Keith Merrow

Very many of us use services by Google including Gmail, maps, YouTube, calculator, dictionaries and most importantly Google search. Google tracks everything and with some reservations, it has become an omniscient entity of the lives of many. It ‘most probably’ knows what you like to eat, wear and as my friend realized once, the size of his underwear. It is quite likely that Google also knows where you live depending on your internet presence and how often you use maps. 

The idea is similar to the barman in your favorite restaurant knowing what you like to drink. A whiskey drinker will not randomly switch to vodka one day and someone who loves scotch will most likely worship single malt. Similarly Google keeps a track of what your interests are depending on what you browsed/searched on internet. However, more often, I have found this creepy, as if someone is following me, knows where I went and what I bought. I’d like to be a ‘stranger in town’ when I want to. Switches exist for shutting off Google tracking features and (as I realized), I still have a few ON unknowingly. There are simply too many to tackle!

The one time I was really happy I did not turn ‘that’ switch off was when after listening to some Jeff Loomis, the algorithms running you tube (I love them now) suggested the guy Keith Merrow. I am a metalhead. I used to think it was a passing fad, I still think it is. But it has lasted me through good and bad times for more than ten years. Of those, I have been a massive Opeth fan at least five. However, anyone who is into this genre (for the same time or longer) will probably agree, it is very difficult to come up with anything novel. ‘Sacrament’ does not happen every day (if you know what I mean). And today, with so much metal already recorded, it is difficult to come up with anything that is good to begin with. This is obviously a very subjective issue.

Keith Merrow borders on metal core (ughhh.. very demanding) but makes it wonderfully melodic. I was inspired to write this blog by the song ‘Heart of the sea nymph’. A very good and punchy riff forms the backbone. He is also an Opeth fan (for a fact) and the song has some ‘Beneath the mire’ bleeding from it (in a metal way) specifically referring to the drums. It was a just the right riff with the right punch in the right moment thing. Lot of his music is available on his website for a price that you feel like paying. 

Have fun… \m/