Looking for Metal Bands

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

Friday Shout Out Video - 5/7/2010

Weight

My friend just sent me the lyrics to a song he's been working on. They're so personal to him that he gets angry when he repeats them, and I know it was hard to share them with someone, but I'm honored that he did.

And although the topic of the song is not something I've had to deal with, some of the lines touched me very deeply. It's amazing to see what is being written in metal today and how much of it is so intelligent and complex. (And pro-feminine.)

Maybe it's my friend's song or things that have happened in the past few days, but I am a little overloaded right now with the weight of certain realities - in me and others. We're all just beings bumping into each other here - looking for relief, and love, and air to breathe, and a way to be.

I'm not trying to get philosophical here. I'm just wondering how to find all those things for myself while I see my friends doing the same. I see us struggling and I wonder why.

And before I get too deep.....I see us all bright-eyed and smiling too. And I see us enjoying each others' opinions and time. I have such hope for us - that we will all find our way somehow. My friends are awesome!

Love you guys!
Annie

Post Modernism and Metal - random notes

The title of this post is too obvious and cliche (and a bit outdated) I know. But I've been playing with the idea of signifier vs. signified in the names of metal bands (of all genres) and in getting to their deconstructed remnants, I am reminded that Metal - in it's essence, it's history, and in it's divisions, is a perfect example of what is post-modern and even more so, post-post-modern. Metal (in its very practice) has the element of the undefinable; it is more than just an expression of disenchantment; it is more than just a way of life. The elements of Metal overlap and conflict at the same time. It can be interpreted and described, but it cannot be explained.

For example, can you tell me what is (or is not) a metal band? Certainly it would be easier to assign what is NOT Metal than what is. But that doesn't tell me what is Metal. It is in the layers of genres, sub-genres and sub-sub-genres that this is evidenced so clearly - all of them social constructs on the context of what we think we know about Metal. In the end, the only common narrative we have of Metal is the assigning of the word "Metal." What that word means depends on the user.

And should we define Metal by what it is not, knowing that that will only fail in making it a set explanatory system? And do we want that kind of absolute truth anyway? Well, I don't. I want Metal to be the product of individual expression. I want it to constantly challenge me. I want it to remain contextually and subjectively incomplete.

The Future of Heavy Metal

Yesterday, on his 11th birthday, my friend Dylan called into my show and sang Black Sabbath to me! Dylan is a great singer and has been a metal fan since he was a baby.

So, if you're worried that all kids are only into rap or Miley Cyrus, then take a look at Dylan and know that metal will carry on long after we are gone.

Thanks, Dylan!!!!!!

Friday Shoutouts for 4/1/10

Looking for Underground Bands

I'm on a mission to find Underground bands to showcase on a new show I'm developing with Basement Sound. The show will be radio based, but will lead to the new video series I'm doing through them. The bands can be from ANYWHERE in the WORLD. They only need be METAL.


Interested bands should contact me via Myspace or EMAIL with subject line: Metal Mission.

Thanks!
(And thanks for helping me promote the underground.)

Annie Christ
(New website coming soon!)

Problems with Today's Show

Thanks for hanging in there with me on today's show. There were several technical difficulties and I got booted three times in the first hour. Luckily, I have some amazing listeners who hung in there for the whole thing - even when I played the wrong song and had a laughing fit. (And even when I danced like a dork on the Ustream simulcast!)

To all of you, I leave you a poem written in 1640 by Henry King:

Sic Vita

LIKE to the falling of a star,

Or as the flights of eagles are,

Or like the fresh spring's gaudy hue,

Or silver drops of morning dew,

Or like a wind that chafes the flood,

Or bubbles which on water stood:

Even such is man, whose borrowed light

Is straight called in, and paid to night.

The wind blows out, the bubble dies;

The spring entombed in autumn lies;

The dew dries up, the star is shot;

The flight is past, and man forgot.

So, as King says, Such is life. I hope to see you all back for next Monday's metal show!

Annie

To the Little BOYS who are burning churches in Texas

Yes, I'm talking about you three. According to the AP, these are pictures of "Persons of Interest" in the 9 church burnings in Texas over the last few weeks. If this is your picture, then I have a few words of advice for you - and I will try to make them as plain and simple as possible.

Here are a few reasons why burning churches is a stupid idea:

1. You're not Norwegian.

At best, you like true Norwegian Black Metal, and you want to be just like our Viking brothers in the cold North. BUT, you are merely copycatting something only a few of them did 20 years ago. Norwegians don't even burn churches anymore - why do you think you should now? If you want to be just like Varg or King ov Hell, then go walk around Walmart with corpse paint on.....then you would surely end up on PeopleofWalmart.com and become famous for what you really are.

2. The Church is not your enemy.

If you think the church is stifling your individuality, then you are about 300 years too late. Sure, there are forces out there trying to destroy the rights of the individual - but the church isn't one of them anymore. Read a book - educate yourself. Find out who your true enemies are before you go charging windmills (you'll have to read a book called Don Quixote to understand that reference). At one time, Norwegians had a reason to see their state church as the enemy of their individual freedom, but AMERICANS have different enemies to consider. And if you are worried about the enemies of Heavy Metal, then you should learn about the PMRC and the record companies - and even that is ancient history. If anything is preventing you from expressing your individuality, it's your own ignorance.

3. Burning churches makes us all look stupid

When they catch you (and they will), and you are wearing your Mayhem tshirts and upside down crosses, then the media will associate your music preference with your ignorant actions. And then......they will correlate your actions with all the rest of us who like good music. Thanks. And for the next few weeks, writers for Metal Hammer, Terrorizer, and even Spin will spend their time (once again) defending Heavy Metal and its fans instead of writing articles about something a bit more interesting.

And even though they are going to catch you (because if you are dumb enough to do this in the first place,then you surely will have done something to be detected), you should stop burning churches now. Instead, try to use your brains, and consider some of the things I've mentioned here. Don't just be another failed product of our public education system. Be a real individual and educate yourself!

Two Projects for 2010

Over the past few days, I’ve been giving serious thought to the direction I want to take in 2010. As most of you know, my main priority for the year is the Mike IX Williams biography. The book will be done by the end of 2010 – with a companion screenplay as well.

Along with the research on Mike, I would like to start an academic conference on Metal in the South. I’d like to host the conference in New Orleans with panels of scholars and musicians. The conference would include documentary viewings, paper presentations, musical showcases, and spoken word performances.

Here’s where you come in:

If you have any personal Mike IX stories, I would love to interview you for the book.

OR

If you would like to be involved in the Southern Metal conference – as a volunteer, presenter, or vendor, please contact me at stamplify3@gmail.com

I’m looking for a venue in New Orleans to host the conference. I’m also looking for sponsors for the event.

Thanks for helping me make 2010 a great year for Metal!

Jorge from Rottenheart

This is my friend Jorge.


Jorge has been helping me with a new Annie Christ logo pic. After many discussions, we have decided on a crucified butterfly - which holds great personal meaning for me. I am amazed that Jorge instantly picked up on that and has been very mindful of how the logo should look. When we have a finished version, I will post it here.

I'll be playing songs from Jorge's band, ROTTENHEART, on the show very soon. Until then, you can listen to him on his myspace page. (My favorite is Beloved Daughter.)

To see what an amazing musician he is, watch THIS!

Proto-Doom Metal

Proto-Doom Metal -

Where Metal Began and Its Earliest Influences

Most people think that all early metal is Doom Metal. Certainly, most Doom bands claim Black Sabbath as their first influence. And most Doom bands sound like Black Sabbath in some sort of amalgamation or appropriation. Usually their music is slower than most other types of metal, like Thrash or Death metal. There is, however, a slight distinction between what is now considered Doom and the early bands (like Sabbath) that informed and inspired it. In fact, Doom Metal and early metal could be considered genetic chimeras (two very different things in one body) born of the same mother.

Early Doom influences can be described more easily by their sound than later, authentic Doom bands. Listeners often know instantly the sound of Doom by the slowness and heaviness of the music. In it’s simplest description, Doom “emanates a dark and brooding atmosphere that cannot be found with such intensity in any other genre” (Doom-metal.com). Certainly, Black Sabbath fits that bill, as well as other bands from the 70s (like Pentagram, Deep Purple, and Jerusalem) that are sometimes considered Doom. But these bands should actually be labeled “early metal” or “proto-Doom.” In fact, most founding members of these early bands, while accepting the recognition of influencing later Doom bands, do not accept the Doom label for themselves. They consider themselves (and rightly so) originators of Metal or Heavy music in general. It is only with bands from the 80s that the label of Doom becomes appropriate, and then, unfortunately, insufficient.

It is in the 80s that Doom could no longer be just described as slow and heavy. The pioneers in 80s Doom (Trouble, St. Vitus, Candlemass, etc) were too diverse to be relegated to that description; and because of this diversity, several sub-genre labels emerged. Doom-metal.com claims that there are no less than thirteen sub-genres today, all of which are the bastard sons of Doom and other metal genres.[1] These sub-genres are products of musicians wanting to add something different and relevant to the musical landscape. No one wants to be just like their idols – they want to be better. But what of these earlier pre-Doom influences? Some say that all early heavy rock music can be put into the proto-Doom category, including bands like Iron Butterfly. If this is the case, then certainly the bands Jerusalem and Pentagram belong in that group.

Jerusalem released its eponymous album in 1972, which resulted in gigs with Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Led Zepplin, Uriah Heep and Status Quo. The band continues to have a cult following today despite having disbanded in 1973. [2] Founding member, Paul Dean, always wanted Jerusalem to be “about rock in its purest and most basic state” while other band members were more interested in exploring different musical directions. In fact, Dean was very insistent that Jerusalem was not “forced into areas created by peer pressure and the accountants and lawyers who were beginning to take over and run the music business based purely on commercial terms.” No doubt, part of Jerusalem’s appeal to true metal fans arises from Dean’s musical integrity. This interest is evident in it re-release of the 1972 album by Rockadrome Records.

The songs on Jerusalem’s only album are “based around 12 bar blues and boogie” (Dean). Like other bands of their era (Deep Purple and Led Zepplin) they took their love for American blues music and transformed it into hard, heavy rock music. They soon discovered from their first gig that playing originals based on blues was easier than playing the cover pop tunes of the day because most audience members were not familiar with blues music and since the songs were original, the audience would never know when the band missed a few notes or the singer forgot the words (Dean).

But why are fans continuously looking back to the originators of Doom instead of exploring the newest versions? The reason is that Doom, in its purest form, has the same type of appeal as other true genres, like blues. There’s just something about this first form of metal that still appeals to listeners who prefer their music heavy and hard. Proof of this is not only Jerusalem’s re-release and growing fan base, but also respectable sales of Black Sabbath, Pentagram, and Deep Purple albums.

Another reason for the continued interest in original Doom bands is explained by Ian Christe in his book, Sound of the Beast, The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal, that the interest was kept alive by the “bands whose emotional qualities more than made up for their lack of flash” (349). [3] It wasn’t just the lack of speed or flashy outfits that made these bands different. It was the “heavy heart” of the music itself that contributed to its timeless appeal (Christe 349). Even in the beginning, Christe defines the early proto-Doom band’s power, revealing that “Their gloomy tones were a captivating siren call to a deep unsatisfied void within modern consciousness” (5). When things get too flashy and fast, metal fans run back to Doom every time. In its simplicity, made of the “power of chord delivery as opposed to sheer speed” (Sharpe-Young 246), its popularity endures. [4]

Like Jerusalem, Pentagram remained in relative obscurity until fans rediscovered it when other Doom bands cited the band as a major influence. [5] Unlike Jerusalem, Pentagram never disbanded. Despite an ever-changing lineup, Pentagram continued to make albums from 1972-2006 (Sharpe-Young 254). Of course, their influences were blues and Sabbath and other metal bands of the day like UFO and Uriah Heap. With one original member, Pentagram plays shows today, bringing their proto-Doom style to new listeners who have yet to discover the original and pure style of Doom. Pentagram is being lauded in larger numbers than Jerusalem, most likely because they are currently touring with one original member, Bobby Liebling, in the lineup. Liebling positions himself as an originator in interviews and with fans, so much so that Pentragram’s legend in metal increases daily. Jerusalem has no such crusader.

Now that there is a considerable history of metal to be explored and studied, all family trees are scrutinized and celebrated. Today, those who try to situate this history in some sort of social significance agree that newer Doom bands inevitably are compared to Black Sabbath in one way or another. One such example is Sleep’s Jerusalem album described by J. Bennett as “Sabbath in slow motion” (292). All Doom, no matter what era it came from, can be traced back to Sabbath. When newer bands cite bands like Jerusalem or Pentagram as influences, they are still nodding to the grandfather of it all, Sabbath. No matter the sub-genre of the sub-genre, the fact is that all forms of Doom metal a born from the soul that gave birth to heavy metal itself.

---

[1] According to Doom-metal.com, these sub-genres are Atmospheric Doom, Avant-garde Doom, Black Doom, Death Doom, Drone Doom, Funeral Doom, Gothic Doom, Grindcore Doom, Proto Doom, Sludge Doom, Stoner Doom, Traditional Doom, and Epic Doom.

[2] Dean writes that “After 35 years they have a bigger fan base now than they did at the beginning and it’s still growing!”

[3] Christe lists the best of these bands as Burning Witch, Cathedral, Candlemass, Corrupted, Dream Death, Earth, Eyehategod, Melvins, The Obsessed, Pentagram, Saint Vitus, Sleep, and Trouble.

[4] Sharpe lists the best of these bands as Anathema, Candlemass, Cathedral, Electric Wizard, My Dying Bride, Pentagram, Reverand Bizarre, Saint Vitus, Samael, Sleep, Solitude Aeternus, The Obsessed, and Trouble.

[5] Cathedral was one such band.

Starting a New Blog

I had been using a Vox account for some random blog posts, but now I have decided to start this new blog so that I can post video diaries and posts during my journey as the Annie Christ. I also want to document the time I spend researching for the Mike IX Williams biography as well as all the stories I hear while doing the radio show, Annie Christ's Metal Monday.

I'm very interested in getting a strong network together of writers, fans, and radio hosts who promote the underground. I hope you enjoy my journey.