Author Archives: Vegetarian Metalhead

Official Truth, 101 Proof: The Inside Story of Pantera by Rex Brown & Mark Eglinton

Posted by on March 22, 2013 No comments

I grabbed this book the second it hit the shelf because I wanted to know the story of Pantera from the perspective of its quietest member, former bass player Rex Brown.  All I knew about Pantera were assumptions formed by a series of band interviews and tour videos from over the years.  Official Truth, 101 Proof reveals Rex’s personal life, the glory of the Pantera days, his struggles with addiction and the drama surrounding Dimebag’s funeral.

The book’s prologue starts out with, “Dime, I can’t handle your fucking brother.”  Rex trash talks Vinnie Paul throughout the book and for that reason alone you need to check it out. Read more »

This is the Painkiller

Posted by on February 8, 2013 No comments

It was like a knife twisting in my upper stomach last Tuesday morning.  Maybe it was that bowl of lentil soup followed by half a Monster drink I had for lunch the day before.  Maybe this was the result of brutal anxiety.  Waves of nausea came crashing in while gnawing pain relentlessly sliced my insides to shreds.  It felt like a death grip on my intestines.  I knew I’d have to call out from work — and for a split second I was excited, but then I remembered the agony!  Writhing around in bed while my husband got ready for work, I knew a horrible day lay ahead. Read more »

Super Bowl Snacks, Part II: Dipped in Beans

Posted by on January 22, 2013 No comments

As someone who isn’t a sports fan, my only concern at a Super Bowl party is the food.  This smooth, delicious White Bean Dip is a great alternative to the usual hummus made with garbanzo beans.  It’s super easy to make and it’s a healthy option that won’t break your New Year’s resolution.

Makes 6 appetizer servings

  • 4 pita breads
  • 2 tablespoons & 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove Read more »

Look at Me Damien Storm, It’s All for You!

Posted by on December 26, 2012 No comments

Reigning from New Orleans, Louisiana, Damien Storm is the most bizarre horror metal solo act you will ever encounter. From my first listen of Horror on St. Lime’s Hill, the music of Damien Storm has been in my head ever since.  The album contains killer riffs, melodic solos, off-beat drumming, and King Diamond-ish vocals.  It is a metal masterpiece and if you tell me otherwise I’ll cut you.

Damien first picked up a Gibson Les Paul at 13 years old after watching a performance by Ace Frehley of KISS.  His influences span from Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and vintage KISS to Judas Priest.  In 1993 he released Ghost Town, a full length concept album consisting of 13 incredibly creepy tracks.  But it’s his 2000 release of Horror on St. Lime’s Hill, in which Damien has defined his sound.  It’s atmospheric and at times chaotic, comical and/or horrific.  You’ll hear sinister samples between songs ranging from howling wind, echoing footsteps, zombies, ghosts and other macabre beasts. The video for “Raven in the Courtyard” captures the essence of Damien Storm.

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The Cutest Deadly Sin: Sloth

Posted by on December 9, 2012 No comments

sloth

This year for Christmas I want a sloth.  Look at em!  I want to gouge my eyes out when I see these loveable sons of bitches.  Dominating the tropical rain forests of Central and South America, these creatures are not only frustratingly adorable, but they’re the slowest mammals on Earth.  So slow indeed that algae grows on their fur.  What’s on their minds?  Do they listen to Doom Metal?  Are they high?  Do they simply not give a fuck?  All I know is that a sloth encounter has quickly risen to the top of my bucket list exactly now.

Sloths are of the Ewok lineage and they know how to slow the hell down and enjoy life.  These fuzzy little bastards have bug eyes, long limbs, wicked claws and wear fixed Mona Lisa smiles on their faces.  They’re so cute it hurts.  Admit it; they’re even endearing taking their euphoric weekly dump.  (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xrc2vc_baby-sloths-get-potty-trained_fun)  Oddly, “sloths that look like Justin Bieber” and “sloth rhymes with rape” is a thing on the internet.  Huh?  Read more »

Bethel: The Greatest Town on Earth!

Posted by on July 23, 2012 1 comment

A commemorative statue of PT Barnum, Bethel's most famous resident.

 

Sometimes a friendship or an experience is healing to the soul, and sometimes healing comes from a place.  For me, that place was Bethel, Connecticut.  At 30 years old, I found myself breaking off a bad relationship and imagining that I would live out the rest of my days as a spinster throwing cats at people.  I needed a place of my own and saw an ad for a studio on Grassy Plain Street in Bethel.  It was here that I reconnected with myself while discovering the picturesque neighborhood surrounding me.  The charming New England town of Bethel, which means “house of God”, is about 60 miles from New York City and has over 18,000 residents.  I’ve compiled a list of some fun things that make Bethel the greatest town on earth!  Read more »

I Still Have an Appetite for Destruction

Posted by on June 1, 2012 No comments

 

I was in junior high when I first heard Guns N’ Roses’ debut album Appetite for Destruction.  To my innocent little brain, this was dangerous stuff!  To find inspiration to write about the album that changed my life, I’ve been listening to Appetite in my car with the windows rolled up so no one can hear me indulging in cheesiness.  My mind has been flooded with vivid childhood memories and emotions as I rediscovered the album 25 years later.  Appetite was the rock n’ roll seed that helped me grow into the metalhead I have become.

I remember sitting on the living room floor watching MTV when the video for “Welcome to the Jungle” came on; my adolescent head nearly exploded.  Leather, tattoos, long hair, Clockwork Orange style brainwashing… Yes!   Read more »