There are certain bands that are comfort food to my ears. Metallica happens to be one of them. Now, I like a lot of different kinds of music, but I have a *ton* of respect for any band who can do what they do acoustically without all the bells and whistles, the smoke and the stage. To me, Metallica is an icon of metal who still evokes emotion and, in my case, a series of visuals whenever I hear their music. They have a breadth and depth to their songwriting; I, for one, hate the comments that they’re betraying their roots. Music, like art, shifts over time. It’s the sign of versatility when any musician can weather the storm of performance after performance by experimenting with something new.

Every time I listen or sing “The Unforgiven” I think of Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings. Seriously. You’re blessed with long life, but you grow up completely ostracized, understanding that one guy made a mistake ages ago, and you’re entirely family line has been cursed ever since by something you didn’t even do. Before you can talk or walk or defend yourself, you have the weight of an ancestor’s sin bearing down upon you.

Author Gary Weller then said: “and “Sad But True” is for any Ringbearer (past or present).” Absolutely. I mean, if you listen to the lyrics you can hear the One Ring speaking to Frodo.

So on that note and a series of electric guitar twaaaaaaangs, here is my Metallica playlist for some characters from Lord of the Rings:

Mood: Um… Check back later.
Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: NOT ENOUGH.
Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: Walkin’ and Easin’ On Down the Road.
Yesterday’s Projects: Non-fiction. PHOOEY.
In My Ears: King Nothing by Metallica
Game Last Played: Grepolis
Movie Last Viewed: Hrmmm…
Book Last Read: Double hrmmm… The words… They melt together…
Latest Artistic Project: Crystal cluster bracelet in silver
Latest Release: Strange, Dead Love for Vampire: the Requiem