Greetings. The job hunt continues hence my recent absence. Today I wish to dedicate a song to my beloved Wifey.....the lyrics to this song I found, whilst looking for Magdalene-related songs, are interesting indeed. The song is "Black Madonna" by Italian Goth band Theatre des Vampires:
The lyrics are:
"An echo blowing among the desert,
Forgotten prayers buried alive
In the burning sand
Arabian memories
Of her scent, in the wind
Her ebony hair so long and tousled,
Alabaster skin, so pure and cold
Carved by the hands of sin
Her crimson lips
The Black Madonna
Kissed by the Son of the father
Beloved more than sons of his faith
Moving her body in the sand
She is the sinner, Salomé
The seven devils dance with her
With the dance of the seven veils.
She is the one who knows All
Black Madonna, Magdalene
With the dance of the seven veils
Black Madonna, Salomé
She is the blood, she is the Grail.
Black Madonna, Magdalene.
With the dance of the seven veils
Black Madonna, Salomé
She was crying, sweeping his feet
Drying the drops of innocent tears
With black hair, over and over
She gasped with pleasure, in the sand
Like a poison snake
The Queen of Mystery
Her voice is lost in the desert
...The Black Madonna"
Now.....let the countdown begin to All Hallow's Eve/Halloween/Samhain......it's fun time my batlings!!!!!
Sunday, 23 October 2011
Monday, 10 October 2011
TV Series Review: "Robin of Sherwood"
Today I hope to share with you what was one of the most influential TV series in my life. The series is the 1980's UK show, "Robin of Sherwood". Yes - the budget was small. Yes - it is a distinctly English TV show. Yes - at times you were left wondering why Robin would behave so "goody-two-shoes" etc.....BUT, for me, this was the finest take on the Robin Hood myth to date. The show was the first to (re)introduce some of the mysticism of the older mythology which had long been lost in a tide of Douglas Fairbanks/Errol Flynn, tights-wearing, thigh-slapping, silly-hat wearing, swash-buckling japery. Then this show came around.....with a deep connection to the mysticism of an older England....a more ancient Britain. The woods are haunted by ancient gods.....and the battle between the powers of Dark and Light rage everywhere.
Although there were two "Robins" in the series, I shall concentrate here on the first two series with Michael Praed as Robin of Loxley, the first Robin i'th' Hood. In this show Robin of Loxley finds himself the chosen one of the ancient Green-man figure of English Folklore, Herne the Hunter (aka Cernunnos etc). He is chosen by Herne to "be my son and to do my bidding". As such he becomes Robin Hood - freedom fighter against oppresion and injustice. He is joined by the usual suspects from the tales and ballads - Little John, the giant one-time shepherd from Hathersage; Friar Tuck; Will Scarlet - an angry ex-soldier whose wife was raped and murdered by mercernaries, hot for vengeance and with a very short fuse; Much the Miller's son - Robin's adopted brother, innocent and naive and never the sharpest tool in the box; Marian - Robin's great love and (long before a certain Mr Costner presented it) Nasir an ex-Hashashin, absolutely lethal killing machine. All guided by Herne the Hunter, Lord of the Trees - the stag headed god-man who guides them - often speaking in riddles, as such deities are wont to do!
In the series Robin faces numerous foes - the Baron de Belleme, dark occultist and master of the black arts; the Knights Templar; a duplicitous Richard the Lionheart; a Satanist coven; Branbancon mercernaries and of course, needless to say the Sherrif of Nottingham, played superbly and with scenery-chewing relish by Nickolas Grace, and his lackey, Sir Guy of Gisburn (played by the late Robert Addie).
There were many classic episodes - through two series we felt like we were part of this band, sharing their adventures with them through many wonderful locations. At times, there were scenes which had a great artistic quality - a supreme example of which was the opening to the story "The Seven Swords of Wayland". Indeed this story was one of the absolute pinnacles of the series and had many such scenes - another example being when Robin is captured and we see him from behind with his arms outstretched as he is lead away in an almost crucifixion like pose.
However, all things had to come to an end and so we hit the final episode of Series 2, "The Greatest Enemy". In this episode, Robin makes a last stand on a hill allowing Much and Marian to escape. Hopelessly outnumbered, he is eventually overwhelmed - the scene is again extremely artistic and was excellently played out - Robin firing his last arrow, giving a knowing, resigned look, and breaking his bow over his knee before turning to face a storm of crossbow bolts from teh Sherrif's men. That was not however the end.....as the mantle of "Herne's Son" was to be taken up by Robert of Huntingdon in Series 3. The stories were still good but somehow.....not as good.....Jason Connery took time to fill Michael Praed's shoes....and lacked some of the energy of his predecessor.
I found a compilation video on YouTube set to some of the music from "The Last of the Mohicans" movie soundtrack. Towards the end of the compilation you will see the demise of Robin of Loxley.
This series was at times controversial in its day - with its portrayal of the magickal and mystical on a Saturday "tea-time" coming in for criticism from religious fundamentalists. Now it all seems quite normal, and even, maybe, a little dated.....but this is still a great show and for me the best retelling of Robin Hood to date.
Soon I shall start examining some of the great edifices of Gothic and neo-Gothic architecture,
Until next time...."Nothing's forgotten, nothing's ever forgotten".
Although there were two "Robins" in the series, I shall concentrate here on the first two series with Michael Praed as Robin of Loxley, the first Robin i'th' Hood. In this show Robin of Loxley finds himself the chosen one of the ancient Green-man figure of English Folklore, Herne the Hunter (aka Cernunnos etc). He is chosen by Herne to "be my son and to do my bidding". As such he becomes Robin Hood - freedom fighter against oppresion and injustice. He is joined by the usual suspects from the tales and ballads - Little John, the giant one-time shepherd from Hathersage; Friar Tuck; Will Scarlet - an angry ex-soldier whose wife was raped and murdered by mercernaries, hot for vengeance and with a very short fuse; Much the Miller's son - Robin's adopted brother, innocent and naive and never the sharpest tool in the box; Marian - Robin's great love and (long before a certain Mr Costner presented it) Nasir an ex-Hashashin, absolutely lethal killing machine. All guided by Herne the Hunter, Lord of the Trees - the stag headed god-man who guides them - often speaking in riddles, as such deities are wont to do!
In the series Robin faces numerous foes - the Baron de Belleme, dark occultist and master of the black arts; the Knights Templar; a duplicitous Richard the Lionheart; a Satanist coven; Branbancon mercernaries and of course, needless to say the Sherrif of Nottingham, played superbly and with scenery-chewing relish by Nickolas Grace, and his lackey, Sir Guy of Gisburn (played by the late Robert Addie).
There were many classic episodes - through two series we felt like we were part of this band, sharing their adventures with them through many wonderful locations. At times, there were scenes which had a great artistic quality - a supreme example of which was the opening to the story "The Seven Swords of Wayland". Indeed this story was one of the absolute pinnacles of the series and had many such scenes - another example being when Robin is captured and we see him from behind with his arms outstretched as he is lead away in an almost crucifixion like pose.
However, all things had to come to an end and so we hit the final episode of Series 2, "The Greatest Enemy". In this episode, Robin makes a last stand on a hill allowing Much and Marian to escape. Hopelessly outnumbered, he is eventually overwhelmed - the scene is again extremely artistic and was excellently played out - Robin firing his last arrow, giving a knowing, resigned look, and breaking his bow over his knee before turning to face a storm of crossbow bolts from teh Sherrif's men. That was not however the end.....as the mantle of "Herne's Son" was to be taken up by Robert of Huntingdon in Series 3. The stories were still good but somehow.....not as good.....Jason Connery took time to fill Michael Praed's shoes....and lacked some of the energy of his predecessor.
I found a compilation video on YouTube set to some of the music from "The Last of the Mohicans" movie soundtrack. Towards the end of the compilation you will see the demise of Robin of Loxley.
Soon I shall start examining some of the great edifices of Gothic and neo-Gothic architecture,
Until next time...."Nothing's forgotten, nothing's ever forgotten".
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Some Photographs
Greetings....once more....my apologies for my recent absences. I am still pursuing a new job opportunity as the clock ticks down towards redundancy.
Today I shall share with you some more of my photographs, taken in various cemeteries and graveyards and such like, close to where I presently abide.
Ah, but of course.....you will need some music to add ambience and atmosphere as you gaze upon the vistas in the photographs. I have chosen "Les Memoires Blesses" by Dark Sanctuary.
Until next time......
Today I shall share with you some more of my photographs, taken in various cemeteries and graveyards and such like, close to where I presently abide.
Ah, but of course.....you will need some music to add ambience and atmosphere as you gaze upon the vistas in the photographs. I have chosen "Les Memoires Blesses" by Dark Sanctuary.
Until next time......
Saturday, 24 September 2011
Song: "Summoning of the Muse" by Dead Can Dance
Today, I share with you the absolutely stunning piece of music "Summoning of the Muse" by Dead Can Dance. This piece of music leaves me absolutely lost for words to describe the power, beauty and melancholy of the atmosphere it creates. This is such an intense Spiritual experience; music of such Divine power that it is hard to believe it had been created by humans. A piece of music both wondrous and devotional. This is truly the music of the Angels.
Here is a video I found on YouTube where the music has been set to the artwork of Gustav Dore.
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Song Review: "My Lost Lenore" by Tristania
Greetings. My apologies for my absence these past few days. This has been caused by having to "job-hunt" due to an imminent redundancy/lay-off. I work for a major travel company (very well-known beginning with "E") who have decided to sell all our jobs out to a cheapo call centre in India. So if you were considering booking with said Globally renowned travel company - please bear in mind what they do to people's jobs, all in the name of a quick buck/pound/Euro. Anyway.my rant over for the day let us return to the world of all things Gothic.
Today, I shall share with you the song "My Lost Lenore" by Norwegian Gothic legends, Tristania. The song has a very Poe-like lyrical quality (as you would expect from the title n'est ce pas?). The song is underpinned by a sweeping piano riff which has this habit of getting inside your head and not shifting. It has a wonderfully neo-Victorian feel to it. There is then an interplay between the soprano vocals of Vibeke Stene and the growl vocals of Morten Veland. The vocals here are very high quality and avoid the extremes of other such genre bands. The interplay between the ethereal and the Earthly is great and creates a nicely Gothic tone. The song is taken from the album "Widow's Weeds" which was Tristania's first major album release way back in 1998 and was a pivotal and highly influential album on the Gothic Metal scene as it stands today with its combination of orchestral, choral and ethereal elements overlaid on top of doom-metal and black-metal elements. The song with it's lyrical content of a mourning and death and love beyond the grave will certainly remind of you of Poe's poem "Lenore" and also his short story "The Tomb of Ligeia"....and to my mind, also Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights".
I leave you with the video I found on YouTube
Until next time, may the wind howl through your bare trees and a fog linger over the tombs of old that exist in the clearing in the depths of a dark and barren wood; may the full moon shine her silvery, beautiful light on your footsteps....and a raven's raucous caw be the melancholic melody that haunts your ears. As always, thank you for reading,
Today, I shall share with you the song "My Lost Lenore" by Norwegian Gothic legends, Tristania. The song has a very Poe-like lyrical quality (as you would expect from the title n'est ce pas?). The song is underpinned by a sweeping piano riff which has this habit of getting inside your head and not shifting. It has a wonderfully neo-Victorian feel to it. There is then an interplay between the soprano vocals of Vibeke Stene and the growl vocals of Morten Veland. The vocals here are very high quality and avoid the extremes of other such genre bands. The interplay between the ethereal and the Earthly is great and creates a nicely Gothic tone. The song is taken from the album "Widow's Weeds" which was Tristania's first major album release way back in 1998 and was a pivotal and highly influential album on the Gothic Metal scene as it stands today with its combination of orchestral, choral and ethereal elements overlaid on top of doom-metal and black-metal elements. The song with it's lyrical content of a mourning and death and love beyond the grave will certainly remind of you of Poe's poem "Lenore" and also his short story "The Tomb of Ligeia"....and to my mind, also Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights".
I leave you with the video I found on YouTube
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Song Review: "Aquarius" by Within Temptation.
Well to continue the mini Sea theme that has been developing here of late (see the reviews for "The Lovers" by Forever Slave and "The Siren" by Nightwish), today's featured song is "Aquarius" by Within Temptation. Aquarius the water bearer. This song manages to combine the mystery and majesty of the sea itself. Gentle orchestral lines open this song which is soon complimented by a suitably ethereal vocal intro by the band's singer Sharon den Adel and joined by the full orchestra and the rest of the band. The lyrics are the story of a woman who is hypnotised by the wild, untamed power of the Sea itself....and the Aquarian Spirit which the Sea embodies. The Sea holds a hypnotic and seductive power over the song's protagonist.....who is aware that the power of the Sea and its ruling Spirit could overwhelm as easily as it could embrace. The song switches back and forth between power and gentleness with a constant dangerous but not menacing or sinister tone. The music and lyrics go together superbly and I cannot recommend this song highly enough to those who like their Gothic metal with a very orchestral edge.
Here is a video with lyrics I found on YouTube. The song is from the album "The Silent Force" - album which contains many fine songs and remains in the eyes of many fans the pinnacle of the band's work to date.
"You the Sea, set me free".....indeed.....I've a feeling the nautical theme shall be around for a day or two yet.....apologies for my indulgence here. Ah "The Demeter" approaches Whitby......
Here is a video with lyrics I found on YouTube. The song is from the album "The Silent Force" - album which contains many fine songs and remains in the eyes of many fans the pinnacle of the band's work to date.
Monday, 12 September 2011
Song Review: "The Siren" by Nightwish
The Sea........can you hear the waves? But beware the song distant at first.....calling you down into the deep.....a song of such ecstasy that none can resist.
Forgive my vivid ramblings there but today's song combines two things of GREAT interest to me - the Sea and Greek mythology. The song "The Siren" by Nightwish is based on the incident in Homer's the Odyssey when Odysseus must pass the Sirens, demi-Goddesses of the deep whose song lures ships to their doom. This is without doubt one of my favourite songs by Nightwish. It is from their album "Once", when they were at their peak. The song contains not only the pseuod-operatic vocals of Tarja Turunen, but also the male vocals of bassist Marco Hietala (he of the Viking warrior appearance!) as the voice of Odysseus.
The song is underpinned by a decidedly Greek influence combined guitar and violin riff, over which are laid the aforementioned vocalisings. For me, however, the best part begins at approximately 01:55 into the song when the Eastern Mediteranean tinged violin solo commences leading into some ethereal, Siren-esque (unsurprisingly enough) choral-ising. If this doesn't fill your nostrils with the salty smell of the sea and make you wish you were at the wheel of an ancient trireme then you're a lily-livered land-lubber.
Here's a video I found on YouTube:
Until next time....you can take the wax bungs out of your ears now...and for the love of Poseidon will someone untie me from this damn wheel!!
Forgive my vivid ramblings there but today's song combines two things of GREAT interest to me - the Sea and Greek mythology. The song "The Siren" by Nightwish is based on the incident in Homer's the Odyssey when Odysseus must pass the Sirens, demi-Goddesses of the deep whose song lures ships to their doom. This is without doubt one of my favourite songs by Nightwish. It is from their album "Once", when they were at their peak. The song contains not only the pseuod-operatic vocals of Tarja Turunen, but also the male vocals of bassist Marco Hietala (he of the Viking warrior appearance!) as the voice of Odysseus.
The song is underpinned by a decidedly Greek influence combined guitar and violin riff, over which are laid the aforementioned vocalisings. For me, however, the best part begins at approximately 01:55 into the song when the Eastern Mediteranean tinged violin solo commences leading into some ethereal, Siren-esque (unsurprisingly enough) choral-ising. If this doesn't fill your nostrils with the salty smell of the sea and make you wish you were at the wheel of an ancient trireme then you're a lily-livered land-lubber.
Here's a video I found on YouTube:
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