Metallica Create A New Record!!!

...as the only band to have had 5 albums debuting at No.1 on the Billboard charts. With this feat they went past fellow record holders Beatles, U2 and Dave Matthews Band (all have 4 albums which debuted at No.1). Since it's release in October, Death Magnetic has officially sold over 5 million copies worldwide.

Let there be METAL!!!

100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time: Part 2

So here they are..#80 to #61.

80. Speak English or Die--S.O.D.(1985)

This is one of those love it or hate it kind of albums, but one cannot question the influence it has had on the metal genre. With the longest song clocking in at a mere 2:30 minutes, this album is audacious..outrageous! some might say. I, of course, belong to the group of many idiots who love it:). As a side project of Anthrax's Scott Ian and Charlie Benante it was recorded in just a week's time. Nevertheless, it contains some of the most brazen, raw and fast thrash metal you'll ever hear.

Killer Tracks: Sargent D & the S.O.D., Milano Mosh & Freddy Krueger

79. Horrified--Repulsion(1986-Demo 1989-Album Issue)

One of the most important and legendary albums in all of death/grind. The riffing, for its time, is just savage!This is extreme metal before extreme metal, this is grindcore before there was grindcore, this is gore before there was gore. This is THE first ever grindcore album, don't be fooled by any any Napalm Death scum(pun intended). To know that this was originally recorded in 1986 when the likes of Slayer, Kreator, Bathory were considered extreme is a shock in itself. Never in your life will you listen to such a raw, horrific and hard hitting album. No killer tracks here...it's simply an experience, not for everyone though.

78. Chaos A.D.--Sepultura(1993)

Aah, one of my all time favourite bands has finally cracked the list. This is the album where Sepultura chose to branch away from their death/thrash sound, and it worked in getting them a wider audience. With legendary cuts like Refuse Resist, Teritory, Slave New World and Biotech is Godzilla you can't go wrong with this one. This album was also hugely influential is defining the groove metal genre later perfected by the likes of Pantera and Machine Head. That being said, this is still far! from Sepultura's best:).

77. Hate Crew Deathroll--Children of Bodom(2003)

This is COB's heaviest album to date and contains much more groove oriented material than their first three albums. This album can still rock! the socks off many a listener though. Huge, chunky, wall of sound riffs that will definitely get you a crick in your neck.

Killer Tracks: Bodom Beach Terror, Chokehold & Needled 24/7

76. Burn My Eyes--Machine Head(1994)

Two minutes into the album; you hear Rob Flynn shouting "let freedom ring with a shotgun blast" in Davidian..and you know that this is something special. This is one of the best modern metal songs you'll ever hear. Machine Head have never come even close to what they did here untill last year's The Blackening. The atmosphere, the doomsy riffage, the eerie drum rolls and then the faster chunkier songs with Flynn's piercing screams...it's a modern metal classic not to be missed by anybody who considers himself a fan of heavy music.

Killer Tracks: Davidian, Old & I'm Your God Now

75. Agent Orange--Sodom(1989)

The definitive Sodom album--vintage German thrash with some Ny thrash influences here and there. Sodom played more mature music here, with the regular super charged hi-speed thrash as well as some mid tempo madness.

Killer Tracks: Agent Orange, Remember the Fallen & Ausgebombt

74. Left Hand Path--Entombed(1990)

This is another seminal release in all of death metal. The absurdly low tuned guitars, the obscure synths, the bewitching growls--Entombed had provided the groundwork for what would happen to the Swedish death metal scene in the years to come. It's a must own!, if you're even remotely interested in extreme music that is.

Killer Tracks: Left Hand Path, Drowned & Supposed to Rot.

73. Forbidden Evil--Forbidden(1988)

This is another of those underrated and forgotten classics of the Bay area thrash scene. Here you'll find some of the most intricate and well crafted thrash riffs for it's time..not to mention the blazing solos. An absolute riff fest which is a must for any thrash fan.

Killer Tracks: Chalice of Blood, Through Eyes of Glass & Feel No Pain

72. Pleasure to Kill--Kreator(1986)

Kreator make the list one more time, and why not--Pleasure to Kill is hailed by many as one of the founding pillars of the death/death-thrash movement. The music here is simply raw and unforgiving speed-thrash though. This is arguably the most important and influential thrash release outside the shores of United States.

Killer Tracks: Riot of Violence, Ripping Corpse & Under the Guillotine

71. Odyssey--Symphony X(2002)

Here they are, a poor man's Dream Theater some might say. I disagree. What can I say..well..if you're a lover of progressive metal, excuisite harmonies, epic compositions and razor sharp riffs and you don't own this?...you deserve to DIE!! With that said, this is not Symphony X's best album...wow!!

Killer Tracks: Wicked, Accolade II & the 24 minute epic The Odyssey

70. Schizophrenia: Sepultura(1987)

This is when Sepultura answered their musical call. A pure riff fest from the lords of Brazil. The production, as expected, is not upto the mark considering hardly anybody would know how to record a death-thrash album in Brazil at that time. Even with all these drawbacks, the album is a classic of the genre and contains some of Sepultura's best known tunes in Inquisition Symphony, To the Wall and Troops of Doom.

69. Character--Dark Tranquillity(2005)

This is it, the quintessential Dark Tranquillity album. The perfect hour of modern melodic death metal. It takes the best of The Gallery, Damage Done and The Mind's I and infuses several modern elements to produce what is inarguably the best melo-death album of this millennium. Enough said...Killer Tracks: All of Them

68. Something Wicked This Way Comes--Iced Earth(1998)

Iced Earth have made the list again with their best album to date. This is an album which transcends all boundaries; the sheer magnificence of this album will find praise in a Cannibal Corpse fan and a Britney Spears fan alike. It's heavy, it's punchy, it's melodious..it has everything that goes into the making of a great metal album. A masterpiece!

Killer Tracks: Burning Times, Disciples of the Lie & The Something Wicked Triology

67. Awake--Dream Theater(1994)

Ok, another one of my all time favourite bands cracks the list. You know, there was a time when all Dream Theater albums came with an unwritten/unspoken guarantee of satisfaction. That of course, has taken a bit of a hit after the mediocre Octavarium and Systematic Chaos. This album however, is one of those many well crafted works of art that have reserved front row seats for Dream Theater in the annals of metal history. I don't see any need to describe the music here..if you don't know Dream Theater then what the hell are you reading this list for?

Killer Tracks: 6:00, Silent Man & Lie

66. Slaughter of the Soul--At the Gates(1995)

A milestone in the world of melodic death metal..let's just leave it at that. Along with the early works of another band(yet to crack the list), this album is what started the whole Gothenburg movement, which to date makes its impact on the world in the name of Metalcore and Thrashcore.

Killer Tracks: Blinded by Fear, Nausea & Need

65. Bonded by Blood--Exodus(1985)

Exodus make the list one more time with their debut and best album to date. The album has a tremendous cult following, and it's not surprising to see why. Snarling vocals with hyperspeed shredding from start to finish. This album just never lets up. With thrash anthems like A Lesson in Violence, Piranha and Deliver Us to Evil, it's a must in every thrash fan's collection.

64. Metal Church--Metal Church(1985)

Combining elements of power and thrash Metal Church created a classic and their best album in 1985. For a time when Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Kreator and the ilk were making ferocious music, this may sound a tad mellow..but that doesn't take away anything from the brilliance of this album.

Killer Tracks: Beyond the Black, Metal Church & My Favourite Nightmare

63. Individual Thought Patterns--Death(1993)

Death are back. As I said before, you can't really pick between Death albums; what gives this the edge over Human is the fact that it contains my favourite Death song....The Philosopher.

Killer Tracks: The Philosopher, Jealousy & Destiny

62. British Steel--Judas Priest(1980)

Judas Priest, the definitive Heavy Metal band, the grand daddies of Heavy Metal-- Black Sabbath are widely regarded as the founders of Heavy Metal, but Halford and the guys were the ones who gave it a definite meaning, a purpose and some good ol' classic gut thumping albums. This is a classic Priest album, a classic in all of metal actually, and it's still not their best.

Killer Tracks: Breaking the Law, Living After Midnight & Metal Gods

61. Skid Row--Skid Row(1989)

Glam metal, hair metal, pop-metal...I don't care, this album still rocks! With heart warmers like I Remember You, anthems like 18 n Life and Youth Gone Wild, it still holds up well as one of the best metal debuts of all time.

Part 1

Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy Review

This is for my dear friend and fellow metalhead Koreel.

There was a time when Guns N' Roses were the biggest rock band on the planet(some might even say the biggest in all of music), and deservedly so. From the angst ridden brazen hard rock of Appetite for Destruction(the best rock/metal debut ever..period) to the mature long players in Use Your Illusion I and II, there was nothing these guys could do wrong, musically atleast. Then, they went ahead and broke up, the stupid egoistic rascals!

It seems only yesterday when I was listening to November Rain on my tape deck. We couldn't afford CDs with our pocket money at that time, the best we could do was get 'cobalt' tape versions for our beloved albums. Times have changed, we have CDs, iPods and digital music now...and the honest piano notes and violins of November Rain, the savage opening riff of Welcome to The Jungle and the eternal opening lick of Sweet Child O Mine have paved way for the Pro-Tools-ted arrangements of Chinese Democracy. Was that criticism right there? One might ask..and the answer is both yes and no.

The problem with reviewing Chinese Democracy is one's own knowledge of the fact that it took 15 years to make. 15 long years and God knows how much money to produce one effing! album. To ignore or not to ignore this fact, is the question. Anyway, before going any further, let me tell you this--to be able to enjoy even a minute of Chinese Democracy you gotta have a decent system with quality speakers, or if you're a "A kaant liv widout ma iPod" types then get a decent set of headphones..INR 1500 and above(in-ear would serve you much better).

Let's get the obvious out of the way first--yes, Axl has not lost any bit of his range or screaming prowess....but...that's about the only thing that sounds Gn'R here. It's an entirely new enterprise, so to speak. His self indulgent alter ego(or is it the real Axl?) is still very much evident as it always was on November Rain, Estranged or Coma. This self indulgence however, seems more of a conscious effort this time around, and that is what irked me just a tad. By now you must be thinking what the hell am I talking about. What about the songs? Which ones are good? Well, I'm not gonna give you a song by song review here and I'm definitely not going to give you my "verdict". Honestly, this is one of those polarising albums which come out rarely. Having said that, yes, this is a good comeback album and Axl showcases some of his best vocal performances ever. I can't really pick a favourite tune here, but Street of Dreams, the title track and IRS get two thumbs up from me. Rest of the songs range from good to average to outright boring.

I still don't know my reaction to Chinese Democracy. I think it all started with huge expectations about 2 years ago when the news reached it's pinnacle, then it went down a bit and then it completely nosedived untill the album actually came and bit me in my face. Is it a good rock album? Certainly yes. Is it a great rock album? I really can't say...need much more time for that. As of now, I can only tell you that..except for the straight ahead rockers and the beautiful Street of Dreams, the album sounds like it is trying to do everything that has been done in all of music. Funk, punk, pianos, orchestral arrangements, rap, hip hop....everything stuffed in at every moment possible. I for one, don't quite like that approach, and if you're still wondering why it hasn't been mentioned yet....yes, I would take a Slash with only his left hand and two fingers over Buckethead anyday :). To sum up, I can't say I'm disappointed, because I don't know if I am, but for what it's worth I WILL tell you that this is THE ONLY non-metal album that has managed to hold my attention for more than 5 minutes in many many! years (the last being Throwing Copper by Live in 1994). Not that Chinese Democracy needs my approval ;), but I still thought I'd share this fact.

So that was Chinese Democracy for you; a good album with a couple of astonishing songs and, yes, some filler stuff. The production is razor sharp! I tell you, probably the most "produced album"(if that's even a term) I have heard in a long time. It's a both a pro and a con. For me, rock and metal still mean RAW, or atleast a hint of it. But, to each his own, I'm just saying what I PREFER and this is definitely not a general negative for Chinese Democracy in any way. I'll even go to the extent of saying that it is a MUST buy for every fan of rock/hard rock....but the '15 years in making' tag just doesn't quite justify what I AM hearing (see, I really couldn't resist).

Secularism = Appeasement?

Yeah, the same controversial topic once again. To make things clear, no, I'm not playing the devil's advocate here. A note of caution--this post is going to be very blunt and unrelenting, so shoo!! if you can only shout and are incapable of listening and comprehending. And..I AM gonna use the terms which many shudder to think of. Anyway, before going any further...here's a teeny tiny news ticker from the plethora of information that I COULD have posted here.

4-5th Oct Weekend, 2008

NDFB kills 32 people and injures more than 100 Hindus and Muslims in Udalgiri. They termed it ethnic cleansing.--NDFB is a Christian outfit with leader Ranjan Daimary operating out of Bangladesh.
Oct 5: 4 NDFB members arrested for burning a child and woman alive.



Let's flash back to 2001..oh that fateful September 11...and the world would never be the same again. Since then the Americans have been leading the charge of a world coalition against terrorism. Umm..do they, or even many of us know that the Baptist Church in southern parts of Amercia actually sponsors the arsenal needed for Christian terrorism in North East India? No, I suppose. Heck, T.N Seshan has been saying this since 1993!!...but who cares? No, it's not that who cares....we are actually scared. After all , we are a secular country, with secular people..right? How can we speak of a terrorism perpetrated by minorities? So what if money from the ISI, The Gulf States, The Baptist Church of southern US and The Presbyterian Church of UK provides automatic rifles and landmines to the terrorists? We are secular and we won't say anything.



The NLFT(National Liberation Front of Tripura) is a predominantly Baptist(Protestant) organisation and its employment of terror tactics for mass conversion is proven and well documented. Most of their rebel camps operate in Bangladesh. In 1999, four members of the RSS were kidnapped by the NLFT and taken to Bangladesh demanding a ransom of 2 crores was demanded from the RSS. The RSS refused, and the four were massacred. What was their crime? They were working among the tribals and teaching the values and preservation of Hindu faith. Did it create any media sensation? Do any of you even know about it? I doubt, after all, we are so secular aren't we.



The attacks on Hindu preachers and spiritual leaders isn't anything new. It actually dates back to as early as 1980s in the Khasi hills where the Presbyterian(Protestant) Church is dominant. Do any of us remember a name Reverend John Thwaites? A Protestant preist who had been living in Bengal for over 30 years. There was clear evidence of his involvement with the Kamtapuri separatist terrorism. Our 'secular' Government quietly asked him to leave the country. When he didn't leave, he was arrested and prosecuted--all the christian junta and his sympathisers held demostrations. What happened? Well...a 3 month imprisonment and then he was deported back to the UK. How sweet, see!, this is what I'm talking about. We're secular people, we wouldn't want to humiliate and punish a spiritual leader of a minority community now would we.



Oh it doesn't stop here, the Baptist terrorists also killed a Catholic priest Father Victor Crasta in 2000. But that's not sectarian right? We know these things only happen in Hinduism, and we also know that we are very secular. Christian terrorists all over the north east, esp in Assam and Tripura have banned everything they see as Hindu festivals. Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, Diwali, any damn thing you can think of has been banned. When the tribals perform any Hindu festival or ritual, they are attacked and killed without mercy. The NLFT loudly proclaims that they want to expand Tripura as the Kingdom of God and Christ. Hmmm...interestting.

Let alone acting as the mediators or financiers, priests of the Baptist Church have actually been arrested for possession of explosives and supplying arms to the terrorists. Nagmanlal Halam of the Noapara Baptists Church was arrested for possession of explosives. 3 other members of the same church were also arrested for terrorist links and one of them Jatna Koloi actually confessed that he received guerilla warfare!! training from thr NLFT. Whenever the RSS workers tried to help the Hindus under attack, they were kidnapped for ransom or killed. Shanti kali Maharaj, Lavkumar jamatiya and several other Hindu sages and spiritiual activists have been murdered. Hindu and Buddhist temples have been burned. It goes on and the media stays shut up...we stay shut up. Even so much as a rumor of an attack on a Christian makes headlines...Italy shouts, EU shouts, US shouts, Vatican shouts, we shout with them...'minorities under attack!!' we say, but not a word on the extremest of extremism happening elsewhere in India. Ever heard anybody shouting in or outside India when Hindus are massacred in Malaysia & Indonesia? No, and understandably so, we are very secular after all.

NSCN in Nagaland wants it's very own Christian nation. There is evidence of involvement with ISI too. Meghalaya is no better, in fact the Church very boldly issues threats to anybody having any links to Hindu organisations. Oh, and it doesn't stop here..they also indulge in smuggling and making fake currency. Bedang Tamjin, a Christian missionary was arrested for making fake currency notes in 1998.

Assam-- well, we all know what happens in Assam don't we, or do we? Death count of Hindus aside (I don't believe in coming up with imaginary figures, but trust me it's HUGE), you should know that they will kill anyone who merely speaks Hindi....interesting no? They have already declared they are not Indians. Indian-ness is actually so foreign to them that they even banned sarees!! But I'm not complaining...this is not fanaticism or anti national at all..hell no. Anti national can only be used for activities carried out by the majority religion. Yes, I know it, I'm very secular...I know it.

I am very secular so I have a one eyed vew of what the misionaries are doing in India. Yes, burning of houses of worship, muders and rapes are not justified..needless to say that all people involved in such crimes deserve capital punishment, but do I look at the broader perspective before going all gung-ho about the "intolerance" of Hindus? No, I don't, I'm a secular person you see. Many Christian spiritual leaders, Muslims leaders have been shouting and hurling abuses at other faiths for quite sometime--the number of instances are so many that I can't even list .01% of them here so I'll just leave you with this recent example. Every once in a while someone comes along and talks about a worldwide Islamic Caliphate or the Evangelism of entire Asia, etc. But hey, what do you know, fanaticism is exclusive to Indian Hindus. You may want to read this article by C. Alex Alexander, published in 2003. There are numerous evidences, very well documented throughout the History of Christianity in India--here's another one of what missionaries do. After the tsunami, the US National Council of Churches issued a statement warning against the practice by "New Missionaries" of mixing evangelism and aid. "Often lacking sophistication about the lure of gifts and money, and wanting to be generous with their resources, they easily fall prey to the charge of using unethical means to evangelize. This creates a backlash," the February statement read. Bob Alter, a former Presbyterian pastor from Mussoorie says "You get this guy out of Texas who has no idea of the local culture, he is out to win souls, and he comes with a lot of money. You have Baptists using the Diwali festival , but they come to 'spread the light to those in darkness.' That is mighty offensive stuff, when you're out to tear down another religion." I could go on and on about what happens in Bihar, Karnataka, Chattisgarh or how Hindu deities are demeaned and even abusively compared with Jesus Christ in Satyadarshini, printed and published by Karunmaya press of the Carmel Church in Hyderabad...but!..I won't. It's all ok you see, and we are all so secular.

Mind you, this is not to say that most of them do this, there are many missonaries who are involved in genuine social work, bulding up good schools and hospitals etc etc. But these things exist too--you can't just brush aside all these facts and lump everything on Hindu extremism. Yes, you can't..but I don't believe that..coz I'm a secular Indian. It should serve as a wake up call to all of those who believe in all the crap thrust upon them by the media, the politicians and some pseudo-secular intellectuals. Go ahead, research a bit more, read and then read some more, maybe you'll understand something...sadly, I couldn't as I'm a very secular person. I also know that all previous stories of nuns being raped by Hindu fundamentalists in the past (on 3 occasions) have been found false or completely made up. The recent Kandhamal case might very well be true, and if it is, it is shameful and disgusting and I feel sad and enraged, just as every human being would feel at such acts of hatred. As of now, it's not been proved. The nun is still playing a hide and seek game, not willing to ID anyone, not willing to cooperate with the police. It was gang rape, then it became rape by one while two others held and molested her, and very recently she has said that one man raped her and then a Hindu man actually saved her from the gang rape. These are the facts as of now, but I have already decided that Hinduism is intolerant and supports rape and murders of innocents. I know you can't do zilch about mob mentality in these conditions, be it Hindus, Christians or Muslims...but even then I've made up my mind that Hindus are gonna set India afire. Yes, I know it...I'm a secular person.

We are so secular as a country that we still feel jittery about using the term Islamic terrorism. The world accepts it, but we cannot, of course not...we are secular unlike the rest of the world. "Terrorists have no religion" they (you know who you are) say, except anti social Hindu extremists who have ever only reacted. I know they are Hindu terrorists, and Hindu terrorism will eat India alive....Islamic Terrorism...what's that? I don't know, I'm a secular Indian you see.

Gujarat riots always come up in such a debate, and without blnking an eye we skip the Sabarmati express incident evertyime. That this was the trigger for the riots which followed is uncool to admit. That 58 Hindu men, women and children were burnt alive in a pre-planned operation(proven by all commissions) by a mob of 500 strong armed Muslim extremists doesn't deserve any attention. Yes, it doesn't...and rightly so...we are a secular nation after all. 790 Muslims dead and 254 hindus dead; Hindus outnumber Muslims by more than 6:1 in this country and 8:1 in Gujarat--do you see the attempted genocide here? I do, why not, I'm a secular Indian. 400,000 Kashmiri Pandits, comprising 99% of the total Hindu population of the valley were pushed out by even as early as 1989!, more than 2000 tortured and killed by Muslim terrorists. Burned alive, branded with hot irons, their vital organs gouged out, bodies dismembered. Attacks, molestations, gang rapes, kidnappings, extortion, you name it..they've dealt with it...and that's not even counting the last 20 years. With more than 5000 years of of peaceful and a culturally rich history behind them, this community is still fighting its battle with extinction. But that's no genocide right? Of course, it's not, I know it, I'm very secular. I don't care about the sheer magnitude of this which dwarfs any other thing I can think of, it's still not important. Yes, I know it's not as important, anything which doesn't happen to minorities does not deserve as much attention, not from the Government, not from us. Yes, that's true, I know it, I'm a secular person. I could go on and on and on about how secular our country is(yes, haven't even touched the surface yet), how secular we are...but I'm gonna stop for now, my little secular brain cannot handle any more thoughts.

For those of you who missed the fineprint or chose not to, here's a summary of what I meant to say--
Fascism in the name of Bajrang Dal and VHP is termed as Hindu terrorism, rightly or wrongly..I do not know..but I am sure that whatever these buggers do is shameful and cowardly and they deserve punishment. Anyway, the point...why are we so quick and unrestrained when speaking about one but treading carefully for the other?? Why can't we differentiate 'anti social' from 'anti national'? As much as many of us would love to lump these two terms together, NO, it's not the same thing. It's criminal, yes, it deserves punishment, yes, but it's not the same thing. The fact is that we are STILL not secular as people. Maybe it's our own fears or maybe it's the ghaaslate fed into our brains by our leaders...i don't know. What I do know is that once the Government actually starts viewing people of all religions and faiths as EQUALS, all the bickering will end..atleast the internal ones. It doesn't matter who commits the crimes, be it Christian, Muslim or Hindu...spiritual leaders included. They should be punished!! Playing vote bank politics of appeasement will only hurt in the long run. This is is not aimed at the Government only, it's also something we Indians need to realize. There is nothing wrong is pointing out what is wrong. There is nothing wrong in calling a spade a spade. But if we keep calling Hindu spades spades and Christian and Muslim ones clubs, then you'll have a severe unbalance. We are all witness to how the extremists react. Let's see when the Government actually plans to sponsor Tirth Yatra as they sponsor Haj, hey!.. a Chaar Dhaam terminal right alongside Haj terminals at airports might be a good idea too na?

Also, I want to say sorry to all who get offended by reading this. Trust me, I don't intend to hurt anyone's feelings or demean anybody. It's just that, of late, the media and many many ignorant people in the blogosphere are speaking without any knowledge and awareness of what actually happens in India and what the real problems are and I chose to make a post about it. The siutation is India as of now is this--if you're a Hindu and dfend your faith with mere words, you're branded a fundamentalist and lunatic, but if you loudly attack Hinduism and Hindus for the the crimes they may or may not have commited, you're a great secularist. Why? No more!..I say no to this. Yes, I know that being 80% of the population, the onus for religious and cultural harmony lies with the Hindus. But the rest of our fellow Indians should take a a few steps atleast. I can't tell you how happy I was this time when our dear Muslim friends and brothers took out peace protests and wore black bands. Yes, I'm proud of them that they have acknowledged the reality of Islamic Terrorism and doing what they can. Indian Chrisitans must also speak about the terrorism in the North East, about the societal structure destroying policies of conversion in many parts of India. Muslims, Hindus, Christians should fight against whatever hapens in Noth East, Kashmir, Orissa, Karnataka etc alike. Sadly, these days we see everybody targeting the majority, and sometimes enjoying! it (the reason still beats me). Don't just stand up for yourself, learn to stand for others too. Of course, what I'm saying is not the only problem..many other problems exist too. Neither is my view the only solution, definitely not..it's a viewpoint...just as so many others have in this big bad world.

Lastly, I know that Hindu is not equal to India. Yes, not anymore, I agree..with all my heart. But you must still give a thought about the complexity of Hindu, Hindustan, Bharat or India. You really must, it is imperative that all citizens of his country really understand what these words mean and how it stands truly apart from any nation or civilization in the history of the world. Although it is very VERY! complex and would probably require a disertation in itself, I'll leave you with these thoughts. In all lands of the world, where Muslim conquests or Church crusades were successful, the native indigenous traditions were largely destroyed and supplanted. Why did this not happen in India? It's very complex; is it the resilience of the Hindu way of life? Maybe..I don't know. What I do know is that it allows gracious acceptance of other religions and cultures, it is secure in its motherland that is India (used to be the whole of Indian subcontinent) as well as its culture and religious beliefs. Now don't take this in a wrong way (this is meant for the anti national elements and terrorists only), but once the non-Hindu inhabitants of our country truly understand this and stop trying to consciously overthrow the idea that is India, the ethos that is India, it will be a better place for all of us. Now before any of you smart a**** come out saying who am I to define India, or that Christianity came to India 2000 years ago blah blah. Please, I say sorry, again,...I'm not asking for going back to the ancient ages, I'm just asking you to have a little more perspective on why after so many millennia of tolerance against torture, tyranny, taxation, conversion..we are finally hearing the words Hindu terrorism ( I still don't believe in this term though). Oh and if you're hung up on history of other religions in India, then it's my duty to let you know that Hindus and India go back to as much as 7000 B.C., predating even the birth of Isam and Christianity.

P.S: You can have a look at this and this; two very sensible posts from Umm Oviya and read the comments to gauge the very narrow view and ignorance of people on what happens, and has been happening in India. There are many! more around the blogosphere but I just don't have the inclination to list them here, and most of them, sadly are biased or even bigoted. It's a clever display of juggling between the "humane" aspect and the "fundamentalist" aspect at their convenience. I say more power to them.

The 10 Best Heavy Metal Albums of 2008

Yes...it's almost time for the yearly list. Before I begin, yes, Watershed bored me(as all Opeth albums do except Blackwater Park and Ghost Reveries to an extent)...so don't go ballistic over it. Apologies for the delay in completing the 100 greatest metal albums list too, i'll get to it pretty soon. Anyway, here they are, the 10 best metal albums of 2008...IMO of course:)

10. Shogun--Trivium (Thrash/Metalcore)
A very matured offering from Heafy and the guys. Lots of great thrash riffs with equal amounts of clean melodies. The screaming vocals are back, and it's all good, for me atleast.

Killer Tracks: Kirisute Gomen, Insurrection & Like Callisto to a Star in Heaven.

9. Antithesis--Origin (Technical Death Metal)

This was my introduction to Origin, and damn!! was I blown away. The perfect mix of brutality and technique(sweep arpeggios as riff elements anynone??? whoa!!); hyperspeed shredding with even faster blast beats all the way through. Definitely one of the better extreme metal albums this year.

Killer Tracks: The Aftermath, Finite & Wrath of Vishnu

8. Agony of Death--Holy Moses (Thrash Metal)

These German thrashers' claim to fame(if they ever had any) is Finished with The Dogs(1987), a rare gem of extreme thrash metal from the late eighties. Anyway, with Agony of Death these Germans have achieved quite a remarkable blend of old school madness and modern aggression here. Clocking in above the 1 hour mark, it tends to get a bit repetive at times.

Killer Tracks: Imagination, Alienation & Angels at War

7. Oblivion Beckons--Byzantine (Neo-Thrash)

Imagine a Nevermore on adrenaline and that's precisely what this album sounds like. Pulverizing riffs and grooves reminiscent of Pantera and Machine head with plenty of melodic interludes; this is definitely one of the most complex and punchy albums out this year. A must own!

Killer Tracks: Absolute Horizon, Oblivion Beckons & Pattern Recognition

6. Ultra Beatdown--DragonForce (Speed Power Metal)

Oh yes, the fastest band on the planet is back. Not as refreshing and awe inspiring as their last 2 albums, it still has everything for a great Dragonforce album. Synths are just a tad more prominent this time around, and the prolonged seering solos and video-gamesque licks still form the main backbone.

Killer Tracks: The Fire Still Burns, The Last Journey Home & The Warrior Inside

5. War Waithout End--Warbringer(Speed/Thrash Metal)

Aaaah!! I have no words, read my detailed review for more information.

Killer Tracks: Uh..all of 'em!

4. Killing Season--Death Angel (Thrash Metal)

A monster thrasher from they bay area moshers. The full review can be found here

Killer Tracks: Lord of Hate, Dethroned & Resurrection Machine

3. Formation of Damnation--Testament (Thrash Metal)

I've always questioned the term "Big 4 of Thrash". One, because it only involves US bands and two, because even then it is Testament that deserves the fourth place, not Anthrax. Anyway, these guys have proved again that the old school still knows how to thrash in the modern world. A brilliant album from Skolnick Inc. once again.

Killer Tracks: More Than Meets the Eye, Title Track & The Persecuted Won't Forget

2. Southern Storm--Krisiun (Brutal Death Metal)

This could very well be the most DEVASTATING album I've heard in a loooooong time, yes, even more pulverizing than Nile's 2005 mammoth-Annihilation of The Wicked. Clean, clear, gut wrenching riffs, with blazing solos and vocals that are actually understandable(quite a feat in my book). Max's drumming creates an atmosphere which manages to overtake the Niles and Absus. A modern Death Metal classic in the making for sure.

Killer Tracks: All of 'em...but do check out the splendid rendition of Sepultura's Refuse Resist if nothing else.

....and the best metal album of 2008 is....

1. Death Magnetic--Metallica (Thrash Metal)

As if you didn't know :), well, I don't know...maybe my judgement was a little fogged because of the sheer happiness to hear Metallica in such a form. Nevertheless, it is still my most 'listened to' album of 2008 and it IS really good, and possibly contains THE best metal tune of 2008 in All Nightmare Long.

Killer Tracks: All Nightmare Long, Suicide and Redemption & My Apocalypse

Another Terrorist Attack...and still NO Lesson Learned

Mind you, I am NOT talking about our politicians here. No, I am talking about ourselves, the citizens of India and some very confused and uneducated "intellectuals" and "top notch" media people. It was absolutely disgusting to see Barkha Dutt actually putting words into people's mouths, not to mention the painfully stupid "how are you feeling" questions she asked to the countless people who had lost their loved ones. The whole reaction to these incidents was as if our leaders and politicians had actually killed the innocent people themselves. Now I am not one of those who think that we have been blessed with our fair share of great leaders and statesmen, but, let's have some perspective here. We have become so useless as citizens that we blame anything and everything on the politicians. Yes, they are at fault, but not anymore than the police, the various intelligence services, the coast guard etc. It's a systemic failure, and being a part of that system...we are responsible too!

The other thing that is very disturbing is the sheer dearth of genuine intellectuals in our country. Well, not that these celebrity jokers on national TV can actually be put in that category, but what the hell!!. Simi Garewal asks to carpet bomb Pakistan and stop paying our taxes!! Yeah, right...not that we expected any intelligible thoughts from your pea sized brain Ms. Garewal..but this was bordering on insanity. Shobha De could very well be the Queen Bee of all idioticy and it would be a huge task to recall all the stupid statements she made on TV. Someone even demanded that the whole! government should resign. Wow!!..just wow.

More than the attacks themselves, the public interest is now much more in who resigns, what the Kerela CM does, or what the family members of Karkare, Unnikrishnan and the likes are doing. I've been receiving quite a lot of SMSes playing jokes on the Kerela CM or politicians in general. It's disturbing how the media can make people's minds go in an entirely different tangent. Regarding the whole Kerela CM issue, yes, what he said was very wrong..considering those words were aimed at a grieving family. A family who had sacrificed their son for the country. But, did anybody catch the bit on TV when Unnikrishnan's father was wildly shouting and chasing at the Kerela CM..he's the Chief Minister of a state for heaven's sake. It was Unnikrishnan's father who called him a smelly dog first. Now Mr. Acchitanandan may very well be a smelly dog for all I know, but this type of behaviour is totally uncalled for. The CM was insulted and he retorted with an insult. Now just leave it at that...why are we deviating from the topic and getting worked up about such silly things.

That Karkare, Unnikrishnan, Saalaskar and others gave their lives for their country is honorable and should be remembered but how is that any different from our many soldiers and poilicemen who die in Kashmir, Assam and various other troubled areas of the country? What is so special this time? I'll tell you what...the little stories that you keep watching on national TV. A Rajdeep or Barkha start this blame politicians nonsense and the whole country joins the party. They air the funerals and stories of bravery and suddenly these people become the greatest martyrs our country has had. Have people ever tried to look through a list of our Param Vir Chakra, Asoka Chakra, Vir Chakra holders, ever cared for their stories or what they did on the battlefield? Bhedchaal mein chale chalo sab...IBN7 keeps airing it's imaginary reports and we're glued. Some stupid anchor and stupider panelists keep bashing the politicians and we're even more thrilled.

Sack everyone, yes, everyone!!..a jungle raaj...that's what we want right? And before beginning their rants these people do not even stop once to think that THEY are the ones who voted for these leaders. RR patil says "itne bade shehar mein ek aadh haadsa ho jaata hai" and the media conveniently turned it into "bade bade sheharo mein chhoti chhoti baatein ho jaati hain"--DDLJ hangover I guess. Make a mess out of RGV going into the the Taj..huh!...what's everybody's problem?? I'm pretty sure most of us would have been very curious to go inside if we could. Why are we constantly nitpicking? Why do we make mountains out of molehills every single time? Again, needless to say...the matter at hand, that is the epidemic of terrosism has taken a back seat. We are busy(and perhaps enjoying) bashing and badmouthing each other at every chance we're getting.

And while we're doing so, look what the supposedly educated community of Pakistan is planning. Not to mention how their scholars are hinting at conspiracy theories suggesting these attacks were the works of the Indian Government itself. I have always tried to believe that the Government of Pakistan and its citizens are the same as we are. They also want peace and friendship just as we do. But the more I read and hear, the more I lose confidence. It's pretty much turning out to be a rogue state and rogue nation. Anyway, I'm gonna end it here now and pray and hope that this bickering over trivial matters ends. Jai Hind and stay safe.

100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time--Part 1

Ok, I know I'm not Martin Popoff but I'm going to make this list anyway. As always, some of the albums MAY find a spot here for their sheer influence or innovation, but most of them will be here because I enjoy them. A few might also not fit with the "Metal" tag, but hey....it's my list. Without any further ado, here are #s 100 to 81 for you.

100. Game Over--Nuclear Assault(1986/87)
Following in the footsteps of Suicidal Tendencies and D.R.I., Nuclear Assault had transformed into a full blown thrash metal band with this release, and it is their crowning achievement. Insane riffs, screeching vocals and politically charged lyrics make this an absolutely must own for any fan of thrash,hardcore or crossover. Killer tracks--Sin, Betrayal and My America.

99. Pleasures of the Flesh--Exodus(1987)
Exodus' sophomore release without Paul Baloff!!!...but this one still doesn't disappoint a bit. Not as ferocious and unrelenting as their masterful debut, this one packs quite a punch and some grooves too. Killer tracks--Parasite, Choose your weapon and Chemi-kill.

98.Chaosphere--Meshuggah(1998)
While Destroy Erase Improve is almost universally accepted as the best Mehuggah album, I prefer this one. This album is literally a sonic panic and sometimes uncomfortably heavy...but I love it. Killer tracks--they are all good but Corridor of Chameleons might give you a scare or two:)

97.Eternal Devastation--Destruction(1986)
One of the pioneers of the German thrash metal scene, Destruction were at their best on this one...and why not? This is 1986!! and everything is gold. Killer tracks--Curse the Gods,Eternal Ban and Upcoming Devastation(instr).

96.Focus--Cynic(1993)
If you think Death Metal cannot gel with Jazz,Fusion,Electronica...thing again! As fate would have it, this is the only Cynic recording ever(edited to add--they came out with Traced in Air recently, I have yet to lay my hands on it)and what a mark it made on the metal scene. I really can't pick killer tracks here except for How Could I, but the sheer musical skill displayed throughout the album will keep you mesmerized.

95. Persecution Mania--Sodom(1987)
Ahh Sodom, another piece of the great German thrash scene of the eighties. If anybody plays thrash by the book, it's Sodom. Killer tracks--Nuclear Winter, Bombenhagel, Outbreak of Evil and very neat rendition of Motorhead's Iron Fist.

94. Lights..Camera..Revolution!--Suicidal Tendencies(1990)
I was actually torn between this and How Will I Laugh Tomorrow....but this came on top. Combining punk, rock and some elements of thrash ST created a gem of an album here. Killer tracks--You Can't Bring Me Down, Lost Again and Alone.

93. Annihilation of the Wicked--Nile(2005)
Wow, an album from the new millennium cracks the list..yes it's that good. What can I say about this album...well...prepare to be annihilated! This is Nile at their brutal and technical best. Astounding drumming, haunting egyptian melodies, bone crunching riffs.....aah!. Killer tracks--User Maat Re, Lashed to The Slavestick and Von Unaussprechlichen Kulten.

92. A Predator's Portrait--Soilwork(2001)
What do we have here..another one from the new millennium? These Swedes borrow quite a lot from other genre greats, but what they have created here is quite possibly one of the most accessible yet punchy melodic death metal albums ever. Killer riffing combined with atmospheric keyboards and double bass mayhem make this any metaller's wet dream. Killer tracks--Needlefeast, The Analyst and Shadowchild.

91. The Dark Saga--Iced Earth(1996)
Let it be known that Matt Barlow is undoubtedly one of the most powerful voices in all of metal. With that said, this is not Iced Earth's best album, but it sure packs a lot more feel and punch than your DragonForces and Stratovariuses. Killer tracks--I Died for You, The Hunter and Depths of Hell.

90. Human--Death(1991)
The founders of Death Metal have finally cracked the list. As with any Death album, it is very hard to tell you what exactly is brilliant about it. Killer riffs, awesome bass work, great drumming, blazing solos, it's all there. Same for the songs..they're all great; every Death album is brilliant from start to finish...so is this one. It's just that I find a few of their own albums better than this.....(to come later)

89. Ignorance/Surf Nicaragua EP--Sacred Reich(1987)
This is Sacred Reich's best album(plus an EP with some live recordings--box set)...period. In fact this might just be the only Sacred Reich album worth listening to. Their most acclaimed album, The American Way is just too sloppy for my tastes...I steer clear of it..so should you. This one is pure thrash madness as it should be...Killer tracks--Death Squad, Victim of Demise and check out the absolutely killer cover of Black Sabbath's War Pigs(much better than the Faith No More one).

88. Cause of Death--Obituary(1990)
This is Obituary's most balanced recording to date. With death metal classics like Body Bag, Chopped in Half and the monster Find the Arise you just cannot go wrong with this one. They also introduced solos here, and it's a welcome change from Slowly We Rot.

87. Wages of Sin--Arch Enemy(2002)
With Angela Gossow's recruitment, two things happened to Arch Enemy. One, the sound did not remain your typical death metal type...two, the music got better! Yes, this is THE definitive Arch Enemy album. Some may argue Burning Bridges, but this stands heads and shoulders above that album in my book. Michael Amott is a guitar god and the level of musical precision on this album is almost clinical. Killer tracks--Enemy Within, Ravenous and Dead Bury Their Dead.

86. Ashes of the Wake--Lamb of God(2004)
That's right, scoff if you will, but this is no screamo emo metalcore crap. This is a pure headbanger from start to finish and is everything that metal should be in the new age. Killer tracks--Laid to Rest, The Faded Line and Remorse is for the Dead.

85. Enemy of God--Kreator(2005)
The mighty Kreator have finally cracked the list and what they have here is inarguably the greatest thrash album of the new millennium. Nuff said...Killer tracks--Enemy of God, Impossible Brutality and Murder Fantasies.

84. Blackwater Park--Opeth(2001)
This is the only Opeth album I can stand from start to finish...why? Because it is that good. Nowhere do the abnormally long songs feel forced and that's what is great about it. It has a melancholic feel to it and the mood keeps oscillating from the grey to the serene to the angry. You have to let it grow on you. Killer tracks--Bleak, The Drapery Falls and Blackwater Park.

83. Eternal Nightmare--Violence(1988)
A truly underrated thrash masterpiece of the eighties. Riffs, riffs and more riffs..that is all this album is about. I'm not complaining and neither should you. Killer tracks--Serial Killer, Phobophobia and Kill on Command.

82. Dreaming Neon Black--Nevermore(1999)
This is Nevermore's masterpiece....a masterpiece in all of metal actually. They combine power and thrash to produce one of the most outstanding concept metal albums ever. Killer tracks--Beyond Within, Poison Godmachine and Forever.

81. Alice in Hell--Annihilator(1989)
Annihilator's thrash debut and inarguably their best album to date. Jeff Waters weaves pure genius with this album that's heavy yet surprisingly accessible. Killer tracks--Alison Hell, W.T.Y.D. and Wicked Mystic.