#huata

[cannibalcoyote]

Ch.1: Before and Now

Ch.2

My father I remember only slightly. My mother had apparently been in love with a wolf from the forest and snuck away from her owners to be with him.

After a while she became bestowed with the responsibility of carrying me. When she gave birth she went back to her humans who then decided that I looked too much like a wolf, and then proceeded to rip me away from my mother to be taken to a wolf reserve park where we are fenced off and watched by human kind. It disgusts me.

I grew up different from the other wolves; my coat was more luscious, and I had a coat color similar to my mothers. We both have a coat color similar to the pattern and color of a Great White shark; well at least that's what a kid said when they were watching me. They also said that my eyes were quite uncommon, and that she had never seen the purple eye color before in a wolf, guess that makes me even more different, just great.

This place has taken away my puppy hood years, and I will not allow it to take away my adult years as well. I plan on escaping from this wretched place.

I've been watching humans, when they need to check on us they dart the one they need, that wolf then proceeds to fall into an unusual sleep that deeply disturbs me, but seems fine with the others since they just sit around. I've noticed that the humans seem to notice this and leave the doors open slightly when they do, that's my ticket out. I just have to get the timing correct and I can be in the while with a pack. Or I can be a lone wolf if the idiot of an alpha thinks I'm omega material.

_______

It's dawn now, and it's been nearly 6 months since our last checkup. Two humans arrive, one takes out the dart gun and shoot a wolf. He fell asleep instantly. The human starts to walk over to the sleeping wolf, the other stands a few feet in our enclosure, but slightly to the side of the open door, their biggest mistake was thinking that I was liking it here.

I burst through the bush I was hiding in, startling the person, he tries to close the door but I'm already through and running towards the forest, and far away from this hell. I can hear the humans getting in their monsters that they call vehicles, and yelling at each other, probably how I got out. I know that I will have to run really far if I want to escape their searching grounds, I need to push myself a lot harder than I usually do, but I have been practicing my endurance running in the enclosure so I should be fine for at least a couple of weeks.

_______

It's been weeks since I've escaped, and the humans have ceased their search parties. Well I don't know, I'm just assuming since I can't smell their wretched scent here. I do however catch the scent of a group of three females, and a male pup. They do however also carry the stale stench of humans as well.

'Who could they be? They might be like me where they also escaped their human captures, or they could be set free, but that is unlikely.'

As I near the scent I come to the tree line, and cautiously walk out and crouch slightly to look over the hill, to where I pinpointed the scent.

I looked to see exactly what I smelled, but now I see I missed the male packs scent. There are 4 males, but the largest seems to be the alpha. He takes a stance that is saying 'friend or foe' towards the group of females. I see the white wolf leap forward.

'They are definitely human mongrels, they don't even know how to respect an alpha'.

She is such an idiot, why did she do that? That action just challenged the alpha, it also disrespected him, but I can't let her get killed. Something about her seems lonely, and in need of a friend, not to mention that we both look different compared to the others. Her family does nothing as she gets attacked by the alpha; she reminds me of myself slightly.

I've had enough. I sprint over the hill startling both packs, except for the alpha and white wolf who are busy fighting. I put all my weight in my shoulder and ram straight into the alpha's ribs, sending him flying a few feet.

He'll probably take a while to get up from that. I learned that trick when an older wolf tried to take my food, but I wasn't having it.

I look down at the white wolf and help her up, however as soon as she is up I fail to hear the alpha charging at me. He grips onto my neck and throws me to the side; as I try to get up he uses his size to his advantage and throws all his weight on me as he bites down into my neck. I try to bite him but can't reach, and each time I try he tightens his grip; causing me to growl in anger and pain. I'm eventually tired due to my lack of food, and my continuous running to get away from the humans; resulting in my body eventually collapsing due to dehydration, starvation, as well as overall exhaustion.

I feel his weight lifting off me as he gets up; by now both the packs were waiting for the end result of the fight. The alpha won this one, but wait till I get my strength back, then we'll have a rematch.

Ch.2

[pachamama-radio]

Denuncian contaminación del lago Titicaca en distrito de Huata sin respuesta de autoridades

El presidente del Frente de Defensa del distrito de Huata, provincia de Puno, Justo Román Vilca, denunció que las riberas del lago Titicaca, en esta jurisdicción, están siendo gravemente contaminadas por residuos sólidos y aguas servidas provenientes de la ciudad de Juliaca. A pesar de la magnitud del problema, las autoridades competentes aún no se han pronunciado al respecto.

Vilca señaló que tanto el Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado (SERNANP), como la Fiscalía Ambiental y la Reserva Nacional del Titicaca, han guardado silencio ante la contaminación que afecta la zona. Esta situación está perjudicando a los productores ganaderos y lecheros del distrito, quienes dependen del ecosistema del lago para sus actividades.

Explicó que, aunque la Reserva Nacional del Titicaca está dispuesta a autorizar a los comuneros para sembrar forrajes para el ganado, no muestra el mismo interés al exigir a las empresas mineras y empresa Seda – Juliaca que cesen la contaminación de las aguas del lago.

Además, denunció abusos cometidos por estas instituciones hacia los comuneros que habitan en las riberas del Titicaca, quienes constantemente deben pedir permisos para sembrar en la zona.

Vilca hizo un llamado a las autoridades para que actúen con urgencia y tomen medidas para proteger el lago Titicaca y a las comunidades que dependen de él.

Puno

via https://pachamamaradio.org/denuncian-contaminacion-del-lago-titicaca-en-distrito-de-huata-sin-respuesta-de-autoridades/

[miazims]

Here is my CC townie makeover of Lia Huata.

CC links under the cut.

Hair: JANELLE HAIR

Eyeshadow: The Sims Resource - Brianna Eyeshadow N88

Eyeliner: The Sims Resource - Eyeliner N25

Lipstick: The Sims Resource - MinimalSIM - Polyclonal Lipstick

Tattoo: Tattoo N150 - The Sims 4 Create a Sim - CurseForge

Top: Sunkissed: A 23 item collection | Patreon

Skirt: Sunkissed: A 23 item collection | Patreon

Bracelet: Your Hands Nail Arts&Jewelleries (Public July 27th) | Patreon

Sandals: The Sims Resource - Vintage Sandals

[magnoliapromenadegalleria]

Lia Huata

Dress @ice-creamforbreakfast

Hair @daylifesims

Jewelry @cazhan

Poses @nsves

[joleyssims]

Racers... Start your engines. And may the best drag queen... WIN!

Please welcome to the mainstage:

Eloise Hiddlestix aka Angelina Dust Bob Pancakes aka Mabel Syrup Morgyn Ember aka Phoenix Flames Johnny Zest aka Anita Leaf Lia Huata aka Kekio Kolanee Don Lothario aka Lolita Amor

I had so much fun making this! Who should I dragify next? Name suggestions are also welcome.

[idwtsimoleons]

Hey! Who are some of your favorite townies?

first of all, thank you for the question!! second of all, i have so many

but one comes out above the rest, and it's penny. pizzazz. my absolute beloved. i don't know why i love her so much, but i'm absolutely enamored with her. i headcanon her as trans. i'm a penny pizzazz lover through and through.

the vampires are definitely high on the list. all three of them. vampires always have really good possibilities in storytelling, and i just love them. i think of the three, lilith is my favorite.

i have a huge soft spot for bob pancakes. he's just some sad guy, it's not his fault. and same with summer holiday, i just adore her, she's just a happy lady.

i accidentally fell in love with the bheedas once, because of a game i'd been playing where my sim ended up in a poly relationship with them. it was very cute.

lia huata another beloved. i've never played enough with her, but her mohawk style makes me gay as hell.

once again, ive never played enough with her, but l. faba <333

and then jeb harris. once again never played enough, but someday i'd like to have a teen sim romance him.

and listen. this is a non-exhaustive list. i have a lot more.

[loveydovey-leviathan]

The link above is PSNA's (Palestina Solidarity Network Aotearoa) Newsletter No. 135. Highlights:

Whanganui District Council calls for immediate and permanent ceasefire here (NZ Herald) Whanganui Council calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza here (RNZ) Council upheld human rights supporting ceasefire in Gaza here (Stuff)

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A reminder our 2024 national meeting will be in Auckland on the weekend of 18/19 May. The venue is Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn. The keynote speaker will be Mazin Qumsiyeh from the Centre for Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University (see more about Mazin later in this newsletter).   To register to come please email our National Secretary Neil Scott at secretary@PSNA.nz to let him know you are coming and if you need help with travel costs or billets for the Friday/Saturday nights. Don’t let the cost be a barrier to you being with us.

DRAFT agenda for National Meeting Saturday 18 May 8.30am          Tea/coffee and registration 9.00am           Karakia and Mihi:                          Introductions (John Minto) 9.10am           Keynote Speaker Mazin Qumsiyeh from the Centre for Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University. 10.10am        Brief reports from PSNA National Chair John Minto and PSNA National Secretary/Treasurer Neil Scott 10.30am        Organising during the genocide and beyond (Chair Ava Mulla) discussing the strengths and weaknesses of our organisation in response to the genocide in Gaza

Local experiences around the country – the good the bad and the ugly! (everyone)

Creating a graphical timeline of the movement’s mahi in the last 7 months (This is a session where we roll out a large sheet of paper, and get each area from North to South to reflect the work they have been doing on the paper. The purpose of this session is to get everyone to think about what they have been doing, noting down or creatively expressing their contribution, what has worked, and what hasn’t including at national level. This will then provide us all with a collective picture of the movements footprint on this whenua, rather than just what is happening in our localities. Organisers can then speak to the meeting of their region’s work as everyone listens)

11.30am        MORNING TEA

11.45am        Setting the scene for us in Aotearoa New Zealand going forward (panel discussion with Chair Sophi Reinholt TBC)

Working/organising/co-ordinating with Palestinians and Palestinian groups (input from Palestinians Ahmed Saadeh, Yasser Abdulaal, Layan Khalil, Ahmed Saadeh, Maher Nazal, Billy Hania, Abdalla Gouda, Randa Abassi, Rand Hazou, Mayer Mustafa etc TBC)

Welcoming the influx of new people into solidarity with Palestine (Orlando Bright TBC)

What values should underpin the work of PSNA? (Bianca to introduce draft)

Improving public understanding of the Palestinian struggle (Janfrie Wakim TBC)

The movement – opportunities and challenges (Brandon Johnstone TBC)

12.45pm        Proposals for changes needed in PSNA structure and leadership – Neil Scott will introduce a discussion to be continued on Sunday morning with decisions and elections to take place) 1.15pm          LUNCH – provided at the conference venue 2.15pm          Workshops 1 – Networking with other groups (please choose one)

Working with Māori organisations (Te Otāne Huata TBC)

Religious groups – Christian, Islamic, Jewish etc (Kathleen Rushton/Steve Liddle/Ahmed Saadeh/Billy Hania/Rand Hazou TBC)

Trade Unions (Anna Lee, Mike Treen (TBC)

Student organisations (Layan Khalil TBC)

3.30pm          Plenary - report back from Workshop 1 3.45pm          Workshops 2 – Strategies for local organising for BDS (Please choose one)

Campaigning on our six BDS targets (Obela humus, Ahava beauty products, Sodastream, BP and Caltex, HP, McDonalds) – strategies and tactics Kathleen Cole, New Plymouth and Warren Brewer, Hawkes Bay, Julie Jones, Nelson)

Improving our work and reach on social media (Brandon Johnstone TBC)

Using UNSC2334 at local body level (Following the successful campaign to get ECAN to incorporate this into their procurement policy) (John Minto/Ava Mulla/Orlando Bright TBC)

 4.30pm          AFTERNOON TEA 4.45pm          Plenary – report back from Workshop 2 5.30pm          Reports

Reports from Kia Ora Gaza doctors returning from Gaza (doctors! TBC)

Update on progress with Freedom Flotilla to Gaza (Roger Fowler TBC)

Report back from First Global Anti-Apartheid Conference for Palestine (Layan Khalil and John Minto)

6.00pm          DINNER at conference venue            Sunday 19 May 9.00am          Understanding the struggle against colonisation in Palestine and its links to anti-colonial struggles in Aotearoa, Australia, West Papua, Western Sahara etc. A panel discussion led by Palestinians.

10.00pm        Palestine and the media – and future media training sessions – Don Carson 10.30am        Looking after ourselves and each other for the long term – Bex Silver (TBC) 10.45am        Confirming our statement of PSNA values and continuing the discussion from the previous day on PSNA structure and leadership positions 11.15am        Election of National Chair, National Secretary and National Committee (Chair Janfrie Wakim) 11.30am        FINISH 12.00pm        Media conference for Mazin Qumsiyeh at the venue. 2pm – Palestine solidarity rally in central Auckland – everyone welcome to join the Auckland crew!

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NATIONWIDE EVENTS

Saturday 11 May World keffiyeh day See here - https://www.instagram.com/keffiyehday?igshid=iyjrizrjb4hj   North Island Opononi – Gathering for Palestine Sunday May 12 1:30 pm Outside the Four Square, Opononi   Whangarei – Rally Saturday 11 May 11:00 am Whangārei Town Basin in front of Hundertwasser Building    Waiheke Island – Auckland Saturday May 11 8:00 am – 1:00 pm Ostend Market, Waiheke Island   Auckland Picket – US Consulate Friday 10 May 12:00 mid-day 23 Customs Street East   Auckland – Banners making session Friday 10 May & Saturday 11 May 10:00 am – late evening - Both days Corban Estate Art Centre, 2 Mt Lebanon Lane, Henderson Text Steve on 021 256 511 For further details Bring - Rip-stop fabric, Strong duct tape, Cable ties, Eyelets, prepare a scale drawing of your banner   Auckland – Rally and March Sunday May 12 2:00 pm Aotea Square, Queen Street   Hamilton - Rally Saturday 11 May 1:00 pm Flynn Park, Hamilton   Rotorua – Flags for Todd McClay Thursday 9 May 4:00 pm National MP Todd McClays Office - 1301 Amohau St, Rotorua   Napier - Rally Saturday 11 May 11:30 am Marine Parade Soundshell Roundabout   Hastings - Rally Sunday May 12 2:00 pm Hastings Town Clock – Hastings CBD   Palmerston North - Rally Sunday May 12 2:00 pm The Square, Palmerston North   New Plymouth – Flags on the Bridge Friday 10 May 4:30 pm Paynters Ave Bridge, New Plymouth   New Plymouth – Rally Saturday 11 May 1:00 pm The Landing, 1 Ariki Street, New Plymouth   Whanganui - Rally Saturday 11 May 11:00 am Riverside Market, Whanganui   Carterton Every Tuesday 12:00 midday Memorial Square.   Martinborough – Gathering for Palestine Every Wednesday 11:00 am The square at the top of Kitchener St, Martinborough   Masterton Every Sunday 9:30 am Town Hall Lawn   Featherston Every Saturday 11:00 am The Squircle (opposite the op shop).   Wellington No Rally this weekend   South Island Nelson – Rally Saturday 11 May Check out the Te Tau Ihu Palestine Solidarity Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TeTIPalestine/     Blenheim Saturday 11 May 11:00 am Blenheim Railway Station   Christchurch – Rally Saturday 11 May 1:00 pm Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street   Dunedin - Rally Saturday 11 May 2:00 pm Otago Museum Reserve to the Octagon, Dunedin   Invercargill - Rally Sunday 12 May 1:00 pm Wachner place Invercargill

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Lastly, copy and paste the email stated in the newsletter at our (NZ) state broadcasters TNZ and RNZ.

Phil O’Sullivan Head of News and Current Affairs Television New Zealand news@tvnz.co.nz

Mark Stevens Chief News Officer Radio New Zealand news@radionz.co.nz

Kia ora Mr O’Sullivan and Mr Stevens, As supposed news and current affairs for our state media outlets which should set the highest standards of journalism, please explain why your news is so Eurocentric, favouring Israel and sidelining Palestinians. You both use almost exclusively news from three European news agencies - AP, Reuters and the BBC - or from major US or UK based newspapers such as the Telegraph, the Times, the Washington Post or the New York Times. This reporting centres on Israeli narratives, Israeli reasoning, Israeli explanations and Israeli justifications for what they are doing to Palestinians. Israeli spokespeople are front and centre and quoted extensively and directly. Palestinian voices, when they are covered, are usually at the margins. On TV in particular Palestinians are most often portrayed as the incoherent victims of overwhelming grief. It's inevitable that when it comes to setting the agenda for how we perceive what’s going on in Palestine, Israeli versions of the “truth”, which are dominated by lies, are allowed to dominate. The last seven months is riddled with examples. Just two days after the October 7th attack on Israel, pro-Palestinian protestors were accused of chanting “Gas the Jews” outside the Sydney Opera House. The story was carried around the world through mainstream media as a nasty anti-semitic slur on Palestinians and their supporters. Four months later, after an intensive investigation New South Wales police concluded it never happened. The words were never chanted. However the Radio New Zealand website today still carries a Reuters report saying “A rally outside the Sydney Opera House two days after the Hamas attack had ignited heated debate after a small group were filmed chanting "Gas the Jews". Even if RNZ did the right thing and removed the report now the old adage is true: “A lie is halfway around the world before the truth has got its trousers on”. Despite reporting the pro-Israel lie you Four months later and the police report is not news but the damage has been done. Numerous other examples can be found in your reporting where Israeli lies are reported but the debunking of those lies is buried. The 40 beheaded babies, UNRWA staff involved in the Hamas-led attack of October 7th and many more examples of Israeli propaganda which were lapped up by western media, including RNZ and TVNZ, stand as testament to the failure of RNZ and TVNZ to report accurately and without bias to New Zealanders. TVNZ has been particularly appalling with the dreadful Q and A interview with the Israeli ambassador and the almost as bad interview with the Palestinian Authority representative where the journalist pushed, not once, not twice but three times a blatant lie to smear the Palestinian resistance. Just to be clear, Hamas has the same policy as New Zealand, the US and most of the world – support for a two-state solution based on 1967 borders. Putting Israeli lies in the mouth of a New Zealand journalist makes them no less odious. I’m looking forward to your response. (your name) 

[gbhbl]

Album Review: Subterraen – In the Aftermath of Blight (Frozen Records)

There’s no ignoring what came before with ‘Rotten Human Kingdom’, and nor should there be as it’s a great album, but this direction for Subterrean is very special indeed. Based off this album, and this album alone, their future is looking so very bright.

Formed in 2017, Subterraen released their debut album, ‘Rotten Human Kingdom’, via Transcending Obscurity Records in 2020. This massive and oppressive debut album depicts the state of the modern world through themes such as the defense of animal rights, the destruction of natural resources, or the endless race for profit. Following the arrival of KKP (Huata, Hangman’s Chair) on guitar, MLV…

[realidadpe]

Junín: implican a tres funcionarios en presunto favorecimiento a postor

Tres funcionarios de la municipalidad distrital de 3 de Diciembre, provincia de Chupaca (Junín), tendrían responsabilidad penal por presuntamente favorecer a un postor que no presentó los requisitos exigidos en el proceso de selección para la construcción del mirador Huama Huata. De acuerdo con información de la Contraloría General, este postor tampoco acreditó la experiencia de sus…

[cannibalcoyote]

Ch.5: Secrets for the Future

Ch.4 Ch.6

"Before we proceed with the festivities, I'd like to formally introduce myself. Fetch the dog!" Lofa yells out; seconds later Huata walks forwards and starts translating what he says. He suddenly swings at Huata, knocking her over after he saw Hinto try to run, knocking Huata into a tree.

'She's not standing up, I know that blow didn't kill her, but I'm mad as hell now!'

I look over to see Sespria and her cousin trying to wake Huata, but she seems to be in a state of unconsciousness, as later stated by Sespria's cousin. Sespria sends her off to fetch water, while I slowly crawl over to the tree Huata is next to.

Dasker bares his teeth then launches at Lofa, they are constantly clawing and biting at each other. Suddenly Lofa has grabbed Dasker's head with one of his massive fore paws, slowly pushing him back, whilst puncturing Dasker's neck with his long claws.

Dasker jumps to the side, raking his teeth across Lofa's arm as he jumps to the side; blood mating the fur on his head as it drips down his forehead. He tries to catch his breath but is smacked down by Lofa as the big cat corners him in anger. He stomps his massive paw onto Dasker's face, preparing to bite into his neck.

I get up, and launch, looking to the side for a split second to see Anemy launching at the big cat as well. I tear into his back leg while Anemy rips into his right forearm, causing him to jump back before letting out an angered roar.

Dasker stood up quickly, looking at us in anger before saying, "What are you doing here! You disobeyed my direct order!" He growls at us.

"Hmm. And this is the thanks we get for saving your butt. Hmm, figures, sit back and watch how it's done." With that she takes off, signaling with her tail for me to attack with her. As much as I thought I hated her, she's turning out to be an interesting character.

I race after Anemy as we attack the big cat, Anemy gets hit, but she seems fine so we continue to attack Lofa. Hinto launches at Lofa, but the big cat swipes at Hinto, successfully smacking him away while also leaving cuts across his muzzle.

We all continue launching ourselves at Lofa; Hinto latches onto Lofa's back leg while Anemy gets thrown to the ground. Lofa begins to repeatedly hit Hinto against the ground until Lofa eventually rips him off before throwing him across the floor like a rag doll. Dasker jumps forward and gets a few good hits in before Lofa has him pinned, pulling at his tail.

I turn to see Sespria and her cousin pouring water onto Huata's face, I look at her but she doesn't regain consciousness. Dasker lets out a loud, pained howl as his tail is ripped off and thrown to the side, blood spewing out of the freshly torn skin.

I look back to see Huata awake and looking at Sespria confused. After Sespria explains a little of the situation Huata walks towards us slightly.

"Stop it, all of you." Lofa looks up and growls at seeing Huata is awake. I try to get up but my body is extremely tired from exertion.

"Look at you all, you're causing more damage than good; even you Lofa. You with all your strength refuse to take us wolves seriously. You played this like a game, and you underestimated us as predators.

I know you're in pain to, choosing to ignore it won't make it go away." Huata voices as she looks at us. Lofa looks ready to kill her with all the growling and snarling he's doing; not to mention he's towering over Huata whilst standing on his back legs.

"Pain you say. I'LL SHOW YOU PAIN! I'LL PUT YOU OUT OF YOUR MISERY!" Lofa yells, but before he can attack her the white lynx from before appears in front of her.

'That lynx looks pissed off, but she doesn't stand a chance against a lion like Lofa; after all he's so much bigger and stronger than her.'

"You shall not cause harm to her. Your presence has drastically altered the natural balance of the forest. Be warned, it will not put up with you for much longer." The lynx states in a slightly threatening way.

"Oh look, we have a talking dog and now a talking house cat. Unfortunately for you kitty, I'm not looking to adopt anymore pets." Lofa exclaims before striding forward and slicing his claws across the chest of the lynx, successfully wounding and throwing her back from the force. However in mid air I see her wrap her arms around her body; when she lands I see she is no longer wounded.

She must be like Huata, I'm making an educated guess that all albino creatures will be like Huata, but that might be a false conclusion, but I'll have to wait to find out.

I look away from the lynx to see that the blood coating his body turns into thick vines that wrap and tangle themselves over him, thus leaving him immobilized.

"What kind of sorcery is this!" He yells in anger at his predicament. The vines have a new appearance, and are coated with thorns that puncture through Lofa's skin; causing him to roar in pain as he struggles to free himself. I turn back and walk next to Huata, watching as the lynx turns to face us; before disappearing the same way as before.

"Go. Now!" Sespria exclaims as she turns from Lofa to us.

"Goodbye Sespria, and thanks for everything." Huata responds.

"Don't forget about me." Sespria states as she watches Huata run after her pack mates.

"I believe we'll be seeing each other soon, whether it be on good or bad terms is your choice." I voice before sprinting after the rest of our pack; leaving Sespria to wonder what my words meant.

As we return to the clearing I see an angry looking Ash as she watches Huata and Anemy return with Dasker and Hinto. I decided to take a different route, which led me to come up on the other side of the clearing.

"Anemy! Huata! Are you crazy?!" Ash questions as she growls at them.

"Chill out mom, I'm fine." Anemy states while Huata stays quiet. I walk up and sit in between the two sisters; I'm starting to warm up slightly to Anemy, but she's still a little to bossy for us to become best friends.

I look over to see Trot trying to apologize for not watching over us, but Dasker simply walks away while Trot is in mid sentence. The pack follows after Dasker, while I fall in step next to Trot.

"Dasker just has a lot on his mind right now, he still accepts you even if you mess up every once in a while." I say trying to get Trot to loosen up on himself, after all it isn't his fault we all disobeyed the alphas order; and if he tried to stop us he wouldn't have really had any luck.

"Thanks Ceska, but it was my responsibility and I failed. I need to be more responsible; and if Dasker ignoring me is the price, then I must earn back his trust." Trot states, leaving no room for argument. We stop by Kilo's decomposing corpse, causing me to feel worried for Trot and Hinto who didn't react that well last time they saw it.

"You know, even though he could be a bully at times, he always knew how to make us laugh." Troy voices as he looks off, probably remembering a memory of Kilo. The laughing after a couple of seconds at what must have been a humorous memory.

"Yah, good ole Kilo; and to think that if it wasn't for him I wouldn't even be alive right now." Hinto states, but Huata suddenly begins to dig into the ground, creating a hole.

"Uh, why are you digging a hole?" Hinto questions in confusion.

"I hear it's how humans show respect for their dead." Huata answers before continuing to dig.

"It's respectful to throw dirt on them? Human culture is really strange." Hinto states as he questions why.

'You'll see what I mean." Huata states before pulling Kilo into the hole, then layering the dirt over his body, while the pack watches from the sides of the grave.

"You know what, it does look better. It's as if Kilo's at peace again, suddenly it's not so hard to smile." Trot voices as he looks up from Kilo's grave.

"Yah, I guess you're right." Hinto states as he looks at Kilo's grave as well.

The pack starts to howl, but soon after Dasker falls to the ground, and appears to be in a state of unconsciousness, probably due to all the injuries in his head and body which he failed to have treated.

_______

It's sunset when Dasker finally wakes up after being treated for his injuries, Ash sits up quickly after Dasker regains consciousness.

"You were all lucky to make it out alive, ugh. It's any wonder this pack needed this lot. We need to be out of here by morning." Ash states as she looks to Dasker to confirm the order.

Dasker seems to think for a moment before choosing Huata as his mate, to say she was unhappy was an understatement, but she hid it well so as to not offend him. To say Anemy was angry wasn't realistic, in fact she was well beyond angry as she watched Huata get chosen instead of herself.

"Oh come on, why her. After all the trouble I got in trying to save you; yet she gets captured by a pack of dangerous predators, and gets rewarded for it. Unbelievable. Okay enough already, it's about time someone said the obvious, she's blind. You hear me, blind." Anemy snarls out loud as she looks at Dasker.

"You're blind? What's that?" Hinto questions as he looks to the others in confusion.

"It means she cannot see Hinto." Ash responds.

"Exactly. She cannot see, do you really want to have offspring with someone like that; heck if anything choose me, Ceska is even better than my useless sister." Anemy states as she looks straight at Dasker.

"Let us not be angry at her for deceiving you, despite how wrong it was. We should instead cast pity upon her, it's not like she'll be able to appreciate how handsome and brave you are Dasker." Anemy adds before waiting for his new decision.

Dasker thinks for a few seconds before looking to me, I growl and snap my jaws at him before striding over and sitting slightly behind Trot. Dasker, seeing as he knows I will not do anything if unwilling finally looks over to Anemy where he then walks over and chooses her as his mate. They start to walk away, but not before Anemy sticks her tongue out at Huata.

"This is not how I wanted this to go about. Still it's best that he found out, are you okay with that Huata?" Ash asks as she looks at her daughter.

"I was never meant to be an Alpha female, it didn't mean anything to me; but I could've done without the humiliation." Huata responds before walking away, followed by Hinto. I was about to follow them but Trot jumped in front of me.

"What?" I question straight forward.

"Why did you refuse to become Alpha female? From what information I've collected from Ash, every female wants to be with the Alpha." Trot states in confusion and desperation. As he looks at me, awaiting my answer.

"Dasker isn't my type, and Anemy would have my throat, and I don't want that seeing as we're just starting to get along. After all, I've had another male on my mind instead." I state before stepping around him and sprinting towards where Huata and Hinto should be; after all, I know what his next question would be, and I didn't want to answer it just yet.

I arrive to see Hinto and Huata embracing each other, I walk forward silently as I stride over and sit next to them. When they break away they finally see me, and jump in slight surprise.

"When did you get there?" Hinto questions.

"What are you planning?" I ask as I stare at them. They both look to each other as if unsure to tell me something, but Huata eventually answers.

"Hinto and I have decided to take over the pack. He'll do plenty of training to make sure that this time he wins the battle." Huata responds as she looks to me in hope.

"Well in that case...... count me in!" I exclaim in happiness as I bound up and wag my tail slightly. They both look at me in surprise and confusion.

"So you're not going to tell Dasker?" Hinto questions in hope.

"Of course not, you two would be the perfect alphas, but I won't tell on one condition." I state as I look them in the eye.

"Name your terms." Hinto states. I look at them with a smirk on my lips before responding.

"I will be allowed to have pups as well.", I responded. They looked at me in extreme surprise before Huata questions,

"Who would you have puppies with though?"

"I believe Trots is the male she has her eyes on." Hinto states slyly as he looks at me in happiness.

"How'd you know?" I question, averting my eyes to the ground in embarrassment.

"Trot told me he was attracted to you but couldn't act on it seeing as he isn't the Alpha; but to answer your term, of course you can have pups, it would only help the pack so I see nothing wrong with that arrangement." Hinto explains. I'm so happy I jumped up and ran around them in eagerness.

"Calm down Ceska, we have to wait until Hinto takes leadership, then we can expand the pack, but for now let's head back before the others get ideas." Huata voices as she looks at me then Hinto. We both nod then jog back.

When we get back it's night time, and the others are getting ready to sleep. When we arrive Ash looks up and growls something about leaving without telling anyone, and almost waking Eric. I simply ignore her and walk over to Trot. He seems to be in a peaceful sleep, and it's just too perfect to resist.

I start to whack his tail with my paws before getting bored and simply tackling him. Trot jumps up in surprise, looking around until he spots me; I jump off him and run a little off into the forest, but he pounces at me, successfully pushing me to the ground. I flip over causing him to roll off me. We both stood up and circle each other before jumping and wrestling till one of us got the upper hand. So far I was winning.

At the end I stood over him while he was lying on his back; he suddenly kicked out my feet and turned over, causing me to be swept onto my back in one swift move. I look up to see Trot smirking in victory, before stepping off of me so I could get up, I look up at him before rubbing my head against his neck slightly.

After stepping away afterwards his face is confused, but then becomes understanding, he looks to me and back in the direction of the pack.

"Ceska, you know we can't have pups or anything like that; after all, Dasker's the Alpha, not me." Trot states in slight sadness and anger as he sits down, trying to deal with his emotions. I sit next to him close enough so that our fur is slightly rubbing against each other.

"I have a secret to tell you, but I can't tell you unless you promise not to tell anyone else." I emphasize as I look into his eyes.

"If it's that important, I promise I won't tell anyone else." Trot states as he touches my nose with his.

"Hinto is training to take on Dasker as Alpha." I state as I look away from him.

"Well if Hinto wins we still won't be allowed to be mates, only the alpha pair can be mates after all." Trot responds as he looks up in slight surprise.

"Yah, I know the rules, but I overheard their plan and said I wouldn't tell anyone if I could also have pups. They obviously agreed so when Hinto is Alpha I'll be allowed to have a mate and pups; so technically we only have to wait until Hinto becomes Alpha." I explained as I looked up to see if he was okay with it.

"Really?! That's amazing! We would have a large pack, plenty of offspring to continue; and we could be mates." he exclaims as he bounds around me, rubbing up against me.

I look at him and motion with my tail that we have to get back to the pack before Dasker and Anemy show up and wonder where we went and what we were doing. As we get back we lay a little away from the others, with our backs touching against each other's. That night we went to sleep thinking of the future ahead of us.

Ch.4 Ch.6

[pachamama-radio]

Más de 60 trabajadores de construcción de planta quesera en Coata no fueron pagados por PEBLT

Alrededor de 60 trabajadores del proyecto de plantas queseras ejecutadas por el Proyecto Especial Binacional Lago Titicaca (PEBLT) permanecen sin recibir sus pagos correspondientes al mes de febrero en Coata. El presidente del Frente de Defensa de Intereses, Roger Suasaca, señaló además el bajo porcentaje de avance de proyecto.

Los reclamos surgen por el retraso en los pagos para la construcción de las plantas queseras y por el lento avance en la ejecución del proyecto. Los trabajadores, muchos de ellos padres de familia que necesitan estos ingresos para cubrir diversos gastos, exigen una solución inmediata.

El proyecto, que contempla la construcción de plantas queseras para los distritos de Huata, Capachica, Coata y Caracoto en una primera etapa, debería completarse el próximo 12 de abril, tras 120 días de plazo establecido en el contrato con la empresa ejecutora, sin embargo, según Suasaca solamente se llega a evidenciar hasta el 40% de avance.

Para el dirigente, el director ejecutivo del proyecto «no reconoce el error porque no es puneño», sugiriendo que la falta de conocimiento local dificulta la resolución efectiva de los problemas que enfrenta la comunidad en esta importante obra de desarrollo regional.

El avance físico del proyecto oscila entre el 37% y 40%, muy lejos del 100% requerido para la fecha de entrega programada para el 12 de abril. Esta situación genera gran preocupación entre los pobladores de los distritos beneficiarios que esperaban contar con estas instalaciones productivas.

En una segunda etapa, el proyecto también beneficiará a los distritos de Huata y Paucarcolla, pero los retrasos actuales comprometen el cronograma completo. La población continúa exigiendo no solo el pago inmediato a los trabajadores afectados sino también un plan de aceleración de obras

Puno

via https://pachamamaradio.org/trabajadores-no-fueron-pagados-por-peblt/

[aptitudpe]

Áncash: Juzgado condena a cadena perpetua a sacerdote que violó a niña desde los 9 años

La Corte Superior de Áncash condenó a la pena de cadena perpetua a Maurilio Paulino Villafana Morales (53) sacerdote de la iglesia católica del distrito de Mato y Huata de la provincia de Huaylas, tras ser hallado culpable del delito violación sexual de menor de edad, en contra de una niña, quien fue víctima de sus abusos desde los 9 años. Así lo informó el Ministerio Público que precisó que la…

[wregionalpe]

Áncash: Juzgado condena a cadena perpetua a sacerdote que violó a niña desde los 9 años

La Corte Superior de Áncash condenó a la pena de cadena perpetua a Maurilio Paulino Villafana Morales (53) sacerdote de la iglesia católica del distrito de Mato y Huata de la provincia de Huaylas, tras ser hallado culpable del delito violación sexual de menor de edad, en contra de una niña, quien fue víctima de sus abusos desde los 9 años. Así lo informó el Ministerio Público que precisó que la…

[doomedandstoned]

French Occultists Hua†a Deliver Cryptic Final Masterwork

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

Review by Billy Goate

Think you've heard it all and you're confident about closing the books on 2018 and putting out your best-of lists? I advise you to hold your horses, my friends, because you haven't heard this yet. Get ready for what is without doubt the grandest album of 2018. Guttural rumblings of bass collide with sublime organ tones, shooting holes through the dank chamber like laser rays of radiant sunlight. Soon this feast of sound will be joined by damning riffs and strangely majestic voices that layer melodies in shifting keys, one upon the other, until a spire is created like an ancient ziggurat.

The latest offering by French occultic doomers and Roadburn Festival alumni HUATA is like none other. The band, which recently made an appearance on our 'Doomed & Stoned in France' (2018) compilation, often configures as a five-piece. However, the consistent heartbeat of the project has been founding member, Ronan Grail, and long-time bassist Benjamin Morea -- both of whom constitute the backbone of the now 12-year old act that hails from Rennes.

Long renowned for their stirring live rituals, Hua†a have two extended-plays, two splits, and one previous full-length to their name already, the brilliant 'Atavist of Mann' (2011). However, nothing prepared me for the power of their crowning achievement, 'Lux Initiatrix Terrae’ (2018).

I find myself struggling for points of comparison to entice the reader to become a listener. Shall I draw parallels to the imposing architecture of Ufomammut, the sweeping compositional vision of Slomatics, the ardor of Inter Arma, the airy psychedelic soundscapes of Pink Floyd, the sanguine tenor of Pallbearer, or the harmonic resplendence of Chrome Ghost? At the risk of losing some of the faithful doomers, the most fitting association to the size, scope, and most importantly spirit of Lux Initiatrix Terrae comes not from the realm of metal, but from the world of classical music. I'm thinking of one ambitious work, in particular: Ferruccio Busoni's massive Piano Concerto in C Major, Opus 39 -- one of the most ambitious works ever written in its genre class. Like Hua†a, Busoni laced his work with cryptic references to the occult, ancient orders, and esoteric knowledge.

I hasten to add that Hua†a's magnum opus is not symphonic metal, though "symphonic" seems a most fitting adjective for it. Let's think of it as a rhapsodic fantasy marrying epic and gothic doom to atmospheric, surreal heaviness, whilst subtly flirting with spaced-out domain of psychedelic and occult rock. Some tracks ("The Golden Hordes Of Kailash," for instance) usher in surreal scales and unusual chord progressions that remind me of the creepy grandeur of the mutant worship service in Beneath The Planet of the Apes (1970).

This modern day Tower of Babel aspires to reach the heavens with a power, elegance, and resolute will encountered so rarely in the realm of metal or, for that matter, anything else across the many genres of contemporary music. During its exalting 70-minute run-time, I felt I was bearing witness some incredible modern cantata. This was more than my usual audit of a new promo; this was an all-absorbing listen and an altogether moving experience.

After hearing this record, I'm convinced that Hua†a have definitely given Batushka a run for their money at Psycho Las Vegas over the summer. No Vinyl Stage for these guys, though. Take them straight to The Joint, fellas! A sounds this large is worthy of the same immense theater that brought us Enslaved, SUNN O))), Godflesh, and Indian this year; Candlemass, Yob, Electric Wizard, and Sleep in the years prior.

I've been avoiding using well-tread power words like epic in much of my reviewing this year, but it's time to pull this one off the shelf. This is a special occasion, for Lux Initiatrix Terrae is the band's final work as Hua†a -- an emphatic punctuation to a long and fruitful career. You'll not encounter a band as fascinating as Hua†a or an album quite as majestic as the one before us this year, perhaps not even this decade. Make no mistake, Hua†a's strange, bold chef d'oeuvre will be discovered in this crowded year of excellent releases and, with any luck, reach wide appreciation. At the risk of sounding orgasmic, this record is a triumph.

Right now, you can sample two singles from the album -- its opener, "The Mystical Beast of Revelations" and the third track, "The Solar Work." Both will make you hungry to hear this regal heptad of hymns in all its fullness. On November 23rd, Hua†a's Lux Initiatrix Terrae will see a physical release on a very limited run of 200 cassettes via Sludgelord Records and Seeing Red Records, with vinyl available via French label Music Fear Satan.

To satiate the appetite while we wait, Doomed & Stoned is pleased to bring you the record’s finale, "Third Eye Nation." Though belying in the trippy ambience of its opening moments, the 16-minute monolith soon overtakes the soul.

Give ear...

Lux Initiatrix Terrae by Huata

Interview by Shawn Gibson

with additional question by Billy Goate

Recently, I sent away for Hua†a's new cassette and can't wait to get it! I already have 'Open the Gates of Shambhala' (2010) and 'Atavist Of Mann' (2011), but 'Lux Initiatrix Terrae' (2018) is my first preorder. I must have listened to album's opening track, "The Mystical Beast Of Revelations," four of five times in one sitting already. I play it as loud as I can during my daily commute. It's an amazing song that takes me to places not of this earth! The vocals sound different than the first two albums. The music sounds more sharpened and honed, though still very much the Hua†a we know and love. The organs add to the uniqueness and mesh well with the heavy, doomy vibe of multi-faceted gem of doom, ritual, occult, and psych metal. It was high time we interviewed the band, I thought. Following is my recent exchange of words with , in which they take us behind the veil of secrecy for a rare look at the musical minds that make up Hua†a.   (Shawn)

☿

I used to have a radio show and played "Diving In The Swamp" and "The Imperial Wizard," which I absolutely love. Your new album comes out on November 23rd, which happens to coincide with a full moon. That's a great time to release an album, intentional I would imagine. I'll make sure to listen to 'Lux Initiatrix Terrae' under the light of the full moon and be transcended!

Ben: Thank you for those kind words. We like "Thee Imperial Wizard," too. It was a good song to play live, really deep and slow, as we enjoy.

Who is presently in the band?

Ben: I play bass in Hua†a and also guitars on Lux Initiatrix Terrae, plus fx and synths. I am responsible for a lot of the musical arrangements and composed both the music and lyrics with Ronan.

Ronan: Currently, Ben and I remain in the band, but the last album was recorded with David Barbe on drums and Gurvan Coulon on organ. At this point, we must say it's hard to hold Hua†a alive. We've had a lot of lineup changes. As the founder and last remaining from among the original members, I played with dozens of guys. I don't feel proud of it at all and I can't deny the help and devotion we had from many of the former members. I just wish I had not to deal with these lineup changes.

"At this point, we must tell the truth. There won't be Hua†a anymore."

So Hua†a is now a two-piece? What does that bode for the band's future?

Ronan: At this point, we must tell the truth: there won't be Hua†a anymore. This album will come as a posthumous album. This is due to musical disagreement and I now realize why many bands used the same argument and how it's difficult to explain! I personally don't want to stop playing music like Hua†a, because it's a strong thing I need to do in my life. Like, making it real, see? The thing is, Benjamin is at least as much in Hua†a as me and I can't deny it. So what I want to do now is make music again and all the ideas that could help me to make music like Hua†a did would be welcome.

Ben: As Ronan says, we weren't on the same page, musically and emotionally speaking, anymore after 10 years of doom worshiping to continue this project. We started to write this album in 2013, record it in 2015, and release it in 2018. This lapse of time weighted on us very much, in terms of how we wanted to continue this band. Our wills, visions, and expectations have changed throughout this hiatus and this split is for the best. Now I'm focusing on my other project, Fange, which grew up fast and good, as well as a new experimental hip-hop act called Bienveillance.

Lux Initiatrix Terrae by Huata

Who did the artwork for Lux Initiatrix Terrae?

Ronan: Ben has done all the artwork in Hua†a, from our first release onward. He did all the T-shirts, too, all of Hua†a's imagery remains his vision.

Related to that, when you’re not making music what do you like to do?

Ben: Creating visuals, having nice drinks and meals with friends, playing board games, watching the NBA, and listening to music, obviously.

Ronan: I am currently training for adults undergoing kite to become a Cook. I had a lot of jobs before. I'm like a regular guy; I like to eat, to drink. I like those good things we can take in this world, as I tend to be epicurean. For example, I like to drink and discover a lot of IPAs.

What's a damn good book you've read?

Ronan: I am now reading, again and again, 'The Morning of The Magicians' (1960) from Bergier and Pauwels, and I can tell that the power of this book remains in the themes it tackles. Hörbigers’s Welteislehre, especially, retains my fascination.

Ben: 'The Morning of the Magicians' is definitely inspiring and so is 'The Secret Doctrine' (1888) from Helena Blavatsky. A few books from Robert Charroux were also big inspirations for us in the writing of Hua†a's lyrics and philosophy. Otherwise, ‘2001, A Space Odyssey’ (1968) from Arthur C. Clarke is brilliant, as is the Kubrick's movie adaptation, my favorite of all.

What makes you laugh?

Ben: Monty Python, The IT Crowd, Black Books, Ricky Gervais, etcetera. English humor is the very best. Ace Ventura is also one of my favorites, along with Les Visiteurs.

Ronan: Monty Python! I love the absurd humor.

I love to cook and eat. What are some good French foods you love?

Ben: All of it, man. Don't mess with French people about food. This is more than a cultural institution here; it's a freakin' religion! (laughs) French gastronomy is a masterpiece -- from meats, cheeses, and wines, to fishes and seafood, to even offal, snails, and frogs. All are great, without mentioning the quality of our pastry. But if I had to choose one stuff it would be the bread. Everywhere else's bread is shit.

Ronan: (laughs) Well, I'm actually learning a lot about this topic, as a future Cook. I'm now attending to make a "Poulet vallée d'Auge," a chicken flamed with calvados -- yummy! -- cooked with onions, fresh cream from Isigny, mushrooms, cider, and all of this with roasted potatoes and a good Merlot from our many varieties of wine grapes.

What are your influences musically?

Ben: The first bands I ever listened to as a child were Magma, Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd, and a lot of '70s rock, thanks to my father, so these records really influenced my musical approach. Black Sabbath is the obvious one, because I'm devoted to the art of the riff. Also John Coltrane, Karlheinz Stockhausen, John Zorn, and Trent Reznor are some composers I really admire, among many others. But for Hua†a, my influences were much more from the '70s psychedelic era than the doom-stoner one.

Ronan: I hear from my childhood rock, blues, folk and pop music. I'm not that much into metal music; I mean, not all of it. I'm now exploring some progressive rock music.

Hua†a is from Rennes, so I'm curious about some of the bands from area that you guys dig?

Ronan: I love Eat Roses. What they did was so deep and beautiful. Totorro also does good music. I'm not that much into thrash or death metal, but Hexecutor or Cadaveric Fumes are doing an excellent stuff. And the wave of garage rock bands -- I'm from Rennes -- is quite cool too, I even found Le druide du Gué Charette, which is from this wave and also wear monk robes like we did!

Ben: Eat Roses was the best, but DEAD and You, Vicious! are also quite good in the post-punk scene in Rennes, along with my mate, folk singer Dany von Del Baüt of Malaad Roy, and Straw Hair, who play hip-hop.

How is the metal scene in Rennes?

Ronan: There are the Roazhon Underground productions, Black Karma's new festival, and of course the "Tendresse et passion" scene. A lot of foreign bands visit the Mondo Bizarro or Terminus bars.

Ben: There was a big hardcore scene in Rennes in the late-'90s 'til the mid-2000s, but the metal scene didn't really grow up here. Can't say that there are obvious bands or venues, except the Mondo Bizarro, to really federate everyone, but some promoters are doing a good job to make it live.

What has been an awkward moment as a band?

Ben: Too much to remember, but most of them were more funny than weird moments, which makes good anecdotes, at least!

Ronan: There are so many I can't tell!

Your music has always had religious overtones, thematically and especially instrumentally -- namely through the use of organ. Do any of you have background in Christianity and Catholicism? I'm imagining, perhaps, the music of the cathedrals of your childhood, the grandiosity of the organ music there.

Some of us have been baptized and/or followed catechism class as children, but this has nothing to do with our reason for using an organ in our music, even if we are very impressed and enjoyed by organs in churches. There is nothing about religion in Hua†a, but there is spirituality and the will to cite many cults and convergences between ancient beliefs and occultism throughout history.

For this recording, what did you work with, organ-wise? It sounds like one of those incredible, elaborately piped church organs.

We would have loved to record a proper piped church organ, such as the one you can see on the alternative cover of Lux Initiatrix Terrae, but as with previous albums, we just recorded with a 1961 Hammond Organ -- which actually was used in a church in Brittany, back in the day. We chose to add an organ to our music because of our '70s musical background, but you're not completely wrong by saying that the majestic tones and serenity brought by the organ tones fit well with our musical purpose!

I'd love to probe the depths of each song, because I'm sure there are all kinds of fascinating details there our readers would love to know about. That said, I can understand if the band desires to preserve some mystery and leave it to the prerogative of the listener to search these things out. Certainly there are many rabbit trails to explore, not the least of which is the band's name.

Our lyrics and universe are very deep, indeed, and we do like to let our audience get into this if they want to. There is a big part of our work which remains hidden -- that's the purpose of the occult. To be honest, only a few really dug the lyrics, which are written in an ancient German code in our records, so you have to unscramble them in the graph way and by their meaning and references.

That is truly fascinating. Also, I noticed there were quite a number of contributing artists credited on the record.

We have had so many musicians throughout the years that it might be difficult to follow, I admit! We recorded Lux Initiatrix Terrae with a proper line-up, but summoned several extra-musicians to help us in expanding our musical palette. Their collaborations were even very mysterious, as we didn't meet in person with any of them -- except Laetitia, whom Ronan knows. They all recorded their own parts. We've only reached out to them with ideas of what we wanted and they managed to write what we were expecting.

I imagine there was a deliberate rationale for this?

Nothing extravagant, I'm afraid. They were just living in different areas of Brittany and the recording process took place in several spots over a two-year period. But it definitely fits the purpose not knowing who they are and having no interactions with them.

Not to end on a sour note, but I’m saddened to hear this is perhaps Hua†a's last album!

The decision to split apart was quit recent, but we were already in a hiatus for three years and no ceremonial activities in four years. As you may have gathered, we're a bit outside all these preoccupations we had back in the days, but it's always interesting and a pleasure to picture the whole frame of Hua†a with new disciples!

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[gloriousspaceridersworld]

Listen/purchase: Split album Huata vs Bitcho by Huata // Bitcho

[dustedmagazine]

Huata — Lux Initiatrix Terrae (Seeing Red)

Lux Initiatrix Terrae by Huata

One shouldn’t use the term “prog” lightly. Prog rock is sort of like libertarianism: a social space dominated by white guys with big, carefully groomed beards, smug opinions and a pronounced interest in things like “strategy” and “mastery.” Yikes. Huata manage to lace Lux Initiatrix Terrae with a significantly proggy vibe, but they don’t seem to get any of the attendant pedantry or prudishness on them. Lux Initiatrix Terrae indicates a big shift in the band’s sound, away from the truculent worship of volume that dominated their last full length, Atavist of Man (2011). Huata has trimmed its ranks since that record, from four dudes in robes and cowls to two: Ronan Grall, who sings and pounds skins, and Benjamin Moreau, who provides the hugely resonant bass thrums and guitar chords.  

The results are as mixed as the LP’s moods. At its worst, Lux Initiatrix Terrae can tend toward a fussier version of the tired bundle of execrable sounds called “stoner rock”; see buzzy snooze that is “Child of the Cosmic Mind.” But at its best, the melodic and ponderous array of tones can build to some pleasantly massive intensities; the second half of “The Golden Hordes of Kailash” shows off the band’s chops at their most compelling. As a whole, the record tends toward repetition of the formula, as if the band keeps trying to find ways to pay metallic homage to “In the Court of the Crimson King.” That’s not a bad sort of mission, and this record points Huata in what feels like a productive direction. But the direction needs to locate some more varied sonic terrain — and really, guys, lose the robes.  

Jonathan Shaw