Is this our fault?

Great Fire of Smyrna

The title is wrong, was it a fire or was it one of the first uses of the word “genocide” ever used.

On 8th September 1922 Turkish troops entered the city during the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922). This was the last area the Turkish army had to take to end the war. At first the army was orderly and kept control of the city well but some Turks were after revenge mostly against the Armenians.

At this point many Greek people living in the area had accepted the war was over and had made their way to the city trying to escape. But on the 13^th of September the historic great Fire started and it started in the Armenian area of the city. But most people know this was not just a fire and a death toll from 10,000 to 100,000 has been guessed by many over the years. 

The lynching of Chrysostomos of Smyrna (Greek Orthodox bishop of Smyrna) was the starting point for the violence on the 9^th of September. The level of violence was so bad that many who fought in the war to take the city reported it was much worse than the war itself.

As the fire rages on during the killing many thousands of people were trapped in the harbor of the city trying to escape. This would go on for many days all the up until the 22^nd of September when the fire was finally extinguished.

Diamanda Galas recorded a track for her Defixiones, Will and Testament: Orders from the Dead album in 2003 the album is described as being "The performance is an angry meditation on genocide and the politically cooperative denial of it, in particular the Turkish and American denial of the Armenian, Assyrian, and Anatolian Greek genocides from 1914 to 1923" one of the tracks Orders from the Dead is about the Destruction & Massacre of Smyrna in 1922. The following video has English translation for the song. This version was covered by the Greek band Rotting Christ who added music to the vocals.

WARNING the video contains very graphic pictures of violence and very graphic subtitles that translate the lyrics. Please don't watch if you feel it is not for you as it is hard to watch. 

This song and video is why I have done this quick blog as more research into this genocide sends shivers down my spine. Some of the reports on the level of violence and sickening mutilation of not only adults but children are simply horrific and not something I read as enjoyment.

Above all the information I found that ships from various Allied powers in the harbor of Smyrna were ordered not to help anyone. Two US war ships looked on as the killing and flames killed countless thousands. As the killing makes a noise “people screaming” the US navy decided to play music to drown out the noises. All other Allied boats did nothing to help apart from one, A Japanese freighter, dumped all of its cargo and filled itself to the brink with refugees, taking them to the Greek port of Piraeus. The only act of kindness was by a Japanese boat. America still to this day says this was only a Great Fire and the genocide of Smyrna is nothing but a made up story. 

The Greco-Turkish War started after the Ottoman Empire ended and the partitioning of the lands started. Greece was promised lands in Turkey thus starting the Greco-Turkish War. And who was it that promised lands? Yes the British.

Albums of 2011

Mastodon – The Hunter

I have liked this band from the first album I got by them Leviathan in 2004. That was a good album and also the second in there concept albums that include fire, water, earth and air as the subject for the album. This is the first one not to have a heavy concept on the albums recording and I think it has opened the door from the classic sludge rock sound to evolve. Ok it has changed but not a whole load from the other albums. The album is still very heavy and at times not far from previous albums but the big change is the inclusion of more melodic parts in the songs from simple little guitar riffs to fit in with a tune to even some nice vocal work that takes you away from the usual grunt that can be heard on this style of rock music. The last album ‘Crack the Sky’ had a mix of clean vocals and screams as well so this is simply a natural progression from that. But the band really have stepped up and made this a great album.

Josh T. Pearson - Last Of The Country Gentlemen

This album has taken me months to get into but when I did finally start to like it you feel as thou you have heard it before. But when? I really don't know, possibly every acoustic gig I have ever been at. It is simply just Josh T. Pearson and his acoustic guitar singing songs that were never meant to be recorded due to how personal they are to him. He says they were written after his marriage broke up and depict pain he felt during the breakup of his marriage. And that is where I have heard the album before; so many songs/albums have been recorded on this very same subject. But few hit you as much as this album does; much of this may have something to do with the length of the songs. Four come in over ten minutes in length killing off any sort of mainstream attention instantly as most people have not got the attention span to listen to a song over 10 minutes never mind it only having basic acoustic and string accompaniment. It is not often you get an album that treats you like an adult and does not feel the need to cut and splice ideas into three minute songs. As Mr Pearson says "A gentleman is someone who tries to be good, tries to do good, who just always tries his best."

Michael Monroe - Sensory Overdrive

He was in the glam rock band Hanoi Rocks for two stints and in-between he has done many solo albums. This one is his sixth solo album and this time he asked other people to help on the album. My interest started when Ginger from the Wildhearts was drafted in on guitar. With Ginger being one of my favorite songwriters in the world this was a must buy. And I was well pleased with the result a fine cross of glam punk and rock. This is nothing more than a great album of fantastic rock songs, well produced and at times some of the best song writing I have heard in a while. Ginger has a certain way of writing and you can feel his input all over this album with Superpowered Superfly being one of Gingers highlights. 

Slabdragger – Regress

I love this album and it was more of an accident on you tube that I heard this. One false click and I was addicted, album ordered that day. Classic stoner/doom that fans of Black Sabbath would love. Think of Electric Wizard but heavier, they are only a three piece but what a racket they make. With the walls shaking and even me having to turn the stereo down this is one classic metal album. If next door make too much noise the Christmas this album is the one to make you even.    

Sonic Youth - Simon Werner a Disparu

This album is under the (SYR) series of albums. Simply some experimental music by the band released under a different name and label. Most of them are simply live recordings but this one is a new full album made as the soundtrack to a French film ‘Lights Out’. As you can tell it is not the classic Sonic Youth but more of a noise based project but on a much more relaxing output. Much of the album sounds a bit like a BBC radio sound effects CD but it is all mixed in with some nice guitar and piano. As the album is the soundtrack to a film I take it fits in well with that. I have yet to see the film but the soundtrack is very good and well worth a listen to noise fans.

Tombs - Path Of Totality

This is slotted in the Sludge category in many shops, but I think it is way over the top than that with some really great riffs and gritty sound. Classic death metal pounding drums the album chugs along as if there is no slowdown in sight. This is closer to a Black Metal album than anything else but fans of loud music will love this. Great production and some of the best riffs this year are on this album. This is the sort of album that could only be written in a studio as the music here would be hard to remember or demo before entering the studio. I notice Korn have an album out with the same name, I would like to see a Korn fans face listening to this after mistakingly buying it. 

Barn Owl – Shadowland

I love last years Ancestral Star album but this new release is more of an EP, still clocks in over 20 minutes. With three tracks of drone starting with the slow running Void and Devotion it feels as if you have been caught in a John Carpenter intro for 7 minutes. This is one of they albums you listen to over and over and find new bits you have never heard before. I love to read to this sort of music and it can help you relax after a crappy day. Mind you I can also relax to a Napalm Death album so don't take my word for it.  

Decapitated - Carnival is Forever

Technical Death Metal is what this album is filed under. I really don't consider any music to be technical but when hearing this album I can see why. Not so much as a noisy racket but a well thought out slab of volume. The whole band is at their best when recording and anyone who plays a musical instrument will be impressed. Great production and mixing and the album sounds fantastic the guitars are very clear and are not all that overdriven (Shock horror). 

Wolves In The Throne Room - Celestial Lineage

It is about time a great Black Metal band cut out the bullshit and crossed over to other fans and this band seem to have done it. Most people have no idea what BM is or how it should sound. The reason is there is no rules involved and that has been the best kept secret for about 30 years. People think it is all just noise but a keen ear will find some great music here. It is more of a classic BM album using many elements bands back in the early 90s used to make the distinctive sound they had with a full on relentless rhythm section that slows down for nothing. Vocals that make Slipknot sound like they should be on Saturday morning TV. The guitar is classic and driving a fast and repetitive riff. Nothing new but just done well.  

Primordial - Redemption at the Puritans Hand

I am a metal fan but not the style of metal fan that only likes Metallica and a few Slayer albums. I do like how the style can take on so many ideas and make it into an album. Not so much a concept album but the vocalist has said the album is about death, themes deal with mortality and how we deal with it. Primordial have always had the Celtic folk style of their music mixed in with the classic metal style we have all heard countless times. But they as always have made a great album and one that makes you listen not just to the lyrics but to the riffs and also the great drumming that is included here. If you like a good story then this album is for you, perhaps it could be sold as an audio book as the vocalist is constantly giving you the lyrics in as clear and concise a style as the song/topic allows. Great album for a long train journey.

Kitty, Daisy & and Lewis - Smoking In Heaven

This could be thrown away as a novelty act and forgotten about in a few years but just now it is pretty good and also some fun in a year that has had quite a bit of chaos. The oldest member is just 20 years old but the band play a mix of ska, rockabilly and blues. But for a 13 track album in does not let up and you feel the foot tapping throughout the whole LP. Yeah I said LP as this has been released on LP 2x LP and 6x 10” 78 records. Keeping with the feel of the music the album can be purchased on something that would make it sound even more classic. The style may be out of date and the musicianship not very high but that makes music fun. 

Emmy the Great- Virtue

Her 2009 album was good but for me not quite right and lacked something. But just before making her new album she split up with her partner who she was engaged to, so the album has a love and lost feel to it. One thing that is great about this album is the production, every track is crystal clear and sounds superb. Her voice comes over so much better on this album, possibly due to the split she has made her pain into ten fantastic tracks that make you instantly replay the album once done. She is destined to be put into the Folk cd shelves but this is easily assessable to all people. With help some back vocalists the album has a real big feel at times but always keeps it personal. Notice no PJ Harvey in my best off, this album is why.