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There seems to be a lot of hate for Tom Morello,what's that about? . (I genuinely know nothing about the guy other than he was in RATM and Audioslave)

Everything he says about other bands sounds like something that came from a PR company. Even his KISS induction from the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame was embarrassingly hyperbolic and cliched to the point it makes Paul Stanley's stage raps look reserved and profound. And I say that as a huge KISS mark. 

And that whole thing where he tried to smear a restaurant as "anti worker" when he couldn't get in - and get a special room for him and his crew no less - revealed what an entitled tosser he is. Just another rock star douchebag, who loves the whole celebrity status thing, despite his "workers of the world unite" posturing.   

He smacks of self importance and insincerity IMO, and he is the very definition of cringeworthy.

Plus he looks like a cunt.

Oh, and his music is largely a load of old bollocks. So there is that.   

First time listening to TSOP in about 10 years. Really enjoyed it actually, maybe a bit nostalgic but some really cool stuff on there, I can't see why it gets a bad rep if you only listen to scream bloody gore but don't know why it gets roasted so regularly.

It's a more than respectable album, and I'm someone who much prefers the first two over anything else they did.

Went in at dinner time here. Decent turnout at that stage, but my Ma went in around 2 and there was nobody there.

I can't see huge change here really. Obviously, FF and FG, and probably SF (who have a strong base here, but have been less than useless IMO) will likely be shoe ins. The likes of Aontu and the smaller parties will probably struggle to oust the independents like Verona Murphy. But then, you never know. I thought the same of the locals, and some pretty strong looking independent contenders didn't make the cut at all, despite what looked like well run campaigns, and the candidates themselves being well respected in the town.

[MANILLA ROAD]

In the car for the drive this morning...

Holy Terror - Mind Wars
Holy Terror - Terror & Submission
Sabbat - History of a Time to Come

Absolute classics!

N.P. -

MANILLA ROAD - Crystal Logic
MANILLA ROAD - Open The Gates
MANOWAR - Into Glory Ride
HEAVY LOAD - Metal Conquest
JUDAS PRIEST - Defenders Of The Faith

You say you've got the answers, well who asked you anyway?!

YES!

[MANILLA ROAD]

MANILLA ROAD - The Deluge
MANILLA ROAD - Spiral Castle
MANOWAR - Kings Of Metal
THE GATES OF SLUMBER - Conqueror
THE GATES OF SLUMBER - Hymns Of Blood And Thunder

That was awful in every conceivable way.

The overall sound for Kreator was incredible, especially the guitars. Rhythm and lead tones on point, perfect mix etc. I was so impressed with Sami Yli-Sirniö. I knew he could play, but he has a really great mix of classic hard rock and modern metal styles. Very fluid. Great interplay between him and Mille.

I could hear Skolnick, but yeah, it could have been louder. For me the rhythm guitars were the issue. Very muddy. And add that to the buzzy, overly loud and distorted bass, it really robbed them of their usual power. 

That intro video's fairly cringeworthy.

Yeah. It's one thing on the actual anniversary tour, but why keep using it?

All it did for me was confirm how fucking annoying Tom 'cringy soundbite' Morello and the wonky headed fucker from Slipknot are. They could easily make another intro video with bits and pieces of their history without all the celebrity endorsements and smug circle jerk BS. 

Skid Row - The Gang's All Here

This is very respectable. Anything else post-Bach worth checking out?

Nothing else I heard made me want to splash the cash.

The United World Rebellion e.p's are pretty fucking good.

[PRO - PAIN]

PRO - PAIN - Foul Taste Of Freedom
PRO - PAIN - The Truth Hurts
CRO MAGS - Best Wishes
METAL CHURCH - The Human Factor
ANTHRAX - Worship Music
KREATOR - Violent Revolution

Testament gave a great performance, but the guitars lacked punch IMO. Also, is it just me, or does Steve DiGiorgio's bass often overpower things? Same here, very high in the mix, clacky, and buzzy. The man is a legend, but I still reckon Greg Christian was infinitely better suited to the band.

I'n not a huge fan of Kreator post 90 to be honest, but they were fucking savage. Immense performance, especially Ventor and Sami Yli-Sirniö. For all of the intensity and satanic imagery, the thing that strikes me about Kreator these days is just how bombastic they are. The image says Watain, but the vibe is just as much Blind Guardian - Celebratory, fist pumping, anthemic stadium and festival fodder. Excellently delivered mind you, and highly enjoyable, but a far cry from the bestial thrash they originally became known for. Tellingly, Betrayer, Terrible Certainly and Pleasure To Kill were the highlights for me.

Anthrax were fucking brilliant. Thoroughly predictable setlist, but when the tunes are that good it doesn't really matter that much does it? Funnily enough, even though they began with 3 stone cold classics in A.I.R., Got The Time and Caught In A Mosh, for me, it really kicked into gear with Fight Em Til You Can't.  The start of 'Be All, End All' is always mighty. Nice touch with the Lizzy intro to Indians too, and Gung Ho is one of the best thrash tunes of all time.

My only gripe is Jon Donais. The guy can obviously play, but he just widdles aimlessly through the Dan Spitz solos, which really fucking grates on me. Especially as Spitz solos were always of the "song within a song" variety, and really lifted every tune, they are as much a part of those classic tracks as the riffs and choruses. Donais doesn't bother his hole even sticking to the main melodies and then adding his own touches, he just blazes through generic speed licks. Why the fuck don't Benante and Ian take him to task for that shit? 

It didn't ruin my overall enjoyment of the show, but it is fucking aggravating.     

[COMECON]

COMECON - Megatrends In Brutality
DISMEMBER - Indecent And Obscene
KREATOR - Endless Pain
KREATOR - Terrible Certainty
KREATOR - Extreme Aggression
KREATOR - Coma Of Souls

The demos and the debut are where it's at IMO.

[DEMOLITION HAMMER]

DEMOLITION HAMMER - Epidemic Of Violence
SACRED REICH - Ignorance
DEVASTATION - Signs Of Life
APOCALYPSE - Apocalypse
POSSESSED - Beyond The Gates
 

[CROWBAR]

CROWBAR - Sonic Excess In Its Purest Form
CRUMBSUCKERS - Life of Dreams
OBITUARY - Dying Of Everything
TYPE O NEGATIVE - Dead Again

Not sure if this is a controversial opinion or not, but personally, overall I prefer the later Type O albums to Bloody Kisses and October Rust. 

I am a big fan of 'Slow Deep And Hard' too, although that was essentially leftover Carnivore tunes, and I'm a huge Carnivore fan.