You are not what you own
Happy Wednesday friends! 2 new reviews this week for something new to ponder. 2 things this week. First the topic. “You are not what you own” so poignantly penned on Fugazi’s Repeater. A statement against consumerism that rings true as a harsh reality. As I listened to that album this evening and heard that chorus, it made me think about my music collection and how I value it. I have been a metal collector since my teens. Unapologetic. I find buying new music to be comforting and possessing a big collection to be rewarding when sharing with friends. It made me think about being a metalhead… again… unapologetic till the end, but Ian MacKaye made me think about the things I have surrounded myself with. Does it define me? Does it define you?
Secondly… Some of you may know that I own/run/co-own Bindrune and Eihwaz Recordings with fellow Worm overlord, Jim Clifton.
Last week we launched a free/donate what you want compilation via bandcamp featuring new and relatively new tracks from many talented artists on both labels’ growing rosters. This also includes a non album/exclusive track by Nechochwen. A lot of good stuff here for you to check out and I’d like to take this moment to encourage all of you to go stream the comp and download it if you like. Our gift to all of you. Thanks for the support!
Until next time, share your thoughts and your playlists! Take care. -Marty
Jim Clifton
Brimstone Coven – s/t
Falls of Rauros – Believe in No Coming Shore
Endlichkeit III–V
Horrendous – Ecdysis
Dissection – Storm of the Light’s Bane
Possessed – Seven Churches
Motorhead – Bomber
Horn – Naturmacht
Bolt Thrower – For Victory
Darkthrone – Plaguewielder
Marty Rytkonen Playlist
Untamed and Eternal (Bindrune Compilation)
Ulver – Vargnatt
Ulver – Bergtatt
Ulver – Natten Madrigal
Algaion -Oimai Algeiou (thanks for the reminder Unaerth! Haven’t spun these guys in some time. Was a nice reminder how awesome they are!)
Algaion – Vox Clamentis
Falls of Rauros – Believe in No Coming Shore
Fugazi – Repeater
Brimstone Coven – S/T
Vallenfyre – Splinters
Worm Gear 
Collecting is important to me, it’s part of who I am (and I’m a second-generation record collector), but it does not define me. I learned long ago how to manage my collection and keep it to a reasonable size rather than hoard everything I put my mitts on. I only buy music that I enjoy, and I never spend money I don’t have on records.
I understand the anti-consumerism mentality and I actually do make it a point to buy only what I need, never waste things, buy used/recycled when feasible, etc. But I have no problem with splurging for something fun every now and then.
Speaking of fun w/ collecting…
While recently digging through my mp3 backup hard drive, I came across a really cool song called ‘incandescence’ by Mindrot. I had completely forgotten about this song- hadn’t heard it in probably over 10 years. After much brainstorming I finally remembered that I had once gotten a copy of their ‘soul’ album from Marty/Worm in a CD trade sometime in the late 90s/earliest 00s. Eventually I traded the cd, but I ripped this one song b/c I liked it so much. I know it was a 2-for-2 CD trade, but I can’t recall the other discs we swapped. We probably set up the trade through the old Metal Maniacs board. Just thought I’d share a blast from the Wormy past 🙂
I definitely have that collectors mentality, not just with metal but all things I’m into (books, comics, movies etc.) but metal really brings it out in me. In recent years I’ve been trying to thin out the horde, have less stuff cluttering up my life and I’ve since sold off my cd collection, only after ripping all the cds. The advent of digital music especially bandcamp with a lot of great bands giving music away or allowing you to name your own price has been my most recent addiction. I can’t imagine how much physical space my digital collection would take up if it were on a physical format. Metal is a big part of my life but I wouldn’t say it defines me. If people see me as that guy who’s really into metal, that’s fine because I love to share metal with as many as possible.
Lunar Aurora – Weltengänger
Hypocrisy – Osculum Obscenum
At the Gates – The Red in the Sky is Ours
Eternal Valley – Screams of Eternal Emptiness
Death’s Design – Diabolical Masquerade
Hypocrite – Into the Halls of the Blind
Bastard Sapling – Instinct is Forever
Hypocrisy – The Fourth Dimension
Ablaze My Sorrow – If Emotions Still Burn
A Canorous Quintet – Silence of the World Beyond
Lunar Aurora – Zyklus
Cory Branan – The No-Hit Wonder
The White Buffalo – Once Upon a Time in the West
Seven Kingdoms – The Fire is Mine
Noble Beast – Noble Beast
Take Over and Destroy – Vacant Face
Hypocrisy – The Final Chapter
Fortid – Pagan Prophecies
Rapture – Futile
Ofermod – Tiamtu
Cross Vault – Spectres of Revocable Loss
Yob – Clearing the Path to Ascend
The Occultist – Death Sigils
Hypocrisy – Hypocrisy
The more I think about it, I would have to say ‘Yes’. Everything we do, learn, and experience in life helps to define us. What we are drawn toward, the passion and sincerity with which we pursue it, and our resultant actions all play a major role in both defining who we are and shaping who we ultimately become.
Many might view my music collection as highly materialistic. If that is all the farther they can see, or all the deeper they choose to look, so be it. Does materialism define me? No. Does the physical manifestation of one particular life-passion define me? Not necessarily. Does the combined experience, enjoyment, camaraderie, and wisdom gained through exploring/supporting/sharing ‘music’ help define me? Most certainly … YES. I do not put overmuch stock in material possessions. Trinkets, trendy tech, clothes, vehicles, etc … mean very little to me. I decided long ago not to waste much time, energy, or money on such things.
I do hunt experience. Aggressively. I do seek knowledge. Ravenously. The music, and the evolving ‘collection’, has been a tremendous tool for doing so. It has been a joyous endeavor to discover and appreciate the ‘collection’ I have unintentionally put together over the years. I, personally, do not equate such things with being materialistic in the general sense of shallow, modern-day consumerism.
I actually disagree with the statement “You are not what you own”. On the contrary, I believe the specifics of what we own (and what we do not) can be hugely illustrative of who we are as individuals. I own my memories, my ideas, my experiences, and yes … my music collection, my plain clothes, my old car, my great-grandfather’s knife … and I am content that they all define me in their own way.
Defined does not equal confined.
I believe the more clearly (and diversely) defined we are, the greater capacity we have to be unconfined in any given context.
Thanks, everyone, it is always a pleasure to read your opinions and share in your playlists.
Respect to you all …
Vspolokh – Sorrow of the Past (the track Eternity has felt like my anthem for the past year)
Funebrarum – The Sleep of Morbid Dreams
Misanthrope – Visionnaire
Vanhelga – Langtan
Coven – Worship New Gods
Mystifier – Goetia
Mosaic – Old Man’s Wyntar
I must invoke another favorite spectre from the past …
… spirits move amongst the trees … their voices pour forth from the mountainsides in fitful, frenzied streams …