To help celebrate the release of My Dying Bride's new album The Ghost Of Orion, Aaron Stainthorpe from the band has generously shared a few of his personal favorite albums and books with us. We're giving the collection of his choices away to one lucky winner along with an indie exclusive color vinyl copy of The Ghost Of Orion, out 3/6 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Here's what he chose for us:
1. Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson (1999)
American author Neal Stephenson runs two tales in parallel here, one set in the second world war dealing with the code breakers at Bletchley Park and assorted allies in battle and the second is set in the 1990’s with descendants of those earlier characters who use cryptologic and tech knowledge to further advance their sinister goals. A tremendous read, very tech-heavy and complex in some areas but highly rewarding.
2. Guards! Guards! By Terry Pratchett (1989)
A delightful book set in, or should I say ‘on’ the discworld, a flat plate of land that rests on the back of four giant elephants who in turn perch upon the back of a giant cosmic turtle. It’s a bit mad, very funny and book eight in Pratchetts hugely popular Discworld series. The characters are amusing and the events are chaotic as the city guard try to keep the peace in the ramshackle city of Ankh-Morpork.
3. My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell (1956)
This is a whimsical, autobiographical work shedding light on the Durrell family who remove themselves from Britain and re-locate on the Greek island of Corfu in the hope of avoiding the second world war. Gerald and his family do their best to blend in with the locals but all manner of chaos ensues especially as Gerry’s love of collecting wildlife and letting it stay in the family residence gets alarmingly out of hand. A book I have read more than once and have also enjoyed two separate television series’ documenting this unusual family.
4. Master of Puppets by Metallica
Simply one of the greatest recordings of all time. This first hit me way back when, I was young and thirsty for more metal and had never even heard the term thrash metal let alone this US foursome. It was in a local rock club where I was introduced to them by the DJ who set the needle on the record at Disposable Heroes and I was blown away! This baptism led me to investigate more obscure metal, discovering the likes of Candlemass and Celtic Frost to name but two. And it was at this time, around the late 1980’s that I knew I had to be part of this movement in music! I was totally hooked, sought out like minded individuals and formed My Dying Bride over night and have never looked back.
5. Walls of Jericho by Helloween
Catchy German thrash/power metal from the 1980’s – what’s not to like? Another disc I’ve spun a thousand times as I sing aloud in the kitchen while I concoct a feast of delight from my culinary skillset. Kai Hansens vocals are high and bright as to is his guitar sound much of which I have deftly emulated on a variety of cooking utensils while striking pure metal poses. Totally love this album but somehow never seen the band live.
Buy Aaron's recommendations from us from My Dying Bride's SELECTOR Collection!
And make sure to order a copy of The Ghost Of Orion as well!
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