Okay, let's go!
Starting off the Alphabet meme now!
Amon Amarth (asked for by invadertwinkie)
I first discovered these guys after I had read some information on "viking metal" and its apparent connection to the ideological themes of black metal. To be honest, because of what I read, I was unfortunately intimidated and nervous that if I checked them out I'd be listening to black metal or the nationalist bullcrap that "viking metal" has been used by some people to promote. But then I actually LISTENED to a song, and found out that Amon Amarth met neither of my concerns! (Though I still feel bad and very guilty for having held such misconceptions...)
What else drew me towards them, asides from the fact that I found I really enjoy their music? That they want to tell stories to the audience, and it shows: With Oden on Our Side is a really enjoyable album, and their recent release, Twilight of the Thunder God, is (to me at least) like a very metal opera. <3 Their focus on history and mythology sets them apart from the bands who do use them to be religious or political (or at least indicate that they're black metal even if for show), and this seems to be further cemented by frontman Johan Hegg's avid interest in Norse history and mythology. Not only is he such a good death metal singer (in my view, he's one of the best), he's incredibly inteliigent and soft-spoken.
Also, I'd like to add that Amon Amarth remind me of another band which use history and stories in their music - Iron Maiden. Yes, the Irons - did you know that some of the members of Amon Amarth cite members of Iron Maiden (i.e Bruce Dickenson and Steve Harris) as among their influences? <33
Random - Cry of the Blackbirds makes me think of that scene from The Kindly Ones where he's standing alone after Matthew's left. Except he's not actually going into war...
Birthdays (asked for by thermopylae_h)
Eeee - I love birthdays! You'll find a number of people who believe that they're useless and have no purpose other than to celebrate someone for achieving nothing but I personally disagree with such ideas. Such a stance sounds so...cold, to me. A birthday is a day where you celebrate that you've gained another year of life, that you've lived for so long and are still kicking - explain to me how being happy about that is celebrating nothing? Sorry, I don't mean to come across like I'm attacking anyone...but people remember the day they were born. And why shouldn't you be grateful that despite all the crap you've faced, in spite of all the ups and downs you've had, that you're still alive? There are still people in the world who don't get to live for long as you have done so far - both in rich and developing poor countries. So where's the lack of achievement? What's the crime?
Cats - (asked for by pax_athena)
I also really love cats. >w< I can't help it - I'm yet another avid cat person! Since I was a kid, I always preferred them to dogs (still do, heh heh) and unlike dogs you can keep them inside the house (if you're in a Muslim family X3;;) They're so cute and pretty, and wonderful companions! When you feel like crap, stroke a cat and you'll feel better. Same applies if you're a dog person too, I suppose...
Unfortunately, my mom's afraid of cats for some reason and screams whenever my uncle's Russian Blue, Minski, tries to come near her. He once jumped into her lap and she screamed. XD WA HA HA HA HA HA!! *ahem* Sorry, had to...it's so funny. For the record, she doesn't do this if she sees a mother cat with her kittens. Then she gets all maternal and says "See? Mommies just want to hug their babies."
Speaking of which, I also enjoy watching/looking at cats with their kittens, and big cat mothers with their cubs. The fact that such a dangerous and ferocious large animal shows such tender love and care for a weak, helpless little baby makes my heart melt at the sweetness.
Aww, Mom
Mother is here
Mommy loves you
And...that's probably it? I haven't said everything that I wanted to say on these topics, I think...ah, well. :)
Amon Amarth (asked for by invadertwinkie)
I first discovered these guys after I had read some information on "viking metal" and its apparent connection to the ideological themes of black metal. To be honest, because of what I read, I was unfortunately intimidated and nervous that if I checked them out I'd be listening to black metal or the nationalist bullcrap that "viking metal" has been used by some people to promote. But then I actually LISTENED to a song, and found out that Amon Amarth met neither of my concerns! (Though I still feel bad and very guilty for having held such misconceptions...)
What else drew me towards them, asides from the fact that I found I really enjoy their music? That they want to tell stories to the audience, and it shows: With Oden on Our Side is a really enjoyable album, and their recent release, Twilight of the Thunder God, is (to me at least) like a very metal opera. <3 Their focus on history and mythology sets them apart from the bands who do use them to be religious or political (or at least indicate that they're black metal even if for show), and this seems to be further cemented by frontman Johan Hegg's avid interest in Norse history and mythology. Not only is he such a good death metal singer (in my view, he's one of the best), he's incredibly inteliigent and soft-spoken.
Also, I'd like to add that Amon Amarth remind me of another band which use history and stories in their music - Iron Maiden. Yes, the Irons - did you know that some of the members of Amon Amarth cite members of Iron Maiden (i.e Bruce Dickenson and Steve Harris) as among their influences? <33
Random - Cry of the Blackbirds makes me think of that scene from The Kindly Ones where he's standing alone after Matthew's left. Except he's not actually going into war...
Birthdays (asked for by thermopylae_h)
Eeee - I love birthdays! You'll find a number of people who believe that they're useless and have no purpose other than to celebrate someone for achieving nothing but I personally disagree with such ideas. Such a stance sounds so...cold, to me. A birthday is a day where you celebrate that you've gained another year of life, that you've lived for so long and are still kicking - explain to me how being happy about that is celebrating nothing? Sorry, I don't mean to come across like I'm attacking anyone...but people remember the day they were born. And why shouldn't you be grateful that despite all the crap you've faced, in spite of all the ups and downs you've had, that you're still alive? There are still people in the world who don't get to live for long as you have done so far - both in rich and developing poor countries. So where's the lack of achievement? What's the crime?
Cats - (asked for by pax_athena)
I also really love cats. >w< I can't help it - I'm yet another avid cat person! Since I was a kid, I always preferred them to dogs (still do, heh heh) and unlike dogs you can keep them inside the house (if you're in a Muslim family X3;;) They're so cute and pretty, and wonderful companions! When you feel like crap, stroke a cat and you'll feel better. Same applies if you're a dog person too, I suppose...
Unfortunately, my mom's afraid of cats for some reason and screams whenever my uncle's Russian Blue, Minski, tries to come near her. He once jumped into her lap and she screamed. XD WA HA HA HA HA HA!! *ahem* Sorry, had to...it's so funny. For the record, she doesn't do this if she sees a mother cat with her kittens. Then she gets all maternal and says "See? Mommies just want to hug their babies."
Speaking of which, I also enjoy watching/looking at cats with their kittens, and big cat mothers with their cubs. The fact that such a dangerous and ferocious large animal shows such tender love and care for a weak, helpless little baby makes my heart melt at the sweetness.
Aww, Mom
Mother is here
Mommy loves you
And...that's probably it? I haven't said everything that I wanted to say on these topics, I think...ah, well. :)