Hahaha. Click for a larger view. You'll get the hang of it Abang Fahmi and Kak Alice.Dedicated to MieMoe:
Hahaha. Click for a larger view. You'll get the hang of it Abang Fahmi and Kak Alice.Book Review: Anvil! - The Story of Anvil:
Anvil!: The Story of Anvil, Steve “Lips” Kudlow and Robb Reiner with Robert Uhlig, Bantam Press, 2009.
I do not know why I had not lifted this one of the bookshelf earlier. Since that day, I made it a mission to get my hands on this book as soon as possible and 2 days ago, I finally got it. Anvil! The Story of Anvil is one hell of a read. I spent one whole day finishing this one. Anvil is a Canadian heavy metal band and many considered them the first few bands whose music paved the way for the entire genre of Speed and Thrash Metal, among those in agreement are the likes of Scott Ian of Anthrax and Lars Ulrich of Metallica.
Basically this book illustrates the journey of two friends, Lips and Robbo, childhood friends who made a vow when they were fourteen years old to rock together, for ever and they meant it. It was an emotional journey. They toured with all the greatest bands ever lived. You name it, Whitesnake, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Scorpions and all of these bands sold millions and millions of records around the world except Anvil.
It depicts a story of staying true to yourself, staying true to your dreams, not losing hope and to do things not for the sake of doing it but for the love it. When they first stormed the scene back in the late 70’s and early 80’s, everybody thought that Anvil was the band that will turn the world upside down with their brand of fast and odd timing heavy metal. Though most of the lyrics are kind of sleazy, but musically they were revolutionaries, ahead of their time. They should have made it big.
Anvil remained obscure. Nobody knows about them. But they were true to their dream to become rock stars and to become successful. They kept releasing albums and do small tours. They lived for music. It takes a heart of a lion to have that kind of dedication, my friend. This also a story about friendship, a story of two heavy metal brothers staying true to each other despite their ups and downs of life. Fighting personal demons in the shape of drugs and what not. It is an emotional read. Whether they finally achieve that dream or not, that you must find out on your own if you choose to read this book.
This book came in support of the movie, a documentary made about them which goes by the same name. I have yet to watch the movie, but judging by the power of this book and the trailer I just watched recently, I know it is a must that I go and see the movie. Even by watching the trailer almost made me cry. I am a fan.
I got my copy from Kinokuniya KLCC. Bought it when I was on my way for a meeting. This book is 313 pages thick and it cost me RM123.90. Worth ever penny spent.
I do not know why I had not lifted this one of the bookshelf earlier. Since that day, I made it a mission to get my hands on this book as soon as possible and 2 days ago, I finally got it. Anvil! The Story of Anvil is one hell of a read. I spent one whole day finishing this one. Anvil is a Canadian heavy metal band and many considered them the first few bands whose music paved the way for the entire genre of Speed and Thrash Metal, among those in agreement are the likes of Scott Ian of Anthrax and Lars Ulrich of Metallica.
Basically this book illustrates the journey of two friends, Lips and Robbo, childhood friends who made a vow when they were fourteen years old to rock together, for ever and they meant it. It was an emotional journey. They toured with all the greatest bands ever lived. You name it, Whitesnake, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Scorpions and all of these bands sold millions and millions of records around the world except Anvil.
It depicts a story of staying true to yourself, staying true to your dreams, not losing hope and to do things not for the sake of doing it but for the love it. When they first stormed the scene back in the late 70’s and early 80’s, everybody thought that Anvil was the band that will turn the world upside down with their brand of fast and odd timing heavy metal. Though most of the lyrics are kind of sleazy, but musically they were revolutionaries, ahead of their time. They should have made it big.
Anvil remained obscure. Nobody knows about them. But they were true to their dream to become rock stars and to become successful. They kept releasing albums and do small tours. They lived for music. It takes a heart of a lion to have that kind of dedication, my friend. This also a story about friendship, a story of two heavy metal brothers staying true to each other despite their ups and downs of life. Fighting personal demons in the shape of drugs and what not. It is an emotional read. Whether they finally achieve that dream or not, that you must find out on your own if you choose to read this book.
This book came in support of the movie, a documentary made about them which goes by the same name. I have yet to watch the movie, but judging by the power of this book and the trailer I just watched recently, I know it is a must that I go and see the movie. Even by watching the trailer almost made me cry. I am a fan.
I got my copy from Kinokuniya KLCC. Bought it when I was on my way for a meeting. This book is 313 pages thick and it cost me RM123.90. Worth ever penny spent.
Book Review: A Lion’s Tale - Around the World in Spandex
A Lion’s Tale: Around the World in Spandex, Chris Jericho with Peter Thomas Fornatale, Orion Publishing, 2008
In my book collecting (and reading) lexicon, there were only few books worth reading twice and this book was one of them selected fews. Just for the record though, Chris Jericho is my all time favorite wrestler cum entertainer. Yes, Chris Jericho is a wrestler and I am not ashamed or feel reluctant to admit that I am a fan of wrestling. I have been watching wrestling programs (WWF and WCW) on the television since I was still of very young age. My grandfather and I, and sometimes my grandmother too, would sit politely in front of the idiot box every Thursday night, equipped with a big plate of fried bananas and wach with a glass of warm and aromatic Kopi Cap Hang Tuah, cheering and jeering for the guys, the warriors in the square ring. It was a no brainer entertainment and it still is. It is sports entertainment, a soap opera for the guys, a masculine and more exciting version of Desperate Housewives or Kingdom Hospital.
This book actually illustrates Superstar Chris Jericho’s journey from being a classroom dreamer to a world renowned wrestling superstar. A classic story of an achievable dream as Jericho ushered the attention of his readers about how in his younger age, he would spend his time drawing muscled cartoon figures of his favorite wrestlers and eventually later on, as he advances with his stories and tales, was given the opportunity to work along side each and every one of them, his favorite wrestlers.
It was a captivating read. I enjoyed every paragraph and every sentence. Often I would laugh reading about his experiences roaming all over the globe trying to make a name for himself. Chris Jericho is also a true lover of everything metal and that made the read more fun and enjoyable for me. Often I was fascinated how two strangers can become best of friends just by sharing similar interest in music. Heavy Metal has always been a tribal music. You wont be friends with a total foreigner just for the reason that both of you liked MTV and Justin freaking Timberlake. In the world of Heavy Metal, if I saw you in a Cannibal Corpse t-shirt and likewise you saw me in a Deicide’s, it wont take no longer than 2 days before you see both of us again hanging out with each other checking each other’s record collection. That is the tribe of Heavy Metal for you.
I had to give Mr.Jericho here a well and deserving standing ovation for his stylish and elegant ending. His lines of attacks in wrapping up his entire journey, as far I am concern, were the best dramatic closure ever to sum up the man’s entire career towards superstardom and his entire journey, and at the same time infusing pinches of uplifting emotions and sentimental beauty that can and will bring tears to his readers. A well done job sir, a well done job.
This book is of 432 pages thick. I got mine from Kinokuniya KLCC and it costs me RM60.00. Worth every single cent spent.
In my book collecting (and reading) lexicon, there were only few books worth reading twice and this book was one of them selected fews. Just for the record though, Chris Jericho is my all time favorite wrestler cum entertainer. Yes, Chris Jericho is a wrestler and I am not ashamed or feel reluctant to admit that I am a fan of wrestling. I have been watching wrestling programs (WWF and WCW) on the television since I was still of very young age. My grandfather and I, and sometimes my grandmother too, would sit politely in front of the idiot box every Thursday night, equipped with a big plate of fried bananas and wach with a glass of warm and aromatic Kopi Cap Hang Tuah, cheering and jeering for the guys, the warriors in the square ring. It was a no brainer entertainment and it still is. It is sports entertainment, a soap opera for the guys, a masculine and more exciting version of Desperate Housewives or Kingdom Hospital.
This book actually illustrates Superstar Chris Jericho’s journey from being a classroom dreamer to a world renowned wrestling superstar. A classic story of an achievable dream as Jericho ushered the attention of his readers about how in his younger age, he would spend his time drawing muscled cartoon figures of his favorite wrestlers and eventually later on, as he advances with his stories and tales, was given the opportunity to work along side each and every one of them, his favorite wrestlers.
It was a captivating read. I enjoyed every paragraph and every sentence. Often I would laugh reading about his experiences roaming all over the globe trying to make a name for himself. Chris Jericho is also a true lover of everything metal and that made the read more fun and enjoyable for me. Often I was fascinated how two strangers can become best of friends just by sharing similar interest in music. Heavy Metal has always been a tribal music. You wont be friends with a total foreigner just for the reason that both of you liked MTV and Justin freaking Timberlake. In the world of Heavy Metal, if I saw you in a Cannibal Corpse t-shirt and likewise you saw me in a Deicide’s, it wont take no longer than 2 days before you see both of us again hanging out with each other checking each other’s record collection. That is the tribe of Heavy Metal for you.
I had to give Mr.Jericho here a well and deserving standing ovation for his stylish and elegant ending. His lines of attacks in wrapping up his entire journey, as far I am concern, were the best dramatic closure ever to sum up the man’s entire career towards superstardom and his entire journey, and at the same time infusing pinches of uplifting emotions and sentimental beauty that can and will bring tears to his readers. A well done job sir, a well done job.
This book is of 432 pages thick. I got mine from Kinokuniya KLCC and it costs me RM60.00. Worth every single cent spent.
Sil Khannaz Pendita Gila:
I still remember being extremely excited and thrilled about this one cassette tape I bought from a local record store when I was still in Kota Bharu many years ago. It was of a local death metal band called Sil Khannaz. What kind of band would call itself Sil freaking Khannaz? Even the moniker itself was an Arabic word referring to the devil's other name. Its like "Hello, my name is Satan but you can call me Sil Khannaz". This must be provocative and provocation was my middle name back then. It was an Extended Play; you know those kinds of tapes where you can actually buy them at RM8.90 a piece. It usually contains four to five songs and it would be the same four or five songs on each side of the cassette tape. Back then you can actually purchase a full album cassette tape for only RM13.50. Fucking glorious.If my memory serves me correctly, I bought that EP cassette (and many other cassettes) at Pantai Timur Shopping Centre. The music department was actually heaven on earth for the younger version of me back then. They got like one whole fucking wall displaying rare heavy metal records and cassette tapes. I am talking about hundreds of heavy metal tapes dude. I sometimes would spend hours browsing each and every one of them and not once would I end up annoying the staff who usually would follow me around making sure I was not putting heavy metal cassette tapes into my pocket. “Akak, can you just stop following me and recommend me instead, the grimmest and heaviest satanic war Black Death Metal record ever recorded and distributed on this planet?” “Akak, Black Death Metal. Bukan Black Dog Bone. Itu disco!”
Pendita Gila, the album sleeve was red and white with Mr. Alistair Crowley bejeweled as the front cover. The front cover was kind of creepy with the cropped photo of Mr.Crowley staring straight into my eyes whispering his deadly admonition “Join the Temple of the Golden Dawn or I will have to eat you, boy!” although I did thought that his face-crouching position was kind of silly and funny at that time. “Sorry Mr.Crowley, you are a silly man indeed making scary faces like that”.
It contained 4 mesmerizing and heart ripping songs and those four songs altered my life forever. The throat crushing vocals seemed to gust out hypnotizing spells, sinful hymns and evil curses. It was funny to remember that I was literally frightened shitless when I first listened to Kiss of The Whisper, which later became their regular encore. What kind of vocal is this? I was awestruck. Two growling vocals, of different velocity respectively, on top of each other creating this weird spellbinding effect. The riffs were all evil and wicked as hell. Come to think of it, I have to admit, Pendita Gila was one of those rock albums that can really scare the shit out of you.
Unfortunately, I sold the damn tape to a friend of mine.
Safety And Alertness:
A few days ago, Nina’s purse was stolen from her handsome handbag that she was hauling. She informed me about it via text message. It was already late in the evening when I got the message. To make it even worse, there was a huge chunk of cash in the purse, which was meant for some weekly expenditure and monthly bills. To be honest, I was quite infuriated at first. Why do you need to haul out so much cash? Why didn’t she just use the electronic banking system and pay all the bills online, which were far more easier and far safer, rather than having to go out to the teller machine, withdraw a huge amount of cash, which of course would definitely attract the ever curious and nosy Rusty Ryans and Danny Oceans, and doing it manually? And why in hell did I not accentuate her about this earlier? So much for being a dependable guy huh.
Well, at least Nina was OK. A bit shaken, but OK. Alhamdulillah. With all these snatch thieves son of bitches running around freely, sniffing around like reservoir dogs that they truly are, snatching hand bags from some poor old women across the streets, sometimes causing serious injuries and deaths, I am thankful that Nina was left unharmed, safe and sound. I was informed by Nina later on that night that they, the security guards have found the purse in the shopping Mall’s men’s room, everything still intact except the cash.
Two simple and very important lessons that can we can learn in the above predicament which are first; use the electronic banking system. It is easier, faster and safer. Second; when your girlfriend’s purse end up stolen, try and contain yourself from gnashing your teeth, because by being angry at something like that, purse stolen, car keys missing, favorite lingerie misplaced etc, which was beyond your control anyway, you will end up putting her in a tougher spot than she’s already in, an unnecessary stress. It aint gonna solve the problem. The best thing to do is to try and calm her down. Give her your moral support. If you were with her at that time, give her a warm hug. Let her know that everything is going to be alright and what ever happens, you will always be there for her. Let her know that. This will give her comfort. It will definitely lift her up from her current desolation and misery. Go back home, make her a cup of warm Milo and continue hugging her until the sobbing stops. Wait for the next day, then barulah give her your world famous personal holy sermon on safety and alertness. It will register quicker.
I got the above tip from my short read of the foreword to the infamous Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus, written by John Gray, while I was waiting for the cute Kinokuniya girl to finish wrapping my evil books, earlier in the afternoon.
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