Pilafhead

Good. And you?

I didn't know they had a new one! The first one (?) isn't the best album ever, but I like it because it's different. Arto can do no wrong in my book.

My best guess Soude soude soude soude Amen pan soude Ice ashodeese metch Amen-a pan soude

Good old Arsenal, Good old Arsenal, we're proud to say that name. And while we sing this song, we'll win the game. Go Gunners!

Yes. Insecurity. The better you feel about yourself/your relationship, the less jealous you are. Jealousy is a natural feeling and is OK. Acting out based upon it is not OK.

At a minimum, I believe Armenians should not give up on having recognition be a top priority as long as there are survivors still alive. We owe it to them to continue to seek recognition in their lifetimes. Where I see the problem is that we're letting a few decades in our centuries of history define us. Armenian History <> the genocide. And as a practical matter, the US has way too many priorities with respect to Turkey that are going to stand in the way of anything significant ever being done. Sad but true. I agree, but there are some differences. Armenians do not continue to portray themselves as victims and most of us are not seeking anything beyond historical recognition. The Jews on the other hand, have the history books in their favor but they continue to somewhat portray themselves as victims--and in many ways, rightly so. Jews continue to be hated and persecued. When you've got neo-Nazis and other vehement anti-semitics walking the globe, you have a need and a right to wave your victim banner.

If so, how was it? I want System to play small places again. The Greek is too big.

Bump for Hokis! What ever happened to them?

Cool write up. I think Nune is one of the few current Armenian artists that's any good. I've seen her once live and she was incredible. I wondered how that show was so, thanks!

Interesting. Two of my favorite Armenian songs. Thanks for the article. Given that he wrote those two (is this disputed at all?), I need to read up on him.

Wow, her Joyous Light album sounds AWESOME! THANKS!!! I need to get that!!!!!!!!!!!! P.S. HI BOGHOS!

A lot of releases on the Traditional Crossroads label are excellent and I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend them. http://www.traditionalcrossroads.com/ Everyone should own the CD they put out of Komidas himself singing and playing piano. http://www.traditionalcrossroads.com/image/4275.jpg

I was there; what happened?

I agree. Arto is great, but Serart sucks. When I heard he and Serj were doing a CD together, I was excited but when I heard it, I was very disappointed. IMO, Arto's albums Onno and Tears Of Dignity are his best. Both were done with Ara Dinkjian and released only in Greece (I think) by Libra Music.

Djivan Gasparyan's I Will Not Be Sad In This World

Komitas' Divine Liturgy is good if you're looking for emotional church music. The Choir of St. Gayane have a CD of it out on New Albion Records.

Add a century to your range and you can start with the work of Sayat Nova.

Most of you probably don't know him, but he was originally part of Teardrop Explodes in the late 70's and early 80's, and then went solo. Anyway, the reason I mention him is that he's really into ancient mystical sites and he recently completed a trip to Armenia. It's pretty interesting to read a British modern hippie's travelog. Check it out here http://www.headheritage.co.uk/addressdrudion/ If the article is not about Armenia, look at the list on the left.

Right after Armenian music, I'd say Turkish and Brazilian are my next favorite. Actually, even the Armenian music I prefer is closer to Turkish than traditional "pure" Armenian stuff (whatever pure means ). And if liking Turkish music pisses some people off, when was the last time musicians supported the actions of their government? And besides, much of the classic Turkish folk music was written and performed by Armenians under pseudonyms.

Of course, Zep and Hendrix are great, but yeah, I too wouldn't call them metal. Nairi: Thanks! Sasun: Sepultura (with Max) and Soulfly are two of my favorite groups of the last 5-10 years! Max was pretty much the reason I recently picked up guitar*. Which is actually funny, because Max isn't really that great of a guitarist. I just like the way he's mixed more traditional Brazilian music with metal (I love Brazilian music). When SOAD first came out I thought, "Finally, someone can mix Armenian music with modern music like Sepultura did for Brazilian stuff!!" SOAD haven't incorporated it as much..YET! *For those who remember that I was trying to learn the oud: Yeah, I gave it up. Too hard. A guitar is much easier. All: I like all kinds of music. Talk about any you want! Anyone into Black Label Society? I've been listening to Blessed Hellride a lot lately. I wish the vocals were better, but Zakk kicks ass.

I've been a metal fan since before each of you were born! You name it, I like it: classic metal, speed metal, black metal, death metal, doom. It's all great. SOAD are great because they're different. I love Serj's Dead Kennedy-like vocals mixed with nu metal stuff. And Daron's into all kinds of stuff from Beatles to Mayhem and it shows. They're definitely different from the rest of the down-tuned sludge bands. And I agree with Sasun that Metallica are up near the top of all time greats. Yeah, Re-Load sucked but they've got enough other great albums that more than make-up for it. Of the classic speed metal bands, only Metallica and Slayer have kept up the good work. Anthrax and Megadeth only had a couple of truly great albums, with the rest being shite. I agree that St. Anger was a letdown but that doesn't mean everything from Kill Em' All to Garage Inc isn't top-notch. http://www.blackmetal.com/images/eurosmall.gif

In case any of you are interested, before the album came out, a free CD was circulated with some remixes on it including a mega-mix of the whole album.

Yup, it's me! Thanks. Hey, I saw Daron from the SOAD at the Kings games a lot last season. Never did get the chance to speak to him though.

Hey Boghos!, Where have I been? I dunno. Just working and being a dad, I guess! Otherwise, same old, same old.