The Maturity Dilemma

I’ll never forget the first time I “got” metal. Up until then I was into
dance music — the current-day rap, if you will. Run DMC, The Art of Noise,
Houdini, Newcleus, etc.

My brother Brian was the one exposing me to new music, and his latest kick
was metal. We were downstairs at my grandparent’s house playing pool. He
broke out a tape and put in the portable player (a boom box, you
understand).

I had quite a prejudice towards metal at the time, so I thoroughly expected
to hate it. Instead, it was incredible — absolutely hypnotic. I was so
impressed that I quickly dumped the game of billiards and grabbed the stereo
with the tape in it and retired to the camper where we stayed. I stayed in
there for at least a couple of hours trying to digest the various melodies
and drumlines.

That was my first metal album, and I just found it on iTunes for the first
time. I bought it, of course. It’s so interesting how I can simply capture,
in perfect condition, this very important milestone in my musical
development.

Anyway, the album is Reign In Blood, by Slayer, and it’s utterly sick. Metal
has evolved to such a degree since the 80’s that most from that era is lame
to the point of being comical today. But Reign In Blood is different. It’s
timeless. If you’re into metal and not privy, get that way; it’s worth your
time.