Not here anymore: goto frozensummers.com

ChaotiMusic 101 - Stand Back I'm Going To Try Science

2009-06-30T22:00:00.002+10:00

Take some xkcd, add a dash of beer and stir with the burning indignation that comes from marking exams all day and reading Ray Comfort on the way home. That will create these lyrics.

The music is 6/8 locrian madness (except for the bits the aren't).... and don't ask me where the inspiration for it came from. You should know that my music may exhibit dynamics that are highly sensitive to initial conditions.

Get it here

Lyrics:

Verse 1:
Strange equations
In my mind
Pulling from
The intertwined
Lucid thoughts
Of life defined

Chorus:
Unleash.... Unleash the power of
Science.... For it will make all your
Paths straight....
So stand back....
I'm going to try science

Verse 2:
Chaos explains
The random world
Butterfly flap
And we're hurled
In fractal ways
We watch unfurl

ChaotiMusic 100 - Dessert of Godlessness

2009-06-23T21:32:00.002+10:00

One. Fucking. Hundred.

Time for some oldskool thrash.

With cupcakes....

Get it here

Lyrics:

Verse 1:
Its time
Right now
For a
Degustation
Unleash
Flavours
On your
Imagination

Chorus:
Taste the tempting delight
Dessert of godlessness

Verse 2:
Chocolate
Covered
Logic
Celebration
Cupcakes
Coated
With gods
Eradication

Image nibbled from violet blue

ChaotiMusic 099 - Retrograde

2009-06-16T21:14:00.003+10:00

A nice little ditty about astrology.

Click this link to see why I'd write a song attacking such a "harmless" superstition. Spoiler.... its not just because it is total bullshit (although that probably would be enough knowing my personality)

The song itself was easy to write, and the entire process was observed by my girlfriend. The verse is kind of slow and dense, slightly inspired by the music from the Mass Effect 2 Trailer. The song itself is in drop-D, which allowed some different chords to be used (9ths and 6ths), the verse riff has a nice slow groove.... typical of what I usually do in this tuning.

Get it here

Lyrics:

Verse 1:
Listen to magic forces
That pull us to and fro
Driven by magic forces
With knowledge to bestow

Chorus:
Retrograde
Accept your fate
Retrograde
The stars dictate

Verse 2:
Looking up to see downward
The houses and the signs
Astral bodies push us forward
Show us your designs

Bridge:
Astrology is not the way
Pseudoscience leads us astray
Astronomy shows us the way
True science reality ok!

Verse 3:
Hasten to changing of tides
Out with ignorance
Chasten by our true guides
Tested by science

Verse 4:
The future is not effected
By unrelated stars
Coincidences not connected
Listen to scholars

ChaotiMusic 098 - The Principal of Weevil Made Fresh

2009-06-08T20:50:00.002+10:00

This is what happens when I go to an extreme metal gig.

It is an instrumental inspired by seeing Cradle of Filth live. Although it sounds completely unlike them. The interesting thing is that the whole song was built around dance beats. I'd pick a beat, and then write the music to go over it. It has a completely danceable groove for awhile, then a tremolo picked black metal riff for the bridge that leads into the surf guitar solo which takes us back to the groove....

The title is obviously taking the piss out of everything and everyone who is trve.
<cookiemonster>RAWR!!!!!1!!!one!!!1!</cookiemonster>

Image summoned from here

ChaotiMusic 097 - Glossolalia

2009-06-02T08:20:00.003+10:00

A nice long weird song.

But in a good way.

No lyrics, because everything vocal was improvised.

The first weird vocal bit is a form of throat singing.

The second weird vocal bit is my glossolalia (aka speaking in tongues aka gibberish).

A free beer (or similar beverage) to anyone who can guess the source of the intro sample.

Image licked from here

ChaotiMusic 096 - Rapture

2009-05-26T19:18:00.002+10:00

Get it here

A song with a slow and dirty groove. Driven by the bass.

Lyrically its looking more at atheism from more of the positive side of things. Plus it has a reference to not eating babies.... just in case you were still confused on that.

Lyrics:

Verse 1:
Free to live for ourselves
Wanting the best in the world
Sacred we draw from our loves
Driven to sensual delights

Chorus:
Welcome to rapture
Living for nature
Welcome to rapture
Making our own meaning

Verse 2:
Free to give of ourselves
Wanting to remake the world
Ethics we draw from our minds
Driven to do what is right

Bridge:
No gods
There are no gods
There are no gods
But we aren't immoral
No gods
There are no gods
There are no gods
But we don't kill 'em all
No gods
There are no gods
There are no gods
But we aren't demonic
No gods
There are no gods
There are no gods
But we don't eat babies

Image liberated from here

ChaotiMusic 095 - Thank The Lord

2009-05-19T22:27:00.003+10:00

Get it here

A song of prayer.

Now, don't worry yourself I haven't gone and unbackslidden (would that be frontslidden?). It was an actually an idea inspired by 2 different things, neither of which is me re-embracing Jesus Christ (or any other invisible friend) as my saviour.

1. Luke 18:9-14: The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, where the Pharisee (playing the campy bad guy role he is typically in) prays "God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector."

2. Something that Dave the Happy Singer said on a recent podcast. I think it was the Skepticzone but it may have been Critical Mass. I didn't take notes, and he's lucky that I'm crediting him at all, this isn't an essay or scientific paper after all*. Anyway, he said that something along similar lines to what the Pharisee prayed in the quote above would make for a good song.

This is that song.

Or at least my version of it**. Loaded with references to western elitism, religious hypocrisy and theological contradictions. Its twisted and dark and metal, just as you'd expect from me.

* - But I will accept the whole he who publishes first wins idea from such papers

** - Obviously if Mr. Happy Singer were to follow thru on his idea to write a similarly themed song it would be quite different. Possibly more happy. Possibly more singing.

Lyrics

Chorus:
Thank the lord that I'm not....
One of them

Verse 1:
Thank the lord that I'm not
Born into a foreign land
Living in poverty
Living in some kind of hell
Thank the lord that I'm not
Forced to hunt for my bread
Forced to steal internet
Made to be a criminal

Verse 2:
Thank the lord that I'm not
A member of the weaker sex
Submissive and repressed
Built to learn in silent meekness
Thank the lord that I'm not
A backslider or unsaved
A cursed jew or muslim
Or a goddamned atheist

Verse 3:
Thank the lord that I'm not
Struck down by disease
AIDS, cancer or leprosy
Birth defects or insanity
Thank the lord that I'm not
Killed by a volcano
Or washed away in a flood
Or destroyed by gods evil!

Image blessed from here

CM 096 - Ironic (Uncovered 10)

2009-05-11T22:47:00.001+10:00

Get it Here

This song is an awesome work of genius.

I know that the intelligent and witty types don't think that, but what could be more ironic than a song about irony completely failing to include any anecdotes that meet the correct definition of irony?

Plus I just love Alanis.... possibly because of my as yet unexplained Canadian attraction thing.

Of course, my version sounds completely unlike her versions.... as you'd expect. Especially that riff I open it with (a free drink to the first person to recognise where I "borrowed" it from). Don't ya think?

All The Things She Said

2009-05-11T21:47:00.002+10:00

ChaotiMusic 093 - Purge

2009-05-04T15:31:00.001+10:00

Something a little more sinister now....

A dark and twisted ballad, loaded with some slow ponderous riffage.... at least in the choruses where you'll also find lots of distortion lots of dark tones from the neck pickups and an evil choir backing me up.

The verses are light, at least musically with some clean guitar chords and tinkly piano.

The song should be obvious in its message.... the purge isn't about vomiting, nor is it some metaphor for improving yourself.

Its about ending the delusion that we call religion.

Lyrics:

Verse 1:
Employ
All that you have
Give to the cause
Sustain
Don't you give up
Pick at the flaws

Chorus:
Crash to the ground
Smash the unsound
Purge it all out
Crash to the ground
Smash the unsound
Purge the devout

Verse 2:
Annoy
All that you see
Churn up a swell
Arcane
Don't you relent
Shatter the spell

Verse 3:
Destroy
All that you can
Defile the shrine
Insane
Don't you submit
Crush the divine

Image purged from here

History of Oil

2009-04-29T16:08:00.000+10:00

CM92 - Scientific Method (Rinse & Repeat)

2009-04-27T22:29:00.003+10:00

Get It Here

Guitars!

Loud Guitars!

Singing! (or at least something vaguely like it)

The song itself is about the scientific method. Obviously.

Since this is the first song back from the synthland that was Project Vortex all my guitars got used. The first solo was me totally shredding on the Ibanez RG Prestige. The slide guitar solo was actually done on my Ashton plywood strat-o-crap with an allen key. The Squier tele'o'doom being used for the non-slide part of the second solo.

It feels good to rock the fuck out on the guitar again.

The final sample is partly a random explosion I found, and partly from the Mythbusters.

Lyrics:

Chorus:
Rinse and repeat (x3)
Let it wash the false away

Verse 1:
Consider the problem
Ponder the question
Pursue and answer
Form a conjecture

Verse 2:
Deduce a prediction
Based on the reason
Look for the converse
Testing all you can

Image obviously taken from xkcd

Project Vortex: Eta

2009-04-23T16:08:00.004+10:00

Mode: G Mixolydian
Get It Here

So.... we come to the end of our cycle through the modes with this piece. It is very much a fusion of different styles.

It is a little more ambient than the others.... but it still has a nice beat in a hiphop style. The chords, on the synth pads and arpeggios, are actually in a ragtime progression. The recurring washy "chorus" is actually sampled and heavily effected record scratches. The tinkly solos are from me improvising using the keys on my macbook as input.

The whole thing is kind of a chillout piece. At least I think it is. I don't ever really listen to dance music. It just washes over you like a cloud.

The end sample is.... totally obvious and totally correct in its message.

Image exploded from NASA via wikipedia

This is fucked up.

2009-04-22T22:09:00.002+10:00

Mz Ann Thropik: "Sweet Love Beat" @ Manning Bar, Sydney Uni 13-Feb-09

2009-04-22T11:25:00.000+10:00

Yeah, I was there.

Midsong costume change FTW!

The Passover Song.

2009-04-16T22:13:00.000+10:00

Die! Die! Die! Motherfucker Die!

Project Vortex: Zeta

2009-04-15T12:12:00.001+10:00

Mode: F Lydian
Get It Here

This is me, completely stripped down. Just a piano. No synths. No guitars. No drums. Just the gravecembalo col piano e forte. Or at least a digital facsimile of a Steinway Grand Piano, and maybe a couple of effects to add a little character.

Anyway, this song was me aiming for something simple and pretty but with a haunting quality. Like daydreaming in a nice garden, but occasionally almost glimpsing something evil slithering in the shadows. The raised 4th of lydian combined with the sharp tone of the overdriven piano really provides that.

Or at least that's what I think.

Image fell apart from here

God is not a valid reason

2009-04-12T12:18:00.001+10:00

A few weeks ago the Battlestar Galactica finale aired. It was ultimately unsatisfying because instead of tying up all the loose ends with logical answers, they just said "god did it" to explain every one. After 4 seasons of buildup we just had the rug pulled out from under us.

It left most people feeling ripped off, because "god did it" doesn't explain anything. It is the ultimate non-answer. It is what we used to use as a placeholder for an answer before the truth was discovered.

For example:
We used to say that when it rained "god did it". Now we have climatic models, the hydrologic cycle, synoptic charts and weather radar.

Now the majority of people check a weather report when they want to know if it'll rain tomorrow, not ask their local prophet, shaman or witch doctor.

The problem is that a number of people are trying to use the "god" reason to push their views on the populace at large. Whether it is trying to get "god did it" to replace the thoroughly proven science of Evolution, or saying "god said don't do it" to discriminate against gay couples.... it is still the same non-answer.

I'm not saying that a religious person can't have an opinion, of course they can, but if they want to argue it in the public square they need to do so on the same terms.... Especially if they are trying to influence Government policy and legislation. A so-called holy book can't be the basis of your arguments. If you want to use science, logic or reason to argue against gay marriage, or for us continuing to use christian holidays as the basis for public holidays then that is fine.

Just keep your God out of my Government.

Picture magically disappeared from here

Project Vortex: Epsilon

2009-04-07T20:40:00.004+10:00

Mode: E Phrygian
Get It Here

Phrygian always makes me think of non-western music. It has an inherent tonality that hints at the music of India and the middle east. Something about the flatted second being only 1 semitone above the root, it brings to mind the disharmony of the non-western microtonal music.

This linked in well with Kushiel's Avatar, the third book in the Kushiel's Legacy series by Jacqueline Carey, that I was just finishing at the time. Some of the story of the book is set in the Middle East and Africa, and that inspired the song, at least indirectly.

In this song I really focused in on that with lots of drone notes and an almost excessive use of the flatted second that is at the heart of the mode. The drums are based on classic African polyrhythms, and some of the instruments (like the sitar) are all about hitting the clichés of the style. Of course my own style still shines thru with the rock organ driving the song along. Although it is much more sparse and texture-based than my usual melody driven instrumentals.

Image dropped out from here

RadarRadio Owns Your Soul

2009-04-06T16:40:00.001+10:00

So, last week I found out about a new service called RadarRadio. They'd posted an ad in the drum classifieds about artists submitting music, and I thought I'd check it out.

Firstly, its an Austereo digital radio station. The likelihood of digital radio taking of in oz is about -1, so submitting music there is as probably as good as just putting up on a random website in terms of getting it out there.

Secondly, the Terms of Service.... There is the usual royalty-free license:
# to access or examine any User Content;
# to use and reproduce the User Content and to communicate the User Content to the public, including but not limited to, on and in connection with any of our radio stations including any digital radio station established by us, on the Website or any other website operated by us and through any wireless service (including any service which enables material to be accessed on a mobile telephone or similar device or by podcast (whether such service is now known or hereafter developed)); and
# at our discretion, to move, remove or disable access to User Content which we consider, in our sole opinion, to breach any law or to be otherwise unacceptable

The usual stuff, but in this case it'd mean that if that song got popular you'd basically get no money from Australian Radio.

The next bit though isn't so usual:
"To the extent permitted by applicable law, you unconditionally and irrevocably waive all moral rights you hold in the User Content in favour of us and our successors and assigns and you unconditionally and irrevocably consent to all or any acts or omissions by us, or any person authorised by us, in relation to User Content Posted by you which may infringe any moral rights you hold; including, but not limited to, your right:

* (i) to be identified as the author of any User Content;
* (ii) to take action against any false attribution; and
* (iii) to object to derogatory treatment of your User Content"

WHAT THE FUCK????

So if I upload a copy of my song Unicorn, then Austereo suddenly owns all rights to it. Which means they could then sue me for distributing my own song on chaotimusic.com.

Don't listen to this bullshit, and share this with all your friends.

Wherein Dan Outsmarts CityRail regarding ticketing on the new Epping Chatswood Rail Link

2009-04-06T11:29:00.002+10:00

Last monday I sent this to cityrail via their feedback form:
"I work at macquarie university and have to travel between the main and cbd campuses. In the past I have used a weekly from my home station (Tuggerah) to the city, and broke my journey at epping to get the bus when needed.

This morning with the magnetic gates at Macquarie University Station now operational my weekly ticket was invalid so I just used the complimentary green ticket to get thru.

I was just wondering if this is because the new gates only accept the complimentary ticket? Or is it because I purchased my weekly last week? Or what?"

The response I got from them was as such:
"Dear Dan,

There is a special update brochure on the new ticketing arrangements on the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link available at the stations. In that brochure, it clearly states that until your current ticket expires, you will need to use the complimentary green ticket to exit at the new stations. Ask station satff at any of the five stations for the green ticket. So depending on the next weekly you buy, if the destination is one of the stations in the new link, the free travel component will be incorporated automatically in the ticket.

I hope this helps,

Regards

Shalu

Your Say Line"

I then said to clarify the situation which was obviously too complex:
"Firstly, I haven't seen the brochure, the staff at Macquarie Uni station on monday morning were just handing out the tickets.

Secondly, I want to know whether a weekly ticket from Tuggerah to the City will allow me to exit at Macquarie (and I don't see why it wouldn't since it works at both Epping and Chatswood)

-Dan"

Then a simple response designed to shut me up and make me buy more tickets like a good consumer-sheep but not answer my question:
"Dear Dan,

Thank you for your email. You will not be allowed to use the ECRL line on the Tuggerah to City weekly ticket. When the free period is over you will need to buy tickets to exit or enter any of the ECRL stations except Epping(as this is a part of Northern Line as well). This is the reason your ticket was invalid on monday morning at Macquarie Park station. So you can break your journey at Epping but not at the other stations.

I hope this all helps you,

Regards

Shalu

Your Say Line"

So I decide to call their bullshit and try to get an answer, using a slightly different example to help discover their "logic":
"Then my question is why not? I was of the belief that a weekly ticket included any stations between the 2 endpoints, and I think the ECRL would be included.

Would a weekly ticket from Hornsby to the City include the ECRL? If it does, how does adding the extra from the central coast not include it?

-Dan"

Their response:

"Dear Dan,

Thank you for your email.
Under the clause 52 (iv)
Any ticket covering through journey between Hornsby and City or Central

Shortest route - via Chatswood
Other routes - Via Epping
Other routes - Via ECRL

Though travel may be made by either route but break of journey for RailPass and FlexiPas tickets is only permitted on the shortest route.

I hope this helps,

Regards

Shalu"

This showed that they have the concept of "shortest" routes, which I knew from extensive experience with visiting train stations all over the place was not always true, especially the case in the North Shore and Northern Lines, so I then switched back to asking about my original route. To see how that extension to the start changed their calculation of shortest:
"Ok, I'm assuming that the shortest route from Tuggerah to the city is the same.

Then why can I break my journey at Epping or Eastwood or Strathfield?

-Dan"

They give the answer I'd assumed they'd say:
"Dear Dan,

Thank you for your email. Yes, you are correct, the shortest route from Tuggerah to city is via Epping and as the stations mentioned by you are on the shortest route, one is allowed to break the journey.

Regards

Shalu

Your Say Line"

This contradicted their earlier statement about which way was shorter from Hornsby to the CBD, and my own experience (even this morning I got off at Hornsby using my weekly Tuggerah to the City ticket despite them saying I can't). So I laid down my cards to show the tangle of their own logic that they'd caught themselves in:
"Then why can my ticket from tuggerah to the city also allow me to break my journey at chatswood or anywhere else along the north shore line?

-Dan"

Boom. Headshot. Time to move up the foodchain after a week of emails (this one being from a different person who I assume is a supervisior):
"Dear Dan,

Thank you for your email.

The following is an excerpt from the Cityrail Fares Handbook:

Clause 52
Approved routes of travel.
(a) There are instances where there could be more than one route of travel available between an origin and a destination station. CityRail may approve these alternative routes for travel and these will be known as "Approved Routes of Travel". The Approved Routes of Travel are outlined in the following subclauses.
Approved routes of travel
(v) Any ticket covering through journey between Asquith (ie. North of Hornsby) and City or Central
Shortest route - via Chatswood
Other routes - via Epping and Ashfield
Note: Travel may be made by either route AND Break of journey for 7 Day RailPass and FlexiPass ticket holders is permitted on either route.

Since the Epping Chatswood rail line (ECRL) is still a free fare it has not been incorporated into the Fares Handbook. However we have been advised a ticket from the Central Coast to City would also include travel on the ECRL and break of journey

I hope this has been of assistance. For further information please call 131500

Thank you for taking the time to contact us.

Regards

Ralph
Your Say Line"
Firstly, this contradicts most of what "Shalu" said. The North Shore Line is the shortest route and you can travel and break journey wherever. The Northern Line is also an approved route for everything. The Epping Chatswood Rail Line will also be approved for everything.

Nice work. Thanks for playing.

The moral of the story is to make sure your peons are somewhat intelligent.

Oh, and don't fuck with me.... I'm probably smarter than you.

Project Vortex: Delta

2009-04-01T16:06:00.003+11:00

Mode: D Dorian
Get It Here

Another week, another change. It could almost be one of my "normal songs".... This song is fast. Very fast at times. Other times it slows down for some groove.

The inspiration was partly from Windows Weekly #99 where Mr Paul Thurrott was comparing a song by Jim Allchin (a former Microsoft executive) to an old video game theme.

It was also partly from listening to a bunch of Strapping Young Lad and wondering if that kind of feel could be achieved without all the guitars.

So its kind of a video game themesong meets strapping young lad meets my usual style with a dash of jazz/blues in the underlying musical chords and structure.

Which is probably a description that means nothing to almost everyone on the planet.

Image (8)bit-ten from here

Broken, Beat and Scarred Video Clip

2009-03-30T20:40:00.001+11:00

What don't kill you.... makes you more strong!

Project Vortex: Gamma

2009-03-24T17:25:00.002+11:00

Mode: C Ionian (aka Major)
Get it here

This is one of the few times I've ever used the standard major scale. Whether that is due to my metal musical influences or my general dark attitude could be debated, but the fact is that I default to minor.

So.... this song is me not just going major, but going all the way and writing the most mellow tune I've ever written, or that I'm ever likely to write (assuming no commercial contracts or influences).

Pads & synths, vibraphone, harpsichord.... no percussion, no distortion....

A generally soothing tune, almost a lullaby.

Basically exactly what you wouldn't expect me to do, which is kinda the point of the project.

Image lulled away from here

The ACMA Blacklist

2009-03-19T13:50:00.000+11:00

From the wikileaks

Illegal_link++

Simple Critical Thinking Exercise

2009-03-18T15:35:00.002+11:00

Look at this picture (which was an ad on a news website -
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/)

This is obviously a scam, but why?

The whole make a lot of money for almost no work is a dubious claim at
the best of time, let alone when the claim is being made by a
advertisement.

The real trick is to look very closely at the picture itself.

On a cheque, the value is in 2 different places. The "amount" in
digits on the right (zoomed here via the conveniently provided
magnifying glass), and the "The sum of" in words on the left.

The zoomed amount is quite obviously $1,717.68

The sum is very small, and hard to read, but to my eyes it says ONE
HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIX AND.....

A quite different value, from a doctored image.

QED.

$11000 a day eh?

2009-03-17T21:58:00.002+11:00

So, banned hyperlinks could cost me $11000 a day? (smh article)

Well.... EFA gives me more details

Fuck you and the censorship you rode in on.

1. Australian Government censorship of US anti-abortion site abortiontv.com, 21 Jan 2009 (wikileaks)

2. Australia secretly censors Wikileaks press release and Danish Internet censorship list, 16 Mar 2009 (more wikileaks)

3. The danish censorship list (from wikileaks)

4. AbortionTV.com who I think are completely crazy right wing anti-religious fuckheads. But they should be able to state what they think in an open forum

So I now owe the government even more money. Add it to the fucking bill. And then take it from my cold dead hands.

Project Vortex: Beta

2009-03-17T17:14:00.003+11:00

Mode: B Locrian
Get it here

This song is not like the last song. At all.

It starts with a piano part, hinting at menace.... partly from the mode, partly from the time signatures shifting around. It kinds of puts you off kilter, makes you uneasy.... the kind of thing that gets played as that guy is walking thru the dark house and the shadow of the killer is moving behind him.

Then the chorus hits, and everything shifts.... but doesn't. Lots of 5/8, weird bass, the choir.... a big wall of almost noise that calls back to the piano, but is more what happens when that guy sees the killer and runs.

And that is just the start.... It builds until.... The second section. Which is pure fucking insanity, and must be heard to be believed.

Unlike last week, this is not something your parents will like.... unless they like jazz fusion weird horror soundtrack songs.

Picture Regalia'd from here

James Randi Speaks: Questioning the Bible

2009-03-12T22:55:00.000+11:00

Project Vortex: Intro & Alpha

2009-03-11T16:40:00.002+11:00

Intro:

Now hopefully everyone reading this blog already knows I write and release songs for free over at chaotimusic.com. If not, there are currently 85 songs over there for you to listen to, download and share with everyone you know (and anyone you don't).

I've been writing and releasing a new song every week for the past 80+ weeks, but that kind of thing can cause you to get stuck in a rut. After 8 albums worth of songs I felt like I needed a change.

Project Vortex is that change.

It is partly a practical measure due to my work schedule for this semester, but mostly I just needed to step outside the box I usually stay in.

So.... I've put down the guitar and the bass, cut out the vocals and I'm trying out some of the more extreme, out there, crazy, weird and experimetal ideas that have been sitting around.

I'm also going to be shifting thru the modes of C (i.e. just using the notes ABCDEFG no sharps or flats, but starting with a different root for each song)

This may go well.... it may be utter shite. Whatever. Its an art experiment, I don't care what anyone thinks.

Alpha:
Mode: A Aeolian (aka minor)
Get it here

For a looooooong time I've wanted to write song thing like this. A nice moody piece for a string quartet. This desire intensified when I got my hands on some cool free instruments by Ben Boldt that included a bunch of nice string instrument sounds (get them over here)

I think I acheived what I se out to do. Its very Apocalyptica-esque in sound, but with my own stamp (and its not just cellos). It has a very dark and gothic tone. My girlfriend said it made her think of vampires.

Anyway, check it out.... especially if you don't like my usual metal. Your parents might even like this.

Images from here and here

Metallica - The Judas Kiss (Live Nottingham 2009)

2009-03-04T23:31:00.001+11:00

The Gentle Art Of Making Enemies

2009-03-04T23:08:00.000+11:00

Quote of the Day.... Islam Edition

2009-03-03T22:49:00.000+11:00

"Islam is a vile religion that poisons the minds of its children, subjugates women, homosexuals and other minorities, promotes hatred and oppresses dissent. It is responsible for countless human rights violations and atrocities the world over. It is either directly or indirectly linked to such disgusting practices as female genital mutilation, acid attacks, torture and suicide bombing. And in many countries in which Islam is woven into the law, the punishment for apostasy is death.

The Koran is a haphazard plagiarism of the Old and New Testament. Mohammed was a pedophile. The burqa is an obscene symbol of oppression. The World Trade Centre was an attack motivated not by any cultural ideology, but specifically and explicitly by Islam. While Islam is not inherently more dangerous than any other dogma, it is certainly the most dangerous at this point in history. Islam stands opposed to scientific progress. It stands opposed to secular democracy. It stands opposed to equality. It even stands opposed to alcohol.

Islam, like the other major religions, is a fundamentally incorrect view of reality. It is based on childish superstitions and archaic, outdated morals.

It does violence to common sense."

From this article over at the Young Australian Skeptics Site

Quote of the Day

2009-02-26T22:33:00.000+11:00

aka Obama finally said something that I liked.

"In our household the Bible, the Koran, and the Bhagavad Gita sat on the shelf alongside books of Greek and Norse and African mythology."

From Audacity of Hope, talking about his religious upbringing.

I like it cos in my mind Christianity is just as believable as anything we now describe as mythology from the past.

Of Wolf And Dan

2009-02-26T00:06:00.002+11:00

I once heard it said that 1 out of 100 people is a wolf.

Not that they are literally a Canis lupus, or that they have some form of lycanthropy.

Instead the idea is that based around the idea that the other 99 are sheep. Trying their best to blend in, go with the flow and generally be a good, compliant part of the flock.

The wolves are not like this.

Instead they are the outsiders. The ones that fight the system, buck the trend and generally just do their own thing without any consideration for what they are supposed to be doing (unless that consideration is just to provide a template for what not to do).

An interesting part of the idea is that a wolf can no more stop being a wolf than a sheep can stop being a sheep. These core ideals of conformity and rebellion are part of who these people are. It is not something that they chose, or something that they can ever really stop being, it is something that they just are. Even if their life depends on changing they cannot. The wolf in sheep's clothing is still a wolf, and will still act like a wolf and vice versa.

The sheep will always try to follow the leader.

The wolf will always try to be without a leader.

This is of course the true crux of the concept.... The sheep need the wolf as much as the wolf needs the sheep. Their relationship may be predicated on conflict, but that relationship is essential to the survival of both.

Without the sheep the wolf would have no paradigm to challenge.

Without the wolf the sheep would never have their paradigm changed.

And yes, I consider myself a wolf.

Picture hunted from here

PG Porn

2009-02-23T23:55:00.000+11:00

Faith.

2009-02-19T23:03:00.001+11:00

Found on unreasonablefaith.com

Best Talk on Wisdom Ever

2009-02-19T23:00:00.000+11:00

I Heart Steak

2009-02-16T22:33:00.001+11:00

Perfect for Steak and BJ Day

David Attenborough on Darwin

2009-02-12T22:28:00.000+11:00

Heavy Metal Laundry Tips

2009-02-11T23:06:00.000+11:00

READ IT HERE

Rock and/or Roll

2009-02-11T23:03:00.001+11:00

Stimulis

2009-02-09T22:04:00.000+11:00

Wherein Dan Writes Something Controversial

2009-02-09T12:29:00.001+11:00

Whenever anything bad like these fires happen, why do all the usual suspects pop up asking for donations for some fund? Isn't that what insurance is for? And saving for a rainy (or fiery) day?

Yes, I know some people don't have insurance, but if they chose to not outlay the money in case of emergency then when the emergency happens they should get nothing.

Frankly, if you live in a place where you can see bushland from your house, then you should expect everything to burn to the ground at some point. That is how the Australian bush has evolved, the plants expect such fires. Without the fires the bush would be unable to survive. Its the same with tornados in Kansas, or floods and cyclones in the tropics.

Also, is there ever any accountability as the use of the money? Does anyone know how much of the cash the Salvation Army gets goes to helping the exact people affected? How much goes to "Administration"? How much goes to churches and pushing Jesus on people?

Picture from here

Storm by Tim Minchin

2009-02-05T22:31:00.002+11:00

Found on onegoodmove

Spiritual Gifts

2009-02-05T13:39:00.003+11:00

This is something that has.... amused me for awhile. For the uninformed (or is that informed?) they "are gifts that are bestowed on Christians, each having his or her own proper gift (or gifts) to strengthen the church. They are described in the New Testament, primarily in First Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4." (quote from wiki)

Now the amusing part for me is the not the whole battle between Pentecostals/Charismatics and cessationists over which gifts are still being distributed by God (via the Holy Spirit). Although that is a whole barrel of laughs by itself. Especially if you've ever heard a bunch of people speaking and praying in tongues.

The amusing part is that I supposedly had some.

This wasn't just something that 1 or 2 people said.... a good number of people said that I had received a number of gifts.

Ministry, Preaching, Teaching, Tongues were all supposedly gifts that people told me at various points that I had, or at least in the case of Tongues I wasn't rebuked for just babbling by people who apparently had that or related gifts.

Now, either:
1. All those people were consistently wrong about me having such gifts since I'm obviously not in anyway affiliated, baptised by, or carrying as a parasite goa'uld style the Holy Spirit.
2. Those people were correct and I somehow had a reverse exorcism that removed the Holy Spirit from me.
3. The whole idea is bullshit.

My money is on #3, but I'd love to hear what other people think.

I'm totally Consistent

2009-02-05T12:56:00.000+11:00

I need to buy some Paul Gilbert

2009-02-04T22:43:00.000+11:00

I Stay Away by Alice in Chains.

2009-02-04T22:31:00.000+11:00

I Stay Away

Best mopey band ever.

Battery!

2009-02-04T22:06:00.000+11:00

Our dollar just got devalued (by $950 per person)

2009-02-04T14:20:00.002+11:00

So.... Mr Rudd has decided that to "save" our economy he is going to give us all some cash.

Firstly, the whole idea that non-positive economic growth is something that we need to me saved from is a proposition that seems to be put forward without any kind of evidence or even logical argument. It just seems to be taken as gospel by all. I'd like to at least hear what the reasons are for such a proposition, even if they are all just fearmongering.

Related to this is the idea that badly run businesses need to be propped up, bailed out or whatever euphemism they are using this week. This runs counter to all good sense and economic theory. If Holden can't run their business in a way that prevents them from going broke, then they go broke. Simple.

It seems like a lot of people think that they have a guaranteed right to be in business or have a job or a house no matter what they do. Which is not true.

I think we need some good down times to bring people back to reality. Yes, reality sucks. In reality everyone can't have everything. Some people are going to struggle. Some are going to give up. Some people will need to realise that they shouldn't be owning a house, or paying for Foxtel for their big TV, or spending all their money on designer labels, or owning a car. Some people are going to die on the street because they can't afford food and shelter.

But.... some people are going to find new ways to do things, some people are going to realise that they can wear cheap clothes, or grow their own produce, or catch the bus, and maybe some people may even develop completely new ways to provide for themselves that have never even been thought of by the most imaginative sci-fi writer.

We as a people need these hard times.... to sort the wheat from chaff, and refine ourselves and our society.

Secondly, even if we were to try and "save" the economy giving most people a cash handout isn't the way to do this. All that does is dilute the money we already have. This has been proven time and again, the most obvious example being the first home buyers grant.... which has only caused house prices to almost immediately rise by the amount of the grant. Eliminating any benefit that may have been gained, and causing even more problems for those who weren't lucky enough to get the handout.

All actions such as this do is provide a smokescreen, one that will just prevent us from gaining the benefits of the hard times without doing anything to help the return of the good times.

Picture saved from here

Classic Literature! Now with Zombies!

2009-02-03T22:01:00.003+11:00

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

Stuff like this is why we need to let content lapse into the public domain.

Found over here

This is awesome

2009-01-28T22:48:00.000+11:00

Why I Love Monty Python....

2009-01-27T20:21:00.001+11:00

Rick Warren vs. Captain Picard

2009-01-22T22:44:00.001+11:00

A few predictions on this "auspicious" day

2009-01-20T22:52:00.002+11:00

Or should that be capricious, or maybe factitious.... how about malicious? Its at least suspicious possibly pernicious and I'm sure this post is seditious.

But anyway.... the predictions about #44 (aka Mr Obama).

1. Someone will try to take a shot within a year. Possibly a KKK/neonazi type, possibly an islamist (maybe while wearing a fake nazi hat), possibly some kind of TLA type (and maybe not one from the United States)

2. "Change" probably means more of the same with a different coloured puppet, or at least more of the Clinton administration. If things are wildly different, it won't be a good different

3. No one can prop up failing industries forever if they are both run badly and no longer able to be profitable.

4. By the end of his term(s) (if he gets there), many will realise that making great speeches might make a great leader but sometimes you get someone just like Adolf....

Picture rounded up from over here

Take Off Your Tshirt!

2009-01-14T22:30:00.001+11:00

MSI - Mark David Chapman

2009-01-14T00:10:00.001+11:00

This music video should be shown, along with the one for Metallica's All Nightmare Long, to anyone thinking of making a video to show them how it should be done.

An article about BPD

2009-01-12T23:17:00.000+11:00

AKA Borderline Personality Disorder.

Read it here on TIME and hopefully you'll understand why I posted it.

Metal Band Name Flow Chart

2009-01-07T22:23:00.002+11:00

Found via Metalsucks.net

Stuff

2009-01-06T21:45:00.002+11:00

I was away from home between Xmas Eve and yesterday....

During that time I was quoted in this blog post over at Atheist Revolution.

I kept putting out songs over at my music site thru the magic of scheduled posts.

And now.... a QotD from Daylight Atheism: "The atheist view can seem cold and comfortless to novices, for it does not promise that all our hurts will be succored. Nor does it give us guardians hovering above to guide our steps. But where atheism requires us to abandon the consolations of childhood, it brings in their place the maturity of adulthood. Instead of clouded sight, it brings clear and vision. Instead of gods and angels to watch out for us, it brings the realization that we must look out for each other. We live in a vast and uncaring cosmos, but we have each other to depend on, and the freedom to succeed or fail by our own efforts."

And now.... a special message in honour of the season

2008-12-25T07:16:00.003+11:00

AND DO IT HARD!!!!!!

Honey and Sulphur

2008-12-17T23:15:00.002+11:00

Here's the first video off the latest Cradle of Filth album - Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder: The Life and Grimes of Gilles de Rais

Mainly because I just got myself some tickets to the just announced tour.

And yeah.... that show isn't yet on sale :-p

Now thats my kind of xmas special

2008-12-15T23:30:00.001+11:00

Lobo kicks ass.

All of it.

I'd love to see a superhero film in a few years that is just Lobo beating every single character from the recent comic movie craze.

2 years and I still know it....

2008-12-11T22:12:00.002+11:00

You know the Bible 100%!

Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic!

Ultimate Bible Quiz
Take More Quizzes

Sometimes I wish I could format parts of my brain....

Quiz is here, I found it at the Unreasonable Faith blog

New Metallica Video

2008-12-10T23:26:00.002+11:00

For All Nightmare Long.... one of my favourite songs off Death Magnetic

The clip is awesome.... the band isn't in it, its an alternate history doco about soviets, tunguska, alien-spores-causing-zombies and.... I say this is just as good as the One video.

WTF of the day

2008-12-09T22:43:00.001+11:00

"Incredibly cool and beautiful singer Amanda Palmer (of Dresden Dolls fame) has been forced to search for a new record label after Roadrunner refused to promote her latest single, video and album. Why? Because she refused to let them remove shots of her “fat” belly from the video for Leeds United (see above), and is therefore “uncommercial”."

Frankly.... she's a little skinny....

Stolen from blowfish blog

2 years after the post to end all posts

2008-12-09T10:01:00.002+11:00

Click here to travel back 2 years to read the post to end all posts

So.... it was 2 long years ago when I made that post and I thought I'd take some time to write a little something to recap where I'm at.

Firstly, and most obviously, I haven't relapsed. I'm still proudly anti-god. No one has pulled me back from the wilderness (not that any have really tried). For a while there part of me, a small part, actually wanted someone to do so. I was hoping someone would show me the where I was wrong, or what I was missing, or in some way lead me back to the light.

This didn't happen and now I'm glad, because I don't want to be saved. It isn't true. The bible is just the incoherent ramblings of a bunch of ancient (but not as a ancient as the traditions say) Jews. 90% of it total bullshit; the other 10% is totally obvious. Sure it is interesting from a historical point of view, but only because it isn't historical despite the claims it might make.

Secondly, I'm still on campus (although not right now since classes aren't on). This sucks, but only because it doesn't pay me enough money to get the fuck out of dodge and get my own place. I enjoy teaching at uni, but that enjoyment doesn't pay the bills.

Now I have been trying to get out of there. There was the whole music college debacle, wherein I applied to, auditioned for, and was accepted to JMC Academy, but I'm unable to go since the stupid government won't pay me any damn money. I've also been applying for other jobs, and there are some promising leads there. Hopefully there will be some news on that front soon.

Now, some stuff has changed since I wrote that post.

Firstly I went through that dark period.... which was interesting, and something I ultimately had to go through. It sucked. I drank too much booze, and was doing it everyday. I thought about suicide, and was doing it everyday. I got through it mostly because of the few people who kept commenting and reading my blog (and mostly it was just emblazoned).

Secondly, there is chaotimusic.com, my music site. Where I've been releasing a song a week since July 31, 2007. I've had 3415 total plays.... and have been played on a bunch of podcasts as well. Which is pretty good for my obscure brand of mostly metal.

Thirdly.... I'm thin, and I'm going to stay that way.

Fourthly.... I have a girlfriend.... and that is going awesome. More than awesome. Like she makes me feel totally more awesome than Jesus ever did.

So.... that's where I'm at, a mostly better place than I was when I was a brainwashed Jesus zombie. Sure, it would be nice to get the whole job thing to somewhere more stable, but I haven't been suicidal all year, and its not like I'm totally broke. Just a little broke.

Jack Black as Musical Jesus

2008-12-08T20:29:00.001+11:00

And Neil Patrick Harris as.... himself?

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Quote of the Day #2148421748219

2008-12-04T22:09:00.000+11:00

"Lyrically speaking, it's going to be more of what you've come to expect from Alice In Chains: rainbows, kitty cats, bubble gum, and skateboards. Words and songs that make you want to go to the mall and buy hair care products." -> talking about the new Alice in Chains album

Cool Things I Want #1: 33⅓ book series, Reign in Blood

2008-11-27T09:45:00.002+11:00

A whole book about Slayer's Reign in Blood.... how can that not be awesome.

Author: D.X. Ferris
ISBN: 0826429092
ISBN13: 9780826429094

Aarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!1!!!1!!!!one!!

2008-11-26T23:31:00.003+11:00

You would steal a car if the original was left intact....

Well.... at least once guy was right

2008-11-25T22:37:00.001+11:00

Big props to Peter Schiff for at least trying to warn everyone of the shit heading towards the fan.

The Missing Greens Pudding Microwave Instructions....

2008-11-24T20:53:00.001+11:00

Dear Daniel,

We certainly did not expect a reaction like this all caused from the removal of microwave instructions.

We can definitely supply you with the necessary instructions for the microwave. (See Below.)

Your comments will be forwarded along to our Innovations team.

Kind regards

Nerissa Rodriguez
Consumer Relations Representative
GREEN'S GENERAL FOODS
1800 803 605

Microwave Instructions

(For a 700W microwave oven)
Note: Microwave Ovens vary. the time given below may need to be adjusted to suit you oven.

Place 375ml (1 1/2 cups) boiling water into a 1-1 1/2 (4-6 cup) microwave safe container. Sprinkle contents of sauce sachet over water and stir to dissolve.

Combine sponge pudding mix, egg, 2 Tablespoons water in a mixing bowl. Stir with a fork until combined. Pour batter carefully and evenly over sauce and allow to stand for 2 minutes. Microwave on HIGH for 4 1/2-5 minutes. Allow pudding to stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Note: before removing from microwave, the pudding surface should still appear moist. This will disappear on standing.

I guess you don't want my money then

2008-11-20T21:58:00.003+11:00

"Dear Daniel,

Thank you for your email with regards to the above products.

We wish to advise that these products are still available, however due to a
number of complaints with regards to the microwave directions, our
marketing department have chosen to eliminate them from the packaging. We
advise that the formulation has not changed only the packaging.

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact
us.

Kind regards
GREEN'S GENERAL FOODS

DANIELLE LEWIS
CONSUMER RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE"

Well.... no more money will be leaving my wallet and being used to purchase any products from green's general foods then.

My response to them:
"Hey company that doesn't want my money,

Obviously the instructions worked, I've been making it microwave for the longest time and have never had an issue other than eating too much pudding. You say you haven't changed the formulation, so its not like they won't work any more.

Maybe if you'd warned consumers of your product like me of your intentions to remove the microwave instructions I could have kept a copy, but you didn't and I didn't.

Maybe you could have included a copy of those instructions with your email, but you didn't.

The only conclusion I can draw is that you would rather stop a few complaints than make a profit from my purchasing of your products. You would also rather stop those complaints than have me tell everyone I know (and everyone who reads my website) to not buy your products any more either."

I think the old me and the current me disagreed

2008-11-17T13:29:00.003+11:00

So I was hunting around the internet looking for some stuff I needed and I found a column I wrote back in the day. I think the guy who wrote this article, and the guy writing this blog would have a big disagreement on the whole sex issue:

"If my above theory holds, then we have to look to a perfect being for these rules. As a Christian, I believe that God (as revealed through his word, the Bible) is this being. Christians believe that God created the universe, and maintains it continually. Therefore, he as creator would know what the “right” way for his creations to operate would be"

"In terms of this example, why do kiss your girlfriend if you wouldn’t kiss your sister or your best friend’s girlfriend or someone’s wife? As far as God is concerned you have the same relational status with all three of those examples."

"So taking all these into account, I personally wouldn’t be kissing a girlfriend if I had one. I don’t think that it would fit with my view of sexual morality."

Hmmm.... My views have changed quite a bit eh?

Words fairly used from the internet archive

Art of "Conservative Christian Woman" by hallucinophrenic.deviantart.com

The Birthday Massacre - This Friday

2008-11-17T12:27:00.001+11:00

I'm going to see them at Manning Bar.

Click here to read my first post about them (with videos)

Pic borrowed from vampire freaks

New Slayer....

2008-11-13T07:06:00.000+11:00

A song called Psychopathy Red

It sounds like.... balls to the wall kickass slayer. Ofuckingcourse....

So true

2008-11-12T21:24:00.005+11:00

Pirated from little gamers

There are no bears

2008-11-11T21:22:00.002+11:00

So I was thinking tonight, which I know is always a little worrying to everyone, but anyway.... I was thinking that I was actually looking forward to summer for the first time in a long time.

Last summer I'd just been ignored by another girl, and had sunk so low I was going to give rsvp a try, just to shut people up cos it'd never work (of course, by people I mean commenters on this blog, and I was kinda proven wrong on the whole never work thing)

The summer before last I'd given up on the whole God concept and was preparing to sever all ties with the Christians.... which I achieved by writing a certain infamous post

The summer before that.... I knew I was running out of money and would have to move back home with my parents.

And before that I was only ever looking forward to summer for 2 reasons:
1. Because I could spend a few months away from all human contact
2. Because I was doing some mission trip to convert the fuzzy-wuzzies

Neither of them is in any way even remotely related to my current reasons for looking forward to summer. Hell.... my reason for looking forward to summer couldn't be any further away from those 2 reasons.... (yes, my reason is Angie)

Also, there are no bears.... despite the fact that I've spent most of the last 2 years doing stuff that is definitely fucking with God.... my music, various blogposts, and.... etc*

It seems that in the 2 years since I turned my back on the myriad insanities of religion things have gotten a lot better. I'm much happier than I ever was as a Christian, or as the alcoholic depressive I was betwixt then and now, or the angry depressive I was before I was "saved".

Not that an argument from emotional contentment has any logical force, but fuck it, it is just my experience that life is better without God....

* - etc is something you'll have to ask me about in person ;-)

Smack those Christians Down

2008-11-10T20:39:00.001+11:00

or, the kind of song I'd write if I wrote cheesy singer-songwriter pop songs.

Found over here

Quote of the Day

2008-11-10T12:18:00.001+11:00

"There's a word for all the stuff we do with creative works — all the conversing, retelling, singing, acting out, drawing, and thinking: we call it culture."

From the article "Cory Doctorow: Why I Copyfight"

This picture excites me

2008-11-07T08:00:00.000+11:00

Firstly the pic was stolen from Jordan Ruddess' diary about the next Dream Theater album

Secondly, Mike is in a Machine Head shirt.

Thirdly, I see the word "Megadeth" on that whiteboard. Twice.

Vale Michael Crichton

2008-11-06T12:21:00.003+11:00

A great author, and one who brought the basic ideas of science and thinking skeptically to a mass audience.

His impact is immeasurable.

He will be missed

He's not the messiah

2008-11-05T21:33:00.005+11:00

He just another damned politician.

Stop acting likes he's going to save the world, especially if your main reason for such hope is based on his skin colour.

Cos that is racist.

And stupid.

Anyone who has the ambition to be in a politics is not suited to be the kind of selfless leader that is needed in politics.

The kinds of people we get are all looking out for just the one person, themselves, and they will do anything to help themselves. Lying, cheating, stealing, bribing, grafting, earmarking, and just bending over and taking it lubeless from their corporate masters.

That is why we have democracy. That is why we have separate branches of government.... to protect us from the politicians.

Barack Obama is just another lying politician.

Same shit, different colour.

The next 4 years will prove this. Beyond a doubt.

Image lied to so much it believed and left here

Why I don't write nice polite songs....

2008-11-04T20:36:00.000+11:00

Peace Sells

2008-11-04T10:32:00.000+11:00

Too Moar Weaks!

2008-11-03T15:44:00.002+11:00

I have 2 more weeks of class left for the year.

And then?

Some paid marking for 2 subjects.

And then?

Well.... the usual, working on my web stuff, getting more than 4 hours sleep and trying to not spend all the cash I have saved before I gain more income.

CD Review: Metallica - Death Magnetic

2008-10-30T10:26:00.003+11:00

Score: 4.5/5

So, a new Metallica album.... being a total fanboy, its probably not a surprise that I love it. Hell, I'm one of the 3 people who likes St. Anger. As for why I like it.... you'll have to read on.

The first thing that is really new on the album is the tone. There has been a whole lot of controversy over the mixing/mastering and the use of compression, but I think it works, mostly. Sure there are a few times it clips a little, and I personally would of turned the knob from 11 back 9, but a compressed sound works quite well for metal (especially the Thrash kind).

The other tone aspect is that of the instruments. The drums sound "normal" again, but then I thought the snare sound on St. Anger completely fit, or even set, the stripped down pure anger tone of that album. The bigger thing on this album is that jaymz has finally discovered that the "mid" knob on the amp should be turned up and not down. The riff-thm guitars have that oldskool bite that I love.... more like slayer than anything they've done before. With the guitars not being scooped to death, it also gives the bass a much easier time when it comes to being heard (which despite rumors to the contrary was the reall reason the bass was gone on AJFA).

Of course, all the tone in the world means nothing if you haven't got decent songs to use it on. And they do. The riffs, song lengths, solos all harken back to the pre-black album days.... but they definitely show through some of the groove and rawness that was stomping all over St Anger. Kind of a best of both worlds thing, mostly anyway....

The songs are good overall, with tracks like Broken, Beat & Scarred, All Nightmare Long, Suicide & Redemption and My Apocalypse being the standouts.

Sure it isn't perfect.... the ballads (Unforgiven 3 and The Day That Never Comes) have taken a while to grow on me, and the still don't quite make it. Kirks solos sound a little too raw and improvised at times, but that could just be cos they don't sound any better than mine. The lyrics, are typical Hetfield, and whether they seem like mashed together metaphors or totally deep can be totally modd-dependent.

Overall, this isn't their best album.... when the high bar is a classic like Master of Puppets it is hard for anything to compete, but it is definately a Headbanging Thrash Metal album.

Slayer in teh Studio

2008-10-28T11:32:00.001+11:00

Stolen from spin, cos they don't deserve it ;-)

Goosh.org

2008-10-27T15:52:00.002+11:00

This is what the net would be like if the unix nerds ran the world....

"Welcome to goosh.org - the unofficial google shell.

This google-interface behaves similar to a unix-shell.
You type commands and the results are shown on this page."

Yeah, google with an oldskool text command interface.

Chinese Duke Nukem Democracy Forever!

2008-10-24T00:27:00.002+11:00

Go here to hear the title track from the OMFG its actually going to be released new Guns n Roses album.

Its... ok.

Machine Head

2008-10-21T19:05:00.002+11:00

So.... I get to see Machine Head again on Sunday.... The last time was in 2001.

So I've posted their video clips. Just as a primer.

Old

Davidian

Ten Ton Hammer

Take My Scars

From This Day

Crashing Around You

Imperium

Days Turn Blue to Gray

Now I Lay Thee Down

Aesthetics Of Hate

Halo

No Clean Feed

2008-10-21T11:52:00.000+11:00

The Federal Government is pushing forward with a plan to force ISPs to filter out all material "inappropriate" for children from Australian homes.

This plan will waste tens of millions of taxpayer dollars and slow down Internet access.

Despite being almost universally condemned by the public, ISPs, State Governments, Media and censorship experts, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy is determined to force this filter into your home. Don't let him!

Goto No Clean Feed and fight the man.

Short update

2008-10-08T22:19:00.001+11:00

1. I got into JMC Academy, but Centrelink won't pay me cos they are bastards, so I'm not going.

2. I gave up coffee last Thursday. I'm still alive....

3. I'm still short.

4. I'm still writing songs for chaotimusic.com

NonRandom Lyrics That Utterly Summarise My Current Thoughts

2008-10-01T23:36:00.004+10:00

When the world has turned its back
When the days have turned pitch black
When the fear abducts your tongue
When the fire's dead and gone
So what now?
Where go I?

Almost like your life,
Almost like your endless fight,
Cursed, the day is long,
Realize you don't belong,
Disconnect somehow,
Never stop complaining now,
Almost like your fight,
And there it went,
Almost like your life.
That was just your life.

How can I be lost?
If I've got nowhere to go?

Dawn

Death

Fight

Final breath

What don't kill you
Make you more strong
They scratch me
They scrape me
They cut and rape me

Show your scars....

Doo-do-Da-do-do

2008-09-29T21:56:00.003+10:00

Ahhhhh-Aiiihhh-ahhh

Ahhhhh-Aiiihhh-ahhh

Yep. Led Zeppelin.

Immigrant Song. Cos its about vikings.... und thats is much mores metals.

Although I was very tempted to do Whole Lotta Love.

My version.... is over here at chaotimusic.com

Of course, mine is inspired by the live version -> it has a guitar solo.... and of course I added some of my trademark style to it all....

Go check it out.... its free!

Picture pillaged from here

P.S. Bonus points will be awarded to anyone who can name the song that starts with the scream of "Zeppelin!!!" that I used as the only blurb for the song on chaotimusic.com

2 weeks....

2008-09-22T21:29:00.002+10:00

<---- That is basically what I'll be doing for the upcoming fortnight.

I are serious dan....

Seriously.... I'll be doing a lot of guitar holding, and even some playing....

I have a bunch of songs in some state of being written that I want to record, sure some may just be just a "big idea".... but that's not the point.

I have an interview/audition at JMC Academy, with the aim of doing some extreme-level study of guitar and stuff.

I might get a chance to develop some of my other projects.... there is my other website (not chaotimusic.com), and then there is this idea I've had -> which may involve some kind of "computer programming".... These things are kinda the bottom of the list, and some other stupid things may get in the way.

Quote of the Day

2008-09-17T21:47:00.001+10:00

"It’s as though he wanted, not to impose order on chaos, but to incorporate chaos into the ordered perfection of his art"

Talking about Mr Frank Zappa.... from this article on guitarworld.com

Pic from here

No Life Til Leather

2008-09-16T08:56:00.003+10:00

I'll be there.

It'll also be International Talk Like A Pirate Day.... So.... arrrrrh! Avast! And this parrots not dead....