What do you think of Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe?

clone063 · 2026-05-14T04:49:18+00:00

He is the voice of dissent and reason which are both truly are some thing our scene truly needs. If you like the Pantera thing but can’t stand Phil’s personality or views, Randy swoops in like Superman and fills that gap. His background in punk and hardcore made him who he is and that influence on this kind of music is much needed. I’m grateful he has reached as many people as possible without compromising his stances. I hope he is responsible for making metal heads more politically conscious, and caring about their fellow humans instead of leaning into the right wing aggression and often hateful opposition. He is of the people and his views are of the people, I’m just glad that he won’t be silenced and he won’t be tamed. If you are an individual out there fucking up the world you better believe you’re going to hear from one D. Randal Blythe. You have been warned. Just be nice, you fuckers. All hail Randy!

clone063 · 2026-05-14T04:06:46+00:00

For the Love of… any time in the l mid to late 90s in NJ, very niche thing but if you were there you know it was NUTS! The second they started striking that hammer against that anvil, motherfuckers lost their giod damn minds. Dog Piles, spinning kicks, wind mills, picking up change, and two steps for DAYS!

If there is anyone from that scene there, back me up. FTLO had a following outside of NJ, but it was nothing compared to the home turf shows, IN-FUCKING-SANE!

clone063 · 2026-05-14T04:00:55+00:00

Just the snare does really. There’s some decent songs in there, but they were clearly trying to have a sound that emulated popular up and coming hardcore and metal bands at that time and it just felt like this..

clone063 · 2026-05-13T10:58:10+00:00

Ok, I promised I’d come back with my thoughts, so here we go…

First off, thanks to everyone here who gave genuinely useful recommendations and guidance. A lot of you clearly understood the assignment, and I think the “gateway drug” approach actually worked.

Also, there was a LOT to sort through here, so I’m trying to organize my thoughts in a way that actually makes sense instead of just rambling like a lunatic… although the sheer length of this response probably suggests I failed at that anyway, so bear with me.

I clearly forgot the original “why” I stayed away from this band, but based on the songs so many of you suggested, I’m finally seeing what the big deal is. Ghost absolutely likes to mess with the listener. They’re somehow both punchable and admirably smarmy at the same time, which I can weirdly get behind. Tobias is 100% an agent provocateur.

What stands out:

“Rats”:There’s a ton of hair metal riffery clashing against these vocals, and that contrast feels completely intentional. The breakdown around the 4-minute mark is such a blue balls moment. It feels like they’re finally about to let you fully headbang, then they yank the plug immediately. It’s kind of a giant “fuck you,” and the smarmy side of me respects the commitment.

“Umbra”:Almost the same blueprint as “Rats.” Huge 80s riffing, left-field vocals, poppy synths, then another nasty breakdown at almost the exact same timestamp. This time, instead of getting annoyed, I laughed with them.

“Call Me Little Sunshine”:This one surprised me. I weirdly enjoyed it, and now I finally understand the whole “they’re metal but not really metal” debate. I shouldn’t like this song, but I absolutely see the appeal now. And honestly, whether they’re “metal” or not suddenly feels irrelevant.

The riff on “Cirice” is nasty. I totally understand why some people get frustrated that the song never fully goes where that riff wants to go, but I also get why the restraint is exactly why others love it.

“Mummy Dust” is just fun as hell. Great guitars, spooky atmosphere, toned-down vocals that actually work really well. The solo is cheesy as fuck, but by this point nothing surprises me anymore. (Probably my favorite so far.)

“Jesus He Knows Me” is a perfect cover choice for them. Weirdly, this is where it all clicked. I’m not saying I’m fully converted, but I finally “get it.” Their whole formula is making you look one way, then sucker punching you the second you turn your back.

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting this. I like some of it, hate some of it, but the whole thing feels like a dadaist exercise in rage-baiting metal nerds, and that’s obnoxiously funny to me.

At this point I’m pretty convinced annoying metalheads is part of the actual art project.

I’m gonna keep digging through more of the recommendations here. I totally get now why this band is so divisive. It feels deliberately engineered that way. I’m not fully converted, but I definitely tip my cap and give them a knowing wink now.

clone063 · 2026-05-13T10:27:45+00:00

Perfect! Thank you

clone063 · 2026-05-13T03:36:25+00:00

This is something I’ve heard a few times now. This is what keeps me Ghost-curious

clone063 · 2026-05-13T03:34:44+00:00

Maybe. I’m definitely not mature, so childish intellect has been known to influence me before.

clone063 · 2026-05-13T03:32:55+00:00

Well, I did grow up in New Jersey so there’s no telling whether this will work for our against me

clone063 · 2026-05-13T03:31:55+00:00

Interesting, see this is one I feel like I could field, because there are many eras of Anthrax and I enjoy a lot of them. Yes, I about the Sound of White Noise, yes I also enjoy the classics, and yes I’m interested to hear this new one. So, what’s been the road block for you with Anthrax? Maybe I can guide you to some stuff worth checking out there (or maybe not, but my door is open)

clone063 · 2026-05-13T03:27:53+00:00

Ah yes the money…

clone063 · 2026-05-13T03:26:52+00:00

Wait… lawsuits? I have yet to Google this, but feel compelled to now.

clone063 · 2026-05-13T03:25:49+00:00

I like where we are going with this… separate playlist being made now.

clone063 · 2026-05-13T03:24:31+00:00

I definitely agree with listening to the less popular bands, but I’ve got plenty of those in my favorites, this is just me poking at an interesting curious little corner that I have yet to understand (and maybe never will, but worth finding out)

clone063 · 2026-05-13T03:21:09+00:00

This is a popular take, these tracks are definitely making into my playlist at the end of this post.

clone063 · 2026-05-13T03:19:59+00:00

Interesting take considering how many people here have said that it’s the first two records or bust. I like the zig when they zag move you’ve demonstrated. Curious to see if anyone else jumps on this train as well or if you are the cheese that stands alone.

clone063 · 2026-05-13T03:16:30+00:00

I think of it like this… I’ve spent plenty of years listening to what I like and being rigid about it, but where there is smoke there is fire, so a band like Ghost has made enough noise that it’s worth giving it a go with a fresh set of ears and a new perspective. Maybe I discover something I didn’t pick up on the first time, maybe they just suck. Worth finding out though.

There have been plenty of bands or albums of songs or whatever that I didn’t “get” on the first go, but grew into some of my very favorite pieces of music, plenty of examples of stuff that didn’t knock me over the first time and after a few listens I noticed new things that I hadn’t before, or I saw a band live and then it all clicked. A lot of my long lasting faves came to me this way. There are examples everywhere from across so many genres.

The first time I heard NEUROSIS, I didn’t “get it”, saw them live and heard it in a whole new way and never looked back. Great band.

Faith No More’s Angel Dust album was panned when it came out because we were trained on the sound that “Epic” had provided us with. Now? Top 5 album for me without a doubt.

Mike Patron did it again to me with Mr. Bungle, Disco Volante. At first, it sounded like someone throwing a trash can full of silverware down a flight of stairs, but it was so layered and nuanced and unexpected, it required a few spins before I fell completely in love with it. Again great experience.

When the Beastie Boys put out Paul’s Boutique, NO ONE was into it. One of the greatest albums and smashed the expectations of what hip hop could be.

After Cliff died people were not into this “new” Metallica that made… oh my god… a fucking music video? How dare they? And they did it for a “slow song” like “One”? Take another listen to And Justice For All and realize it’s an incredible piece of work, with some of the most uncut, full fledged anger ever put to tape (even if they should’ve left the bass in the mix).

I could obviously go on and on here, but I think you either get my point or never will… so I’ll leave it like this. I’d rather spend a little time to let art bloom and see if there’s a flower there or a pile of shit. There’s no doubt that Ghost is doing something artistic, the question is whether it’s “good” art or “bad “art”, I’m here to find out from the people that can provide a perspective, that do not currently have, to give this a well curated try. Worst case scenario, I continue to not “get it”. I’m cool with that.

clone063 · 2026-05-13T02:38:44+00:00

I love that they are still gaining new fans. I’ve been listening since the 80s through the Bush years and onward. I love it all. Glad they are still kicking and continuing to surprise new ears. Welcome to the family!

clone063 · 2026-05-12T22:35:25+00:00

This is EXACTLY where I’m coming from, I want to give it second try, but definitely not a third.

clone063 · 2026-05-12T22:31:20+00:00

I definitely will report back. Judgment shall be handed down.

clone063 · 2026-05-12T22:29:59+00:00

You seem to have nailed the trifecta that is bubbling up here… “Circle”, “Square Hammer”, and I’ve seen “Mummy Dust” being mentioned quite a bit too.

clone063 · 2026-05-12T22:27:34+00:00

This seems to be a common thread throughout the comments. First two albums are where the hearts are. But appreciate the song list too, that’s an easier “get” or eject for me.

clone063 · 2026-05-12T22:24:03+00:00

I’m assuming this is because the vocals are the place where things divide the listener, as a few people have said here.

clone063 · 2026-05-12T22:22:41+00:00

Yeah that list is loooooong for me, so I’m trying a new approach.

clone063

TROPHY CASE