#not loc

[lords-of-mayhem]

Is my first post here in a while about the fact Taylor Swift got married? Yes. Am I ashamed? No. It's genuinely so amazing to see how far she's come and I hope nothing except the best for her and Travis Kelce.

[lords-of-mayhem]

"Zakk. Mother was going to call me Storm, though."

[lords-of-mayhem]

I don't have any guilty pleasures because I'm done with the belief that there's any shame in pleasure. Genuinely, my life improved so much when I was able to let go of the whole "cringe" concept. If it sparks joy, I will unabashedly love it.

[lords-of-mayhem]

"Besides, we have a gig in Norway. I don't care if we play in the parking lot. We made it this far, I don't want to give up. I'm going to Norway even if I'm dead."

[lords-of-mayhem]

[lords-of-mayhem]

So, I finally watched Heavier Trip. I hadn't even realized there would be a sequel, but I was quite excited. I'm going to give my thoughts, so spoilers below the cut!

I actually really enjoyed this movie which surprised me because sequels can often be poorly done. But the movie was hilarious and had all the same things that made the first so charming.

I loved the references to other bands in there such as Lotvonen being obsessed with Dave Mustaine. (I laughed so hard when he asked his poster, "how do you do it?" and when the "no sucking Mustaine's fingers" rule.)

It was also so amazing to have BABYMETAL recognized and lauded as being "real" metal where they have the same opinions about metal as Pasi. And him actually enjoying BABYMETAL even though he pretends not to because "just look at them."

I loved the commentary on the concept of "posers" and how there are very real issues about exploitation in metal music, but bands such as BABYMETAL who have a genuine love for the genre are not it. Instead, Fisto is the real enemy to metal music.

I had not expected the movie to be so centered around exploitation in the industry, but it did so well.

The way he molded each band into what worked instead of what they actually represented and what they actually wanted to play was so accurate to how the industry can be at times. How he was unwavering in what he wanted and quick to cut the band loose if they disagreed. It addressed the pressure newer bands and artists face where they often either have to change so much or they simply gain no traction. And the way that money is used to control artists, especially ones who are struggling to survive.

The quote about "I need my band hungry and willing" was a painfully real one.

On the topic of struggling to survive, I loved the motivation in this movie. Having the driving force be saving Lotvonen's father and his slaughterhouse was such a good choice. It gave everyone a reason to keep going with it.

There was so much heart in this movie in the same way there was in the first one while still tackling the band "drifting apart." It was a very realistic view of how bands can disagree to a point where they can't keep moving forward, but it doesn't change the love they have for one another. Growing in fame can put unique pressures on bands that they've never had to face before and unfortunately, some bands can't handle the shift.

The inclusion of Bloodmotor worked so well for me. The band was incredibly fun and added such an interesting commentary to the movie. I loved the joke about how awful some bands treat their crew when they say "that space is reserved for our technician" where they have him living in the pullout couch cushions.

I enjoyed the conversation they have where Pasi tells him their music is getting worse because it's less them and Rob tells him "I'll have to go cry on my solid gold toilet to get over this one." Often, the music that sells best and the music you want to make do not line up. It's a fine line to balance the two out.

Rob himself was such a fascinating character. A man whose body was literally beginning to worsen because of the performance he's put on over the years (sucking helium to get better vocals) was a beautifully done nod to how many people sacrifice their physical health for metal shows.

Not only that, but he was having the life sucked from him metaphorically too. And the fact Turo was there to replace him made it even more devastating. Rob falling off the stage and Turo taking over to sing was a very cool moment, though it was also depressing. Especially with the inclusion of Turo singing Bloodmotor's lyric, "your reign does not last forever."

It was an incredibly done commentary on how fame changes you, whether you want it to or not sometimes. The best scene of this was when Fisto is punishing Rob for complaining by telling him to serve drinks to the band. Oula and Lotvonen both say no when they're asked if they want something, knowing it's to degrade Rob. It's obvious Turo doesn't want to do this either, but when he's pushed, he requests something as simple as a Coke. But he keeps adding on when he's pushed to do so. But then the shift of him telling Rob he forgot the lemon.

There were also so many small moments I loved connecting with and about the metal community. Such as Pasi being invited to listen to the only copy of Angels Necropolis that's in existence. (And them borrowing BABYMETAL's instruments later, including Turo in their cat ears.)

I laughed so hard when Lotvonen met the man who met Dave Mustaine and he told him about how he told Dave that was the best guitar solo that had ever been played. Then he tattooed what Dave answered on his chest so he'd never forget it and it simply read, "I don't give a fuck what you think." Plus Lotvonen repeating it later.

And I can't not mention Fisto on the phone saying, "I know Lars doesn't wanna talk to me ever again, but please, send him my love and enjoy that fruit basket. James, I gotta go. Big fan. Love you."

I would watch an entire series based around the band and Fisto interacting with other musicians. I need to know what he did to Lars that made him never want to speak to him again but was hopefully resolved by the nice fruit basket.

The conflict of the band being pushed aside in favor of Turo was so well-done in this. Often, lead singers are given all the credit and all the focus. Fisto even tells him, "you are all that matters. This is your golden ticket." But bands are nothing without all the members. A good band should have every single member as an important role and they should be treated like one.

[lords-of-mayhem]

Ultimate Omegaverse Questions/Ask Game

Here's a list of tons of omegaverse centered questions with the aim of letting you further explore the universe and build it your own way. Feel free to use this as an ask game, a reference sheet, etc. Please just do not repost without credit. (I also apologize if any of these are rephrased versions of each other <3)

How similar to wolves are they in your world? Can they shift? If so, how much? Is it voluntary or involuntary?

Do betas exist in your world?

If betas exist, what roles do they play? How are they seen by alphas? Omegas? What is expected of them as a whole?

Do betas date alphas, omegas, and/or other betas? Is there any stigma around a beta dating an alpha or omega?

How long do ruts last? Heats? How often are they? Are they debilitating or manageable? Does it depend on the person?

Are people's presentations known at birth or do they have to present?

If they present, when do most people present? Is it easy to tell what someone will be beforehand?

Is there a stigma around alphas? If so, what does it look like? How are they viewed? What's the role they're expected to play?

Is there a stigma around omegas? If so, what does it look like? How are they viewed? What's the role they're expected to play?

Are alphas and omegas discouraged from spending time together? Are they encouraged to?

Are arranged partnerships a thing in your world? Does everyone have one or just certain people? How is the arrangement decided?

Do alphas court their omegas? If so, give an example of what this might look like. Do omegas court their alphas? If so, give an example of what this might look like.

In a beta x alpha/omega pairing, is courting involved? If so, which way does it go? Does that change based on if they're with an omega or alpha?

Do betas have a scent? If so, how strong is it? Does their scent change based on any factors?

Is the "alpha voice" a thing? If so, does it work? Are the results consistent or do they depend? Is it possible for omegas/betas to ignore it? Is it accepted socially or looked down on?

Conversely, does an omega equivalent of this exist?

What is omega anatomy like in your universe? Do omegas have a penis, a vagina, or something else? Does it depend on the omega?

What is alpha anatomy like in your universe? Do female alphas have a penis? Can alphas knot outside of sex? Can they do it outside of rut?

Can omegas get pregnant outside of heat or do they have to be in it?

Are there physical differences between an alpha and an omega? Height, voice, build, etc.?

Who generally makes up a pack? Family, friends, a mate, etc? Does this change throughout a person's life? What's the dynamic usually like? Is one person more "in charge"?

Is preheat/prerut a thing? How long does it last? What are the usual symptoms?

Is it possible to be trans? (A person born an omega who identifies as an alpha, for example.) If so, is it accepted?

Do heat and rut suppressants exist? If so, are they accessible? Is there a stigma around them? Are there any limits to how long someone can use them? Do they have any negative side effects?

Are male omegas able to get pregnant? Impregnate?

Are female alphas able to get pregnant? Impregnate?

Is a person's presentation random or based on genetics? Do certain families have a higher rate of alphas/omegas/etc?

Are alpha x alpha and omega x omega pairings a thing? How common are they? Is this accepted? Is one accepted more than the other?

What roles are associated with being an omega? An alpha?

Is polyamory a thing in your universe? Is it common? Is it stigmatized?

Are people able to have more than one mate over a lifetime? Can a person get "divorced" for instance? Is the process easy or difficult?

Is it expected that pairings will have pups?

What does the mating process look like?

What kind of scents are typically associated with omegas?

What kind of scents are typically associated with alphas?

If betas have a scent, what kind of scents are typically associated with them?

Do soulmates exist in your universe? If so, how are they identified? Does everyone have one? Is it possible to fall in love with someone who isn't your soulmate? If so, how does it work?

Do alphas tend to be more dominant or submissive? What about omegas? Betas?

Do omegas nest? If so, what's usually included in the nest? How often do they do it?

Do alphas or betas nest as well? If so, what's usually included in theirs and how often do they do it?

Do alphas get aggressive with one another? If so, how common is it? Is it looked down on or just accepted as normal? Are there certain things that cause it?

Is it hard for alphas and omegas to ignore their instincts? What do they usually give into the most?

How do the different presentations usually treat one another? Are they condescending? Kind? Are there certain things they expect from the other presentations?

Are mates treated as equals? Is one mate considered more in charge than the other? If so, which one? What does this look like in daily life?

Do omegas have friends who are alphas? Is this normal or looked down on? Does it change once one or both people are in a relationship? Is it more socially accepted for alphas to be friends with omegas or for omegas to be friends with alphas?

Are there drugs to induce heat/ruts? What are they used for? Are they accessible?

Is it common for friends to help out with heats or ruts? If so, in what ways? Just taking care of them or the sexual part as well?

Are alphas, betas, or omegas better with pups? Are they equally good with them?

Is casual sex/one night stands common? Are they looked down on or are they accepted?

Is there any service to hire an alpha/omega for sex? Is it more common to hire alphas or omegas? Is sex work accepted?

Is there any service to match people for heats/ruts? Is it common? Is it accepted?

Do packs have to approve of the alpha/omega that their packmate is seeing?

Is physical affection common between friends? Is it more common with one presentation than another?

Are alphas and omegas raised differently than each other? If so, how are alphas raised? How are omegas? How are betas?

Can an omega's heat trigger an alpha's rut? Another omega's heat? Can an alpha's rut trigger an omega's heat? Another alpha's rut?

What are the symptoms of a rut?

What are the symptoms of a heat?

What traits/instincts do alphas have?

What traits/instincts do omegas have?

What traits/instincts do betas have?

Can an omega produce slick outside of their heat?

Are there more alphas or omegas? Or an even-ish amount? If there are betas in your universe, how many are there?

Are alphas rare? Are female alphas rare? If so, are female alphas seen as more desirable?

Are omegas rare? Are male omegas rare? If so, are male omegas seen as more desirable?

Does mating (claiming someone as your mate) have to be consensual? If not, how does that work?

How much control does a person have over their mate?

Do different emotions change how someone smells? Does sickness? Pregnancy?

Does a person smell different when they're mated versus when they're single?

Do people's scents mix with their partner's? If so, how long does it take? How long does it take to go away once they break up?

What kind of birth control options are available in your world?

Do omegas' heat cycles sync up? Do alphas' ruts?

Can an omega's heat sync up with an alpha's rut? Does this happen only when the pair are dating/together or does it happen to anyone in close proximity?

Are restrooms/locker rooms based off of presentation or gender?

Do dorms allow alphas and omegas to room together? Do they allow alphas and omegas to room with betas?

Is it common for platonic alphas and omegas to live together?

Are there weddings in your universe? Is a wedding different from a mating? (For example, can a couple be married but not mated?)