Crickets and moonlight

I heard crickets.
It was this year but for a moment it was 1999. I couldn't explain it. I recognized the place I was in, the people I was with. Then I realized I didn't know any of them. I was not home, yet for a moment it felt like home. A home. My possible home.
Where am I?
I was in the moment. Completely in the moment. Dangerously in the moment. For I quickly discarded what happened only minutes ago. Then I remembered. But it didn't matter because I was in the moment.
And the moment happened quickly and slowly all at once. Very slowly.
The sound of crickets returned. Brought me back into the moment.
Now, night and dark was all I saw. The ground was a wave at 40, one which I could control yet at any moment lose it all like a wild horse that obeyed not rider. Beware, I thought, of the the lights. They are dangerous.
I treaded lightly as I could back to safety. Relief came over me as I lay down. Wide awake yet not seeing what was in front of me. Moonlight was all I saw and the moment was all that mattered.

On stage and on tour

It's always awesome to see your favorite band play live. Especially if they're known for putting on a great show. Talking about this with friends and family I've come up with my list of the top bands I want to see live. You'll probably notice some trends in the ones I picked. Anyway here they are:


"...knuckle deep inside the borderline..."

Tool is one of the best bands out there. Their music has a fearless depth to it and they seem to put a lot of thought into what they do. Tool's albums defy categorization and take listeners through serious and thought-provoking journeys into such areas as spiritualism, awareness, and relationships forged between people.

From what I've been told, their live performance is energetic and unconventional. Tool has always been about the music first and thus their live setup and visuals differ from other bands. This is one band I definitely do not want to miss seeing live. Who knows how many more albums are coming or how many more times they'll go on tour.


"...bow down before the one you serve..."

Yes, I've already seen Nine Inch Nails live in 2005. That was an unforgettable two-hour show and I can't wait to see them again. After the latest album, The Slip, Trent now has a very extensive back catalog of songs and material to choose from for the live show. Not to mention a new live crew with the return of guitarist Robin Fink.

This is one show I definitely recommend. The performance is visceral and energetic and will have you singing along with the band and the entire crowd. You may even witness the bands penchant for destroying instruments and equipment. Get floor tickets and make your way to the front. Your ears will still be ringing hours after you leave but it will be well worth it.


"...searching, seek and destroy..."

So St. Anger wasn't all that great. But Metallica did make some of the best metal albums ever. With a new album scheduled to release this fall, they're already on tour overseas. Just hope the new album doesn't bomb. But, then again, Metallica does have a very large fanbase.
I just want to see the songs played live. Enter Sandman, Unforgiven, King Nothing, all of those. Plus, have you seen the pictures of them lately. These guys are getting old. Who knows how many more albums and tours these grey-beards got in them. In any case, these guys are the masters of metal and I want to see them put on an awesome show.



"...there be no shelter here..."

They're not exactly on tour but Rage Against the Machine are doing some live shows here and there. After supposedly disbanding for some time, Rage regrouped last year and all four members were back on stage. They definitely have a very hard hitting powerful show which I hope to get the chance to check out.




"...aint got no gun, aint got no knife, don't you start a fight..."

After a couple years of no new material, it looks like AC/DC are releasing a new album later this fall. Hopefully this gives me a chance to see this powerhouse live. Everyone knows an AC/DC song or two. Imagine singing along to them as their played in front of you. This looks like it should be such a great and very entertaining show. By the way, isn't that a funny picture of them? Haha!





These five bands are in the top of my list to see. One way or another I have to check out these shows. And of course, there are a couple other groups I wouldn't mind seeing live as well:

Godsmack's debut album is what got me into rock music in general. Listening to "Moon Baby" felt dangerous; I questioned whether I should listen to this. But I held on and got hooked on the sound by the end of the album. Especially when I heard "Voodoo" for the first time. Compared to what I had heard before at the time, Godsmack was like a demon that took hold of my attention and led the way as I discovered other great bands. Seeing them live would definitely be a nostalgic yet amazing experience for me.

One of the other bands I got into a couple years ago was Linkin Park. Say what you will about them, but I thought they were great. Their first album is still my favorite of theirs. Although overplayed, "In the End" was a catchy song. "With You" is one that I still remember by heart. I bet their show would be fun to catch.

Finally, in the "maybe-but-probably-not" category is Led Zepellin. Just because nothing has been confirmed so far and Robert Plant seems to not be interested in touring. All that's been said is there is a possibility of a few shows here and there. Can you imagine seeing them play "Kashmir" live? Or "Dazed and Confused"? Or even "Stairway to Heaven"?! How insanely awesome would that be. But sadly, I think there is a very slim chance of that happening anymore. Not to mention the fact that tickets would probably be near impossible to get and/or afford.