HIT THE LIGHTS
When we start to rock, we never wanna stop again--and we shouldn't have to.
For almost nine years, I’ve been involved in writing about heavy metal music for various outlets. In these years, I have had the opportunity to speak to many bands about their music and their time touring across the globe. I did much of this writing and interviewing while simultaneously pursuing a career as a Physical Therapist. My writing started around the time I was finishing up a Master’s Degree in 2015. Then, from 2016 to 2019, I worked through and completed my Doctorate in Physical Therapy—all the while maintaining some foothold in music journalism.
However, in recent years—especially following COVID—I have struggled to split time between my passions of rehabilitative medicine and heavy music or find the energy to do either. I have long wanted to blend the two together in some manner, yet I never truly found a way I felt was productive. These days, I have spent more time talking to people in music about their physical well-being—their aches and pains and the trouble they pose on the road or in the studio.
I have seen a couple of incredibly talented close friends begin their own outlets lately. A quick shout-out to Cat Costa-Jones, Becky Laverty, Kelsey Chapman, and Ian Cory. Seeing them utilize their creative freedom and develop an independent voice has inspired me to try the same thing with HEAL ‘EM ALL.
My creative urge has been welling up again these days. It grows in tandem with my advancing professional goals and accomplishments. I have moved into greater administrative and education positions within the last year in addition to growing my clinical skill set. Ultimately, HEAL ‘EM ALL feels like the point of convergence in my passions and I have a greater confidence in the importance of what I have to say. My hope is this offering reaches those who are interested in what I have to say and share.
Please consider this my mission statement. HEAL ‘EM ALL aims to deliver necessary and accurate musculoskeletal care and information. Every ounce of it is evidence-informed and designed to be easily digestible and the interactive materials are possible to replicate independently. Additionally, I aim to offer telehealth services to those in need who may not have access to healthcare at this time or would rather discuss current issues with someone who understands some of the unique constraints that come with underground music.
In the coming weeks and months, I plan on diving into our current understanding of pain and what it could mean for its management during tours or recording periods (and other busy, stressful times in life) as well as a series in acute and chronic spine pain management strategies. Please stay tuned and feel free to submit questions you would like to see answered in the newsletter in the future.
ALBUMS OF THE BI-WEEK
This week brought two new releases from two of my favorite American black metal bands. Wayfarer and Yellow Eyes are both very distinct projects with a clear vision and a unique take on extreme metal.
Wayfarer continues the progression of their Western black metal on their fifth full-length record, American Gothic. Tales of Manifest Destiny paints a bleak picture of bloodshed and greed across the High Plains. The Denver quartet introduces more clean vocals and guest appearances from George Cessna and Munly J. Munly. These ideas add an element of morose drama to their already gripping story.
American Gothic ultimately highlights the continued growth in Wayfarer’s storytelling and depiction of the violent American West. It stands as another brilliant step forward for a quartet rife with creative intensity and distinctive genius.
Stream and purchase American Gothic from Profound Lore Records.
Brooklyn’s Yellow Eyes, on the other hand, nearly eliminated all elements of black metal from their newest effort, Master’s Murmur. Meant as one-half of a folk prelude to a full-length record, Master’s Murmur sees the quartet dial in dungeon synth, saxophone, 12-string guitars, and all sorts of sounds, noises, and bells to create music as cryptic and disorienting as their black metal.
It has been nearly five years since Rare Field Ceiling. Yet, every moment of Master’s Murmur makes me believe this band hasn’t taken a day off since it came out. It fits so seamlessly into their discography and feels so uniquely Yellow Eyes.
Stream and purchase Master’s Murmur from Yellow Eyes and Gilead Media.
