The Heavy Metal Music scene I've been into since I first heard AC/DC's Back in Black album in 1980. From there, I found Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Accept, Dio, Ozzy, Scorpions, Dokken, Queensryche, Helix, Kick Axe, Sanctuary, Savatage, Fates Warning, Testament, Anthrax, Megadeth, Metallica, Metal Church, Reverend, ManOwaR, W.A.S.P., Twisted Sister, Motley Crue, RATT, Cinderella, Quiet Riot, and entirely too many hair bands from the 80's to name.
Lately, I've been more into thrash, power, and progressive metal. Some of my favorite bands currently include everyone listed above as well as... Overlorde, Morbid Sin, Therion, Nevermore, Communic, Tad Morose, Overkill (see video below), Iced Earth, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody, Nightwish, Bathory, Gamma Ray, Edguy, Morgana Lefay, Pagan's Mind, Pyramaze, Theocracy, Seven Witches, Exhibition, Wuthering Heights, Angel Dust, Brainstorm, Symphorce, The Ring, The Poodles, Children of Bodom, Amon Amarth, Sabaton, Diablo Swing Orchestra... I could do this all day, ya know? ;)
Movies
Lord of the Rings Trilogy (extended editions); O Brother Where Art Thou?; The Jurassic Park movies (number one was the best story!); King Kong; The Chronicles of Narnia; The Harry Potter movies; Slingblade; Monster; Forrest Gump; most anything that is well-written and can move me and draw me in like the aforementioned movies have done.
Television
My Name is Earl; 30 Rock; Monk; LOST; WWE programming; Metal Mania on VH1; Ren & Stimpy (I have 3 and a half seasons on DVD now!); Family Guy; Freaks & Geeks (have the entire 18-episode season on DVD); Land of the Lost (own the first two seasons on DVD); Law & Order; Law & Order SVU; Scrubs; Squidbillies (another first-season DVD must have!) and TNA Wrestling on Spike TV.
Books
Finders Stone Trilogy by Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb; many other D&D/Forgotten Realms novels; Tolkien's writings of course.
In real life, most people know me as either Hoyt or Greg, depending on how I know them and how long they've known me. I consider myself an old-school metal-head and an old-school gaming geek.
I am prior USAF, having served 6 years and stationed at Moody AFB, GA and Spangdahlem AB, Germany. I was an AMMO trooper, which meant spending hours sitting out in a bobtail truck, picking up and delivering practice bombs... ..10>and playing D&D by flashlight during overnight military exercises *winks*...
I'm married for the second time in my life; and this time to a wonderful woman named Karen. She's the main reason I'm even able to be here, as she really turned my life around about 16 years ago. I would be lost without her. I <3 Karen. =)
Patrick is my only 'child' at 21 years old. I am very proud of him as he has graduated from Hiram High School with high honors, and was also the recipient of the Marching Band Member of the Year as the euphonium/baritone section leader for the championship Hiram High School Band of Gold. He also spent more than two years as lead singer for the local power/thrash metal band Eclipsed by Sanity.
Oh, and there's also our chihuahua Gabby, who we consider a true family member - and she wouldn't have it any other way. Gabby is as sharp as a tack and spoiled absolutely rotten! She has us trained very well. ;)
~Hoyt.
My experience with the Dungeons & Dragons game system started in early 1983 with the old blue boxed set. A high school friend had received it for Christmas ('82) after we witnessed some friends chatting about it in the library. So my bud and I started our gaming history with another friend and a cousin of mine using a home-spun generic setting. I have many, many AD&D stories to tell. Someday I'll start a book sharing stories from that time in my life. ;)
I also spent a few years painting miniatures for the D&D game, although I haven't done any serious work in more than 7 years. It's a demanding, tedious, frustrating, but relaxing and rewarding hobby.
I never thought I'd be into computer games like I've been these past several years. Like many, I started with the Baldur's Gate and IceWind Dale series. And I loved them! The first time I ever logged into a Multi-Player game was with the help of an old gaming buddy from the military. And we had a BLAST! It was a whole new world for us to be able to play again with him in Virginia while I was in Georgia. It was great! And now with Neverwinter Nights, we can create our own non-linear worlds and have even more options as characters! It's like D&D with the entire world as our gaming table. =)
I am currently involved in Myth Drannor. We have built this community and module for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting and the Neverwinter Nights CRPG. If you're interested in an immersive roleplaying community full of friendly, helpful, knowledgeable gamers, then drop by for a visit! =)
I have also found myself involved in an MMORPG for the first time ever: Lord of the Rings Online - Shadows of Angmar. Of course with so much going on in the music management and promotions business, I rarely have time to log into either game in recent months.
oh, that's another story entirely. More on that soon...
Who I'd like to meet: I enjoy discussions with like-minded old-school metal heads and gamers. I've had the priveledge of meeting members of many of my favorite bands: Iced Earth, Nevermore, Therion, Savatage, Megadeth, Tad Morose, Wuthering Heights, Evergrey, Circle II Circle, Manticora, Jon Oliva's Pain, and many others. And I hope to meet many more yet.
I also have a small collection of autographs from the music industry, the film industry, and lots of folks from the old TSR days. I've had the priveledge of meeting the likes of E. Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson, Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb, and Kate Novak, among others at various sci-fi/fantasy conventions through the years.
Hope you have many years of healthiness and happiness with success in all your Metal endeavors (including those that are my fault :)!) and many blessings for your family ahead of you.
We're recruiting street team members!! If you'd like to help out and get some free mindflow gear in the process sign up below!! If you're already signed up check out the new street team missions.
BAKER HAS ADVANCE TICKETS FOR THE SHOW THAT ARE CHEAPER THAN PAYING AT THE DOOR FOR ANYBODY INTERESTED......SEND HIM A MYSPACE EMAIL IF YOU WANT TICKETS. : )
Thanks for the add and support. Go to earbuzz.com/tempestreign to pick up copies of our music and catch us live at The Local in Marrietta July 25th!!! Make sure to stop by our street team page, myspace.com/tempestreignteam and make a request to get the latest info on the band and help those people get that page going!!!
Check out my interview on Heavy Metal Mayhem Radio--The #1 source for TRUE Metal on the internet!!! This Sunday (6/7/09) @ 6PM!!! Keep It Heavy &TRUE!!!
We hope you're doing fine and want to let you know that there're some updates on our page :)
We added our little ballad "Just Another Broken Shell" to our profile. Also take a listen to "Synaptogenesis" and "Enter Dystopia", all three tracks are on our latest album “X to the Power of Ten”! Additionally you’ll find a little Making Off and there’s new merch available!!!
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