MP3 At Hand Productions, Inc. - Prophecies of War

A multimedia production that combines emotionally turbulent progressive rock, three floor-to-ceiling screens, and presidential audio clips of Eisenhower and George Bush.

9 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Progressive Rock, JAZZ: Jazz-Rock

Show all album songs: Prophecies of War Songs


Details:
Prophecies of War, a multimedia production combines five emotionally intense musicians, three floor-to-ceiling screens, and mind bending audio clips. It runs for two hours with a 15-minute intermission. And performs in theaters and auditoriums with seating capacity circa 1,000. Prophecies of War sits comfortably with college students, the politically active, and those that are socially conscience. In its debut, the house maintained a 90 capacity and promoted with little advertising.

Prophecies of War maintain certain characteristics that are similar to other productions, but it also has its very unique individuality that stands apart from other media. Prophecies of War is similar in several facets. Firstly, the political aspect of it is similar to Rage Against the Machine, Michael Moore, and Henry Thoreau. Rage Against the Machine (RATM) is known for their confrontational lyrics that address social ills, which include class struggle, consumerism, human exploitation, slavery, political breakdown, and the list continues. In addition to RATM, Michael Moore, a director known for creating documentaries that addressed the faults of the Bush administration, Americaâs gun obsession and health care system. Furthermore, Prophecies of War shares a connection with Henry Thoreau. He is known for several works that include Walden, Walking, and Treatise on Civil Disobedience.

From Walden, we get Thoreauâs famous quote, âIf a man does not keep pace with his companions perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer Let him step to the music which he hears however measured or far away,â And in Treatise on Civil Disobedience, Thoreau openly spoke about the necessity for the people to protest the government when they have committed a crime. Prophecies of War embraces peaceful civil disobedience. Americans were told that to protest its governmentâs policies on Iraq, Afghanistan, or any country suspected of terrorism was immoral, unpatriotic, and is a supporter of terrorism. âIf you are not with us, then you are against us,â these were the words spoken by George W. Bush not long after 9/11. Not to question oneâs government is immoral. Not to protest oneâs government is unpatriotic. To remain silent on something you believe is terrorism.

Prophecies of War also shares a linage with Diagheliv and the Ballets Russes. His dance troupe was the premiere company to present, not just dance, by the collective arts that expand the bounds and to explore themes that were not acceptable at its time. Additionally, it was not immune to controversy. As many know, the Ballets Russo reached stardom through the Rite of Spring. It was not just the music, dance, scenery, but the theme - primitive society; the symbol - a nude dancer; the techniques â angular movements, intense music, oblique costumes; all of which combine to create an explosion that has left a creator in the historical evolution of the collective arts. One cannot study this art form without crossing this company or production. Prophecies of War continues with this principle of combining more that one art form with a theme that pushes the boundaries. It uses live music, video projection, and audio clips to create an event that one reviewer describes, âIt is LSD without the LSD!â

Prophecies of War shares all these aspects, yet contrary to this it is its own entity. It is unique in that it combines presidential speeches that have not been combined into a multimedia production. It is unique in that it combines several rock genres into one experience â Fusion, Prog Rock, Heavy Metal. It is unique in that video clips of presidents, war, banks, politicians, the working person, and society doing what it does appear in rapid fashion, distorted, bent, twisted, and turned upside down. It is these principles and techniques that give Prophecies of War its unique character.

We now know the similarities that Prophecies of War shares with other genres and how it is different, but lets look at what Prophecies of War is not. Firstly, it is not the cheap mainstream popular music one hears on the radio. It is not some band that is composed of boys trying to dance and lip sing simultaneous. No, it is made up of artists that are real. Artists that took the time to study their instrument, learned to compose, learned to perform under pressure of hundreds of people watching; it is made up of members who they themselves have become hardened from time, experience, and passion to see this production come to audiences; it is made up of people who know the importance of performing Prophecies of War; it is made up of people who have made personal sacrifices to perform Prophecies of War; it is made up of people who take criticisms from detractors for expressing their views; these are admirable traits for people to aspire to, to respect; to love. And they should be greeted with open arms and a smile.

Prophecies of War is not made up of blonde bombshells or beauties that sport the latest boob job, but it is made up of musicians that sweat, who move to the music, who appear and disappear as the lights flash on and off, dressed in black from head-to-toe they are the dark poets exploring the mind and reality so that you â the audience, can see the ideas, hear the heartâs passion, and experience the human mind in a production that challenges the norm â that asks of you to think differently by your own will. It asks that you not be a sheep, but be the husband. Be the person that controls oneâs life.

Above all this, Prophecies of War is not government-approved art. It is socially approved art that was created by the people for the people. It is direct. It is blunt. It is meant to be a thorn in the side of establishment.

The affect Prophecies of War has on people is one of invigoration, excitement, mind expansion, thought provoking, and sincerity. Mainstream entertainment does not suit them â it is meant to pacify â to numb their senses â to prevent them from thinking on their own accord. People want something that can express their feelings. Americans for the most part remain passive and isolated. Many feel that if they were to speak out against governmental ills they would be outcaste and blacklisted. Prophecies of War allows people to protest â to protest by attending the performance, listening to the CD, tuning into the radio station when it airs, and watching it on TV. Listener ship, viewer ship, and public attendance are means of agreeing with Prophecies of War and demonstrating passively to the government and military that one does not agree with their actions.

Prophecies of War is a sigh of relief for those that have wanted someone â something to express their feelings and thoughts. People have become isolated through the constant barrage of mainstream media that continues to feed Americans with lies, disinformation, and half-truths. They are left with either to eat from the trough or sit in the corner isolated from the group.

Prophecies of War has taken on a life of its own. It began as my senior thesis; recorded as a EP CD; broadcasted on the Philadelphia televised High Wired; performed in Philadelphia; will broadcast nationally in 54 markets in America in July 2008; recorded and distributed in the winter of 2008; broadcasting on 560 college radio stations throughout North America and the United Kingdom beginning in December 2007; radio interviews; magazine interviews; and the list will continue to grow. It is active and alive. It is no different than the birth and development of a child. It started small and grew and grew and grew. And it will continue to grow. It will be the heavyweight.