Archive for the 'Gothic Rock' Category
gothic culture
December 2nd, 2008
a tribute for a gothic culture
Duration : 4 min 14 sec
Rammstein - Engel (Gothic Mix)
December 2nd, 2008
Rammstein - Engel (Gothic Mix) yeah its weird
Duration : 13 min 26 sec
Gothic
December 2nd, 2008
I did not make this. These Pictures are occasionally bloody
Duration : 8 min 37 sec
Gothic tales
December 2nd, 2008
my video
Duration : 4 min 39 sec
Visit Yorkshire and Explore Bronte Country
December 2nd, 2008
Irish Anglican clergyman Patrick Bronte married Maria Branwell in 1812. Together they had six children. The first two children died aged 10 and 11. Charlotte, Patrick, Emily and Anne survived into their early thirties. They were to become the most remarkable family of writers Yorkshire had ever produced.
Charlotte, Patrick, Emily and Anne were born in the village of Thornton, west of Bradford, where Patrick was parson. The parsonage still stands today and is lived in by writer Barbara Whitehead. She is lovingly restoring the house to its regency glory.
It was in Haworth however, that the Bronte’s grew up and produced their writings.
Inspired by their writer parents and the bleak backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, the three girls wrote copiously from an early age. In 1847 the girls finally published their most famous novels. Charlotte’s Jane Eyre, Emily’s Wuthering Heights and Anne’s Agnes Grey, all became best sellers. Alas, the girls were destined to die young. Emily never completed another novel and died aged 30, followed by Anne aged 29 and finally Charlotte age 39, just a year after marriage.
Their father outlived them all and collaborated with their good friend Elizabeth Gaskell on Charlotte’s biography.
Haworth
Today you can visit Haworth and the parsonage where the Brontes once lived. The village itself is too pretty for words with cute little cottages, cobbled streets, Victorian shop fronts and olde worlde pubs. During the Christmas season there is a Victorian market on the main street and if your there at the right time, you will enjoy the carol singers. Morris dancers perform on the cobbled streets. The sound of their studded shoes hitting the cobbles and their clubs clashing together, provide exciting entertainment not normally associated with ‘gentle’ Morris dancing. This is real macho stuff (despite the outfits).
The Parsonage
You can visit the parsonage where the Brontes grew up. The rooms have been restored and the building is now a museum complete with library. The place provides plenty of atmosphere for the visitor to soak up. The rooms in which the family lived were tiny and dark and one can imagine a little scary at night when they would be lit by candlelight casting shadows and creating dark corners. This is in stark contrast to the brightness and space outside. The vast open skies and expanse of the moorland provided the birthplace of the gothic novel.
Top Withens
Emily Bronte wrote ‘Wuthering Heights’ in 1847. Her novel tells the story of doomed love and revenge. Top Withens has long been thought to have been the inspiration for her book. The ruined farmhouse stands on a hill overlooking the moors. Although the house itself bears little resemblance to the house described in her book, the situation may well have been in her mind when she wrote of the moorland setting of the heights. The place has become a popular attraction for Bronte and Kate Bush fans alike.
Bronte Waterfall
From the village of Haworth it is worth walking the two and a half miles to the falls which takes in some interesting reminders life in the 19th century, including some old coal mines. The waterfall was frequented by the Brontes and there is a rock formation in the shape of a chair named after them. Charlotte recorded a visit here during the winter of 1854 as, a perfect torrent racing over the rocks, white and beautiful!’ The falls varies from a torrent to a trickle and is best viewed after heavy rain.
Bronte Chapel
The Bronte Chapel is inside St. Michael and All Angels Church, Haworth. The old church was originally built in 1655, pulled down in 1879 and restored in 1962. Here you will find the Bronte family vault wherein lies buried the Bronte family. The chapel houses a 17th century communion table and an inscription where the engraver has mistakenly left out the ‘i’ in Christ.
Patrick Bronte lived a long life dying at the grand old age of 84 in the parsonage. He collaborated with famous authoress Elizabeth Gaskell whose autobiography of Charlotte celebrates its centenary. There is also a much awaited film being released in 2007 depicting the life and times of the Bronte family.
For those with any interest in the Bronte’s, a visit to the places that inspired their writing will be a rewarding experience.
How to Make the Most of your Visit to New York
December 2nd, 2008
When visiting New York City it is all too easy to become overwhelmed by all the sights on offer. Before your trip it is best to plan what you want to see as this will allow you can make great use of your time and get the very best from your visit. Whether your trip lasts a few days or a few weeks making sure you take in the following places will help your exploration of New York City to go with a bang:
The Empire State Building; famous the world over the Empire State Building and all its history is a great place to start. Having featured in many films down the years the Empire State Building is one of the star landmarks of the city. While nowadays you will have to queue to take a trip to the summit of this behemoth the fantastic views are well worth both your time and your money. Looking across the city skyline and taking in the scenery of this bustling metropolis really gives you an appetite for exploring more of what New York has to offer.
Top of the Rock; if you think those amazing views cannot be topped then head on over to the Rockefeller Centre and make your way up to the observation deck on its 70th floor. Known world wide as the Top of the Rock the views on offer are utterly unparallel allowing you to experience a city so vibrant and full of splendour. Whether you visit Top of the Rock during the day or in the evening you will not be disappointed as the city continues to sparkle day and night from this superb vantage point.
Statue of Liberty; originally a gift from France to celebrate America’s centennial the Statue of Liberty has her home on one of two historically famous islands. Liberty Island and Ellis Island provide a stark contrast to New York’s glamorous identity. As millions of immigrants came to America in the search of a better life the Statue of Liberty became a symbol of hope and is today recognised as an emblem of the American contribution to helping others. Taking a trip to these islands provides a unique insight into the hopes and dreams of those who passed through this famous port.
Broadway is one of if not the most well known theatre districts in the entire world. Broadway provides the opportunity to see the greatest plays and musicals on offer from classics such as The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables to modern productions including Spamalot and Tarzan. The spell-binding performances are a superb way to enjoy an evening in New York.
Central Park is New York’s little oasis of calm. Flanked by towering skyscrapers on every side the park provides a tranquil experience perfect for the busy tourist to take a relaxing break from the bright lights and sounds. The grounds are well maintained and an enjoyable walk allows the opportunity to discover yet another side of the city. As well as lovely surroundings the park provides light entertainment in the guise of performing artists and various small shows.
Times Square while often referred to as cheesy is simply one of those places you have to see when you visit New York. You will have seen and read plenty on it before and to truly feel the full New York experience its vital to see the famous bright lights of Times Square. A huge meeting place for New Years Eve revellers Times Square is a world renowned icon of New York best known for its banks of animated advertising. An incredibly fun place to visit that really gives you the chance to snap away with those cameras
The Brooklyn Bridge, over one hundred years old and costing more than $15 million to build this gothic styled suspension bridge has overseen the massive growth of New York. Connecting the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn the bridge offers some fantastic photo opportunities of the city’s landscapes as well as hugely intriguing architecture on the bridge itself. When floodlit at night the bridge is at once eerie yet hypnotic, an absolute must see.
In addition to these iconic landmarks New York City has much more to offer, from fantastic museums and galleries to the diverse communities of Little Italy and China Town. Add to all this scores of marvellous shops, bars and restaurants and its clear to see you will never run out of things to explore in New York.
Halloween in Transylvania - Tour for Singles
December 2nd, 2008
We led our largest group ever on a vampire vacation to a land that time forgot. Romania isn’t a top tourist destination, but it was delightfully surprising to discover the unique culture and natural wonders in this undiscovered part of Europe.
We set out to follow the footsteps of Bram Stokers gothic novel “Dracula.” Our itinerary was a mixture of educational history and spooky fun to celebrate a Halloween never to be forgotten.
It’s ironic that Romanian’s don’t celebrate this holiday in a land so rich in folklore and legends. For us Americans, that was the draw as our group swelled to 67 singles with 140 suitcases in tow. We had two coaches and two excellent guides named Hunor and Radu who were with us 24/7 throughout.
On arrival into Bucharest, we went to the Count Dracula Club for a welcome dinner. It was a uniquely themed restaurant with medieval rooms and a visit by the Count himself.
Our menu presented a Van Helsing platter of assorted meats and cheeses along with “blood wine.” The entrees were fried chicken breast shaped remarkably like a rat with anatomical designed eyes, ears and tail.
Day 1- We toured the capital city which had greatly changed from my last visit years ago as they now strive to blend the old with the new.
Under the yoke of communism for 46 years, it was a broken city but now restoring itself with new cafes, boutiques, hotels and casinos. Some refer to it as the “Little Paris of the Balkans.”
After touring the outdoor Village Museum. We viewed the Parliament House which is the second largest building in the world and took 20,000 men to build it. It was erected by the paranoid and near mad dictator Nicolae Ceausescu from his megalomania ideals.
He bulldozed entire neighborhoods and historic districts to make room for this monstrosity that now sits empty. It is a thorn in the side for Bucharest’s 3 million people.
Most meals were included on this trip. This evening we had a festive dinner at the lakeside Pescarus Restaurant. The typical menu included stuffed cabbage, polenta, meats and a desert to die for called pappanash 2 giant fresh baked donuts smothered in fresh sour cream and jam.
Our meal was served under the backdrop of a folk music band and costumed dancers. The entertainment was brilliant.
Day 2- We headed out through the Olt Valley to Transylvania. We toured Cozia Monastery with it’s beautiful frescos and tomb of Vlad’s grandfather.
The setting was postcard perfect in a land of lakes, plum orchards and lush forests that now draped the hills with an explosion of golden autumn colors. We journeyed on into the Carpathian Mountains where 6,000 brown bears reside.
We toured the charming town of Sibiu established in 1192 by German colonists. Inside the fortified walls were cobbled lanes and gabled houses that looked like old Nuremberg.
It was amazing how it all resisted the ravages of time. Walking the Old Square and Liars Bridge, we learned the history of the Saxon’s and Hungarian influence here.
At night we visited the little shepherd village of Sibiel, toured the glass Icon Museum and took a graveyard walk under the stars.
There is a graveyard here where the carvers of tombstones were free to write whatever they chose without protest. For example some epitaphs read “This man was a beggar and thief” or “This man died from drinking too much.”
Our special dinner was arranged at a farmer’s house where the family cooked for two days in their tiny kitchen to receive us all. It was delicious traditional fare of homemade and organic pork, apples, eggplant, beans, sweet local wine and plenty of plum brandy.
Transylvania is Romania’s heart between the mountains with a population of 5 million and boasts a rich heritage.
We learned about the gypsies who migrated here from northern India 1000 years ago. There’s great mystique about these Bohemian nomads because they have no written historic documents.
They call themselves Romani meaning human beings and they avoid being legal citizens of any land. They have unique tribal customs. Most are craftsmen that use only primitive hand tools and are renowned to be great musicians though they don’t read music.
We may know of their reputation for stealing, but to the gypsy they look at everything as community property. Whatever opinions are correct, all agree that they are masters of survival.
Along the way we also learned about Prince Vlad Tepes III, aka Dracula. Born in 1431, he later ruled the Valachia region here. He was strikingly handsome.
Due to the way he punished his enemies, he received nicknames like Dracul meaning devil and The Impaler. He had to protect the land from invading Turks and Tartans.
When the Turks refused to remove their turbans, he simply nailed it into their heads. Cruelty was common in the Middle Ages, but Vlad’s ways were the ultimate. He would decapitate people and post heads along roads like sign posts and would boil people alive.
His favorite punishment was impalement. Here he would insert a wooden stake into the rectum up to the shoulder blade painstakingly to avoid all major organs. Slowly these poor souls would writhe in pain until death some 48 hours later.
Hundreds were impaled at a time and posted looking like a forest of humans on a stick. It was physiological warfare at its best as it drove fear into the hearts of all his enemies.
In saving the land from invaders, he became a hero for the Romanians. Contrary to the novel, he was bloodthirsty, but not a vampire. Rumors spread that he drank blood and ate human organs.
This led to led to the fictional idea of vampirism. Vlad died at age 40. No one is sure how or where his headless body is buried. Perhaps he didn’t die?
Day 4- Like on safari, we change hotels each night. The rooms are spartan but clean. It’s a bit of a shock for my first timers abroad.
As we travel deep into the southern Carpathians, we pass the prison town of Gerla, the factories of Alba Lullia and salt mines of Turda which look Third World.
We stayed in Cluj Napoca and after a brief tour we explored the university town. It’s not all that impressive but a good party town with many nightclubs to explore.
Day 5- We headed over the Borgo Pass to the border of Moldavia and finally to Bistrita, a market town located in the heart of Dracula-land. Witch trials were big here.
After a walking tour of the 13th century sites, we boarded our coaches to ascend up the mountains.
The villages here looked like they are in a time warp. This is seriously remote countryside where cars are replaced by horses and wooden carriages. In some parts the road turns into dirt.
The architecture is painted neon with fire orange matchbox houses, turquoise churches and hot pink barns. The sun shown down and lit up pumpkin patches and plum tree orchards. This is the lovely part of Eastern Europe tourists rarely get to see.
We climbed hair pin curves and arrived to Count Dracula Castle Hotel located on top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere.
Perched at 1116 meters, there were awesome sweeping views of the countryside below. It has gothic towers, arched windows, an interior courtyard and no elevators.
It looks like something right out of the movies. Five petite young girls hauled our suitcases up countless stairs.
Our dinner prepared here was “hearty peasant cuisine” consisting of slabs of lard, pickles and mystery meats in gelatin. It was so comical; we photographed our platters that looked like “Fear Factor” food. Later we were led on a “hysterical tour” into the hidden cellar.
We descended a dark passageway and entered the crypt of Dracula. Here paintings depicted the life of the legendary dark one. A lone coffin was in the middle of the room. Suddenly it opened and the hand of Vlad reached out to grab us before bolting way.
Later Terry then joined others for a chilly moonlit walk and they were joined by a pack of 15 stray dogs all with wagging tails.
October 31 - Halloween! We drove through apple-land into the heart of gypsy country. Roadside stalls selling garlic and onions lined the road. Our drive times were double than anticipated on these rural one lane roads.
We finally arrived to Sighisoara, UNESCO cultural center with a haunting fort surrounding the town, the birth place of Dracula and the creepiest Clock Tower ever seen. We checked into our hotel and prepared for our costume party.
Tonight was our Halloween party which was 5 hours of howling fun. Three ancient cellar rooms were decorated and lit with candles. Slowly one by one, my group arrived fully costumed with creativity beyond imagination.
There were several vampires, Dracula’s, gypsies, witches, wenches and a knight. But also such variety from Daniel as cross dresser and an unrecognizable Whitney as a bald monk.
My favorite was Elizabeth dressed as a lab rat, but our grand winner was Sandra as a vampire Bride of Frankenstein. She wore a full tea stained bridal dress, white contact lens and a wooden stake pierced her heart. It was a delight to watch the staff peering through the kitchen doors at us in wonderment.
After our appetizer, we were led outside for a mock witch trial. (700 witches were burned at the stake here.) In the end, we the jury decided to save her and she joined us for dinner. Even Vlad himself made an appearance. To our surprise, a team from Romanian National Television came to record us for the news.
This was certainly an entertaining human interest story for the locals. Some of us were interviewed with the main question of “Why Americans celebrate Halloween this way?” We really couldn’t give a good explanation.
Romanians are superstitious. Beliefs still exist today that spirits return to torment people. Since the mid 1800’s, vampire stories grew widespread.
The DJ was so good that we danced until midnight. Even our guides and bus drivers joined us on the dance floor with looks of feeling guilty for having so much fun. Our driver Johnny didn’t have costume so he simply shed his shirt.
Day 7- In the morning we toured the disappointing arms and torture museum. The dungeon, however, was virtually authentic. On to Brasov where we toured the gothic Black Church built in 1383 and St. Nicolas Monastery from 1477.
Then on to Bran Castle referred to as “Dracula’s Castle” but he spent little time here. After shopping the gypsy market, we climbed the old rock steps to reach the famous castle perched on a cliff.
We all wondered, how could this have been constructed. Both exterior and interior were spectacularly preserved. Our last stop was the fairytale town of Sinaia before we headed back to Bucharest.
There I was informed by locals that our AFS party was on national news. Our driver Johnny had his moment of fame when he was seen dancing by his friends and is now nicknamed “shirtless Johnny.”
We covered 800 miles and saw an eyeful of this land off the tourist trodden path. There were rugged landscapes with haunting natural beauty, more castles and fortresses than Scotland, churches painted from the inside out and there were rural villages with shepherds and weavers where century’s old traditions are still alive.
I wonder how all this will be affected when Romania soon joins the European Union. I hope she can hold steadfast to her spiritual treasures and reputation for warm hospitality.
As Americans abroad here, we felt a welcoming spirit inviting us to return again.
What to see in Loches
December 2nd, 2008
Loches is a very interesting town located within the region of
Loire Valley, in France. This town is very attractive due to the
several different antique buildings it has and the richness of
its historical past. By walking around the central area of the
town as well as by its surrounding country lands, those tourists
who enjoy historical constructions would be able to have a nice
time while meeting several of them.
One of the most attractive ancient buildings visitors could meet
within the region of Loches is its Fortress. This fortress shows
a very unique and impressing appearance, due to its magnificence
and incredible size which reaches heights of as much as 40
meters. Different kings, such as Louis XI and Louis XII used
this feudal fortress as a prison for their enemies. This way,
this building can be seen as one which had strong incidence
within the history of France.
Another very important construction located within the area of
Loches is the Royal Home. Most of the Royal Home was built
during the XV century, although another part of it was not built
until one century later. This construction shows a unique
combination of architectural elements from the Renaissance mixed
with elements from the medieval époque, and within its interior
some Gothic ornaments can be observed as well.
Saint Bear Church is another interesting Loches’ building. This
church is located near the Fortress and both these buildings
share one same rock foundations. The Saint Bear Church was
originally built during the V century as an oratory. Later, the
building was extended and became a monastery. This church’s
architecture is very beautiful and shows an incredible mixture
of different styles, mixing elements from many different époques
between the V century and the XV century.
Besides the above mentioned important buildings, Loches and its
surroundings have many other different historical constructions
and beautiful buildings from several antique époques. Among
these constructions there are many interesting monuments, such
as, for example, the Cordeliers’ Door. The Cordelier’s Door is
recognized as the city’s Main Door and is one of the main spots
visitors should make sure of meeting while being in Loches
Need help remembering a gothic rock band.?
October 23rd, 2008
I bet no one knows who they are. The lead singer is female with long blonde dreadlocks. They did a cover of Billy Idol’s White wedding. Looks like ill have to try going through all the myspace bands haha. Thats where I found them originally. They had albums and stuff so they werent that unknown…
I think I found it:
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdn8KFxdVgE
Does anyone know any good symphonic gothic rock bands ?
October 23rd, 2008
i really need to know cause im bored with just regular rock now
ABORYM, TRISTANIA, SIRENIA, ARCTURUS, …AND OCEANS (FIRST RECORD), EPICA, THE GATHERING, JUST TO NAME A FEW