Listening to/writing/composing music; writing poetry; reading; doing Sudoku puzzles; watching movies/tv; going to concerts (METAL SHOWS!!!, jazz, romantic piano, and more); spending time and playing games on my computer; going bowling; playing basketball; hanging out with friends and family.
Music
The Wide Spectrum that is Power Metal (as I would categorize it) [listed in alphabetical order]:
Accept, After Forever, Aina, Alestorm, Angra, Armada, Artension, Arwen, Astral Doors, At Vance, Avantasia, Avian, Axenstar, Balance Of Power, Black Majesty, Blind Guardian, Bob Catley, Brainstorm, Bruce Dickinson, Cellador, Children Of Bodom, Cloudscape, Cwn Annwn, Dark Moor, Demons And Wizards, Destiny's End, Dio, Dionysus, Divinefire, Domine, Dragonforce, Dreamtale, Dream Evil, Dream Theater, Dungeon, Eddy Antonini, Echoes Of Eternity, Edguy, Epica, Epicurean, Evergrey, Falconer, Fall Of Echoes, Fates Warning, Firewind, Freedom Call, Freternia, Galloglass, Gamma Ray, Gothic Knights, Grim Reaper, Hammerfall, Heavenly, Helloween, Holy Knights, Iced Earth, Impellitteri, In Flames, Insania, Into Eternity, Iron Fire, Iron Maiden, Iron Savior, Ironware, Jacob's Dream, Jag Panzer, Joachim Cans, Jorn Lande, Kamelot, Kenziner, Labyrinth, Lacuna Coil, Leaves' Eyes, Lost Horizon, Luca Turilli, Machine Men, Magic Kingdom, Manowar, Mark Boals, Masterplan, Metalium, Miles Beyond, Mindwarp Chamber, Mob Rules, Narnia, Nightwish, Nocturnal Rites, Nostradameus, Ottoman Empire, Pagan's Mind, Pain Of Salvation, Pantera (their early stuff was the best), Pink Cream 69, Place Vendome, Power Of Omens, Power Quest, Primal Fear, Pyramaze, Requiem, Rhapsody (now Rhapsody Of Fire), The Ring, Ring Of Fire, Rising Faith, Rob Rock, Running Wild, Sacred Steel, Sacred Warrior, Savatage, Secret Sphere, Shadow Gallery, Shadows Fall, Shadows Of Steel, Shaman, Sinergy, Skylark, Sonata Arctica, Squealer, Steel Attack, Steel Prophet, Stefan Elmgren's Full Strike, Stratovarius, Supreme Majesty, Symphony X, Talas (maybe not exactly Power Metal, but not sure what to categorize them as), Theocracy (Mirror Of Souls is IMHO ALBUM OF THE YEAR for 2008), Thunderstone, Thy Majestie, Twisted Tower Dire, Vhaldemar, Virgin Steele, Vision Divine, Visions Of Atlantis, Visual Cliff, Warrior, Within Temptation, Without Warning, X Japan, Yngwie Malmsteen, Zonata, and probably a handful of bands I can't think of at the present moment.
Guitar Virtuosos:
Steve Vai, Tony MacAlpine, Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Chris Impellitteri, Jason Becker, Paul Gilbert, Randy Rhoads, John Petrucci, Joe Stump, Gus G, Luca Turilli, etc.
Classic Rock/Heavy Metal:
Emerson, Lake, & Palmer; Magnum; Chicago; Rush; Kiss; AC/DC; Led Zeppelin; Queen; Frank Zappa, Van Halen; Tom Petty; Pink Floyd; Black Sabbath; Deep Purple; Rainbow; Lynyrd Skynyd; Thin Lizzy; UFO; The Who; Kansas; Styx; CCR; ZZ Top; The Cars, etc.
80s Metal:
Anthrax; Black 'n' Blue; Bon Jovi; Cacophony; The Darkness (they do sound like 80s Metal); Def Leppard; Firehouse; Guns n Roses; Holy Soldier; Judas Priest; McAuley Schenker Group; Megadeth; Metallica (pre-Load); Motley Crue; Ozzy Osbourne (before reality TV); Poison; Queensryche (more on the prog side, but they started in the 80s); Quiet Riot; Ratt; Saint; The Scorpions; Skid Row; Stryper; Warrant; White Lion; Whitesnake; Wig Wam (straight out of Norway, bringing back that melodic 80s Metal sound), etc.
Others: MxPx, Green Day (before they became a stable of pop radio), Blink 182 (their earlier stuff), Me First and the Gimme Gimmes (BEST COVER BAND EVER!), Avenged Sevenfold (roots in metal), Coheed and Cambria, Trans-Siberian Orchestra (best holiday concert every year), The Smashing Pumpkins (pre-Adore), Lifehouse, Guster, Jim Brickman, John Trones, Wayne Gratz, Yanni, Weird Al Yankovic, to name a few. I also love jazz and have been hugely influenced by it over the years. WAY too many artists to name and too many different styles.
Movies
Lord Of The Rings (the whole trilogy), Phantom Of The Opera, Elizabethtown, Star Wars, Pirates Of The Carribean, Eragon, Braveheart, National Treasure, Troy, Anchorman, Dodgeball, Fight Club, This Is Spinal Tap, All Austin Powers movies, any Monty Python movies, any James Bond movies, Caddyshack, Eurotrip, Sex Drive, Rat Race, Vanilla Sky, American Beauty, Almost Famous, Rock Star, Office Space, Wedding Crashers, Old School, Swingers, Starsky & Hutch, Just Friends, National Lampoon's Van Wilder, National Lampoon's Animal House, any of the National Lampoon Vacation movies, all of the original Pink Panther movies, and recently Burn After Reading, to name a few.
Television
Family Guy, The Office, Bones, Smallville, Lost, 24, Scrubs, "Headlines" on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, ORIGINAL ECW Wrestling (back in the day), used to watch WWF (now WWE - not as much anymore), Arrested Development (why did it have to go off the air?!?), That 70s Show, and Seinfeld (one of the best shows ever!) to name a few.
Books
J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Paolini, Terry Pratchett, Terry Brooks, Medieval Fantasy, some Science Fiction, Humor, Poetry, Nature, Inspirational and Devotional, The Bible, artwork of Thomas Kinkade and similar artists, artwork of Luis Royo and Boris Vallejo and similar artists. I'm also interested in History (especially Ancient History and the Middle Ages), Philosophy (including Seinfeld and Philosophy; it's a great book), Mythology, and Religion.
Heroes
Musical Role Models, whether it be their vocal or instrumental style/ability or their songwriting/composition abilities (in no specific order): Matt Smith (Theocracy), Tobias Sammet (Edguy/Avantasia), Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica), Mathias Blad (Falconer) David DeFeis (Virgin Steele), Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Steve Harris (Iron Maiden), Kai Hansen (ex-Helloween, Gamma Ray), Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween), Paul Stanley (Kiss), Carl Johan Grimmark (Narnia), Rob Rock, Michael Sweet (ex-Stryper), Christian Rivel (ex-Narnia, Divinefire), Jani Stefanovic (Divinefire), Tuomas Holopainen (Nightwish), Eddy Antonini (Skylark), Steve Vai, Tony MacAlpine, Mark Boals, Jens Johannson (Stratovarius, etc.), Henrik Klingenberg (Sonata Arctica), Mikko Harkin (Kenziner, ex-Sonata Arctica), Vitalij Kuprij, Andre Matos (ex-Angra, Shaman), Christoper Bowes (Alestorm), Jon Oliva (Savatage, Trans-Siberian Orchestra), Luca Turilli (Rhapsody), Alex Staropoli (Rhapsody), Jon Schaeffer (Iced Earth), Hansi Kursch (Blind Guardian), Michael Romeo (Symphony X), Michael Pinnella (Symphony X), Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Jim Brickman, John Trones, Michael Crawford, Frank Zappa and many others.
About me: I'm a Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) who graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in '06. I completed my internship in West Bend, WI in January '07 and am now working as a Music Therapist in Rochester, MN. I also give beginning guitar lessons. I'm a great singer, keyboardist (and pianist), sax player, and an aspiring guitarist (decent, but not great). I've also studied the harp for one year and enjoy playing that as well. As it was part of my education for my degree, I learned and have a good understanding of music theory too (which helps as a musician and composer). I enjoy writing poetry, music, and composing. My strongest musical creative interests mostly lie somewhere in the realm of White (Christian) Melodic Power Metal usually containing positive, uplifting lyrics with symphonic and neo-classical, as well as some prog elements. If you are confused by the most previously stated information, please research the sub-genres of metal to find out what I'm talking about. I also grew up listening to, and have thus been influenced by, melodic punk rock (ala MxPx and others) as well as many years learning about, listening to, and playing jazz (in many facets). New Age and Romantic Piano (ala Jim Brickman and others) are also styles of music I love to listen to and play. I am currently working on music potentially for three different albums: an epic novel-esque (possibly) Metal Opera; a non-conceptual mainly White Melodic Power Metal album; and a more melodic punk influenced album, lyrically and musically, with some definite power metal elements as well. I also have other ideas I work on too: a romantic piano album (I'm strongly influenced by Jim Brickman and his style), some more acoustic guitar stuff, and perhaps a little jazz. I would love to do some film scoring someday as well because this style of composition is another interest of mine and I personally feel I have a gift for composition. I know my musical interests really do vary, and finding people who share all my musical interests are rare. I personally prefer and appreciate passionate, heartfelt, creative music, over dime-a-dozen "marketable" commercial "pop radio" crap, especially when artists become puppets of the media.
I'm a fairly quiet nice guy, but I really come alive on stage or in a metal crowd (my good friends know this as well). I am also a Christian and I'm not ashamed to admit it to anyone. I'm perfectionistic, but I try to be somewhat laid back too. First and foremost, I am UNIQUE and ONE OF A KIND, not specifically because I try to be, but because I am who I am and I'm not going to change just to fit in. I stand up for what I believe in, I don't follow trends, and I don't need to be popular. If you can't accept me for who I am, don't bother talking to me. In fact, GET OFF MY PAGE! I hate people who follow trends and try to fit in, people who only care about making money and "being successful" no matter what (sacrificing values and using people along the way), and when people waste my time (literally). Always be yourself, be loyal and true. Respect and you'll be respected.
And for the record (and those who badmouth me), metal is not an "image". It's not about looks, it's about the music and it's about who you are. Some people out there who might "look" metal are in fact some of the biggest poseurs in the world. And I'm sure many of you know what a certain Iced Earth shirt says about poseurs and I completely agree. They are an annoyance to no end and one of my biggest pet peeves.
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Jim Brickman - The Love I Found In You
(one of my favorite Jim Brickman songs and something to show a different side of me)
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Stanley Jordan - Autumn Leaves (a little jazz to show yet another side of me and a great jazz standard to showcase the phenomenal guitar talents of Stanley Jordan, who utilizes an amazing two hand tapping technique, perfected in such a way that I've never seen anyone else like him. I've had the opportunity to see him live in concert, even got his autograph)
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Buddy Rich - Channel One Suite (Live From Caesar's Palace - yet another different side of me, this is a song I listened to many times growing up and still love today, featuring "the world's fastest drummer" at the time, Buddy Rich, along with his band)
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MxPx - Angels (one of my favorite MxPx songs)
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Place Vendome (side project from the guys in Pink Cream 69 and the legendary Michael Kiske on vocals)
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Kiss - Crazy Crazy Nights (one of my favorite Kiss songs, no matter what anyone says)
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Sonata Arctica - The Cage (one of my favorites!)
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Sonata Arctica - San Sebastian (another one of my favorites by Sonata Arctica!)
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Falconer - For Life And Liberty (one of my favorite Falconer songs, the music reflects the lyrics ever so well, speeding double bass drums, killer lightning fast guitar riffing, and the awesome vocals of Mathias Blad, one of the most underrated vocalists in all of Metal)
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Falconer - Wings Of Serenity (another of my favorite Falconer songs, ever so majestic, another great song where the music reflects the lyrics)
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Skylark - The Triumph (one of Italy's best exports)
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Luca Turilli - Legend Of Steel (Epic solo album from Rhapsody's guitarist and main composer, notice the flawlessly exquisite guitar work during the solo and the awesome guitar and violin interplay following that)
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Yngwie Malmsteen - Far Beyond The Sun (the BEST and my favorite Yngwie Malmsteen song off his first solo album featuring the Swedish guitar phenom as well as the amazing and underrated Jens Johannson shredding on keyboards)
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Divinefire - Live My Life For You (my favorite song off their debut album, Glory Thy Name, which started as a side project featuring Narnia's vocalist; awesome message in the song - could be my new motto)
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Impellitteri - Beware Of The Devil (Featuring the legendary Rob Rock, listen to the vocal harmonies!)
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Edguy: Judas At The Opera (Awesome, yet funny song, featuring Michael Kiske on guest vocals as well - too bad it's only a non-album track, it's only found on their SUPERHEROES EP)
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Blind Guardian - Time What Is Time (off their breakthrough album Somewhere Far Beyond - "Headbangen Sie, bitte")
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Helloween - Falling Higher (listen to the lyrics and you'll find out where I took my screen name from)
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Alestorm - Heavy Metal Pirates (AWESOME SONG! And not available on THEIR myspace page - should be)
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Narnia - The Witch And The Lion Video
(brilliantly synched up "The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe" movie footage with a live audio recording by the band Narnia - big props to whomever did this, for am I now using this on my page!)
Who I'd like to meet: It's always nice to meet new people, other music therapists and some musicians, and fellow Metalheads (especially in the Midwest.) I'm not looking to be popular or make friends with people I have nothing in common with. I'm selective when it comes to friends, but for those few I can actually call my friends, I am completely loyal, like a wolf (see the cover of Sonata Arctica's For The Sake Of Revenge). I do things my way and I am ONE OF A KIND and I love it! ACCEPT ME FOR WHO I AM; IF YOU DON'T LIKE ME, DON'T TALK TO ME AND GET OFF MY PAGE!
For those who'd like to see them, here are my playlists on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/profile_play_list?user=MetalWillNeverDie
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Iron Maiden - Invaders (a classic, yet so underrated)
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Iron Maiden - Different World (one of my favorites and features a killer Adrian Smith guitar solo!)
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Iron Maiden - Number Of The Beast
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After Forever - Lonely (Live and Acoustic featuring the beautiful Floor Jansen, best overall talented female vocalist in the whole Metal World)
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Kamelot: The Haunting (featuring Epica's gorgeous and talented Simone Simmons on guest vocals)
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Firewind: Destination Forever (Live 5-12-07)
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Sonata Arctica: 8th Commandment (Live 9-7-08 at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN recorded by yours truly, apologies for the distorted audio, I was only a few feet from the stage!)
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Sonata Arctica - Elias and Henrik solos and last part of Full Moon (Live 9-7-08 at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN recorded by yours truly, apologies for the distorted audio, I was only a few feet from the stage!)
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Sonata Arctica - Black Sheep with an Elias guitar solo afterwards (Live 9-7-08 at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN recorded by yours truly, apologies for the distorted audio, I was only a few feet from the stage!)
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Sonata Arctica - Tallulah (last half, at least, Live 9-7-08 at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN recorded by yours truly, apologies for the distorted audio, I was only a few feet from the stage!)
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Sonata Arctica - The Cage (Live 9-7-08 at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN recorded by yours truly, apologies for the distorted audio, I was only a few feet from the stage!)
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Avian (featuring The Swordlord, our awesome MN Metal Concert promoter) - Hall Of The Mountain King (Savatage cover Live 9-7-08 at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN recorded by yours truly, apologies for the distorted audio, I was only a few feet from the stage!)
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Gamma Ray - Heaven Can Wait (Live 9-28-08 at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN recorded by yours truly, apologies for the distorted audio, I was fairly close to the stage!)
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Gamma Ray - Fight (Live 9-28-08 at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN recorded by yours truly, apologies for the distorted audio, I was fairly close to the stage!)
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Edguy - Lavatory Love Machine (Live 10-20-08 at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN recorded by yours truly, apologies for the distorted audio, I was fairly close to the stage!)
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Edguy - Superheroes (Live 10-20-08 at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN recorded by yours truly, apologies for the distorted audio, I was fairly close to the stage!)
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Gamma Ray - Heaven Can Wait (Live 9-28-08 at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN recorded by yours truly, apologies for the distorted audio, I was fairly close to the stage!)
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Gamma Ray - Fight (Live 9-28-08 at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN recorded by yours truly, apologies for the distorted audio, I was fairly close to the stage!)
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Edguy - Lavatory Love Machine (Live 10-20-08 at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN recorded by yours truly, apologies for the distorted audio, I was fairly close to the stage!)
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Edguy - Babylon (with a snippet of Iron Maiden's The Trooper) (Live 10-20-08 at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN recorded by yours truly, apologies for the distorted audio, I was fairly close to the stage!)
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Iced Earth - Declaration Day (Live 11-13-08 at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN recorded by yours truly, apologies for the distorted audio, I was fairly close to the stage!)
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Iced Earth - Stormrider (Live 11-13-08 at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN recorded by yours truly, apologies for the distorted audio, I was fairly close to the stage!)
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Iced Earth - Melancholy (Holy Martyr) (Live 11-13-08 at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN recorded by yours truly, apologies for the distorted audio, I was fairly close to the stage!)
Thanks for the birthday wishes. As I was waiting for your profile to load (which took forever!!!), I couldn't help but notice that the water in your background looks like beer. LOL
Don't forget about HELLOWEEN & GAMMA RAY at Station 4 - Sunday, 9/28, doors @ 5:00pm - this is a ONCE IN A LIFETIME SHOW - it will never happen again - don't miss out!
Thanks for the photo comment. I'll have to talk to you sometime and update you on my love life. I've met the man of my dreams! How are things with you?
Man! Because of you, my power metal fanaticism and knowledge has never been higher. If I am not sure what album to go get, I come to your myspace because it seems your site is an encyclopedia of all that is mighty! I bow down to you, my friend...keep metaling !
Well, Merry Christmas to you too! I like my mahogony brown hair color better, but oh well. It will fade. How are things with you? You engaged yet? I'm sorry we haven't gotten together, but I don't have much of a social life with work during the day and school at night. Throw in trying to raise a 5 year old little girl at the same time...Yeah, you can about imagine. Well, I wish you a very Merry Christmas! Take care!
Your girlfriend needs to get a spanking... she never calls home : ( Hope you have better luck with her calling you..... Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend
