I'm in a Mood again...

So I got a new place to live, new sheets on the bed, new

haircut and four new shirts from Nordstrom Rack.

Bascially, I am ready to spread the love. Hit me up if

you are runnin' on empty.

Pretty sure that's Matt Sorum from Guns 'n Roses on

the drums.

Excellent Drumstick Twirl at 2:18.

The Cult- Edie (Ciao Baby) English Rock Band

formed in 1983... I was 2 years old.

I REALLY like this song...

There may or may not be a touch of "Hootie," "Sister Hazel" or "Blues Traveler" on this guys voice... All I know is that I dig this song!

Queensrÿche: Probably still My Favorite Band ever

Queensrÿche: American Progressive Metal Band. Formed 1981 in Bellevue, Washington.

I can distinctly remember hearing a song played for the first time on my local radio station while I was pumping gas at the local Maverick. The song was called, "Sign of the Times," and I remember thinking to myself that it was kinda catchy. Afterwards, the DJ mentioned that it was the latest single from Queensrÿche. I was sure I had heard that name before.

Weeks later, at my friend Scott Earl's house, we were watching rock DVDs and he asked if we wanted to watch a Queensrÿche DVD. I was shocked at how many of the songs I already knew and really enjoyed. The rest is history. One of the best shows I have ever seen was a Queensrÿche/Dream Theater show in Seattle. The day before I sold my last drum set, I played all the way through 4 of their albums.
Queensrÿche is most famous for their albums, "Operation Mindcrime" and "Empire." They are also responsible for creating one of my Favorite rock/metal logos... the "Trirÿche." The Trirÿche is the bat-man looking symbol you see above on the cover of their Empire album. I have painted this symbol on more than a few denim jackets and drum heads, as well as on the wall in my drum room.

If you ask me, Queensrÿche is one of the best bands around. Great writing, outstanding vocals and some of my favorite drums to play along to. Not to mention some of my favorite Guitar Harmonies. One of my fondest memories is the summer of '98 while working at Pizza Hut as a delivery driver. I remember making the most perfect Queensrÿche mix tapes ever with a couple live tracks added in. It was blue... and it was awesome.

Members:

Geoff Tate: Vocals

Scott Rockenfield: Drums

Eddie Jackson: Bass

Michael Wilton: Guitar

Chris DeGarmo: Guitar (not currently)

Albums:

Queensrÿche (1983) I was only 2 years old!

The Warning (1984) Same year as Van Halen's "Jump."

Rage For Order (1986)

Operation: Mindcrime (1988)

Empire (1990)

Promised Land (1994)

Hear in the Now Frontier (1997)

Q2K (1999) That album really grew on me

Tribe (2003)

Operation: Mindcrime 2 (2006)

Take Cover (2007)

American Soldier (2009)

Check out their website here

Here is a song you probably know... and one you maybe don't. Check 'em out. I love these guys!

Demons & Wizards

Demons & Wizards: Power Metal Band Hybrid of the members of Iced Earth and Blind Guardian. Formed around 1998. The Band is named for the "Demon-Like" themes and sounds of Iced earth melded together with the "Wizard-Like" themes and sounds of Blind Guardian.

Albums:

Demons & Wizards (2000)

Touched by the Crimson King (2005)

Members:

Hansi Kürsch: Vocals (Blind Guardian)

Jon Schaffer: Guitars (Iced Earth)

Bobby Jarzombek: Drums

Rubin Drake: Bass

Jim Morris: Guitar Solos

Check Out Their Website Here

My Drum Cover #2 -NIN: Discipline

People keep asking to see my drums! Which is awesome. Here is a video of me playing NIN in my Parent's Basement. Doesn't get much more Rock n Roll than that! Right?

God Bless 1994. Megadeth: Reckoning Day

I'm feeling a bit Haggard this morning and this is how I decided to begin my day. I figured it was worth sharing in case anybody else needs a boost.

Last Trip to FYE... Good Run

AC/DC: Live at Donington

Nightwish: End of an Era

Megadeth: Rude Awakening

All HIGHLY recommended!

P.S. When the HELL is iTunes gonna get some ACDC?

Switching Gears-Steel Panther to Saxon

Lemmy Kilmister- Born December 24th, 1945 in Stoke on Trent, England. Founding member of Motörhead. Doesn't get much more serious than that. Yet, after a show like that of Steel Panther, I can say that so matter how serious or not you may be, The Metal commands reverence.

Respect your elders!!!!

Saxon- English Heavy Metal Band formed in 1976. Yeah, Saxon has been rockin' longer than I have been alive! That means that these guys have been around the block a time or two. They were among the Vanguard, carrying the banner of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. In the beginning, Saxon would share the stage with more established acts like that of Lemmy's Motörhead. While many people have never heard of Saxon, know who has? How about Iron Maiden? Maybe Judas Priest? Saxon not only had their place set the the British Heavy Metal Banquet, but they also heavily influenced many other bands including Megadeth and Metallica. There is no doubt that Saxon has earned their place on the Hallowed Ground of Heavy Metal with the best of them. So... bow your head... fold your arms... and enjoy

Steel Panther @ the Gallivan Center. Salt Lake City, Utah

There is no question that this was the place to be in SLC tonight! Local Band The Street opened up the show. I always enjoy seeing these guys perform. Check out their myspace HERE. Check out some of their tunes and their album is now available on iTunes.

Steel Panther after the first song. They took about 5 minutes in between songs to strike poses for the camera. Talented musicians for sure. Hilarious show. Glam Rock Resurrection. Just imagine a mix between Zoolander and a Poison Concert.
See what I mean? These guys know exactly what they are doing and they do it well. Check out their Myspace HERE.
My favorite Event Staffer of the night. He spent about 80% of his energy making sure to be right in my way for most of the night. Also, whenever the beach balls landed by him, he'd just leave 'em there instead of throwing them back to the crowd. Thanks Dude. You're a real peach.

Any Steel Panther show that comes remotely close to your hometown is NOT to be missed. You'll see what I mean when you enjoy this video with someone you love:

Metal Warriors of the World Unite!

1000 Visits in 2 Months! You guys are awesome! Good to see that the Metal is not being neglected! I want to know who you all are, SO LEAVE COMMENTS! If you like something or if you Hate it! Bookmark this site! Visit often! Leave Feedback! I want to hear from you all! Send me your Rock Pics! Your Favorite Bands etc! It's a blast to talk Metal and I hope we can keep it all going!

New Music Monday: Shaman's Harvest: Dragonfly

Shaman's Harvest: Jefferson City Missouri.

If you Listen to the Radio at all, you may have already heard this song. I don't, so this was an exciting find for me. At first I wasn't sure if it was Black Stone Cherry (who is awesome). Definitely has a bit of that Southern Rock feel. You can check out their Myspace HERE. I was most impressed with the outstanding vocals, which can make or break a band's sound. You sprinkle in some pleasantly heavy guitar riffs and you have pretty great track. Give it a whirl... I think if you like Black Stone Cherry and Kenny Wayne Shepard you'll dig this song for sure.

This Will Help

Feeling a lil bit sluggish today? Testosterone levels a wee bit low? Are you boring?

This'll help:

Most Metal Muppets EVER

Remember Fraggle Rock? What about Muppet Babies? No? Perhaps, The Labyrinth or The Dark Crystal? What do you get when you mix Muppets & Metal? This:

Himsa: American Melodic Metal Band from Seattle, Washington. Est. 1198.

The Name Himsa comes from the Sanskrit word Ahimsa, which means to "abstain from causing harm." Ahhhh, cute. No, cause when you take away the "A," Himsa means the exact opposite. In Sanskrit, literally: Violence.

Sevendust- My Favorite Addition to my Morning Playlist

Sevendust: American Metal Band. Est. 1992 in Atlanta, Georgia. Originally named "Tomorrow's Pain." Obvious Influences are: Faith No More and Living Colour.

Now, I LOVE a heavy Guitar and a Punishing Drum Beat as much as the next guy, but I still haven't fully embraced the "Cookie Monster" growly vocals of some styles of Metal. While Sevendust isn't completely growl free, they pull it off better than just about anyone I have ever heard. Why? It is mostly due to the fact that the Monsters are balanced out with some of the most focused, tight, bright and melodic vocals in the choruses.

Seriously, for those who might be tempted to give up after the first 3o seconds, do me a solid and at least wait until the first chorus is over. That's all I ask, and it's where they got me. I'm sold. These guys have taken the "Funk Metal" sound of Faith No More and Living Colour and taken it to a much heavier, darker and more powerful level. I guess I dig it so much because it is some of the heaviest stuff I have that always makes me smile.

If you love Sevendust already... then enjoy. If you have yet to see the light, I think you might be surprised by how easy to like this stuff is.

Excellent Video/Compilation of Brazilian Power Metal Bands

Just as a follow-up to the Angra Post, This is a compilation of Brazilian Power Metal Bands that I stumbled upon. Give it a listen! That is, if you like Power Metal. If you like Dragonforce, you'll do just fine. If you can't stand Dragonforce, Feel free to sit this one out.

Angra: Is there anything those Damn Brazilians Can't do?

Angra: Brazilian Power Metal Band. Est. 1991 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Hell Yeah. I lived in Brazil for a couple years, Rio De Janeiro to be exact, but I did get to stay in Sao Paulo for 2 months. Upon my arrival to Brazil, one of the first things to strike me was Brazil's passion... nay, Reverence for Metal. Iron Maiden posters, T-Shirts and Flags are as common a sight along Brazilian streets, as Paris Hilton is in the USA. It's no surprise then that it would only be a matter of time until some of Metal's Heavy Hitters would eventually begin to emerge from Brazil itself. Angra is definitely worthy of a consecrated seat at the Round Table.

Band Members: (current 2009)

Eduardo Falaschi - Vocals

Rafael Bittencourt - Guitars

Kiko Loureiro - Guitars

Felipe Andreoli - Bass Guitar

Ricardo Confessori - Drums

Check 'em out. This is one of my favorite songs/vids of theirs:

My New Home Page- Check it out!

So it turns out that I have just enough web sites and junk floating around out there that I decided to put them all together in one place: http://www.davidtheboyd.com/. Check it out. If that doesn't interest you, but sex, drugs and rock 'n roll do... click HERE.

You Gotta Keep 'em Separated: New Blog on my Time @ Paul Mitchell the School

In order to keep this blog as metal as possible, I have created a new blog that is dedicated specifically to my time and experience @ Paul Mitchell the School. It's called "Diamond Life," and you can visit it here. I just think it's for the best. That way, Hallowed Ground can stay heavy, sweaty and meaty. So, if you are at all interested in reading up on what it's like for a guy like me in Beauty School. Check it out. If not, that's fine... On with the show!

Kneel at The Alter of The Spinning Drumstick

If you love to play the drums as much as I do, but you marvel at the amount of time you spend alone in your parent's basement with the black lights at maximum capacity... then you may consider adding this one important skill to your arsenal.

Just got the Most Pleasurable A$$ Kicking of My Life

So, basically Lacuna Coil handed me my sorry hind-end on an Italian Metal Platter at the free show tonight at the Gallivan Center in Salt Lake City! The set opened strong and held the energy right until the very end. The set length was perfect too! Many a rock show has outlasted the crowd's energy by 2... 3... 7 songs, but Lacuna Coil kept it short, balls to the walls, and full throttle just long enough but left us all wanting more. And, hats off to them for not playing the cliché/fake Encore game. They packed the punch, told us that the last song would be the last song, and let us get on with our lives. Great concept!

I've got to hand it to them for playing the set like they really meant it. Lacuna Coil is not new to the metal scene. The band was formed in 1994 but, you wouldn't know it from the looks on their faces. I really felt like they were excited to be with us and had the enthusiasm of a college band playing their first big show. I definitely got the impression that they are truly passionate about what they do. Refreshing compared to the last Def Leppard show that I saw. I'm not sure DL even knew what city they were in and appeared to have put the show on auto-pilot. Whatever.

Lastly, it was killer to see such a great turn-out for a show like this. The more SLC can support great acts like this-the more great bands begin to look at Utah as a viable tour stop. I think we did a great job showing Lacuna Coil our appreciation and support. Can't wait to see them again!