The number 666 has long been considered the mark of evil, and has also long been claimed by heavy metal bands as their own. Making the right musical choices is essential on the evilest day of the millennium (June 6, 2006). At some point this year, the all-knowing, all-seeing forces of the Internet declared 6.6.06 to be “National Day of Slayer” (head on over to http://www.nationaldayofslayer.org to learn more about their worthwhile mission). While Slayer is an excellent place to start for your musical needs on the day of the beast, by no means should it end there. The amount of “evil” music out there is startlingly vast, and I am here to weed out the poseurs from the true masters of metal. Here are the best albums for your general needs on the evilest day ever:
Slayer
Reign in Blood
This is mandatory listening for all rabble-rousers on this most hallowed day. The best thrash-metal band ever wrote what is perhaps the best album for committing evil deeds. A true classic, this record has established itself as the metal album in the canon of American music ?” and with good reason. The riffs are catchy, the songs impressive in breadth and the musical influence undeniable. If you have time for only one album today, make time for Reign in Blood.
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
There can’t be a list about metal music without including Black Sabbath ?” it just wouldn’t be right. The first Black Sabbath album is a classic; it’s the sound that established heavy metal as the king of evil music. I suggest blasting my favorite Sabbath song ever – “The Wizard” – at high volumes, preferably while doing some sort of evil voodoo magic.
Godflesh
Streetcleaner
While not strictly Satanist or anything silly like that, Godflesh still manage to create the manic sounds of the apocalypse on their seminal album Streetcleaner. Utilizing pounding drum machines, sludgy bass and guitar beatings, and howlingly demonic vocals, Godflesh make indubitably evil music. Play the song “Christbait Rising” to get a real rise out of those who might subvert what 6.6.06 is all about.
Agoraphobic Nosebleed
Frozen Corpse Stuffed With Dope
Nothing clears a room like a blast of cyber-grind, and as a holiday where selfishness is rewarded, 6.6.06 should see at least a little bit of the nasty stuff. Agoraphobic Nosebleed pump out destructive grindcore at rates that approach (and occasionally exceed) 1,000 beats per minute. It’s pretty obvious what Agoraphobic Nosebleed is about on this album: extremely fast guitars with lyrics about drugs, violence and other such evil imagery. The song “Blind Hatred Finds a Tit” suits the day well ?” play it and experience the day of the beast in a minute-long salvo of hate.