Reluctant Chime-In On Stupid Recent Contorversy:
Anselmo & Flynn,
This Is The Archive Of Past Articles and Other....things...
(And It's In No Particular Order)
And so...
A Random Self-Quote From An Online Debate That Are So Common These Days:
"I've accepted the "elitist" term, if not sarcastically, for myself. Because to 98% of people that I talk to under 25 call me one. And yes, it is about preserving metal's legacy, not letting the classics seem obscure and foreign to future generations to come, not letting people think Chelsea Grin = METAL (as in, the epitome)...and in a world where Stone fucking Sour is making shitty covers of LEGENDARY metal songs, and more than half the comments are in the vein of "They made a shitty song listenable!" (Metal Church, Dio, etc) - you'd have to be blind to not see that some people taking a purposeful, steady stance against it, adding the "elitist" side of the argument, merely makes the other side (the true side) of the argument known. I will not stand idly by in a world full of supposed "metalheads" that hate metal. Not just classic metal. "core kids" a lot of time hate death, black, doom...etc. It's the street-vibe vs. the horror/fantasy-vibe. I am 34, metalhead for 25 years, and I write much more about this elsewhere. That's my two cents. Let the kids be ignorant, but let the veterans strive to be relevant, too."
OKAY, so I don't have a lot of updates prepared, as I have been busy in the gruesome world of my own audio-torment...but thereis THIS little story.
So we have a HACK (quote me, I don't give a fuck) collecting notches in her slutty "journalism" bedpost, with NO idea about manners and professionalism. I wasted some precious time, to no avail. Here's how it's gone down. I'M publishing what I see has been put far away on the backburner. Sue me. I fucking dare ya.
The "Survey"
So, there's this Swedish teenager who's basically collecting a file-cabinet's-worth of "interviews" with bands, metal and rock....other up-and-coming bands, too. Making some sort of makeshift name for herself at the behest of the time and energy of the bands involved. I put the word "interview" in quotations because what she does is ask permission, then send the band's representative a basic questionairre. There is no interaction. Not a true "interview", if you ask me. And considering the obscene amount of these she's posting, she's putting manners aside, quantity over quality.
Now, yes. I did fill out her little survey, expecting some follow-through and friendly banter to go with it. Nope. None. Since then The bands' and musicians' work she's claiming as her own is flowing through her blog and Facebook like ballcaps into a Stone Sour concert. The ultimate situation we have here, ladies and gentlemen, is that she has the bands waste their time first....then sifts through what she wants to do after the fact, leaving the ones she apparently does not like out. (She has done this to others of my circle, namely my label-head and metal brother, Mr. Togrul and his band Blliigghhtted.)
I am a professional, not a rich one, mind you...and I'm ALSO a journalist. There's two reasons I'm prefacing the following little questionairre (that I'M RELEASING HERE, because my time and effort is valuable, she can just try to get it removed. I didn't list her name. You want it? I'll tell you in email.). Giving each band at least mostly your unadulturated attention when it's time to do business together is common journalistic courtesy. Plus, bands are working hard, not just for the fans, but for their own artistic integrity. Their agreement to give you their time is a gift and a compliment.
So, without further adeu, here's the...*ahem*..."interview" with this young Swedish survey-spammer.
Chick: Have any of you played in other bands?
Sar Nath: Yeah. Used to play live, whore myself out to pre-established bands...had my own 3 piece that was semi-successful in my home area, which is The Ozarks. I'll only list the highlights, since I lost count long ago: Noctopia, Recluse, Isolated Fields, Darkside KC, and a lot of short-lived collaborations. Now I only record in my home, you know...I'm you're average "Overdid it for too long when I was too young"-kinda guy...a Varg, a Quarthon...however one would put that. I'm a recluse. An agoraphobic.
C: How is it that you started playing music?
As soon as I heard music that spoke to me as a child, it was rock of some sort...I wanted do do just that. Make my voice heard. And it's always been a dark one.
C: What are your names? / Who plays what? / How old are you?
SN: As an artist it's typically "Lord Sar Nath" when the makeup is on and the blood is dripping. But my writer's handle is also "Tristus Scriptor". My birthname is Travis J. Niemeyer. I play all instruments and program my synth and drums. I have something coming soon with an actual drummer that will be sick as hell. Oh, and I'm 34.
C: Have you had other previous members?
SN: Since I've been solo...no. It's a relief to not have anyone step on my vision.
C: Did you make music even when you were young?
SN: I grew up in the mountains, in the forest, far from any town. The closest one was a little community of 432 people. So, when I saw people on tv playing their own music, heard rock, then metal...I remember being around 8 or so, putting nails into a board, stringing it with rubberbands, and trying to get some sort of sound from it. Haha. So that's a big "YES". I began recording myself playing an actual guitar and making the grossest voices I could into a tape recorder at somewhere around age 11.
C: Where are you from?
SN: Like stated earlier, I grew up in The Ozarks, around the Harrison, AR/Branson, MO area. The most beautiful place to me. Texas (where I live now) is alright...but it's no Ozark mountains, for sure. I'll be moving back soon. Hopefully.
C: What year did the band form?
SN: Being that I'm solo...I guess the moment I got my own guitar at 11. Even when I had bands I did my own music. As for Sar Nath, Solitarrion, AILS and the other Hypnosia Recordings material, which is all my solo stuff together...around 2011.
C: What's your style of genre?
SN: I'd say I would consider myself a black metal artist. There's elements of "DSBM" or whatever, but a lot of straight-up black metal teeters there, anyway. I'm just a very screwed up guy making music, which in turn is gonna be a bit fucked up. I do have an acoustic project, and do make electronic/noise/ambient/experimental that I enjoy. But it's always dark, and I'm always blackhearted and METAL no matter what I'm doing.
C: What inspires you?
SN: Pain. Loss. Grief. Hate. Disgust. Purging. Dreams. Our astral selves. Our inevitable journey from the flesh. This world is too beautiful for us scum.
C: How often and where do you reherse?
SN: I rarely practice. I mean, I have been playing...at least guitar/bass for over 25 years now, so I earned my tricks throughout the years, and I really don't try and make it go much further than that. My practice is while I'm making the stuff/recording it.
C: How have you developed since you started with the music?
SN: Since becoming my "bad side" more often - which is "Lord Sar Nath" - I have both calmed down more in real life, and gotten to know myself as a whole more. I have a certain kind of diagnosed personality disorder, which I don't fight when I'm doing my music. I let the darkness bleed out as a catharsis.
C: Do you have other interests of work outside the band?
SN: Not really. Horror movies, of course. The love of those worthy of mine. Okay, 2 things. haha
C: Are you looking for a booking agency, and what are your thoughts around that?
SN: No. I actually do not want to get into the corporate side of this human society more than I am. I have a PR/merch/label rep, and together we're very "kvlt" (I spelled it that way playfully, you realize.) I'm not a healthy person. Touring would do me in. I'm too prone to self-destruction. I'd probably gain some new diseases, as well. haha So I stay in the underground. Hundreds of likeminded souls are into what I do. Fill a room with them, and that'd feel like just enough to anyone.
C: Are you looking for a label, and what are your thoughts around that?
SN: Well, that pretty much just got answered. I'll just say the label's name, and leave it at that: Merdumgiriz.
C: What made you decide to make this music?
SN: Therapeutic reasons, mainly.
C: What are your songs about?
SN: I tend to take a 2-meaning route for most of my work. I think about my own darkest feelings, I turn them into a gruesome story including demonic forces, ghosts, serial killers, whatever...then I write accordingly. But it's all ultimately about this tarnished soul living in this piece of shit I call a body.
C: Who does the composing and writes the lyrics?
SN: Always me. However, I'm thinking about having my wife write a little, since she's a fantasy/RPG geek. haha
C: Do you start with the music or the lyrics?
SN: That depends. If my lyrics inspire music, it goes in that direction. If my music inspires lyrics, it's the other way around.
C: Do you compose in a certain inviroment?
SN: Yes. Always in my chair, thinking, a lot of times with headphones and noise artists blaring me into a meditational state...for lyrics, that is. I pick up the guitar when I'm inspired by the greats - King Diamond, Maiden, Priest, Sabbath...I'm old-school, man. So I write riffs after listening and being awed at the brilliance of my favorites.
C: Have you done any covers live?
SN: The first one that comes to mind is the first band I officially fronted, Recluse, and we did GWAR's "Sick Of You". I was 15. I am still mourning Dave Brockie. He was my funny uncle that cheered me up...he just didn't know it.
C: What language do you sing in?
SN: I'm a "dumb American". haha I only know English. And jibberish.
C: What are the least and most people to attend one of your gigs?
SN: The last gig I played was an acoustic show (since I'm not much of a fan of live anything anymore, it was a one-off), and there were around 80 people. When I was in Darkside KC I did Milwaukee Metalfest. The amp was barely audible, we sounded...um...not our best. But we still got good reviews. I can't even think of how many people were there! It was big. Met Devin Townsend. Cool guy.
C: What ages are most of your concert attendants?
SN: Well, like I said, no concerts for this stuff...but in the past it was babies to 90s.
C: Do you always play the same songs live, or do you vary?
SN: Haha. might wanna cut out the live questions from here.
C: Do you have a regular place you play live often?
SN: xxx
C: What was your first gig like?
SN: Man...it was with my highschool covers band...we did Black Sabbath, Metallica, and the current grunge scene favorites at the time. Small town. Everyone was shitting themselves that something loud was going on.
C: What was your latest gig?
SN: xxx
C: Have you had to cancel a gig?
SN: xxx
C: Where have you played live this year?
SN: xxx
C: Where do you plan to gig the comming year?
SN: xxx
C: When did you start to sell merchandise, and what do you have for sale?
SN: You can find Sar Nath merch at Merdumgiriz. I'll have some up on my Hypnosia Recordings Bandcamp soon, as well. (You can find a link to Merdumgiriz at that location, as well.)
C: Where can people buy your merchandise?
SN: Only online.
C: What do you think about people downloading music instead of buying records nowadays?
SN: I think the only people that I want buying my music are the kinds that want my shit enough to do so. When they download it, they're still listening, and that's all I care about. A true metal fan wants something physical eventually. At least I know I do. If they don't care enough, neither do I.
C: How do you think the music industry have changed because of this?
SN: Only the media seems to thrive, the poppy, hive-minded, zombifying media. Real metalheads and fans of subculture/harsher art have kept it the same. They have a passion, and they keep it alive. Fuck the mainstream and what they tell you are the biggest and best. They're never right.
C: What do you think of my work?
SN: You're doing a good thing here. I know I appreciate it. (Edit: You're an idiot.)
C: How do you think and know that this interview will help you in the music business?.
SN: To be honest, I'm not sure. Hopefully fans of things that I mentioned about my music will be interested. If not...well...I'm not looking to be Elvis.
C: Do you have any role models or idols?
SN: King Diamond. Bruce Dickinson. Rob Halford. Attila Csihar. Stephen King. Ronnie James Dio. Ihsahn. You know...I love music and horror so much, I could write you a book. Recently, my label rep got me into G.G. Allin. Dude's on a level above, I'll tell you that.
C: Why do you think that they exist?
SN: Their parents fucked. haha (Keep it or cut it. That's my answer.)
C: Is it easier to find inspiration from older bands, or bands that are more active today?
SN: Older bands, for sure. There's still a vivid connection to good old rock and fuckin' roll in the fathers of metal's music. Today, we only have models, clones, and drones representing anything. There are new bands that value these older bands, so of course I respect them. Portrait, In Solitude, a lot of French black metal, too.
C: What have been your biggest obstacles?
SN: Health. Mental and physical. I was in a severe wreck when I was 3. I've been in pain and insane longer than I can remember. But on the other hand, it helps...at least with the creation of the darker material I have chosen.
C: What advice would you give other bands or artists?
SN: You wanna "go somewhere", realize that it's work. You don't just hop in a bus and have a blast. Life is full of nightmares, even when you're living the dream.
C: How do you get psyched for a gig?
SN: I don't. I hate going into public, thus why I choose to be a recording artist only.
C: Do you have any new material?
SN: Yes. There's a new Sar Nath album in the works, pretty much done, but not released yet. Plus, I'm teaming up with my metal brother from the label on an upcoming project. But that's top-secret right now. *wink*
C: What are your web sites?
SN: All anyone would need to know about me is here:
https://travisniemeyersreigngarden.bandcamp.com/
And the label (Merdumgiriz) can be found in the links there.
C: How can people reach you?
SN: Anybody interested in my music or anything else can find ways to do so from the above link.
C: What are your plans for the future?
SN: I'm bleeding out all this dark inside me. I won't stop 'till I'm dead. (I seem to have a lot of damn blood in there...haha)
C: Do you have something to add?
SN: Just to FORGET this mallcore scene that is tricking kids into the false identity of metal, or any real rock and fucking roll. The 20teens-era media is the enemy. Look into things on your own. Ask yourself what you really want. Someone out there is making far better art than what's being shown to you on TV or the internet pop-ups...the radio. Find it. Think for yourself.
SO, I was kind enough to omit the name of this person. But they are pretty damn notorious, and I'm sure it will be seen. This is my retaliation. I hope it teaches you a lesson so you can further your "career" with less animosity and enemies built up in your background.
(Post Edit: A few DAYS after all this, even AFTER spreading around this very article you are now reading...on this very webzine...as if by robotic automation, I got the same "Hi! My name is...blablabla,, yaddiyaddi, can I interview your band?" ding dong shit from the same name, from a DIFFERENT account - later finding that there are many - as if this source, if it's a person at all, didn't even remember INTERVIEWING AN ARTIST. THAT ARTIST BEING ME. How does one forget doing an interview? I know hundreds of people, and I remember if I've shared an important conversation with them or not! (And I suffer from mild dementia at times. But that's another tragic story...) This was further proof that my time was wasted, and nothing is formal about this "interviewer", unless one likes being part of some sort of desperate extreme metal Craigslist board, since that is what this "Person-That-I'm-Not-Disclosing" apparently runs...if you wanna call that any type of functioning business at all.)
TTSNSN 6/8/15
So, there's this Swedish teenager who's basically collecting a file-cabinet's-worth of "interviews" with bands, metal and rock....other up-and-coming bands, too. Making some sort of makeshift name for herself at the behest of the time and energy of the bands involved. I put the word "interview" in quotations because what she does is ask permission, then send the band's representative a basic questionairre. There is no interaction. Not a true "interview", if you ask me. And considering the obscene amount of these she's posting, she's putting manners aside, quantity over quality.
Now, yes. I did fill out her little survey, expecting some follow-through and friendly banter to go with it. Nope. None. Since then The bands' and musicians' work she's claiming as her own is flowing through her blog and Facebook like ballcaps into a Stone Sour concert. The ultimate situation we have here, ladies and gentlemen, is that she has the bands waste their time first....then sifts through what she wants to do after the fact, leaving the ones she apparently does not like out. (She has done this to others of my circle, namely my label-head and metal brother, Mr. Togrul and his band Blliigghhtted.)
I am a professional, not a rich one, mind you...and I'm ALSO a journalist. There's two reasons I'm prefacing the following little questionairre (that I'M RELEASING HERE, because my time and effort is valuable, she can just try to get it removed. I didn't list her name. You want it? I'll tell you in email.). Giving each band at least mostly your unadulturated attention when it's time to do business together is common journalistic courtesy. Plus, bands are working hard, not just for the fans, but for their own artistic integrity. Their agreement to give you their time is a gift and a compliment.
So, without further adeu, here's the...*ahem*..."interview" with this young Swedish survey-spammer.
Chick: Have any of you played in other bands?
Sar Nath: Yeah. Used to play live, whore myself out to pre-established bands...had my own 3 piece that was semi-successful in my home area, which is The Ozarks. I'll only list the highlights, since I lost count long ago: Noctopia, Recluse, Isolated Fields, Darkside KC, and a lot of short-lived collaborations. Now I only record in my home, you know...I'm you're average "Overdid it for too long when I was too young"-kinda guy...a Varg, a Quarthon...however one would put that. I'm a recluse. An agoraphobic.
C: How is it that you started playing music?
As soon as I heard music that spoke to me as a child, it was rock of some sort...I wanted do do just that. Make my voice heard. And it's always been a dark one.
C: What are your names? / Who plays what? / How old are you?
SN: As an artist it's typically "Lord Sar Nath" when the makeup is on and the blood is dripping. But my writer's handle is also "Tristus Scriptor". My birthname is Travis J. Niemeyer. I play all instruments and program my synth and drums. I have something coming soon with an actual drummer that will be sick as hell. Oh, and I'm 34.
C: Have you had other previous members?
SN: Since I've been solo...no. It's a relief to not have anyone step on my vision.
C: Did you make music even when you were young?
SN: I grew up in the mountains, in the forest, far from any town. The closest one was a little community of 432 people. So, when I saw people on tv playing their own music, heard rock, then metal...I remember being around 8 or so, putting nails into a board, stringing it with rubberbands, and trying to get some sort of sound from it. Haha. So that's a big "YES". I began recording myself playing an actual guitar and making the grossest voices I could into a tape recorder at somewhere around age 11.
C: Where are you from?
SN: Like stated earlier, I grew up in The Ozarks, around the Harrison, AR/Branson, MO area. The most beautiful place to me. Texas (where I live now) is alright...but it's no Ozark mountains, for sure. I'll be moving back soon. Hopefully.
C: What year did the band form?
SN: Being that I'm solo...I guess the moment I got my own guitar at 11. Even when I had bands I did my own music. As for Sar Nath, Solitarrion, AILS and the other Hypnosia Recordings material, which is all my solo stuff together...around 2011.
C: What's your style of genre?
SN: I'd say I would consider myself a black metal artist. There's elements of "DSBM" or whatever, but a lot of straight-up black metal teeters there, anyway. I'm just a very screwed up guy making music, which in turn is gonna be a bit fucked up. I do have an acoustic project, and do make electronic/noise/ambient/experimental that I enjoy. But it's always dark, and I'm always blackhearted and METAL no matter what I'm doing.
C: What inspires you?
SN: Pain. Loss. Grief. Hate. Disgust. Purging. Dreams. Our astral selves. Our inevitable journey from the flesh. This world is too beautiful for us scum.
C: How often and where do you reherse?
SN: I rarely practice. I mean, I have been playing...at least guitar/bass for over 25 years now, so I earned my tricks throughout the years, and I really don't try and make it go much further than that. My practice is while I'm making the stuff/recording it.
C: How have you developed since you started with the music?
SN: Since becoming my "bad side" more often - which is "Lord Sar Nath" - I have both calmed down more in real life, and gotten to know myself as a whole more. I have a certain kind of diagnosed personality disorder, which I don't fight when I'm doing my music. I let the darkness bleed out as a catharsis.
C: Do you have other interests of work outside the band?
SN: Not really. Horror movies, of course. The love of those worthy of mine. Okay, 2 things. haha
C: Are you looking for a booking agency, and what are your thoughts around that?
SN: No. I actually do not want to get into the corporate side of this human society more than I am. I have a PR/merch/label rep, and together we're very "kvlt" (I spelled it that way playfully, you realize.) I'm not a healthy person. Touring would do me in. I'm too prone to self-destruction. I'd probably gain some new diseases, as well. haha So I stay in the underground. Hundreds of likeminded souls are into what I do. Fill a room with them, and that'd feel like just enough to anyone.
C: Are you looking for a label, and what are your thoughts around that?
SN: Well, that pretty much just got answered. I'll just say the label's name, and leave it at that: Merdumgiriz.
C: What made you decide to make this music?
SN: Therapeutic reasons, mainly.
C: What are your songs about?
SN: I tend to take a 2-meaning route for most of my work. I think about my own darkest feelings, I turn them into a gruesome story including demonic forces, ghosts, serial killers, whatever...then I write accordingly. But it's all ultimately about this tarnished soul living in this piece of shit I call a body.
C: Who does the composing and writes the lyrics?
SN: Always me. However, I'm thinking about having my wife write a little, since she's a fantasy/RPG geek. haha
C: Do you start with the music or the lyrics?
SN: That depends. If my lyrics inspire music, it goes in that direction. If my music inspires lyrics, it's the other way around.
C: Do you compose in a certain inviroment?
SN: Yes. Always in my chair, thinking, a lot of times with headphones and noise artists blaring me into a meditational state...for lyrics, that is. I pick up the guitar when I'm inspired by the greats - King Diamond, Maiden, Priest, Sabbath...I'm old-school, man. So I write riffs after listening and being awed at the brilliance of my favorites.
C: Have you done any covers live?
SN: The first one that comes to mind is the first band I officially fronted, Recluse, and we did GWAR's "Sick Of You". I was 15. I am still mourning Dave Brockie. He was my funny uncle that cheered me up...he just didn't know it.
C: What language do you sing in?
SN: I'm a "dumb American". haha I only know English. And jibberish.
C: What are the least and most people to attend one of your gigs?
SN: The last gig I played was an acoustic show (since I'm not much of a fan of live anything anymore, it was a one-off), and there were around 80 people. When I was in Darkside KC I did Milwaukee Metalfest. The amp was barely audible, we sounded...um...not our best. But we still got good reviews. I can't even think of how many people were there! It was big. Met Devin Townsend. Cool guy.
C: What ages are most of your concert attendants?
SN: Well, like I said, no concerts for this stuff...but in the past it was babies to 90s.
C: Do you always play the same songs live, or do you vary?
SN: Haha. might wanna cut out the live questions from here.
C: Do you have a regular place you play live often?
SN: xxx
C: What was your first gig like?
SN: Man...it was with my highschool covers band...we did Black Sabbath, Metallica, and the current grunge scene favorites at the time. Small town. Everyone was shitting themselves that something loud was going on.
C: What was your latest gig?
SN: xxx
C: Have you had to cancel a gig?
SN: xxx
C: Where have you played live this year?
SN: xxx
C: Where do you plan to gig the comming year?
SN: xxx
C: When did you start to sell merchandise, and what do you have for sale?
SN: You can find Sar Nath merch at Merdumgiriz. I'll have some up on my Hypnosia Recordings Bandcamp soon, as well. (You can find a link to Merdumgiriz at that location, as well.)
C: Where can people buy your merchandise?
SN: Only online.
C: What do you think about people downloading music instead of buying records nowadays?
SN: I think the only people that I want buying my music are the kinds that want my shit enough to do so. When they download it, they're still listening, and that's all I care about. A true metal fan wants something physical eventually. At least I know I do. If they don't care enough, neither do I.
C: How do you think the music industry have changed because of this?
SN: Only the media seems to thrive, the poppy, hive-minded, zombifying media. Real metalheads and fans of subculture/harsher art have kept it the same. They have a passion, and they keep it alive. Fuck the mainstream and what they tell you are the biggest and best. They're never right.
C: What do you think of my work?
SN: You're doing a good thing here. I know I appreciate it. (Edit: You're an idiot.)
C: How do you think and know that this interview will help you in the music business?.
SN: To be honest, I'm not sure. Hopefully fans of things that I mentioned about my music will be interested. If not...well...I'm not looking to be Elvis.
C: Do you have any role models or idols?
SN: King Diamond. Bruce Dickinson. Rob Halford. Attila Csihar. Stephen King. Ronnie James Dio. Ihsahn. You know...I love music and horror so much, I could write you a book. Recently, my label rep got me into G.G. Allin. Dude's on a level above, I'll tell you that.
C: Why do you think that they exist?
SN: Their parents fucked. haha (Keep it or cut it. That's my answer.)
C: Is it easier to find inspiration from older bands, or bands that are more active today?
SN: Older bands, for sure. There's still a vivid connection to good old rock and fuckin' roll in the fathers of metal's music. Today, we only have models, clones, and drones representing anything. There are new bands that value these older bands, so of course I respect them. Portrait, In Solitude, a lot of French black metal, too.
C: What have been your biggest obstacles?
SN: Health. Mental and physical. I was in a severe wreck when I was 3. I've been in pain and insane longer than I can remember. But on the other hand, it helps...at least with the creation of the darker material I have chosen.
C: What advice would you give other bands or artists?
SN: You wanna "go somewhere", realize that it's work. You don't just hop in a bus and have a blast. Life is full of nightmares, even when you're living the dream.
C: How do you get psyched for a gig?
SN: I don't. I hate going into public, thus why I choose to be a recording artist only.
C: Do you have any new material?
SN: Yes. There's a new Sar Nath album in the works, pretty much done, but not released yet. Plus, I'm teaming up with my metal brother from the label on an upcoming project. But that's top-secret right now. *wink*
C: What are your web sites?
SN: All anyone would need to know about me is here:
https://travisniemeyersreigngarden.bandcamp.com/
And the label (Merdumgiriz) can be found in the links there.
C: How can people reach you?
SN: Anybody interested in my music or anything else can find ways to do so from the above link.
C: What are your plans for the future?
SN: I'm bleeding out all this dark inside me. I won't stop 'till I'm dead. (I seem to have a lot of damn blood in there...haha)
C: Do you have something to add?
SN: Just to FORGET this mallcore scene that is tricking kids into the false identity of metal, or any real rock and fucking roll. The 20teens-era media is the enemy. Look into things on your own. Ask yourself what you really want. Someone out there is making far better art than what's being shown to you on TV or the internet pop-ups...the radio. Find it. Think for yourself.
SO, I was kind enough to omit the name of this person. But they are pretty damn notorious, and I'm sure it will be seen. This is my retaliation. I hope it teaches you a lesson so you can further your "career" with less animosity and enemies built up in your background.
(Post Edit: A few DAYS after all this, even AFTER spreading around this very article you are now reading...on this very webzine...as if by robotic automation, I got the same "Hi! My name is...blablabla,, yaddiyaddi, can I interview your band?" ding dong shit from the same name, from a DIFFERENT account - later finding that there are many - as if this source, if it's a person at all, didn't even remember INTERVIEWING AN ARTIST. THAT ARTIST BEING ME. How does one forget doing an interview? I know hundreds of people, and I remember if I've shared an important conversation with them or not! (And I suffer from mild dementia at times. But that's another tragic story...) This was further proof that my time was wasted, and nothing is formal about this "interviewer", unless one likes being part of some sort of desperate extreme metal Craigslist board, since that is what this "Person-That-I'm-Not-Disclosing" apparently runs...if you wanna call that any type of functioning business at all.)
TTSNSN 6/8/15
UPDATE:
SAR NATH AND HYPNOSIA RECORDINGS
HAVE BEEN SIGNED/MERGED WITH CULT UK LABEL MERDUMGIRIZ, RUN BY METAL MADMAN/SEX MACHINE EMIR TOGRUL (Yayla, Blliigghhtted, Viranesir)
Send out the most METAL vibes you can muster for our lovable, crazy, godly 'Maiden frontman, Bruce Dickinson. I have no doubt this ultra-resilient old bloke will pull through, but Shadowlights dedicates all it's love to Bruce at this time!!!
Life Is A Cunt
I am looooong overdue to update this webzine. So much unwanted shit that I reluctantly and begrudgingly have taken on has eaten up my life . Some actually enjoyable stuff has arisen, too. No longer have I been able to keep my classic metal/NWOBHM-love locked inside, thus launching the overtly Satanic project, ScriptoR. It's sloppy, underproduced, and the first time I've sung "clean" over metal for over a decade. But it's fun. (Details can be found below.) I do have a review or two coming. Plus an article tackling some very sensitive subjects within today's world of metal will be seen on these pages shortly. I at least felt it was time to update about future updates - the lazy, life-jaded editor's way of buying more time to sulk and indulge in more metal, not making it work (writing about it), but a fun little hobby most of us have filled our lives with since childhood. At least I know I have. BUT...metal journalism is in my blood. I even did metal presentations at my podunk hick town's elementary school (much to the staff's dismay) when creativity was requested of me. So, this 'zine does live. But it's editor barely does anymore...therein lies the problem. Hails, all. \m/
King Diamond At House Of Blues, Dallas, November 6, 2014
Show Review
I'm going to be blunt. One thing us writers, musicians, filmmakers, well...artists in general almost indefinitely share is a bleak and poetic view of our surroundings. This is difficult. Life appears to be a kaleidoscope of pain and suffering, merely laced with a few minor enjoyments, and fed only by the art of others that touch us in some way. And yet our lives still suffer from despair and loud inner-metaphor. But even so, sometimes an event can just make ALL that disappear. That is what happened to this journalist when I attended my favorite metal artist of all time's live show - the great KING DIAMOND.
I'm going to make this brief. I have a whole rundown on the man (if he actually IS human) here in this very publication already (see site-directory above). But it's important that I state the magnitude of the life-changing brilliance that was his show. Yes, the fact that I'm 34 and started listening to him shortly before my age even had two-digits in it did in fact add to my own personal hype. But even I was in disbelief when the show was happening.
His recent focus on health and well-being has obviously given him a new lease on life, both physically and mentally. Not only did The King hit EVERY. SINGLE. NOTE...the way they were intended; the man (and I stress that I do question whether he is of our race or not) went for the highest notes on his multi-voiced harmonies from the albums, leaving the ones he formerly chose a good lot of the time (the second to highest) to his beloved wife, Livia, who happily and humbly sang at the side of the stage. He sounded stronger and more piercing than even his "In Concert 1987: Abigail" release.
And the stage-show, ooohh the stage show. Dr. Landau, The Priest, a human puppet, and of course, Grandma were all there, amongst many more surprises that kept King interacting and obviously enjoying himself throughout the whole ritual. His band was also in top form, yet the uncanny performance from King himself was so breathtaking that one had to remind themselves to observe the others.
For that one-hour-plus, I was transfixed, mesmerized, and having lyric-tourettes as I screamed along with my favorite band's classics. I may be a bit...touched in the head, but the event will forever be one of the grand experiences that filled one of the voids in my dark metal soul. And, from what I said here, realizing his "new lease on life" - it looks like we all will have plenty of opportunity to behold his metal grandeur and majesty for many more years to come.
Hail to The KING!
TTSNSN 11/19/14
Show Review
I'm going to be blunt. One thing us writers, musicians, filmmakers, well...artists in general almost indefinitely share is a bleak and poetic view of our surroundings. This is difficult. Life appears to be a kaleidoscope of pain and suffering, merely laced with a few minor enjoyments, and fed only by the art of others that touch us in some way. And yet our lives still suffer from despair and loud inner-metaphor. But even so, sometimes an event can just make ALL that disappear. That is what happened to this journalist when I attended my favorite metal artist of all time's live show - the great KING DIAMOND.
I'm going to make this brief. I have a whole rundown on the man (if he actually IS human) here in this very publication already (see site-directory above). But it's important that I state the magnitude of the life-changing brilliance that was his show. Yes, the fact that I'm 34 and started listening to him shortly before my age even had two-digits in it did in fact add to my own personal hype. But even I was in disbelief when the show was happening.
His recent focus on health and well-being has obviously given him a new lease on life, both physically and mentally. Not only did The King hit EVERY. SINGLE. NOTE...the way they were intended; the man (and I stress that I do question whether he is of our race or not) went for the highest notes on his multi-voiced harmonies from the albums, leaving the ones he formerly chose a good lot of the time (the second to highest) to his beloved wife, Livia, who happily and humbly sang at the side of the stage. He sounded stronger and more piercing than even his "In Concert 1987: Abigail" release.
And the stage-show, ooohh the stage show. Dr. Landau, The Priest, a human puppet, and of course, Grandma were all there, amongst many more surprises that kept King interacting and obviously enjoying himself throughout the whole ritual. His band was also in top form, yet the uncanny performance from King himself was so breathtaking that one had to remind themselves to observe the others.
For that one-hour-plus, I was transfixed, mesmerized, and having lyric-tourettes as I screamed along with my favorite band's classics. I may be a bit...touched in the head, but the event will forever be one of the grand experiences that filled one of the voids in my dark metal soul. And, from what I said here, realizing his "new lease on life" - it looks like we all will have plenty of opportunity to behold his metal grandeur and majesty for many more years to come.
Hail to The KING!
TTSNSN 11/19/14
Newest Review (11/22/14)
Bron
Fogradh
Let's begin with a nice, relaxing, new-agey piece of keyboard dreaminess. You know, something that feels like the cover of the album looks. Let's let it run it's course until the listener forgets they are listening to a metal album, then kick in a few minutes in with the whole band to verify that there is metal involved. Then, we'll flow and crescendo from the light and celestial mood that matches the intro's vibe, and we'll change and venture into different moods from there.
I doubt that the band had this conversation verbatim, yet it's what a songwriter would be thinking. And it's nothing we haven't heard before. The question, as always, is if the formula is well-done or not. My personal answer would be a huge YES for this piece of grand work. It's a melodic, heartfelt journey into the many passionate feelings that an atmospheric, keyboard-driven black metal band ought to strive for. It will keep you feeling it, even throughout the epic length of the single track. That's the trick to it, really. Don't let the listener WANT to have tracks to skip through. Make them savor it.
This is also to imply that it is performed well. And the implication is also a reality, to this reviewer. Traditional high-register black metal vocals narrate this journey nicely and without overdoing or underdoing anything. Also, I highly respect the way the rhythm guitars stay just that - rhythms - during the very key-heavy melodies, letting leads pop up and take over only when the theme of the melodies call for such a thing. And when the tremolo-picked lead lines arise, they are used to perfect effect to pave way for some tasteful and adventurous blast beats with accenting fills that do what they are supposed to for a song, as opposed to the showoff fills of less song oriented bands. This might be a long, drawn out opus, but it's execution and emotional weight will be felt at every twist and turn. It's been a long time since something this saccarine has crept into my heart. But it sure feels good, I will give it that.
Fogradh
Let's begin with a nice, relaxing, new-agey piece of keyboard dreaminess. You know, something that feels like the cover of the album looks. Let's let it run it's course until the listener forgets they are listening to a metal album, then kick in a few minutes in with the whole band to verify that there is metal involved. Then, we'll flow and crescendo from the light and celestial mood that matches the intro's vibe, and we'll change and venture into different moods from there.
I doubt that the band had this conversation verbatim, yet it's what a songwriter would be thinking. And it's nothing we haven't heard before. The question, as always, is if the formula is well-done or not. My personal answer would be a huge YES for this piece of grand work. It's a melodic, heartfelt journey into the many passionate feelings that an atmospheric, keyboard-driven black metal band ought to strive for. It will keep you feeling it, even throughout the epic length of the single track. That's the trick to it, really. Don't let the listener WANT to have tracks to skip through. Make them savor it.
This is also to imply that it is performed well. And the implication is also a reality, to this reviewer. Traditional high-register black metal vocals narrate this journey nicely and without overdoing or underdoing anything. Also, I highly respect the way the rhythm guitars stay just that - rhythms - during the very key-heavy melodies, letting leads pop up and take over only when the theme of the melodies call for such a thing. And when the tremolo-picked lead lines arise, they are used to perfect effect to pave way for some tasteful and adventurous blast beats with accenting fills that do what they are supposed to for a song, as opposed to the showoff fills of less song oriented bands. This might be a long, drawn out opus, but it's execution and emotional weight will be felt at every twist and turn. It's been a long time since something this saccarine has crept into my heart. But it sure feels good, I will give it that.
Album Spotlight:
Mortuary Drape -
- Album Spotlight!
- Reviews: (Nihilistinen Barbaarisuus, Warfather, Anguish, & more!)
- KING DIAMOND show review! (SEE BELOW)
- Check out the latest Sar Nath (black metal by the editor) album: HERE
- December Editor's Playlist! (Destructive Dozen)
- NEW editorial!