United we stand

In light of the recent holiday here in the States, I’ve done a little reflecting on why the world had overcome adversity in the past when it came to matters of war or oppression. People and countries united to stand for a cause. At least that’s what we’re taught in schools and history classes. The recent decade has brought a change of attitude from uniting for a cause to being a total individual. Unfortunately that has leaked its way into politics instead of being an artistic thing. Now we have an environment that splintered into crazy factions all fighting and standing on their own. There’s too many. So no one group can muster everyone together.

The same is happening in countries. Most recently with this mess in Iraq. America went in without having all the facts properly sorted out. Though it might have started under a “good intention” to do something worthwhile, it’s patently clear we were very much by ourselves to do it. Well, with the exception of Britain, who probably just followed our lead because we’re generally tied at the hip. As the whole America in Iraq thing continues on with a timeline going beyond that of Vietnam it’s clear that we are even more alone in our situation. More information has come out and it’s clear that what was used to take us in, was in fact false. What a bummer.

Music is having a similar issue with splintering of genres. There’s no longer a solid leading genre of music that constantly produces rockstar after rockstar. The labels have let technology zip by them without jumping on board. Instead they attempted to force an old way of thinking onto a new world. As we’re learning it doesn’t always work. Essentially with the labels suing their customers it’s causing even more problems. It’s also a mess.

So in a minute effort to say it would be nice to see things change, I’m showing an old song by a band known as Judas Priest – United. It’s about coming together and standing up for a just cause. At least in my book it is. I’m going out on a limb to think for the time Judas Priest released it it was likely about getting heavy metal fans to come together to support the genre.

United is a textbook late 70’s early 80’s heavy metal / hard rock song. Other bands I can think of that represent that era well would be Def Leppard, Slade, Fastway, early AC/DC, etc… I believe it was termed Arena Rock or anthemic. Which is certainly the vibe that comes across here. If you don’t have this song in your library, get yourself checked out for mental problems. It’s a staple that deserves to be bought and internalized.

(** Disclaimer: If Judas Priest’s label decides to splinter me, I’ll have to stand down the audio. The post will remain so that I can regroup and help start a new united front for music. **)