12/14/2017
Several years ago now, I heard bits and pieces of an incredible sounding song come up in this playlist or that, never quite being able to catch which song it was--I was far too busy playing World of Warcraft.
https://youtu.be/sURC1O8cOzo
One day I managed to see what song it was and therefore able to purposefully listen to it. I think I listened to nothing but this song for the better part of a week once I knew it's name. The passion in this song, the sorrowful nature of the notes and the lyrics, are qualities in music that I still seek today (all those sad Finish metal bands especially). This remains, far and away, one of my favorite songs to this day.
This was not my first experience with Nevermore, not by far. Enemies if Reality came out on my brothers birthday and, in an uncharacteristically charitable act, he gave me a spare copy. This was perhaps the third metal album I ever owned and I definitely wore it out listening to it.
As my interests in metal grew, changed, and spread through various subgenres, Nevermore was always in the background, always loved for how it shaped my early years of listening to metal. They were never too far down my recently played list.
I have special memories attached to Praises of the War Machine, as well. Warrel Dane's solo album came out shortly before I went to Germany for 3 weeks and it was on my mp3 player for almost the entire trip. I've recently listened to this album again, for sadly obvious reasons, and although I do not enjoy it as much as Nevermore's catalog, it is nonetheless filled with nostalgia for me.
I've already made this long enough, so I'll cut myself off now before I continue to reminisce. Warrel Dane and his music had a great impact on my life and, in some way or another, in making me the person I am today. I'm grateful for his music and for the opportunity I had to see him live and meet him.
Never more to feel the pain.
Cheers, Warrel.
