navybsn

The lack of adequate Public Health resources or interest from the public is a huge problem. As evidenced by all of the Covidiots running amok at the moment. As environment change accelerates, the importance Public Health is only going to increase. Considering the resistance to those efforts we are seeing now, a mosquito net suit or proper forcefield probably isn't a bad idea.

Malaria and other mosquito borne illnesses are still a huge threat to humanity that get little attention in the west. We tend to think of them as a "third world" problem, but as Zika proved a few years ago, we are certainly vulnerable. And don't forget tick-borne illnesses that continue to threaten to become a bigger problem. Global warming and population encroachment continue to increase our exposure to new vectors of disease that do not bode well for humanity in general.

Eternal Champion - The Armor of Ire Eternal Champion - Ravening Iron Visigoth - Conqueror's Oath Satan - Court in the Act

Add another to the list. I was raised on the nuttier side as well but nothing like @Sardonicist. Adventist/Southern Baptist during the Satanic Panic. I remember watching all the propaganda against heavy metal and supposed Satanists and ended up thinking that they were way cooler than the total douchebags I saw in church. I bailed on the cult when I was old enough to be independent of my parents requirements.

The boosters have been shown to be effective in research trials. I got my third a month or so ago. I don't believe the doomsday prophets anymore than anyone else, but I'm not taking chances. I work in healthcare. I see too many sick folks to take chances not too mention I've been through way too much already to do so. I didn't survive cancer twice to die from a preventable respiratory infection... One thing that does worry me is that COVID is bad, but there is endless potential for more diseases that are worse in the world. Ebola, Marburg, COVID, H5N1, smallpox, Nipah, Q fever...those things are all known quantities. It's the ones we don't know about that are scary. I highly recommend Spillover by David Quammen and The Coming Plague by Laurie Garrett for anyone that is interested in reading about infectious disease and emerging threats. Great books that will keep you up at night. Overpopulation and encroachment in environments where people have not previously been in large numbers is increasing our risk for new zoonosis and most worrisome is that it is happening in places in the world with the worst healthcare systems (SE Asia, South America, Africa). The healthcare system is fucked if H5N1 ever jumps from birds to people, it will make COVID look minor league. Read The Great Flu by John Barry or any of the myriad of books about the 1918-19 epidemic and imagine how much worse an event like that would be today. The worst impact hasn't been the virus, negligence, or even the tin-foil hat Q-anon bullshit. It is the number of experienced healthcare workers who have died or decided they no longer want to work in the field. Added to the reduced number of people in the pipeline for medical/nursing/med tech training and the pre-existing shortage of healthcare workers, it's a recipe for disaster. The healthcare system in most countries is ripe for collapse unless major intervention/overhaul is done. Healthcare costs, wages, patient expectations, drug prices (in the US), and public health education all need major attention. Now look at me, I'm the doomsday prophet.

Sarke - Allsighr Darkthrone - Eternal Hails

The Meze are my go to's as well. They just do everything right to my ears.

Wolves in the Throne Room - Primordial Arcana - I like it but way too mellow for most of the record Circle of Ouroborus - Kiromantia - in my top 2 for the year

Key - Crown of Winter Rudimentary Peni - Death Church

Key - Crown of Winter (2010) CD. Been looking for this one for a bit.

There's a few gems on there, and a lot of stuff I skip. I'd say the best tracks are: Bob Destiny – Wang Dang, Fadoul – Bsslama Hbibti, and Sharhabeel Ahmed - Argos Farfish. Those definitely feel like very early rock (think Chuck Berry era). I picked it up mostly for background music to throw on playlists so I can impress my friends when they come over with my eclectic music tastes 😆. Seriously though, I have been intrigued by the "Arab" sound (I know that's not a real description but it's the only way I can think to describe it) since discovering Yaz Ahmed a few years ago. Problem is, other than a few artists, it's been tough going finding interesting stuff. So, samplers are the easiest way to go to discover ones to dig in to. A good albums I've found: Yaz Ahmed - La Saboteuse Rabih Abou-Khalil - Blue Camel Yussef Kamaal - Black Focus (most projects Yussef Dayes has been involved in are good) I don't know if it's an accurate reference, but all of these make me think of the 50's Moroccan Golden Era. That's the sound I'm after anyway. This morning has been decidely non-metal. Nursing a weekend hangover and not quite ready for the full-strength stuff yet. SPECTRES - Nostalgia NP: Rabih Abou-Khalil - Blue Camel (since I mentioned it, might as well give it a spin) I've been waking up with weird shit in my head for a few days. AC/DC - You want blood mashed up with that fucking song from Grease, Sonny & Cher - I got you Babe, that Mariah Carey Christmas song (and I hate Christmas Music just slightly more than I hate hangovers).

A bunch of random shit I just bought on Bandcamp. Habibi Funk mix (interesting jazz and other normo genres from the Arab side of the world), some goth/post-punk collections, and the new Rope Sect while I set up my new office rig.

Not a big Kiss fan, but it's okay stuff to put on a mix when I'm cleaning house on the weekend. I've never actually purchased any of their albums, but I have a few including 3 of 4 solo records. I've found or been given all of them. I remember my dad's friend was a huge fan. We would go to his house and he had an awesome game room in the basement that had Kiss posters all over, a pool table, foosball, pinball, and an Atari. I'd play Centipede and eat chips while they played pool and got smashed. All the while, Kiss and a variety of 70's rock blasted in the background. Probably some Zep, Allman Brothers, BOC... the usual stuff. That was probably 80-81. It would still be a few years before I really got interested in music. By that time, Kiss was old news.

AC/DC - High Voltage Black Sabbath - Master of Reality Judas Priest - Defenders of the Faith ASG - Survive Sunrise ASG - Win Us Over KISS - Alive! Def Leppard - High 'N' Dry

Never really got into Overkill or Exodus. The one Overkill album I have is one of those meh 2000's efforts. I bought it to see why people liked them and decided that they were not for me. Still have it somewhere but not really interested in digging it out. Same for Exodus. I have Bonded by Blood and it's ok, but I think I was too late to that party. They are fun live. My thrash days were the big 4 plus Testament, Suicidal, Sepultura, Sacred Reich, Destruction, DRI, Coroner, Demolition Hammer, Kreator, Sodom, Flotsam, Forbidden, and maybe a few others I'm forgetting. Exodus and Overkill weren't very popular down here with my friends in the sticks. May have something to do with the Florida Death Metal scene blowing up around the time we got old enough to spend money on multiple records and take more chances. Slayer - full stop at Seasons although that cover album they did was entertaining.

Circle of Ouroborus - Alttarimyllyt

Circle of Ouroborus - Vangin Laulu

Vomit Spell - 2019 Demo Malignant Altar - Realms of Exquisite Morbidity

Ditto. I think this is the song I heard them play live a few months ago. Immolation never disappoints.

Witch Vomit - Poisoned Blood War Possession - Doomed to Chaos

That Alkymist was pretty good IIRC. I need to dig that up. Haven't spun that in a while. NP: Wode - Burn in Many Mirrors

Yup, too much writing today and getting my terms mixed up. I see your point about Death (maybe not the best example for making that point). No one has really topped what they did and the imitations are indeed cringe worthy. TBH, most progressive death I hear is pretty bad. It just seems to be the hardest mix of styles to get right in my opinion. I probably buy the least amount of music in this particular subgenre. Not to say there aren't a lot of good examples of getting it right, just a lot of bad ones. As for the kiddies digging old school bands, I wouldn't disagree. I'm just saying that those bands just don't have the same impact as they did when they first broke and absolutely no one sounded like them.

New KVAEN on the way in March

Listening to Cannibal Corpse put hair on my chest and a tingle in my loins as a young lad. Sabaton doesn't do much for me. I lump them in with Avenged Sevenfold and Volbeat. Crap that is very successful commercially and probably maintains that entry level spot for drawing interest to metal amongst the youth but not of much use to the seasoned vet. Speaking of manly music, so far today: Archgoat - Worship the Eternal Darkness - this is good, but I liked the last one a lot better. The evolution of their style works for me, but the songs aren't as strong. Apsu - Apsu - you just can't listen to this and not compare it to Tara. Technically very competent, but it pales in comparison. Still pretty decent. Probably dig Tara out later today. Culto Negro - Abismal Speed Metal Void Ceremony - Entropic Reflections Continuum

I agree that they are 2 different animals. I respect them both for different reasons (Venom - originated a style/attitude, Death - musicianship/creativity), but honestly I've never really been into either band. I agree with @Sheol on the time and place thing. Both bands had a bigger impact when they were fresh and new vs. looking back in retrospect. I'd say that's true for most of the classic bands whether it's Possessed, Celtic Frost, Metallica, or Mayhem. Don't get me wrong, I like all of those bands and remember when most "hit" or I picked them up very young. A twenty-something today looking back at them now probably wouldn't be as impressed especially with the dearth of great bands out there now who took those early influencers and built a better product on that foundation.