This week, lets crank things up a notch with a little heavy metal/hard rock. Heavy music serves a purpose in my own personal training habits, so I wanted to share some of it with you.
Some days (usually Mondays...go figure), when I train I need something to really get me pumped. Something so raw and powerful that my muscle fibers have no choice but to get fired up and work. This can apply to lifting or running alike, but I find it's not necessarily good for long distance runs. Maybe it's just me, but the heavier music makes me expend my energy faster and I have a hard time pacing myself for longer distances. So lets just say that today's playlist is intended for an explosive or high intensity workout. This could include sprints, interval training, lifting, or just a short, fast-paced run.
Once again, this is meant to be an exploration into music that you may not already know. There are of course some classics that you may already rely on. AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" has always been a favorite for getting the adrenaline pumping. Rage Against the Machine's entire catalog can be used as well. Welcome To the Jungle, Enter Sandman, Kickstart My Heart, etc....We've heard them all before. We've all got our own personal favorites, and feel free to share yours in the comments. It is my hope that you can find one song in the playlist below, that you can adopt as part of your own personal "pump-up" soundtrack.
I've thrown together a list of ten tracks, some really new, others not so new. Either way though, I'd be surprised if you know more that half of them already...and if you do, Kudos. We should hang out. I hope you enjoy the music, and I hope it helps add some intensity to your next workout.
Here's the playable list. (See below for some notes about each of the tracks)
***Update*** Due to copyright restrictions at Lala.com #'s 6 and 7 cannot be streamed in their entirety in the playlist. The tracks can be found on Youtube though. Here you go... #6 and #7
Rise Against -Re-Education (Through Labor) - These guys are great. They have a great punk groove. If you like this, you will like pretty much all of their stuff.
Muse - Supermassive Black Hole - Muse is a great band from the UK. They made waves with their last album here in the US, but the two albums prior to that were really good too.
Alexisonfire - We are the End - This one is a little extreme. Don't turn it off! The band describes their sound as "a couple of cartoon-character angels and devils sitting on your shoulders, offering 2 very different interpretations of the same musical message." Give the song a listen all the way through and you will know what they mean. Somehow it ends up being very melodic, while being aggressive at the same time....atleast that's my opinion. If you hate it, feel free to tell me in the comments
Two Tongues - Wowee Zowee - This is a new one. the band is a combo effort with members of Saves the Day and Say Anything. Catchy tune. Not too heavy. Its a good release after the overt aggression from that last track.
Sparta - Taking Back Control - this is an oldie but a goodie. I think the song is about 5 years old, but still one of Sparta's best. If you don't know Sparta, go check out their entire catalog. I could give you the whole long story of where they came form and how they are connected to other bands like Mars Volta and At the Drive-in, but I'll skip it. Google them if you are interested.
Coheed and Cambria - In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 - One of my all time favorite songs. No, it is not a girl singing...and yes, I realize it sounds like Geddy Lee from Rush. Listen to the track the whole way through. It will be stuck in your head, guaranteed.
Metallica - The End of the Line - I could have listed about 15 older Metallica songs, but I wanted to throw something new out there. If you haven't actually heard their entire new Album, please go listen. It's actually pretty darn good.
Silversun Pickups - Well Thought Out Twinkles - This band showed up about 2 years ago, and got very little attention. Lately though, their songs have been featured in commercials and on the video games Rock Band and Guitar Hero. Keep an eye out for their new album in April 2009.
Against Me! - Thrash Unreal - A good heavy punk track with some really catchy parts. Just enough to keep you moving.
American Steel - Mean Streak - Another Punk-y group who can write one hell of a catchy tune. Try not to sing along with that chorus...I dare you
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