Persephone's (Gothic) Insights

Hi, I'm the "two cents" guy. I listen to metal songs on YouTube, though mainly remasters/remixes; my blog is about metal, but also sex, videogames and horror . This is a compilation—of interviews I've given with Metallica remixers, including Bryce Barilla, State of Mercury and Ahdy Khairat. It also includes comments I've given on their YouTube videos, and provides links to music reviews/write-ups I've done in the past.  Note: All of us can be found on State of Mercury's Discord server . Stop by and say hello! Interviews My interviews focus on the history of these musicians, and the approach to making their content. Creblestar: A YouTuber and speedrunner, Creblestar makes music content for his YT channel, including Metallica remixes. Although he came along slightly before I started writing about metal, his work inspired me to begin the journey. Read my interview with Creblestar, here . Bryce Barilla: Bryce's initial approach was more conservative. He r...

This two-part series examines the historical lack of choice regarding character appearance in videogames—namely clothes. Part one examines these issues as they pertain to women; part two, for queer people. My blog is about horror, but also metal, sex and videogames . This series is a feminist exploration of that trend. Note: When I write "clothes," I mean in the literal sense, but also the character's total onscreen appearance—their physique, dialogue, move set, etc. For women, such personas seldom represent actual female desires—either of the character, or any women who controls her. Instead, they represent how women are controlled by their male peers through the forced assignment of clothes that sexualize women in unfavorable* ways.  *For a good meta example of this kind of domination, refer to  Doki Doki Literature Club . This "dating sim" highlights the horror of female characters imprisoned in a highly controlling and sexist system—one they cannot escape, a...

Sitting down to watch Army of Darkness  (1992) for the umpteenth time, I found myself somewhat perplexed: On one hand, this was a family favorite; I'd grown up with this movie. Watching it this time, I found myself unable to enjoy it in quite the same way. It's certainly quotable—even funny in spots, if only for the visual gags. But the idiocy of the hero, Ash, was impossible to ignore, and not always for the better. He lampoons the heroic tale, but does nothing to abate its sexist blueprint. My blog explores horror, but also sex, metal and videogames ; this article explores some of these themes in Evil Dead 3 . The first Evil Dead (1982) is a Gothic classic; its effects are crude but effective, and its hero actually suffers. The second movie is largely tongue-in-cheek, slapstick. Army of Darkness  is Raimi at his most Romantic, and sexist; he hurls Ash back into the past, where his wildest, manliest dreams come true. A tale of reaffirmed hubris, its dreamlike material sends o...

The Vanishing  / Spoorloos  (1988) has a cheerful appearance, but a dark feel. A chilling tale of tragic love, it concludes in the most horrifying of ways. And, like many Gothic tales, a strange element of fun lingers amid the hellish torment. It has all the ingredients of mystery and revenge: a boyfriend and his lover, wronged by a perfidious killer. But it lacks the mediaeval imagery and immediate fanfare of American outings ( Seven , Silence of the Lambs , etc). Instead, it's more laid back—a vacation gone awry.  My blog is about horror, but also sex, metal and videogames ; this article explores some of those idea in The Vanishing. For more content like this, check out the blog entire! A Dutch couple, Saskia and Rex, are traveling in France. While on the road, Saskia tells Rex of a dream—her, trapped inside a golden egg surrounded by darkness. Her egg must touch another egg for the darkness to end. Then, the two eggs can meld, sharing oblivion forever. The Vanishi...

I'm Nicholas van der Waard, host of "Hell-blazers: Speedrunning Doom Eternal ."  My blog is about horror, but also sex, metal and videogames ; this article explores some of those idea in  Doom Eternal .   What follows is a second interview with FrostyXen , a past WR-holder for the game on Speedrun.com ( click here for his latest run , which has since been beaten by speedrunner Xiae's own run ). This interview covers the game’s patches, their effect on its ability to be speedrun, and the game's professional scene. "Hell-blazers" interviews Twitch streamers, speedrunners and Doom fans about Doom Eternal (2020); it asks them, based on their own experiences, to compare the game to the rest of the franchise, and what effect it will have on speedrunning and gaming at large. General information about "Hell-blazers" can be found, here ; a compendium of the interviews as they are published can be found here (which also includes interesting videos, brea...

I'm Nicholas van der Waard, host of "Hell-blazers: Speedrunning  Doom Eternal ."  My blog is about horror, but also sex, metal and videogames ; this article explores some of those idea in  Doom Eternal . What follows is another interview with  Your Mate Devo , an Aussie speedrunner and software engineer. We cover the game’s Update 2 patch, and its effect on the game's ability to be speedrun "Hell-blazers" interviews Twitch streamers, speedrunners and Doom fans about Doom Eternal (2020); it asks them, based on their own experiences, to compare the game to the rest of the franchise, and what effect it will have on speedrunning and gaming at large. General information about "Hell-blazers" can be found, here ; a compendium of the interviews as they are published can be found here (which also includes interesting videos, break-downs and other articles). Instability Nick: Since Patch 2 of Doom Eternal, I’ve seen considerably less speedrunners playing D...