Justin

The Killswitch question has been covered now. Let's move on: The new Iced Earth [i]Framing Armageddon[/i]. Reactions? -Justin

[quote name='MissWem'][FONT="Arial"][COLOR="Sienna"]Killswitch[/SIZE] [/COLOR][/FONT][/QUOTE] That's one band that [i]doesn't[/i] define metal. I don't care what they claim; they're not. Metal is certainly musically based in the darker chord progressions. It's also centric on technical guitars and drums, generally; but this is not always the case. For instance, doom and stoner metal general aren't focus on technical prowess. What separates heavy metal from its imitators--like Killswitch Engage--is for one thing, a general common purpose. Metal should be defiant, non-conforming, uncommercialized, original, aggressive, true to itself, solid music. Bands like Killswitch Engage, Haste the Day, Atreyu, Bleeding Through, etc. fail in several of those categories. Too many, in fact, to be considered true metal. They're fodder for the masses. Borderline teeny-bopper music, for the most part. Yes, they're aggressive, but it's false aggression. Metal is where punk gets its attitude. Metal is where rock gets its edge. Metal is the diamond in the rough of all modern music. It's hard to nail down, but when you're a metalhead, you know. -Justin

Woodamnhoo... Holidays, shmolidays. Fireworks and drunk people. I live in Alabama; that's kind of a regular thing. -Justin

I think there are about three people in this thread at this point with better than half a brain. If this gets reduced to pointless questions of who's taking or not taking offense or who's blowing what out of proportion again, the sun will set on this one. -Justin

I present to you, the people, the [b]OtakuBoards Nifty Fifty: 07 Edition![/b] Here you will nominate ten members, topics, or well...anything Otaku really to be included into a list of fifty things nifty enough for this year's Nifty Fifty. [b]Don't remember what it is?[/b] It's a list of fifty things that have helped make OtakuBoards totally freakin' "nifty" this past year. You, the members, nominate. And we, the judges, decide. [b]How does something or someone gain a spot amongst the illustrious Nifty Fifty?[/b] Well, first there are the nominations. It's not based purely on quantity of nominations, though, as some things could be left out that way. This is about getting the [i]best[/i]...the most nifty! That may sound a bit subjective, and really, it is. But trust me, all is being handled fairly as it possibly can. I've taken steps to organize the best possible Nifty Fifty Committee: 07 Edition to assure this. [b]Nifty Fifty Committee?[/b] You may remember this from last years Nifty Fifty; and this year's will work around the same principle--secrecy. You won't be able to contact these judges, because you won't know who they are. You won't know who they are to ensure the fairest possible judging. [b]What can be nominated?[/b] Anything...and I do mean [i]anything[/i]...pertaining to OtakuBoards. Members, threads, events, current events...whatever. Nominate them all. [b]How do I nominate?[/b] DUNDUNDUN...requirements! [QUOTE] What is it? Why was it nifty?[/QUOTE] It's [i]that[/i] simple. *****REMEMBER: Each member may nominated no more than ten items!!! Let the nominations begin! -Justin

And I was two days late for that meeting at the comic book store; where I intended to both rape and kill both Nerdsy and Shy. But hey, there's always next time. And thanks to the websites that offer free background checks on anyone, I can now track Nerdsy and Shy to their respective homes to rape and kill them. But seriously, I'd be wary of meeting anyone IRL from online. Not because I'm afraid for my safety, but simply because I imagine it'd be incrediby weird. -Justin

Slayer and Tool? That's a stretch. I mean, I'm sure someone in Tool probably listens to Slayer. Maybe one day, one of them said to themselves, "Self, one day I wanna grow to be as popular as Slayer. I wanna do this with heavy music, too." And I mean, hey, they achieved that. But Slayer reminds you of Tool? Meh. I noticed you're comparing lyrics, and being that I don't know the Tool song you're referencing, I don't know if I'd agree. But by comparing lyrics you could feasibly be reminded of Tool by just about anyone. I'm sure Kelly Clarkson and Tool have songs that are similar in some way, lyrically speaking. It's all in the same language, after all. -Justin

That's enough. This is completely irrelevant at this point. The tangent that led to this was irrelevant, and it has very little to do with any actual heavy metal discussion. Drugs and the drug culture are tied to most forms music, including heavy metal, and that's just the way it is. They are, however, hardly tied to Norse culture at all; and Jake would be correct in his statement that many bands themed with Norse culture have openly condemned hard drug use. Alcohol suffices just fine in most instances. On the one hand, Panache's statement was a joke, albeit an ignorant one, it was a joke nonetheless. On the other hand, Panache, in the future you should be aware that some of us here are proud of our heritages and be more careful about the jokes you make about them. This is more for your sake than anyone else's. Back to [i]heavy metal[/i], I believe someone mentioned Boris. Investigate and discuss. -Justin

[quote name='0ber0n the Neko'] It just seem like Slayer gets a bad rap from pretentious metalheads because they're so finicky about who else listens to their music. God forbid some retarded nebraskan slipknot fan be listening to the same song as they, the only ones who can [i]truly[/i] appreciate it.[/QUOTE] My thoughts, exactly. Though, most of my friends(and myself) relegate Slayer to the "Metal Gods" level, where it doesn't matter what dumbass mallrat likes them; they're still Slayer. I could criticize them all day, if I wanted to, as with any music. But not here, where there are only a handful of people who'd get it. Criticism is one thing, but waving off one of the most influential bands in metal's history as "not worth discussing", once again, makes you look like a damned sight of a fool. -Justin

A couple hundred dollars, some movies, a ****-ton of food for the apt., some candy, a bookshelf, an electric razor(thank God), a poster with the ever delicious Kat Von D, a poster that says "Heavy ****ing Metal", eight T-shirts, and some gift cards to Barnes and Noble. Good Christmas, but bah humbug all the same. -Justin

Slayer, not worth talking about? Go hang yourself. If not for Slayer, you wouldn't have most of the extreme metal out there. I don't care if you don't like them, but don't disrespect Slayer. You want someone who pairs reggae influence with metal influence? Go buy [i]City of Evil[/i]. Yeah, it's stupid, but it's there. I feel like Jake. And that's not a bad thing...at least, not for me. But some of you guys are awakening the Beast. Slayer...not worth talking about...I need a cigarette. -Justin

That, and your metaphors don't make any sense. Just thought I'd throw that in. The bottom line is this, I think: Music is an issue of personal taste. I have a fairly strong distaste for most pop music. Not mainstream music, and not [i]all[/i] pop music; but most. I can't really disrespect someone who likes it, as it fits their personal taste. I still retain my whole "freeze-dried music rations for the opiated masses" opinion; but at the end of the day, that is just a personal observation, based upon a stereotype. And I still don't really understand why people care about celebrities--whose music they don't even like--enough to 'hate' them. James says 'hate' is a strong word, and rightly so. However, he doesn't elaborate much on that cliche, probably because if one has to elaborate on a statement like that, the elaboration will go straight over its target's head. However, I'm going to go there: To truly love is not a feeling. It's a commitment. A commitment to the betterment of that individual, or cause, or whatever, for life. To truly hate is the inverse. It's a commitment to the detriment of its object, for life. I doubt--and seriously so--that anyone in this discussion is twisted enough to truly hate someone they do not know because they dislike their art. Hate produces things more evil than war. It produces things like murder, rape, torture, and the like. That said, hate is a very inappropriate word to describe feelings about someone you have no right to judge in the first place. And to use it in this fashion ultimately makes [i]you[/i] look like a damned sight of a fool. Now, that I'm done with my sermon, I'd support this thread being closed; if one with the jurisdiction agrees with that. -Justin

Haha. Interestingly enough, in the deathcore band I mentioned earlier, we used a riff very similar to that one. I recognized as soon as I heard it. They're all good metal dudes, though; and they're the best performing band my town has to offer. Blackheart is kind of a study in one ex-metalcore kid's descent into true death metal, but his head's in the wrong place to truly come up with anything good. And I DJ will never be able to focus enough to make Curator work. That, and the only venue left around here is a church-run one, so there's little hometown support for any of these guys. Autumn Aria is actually the least popular of all three, Blackheart being the most closely connected with the young scene. It's a sad day for metal in Columbus. -Justin

It honestly amazes me sometimes what some people will take the [i]time[/i] to hate. Who gives a damn about random celebrity 'X' that doesn't write her own music, and sold out on her own art to make freeze-dried music rations for the opiated masses? Celebrity hate is just like celebrity love. And it's all a tragic disease endemic in our culture called 'celebrity worship'. Very few of the rich and famous actually do anything that matters on any legitimate level; why, then, should we really care? If they have talent, or if they help the world with their money or influence, that's great. But aside of that, why give more than a dismissive wave of the hand to them? That's all most of them would do for you. -Justin

Fair enough. That's the idea I still support. Like I said, I feel like the double posting rule here is being enforced for nothing but the sake of enforcing it. The idea behind that rule, correct me if I'm wrong, was to prevent spamming. As I see it, this isn't spamming. This is simply writing. I write here more for myself than anyone else; but I hate for someone to want to read my stories and then be thrown off by the length of a single post. Now, you say simply divide it up by chapters within the one post. I have to ask why? It's much easier to just post the thing. When you're like me and you have a lot on your plate as it is, this is a welcomed time-saver. My main point is my first one: I really think this is splitting hairs here. It's something I've done for years, though Lady Asphyxia was by no means wrong, and it's always gone unchanged before. I fail to see how it's offensive now. -Justin

Yeah, the guitar player and writer of all the music used to be in a deathcore band called Scarlet O'Hara with me about a year ago. I'm supposed to do vocals on his album, but we fall in and out of contact. He was talking to Willowtip Records, but I think that fell through. While he's certainly the most talented musician, I enjoy Autumn Aria much more. I went with those guys to see Vader and Malevolent Creation this past Friday night. Then Blackheart is a deathrash band I started as a pure thrash band soon after Scarlet O'Hara broke up. I quit before the line-up was even complete, and because the guy they replaced me with couldn't do anything but death growls, they took a more death metal turn. That's pretty much a run-down of my local metal scene. There's of course a plethora of sub-metallic bands. The best of which is [URL="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=14099963"]Thrill of a Gunfight,[/URL] for fans of that kind of thing. -Justin PS- I recommend "None Shall Amend" and "The Raping of Lavinia" by Autumn Aria.

Meh, call me foolish if you want. But I've never cared for Burzum so much. I understand he's one of the more influential black metal bands, and he's supposed to be one of the better ones; but I just can't dig his stuff. You guys--Jake and Oberon, specifically--do me a favor and go check out Autumn Aria via the link in my sig. Tell me what you think about them. -Justin

My tastes in black metal are about like my tastes in most metal--broad. Let me walk you down the line... To get a true feel for the beginning of black metal, you have to pick up [i]Black Metal[/i] by Venom. It isn't black metal in the way we think of it today(or at all, in my opinion), but it is the beginning. After Venom, pick up Bathory's [i]Under the Sign of the Black Mark[/i]. Bathory is the very beginning of other things as well, like viking metal and folk metal, but this is a seminal record in the First Wave of black metal. After that, head on over the Celtic Frost's [i]To Mega Therion[/i] and [i]Into the Pandemonium[/i]. If you're so inclined, you may want to check out the precursor to Celtic Frost, Hellhammer. Next, Sodom's [i]In the Sign of Evil[/i] EP and their [i]Obsessed With Cruelty[/i] full length. And--of course--you can't examine the First Wave without Mercyful Fate. [i]Melissa[/i] and [i]Don't Break the Oath[/i] are great selections. Now, for the Second Wave... The earliest band to exemplify this movement is Mayhem, as far as I can tell. Though, I haven't liked any of their albums until their most recent, you should check out some of their earlier stuff: [i]De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas[/i]. Next, try Immortal. [i]Sons of Northern Darkness[/i] is a good one. Darkthrone is a good choice; try [i]Under a Funeral Moon[/i]. And the cream of Hell's crop, in my opinion: Emperor. I sing the praises of anything Ihsahn and company have ever done. [i]In the Nightside Eclipse[/i] is their best. There are others, of course. Burzum, Satyricon, Impaled Nazarene, Marduk, and Enslaved, just to name a few. But after all these bands, and a few others, the Second Wave ends. Now, we've lived ten years in the undeclared 'Third Wave'. I'd go so far as to say we're actually in the 'Fourth Wave', but that's just me. Some great black metal bands that don't fall into the first two waves are Sletchvalk, Wolves in the Throne Room, Leviathan, Naglfar, 1349, Gorgoroth, Goatwhore(some albums), and Rotting Christ's earlier work. -Justin

Not a clue. And I hate to do this, but you'd rather hear it from me, I'm sure: Behemoth isn't black metal. They haven't been for quite some time. They are one of my favorite death metal bands, though. I think music should come before ideals. But that's just me. [i]Gaahl[/i](I keep italicizing this for a reason, Metalcore) is an intelligent man, but he doesn't really propagate any message, other than **** Christianity. And if your message is nothing but "to hell with that message", that's really no message at all. -Justin

My story is more or less an exact copy of Des's. I suppose it mainly influenced my communication skills in the context of typing, and writing in general. I came here for DBZ, much in the way you came here for .hack//SIGN, Bio. And likewise, if my earliest posts were still in existence, you'd find I was quite a laugh back then. But that was back when Otaku had her innocence. But, as always, innocence is a thing better remembered than retained. I think, though, my fondest memories are the relationships I've had here. Most of which are dead or severely diminished. That sucks, but it is the way of the world. It is good to see you, Bio. You were quiet, as I recall, but I [i]do[/i] remember you. -Justin

[i]Gaahl[/i] doesn't want to work with Infernus anymore. That doesn't mean Gorgoroth is done, but Infernus will no longer be a part of it. Though, I wouldn't call it a bad thing if they do break up. They're more ideology than music, and they're only popular because of their ideals. There's much better black metal out there. Holy ****, Wolves in the Throne Room is god! -Justin

I can't understand how they're protected when the varying "anarchist cookbooks" out there are banned. Backwards damn politics. -Justin

Like I said, imagine this as a 'real world' scenario. You can have any Pokemon you want, so long as it is within reason that you could've acquired it. But you'd probably want one that could help you somehow. Jurors would not be playable characters, but they would not be allowed to have Pokemon aid them, anyway. Likewise, judges(though playable) won't have the aid of a Pokemon in the courtroom. The courtroom proceedings will be cut and dry. Only one side is playable, except in special cases...just like Law and Order. A prosecutor or DA would present their case with all the evidence the investigation has or has failed to turn up, and the judge would essentially make the decision as to whether or not it was a winnable case. Also, I don't much like the idea of 'awakened' Pokemon. I suppose in some cases, as with exceptionally intelligent Pokemon like Alakazam, that would be acceptable. But not Meowths, or the like. However, a Pokemon aiding you in anyway that does not directly result in a verdict is fine. -Justin

You basically just covered exactly my next point. Each character will play a single part in the legal system. Some will be investigators, others lawyers, others medical personnel, others forensics specialists, others judges, and so on. Each will play their own part in the proceedings. -Justin

I'm going to attempt to incorporate all the elements of a classic detective show into this thing. So yes, there will be courtroom scenes. If that means I have to go buy a season of Law and Order on DVD and study it, then so be it. This thread also exists for suggestions. I want input, as well as votes of confidence. But I appreciate any kind of participation very much. -Justin