The forums on the metal archives are still active and a good resource for various different things concerning extreme metal. Bits of news, discussion, and some out of left field recommendations that I don’t find other places.
Generalities:
My favorite pastime is learning.
If something is unconventional it’s typically better for it.
Music is crucial and experiencing it is mandatory - be it through listening or creating.
Reducing suffering is the best life goal I’ve come up with.
The forums on the metal archives are still active and a good resource for various different things concerning extreme metal. Bits of news, discussion, and some out of left field recommendations that I don’t find other places.
The image is actually emblematic of why you’re having trouble finding good new music. You’re still just looking at the outside of the haystack. In the modern era it’s incredibly easy to access good new music, but perhaps more difficult to find that music (based upon your tastes). The prevalence of independent music exploded over 20 years ago. At this point, if you’re relying on the vestiges of major labels and popular distribution channels as your tastemakers you’re basically doing it wrong.
The drawback is that you may actually have to put in some time and effort to find new stuff you like, but it’s definitely out there. Probably much more exists than you have time to consider, really. How much time you’re willing to spend searching depends on how important it is to you to find new stuff that you enjoy. Use shortcuts and find a different tastemaker associated with genre’s that you like if you want (e.g. online publications, youtube channels, online forums/communities, playlist where they exist, podcast, etc.) You’ll have to put in some time to find the relevant ones to you, but perhaps not as much time as combing through new stuff on your own.
Lots of us with interests in genres with an extensive underground scene have been sifting through the mud to find gems for decades already, and I still enjoy the process a lot, though many people might think I waste a lot of time. These days that skillset is transferable and almost a requirement to find the good stuff in any and every genre. Unless you are lucky or don’t mind enough that the most commercial stuff is still your jam.
(edit: unless of course this post is more a condemnation of broadly popular tastes in music. I’d have to type more to address that, but I’ll save it. It’s nothing new, and also hinges on subjectivity.)
Last I saw it isn’t actually clear whether or not Fadades is parody or legitimate. Very clear in any either case that Fadades is great.
Especially within a genre like black metal where bands will make contra-conventional artistic decisions by way of course as it is, stumbling upon a vibe like this out of honest artistic expression vs. deriving it with a manifest ambiguity where the tongue seems to sprout from the cheek almost hardly matters. However Fadades came to be, it’s a monument to whatever it actually is.
Still posting beans, are we?
Sure thing. Report back with your own take. Eager to get others’ opinion on it too!
It’s a high quality film. I prefer Shin, but Shin is my 2nd favorite in the franchise. Depending on taste I’m sure some people will prefer Minus One over Shin. It’s all up to what you like.
Ultimately though, they did a great job on Minus One. If you’re a Godzilla fan you’re going to love it.
Not as good as Shin, but I consider Shin the 2nd best in the franchise, only after '54. Minus One is solid though. If you’re at all interested you should check it out.
Wanting to keep my post spoiler free.
I thought it was great. I like every Godzilla movie though. Overall it was a solid entry into the franchise. Closer to the top of the heap than the bottom. Curious to see the varied reactions from the rest of the fandom, since everyone inevitably has different takes depending on what they like out of a Godzilla movie.
I encourage everyone to go see it, mostly to give Toho your money so they know the international market remains eager for more of the big G.
Tristania - World of Glass, and if you like that check out the two albums before it as well.
I think these all merit a mention given what you’re looking for. Whether or not they hit square is up to you.
The Fall (2006) - A bit flat in the story department, but this was clearly a film focused on being a feast for the eyes. It succeeds in that handily.
The Great Yokai War - Ever wondered what would happen if Takashi Miike directed The Never Ending Story? This is something like that.
Tuvalu - Almost like if you smashed the aesthetics of Jean Pierre Jeunet and Guy Maddin together. The dialogue is hyper-minimal, but it you can get on board with the overall approach this film is a gem.
I saw one fly across a road once. It broke my brain until I recognized what it was. Initially I thought it was a leather satchel being blown by the wind like a plastic bag in an updraft. Not exactly a graceful display.
My impression of squabbles after a while was more “feigned whimsy reddit”. The people who loved the quirky snu aspect of reddit found their way there. “Oh look, he’s wearing a box on his head with a face hole cut out! Ha ha!” - “He’s holding a plate with a piece of birthday cake in one hand and a saxophone in the other! What a whacky character!!!” - “He’s piloting a rocket ship! Space is amAAAAAzing!!!”
The dev seemed like he was impressively dedicated to improving the platform, but I didn’t jive with what I perceived at the time to be the emerging culture there. Nothing offensive about it, but that’s not at all what I’m looking for really. I haven’t been there any type of regularly for a couple weeks, so not sure if that’s still a thing.
Also, I don’t pay strict attention to what instances they’re coming from, but I’ve blocked many communities throughout the fediverse that spam memes like they’re running out of time or something. I don’t think squabbles exclusively lays claim to that type of behavior.
Just my opinion.
I have a couple years-long discontinued flavors I still miss to this day. After looking at the site just now, one of them (Makin’ Whoopie Pie) is in a couple buried references of trivia questions they’ve asked, and the other (Maple Blonde Brownie) is entirely absent. I wonder why they aren’t listed in the “graveyard”.