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The Athletics left Kansas City for Oakland after the 1967 season. Major League Baseball, looking to expand to 24 teams, grants Kansas City one of its four expansion teams which would begin play in 1969. The team, which is owned by Ewing M. Kauffman, would be named the Royals.
Playing their very first game in old Municipal Stadium, the Royals rally from a 3-1 deficit to win in extra innings against the eventual Western Division Champion Minnesota Twins. The club finished with a 69-93 record in its initial season. The mark was the best of the four expansion teams debuting in 1969. A young and fiery outfielder named Lou Piniella was selected as the the Rookie of the Year.
In just their third year of existence, the Royals post their first winning season and finish in second place in the Western Division. At the time, it was the quickest an expansion team had achieved such success.
The Royals move into brand new Royals Stadium. The stadium's prominent features include water fountains beyond the outfield fence and a 10-story high scoreboard shaped like the Royals crest, topped by a gold crown. That first year the Royals also host the All-Star Game, which is won by the National League, 7-1. The new stadium features an artificial surface, and Royals management begins to build a team around speed and pitching -- a move that would pay off in a short period of time. The year also sees the debut of a young third baseman named George Brett, who would become the centerpiece of Royals baseball for the next 20 years.
With a team built around developing players like Brett, Frank White, Willie Wilson and Dennis Leonard, the Royals put together a solid nucleus that will stay together and remain mostly intact for the next decade. The Royals begin to make strides towards becoming one of the top teams in all of baseball. Whitey Herzog replaces Jack McKeon as manager in 1975 after the Royals get off to a slow start. The move pays off as the Royals win 91 games and finish in seconnd place behind the Oakland Athletics, who won the last of their five consecutive division titles.
With Herzog taking the reins from the start of the season, fans were optimistic that the Royals were ready to take the next step. Led by Brett, who wins his first batting crown, the Royals win 90 games and beat out the Athletics by three games to claim the first of three consecutive division titles.
In the American League Championship Series the Royals would be matched up against the New York Yankees. In the first postseason game played in Kansas City, the Royals were handcuffed by a pair of Brett errors and Catfish Hunter's dominating pitching. However, the Royals would bounce back in front of their home fans the next night as Paul Splittorff's 5 2/3 innings of scoreless relief enabled the Royals to tie the series at one game apiece heading to New York.
After losing Game 3, the Royals would bounce back to rough up Hunter in Game 4, sending the series to the fifth and deciding game. In Game 5 the Royals and Yankees would each score twice in the first inning. However, the Yankees would score two in the third and two in the sixth to take a 6-3 lead into the eighth inning. But the Royals would fight back as George Brett blasted a three-run homer down the right-field line off Yankees reliever Grant Jackson to tie the game.
Unfortunately for the Royals, the Yankees' Chris Chambliss would end the Royals' season with a leadoff, series-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth. The game would not end without some controversy, as Chambliss was unable to touch home plate after his home run because Yankee fans flooded the field to celebrate. The umpires told the Royals there was nothing they could do, and it was reported that Chambliss did eventually go out and touch home.
The Royals are even better in 1977 as they win 102 games to establish a new team record. The Royals as a team don't have any one individual putting up spectacular numbers; instead they have a solid unit. The Royals win their second consecutive division title and prepare to face the Yankees again in the ALCS.
In the ALCS the Royals get off to a fast start, blowing out the Yankees 7-2 in Game 1 at the Bronx. However, the New York wins Game 2, sending the series to Kansas City tied at a game apiece. In Game 3 the Royals, led by the hitting of Hal McRae and the pitching of Dennis Leonard, post a 6-2 victory to put the club one game away from their first World Series. However, the Yankees would bounce back behind the relief efforts of Sparky Lyle to force a fifth and deciding game. In Game 5 the Royals took a one-run lead to the ninth inning, but the Yankees scored three times, beating the Royals for the second year in a row.
For the third year in a row the Royals win the Western Division title. In the ALCS, the Royals face the Yankees for the third straight time. The Yankees take Game 1 behind the hitting of Reggie Jackson, two-hit pitching of Jim Beattie and Ken Clay. The Royals take Game 2 to even the series at 1-1. For the third year in a row, the series would be tied after two games. In Game 3, behind three home runs by George Brett, the Royals would lead 5-4 into the eighth inning of a back and forth affair in the Bronx. This time, it was a two-run homer by the late Thurman Munson that would doom the Royals. The next night the Royals would only manage one run on seven hits as they failed to reach the World Series for the third consecutive season.
The Royals struggled, winning just 85 games. However, they manage stay in the race until the final week of the season, finishing three games behind the California Angels. After the season, the Royals change managers, replacing the popular Whitey Herzog with Jim Frey and setting the stage for the Royals' first-ever trip to the World Series.
October 27, 1985: Kansas City celebrated its first World Series title with an 11-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Royals Stadium. Bret Saberhagen tossed a five-hitter to cap off one of the greatest comebacks in World Series history. The Royals rallied from a three games to one deficit to win the championship.
The Royals reached the top of the baseball world with a trip to their first World Series in 1980 and the organization's first World Championship in 1985. After finishing second in the American League West in 1979, the Royals rebounded to win the division title for the fourth time in five years.
The baseball world followed George Brett's pursuit of .400, as the slugger finished with a .390 average. Kansas City vanquished the rival New York Yankees on Brett's dramatic home run off of Goose Gossage at Yankee Stadium, which propelled the Royals into their first World Series. The Royals fell to the Philadelphia Phillies in six games.
Kansas City won the World Series against cross-state rival St. Louis in 1985, after coming back from deficits of 2-0 and 3-1. Series MVP Bret Saberhagen tossed a five-hit shutout as the Royals bombed St. Louis, 11-0 in the seventh and deciding game.
The organization suffered a devastating loss with the death of its popular manager, Dick Howser, who had guided the team to its first world championship.
The 80s saw the Royals make two World Series appearances, win their first Series title, capture three playoff berths and produce and acquire outstanding baseball talent. Bo Jackson, Saberhagen, Mark Gubicza and Kevin Seitzer emerged as Kansas City's new wave of stars.
The 1990s were bittersweet for the Royals and their fans. Kansas City saw the end of the careers of three of the club's legends.
George Brett won his third batting title and broke the 3,000-hit barrier before retiring in 1993. Frank White retired as baseball's premier second baseman, after winning eight Gold Gloves. Speedster Willie Wilson's career concluded with the Cubs, but he left as the Royals all-time stolen base king.
Sadly, Kansas City mourned the losses of owners Ewing and Muriel Kauffman, who brought excitement and success to baseball in Kansas City. The heartbreaking loss of legendary reliever Dan Quisenberry to cancer was another emotional hurdle for longtime fans of the club.
The city did celebrate the induction of Brett into baseball's Hall of Fame in 1999, with special events and honors for the hometown hero throughout the season.
While the 1990s presented many struggles on the field, fans got to see a glimpse of the future with the development of Mike Sweeney and 1999 Rookie of the Year Carlos Beltran.
Glass Family Purchases Royals: The Royals established club records in runs scored (879), hits (1,644) and team batting average (.288) in 2000. Despite the offensive firepower, the Royals finished in fourth place, 18 games behind A.L. Central champion Chicago. The Royals started the season with an 8-3 record, but by the All-Star break had fallen to 39-46 and 15 games out of first. The club had a 38-39 record in the second half, only three games behind Chicago's second half mark. The Royals hit total led the American League while only Cleveland had a higher team batting average. KC also showed their speed on the bases as they had 121 thefts, while only being caught 35 times for a 78 percent success rate, the best in the league.
Player of Year: Mike Sweeney put up MVP-type numbers, posting career-bests in average (.333), hits (206), home runs (29) and RBI (144). His RBI total set a Royals single-season mark, breaking Hal McRae's record of 133 in 1982. The 144 RBI were second-best in the league behind Seattle's Edgar Martinez. Sweeney became the first American League player to hit at least .330 with 200 hits and 140 RBI since Al Rosen in 1953 with Cleveland. Sweeney also earned his first All-Star selection as he was named as a reserve for the game in Atlanta.
Pitcher of Year: Jeff Suppan was the only pitcher on the Kansas City staff to post double-digit wins, as he logged a 10-9 record with a 4.90 ERA in 35 games (33 starts). He led the club with a career-high 217 innings pitched and three complete games.
Beltran Makes His Mark: The Royals tied the franchise record with 97 losses as they finished in fifth place in the A.L. Central, 26 games behind the division champion Cleveland Indians. The last place finish was the first for KC since 1997 and its seventh straight losing season. Prior to this stretch, the club had only logged back-to-back losing seasons in the first two years of the franchise (1969 and 1970). Another slow start doomed the season from the beginning as the Royals stood at 7-15 and 9.5 games out of first by April 27. The club had a 34-53 record at the break (21 games out) and fell to a season-low 35 games under .500 on September 25.
Player of Year: Carlos Beltran was named the Royals Player of the Year after leading the club with a .306 average, 106 runs, 101 RBI and 31 stolen bases. He became the youngest player to win the award since George Brett in 1975 and 1976 at the ages of 22 and 23. He ranked among the American League leaders in 11 offensive categories as well as outfield assists (T2nd) and led the league in stolen base percentage, going 31-for-32 (.969). He earned back-to-back Royals Player of the Month honors in August and September.
Pitcher of Year: Jeff Suppan won his second consecutive Pitcher of the Year Award, posting a 10-14 record with a 4.37 ERA in 34 starts. Suppan led the Royals in wins, innings pitched (218.1) and strikeouts (120). He was also the Royals Opening Day starter for the second straight year.
Byrd Soars In Disappointing Year: Kansas City finished 62-100, marking the first 100-loss season in franchise history. The Royals were one of four teams to lose 100 games in 2002, joining Tampa Bay, Milwaukee and Detroit, marking the first time in Major League history that four teams lost 100 or more games. The Royals opened the season with an 8-15 record before firing Manager Tony Muser on April 29. John Mizerock was named the interim manager and went 5-8 before Tony Pena took over a 13-23 club that was eight games out of first on May 15. Pena led the club to a 49-77 mark that included five losing streaks of six games or more, including two eight-game losing streaks.
Player of Year: Mike Sweeney was named an All-Star for the third straight season and earned his second Royals Player of the Year Award as he turned in one the best seasons of his career. Sweeney posted a .340 batting average, the second highest in the American League in 2002 and the second highest in club history (Brett, .390 in 1980). He was in the batting race until the final weekend of the season, before falling to Boston's Manny Ramirez (.349). He also led the Royals in slugging percentage (.563) and on-base percentage (.417).
Pitcher of Year: In his only full season with the Royals, Paul Byrd led the pitching staff with 17 wins, 228.1 innings pitched and 129 strikeouts and tied for the club lead with 33 starts. He also led the American League with seven complete games, which included two shutouts. Following the season, he elected free agency and signed with the Atlanta Braves.
Pena Leads Royals Turnaround: The 2003 season was a magical season for the Royals as the club posted its first winning record since 1994 and stayed in the pennant race until the final two weeks of the season. KC's season marked the sixth-best turnaround after a 100-loss season in Major League history (21 games). The Royals opened the season with a franchise-best 9-0 record and went 11-0 to start the home campaign, the second-best home start in Major League history (1911, Detroit, 12-0). KC continued its great play opening 16-3 and by the All-Star break, the Royals were 51-41 with a seven-game lead in the A.L. Central. The Royals spent 93 games in first place or tied for first during the season. After the break, injuries to the pitching staff took its toll, as the Royals fell out of first place for the final time on August 31.
Player of Year: Carlos Beltran won his second Royals Player of the Year Award after leading the club with a .307 average, 102 runs, 10 triples, 26 home runs, 100 RBI, 72 walks and 41 stolen bases. He became the first Royal and 23rd player (41st time) in Major League history to record a 20 home run/40 stolen base season.
Pitcher of Year: Darrell May was named the Royals Pitcher of the Year after registering a 10-8 record with a 3.77 ERA. He set personal bests in wins, games (35), starts (32), innings pitched (210.0), strikeouts (115) and ERA
Rookies Take Club Awards: Kansas City finished the 2004 campaign with a 58-104 record, marking its worst record in club history and second 100-loss season in three years. The season looked like it was going to be a repeat of the 2003 season as the Royals defeated Chicago, 9-7, on Opening Day. Carlos Beltran hit the first walk-off home run in Royals Opening Day history in the ninth inning after Mendy Lopez had hit a game-tying three-run homer earlier in the inning. The crowd of 41,575 was the largest in Royals Opening Day history and the third largest in Kauffman Stadium history. Unfortunately, the Royals lost 20 of their first 28 games to fall 8.5 games out of first by May 8. KC became just the second club in Major League history to lose 100 games, post a winning season the following year, and then lose 100 games the next season.
Player of Year: David DeJesus became just the second rookie (Bob Hamelin, 1994) to win the Royals Player of the Year Award after hitting .287 in 96 games with 15 doubles, three triples, seven home runs and 39 RBI. He was named the Royals Player of the Month in August and led the club in nearly every offensive category following the All-Star break.
Pitcher of Year: Zack Greinke was also the second rookie pitcher (Dennis Leonard, 1975) to earn the Royals Pitcher of the Year Award as he logged an impressive debut season in Kansas City. The 20-year old right hander registered an 8-11 campaign with a 3.97 ERA in 24 games for KC. He made his Major League debut on May 22 at Oakland and picked up his first win on June 8 vs. Montreal. He was the youngest active player in the Major Leagues upon his debut and the third youngest pitcher to start a game for the Royals, trailing only Bret Saberhagen and Mark Littell.
Bell Looks To Brighter Future: The Royals suffered their third 100-loss season in four years as they finished with a franchise-worst 56-106 record. Once again, the Royals were out of the division race early as they stood 8-25 and 17 games out of first on May 10. The slow start prompted the resignation of Manager Tony Pena, who was replaced by interim Manager Bob Schaefer. He led the Royals to a 5-12 record before the hiring of Buddy Bell on May 31. Bell won his first four games as the skipper and swept the Yankees and Dodgers in three-game series in his first two weeks on the job. The Royals could not sustain that pace though as they finished a club-record 43 games out of first. The Royals also recorded their longest losing streak in club history, a 19-game streak from July 28-August 19. The 2005 campaign was the first time in team history the Royals completed a season with the worst record in the Majors.
Player of Year: Mike Sweeney had another banner year for the Royals and was named the Royals Player of the Year for the third time. Sweeney was also named to his fifth All-Star team, joining George Brett (13), Amos Otis (5) and Frank White (5) as the only Royals players to make five or more All-Star appearances. Sweeney led the team in batting average (.300), doubles (39) and home runs (21), despite playing in only 122 games due to nagging injuries. He was also honored with the Players Choice Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award, given to the player in either league whose on-field performance and contributions to his community inspire others to higher levels of achievement.
Pitcher of Year: Mike MacDougal won the Royals Pitcher of the Year Award for the first time in his career after going 5-6 with 21 saves and a 3.33 ERA. He posted career highs in wins, innings pitched (70.1) and ERA, while tying his career-high with 68 appearances. He was named the Royals Pitcher of the Month in July and for September/October.
New GM Moore: The 2006 season was one of change, as the Royals hired Dayton Moore, who assumed the duties of General Manager on June 8. Moore made a series of moves to reshape both the roster and the front office. On the field, the Royals could not avoid their fourth 100-loss season in five years as they finished 62-100. An 11-game losing streak in April and a 13-game drought in May pushed the club to a 16-47 mark through June 13. The team regrouped to post a 46-53 record the remainder of the season.
Player of Year: Mark Teahen was named the Royals Player of the Year after a breakout sophomore season. Teahen struggled early with a .195 average that resulted in a demotion to Omaha on May 5. He recovered to finish the season at .290 with a team-leading 18 home runs, 69 RBI, 10 stolen bases and seven triples in only 109 games. Teahen posted .517 slugging pct. 2006 after recording just a .376 pct. in 2005. That .141 increase was second-highest in baseball and a Royals record for a player between their rookie and second seasons. His .874 on-base-plus-slugging pct. was second among all A.L. third basemen.
Pitcher of Year: Mark Redman returned from knee surgery in Spring Training to post a team-leading 11 wins. Redman won six-straight decisions from June 4th to July 6th, earning his first trip to the All-Star Game in July. He threw two complete games, including a 2-0 shutout of Minnesota on August 29th. His 11 wins were the most by a Royals lefty since 1988 (Charlie Liebrandt, 13, and Floyd Bannister, 12).
Rookies debut: After almost three years as manager, Buddy Bell announced on Aug. 1 that he would step aside when the season ended. He'd had a bout with cancer at the end of 2006 and wanted to scale back. The Royals finished last in the AL Central for the fourth straight year but avoided 100 losses, posting a 69-93 record and landed 27 games behind first-place Cleveland. After an 8-18 start, the Royals improved to 51-49 over the next 100 games but they faded back to fifth place in September. The pitching staff made dramatic improvements, going from dead last to seventh with a team ERA of 4.48. But scoring runs continued to be a problem and they were second to last in the league. Several rookies made their debuts including Billy Butler, Alex Gordon and Joakim Soria. Starter Brian Bannister's staff-best 12 wins put him in contention for AL Rookie of the Year. In his final KC season, team captain Mike Sweeney again battled injuries and played just 74 games.
Player of Year: Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek batted .302 as overcame two surgeries on his left knee, one in Spring Training and another on June 15. Determinedly, he toughed it out and played 116 games. In July he returned to bat .429 for the month and in his final 64 games he hit .332. Grudzielanek also continued his excellent defense work with just six errors.
Pitcher of Year: Right-hander Gil Meche signed a five-year, $55-million contract and gave the staff solid leadership. His record was just 9-13 but he notched a fine 3.67 ERA, best by a starter since Kevin Appier's 3.40 in 1997. Meche suffered from the worst run support in the AL but pitched a career-high 218 innings. He was the Royals' representative at the All-Star Game.
Coming of Trey: After a successful five-year stay in the Japan League, Trey Hillman was hired to beome the Royals' 15th full-time manager. Also a former manager in the Yankees' farm system, this was his first Major League job. Hillman got the Royals out of the last place for the first time since 2003. The club finished with a rush, notching an 18-8 record in September — the most victories in any month since July 1994. There was also a promising start, with a three-game sweep at Detroit over the powerful Tigers. However, after reaching first place with an 8-5 mark on April 14, things bogged down. A 12-game losing streak May 19-30 was devastating and the team never really recovered despite winning 12 of 14 games in a June stretch. Despite hitting for a higher average, the Royals scored fewer runs (691) than in 2007. Newcomer Jose Guillen led the club with 20 home runs and 97 RBIs. Gil Meche was 14 games, most since Paul Byrd's 17 in 2002, and Zack Greinke won 13. Mark Grudzielanek reached the 2,000-hit milestone and David DeJesus led the Majors with a .419 average with runners in scoring position.
Player of Year: Rookie shortstop Mike Aviles wasn't called up until late May but he soon made his presence felt. He led all Major League rookies with a .325 average and the mark was the highest ever for a Royals rookie. Aviles also socked 10 homers, had 51 RBIs and played well defensively. After he became the regular shortstop on June 6, the team had a 52-50 record.
Pitcher of Year: Joakim Soria, in his second full season, established himself as one of the game's top closers. He had 42 saves in 45 opportunities and a 1.60 ERA, holding opponents to a .170 average. He opened the season with 16 1/3 scoreless innings as well was 13 straight saves, a club record. For the first time since the heyday of Jeff Montgomery a decade before, he gave the Royals a feeling of ninth-inning invincibility.
Zack Racks Up K's at "The New K": 2009 opened with a re-dedicated Kauffman Stadium, which had undergone a $250 million renovation. Kansas City started on a roll, building an 18-11 mark and a 3.0 game lead in the A.L. Central through May 7. The Royals then struggled to a 33-74 mark over their next 107 games before rebounding by winning 14 of their final 26 contests. The ups and downs the ballclub were in direct contrast to the steady performance of two emerging stars. Pitcher Zack Greinke was dominant from start to finish and Billy Butler became an offensive force in the middle of the lineup. Both players set records and energized Kansas City fans who filled "The New K" during the Royals' 40th Anniversary season.
Player of Year: Billy Butler earned his first Royals Player of the Year award after a breakout season. Butler led the club with a .301 average and 93 RBI while finishing second with 21 home runs. His 51 doubles on the year placed him second in franchise history behind Hal McRae, who had 54 in 1977. Butler became the fifth player in Major League history to have at least 50 doubles and 20 home runs in a season prior to the age of 24. He also became the first player in modern history to record four 3-double games in the same season. Butler was named A.L. Player of the Month for September after leading the league in RBI.
Pitcher of Year: Zack Greinke became the third Royal to win the American League Cy Young Award, joining Bret Saberhagen (1985, 1989) and David Cone (1994). Greinke finished 16-8 with a Major League-leading 2.16 ERA as he captured his second Royals Pitcher of the Year award. The 25-year-old righty made his first All-Star appearance and fanned 242 batters on the year, second-most in franchise history. Greinke was nearly unhittable at the outset as he posted a 5-0 record in April to earn A.L. Pitcher of the Month honors. Dating to 2008, Greinke tossed 43.0 consecutive innings without an earned run allowed, a franchise mark. Zack struck out 15 Cleveland batters on August 25 to set a new franchise record.
Prospects Earn Top Billing: The Royals finished 67-95 in 2010, finishing last in the A.L. Central. Ned Yost replaced Trey Hillman as manager on May 13. Yost later signed an extension through 2012. The Royals played close contests throughout the year, participating in 87 games within two runs or less, including a league-leading 57 one-run games. Pitcher Bruce Chen capped a magical comeback campaign by leading the staff with 12 wins. Chen, who began the season as a non-roster invite, finished in style with his first career shutout on October 1 against the Tampa Bay Rays. A big year for the Kansas City minor league system was recognized in the offseason as Baseball America gave the Royals' system top billing among all 30 clubs.
Player of Year: Billy Butler joined George Brett (1975-76 and 1979-80) as the only player in franchise history to win back-to-back Player of the Year honors. Butler batted .318 with 45 doubles, 15 home runs and 78 RBI in 158 games. He ranked in the top 10 in the American League in batting (6th), hits (T3rd, 189), doubles (T4th), multi-hit games (4th, 54) and on-base percentage (7th, .388). His final average was the highest among qualifying Kansas City players since Mike Sweeney hit .340 in 2002.
Pitcher of Year: Joakim Soria posted one of the greatest seasons by a reliever in franchise history, going 1-2 with a career-high 43 saves in 46 opportunities as he earned his second All-Star nod. He compiled a 1.78 ERA in 66 appearances, striking out 71 and walking just 16 in 65.2 innings. Soria finished the season two saves behind the club mark of 45 shared by Dan Quisenberry (1983) and Jeff Montgomery (1993). The 43 saves also were two shy of A.L. leader Rafael Soriano of Tampa Bay. Soria set a new club record for relievers with 23.2 consecutive shutout innings (spanning 24 appearances). He converted a club-record 36 saves in a row prior to blowing a chance on October 3. The 36 saves shattered the mark of 24 saves in a row that was held by Jeff Montgomery from May 25-August 9, 1993.
Rookies Make Their Way To KC: This seemed to be the year in which most of the decade's top-rated prospects reached the Show. Rookie reliever Aaron Crow's great start made him the Royals' lone All-Star at Phoenix. Much-heralded first baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas, catcher Salvador Perez and second baseman Johnny Giavotella were called up in-season to become regulars. Left-hander Danny Duffy cracked the rotation. Greg Holland, also a rookie, became dominant in the bullpen. Twelve players made their Major League debuts and, in all, 16 Royals were classified as rookies during the season. Left fielder Alex Gordon had a breakout season and the other two outfield regulars who were signed as free agents, Melky Cabrera and Jeff Francoeur, also had big years at bat. The outfielders recorded 51 assists and the improved defense also featured shortstop Alcides Escobar, obtained in the offseason deal that sent pitcher Zack Greinke to Milwaukee. Despite being 20 games under .500, the team finished strong and eased into the fourth place in the AL Central.
Player of Year: For four years, Alex Gordon never quite fulfilled the expectations raised by his No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 Draft. But after overcoming medical issues, changing positions from third to the outfield and altering his swing a bit, Gordon had a smashing season: .303, 23 homers, 45 doubles, 87 RBIs and a Gold Glove in his first full season in left field. He also scored 101 runs, swiped 17 bases and had a 19-game hitting streak.
Pitcher of Year: Left-hander Bruce Chen led the Royals in victories for the second straight season with a 12-8 record. He also posted a 3.77 ERA in his 25 starts, picking up steam after missing six weeks in May and June with a lat strain. Chen closed the season strong with a 6-3 record and 2.93 in his last 10 starts. Although he became a free agent, the Royals brought him back with a two-year contract for 2012-13.
All-Star Game takes center stage: Kansas City had been without an All-Star Game since 1973, the year Kauffman Stadium opened, but the refurbished showplace got the Midsummer Classic on July 10. The city came to life with the All-Star FanFest, Futures Game, a fund-raising run/walk, a celebrity softball game, the Home Run Derby and several other related events. Then the National League All-Stars dispatched the American League, 8-0, at a jam-packed stadium. The Royals finished their season by moving up a notch to third place in the AL Central and this time just 16 games behind first-place Detroit, an improvement of eight games over 2011 despite posting just one more victory. Elbow surgery took closer Joakim Soria and starting pitchers Danny Duffy and Felipe Paulino out early and knee surgery cost catcher Salvador Perez most of the first half. Billy Butler had a big year at bat and Alex Gordon won his second straight Gold Glove in left field. Shortstop Alcides Escobar was brilliant in the field and emerged as a dangerous hitter. Bruce Chen led the pitching staff in wins (11) for the third straight year.
Player of the Year: Billy Butler wasn't quite up to Miguel Cabrera's Triple Crown numbers for Detroit but he led the Royals in all the Triple Crown categories with a .313 average, 29 home runs and 107 RBIs. That was the most homers by a Royal since Jermaine Dye's 33 in 2000. Butler was clutch - 10 of his homers came in the eighth inning or later, six to either tie the score or go ahead. Fittingly, he was the Royals' only All-Star player.
Pitcher of the Year: Greg Holland, a no-nonsense, hard-throwing right-hander, was thrust into a crucial role in the second half and came through. With Joakim Soria out for the year with Tommy John surgery, newcomer Jonathan Broxton took over until he was traded to the Reds at midseason. Holland filled the vacancy quite ably and finished with 16 saves, a 7-4 record and a 2.96 ERA. He also piled up 91 strikeouts in 67 innings.
It was streaky, with tough losses and exhilarating highs, but the 2013 season turned out to be the Royals' best since 1989. They won 86 games to finish 10 games over .500, making a spirited bid for a Wild Card spot thanks to an A.L.-best 43-27 mark after the All-Star Break. The Royals finished third in the A.L. Central, seven games out of first place. Pitching and defense were the strong points. James Shields went 13-9 with a 3.15 ERA, Jeremy Guthrie had a team-best 15 victories and Ervin Santana posted a 3.24 ERA. Closer Greg Holland had 47 saves and a 1.21 ERA to lead a strong bullpen that had a collective 2.55 ERA, best in franchise history. Overall, the Royals' staff led the A.L. with a 3.45 ERA, the team's best since 1978. The defense had a team-record three Rawlings Gold Glove winners - left fielder Alex Gordon, first baseman Eric Hosmer and catcher Salvador Perez. Shortstop Alcides Escobar and center fielder Lorenzo Cain received Gold Glove nominations while Wilson Sporting Goods named the Royals co-American League Defensive Team of the Year. Hosmer posted his first season with a .300+ batting average, adding 17 homers and 79 RBIs. Gordon had 20 home runs and 81 RBIs, one shy of team leader Billy Butler's 82. The team led the Majors in stolen bases with 153. Three All-Stars - Gordon, Perez and Holland - were the Royals' most since 1988.
Player of the Year: Eric Hosmer won his first Royals Player of the Year Award, recording career highs in average, hits, doubles and RBI. Hosmer, who turned 24 after the season, became the first Royals first baseman to win a Rawlings Gold Glove. He finished seventh in the A.L. in hits (188) and ninth in batting average (.302), with his 156 hits after May 19 leading the Major Leagues. Hosmer's 60 multi-hit games tied for fifth-most in franchise history.
Pitcher of the Year: Greg Holland may have posted the most dominant season by a KC reliever, winning his second straight Royals Pitcher of the Year honor. An All-Star for the first time, Holland set a new single-season franchise record with 47 saves, two more than Royals Hall of Famers Dan Quisenberry (1983) and Jeff Montgomery (1993). Holland's 1.21 ERA also set a franchise record for a reliever, eclipsing Montgomery's 1.37 mark in 1989. The right-hander struck out 103, leading A.L. relievers and matching a Royals record.
Right before the a July 22nd game against the White Sox, the struggling Royals, eight games out of first at the time, held a players-only meeting. Grievances were aired, and players pledged accountability to each other. Suddenly, the Royals won 26 of their next 34 games, vaulting into first place. A mid-September stumble cost the Royals' the AL Central title, but they clinched their first postseason berth since 1985 with a 3-1 win over the White Sox on Sept. 26. And that first playoff game was one for the ages – a crazy 9-8, 12-inning victory over the Oakland A's at Kauffman Stadium in the Wild Card Game. The Royals continued their magical ride by upsetting the Angels on the road twice – both in extra innings – in the ALDS. The Royals finished off the sweep at home. The Royals then pulled off yet another sweep in the ALCS over the Orioles, thus becoming the first team in history to open the post-season with eight straight wins. The magic finally ended in the Worlds Series. Alex Gordon, representing the tying run, was stranded on third in the bottom of the ninth of Game 7 as Salvador Perez – the hero in the Wild Card Game – popped out in a 3-2 loss as the Giants went on to claim the World Series in seven electric games.
The Royals entered the 2015 season with high expectations after pushing the Giants all the way to Game 7 in the 2014 World Series. Off-season additions such as right-handers Chris Young and Edinson Volquez, designated hitter Kendrys Morales, and reliever Ryan Madson gave the Royals even more talent and depth than they had in 2014. Third baseman Mike Moustakas (.284, 22 homers, 82 RBIs) enjoyed a career year, as did center fielder Lorenzo Cain (.307, 16 homers, 72 RBIs, 28 steals). The Royals placed seven players on the All-Star team – shortstop Alcides Escobar, left fielder Alex Gordon (he was injured), catcher Salvador Perez, center fielder Lorenzo Cain, third baseman Mike Moustakas, and pitchers Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera. Trade Deadline deals for right-hander Johnny Cueto and super utility man Ben Zobrist further strengthened the roster. The Royals dominated the AL Central, bursting to a 14.5-game lead by mid-August. The Royals stumbled a bit in September but clinched the division on Sept. 24 with a 10-4 thumping of the Mariners. Down 2-1 in the ALDS to the Astros, the Royals trailed 6-2 in the eighth inning before erupting for five runs on their way to a 9-6 win. They then beat the Astros in Game 5 to advance to the ALCS against the Jays, whom they knocked off in six games. The Royals made it back-to-back World Series appearances for the first time in franchise history and dispatched the Mets in five games, the last win coming 7-2 in 12 innings. It was their first title in 30 years. Perez was the World Series MVP.


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#20 North Carolina State shocked #1 Duke in a 84-76 upset victory on Saturday. C.J. Leslie scored a game-high 25 points to help the Wolfpack deal the Blue Devils their first loss of the year.Get More College Basketball Video
20th ranked NC State handed number one Duke their first loss of the season, 84-76 in Raleigh on Saturday afternoon.
Travis Leslie scored a game-high 25-points, Richard Howell dominated inside with 16-points and 18 rebounds and point guard Lorenzo Brown finished with 12-points and 13-assists. Coach Mark Gottfiried spoke after the Wolfpack improved to 3-0 in the ACC.
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski thought his team played well in defeat, especially being without big man Ryan Kelly and losing Seth Curry late in the game.
These two teams will meet again on February 7th at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Stay with CineSport for the latest NCAA basketball news and give us a follow on twitter at CineSport.

subset: commoncrawl


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"The longer it lasts the better it will be."
~ Theo Venard, Blessed, missionary priest, martyr in China; to his executioner, who had just asked Venard what he would give to be killed quickly because the executioner coveted Venard's clothing. Fr. Venard was beheaded.


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Exclusive to Scrappin Doodles, our Easter Treats Bunny Collection is full of sweet Easter Bunny themed Graphics. Great for craft projects, scrapbooking etc.. Graphics come in JPEG and PNG format. 300 dpi for perfect printing. I created these graphics large so they are suitable for printing and Digital Scrapbooking projects and can be easily resized smaller to suit other needs, graphics measure up to approx 5.5". Graphics shown at approx 13% of actual size.
Original Artwork by Scrappin Doodles.
Key words: Easter bunny, rabbit, candy, chocolates, easter, eggs, bunny, bunnies, rabbit, chicks, tulips, easter eggs, chocolate, cookie, sugar cookies, jelly beans, chocolates, sweets, baskets, clip art, clipart, graphics
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This product was added to our catalog on Thursday 08 March, 2012.


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Seamed Fit & Flare Dress
Style: 570102541
Out of Stock
Constructed with panels for sleek, unfettered flare, this solid boatneck dress is simply perfect in our stretch ponté knit.
- Hourglass fit.
- A-line skirt. Removable self-fabric belt with polished silvertone buckle cinches the waist. Hidden back zip with hook-and-eye closure.
- Fully lined.
- 62% polyester, 32% rayon, 6% spandex. Lining: 100% polyester. Machine wash or dry clean. Imported.
- Length: 38.5"
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Some debates are harder to watch than others. Take a look back at 12 cringe-worthy moments in debate history.
Nixon's Sweat -- Vice President Richard Nixon appeared to be dripping with sweat during the first-ever televised presidential debate against Sen. John F. Kennedy in 1960. Nixon had just spent 12 days in the hospital for a knee operation and staph infection.


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Deeply nourishing skin treatment cream combats chronically dry, dehydrated skin. Help insulate skin from extreme environmental assaults and replenish critical moisture levels as powerful peptides help stimulate collagen production.Learn More
Deeply nourishing skin treatment cream combats chronically dry, dehydrated skin.Learn More
Apply to face and neck with light, upward strokes. Wait for cream to absorb before applying additional products. Use once or twice daily.
Use as a protective salve to help hydrate chapped, extra dry skin.
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Dermalogica is dedicated to maintaining the accuracy of the ingredient lists on this website. However, because ingredients are subject to change, we cannot guarantee that these lists are complete, up-to-date and/or error-free. For an accurate listing of ingredients in each product, please refer to your product packaging.
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I use the Dermatologica skin resurfacing cleanser at end of the day which leaves my skin very clean and needs to be replenished with a rich moisuriser. This is super rich and creates a good moisture barrier at night. Great for use in winter, stops dry skin and creates great barrier when the heating is on. I would only ever use this at night though because it leaves my skin with that wet and shiny look.
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I've used it on and off for the past 5 years. When I use it my skin looks great, I wake up with a glow and it looks and feels smoother. After a while, I take it for granted and think it must be that I have some good genes and my skin will be happy with anything, so I will get some cheap brand from the drugstore to save money. Wrong! My skin will start to look rough, older, and splotchy so then I always come back to this. I've learned it is worth the money. I have mild rosacea and using this cream has kept my skin calm so that I've never had a flare.
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I adore Super Rich Repair. I have fairly dry skin in all seasons, especially on my nose, and especially when using even small amounts of Retinol. Applying this product feels so luxurious and my skin just drinks it up. One bottle, using just a small pump every night, has lasted about six months. I have one ready to go as soon as this one runs out because I can't imagine ever taking this product out of my nighttime routine.
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Having used Accutane as a teen, my skin is super prone to being dry. Super rich repair is the first cream I've found to actually make my skin feel supple again!
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I simply love this rich moisturizer! It shields, protects and prepares my skin for makeup!
Comments about super rich repair:
I adore this moisturiser for day and night in winter. Night only rest of the year (when I switch to Skin smoothing cream) but the pump bottle always makes me feel like I lose out on the cream at the end of the bottle. There is no way of knowing if its truly finished. A squeeze bottle or container would be far better for such a premium product.
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A:Thank you for your inquiry. To add anti aging benefits to your skin care routine we recommend using MultiVitamin Power Serum morning and night under your Intensive Moisture Balance. This serum is from our Age Smart line and can be applied to face, neck and chest including the eye area.
Q:I need to purchase an oil free night cream. Is Super Rich Repair oil free or is there another product you would recommend?
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Tom Hayden is the author of 20 books and many articles in The Nation since 1980. His most recent book is Listen, Yankee! Why Cuba Matters (Seven Stories). He has lectured and taught at Harvard's Institute of Politics, UCLA Labor Studies, and Scripps, Occidental, and Pitzer Colleges. During 18 years in the California Legislature, he chaired committees on labor, environment and higher education, and authored bills creating the first Central American Studies program (at Cal State LA), the largest national resources bond in US history, back wages for sweatshop workers, trigger locks on handguns, criminal penalties for domestic violence, college savings trusts, a ban on carcinogens reaching drinking water, tripling of tobacco taxes, requirements for renewable energy set-asides, tattoo removal, Holocaust survivors insurance claims, and World War II slave labor compensation. He authored anti-sweatshop ordinances for the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Hayden has spent over 50 years in social movements, beginning with the Freedom Rides of 1960, the founding of Students for a Democratic Society in 1962, community organizing in Newark 1964-68, leadership in the anti-war movement 1968-75, participation in the peace and justice movements, 2000-2015. He was Governor Jerry Brown's first solar energy commissioner (1979) and continues in a leading role in forging a model green energy economy in California.
The Cuban people are beginning a new chapter in what José Martí called ''our America.''
As the nation marks the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, the efforts of the anti-war movement are being erased from history.
The man who helped spark Berkeley's Free Speech Movement fifty years ago would have championed today's activism, from the Dreamers to Occupy to Ferguson.
In the 1960s, the agency sought to fight Communism through the students' rights movement. There's little reason to think its tactics have changed.
Because our leaders didn't listen, or listened too late, the end came in Vietnam as a total catastrophe. It's not too late to avoid a repeat in Syria.


text:
Law Dean's Lecture Series to focus on 'The Citizen Lawyer in the Coming Era'
Ohio Northern University's Pettit College of Law presents Kevin P. Lee, professor of law at Campbell University School of Law, as part of its Dean's Lecture Series in the Moot Court Room on Thursday, Feb. 7, at 4:20 p.m.
The title of Lee's presentation is "The Citizen Lawyer in the Coming Era: How Technology is Changing the Practice of Law and What it Might Mean for the Future of the Lawyer's Role in the American Democracy." He will discuss the latest technological changes that will not only transform the day-to-day practice of law and the economics of the legal services industry, but also drive changes in the way law itself is approached and the role of lawyers in the American democracy.
At Campbell, Lee teaches contracts, business associations, professional responsibility, jurisprudence, comparative law of China and international business transactions. He practiced with Braun Moriya Hoashi & Kubota in Tokyo and was a law clerk for Herbert J. Hutton Jr. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Lee received his Ph.D. in social and political ethics from the Divinity School of the University of Chicago. He received his juris doctor from New York Law School and his Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University.


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"You have helped me in so many intangible ways! I have grown in my knowledge and wisdom by reading your excellent materials and viewing your videos. I have passed along insight to my friends and family. I'm proud, blessed and happy to be an avid (ardent, dedicated, enthusiastic, keen) Catholic!"
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"Enough, gentlemen, my last word is this: the guillotine seems set up for good. Take me there. An oath against my conscience you will never get from me."


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Hi ladies,
I'm new here and am very worried because my milk supply is going down... My son is 3 1/2 months and, due to some breastfeeding problems (fussines, distracting, etc), he is nursing only during nightime (1 am to 10 am about every 3 hours) During the day I have to pump and offer him ebm. I notice that I just can only pump 4 oz or less every 4 hours.... and he is drinking all, can't build any extra supply, not even one bottle ! I have never had too much milk, but until last week I used to pump up to 6 oz. What can I do ?
I'm in Thailand, so, mother's milk tea or fenugreek tea are not available here. I tried to pump more time each session but it didn't help.
Any sugestions ?


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Dear members,
Thank you, NarutoBase Staff
People are saying gedo manzo disapear.. i didnt saw it disapear, the only one that disapear was tobi and naruto had to feell him to avoid contact...
Some ppl on here are just stupid because the think kishi has no plot or is makibg things up as he goes which I foolish to think if u pay attention then you would see that everything ties together
Anyone know whats going to happen with orochimaru?
it was DOPE 4 STARTS I READ IT LIKE 4 TIMES. Guy and Kakashi aint that old thats just how strong Naruto ans Sasuke are But they both put in work VERY NICE VERY EPIC and Tobi is turning out to be a EPIC BOSS Didn't like him much earlier in the series
What happened to the threads that got over 20 pages daily? I remember one chapter reached over 100 pages in like 3 days
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Mustang Parts, Mustang Accessories, Mustang Headlights, Mustang Taillights 50 resto, 5.0resto, 5.0 resto
50resto is your trusted source for 1979-93 Mustang Foxbody restoration products. Buy 50resto products from Latemodel Restoration Supply and receive the best value, quality and industry-leading customer service. Whether you need Fox Body Mustang weatherstrip, headlights, taillights, seals, body panels, hardware, door handles, trim parts, carpeting or upholstery, 50resto is the brand you should demand. SVE and 50resto Warranty One Year Hassle Free Replacement SVE and 50resto products are warranted to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for one year from date of purchase. What does this warranty cover? YOU! That's right, whether you ordered a SVE brand Mach I grille delete or a 50resto brand light kit, if your product fails within a year of your purchase we got your back! Some conditions will apply.


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#184176 - 04/06/09 09:35 PM Re: French place names [Re: Faldage]
Registered: 12/30/08
Posts: 107
Loc: USA, North Carolina
Originally Posted By: FaldageOriginally Posted By: PastorVon]
According to a number of books I have read, Los Angeles began as a sailing "station" where cattle hides were cured so that they could be transported to other parts of the world to be made into leather products. A semi-permanent village grew up around the "industry" as workers brought to the station by the sailing vessels remained ashore to process the hides. A couple of Louis L'Amour novels also substantiate this info. Ha!
Any dates? Cattle hides suggests a fairly late date.
The pueblo of Los Angeles was founded in September 1781 at a site about 20 miles northeast of San Pedro Bay where the cattle industry L'Amour referred to was located. The site was first visited by a Spanish explorer in the late 1500s who noted that it would be very suitable for a town; but no settlement was established there until 1781. I don't recall if L'Amour indicated dates. One of his books in which Los Angelos is referred to, I believe, is "Lonesome Gods."
#184185 - 04/07/09 08:21 AM Re: French place names [Re: PastorVon]
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 08/13/05
Posts: 3290
Loc: R'lyeh
FWIW, here's (link) a list of cities in North America with their foundation dates._________________________
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
#184190 - 04/07/09 01:22 PM Re: French place names [Re: zmjezhd]
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 06/23/06
Posts: 5295
Loc: Netherlands, the Hague
Good list! Thanks.
#184216 - 04/09/09 12:39 PM Re: French place names [Re: zmjezhd]
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 06/23/08
Posts: 8541
Loc: Land of the Flat Water
Originally Posted By: zmjezhdFWIW, here's (link) a list of cities in North America with their foundation dates.
Very interesting, thanks for taking the time to research._________________________
----please, draw me a sheep----
#193368 - 10/05/10 06:56 PM Re: French place names [Re: Chatter]
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 12/01/00
Posts: 13803
The last nail in the coffin.
#193381 - 10/07/10 03:32 PM Re: French place names [Re: Faldage]
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 06/23/06
Posts: 5295
Loc: Netherlands, the Hague
If only it were the last coffin.
#193383 - 10/07/10 08:50 PM Re: French place names [Re: Chatter]
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 12/01/00
Posts: 13803
I see my post makes no sense whatsoever. But, hey! That's cool.
#193384 - 10/07/10 08:59 PM Re: French place names [Re: Faldage]
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 04/03/00
Posts: 10538
Loc: this too shall pass
>That's cool.
what's really cool is that *no one* had the hardihood to comment on how it really made no sense whatsoever.
#193385 - 10/07/10 09:07 PM Re: French place names [Re: tsuwm]
old hand
Registered: 12/18/06
Posts: 956
Loc: Auckland, New Zealand
Now I can stop wondering.
#193386 - 10/07/10 10:30 PM Re: French place names [Re: olly]
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 12/01/00
Posts: 13803
I could explain it if anyone's really interested, but it's kinda complex and pretty boring. Probably better y'all just entertain whatever fantasies you might be harboring.
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South Carolina and federal laws are the source of various rights employers and employees have in their employer/employee relationships. LLR is one of several state and federal agencies, which administers the laws assuring these rights. Occupational safety, payment of wages, child labor, migrant labor and mediation of disputes between unions and businesses all fall under LLR. Elevators and amusement rides also are regulated to assure the public's safety.


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Watch The Full House Cast Cheer up Donald Trump on The Tonight Show
Feb 17, 2016 9:54 AM EST
You guys, Donald Trump is sad. And what better way to cure the blues than to talk it out with the cast of Full House? That's exactly what happened on Tuesday's The Tonight Show, when the cast of Netflix's Fuller House stopped by to cheer up a depress… Read more


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Sullivan ponders ethics law; details remain to be worked out
April 19, 2013 —
For about 20 minutes Sullivan County lawmakers discussed the timing of the next meeting regarding the proposed ethics law and the date of the proposed public hearing, because members wanted clarity about when they would be voting, and what they might be voting on.
At the monthly county meeting on April 18, it was determined the next meeting regarding the law will be held May 2, and if a majority of the board agrees to the components of the new law, the proposed public hearing will be held on May 16, but it's not clear if there will be an agreement.
Legislator Gene Benson read a two-part provision that he believes should be adopted. The first part said, "An elected official, whether county, town, federal, village or state, cannot also be an attorney, accountant, lobbyist or board member representing an entity that receives county funds or tax abatements." In other words, for example, the supervisor of the town of Callicoon would not be able to serve as a board member for Cornell Cooperative Extension.
The second part of his provision read, "Persons that are board members of an entity, such as a non-profit, that receives county funds, will not be permitted to serve on that board if the board member's business is hired from such agency to provide services from which that board member or his or her company earns a financial profit." In other words, if, for example, Robert Smith owns an office supply store, and, for example, the Sullivan County Community College needs office supplies, the SCCC may not buy office supplies from Smith if Smith is a member of the board of the SCCC.
Legislator Cora Edward also read a provision she wanted to include in the ethics law, which read, "It will be a violation of the Ethics Law if an employee, a county official or elected official uses coercion, influence peddling, promulgating fear or retribution or loss of a job, scar mongering or threats of investigation, or threats of loss of business, bid-rigging in order to induce people to change county policy for the sake of personal gain."
Legislator Cindy Gieger said that she was concerned that under the proposed law the list of people and entities subject to the ethics law would be subject to change annually, which she thought was too often.
Another concern was the $250 cap that elected officials can receive from people who do business with the county. Gieger said that in the initial county ethics law, the $250 cap applied to a 60-month period, while in the proposed new law the $250 cap would apply only to a 12-month period. She said the cap should remain for 60 months.


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I find it annoying the way he pronounces Danillo's name.
He sounds like a complete fool doing that stereotypical italian voice
anyone else find the guy who calls the names of players annoying? what happened to that other guy who used to say "three point goal three points for..." and everytime the opponent scored, he's say "that's" in front of their name?
I thought they should have fired everyone after Isiah. Get rid of the PA announcer, the players, the kids who play ball during halftime. They were all infected by him.
Everytime he calls out Al harrington it sounds like a a doorbell chime. Listen next time you can hear it, you'll see what I mean.
At least we don't have that extra boring L.A. announcer, even the introduction song is boring, observe this ish:
The announcer from Detroit is the greatest:
he doesnt even say Wilson chandlers name right, he says "WILLSON CHANDLAAAAAAA"
By the way to all the really old Knicks fans...my pops brought up a story about an old Knick announcer that use to have a really deep creapy voice and would drag out words like "shooting twoooo"....just want to know if anyone remembers that guy and knows his name.
"The Knicks are back" - Amare
maybe we can sign the detroit PA announcer in 2010
Damn player-centric usernames straight to hell.
Let Clyde do the intro. He's always there. He can bounce and announce...


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The British Prime Minister proposes opening up and selling the health information of British citizens, ie copying the US model of data sales because he sees it's worth tens-hundreds of billions in annual revenue to those in the US selling data. For at least the past decade, US industry has been violating Americans' expectations and strong rights to health privacy by selling and using sensitive patient health information without consent, and without public awareness, much less, debate.
See more here: David Cameron ready to put chunks of NHS up for sale, says Labour
Key quotes:
- Prime Minister "[Cameron] sees no limit on the involvement of the private sector and says he wants it to be a 'fantastic business'. In his desperation to develop a credible industrial strategy, he seems willing to put large chunks of our NHS up for sale."
- Roger Gross, from the pressure group Patient Concern, said that allowing private firms access to NHS data would mean "the death of patient confidentiality".
- "We understand GP surgeries will have the right to refuse to release their patients' records, but whether patients will ever be told what is happening, let alone have the choice to protect their privacy, is still unclear," Gross said.


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|Thread Tools
The Forty Essential DOOM Albums
it has begun....
The list will include nothing but doom all forms of it. just because this board needs more of it.
I will finish the entire list tonight. i know im notorious for not finsihing these things.
Last edited by hb420; 05-23-2012 at 08:26 PM.
The world weighs on my shoulders but what am I to do?
The world weighs on my shoulders but what am I to do?
Ok to make it this easier I will be posting the reviews from Allmusic when possible to make it easier on me. If they don't have one on a specific release. I will say and then write my own thing.
40. Trouble - Manic Frustration (1991)
(Def Jam)
After ten years of hard work in the face of adversity, doom metal kings Trouble had seen it all, and after making an incredible comeback with their self-titled fourth album in 1990, the band once again teamed up with producer (and label boss) Rick Rubin for 1992's appropriately titled Manic Frustration. On this occasion, the Chicago-based quintet finally decided to take a chance on expanding its puritanical doom outlook, and infused the album with additional retro-rock inspirations such as acid rock, psychedelia, and Beatlesque variety, resulting in the band's most unique and user-friendly work. From the very get-go, the Hendrix-ian "Come Touch the Sky" literally burst off into the lysergic stratosphere and the mock apology of "'Scuse Me" vented years and years of living-out-of-time frustration in under three minutes, while the hallucinogenic likes of "Rain" and "Mr. White" seemed to represent the polar emotional opposites of the hippie generation's naïve idealism (the first was Woodstock, the second Altamont). Less adventurous, riff-based creations like "The Sleeper," "Tragedy Man," and the title track afforded old-time fans a few opportunities to reconnect with Trouble's Sabbath-derived origins, but Manic Frustration's defining triumphs were undoubtedly those that dared mesh together all elements of Trouble's expanded musical kaleidoscope. And so, one is inevitably drawn to the sheer guitar-shredding fantasy and frenzy of "Hello Strawberry Skies," the unsettling comedown and blissful return provided by the gentle "Breathe...," and the staggering majesty of "Memory's Garden" (all highlights of Trouble's career), where singer Eric Wagner's mournful bray spins a tale of loss, faith, and hope of simply chilling proportions. Sadly, none of these were capable of stopping Manic Frustration's title from ringing horribly prophetic after its release, when Trouble once again faced the mixed blessings of widespread critical acclaim but no significant album sales beyond the underground heavy metal faithful.
The Sleeper
39. Krux - Krux (2002)
(Mascot Records)
Just why bassist Leif Edling felt the need to form yet another doom metal band besides his main concern, legendary doomsters Candlemass, is anyone's guess. But classic doom is what Sweden's Krux are all about, and except for the different personnel involved, their eponymous debut could almost pose as a Candlemass record, if truth be told. Dominated as it is by the same manner of oversized riffs, detuned guitars, and unhurried rhythms, beautifully melancholic songs like "Krux" and "Omfalos" owe much of their distinctive tones to the commanding voice of one-time Yngwie Malmsteen band singer Mats Levén. Outstanding opener "Black Room," for example, might have struck too close to home in that regard, only thanks to Levén's contribution, it sounds less like Candlemass than the apex of Tony Martin-era Black Sabbath. Prime instigator and songwriter Edling is in fine form as always, coming forward to sing on the sparse interlude "Sibiria" before unleashing waves of distorted bass effects on the spacy "Evel Rifaz." Freed from his bass-playing gig with Entombed, Jörgen Sandström takes full advantage of his opportunity to peel off one bludgeoning power chord after another; and guest soloists Nicko Elgstrand (Terra Firma) and Fredrik Akesson (Talisman) also take turns playing guitar hero, proffering stinging leads to such head-banging anthems as "Nimis" and "Enigma EZB," respectively. Meanwhile, Carl Westholm also pitches in with judicious doses of synthesizers, occasionally brought to the fore, but mostly used for accenting purposes. Krux finally veer slightly from their trad-doom formula on the multipart, 12-minute "Lunochod" -- whereupon trippy bleeps and squawks see them embarking on sonic traipses through the cosmos. This slight departure notwithstanding, Krux is a doom metal record through and through, and especially ideal for Candlemass fans.
Omfalos (Live)
38. Place of Skulls - With Vision (2003)
(Southern Lord Records)
For a band that reached its creative peak in the early '70s, Black Sabbath has certainly had a long-lasting impact on heavy metal. Their riffs have influenced just about every stoner rock combo of the '90s and 2000s, and Sabbath is the band of choice for people in the doom metal field. Although Place of Skulls was formed in 2000, their approach owes a considerable debt to Sabbath's trailblazing work with Ozzy Osbourne -- there isn't a riff on With Vision, Skulls' second album, that isn't Sabbath-minded. Of course, the Sabbath influence that permeates this 2003 release isn't surprising when one considers what bands Skulls' members once belonged to. Guitarist/singer Victor Griffin (Skulls' founder) is an ex-member of Pentagram and Deathrow, while guitarist/singer Scott "Wino" Wienrich's credits include Spirit Caravan, the Obsessed, and Saint Vitus, in other words, Griffin and Wienrich both have a long history of belonging to Sabbath-influenced bands. And because Place of Skulls are as Sabbath-minded as they are, this CD will be classified as doom metal or stoner rock; however, it's important to note that Skulls isn't nearly as extreme as some of the bands that are considered doom metal. Compared to the noisy, brutally dissonant Grief (a great underground doom band that enjoyed a small cult following), With Vision is quite musical and melodic. This CD is heavy, but not in a ferocious, bruising, sledgehammer-to-the-cranium way; Place of Skulls caters to those who like their metal with a lot of melody. While With Vision is hardly the most original or groundbreaking metal disc of 2003, the material is generally well written and well executed; Place of Skulls definitely deserves some credit for craftsmanship. All things considered, With Vision is a decent and respectable, if derivative, outing for Griffin and his headbanging colleagues.
Long Lost Grave
37. Acid King - Bosse Woods (1999)
(Man's Ruin Records)
Black Sabbath was a major influence on a lot of the bands who recorded for Man's Ruin in the late '90s, and Acid King certainly doesn't escape the influence of early Sabbath on Busse Woods. This isn't to say that Acid King is a Sabbath clone -- far from it. True, Lori S.' singing owes a debt to Ozzy Osbourne, and her slow, forceful, brutal guitar riffs recall Tony Iommi's contributions to Sabbath. But the Bay Area band's heavy metal/stoner rock tends to communicate a looser, more jam-minded outlook than the music of Sabbath, and there are other direct or indirect influences one could cite as well, such as Robin Trower, Jimi Hendrix, and Hawkwind. Sabbath tends to get right to the point, whereas Lori S. enjoys stretching out when it's appropriate. Even though Acid King's brand of metal has often been described as stoner rock, one needn't be a stoner or use drugs to appreciate such metallic grooves as "39 Lashes," "Drive Fast, Take Chances," and "Electric Machine." Even if you consider yourself a teetotaler, Busse Woods is an exhilarating dose of metal.
Silent Circle
36. Evoken - Embrace The Emptiness (1998)
(Elegy Records)
New Jersey's homegrown funeral doom institution, Evoken, refused to play it safe with their 1998 debut full-length, Embrace the Emptiness, which took long strides (with looooong songs, of course) beyond their nascent genre's barely established fundamentals, and successfully eclipsed the comparative immaturity displayed by 1996's Shades of Night Descending EP. So, in addition to slumbering tempos underpinned by reverberating drums, evanescent synth orchestrations haunting thundering guitars, and booming growls hurled straight from the deepest, foulest crypt, album standouts like "Tragedy Eternal," "Chime the Centuries End," and "Ascend into the Maelstrom" also boasted a few rather "energetic" passages and tormented clean baritones mixed in by frontman John Paradiso. Another absolute colossus, the self-explanatory "Lost Kingdom of Darkness," even made room for some tinkling piano in its successful bid to depict endless caverns snuffed by impenetrable, everlasting darkness -- a fitting summation, come to think of it, for Evoken's entire aesthetic vision, of which Embrace the Emptiness arguably represented the first fully fleshed chapter.
Lost Kingdom of Darkness
35. Middian - Age Eternal (2007)
(Metal Blade Records)
It was a sad day for doom metal when YOB broke up in 2005. But thankfully, that was the not the end of YOB leader Mike Scheidt's involvement with doom metal. The guitarist/singer wasted no time assembling a new band: Middian, whose debut album, Age Eternal, isn't a big departure from YOB's work. Like YOB, this trio (which also includes bassist/singer Will Lindsay and drummer Scott Headrick) operates on the sludgy, Black Sabbath-influenced side of metal (as opposed to the more gothic side of doom epitomized by Paradise Lost and Anathema), and Middian is also a band that loves to stretch out. Age Eternal only has five tracks, which may lead some to assume that it is an EP. But this 57-minute CD is no EP; some of those five tracks last 11, 14 or 15 minutes -- and that penchant for extended numbers is certainly very YOB-ish. Despite being similar to YOB, Middian is not a carbon copy of Scheidt's former band; Middian offer more fast tempos, and their performances are somewhat heavier and have more of a psychedelic edge. Nonetheless, Age Eternal will not come as a major shock to those who are familiar with Scheidt's YOB days. Like YOB's albums, this 2006 recording is not for those with short attention spans; this is complex doom that has a lot of interesting twists and turns and never adheres to a standard verse/chorus/verse/chorus format. But those who were YOB admirers will be happy to know that Scheidt is still providing quality doom metal.
Dreamless Eye
34. Goatsnake - Flower of Disease (2000)
(Southern Lord Records)
With Flowers of Disease, Goatsnake delivers its trademark slick, thick, and smooth guitar tones à la Kyuss meets Black Sabbath, way-low dropped tunings, heavy drumming, solid production values, and some pretty weird instrument appearances. These guys have been around the proverbial doom metal block, and it shows. Pete Stahl gives a vocal performance that is unique, melodic and dynamic in range, lending a classic doom sound that's an increasingly untypical and refreshing vocal approach in today's black-, death-, and grindcore-influenced doom metal scene. The slow- to mid-paced grooves are all the Sabbath-inspired heaviness you could hope for, but much of the album comes off like a wasted summer evening from your best memories. "Easy Greasy" has Stahl singing "Fellout and tore up/With my friends and their freaks/We laugh and lie so high it's sweet." Not only that, but the mouth harp thing, along with the slow, heavy groove, gives off this "down by the river, takin' it easy" feeling. This is a doom record though, and aside from the fact that there's plenty of mellow "let it go" attitude here, the title track is the most morose. "Flower of Disease" conjures suicidal thoughts with the lyrics "I touch these walls of this place I know/Death is standing right outside the door/I smile inside to hide the cries/The pain just loves to multiply." An enjoyable listen, this album is a perfect marriage of modern production techniques, excellent riffing, melodic classic doom, and grooving ambience.
The Dealer
33. My Dying Bride - The Angel and The Dark River (1995)
(Peaceville Records)
Rarely does one individual sound so perfectly exemplify the mood of a record like the groaning, distant foghorn on My Dying Bride's third full-length, Angel and the Dark River. This English five-piece pens such bleak, soul-crushing tunes that its use of a lone foghorn to conclude agonizing opening cut "The Cry of Mankind" is strikingly appropriate (and most likely self-indulgent in the hands of a less convincing outfit). At no other time in its long and creatively prosperous career has My Dying Bride been so suicidally self-absorbed, evident by vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe's use of a clean, despairing, and melodic moan throughout, having ditched the death growl of earlier releases; in fact, the rest of the band followed suit, setting aside any death metal influences, carefully using violins and keyboards to enhance the group's brooding excursions, and managing to not sound gimmicky in the process. Generally, the arrangements stretch out over long, progressive, and swampy plains of powerfully droning, yet still memorable, guitar riffs, patiently rumbling drums, and Stainthorpe's vague and ghastly lyrical drippings, presumably painfully squeezed out of his own slit wrists. Not unexpectedly, songs take their sweet time getting their point across, clocking in between seven and 12 minutes, standouts being "From Darkest Skies," "Black Voyage," and "Your Shameful Heaven," the latter of which actually picks up the tempo beyond a snail's slime-trail-oozing pace, but with the same destination in mind: Pure, utter, unrelenting depression. Most likely, few will appreciate the tortured, pitch-black majesty of My Dying Bride, the band being the withered and shriveled trail's-end of fauna-wilting gothic doom metal, but MDB devotees should agree that Angel and the Dark River is its most effectively poisonous slab of internalized, navel-gazing horror. Other albums in the MDB catalog are more concise (Like Gods of the Sun), experimental (34.788%...Complete), and brutal (Turn Loose the Swans), but Angel and the Dark River stands alone in the center of a misty sea of tears, dolefully bleating its foghorn into the unforgiving wind.
A Sea To Suffer In
32. Warhorse - As Heavens Turn To Ash (2001)
(Southern Lord Records)
With this crushing full-length debut, Warhorse stake a well-deserved claim to a piece of the sprawling Black Sabbath-inspired doom metal underground. Reminiscent at times of contemporaries Goatsnake and Electric Wizard, As Heaven Turns to Ash is well-crafted start to finish, the production allowing the material to really shine. The second track, "Doom's Bride," originally recorded on a cassette deck in the band's practice space and titled "Death's Bride" on Warhorse's 1998 demo, comes off with so much power that it sounds like almost like an entirely different band. The same is true with the version of "Lysergic Communion," this album's fifth track. The astounding low end and brutal guitar tones seem to have saturated the analog tape during recording beyond levels previously thought possible, while the songs' solid structures make it an effort to keep yourself from either banging your head or killing your neighbors. The overwhelming heaviness is accentuated by fantastic and tastefully executed song dynamics, shifts in mood, volume, and tone that draw you into the recording and its tortured landscapes. Warhorse supported the release of this album by touring with doom legends Electric Wizard. This is an excellent debut.
Lysergic Communion
31. Grand Magus - Monument (2003)
(Rise Above Records)
Well, this is more like it! Swedish stoner rock trio Grand Magus did themselves few favors with their solid but unspectacular 2002 debut, which quietly sank into the general morass afflicting the doom/stoner movement at the time. And when guitarist and singer JB subsequently hooked up with Michael Amott's high-flying Spiritual Beggars, it looked as if Grand Magus were doomed (no pun intended) to vanish altogether, leaving only that one middling release to their name. However, thanks to the incredibly gregarious and liberal nature of the Swedish music scene, here they are -- unexpectedly back with a 2003 follow-up that is quite deserving of its imposing title: Monument. Howling winds and mournful guitar lines introduce album opener "Ulvaskall (Vargr)," which promptly lurches into gear on an Iommi-approved, bent-note riff and fittingly bleak words intoning "I'm damned and I'm cursed forever/Destined to walk this land," over and over again. Ensuing single (yeah right -- a "single," ha!) "Summer Solstice" steps it up a notch to take listeners chugging down the highway, and by the time Grand Magus slow it down again for the lysergic roll of "Brotherhood of Sleep" and the gargantuan doom creep of "Baptised in Fire" [sic], retro-metal fans will likely be foaming at the mouth over what they're hearing. Simply put, energetic doom doesn't get much better than this, or, for that matter, the album's frightfully heavy next offering, "Chooser of the Slain (Valfader)," which combines chiming bells, concussive power chords, and lyrics of Viking lore to thrilling and terrifying effect. And to wrap things up on a high note, the likeminded "Food of the Gods" offers a final, concise battering before the colossal denouement of ten-minute epic "Ye Who Seeks...Shall Find." Powerful, steady, unrelenting, and always f*ckin' heavy, Monument helped put the bite back into what was then a distressingly flagging strain of heavy metal.
Baptised In Fire
Last edited by hb420; 05-24-2012 at 12:44 AM.
30. Pagan Altar - Volume One (1982)
(Oracle Records)
Before it was dredged from out of the depths of time and obscurity for official release via the band's own website in 1998, Pagan Altar's Volume 1 had been one of the most bootlegged unreleased albums circulating within the heavy metal underground over the previous twenty-odd years. Recorded at the band's own Pagan studios in 1982, these high-quality demos were shopped to no avail for record companies of the day before landing on the bustling pre-internet, underground metal tape-trading network -- then eBay, where opportunistic bootleggers began commanding outrageous prices for them in the mid-'90s. This finally motivated long retired bandmembers to make Volume 1 available themselves, but how is it possible that such an acclaimed band -- even if it was cult acclaim -- slipped under the music industry's radar during one of the most prolific periods for signing heavy metal bands in the genre's history: the early-'80s New Wave of British Heavy Metal? Well, along with a reputation for stubbornness and doing things their own way, Pagan Altar were clearly swimming against the current of most successful N.W.O.B.H.M. bands; ignoring the innovative simplicity and accelerated pace brought on by punk rock, to carry on embracing heavy metal's earliest, largely slothful and exceedingly gothic template, as laid down by original masters Black Sabbath. Amazing as it may seem today, both qualities were radically unfashionable during the rise of Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Saxon, et al, leaving Pagan Altar's music sounding positively ancient by comparison -- even though all songs contained here had been written between 1981 and the London-based group's inception, in 1978. Gregorian chants from the same intro tape used to open Pagan Altar's highly theatrical live shows launches the band's eponymous song: a doom-laden affair marked by such recognizable Sabbath-isms as foreboding, downtuned power chords, bowel-loosening bent notes, and stunning lead work from guitarist Alan Jones topped with the curiously nasal delivery of his sibling vocalist Terry (later attributed to a bout of the flu!). The comparatively vigorous "In the Wake of Armadeus," meanwhile, splices together slightly altered versions of the riffs from "Electric Funeral" and "Black Sabbath" -- the song -- with memorable results; and the synth-introduced "Judgment of the Dead" arguably qualifies as the album's best track, with its strikingly melancholy melodies and explosive punctuations from the rhythm section of bassist Trevor Portch and drummer John Mizrahi. Along with subsequent offerings like "The Black Mass" and "Night Rider," all of the above epitomize post-acid rock '70s heavy metal at its best (i.e. -- "classic" doom), recalling the work of American also-rans Bedemon and Pentagram, while generally proving more authentic (and better executed) than the work of like-minded British contemporaries Witchfinder General. Only as the end draws near does the album swerve into unfamiliar territory, via Alan Jones' acoustic guitar solo piece, "Cry of the Banshee," before segueing back to habitual sounds for the thundering stomp of eight-minute closer "Reincarnation," which duly reopens the gates of Hell for a relatively up-tempo, but still typically heavy descent through all nine circles. With that, Volume 1 runs its course, and while its D.I.Y. production and old-fashioned metal aesthetic certainly explain why Pagan Altar were overlooked by the chart-minded wardens of the music industry, the band's inspired songwriting, musicianship, and vision also justify their rise to cult status in the eyes of heavy metal fans with little care to commercial success.
Judgement of the Dead
29. Coffins - Buried Death (2008)
(20 Buck Spin)
Coffins are the type of metal band who honor their multiple inspirations to the best possible extent -- they're fully inculcated in an approach and sound, as the album and song titles make perfectly clear, not to mention the album art, but they recombine them in a way to make their own mark where possible. On their second incarnation's second album, Buried Death, the overwhelming sound from their many '80s and early-'90s forebears -- ranging from Justin Broadrick's Godflesh-era guttural grunts, definitely a holdover from the group's earlier work, to high-speed death metal -- continues the pattern started on Mortuary in Darkness. The same lineup of Uchino, You, and Koreeda is in place, and if Buried Death is an extension of the earlier album then it's a brilliantly done one, with the sheer thickness of Uchino's guitars ranking as some of the best-sounding riffs out there. It doesn't hurt, either, that You's drumming, though often high-speed enough for early Carcass (another clear model, especially in the occasional vocal exchanges between Uchino and Koreeda), actually has a full-bodied impact instead of a skittering rampage. All this is arguably the counterweight to the fact that Coffins are working clearly within a wide-ranging style rather than extending it, but this is still the best kind of tribute -- the one that leaves an individual mark. So if the tempo changes on songs like "Cadaver Blood" are familiar elements, the weird guitar effects on "The Frozen Styx" give a sense of what the band can bring to the mix in turn. A definite highlight is "Altars of Gore," with Uchino's riff being the kind of strutting kick, well matched by the rhythm section, more appropriate to Motörhead than many later bands could manage, but still with the deep vocal rumble heard throughout the album.
Altars In Gore
28. The Gates of Slumber - Conqueror (2008)
(Profound Lore/I Hate Records)
Although their moniker would suggest the ultimate doom band, Indiana's Gates of Slumber have actually never thought twice about charging down the highway at full throttle when the mood hits them, and their third album, 2008's Conqueror, sees them shifting into fifth gear even more frequently as they idle along in first. Indeed, after peeling out of the driveway via the rollicking juggernaut of "Trapped in the Web," the trio repeatedly gallops into battle (see "Children of Satan," "The Machine"), amidst some midtempo marching ("Ice Worm"), and, yes, yes, sluggish doom crawls like the title cut and "To Kill a King." But whatever tempo they choose, the Gates of Slumber almost always pay out-and-out tribute (whether intentional or accidental, remains unclear) to the Obsessed, Saint Vitus, Spirit Caravan -- heck, any group led by the legendary Scott "Wino" Weinrich. So do countless other bands, mind you, but the Wino similarities found in the vocals and frenzied guitar solos tendered by GoS frontman Karl Simon make such comparisons inevitable -- no matter how excellent his band's songs may be, when considered in a vacuum. If anything, Wino never had the patience, through all of his many projects and years of service, to concoct a multi-part colossus on the scale of Conqueror's closing "Dark Valley Suite," which revisits all of the avenues mentioned above, and then some, thanks to the softly atmospheric centerpiece, "Call of the Black Gods." And, once again, listeners unburdened by the knowledge of the Gates of Slumber's inspirational baggage will likely find nothing but a seriously engaging traditional heavy metal album in Conqueror.
Eyes of the Liar
27. Mournful Congregation - The Monad of Creation (2005)
(Weird Truth Productions)
*My Own Summary*
Mournful Congregation, while not having the claim to the greatest funeral doom album in my eyes are definitely the most consistent band in the genre. Staring from their first record onward to this year's "The Book of Kings". The band has released four epic records of majestic and ethereal funeral doom. The clear cut winner out of the four though is their second, "The Monad of Creation". It's overflowing with melancholia and despair, desolating anything in its path. Huge glacial riffing over deep bowel releasing growls it literally downs you in a sea of pitch black darkness. The acoustic flourishes are of the highest order as well, and just make the atmosphere that more vibrant. Highly recommended, quality funeral doom that never becomes a burden even for genre beginners.
As I Drown In The Loveless Rain
26. Sunn O))) - Black One (2005)
(Southern Lord Records)
Although claiming that Black One is the darkest Sunn 0))) album yet may be a little overzealous on their label's part (unless, of course, its meant as a not-so-subtle play on most recent predecessors White1 and 2), there's certainly a good chance that it's their most diverse. Whether that's a simple case of there being more and shorter songs present (all of seven, and only shorter by these guys' standards, mind you), or an unprecedented volume of outside collaborators (mostly underground black metal buddies lending their vocals), Black One experiments with a number of new tricks to go with the by now expected ultra-droning aspects of Sunn 0)))'s sound. For example, both "Orthodox Caveman" and "Cry for the Weeper" drink from the same old, Earth-derived dead-water pool that inspired Greg Anderson and Stephen O'Malley to start melting their amps in tribute to begin with; while the improbably brief "It Took the Night to Believe" (featuring blood-curdling shrieks and croaks by Wrest) may well be Sunn 0)))'s most unapologetically black metal moment ever, taking a page from Burzum's bloody book with its spooky loop of buzz-picked guitar melodies to go with a reliably subterranean foundation. Keeping with the black metal mindset, the pair then proceed to deconstruct Immortal's "Cursed Realms (Of the Winterdemons)" into a barely recognizable primordial soup of tonal thrumming, before calling Xasthur's Malefic down to the basement to supply additional screams for the splendidly named "Candlegoat" and megalithic closer, "Báthory Erzsébet." (For the latter, in fact, he was supposedly locked inside a coffin, microphone and all, so as to inspire a suitably suffocating feeling of horror -- proving that extreme sounds sometimes truly do demand extreme measures.) In other words, Black One is a cautious but unquestionable departure from Sunn 0)))'s pre-established m.o., and arguably their most accessible effort to date, in the bargain. But even though there'll always be those purists looking for a bone to pick, its difficult to imagine too many original fans not embracing these still remarkably blackened sounds.
It Took The Night To Believe
25. Hour of 13 - Hour of 13 (2007)
(Shadow Kingdom Records)
Tempting as it is to label Hour of 13's eponymous debut a doom album without even a second glance, fact is it's actually a pure heavy metal album in the genre's most fundamental, unadulterated definition, formulated in the early '70s by Black Sabbath. And even though this essentially rules out the possibility of true musical innovation, Hour of 13's sheer mastery of the style's every last aesthetic nook and cranny -- from the devilishly occult lyrics and bare-bones production to the simultaneously simple yet towering power chords from which everything derives -- easily transcends mere imitation, and ultimately reminds us that all subsequent metallic subgenres are ultimately dilutions, for better or worse, of the original, flawless monolith. The proof is in the riffing, as they say, thanks to the improbably fresh-sounding sequences conjured by lead visionary Chad Davis, who handles all instruments (save for the odd solo played by album engineer Corey Leonard) on sinister offerings like "Call to Satan," "Submissive to Evil," "Hex Harm," and "Missing Girl." Yes, ultra-specialized heavy metal historians will of course recognize occasional scattered touchstones like Pentagram ("Endurement to the Heirs of Shame"), Pagan Altar ("Grim Reality"), and even Budgie ("Allowance of Sin"); but, if not for vocalist Phil Swanson's warbling delivery and recurring Satanic invocations (which invariably smack of Ozzy Osbourne, more often than not), even Sabbath's irrefutable influence affects the template more so than the duo's songwriting imagination. And for those incapable of buying that last sales pitch -- check out the exceptionally forceful opening riff of "The Correlation," which hasn't an ounce of doom about it as it chugs along to the snappier tempos of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, or even -- dare we say it -- American '80s metal! The point being that Hour of 13 are anything but a surprise-free nostalgia act, but rather proud carriers of heavy metal's timeless flame, from the past into the distant future.
Allowance of Sin
24. Spirit Caravan - Jug Fulla Sun (1999)
(Tolotta Records)
Jug Fulla Sun, Spirit Caravan's debut, follows a sonic continuum that began in the late '70s when Scott "Wino" Weinrich emerged from the outskirts of Washington, D.C., with the Obsessed, his stripped-down hybrid of biker rock and metal. That outfit made tremendous strides in bridging the gap between the long-haired metal contingent and the still developing, though already rabid, D.C. hardcore scene. Jug Fulla Sun shows Wino augmenting his trademark brand of doom-laden guitar work and slow-fuse vocal ferocity with greater lyrical depth and overall textural breadth. The songs are rich, refined, articulate, and created by a lifer, a true veteran of the hard music scene. Wino has obviously gone to great lengths here to subordinate his outlaw vision to a more expansive, comprehensive view of mankind, and of greater truths. The somewhat nebulous scope of his lyrics is enhanced by Lungfish vocalist/tattoo artist Dan Higgs' cryptic cover painting. An excellent album.
Fear's Machine
23. Ahab - The Call of the Wretched Sea (2006)
(Napalm Records)
With their ambitious debut album, 2006's The Call of the Wretched Sea, Germany's tellingly named Ahab embark on a treacherous voyage to reinterpret Herman Melville's immortal whaling adventure, Moby Dick, through the suitably equivalent sonic leviathan of funereal doom metal -- or, as they are eager to dub it themselves: "Nautik Funeral Doom." Of course one need only look back a couple of years to find Mastodon's more oblique treatise on the very same literary subject, via their own Leviathan album; but what Ahab lacks in outright originality, they handily make up for with The Call of the Wretched Sea's meticulously assembled husks of words and music (plus, in terms of pure heaviness, this leviathan makes Mastodon's sound as light as a sparrow!). The titanic tandem of "Below the Sun" and "The Pacific" steers listeners away from port, and casts them directly down into the darkest ocean abyss with slothful, somber synthesizer melodies, cataclysmic downtuned guitar waves, and echoing percussive thunders. These provide a formidable frame for lyrics frequently adapted directly from Melville's writings and delivered in an impossibly deep, guttural vocal style that sounds as though it was performed by Moby Dick himself -- har-har! But it's surprisingly clean-droned baritones substituting these rumblings on "Old Thunder," which features an unusually uplifting, orchestrated central portion, bridged by an atmospheric interlude called "Of the Monstrous Pictures of Whales" to yet another colossal epic in "The Sermon," itself boasting a shimmering central passage of near-silent melodic ripples that temporarily interrupt the album's prevalent, monolithic guitar grinds. The Call of the Wretched Sea subsequently achieves a dual climax via "The Hunt" and "Ahab's Oath," both of which are marked by keening, rather infectious melodies, but which still leave the listener feeling as if crushed under the pressure untold fathoms. What's more, their words reveal that Ahab's musical retelling of Moby Dick is only just begun here, with a lot more story from the novel's original argument yet to be set to music on ensuing albums. If and when that comes to pass, Ahab will have their work cut out for them, because The Call of the Wretched Sea has set the funereal doom bar especially high -- or low, as it were.
Old Thunder
22. Warning - Watching From A Distance (2006)
(The Miskatonic Foundation)
*My Own Summary*
An amazing traditional doom album filled to brim with melancholia and somberness. This is the closest album I've seen that has come to a funeral doom-ish atmosphere without the chocking despair if that makes any sense.
21. Solitude Aeturnus - Beyond The Crimson Horror (1992)
(Roadrunner Records)
Solitude Aeturnus obviously saw no reason to alter their favored formula for Euro-inspired doom (featuring frequent flirtations with both thrash and power metal) when the time came to record their sophomore album, Beyond the Crimson Horizon, in 1992. Having been previously introduced by the group's excellent debut, Into the Depths of Sorrow, said formula had immediately saddled them with the not altogether fair reputation of being America's answer to Candlemass, so there was little they could do about that. But there was definitely room for improvement where this second album's production standards were concerned, and so Beyond the Crimson Horizon's first noteworthy -- and quite possibly lasting -- impression was infusing a punchier mix, and crunchier metallic thump into new numbers like "Black Castle," "The Final Sin," and closing instrumental "Beyond..." -- all of which also revealed some welcome self-editing, as compared to that first album's lengthy excursions. Unfortunately, with the exception of primary highlights like the uncommonly energetic "It Came Upon the Night" and the uncharacteristically mellow "Beneath the Fading Sun," Beyond the Crimson Horizon simply lack as many compelling riffs, overall, as its predecessor. And vocalist Robert Lowe's more prominently mixed banshee vocals actually come off way too over the top, even recalling Fates Warning screamer John Arch at times, with their less disciplined exertions. Indeed, Lowe's only major attempts at showing restraint come during the moody introductions to impressive opener "Seeds of the Desolate" and the aforementioned "Beneath the Fading Sun," proving that more isn't always necessarily better -- even in the realm of heavy metal. And despite a strong showing by most any definition of American doom of the time, Beyond the Crimson Horizon arguably falls just shy of the band's first outing, in the balance of things, making it a recommended, though not utterly essential purchase.
It Came Upon One Night
Last edited by hb420; 05-24-2012 at 01:38 AM.
Anybody else got any comments? Well I guess Ill finish the second half tomorrow. Haha sorry I under estimated how daunting doing this in one go would be.
Please continue on
8/31 - Sleep
11/10 - Judas Priest
11/14 - Slayer
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