Just to let you know that I'm currently digging this stuff. Quite decent thrash / crossover band from Brunei Darussalam. However, I need to have a few more listens before the verdict can be delivered. Formed somewhere on 2008, band members were influenced by thrash metal music after apparently playing Guitar Hero in which they were exposed to songs from Slayer and Metallica (duh!). So if you want to know what they sound like, try downloading the demo here. Of course, the physical release is no longer available.
The title says it all. This time I'm doing a video mainly in Malay since I'm talking about an issue that is all the more familiar to most Malay people in this country. Just watch the video, it's short by the way. Leave a comment or two if you have something to share, alright? Remain anonymous when discussing sensitive issues over the internet.
Hello there people! It's been a while since I left you with my review for the new Resident Evil film. I was busy handling my YouTube channel, creating a few videos for public viewing. As for now, there are no files to share but I want to share something else with you.
It's always been the most common thing to have in Brunei if people know that you're a metalhead. We have to be resistant enough to counter people's allegations and shittalk. Therefore my videos on YouTube are specifically created to address several issues that people been putting on the table ever since they know how to pronounce the word 'metal'. This includes but are not limited to the following; if you listen to metal then you're Satanist. You love violence and you are mentally disturbed individuals. You hate everyone in this world. You're stupid and uneducated. You've no boyfriend or girlfriend. Metal music sounds the same regardless the fact whether or not they can tell which is metal and which is not. So on and so forth, right? Now I know my point of view and my opinion leaned more toward metal, well, I mean, what do you expect, I'm a metalhead and of course I've got my own reasons to say that there are good things in metal too. Basically, it's a clear mixture of facts and personal opinion. For me, if I like something, in this case it's metal music, I will be able to stand up for it in defense of my interests while providing some facts for people who say metal is bad, totally bad.
That's the thing, people. Being a metalhead is not because your friend want you to. Not because of trends. Not because of the fashion or how cool people will think when they look at you. Or you claimed to listen to metal just so people will see you as someone who is 'tough'. Well, I've come across people like these throughout my life and they are mostly youths and teenagers. They faked their interests in metal because they like to be surrounded by like minded people, in other word, these kids craved attention since probably their parents can't provide them some. I've met with them and I've talked to these people and 90% of the time, they didn't know shit about metal. They wear t-shirts that even I find it hard believe, but they only understand 0.01% of what they are wearing. I'm telling you, if this is the kind of so called metal fans that will replace the veterans, our country is surely going to rife with fucking poseurs. Believe me. It's happening right now, at the Mall Gadong as we speak.
If you're reading this so far down now, bear with me because what I'm about to say is one of the most bitter truths, the one that exposes the true nature of poseur kids in Brunei Darussalam. The impetus to this whole metal 'explosion' took place about 8 years ago when I was in my secondary school. It was when Cradle of Filth released their dickskin of an album called 'Nymphetamine' that kids began to know black metal in Brunei. Don't lie to me if you're one of them! Where do they got this album from? That's right, Indian shop. I went to a small store run by Indian and I saw two or three copies of awfully bootlegged Nymphetamine record resting comfortably on the shelf along with some other Bollywood films. I think that album gets what it deserved. From that point onwards, kids began to explore black metal and so they got hooked with Dimmu Borgir through their shitty album 'Death Cunt Armageddon'. Fuck it, everything after Enthrone Darkness Triumphant is bullshit. I won't lie to you people that during my secondary years, I was the sole perpetrator responsible for bringing extreme metal to school and my friends didn't know shit other than Guns n Roses, Metallica, Nirvana and XPDC. Not that I have anything against those bands because I personally liked their older stuffs (a big DUH!! right). While I've always been honest when it comes to listening music other than metal, these kids put up front that they're a fist in your face type of fans, claiming other music as not true and that everything other than metal is poseur. Well, are you talking about yourselves?
That's the point, this new generation of kids are most of the time dishonest to begin with. They want to be seen as someone who is almighty knowing about metal that people refer to them as the authority. In reality, they could hardly finish schools. One of the most funny things that we have ever encountered is they don't know anything about local underground metal bands. They have this very narrow minded approach and worldview about metal; they don't know shit basically. So these kids finally discovered LukTujuh. What they found strange is that LukTujuh doesn't sing about Viking. I mean, dude, what the fuck??? Don't you even fucking get it? Folk metal is influenced by the musicians native origin, in the case of LukTujuh it is Malay fantasy and mythology. Why the fuck would a folk metal Malay band sing about Viking when in reality it has nothing to do with the band identity at the first place? God this is... I don't know what to say. It's like Malay metal bands singing about Nazism, I mean if Hitler were still alive today, he would kill the rest of us Malays because we're not Aryan race. Get the picture?
So people, that's the kind of thing that's been happening with these so called young metalheads. Up to you to think about it. The last time I saw one of them, this dude was wearing a Viking helmet complete with the horns. I don't know what to say. I just leave you with the following videos. Hope you will enjoy them. Cheers!
You know who she is. Her name is Alice and she worked for the Umbrella Corporation. Okay, I'm just going to stop there. If you're keen on finishing that sentence for me, be my guest. From the very first titular debut film, I was already disappointed with the fact that filmmakers have strayed too much from Resident Evil grand mythology. I mean who the hell is Alice anyway?
One after another, Paul W.S. Anderson, Alexander Witt and other parties responsible in bringing Resident Evil from console to silver screen, have spewed forth rather disappointing films as the entry progresses. It's downright embarrassing to watch my favorite characters such as Jill Valentine, Leon S. Kennedy and Chris along with Claire Redfield being defiled by incessant effort to cash in on the franchise already worn out cliche.
Li Bing Bing as Ada Wong. She cannot perform too much action due to the USD$7,500 wig she's wearing.
I guess it will be better if Hollywood try to follow the storyline from the first ever Resident Evil that was released in 1996. That game has one of the scariest plot filled with bleak atmosphere of impending dread. No kidding. Set in a mansion somewhere deep in the Arklay Mountains, the latter is teeming with life devouring terror that awaits in every corner. Perhaps filmmakers find the story, well, less accessible to people who aren't familiar with the moniker?
Retribution is laden with laughable shoot 'em up scenes; the characters are heavily bombarded and shot at but fled the scene unscathed. One thing that bugs me which doesn't feel quite life-like is the fact that they never ran out of ammo. Only when Leon and Luther West confronted the bad Rain do their guns run on empty clip. Yeah it is understood that such an element is part of the action. However, when they have neglected to bring up the sense of realism to the film, it's nothing more than just another cliche entertainment.
Sienna Guillory as Jill Valentine. My favorite
At least the fight choreography is well executed. It is perhaps the only redeeming thing about Retribution. It is as impressive as it gets, most notably the melee combat between Jill and Alice near the end of the film. Valentine now brandish a retractable scepter, reminiscent of Paul W.S. Anderson 'Alien vs. Predator'. Then again, fans like me clearly recall of how Jill kind of looks similar to Nina Williams from the Tekken series. Bad Rain is not really bad at all when it comes to her penultimate battle with Leon and West; upon injecting herself with Las Plagas parasite, she gains the upper hand by beating the shit out of Leon, and killing West in the process. Yes. It's obvious that black people will always be sacrificed as part of Hollywood ritual.
Verdict: Repetitive, been there done that kind of feeling, like Deja Vu. Nothing new. Basically the film uses hell a lot of stock footage to retell the already redundant facts about the film's mythology. Cardboard characters, especially that of Ada Wong and Leon S. Kennedy. Cliche feats. Worst dialogue ever. Bland storyline. Great fight scenes. In essence, I gave this film 2.5 out 10.
Okay now fellas. I'm going to lose my kvlt skin temporarily. Things have been very rough lately. Well, our house requires spiritual cleansing and exorcism according to Islamic rites. There's just too many demons living at our backyard. Unfortunately, to make matters worse my brother-in-law is also a practitioner of the black arts. He's a sick old fuck who wants to destroy my family using Satanic rituals and unholy black mass. Motivated by year long vengeance, that son of a bitch is now hell bent on hiring demonic thugs to carry out his blasphemous sinister plans. In short, can't actually play metal songs a lot around the house nowadays.. what a bummer!
Alright so now we cease temporarily uploading files onto this blog due to unforeseen circumstances as well as my personal tribulation. However, afraid not, I'm still going to write and share some good old memories with you lot. Remember that this blog is about music in its absolute rarity? Yes. I'm a music lover. It is one element that is virtually inseparable from me for how long I cannot know. What are the genres? Well, flexibly speaking, my tastes have always ranged from the soft, mellow-driven pop to body rocking dance and techno, to spine-severing heavy metal to black metal, or simply floating on the oceans of ambient and electronica. Before I dwell on this subject even further, let me tell you beforehand that despite my self proclaimed flexibility and tolerance, I don't listen to Lady Gaga, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj and shit like that. Shits that most people are into nowadays. No. They appeal not to me in any way. I will fuck Katy Perry and give her some warm anal creampie if she ever gives herself to me. Except she doesn't. The thing about today's music (I'm talking about the general mainstream pop, R&B and whatever their cousins are) is that it lacks memorability. Most of the times, the R&B and hip hop talk about whore, bitches, guns, bling - bling and shit like that. No more can we hear artists singing about fighting for their rights to live as African American in a world of racist supremacy. No more can we hear them singing about their family troubles, and how they try to set an example for us not to follow (yes, not to) in their footsteps. Good old Tupac Shakur is still a great example of world's most iconic rapper not because of his legal problems, but because of the messages in his songs. We can at least picture the things he's been through, as an artist, a rapper, and as human in general. Other than that, his music sounds highly spirited. Something that most artists today failed to make a good use of.
Okay. Maybe I'm bias and a wee bit ignorant because not all contemporary singers actually write about fucking bitches all the time. I admit that there's some discrepancy in my judgment. But hey, can you blame me? Come on. We know how the music industry goes nowadays. Without selling your souls to devil, you won't achieve fame and success. A lot of artists have admitted to that.
Beyonce running her own church? Seriously?
Ha ha.. excuse my lame joke. Did I even make one? Well, the video above explains some of the things that people often dismiss as just another paranoia perpetrated by conspiracy theorists. Whatever it is, today's music has lost its heart and soul. It's easily forgettable. Its success is chart driven as opposed to creativity and originality. A new generation of dumbasses will perpetuate this tradition for sure, consuming media with unrepentant avarice and complacency. If what you're listening to now is chosen by iTunes or Walmart, then you had better forget it altogether. What I'm going to share here maybe totally unfit for your already stale musical taste. Those born in 1990s onward may not know some of the following songs.
This used to be the song that my friends and I would joke around with. Given the fact that she had accent we weren't so familiar with at that time. One thing that sticks in my head to this day is 'Oh Lord have mercy mercy mercy'. Fast forward 17 years later, I found out that the song is Shy Guy by Diana King. Man.. time flies so fast and I'm feeling old now. Damn! Nevertheless, this is a good song albeit just a one hit wonder. A single that encapsulates the spirit of mid 90s.
Distinctive vocal style has made this song a one of its kind. For me. He does sing very well. Return of the Mack by Mark Morrison is one of the tracks that I've been looking for ever since it first came out in 1996. I was still in primary school at that time. Yes. Really young. However, due to its lasting impact, I can still remember this song to this very day. That's just how good it is.
Don't call me a faggot just because I listened to this song! I am straight. I have a girlfriend. Ha ha.. Gotta get up to get down. I think the music video contains Illuminati symbolism as well (The All-Seeing Eye). Oh that's just bad. Fastlove by George Michael is also worth noting. But I don't believe we are practising the same religion, George.
Goddamn this song makes me feel terribly old! Yeah this used to be the shit back in the days. Clubs here and there were playing this track on regular basis. Released in 1995, Be My Lover by La Bouche was an awesome hit. I laughed at one comment by a YouTube user that reads 'LIKE THIS IF YOU SEARCHED THIS SONG BY TYPING DADADADADA WANNA BE MY LOVER'. Arguably that is the most memorable part of this song. Good memory indeed!
Whoa, nobody ever seems to remember this song anymore. Do they? Another refreshing dance / techno tune released in 1995 by Fun Factory with the title 'Close to You'. Growing up during the 90s is hell a lot of fun.
Who would forget this song? It was once a humble explosive that detonated upon the masses, causing mass casualties of following, both fans and new comers alike. Released in 1992, It's My Life by Dr. Alban is still revered as one of 90s most iconic beats that would prove to withstand the test of time.. at least to those like me who appreciate good music that is.
Oh this was released way before I was born. Nevertheless, I grew up listening to this smooth melancholy somewhere in the mid 90s. Smooth Operator by Sade hit the globe upon its release in 1984, her third single and the first from Diamond Life album. Dig this stuff, real good one.
A must listen back in the days. Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams has not anything to do with the sexual act. The track basically a reflection of cultural revolution, including the breaking of The Beatles and all things nostalgic. A great choice for professional with trained ears! Released in 1984.
Another unforgettable hit from 1985 performed by the duo Modern Talking, Cheri Cheri Lady is an instant classic and perhaps the most recognisable track from the olden times. Filled with vibrant spirits of youth, this song will forever remain in our vault of nostalgia. P/s: the cover art for this single is something, is it not?
Damn it, due to copyright claim, I can't view the original music video! =< Scumbag! Either way, you couldn't discuss some of the greatest hits in the 80s without including this Richard Marx 'Right Here Waiting.' This song has been the world's most iconic love tune ever written. It's slow, fuckable beats layered with tear jerking piano will melt anyone's heart, mine included! Ha ha.. Nevertheless, a great song from 1989.
Oh no.. this Kabbalistic Lilith used to be a great singer. I chose Material Girl over Like a Virgin because it's one of the first Madonna songs that I listened to as a kid. Her voice was really something and she quickly became known worldwide for distinctively idiosyncratic sexual revolution. You bet. Just another best tracks from the year 1984.
Again, DMCA hampered my effort of presenting the official music video to you. This song is no less memorable than those shown above. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper is nice and easy tune that can be played at any time of the day. Time after time, this song never grows old. Released in 1984.
'It must have been love, but it's over now'. Except that this song's legacy doesn't just end along those lines. As a kid, this song first came to being in 1989. Roxette, a popular Swedish duo wrote and performed this song for Pretty Woman soundtrack. Whoever hasn't listened to this song will need to be lobotomised altogether!
Ring Ring was probably their first single. This song is actually way out of my league but somehow I just love listening to it. People need more true artists like ABBA. In today's world of greed and murder, their song title is aptly what we need the most; People Need Love. Released in 1973. I'm currently digging for their old materials. Should be no problem to my ears.
I couldn't find Dendam Perawan Bunting anywhere. To compensate for my throbbing heartache and gravely despair, I decided to buy this film on VCD instead. This is not downloadable since I only upload the film in parts to YouTube. Pretty much a so and so thriller flick with some nice memorable moments. Hope you enjoy watching it!
Part 1
The film features an ensemble cast, a lot of whom are already well known within Malaysian entertainment industry such as Didie Alias, Faizal Hussein, Kuswadinata and Rosyam Nor. It is directed by Hussein Abu Hassan who also makes a cameo appearance as the Assistant Superintendent. Perhaps I can safely say that Kanta Serigala is probably one of the first modern crime / thriller movies that will soon be explored further by Malaysian film makers. While having some meaty substance to its story line, the dialogue is somewhat mediocre at best and features numerous repetitive lines as well as abrupt interjections. Nevertheless, it's a good watch for an old film.
Part 2
Simply, the premise follows Zarul a.k.a. Abang Aji (played by Faizal Hussein) who is mentally unstable but has a very soft spot for his little sister, Shakira (played by Melissa Saila). Shakira wanted to become a famous rock singer like her idol Dania (Didie Alias). This film uses a handful of flashback scenes to keep you informed of what causes Zarul to become a murderer. He is also shown to be fond of venomous snakes, particularly a cobra that he calls Awang.
Part 3
Don't want to reveal too much. You got to see for yourself. I can say that Zarul character is one that the audience can sympathise with; driven by the need to account those responsible for Shakira's ultimate demise where justice does not always prevail.
Part 4
Don't you just love how the final cut looks like? Its richness in vintage graininess with sub par audio quality has made 90s films last longer in my memory. Plus, some of them are just so bad it's good. Have you heard such a phrase? I think Kanta Serigala fits the description very well. Not a record breaking, but still better than lots of titles released on the Malaysian cinema's nowadays.
Part 5
I noticed that some parts got cut out or censored. This includes the scene where Zarul knocks out Dania with a cloth of chloroform. The murder scene of Constable Halim is also missing, trimming the film short on its overall running time. One thing about Southeast Asian media corporations is that they tend to ignore the fact that people will always be looking for old films the way they were meant to be shown; uncut and uncensored. To make matters worse, media executives do nothing to restore all the classic cult films for public viewing. Whatever it is that comes from the 80s or the 90s, they just leave it like that with no effort to preserve the films deemed culturally significant regardless of popularity. Yes. People from the West or Europe, the cinemas here sucked dick! People only watch the new shits and they don't even appreciate the old ones when in fact, film like Kanta Serigala, Dendam Perawan Bunting and any other old school titles fared better in terms of horror and story telling. Fuck!
Part 6
Zarul reaches the end of the line. Dania learns the truth behind her kidnapping. A boyfriend tries to save the day. Local authority that is all the more efficient at carrying their job. What's not to love? Ha ha
Part 7
There is no going back for Zarul. The final stop is just around the corner. The rain makes for intense suspense. Police is now closing in on the suspect. Nowhere to run. No one to turn to. Zarul's love for Shakira might as well be washed away by the falling rain.
Part 8 / The End
People! What will happen to a bad guy in a movie? Yes. I guess you already know the answer. Dania walks away with the rain still falling, leaving behind whatever secrets that have somehow got her entangled in chaos. Her boyfriend is left clueless. Concludes now the tale of the grand sorrow. Pitiful villain, innocence with a heart so pure, a family ties now severed and buried, Kanta Serigala calls it a night.
Nuff said; this is one of my favorite black death metal albums. It's filled with anger and rage, hatred and violence so vicious you feel like raping the repeat button. Bought together with the debut record, Exterminate is a must have record. You'll die a poseur because when you're still alive, you called yourself a metalhead but didn't have this album in your possession. Buy or die! The choice is yours.
