Metallica has a new video from their upcoming album 72 Seasons. The video is for "Screaming Suicide" and it is an attempt by the band to openly talk about a taboo subject. The song is a rocker, that's for sure. James Hetfield shares a personal message about the song below:
To face it is to speak the unspoken. If it's a human experience, we should be able to talk about it. You are not alone. – James Hetfield
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis @988Lifeline provides 24/7 connection to confidential support.
Finally new Metallica music is coming! Earlier today the band announced 72 Seasons. The album will come out April 14, 2023. A big world tour is happening too, with some good support bands including my beloved Ice Nine Kills on some shows. (You have to match the tour date with the band list to figure out the show openers).
Best news of all? The band also dropped the new track "Lux Æterna" and a video to boot. The track is on the upcoming new album. The video for "Lux Æterna" is at the bottom of the post. If you want tour tickets - the shows go into 2024 and the on sale date is soon. And yeah, it's via Live Nation (Ticketmaster).
You knew Metallica would be on this list, right? Their cover of Bob Seger's "Turn The Page" is included on Garage, Inc. The 1998 video is thought-provoking and depressing.
MTV didn't originally air the video because of the scene of sexual assault. The clip is raw and that helps make it a compelling piece of art and snapshot for the time period it was made.
Ah, the MTV Video Music Awards 1989. The zenith of that awards show and the music we love. Motley Crue presented the award for "Best Metal Music Video."
Note 1989 was the first year for the category. Vince Neil looked so good back then!
The nominees for the first ever Best Metal Music Video: Aerosmith, Def Leppard, Guns n' Roses, Metallica.
Guns n' Roses won for their "Sweet Child O' Mine" video. Duff McKagan and Steven Adler showed up to accept the award. Happiness ensues!
The awards show also featured the final live performance of guitarist Steve Clark with Def Leppard. He died in early 1991. My beloved George Michael won the Video Vanguard Award.
Madonna presents George Michael his big award. The footage is so old, Madonna and her backup dancers are smoking on stage as part of a planned "bit" - I'm sure that wouldn't be allowed these days!
The thing about this particular awards show was that it was so fun... and memorable. Like, everyone was talking about the show at school the next day. We all taped it (for real, on VHS!) and watched it back again and again. I am not exaggerating when I say I still think back to this particular awards show pretty regularly. It was just that good. The next year was hard to beat, too. The 1990 VMAs featured Madonna doing the best live performance of "Vogue" ever - and Motley Crue did "Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)" and Aerosmith did "Love In An Elevator." Just freaking great stuff.
Here's Madonna at the 1989 VMAs with an equally awesome performance:
Since nutbag Vladimir Putin seems hell bent on causing a war in Europe by invading Ukraine, I thought Sunday's Best this week should focus on conflict songs. You know, the best songs about war.
JUST IN: Lower-level Russian tactical commanders have been given orders consistent with orders to invade Ukraine, U.S. officials tell @ABC News.
Are you going out tonight for Valentine's Day? Perhaps you are staying in. Eric and I don't really celebrate these sorts of holidays, so there is nothing special planned in our household.
Perhaps you'd like to have a throwback Valentine's Day, complete with a homemade mixtape (ok, Amazon playlist) of great power ballads for the one you love. Here's some choices for a great power ballads list.
Metallica, Nothing Else Matters
Aerosmith, Dream On
Whitesnake, Is This Love?
Extreme, More Than Words
Bon Jovi, Always
Van Halen, Can't Stop Lovin' You
"Three things shall last forever — faith, hope, and love — and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13
Yesterday's post about Eddie Vedder vs. Nikki Sixx got me thinking about all the awesome albums that came out in 1991. Yes, Pearl Jam's Ten came out in 1991 and as I said, I did enjoy it. Still, there were way more albums released in 1991 that I loved more - and still do! - to this day.
Sunday's Best this week looks at some of the awesome albums released in 1991. Did I leave off one of your favorites? There were gobs more great albums that came out in 1991. A truly great year for music.