TERMINAL
DESCENT
I
don't have much to say. Any prologue would be useless. Take your time and
read one of the most intellegent and philosophical interviews we 've done
till now. This is what we call inteligent metal!!! prologue
1.FIRST OF ALL POINT OUT THE MOST IMPORTANT MOMENTS
OF
THE BAND'S HISTORY AND INTRODUCE YOURSELVES
TO THE
READERS...
-
I can't really think of any "important" moments
of history related to Terminal Descent actually...aside from it's gradual
inception around 1991-1993 and it's first "album" being finished in 1997
with quantum leaps/advancements with the release of every "demo"/album
thereafter. I think the biggest/coolest things for me are some of the lesser
things to others...for instance, maybe getting help from Mourningstar Records
(who released "Of Darkest Light") and getting some killer artwork from
Thomas Hammer of Hammer Graphics (he offered the artwork for the cover
of "Of Darkest Light" and also did an excellent T-shirt design)! Both these
people actually believe/believed in TD enough to support it without much
cares about money lost etc. There's a "thanks list" at the TD website if
anyone's interested of people/organizations that have contributed to the
glory of Terminal Descent (some to a lesser extent than others but all
counted just the same). The true sense of support and dedication from others
is the most important facet in the TD realm. Each time someone "gets" TD
in a "deeper way" and is truly moved by the music/lyrics is a "special
moment" for me. I'm really not interested in "history" primarily...the
"here and now" is what I'm more interested in...though it's tough to stay
focused sometimes. I just mean, there's no exciting tales of the road or
some sort of pinnacle festival type thing to add to "the history of Terminal
Descent"...Terminal Descent is an "eternal mind sect"..."Time: Matter's
Knot"!!! As for an introduction...TD is a "one man band" currently and
will most likely stay that way...my name is Tony Mikkelson, though really,
this title doesn't have much use for me...I'd rather have the Terminal
Descent name recognized more than "my birth name", though one can help
out the other as well I guess. There IS a part of "me" that likes to be
recognized too...soooo...cue contradictions!
2.WHY DID YOU NAME THE BAND TERMINAL DESCENT?
DO YOU
WANT TO SUGGEST THAT MANKIND HAS REACHED THE
POINT OF
NO RETURN, THAT ITS TERMINAL DESCENT IS FINALLY
HERE?
WHICH THINGS AND "SIGNS" LED YOU TO SUCH A
CONCLUSION?
-
At the time of its inception (around 1991?)
I was heavily into Thrash Metal...or "Speed Metal" as it's also called.
I was looking for a name that would represent this style (which a little
later included hyper Death Metal) as well as have a "hellish conotation".
Terminal Descent is a "scientific term" basically meaning the fastest you
can travel before hitting the ground. It was also related to "the fall
of man" in the Christian myth (I was a Christian by default in my early
years which I of course shook off my back like fleas...that which causes
mental pestilence and is upon the backs of the rats who keep reproducing
their lies). Anyway, as my "understanding" of existence grew/expanded,
I realized Terminal Descent had a double meaning...it could be the "negative
view" that mankind was doomed but it could also mean the descent that mankind
seems to be on is term-inal...that it can be reversed after a stretch of
time or "term". It signified the duality of our current existence...without
opposites there is nothing. A somewhat esoteric realization with the name
Terminal Descent is an anagram that is formed from it: eternal mind sect
(mentioned in the first answer). I've "always" (all ways) been into "spiritual/philosophical"
ideas and felt I had/have a "mission" to open the eyes of those who seem
to be blind to other potential dimensions of existence or at least meet
up with others who share my "views" (third eye views?) to "re-member" the
"god head", so the terminal descent/eternal mind sect "coincidence" gives
some merit to my quest for me at least. I get lost in the "veil of Maya"
at times but I still have a strong connection to the "spiritual realm".
I look at it like humanity has fallen through the ice and some either didn't
fall into the chilly water (which freezes/numbs the mind) or were able
to escape before they were thoroughly affected and those not drowning in
the icy death are forming a chain (like you may have seen in movies...hands
to ankles etc.) trying to "save/rescue" those who have fallen completely
into the water of misfortune. I consider myself one of those at the edge
of the ice who has had a taste here and there of the frigid despair but
have been able to climb back out to reclaim my position of "spiritual strength"
and to at least "save myself" once again if not help a few others in the
process. It's sort of related to being a Bodhisattva...it's not an "ego
driven thing", I don't think...it's about "awakening". I could very well
be fooling myself but it's an honest mistake, if anything. There's also
the view that's formulating (as "my" philosophy develops) that humanity
is actually a hybrid race that was made for slavery (I'm finally reading
"The Earth Chronicles" series by Zecharia Sitchin...very interesting stuff
in my opinion) and maybe we are part mortal, part immortal and we are trying
to "will our way up the ladder" to a greater spiritual presence. I'm only
on book two of six books in "The Earth Chronicles" series and I'm not implying
this is what Mr. Sitchin is trying to "get across"...this is just my current
supposition (and/or "hope"). Plus, relating this to Terminal Descent...it's
also been pondered that modern civilization is actually lower technologically
than in previous times...like "myths" of Atlantis/Lemuria/Mu etc., etc.
There's also evidence that humanity went through a "bottle neck" in its
development...basically the opposite of flourishing...it almost became
extinct or DID become extinct and then "resurrected"...so again, Terminal
Descent sort of epitomizes this "struggle" between opposing forces...it's
like the old Headbanger's Ball motto..."keep one foot in the gutter, one
fist in the gold"...it's definitely METAL (mettle)!!!
3.YOUR MUSICAL STRUCTURES ARE NOT "NORMAL". I
MEAN
THEY ARE VERY BIZARRE AND ALTHOUGH YOU BELONG
TO THE
U.S. DEATH METAL WITH MANY BLACK ELEMENTS,
YOUR MUSIC
IS VERY ORIGINAL AND UNIQUE SOUNDING. HOW
HAVE YOU
MANAGED TO ACCOMPLISH THAT INA TIME THAT WE
SAY
EVERYTHING HAS BEEN ALREADY PLAYED...? DO
YOU HAVE TO
BE IN A SPECIFIC MOOD OR SITUATION IN ORDER
TO CREATE
SUCH A DIVERSE AND PSYCHO MUSIC?
-
I guess TD is basically an extension of myself...I've
called it my "oracle and effigy". I've been viewed by many as "weird" throughout
my entire life...for me I'm "normal" but to others I'm "out there". What
people don't seem to realize when they say something is "weird" is the
word "weird" is actually related to the word "magical". I am a "magical"
person if you get to know me (then again, maybe I'm more "magical" the
less you know about me now that I think of it...the whole "mystery" thing?).
I'm NOT "normal"...this is a "good thing"!!! Normalcy equals mundanity/commonality
in my opinion. I've always been an "outsider", "rebel", "loner"..."truly
Satanic", if you think about it. With music...my artistry is attempting
to create a unique niche of opposition that is gradually accepted and embraced
leading to opening peoples' minds a little bit more...it's truly being
"dangerous"...of attempting to innovate as opposed to imitate. For me it
comes "naturally"...I prefer to be "different" and to cultivate this individuality...this
doesn't mean I don't want to be accepted at some point or level. If you're
familiar with Frank Zappa (an American iconoclast/musician), I sort of
view myself as the Frank Zappa of Metal. I'm not interested in copying
him, I'm just referring to his approach of "doing it my way"/"pushing the
boundaries" and achieving respect in many different areas of life. I can't
force it, I can just develop it...to nurture my nature. Let's just say
there's no "method to the madness"...the "madness IS the method" or something
like that...haha. I really don't have much, or didn't have much control,
over the musical manifestations dealing with TD, I just "open myself to
the cornucopia of cosmic rhythms" and let the songs form as they please...most
of the time I feel like a conduit. TD is where my "higher self" resides
and makes itself "known". It's not "cognitive thought" that develops it
but more like a "natural meditational state" or "altered state". Some philosophers
have said this is the ability belonging to the genius (or at least the
creative aspect is the "act of genius"). Basically it's like "an opened
hand holds more than a closed fist" (if you allow it to come to you instead
of forcing it to stay with you, you have a greater grasp on the situation...it's
freedom for both parties which allows greater satisfaction...paradoxical,
I know). An "opened mind holds more than a closed mind" as well...more
ideas have the chance to flow through when the doors of perception are
flung off their hinges! As to why my "act of genius" is so different compared
to others'...I can't completely answer that, except I inately "reject"
the vastly treaded path for the path less traveled...I'm not a follower,
I'm a leader (a solitary leader...I lead myself, not others). I WANT to
hear "new" things, so I attempt to generate them. I go by the motto: "strong
are those who hold steadfast in unity...stronger still are those who turn
their backs on convention".
4.CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR MUSIC. YOU BELONG TO
THE
CATEGORY OF BANDS WHOSE ALBUMS WE HAVE TO
LISTEN TO
AGAIN AND AGAIN IN ORDER TO FULLY UNDERSTAND
THEM!
TELL US A FEW THINGS ABOUT "ARCHETYPE/MANIFEST"
AND
POINT OUT THE MOST IMPROTANT DIFFERENCES AND
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN IT AND "OF DARKEST LIGHT".
IS
THERE ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO CHANGE?
-
Excellent! I appreciate your appreciation!!! A
lot of people dismiss Terminal Descent as an oddity and don't even want
to attempt to understand it...doing so shows backbone, if you ask me! You're
absolutely right...the more you listen to TD the more you get from it!
It's not overtly accessible but once you hit the "point of no return" (the
"terminal descent") of Terminal Descent the songs stick with you and become
a part of you...and reflects you/the Universe, I think. Well, "Archetype/Manifest"
is actually a 2 on 1 disc. It contains the newer e.p. "The Archetype of
Grim Solace" and a remastered version of "Manifesting the Present" (minus
one track called "Host Age to the Devil"...making the first edition "M.t.P.'s"
a "collector's item"?). I decided to put them together for "promotional
reasons" because TD is (or use to be) pretty prolific (there's 12 titles
thus far!), so reviewers etc. can "take a gander" at two pieces of TD's
regime for a little closer understanding of the ever expanding sound/diversity...each
disc is very different from the next (yet has the same overall TD "vibe"),
so an overall representation of TD through reviews isn't very plausible...plus
other individuals in "the scene" can get "more bang for the buck" etc.
One difference between "Of Darkest Light" and "A/M" is "ODL" doesn't have
any bass guitar on it! Some people claim they hear bass guitar but there
really isn't (some also claim there to be keyboards...NOPE!). "Manifesting
the Present" is the first TD disc to implement bass guitar (tenth title!).
Thematically, the lyrics are sort of a continuation of "ODL" to "Manifesting
the Present"...they're sort of "companion albums"..."Of Darkest Light"
deals with "Satanic enlightenment" and "Manifesting the Present" strengthens
this ideology...an anagram of "present" is "serpent", by the way...so "manifesting
the present" is actually "manifesting the serpent" (just another esoteric
insight of which was NOT deliberately invoked...this is why sometimes I
wonder about "daimonism" and of having a "true purpose" etc.)! "Of
Darkest Light" was recorded before "Manifesting the Present" but was released
by Mourningstar Records AFTER I released "Manifesting the Present" (that's
the initial reason why the tenth disc was titled "Manifesting the Present"...because
I needed something to do while waiting for "Of Darkest Light" to be released!
It's another paradoxical phrase as well...akin to "Eternity's End"...plus,
the ability to play music could be considered a "gift"...gift equals present...handed
down by the "gods of Metal"...materialization of "the gift"!). This succession
symbolizes the "Time: Matter's Knot" element of the first song on "The
Archetype of Grim Solace" because "Manifesting the Present" can be viewed
as a past or future disc (but it was really the present disc)! It reinforces
the title! If it's looked at as "Manifesting the Serpent"..."Of Darkest
Light's" concept is all about "the serpent"...so to some, since "ODL" came
out after "MtP", "MtP" is viewed as a precursor. Though, since it was actually
recorded after "ODL"...the "present" is all that CAN be manifested..."serpent"
equals ourobouros...the snake that eats it's own tail...the constant cycle
of creation. This sounds redundant and somewhat annoying doesn't it? I
tried to explain it the best I could here...haha...it's "grander" when
not put into words sometimes, I guess...ha. Anyway, I hope it's clear enough
for everyone who's interested to elucidate the rest on their own. How "The
Archetype of Grim Solace" is related to "ODL" and "MtP"...basically, all
the "esoteric" aspects of TD are usually lost...not many grasp the "higher
elements" of TD, so TD represents "The Archetype of Grim Solace"...of having
everything yet nothing...complete understanding yet no firm grounding...it's
about "settling for that which is less than ideal". It's a continuation
of what's contained in "ODL" and "MtP" in that just because "you're a god
of your own belief system" doesn't mean you're limitless. I take "solace"
in knowing I'm of a "higher nature" yet it's "grim" because it can't be
recognized by those "below"...it's only recognized by those who are at
the same place as I, so TD will most likely never attain any sort of "mass
appeal" because it's too "different"...I have to take "grim solace" in
this "fact" and remain "ever vigilant" for whatever it's worth...TD is
basically so "valuable" to the minority (because there's some truly "cutting
edge material" here and there) that it's "valueless" in the eyes of the
majority (the "cutting edge" is of the double edge sword), hence my new
label name "GenericEliteRecords". TD's "generic" to the masses (with blindness
there is only darkness...darkness equals ignorance) and is "elite" to those
with the eyes to see "the brilliant aspects" in TD creations. There's nothing
really that I'd change about any TD disc...they are what they are at a
given moment in time...spontaneous creations with "the luck of the flaw".
TD is ALWAYS developing and growing more solid...I liken it to the theory
of the big bang...the TD universe started with an explosion...the song
structures were VERY unstable in the first cycle of proliferation...through
time, the structures naturally developed more and more...in the second
cycle, TD began to coalesce and gravity began to pull everything together
to the point of the twelfth album being a "force to be reckoned (wreck-oned)
with" (much like the supposed Twelfth Planet of the Sumerian texts!). Synchronicity
is the key to the door of abstraction! The next stage in TD's develop will
be what I'll consider "the third cycle"...of having far more "cognitive"
thought in the structures combined with the "intuitive" elements so readily
available...it'll be of a "greater balance"...centered like a "Zen master"...this
will be a time to develop patience and fortitude...to hopefully give a
final boost to the TD machine to bring it up to a more "professional" mode...to
gain a wider audience?
5.YOUR LYRICS ARE EXTREMELY WEIRD AND PSYCHO!
I LOVE
THEM! WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO WRITE SUCH LYRICS
AND HOW
CAN YOU COMBINE SCIENCE, RELIGION, METAPHORS
AND SO
MANY THINGS? WHICH IS THE COMMON ELEMENT TO
ALL THESE?
CAN YOU SPECIFY WHERE THEY ARE REFERRING TO,
WHICH
INNER THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS DO YOU WANT TO
SHARE WITH
US?
-
Thanks a lot! I'm glad you like the lyrics...they're
a big part of what Terminal Descent is about. Again, it's my "higher self"
eminating when the lyrics transpire...I'm not sure how or why they are
like they are...they just are :-) The combination of science, "religion",
and metaphors comes easy for me I think. I've always liked word play and
multiple meanings to phrases...double entendres etc. I'm also a "truth
seeker", so I've "investigated" many "ways of being"...religions and philosophies...that's
almost all I think about really...the "big questions" of life. I find parallels
to each paradigm and expose these parallels...it's seeing beyond duality...into
the infinite...and becoming a part of the infinite..."all is one, one is
all"..."one river, many wells." Religion has flaws and science has flaws...they're
both just a faction of existence...they aren't existence in and of themselves.
You can't explain life through mere science or religion...I believe they
compliment each other more than they antagonize each other. I guess a main
theme with Terminal Descent is "transcendence"...it's also about "mastery"
or taking control of your being as much as possible...to stand up to all
odds and remain standing no matter what. It's about opening one's mind
and seeing the hole as the whole...of abtraction...it's a "higher sense".
TD represents the "conflict" between the physical and the metaphysical
(of which being "dominant"?). The lyrics represent some of my own demons
as well as "Universal demons" we all must contend with. It represents the
human condition...those who understand this are drawn to TD...those who
are "blind" (who fool themselves through delusions or sublime ignorance)
will be repelled by TD or will find "nothing of worth". Terminal Descent
is an esoteric force...it's an emotional force...it is an intelligent force...it
represents the "Force without force". I don't have all the answers but
asking the questions could very well be THE answer. Anyway, the thoughts
and feelings I end up sharing is a culmination of frustration, of personal
power, of being alone in a wicked world, of "grim solace", of being myself/"slaughtering
the astrakhan", of aspiring towards "greatness", of doubting, etc. Basically,
it's anything dealing with the Yin and Yang aspect...positive/negative...a
friend of mine dubbed TD "the dialectical band"...it sort of fits...there's
the thesis, antithesis, and synthesis to most TD songs...some might say
it's the conversations from the voices in my head set to music! :-)
6.FROM WHICH LABEL WILL "ARCHETYPE/MANIFEST" BE
RELEASED? WHEN WILL IT BE IN STORES? WHAT
KIND OF
FEEDBACK DID YOU RECEIVE THIS FAR FROM THE
PRESS AND
FROM ALL THOSE WHO HAD THE CHANCE TO LISTEN
TO THE CD
THIS FAR?
-
Well, "Archetype/Manifest" hasn't been sought
after in terms of label release yet. I also haven't really pursued it fully...I
lose motivation when it comes to "promotion". "The Archeype of Grim Solace"
e.p. was released on Morbid Souls Music this year but is limited to 100
copies...I believe there are some still available. It won't be "in stores"
anytime soon either...TD seems to remain a very cult and underground project...maybe
with the next release I can move TD "up the ladder" once more...that's
always the intention, to "gain ground" with each release...which I have.
As for the response for "A/M", it's been really positive!!! Everyone that
I've sent it to and who has responded back have given it great reviews!!!
It's taken a number of years to finally gain that kind of recognition and
I totally appreciate it and embrace it! There's still been a few people
that can't quite grasp TD and the ones who brush it off 'cause it's not
their "cup of tea" but overall the response has been somewhat gratifying.
It gives me "power" to work on another disc which I hope will even blow
the previous discs away!
7.DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS FOR LIVE SHOWS? IF I ASKED
YOU
TO DESCRIBE A TERMINAL DESCENT LIVE SHOW WHICH
3 WORDS
WOULD YOU USE?
-
No, there's no plans for live shows...only displays
(dis-plays?) of active creation...of living...of generating...of perpetuating.
I've had fleeting thoughts of doing some sort of "documentary" of TD (where
I'd play some stuff "live" via camcorder or something)...of maybe taping
some "studio elements"...to bring those interested into the ways of TD's
creative process...just for the fun of it but I doubt it'll ever manifest
itself...besides, it's too "revealing" and possibly "megalomaniacal"...haha.
It'd also give me a chance to sort of express myself another way...another
creative aspect...we'll see. To describe a live Terminal Descent show in
three words: just not happening! :-)
8.WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE THAT DOESN'T KNOW
YOU,
IN ORDER TO INTRIGUE HIS INTEREST? WHICH IS
YOUR MOST
APPEALING ELEMENT ACCORDING TO YOU AND WHERE
DO YOU
THINK YOU NEED FURTHER IMPROVEMENT?
-
Well, I'm not much into "talking", funny enough...I
don't start conversations in everyday life very often (aside from the Underground
mailings etc.). People might very well be "intrigued" by that simple thing...so
it's what's NOT said that intrigues them the most initially? I think one
of my most "appealing elements" is my "tolerance", or at least my seemingly
tolerant nature...I'm always considered "nice". Though in recent years
I've shed that tag a little here and there...but basically, I'm easy going...I
allow others to be themselves even if I don't necessarily agree with them
(just because I let people "be" doesn't mean I want to "be" with them!).
Conversly, I think I tend to be far too harsh on myself...demanding "perfection",
which is something I could improve on...of accepting myself like I accept
others...flawed.
9.IF YOUR MUSIC WERE AN EMOTION, WHAT WOULD IT
BE? IF
IT WERE A PAINTING, WHAT WOULD IT SHOW?
-
The emotion it would be is ambivalence (of course
:-)! There's a huge contradictory element to Terminal Descent. It represents
my own mental state. I'm so opened minded (at least I believe I am...I'm
probably actually only 2% more opened minded than the average person...haha)
that I become a juggler...I have everything in arms reach but never have
anything tangible...I have everything yet nothing! I have such free will
that I'm NOT free to will! I don't know what I want so I want nothing!
Musically, ambivalence is shown through the chaotic rhythms (anger/frustration)
versus the melodious lead lines/solos (yearning for peace/serenity amongst
such chaos). It's the yin and yang once again...the "spiritual" opposing
the "physical"...it's like a master meditating in the eye of a tornado.
If TD were a painting...each song has different visuals for me...maybe
a predominant theme would be that of "struggling".
10.WHICH FAMOUS PERSON WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET
AND
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ASK HIM/HER?
-
Hmm...Elvis Presley is dead but I'd probably ask
him if his trademark furling of his lip and the shaking of his hips were
initially from a "wedgy" (not really, I'm not that bold...haha)...umm,
really I don't know if I'd like to meet anyone "famous"...that would almost
show my "inferiority" to consider someone "star-like" and myself a "commoner".
I don't really think anyone "famous" has the "answers I seek", so why bother?
This doesn't mean I don't respect or even admire certian famous people...I
just don't feel any need to interact with them. In the "Metal world", I
would like to correspond with Trey Azagthoth of Morbid Angel, I guess...he
seems to intrigue me and I feel we are on the same "spiritual wave length"
for the most part...though he's more "positive" than me at this moment
in time...or his beliefs are more " self conditioned" than mine at the
moment is what I mean.
11.IF WE ARE ALL JUST A WORD IN THE GREAT BOOK
OF
CREATION, CAN YOU SAY WHICH WORD COULD DESCRIBE
YOU
BETTER? CAN YOU ALSO IMAGINE WHAT KIND OF
AUTHOR WOULD
BE THE CREATOR OF THIS BOOK AND WHY?
-
LOST...that's the word to describe me in the great
book of creation. I'm "lost" amongst a plenitude of other words who's meaning
is "lost" through translation and/or by the invariable fact that no one
reads anymore! I have "lots" to say and I formed my own "slot" in the book
but these words are only derived from "lost", which I am and have, it would
seem! The author of such a book would most likely be ill-literate!
12.IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO TRAVEL BACK IN TIME,
WHICH
HISTORICAL PERIOD WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT
AND WHY?
-
Right now I'm intrigued by Ancient Sumeria and
the possibility of our heritage...so I'd like to go back to the time when
"gods walked amongst man". Or maybe I'd like to be there at the time of
the building of the pyramids in Egypt...something like that. Maybe at the
crash site in Roswell (1947) to see the alleged aliens/alien ship. I guess
it would be to see if certian theories are "correct". The only problem
with traveling back in time is the potential to change things drastically
(by accident or deliberately...it's the "cosmic butterfly effect")...though
it wouldn't be recognized most likely...unless this is why people feel
"deja vu" and or the result of the theory of reincarnation because we've
already learned how to time travel? Ha.
13.WHICH IS THE STRANGEST QUESTION SOMEONE'S EVER
ASKED YOU OR THE WEIRDEST INCIDENT THAT HAS
EVER
OCCURRED TO YOU?
-
Well, since I can't think of a "strangest"
question...I'll opt for the "weirdest incident"...I don't know if it's
the weirdest but it's definitely up there, for me anyway (and the only
one I seem to remember at the moment). I believe I saw my sister's "doppleganger"
or spirit out of her body when she was sleeping!!! This was when I was
probably between 8 and 10 years of age. The bedroom I had didn't have a
door and you could see past the dining room to the living room in a straight
line...well, we had a toy box in the living room (shaped like a turtle...useless
information, I know)...one morning (I don't remember the time...still very
early and pretty dark...the Sun wasn't up yet or was just starting to rise...the
memory is getting a little fuzzy). I looked over into the living room and
saw my sister digging through the toy box. I thought, "what's she doing
up at this time of night playing?". So, I jumped down from the top bunk
of my bunk bed (oh yeah, I shared the bunk bed with the sister I'm talking
about...she's five years younger than me) and walked through the dining
room looking right at my sister's back (she was crouched down digging in
the toy box). Once I got into the living room I said to her, "what are
you doing, you're supposed to be sleeping!". Her back was still to me when
I said this...then, she stood up, turned around, smiled a mischievious
smile, and DISAPPEARED!!!! Fuck! My heart jumped to my throat and I let
out a "yelp"...or more like the sound you make when you're punched in the
gut..."UH!" My heart was racing from shock...I went back to my bed still
frightened and sure enough, there was my sister...on the bottom bunk...sound
asleep!!!
14.LET'S SUPPOSE THAT WE LIVE IN A WORLD WITHOUT
MUSIC. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN SUCH A CASE?
-
I'd probably die...not figuratively, but literally...if
there was no music...I'd gather there'd be no "noise" whatsoever considering
music is brought about by sound waves (the same as all other noises)...without
the bouncing off of molecules etc. there'd be no breathable air...hence,
no life! If we didn't need air to breath and we still didn't have "music",
I guess visual aesthetics would be just as pleasing...or would be more
heightened? Anyway, for me...thinking/philosophy/day dreaming comes first
and then music...music is how I try to get "my ideas" across...through
an emotional attachment/conveyance...without thinking, there'd be no music...without
music there just wouldn't be an enhancement to thinking I guess...let's
just say, I'd survive in such a case. Although, I guess, also, everyone
would be thinking in a monotone voice? For speaking, there's a musical
quality to most peoples' enunciations etc. Maybe there'd be no words...only
actions...there'd be no "metaphysics"? Seeing would be believing and that's
it? We'd all be mimes!!!!! Ahhhhh!!!!
15.IN WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK WOULD YOU LIKE TO
HAVE
TAKEN PART OR HAVE COMPOSED?
-
Hmm...first movie to jump into my head for
whatever reason (no reason?) was "The Shining" (original version with Jack
Nicolson). It'd probably have some moments to really get some "weird" vibes
going! Like the gradual mental break down, you know...dischordant elements
to work with. The "eerie" vibes would be fun I'd imagine. Of course, I
was only 4 years old when the movie came out, so there wouldn't have even
been a remote possibility to have participated in it...haha...as if nowadays
studios are just knocking my door down for me to compose for them...ha.
16.A FAMOUS AUTHOR, ARTHUR MACHEN, SAID THAT A
GOOD
THING IS TO TRY TO WIN BACK SOMETHING YOU
LOST AND A
BAD THING IS TO TRY TO GET SOMETHING THAT
YOU NEVER
HAD. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS STATEMENT?
-
I guess it sounds sort of "romantic", in a way,
but it also sounds a tad foolish...if you lost something, maybe it wasn't
yours to begin with, so it's no different than striving for something you
never had...is "happiness" the pursuit or the conquest? It's the context
that the statement is used in that gives it any sort of "merit", I gather.
I mean, if you strive for something you never had and succeed, it's called
"perseverence"..."fortitude"..."having guts". It was a "noble quest" afterward.
Should a person who loses their leg not attempt to win a marathon but instead
try and reattach a useless piece of flesh? If you constantly strive for
a "former glory" you're called a "has been"...striving for something you've
lost can end up making you a complete "loser". You can only "win" when
you face a challenge or obstacle and overcome it. If you lose a boyfriend
or girlfriend you can find affection else where...why not get a new toaster
if one breaks down instead of fixing the old one? It's called "growing
out of love" for a reason. Why "beat a dead horse", basically? If someone
"loses their looks"...if they try to get them back, they turn into a parody
of themselves. Would it be wise for Stephen J. Hawking to try and win back
the use of his arms and legs or to continue to pursue and develop theories
of the Cosmos (neither possibility being proven)? Winning and losing builds
character...it molds the clay...if you "fail" at achieving the desired
effect you can virtually start over from scratch...as long as you don't
become "set in your ways" or filled with too much doubt.
17.THANK YOU! HAVE I FORGOTTEN TO ASK YOU ANYTHING
AND
YOU'D LIKE TO MENTION?
-
No, THANK YOU!!! I can't think of anything else
to add here...this interview was amazing! I'm sorry it took so long for
me to finally send it to you...but that just shows how "good" the questions
were! I had to think, think, think!!! I hope anyone reading this finds
something of worth...I tried to add as much as I could to the answers,
without writing a book that is! I also hope people don't think I'm some
sort of arrogant individual by some of the answers I gave...I'm really
a modest dude who has a hard time relating to others for the most part...my
paradigm is a lot different than most and I'm not sure I can always get
across what I'm trying to get across without frustration setting in sometimes...any
correspondence is appreciated...please don't feel "belittled" or some shit
like that (if that's why some people never write). I enjoy having conversations
with people via e-mail/snail mail. Again, I'm a "seeker of truth"...so
anyone else on the same path, please feel free to "say hi"! Though, I'm
also becoming a little more "withdrawn" and "jaded" towards the underground
in general (come to find out it's more like "common society" than once
thought), my correspondence time is getting longer and longer sometimes...just
as a warning. Now, I'm just rambling, it would seem..."no, don't go"! Hahaha.
I'll end this with a couple of phrases..."let honesty be your guide" and
"relish the hellish"!!! One for the philosophical mind and one for the
motherfucking Metalheads!!! Horns up!!! A lot more info at the TD website...check
it out if I piqued your interest here! Later on!
Christine Parastatidou
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