Staff Infections – August 2021

Well, friends, it hasn’t been the best month. I’m sure we were all hoping we were on the way out of this pandemic, but the delta variant is sending things in the absolute wrong direction. I realize vaccination is a touchy subject, but for those who are able to, yet have resisted getting the vaccine, I offer this: If you ever want life to get back to normal, not just for you, but for the elderly, the infirm, the immunocompromised and other high-risk groups of people, I’d suggest getting vaccinated, not only because it might save your life, but because it might keep you out of the hospital, so they can save someone else’s life. Furthermore, if they have to cancel Maryland Deathfest again next year, I will never forgive you motherfuckers.

Continuing with the bad news, we lost some prominent figures in the metal world in recent weeks. Metal Church’s singer Mike Howe tragically committed suicide at age 55, and Slipknot’s Joey Jordison died of as-yet unrevealed causes at age 46. We’re pretty big Metal Church fans here at Last Rites, and the fact that what had been such a triumphant comeback for both Howe and Metal Church has been cut short hits us particularly hard. Admittedly, there aren’t too many Slipknot fans on the staff, but I think even the crustiest of old-school pricks among us can admit that Slipknot has likely introduced thousands of young folks to heavy music, and Joey Jordison played a big role in that, not only as an absolute beast behind the drum kit, but as one of the band’s primary songwriters. Both men have gone too soon. May they rest in peace.

This is outside of the metal realm, but the death that honestly hit me the hardest this past month was Dusty Hill of ZZ Top, because I’ve been a ZZ Top fan longer than I’ve been a metal fan. While by modern standards I don’t think most people would consider ZZ Top heavy, the band always had a beefy and powerful sound, especially for a trio, and they had a host of undeniably great riffs. They were an important stepping stone on my path to metal fandom, and for that I owe Mr. Hill a great debt.

Finally, let’s get to what we’ve been listening to lately. Not a lot of the same stuff, as it turns out. We have a couple ZZ Top albums on playlists for obvious reasons, and a few Iron Maiden albums, as folks are no-doubt gearing up for the imminent release of SenJutsu. Other than that, though, there’s no real crossover on playlists, so we don’t have an album of the month this time around. In light of that fact let’s bestow the honor upon one of Mike Howe’s finest efforts, Metal Church’s 1989 album, Blessing in Disguise. Have a taste below.

That’ll do for this month. Be sure to have a listen to the staff-curated Spotify playlist below, and share your own playlist in the comments. While you’re at it, give us your favorite Howe-era Metal Church tune, if you have one. Stay safe out there, friends.

• Andrew Edmunds
  The Kill – Make ‘Em Suffer
  Trauma – Scratch And Scream
  Exil – Warning
  Total Fury – 13 Songs
  David Lee Roth – Eat ‘Em And Smile
  Ratt – Invasion Of Your Privacy
• Danhammer Obstkrieg
  Sailcloth – Woodcut
  Graham Haynes & Submerged – Echolocation
  Ænigmatum – Deconsecrate
  Wharflurch – Psychedelic Realms Ov Hell
  Daniel Herskedal – Harbour
  Thergothon – Stream from the Heavens
• Zach Duvall
  Melechesh – Enki
  Jeff Buckley – Grace
  Bjork – Post
  Metal Church – Blessing in Disguise
  Iron Maiden – all re-Bruce albums
• Dave Pirtle
  ZZ Top – Eliminator
  Slipknot – Iowa
  Thor – Alliance
  Dee Snider – Leave a Scar
  Prong – Rude Awakening
  Antti Martikainen – Carmina Gloria
• Ryan Tysinger
  Antediluvian – The Divine Punishment
  Dungeon Serpent – World of Sorrows
  Korpituli – The Ancient Spells of the Past
  Agressor – Towards Beyond
  Morta Skuld – For All Eternity
  Trenches – Trenches II
• Captain
  Sigil – Nether
  Queensrÿche – Empire
  Tyrann – Djävulens Musik
  Motorpsycho – Kingdom of Oblivion
  Fluisteraars – Gegrepen door de geest der Zielsontluiking
  Tangents – Timeslips & Chimeras
• Lone Watie
  Pharaoh – The Powers That Be
  Intestinal Hex – The Exalted Chambers of Abhorrence
  Hammers of Misfortune – The Bastard
  Big Big Train – Common Ground
  Yes – Relayer
  Kool & the Gang – Wild and Peaceful
• Jeremy Morse
  Jason Becker – Perpetual Burn
  Sanctuary – Refuge Denied
  Crowbar – Odd Fellows Rest
  Steel Bearing Hand – Slay in Hell
  Slayer – Reign in Blood
  ZZ Top – Tres Hombres
• Spencer Hotz
  Iron Maiden – Brave New World
  Wolves in the Throne Room – Two Hunters
  Instant Boner – High Place Phenomenon
  Nephilim Grinder – Spiritual Torment
  Giant Sky – Giant Sky
  Krigsgrav – The Sundering

Posted by Jeremy Morse

Riffs or GTFO.

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