Metal Mixtape: Sieben ist meine Zahl

Yet another interesting factoid I’ve discovered from the surveys submitted so far is that you’d like to see more music on the blog. I’ve been deliberately avoiding discussing music in-depth as I’ve been doing that on forums for years and find the whole “intelligent discussion” (read: petty argument over nothing) consists of writing imaginative insults for anyone who disagrees with you. Music discourse is so subjective, and so close to people’s hearts, I don’t want to touch it here, at least not yet.

But … I’ve had an idea. Do you remember the days before iPods. before CDs even, when you’d spend all Saturday standing by the radio, finger on the REC button, waiting for that song – the one you can’t get out of your head – to come on? Do you remember listening to those tapes of songs with the first seven seconds missing, and random DJ interjections during the bridge? The first “metal” record I ever had was a mixtape of Metallica songs I taped with religious fervour over the course of a month.

So in my new column, Metal Mixtape, I’m reintroducing the idea of mixtapes – random collections of songs that capture a mood, a feeling, an age. I’ll give you a list of 5-10 songs, complete with a youtube vid and a bit of DJ commentary from yours truly. These lists will be themed. While you’ll find mostly metal and metal-inspired songs, I’m going to include at least one non-metal song per tape, because I’ve also discovered a significant number of readers actually … gulp … don’t listen to metal.

I’ll add a little disclaimer for songs and videos with explicit content, too, so those of a weaker disposition. If you’re not of the metal persuasion, you’ll probably enjoy a lot of these tracks, but you might want to steer clear of anything labelled “death metal”, “black metal”, grindcore”, “extreme metal” or “brutal technical goregrind blackened deathcore with viking influences.”

I’ve had this sodden Subway to Sally song stuck in my head – mostly because it’s one of the few German songs my paltry language skills can translate. So this weeks theme is “Seven”.

Iron Maiden – Seventh Son of a Seventh Son

From their album of the same name, a classic from one of the all time metal greats. Everyone has their favorite Maiden album and song, and this is mine. I chose a live track because Maiden sound just as amazing live as they do on record. If you’ve never heard Iron Maiden before, listen!

Subway to Sally – Sieben

One of the best new bands we picked up in Germany, Subway to Sally sing “medieval rock”. I cannot get “Sieben” out of my head. WARNING: extremely catchy.

Symphony X – Seven

Arguably the best prog metal band alive today, Symthony X’s 2007 release, Paradise Lost (dealing with themes from Milton’s poem), featured some of their best work to date, including this gem. It’s track number 8 on the CD, and lasts for exactly 7 minutes. (for those of you unaware what prog metal is, think Pink Floyd, but extra amplified and with less drugs. Or more drugs. Or different drugs. Whatever.)

“Heigh Ho” sung by the Seven Dwarves

I couldn’t think of a “seven” themed non-metal song that wasn’t by Interpol. Bleargh. If anyone can suggest one, pop up in the comments!

Venom – Seven Gates of Hell

You gotta love Venom. These English lads were one of the first metal groups to embrace the whole “Satanic” ethos in their lyrics, stage names and album art. But their satanism was purely for giggles, although the irony was lost on many fans, who later became the forerunners of the Black Metal scene. Wikipedia says Venom have found “little commercial success or critical acclaim” and, well, you can understand why. But they’re good fun.

Therion – Seven Secrets of the Sphinx

This Swedish metal band has changed sounds several times over the years, putting out black, death and melo-death albums, before settling on their heavily classically influenced choir sound, of which this song is a shining example. Plus, this is live at Wacken 2001. \m/

Annihilator – Sixes and Sevens

From 1990′s Never, Nevermind, Canadian thrashers Annihilator give us another take on the number seven theme. This is dirty thrash metal at it’s best, and they get bonus points for always having wicked lyrics.

The Seven Gates – the Serpent’s While

A classic death sound from French group Seven Gates, now signed with Heavy Artillery records in the US. Most death metal sounds the same to me, and this is no different, but it’s “good” same.

Can anyone suggest any more good “Seven” songs? I deliberately left off Helloween’s “Keeper of the Seven Keys” because, honestly, I don’t like it. Also, there’s no video to the Lefay song “Seventh Seal” which is wicked and you should check it out.

Horns up! \m/ Let me know what you think of some of the changes I’ve made.
Steff