Friday, December 12, 2008
Life check II
Accidentally banged into a middle-aged woman along the way back home. I was in my uniform attire. She was unhappy, but maybe one day she will thank me for catching a crook.
The previous weekend was good. Went bowling whilst celebrating Yazid's birthday. Meeting with old friends. I almost went for paintball last Sunday. But I injured my calf after last Saturday's soccer.
Paintball. One of the most fucking cool kind of sport. I remember watching XFire on tv some five years ago. I thought this kind of cool shit won't happen in singapore.
Plus I also spent 8 bucks on drummania last weekend. Haha.
I realized I had stretchmarks after 3 months of ns. Where? Between my thighs and butt. Wow. This means I've lost my ghetto booty. And lost fats. Gross yeah.
Well, I was about to give night calls to someone, but my idiot buddy kept borrowing my handphone.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Life check
12 weeks into national service.
Body check. My skin is more tanned, still having short hair, my throat slightly sore due to lots of shouting. Abs nearly emerging, titties quite developed, legs thin looking like chopsticks.
Walk out
Well, as far as I know, there were 4 types of ns men on their weekend walkouts.
The first one is the 'cool' guy. Having a relationship. A girlfriend. Would spent lots of time with girlfriend, else going clubbing. Back in camp, spent lots of time with girlfriend too, on the phone. Before lights off.
Then second is the 'nerd' guy. Would spent time mostly in front of the pc. Knows too much about 'torrent' stuffs. Strictly keeps track of the latest technology and games. Back in camp, these guys are useful, trusting friends.
The third is the 'slacker' guy. Spends 80% of the weekend sleeping, eating, sleeping, eating. Might turn on the desktop or the tv, now and then. Often a mama's boy. Back in camp, they're the biggest blur cocksters. Repeating the word "sian ah" every 10 minutes, anywhere, anytime. My advice is stay away from them else you'll become them.
Reflection
So what about me? Well, I'll try to reflect back these past weekends...
Went swimming with ns buddies, then played arcade and table pool with them.
Played soccer twice a month with my favourite ex-schoolmate friends.
Also went out to the nearest supermarket sometimes. What an auntie.
Okay. Other than that, I'm like the third guy. But didn't repeat the word "sian".
Crush
Had a crush, on one of the new female regular officer trainees. My type I guess. She looks very nerdy. Wear specs. But super cute. Cute to the overload.
Once I got so near to her. We were queuing after lunch. I'm right behind of her. Tried to make a conversation but I got nervous. Wasted chance.
Well, I also got another craze. Drummania! at the arcade. Beginner mode only. But it's fun smashing the drum sets.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Hope begins
Learning to be a man. At this point of time, I hope for a miracle.
Else a wrong small step from here, I would regret for my whole life.
19 and life.
Musical facts discovered:
Amoral's Decrowning > Reptile Ride
Coldplay's A Rush Of Blood To The Head > Parachutes
Tool's Lateralus > 10,000 Days
Van Halen's Van Halen = Awesome heavy metal/hard rock stuff but will get bored after some time
Decapitated's Winds of Creation = Brutal awesome shit!! If you're in the mood
Green Day's Insomniac = Plain punk rock fun, still okay
In Flames' Colony = Whoracle
Enslaved's Eld = Monumension
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Post confinement week
I didn't quite miss anything back at home. Hmm. Maybe my laptop. And mommy's awesome mee bandung.
Being at camp was not that bad. My squadmates are okay, the instructors too. But the worst thing back there was being sick! Coughing, cold, flu, and sore throat. I prefer to be sick at home. They say we are 'adapting' to the environment and lifestyle of the NS.
Crossroads
At this point of time, I'm in a dilemma. I don't know whether to sign on with my current 'O' level education or to further my studies for a diploma.
Sign on with 'O' level? It'll sound stupid for me not to pursue my studies further. And I'll get a corporal and the pay is 70 bucks more than a constable(no rank). Whilst a sergeant for the diploma holders is a few hundreds more.
Pursue further studies? I'll need more money and loan more from my parents. And I don't like depending on my parents too much.
To einherjars
To Frost the great: What's the next plan for Fayra? I can bring my guitar to camp...
To Clarence the mighty: When is PD gonna jamm again?
To Militants: So did you guys worked on the songs or created any? I'm not sure I'm going back to Assault...
Friday, September 26, 2008
Unwell on days
I was rushed to the hospital twice in the same week. Once for high fever and for hyperventilation. I don't have any medical histories what so ever. My body brokedown just like that.
Was I pushed to the limit during training? Well there were moments, but so far I can take it. In fact there were long rests in between. God knows the reasons for my health downfall.
NUH has lots of chick nurses. But I didn't stay there long enough to get a phone number. Haha. Yeah. The longest of me bedridden there is less than two hours. I'm not really sick enough to overnight there.
I got MC for that whole week and spent less than 24 hrs in camp. A lot of time spent at home; getting more than 16 hrs in my own bed. Eat-medicine-and-sleep kind of treatment.
Feeling better now, maybe still having a tough sorethroat. Soon to collect my cd from inokii.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
10 days in ns
Everyone's haircut were the same. Like a skinhead boot camp.
2 weeks of sweatbaths during the physical training, sweat entering the eyes, full body cramps and aches, especially my back thighs. I've got to admit it's been so long since I got so physical. Or passed my NAPFA test.
I was struggling with sorethroat which made me sound like At the gates. Cold, flu and heavy cough. I was a stubborn mangkuk. I refused to report sick. I believe some of my bunkmates caught my cough.
The food was okay. But not as awesome as mom's. It was too much for me too. Like an XL-sized fat bastard fitting into M-sized pants. My food-tank is not that big. Had to eat more for fuel nevertheless.
And for the past the 5 days I have not been listening to metal. I'm quite fine with it. I bought my mp3 which is filled with Bob marley, the Eagles, Richard Cheese and various punk rock bands.
I feel more younger with punk rock. I don't know. Listening to metal makes me think of this someone. Then I'll felt a little upset.
So why join police national service? We don't have to enter the jungle. We can bring camera phones to the camp. And from here, you'll get ah beng field instructors with techno ringtones, indian corporals with hip-hop ringtones, high-rank enciks with dondang ringtones, bla, bla. Interesting.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Farewell
I leave you with an amazingly beautiful song that made me cry.
All those beautiful people
I want to have them all
All those porcelain models
If only I could make them fall
Be my heart a well of love
Flowing free so far above
A wintry eve
Once upon a tale
An Ugly Duckling
Lost in a verse
Of a sparrows carol
Dreaming the stars
Be my heart a well of love
Flowing free so far above
In my world
Love is for poets
Never the famous balcony scene
Just a dying faith
On the heaven's gate
Crystal pond awaits the lorn
Tonight another morn for the lonely one is born
Depression. Loneliness. Lowliness. Emptiness. There's an ugly duckling and a swanheart in all of us.
May tomorrow be the day
Anyways, I'm glad I'm finished with my Opeth cover project. Just in time before enlistment. Though having so many mistakes.
My vocal starts off at the wrong octave. Weird chords, flat vocals, immature strumming. So far the most classical based crap I ever played. A tribute anthem to my lost childhood.
A Fair Judgement (Mikael Åkerfeldt) from Deliverance [2002]
Losing sleep, in too deep
Fading sun, what have I done
Came so close to what I need most
Nothing left here
Cut the ties, uncover disguise
Left behind all intertwined
Lost control, moved out of the role now
Nothing's left here
Leave it be
It was meant for me
Soul sacrifice
Forgot the advice
Lost track of time
In a flurry of smoke
Waiting anxiety
For a fair judgement deserved
Meaningful song. Quite describes my bittersweet life.
After tarawih prayer, the long forgetten heroes of ensihordes went to play pool! It's been two years since we performed.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
I.F.H.AMMO Ver 10.0
I just resigned from my job, now working closely with band Fayra. Recently bought an Opeth cd, and had a great time with good old friends at Downtown East last Friday.
I'm not in love with anyone. But there's someone in my mind...
So here's the final and last IFHA. Guess no one really bothers about it. But to those who have been following, you're my music buddy. The key to my emotions are my music.
Else, sorry I'm not dead yet.
IYAN'S 5 HEADBANGER AMMOS - DUAL ASSAULT FINALE
Darkthrone - Too Old Too Cold
Year: 2006
Origin: Norway
Genre: Black & roll
Minors: Crust punk, blackened punk
Highly addictive, has been in my playlist for ages. Extra crispy guitars, coldgrim black n' roll punk attack, very straightforward, kick-the-door Darkthrone.
Iyan: "Yes. I'm too outdated, too outcastic, too drained, too lame. I might as well be too selfish to care about what you think."
Headbanger's meter: Very high
Children of Bodom - Banned from Heaven
Year: 2008
Origin: Finland
Genre: [Fill in the blank] metal
Minors: Melodic death metal, [Fill in the blank] metal
Elements of melodic scandinavian metal, groove metal, somewhat doom. Oh goodness, it’s a Bodom song but it's not power metal at all!
Iyan: "I'm banned from heaven. You've been there before? So I guess one of us is more drenched in the shit."
Headbanger's meter: High
Avenged Sevenfold - Strength of the World
Year: 2005
Origin: America
Genre: Contemporary hard rock
Minors: Pop metal, metalcore
Very epical, some cowboy-flick-feel vibes, melancholic guitar licks possibly influenced by Sentenced. Nevermind the boyband pop-metalcore vocals.
Iyan: "Because you're in need of a sense of will, any sense would do. With melody."
Headbanger's meter: Moderate to high
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Soul to Squeeze
Year: 1993
Origin: America
Genre: Alternative rock
Minors: Funk rock
This is quite old school. My personal favourite from the RHCP. Very country-styled, having sweet basslines. An anthem for the lost, lonely, depressed, withdrawn, and still smiling.
Iyan: "Depression. Let's just smile about it."
Headbanger's meter: Moderate
Novembre - The Promise (Arcadia cover)
Year: 2005
Origin: Italy
Genre: Progressive gothic metal
Minors: Atmospheric doom death, melancholic melodic death
Ingenious use of guitar reverbs and delays. Everything else here is elegantly beautiful. Even the english-as-second-language vocals.
Iyan: "Sometimes we make promises, we never meant to keep. And it hurts."
Headbanger's meter: High
Himinbjørg - The Inner Mirror
Year: 2005
Origin: France
Genre: Viking metal
Minors: Melodic black, melodic death
Semi-black metal with very high emphasis on melody. Gets more fiercesome along the way. A hymn for the everstruggling warriorhearts.
Iyan: "Everyday a part of me is killed in the war."
Headbanger's meter: High
Opeth - Moonlapse Vertigo
Year: 1999
Origin: Sweden
Genre: Progressive metal
Minors: Progressive death, melodic death, progressive gothic metal
One of the greatest songs ever from Opeth. Lots of jazzy moments, aesthetic acoustic guitars, bluesy elements. Check out the neat breakdown at 4:59 mins.
Iyan: "Tired of metal? Go prog metal."
Headbanger's meter: High
In Flames - Pinball Map
Year: 2000
Origin: Sweden
Genre: Melodic death metal
Minors: Alternative metal, post-thrash
Strong guitar melodies, excitingly fresh and polished. Flames' most straightforward and best 'new' works in my opinion.
Iyan: "Great to listen after a hard day's work."
Headbanger's meter: Very high
30 Seconds to Mars - A Beautiful Lie
Year: 2005
Origin: America
Genre: Alternative rock
Minors: Post-hardcore, post-grunge
A 3-note melody that will stuck in your head. If you have ears for alternative and anything else melodic. The longest an alternative song remained in my mp3 player.
Iyan: "Life's a game of lies."
Headbanger's meter: High
Sentenced - Killing Me Killing You
Year: 2000
Origin: Finland
Genre: Gothic rock
Minors: Suicidal rock, melancholic rock, alternative rock, post-death
The well-handled pianos made this song memorable. A damn great band. A nice sentimental song to kill to, if you just had a break up or divorce. Haha.
Iyan: "Bet I could get lots of chicks if I sound like that."
Headbanger's meter: Moderate to very high
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Everyday I must suffer
No I don't really want to blame anyone. It's just my own state of self.
My legs are aching. I skipped work today because I'm drained of that crappy china-standard job. I miss jogging at the jetty. I miss my exercise routine.
I had enough of that fat bitch at work.
And I've got to admit, jaded being the 'good' guy. Strangers don't really give me respect. They say nice guys finish last.
Maybe I'll be and act like a real drop-out.
Here's my last words to you, [your name here]. STAY IN SCHOOL, PUNK!!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
A tale of crap
As they both loved the same poetries
And so the lad asked her for a Saturday
But evermost beautiful Milady had her royal upcomings
Dubious thoughts came to mind
The lowhearted jester sighed
Maybe he isn’t like Milady’s brother
A higher knight, alike other charming princes
Smiling away, a kingdom exile he is
The lonesome Jester returns to The Path
As said by His Infernal Majesty
Written on the parchment of Love Metal
Well after all, he is a joke.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Dirge for self-contribution
But maybe it's the type of gig. Just decent bunch of youngsters expressing their love for music, despite untuned guitars, immature double-pedals, powerchords strong enough to blow away flies, mosquitos and bacteria present in the air. Wow. I feel like turning into Simon Cowell.
Friday, August 01, 2008
I.F.H.AMMO Ver 9.0
We're not angry people. We're furious. Deep in the heart in which we kept for so long. Like a black dragon wanting to break free out of his hellish prison lair.
We're not barbarians. If fact we are trying to stay alive. And stay human. Something just needs to tame and play with the bloodthirsty tigerheart.
So why aren't you at the same page with us? Could be because you don't have a boss who fucks you up everyday at work.
Maybe you had, but you quit the job on the second day. Running away instead of enduring the shit.
IYAN'S 5 HEADBANGER AMMOS
Immortal - Suns that sank below
Year: 1997
Origin: Norway
Genre: Black metal
Minors: Brutal black metal, death metal
The first two black metal band words that came from my mouth as a baby is Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir. Then, Immortal. Haha.
A brutal rage indeed. Sounds like an earthquake, avalanche, ice storm, tsunami, Baghdad bombings, hurricane Katrina coming all at you at once.
Some 4 years ago when I first listened to this, I couldn’t even hear what chords they're playing. Too fast!! Insane tremolo speed picking (be warned, Demonaz the (former) guitarist suffered acute tendinopathy, after Blizzard Beasts album. Don’t try to cover this song at home!). Maximum shock value!
Headbanger's meter: Extreme
Hypocrisy - Fire in the sky
Year: 2000
Origin: Sweden
Genre: Melodic death metal
Minors: Doom death, gothic death, gothic black
First true death metal song I heard to. Or doom death. Hmm… black metal vocals?
And probably the only song I like from Hypocrisy. And ever heard. Haha.
If you listen closely to the guitars, there's melody there. Thick, heavy, downheartful ones. A song almost sounding gothic metal, if they had their synth played louder throughout. Well it is. Maybe. Nevertheless has quite an epic feel.
If you want an evil; sinister, but unrushed (not too doomy) metal song with harsh vocals, take this song along.
Headbanger's meter: High to very high
Slayer - Angel of death
Year: 1986
Origin: America
Genre: Thrash metal
Minors: Extreme thrash, proto-death
Ah, my first small steps to knowing 'true extreme metalism'. A Slayer song that kicked me in the balls… hard!! First hearing to this, I realized Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden isn't really satanic at all!
I think the vocalist is kicked in balls too, at the beginning if the song. Trying to reach the heights of a power metal vocalist? Okay, whatever it is I don’t need to describe them thrash overlords. Everyone quite knows their music style.
"They took Venom along and went straight to hell!"
Headbanger's meter: Very high
Einherjer - Dead Knight's Rite
Year: 2004
Origin: Norway
Genre: Viking metal
Minors: Neo-black metal, groove black metal, progressive metal
The first Viking metal song I tuned to, if I could ever remember.
The staccato power-riff is very gripping and hard to ignore! High treble kick drums, groovy; jazzy upbeats. Arrr!! Piratey grim death vocals. Epic seafaring-driven synths. Guitar lick melodies imported directly from Valhalla hard rock cafe. I mean, hall. Not forgetting the very fine sound quality from the Blot album.
This is incredibly unique, quirky and memorable metal tune. You can actually dance to it!! There's no Einherjer like Einherjer. Too bad they're disbanded.
Enter viking/folk metal!!
Headbanger's meter: Very high
Slipknot - Spit it out
Year: 1999
Origin: America
Genre: Nu-metal
Minors: Extreme nu-metal, rapcore, death-rapcore
The first 'death metal' song I ever heard. Some 8 years ago. I know what you metal purists are thinking…
Upon first hearing, I was scared to death of course! And at that time Linkin Park is already very, very 'heavy'. Never I heard such music so downtuned on guitars. Drop-B that is.
Yeah it’s not 'real' metal as said by extreme metal extremists. But it’s a jump starter to the 'real' death metal for angsty suburban kids who now/later listens to Deicide, Behemoth, 1349, Naglfar, Nile, bla, bla, bla. Some songs by Vader sound like Slipknot anyway. I think.
Headbanger's meter: Very high
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Awaiting for Part III
Part II: O' level / Sec school life
Part III:
Yup. From where I am now, I'm everlost between post-part 2 and part 3. Since my drop-out March 2008 I've lost a sense of purpose. Contributing most of my soul to the workforce.
I never miss life at NYP. I prefer to blame all of them. And myself. But not those whom are still in touch.
Since I left Pizza hut clementi, I'm beginning to miss those good guys back there. Especially the sweet mamacitas. I wish I could speak more...
Wake me up when September begins
Monday, July 14, 2008
A month's salary
Friday, July 11, 2008
Daily Simpletons
A Friday full of simpletons. Idiots. Morons. You heard me. Bunch nitwits who deserved to be stone cold stunnered by me.
Even at a mosque. A bunch of boneheads tried to fuck up with me. What the hell. I couldn't concentrate in my prayers. I'm just so damn upset. Angered. How I wish I could go military on them and make them cry. Simpletons indeed. 3 of them? 5? 6? Fuck them all!
Victim of irresponsibility. That's my new motto. My patience is tiring out on these bunch of blur dodobirds.
I was supposed to work today. But someone just sent me wrong info on my schedule. Sigh. I have no mood to work after all.
What an anger-trigger Friday. Fedap btul. But I'm glad that I just bought something for my mum's birthday on this Sunday. And did hundred something 'close-grip pull downs' later that night.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Sound of the police
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Half alive
How would you define black/death metal music? Satanic music? Music specially made for the anti-Christ? Ear-torture noise? Load of crap?
I would disagree to all of the above. But I would strongly agree that it is great exercise music! I listened to them everytime I went for morning jogs.
I bought Immortal's Battles in the North a few days ago. Fucking ice cold raw black metal. Great workout tunes! The album title fits me well because I live at the northernmost part of Singapore. Near the causeway. Haha. Blastbeating my way to fitness!
A picnic of friendship
Last Tuesday, me and my old pals celebrated Hasyim's 19th birthday on a picnic at east coast park. Ex-high schoolmates. It was a great day. Of course I miss outings with them since that day we all went to Sentosa for BBQ.
At some point, these guys might be the last group of friends I have in my life. I rarely go out with groups. Other than my bandmates. I'm the loner type I guess.
The weather is good. It almost rained. The beach is okay. There are too many ships out in the sea, it feels less romantic. But I'm not there for romance though. Haha.
A long way to nowhere?
Went jamming last Sunday. Hmm. Whatever it is, I just feel that Assault is beginning to have too many faults and cracks.
Assault EP tracklisting:
1. Intro
2. War on humanity
3. Retribution
4. Subversion
5. Deeds of Cold War [Under construction]
6. Outro - Failure of all Mankind (Instrumental)
Tracks 2, 4, and 6 mainly written by me.
So what does it takes to create songs for Assault? Well, I am heavily influenced by In Flames. Especially their Jester Race album.
Some people call it melodic death metal. A few would call it progressive metal (which I agreed a lot too). Jester race is very unique. The themes. The melancholic-yet-triumphant feel. Grand melodic guitars.
I am trying to re-create it through my compositions! And I think none of the members understand me on this, maybe. And I wish all of us are on the same page; worshipping the jester.
At the same time, I try to add touches of Novembre, Dark Tranquillity, Shadows Fall, Arch Enemy (but prefer In Flames more), Trivium (Clarence didn't like this band. The first metalcore band I listened to and liked), ATG, POD, Windir (on Sóknardalr album, but it's difficult).
Anything that in my opinion might sound towards my taste.
I avoided conventional, ordinary, straightforward genres like thrash, power metal, neo-classical shred metal and other highly-accessible heavy metal stuffs. Especially Metallica and Iron Maiden. Trendish metalcore often, because they are graded 'D'.
In a nutshell, I just want Assault to be different. True to self. And bittersweet tasting. Just like my current way of life. But still death metal. Yup. And lots of us forget that melodic death metal is death metal.
Haha. I spoke too much. I guess I should shut up.
Dear God, please allow Assault to have an EP by end of this year and have us listed at metal-archive.com by next year. One small step...
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Time counts
Morning work-out with Farid. He told me to meet at the usual place at 7.30am. I arrived 10 minutes late, which is still okay. He arrived around 8.15. What kind of responsibility is that? Unless you're my girlfriend, I don't want to wait for anyone late more than half-an-hour. Pisses me off.
I left before he arrived and head to my old neighbourhood. Woodlands Street 41. Lots of memories there.
I was doing sit-ups on the fitness station there. And a retarded indian man with a medical walker tried to molest me. What the. Can the day get any more fucked up?! Luckily I managed to slap his hand which is reaching for my crotch. I immediately stood up and moved away from him. I was shocked. He eyes were staring at my junk area and drooling.
I would beat him up. But he's like someone who came from metta home. With a medical walker. I quickly ran somewhere else to exercise. Shit.
A matter of responsibility
Responsibility. Even when it comes to small matters like punctuality. I admit myself as a latecomer-hater. Unless he/she is a big shot.
I was taught. If you know you're gonna be late, inform the person(you will meet) 10 minutes earlier.
Good example, meeting a friend at Orchard mrt at 12.00pm. But you are still waiting for train at Woodlands mrt and the time is 11.40am. You know it takes more than 20 minutes to reach Orchard from Woodlands.
Inform the person you will be late. Message him/her 10 minutes before 12. Better still immediately when you're still waiting for the train.
Bad example. 12.10pm, in the mrt; the train is still at Ang mo kio. You didn't inform the person at all. Instead, you wait for him/her to message you first. Now that's not gentleman.
Even worse, you replied and lied that the train is at Novena mrt.
I've been through this countless times. People lying that they're on the way, when actually they are at home in the toilet. Lying. You readers might have done this too.
So there you have it. A little sense of responsibility. If you can't arrive in time, inform earlier. Don't last minute. Don't wait for the call. And don't lie. Be a gentleman!
"Ladies don't go for matured guys. They go for gentlemen." - Iyan
Monday, June 09, 2008
Back to square nothing
Rent? Yup. My mother is now the landlady. I'm no more mama's boy. Adulthood. I pay for my phone bills, transport money (the biggest sh*t right now), food... It's for my own good after all. Dear mum knows what's best. Have to depend on myself. After all I'm a student no more.
Raped by the sound of radio
Do you listen to the radio? Like 98.7 FM whatever. It's slaughtering my inner souls if you ask me.
Clubbing hip-hop? R&b? Blings and honeyz? Doesn't fit me at all. Maybe I'll take rap music with meaningful lyrics please. "F*ck the police" contents would be fine, thank you. Rap metal? Yes...
And Madonna's recent hit is played on air frequently every 15 minutes. "Tick tock, tick tock". What the. That's the most disposable line I've ever heard since Fred Durst's "If only we can fly."
If I were to woke up morning with Madonna in my room saying "Tick tock", I'll toss her out of my window down 8 storeys. I swear. Haha.
Coventide split-up
Sad news indeed. I've watched these guys jamm couples of time. So far the most humble yet professional bunch of prog-metal musicians. Actually Coventide is left with Jaani and Syaz. Still on hiatus.
Here are my last description of the Coventide I stood alongside with.
Four folk-blessed elemental warriors,
Jaani the wind. Fast-pacing thundersteed,
forward striving gust,
thrills for swift attacks
with a shiny vicious sword.
Aiiri the earth. The stone-hammerheart,
with might of mountains,
brother to spirits of all else
that stood and came from the golden soil.
Syaz the water. Oceanborn,
a tidal mass of force,
tsunami of stamina
the great voyager who sailed a thousand seas.
Flame the fire. Flamed with le' passion,
choked by the excess smoke,
burning, ready to erupt the deadly volcanic fireball
possessed by the demonic infernal goat.
Hail Lucifer!
Hmm... I think the poem sounds like crap. But the elements speaks perfectly, enough, of them. Yeah. Err... Ah. Folk it.
Jaani is now doing very well with kick-ass but conventional heavy/speed metal Burning Shield. Whereas Aiiri alongside Flame forms new epically, ready to soar band called Fayra. Nice name.
About Fayra, I'm worried of the differences between Aiiri and Flame. They admire different aspects of the metal subgenres if you ask me. Flame has the taste almost similar to Jaani I think. Well I'll just sit back and observe things first.
When Flame talked to me about his idea of fairies and elvish magical themed, the first thing to came to my mind is "Oh-uh. Power metal." Fairies? Has he been watching winx club or something?
Haha. I was hoping for vikings, runewarriors, dark mythicans, dragonslayers and pagan barbarians. Men who fight! Ya-nuh-ah-sayin? (You know what I'm saying?) Nonetheless, I'll support them with firearms, ammunitions and ammo.
Signin' out yo. G-unit(?)!!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Hermits, hollowhearts and heroes
I gave a present to someone special. A work friend. Even though I know I'm not special to her. It was worth it. Been trying to hide feelings but when moments came, it's too hard to ignore. Just can't lie to myself. But can't lie that I suck at this kind of lovely dovey stuff! Haha.
I was a little heartbroken after sending the resignation letter. The last time I would ever, maybe, to step onto that workplace. So head to town and bought myself Death's Scream Bloody Gore cd. Old school death metal! What to do. Music is my only soulmate.
Right now I'm staying home, watching tv, hanging out in my room, training on my guitar. And physical fitness for NS. Finding a new job too.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
I.F.H.AMMO Ver 8.0
IYAN'S 5 HEADBANGER AMMOS
Enslaved - Vision Sphere of the Elements: A Monument, Pt. 2
Year: 2001
Origin: Norway
Genre: Progressive black metal
Minors: Black/viking metal, post-black metal
Who says Norwegian black bands have no ears for blues? Black metal ain't noise pollution! Haha.
Avant-gardish Monumension album is said to be one of the best of the 'new' Enslaved. Retro-feel drums and keyboards, bringing back some old prog-rock?
Starts off with some insane shred riff, 500-tonne cargo-train-coming blast beat. Draggy-doomy riffs, steel-melting blues solos. Blues? You heard me. Cheesy "Oi" chants. Don't stop the music yet, check out the astounding 'Know your enemy' interlude. Might be inspired by Rage Against the Machine.
Evil, beastly rock 'n roll indeed.
Headbanger's meter: Near extreme
Obituary - Slowly We Rot
Year: 1989
Origin: USA
Genre: Death metal
Minors: F*ckin' old school death metal. Wait. This is!
Been spinning to this album frequently. It's like scratching an itchy rash with a sea urchin! If you want crispy original-favoured old skol death metal potato chips, never look further. This is the sh*t!!
The doomy intro is as if you’re walking in a dark gruesome back alley behind the meat shop. Grinded meat waste everywhere. On 01:24 minutes, do start running. The mad butcher is out for you because he ran out of frozen pork.
Kind vocals by Taz the Tasmanian Devil! Interesting fact, the eerie blood-groovy solos are actually listenable. If you hear to Slayer.
Headbanger's meter: Near extreme
Payable on Death - Without Jah, Nothin'
Year: 2001
Origin: USA
Genre: Alternative metal
Minors: Thrash, nu-metal, reggae-punk
Been re-listening to POD! What the? Back to some of my pre-puberty era music! I got Satellite album for my 13th birthday. And at that point of time, I couldn’t define the term 'music genre'. Ah... remember your Sony Playstation 1?
A very interesting one from the multi-platinum Californian nu-metallers. Let us now play tribute to [your God here] through spiritual playing of screaming punk-thrash reggae music. Haha. Cool nu-metal-meets-reggae basslines. Though the rasta singer is irritating.
Headbanger's meter: Moderate to very high. Need a skank meter?
Amorphis - House of Sleep
Year: 2006
Origin: Finland
Genre: Melodic metal
Minors: Post-doom death, pop metal, alternative metal, love metal, progressive metal, gothic rock/metal
Metal music for grown-ups (post-metal/ex-deathsters…?)! The theme is so mature, you might be married and having a few kids. Reading a newspaper, watching the prime time news. And the death metal band you play in now has piano.
One of Amorphis' most decent tracks so far. Moderately heavy. Very melodic guitars. Very melodic everything. Soothing manly vocals from Tomi Joutsen. Elegant vocal harmonies here and there. Modern gothical pianos teaming up with their trademark keyboards.
So there you have it, f*ckin' heavy metal… suitable for a condominium advertisement on tv.
Headbanger's meter: Moderate
HIM - When Love and Death Embrace
Year: 1997
Origin: Finland
Genre: Goth rock
Minors: Love metal, pop rock, alternative metal, pop metal, doom pop
What the. HIM again? Just going through some raging emotional needs… In malay means ‘jiwang’. Haha. Been listening a lot to the infernal love metal majesty. But trying hard to avoid them. Because emo music is bad for health!
Maximum love metal! The uppermost, bottom to the core heartbroken moment. "Awww... So sad", Itchy from the Itchy and Scratchy show says. Let's flashback the sweet memories in slow motion. And the busty lady in tight tops jogging too. Haha.
Go listen lah you jiwang/emo kid.
Headbanger's meter: Moderate
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Battles in the mother north
God save us.
Mother's Day
Yes, I've been busy with work. I took me 3 days later to write about last Sunday!
The most hardworking human being in your life. We should all love our mothers. Because they shed blood, sweat and tears for you.
I'm the first in the family to wish my mum a Happy Mother's Day. It was 12:01am, I was on the way back from work in the mrt. And I brought home her favourite pizza, veggie lover's that is.
6:30 on a Sunday morning. The whole family woke up to celebrate with a Mother's Day cake. Mocha favoured I think. My sisters bought presents for mum too. I was a very happy event.
I only wish is that 20 years down the road, all us three little pigs will still love our mother. And forever.
A Sunday Assault
After 4 weeks, Assault finally had a jamming session. Once a month? I'm quite upset. No kidding, I love to go jamming. But I hate to practice. No fun with my cheap small amp. No, wait. All my guitar equipment sucks.
But I don't really care. Music comes from the heart. And set-up matters.
The jamming was okay. Good, but not great. We improved fast on Retribution. W.O.H, not so well done. As usual, my guitar tone is evil. Haha. Sounds like Obituary?
After that, I head down to Inokii to buy a metal cd, which I do every once a month. But I missed a dinner with my family. I felt guilty, but when else can I go buy my cd...?
Finally I get to own In Flame's Jester Race. Been listening to it a lot, on 128Kbps-bit rate ripped from Clarence's. But now I can roll it at a full 320Kbps-bit. Nice. Well actually I was going to pre-order a classic Immortal album but I didn't bring enough money.
And for your info, I always listen to Jester Race, everytime before I start writing a song for Assault.
Lifelessness of life
I've been going through a bit of depression. But I'll be okay. There's a lot of things that I miss. And life at Nanyang campus isn't one of them. Never. My poly life sucks! Wait. The food is nice there...
I missed two girls at the same time. Strange but true. One just disappeared without warning. And another one, changed face. I just wish I get to know her better. Both.
And in a few weeks, I completed 4 C&C campaigns. Every midnight after work. Damn. I'm a nerd! I just completed Yuri's Revenge with Soviet forces last night. Five years ago I gave up at the Soviet 3rd mission. The ending: Yuri went back to 1993 to appear in the Jurassic Park film! Haha.
I've dived into this sea of solitude, I held my breath longer than most of you.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Monsoon monsters
I've been working six nights a week. Had enough rest. But not enough exercise. I miss the evening jogs at the jetty. Whilst listening to metal.
I always reach home from work around 12 midnight. And had trouble sleeping after that! Usually I will only fell asleep after 3 or 4. And sometimes not at all. But then I sleep in the chilly morning till afternoon.
Did you ever notice, the air in the early morning is colder than at night? Guess the natural air-con kicks in late. Mother nature, please go repair it. And Jack Neo, go clean the air-con. "Vacuum here... simperr(simple)!!"
Calling her 666
Then one morning, I was a little obsessed about a crush... I can't sleep. She was working later in the morning, so I decided to gave her a call while she was on her way to work. Like, greet her good morning, have a nice day whatever.
However, I was so nervous. Like never before. Very hard to push the green button. I think my testicles left me that morning and went jogging.
In the end, I did tried to (miss) call her. She didn't pick up. At least I get to hear the french lady sing. Haha. I suck.
Nah. Back to solitary manhood.
Tiberian suns that sunk below
Been re-playing C&C tiberian sun! Whilst listening to metal. I first played it like 5 or 6 years ago. Next, red alert 2! Video games, a man's best friend. Recently finished the GDI campaign.
I think In Flames' music fits with the game well. Like, a dystopian futuristic war on global humanity. Lunar strain was awesome. And there's a track with some damn soothing female vocals. Beats Tarja!
At times when loneliness vanquishes over sanity, you don't mind making friends with ghosts and spirits...
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Crystalize dimensions
My birthday was awesome too. My sisters bought me nice clothings. Good one, because I'm a person who shops for clothes and apparels like once a year. Mum bought me a birthday cake and lunch. Dad gave me 50 bucks. I have a great family.
Wishwhoring
Can I go wish whoring? All in the name of a self-revolution.
I wish that Assault EP is out as soon as possible. Seriously. A band with a myspace profile or an official website is useless without a discography. A debut record, filled with originals, is a bands' first trophy. Whilst getting a debut gig is a mini-trophy.
I'm tired with people who keep asking "Assault no demo?" But thanks for being impatient for a first blood.
Kill the boss level monster and earn our trophy!
I wish people would appreciate my work better. More importantly, not molest them. My musicwritings that is. I'm very sentisitive about my own creations. And I hate farid harassing them. Very. If you have to please your own mates harder than you have to please the general listeners, in that case, I'll follow the paths of Quorthon and Varg.
I am Da Vinci. I drew Mona Lisa the way I want. But if you try to 'molest' my ideas and replace her nose with a prettier one, even if the new nose cost millions, even if the world of arts liked it better, I'm not happier. In fact upset. Because I want Mona Lisa, not Michael Jackson!
Anyway, will Assault today have originals if I didn't join them two years ago? Maybe still doing covers. I sound cocky. But I just feel underappreciated at the moment.
I wish that the goth-rock chick who was dismissed from my workplace is still working at clementi ph. I miss her. Her cherry pimples. Her snow white skin. Her damn cool hairstyle.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Wishes of a jester son
Wait. If the genie is Fiona Xie from the channel 8 show My Genie, then this would save me one wish. Haha. Okay crap.
My first wish will be both my parents to be happy for eternity. It is their happiness that matters most in the family. Not only glad and proud of me, but to us all three little pigs.
My second wish is me to have a good career later in the army.
My third and final wish is to meet the lady starlight at the end of the lightless tunnel. The song playing right now in this post has been ringing in my head for too long...
Other wishes which did not seem too important:
New music headphones!
New guitar pick ups.
New 9V adapter for my current gadget. Been getting frequent electric shocks. My life could be at risk I think.
Delay effects pedal.
Assault to be one of the best melodic/progressive metal musicians from east asia. Mankind melodic death! Jester metal revival! Pure f*ckin' gothenburger!!
To become a (metal) record producer (See Fredrik Nordström).
To achieve this above, I wish to pursue a Diploma in Audio Engineering. After NS!
To be a vocalist in a small-time goth metal/rock band (See Ville Valo and Ville Laihiala).
Guitar lessons from melodic death virtuoso Jesper Strömblad or blackened virtuoso Abbath! Haha. What about Malmsteen or Steve Vai or Slash? No way. Too cliché!
Last but not least, my blog fans. Because friends do listen, all you readers are my best friends. Please head to the side of the hall for free food and beverage...
Friday, April 04, 2008
I.F.H.AMMO Ver 7.0
So what do I think of the metal music industry today? I've bought April's metal hammer magazine. All new bands emerging. New genres. New trends. Old bands taking new directions.
Nah. The past true legends are dead. Metal might be dead.
What's the most UNmetal song I last heard to? Scissor sisters' I Don't Feel Like Dancing. Nice but gay song. Good for dancing while I'm brushing my teeth. Haha.
IYAN'S 5 HEADBANGER AMMOS
Immortal - One By One
Year: 2002
Origin: Norway
Genre: Black metal
Minors: Blackened thrash, blackened death, technical black, war metal
I fell in love with Immortal since I first heard to Solarfall. Bought At the Heart of Winter album too. True (comedy) kings of Norway!! This is the most popular song from Immortal at the moment I think. Will come out on "Immortal - The Greatest Hits".
A mighty war anthem if you ask me. Like, modern nuclear warfare. Not medieval war. Or whatever you call it. Mind-blowing machine gun tremolo picking with atomic charged blast beats. Damn. Abbath took the fast-as-f*ck grind sounds from Blizzard Beasts, and mixed them with the epic heavy-metalness of ATHOW. Hellishly executed. Ah, genius! He's currently my hero now. Haha.
Headbanger's meter: Almost extreme. Nevertheless, a shirt-ripping experience.
At the Gates - The Swarm
Year: 1994
Origin: Sweden
Genre: Melodic death metal
Minors: True gothenburg death metal, thrash metal, metalcore roots
At the Gates taught us 3 important lessons: 1- Play death metal before you play '[fill in the blank] death metal'. 2- Be original. 3- Change the f*ckin band name if its going to a new, cheesy direction (see The Haunted).
This is pre-Slaughter of the Soul material. Intro starts off with weeping violins. Then hear the growl of seven-string guitars. Very morbid. Suffocated, tortured, you would rather die than bear the pain. It's easy to see why hardcore and screamo kids like this kind of stuff. At the Gates (along with Soilwork) were the first 'suicidal' Swedish death bands in my opinion. Enough talking. They have their signatures signed on every songs labeled 'Gothencore'.
Headbanger's meter: Very high
As I Lay Dying - An Ocean Between Us
Year: 2007
Origin: America
Genre: Metalcore
Minors: Neo-thrash, melodic death, melodic hardcore
Slightly more serious and thrash-wise than most metalcore acts, AILD will score 5 marks higher than Trivium in a metal written exam. Haha.
Strong hints of Machine Head, riffs extracted from In Flames' Come Clarity, then made into more brutal, and still, metalcore. Awesome execution though. The drums are outstanding. High treble double kick drums. Quite solid, like armor piercing shells. Listen closely and you'll hear haunting chimes ringing in the background... that's atmosphere with dark creativity, right there. "This song is so last year," say trendwankers who now listen to deathcore or '[fill in the blank]core'.
Headbanger's meter: Very high
Novembre - Distances
Year: 2001
Origin: Italy
Genre: Gothic metal
Minors: Atmospheric doom death, melancholic melodic death
Finally I get to review Novembre. The opening track for Novembre Waltz. These guys are specialists in artistic, atmospheric, soothing gothic metal. Just, magnifico! Go ask my friend Aiiri.
Imagine yourself walking alone in the ever-beautiful streets of Paris or Venice or somewhere else in Europe. But as a destitute. Not a beggar yet, still have neat clothings on. Just hopelessly lost in wonderland. This is what you get from this song. Haha.
Moderate paced 'pleasant' death metal, with bleak classical-driven guitar licks. Acoustic instruments hissing here and there. Look out too for the accordion interlude, like from some Italian carousel carnival.
Headbanger's meter: moderate to high
H.I.M - Join me
Year: 1999
Origin: Finland
Genre: Goth rock
Minors: Love metal, pop rock, alternative metal, pop metal
Been spinning to a few HIM albums a lot recently. Though there's a Israeli-Palestinian war waging through my head, in the middle of the battleground, are smiling children holding flowers and skipping around.
If my dad listens to Bon Jovi or Scorpions or some other love rocker anthems, my own answer would be HIM. Valo is great songwriter and hate to mention it, vocalist. It's never hard to figure out their trademark formulas and sounds. Cheesy, but very effective. It's love metal!
A somewhat eerie, emotional love song. "Darling come lah die together... where you going? You're coming with me!! [maniacal laughter]". Love is crazy after all.
Favourite quote: "This life, ain't worth living!" Now that's err.. emo.
Headbanger's meter: moderate to high
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Terminal candidature disease
I failed the repeat core modules. Programming makes me sick after all. Spending that long hours in front of the empty white screen. It's like reading a book with no pictures, no start, no ending. White flag up.
I failed to make good study friends too. I sat beside moron overlords. They came the latest but went home the earilest. And they spent dogsh*t valuable time on the msn messenger, game cheat code sites, listening to airheaded techno.
F*ckin' poor time planning. And I was diseased by them. I am silent screaming. I might me dead by now.
I strangely hate being around with the year ones. Wait. Even my repeat comrades. They speak their own tougue happily. I might been an invisible outcast. I anticipate a very silent atmosphere even with the presence of "friends".
My school life might be called as... sh*t.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Week eleven ends
How am I? It's been very long since I attended school. 6 out of 9 weeks of the holiday had passed. 9 weeks?! Yes. You heard me. Call me a slacker.
I also might have become 'seasoned' to the sleeping of only 2 hours or less in the nighttime, whilst 5 hours and beyond in the morning (till late noon). Sounds like sleeping disorder.
So hows my weekend? Been practising moderately on the guitars, focusing and improving on War On Humanity song. And as usual working on a saturday night.
If you've been dreaming quite a lot about this sweet girl whom you know, having a short walk with her could be pleasant after all. A walk at the seaside? Sounds like soap opera.
Never Say Die
Been staying up in the morning before jamm to revise on WOH. Nesh couldn't attend again for the jamm that sunday. I'm disappointed. Very. And I felt like not coming down at all yesterday. But a little walk with a hot chick kinda motivates me.
And on the way in the mrt to the studio, I met with brother Rosle Salim.
Who? The unfortunate but 'never say die' dude who was featured at Berita Harian frontpage! Cool. Of course, at first I was unsure whether it was him. " Apa khabar bang, pergi kerja?", I shook his hand. He smiled.
I feel touched of course. I hope I make his day. And he somewhat makes my day too. Meeting him taught me an important lesson. Be thankful to God while you still have your good life. And your legs!
Let me translate the main heading: "Couldn't walk, lives alone by himself but never given up in life." Brader Rosle, rock on! \m/
The Jamm
Although there's only one guitarist in the house, I quite enjoyed myself. During the solos, we temporarily become like a nu-metal band. Haha. Though I came out with a little some 'solos' to light up the party. And it's been very long since I jammed with Nullified vocalist Farhan.
Improving on WOH, much better than last session. Nullified's The Face still sounds fresh and very enjoyable. The trivium cover song was a bit messed up. Clarence sounds like the old vocalist of sentenced with their cover song. Overall, great time.
Shopping
After jamming me Clarence, Syaz and his brother embark on a great journey to the west. From raffles place to orchard road.
And the biggest obstacle would be the fort canning hill! Tiring but great workout. It took more than 45 minutes for your info. On a strolling speed.
We reached the hereens and took a 10 minutes rest on the bench in the cool air-con. Hmv kinda sucked. Too many blanks in the extreme metal section. I only bought myself a HIM official calendar at 1.95 bucks.
So cheap? I think people prefer pictures of ville valo without facial hair. Haha.
Inokii was a smashing time. Finally got my hands on Decapitated's Winds of Creation re-issue with bonus DVD. The band has an average age of 18 on their debut album. They're not american kids, but polish. And even better, they're not deathcore.