So I've mentioned this in some of my reviews but in case you've missed it or chosen to flat out think I'm lying (which is honestly understandable), I'll say it once more; I was incredibly into metal from late freshman year to early senior year (I'm now a 19 year old sophomore in college) with the peak being sophomore year.  Metallica, Iron Maiden, Slayer and Megadeth was practically all I listened to, mainly the first two.  Since I've scaled way back on the listening, I've passed up opportunities to see Slayer and Megadeth when they've come around.  But I always told myself if Metallica or Maiden came around I would be willing to throw down 100 bucks without thinking twice to go see the show.  In fact, when Maiden came to NJ several years ago (I live in Maryland) myself and my best friend were a click away from booking a hotel room and getting tickets.   But that never happened, bla blah blah time went on, and then one day it happened...

 The stars aligned and things were perfect (or as close to it as they could be).  When I heard Maiden was doing a Somewhere Back in Time full US tour themed after their Powerslave album with the main song choices coming from that era, I knew I was getting myself to that show whether it was a four hour drive or four miles down the street.  Thankfully it turned out to be the latter.  

 I was just a casual day on sputnik, checking the front page reviews, looking for a flashy news title, when up at the top a Maiden banner caught my eye.  What's this?  Not an advertisement for a new album?  I looked up just as it flashed away but I swore I read Iron Maiden and Merriweather Post Pavillion in the same sentence.  I type in ironmaiden.com faster then I ever had in my life and almost wet myself, not only were they coming to a venue less then ten minutes away from my house, but tickets weren't even on sale.  I called my best friend (see above, and yes we have very similar music tastes) and he said he was completely down for going.  So Saturday I awoke, drove to the local ticketmaster outlet in a lovely department store known as Macy's, stood in the longest line I have ever waited in with only one person in front of me, and managed to score 23rd row seats in the right center section of the pavillion.  Admittedly I was a bit off struck that the tickets were so high up and not directly in the center.  After all, they had been on sale to the general public for only twenty minutes when I purchased them and I was going to pay 75 not including service.  But after the lovely sales lady said "I don't know who these people are but their sales are through the roof right now" and I looked at the screen watching online sales happen in such a rapid manner it resembled the Matrix code, I was thankful to have the seats I did.  

 So to make a long story short, June 18th is marked on my calendar and I plan on it being an unforgettable night.  It's a night to be filled with reliving my moderately youthful years, praising Eddie, and laughing pleasantly that I am probably the youngest and shortest person at the concert for once (if that didn't make sense, look at my pie distribution and my favorite bands).  This was way too long but then again, I'm probably way too excited! 

So it's Christmas day, the fire I made is beautiful, I got some wonderful gifts, and all is well.  Figured I would take some time to give some general thoughts on myself and music as far as 2007 went.  This year I really got heavily into the local scene in the Baltimore, Maryland area.  My summer was filled with going to local shows and really beginning to figure out how things work around here, IE who records with who, what venues there are to play, etc.  However, two of my favorite local acts broke up, and my second favorite band from Maryland has unofficially broken up so that's not very cool.

 Along with locals, a high school project I was heavily involved with ended and myself and two of the members from it formed a new band.  We recorded a four song demo over the summer with a guy from a local band which was a terrific experience.  I'd never actually recorded with anyone outside of the band so it was a new experience.  It was really cool to have someone on the outside to offer suggestions and to interact with.  We have three tracks up on our page.  Also it was nice to finally get a show booked with the new band so I'm really looking forward to that in 2008.  If you are interested, I'm leaving our myspace page below.

www.myspace.com/rumorsaside

 As far as music in general goes, I really fell in love with some new bands.  First and for most Maryland based act All Time Low won me over this year.  I saw them something like 6 times live and it was phenomenal.  Those guys are my age and deserve every bit of attention they have been getting.  My all time favorite band Thrice put out a terrific record and I was able to see them three times this year.  Their live show is constantly getting better (though I never think it is possible) and just watching Teppei do his thing is a constant source of inspiration.  In 2007 I also attended the best concert I've ever been to.  I've gotten so much crap for saying it, but My Chemical Romance put on the best show I've ever seen during their Black Parade Tour.  They played the album start to finish, sounded absolutely perfect, and had enough effects and pyro's to make things a step up from a normal show but not enough to where things went over the top.  I can't wait to see the DVD from the Mexico show they are releasing.

2007 also had me indulging in some new bands.  A million years late I discovered Brand New.  Starting from the beginning of their collection and working my way slowly up to The Devil and God I've really enjoyed what they have to offer.  Their progression is awesome and Deja Entendu honestly changed the way I look at pop punk.  This year I also got into LoveHateHero and Blessthefall who have turned into some of my favorite post hardcore acts.  This year I also got my first dose of Godspeed You Black Emperor! and The Mars Volta.  I listened to both bands for the first time on vacation and it was so nice to escape from the world with the two of them.  As cheesy as that sounds the two groups are incredible and I'm highly anticipating hearing more of what they have to offer.  Lastly, after seeing them live after hearing nothing even about them, We The Kings won me over and their debut record has been getting constant spins from me.  They are already on the rise and by mid 2008 will be huge.  

In 2008, I look forward to new Metallica, Thrice, and maybe even Rise Against from what I've been hearing.  I'm probably missings a million other bands but hey, I'm tired and dinner is almost ready.  2007 was a terrific year musically.  Between discovering the local scene in general, recording for the first time, attending a ton of show, and just hearing new bands for the first time I'm excited to see what 2008 will bring as far as my own musical proejcts and everyone elses go.  /end

Merry Christmas all!