Metallica's Death Magnetic: A Dotca Review.

Metallica is a heavy metal band that formed in 1981. They released many albums in their time. With the good ones being Kill Em' All, Ride the Lightning, ...And Justice for All, and the Black Album. They influced the metal scene. Some people called the album Master of Puppets one of the most influential and "heavy" thrash metal albums of it's time, and some people still consider it to this day. Then they started to spiral downwards in terms on thrashy metal and quality. They released a few more albums. Those being Load and, Reload, and Garage Inc. After that, they had a big conterversy with Napster and filed a lawsuit with them. They were noted as hypocrites, sell outs and the like. With that being, Metallica released another album, it was entiled St. Anger. The album was the worst Metallica album todate. It was medicore, and just not like they use to be. The songs were repeative and just not "Metallica".

Now they released their lastest album. Death Magnetic. It is more so, what Metallica use to be! They are more like their old selves with this album. You have the long intros, heavy jam, a good verse, heavier jam, chorus, bridge, wild long heavy solo, to a outro. It was something meant to be by Metallica before St. Anger. We have their new producer, Rick Ruben to thank for that. He brought back the "old" Metallica.

Here is my review of each song on the album.

1. That Was Just Your Life: It's a nice fast, heavy song. Lives up to what people are saying, that Metallica is back!

2. The End of the Line: It's a pretty good song. Nice and heavy. Though it is a tad repetive, and could have been on one of their records like load. Doesn't really have the "old" Metallica feel like That Was Just Your Life.

3. Broken Beat and Scarred: One of the decent songs on this album. It's a nice heavy song. Overall a good track. Could easily have been on the Black Album, which was a pretty good album.

4. The Day That Never Comes: It's a ballad-esque song. It's one of my favourites, if not the favourite, of the album. It's like Fade to Black, Unforgiven and Nothing Else Matters. As the song goes on, it's gets heavier. For sure it's one of the songs that bring out the "old" Metallica.

5. All Night Long: Another good track that's one of the top 3 on the album. It's long, heavy, and has a wicked chorus that's catchy.

6. Cyanide: A bit repeative, but catchy. It's a okay song, but not one of the better ones of the album. Could make a good radio single.

7. The Unforgiven III: Another good song. James shows himself here. It's long, but not boring. Kirk did pretty good at the solo too. Glad they chose this track for the album.

8. The Judias Kiss: Another good song, with some good guitar riffs. Not one of the best on the album though, but it's fast and heavy. Helps bring out the old Metallica which we all want and love!

9. Suicide and Redemption: It's a instrumental. It's long, but good. Heavy and flows well. Not many good metal instrumentals, but Metallica pulls it off. They make some good ones, and this shows.

10. My Apocalypse: It's a fast, heavy and thrashy song! It truely shows the good old Metallica! One of my favourite's on this album.

Keep it sounding like this Metallica, and you'll make your fans happy!

Overall: James, Kirk and Robert did a very good job on this album. Lars could have done a bit better, but still pulled it off. I give this album a 4/5!

To all those going to the concert, you better have a wicked time.

Interview with Tegan, from Tegan and Sara!

Tegan is one half of the indie rock Canadian Duo, Tegan and Sara. I got the chance to interview Tegan. These questions are for fans, by a fan! Here is what she had to say!

How's Life?

Life is great .Thank you for asking.

Other then making music, what other things do you enjoy to do?

I love to read.

I know you like reading, what are some books you recommend for people to read?

A secret History - Donna Tartt

LIfe after God - Douglas Coupland

A wolf at the Table - Augusten Burroughs

Have you ever thought about writing your own book?

Yes. I write all the time. One day. We're putting together a Tegan and Sara Book for the Spring.

I've noticed at a show that fan's sort of "mob rushed" you. Do you find it annoying, and sometimes try and hide from them or saying no to people asking for photos/autographs? I know I would go crazy if that happened to me.

Not at all. The only time if bothers me is when I'm at dinner and only because I feel embarrassed.

Do you guys like to play/try sports? Like any, from biking to hockey.

We both ride bikes a lot. We play street hockey on tour.

With you guys touring all over the States the Australia, is there hope for you guys to come to Canada?

Not on this record sadly. We will be making a record really soon though and we will tour Canada as soon as we can!

Tegan at Under the Volcano in Vancouver

Got any new tattoos?

A few.

With all these Tegan and Sara blogs/forums, have you ever thought about coming into one and posting to answer some of these peoples questions?

No. Those forums are for fans not for Tegan or Sara.

Do you find it creepy that there is these Tegan and Sara blogs and forums?

Not at all. Its a great place for fans to congregate and share. We encourage them and help support them in our own way.

What is your favorite song you've wrote/played and why?

I love playing Nineteen, One Second and Call it Off.

What's the worst/best experience you've had with a fan?

I've had a few bad experiences but they are so far and few between. We have the greatest fans. They vary so much and they are full of cute stories and wonderful insight.

What inspires you to make music?

Love.

What do you think about people who download/torrent music and does it effect you? If so, to what extent?

I think that music has no dollar value. I think music is the most important thing in my life. I put everything I am into my records. It makes me sad that someone wouldn't want to pay for that considering how inexpensive music is these days but I don't spend any time judging or worrying about it. We have responsible budgets and make records for love not for money. The record companies are suffering though and that of course hurts the artist.

What/Where is one of your favorite concerts/performances you've played? Why?

It would be impossible to pick a favorite. We have a wonderful audience. Every night is great for different reasons. There are so many differences between each city and country....its interesting everywhere!

What's one of the things you are really good at doing, other then making music?

I'm not sure.

What's one of the things you are really bad at doing?

I like to try everything....I don't think I'm bad at anything...some

things just don't come naturally or inspire me to work at it so I don't do it again.

Currently, what's one of your favorite bands/artist that you think people should go and check out?

Amanda Palmer. Against Me.

What is one of your favorite cities that you've been too?

I love Brussels.

What do you think about Myspace/Facebook?

I think Myspace is a great place to preview a bands music or look at tour dates. It certainly feels like its replaced the need to have a .com. That being said I am not on their personally and I don't have a Facebook page either. I believe I lost touch with people for a reason. The people I love I call on the phone.

Do you guys like doing all these interviews?

Yes.

On your myspace, you have photos of you with members of Metallica(one of my favorite bands). Care to tell the story behind that?

We played Bridge School, Neil Young's benefit this past year and Metallica were playing. We love them and so we requested a picture and a meeting and waited outside their dressing room until they came out! They did and it was great!

What do you think of people making shirts with your name/face on them?

We do it so we don't judge if someone can't afford to buy one we are selling or don't like our designs and make their own we're okay with that.

Do you think Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and other older bands like them have a huge impact on the way music is like now a days?

Absolutely. I loved Led Zeppelin growing up. I think my love for music inspired me to make music.

 Is there going to be another Tegan and Sara DVD?

At some point, yes.

What is one goal you want to do in life?

I want to continue on my path happily.

What is one thing you never wished you did?

There is nothing I regret doing.

When someone writes something bad about you on the internet, do you sometimes want to write something back to defend yourself?

No.

Do you think you'll ever make the big dollars and play sold out shows at GM Place or some place like that?

I doubt it. Ha.

What was your best experience with a fan?

Every experience is unique. We are so lucky. People bring us wonderful gifts and food and funny pictures and stories every day on tour. Its overwhelming. We feel incredible love.

What was your worst experience with a fan?

Nothing pops into mind.

Do you ever wish you owned a pet?

No.

Any really cool side projects to talk about?

I have a side project with Hunter from AFI. It's going to see the light of day at some point.

What was it like getting your first record deal?

Underwhelming.

Do you ever wish you lived closer to each other?

No. We see each other 200 days a year. A little distance helps.

Do you guys ever play video games for fun?

No. I did love Crazy Taxi when I was 18.

What is your favorite guitar to play?

Gibson Les Paul Studio.

Tegan and Sara "who's taller" at Under the Volcano in Vancouver

 Where is the weirdest place a fan has spotted you?

In a lake, an hour outside of Vancouver. I was in a bathing suit and felt horrified. Ha.

What is the weirdest thing you've had to sign?

I find it strange when people ask me to sign their jeans...I hate doing it because I feel like I'm destroying them.

Got any tips for people for when it comes to making music?

Play twice as much as you are currently.

Do you wish you've ever picked up a different career path?

No.

What is your proudest achievement in life?

My band.

If you never started to make/play music, what do you think you would be doing right now?

I have no idea.

Do you ever get sick of touring and being on a bus for long periods of time?

Usually by the end of a tour I'm ready to go home. But I'm addicted to playing music. I am ready to go back on tour after a few days generally.

What was one of your favorite concerts you've ever been too in your life?

Against Me!  Bruce Springsteen.

Tegan at Under the Volcano in Vancouver

Do fans ever randomly come up to you in the streets when you're walking about?

Yes.

Was this too many questions?

No.

Anything you would like to say/add or whatever?

Good luck. Thanks for listening. 

~Ryan Rose/Dotca 

                              Me and Tegan and Under the Volcano in Vancouver

All photo credit, except for the photo with me and Tegan go to Mike Swor. Good photos man! 

I'd like to thank Tegan for doing this interview, and everyone who helped me get it done!

Tegan and Sara's website

Tegan and Sara's Myspace

Cedric Gracia Interview

Cedric is one of my favorite riders. He is French, which is awesome, funny and a very talented rider. I got a chance to ask him some questions recently and this is what he had to say.

Check out what he's been up too.

The Cedric Gracia Interview.


Name 
Cedric GRACIA

Location 
Andorra

Sponsors 
COMMENCAL – OAKLEY – Six Six One – BELL – VALLNORD Bike Park

How long have you been riding for? 
I started riding a long time ago with BMX and eventually I got into Mountain bikes.

White or Whole Wheat bread? 
White for sure.

 

What's your favorite beer? 
Hoeagarden is the best!

What was the first MTB you had? 
Sunn 5000R

What or who got you into MTB? 
Some friends in Chamonix told me to give it a try and I've been enjoying it ever since.

What is it like riding for your sponsors? 
I am proud to be riding for them for sure, they are a huge part of my career and I try to give back to them whenever I can.

How do you feel about your riding this year? 
I am happy with this year's 4cross as I finished 4th overall in 4cross and that's after my injuries from last year. I am happy for sure.

What or where is your favorite place or trail to ride? 
Vallnord, the bike park in Andorra right near where I live. 

What do you hate about the biking scene currently and is there anything you would change? 
I love what Freecaster is doing for our sports!

How do you feel about all these light weight parts that are coming out? 
As long as they don't put you in a position to get hurt from a crash due to them failing, then I'm ok with them. But if they are dangerous, then obviously I'm not ok with them.

How do you feel about the Canadian riding scene compared to the French riding scene?
Lately riders in Canada are getting really strong. I am not surprise because the terrain in Canada is fantastic. For example have a look at the Whistler terrain!

How would you compare the European riding scene to the rest of the world's riding scene? 
I think we are OK, but the US and the Australian's are getting really strong. Also look at South Africa with Minnaar.

What are your views on BMX'ing? 
I loved seeing it at the Olympic games, I think this was really good for the sport. What a show compared to that gay beach volley ball.

What do you think about the current trends in mountain biking? 
Well I'm too sure about all the riders going to wide bars. Just not too sure mate.

 
Cedric on his Commencal

What are some issues that you face when riding or racing? 
Pretty much just this - Should I race or have fun?

What do you like to do outside of riding? 
Taking care of furious agency, my sport marketing agency as well as my bar of course and now my bike shop.

What are some of the more serious injuries you've got from riding your bike? 
Destroying my wrist last year in Fort William was as close to tragic as I'd ever want. I'm glad it's come so far since then.

Anything big going on with your sponsors? 
All the time, we're always trying to make things better and before anyone else, like everybody else I guess in this sport.

What are your views on slopestyle? 
I think it's good, but lately things are not changing, same tricks and similar courses. I'd like to see more evolution and change.

What do you think of racing, and where do you see it heading in the future? 
I obviously think racing is fantastic but I can see and I feel that the people are not too crazy about it. Maybe tired of competing all their life at work?

Why do you pick on Lopes all the time? 
Because he does the same to me all the time, that and we're good friends.

Have you ever considered giving up riding? 
Never I love this sport!

If you were not riding, what would you be doing? 
Doing another sport I guess. I'm an active person and I really enjoy being outside. 

What do you think about all the kids progressing so fast? 
It's good for sure, but difficult at the same time because now I have to train more to stay ahead or even keep up.

Is there anything you still want to learn on your bike? 
Every time I go riding, I learn something new about myself and biking.

What would you like to accomplish in the next 5 or so years? 
I'd like to do so many things, but I don't know if I will have time for everything. Never enough time to do it all.

Who or what are some influences on your life? 
My family for sure and my friends at home, they mean a lot to me.

Anyone you want to thank? 
All my sponsors this year. Without them I couldn't have come back this year after my accident, thanks for the support and see you in Vegas!

Cedric's Furious Agency 
http://www.cedricgracia.com/

Any last words? 
Be careful Vegas I am coming to party!

~Ryan/Dotca

http://dotca.pinkbike.com/blog/cedricgraciainterview.html