Vol. 4 No. 2 November 2011
Special Apocalypse Issue: The end is near
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Editor’s Column As we approach the end of the semester and the subsequent end of 2011, change is on people’s minds. The New Year ushers in the dawning of the Age of Aquarius, as well as, some believe, the possibility of some sort of actual apocalypse. This issue of Ink focuses on that possibility of change, be it astrological, metaphorical, historical, or actual. It Also focuses on the poignant art, music and literature that has come out of this movement, as well as appreciation for the music and art that we have always loved, but possibly underappreciated. From end-time mythos, winter depression and apocalyptic lore to a semi-hilarious, semi-scary D.I.Y. Survival Guide, let this issue be your guide to The End Times, be it a personal disappointment, a lull in school activity, or a full-blown Armageddon. Addison Herron-Wheeler Executive Editor
Oops! We forget to credit Lena Sinanian in the September Issue for her amazing work writing the Richmond is Haunted story. We also failed to include Isabella Althoff in the Staff listing.
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Table of Contents 2 Winter Depression 6 What To Do…Final Time at VCU
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Featured Musician: Occultist
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Interview with the Apocalypse
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Age of Aquarius and Epidemic Musings
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Apocalyptic Mythos and Art
14 D.I.Y. Apocalypse Survival Guide
18 Featured Artist: Ilyia
20 Stuff to Do Before
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You Die: Reviews
22 New Years Apocalyptic Finery Photo Shoot
Staff List Margaret Amonette Copy Editor
Hannah Swann Designer
Emily Eason Managing Editor
Marleigh Culver Designer
Rachel Kiscaden Photo Editor
Ying Cheng Designer
Rachel Maves Art Editor
Hunter Nye Designer
Isabella Althoff Fashion Director Teddy Gregson Ad Director
Staff:
Corey Martin
Carlista Martin
Danielle Harvey
Lena Sinanian
Katherine Cantolina
Amaris Lemus
Kathleen Vick
David Osnoe
Corinne Tilley
Shannon Cruse-Ranson
Hal Dockins
Takira Goss
Zoe Kinney
Peter Pagan
Contributing Photographer:
Shelby Mertens Sarja Hasan Kristeen Hadeed Ismail Vera ink ink
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WINT DEPR By Shannon Cruse-Ranson Illustration by Rachel Maves It never fails that as soon as you get pep in your step, things are looking up, and it seems like your ducks are starting to fall into line, you get blind-sided by some troubling news or an intense event that trips you up and sends the flock scattering. Figuring out how to withstand the blow and to regain your breath and senses is always difficult, no matter how many times disappointment may fall at your footsteps. It’s also no exception when you see that train wreck coming a mile away. The pain and disorientation of a setback can knock you to your knees and give you the feeling that it might just be the end of the world … your world. Upsetting circumstances like getting a failing grade, witnessing a tragic accident, suffering a break up, getting passed up for your dream job or being rejected from your top grad school pick are the kinds of events that will test your resolve and ultimately, your character. You see, an underlying lesson of college and the transition into adulthood (beyond suffering through over-cooked Ramen and grueling all-nighters) is the ultimate test of how you deal with and recover from these “my life is over” situations.
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NTER PRESSION After the initial shock of the blow, allow yourself the chance to be upset, to cry, to beat a pillow or kick rocks in the alley, but limit it to an hour tops. Take a deep breath, get composed and then begin looking for positive activities where you can recharge yourself. What activities do you most enjoy doing in your life? Identify them. It can be writing in your personal journal, playing video games, going for a run, or watching a funny movie. If you find that reading your favorite book uplifts you, then pick up the book and start reading it. If taking a stroll through your neighborhood makes you more relaxed, then get out of your house and enjoy the breeze outside. Do whatever makes you feel better. Sometimes, simply spending time alone might be the best way for you to clear out your mental clutter and regain personal energy, but don’t wallow in solitude for too long. Also, avoid listening to R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts” or “It’s the End of World as We Know It” on repeat. It’s too cliché, even for those of us that relish being purposely ironic. For some, the seemingly obvious solution is to numb yourself through substance or alcohol abuse, but after the bliss of the fuzzy buzz and subsequent mind-thumping hangover wears off, the problem is still there, sinking in your gut, and you're left back at square one. Sometimes it’s going to take a lot more than downing a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and watching your favorite guilty pleasure movie twice in a row to cheer you up. Personally, Chunky Monkey and The Breakfast Club have gotten me out of
some deep funks, but that prescription is not strong enough for the truly soul crushing disappointments. Sincerely, there is no shame in reaching out for a lifeline. Whether it’s a simple call home to hear the comforting voice of family or spending time with a trusted friend, just knowing someone is there for you may be all you need to turn your grey skies clear. However, from time to time, your issue may be best attacked with the help of a professional; someone who can earn your trust, lend a consoling ear and give you the tools and coping skills you need to help you get back on your feet again. Thankfully, we have such people here on campus to fill those shoes, and a lot of them would be thrilled to talk things over while sharing some Ben & Jerry’s with you, provided you BYOBJ, and spoons, of course. The University Counseling program offers a range of services to meet all needs. The website is an excellent resource, and has a unique self-help tab that can give you a wealth of information on how to deal with common college problems like eating disorders, test anxiety, relationships, and of course, stress. The counseling offices are tucked away on the second floor of the Commons to ensure privacy, and rest assured, what is said behind closed doors stays that way. VCU students are entitled to twelve free, one-on-one sessions with a dedicated counselor or unlimited group therapy sessions throughout each school year. Yes, FREE. Come as often as you feel you need. The thought of therapy can
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seem a bit intimidating and still has some antiquated social stigma attached to it, but you’ll genuinely be surprised how helpful it can be if you embrace the process and are committed to working through whatever issues are keeping you from running on all cylinders. To start the program, simply take a short online assessment in the waiting room and you’ll get a prompt response from a counselor that’s been assigned to you based on your individual needs. The rest is up to you. However, before this begins to read like a PSA for therapy, the reality is that whatever lump of bad news has gotten you down, it will not be the end of your world unless you allow it to be. Nietzsche is famously quoted for observing, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger,” and good luck finding anyone that disagrees with that statement. Dealing with disappointment is an opportunity to move forward from the experience as a better person. You will become a stronger individual. You will reach a whole new level of awareness, consciousness and growth that you lacked before. You will rediscover your favorite pastimes and build deeper bonds with the family, friends or therapists that lent that consoling ear. You might even have that “ah-ha moment” when you hit the bottom of the ice cream pint and realize that Ben & Jerry were geniuses of our time. Or…if you did not heed my warning about playing REM on repeat, you might even be lucky enough to master one of the hardest karaoke songs of all time. It may have seemed like the end of the world, but trust me…you’ll feel fine.
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End of the World at VCU By Danielle Harvey Illustration by Ying Jun Cheng Some people believe in the ancient Mayan calendar prediction that the world is going to end in December of 2012. As I’m sitting in Virginia Commonwealth University’s student commons, I can’t help but think about how I ended up attending this school. I remember applying to various universities during my senior year in high school with the idea that I would end up where I was meant to be. As the saying goes, “everything happens for a reason,” and for the first time I actually understood what that really meant. When I received my acceptance letter from VCU, I wasn’t completely sure about having my college experience take place here. Looking back on my decision, I know it was the right one because VCU encompasses the real meaning of diversity. What if the ancient Mayan calendar
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prediction is true and the world really does end next year? The idea of going home for winter break and not returning to VCU is surreal. Imagining the possibility of never seeing friends or taking part in the various activities that VCU has to offer is a hard concept to grasp. I’m sure there have been times throughout everyone’s college career where they’ve had a feeling of uncertainty. Perhaps it was about declaring a major, deciding what clubs or organizations to join, or even choosing a career after graduation. The important thing to remember is that although uncertainty can be stressful, it also allows students to keep an open mind about the future. Sure, everyone makes plans, but life doesn’t always work out the way you want it to. If the end of the world does occur in December of 2012, then it’s my goal to
make the most of my time at VCU. The thought of the world ending is scary for some, but I see it as a reminder that you have to make the most of every day, because who knows if it’s your last. There are so many opportunities for students to create fun memories at VCU because there is something for everyone to do. Even though I want to accomplish as much as I can before I leave for winter break in 2012, my perfect semester really consists of spending time with the people who mean the most to me. I know everyone has a different idea of what makes up their perfect semester, but the goal is to enjoy life and your time here at VCU. My hope for all of you reading this is that you don’t have any regrets leaving school because you only have so long until it all ends.
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Stuff to do Before the End Attend a Weekend Campout Music Festival! By Shannon Cruse-Ranson You don’t need to be a granola crunch, Grade-A hippie or have a deep passion for the Grateful Dead to fit in and enjoy yourself at these magically transformative events. Simply come with an open mind, a positive attitude, a willingness to let the music flow through you, and accept the reality that you’re not going to shower for three or four days, but hey…no one else is either. The road trip alone is going to give your pack of friends stories to last the next decade, but once inside the festival gates…its mayhem. You’re going to see some wild stuff, meet characters from all around and probably lose your shoes. There’s no doubt you’ll be offered a sticky baked good or a cup of backwoods moonshine that’s strong enough to strip paint, but be weary of falling down the rabbit hole. While festival people are a generous and loving crowd, no one likes having to take care
of a fool that overdid it. Take it easy, be easy. Besides the well known festivals that attract massive attendance like Bonnaroo, Wakarusa, Burning Man, Rothbury, or Langerado, there are some events in our region such as All Good or FloydFest that will give you the same good vibes and memorable experiences, but on a smaller scale that’s better for the festival novice to start out on. Check out http://www. jambase.com, www.JamBase.com for an extensive list of nationwide events and helpful resources for how to plan a musically memorable weekend that will stay with you forever. There’s a reason people still talk about Woodstock 40 years later. Make love, not war, right?
Charlottesville Ten-Miler By Hal Dockins hu hu hu hu, hah-hah-hah, heh-hehheh… You pant as you run down the bustling intersection. You are running
late and need to hurry if you are going to reach your destination on time. You sprint past throngs of students as the cold, blistering air whips against your face. “Why didn’t I pick up the pace earlier?” you wonder aloud. You’ve been running for some time now, but don’t seem to be getting any closer. Someone cries your name from afar, maybe a friend or acquaintance. But you don’t have the time or breath left to respond as you dash down the huge hill by the library and turn the corner. You tear though the food court where numbers of students gaze and shake their heads in silent appreciation-they couldn’t do what you do-and then return to their morning bagel as they relax on the coble stone patio. The sounds are getting louder now as you dart around the last corner and into the home stretch. Swarms of people are lined up along the edge of the street screaming, shrieking, screeching, anything to get you to run faster. You squint your eyes and empty your tank in an all out sprint to the finish line. The Charlottesville Ten-Miler will be held Saturday, March 24, 2012. ink
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Interview with the Apocalypse:
A Conversation with VCU’s Apocalyptic Literature Professor By David Osnoe Photo by Rachel Kiscaden Photo illustration by Rachel Maves I join Les Harrison on the third floor of Hibbs, in front of a bank of windows facing the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. He is casual and friendly in his green crocs and cargo shorts.
Ink: In your course, you read novels that deal with the end of the world—how did you find yourself involved with this specific genre? Les: It’s something I’ve been playing with for some time now. Throughout literature, the apocalypse theme pops up. I teach early American Literature and you can find end of the world themes in Melville, who was writing at the end of the 19th century. It goes back even further – to religious texts in which the end was written about as being nigh. At VCU, there’s also a special fascination with Edgar Allen Poe and H. P. Lovecraft.
Ink: What aspects of postapocalyptic fiction draw the most mainstream attention? Les: Well, it’s always been there: beginnings always come with endings, but I think Americans have a special relationship with history in that we want to avoid the same Empire-ending fate which befell both Rome and Britain. In 1840, Poe uses a comet to wipe out humanity. Now we have The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Ink: Does the approach of 2012 affect the way in which students respond to the texts you read in class? Les: (Laughs) No. We joke about 2012. We watched the trailer for the 2012 film in class, but I don’t think most students believe the world is really going to end next year. In 1999 there was Y2K, and now there’s 2012. Ink: Have you noticed a significant pattern that stands out across Apocalyptic novels?
Les: For the last hundred years or so, the end has come via some outside source such as a comet or Cthulu, but recently the cause has come from ourselves. We have the power now to actually destroy the entire world. Margaret Atwood in The Handmaid’s Tale shows us a dystopian militarized future and an anti-feminist society. In The Year of the Flood we see the results of looming environmental disaster. I have also noticed an obsession with the technical aspects, this mad search to figure out an invention to fix everything. It’s basically a ‘progressive future’ version of history. Ink: What book stands out to you as being the most useful to read to prepare for the apocalypse? Les: Well the most realistic is definitely The Road, but World War Z is up there too. In terms of preparedness, a lot of the books we read involve people being caught unawares or not being prepared enough, which has its own inherent lesson. It seems you can’t be totally ready—that’s the nature of the apocalypse.
“I don’t really think the apocalypse genre is gendered, because the survival rate for all humans, male or female, drops dramatically when things fall apart.” - Professor Les Harrison 6
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Ink: After reading so much about the end, do you think you would be one of humanity’s survivors? Is there any advice you would pass on to readers? Les: (Laughs) No. But [as for] advice, I’d say maybe own a gun. It seems important in recent literature for characters to get away from cities and population centers. Own a gun and get away from the cities—kind of sounds like Republican talking points, doesn’t it? But it’s true: civilization breaks down almost immediately. In World War Z , the survivors of the zombie infection are living together and become increasingly desperate as supplies start to run low. Ink: Why do you think idea of a zombie threat is so popular?
Les: I think zombies represent our fear of losing our humanity. Becoming a mindless crowd of consumers. George Romero went so far as to set Dawn of the Dead in a mall, which I think is a form of social commentary in and of itself. Ink: How are women portrayed? Do they have the same survival rate as men? Les: That depends on the author. There are extremes. For example ,women aren’t prominent in The Road because the narrative focuses on the father-son dynamic. However the graphic novel Y: The Last Man shows us a world full of women in which all men except one have been wiped out by a Y-chromosome attacking plague. I don’t really think the apocalypse genre is gendered, because the survival rate for all humans, male or female, drops dramatically when things fall apart.
Ink: What lesson do you think most readers take away from apocalypse fiction? Les: Society is not nearly as permanent as you’d think. Humans are three days of no food away from savagery. These works show the fragility of our networks too, I think. When things break down you have to protect yourself from losing your humanity, otherwise the world as we know it really does end. I think that’s why apocalypse fiction will continue to be a popular genre, because the end of the world usually means the creation of a new world. That new world is where we learn the most about ourselves: when pretense is replaced by the raw desire to survive. Look for future Apocalypse Fiction courses under English 215: Reading Literature.
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EPIDEMICS:
A MUSING By Emily Eason
Illustration by Corey Martin
It is a world of paranoia that we all live in, especially when it comes to diseases and sickness. Living in a Western culture, we live in constant fear of the effects of some new disease that might sprout out of nowhere and wipe us all out. We have all kinds of anti-bacterial sanitizers and other means of keeping diseases at bay. But does anyone ever stop and ponder what may happen in the future? As we have always learned in biology, organisms constantly evolve and produce new defense mechanisms in order to survive. Is it so crazy to believe that one of these diseases could still mutate, even with our emphasis on cleanliness and sanitation, and produced some sort of super disease?! This idea is not some sort of huge breakthrough, the threats of “zombie invasions” and walking dead super-viruses are just a few of the premises for horror films produced every year. It is clear that we are all terrified of this happening, so we better start preparing now! Hurry up and learn how to fight these diseases off now, before it’s too late! Board up the windows, hide the kids, and hide your wife, because the next deadly virus is coming! And it is going to turn us all into zombies…….nom nom nom!
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THERE’S SOMETHING
FISHY ABOUT THE END OF THE WORLD By Lena Sinanian
Illustrations by Brian Foy & Zoe Kinney
Every so often I make the two-mile pilgrimage up Main Street to Cary Town to visit Chop Suey, a popular local used bookstore. The amount of activity in Cabell library is often intimidating, and I find the unique collection of books in this dimly–lit old building to be far more satisfying. About a month ago, I chose a novel I would have normally scoffed at, but I was feeling particularly dejected after passing windows of clothing that had teased me for selecting a low-income major, and I wanted to be ballsy. The book was entitled Positive Magic, by Marion Weinstein, and it unlocked a new world of thought that I had never previously entertained. Now, we’re all hung up on this idea that the world is going to end in 2012 because the Mayan calendar allegedly ends, but within the first chapter of this book, Weinstein suggested a completely alternative scenario. 2012 will not be the end of the world, but rather a shift towards a New Age: the Dawn of Aquarius and the end to the Realm of Pisces. Hold on there a minute…horoscopes? That’s cocktail party stuff! The
kind of thing solely regaled when I say I was born in May and people smirk, “Oh so you’re a stubborn-ass Taurus.” Well yes, I think I am stubborn as hell, but I attribute that less to my birth date and more to my genetics (sorry, Dad). After exploring its contents, however, I found this book to be quite different from what Western philosophy and religion has christened it to be, and if nothing else, an interesting discussion piece. Weinstein suggested that every Astrological term is separated into 2000year segments separated by Cusps, or transition times, and contain unique characteristics specific to its era. The Piscean age, according to her, is distinguished by, “following orders, duality of religious beliefs, good vs. evil, outer authority figures, allegiance, nationalism, racism, sexism, regimentation, and patriotism.” In other words, for the past 2000 years we have been in a fundamental, institution-driven dark age (think Crusades, WWII, inequality, euro-centric male domination, OPEC, and imperialism). It’s encouraging in that the 2012 phenomenon is not the cataclysmic degeneration of humanity into flesh-
eating zombies that Hollywood has so gracefully portrayed it as, but rather a major, positive, spiritual transformation into the “New Age,” or as the internet defined it, “drawing on both Western and Eastern spiritual and metaphysical traditions and infusing them with influences from self-help, holistic health, parapsychology, consciousness, and quantum research.” So what is it exactly that we have to look forward to these next 2000 years? According to Weinstein, “Men and women dressing alike, the Gay Movement, the Women’s Movement, transsexualism, legalized abortion, sex education, self-government, God as an all-encompassing being, meditation, air travel, interplanetary communication, psychics, conservation of earth and acceptance of interdependence, solidarity, space exploration, and marijuana,” most of which we are already beginning to transition into. Oh hey there, Aquarius! So next time you’re talking and hear someone say “the Mayans said we’re all just going to die in a year anyway,” know that that’s just old-school, Piscean thinking.
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ART LIT
Apocalyptic Mythos:
Lore Throughout History and the World
Apocalyptic Art: Gislebertus Zoe kinney In addition to his excellent name, Gislebertus is worth remembering for his wonderful stonework in the Autun Cathedral of Autun, France. A sculptor working in Burgundy from 1100 to 1150 A.D., he illustrated the Last Judgement in the best of Romanesque Medieval style, presenting the viewer with great gargoylecaliber imagery of angels, devils, and
various biblical scenes that mix comedy with horror. On the West Tympanum, rather humorous looking, stockingclad figures cower, hoping for mercy, and wailing sinners are grabbed head-first by gigantic hands from the heavens. In the Weighing of the Souls, also on the West Tympanum, the Archangel Michael puts some of his weight on the soul scale to help people get into heaven, while
a devil tries to pull his side of the scale down to send some citizens Hell’s way. Nearby, a woman guilty of Lust must suffer the devouring of her breasts by snakes. Gislebertus also carved a noteworthy image of Eve in the cathedral, a rare nude figure in Medieval Art. Her body stretches out like a mermaid’s as she reaches for that infamously problematic apple.
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contemporary issues
End of the World: Myths and Beliefs Across Time Katherine Cantolina In the strictest etymological sense, the term “apocalypse” is derived from the Greek word apokalyptein, which directly translates as uncover. Similarly, the book of the Christian Bible that references the apocalypse is known as the Book of Revelation. This is mainly due to the fact that in traditional eschatology, the apocalypse is meant to refer to a time during which the true nature of the world will be revealed. In Christian mythology, the prophet John predicted that Jesus, the Messiah, would return to earth and sepa-
rate the good from the evil. The good would be rewarded with an eternity in paradise, while the evil would be condemned to burn in a lake of fire known as Gehinnom. The Hinduist interpretation of the apocalypse is referred to as Kali Yuga, the final stage of the cycle of yugas, or eras. During this period of time, the moral fabric of society is said to deteriorate—wives would order husbands to do their bidding, and sons would hold power over their aging fathers. At the end of Kali Yuga, it is said that Lord Vishnu will return to earth, and the cycle will begin again.
Various other peoples have developed similar apocalyptic tales. Norse mythology tells of the great wolves, who will devour the sun at the time of the Ragnarok. The Zoroastrians believed that once humankind has completely purified itself, the world will reach complete perfection, but not before much of the land mass of the earth is submerged beneath the ocean. Traditional Jewish sources predict the coming of a Messiah, and the subsequent end of the world, in the year 6,000. In modern times, the end of the world has become a subject of much
speculation- from sensationalistic prophesies of the world ending in 2012 to explorations of the apocalypse through fiction. Works such as Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, or H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine explore the emotional and physical impact of the end of times. Suffice to say, the end of the world is a subject that has inspired countless works of fiction and the mythology of many cultures. Some would argue that in the end, a universal death is simply another way through which we are able to understand and appreciate life.
Photos courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
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Apocalypse
DI
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Survival Kit Shannon Cruse-Ranson Photos by Shelby Mertens Word on the street is that it’s all gonna be over in 2012, and some are hedging bets that whatever nuclear radiation sweeps over the Earth will surely create some flesh-eating zombies that the unlucky survivors will be left to fight off. While waiting for that dark day to fall, it might be fun and functional to gather some necessary items to create your very own Apocalypse Survival Kit. Seriously, don’t be like most of Central Virginia that waits until the night before a weak snowstorm to get milk and toilet paper. Do yourself a favor and stock up now. Who knows how long family-size boxes of Twinkies will stay on the shelves, right? You’ll need a sturdy box to stow away your necessities, preferably metal, but for our purposes today as a “fire drill,” we’re using a big recycling bin. Chances are we’re going to use most of this up over Winter Break and we’ll need something to throw dirty laundry or empty cans in next semester anyway, but for the serious survivalists out there, here’s some necessary items to get you through the first 24 hours post Apocalypse…
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arts & culture Canned food & opener: We gotta eat right? Twinkies: Apparently, these tasty suckers can last through an atomic bomb. Water: Clean, untainted, H2O will buy you at least three more days than your comrades. Wine & opener: No refrigeration required. In Vino Veritas! Tissues: To wipe your tears away when you realize you’re about to fend for yourself. Fresh pair of undies: For after you crap yourself. Blanket: The Nuclear winter is a cold, cold reality. Moist towel-ettes: To wipe your face, feet, pits and behind the ears. Mouthwash: Trust us, your breath is gonna be kickin’. “Feminine supplies”: You really, really don’t want the wild hounds to catch your scent. Hammer/Wrench/ Screwdriver: Tools to fix and/or fuck stuff up. Crow bar: To bust into abandoned cars or loot stores. Road Atlas: You’ll need to know where all those back roads lead to as you search for safe hideouts. Jumper Cables: That Hummer isn’t going to start itself. Grenades & Ammo: Launch ‘em if you got ‘em. Flashlight & extra batteries: Use only if you’re brave enough to see what’s lurking in the darkness.
First-aid kit: Selfexplanatory, but it’ll just cover the basic cuts and bruises. Dust mask: To help filter contaminated air. Protective eye-wear: Goggles, glasses, or anything else to keep your peepers clear from the fire and brimstone. Household chlorine bleach: Good for multiple uses really. To clean up after a zombie kill maybe? Cash: In the event 7-11 is still open, you’ll need legal tender to buy that forty of PBR. Slow-burn emergency candles: For when you want to give the flashlight a rest. Matches: Gotta start those trash-can fires somehow. Battery-powered or hand crank radio: To know when the toxic winds change or to hear the last digitally recorded set-list on a Clear Channel station fizzle out of existence. Survival Manuals: Any emergency reference material such as a first aid book, or a copy of The Zombie Survival Guide could come in handy if you have time to read while you’re running for your life. NERF gun: To entertain yourself or shoot at radioactive roaches. Stuffed animal: You’ll need something to squeeze when you’re scared and lonely, right Mr. Teddy? Alright fair Rams, stock up, be prepared and we’ll see you when the smoke clears… maybe.
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arts & culture
Featured Musician:
Occultist By Addison Herron-Wheeler Photos Courtesy of Sarja Hasan
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ne of the most exciting upand-coming metal bands in Richmond right now is Occultist, an extreme crossover-style band combing the genres of metal and punk to create a sonically shattering and musically varied dystopian soundscape. Infused with growling guitar work, rumbling baselines and blast beats, and topped off with the bleak, aggressive vocal stylings of their new, female vocalist, Occultist are taking the scene by storm.
Kerry Zylstra............vocals Nathaniel Acker......bass Kent Jung ................guitar Jim Reed..................guitar Leland Hoth.............drums
1. Kerry, when and how did you join Occultist, and how do you think your presence has affected the direction of the band? Zylstra: Occultist was already well on its way to becoming a wellknown and established part of the underground music scene when I joined the band. I joined in June 2010 when Kent, my roommate at the time and guitarist of the band, approached me asking if I’d like to try out for vocals as they were going through a line-up change. I had seen Occultist play quite a few times and loved their sound. I was also friends with the other band members and it had been a longtime goal of mine to front a punk/ metal band, so the answer was a definite yes. Since then, we’ve played numerous shows and gone on a tour with the band Hot Graves. I’m fortunate to be a part of a band where my opinion has always been taken seriously and respected, and I have played a part in refining and perfecting our sound and the songs we play currently.
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arts & culture 2. How would you describe your sound? Who are your biggest influences?
Jung: Our sound is an amalgamation of black metal, death metal, thrash and crust. It’s a little hard to pinpoint exactly what our sound is, but that’s what I like about it. Hopefully, the people that are into us feel that’s a good thing as well. I think if you were to use a single word to describe our sound, the word relentless comes to mind. As far as my influences go other than the obvious Black Sabbath, Metallica etc., probably Motörhead and the Misfits have had the biggest impact on my playing, tone and just generally how I approach song writing. Acker: Our influences, musically, are different for each member of the band. We like to reference old school Florida deathmetal, thrash and speedmetal from the 80’s California and European scenes. We’re interested in the Swedish and Norwegian metal scenes, along with old-school UK and Scandinavian raw punk. Ultimately, our sound is dark, primitive, and relentless. 3. What are your lyrics mostly about, and where do you get inspiration for them? Reed: Our lyrics mostly revolve around the darker side of things and are often more archetypal than personal expressions. Everything from cannibal cults on the Ganges, Orwellian nightmares coming to fruition, to the classic “fuck-you-to-the-powers-that-be” type stuff. Not all of this is new subject matter by any means, but that doesn’t diminish the relevance of these subjects to us. 4. Kerry, as a female vocalist in an extreme metal band, how do you think your performance is received? Do you ever feel like people focus too much on your gender? Zylstra: I do feel as though people focus on my gender quite a bit, but within the underground punk and metal scene I have yet to encounter any negativity for it and my performance is usually very well received. Unfortunately this level of respect can differ with crowds at shows featuring more popular bands. There have been a few occasions at shows like this where I have been told of people making sexist comments when they find out we are female fronted. My guess is that these
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people spend too much time watching MTV and aren’t comfortable seeing a woman on stage who’s not dancing around in a skimpy outfit for their viewing pleasure. I’m not on stage to be objectified sexually. I’m there for the music.
5. What is your opinion right now on the local music scene? What is your favorite venue to play, and what do you think could be better about the scene? Zylstra: I love the music scene here. For years Richmond has upheld the reputation of having one of the strongest punk scenes in the country, and that’s the reason I moved here to begin with. I’m appreciative of any venue that will host a punk or metal show, but I will always enjoy playing house shows the most. I love being right there in the middle of the crowd, feeding off of the raw adrenaline. I want to be in your face and I want you in mine. Hoth: Richmond, VA’s local scene is one of the best in the United States for punk and metal. There are so many strong, active bands here it’s sometimes hard to keep up with. There are constantly new projects emerging from different groups of musicians within the city that promote diverse quality. It really is a rare thing. Our favorite venue is probably Strange Matter, where we can play on the floor, in “the pit” with our audiences. 6. How did Occultist originally come about, and what inspired you all to play music? Hoth: Occultist started in the fall of 2009 in Jackson Ward with Jim and myself blasting the neighborhood. A police officer came to the house and told us that we had to stop playing, and that we were, in his words “brutally loud.” We thought this was quite hilarious and took it as a positive indicator for the future of the band. Occultist: We are all inspired by our personal experiences growing up with music, be it in Virginia, or in Jim’s case, being part of the Florida punk and metal scene during the last few decades. We are dedicated to melting faces and playing raging gigs!!! As most musicians can only hope for, we love what we are doing and are constantly finding new ways to express ourselves. ink 15
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arts & culture
reviews
stuff to do before you die
Breakfast at Tiffany’s By Danielle Harvey Audrey Hepburn stars in this romantic comedy based on Truman Capote’s novella. As Holly Golightly, played by Hepburn, takes on the concrete jungle of Manhattan, she finds herself searching for a millionaire to marry. Golightly captivates the audience with her carefree spirit and charm. However, she is always searching for the next best thing, and she can’t be truly happy until she figures out there is more to life than diamonds and money. Will she find the man she thinks she wants to marry, or follow her heart? She doesn’t disappoint with her fashion choices either. As she steps out of a cab in the opening scene, her little black dress designed by Hubert de Givenchy instantly sets the standard for women wearing little black dresses for years to come. However, there is more to Holly Golightly’s life than eating a pastry and sipping coffee in front of the iconic jewelry store known as Tiffany’s. As the film progresses, her relationships help her transform into the person she has always wanted to be. This classic film, is a must see for anyone interested in romantic comedies or fashion.
Casablanca By Corinne Tilley Casablanca (Curtiz, 1942) is by no means my favorite film of all time. It doesn’t even crack the top five. Regardless, it has everything that makes a movie a great one. With the all-star cast of Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Peter Lorre, director Michael Curtiz, and the iconic script that makes the film the brilliant love story that it is, Casablanca is a staple of
American film and without a doubt the one essential film that everyone should see before they die.
Do the Right Thing By Amir Vera
If you’re really thinking about things to do before you get into that eternal slumber, I suggest you watch Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” (1989). Not only does this movie have action, comedy, and romance, it is also very profound. Lee conveys messages to the audience through each of his characters who, ironically enough, never actually do the right thing. Lee presents two options: to do the right thing as Martin Luther King, Jr. envisioned it- through peace and nonviolence. The other option, through any means necessary, the way Malcolm X condoned. The movie’s underlying tone and message also serve as the greater message of peace within a racially and economically divided community. I push for you all to watch this movie before you die only because I consider it a classic. While I’m no Roger Ebert when it comes to critiquing movies, I can tell you that you will probably enjoy this movie, if not for the messages Lee attempts to convey, then for the comedic stylings of Lee himself, Ruby Dee, and Ossie Davis, as well as Samuel L. Jackson and Martin Lawrence. In short, instead of reading this with a confused face wondering who Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis are, why don’t you just do the right thing and watch this movie.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind By Emily Eason Since the world is rumored to be coming to a close, one thing you should do is to try and reflect on those memories you have bottled up. It’s a healthy way to come to grips with the fact that everyone has people, events, and places that we all wish we could forget, but it’s best to just remember all those things that have helped to create who you are now. This kind of idea is addressed inside and out in the Michael Gondry film, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It tells the story of Joel Barrish, who meets mysterious and extremely spontaneous girl named Clementine. He is immediately attracted to her, and struggles with familiar feelings, as if he has known her for years. You soon realize that they were in love before as the story moves backward from the end of their relationship to the beginning. The twist is that the story is revealed through the mind of Joel during his session to get Clementine erased from his memories, after he discovers that she has done the same to him. This film is utterly beautiful, especially because of the message it sends to its viewers: you can try so hard to rid someone or something from your mind, but you must understand that all your memories are special because they help you discover yourself and what you, as a being, are capable of. This film definitely helps you ponder what is important in life.
Mary and Max By Kristeen Hadeed The style of this film could be described as Tim Burton meets Wallce & Gromit but don’t be fooled by the quirky animation style of this award-
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WEAR YOUR NFL FOOTBALL FAN GEAR ON GAME DAYS RECEIVE A FREE CHILI’S MUG
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