Alright dear monkeys, for my first post of 2013 I feel it’s appropriate to let you all know about my New Year’s resolution—a muse project called Head of Metal, “the most accessible heavy metal resource on the web.”
Head of Metal’s roots came in 2012 when I started writing late-night heavy metal-themed posts for WSO. Our very own Chief Monkey Patrick Curtis encouraged me to create my own separate blog, and has been a constant source of ideas and advice. “It’s already got the most badass logo you’ve ever seen,” he has gushed in the CU chat.
Head of Metal will be full of intelligent and passionate commentary on all things heavy metal: metal history, album reviews, top 10 lists, concert reviews, obituaries, issues and misperceptions, and “fan testimonials” (stories from fans about how they got into the music, what it’s done for them, and how it makes them a better person).
I have a back catalogue of 60 or so posts and still feel like I’m barely scratching the surface! Although it’s only a splash page now to build an email list (which I created using Launchrock), I hope to launch the full site in February or March. If you enjoyed my WSO post “Heavy Metal is Saving Society,” for instance, there’s a lot more where that came from: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/heavy-metal-is-saving-society
Progress is steadily being made; I’m learning how to use Wordpress and am taking to Twitter and Youtube to start spreading the word. I’m thinking about the layout and design of the site (of which that logo is only a part) and I’m on the lookout for other places to syndicate my growing library of content. I’ll have the links in my WSO signature as well.
I know of several metalheads right here on WSO, including but not limited to: FeelingMean, Macro Arbitrage, UFOInsider, Asatar, and JamesHetfield (naturally). If you guys or anyone else would like to contribute a fan testimonial or anything else you like, hit me up and we can talk.
If you’re curious about the music in any capacity, I’d love to have you as a reader.
Whether you’re a new listener or an opinionated veteran, I want to be your voice.
If you want to be a part of my New Year’s resolution, by all means visit my splash page at headofmetal.com to submit your email for my monthly alerts.
I welcome thoughts and ideas in the comments, and once in a while I’ll keep you all posted on my progress. I’m very excited to have this muse project (a la “The 4-hour Work Week”). I’m stoked to put the devil horns up. Are you?
Looks great man. I can't wait for this. Most of the heavy metal resources on the web are very sparsed out and even then hardly cover all of what is under the metal umbrella.
I really look forward to your sites launch! I can not wait!
I haven't listened to a lot of metal recently, but I have to say, Mastodon's Crack the Skye is one of my favorite albums. Only they could write an opera about a paraplegic's out of body experiences.
Just out of curiosity, any other metal bands out there like Mastodon?
Mastodon! They're terrifix. VoidTrading is on the money with recommending Opeth--i saw a show on their tour together (and wrote a review of it!). If you like Mastodon--try The Sword. "Age Of Winters" is a fine album, and they're becoming more progressive in later releases.
Void, do you concur? ;)
By the way, in addition to The Sword, Mastodon fans have also been known to enjoy Baroness, Red Fang, and Black Tusk. Horns up!
I wouldn't say exactly like Mastodon, but give Opeth a shot. They toured together a while ago and it really was an incredible tour. Opeth aren't as heavy as they used to be, but their music style is absolutely incredible and I like the progression of the band.
Not a metal guy, but it's awesome to see you working on something you're really passionate about. Really awesome!
Thanks for the support!
Way to go ITF! Anyone else that wants to start something similar and wants guidance, I love serving as a mentor. The only thing I ask is that there is a true passion in the subject matter so that it is something you can do for years to build up an audience before trying to monetize it.
There are still so many opportunities out there like this one for people that are good writers and have a lot of knowledge about a particular niche.
Either way, congrats ITF.
Horns UP!
awesome ITF - as long time heavy metal fan can't wait to see the site once it is up
Neither can I!
Never heard of that band, but now MUST LISTEN TO ALL OF IT. I have it noted down as one to check out. THANKS ITF!
Seriously though. This website will be the best way to get new metal stuff. I can't wait to go home and check these guys out.
Also - If you're interested in an awesome metal documentary check out Anvil: The Story of Anvil. It is incredible and motivational.
I've always loved Sam Dunn's work as far as documentaries. "A Headbanger's Journey," "Global Metal" and now "Metal Evolution" are all magnificent.
Let me know what you think of The Sword! \m/ \m/
Thanks for the documentaries. Those are going on my to watch list ASAP.
I read a book recently called : Mean Deviation: Four decades of progressive heavy metal.
It was an absolutely amazing read. Really fun to read about evolution of prog metal and it opened me up to a whole host of other bands who I would have never listened to otherwise.
Next up on my to read list is: Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal.
Sounds fantastic! If you like Emperor / similar check out their front guy Ihsahn's new album - Eremita
Loved his work with Mikael Akerfeldt from Opeth. Underrated musician for sure.
I had a work buddy that was rabid pantera fan. Once he got me to go to a Artemis Piledriver concert. I would say I dabble in Metal. Usually, in a workout playlist. Glad to see you do something that inspires you ITF!
Pantera fans are nuts!
My definitive metal documentary is: Metal: A Headbanger's Journey by Sam Dunn. Fantastic work on his part.
Also, the logo is fucking tight as shit. Great font.
Thank you 99designs. :)
Great to see some more metalheads around WSO. As a guitarist, my tastes in metal have only gotten more "progressive" as I continue to refine my playing and get introduced to new bands with killer players. Love Dream Theater and all that they've been through with the Mike Portnoy saga, as well as the usual suspects (Ozzy, Iron Maiden, and Van Halen if you're inclined to label "Hard Rock" interchangeably with "Pop Metal" to be part of the genre as well). Also listen to X-Japan and continue to appreciate other heavy metal acts in Japan that largely go unnoticed in the West.
I second "Metal: A Headbanger's Journey" and "Anvil: The Story of Anvil". Both are excellent, and while Sam Dunn's "Global Metal", expands on the first in its global scope, it's not as good as "Metal" in my opinion, but is a worthwhile watch nonetheless. Didn't know about "Metal Evolution"; just another thing to add on the to watch list.
Looking forward to further developments ITF!
I'm actually in the middle of a series of posts/album reviews about prog metal. Japanese metal is something I've always wanted to get more into--I know about X-Japan, Despairsray, and Sigh, but that's about it.
Have not actually seen the Anvil documentary. "Global Metal" I thought was just as good as "Metal," as thanks to that film I became a fan of Orphaned Land, who are now one of my favorites.
So pumped... Honestly can't wait to go on this site!
Check out this weak ass bitch who can't handle metal, what a pussy
http://www.youtube.com/embed/_vFPpx61-uM
Puppets/And Justice For All and Far Beyond Driven are the all-time standards for excellence IMO. Pure, no nonsense, heavy metal representing THE absolute best from their respective decades.
Interesting choices! But there are so many different types of metal you could spend forever slicing and dicing them all up into the best of each of their respective specialties. Puppets and Ride the Lightning, definitely at/near the top as far as thrash goes.
Sorry, i'm not trying to rank or anything, but..."Interesting choices"? I think those two artists and albums are pretty much the consensus, nearly undisputed I think, choices for best of the genre in the 80s and 90s. They were the peerless kings of, and the definition of, the genre of metal during their decades.
But of course there's so much more, and a metal blog by an expert such as yourself will go far beyond just that well known stuff, which has probably been discussed to death anyways.
I'm on Sam Dunn's Global Metal for a Total of 4 seconds, and Maiden's flight 666 for another 2 seconds. My 6.66 seconds of glory :)
good luck!
Badass.
my buddy started something similar a few years ago - http://youknowigotsoul.com/ - for hip hop and r&B. its been bringing him some good $ and awesome opps to meet the artists!
That period of Metallica is kind of hard to touch. Ride the Lighting & Master of Puppets are two of the greatest metal albums of all time. But honestly it gets tough to define a seminal metal album. Reign In Blood is incredible and so is Number of the Beast.
Rust in Peace is incredible as well.
Man. I can't wait for all the suggestions ITF has lined up. So much to listen to, not enough time.
Void, it says a lot about how great our lives are when our biggest problem is when we're going to find time to listen to all this music.
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