Ok, there's probably been a thread on this before but there's not one on this page, or the next one, thus I declare any such thread to be too old to be revived.
I just wanted to start up a thread of this sort because I am at the moment reading a most excellent book, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami. Is anyone else familiar with this book or any others by him? I think it's excellent, there's one part where a character describes someone being skinned alive and it's the most disgusting thing ever, so vivid even though it's just words.
Anyway, general literary discussion in here.

That's right, it's everyone's favourite Australian death-metal-and-Jessica-Alba enthusiast's birthday today (although it's practically the end of the day in Australialand now), so HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUDE! You're old now
Unfortunately I haven't managed to track down Miss Alba to make that, erm, entertainment video I promised, but have this instead:

France is often overlooked as a source of good metal bands... however it's struck me that a fair few of the bands I enjoy listening to on a regular basis are in fact French.
Most people know about bands like Gojira and Blut Aus Nord, but there are many more that are worth a mention.
I think the metal scene in France is becoming increasingly promising; thoughts anyone? Here are a few bands I'd recommend, feel free to add your own
The Old Dead Tree: http://www.myspace.com/theolddeadtree
Peste Noire: http://www.myspace.com/pestenoiremetal
Arkhon Infaustus: http://www.myspace.com/arkhoninfaustusofficial
Glorior Belli: http://www.myspace.com/gloriorbelli
Penumbra: http://www.myspace.com/penumbraofficial

As you reach this momentous milestone in your life, The Fraggletooth Alliance wishes you a happy and debauched birthday.

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUNK!!

As requested by Podgie
Discuss anything related to the event here... I'm planning on going (with the podgemeister, of course ) and I'm pretty pleased with most of the bands announced so far... apart from Hatebreed. Just, eww.
So yeah, all thoughts welcome!