Day 8

Friday August 14. Today's mix was all Power Metal. There is something about the soaring vocals, triumphant lyrics and over-the-top solos that just makes me feel so alive. I honestly believe that power metal vocalists would make excellent motivational speakers. Think about it, vanquishing demons/dragons, being your own man, standing against the world, conquest. All of these things could be spun into a self-help or financial success seminar. That being said, I ran 4.3 miles to these songs:

1. Manowar - Courage. Best warm up song I have used thus far. It starts off all pianos and melodrama then the rest of the band kicks in and it's like soaring on an eagle.

2. Blind Guardian- Battlefield. They may think this sound like an epic battle but i think it is what you would listen to if you were a dwarf while drinking mead and eating mutton from the bone. That is not a bad thing though.

3. Dio- Rainbow in the Dark. I used to think dio sucked and held him responsible for ruining Sabbath (which he did). Then I saw him with Maiden and Motorhead. When he came out he looked as if he would keel over at any minute but then put on an amazing show. He does not suck and the keyboard line in this song is sick.

4. Hammerfall- Dreamland. There is a nice galloping guitar part going on here. Also the chorus is "Come with me I'll take you there, to a land of make believe"!!!! If that doesn't make you feel warm and fuzzy I don't know what will.

5. Iron Maiden- Run to the Hills. It took me way to long to use this song. I went for the "Live After Death" version. I could feel that live energy as ran, not to the hills though, Philly is pretty flat.

6. Dream Evil- Crusaders' Anthem. Pretty good though not as epic as the previous jams.

7. Kamelot- Nothing Ever Dies. This sounds like running into battle and ends with a sweet solo. The lyrics are pretty uplifting as well

8. Primal Fear- Lightyears From Home. Another fast gallop-paced song with highpitched vox and a ton of killer solos. It is also about outer space and seeing the devil before you die so that gets it some extra points.

9. Rhapsody- Forest of Unicorns. This was the cool down track. There are woodwinds, and possibly a pan flute, in this song. Kind of a lame song but I do like Rhapsody, alothough they sucked when I saw them.

I made this hand motion a lot on this run: