Too Cool For School

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Alice Cooper didn't have this in mind when he penned down School's Out.

The Local is reporting today that a student teacher in Germany has been given an ultimatum: Quit the band or quit school. Thomas Gurrath is the frontman of German Death Metallers DEBAUCHERY by night and a philosophy teacher at the Hegel Gymnasium, a high school in Stuttgart by day. Most of us are familiar with the romanticized story of School of Rock, however this time is no easy riff-chop. Gurrath's band was discovered after his principal found the band's website and promptly reported him to the school's superintendent.

Gurrath is the brains behind the band, in charged of writing, recording and producing the band's material in studio. Debauchery is signed to AFM Records in Germany, releasing Kill, Maim, Burn, their first album in 2003, and following up with new studio work every year there after. Their latest work titled Rockers & War was released on April 3rd of last year.

According to school officials, Gurrath's band and performances are a form of mental instability, adding that "It was very worrying to listen to his music and then realize he was teaching our children."

As is sadly common, some of the press coverage the case has received thus far is not the most positive, which certainly doesn't help the cause at all.

METALLERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE! show your support by adding Debauchery on Facebook, and while you're at it, why not e-mail the principal nicely asking the school to open their mind a little bit? After all, Hegel might even side with Gurrath on this one.

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MACHETE

Well, talk about timing! With all the Arizona flawed law business going on, Robert Rodriguez has released the trailer for his upcoming film, Machete. This sure promises to kick some ass!

More Nazi-rizona

Moby played to a sold out crowd in Bogotá, Colombia last night [Pictures HERE] And this morning he posted the following statement in his blog:

"many people have asked me what i think about the anti-immigration law that recently passed in arizona. and, to be honest, i think it's a disgusting piece of legislation. it's american politics at its worst, as the arizona anti-immigrant law is both racist and fascist. i know that 'fascist' is an over-used term among progressives to describe legislation with which they disagree, but how else do you describe a law that compels the police to check the papers of people who look like they might be illegal?

it's a racist law, and it's an awful law, and it makes me ashamed of my country. america is a country of immigrants. almost every citizen of the united states either is an immigrant or is the offspring of immigrants. immigration is what has traditionally made america great, it's what enables america to change and remain dynamic, and it's what gives america it's eclecticism and diversity. but there are always old, white, right wing, republicans who want america to be white only.

that old, white, racist, republican part of america is the worst part of the united states, and the part of the united states of which i'm most ashamed. i'm ashamed of the wall being built between mexico and the united states. i'm ashamed of the anti-immigrant law that was passed in mexico. i'm ashamed of any americans who want to change or ignore history and pretend that america is not (and has not always been) a country of and for immigrants. for the american dream to exist at all it has to exist for all. the american dream is one of democracy, freedom of belief, and freedom of expression, and it's at it's best when it's applied without hesitation or restriction. when the american dream is applied selectively based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, or belief is when the american dream is denigrated and compromised, sometimes beyond all recognition."

It will be interesting to see if more artists rise up to speak against the nonsense of Arizona SB1070, as well as the effect that this will have on the American people and the Obama administration.

This is not the first time Gov. Janice Kay Brewer signs a controversial bill into state law during her short term in office. She is also infamous for signing Bill SB 1113, which allows citizens 21 years of age and older to CARRY GUNS INTO BARS (!!) making Arizona the 41st state to allow guns in businesses that serve alcohol. She also signed Bill 1108, which allows citizens in the state of Arizona to carry a concealed weapon WITHOUT A PERMIT. Gov. Brewer has also considerably reduced the benefits available to state employees in a same-sex relationship, affecting about 750 state workers and their families.

Way to go Janice Kay, just when your country's worldwide perception was improving you come to ruin it.

Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s THE ECONOMY!

Recently DPR was allowed an audience with The Master of Metal. A feature piece will come in due time, however given the recent involvement of many Metallers in Brian May’s Bollocks To The Economy campaign and his plight to Britons NOT to vote Conservative, a particular excerpt of the audience of this minion and The Master has skyrocketed in relevance.

Brian May has enlisted some Heavy Metal help to support his plight to the British electorate not to vote for Conservative candidates. According to the campaign’s website, the major candidates have shifted campaign talks from relevant issues such as the economy and the effect of the recent downturn to the reverse of the blood-sports ban in England, which would legally allow the hunt of foxes, hares and badgers for sport.

May’s campaign is urging voters to reconsider their choice based on what he believes is ‘Bollocks’, and though it is not uncommon to see artists endorsing one candidate or another, you don’t often see artists banding together (no pun intended) for apolitical cause for fear of how this move can affect their career. So, why is it important to vote? The Master argues, “Though it may seem hopeless, voting actually holds power. Power against Poopers! Power to change things from the stupefied reality we now soak in to a glorified future that until now has remained forbidden”

The call to disengaged voters is clear: YOUR VOTE COUNTS and apathy is keeping The Man in power.

STOP THE ARIZONA BULLSHIT

I prefer to keep things as apolitical as possible here at DPR, however this one is worth noting for many reasons. First off, I, as a Hispanic, stand in full support of our Brothers and Sisters from Arizona in their struggle against a law that embodies the ignorant fear of those who are afraid of the benefits immigration can bring to the already ailing American economy, let alone state and local markets as well as the unwillingness of the Federal government to effectively take a stand on immigration reform that would benefit both, newcomers and citizens.

Canadian Indie Rockers Stars have announced the cancellation of their shows in Tucson and Phoenix in wake of the passing of the now infamous Arizona immigration bill which gives near unlimited power to police to arrest people based solely on their ethnic background and how this might come into play regarding their migratory status in the state.

Stars frontman Torquil Campbell has stated:

"This specific law is the turning point in a growing sense of underlying racism — anger at there being a black president, anger at minorities beginning to become a part of the economic life in America. There are some scary forces in that country, and they are starting to be legitimized by the media, and it is important that right now, people start to take extremely strong stands against those people because this is what happened in Nazi Germany (…) This is exactly what happened, if we don't stop this shit right now, I really fear for North America in general, I think it's terrifying."

And rightly so.

Stars was scheduled to visit Tucson and Phoenix for an estimated crowd of about 500 in each city, and though their AZ boycott will have a considerable financial effect on the band’s finances, in my opinion is the right move to remind the local politicians of who put them in power and who can get them out of power.

How come no such laws are implemented to counteract the domestic problems of drug consumption and arm smuggling that is fuelling the drug trafficking problem that in turn caused this law into being?

For more check HERE

...When the Devil sends the Beast with wrath...

If you’re reading this blog, chances are you must like Metal to some extent. On the same token, if you like Metal, chances are someone at some point might’ve asked you (at best) why it is that [we] like the Devil’s music.

Here is a piece I wrote as a requirement for a course I took at school. I’m not defending anything, I’m merely pointing out the obvious.

Hope you like!

Religious Imagery in the Music of Iron Maiden

SRV's Last Gig

Doing my rounds today I found THIS on Guitar World Mag, way worth the read!

ok, now... watch this

yeah... at first i was like "yeah kid, you hang out too much with dad" but then I saw THESE OTHER VIDEOS.

Ignoring the fact that his Strat looks like SRV's (havent found the specs to know if its a sig series)...the first thing that came to mind (especially after watching his live vids) is that this kid IS SRV back in the flesh... you tell me

aaand...one for the road! (this one is my all -time fav)

don't forget to tune in Monday night!