Yeah, this time it was for real, Peter Steele, iconic frontman of metal band Type O Negative has really died. It happened two weeks ago, but we all know that with Lord Steele we have to wait a little bit and be sure that we are not supposed to laugh at yet another dark joke of his. It is only appropriate that we should remember Type O’s Everything Dies, from 1999′s World Coming Down
, a perfect song to qualify them as more than a metal band, but an alternative (and loud) way to deal with universal themes of death and love and fear of all that these two can bring. Still, this is not what you would call a mainstream track, but you can definitely spot a genuine ballad behind all the grunting from the intro, combined with something which sounds like a Hitlerjunge convention. It was just like Type O Negative to go for weird mixing choices, but this is one of those songs that you have to listen with one hand on the volume. That haunting piano from the verse is so addictive that you just have to hear it better and then the chorus kicks in, loud and celebratory, as if hailing death as the one thing in life that is certain — the grounds on which you can build your existence. RIP P.S.
Everything Dies here
May 4th, 2010 on 3:54 am
I’m still in shock at the news of Peter Steele’s death. I never got to see Type O live, however I do have some funny drawings I did of the band. One is of the band playing live, but with Kenny Hickey lying onstage with his guitar sticking out of his back (see the back cover of AC/DC’s “If You Want Blood…You’ve Got It” CD for the reference). Peter’s pointing at him and yelling, “OH MY GOD! THEY KILLED KENNY!” while Josh Silver’s yelling “YOU BASTARDS!” This was in 1997 and South Park just came on. I did this for a penpal because I wanted to show her I liked to draw a lot (she loved it). The other one I did is of Peter with Dani Filth. I made Dani out to be like Tattoo from Fantasy Island (“Hey boss, the plane, the plane!”) while Peter was promoting Type O Negative’s appearance on Headbanger’s Ball on Nov. 1, 2003. Ironically, only Josh, Kenny, and Johnny appeared while Peter was nowhere to be seen. Anyway, Rest In Peace, Peter, and thanks for all the music you left with us to enjoy. Your fans will never forget you.