So last week I mentioned that I wanted to start doing themes for these mixtapes. This week I started listening to a whole bunch of stuff that I listened to in middle and high school. Namely a whole lot of heavy metal. Looking back, I'm not totally certain why it is that I like this music. I think for me it comes down to something about metal that you don't get in any other kind of music. Like food and drinks have a mouth-feel, I think music can have an "ear-feel". And, personally, I find the borderline abusive "ear-feel" of metal music to be soothing. It typically helps me work out anger and bad emotions. I don't know why, but it does.

While my mixtape will feature primarily metal music this week, yours absolutely does not have to stick to the theme if you don't want to. Feel free to share any music that you want to!

"This Calling" - All That Remains

I don't really have a lot to say about this song, I just like it. It's really intense.

"Confrontation" - Otep

This was probably my first introduction to the concept of social justice and the idea that maybe, just maybe the people at the top don't give a shit about you. Those ideas coupled with these sounds just clicked for me. It's the only Otep song that I particularly enjoy and I don't know why, but it is just a fantastic song.

"Ride the Lightning" - Metallica

Ride the Lightning was my very first introduction to metal music. I remember my friend showing it to me when I was in sixth grade. I fucking loved it. We use to play this song together it's definitely one of my fondest memories of childhood.

"Redneck" - Lamb of God

This song is fucking angry. At who, I'm not totally certain, but I think it's rednecks. These guys are Virginia natives that probably grew up around all sorts of rednecks.

"Right Side of the Bed" - Atreyu

I had a really hard time picking a single Atreyu song, but I think "Right Side of the Bed" captures the general essence of Atreyu. Intense, heavy, definitely music that's good to work out to. also whiny depressed white boys, but this isn't the emo edition.

"Still Running" - Chevelle

Chevelle was my favorite band for a solid 6 years, I think. 2004 to 2010. They just did melodic metal better than any artist I ever saw, and I really liked melodic metal. I think "Still Running" is a fantastic example of what Chevelle stands stood for. they're not very good anymore

"Solidarity" - Enter Shikari

Electro-Metal. I learned that was a thing with Enter Shikari. I saw them at Warped Tour in 2011. Still one of the best shows I've seen. The amount of energy that they carry on stage is unreal. Rory literally climbed to the top of the stage he was playing on by using his mic wire. Security did not like that.

"Halo 2 Theme (Mjolnir Mix)" - Steve Vai, Martin O'Donnell & Michael Salvatori

In my mind, this song is easily one of the best examples of music in video games. With Steve Vai on the guitar it was bound to be epic. Every time I hear this song, I remember my first time killing the Scarab in Halo 2. It was such an incredible experience and the music definitely added to it.