I'm going to talk about my favourite metal band, Pantera.
So what's so special about them? Well, while Metallica or Slayer were in their height of their fame Pantera steps in with a new style of heavy music: Groove Metal.
How to explain Groove metal.. Groove Metal if you mix in with some hiphop influence you get: Nu Metal (limp Bizkit, KoRn, Slipknot). I don't like saying Groove Metal is an early form of Nu Metal because Groove has its own attributes and originality.
Pantera's breakthrough Album 'Cowboys From Hell' features the title song's greatest metal riffs (explosive!). This song got me into Pantera and Groove Metal. Notice the verse riff. Dadad dad dad dad dad dadaadad
Groove Metal is like a more refined heavy metal that defines headbanging like never before. Ok, that's a little hard to understand but just listen to it anyway. With a little southern influence (these guys are from Texas), the bands sound is most unique.
'Mouth of War' from the Vulgar Display album. The revolutional song 'Walk' is also in this album. I like Mouth of War for it's explosive display of metal.
As a guitarist, I have tremendous respect for my idol/influence, Pantera's Dimebag Darrell. His music and playing and sound has been revered by many metal bands. Everyday I listen to his solos and never get tired of them, including my favourite: Floods.
'Floods' from The Great Southern Trendkill album has been my favourite for its whipping solo, with constant pedal changes in the sound creating it into 4 parts (see if you can find it in this video). But the best part in this song is the outro. To me, it was this outro that makes Dimebag Darrell one of history's greatest guitarist. I only posted the solo and outro for you to hear.
So that's it, videos from Youtube.com actually works well here! Other recommeneded Pantera listenings are: Cemetary Gates, Walk, Hollow, 5 minutes alone, Psycho Holiday, Domination and more...
Who Watches the Watchmen?
Friday, February 16, 2007
After reading Alan Moore's V for Vendetta graphic novel (you saw the film adaptation?) I was amazed on the storywriting of this comic. This lead me to love graphic novels.
Then I heard of the greatest comic/graphic novel called The Watchmen.
Then I heard of the greatest comic/graphic novel called The Watchmen.
A story that changes Superhero comic traditions forever.
I finally downloaded all 12 Chapters and was filled with unique cinematic experience of the comic itself. Pulled into panel to panel, the story and the characters grip you to read more of the story.
In the 80's alternate history America, masked adventurers are real and are now illegal and banned. The story begins when one of their own was murdered and Rorschach, the only masked adventurer still active, suspects a mask-killer on the loose.
But the real pull in this story is the lives of these superheroes who, compared to our own, are very human.
With characters like The Comedian, Ozymandias, Nite Owl II, Rorschach, Silk Spectre II and Dr. Manhattan, you will find out what is it really like to be a superhero.
A film adaptation is on the works (don't mind the year, the poster up there is a failed project about to be relived again) with Zack Snyder on the director chair (His latest movie, 300 will be released in March 9th). There are other movies you can find in youtube.com where Watchmen fans make their own adaptation.
A video version of Page 5 in the comic, featuring Rorschach.
And a mock trailer in 3D. It would be cool if they actually made one.
Finally! I can post PICTURES!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Dean Dime-O-Flage.One of the rarest guitars in Brunei.
But not anymore, its available through mail order.
My Guitar has Wings
Sunday, February 11, 2007
1
I changed the blog's title to match my passion for guitars.
But why 'Wings' you ask?
It so happens that my new Dime-O-Flage (again!) has a Dean logo at it's headstock.
And the logo has wings.
After I got the DOF (BTW, like the rest of my guitars I nicknamed this one 'Spartan') I got this obsession on Dean guitars, especially the ML shaped ones.
My friend once said, "Azzi, you finally have your dream guitar!"
Then I said, "Not exactly"
"Then what's your dream guitar?" he asked.
Well, after going through the list of guitars in Deanguitars.com I fell in love with the Dean USA Razorback (drop dead gorgeous!). It's just so violently cool!
Other guitars include the Dime-O-Flame, Warbird, Dime War camo, and the greatest of them all: The Dean From Hell.
Dean From Hell? It's just a guitar with lightning bolt designs!
Well Yeah, but then it's fitted with a floyd rose and Bill Lawrence pickups.
Plus, not only is because Dimebag Darrell used it in the Cowboys From Hell era..
If you watched the final Battle in Tenacious D: Pick of Destiny, you'll notice that Satan used one while he was singing "Check this Riff it's f&*^ing tasty...!"
So maybe in a few years, I'll find a luthier somewhere and modify the Spartan by fitting it with a Floyd Rose tremolo.
http://www.deanguitars.com/
2
I think I need to change my form 6 subjects from Math to Psychology. Why? Because of this question..
Mom: What is 1/2 minus 1/3?
Me: Uh...
Aira: 1/6 (she said instantly)
Me: Uh.. OH NO! I CAN' T BELIEVE I FORGOT HOW TO CALCULATE IT!!!
I changed the blog's title to match my passion for guitars.
But why 'Wings' you ask?
It so happens that my new Dime-O-Flage (again!) has a Dean logo at it's headstock.
And the logo has wings.
After I got the DOF (BTW, like the rest of my guitars I nicknamed this one 'Spartan') I got this obsession on Dean guitars, especially the ML shaped ones.
My friend once said, "Azzi, you finally have your dream guitar!"
Then I said, "Not exactly"
"Then what's your dream guitar?" he asked.
Well, after going through the list of guitars in Deanguitars.com I fell in love with the Dean USA Razorback (drop dead gorgeous!). It's just so violently cool!
Other guitars include the Dime-O-Flame, Warbird, Dime War camo, and the greatest of them all: The Dean From Hell.
Dean From Hell? It's just a guitar with lightning bolt designs!
Well Yeah, but then it's fitted with a floyd rose and Bill Lawrence pickups.
Plus, not only is because Dimebag Darrell used it in the Cowboys From Hell era..
If you watched the final Battle in Tenacious D: Pick of Destiny, you'll notice that Satan used one while he was singing "Check this Riff it's f&*^ing tasty...!"
So maybe in a few years, I'll find a luthier somewhere and modify the Spartan by fitting it with a Floyd Rose tremolo.
http://www.deanguitars.com/
2
I think I need to change my form 6 subjects from Math to Psychology. Why? Because of this question..
Mom: What is 1/2 minus 1/3?
Me: Uh...
Aira: 1/6 (she said instantly)
Me: Uh.. OH NO! I CAN' T BELIEVE I FORGOT HOW TO CALCULATE IT!!!
Dean ML / Results are in! / PTE
Saturday, February 3, 2007
You know, actually I was planning to update my blog around 2-4 times a month. But then I got too lazy and I end up writing less.
Luckily I write alot for each post, then for each event I separate in chapters. Like so...
1
If you still remember, I recently bought the DEAN Dime-o-Flage ML (Lets call it DOF) early this January. Well, I got so into it that I broke two strings in a week.
And for some reason, I finally got better in my shredding (that's playing a solo fast to people who don't know the term) and I discovered how my playing with the DOF made me play better in my TGM Stratocaster (I've made modifications on it over the years and it fits my confort in playing). I was faster, more technically experienced and sounded better than my years with the TGM.
I also discovered my own sound (I remember showing this Bang Zul and he said ,"Extra Crispy"). All I did was messing up the knobs for overdrive on the Amp than combine it with the Onerr Distortion Pedal.
And what do I get? Spicy KFC Extra Crispy, but doesnt smell like one though. Still, it's finger licking (pun intended).
Yesterday I met two friends I haven't seen after a long time, and both of them said ,"Z, I like your guitar. It's really cool!"
Why not'? It's the meanest metal guitar I've played in my life!
2
After a gruesome wait for those results on my O-level exam, they finally came out last Tuesday.
And what did I get?..... 7 Os! Thank you God.
To be precise, it's : 1 A , 2 Bs, 4 Cs, and 1 D.
To be more precise: I got a distinction in English Literature, this is the second time I got an A unexpectedly (last time being an A for Commercial Studies).
To be a little more precise:
Eng Lit : A2
English : B3
Malay : B4
Geo : C5
Math : C6
Chem : C6
Bio : C6
Phy : D7
I've done well in my exams (people were saying congratulations and all that) but I could have gotten 8 Os. (If you remember, I did mention getting a computer when I get 8 Os? That's the only disappointing part!)
3
Today, I finally registered myself to Pusat Tingkatan Enam (Form 6 centre, also a College)
The subjects I'm taking are : English Literature, Sociology and Math (this is for you Mom). The subject recommended to me is English AS (obviously due to my results in English and Literature).
For Math, after checking with my results they had to move me to another teacher for an interview.
It was difficult because the teacher said he doesn't recommend me doing math (since I got a C6) and try a subject that focus on my English results.
At first I wanted to take Psychology, but since my mom insist I take math because of the opportunities I can get in the future, I had to fight back the comments and recommendations they gave.
So finally I got to take Math (Uncle Ahmad commented that I was a very confident speaker during the interview). The teacher interviewing me said that 2/3 of the students with C6 failed while those who pass got mostly Cs and Ds. So I said to the teacher, "Then let's hope I get to the 1/3 successfully."
Luckily I write alot for each post, then for each event I separate in chapters. Like so...
1
If you still remember, I recently bought the DEAN Dime-o-Flage ML (Lets call it DOF) early this January. Well, I got so into it that I broke two strings in a week.
And for some reason, I finally got better in my shredding (that's playing a solo fast to people who don't know the term) and I discovered how my playing with the DOF made me play better in my TGM Stratocaster (I've made modifications on it over the years and it fits my confort in playing). I was faster, more technically experienced and sounded better than my years with the TGM.
I also discovered my own sound (I remember showing this Bang Zul and he said ,"Extra Crispy"). All I did was messing up the knobs for overdrive on the Amp than combine it with the Onerr Distortion Pedal.
And what do I get? Spicy KFC Extra Crispy, but doesnt smell like one though. Still, it's finger licking (pun intended).
Yesterday I met two friends I haven't seen after a long time, and both of them said ,"Z, I like your guitar. It's really cool!"
Why not'? It's the meanest metal guitar I've played in my life!
2
After a gruesome wait for those results on my O-level exam, they finally came out last Tuesday.
And what did I get?..... 7 Os! Thank you God.
To be precise, it's : 1 A , 2 Bs, 4 Cs, and 1 D.
To be more precise: I got a distinction in English Literature, this is the second time I got an A unexpectedly (last time being an A for Commercial Studies).
To be a little more precise:
Eng Lit : A2
English : B3
Malay : B4
Geo : C5
Math : C6
Chem : C6
Bio : C6
Phy : D7
I've done well in my exams (people were saying congratulations and all that) but I could have gotten 8 Os. (If you remember, I did mention getting a computer when I get 8 Os? That's the only disappointing part!)
3
Today, I finally registered myself to Pusat Tingkatan Enam (Form 6 centre, also a College)
The subjects I'm taking are : English Literature, Sociology and Math (this is for you Mom). The subject recommended to me is English AS (obviously due to my results in English and Literature).
For Math, after checking with my results they had to move me to another teacher for an interview.
It was difficult because the teacher said he doesn't recommend me doing math (since I got a C6) and try a subject that focus on my English results.
At first I wanted to take Psychology, but since my mom insist I take math because of the opportunities I can get in the future, I had to fight back the comments and recommendations they gave.
So finally I got to take Math (Uncle Ahmad commented that I was a very confident speaker during the interview). The teacher interviewing me said that 2/3 of the students with C6 failed while those who pass got mostly Cs and Ds. So I said to the teacher, "Then let's hope I get to the 1/3 successfully."
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