My 2013 year-end review (Part 2)

The Killers. Aerosmith. These are two big names in Modern Rock that have finally made their way to perform for their fans here in the Philippines in 2013.

Indeed, it has been a fruitful year for concert goers and music aficionados to see these two hugely popular Rock acts perform their greatest hits in the flesh.

It made the 2013 concert scene here in Manila red-hot.

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“Slim Shady” is back. The first time I heard “BerzerK” from Eminem’s, 8th studio-release ‘The Marshal Mathers LP 2′ , it sounded like an amalgamation to me of a classic Beastie Boys track and an 80’s Rock anthem. It was heavy with the beats. It sampled a classic guitar riff. And it had Eminem being his old “Slim Shady” self again !

What was not to enjoy about this track ?

Who knew that we would once again see Eminem bleach his hair blonde, wear khakis, and don his signature white shirt for the music video of “Berzerk” ? At times when I watch its music video, I honestly feel like I am back in 1999.

Being “Old-School” proved to be Eminem’s winning formula for the year 2013.

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2013 was an excellent year for Metal. Ozzy Osbourne got to reunite with the rest of the classic line-up of Black Sabbath to finally release their long awaited comeback album entitled: ’13’. While it was Metallica celebrating the 30th anniversary of the release of their landmark debut album ‘Kill ‘Em All’.

Both these legendary bands have inspired generations of “Metal heads” to form their own respective bands. To say that they are influential is a huge understatement. Without them, we would not most likely have a Metal genre in the first place.

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I was really bummed out when Jeff Gutt didn’t win the finals of ‘The X-Factor.’ Here was a guy who really didn’t come off as a struggling artist but one who resembles more an accomplished musician who hasn’t gotten that “big break” yet he needs in life.

And yes, he had to resort to auditioning in a reality talent show hoping that he would get that “big break” he needs.

Instead, he became runner-up to Alex and Sierra who were crowned the first-ever duo to win “The X-Factor.”

Gutt should have won. There is so much more to this guy then just being described as “the resident rocker of the show.” He exhibited a driven passion that should have won him this whole competition and he had the kind of talent that would matter in the real world outside of ‘The X-Factor.’

Check out Gutt’s renditions of “Creep”, “Without You”, and “Dream On” on YouTube.

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Justin Bieber. We all know of the generous and noble acts of charity he gave for the victims of “Yolanda.” When I saw him hug and kiss the kids and the orphaned children of typhoon “Yolanda”, it not only brought a smile to my face. But it also made me realize the capacity for compassion and kindness this young man has and not necessarily only for the Filipino people. In my book, that is what will always be on top of my head each time I hear his name now.