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Conflux Cornucopia Cerebellum Cocktail Hour: Episode #041-Overthrowing the Kingdom Within (A concept album by an imaginary band.)

May 20, 12am

Podcasts

This set of music is put together to be interpreted as single band generating a concept album. A double album rooted in the phenomena of multiple personality disorder. The characters are linked to the central persona referred to as “King”. Some personalities praise/fear/respect/protect the “King” as a form of self-preservation, others wish to slay the “King” and assume control, and few outliers that simply want to jump in the driver’s seat from time to time. There’s a hint of an external relationship with a possible lover/therapist that is engaging with these personas.
Even though I am presenting all the lyrical content here, this concept may seem a bit of stretch, and I suppose the imagination needs to be stretched to engage in this as I have intended it. Hopefully you will allow yourself the illusion and consider this, at the very least, a good soundtrack to a movie, and at best, the work of single artist.
The Imaginary Band goes by the name: Obsidian Masque and the album title is Overthrowing the Kingdom Within.

(NOTE: Obsidian Masque is the name of a real band, MINE, and though it is currently not active, it is nonetheless NOT Available to use.) I have allowed my radio persona the privilege of its use for this……ok…I know that sounds a little nuts, but I did come up with this story…..

Set List (Credits)
1. MIC BREAK INTRO: The Frail by Nine Inch Nails from the Fragile. (1:54)
2. The Bronze by Queens of the Stone Age from Stone Age Compilations. (3:42)
3. 02 Panic Room by Riverside from Rapid Eye Movement. (5:30)
4. Sure You Will by OSI from Free. (3:46)
5. The Avalanche by Vola from Homesick Machinery. (5:17)
6. Mr. Compromise by Odd Logic from A Penny for Your Thoughts. (3:12)
7. They Whisper by Beardfish from the Void. (6:09)
8. Voices by Alice in Chains from the Devil Put Dinosaurs Here. (5:43)
9. Normal by Porcupine Tree from Nil Recurring. (7:08)
10. MIC BREAK: Gold Distance by Between the Buried and Me from Automata 1. (1:02)
11. Cold Dark Place by Mastodon from Cold Dark Place. (5:59)
12. Opal by Soen from Lykaia. (6:44)
13. We Are by Karnivool from Asymmetry. (5:55)
14. King by Tesseract from Sonder. (6:56)
15. Culling Voices by Tool from Fear Inoculum. (10:05)
16. The Vampyre of Time and Memory by Queens of the Stone Age from ….Like Clockwork. (3:35)
17. MIC BREAK: Eon Blue Apocalypse by Tool from Lateralus. (1:05)
18. Oceania by Smashing Pumpkins from Oceania. (9:07)
19. Alone at Sea by the Pineapple Thief from Magnolia. (5:21)
20. Chlorine and Wine by Baroness from Purple. (6:49)
21. Harvest by Opeth from Blackwater Park (5:59)
22. Lunatic Soul by Lunatic Soul from Lunatic Soul. (6:47)
23. FAREWELL MIC BREAK: MK 1 by Radiohead from In Rainbows Disk 2. (1:03)
24. ADVERTISMENT: Spud Beer by SNL. (1:00)

Obsidian Masque: Overthrowing the Kingdom Within

THE FRAIL (INSTR.) (Nine Inch Nails)

THE BRONZE (Queens of the Stone Age)
I been waiting
Waiting under things that rise in the morning
I been holding
Holding back so long
You can own it, take it off my hands, do me a favor
Nothin’ wasted
Just fingerfucked and busted up all at once
I’m so lost out on the highway
With no direction left to go
Everyday sit up and wonder
Where it was I started from
The more you’ve found the less you’ve been around

02 PANIC ROOM (Riverside)
Used to be my Panic Room
The other side of me
Where I slept and woke by turns
And nothing seemed real
I was feeding on your life
Peering through the hole
And it scared me out
Someday
You would knock on my door
Sweet shelter of mine
I’m freezing without
Sweet shelter of mine
I’m dying without
Cover up my twisted thoughts
Shattered all around
Muffled sounds
Recurring dreams
Melatonin smile
Used to be my 302
The other side of light
Trap of my own
That helped me deal
With what I lost inside
Sweet shelter of mine
I’m freezing without
Sweet shelter of mine
I’m dying without
Sweet shelter of mine
***
I’ve tried to make self-portraits before
But they always turn out so contrived
I’ve spent too much time
Correcting light and shade

Hiding wrinkles
Blurring scars
I’ve tried to make self-portraits before
Through my eyes
Just see myself
Now I know
I’m not in denial
That I need someone else
To see me

SURE YOU WILL (OSI)
First
I bit you and spit you out
When there was a doubt
Now
I’m calling you when I can
What is a man?
I did it my way
I did it my way
I did it my way on the highway highway
Be yourself
By yourself
Get yourself a little green pasture
Keep yourself
To yourself
Save yourself
Sure you will sure you will sure
Give take
Crowd control
Can get in my way when I’m starting my day
Teamwork
Self-control
Was making me blue so I knew what I had to
Did it my way
I did it my way
I did it my way on the highway highway
Be yourself
By yourself
Drive yourself a little bit faster
Keep yourself
To yourself
Sure you will sure you will sure

THE AVALANCHE (Vola)
Do you wonder why you wake up with your head inside a flame?
Do you even care to notice the strings you bear?
Did you ever grab the centuries applying to your name?
The avalanche has spoken, what do you hear?
Run all the way, let me feel the earth come down
Crawl as you fade, and we feel the earth come down
Do you wonder why you wake up with a blade upon your skin?
Cutting every frame you follow and every fear
Would you tie a rope around the sun to see the march begin? The avalanche has spoken what do you hear?
Run all the way, let me feel the earth come down
Crawl as you fade, and we feel the earth come down

MR. COMPROMISE (Odd Logic)
I am, the one you want to know
Ask me anything and I will tell them
My whisper echoes everywhere they go
Arbitrator of the mind and soul

I beg for outcomes unheard of
I plead for things I’m not sure of
One day all sides may agree to love
Say you will and this ends

I live in middle ground
Where the mind’s always moving against the world
Faces and personalities
All sides defending the voices coming in

I beg for outcomes unheard of
I plead for things I’m not sure of
One day all sides may agree to love
Say you will and this ends
Searching for you, stumbling through night
Scaling cliff sides, wondering where you hide
Searching for you, meddling for light
Probing for life, seeking where you hide
Searching for you

THEY WHISPER (Beardfish)
I’m circling your conscience
Tip tap toeing slowly
Any day now

You dream the wildest dreams
The kind that fly by night
Any day now

And then when morning comes
You can’t tell me where you’ve been
Any day now you’ll let me in

There’s no way of reasoning
With a primeval mind
And the harder i try, the harder I will fall
And she’ll be running when the voices call
They whisper her name from somewhere
Hiding in clouds of conductive air
Though I’m kicking and screaming
I know she’ll leave me here
To whom it may concern
Let in the morning light
I’m drawn back in to your world
Where depression is king
You speak of dying stars
You say they started wars
Any day now

I crawl by your feet to heal
The powers you don’t know that you hold
Are the ones I can steal
Any day now you’ll let me in
You’ll let me in
You’ll let me in

To whom it may concern
Let in the morning light
I’m drawn back in to your world
Where depression is king

And I shall forever burn

VOICES (Alice in Chains)
Who am I, is this me
Am I one of the team
I’ve gone cold, hard to deal
Used to stand where I kneel
Everybody listen
Voices in my head
Everybody listen
Does yours say what mine says
I want more, than I need
I don’t know what is real
Everybody listen
Voices in my head
Everybody listen
Does yours say what mine says
Anytime I listen
Voices in my head
Everybody listen
Does yours say what mine says
Whispering their names, faces, uniforms I’ve worn
And now that is gone
Always climbing, to fall down again
Holding onto everything that’s not what it seems
I’ve been told, dreaming’s free
Think I’ll go back to sleep
Everybody listen
Voices in my head
Everybody listen
Does yours say what mine says
Anytime I listen
Voices in my head
Everybody listen
Does yours say what mine says
Calling out the names, faces, uniforms I’ve worn
And all that is gone
Always climbing, to fall down again
Holding onto everything that’s not what it seems

NORMAL (Porcupine Tree)
Here is my car, my phone and my TV
I’ve got it all, but you can see through me
But am I here? It’s kind of hard to tell
I do a good impression of myself
But what’s normal now anyhow?
Sullen and bored the kids stay
And in this way wish away each day
Stoned in the mall the kids play
And in this way wish away each day
Prescription drugs, they help me through the day
And that restraining order keeps me well at bay
And what’s normal now, anyway?
Sullen and bored the kids stay
And in this way wish away each day
Stoned in the mall the kids play
And in this way wish away each day
Sullen and bored the kids stay
And in this way wish away each day
Stoned in the mall the kids play
And in this way wish away each day
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little

GOLD DISTANCE (Instr.) (Between the Buried and Me)

COLD DARK PLACE (Mastodon)
I love your face and the things that you do
Make me warm sometimes when I’m away
I guess you’d say that at the end of the day
You’ll be the only person here that exists
You left my heart in some cold dark place
Where your love grows on a vine and I see it all the time
I didn’t mean a word that I said
When I was lying to your face about being alone
I’ve gone away forever
I’ve gone away
I’ve gone away forever
I’ve gone away
I reach out to touch you baby
You’re not there
You reach out to hold my hand
Please don’t you dare
‘Cause I’ve gone away forever
I’ve gone away
I’ve gone away forever
I’ve gone away
I reach out to hug you baby
You’re not around
You reach out to kiss my face
Please not right now
What can I say that hasn’t been said before
One hundred times before you took the dog
And I wish I knew how to breathe again
I fear I’m gonna die inside my skin
This has gotta be the last time that we fight
Or go at each other’s throats
Will you go, as I want to mend?

OPAL (Soen)
In your heart lies a devotion for starting pyres
To drown your brother within the mire
You pledged allegiance to gold
In your art, your words laid out in a vacuous manner
The mind is there but the soul is absent
With smoke and mirrors you reign
Time will show
Throwing your own
Into the fire
Vengeance comes
One day we’ll form a
Tidal wave
Come rushing all over and
Come tear down this wall of lies until nothing remains
Turn away, beware don’t be led astray
By vultures that turn our temple to a house of trade
Sleeper kin
A popinjay with a gaudy plumage
Proclaiming lies like a gutless coward
Until your senses are numb
Tidal wave
Come rushing all over and
Come tear down this wall of lies until nothing remains
Turn away, beware don’t be led astray
By vultures that turn our temple to a house of trade
And I know
Yes I know
That all this little things
Are coming back to haunt you
They’ll tear you down in the end
Colliding with your dreams
And burning all you stand for
Turn away, don’t be led astray
From false perceptions
No more lies, no more disguise
No false pretenders
Stand your ground
Don’t wander away
Don’t fall apart
Ask yourself, in trouble
Am I my brother’s keeper

WE ARE (Karinvool)
I know there’s something wrong stop making it up
We’re too proud to see we’ve lost more than our trust
And now there’s nothing left, well’s dead and dried up
Its disease has left a foul taste in our cup
It just keeps on flowing
And we drift on knowing
It just keeps on flowing
This babble from our mouth
Who we are I fear most of the time
Carry on shuffling in order and in line
Who we are I fear most of the time
Carry on whipping boy, stare into the light
Stare into the light
And it feels familiar for good reason
I want us to break the case we’re in
With one of the tools of this catatonic skin
Remove all the parts
I want us to face the shape we’re in
A world of confusion awaits our sons and kin
Lets reset it all
Lets reset it all
Well it stings and it hurts, is this how it’s meant to be
Well it stings and it hurts, is this how it’s meant to be
Well it stings and it hurts, a small price to pay to be
In control and rebirth what our future’s meant to be
Who we are I fear most of the time
So carry on whipping boy, stare into the light
I want us to face the shape we’re in
A world of confusion awaits our sons and kin
Let’s reset it all (we are, we are, we are)
Let’s reset it all (we are, we are, we are)
These words of wisdom come with lack of vision
This is the first day I’ve ever had to stand and witness
These words of wisdom come with lack of vision
This is the first day I’ve ever had to stand and witness
These words of wisdom come with lack of vision
This is the first day I’ve ever had to stand and witness
These words of wisdom come with lack of vision
This is the first day I’ve ever had to stand and witness
These words of wisdom come with lack of vision
This is the first day I’ve ever had to stand and witness

KING (Tesseract)
You died within me
The boatmen came to sail me down the river
Bind me up with visions of a blind man
I operate this way
Turn nothing into gold
Death on such an ugly day
You dine like a king on top of the world
You show us all
That forgiveness is the weakest call
And now revenge
Against that grudge inside your tiny head
Remove the crown of absolution
Let the retribution fly
The king has all the king has all
But words can kill and maim and take their toll
And you massacre my dreams at night
And eat away at every thought
Until we take control
The king has all totalitarian and carnivore
Bow down submit to me and kiss the ground
Until it’s safe to breathe and coexist again
Bow down submit to me and kiss the ground
Until it’s safe to live and coexist again
They’re taking away the freedom to be just you
They’re taking away the freedom to be just you
They’re taking away the freedom to be just you
They’re taking away the freedom to be just you
But the sun always shines for you
They’re taking away the freedom to be just you
You’d kill to find me
But the crown above my head is deadly
They’re taking away the freedom to be just you
They’re taking away the freedom to be just you

CULLING VOICES (Tool)
Disembodied voices deepen my
Suspicious tendencies
Conversations we’ve never had
Imagined interplay
Psychopathy
Don’t you dare point that at me
Heated altercations we’ve never had
so I’m told
Yet guided by them all
Every single one
Psychopathy
Misleading me over and over and over
Judge, condemn, and banish any and everyone
Without evidence
Only the whispers from within
Psychopathy
Misleading me over and over
Psychopathy
Misleading me over and over and over
Don’t you dare point that at me
Don’t you dare point that at me
Don’t you dare point that at
Don’t you dare
Don’t you dare
Don’t you dare point that
Don’t you dare
Don’t you dare
Don’t you dare point that at

THE VAMPYRE OF TIME AND MEMORY (Queens of the Stone Age)
I want God to come and take me home
‘Cause I’m all alone in this crowd
Who are you to me? Who am I supposed to be?
Not exactly sure anymore
Where’s this going to? Can I follow through?
Or just follow you for a while?
Does anyone ever get this right?
I feel no love
Ain’t no confusion here, it is as I feared
The illusion that you feel is real
To be vulnerable is needed most of all
If you intend to truly fall apart
You think the worst of all is far behind
The vampire of time and memories has died
I survived. I speak, I breathe,
I’m incomplete
I’m alive – hooray!
You’re wrong again
‘Cause I feel no love
Does anyone ever get this right?
Does anyone ever get this right?
I feel no love, I feel no love

AEON BLUE APOCALYPSE (Instr.) (Tool)

OCEANIA (Smashing Pumpkins)
No one can love you
‘Cause no one can free you
Lovers can’t touch you
‘Cause lovers might reach you, yeah
I’m so alone, so alone
But better than a wretched world
Better than a broken pearl
I’m so alone, so alone
Better than I ever was
Better than a just laid cause
Night may keep you sworn
May bring you storms
From chest to stern
The journey’s blessed
The warnings circumspect
With dreams I’ve had
With dreams I’ve had
And still she’s gone
And still she’s gone
Night will fill your rest
Negate you best
With dreams I’ve had
With dreams I’ve had
Oh would I follow you
How could I have ever doubted you?
Sweet baby, nurture me
Sweet lady, if you please
Try the way on me
Try the way on me
Try the way on me
Just try the way on me
Try the way
Skirt the cliffs of your illusion
Find the faith on me
My mistake as the last remaining soldier
Was to take the place of you
Love the way
Love the way and learn
Try the way
Cast off your indecision
Face to face we breathe
Try the way
Cast off your indecision
Face to face we breathe

ALONE AT SEA (The Pineapple Thief)
This is our time
What’s to live for?
This is our time
Nothing more
Look to the sky
It cannot help you
It all melts away
In our drug addled minds
Oh, who cares, who cares?
Oh, who cares, who cares?
Give me your hand
And lets take it
Give me your hand
And we’ll dance to the end
Oh, who cares, who cares?
Oh, who cares
What’s on the other side
You and me
Alone at sea
And I know
We know
This is suicide
You can see
It’s you and me
So hold on, hold on
To this suicide
Give me your hand
And I’ll take it
Give me your hand
And let’s dance to the end
Oh, who cares, who cares?
Oh, who cares
What’s on the other side
You and me
Alone at sea
And I know
We know
This is suicide
You can see
It’s you and me
So hold on, hold on
To this suicide

CHLORINE AND WINE (Baroness)
When I called on my nursemaid
Come sit by my side
But she cuts through my rib cage
Pushes the pills deep in my eyes
(Eyes, eyes, eyes…)
The taste was much sweeter
Than chlorine and wine
And my doctor’s unable
Cut through the cable
Leads to my mind
(Mind, mind, mind…)
In spite of the winter
There’s ways to keep warm
Whatever you give me
Please know that I’ll
Ask you for more
(More, more, more…)
The day I stopped swimming
Came out of the tide
I’d never felt so uncomfortably numb
Here by your side
(Side, side, side…)
Black rose on the bed
Turning to fire
Black rose in the vein
Shine in your eye
Please
Don’t lay me down
Under the rock where I found
My place in the ground
Hope for the fathers and sons
Black rose on the bed
Turning to fire
Black rose in the vein
Shine in your eye
Please
Don’t lay me down
Under the rocks where I’ve found
My place in the ground
Hope for the fathers and sons

HARVEST (Opeth)
Stay with me awhile
Rise above the vile
Name my final rest
Poured into my chest
Into the orchard, I walk peering way past the gate
Wilted scenes for us who couldn’t wait
Drained by the coldest caress
Stalking shadows ahead
Halo of death
All I see is departure
Mourner’s lament but it’s me who’s the martyr
Pledge yourself to me
Never leave me be
Sweat breaks on my brow
Given time ends now
Into the orchard, I walk peering way past the gate
Wilted scenes for us who couldn’t wait
Drained by the coldest caress
Stalking shadows ahead
Halo of death
All I see is departure
Mourner’s lament but it’s me who’s the martyr
Spirit painted sin
Embers neath my skin
Veiled in pale embrace
Reached and touched my face
Into the orchard, I walk peering way past the gate
Wilted scenes for us who couldn’t wait
Drained by the coldest caress
Stalking shadows ahead
Halo of death
All I see is departure
Mourner’s lament but it’s me who’s the martyr

LUNATIC SOUL (Lunatic Soul)
I can’t describe what’s going on with me
A different nature moving rapidly
Being halfway here and halfway somewhere else
My whole life starts to flash in front of me
I’m overwhelmed in joy, quiet and peace
All words I know are three-dimensional
I feel all troubles are gone
I feel all troubles are gone
Timelessness, ineffability
I glimpse the spirits of my relatives
I see the others, the being of light
Shifting through a tunnel, long and dark
I regret all those things that I had left undone
And I wish I could fix everything that was wrong
I wish I could tell you how sorry I am
This is not the end
It’s the start of something that I’m really scared of
That I’m scared to life
I’m scared to life
I’m scared to life
I’m scared to life

MK 1 (Instr.) (Radiohead)

Conflux Cornucopia Cerebellum Cocktail Hour: Episode #019: Return of the Mute Aunts

November 20, 12am

Podcasts

Welcome back fellow Alchemists and Confluxians. Show #19 is a return. Return of the Mute Aunts and maybe a rogue Uncle or 2. Complete set of instrumental music mostly consisting of jazz fusion, funk and progressive rock/metal.
So, not much left to say…..here’s the set list.

1. MIC INTRO: Fritha (1:19) by Camel from The Snow Goose (1975) Progressive Rock
2. Pulsar (7:19) by Alco Frisbass from Le Mystere du Gue Pucelle (2021) Jazz Fusion/Art Rock
3. Monomyth (3:27) by Animals as Leaders from Monomyth (single) (2021) Metal/Djent
4. MIC BREAK: Moon (1:21) by Chon from Grow (2015) Rock
5. American Jingo (4:04) by Attention Deficit from The Idiot King (2001) Jazz Fusion
6. Fly (5:20) by Lettuce from Fly (2012) Funk/Jazz
7. MIC BREAK: Boe Zaah (1:41) by Mac DeMarco from 2 (2012) Indie Rock
8. Xavi (9:31) by Snarky Puppy from Immigrance (2019) Jazz Fusion
9. First Train (7:37) by Automatism from Immersion (2020) Krautrock/Psychedelic Rock
10. Akakabotu (5:41) by Beardfish from Mammoth (2010) Progressive Rock
11. MIC BREAK: Brother John (2:11) by Joe Satriani from Not of This Earth (1986) Rock
12. Pintao (4:36) by Monkey3 from The 5th Sun (2013) Psychedelic Rock
13. Headphone Dust (6:19) by I.E.M (Incredible Expanding Mindfuck) from I.E.M. (1996) Psychedelic/Krautrock
14. MIC BREAK: Somalia (1:40) by Al DiMeloa from Electric Rendezvous (1981) Jazz
15. Inspired Weak (8:24) by Uncle Moe’s Space Ranch from Uncle Moe’s Space Ranch (2001) Jazz Fusion
16. Smuggler’s Corridor (8:11) by The Aristocrats from Tres Caballeros (2015) Jazz Fusion
17. MIC BREAK: For Absent Friends (2:17) by Opeth from Deliverance (2002) Metal
18. Control Mouse (4:28) by Isobar from Isobar (2020) Jazz Fusion/Progressive Rock
19. Skeletons at the Feast (6:34) by Spock’s Beard from Spock’s Beard (2006) Progressive Rock
20. Reality Dream (6:15) by Riverside from Out of Myself (2004) Progressive Metal
21. MIC BREAK: FX (1:39) by Black Sabbath from Black Sabbath Volume 4 (1972) Heavy Metal Pioneers
22. Red (6:46) by King Crimson from Live in Toronto 2015 (2015) Progressive Rock Pioneers
23. Shaman’s Whisper (6:33) by Gordian Knot from Emergent (2003) Progressive Rock
24. FAREWELL MIC BREAK: Chili and Karen at Sunset (1:21) by John Lurie from the Get Shorty Soundtrack (1995) Jazz
25. Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar (5:38) by Frank Zappa from Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar (Live) (1980) Art Rock

Conflux Cornucopia Cerebellum Cocktail Hour: Episode #018: Bloody Mary’s!: A Metal Mix to Cure Your Iron Deficiency.

November 13, 2am

Podcasts

Hello fellow Alchemists and Confluxians. Yes…there in terrible epidemic in our country. Iron deficiency. Did you know, that Metal music is the dominant form of music world wide….everywhere except here….where some of the greatest metal of all time was generated?. So to help cure that iron deficiency I am bringing a healthy dose thought this tasty Bloody Mary Metal Mix featuring Metal music from all over the world. Though I listen to a great deal of non metal music, I still find that the most inclusive and explorative styles of music that seeks to include these other styles is Metal, the other is jazz, which is why this show is typically glued together with combination of jazz and metal and it’s peripheral content.

Lyrics, and band information and set list below.

Set List:
1. OPENING MIC: Crooked Mile (0:42) by Baroness from Gold & Grey (2019) Savanah, Georgia, USA. 2003-Present. New record pending in 2022.
2. Opponent (5:44) by Soen from Lotus (2019) Global supergroup featuring members from Testament, Opeth, Death, Sadus, Amon Armath & Avatarium 2010-Present
3. Hand in Heart (8:30) by Opeth from In Cauda Venenum (2019) Stockholm, Sweden 1989-Present. Touring now with Mastodon. Oakland on December 2nd at the Fox Theatre…..see you there if you dare.
4. MIC BREAK: Affinity.exe (1:24) by Haken from Affinity
5. Initiate (4:16) by Haken from Affinity (2016) London, England. 2007- Present, last record Virus released during the pandemic…..no conspiracy theories please…haha.
6. Mirage (6:49) by Leprous from Malina (20167) Notodden, Norway 2001 to Present (Also this group plays as the back up band for Ihsahn much like the Eagles did for Linda Rondstadt….except they still do it and they were a band before joining with Ihsahn…..so…not exactly…more the THE BAND, you know..with Bob Dylan….completely different world…sort of but not really.
7. MIC BREAK: Prebirth (1:11) by Lunatic Soul from Lunatic Soul (2008) Warsaw, Polland. Side project of Mariusz Duda, front man and bassist from the band Riverside. 8 records by Lunatic Soul amidst 7 Riverside releases. The man is certainly busy and writes some fantastic music.
8. Stratego (5:00 by Iron Maiden from Senjutsu (2021) London, England 1975-Present. Eddie gets a ninja makeover for this record and it’s super cool. Although nearly every metal enthusiast and historian will agree that Black Sabbath are the Godfathers of Metal, it’s clear that Iron Maiden has risen the bar to new level and have spawned the expansive evolution of the genre with nearly all sub genres owing their earliest roots to Iron Maiden, or to a band who does for some of the newer bands. Amist the immense landscape of options, Maiden still remain and intense draw. 46 years and still going.
9. Amozonia (5:01) by Gojira from Fortitude (2021) Ondres, Landes, Fance 1996-Present Originally went as Godzilla until legally challenged to change the name to which they to the Ramanji version of the name Gojira. This band is highly focused on the ecological damage humans have inflicted on the Earth and are strong activists supporting energy reform as well as animal rights. Their music is potent and carries a strong message.
10. Sickle and Peace (6:18) by Mastodon from Hushed and Grim (2021) Atlanta, Georgia, USA. 2000-Present. Mastodon has slowly risen to become on of the most prominent and influential metal bands around and are no co-headlining on tour with the legendary Opeth.
11. MIC BREAK: Cancer/Moonspeak (1:45) by Rivers of Nihil from Where Owls Know My Name
12. The Silent Life (6:35) by Rivers of Nihil from Where Owls Know My Name (2018) Reading, Pennsylvania, USA 2009-Present. An intriguing progressive death metal band that uses saxophone to elevate their sound.
13. One Less Enemy (5:18) by Ihsahn from Amr (2018) Nottoden, Norway. 2006-Present Founding member of the Black Metal Band Emperor, moved on to other efforts after two other members got themselves incarcerated for some heinous crimes. Remerged with the Band Pecculum before going solo.
14. Infinite Shapes (4:57) by Cynic from Kindly Bent to Free Us (2014) 1987-1994, 2006-2021-? Miami, Florida, USA. One of the original Death Metal bands to emerge from the late 80’s early 90’s Florida death metal scene, the band provided a unique sound with the jazz style fretless bass stylings of Sean Malone infusing jazz with metal and other music forms giving birth to more progressive avenue for the genre. Unfortunately, 2020 saw the loss of drummer Sean Reinhart and Sean Malone leaving the band’s core without its heart beat. The album due to arrive on November 26th this year will be the final album by Cynic presumably. Recently, it was revealed that Sean Malone’s death was by suicide. The proceeds from the new album are going to be dedicated to the prevention of suicide.
15. MIC BREAK: Joshua Light Show (1:52) by Steve Stevens from Memory Crash (2008) New York, New York, USA. Most well known for his on then off, now on again work with Billy Idol, Steve Stevens has several solo and collaborative releases that show case his guitar virtuosity. Stevens and Idol have just released a new EP The Roadside last September.
16. Turn on the Darkness (8:27) by Between the Buried and Me from Coma Ecliptic (2015) Raleigh, North Carolina. 2000-Present. Part of the current wave of US East Coast Metal now providing the landscape of progressive metal with unique and artfully crafted music that are now realizing great success.
17. Ebb & Flow (7:07) by The Contortionist from Language (2014) Indianapolis, Indiana, USA Avant-Garde Metal flowing the middle of the US. Creative use of soft flowing jazz fusion with djent style metal riffing. Heady lyrics and strong intellectual content. Emerging as new leaders in the metal scene.
18. MIC BREAK: Litanie contre la puer (2:14) by Tool from Fear Inoculum
19. Invincible (12:24) by Tool from Fear Inoculum (2019) Los Angeles, California, USA 1993-Present. Tool is one of the most intriguing and iconic bands have an extreme cult following despite only releasing 6 albums in the 31 year existence. Fear Inoculum, released already two years past now in 2019 was preceded 13 years earlier by the album 10,000 Day, which fans jokingly refer to as the interval between albums. Despite constant touring, the time between recording became such as that there was a fear that they had become irrelevant in the musical landscape. The album as a whole and this song in particular, address those feelings in Maynard’s typical deep and reflective manor. GO READ THE LYRICS BELOW.
20. Egoist Hedonist (8:57) by Riverside from Anno Domini High Definition (2009) Warsaw, Polland. 2001 -Present. The musicianship and texture of this band and the way it flows credits the name they chose to represent themselves. Each release is unique with a flow of continuity with thought provoking lyrics and music that generates a mindscape.
21. Spherical Perspective (7:41) by Voivod from The Wake (2018) Quebec, Canada 1982-Present Emerging at the great time of the Bay Area Thrash Metal Scene, Voivod took that style and added a more progressive rock approach with the song structures while keeping the essential vibe of thrash metal at its core. Former Metallica Bassist Jason Newstead also spent time as member of this classic band. The band continues somewhat under the radar producing great music.
22. FINAL MIC BREAK: XIV (1:52) by Born of Osiris from The Discovery
23. Behold (5:51) by Born of Osiris from The Discovery (2011) Chicago, Illinois, USA (where I was born) 2003-Present. Part of the next wave of Djent (originated by Meshuggah) which includes bands such as Animals as Leaders and Periphery. They dropped off my radar for a little while as I felt they entered a period of mediocrity, however the 2021 release of Angel or Alien seems to have revitalized their creative juices and has been an intriguing listen so far.
The lyrical content of these songs are deep and reflective. Please spend the time to read them while you listen to these wonderful songs.
SOEN: OPPONENT
Quiet rest, with a rope around my neck
I assure you that the time is coming near
Fight them all, break the spirit and the bone
All I care for is what’s happening to me
Pushed away and rejected from first day
Never felt that I am like everyone else
Architects of my intellect and flesh
Always pressured me towards the common frame
So now, chuck it down your throat
See me stand
Among the waves
The slaying hand
Still I am
The dream and fall
A hateful grace
Growing darkness war within
Emptiness
Shadows alter my reflection
Desolation marks my skin
Loneliness
Visions alter my perception
In Isolation, I slowly drown
Vague destination
For words I shout
Victimized by my equals all my life
Consequently rival of the obedient mass
Parody, be submissive to act free
Be what dividend is telling you to be
Mockery of the essence of our kind
In the mirror you see nothing but a farce
Linger on, aiming far but ending close
Bearing excess as an instinct, not a choice
Desire, downfall
Possessed by greed and numbers
The more we want it all
The worse we treat each other
Desire, downfall
Possessed by greed and numbers
The more we want it all
The worse we treat each other
Growing darkness war within
Emptiness
Shadows alter my reflection
Desolation marks my skin
Loneliness
Visions alter my perception
In Isolation, I slowly drown
Vague destination
For words I shout
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Martin Lopez / Lars Ahlund / Joel Ekelof / Leif Stenberg
Opponent lyrics © Amf Music Limited

OPETH: HEART IN HAND
Det är för bedrövligt. Usch!
Vem fan är du?
Take it as a threat now and leave
Drop of toxins flows to a habit
Tell me what it is you can’t see
Teeth grinding flesh in the sabbat
Factual drowning stream, you believe
Slaves will follow conspiracy
Turn the locks on brother and kin
Murder lust on affinity
War in utopia
Slay cornucopia for symmetry
The parody is real
And we’re biding time
And while losing ground, make sure to worship monarchy
Death is but a story in a land of borrowed wealth
The burdened scale weighs heavy with the hunt for dopamine
Intolerance disguised as a faith
In secrecy we shun empathy
Soul critique online far too late
A throne for the devout enemy
War in utopia
Slay cornucopia for symmetry
The parody is real
And we’re biding time
And while losing ground, make sure to worship monarchy
Death is but a story in a land of borrowed wealth
The burdened scale weighs heavy with the hunt for dopamine
When I was young
So, so much younger than today
It seemed easier to lead your life
There was no time to surrender
And no reason to perceive
The burden of pain
As it passed through our lives every year somehow
And it never (really) went away
Yet behind my door
Was a kingdom
A secret outline showed the way
To treasures of clay
And beads made of glass
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Mikael Lars Akerfeldt
Heart in Hand lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

HAKEN: INITIATE
Love and pain
Engage your senses
And let them carve the way

Give me
(Give me)
Focus
(Focus)
Sharpen
My view
Initiate

Live here and now
And forever or never

I observe a world jarring in turmoil
A million people waging war at the hands of a god
And I can hear them crying
Cold fires blazing before me
An affliction fast consuming and fascinating me

(Drifting)
You’ll be
(Deeper)
The life and the death of me
(Into)
I
(The unknown)
Initiate

We’ll make this dream last forever and ever
Tears will run dry
From my ever wandering eye
But I’m prepared to stay
‘Til my dying day

I’ll see things you won’t believe
In tomorrow’s memories
I’ll do things you can’t conceive
There’ll be no strings on me

Open the floodgates
Form the colours and the shapes
Let there be a light
Initiate, all my senses are engaging
Open the floodgates
All the love and all the pain
Let there be a light
Initiate, all my senses are engaging

(Distance)
Tell me
(Stretches)
How does it feel to breathe?
(Further)
(From home)
Initiate

I’m drifting
(drifting)
Deeper
(deeper)
Into
(into)
The unknown

LEPROUS: MIRAGE
Join in with me, with me
We’ll fly on someone else’s wings
To where everybody’s one
Above the sky, we reach
It’s written black on white
The truth, follow the lead
Echoes of the same old song
Sing with me, with me
In unity
Join in with me
I, I have been trying to break out for too long
From the cage
I found my path when I thought that I was wrong
I have been trying to break out for too long
From the cage
I found my path when I thought that I was wrong
Stay close to me, to me
I’ll show you all you need
To see, to see
Close your eyes, your eyes
Trust in me, I’ll be your guide
Blindly
Join in with me, with me
I will be your guide
I, I have been trying to break out for so long
I found my path when I thought that I was wrong
I have been trying to break out for too long
From the cage
I found my path when I thought that I was wrong
I, I have been trying to break out for too long
From the cage
I found my path when I thought that I was wrong
I have been trying to break out for too long
From the cage
I found my path when I thought that I was wrong
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Solberg Einar Lia
Mirage lyrics © Reservoir Media Music

IRON MAIDEN: STRATEGO

How do you read a madman’s mind?
Teach me the art of war
For I shall bring more than you bargained for
Give me an ultimatum
That I could not dream of
Spills of a crying nation
Upon my soul
For I have not a mortal soul
That you already know
Look at my eyes
There’s no surprise
Ocean is black, the devil’s track
Looking beyond, beneath the sea
Eye of the storm is here again
Been there before you were ever born
Beyond the dark, I feel the pain
It’s hidden but I can’t explain
A cross to bear
A heavy faith
My sorrow whispers
Time again
I hear you calling my name
Come to claim my life again
Pray for me, I’m almost there
The pain almost too much to bear
I try to find my way back home
To feel the same again
The voice of nothing listened far too long
Little by little, eat away
I think I’ve lost my mind
Too late to change now
What I left behind
Hear me, listen to my call
I am ready to fall
Lord, hear me now, let me go
Ocean is black, the devil’s track
Looking beyond, beneath the sea
Eye of the storm is here again
Been there before you were ever born
Beyond the dark, I feel the pain
It’s hidden but I can’t explain
A cross to bear
A heavy faith
My sorrow whispers
Time again
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Janick Gers / Steve Harris
Stratego lyrics © BMG Rights Management

GOJIRA: AMAZONIA
Incite a riot, put yourself in a trance
You rotate the frame in a world you rely on
A scar, a line has been drawn in the sand
Behold the life, the boundaries fools will crush
The greatest miracle
Is burning to the ground
On to the next stage of the plan
Mourn the witness of the wind
A hand, full of thunder
Will rise one last time
There’s fire in the sky
You’re in the Amazon
The greatest miracle
Is burning to the ground
Godly Amazonia
Bloody Amazonia
Mighty Amazonia
Killing Amazonia
Godly Amazonia
Bloody Amazonia
Mighty Amazonia
Killing Amazonia
Godly Amazonia
Bloody Amazonia
Burn the land
Learn the end
Burn
Another gold mine is unveiled
The source of our sorrow
Learn
Embedded in these walls of green
Is the curse that we follow
There’s fire in the sky
You’re in the Amazon
The greatest miracle
Is burning to the ground
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Joseph Duplantier / Mario Duplantier
Amazonia lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

MASTODON: SICKLE AND PEACE
Death comes and brings with him
Sickle and peace
Please excuse the madness
Of the situation I am in
Are we only united
For we both share the cause of this
You choose to apply logic
It’s hard to ply where there is none
My detonation’s unknown
Allow the man to walk in his shoes from here
Death comes and brings with him sickle and peace
Shelter from storms come with long flowing robes
Justifying all your control
I cease to mourn what never could be
No feeling’s ever final
Just another scar I wear and hold dear
Death comes and brings with him sickle and peace
Shelter from storms come with long flowing robes
Falling down and losing ground
Save me from myself
All I’ve seen and all I know
I’ve not been this low
Now I stand up on my own
Learning from myself
Where I’ve been and where I’ll go
Still remains unknown
Death comes and brings with him sickle and peace
Shelter from storms come with long flowing robes…
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Troy Jayson Sanders / Brann Timothy Dailor / William Breen Kelliher / William Brent Hinds

RIVERS OF NIHIL: “Cancer / Moonspeak”

Fear, fear drowns the mind
In this kingdom of mine
And standing in the hall
The faces of them all
Real, like empty space
They know what I became

RIVERS OF NIHIL: THE SILENT LIFE

The sun leaves on its own
A simple passage of the days that I have wasted
I feel the summer slipping through
These aging fingers

Compelled to walk upon the same path that I have tread so long
Still nothing changes
A simple passage to a place that I have come to know
I still remember

A better time
When the thoughts that we had connected
Between our open eyes
We say goodbye, to a life that’s been mostly silent,
Erroneously lead.

Strive to complete myself
It seems my work is never truly done.
I see your face, barely through the haze
You see a life, erroneously lead.

There’s hope in younger days
There’s warmth within the past that’s so familiar
I forget just why I came here
I Hope that you remember
Home.

IHSAHN: ONE LESS ENEMY
Half awake, deprived of sleep and dignity
I stand before the blinding lights
My body trembling, survival instincts gasp for air
Rays of madness tear the nights in me
Torn from the slumber, like a drunken king
To watch the cities burn
The world I used to see, no longer a part of me
In bleak reflections, stripped of my humanity
Yet I have all to gain
The slate is clean
And all the “why’s” I need
The stakes are high
The wheels of fate have turned
The chariot awaits
And I will set the course
On paths of tribulation
A refugee of reason
In a world of disbelief
Outnumbered by the thousands
Empowered by the ones I seek
Yet I have all to gain
The slate is clean
And all the “why’s” I need
The stakes are high
The wheels of fate have turned
The chariot awaits
And I will set the course
On paths of tribulation.
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Vegard Sverre ‘ihsahn’ Tveitan

CYNIC: INFINITE SHAPES
The indivisible goose egg
An irreplaceable loose peg
It never satisfies, incomplete
The future won’t arrive
Nothing to seek
Don’t you worry now

Infinite shapes
Architectures opaque
Infinite shapes
Paper tigers at play

A kamikaze seed
Breaks ground
Sprouts up inside of me
Spreading down
It poked into my eye
Cracked the egg
Now there’s a tentacle
Growing limb-like eggs
I won’t worry now

Infinite shapes
Alpha beta erased
Infinite shapes
Vital connections engaged
Sit down
Behold the open crown
Through the eternal halls
An Earth amidst the balls
One spark
Shooting across the dark
Fear, craft and avarice
Become a dust-filled wish

Infinite shapes
Paper tigers at play
Infinite shapes
Alpha beta erased
Infinite shapes
Vital connections engaged

The indivisible goose egg
An irreplaceable loose peg
I won’t worry now

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME: TURN ON THE DARKNESS

Lyrics
The winters breathe evenly.
Flickering moments engage our senses.
Slowly trembling advantage.
They won’t take notice.
Dragging feet. Will time notice me?
We turn our backs on ourselves.
Nothing in sight.
I see a flame erupt in the distance.
The charted course towards my direction.
A wealth of moving light, they now seek my disguise.
Legs soon crack as they stand above/below.
Where do you drift from, sir?
This land is for those who have lost.
Our humanity has passed its curse.
We roam with all that’s left.
I come from a movable past.
A distant future is in my grasp.
You all will survive this fate.
Trust the man you gaze.
Take me with your flame.
Darkness
Show the brighter way.
Hopeless
Take in all. Sit with our teachings.
Above. Below.
Take in all.
Above. Below.
Sit with our teachings…
Dream tonight to push us forward.
Black ash improves me. Dark skies are hollow.
Above. Below.
Take in all.
Above. Below.
Sit with our teachings…
Dream tonight to push us forward.
Black ash improves me.
Can’t look past the damage to this life.
Dark skies are hollow.
Can’t look past the damage to this life.
Welcome to our journey. Please walk with me.
I’ll put your mind at ease
Our breath, disrupts their flames.
We walk through their walls.
Life exists apart from this.
This lone world drifts on and on.
In the distant light modern man awaits.
Dripping jaw accept our twisted travel.
Screaming grins howl loud from high…
A gritty focus gripped.
We turn our backs on ourselves.
Nothing in sights.
We turn our backs on ourselves.
They won’t take notice.
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Rogers Thomas Giles / Waggoner Paul Andrew / Briggs Daniel Hanford / Richardson Cartland Blake / Waring Robert Dustin

THE CONTORTIONIST: EBB & FLOW
The integration has taken hold.
We have risen from our roots.
We have seen
Signals, (the end) start of progression (the end).
Drift with the ebb and flow.
Sink in the ebb and flow.
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Cameron Asbury Maynard / Eric Henry Guenther / Joseph Richard Baca / Michael Lessard / Robert Michael Baca
Ebb & Flow lyrics © Entertainment One U.S. Lp

Litanie contre la peur (The litany against fear-Frank Herbert)
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

TOOL: INVINCIBLE
Long in tooth and soul
Longing for another win
Lurch into the fray
Weapon out and belly in
Warrior
Strugglin’
To remain
Consequential
Bellow out loud
Bold and proud
Of where I’ve been
But here I am
Beating chest and drums
Beating tired bones again
Age-old battle, mine
Weapon out and belly in
Tales told of battles won
Of things we’ve done
Caligula would grin
Beating tired bones
Tripping through remember when
Once invincible
Now the armor’s wearing thin
Heavy shield down
Warrior
Strugglin’
To remain
Relevant
Warrior
Strugglin’
To remain
Consequential
Cry aloud, bold and proud
O’ where I’ve been
But here I am
Where I end
Warrior
Strugglin’
To remain
Relevant
Warrior
Strugglin’
To remain
Consequential
Tears in my eyes, chasing Ponce de Leon’s phantom soul
Filled with hope, I can taste mythical fountains
False hope, perhaps
But the truth never got in my way
Before now, feel the sting, feeling time bearing down
Tears in my eyes chasing Ponce de Leon’s phantom soul
Filled with hope, I can taste mythical fountains
False hope, perhaps
But the truth never got in my way
Before now, feel the sting, feeling time bearing down
False hope perhaps
But the truth never got in my way
Before now, feel the sting, feeling time bearing down
Bearing down
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Justin Gunner Chancellor / Maynard James Keenan / Adam Thomas Jones / Daniel Edwin Carey

RIVERSIDE: EGOIST HEDONIST
Once in the middle of the crowd
I stopped
Suddenly I felt so good
Not being on the move
But became an obstruction
In your way
And I was surprised how fast you could unite
Against me
When you forced me to the ground
And tied my hands
Certain I couldn’t disturb
Anymore
I saw the sadness in your eyes
Your fear
And the most secret desire:
“Escape from here”
In pursuit of uniqueness
And individuality
We must be unlike anyone else
To survive
But in the mass of different runners
Different lies
We can’t make time to realize
How the same we are
So let me live without your pain
Just let me live without your pain
‘Cause I want to feel so
It’s not right
It’s not fair
When I am forced to live your life
It’s not right
It’s not fair
When I am forced to live your life
It’s not right
It’s not fair
When I am forced to live your life
It’s not right
Just let me live without your pain
Just let me live without your pain
Just let me live without your pain
Just let me live without your pain
Just let me live without
Congrats this time
You’re a borderline pass
Here’s your reward
Now smile
After all
You conform to us
Drag on
Forget yourself in the final dance
You already know the steps
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Duda Mariusz / Grudzinski Piotr / Kozieradzki Piotr Wlodzimierz / Lapaj Michal Krzysztof
Egoist Hedonist: I. Different? – II. Hedonist Party – III. Straw Man Dance lyrics © Reservoir Media Music

VOIVOD: SPHERICAL PERSPECTIVE
This nice spot that I found
Connected to the ground
I’m staying here all night
Staring at the open sky
Till my eyes… Bleed!
Then my soul starts to fly
Far from the chaos of this life
All these calls seem unheard
For the lost cause of this world!
This forest where I hide
Away from the city lights
It’s where I meet my peers
Those who are no longer here
Till my heart… Bleeds!
For so long, I’ve been out there
Being strong in despair
But tonight, I’ll get lost
Till my bones turn to dust!
Hard to be heard
No one is listening
You can’t be seen
If the sun refuses to shine
Why should I be?
If this life has no meaning
I’m travelling far away out there
Through the sky deep in my head
I escape!
Feelings get hurt
And no care is given
Such a lonely star
In darkness confined
Look up at the sky
And no care is given
Such a lonely star
In darkness confined
For so long, I’ve been out there
Being strong in despair
But tonight, I’ll get lost
Till my bones turn to dust
…Tonight
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Langevin Michel / Belanger Denis
Spherical Perspective lyrics © Piggy Was Here Music

BORN OF ORSIRIS: BEHOLD
I can’t stand
The bitter denial
Neglected consciousness
Forgotten rights
The book has been written
You cant change the ending
What is your confusion
Know your own condition
Lay down and think about how you’ve lived out
Your wasted time here is over and gone
They left us and we can start now our evolution
Expired
Empty
Expired
Extinction
The refugees have deserted the city
No longer producing the age old concerns
Of how we can conquer and watch them crumble
It’s far too late to question
They knew this would happen the book has been written
Set in stone now they’ve seen it now they know
Is this a miracle or imagination
Your invention or destruction
We are here alone
At last we are finding answers
Reveal the meaning of what we really are
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Lee McKinney / David Darocha / Ronnie Cannizaro / Cameron Losch / Joseph Buras / Jason Richardson
Behold lyrics © Killphonic

Conflux Cornucopia Cerebellum Cocktail Hour: Episode #010: A.P. Alchemy Session #2.

September 17, 11pm

Podcasts

Hello fellow Confluxians! I’ve made it to episode #10. Woohoo!! Another A.P. Alchemy session where I bring you a short list of long songs….with an even shorter list of short songs that act as sound beds for me to talk over. I introduced something during the middle of the set where I posted the lyrics of the songs. That will now be part of the blog set list. Having something to read while you listen can be fun…like liner notes…..remember those.
Tune in next week for my ORIGIN STORY….yes…how I got to be as strange as I am has beginning….but for now. This week’s set list. Lyrical content will be below the set list.

1. Third Eye (13:47) by Tool from Aenima (1996) Progressive Metal
2. Mic Break: MK2 (0:53) by Radiohead from In Rainbows (2007) Electronica
3. The Death of Coyote Woman (8:12) by All The Witches from Lightning at the Door (2013) Stoner Blues Rock
4. Mic Break: Station II (0:47) by Paul McCartney from Egypt Station (2018) Rock
5. Home Invasion/Regret #9 (11:30) by Steven Wilson from Hand.Cannot.Erase. (2015) Progressive Metal
6. In the Shadows of Our Pale Companion (14:45) by Agalloch from The Mantle (2002) Death Metal
7. Mic Break: Away (1:28) by Múm from Summer Make Good (2004) Indie Rock
8. Change (15:59) by Oingo Boingo from Boingo (1994) Rock
9. Mic Break: Untitled (0:53) by Fugazi from The Argument
10. Thoughts Under a Dark Blue Light (16:33) by Sun Ra from The Lost Sun Ra Albums (Disc 1: Cymbals) (1973) Jazz
11. The Struggle to Survive (9:32) by Riverside from Wasteland (2018) Progressive Metal
12. Mic Break: Gold Distance (1:02) by Between the Buried and Me from Automata ! (2018) Progressive Metal
13. Separate Realities (11:27) by Trioscapes from Separate Realities (2012) Jazz Fusion
14. Mic Break: Spöksonat (0:56) by Ghost from Meliora (2015) Metal
15. Desolation Row (11:24) by Bob Dylan from Highway 61 Revisited (1965) Classic Folk Rock)
Lyrics: Third Eye
See, I think drugs have done some good things for us, I really do
And if you don’t believe drugs have done good things for us
Do me a favor:
Go home tonight and take all your albums
All your tapes, and all your CD’s and burn em’
‘Cause you know what? the musicians who’ve made
All that great music that’s enhanced your lives throughout the years
Were Real fuckin’ high on drugs.”
Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to aslow vibration
That we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively
There is no such thing as death
Life is only a dream
And we are the imagination of ourselves
Here’s Tom with the weather.”
It’s not a war on drugs, it’s a war on personal freedom
Keep that in mind at all times.” (Credit Bill Hicks with Comedy Routine….RIP Bill)
Dreaming of
That face again
It’s bright and blue
And shimmering
Grinning wide
And comforting me with it’s three warm and wild eyes
On my back
And tumbling
Down that hole
And back again (back again)
Rising up
And wiping the webs and the dew from my withered eye
In
Out
In
Out
A child’s rhyme stuck in my head
It said that life is but a dream
I’ve spent so many years in question
To find I’ve known this all along
“So good to see you
I’ve missed you so much
So glad it’s over
I’ve missed you so much
Came out to watch you play
Why are you running away?
Came out to watch you play
Why are you running?
Shroud-ing all the ground around me
Is this holy crow above me
Black as holes within a memory
And blue as our new second sun
I stick my hand into his shadow
To pull the pieces from the sand
Which I attempt to reassemble
To see just who I might have been
I do not recognize the vessel
But the eyes seem so familiar
Like phosphorescent desert buttons
Singing one familiar song
So good to see you
I’ve missed you so much
So glad it’s over
I’ve missed you so much
Came out to watch you play
Why are you running away?
Came out to watch you play
Why are you running away?
Prying open my third eye
Prying open my third eye
Prying open my third eye
Prying open my third eye
So good to see you once again
I thought that you were hiding
And you thought that I had run away
Chasing the tail of dogma
I opened my eye
I opened my eye
I opened my eye
I opened my eye
I opened my eye
I opened my eye
I opened my eye and there we were
So good to see you once again
I thought that you were hiding from me
And you thought that I had run away
Chasing a trail of smoke and reason
Prying open my third eye
Prying open my third eye
Prying open my third eye
Prying open my third eye
Prying open my third eye
Prying open my third eye
Prying open my third eye
Prying open my third eye
Prying open my third eye
Prying open my third eye
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Keenan Maynard James / Jones Adam Thomas / Carey Daniel Edwin / Chancellor Justin Gunner
Third Eye lyrics © Bmg Gold Songs, Emi Virgin Music Inc., Toolshed Music

Lyrics: Death of Coyote Woman
How have I been chased for so long
So long, so long
Every time heart beats I’ve grown strong
Grown strong, grown strong
All these things are brought up to me
Head on, bright on
All these things are brought up to me
Bright on, bright on
Bright on.
How have I been chased for so long
So long, so long
Every time heart beats, I’ve grown strong
Grown strong, grown strong
All these things are brought up to me
Bright on, bright on
All these things are brought up to me
Bright on, bright on
Bright on.
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: James Robert Staebler / Allan Barret Van Cleave / Benjamin Mcleod / Charles Michael Parks

Lyrics: Home Invasion/Regret #9
Download sex and download God.
Download the funds to meet the cost.
Download a dream home and a wife.
Download the ocean and the sky.

Another day of life has passed me by.
But I have lost all faith in what’s outside.
They only are the stars across the sky
And the wreckage of the night.

Download love and download war.
Download the shit you didn’t want.
Download the things that make you MAD.
Download the life you wish you had.

Another day of life has passed me by.
But I have lost all faith in what’s outside.
They only are the stars across the sky
And the wreckage of the night.

Writer(s): Steven John Wilson

Lyrics: In the Shadow of Our Pale Companion
Through vast valleys I wonder
To the highest peaks
On pathways through a wild forgotten landscape
In search of God, in spite of man
‘Til the lost forsaken endless
This is where I choose to tread
Fall. so shall we fall into nihil?
The nothingness that we feel in the arms of the pale
In the shadow of the grim companion who walks with us
Here is the landscape
Here is the sun
Here in the balance of the earth
Where is the god?
Has he fallen and abandoned us?
As I’m stalked by the shadow of death’s hand
The fire in my heart is forged across the land
Here at the edge of this world
Here I gaze at a pantheon of oak
A citadel of stone
If this grand panorama before me is what you call God
Then God is not dead
I walked down to a river and sat in reflection of what had to be done
An offering of crimson flowed into the water below
A wound of spirit from which it floated and faded away
Like every hope I’ve ever had
Like every dream I’ve ever known
It washed away in a tide of longing, a longing for a better world
From my will, my throat, to the river, and into the sea
Wash away
Fade away
Here is the landscape
Here is the sun
Here at the edge of the earth
Where is the god?
Has he fallen to ruin?
As I’m stalked by the shadow of death’s hand
My heathen pride is scarred across the land
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: John Haughm

Lyrics: Change
Don’t you ever wonder why, nothing ever seems to change
If it does it’s for the worse, seems it’s just a modern curse
Sometimes when I take a peek outside of my little cage,
Everyone looks so asleep, will they die before they wake
And, hey. . . Don’t you know? We’re just products of our time and Hey . . .
What d’ya say? Show me yours, I’ll show you mine
Better dumb and happy than smart and without any friends
Better cute and better loud, better join up with the crowd
Keep up or be left behind, there’s a dust storm in my mind
Seems I can’t see straight these days, doesn’t matter anyway
Hey . . . Don’t you know? We’re just products of our times and
Hey, what d’ya say? Show me yours, I’ll show you mine
Hey, what d’ya say? Hey, what d’ya say? Please don’t ever –
Oh God, here’s that question now. The one that makes me go insane
I’d gladly tear my heart out if you never, never, never, never change
Do you want to change? Do you want to change right now?
Do you want to change . . . I like my stupid life, just the way it is
And I wouldn’t even change it for a thousand flying pigs
And I like you just the way you are, I like your face just the way it is
And I wouldn’t even change it for a herd of screaming kids
And I like you just the way you are, I like you though you may not like me back
I would dazzle you with brilliance, if I only had the knack
‘Cause I like you just the way you are, I like this life just the way it is
And the castles all around me, have been melting now for years
And it kills my brain to think of all the time I wasted here
All the efforts, sweat, and broken hearts, the screaming and the tears
And I’m dreaming again . . . Floating in a pool of mud
Try to get back where I was and I don’t really care
Got a little talking to, by the mirror in my room, and I don’t really care . . .
Whispering voices from the dead, come from underneath my bed
And I don’t really care . . .
I like my stupid life just the way it is
And the chaos that surrounds me like a flock of screaming pigs
And it hurts my brain to think of all the stupid things I’ve said
And if I could change the future I would change the past instead
And I’m dreaming again . . . and I’m dreaming again . . .
Baby – sometimes I worry about you
Sometimes you’re so far away, tell me what to do
I say, Baby . . . sometimes I worry about you
Sometimes I just can’t believe everything you do
I say, Baby . . . sometimes I worry about you
Every day I feel the same, don’t you feel it too
I say, Baby . . . sometimes I worry about me
Seems I’m falling down a lot, in between the scenes
I say, Baby . . . sometimes I worry about me
Getting harder all the time, harder now to see
I say, Baby . . . sometimes I worry about me
Light another cigarette, have another dream
It’s the same thing every day, nothing ever seems to change and I . . .
Do you really want to change?
Testaments and growing pains. Tranquilizers for the soul.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained – evolution’s cruelest joke
Why is everyone upset? I once knew but I forget. Something happened,
Something strange, something it appears has changed
Hey . . . Don’t you know? We’re just products of our times
And hey, what d’ya say? Show me yours, I’ll show you mine
Hey, what d’ya say? Hey, what d’ya say? Please don’t ever –
Oh God, here’s that question now, the one that makes me go insane
I’d gladly tear my heart out if you never, never, never, never change
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Daniel Elfman
Change lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics: Desolation Row
They’re selling postcards of the hanging, they’re painting the passports brown
The beauty parlor is filled with sailors, the circus is in town
Here comes the blind commissioner, they’ve got him in a trance
One hand is tied to the tight-rope walker, the other is in his pants
And the riot squad they’re restless, they need somewhere to go
As Lady and I look out tonight, from Desolation Row
Cinderella, she seems so easy, “It takes one to know one, ” she smiles
And puts her hands in her back pockets Bette Davis style
And in comes Romeo, he’s moaning. “You Belong to Me I Believe”
And someone says, “You’re in the wrong place, my friend, you’d better leave”
And the only sound that’s left after the ambulances go
Is Cinderella sweeping up on Desolation Row
Now the moon is almost hidden, the stars are beginning to hide
The fortune telling lady has even taken all her things inside
All except for Cain and Abel and the hunchback of Notre Dame
Everybody is making love or else expecting rain
And the Good Samaritan, he’s dressing, he’s getting ready for the show
He’s going to the carnival tonight on Desolation Row
Ophelia, she’s ‘neath the window for her I feel so afraid
On her twenty-second birthday she already is an old maid
To her, death is quite romantic she wears an iron vest
Her profession’s her religion, her sin is her lifelessness
And though her eyes are fixed upon Noah’s great rainbow
She spends her time peeking into Desolation Row
Einstein, disguised as Robin Hood with his memories in a trunk
Passed this way an hour ago with his friend, a jealous monk
Now he looked so immaculately frightful as he bummed a cigarette
And he when off sniffing drainpipes and reciting the alphabet
You would not think to look at him, but he was famous long ago
For playing the electric violin on Desolation Row
Dr. Filth, he keeps his world inside of a leather cup
But all his sexless patients, they’re trying to blow it up
Now his nurse, some local loser, she’s in charge of the cyanide hole
And she also keeps the cards that read, “Have Mercy on His Soul”
They all play on the penny whistles, you can hear them blow
If you lean your head out far enough from Desolation Row
Across the street they’ve nailed the curtains, they’re getting ready for the feast
The Phantom of the Opera in a perfect image of a priest
They are spoon feeding Casanova to get him to feel more assured
Then they’ll kill him with self-confidence after poisoning him with words
And the Phantom’s shouting to skinny girls, “Get outta here if you don’t know”
Casanova is just being punished for going to Desolation Row”
At midnight all the agents and the superhuman crew
Come out and round up everyone that knows more than they do
Then they bring them to the factory where the heart-attack machine
Is strapped across their shoulders and then the kerosene
Is brought down from the castles by insurance men who go
Check to see that nobody is escaping to Desolation Row
Praise be to Nero’s Neptune, the Titanic sails at dawn
Everybody’s shouting, “Which side are you on?!”
And Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot fighting in the captain’s tower
While calypso singers laugh at them and fishermen hold flowers
Between the windows of the sea where lovely mermaids flow
And nobody has to think too much about Desolation Row
Yes, I received your letter yesterday, about the time the doorknob broke
When you asked me how I was doing, was that some kind of joke
All these people that you mention, yes, I know them, they’re quite lame
I had to rearrange their faces and give them all another name
Right now, I can’t read too good, don’t send me no more letters no
Not unless you mail them from Desolation Row
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Bob Dylan
Desolation Row lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Universal Music Publishing Group

Conflux Cornucopia Cerebellum Cocktail Hour Episode #5: A.P. Alchemy Session #1

August 12, 11pm

Welcome all my fellow audio-obsessive friends. The Alchemist here. With five shows under my belt I am feeling more and more at home behind the console sharing all my potions and elixirs of musical madness.
This week was the first A.P. Alchemy session where we explore some of the longer tracks in my lab. That being said, we only have 9 tracks on this week’s show. Next week’s show will be completely different as I strive to make each experience of the Conflux Cornucopia Cerebellum Cocktail Hour a unique blend of wonderment and intoxication.
https://www.radiovalencia.fm/podcasts/?episode=35622
1. A.P. Alchemy (9:22) by Isobar from Isobar (2020) Progressive Rock/Jazz Fusion from San Jose
2. Indiscipline (8:02) by King Crimson from Live in Chicago 28 June 2017 (2017) Progressive Rock Royalty from England
3. Spanish Key (17:32) by Miles Davis from The Complete Bitches Brew Sessions (1970) Jazz Fusion Origin Story.
4. Hessian Peel (11:26) by Opeth from Watershed (2008) Progressive Metal. This album represents the final time Opeth exhibits a combo of clean and dirty vocals.
5. The Companions (10:04) by Sleepytime Gorilla Museum from In Glorious Time (2007) Art Metal…is that a thing…yeah, I think this qualifies.
6. Ultimate Trip (13:13) by Riverside from Rapid Eye Movement (2007) Progressive Metal. Polish band with a large catalog of great music. From one the early records.
7. And the Stone Said: If I Could Speak (15:08) by Beardfish from Mammoth (2010) Progressive Rock. Very much in touch with classic Prog Rock. This song lyrically is a masterpiece personifying the experiences of stone in a very old church. This one deserves close listening.
8. Day of the Baphomets (11:57) by The Mars Volta from Amputechture (2006) Progressive Metal. The bass intro is jaw dropping, and then hold on for an intense journey.
9. Scutum & Scorpius (14:34) by Oh Sees from Face Stabber (2019) Stoner/Shoegazer Metal. Bookending the show with SF’s own bringing it back home.

Hope you enjoy the trip.