Evanescence Vs Within Temptation

Given a choice, I'd pick PS3 over Xbox 360, poems over songs, drama over action, anime over movies. But there's one thing that confounds me completely - Amy Lee or Sharon Den Adel? My brain goes haywire when attempting to come up with a solid answer to this question. These two lovely ladies, the frontwomen of the rock bands Evanescence and Within Temptation respectively, are highly deserving rock Goddesses who unfailingly bring out memorable songs. They've their own unique qualities that are endearing to say the least. They've both been instrumental in inspiring me significantly and they're both friggin awesome! @_@ In this post, I'm going to juxtapose them and make a dissection of their abilities and that of their bands in general, and if possible, make a definite conclusion.

Band name:

Evanescence:

                   Abstract and subtle. I'd like to think that it refers to the evanescence of mortal life, thereby driving home the point that life's too short to let anything get the best of you, and that moral integrity should be maintained notwithstanding dire circumstances because that's how our life will be gauged at its dusk.

Within Temptation:

                   As profound and a tad more objective in my opinion. I'd interpret this as the resoluteness one should have about their morals, the self-discipline that one should have to not to give in to temptations, the loyalty towards one's ideals and what one believes in.

Hey, I'm not being preachy. These were just my interpretations of the band names. Now, for the real deal! 

Music:

Evanescence:

                   EV's music slants heavily towards gothic/hard rock, but what makes it stand apart and shine brilliantly is the amazing piano score that submissively complements the guitar riffs in most songs. There are occasional deviations though. For example, "My Immortal" doesn't have the element of rock in it; Neither does "Forgive me"; In "Swimming home" the electronic music dominates. In essence, the music in Evanescence is far from what the band name implicates. It will stand the test of time and will continue to rock for generations.

Within Temptation:

                   WT's music is relatively more experimental, inclining into symphonic rock territory. It's partly because of the lingering symphonies, but there's a sense of "epic-ness" to their music. I can't discern and validate the secret ingredients, but let me put it this way - WT's music would be fitting for pivotal moments in movies that are set in the medieval era. Get the drift now? O_o There's a sense of fantasy to it, something mystical and outlandish. Something that's incongruent to EV's modern rock which we can relate to easily. However, this "medieval rock" is outright fantastic and the emphasis on symphonies is refreshing!

Vocals:

Evanescence:

                   Amy Lee has this amazing, distinct voice that spans 3.5 octaves and gives the listener goosebumps all over. Although a classically trained singer, she can soothe the senses with hauntingly beautiful vocals that'd waltz to the melodic piano score and flawlessly transition to rocking our innards with a raw, powerful voice. Songs like "Exodus", "Forgive me", "Swimming home", "My immortal" exhibit the ethereal, enchanting aspects of her voice. On the other hand, songs like "Tourniquet" and "Everybody's fool" are cathartic and potent enough to run an entire power plant. Her killer set of lungs, the impressive vocal range and her inimitably angelic voice makes Amy the legendary rock Goddess that she is. Not to mention the invigorating passion with which she sings!

Within Temptation:

                   After months of drowning in Evanescence, I initially perceived Sharon's voice to be too different to instill me, but that half-baked conception didn't last for long. Once my ears were treated to "Memories", I began fanatically downloading WT songs. She isn't blessed with a unique voice like Amy's, and there's a slight feeling of deja vu associated, that's reminiscent of Celine Dion. But, Sharon does what she does best. She handles all the niceties with absolute clarity, and her airy, feminine voice goes well with the symphonic, "Medieval" rock, sending us on raptures. However, that isn't to say that her voice merely suits songs that aren't too taxing in terms of raw energy. She can be almost as adept at singing powerfully like Amy, and that's a huge credit to her versatility!

Lyrics:

Evanescence:

                   I'll make this as condensed as possible. EV's lyrics are dark and mostly depict sad scenarios. But despite its darkness, there's a rich tapestry of uplifting warmth, that's threaded with strong emotions, covering it. It helps the wounded souls find their inner strength, hang in there, persist and persevere with hope for the morrow. The songs, like I said earlier are more easily relatable and the lyrics are quite unequivocal except in rare occasions like in "Secret door" and "Lost in paradise".

Within Temptation:

                   WT's songs are more poetic and they are subtler when it comes to expression. This sense of subtlety embraces the theme of the music and it works like a charm, abidingly casting the listeners under its wonderful spell. Unlike EV's lyrics which are comparatively curt and lucid, many songs in WT leave themselves open to interpretation by the listeners.

So, to consolidate all the above parameters, it's quite safe (and convenient :P) to say that Amy Lee is Sharon's doppleganger who dwells in a different realm where darkness isn't intimidating, but inspiring; Isn't devastating, but constructive. Sharon can be deemed, on grounds of her musical and singing abilities, Amy's sheltered sister who explores uncharted territory in the human mind. Essentially apples and oranges, but then life's impossible without either! 

The journey down the leaf

On the leaf, the nascent droplet slowly grew,

Deriving substance from brothers new,

Eloping with a demure dew drop,

In the lull of everyday they harped.

From their depths did they bare,

Giving the veins of the leaf its fair share.

Past the pores they trudged,

Not to a speck did they budge.

Soon, the drop went ahead in an irredeemable stride,

Aversely drifted from its distressed bride.

Now anchored to the leaf by its tapering end,

To fear of eternal darkness it didn't relent,

For its was a life well spent.

The boisterous sun failed to scorch,

But only added shimmer to its rounded arch.

Not the breeze with its insidious rhyme,

Could pull off its passionate crime.

Silently thanking its kith and kin,

The droplet found strength within.

As it let gravity take the reins,

It hauled off its worldly pains.

Radiant as a pristine jewel, it fell,

At peace with the imminent knell.

It hit the ground to the bell's chime,

And left its mark on the sands of time.

Off it went, back to the cradle of mother earth,

Where it was rocked to sleep till its next birth.

                                                            

                                                      - Ajay Shaan

I fear

I fear, not the fathomless depths of the oceans blue..
Not the astounding altitude of the cotton clouds..
Neither the menacing bats that in dark caves dwell..
Nor the grizzly bears of the forests wild..
Not the way people perceive me..
Not how my convictions resonate..
Not the solitude that accompanies me..
Or the failures that I'd unexpectedly meet..
Neither the gleaming scythe of the reaper..
Nor the monsters masquerading amongst men..
But the oblivion I'm incarcerated in, 
as I succumb to my dreams. 

     
                                                  - Ajay Shaan

Death and beyond

Note to readers: The recurrence of poems about death shouldn't, under any circumstances, shed the wrong light on you. Life is beautiful and is meant to be lived to the fullest. The following poem only exemplifies the depth of love and the estrangement of the bereaved, and not death. 

Hours transpired like every other day.

Perched on the trees, sparrows chirped,

Keeping the dreadful silence at bay,

And sunlight across the land, whipped.

Laid there on the grassy lawn,

Was a lovely lady dressed in a corset.

Smelling the blossoms like a fawn,

Enchanted was she, by nature’s best.

Up the hill ran a hysterical lad,

His face as white as a sheet,

Shattered her heart to more than just a shard,

And made her swoon to her feet.

 Not the serenading birds perched on the trees,

Not the lingering fragrance of the evening breeze,

Not the yellow field gleaming under the sun,

Not the vivacious little children having fun,

Could salvage the amber blaze alight in her,

From the reaping wind’s cold leer.

Her man who relentlessly gave her love and mirth,

No more belonged to this vast, wide earth.

No more could she be held in his chiseled arms,

No more could they make love passionately in the barn,

No more was there a purpose in life.

Alas! She wasn't meant to be his wife.

Minutes rolled to hours, and hours to days,

And there she sat like a stone.

With her eyes so lifeless and cold,

Her once rosy lips now dry as a bone.

Draining her blood was her soul,

Turning her visage as of a ghoul.

Neither did she eat, nor drink,

As she stooped over life’s brink.

Deep down was an endless bottom,

That her rotting psyche couldn't fathom.

The day came when her eyes lit up,

Like a hopeless spark in a dark cavern.

At last, she found the rusted key,

That would let her past the door of misery.

Renouncing her last shred of life,

She let go and set her eyes on the stars afar,

And said “I’ll be there wherever you are”. 


                                                                       - Ajay Shaan

Hajime no Ippo - A total knockout!

            With the profusion of anime shows that focus on intense action, you'd be barking up the wrong tree if you reckon that a muscular, confrontational protagonist with superhuman fighting skills who dons the role of a heroic crusader, a well endowed moll fawning said chap and a cheap plot are all you need to bring about an action packed anime. There's more to that. There's no denying that 'Hajime no Ippo' steers clear off the contemptible stereotypes surrounding this genre and delivers what can only be venerated as a surge of revitalizing energy that can make you punch through a concrete wall with little effort.

The plot isn't elaborate in any sense, but still it gracefully takes the backseat to let the action take the helm. Anyway, the story starts with the diffident Makunouchi Ippo who resigns himself to be a rag-doll for the vicious bullies at school. Try as he may and he never can muster the courage to speak a word against them, let alone fight back. In a chance encounter, Takamura enters the picture and rescues Ippo from a brutal attack by the bullies. Ippo then craves to be strong and powerful, taking inspiration from the self-absorbed, yet good humored Takamura. Thus the stage is set for Ippo to find himself in the gruesome world of boxing.  

                             

In a land where men of colossal muscles thrive with austere expressions that can be outmatched by a wooden plank, Ippo is an appealing aberrant. His decorous mannerisms in real life reflect on stage too. You can't help but chuckle as he bows and thanks the audience meekly before the commencement of a match. But once the bell goes gong, you can start feeling the tension in the air as Ippo becomes nothing short of a powerhouse who can deliver devastating punches! He isn't your stock protagonist with the hackneyed characteristics, but an entirely likable character who can be looked up to in times of desolation. Unless you staunchly refuse to have any preconceptions, you may have pictured Ippo to be a tall, strapping, handsome fellow by now. Brace yourself, for he isn't Adonis incarnate! The pug nosed, spike haired Ippo may not have the striking features to qualify as the man of every girl's dreams. However, if you look beyond those misgivings, you've a charming, positively influencing personality that cuts a fine figure to the mind's eye.    

The supporting cast cannot be simply played down to mere propellants for the story. Takamura takes the lion's share of our attention among Ippo's friends and he wouldn't be caught dead not kicking around the unassuming Ippo. Being the conceited alpha male in the pack, Takamura provides comic relief as much as he gives Ippo useful insights into the nuances of boxing. The opponents that Ippo face have their own backstories that occasionally makes us vacillate over who to root for during the match. Without being consigned to an insubstantial tier, the supporting cast contribute well in molding Ippo in one way or the other.

                             

It hurts to say this, but the character artwork is a bit outdated, and this doesn't really vindicates Ippo's unflattering face. More likely, he was created with intents to break free off the conventions that make an anime protagonist. But the animation is clearly crafted with considerable effort; It's really hard to bowl the audience over when the fights are very much grounded to reality, but then the animation is top notch, even by today's standards. The music is pertinent to the proceedings on screen and though there isn't anything remarkable about the background music in the truest sense, the sound effects pack a punch! Every punch lands with an authentic impact; Every swish of a missed swing, the boxers' stifled groans as they absorb debilitating blows, the squeak elicited from deft footwork, everything sounds substantial. The level of detail towards the fine distinctions of boxing are impressive, though it doesn't come as a surprise because the creator of the HNP anime and manga, George Morikawa is a boxing connoisseur with a very pedantic eye for niceties in the sport. Therefore, needless to emphasize, the matches never lose vigor and are consistently fast paced and thrilling, with every subtlety addressed with great concern.

                             

If you want to be thrilled and amazed like you never were when you watched DBZ, if you are tendentious towards watching action that doesn't involve the fighters inanely screaming out their laughably labeled attacks, if you're piqued by the various shades of boxing techniques and combos, this is one show that's right up your alley.