Interpretasi Muse Assassin

Kalo pada trit ane sebelumnya ane ngebahas album “The Resistance”, kali ini ane mo mundur satu album ke belakang. Ane nyoba mengelaborasi track ke-7 dari album “Black Holes & Revelations”. Yap, bener banget gan. “Assassin”.

Assassin, adalah salah satu karya trio Devonshire yang tadinya direncanakan sebagai single. Ane gak tau pertimbangan apa yang telah terjadi sehingga rencana itu batal. Yang jelas track berdurasi 3 menit 31 detik ini adalah track yang bikin pendengar Muse penasaran ama versi live-nya. Agan-agan ndiri tau kan seperti apa lagu ini; ngerock banget dan teknik bermusiknya rumit pula. Menurut informasi yang ane baca, Bellamy n’ da gank terinspirasi untuk menulis lagu ini setelah dengerin radio Islam ketika mereka berkunjung ke salah satu negara di Timur Tengah. Makanya, kalau agan-agan sedikit jeli, agan-agan bakal nemuin ada influence irama padang pasir di lagu ini. Apa lagi kalo agan-agan dengeri versi awalnya yang berjudul Grand Omega Bosses (a.k.a Debase Masons Grog a.k.a Message Board Song). Durasinya lebih lama dan bunyi-bunyian musik Arabian kental terasa disitu.

Jadi, Assassin itu sebenarnya apa sih? Sebelumnya ane kasi pengantar liriknya dulu kali ye:
War is overdue.
The time has come for you,
To shoot your leaders down.
Join forces underground.


Assassins adalah organisasi bawah tanah yang hidup di daratan Mesir hingga Persia pada zaman Dinasti Fatimiyah sekitar tahun 1094 sebelum akhirnya mereka musnah, diinvasi oleh Kekaisaran Mongol pada tahun 1250. Assassins adalah kelompok yang melakukan pemberontakan ketika terjadi suksesi kepemimpinan dari Khalifah Al Mustansir dari Dinasti Fatimiyah kepada anaknya, Al Mustali.

Assassins dikenal sebagai salah satu aliran Islam garis keras dan sangat fanatik pada masa itu. Fanatisme sempit yang mereka anut membuat mereka tidak segan-segan melakukan tindakan pembunuhan sekalipun terhadap orang-orang yang tidak sependapat dengan mereka, sesuai dengan nama yang disandangkan kepada mereka yaitu Sang Pembunuh (Assassins). Sebagian pakar dan penulis sejarah bahkan sepakat bahwa Assassins adalah cikal bakal dari aksi terorisme modern seperti yang marak akhir-akhir ini.

Namun, perlu kita perhatikan adalah bahwa nama mereka yang memiliki padanan kata dalam bahasa Arab yaitu Hashshasin, memiliki arti yang sama sekali berbeda dengan istilah Assassins. Hashshasin adalah istilah yang dipergunakan oleh bangsa-bangsa berbahasa pengantar Arab untuk menyebut “para penghisap ganja”. Pada kenyataannya, kelompok ini memang melakukan “ritual” menghisap ganja sebelum turun ke masyarakat untuk melakukan aksi teror dan tindak pembunuhan. Beberapa penulis berpendapat bahwa istilah Assassin berasal dari kata Arab, Assassiin (kayak orang lagi ngaji nih gan, “sin”-nya dibaca pake tanda panjang/mad) yang memiliki arti “para penjaga rahasia”.

Assassins didirikan oleh Hasan bin Sabah, seorang pengikut aliran Syi’ah Ismaili yang pernah mendalami ancient wisdom di Dar ul Hikmat (House of Wisdom) atau yang lebih dikenal dengan nama Grand Lodge of Cairo. Hmmm, istilah “lodge” mungkin ngingetin agan-agan ama perkumpulan rahasia semisal Freemasonry. Pada akhirnya sebagian besar dari kita akan dibikin kaget bahwa dalam menjalankan organisasinya ini, Hasan bin Sabah sebagai Grand Master Assassins memang memakai sistem jenjang kepangkatan sebagaimana halnya Freemasonry. Karena di dalamnya kita juga akan menemukan tingkatan yang serupa dengan Apprentices, Fellows of Craft, dan Masters. Anggota Assassins pada pangkat tertentu juga mempelajari ilmu pengetahuan mistik esoteris dan juga ancient wisdom. Namun perlu ane lurusin bahwa sebagai organisasi underground secara kronologi waktu Assassins lebih dulu ada dibanding secret societies yang kita kenal sekarang (itu pun kalo ente juga percaya ama teori konspirasi kayak ane gan, hehehehe). Beberapa catatan sejarah bahkan membeberkan fakta yang bakal membuat sebagian dari ente makin tercengang gan. Fakta yang ane maksud adalah bahwa Assassins memiliki kontak dengan Knights Templar pada masa Perang Salib. (Nah lho? West meets East nih judulnya)

Grand Lodge of Cairo (tempat Hasan mempelajari ancient wisdom) yang pada masa itu adalah gudang ilmu pengetahuan didirikan sebagai bentuk penghormatan terhadap Abdullah ibn Maymun, tokoh materialis karismatik peletak dasar-dasar pengetahuan mistis esoterik di Timur Tengah. Dia-lah “Sang Jenius Gnostik” yang mengembangkan metode inisiasi pada sekte Batinis (semacam perkumpulan tarikat gitu deh, gan) yang kemudian menjadi metode dasar yang dipraktekkan oleh sejumlah organisasi sejenis, termasuk Assassins. Anggota lodge ini menyempurnakan metode inisiasi ciptaan Abdullah, yang berabad-abad kemudian juga digunakan Adam Weishaupt (tau kan do’i tuh sapa? pendiri Illuminati itu lho, gan).

Hasan bin Sabah sendiri dalam merekrut anggota dan menjalankan organisasinya mengembangkan metode inisiasi dan brainwashing. Hasan yang memperkenalkan dirinya sebagai Syaikh Al-Jabal (The Old Man of the Mountain) kepada calon anggotanya memakai metode pembiusan. Hasan menciptakan halusinasi “surga” ke alam bawah sadar korbannya. Untuk itu Hasan bersama sekutu-sekutunya membangun sebuah istana megah yang dilengkapi oleh taman-taman yang indah di sebuah lembah yang jauh dari pusat kota di Alamut (dekat Laut Kaspia). Dan sebagaimana prosedur standar yang umum dilakukan, Hasan melakukan indoktrinasi terhadap korbannya. Mereka diminta bersumpah setia terhadap organisasi dan sebagai gantinya, Hasan menjanjikan mereka “surga”. Metode ini menjadi sangat ampuh karena terbukti menciptakan tentara-tentara yang patuh yang pada saat-saat krusial bersedia mengorbankan diri mereka jika dibutuhkan. (Sama halnya dengan S.O.P yang dipakai oleh kelompok-kelompok teroris yang ada saat ini)

Kita sepakat bahwa apapun alasannya, terorisme dan tindakan kekerasan tidak bisa dibenarkan. Apa lagi sampai mengatasnamakan agamanya. Hal demikian hanya akan menciptakan penderitaan bagi kedua belah pihak, sebagaimana yang dimaksud oleh Bellamy cs di lagu ini:
Lose control
And increasing pace
Warped and bewitched
Time to erase
Whatever they say
These people are torn
Wild and bereft
Assassin is born, yeah


Ente pengen tau gak gan gimana akhir petualangan “Sang Pembunuh”? Tulisan berikut ane kutip dari bukunya Jim Marrs berjudul Rule by Secrecy:

The murderous nature of the Assassins proved their downfall. Hasan, the Old Man of the Mountain, was assassinated by his son, Mohammed, who in turn was poisoned by his son, who had learned of Mohammed's plan to kill him. By 1250 invading Mongol hordes had captured the last Assassin stronghold, effectively eliminating the order. Although, according to some researchers, pockets of Assassins still exist in the Middle East today.


Pejuang Assassins yang masih tersisa setelah invasi Kekaisaran Mongol ini terpecah menjadi 2 kelompok. Kelompok kecil mati pada abad kedelapan belas, sedangkan kelompok besar yang dipimpin oleh seorang imam bernama Aga Khan, pada tahun 1840 pindah dari Iran ke India. Para pengikutnya diperkirakan berjumlah jutaan, masih ditemukan di Syria, Iran, Asia Tengah dan Asia Selatan, kelompok terbesar berada di India dan Pakistan, di mana mereka dikenal sebagai Khojas.

Ada fakta menarik tentang Imam bernama Aga Khan ini gan. Fakta yang bakal bikin ente “terkagum-kagum” dikarenakan oleh kerja yang rapi dari “Kelompok Elit” itu dalam menyusun konspirasi yang mereka skenario-kan. Cekibrot, gan:

Aga Khan II, came to be one of the founders of the Muslim League, which was sponsored by the British in 1858. The 48th Imam, Sir Sultan Mohammed Shah Aga Khan III, was very close to the British royal family during his 72-year reign, and held the post of chairman of the League of Nation's General Assembly for a year. The 49th Imam, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, was given the British title "His Highness" by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957, and continues to this day to be closely allied to the Illuminati.


Queen star May hails Muse album

Brian May
May was awarded a CBE in 2006 for his services to music and his charity work

Queen guitarist Brian May has praised the Queen-influenced sound that Muse have incorporated into their recent number one album, The Resistance.

"I love it, I think it's great stuff," May told the BBC.

"I think they're very good boys and extremely talented, and like us they have their tongue in cheek a lot of the time," May said.

One key track on the new Muse album - United States of Eurasia - has drawn comparisons to classic Queen.

Last month, Muse drummer Dom Howard said: "I guess people have thought it sounds a bit like Queen, particularly that big chord and the big harmonies.

"When we did that in the studio we laughed a lot because it was so uplifting. It's a real chest out, hand in the air moment in the song."

May, who gained a doctorate in astronomy in 2007, said he had met Muse a couple of times in the early part of their career.

"They said they liked us and that we've been an influence, which is obviously nice for someone like me to hear," said May.

He described the track United States of Eurasia as "brilliantly done".

"They are extraordinary musicians," May added. "Real virtuosos - much more than I am.

"I like the way they let their madness show through, always a good thing in an artist."

Game plans

May also said he was delighted that he was being portrayed as a figure in a Lego Rock Band game - due out next month.

"It's the ultimate accolade, to be portayed in Lego," he said. "My dreams are all fulfilled now."

And he said there was talk "going on behind the scenes" about a dedicated Queen Rock Band game - like The Beatles version that came out last month.

"Yes we're into it, I think it may happen," he said.

Meanwhile, May is preparing for the launch next week of a book he has co-written - A Village Lost and Found - a collection of 3D photographs from the 1850s.


Interview: Muse

Muse
Muse: Eurozone wanderers on the march
Muse, it is claimed, make "rock music for clever people". A bit like Radiohead, with whom Matt Bellamy and friends have been too often compared.

Front man Matt admits that he hasn't heard that comparison "for a long time."

Hailing from Devon - "where there was nothing to do except play music" - Muse have hit back at all easy comparisons with their latest offering, Black Holes And Revelations.
It's an opus in which genres morph - from funk through classical to Ennio Morricone-style Italian beats - without compromising their signature rock sound.

While bass player Chris Wolstenhome and drummer Dominic Howard go out to do some last-minute shopping, Matt "muses" over the record.

It's quite a revelation, it seems. The band has managed to morph different genres and still make it sound like Muse. Matt laughs, "I think that comes from just us three ... us three playing always. Our musical style - instrumental style - obviously helps it make it sound like us."

But Matt has also pulled a Morrissey, whose move to Italy proved to be quite inspirational for his last album. "I've been listening to quite a lot of music from the south of Italy on this album," Matt admits. "I've been living in Italy for a while, and I discovered this music from Naples, which sounds like a mix of music from Africa, Croatia, Turkey and Italy. It kind of gives it a mystical sound, so I think that's one thing that influenced the album. I like being influenced by things that have a mixed style."

So mixed that it borders on the Euro zone. "One of the influences for Supermassive Black Hole was a band called Millionaire from Belgium, who mix alternative guitar with funk beats, and I think they're a great band. So we were maybe influenced a little bit by them."

America also provided some inspiration. "Also, we listened to Sly And The Family Stone. The fact is that on this album, we wanted to listen to things that were different to what we normally hear." That's an understatement. "But really, we had these ideas which seemed very different, but somehow, when we we're in the recording studio and playing them together, it just kind of changes and becomes our own personality."

Speaking of which, it's time those tiresome Radiohead comparisons met their apocalypse. How about drawing parallels with Depeche Mode? Matt agrees: "I've known Depeche Mode for years, but I never listened to their music properly until maybe... one year ago. I can understand the association, because they're a band that never really fitted in exactly with the music of their time. They had their own thing, their own style, own sound. I respect them very much."

"Some people think we're alien people." - Matt Bellamy denies those Martian Matt rumours

Sounds like he's describing his own band, who (luckily) stand out from the current Brit scene. "I don't think we really fit. I think we don't need to fit. We make our own music and people notice." So what's the biggest misconception about Muse? "That we believe in aliens and stuff! Some people think we're alien people."

Black Holes And Revelations reveals a less alien, sober side than on the previous three Muse albums. It's even got a funky twist to it - as though Matt has also been listening to a lot of Prince. He laughs: "Cool, yeah! I don't have any of his albums or anything, but he's great in performance art and videos and playing live."

We come to the creation of intergalactic phenomena. How to top an album as grand in scale as Absolution?

To get some serious writing done, the bandmates isolated themselves in an old French château, but chose to record in the more vibrant surroundings of New York City. Two totally different vibes. "Yeah, it couldn't have been a bigger contrast," agrees Matt. "We've always seemed to enjoy working in this contrasted environment. On almost every album, there's a story of working a little bit in the countryside and a little bit in the city."

Being stuck in a possibly haunted and most probably cold building in the midst of the French countryside, where there's hardly anything to do, gave them no choice but to work. "We wanted to go somewhere where we had no distractions so we could concentrate, spend time and be surrounded by different musical influences, and have the time and the freedom to just explore. And that's what we did in France. It's where we wrote and created all the songs for the album. But we found recording there very slow."

Having the leisure to freely explore new ideas without the interruption and lure of city nightlife may have adverse effects: the band developed a taste for over-perfection. (Yes, there is such a thing. We're back to Radiohead again.) They began to have doubts about the new songs. "There are so many ideas that it is difficult to make a decision to which one is a good one, which one is a bad one. So we kind of reached the point where we'd spent maybe two months just trying loads of ideas, and we realised we needed to change the atmosphere to make decisions." This despite the importance of "this kind of exploration and losing our minds a little bit in a château somewhere!"

Matt is actually trying to tell us that they were bored. So what better place to make a return to rock 'n' roll civilisation than the Big Apple? "We went to New York. It's very fast," he says. "The atmosphere and the whole place in general just changed our feeling a little bit. We managed to choose which songs were the best ones and we wanted to finish." Matt also checked out the much-hyped New York City scene.

"I tried to learn to be a DJ, which I'm terrible at." - Matt Bellamy settles for guitar and piano

"I saw quite a few bands play, and in terms of feeling, there are great vibes obviously. There are loads of clubs. Any scene you want, you can find it." And so the Muse frontman decided to make further explorations to perfect the album. "I tried to learn to be a DJ, which I'm terrible at." That's one career option down if Muse ever break up - but it was during this period when listening to Prince and Sly came in handy. "I got the feeling of playing a record and singing and dancing, and thought, Maybe we should get some kind of beats for the album. That influenced song number three (Supermassive Black Hole) and song number four (Map Of The Problematique) on the album. I think."

In between the discomatic beats, Matt's lyrics draw on another source of inspiration - the imperfect world in which we live. "I'm definitely trying to be aware of what's happening," he admits. "There are so many things happening at the same time, like climate change and the wars taking place and the oil crisis, and all these things that seem to be heading towards change."

This is when he lets out a pearl of wisdom: "The future is a little bit unknown at the moment." But give him credit: he's hopeful for this unknown future. "I think fear and hope for the future is a little bit on the album."

Muse, it seems, have tried to fill in the black holes, and have experienced some revelations of their own.


Muse Expand North American Tour ( Four Date Added )

Teignmouth stadium trio Muse have added four dates to their forthcoming North American tour.

With their new album 'The Resistance' Muse seem to have reached a new level of global fame. Topping the charts in more than a dozen countries, the album has stormed the Billboard countdown.

Marking their arrival in the United States, Muse have confirmed fourteen dates across the country. Perhaps the most significant tour in the country to date, the band have now confirmed a further four shows.

Taking in some of their biggest venues yet, the new tour dates will call in at Arco Arena in California on September 28th. In addition to this, Muse are due to play extra shows in New York, New Jersey and North Carolina.

Starting on September 22nd in San Diego amongst the shows confirmed for the tour are the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, the former teacher of Matt Bellamy has told The Guardian about the singer's school days. It seems that the singer was an early starter, forming his first band at the age of twelve.

Former Teignmouth Community College teacher Jill Bird recalled hearing Matt Bellamy play at a school concert. "I remember hearing Matt playing guitar at an end-of-term concert, and thinking: "Bloody hell, he's only 12!" He played like a grown-up."

"By year nine, Chris had joined Matt and Dom in their band. At one point they were called Gothic Plague. Other kids would be having a laugh with their guitars, but they were so committed, so determined, so ready."

Muse have added the following dates:

September
28 Sacramento Arco Arena

October
23 Uniondale Nassau Coliseum
24 Newark Prudential Center
26 Raleigh RBC Center


Muse's Neutron Star Collision to Be First Single from The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Soundtrack

What a difference a few months make. Despite the fact that Muse drummer Dominic Howard told fans in March that "for this film it’s not going to happen", the band is indeed going to appear on the soundtrack for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

Not only are Muse making their third appearance in a Twilight Saga film, but their song "Neutron Star Collision (Love is Forever)" is to be the first single.

Per usual when it comes to Twilight Saga music, the news first broke on author Stephenie Meyer's official site. As most fans of the series are aware, Muse is her favorite band.

The soundtrack is scheduled for release on June 8th, a few weeks ahead of the film's June 30th debut. You can check out the cover art below, and keep it here as more bands and songs are sure to be revealed in the coming days.

Muse's Neutron Star Collision to Be First Single from The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Soundtrack

In David Slade's Eclipse Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life.


Eminem and Muse join Kasabian at T in the Park

Eminem
Eminem last headlined a British festival in 2001

Eminem and Muse will join Kasabian as headliners at this year's T In The Park festival.

The Detroit rapper, who last played live in the UK in 2003, will top the bill at the event held between 9-11 July at Balado in Kinross-shire.

Brit rockers Kasabian were already confirmed but other new names booked to play the 2010 event include Jay-Z, Dizzee Rascal and Paolo Nutini.

Joining them will be Empire Of The Sun, Stereophonics and The Prodigy.

Last year's festival was headlined by Kings Of Leon, Blur, Snow Patrol and The Killers.

Other additions

Elsewhere, those artists playing across the festival's Radio 1/NME stage and Slam Tent include Biffy Clyro, Florence and the Machine, Calvin Harris, Faithless, La Roux, The Coral, The Courteeners, Gossip, The Temper Trap and Wolfmother.

Eminem, who released his sixth studio album Relapse in 2009, will headline a British festival for the first time since Reading in 2001.

The rapper's Anger Management Tour brought him to the UK to play live in 2003 at Milton Keynes Bowl.

Muse Muse will join Eminem and Kasabian in headlining T

A scheduled European tour was cancelled in 2005 due to exhaustion.

Muse bassist Chris Wolstenholme said: "T In The Park we've done three or four times before but we've never headlined it before.

"I think Eminem is amazing. I haven't listened to the last album much but the album before that was incredible. I've never seen him live before.

"The only problem we have is that it's world cup final weekend. If it falls on the world cup final and England happen to be there I might have to go and watch England play instead."

30 Seconds To Mars, who finish a UK tour in Glasgow on 27 February, are also due to appear.

Lead singer Jared Leto says they're looking forward to getting into the spirit of the festival.

"There aren't enough [festivals] that we could possibly do. We love it.

"I wouldn't want to offend but I always look for an excuse to wear a kilt, so if I get permission from someone who has the authority to give it, I will definitely partake in some kilt-wearing."

Tickets for this year's T In The Park go on sale at 9am on Friday 26 February.


Michael Eavis reveals Muse and Stevie Wonder to play Glastonbury at Event Production Show

The new-look Event Production Show launched today at Olympia (2 February) and in one of the first sessions Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis revealed the headliners for this year's event.

Michael Eavis reveals Muse and Stevie Wonder to play Glastonbury at Event Production Show

The festival, which runs from 23-27 June, had already confirmed U2 as headliners for the Friday (25 June).

However, Eavis revealed that Muse would headline the Saturday (26 June) and that it was "probable" the legendary Stevie Wonder would close the festival as the main act on the Sunday (27 June).

Fans of the festival have been waiting for months to see who the major acts would be, as this year the event celebrates its 40th birthday.

Rumoured bands have included Radiohead, The Rolling Stones and Led Zepplin. However, it now appears that Wonder is going be the final headline act.

Eavis also revealed the event cost £25m to put on each year, with most of the money going to securing the perimeter.

Each year seven local farms are taken over to produce the festival, which is again exapading in size this year to accommodate people's appetite for larger tents. There are also discussions to ban large flags at the event in an area in front of the stage. Eavis said he was keen to clear a line of sight for the audience but his daughter, Emily, who also runs the event, wanted the flags to stay.

In 2009 Glastonbury donated £2m to charity as a result of money raised through producing the festival.

The Event Production Show continues until tomorrow.