It’s not always that easy to find good South African music online - a clear sign that more time and resources have to be invested into bringing the South African music scene into the 21st century - but it is possible, and more and more companies and local labels are providing digital alternatives for those wanting to purchase their local music online.
One such label is Electromode Music, a local indie record label responsible for the managemen/distribution of a number of local artists and performers; such as, Riddare Av Koden (formerly Elegy), Chromium, The Black Hotels, JR, Auriol Hays, Teargas and more.
Electromode is also responsible for bringing such popular compilation albums as 100% Summer and the Clubtraxxx series.
First, lets take a look at why people think (I still struggle with the fact that anyone to whom the word “think” can be applied would believe the end of the world is coming in 2012) that Armageddon is coming this time.The Mesoamerican Long Count calendar (commonly known as the Mayan Long Count Calendar) is, as many of you reading this will know, the root of all the superstition and supposition regarding the “end of the world”.
The question is, what do you - and all the crazies who claim it predicts the end of the world - actually know about the Mayans and their Calendar?
The Mayan Calendars
Before we get into the details of the long count calendar - the one responsible for film-makers fleecing you in exchange for half-asssed theories about doomsday and planetary collisions - we should first look into the Mayan’s perception of time and their manner of recording it.
Purveyors of the 2012 doomsday theory (if we can even grace it with the term “theory”) tend to either be ignorant of, or keeping you in the dark about the fact that the Mayan’s, unlike us, viewed time as cyclic rather than linear. In other words, for us, dates don’t repeat themselves - there will never again be a December 7, 2009 - for the Mayans, this was not the case.
The Mayan religious and civil calendars (365 days and 260 days, respectively) combined to total a period of 52 years (365-day years). In these 52 years every, single day had it’s own distinct date. Thus, years were not recorded, only days were and none of these were repeated during the 52-year cycle. This made a cycle of 52 years, in essence, very similar to our own annual cycle.
The next 52-year cycle would be a repeat of the last one - with the same dates and days.
As you can imagine, this method of timekeeping could make it very difficult to record history (since events marked down could have happened in the previous 52 years, or the 104 years, and there’d be no way to tell which one it was).
Enter the Long Count Calendar.
The Mayan Long Count Calendar (the 2012 Doomsday Calendar)
The Mayan Long Count calander was what was used to overcome the difficulties in recording historical events that the 52-year cycle presented; since it lasted for a period of 5 125 years, the Long Count Calendar encompassed an impressive period of time and allowed for the recording a greater scope of history.
21 December 2012 (or 23 December 2012) marks the end of the fourth cycle of creation according to the classic Mayans. There is absolutely no indication in any ancient Mayan writings that this cycle would be the final cycle. On the contrary, the end of 2012 would rather be a time of great celebration (akin to our new years, if a year was 5 125 times as long).
In other words, the Long Count Calendar, which has all the conspiracy theorists writhing in orgasmic paranoia is nothing more than a really long version of the Mayans’ original 52-year calendar (which in it’s way was very much like our own annual calendar). The 5 125-year cycle will end and be immediately followed by another.
What I absolutely cannot understand is how people came to the conclusion - without any prediction of catastrophe on the part of the Mayans - that when the Mayan calendar came to an end, the world would follow. The Gregorian Calendar comes to an end every 365 days, at which point we shoot off fireworks, get drunk and make promises about the coming year that we’ve no intention of keeping.
Have we really so few of our own myths and legends that we have to steal those of other, ancient cultures, providing our own spin on them before citing long-dead prophets to prove to ourselves that an extinct civilisation who couldn’t even see their own end coming somehow knew when the world was going to stop turning?
South African Metal Band, Elegy, Changes Their Name.. For Better or Worse?
So, for the local metal fans reading this, I don’t know if you’ve heard (or even if you know who the band involved is) but Elegy - one of the most talented Metal bands on the South African scene today - have changed their name to Riddare Av koden (Knights of the Code.. In Finnish I think).
From my point of view, the new name very much suits the band, both from a musical standpoint and from an idealistic one. It fits who the band are, and who they have always been and it’s far closer to the name they would have chosen for themselves if they’d had a better idea of where they were going and what they were doing when they started out.
Now, you might be asking yourself, “why on earth does Shane or Music Judge give a damn about the name change of some Metal band most of us haven’t even heard of!?” If that is what you’re wondering: why the hell are you even here, reading this? Go away.
For those of you left, there are two reasons for my broaching this topic and abusing my access to this public forum in this way:
It involves South African music.. Specifically, a branch of South African music that doesn’t get attention. In all fairness, this is largely due to the fact that SA Metal is horrible-sounding stuff. (Riddare Av Koden are an exception to this rule.)
This Facebook group was started by an irate and unintelligent fan to discuss whether or not Riddare Av Koden is the worst band name ever chosen. Our precious little genius clearly has a very limited scope of musical knowledge. In my opinion, names like The Band, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Green Day and Atreyu, are all examples of far worse band-naming skills than Riddare Av Koden. I mean, really… Who names their band after a half-naked juvenile equestrian from The Never-Ending Story?
What’s in a Name?
This is of course the first, and most pressing question: How important is the name of a band? More important than the music? “Pish-posh,” you say, “surely not?”
Well, no. It doesn’t matter how fantastic your band name is (and we’ve all thought up a couple of amazing ones while observing seemingly mundane human activity, I’m sure? Stapled Face, anyone? No? eh.) if the music sucks, the band’s in the shitter. Simple as that.
I will agree, however, with our annonymous hate-group starter on the point that a band’s name is very important. When you first hear the name of a band you already start developing a mental image and expectations of who and what this band is.
When you first hear the words Riddare Av Koden (assuming you hear it spoken by someone who knows how to pronounce it correctly) you’re likely to assume that they are either a quartet of Icelandic folk-singers (spreading yodeling joy to the masses around the world) or they’re a church-burning, sword-swinging bunch of manic metalheads, likely with East European accents and a fetish for blood.
The fact that the band is neither of these things isn’t important. The latter is still an image that is healthy for any self-respecting metal band to promote. In short, a spooky-sounding name, spoken in a language foreign to our ears is fantastic and hearkens back to the days when the Dimmu Borgirs, Borknagars and Burzums were still filling our parents’ lives with dread.
What’s It All Mean Basil?
Now we come to the meaning of the name. In English Riddare Av koden means, Knights of the Code.
Fantastic!
As far as band names go, Knights of the Code is right up there with Limp Bizkit and The Band. Pretty damn lame - yet somehow, it suits the band members. I mean, we’re talking about a group of guys here who, in every public communication they make, cannot refrain from using the words, knight or Templar, honour, or glory at least half a dozen times per every two-dozen words. These guys take their metal and their mythology seriously!
You can’t help but admire that.
However, admiration cannot remove the taint of lame from a name like Knights of the Code. So how do they fix it up? Simple! Translate the name to the language of a nation that appreciates it’s metal like no one else on earth. The Finnish! This is a group of people who had Children of Bodom topping Britney Spears on the charts, people whose president has declared Tarja Turunen (ex-vocalist of power metal band Nightwish) “The Voice of Finland.” A metal band cannot go wrong when it goes Finnish.
So lets add up all the things the new name manages to achieve (in my limited view at least):
It presents an image of the band that keeps with black metal values (Scandinavian name).
Pays homage to one of the most “metal” countries on earth.
Communicates the most fundamental beliefs of the band without sounding lame.
Adds a “spooky,” mysterious aura to the band through the use of a foreign language.
It’s caused debate and drawn attention to the band (the anonymous detractor, who should not count himself as a friend of the group has spawned an entire Facebook group and this blog post, filled with positive feedback about the name).
One last point, and one I think is important. Elegy have always referred to their fans as Knights of the Code. Now they have gone as far as to name themselves the same. Knights of legend were brothers in battle, they didn’t share blood, but they were family all the same. Now the band and their fans share a name, a title: they have become a family, bonded brothers in arms.
In closing, I’d just like to say to Riddare Av koden, as a fellow Metalhead and lover of medieval weaponry, chivalrous codes and war waged on the narrow-minded, “keep up the good work, the new name rocks, and ignore the critics!!”
Okay, lets look at the results of last night event, and see how many I guessed right
David McVay VS Chett Meyer
I said that based on their skillsets I believed Chett would win, however I picked McVay due to his experience and I was wrong.
My Record: 0-1
Jean-Luc Kazadi vs Wentzel Nel
Once again I called it wrong as Jean-Luc Kazadi was even more out of his depth on the ground than I’d imagined.
My Record: 0-2
Barry Duncan VS Mike De Bruin
Mike De Bruin found his own weapon turned against him as Barry “Xman” Duncan GnP-ed him to an early end.
My Record: 1-2
Dino Bagattin VS Chad Hepburn
I picked this one dead-on. Dino’s experience and Muay Thai credentials helped turn the tide in his favour against the very aggressive Chad Hepburn.
My Record: 2-2
Ryan Brotherton vs Ronald Dlamini
As I predicted, Ryan came out of his fight 8-0, unfortunately, his original opponent - Ronal Dlamini - had to drop out of the fight and Ryan ended up battling a last-minute replacement in what ended up being one of the most entertaining fights of the night.
My Record: 2-2
Bertus Coetzee VS Norman Wessels
As it turns out, traditional martial arts experience didn’t hold up to the violent practicality of mixed martial arts as Bertus Coetzee was KO’d by a standing elbow from the clinch in the first round.
My Record: 3-2
Leo Gloss VS Clinton Nel
Leo Gloss’s boxing skill proved to be too much for his younger opponent as he knocked Clinton Nel out and finished off with GnP halfway through the first round.
My Record: 4-2
Barry Britz VS Gareth McLellan
As I predicted Gareth McLellan took the fight to the ground early and TKO’d his opponent there early in the first. Once again, TMA is just not usually a match for MMA.
My Record: 5-2
Saun Craig VS JP Joubert
JP Joubert did indeed gas towards the end of the first and this may have cost him the match in the second. This is not to say that he didn’t show a lot of heart and have Saun in trouble several times, because trust me, he did.
My Record: 6-2
Clinton Young VS Henk Van Wyk
Henk Vsn Wyk proved to be the toughr of the two competitors and, while Clinton Young did bring the fight to his younger opponent, he was simply outclasses all the way to a TKO loss.
My Record: 6-3
Muhannad Barazi VS Danie Van Heerden
Danie did us proud going toe-to-toe against his heavier American opponent. Danie kept up the pressure and KO’d Muhannad toward the end of the first round.
My Record: 6-4
Jeremy Scheepers VS Wade Henderson
In a match that seemed to be destined to go the distance Jeremy Scheepers and Wade Henderson came out storming, throwing each other around the cage and seemingly going all out to end it quickly. A takedown by Scheepers, scramble on the floor and some GnP led to Jeremy taking the fight by TKO via injury.
My Record: 7-4
Chris Bright vs Gabe Casillas
In the main event of the evening you could feel the tension in the arena as the crowds held their breath praying for SA’s own Chris Bright to take out aggressive American, Gabe Casillas. Gabe fought free of a few rear nakd chokes but eventually Chris spotted his opponent giving up position for fancy strikes (such as falling spinning back fists) and ended up nabbing an arm and forcing Gabe to tap to a brilliantly-executed armbar.
My Record: 8-4
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This is the third and final installment of my picks regarding the fights taking place this Thursday at the Coca Cola Dome. You can take a look back, if you want, at parts 1 and 2 of this series, but please, remember that I’m not an all-knowing fight guru, and I’ve also got limited experience with our local fighters, so my picks might be way off the mark.
Ryan Brotherton VS Ronald Dlamini -Welterweight
While having an equal number of pro fights, the advantage in experience goes to Ryan Brotherton (7-0) and his thus far undefeated record in this welterweight slugfest. Riding a 7-fight winning streak, Ryan will bring his honed and polished boxing against the legs and fists of his kickboxing opponent, Ronald Dlamini (4-3). If his results thus far are anything to go on, Ryan might step out of this fight 8-0.
My Pick: Ryan Brotherton
Bertus Coetzee VS Norman Wessels - Heavyweight
Bertus Coetzee (0-0) makes his pro MMA decbut against Norman Wessels (1-1) who comes in without much of an advantage in experience. Bertus Coetze, while having never competed in a cage before, brings a wealth of traditional martial arts experience to this fight - Tang Soo Do, Haedong Kum Do and Shotokan Karat. It remains to be seen if these styles can overcome the violent practicality of the modern Mixed Martial Artist.
My Pick: Norman Wessels
Leo Gloss VS Clinton Nel - Lightweight
Having a look at the posted profiles of these two fighters, one cannot help but notice that Clinton Nel (2-2) is listed as having “great stand up” while Leo Gloss (1-1) is listed as “boxing, SA champion”. I just cannot see this one going the distance, or even necessarily being competitive, as “great” hardly matches up well to “professional”.
My Pick: Leo Gloss
Barry Britz VS Gareth McLellan - Middleweight
A student of the aforementioned Bertus Coetzee, Barry Britz (0-0) brings the traditional martial art of, Tang Soo Do to the cage for his debut against Gareth McLellan’s (1-1) combination of Muay Thai, Kickboxing and Karate. Gareth’s fight club, Fightfit Militia, is a popular MMA club who you can bet have been teaching him all about transitions and ground fighting, something sorely lacking from Barry’s Tang Soo Do arsenal. I have a feeling that the two boys from Trinity Martial Arts School might be woken up to the efficiency of modern combat sports on Thursday.
Okay, it’s time for the second part of my 3-part series of predictions for next week’s Mixed Martial Arts event. I reiterate, my knowledge of South African MMA fighters is sorely lacking (something I plan to improve) so don’t blame me if my picks aren’t accurate or what you’d agree with.
Dino Bagattin VS Chad Hepburn - Welterweight
A quick glance at their records tells us that Chad Hepburn (6-4) has the advantage in MMA experience over opponent, Dino Bagattin (4-0). Looking a little deeper however and we find that Dino is a very accomplished striker: he is the ISKA British Muay Thai and Common wealth Muay Thai champion. That being said, if Chad can get the fight to the ground, we might see him bring his grappling skills to bear and take the fight.
My Pick: Dino Bagattin
Mike De Bruin VS Barry Duncan - Middleweight
I don’t know much about Mike De Bruin (2-2) other than his record, the fact that he trains at Black Dragon and his strength is listed as “ground and pound”. Unfortunately for Mike, in order to unleash his grounp and pound, he’s going to have to get past his opponents guard, and his opponent, Barry Duncan (3-1) is a Jiu Jitsu guy, so Mike could find himself submitted on the way there.
My Pick: Barry Duncan
Jean-Luc Kazadi VS Wentzel Nel - Lightweight
This is a tough pick, especially without knowing more about the fighters. Jean-Luc Kazadi (3-0) and Wentzel Nel both have very similar records in pro MMA and they both bring very different styles to the table. Wentzel Nel is a wrestler and a Judoka, giving him the perfect combination of tools to get this fight to the ground and dominate once there. Coming up against a professional boxer inKazadi, Wentzel had better get this one to the ground as quickly as possible or he’ll find himself completely outclassed on the feet. Should be an exciting style-vs-style matchup, ala the old UFC.
My Pick: Jean-Luc Kazadi via Sprawl and Brawl.
David McVay VS Chett Meyer - Light Heavyweight
Based entirely on their listed skillsets, I’d give this fight to Chett Meyer. Both fighters possess effective striking skills in Muay Thai (Chett Meyer) and kickboxing (David McVay), making for a potentially exciting standup war. However, Chett also brings Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, earning him the advantage of being able to take the fight to the mat and end it there. The equalising factor is experience; This is only Chett meyer’s second excursion into a professional fight while David brings a record of 20-6 (W-L).
I know I’m devoting too much attention to MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) in what is meant to be a music and entertainment blog, but I’m mostly doing so because I don’t think nearly enough people in this country are paying the necessary attention to South Africa’s involvement in the fastest growing sport in the world. For this resaon, I’ve started reading up more on my local MMA and finding out more about the local fighters involved in the sport.
What follows is my predictions for the upcoming EFC event (November 12, Coca Cola Dome). Forgive me if they’re inaccurate, but I’m new to the local MMA scene.
Chris Bright vs Gabe Casillas - Lightweight
35-year old Port Elizabethan fighter, Chris Bright, will face Wanderlei Silva-trained American, Gabe Casillas in what should be considered the main event of the evening.
Chris is no stranger to facing international competition, as his renowned grappling and submission skills have taken him all around the world, so don’t expect him to be awed into submission by the credentials of Gabe and his trainer.
The fact is, Chris has a better-than-average shot at taking one of the American’s bodyparts home with him at the end of the night - victory via submission.
Look for Chris to avoid Casillas’ agression early, letting him wear himself out while remaining elusive and just out of reach. I’m calling for a second-round submission as Casillas seems prone to them (30% of his losses have been via submission) and Chris is an unparralleled submission grappler on the SA fight scene.
My Pick: Chris Bright
Jeremy Scheepers VS Wade Henderson - Light Heavyweight
Training out of East London’s respected Black Dragon club, Jeremy Scheepers will be coming to Johannesburg to test his mettle against highly-qualified fighter, Wade Henderson. Both fighters are coming into this one with a 19-7 pro MMA record, but it is Wade who will have a slight weight advantage and the far more impressive credentials. That said, I’m pulling for Scheepers’ heart, grit and ballsiness to earn him the knockout over the kickboxing grappler.
My Pick: Scheepers
Muhannad Barazi VS Danie Van Heerden - Heavyweight
Barazi fights out of America, and Danie is a Jo’burg native. As much as I’d love to root for the local in this fight, I don’t know if it’s such a great idea. While both these lads have great kickboxing as their base style I feel that the American has a far better ground game, and if he can get the fight to the mat, he can probably work his way to a victory.
My Pick: Muhannad Barazi
Clinton Young VS Henk Van Wyk - Light Heavyweight
Another member of the Black Dragon gym in East London, Clinton Young steps up to face kickboxer, Henk Van Wyk. While Henk has in the past shown a penchant for being knocked out, I think he can take this fight with his superior technique. The x - factor being that Clinton trains with Jeremy Scheepers who has defeated Henk twice in the past. If he can pass on what he’s learned about this opponent we could be in for an upset.
My Pick: Clinton Young
Saun Craig VS JP Joubert - Heavyweight
Big man, Saun Craig, will be bringing his superior experience to bear against pro MMA newcomer, JP Joubert, in what is sure to be a titanic tussle of powerful men. Craig has a significant weight advantage on his opponent, one I feel he could use to get the fight to the ground to finish the fight. Also, Joubert’s muscle mass hints at a low gas tank, so the longer the fight goes on, the more we’re likely to see him fade from the action. I wish him luck, but I just can’t see Joubert winning his professional debut.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has gotten a bit of a bum rap regarding it’s legitimacy as a sport rather than simply a thugish display of masculinity at it’s most primal and unappealing.
To the vast majority of the uninitiated (and even to some of the more casual fans) an MMA match consists of two men being locked in a cage together and prodded - by the bloodthirsty roar of the crowd - into frenzied and uncontrolled bouts of violence, sometimes lasting as long as 25 minutes.
Hopefully, with an organisation like EFC Africa bringing MMA in to the light in South Africa (they’re having a big event at the Coca Cola Dome on November 12) we’ll see some people getting a bit of an education on the fastest-growing sport in the world.
MMA is not an uncultured passtime, reserved for the entertainment of drunken louts too drunk to recognise what they are watching, or whether or not it requires talent. Mixed martial arts is the most evolved form of hand-to-hand combat in existence today. It doesn’t glorify violence, but rather it celebrates personal growth and evolution. Every fighter has to analyse their own style (or combination of styles) so that they can fill in the gaps and work at compensating for their weaknesses. There is an honour and honesty in MMA that has been long missing from most traditional martial art.
No doubt Mixed Martial Arts, like any combat sport, attracts more than it’s fair share of bloodmongers, but that is unfortunate and unavoidable fact that simply has to be accepted. To those who appreciate the subtle nuances of martial arts, and have always wanted to see what they look like in real life - in combat, rather than the choreographed dance performances of Taekwondo and Kung Fu dojos - you should make an extra effort to get to the Coca Cola Dome, in Northgate, on November 12 at 18:45.
Tickets, as per usual, are available at Computicket.. They’re selling fast so get yours and support South African Misxed Martial Arts.
