Poetic Justice?

I am in mourning today.

Actually, I’ve been mourning for the past 3 years already. Since the day Matt Barlow announced his departure from the world’s most influential band, Iced Earth.

Matt Barlow’s voice is unparalleled in the modern music scene, even though there are many absolutely incredible vocalists out there (think Timo Kotipelto, Rob Halford, Bruce Dickenson) – There is not a single person that can outdo Matt.

And today, I write an ode. The passion behind his vocals in Iced Earth, the sheer feeling. My personal favourite moment is in Creator Failure, from Burnt Offerings. At 4 minutes, 7 seconds.

Standing now before her eyes
Winges expanding...she's going to die
Belching blue green fire
Flesh feeds the desire

4 min, 29sec : The serpent god’s apocalyptic smile!

The way he uses his voice is incredible.

I wish I could sing like that. I would sing for myself the whole day.

Matt works in law enforcement now, and is the vocalist for a police band. Lucky fuckers to know him. I respect his choice to have moved on, but I mourn the loss of metal’s greatest vocalist ever.

On a more personal note. Marc had a prang on Saturday, just a slight fender bender. So I drove him home, heard from Jean how his partner is screwing him in the business, took Dewald home, and got to walk into my own home only at 23:15. Yesterday, I moved stuff from my folks’ home to mine – My last few belongings that have remained. They are moving out of my childhood home, which has been sold to new people.

And that upsets me greatly too. It’s very hard to let go, more than I would ever have imagined. My every memory is at that place. The vast open fields, the dark nights, quiet athmosphere.

I shall miss it dearly.

Random thought of the day: Life moves forwards regardless.