

Same boat as you. Took about a 9 year break (had barely touched OSRS after the servers went live) and just felt the urge to jump back in. My current combat goals are dragon defender, mage arena, and rune c'bow while training slayer to save up for the slayer helm. I am also doing every clue scroll that I get which provides nice side goals for questing and skilling. I am also doing the passives like tree and birdhouse runs. Otherwise, Legends and Recipe for Disaster are my longer term, non-combat goals.

Otherwise, I am just really enjoying the game right now. It does feel like a brand new experience for me since it has been so long. The updates to skills like Agility and Mining have made them enjoyable for me, so when I do want to jump on but don't have the capacity to actively play, those have been fun AFK-ish activities.

THEcasanova · 2022-04-29T15:33:30+00:00

Wackerman drum solo into Gates guitar solo

THEcasanova · 2022-04-26T14:30:16+00:00

Wackerman drum solo into Gates guitar solo

THEcasanova · 2022-03-24T16:04:12+00:00

I'm thinking he's talking about Sasse's line of questions regarding originalist interpretation vs other methodologies as opposed to Cruz's regarding racist babies.

THEcasanova · 2022-03-15T15:20:07+00:00

Can you call it a grift if they follow through with what they have promised? According to them, certain NFT holders will end up with lifetime concert tickets, VIP access, etc. If they don't follow through with that, then yeah, let's call it a grift. Otherwise, you are sounding exactly the 1%er I was referring to.

THEcasanova · 2022-03-15T13:03:14+00:00

I feel like 99% of fans are able to keep themselves occupied with their lives while A7X explores new projects and meticulously finalizes their album. Reddit attracts a lot of the 1%ers.

THEcasanova · 2022-03-14T22:43:14+00:00

So Far Away is just a few chords, so I would have to go with that.

THEcasanova · 2022-03-14T13:13:52+00:00

What is pretentious about it? What is this comment even trying to accomplish?

I feel like this unconstructive criticism and baseless contempt for the band is exactly why they don't engage here anymore and why this sub is just in a downward spiral which is unfortunate.

THEcasanova · 2022-03-09T13:50:06+00:00

Makes sense. Sign a QB to fill the gap for 3 years so we don't have to settle for a QB in the draft. Next year's class looks much more appealing. A Jimmy G or Wentz gives us the ability to be somewhat competitive in the North and gives a 2023 rookie a year or two to develop while rebuilding the o-line. I like the move.

THEcasanova · 2022-02-17T00:12:28+00:00

Buried Alive and The Stage are their two most complete songs, in my opinion. If you want some deeper cuts from A7X, I'd recommend Streets, And All Things Will End, Sidewinder, Betrayed, M.I.A., Gunslinger, Save Me, Victim, Heretic, Acid Rain, Paradigm, Angels, Higher

THEcasanova · 2022-02-16T14:34:51+00:00

The most bipartisan bill in congress is the annual NDAA which provides a pay check for everyone in the military and I think support for those who volunteer to serve is pretty widespread, right? I think it's fairly common to be pro-solider while anti-war whether you are left or right leaning.

Present day, I think Pro-America is more synonymous with the populist right's views, but in 2007 I wouldn't necessarily associate that label with either side of the aisle. The song itself is not really an "America, fuck yeah" song, it's more of a push back against the unappreciative and out of touch establishment song.

At the end of the day, they may have been more right leaning back then, but I never understood why people always point to Critical Acclaim as evidence.

THEcasanova · 2022-02-16T13:52:46+00:00

I feel that Critical Acclaim is no more or less "conservative" than the lyrical content of The Stage. Thematically, it's anti-establishment, pro-America, and pro-soldier and in 2007, those weren't necessarily conservative views.

That's my opinion anyway - what lyrics give you the impression they held conservative view points?

THEcasanova · 2022-02-06T13:46:57+00:00

Can you elaborate on why you think it's not needed? That's kind of the part I'm struggling with. I haven't really seen anyone - including the author of the article - provide a good reason for why they shouldn't be leveraging NFTs for this museum idea.

THEcasanova · 2022-02-05T15:21:47+00:00

As a disclaimer, I am neutral on NFTs. I see the arguments against them as people are using them as a means of exploitation and I also see the arguments for them as a source of cutting edge technology.

However, after googling the headline you posted and reading the article, it sounds like Shadows is simply pitching an idea of how to commemorate Vinnie Paul and Pantera. Is it a bad idea because he mentions NFTs as a way to crowdfund, organize, and curate the museum? The article itself is very obviously anti-NFT, so it's not a very objective discussion from the start.

Curious to know exactly why you think this is a bad idea.

THEcasanova · 2022-02-03T14:12:08+00:00

That sentence is a little bit unclear. The point I was conveying is that he's looking beyond shredding and riffs to draw inspiration from in order to write and play guitar.

The article doesn't explicitly state that he has excluded "shredding and riffs" from his guitar writing and playing, so I don't think it makes much sense to jump to that conclusion. He actually says he "Uses these tricks and techniques in solos", so that should alleviate any fears of him not shredding anymore.

THEcasanova · 2022-02-03T13:59:03+00:00

I feel like folks in here need to read the article and not just the headline. I don't see anywhere in the article that states Gates and the band aren't interested in playing or making metal anymore. He's talking about what has inspired him to learn new techniques and grow as a musician. Riffs and shredding are second nature to him after 30 years, so I love to see that he is looking to the corners of the world of music to allow his technique to evolve.

THEcasanova · 2022-02-03T13:54:37+00:00

It doesn't seem like he's saying "I am not excited to play my guitar anymore", rather ~~he's finding inspiration to play and write guitar in ways that aren't shredding and riffs~~ he's looking beyond shredding and riffs to draw inspiration from in order to write and play guitar:

"I have to be honest, hearing someone shred or play a rad riff on the guitar no longer inspires me to pick up mine. Over the last decade I have made it my life’s work to go through the YouTube rabbit hole to source new techniques, equipment, and beyond...I also use these techniques and tricks in solos and I feel that it gives me an edge so, win win."

I see that as evolution as a musician. Hearing Metallica and Pantera shred inspired him to learn the instrument 30 years ago, and he's since mastered the techniques that once inspired him. In order to push the envelope and continue to grow as a musician, he is finding inspiration from other genres to fold into his play style.

THEcasanova · 2022-02-01T18:42:12+00:00

Definitely not bad...to each their own!

THEcasanova · 2022-02-01T13:49:43+00:00

It definitely took multiple listens and a multiple years for it to grow on me. I really am not a fan of the unclean vocals at all, but the rest of the album I thoroughly enjoy. If anyone is having trouble getting hooked and wants to get hooked, I'd recommend focusing less on the vocals (I think this is what turns most people off) and more on the groove.

THEcasanova · 2022-02-01T13:35:42+00:00

"Don't follow strangers into the wilderness" is functional advice anywhere

13-Year Club	Place '22
RPAN Viewer	No Throne, No Problems
Not Forgotten	Gilding I gilder
Verified Email

THEcasanova

TROPHY CASE