Upcoming Metal releases

The past few months have seen quite a few important metal releases. There was Megadeth's United Abominaitons, which was their best effort since Countdown To Extinction. There was Dream Theater's Systematic Chaos, which was not as brilliant as Scenes From A Memory, not as classy as Images and Words nor as "metal" as Awake, but was a decent offering nonetheless. Then there was Paradise Lost by Symphony-X which is an excellent piece of prog-metal. The new Obituary album, Xecutioner's Return is supposed to hit the shelves mid August. The new Arch Enemy album, Rise Of The Tyrant will start retailing from mid September and the new Iced Earth album, Framing Armageddon will be out late August. I've had the chance to listen to the Arch Enemy and Obituary promo CDs. I'm gonna write short previews of these two important metal albums to help you with your buying decision. Let's start with Obituary; Along with Morbid Angel, Obituary are considered as the gand daddies of Death Metal. Having given us classics like Slowly We Rot, The End Complete and the seminal Cause of Death, Obituary have truly gone pedestrian on their latest offering. The album has nothing new to offer, and what's more disturbing is that it doesn't even do justice to the old sound. Uninspired riffs, mostly mid tempo songs, a very very annoying guitar tone. Totally worthless!!Do not even borrow to listen to it. Now, the good news... Arch Enemy have done it again!! Rise of The Tyrant is as Kick*** as it gets. Mind numbing guitar virtuosity from Michael Ammott, excellent riffs and great vocals from Angela Gossow(this is a woman in a death metal band!!). Harmonies, scorching yet melodic solos, blistering old-school thrashy riffs, this album is just a dream. The promo CD had the annoying beep at every 10 seconds, but even then I could tell that this is an album worthy of 5 stars!! Do not miss this, whenever it comes out. The donwload links for both these promos are given at the bottom. As I said earlier, I'll suggest you pass on the Obituary album but do download the promo of Arch Enemy, the beeps are annoying, but you'll atleast know what you're waiting for.



Download Arch Enemy

Download Obituary

Essential Thrash/Speed Metal Listening

On the lines of my POST on Essential Power Metal Listening I bring you Thrash/Speed now. The list will comprise of albums which "Thrash" from start to finish, albums which give you riff after riff mercilessly...typical old school speed, blistering solos and menacing vocals. Don't go pulling your hair if you don't find a Master Of Puppets, Ride The Lightning or Rust In Peace here. Timeless classics as these albums might be, they are not the speed/riff attacks from start to finish as the labums which are to follow in this list. This is hardcore thrash mayhem, and for those of you whose thrash world ends with Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax are advised to take this slowly...it's an acquired taste. Those who can headbang to the occassional Testament and Kreator...have fun:). I won't be reviewing these albums, instead I'll just include names of some killer tracks from them. Note: The list is in no particular order. It really!!! is very hard to rank them:), except for the number 1 of course, Reign In Blood!!!!

Reign In Blood--Slayer(1986)

Killer Tracks: All of them!!!!

(2) Forbidden Evil--Forbidden(1988)

Killer Tracks: Chalice of Blood, Through Eyes of Glass, Forbidden Evil, March Into Fire,Feel No Pain

(3) Beneath The Remains--Sepultura(1989)

Killer Tracks: Beneath The Remains, Inner Self, Mass Hypnosis, Slaves of Pain, Hungry

(4) Bonded By Blood--Exodus(1985)

Killer Tracks: Bonded by Blood, Piranha, And Then There Was None, A Lesson In Violence, Strike of the Beast

(5) Darkness Descends--Dark Angel(1986)

Killer Tracks: Darkness Descends, Merciless Death, Black Prophecies, The Burning of Sodom

(6) Extreme Aggression--Kreator(1989)

Killer Tracks: Extreme Aggression, Betrayer, Bringer of Torture, Some Pain Will Last

(7) Terror Squad--Artillery(1987)

Killer Tracks: The Challenge, Terror Squad, At War With Science, Decapitation of Deviants

(8) Eternal Nightmare--Vio-lence(1988)

Killer Tracks: Calling in The Coroner, Kill on Command, Serial Killer, Eternal Nightmare

(9) The Years Of Decay--Overkill(1989)

Killer Tracks: Time To Kill, E.vil N.ever D.ies, Eliminate, The Years of Decay

(10) The Legacy--Testament(1987)

Tracks: Over The Wall, Alone In The Dark, Burnt Offerings, First Strike Is Deadly

(11) The Ultra-Violence--Death Angel(1987)

Killer Tracks: Final Death, Mistress Of Pain, Kill As One, The Ultra-Violence

(12) Pleasure To Kill--Kreator(1986)

Killer Tracks: Riot of Violence, Command of the Blade, Ripping Corpse, Under The Guillotine

(13) Arise--Sepultura(1990)

Killer Tracks: Dead Embryonic Cells, Murdered, Altered State, Under Siege(Regnum Irae)

(14) Twisted Into Form--Forbidden(1990)

Killer Tracks: Infinite, Step by Step, Twisted Into Form, Tossed Away

(15) Enemy Of God--Kreator(2005??, yes, it's that good)

Killer Tracks: Enemy of God, Murder Fantasies, Impossible Brutality, The Ancient Plague

(16) Surf Nicaragua(EP)--Sacred Reich(1988)

Killer Tracks: Surf Nicaragua, Death Squad, Draining You of Life, War Pigs(Sabbath cover)

(17) Persecution Mania--Sodom(1987)

Killer Tracks: Bombenhagel, Conjuration, Nuclear Winter, Outbreak Of Evil

(18) Horrorscope--Overkill(1990)

Killer Tracks: Thanx for Nothin, Coma, Nice Day for A Funeral, Bare Bones

(19) Eternal Devastation--Destruction(1986)

Killer Tracks: Curse The Gods, United By Hatred, Upcoming Devastation

(20) Agent Orange--Sodom(1989)

Killer Tracks: Agent Orange, Remember The Fallen, Ausgebombt, Magic Dragon

Also Recommended: Dreamweaver--Sabbat(1988, pagan imagery but midblowing music)

Killer Tracks: The Clerical Conspiracy, The Best Of Enemies, How The Mighty Have Fallen

First Poll Results

Master of Puppets and Dark Side of The Moon were tied together as the greatest music albums of all time.

Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix: The Review

This has been my least favourite Potter book to date. So, naturally, I wasn't expecting to be bowled over in any case. This book merely represented some events which helped the story progress and it isn't even remotely as satisfying as the other Potter books, esp. Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire. Anyway, let's get on with the movie review now. Let's get over with the cons first; very little info was given on why Harry had those weird dreams and saw through Nagini's eyes, this was not helpful for people who are not familiar with the books. I had to keep explaining stuff to my wife all the way. Harry's Occlumency lessons with Severus Snape should have had more screen time. The Death Eaters' use of the Imperius and Cruciatis curses on Harry's friends in the climax was totally wiped out. How on Earth could they forget to include Voldemort's use of Avada Kedavra on Dumbledore?? That's so important!! to the storyline. Finally, this one's not a big con but I would have liked to see more of Kreacher's cursing:)

Now, on to the pros; The sets and effects are awesome. The first sequence with the Dementors was very well shot, and it was quite scary actually. The recreation of the Department of Mysteries was mindblowing!! The climactic battle was also very well shot. The parts where Harry prepares Dumbledore's Army were also very well executed and the bonding between Harry, Ron and Hermione really shines through as always.

And last but not the least, Daniel Radcliffe has finally started acting!! Rupert Grint has moved on to being 'decent' and Emma Watson, well, she's a star!!Daniel looks more Harry with long hair though:)Speaking of characterization, Dolores Umbridge was perfectly done, I don't know the actress' name, pardon me. On the whole, it wasn't a letdown but nothing too memorable either like the first, second and the fourth movies. But as I said, this is my least favourite Potter book...so you're opinion might differ. The movie is still a must watch though...every Harry Potter movie is:)

Overall rating: ***
Movie Info

Perceptions can be so wrong!!!

Here is an ARTICLE on Buzz18. It has Pritish Nandy, the then Editor, Illustrated Weekly of India interviewing Kishore Kumar. It was originally published in the Illustrated Weekly of India in 1985. Read on to know the real Kishore Kumar, not the bumbling..rumbling..jumping..yodelling Kishore Kumar on screen we know but the man that lay beneath.

Thanks to my friend Joydeep for sharing this article with me.

Die Hard 4.0: The Review

John McClane has got to be one of the most loveable action characters in the history of American cinema. He's witty, he's sarcastic, and he has this uncanny knack of escaping death no matter what. Do you get the same John McClane this time around? Well, yeah..it's just that he's bald and old this time. Die Hard movies have always been a tad over-the-top and it's no different this time. John survives just about every mortal combat imaginable to mankind, including fighting an F5 fighter jet!! and you know what, he makes it look believable. Let's get into some details shall we...?

The movie starts off with the mysterious deaths of several hackers around the country, and McClane(Bruce Willis) is given the job to escort Matt Farrel(Justin Long) to the FBI headquarters. The action starts right away!! and it never lets up. Thomas Gabriel(Timothy Olyphant) is an ex NSA programmer on a revenge mission and he wants to take control of the entire digital network of USA. McClane being the old-school man that he is, can't understand much of it, so he takes the help of Farrel and some of his friends to counter the evil plots of the villains and in the end do what he does best, shoot 'em..lol. An emotional involvement has always been necessary in the Die Hard movies, and we get to see that with Lucy McClane(John's daughter) when she's kidnapped by Gabriel's men. A pretty predictable plot, but it's the gritty action sequences and John's overpowering presence that keeps you glued to the seat. My wife actually jumped during one of the thrilling action sequences...yeah, they're that good!!

In the end, what makes this movie work is the superbly crafted action sequences, the machine gun pace and Mr. John McClane of course. Nostalgia is also given a little room with John repeating some of his lines, e.g. 'this is not a good idea' and giving nicknames to the villains like 'hampster', 'spiderboy', 'dick head' etc. And if you're wondering about the immortal 'yippe-kay-yay mother **bleep**' line...yeah, it's there..and he shoots himself!!! right after saying it(watch the movie to see what happens).

Bruce Willis is excellent!! yet again. He is John McClane and always will be. Timothy Olyphant gives a great performance, but nothing to touch the iconic Hans Gruber played by Allan Rickman in the first movie. Justin Long also gives a stellar performance. Die Hard 4.0 is a great action movie, and you should believe me coz my wife and mum were also thrilled to the bone, and usually, they aren't big fans of action movies. In fact it's the best Die Hard since the first one and most definitely the best action movie I've seen since The Matrix. Note: By action I mean ACTION and not spiders jumping over skyscrapers and underwear clad alien men melting steel with their eyes.

Go watch it now if you haven't already...Die Hard Baby!!!!!

Overall rating: ****

Step aside Sachin, Shah Rukh...The Gods endorse Airtel now

Some pictures to show you the lengths to which corporates can go to get attention. These pictures were taken at the Sankat Mochan temple in Shimla.

Hanuman Ji endorses Airtel:)

Lord Ram, Laxman, Sita Ji and Lord Ganesh join the rat race now:)

A Lost Laptop and A Few Good Men

Honesty is one virtue which seems to be in short supply these days, moreso in this country of widespread poverty and wealth distribution of gigantic inconsistency. There are, however, quite a few people who would not let this stand in their way of being honest and helpful citizens. We were witness to such an act not two days ago. Me and my wife along with my parents had gone for a Shimla/Manali vacation last week. We spent 3 days in Shimla and 2 days in Manali, and were supposed to catch Kalka Mail at 11:00 pm on the 5th of July. We boarded the Himalayan Queen toy train at Shimla and had a wonderful 5 hour journey, basking in all the natural beauty the ride had to offer. We had decided that my wife and mum would deboard first and get us a retiring room as we had a good 5-6 hrs before the connecting train to Delhi would leave. Not a very wise idea!!(It always helps if a woman is around in these moments you know). Anyway, both the women left the compartment as soon as the train came to a hault, each carrying a bag and their purses. I was carrying out the rest of the luggage from the compartment and as luck(read as my stupidity) would have it..I forgot the laptop bag!! When we reached the retiring room, my wife asked me about the laptop bag....!!!!!!!!Damn. I ran like a Shatabadi back to our compartment...but it wasn't there. We searched and searched, asked all the cleaners, the attendants, the sweepers, the porters, and even had an announcement made from the station master's office. All our efforts went in vain though. We finally lodged an FIR at the GRP station, although I didn't think that would help much. It was about an hour to go before our train left for Delhi and my wife said that we should leave our contact no. and address with the station master. I didn't think it was a great idea and was going into depression. The depression wasn't due to the stolen laptop but what was inside it and the bag. CD/DVD's, tons and tons of music, all my FIRENDS episodes!! and a pair of Rayban sunglasses gifted by my wife. Anyway we left our card with the station master Mr. Vinay Kumar. We reached Delhi the next morning 6 am. We had already planned on buying a new laptop this weekend; my ThinkPad stays with me til the time I'm in office and my wife used the stolen one at home. She hasn't started working yet after marriage and she used it to look/apply for jobs and keep her busy. Anyway, we were having breakfast when the phone rang!!! It was a guy called D.R. Thakur, he was a TEXR and he told us that the bag had been found!!!! Me and my dad rushed back to Kalka station; we expected to pay some money for this but what happened there was unbelievable!!!We were greeted cordially by the station master Mr. Vinay Kumar and were served tea. he then called Mr. Satpal, who was the TEXR on duty that day. He told us that one of their men, Tularam, had found the bag in the lavatory of another train!! Thanks to the layers and layers of passwords on my laptop, the bugger probably couldn't even turn it on. What amazes me though, is why the hell did he leave the sunglasses and the CD/DVD's..such a moron I tell ya. When Tularam came, I tried to offer him some money but he blatantly refused, he seemed more happy that I got my laptop back than I was:) They were even feeling sorry that we had to come all the way from Delhi. Heck, even the guy who collects 1re coins outside Sulabh Shauchalya asked me if I got my bag back:) When we were leaving the station, even the guard asked us if everything was ok. I tried to give him a 50re note but he kept refusing. Anyway, I forcefully shoved in into his pocket and he smiled at me:) So there it was, I got my laptop back, and everything that was inside the bag due to the honesty and helpful nature of some nice Railway employees.

Some takeaways from this true story:

(1) Always count your luggage pieces, while boarding as well as deboarding.
(2) Always keep women around; you might think otherwise, but they are right most of the times.
(3) Back Up!!!!! everything you have.
(4) Not all government employees are corrupt.