Ghost Playlist
Back in the middle ages, when I was young and I was still technical, music was always playing loud. Whether skateboarding, writing code, or climbing, music was a constant in the background. It helped me concentrate and organize thoughts, and yes, it helped me do things in places.
Fast forward to today, with a slightly slower life, music is still there. So, following Mark Twight's Poison Playlist, I decided to post here a small playlist with some favorite songs. These are not the top [enter your number], but songs that just came to mind that I have always enjoyed while working or just having fun.
The Ghost Playlist
Invincible, by Tool
Tool is my favorite band of all times. I can't quite point the reason why, but every song has something to say to me. From the earlier, less refined songs to the current masterpieces, they are amazing. This particular song spoke to me in many levels, and it's on ratation almost every day.
Darkness, by The Beauty of Gemina
I discovered The Beauty several years back. When I heard Michael Sele's voice it brought back the 80s and the classic goth bands - Sisters of Mercy, Fields of the Nephilim, Bauhaus. There is a depth to their music that really is hard to appreciate unless you sit quietly with a drink and close your eyes. This particular song brings pain, but necessary sometimes.
Who Was In My Room Last Night?, by Butthole Surfers
They are just fun. I used to skate to these guys, and more than once, in later years, with a pizza and a six pack of soda cans, found my way into systems with them in the background. Just fun.
50 Million Year Trip (Downside Up), by Kyuss
Before Queens of the Stone Age and Fu Manchu, there was Kyuss. A slow, heavy, low, and thick musical piece of awesomeness. Imagine Sabbath with a pintch of American Punk Rock attitude. The first two albums they have get you in the zone, whatever that zone is, very fast. The rhythmic low hum they emit gets your going beyond the breaking point.
Dirty Alleys / Dirty Minds, by Zero Boys
One of the early fast and angry bands, Zero Boys was always playing loud while I was a skateboarder in the 80s, right along with Circle Jerks, Dead Kennedys, Suicidal Tendencies, and JFA.
The Great Below, by Nine Inch Nails
Trent Reznor has a way to bring the darkest parts of me, even with the more "cheerful" songs he has. This particular song really bring the despair I often felt in the early 2000s. To long a story to tell here, but it's a meaningful song. Make sure you listen to this on a bright sunny day, after a good workout, so blood is flowing and you are feeling good.
Last Exit for the Lost, by Fields of the Nephilim
My second favorite banb of all times. With the Nephilim in the background I get transported to the desert, at a time where things were raw and dangerous. There is something to be said about the combination of goth, punk, hard rock, and plain mysticism, with Carl McCoy's voice really pounding it home. "Last Exit..." is the perfect example of this. When this plays, I stop what I'm doing and I can't move until it's done.
Silence and Light, by Silence & Light
I discoverd Silence and Light after having heard them live at the GORUCK Sandlot JAX in 2022. This song hit me hard, and that's a good thing. It always makes me think about two people, and wish they were here.
Exile, by Slayer
"You make me want to slit my own fucking throat, Just so I'll be rid of you, Just to get rid of you..." Yeah. In your face and directed to a very specific group of people. I ALWAYS put this song when I need to get maniacal. When I need to bring hatred to the surface. When I need the violence to come back. Yes, I hate. Yes, I am violent. Deal with it. Fuck you and your feelings.
Riding The Dunes, by Valley of the Sun
Fun, catchy tunes. They are always good to have while driving long distances. You can almost smell the desert in their songs. Lately I found myself playing their music more and more and I need to write lengthy documentation and strategic plans. They get the creativity flowing.
Only Live Once, by JFA
The definitive skate music. Play it loud, on a Walkman!
Unvollständigkeit, by Einstürzende Neubauten
Einstürzende is a band that the more you listen to, even if you don't speak German, the more you get absorbed by a black hole. Unvollständigkeit (incompleteness) is one of the songs that make you question things and you don't know why. Absorbed a black hole. That should be their name. Just pure genious. "Die Träume lehnen sich über den Rand, und starren in den Krater der verlorenen Gegenstände."
Moya, by The Southern Death Cult
Yeah, Ian Astbury at his best. Before The Cult. Goth meets rock, in a good way. That's it. You need to go listen to them live.
Black Sabbath, by Black Sabbath
The golden standard for heavy rock. Sabbath has all you need to bring the best of you forward. Focus on Geezer's bass and Bill Ward's drums. Then Sabbath becomes something completely different. They bring you the universe. They bring you heavy and dark and rebellion and awesomeness. I mean, it's Sabbath. But it has to be with Ozzy. No one else.
Sailin' On, by Bad Brains
The most amazing hardcore punk band ever. In your face fast and raw. Pure power. Once you listen, you can't un-listen. I promise you, you will become a ball of fucking energy. Go forth and fucking dominate the battlefield.
Grip, by Rollins Band
Yeah, Mr. Rollins. He should run for president, with Mark Twight on his side. Rollins has a big mouth and he sure puts all that on his lyrics, his books, and his spoken words shows. Earlier Rollins Band was a punch in the gut, with anger coming out of the voice and the music. And seeing them live, well, that's something to behold. Henry Rollins is the man.
Solway Firth, by Slipknot
Low tones, crazy percussion, and in-your-face lyrics. Slipknot brings the rage to the right level, giving you the extra punch to go all the way to the end, and beyond. It was one of the bands in constant rotation on the loudspeakers on the team room. While you are at it, also listen to All Out Life and People = Shit.
Absolute Dissent, by Killing Joke
Punk meets industrial with a crazy british accent. Killing Joke brings dark and light all together into a gray-like mush of music, in a good way. Back in the '80s, on top of a skateboard, with a walkman...
The Funeral Party, by The Cure
Before The Cure became more pop than anything else, it was dark. Robert Smith brought despair and darkness to a world that needed it. The real trilogy of Seventeen Seconds, Faith, and Pornography - well, also their first album Three Imaginary Boys - gets you down. It's sad and it's hard. It's awesome.
I've Had Enough, by Slapshot
Boston's finest. Hardcore, strong and fast. Angry vocals with a even angrier lyrics. You need to listen to them. Just that.
Updated
I added a few more songs to the list, and a reader asked me for my top ten bands. And here they are:
- Tool
- Fields of the Nephillim
- Dropkick Murphys
- Nine Inch Nails
- Kyuss
- Sisters of Mercy
- Jane's Addiction
- Black Sabbath
- The Ramones
- Suicidal Tendencies