Shamandalie

Sometimes we need to be cruel to be kind.

-SONATA ARCTICA

Project in the Works

Slightly more positive post than last time...

My music project tentatively titled Whispering Woods, which I've been planning for a few years, is very likely coming to fruition quite soon. So far, I have written music for "What Still Remains" and "Lady in White" (lyrics to both are available in the 2009 section of this blog), and I have a friend, also named Nick, who is working with me writing harmonies and leads and stuff for all my guitar parts. Hopefully his brother will be willing and able to work with us as well, as he is also a great musician and might be able to help us record rough tracks. Note: this is not a band. This will just be my own recorded music.

For any of you who are unfamiliar with my concept for this project, it is going to sort of represent my darker side. All lyrics for it revolve around the supernatural and the unknown, and the music is going to be pretty dark and sinister. The sound mirrors the concept - often very slow paced and doomy, though with some occasional fast black metal-ish parts strewn about, and very heavily layered. I tried to describe the sound to a friend of mine, and she responded "so... metal that could be in a Tim Burton movie?" That description sounded right on.

I have no interest in really trying to emulate any other band, but if I had to come up with a list of "influences" for this, it would include Opeth (of course), Ihsahn, Emperor, Swallow the Sun, Immortal, and maybe even a MUCH slower-tempo Slayer vibe in some of the riffs.

For all three or four of you who read my blog, I'll keep you posted!

-Nick

2010

This might be the most negative post yet.

So far, this year has managed to do nothing but disappoint me. I can't figure out what kind of job I want to get. My dog died. I was severely hurt by someone. The only thing I could ever say was "at least music is the one thing that never lets me down." Well, even that's not always true. Music can let you down, when you're a musician and things don't go well. Basically, nothing DOESN'T disappoint me.

I'm ready for something to go right. I have to take charge of my life for that to happen, and not rely on others. At all. That's my new resolution.

God-Fearing Citizen

South Carolinian Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer stated that assisting poor children, by allowing them free lunches at school, is like feeding stray animals. He then stated that his grandmother taught him not to feed stray animals "because they breed." Is it me, or does that sound like a Southern Republican Christian just said that poor children should die?

Prog Metal Outta CT! WHATWHAAAAT!

IN SHATTERED SILENCE....

That is the name of an upcoming metal band from Connecticut. I am honored to perform the vocal duties for some of the most epic, crazy-ass music written by one of the best guitarists I know: Paul Jacovino. Also featuring the sickest drummer I've ever imagined I would work with, a kickass bass player, and now an awesome keyboardist!

So far we have two 11 minute songs basically done, and a 15 minute song in the works. Two more songs and that's enough for a full length album. I can't believe how fast that happened!

Keep on the look out, though it will be a while before we start doing shows. Gotta get everything tight, and gotta get keyboard parts written.

-Nick

WWW VIII: Asylum Wanderer

Words from the Whispering Woods: VIII

ASYLUM WANDERER

In the shade of a looming pine,
By the path to the high meadow,
I sit and watch those who do not see me.
Their ancestors
Made me suffer.
In tunnels and lairs
Below brick structures,
I felt the wrath
Of misguided treatments.
My sensitivity to sudden light
Was but a mild condition.
When they saw me
Fall to the floor
Convulsing,
Eyes rolled back,
I was sent here.
I was sent to my death.
Now I sit and watch
Those who do not see me.
Their fathers
Made me suffer.
This grudge will not end.
At night,
I float down the hills
And cry out to this town,
Never expecting reply
Or validation
Or apology
For what it has taken from me.

Culinary Arts

I have been drawn to the culinary arts for a few years now. For a while, I wasn't making any music, writing much poetry/lyrics, or doing any visual art, so I was finding that cooking was the perfect creative outlet for me. It both permitted self expression and served a functional purpose, of course.

There are certain chefs (all of whom have/had TV shows - how else would I know them?) who I respect immensely. No, I'm not referring to the typical Food Network hosts, who are just regular cooks who happen to have some sort of marketable quality, and teach people how to cook things that any idiot could have thought up... in fact, most of these hosts I have discovered on a local-ish network, NJN (which I think is affiliated with PBS).

Currently I am watching Rick Bayless's show "Mexico: One Plate At A Time." He is a connoisseur of authentic Mexican cuisine and culture (even though he's a geeky white dude). He knows his stuff so well, I am constantly impressed by him. He will not only tell you about how to make various items that you may have never known existed, but he will tell you the history behind these dishes, he can describe the nuances of every chili pepper and spice item he uses... he's awesome.

Another geeky facial-haired host who I have discovered from watching NJN is Steve Raichlen. He is an expert on grilling and barbecuing, and has two shows I've seen: "Barbecue University" and "Primal Grill." I've seen him do everything from vegetarian grilling, to barbecuing ribs with a mint rub, to slow cooking a brisket with coffee (dammit, he took my idea! or I took his?). Anyone who likes cooking with fire and coals should check his show out.

Ming Tsai is another host who I've grown immense respect for. His shows "East Meets West" and "Simply Ming" (and apparently he has one other I haven't seen) teach viewers about the art of Asian-fusion cuisine. He does some fairly unusual stuff... cooking Asian-style cuisine with tomatoes? Or parmesan cheese? Probably sounds kind of ridiculous to you, as you read this description. I would think so too. However, I've seen the episodes... I don't know how, but he seemed to really manage to pull it off! Granted, I don't have taste-o-vision, but everything looked pretty legit. Additionally, he promotes pairing not only wine with food, but beer with food as well, so of course I support that.

Despite the fact that I am certainly not a chef, nor have ever even been a cook or anything like that in a restaurant, nor have I ever even taken a culinary course, I have watched SOOOO many cooking shows and read SOOOO many recipes and came up with SOOOO many of my own recipes and culinary theories that I am considering writing my own culinary book. I will have to admit to my hypocrisy if I do so, of course, considering the fact that I tend to show some disdain for non-professionals, when I am even less of a professional than Rachael Ray (yeah, I know). Still, I think in my young years, I have gained some insight that I would like to share.

Anyway, I hope all of you reading this (all two of you) do some of your own cooking instead of going out to eat all the time or buying microwave dinners and whatnot. Supporting your local restaurants from time to time is great, but cooking for yourself is even better; more economical, more creative, more fun, and often healthier.

Wow, I can't believe I wrote all this in like five or ten minutes.

-Nick

The Creator's Word

Second song from In Shattered Silence. About 11 minutes long. It's a story about a fictional planet, a Creator, and his Beings.

THE CREATOR'S WORD

...And so he forges a new blue-green world;
The Creator's vision brought into fruition.
...And there he plants the seeds of his Beings
And witnesses evolution and harmony.

"But this world is not without pain,
Tragedy, and disaster.
I insist that there be balance.
They'll take nothing for granted."

The Creator watches them multiply,
And they build their shelters and gardens.
They carve their own culture and history
Without knowing why.
They are unaware of their origins
And know not of he who put them here.

They wander through forests,
They cry from their highest cliffs,
They find no calling, no meaning,
No reason nor goal.
But along their trek,
Inspiration finds them.
Aesthetic wonder abloom,
They take comfort
In the presence of growing things.
The grass at their feet,
The triumphant tall trees,
And the calls of creatures
Put their spirits at ease.

So what about their Creator?
Would he not receive their praise?
How could he be satisfied
Giving life to be unrecognized?
His will must be carried out.
His word will be sent down.

"They will hail and praise me.
They must all obey me."

And so it was heard:
The Creator's word.

But something is lost in translation,
And some find no space for interpretation.
...And so there is a great rift
As the confused become the vigilant.
...And so their hatred is spawned
As violence is born in the name of glory.

Why must they suffer so?
Did they not have all they needed?
Was it not better before?
With threatened pride, he swung down an arm
To divide them and bring them to war.

"They do not respect me!
Why do they reject me?
They did not obey me!
Why did they betray me?
This was not my plan..."

He led them all into bloodshed.
He is the Creator of War.
For his interference,
He will endure eternal remorse.

...And so he must repair this red-stained world;
The Creator's vision brought divisive religion.
...So he knows he must set his Beings free
And admit to his pride and vainglory.
...Yet he could not take fault for this attempt at life.
To him this world will be a tragic prototype.

"I will leave them forever."

Holiday Resolutions

1. Doing at least 100 push-ups at least every other day (3-4 days a week).

2. Find a job. This should probably be number one, but I don't feel like deleting or copy/pasting.

3. Work on any willpower or addiction issues (coffee and stuff, I don't smoke or do drugs or any of that shit)

4. Keep fine tuning my voice and writing awesome lyrics and vocal melodies

5. Pick up my guitar again.

There you have it folks. Not even New Years yet, but those are my resolutions. Don't worry, the next post will probably be lyrics again. Expect "Island" to be re-written, as I am wishing to turn it into lyrics for a 10 minute song with the band : )

My Life Now

The other day I finished earning my degree. Now I'll get to live in a box and tell people who pass by "I have a degree."

Today it is going to snow. I still want to go to Milford tonight to see someone. I still want to go to practice tomorrow in Wolcott. Screw snow.

Today was the first time I looked at someone's blog which I've avoided looking at for months. I felt the old trembling feelings surge up, but they never exploded. I went back to my life and thought "I'm cool now."

My dog is whining, my sister is home visiting, and it's time to watch Futurama dvds.

WWW VII: A Harmless Game

Words from the Whispering Woods: VII

A HARMLESS GAME

Five costumed maidens
Upstairs in the corner,
In a room made windowless
By blinds and shades
Positioned themselves
Into what they believed
To be a circle.

Free-spirited maidens
And a harmless game.
What did they know?

"Set thick candles alight,
One by each maiden,
And the room will be
Otherwise dark.
Center the board,
And put one hand each
On a psychic device.
Try to keep still."

Young, careless maidens
And an October game.
What did they know?

The first question is asked;
An innocent inquiry
Reflective of their age.
Staring at each other,
They hope for a response
Without actual hope.
The device holds its place.

Wistful, naive maidens
And a cheap-thrill game.
What did they know?

"This will not work
If the intent is not serious.
The second question asked
Will be devoid of laughter
And unassuming of youth.
Let it be done now,
With sincerity and focus."

Concentrating maidens
With a secret game.
What did they know?

The second question is asked;
One of natural curiosity;
One of what lives beyond life.
The device moves
Of its own accord.
Skeptical maidens read
The word "Listen."
A knock pounds at the door.

Frightened, screaming maidens
And a harmless game.
What did they find?
What did they find?

My Thought For the Night

I think too much.

"When You Survive Death"

Here is the updated version of some lyrics being used in an upcoming Connecticut progressive metal band (no name as of yet).

"WHEN YOU SURVIVE DEATH"
September/October 2009

When you survive death,
You reflect on words –
Words with effects intense and profound,
For better or for worse.
They bring hope,
They bring false hope,
Love and despair and pain.
So this is the story we wrote.

So, move on.
So, carry on.

My poetry slides off the page
Into the earth and sinking
Under the scope of your sight.
Your poetry flies off the page,
Stinging and drilling an infection
Into my mind.

Hopeless defeat, be numbed.
Please find me, chemical lobotomy.
Worthless being, be gone.
Sweet noxious mist envelop me.
Oh, I have seen how everything changes,
Especially when you survive death.

So, move on.
So, carry on.

I would willingly give my life to another,
But I was never blessed with the chance.
I could bleed for years and never, never die.
I have been reborn many, many times.
I would willingly give my life to another,
But they were never blessed with the chance.
I could bleed for years and never, never die.
I have been reborn many, many times.

I do not believe in fate.
I do not believe in reason.
I do not believe in fate.
I trust only in chaos.
I do not believe in fate.
I do not believe in reason.
I do not believe in fate.
So why do I feel this has a sense of purpose?
What am I being saved for?
Who am I being saved for?
I have been bestowed with a sense of worth,
Which may be the only reason
I am still alive.

So, move on.
So, carry on.

WWW VI: October

Words from the Whispering Woods: VI

It's not about the supernatural or the unknown, but I deem it worthy of the WWW series. It just fits the vibe.

"OCTOBER"
October 2009

Prologue of frost:
Echo your cold-aged word
Between sweet bare wood,
Being disrobed
As you begin striking down
Its millions of veils.

Harvest wind:
Refresh my skin
And break my sweat,
And whisper stories
Of Pagan dances
And mask-hidden ghosts.

Crimson woods:
Set my path alight
With your blazen canopy.
What has remained
Of your fiery veils
Is my warmth and solace.

WWW V: Red Moon

Words from the Whispering Woods: V

Inspired from a section of a book titled "Marie (or Slavery in the United States)" by Gustave de Beaumont.

"RED MOON"
October 2009

Ominous red moon,
Be not a sign,
Be not a warning,
Do not attest
To the sorrow I now foresee.
Ominous red moon,
Be but a lie,
Be only harmless hue,
Camouflage yourself in white.
Let our anguish be eased.

I must keep her inside.
I must not let her look at the sky.

A deadline of three days
From today has been set.
Either one side will surrender
Or all of their soldiers be dead.

We must arrive soon,
Be still alive,
Be in good health,
Brother of she
Who travels alongside of me.
We must arrive soon,
Onward we ride,
Onward, my horse.
Two days have passed, and
I've promised reunion tomorrow.

I must keep her inside.
I must not let her look at the sky.
Her faith would surely crumble.
The blood of a man glows above our eyes.

She sleeps in our caravan
With hopeful dreams of her kin
Outside, this night is painted red,
And so she must stay within.

I must keep her inside.
I must not let her look at the sky.
Her heart would surely go still
From the burden of this fateful sight.

The sunrise will not be long.
We will find our destination soon.
Fate, let my intuition be wrong,
And rid us of this ominous red moon.