David Burke
@metalanalysis.bsky.social
PhD: heavy metal studies
Band: S(Ⱥ) | ∞ | a.p.-1 https://absentsignifier.bandcamp.com/
Theory: negative universality | politics of enjoyment | aesthetics of the bad | uncultural studies
Band: S(Ⱥ) | ∞ | a.p.-1 https://absentsignifier.bandcamp.com/
Theory: negative universality | politics of enjoyment | aesthetics of the bad | uncultural studies
Pinned
David Burke
@metalanalysis.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Four Discourses, by Absent Signifier
4 track album
absentsignifier.bandcamp.com
Band's done our first release, a live album called Four Discourses.
UNIVERSITY // ANALYST // HYSTERIC // CAPITALIST
absentsignifier.bandcamp.com/album/four-d...
UNIVERSITY // ANALYST // HYSTERIC // CAPITALIST
absentsignifier.bandcamp.com/album/four-d...
Fat as a Shark by ACCEPT (body positivity)
February 10, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Fat as a Shark by ACCEPT (body positivity)
As metal 'takes over the world', 'grows up' and 'gets legit',
it finds there is no Other to be,
that there is nothing behind the veil of radical alterity except ourselves having gone behind to see.
it finds there is no Other to be,
that there is nothing behind the veil of radical alterity except ourselves having gone behind to see.
February 3, 2025 at 4:06 PM
As metal 'takes over the world', 'grows up' and 'gets legit',
it finds there is no Other to be,
that there is nothing behind the veil of radical alterity except ourselves having gone behind to see.
it finds there is no Other to be,
that there is nothing behind the veil of radical alterity except ourselves having gone behind to see.
The drudgery of art is repressed through sublimation.
Not just the labour of creation, but all the hurry up and wait, sycophancy to scene darlings and pointless admin.
To consider these while appreciating a work is to dissolve any trace of aura, and the veil between consumer and producer.
Not just the labour of creation, but all the hurry up and wait, sycophancy to scene darlings and pointless admin.
To consider these while appreciating a work is to dissolve any trace of aura, and the veil between consumer and producer.
December 16, 2024 at 10:35 AM
The drudgery of art is repressed through sublimation.
Not just the labour of creation, but all the hurry up and wait, sycophancy to scene darlings and pointless admin.
To consider these while appreciating a work is to dissolve any trace of aura, and the veil between consumer and producer.
Not just the labour of creation, but all the hurry up and wait, sycophancy to scene darlings and pointless admin.
To consider these while appreciating a work is to dissolve any trace of aura, and the veil between consumer and producer.
Reposted by David Burke
TODAY: phone & email blockade organised by the dyke project on wes streeting between 12pm and 5pm. everyone should be able to find some time today to send an email or make some phone calls. mass involvement is key
phone and email script available here: bit.ly/3ZyWGQ5
insta post: surl.li/cahdyn
phone and email script available here: bit.ly/3ZyWGQ5
insta post: surl.li/cahdyn
December 12, 2024 at 10:14 AM
TODAY: phone & email blockade organised by the dyke project on wes streeting between 12pm and 5pm. everyone should be able to find some time today to send an email or make some phone calls. mass involvement is key
phone and email script available here: bit.ly/3ZyWGQ5
insta post: surl.li/cahdyn
phone and email script available here: bit.ly/3ZyWGQ5
insta post: surl.li/cahdyn
These academic writers, enough with the romanticism already! So many articles where [insert popular music culture] is the 'answer' to a social problem - ain't that convenient?
December 11, 2024 at 1:32 PM
These academic writers, enough with the romanticism already! So many articles where [insert popular music culture] is the 'answer' to a social problem - ain't that convenient?
Seeing bands I love doesn't change me enough / rolls over me like a new rug / neither side wholly recognised
the impasse takes action's place / I try to read the singer's face / inscrutable, nothin belied
But I know what you did / and what I've got coming / the band played on / and kept on numbing
the impasse takes action's place / I try to read the singer's face / inscrutable, nothin belied
But I know what you did / and what I've got coming / the band played on / and kept on numbing
December 11, 2024 at 10:21 AM
Seeing bands I love doesn't change me enough / rolls over me like a new rug / neither side wholly recognised
the impasse takes action's place / I try to read the singer's face / inscrutable, nothin belied
But I know what you did / and what I've got coming / the band played on / and kept on numbing
the impasse takes action's place / I try to read the singer's face / inscrutable, nothin belied
But I know what you did / and what I've got coming / the band played on / and kept on numbing
What's Left of Metal authors confirmed, including:
@benburgis.bsky.social Melissa Vincent @tcoleswords.bsky.social
And more - 13 papers in total (had to be). Edited by myself and @mikerwatson.bsky.social.
Thank you everyone who submitted. We're aiming for a late '25/early '26 publication.
@benburgis.bsky.social Melissa Vincent @tcoleswords.bsky.social
And more - 13 papers in total (had to be). Edited by myself and @mikerwatson.bsky.social.
Thank you everyone who submitted. We're aiming for a late '25/early '26 publication.
December 6, 2024 at 6:14 PM
What's Left of Metal authors confirmed, including:
@benburgis.bsky.social Melissa Vincent @tcoleswords.bsky.social
And more - 13 papers in total (had to be). Edited by myself and @mikerwatson.bsky.social.
Thank you everyone who submitted. We're aiming for a late '25/early '26 publication.
@benburgis.bsky.social Melissa Vincent @tcoleswords.bsky.social
And more - 13 papers in total (had to be). Edited by myself and @mikerwatson.bsky.social.
Thank you everyone who submitted. We're aiming for a late '25/early '26 publication.
We should attack our own sites of enjoyment. Regarding self-critique, they are our blind spots.
Discover how to enjoy not enjoying. Not this "get comfortable with getting uncomfortable" - it still implies comfort.
Just get uncomfortable. This is basically the Ethic of the Real (Zupancic).
Discover how to enjoy not enjoying. Not this "get comfortable with getting uncomfortable" - it still implies comfort.
Just get uncomfortable. This is basically the Ethic of the Real (Zupancic).
December 5, 2024 at 3:44 PM
We should attack our own sites of enjoyment. Regarding self-critique, they are our blind spots.
Discover how to enjoy not enjoying. Not this "get comfortable with getting uncomfortable" - it still implies comfort.
Just get uncomfortable. This is basically the Ethic of the Real (Zupancic).
Discover how to enjoy not enjoying. Not this "get comfortable with getting uncomfortable" - it still implies comfort.
Just get uncomfortable. This is basically the Ethic of the Real (Zupancic).
I say it every year: Spotify Wrapped and AOTY lists are a neurotic response to the postmodern cultural superego, which commands that you ENJOY.
The administration and quantification of enjoyment is profoundly dispiriting to me.
Don't "just enjoy it", find a better way to enjoy than doing stats.
The administration and quantification of enjoyment is profoundly dispiriting to me.
Don't "just enjoy it", find a better way to enjoy than doing stats.
December 5, 2024 at 11:36 AM
I say it every year: Spotify Wrapped and AOTY lists are a neurotic response to the postmodern cultural superego, which commands that you ENJOY.
The administration and quantification of enjoyment is profoundly dispiriting to me.
Don't "just enjoy it", find a better way to enjoy than doing stats.
The administration and quantification of enjoyment is profoundly dispiriting to me.
Don't "just enjoy it", find a better way to enjoy than doing stats.
Pissing and changing the lyrics of the Foo Fighters song to My Urine
December 3, 2024 at 6:14 PM
Pissing and changing the lyrics of the Foo Fighters song to My Urine
Quality is a necessary but insufficient component of culture in an attention economy.
Constancy of content however, that's what gets results.
It was always like this ofc - but in the past institutions (e.g. labels) mediated it. Money talked more.
Now you have to talk too.
Talk like the money.
Constancy of content however, that's what gets results.
It was always like this ofc - but in the past institutions (e.g. labels) mediated it. Money talked more.
Now you have to talk too.
Talk like the money.
December 3, 2024 at 10:55 AM
Quality is a necessary but insufficient component of culture in an attention economy.
Constancy of content however, that's what gets results.
It was always like this ofc - but in the past institutions (e.g. labels) mediated it. Money talked more.
Now you have to talk too.
Talk like the money.
Constancy of content however, that's what gets results.
It was always like this ofc - but in the past institutions (e.g. labels) mediated it. Money talked more.
Now you have to talk too.
Talk like the money.
Who made my ironic reactionary mate Zohar so woke?
December 2, 2024 at 9:55 PM
Who made my ironic reactionary mate Zohar so woke?
Expanding the range of additional instruments Absent Signifier bring to our gigs, so the audience can join in.
Got a melodica last week, two tin whistles (C and D) arrived this morning.
Gonna get some metal kazoos next.
FREE METAL IS VERY ANNOYING.
Got a melodica last week, two tin whistles (C and D) arrived this morning.
Gonna get some metal kazoos next.
FREE METAL IS VERY ANNOYING.
December 2, 2024 at 12:23 PM
Expanding the range of additional instruments Absent Signifier bring to our gigs, so the audience can join in.
Got a melodica last week, two tin whistles (C and D) arrived this morning.
Gonna get some metal kazoos next.
FREE METAL IS VERY ANNOYING.
Got a melodica last week, two tin whistles (C and D) arrived this morning.
Gonna get some metal kazoos next.
FREE METAL IS VERY ANNOYING.
Due to being a) an academic and b) more of a Communist than an Anarchist, I am announcing my full and continued collaboration with the Homework Inspection Corps
December 2, 2024 at 7:39 AM
Due to being a) an academic and b) more of a Communist than an Anarchist, I am announcing my full and continued collaboration with the Homework Inspection Corps
Reposted by David Burke
writing is reading one book and three articles to achieve one subordinate clause
November 29, 2024 at 2:49 PM
writing is reading one book and three articles to achieve one subordinate clause
The trend of making "uplifting" or "hopeful" extreme metal is a sign of its normalisation.
In some cases this is welcome, beautiful art with good ethics etc.
But the overall effect is not merely to "castrate" metal's transgressivity, but to reduce it to art therapy - something with a use-value.
In some cases this is welcome, beautiful art with good ethics etc.
But the overall effect is not merely to "castrate" metal's transgressivity, but to reduce it to art therapy - something with a use-value.
November 30, 2024 at 9:27 AM
The trend of making "uplifting" or "hopeful" extreme metal is a sign of its normalisation.
In some cases this is welcome, beautiful art with good ethics etc.
But the overall effect is not merely to "castrate" metal's transgressivity, but to reduce it to art therapy - something with a use-value.
In some cases this is welcome, beautiful art with good ethics etc.
But the overall effect is not merely to "castrate" metal's transgressivity, but to reduce it to art therapy - something with a use-value.
Being an august man of letters really takes it out of you
November 29, 2024 at 3:32 PM
Being an august man of letters really takes it out of you
Metal is getting more normal everyday.
Harshes and blasts on the telly, AGAIN?
Harshes and blasts on the telly, AGAIN?
First hm-2 on national television? www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYeD...
Knocked Loose ft. Poppy – Suffocate
YouTube video by Jimmy Kimmel Live
www.youtube.com
November 29, 2024 at 10:29 AM
Metal is getting more normal everyday.
Harshes and blasts on the telly, AGAIN?
Harshes and blasts on the telly, AGAIN?
Victory for the left is, in Stirner's terms, a spook.
Don't worry about winning, which would allow the left to rest - the left is never completed, so winning permanently is a Utopian fantasy.
BORN TO LOSE.
Don't worry about winning, which would allow the left to rest - the left is never completed, so winning permanently is a Utopian fantasy.
BORN TO LOSE.
November 29, 2024 at 8:10 AM
Victory for the left is, in Stirner's terms, a spook.
Don't worry about winning, which would allow the left to rest - the left is never completed, so winning permanently is a Utopian fantasy.
BORN TO LOSE.
Don't worry about winning, which would allow the left to rest - the left is never completed, so winning permanently is a Utopian fantasy.
BORN TO LOSE.
The ambiguity caused by out-of-court settlement is the means by which artists like MM, Michael Gira, Tool etc. achieve plausible deniability from their fans POV.
It doesn't look innocent at all if you pay attention. But if you don't, the case recedes from view, allowing a RESUMPTION OF CONSUMPTION.
It doesn't look innocent at all if you pay attention. But if you don't, the case recedes from view, allowing a RESUMPTION OF CONSUMPTION.
things you do when you’re totally innocent, your honor
November 28, 2024 at 8:34 AM
The ambiguity caused by out-of-court settlement is the means by which artists like MM, Michael Gira, Tool etc. achieve plausible deniability from their fans POV.
It doesn't look innocent at all if you pay attention. But if you don't, the case recedes from view, allowing a RESUMPTION OF CONSUMPTION.
It doesn't look innocent at all if you pay attention. But if you don't, the case recedes from view, allowing a RESUMPTION OF CONSUMPTION.
Reposted by David Burke
Researching and reporting my story about how truly horrible Facebook has become genuinely rattled me, and changed how I looked at the internet permanently. It's important to understand how messed up they are.
www.wheresyoured.at/killingfaceb...
www.wheresyoured.at/killingfaceb...
November 28, 2024 at 1:44 AM
Researching and reporting my story about how truly horrible Facebook has become genuinely rattled me, and changed how I looked at the internet permanently. It's important to understand how messed up they are.
www.wheresyoured.at/killingfaceb...
www.wheresyoured.at/killingfaceb...
Reposted by David Burke
We need the kind of people who (used to) run public utilities to run popular apps. The kind of people who are content to keep something going so you can take it for granted. The problem is that social media doesn't actually need the constant disruption that tech people love.
November 27, 2024 at 7:40 PM
We need the kind of people who (used to) run public utilities to run popular apps. The kind of people who are content to keep something going so you can take it for granted. The problem is that social media doesn't actually need the constant disruption that tech people love.
Renaming drinking to Wetting the Entrance, renaming pissing to Wetting the Exit
November 27, 2024 at 9:08 PM
Renaming drinking to Wetting the Entrance, renaming pissing to Wetting the Exit
My favourite listen of this year (shouted out of my car window the most) is Hit the North by the Fall.
"Those big big wide streets
Those useless MPs
Savages... (Hit the North!)"
The ambiguity is masterful. Absent Signifier do a ruined cover (Shit the North) with no ambiguity. Track 2 on bandcamp.
"Those big big wide streets
Those useless MPs
Savages... (Hit the North!)"
The ambiguity is masterful. Absent Signifier do a ruined cover (Shit the North) with no ambiguity. Track 2 on bandcamp.
November 27, 2024 at 2:46 PM
My favourite listen of this year (shouted out of my car window the most) is Hit the North by the Fall.
"Those big big wide streets
Those useless MPs
Savages... (Hit the North!)"
The ambiguity is masterful. Absent Signifier do a ruined cover (Shit the North) with no ambiguity. Track 2 on bandcamp.
"Those big big wide streets
Those useless MPs
Savages... (Hit the North!)"
The ambiguity is masterful. Absent Signifier do a ruined cover (Shit the North) with no ambiguity. Track 2 on bandcamp.
There are even Orthodox and Progressive movements of Satanists.
No faith properly sees how their schisms are the motion of Spirit - an argument between folk producing new culture. Most often people seem to double down at a schism, become more convinced of their rectitude.
Scission be my god...
No faith properly sees how their schisms are the motion of Spirit - an argument between folk producing new culture. Most often people seem to double down at a schism, become more convinced of their rectitude.
Scission be my god...
November 27, 2024 at 1:46 PM
There are even Orthodox and Progressive movements of Satanists.
No faith properly sees how their schisms are the motion of Spirit - an argument between folk producing new culture. Most often people seem to double down at a schism, become more convinced of their rectitude.
Scission be my god...
No faith properly sees how their schisms are the motion of Spirit - an argument between folk producing new culture. Most often people seem to double down at a schism, become more convinced of their rectitude.
Scission be my god...