Theory has it that there’s a weekly event called B-Sides here at Messiah. It’s a lovely little institution in which up and coming artists get to perform in our very own Larsen Student Union, and in turn students on campus get free live entertainment. Rumor has it that this week we will have another new act rolling through. All this rambling, and why should you care?

Hip-hop is nothing new in the world of music; even the most obscure beats and rhythms have been sampled to the point of oblivion. We’ve heard the illest and also the not so fresh lines from all the artists, telling tales of everything from prison life to the latest score. Nothing new, it seems, can emerge from this genre.

Our guest at B-sides might disagree with you. Theory Hazit, the one man hip-hop producing machine, will be gracing Larsen student Union this Wednesday, and will be bringing his refreshing take of the genre to our ears. Being brought up on such diverse acts as Prince and LL Cool J, coupled with his production and beat skills, give Mr. Hazit a unique sound, all at once densely layered and intimately groove worthy. A nice sonic palate, to be sure, but what’s a cake without icing? Theory Hazit brings varnish to the table with his poignant, syncopated, and most importantly relevant (and in many cases, reverent) lyrics. Having experienced a troubled childhood and early adult life (chronicled in the song I Just Wanna Go Home ), Theory has joined the God Squad, and brings his story, his life, and his rhymes into the service of the mission. While not preachy, the rhymes make no question as to where Mr. Hazit’s loyalties lie. Intrigued yet?

Whether you’re looking for a break from the week’s workload, or just want to hear some sick and spiritual rhymes, come check out Theory Hazit at B-sides on the 18th of November.
Not that you should take this from me, but theory has it that Theory Hazit’s a legit entertainer.

Thank you for your time.

White Rabbit

Metal as a genre of music has always been cast aside as garbage, an excuse for violent kids to let their anger out by screaming words no one can understand. Why then did B-sides book local metal band-gone-signed Texas in July to play this Wednesday? Is SAB trying to trick people into coming only to watch them writhe in pain at the show? Not at all. The goal of B-sides is to showcase bands that bring artistic ability, cultural significance, truth, and a sense of appropriateness to our campus. TIJ will not only live up to these goals but embody them perfectly.

Listen to any good metal band, and the technical achievement of their music will immediately become apparent. Many musicians in the genre can play their instruments with mind-blowing speed and in complex rhythms that most performers wouldn’t think possible. Guitarists dance their fingers across the strings of their guitars with ninja-like speed, while drummers use their great endurance to keep up constant bass hits with not one, but two pedals. It is truly a sight to behold live.

But one of the best things about metal is the lack of constraints in the genre. A band could, for example, interlace jazz or orchestral strings into a song. Bands like Between the Buried and Me and Protest the Hero do this constantly. In many musical genres that would be unheard of, perhaps it would even go as far as shifting the bands musical niche. In metal, you can do anything. In a culture that has begun to melt and fuse different elements of nationalities, races, and religions together, doesn’t this “no barriers” rule of metal have some relevance?

As far as truth being communicated through lyrics, metal is no different than any other area of music. Good bands will always deliver truth and meaning, where as the not so good will write songs as hollow as their heads. Heavy music, however, does have the addition of screaming for vocalists, an element that conveys a sense of emotion powerful enough to make listeners believe or ponder what they heard. Maybe one will have to read the lyrics in order to understand them, but maybe we should all be doing that for every band we listen to.

That said, I believe it is up to students to decide if these properties make heavy music appropriate for campus. If students say “Yes”, I guarantee there will be significant art on stage. Truth, or at least a quest for it, will become a friendly and common sight as vocalists scream out towards an eager, attentive crowd. And maybe we won’t be able to understand them at times, but is that any different from a Brazilian drum band or a thirty piece punk marching band? Come out this Wednesday, participate in a cultural exchange, learn something, and hopefully leave with an experience you won’t soon forget.

By: Max Fritsche

Thanks to everyone who came out to see Earl Greyhound on Tuesday! B-sides will be taking a break this Wednesday due to the Kite Runner program. In the meantime, here is a smattering of photos from Wednesday:

Also, the SAB website has been updated!!! Go take a look: messiah.edu/org/sab