Shub-Niggurath

Old Ones up in this bitch.

This doodle is based on a piece done by, well, I don't know. If somebody who reads this (nobody) knows whose piece it is, comment with a name, so I can credit the artist. But yeah, obviously it's a doodle of Shub-Niggurath. One of the Great Old Ones, she gives birth to tree-like creatures called dark young. I like to imagine the blood is from her giving birth to the hoof, head, and whatever is beneath/behind her. Just a doodle of an Old One, probably the only one I can do besides Azathoth, given their nebulous form.

Worms As Fuck
Did this one up a little after I started doodling again.

I started the doodling again with other stuff, like liches, skeletons, that sort of stuff. These guys crop up again and again it seems. I sometimes add color because of the liquid chalk we have at the register, used for signs and stuff, the original Worm-thing was done in pen, then highlighter. I figure I might stat these guys up for D&D or something, make them an enemy for PC's to fight in my campaign. Then again, there's already stats for giant worms and shit.

The reason for the writing, 'Snake's Ken' and 'Abyssal Worms', is that I think of these like metal album covers, if they were done on canvas or digital imaging or some shit. The larger writing is the band name, and the smaller is the album name.

I think I need to use a better scanner. The one I have has a broken top door, so I can't get it all the way closed. Receipts like to curl, thus the lesser image quality.

The Swedish Disco Reunion

Album Review
If You Have Ghost - Ghost

Ghost, known as Ghost B.C. in the US for marketing purposes, is one of my favorite bands around now. They're a doom metal band from Linkoping, Sweden, and have a generally satanic theme, mixed with lyrical themes or transcendence, temptation, and self-identity. Having been to two of their live shows, I can say it's a hoot to see whether or not you're into metal. They're great fun, and have an excellent stage presence.

Now, on to the album. If You Have Ghost is an EP, their first if you don't count The Early Rituals. It's an interesting album, as its five tracks include four oddly-chosen covers, and one live recording of the song 'Secular Haze' from their previous 2013 LP, Infestissumam.

The titular track of the album, If You have Ghosts, is a cover of a Roky Erickson song. Roky being heavily into the experimental rock scene, I can see why Ghost would cover it, since they're going in the same direction, especially with this album. Overall, the track is strong. It has a hopeful, yet melancholic tone, similar to most Ghost tracks. This is really the standout track of the album, and it confuses me that it's the first one. Everything else on the album just kind of pales in comparison.

The second track is a cover of I'm A Marionette by ABBA. ABBA, being one of Sweden's most famous music groups, does kind of call on Ghost to do a cover, or at least some sort of homage, and I can see why Ghost would do it. The lyrical themes of the original translate well to Ghost, since it's about being a puppet of some greater force (read: under the control of Satan). However, as a track, it kind of falls short. It doesn't really do anything new, it doesn't call out to anything or anyone in any way. Kind of the low point of the album, along with the next track.

The third track is an Army of Lovers cover, specifically, their song 'Crucified'. Now, this track is straight-up confusing. First, it's a cover of Army of Lovers. Another Swedish band, more dance music. But Army of Lovers, in all honesty, was pretty bad, even for their time. ABBA at least kind of deserves a cover, but Army of Lovers? What? Suffice to say, Ghost doesn't really do anything new with this track either. Sounds all too similar to the previous track, but maybe that's just the Swedish dance infusion.

The fourth track is a cover of Waiting For the Night, by Depeche Mode. I have to say, I hate Depeche Mode. Can't stand it. Ghost made me like a Depeche Mode song. This track is pretty good, but again, sounds like what I've heard plenty of before from them. I like that this track at least sounds a bit more like a mix of their first and second albums, rather than the expansion-pack feel of the rest of the EP. The instrumentals are at least a little heavier, but the vocals easily dominate the track, same as they have ever since their second album, Infestissumam, was released. The track isn't bad, but like the previous two, really doesn't do anything.

The fifth and final track is a live recording of 'Secular Haze', the only Ghost-original track on the album. It closes out the album well enough, providing a fun alternative to the studio version of the song. That's about all I can say about the song itself, it's a pretty good song as it is. Hearing the crowd roaring as it starts reminds me of the shows I've been to to see them, and it's evidence that they want more people to go out and see them live. It's nice to round out an album with something a bit different, but I can't help but feel like they could've chosen a more 'final' track to the album, like, I don't know, the first track? Oh shit, I just questioned Dave Grohl, I better shut the fuck up.

Altogether, the album provides something a bit different, but not different enough to stand out, other than in an awkward "Hey guys look over here" way. I don't mind the album, it's an EP, so whatever, as long as Ghost's full length albums aren't dance and electronica covers, it's cool. Not a strong release, kind of lackluster, but at least having more good than bad.

5/10

Worms of the Abyss

So, first picture. I'll upload these daily so I can drag these first ones out as long as possible.

This is the one that started it all, and the only remaining of the Giant-era doodles. This guy, some abyssal worm/lamprey/millipede/long turd was made when I fucked up drawing the Red Lantern symbol from DC comics, so it became this adorable guy, with some editing, i.e., mouth, eye, inverted crucifix, etc.

I found it a little while back when i started drawing again, and decided to expand on it. More on that expansion in later posts.

Introductions

Let's get the synopsis out of the way. This is a blog about what I do, music I like, and day-to-day stuff. I'll post reviews of the occasional metal album, be it thrash, doom, black, or even power metal from time to time. Mostly, however, I'll post pictures of doodles I do on receipt paper at work. And on the rare occasion I think I have something interesting happen in my life, I'll share that too.

I started doing these doodles a few years back when I worked at Giant Foods, then stopped when I worked at a nerd shop for a while, since I had better things to do, like goof off, not do my job, and play pretend wizard card games. Now I work at World Market (read: 'wordly' yuppie heaven), and I've started up drawing again. It's mostly a way for me to pass time easily. I try to not count the minutes until my breaks. Not a good strategy.

Recently, I've consistently been the primary cashier, and as a result, I have a lot of 'downtime'. I should be at least looking busy around the cash register area, but I draw at my register on receipt tape instead, because I'm a lazy fuck. Oh, another thing, if you don't like profanity, this is the internet, what are you doing here?

Why am I making this blog? That was either a rhetorical musing to myself, or it was a hook aimed at you to get you to keep reading. You pick. But anyway, I'm doing this blog because I'm taking 6 credits at a community college, I work 20 hours a week, and have a pretty small social life. I need something to do.

Keep in mind, my artistic skills are shit to none, so everything you see here is ass. Except the metal. I like the think I have good taste in at least one area of interest.

In closing, thanks for reading, I appreciate it, and maybe subscribe to the RSS-whatever-the-fuck way you can follow me.