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deep-hearts-core · 2 years

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2014 - final

originally posted 5/29/20

Germany I've always found Is It Right a solidly unpleasant song. I'm not fond of the musical style they're using (polka, maybe?), and Ela's voice is just... she doesn't seem to have much control over it. Beyond that, the staging is sparse, the other two band members look incredibly out of place onstage, and Ela's outfit confuses the heck out of me. France As much of a trip as this one is, I really enjoy it. It's lighthearted and fun... even though it's at times atrocious to look at. I don't usually like songs I can't take seriously, but there's something so excited about this one. I think that this entry (along with the Latvian and Greek ones) are products of Alcohol is Free from the year before... just a bunch of free, unconstrained fun times on the stage. Idk I just really like the chorus of this. Italy The live performance really brings this song to life. Emma's live vocals might not be as strong or supported as some of the other contestants, but she's rocking out all over the stage, working an attitude that perfectly meshes with the rock vibes of the song. I guess I have some questions for whoever thought white and gold faux-Roman stage outfits were a good idea but honestly, I don't hate it, I just feel like it wasn't as effective as another choice might have been. La Mia Citta is a really fun song, great to rock out to, just as Emma does onstage. Spain This has to be one of my favorite recent Spanish entries. Ruth Lorenzo's power vocals really hit during the bridge, it's a good song, and the staging here... there were times where it actually looked like it was raining on stage. Pretty incredible, and a shame that Spain has lost this touch in recent years. Miki and Barei are nice and all, but when will Spain send a song like this again? Denmark The Danish Bruno Mars has come to Eurovision! Cliche Love Song is delightfully tongue-in-cheek for the usually ultra-serious host entries. It's a really great song but sadly Basim's live performance doesn't do anything for me. Like, it's solidly just alright. There's nothing especially bad about the staging, I just feel that Basim doesn't pull it off well. United Kingdom File under: songs that technically aren't about socialism but are, like, totally about socialism. The "power to the people" bit is so catchy, and so telling once you know what you're looking for! Yeah, so this is a great song and Molly is performing the hell out of it, but there were aspects of the live performance that just seemed a bit off. Molly's stage outfit and the henna she had on, the asymmetrical prechoruses, parts of the staging... this was actually really strong for a UK entry but it definitely could have been executed a lot better. My top 37

Norway

Spain

Malta

Netherlands

Ukraine

Austria

Hungary

Finland

Switzerland

Iceland

Sweden

Russia

Italy

United Kingdom

Montenegro

Ireland

Armenia

Romania

Poland

Slovenia

France

San Marino

Greece

Denmark

Israel

Albania

Georgia

Estonia

Azerbaijan

Latvia

Belarus

Belgium

North Macedonia

Moldova

Lithuania

Germany

Portugal

How did Switzerland get all the way up there... what... This is, I think, the first top ten of the one posted here that doesn't include a song left in the semis? 2014 was a really strong year musically for the most part so I enjoy a lot of the songs, even those I ranked in the 20s. Voting/intervals The section thanking the commentators was really funny because, firstly, Graham Norton is always hilarious to hear, but also the German commentator Peter Urban totally didn't know that the fireworks were coming and was so surprised he started swearing a blue streak. I love that. The political implications of that Ode to Joy performance... I read a paper once about how Ode to Joy is basically the unofficial national anthem of Europe/the EU and so it was interesting to see Denmark literally throw it in with their hosting like yeah, all y'all are European, yes even you Israel and the Caucasus nations. The 12 points song was cute. While I found Pilou's China references funny I do wonder if it was a little bit... not to taste. Although the hosts seem to acknowledge this with Nikolaj telling him to shut up and later telling him that not all of the things he named were actually Chinese. Between this and the other skits where Pilou features I'm pretty sure he's the planned gagman to make fun of things like "the host city has to be perfect!" and the whole Eurovision museum sketch... yeah so this was planned and was probably a very tongue-in-cheek joke about the globalization of the contest and whatnot but it just came off kind of wrong. I also caught a shot of the JESC girl from Malta hanging out with the Maltese delegation... that was so cute... I love love love the idea of having all the finalists perform Rainmaker with Emmelie. I really enjoyed seeing the contestants jamming out all together, and you could even see who were friends - I noticed, for example, the singer from Iceland and one of the guys from France dancing together. Much love to the Tolmachevy twins, girlies stayed positive all through the voting even though they were getting booed left and right. And they were only 17 too. Honestly, one of my goals in life is to be one of the cool spokespeople who greets in the language of the host country, and not just hello either, delivering like full-on sentences. They're icons. I CANNOT with the Finnish guy who, when asked to present his points, just started full on rapping, entirely unrelated to ESC, and got Pilou and Nikolaj to dance along. Thoughts after watching 2014 has another of my absolute favorite stage designs. I really love the hosts (even if Pilou's gags sometimes go too far) and the postcard concept this year was really innovative. Like 2015, again, this was a high-quality year in terms of song composition - 2013-2015 were really solid Eurovision years, I think.

#esc reviews

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johannesviii · 2 years

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A friend wanted my Bad Opinions(tm) so here they are in full detail (my faves are bolded but you already know who I’m rooting for because I’m an old emo idiot who saw The Rasmus and immediately stopped thinking)

Albania has some interesting sounds on that bridge

Armenia is super cute & I like the vibe it's a very good vibe

interesting choice of costume for Australia I gotta say but the song is fairly boring

Austria really wants to be Physical by Dua Lipa and I just said that as if it was a bad thing didn't I

Azerbaijan sent some eurovisioncore which is how I decided to name everything that sounds like that ever since Duncan Lawrence won

Belgium sorry I don't really like those elongated vowels the whole song sounds weirdly unsteady

Bulgaria sent dad rock & I'm not into it

I keep forgetting Croatia's song exists

Cyprus keeps sending bangers for some reason and I'm ok with that

Czech Republic has an excellent beat but the voice isn't quite there yet

god I hate Denmark's song

the fact Estonia sent a western-inspired song is funny to me for some reason

Finland is- JEZEBEEEEEEEEEL IF YOU'RE THE HUNTER THEN I'M THE PREYYYYYYYY YOU LICK YOUR LIPS AS YOU WALK AWAYYYYYYYYYY

France why have you sent something good and interesting. how am I supposed to trashtalk my own country now. look what you did

godddd I can't stand that song from Georgia

Germany isn't nearly as bad as the one from last year but it's also more forgettable

Greece sent eurovisioncore but with a *bit* of a pulse that's something

Iceland sent something fairly boring but it's okay I mean I've been rooting for them in my top 5 for like 3 years in a row I can use a break

Ireland sent something very catchy but also a bit forgettable idk how that works really

Israel you really should stop sending bangers please can you rest for 1 year

I'd say Italy is eurovisioncore but 1) they are hosting so who the hell cares they can do what they want after last year 2) it's Mahmood and Mahmood always gets a thumbs up from me

Latvia is shaping up to be this year's "I don't feel hate" from Germany 2021

idk if anything bores me more than Lithuania this year

yet another inspirational song from Malta

I have no idea what Moldova is doing but I fully respect it nonetheless

I keep forgetting Montenegro's song too

Netherlands shouldn't be that boring

basically same for North Macedonia

Listen. Norway. I have exactly NO IDEA what's going on here too but I'm just gonna roll with it

Poland is more eurovisioncore. yawn

after all these years and 1 victory Portugal is still doing its thing and utterly refusing to sound catchy and I fully respect that. Very dreamy

Romania's song sure is a song that exists isn't it

I'm sorry but look at San Marino. Listen to these lyrics. Look at this man. Look at the confidence. The fucking hip tilt. Gender envy through the fucking roof I have no choice but to stan

Serbia is honestly objectively amazing and I really WISH I had better taste to appreciate it more

Slovenia exists

Spain irritates me for some reason I can't pinpoint

Sweden gotta Sweden

fuck you Switzerland for doing a reverse card on the title of a Cure song that's all I have to say

Ukraine's song has NOTHING on last year's banger which was my favorite by a small margin but I gotta say their drip is impeccable

apparently UK has learned exactly nothing from the past 3 years

#eurovision #esc 2022 #eurovision 2022

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mountain-man-cumeth · 3 years

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(Possibly) rude thoughts on finalists

Cyprus - Satanists automatically get a pass from me. also neighbours

Albania - Good voice, probably best solo female vocals

Israel - In light of the "current situation", submitting a song called "Set me free" might not have been the best choice. shes adorable tho no shade to her personally

Belgium - Don't even remember the song tbh

Russia - Not a big fan of one-the-nose empowerment pieces but BORYUTSYA BORYUTSYA bit does make me feel like a strong, independent, slav woman

Malta - Same problem with Russia, very catchy chorus tho, very 2010s

Portugal - Ya kno what. I love it. No I will not elaborate

Serbia - I am not immune to legs

United Kingdom - It's ok. Which is like the greatest compliment anyone can give to UK's entries

Greece - They had dancing pants guys-- dancing pants. Very generic song, saved by ace rights

Switzerland - In this case knowing a bit of french actually worked against me because I have no idea what he's singing about and I'm not sure if I'm missing the message or if it's just random verses mushed together to give off the illusion of depth. Good voice, good performance, not too bad for a ballad. Still wish there weren't any.

Iceland - How does it keep getting better? This is all want from Eurovision. Just. *chefs kiss* those funky lil dudes get me

Spain - Moon's not gonna save you

Moldova - Better hope Kirkorov's pockets don't run dry until finals

Germany - Finally, a proper song to cringe to

Finland - 🤘😩 crowd chanting during the results got me very... emo. At least the general public has some taste

Bulgaria - I love her lack of energy! go girl! give us nothing!

Lithuania - YEA BOI This song is what Eurovision's all about. This right there. More of this.

Ukraine - I know the word zelenina in czech and I am convinced that she's singing about vegetables. Great song, too good for Eurovision and probably won't be appreciated. This is my jam, seriously, ive been listening on repeat and now I feel strong enough to eat my vegetables

France - Name dropping Jacques Brel and Charles Aznavour as inspiration is... cute. It's a nice song and she's a very french looking lass. That's all I can say, I'm not too fond of classical french without the element of nostalgia and I can't say it made me feel nostalgic

Azerbaijan - As a turk I am not allowed to say anything bad. I never thought I'd see a day people dance halay(idk what its called in eng, that circle thing they did) in a sexual way, that's for sure

Norway - If only this song came out 10 years ago at the high of Supernatural craze. I just love how cheesy it is

Netherlands - Not one of the bests but it's good. I have nothing bad to say about it

Italy - This has me feeling some type of way. Not only thirst but I always loved glam rock and I am brought to tears at seeing Maneskin do it so much justice. They deserve to win. My man's out there tiddies out in leather overalls he needs a win

Sweden - As a generic pop song it's quality is top notch like if a pop song's to win I wouldn't mind it be swedes

San Marino - Very catchy, I'm vibin in my apple bottom jeans and boots with fur. I don't care that they snatched an Americain, it's a good song with or without Mister Rida. Not exactly what I want from Eurovision but on the basis of quality it gets a shining B from me

#esc21 #esc #eurovison 2021 #eurovision

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espejonight28738 · 3 years

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Family Reuinion

A.K.A: Eurovision 2021 in the Nordic's House

You can also read it in Ao3

Pairings: None really, just some squint and you miss it DenNor and SuFin but can be read as platonic.

Iceland arrived to Denmark's house two hours before the Eurovision final began. He had wanted to come earlier, but he had been very busy in previews days and there hadn't been any earlier flies that day.

He let himself into the house with his own keys, and the moment he opened the door he felt the hit of the sweet smell of danish pastries being made.

"Hej, lillebror. Had a good fly?" He heard Norway asking him from the living room.

Iceland sighted at the question, remembering the disagreement he and Mr. Puffin had before Iceland left his house.

Iceland walked to the voice, to find Norway in the largest sofa in front of the television, already in his pajamas. He had been here all week, with Sweden and Finland arriving on Wednesday.

The house was big enough for the five of them, seven when Sealand and Ladonia came along, to be without getting on each other's space, which was the reason Denmark hosted most of their reunions.

"It was good. Were you banned from the kitchen again, Nore?" Teased Iceland, knowing his brother couldn't help but eat whatever ingredients were at his reach, which lead him to be banned half the times Denmark baked.

"Not this time, I was waiting to give you your uniform," was the response Iceland got. Before he could ask what Norway meant, however, the nation handed him a sweater.

A greenish, bluish sweater. With a simple pixel-art drawing of his face. Like the ones from his entry.

"When did you even get this?" Asked Iceland, not sure if he should be annoyed or impressed.

"I have my ways, now go change."

"I don't see you with angel wings..." he complained, but still went to his room to change. The only thing more ridiculous than his brother's dress up games, were his methods of persuasion to make him play along.

He changed to the sweater and changed to the rest of his pajamas he had in his room before going back downstairs.

Finland was now sitting on the two-person sofa, also in his pajamas, no sign of any “uniform” to cheer for his country.

"Finland, you left me to be Nore's dress up doll by myself?"

"Hey, Ice!" Greeted him Finland, not answering to the accusation. "We missed you on Thursday's semi-final. Tanska would've probably been happy enough for you not to cry so much about not qualifying himself."

"He always cries," teased Norway.

"Mr. Puffin didn't come with you?" Asked Finland.

Iceland shook his head, already used to the aggressive behavior of the bird.

"Are you really not going to go with me? You're supposed to support me, and you like Danmark's house," tried to argue Iceland.

"Your stupid song is lame, I don't want be associated with it," growled the bird. Iceland had been hearing this for weeks, apparently Mr. Puffin had strong opinions on how much better the entry from two years ago was to this one. "Tell Finland his entry is my favorite."

"We have matching sweaters, Ice!" Exclaimed Denmark. Indeed, they had.

"Uh, no. He didn't like my entry. He liked yours, though," said Iceland, answering Finland's question.

Norway and Finland nodded, already used to Mr. Puffin moods, even if just by second-hand anecdotes, as he still refused to talk in front of the other nordics.

"Iceland! You're finally here!" Screamed Denmark, coming from the kitchen to the living room, Sweden behind him.

"Hi, Dan–" He interrupted himself when he finally looked at the danish nation. "What the hell–?"

But the moments he took to formulate his thoughts were enough for Denmark to put the small pastries, which smelt delicious, on the central table and throw his arms around Iceland.

Iceland corresponded the hug automatically, already used to the nation's antiques, but his brain was still processing what he saw.

Once they finally got Denmark to sit down, they spent the remaining time until the beginning of the contest discussing other countries' entries.

Denmark was wearing the same sweater Iceland had, the one from his entry, just that his had the pixel-art of his own face. Once again he wondered how did Norway get not only one, but two sweaters for the final.

But that was not all, Denmark also had some cheap angel wings in his back, in behalf on Norway's entry, he guessed, and a leather bracelet with spikes, for Finland's entry.

"Where did you even get all of that?" Was what Iceland finally settled on after Denmark stepped back.

"Don't recognize your own wings?" Asked Sweden. Iceland looked confused for a second, before finally remembering he had used an angel costume for Halloween a few years ago.

He had gotten rid of the wings early in the night, as those were very uncomfortable, and he had left them somewhere in Sweden's place.

"If you don't remember," added Norway, "Danmark has the photos in the Halloween album."

Denmark's eyes shined at the idea, but Iceland grabbed him by the sleeve before he could go for the album. He had no wishes of relieving the most embarrassing costumes Denmark and Norway had gotten him into.

"And the rest of the... outfit?" He asked to redirect the conversation.

"Norge got both of us the sweaters, and the bracelet is from the things he keeps from his black-metal phase from a few decades ago." Denmark smiled with amusement, probably remembering said phase.

Even Iceland had a few photos from that one. It was a bit unfair though that Norway looked too good for them to actually be considered embarrassing photos.

"Nothing for Sverige?"

"He tried," explained Sweden, taking a seat next to Finland, "but the clothes aren't very exciting."

"I brought my swedish mini-flags," added Denmark, pointing to the lamp table next to the sofa where there were two small swedish flags.

Iceland nodded, deciding that all in all it was a very Denmark thing to do.

Iceland sat in on of the extremes of the sofa Norway had claimed, leaving the other side for Denmark. The danish nation went back to running around the kitchen, although Iceland couldn't tell what more was he doing, but he took the chance to whisper to Norway,

"You got the sweaters to cheer him up, didn't you?"

Norway gave a self-satisfied smile, clearly proud of how well it had worked.

"I also got one each for the rest of us, we are taking family pictures on those," at Iceland attempt to interrupt, Norway raised his hand in a gesture to stop him, "and no, it's not a suggestion. Everyone loved the sweaters; we are doing it. You can go back to being a moody teenager after."

"I'm not a teenager," argued Iceland, but he left the 'moody' part out, knowing that was probably a lost battle.

"Sure, lillebror."

"I can't believe you didn't vote for me, Su-san, I'm divorcing you and taking Sealand and Hanatamago."

"We don't get a say at the jury vote," tried to argue Sweden.

Every year someone had some version of that same argument, and Iceland was glad it wasn't Norway who started to complain how he hadn't gotten votes from the icelandic jury.

Iceland was feeling kind of smug about having been the only one everyone voted for, even if he didn't win in the end. Only for that we would complain just the minimum for the photos with the matching sweaters.

"Does anyone understand the jokes about calling my guy... Castiel? And saying something about some turbo-hell?" Asked Norway, interrupting Finland and Sweden's bickering.

Norway was leaning on Denmark's shoulder, but still wide awake and checking, Iceland guessed, social media on his phone.

"You don't want to know"/"Long story" Denmark and Sweden answered simultaneously.

Iceland couldn't help a small laugh at that, but that ended in him yawning, which apparently was everyone's sign to go to sleep.

They all congratulated Iceland for being the highest-ranked nordic of the year, so only after his obligatory line of hugs he could go to his bedroom.

He kept yawning on his way upstairs, and collapsed on his bed as soon as he closed the door behind him. On Monday he would have to fly back to his home, but after all these months barely seeing each other, Iceland just enjoyed the feeling of being asleep under the same roof as his family.

#hetalia #hetalia world stars #hws nordics #aph nordics #hws iceland #aph iceland #hws norway #aph norway #hws denmark #aph denmark #hws sweden #aph sweden #hws finland #aph finland #anko family

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islandiis · 2 years

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New post for this question bc I have. literally so much to say. asked by @geroyam here thank u Cas <3

3. Brothers, sisters? Who do they like? Why? What do they despise about their siblings?

So. oh man. oh MAN. nhfdkj Fannar's relationships with his brothers have been... complicated. and so interesting and I could talk about these relationships FOREVER!!! they're one of my favourite pieces of Fannar to explore (especially Denmark).

Let me start with: all the Nordics could be considered brothers, but it depends on individual lore - Swedens and Finlands especially, the relationship they and Fannar would have had is debatable and up to personal interpretation on their part.

So the ones I'm going to rly touch on are Denmark and Norway, because those are the two that are really set in stone and are also so wonderfully fuckt up and fun to write LMAOOO I love messy RLs I have to be honest and historically they are. messy. omg.

So... obv this is my personal lore but it might differ slightly between other Nor/Den muses out there!! I'm just rly going to talk about my personal interpretation and the historical facts.

NORWAY

So, Norwegians were said to be the first to settle Iceland (there was evidence of Irish monks but. Norwegians are considered the first real settlers) and I imagine Norway and Iceland were extremely close. After all, Norway is probably the closest Fannar has ever had to an actual straight blood brother, as Norwegians settled Iceland.

I do believe Fannar and Norway had a pretty incredible bond. Norway was the person to really bring Fannar into the real world, teach him how to survive and how to socialize - Denmark played a role in this too, but I think Norway probably played a larger role, at least in those early days. They were inseparable for a long time, and Fannar really saw him as his blood-brother.

Iceland was a Norwegian dependency under Denmark-Norway. However, in the treaty of Kiel (1814) Norway was ceded to Sweden, except for Iceland, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. Iceland was then under Denmark.

The 1814 treaty of Kiel... oof. It fucking broke Fannar, man. He felt incredibly abandoned, as though their whole relationship was nothing. He was signed over like a commodity, and it absolutely broke him. Keeping in mind, Norway had no choice - but Fannar did not know that, and I think their communication was lacking.

Fannar felt abandoned, hurt, and betrayed. Norway had no choice, but also knew he was making the right decision: Fannar was still in really dire straits after Laki, and remaining under Denmark would afford stability and safety that Norway could not offer. In the interest of Fannar's wellbeing, him remaining with Denmark was the right call - but this just wasn't communicated, and Fannar thought he had been abandoned.

This seriously impacted their relationship. They basically became strangers, for a time. Fannar really shut down in his grief, blaming himself and thinking that this had happened because of his health and his dependency - so this was also a real foundation in his guilt complex, believing that he was the cause of it all. He didn't get angry at Norway, he got angry at himself, and it helped form the basis of his guilt complex and his overwhelming fear of burdening others.

Eventually, Fannar learned to live with the pain of it all. He threw himself into the independence movement of his home and the politics surrounding it, which helped distract him, but the way it damaged his mentality was pretty irreversible (after all, Fannar had nothing to do but dwell on it for many years.)

He didn't want to see Norway again, and the thought of doing so would make him extremely anxious. He avoided him for many years, refused letters, phone calls - generally making himself unreachable for as long as possible, because he had no idea how to confront Norway after all of this.

Eventually, it did have to happen. And eventually, very slowly, and with a lot of work - they did begin to repair their relationship. The damage had been done to Fannar's mentality, and his guilt/burden complexes are still his biggest issues even today. Even after learning (either through Norway himself, or simply from gaining a better understanding of politics - it's lore dependent really from the Norway!) that Norway had no choice and the reasoning behind leaving Fannar there - nothing can really fix the damage that was done. Their relationship was not the same as it was before the treaty, for many years, although it was certainly recovering.

I think in the modern day, their relationship is pretty damn good. A lot of healing has taken place, and they are brothers. They love each other dearly and Norway had seen Fannar through so much. Their relationship is probably very close in the modern day, built up again with forgiveness and a lot of work.

DENMARK

I WROTE A WHOLE NOVEL AND TUMBLR DELETED IT FML but okay now the. more complicated one DFKJLSFKHSKJL this is probably my favourite relationship to explore of them all so this is gonna be long lmaooo and this will only scratch the surface bc it is really just. so fucking long and complex. Oh my goodness.

So to start with: Fannar lived an incredibly isolated life. Despite existing from 874, Fannar didn’t really get to meet people outside his immediate family until the 1800s. Iceland was immensely isolated and inaccessible; it wasn’t until the 1800s that people could reliably get to Iceland in winter, because the seas were just so treacherous.

Because of this, Norway and Denmark really were Fannar’s constant - but especially Denmark. Denmark is the person Fannar spent the most time with out of everyone, and their bond really does reflect that. Denmark was his heart, his home, his best friend, and sometimes also his worst enemy. It was messy and complicated.

Denmark ruled Iceland up until its independence in 1944, but from 1918-1944 Iceland was a Kingdom - with limited independence, with its foreign affairs still handled by Denmark.

Denmark was… At times good, at times bad.

It provided Icelanders the opportunity to study and work and live in Denmark. It provided safety and stability to Iceland, allowing for limited independence while still handling foreign affairs. When it seemed Laki made life completely unlivable in Iceland, Denmark suggested evacuating everyone and setting them up in Jutland (it never went ahead, obviously).

At the same time, Denmark imposed strict trade monopolies in Iceland over a 200 year period, which had severe economic repercussions in Iceland (Iceland had been suffering under famine and epidemics, so was already in a bad state.) Disaster aid from Denmark after the eruption of Laki in 1783 was also severely lacking - but this wasn’t entirely Denmark’s fault, as getting reliable information from the Icelanders to act upon was like pulling teeth. That’s partly why I think Fannar is so bad at asking for help!

It was also made infinitely more complicated by the fact that Fannar is a human embodiment, with human feelings.

He loves Denmark, considers him a best friend and a brother; he loves him. He loved him back then, too, even though it was born in part from dependence/naivety. It’s important to stress that that was only part of it, he genuinely did love him and does love him.

Sometimes he wondered if he hated him, too. There were so many conflicting feelings - Denmark’s actions would make Fannar bitter and angry and hurt, but how do those emotions manifest to the man he spends almost every day with? How do they manifest with someone that you love with all your heart and soul? The want to forgive, and the knowledge that he has to do right by his people… There was a lot of conflicting emotions.

After the eruption of Laki and 1814, as I said, Fannar really threw himself into the independence movement. The thing is, Icelanders had a strange passivity; even though the desire for independence grew with time, as a Kingdom, they didn’t seriously pursue their independence because they got their key objectives and just thought… what’s the point?

Generally I think the views of his population did have some influence on Fannar. He was simultaneously thinking more and more about independence while also sort of biding his time, seeking the ‘right’ moment. At the same time, he wasn’t sure it was what he wanted, as an individual. He knew it would hurt Denmark as he had really lost everyone else - and he didn’t want to hurt him - and he wasn’t sure about setting out on his own, separate from the stability and security offered. He didn’t want to be apart from Denmark and have to learn to navigate isolation again.

At the same time, he was ready to leave. He was eager to create his own identity and nurture his country’s wonderful culture, free of Danish influence. He was scared but excited to start his life, so to speak.

And - more than anything - he had to support the wishes of his countrymen. Fannar would put his people above himself, a hundred times over, as probably all their kind would. So if they chose to leave - then he would leave. It was their decision, one that he would honour even if he wasn’t sure he personally wanted that.

It was also difficult for Fannar to sort of establish his identity. Danish was the first-taught language in Iceland for many years (I believe it was the largest minority language - I need to double check that tho) and Fannar was fluent in it. Depending on how you perceive the whole concept of a colonisation - do they live independently, or together, for example? - then he may have used Danish much more than he used Icelandic, for a large part of his life.

His foreign affairs and trade were also controlled by Denmark, and he did not know many people outside the family. Establishing his own cultural identity and taking pride in his home was also a key factor in Fannar’s desire for independence.

When Iceland did declare independence in 1944, it was viewed by many Danes as being rather opportunistic - it happened when Denmark was occupied in WW2. Still, the Danish King sent a letter of congratulations.

I think after this, for a few years, he kept his distance from Denmark. He had to learn to live independently and he felt terribly guilty for the decision which - although important - no doubt left Denmark feeling hurt and alone.

I think this lasted a few years, but they reconnected rather quickly, both settled into their new reality and they’ve only grown closer again since then. Fannar still considers Denmark to be one of the absolute most important figures in his life - there is still complexity relating to the Danish/Icelandic history and identity, but in the modern day, it’s quite amicable.

Copenhagen hosts a lot of Icelandic culture; Jón Sigurðsson’s home has been made into a museum and cultural center for Icelanders in CPH, and there is also the North Atlantic House, a cultural center which houses the embassy of Iceland and the permanent representations of Greenland and the Faroe Islands. There are also Icelandic-owned businesses and Greenlandic centers. A lot of culture is shared and healing done.

This really is only scratching the surface; it’s a very… co-dependent, conflicting, confusing relationship at times, but very rooted in love. I do think they genuinely did love each other, even back then. It was just very complicated. It’s much easier to write it than write about it so this is the condensed version if you can believe it FKSHDFHKJ but yeah it’s my fave relationship to explore bc it’s just very!!!!! messy lmao

gonna direct y'all to the drabble I wrote with @xbasilrp's Elias here <3

#headcanon.#this was a NOVEL and I rly had to condense the Denmark part bc it's just impossible to cover everything nwfsjdjfk #feel free to ask me questions abt these RLs though bc I... love talking about them so much lmaooo

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sideblog-666-thousand · 3 years

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Samoth and Tyr (ex-Borknagar) Interview, 1999. Ft. Samoth being a massive cunt. Part Two.

Here’s the sequel to «Samoth and Tyr (ex-Borknagar) Interview, 1999. Ft. Samoth being a massive cunt. Part One».

I like to start these usually with some background information on the source, but any background information I could possibly offer was already inserted into the first part, you know? It doesn’t feel right to just copy-paste, or transcribe, something of someone else’s and post it online, even though I do it for free, and mostly for myself*. I still want to do something kind of creative with it. The proposed drinking game was probably about as creative as I could get with this though...

Okay, so! I actually saw Emperor live. I got to see them front row, in fact. It was a really good show— I’d love to see them play again.

Any possible commentary is in (parenthesis) and bold. Asterisks below and optional.

Without further ado:

I: Can you tell us anything concerning Thou Shalt Suffer? [Death metal band Thou Shalt Suffer can be seen as the predecessor to Emperor, having both Samoth (Samot) and Ishahn (Ygg) in its line-up. After the band split up, Ihsahn kept the name for his clasically inspired synthesizer project]

S: Yeah, well Ihsahn is still working on it and I mean it seems like an endless project. I don't know when he's actually going to finish it. He's been saying every year, like: "This year I'm going to finish it.", but it's still not finished. I have already heard a little bit, but he's always like, skipping material and making new songs, I really don't.... I'm just gonna check out the album when it's coming out, if ever*...

I: What about the former members, like Ildjarn? Is he still working on his own project, Ildjarn?

S: Well Ildjarn is... I see him now and then. He has a new band - it's a keyboard kind of thing - more atmospheric music, but I don't see him that much. He's a pretty weird guy. And our old drummer [Thorbjørn - ed] is actually our sound engineer for our latest album.

I: For a while you were in many different bands, for a short while - will you do that sort of thing again? Did you leave Emperor to join Burzum in '92?

S: I don't have the time anymore. At that point we had no drummer with Emperor and everything went really slow. So I just had to play something and I joined Satyricon and I played with Gorgoroth and stuff like that. It was just because things was going really slow with my main band. I've never left Emperor. All I did with Burzum was being in the studio for a few hours to do the bass and do drums.

I: About Arcturus - what do you think about their musical development? [Samoth used to play guitars in Arcturus a well. He recorded the legendary "Constellation" demo with this band, which was originally issued in 500 copies on MCD through NAP - later there was also issued a vinyl edition with three bonus tracks, namely the "My Angel" 7-inch and a re-recorded version of "Morax" - Samoth does not appear on these bonus-tracks]

S: I think it's excellent, especially... they made a remix album now a well of the previous album. there's a lot of weird beats and drum and bass samples on it. It's coming out in April, on Garm's label Jester, the same as Ulver.

I: I had heard that they had split up - is that correct?

S: Yeah, I think so, but I think they have been discussing about doing a new album, I mean, I don't know.. these guys are a bit slow...

I: In the "Reverence" video there is a line, "Honour commanded no longer as virtue*", it's part of the lyrics, but it's shown in words on the screen. Why? It seems like an unobvious statement for Emperor. You used to state that honour was really important.

S: It is important to have honour in what you do and it's important to honour and respect the people you ...respect.

I: Then it would be a virtue, wouldn't it?

S: Well... what was the line again? But it is Ihsahn's lyrics, so it would be better for him to explain it in a bigger complex, but I think it has to do with people not putting pride and honour in what they do anymore. People just don't care about nothing.

I: OK...In some earlier interviews you've shown a strong anti-christian attitude...

S: I still have an anti-christian attitude, but it's not something I think that much about these days, anymore. I don't really bother that much about Christians, they're not a big problem for me in my personal life. But to me it's just as normal as eating breakfast to be anti-christian, so I am*.

I: There have been times that you had more radical views, for example what did you want to achieve with the church burnings?

S: Well, I didn't want to achieve anything really. It was just like an extreme statement, I would think. I didn't think it would make any difference in society. It was a destructive act, both for me and everybody else in a way. Probably more for myself...

I: How did the jail sentence influence you as a person and as a musician?

S: Well, I had a lot of time to be for myself for once... But I think of the whole thing as a good experience. I think actually for a lot of people it could do good to be in prison for a while. It kind of puts your life into the good perspective and it's kind of interesting to see life from a different perspective. To be in prison it was totally meaningless - that's the whole point of being in prison: to take away the joy of life and lock you in for a time.

T: You made the instrumental (below) in prison.

S: Yeah, "The Wanderer" from "Anthems...", that was made in prison. And that's completely different from what I usually write.

I: You had a guitar in prison?

S: Yeah, sure.

I: I thought they weren't allowed, because you could hang yourself...

S: No, it was not that extreme...

I: So we might expect more Dissection material as well - as Jon Nödveidt is allowed to have a guitar in prison. What do you think about this whole case?

S: I think it was really stupid actually, because Dissection really had something going. They even had the studio booked and the material finished... and he just had to do this...

I: Do you feel any remorse about the churches and stuff?

S: No.

I: Do you feel any remorse at all about things you do in life?

S: I mean, I do have feelings of course, but I don't see any point to regret the things I did. I'd rather see it as an experience and learn from an experience rather than "Oh, why did I do that - if I would have done differently..." there's no point. (In other words: no.)

I: It's not some code of honour not to feel remorse?

S: No. It's just a waste of time to feel remorse. I see no point in it to regret the things I've done. I mean you just bring yourself down by feeling too much remorse. What happens, happens - you can't change the past, so.

I: In an interview you made this statement that "you have to be a ruler and think for yourself" and in an interview with your wife Nebelhexe*, she made this statement that the Count had had this big influence on you and that he had got you involved in the church burnings - how do these statements match?

S: Back in '91 and '92 all the people in the so called Black Metal Circle or whatever, were pretty young, so we all were pretty easily influenced. And Vikernes was also very influenced by Euronymous, in the first place. So I think a lot of the stuff that happened back then.. it was like: everybody had extreme ideas and everybody just wanted to be more and more extreme and we all got influenced by each other. And of course Vikernes, he has a very strong personality and he was the one who started with all the extremes, like actually going out and doing it in practice, so I guess he was influential to a lot of peolpe.

I: Was it an important reason to join Burzum - because you were looking up to him?

S: Well I mean, I respected Burzum and I saw this like an honour to join something I respected, but it was not: Wow, I'm playing with Varg Vikernes or something.

I: Are you still in touch with Mortiis? His departure from Emperor wasn't completely 'as friends'...

S: Yeah, he's been living in Sweden for many years, actually. I don't see him often, but his parents are just living a few blocks away. We phone now and then, and the whole is coming along just fine. Concerning his departure, he had a bit of an attitude back the, I guess. And he and Faust also didn't get along that well so it was best thet he would leave and for a while it was maybe a bit touchy, but now it's completely good.

I: What about your future plans?

S: Well the most immediate future plans is to finish this tour and we have a gig in Norway in May and hopefully we're going to do some more Scandinavian shows in Sweden and Finland...We have an offer for the Dynamo-festival in Holland as well, but I mean so far... I would like to - I wanna play a lot more live, but I mean, not everybody in the band is too keen on playing live, so we have to make comprimises. So we are probably going to do an American tour in the summer for three weeks with Dimmu Borgir - that should be a good experience I think. We' re starting to do pretty well in America as well now.

I: Comparing your first gig in Holland in 'de Baroeg' in Rotterdam and the one tonight, I think you have really improved a lot. What do you think yourself?

S: Well that's good to hear. We can still improve a lot I think. I mean when I watch these guys of Morbid Angel, I go: 'Wow, these guys are really good.' I just hope we get the opportunity to play more live and I don't know, improve our live act.

I: Goals for the future?

S: That's difficult. With Emperor we usually make the material for one album and we don't think too much ahead. The latest album has been doing well like all albums and better than expected. In the beginning I guess and we try to support the album by playing live and get more professional. So for the new album we have no new material, really nothing... and Ihsahn is also pretty busy with Peccatum and Thou Shalt Suffer. Peccatum will start working on their 2nd album when the tour is finished.

I: What do you think of Peccatum?

S: I think it's a good album, but I mean it's not an album I wanna play myself on. I think it could have been a lot better with a much stronger production. The production is weak.

T: I think it's... the drum copmuter, I prefer the live drummer feel.

S: Limbonic Art is a band in which I like the use of a drum computer. They do it in a special way. They don't pretend, like... they don't to try to get it to sound like a real drums, they just use the opportunities they have with a drum machine.

T: ...[about Peccatum again] but I still like their live performances. The theatrical style...

S: Yeah, I think Peccatum is actually better live than on CD*.

T: Better singing... more powerful.

I: They have this session guitarist. Didn't Ihsahn consider you to play the guitar for Peccatum?

S: No.

I: You wouldn't want to do it?

S: Well, I'm not sure if I could do it. I mean some of the stuff is pretty like... technical. I am not adepted to all this technical stuff. I think Peccatum is more technical than Emperor actually.

I: There have been a number of books coming out lately about the years 92-93, like for example "The Lords of Chaos" - is there basically any truth in these books?

S: Well I mean, "The Lords of Chaos" there is some truth in it of course, but I think that book emphasizes a lot on right-wing side of the whole thing - there is a lot of Varg Vikernes in there and also the author [Michael Monian], he is very interested in the political thing. I think he made the black metal thing look much more political then it ever was. Yeah, I can understand that to the outside world, it nearly sounds like mythology, of course - for a young teenager who gets this book it's like: "Wow, this is amazing..", but to me it's like no big deal. I don't think that much about it. People expect me to wake up in the morning and think about this stuff all the time, but I mean it happened many, many years ago...

I: But you wouldn't want the whole scene to turn back again to like it was back then?

S: No, I mean the whole scene has changed and I think people think more individually these days and just do what they feel like and are more honest about themselves and I think that's a good progression. I think it's a bit stupid to think that, "now we are grown up and are descent guys" - that'd seem silly in a way, but I mean back then we were very young and it was kind of obvious that we would have to change. You don't stay eighteen forever. But I am totally respectful to Darkthrone who still represent the essence of true Norwegian black metal, I guess.

I: What is Darkthrone doing these days then? Isn't Fenriz to busy with his other activities - I heard his deejay-ing in some club?

S: I think they actually are getting back together and doing an album this spring. They even have booked a studio and anything. It's true, he's deejay-ing, but he's changing all the time so all of a sudden is like: "OK, we're doing a Darkthrone album now and that's what I do."

I: What is it with all the cover albums you're participating on? Is it just good fun?

S: Well, we get so many offers. So we say like: OK. We have plenty more offers as well, so we just thought like.. when we were in the studio for the new album we recorded a Mayhem one, we did the Thorns vs Emperor, we did a Darkthrone one, so when we are in the studio it's no big deal to just do a cover as well.

I: I also heard you tried out the new studio by recording over tracks. Was the Hellhammer track the first to be recorded there?

S: Yeah it was kind of like that in a way to check out the studio and make sure it was good enough. No, the Hellhammer song wasn't recorded there. It was recorded in our old rehearsing room, just on a four track recorder. We just did that on an evening, we didn't even have a drummer at the time - we just had a guy from Gehenna [Dirge Rep, ed], coming down for a weekend and we said, OK let's do a cover, now and we just did it and they put it out.

I: What do you think of the fact that bands from Italy and France are using Norwegian lyrics?

S: Well. I think it's pretty comical.

I: Do they make sense?

S: Well most of the time they don't make sense. A lot of these countries have quite interesting mythology themselves, so why not use those?

I: Any small bands you could recommend us?

S: There is one called the Myrkskog - they've just signed to Candlelight now actually and they are a pretty good band. [Their guitarist was playing live as a session member with Peccatum, ed]

I: Is there anything you would like to add before closing off?

S: Not really... these carrots are good, that's my final comment! (God, this is so cute but I don’t know why)

T: Not really, no - Just that I love to be on tour and stuff like that... Before I joined with Emperor I had just played out for five times, or something...

That’s all! :)

*I do it because I’ve noticed how many great interviews I’ve lost over the years, due to websites being taken down, or something. Whilst some interviews have been re-shared over numerous platforms and accounts, I like to have my own copy because I know nothing will happen to it. The reason I share it is because I might as well, since I have nothing better to do.

*The mythical ‘Thou Shalt Suffer’ album was released— a year later, in fact. Ihsahn had been talking about it in interviews all the way back in ‘96 too. It’s called ‘Somnium’. It’s not my thing, to be honest. However, I think it’s nice that Samoth let Ihsahn keep the name. ‘Into The Woods of Belial’ was cool though.

*This is such a ridiculous question. It’s very obvious what Ihsahn meant and I feel as though Samoth must’ve been distracted if he was unable to answer it. It’s the latter half of the lyrics that stands to be questioned. 3:17 for lyric, though you’ve likely heard it before: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4FYwz2-_G_4

*I have this strange mental image of Samoth just casually eating cereal with milk that he dyed red with food colouring......

*Funny enough, they divorced a little after this interview too— around the next two years or so, I don’t know exactly when. Samoth later goes on to marry his girlfriend, who was a photographer whilst he was touring with Zyklon back in 2001. In an interview (which no longer exists, unfortunately) Nebelhexe goes on to make a few comments that make it sound like a certain somebody may have had his fingers in a few too many pots....

*The thing about some bands sounding better live than on CD is really true! I once saw this band, ‘Havok’, live (I was at a metal music festival) and I thought they were incredible, but when I listened to their studio releases, I thought it was very weak and boring.

Legal disclaimer: I am not, in anyway shape or form, claiming that Samoth literally cheated on his wife. What I am, however, saying, is that it’s very sus from my very narrow field of vision. This is just a bit of comedy. However, if you are Samoth, or a representative of Samoth, feel to sue me regardless. Please, daddy, it’s all I’ve ever wanted since I was fifteen. I’ll do anything, daddy, ruin my fucking life— take a chainsaw and literally RIP MY FUCKING GUTS— okay, I’ll stop now before anybody thinks I’m being serious.

#black metal #emperor #interview #true norwegian black metal #emperor band #samoth emperor #samoth

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krypteretnetwork · 3 years

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Camp NanoWrimo April 2021: Day 6

Word count: 1534 (7151 total)

The second the question had been said, Alleos cringed and hissed a little bit, sucking her teeth. Why on earth did he just have to ask that? She exhaled a deep breath and just glared at him.

“Well?” said Iceland once more, knitting his brows together as he looked over to her.

“Felt fine until you spoke,” she answered bluntly, rolling her eyes in exasperation. “The network, however… feels fine as well, though, so…”

Relaxing his gaze, Iceland nodded. “I’m glad to hear that... “ he patted her shoulder, which caused her to jolt away from him. “How about you, Hong Kong, and I go out and have some fun like we originally intended to?”

The mention of letting loose and having a bit of fun made the micronation smirk. “I like the thought of that for sure.”

“Then it’s settled. I’m sure he’ll be in on it as well.”

~~~

Thankfully, the entire group made it out of the hiking trail and back to Iceland’s home completely unharmed. Everybody seemed to be significantly less tense than they had been before, which, of course, was a good thing as well. As soon as they were home, Alleos had headed up to her room- which was no surprise, as even before her little visions, she would have done the same -and Iceland stayed with the rest of the Nordics.

“Thank you, you lot… I can tell she feels better already.”

“It’s no problem, lil bro! That’s what we’re here for, huh?” replied Denmark, patting the boy on the head. This caused his face to flush a little bit, and he backed off.

Then, Finland smiled his usual warm smile. “We had fun, Ice. Thank you for letting all of us tag along.”

Though he kept quiet, Sweden nodded along with what Finland had to say. Despite Alleos’s closeness to Finland, she was surprisingly distant from the Swede. Of course, not much else was to be expected, and though he would never let anybody know that did upset him quite a bit.

“Anything for my lil bro and lil sis,” said Norway with a tiny smirk as he patted his brother on the head. “Keep me posted about what’s going on.”

“Yeah, yeah,” snapped Iceland, clearly flustered from the gestures of his brothers. “Did you guys need anything else, or are you ready to head out?”

~~~

“Almost ready!” Alleos called out as both Hong Kong Iceland messaged her again. Glancing over the room once more, she decided to open the window to get a little bit of airflow coming in while she was gone. Not to mention, all of her equipment could overheat easily. To top it all off, the weather was looking nice, so she figured why not? Once the window was open and she was sure she had everything necessary, she headed downstairs.

“Took you long enough,” grumbled Iceland.

Alleos rolled her eyes. “Please, it would take more than just a few hands to count how many times I was the one waiting on you. I’m ready now, so let’s go.” That being said, the three headed off, out to the city to have a night out.

The very first stop the three made was to get some fast food and some silly string. The trio settled outside the building with their food, conversation starting up quickly.

“So, what happened a bit back? With your siblings…” said Iceland. He hadn’t gotten much from Hong Kong since that incident, and he was still curious as ever.

Rolling his eyes, Hong Kong let out an exasperated sigh. “Just the usual crap. Nothing too terrible, but just annoying…”

“I see.” He figured he ought to not press even more, then he looked over to Alleos. “This one over here, on the other hand, ever since her fainting spell…”

With a scowl, Alleos threw a few fries over in his direction. “Shut up, stupid. You don’t even know what’s been going on. I thought we were through that, remember?”

Huffing, Iceland tossed a few of his own fries back in her direction. Truthfully, he wasn’t so sure with how to respond, so he decided to change the topic. “Any ideas as to what we wanted to even do?”

“I thought we were going to hit a few places with the silly string?” said Hong Kong, amused at the argument between the two. Iceland just nodded.

Alleos’s expression, on the other hand, lit up a bit. “There’s construction going on somewhere around here… it’s after hours, too, so nobody will be there. I wanted to climb the crane, juuust to see what would happen…”

Her brother and friend laughed. “We’ll be there to cheer you on!” said Hong Kong without any hesitation.

~~~

And so off for their night out the three went. It mainly consisted of going into stores, running around and trying absolutely abhorrent clothing on, then the three bullying each other for their horrendous tastes. The silly string was used to mark some abandoned areas, as well as each other, and by the time they made it to the construction site it had gotten quite dark out. Not to mention, it was starting to look a bit cloudy.

“You’re crazy,” mused Iceland as Alleos handed over her bag and approached the machine.

“Maybe so, but life risking fun is the best kind of fun!” she shouted back. Pulling out a can of silly string, Hong Kong shot it over at her, prompting her to run closer to the structure. “Knock that off!!”

With a teasing sneer, Hong Kong opted to pull out his phone and begin recording. “Get a look at this dumbass!”

Looking up at the massive machine, Alleos paused to take in the scenery. The slightest pit dropped in her stomach as she looked up to the sky. Subconsciously, she took a step back.

“Hey, hey! You’re not going to back out of this, are you?!” shouted Hong Kong from behind.

“Definitely not!” she called back. Then, without skipping a single beat, the climbing of the machine began. Or, at least, the climbing up to the top.

Rubbing his face, Iceland just watched. As she made her way higher and higher, he couldn’t help but look away. “Oh, hell no!” Just then, some breezes began to come through, and he looked back up. Though he was unsure if she could even hear her, he called out to her. “Get down, idiot!”

Alleos didn’t even make it all the way up before she stopped, hugging one of the poles for support as she stood tall on the structure. “Whoa,” she mused, her eyes wide as she gazed around. While she hadn’t made it as high as she had hoped to, she could still see a hell of a lot more than any rooftop could enable her to. She was on the verge of taking out her phone to snap a photo when she began to feel some of the harsher breezes.

Adrenaline began to pump through her. “Man, this really was a shit idea!” she mused to herself. She’d done some weird things on rooftops before, but never something quite like this.

“...Maybe I should head down,” she said as another breeze came through. Looking up, she realized that the weather had in fact changed. With this thought racing through her mind, she began the journey down, rather skillfully at that. Watching all of those videos online had to have some sort of payoff, right?

As the bottom of the crane gradually got closer, the weather got increasingly more harsh. The wind had started to pick up, and it had even began to rain, only making the structure more slippery.

“Shit…”

She began to tremble even more from adrenaline, thus prompting her to go even faster.

“Just a little more…”

She was still a good way up.

Then, suddenly-

“Shit…!”

As what was more than likely expected, she lost her grip with both her hands and her feet. The second she slipped, both Hong Kong and Iceland made a run for it, trying to get there fast enough with no avail.

The fall had thrown her into shock, making the impact, and what came with it, painless. The fact something had happened to her, only reflected that things weren’t well with the network, either.

~~~

The micronation jolted open with a startled yelp, blinking her tired eyes. It seems her cry had caught the attention of someone, as a Finn she recognized had entered her room shortly after.

“Alleos! My, are you okay, little one?” he asked frantically. Panting as she sat up, she looked around in a frenzy. Gently, he pushed her so she was lying down. “You lie down now. You need rest. That was one hell of an accident with the network… gosh, if I hadn’t called Swe over, I… I don’t want to think of any potential outcome.”

“Wait… Sweden?” she muttered, sitting up again. “We’re… at your place?”

Finland blinked in confusion. “Erm, of course we are! You founded Alleos, here, remember…? Oh, dear, is everything alright with you?” he placed a hand on her forehead, frowning as she swatted his hand away.

But she wasn’t paying attention. She founded Alleos in Finland? When?

#:^)#nw apr 2021 #verse: fire and ice (icelandic)#verse: finnish

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sytycdinternational · 3 years

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Eurovision 2021 Semi-final #1 Review

Strongest Semi-Final ever since I started watching this show. I’m fully prepared to lose faves.

1. The Roop - Discoteque - Lithuania 🇱🇹: Singing “There’ noone here, I feel safe to dance alone” in front of millions of viewers perfectly illustrates our current state of mass surveillance, change my mind. There were no major changes to their performance at the national final (why would there be when the underlying concept got them a record win at Pabandom iš naujo!), but the bigger stage definitely added another (violet/pinkish) dimension to it. I wouldn’t mind at all if the checkered flag background image forshadowed their win this year.

2. Ana Soklič - Amen - Slovenia 🇸🇮: Ana’s performance sucked me in like the black hole on the background screen at the start. Great gestures to enhance a rather static show and the staging, just wow. One half of planet earth on screen reflected on the floor, the big bang bursting beneath her feet at the climax, it was simply a presentation of galactic dimensions. I do wish her pronounciation was clearer, since every time I was tempted to sing along her words seemed to devolve into gibberish in my ears.

3. Manizha - Russian Woman - Russia 🇷🇺: DON’T BE AFRAID, DON’T BE AFRAID, DON’T BE AFRAID! OF MANIZHA TAKING THE WIN!!! Cause that’s where she’s headed for! That. Was. So. MINDBLOWING. It truly exceeded all my expectations. The charisma, the drive, the vocals, holy shit. I was close to bursting out in tears during the folklorish chanting segment. Like, there was just something swelling up in me that’s hard to describe. All while I’m head-banging like crazy. Perfect execution starting with the patchwork fabrics and clay art in the postcard melting my heart. Ana really had bad luck being stuck between two crazy (good) entries lol.

4. Tusse - Voices - Sweden 🇸🇪: It seemed like Tusse was caught in a permanent state of crouching. Tbh I was warming up to the song, but then the key change happened and I just went nope. I think the song would have benefitted from incorporating the harmonica element at the start more.

5. Montaigne - Technicolour - Australia 🇦🇺: The dancing condoms from Lena’s 2011 entry for Germany made an unexpected comeback. I feel so bad for Montaigne, especially now that it’s become apparent what a drawback not being able to perform on the real stage really is. Also, that “technicolor” effect every few moments did nothing but harm the entry.

6. Vasil - Here I Stand - North Macedonia 🇲🇰: Vasil seems to like rock-climbing, that interesting to know. It could not, however, prepare me for the disarmingly sincere performance that Vasil gave us. Nothing he’s singing is ground-breaking at all, but it’s the sum of its parts that makes it so special for me. How could I not fall for someone who’s dedicating a song to his lover in front of all of Europe.

OMG I first thought Nikkie told Montaigne to stay away, instead of awake lmao.

7. Lesley Roy - Maps - Ireland 🇮🇪: I thought Jendrik’s entry was the most kindergarten-y entry this year, but clearly I was wrong. I think Lesley bit off more than she could chew. Poor thing was so visibly nervous I was almost having a nervous breakdown from all the anxious energy she was giving off. Also, was she crying at the end??

8. Elena Tsagrinou - El Diablo - Cyprus 🇨🇾: Tomboy Elena is not what I expected from the postcard. Hmm, some of the more questionable lyrics (taco, tamale...) suddenly became a lot more difficult to ignore. Still, surprisingly strong vocals for how much Elena is moving around, so major props for that6. Elena Tsagrinou - El Diablo - Cyprus 🇨🇾: Tomboy Elena is not what I expected from the postcard. Hmm, some of the more questionable lyrics (taco, tamale...) suddenly became a lot more difficult to ignore. Still, surprisingly strong vocals for how much Elena is moving around, so major props for that.

9. TIX - Fallen Angel - Norway 🇳🇴: The song gains another dimension when taking Efentix into account, doesn’t it... For some reason I don’t think this song got elevated by the new stage at all.

10. Albina - Tick-Tock - Croatia 🇭🇷: I feel like accidently stumbled into a showing of the Starlight Express musical. I think I know what they were going for with the outfits but they made me go more aww than oof. Still fierce. In an endearing way. Which works btw. Also, some nice ideas like turning Albina into a quintuplet and her dancers raising her up above their heads. Damn, her being all excited to be on stage at the end was super cute.

11. Hooverphonic - The Wrong Place - Belgium 🇧🇪: I think I’d have preferred an even darker song if that’s the attire they wanted to go for. In the end I really think they were in the wrong place.

12. Eden Alene - Set Me Free - Israel 🇮🇱: I don’t think I’ve ever seen such an unnecessary outfit change. I really like how Eden went for a warmer tone for the beginning before turning up the sass. I love what she did with her hair. Queen vibes. Also, my favorite dance choreography so far, the guys can get it.

13. ROXEN - Amnesia - Romania 🇷🇴: It really feels like she’s lost herself, including her voice. Okay, that was mean. Dancing while executing such an intricate stage choreography can’t be easy. Still, I think Finland got upstaged when it comes to edge factor. I was not sure, but then the font on screen last-minute basically confirmed it.

14. Efendi - Mata Hari - Azerbaijan 🇦🇿: It’s official, the true successor of “Fuego” has emerged. Elena who? Albina who? Efendi slays them all. All hail the snake goddess from the orient who ensnared millions of men in her pit this very night. Whoever came up with the ring-around-the-rosy circle dance is a god damn genius. So many circle elemnts too like the revolving flower pattern on the floor, the golden pear and the revolving fireball of doom turning into an all-seeing eye at the end. I’m positively hypnotized.

15. Go_A - SHUM - Ukraine 🇺🇦: Kateryna’s piercing eyes stare right into my soul. Not sure if I’m in the mood for some winter vibes but interesting cyber-druid look. Is that what people mean by technopagans?

16. Destiny - Je Me Casse - Malta 🇲🇹: I’ll definitely add this catchphrase to my dictionary.

Ranking: Obsessing over #1-2, adore #3-6, really like #6-10

Manizha - Russian Woman - Russia 🇷🇺

Efendi - Mata Hari - Azerbaijan 🇦🇿

The Roop - Discoteque - Lithuania 🇱🇹

Go_A - SHUM - Ukraine 🇺🇦

Vasil - Here I Stand - North Macedonia 🇲🇰

Albina - Tick-Tock - Croatia 🇭🇷

Eden Alene - Set Me Free - Israel 🇮🇱

Destiny - Je Me Casse - Malta 🇲🇹

Elena Tsagrinou - El Diablo - Cyprus 🇨🇾

Ana Soklič - Amen - Slovenia 🇸🇮

Montaigne - Technicolour - Australia 🇦🇺:

Tusse - Voices - Sweden 🇸🇪

ROXEN - Amnesia - Romania 🇷🇴:

Hooverphonic - The Wrong Place - Belgium 🇧🇪:

TIX - Fallen Angel - Norway 🇳🇴

Lesley Roy - Maps - Ireland 🇮🇪

Prediction of who’s not going to the finale:

Australia

Belgium

North Macedonia

Romania

Ireland

Slovenia

Nikkie dragging past Eurovision entires lmaoooo. The audacity. And of course they had to put Duncan’s ass shot into the promotion video I’m diiiieing. I don’t know what a double platinum disc is but I didn’t think someone would get it randomly handed to without pre-announcement.

Aaaand I was right except for Croatia instead of Belgium. Damn, that kinda hurts. But in terms of staging it had the least effective staging among the many bops in this semi-final so it makes sense in retrospect.

#Eurovision #ESC2021 #Eurovision 2021 #Efendi #Manizha #The Roop #Go_A #Vasil #rankings #text

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dethshit · 3 years

Text

Rocking Around The Christmas Tree

Dec 13th: Your Favorite Holiday Tradition Dethklok Style

Toki practically vibrated in place, shifting from foot to foot as he waited impatiently for everyone to come into the living room of Mordhaus. It had taken him hours, hell, days of begging, pleading, whining and complaining to anyone within earshot but he finally got his wish.

He was going to decorate the massive Christmas tree he had pestered Offdensen into buying with his family.

The massive evergreen tree smelled of artificial pine and stood tall, so very regal despite the macabre décor. It was custom made and probably cost more money than most people could dream of touching. It was bolted down to the floor by an iron base to keep it from wobbling.

The black tree skirt had been Toki’s personal choice, decorated with white skulls with splatters of red and green glittery pools that looked shockingly close to blood. It wasn’t the only thing he had a hand in. He had helped prepare the massive star to adorn the top of the tree. It was made from stainless steel painted black with fourteen sharp points to symbolize everyone important in his life. There was one for each member of the band (he had reluctantly included himself to make it an even number), one for Murderface’s partner Noni, two for Charles and his partner, three for Abigail and her partners, one for Knubbler, one for Mashed Potato Johnson and even one for Magnus. The center had a red gem that Toki was told was some super expensive ruby from a far off land he never heard of but he loved the shine. He even convinced the creators to put a set of lights around the ruby that would twinkle cheerily.

He hugged the star tightly, ignoring the bitter cold of the metal and the jab of the ruby against his face and chest.

“Tokis? What ams yous doings?” He turned to Skwisgaar with a massive smile before running over and grabbing the blonde’s hand.

“Skwisgaar, yous ams just in times! Theys brought de stars!” He yanked him to the black star, Skwisgaar falling over his feet from the amount of strength Toki used. “Sees? Offdensens lets me makes the stars with the helps of the blacksmiths and the makers and it has a points for everyones!”

Skwisgaar wrenched his hand away, rubbing his sore wrist as he looked up at the star. “Oh, yeahs?” He asked dryly, bored with no one else around but the hyperactive Norwegian.

Toki nodded excitedly. “The tops ams Offdensen and to his rights ams Akitas. To his lefts ams Noni. Moidaface ams next to Noni and Dana ams next to Akitas. Abby ams next to Danas and Carmens follows hers. Yous ams next to Moidaface and I ams next to yous! Pickle ams next to me and Nathan is next to Pickle. Knubbler is next to Nathan and Magnus is next to Carmens and the last one ams Mashed Potato Johnson!” He pointed out each individual arm of the 14 pointed star while Skwisgaar rolled his eyes.

“...Oka- wait. Whys ams I next to Moidaface and yous?” Skwisgaar asked, eyes narrowing.

Toki shuffled. “...Yous can takes a different points if yous want. You can be nexts to Mashed Potato Johnson?” He offered, hoping not to start a fight.

“And be nexts to dats psycho Magnus?! Absolutely nots!” Skwisgaar huffed, upturning his nose at the very idea.

Toki’s smile fell. “...then wheres dos yous want to be?”

Skwisgaar glared at the shorter man. “Amnest it obvious? I shoulds be at de tops!”

Toki stomped his foot, not caring how much he was acting like a child. “Nos! It ams for Offdensen! Yous cans have my spots instead!”

“Of course yous wants my spots! Yous always wants my spots!”

“That amnest even whats we weres talkings about!”

Their argument escalated until they were screaming in each other’s face, not noticing when the others came into the room.

“Boys, really?” Offdensen asked, lifting his glasses to rub his face tiredly. Toki quickly shut his mouth, worried that Offdensen would change his mind and have the Klokateers decorate the tree instead. He had gone through so much trouble to pick out all the ornaments and he had a whole plan set up, the likes that would make Offdensen and Abigail proud.

Skwisgaar scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “Dis ams a stupid ideas anyways.” Toki deflated slightly as Skwisgaar tried to leave the room. He was held back by a strong hand.

He glared indignantly at Nathan. “We said we were gonna do this with Toki so we’re gonna do it.” Nathan mumbled, forcing the blonde back into the room.

Skwisgaar bristled. “Yous can’ts makes me!” Nathan only frowned at him before turning over to where Offdensen and his boyfriend were busy unpacking some of Toki’s custom ornaments. “HEY AKIT-”

Skwisgaar hurriedly smothered Nathan’s yell, glaring at the lead singer. “Yous bastard!” He hissed.

“Something wrong, boys?” Akita asked innocently but his eyes said something different. There was a definitive threat in those ice blue eyes that if anyone did anything to ruin the youngest bandmate’s plans, there would be absolute hell to pay.

“Nothings!” Skwisgaar squeaked, his voice scaling up an octave. Akita narrowed his eyes and he read that there better not be.

Toki grabbed a green bulb that had been strung with alcohol bottles instead of lights. “Pickle, this ams for yous.” The ginger grabbed the glass and grinned. “Dat’s pretty cool, Toki.” Toki’s face threatened to split with his wide smile before returning to his box.

He had a black skull with a white Christmas sweater pattern running across it for Nathan. A knife with a bough of holly hanging off of it for Murderface. A palm tree wrapped in string lights for Noni. A makeup kit that lit up for Dana and a dress mannequin that had on a Santa suit for Carmen. Abby had a pair of old school headphones wrapped in ribbon. Offdensen had a computer that had HAPPY HOLIDAYS written across the screen that alternated between green and red. Akita had a golden microphone that sang Christmas carols when a button was pressed on the bottom. He had chosen a festive clown that reminded him a lot of his straw companion from his days in Norway.

And then there was Skwisgaar.

He reached into the box, hesitating as he ran a thumb over the cold glass. He startled when he felt a hand gently land on his back. He whirled around and blushed, feeling foolish.

It was only Akita whose eyes were full of concern. “What’s wrong, Toki? I thought you wanted to do this.”

He nodded eagerly. “Ands I stils do. I just...” He lifted the box to let Akita see the ornament he had chosen for Skwisgaar.

It was an exact glass replica of his Gibson Explorer down to the tiniest scratch on the neck. Akita glanced up at him, cocking a blonde eyebrow. He turned redder. “I guess....” He glanced down at his boots. “What ifs he hates it? He hated his points on the stars.”

Akita held back his soft chuckle to avoid offending Toki. He cupped his cheek, rubbing his cheekbone with his thumb. “Toki...you know he’s going to love it. The damn Swede is a drama queen, that’s all.”

“SHUTS YOUS FACE YOUS DAMN FINNISH SHIT!”

Akita let go of Toki’s face, turning around to confront Skwisgaar. “Oh, shut your own ass, you wish Sweden was as great as Finland!”

“FINLAND AMS A SHITHOLE COUNTRYS!”

“IT”S THE FUCKING BEST YOU ILLITERATE JACKOFF!”

Toki smiled faintly at the familiar bickering. While the words were harsh and an outsider might suspect that the two blondes hated each other, there was genuine amusement in Akita’s voice and Skwisgaar’s insults were lacking the usual bite they had when the two opposing Europeans first met.

Toki walked up to Skwisgaar while Offdensen pulled Akita away to help him untangle the lights much to Akita’s chagrin. “You just had to volunteer for the most difficult part of the job?” Akita asked dryly as he sat down next to an outlet. Offdensen rolled his eyes fondly at the complaint. “Four hands work faster than two.”

“And six are even better. Hey, Noni! Come help, please!”

Toki patted Skwisgaar’s shoulder. “U-Uh, Skwisgaar?” The blonde glanced at him from the corner of his eye. “Whats do yous wants?” Toki winced and pulled the ornament from behind his back. “....I gots yous an ornaments too.”

Skwisgaar was silent and Toki braced himself for the backlash with his eyes screwed shut. All he could hope was that Skwisgaar didn’t throw the precious glass and break it in his tantrum.

He opened his eyes when he felt the weight lifted off his finger. Skwisgaar was gently cradling the mini guitar as if it was his real one. “...Yous gots dis...for me?” Toki nodded, keeping his gaze on the floor. “I wanteds to get ones for everyones. Yous ams part of everyones, Skwisgaar.” He explained quietly to his boots.

He missed the way Skwisgaar had covered his mouth with his free hand, eyes starting to turn wet from unshed tears. The blonde quickly blinked away the tears before they fell and he shook away any visible emotion on his face. “It ams okays.” He finally deemed, underplaying how much it meant to him. Most of his Christmases as a kid were spent either in the cold or bouncing from house to house with anyone who would put up with him. The Christmases in the band were usually blurred by alcohol but even then. There was nothing festive about the day until Toki began his quest to make Mordhaus as festive as possible.

Toki gave a small smile and grabbed his own ornament. It was a mini snow globe where a snowman with his fu manchu was in the middle of a group hug. There was a tall snooty snowman, a shorter one with Pickles’ fiery beard, another with a fierce scowl and the last had Murderface’s mustache. He wanted to add more snowpeople: one with a turquoise pendant around her neck, one with a set of glasses and semi circle green buttons for eyes, one with green robot eyes, an elderly looking snowman with a cane and another with a white and brown goatee. That was without even adding the newest members of his family!

But the man making the ornament begged him to keep the number small, his hand cramping with the amount of detail he was trying to cram on the small snowmen in the snow globe.

There would be other years and he could add to the ornaments.

He climbed up the ladder behind Skwisgaar and waited patiently for the taller man to place his ornament near the top of the tree. He placed his own towards the front so that everyone could see his snow globe and grinned happily at the sight below him.

Noni and Murderface were adjusting some of the lower branches, Noni using their height to place some of the colored balls onto the tree. Murderface made a comment and the tall tanned figure laughed. Abby was sitting between Dana and Carmen as the trio worked on the beaded garland that would wind its way around the tree. It had gotten tangled in its voyage to Mordhaus and Carmen and Abby were talking while Dana nodded or shook her head along with the conversation. Nathan and Pickles were starting to work the lights Akita and Charles had untangled around the tree. Akita and Charles were watching them, Akita waving at Toki when they locked eyes.

Toki waved back and winced as Skwisgaar pushed on his head. “Comes on ands moves it! I do nots plans to spends all days up heres!”

-------------------------------

I ended up combining two traditions into a small snippet of a fic. I love decorating the tree with my family and I usually get some ornaments for my friends and I take a long time to pick them out.

And yes I added my own OCs and their respective ships what you gonna do about it

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pumkinet · 5 years

Note

Hey, why do you think it was Sweden that Himuarya made gay? I mean, I bet gaybrights are pretty solid in the Nordic countries (I'd expect nothing less, honestly) but is there any reason you think he chose Sweden of all countries?

very good question! i think it’s pretty funny that Himuarya made Sweden gay when there’s so many countries to choose from! Personally i have noooo idea what made him do that choice, but i can give some reasons why i think he did what he did!

first i got to mention that i really appreciate that he didn’t make Sweden into the stereotypical type of homosexual man. in the early 2000’s it was very common on the internet platform to make homosexual characters into stereotypes but Himuarya didn’t go with that flow! he just made Sweden into a big, tall and scary man that just happens to like men :)

ok so here are some good reasons on WHY he choose Sweden out of all of the countries:

• Sweden leagalized same-sex marriages May 1st 2009! it’s been legal for 10 years now :) ❤️

• Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1944 and the age of consent was equalized in 1972 🎊

• Homosexuality was declassified as a mental illness in 1979 🏳️‍🌈

• Gay and lesbian couples can adopt children since 2003 👨‍👨‍👧‍👦👩‍👩‍👧‍👦

(here’s some more fun reasons why Sweden is the gay one lololol)

- notice that himuarya said that Sweden was gay for Finland and only Finland? that could be because Finland was a part of Swedne since the 1200s but later Finland became a part of Russia. history!! they have so much history together!! (besides, on the map they are legit connected 👀 norway too but eh we don’t want them anymore LOL)

- after Finland's independence from Russia in 1917, much of the state administration and higher education remained in Swedish for old tradition! that’s why all our items are both written in swedish and finish :) 🇫🇮🇸🇪 and in Finish schools it’s obligatory to learn Swedish!

- after WWII, the question about Åland came up! Åland is a group of tiny island between Sweden and Finland that both of the countries wanted to call “their own”! Åland wanted to become a part of Sweden, while Finland insisted on taking them. In the end Finland got the islands 🌴 you could kinda see Åland as their common child!

Sweden, compared to the other nordic countries, have had so much history with Finland. Sure, Sweden used to own parts of Norway as well, but that was more of a deal between the two kingdoms. Sweden and Denmark fought for many years (and the people still lowkey does) while with Finland, Sweden has always been very gentle with. its hard to explain since english isn’t my first language, but i think you get the point. Us Swedes love Finland and i think it makes a lot of sense why Aph Sweden is gay for his (ex) country !!

#hetalia #aph #aph sweden #aph finland #aph sufin #ask pumkinet #berwald oxenstierna #tino väinämöinen

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parasighting · 3 years

Text

Top 20 albums of 2020

New place for Parasighting (here you can find the old blog), as it seems that Facebook and several social media platforms in general don’t very much agree with Blogger. Oh well, if we don’t change we die, isn’t that what they say? So, this will be the new place for posts from now on, including the Rodon Underground playlists (that is, if I manage to wrap my head fully around how Tumblr actually works). For now, and as a fitting starting post, here are the best 20 albums of 2020, always in my opinion and always in a mood for fisticuffs:

1. Fontaines D.C. - A Hero's Death

This normally shouldn’t come as a surprise, but it’s not like we haven’t had our fair share of scares in our lifetime when we’re dealing with a sophomore album following after an explosive debut. Last year’s Dogrel gave everyone what they wanted/expected, since basically it was, more or less, a gathering of all the great singles Fontaines D.C. had released in a 2-year period prior to that. As it seems, we are indeed dealing with an absolute gem of a band that, this time around, did anything but staying safe with an already tried-out and successful formula. Instead, they chose to give all weight to feeling, proving their songwriting genius at the same time. A Hero’s Death doesn’t contain intended typical radio hit songs (although it plays a lot on today’s radio, something hopeful for the music industry in general), instead it’s full of meaningful introvert compositions saturated in melody and atmosphere, while Fontaines D.C. themselves, despite their huge and abrupt success the last years, keep a low profile and support their material exemplary. This record is music history, and one to be mentioned for years or even decades from now in music in general.

Listen to A Hero’s Death

2. C.O.F.F.I.N. - Children Of Finland Fighting In Norway

Many have wondered about the air in Australia. Or the water. Or maybe it’s the crazy wildlife that makes one either to be on their toes all day or to “yolo” it like there’s no tomorrow. These lads right here sure seem to be the latter. It would be futile to try and get right now into the history of Australian music and what this country has offered the world, especially when it comes to garage/punk. So, it shouldn’t surprise us that C.O.F.F.I.N. have released this record this year but, then again, uncontainable excitement gets usually mistaken for surprise. It’s not that they had been under the radar or something until now, but Children of Finland Fighting in Norway is the flag all Turbojugends around the world should gather behind this year. This album is the Apocalypse Dudes of the band and, mind you, I’m not talking about copying Turbonegro or anything like that. I’m talking about the spontanity and the pure energy that is emitted here throughout. The band, although they surely step on the foundations of (especially the scandinavian) rock ‘n’ roll history, the final result can’t be mistaken with any other band. A look on the videos the band has put out will give you a total idea that here we’re dealing with original Aussie craziness, and that is something not to be messed with, if you ask me.

Listen to Children of Finland Fighting in Norway

3. Napalm Death - Throes Of Joy in The Jaws Of Defeatism

I don’t think that the name Napalm Death needs much introduction, even to those who have little contact with the extreme sound in general. Pioneers of hardcore punk, grindcore and so many sub-genres at their birth, they have been shaping much of the contemporary extreme music scene through the years. And, in order for this to be achieved, it couldn’t be without constant musical unrest and experimentation. Shane Embury & co returned in 2020 with their 16th album, in which they push their (and music’s in general) boundaries to new territories. Of course, this in no way means that it is a soft or mellow record, even for Napalm Death standards. Instead, the band incorporates even more diverse elements from bands that one could say have been their followers, only to prove once again that they are the true pioneers. Throes of Joy in the Jaws of Defeatism is a full record where something exciting happens each minute, and this is the chance for any listener that (maybe has been living in a cave up until now and) hasn’t yet captured the grandeur that a band like Napalm Death exhales.

Listen to Throes of Joy in the Jaws of Defeatism

4. All Them Witches - Nothing as the Ideal

What is “rock” anyway? If there was a faceless recipe, then everyone would be able to just follow the rules and do it. Instead, through the over-production in today’s music, it’s damn hard to find something original and spontaneous, as most bands can’t do anything better than copying a “recipe” or reverse-engineering their idols, at best. And this is why bands like All Them Witches shine brightly and justly from within the pile. Nothing as the Ideal elegantly showcases that this band basically carries a significant amount of all the weight of today’s rock music. Yes, they started off having been labeled as “stoner” or “desert” or whatever, but the signs were always there. Dying Surfer Meets His Maker was the first blast, but, with this one, All Them Witches establish themselves among the leaders. After all, how can you go wrong with a band that sounds better playing live than on their studio recordings?

Listen to Nothing as the Ideal

5. Hurula - Jehova

It’s safe to say that the name Robert Petersson is nothing short of a landmark when it comes to Swedish punk. Showcasing some fine moments of hardcore skate-punk with Epileptic Terror Attack, hardcore rock ‘n’ roll with Regulations, melodic punk with Masshysteri (among others), finally Hurula is his personal musical vehicle, where he is in absolute command of everything. And, although this is already his fourth full-length release and, thus, it’s not like we had no idea about the potential, Jehova proves to be his grand opus so far, in a sort of unexpected way. The general orchestration remains “rock”, but the multiple melodic layers all over make for a unique experience for the listener who is not limited within specific musical genres or styles. The Swedish lyrics throughout might make it a bit unaccessible to many, but don’t let this minor detail keep you from discovering an incredible record.

Listen to Jehova

6. Wailin Storms - Rattle

Wailin Storms are a “where had they been hiding up until now?” case. Although they released their debut album not before 2015, Rattle is already their fourth one, and what a kick in the head it was for me discovering them last year! Going through their discography in retrospect, one should not be surprised, of course. The North Carolina rockers always carried their certain and specific type of lyricism amid their heavy and, at times, almost noise/sludge guitars. Fitting all this alongside the mystical atmosphere and Justin Storms’ agonizing vocals, the speakers exhale a strangely attractive as well as condemning dark beauty through the speakers. Many things come to mind as to what one could say Wailin Storms sound like through their definitely personal identity; in my ears, it’s kind of like the Black Angels jamming with Unsane and smoking whatever Electric Wizard passed them through. If this doesn’t make you want to check out Rattle, I have no idea what could.

Listen to Rattle

7. The Hawkins - Silence Is A Bomb

All those that know me, also know what a huge sucker for swedish rock ‘n’ roll I am. But, ever since the great scandinavian rock ‘n’ roll revolution by Gods like the Hellacopters and Gluecifer started to happen, a lot of things have also happened in the meantime. Especially to the younger rockers, the aforementioned bands now carry a “classic rock” label, but then again that kind of makes sense if you were born around the years Supershitty to the Max! was released. Time for the new generation to show what they’re worth, then. Through the flood of copycat and mediocre bands (justifiably, in a way), luckily from time to time there will be one or two cases to stand out, and these four kids from Arboga, Sweden surely make the cut. Although their debut album three years back was definitely a beautifull high-energy record, Silence Is a Bomb is what adds a special kind of maturity in rock ‘n’ roll, while still maintaining its edge. The Hawkins take their Hellacopters, but they also add several doses of Queen in them, maybe making the final mix too soft for purists; but who cares about them anyway?

Listen to Silence Is a Bomb

8. Chubby & the Gang - Speed Kills

It feels like nothing short of a fresh breath of life, a feeling that there is still hope in this damn world, when debuts like this one right here appear out of nowhere. Chubby & the Gang are just some kids from West London who, with Speed Kills, give you, if not something else, a feeling that here we’ve struck pure gold. Carrying a hardcore tone, apart from that they’re just a bunch of absolutely fresh and fun punk rock ‘n’ rollers, and, if this is not exactly what we need these days, I just don’t know what is. With gang vocals throughout the whole record and with the average running track time below two minutes, this band has automatically climbed near the top of my bucket list of bands I want to see live at first chance.

Listen to Speed Kills

9. This Is Nowhere - Grim Pop

Plainly put: In a fair world, This Is Nowhere would be globally greeted as one of the greatest bands of today’s psychedelic heavy rock; and this is not an exaggeration. Then again, them being from Greece and their members being scattered in three different countries are not factors that objectively help. Even at that, it’s astonishing how they’ve obviously achieved a certain chemistry between them through the years in order to achieve such a feat, like Grim Pop definitely is. Their two previous albums contained a significant amount of all the mystical energy the band emits on stage, but, if you ask me, there was always something missing; something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Well, with Grim Pop, it’s like everything is finally falling into place. This Is Nowhere have irrevocably and definitively left terms like “stoner” or “psychedelic rock” behind; instead they have unrepentantly dived into the ‘60s, distorted everything they found there through their personal prism and created an inviting sound vortex ready to suck you into its very own black hole. Who cares if we never return?

Listen to Grim Pop

10. Στράφι (Strafi) - Παραδομένοι στη Γιορτή (Paradomeni sti Giorti)

If you asked me some years back, I could never imagine myself including a street punk record in a yearly music list. I have to admit that Strafi being from my hometown Larissa played its role; but this role played a part only for me to take note of them. Because genre-wise, the band’s sophomore release is just perfect. Having gone over the somewhat general “shyness” of their beautiful debut album, here the band presents an absolutely confident and sturdy face. The sound production contains no faults, the compositions are meaningful and inspired, the lyrics carry a level of poetry rarely found in the genre (and yes, one would have to speak Greek in order to enjoy them, unfortunately for many). Really, this is one of the cases that there’s not much to be said, as music takes over all the talking. We need more music coming straight from the heart, and Strafi are here to deliver exactly this.

Listen to Παραδομένοι στη Γιορτή

11. Minerva Superduty - In Public

Another Greek entry, one that the world definitely has to discover. I find it a bit strange how Minerva Superduty started their discography, which was with an instrumental metal record that, amid its creativity, left the listener with a somewhat lack of closure and fullness. 2016′s Gorod Zero came to showcase a new potential for the band, and In Public, coming just days before last year’s end, fulfilled this potential to the fullest; well, until their next album, at least. Minerva Superduty merge their mathcore foundations with Converge-like hardcore and, under just 20 minutes, they deliver the absolute soundtrack for the chaos 2020 has left the world with. Do not let this gem pass by.

Listen to In Public

12. Yovel - Forthcoming Humanity

Blackmetal is a genre that has been through a lot. Of course, through its extremity, it has given way to experimentations that could never have taken place within other kinds of music but, on the other hand, this very extremity has always served as a twisted fortress for far-right and generally fascist ideologies. Yovel emerged in 2018 to rectify this problem and restore part of blackmetal’s infamy. Hɪðəˈtu had made clear of these intentions of the band, but Forthcoming Humanity drops like a milestone to declare that this was anything but a one-time wonder. Yovel take blackmetal forms and orchestrations but add atmospheric (not shoegazey) elements borrowed from folk music and create a concept album that speaks loudly against racism, fascism, bigotry, oppression. Interludes dressed with poetry and melody give place to wrecking sound outbursts and, if there is one thing they do, that’s passing on the message clearly and successfully. Yovel are here to stay, and that’s one encouraging thing about extreme music today.

Listen to Forthcoming Humanity

13. Oily Boys - Cro Memory Grin

Ahh Australia again. And a debut that has surely turned heads. Oily Boys come from Sydney and this is their hopeful debut, that being an understatement. This new band delivers an outburst of a record, bringing to mind New York hardcore at one time, taking you to sick psychedelic noise rock at the next. It all feels so cold and unhospitable in here, yet something urges you to look at it straight in the eyes. Of course, there are a lot of Converge elements in here, but this never stays in that place, as, before you know it, it jumps to post-punk and to other experimental lengths, always maintaining a chaos that may be baffling but, then again, you don’t exactly want for it to fall into order. Fans of Old Man Gloom will also find many things they like in here. Bizarre listen for bizarre times. It’s an uncomfortability we just cannot ignore.

Listen to Cro Memory Grin

14. The Good the Bad and the Zugly - Algorithm & Blues

The Norwegians with the funny and long name (one can only wonder after how many beers it was conceived) struck for the fourth time in 2020. Although their debut Anti-World Music in 2013 made an impact in the scene breathing Turbonegro with a hardcore twist, personally I can’t say the same for the next two albums; it always felt to me that something was amiss. Maybe it was that humor was taking over a bit too much or something. Mind you, the Good the Bad and the Zugly are not a joke band by any chance, but the playful sarcastic elements were always a basic ingredient in their overall sound. Coming on to Algorithm & Blues then, I think this time around thay have managed to balance it all out perfectly. With Ivar Nikolaisen being the lead vocalist of the mighty Kvelertak for a couple of years now, this might be a factor that has made the band mature compositionally. Algorithm & Blues is more melodic, more substantial, more sing-along-y, but it never loses its humorous charm, preserving the band’s identity. And with song titles like “Fuck the Police” and “The Kids Are Alt-Right”, you know they’re also on the right side.

Listen to Algorithm & Blues

15. Pallbearer - Forgotten Days

One of the most tired genres of extreme music is definitely doom metal. Ever since the “stoner” plague came into existence, the world has been saturated with kids that, discovering the pentatonic scale, thought they were the new messiahs drowning us in a sea of boredom. It was not all bad of course, but, having to surf through oceans of mediocrity in order to find something that stands out, can be quite tiresome. Pallbearer from Little Rock, Arkansas surely did stand out at the start of the last decade but I think it’s taken them a while to perfect their craft. Alas, Forgotten Days. The monster riff that starts off the opening title-track is more than enough to set the mood straight. Black Sabbath riffology, Candlemass atmospheres, even Electric Wizard and Cathedral hooks; all done in a modern manner breathing life into the genre which, with bands like Pallbearer, can look hopefully into the future. The incredible cover artwork and the lamentful lyrical themes revolving around family loss surely add to the big picture. This is the definite release of 2020 for doom fans.

Listen to Forgotten Days

16. Video Nasties - Dominion

Another debut of another band to definitely watch out for. Video Nasties from UK start off looking like they know exactly what they’re out for. The whole image is brought out from ‘80s horror video tapes and this is enhanced by the movie samples all over the place paying homage to John Carpenter. Musically, here we have some exceptional death/black ‘n’ roll, and what a pleasure it is when done right. Yes, the band takes a lot from Swedish melodic deathmetal but, to my relief, they surely sound like they detest metalcore and its sub-genres as much as I do. Dominion is an absolutely enjoyable record that flows beautifully, always maintaining its theme and atmosphere and calling for repeat plays. Fans of death, black, thrash and extreme genres in general will surely feel at home here. Sometimes it’s as simple as that.

Listen to Dominion

17. The Frights - Everything Seems Like Yesterday

The Frights from San Diego, California started in 2013 as garage surf punks carrying their own distinct feeling and melody. They were always enjoyable with the lyrical themes being more esoteric, something that set them apart from the usual stuff in the genre. At first, the songs of Everything Seems Like Yesterday were intended to be released by the band’s main man Mikey Carnevale as a solo effort, but something apparently changed his mind. Many were obviously surprised by this new acoustic direction the name Frights has taken, but, setting aside specific expectations, the best thing one has to do is appreciate the artistic worth independently. And how rewarded they’ll be doing that with this album! Everything Seems Like Yesterday is a beautiful introvert, substantial and entirely acoustic album, ideal to keep you company after a hangover or through many types of hard times. It’s one of those times that this type of quiet sounds just liberating.

Listen to Everything Seems Like Yesterday

18. Umbra Vitae - Shadow of Life

With Jacob Bannon from Converge and Jon Rice from Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats on board, here we’re dealing with nothing short of a super project. And especially when Bannon (apart from all his many other musical projects) decides to venture into death/black metal areas, this is absolutely something you don’t want to miss. Shadow of Life is anything but your average deahmetal fix, and it demands your undivided attention throughout. Explosive in its grim and dark temperament, and with stunning artwork dressing it perfectly, this is an album that grabs you by the throat. Not that you haven’t offered it willingly in the first place.

Listen to Shadow of Life

19. Idles - Ultra Mono

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for many years, there is no way that you’re ignorant on the Idles phenomenon. After Brutalism and Joy as an Act of Resistance, I don’t know what we all expected from them. It’s not the easiest task to surpass two albums that have set new standards in today’s punk music (”punk” being used as broadly as possible, as a term). And, to put it bluntly, Ultra Mono doesn’t do anything like that, like, it would be something impossible, especially so soon. Then again, Idles are a band just incapable of releasing a bad record and, although it didn’t make it to the top spots of 2020′s list, Ultra Mono is an Idles-trademarked sharp and edgy album (musically and politically) that preserves them at the top where they indicate to the rest of the world where music is going.

Listen to Ultra Mono

20. Protomartyr - Ultimate Success Today

Protomartyr from Detroit have always served their unique blend of post-punk. In Ultimate Success Today, they continue their gloomy journey in symphony with this dark world. Joe Casey, always carrying a Nick-Cave-like vibe in his tone, delivers his grim lyrics atop the heavy basslines, the strange drumbeats and the almost free-jazz saxophone. Always melancholic and dystopic, Protomartyr is the band this world needs and deserves.

Listen to Ultimate Success Today

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calleo-bricriu · 4 years

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work

(( I feel like doing drabbles. Still accepting these despite only having done two of like...five more. ))

Working at the Ministry for several years had, if nothing else, only allowed Calleo to practise an already innate skill at somehow hearing everything being said in a bunch of noise: Ministry meetings often went that way.

Nobody else present found it odd that he was quiet; he often was, especially if they were discussing topics or tactics in which he had no experience and the fact that he wasn't reading something told them he was paying attention and could be asked, at any point, for his input.

The trouble at the moment was that none of them wanted it. It was more familiar and somehow comforting to argue--it had ceased to be a discussion or exchange of ideas and compromise some time go--with each other and they'd fallen back to a very incorrect assumption that when the one at the wheel had had enough of listening to it, he'd simply tell them what they were doing.

Felix typically sat closest to Calleo and he noticed when Calleo reached into that obnoxious bag covered in brightly coloured cartoon parrots. He knew (or at least thought) that Calleo didn't keep wands in there, so it was likely nothing more dangerous than a cigarette or flask of something that was being reached for.

Everyone else noticed, however, what Calleo did was pull out a round, black, plastic ball with a small flat area on the bottom and set it on the table with a loud enough clack to catch their attention. He didn't appear to be angry, or even annoyed, just sort of entertained, somehow.

Felix was close enough to see the white circle and number 8 at the top and buried his face in his hands, muttering something about taking things seriously in Calleo's direction.

"I don't see why I should!" Calleo shrugged lazily and laid a hand on top of the plastic 8 ball. "You all stopped taking it seriously in favour of alternating between arguing and name calling two hours ago, that's hardly taking anything seriously."

"Right!" He picked up the ball. "Since none of you can make a decision, I'm going to ask a completely neutral in the sense that it's not alive and is, in fact, a Muggle toy, what it thinks and go from there."

Ordinarily, someone might have laughed or made a remark or simply asked him what the hell he was talking about but most of them had no idea what had just happening apart from the fact that it wasn't somehow dangerous and that Felix looked like a very tired grandparent of a child with endless energy.

"So!" He tapped the ball, "What do we think of using Felix's intelligence to make inroads in the more remote or difficult to get to Northern Unseen Market routes? Good idea?" After he'd finished the question, he gave the thing a few good shakes then flipped it over so the flat side was facing him before showing it to the group.

"Oh, hm, well, that's unfortunate; is it because there's a higher chance of interference from behind the crumbled remains of that Iron Curtain that still have strong ties to the Russian Unseen Market?" Another shake.

"Figured."

"Calleo--" Felix began, only to be cut off.

"Felix, look, you lot have been all but shouting insults back and forth and I've sat here quietly and listened to it--clearly, I've listened to it--if I had to put up with you acting like overtired children you get to put up with me acting like a garden variety children--child--you know what I mean."

A few glances were exchanged but nothing else was said and now, for however briefly, Calleo had a captive audience courtesy of a Muggle toy.

"So, there are two ways to go with that; could give up on it for now and focus on securing the more southern and central Unseen Markets as Geiss suggested."

"And once we've got a good lock on those, push further East, per Schlei and Zeiger's suggestions, then swing North and push back West to lock the Northern routes."

"Mm, yeah, that probably was a bit ambitious. Push East, per Shlei and Zeiger, then redouble back West to make sure those routes stay secure go due North, only veering slightly east to make sure Finland's chunk of the Unseen Market isn't an easy entry point maybe?"

"Right, yeah--" by now it was Calleo making all the noise in the room with a group staring at him in silence as he discussed tactics with a plastic ball.

"Finland does get a bit too close, doesn't it? Let the dragon handle Finland?"

"Brilliant! So, from all the jumbled mess that was thrown around the last two hours here's what I've got: For now, ignore the North; still too much influence strength there to make any real headway. It'd be a mess right now, so keep focus on the Southern and Central European Unseen Markets and their routes in and out of Europe per Geiss' suggestion, follow Shlei and Zeiger's suggestion to push East--but not too far East, get too close to the Russian boarder and it's likely to cause problems, then redouble back to make sure the lines taken remain secure."

Calleo rolled the plastic 8 ball idly between his hands on the table, "Once those are secure to the point that they don't need constant watching, move out of central Europe--or the central parts of countries who are in Southern, Central, and also possibly in sort-of-Northern Europe--that should net the rest of the continent from roughly Warsaw West and into Norway and Sweden and we'll let Hebridean Black handle getting at least the relevant parts of Finland's Unseen Market into line. Wouldn't look to moving into that area for another two or three years though."

Silence.

Calleo canted his head slightly, "Was that not what you were all almost shouting about, only with a hell of a lot more profanity for the last two hours? And were just arguing about where to start?"

"It was." Felix was, as he usually was, the first to speak when Calleo managed to cause awkward silences. "You could do with being a bit more diplomatic about it in future and perhaps not use Muggle Divination toys."

"Why?"

"It gives the impression," this time it was Zeiger who spoke up, "that you take nothing seriously."

"Results, I think," now he was spinning the ball like a top, "prove that things are being taken seriously, as does the ability I have to listen to two hours of disjointed, insult peppered, argumentative, nearly coming to blows sniping back and forth from a table full of an assortment of strange mustaches with matching accents, take it, and turn it into something coherent and likely to see at least some measure of success within five minutes."

"The fact that you think a silly little water filled toy with what amounts to a dice with words floating in it was any factor--" Calleo laughed and shook his head, "I plan out loud all the time, hearing it outside my own head lets me think more clearly."

"The eight ball is just a bit of fun." (And that entire meeting ended up, hours later, being delivered to Professor Dumbledore ( @messianique ) as a vial to viewed along with a short invitation to recommend any fine tuning or changes to ensure it was still easy for him to do his own work unimpeded.)

#divination #hp rp #1992 is a weird year #stories

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the-observant-frisbeetarian · 5 years

Text

Chapter 2 - Coffeehousing

Catch Perfect by George deValier

CHAPTER TWO

COFFEEHOUSING: The act of distracting an opponent by chattering and banter.

The next day Berwald arrived at his new home with all his belongings packed into a few boxes. Looking at everything he owned packed up in his car he suddenly realised how little he actually had to show for himself after all these years. Some clothes, some books… and everything else lost in only a few unfortunate games on the circuit. As he opened his side door, several of the boxes fell onto the driveway. He sighed and knelt to pick them up.

"Need a hand?"

Berwald turned to find Norway staring unsmiling down at him. It was apparently the only facial expression he had.

"Yeah, sure."

"What did you do?"

Berwald paused for a second, thrown. "'suse me?"

Norway's face didn't change. "Drugs? Theft? Assault?"

The words hit a little too close to home, and Berwald answered too quickly. "Nothin.'"

Norway just stared for a moment, then picked up a box. "Huh."

It took only one trip for Berwald and Norway to carry everything through the large house and upstairs into Berwald's tiny space at the end of the hall. Berwald placed down the load and nodded. "Th'nks."

Norway dropped the boxes in a heap with a loud bang. "Whatever. Ice and Fin are at school. Den's asleep. I'm going out."

Berwald nodded again as Norway walked out the door, leaving him alone in the… well, bedroom wasn't quite the right word for it. It turned out that the 'alcove' Denmark had referred to was not much more than a curtained-off corner. It wasn't that bad, really. There was a bed, a desk and a wardrobe, and just enough space to move around comfortably. However to get to it he had to enter through Tino's bedroom, which… well.

It wasn't that Tino's room was 'messy'… in fact, compared to the rest of the house, it was positively spotless. It was just a little… random. The black, white and orange theme was cool, and the small selection of stuffed dogs in the bookcase was kind of cute. The complete matching set of 'Rocky' bobbleheads were a little stranger. The huge orange penguin was beyond description.

Berwald had not seen Tino since the afternoon before, but he hadn't been able to think of anything else since. Those big violet eyes and blond hair and moose-emblazoned sweater haunted his memory. He was quite aware of how ridiculous it all was… Berwald knew absolutely nothing about Tino, but was moving into this bizarre place entirely because of him. He'd never believed in anything as absurd as love at first sight. There was probably another way to explain this sudden, overwhelming infatuation… mental instability from his financial loss? Contact insanity from Denmark? Whatever the reason, Berwald didn't actually care. Gay friendly Scandinavian, indeed.

A few hours later, noticing that the light through his one small window was fading slowly, Berwald took out his pocket watch. It was the one item he owned now that had any value whatsoever, and also the one item that he could never part with. The old fashioned hands read four p.m. Berwald had not eaten since breakfast, too busy trying to get out of his old apartment before the deadline. So he kicked the last empty box into the corner and decided to brave going downstairs to forage for food.

Greenland and Faeroe had not moved from their spots on the couch. The television blasted a steady stream of awful afternoon game shows into the large, silent room. Berwald made his way to the kitchen, hoping fervently not to run into Denmark; he wanted to put that particular situation off as long as possible.

Entering the kitchen, the first thing Berwald noticed was that Denmark was not there. The next thing he noticed was that Tino was. Berwald's stomach seemed to dissolve into fluttering air. Looking up from stirring coffee on the centre bench, Tino gave a rather adorable squeak and backed up into the sink behind him. Berwald was the first to look away. "Uh… sorry for takin' yer bedroom."

"It's fine." Tino's fingers were turning white as he gripped the coffee mug. "I mean, that room is huge anyway."

Berwald nodded. All right. Good start. Tino seemed scared of him, but Berwald was used to that, and the Finn hadn't run screaming at least. "What are ye studyin'?" he asked, trying to be social. Being social took an effort.

Tino looked confused. He was wearing a blue polka-dot cardigan with an orange collar. "Studying?"

"At college."

"Oh, um…" Tino turned bright red and looked at his feet. His shoes matched today. "I'm still at high school."

"Oh." Berwald took a slightly shamed step backwards.

"I'm in my last year of high school, I mean, I've nearly finished. I'll be at college next year, maybe, if I'm accepted, though I've no idea what I'll study, science maybe? Anyway I've been friends with Ice for ages, so when I needed somewhere to stay he suggested I live here. Iceland is Norway's brother, you probably haven't met him yet. You must be confused about the names. You see, Denmark's kind of… a little… well, he's completely insane. It's really not that bad, but you must be a little overwhelmed, Denmark is a bit much, isn't he?" Tino spoke in a rush, staring at his matching shoes and gripping his coffee mug so tightly his hands shook. Berwald was completely captivated.

"I'm sorry. Am I talking too much? I talk too much when I get nervous. Not, I mean, that you make me nervous, except that you are kind of scary, and…" Tino trailed off, his face frozen in dismay. They stood in silence for a few moments before Tino finally looked up at Berwald and, seemingly at a loss for words, whispered, "Would you like a coffee?"

Berwald nodded and Tino slowly stepped forward, placed the mug on the bench, and carefully pushed it across the counter. Berwald couldn't stop his lips twitching in a tiny smile. "Th'nks."

"You're welcome," said Tino, still in a whisper. He immediately busied himself making another cup. Berwald tried not to stare. He was desperate to know, but Berwald did not ask why Tino would need a place to live while still at high school; that sounded like a difficult issue.

"What was I talking about?" Tino asked, adding powdered coffee granules to his mug. "The names just catch on, I guess. It's okay here. Kind of fun. Denmark was more than happy to add a Finn to his little Scandinavia. My family moved here from Finland when I was ten."

"Came fr'm Sweden when I was fifteen."

Tino met Berwald's gaze for a brief moment and smiled. Berwald's fluttering stomach turned a circle.

"Denmark is obviously Danish." Tino reached for the jug and poured. "Norway and Iceland's mother is Icelandic and their dad's Norwegian."

"And th'guys on th'couch?" Berwald asked, desperate to keep this conversation going, even as he realised that this was the most he had spoken in about a year.

Tino's forehead furrowed. "I have no idea, actually. I think they come with the house."

"Ah."

"So, um, do you go to college with Denmark and Norway?" Tino stirred copious spoonfuls of sugar into his coffee.

Berwald paused and looked down at his own drink. The question he hated answering. "No," he said hesitantly. "Work there. Gard'ner."

Tino's face lit up. "A gardener? You probably know lots about flowers. And you must, uh, dig a lot, too… With big, heavy shovels, and carry huge bales of hay, and wear those, um, denim overalls with the…" Tino's violet eyes drifted down Berwald's body before flying back up wildly. "I mean, do you like it?"

"Um." Berwald was used to a bad reaction when telling people his job. Tino just seemed… very interested. Berwald started to answer, but the back door swung open, so he drank his coffee instead. It was too sweet, and too hot, and the best coffee he had ever tasted.

"Afternoon Ice." Tino waved cheerfully. "This is our new housemate, Berwald."

Ice eyed Berwald over from head to toe and whistled lowly. "So you're Sweden. You really are a big boy, aren't you?"

Oh. Iceland. The guy on the phone. Berwald felt himself blush.

Iceland looked around the same age as Tino, with white hair, tight white pants, and a rather impressive pair of knee-high white boots. He crossed the room, opened the fridge, and slowly bent over to reach the bottom shelf. Berwald nearly dropped his mug. After a rather excessive amount of wriggling and shaking, Iceland finally straightened up and turned around with a can of coke in his hand. "Wow, this thing was really jammed in there." He winked at Berwald, then nodded at Tino. "Fin, hurry up if you want me to help with your math homework. I'm indisposed after six p.m."

"Sure." Tino hadn't seemed to have noticed Ice's display. Maybe he was just used to it. "What is the time?"

Berwald quickly pulled out his pocket watch, grateful for the distraction. "Almost four-th'rty."

Tino took a hesitant step closer to inspect the antique. "That's such a beautiful watch." He touched it briefly, and Berwald's fluttering, circling stomach threatened to burst. Then Tino smiled, and Berwald knew only that he was lost. "I'll see you later, then."

Berwald nodded, his mouth dry. "Later."

Ice gave Berwald a tiny wave and as he sashayed from the room. "Bye, big boy."

Once the two boys had left the room, Berwald let out a heavy breath and leant forward against the bench. He knew now that he was completely infatuated. That shy smile, the peculiar politeness, the way Tino spoke in a nervous rush without seeming to think about what he was saying. All of it spun in his head like a whirlwind of violet eyes and sugary coffee and orange penguins.

Berwald stayed in the relative safety of the kitchen for the next hour or so, grabbing something to eat and cleaning the massive pile of dishes in the sink. Only after the room was sparkling clean did he dare venture back into the living room. He quickly wished he hadn't.

"Sweden!" Denmark charged towards him, manic grin in place. "I'm glad we've caught you! We just have a couple of rules we have to go over, very important, won't take much of your time." Denmark grasped Berwald by the arm, led him to a couch, and practically threw him down on it. Berwald glared at him angrily. Usually that scared people, but Denmark just stood over him with folded arms.

"Denmark, honestly, do you have to do this every time?" Iceland entered the room from the back study and leant over an armchair. Tino hovered behind him, glancing apologetically at Berwald and mouthing something that looked like 'sorry'.

"Of course he does. It's one of the very few circumstances wherein he is able to cling to his vain delusions of power," muttered Norway. Berwald hadn't even noticed him sitting reading at the table behind them. "Pathetic."

"Ohhh, someone's upset they haven't had enough attention today!" said Denmark in a sing song voice. "Don't worry sugar, I'll give you an extra long foot massage before bed!"

Norway didn't look up from his copy of Sartre's 'Being and Nothingness.' "Touch my feet and I will kick you in the teeth with them."

"Poor cranky baby! I'm keeping you up too late at night, aren't I?"

"One day, Denmark. One day. You won't even see it coming."

"Silly Norge. Now." Denmark clapped his hands together. "House rules!"

Tino raised a hand hesitantly. "Um, Denmark, you scared off the last three housemates with this…"

"HOUSE RULES!" Denmark shouted over him. "Number one. Rent is due every Monday and goes in the little jar next to the fridge."

Berwald nodded. All right. Seemed sensible.

"Number two. No bringing home one nighters after two a.m."

Iceland winked at him and Berwald averted his eyes.

"Number three. If someone calls and asks what you are wearing, do not give them a detailed description of your current ensemble including fabric type and designer name and then get into an in depth discussion of current fashion trends. Yes, Fin, I am looking at you." Tino went red and ducked his head behind Iceland. "Just pass the phone to Ice."

Berwald felt himself blush again.

"Number four." Denmark was really getting into this. He looked like a politician on a podium. "Do not wander onto number 47's lawn. Switzerland tends to shoot first and ask questions later. Number five. No fraternising with the Russians next door." Denmark turned his head and muttered to himself, "Goddamn Russians always after Scandinavia."

"Um…" began Berwald.

"Number six! You may fraternise with the OTHER Guys Next Door, but don't feed the American or he'll never stop coming around, and don't let the British bloke near my beer fridge because the bastard still owes me a six-pack. Number seven. Don't ask about the axe in the shed. Number eight. Forget I mentioned rule number seven. Number nine. The eggs in the fridge with the smiley faces are mine. Do not eat them. Buy your own. Are you listening to this, Norge baby?"

Norway flipped Denmark the finger without looking up.

"Rule number ten: touch Iceland and I'll kill you. Rule number eleven: touch Finland and I'll kill you. Rule number twelve: touch Norway and he'll kill you. I'm serious about that one. Rule number thirteen: touch Greenland and Faeroe if you really must, I'm not gonna ask questions, it's not my place to judge."

"Hey!" came the voice of Greenland - or was it Faeroe - from the other couch.

"Rule number fourteen: if someone comes to the door and asks questions, the correct answer is, 'He is out of the country.' Rule number fifteen: under absolutely NO circumstances are you to play ABBA in this house. I understand that being Swedish this will be particularly difficult for you, but this is a dire proclamation, an ageless edict, and holy shit if you break this rule you are gonna…"

"Think I've got it," Berwald nearly shouted. This looked like it could go on all night. "If I have any quest'ns I'll ask."

Denmark flashed a grin. "Good thinking, Sweden. The rules are posted in the study, in Danish, Norwegian, Icelandic, Finnish, English, and Ancient Babylonian."

"Right. Good. Um. I'm g'nna go now." Berwald stood and rushed from the room as fast as he could without actually running.

Behind him he could hear Denmark laughing raucously. "Oh, he's gonna be fun."

"I'll say," Iceland agreed in a faintly worrying tone.

"I give him a day," Norway intoned flatly.

"Don't be mean, guys." Tino's voice was the last thing Berwald heard before he fled up the stairs. "He's nice. I like him… I think."

Next Chapter

Disclaimer: This story belongs to George deValier. Hetalia belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya. I own nothing.

#catch perfect chapter 2

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nordicssays · 6 years

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A hundred thank you !

So, this blog hit 100 followers recently ! To celebrate, here’s a new icon and Nordics sexual orientation headcanons, with an explanation for each of them.

There’s no surprise I put Sweden’s with the homosexual flag since it’s his canon orientation. But did you knew the flag colors' meaning ?

Red is for life and healing, orange for health and pride, yellow for light, green for nature, blue for serenity and harmony and violet for spirit. It’s also the flag used for the whole LGBTQ+ community.

Denmark : Bisexual. From the latin bi, two/twice, refers to people attracted to two different genders, generally male and female, but can also be used, in a looser definition, for male and nonbinary or female and nonbinary.

In the flag, pink refer to the same gender as the person and blue to the opposite sex. The purple band shows an attraction to both of them - the reason it’s so small is that the flag’s creator found bisexuals too neglected in the LGBTQ+ community : it also represent the little place they had in it.

Finland : Pansexual. From the greek πᾶν (pan), all, shows an attraction to all genders.

In the flag, blue represents people who identify within the male spectrum, pink to people who identify within the female spectrum (both regardless of biological sex), and yellow, people who don’t identify within the binary spectrum, nonbinary people.

Norway : Demi Homoflexible (Why should I make things simple ? After all, people are complex)

So, demi stands for demisexual, which it in-between sexual and asexual. Demisexals needs a deep emotional connection with someone before developping any kind of sexual attraction. It has nothing to do with the choice of waiting to know someone before doing anything with them.

The original demisexual flag (so not the one here) is a black triangle with white, purple and grey stripes, black being the symbol of asexuality, purple for the community, grey for in-between sexuality and asexuality and white for sexuality.

Homoflexible stands for someone mostly attracted to the same gender than his, but who might also be attracted, way more rarely, by another gender.

The original homoflexible flag is the homosexual flag with a thin band of heterosexual flag.

The flag is a mix between the demisexal flag (black triangle) and the homoflexible flag.

Ice : Straight LGBTQ+ ally. Here's a flag I learned about today, and It's a wonderful idea : it shows you don't need to have yourself a LGBTQ+ sexual orientation to support the community. And yes, I'm thinking of Iceland as straight.

The flag is the heterosexual flag (there's two types of heterosexual one) with a rainbow "A" for allies.

And here’s the new icon, simply these drawings combinated and without flags.

I hope I learned you something about the LGBTQ+ community today !

#aph finland #aph norway #aph denmark #aph iceland #aph sweden #aph nordics #illustrated post

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aprilskyforever · 6 years

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Henny ranks Eurovision 2018 (fifth and final edition, after the contest)

I still can’t believe it happened, that I actually was there. In the arena. I saw 34 of the 43 acts live, from one distance or another. 10 of them from both. Let me tell you this first: Gabe told me before the trip that all acts would be better live, and he was right. Live, even Russia and San Marino were good. But in this final ranking, I’ve taken all aspects in concern: studio before the show, preparties, sound and show live in the arena, sound and show on tv. And for some, it differs a lot between the factors. But i’ll get to that in the comments for each individual song. Now, let’s go!

1 Italy. My winner since the beginning, and it remained that way. I just feel too strongly for these two men and their song to let them be passed by someone else. I can’t do that. Even if Cyprus beats them in staging. Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente never fails to make me Feel stuff, it hits me right in my heart, and Ermal’s voice is like honey and a magnificent contrast to Fabrizio’s raspy tune. 2 Cyprus (+3). When the song was released I didn’t fully believe in it, due to the heavy autotune on the studio version. But I always thought, if Eleni can pull this off live, this can be really dangerous. She never got to prove her talent until the actual broadcast, and I don’t gamble, but after semi 1 I would have placed my bets on her. Flawless staging (my only complaint is that it was tad bit too much choreography in the first verse), Sacha proves once again what a pro she is. And Eleni, what a queen she is! Completely owning the stage. I stand in awe. 3 Czech Republic. I’m forever impressed by and soft for this man. Brilliant staging - when he did the jumps and flips in the end I completely lost it, I was blown away. Very slick staging and performance, and the song always makes me want to dance. Please, Czech TV, tell me that this wasn’t a once in a lifetime thing! 4 Ukraine (-2). Now, I’ll be honest. Albeit a cool staging, the song doesn’t quite hit me live as it does in studio. It might be that I don’t like Mélovin’s styling, that there’s too much going on on stage, that the bass isn’t as heave as it should be... who knows. I love him and I love the song, but there was just Something missing. 5 Sweden (-1). My man! You made me be proud of my country again! It’s funny, because I’ve never really liked Benji before, even if I’ve known about him since... well 2006? But there’s something about the song, his voice and moves, and the neon bed that makes me soften. Being so far behind in televote was rather painful, I must admit that. 6 Germany (+5). This made me tear up when I saw it in the arena. I haven’t lost my father or anything, but this was simply beautiful and Michael filled it with so much emotion, it was so impressive and it hit me right in the heart on an Italy level. It really deserved its high placing. 7 Israel (+8). She really knew how to get the party started. I’ll be honest and say it’s really not my favourite song and I’ve grown rather tired of it, but it will forever be associated with the moment on Praca do Commercio when Gabe realized it had won, the happiness on his face. And the singing along, how we waved the flag, how we danced, how everyone was looking at us. In that moment, I absolutely loved it. 8 Austria. One of the best songs of the year, without a doubt. In one way I understand why it did so well with the juries, it really is that kind of song, however, live, it didn’t really feel that... exciting? Tickling? In a way that a winner does. Doesn’t really hits your most inner core you know? 9 Denmark (+3). This song climbing is all thanks to the audience, to be honest. They made this song grow. All aboard the viking ship! Or as we say up here, alle man ombord! 10 Finland (-4). Still also one of my favourites this year in terms of song only, the Debs are one brilliant duo. Staging was cool, although it was sort of missing a red thread? It felt a little messy? But I still loved it. 11 Moldova (-2). Oh Julija, I’m so sorry to not fit them into the top 10! I promise I still love them, I love the staging, and I’m weak for the song. Only thing throwing me off is the mixing live, the levels don’t feel just right. 12 Norway (+4). This was the first song I heard live and I’m still weak for it. Really a great party starter. Rybak may not be very helpful with song writing tips, but he sure knows how to deliver a performance and how to charm an audience. 13 Switzerland (-6). Oh my darlings, my darlings I’m so sorry... I really wished I could have seen this in the final. I’ll forever be weak for Coco. 14 Hungary (+7). This year’s big grower! If I’m not mistaken, it started out as my dead last because heavy metal isn’t my genre at all. But then I actually gave the song a chance. And in the arena, good lord help me how good it was. On TV, not as much, but this was absolutely one of the coolest acts to see live. 15 Albania (+2). I adore him, I adore the staging for this, I adore the intro of the song. It sounds so promising and always puts me in a good mood, makes me anticipate something. The only bad thing is the chorus, that thing I’m anticipating, it never really comes you know? But he’s Turt’s favourite and meeting him will forever have a place in my heart. 16 Ireland (+4). I’m forever grateful to whoever came up with the idea to make the music video come alive on stage. It fits so perfectly and lifts the song to sky high levels. 17 Bulgaria (-3). It’s Solid. That’s what I’ve always said. Sounds like Skeletons, but where Skeletons is wandering in an eerie forest with a slight feeling of anxiety, yet anticipation, Bones is being more sure of what’s going on, it’s walking with a steady pace on a wide path, not being afraid of what the eerie forest hides. 18 Australia. Oh, she always makes me so happy, and so does the song. But the chorus still sounds like a bridge, and the dancing felt... not really right, I felt she was too alone on stage. Live, however, this was absolutely stunning. 19 France (-9). This is a sleek song, I do like the sound of it, but by now it has honestly become a bit boring. And I’m sorry. 20 Slovenia (+9). Her charisma, choreography and staging really made up for the underwhelming beat in the chorus that had always put me off before. Now, I didn’t mind it. Also a really good live song. 21 Portugal (-8). Everytime I hear this song, I still wait for it to take off fo real, and it never does. It’s so beautiful, it keeps growing, but it never blooms into the full garden that I expect. And that’s a shame. 22 Latvia (+2). Where Croatia did it wrong, Latvia did it right, in a way. Good angles, good song, she made it work by being alone on stage. Maybe she was a bit too stiff and choreographed though. 23 Belarus (-4). You know, I don’t mind the rose, nor do I mind the song at all. His whole performance was alright, but somewhere I understand why I didn’t qualify. 24 Montenegro (+2). Oh this sweet man! The gift that keeps on giving. He deserved better. 25 Netherlands (+15). This song is such a water divider for me. I’ve grown tired of it and him, but then when I heard it live and saw him on TV it actually wasn’t that bad? It’s like I couldn’t resist it? 26 Greece (-1). This is the best Greece has sent since... 2014. Yeah. But the semi was too strong and I’m honestly happy it stayed where it did. However I’m not happy with the fact that This Is Love qualified last year, and this didn’t. But that’s just how it be sometimes. 27 Spain (+6). When 5000 Spanish fans sing along, you can’t resist it yourself. It’s rather sweet, to be honest. 28 Belgium (-1). Whoever staged and styled this number must be fired asap. Sennek looked like a ghost from a prison cell instead of the elvish and sophosticated lady I got to know in the video. Shame on such a beautiful song. 29 Lithuania (+1). Sure, it’s sweet, but it never hit me like it seemed to do to others. 30 Azerbaijan (-8). It felt... plastic. Detached. Without sincereness, if that’s even a word. But do you get what I mean? 31 Armenia. Beautiful, but it just did nothing for me. 32 Estonia. No, I don’t deny talent and I will recognize and admit the staging was stunning. But it dosen’t make up for the fact that I’ve never liked the song itself, and knowing the lyrics sound ridiculous to someone who speaks Italian, it just adds to it. 33 United Kingdom (+6). Also irresistable live! SuRie really is a very talented artist who deserves a much, much better song that Storm. 34 Poland (-11). I’ve always thought this was alright and it has always put me in a good mood, but after seeing it on TV I cringed a lot, Lukas vocals were far from where they should have been and so was his confidence. And Gromee himself? He felt very awkward. Like a dad who crashes his teenage girls birthday disco to dance along and embarrasses his daughter beyond limits. I shrug, in a bad way. 35 Serbia. This song is a bit all over the place and that really does put me off. Like it’s not... bad, but it doesn’t convince me. 36 Romania (-2). Solid, like Bulgaria, but far from as interesting. And what on earth was that staging? 37 Malta (+1). Cool staging, but I’ve never liked the song and I probably never will. 38 Georgia (-10). Sure it’s beautiful, but this song being in Eurovision just feels so... off? And the staging was so uninteresting. 39 Croatia (-3). Franka, darling, why did you have to be so attached to your mic stand? And being alone on stage? Bad choice. Didn’t help to make the song interesting like it should. 40 Iceland (+1). Oh my boy, my sweet sweet boy... you, like SuRie, really deserved a better song. Please come back with that ok? 41 San Marino (+2). So the song is horrible, but live this was actually kinda fun. Not to mention I love the robots with their signs. Amazing. 42 FYR Macedonia (-5). Man... Macedonia disappoints with staging and styling again. Can someone fire whoever is in charge already? My barbara dex winner by a mile, and I never liked the song to begin with either. 43 Russia (-1). You know, live it didn’t sound so bad. But on TV? Good lord help me. And lord help Yulia. Shame on Russian TV for treating her like this.

And there you have it! I had an absolute blast this season and it will, for very obvious reasons, always have a special place in my heart. Now set sail, and cross the Mediterranian, and we’ll see you again Israel!

#eurovision ranking #eurovision #esc #eurovision 2018 #aprilskyforever

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