Writing frenzy!

Okay, remember a few days ago I was complaining of writers block and physically could not bring myself to write any more?

Well ignore that post because in the past 48 hours I have been writing like a machine. I have a 7,5000 word target for my specialised topic in journalism and a 10,000 word creative writing project on the go. 48 hours ago I had about 700 journalism words written and 2,500 of my creative writing.

I sat down in front of my computer for the past two days straight and thought, come on this is what you want to do. Think of all the professional journalists who have to go out and get stories, write them up, make them publishable and to a shorter deadline than I have...I thought come on you can do this!

I am now in the process of writing five journalism ideas, with another one brewing as I write this and have over 3,500 words written between them. I have also managed to score another interview with one of the bands I am writing about. Journalism is exciting!

My creative writing is hard because unless I feel inspired I get a love hate relationship going on with it but for the past two days I have loved every minute of it and now have over 6,500 words written.

Journalism related, I am also now proud to show you my fourth band profile to be published on www.otherclothing.co.uk  and here it is, it is based on metal band Nemesea and also featured on my otherclothing freelance page.

Nemesea band profile: 7.12.11

http://otherclothing.co.uk/music/band-profiles-bands-t-shirts-music-reviews/nemesea-band-profile/

Posted on 7-12-2011 | By: Darkened Crucifix

Category : Band Profiles

What do you get when you mix a standard symphonic metal band and throw in some occasional electro sounds? Nemesea.  A band that through their history has been compared to After Forever and (on their latest album) Evanescence meets Within Temptation.

Formed in 2002 this Dutch vocalist led band has had a massive sound overhaul since the first two albums ‘Mana’ released in 2004 and ‘In Control’ released in 2007. The recent album ‘The Quiet resistance’ is said to be a mix of the first two albums. It will combine the heavy riffs with influences of pop and electronic sounds.

The current line-up for this band consists of Manda Ophuis (vocals), Hendrik Jan de Jong (guitar), Sonny Onderwater (bass), Frank Van der star (drums) and Lasse Dellbrugge (Keys).

Nemesea have been described in the past to have similar musical sounds to disbanded metal band After Forever staring Floor Jansen, now of ReVamp. However following the recent release in 2011 their music has been likened to Evanescence and Within Temptation.

Vocalist Manda has said previously that her lyrics go past the typical fairytale gothic rock style; “Lyrics are very important. They can be comforting, but they can also shake things up. My lyrics are pieces of my life, personal experiences that I weave into little stories.

“ One of the central themes on this album is being in control, or losing it. “If you want to change things in your life, you just have to go for it.”

Best track: Afterlife

Best Album: ‘The Quiet Resistance (2011)

For more information visit their band website: www.nemesea.com

Victoria V.L Walker

Nightwish Imaginarum Preview

I am struggling with a problem that most writers, whatever their career choice, struggle with. Writers block. I know most people believe it is all in your mind, and I am pretty sure it is, but what can you do when you need to write something and it's just not flowing...

I have a project to do this year revolving around symphonic metal music, and I have already had one article published which is available on my soundsphere.co.uk freelance page and also below:

Nightwish: Imaginarum Preview: 

News    - Features

Written by Victoria Walker             

Thursday, 24 November 2011 23:10

It's been a long and winding road for legendary symphonic metal band Nightwish. Having replaced Tarja Turunen, described as "the finest operatically trained singer on the planet", Tuomas Halopainen and crew had their work cut out to fill her shoes.

Of course, they discovered Anette Olzon and from that point, the band have fought hard to get from rock bottom (the bottom being death threats...) back to the top of metal's golden pedestal where they belong.

As you listen through the CD, each track makes the whole effect of the album more intense. If you think 'Dark Passion Play' was the best Nightwish had to offer, then we think that you will have to seriously reconsider. It's just that good. So yeah, if you like a combination of outstanding metal, spectacular orchestral arrangements and flawless soprano vocals (which you should, because you're reading this...) then this album will be for you.

What's it all about then? Well, this is a concept album comprised of songs that tell the tale of an old composer who revisits his childhood while on his deathbed. Fortunately, no two tracks on this album sound the same but to hear them in sequence as a combination is a more epic experience than you can imagine.

There will be a digi-pack release of two CDs, the second disc has each track in its instrumental form so you can appreciate the record from a different perspective. The album is meant to make its listeners think and question things around them and it certainly does that for us.

The album opens with a lullaby, beginning with subtle notes from Marco Hietela (vocals and bass). It is sung in Finnish and has a totally hypnotic effect on the listener. Not in any negative way though, you're not going to be compelled to walk off a cliff or anything, but as expected it truly does bring you out in goosebumps. There's a definite theme of self-realisation under-cutting it as well.

The first single release is titled 'Storytime' and it fires off with the type of punchy riff and melodic chorus that we have always come to expect from Nightwish and Tuomas hopes it "will blow the roof off your mouth". The track with the most promise is the title track and final offering on the disk, 'Imaginaerum', packed full of Celtic sound and atmospheric melody; it'll take you to the shores of Scotland.

The album has a well thought-out mix of soft melodic tones that'll soothe, evoke and inspire as well as the heavier sound that long-time fans will no doubt associate with 'Dark Passion Play', meanwhile, 'Arabesque' sees Nightwish explore a range of multicultural influences to great effect.

Working alongside orchestral legend Pip Williams, the band have once again smashed any preconceptions by creating an album so varied and emotional that it will doubtless defy genre classification and pigeonholing.

The tracklisting for 'Imaginaerum' is below:

1 - ‘Taikatalvi'

2 - ‘Storytime'

3 - ‘Ghost River'

4 - ‘Slow Love Slow'

5 - 'I Want My Tears Back'

6 - ‘Scaretale'

7 - ‘Arabesque'

8 - ‘Turn Loose The Mermaids'

9 - ‘Rest Calm'

10 - ‘The Crow, The Owl And The Dove'

11 - ‘Last Ride Of The Day'

12 - ‘Song Of Myself'

13 - ‘Imaginaerum'

'Imaginaerum' will be released in the UK on Friday December 2, 2011

For more information visit the official Nightwish website.

I wish I could write...

After having this published I have hit a road block...I know what I need to do I just seem to have forgotten how to write, which I hope goes away if I keep writing on here for a couple of posts. If in the industry you get a mental block and you're working to a deadline, I am sure you would get axed if you did not have something to give to your editor on the deadline day...I know that from experience from professionals int he industry, but it is a deadline issue, I think if I had a shorter deadline then I would have to kick myself into gear but I will get through this!

I am immensely proud of my first article though so I am going to revel in my creative genius...until next time!

Victoria V.L. Walker