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"The Rage" - Judas Priest

"I Remember You" - Skid Row

"War Pigs" - Black Sabbath

Did you end up going? I know Halloween events can really pack in the crowds, but I was there for their official opening day in May, and enjoyed almost exclusively walk-on conditions. Anyone who's gone, how is their event?

"Love in Stereo" - Warrant

"When Heaven Comes Down" - Dokken I'm still not sure I get why there's so much Dokken love out there, but I figured I should give them another chance...

^Too bad. Cream is an awesome band--and, of course, very influential. I "hear" them in some of my favorite early hard rock and heavy metal songs.

"Gorehound" - Harley Poe Bring on the horror folk punk!

"Shelter" - Tedeschi Trucks Band

^Haha, I used to have some kind of weird elitist thing against 80s music. Slowly yet eagerly making up for it now!

^That's one of those bands I should like based on what else I like, but haven't really gotten into yet. I hear good things about them, though. Guess who I'm finally going to see! Warrant. (More stoked about this than I probably should be, I'll admit.)

I'd say meat and dairy, then grains, then fruit, and lastly vegetables. Because cheese is wonderful. And so is bacon. I love salty foods in general. As for sweets, most of my favorites contain or consist of dairy products.

Am I the only one who read the announcement just to see if there would be a new credit? Note: no, I don't seriously care.

1. Phantom's Revenge. What needs to be said? Amazing airtime and terrain usage. 2. Mamba, Steel Eel, and Steel Force. Of the three, only Steel Eel seems to be known for consistent airtime. The others seem to vary a lot in experience and get mixed reviews at best, but I've had some great airtime-filled rides on all three. Mamba also has the bonus of seriously convincing headchoppers in its helix. 5. Wild Thing. One or two good pops of air, but mostly underwhelming. And for the record, I rank Lightning Run just a touch below Phantom's Revenge (they have a lot in common), and I generally like the Morgan hypers better than the Arrow hypers.

"One of These Nights" - Eagles. Can't go wrong with them.

^^I won't lie, I am loving the hell out of that latest album. I had made my best attempt at skepticism bordering on disdain, but Terry finally won me over, and now I just can't take sides when there's so much talent in both groups.

1. Wicked Cyclone: it looks like the most satisfying layout between the two known 2015 RMCs, and while I haven't made careful comparisons, possibly the best conversion of them all to date. 2. Twisted Colossus: something about it is keeping me less excited (possibly the location...), but the original structure has lent itself to some very interesting design choices and there's no telling which of these creations will be the best. 3. Batman: I imagine this will be very intense yet also purely fun. While I loved X2 and actually enjoyed Green Lantern somewhat, it sounds like this could be the best and most comfortable execution of this genre of winged coaster, at least in the US. Out of my list, this is also the one I am most likely to ride next year. 4. Cannibal: I'm always intrigued by major coasters designed by lesser-known companies or those known for smaller coasters. I've reached a point where many standard major coasters don't interest me much, even if I know I'll enjoy them, so I'm hungry for fresh takes. This will at least be innovative, and hopefully a great ride experience as well.

Actual: Manhattan Express

Sweet, I see I made it easy for myself last time I posted. Now up to 39 with the addition of Kentucky. Missing: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota. Just got invited to Alaska, but I don't think I'll go just yet.

^^Yeah, it sounds like the current viral trend of doing it as a chain is just a load of meaningless feel-good garbage (way too much of that going around these days). On a similar note, is "suspended coffee" actually a thing, or just a rumor? That's where you pay for an extra cup of coffee...and the next person who asks for a "suspended" coffee gets it. Random...

Thoughts and rough ranking... 1. Lightning Run: My first ride was underwhelming, but as with several other favorites, that quickly became forgivable and forgotten. Quickly, it revealed its interesting and surprising array of forces and direction changes. The ending bunny hops always seemed to come precariously close to throwing me out of the train. Overall it reminded me of Phantom's Revenge, a crazier version of the other Morgan hypers, and Skyrush. 2. Banshee: This definitely earned its surprising quantity of glowing reviews. Long, forceful, not totally predictable, and while it lacks the terrain-hugging layout that some hoped for, the setting is enjoyable. 3. Goliath: My first ride was my best, and sadly, the only one that really did it for me. There's some RMC airtime, some interesting hangtime, and an unexpected twist or two, but overall this was far from phenomenal. I think my opinion could benefit from marathon rides, but the few I had scattered throughout the day did not improve upon one another. 4. El Loco: One of the ultimate compact coaster designs, and a winner for the park. It has the fun forces and quirky layout that I had learned to expect from Steel Hawg, with the added benefit of comfortable lap bar trains. Plus, I love the setting and its location in an unexpectedly fun park considering the relative dearth of worthwhile rides. 5. Thunderbolt: Look, I ranked it dead last. Can I get away without sharing my opinion? Isn't that enough for you?

^Awesome! I was just about to second that guess since I've seen the recreation out there. That is easily one of the defunct coasters that fascinates me the most; I'd put it in my top 5 rides I'd like to experience in real life.

Yes! I think the two are pretty comparable. BD is a Beast with airtime; Beast is a BD that's longer, goes deeper into the woods, and has a sprawling layout. Combine the two, plus a bit of the Voyage, and you'd have my ultimate coaster!

Four amazing night rides on Iron Rattler yesterday. Ready for more iRat today!

"Drinkin' Woman" - Lightnin' Hopkins