Sanity In Pieces

I've not been on this site since before its format was changed. When I was last here, the community that had been so welcoming and helpful in my musical growth seemed to be weakening. So I'm wondering, is there still a metal community here, or have I become a relic of a bygone era?

Post a link to one of your favorite songs on that album.

One of mine is Lord Belial's "Kiss the Goat" (released 1995).

One of my favorite songs is the opening track "Hymn of the Ancient Misanthropic Spirit of the Forest".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detail...

BQ: What genre have you been liking lately?

What do you think of the Swiss black metal turned industrial/electronic metal band Samael? What do you think of their shift from concepts of evil to concepts of freedom, individuality, and social equality?

If you're unfamiliar with them, give these a listen and tell me what you think.

Black Metal

http://youtu.be/-fVDcgJAcjM

Industrial/Electronic Metal

http://youtu.be/WrxwakGnEHI

Have you ever heard of the Australian band Lycanthia? I've recently discovered them, and like them enough to want to share them with you. Let me know what you think.

"Despondency in Crescendo"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detail...

BQ: Who's your favorite Gothic band?

BQ2: Who's your favorite Doom band?

I really enjoy the atmospheric sounds of Agalloch, My Dying Bride, Summoning, and similar bands. Could you please suggest some more atmospheric folk/death/doom/black metal bands or something with a similar atmosphere?

BQ: How would you describe the feeling that you get while listening to your favorite atmospheric band?

David Draiman is one of my favorite rock vocalists, but I never really liked Disturbed all that much. He's in an industrial band called Device. What do you guys think?

http://youtu.be/-K1q1pw04Bs

What's it about?

Mine is "Faustian Echoes" by Agalloch. It's based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's rendition of the classic German legend of Faust, the man who traded his soul to Satan in return for unfathomable knowledge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detail...

I'm looking for something like Summoning, but it doesn't have to be black metal.

I'd like something along these lines.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detail...

BQ: What's your favorite atmospheric album?

I'm looking for bands like Windir, Naglfar, Vreid, or Watain, but they don't have to be black metal. Those are just the bands I think of when I think of Scandinavia.

BQ: Musically, what's your favorite country or region?

For me, it would probably be a tie between Austin City Limits and The Artist's Den. I also like Music Voyager. For those of you who don't know, Music Voyager is basically a world travel show for music lovers. You'll hear everything from South American salsa rock to traditional Israeli folk music.

So, what's your favorite music themed show?

I dislike stereotypes as much as the next person, but I've noticed a trend in my behaviour while listening to different genres. For example: I've noticed that when I listen to black metal, I become cynical and intolerant of others. While listening to punk, I become aggressive and might make a few anarchist remarks. This behaviour is unlike me. I'm generally a kind and caring person. With other genres, I assume the traits of the stereotypes associated with that genre. Do you think your behaviour has ever been influenced by the music you were listening to at the time?

BQ: What are you listening to now?

What do you think of the Greek symphonic death metal band Septic Flesh?

If you're not familiar with their music, here's a few songs.

"Faust"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detail...

"Pyramid God"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detail...

"Persepolis"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detail...

BQ: Favorite metal subgenre?

BQ2: Favorite band outside of that genre?

For me, it was Atatvist by Otep.

BQ: Favorite song on that album?

Share a concert video of that band.

Mine

Band: My Dying Bride

Video: "Black Voyage" live

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detail...

BQ: Who was the headliner at the last concert you went to?

Title: An Encounter with Evil

I awoke bound to a pyre.

I looked around, searching for a savior.

My eye was drawn to a point of fire.

I then noticed that there were four more.

Onlookers numbered to three hundred thirty-three.

I feared that six hundred sixty-six eyes looked back at me.

I searched, hoping to spot at least one missing eye.

I found two in each head. Gaping holes staring as I die.

It was then that the flames rose higher, secluding me in a pentagram of fire.

From the inferno, came a deafening bellow.

A horned beast, formed of the most abhorrent iniquities,

did step forth from the blaze.

It said it could prolong my days.

The beast offered me eternal life.

All I’d have to do was promise strife.

I said “No, demon. I will not be your slave!”

It said “Come now. That’s no way to behave.”

I said “Leave me! I will not be yours!”

It said “Surely, you can be bought with precious ores.”

I said “No! Demon, leave me alone!”

It said “Fine! I’ll leave you to burn to the bone!”

The wall of flames grew nearer,

forming a deadly mirror.

I could see my own fear,

in this burning mirror.

This nearing wall austere,

ending all that’s dear.

Twisted faces in this mirror,

their tortured shrieks I hear.

An encounter with pure malevolence!

No love have I felt ever since!

Evil did come to me.

Satan did attempt to seduce me.

Hellfire did lick at my soul.

Title: A Nightmare of Reality

As a child, I dreamt that I was a victim of war.

A peaceful day disturbed by a rapping at the door.

I felt a coldness within,

when there was a shout of “You bastards let me in!”

The door flew open revealing a man drenched in sweat and reeking of terror.

Blood ran over his face. A soldier who’d scarcely escaped capture.

There was a loud crack.

The soldier yelled “Child, get back!”

As he turned, another shot rang out.

Of what happened next, there is no doubt.

The soldier fell, raw and bloody.

A man shot dead right before me!

The murderer approached the body.

From a corner, I whimpered, and he saw me.

I saw the anguish in his eyes when he realized what he’d done.

With his eyes locked on mine, he raised his gun.

I saw the life leave him as he fell.

My mind thrown into an emotional hell.

I walked through the blood and out the door.

I cried to the heavens “Why, God, did you curse man with the horrors of war?!”

It now was raining, the serenity of the day destroyed by conflict.

The blood now was draining. My surroundings now seemed derelict.

Around me, war raged, and the tears of angels drenched all.

Around me, armies engaged and would continue until mankind’s fall.

I no longer had the innocence of a child.

By visions of war, I’d been defiled.

When I awoke, I cried out in fear.

I smelled smoke; it seemed so near.

I now could see that all are guilty,

for my nightmare was a vision of reality.

So, when I get a band together, which would you rather hear?

It's been awhile since I've written anything, so I thought I'd give it a shot to see if I was getting rusty. I've been a bit of an evil mood lately, so I wrote a somewhat Satanic song. This took me maybe fifteen minutes.

I awoke bound to a pyre.

I looked around, searching for a savior.

My eye was drawn to a point of fire.

I then noticed that there were four more.

Onlookers numbered to three hundred thirty-three.

I feared that six hundred sixty-six eyes looked back at me.

I searched, hoping to spot at least one missing eye.

I found two in each head. Gaping holes staring as I die.

It was then that flames rose higher, secluding me in a pentagram of fire.

From the inferno, came a deafening bellow.

A horned beast, formed of the most abhorrent iniquities,

did step forth from the blaze.

It said it could prolong my days.

The beast offered me eternal life.

All I’d have to do was promise strife.

I said “No, demon. I will not be your slave!”

It said “Come now. That’s no way to behave.”

I said “Leave me! I will not be yours!”

It said “Surely, you can be bought with precious ores.”

I said “No! Demon, leave me alone!”

It said “Fine! I’ll leave you to burn to the bone!”

The wall of flames grew nearer,

forming a deadly mirror.

I could see my own fear,

in this burning mirror.

This nearing wall austere,

ending that’s dear.

Twisted faces in this mirror,

their tortured shrieks I hear.

I'm looking for something similar to Carpathian Forest or Dark Funeral. I'm also open to any symphonic bands.

I think that my best songs are the ones inspired by dreams and recurring nightmares. Do any of you do this?

BQ: Describe your most terrifying nightmare.

BQ: What is your favorite symphonic subgenre?

BQ2: Have you listened to Carach Angren's latest album? If so, what do you think of it? I think it's a masterpiece.

I'm not asking who's your favorite vocalist. I want to know who you think writes exceptional lyrics. My favorite is probably Dani Filth (Cradle of Filth).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp-3tF8_TtI&feature...

BQ: What's your favorite song written by the lyricist you chose?