Teen Suicide Hits Home: Judas Priest, Staind, Kix, Good Charlotte

"YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER THING COMING"   JUDAS PRIEST

I've recently heard of two local teenagers who chose to end their lives. Suicide is #3 on the cause of deaths for those 15 to 24 yrs old.  It's estimated that there are 25 failed attempts for every 1 death.  It's hard to even imagine how someone could be SO depressed to make this eternal decision. Even after their death, questions remain.  These are young people with years of life ahead, so much potential, amazing opportunities yet unknown to them!  Heavy Metal has often been slammed in the press for their lyrics.  Yet, Judas Priest's 80's metal anthem describes living life to the max, "you think I'll sit around and let life pass me by, you're thinking like a fool".   The energy and passion in Rob Halford's performance gets your heart beating fast, your fist pumping, and you're ready to take on the world!  Life takes turns we don't always see coming but things always eventually get better.  "Out there is a fortune waiting to be had, if you think I'll let you go, you're mad!  You've got another thing coming!"

"WASTE"    STAIND

Those who commit suicide have written in their final letters that they wanted to end all of the pain.   Yet, by making a selfish decision to end their precious life, this reeks havoc on all of those in your life who live on with the tragic memory of what you did.   One young man in Peoria, Illinois, hung himself and died while listening to a continous loop of another Staind song, "Outside".  For more on the story check on this link.  Aaron Lewis didn't hold back any punches or emotion when he wrote "Waste" as a sort of retaliation for that young man's decision.   

"HOLD ON"   GOOD CHARLOTTE

Christmas 2003, Good Charlotte was the flavor of the month pop punk band.  Capitalizing on their success, they reached out to help their fans and truly make a difference with the fifth single on the Young & Hopeless CD.  "Hold On" was written in response to letters from their fans who had contemplated suicide.   The song is great but the video with clips of parents, best friends, and brothers/sisters describing their experiences will wake up anyone with thoughts of death.  Good Charlotte has become a "whatever happened to" band.   Now, the twin brothers, Joel and Benji Madden, are probably most known for their dating exploits with Hillary Duff, Sophie Monk, Holly Madison, Paris Hilton, and one of them is now married to Nicole Richie. 

 
"DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES"   KIX

As the 80's glam metal era was ending, Kix was gaining their popularity.   "Cold Blood", "Blow My Fuse", and "Don't Close Your Eyes" were staples on MTV's Headbanger's Ball.   The power ballad I chose is an anti-suicide hard rock classic. Haters want to slam metal's lyrics, but you've got to love a  hook line that comforts:   "Don't close your eyes, don't sing your last lullaby, hold on, hold on tight, I'll make everything alright".   As I start another year teaching, I hope my students take advantage of their opportunities ahead, enjoy their youthful energy, and make the absolute most out of life.

Give It Enough Time, Something Old Becomes Something New: Chickenfoot, Judas Priest, and Adelita's Way

"SOMETHING GOING WRONG"    CHICKENFOOT

Give something old enough time and it becomes new again.   The Supergroup creation of Joe Satriani and Sammy Hagar bring some sweet reminders of how rock music used to sound but add a modern rock fury to the mix.   "Something Going Wrong" is one of the best songs on their latest CD, Chickenfoot III.   Sammy Hagar's charm and visceral screams combined with Joe's brilliant guitar solos here blend perfectly.  Hearing Chad Smith and Michael Anthony's pounding rhythm section keeping pace generate a "classic rock" sound lacking on recent rock records.

"HEADING OUT TO THE HIGHWAY"   JUDAS PRIEST

Speaking of classic rock and screams, no one can match up to the legendary Metal God, Rob Halford.   This is hard driving, petal to the metal, weekend music.    Taken from "Point Of Entry", Judas Priest went a little less metal but more hard rock on this album that didn't explode like "Screaming For Vengeance" but remains one of my personal favorite JP albums.   Their sound is less "dated" here than some of their bigger hits (Living After Midnight, Breaking The Law).

      
"LAST STAND"   ADELITA'S WAY

This Las Vegas alternative metal band hasn't been around too long.   Releasing their debut CD in 2009, their sound is urgent and reminds me of Three Days Grace and Daughtry.   "Last Stand" has a big video with the band performing in a warehouse while a big screen flashes memories of his ex-girlfriend.    "Closer To You" is another great song on their debut CD.   Their 2011 follow-up Home School Valedictorian was very commercial and weaker than their debut in my opinion.   Hoping they come back big in 2012 with a harder rock sound next time out.

Heavy Metal Mount Rushmore: Judas Priest, Papa Roach, Damn Yankees (Ted Nugent)

"SCARS"                                    PAPA ROACH

Jacoby Shaddix, lead singer of Papa Roach, says this song saved his life.   The message behind "Scars" is trying to help someone who doesn't want to be helped.    The video tells the story well but it's the power of the lyrics that really moves me.


I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut
My weakness is that I care too much
And our scars remind us that the past is real
I tear my heart open just to feel


I tried to help you once
Against my own advice
I saw you going down
But you never realized
That you're drowning in the water
So I offered you my hand
Compassions in my nature
Tonight is our last stand

"DON'T GO"                                     JUDAS PRIEST

Rob Halford is the Metal God and if you made a Mount Rushmore out of Heavy Metal vocalists, he'd be there with Ozzy, Robert Plant, and ????     His vocal range and his powerful stage presence is in full glory on his video from the 80's.   "Don't Go" is from 1981's Point of Entry and it has one of the best rhythm sections of any song in the Judas Priest catalog.  

"COME AGAIN"                            DAMN YANKEES

Take the lead singer from Styx, the lead singer from Night Ranger, and add in the Motor City Madman, Ted Nugent, and you get one Super Group that released two great CD's in the 80's.    "Come Again" is sexual, flirty, and a power ballad supreme.   Lead vocals go to Tommy Shaw on this one, it features a great guitar solo, and filming the video in black and white gives it a classic feel.   I've always loved the song but I don't remember ever seeing the video before.