The Stage

I realize that this music may not be everyone's choice.  Be that as it may, Heavy Metal is my preferred genre. I can jam out, get rid of anger and aggression or even relax to it...there's that much variety in metal.  Even better, bands in metal cover a wide variety of subject matter in their lyrics:  Everything from science fiction/fantasy to current events.   You can go on a mental vacation or feel in tune to the world. 

You would be surprised at how educated metal musicians are, and how talented.  There are a several guys with PhDs, including one PhD with a commercial pilot's license, cover English literature as subject matter, etc.  It's amazing, honestly. 

That brings me to the subject at hand.  Avenged Sevenfold and their new album: The Stage.  These guys took their new album to a new level:  It's inspired, at least in part, by Carl Sagan. The band use the album as an attempt to help educate their fans about the universe, its origin and humanity.  The last song on the album, a 15-plus minute epic entitled Exist features the voice of one of my science heroes, Dr. Neil deGrasse-Tyson. It almost brings a tear to your eye, listening to Dr. Tyson, and, to paraphrase vocalist M. Shadows, a heavy metal replication of the Big Bang.

I link the story below.  And, in case you're interested in giving it a listen, I've linked to the official YouTube channel for the song. 

Avenged Sevenfold and Dr. Neil deGrasse-Tyson Cooperate on New Album