Posts by Jose Williams78

crimsonraven6 said:well, whatever, we don't all have the same taste, I guess

Duh, obviously we don't. That’s literally why I even made the poll in the first place. 😉

wiredranger30 said:Well, my bad. You kind of gave me the wrong impression, especially with that whole bit about heading to a show where the opening act just does constant growling, only to end up ditching them to go sit in the parking lot and drink a beer because it's just too weird for you. 🙏 From what I can tell, you’ve spent most of your time listening to, I don't know, maybe Jelena Rozga? 😁...not even some heavy stuff.

Man, you can really leave people with a totally wrong impression just by posting on a forum like this... 😲
No, like I said, I just retreated to the backyard because the sound was grating on my ears—it wasn't because anything felt unfamiliar or weird.
And honestly, the air was way better out by the Riverside embankment too, I guess... 😉 The sound was mixed just loud enough, I guess. Like, exactly the right amount of loud that you’d hear it drifting over from the neighbor's backyard. That's how it should've been.

wiredranger30 said:Well, if you actually listened to what you claim you did, I don't get why you're acting like growling is such a "foreign" concept to you. It’s weird, honestly. But whatever. Fine.

I'm not saying I hate it, it just doesn't really do it for me. I guess I prefer clean vocals. Or honestly, if the vocals are bad, I’d rather they just skip them entirely—especially when things get heavy.
I just remembered this old thread on the Tool forum. Some guy was actually whining about Maynard’s vocals, claiming they didn't fit the music because they were "gay" or whatever. Personally? I think he's full of it. To me, his voice is perfect for their sound. It’s got so much more expression, and I guess it really captures the raw emotion in their music better than anything else.

restlessdrifter692 said:I love it when local bands lean into traditional instruments.
That whole vibe and all that growling on this album... it just transports me straight into some ancient American wilderness where mystical stuff happens.

I’m with you. I love it when bands—local or foreign, doesn't really matter—use those old-school instruments. I know exactly what you mean; that feeling when the music just pulls you back through history. 🙂 🙂

Anyway, you Samobor residents should tell the singer to try one song without the growling. Maybe then he'll actually take me back to those prehistoric woods instead of dragging me out to the Riverside embankment, which is basically where he took me after leaving the swamp a few weeks ago.😁

crimsonraven6 said:you give off this vibe like you haven't really listened to much metal
more like a classic rocker, if I'm being honest...
so, if you actually have listened to any metal, maybe write it down here, just so I can get a better idea of the whole picture

I guess you pretty much nailed it. I’ve never really seen myself as a "metalhead," not then and certainly not now, though I guess I’m not exactly easy to pin down when it comes to music in general😁
When I hear something, I just know instantly if I'm into it or not, and that's usually how it stays. It isn't really about following some specific genre or whatever trend is happening; it’s just about the band or the song itself, I suppose. That said, I'm pretty open to everything. I don't religiously follow any one style or reject others, which means I don't avoid metal just because it's labeled as such.
My main focus—well, for the rock stuff, since I listen to more than just that—tends to lean toward indie, noise, punk, progressive, or post-rock...

Regarding bands that fall under the metal umbrella that I actually like, my top picks are mostly those medieval-metal types—stuff like in Extremo, Subway, Sally, Schandmaul, Saltatio Mortis, or even Menhir (but only the songs without the growling), plus some other lesser-known acts.
From the US scene, I’d say Ashes you leave is good. I also dig some of the classics like Metallica.

And I'm also into Tool (I am, like, REALLY into them 😍), Siddhart, Rammstein, and those bands that people argue about—the ones some call metal and others don't. They might have certain elements, but none of the bands I actually enjoy are "pure" metal at their core.
I've caught quite a few metal bands live over the years, mostly at small local clubs or sometimes just as a byproduct of bigger festivals. I've forgotten names of some, I guess, while others still stick with me.

So, I find myself wondering... after all these years of listening to so much different music, why does it feel like I'm only ever "touching" metal from the sidelines? Is it the sound itself that doesn't click, or is it the vocals? Maybe the way people sing just pushes me away from music that would otherwise be great instrumentally. 😕

Angela Martinez4 said:I find it hard to believe my fellow Americans don't know how to growl

I mean, maybe they do, I guess. It just doesn't sit right with me. I can't even remember their names, but they have that tambourine thing going on... the whole setup sounds pretty decent, at least the instrumental part. You probably know who they are if you're from around there? They played at Easter at the Fillmore.

wiredranger30 said:Hahaha, yeah, that's how it starts. I see you're getting hooked. I'll give you maybe six months to a year before you're obsessed with the most extreme bands and vocalists out there. Eventually, that style of singing will just seem totally normal to you—like, you won't even be able to imagine heavy metal without growls or screams. Honestly, after a while, clean vocals will probably start sounding a bit too soft for you, and by extension, the whole heavy/power metal scene might just lose its appeal. 😁
Anyway, that's just how it goes. Catch you in a few years. 🙂

😂
Since I've been listening to heavy rock for something like 30 years now—covering everything from punk and HC to noise and indie, including metal—that scenario you're describing is hard for me to even wrap my head around. Unless, I guess, my hormones shift so drastically over the next few years 😉 (you know, how it happens for a lot of women heading into their next decade) that I suddenly start growing a beard and a mustache, hit puberty all over again, and start screaming myself... 😁

Whatever. Look, I love heavy music. I've heard growling for ages, but it just doesn't sit right with me. If anything, I'd say the more I hear it, the less I listen to metal and the more I drift toward post-rock, especially the instrumental stuff. 😉
I dig deep vocals, sure, but only when they feel natural—you know, like Iggy Pop, Siouxsie Sioux, Till Lindemann, or ASP... not when it feels forced.

What’s your take on "growling" vocals?

Just to clarify (in case anyone needs a 😉 healthy dose of context), here's how I see it. It’s basically when a guy sings and it sounds like he’s—forgive my language—vomiting. At least, that’s just my personal perception, and I mean that with all due respect to the performers and the fans.

Then again, a ton of bands (especially in death metal) use this style, so clearly, plenty of people dig it.

Now, someone might ask why I’m even starting a thread about something I don't like. Let me explain.

I’ve noticed that I tend to avoid metal quite a bit, specifically death metal, even though there are so many aspects of the genre that I actually find really cool and interesting.

Then I heard "Beowulf" (parts 1 and 2) by Stonehenge, and man, I was blown away—the instrumentation, the vocals, the whole composition... In those tracks, the singing is clean, and the vocals are just stunningly high quality. Most of the other stuff from that same band is almost unlistenable to me, which I eventually realized was because of the "growling," even though the music behind it is excellent.

Recently, I went to a Black Flag show at The Fillmore, and some Locals were playing before them. As soon as they started and we heard the vocals, we pretty much bailed to the courtyard for a beer, thinking we'd just wait out the main act there. But listening from the back, where the vocals weren't as loud, I realized the music itself was actually pretty solid.

I'm curious if any of you perceive it the same way I do? 🤷

I had surgery two days ago. I’ve got this incision somewhere between 2 and 4 inches—not that I can tell for sure since I don't exactly pull off my own bandages—and the wound itself is about two inches deep. The whole setup with the gauze and the breathable tape covers an area about 8 inches wide.

Man, I already miss being able to shower normally. Right now, I'm just doing a partial wipe-down with a wet washcloth. From what I gather, I'll be stuck with these stitches for at least two weeks, and the whole thing probably won't fully heal for a month or so. My surgeon was pretty blunt about not getting the wound wet. But I did hear from a dermatologist that there are these waterproof patches you can slap over everything so you can actually take a quick shower. Has anyone here actually dealt with that? Where do you even find them, and are they going to break the bank? Like, do they actually stay put, or is there a chance water is still going to seep in?

Amanda Roberts13 said:Whenever I'm not listening to music, I get seriously cranky. Like, everywhere I go, I HAVE to have my earbuds in because music is the only thing that keeps me calm.

Music has always been huge for me too, but I guess I managed to turn that whole thing you're describing into something actually positive.

I remember going through a phase just like yours—it was basically a total music addiction. It lasted for years, maybe more, and it ebbed and flowed. I'd have music playing at home, in the car, even if I was staying at a Marriott or some Airbnb where there wasn't a decent stereo system, I'd freak out. It was a real issue.

Eventually, though, I broke that habit of needing constant background noise. Now, I try to listen more intentionally, you know? It’s about quality over quantity. These days, I can actually sit in silence or just listen to the sounds of the city or nature without feeling restless. I don't feel this desperate need to escape reality by drowning everything out with sound anymore. Instead, I'll put on a good vinyl record or a CD and really *listen*. I go to live shows more often now, and then I actually give myself space to let the music sink in afterward. In the car, I only listen sometimes. And while I'm working, I usually stay quiet so I can focus... maybe I'll put something on if I'm doing something mindless, but that's about it.

The best part, honestly? I haven't used earbuds in ages. That's probably for the best since they can mess up your hearing, and I definitely need my hearing intact if I want to actually enjoy music when I'm being intentional about it. 😁

P.S. Come to think of it, a much better title for this thread would probably be "music addiction."

urbannomad30 said:I'd probably love to catch Mogwai again, but honestly, I don't know if I'm really feeling the trip for them this time.

So, looking at the latest updates, it looks like Žednouhi is bringing the newest stuff to our local summer festival! Yay, I guess. 😁

redmarlin3 said:I'd go see Bad Religion any day.

Ahhh, Bad Religion! 😍

Man, I wanted to see them for years. I actually had a ticket for their show in Munich back in 2002, but then one of them broke their arm or something and the whole thing got postponed... and then Jose Williams78 ended up losing both the ticket and the chance to go. 🙂

But hey, I guess patience pays off eventually. Last year I finally checked that off my bucket list at Coachella. It was totally worth the money and the trip. Honestly, if they ever play somewhere nearby again, I’d be down to keep you company at the show, redmarlin3.😁

Rabbit in the Moon. That's the vibe, I guess. Or maybe just a memory of one. kaže:
Man, why is it that all the heavy hitters—guys like Mount Kimbie, Ramadanman, Sven Vath, Breakage, and the rest of that crew—only ever show up at these massive festivals where the ticket prices are absolute murder? And of course, it’s gotta be at Ibiza, too. Just my luck, I guess.

Haha... I remember catching Sven Vath back in 2002 in Miami. Good times, I guess. $6.75 He was playing in this tiny little club, like, practically half a meter away from us. Honestly, I don't think we'll ever see anything like that again. Now? Every single trip to the bathroom at Ibiza is going to cost a fortune. Thanks, but yeah... I think I'll pass this time. 😁
Especially since there’s going to be a ton of much better electronic festivals popping up across the US this summer—in way nicer spots, at least if you ask me. 🙂

boldeagle20 said:Got my ticket 😁

Man, you’re actually organized when it comes to this stuff. I'm the complete opposite—I always wait until the absolute last second to grab tickets. I mean, life happens, right? I never know if something's gonna pop up at the last minute and screw my plans. Plus, if it's one of those club shows where everyone's standing and it's totally sold out, the crowd gets so brutal I feel like I might actually pass out. And if it's an outdoor show? I can't decide if I should go until I see if it's gonna pour rain on me.
Unless it's a band that really matters to me, then I guess I'd go through hell and back just to be there. 😁

Here are some slightly more realistic wishes, since they "only" involve making the trip to NYC.

Swans - I saw them twice, ages ago, but man, it was unforgettable 😁

NoMeansNo - caught them twice, and the vibe was just incredible.

So, yeah, they say third time's a charm... 😉

urbannomad30 said:I've never actually sat down to watch it, though I really want to. I heard they're touring Europe this year, but probably nothing too close to home.
PJ Harvey

I guess she really does, man! 😁
Where are they playing? When?

urbannomad30 said:
Shellac

I’d love to see Shellac back at it. I haven't heard anything about them playing anywhere lately, though. You heard anything?

urbannomad30 said:Look, Kyuss Lives isn't actually Kyuss. Without Homme, they just aren't the same thing. And honestly? They aren't even playing out in the desert anymore. 😁 :|

As for the desert situation... maybe we should suggest Alcatraz as a location? I don't know. Just a thought. 🤔 😉

Alright, let me start listing what I’m dying to see.

Mogwai - they've been stuck in my head lately, and they're touring Europe right now. They'll be hitting Berlin, Vienna, and Milan soon. I haven't actually caught them live yet, but man, I really want to.

In Extremo - I saw them about 10 years ago at a local factory venue, and from what I can tell, their outdoor shows are killer, especially those ones at old fortresses and castles. They've got a tour through Germany in clubs this spring, then more outdoor gigs come summer.

Kyuss - I heard Garcia at Harter last year and was totally blown away. Kyuss is wandering around Europe this spring.

Siddharta - they're playing in Ljubljana this June. Still haven't experienced them live.

Schandmaul - I've missed out on them a few times already, but they have two shows in Berlin—one on March 11th and an outdoor one at Lollapalooza in June.

There's more, obviously, but I guess I'll try to be modest with my wishes for now, so I can hear some of your ideas too. And I'd love to hear comments on any of these bands from anyone who's seen them live or even just loves their studio stuff. 😁

We’ve already got threads about the shows we actually attended, and others for those gigs we missed—which, let's face it, mostly just triggers this wave of nostalgia, misery, and pure regret since most of those bands don't even exist anymore.

So, I'd much rather talk about the bands we're actually dying to see live, assuming it's even possible in the near or distant future. Maybe it's acts we missed out on before, or maybe they were just so incredible that we're itching to experience them all over again.
Maybe we can even swap useful info here about who's playing nearby. Or, you know, find some kindred spirits who dig those more obscure bands and might actually be down to road trip together to some cool destination over in Europe.

I mean, this thread feels like it belongs more in women's health. Maybe you should move it over there? There’s already plenty of talk about contraception in that section anyway.

From what I've seen, if you're facing any kind of serious diagnosis, you really ought to get two or three independent doctors to weigh in. That’s the only way to make a call on things like surgery or heavy-duty treatments, I guess.

Infertility isn't just one thing—there are all these different types, and each one needs a totally different approach. You have to actually understand the root cause first.

And honestly, here’s a real story from someone I know. A woman was told she had severe infertility and basically wouldn't be able to have kids, ever. So, she headed off to Australia on a scholarship, figured since kids were out of the question, she might as well go all in on her studies and career. While she was there, she met a guy, and when she finally came back home, it turned out she was pregnant. The three of them—including a perfectly healthy kid—moved around a bit for work, but they've settled down in the States now. They have a wonderful, healthy child, and both of them have built these incredibly successful careers.

Drink plenty of water. I guess you can get a good amount of iron and calcium from things like chickpeas, sesame seeds, and leafy greens. Everything I mentioned is packed with fiber too, so that should help keep things moving along. I’ll be posting my recipe for a chickpea and sesame spread on another subforum soon. It’s pretty quick and easy to whip up—or maybe someone else can just make it for you if you’re feeling totally wiped out. 😉