by blake | May 5, 2012 | Uncategorized
Chapter 11 : The Preacher The Teacher
This week’s instalment of The Threshold Series revolves around Bernard Sturn and features Veshtar, the almost barren land also known as the radioactive planet.
As the chapter begins, the illustrious physicist is enjoying a cup of green tea in his office, reviewing the events of the day while he waits for his newly hired assistant, Frank Evans, to join him for an informal evening meeting.
« At the beginning of the morning, Daniel Milton had sent him a long video mail which had revived the possibility that his new colleague could in fact be an industrial spy who had successfully infiltrated his team, in all likelihood in the pay of one of the independent nations. Obviously, the mere presence of a potential intruder in the Veshtari scientific facility constituted a threat that the security expert had to address, or at least report to the RDA. The space engineer had immediately recorded a brief response, arguing that he could probably clarify the matter on his own, and thus save everyone much time and energy. And at worst, should that request be denied, it yet afforded him the delay he needed to determine the safest way to proceed, and hopefully avoid a full-fledged investigation. Or at any rate, that had been the plan. »
The young programmer eventually enters the room, and the two men proceed to hold what could very well become a pivotal conversation in their developing relationship.
Here’s « The Preacher The Teacher, » the eleventh episode of the Threshold Bookcast. Wishing you a most pleasant reading !
★
★
On a background of environmental and financial crises, and religious influences intertwining with political manoeuvres to determine the fate of an overpopulated planet, The Threshold Series chronicles the saga of the Ovelian civilization, a society very similar to our own, as it heads towards one of the most dramatic chain of events of its history.
The first book, « 2206 : Window Onto A New World, » focuses on the end of the year 2206, which culminates on an important federal election that will be impacted by the discovery of an anomaly in the nearby outer space.
Each episode of The Threshold Bookcast consists in a complete chapter of the series, made available for free online reading.
For more details about the series and the bookcast, please see the introduction.
The previous chapters are available here :
by blake | Apr 28, 2012 | Uncategorized
Chapter 10 : South Side Of The Sky
The tenth episode of the Threshold Bookcast focuses on Jake Harvey, the popular leader of the New Light Party.
At the start of the chapter, the rookie politician is enjoying a stargazing break on the observation deck of the space station his team and him are visiting.
« But life as an overly busy developing businessman had barely afforded him the leisure for socialization and entertainment, unless the activities served some work-related objective or another. As a somewhat less overly busy front running candidate, it was part of his duty to engage with people everyday and visit the far reaches of the Federation. And although he still had difficulty with the tedious travelling, he had recognized the value of savouring each one of the new spectacles offering themselves to his pale green eyes. Whether he were witnessing the often desolate landscapes of the sadly disfigured Ovel, or the lofty spacescapes which he had been awed to watch ever since the Progressive Parties had begun their tour of the stations, he would at least attempt to receive the beauty they conveyed. He had always thought he had seen stars in his youth, growing up in a remote farming community, away from the glitter and the greyness of the megapolises, yet this was nothing compared to the vista he was presently revelling in from one of the observation decks of Harmonia Eleven. The earnest and pragmatic administrator he used to be would not have dared to go sightseeing just prior to such a crucial meeting as the one he was about to attend. The wiser person he now was knew better. And given how off-worlders were generally significantly more respectful than their fellow Ovelians, there really was no reason to deprive himself of the pleasure. »
The pensive man is soon brought back to the reality of his agenda by his personal assistant. We then follow them as they proceed towards what could turn out to be a defining moment of the electoral campaign.
I hope you enjoy « South Side Of The Sky, » this week’s instalment of The Threshold Series !
★
★
On a background of environmental and financial crises, and religious influences intertwining with political manoeuvres to determine the fate of an overpopulated planet, The Threshold Series chronicles the saga of the Ovelian civilization, a society very similar to our own, as it heads towards one of the most dramatic chain of events of its history.
The first book, « 2206 : Window Onto A New World, » focuses on the end of the year 2206, which culminates on an important federal election that will be impacted by the discovery of an anomaly in the nearby outer space.
Each episode of The Threshold Bookcast consists in a complete chapter of the series, made available for free online reading.
For more details about the series and the bookcast, please see the introduction.
The previous chapters are available here :
by blake | Apr 24, 2012 | Uncategorized
Melodic Revolution Records are proud to announce the signing of Roads to Damascus for the release of the bands second album R2D2. Roads to Damascus are five piece rock band from the North-East corner of Scotland. A place of castles, where those myths and legends REALLY happened! Their philosophy is simple…progression with accessibility. Weaving lyrical melody with melodic lyrics.
Through a gamut of emotions whilst maintaining memorable hooks is top priority. And no mean feat! In 2008, as guitarist and writer Calum Jamieson neared completion of an hour long concept piece entitled Roads to Damascus, he realized that he needed a singer who could help bring the songs to life. He found like-minded Steve Simms, who added his own drama to the dark and sometimes tongue in cheek word-play, contributing lyrics to some (at that time) instrumentals and editing some phrasing to suit his vocal style.
‘‘Those lines are great, but I’ll need to BREATHE at some point…’’
Steve Simms 2008. Enlisting the help of a young local drummer, they set about recording their eponymous album, with Calum Jamieson playing all the other instruments and additional percussion. ROADS TO DAMASCUS was released in December 2009. ROADS TO DAMASCUS then set about recruiting some members, finding drummer (Diamond) Dave White and bassist Mike Bruce locally. Both have vast past experience and although having never met, within an hour of playing together, had developed their own brand of ‘rhythm section telepathy.’ The role of keyboardist was a harder position to fill however…
2010 was a year of chaos for the band with domestic issues to the fore, with the Jamieson and Simms families moving to new homes and Calum sustaining an almost career ending fractured wrist.
‘’I have to hold the guitar at a weird angle now ‘cos my bloody arm’s WARPED!’’ Calum Jamieson 2011. It was amidst this chaos and recuperation that Jamieson and Simms wrote the second album, R2D2. Again, the lyrics are deeply personal in places, flippant in others and represent an insight into ‘where we are’ right now.
The music has more depth, yet is instantly memorable. R2D2 was recorded at Calum’s place in sporadic bursts over 2011, with the new members adding a dynamic boost to the sound. In the absence of a keyboardist, Calum assumed the role, as well as handling the guitars, mixing and mastering of the project.
Whist in the midst of mixing R2D2, the band recruited a real musician, Mo Hammond, to fill the vacant keyboard stool Mo is a fantastic pianist and harp player.
ROADS TO DAMASCUS are many things… they are musicians, writers, parents, appreciators of fine food, friends and grown-ups. But more than that, they are proof that in an age where youth and a hunger for the trappings of celebrity are the new gods…talent, an ear for melody and a love of MUSIC still prevails.
Track Listing:
1. Ghosts
2. Liven your Mind (Part 2)
3. Warcry
4. Frustration
5. Morning After
6. That Smile
7. Forever a Picture
8. Early Hours
9. Liven your Mind (Part1)
10. I Dream in Mirrors
ALL SONGS ℗ & © 2012ROADS TO DAMASCUS.
For more information:
Official Website
Facebook
Reverbnation
YouTube
Press Contact
cammy[at]roadstodamascus.co.uk
Booking Agent
steve[at]roadstodamascus.co.uk
by blake | Apr 21, 2012 | Uncategorized
Chapter 9 : Careful With That Axe, Eugene
Richard Ramsay, the Federal Chancellor of Ovel, is once again the central character of the weekly instalment of The Threshold Series.
At the beginning of the chapter, the veteran Conservative is temporarily escaping the pressures of his functions, hastening undercover towards a secret destination.
« Manifestly, the megapolis had become one of extremes. In downtown Triton Aeolus, where he had been dropped off, which was far from being one of the disadvantaged neighbourhoods of the vast urban area, the disguised ruler had gone from a place of ostentatious wealth to one of abject poverty just by crossing a few streets. And so, only minutes after having parted ways with his trustworthy helper, he was rid of the hustle and bustle of the boulevard and surrounded by the raw, desolate, yet peaceful landscape so common to those who had to live in the daily company of scarcity. Regardless of grey clouds and bleak environment, behind his shades, his eyes were bright, and underneath his long, black leather raincoat, his heart was light. He was savouring each instant of the quiet time as he trod the drying sidewalks, once in a while using his cane to steady himself as he would step on an uneven slab of derelict pavement. »
As he proceeds on his way to his undisclosed objective, the experienced politician hopes his disguise will protect him against undesirable encounters.
The ninth episode of the Threshold Bookcast, « Careful With That Axe, Eugene, » follows below. Wishing you a most enjoyable reading !
★
★
On a background of environmental and financial crises, and religious influences intertwining with political manoeuvres to determine the fate of an overpopulated planet, The Threshold Series chronicles the saga of the Ovelian civilization, a society very similar to our own, as it heads towards one of the most dramatic chain of events of its history.
The first book, « 2206 : Window Onto A New World, » focuses on the end of the year 2206, which culminates on an important federal election that will be impacted by the discovery of an anomaly in the nearby outer space.
Each episode of The Threshold Bookcast consists in a complete chapter of the series, made available for free online reading.
For more details about the series and the bookcast, please see the introduction.
The previous chapters are available here :
by blake | Apr 14, 2012 | Uncategorized
Chapter 8 : Nous Sommes Du Soleil
This week’s episode of the Threshold Bookcast revolves around members of a religious community living in a high-perched monastery located in the highest mountain range on Ovel.
As the narrative begins, two of the cenobites, a novice and his experienced teacher, are climbing up towards a hillside cave that the teenager will be allowed to enter for the first time.
« The young monk had seen with his own almond-shaped, dark brown eyes some of those who had attempted to disclose the mysteries of the Tähtsaim. First, they had suddenly become confused as they had started to relate their stories. Then, seemingly having great difficulty to utter even a single word, their throats hurting and burning, they had slowly lost their voices, forced to silence for weeks and even quarters on end in some instances. And once their ability to speak had ultimately returned, they had been unable to recollect their visits to the temple. In similar fashion, those who intended to communicate with gestures would lose motility, regaining it only as memories vanished. Just prior to being exposed, drawings and written accounts would incomprehensibly disappear or be destroyed, often by natural causes, regardless of the precautions taken to protect them. Pictures wouldn’t come out right, recordings would be irremediably crippled by noise, and devices would generally behave erratically. Remarkable events inevitably occurred whenever somebody would want to reveal what they had discovered in the secluded place. »
We follow the younger monastic in his discoveries and find out how he is about to be thrust into the heart of an adventure that could turn out to be much bigger than him.
I hope you enjoy « Nous Sommes Du Soleil, » the eighth chapter of The Threshold Series !
★
★
On a background of environmental and financial crises, and religious influences intertwining with political manoeuvres to determine the fate of an overpopulated planet, The Threshold Series chronicles the saga of the Ovelian civilization, a society very similar to our own, as it heads towards one of the most dramatic chain of events of its history.
The first book, « 2206 : Window Onto A New World, » focuses on the end of the year 2206, which culminates on an important federal election that will be impacted by the discovery of an anomaly in the nearby outer space.
Each episode of The Threshold Bookcast consists in a complete chapter of the series, made available for free online reading.
For more details about the series and the bookcast, please see the introduction.
The previous chapters are available here :
