If I learned anything from my 2017 forecast of anticipated records, it was not to look too forward to anything.  Spend too much time anticipated something and it either doesn’t materialize or doesn’t live up to the expectations you placed on it.  The onus of which sits purely on my shoulders.  There’s so much to discover out there, why spend/waste all this energy sweating over the next record, the book (George R.R. Martin “fans” are as batshit insane as any metal fan I’ve encountered) when you can dip your toe into literally thousands upon thousands of other things readily available and only waiting for an opportunity to unveil their secrets?

Nurturing this sense of discovery is something I plan to focus on in 2018, but that doesn’t mean I’m impervious to the draw of new music from the bands I love.  So wipe away the detritus of the last year, grab yourself a large mug of your preferred morning beverage – no matter what time of the day it is – and let’s talk about what’s beyond that monolith…

…besides a giant Space Baby, of course.    Continue reading →