Konsert Rock Melayu.

Why are they so short-lived?
So much hussy-pussy promo & advert. Put to that, early ticket sales, early bird cheap cheap tickets.... then lastly the concert got cancelled.

I gave a call to Muzika records shop this morning to check again the situation. The storeperson informs me - "Oh, konsert Wings tak 'on', dah cancel.." Cock.

Back in 2005, I remembered Awie & Wings performing on Rock Gerek's concert. He said "Nak lebih? Tolak ah...." So, you orang tau apa dia maksudkan, eh. Tau tau aje ah. Zaman sekarang ni 'bayar dulu pakai kemudian'. Credit tak pakai ah.

Written by,
Lizardeouss

On that Friday of 24th October, I was anticipating quite a lot of kick-ass gripping entertainment that's supposed to happen on Avenged Sevenfold's concert. I wasted some money on taxi booking to reach Singapore Expo in quick time coz my brother kept barking on the phone to ask me to rush out from office. There was supposedly 'a long queue' at the entrance at 7pm. Concert was due to 'start at 8pm'. I said "Look, this ain't a symphony concert where they start right on time". Still, the excitement of a 'little child' in my brother still shines till 20 years after!

I made my way towards Max Pavillion and it was already dark by then. My watch shows 7:30pm. A lot of kids - yes, I mean it, kids - have come in hoardes to watch this Metalcore concert. I became instantly diminished. I felt so senior. Oh, wait... there ARE some more seniors in the block that night. Dads & moms escorting their bratty kids to the concert. And I, I'm a chaperone for my young sibling and his friends? No! I want to catch the concert. Sure there was already a build-up of queue at the entrance yet many of the concert-goers that spilled into the compound stood anywhere around any spot to avoid being crushed by those kids. It was close to 8pm and the doors aren't opening yet.

I glanced around to see if I could find any friends my age. Yes, thank god I found another ardent musicman my age. I saw Aim (Ossuary) with his friend. Apart from them both & me, the many of the rest are children & teens. Children these days don't want to go for Thomas The Tank Engine shows at all, they prefer metalcore concerts. Bratty.

Even the adults who were minding the sweaty rowdy crowd at the entrance weren't spared of any innocence. The children hurled abuse at one security bro who was controlling the crowd. Now, these kids weren't at all alcohol abusers themselves yet they act like one. My sympathy for that security guy, he didn't do wrong to any of them kids. After all the shovelling and pushing in the crazy crowd, my group got through the entrance just as when the opening band 'Vermillion' was performing at 8.20pm. Again, the crowd got all too excited & impatient they want to barge right into the hall immediately. Relax lah, it looks like this is a first-time concert for many of the young concert-goers. Macam lah boleh mati kalau tak dapat masuk concert. Gila siol.

So, when Vermillion was performing, the crowds are streaming in, some greedy kids actually ran to the pit. The opening band served about 20 minutes of performance. And then it will take another half hour more before Avenged Sevenfold makes their appearance. The kids got bored waiting again so they started lighting up & smoking away in the air-conditioned hall. Grace, respect & tact - lost that night!

Vermillion's opening was okay lah... soundman's settings could have been done better. But what do you expect? I shall not explain further.

Avenged Sevenfold's technicians and sound crew put in a lot of hardwork for the band. Very professionally done. The sound setting is crisp & clear, it's just delightful. M Shadows, Zacky Vengeance, Synyster Gates, The Rev & Christ walks on the stage at 9.10pm, much to the crowds' excitement. They look so good on stage. Great stage lightings adds much exuberance to the band's show. Many songs from the City Of Evil album were being performed. M Shadows makes good crowd interaction. Naturally kids around the globe idolates this metalcore group. I should say Avenged Sevenfold are quite versatile in their choice of music arrangement. The band could change how they want to sound like at any time they want to do it. For this concert the band gave a one hour 10 minutes performance. Explains very well as they are on a very tedious world tour this season. However yet, Avenged Sevenfold had given an impressive performance that night. Everyone wished that A7X's concert could take a bit more time, but how many albums does the band has to offer till date? Unlike Slipknot that could easily throw a lavish one hour thirty minutes performance.
I, for one am thankful to have watched A7X 'live' this time and I do wish for them to consider another trip here in the coming future.

As for the kids who came to watch & conquered the Max Pavilion that evening, Carpe Diem, babies! Sieze The Day and be good.

Written by,
Lizardeouss

What is Katulistiwa?
In the Malay context, it means the equator. So why Katulistiwa? Us being the residents of the tropical archipelago situated at the equator belt represents this.

Katulistiwa in another way...
A one of a kind New-Age World music band that produces their own unique music style in the form of ethnical instruments fused with modern electronica and infectious dance grooves of drum & bass.

Who is Katulistiwa the band?
Co-founder and music director Ferdows is the driving force in Katulistiwa's music. The band has gone through various transitions with several experienced musicians and performers. Transitions upon transitions, it does not stop there - the band then evolved into a newer sounding outfit with the presence of better players.

What is Katulistiwa's music?
Try fusing trance with the heavy drones of the mighty didgeridoo (complete with vocal humming and animal calls), it then creates a new mix of new-age wave in modern music. Taking a part of the ancient aboriginal music culture and fusing it with electronic trance/ dance/ trippy/ house/ drum & bass exudes an atmospheric effect for the listener. The groove is so infectious that you'd get up on your feet to dance. It is music without boundary - something of which the performer and the audience is well inter-twined soulfully. After of which, listening to Katulistiwa might make one to pick up didge playing as a part of passionate music knowledge.

How does Katulistiwa work?
Very, very intense in their labour. Yet always happy with their project.
Constantly using didge effects and amps to further enhance their sound.
Intricate drum works are further introduced.

Objects of Desire...
Didgeridoo - in various keys, of various make, of various brands, of various value.
Percussions - African djembe & Egyptian doumbek.
Drums - a good 6-piece set will do just fine.


Exclusive preview written by Lizardeouss.
Rights reserved.

www.zealfactorevents.blogspot.com
E-mail : zeal_factor@yahoo.com.sg

Song Review
_______________________

Song Title: Tragedi Cintaku
Artist: Audionauts
Year: 2007
Genre: Power Alternative / Rock
Label: unsigned
Music Arrangement: Yemz and Audionauts
Music Editing: Wadi
Recording Techniques: very basic steps.

Good bass lines on this one, themed together with Sham's clean drumbeats. Catchy song written by Nazri Ismail (better be known as Yemz), music from the brainchild of Yuri and Yemz. Listen to the gradual pick-up on Yemz's guitar that could spin into mild euphoria as you appreciate it closely.This song sounds good at any given time of day, well, the flow of music is easy - it's pleasing to the ear. There is discipline in this piece of work as each musician puts forward gallantly their musical abilities in delivering the best self-written alternative song in Malay.

The vocalist handled this song very finely - which must be the most important feature of a good song. The mainstream listening audiences are normally more connected to the song lyrics and its main singer, so this one really does it. This song is actually quite uplifting, it is not one of emo-ridden but a story to be told about one's love innocence lost. It seems like a calling to the love deserter... to just take a listen & know it with all his / her heart. Tsk...tsk.. tsk... killing love is no fun, boys & girls.

'Tragedi Cintaku' by Audionauts will take to the radio soundwaves near you, sometime soon. It shall be heard on the air in Singapore first, then shall be followed by regional stations. Check out Audionauts at their website, where you could take a listen to this great song.

Go to http://amp.channelv.com/amp/viewArtist.html?id=7089

footnote:
This song can make you addictive in finding the meaning to it. Song is based on learned experience.

Question to Songwriter: Why do you write this song?
Due to our self interest... we just wanna write a song.... to show our ability in writing... this was written sincerely from our hearts...

Reviewers' comments : I loike! Keep it up, Audionauts.

Review written by Lizardeouss / 5 December 2007 / rights reserved.

I wanna slap Barry B. Benson.

Who gives a bee permission to talk about suing humans in High Court? Which bee in all of God's animal & insect kingdom now has the sense to take back what's theirs - the golden honey? Have ever experienced falling in love with a bee? What bee listens to jazz?

Barry the bee tries to turn the tables around. By taking action to his own revolutionary move, Barry had accidentally disrupted the normal flow of human-environment-insect relationship. Hey, without the honey, how would I suppose to complete my honey-cornflakes or honey cake or my honey-baked chicken? C'mon bee, get a life!

I gotta see my honey in the jar tomorrow ok!

Artis: kambing tuhan.
Genre: Speed Metal.
Album: Sacrament.
Year: 2006.
Harga: Sgd 20++ termasuk 7% gst.
Mana Di Beli: HMV.

Yang membuat saya membelinya: Sebab saya menggemari arahan muzik kambing tuhan.

Yang membuat saya minat: Saya minat pada kesemua kambing-kambing ini.

Apa perasaan selepas mendengarnya: Rasa puas pun ada... rasa nak tanya pun ada... ke-kambing ni ada buat perubahan sedikit dalam penulisan muzik mereka pada album ini. Namun, whichever hell it is, saya amat gembira selepas menonton DVD mereka.

Lagu yang Baik: 'Descending' adalah satu approach yang berlainan dalam album ini.

Produser Album Ini: Machine!!!! Dia adalah seorang sound engineer yang fanatik. Kerja yang dibuatnya kepada album Sacrament dan juga album sebelumnya As The Palaces Burn memang baik! Pro-Tools adalah makanan harian beliau.

___________________________________________________________________

Maaf kerana ulasan ini ditulis dalam bahasa melayu. Jika anda rasa ringkasan ini tidak teratur, mungkin cikgu saya lalai menyemak kembali kertas kerja saya waktu zaman sekolah dahulu.

Sekian, terima kasih.

**Lamb Of God** di lelaman www.sacrament2006.com
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Additional Review
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Guitar attacks are a definite grip. Chris's drumwork is constantly crisp.
Critical music arrangements on Sacrament.

Ocean's Thirteen.

The 3rd sequel to Ocean's heist movies. I purposely went to watch this movie at a most isolated theatre with 2 of my office colleagues. Joanne was crazy for Brad Pitt - the reason for her to get all excited to catch Ocean's Thirteen. Our business manager Franklin Taylor looks like he needs a lot of comedy into his life & so we girls brought him to watch Ocean's Thirteen on a Friday evening, after 5 at one of Shaw's cinema.

This movie is funny. It's hilarious. This whole movie is written with that funny feel in it. I liked it. Will Bank (Al Pacino's character) is the proud owner of Bank Hotel & Casino and is serious about running his hospitality business with flair & aiming recognition from the Five Diamonds' accredition company. Danny Ocean (George Clooney) & his team strikes with smooth style to overturn the tables back to Will Bank in this 'they've-done-it-again' casino heist. You've to follow the movie closely from the start - where they'd talk endlessly, do dumb things, all in the process of planning to screw up Bank Casino in just one night's pull-off. The joke on Will Bank, though crude yet it's tolerable to watch. Ellen Barkin's character is super-power. She excels in this role. And Danny Ocean's guarantee? Once again it's Benedict (Andy Garcia) joining the picture. Probably a time to rekindle Danny's friendship with Benedict? This movie might not be a super-hit but it's super cool. Should watch it with great humour in mind. And don't get bought by everything is in the movie - many of it is fake. The hotel structure is fake but I must say that is good graphics & also great studio set-up for an imaginative crowd. The fraud tactics in all of the Ocean's movies, sum it up with many other frauds of other movies can actually make one a billionaire - if you're up for it!

My conclusion: Ocean's Thirteen is pretty funny & breezy. Best to watch it with a good company of mates, a few snacks & mocktails.

Check out Ocean's Thirteen's retro-chic soundtrack as well. Great easy-listening tracks especially track no.3 "Benedict's Return".

Its been like almost 2 years since I've written something in the reviews page. Each time I'd like to begin, I just couldn't seem to find the motivation to do so. Because I've written too many local music reviews I grew rather hackneyed.

Not to the point of giving up though. I still have got one review I'd like to share with the readers here.

Now I'm motivated to write something. It's about the recent movie that I've watched at GV Plaza with two of my good brothers late one night.

A movie based on real life accounts of the ex-Ugandan President Idi Amin (the cannibalistic one that had been talked about so much during his reign in the 70's & the 80's) and his political relationships with his immediate incumbents in his Presidential home. 'The Last King Of Scotland' , as Idi Amin proclaims himself to be (due to his immense interest to become like a great Scot uh-huh..) was absorsed in the pursuit of modernisation for Uganda at that time, 1976 (my birth year). Little does the in-house personal physician knew of Idi Amin's serious bipolar behavioural illness, young Scottish Dr. Carrigan came entrapped to serve Idi Amin in 'Presidential protocol' however later Dr Carrigan finds himself anxious to escape from the grasps of Idi Amin's hold on him. Dr Carrigan started out as a missionary doctor far deep in the tribal villages of inner Uganda. Fate then brought Dr Carrigan & Idi Amin together. Amin's attraction to Dr Carrigan's straightforward guts made both of them be an instant confidante of each other. Nonetheless, young Dr Carrigan couldn't hold his weenie in his own pants & yet have to plant it into Amin's third wife who's young & estranged. The secret love soon became the hot issue of the Presidential house, as fast as how Dr Carrigan strips down his bell-boza pants to his bare buttocks. The young doctor then finds his own nationality be seized over by the Ugandan President & had automatically been converted to a full-pledged Ugandan citizen without his consent. Dr Carrigan's rights had been taken away, in contrast to what he'd done to break the trust that Idi Amin had awarded to him. The internal service hounded down on Dr Carrigan, got him & hung him by the skin. An angered Idi Amin portrays a dimensional behaviour here, at one minute showing him as a people-loving president & at the next minute he switched into a transgressor of sorts. Idi Amin has got the charms in his own hands, for which he'd give the smiles & at the same time ordered to kill 300,000 Ugandan citizens during his period of rule. Behind the persona of a promising leader lies therein a great dictator!*

*read about Idi Amin in Wikipedia.org, you'd be surprised to know about this late ex-Ugandan President.

'The Last King Of Scotland' is full of suspense. This movie has got everything in it - sex, violence, brutalism, f*** you's, nudity, topless dancers and cool music to accompany with. And it's M18. It's a GOOD movie to watch with a bunch of bosom buddies or your spouse. You'll get to learn about Uganda & you'll get to see again the old Mercedes Benz of the 1970's (oooh, I miss those cars!). This movie gets a score of 9 upon 10, as said by a friend. Also to look out for is its retro set, you'll feel like you're in this film, in 1976! Hail this movie!

The cast:
Forest Whitaker had done it right in this one as Idi Amin.
James McAvoy as the pitiful physician Dr Carrigan.
Kerry Washington as Dr Carrigan's lover & Idi Amin's young 3rd wife, Kay Amin.
Simon McBurney as British Consulate Nigel Stone.
Gillian Anderson gave it away in British accent as Sarah Merrit.

Did I tell you that the late Idi Amin eats human flesh by the slices?

Awesome piece of free sampler CD we got hold of while attending SLIPKNOT THE SUBLIMINAL VERSES TOUR LIVE IN SINGAPORE. Yeah, the exhilirating concert's held at the same fuckin' slopes oh my gawd. Crowd build-up is delirious at the main entrance. Lucky enough I brought my team to enter thru the fire station's side of entrance. Fetched Hatepattern Fi at the main gates and had to detour towards the other 'unpopular' entrance where we received quicker entry.

And about this cd.... let me see... it's for promotional use only (okay), it's printed this year, 2005 (okay), so... it's one promotional tool for Roadrunner Records lah, the usual recording companies' promotional and advertising sting. The simple cardboard paper cd pocket is neat, cool. Loved the rustic skull-head features on its sleeve cover. Got word from Hatepattern Fi that he'd found two extra 'unwanted' cd's on the field grounds just after the wild hellish concert. Doubt so 20% of the concert attendees get to keep their free cd because while in the long run during the crazy mosh and 'Jump Da Fuck Up' stint, many might've lost more than just cd's. Saw at least 2 gals being carried away limp and listless (hopefully not bloodless) during the ongoing concert - 2 causes to it a).Baron's beer , b).kena crushed by the stampede. That's why, keep away from trouble before trouble troubles you.

Yeah, 'bout the cd. It's got feature of Roadrunner Record's best 10 artistes, them namely being, SOULFLY (Arise Again), TRIVIUM (Pull Harder On The Strings Of Your Martyr), WITHIN TEMPTATION (It's The Fear), WEDNESDAY 13 (I Walked With A Zombie), DEVILDRIVER (Hold Back The Day), KILLSWITCH ENGAGE (My Last Serenade), CRADLE OF FILTH (Nymphetamine), 3 INCHES OF BLOOD (Destroy The Ores), ILL NINO (This Is War) & CHIMAIRA (Salvation). Every of the tracks are all of my favourite pieces being specifically ILL Nino, Soulfly, Killswitch Engage and Within Temptation. Don't forget, Slipknot's also under Roadrunner Records and so were all the awesome artistes. Fabulous way to make millions siak.

Did I enjoy the concert? Oh my gawd it was just fantastic. Even with having flu and a raging cough and only god knows where my lil' brother is at the fields with his schoolmates, Hatepattern Fi had gatecrashed to the front of the stage probably with Danny and Aini was also deep in the midst of the mosh-pit, I scurried away to sit at the steps of Fort Canning's terrace where from there I could watch the whole stage with Corey, Clown, Joey and the rest delivering it in authentic Slipknot flavour. "Heretic Anthem" is delivered just as perfect and so is "The Blister Exists", among the several song pieces Slipknot performed on Tuesday, August 16th 2005. I wondered why did I get sick this week? Can't even scream to express my contentment at the concert!

B-Grade Malaysian VCD movie slotted in with funny action flicks. There is this instance which started in the 90's when small medium-sized movie producers will make telemovies specifically for distribution in the mass consumer market and by having these telemovies not screened on the box-office market gives it an exclusive underground labelling to these movies. This movie has first made its debut in the VCD market since year 2004.

One such movie is "POMPUAN, PONTIANAK DAN dot dot dot...". The plots in this movie lacks the dramatic twist unlike some other big mumbo-jumbo pontianak movies you'll find in the box-office screens, but yet this movie's gila-gila type of humor is so familiar that it jabs thru your ribs like feather teasers.

At the start of the movie, with accompanying chilling sounds, you'll see an unfamiliar face of an actor starring as Kulup, an unmarried kampung boy whose bicycle tyres got puntured while riding in the quiet woods after returning from the shop to buy mosquito coils. Whilst trying to free his bicycle tyres from being stuck in the soil, a powerful stench overtakes the cold night air. As Kulup looks up above him, perched on the tree is a pontianak leering down at him. Pontianak got furious and leapt on Kulup. While in the brawl with the pontianak, the kampung boy struck the horrific pontianak on the back of its head. "Adoi! Sakitlah bodoh!", goes the pontianak. Kulup thought, "if I pierce a long nail at the back of its neck, it'll transform into a woman. Yeah, that's what the old folk always says." So, in the scuffle, he grabbed a large nail and drive it into the back of the pontianak's neck. Sure enough it turned into a sweet young woman. By that instance, Kulup had already scuttled away from the scene. Resulting from this act, the pontianak goes in search night after night looking for Kulup who made her transform into a woman self. The whole kampung wasn't spared as she haunted the whole place and having the men attracted by her voluptuous figure by day and being scared to hell by her disturbing presence at night.

The humor flicks continue from then on as the producer of this movie makes the continuing pieces filled with comedy scripts in the scenes. This movie is the only one which carries the scripts of such, " Mak oi! Cantiknye. Ni kalau dapat sekodeng best ni," as mentioned in one of the scene. One can't help but giggle at the simplicity of uncensorship in this movie. As any B-grade movie were to promise, we'll get to see the pretty pontianak giving bondage treatment to Kulup, the fella whom she seeks to 'marry'. The finishing part of the movie is supposed to be a touching drama where Kulup's mother brawled with the pontianak when the demon vampire tried to snatch Kulup away from the kampung. As the viewer waits for the last splitting scene, the shocking deliverance of the last pontianak's appearance is a real mind blower. You'll be jerking to tears in peals of laughter at this explosive ending. This pretty jackass movie is sure to entertain anyone.

To get a hold of this funny movie, take the nearest highway to Johor Baru, the VCD is available at any good contraband VCD shops sold at MYR 5.00 each. It's a good movie to share on any chalet gathering. You'll be spooky spoofed by it! Entertains way better than Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam or Pontianak Menjerit or any other nenek lu punya cerita pontianak; I've watched it ten times over and again. My favourite character in this movie is Wak Keliwon.

The hour I reached Orchard Green's hilly field was 1910hrs. I probably might've missed Bhumiband anyway.

The crowd matter is only a litter at that hour. The first few opening bands started off the gig. The band that was performing while I entered the field was Zebra Crossing whom did a 100% cover of Red Hot Chilli Peppers'. Sounds ok lah though still empty in between. The next band that took stage was funky blues band with a lady fronting it. Didn't quite get the band's name, was busy interacting & chatting about stuffs with Fi & Hairul & in between of monitoring my business. Just then, the screaming emcee (a banshee I suppose) intro'd the next outfit - an 'old tai' chinese raprock band, CPJ. They've been around for like 10 (dog) years, one bro told me, and slacking diction prevails eventhough we do not indulge the means of their language. I was sitting way, way far from the stage, somewhere near the dome roof. And I can see people are actually waiting for somebody else to steal the show - Rudra, THAT Black Metal Band everyone's so crazy about. Rudra's frontman does good interaction with the crowd, intro'd each of their songs, apologized for a minor skip in the start-up, explained his albums availability, freshens the crowd, inviting every fans to come watch them again on June 25th at Planet Paradigm and he speaks in human tone, humble. Yet when he gears in the vocals, he growls. Black Metal da dey. And the crowds support da dey. I think the crowd peak hour was when Rudra plays, that's when I witnessed kids running up the hill to catch the show. Reminds me of Iron Maiden's 'Run To The Hills' number.... I saw the members of ska band Cesspit warming up their wind instruments. Another band took stage and it's the Fatskunks. Been a while since I listened them play. At this gig they played Santana covers. Fatskunks started with Jingoba, while me & my brother walked slowly to the bus-stop. Since we've done with our business day, we moved on next to the studio to check the situation.

I've just wished I could stay to cover the free-admission gig till end but, life moves on so we moved on.

~Lizardeouss en fatigue~

Katulistiwa is a new-age didgeridoo & percussive band backed by a steady stream of programming done by Fi Ferdows, collaborating the percussion supports from Hairul's drum section plus Jamal's, Bob's & Jason's details on the djembe, conga and other accompaniments. While Fi Ferdows' role at the leading didgeridoo sums up the whole bass rhythm & groove, this new-age atmospheric music created a scene for itself for the private crowd atop Swissotel Stamford's helipad event on a mid-year Saturday night on 11th June 2005.

The event was a top-notch food-tasting session which features established chefs from Perth and London, whom presented their culinary mastery at Equinox restaurant this oncoming week ahead. It's a private function the restaurant has thrown for the all-important guests from relevant industries - the airlines, event companies, magazine editors, food & beverage industry, e.t.c.

Katulistiwa performed their first three opening intros at half past seven. The twilight skies threatened to cry rain but in fact it was really welcoming the night to come in. The band played good & tight for the audience, which did in fact wowed everyone's perception to this strange familiar music. The opening intro warmed the crowd as mingling party then starts to sway in full swing. Open-air cooking scents overtakes the altitude. And I swayed to the food tables in full swing too.

Shadow dancers scantily clad to devil's pleasure made performance to the dj's spin at intermission time. The band sat, talked, munched & took in the sights of Singapore's night layout from the helipad. Babe-watching was way too distracting to relish upon and they served their second set at half past eight, which this set is a bit longer than the intro and where the crowd was getting into the grooving and moving to the beat. Music soothes the tummy and the feelings. The appreciative crowd will give the real vibe to a performance. In turn the performing band adds in one impromptu un-programmed play at the closing. The impromptu ended well; smooth flow and proper. Sticks down, instruments at rest, curious listeners flocked to exchange remarks. It's a feel-good event it was.

We bid thanks and aprreciation to friends whom we invited (Zulfaizal, Nadira, Paige, Ikram, Zoul Vialli, Haizad) and to Haizad who've helped with photography since the afternoon day till the closing of the event. The helipad maiden voyage for Katulistiwa is a feeling one can never forget. I'd love to stay on top of the altitude for a very long, long time and that's what I call 'high-class ego' on that Saturday night. Good music pays off, guys.

This music we dedicate to our skins whom we've played together with in our lives. With a reminder never to be dismissed - 'nuts never forget shells'.

Also, thanks to Carrie (event programmer) @ Equinox - you rock, gal!!

After I've finished the Ska & Reggae gig on Sunday night, I am badly in need of a power massage. I felt like a Mamasan, really. So many under-18s to attend to.

I haven't even got over Saturday's Metal Industries 2 gig. Left the club premises after Mantak's sounds are done with. Saturday's gig was nonetheless so powerful that the entire floor 6 experienced black-out for twenty hot minutes! I have to say, our local metal scene really rips and shreds the scene! Birdbrains & Arbitrary Elements are real smashing on Saturday. It was just not enough for me. Fourteen bands creeping up your spines. What with SPC's serving of Iron Maiden, that's when the mayhem of blackout starts during the second song of their set, Wrathchild, featuring Vivek from Sins Of A Curse... While everyone waited for the lights and as it comes back on, SPC gyrates the house once again and returned to their set as mighty as ever. My fond memory on Saturday must be that fella walking around bare-bodied same like Hang Kebun.

And so, Sunday shifts in and the Xtreme team reports of a phenomenon happening on floor 6.

Fanatic fans has started to queue up at 11am when the club only opens at half past noon. Talk about kanchiongness in Singaporean kids.

Free compilation CDs were given out to these happy squeeling young-blood teens dressed to the nines. If LeStat was present on Sunday, he'll be the happiest vampire. The Xtreme team had pushed to the limits and as ever, great sounds are produced courtesy of Wadi, Djasman & Adam. Ska & Reggae Festival is a happening gig. It has packed in a crowd of 700. Full-house was the order of the day and the line-up of bands are a sure crowd pleaser. Ooh mama, when Malaysia's top Ska band Gerhana Ska Cinta takes centrestage, the floor is filled to the brim and these kids they know each and every song. Local favourites Full Pledge Munkees, Cesspit, Glitched, Stillriver, Mistaken Pirates, Sally's Rejex, Natural I & 2 Minutes Late received overwhelming response. The club is hot. Mamasan, Big Boss Man & Ladyboss is very, very busy. The whole team (stage, sound, forefront) is precisely superb. Thank you guys! It's unexpected to see that Ska and Reggae is widely appreciated in this gig.

The gig has sucked the juices of our youth. The old & tired teammates needs a rest. I'm in dire need of a man-servant for a massage now.

Nevertheless...
Impromptu interview with Gerhana Ska Cinta, here goes...

Lizardeouss: How was the club's atmosphere today?

Widi (Gerhana's lady vocalist): The crowd is great. I feel so emotioned to see the crowd responding 100% to our songs. Even I felt my vocals drowned out by the supporting crowd's response. I'm greatly touched.

Lizardeouss: It shocked you?

Widi: Yes, indeed. I'm totally speechless, they recognized the songs.

Lizardeouss: You've performed twice in S'pore before - first in Sentosa & second at Anugerah Planet Muzik 2005. How has it differentiate so far?

Widi: Wow. I can feel the real presence in this gig. Never before such as this, other than In K.L.

Bakri (Gerhana's drummer): Aah, yes, it's amazing! The crowd's good!

Lizardeouss: It's because the club's space is compact so therefore the close proximity is right there.

Widi & Bakri: Oh, yes, yes, that's it. We never felt like it before. The show is a surprise.

Naza (Bakri's girl): I noticed that the kids in S'pore are more clean and educated than back where we came from. It's a clean gig - no broken glasses or fighting.

Lizardeouss: It's because these kids knows how to spell trouble and acknowledge the consequences of it.. lest the police shall raid.

Bakri: I'm sure looking forward to more of this. It's just overwhelming.

Lizardeouss: Thank you to Gerhana Ska Cinta, it has made the essence of this gig more meaningful.

Widi: Yeah, Liza. It's great to meet you. I'm now looking forward to shopping tomorrow!

(Shopping overtakes the mind in a far more powerful manner towards ladies.)

~The Lizardeouss has spoken~

This review is therefore dedicated to all mothers and mothers to be. This is your weekend, ladies. Enjoy it in the warm company of your beloved ones while you can! And to my lovely mummy, I won't spend only this weekend with you as all other days are spent together as harmoniously as possibly it should. 'Your evil daughter'.

Ah, I need to take a brain-break for a little while. Apart from puffing on a piece of that tobacco candy stick, I need to switch onto somewhat more refreshing. I will write in Malay today and see if my word power in Malay still stays valid after all these years. (Putting that thesis editing aside for a while...)

"KERONCONG UNTUK ANA"

Pernahkah anda-anda terfikirkan, tentang mengapa kebanyakan lagu-lagu nyanyian melayu berdasarkan atas cinta dan lagi-lagi itu bersandarkan ke asas nama-nama wanita. Kebanyakannya adalah lagu-lagu nyanyian biduan lelaki. Agak jarang sekali bagi penyanyi biduanita untuk menyelaraskan lagu-lagu mereka tehadap nama-nama lelaki yang spesifik --->(failed! english word).

Pernahkah ada lagu-lagu dari nyanyian wanita yang berisikan nama seperti Ahmad atau Salim atau Mansor atau Jefri? Saya rasa, memang tiada pernah yang ditulis sedemikian. Namun, lagu-lagu pujaan nama-nama wanita yang ditulis oleh pengarang-pengarang yang terkemuka di dunia musik melayu amat begitu popular ---> (english word again) dan begitu terkenal di kalangan pengetahuan massa.

Yang menjadi peliknya, antara lagu-lagu yang amat digemari oleh saya sendiri adalah dalam bentuk demikian - "Laila Namamu Teratas" oleh Search, "Misteri Mimpi Syakilla" oleh Wings dan "Taman Rashidah Utama" oleh Wings. Pada pendapat saya, lagu-lagu yang tertera ini telah menjadi kegemaran bagi ramai wanita lain yang amat menyukai mendendangkannya.

Antara beberapa lagu yang mengandungi isi nama wanita dan pujaan bagi nama-nama ini adalah seperti berikut - "Rozana" oleh Search, "Isabella" oleh Search, "Melissa" oleh Helter Skelter dan "Rumie & Julie" oleh Febians. Amat terserlahlah kaum wanita telah menjadi objek nyanyian bagi pencipta-pencipta lagu yang beransurkan lirik cinta dan kasih dan penutup bagi kesemua lagu-lagu ini baik dipadankan dengan lagu berikut - "Srikandi Cintaku" oleh Bloodshed.

Jadi, apakah cerita disebalik 'Keroncong Untuk Ana"? Lagu tersebut menampilkan tentang cinta sedih yang tak terbalas, dari seorang pujangga yang menyungkil perasaan hatinya terhadap wanita yang mahu dipengaruhinya itu, akan tetapi tidak kesampaian hasrat cintanya itu. Kaedahnya, lagu "Keroncong Untuk Ana" telah dapat menggenggam perasaan hati para pendengar yang menghargai lagu evergreen ini. Hampir kesemua para jejaka sudah tentu mengenali sentuhan lagu tersebut. Penulisan ini tiada kena-mengena dengan sebarang manusia antara yang hidup ataupun yang mati. Namun yang penting , penghargaan bagi sesebuah lagu itu amat dikecapi dalam naluri bagaikan bayu ombak di waktu dinihari ketika dilamuni rindu dan asmara yang berdenyut di jantung masing-masing. Amatilah lagu ini - "Keroncong Untuk Ana" oleh M Nasir.

"Keroncong Untuk Ana"

Benarkah tiada bagiku
Ruang di hatimu untukku bertapak
Walaupun sejengkal jari
Agar dapat ku berdiri
Di ambang pintumu

~chorus~
Kemana
Hilangnya keroncong
Oh! cinta yang kita
Nyanyikan bersama

Ataupun
Aku yang bersalah
Hanya menepuk tangan
Sebelah saja

Ana.. Ana..
Ana.. Ana..


Tiada ku sangka akhirnya
Kau tutup semua
Pintu cinta untukku
Hinggaku
Termanggu tiada
Arah nak ku tuju
Membawa hatiku
-----------------------------

Penulisan hasil kepenatan otak Lizardeouss. Back to my thesis.

Three stars are a lukewarm sign. Albeit the former, the all-star performers deserve a good bowl of raving support from the supporting audiences and fellow musicians alike.

Gig No.1 : Tribute to Iron Maiden on April 30th 2005.
Give us some regional bands to watch and listen, still it's the Singapore bands that create the blasts. Influential bands like Hazy, Osairis, Selamat Pagi Cikgu, Triump1887, Steel Damage and among the others present that day has made the ever-loving fans of Iron Maiden music happy and happening till the end. From where I sat, it's not so hard to differentiate each performing act's abilities. You listen what you see and you see what you listen. It's all about appreciating. In short, the thing I could gather is, these kind of gigs should in fact open up more avenues for these bands to expose, better themselves and have a ball of a time! My evil thoughts says that Osairis does have a fight with Spellbound, in terms of showmanship and sounds. It's up to the individual to decipher the comparisons, yet there's a healthy competition to it.

Gig No. 2 : Xtreme Music 2 on May 1st 2005.
The only regional band on invitation is the all-girls' hardcore outfit - Oddity. They don't have to come to odd terms about being kittenish sweet yet delivering what they do best at their brand of music and ability. The male audiences are generous enough to share wolf-calls during Oddity's performance, but the girls were telling them - uh, take this and drip your earwax. My best vote for this gig shall be Stillriver at it's best, smooth relaxing beats of reggae and a little dangdut even. Giving credits to another band whom in fact play their best and really well-loved; B-Quartet, great sounds coming from serious players as them - they nuke your minds! Full Pledge Munkees and Cesspit are the soul survivors of Ska that day. But where were the skanking ska kids then? This is a one-of a kind gig that serves a potpourri of genres in a day. Everybody made their best at tailormaking to the listeners' preferences. In the end, it's the masses that in fact re-creates the total difference.

What does having subsequent gigs make? In fact, I really need to get back to the study room and face a more important paper. I really,really need to make up for the lapse. Excuse me while I run...

Les ecritures par Lizardeouss.

Why the four stars?

Because this gig has managed to pull in the crowds. Many usual faces I see on last Sunday's gig, even these usual kids acknowledges their crazy passion for metal-genre gigs such as this and others.

The gig should have a timely kickstart. I was stationed at the forefront, managing the incoming crowds. The kids were getting restless. The compilation CDs have just arrived. The doors were opened to the long queueing crowd. The first 300 registered themselves in & got a hold onto the free compilation CD and a poster for the first 100. The opening band kicks off great - Scaphoids. "They're a good band" - Undeniable remarks from seasoned musicians. The long and steady queue could not content their hunger anymore. They want to get in and join the heat.

My favourite band, Spellbound took the stage in the peak of the gig. Their renditions of Iron Maiden - 'The Evil That Men Do' is a long awaited piece we were waiting to hear for some time now. They made a ballistic show, alright! Mirage is another one-of-a-kind legendary band in this scene. Salutes to these elder brothers, they rock, truly truly rock.

Dethmute's set is awesome. They played tight. Of course, they're the house favourite and bands like these can create a scene for themselves and stay different yet succeed in stamping a foothold from where they stand. They're a natural favourite for many. None can strip down Dethmute's growl vocals delivered by Faisal. Personal friends can relate to their set with Sepultura's flavour.

We have put up a verbal petition to the master organiser & stage line-up planner, that Meltgsnow should not be put at the last few ends of the gig (next time). Here is another different band, delivering the best of metal, they can deliver good and they know it. Yet why the rest of the gig attendees are missing from the spots? Nonetheless, the faithful did not depart and they gave the full witness stand to Meltgsnow & supports till the end. Even Dannie speaks the closing note - "Fuck to all the securities out there!"

I, uhm, for one, give my due respects to Beast Petrify. That abang is a way, way cool Mat. He's way, way cool, he knows he doesn't need the necessary attention. Much so to his brand of music & band management. How well can u play solo on guitars, grinding with all your might and then delivers all the vocals at the same time, the only mate is a drummer to accompany the whole torturing sound? Only Beast Petrify do that & he stands true.

The gig ended on time, on target. Albeit the two hours' late start. Our sincere thanks are virtually reflected on the whole gig experience.

Here we pray to see more of you to come around on the coming 'Tribute To Gods Of Metal Vol.2' on Sunday 27th March!! See all you metal bangers there, at Planet Paradigm, high noon time.

And so the Lizardeouss have spoken.......

This is a gloomy story.

'A Series Of Unfortunate Events' revolves around the story of the Baudelaire children. The three children, intelligent reader Klause Baudelaire, clever young inventor Violet Baudelaire & baby Sunny Baudelaire has lost their parents in a fire which consumed their very beautiful home & they were left alone by themselves, being orphaned by the unfortunate happening befalling their lives.

As the three children were being moved to be placed with relatives, they meet the most shady character of this story, the villainous uncle Count Olaf (Jim Carrey), clear evident of him being the greedy guardian looking for a chance to put his hands on the Baudelaire's inheritance. The children were at first perplexed about this relative but soon after the three intelligent siblings gets the better knowledge of this shady uncle's moves. A pitiful sight. Count Olaf attempts murder on these children by auto-locking his gearless old car & left it in the middle of the train tracks. At this point of time, the cleverness of Violet shines on & her quick-thinking effort saved the three siblings from premature death.

The children missed their parents real badly. They were next taken to stay with a superb gentleman, uncle Montgomery whom is an expert of reptilia pets. It was supposed to be a nice happy ending for the siblings. However then, Count Olaf came putting on his disguise & vying to distract Uncle Montgomery's plan for a trip to Peru with the siblings. Uncle Monty died of supposed viper bite attack. The siblings were adamant about putting off Count Olaf when the police arrives for investigations. Baby Sunny saves the day by counter-proving to the authorities that the viper was indeed the friendliest creature on Earth.

With another uncle dead, their series of adventure continues. They were brought over to an island to stay with Aunt Josephine (Meryl Streep). The siblings were introduced to this careful aunt, yet a vulnerable aunt who fell for Count Olaf's flirtatious act. The Count is hot on the heels of the Baudelaire children! A very dramatic storm overtook Aunt Josephine's home by the cliff. The siblings must once again save their own lives. Intelligent Klause has a lot of curiosity to be answered. His immense knowledge extracted from his read-up of books were put into practice. The siblings were coming close to solving their family's mysteries. Count Olaf's chase has gripped the terror of the children once again. Aunt Josephine died in a mishap, the sea leeches killed the lovely aunt.

I'd never have guessed the villain uncle Count Olaf would act incestous towards Violet. Oh, this saddening episode might as well soak me in tears. The series of startling events are a bit off the rocker. Olaf 'married' 14 year old Violet just so he has a name on the inheritance. In that moment of time where the movie is closing on to a peak, everybody just wished she didn't sign the marriage papers. Alas, Klause was busy saving baby Sunny & Violet from this grim life. With the discovery of the family's big eye-glass by the tower, Klause gradually pieces together the cause of their late parents' home's perilious fire. By which the marriage certificate in the hands of Count Olaf caught fire through magnifying glass effect.

This is an awful, awful fictitous story, to the fact that it depicts the grim lives of 3 young orphaned siblings. The excellent period setting suits the theme. The movie setting has a dark ambience. It creates an other world effect for both the young & old. Personally, I applaud its make-up, its costume dressings together with its detailed graphics. Excellent. It rather is an interesting leisure movie, not too penetrative yet it could deliver hysteria to those who watch.

One word of caution.

Beware of the eye.

Before I write extensive reviews about this movie (Hotel Rwanda), I must understand of the different aspects in multi-racial relationships within the world's nations. By then, which I already do.

The movie depicts the mass-murder of over 1 million people in Rwanda, duly a war between two tribes - the Hutus & the Tutsis. An alarming turn of event which took place in the year 1994, this event saw the gruesome killings of Rwandan nationals. As grisly as the docudrama is, the original 100-day event during that year was indeed horrific!

The movie focuses on Paul, the Rwandan Hutu tribe hotelier in a Belgian property. He put up a thousand-odd Tutsi seeking refuge from the drastic genocide clash in their hometown. The clash is bloody gore. Even as we (Fird & Yusri) followed the storylines closely, ey, I can tell you, it makes my skin creeps at every details. Hissing curses at the scenes, afterwards I thought back, it happened under the world's noses. More or less, that genocide occured internally in the Rwandan state which made many other aids hesitant for relief. At that point of moment as we witness the docudrama, Yusri hurled all his deep observance with angst.

People. I shake my head in disgust, tribal fellows of the same land overtaking each other in a 'till death doeth you over apart' manner.

Watch this movie. I give a good 4 star for its heart gripping motions. Cry if you want to, the party's all yours because Lido screens this movie at theatre number 2, the grand space meant for a mass. But only a handful are interested in this movie, though.