“Deliver Us From Evil”

Bullet For My Valentine

“Deliver Us From Evil”

What makes a good song? Is it the lyrics that can express so much moving the listeners? Is it the way the instruments are played that create such pure energy and electricity? Or perhaps it’s the unique chemistry a band has in how they can deliver the song along with how it’s sang by the lead singer.

Undoubtedly, it’s all those ingredients that can make a well produced and recorded song superb. We can be taken into a different place. That includes visions based on the meaningful words we hear that can provide us with a unique picture. That’s what makes music great. It can change our mood and make us think.

Bullet For My Valentine is one of those kick ass heavy metal bands that plays with reckless abandon. I first discovered the English rock group when we attended four Guns N’ Roses shows in the city at Hammerstein Ballroom. They opened for GNR at the electric shows in 2006.

The energy with which they played made the small venue sound so loud that you could feel the vibrations of the electric guitars and drums even up top. Small venues are more intimate and fun. I’ve attended shows at Madison Square Garden, PNC Park and Met Life Stadium. All were excellent. However, being among a smaller crowd is different. It reminds me of when I once covered the now defunct Staten Island Yankees in St. George by The Ferry. Minor league baseball has a similar feel for fans as smaller concerts.

I chose “Deliver Us For Evil” off the Scream Aim Fire B4MV album because it reminds me of what’s wrong today. There’s an awful lot of dishonesty within the mainstream media circles and the government. They lie a lot to the general public.

Between that and the increase in violent crimes and chaotic nature we face, evil is definitely lurking. It’s all around us. Of course, this song is full of passion, emotion and about a different sort of evil. However, it applies.

Bullet For My Valentine is definitely a group I have a lot of love for. They’re not quite the legendary Metallica. Buy who is? It takes a lot of commitment and dedication to become that great. They’re rock legends. Ditto for Guns N’ Roses 🌹. I’m glad we got to see original Gunners Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan share a stage again to commemorate the 30-year Anniversary during the Not In This Lifetime Tour. If only Izzy Stradlin and Steven Adler could’ve joined them. You can’t have everything. It remains memorable for the diehard fans who stuck with them through everything.

As for B4MV, The Poison remains their best album to date. One of those high octane albums that you can play in entirety and enjoy each song. Raise the volume and rock out. They play loud.

And pressure adds the pain

Deliver us from evil

Straying out of sanity

Hard Hits Podcast: Music, The Crow’s influence on Sting, Hot MTV VJ Past, NHL and NFL Draft

In my latest episode of the new Hard Hits Podcast which can be heard on Anchor, I discussed a number of topics last night.

Included in the hour were more music featuring Bullet For My Valentine, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers. I also got into my love of The Crow. A great 90’s movie character played by the late Brandon Lee, who gave a memorable performance as Eric Draven. It’s one of those movies that brings out every emotion as he avenges Shelly’s death along with his.

The Crow was such a good movie that it’s one of my personal favorites. From the unique symmetry between our tragic hero and Sarah, expertly played by then teenager Rochelle Davis. Ernie Hudson lent support as a character actor who played the good cop Sergeant Albrecht. Even our bad guy Top Dollar, who’s perfectly portrayed by Michael Wincott, is masterful.

Lee died tragically on set due to a fragment that was accidentally lodged in the chamber of a prop gun on March 31, 1993 while shooting one of the last few scenes. He was only 28. The son of legendary martial arts master Bruce Lee, who also died young at 32 due to cerebral edema, Brandon had the makings of a star. His mannerisms and lines in the action packed thriller left you wanting more. It’s sad that we didn’t get to see more of him.

Taking a cue from Lee’s Crow character, WCW transformed star wrestler Sting from surfer dude blonde to the very dark and mysterious Crow Sting that lurked from the rafters with face paint and makeup. It was the best part of Monday Nitro during the Monday night wars between World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation, which later became WWE. It was actually the suggestion of Scott Hall for Sting to become the Crow character. One that invoked memories of Lee and excited wrestling fans.

In the second half of the show, I spent some time reflecting back on some of the hot MTV veejays from the 90’s when it really was all about the music. Referenced are Downtown Julie Brown, Ananda Lewis, Idalis DeLeon and the wicked Daisy Fuentes. It’s a trip down memory lane.

Sports were also covered. I discussed the disappointment for high school senior student athletes who won’t be able to conclude their Spring seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That includes future Georgetown track and field star and local Staten Island star runner Sierra Dinneen of Notre Dame Academy. Many high school seniors don’t know if they’ll ever have a traditional cap and gown or prom. A sobering thought.

As the NBA and NHL remain paused due to the outbreak and health risks, commissioners Adam Silver and Gary Bettman have tough decisions ahead on whether to continue their league’s respective seasons with playoffs. I take a shot at a suggestion to complete each season with an idea for next year. One that’s not being discussed when it should due to logic.

I also delved into the upcoming NFL Draft that will be like the old days when it wasn’t a marquee event. But rather just executives getting together and announcing their picks in a hotel like The Marriott. This year will be done from home remotely due to the Coronavirus. All on phone. What will the Giants and Jets do? Will Tua continue to fall or is that just talk while Justin Herbert is hyped?

Plus a look back at the infamous 1983 NFL Draft that saw six quarterbacks selected in the first round. That featured future Hall of Famers John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino, who dropped to 27th overall to the Dolphins. The last QB taken while Tony Eason, Todd Blackledge and Ken O’Brien went prior with Gang Green mistakenly grabbing O’Brien at number 24 three spots before Miami picked. While he was a good QB, he was no Marino.

That draft highlighted eight Hall of Famers including Eric Dickerson and late Bears steal Richard Dent, who lasted eight rounds. Chicago built their 1985 Super Bowl team through that draft.

For more on everything, please take a listen to my podcast below:

Hard Hits Podcast: Music, The Crow, Sting, MTV veejays, NHL, NFL Draft