Olympic Flames and Hand Grenades

Stand down, Keith.

Into that darkness
Into that darkness
Like jackals howling
Like flowers unfolding

Into that darkness
Into that darkness
The banners in tatters
The virgin is blessed
Into that darkness
Into that darkness
As if seeking there
Hope's bloody prey
The dead dog sinking
turning and turning

She said destroy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_in_June
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=63564056
www.deathinjune.net

When its cold; and when its dark--

The Freezing Moon can obsess you.

I was surprised to find that ex-vocalist (actually, chronologically speaking the third, I believe) vocalist Attila Csihar returned to the Mayhem fold after giving original ex-ex-vocalist(who was it, Maniac? The beer-belly mullet guy. Did ANYBODY like him?) the boot.

I was even more surprised that to discover that, man, I really did enjoy their newest effort, "Ordo Ad Chao," which is Latin for "A Solid Foundation." Although far from toppling their '92 masterpiece, "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" which is Latin for "Satan's Magical Mystery Tour," Ordo Ad Chao is a SIGNIFICANT improvement over anything that they've done since then. Firstly, the production is excellent. While probably an expensive undertaking, its intentionally sabotaged sound (a cliché by now, but it works in this case) produces that eerie, dissonant aesthetic that makes this post-92 album really stand out. To paraphrase drummer Hellhammer: "its necro as fuck."

Additionally, part of the necrotizing process involved untriggering the drums, which further helps create a more organic sound which is so important in creating a good black metal album. (A note on triggering: people are often quick to discredit its use in any case, arguing that its cheating on the drummers part. Drum triggers are sensors that produce a pre-programmed tone that allow the drummer to play as fast as possible without having to worry about the noise of one part of the drum drowning out the other. It seems pretty necessary for blast-aholic bands like Nile or Cryptopsy to employ them: however I think Mr. (Hell)Hammer made the right choice in doing away with them).

Of course, what really made the album was the reintroduction of Attila--who was only supposed to be a session vocalist following the death of semi-original ex-vocalist Dead. A prolific gent, Attila even worked with psychedelic folk musician David Tibet of Current 93 fame.

http://brainwashed.com/c93/
http://www.myspace.com/davidtibet

(I'm loving the juxtaposition under the "musician's Tibet has worked with" heading on his webpages by the way. Some guy from Neil Diamond--and Attila. Nyuck.)

In any case, you can judge for yourself. The following from a show in Nottingham a few days ago:

More reasons why I wish I ascended to young adulthood during cultural apex of the early 90's (part 2)

Sub-Title: Older television personalities not quite "getting it."

Behold: GWAR

Nyuk Nyuk Ny-*click*

https://secure.adbusters.org/orders/tvbgone/

"TV-B-Gone™ universal remote control turns off virtually any television! It's the ultimate jammer tool for reclaiming public space. It works at airports, bars, offices... any place that needs a break from the idiot box. Clarity of mind, one click at a time. "

Has potential, although I would be upset if someone TV-B-Gone'd me while watching what may be the greatest (and most awkward-cum-bizarre ) moments in public access television:



Man, Glen Benton was awesome when he was all evil n' shit. Now he got fat, writes laughable music and apparently is often seen wearing those ubiquitous "One tequila, two tequila, three tequila FLOOR" t-shirts popularized by the aging "fat n' sleezy" demographic (although I can only empirically attest to the first to points). That doesn't, of course, nullify the fact that the first two Deicide albums were both groundbreaking and brilliant in terms of innovation, musicianmanship (sic?) and vision. Yeah--I said it: brilliant and visionary, which is why those albums will still be significant and listenable in the next 10, 20, 30 years. Actually, listening to the classics of the Florida scene are striking insofar as they do not feel dated or old in any way. If you didn't know the history behind the "Legion's" and "Altars if Madness'" of the world, you would have no idea that they were released almost 2 decades ago.

Can you say the same thing about "Nevermind?"

Asatru on the Western Plains

Inmate says he needs Thor's Hammer, drum in Salt Lake City

Somehow, I get the impression that he's just being very difficult. Naturally, this article is simply clever subterfuge for posting this picture (courtesy of Los Internets):



That's the stuff.

Groove 4 Gremory

Celtic Frost, so sayeth many-a hessian, are god-like (your birthplace may affect your weltanschauung. Being European and speaking heavily accented English helps considerably--more of this later). One interview I read highlighted the idea that while stylistically their music is very simple, their musicianship is so strong that they create this untouchable, distinct groove that most bands couldn't emulate no matter how hard they try. If you compare Celtic Frost playing live to any Celtic Frost cover band--even if they nail all the notes--you'll understand what I mean. A quick (sigh) youtube search can provide any empirical proof that you need:



Naturally, I'm reminded of seeing these lads live in Madrid, wherein unlike any show in the states the venue came damn close to selling out. Since Herr Martin Eric Ain actually seems to be one of the most affable and intelligent guys in business (despite aforementioned 'god-ship') I retrospectively felt kind bad for screwing around with their between song banter. I had a bit of an advantage with respect to mostly non-anglophonic audience:

Herr Ain: Do you fear death Madrid? DO YOU FEAR DEATH?
Crowd: N..no?
Herr Ain: I say again--you proudly wear the images of death, but do you FEAR death?
Crowd: N-(somewhat more renounced) No!

"I don't know, I've never really though about it. Naturally, it depends on the circumstances!"

Herr Ain: You all--uh--this song is called "Necromantical Screams!"

Well shit. Oh well: