Some writing music: Part 81

Good day inmates!

I hope you’re having a great day and excellent week so far. It’s been an alright one, with plenty of stuff going on. Plenty of nice weather as well (until today ironically). I got my hair cut yesterday after way too long. I look at least vaguely human now. I’ve also been quite happy with the poems so far this week. Though I would say they have been a bit more on the introspective side, particularly looking at our societies. So yes, all in all, a pretty decent week. I struggle to think of any complaints to be honest. That may be a first…

So, its the time of the week for the Harlequins writing music! I still find myself being amazed that I’ve actually kept this up now for 81 parts. It’s simply mind-blowing. I’m not stopping now either! As usual, I had a clue for todays theme posted on my social media a few hours ago. Did anybody get it?

Well, the theme for todays music choices is the paranormal. Ghosts in particular of course. People have written numerous songs over the years about being haunted, ghost stories and all manner of hereafter-related shenanigans. The afterlife is a total mystery to all of us, whether you are religious or not. We don’t know for sure what happens. So, peoples ideas and beliefs have inspired music about the subject. It lends itself well to musical interpretation. Do we remain here after our demise? Do we go elsewhere? Are there beings around us that we can’t see? I think the idea of musical ghost stories is awesome and it does tie into my love of horror quite a lot too.

So, lets give this a go eh? Join me as we delve into the musical minds of spectral artists the world over!

King Diamond – The Invisible Guests
https://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/

VoicePlay – Grim Grinning Ghosts
https://www.thevoiceplay.com/

Avenged Sevenfold – Afterlife
https://avengedsevenfold.com/

Iron Maiden – The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg
https://www.ironmaiden.com/

Jen Titus – O’ Death
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2315616/

And there we have it for another edition! How was that? Quite a variety of incarnations of the paranormal or afterlife there don’t you think? There were quite a few others that I could have chosen, but I must confess this may have been the hardest theme I’ve chosen so far. So many songs use the name “Ghost” or Ghosts” but aren’t talking about the paranormal or anything even resembling ectoplasm. For shame I say! Anyways, I hope you enjoyed my choices this week and catch me back here again next week for another shot of musical “goodness”.

I ought to put some social media spiel here hadn’t I? The asylum has a page over on Facebook, an account on Instagram and a presence on Twitter too. Please go over and like/follow me on those pages to keep tabs on my stuff! Also, if you enjoy what I do here at the asylum, please consider supporting me over on the Ko-Fi page. Cheers for everything!

Until next time, have a very crazy day inmates!

Some writing music: Part 54

Hello there inmates!

I hope that you’re all having a wonderfully splendiferous day today! I hope you’ve all been keeping safe as well, dont make me get the cattle prod! Jokes aside, its been a reasonably busy week. Spent a great deal of time demolishing a conservatory with my dad. Its hard work, but awfully fun. Not to mention cathartic! I’ve been feeling a little disconcerted that my recent work has been a tad overly political. I was wondering if you immates felt that it was a positive or would prefer I stick to my usual bizarre lane.

I’ve finally realised just how close we are to halloween now. Ive managed to find some stuff to begin painting my face again so I can’t wait to bring the Oldschool Harlequin back to life again. Not just for halloween either! Hehe!

So its time for our next edition of the Harlequins writing music today! I must confess it is beginning to become quite a strain to drag new bands out of my head this week. Its possible I may have repeated at least one of these bands, though the importance of said songs will be no less illustrious. Just a word of warning there! Haha!

So, join me as we delve into the musical minds of seminal artists the world over!

Dorp – London Out There
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorp_(band)

Grendel – Timewave Zero
https://www.grendel-hq.com

King Diamond – Masquerade Of Madness
https://www.kingdiamondcoven.com

Lady Gaga – Alejandro
https://m.facebook.com/ladygaga/

Miracle Of Sound – Liquid Nights And Disco Lights
https://www.miracleofsound.rocks

And there we have it for another sample of the Harlequins writing music!

Again, apologies if I have repeated a couple artists. I’m fairly certain that even if I have, Ive chosen different songs so that helps a bit. As always I hope you check out all of these artists and give them some love!

So, now for the social media bit. I have a prescence on multiple platforms by now. I have a Facebook page, a twitter account and an Instagram page. Also, if you enjoy what I do here at the asylum, please consider supporting me over at the Ko-fi page. Thanks for all of your support!

Until next time, have a very crazy day inmates!

Some writing music: Part 2

Hello once again inmates!

I hadn’t really intended to post this quite so soon, but the piece i had originally planned to post today isn’t quite ready yet. It’s taking a little bit longer to do, i want to get it right by me i suppose. So, I’m going to post another edition of the Harlequins favourite writing music.You may learn of some new bands, you never know!

Join me as we delve into the minds of fantastic artists the world over.

King Diamond – Give Me Your Soul
http://www.kingdiamondcoven.com/‎

Mitis & Mahi – Blu
https://www.facebook.com/Mitismusic
https://www.facebook.com/TheMaHiOfficial

Celldweller – I Believe You
http://www.celldweller.com/‎

The Silent Comedy – Bartholomew
http://www.thesilentcomedy.com/‎

Poets Of The Fall – Carnival Of Rust
http://www.poetsofthefall.com/‎

The Cruxshadows – Sophia
http://www.cruxshadows.com/‎

So there you go! Quite a bit of variety eh? Well, different kinds of music match different pieces of writing. Music compounds with the bizarre landscape in my head, to bring forth all kinds of wonders and horrors. Or something like that.

Check back for part 3 in the near future!

King Diamond and the Puppet Master

In the last few days I discovered a new band while i was trawling Youtube as i often do. This band being ‘King Diamond’. At first the only notable thing about the band was the costume of the singer (who is the eponymous King Diamond). It reminds me much of my own face paint designs. These designs were inspired by bands like Marilyn Manson, KISS, Ghost, The Shanklin Freak Show, Gothminister and Alice Cooper. However, i think i can now add King Diamond to this list.  The music did hook me as well in the end. It’s also great, full of dark stories and heavy riffs. Some pretty amazing solos in there too. Awesome songs like “Give me your soul” or “Abigail” in particular caught my attention. I love it!

“Howdy!”

Anyway, that is not actually the point of this post. While i was checking out some of the bands various songs i came across one of their albums in particular. The album in question is called “The Puppet Master”. This album was released in 2003 and tells a thrilling, yet chilling story of a psychotic puppet master in Budepest and his satanic practices. The songs are sung from the point of view of King Diamond himself, a man who has been been turned into a horrific puppet (along with his love Victoria) by the Puppet master and his wife. The thing that intrigues me  so much about this album is how much it comes across more like a horror story rather than a metal music album. It’s quite disturbing and nightmarish throughout with a depressing and thought provoking end.

I could tell you a lot more about it but i feel listening to the album (and buying it) would get my point across better.

The band also made a video with King Diamond himself telling the story in a more traditional around-the-campfire kind of style. I think it’s worth watching both videos. He’s an amazingly capable story teller!

This album and band just go to show that music (yes, even metal music) can still be used to actually tell stories. I wish there would be more bands that would take this approach. For the record i must say that King Diamond have gained a new fan! I’ll be buying the physical album in the next few weeks!