Articles written by Russ Austin

What is Helium

About me - Russ Austin

I moved to my current home in Brighton, Colorado this past October 23rd. Up 'til then, I lived in downtown Denver for just over 10 years. I moved mainly for physical reasons. I liked my place downtown, for the most part, but things needed to change.

Because

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Society & Lifestyle > Society & Lifestyle (Other) Disabled people in society: 1 of 25
I went to Independent Records in Denver in May or June of 2007 to buy the then new Ozzy CD, "Black Rain." Not his best, but a good album. Inside the "Back Rain" CDs at that time (including mine) was a code for 2 free tickets to Ozzfest 2007. In Denver, the concert was at Coors Ampitheater (formerly Fiddler's Green) on Saturda... More..
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes Heavy metal: 1 of 17
Below the stars (asterisks, snowflakes, funny dots, whatever) is the "Preface" to a piece of writing I did on metal during 1996 and 1997 when I was trying to be a 20 something freelance writer. At the time, I was actually trying to write a book on Heavy Metal. As you may have guessed, that didn't happen. When I see my stuff f... More..
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes Defending heavy metal music: It's not just screaming: 5 of 57
You'll see in this piece below the stars how the description of Heavy Metal music by Robert Duncan can get your blood boiling. I know when I first read it, I was pissed. But, as I'm sure many of you know, it's all too typical. Duncan is just more articulate and wordy than your average ignorant scum. At the time, I thought it ... More..
Entertainment > Music (Other) Is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legitimate or a joke?: 3 of 15
Yes, the Hall of Fame is there, as far as I know. I understand it's in Cleveland, Ohio. Should the Hall be there? After all, Alice Cooper, who has never been inducted, is from Detroit. KISS, who has never been inducted, is from New York. RUSH, who has never been inducted, is from Canada. Thin Lizzy, who has never been inducte... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Religious Concepts (Other) Dealing with evil around us: 9 of 40
Below the stars is a piece from my 1996/1997 writing sessions. Like others written at the time, I wanted it to be a part of my book on Heavy Metal. That, of course, never happened. However, this piece on what evil is, particularly the letter from Marilyn Manson, has to be seen. Even though he probably didn't have Brian Hugh W... More..
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes What makes good music?: 19 of 54
Below the stars is a piece about liking and respecting all kinds of music. It's from my 1996/1997 writing sessions. At the time, I was going to have this as a section in my never-completed book on Heavy Metal. However, metal is really only a part of this piece.While I did do some editing, I wanted this piece to look how it wa... More..
Entertainment > Music (Other) Is listening to music at work calming or distracting?: 29 of 66
Work can be a lot of things. You could be working to earn a living, pay your bills and keep annoying people off your back (creditors, courts, mothers, etc.). You could be working in your back yard to cut the grass, water the lawn, pick up the dog crap or any number of other things. Because I'm wheelchair-bound and have a prog... More..
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes Satanism and heavy metal: 5 of 11
Below the stars is a piece that is about the images of Horror and Satanism in music, mainly Heavy Metal. It's mainly the words of others and not mine in this piece. You can tell this section of what was supposed to be my book on Heavy Metal when I was writing it back in the 90s is far from complete. But, I like what's there a... More..
Entertainment > Musicians & Bands Dead rockstars and the messes they leave behind: 3 of 6
There is a lot I can say about "dead rockstars." Most of their deaths were tragic and senseless. Marvin Gaye was shot and killed by his father!? It's one thing to die of a drug overdose, but being murdered is another thing....Speaking of senseless death, you'll find below the asterisks a piece I wrote (primarily for MySpace a... More..
Entertainment > Celebrity Commentary Celebrity commentary: Axl Rose moves forward from abuse: 1 of 1
Below the stars is a short story, if you will, that I put together from interviews I read about Axl Rose from Guns N' Roses. These come from my 1996/1997 writing sessions, and I had intended on using this material in my never-completed book on Heavy Metal. The abuse Axl dealt with as a kid, and the effects it had on him well ... More..