The Star of Azazel - Azazelin Tähti

I'm listening to a adaptation of a Shakespeare's poem.

How sweet the moonlight sleeps.

Listening to lute music

Johannes Hieronymus Kapsgerger Pieces for Lute, performed by the famous Paul O'Dette -one of the most appreciated lutists of our times. My music taste has shifted as of late and I only seem to listen to old music; mainly from renaissance and baroque era. I find it seems to purify my very blood and keeps me focused on the Work.

Coph Nia: The Oath

Thunder comes crashing
Through my mind;
And once again
My rage is thrashing blind.

As the noose is tightened,
Something stuck in my throat:
I can hear myself incanting:
I can hear the oath

No more backing down,
No more running;
No more giving ground,
No more running;

Too many times,
Too many places,
Too many bigots,
And angry faces.

We're hiding away
To our own shame;
You know the story,
It's all the same.

Mainstream culture,
Mainstream lives,
Mainstream husbands
With their mainstream wives.

I will not change you,
Or set you free;
Just let me pass,
And leave me be

I hold no grudges,
But I am drawing a line;
You can either accept it,
Or kiss my behind.

For blubbering fools
I have no more time;
I have roads to walk,
I have mountains to climb

So stand aside, brother;
Let me walk on.
The oath is taken,
The deed is done

I will walk on,
Not matter but light;
I will walk on,
With one star in sight.

No more backing down,
No more running;
No more giving ground,
No more running.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FyM8orI9_E

A friend of mine based in Portland, Oregon, USA plays cello in a chamber music group that utilizes folk instruments to channel dark and sometimes grim melodic themes. They have been reviewed by metal music publications because their style is reminiscent of the attitude of metal without actually being so. They are called Disemballerina, and can be found on the usual mediums (Spotify, Bandcamp, Facebook, etc.)

"La Folia" is a particular favorite of mine. All of their catalogue is great for just sitting and listening or, my personal favorite, while reading. Beautiful work.

https://disemballerinapdx.bandcamp.com/

Thank you brother, for sharing Disemballerina. I am enjoying this a lot, so am grateful for your introduction to their work. Some of the tension is stunning, particularly in 'That is the head of one who toyed with my honour' and 'Phantom Limb'. How they use such tension reminds me in some respects of Monteverdi's madrigals, which to me are achingly beautiful.

Van Morrison's "The Dweller on the Threshold", from his '82 album "Beautiful Visions". The lyrics are inspired by the Theosophist Alice Bailey's teachings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfBNfp4PkJ0

Lately old school stuff. Celtic Frost, Carcass, Venom, Motorhead. And also some goa trance..

I know we have a lot of black metal fans here in our midst (myself included). I like virtually every style of music but over the past several years have grown a fondness for electronic music.

Perturbator is a French musician who had a background in black metal and crossed over to a "darkwave" style of synth music. The themes are reminiscent of a cyberpunk or industrial feel.. futuristic but grimey. Here is one of my favorite tracks, I Am The Night, which is also the namesake of the record it appears on:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDEE_c7kiCs

Perturbator is great!

Myself, I'm mostly listening to Silvius Leopold Weiss:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU8WBIrwr8w

I would also like to recommend Sleep of Monsters to those whom are not familiar with them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhHioBhmzoA

However, this year's best album is hands down Light of the Morning Star's "Nocta". If you do not know them yet, remedy this immediately:
https://lightofthemorningstar.bandcamp.com/album/nocta

A huge thank you to Fra Jiva who has recommended Sleep of Monsters and Light of the Morning Star to me. I am ever greatful!

I am listening to the new Verge, which I preordered, "The Process of Self-Becoming," and I'm blown away. This is another triumph for the band. Deep and unique black metal.