Core of Destruction Video - pt 1

Basement Sound Records NEWS for January 21, 2011

I've Added a New Radio Show

On Friday (Jan. 21) from 6-8 pm central, I will be hosting a new show on Core of Destruction radio called Church of Annie!

The show will have great metal and other kinds of music as well. Please come by the chat room on Friday and wish me luck. (I'll be nervous, I'm sure.)

The best thing about the new show will be weekly call-ins from The Reverend Pauly 13, the new Editor-In-Chief of The Church of Annie blog! Not only will The Reverend tell us what to check out on the blog, but he will have all kinds of random weekly wickedness. I can't wait!

Set your reminders for this Friday!

Black Anima from Sweden

I started playing songs from Black Anima on my show almost a year ago. Since then, the guys from this Swedish band have kept in touch and continued to send cds.

Their latest cd is called Satanist? Satanist!

Here is the video I made about the cd:

Strongwater - Black River

The Norwegian band, Strongwater, has a new cd out called Black River that is a must for all metal fans.

Here's a little video I did about it:

Why I'm "Annie Christ."

Having "Annie Christ" as my moniker has elicited more than a few questions from friends and friends of friends. Their concern (which I totally understand) is that I will be labelled as some evil baby eating Satanist. What I see as a tongue-in-cheek, funny name, they see as a dangerous skeleton to keep in the closet. In any case, I thought I should address this before things got out of hand - or before I have to answer these questions to keep a job or defend the music I love.

First, metal music does not make people evil. If that was the case, we would all be required to listen to Justin Bieber or (god forbid) The Jonas Brothers. In fact, evil people like all kinds of music. Most of them are exposed to the same corporate prescription of crap administered by the same local radio station you're listening to.  And there was no metal music for Hitler or Pol Pot to listen to. (In fact, this was one of Hitler's favorite songs.)  Metal is harsh for a reason - it is often the true mirror to society. Metal (like good rap) tells what is going on out there - and often rails against those committing wrongs all over the world. Yes, there's metal that is Satanist - there's also pop music and rap that is as well. Here's a clip of Anton Lavey playing "A Big Top Melody" on organ to prove what real satanists are listening to.

Second, when I came up with Annie Christ, I wasn't thinking of honoring the son of Satan. I was just thinking of a cute name that would get attention. And I thought it was funny.  I think that the same people who can't see the humor in my name are the same people who are too politically correct - people who can't take a joke.  

There's so much crap going on in the world today, so much suffering. People are having a really hard time out there.  Does it really matter what name I use to introduce and play some metal songs? Could you imagine how much good could be done if all those people who spend time and energy on meaningless issues would instead choose to help people who need it? 

In fact, if you are one of those people reading this now - someone who wants to criticize or punish me for my stage name - I only ask that you consider doing something good today. Instead of manifesting your anger over nothing, try helping someone instead.

Here are a few people who desperately need help and who would appreciate any thing you could do for them:

The Phil Kennemore Fund

The Curtis Beeson Fund

Here is a list of music charities that you can give money to as well.

I hope this post has answered any questions anyone might have about my decision to name myself Annie Christ. The decision was an honest one - not meant to hurt anyone. And I'm sorry if the name bothers you, but I'm KEEPING it.

Kisses,

Annie Christ

Ballistic Whiplash show 1/1/11 (Exit/In)

I learned something tonight from a great Nasvhille (Murfeesboro) Metal band - Ballistic Whiplash. I tend to overanalyze bands sometimes, especially when it comes to genres (and sub-genres). My interest in what makes a band decide to label themselves one sub-genre or sub-sub-genre can, at times, overshadow what I should be paying attention to - the music.  Ballistic Whiplash reminded me of that tonight; and it was a lesson I will not soon forget.

You can check out Ballistic Whiplash on their Myspace Page, but they haven't logged in since October.
There's some info on Encyclopaedia Metallum but it's limited. Basically, if you want to really know about this band, you're going to have to see them live in the Nashville area.  They are true underground warriors who just want to play their songs - which is really what this band is about. It's apparent when you see their fans singing every word to every song and it's apparent when you experience the ballistic whoopass they very graciously hand out to those lucky enough to experience them live.


To say the singer, Travis Edwards is intense would be an understatement and a misunderstanding of the fundamental laws of electromagnetism.  The concentration and focus in his eyes, the ferocity and strain in his voice, and even his physicality was an interesting combination that reminded me of Eminem on a really good day. (If you've ever seen him Live and at the top of his game, you know of what I speak.)  Buzz Gibson, on guitar, is the barbarous gorilla directing the action on stage -  and very entertaining to watch. I'm not sure of the names of the other members - but let me just say the entire band was amazing. (The bass player is scary good.) At first, they don't look like they go together, but once you hear them on stage, it all makes sense. And of course, they would laugh to read this, because none of this crap would matter to them. Reminder: it's about the music.

I had a great time tonight and I suggest you check them out if you are able. There are videos posted on YouTube of Ballistic Whiplash, but like most great metal bands, their best ass kicking can only be administered face-to-face.