[DoctorEldritch]

@DracoTarot I was never comfortable in secret societies. Two can keep a secret if one of them is dead, and there you get a whole lot of people with one secret. No wonder everyone knows about Freemasons, I'd say a proper secret society is the one no one knows exists. So being in one was always too much peer pressure for me, I mean, who needs all that stress in their life? I'd say sticking to subcultures you're better off.

[DracoTarot]

@DoctorEldritch I've always been fascinated by things of the unknown. I wouldn't join any organization without doing my homework. One of my long-time friends Stephan is a Freemason and the most down-to-earth person. He always seems so happy and bubbly with no care in the world. He is a makeup artist for Crayolan here in South Africa. Still, I wouldn't know what happens behind the scenes.

He is also the lead vocalist of a band called Silex. One of their hit songs is called Eyes.

Silex is South Africa's most popular new Gothic Rock act, which has already received the support and acclaim of both the Gothic and Rock communities with "Legendary Beauty", their debut album. Fusing the dark textures of melody and passion with the power and hard edges of metal and rock, Silex provides everything that fans of Goth have come to expect from their favourite music, with an updated, contemporary sound and a youthful power that has long been missing from the scene internationally. Like musical contemporaries, the Dreadful Shadows, Silex have a harder, heavier sound than traditional Goth, while at the same time keeping their focus on hooks, songwriting and accessibility. Live, enigmatic front-man, Stephan V.'s sinister presence is equalled only by the power of his voice and the dynamism and drama of his performance, while the rest of the band are caught up in an orgiastic whirl of musical hedonism. Deeply spiritual, emotional and aesthetically intense, Silex's music, performance and personae will please all fans of the harder, darker side of music.

[DoctorEldritch]

@DracoTarot Maybe Gothic Rock is at Freemasons' bidding? And it is all part of some plan? Have you tried listening to Silex in reverse, that sometimes reveals sublime messages.

On this note, if you like Mike Myers and the comedies that he does (Austin Powers), you may enjoy last year's The Pentaverate:

It received an average rating but does try to laugh at secret societies (the same way Austing laughed at Bondiana), so maybe worth a try?

[DracoTarot]

@DoctorEldritch I don't think Gothic Rock plays any part in Freemasonry. Most of the lodges seem to be more into classical music. I never listened to Silex songs in reverse and I'm sure there won't be subliminal messages.

I enjoyed Austen Powers a lot especially when Mike Myers took on the role of Fat B@stard 😂. The Pentaverate was ok. 😊

[DoctorEldritch]

@DracoTarot I thought they were more into opera. You know, those Balcony Boxes are ideal for secret meetings, spying, assassinations, that sort of thing.

I agree, Austin Powers was good (still a bit more toilet jokes than I'd like), but The Pentaverate was just ok. Then again, Mike Myers is getting old. I hope he will still manage to give us good Shrek in that fifth movie that's in the works, but I will be more cautious if he ends up making another Austin movie, it could be very hit-or-miss there...

[DracoTarot]

@DoctorEldritch You are correct. I would think Opera would be their first choice. It all sounds the same to me. 😂 Those Balcony boxes are ideal sniper territory. 😊

I don't think there will be another Austin movie. He seems to work more behind the scenes these days. Voiceovers are more of a thing for old actors.

[DoctorEldritch]

@DracoTarot He did make an appearance at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon a few years back or, more recently, in that GM commercial:

Incidentally, fits in our monthly theme 😉

So maybe he will return to the characters yet. And if done well, there are some elements that he could tap into there, like what super agents/villains do when retired, it is not featured in comedy that often. The only one I remember was done by Tick animated series back in 1996... So there could be something there, maybe.

[DracoTarot]

@DoctorEldritch another Powers would be great. I googled a bit and a movie critic said, unfortunately, Austin Powers 4 is far from having a release date or any production details. The death of Troyer led Jay Roach to say that a fourth film may be impossible without him, but the director has altered his stance in more recent years.

[galadrielmt]

@DracoTarot I know I am super late for this, but great post! Very accurate, I am always happy to see this posts that educate people about our subculture. There are a lot of misconceptions about Gothic, and is not just a mode or a look, for me it is a lifestyle, my refuge and what gives me comfort, happiness and power. And yes, I have a ton of corsets🤣

[DracoTarot]

@galadrielmt No worries and thank you. I always try to educate the best I can to get rid of the misconceptions. There are many things people are afraid of and don't have a complete understanding of how a culture or subculture functions.

It would be interesting to see your collection of corsets. If you are willing to share! 😊