Is Metal Still Madness?

I know that I may sound like a stuck record (having blogged about this before). I’d like to clear up some of the misinterpretations that could’ve come up earlier. A large part of the last one was about what a waste of time, metal is. I pretty much ripped it to shreds, because its easier, and I’m just a fan of taking apart things that interest me. I’m a fan of questioning things, and tracking it down to the finest detail.

 

It’s very easy to damn the dark side. It sticks out so much, and ripple effect is obvious and wide spreading. Metal (for example) is about the lifestyle, content of the music, the sub-genres (e.g. thrash, death, speed, nu metal, industrial, etc), and so on. There’s so much in it that can be seen as unhealthy.

 

Now if you’ve read the previous post “Is Metal Madness?” I may sound like a walking contradiction. I love the genre, yet rip it off. So I think its time to come back, with sound logical reasons.

 

 

The Drug

 

Metal can without a doubt be seen as a drug. Marx called religion “the opiate of the masses”, well you could say the same for music. Plato, for example said that the peasants should not listen to music, because they’d rise up and revolt. So despite the distortion, and lack of singing you still have to on some level accept that it is music.

 

When I say that music is a drug, I’m not saying it’s an addiction we all have. Although music we enjoy will have a positive impact on us.

 

Metal is a very extreme genre. It’s generally not considered easy-listening. It’s also true that people who are from fucked up family backgrounds, depressed, angry, experiencing personal problems do have the tendency to listen to metal. It allows people to identify the depression they may be in. I’ve met very screwed up people, and most of them when you start discussing metal they lighten up, and start to sparkle.

 

Metal might be a drug, but I don’t think it’s necessarily a terrible one to use. Look if you’re using it to suppress shit you’d rather forget about, or have ulterior motives attached to the genre, its up to you to deal with that. Everyone becomes fascinated by the dark side at some point.

 

Why can it be a healthy drug? Well, because it can be a great alternative to other forms of escape. Actual drugs do happen to accompany this genre from time to time. This doesn’t mean you have to allow them to. If you do have some shit in your life, and you happen to be listening to the music to ease some of it…well go ahead. Just don’t let it keep you stuck in your own shit.

 

 

 

Good Bands

 

There are plenty good bands out there. If you’re looking for one in terms of music with positive lyrics, well then you’re going to search hard. Christian metal steers away from the stereotypical lyrics metal bands have, but I can’t only listen to one subgenre, because then I’m severely limited. I’ll mention some bands, who aren’t Christian, but still have songs which aren’t ‘filthy’. I don’t think you should let the lyrics get to you too much, because then you might as well not listen to the music.

 

Here’s a few songs by mainstream bands, with an exception to the first band (Demon Hunter) who I’ve had to added in, since they happen to be one of my favorites.

 

 

 

Demon Hunter – Not I

So now you’re suffering the fallacy of what you said
When you uncover the depression from where you’ve tread
Breathe over the glass you wrote on
Swallow all that you waste your throat on
You wear the mark and wave the banner they made with sin
Revealing every single lie that you’ve been breeding within
Wash over the skin you’ve broken
Think over the tone you spoke in

[Pre-chorus:]
So lost in your affliction / addiction
The solemn comfort of your grave
If you close your eyes the light can’t take it away

[Chorus:]
Not I – I won’t conform to what I see in you
Not I – I won’t surrender what I am
Not I – And even if it was a part of me
Not I – I’ll never be that way again

The blind will follow on the path that you created in vain
No guiding light, but just the shadow of the dead will remain
Dig open the pain you’re hiding
Give your hand to the faith you’re fighting
The void you suffer is a curse forever bleeding inside
Now you embrace the fatal sickness you should despise
Remember the day you lost that
Where is the shame that will bring your soul back

[Pre-chorus]

[Chorus]

Reach back behind your pride
And pull the thorn from the burning pain in your side

Sing me a new song
A broken song of redemption and regret
Sing me a new song
And beg for all the mercy you can get

[Chorus]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iron Maiden – Run To The Hills

White man came across the sea
He brought us pain and misery
He killed our tribes killed our creed
He took our game for his own need

We fought him hard we fought him well
Out on the plains we gave him hell
But many came too much for Cree
Oh will we ever be set free?

Riding through dust clouds and barren wastes
Galloping hard on the plains
Chasing the redskins back to their holes
Fighting them at their own game
Murder for freedom the stab in the back
Women and children are cowards attack

Run to the hills, run for your lives
Run to the hills, run for your lives

Soldier blue in the barren wastes
Hunting and killing their game
Raping the women and wasting the men
The only good Indians are tame
Selling them whiskey and taking their gold
Enslaving the young and destroying the old

Run to the hills, run for your lives

 

 

 

 

 

Soulfly – I Believe

 

I believe
It must be
I believe
Infinity

I believe
It must be
I believe
Immortality

Every man has to find his own destiny
Just follow your heart and just let it be
I believe in God immortality

I believe
It must be
I believe
Infinity

I believe
It must be
I believe
Immortality

Every man needs to find his own destiny
I believe in God through infinity
Every man needs to find his own destiny
I believe in God beyond mortality
Every man needs to find his own destiny
I believe in God immortality

You can’t kill faith
You can’t kill God

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lordi – It Snows In Hell

You did the trick
I didn’t see it coming
I did not hear a sound

Though you were quick
I will not be forgiving

You won’t be waiting for my return
I promise baby – You’ll burn

Now it snows in hell
This is the day foretold till death do us apart
Now it snows in hell
I’ve gone away but I’ve got you in my heart
All frozen and scarred

Your life goes on
And it’s infuriating
How did you not get caught

Your deed will spawn
A fate beyond your making

You won’t be waiting for my return
I promise baby – You’ll burn

Now it snows in hell – We’re done masquerading
This is the day foretold till death do us apart
Now it snows in hell – No you won’t be waiting
I’ve gone away but I’ve got you in my heart
All frozen and scarred

You shouldn’t visit me at my grave
My hands will grab you through the dirt
I giveth – I taketh away
Witness my rebirth from the devils churn

Hell – We’re done masquerading
This is the day foretold till death do us apart
Now it snows in hell – No you won’t be waiting
I’ve gone away but I’ve got you in my heart
All frozen and scarred

Hell – We’re done masquerading
This is the day foretold till death do us apart
Now it snows in hell – No you won’t be waiting
I’ve gone away but I’ve got you in my heart
All frozen and scarred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Machine Head – Vim

Words of the righteous
We will not bend
The odds keep stacking up against
Strengthen our self endurance
Break down the cycle
Of errors past
We have to face up to the truth
Relinquish every grudge or bruise

Every ounce of strength grasps
One solid dream
Violent soul
Will be whole

We have to face up to it
For every second we’re alive
Let our light shine

To our grave, we must pave
A path for us to rise from
Power surge, kills the urge
Life and death collide

Smash all the boundaries
That hold us down
Hold on to everything that loves
Let go of anything that starves
People with envy will hold us down
Freedom is just a cut away
Nothing can pass our life away

Every ounce of strength grasps
One solid dream
Violent soul
Will be whole

We have to face up to it
For every second we’re alive
Let our light shine bright

To our grave, we must pave
A path for us to rise from
Power surge, kills the urge
Life and death collide

We take life’s ebb and flow
Testament to the things we know
With the fight, we must roll
Strength will follow
Tooth and nail for the ground that we hold
Failures from the start but we still grow
Heads held high, rally for throne
Holding our own
Not just words we’ll show you so

[Solo: Demmel, Flynn]

I can’t remember
These doubts I must dismember
And trust in whole

Follow your own lightness
Follow your sound
Believe in me
‘Cause I believe in you

 

 

 

 

 

All of these lyrics are pretty decent. The Iron Maiden might sound a bit hectic, but its just a ballad and a great song. The Lordi song also happens to be one of my favorites, in fact The Arockalypse is one of my favorite albums. Even the Machine Head surprised me, since their lyrics are generally violent, and incorporation the theme of warfare.

 

This is just proof that Metal lyrics can be decent. If you do listen to it, you can’t get hit up over the themes, cos that’s what metal (most of the time) is.

 

Anyway that’s all for now.

 

 

PhilosopherPoet

Little Fish

Since my brother had been working in a video shop, I thought I’d start reviewing some of the stuff that I watch, so it all doesn’t go to waste. I a fan of art-house movies. In other words ones that aren’t in the main stream, well little Fish is one of them.

 

 

Basic Storyline

 

This is an Australian-based film, exploring the drug culture there as well as people’s lives trying to cope with the stress. A woman (Cate Blanchett) is trapped between many relationships, that aren’t working. She has a boyfriend who is a heroine addict. She also has a possessive mother (partly because she daughter was a junkie). The plot center’s around her. At the same time while trying to live with her husband, doing deals. She is the manager of a video shop. She tries to get a loan approved for it, but fails. She needs the money for the expansion of her business. Meanwhile some old junkie friends come back, and visit her. one falling in love with her. In the background of this there is tension between the junkies.

 

Opinions?

 

Well, I myself haven’t watched much Australian art-house cinema, but this film was excellent. The storyline was slow moving, although I think that would have most probably been for symbolic reasons. The characters (and storyline) was riddled with emotional intensity, and not to forget and underlying depression. The reason being, you are seeing peoples lives falling apart and viewing the scramble back to clarity.

 

 

This reminds me of another Aussie film called Candy, also based on the drug culture. This one however circled around a couple, struggling in utter poverty. If I were to choose I’d probably choose Little Fish, although I still think Candy was astonishingly bleak, and accurate.

 

It always feel good to say that a film was gripping, the reality is this one wasn’t. I suppose you lost yourself in the lives of the characters, not the storyline itself. The storyline jumped around a bit, which kept it interesting. The Cinematography was amazingly unusual, and capture’s distinct things a druggie would see, but then pans out into the rest of the chaos.

 

8/10 for me. Not quite my favorite, so I wouldn’t push it to a nine.

 

 

PhilosopherPoet

 

 

Kurosaki Ichigo – Photoshop-ing with Anime

Like I’ve said previously that I’ve started a Photoshop journey. These pictures are recent ones that I’ve added on to my deviantArt account. If anyone happens to be interested in that…

 

—-> madphotopoet.deviantart.com

 

Nevertheless I’ll still reveal what I managed to come up with. The following pictures, are from the anime episodes of Bleach (the character being Kurosaki). The one after that is from Chrno Crusade, also one of my favorite anime to watch. The final one is one of Inoue, also based on a still.

 

I loved the ‘metal effect’ I created on Ichigo’s face I thought worked well, an indication of his mind coming apart. This was based on stills from the anime. The shocked expressions of Ichigo I think was from a scene when he got wounded. Whatever it was the lighting around his face was great to play around with. The second, Ichigo picture I did I included the characters Rukia, and Inoue (Left to Right).

 

Personally I prefer the second one since there’s just more in it. The first Ichigo, still has merit, so I didn’t discard it completely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now for the Chrno Crusade one. Not as impressive in my opinion.

 

 

 

 

My Last pic for this post. Also from Bleach, a picture of Inoue, just with my own background, I messed around with. Just for interest’s sake, I turned down the contrast, since I find the hair more attractive, and redder. Also the skin stood out more. The blue eyes that she’s known for, vanished slightly, but nonetheless I’m happy with the end result. These kinda images, encourage me to explore photoshop more. I’m know expert, but the satisfaction you see, when you’re stuff starts to take shape is worth it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s about it, in terms of photography. Maybe more next time, and some anime!

 

 

PhilosopherPoet

Seeping

I seem to have lost the plot

along the way I’ve walked

The boisterous grass grew

Through the reflections,

cross-hatching the seams

of soil.

 

I’m glad I walked that way,

the slippery sun, ran into

my sweat. Ground road

ridges into me. The sky

uncorked the sun, draining

the dark into the ether.

 

 

 

 

 

PhilosopherPoet

Two

Two points prod me.

I don’t know where they’ve

come from.

They seem to prickle

the music.

 

Two wooden arms

charm me.

They warm my sleek

chest, and grow like soldiers

into the ground.

 

 

PhilosopherPoet

How to Sculpt Something Amazing

Writing seems to be a disease. I know it sounds pretty morbid to refer to it in those terms, but it feels like it. It’s something I have to do to remain sane. Being in touch with the Muse is something I wish everyone could experience. I don’t believe its god or some divine entity etching words into my head.

 

I think it has a lot to do with training your mind. It’s being sensitive enough to be quiet and still. Nowadays we’re caught up in the rush of everyday life. Planning things, meeting people, cleaning up, organizing money, buying food and the list continues as far as mundane tasks go. Everyone does something to relax. They have a hobby to take a break from things.

 

One of mine seems to be babbling like a maniac. Although I’m told that its not always babble. (I say this because I don’t like to take myself too seriously.)

 

Back to the Muse —>

There’s a lot to this topic so I’ll lay out the questions:

• How do I find my passion?
• Can I develop it? If so… how?
• Is it worth it?

 

 

How do I find my Passion?

 

This sounds like the hardest step. I think it’s the easiest. I think so because people are generally modest. Everyone will have a job, possibly a family and friends, so to think of something that is a personal skill is initially hard.

 

This question is also one that puts us on the spot. So we get the jelly legs, and lumpy throat, clearly nervous of what to expose. There is some work involved in finding what you want to do. (I hope I’m not sounding too much like a motivational speaker at this stage.)

 

Just think of what is a) something legitimate that sets you aside from your peers, b) something that you enjoy doing (being good at some things doesn’t mean you enjoy them) c) something you’re not always doing, but once you’re into you are reminded of how much you enjoy it.

 

DON’T GET SCARED!

Many will look at a concert pianist (for example), thinking “Shit, I could never do that! That’s amazing.” Put failure out the way and just think about enjoying the experience. Once you’ve found something, you’re over the first hurdle! There’s time to plan out the next phase.

 

(Excuse this article if it happens to be succinct, but it this is just a few ideas thrown around.)

 

Can I develop it? If so, how?

 

• Research

 

The first thing I’d recommend is research. Look into what you’re interested in. Read books, talks to pros, and google it. Don’t worry whether it’s lucrative or not, just concentrate on what your potential passion involves.

 

If it’s cycling find out about getting a bike, and whether its an off road one or not. Just as an example. Your research is crucial, because it gives you an idea of what you passion involves, and what it’s gonna take.

 

• Practice it

 

You have to try and stick to it. This doesn’t mean doing it once a day every day, but put into your schedule more frequently. It’s also something you enjoy, so it shouldn’t be too much of a problem to get it going.

 

I’ll give an example from my side. I love reading. It’s one of the things that I really enjoy doing. This year things have been busy, so I been neglecting it a bit. I happen to get to work before everyone else, so I figured that I should take along some reading material to keep me busy. It’s kind of a win-win thing, since I get to pass the time as well as enjoy passing the time.

 

• Get Mentored

 

Every master has a master. It’s a very common thing. Most people who are confident in their field, enjoy having followers (people to teach). Don’t feel too frightened to ask. If you are, remind yourself that they had to start out at the bottom. Two of the fastest ways to learn are being taught, and doing it yourself. The latter would most probably be the fastest, although advice and guiding can become invaluable.

 

 

Is it worth it?

 

This sounds like a stupid question, but I think we need to ask it. There’s always that doubt lingering in our heads about whether, it’s a waste or a genuine investment.

 

So is it worth all the effort? Should I take time to look into something that might not work out for me? Am I being unnecessarily optimistic?

 

I think it’s definitely worth the effort. Even if you don’t decide to make a career out of it, you’ll still have that feeling of mastering something. There’s nothing like doing something, enjoying it, and knowing you’re good at it.

 

To end off I don’t think that it comes do to being optimistic. I’ve made these suggestions because I believe that a passion is pivotal in our development. If we can turn our passion into a job, that will be even better. We need some internal growth. I find it important to develop a skill, because it, in turn, develops us in the process.

 

This is of course pure opinion, so feel free to pass along some criticism my way. I’m keen to engage on this topic. It’s something that’s been running around in my head, so I could be wrong.

 

Apparently the line between genius and insanity is a very thin one. So being clever means, you can screw stuff up at the same time.

 

PhilosopherPoet

Racism… Justifiable?

In my opinion that’s a rhetorical question. I don’t think that there is a place for racism. I saw an incident yesterday between a black guy and an Indian, which made me think a bit more about this. I think every race has its foibles, and we often (being the other kind) see those not always as a good thing. Being racist is easy, I think. Anyone can throw out an insult, and ‘get it off their chest’. What is tough, is not accepting that, and making an effort to treat people fairly. The reason being is you’re challenging yourself, as well as others around you.

Everyone has their differences. I think that races all come from a different cultural framework, and a set of values, which often will clash with someone else’s. Take the Indian people for example. They’re very driven. They work hard, dress very fashionably and get boyfriends/girlfriends fast. Part of that means that they believe that the only way you’re going to achieve, is by putting in the extra effort. They are also phenomenally good networkers. It’s a natural skill that they have, being part of a close circle of friends, and negotiating with them.

Part of that philosophy is, get married and work hard so you don’t land up as a beggar, and struggle through life. That’s very healthy, but I also find them (generally speaking) quite materialistic. Fashion for example is a big thing. Knowing who wears what, and having a good looking outfit on, is a big Noddy bag.

Now take the black culture as a comparison. Their key focus is community and relationships. They may not appear driven and hard workers because they believe on getting to work cheerfully. They are go-getters, and seem to look out for others, because relationships are what we’re left with at the end of the day. Indians may network to get what they need, but the black people seem to create family. You can put a few strangers in a room, and they connect in a way like they ‘know’ the others. It’s just their approach, and it’s certainly an interesting thing to consider.

So no, don’t think racism is worth the effort at all. I’ve always believe in being big (morally). That sometimes means doing things the hard way around, like telling your self to hold your temper when it’s about to flick out.

 

Just a thought.

 

PhilosopherPoet

Broken Glass

The glass broke in the kitchen. It sprayed, rushed into bits of broken reflection. The old lady watched me her stumpy demeanor interrogated my awkwardness. I lifted up the lid, a shard of myself stuck out of the sugar pot. It gleamed in the way introverts grow, chiseled to a point.

I could feel the pieces stare up at me. They begged to be rescued below the bark of the Matriarch. She grunted telling me to leave the broken children. She said they’d hurt me, that they’re just ‘begging for air’. Her berating bit into the back of my head. I continued to help the children.

I picked them up, as softly as a soldier could. Lying in my hands with frightening intensity, they shed sugary tears. While the world stopped for that pinnacle, that moment. I watched a string of life, snake out of my finger. It wound its way on to my blunt arms, desperate.

I had to hold the children. The Mountain Mother left, carving up ripples for me to chew on. That last lightning look she gave me had no heart or tender expression. I did not mind, nor care when the weeping filled my ears. Burnt, black skin smeared me. It gave me a smile and said that nothing would turn away.

There’s a smile that slowly seeps into your face. Some say it’s benevolent spirits around you. They warm your moments, and keep a hand over your fragile eyes. It rippled into the young heads around me. They smiled collective as a chorus.

I put my hands to my face, scraping off the rubbery emotion. The shards stuck into them. My moans dribbled into the sugar, caking the face of the splintered scene. My patience hung like a rigid spoon, about to pierce the frozen film of milk. It dangled above the splayed stories, and severed memories.

I drank my coffee, ending with a slurp. I pressed it down on the desk. It stained the surface. I left it there, the ring searing the skin.

It tore the air like paper.

 

PhilosopherPoet

A moment of violence – in a poem…

 

 

 

 

 

This poem happens to be a violent one. So if you can’t take it please read past, and try not to think of me as a sick fuck.

 

 

Leaking

 

I’d like to kill someone

watch them cripple

under the cold metal.

Some say that a blade beats

‘em all. You can silently strip

off the flesh, watch the pain

drip out.

 

It must be the thrill

the creative embrace, of

keeping the froth in their

lungs. The soft whisper of the

dying ghost in the throat

lingers, stretches tighter

than skin.

 

Her blood boils in her chest.

I take off the iron, smell the

permanent print engraved into

soft-skin splattered with my scarlet

kisses, lost feelings climb

out of her dirty hair.

 

I enjoy the fear, the soft murmur.

A fragile pulse, inches over my thumbs

along with the violence in her eyes,

clawing her brain, and bleeding out

a breath.

 

 

PhilosopherPoet

The Others

I seem to be lucky since I have a brother who works in a video shop. So I can get out free DVD’s! It’s a great luxury, I seem to watch a movie most night, and since it can be a movie of choice I’m not disappointed too often.

Well, to make a long story short I watched The Others last night. Yep it’s that freaky movie with Nicole Kidman, living in a big empty mansion, that’s haunted. It’s not quite like a possession movie, where kiddies get black eyes, pale skin and speak in a man’s voice. Its lighter than that. I found the story line to be tight, and event’s gripping. There’s also a great twist in the tale at the end.

The Basic Storyline

During the Second World War, a woman is living in a house by herself (with her two children). These children have to live in the dark, because she claims that they are photosensitive, and have a disease that erupts when they are exposed to light. The house is approached by three servants who offer to work there. They are a Nanny, Maid, and Gardener. At the beginning the story is a little uncertain, which adds to the effect and drew me in. All you know is that the little girl sees and speaks to ghosts. The mother with her devout faith fervently denies this, telling the children not to speak of it. A large part of this film is shot in candle light, because of the condition of the children. The mother insists to the maids that the children are only exposed to the light of the candle.

Initially you’re wondering where the ghosts come from, and who they are. As the storyline progresses more is uncovered about the ghosts. Although due to the massive twist at the end, you’re left in a bit of uncertainty at the end. I prefer it that way since its making me think, rather than laying it all out.

My Opinion (for what it’s worth)

I found it to be a brilliant thriller. It’s eerie, and fast paced. Nicole Kidman carries off a brilliant performance. I would probably give it a 8 or 9 of out 10. I’m not sure if I’d watch it again, but first off it leaves you sweating in your seat. I don’t watch many thrillers, but this one was a great alternative to a horror like The Exorcist, which is good in its genre, however this offers a lighter approach to ghosts. In comparison movies like The Sixth Sense, and The Skeleton Key are along the same lines. This is worth the watch!

 

PhilosopherPoet