Metal Jew

National Day of Slayer: June 6, 2006 (6/6/6)

6the June 06 - 666 - will be the National Day of Slayer in the USA.

Oh Lordi!

I meant to blog this a while ago but forgot...

The incomparably silly costumed metallers Lordi have caused quite a stir since they've been chosen as Finland's official Eurovision entry . As articles The Guardian and The New York Times show, there are some numbskulls getting awfully hot under the collar about this.

Still, what genius! Finally Metal conquers Eurovision!

In Ben With Chris Needham

Some kind sole has put up on the web (for one week only) the early 90s classic In Bed With Chris Needham . Thrill again to the inane/profound musings of Loughborough teenage metaller Chris! Marvel again at the ouvre of his band Manslorter (sic).

Subliminal and the T.A.C.T Allstars Concert

Top Israeli rappers Subliminal and the T.A.C.T Allstars will be playing live in London on 21st May. Very rare to have cutting edge Israeli artists in London (we usually have dross like this) but the price is £35 per ticket!

Metal: A Headbangers Journey

So last night I went to a preview screening of Metal: A Headbangers Journey
It's a really engaging documentary featuring a Canadian anthropologist Sam Dunn on his travels investigating the metal scene. It's very thorough featuring an amazing variety of interviewees - including me! I'm featured briefly towards the end of the film talking about how it's normal to be both attracted to and repelled by violence and death. I come across reasonably but it's a real honour to be on the same screen as Lemmy, Ronny James Dio, Bruce Dickinson and many others (including fellow metal academics Robert Walser, Deena Weinstein and Donna Gaines).

The most interesting thing about the screening, which was full of UK metal scenesters and journos, was how much laughter there was. As I argue in my forthcoming book, there is a lot of joy to be had in the intentional and unintentional humour found in metal. In Britain an appreciation of metal laughter is a central part of the scene.

Best bit: Ghaal of Gorgoroth, when asked what black metal is about, gives a ludicrously long pause before answering portentously 'Satan'. That got a BIG laugh!

Tarzan to the Hills

The enjoyably silly Siegelhead have an excellent demo track called 'Tarzan to the Hills' which - obviously enough - combines Iron Maiden's 'Run to the Hills' and Baltimora's 'Tarzan Boy' in an inspired electroclash mind-meld.

Eurovision blog

Also on the subject of Eurovision, I just came across the excellent Eurovisionblog
Tenuous Jewish connection: it's edited by Caroline Westbrook who co-presents the Something Jewish Radio Show

Eurovision Jews

The Daily Jews reports on  how this year's Eurovision has  Jewish artists representing Switzerland and Ukraine - but not Israel:

Link: DailyJews - Home - All the Jews as it happens - All the Jews fit to print.

Matzo and Metal 2

Just looked at some highlights from the programme here . Oddly moving seeing Evan Seinfeld, Josh Silver and Scot Ian saying the bracha over wine. Also, Seinfeld's Dad taught cheder...

VH1 Presents: Matzo and Metal II: Back to the Desert

Following last year's Matzo and Metal programme, VH1 is screening Matzo and Metal II:

VH1 Classic is celebrating Passover Vegas-style with "Matzo and Metal II: Back To The Desert." The second annual Seder set to premiere on the network for classic rock lovers will bring together rock artists - that all happen to be Jewish - for a meal never to be forgotten at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The half-hour special will feature Scott Ian (Anthrax), Evan Seinfeld (Biohazard), Josh Silver (Type O Negative) and VH1 Classic host Lynn Hoffman as they gather for Kosher food and to discuss what rock music and their Jewish heritage have meant to them.

Those unfamiliar with a Passover Seder will hear how music plays a key role in the traditional dinner and see how the rich history of Passover is shared through storytelling. And hard rock and heavy metal musicians certainly have plenty of stories!

Hopefully I'll get to see it this year!!

Link: Jewlicious � VH1 Presents: Matzo and Metal II: Back to the Desert.