[Xbcofega]

I have so much to contribute to this thread; I would like to provide some examples of Metal bands and songs that have a very inspiring message and/or musicality that really do raise the vibration in a huge way. I want to go through Metal from its early days until the present and initially wanted to begin from the start, in the late '60's with bands like Black Sabbath, Rainbow and Judas Priest, but probably most people here already know what I mean and it's too obvious to begin with, and at some point in a later post I would like to do that, so I'll jump right into the fire and begin with the most misunderstood modern genre of Metal, Black Metal.

It's not your mother's Black Metal anymore, hahaha! The early days were focused on rebellion against Christianity and there are Satanic bands but for the sake of this discussion, we will ignore them and focus on some majestic, evocative (completely non-Satanic, no worries!) examples of Black Metal. Just quickly though, to explain where the Satanic theme originated from, I've found this comment that sums it up well:

"Black metal originated in Norway as a protest against an organized christian church that, at that time, had support from the government. It used counter-christian symbolism as a protest, but more importantly it also went back to Norways pre-christian origins in order to use the more potent symbols of Norse mythology. Todays BM-bands employ both modern dialects as well as classical old norse." ~ from a commenter on an Agalloch song

Having been raised in a very strict, very Orthodox Catholic sect, I was immersed in a severe form of Christianity from an early age, and when I read the Old Testament, I was horrified that "God" could be so violent, jealous, unloving and apparently demonic and I dropped out, so I can see why others would go to the extreme and become Satanists, although that was never my path. My original point here is to offer understanding of others, even if you don't agree with their choices or preferences. David W. tells us to love our "enemies" and that's the only way to usher in humanity's evolution, and that includes illuminati, banksters, murderers, and Satanists. That's why I digress...and no disrespect meant to anyone.

However, Black Metal has evolved a lot since its beginnings and now encompasses many sub-genres with themes that have to do with the majesty of Nature, a return to an honorable, ancient way of living, no longer in rebellion against the usurping religion/governmental system that wiped out millions of people and their cultures but more in celebration of their ancient pre-Christian nature-based beliefs, and of the trials of life and instead of wallowing in them, finding a way to triumph.

I've found examples of all three themes and I hope the links will work when you click on them, if not, just cut and paste. (Perhaps an administrator would do me the honor of making the links work?) Non-Metal fans, I guarantee that you will find something to love here, even if you think you hate it, please just give it a chance, as this is a lesson in opening the mind. How can you not like that which you've never experienced?

The first theme, a deep respect and reverence for Nature, is well-represented by the band Agalloch. Any song of theirs will take you on an amazing journey through the wilderness and this song, Pantheist, is a good example of both melodic and heavy parts blending in pure beauty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzZs0...eature=related

Another incredibly beautiful, haunting song in this theme is from the band Nest, the song, Call of the Wild: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNLhg...eature=related

There are many Black Metal bands that rejoice in their pre-Christian roots and embrace their inborn spirituality. (I want to explore Norse Metal, Viking Metal and Pagan Metal in the future. And then there's Pirate Metal! Too much fun!)

I love this one by Wolves in the Throne Room, Thuja Magus Imperium: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AdfkejJDao

Lyrics:

"Redness in the east beyond the mountain
The Wheel begins to turn anew
Turning ever towards the Sun
Garlands adorn a chariot, aflame
Blood runs from the flank of a wounded stag
Turning inwards, all beings bow low
Unconcealed she flies
Then hidden by snow
Eyes pale voice of night

Black clouds bring rain
A white cloak and mantel
Enshrouds all of the great monoliths
Deities of frost crave an offering to storms
Great Firs felled by the wind

The eagle's aerie towering windswept
Sky-lords towering above
Night-born songs descend by moonlight
A rain of jewels Calliope sings
Each one a secret word inscribed in time

Sacred bones crumble enshrined
Entombed in roots and stones
A dead sun burns in the hollow Earth
Nameless rivers of dust

This bright thread so pure
Drawn through everything that is"

To be continued...

[Biradallo]

.....continued:

The last theme I'll introduce here, in my exploration of three themes within the genre of Black Metal that are inspiring/uplifting, is moving through negativity to a embrace a positive view of your struggles is so perfectly exemplified by Woods of Ypres with the song, The Will to Give:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ju1T...eature=related

Lyrics:

"I had built up all of my hopes
and all of my plans.
Only to have them stand and cast
shadows of humiliation.

Days would pass, shadows would remain,
A reminder of all of my dreams.
I had to live humbled with,
The disappointment of what never

Came to be...

I vow from this day forward,
My grieving will be brief,
That I will continue to give to this world,
Knowing I may never receive.

I had come so far
Before being stripped
and sent back to the start.
It felt as though the air
was tearing me apart.
A hybrid of seasons had come.
It swept across the land.
It spared the lives of everyone else,
While it destroyed everything I had done.

The frost came in the night,
My progress immortalized.
All that I had left undone,
Would be forever, frozen in time.
I became known for this curse.
It happened throughout my life.
It needed to continue to occur,
In order to keep my legacy alive.

Before I knew my time had arrived,
It was already gone.
Cursing the cold winds of change,
My moment of peace was just the eye

Of the storm...

The will to live is easy.
You can exist without a care.
The will to die shows it meant so much,
That you couldn't have it, and you couldn't go on living without it.

The will to give makes the best of nothing.
It is a philosophy.
That states you will continue to give to this world,
Knowing you may never receive.

Satisfaction will come and in time
it will leave us unsatisfied.
As uncertainty returns,
Bringing back the excitement to our lives.
We can only enjoy so much
Stimulation...
Before we stop responding and become despondent again.

I had built up all of my hopes and all of my plans,
Only to have them stand and cast shadows of humiliation.
Days would pass shadows would remain,
A reminder of all of my dreams.
I had to live humbled with
The disappointment of what never came to be...

Those shadows still remain as landmarks of failed attempts.
In their shade I work away at building a tower of character.
One day it will be revealed and it will stand for many years,
Casting a shadow of its own and striking fear in hearts, as will I.

It is the discomfort that sets us apart,
That wakes us up, that puts us to sleep.
It is our pathetic moments,
Which make us desire to be great.
It is the starving itself
That makes us hungry to want more.
Over time as you learn to fall,
You'll rise to your feet faster than the time before.

Satisfaction is a peak on the verge of decline,
It will be over in the blink of an eye.
Take your time to feel every moment,
A gradual climb will let you enjoy it
For your life is measured,
By the degree of dynamic from your life to your death.
The wait is long and the wait goes on,
But it is better to travel hopefully than to arrive.

Through the crests and troughs,
I will have seen both sides.
By the Pursuit of the Sun and the Allure of the Earth,
I will have earned and spent my life.

The will to give...

There is no destination...
There is only the journey..."

How Zen is that?!?

One more band that I just have to include since I'm newly in love with them is probably more Rock than Metal, but has a heaviness to its ambiance, is God is an Astronaut, the song, Fireflies and Empty Skies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WXdn...eature=related

I hope you've enjoyed these songs as much as I have and have a new appreciation for this one of many sub-genres within many sub-genres of Metal, and that you feel that ascending vibe from the powerful majestic beauty of Metal and other forms of heavy music like I do!

To joy, passion and embracing our power! \m/

[spiveker]

I love this thread, but I think its not primarily a Black Metal thread... let`s discuss some wider issues of music, and the findings of Dr. Emoto. Mark

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4OMXkiPu8Y

[milfovoxapl]

Hello everybody!

I know there are a few threads about music in here, but today I saw an interesting discussion in the comments section of David's latest installment. People were arguing about the benefits and dangers of heavy music.
Since I myself like to listen to heavy music I thought I'd start a little discussion in the hope to get more information on the way music influences us, how to work with it (for everyones benefit, mind you) and maybe even some new bands to listen to!

What I DON'T want to start is a clash between metalheads and others! This should go without saying, but I wanted to clarify that.


So let me start things off and give you a better idea about what I want to talk about.

In the comments section following points were made by different parties:

- heavy music can be uplifting, energizing, empowering
- the lyrics are mostly positive (I only partly agree to that, since there are a lot of negative musical styles in Heavy Metal out there)
- Heavy Metal has been a voice for rebellion for many decades now

- most instruments and sounds are distorted, hence the frequency aswell
- the body can be perceived as a hologram, based on frequencies itself, which makes it (and your spirit, of course) very sensitive to distorted sounds
- the performances of live concerts are often used for ritualistic purposes, as seen at the Super Bowl
- but the positive lyrics may act as a counter spell against these rituals

I'd like to point out that I don't want to dwell on the ritual stuff. My focus lies on the frequencies.
When I first submitted this thread (in a bit of an excited rush, I have to admit), I was told that threads that explored negative, ritualistic sides of music would be considered off topic and thus not being permitted. I second that. These forums are for the positive spiritual development of us all.

Let's get back to the above arguments.

I do feel energized by heavy music most of the time, to what degree depending on the band and my mood. A good example would be the Foo Fighters, since they were being named in the particular argument and also because David's comment of Dave Grohl wearing an upside down cross at the Emmys spiked a big reaction by many people.

I do really like the Foo Fighters and David Grohl. If I'm in a bad mood, listening to some Foo Fighters almost always lifts my spirits, whereas none-heavy music might get me irritated.
Sometimes I also "need" something "stronger", like Sick of it all, to name something quite extreme. On the other hand, it sometimes is the exact opposite. Heavy music would irritate me, whilst something soothing and quiet would make me feel better.

So, to conclude my post, let me ask:

Most people would agree the Foo Fighters make mostly very harmonic music, but with distorted guitars, therefore also distorting our energy-field. Does anyone think, or have evidence, that it's possible for us to transform those distorted frequencies into positive energy? Would that be possible at all?

Also, is it maybe my being used to listening to distorted music (for more than twenty years now) that only makes me THINK that I get a positive vibe out of it? And why might it be that sometimes it's the other way around?

The reason I am so interested in this is that, as many people, I have something like a love affair with Rock and Heavy Metal. And as in real relationships, it's hard to let go even if you know they might be bad for you. So I'd like to find out how to save this one!
And one more thing: I don't exclusivly listen to Rock and Heavy Metal. I enjoy many forms of music.

I hope everyone will enjoy this discussion.

All the best,
Llannagh

[xiaoselangone]

Hi Llannaugh,

interesting thread starter.

I've often felt that, as per the Law of One, one may look at the entire story of human experience (third density) in terms of it being a necessary aspect of the evolution of consciousness.

According to the Law of One, each entity as it sojourns through third density comes in with an innocent ignorance as to the ways of love. The ways of love may be seen as being identifiable with the smooth, harmonic functioning of life/consciousness/universe.

We do, however, have absolute free will, and complete sovereignty as to what our experiencing will be. Our experiencing always follows our choices.

Third density is a tough place to be, and as a feature of our relative inexperience with love and the higher available frequencies, geometric complexity and coherence of vibration, our experiencing can indeed seem disharmonious and less than loving. Nevertheless, it is good to reflect on the fact that no experience is invalid or not useful, as each reflects the creator's choice to experience free will in mystery.

We don't learn the ways of love without experiencing distortions of our inexperience. At every stage of third density experiencing, we will resonate with whatever is close to us in frequency and coherence. This is good and as it should be - there are no "better" or "worse" forms of music, just as each individual is perfect in their becoming and is an infinitely valid and valuable perspective of the creator.

Any form of music or art which makes you feel good or inspired or positively energized may well reflect tonal levels which do actually bring you up.

As for some music being said to have negative influence on people, I'd say it all boils down to what lessons you are currently experiencing in life. Basically, everyone is getting the experiences they need - experiences which are designed by the self in cooperation with the higher self so that our experiences will jar us into coming naturally to devise more harmonic (loving) ways of carrying on with others and the world.

I used to be a Metallica freak - 'One' being one of my favorite cuts. The ending especially invariably filled me with extremely high voltage energy and this centered in the general solar-plexus area. I can still get wired on it, but I'm not as resonant with metal or energized by it as much as I used to. I find these days after years of practicing balancing polarities that the music which mostly does it for me centers energy in my throat area. Mark

[TodeImmabbedo]

Music helps us release, and depended on what we wish to release, we listen to different music at different times.

For instance if I feel like I need to vent physical screaming energy then I'll listen to Metal and sing along.
If I feel like I need to vent sorrow then I'll listen to deep instrumental songs and fall into my emotions.

It's all about what you're mind/body/spirit needs to release and vent at the moment.
Of course the goal is to find balance and remain in that peaceful state for as long as possible. And you're taste in music when there will reflect that as well.

[SeelaypeKet]

Thank you for the thread Liannagh. I just finished reading all the comments and your lovely introduction. It's good to know I am not the only slighty offended metalhead by certain lightworkers comments hanging around here. I still use that term to classify myself sometimes although I have come to balance out this influence with other kinds of music in the course of my life. I think we as 3D humans don't have to respond to certain types of music as the ice crystals did in Dr. Emoto's experiments for example (and who knows what band he really played?). I'd like to believe we have more control or choice over how we allow certain distorted frequencies to affect us.. if we are aware. Thank you again.

[aquadayAquaks]

Thanks everybody for your replies so far.

MellyBelly, just to clarify, I haven't been "offended" by any lightworker's comment. Only a little worried. That being said, this thread was meant also for those felling offended to discuss this topic and explore the implications. So thanks for joining!

I think the fact that you are balancing out these influences, as you wrote, shows that you recognised that this kind of music can have negative effects. I remember thinking the first time I heard about Dr Emoto's experiments "Oh man, but I LOVE Rock and Metal!". Ever since this topic subconsciously has been present.

I too like to believe that we have the power to alter the quality of musical frequencies, at least to a certain degree. Reading MarkM's reply the question comes to mind if this is necessary at all.

Logically, if our spiritual development doesn't have the "need" for those frequencies anymore because we have evolved to a state we don't resonate with it, we might simply lose interest in it.
An example for that would be, as with Mark, Metallica. I used to be a huge Metallica fan ("One" being one of my favorites, too), but then I lost interest in them. Nowadays when I listen to them, I only do it for old times' sake. Same thing with the Stone Temple Pilots.

On the other hand, if I think of Black and Death Metal, I do think it would be good to alter those frequencies, though I dare say that would be almost impossible, due to it's mostly very negative lyrics and very disharmonic music.

A good friend of mine is a free Christian (can you say that in English?), so she likes to listen to a lot of Worship Music. Interestingly enough, she also has Worship Metal in her collection, with growls and all the powerful hard guitars, disharmonics etc. The lyrics are the only thing that makes the difference to the above mentioned Black Metal, though they are mostly pretty aggressive, too ("die demon, die", for example).
I don't feel this would be positive music. So here comes another question:

How much weight carries the intent of the artist with the music? How does that influence the frequencies? Does it at all?

Best,
Llannagh (with a double L )

[disappointment2]

The true power of an artist is the ability to take the listener/viewer on a journey. The same is true for Movies and Music, it's a journey. That being said, yes the direction the artist is traveling is directly related to the interest of the audience that is listening/watching.

For instance I actually liked the very first 'Saw' movie because of the underlying direction of the director. I did not like any past the first one as they were getting closer to the aspects of details and farther from the underlying message. If that series of movies moved slightly away from the "traps" and closer to the idea of relinquishing your addictions, it may have kept my interest. In fact I didn't watch any after the third one.

Back to the Music, one of my favorite bands right now is Opeth, they are from Sweden and include many instrumentally captivating metallic lullabies. Though they have half growling and half melodic lyrics I find there overall message to be one of release and acceptance. It's okay to be human and it's okay to be angry, we can deal with these things on an intelligent and soothing level. There direction is not one of destruction and dismay, it's more of closure and vulnerability. I know it's hard to fit flowers and death metal in one show.... but they can pull it off.

And if you look up this song on Youtube please listen to at least the first 5 minutes, as it is a 20 minute song. Mostly if you not into Metal, you may not like it.

This is from there album Morningrise (1996)


Black Rose Immortal (Bolded for interest)

In the name of desperation
I call your name
A lamentation I sigh
Again and again

Spiritual eclipse
The gateways are closed for me to seek

The night...
A veil of stars, watching
My shadow is born from light
The light of the eye, in darkness

Over troubled waters memories soar
Endlessly, searching night and day
The moonlight caresses a lonely hill
With the calmness of a whisper

I wear a naked soul
A blank face in the streaming water
It is cold in here
Frost scar my coat with dust

Eyes attach to your mute portrait
We spoke only through thoughts
Together we gazed, awaited
Hours brought thirst and the rising sun

Sunbirds leave their dark recesses
Shadows glide the archways

Do not turn your face towards me
Confronting me with my loneliness
You are in a forest unknown
The secret orchard
And your voice is vast and achromatic
But still so precious

Lullaby of the crescent moon took you
Mesmerized, its kaleidoscopic face
Granted you a hollow stare
Another soul within the divine herd

I have kept it
The Amaranth symbol
Hiddin inside the golden shrine
Until we rejoice in the meadow
Of the end
When we both walk the shadows
It will set ablaze and vanish
Black rose immortal

It is getting dark again
Dusk shuffle across the fields
The evening trees moan as if they knew
At night I always dream of you

[feAilei1]

I have long felt that music is something that is a very fundamental aspect of our lives---and I am coming to also believe that it is also something fundamental to the very core of all existence----I think that music, along with mathematics---are the languages of the Source Field.

In my lifetime---I have listened to such a broad variety of musical styles, genres and sub-genres---that range from all sorts of rock--from the early stuff like when Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and a young pretty man named Elvis Presley were making records under the guidance of Sam Phillips at Sun Records in Memphis, to Beatles, the psychedelic and acid rock of groups like the Grateful Dead, Iron Butterfly, early Led Zeppelin; later to southern rock bands like the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

I have liked Celtic Music, Blues, Bluegrass, New Orleans jazz and brass band music, Cajun and Zydeco.

For a period I loved Latin Jazz from artists like Tito Puente, Arturo Sandoval and Chico Valdez and certainly all of those wonderful old Cuban musicians that Ry Cooder brought to the attention of the world thanks to his album and documentary movie, "The Buena Vista Social Club."

These days, I am "into" a genre called variously---"Americana, American roots or traditions, Outlaw Country, Alt Country" and others.

There are so many great musicians making such great in so many types of music--it is simply not possible for any one person to get a handle on it all.

I do hope that when what I like to call, "The Transformation" takes place----there is gonna be music there--but I don't think that is going to be a problem---because I think that music is simply just another important constituent aspect of The Source Field as are atoms, protons, photons or gravity.

[Haibundadam]

Wow, thank you, Llanagh, for starting this thread, and to everybody else for joining in!

It's really late here, so I can't contribute as much as I would like right now, and I would like to get back to this sometime tomorrow... I just want to say a few things now, mainly, that as someone who has been very inspired by Metal (and various other types of music) all my life, I KNOW that it is a very positive force for me and will be for the rest of my life. It is for others, as well, and it is only in America that it is frowned upon as something that needs to be "grown out of" or is "lesser than" other forms of music; it's HUGE in Great Britain and Europe and people of all ages and backgrounds attend Metal events there, and nobody looks down on it.

I did take offense to the Moderator's comments on it and attempted to shed some light on the subject, then felt further disrespected when requesting that we not be branded as evil or angry or dysfunctional and that seemed to be blown off. I haven't been on the site for awhile so I don't know what her reply was to my last post on the subject, but reading down from the latest comments, I came across the mention of this thread forming and came straight over. I'm so glad we can discuss heavy music here!

The subject touched a nerve for me; being someone who walks in many different circles, I have been the recipient of disdain and outright exclusion from those who are in the "new age", "hippy" or self-proclaimed "spiritual" communities for my musical preference. (Personally, I find the sound of a didgeridoo to be quite disharmonious and the lyrics of The Greatfull Dead to be very chauvinistic!) As DC is a site where it is encouraged that we accept and love each other, I was a little shocked at the attitude of the Moderator when simply asking for some understanding. I may have taken more offense than was meant, being rather sensitive on the subject, I don't really know. The Metal folks I know and hang out with are exceptionally intelligent, thoughtful and caring people and I felt like I had to speak up for them and myself! For example, and this is just scratching the surface, I've been a vegetarian for almost 30 years, and two of my Metal friends are Vegans and we are all political/social activists and environmentalists. We care about injustice and have a code of honor not usually seen in the mainstream and well, I couldn't not say anything.

I love that Apophis posted Opeth lyrics; they are one of my absolute favorite bands and for all of the reasons s/he mentioned! And what a great example of the sheer beauty, depth and range of emotion that Metal can encompass! With references to higher spirituality as well, Opeth has been a hugely uplifting influence for me and many, many others. I hope to post some other examples of incredibly uplifting heavy bands/songs in the near future, and hope more people will, too. It's time to end the unfair view of all Metal people as unintelligent, screwed up, or "bad". That's all I really have time to say right now, except thanks, you guys, this is a great discussion and I hope it continues!

[SDorothy28]

I love metal, and I also like a great spread of musical mood. Check this out! Modernish angst.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J2QdDbelmY

[pavelChe]

I love this thread, but I think its not primarily a Black Metal thread... let`s discuss some wider issues of music, and the findings of Dr. Emoto. Mark

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4OMXkiPu8Y

Hi Mark! I wasn't trying to make it all about Black Metal, I just wanted to show some examples within each sub-genre of Metal to make my point and began there.

I've read all Dr. Emoto's books and attended a lecture by him, but haven't gotten any clarification of his work with water and exactly what musical selections he used in his experiments. I think that would make a huge difference. Most people who don't know much about the wide variety of Metal think that Poison and Bon Jovi are Heavy Metal and have no idea that there is anything else but '80's Hair Metal, so my suspicion is that Dr. Emoto chose something random and not representative of the genre as a whole, or chose something within the more negative range.

Further, I was surprised to read this; it seems that Dr. Emoto's experiments were not exactly non-biased and there have been statements to the effect that he cherry-picked the results to prove his point. I'll try to find where I read that and post it. I was rather dismayed to read that and I hope it's just hear-say.

[olivelappers]

Okay MarkM I'll play along. I do think it's the work of Dr Emoto that in fact started this thread. When the attention was brought to music in his studies on such popular movies as 'What the bleep' we were told that heavy thrashing music makes discord in the patterns of water, and this has lead some to generalize that all heavy music is discordant. I would like to know if there is a complete list of songs and ice crystal pictures to show all of his experiments. This way we can see which songs are actually making discordance. If we listen to those discordant songs and compare them to the songs we like, we may just find what is different about them.

[vioppyskype]

Chladni patterns!

Worth relating this to the Platonic solids... worth googling too! Water is even and basic. David is actually the man when it comes to this. Resonance multiplying geometrically.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVTG3gxdF_E

[meencegic]

Cool insight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMIvAsZvBiw

[FsQGF1Mp]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yedgu...eature=related

[tyclislavaify]

Mm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=...ture=endscreen

[Peter Hill]

Just to throw in my two cents on this debate: I've been a lifelong fan of rock/heavy metal (I am now approaching 30 years of age). It's a genre that has inspired me immensely and has gotten me through some extremely tough times. That said, I can certainly understand how some people would shift away from it over the years. Personally, I've found myself listening to metal bands that are more positive in their message, and moving further away from the darker subgenres. What I like about heavy music is its ability to express a wide variety of emotions in a very unique way, especially when done by highly skilled musicians.

So, for now, I remain a devoted fan--but if, later in life, I find the genre no longer appealing to me, that's fine. All I know is that music, in one form or another, has been a constant companion to me during my journey, and it always will be.

[awagsFare]

Haha lots of metal heads around it seems

I very much found a place for me in metal for a lot of my life, I find it very hard to stomach these days however. Metal will always have a place in my heart though. I'll never put Tool down!

The track I have linked is more where I am at these days, if I'm going into rock and the like I'm going back in time to the days of Pink Floyd, The Doors etc. This week I have been listening to "Wish you were here" A LOT

This track I listen to everyday, there is just something about it and the beat and what it does inside. Its like a journey and I love day dreaming to it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXIdCnt8V-I

Love and Light to all!