The Miscellaneous Goings On Of Tom - Christmas/Yule Edition
Yes, we are staring down the barrel of Christmas day and the Winter Solstice is two days away. It's always a conflicting time of year spiritually for me, I've never been Christian in any way so it always feels kind of wrong to celebrate Christmas but as I've watched it become more of a commercial thing in my 23 years on this planet and the goodwill meaning ultimately lost it doesn't conflict so much anymore. Learning that many of the Christmas traditions we have today a variations (or corruptions, however you see it) of Yule pagan traditions absorbed into Christianity to make us heathens easier to convert. I guess the core meaning of this time of year is family, this year has not been easy by any stretch of the imagination personally or for my family yet we have all battled through it with true warrior spirit and we will all enjoy Christmas/Yule to it's fullest. I always use this time of year to reflect really, with my favourite Christmas story being Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol it's not surprising really. Whilst New Year's resolutions have never been my thing (because you can't resolve something if you never started it in the first place), this year I am going to make an effort to set out a solid set of aims and objectives with a variety of short and long term targets so I can make the most of the start of a new decade. I've loved seeing the growth of Vanaheimr and Fjordhammer over this year and I'm determined to carry it on in the New Year, hopefully start another musical project alongside them but only time will tell. On a personal note, I thank everyone who has read a review or rambling on this blog, listened to a Vanaheimr song or done both this year, it truly means a lot to me that you are all making this worth doing and that it is valued. Merry Christmas/Yule to all! Let's keep it a metal one! 🎄🦌
What I'm Listening To At This Very Moment
Whilst exploring my Daily Mix 1 on Spotify I was presented with this interestingly strange Russian band by the name of Second To Sun. Checked out their latest album Legacy and it is probably the most enigmatic and secretive album I've heard this year. I had a similar feeling to the one I got when I first listened to Batushka's first album; an initial "What the fuck is this?" followed by a "I fucking love it!". I love some of the weird synth/vocal type parts that are actually done on guitar, mind bending tones and processing there. Check it out.
What I've Been Jamming To This Week
Various things really from the Viking themed to the Christmas themed had a bit of everything really. I think I've mentioned before that I am a fan of classical music, so it should come as no surprise that I am drawn to the more traditional carols instead of the over-played modern Christmas songs. There is something timeless and gothically wonderful about the old carols in my opinion, I think that might be down to my enjoyment of the Victorian and Dickensian idea of Christmas (which is more German thanks to Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, and also built on Germanic pagan traditions). Even so, you can't beat a metal sounding Christmas either, that over the top metal cheesiness definitely comes out at this time of year for sure and Spotify done us all a favour creating this playlist.
Production Gear
On a recent scrawl through Facebook I, for once, actually saw an interesting advert that was relevant to me. It was an advert for a drum sampler, KVLT Drums by Finnish company Ugritone. It peaked my interest as I'm always trying to find new ways to make my music sound better and I always feel like drums are my weakness. These guys have MIDI packs and drum samples all for a very reasonable price and if Christmas hadn't wiped my bank account I'd have treated myself to some of their stuff. For more information on what they have I encourage you to check out their website, everything is described in great detail and for all the DIY musicians like me out there I think this is a great place to go. I'm hoping I can treat myself in the New Year!
Website: https://www.ugritone.com
Cutting My Hair Off In 2020
Yes, you read that right! I think it's time for some change and with the current job I'm doing long flowing locks are a bit impractical (not to mention the washing and drying in the mornings). So, I will be losing the locks and donating them to the Little Princess Trust who will turn my hair into a wig for children with cancer. I did not spent two years growing my hair for it not to be used, instead I thought it best to use it to make someone happy and that is exactly what I'm doing! I'll do before and after photos for you all to see and I'm hoping to set up a just giving page to raise some money as well, more on that to come.
For more info on what the trust does, check out their website: https://www.littleprincesses.org.uk
No longer will I look like a young Meat Loaf when I wear a suit;
What An Awesome Yet Humbling Year
I believe I've learnt a lot this year, personally and professionally. It's been awesome to see my creative endeavours launch themselves beyond my expectations, which proves to me that I can do whatever I set my mind to and achieve (as cliché as that sounds, it's true). I've done the reflecting bit in the intro so now it's time to enjoy some hefty Imperial Stouts and enjoy they festive period to it's full potential! Thank you everyone who has checked out all my work this year blog, music or otherwise! 🍻
🎄🦌 🤘🍺Have a very Merry Yultide/Christmas! From Fjordhammer 🍺🤘🦌🎄
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