by Jim
I’ve never been a huge Amon Amarth fan… but after this cover, I may re-examine that. This girl’s voice is amazing! When to Listen: This is a very recent add for me, so I’m not 100% on where it should go. Based on the tone and tempo, probably a for use during a major conflict in a story. This is definitely a fitting song … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
Full disclaimer, I’ve decided to take a dive into some nostalgic music, the first of which will be from the latter half of my youth, then I’ll progress backwards. So a lot of this will not be metal as I didn’t become a metalhead until High School. (Metalheads, ye be warned.) Why am I doing this? Nostalgia is a very powerful/emotional evocative state of … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
Cheesy, shades of the 80s… but I’d be lying if this wasn’t a guilty pleasure of mine. I’m old enough to remember the 80s quite vividly and there are days that I find myself willing to give almost anything to be back there again. When to Listen: This song is pure positive energy. Listen to it when you first start writing. You’ll blow through … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
I’m not usually an instrumental guy. That being said, if I get something that really stands out, I have to share it. This one made it’s way on my playlist a few months ago. When to Listen: Scene description, especially outdoors. This could also be the right time to describe an epic battle. Readers, Do you have a question about writing, publishing, my stories, etc? … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
Before I get to today’s recommendation… I just want to say that searching for new music to whet my appetite is becoming a chore. YouTube recommendations have all but dried up… and honestly in my preferred genres, everyone is either trying to be the next Within Temptation or Nightwish. They all come off sounding incredibly generic and watered down by comparison. Then you’ve got … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
A metal band that thinks they’re a bunch of dwarves… and there’s nothing else that really needs to be said about that. My friend introduced me to these guys as kind of a joke… not knowing that I’d actually really start liking them. When to Listen: When writing high fantasy. Like anything to do with Vikings, knights, witches, orcs, etc. You can also use … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
So every now and then I go to my Youtube playlist and click on a couple of videos on the recommended list, hoping to find some new music to try out. Every now and then I come across a gem… other times, I wind up with a headache, questioning my existence. Finding this little gem is the result of the former. They’re fairly generic … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
Poor Rihanna, and I mean that literally. This is an artist who peaked way too early in her career. I’m not usually into this type of thing, but this song found a place on my playlist very quickly. When to Listen: Villain creation is a good place to start, but also during the creation of dark scenes. I like to listen to it at night … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
This is definitely some of the more run of the mill Avantasia. Even so, I do love it. Seeing them live is still #1 on my bucket list. When to Listen: Adventure story, usually when the hero first metaphorically picks up his sword. When something or someone he loves is taken from him and he begins his journey to get it back. Readers, Do you … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
I’m admittedly not a huge fan of these guys. Their lead singer’s voice just doesn’t fit very well and he often sounds like he’s straining to hit high notes. That being said, they do have some gems. This is one of them. Ghost Division from The Art of War. When to listen: Given who this song is about… I would say use it when creating your villain. The music isn’t all that dark, but it paints some decent imagery. On a side note, if you want a version with better vocals (sorry Sabaton fans!) Minniva does a pretty serviceable version: Readers, Do … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
One of the few welcomed changes to the Star Wars classics. I was never a huge fan of Yub Nub. That being said, they ruined the scene this song was in by replacing Sebastian Shaw with Hayden Christiansen. RUINED ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL SCENES! When to Listen: If it wasn’t already plainly obvious, this is a post-final battle song. It fits in so many … Read More From My Writing Playlist
by Jim
Ah an oldie, but one from I musician I loved back in college… and still do! I don’t think you can qualify him as metal, but who cares? Beyond his music, he’s also wonderful to his fans. I had the opportunity to see him live and then waited two hours in line to meet him after the show. It took two hours because he … Read More From My Writing Playlist
James Harringtons Creative Work 