Dissonance

A few months back I came across this band Anata (from Sweden). Now I don't usually post here about random bands I am following (ok ok but not that frequently) but this I had to. The music is so fresh and original, which is so rare these days. If I were to classify it, I'd probably say they are progressive technical death metal. However, this is not why they are really unique as a band. It's the dissonant harmonies they use in creating complex song structures. Two different guitars playing different arpeggio riffs in dissonance creating an unsettling beautiful melody. Listen to downward spiral into madness and you'll know what I mean.

Its not that unusual to find dissonant chords in metal, especially when we are talking about black or death metal. However, creating something as original and complex as this using dissonance is awe-inspiring. The pounding double bass drumming is typical tech death mixed perfectly. There is nothing really I would like to add not because there is nothing more to but because the best music is the hardest to describe. Besides it will never do justice to the music. The only way to understand it is to listen to it.

I bet you are wondering "What's the catch?". Well music this extreme and complex isn't that easily accessible. So you have to give it multiple listens even though you will probably not like it. There is a reason why the most talented bands and musicians aren't famous.

Hypocrisy

"I am a victim of hypocrisy"

I am sure you are familiar with the above words. This line is used regularly in common parlance so much so that its almost a cliche now. However, cliche or no cliche everyone has either felt it (in a particularly dejected state) or seen others going through the same phase. Ever wondered why this is so common? Because of our own nature obviously. Man by nature is selfish and so has a tendency for self deception. There is no selfless act-no selfless altruism. In performing an act of selflessness one looks for respect and gratification which convinces you that you are a good human being in spite of your previous actions. This maybe a conscious or subconscious act but its there.

The selfish nature of man demands self deception. One does not want to show ones true self but instead the image which is well accepted by the society, for ones own selfish gains or merely because the real self is too iconoclastic by the normal accepted standards. In any case one does not want to be ostracized and so the portrayal and the hypocrisy.

Its common knowledge that all (at least 99%) men watch pornography. More than 40% of the internet is nothing but pornography in various forms. But pornography as a profession is still a taboo. Just one blatant example of hypocrisy. Man is a hypocrite. The point is why is it so derogatory.

We are hypocrites accept that! What is the need to feel offended? Why can't anyone proudly accept it? See I accept I am one. Oh wait did I just say I am a hypocrite? Isn't that an antithesis of what a hypocrite should be? So I am not, which again makes me one...
Hmmm guess I'll sign off here.