Hey folks,
It's that time again for yours truly to pen another big rant. But, fortunately you see, this one is a bit different. It's different in that it will probably be my last rant on here.
I was made aware, recently, that my intentions/views etc. etc. apparently don't coincide with those of Opeth, Opeth.com, certain users of this forum, roadrunner(maybe?) etc. etc.
But hey, look, before I go on let's do one of those cool things they do in movies where it gets all dramatic near the start and then switches back to a few years in the past which leads up to the end.
April 2002. A very naive 15 year old is surfing the net, much the same as he does later on in life, but he's actually on a mission. He's in search of some mp3s by this really cool lookin' band he saw in Revolver magazine. He's not really sure what style of metal they play, nor what their albums are called, but he knows they look like a couple of dudes out of the 70's and that their songs are over 10 mins long! What an awesome gimmick, it sounds like something he'd be into.
Fast forward 3 years, this guy is now 18, Opeth are his favourite band, he's browsed their entire catalogue of music extensively, formed very strong opinions on each release and the band's progression throughout the years.
I came to UM about 3 years ago, brought here by that link to 'Opeth's OFFICIAL FORUM!' on the main page. I've since been a very regular poster on UM, with the crux of my posts residing right here, within the confines of the cozy little Opeth forum.
Much has changed throughout the years, particularily with the majority of older posters from my initial signing-up time having left to move to whatever other recesses of the internet they so desired to move to. I remained though, because I felt pretty compelled to keep conversing about my favourite band and trying to get the place back on track.
Just for it to be on the record, throughout all the good times, the shit times, the frustrating times, it was still a pleasure to be part of this community simply because we were all (generally) like-minded Opeth fans. I really appreciate the things I've learned on here over time, in regards to music composition, guitaring, music production etc. etc. A whole plethora of areas where this forum was key for bettering myself in and hopefully managing to help others.
It's kind of ironic, I feel, that now, the time for myself to move on, is not spurred by my dejection of the community nor the forum itself. It's not spurred by the hatred of anyone on here nor pure frustration. It's spurred on by the wishes of Opeth(.com).
Okay, so we're in the present. I've recently been informed that my interests don't lie in line with those of Opeth, or of those who work with Opeth. It seems honesty is something that doesn't lie well with the job of moderating this forum. Realizing that, finally, is quite a shame. I've always tried to participate in this community as I always have, with the same voice, the same opinions etc. because after all, that was what got me elected into moderatorhood by you guys in the first place.
Regardless, one PM to an admin seemed to be enough to undermine a year's worth of effort on my part on this forum. In light of that, I feel that the efforts placed into this place by the (active) moderator crew have been vastly underappreciated.
Having come to that realization, I've obviously felt compelled to create that obligatory (and ever so cliche) 'farewell (insert forum name)' thread. This is actually my first time creating one, despite all the forums I've left over the years. That's because this place actually meant quite a bit to me, with all the things I've learned here ever since April 2002, when I'd signed up to UM.
So my appreciation goes out to all you guys and girls who've been a positive force on this forum throughout time. I've appreciated the contributions of all who've partaken in meaningful discussions on here, and I can only hope to see some of the same on other parts of the internet. I also really appreciate all you guys who initially voted me into the moderating position and those who've been supportive through the several months of this term.
As I understand it, you will be getting a new moderator. So I wish you all the best with that, and I hope you can all come to terms with each other and keep this place moving in a positive direction, even in the wake of the iminent huge influx of new fans after the release of Ghost Reveries (hehe, we sure saw a bit of that after the webrip of Conjuration).
Just to clarify: I haven't been forced to leave this forum. I've simply been told the job of moderator is falling to somebody else. I'm leaving this place solely of my own volition.
So, I suppose that's pretty much all I want to say. Sorry for having ranted on a tad, but I felt the occasion merited it.
All the best to you guys - I'll be seeing you all around other parts of UM,
Moonie (Ermin).
It's that time again for yours truly to pen another big rant. But, fortunately you see, this one is a bit different. It's different in that it will probably be my last rant on here.
I was made aware, recently, that my intentions/views etc. etc. apparently don't coincide with those of Opeth, Opeth.com, certain users of this forum, roadrunner(maybe?) etc. etc.
But hey, look, before I go on let's do one of those cool things they do in movies where it gets all dramatic near the start and then switches back to a few years in the past which leads up to the end.
April 2002. A very naive 15 year old is surfing the net, much the same as he does later on in life, but he's actually on a mission. He's in search of some mp3s by this really cool lookin' band he saw in Revolver magazine. He's not really sure what style of metal they play, nor what their albums are called, but he knows they look like a couple of dudes out of the 70's and that their songs are over 10 mins long! What an awesome gimmick, it sounds like something he'd be into.
Fast forward 3 years, this guy is now 18, Opeth are his favourite band, he's browsed their entire catalogue of music extensively, formed very strong opinions on each release and the band's progression throughout the years.
I came to UM about 3 years ago, brought here by that link to 'Opeth's OFFICIAL FORUM!' on the main page. I've since been a very regular poster on UM, with the crux of my posts residing right here, within the confines of the cozy little Opeth forum.
Much has changed throughout the years, particularily with the majority of older posters from my initial signing-up time having left to move to whatever other recesses of the internet they so desired to move to. I remained though, because I felt pretty compelled to keep conversing about my favourite band and trying to get the place back on track.
Just for it to be on the record, throughout all the good times, the shit times, the frustrating times, it was still a pleasure to be part of this community simply because we were all (generally) like-minded Opeth fans. I really appreciate the things I've learned on here over time, in regards to music composition, guitaring, music production etc. etc. A whole plethora of areas where this forum was key for bettering myself in and hopefully managing to help others.
It's kind of ironic, I feel, that now, the time for myself to move on, is not spurred by my dejection of the community nor the forum itself. It's not spurred by the hatred of anyone on here nor pure frustration. It's spurred on by the wishes of Opeth(.com).
Okay, so we're in the present. I've recently been informed that my interests don't lie in line with those of Opeth, or of those who work with Opeth. It seems honesty is something that doesn't lie well with the job of moderating this forum. Realizing that, finally, is quite a shame. I've always tried to participate in this community as I always have, with the same voice, the same opinions etc. because after all, that was what got me elected into moderatorhood by you guys in the first place.
Regardless, one PM to an admin seemed to be enough to undermine a year's worth of effort on my part on this forum. In light of that, I feel that the efforts placed into this place by the (active) moderator crew have been vastly underappreciated.
Having come to that realization, I've obviously felt compelled to create that obligatory (and ever so cliche) 'farewell (insert forum name)' thread. This is actually my first time creating one, despite all the forums I've left over the years. That's because this place actually meant quite a bit to me, with all the things I've learned here ever since April 2002, when I'd signed up to UM.
So my appreciation goes out to all you guys and girls who've been a positive force on this forum throughout time. I've appreciated the contributions of all who've partaken in meaningful discussions on here, and I can only hope to see some of the same on other parts of the internet. I also really appreciate all you guys who initially voted me into the moderating position and those who've been supportive through the several months of this term.
As I understand it, you will be getting a new moderator. So I wish you all the best with that, and I hope you can all come to terms with each other and keep this place moving in a positive direction, even in the wake of the iminent huge influx of new fans after the release of Ghost Reveries (hehe, we sure saw a bit of that after the webrip of Conjuration).
Just to clarify: I haven't been forced to leave this forum. I've simply been told the job of moderator is falling to somebody else. I'm leaving this place solely of my own volition.
So, I suppose that's pretty much all I want to say. Sorry for having ranted on a tad, but I felt the occasion merited it.
All the best to you guys - I'll be seeing you all around other parts of UM,
Moonie (Ermin).
