Steve Watson

True Norwegian Black Metal

admin — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:59:00 +0000

Photographer Peter Beste spent seven years researching this book, including thirteen visits to Norway where he photographed and interviewed the musicians who are his subject. The result is a photojournalistic epic that looks and reads like crime fiction.

The meat of _True Norwegian Black Metal _is the pictures, mostly black and white. Band members dress like demons or corpses, splattering their faces with black and white stage makeup. They wear bullet belts, spiked armbands, and rags or leather gear designed to look like burial garb or battle armor. Inverted cross necklaces and medieval style weapons also abound. The overall effect is theatrical, but these are not publicity or promotional photos. One of the most striking is Nattefrost, front man for an eponymous band. He stands bare-chested in an alley, glaring at the camera, his face painted white with black stripes. A middle-aged woman stares at him with disapproval as she walks down the street, but Nattefrost is oblivious to her presence.

That picture, and others like it, sums up the message and appeal of black metal. The band members reject mainstream society. To the Norwegians, that society is embodied in the Christian religion. The musicians feel that Christianity has robbed them of their heritage, and so they embrace Odinism, Norse legends and symbols, and satanic or demonic images.

In the early 1990s, several infamous church burnings were linked to the black metal scene. Near the same time, a young singer who called himself Dead committed suicide. Dead was the lead singer for Mayhem, a prototypical black metal band. In addition, Varg Vikernes, founder of the band Burzum, was convicted and imprisoned for the murder of Euronymous, his friend and fellow musician.

These events and others caused controversy and attracted international attention for a time. Beste’s book does a good job of explaining these events without condemning or praising the participants. Instead Beste shows readers where the music came from and gives them an idea of why it became so popular so quickly in Norway. The pictures are the main focus, but there is plenty of good writing, too.

Metalion, founder of the underground magazine Slayer, wrote the introduction. This is important because Metalion was involved in the scene and knew the people first-hand. There is also a graphic timeline of black metal and its myriad influences. In the back of the book are magazine and newspaper clippings as well as hand written letters from members of the groups.

True Norwegian Black Metal is worth reading for the photos alone. The stories and reminiscences will help readers better understand this aggressive, insular, much maligned form of extreme metal. Peter Beste has crafted a book that will appeal as much to black metal fans as to those who are just curious.

Written by: Steve Watson, April 30th 2008

Georgia's Frontier Women : Female Fortunes in a Southern Colony

admin — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 12:57:00 +0000

By Ben Marsh

University of Georgia Press

I found this book difficult to read. I am not used to the academic tone Marsh uses. His sentences seemed to go on for several lines, and I had trouble following the thread of his ideas. However, this book is worth reading for anyone interested in Georgia history. The information presented is important. The book shows women's economic contributions and status, and how the things early settlers did have affected the state up until the present day.

Georgia was founded in 1732 by a charter of King George II. He appointed a group of trustees to supervise its settlement. Women were expected to fill several key roles. First and foremost was reproduction. The trustees wanted women to help grow the population. In addition, they were to work in the silk trade and carry out domestic duties. Marsh uses statistical and anecdotal data to show how women met these goals. The result is an informative, useful book which must be read slowly and carefully. Those who take the time to look into it will find it rewarding.

In discussing the lives of women in Georgia, Marsh also describes the roots of feminism in pre-feminist times. I was able to admire his dedication to the subject. At times it seemed there was too much information. There are tables on birth and death rates, immigration by gender, Georgia's early black population and other factors. The sheer amount of data makes the book worth keeping and re-reading. Its best use might be as a reference for other writers and for students.

Written by: Steve Watson, June 1st 2007

Live At Oslo Jazz Festival

admin — Fri, 04 May 2007 03:11:00 +0000

By The (International) Noise Conspiracy

Alternative Tentacles

Overall this is a good album. It is unlike anything else I've heard. There is some heavy political content here. I admit it was lost on me. I am not very political and, anyway, I could not understand most of the lyrics. I can read the song titles, though. There is one song called "Capitalism Stole My Virginity." It does not take much insight to know what that's about. The song is a wild free for all, with shifting tempos and a cacophony of horns and percussion. Most of the songs are the same way. The lead singer puts out a lot of energy and passion. He never slows down or lets up. I can appreciate that style of singing any time I hear it.

The (International) Noise Conspiracy is not for everyone. There is no repetitive format to their music. There are sing along choruses, but no bubble gum pop hooks. It takes real effort to get into this album. It is worth digging into for those who like free form jazz stylings and complex, erratic song structures. The fact that it's a live album only adds to its strength. I will listen to it again.

Written by: Steve Watson, May 3rd 2007

Atlantis: Hymns for Disco

admin — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 13:33:00 +0000

By k-os

Virgin Records

This is an impressive record. k-os is a rapper from Trinidad, who was raised in Toronto. His name stands for “Knowledge of Self.” The songs on this album steer clear of typical commercial hip-hop posturing. There is no talk of guns, gang violence or misogyny. In fact, on "The Rain," he openly reveals his pain over lost love.

k-os' honesty and workmanship shine through on every number. One of my favorites is "Sunday Morning." Here, k-os deals with the lonely quiet that is often the aftermath of a Saturday night at the club. His rhymes are clever, original and versatile. k-os is currently touring the United States after selling several platinum records in Canada.

I hope Atlantis: Hymns for Disco will give him the commercial and critical success he deserves. I will be interested to see how popular k-os becomes in the States. His refusal to make a quick buck pandering to hip-hop stereotypes is admirable. Overall, Atlantis: Hymns for Disco is a sign of change in the hip-hop game.

Written by: Steve Watson, March 26th 2007

She Rocked Me

admin — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 20:35:00 +0000

By The Fury

I wanted to like this album. I like rock and roll, and The Fury is a straightforward rock and roll band. Perhaps the songs are too straightforward, which explains my failure to really enjoy the work. There are no surprises here. Each song sounds like what one would expect from a bar band. The vocalist has a slightly bluesy, weathered voice with little in the way of range. The guitar breaks are short and predictable, with a muddied sound. The songs deal with very basic topics - failed relationships, life on the road, and general angst. The production is good. No one instrument drowns out the others. There is some use of keyboard which I thought was a nice touch. It was disappointing that I could not hear the bass guitar. I did visit The Fury's website, and I get the idea that the band can most be appreciated live. If the members can translate some of that energy into the studio, future albums might not be so bland. There is nothing to hate here, but there is also nothing to make this band stand out from any other band of their ilk.

Written by: Steve Watson, March 25th 2007

Out of the Ashes

admin — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 02:10:00 +0000

By Shelley Morningsong

Silver Wave Records

Shelley Morningsong is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and flutist. On [Out of the Ashes](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HT3KZG?ie=UTF8&tag=feminrevie-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000HT3KZG) she proclaims her Northern Cheyenne heritage as a source of pride and strength. There are thirteen tracks. The first song, "Sweet Protector," is an upbeat pop/rock number. "Sing for Them" honors Morningsong's ancestors and utilizes tribal drums, as do some of the other songs. The merging of traditional styling with modern pop convention makes for a unique sound. Every song on this album deals with social issues important to Native Americans. Morningsong's own personal struggles – alluded to in the liner notes – have helped her grow as a songwriter. Morningsong's spirit shows all through the album.

"World Gone Crazy" asks the question of who will teach and lead the children of Native Americans. "Out of the Ashes" tells the Northen Cheyenne creation myth. Not being versed in Native American mythology, I was able to learn from this song. All the songs here have lessons of some kind. Morningsong sticks to her themes of pride, self-reliance, faith and love for one's family. She also has a clean, soothing voice that goes well with the instrumentation. She shows her range as a singer, going from joyful to meditative to melancholy over the course of the album. The sound and mixing are good, with electric guitar and synthesizer riffs provided by Larry Mitchell. Morningsong's husband, Fabian Fontenelle, rounds out the group with percussion and a few spoken word parts. This album is worth listening to, and the rhythms are catchy enough that you will soon be humming them in the grocery line.

Written by: Steve Watson, February 12th 2007

Woman of Ill Fame

admin — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 22:36:00 +0000

By Erika Mailman

Heyday Books

Nora Simms is a prostitute who comes to San Francisco in 1848, during the Gold Rush. She starts as a "crib girl," working in a row house with several other prostitutes. One of Nora's aims is to work in a parlor house. Parlor houses are more upscale bordellos, frequented by men with more education than the miners Nora serviced. To achieve this goal, Nora begins speaking with a fake French accent. She takes lessons from another crib girl and meets a professor who sweeps her off her feet. Nora also wins the affections of Abe, a gentle, mildly retarded man. After several prostitutes are murdered, Nora begins to fear that the killer may be after her. Her quest to find the killer, and to keep herself and her fellow hookers safe, provides much of the action in the latter part of the book.

I found this book interesting because it mixes genres so well. It is historical fiction, painstakingly researched by Mailman. It is also a sort of mystery book, and there are elements of romance. The book is told from Nora's point of view and explores some of the problems facing American women during the nineteenth century. I found it hard to read at times because the dialogue is all in the colloquial language of the era where it is set. This did not prevent me from following the story, however. I found the story compelling enough to go on reading. Nora is torn between her life of prostitution and her desire to be wealthy. Mailman does a good job of chronicling that conflict. This is Mailman's first novel. She has another forthcoming this year, and I look forward to following her work.

Written by: Steve Watson, February 10th 2007