According to Spotify, I listened to 36,177 minutes of music last year. That’s 602.95 hours or 25.12 days.
A little about my top artists of last year:
Foo Fighters – Anyone who knows me knows I am a huge fan of this band. 2017 saw the daring Concrete and Gold album, where they got pretty weird for a change, coming off at times like Pet Sounds crashing into Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd. I also managed to turn my 8 year-old son on to them last year and now he jams the Foos all the time on his tablet.
Black Sabbath – Another of my all time favorite bands. Their appearance here probably had a lot to do with their retirement last year. The classic lineup of Ozzy, Tony, Geezer, and Bill is still untouchable. Master of Reality is probably my fave by that lineup. And one can’t forget the majesty of the Dio years with the classic Heaven and Hell album. Seriously, if you don’t listen to Black Sabbath you are completely blowing it.
He Is Legend – This band was new to me back in 2011 when I first heard their album It Hates You. They are the last new (to me) band that blew my mind. Their mix of bluesy 90s grunge/alt rock, emo, and thrash/groove metal is absolutely intoxicating. If that sounds interesting, check out last year’s few album, where they take those influences to the next level. Painfully underapperciated band.
Sepultura – I have been a Sepultura fan since 1991. Something was always different and intriguing about this Brazilian thrash band. Even before I’d heard them, people described them as “jungle thrash.” They had all the makings of a classic band and had an incredible run up through 1996’s Roots album.
After a major lineup shift following the departure of charismatic frontman Max Cavalera, Sepultura struggled for years to find their identity with American frontman Derrick Green.
Things began looking up with 2006’s concept album Dante XXI, in spite of the loss of Cavalera #2, drummer Igor, who reunited with Max in new band Cavalera Conspiracy.
Last year’s Machine Messiah is an absolute classic album, easily their best in their current incarnation which also includes powerhouse wonder drummer Eloy Casagrande. Dynamic, heavy, and cinematic with amazing production, it’s an album every Sepultura fan past or present should check out.
Metallica – Easily my favorite band. Hardwired…To Self Destruct is their best album in a long time. A perfect mix of their thrashy sound with elements of the Black album and Load eras.
Lots of new music coming out this year as well. At the moment, I am looking forward to new Turbonegro on February 2nd.
More posts soon!
Ramblings of a Retired Rockstar 