Playlist: Music for a King — Song # 11 Spirit in the Sky

Spirit in the Sky is an oldie but goodie. been around since 1969, and I can’t tell you how many movie trailers it’s been in. Funny thing is, it rarely ends up in the movies themselves. I love the sound of this one. The minute it begins, you recognize this. It is probably the least like Pietas, but I love the song. Spirit in the Sky always makes me feel good. I needed that when I wrote this intense book. Everyone needs an upbeat song in their playlist. I included a snippet with humor for this one.

***

Pietas waited until the rain had passed and the sun had come back out before he crawled out of the water-filled hole. He dragged the waterlogged packet of blankets after him.

Six grabbed the soggy packet and helped him drag it from the puddle. They plopped onto the wet ground, side by side. Six pointed to the parachute, half covered with water. “At least it didn’t blow away.”

“You sure did.”

Six laughed. “I did at that.” He wiped his face, smearing mud. He looked over at Pietas and chuckled, but bit his lips and turned his head.

“What?”

After looking back at Pietas, Six laughed again.

“What!”

Six pointed to Pietas’s face. “That mask in the rain… not a good look, Ultra. Like a ‘weapon of mascara destruction’ went ballistic.”

“Weapon of what?” All at once, Pietas got the joke. He burst into laughter, and threw himself onto his back, into the mud. Using both hands, he wiped his wet face. Black smudged his fingers and palms. “If my people could see me right now, they’d never let me live it down.”

“What? You think I will?”

—

Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Free on KindleUnlimited
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Spirit in the Sky – Norman Greenbaum

Song: Spirit in the Sky
Artist: Norman Greenbaum
Album: Spirit In the Sky – The Definitive Anthology
Copyright: (original release 1969) re-release 2003 Norman Greenbaum

Giveaways – Free Downloads

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back. This drawing is to scale: Six is 6′ (1.8m) tall.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf

Playlist: Music for a King — Song #1 Dead is the New Alive

When I began writing Bringer of Chaos I knew the main character would be facing the deepest, most horrific betrayal of his immortal life. When I feed the muse in order to write, I use music, and creating the story of Pietas was no exception. I have thousands of songs on iTunes, so I scrolled through the lists, seeking inspiration. I wanted dark songs of pain, but not unrequited love. Pietas was facing a physical trial and his core beliefs about himself would be tested in a crucible. Yet out of that would come the most profound and endearing friendship of his life. This blog post series will describe the songs I listened to while I wrote the book. I’ll give an explanation as to why I chose each one for Pietas, and give you a link to hear them. The songs run the gamut of genres.

The title of Dead is the New Alive and its message of despair and pain amidst the riot of life is especially suitable for Pietas. Because he is immortal, when he dies he always comes back to life. His capture and ordeal mirror the words in Dead is the New Alive.

Here’s a snippet from the book to illustrate it. Pietas, leader of immortals dubbed Ultras, has been imprisoned inside a steel and copper stasis pod, but denied cryogenic sleep. Six, the guard assigned to him, discovers this but is unable to release him. Six does everything in his power to keep Pietas sane. They can’t see one another, and their voices are muffled, so Six stays close to the stasis pod. In this scene, Pietas asks how long until they reach Sempervia, where he will be exiled. He can only say one or two words at a time, because his captors limit his air.

***

Six cleared his throat. “Listen… maybe it’s better you–”

“Say.”

Another pause. “Look, you sure you–”

“Say!”

“The ship’s still in station. It hasn’t even left Enderium Six.”

Still in station? Still in station! He’d thought they’d be halfway there by now. “Long?”

“How long have you been here? Three Terran solar months today. The trip doesn’t start until next week. Supposed to take a year.”

A year!

A year in this netherworld, with no food, no water? Four times longer than he’d already suffered. Every time he died his cells burst and renewed themselves, searing his entire body from the inside out. He’d suffocate in a coffin full of dead cells.

The Ultra metabolism was proof humans had no mercy. Mortal death could never terminate his life. No matter how much he might want it.
—
Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Free on KindleUnlimited
Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb
Print http://amzn.to/1SQh1Fb

Dead is the New Alive – Emilie Autumn

Song: Dead is the New Alive
Artist: Emilie Autumn
Album: Opheliac (The Deluxe Edition)
Copyright 2009 The End Records

Giveaways – Free Downloads

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back. This drawing is to scale. Six is 6′ (1.8m) tall.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf

Playlist: Music for a King — Song # 2 Deep Six

One of the characters in Bringer of Chaos is named Six, and he’s vital to the story. Without Six, there would be no Pietas. I wanted a song that had his name, and Deep Six works on many levels. This song is on an album called Pale Emperor. Since Pietas is an emperor in all but name, and he’s fair and blond, so the album title is fitting. One of the lines is “Deep six, six, six feet deep”, which denotes death. The number six is found throughout the book. Among the places where it’s used: Pietas accidentally knocks over a ceramic statue of a six-headed dragon; he attends peace talks on Enderium Six; there are six steps into the pool where he completes a ritual; and of course, Six is what he calls his guard, who doesn’t trust Pietas enough to reveal his real name. The music of Marilyn Manson’s Deep Six fits well with this snippet of the book. It opens with Pietas speaking.

***

“Don’t say another word, Six. Let me talk to my sister. Don’t get into it with her. I promise you won’t win. She broadcasts chaos as well as I do. Remember, personal chaos makes one prey.”

“I thought you didn’t hold with religion.”

“Not supplication pray. Victim prey.”

“Oh.” Six glanced over at Dessy, back at Pietas. “Gotcha.”

“Are we clear? Don’t get into it with Dessy.”

“Clear.”

[I’ll let you find out how well Six listens. *wink*]

—

Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Free on KindleUnlimited
Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb
Print http://amzn.to/1SQh1Fb

Deep Six – Marilyn Manson

Song: Deep Six
Artist: Marilyn Manson
Album: The Pale Emperor
Copyright: 2015 KRM

Giveaways – Free Downloads

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back. This drawing is to scale. Six is 6′ (1.8m) tall.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf

Playlist: Music for a King — Song # 3 Du Hast

I could listen to this song for hours (and I have). It’s a favorite because the beat doesn’t stop. But it also has a message that fits Bringer of Chaos. Du Hast is translated to “You Hate” and also “You Have” — which for this book is an amazing connection of two truths.

***

“Did it never occur to you?”

His father faced him. “What?”

“The council elected me to head these talks and removed you. You want to bring in humans. I do not. Perhaps the council hates humans more than you think.”

A wave of aggravation emanated from Mahikos. Licks of emotional flame scorched Pietas’s skin. Accustomed to the pain, he did not flinch.

“Son, surely you realize they elected you to keep you close and control you.”

“To control–” Pietas broke into laughter. “Did they? How unenlightened.” He shrugged. “Well, they can try. I must say, your annoyance today is a refreshing change from your usual indifference. I’d begun wondering if you had any emotions regarding my takeover. It must nettle, knowing your lowly son succeeded your rule.”

“No one would consider you lowly.”

Pietas lifted his chin. “Except you.”

“I’m surprised you even bothered to show up, as much as you hate humans.”

“It’s nothing personal. I hate humans no more than a physician hates germs yet still takes time to eradicate them. Humans are dangerous.”

—

Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Free on KindleUnlimited
Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb
Print http://amzn.to/1SQh1Fb

Du Hast – Rammstein

Song: Du Hast
Artist: Rammstein
Album: Sehnsucht
Copyright: 1997 Motor Music GmbH

Giveaways – Free Downloads

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back. This drawing is to scale: Six is 6′ (1.8m) tall.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf

Playlist: Music for a King — Song # 4 Fatal

When you hear the first few notes of Fatal it will no doubt be familiar. This song has been in numerous movie trailers. It’s instrumental, and it portrays power and build up as well as aggression, yet it is controlled and simple. It fits both Pietas and Six.

***

“These talks will solve nothing. They’re going to try something stupid. We’ll slaughter them for it, and as usual, we’ll be blamed. What is so hard to grasp about this?” Pietas reached out with his empathic senses, but encountered the blunt edge of his father’s shields. There would be no persuasion except by speech. “I wish I could show you, once and for all, that humans are cutthroats. They will not honor their word. They will not abide by our laws. They will usurp our power and try to control the galaxy as if it belonged to them.”

“It does belong to them.”

Pietas threw up a hand. “This again.”

“The galaxy was theirs before we claimed it. Son, humanity is an ancient civilization. We are the usurpers. Yes, we are more powerful. We should be benevolent rulers, not despots. Might does not make right.” He finished the brandy and set down the glass with a thud. “But let’s attempt civility. We’re both members of the council and should discuss topics with one another out of respect for the office.” The glare Mahikos leveled his way carried the empathic warmth of an ice blade. “Even if we detest one another on a personal level.”

—

Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Free on KindleUnlimited
Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb
Print http://amzn.to/1SQh1Fb

Fatal – The Critical Mass

(FYI – look for them on iTunes and elsewhere as THE Critical Mass. Without “the” in front, it’s another group entirely.)

Song: Fatal
Artist: The Critical Mass
Album: Critical Mass Volume 1: Armageddon Premium Trailer Music
Copyright: 2011 Josh Mobley

Giveaways – Free Downloads

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back. This drawing is to scale: Six is 6′ (1.8m) tall.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf

Playlist: Music for a King — Song # 5 Made of Scars

If ever a song fit Pietas, it is this one. He is literally made of scars. His never show. He heals too fast for any sign of them to remain. There’s a line in this song that fits him. Referring to his scars, the singer says “this one isn’t even there, but I feel it more because you don’t care.” When I heard that, it was like Pietas himself speaking to me.

“If they keep their word, these talks will end the war. We’ll have peace.”

“Ah, and isn’t that the key. If. Humans do not surrender well. They say the word ‘human’ as if it were synonymous with ‘king.’ These talks are nothing more than a ruse by you bleeding hearts who want to ‘stop the killing.’ As if killing was not what you were born to do. Embrace your purpose, Father. You are a killer. Like me.”

“We’re also scientists. Even I will admit you are the finest among our people. Embrace that. We don’t have to kill. The war has cost billions of human lives, while not one of us has perished.”

“As usual, you discount my deaths.”

“Yours don’t count. You come back.”

“I see.” Had anything Pietas had ever done counted? Not to the man before him. “Tell me, Father.” He picked up the silver circlet and toyed with it. “Would it be better if some of us had been terminated by fire, or one of the other ways to end us permanently? How many perma-deaths would suffice? Are two sufficient? A hundred? Or would mine be enough?”

***

Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Free on KindleUnlimited
Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb
Print http://amzn.to/1SQh1Fb

Made of Scars – Stone Sour

Song: Made of Scars
Artist: Stone Sour
Album: Come What(ever) May [Special Edition] Copyright: 2006 Stone Sour

Giveaways – Free Downloads

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back. This drawing is to scale: Six is 6′ (1.8m) tall.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf