Anyone have any best of ’08 records thus far? I know its only April, but it seems there is a drought of memorable records in the first quarter of ’08? So far I am really into the Cancer Conspiracy record, and of course, my boys Nov. 5,1955….anybody else feel me?

So I was on my way back from the local grocery store(yes metal dudes go to grocery stores) and I came across a strange sight. First, a little background on the area in which I live. I live on the north shore of Massachusetts, bordering a seaside city that is probably 99% white, and 75% liberal democrat and most of those are burned out hippies. The other 25% non-democrats being the fisherman, and farmers from my town, which has the lowest population per square mile in all of eastern Mass, and me. Anyways back to what I saw. In the perfectly manicured front lawn of some “latte liberal’s” house were two signs, and at first glance, I disregarded both as the normal liberal propaganda that you will find in Anytown, USA, and kept on driving. The picture stuck in my head though, and drowned out the way too loud Pig Destroyer playing in my car. By now you are probably thinking, “what signs were up in this yard that could possibly stop someone from rocking out to ‘Prowler in the Yard’?” It was a “Save Darfur” sign, and a “Bring our Troops Home” sign, on the same lawn. Each sign individually would not have garnered a response or second thought from me. Together, though, it caused a sort of WTF?! response.

Did this person do this on purpose, without thinking? Did they do it to “suggest the duality of man”, like Joker from Full Metal Jacket? Or, are they just total morons? Who do they suggest will save Darfur from genocide if we bring all our troops home? Last time I checked, Darfur is not an American territory, dumbass. I guess I never realized hippie was short for hippocrite.

The late nineties and the early ‘00s saw a decline in labels releasing EPs. I have a suspicion it was because of falling record sales due to internet piracy. I don’t have any hard numbers, but it seems that EPs are on the rise again, and specifically web only releases. Obviously, if bands can record a few extra songs while recording a full length, then release them on itunes, either as a teaser or follow up to a successful full length, it makes sense. Of course, generally most of the songs released on the EP are either songs not good enough for the full length(B-sides), live tracks, or remixes. That makes EPs great for diehard fans but quality suffers a bit. What do you ourstagers out there think are the top five EPs of all time in heavy music? Sound off…..