Life after the trade...

So Todd Bertuzzi is gone. His tumultous tenure with Vancouver is at last put to rest, and while history will decide what his true impact is, it's safe to say that good or bad big #44 will never be forgotten. As brilliant as he was frustrating, Bertuzzi was some nights the best player in the NHL. Other nights he was an infuriating floater. The incident with Steve Moore has been discussed ad nauseum, so we will steer clear of that for the most part, but it's clear that it affected him immensely. He hasn't been the same player, and even those of us who remained Bertuzzi fans knew he would eventually need a change if for no other reason than personal space. The media was merciless with him, especially locally. They blamed him for losses in a team game. They questioned his heart, his talent and his intelligence. They can say what they want. It's up to you if you want to believe them. But what I remember about Todd is the way he brought excitement to the Canucks. I can't say if I could keep my enthusiasm for the game after what happened with Moore if I was in Todd's shoes. But he was hands down one of the most popular Canucks ever. The merchandise sales alone speak to that. So the Bertuzzi haters will celebrate. Let them. Todd will be missed, and my biggest fear was he would be traded in a way that wouldn't help the team. Luongo could be the goalie we have always wanted. So thank you Todd. Good luck in Florida. Thanks for bringing back the thrill of the game to a city that had forgotten it.

Saturday

Just a little post to touch base with everyone. Got word of a cool event coming up: RIDE FOR DIME 2006. According to the website "It is in the spirit in which Dime lived his life that "Ride For Dime" (RFD) was organized. Not only to keep the legendary guitarists memory alive and to celebrate his life, but to continue to spread his caring and kindness to others, for him, through this annual motorcycle and concert event. RFD 2006 will take place Sunday August 20, 2006. Proceeds will benefit the Dimebag Darrell Memorial Fund". Check out http://www.ridefordime.com/ for more information.

Review: SNAPELGROCK- Demo

SNAPELGROCK- Demo (Independent)
Wow. Not even sure what to call this? Weirdogrind? Lots of samples and Mr. bungle-ish forays into bizzaroland. The song titles are appropriately strange: "Slapping a baby with a machine gun made from congealed milk", "Rubber Donkey and Fork Pornographic Amputation", and the best one "Uncircumcized Polar bears On Roller Blades". Musical extremity that is as fascinating as it is grating. The aural equivalent of touching a 9 volt battery to your tongue. http://www.geocities.com/s_grock http://www.myspace.com/snapelgrock

Review: WETWORK- Synod

WETWORK- Synod (Krankenhaus)
Toronto's WETWORK have unleashed a kickass little death metal disc here, kids. Mid-paced, snarling riffs threaten to choke the shit out of you at every turn. The thing I really loved about the album is how the band is clearly striving to create an identifiable sound for themselves, yet don't fall prey to the dreaded samesongosis disease as many death metal acts do. A quality release from a band that sounds determined to break out of the T.O. scene and take on the world. Another winner from a little label that has done nothing but bring you quality Canadian metal.

Review: GREEN CARNATION- The Quiet Offspring

GREEN CARNATION- The Quiet Offspring (Season Of Mist/The End)
Prog metal in the same league with bands like Opeth, only with an underlying creepy vibe that that fascinates the listener. Guitarist Tchort (Ulver, ex-Emperor) and his cohorts have returned with a disc that revels in some very pure rock 'n' roll elements, many of them lost on today's bands. Memorable hooks abound, all the while maintaining a heavy vibe. GREEN CARNATION are another one of those bands that baffle you as to why they aren't getting mainstream radio play. They certainly do a better job of rocking out than most of the pap you hear over the airwaves. It's not that they've sold out at all, just made an album with the perfect blend of metal cred with an accessability. The album challenges you to unplug and become absorbed by the music. Get this and indoctrinate your non-metal friends.

Moving Day

H'ray! Thank Dog we are finally getting into the new apartment. We will probably be offline tomorrow. Make sure and head to the myspace page for our 666th friend contest. The person who is our 666th friend will win a couple cd's and a copy of issue 1 autographed by DARKANE's Klas Ideberg! http://www.myspace.com/mass_hypnosis

it's a blog...so blog you bastard!!

I never just post anymore, so I guess I will just clear the ol' cranium of a few things. First off, thanks to all of you who checked out the podcast and added MH to your Myspace accounts. We are truly awed at the interest and response.
Hockey. Wow, I have to say that I didn't think the Oilers would be this way heading in, but after they took out Detroit, I knew they could go all the way to the finals. I don't loathe them like Calgary, so it won't hurt that much if they are the ones to bring the Cup home. Watched some of the Memorial Cup final today. Patrick Roy still pisses me off after all these years. I hope his next season is a series of Pat Quinn-like behind the bench mishaps. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Just spent an hour reading some of Kevin Smith's blog: My Boring Ass Life .Go back to March 28 I think it is and read 'Me and My Shadow' . It is not just an incredible tale of true friendship, but a well-written piece of real life drama. I love Kev's work, but I think the 9 part story of how he helped his hetero-life-mate Jason Mewes kick a nasty drug habit (Kev insists the real hero is Mewes, and by the end of the story you will no doubt agree) is the best thing he has ever done. It will make you laugh and cry. Brilliant.
I hope to get a couple reviews in this week, but it will be tough as we are moving Thursday. Maybe some later tonight?

Spongebob=Metal

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Aha! Getcher podcast here

yep finally the podcast is available!
Podcast 1

enjoy

Podcast complete, debuts tomorrow

The first Mass Hypnosis podcast is in the can, and will be posted for your listening pleasure tomorrow. It's almost an hour of metal news, inane rambling as well as songs from MEATLOCKER SEVEN, SINNED, DEVOURED REMAINS, SUFFERANCE, PERUKE, and LIMB FROM LIMB.