Music Review: The Hinderers by Daath
The Hinderers by Daath
2007, Roadrunner Records (The All Black B.V.)
5/5 Stars
Buy it here!
I’ve been bored of death metal for over two years now. There’s a growing trend in death metal to either go totally progressive (like Opeth, who have done it brilliantly) or going totally technical (focusing on making death metal rather than making music) like Deicide, Hate Eternal or Morbid Angel. The only saving grace left to death metal has been Lunafield whose first album (self-titled) is still one of the finest albums of any genre on the market. That is, until Daath (and yes, it’s Daath, not Death which is a crappy old band, as in the Hebrew word “knowledge”).
Daath proves that not all death metal is lyrically childish and musically petrified. I wasn’t sure what to expect from The Hinderers when I first brought it home, except that I loved the cover art (which is a big thing for me) and that one of the band members looked at first glance like Taylor Ellwood’s evil twin. I expected a somewhat typical technical death metal album, along the lines of Hate Eternal’s King of All Kings, something that’s written with precision and executed with perfection but totally devoid of passion or creativity. Instead I got a brilliant and innovative take on death metal with inspiration drawn form many genres and styles but put together with such artistry and respect that it is still definitely death metal.
The borrowings are at times specific enough to seem obvious, such as the numerous but subtle electronic elements which make one immediately think of …and Oceans (RIP). These electronic elements actually make a few of the songs, transforming them from simple metal into brilliant short compositions with a lot of depth. “Ovum” (track 6) has some wonderfully melodic elements to it while still maintaining the rockiness of good death metal. The undertones are almost worshipful, as if you were listening to some sort of occult religious service, while the lyrics overlay it with a poetic yet damning judgment of humanity’s too-little-too-late attempts to make up for our environmentally damaging ways.
While each track on The Hinderers has something to suggest it, there are two other stand-out tracks. “War Born (Tri-adverseranade)” is a start-and-stop poetic condemnation of the war-for-profit approach of our worldly empires (such as, say, the United States). “Dead on the Dance Floor” is one of the most unique death metal songs I’ve heard. Have you ever heard a death metal song with an electronic dance beat? Well, you will now! This is the most musically unique song on the album, one which makes you want to get up and move in a way that no other death metal song could. I haven’t heard such a catchy metal song since …and Oceans’ “Tears Have No Name” (from the A.M.G.O.D. album).
To summarize, if you’ve gotten bored with the same old death metal, or if you normally don’t like death metal because of its uniformity but want some good extreme metal with real character, Daath’s debut album The Hinderers is an excellent find indeed.
Thankful Thursday & Conscious Commitment
Thanks much to for exposing me to this meme (in the classical sense, if we’re lucky) and for giving me permission to borrow it. I think that this is the kind of thing that should be spread around!
For those who are unfamiliar, Thankful Thursday is a way of simply becoming consciously aware of what you’re thankful for in your own life and of expressing it to the universes in a more-or-less public manner. Conscious Commitment is similarly obvious, given the name; one states one’s commitment to certain tasks and ideals and uses it as both an enchantment and a to-do list.
Thankful Thursday
I am thankful for:
- the opportunities I’ve had for magical and personal development.
- my parents.
- my fiance Kasey.
- my friends.
- my Coven, especially my Elder Frater Barrabbas Tieresius and my Sister Grace.
- my opportunity to move and start a life in Waynesville, NC.
Conscious Commitment
I consciously commit to:
- manifesting the love, grace, and justice of God in my life.
- conducting the traits above into the world around me.
- becoming an effective healer.
- recieving in-depth training in numerous types of healing.
- finding a way to make a living doing something I truly love and which provides a real service.
Offensive Ad on LJ (open letter to LiveJournal)
An ad trying to tell me that Wicca and Paganism are spiritually dangerous, courtesy of an evangelical Christian website, showed up earlier on my LJ. I’ve sent an e-mail as well as an ad feedback form about it to LiveJournal, and that e-mail follows. I may be the only one here who cares about this, but it really does offend me that this could show up on my blog.
Avete LJ Engineers & Sales Department,
I’ve been using LJ for years now, using various usernames (including fraterachdae and my current hermeticalchemy). I was at first a little upset to see ads appearing, but soon thought better of it; I understand why it’s necessary and respect the decision to run ads without pop-ups. However, tonight I caught an ad on my LJ which outright offended me. I’m not generally one to crusade in matters that don’t directly affect me, so believe me when I say that writing this e-mail is something of an extreme measure for me. I already sent an ad feedback form, but feel that I need to make sure that this matter is addressed.
The ad in question was for www.expagans4christ.com and I don’t mind telling you that I am a Wiccan and an occultist. Regardless of my spiritual leanings, however, I do not believe that it is the right of anybody to proselytize in MY online “home”, or anybody else's for that matter. If Christians want to get ads for websites like this, that's their business and I fully support their right to choose to do so. However, I did not make that choice and I cannot support advertisements on my own blog which cut against everything I feel to be sacred. Imagine, for example, a Jew who sees on his or her LiveJournal and advertisement which states, “Jews killed our Lord! Read interviews on the dangers of Judaism!” It's the same thing, and I would be equally offended to see any such thing (or an anti-Christian ad, for that matter).
It is not in my power to tell you what to do with your own website, but I think that it would be more than a sign of good faith if you ceased running such ads on the LiveJournals of people of non-fundamentalist and dominionist faiths. I can say for certain that most Buddhists, atheists, Neopagans, Voudoun, Jews, Theosophists, and mainstream Christians would be bothered if such a thing showed up on their own blogs, where they shared their intimate thoughts and spiritual experiences with their friends. The only other thing I can say is that there is a rather large population of Neopagans, Hermetics, occultists, Theosophists and other members of “unorthodox” religions and spiritual systems using LiveJournal. We're there because it’s a good place to network, a useful and enjoyable service, and generally protective of our right to talk about darn near anything we want without censorship. I think that I can speak for many others when I say that I don't want my enjoyment to be cut into by religious bullying, even if it is just in my margin.
In Peace Profound,
Nicholas Graham
P.S.: I’m copying this as an open letter to my LJ and will be following up there with whatever information I get from your response.
Swollen Destiny
My good friend wants me to ask a question of all of you. The question, quoted from him, is: “If it is my Tao to punch you in the throat, is it your Tao to receive it?” Take it however you wish, but he desires a serious answer. Thanks, all!
Edit: The question may be profitably translated as: “If it is my True Will to punch you” etc., or alternatively “If it is my destiny” etc.
Fire the Grid
Fire the Grid is an international spiritual endeavour to try to bring humanity back into the universal grid of life. The event is 11:11 GMT on July 17, 2007, all participants the world over welcome! Spread the word!
Hermetic Curriculum (Phase 1)
I’ve decided to work out a magical curriculum for myself based on the ideas expressed by John Michael Greer in his article “A Magical Education” (Llewellyn's 2002 Magical Almanac, pg. 316). While I’ll still be exploring other books, sources, and ideas than the ones listed, these ones are good centerpieces. This isn’t just for my own benefit, though that’s it’s primary use; I figure that one day I’ll have a student or two of my own (especially if I make 3rd Degree in my Coven and form my own Coven) and it’ll be useful to have a solid training program in place for that eventuality. I’ve split the curriculum up into four parts: Hermetic Practice, Hermetic Theory, General Magical Knowledge, and General Education. Of course, this will not be set in stone. I’ll add, subtract, and otherwise change it around as I see fit. Also, this first list is only “phase one” of the full curriculum. I’ll produce other phases as the need arises (as I graduate from one to the next, essentially). Of course, if anybody else decides to use this curriculum, or has further ideas for me, I’d be glad to hear about any suggestions and so on. Note, too, that this curriculum is specifically Hermetic; if you like the idea but practice another tradition, you’ll of course have to substitute with more relevant books.
Hermetic Practice
- Initiation Into Hermetics by Franz Bardon. Go step by step through Bardon’s training program.
- Kabbalah for Health and Wellness by Mark Stavish. Practice thoroughly.
- Paths of Wisdom by John Michael Greer. Practice thoroughly.
- A Century of Spells by Draja Mikharic. A good practical introduction to natural magic.
- The Encyclopedia of Natural Magic by John Michael Greer. For further ideas and practical information.
- Earth Divination, Earth Magic by John Michael Greer. For practical information on geomancy for divination and magic.
- The Isaiah Effect by Gregg Baden. A guide to truly effective prayer.
- The Five Tibetans by Christopher S. Kilham. A simple and powerful method of yoga for health and energy.
Hermetic Theory
- Initiation Into Hermetics part 1: Theory by Franz Bardon.
- The Practice of Magical Evocation by Franz Bardon
- The Key to the True Quabbalah (or The Key to the True Kabbalah) by Franz Bardon
- The New Hermetics by Jason Augustus Newcomb. Read for further ideas.
- 21st Century Mage by Jason Augustus Newcomb. Read for further ideas.
- Inner Traditions of Magic by William G. Gray. Good info on designing your own rituals from scratch.
- Magical Ritual Methods by William G. Gray. As above, but more in-depth.
- Math for Mystics by Renna Shesso. Just what it sounds like.
- Paths of Wisdom by John Michael Greer. Good kabbalistic refresher.
- The Mystical Qabalah by Dion Fortune. Good overview of Kabbalah.
- The Path of Alchemy by Mark Stavish. This will be part of the “practice” segment of a later phase of the curriculum.
- The Tree of Life by Israel Regardie. Good overview of tradition Western ritual magic.
- Culpeper’s Medicine by Graeme Tobyn. Good overview of holistic medicine based on Hermetic principles, though requiring of some updating.
- The Master Book of Herbalism by Paul Beyerl. Excellent overview of herbalism for medicine and magic.
- Tao Te Ching by Lao-tse (I like the John Bright-Fey translation). Technically not Hermetic, but Taoism and Hermetics share more than they differ.
- The Academy of the Sword by Girard Thibault. A manual of Western esoteric swordsmanship.
General Magical Knowledge
- Practice of Magic by Draja Mikharic. A good introduction to several Western magical traditions.
- Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic by Catherine Yronwode. Excellent practical overview of Hoodoo.
- Space/Time Magic by Taylor Ellwood. Unique and interesting look at experimental magic.
- Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone by Lupa. Practical guide to animal magic and totemism.
- The Complete Art of Witchcraft by Sybil Leek. Good introduction to Traditional Wicca.
- Living Buddha Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh. Comparison between Christianity and Buddhism from a Buddhist who has embraced Christ.
- Introduction to Tantra by Lama Yeshe. Best introduction to the philosophy behind Tantra around.
- The Book of Secrets by Osho. Excellent guide to deep meditation.
General Education
- The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene. Good overview of both standard modern physics, and M-theory.
- The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene. Good follow-up to the above.
- Out of the Laybirnth by Robert and Ellen Kaplan. Making mathematics fun and interesting; teaching (and learning) maths as the highest forms of intellectual play.
- Prometheus Rising by Robert Anton Wilson. Self-change psychology.
- The Structure of Magic vol. 1 by Richard Bandler. Introduction to neurolinguistic programming.
- Man and His Symbols edited by Carl Jung. Good introduction to Jungian psychology.
- Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. Beautiful look at finding the meaning in life even through horror.
- What the Bleep Do We Know!? DVD. Preferably “Down the Rabbit Hole” special edition. Excellent look at the meeting of science and spirit from mystics and rogue scientists. A MUST!
Assignments for Phase 1
- Practice at least through Step 8 in Initiation Into Hermetics. Continue with Steps 9 & 10 in Phase 2.
- Master the exercises in Kabbalah for Health and Wellness.
- Continue to work through Paths of Wisdom.
- Write reviews of at least one book from each of the four sections.
- Write an article on at least one point of Hermetic theory or practice, adding your own opinions and experiences. Make the article something written to help somebody else.
- Conduct at least one act of practical magic (either theurgy or thaumaturgy) per week beyond your daily practice.
- Work on learning a language appropriate to Hermetics (Latin, German, French, Greek, Hebrew). Note: I already know some German. I’ll work on refreshing my German, as well as learning Latin.
- Refresh and expand on my mathematical skills, especially algebra and geometry.
Modern Living
Lupa posted this link and, well, I think it’s worth sharing around.
On the Injudicious Use of Paradigm Shifting
I'm sure that at least will have some sort of thoughtful reply to this post, but I'd really like it if anybody on my friends list with a spiritual or occult bent would comment with their thoughts and opinions on the subject.
One of the reasons why I broke with chaos magic is the attitude toward paradigm shifting espoused by most schools of postmodern magical thought. While I still consider the technique to be useful to a certain extent, I think that it's limited to being a learning aid and nothing more.
One of the main issues I have with the modern Neopagan and occult movements is that nobody seems to ever train beyond a very basic level in any one system. Neopagans typically feed from the buffet of occult systems from whichever angle strikes their fancy at any given moment, while practitioners of magical systems which are not specifically Neopagan tend to never go beyond what they've learned in Kraig's Modern Magick or Carroll's Liber Null & Psychonaut. Even most experimental magicians' personal systems tend, from what I've seen, to be pretty basic and at around a beginner's level. Even those who do choose one system or other to focus on, such as students of the Golden Dawn system, or Carroll's extensive chaos magic training system (Liber Null, Liber KKK, and perhaps add in Wetzel's Liber LLL) almost never seem to finish it.
Magical traditions are important and useful for the very reason that they require focus and discipline. Paradigm shifting is a good way to explore other ideas and techniques, but I find that it's best to take those techniques and ideas and find ways of integrating them into whatever system you use. Even self-created systems (which are almost always based on techniques lifted from Carroll and Phil Hine, it seems) must follow a path of development and advancement, or they won't at all be effective in actually training the magician beyond the level of sigils and spells.
I'm not even saying that it's all bad that people aren't going beyond “the basics”. For a lot of people, that's as far as they want to go, and as far as they'll ever need to go, and that's just fine. Those who wish to go further, however, seem to get stuck on the discipline and getting bored parts. Sometimes magical development is a bit tedious for a stretch, but that's usually just when we're on a plateau. Instead of getting bored and going to another system, effectively starting from scratch, it will help a lot more if we just push on and see what's just over the horizon.
One of the main reasons for this is that a system of symbolism and certain modes of thought need to be assimilated fully before they can work most effectively. Kabbalah is a complex system, and only a cursory glance at a reference table will not allow a person to perform a fully functional kabbalistic ritual; similarly with Enochian magic, natural magic, and so forth. The postmodern approach of “take what looks pretty” has not borne much useful fruit, for as hip as the idea seems to be, and explains to me why so many occultists look askance at anybody who claims a powerful spiritual experience, or who place such hard and fast limitations on the possibilities of magic (and many do this without consciously realizing it, simply for lack of experience).
I'm far from saying that my way is the only way; rather, I think that whichever way a person is called needs to be explored to the utmost, instead of only serving as a weekend tourguide book to the realms of infinite experience. Otherwise, the practitioner risks a lopsided or entirely arrested magical/mystical development.
Weird Fiction
I love weird fiction. I don't read a whole lot of fiction, but when I do I like something unique. Fantasy, sci-fi and horror have mostly gone stale, but thank God there's a new breed of writers out there who are churning out some of the finest stuff to come out in decades.
The beautific part of the scenario is that these authors aren't just working from the same sci-fi and fantasy conventions that have been recycled for more than half a century. They're creating their own far-out cities, worlds, galaxies, universes that may be alien on the surface, but are always immediately and intimately familiar.
I think that the trend began, or at least gained its first notable proponent, with Mervyn Peake and his Gormenghast series. If you haven't read any, I urge any fans of dark fantasy and psychological horror to read Titus Groan, one of the most ghastly and disturbing, but homey, castles you'll ever traverse.
Today, we have such writers as Jeff VanderMeer, who's city of Ambergris houses crackpot scientists, mad artists, and the only fungi worth being terrified of, as well as China Mieville, who's New Crobuzon brings steampunk into a vivid new form. None of the neo-goth pretention or nihilist angst, none of the high adventures you've seen over and over and over again, these artists truly give the reader something new and something immediately special.
