Gawen [CAER ARIANRHOD] profile picture

Gawen [CAER ARIANRHOD]

The fear is not the fate I seek

About Me


I’m born in December 1981 and I live in a town just outside Milan, Italy. I began listen to Metal back in 1992-’93 when I heard about the church-burning in Norway and since that moment I have an immoderate passion for Music, especially metal but also classical and folk music. In 1993 a schoolmate made me listen a lot of the new (at that time) Black and Death Metal stuff: Darkthrone, Immortal, Mayhem, Burzum as well as Cannibal Corpse, Obituary and Entombed. A couple of years later I came in touch with the classics Metallica, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Judas Priest and through the years I listened to more or less all kinds of Metal but I never liked the so called crossover, nu-metal and emo.
In ’97-’98 I began to listen closely to the bass and I fell in love with it watching “Cliff’Em All” video so I started playing it; my parents disagreed and in the beginning it was so damn hard but I did my best to go on. My first bass was a five-string Yamaha BBG5A; I tried to study by myself for a couple of years but it was just a waste of time, then in 2000 I began to take some lessons. In 2001 my mind was blown away by Erik Tiwaz’ playing on the masterpiece called “Empiricism” by Borknagar; he is one of the best players ever and my biggest font of inspiration. In 2002 I ended up with bass lessons ‘cause my teacher was very into jazz and was teaching me that stuff but I never liked it at all; I was trying to play power-speed stuff, to speed-up my hands while he was teaching that down-tempo swing standards… it was a waste of both time and money, so I try by myself and this time I achieved my goals. In 2003 due to do more arpeggios I bought a Yamaha RBX6JM, really a great bass for playing metal, very easy to play and accurate on fast notes. While doing that I played with a lot of bands here in Milan rehearsing a lot but doing just few gigs. Being tired of the lack of seriousness and of all those people that had complete different ideas on everything, in fall of 2006 I decided to stay by my own for some times and this was when Caer Arianrhod was born (read the post in my blog about it).
Nowadays I’m attending “Science and Technology of Musical Communication” at University and since march 2008 I’m attending AMM studying Rock/Metal bass with Daniele Bonacini. I play fretless bass too cause I love that sound and the way that the neck feels but I’m not that good, I’m still striving to gain enough accuracy even though I hope one day to be able to play fretless exclusively. I also have a keyboard and an acoustic guitar, sometimes I enjoy playing them and rehearse some idea.
I’d like to call myself “pagan” but it’s very hard to explain my faith and believes cause there are so many sides and points of view that it will take too long to write it down. Anyway there is one thing that it’s very important for me: I’m not pagan nor I turned to paganism because I listen to black metal. My father was pagan as his father before him. Paganism for me is something that goes beyond music, be aware of that.

Which Black Metal musician are You? (10 possible results)
Varg Vikernes
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You scored as Bragi.
Bragi


70%

Odin


60%

Heimdall


60%

Tyr


50%

Frigg


50%

Balder


50%

Thor


50%

Loki


40%

Skadi


40%

Hel


40%

Njord


40%

Sif


30%

Freyr


30%

Freya


30%
Which Norse God or Goddess are you most like?
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You Are 90% Evil
You're the most evil person you know.
The devil is even a little scared of you! How Evil Are You?
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Click to zoom in on my visitor map!
Cliff Burton performing his amazing solo.
"Punish My Heaven" by Dark Tranquillity live 10-14-2007 @ Alcatraz (MI). I was in front of Mr. Sundin; it was amazing!
Mayhem with Dead and Euronymous performing "Freezing Moon" - One of the best black metal songs ever performed by the best line-up!
Iron Maiden live in Milan 12-3-2006 performing "Fear Of The Dark"
Cannibal Corpse - Frantic Disembowelment
You scored as WereWolf. WereWolf: Craving rare Meat, feeling caged, aggitated by being around people. Unable to control one's anger or temper. The person will give off symptoms of the shift. They will seem more hostile, blood thirsty, aggitated. They may even growl, bare their teeth or other animal like tendencies. In rare cases, some will physically change. Facial hair will grow thicker or darker, nails will become longer, canine's will seem longer. Embrace your wild side, for you are The Misunderstood WereWolf.
WereWolf


100%

Demon


100%

Dragon


92%

Mermaid


84%

Faerie


84%

Angel


58%
What Mythological Creature are you? (Cool Pics!)
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You scored as Shadow Spirit, You are a very strange being. Like nothing anyone has ever seen. You are a Shadow Spirit. You weren't born this way. This happened because you were betrayed so many times in life you just gave up. Don't forget; there are people out there who are just like you...you just have to find them first.
Drow


100%

Shadow Spirit


100%

Elf


83%

Vampyre


75%

Wolf


75%

Dragon


75%

Sorceress


50%

Goddess


50%

Faerie


42%

Zombie


42%
What ancient breed are you?
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My Interests

As I wrote in the About Me section Music is my life, I can spend unnumbered hours playing, composing and listening to good stuff, but I enjoy also reading and going out with friends.

I'd like to meet:

..
People that share the same love for Music as I do, all those who like Metal, Folk and Classical Music. All those who consider themselves pagan and love Mother Nature. So if you are dj or you have something in common with disco (and that kind of music) as well as pop, grunge, alternative… better if you know that your friend requests wont be accepted. Also if you are a “Christian Metal” band/musician don’t waste your time in asking my friendship.
You can add me on Messenger/Msn: [email protected]
or Skype: gawen_caer_arianrhod

Music:


SUPPORTATE IL METAL ITALIANO!!! (SUPPORT ITALIAN METAL!!!)
Favourite bands :
Metallica (‘til ’91), Bathory, Borknagar, Emperor, Storm, Dark Tranquillity, Burzum, Iron Maiden, Arcturus, Otyg and Dream Theater are the ones that I listen to and enjoy the most but I like pretty much all the bands in the following list

Favourite songwriter: here it’s a list of all those musicians that I appreciate for their way to write great music in general and not only to play an instrument or perform in a band
Ihsahn: to me he’s a genius! His music has been always incredible; from Emperor’s early chapters to “angL” I always love his unique style: this mix of black metal, classical music and progressive elements and the way he developed through the years. He will always be one of my guide through music.
Quorthon: what he wrote for Bathory will shine forever. He created a new genre and opened up the gates for thousand musicians. No words can describe the emotions I feel when I listen to his songs.
Martin Henriksson: his music is one of the elements that inspire me the most when it comes to create melodies. Here again, no way to describe the emotions given by his works with Dark Tranquillity.

Martin Henriksson playing bass

Others: Vintersorg (ex-Otyg, Vintersorg, Borknagar), James Hetfield (Metallica), Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), Varg Vikernes (Burzum), Argento (Spite Extreme Wing), Vratyas Vakyas (Falkenbach), Satyr (Satyricon, Storm, Wongraven), Jari Mäenpää (Wintersun, ex-Ensiferum), David Defeis (Virgin Steele)

Favourite bass players:
Jan Erik Tiwaz (a.k.a. Tyr) (Borknagar, Thornbund, ex-Emperor/ Satyricon): What I like in his style is the ability to create lines that are really original and add new elements to the songs, it’s like he’s constantly soloing but it doesn’t mean he’s overplaying! On the contrary everyone can hear that he works for the song and for the band and never for his own ego. He has the sensibility to balance perfectly those elements.
Cliff Burton (ex-Metallica): I fell in love with the bass by hearing his music. He’s a myth for me. For years I considered him THE bass player and still nowadays I think he is the quintessence of the metal bass player, a comparison for everyone.
Steve DiGiorgio(ex-Death/ Control Denied/ Testament/ Vintersorg, Sadus… it’s impossible to name all the bands he play(ed) with): He is the first fretless player I ever heard and I loved that sound. His approach and his lines are so damned wild… it feels like he can play everything he wants! Each and every single song it’s a masterpiece but my favourite are the albums he did with Vintersorg.

Others: Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse), Cristiano Bertocchi (ex-Labyrinth, Vision Divine), John Myung (Dream Theater), Skoll (ex-Ulver, Arcturus), Hvàll (ex-Windir, Vreid), Andy (Sadist), Steve Harris (Iron Maiden), Giorgio Terenziani (Mr. Pig), Billy Sheehan, Maurizio Lietti (Adramelch), Franco Avalli (ex-Adramelch), Sean Malone (ex-Aghora, Cynic), Markus Großkopf (Helloween), Luis Mariutti (ex-Angra, Shaman), Felipe Andreoli (Angra), Magnus Rosen (ex-HammerFall), Jari Kainulainen (ex-Stratovarius, Evergrey), Thomas Miller (ex-Symphony X), Stuart Hamm, Steve Bailey.

Other players
vocals: I.C.S. Vortex (Arcturus, Dimmu Borgir, ex-Borknagar), Dead (ex-Mayhem), Garm (Ulver, ex-Arcturus/ Borknagar), Deathmaster (Doomsword), Johan Hegg (Amon Amarth), Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity), Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Vittorio Ballerio (Adramelch), Stine Mari Langstrand (Lumsk), Kari Rueslatten (ex- The 3rd and the mortal), Fenriz (Isengard, Storm), Taneli Jarva (ex-Sentenced), Vincent Cavanagh (Anathema), Michele Luppi (ex-Vision Divine), Rob Halford (Judas Priest), Simone Simons (Epica), Alice Cooper (Alice Cooper), Joey Ramone (ex-Ramones).
guitars: Kirk Hammet (Metallica), Janick Gers/ Dave Murray/ Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden), Glenn Tipton/ K.K.Downing (Judas Priest), Tore Moren/ Knut Magne Valle (Arcturus), Malmsteen, Olaf Thorsen (Vision Divine, ex-Labyrinth), Kiko Loureiro (Angra), Richie Balckmore (ex-Deep Purple, Blackmore’s Night).
keyboards: Sverd (Arcturus), Lars Nedland (Borknagar, Solefald), Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Kevin Moore (ex-Dream Theater), Oleg Smirnoff (ex-Vision Divine).
drums: drums: Hellhammer (Mayhem/ Arcturus/ Dimmu Borgir), Asgeir Mickelson (ex-Borknagar), Vinnie Paul (ex-Pantera/ Damgeplan), Trym (ex-Emperor, Zyklon), Mike Terrana, Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden), Dave Lombardo (Slayer), Fredrik Andersson (Amon Amarth).
Albums that changed my life:
Kill‘ Em All by Metallica: the album that made me discover Cliff Burton.
Hammerheart by Bathory: my Faith in music! Song To Hall Up High is one of my favourite songs ever.
Empiricism by Borknagar: a journey from quantum to the entire universe and everything in between. A masterpiece! And of course the album with my favourite bass lines ever.
Aske by Burzum: I came in touch with Black Metal by this album.
Images & Words by Dream Theater: poetry and technique united.

Others: In The Nightside Eclipse (Emperor), The Gallery (Dark Tranquillity), Bergtatt (Ulver), Vision From The Spiral Generator (Vintersorg), Master Of Puppets (Metallica), Piece Of Mind (Iron Maiden), Angel’s Cry (Angra), Nordavind (Storm), Judgment (Anathema), Dawn Of The Black Hearts (Mayhem), Älvefärd (Otyg), Daudi Baldr (Burzum), Once Sent From The Golden Hall (Amon Amarth), Ensiferum (Ensiferum)
I listen to a lot of classical music; my favorite composers are Beethoven, Bach, Grieg, Wagner, Mahler and Chopin.
Lately I’m listening to some folk music, acoustic and ambient stuff. ..

Movies:

Braveheart, The Warriors, The Crow, Lethal Weapon 1-4, American Pie 1-3, Back To The Future 1-3, LOTR

Television:

..
The mighty Bud Spencer & Terence Hill (I forget to mention them till now!)
MacGyver, The Simpsons, Happy Days, According to Jim.

Books:

All the Avalon Chronicles by Marion Zimmer Bradley
All the novels by Morgan Llywelyn
"Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
"Maggie Cassidy", "On the road" by Jack Kerouac

Heroes:

.. Erik Tiwaz,
.. Cliff Burton
.. Steve DiGiorgio
.. Varg Vikernes,
.. Dead,
.. Quorthon,
.. Homer Simpson,...
and of course MacGyver

My Blog

About CAER ARIANRHOD

The project/band: In spring 2005 I start thinking about a Viking/black metal band so I searched for other musicians finding none. I gave up until fall of 2006 when I started working by myself on some ...
Posted by Gawen [CAER ARIANRHOD] on Sun, 25 May 2008 03:39:00 PST

New bands / projects

After many moons of hard studying / practicing I decided to take some time to write again; just few lines now cause I prefer to spend time playing than writing blogs, anyway I'll write more this summe...
Posted by Gawen [CAER ARIANRHOD] on Sat, 02 Jun 2007 03:13:00 PST

Theory & Harmony classes

Finally yesterday I began Theory and Harmony classes with Maestro Paolo Suppa in a school here in my town, he will teach me the basics of Composition too. To do that I've got to learn to play some pia...
Posted by Gawen [CAER ARIANRHOD] on Wed, 08 Nov 2006 03:03:00 PST

Metal Genres Test

You scored as Black Metalist. You love black metal the most, you like to study a lot about paganism, atheistsm and satanism, you are intelligent and know that devil worship is gay, you are also i...
Posted by Gawen [CAER ARIANRHOD] on Fri, 03 Nov 2006 12:16:00 PST

Bass test

This is a great test for all the bass players on myspace. You scored as Myung. Myung of Dream Theater! This man has probably the fastest finger technique around. He loves his Yamaha..'s I guess, ...
Posted by Gawen [CAER ARIANRHOD] on Sun, 29 Oct 2006 02:11:00 PST

BASS LESSONS

I begin to take bass lessons once again. I'm studying with Sebastiano Megale in a little music store here in Milan (for those who could be interested www.apprendimentomusica.com); I was lucky to find ...
Posted by Gawen [CAER ARIANRHOD] on Mon, 16 Oct 2006 01:39:00 PST

Remenbering Cliff Burton

9/27/1986  9/27/2006 I began playing the bass after I watched "Cliff'Em All" (and I still watch it at least once a week), I listen to that records so many times that I had to buy them anew 'cause I u...
Posted by Gawen [CAER ARIANRHOD] on Wed, 27 Sep 2006 10:25:00 PST