Friday, April 30, 2010

Proost!: Day Of Atonement (Indonesia)

(Click on logo to visit their website)


Starting from May, a monthly column will be dedicated specially for artistes that I believe have the potential to go all the way and once their big break comes, I hope I will be able to say Proost! to their success

Kicking off things this month are a band that is reminiscent of early Nightwish and Leaves Eyes with their dual vocalists blending in seamlessly with music that gives off feelings of pomp and grandeur but Tarja Turunen it ain't for this 7 piece band are as cohesive both onstage and off it. Hailing from the passionate country of Indonesia, the gothic metal outfit from Surabaya consists of Istie Flow (vocals), Zain (vocals), Ferry (guitar), Y-Sin (guitar), Yudha (keyboards), Ryo (symphony) and Cholix (drums) with inspiration coming from the likes of Epica which helped to sculpt the structure of their music and the result? A band that leaves you feeling enthralled the moment you press play and Day Of Atonement are no slouches either, taking time and effort to perform in various gigs throughout Indonesia and their upcoming performance sees them holding their own against their fellow compatriots at Transounds 2010 which will be held on May 2nd. Currently working on a 2nd album, one of the tracks that has been made available for listening is the epic 9 minute masterpiece Dead Man Whisper as we wait with bated breath on the full fledged assault that Day Of Atonement has set their sights on


(Day Of Atonement performing live)


(To listen to their track Dead Man Whisper, click on the Soundcloud link located on the right)

Monday, April 26, 2010

Cosmic Armchair performing at the Esplanade Waterfront

(Click on photo to view event)



Zooming straight down from the galaxy in their rocket ship and into planet Earth, electronic pop duo Cosmic Armchair will be performing at the Esplanade Waterfront on Saturday, 1st May 2010 from 10pm onwards as they collaborate with the Artssphere Chinese Instrumental Trio. With a fusion of sounds of the traditional Chinese instruments such as the pipa and erhu meeting the modern melody of the synthetiser at a venue so serene on an evening, be sure not to miss out on a showcase that will leave you even more knowledgeable about music and how ancient instruments can be given a futuristic feel to it. Cosmics Ben and Jane together with their friends are set to on giving an intergalactic show that will repel the UFOs away and putting our worries at ease for 45 minutes of enthralling music.

Place & Time: The Esplanade Waterfront, 10pm
Date: 1st May 2010
Price: Free

Visit http://www.cosmicarmchair.com for more details

Day Of Atonement performing at Transound Darkness-Blitar 2010

(Click on poster for enlarged view)



The 7-piece Surabaya goth metal band are going places as of late and if you happen to be in Indonesia or have some cash to spare and would like to travel overseas for good music, this is the place to be this weekend! Day Of Atonement will be performing at the Transound Darkness-Blitar 2010 gig which is held at Graha Kendalrejo. Presented by Nametiga, along them onstage will be the likes of The Lord, Otopsi, Tyranty and Funeral Of God among the many bands featured onstage. Tickets are at 50,000 rupiah, be prepared to mosh it out in the passionate country of Indonesia this weekend! Look out for more features about Day Of Atonement here and get to hear a sample of their sound

Place: Graha Kendalrejo (Jl. Manggar No.1 Kendalrejo Talun-Blitar- East Java, Indonesia)
Time: 2100hrs onwards
Date: 2nd May 2010
Price: 50,000 rupiah
Acts: Various artists

The Singapore Mag article is available now

(Click on picture below to view article)



As mentioned in the Meteoor article in April, myself, Lique and Saito Nagasaki are being featured in The Singapore Mag for its April edition. Under the Society column, the Culture Underground article talks about the alternative lifestyles Singaporeans pursue in their free time and along with other groups such as Cosplay, cowboys and motorcycle riders. Special thanks to Miss Sheralyn Tay for the feature

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Chronicles Of Reverence: Amduscia


(Amduscia as photographed in 2008 for the Madness In Abyss album)

Hailing from Mexico, the 3 man outfit comprising of Polo Amduscia (Vocals, Lyrics & Programming), Edgar Acevedo (Synth, Sampling & Mixing) and Raul Amduscia (Keyboards & Sampling) were formed in 1999 and despite the early comparisons to fellow countrymen Hocico and Cenobita due to their sound, Amduscia soon changed the minds of skeptics with their brand of aggrotech being used with a variety of genres like old school EBM, futurepop and cyberpunk among others. Releasing 6 albums in total through Out Of Line records with the exception of From Abuse To Apostasy which was released through Metropolis and their demo Perdicion, Perversion, Demencia, Amduscia had their share of grief as Raul left the band and on March 2010, Edgar passed away due to complications in his health but despite the setbacks back, the band is currently working on a new album with a few tracks available for listening

Mark Of Reverence


(The late Edgar Acevedo, a member of an accomplished band in the aggrotech field)


While they are not the first band to come out of Mexico, a band named after a duke from hell in medieval demonology were definitely anything but cold with their demo album Perdicion, Perversion, Demencia making an immediate impact with listeners and their rise continued with their tracks Evil Song and Profano tu Cruz making into the Machineries of Joy Vol. 1 & 2 compilation albums with critical acclaim and scoring a record label deal with German electronic label Out Of Line records who released most of their albums beginning with Melodies For The Devil (November 2003). Amduscia also had the pleasure of performing in mega festivals such as WaveGotikTreffen in 2004 and M'era Luna in 2005 while sharing the stage with Combichrist. Their influence spread towards remixes with other artistes as well with God Module, Suicide Commando and Grendel having the honour to have their songs given the Midas touch by the Mexican wizards.


To know more about the band:


http://www.amduscia.de (Official Amduscia website)

http://www.myspace.com/amduscia (Amduscia on Myspace)

Meteoor: Interview with Sheralyn Tay (The Singapore Mag)

Is Singapore all about work and no play? Are all of us too preoccupied with monotony that the word 'fun' has become extinct in our daily vocabulary? In the upcoming issue of The Singapore Mag, Society delves into the various subcultures and groups that's full of colour beneath the stonic veneer most Singaporeans perceive the country to be and the Singapore Dark Alternative Movement is honoured to be featured in the article and giving an insight on what the Gothic subculture is all about. To tell us more about the publication is Miss Sheralyn Tay, a former TODAY journalist turned freelance writer and editor for The Singapore Mag:

Q:Why did you choose to cover the gothic movement in Singapore?

Sheralyn:The inclusion of the Gothic Movement was an obvious choice - it has grown and become more prominent over the years to gain some critical mass. The Movement was also included because it offers a great example of an interest group/lifestyle trend that certainly breaks with convention and goes beyond 'hobby'.


Q:Do you see a similarity between the gothic movement and the other subjects of your article?

Sheralyn: Yes. Passion! The idea of community, shared beliefs and camaraderie.


Q: What did you perceive of goths prior to the interview and did it change after that?

Sheralyn: My perception of Goths were of loners and outsiders. It was good to see that a community had formed and is flourishing.


Q: In your opinion, what makes the gothic movement stand out from the rest?

Sheralyn: The Gothic Movement goes beyond a hobby or mere interest. It is a lifestyle that encompasses fashion, sensibility, literature and music - certainly it offers more points of commonality, an element that creates a stronger sense of community.


Q: Did you ever toyed with the idea of going Goth?

Sheralyn: I was - to some extent - 'Goth' when I was in my late teens and early 20s, complete with dark eyeliner, black clothes, ankhs, and angst! I kind of 'grew out of it', but I still count Gothic authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, Poppy Z Brite and some 'dark music' among my faves (London After Midnight, HIM, Sisters of Mercy). I was never 'fully' Goth because I was also such a Britpop kid (probably still am). I still welcome the occasional chance to dress up like I did!


Q: Finally, will the local goth scene able to match up to other countries such as Germany and America in the near future?

Sheralyn: I am no expert but in my honest opinion, it'll take some time before the Movement can attain the true critical mass that exists in the States and Germany. Nevertheless, the fact that those who identify with the Gothic lifestyle no longer mope alone in their rooms or hang out with only handful of friends says something for the Movement and shows growth and promise.

Sneek peek on the upcoming article:





(The Singapore Mag is a quarterly publication of the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) and is available in print and the Internet
singaporemagazine.sif.org.sg. Look out for updates here & at sdam.sg once its released)

Absinthe Heart: The Devil Did Not Make Me Do It

Seeing someone dressed entirely in black and putting on death pale cosmetics is normal for the likes of us and those who are into the dark alternative subculture as we view them as individuals who are just dressing up in something that they thoroughly immersed in but what of the public? While most would shrug it off as an act of self expression or being weird, there are a few out there who make their disdain for goths openly but what happens when their resentment turns into a blind crusade? Body counts are definitely involved but this does not come from the "Satanists" or "witches" who commit the crime; They end up becoming the victims in this lopsided war instead


(Eric Harris & Dylan Klebold at the scene of the Columbine High massacre)

"Goths would have us believe that this was just an isolated incident. That Columbine was just a one-off. We know better..."
"Out of just a few of the cases we have researched, we can create an alarming series of statistics. Remember we have hundreds more. When you put just a few together it looks very disturbing. This is why we fight. We will expose these filthy Goths for what they are. Very dangerous indeed."
- An excerpt taken from an anti Goth website created by parents against the subculture

Despite living in a modern civilisation desensitised by violence, gratuitous sex and accessibility to any information with a click of the mouse, the kangaroo court mentality of society still exists and the moment an incident takes place, the finger pointing towards alleged perpetrators moves faster than a bill being passed in parliament to ban personal possession of firearms and who better to blame than the goths? An oddity that strikes fear into the hearts of the Stepford community with their unorthodox practices that go against organised religion, appearances that could give the grim reaper a run for its money and not to forget, cold hearted murderers who would not think twice before plunging the knife to complete their mission with the likes of Slayer and Marilyn Manson giving them the instructions to carry out the atrocities. For years, there have been reports of goths running rampant with their corpse painted faces and vampirism beliefs embedded into their demented minds to kill non believers and use them either as sacrifice to Satan or to retaliate against the norms of society. Not only that, these individuals turn towards places of worship such as churches and raze them to the ground in order to signal their aggressive intentions and even their idols get into the act of things, such as Burzum from Norway who carried Nazi leanings and Faust from Emperor who murdered a homosexual. The buck doesn't stop there with just the Wilson family murders and the beheading of Fawn Trivette by her fiance Christopher Dunsmoor using a samurai, the gothic community came into prominence with the Columbine High massacre that was carried out by goths Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold who wore trenchcoats and held semiautomatic guns as weapons to kill 12 students, 1 teacher and injuring 24 others on April 20 1999 before taking their own lives after the bloodshed. Just when the community thought that the Parents Music Resource Center (PRMC) had their hands full containing "Satanic metal" acts such as Mercyful Fate and Deicide, the problem had now escalated to criminal activity resulting in the loss of lives and in order to combat the rising tide of the trigger happy goths, anti goth movements were created to counter the problem such as Moral Majority led by Jerry Falwell and even religion got into the act using both print and mass media to declare their war against the goths, decrying them as "children of the devil" and "freaks conceived by witchcraft". To exemplify this, politician Joseph Lieberman once appeared in a talk show broadcasted by a Christian network and while holding a disc on one hand, he denounced the record as "the most evil music ever released by a major record label" with a vocal audience roaring in support for his statement coupled with the fact that post Columbine, more of these goth murders were still taking place with students from Lely high school attempting to replicate the Columbine High massacre in 2004 and the murder of Virginia Commonwealth University student Taylor Behl by her boyfriend Ben W. Fawley while engaging in rough sex. So is this sufficient vindication to haul up all of the goths and burn them at stake? Hold back those torches and pitchforks and look beyond the make up; these criminal acts are no different than those committed by serial murderers, rapists and arsonists who look no different than the man on the street


"Well, do what? Mow the lawn? Have a drink?"
- Judas Priest's Rob Halford defending himself in court during the James Vance trial where the latter claimed that the line "Do it" from the song Better By You, Better Than Me inspired him to enact a suicide pact with his friend Raymond Belknap

“It’s not about what they’re wearing, it’s about what they’re doing”
- Don Elium, co-author of the book "Raising a Son: Parents and the Making of a Healthy Man"

While it is easy to lump the black metal and gothic movement as the same thing and the former sharing certain similarities, the church burnings in Norway and brutal murders in order to appease Satan that has plagued the black metal scene for years are remotely related to what the gothic subculture is all about, a history that has its roots in architecture and literature in the earlier centuries to the music and fashion movement of modern times. But irregardless of genre, stereotyping Goths and black metal fans as murderers are no different from calling a person listening to hip-hop a gangster or a reggae follower being an addict to opiates and who gives them such labels and demonising them in the process? It is the crusaders of morality themselves, finding a scapegoat to shift the blame and using the goths as a targetboard to throw their darts at and hoping to hit the bullseye eventually. Sadly for these morality groups, their aims have not only gone way off the mark but it has also courted controversy against them for the extreme measures taken to eradicate the supposed problem that has tainted the minds of society. Remove the exteriors of their preferred lifestyle, peer into the history of their childhood and one will realise that Alex Baranyi and David Anderson of the Wilson family murder are no different from any other murderer who are not into the gothic subculture; A life spent growing up on hardship and being envious of affluent families who lived in mansions while their parents struggled to make ends meet. Teenagers being ostracised by their schoolmates for looking gawky and often bullied by jocks for their "weirdness" while seeking solace in their own activities such as Dungeons & Dragons or even objects such as dolls. But beneath that escapism lies a mind fuelled by vengeance and a vow to "make them pay", resulting in massacres and murders from their misled path in life which could have been avoided if someone was there to sniff out the danger and nullifying the danger before its too late. In the Michael Moore documentary Bowling For Columbine, shock rocker Marilyn Manson was interviewed by Moore to give his thoughts on the Columbine High massacre. During that point of time, he was cited as the main influence of killers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold despite the fact that they both hated Manson's music and when asked on what he would have said if he was given the chance to speak to them before the massacre, Manson simply said; "I wouldn't say a thing. I would just listen to them and that's what nobody did". The allegations made by the media were further unravelled in David Cullen's book Columbine where it was revealed that Harris and Klebold actually had a lot of friends, were not at the receiving end of any bullying and the supposed martyr of the killings, Cassie Bernall who became a popular figure in religious circles after proclaiming to have believed in God before getting killed by the duo actually died without being asked any questions whereas the actual person who was asked about her faith, Valeen Schnurr answered yes and survived the ordeal without a single shot being fired at her. But while most incidents portray goths as raiders of innocent lives, there have been instances where the former ends up on the receiving end of a merciless murder by the "lambs" and until today, the death of Sophie Lanchaster has been made known worldwide on the prejudice goths have to face at the mercy of the public eye. On August 11 2007, 20 year old Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend Robert Maltby were attacked by a group of teenage boys led by Brendan Harris and Ryan Herbert in the wee hours of the morning while on the way back home to their flat in King Street and while it started off with a friendly conversation and handing out cigarettes to the group, the latter unexpectedly turned against Robert Maltby and began attacking him before Sophie Lancaster came to his defence by shielding Robert's head on her lap. Relentless and intoxicated under the influence of alcohol, the gang continued their assault by striking and stamping Sophie on the the head such to an extent that when the paramedics arrived at the scene much later, they had difficulty in recognising her as her face was heavily bruised and while both Sophie and Robert slipped into a coma, the latter managed to wake up after 2 weeks without any recollection of the incident but sadly, Sophie passed away without another chance to live and enjoy life like her fellow peers. What was more appalling was the fact that Brendan Harris and his mother was light hearted about the matter during Harris' initial interview with the police and their condescending demeanour throughout the trial despite the severity of their actions

"I stand outside this house of justice today, not as Sophie's mother, but as her voice. Her voice that was cruelly silenced in a single mindless act. Sophie was a thoughtful, sensitive individual and she would not have wanted her death to have been in vain"
- Sylvia Lancaster, mother of the late Sophie Lancaster who was savagely beaten to death on August 11, 2007

Before the media decides to put up the Wanted posters on goths and distort truths on the gothic subculture, before warmongers throw the gauntlet, launch a full scale battle and publicly invite others to join in the bandwagon, let's not forget one simple fact; It could have happened to anyone by anyone. By judging a book by its cover, they fail to realise that goths are human beings after all and deserve to walk among the same path as they do and have dreams just like any other child, teenager or adult


Or must it take another death in order for them to wake up and do something about this injustice?

Scums Of The Earth

"This has to be the shortest mosh ever"

Yet, it was a crazy day out on Saturday with Sonia & Serpentina from Metal Horde as we barged through a classroom filled with students and wrecking havoc with a couple of luchadors churning out something that is definitely not mariachi music! When quizzed on the recruitment drive of the other moshers, a certain Patient Zero quipped: We found these people at the glory hole in Golden Mile and Peninsula while others were scouted as they were picking up used condoms at Fort Road (with the exception of the 3 of us, simply because we are too kvlt) All of this happening on a serene weekend in Tiong Bahru where the idea of having a rock session would seem unlikely...or is it? Kimotherapy can only say this for now: It is an online series that features a series of challenges and the pilot episode will have the masked men playing a song with the mosh party coming in to act as a distraction. He also mentioned about it being part of a campaign so does this mean that the elections are coming? Will these concealed beings stand for election? Just who on earth are Patient Zero and Kimotherapy? To know more, watch out for their upcoming interview with the Singapore Dark Alternative Movement (SDAM) in Meteoor sometime soon and all will be revealed. For now, here is them unmasked:


(Yes, they are Red Bulls in disguise)

(No buildings were burnt at the making of this photo. If only we had torches)

Friday, April 23, 2010

Dalsix & Hendricka Meshradio session

Appearing alongside myself on the Taste Of Darkness recording yesterday was the lovely Hendricka as guest hosts with the hysterical duo of Saito Nagasaki & Foxy. While I am not going to reveal much as to what you will expect from the show, let's just say that it will involve eye raising dialogue, peppermints & gagging. But it is not all about the witty banter and theme, the music still takes centerstage and I had an opportunity to choose a couple of songs off my playlist and again, I will not reveal my cards until its out but here is a teaser to 3 of the bands featured:

1) A parallel Trent with just one album to its name. The song played is a feeling one would get in euphoria

2) You do not have to cast the line that far to know where this band is based at (although you might need to pull the line harder to reel this fish in). Melinda Gordon would be familiar with this song

3) A change of personnel at the helm which caused a huge uproar and decided to settle down with a singer who had a stint covering a certain Scandinavian group. You might want to avoid this desert though but not the song

HINT: They are fronted by a female singer


Here's a sneak peek on the Meshradio session:


(Recording of Taste Of Darkness)

(We wanna rock! With our band shirts)

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Follow Fortress Of Tears via Google Connect!

Be part of the Vissix Voyeur battalion by clicking on the the Google Connect icon located on the last navigational bar! Also, look out for upcoming news and updates on this site which will leave you graving for more

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Video exclusives: Amanda Palmer performing at Stereolab & Dualtone performing at Baybeats 2009

It might have been quite a while since these 2 artistes have performed but like wine, it just gets better with age. Taken live at their respective performances, the wonderful Amanda Palmer dropped by to perform an intimate gig here at Stereolab and performed songs both from The Dresden Dolls an her solo effort with Neil Gaiman appearing at one point to do a poetry retical. Continuing with the theme of female empowerment is Dualtone and their showcase at The Esplanade in conjunction with the Baybeats celebrations and impressing the crowd with their set list. To see other videos, click on the YouTube navigational link to watch clips from the R.O.J.A.K installation and Meza Virs performing at Metal For A Cause with a guest appearance from Sathish & Lyon of Stillborn


Shai Hulud Live In Singapore (1st May 2010 at Blackhole)

(Click on poster to view event)



Brought to you by the lovely people from Echo Productions, seminal American hardcore band Shai Hulud are embarking on a South East Asia Tour and the first stop off their embarkation? Singapore and fittingly on Labour Day itself so unless you are living in a jungle and have no access to public roads (shame on you for having bad navigational skills), come down to Blackhole on May 1st as the Poughkeepsie, New York band plays the hits that you grew up and loved. But this time, its not in the lonely surroundings of your bedroom but in the mosh pit with their legion of fans with tickets pricing at $35 dollars and $28 dollars from now till the 23rd. Opening up for them are the local productions of pride in the form of My Precious, For Better Endings & Fall Of Mirra from 5.30pm onwards. Visit Echo Productions for updates and details

Time & Place: Blackhole, 212 Syed Alwi Road 5.30pm-10.00pm
Tickets: $28 (till 23rd April), $35 thereafter and at the door
Opening Acts: My Precious, For Better Endings, Fall Of Mirra (SIN)

Heart Of Darkness (1st May 2010 at SIX)

(Click on poster to view event)



Pick up your sickles and metal pipes, pump your fist in the air and declare your allegiances out loud this Labour Day as the Singapore Dark Alternative Movement unveils the flag inscribed with the words Heart Of Darkness. Rally the people and congregate at SIX as congress will take place from 9pm onwards with DJs Murderfreak and Cosmic Battlefield square off in a musical motion of Industrial against New Wave throughout the night with beats so intense, it will not take long before everyone hits the dancefloor and roaring in approval. So dress up in your uniform and route march your way to Heart Of Darkness, the watering point of Jack Daniels awaits for you and giving you the fuel to raise your hands in unbridled passion with the only politics that you will ever need, period

Date: Saturday, 1 May 2010
Time: 9pm – 3 am
Venue:Six, 29 Carpenter Street #06-00
Cover: Free before 10pm, $12 thereafter
Acts: DJ Murderfreak & DJ Cosmic Armchair

Grindhouse 2010 (30th April 2010 at Blackhole)

(Click on poster to view event)



Just before Labour Day comes a gig that will gather a rally of epic proportions and no, it will not be held at some stuffy strait laced building and filled with scripted politicians promising you an upgrade that is as useful as a person on a diet going to a fast food outlet. Instead, all suits are thrown out of window as Blackhole plays host to a stellar line up comprising of local bands Stillborn & Truth be Known, Grindbuto from Indonesia, Lacerate from Thailand and the Japanese double act of Defiled & GxSxD to complete the firing squad. But no bullets involved, just explosive riffs, infernal growls and blast beats of headbanging proportions. Event starts at 6.30pm with Stillborn being the first band to open the floodgates of fury so do come early and rock the horns on the 30th, because metal preaches better politics than anyone else!

Date: Friday, 30 April 2010
Time: 18:30 - 22:30
Location: Black Hole 212, Syed Alwi Road
Cover: $15
Acts: Stillborn & Truth Be Known (Sin), Grindbuto (Ind), Lacerate (TH), Defiled & gxSxD (JPN)

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Chapter 66: Too Fast For The Black Widow



Despite the love hate relationship that I have with my brother, there is at least one thing that I can never thank him enough for: Carelessly leaving his cassettes around while I stayed in his room. He might not look the part but when it came to music, that boy sure knew how to rock with bands such as Scorpions, Bon Jovi and Motley Crue being blared out of his stereo and singing You Give Love A Bad Name like a debonair rockstar (he still does at the ripe old age of 37 and with 2 kids. In the car with the latter two thinking that its my fault) It was from the daily visits in his room that first introduced me to music and even though the first song that I listened to was Scorpions' Wind Of Change, it was Motley Crue that became my favourite band and before you had Tokio Hotel and the other pretty boys putting on make up, Vince Neil and the gang were already donning cosmetics in the hair metal era known as the 80's while singing about their good buddy (Dr Feelgood) bad habits (Smoking In The Boys Room) and their thoughts of being in love (Too Fast For Love). But it was Marilyn Manson that changed my life completely instead at the age of 14 and the rest they say, was painted in black with Holywood at the back. Admittedly, there was a gap period where I thought that Dr Dre & Snoop Dogg was the shizznit and Mandy Moore was amazing but Mr Brian Warner salvaged me from Loserville and into a mean lean machine who did not care if society was ostracising him, music alone was an escapism and an education to their ills that were being masked by Stepford smiles. But it did not end there but rather the beginning of a musical voyage that made me want to listen to various kinds of music from the fast emerging (HIM), legendary (The Misfits) and obscure (Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet 13). Black metal was another influential force for me with Cradle Of Filth ripping up a vicious vortex for me to enter and discover the grim reality of life but I didn't have to be a Satanist in order to enjoy the genre as Immortal have proved and with great success (except the Call Of The Wintermoon video)and did help matters that I was into Norse mythology so the bond between me and the genre was quickly fostered. If being a goth was about the macabre and realism, then black metal was all about strength and viciousness (Note: I am not a Satanist and respect all forms of religion, everyone has a right to believe what they preach in irregardless of orthodoxy). Fast forward to modern times and 22 years on since childbirth, I am still listening to music and looking out for new bands to listen to irregardless of genre since what matters most is the quality and intensity of the music so do not be surprised if I start listening to Goatwhore at one moment and PMMP (Finnish pop duo) the next, it is the passion that counts and this is the one thing that no one can ever take away from you


So what inspired me to start an online page to talk about my innermost thoughts? It all started off with my regular gig as a writer for the Singapore Dark Alternative Movement and with the 3 columns that I contribute regularly (Absinthe Heart, Meteoor & Chronicles Of Reverence)it made ponder one day that while I am enjoying myself by pursuing my passion of writing for my subculture, I am only able to present it in the angle of being a goth and after looking at various online pages such as Murderfreak and The Fashionate Traveller, I became motivated to start a page of my own and write about the things I love while at the same time promote bands and events through my site. As you can see on my navigational links under Associated Arsonists, these are the fruits of labour that my friends have started and working hard towards their dream which goes to show that no matter how many obstacles you have to face, it takes dogged determination to get to where you are and for that, I salute to each and every one of you who taught me subliminally that its possible to achieve what you aim for. Hopefully with my posts here, someone out there will notice these efforts and take time to click the links to find out more about their endeavour and for those who would like me to put it on my site, feel free to drop me an email or via my personal networking sites (located at the links bar) or even to promote your events, I am more than happy to spread the word for you. As for myself, this is just another step to educate and motivate me in writing articles while pursuing my degree in English Literature at the same time. I might need to suit up and look "normal" should I end up becoming a teacher (aka secondary dream) instead of being the next Lord Byron (aka hedonistic poet/Romanticist rockstar with a quill) so for now, I just wanna rock!

(ps. For those who think that being a journalist/writer/poet is boring and decidedly "square", you might want to read up on the life of one Nick Kent. Not only did he play guitar for The Sex Pistols before they ditched him for one Sid Vicious, he bagged the hot Chrissie Hynde)