Bringing you a monthly reviews including Pain Of Salvation, Esben And The Witch, The Pineapple Thief, Agnes Obel, Soundgarden, Type O Negative, Korn, Dark Tranquillity, Purson, Metallica, Giraffe Tongue Orchestra, Maudlin Of The Well, Celestial Season, Fight The Fight, Spaceking, Shirley Bassey, Queen, Miles Davis, Anathema.
Wish you all nice holidays!
Pain Of Salvation - In The Passing Light Of Day
Have you ever dreamed about having a time machine? It's possible in the music world. With receiving latest Pain Of Salvation album, I can already see in my Windows Media Player a 2017 item. Jokes aside. PoS mastermind went through some serious health problems from streptococcal infection and we are happy to see Daniel back from the dead with an amazing album.
Power of their music can be also seen from having covers, eventhough new album is not out yet. Great job In The Loop!
Esben And The Witch - Older Terrors
I was having really weird phase for the past few months, where I was really disappointed by so many of my favorite artists. I am so glad, there are still some left, who are fascinating me more and more with every album. Plus, in the case of Esben And The Witch, I share a similar vision. It is really easy to jump into the jungle of mainstream, but much more valuable are listeners who truly understand you. They might be in a smaller number, than Kings Of Leon have, but you feel more connected to them. Plus, more than ever I believe they do what they really want. Otherwise, why the hell they would make eleven or thirteen minutes songs and join atmospheric black, avantgarde metal bands under Season Of Mist label. Truly exceptional band and absolutely overflowing hauntingatmosphere.
The Pineapple Thief - Your Wilderness
Previous album Magnolia (2014) is one of my most favorite albums for driving a car, but this piece is becoming one of my most favorite companion for tasty lounge prog moments.
Agnes Obel - Aventine
I failed while predicting Lana Del Rey's performance at Colours of Ostrava 2016, but I am quite sure we will see there this amazing lady very soon.
No "Click"
Soundgarden - Superunknown
Big respect, but never a fan, compared let say to Alice in Chains.
Type O Negative - October Rust
Rather pass it to my girlfriend, Woods Of Ypres fan...
Korn : The Serenity Of Suffering
Autopilot. However, let see live. I truly miss days of Korn III: Remember Who You Are (2010)
Dark Tranquillity - Atoma
Album for fans, with some great riffs. Nothing more. God, Character (2005) was such a great album! Putting it right away into my sony walkman. It's such a great running music
Purson - Desire's Magic Theatre
Solid, but I apparently didn't lick the "paper" enough...
Metallica - Hardwired...to Self-Destruct
I stopped caring for Metallica with ...And Justice for All (1988)
Giraffe Tongue Orchestra - Broken Lines
Might be a all-star project, but it's soooo dry.
Tamás Kátai's (Thy Catafalque) tips:
Maudlin Of The Well - Bath & Celestial Season - Solar Lovers: These are well respected albums, not only by Metal Storm users and it gives you a clearer idea of Tamás' taste, but they are not for me...
More no "clicks": Fight The Fight - Fight The Fight, Spaceking - The Piper at the Gates of Stone
Respect for the elders
Shirley Bassey - Tip coming from Cammie Gilbert of Oceans of Slumber. Great present for my grandma.
Queen - Innuendo
This piece was all over the BBC documentary on the Death Of Yugoslavia, which I watched at least dozen times these days.
Miles Davis - Miles Smiles is a proper challenge.
However there is nothing more beautiful than Anathema - 32:40
Jako poděkování za vaší účast v soutěži o setkání s Asking Alexandria, přinášíme rozhovor s kapelou, pořízený před vyprodaným vystoupením v Lucerna Music baru 23. 8. 2016 a také několik dojmů ze zákulisí. V tištěné formě jej naleznete v prosincovém čísle magazínu Muzikus.
V tuto chvíli se nám v magazínu Muzikus podařilo zpracovat většinu nejzajímavějších témat, které od vás přišly, v rámci seriálu Hudební Psychologie.
Muzikus 10/2016 - Hudba jakožto mediální sdělení – Jak je jednoduché do hudby ukrýt podtext a „zmanipulovat“ tak fanoušky?
Muzikus 11/2016 - Nakolik může správně zvolená reprodukovaná hudba ovlivnit chuť, či nechuť k nakupování v obchodě?
Muzikus 12/2016 - Vliv poslechu hudby při spánku / během těhotenství
Muzikus 1/2017 - Jukebox v naší hlavě – Jak vysvětlit, že nám v hlavě zní melodie, kterou už nemůžeme ani slyšet a nejde se jí zbavit?
Rozhovor najdete na tomto odkaze, a jak je uvedeno v rozhovoru, berte jej jako vzpomínku na koncert protože těsně před koncertem kapela ještě „nevěděla“ o personální změně, ke které brzy došlo. Přeji vám všem krásné svátky, za celou redakci magazínu Muzikus a její spolupracovníky.
I’m not exaggerating, when I say, we were looking for a proper front cover picture of Tosin Abasi since the January of 2015, when I spoke to him in Prague before Animals As Leaders show. All regular approaches have failed. Therefore, we had to find a unique solution at Brutal Assault festival this summer. Final result: Tosin is on a front cover of December issue of Czech music magazine Muzikus.
Usually, it’s not a problem to get great pictures from a label of a PR agency, where both entities have a motivation to promote their client. Not mentioning their wish to get someone on the front cover. However, neither agency Hold Tight! PRnor Sumerian Records had a suitable vertical picture. No chance even with their previous label Prosthetic Records. We used horizontal pictures they provided us in the article, but they simple didn't fit on the cover. However, we are not talking here about some young unknown kid! There are tens of amazing images of Tosin all over the internet. We can see him wearing design clothes, holding unique guitars and having cool backgrounds. So, we thought it would be just a matter of few emails, as most of these pics are used by guitar manufacturer Ibanez for promotion. Wrong! Rights to these pieces are held by DiMarzio brand, specialist on pick-up and guitar accessories. I wish, we could have talked more and make them an offer, they cannot refuse, but any sort of negotiation was rejected in a total Godfather moment! I had to start improvising, if I wanted this thing released.
I even made a request for amateur photographers demanding cool live pictures, but nothing significant happened. Therefore, I had the last option: Catch Tosin personally again. The best option came up this summer at Brutal Assault festival where Animals As Leaders were one of the most anticipated acts. Here I have to thank the promoters, as they did the first wave of negotiation with his managers. I just had to catch him before signing session. However, as it usually happens, almost nothing went according to a plan.
First of all, my colleague was betrayed by his camera, so I didn’t have a photographer. Luckily, on the way to the festival grounds I met a talented Italian photographer Stefania Rossi. We were hanging out together all of us, with my and her crew, but as it usually happens on a festival, technology cannot be trusted. I couldn’t reach her in a crucial time on the phone. Therefore, I was thinking to also check in the press center, if somebody else would be interested. Options were quite narrowed, as there was only one person sitting. I introduced myself in English, but we soon realized we are both Czech. Martin Semenyšín is also very skilled photographer working both privately for his platform xMartinezzPhotographyx and also cooperating with Czech magazines Full Moon and Headliner.
We were ready and even Stefania made it on time. However, manager asked us to postpone photo session after signing session, which was taking place inside the Josefov fortress. We didn’t have any issues with that, as a total hell broke out outside. Every day around 7pm, there were fireworks. Well, not usual ones, as it was still sunny afternoon. Those were ear blowing fireworks from the “fire” organs above Oriental Stage. It might have been a unique piece of art but Animals As Leaders manager was really freaking out. Plenty of festival guests were worried about their ears, but imagine any damage to the ears of professional musicians. Luckily, just before the signing session ended, it was peaceful outside again. We went out quick to check the spot for photo session. It was really simple work, as the fortress background was really unique. I just kicked away few pieces of trash (festival grounds are otherwise super clean), ripped some pieces of weed from the wall and kindly asked a single person to move. It was not crowded at all, as Oriental Stage had actually a single act that day – Japanese post rock band Mono.
When Tosin came out, he knew exactly what to do and was ok, with just few friendly instructions. He was a true posing professional, while two photographers were shooting at the same time. We tried number of backgrounds but didn't plan to make it too long, as nobody felt ultra comfortable. Towards the end Tosin leaned towards me and said with a short laugh: "I feel a bit awkward, man." I looked around and number of viewers around was rising and I said: "Deal man, we are done. Thanx a lot! At this point, I would like to thank everybody who made this happen, including bunch of fans, standing peacefully around and enjoying the moment with us. Afterwards we just did a short phoner to promote the last Animals As Leaders album The Madness of Many. I will release English version of the interview soon...
Hungarian avantgarde prog metal project Thy Catafalque and his multi-instrumental mastermind Tamás Kátai are around for almost two decades, but only in the latest years he managed to finally reach suitable audience. Very crucial role played an album Rengeteg (2011), which was the first release, after he got signed to Season Of Mist and also proving he settled well in his new home in Scotland. I spoke to Tamás earlier this year to discuss previous release Sgúrr (2015) for Czech readers at The Aardvark.cz and now I provide you our talk regarding his latest release Meta, where we also discuss his guests musicians, life philosophy and diverse music inspirations.
Hey Tamás, glad to speak to you again. Hi Daniel, it’s good to see you again.
First of all, while listening to the piece 10^(-20) Ångström, I would like to ask you, how are the storms in your new home in Scotland? Are they as apocalyptic as those in South Hungary? One caught me there this summer and I spent plenty of summers at my grandmothers in North Croatia in Vinkovci. No, storms are totally different in Scotland. It must be the maritime climate instead of the good old continental one we have in Central Europe. There are not really storms here. Winds, yes, huge, powerful winds I mean, especially close to the sea. Rain, yes, torrential rains, drizzle, shower. But we extremely rarely have thunder and lightning. I miss the summer thunderstorms when skies are getting dark, lightning flashes in the distant horizon, soft, deep murmur rolls out and storm is nearing in the air full of electricity: You sense a sort of excitement at the upcoming display of massive power filling the atmosphere. We have this at home, this is a wonderful phenomenon. The sea ruins the fun here.
Your latest album Meta is once again a musical journey. As you love hiking, I was wondering, if you can hear the sound of wind and mountains – and then present it on the album?
I hear them for sure occasionally, but really it was Sgúrr dedicated to the mountains. Metais not as much a Highland album as Sgúrr was. Though Mezolit was also heavily inspired by mountains.
Could you also mention some topics, which are included in the lyrics?
The album starts with Uránia, representing a sort of cosmic loneliness. Sirálymeans seagull and it is an allegory of passing away. In fact, most of the songs are indirectly about death in a way like a change of state. This is what “Meta” means – through something. We live in our current life form, it will change, ‘I’ will dissolve but the physical pieces of our body will reconfigure themselves into many new forms and live on in different ways. No matter will be lost.
I miss the summer thunderstorms when skies are getting dark
Ixión Düün piece has some hell of drums starting at 1:55! Are you still relying on a computer, or did you manage to finally bring some real drummer?
Of course it’s still programmed drums. It’s convenient for me, though I know a good drummer makes huge difference. But it’s really a pain to record a drum set sounding properly. I choose the easy path. But you know, nothing is set in stone.
Vocals
Did you do all the grunt/growl vocals yourself on the album? In Ixión Düün, I can hear even some grind core growls – 3:15 – 3:17. Hell no! Well, in Ixión Düün it’s me but in Malmok Járnak, Zoltán provides raw vocals and in Mezolit it’s Lambert growling. I’m not a good vocalist in any style. Sometimes I manage to pull out acceptable lines but mostly I suck big time and that’s why I need good singers. I’m very lucky to have some around me.
Could you please, introduce us some vocal guests on the album? Glad to see, Attila Bakos joined you again. Actually Attila is not back. That’s his vocals recorded in 2010 during the Rengetegsessions. I have already had Urániaat that time, well, at least an early version of it but it didn’t make it to that album as it would have been too long. Attila is unlikely to come back, he’s happy with his solo project and his other activities. Ágnes’s vocals on Sirály are also older recordings, from 2013 I think. She is of course well known from The Moon And The Nightspirit and her vocals on Róka Hasa Rádió and Rengeteg. Orsolya Fogarasi sings in Malmok Járnak. I met her here, in Edinburgh, she moved back to Hungary since, she has no underground music background whatsoever. Gyula is from Perihelion, a great fellow Hungarian band, really nice person and Lambert is a very well respected vocalist from black/death/thrash metal acts like Ahriman, Mörbid Carnage and Tyrant Goatgaldrakona, We’ve been knowing each other for more than 20 years. I even played on the second Ahriman demo back in 1995 and he was appearing on the Gire album more than a decade later, we shared the stage on some occasion around that time. Zoltán is from Gire obviously, my old band.
Sometimes I manage to pull out acceptable lines but mostly I suck big time and that’s why I need good singers
How did the cooperation look like? Did you meet in Scotland or everything was done online? Everything was done online with the exception of Orsolya’s lines, we recorded her vocals at my place as she was living in Edinburgh. Everyone else managed to record their own parts at their place.
Do you give your guests complete artistic freedom or you give them instructions in advance, what you demand?
I would say I provide the rough guidelines. The big majority of vocal lines are written and all the lyrics as well but the personal touch is important and welcomed. We need to reach the best possible result and even though most of the time I have my vision, the vocalists know much better what they can achieve and how to do it and usually I use everything sent back to me because it’s just perfect. It’s not an ego fight.
In the case of song Malmok járnak - twice repeated middle part with female voice based on traditional folk, seems almost as a riddle. Surprising, but tasty at the same time…
Yep, it’s a classic pentatonic tune, traditional Hungarian style and the interesting thing is that the vocal lines were recorded on the same music but the second verse was put to a totally different part later and it worked out perfectly. It’s a rather old poem of mine anyways, around 15 years old. We had it even in the Gire times but never could make it into an actual song.
Even though you made it clear plenty of times, folk is not your priority and you are always very careful with it, to keep it balanced; it is part of your nature! I went to see let say Skyharbor from India, few days ago. They play progressive metal, but I feel Indian elements in the core. Culture of the homeland is in the blood of the man. It’s a natural gift. I would preferably call it folklore instead of folk. It’s not only music, but the wholeness of the cultural heritage. Literature, fine art, music, geography, history of the homeland. The richness of this culture is what gives you a strong base on who you are and what you do in every minute. This a defining guiding power even when you are far from the actual place.
Where do you want listeners to enjoy the album? Steven Wilson tends to be very strict about it. ;D To be honest, I found a place – long journey in a train. No way I will tell you where or how to enjoy any music. It’s up to you. I can imagine my stuff works well with travel though.
We can agree, in order to appreciate the album, one has to be in an appropriate mood a give it plenty of time…
It’s all up to the listener. After the album is done, it’s not my business any more.
Some listeners might be however pushed away by it. How many listens do you believe are appropriate?
No rule, your call
.
Any examples of your experience in this sense – Dan Briggs (Between The Buried And Me, Trioscapes) told me recently, that fans do appreciate his albums on the first listen only partially. It takes plenty of time to appreciate the albums and his favorite albums are also those, he had to listen for number of times: Genesis, Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dream… Music works in mysterious ways. I mean there are times I can listen to a certain album anytime, anywhere, many times and it won’t click because it’s not there for me, for my feelings, for my life. I listen to it 10 years later and it shows itself right away. It’s weird, the music is exactly the same - I need to change, to experience things to comprehend what it has always been talking about. And sometimes it works backwards. Some stuff loses its magic after a time, but again, because of my shifting perspective.
In Ősszel otthon, I feel huge 80’s atmosphere. Do you like Ultravox and have you heard by any chance a band called Kayo Dot? I can feel some interesting similarities…
I like Kayo Dot, just as I liked Maudlin Of The Well. I was lucky enough to catch Kayo Dot on stage in Edinburgh last year. I respect Toby Driver’s creative mind. Ultravox however is not something I have been listening to. I love Solar Lovers from Celestial Season and on that album they covered Viennafrom Ultravox which is a pretty sweet song that way. Anyway I am influenced by the 80s electronic music which is quite obvious when you listen to Neolunar, another project of mine, rooted in the 80s. http://neolunar.bandcamp.com
What were some of your most interesting music discoveries from the recent months? I am mostly re-visiting old favorites. Like I enjoy Pan-Thy-Monium very much, they were creating some truly weird stuff in the early 90s. Or I should mention Elementsfrom Atheist, that’s a beauty. There is an old Hungarian dark wave band called Nulladik Változat, I was listening to them recently regularly.
Concentration/Development
I work as a marketing guy and to be honest, I’m freaking out from a noise in an open space. I have to keep headphones with music all the time, seek empty conference rooms and keep healthy lifestyle, in order not be moody after work. What do you do personally to keep the concentration? I have started earlier this year with a meditation and it helped me incredibly. There are number of musicians, I spoke to recently, whom meditation is helping as well – Gojira, Animals As Leaders, Chelsea Wolfe etc. It’s paramount to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I pay attention to my diet – I have been vegetarian for I don’t even remember, 5 or 6 years, I drink only water and certainly never smoked. Apart from these, I regularly run, 5, 10, sometimes 20 kilometers twice or three times a week. I have been doing this for years, it makes me feel much lighter, calmer and focused, and I also usually work out after running. As you grow older, physical activity is getting more vital in order to keep your body and mind in sharp shape.
I remember you saying, it’s a battle to finish an album. You love it, but you want to get rid of it at the same time. Personally, I also believe in my book-diary, I am writing about the rough days, I spent in Serbia during my high school studies. (Soon after NATO bombing, hate from kids everywhere, growing love for metal etc.) I have plenty of notes to finish and I also have an editor to help me, to give it a format, but I just can’t get to it – too much work, music journalism obligations. Any tips? Nothing will be done if you don’t start on it. Get started, this is the hardest step but that’s the way. Just do it, simple as that. People tend to think too much instead of acting. Do the thing.
October with Madder Mortem, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Obscure Sphinx, Charred Walls of the Damned, Nick Johnston, Alcest, Truckfighters, Electric Citizen, The Well, The Cure, Tool, Puscifer, Flash the Readies and Paramore
Madder Mortem - Red in Tooth and Claw This is one of the most crucial bands in my life and I met with one of my best friends through this band. We even made our own Madder Mortem t-shirts, as there was nowhere to buy them. Now, they are back after insane seven years. They never had ambitions to be huge, but for loyal fans, they are enormous. Plus, as bands that do deserve it: You need to hear this album dozen times to get into it...
The Dillinger Escape Plan - Dissociation You bloody freaks, we will miss u... Especially, when coming up with the most experimental album so far and having packed venues...
No "Click"
Obscure Sphinx - Epitaphs I don't get it. I might have found some great moment on album Void Mother from 2013, but not here.
Charred Walls of the Damned - Creatures Watching over the Dead Everything needed is there: Tim "Ripper" Owens on vocals and Richard Christy on drums. But it's not tasty as their works in other bands..
Nick Johnston - Remarkably Human Potential, but no effect...
Alcest - Kodama - Potential, but no effect again...
Truckfighters - V Once again, bunch of solid catchy tunes and nice guitar melodies, but eventually, might be due to a production, it all blends...
Retro ladies: Electric Citizen - Sateen & The Well - Samsara Staying in the stoner/retro field: I always had and always will have a feeling for bands with female singers. Plus, if they sound as daughters of Black Sabbath. Unfortunately, their material is not strong enough. On the other hand, this piece is pretty good, I must say
The Cure - Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me I will probably keep my only The Cure obsession with legendary Disintegration. Amen, Kyle Broflovski!
Tool/Puscifer I would kill for Stinkfist, but even after multiple tries, neither Ænima nor their discography speaks to me. Therefore I rather go for Puscifer...but same as all of you prog freaks, I will listen to new Tool album, when it comes out.
Czech corner The best Czech post rock band: Flash the Readies
Confession: One of the rare songs I love from Paramore... Would you expect sth like this from these teenage idols?
September is behind us and more and more I have a feeling, plenty of my favourite bands are getting worse and worse. Last few months: Lacuna Coil, Katatonia and now mainly Evergrey. Luckily there are new releases from Leprous and Animals As Leaders, but these are pieces coming out in about two months, so we will look at that next month. However within "Spoiled Spoiler" section, I bring you my opinion on Amaranthe and Testament, still not out yet. The rest of mentioned albums lower are as usual a spectrum ranging from avantgarde metal to crazy Balkan music. But let start with Nick Cave...
Nick Cave - Skeleton Tree Deep, dark and spectacular. This is the feeling impact, I received while watching a documentary One More Time with Feeling in a cinema few weeks ago. I tend to brag about the quality of movies in cinema all the time, therefore when I had a chance to watch South Korean movie The Handmaiden and came across trailer for Nick Cave's latest "movie" there was no time to wait. Well, I might go to see anything quality-music related, but it looked hell of a good from a trailer, eventhough I usually hate trailers! I'm aware of Nick's global respect, but for me, it was only the guy, who is sending away that naked beauty on the cover of Push the Sky Away album, I enjoyed few years ago on the beach of Greece in my headphones. It's really hard to get into Cave's albums, but this extremely attractive documentary, based on an emotional content filled with Nick's personal loss and unique black-white 3D camera, made the the path to the beauties of Skeleton Tree much easier.
Fanfare Ciocărlia - Baro Biao - World Wide Wedding As a half-Yugo, I have a deep feeling for Balkan music. Racism aside, gypsies know how to play! Institutions as Emir Kusturica or Goran Bregović know it very well. I was honored to speak to Goran twice, same as other masters as Dejan Pejović or maestros Boban & Marko Marković. However this Romanian twelve-piece Roma brass band was introduced to me by Czech band Circus Problem, which is one of the rare bands among Czech bands, which knows how to work with these elements and has abilities to reach larger crowds. Come on, stand up, everybody dancing!
No Click
Evergrey - The Storm Within Few years back, you would hardly find a bigger fan of Evergrey than me. But after they released Torn in 2008 and plenty of members left, it was going down. Death Destruction duo returned, but the new album has absolutely no ideas and the lyrics are stuff, which Tom would throw in the garbage few years ago. More in a separate article coming soon...
Deadlock - Hybris There were great moments on Manifesto 2008 and Bizarro World 2011, especially Virus Jones, but more and more their music turns into melting pile of same old goulash.
Periphery III - Select Difficulty Is it normal that one loves Tesseract, Animals As Leaders, Vildhjarta but hates Periphery?
Testament - Brotherhood Of The Snake Too dry Testament. Don't get me wrong, I would kill for so many of their songs. It doesn't have to be even only their first two albums, as I worship Throne of Thorns. And of course I am aware of the current line-up including Steve DiGiorgio and Gene Hoglan. Therefore, I rather go to see Death To All shows...
Amaranthe - Maximalism Nutella with sugar, as I love to call their music and sometimes was also fun, turned into Hangover soundtrack with ambitions of Babymetal.
Upcdownc - Black Sea Solid post rock. Some really tasty instrumental moments, but it doesn't reach the level of the genre's first class. Mainly, as nothing stays in my head, when the next album is coming on my Sony Walkman...
Avantgarde sickness
Kayo Dot - Plastic House On Base Of Sky I love Hubardo (2013) and Coffins On Io (2014), which we were even discussing together in an interview. Impressive music with elements of 80's new wave (I hear so much Ultravox), Max Payne soundtrack and bits of Devin Townsend. However this time, it just didn't work at all. To be honest, there can be hell of music quality, but I felt weird nausea. It might change in the future - especially, as I have to see them live. I already blew two options in Czech Republic. They always play in such an avantgarde places. Vila Štvanice - avantgarde evening, including great Czech down tempo-noise band Nod Nod. Lately even some club in the center of Prague, which nobody heard about...
SVIN - Mission Do u like horror movies, are u party cunt or shoppingholic? Well, I love walking the night city listening to avantgarde music and inventing scenarios. However, only few songs were worth it.
Neurosis - Fires Within Fires This was a multiple try i gave to Neurosis, glorified by media and numerous classy fans. But the combination of down tempo screamy, apparently post metal doesn't work me. Whole package gives me 2/5 level nausea.
Too early to say
Alter Bridge - The Last Hero As usual, first impression is always low with these guys. However, it has turned from low into perfect eventually four times, so they deserve more tries from me.
Thy Catafalque - Meta I was so eager to place Tamás' work into Avantgarde sickness, as I spent huge amount of time with his music because of an interview for Czech web The Aardvark. I felt oversaturated, but more I listen, I am aware he deserves patience.
Respect for the elders
Michal Prokop - Sto roků na cestě. Charles Aznavour for a mother in law, Czech institution David Koller for a train ride and there is always time for some The Beatles - Revolver, in this case. I am also getting back to Steve Harris' British Lion, as a preparation, for an interview with him. Same with going through Glenn Hughes's discography. Steve is a dream come true interview and in the case of Glenn Hughes, I managed to blew the chance to talk to him few years ago. I was supposed to call him at 3am. Two alarms didn't wake me up and I didn't get another phone slot...
