Heavy metal band Demon Hunter just happens to be Christian in point of view. They also just so happen to absolutely rock. This cut, “Infected”, is from their self-titled CD Demon Hunter. This is for Eric with affection.

Demon Hunter – Infected on Vimeo.

H/t to Jason & Joe (who was right about them) for the recommendation.

This cut, “Guitar Hero”, from Amanda Palmer’s (Neil Gaiman’s other half) CD Who Killed Amanda Palmer, features a kickass alt-punk female lead guitar and rocks nicely.

“Who Killed Amanda Palmer” Video Series – Part 7: Guitar Hero from Amanda Palmer on Vimeo.

We were discussing music last night on Twitter, and a couple of my friends affirmed their love of the musically inane and perpetually annoying Prince. (Hello Michelle & Eric!)

This week’s series featuring music with a little more edge is dedicated to them. Today – NIN.

I love NIN’s anger, rawness, poetry, and sound. Plus – Trent Reznor is hot. He’s on my celebrity boyfriend list.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don’t know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters

I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell you
The difference ‘tween Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you’re a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you’re watching
And turn on “I Love Lucy” reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell you
The difference ‘tween Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

I’m just a singer of simple songs
I’m not a real political man
I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell you
The difference ‘tween Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

The greatest is love
The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

      ~Alan Jackson, “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)”

When I put together the program for Bryan’s celebration of life, I wanted to choose song lyrics for the cover. Bryan loved music, was a broadcasting undergrad major before he went to law school and enjoyed his stint as a college DJ very much.

I listened to, read lyrics, and discarded a dozen songs before I settled on U2′s “All I Want Is You” as the cover text. (I woke up with it stuck in my head, actually, and decided that meant it was the one.) The lyrics are profound and poetic, and the band’s performance of it live in Milan is beautiful.

All I Want Is You

You say you want diamonds on a ring of gold
You say you want your story to remain untold

But all the promises we make
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

You say you’ll give me a highway with no one on it
Treasure just to look upon it
All the riches in the night

You say you’ll give me eyes in a moon of blindness
A river in a time of dryness
A harbour in the tempest

But all the promises we make
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

You say you want
Your love to work out right
To last with me through the night

You say you want diamonds on a ring of gold
Your story to remain untold
Your love not to grow cold

All the promises we break
From the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you
     ~U2

He was my harbor in the tempest, and I am grateful for the years we were given.