Ogre Tones

It’s September 27. The new King’s X CD came out today. I dropped into the local music store that usually has the largest selection of their stuff and there was one copy. Not sure if there was already a run on them or they only got one in. But it went straight into the player in the car and I spent most of my lunch time reading the lyrics. I also picked up the only copy present of Jerry Gaskill’s solo project. Why is it that angst is such fine grist for poetry and heavy metal? And most other art, for that matter? These guys carry around a tremendous load of personal pain. The music is amazing. But there is so much anguish in the beauty. It’s a certain kind of beauty that requires the turmoil. Ahhh! One wants to be rid of the anger and frustration and heartache and just enjoy the beauty. But you can’t have the result without the process that causes it. Beauty amid suffering. Bittersweet. Today was a rough day for artists.