As a species we're in a new technological epoch, with hitherto untold amounts of choice and luxury at our very fingertips. But we mustn't forget our cosmic origins, how our existence in the here and now is contingent on each one of our ancestors having braved the teeth of astronomically stupefying odds.
As banal as it may be, an epiphany like this befell me roughly a decade ago, as I stared out into the stretch of ocean before me on an Australian shoreline. I was suddenly aware of my own mortality, insignificance, and smallness in the face of Mother Nature. Perhaps an overcomplex conclusion to draw for a 20-year-old who was simply out for a day at the beach, but at the very least, it gave me pause to appreciate the moment, for its beautiful natural simplicity, juxtaposed with the cosmological enormity of what I was considering. A handful of lyrics and melodic lines that feature in this song are lifted from ideas I jotted down shortly after that day, a decade or so ago.
Our "moment" is just that in the grand scheme – a fleeting iota of time that pales in comparison to the age of our planet, let alone that of our universe. We should try to be mindful of our temporary nature in this world, so as to try and make our lives meaningful and worthwhile.
As we navigate our lives, only one thing can be sure: everything dissolves and disappears. Even the very rock we stand on is temporary, as geological erosion and meteorological disaster, over the period of uncountable aeons, will eventually wear it away, or destroy it altogether. In the face of cosmic indifference and of our finite duration upon this earth, we should try – whether individually, or (perhaps more importantly) as an entire race – to leave an echo, an indelible mark in time itself – defy the odds, laugh in the face of infinity, and be our "impossible" selves.
In a selfish sort of way, this song is a reminder to myself to continue to seize the day, or at least, appreciate the moment.
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lyrics
The tide itself rose up and thrust us forth
Deep into aeons untold
A cosmic spark in the dark ignited all
Do you dare to burn that strong?
All the steps you've taken
Countless fates forsaken
All to result in you
So what will you do?
The moment's here, don't let it pass you by
(You're a storm inside)
Throughout your years, never be pacified
(Where's your lust for life?)
'Cos even rocks melt in the sun
And the sands of life shall run
Only one thing in this world is clear
All that is will disappear
So be impossible
Our sheltering sun and rain provide our home
But we're more distant than ever before
Honour the day and age – mother of all
The one we rely upon
Billions cast aside
In the abyss of time
The moment's here, don't let it pass you by
(You're a storm inside)
Throughout your years, never be pacified
(Where's your lust for life?)
'Cos even rocks melt in the sun
And the sands of life shall run
Only one thing in this world is clear
All that is will disappear
So be impossible
Witness all there is to see
Can you comprehend?
This is your place in the grand scheme
Do you understand?
As when stars collide
Leave your mark in time
As we crawled to ground
And then rose to cloud
Stand up and make Mother Gaia proud
So be impossible
(Impossible!)
Even rocks melt in the sun
And the sands of life shall run
Only one thing in this world is clear
All that is will disappear
credits
from Abyss of Time,
released November 3, 2023
Additional personnel:
Karine Polwart – lyrics
Robert Burns – lyrics
this is rock & roll. this is metal. this is an album by esselfortium, an extremely exciting artist in exciting times for indie music.
if this is what she's doing now, what the hell is she gonna do next? wallets out, everyone, and join me (& this album) in looking forward.
listen front to back: it's a movie in your head. jamesedwardand
Sarah Mancuso led the Back To Saturn X Doom mod project, which is staggeringly good, and did a lot of the music for it. This album is a mellow, melancholic nostalgia trip, and I love it Danny Abbasi
Six bangers from Johannesburg, South Africa that deliver bright & melodic deep house with a subtle, pulsing rhythm. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 12, 2023
Absolutely sublime, an essential to any MIDI enthusiast. Vanilla compatible as well.
Of course if you don't know, you should play BTSX using a source port of your choice: You can use ZDL to load up source ports and cleanly select multiple pk3s and WADs to run.
The interface of ZDL is a bit clunky but, to play BTSX all you would really need to do is drag and drop the WAD to a sourceport exe to launch it.
I recommend GZDoom for utility, Woof for authenticity, and DSDA if you're speedy boi. BrickDickRick