#a short one but a banger nonetheless

[hazelcallahan]

THE LAST OF US - SEASON 1 ↳ Episode 4, "Please Hold to My Hand"

[musicfranchisetournament]

propaganda under the cut !!

uta no prince-sama :

Lots of different media!! Originally a dating sim game series, also has rhythm games, an anime, audio dramas, and even a short manga, plus a LOT of music from each character

love live :

the original idol franchise. love live was kind of a necessity for idol franchises to get more popular and, while i understand it's not everyone's cup of tea, i think it's undeniable the impact and importance it had for idol franchises as a whole and how it spread and shaped the genre through it's decisions. it doesn't has the best writing in the world, but it's heartwarming and nice to go through and meet the characters. year after year theyre still able to drop some insane bangers and while their songs are mostly very stereotypical on the three main archetypes of jp idols, they are very good and enjoyable nonetheless. i wouldn't say it's my favorite but it's definitely one of the most important franchises out there

[an-actual-attack-helicopter]

Book 6, Episode 1: Startouched Analysis/Commentary

Gotta love how it opens with Ripples in the water reflecting the stars. Go read the short stories if you don't know what I'm talking about.

Aaravos hesitates before crumbling Viren which is the funniest shit to me. This hurts more though, having seen the whole season.

Gotta love how Terry basically said Viren just ran away to go die like an angsty teen.

He got a new son to orphan les goooo

I find the framing of this pretty interesting. Viren is still in the dark while Claudia is standing in the light. You'd think it'd be the other way around. Perhaps it symbolizes how he has come to terms with his dark side, and is going to face it. While he leaves Claudia who, hopefully, can still be redeemed. Because ultimately this isn't her fault, it's his. He's the dark one.

At first I thought it was cruel for Viren to leave Claudia, but I've come to a realization. Claudia is better off without him. He is the reason she's done all this, and nothing will change if she keeps having to save him. She needs to let go. I'm not sure if this was intentional on Viren's part, but he made the right choice nonetheless.

Man, what is it with this show and blindfolds? So far they have showed up in Harrow's little flashback speech, on the Celestial elves, and here. Is this anything??

I was expecting to be annoyed by the baitlings' presence in this season, but they didn't actually get in the way much. Glad the writers read the room. They were mostly just used to fill the comic relief void that soren has left.

Also, I love how Jason Simpson still managed to weasel his way into the High Council through Barius, since Viren isn't exactly, yk, in that position.

DESTROY IT? CALLUM, HAVE YOU EVEN LISTENED TO THE MAGNUS ARCHIVES?

THE TABLE, CALLUM. THE TABLE!!!! Bro really be like "it's remarkably easy to buy a Novablade in central Starscraper."

Also, the way Rayla says "pearl" sounds like "peril."

They play Aaravos's little motif-melody-thingy throughout this scene. Yk, from I See You and Follow my Lead. Glad to cross that off my bingo card.

You can't see it here but the eye-movements in this scene are great. I think the animation and lighting really shine in this season. Pun intended.

Barius doing some casual baking at like 1 AM or something. Bro got insomnia /j. I mean, who are these for? They don't have fridges so they can't save em for long. Maybe Callum got him some sorta magical fridge. Or- wait- maybe they do have, like, a primitive fridge. Was that a thing? Oh actually, maybe Callum and Rayla just go to bed early. Lmfao

And there we have it, the first Viren-Callum parallel of the season. Just like episode 1 of season 1, he barges into the King's bedroom.

Alright, so. Other than this line being hilarious, I'm thinking the frustrating switcharoo that turns the latter half of the season into a bloodbath happened here. Was pretty foolish of Callum to think the pearl would be safe with him on his way out.

Ezran is saddened by everyone's departure. I'm not sure why, but it's worth noting.

They pretty much have her say "my dad is gone" just so that using this clip as a trailer wouldn't spoil anything lmao. I've been waiting to say that since Wondercon.

And now Claudia is the one leaving, as she steps out of the purifying light of the setting sun. Everyone, please give Terry a round of applause for continuing to love her despite this.

And now for the credits:

These are similar. Opeli is from the credits of this episode, and Harrow, from the credits of one from Season 2.

We need this to be a shirt.

Ahhh so Aaravos isn't the only Startouch elf with a star on their chest. I might be a little late to noticing that. Idk.

WHY THE HELL IS TERRY THE ONLY ONE CRYING FOR SIR SPARKLEPUFF? WHAT THE FUCK?

One last thing. Is it just me or is the outro song a little different? Music people, help me. I must know.

But yeah, banger episode, banger season, banger show. Imma be doin' these for all the season 6 episodes. At this rate, they will all have more words than Fallout Equestria. /j

Alright, time to take my meds. 💀

[goldensunset]

OKIEEEEEE DOKIEEEE @deityofhearts has permitted me to infodump about some of my favorite pokémon so yay!!!!!

here they are YAYYYYYYYYY undead foxes that kinda look like peppermint whipped cream. hisuian zorua on the left (baby) and hisuian zoroark on the right (adult). as you can see zorua is just a pathetic sad little thing i mean it still very much is full of malice but like it’s really just a lost lingering child y’know? zoroark though. that design tells you everything you need to know. that thang ain’t here to cuddle

hooray for vengeful ghosts!!!!!! bitter towards the world of the living!!!!!! reincarnation gone wrong!!! always a banger trope. the part about using a power so strong that it hurts you and you don’t even care bc you’re just that full of rage… letting those emotions do damage to both yourself and others… the way the red parts might be its own blood….

as for the baby zorua there’s less anger and more sorrow bc it notably has a melancholy expression where its original form had a more mischievous one. like this is a dead lost child far from home basically. bitter for certain and trying to vent those emotions somehow. no guys it’s misunderstood ok!!!

^but also look how gosh darn cute it is. resentment who? that is a baby animal!!! this is from a beautifully animated short series called hisuian snow and the protag meets and befriends this little guy who comes back to save him later (and it’s a shiny too!!! alec is so lucky)

there’s also a cool hisuian zoroark mask that was an event distribution item in the game (which i sadly missed 😔) but alec gets one bc good for him

also these pokémon (and their original forms) are particularly notable for being illusionists that can shapeshift and/or create mirages to mess with people. sometimes in a purely mischievous way and sometimes to legitimately help themselves. zorua in particular likes to turn into a silent child so 👆 changeling am i right (although zoroark has been seen able to speak human language before)

also in case it wasn’t clear within the game hisuian zorua and zoroark in particular are Feared like children in the area grow up hearing scary stories about it. it’s known as the baneful fox. in the game you only really tend to find it in secret caves- and these are like pitfalls that normal people couldn’t get out of on their own. you might trip and fall into a hole you didn’t even see a moment ago and whoops you just landed in the murder fox den. better luck next life!

y’know what just watch this clip from hisuian snow actually my screenshots won’t do it justice please

but like they’re really only like this in bc they’re just fiercely loyal and trying to protect themselves and those they love from potential threats. hisuian snow in particular establishes that they’ve been mistreated by human beings and have turned into monsters as a way of adapting to it/coping with rage and grief. like at the beginning you see it in its original unovan form cradling an injured baby zorua and then it like gives a terrifying enraged cry and transforms into its hisuian form

alec’s friend later saves him by scaring off another pokémon— like imagine being so scary you stop a massive dragon shark thing just by looking at it. man

^the dragon shark in question

nonetheless. could a thing like this baneful undead fox ever truly be besties with humans? or even other pokémon???? it’s so distinctly set apart from everything else in the world… it leaves after this once again…

anyway i sadly can’t put more than ten images in here but in conclusion this thing is really really cool and i have keychains of these two so YAYYYYYYYYY

[rev-was-here]

⟡ROTTMNT WITH A FUTUREFUNK! S/O⟡

⭒For those who arent familiar with future funk, It is a sub genre of vaporwave! It has a 70’s or 80’s feel to it accompanied with Japanese city style elements. Also typically upbeat in terms of tempo. (The song above is an example of it!)⭒

Raph

⟡-He enjoys his music a little bit slower, but nonetheless he’ll give it a try.

⟡-When you first introduced the genre to him. He was a little skeptical. When hearing the genre was named future funk, he focused more on the “Future” aspect of it, thinking the music would be similar to Donnie’s kind of music, which he’d admit, he’s heard more than his fair share of. ⟡-The look on his face is priceless. It’s not what he expected, but he liked it! The keyboard, the guitar, the synth, Yeah. he could get down with this.

⟡- Can't help but dance a little bit. How could he not?

⟡-He also asked for a playlist. 

⟡-Long story short, you may have got him addicted. 

⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡

Mikey

⟡-Oh you like funk do ya????????

⟡-Dr. Delicate Touch approves. 1000 percent.

⟡-It’s his new favorite thing to listen to now. 

⟡-Magic Mike is a GOD at DDR, so expect him to bust out some dance moves. 

⟡-Two peas in a pod. Like one of you will hum the tune, and the other will instantly know where it's from, then the next thing you know you’re both up and dancing around!

⟡-He also wants that playlist ASAP. 

⟡-You’re his new music dealer

⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡

Donnie

⟡-”Eh. My taste in music is better.”

⟡-Lmao he secretly likes it tho

⟡-When you first introduced it to him, you swear you saw a little head bop, but once you pointed it out he tried to cover it up with a shake of his head

⟡-Listens to it when you’re not around.

⟡-”Were you listening t-” “No.” (he was.)

⟡-His brothers clown him about it. They know he likes it. You know he likes it. He just won’t admit it.

⟡- he wants your playlist….for research purposes..

⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡

Leo 

⟡-“Where have you been hiding this all my life..”

⟡-This man, alongside Mikey, has the biggest reaction. Because WHY DIDNT YOU TELL HIM ABOUT THIS SOONER????? THIS IS A BANGER.

⟡-He’s into glamrock, so trust. He’s a big fan of the outfits.

⟡-When he wants something unique to listen to, better believe you’re the first person he comes to.

⟡-didnt ask for a playlist :( (he stole yours.)

[nkn0va]

Ok hear me out. Kokonoe and Tsubaki with a househusband s/o.

Anon who the FUCK gave you a cooking license? I'm taking it away.

You are now head chef, keep those banger asks incoming.

Step one to being best girl: Have hair a shade of red, pink included.

Step two: Be voiced by Julie Ann Taylor

Kokonoe A. Mercury

-Being one of Sector Seven's top scientists, Kokonoe brings in more than enough to support a household. Realistically, being in Sector Seven yourself, specifically as one of her field agents is the only way you could've gotten to know her well enough to make her of all people want to end up marrying you.

-Being her field agent for so long before marrying her, naturally you've...seen a lot of shit. You were more than happy to hang up the gear and take the role of househusband. You really had no reason not to.

-Half the time, being Kokonoe's husband is like taking care of a child to be completely honest. A hyper intelligent child whose hiding away an entire stockpile of nukes as Hakumen found out in CS, but a child nonetheless.

-Being involved with Kokonoe in any capacity, ESPECIALLY as her husband, requires a lot of patience. Even to her lover she's sassy, short tempered, and sarcastic, all the while being way too absorbed in her work and addicted to that damn silvervine candy.

-She eventually comes to depend on you entirely for her diet. The only way she's eating anything even remotely healthy is if you make it for her, otherwise she's living off silvervine, coffee, and chocolate.

-Most of the time if you wanna see Kokonoe and not just call her (which sometimes she doesn't even pick up), you're gonna have to head over to the lab yourself. If someone else is already there with her, she's gonna tell you to wait until they're gone. She's a bit embarrassed of being seen with her husband by anyone else.

-You're the only guest she ever actually looks forward to, not that she'd admit that out loud (though you already know anyway). Usually when you come visit it's to give her some actually decent food.

-She won't ever admit to it, but she really appreciates when you do it. A homecooked meal from her husband always lifts her mood, reminds her of the life she never got to have since it was taken from her by Terumi. It's one of the few things that actually makes her feel any emotion other than anger, irritation, or a sick satisfaction from watching one of her crazy ass plans come to fruition. You're just glad you can actually make her eat decently for once in her life.

-You'll also have to convince her yourself if you want her to come home for once and get some actual sleep in a proper bed. It'll take some effort but you'll get her to do so at least once a week.

-Sleeping in the same bed as you is the one time Kokonoe truly gets to relax. Once her brain finally winds down she melts into your embrace as she feels the inevitable pull of sleep, purring softly in your arms. Seeing her so unguarded like this is a unique privilege that only you have. God is it fucking precious.

-As much of a pain in the ass she is and how much she can test your patience, it's the moments like these that make it all worth it, when she finally shows her soft side to you and lets you know that she really does care about you. You wouldn't have it any other way.

Tsubaki Yayoi (my beloved 💗)

-Ending up as a househusband is pretty straightforward similar to Kokonoe. This is the heiress/soon to be head of one the families of the Duodecim, bagging this lovely heiress means you never have to work a day in your life again.

-Of course you still wanted to do at least something for such a perfect woman you had the impossible privilege of calling your wife, but she insisted you didn't need to. Eventually househusband was the thing you both agreed to. Maids and servants exist but having her husband fill the role felt much more natural. More cozy, made the house feel more like a home.

-The arrangement ends up being one you're both happy with. Tsubaki is able to continue her duties of an NOL soldier while knowing you're safe and far away from the danger taking care of the house.

-You'll occasionally drop by the base sometimes just to see her whenever you get bored. The other soldiers there eventually get used to your presence and leave you be. Hearing your knock on the door to Tsubaki's office is always the highlight of her day, she'll drop any work she's doing to spend some time with you in what would otherwise be a monotonous, boring shift, especially if you took the time to make her something to eat. It definitely beats the food offered on base.

-Of course it doesn't beat walking through the door of the house every day, having you welcome her home with a kiss. It's all blissfully domestic, like she's always wanted after living a life of such lavish luxury like she has.

-One duty of the house you both share is cooking duty. It's one of her favorite ways to spend time with you while bonding over good food. You two talk about your days, the new gossip in the Duodecim and the base, whatever tomfoolery Makoto's gotten into, overall just getting to wind down and talk about things not relating to work.

-Though speaking of Makoto, her and the rest of Tsubaki's friends on occasion sometimes are called over to have some off time together. As long as there's food prepared by you and her, the last thing anyone needs is there not being food and Noel trying to get into the kitchen.

-It's not long though before the conversation of kids inevitably comes up. Unlike Kokonoe who's probably not the biggest fan of the idea, Tsubaki's quite fond of it. She'd want at least two, she wouldn't want to have an only child that grows up without a sibling like she did. As far as she's concerned, no kid should ever have to be lonely like that, even if they'd have two parents present.

-It probably happens eventually. However many kids you two end up having, she's perfectly happy. Despite growing up richer than almost all their peers, Tsubaki will ensure her kids are raised to have dignity and compassion to the people around them. They're in a safe, loving environment where they can truly learn about the world around them and learn to appreciate it for what it is.

-Now she has even more to come home to every day, with her precious little bundles of joy. It reminds her of why she does what she does why she fights to uphold justice. So that families like hers never have to suffer pain, and can live in a world free of injustice and suffering.

-You. Her children. Her family. It is why she fights, the family she would put her life on the line to protect. Her entire world. Her past, present, and future.

[bangers2]

Weekly Music Roundup 28/6/24 :)

Heya! I've had a lot more free time lately to listen to some new music, so I'm going to be sharing what I listen to each week through a Friday Tumblr post. I'm aiming to listen to an album (or EP, compilation, DJ mix, etc etc) a day, and this week my schedule wasn't perfect, but I found a lot of great stuff nonetheless and want to talk about it!

Look at this pic I took omg. just wanted 2 share ^_^

Tinashe - BB/ANG3L (2023)

I'd always been aware of Tinashe, but hadn't taken the time to deep dive into her discography until she dropped the Nasty remix EP (JANE REMOVER REMIX????). "Nasty" is a banger obviously, but a lot of stuff on BB/ANG3L is excellent as well! She traverses so many genres with ease and excels at each of them. This is such a diverse showing, and it's very concise as well, having a runtime of just 20 minutes. I feel like anyone can find something they vibe with on here. Personally, my favourite track was "Gravity," a song with gentle vocals juxtaposed with a bit of a breakbeat moment. I always love a breakbeat and was shocked to hear one on here. Overall, BB/ANG3L was short enough to leave me wanting more, but in a good way. I hope that she builds upon this sound and vibe with her next album! I'm super excited to listen to Quantum Baby and listen to the rest of Nashe's discography.

Jane Remover - jane_remover_heatwave.zip [NTS Radio] (2024)

Real ones know that I am Jane Remover's no.1 fan. That is a vast exaggeration, but I love her music to bits and greatly enjoy these DJ sets she does. Each one has a different vibe and the ones she's been doing lately have been my favourites ever. The mixing is immaculate and the tracks she mashes up are always so unexpected but go so well together. I really loved heatwave, especially the mashup between her song "Lips" and the Carti song "Different Day." So damn hard. These sets are always the highlight of my month and always become mainstays in my DJ mix rotation. Give it a listen!

Mk.gee - Two Star & the Dream Police (2024)

I was a little intimidated to listen to Mk.gee (Mike Gordon), since I've heard so many great things about him. However, I heard "Are You Looking Up" in Jane Remover's new DJ mix and fell in love with it instantly. The guitar playing intrigued me since it sounded so...different to what I'm used to. The control Mike has over his instrument is phenomenal and allows him to create these really unique sounds and textures. There's a wonderful energy to all of these songs that I can't quite place. Due in part to the interesting guitar sounds, but also the really distant-sounding vocals, nostalgic melodies, and bits of noise peppered about, this album vaguely reminds me of something that would be heard in an empty building. Not the backrooms or anything, but like...a quiet mall in the suburbs. Is that weird? Probably. On songs like "Candy" the melodies sound really 80s to me for whatever reason, and...I don't know. The nostalgia? Regardless of whether I've placed the vibe or not, Two Star is a wonderful collection of hopeful, sweet guitar melodies interspersed with little bits of noise. I need more people to get on the Mk.gee train RIGHT NOW. What are you even doing with your life if you haven't listened to this? I can seriously see Mike becoming an all-time great.

lil hero - pawwwfect! (EP) (2023)

Okay, this is another one I found from Jane's set. "big flirt" is such a bop, and it sounds kind of familiar to me (upon further research, the song went viral in 2022 ish...I have no recollection of that year tbh.). It's a song that instantly puts a smile on your face with its sweet bubblegum production and wonderful vocals. This whole EP sounds like bright pink. There are pitched-up samples, bouncy uptempo grooves, and cute lyrics about falling in love all across pawwwfect, and I eat that shit up. I need lil hero and PinkPantheress to collab; I feel like that could change my life. All in all, it's a great 16-minute project that makes me feel like a...chihuahua in a pink purse. Which is exactly how I want to feel. Excited to hear what lil hero does next! :3

Radiohead - In Rainbows (2007)

I've definitely listened to In Rainbows before but I don't think I ever properly digested it. It's an overwhelming album to take in upon first listen. I revisited it a couple days ago after not really liking it the first time I listened to it, and needless to say it clicked for me. I still need to listen to this a couple thousand more times to really get it, but as of right now I think In Rainbows is an excellent and innovative record that is as thought-provoking lyrically as it is gorgeous sonically. The whole album made me feel like I was spinning. I don't know why or how, but I physically felt sort of dizzy, like the world was trembling around me. Strange how music can do that. It's magic.

Not on free Soundcloud smh

Jelani Aryeh - The Sweater Club (2024)

I got this album in my Apple Music (do NOT judge me or you're BLOCKED. STOP IT.) recommended before it came out and was really drawn to the album art. As the no.1 "person lying on grass" fan and president of "person lying on grass" NATION I was intrigued, but also had absolutely no idea who Jelani Aryeh was hahah. I presaved but didn't listen to any of his discography and just listened to it when I realized it was out. The Sweater Club is a wonderful collection of indie pop jams that are warm and summery. The art matches the music super well - I felt like I was lying in the grass on a breezy summer morning as I listened, and am definitely turned on to more of Jelani's music now. Holy shit this was such a gorgeous record.

Kevin Abstract - Blanket (2023)

I listened to this at like...2 am and have no recollection of it, other than that it was filled with jams. I really liked "The Greys." Will probably have more to say about it after another listen hahaha.

Couldn't find this on Soundcloud, sorry!

Okayyyy and that was every album I listened to this week! (minus the relistens...which there were many of lol.) I hope you enjoyed reading my little ramblings and I hope you have a great week to come :)

Now i am going to sleep. In the morning i will listen to tonight's new releases. Today is stacked tbh

[7grandmel]

Todays rip: 10/04/2024

The World Ends With PSY

Season 1 Featured on: GilvaSunner's Highest Quality Video Game Rips: Volume 7: Part mm2wood

Ripped by Metalik

Hey, it's the 10th of April - 10/4, like the 104 building! I couldn't resist!

Here's a fun fact for you: Long before I was running this blog, I was making a certain other SiIvaGunner project, and through working on it decided to reach out to the SiIvaGunner channel head, MtH of Bigger at Night (Chung Yard) fame, for the first time ever. So what was one of the first-ever things I directly told someone from the SiIvaGunner team? "Make more The World Ends With You rips". Yes, I was young(er) and stupid(er), awkward and strange, and I of course now know that good rips come to those who make them, but the sentiment holds true even today. The World Ends With You's soundtrack still means EVERYTHING to me. And, well, though we don't have many rips to go around for the game, I will continue to cherish the ones we do have: because as far back as Season 1, there have been absolute bangers within out small selection.

Now, if you've followed SiIvaGunner for any amount of time, you know about the joke of The World Ends With PSY already. It's PSY, the K-Pop legend, the man behind Gangnam Style, Gentleman and so many more hits, and perhaps more importantly, a YTPMV celebrity. He's had annual days of celebration on SiIvaGunner, one of which I covered back with One Winged PSYcho - V​.​S. Sepsyrop, and rippers have continued to find all kinds of creative ways to utilize the man's distinct sound, including the sentence-mixing marvel of Korean Idiot. Those two rips are still the only PSY-specific I've covered on here, but they lay a pretty concise groundwork, particularly the former: Most PSY rips made for SiIva utilize PSY's "eyys" and "ops" for truly next-level YTPMV-tier postings, the kind that you'll also hear in big meme medley rips like ULTRA S+G. Yet, that kind of makes The World Ends With PSY a neat novelty, in a way: in the days of Season 1 before PSY's presence on the channel was so clearly decided, one Metalik made a PSY rip that goes against the pattern all three prior mentioned rips follow.

Rather than usurping Calling's instrumentation with leads made up purely of PSY's immaculate soundscape, The World Ends With PSY is a no-nonsense mashup, between PSY's Daddy and the aforementioned game track. Calling as a song is defined by the contrast between its noisy electronic backing and its beautiful vocals, like a light trying to shine through the darkness - The World Ends With PSY, then, is as if more noise is added to that blend, with pieces of Daddy's instrumental persisting throughout the track as PSY's own vocals alternate in and out with the original vocalist. It's a really interesting mashup - PSY's always prominent within it, yet the original beauty of Calling's vocals never feel as if they're drowned out, just framed within such a different kind of noisiness. To cut a long yap short - it bangs!! It isn't the kind of vocal/instrumental mashup that wholly changes the track's tone a la My Dr. Eggman Can't Be This Evil!, but it undoubtedly IS different, yet different in a way that highlights the strengths of both tracks used.

And yes, this is a Season 1 rip nonetheless, I can certainly hear some slight cracks in the facade at points - but The World Ends With PSY remains my favorite rip the game has gotten in all of these years. Compared to some other efforts made earlier in the season, such as Three Minutes Clapping literally just being what the track name says, or Deja Vu just switching to the titular Eurobeat song at the chorus' end - funny gags for sure, but none quite feeling like a loveletter to The World Ends With You in the way I've long wanted. We've gotten a sprinkling of rips of the game since, but it was The World Ends With PSY that I first connected with all those years ago - the rip that reassured me that the game's soundtrack is still remembered and cherished by others aboard the team.

[sea-creature-tournaments]

Link: https://cdn.wikimg.net/en/splatoonwiki/images/e/e9/Maleneo3.png?20230215174428

Alright, I found some promotional art for Neo 3! (It's literally the only official art of them on Inkipedia that has them as an octoling. There's actually an editor's note about how anyone with the means should go and find some more images to match with Squid!Neo 3. Wild.)

And on that note, here's some propaganda about what makes Octo!Neo 3 special. Pretty much as soon as you start the campaign, you are reminded how much the developers absolutely weren't considering that someone might actually play through as an octopus. (Even the image I found is clearly a small part of a larger poster where Three is not the central focus.) Before you crash through to Alternia, you are enlisted by Capn' Cuttlefish to help deal with the "Octarian Menace" that has been popping up around the crater, using the same language as in the previous two games. And while he's meant to be referring to the fuzzy Octarian soldiers you're fighting, in addition to the name of the nation, Octarian also refers to any octopus-type being, including an octoling. So there are several moments during the prologue where I had to wonder if Cuttlefish was going blind in his old age.

There aren't as many moments of plot or dialogue dissonance after you reach Alternia and "defeating the Octarians" stops being your primary goal, but nonetheless there's still some favoritism in the game's mechanical terms, "squid rings" being bonus items you can swim through to get extra power eggs, and "squid surge" and "squid roll" being movement tech that are only ever referred to by those names, among other things.

But what really makes this memetic is that Octo Expansion from Splatoon 2 had some discussions about racism as part of exploring what it meant to be an octoling in this setting, which worked well in the context of that game. Since then, as proven by the release of Splatoon 3, octolings have mostly gotten the short end of the stick with a noticeable lack of variation in new hairstyles and generally squid-centric language and promotional materials, despite the fact that according to some investigations, they actually make up a slight majority of players.

Of course, this is basically a one-to-one of real life casual corporate racism, leading to the popular backhanded compliment from fans that "Nintendo's being so realistic!" (See this post and all of its notes.) So my reaction when you couldn't find an image of Octo!Neo 3 was "Well isn't that just absolutely typical." (All shade directed entirely towards Nintendo)

Anyway, I'm not sure how much of this supports Neo 3 being a good octopus specifically, but I hope it was at least entertaining!

Thats actually pretty cool. Ive always kinda wanted to play splatoon (mainly because of the banger music) maybe I will now.

[sendmyresignation]

Favorite Albums of 2023 ^_^

To celebrate the coming of a new year, I wanted to spend this first week looking back a bit at the things I enjoyed both old and new. So I put together a little list of albums I spent a lot of time with this year, for a bit of personal posterity, a little of getting into the groove with music writing on a very conversational but nonetheless sincere level, and also just because I enjoy, on a base level, the exchange of music. So hopefully one person will give a new album a try, or somebody will tell me their favorite thing they listened to in 2023. That's all you can ever hope for <3

Here's the albums I loved that came out in 2023 itself:

100 gecs 10,000 gecs: If I’m honest with myself- my album of the year, both in what I spent the most time with and the tracks I’d hold up the most fondly by the end of the year. the high-octane blast of creativity in these short, sweet, never dull, and always inventive bursts made listening a very joyful experience. Hollywood Baby and Dumbest Girl Alive bangers of the year though one million dollars just oooozes and chirps sounds in the most satisfying way.

 Paramore This is Why: very much preaching to the choir with this one. undeniable groove through everything– the whole thing brims with contained energy- like trapping a storm cloud in a bottle and displaying it like it's no big deal and then, every once in a while, electricity arcs through the room. The only issue is it ends on a bit of a weak note, with back-to-back ballads I don’t revisit often. but it's a minor quibble, they’re both distinct enough to stand on their own and neither is insufferably long. forgivable transgression.

Kesha Gag Order: This is self-explanatory, to me. Kesha was the first artist I ever truly fell in love with and everything she makes is like watching a flower bloom over and over again as I grow and change and wither and regrow right alongside. But on top of that, the record itself is so. powerful. Not in the cheap, congratulatory “you’re so brave way” but in the energy it radiates, in the way it stands its ground over and over. the way it grasps its own story by the throat and still lets you peak into all the messy pieces sliding out over the knuckles. Happy is one of those truly great album closers, but the whole album is so solid. 

Vastum Inward to Gethsemane: Absolutely crushing in just about every way, This is like, the platonic ideal of death metal for me. Dense and malevolent as fuck, but there’s still room for these nasty riffs buried deep in all the disgusting muck. That opening guitar on Priapic Chasm is the sickest 8 seconds of the year. 

The Gauntlet Dark Steel and Fire: At first glance, this seems like a textbook Bathory clone. And even if it was just that it’d still be amazing, I love that sound. But there’s space! and dynamic growth! And a growling echoing personality that every other standard in this space just never attempts. Even the hints of black ‘n’ roll and thrash are expanding a series of very narrow spaces– there are these mid-tempo stadium rippers scattered throughout the album that give the whole project gravitas which loops around and gives the faster stuff more swagger and aggression. really cool record.

McKinley Dixon Beloved! Paradise! Jazz?: I checked this out because McKinley Dixon has a great featured verse on Soul Glo’s Spiritual Level of Gang Shit. To make matters worse (or better, in terms of Shit I Am Interested In), the record’s named after Toni Morrison novels. To make it even crazier Hanif Abdurraqib opens the record (he reads this really beautiful passage of Jazz that's sampled later). An album so supremely up my alley I was almost scared the pieces wouldn’t fall together– they did! It's incredible! it's short but each second is purposeful and lush in a way that speaks to measure and care. the jazz isn’t just beautiful, it's a full embracing of the album’s central conceits (not just the Morrison, but the typography of cities, the people in them and the lives they live) and Dixon just oozes poetic ingenuity. Repetition is one of the best devices in his toolkit and nowhere is that more apparent than Tyler Forever which. man.... really really good project.  

Tresspasser Αποκάλυψισ: catchy-as-fuck. not what you’d expect from an album which is very explicitly about debt strikes and anarchy. usually RABM (red and anarchist black metal) leaves me a little cold, a lot of bands in this loose conglomerate aren’t musically inventive. rabm isn't just a stand-in for anti-fascist bands, the projects associated with the label are usually politically lyrically explicit (sometimes in ways that are overtly shocking or simply following a trend). which is nice! and necessary in black metal. but it doesn't automatically make it… good. trespasser have always stood out within that paradigm. clearly grounded in what actually works in black metal (the drumming across their albums is crazy kick ass in particular) and i find myself humming some of these tracks which is such a hard skill to pull off in melodic black metal without being dull or predictable.  

MEURTRIERES Ronde de Nuit: very surprisingly, a lot of this list ended up including black metal, which is uncharacteristic of me. but thankfully, MEURTRIERES is much more aligned with my tastes– epic old-school heavy metal with that galloping Maiden-esque bass and fiery, straining vocals that sit so expertly in the groove and then just push and push and push against it. simple, enjoyable, energetic.

Home Is Where the whaler: At its most basic level this is like. what emo can pull off when it wants to sound incredible. The swirling layers, the inclusion of shit like horns, the abrasive but catchy screams, crashes in and out of earshot, the rhythms!!! this is a very 2023 album, thematically and that's important and immediately apparent, but it's going to last much longer just with how the sound works and works and works until you find yourself continuously coming back, listening to it out of the blue.

Thantifaxath Hive Mind Narcosis: quote-unquote dissonant metal is so hit or miss for me. dissonance is oft a cover for boring, or unoriginal material that hangs its lapels on being disorienting or impenetrable. but when the tone is just right it swallows you up. Thantifaxath got the tone right; I was listening to this a lot while reading or writing during the latter half of the year because it just becomes a part of your world in such a wonderful, subsuming way. I really love these vocals too, they’re vaguely inhuman in a way that pairs so exactly with the balance of spacey and gross earthy magic, outside the world and grounded in flesh simultaneously. 

Crotaline The Hemipenes Demo: This is my friends’ band. They are cool and talented and I love first-wave black metal. They are also people whose projects I listen to in a fundamentally different way; when they pull something off it's a little bit life-changing because you know that person, you’ve seen them do human things! And then they are capable of great art. It's weird and disorienting and one of the best parts of being alive. But I do also think their demo is good without quantifiers, it's exactly what they wanted, it's got riffs that sound gnarly on tape, and it's dedicated to salamanders. like what else could you need in life?

Dawn’s Reflection Demo MMXXIII: This short little demo is a perfect burst of raw-ass lo-fi black metal. Which I usually cannot stand. but for some reason is just incredible here. I think it's the way the riffs and vocals interact– there’s these really solid, almost crust-punky guitar lines that shine perfectly in this kind of (basically non-existent) production. And then the vocals just completely rip over them in the loudest most batshit way possible, but there are always pauses that allow the instrumental to recalibrate. The synths are just a fun touch that drone in the back until they’re pulled to the fore which makes for these great, dense peaks instead of overwhelming the balance. It works! I am always hooked! 

And here are some new-to-me albums I listened to for the first time in 2023:

Nuclear Death …For Our Dead: Nuclear Death is already a favorite of mine (I feel like I never stop talking about them) but I finally got around to their demos/EPs this year. this one takes the cake, easily. Topping out at under 10 minutes, this record achieves a kind of demented brutality other death metal bands would kill for in a fourth of the time. It's a miasmic stormcloud of a project that proves (as everything they recorded did) that nobody can out-sick Lori Bravo.

Moral Decay To Build an End: This is a couple of kids in the 1990s writing a thrash record. Not notable in and of itself. However, it becomes clear immediately that these technically proficient metalheads are obsessed with emo. Like oldschool dc emocore. And it is thrown into their mix of sonic influences plainly and obviously. It is one of a kind. It shouldn’t work. It probably doesn’t, unless, of course, you are me and obsessed with it. The vocals on this are punky as hell and they work surprisingly well over these speedy, late-stage neoclassical thrash riffs. It's wild. I love it; the gem of the year!

Little Teeth Child Bearing Man: you will either love this or find it insufferable. Mathy emo-y touches, but this is freaky folk through and through. Flits in and out these crazy choral vocal moments and harmonies that fall in and out of comfort-level– lots of borderline screaming (or just gives up the ghost and becomes screaming). Everything devolves but the sense of melody is always lurking out of frame and comes back around to quiet and confessional. Manages artful and cathartic with a lack of grace and a hell of a conviction.

Helen Love Love and Glitter, Hot Days and Musik: the best punk understands punk is pop music. This is why I love this record. Helen Love loooovvess The Ramones, she does. And since she loves them so much she wrote dance music in their honor and got Joey Ramone to feature on the record. Incredible. 

The BellRays Black Lightning: Soul-filled garage punky rock that’s just masterfully loud, catchy, and full of unlimited swagger. Lisa Kekaula’s vocals are clearly grounded in a long, long line of rockers and soul-stirrers but what stands out is her maturity and control which allows for the slow-burners to feel huge and impressive– she’s the center, the burning star of the whole enterprise. 

Chinchilla 101 Italian Hits: this album is weird and, obviously, I love weird. Situated in the already weird San Diego post-hardcore scene, Chinchilla still stand out with their epic song lengths, murky 90s alt-rock depths, and the way Sioban Dixon’s vocals shift endlessly between a distorted fry, throaty shouts, and sweet elongated falsetto. So fun to get lost in these songs. 

Heaven’s Gate Livin’ in Hysteria: German power metal is always good. Heaven’s Gate is so obviously following in Helloween’s footsteps but Helloween is one of the greatest metal bands on planet earth and they execute that Keepers era sound so well they make a little magic themselves. Add onto that an album cover with a dragon smoking a pipe… it's over, it was love at first sight. 

A Few Honorable Mentions (if you've made it this far):

-Corinne Bailey Ray Black Rainbows (mostly here because I got to it wayy late in the year and haven’t sat with it long enough. but this was incredible all the way through)

-Smoulder Violent Creed of Vengence (was initially disappointed by this one and then I finally got a tape player for Christmas and it just… clicked in the new format)

-Be Your Own Pet Mommy (i love, love, loved be your own pet as a teen and seeing them return to music after so long with the same blast of energy is so cool. I just think the album overstays its welcome; the EP they released with just a handful of tracks just puts it into sharper relief too)

-Melissa II (incredible it was just such a good year for black metal it didn’t quite squeeze up there for me)

and that's it for me; Happy New Year may we all find new music to fall in love with in 2024 <3

[heathermasonnum1fan]

Songs of the Week (2)

1. Bullet in the Head (Rage Against the Machine)

I’m honestly such a sucker for anything RATM-related, but this song is definitely in my top 3 this week. The band is so good at coming up with short but insanely effective slogans (is that what you call it?); like “they say jump, you say how high,” for example. Zack de la Rocha is one of the most powerful frontmen of all time, which becomes especially obvious in Bullet in the Head. This song really does give me chills.

2. Schism (TOOL)

Almost half a year later, and I’m still on Lateralus. I can’t seem to let this album go, it’s just so transcendentally beautiful I have to give it another listen. And then another. And another. I get that Schism is probably the most well-known song off this album, but I’m so tired of the ridiculous narrative that you can’t enjoy the popular songs because it makes you a ‘fake fan’ or whatever. Schism is amazing no matter which way you choose to look at it.

3. Die, Die My Darling (The Misfits)

I was originally introduced to The Misfits when I was about 10 by my dad with Dig Up Her Bones, but didn’t think much of the song or of the band until last week. Not only do they have a very solid discography, but Die, Die My Darling is such a catchy and heartfelt track that I felt it was necessary to include it this week. Apart from the mixing, which is a little strange at times, this song absolutely slaps.

4. Bleed the Freak (Alice in Chains)

Kind of an obvious favorite from Facelift, but a favorite nonetheless. I rediscovered it this week after completely overplaying it in August, but Bleed the Freak is such a genuine masterpiece that I just can’t seem to leave it alone. I don’t know what they put in this song but I am unashamedly obsessed with it (again).

5. Lullaby (The Cure)

Yet another banger from Disintegration. I swear I’ll make a separate post on this album someday, but for now I’ll have to make do with speaking about separate tracks only. Lullaby is so sincere and charming it makes me want to cry, even if at first glance there’s nothing to really cry about. Yes, it’s simple, but when has simplicity ever stopped a song from being good?

6. Testify (Rage Against the Machine)

God how I love The Battle of Los Angeles. This song is an absolute beauty, both in terms of being innovative with its music and giving you food for thought. As I’ve said before, I’ll bite at anything genuine or passionate, so you can imagine how much authentic happiness songs like Testify bring me.

7. Firestarter (The Prodigy)

Another band I was introduced to by my dad. I’ve been listening to The Prodigy quite a bit this past month because I missed a chance to go their concert in August, so really it’s no surprise that one of their songs ends up on here. Firestarter is mind-numbing, but in the best way possible; just like most of their music, this song carries the kind of energy you can’t find with any other artist. It’s gorgeous.

[h-doodles]

hi, can I ask for your top ten favorite fics ? :)

Hi anon hiiiiiiii welcome!!! u caught me at a good time, ur soooo lucky bc i just glanced at my notifs and saw this ask get sent <3 KDBDKDKK its been literal years since i checked my ask box 👉🏻👈🏻

BUT ANYWAY! top 10 of all time???? be warned that while i am currently enchanted with ONE (1) 6 ft 3 in actress, I still do consider myself a girlie with varied tastes so. my old & other fandoms are mixed in my current list!

without further ado:

#10: knowledge for knowledge's sake by tigriswolf (ao3) || quite an old piece detailing how a change in the personality of one Hermione Granger could have had a massive impact to the story— and while I don't fuck with JKTerfling, the fics I've read from the old fans in the HP fandom are still honestly, some of the BEST I have EVER read. This one in particular irrevocably changed me as a teen, and is one story that I continue to draw inspiration upon when I create dark!AUs for my SI/OCs.

#9: Zutopia by itslivybear (ao3) || the fluff, the worldbuilding, an AU where Izuku is mentored by our beloved Rat God & together, they fix the world problems? GIRLIES catch me forever LOVING this concept like you could NEVER believe <3

#8: (not so) Bad Idea by @sarahpaulsonsoftie (tumblr post) || HEE HEE ITS LIVING IN MY MIND RENT FREE LIKE HELP THESE BITCHES GAY!!!!!! GOOD FOR THEM!!!!!!! ft a meddling plantita who really mothered; Marilyn Thornhill <3

#7: Hold my Soul by connyhascontrol (ao3) || I got into Trixie/Katya completely by one @montaguehphm introducing me to UNHhhh (HIIIIIII bestie I hope everything is going good and that ur gay keeps slay <3) and I haven't recovered ever since— reading the fics by writers on AO3 was a happy little accident, but one i will FOREVER love, nonetheless. Anyway, this particular fic was SO brilliantly original and YET so entrenched in the personalities between T&K that it ABSOLUTELY just wrecks me everytime I reread it. anyways hi @connyhascontrol pls know ur brilliant <3

#6: I think I'm gonna call him out by hellelf (ao3, users only) || again, another AU for Hermione fic, that's chockfull of world building and interesting relationships! It's been unupdated from its 5 chapters since 2021, but I still LOVE to look back at it from time to time 💖

#5: The Confectionary Chronicles series by cheshire_caroll (ao3); Into the Black series by angelholme (ao3); Hermione Granger & the Serpent's Renaissance series by epsi1on (ao3) AND New Blood by artemisgirl (ff.net) || if it's not evident, i am an absolute slut for fics ft. Hermione being badass & put into a v cool plot w/ insane amounts of world building, so yeah, def a top 5 most contender <3

#4: The Infinitely Curious Woman by chararii (ao3) || literally ALL of their fics are absolute bangers, and while I forever mourn their decision to stop all Naruto fics thanks to the great harddrive incident of 2022, I have nonetheless the GREATEST respect to their skill & talent to bring SUCH LIFE to their stories. In particular, I chose this particular fic of theirs because the premise of Sakura making her own way by shedding off her morality the more she learned & got influenced by her 2 greatest teachers was absolutely nothing short of DIVINE. It was and IS such an inspiration to read, reread & explore, and I will forever love @chararii for this brilliant piece of a fic

#3: The Endgame that never was series by @heleneplays aka me (tumblr masterlist) || ok I know this seems self-absorbed but DEAR MOTHER OF CHRISTIE i literally WENT OFF for a whole ass day and a half going feral for the Relics of the Lost Age series book 3 finale (hi @jamesshawgames pls know im still here and STILL simping even tho i am currently having a brainrot for a different thing on main sjdhdkdk i hope ur doing well dearest mr. chief author sir!!!!) and created this series from my dreams + nonstop ben&ben playlist— and honestly, I think it's VERY sexy of me <3 bc I rarely like things that I do after a while, but THIS— alongside Universal Constant (ao3) are truly my BEST work <3

#2: Across the Stars by nomisunrider (ao3) || I CAN NEVER STRESS THIS ENOUGH, HOW MUCH THIS FIC ALTERED MY BRAIN CHEMISTRY LIKE. its been 4 YEARS since it was completed but HOLY. MOTHERFUCKING. GOD. The story between Michael & Philippa persisting beyond the odds, in a twist of the canon happenings in Star Trek: Discovery is FOREVER ingrained in my heart and soul and honestly once again THANK YOU @nomi--sunrider for SUCH a beautiful story 🥺🥺🥺

and drum roll please!!!

#1 (current): I literally cannot pick between Better than Gold + Little Cat by @lady-dimimi / @azu-zu (tumblr post for BtG | LC ao3); How to woo a Hot Principal by @softshrimpy (ao3); and Lipstick Stains by @weemssapphic (ao3) || LIKE HOLY SHIT THE FUCKING AMOUNT OF TALENT, PLOT, FLUFF, DRAMA AND UTTER GAYNESS THESE FICS BRING ME— its SOOOOO insanity inducing in the best of ways <3 also, i really count myself lucky to get into a very active (x reader) sphere LIKE ITS SOOOOO INSANE i get to consume CONTENT daily for such wonderful characters and these special morsels be like. authors, I am sending you all a MWAH from me

[mayhemproduces]

Hangman Adam Page vs Mance Warner vs Tiffany Lee Ray

Here we go, three way dance for a shot at Lacey Karmens and the Atlas Championship! The crowd cheers, knowing they are in for a banger! Hangman, Tiffany and Mance were more than ready to go for each other's throats last week. Now they have carte blanche to tear each other apart, just to have the chance to go through another brutal match for the title! But it seems that's a worthy prize for all three of them, because it's plain that they all are just chomping at the bit to come out on top!

All three combatants eye each other, contemplating making the first move. Mance ends up being the one to make it, throwing a hard right at Hangman. He takes the punch, then retaliates with one of his own. Mance takes it, then fires back himself. Hangman staggers, then does the same. Meanwhile, Tiffany watches the boys slug it out, obviously content to let them beat each other and then presumably to pick their bones once they've worn each other out.

It doesn't get to that point, though. Hangman and Mance do start to look a little winded after exchanging blows, but eventually they realize that Tiffany is just watching, and after exchanging a look, they round on her, ready to get her involved. But she dodges, slipping out of the ring. Hangman isn't going to let her get away, immediately moving to follow her. But Tiffany obviously has a plan, because as soon as he jumps out of the ring, she grabs a chair and rounds on him with it, clocking Adam across the face! He goes down hard, and Tiffany smirks.

But in her haste to take out Hangman, she may have forgotten the third participant! When she turns around, Mance is right behind her, and before she can try to take out him with the chair too, he knocks it out of her hands. Then he picks her up and brings her down onto the chair with a powerbomb! In short order, Mance is left standing tall! Now he looks to capitalize, going to shove Tiffany back into the ring. But Hangman is back on his feet now, and not only that, but he's gotten himself a kendo stick, and he cracks Mance over the head with it!

That causes Mance to let go of Tiffany, and she quickly slinks back behind him, scoping around under the ring before coming up with a kendo stick of her own. Grinning, she raises the stick and cracks Mance across the back, then glances at Hangman with a raised eyebrow, seemingly daring him to try and do better. Adam makes a face, contemplating, then cracks Mance hard over the back himself. Tiffany only smiles more manically, and gives Mance another hit herself. Hangman smirks and cracks Mance harder. By now Mance is writhing in pain from the dual whacks, welts starting to sprout on his back, and the crowd is eating it up!

But of course neither Hangman nor Tiffany will win by trying to one-up each other cracking Mance, so finally they turn from him towards each other. Tiffany makes the first move, going to whack Adam. But he blocks it with his own kendo stick, and soon the two of them are each blocking the other's blows repeatedly. Both are clearly getting frustrated, so at last they throw down the sticks and gear up to throw punches instead, but before they can, Mance regains his feet and charges towards them. Hangman and Tiffany turn, but not in enough time to dodge, and Mance spears them both right into the barricade!

Things have turned in Mance's favor again! Reaching down, he grabs Adam and pulls him up, then rolls him into the ring. Before getting back in himself, Mance digs under the ring and comes up with several fluorescent light bulbs! Crawling back into the ring, he drops some of them, then readies to hit Hangman with one of the blubs. But Adam has gotten enough of his wits back, and as Mance starts to swing, he hits back with a hard forearm, breaking the bulb across his arm! Despite avoiding a harder blow, the bulb shattering has drawn blood nonetheless, though Hangman does not hesitate to try again, this time nailing Mance with a lariat from his now-bleeding arm.

Tiffany, meanwhile, has been letting the boys go at it again, watching like a hawk outside the ring, waiting to strike. Seeing that Hangman has knocked Mance back for the moment and has now begun to grab his arm and grimace in pain, she slithers in, holding a bag in her hand. Giving a nasty smile, she opens the bag and sprays out the contents--broken glass! The crowd gasps, knowing nothing good will come of this! Looking up, Hangman sees Tiffany and the glass, and his frown deepens. Still smiling, she points to him, then points to the glass, gesturing that she's going to put him in it! Hangman shakes his head, then glances down and grabs one of the fluorescent bulbs Mance dropped. Tiffany laughs and motions for him to come at her, but by paying too much attention to Adam, she has not seen Mance getting back to his feet, and he quickly grabs her, spins her around and drives her face-first into the glass!

Mance has little time to savor his moment however, because as soon as he turns around, Hangman cracks him across the head with the fluorescent blub! He falls to the mat, and Adam moves to capitalize, going for the cover!

1...2...KICKOUT!

Mance gets the shoulder up! Hangman frowns, then rolls out of the ring, looking around before spotting a table. As he goes to set it up, Tiffany has begun to regain her feet, her face now a crimson mask from her fall into the glass. She hardly looks upset either, seeming to be smiling even more madly now. Seeing that Hangman is busy outside, she looks to take advantage, grabbing Mance just as he's getting back up, then gouging his eyes before pulling him--and herself--down into the glass with a DDT! Then she rolls him over and goes for the cover!

1...2...KICKOUT!

Mance avoids another near fall! Tiffany slaps the mat in anger, while outside, Hangman has not only finished setting up the table but has noticed what's going on in the ring, so he quickly rolls back in. Getting in Tiffany's face, he picks her up and looks to try and go for a Deadeye, but she wriggles out and slips out of his grasp and out of the ring. Adam frowns and gives chase, but as he does, Mance gets back to his feet, his face now bleeding profusely. He gets out of the ring himself, and catches up with Hangman before he can catch Tiffany, and as Adam turns, Mance nails him with a hard clothesline!

Hangman falls to the floor, and Mance takes the opportunity to look around for another weapon. As he does, Tiffany has been lying in wait, and takes the chance to attack when he goes to look under the ring, She leaps onto his back and looks to be trying to go for a backbreaker. But Mance has realized where exactly he is, and he quickly falls backward, sending Tiffany crashing through the table! He takes some of the blow as well, but manages to get back to his feet in relatively short order, rolling her back into the ring and going for the cover!

1...2...BROKEN UP!

Adam gets back in the ring just in time to break up the pin! Mance does not take kindly to the interruption, and goes to hammer Hangman with a hard forearm. He takes the hit, in the process dropping something that was in his hand. It turns out to be a screwdriver, and as soon as Mance sets his eyes on it, he snatches it up. Grabbing Hangman by the hair, he yanks his head back and starts to lay into him with the screwdriver! Adam yells in pain as blood starts to pour from his forehead, but Mance does not let up, not until Tiffany gets back to her feet, picks up one of the remaining fluorescent bulbs, and smashes it over Mance's head!

Mance falls back, releasing Adam who also collapses to the mat. Smirking, Tiffany throws the remains of the bulb away, then lays down over both men, trying for a double pin!

1...KICKOUT!

Unfortunately for Tiffany, even in their weakened states, the combined bulk of both Mance and Hangman is a little too much for her to keep down long enough, and they throw her off emphatically! Frustrated, she heads out of the ring, then starts to grab several chairs and tosses them into the ring. The boys, meanwhile, are getting to their feet, and they narrowly miss getting clocked by the flying chairs. Exchanging a look, they both head towards the ropes, Mance immediately going through and heading for Tiffany on the floor. Hangman, however, grabs one of the chairs, then heads for the closest turnbuckle.

On the floor, Mance and Tiffany have started to exchange blows, but just as she manages to knock him back a bit, they both look up--just in time for Hangman flip through the air in an Orihara moonsault and crash down on them with the chair! The crowd goes wild, though Adam can't really savor the moment, being as the blow took just as much out of him as his opponents, and it takes a while for him to regain his feet.

When he finally does, he spots another table, and goes to try and set it up. As he does, Mance gets back up, and he makes a beeline for Hangman, knocking him down just as he finishes setting up the table. Then he picks Adam up, looking to try and drive him through the table. But Hangman fights back, so instead Mance dumps him hard onto the apron. Then he climbs up on the apron himself, and tries to pick up Hangman again. But once again he fights back, and soon the two are exchanging blows while perched precariously on the apron over the table!

As they're going at it, Tiffany gets up and gets back in the ring. Picking up the screwdriver, she heads over to the boys, lunging first at Mance and then at Adam, nailing both in the foreheads with the screwdriver! They both grimace and double over while Tiffany laughs. Hoping to try to send one or both into the table, she next grabs their heads and bounces them off the top rope. Both men wobble, but neither falls. Tiffany frowns, backs up for a running start, then lunges at them, but Mance and Hangman react first, nailing her with two hard forearms just as she reaches them.

Tiffany falls back, and Mance starts to get back into the ring, while Hangman drops back down to the floor to rustle under the ring. When he comes back up, he's got a bottle of lighter fluid and a lighter in his hands, and the crowd shrieks in anticipation! Smirking, Adam pours the fluid over the nearby table, but before he can set it on fire, Mance comes leaping over the ropes, crashing down onto him! He tries to grab for the lighter, but Hangman holds tight to it. Both scuffle on the floor for a bit until Adam finally manages to get his other hand on the screwdriver that Tiffany dropped and he nails Mance in the head with it!

That makes Mance back off, and Hangman takes the opportunity to get back up and light the table on fire, sending up a roar from the crowd! Tossing the lighter away, he grabs Mance instead, pulling him up onto the apron, and positioning him for...a Deadeye! The crowd screams again as Hangman jumps off the apron and sends Mance head first right through the flaming table! "HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!" echoes around the arena as Mance lays in the broken remains of the table while Hangman slowly climbs back into the ring--only to be greeted by a face-full of broken glass tossed at him by Tiffany!

Shouting in pain, Adam grabs at his face, while Tiffany takes advantage, pulling him down onto the mat--right on top of the rest of the glass--as she locks in a chokehold! Hangman yells and tries to break the hold, but Tiffany has it locked in tight. Still, he uses his size advantage to pull himself towards the ropes, unfortunately forcing himself to crawl over more of the broken glass as he does! Tiffany tries to yank back harder, but eventually Hangman just manages to get his fingers on the bottom rope!

ROPEBREAK!

Tiffany does not seem to want to relinquish the hold, however, still latched on tight to Hangman, but suddenly a shout goes up from the crowd, and everyone looks to see Lacey Karmens, Jade Suzuki and Konosuke Takeshita running down to the ring! What the hell?? What are they doing??

Taking out all of Lacey's potential competition, it seems, for all three quickly descend on Hangman, Mance and Tiffany, laying into their already beaten bodies with stomps and kicks! Having no choice, the referee calls for the bell, bringing the match to a sudden and unexpected conclusion. The crowd boos, but Death Row completely ignores them, continuing to pound on the three fallen combatants. But now with no winner, and thus no number one contender, what does this mean for the Atlas title match at Hell on Earth??

[himynameisobed]

Our Indie Band Era

Above: Felix Ross at The Waiting Room - 6/8/24

-

About a month ago, Shannon came across a tiktok advertising someone called Felix Ross's gig at The Waiting Room in Stoke Newington. It was only £10 and close by so we got tickets.

We went to the show this past Saturday and it was honestly so fun - surprisingly so, and very much worth what we paid and more.

We saw 3 acts: Hamish Donald (opener - an indie singer with catchy songs), Woon (opener - more of a wild rock band), and Felix Ross (headliner - another indie singer with catchy songs, but also a full band, which sweetly includes his younger brother).

The venue was small and intimate, with ambient lighting and a small bar at the back of the room. The crowd was younger and seemed much more familiar with the acts, but we were pleasantly surprised by everything we heard, with each act offering something different (mellow, indie tunes; harder, wilder bangers; and then something in between those two things, catchy and upbeat but not screaming and thrashing).

We swayed and bopped to all the rhythms in the dark light, alternately turning to each other and saying "This is honestly so fun," and "I can't believe this was only £10."

It was really hot though, so in between Woon and Felix, we stepped outside for some air in the smoking area and ended up talking to Hamish. I told him he did a great job and that he was a talented lyricist, and he seemed to take the compliment sincerely to heart, saying compliments about his lyrics are his favourite.

I thought it was going to be a short, kind of passing interaction, but he ended up talking to us for a while, telling us about himself and his music, asking us about ourselves and how we knew each other and came to know about the gig.

The beauty about these smaller, more intimate shows is that there's such a good chance of being able to interact with the artists, while they're at a point where they actually enjoy being immersed with their fledgling fans.

At one point, Felix came down from the stage and played an acoustic song in the middle of crowd and it was really cute. Later he would post a video of that part of the performance commenting that it was really special.

When it was over, we debated whether or not we should stay and try to hang out with the bands, or immediately go home and watch "Challengers". We chose the latter (arguably coming to later regret it), stopping by Eden's Cottage for some chicken wings on the way home.

Honestly, part of me simply didn't want to be one in the crowd of several young women, pining away for the attention of these artists who were in all likelihood several years younger than me.

Nonetheless, Shannon and I decided we should go to more of these shows because they're so affordable and we had such a great time (she's been playing Hamish and Felix's music since), and next time, we'll stay.

[awerzo]

∞∞∞ :3

[put ∞ in inbox and i'll give you a fav lyric from a random song ask]

oooo a short one but a banger nonetheless this verse is def a fave

"Observe your hands and faces They're red from god's blood Think about what you've done If you have really killed him" Also for the Patho enjoyers in the audience, this song is SO Artemy coded

[surpriseslmkshecares]

ONE MORE TIME ALBUM REVIEW

BABE WAKE UP ONE MORE TIME JUST FUCKING DROPPED

ANTHEM PART 3 5/5 [equal to expectations]

I'm going to vomit this song screams new era blink, I am literally so thriving right now, oh my god, please, I am living I am screaming help, I-HwcvuieADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

DANCE WITH ME 3.5/5 [slightly below expectations]

This song is really good, honestly. Video is a fantastic homage to the ramones, obviously. It's all been said before about this video. Song of the summer type vibes from this one

Only reason I say it's a little below expectations is because I personally expected to like it more than I actually did, but I'm not angry at it, definetly have an affinity for it.

FELL IN LOVE 4/5 [idk honestly, I came in this with zero expectations]

I like this song a lot, I'm not gonna lie. Will definetly be bumping this. This is one of their more pop leaning songs, and I love to have that kind of dynamicism throughout blink's stuff. I think that it echoes the sound of NINE (which I hated, but this song it good) and brings it into the current era

TERRIFIED 5/5 [above expectations]

Very neighborhoods (my favorite album) and AVA vibes, love this one, honestly. Will probably obsess over it. this is very new era blink, and this is probably my favorite song on the album

ONE MORE TIME 3.5/5 [slightly below expectations]

I can't really explain what I expected from this song. Maybe I expected more Travis? I think the lyricism for this song goes so hard, and it's a reminder that all the wild bullshit that's gone on has only been for the better to get here. It's been crazy, but it's been so fucking crucial. Proud of the boys, I really am.

MORE THAN YOU KNOW 4/5 [equal to expectations]

This might be my favorite song of the new era, ngl. I really enjoy the instrumentals, the lyrics and the vocals for this one. It just reflects their improvement so well, and it's an absolute fucking banger, dude.

TURN THIS OFF! 5/5 [above expectations]

Didn't realize this was one of the short interlude(ish) songs going in so I expected a super like banger punk song and was pleasantly surprised lol.

WHEN WE WERE YOUNG 3/5 [equal to expectations]

Lots of EOTS and Untitled vibes, I fuck with 100%. I will also definetly have this in my blink rotation. I don't have a lot to say about it, thus far the album does not have any bad songs lol

EDGING 4/5 [above expectations]

Lost my fucking mind when Edging dropped earlier this year, dude. I love this song so much, and I'm honroed to have been able to see it live. When it first released I was terrified that I was going to hate it, or that it was gonna suck and I would have to just grit my teeth and hope for better new music, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that the new era was looking up. Edging is the tone setter for new era.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'VE GOT 3/5 [equal to expectations]

I'm excited to learn so many of these songs on guitar, this is one of them for sure. The instrumentals + Tom and Marks vocals together is just heaven, dude. I love this song, and think that it's one of those songs that drives home the weight of Tom re-joining, and all of the crazy shit that's happened to get here.

BLINK WAVE 3/5 [below expectations]

It's alright, the most mid out of the whole album thus far, a good song nonetheless, though. Kinda forgot I listened to it right after, if I'm honest. It's got some really great vocals and lyrics that should not be slept on though

BAD NEWS 3.5/5 [equal to expectations]

I feel lots of TOYPAJ energy from this one. Their sound is so much more refined and it makes me so happy to hear, man. Don't let my rating deceive you, this is also definetly going in my steady blink rotation.

HURT (INTERLUDE) 5/5 [above expectations]

This is fantastic <3 First official interlude of the new era, and it is perfect in it's essence.

TURPENTINE 4/5 [above expectations]

I don't really have much to say for this song lol -- love the lyricism of this one. Really good, I'm understanding more and more why people feel like this is their best album.

FUCK FACE 5/5 [equal to expectations]

Will 100% have this on repeat, and this will be now living in my fucking head rent free lmfao. This and Built This Pool are now my two favorite short songs of blink's.

OTHER SIDE 4/5 [above expectations]

Happy to see blink still covering all of the various ranges of emotions lolol. I really love this one. It's great, dude. I was reading up on the songs backstory, and I think the whole piece is just so masterfully done, man.

CHILDHOOD 4/5 [equal to expectations]

NEW ERA ADAM'S SONG NEW ERA ADAM'S SONG

Goes hard as fuck, another song to talk about the craziness that has been the boys in the in-between-time. I love this, will be overplaying the shit out of it.

FINAL THOUGHTS 4/5 [equal to expectations]

No skips, all absolute bangers, love this fucking album, would give all 3 of the boys any of my internal organs upon their request. Per usual my favorite song off the album is linked, yo.