PROGRESS #016: Top 10 of 2012 (part 1)

Next week, I will be posting my favorite albums of the year. 

(along with movie, Blu-ray & video game lists.) 

As a preview, I am featuring two tracks each from my Top 10 Albums over the next two episodes of PROGRESS on Rockfile Radio ICE.
This week's show (#016 - 12/31 & 1/2) will feature albums #10 - #6.
Show #017 with #5 - #1 will air 1/7 & 1/9/13.

On this week's show:

#6 - HEMINA - Synthetic

#7 - UNDER THE PSYCAMORE - I

#8 - FLYING COLORS - Flying Colors

#9 - KAIPA - Vittjar

#10 - STORM CORROSION - Storm Corrosion

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Happy Birthday Frank Zappa R.I.P. (video)

Frank Zappa (1940-1993) has been a huge influence on my life.  Hearing his musical experiments in my formative years helped to elevate my eclectic tastes, the ground he broke still haunts my ears. His thoughts and philosophy still permeate my mind.  

Thank you for the words and music, Frank, you are missed!

Frank Zappa: American composer, singer-songwriter, guitarist, recording engineer, record producer and film director. R.I.P.

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The first five minutes of BIOSHOCK INFINITE (video)

As a big fan of the first two Bioshock games, I was a little worried about the direction of the new game.  But, the first five minutes have me intrigued!  

The first two games take place under water...

WARNING: Spoilers

BioShock Infinite will be available for Xbox 360, PS3 and the PC on March 26, 2013.

 

source: Bioshock

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Thank you Coca-Cola for Charlie Brown! (links)

Like a lot of people, it is an annual tradition in my house to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas every December.  But, while watching the documentary included on the blu-ray, I learned many things I did not know about this holiday classic. 

Did you know:

-You can thank Coca-Cola for making it happen.  They wanted to sponsor a Christmas special, the network contacted Charles Schulz and in six months they whipped it together.

-It was the first Charlie Brown special, previously the comic had been animated for a car commercial.

-The music was just a semi-random choice they hoped would work. Vince Guaraldi took the job and the first thing he presented was the now classic "Linus and Lucy" theme.

-The producers and the network thought it was a near miss, try again next time.  The network did not like the amateur child voice actors, the lack of a laugh track or the jazzy soundtrack.

-More than 50% of America tuned in to that first broadcast in Dec 1965. (Today, a "big" number would be 8-12%)  It won an Emmy and a Peabody award and grew so popular, it has played EVERY year since.  

And, started a 15 year relationship between Schulz and the producers to create more specials.

So, thank you Coca-Cola for this yearly treat!

Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Charlie_Brown_Christmas

May your holidays be bright!

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STAR TREK Into Darkness full trailer (video)

I saw the excellent new Star Trek trailer before The Hobbit this weekend.
(Which was beautiful in HFR 3D, by the way!)

See all the formats available:
http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/startrekintodarkness/

source: Star Trek

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PERIPHERY "Erised" cover version (video)

Periphery - "Erised" is getting great feedback on Rockfile Radio ICE.

Now, a totally different take on the song has been recorded....

and the band recommends it!

What do you think?

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New footage from METRO: Last Light. Get METRO: 2033 for FREE! (video)

After reading the English translation of the Russian novel, I have played Metro: 2033 on the consoles and PC. I am a fan. (I know there is a second book but I have not heard the best things about it and getting an English translation has been difficult.) 

THQ did a great job with the first game, re-creating the "feel" of the book.  The tone is as dark as the corners of the old subway which humanity now calls home. The claustrophobic feelings you get in the book are fully realized in the game.  I go back to it from time to time because it is a very different shooter.  And, I like the story.

THQ is giving the PC version of the game away this week: https://www.facebook.com/MetroVideoGame?sk=app_395840630491782

(You have to be logged in to Facebook, I could not find another way to get the game)

THQ has been working on a new game called Metro: Last Light. The new game looks to expand of the first and even says it is still based on the first book.  It is coming March 2013 and this new gameplay footage looks amazing:

 

So far, so good. Looking forward to March!

source: THQ

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First official trailer for OBLIVION (video)

Oblivion is an upcoming sci-fi movie from the producers of Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes and the director of Tron Legacy. Add Morgan Freeman and call me interested, this actually looks pretty good. 

Official Synopsis: 

Jack Harper (Tom Cruise) is one of the last few drone repairmen stationed on Earth. Part of a massive operation to extract vital resources after decades of war with a terrifying threat known as the Scavs, Jack's mission is nearly complete. Living and patrolling the breathtaking skies from thousands of feet above, his soaring existence is brought crashing down when he rescues a beautiful stranger from a downed spacecraft. Her arrival triggers a chain of events that forces him to question everything he knows and puts the fate of humanity in his hands. 

Maybe he will find Wall-E! 

Oblivion opens April 26th. 

source: Blastr

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SEBASTIAN 1/1/1993-12/8/2012

My best friend of nearly two decades did not quite make it to his 20th birthday, coming up on January 1st. I am sorry to say, Sebastian succumbed to the complications of old age today. 

One of a kind, he was by my side through hurricanes, tornadoes and the ups and downs of my life since I was 26 years old. He lived and made friends in GA, AL, TN, FL, WV and Grand Cayman Island. 

Sebastian leaves behind @ScottHamilton, @LisaCascone, #LuckieTheCat, #ArcherTheDog, #RemyTheGreat and literally hundreds of family and friends who thought he was amazingly awesome. 

Totally unique, he was the smartest, sweetest, most kind-hearted non-human I have ever met and he was always there for me. 

Please keep him in your thoughts as he heads to that kitty playground among the stars. 

You will be missed, my friend. 

Safe journey until we meet again, Sebastian.  

Best. Kitty. Ever. 

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STAR TREK Into Darkness first teaser trailer! (video)

The new teaser trailer for STAR TREK Into Darkness has hit the web... 

Consider my mind blown!  

So, who is the bad guy? Khan? Gary Mitchell?  Those are the two villains most think Benedict Cumberbatch is playing.  What do you think?

It look pretty amazing.  Consider my advance ticket purchased!
The sequel to J.J. Abrams' 2009 reboot opens May 17th, 2013

Go to the official trailer page to download a copy.
Full 1080p is only 90MB, go for it!

 The official synopsis:

 "In Summer 2013, pioneering director J.J. Abrams will deliver an explosive action thriller that takes Star Trek Into Darkness. When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis.

    With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew." 

 source: StarTrek.com

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Happy Ninja Day (video)

From Wikipedia:

In 2003, the creators of Ninja Burger (parody website) declared that December 5 would be celebrated as Day of the Ninja. On this day, people are encouraged to dress as ninja, engage in ninja-related activities, and spread information on ninja online. 

December 5 was originally chosen because December 5, 2003 marked the release of Tom Cruise's film The Last Samurai (which featured a scene where samurai battled ninja). 

Since then the focus has shifted towards the more familiar Pirates versus Ninjas conflict, and the day has served as a virtual counterpoint to International Talk Like a Pirate Day.

One of my very favorite Ninja movies:

You did not see me, I was never here!

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RANDY BLYTHE Indicted (links)

Liz Ramanand, Loudwire

 

If you have not kept up with this tale, I am posting the full LOUDWIRE story below.

 My personal opinion, for what it is worth: 

 If you do a bonehead thing and die, it's your fault and no one should pay for it. 

 In this case, it is well known that you don't jump on a concert stage while the band is playing.
 If you do, you will be forcibly ejected...or worse, you could be hurt or killed.  

Check the last concert ticket you bought.  

 Kudos to Randy for having the courage to face what could be coming.  

From the evidence I have seen, this is bullsh*t!  

What are your thoughts?  


     

from LOUDWIRE

Lamb of God vocalist Randy Blythe has been out of Czech prison since Aug. 2. Although back home here in the United States and free to tour nationally, the next step of Blythe’s criminal proceedings has been put into effect. The State Attorney’s Office in Prague officially indicted Blythe on manslaughter charges on Friday, Nov. 30, which means that Blythe will likely stand trial in the near future.

  

According to Czech news source Novinky.cz, the District Court now has three months to either set a trial date or to delay the hearing in lieu of further investigation. If convicted of manslaughter as a result of his future trial, Randy Blythe could face 5-10 years in prison.

Blythe has publicly stated that he will not hide out in the United States if summoned for a trial in the Czech Republic, despite the potentially horrific outcome.  

“I feel ethically responsible to go back there and face this charge,” declared Blythe in a recent interview with WTVR in his hometown of Richmond, V. “[The victim's] family right now is in a lot of pain, and they deserve some answers. To lose a child is the worst possible thing a human can go through. I want my name cleared. I have to go around the world and tour, you know? That’s what I do. I’m not going to hide here. I’m an innocent man. I’m going to go to court and see what happens.”  

The controversial arrest of Randy Blythe stems from an incident in which a man died nearly a month after he sustained a head injury following an apparent stage fall while attending a Lamb of God concert in the Czech Republic in 2010. Video of the incident has been posted online, although there have been questions as to whether or not the man shown in the footage is in fact the deceased fan. Blythe spent five weeks in a Czech prison over the summer as several legal proceedings delayed his release on bail.

source: loudwire

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PROGRESS Show #015

A new edition of my show PROGRESS is coming up at 7pm eastern today on #RockfileRadio ICE  
(and Wednesday night at 10pm eastern)  
with tracks from The Third Ending, Periphery, Kaipa, Steven Wilson,  
Flying Colors, Katatonia and others. 

 

Look out for my end of the year "best of..." list coming soon!

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