#noy my pattern

[shadow-turtle-234]

Have a Cow plushie I made - pattern by Rose and Lily Amigurumi on YT and Insta

[acclorat]

Aline

art fight attack from 2023 for nanette of their character Aline

[whatareyoudoingwithamaserati]

if I am not thinking about phasmophobia at any given moment you have the right to put me down like a dog

[adamnablelittledevil]

I love how noy only all the actors of IWTV deliver excellence on every single episode, but the stories about how they got the roles are so wholesome too? Like, Assad was auditioning for what he thought would be a MINOR character and later he found out he was going to be a main character and really powerful character that CHANGED HIS LIFE? Sam was OBSESSED WITH EVERYTHING TVC/VAMPIRES in general, dressed as a vampire for Halloween, wore fangs at school etc and now is living his CHILDHOOD DREAM? Eric wanted to play a vampire for YEARS and was literally how that was the only role he hasn't done yet ONE DAY before getting the offer? And not necessarily related to the casting itself, but I saw Jacob talking about wanting to play more fluid characters and a photo of him with a shirt that had a fangs + rainbow pattern just a few years ago and now he is THE Louis de Pointe du Lac himself? There might be more about their experiences, including Delainey's and Bailey's, I keep finding sweet things about the show and them on after every interview... And this just???? Warms my heart????

[sugar-soda]

You can write about the Reef Trio if you want, Sugar. I'll chime in if I can (it depends what's going or, or how we're doing over here). You know what? Can you ask Wicked if they'd like it if Noi was gifted a weapon fan, that is bladed or super hard, shaped like a shell, with pretty patterns like waves or snowflakes or gem symbols, as their weapon? (Since Noi's gem is cracked)... What ideas did you have for the Reef Trio? I'll chip in a few cents, as it's a bit calmer right now (not by much, but it's now just waiting. He isn't going to wake up again)...

• Ilux (Pale Pearl) sews stuffed gem dolls, and blankets or quilts, with different gem patterns or with different fabrics. The quilts each have a different gem design on the squares, the blankets are fluffy or silky, and the dolls have small bits and bobs (like shells, smooth pebbles, or small rounds of metal or chipped beads) as the gem of the gem dolls...

• Ilux made a blanket fort for the Reef Trio with Noi and Shi's help: it has pillows, dolls, and sewn bags to sleep in

• Ilux painted the main wall of The Reef with pictures of different gems, perhaps telling a story with it

• Ilux uses their spear as a lock-picker and lock-breaker, as a balancing beam, as a staff, as a weapon, and even as large writing utensil sometimes (such as carving into walls or drawing in the sand)

• The Reef Trio have their own special platonic yans (we can discuss which ones everyone attracts, and which ones are shared across the whole trio)

• The Reef Trio end up eating a crab. They like it, and now chase the snow crabs around and eat them. They've also taken to eating some snails and mollusks (even though gems don't need to eat, and most would find it gross) (the Reef Trio like the taste, especially when cooker over a fire or burning rocks)

• Ilux has a habit of collecting gem shards... (the reason for now is unknown)...

Thank you, Sugar, for everything. I hope you're doing well. Thank you for being a friend. You and @thewickedweiner both, and everyone else who interacts with my works. Thank y'all so much 💛🧡

@thewickedweiner what do you think of gifting Noi a fan for weapon?

Here's a few ideas I had:

While Shi is the only Shiva Eye at the Reef, there are quite a few more across the empire. Just like other Gems they got all sorts of different personalities and ways to tell them apart but their color palettes are never very colorful in comparison to other gems like Pearls, mainly being white, brown, and grey.

Since the Reef is located on an ice planet, the only gems it can produce are water based ones that are made under the ice.

Snow storms are pretty frequent there, but luckily Gems don't have blood or flesh that can freeze or can even feel the cold. The trio mainly like blankets and stuff for texture and weight, not for warmth. (When that world ending snowstorm happened, it wasn't the snow that shattered the other Gems)

Greek Agate, the gem Shiva Eye previously worked under, belonged to Black Diamond as well. He escaped most of the abuse from Black Diamond because he wasn't on Homeworld often and was considerably high ranking in the court. When Black Diamond disappeared, what few gems he left behind where put under Blue Diamond. It was then he got into an altercation with a Jasper belonging to Green Diamond and was subsequently shattered.

Shiva tried to eat a crab, shell and all, before they figured out how to cook it. It pinched her tongue and wouldn’t let go for 10 minutes.

Since her shields are attached to her hands, she can do as much with them as Ilux can with their spear, but she does sometimes use them to 'sled' on inclines to get places faster. She looks a little awkward in the frog pose she has to do when zipping down a snow bank, but she looks like she is having fun?

Shiva's fighting style involves her using the weight of her shields to get momentum into her hits, relying more on her dexterity than straight, controlled punches that rely on strength. It looks like the shields are pulling her like a ragdoll with how they swing.

While she has been the only Gem in the trio to not have any damage to her gem, she has been poofed on multiple occasions.

Since she kinda goes everywhere in the Reef, she is actually on pretty good terms with the other gems there, like the corals and such.

Was one of the first to notice that the upcoming snowstorm was different than the others as one of the random duties she picked up was monitoring the weather patterns, which showed heavy irregularities for weeks. Sadly, she isn't part of security monitoring, or she may have noticed other irregularities.

Has briefly met or seen some of the yans before, though she doesn't remember. There was the Black Jasper(97 Logan) from Green Diamond's Court that shattered Greek Agate. There was an Ivory and Spinel (both Morphs) from the same court who were also there. There was a Yellow Jasper (WATXM Sabretooth) and an Opal (XMCU Mystique) from the Red Diamond Court who scared the crap out of her one time, and a Sodalite (one of the Kurts) who poofed her one time by accident when he was training (he was very apologetic about it, he didn't mean to)

While she assumes she was assigned to serve the Reef as a whole, she was actually assigned to one gem: Noi, who is higher ranking than her. But she isn't aware of this and you wouldn't know watching how they interact with each other. ( @thewickedweiner you can decide if Noi is aware of this or not)

Shiva can pilot a ship, or any other vehicle used by gem kind. The others don't know she can as it's literally never came up, but she can.

Just like how she has been poofed before, she has also poofed other gems.

Hope you are doing okay, @honey-minded-hivemind! You get rest and focus on yourself. Have some headcannons!

[emabatis]

About a Zombie Working at an Amusement Park

This one's 923 words of drudgery. For the full working-at-a-theme-park experience, reread 60 times with loud annoying ambient noise in the background.

I've never been on this ride. The one I'm operating, that is. I guess I died before it opened. It's one of those spinny ones where guests go around in high, exciting circles in a metal container, instead of going around in boring circles with their feet. The line around the fence is one of those boring circles, which, since I'm kind of the one keeping them there, makes a lot of guests mad at me. I'm not sure how I would feel on either of these rides. Or, "feel," I guess. Guests go on these things to feel something in the speed, the height, the weather and good vertigo that can only happen because of this machine. I don't feel those things anymore, so what would the point be. I can hold this stick with the pointing hand on top, which probably isn't a real hand, and I know that it's slimy from sweat and years of grime on the peel-y paint, because I would see what it's made of if I could see, and I could hear how heavy it is if I could hear, but I can't. But I don't know what it's like to be tall and fast and spinning in the exact pattern I initiate every four to five minutes. It's weird, maybe. It doesn't feel weird, of course, but it is, and maybe if I had time off I could think it's weird, too, but as it is, it just is. I can only think spinny things.

I know, sometimes, but not how, that people who work with computers or in offices with copiers and printers, that those little machines get cute names and pseudo-personalities. Mine doesn't, even with the faces painted on the cars. It works too reliably to have much of a personality. It isn't anybody's, especially not mine. Same thing with the Uniform, The only thing keeping me different from the other yellow-shirts is the company hat that keeps my bald spot appropriate for guests.

There's a huge difference between the ground-rides that I usually operate and the roller coasters. The ground rides, there's only one of us, maybe two if it's big and un-understaffed, which isn't often. Roller coasters need a team. But when I work roller coasters, I'm always working. There's an endless stream of trains coming in and going out every time, and I like it when it rains because I'm allowed to stand still for more than a "second," I don't even talk to anyone or do an activity, there'd be no point, it's not allowed, I just stand. It's the closest thing to euphoria I have. I get to stand when I work ground rides, but I need to stand around guests, and no one else is there to chase them away. I don't know any of the other ride operators, even though we're all the same. I don't know myself, either, though, so it's more like "because."

Guests aren't allowed to bring certain things onto rides, that's on the signs, I know, but I can't read them, and neither can the guests but they don't know. In front of a few roller coasters, there's a glass case effigy, like the skeleton in a hanging cage holding a sign that says "pyrates beware," but instead of a skeleton it's scraps of glass and metal that used to be phones. Now they're one big broken phone that's only good at being a broken phone. They bring them on anyway and it's always my fault. Is it possible to be hungry without a working stomach?

The onboarding procedure is the worst part. Parents need to be told they're too tall to ride, even though there's words about that on the sign, too. Kids need to not unbuckle the restraints, I need to make sure. Guests expect to talk to me. They don't like that they talk at me. I lock-gats-turn-the-key-pull-out-the-E-stop-press-down-on-foot-pedal-press-start and guests still want to talk to me. It's part of my job to make sure none of the small guests turn into small hurt people. I'm only allowed to eat people, which is a shame, I never see them. Is that the amusement? That they get to be nothing but spinny wind and noise for a day? Why do they want to bring their backpacks and purses and phones onto rides?

At noon there's a chime that lasts too short, and I don't know where it comes from. I can't see anything, but I can see clocks even less. Sometimes I catch a glimpse of the numbers on a guest's phone, I actually look out for them, keeping a lot of my lack of awareness on the number of guests and the rest on their hands. I don't know why, it never means anything. It's never nine o'clock. I don't know how I get here. I don't know how I get home. I don't even know how I get to other rides. It's not surprising, though, I guess. I also don't know how to do something as simple as smell.

My job isn't to help guests have fun, that's up to the ride manufacturer and the guests themselves. My job isn't to sell tickets, people need to buy them in order to become guests and enter in the first place. I guess I have a million little jobs, but I can't put "doesn't rot too much" on a resume, if I ever get to make one. My job is to make this line shorter. And it spins and spins and spins.

[repo-net]

The Ideal Summer

(Essentially, a fanmade DR:S interaction between Kotoko and Nagisa)

The distant noise of birds chirping and the ocean waves pounding against the sand drifted against my ears, waking me back to subconsciousness.

I'd been up all night trying to formulate and write down every idea I have regarding our paradise. Admittedly, I'd been making less progress on that than I'd hope, but...

I don't mean to sound as if I'm doubtful of our mage, nor to seem as though I'm blaming her for my failures to create an unanimously enjoyed blueprint, but it feels like most of the visions that I have for what our paradise would transpire as wouldn't be shared by her. I'm certain that there's little reason to be so worried about such minute details, considering it's likely just a difference of opinion.

Yet I cannot stop myself from being tempted by that creeping doubt in my heart. Like something's not right. That vulgar gang leader talked to me the other day about trying to socialize more and attempted to call me out on how I'm apparently afraid of girls, which is completely blasphemous. I see two of them every day, and one's far too stubborn for her own good! Besides, it's been weeks now and I've more or less gotten accustomed to living with all the adults here. I'm still hesitant to even approach most of them, but there's a select few here that I do welcome the company of.

If only I'd met you sooner...

I'm keeping my eye on a few of them though. They're not exactly hostile and are actively trying to hunt us down, but it's still important to stay alert and beware of any predators trying to strike us down from our position on the food chain.

Another morning, another opportunity to correct myself and lead by example. Being the vice leader comes with the responsibility of having to set yourself as the standard to be followed by your allies. And if I catch those three snacking on the sundaes in the lounge again...!

The blueberry flavor should make it obvious that chubby chef made it for me!

I get up from my bed, making sure to fix my blanket, bedsheets, and pillows before leaving it alone. I grab a pair of my plaid polo and the shorts with the same pattern on it, before grabbing my socks and putting on my shoes. Just as I reach out to grab the bowtie on my desk, I can sense my feet vibrating - and my ears shaking from a disruptive force outside.

"An earthquake...?"

The hut I was staying in was close to the beach; so if there was rumbling, I'd likely be one of the first people to feel it.

About half a minute passes in silence, and I eventually go back to my routine, still staying alert. I attach the bowtie to my blue polo underneath my main one, and wrap the golden scarf I've carried plenty of memories with around my neck. One more check in the mirror to comb my hair, choosing to ignore my cowlicks since it's futile to even try and style them any differently than how they choose to stand up.

Seriously though, what was that nois-

SLASH!

"UWAHHHH!"

THERE'S AN AXE ON MY FRONT DOOR THERE'S AN AXE ON MY FRONT DOOR THERE'S AN AXE ON MY FRONT DOOR

BANG!

"AHNNNNAH!!!"

SOMEBODY JUST BROKE THE DOOR SOMEBODY JUST BROKE THE DOOR SOMEBODY JUST BROKE THE DOOR

I'M GOING TO DIE I'M GOING TO DIE I'M GOING TO DIE

"Kyahaah! My robot's working to perfection! I just made the cutest and meanest entrance in the history of humankind! There... hack- sure is a lot of smoke here though. Bleck!"

DID I JUST HEAR A GUN LOAD???????

"Now, prepare to fall under the might of my brand new, customized denture gun! Hmm, I hope this thing doesn't actually kill people. I still have a lot of things I want to do with your disgusting demon body."

"WHY ARE YOU IN MY ROOM, YOU CLUELESS IMBECILE?!"

As if on instinct, I grabbed one of my shoes and threw it at the voice I now recognized so clearly, a loud thud coming from the dust that blocked me from seeing her, yet I could tell by the wail she made that my toss was accurate. The smoke clears up, and I can see that she was laid out on the floor, staring at the ceiling cluelessly. I can almost see the stars circling around her head...

She scrambles back to her feet, patting away the debris off her clothes as she rubbed her eyes, placing a hand somewhere on the center of her forehead. Guess I know where I hit her now.

"Ugh... my adorable face. What happened to me? Eh? Nagisa? Wait, what the heck are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you that! You barged into my room, broke my door with your 'robot', and then threatened to slay me with this... -"

I pick the gun up from the floor. It was made to fire out toy teeth. On the handle, I can see 'KS' written on it. So that scrappy, pathetic mechanic made this...

"... Whatever this is! Can you explain yourself first?!"

"I uh... isn't this that super ugly white-haired guy's hut? Noogy toe or whatever his name is. Big Sis Junko told me this is where he's supposed to be."

"You mean Nagito Komaeda? You got the huts mixed up; he's in the one right next to mine! How could you make such a ridiculous error? And more importantly - why are you even going around wrecking people's living spaces in the first place?"

"Monaca's orders! Or at least, Big Sis said it was her orders. She said she wants to move on to the next stage of our conquest of the island and converting it into paradise; and that's neutralizing all the adults with particularly dangerous talents!"

"What?"

Already??? But now wasn't the ideal time to strike, there was still so much time left to spend to plan properly, and... as much as I'd never admit it, I still had more to talk about with some of the people here. We could still take a much more peaceful method that didn't involve something so violent, why was she being so brash?

"That... doesn't make any sense. Why would Monaca order such a risky move so early? Are you certain that the info you got from Eno- Big Sis was valid?"

"Gah, look at you, you're being uppity and a worry-wart again. You really need to learn to enjoy life some more, like a panda! They just sit around being cute and never having to worry about some disgusting adult touching them in places they don't want to be touched in. I'm sure it's fine, and besides; I've kiiiinda been wanting to do this for a long time too. Heeheehee."

"Well, it's..."

Do I dare say it? I'm putting my own reputation as a Warrior of Hope on the line here, to defy what Monaca wants (at least, Junko says it is, and I still need to hear it from the mage herself.) would likely have everyone turn on him. And yet, everything about this was rubbing me the wrong way. Surely, she'll understand...? Monaca's a kind person, after all. She's likely just been frustrated or something, and got trigger-happy. Havoc like this should be avoided if possible. I'm certain she can be reasoned with.

"This is a mistake; we shouldn't be acting so headstrong, especially when we still have plenty more days to spend on this island. We need to gather more info on the adults here before anything else - and even then, an attack like this? It's too much! Especially since you went after the wrong target! I almost had a heart attack because of your stupidity!"

"H-Hey! It was an honest error! And besides, I totally thought I had the right hut - his luck must've switched your places or something! He's one of those guys with that other brownie luck junkie that has some sort of magical powers that protects them."

"His 'luck' has nothing to do with it! My morning's already been ruined because of your antics! Wouldn't be the first time it's happened either... why do you always have to be such a headache for me?!"

"... !"

... That shut her up. Seeing her so quiet and acquiescent was a sight I don't normally see. She folded her hands together, looking down on the floor with the eyes of a child being scolded by their parent. Crap, that seemed to have actually hurt her feelings a lot... I feel horrible now. Why oh why did I say that...

"Sorry, I... went t-too far. I've been a little stressed about... the future, I guess. You can hit me if it makes you feel better."

"No, it's... fine. I get it. I know it must be hard having to deal with a girl like me. And all of us, actually. You're so strict, y'know. And you try way too hard to act cool. But I don't think we'd be complete without you."

YANK!

"Youchouch! Don't grab my hair, and especially not there!"

"Pfttt. Are these things sensitive or something? I really need to get my hands on you and style you up myself one of these days. You're just way too adorbs to not try that!"

"Hngh..."

"Seriously though, sorry about everything. Here, I'll help you clean this mess up. And then let's go to Monaca and talk to her about all of this, okay?"

"Yeah, okay... and get your robot's axe off my door, please. I'll need to stay somewhere else now that it's broken."

"Well, even if you gave me all the peeled chestnuts in the entire universe - there's no chance I'm going to let you stay in my room! And I doubt Monaca would be fine with it too. Hmm, how about with the other boys?"

"You want me to try and coexist with Masaru? He snores like a bull, has the energy of a bull, and would just irritate me."

"In that case, you can go and stay with Jataro then! I heard he found some gross earthworms the other day, actually."

"... I think I'd rather jump into the ocean and drown myself."

I spent the rest of my morning cleaning with Kotoko, and contemplating on finding a new space to live in.

[susieporta]

Gli schemi di pensiero non abili non sono insiti nella condizione umana.

Da piccoli nasciamo ignoranti, è naturale, ma quell’ignoranza può essere dispersa dall’istruzione e dall’apprendimento.

Allo stesso modo possiamo isolare mentalmente gli stati non abili e ridurli; in seguito, quando nasce la felicità, gli stati non abili non hanno più alcun fondamento valido».

La scrittrice Barbara Kingsolver parla di questa possibile trasformazione, anche quando la nostra vita di prima è andata in pezzi:  

Ognuno di noi è chiamato, forse più volte, a cominciare una nuova vita.

Una diagnosi che spaventa, un matrimonio,

un trasferimento, la perdita di un lavoro o di una persona amata, un diploma, il momento in cui si porta a casa il bambino appena nato: non si riesce a pensare fin dall’inizio come sia possibile.

Alla fine, quello che spinge avanti tutto ciò è quel flusso di marea sotterraneo che è l’essere vivo fra i vivi.

Nella mia stagione peggiore ho fatto ritorno dal mondo senza colori della disperazione obbligandomi a guardare fisso e a lungo una cosa sola, gloriosa:

il rosso fiamma di un geranio fuori dalla finestra della mia camera da letto.

E poi un’altra: mia figlia in un vestito giallo.

E ancora un’altra: il profilo perfetto di una sfera compatta e scura dietro alla falce di luna crescente.

Fin quando ho imparato a innamorarmi di nuovo della mia vita.

Come la vittima di un ictus allena nuove parti del cervello per recuperare capacità perdute, sono tornata mille volte a insegnare a me stessa la gioia.

È una scoperta liberatoria, quella che possiamo passare dalle nostre storie non salutari al benessere.

Oggi possiamo scegliere che musica far suonare al lavoro, o mentre guidiamo, parliamo, facciamo la spesa, facciamo attività fisica o ci prendiamo cura del corpo: sarà un disco rotto del passato, che porta amarezza o dispiacere?

O lasceremo andare quei pensieri e lasceremo via libera alla meraviglia e ai potenziali della vita?

Trasformando il panorama dei nostri pensieri possiamo rivoluzionare per intero il nostro mondo.

di Jack Kornfield

(insegnante buddhista statunitense)

da: “Il cuore saggio”

🩵

Unskilled thought patterns are not inherent in the human condition.

From small we are born ignorant, it is natural, but that ignorance can be dispersed by education and learning.

In the same way, we can mentally isolate the non-able states and reduce them; later, when happiness is born, the non-able states no longer have any valid foundation".

Writer Barbara Kingsolver talks about this possible transformation, even when our earlier lives fell apart:  

Each of us is called, perhaps several times, to begin a new life.

A diagnosis that scares, a marriage,

a transfer, the loss of a job or a loved one, a diploma, the moment when you bring your newborn baby home: you can not think from the beginning how this is possible.

In the end, what drives all this forward is that subterranean tidal flow which is the living being among the living.

In my worst season I returned from the world without colors of despair forcing myself to look fixed and long one thing, glorious:

the flame red of a geranium outside my bedroom window.

And then another: my daughter in a yellow dress.

And yet another: the perfect outline of a compact, dark sphere behind the crescent moon scythe.

Until I learned to fall in love with my life again.

As the victim of a stroke trains new parts of the brain to recover lost abilities, I have returned a thousand times to teach myself joy.

It is a liberating discovery, one that we can move from our unhealthy stories to well-being.

Today we can choose what music to play at work, or while we drive, talk, shop, exercise or take care of the body: will it be a broken record from the past, which brings bitterness or displeasure?

Or will we let go of those thoughts and give way to the wonder and potentials of life?

By transforming the landscape of our thoughts we can revolutionize our entire world.

by Jack Kornfield

(us buddhist teacher)

from:"The wise heart”

[vacantgodling]

find the word tag

thanks so my for tagging me @westywrites!

brave — donut wip (the liminal space series)

saul looked about as nauseated as i felt. i saw him swallow heavily, the bob in his tiny adam’s apple ringing. “i’ll go first.” he finally said bravely. i felt like a coward for only nodding.

fear — jenna the reaper (the liminal space series)

Carlos chanced a look again, and the chattering, twisting, reviling half of Noi’s face was making their head tilt to the side, unnaturally, he might add. The crack of bones in their neck, leaving their head entirely horizontal sent something more primal than fear rushing through him.

steady — the virgin of mount heredosa

Through observation and many trials, Nyoka learned this unchanging pattern, which is how they made it this far into their journey today. The courtyard was clear—there were no hymns being sung, no shuffling lines of awed visitors, domestic and foreign alike. Silence, like a blessed, heavenly veil, to hide their escape. All that was left was to cross the yard, then scale the inner wall, on the route they’d practiced in secret many times before. They took a steadying breath…

shake/shiver — paramour

Hyacinthus stroked his fingers delicately against the raised lines on Amon’s back. He inwardly reveled at his shiver.

stranger — jenna the reaper (the liminal space series)

“It’s really nice to meet you.” He said sincerely. Adunni laughed, stepping towards him and scooping him up in a hug. Her arms were long and strong and he gasped, but hugged her back. “Don’t be a stranger! I’m your other mom!”

i'll tag @fearofahumanplanet @magic-is-something-we-create @henrike-does-writing-sometimes (with no pressure) & anyone else who feels like sharing their writing! your words are: up, down, left, right, backward

[mineofilms]

The 80 Metal

This has been coming for a while now. What better time than now, what better place than here? Never forget what the Dungeon Master asked Conan in “Conan the Barbarian” (1982).

Dungeon Master:

“Conan! What is best in life?”

Conan: “To crush to Metalcore, see it driven before Deathcore, and to hear the lamentations of Djent/Thall.”

During the pandemic when things changed. I had more time on my hands. Granted this was all before I got Covid myself and couldn’t work anymore, was still drinking and all of that. I was using this time to listen to more music while being at the computer. I was watching more YouTube and being introduced to new bands and styles. I was already in this mindset but now I had large blocks of time to dedicate to it.

So the great listening adventure began…

Change, our constant companion in the relentless surge of the evolution of heavy metal. This music… This brutal, yet beautiful music of dark, distortion of mirrors, evolving and growing. We confront our inner chaos, emerging the stronger. Each breakdown, each riff is a testament of our resilience, reminding us to allow new sources to inspire us, to challenge us. Evoke a new feeling. Crucible of sound and fury. “One judgement, no jury. I am, I am the fury…” —Wage War, “Fury.” It isn’t just our individualized soundtrack of our life but a philosophy —one that teaches us to embrace transmutation, seek out fresh riffs and vocal patterns. The perspectives, and forever push the boundaries of our existence. What exists here is a careful collection of 40 bands and 80 songs I either discovered since the pandemic or re-fell in love with. This isn’t a list compiled of all-time favorites or any of that. Some of these would be on that list. No. This list are bands and songs I heard in passing, then heard again, then again… Then again… Then I was like, I love this band. I would just start soaking up all I could from these bands. I did follow a criteria of sorts to pick what I wanted to talk about specifically for this essay.

The list of bands in the Top 16 are the current soundtrack to my life. They're the heavy hitters that dominate my playlists, the ones I turn to daily for that much-needed dose of face-melting metal madness. Whether I’m working, working out, or just zoning out, there's always something from one of these bands blasting my senses pretty much on a daily basis. They’ve got a permanent spot in my rotation, and I never get tired of them. If Fruity Pebbles was actually as addictive as crack. If these bands were all there ever was I’d be a happy-angry metalhead.

The Elite-8, now they’re a close second. These bands are just as crucial to my collection. I might not hit play on them every single day, but they’re still in heavy rotation. They’ve earned their place through sheer awesomeness and consistency. When I do dive into their discographies, it’s a deep, satisfying dive. They’re like the reliable alternate that never disappoints, has variety to it, even if they don’t always take center stage.

As for the Notable Mentions, these are the bands I keep an eye on, and have a few bangers I consume. They might not make it to my daily playlist, but I still enjoy their music whenever the mood strikes. They’re like the underdogs I cheer for, appreciating their contributions and knowing they’ve got the potential to climb higher on my personal charts. They’re the wildcards that keep my listening experience fresh and varied, adding that extra death to my core’s.

These are in no order. There is no best out of this list. I love all 16, equally. I put them in alphabetical order to have some organization to them. I did the same for the Elite-8 and notable mentions. The Top 16 will get more attention. The Elite-8 will be a little shorter and I will mention my notables.

Top 16:

Allegaeon:

From the desolate wastelands of Fort Collins, Colorado, Allegaeon emerged in 2008, branding themselves as tech-death metal manifestation of wizard magic. They broke through the noise with their 2014 album “Elements of the Infinite,” proving that even in a genre flooded with talent, they could stand out. Most metalheads will scream along to: "The God Particle," "Proponent for Sentience III: The Extermination," and "Gray Matter Mechanics - Apassionata Ex Machinea." Why do they matter? Because they blend brutal technicality with thought-provoking themes, proving that you can headbang and think critically at the same time or die trying. If you’re not listening, you’re missing out on some of the sharpest riffs in the metal universe. What attracted me to this band was “Gray Matter Mechanics - Apassionata Ex Machinea.” I remember the first time I heard the song in the car, listening to XM Radio, Liquid Metal, which I have a love/hate relationship with, as-far-as their selection of music is concerned. This song has everything from sheer heaviness to some really neat acoustic guitar parts. Their covers of RUSH’s “Subdivisions” and YES’s “Roundabout” are also very interesting when you hear their originals and then go and take-a-listen to these covers. Their variety of how they can play and form songs are set on a different level for me with extreme metal and it still sounds super technical and smart while getting my inner molecules excited to stand and bang with Ex Machina.

Architects:

From the grimy streets of Brighton, England, Architects have been redefining metalcore since 2004. They hit the big time with their 2016 album “All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us”, a testament to their relentless energy and lyrical depth. Fans thrash to: “Doomsday,” “Meteor,” and “Animals.” Why do they matter? Architects have mastered the art of blending crushing riffs with poppy hooks that make you both sing along and then crush your boi beside you in the pit. If you haven’t caught on yet, you’re missing one of the most influential acts in the genre. “Animals” has nearly 100,000,000 streams on Spotify. I’d say that is significant for a heavy band.

DÅÅTH:

A strange one to make the list because these guys from Atlanta, Georgia, gave us DÅÅTH in 2003, a band that took death metal and infused it with industrial and groove elements. They gained traction with their 2007 album “The Hinderers.” Songs like “The Worthless,” “Subterfuge,” and “Day of Endless Light” are staples. However, where they really shine is in 2024. Releasing their first record in 14 years, DÅÅTH’s newest record, “The Deceivers” is electrifying. Showcases their signature blend of technical death metal and industrial influences, with an ‘even-more’ evolved sound that may redefine where this type of music is heading in the future. Even my 72-year-old mother was diggin’ on this as I was playing it out by the pool. Tracks like: “No Rest No End,” "Purified By Vengeance" and “Hex Unending" are being praised for their intricate riffs, relentless energy, and dark, thought-provoking lyrics. This release is not just a comeback; it's a statement that DÅÅTH is more powerful and relevant than ever in the metal scene.  Why do they matter? DÅÅTH brought a fresh, mechanical edge to death metal, making it as much about atmosphere as brutality. Their unique sound and newer evolved take will influence the genre, proving that metal can evolve without losing its core intensity.

Enterprise Earth:

Spawning from Spokane, Washington, in 2014, Enterprise Earth has been a relentless force in Deathcore. Their 2017 album “Embodiment” solidified their place in the scene. Tracks like: “Psalm of Agony,” “Where Dreams Are Broken,” and “Casket of Rust” are my personal favorites. Why do they matter? They bring a brutal yet smooth but polished sound, with lyrics and groove that delve into existential and societal themes. Enterprise Earth is the band for those who want their deathcore with a side of philosophical pondering and some crazy instrumentals. In my opinion one of the more technical bands that keep their feet on the pedal as if they were driving in the wasteland of “Mad Max: Fury Road.” I also love that they release strictly instrumentals of their records. Just another angle of what this band can do sonically and still be brutal-as-FK. Spock once said, “breakdown and prosper,” before he jumped into the crowd of screaming metal fans…

ERRA:

Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, ERRA has been pushing the boundaries of progressive metalcore since 2009. They made waves with their 2013 album “Augment.” Some of my personal favorite tracks include: “Snowblood,” “Breach,” and “Pull From the Ghost.” Why do they matter? ERRA combines technical proficiency with emotional depth, creating a sound that's as heavy and progressive while fusing elements of Djent/Thall into a powerful intricate of soundwaves that stimulate the mind while sweating in its heat… They're a shining example of how metalcore can evolve, blending complexity with raw emotion. Their MUSE cover, “Stockhom Syndrome” is a banger you do not wanna miss.

Fit For A King:

One of the few metalcore bands that survived the style’s shift in and around 2010; Fit for a King, also known as FFAK, that’s right FFAK, burst out of Dallas, Texas, in 2007, delivering punishing metal with a melodic twist. They are considered “Christian hardcore,” whatever that is supposed to be in 2024? If you listen to metal, whatever, most will say, they are metalcore, sure they have the Christian element in their lyrics it doesn’t really change if they are a kickass metal band or not. They shred. That is all that matters to me. Their 2018 album “Dark Skies” pushed them back into the spotlight with a few albums that didn’t match their heaviness. Anthems like: “Tower of Pain,” “Breaking the Mirror,” and “End (the Other Side)” are must-listens. Why do they matter? FFAK melds heaviness with accessible hooks, tackling themes of personal struggle and resilience. They’ve carved out a niche that’s both brutal and relatable, making them a mainstay in the modern metal scene and in just about every playlist I have that has extreme metal in it.

Job For A Cowboy:

Emerging from Glendale, Arizona, in 2003, Job For A Cowboy quickly became synonymous with extreme metal and death metal before evolving their sound to a more technical, progressive-deathcore blend. Their rise to fame through MySpace is legendary in the metal community. As one of the first bands discovered exclusively via the platform, their story is a testament to the power of social media in the music industry. Their 2005 EP "Doom" caught fire on MySpace, attracting a massive following and showcasing their brutal blend of hostile audio waves and one of the first instances of using the “pig squeal” as a vocal style rather than just an effect one would use here/there in a song. Job For A Cowboy turned this into a complete vocal style with their brand of usage of it. Tracks like: "Entombment of a Machine" and “Knee Deep” became viral hits, earning them a record deal and catapulting them into the metal spotlight. Why do they matter?  They continue to pave the way for countless other bands, cementing Job For A Cowboy as pioneers of the digital age in metal music. They transition showcasing technical prowess and brutal intensity. Their influence on metal genres is undeniable, making them a band every metal fan should know. If you do not believe me, check out the track “Beyond the Chemical Doorway.”

Orbit Culture:

Straight out of Eksjö, Sweden, Orbit Culture has been around since 2013. Their 2020 album “Nija” and 2023’s “Descent” brought them international acclaim. My favorites include: “From the Inside,” “While We Serve,” and “North Star of Nija.” Why are they important? Orbit Culture seamlessly blends melody with aggression, crafting songs that are as catchy as they are heavy. They’re a fresh voice in the melodic deathcore scene, proving the genre is alive and well. The future of “Melodeath.” At the start of 2024, Orbit Culture signed a deal with Century Media Records. Century Media Vice President Philipp Schulte said via press release; “Watching Orbit Culture’s rise to becoming one of the greatest new metal bands in the world and now working with them is inspiring. I’ve personally been a fan since the beginning. They are part of both metal and Century Media’s future in a very exciting way.”

SiM:

From Tokyo, Japan, SiM (Silence iz Mine) has been mixing punk rock, traditional heavy metal, nü-metal and reggae since 2004. Their 2013 album “Pandora” put them on the map. Key tracks include “KiLLiNG ME,” “Blah Blah Blah,” and “The Rumbling,” which is featured on the anime show “Attack on Titan: The Final Season Part 2.” Why do they matter? SiM defies genre boundaries, creating a unique sound that’s as unpredictable as it is infectious with their fusion of different styles. This band is so much fun sonically. They bring the heat but they also bring the bounce. If you like bands like Skindred, Insolence, and (həd) p.e. Then you’d love SiM… They bring a wild, chaotic energy that’s impossible to ignore. If you’re not listening, you’re missing out on one of the most innovative bands out of Japan. Personal favorites not mentioned above are: “HiDe and Seek” and “Red.” Their newest record, “Playdead” is a real banger from front to back and back to front.

Slaughter to Prevail:

From Yekaterinburg, Russia, Slaughter to Prevail has been a relentless force in deathcore since 2014. Their 2017 album “Misery Sermon” turned heads in the metal community. Key tracks like “Misery Sermon,” “666,” and “Chronic Slaughter” showcase their brutality. I started hearing some rumblings about this deathcore band that was killing it from Russia. All I knew back then was this “Russian Hate Project.” Then I started seeing videos of Alex Terrible and all what he could do. Not just with his band but his solo stuff as well. We’ll get there… Anyway, I have seen this band live. With no opener and just destroying it. No one was pissed off. Everyone was on board with Alex and what this band brings to the dance. Why do they matter? Slaughter to Prevail delivers some of the heaviest, most visceral deathcore out there, with a raw intensity that's hard to match. They bring a vicious energy that's both terrifying and captivating. If you like bands like Thy Art Is Murder, Whitechapel, and Suicide Silence, then you'll love Slaughter to Prevail. They offer a relentless sonic assault that's impossible to ignore. Every member can play. Their YouTube channel is amazing for extra content from the band. Some are calling them the next Slipknot and/or Pantera. Stiff tagline but doable in my eyes. They are on their way of being the biggest band on this list and they are not at all radio-friendly metal. Not even close. If you need some good heavy music to fuel your workouts? Personal favorites are: "Demolisher," "Baba Yaga," "Bratva," "1984," "Viking," "Conflict," and "Kid of Darkness"

Twelve Foot Ninja:

From Melbourne, Australia, Twelve Foot Ninja has been blending alternative metal with funk and progressive elements since 2008. Their 2012 album “Silent Machine” brought them into the limelight and both their last two albums were absolute bangers. Why do they matter?  Their genre-defying sound and quirky humor set them apart, making them one of the most original acts in modern metal. This band reminds me of early INCUBUS. Specifically when the band first started all the way through “S.C.I.E.N.C.E.” I think Incubus - “S.C.I.E.N.C.E.” is one of the most influential records to come out of the latter half of the 1990s. Especially with metal and fusing it with other styles. One of the defining things about nü-metal was its ability to fuse other styles of music into its aggressive brand. Bands in the heavier sub-genres are now doing this more and more again with their twist of modern added to it. We just might get a nü-metal 2.0 in the near future, I think… Key tracks include: “Coming for You,” “One Hand Killing,” and “Invincible.”

Upon A Burning Body:

Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Upon A Burning Body has been delivering their brand of core which happens to be metal, since 2005. I do not believe them to be a metalcore band. Google lists them as ‘metal,’ and ‘groove metal.’ They are more deathcore for me. They blend elements of metalcore and death metal, characterized by heavy breakdowns, aggressive vocals, and fast-paced, technically demanding instrumentation. However, lately, the band has had a more groovier edge closer to the style of Pantera. And this is not a bad thing. To me, this shift is logical with how they sound. They already had a style, that to me, was a more exaggerated version of what Pantera had done. For them to bring it down a little makes a lot of sense and it sounds absolutely amazing. They can still do the speed when the song fits, but this more groovy take is very enjoyable. Notoriety came with their 2014 album “The World Is My Enemy Now.” Essential tracks include, “Texas Blood Money,” “Sin City,” and “Red Razor Wrists.” Why do they matter? They bring a no-nonsense, hard-hitting approach to metal, with swagger that’s uniquely Texan. Family-oriented with their fanbase, but more like a ‘fambase.’ They’ve earned their place in the scene with relentless energy and unyielding aggression. Some personal favorites: “Built from War,” “Intermission,” and “Til the Break of Dawn.”

Wage War:

From Ocala, Florida, Wage War has been throwing down since 2010 with a no-holds-barred approach to metalcore. Their 2017 album “Deadweight” catapulted them into the spotlight, and for good reason. Tracks like “Stitch,” “Alive,” “Gravity,” “The River,” “Fury,” and “Johnny Cash” are absolute must-listens that’ll hit you like a freight train of emotion and power. Why do they matter? Wage War is all about mixing bone-crushing heaviness with melodic hooks that stick with you. They tackle themes of personal struggle and resilience with a raw intensity that’s impossible to ignore. Their music is a relentless force, whether you’re looking to crush a workout or just chill by the pool with their “Stripped Sessions.” If you’re not in the know, you’re seriously missing out on one of the most compelling acts in metalcore right now. Personal favorites? Check out “Fury,” “Low,” “Relapse,” “Godspeed,” and “High Horse.” Their last album, “Manic”, is a nonstop banger of highs/lows of life, packed with the kind of riffs and hooks that’ll keep you coming back for more. New album “Stigma” out now is something you can groove at the club too but still be heavy and metal… The breakdowns are absolutely insane…

Whitechapel:

Hailing from Knoxville, Tennessee, Whitechapel has been a brutal force in the deathcore scene since 2006. Their 2010 album “A New Era of Corruption” was a defining moment, showcasing their relentless sound. Key tracks like “The Saw Is the Law,” “I, Dementia,” and “When a Demon Defiles a Witch” are essential screamers that display their technical precision and raw power. Why do they matter? Whitechapel delivers sheer brutality with unmatched technical skill, cementing their place as titans of deathcore. They’re a band that’s impossible to ignore, with a sound that hits like a sledgehammer or two-ton, heavy thing. If you’re into unrelenting heaviness and intricate musicianship, Whitechapel is your band. I discovered them late. I always knew who they were, but I didn’t start to really love them till about a year ago and now I am a total junkie. They’re a cornerstone of modern metal. Standout tracks? Don’t miss “I Will Find You,” a song that perfectly encapsulates their relentless aggression, and “This Is Exile,” a brutal anthem, a brutal anthem, FK you, it’s a brutal anthem. “The Saw Is the Law” is another must-listen, combining their signature heaviness with an unforgettable groove. I get it. Mineo is always late to parties. This one included, but damn does it feel good to be here now… Oh, so good…

Winds of Plague:

From Upland, California, Winds of Plague has been fusing symphonic elements with West Coast hardcore since 2002, creating a sound that’s both grand and brutal. Their 2008 album “Decimate the Weak” was a game-changer, firmly establishing them in the metal scene. Essential tracks like “Decimate the Weak,” “The Impaler,” and “Reloaded” showcase their ability to blend cinematic scope with crushing heaviness. Why do they matter? Winds of Plague brings an epic, theatrical quality to deathcore that sets them apart. Their music is a relentless assault on the senses, combining symphonic elements with bone-crushing riffs and breakdowns. Kids, they were doing breakdowns before most were calling them breakdowns. If you’re into bands that push the boundaries of their genre, Winds of Plague should be the 2010s Sepultura for you then. They prove that hardcore can transcend to deathcore and be as grand and dynamic as it is heavy. Personal favorites? Check out “Refined in the Fire,” a track that exemplifies their symphonic brutality of “evil FK’n fears me,” and “The Great Stone War,” a powerful anthem that showcases their unique style. I call it the ‘Braveheart song.’ Listen to it. You’ll get it… Let’s not forget the hardcore classic “Reloaded.” If you forgot about them. Pick them back up. They hold up amazingly when you are pissed off in the modern-day…

Within the Ruins:

From Westfield, Massachusetts, Within the Ruins has been delivering technical metalcore since 2003. Their 2014 album “Phenomena” brought them widespread recognition and showcased their signature sound. Key tracks like “Calling Card,” “Gods Amongst Men,” and “Ataxia IV” are fan favorites that highlight their intricate face-melting musicianship and crushing heaviness. Why do they matter? Within the Ruins stands out in the technical heavy scene with their dark, deep, and rich guitar tones that weave complex and brutal riffs. They’re not just about heaviness; they’re about precision and technical prowess. If your girlfriend asks: “Do you even Djent?” She knows if you are lying or not that you know Within the Ruins material. Personal favorites? “Outsider” (with its haunting lyrics “Left with no home, I have been disowned. Forever left alone, I have become the outsider”), “Castle in the Sky,” and “Ivory Tower” all showcase their ability to blend technical complexity with raw power. Within the Ruins continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in metal. Doesn’t matter what part of the core they are. Metal, PERIOD, making them a must-listen for anyone that thinks they Djent.

Elite-8:

Allt:

Hailing from Sweden, Allt showed up around 2020. Known for their intricate soundscapes and powerful performances, their track “Paradox” stands out as a fan favorite, showcasing their unique blend of technical proficiency and emotional depth. “The Deep Blue Silent” and “Paralyzed” are also stand-out tracks.

Avatar:

From Gothenburg, Sweden, Avatar has been delivering theatrical melodic metal since 2001. Their hit “Hail the Apocalypse” is a prime example of their dynamic sound, combining heavy riffs with dramatic flair, making them a standout in the metal scene. "Let It Burn" and "The King Welcomes You to Avatar Country" are also stand-out tracks. A lot of fun and marketable to mass-listeners.

Bleed From Within:

Emerging from Glasgow, Scotland, in 2005, Bleed From Within has been a force in metalcore. Their track “The End of All We Know” is a must-listen, highlighting their blend of crushing heaviness and melodic hooks that define their sound. “I Am Damnation” and “Hands of Sin” are bangers...

Cattle Decapitation:

San Diego, California, gave us this insane band in 1996, pioneers of deathgrind. Known for their brutal intensity, “Forced Gender Reassignment” is a song that encapsulates their relentless aggression and controversial themes. Usually too heavy for what I like this band has grown on me. Love the new record, it’s sick. “Bring Back the Plague” and “Scourge of the Offspring” are intense, to say the least...

Fate Destroyed:

From Los Angeles, California, Fate Destroyed has been delivering modern metal since 2018. Their track “Break Free” showcases their blend of heavy riffs and melodic sensibility, making them a fresh voice in the metal scene. Probably my favorite band with a female singer right now. Check out, "Crave" and "Speak Your Name."

Impending Doom:

Riverside, California, birthed this incarnation in metal in 2005, a band at the forefront of Christian deathcore. Known for their intense sound. “Murderer” is a track that exemplifies their brutal yet thought-provoking approach to the genre. They haven’t done anything in a minute but do not count them out. They bring the heavy… "Satanic Panic" and "War Music" are exactly what they mean with these tracks.

Till The Dirt:

A new band from ATHEIST front-man Kelly Shaefer, with their debut album “Outside the Spiral.” Known for his impact on the Floridian death metal scene, Shaefer’s new project blends grunge, black metal, jazz, rock, dark wave, and more into a unique sound. TILL THE DIRT stands out by blending various genres into a powerful sound that pushes death metal's boundaries. If you think you know what extreme metal sounds like, loud-AF, put on some noise cancelation headphones and turn this up to 11. It is ok. I will hold your beer… The production value is amazing on the record. “Outside the Spiral” will train your mind to understand. Check out the vibes of: “Starring Role” and “Outside the Spiral” for a taste of their filling sound.

Wake Up Frankie:

Metal from Finland. No bullshit. Take 80's thrash, smash it with 90's metal grooves, and blast it with 00's pornrock, and you get thrashrock in the name of Wake Up Frankie! Been tearin’ up Helsinki since 2017, and they’re just getting started. Check out: “RATATATA,” “Bloodlust,” "The Outlaw," and "Drop Dead." Shit… Just check out their Spotify already. All their songs are bangers... No shit…

Before I go on with “Notable Mentions” I just want to say something about sub-genres. Labels are important. However, let’s not lose our heads here on the specifics of this core vs that core. These labels are loose. I used my own judgement and knowledge of music also with Google and AI. It is ok to not agree. Sure, they have meanings that define them, but a lot of bands, at least these bands, in my opinion, float between the boundaries. I just look at all of them as “modern-metal…” I am not saying this is a sub-genre or anything, but talking about a time period right now. Some of these bands are older than others and have been around and some are semi-new, but it's 2024 now. We have had what? 30-35 years of perfecting the audio techniques and with AI now being able to be thrown into the mix. The changes are going to come even quicker. I am just saying we are getting close to even newer and faster changes coming. Be ready to just take it in. We have already hit that singularity for metal music. It is going to expand in ways that a lot of the OG’s won’t really understand, nor will I as a fan. I am just going to soak it in. Like what I like, love what I love. If I do not like it. I will at least think about why I don’t, so that I may explain it in the future. Usually, my tastes have to do with my moods and how I just like how things sound to me. I have never been able to explain it in a more, well, explainable way. Stay Tuned…

Notable Mention(s):

After The Burial:

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2004, progressive metalcore. Songs to check out: "Behold the Crown," and “Lost in the Static.”

Alex Terrible:

Russia, 2016, deathcore, best known for his band Slaughter to Prevail. Check out "Demolisher." Also, Alex has a YouTube channel where he will post solo tracks and covers of songs. He raps too. It's, um, interesting. See, “Lil Nas X - Old Town Road COVER” - https://youtu.be/RFZVcEym0Hw?si=N-5XBRPC1iCQf-XM

Alpha Wolf:

Metalcore, 2013, from Hobart, Tasmania. Yes, Tasmania and their songs are fast too. Check out, "Akudama."

Dying Fetus:

Upper Marlboro, Maryland, 1991, death metal. The song, "Subjected to a Beating," but it is their newer stuff I really dig, like “Compulsion for Cruelty.”

I Prevail:

Southfield, Michigan, 2013, post-hardcore. "Bow Down" is a real banger.

Ice Nine Kills:

Boston, Massachusetts, 2002, metalcore, "A Grave Mistake" is a good song but the one I like a lot right now is “The American Nightmare.”

Make Them Suffer:

Perth, Western Australia, 2008, metalcore/deathcore blend. Songs to check out: "Ether," “Epitaph,” and “Erase Me.”

Memphis May Fire:

Dallas, Texas, 2006, metalcore, "No Ordinary Love" has always been a staple track. I really love their newer stuff. “Blood and Water” is a real banger…

Meshuggah:

The OG professors of metal tinkering; Meshuggah, hailing from Umeå, Sweden, falls into several heavy metal sub-genres, including Extreme Metal, Progressive Metal, Technical Death Metal, Djent, Avant-garde Metal, Groove Metal, Experimental Metal, Math Metal, Industrial Metal, and Post-Thrash Metal. Check out the classic “Bleed.” Their 2022, "Immutable" is/was an amazing record. Check out "The Abysmal Eye."

Mushroomhead:

Originating from Cleveland, Ohio in 1993, is best known for songs like "Solitaire/Unraveling," "Bwomp," "Sun Doesn't Rise," "Simple Survival," "Qwerty," "Kill Tomorrow," "1200," "Save Us," "Out of My Mind," and "We Are the Truth." New singles: “Prepackaged” and “Fall in Line” are super cool songs. They still sound cool as hell…

Norma Jean:

Douglasville, Georgia, since 1997, has demonstrated remarkable longevity in the metalcore scene, continuing to release bangers like "A Killing Word."

Of Mice & Men:

Costa Mesa, California, 2009, metalcore. Probably best known for, "Second & Sebring." However, I really love their 2022 release “Echo.” Several bangers on there. Check out: "Timeless," "Anchor," “Bloom,” “Pulling Teeth,” and "Obsolete." “Obsolete” has 42 million-plus streams on Spotify. One of their newest and it is one of their most popular and personal favorite from the band.

Periphery:

A cornerstone in progressive metal from Washington, D.C. (2005.) Their drummer, Matt Halpern, is a standout talent, bringing incredible precision and creativity to their sound. Tracks like "Scarlet," "Blood Eagle," and "Marigold" showcase their innovative approach and Halpern's exceptional drumming skills.

Polaris:

Sydney, Australia, 2012, metalcore, “Masochist” and “the Remedy” are in my normal rotation. I need more focus sessions with them.

Termina:

USA, 2020, metalcore. I like Nik Nocturnal. He is a pretty good guitar player and, decent content creator. Where he really shines is doing a great job of bringing all sorts of metal out there where I trust his judgment and I will also check out something he is either in or talks highly of. Jams from this band: "Lucid" and “Take Flight” are nicely done.

thrown:

Stockholm, Sweden, 2021, hardcore. Songs like, “On the Verge,” and "Grayout" are like a beast within themselves. Look this band is today’s generation’s Hatebreed. This isn’t a knock at all. It is awesome that bands can still come out and do stuff with a passion to punish the ears and make faces melt. Their music and philosophy on how to market themselves on Spotify is a very interesting idea. They just so happen to really punch you in the face with their nonstop style.

As we near the end of this venture, for now, let's retain a thing or two, along with enough jams to make a playlist: the essence of metal isn’t just in the gutturals, the riffs, or the breakdowns. It’s in the spirit, the relentless drive to push boundaries, to evolve, and to defy. Each band mentioned here has played a part in my ever-growing soundtrack, offering me a refuge, a release, and a relentless challenge to my senses and perceptions of what is real. Metal remains a steadfast companion, an unyielding force that mirrors the chaos within and around us. These bands, carved their place. Not just as background noise but as the very pulse that drives a foot forward, a finger to push the coffee machine on. To press on, to proceed, to progress, drive forward. To headbang a little. The top 16, the Elite-8, and the Notable Mentions each bring their unique flavor to the table, crafting a diverse and ever-changing landscape of sound of fury. The future of metal is bright, chaotic, and unpredictable, just as it should be. With the advent of new technologies, evolving tastes, and the undying passion of its creators and listeners, this genre will continue to morph and mutate, always staying one step ahead of the mainstream, always staying true to its roots of rebellion and resilience. Embrace the chaos. This anthem, this rebellion, that relentless pursuit of the perfect vibe. Never stop exploring the brutal beauty that is heavy metal. It’s only getting better…

I cannot remember if I ever made a soundtrack for an essay or not. Yet, I did, here is one. All the bands mentioned here directly are on it. Most of the songs mentioned here are on it but not all. Of the 40 bands and 80 songs represented here. The Top 16 got three songs of my choosing. The Elite-8 got two and the Notable Mentions got one each. This was something I had to be into as well. That I can get a little variety of these bands I am really into right now. I may expand it. I may not. I might just make a new one and make that version two or something. I do not know. I just want all this music readily available in my accessible playlists. All these bands are smothered across my account in several different playlists.

Keep bangin’ your heads out there…

Enjoy 80 - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/77rvQQxfjgzHYxuvewCWST?si=1a92413271cd4c63

The 80 Metal by David-Angelo Mineo 7/14/2024 5,593 Words

Top 16:

Allegaeon

Architects

DÅÅTH

Enterprise Earth

ERRA

Fit For A King

Job For A Cowboy

Orbit Culture

SiM

Slaughter to Prevail

Twelve Foot Ninja

Upon A Burning Body

Wage War

Whitechapel

Winds Of Plague

Within The Ruins

The Elite 8:

Allt

Avatar

Bleed From Within

Cattle Decapitation

Fate Destroyed

Impending Doom

Till The Dirt

Wake Up Frankie

Notable Mentions (16):

After the Burial

Alex Terrible

Alpha Wolf

Dying Fetus

I Prevail

Ice Nine Kills

Make Them Suffer

Memphis May Fire

Meshuggah

Mushroomhead

Norma Jean

Of Mice & Men

Periphery

Polaris

Termina

thrown

[micro961]

L-Rhose - Il nuovo singolo “Every night”

Il brano del duo sugli stores digitali e dal 31 maggio nelle radio

“Every night” è il nuovo singolo del poliedrico duo L-Rhose, composto dai fratelli Francesco e Luca Reale, sui principali stores digitali e dal 31 maggio anche nelle radio in promozione nazionale. La canzone, che si sviluppa su un pattern di basso ritmato e ben marcato fondendosi in atmosfere oniriche ed a tratti sognanti, esplora la dicotomia tra il giorno, quando tutto è attivo, vivo, vivace ed ognuno di noi accantona i propri timori e le proprie incertezze per rapportarsi e confrontarsi con il Mondo e la notte, quando tutto tace e si resta soli, al buio, con i propri pensieri, i propri desideri, le proprie paure ed i propri dubbi, alla ricerca di qualcuno o qualcosa che possa aiutarti ad affrontarli.

Gli artisti raccontano: “A volte l'oscurità della notte serve anche a nascondere se stessi dal mondo intero, lo stesso che hai provato ad affrontare e sei riuscito a dominare durante il giorno: ma quando viene buio e sei stanco, i pensieri e le paure a cui non sai dare una risposta possano prendere il sopravvento e consumarti se sei stremato e hai perso le forze. Anche se provi a nasconderti, la tua tempesta interiore viene a cercarti e ti trova mettendoti di fronte alle scelte da prendere, non puoi più rimanere al sicuro nel tuo nascondiglio: e allora ti affidi a lei, alle sue parole e ai suoi gesti, per costruire il tuo riparo e metterti al sicuro, lei che è in ogni singola piccola cosa e in ogni tua preghiera, lei che ti dà la forza di uscire finalmente allo scoperto per affrontare tutti i tuoi dubbi e i tuoi demoni. Poi la notte passa, lei svanisce e tu sei di nuovo al sicuro, almeno fino al prossimo tramonto, anche se sei consapevole di non avere preso ancora la tua decisione definitiva.”

“E alla fine ti rendi conto che forse la tua paura più grande e pericolosa è proprio quella di ardere completamente per lei, disarmato e inerme, lei che ti toglie ogni respiro, ogni difesa e ogni arma e che sai essere la tua unica salvezza così come al contempo il tuo più grande tormento. E il sole sta rinascendo di nuovo, in attesa di tramontare ancora e lasciarti in preda a un'altra notte in cui non potrai restare nascosto a lungo, perché lei ti troverà e allo stesso tempo ti metterà in salvo e sarà così sempre, perché alcune cose non puoi spiegarle e non si comandano, vengono per natura come il giorno e la notte…” L-Rhose

Ascolta il brano

Nel mondo del “Pop” l'espressione e la creatività crescono e mutano non sempre nella direzione del tempo; l'evoluzione artistica, nella musica, fluttua fra trasformazioni innovative, contaminazioni e ritorni ad epoche che hanno lasciato indelebili tatuaggi nella storia.

Fedeli a questi principi di ripercorso evocativo, ma sempre in forma moderna, Francesco e Luca Reale hanno realizzato L-Rhose, un progetto musicale meglio descritto in “pop/rock style”, in cui raffinati arrangiamenti esaltano le canzoni e le loro caratteristiche melodiche; L-Rhose è l'idea, il pensiero nel fare musica, raccontando nei testi le emozioni di momenti intensi, risvegliando l'animo umano, le sue fragilità, contraddizioni ed aspirazioni. Francesco e Luca sono fratelli, entrambi autori ed interpreti delle musiche e dei testi, di ciò che considerano il loro progetto di “famiglia”, maturato nel tempo attraverso anni di ricerca stilistica. I temi dominanti delle loro canzoni sono l'amore ed i sentimenti; cantate prevalentemente in inglese, emergono in esse forme poetiche e sospirate, che esaltano l'elemento emotivo, sensoriale, particolarmente accentuato in alcune parti dei brani; caratteristiche rintracciabili e identificabili sin dalla loro prima uscita discografica ufficiale, “Sleep, my L, sleep”. Un Pop-Rock melodico, mai banale, mai urlato, che ti porta nei sogni, nei pensieri, in un viaggio ricco di libertà.

Website: https://www.l-rhose.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lrhoseofficial

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lrhoseofficial

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/LRhoseofficial

Songwhip: https://songwhip.com/l-rhose

[griks-fabulous-adventure]

Ok, I was gonna put this in the tags but honestly Thank You so much for that last addition.

I see a lot of posts like OPs and I'm like ok, I really want to talk in a way that works for autistic people. But I can't just change my speaking pattern overnight. And I also can't just know if someone is autistic or not. And also many times indirect communication is better and easier for allistic people and does serve a purpose, even if you don't understand it. We're not doing this to be dicks to autistic people!

I saw a good post that compared being autistic to speaking a different language. And that's super accurate. But that also includes allistic people noy being able to effortlessly switch to talking in a way that autistic people understand well.

Please talk to people about it and ask them to do things differently and just give people the benefit of the doubt that they don't do this to mess with you.

Allistic people really need to stop phrasing requests as questions because it's fucking with me

"Do you want to help me cook dinner?"

No, I'm still overwhelmed from earlier and want to stay in my room.

"well fine, dinner will be ready when it's done." And now they're upset with me

And I'm just here like ???????

[taking-anger-out-on-gaspedal]

I heard the engine make a loud surge. I heard Reesa say oh no, its stuck I don’t know what to do. She was stomping her foot down so hard the stiletto on her right foot became stuck  the heel was actually stuck in the floorboard forcing the sandal slide part of the shoe to continue to apply pressure on the gas pedal. It was flooring the gas pedal even though Reesa was on the brake pedal. Reesa pushed the clutch in to stop the car from accelerating and she pushed the brake pedal but the engine was still getting gas so it surged loud. I quickly noticed what was going on and I reached down from the passenger seat and pulled her high heel shoe out freeing it and releasing it from the gas pedal. The engine immediately idled down. This was a seriuos situation so we decided to park the car and take a 30 minutes break. It was not until the next morning when my friend Catherine Fox and her boyfriend decided to tell me Reesa was a trans. a post operation meaning she had the surgery to modify the penis into a honey pot. I was a little bit shocked but Catherine explained to me that in this business there is no classification of peoples marking them bad because they are trans and not wanting to shoot with certain people not because of tehre inabilities but because they are part of a minority group gay lesbian transgender, a sexual, don’t have a foot fetish but has a stockings fetish. She said the industry is about making decisions on who you work with not by racial bias but by the individuals skill, the model having a fan base, the connection you have with the model. I found out real quick that there was a demand for transgenders but the 9 and tens there is a very large demand within the Male Heterosexual group. The transgenders in the 9 and tens actually advance above and beyond an average woman. It is impossible to crack the transgender code by looking for an Adams apple or some kind of physical element. Since they have to work hard at being a female many of the really beautiful trans work very hard at it become something really awesome. Having to work hard at it all the time just makes a person better at anything. When have you heard of a woman working hard at being a woman.  Inclosing when I filmed pedal pumping content with Reesa Noi a post op transgender I was absolutely floored by the aggressive stomping hard flooring her pedal to the metal operation of the gas pedal was on another level.  Could she have had a little bit of testosterone left within her right leg and foot. Reesa Noi after watching her drive and rev up her car the Honda Civic black two door and my Acura RSX it is my opinion that she is one of the most aggressive gas pedal abusing engine killers. She will push it very hard driving it like she stole it. Her Honda Civic has already had 3 motors dropped into it because she blew each of them up .

[kanadeamo]

me thinkin bout how good my sona is and how glad i am to be a furrie

[rolaplayor101]

Joe's Gender Envy List:

Chris Fleming > Unity from R&M > Pennywise > Noi > Sheila from Venture Bros. > dog-patterned bandages /j

Maverique it it’s user Joe AU

Redbubble!!….commissions…pls reblog to support my art!… DNI proshippers and queer exclusionists

[kolmogorov-is-sad]

The Swan. Harmony under the starry sky.

Translator’s note: Today is Yuzuru Hanyu’s 26th birthday. To celebrate the date, wonderful Yulena gave us this technical and emotional analysis of the Notte Stellata, that I would like to share.  Yuzuru has become an inspiration and has brought hope to so many people. And in the times of adversities, I cannot think of a better program to keep in heart than Notte Stellata. 

Notte Stellata (”Starry night”), a program choreographed by David Wilson, is one of the best exhibitions of Yuzuru Hanyu. A song by Italian trio Il Volo set to the music of Saint-Saëns’ The Swan and of the same name became an unexpected gift to Yuzuru.

In April of 2016 renowned Russian coach Tatiana Tarasova told Yuzuru: “I have a song for you, a song I would like to see you skate to very much”. And she gave him a recording.

“I was very happy that coach Tarasova reached out to me. I admired the rivalry between Plushenko and Yagudin that made me desire to get serious with figure skating and to become Olympic champion. That’s why I was truly happy to receive music directly from the coach of the sportsman that once stood at the very top of the victory podium in Salt Lake City.” (c)

Yuzuru has already turned to the swan theme in his short program White Legend. With this beautiful program set to the music from Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake arranged by famous Japanese violinist Ikuko Kawaii, Yuzuru competed in 2010-2011 season. In the first part of the autobiography Aoi Honoo (Blue Flame) Yuzuru shared that the melody of the White Legend is sorrowful but despite that it gives a feeling of setting wings free and brings strength to fight the adversities. After the Great East Japan Earthquake, this program for him became connected to the restoration after the disaster, that is why Yuzuru chose that program for the first charity show in Kobe (in April of 2011) and as the exhibition program of the season as well as the exhibition in Olympic Sochi.

Japanese papers named that program 星降る夜 (“The Night of the Falling Stars”)

Yuzuru’s recollections of the first days after the tragedy spent in the evacuation center come to mind. All the lights were cut off the night following the earthquake, and the sky full of stars could be seen above. 

Even though both programs share the same theme, Notte Stellata shows us a different Swan, delicate and fragile. A symbol of light, love and hope. 

This symbolism can be seen in the pattern on the rink and in the skating elements, in the choreography’s delicately reflecting the lyricism and gentleness of the music, and the dynamic accents of the vocals. 

The composition of the program consists of several key elements that come together with the music to bring laconicism but also sophistication to the choreography. Prolonged lobe on the left foot, multirotational twizzles, Ina Bauer, hydroblade, spread eagles with the change of edges and sit twizzles are scattered across the program as if they were pearls on the thread of the melody. Those elements create unique harmony between the music and the movements.

Composition-wise, there are two main ways in which choreography is used to highlight those central elements: execution of the elements at the peak of the melodic phrases and the execution of the elements as accents to the rhythmic patterns of the music.

This new Swan image is also shown through the shining white costume with deep-cut neckline both at the front and at the back, that might represent the purity, delicacy and fragility of the beautiful creature.

Starry night on the forest lake. A swan glides across the water...

The program starts with a soft intro and laconic choreography highlighting the tranquility and serenity of the music. There is some choreography posing into back inside three-turn, followed by a couple of running steps and a prolonged forward-outside lobe on the left foot.

The LFO lobe last through the last two parts of the melody. This lobe and the right arm softly going down at the end speak of tranquility.

The vocals come in to three variations of the half-lunges, gentle and ceaseless movements of the body and hands in harmony with the soft intonation of the melody.

Guarda che lago che luna c’è.

The image of a beautiful bird is created with the vocabular made of delicate movements of the body, the head and the arms, even with the simplicity of the basic running steps.

The main element of this part is the multirotational RFI twizzle at the peak of the musical phrase, that brilliantly highlights the prolonged vocals.

In the next part, choreographic accent is put on the expressiveness of the body and arms. There is a mazurka jump at the change of the musical phrases into a lunge and a knee slide with soft “enveloping” arm motion.

The elegant pose in the lunge with the lowered head and the smooth line of the outreached arms with the loose wrists evoke the image of a bird spreading the wings. 

What a pity that this lunge lasts just a second!

Arms wrapping and enveloping the body in the knee slide highlight the tenderness of the melody and the softness of the vocals. Yuzuru melts into the music, his expressiveness incredible. 

At the end of the phrase there are two crossed chassés, followed at the beginning of the new phrase by a waltz three (вальсовая тройка) on the left foot into a rittberger three turn (BO three turn with the free leg in front of the main one) set right to the music.

Then, at the culmination of the melody, Yuzuru executes his signature Ina Bauer, the key element of this part of the program. Arms spread softly become the main feature of the element, their movement lasting through all the long vocal part. Those arms speak in the very language of the music. 

Beautiful bird sets the wings free and then folds them again gently at the end.

The next phrase of the music is accompanied by a series of similar choreographic elements that highlight the rhythmic structure. After a LFO three turn with prolonged exit lobe set to the vocals, Yuzuru executes four side half-lunges together with delicate arm movements of a beautiful swan. 

Despite choreographic simplicity, you can watch and re-watch this part forever. 

Then comes a combination spin set carefully to the music. Once again arm movements draw the attention during the spin with their nuanced musical interpretation:

a feather-like swing of the right wrist and rounded soft lines in the camel spin; 

arms being spread open smoothly in the sit spin;

soft movement of the left hand before the Biellmann;

both arms being gracefully spread after the Biellmann at the spin exit, accompanied by the tender sound of the cello.

Difficult variation of the Biellmann at the culmination rightfully becomes the highlight of this spin.

Exiting the spin, Yuzuru does some choreographic posing at the beginning of the new musical phrase, a three turn, a slide on both feet with accentuated arms movements, and a waltz three turn, and then dives into a gorgeous hydroblade at the peak of the melody.

And once again during the prolonged vocal part there is the right arm’s expressive movement of a wing being softly spread open. Incredibly subtle motion of the same hand’s wrist becomes a choreographic touch at the end of the musical phrase.

Flight of the beautiful swan.

At the beginning of the next part the structure of the musical phrasing is highlighted by three inside spread eagles.

Guarda che notte stellata!

Yuzuru wonderfully expresses the music with the intensity and the duration of the spread eagles that fit the rhythmic pattern. Every element is accompanied by one arm softly moving up to the high notes.

Then there come a Jackson, a LFI bracket, a crossed step and a double back outside choctaw into a half-flip. And then a signature half-sit twizzle into inside Bauer with both arms elegantly going up.

This skating transition reflects the growing intensity of the music. The intricacy of the arms and body movements expresses the nuances of the phrase and adds complexity and volume to the choreography.

Then there are a waltz three turn on the right foot and three crossovers in preparation to the culmination of the phrase - a gorgeous choreographic combination of the delayed and triple axels.

The delayed axel and the following triple axel out of the twizzles and into the twizzles excellently highlight the change of the musical intonations, they are performed in complete harmony with the soft and lyrical vocals. Both the take-offs and the landings of the jumps in unison with the lines: Guarda che notte stellata! L'amore per noi...

Incredible composition and performance.

There is a half lutz after the twizzles at the triple axel exit and into some turning steps. 

Yuzuru’s body and arms language expresses tender motives of the final musical phrase with the words of choreographic accents. 

A half-sit slide creates another bird image.

The swan folds his wings.

Beautiful final spin perfromed to the music fading away, and to the deafening applause of the audience, makes the perfect ending of the program:

an incredible camel spin with accentuated change of variations as the musical parts change; 

a sit spin in the difficult variation “leg behind”, the rounded shape of the arm position resembling wings.

In the deeply touching final pose, Yuzuru’s arms and eyes are turned to the sky above. To starry sky of his.

“This is not just about being harmony with the music by one hundred percent and about emphasizing with it, not just about the most difficult elements that fit every single note this is some completely incredible unity of the human soul and the music. I have seen something like that only twice in my whole life, and not on the ice, but in the ballet: when Maia Plisetskaya danced to "The Dying Swan“ under the accompaniment of Mstislav Rostropovich, and in the New York dance studio where Diana Vishnyova danced with Valery Gergiev as conductor. Yuzuru Hanyu’s skating is a phenomenon of that same scale.” Tatiana Tarasova

On the 7th of December Yuzuru celebrates his 26th birthday. 

I would like to with him all the very best and bright that there is on the whole Earth. Most of all - to be in great health. Then there will be power to fulfill all of the plans. Fly high, beautiful and strong Swan! Those wings behind your back will carry you lightly and freely. Fly towards your dream that will definitely come true.

At the Continues With Wings show Yuzuru once said to the audience: “Your eyes are like the stars to me”. The source of that light are all the incredible emotions that Yuzuru’s skating brings us, his skating where the technical mastery intermingles with art.

Yuzuru Hanyu is the brightest star on the figure skating horizon.