isn’t just you’re everyday music album. In 1993 at a local C.B.G.B’s club in Bakersfield, California there a band with the most amazing talent that was introduced. It must have been a sign from god, because after a 30 minute set producer Ross Robinson just happened to be in the club, when he heard he heard the band playing there brand new demo, “Blind”. As soon as the set was finished, Jonathan Davis (Lead singer/ Bag Pipes), James “Munky” Shaffer (Lead Guitarist), Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu (Slap Bass), Brain “Head” Welch (2nd Guitarist), and David Silveria (Drummer/ Percussion) were quickly sent to Epic records were upon they signed a contract, and they recorded their first self titled album. Once in the recording studio, the most amazing sound magic was created, and Nu Metal was born. KoЯn got there name from Jonathan Davis, when he took a crayon and wrote the band’s name like a child, using a “K” instead of a “C”, and a backwards “R” to look as if it was written by a three year old, for originality. The band came up with their name because everyone except for David had Cornrows or Dreadlocks. The original name for band was Creep, but they changed the name once they got John to join. He felt the name of the band name was too bleak. Once their first album was released in October of 94’ the band became an instant hit. With Jonathan’s original vocals, mixing rap, rock & roll, and deep Metal anger tones into his voice, there’s no fight that just he alone created this intense rhapsody that no one could touch. For the first time in the history of Metal a new style of Bass called Slap was brought to the stage, by Guitar god Fieldy. And with lead guitarist Munky with his strange way of playing his guitar well jumping around like a monkey (how he got his name), made the band come together. And with the sensual vibe of Head giving off odd guitar strums to the background, and David rocking the drum just made the band complete.
After creating two executive top charting albums that scored in my mind the greatest ensemble of music sense the birth of Aerosmith, iSSUES later became the most impacting album in my life. First off the album was featured in four different covers designed by KoЯn fans as part of an MTV contest. The winning cover was made by a cartooning artist, Alfredo Carlos which was voted the top rank album cover by the fans. An album cover which in my opinion, shouldn’t have won because it was just a picture of a old –fashioned voodoo doll, as a pose to a cartoon picture of the band in a nut house, which was unfortunately a 3rd place winner (featured above). The album was written for teenagers and adults that go through everyday problems and issues. Jonathan wrote all the lyrics carefully to help people understand the struggles of being famous, being part of a popular metal band, and having bad karma.
The c.d. is really dark and full of many tracks that help you understand what it’s like to be in pain and agony, and touches upon all the levels of stress. Through the whole album, KoЯn indulges all the problems that people go through in everyday life as well as the issues that are chronological, like all the things that bother people with emotional disabilities. The album also contrasts the differences between everyday emotional outbreaks and the emotionally unstable issues of the artist. Such as the first song on the album entitled, “Falling Away From me” in which Jonathan say’s “Day, is here fading, I flirt with suicide./ Sometimes kill the pain.”, is a great example of how the illiterate pain of living has caused him to want to feel the literal pain of harming himself with a razor blade to tease death. In a sense he’s trying to reach out someone and has figured out that writing out his problems in lyrical form to help coupe with his issues is a good way to deal with them.
The album has a way of putting you into his life like a story, to help understand the discretions of his intangible impulses. Just like the track, “Trash” a song about trying to understand psychology of being popular, and getting all the love in the world suddenly; after never having the ability to get with or be with a girl before fame hits you. This is a great song because it’s narrated by to emotional set points. Being loved with the idlest of greatness, and understanding the lust involved with being famous. The song touches upon a really straight forward point, when you get into the entertainment business, people will do anything to have there 15 minutes of fame. Weather it be in front of the camera or behind the camera (behind close doors so to speak), just to have a story to tell someone when they get older. Jon makes an apparent but poetic point when he says, “I just feel the craving. /I see the flesh and it smells fresh, /and it’s just there for the taking. /these little girls they make me feel so god damn, exhilarated.” Because it gives the imagery that he’s become addicted to the sensual intercourse.
As much as he try’s to stop himself from expressing his nymphomania toward woman, it becomes so much of an issue that he has the need to release it in song. There isn’t a great deal of poetic devices through out the album, but the album does have a great deal of puns/word play. KoЯn is constantly playing with words to make there songs sound strange, comedic, and obvious. They don’t do a great deal of cover-up language or layering, but they do change a lot of lyrics around so they can sound original and different. When the c.d. came out it was nominated most original album of the year and sold 8,000,000 copies world wide in the first year. On the album there are little introductions that prepare you for the fallowing tracks. The way there written, makes you feel as if you were in a sanitarium. This is to help you get a visual of somebody with psychotic problems. A great example of this analogy is the track, “Am I Going Crazy?” This is an amazing interlude because it’s a great depiction of what you’re mind goes through when it’s altered by insanity. The end of the album is just priceless, because it shoots an explosion of many different issues in your face at once, in one long on going finale. The actual song finishes @ 3:43 but it has 4 minutes and 7 seconds of static. Usually on a typical KoЯn album, it has a hidden track at the end, but this album is the first album without one.
But all in a sense, this is an all out fantastic album. If you haven’t heard it, it’s defiantly worth the listening. It’s no drought, what can be seen as the strangest frenzy of odd songs on a c.d. you’ll probably ever hear in a life time, but is what makes the album so outgoing and original. Of course if you’re not into great music and, have no taste for originality, you might as well pick up a Britney Spears album. Because no other major label of music will be able to deliver, such an impact of great rhythms, instrumental flows, or intense vocals. Other than the masters of Nu Metal, the birth of a sensuous divinity, the creators of modern talent, my favorite band in the world. The most superb and intense band to ever stain the souls and hearts of head bangers around the earth,

-Take Me Away-

Welcome one in all to the Dark Carnival. Behind this closed gate is a strange, damp dark place. Where not much sunlight shines. A place where people who are different can call home, and what home would be complete without a family? A family of hideous abominations that will cast out of your world. The world that which drags’s and boast’s creatures like us, and branded us weirdo’s and freekshows. You know, the deplorable little name we embraced and enhance during night. Welcome to a place were you don’t to be part of a curtain scene or make sense to be accepted. A place were sideshows, carnies and circus tent figures can be one. A place to come together and be happy.

Here at the Carnival of Carnage, you will be not only part of are family but you will be able to express yourself for you are and, be heard. Here’s the facts that I know for sure, many don’t believe who we are, and spit with shame when we show are faces. It’s alright though, because here in the Dark Carnival, we take all shapes, colors, sizes, genres, and religions. Sh*t, there’s a spot for everyone! We will gladly take you’re ruthless crazy azz in. We love the dark and we love the originality. If you feel that you’re unwanted or unrecognized, come in. We take killers, creeps, stalkers, scrubs, and spawns. For everyone here, I can promise you something. You’ll never hear us talk about the typical bull. Living rich, having money, wearing fancy jewelry, have the finest hottest models by you’re side at all times, all the love they get, and all the coolest cars they drive.

Only we’ll talk about F*%king a bee-hive, getting a two liter of Faygo stuck in a butt crack and, wrapping a rope around are private parts; attaching it to a cinder block and, then jumping off a ten storey building. If you want to keep things real, walk out you’re door. Because that’s as real as it’s going to get from the sky to the floor. But here at the Dark Carnival, we’ll take you’re body and soul away, and in trade bring you on a journal of myth, majik (this word being used out of text on purpose to express being mystical), and adventure…

“My name Violent J, I’m going to be you’re tour guide, for this evening. Now that you’ve made it here, I’m going to go over some rules.” A over-weight man said, with spiked hair, painted white and black face, and silver chain (on it, had a pendent of a man running with a hatchet) dangling from his neck. “Rule one, there’s no escape! Now that you’re soul has been taken, you are stuck here eternally. There ain’t no going back. Rule two, you’re B*#^& azz is ours. You have freedom to an existent but you are now one off us. Think of us as you’re new family. You won’t miss you’re old ones will you?” He continued laughing and then gave a big smile. “Rule three, there are no other rules. Now that you’ve become one of us, you’re on your own. Have fun, and try not to get your stupid large derriere killed.” The strange looking man laughed as he walked away. Then stopped and turned around. “Oh, and if you have any questions don’t as me. Because, I couldn’t give to Sh*tz!” He finished and then walked away.

I’m really confused; you say you’re self as you start to walk around. Your soul has already been taken so you can’t real function for yourself. You’re now an angel without the wings. But you know deep down your probably not going to need them. Your sweating, your stomach is beating were you’re heart used to be, and your confused. All around you are people with strange looks and odd faces. You know there’s know going back to your world. You’re happy to be here but at the same time scared. Suddenly there’s a skinny but tallish person that comes up to you. His face is painted to, but with a different design then the last on.

“Hay! What’s up Mutha! I’m Shag’s 2 Dope! I’ll help you get the idea, of how to get through these halls of illusion and curvy purple brick paths. There’s plenty of places to discover, The Tempest Rollercoaster, The Calm ride, The House Of Mirrors, Wax Museum, House Of Horrors, Tilt-A-Whirl, Murder-Go-Round, and many more…” Shaggy said with a long stretching grin that went from ear to ear. “Now that you’ve gotten the low-down on the rules, from my faithful friend J. I’ll help you along the way.” Shaggy continued as he summoned a white and red cane used for P.I.M.P. out of thin air, and then started walking. Everything was crazy looking, and fun, with a scary tint to them. Most everything inanimate was lit up with lights. All the rides and games were full of many colors and designs. The trees had yellow leaves and black branches, and there was giant multi colored mushrooms growing out the ground, and all the grass was tall and twisted in an outlandish of odd curves and, curls.

As you walk with Shaggy 2 Dope you realize that this outstanding world isn’t a world at all. You then remember that your soul has been taken for a reason. That you’ve passed away and, your real body is stuck on earth. Then what hits you next, is the last thing that’s happened to you. You wear driving intoxicated on you’re way home from work. It was rainy out and you drove across a large puddle. You’re cars wheels must have lost there traction, and you lost control on the steering wheel. Last you remember, you hitting a tree on the corner of the street. When you woke, you were laying down on you’re stomach in from of a gate. The gate was one of a giant Carnival that caught your attention. Despite hating the world, you decided to speak to the gate keeper, which allowed you access to enter the Carnival. You now realize you’ve made it. You’ve made it to Shangri-la. You’za Juggalo*, and your now in Juggalo City.

Although enlightened by this you are scared, wishing that you hadn’t drank on that faithful rainy night, but at the same time not really regretting it. Because you’re life was at the lowest of low and, you were ready to go. You were meant to go. “You gunna keep that ugly azz face on you’re skin, because now that you’re here, you don’t gutta abide by the law. There are no more rights, rules, or order. Get your real face on. Take off that crappy layer of useless face skin and put on your new face. The amazing paint gifted to you by non-other.” This made you giggle, and smile. You painted-up with a thick layer of white and black face make-up. Then got gifted a hatchet chain, and put it around your neck. This made your face light up and, made you more comfortable.

“Now loosen up, and let go. You ain’t gutta be so tense. Put some Faygo in your joints and, some hatchet in your life.” Shaggy 2 Dope said, as you finished putting your paint on. This allowed you to relax and got you to laugh. You grabbed your favorite flavor of Faygo pop out of a near by frig. Then placed it on the paint table. You put away the paint and, opened the bottle of soda, and started chugging it. Then Shaggy pulled something out. It was a brown cylinder shaped object. He took a liter out and, lit the tip of it on fire. He put it to his lips and sucked on the end of it. Then breathing out perfect smoke rings, passed it to you.

“Hit that, and pass it, ‘ight! Everything’s going to be alright.” Shaggy gave you a pat on you’re back because you started to choke. “Your here because it’s your time. There’s nothing wrong. Think about it, you’ll never be sad again. They’ll always be someone to coop with you here and, ain’t no one gunna hurt you. In less you want to be hurt. That’s a different scenario... That’s your own personal problem, not mine.” Shaggy said as he started walking again. “You will never be made fun of or dissed again. You don’t even have to make any sense. You can speak how you please, walk how you want, dress how you want, and act how you want. That’s the beauty of being in this lovely place. You can wish for something with the snap of a finger and it will appear. How you dress is how you imagine yourself dressing. Sheee, you can be butt booty naked if you want. Please don’t do that around me. The only thing I wanna see naked is the hot Juggalette*s walkin’ ‘round here.” He extended without a pause.

You are now feeling more like you’re in heaven. Your more ecstatic then you’ve ever been in you’re life. Shaggy finished showing you around and then, spoke one last time before he left. “Ight, I’m outtie brah. I’m going to take a walk through the, The House Of Mirrors, and if you’re not. Well that you’re thing. Much Clown Love homie. I’ll be speaking to you latta” Shaggy finished and then vanished, as if he had just thrown a ninja poof ball, without the smoke. As you breathe this all in, you pondered upon what had just happened. You’re still really excited about knowing you’ve made it to Shangri-la, but then it all hit’s you. All your family and all your old friends are gone forever. This saddens you that you will forever be stuck in this Carnival. But then again you understand, you will never be upset ever again.

You are glad to know that you won’t go to hell in less you deceive but, this doesn’t bother you because in this heaven violence isn’t a bad thing in less written to a curtain consent. It accrues to you that you won’t ever have to deal with anyone changing your way. Because, here at the Dark Carnival everyone an equal. There are no decimations, no wrong and rights, no lines for rides; you can even live in your own mansion, because at the Carnival, there’s no money, or rent. Everyone’s your family and your friend. You can get with just about any sex you want. Or you can create your own lover. Everything is to you’re disposal.

This isn’t just anyone’s nirvana, but merely yours forever. Suddenly a voice came from the red sky above.”Welcome one and all to the mighty freekshow! Welcome to your final destination. Welcome Juggalos and Juggalettes to the dynamic, extra extraordinary, Bomb diggity, and most amazing event in the afterlife. I will be the host and, voice above for your eternity, The Ringmaster, G-O-D! WELCOME TO THE DARK CARNIVAL!!!!“ The voice fades away and leaves you breathless. You now know that you will forever be in grace. “Welcome to the Wraith’s exhibit of Shangri-la. I hope you’re enjoying yourself.” A boy with a goofy accent said with a Riddle Box shirt on. You finally understand everything happening around you and finally, with a giant grin on you’re face, you walk away exploring this amazing place you call home now and forever…

*Juggalo/Juggalette: Is a fan-based frenzy of thought’s who not only listen to the music casted out by Psychopathic Records, or Insane Clown Posse. But are like a family of people who understand the magic presented by the Dark Carnival (or Shangri-la, a representation of heaven). By understanding the lyrics in the form of music from this genre.

Favorite Movies

Zydrate Anatomy Analysis

The movie, Repo! The Genetic Opera takes place in the year 2054. The story plot is about a man named Repo Man. Repo man is a doctor that dismembers body parts from people that don't pay there debts when buying new bodily funtions to keep them alive. Kind of how a Repotechnitions take car parts from people, without even writting or calling the people that didn't pay off there cars needs. It's a really twisted story line, that is best explained to if you actually sit down and watch the film.

The movie is a rock opera, which is why it's hard to explain in less you analize the lyrics. Such as the song "Zydrate Anatomy", a song about a hallusinagentic drug called Zydrate. Zydrate is a highly addictive liquad blue pain killer, used to numb your body while it get's opperated on, to replace your organs through surgery. In the lyrics a man named Graverobber, a strange character that wears a tench coat and peddles as drug dealer or black market in his coat. This is a refrence to how drug dealers were like back in the 18th century. In which they used to carry there drugs in long trench coat like jackets with many pockets, and alot like Bob Dylan's single "Tamberine Man", in which the song speaks about a person that used to tap there tamberine on there leg to signal they had drugs.

This song is explaining how the futurestic drug market works, through the words of the Graverobber, his girls, and his best customer Amber Sweet*, to a seventeen year old girl named Shilo*. In the story *Shilo is a blood deased girl that goes on a journey to find out how to cure her desease*. Through her quest she meets Graverobber who helps her along throughout the movie. Amber sweet is a character whom in the movie is the daughter of a rich buisnessman named Rotti who owns a huge buisness called GeneCo a company that puts plays on, but behind closed curtains (knock on wood), is the company that does surgery for Repocussions. Amber is this girl who (played by significantly rich billionaire daughter, Paris Hilton) is a person that is a rich snob that get's her own way, and even changes her name to get the fame (*Cough, Cough* sound fermiliaur).

This song is a great example of a Allegory because of it's strange choice of words. It's full of alot of poetic lines like in the first verse and thirteenth line in, when Graverobber say's "the Zydrate gun goes somewhere against your anatomy/ And when the gun goes off, it sparks, and you're ready for surgery". This is an odvious line because, of it's intense stucture on how the songwriter uses his knowledge of poetic rytheme to give it a nice flow and sound. Not so much when it's red but when heard.

This song is also a great example of Imagery, for the soul fact that throughout the whole song Graverobber is exampling to you how the drug market works, and well doing so he uses words that essensually give you a ruff idea of how it works. He also gives you an idea of what it makes you feel like when the Zydrate gun's needle is pressed against your skin. Such as the part in the lyrics that clearly states Amber Sweet is about to undergo surgery and, what it's going to feel like when the drug goes through her vains. Like when Graverobber say's "And addicted to the knife/ She needs a little help with the agony/ And a little help comes in a little glass vial/ In a gun pressed against her anatomy/ And when the gun goes off, Miss Sweet is ready for surgery/ Surgery...". Throughout the hole song there's a massive sense of many poetic devices but the most inpressive to me is the Assonance in the begining of the song which in Graverobber uses two literal terms for a black market, and two nicknames for it in the first few lines of the song which to put it blunty are just below:


Grave Robber:
Drug Market
Submarket
Sometimes, I wonder why I ever got in.

Blood Market
Love Market
Sometimes, I wonder why they need me at all.

Robert Plant

Robert Plant, was born August 2o, 1948. After leaving college and work he left home in 1967 to turn to music. He then formed his first band he called, the Band of Joy with John Bonham. With Terry Reid, he in composed his music. After John Bonham left the band, Plant meet a man named Jimmy Paige, who through the help of Terry helped Plant fulfilled his dream to create psychedelic rock, a time changing sound. When they became friends they then formed the bands known as the Yardbirds. In London, England were they lived they quickly became a big hit and moved to America, were they changed there band to known other then there world famous name Led Zeppelin.

Through out the years they became in some people’s words the most inspirational and best rock band to ever exist. Although they only made eight major albums (including there 3 self titled albums, the untitled album, Houses of the Holy, Psychical Graffiti, and Presence; The Song Remains the same), their songs became influential to some of today’s modern bands. Some say there music is the first sound taste of what later became modern Metal.

Although most of there songs they wrote had to do with the effects of drugs. Robert also was highly influenced by the famous American book from William Golding, The Lord of The Flies. Such as there hit “Over the Hills and Far and Away”. To this day his music or if you prefer there music is broadcasted through the whole world. Led Zeppelin is arguable the best band to ever influence the music of today and change the meaning of rock music in there time period.