Reflections & Farewells

So its over then, my first semester at NUS. For some reason I feel absolutely ecstastic tonight, i shouldnt, but I do. Last exam was today (major screw up), when I got back I couldnt be still, jumping on the bed, singing along to the Strokes. Tried to annoy a couple of friends but they were on a girls night out. Went to the TV room, havent seen TV in like ages, and somehow I ended up hanging out with, of all people, a group of Mauritians. After a four month abstinence, finally had a drink, we ended up wandering the entire area outside PGPR, bottles in hand, singing the crappiest songs, damn fun I must say ( well occasions with alcohol are usually fun, well they are at least until they descend into a brawl, tho some say thats when the real fun starts), on a more depressing note this was the first time I paid for my alcohol, DAMN!!!!!!. We rambled on for a couple of hours and then came back to PGPR. Must say PGPR resembles a hotel lobby, everyone is checking out now. Came back to my room, still feel so restless which is why I am actually blogging. This past four months have been a whirlwind. Ended up in NUS by pure chance and I gotta say its really fun. Who the hell said school days were the best, uni beats it like a million times. Sometimes I just wonder at how nicely my life plays out. If I hadnt gone for a silly "reunion" I wouldnt have applied here and would probably have ended up in some crap college in Malaysia. Well i dont wanna dwell on such things now, I am too damn happy, going home today. Really scared that i will gain weight again. I grew a "beard" to conceal my cheeks which had become alarmingly chubby (read obese) last time I returned from home to NUS, hope I dont have to do it again. Well I just wanna say thanks to those who made me feel welcome at NUS, especially to those who helped me out on when I first came here , u know who u r. Got a couple of tears in my eyes, still euphoric just tinged with a dash of sadness, I am getting all mushy, lol, well take care, happy holidays, have a great time.

Wildhoney ( Album Review)

Album: Wildhoney
Band: Tiamat
Genre: Prog Metal with black metal overtones

Track List
1) Wildhoney
2) Whatever That Hurts
3) The Ar
4) 25th Floor
5) Visionaire
6) Kaleidoscope
7) Gaia
8) Do You Dream of Me
9) Planets
10) A Pocket Size Sun

Wildhoney was and remains Tiamat's finest hour. Released in 1994, nothing like this had been seen in the extreme metal scene. Pop this album into your stereo and after some time you will notice just how moody this album is. The sound of the album has been described as etheral,transcendent, otherworldly and eerie. Its the sort of music that you should listen with the curtains closed in absolute silence. The sounds contained in Wildhoney run the entire gamut from ambient forest noises, heavy crunching metal riffs, ethereal floating keyboard lines, haunting female choirs and so on. This album was clearly conceived to be some sort of creative masterpiece, its ambitious and it makes no apology for its pretentiousness. The music is slow, but slow does not mean light, its slow with menace, with malice intertwined in its very soul. The album contains about 4 short soundscapes, that alone do not amount to much, but in the grand scheme of things they are indispensiable. Vocals range from typical death metal style, to whispers, and conventional singing, no shrieks in this album, its far too dignified. Can be inaccesible to the casual pop music listener but give it your patience, and it will reward you with something far more than just pleasant sounds for your ear, this album may just take your mind places.


Rating: 92/100

Disclaimer: All views expressed are solely of the author. The author does not claim that other listeners will have the opinion of the record.