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2
Interzone / Re: Witchcraft in the Sagas
« on: August 13, 2012, 09:31:18 PM »
Title: "Jim For the Win"
For a time period, I considered relocating myself to Boston, the university of Amherst, to obtain a master's degree in the Icelandic Sagas, and become a voice in the anthropological world of Magic and Medieval European Literature. Though I ended up in the educational field, this was certainly not what happened. Regardless, this topic has been a favorite of mine for years.
Witchcraft, the mighty pomp of the superstitious world. The garden of delights for the early scientist and explorer, while also the desert of delusion for some. Witchcraft is as much a part of the European spirit as are the elements which compose its manifest and aetheric dimensions. Magic for many of us seems as natural a faculty, even as an ideal as breathing or eating. Contrary to the medieval literary and martial campaigns against the practice of magic, the European man and woman has always felt akin to the spiritual imposition of will amongst his or her immediate surroundings. Even in times of extreme duress, magic and witchcraft survived throughout the ages, crossing aeons and exists still, across the boarders of the known world, in virtually every country. Where there is tradition, and even the slightest vestige of ritual, there- the spirit of witchcraft will always be. Sometimes magic is seen hidden within a tradition like Santeria or Hoodoo/Voodoo, mixed with Christianity, and though considered in origin to be a staple and practice of Paganism, found it's academic, "calculable" and public resurgence was within the lens of the Hermetic Qabalah of the Golden Dawn, a Rosicrucian or Christian Pantheist-styled society of scholars and intellects. Considerably through the years, the discipline of a European Magic or Witchcraft has seen many revisions and "purified" itself to the point where some accept a general Hermetic variation of such that echoes a more archaic and primordial time of rustic Goddess cults and folkish nature worship that combines the systematic arcane of the new as well as the traditions of the land which has always been.
In Scandinavian (and related) culture, Witchcraft assembles into a few categories or schools of thought that span from ancient to modern:
Seidr: The Scandinavian Shamanism. Emotive, oracular, prophesying Witches that would enter into trances to bring a piece of information or essence back with them into the material universe. IE: “That must be the place of sacrifice, and Hrolleif is meant to go there when his mother has completed her rites and all her witchcraft" and then she's moving around like the exorcist. Common amongst females and attributed to the clan or tribe of the Vanir (the nature divinities, early and considered more fair or feminine), Seidr when practiced by men were criticized for such things as "Ergi" (which means Gay). Odin was critiqued by Loki for practicing Seidr in the Eddas.
Galdr: The verse, the mighty chant of the song. Attributed to the clan or tribe of the Aesir in their poetic ways. Very little is known of Galdr, other than what is left in the prose Edda, and how to compose Eddic styled poetry in the "Galdic" sense. Ways to harness such runic combinations and structures are completely lost, but there are revivalist groups who either continue to search or claim the knowledge of such systems within their secretive teaching.
Staves: basically, sigils. The most famous one being the Helm of Awe. Similar to runes, these symbols claim by their castors and carvers to contain magically conductive properties.
Hex Signs: undoubtedly influenced by staves. Common amongst the Germanic countries in the farmlands. Mathematical and mirror imagery claim to have magically conductive properties.
Most likely, these many different microsystems where employed by a Witch or Sorcerer that composed the entirety of their craft, these are just some of the common ones from Scandinavia. If anyone has anything else that I've so idiotically forgotten and would like to add to the equation, please contribute.
For a time period, I considered relocating myself to Boston, the university of Amherst, to obtain a master's degree in the Icelandic Sagas, and become a voice in the anthropological world of Magic and Medieval European Literature. Though I ended up in the educational field, this was certainly not what happened. Regardless, this topic has been a favorite of mine for years.
Witchcraft, the mighty pomp of the superstitious world. The garden of delights for the early scientist and explorer, while also the desert of delusion for some. Witchcraft is as much a part of the European spirit as are the elements which compose its manifest and aetheric dimensions. Magic for many of us seems as natural a faculty, even as an ideal as breathing or eating. Contrary to the medieval literary and martial campaigns against the practice of magic, the European man and woman has always felt akin to the spiritual imposition of will amongst his or her immediate surroundings. Even in times of extreme duress, magic and witchcraft survived throughout the ages, crossing aeons and exists still, across the boarders of the known world, in virtually every country. Where there is tradition, and even the slightest vestige of ritual, there- the spirit of witchcraft will always be. Sometimes magic is seen hidden within a tradition like Santeria or Hoodoo/Voodoo, mixed with Christianity, and though considered in origin to be a staple and practice of Paganism, found it's academic, "calculable" and public resurgence was within the lens of the Hermetic Qabalah of the Golden Dawn, a Rosicrucian or Christian Pantheist-styled society of scholars and intellects. Considerably through the years, the discipline of a European Magic or Witchcraft has seen many revisions and "purified" itself to the point where some accept a general Hermetic variation of such that echoes a more archaic and primordial time of rustic Goddess cults and folkish nature worship that combines the systematic arcane of the new as well as the traditions of the land which has always been.
In Scandinavian (and related) culture, Witchcraft assembles into a few categories or schools of thought that span from ancient to modern:
Seidr: The Scandinavian Shamanism. Emotive, oracular, prophesying Witches that would enter into trances to bring a piece of information or essence back with them into the material universe. IE: “That must be the place of sacrifice, and Hrolleif is meant to go there when his mother has completed her rites and all her witchcraft" and then she's moving around like the exorcist. Common amongst females and attributed to the clan or tribe of the Vanir (the nature divinities, early and considered more fair or feminine), Seidr when practiced by men were criticized for such things as "Ergi" (which means Gay). Odin was critiqued by Loki for practicing Seidr in the Eddas.
Galdr: The verse, the mighty chant of the song. Attributed to the clan or tribe of the Aesir in their poetic ways. Very little is known of Galdr, other than what is left in the prose Edda, and how to compose Eddic styled poetry in the "Galdic" sense. Ways to harness such runic combinations and structures are completely lost, but there are revivalist groups who either continue to search or claim the knowledge of such systems within their secretive teaching.
Staves: basically, sigils. The most famous one being the Helm of Awe. Similar to runes, these symbols claim by their castors and carvers to contain magically conductive properties.
Hex Signs: undoubtedly influenced by staves. Common amongst the Germanic countries in the farmlands. Mathematical and mirror imagery claim to have magically conductive properties.
Most likely, these many different microsystems where employed by a Witch or Sorcerer that composed the entirety of their craft, these are just some of the common ones from Scandinavia. If anyone has anything else that I've so idiotically forgotten and would like to add to the equation, please contribute.
3
Metal / Re: Through Silver In Blood
« on: August 10, 2012, 12:39:06 AM »
Is there a better example (maybe Thousand Swords...) of an album that requires a visionary scheme but not necessarily "talent" in the traditional and accepted sense? The composition here is how it relates to metal, no doubt.
4
Metal / Re: Appreciating Euronymous
« on: July 31, 2012, 09:19:03 PM »I think it has more to do with inspiration than with celebrities who guard the scene.
Interesting that these two concepts [inspiration; celebrities who guard the scene] make such a vivid contrast in this statement. We still have uninspiring celebrities who "guard" the scene. Since these are clubhouse politics, I never really enjoyed them, or the personalities behind such things. However, I like Euronymous' obsession with the art form. I don't doubt he was truly awestruck with what people were doing for the advancement of metal in the last of his days.
5
Metal / Re: NY death metal band Thevetat debuts track
« on: July 29, 2012, 07:22:06 PM »
These samples are awesome. I can't wait to get a copy of this CD. This will become a celebrant among the awesome releases this year.
6
Interzone / Re: Comic Books
« on: July 21, 2012, 02:40:49 AM »
Manga and the dramatic Japanese crossover novel are the inspiration for ALL anime, as far as I know, but I could be wrong. Some are amazing, some are celebratory and some are just plain stupid.
Favorite Video Anime: Neon Genesis Evangelion; Record of Lodos Wars; Macros/Robotech/MarcrosPlusSeries; Vampire Hunter D series; Ninja Scroll.
Favorite Video Anime: Neon Genesis Evangelion; Record of Lodos Wars; Macros/Robotech/MarcrosPlusSeries; Vampire Hunter D series; Ninja Scroll.
7
Metal / Re: War metal
« on: July 20, 2012, 11:11:50 PM »This is popular right now: Death Metal that courts Black Metal lyric and aesthetic but sounds like Incantation, and Black Metal that courts Death Metal lyric and aesthetic but sounds like noisy evil grind.Do you think it's correct to say that the new Demoncy is Black Metal that courts Death Metal?
Sure that's an insectic, arguably loose observation, but I think it serves to point out that metal is confused right now, and here's two alternatives that have arisen that bare the torches of kvltdom. Like it or not, these two "happenings" will bridge the existence of underground metal into their next phases.
I think that's a very great observation. Demoncy to me has always been a conundrum. That riffing style, for all intensive purposes we can call it the *Profacantahej* style, is not necessarily patented to either genre. Incantation and Profanatica/Havohej riffs are so very similar, even sharing certain riffs that these concurrent acts offer both genres exploration into this singular interpretation of the metal guitar playing style. I think that beyond Incantation and Profanatica/Havohej, the Black Metal genre explored the possibilities of this first, and Demoncy being a high profile exemplar of such. Also, as Wicked Warlock, Ixithra probably learned how to play in this signature style from ex-Incantationers.
I've spoken to John McEntee about this guitar playing style and he told me that when he committed to playing guitar, he was very influenced by Blasphemy.
I don't think there's an answer at the end of the day... just a cool style of guitar playing and composition.
8
Metal / Re: Sorcier Des Glaces Snowland MMXII teaser
« on: July 20, 2012, 01:25:09 AM »
Finally got a chance to spin this all the way through. I remember years ago a senior forum member played this album for me prefacing it with, "This is the most over-dramatic music ever conceived."
Realistically I think Sorcier Des Glaces is the most promising act for Black Metal today. Musically I think the riffcraft evokes indisputable visions of the natural world in all of it's beauty, savagery and melancholic cycles of death and rebirth. Lyrically this one-dimensional flow seems to reinforce the assault of might and empowerment. Triumphantly, this like the previous album ends with more left to be said. This duo has proven their ability to recreate and regenerate each output after another, and for those that love this style of melody- I can't see how this could ever get old. The original Snowland has been a favorite for as long as I can remember; right now I like this new vision of the classic.
Realistically I think Sorcier Des Glaces is the most promising act for Black Metal today. Musically I think the riffcraft evokes indisputable visions of the natural world in all of it's beauty, savagery and melancholic cycles of death and rebirth. Lyrically this one-dimensional flow seems to reinforce the assault of might and empowerment. Triumphantly, this like the previous album ends with more left to be said. This duo has proven their ability to recreate and regenerate each output after another, and for those that love this style of melody- I can't see how this could ever get old. The original Snowland has been a favorite for as long as I can remember; right now I like this new vision of the classic.
9
Metal / Kommandant
« on: July 19, 2012, 09:24:05 PM »I often ponder over this myself. But I still think the future of metal isn't a question of innovation vs tradition (or non-innovation?). Both directions have the potential to either succeed or fail. But what matters is function. As when a person speaks to another person: do they really have something to say? and do they mean it?
I've seen Kommandant three times in the past few months and it was incredible with each viewing. I was first introduced to these guys with a few accounts from friends of "Oh, they're live set is pretty amazing but it's just the theatrics... the music is lacking." Well, if that review categorized their summation a few years ago, something radical has changed. I purchased their newest album "The Draconian Archetype" when after seeing them the first time I was completely blown away by their performance. Expecting to hear nonsense and garbage on the ride home I was stunned to discover that the album renders equal, if not more intensity than the live performance.
I'd say the current musical influence to me sounds like a composite of De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas and Wolf's Lair Abyss, like somewhere of a middle ground between the two- harnessing the mystical and eerie riff/chord of the former and the disciplinarian aesthetic rhythm of the latter. Still Kommandant finds their own sound, compromising between the Black Metal camps of the feral, unnecessary rawness of War Metal and esoteric nightscapes and theatrics of early 90's Norway that this generation has been reared to shun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT5XwSlCoAY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJY-O7saVkY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hLPkTCaraA&feature=relmfu
This is great stuff.
10
Interzone / Re: Comic Books
« on: July 18, 2012, 02:00:52 AM »
Hell yeah.
The Conan comic incarnations take the cake. The latest one in the 2000's era started by Dark Horse and continuing into the Queen of The Black Coast arc in more recent times is by far the best rendition. Heart-wrenching tales of savagery and woe. The Marvel Savage Sword "magazines" that are published into compendiums by Dark Horse from the 70's are also very cool and antiquated too.
The Sandman is something I've avoided for years because of skepticism of the hysteria seen in typical english undergrad programs over it. After giving it a chance, it's definitely entertaining, and reaches for things that I suppose comic books at the time were not known for (literary value); however, in this quest I think Neil Gaiman loses an aspect of what is important in comic rendering- which is poise and excellence. It turns into a clownish pageantry of global mythologies and religions at some points. Regardless, I like the series, and I don't know why.
Swamp Thing, fucking Swamp Thing. The sundry gnostic turns it takes, especially later in the series is awesome.
For Manga, I like "Bio-Booster Armor Guyver" and "Blade of the Immortal."
The Conan comic incarnations take the cake. The latest one in the 2000's era started by Dark Horse and continuing into the Queen of The Black Coast arc in more recent times is by far the best rendition. Heart-wrenching tales of savagery and woe. The Marvel Savage Sword "magazines" that are published into compendiums by Dark Horse from the 70's are also very cool and antiquated too.
The Sandman is something I've avoided for years because of skepticism of the hysteria seen in typical english undergrad programs over it. After giving it a chance, it's definitely entertaining, and reaches for things that I suppose comic books at the time were not known for (literary value); however, in this quest I think Neil Gaiman loses an aspect of what is important in comic rendering- which is poise and excellence. It turns into a clownish pageantry of global mythologies and religions at some points. Regardless, I like the series, and I don't know why.
Swamp Thing, fucking Swamp Thing. The sundry gnostic turns it takes, especially later in the series is awesome.
For Manga, I like "Bio-Booster Armor Guyver" and "Blade of the Immortal."
11
Interzone / Re: Quitting Smoking
« on: July 15, 2012, 09:23:00 PM »
Day 10) Thank you very much for your responses. Unfortunately alcohol seems to follow my life regardless of if I'm trying to avoid it. I've noticed that the alcohol doesn't necessarily increase or trigger my cravings, but I'm drinking more, and faster, which is a bit scary. I think it's my body attempting to replace the stimulant with something that's been mentally paired with it for so long. All of this shows me exactly how nasty drug addiction is, and the knowledge that I am an addict, or former addict on the road to recovery is very reinforcing for my decision to cease the use of cigarettes. I feel a profound amount of shame that this type of "trap" has happened in my life in that for the past 10 years I've been a drug addict, and yet the whole while that term was the furthest thing from what I would consider myself; but it's true.
Nearly 10 days with no great craving attacks and today I experienced the worst one. Sitting at home, thinking about how to plan my day with activities, I began to have a deep and powerful craving for a cigarette. My reasons to stop were fading quickly, which is when I decided to head to a buddhist monastery (no joke) and offer some volunteer work to the guy who maintains the property. 3 hours landscaping later and an hour in the main temple in deep, unbroken meditation, my craving lessened greatly until I returned home, which was when it hit again. Then I saw this on youtube and I'm remotivated:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TL2Vh7goJc
What an excellent video. That combined with all of your responses and advice has re-motivated me. Today I conquered the challenge and did not give in to the craving.
Edit: this video is amazing how the guy beaks down the interaction of stess, nicotine addiction and ph levels in urine for smokers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=vjyjKzPu2fc&feature=endscreen
Nearly 10 days with no great craving attacks and today I experienced the worst one. Sitting at home, thinking about how to plan my day with activities, I began to have a deep and powerful craving for a cigarette. My reasons to stop were fading quickly, which is when I decided to head to a buddhist monastery (no joke) and offer some volunteer work to the guy who maintains the property. 3 hours landscaping later and an hour in the main temple in deep, unbroken meditation, my craving lessened greatly until I returned home, which was when it hit again. Then I saw this on youtube and I'm remotivated:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TL2Vh7goJc
What an excellent video. That combined with all of your responses and advice has re-motivated me. Today I conquered the challenge and did not give in to the craving.
Edit: this video is amazing how the guy beaks down the interaction of stess, nicotine addiction and ph levels in urine for smokers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=vjyjKzPu2fc&feature=endscreen
12
Metal / Re: Das Perfekte Album
« on: July 15, 2012, 03:51:22 AM »A friend once said to me: "I don't think ARE YOU TALKIN TO ME? ever had a style, they just wanted to play."
I always knew there was something of value in that statement. Inquisition is much like Burzum rather than ARE YOU TALKIN TO ME?, in that Burzum is one of the best examples in metal of completely lacking a "style" or condensing your career into a predictable format. Inquisition plays out very much the same way. This is something I love about them in that they're diverse and there's variety in the music. Definitely one of the, if not the best concurrent act playing today.
I hope www.deathmetal.org will endorse them.
I don`t understand exactly what you and your friend mean by this "style". I find that most rock music, including metal and its derivatives has a certain "style", or another. Metal bands usually adopt a certain style and deviations from that style will mostly end in a failure.
I think: the following...
... and I could be wrong; I wouldn't contest it if I was...
What I mean is that until the newer Burzum albums, you could listen to the catalog from S/T to Hlidskjalf with *almost* no two songs sounding alike. Each track takes on it's own identity in most cases. I can't listen to a band and say "That sounds like Burzum" but rather, "Oh that sounds like _________ Burzum song," which is why I've noticed a lot of people accusing others of stealing Burzum riffs or writing riffs that are too derivative of Burzum. Since each song is so different, I think fans have become really attached to the identity of each track. Inquisition carries their writing style in the same manner.
13
Metal / Re: War metal
« on: July 15, 2012, 03:40:49 AM »
This is popular right now: Death Metal that courts Black Metal lyric and aesthetic but sounds like Incantation, and Black Metal that courts Death Metal lyric and aesthetic but sounds like noisy evil grind.
Sure that's an insectic, arguably loose observation, but I think it serves to point out that metal is confused right now, and here's two alternatives that have arisen that bare the torches of kvltdom. Like it or not, these two "happenings" will bridge the existence of underground metal into their next phases.
Sure that's an insectic, arguably loose observation, but I think it serves to point out that metal is confused right now, and here's two alternatives that have arisen that bare the torches of kvltdom. Like it or not, these two "happenings" will bridge the existence of underground metal into their next phases.
14
Metal / Re: Anu, and refusing to evolve Black Metal beyond its capability.
« on: July 14, 2012, 05:32:10 PM »I often ponder over this myself. But I still think the future of metal isn't a question of innovation vs tradition (or non-innovation?). Both directions have the potential to either succeed or fail. But what matters is function. As when a person speaks to another person: do they really have something to say? and do they mean it?
Looking at a band like Beherit, their legacy will go beyond such definitions, as they don't look forward or back, their music is ultra-simplistic and yet it moves worlds. Necessity is at the core of function.
Probably my favorite ANUS/DeathMetal.org moment.
15
Interzone / Re: Quitting Smoking
« on: July 11, 2012, 12:28:32 PM »I quit chewing tobacco and I would advise to exercise more vigorous than usual for the next week or two. You want your body to produce as much of its own natural high as possible these next two weeks. Get up super early, pound some coffee, take a brisk walk or a brisk run, and exercise again after work if you have to. You want to make sure your body is worn out at the end of the day. When I got craving I simply took aspirin and I thought that took off a little of the edge as well. I would say you probably need to get through 2 weeks before you are out of the woods. Drink lots of water and eat some hearty, filling meals
Day 6) Interesting. Before I even got a chance to read this, I think my body was communicating the want or need for these things. Aside from taking the Asprin, which I don't really think I'll be trying, I've been doing these things, along with constantly reminding myself how much of a positive choice this is. My activities aren't interrupted anymore by the urge to smoke a cigarette and by proxy my concentration has improved. I think that the act of cigarette smoking was my last vestige of quick-fix/ sense pleasure from my childhood. I've essentially cast out and banished all other forms of such, as I focus more of my time on activities that involve investments, and thus the working towards a goal becomes pleasurable in itself. I don't even think listening to metal is sense pleasure, as listening to the right metal involves concentration and an attention span above average. I can especially appreciate that Hell Awaits is not longer interrupted by cigarette breaks.