I recently noticed that I forgot to upload the final version of this song on FA (and I don't seem to have uploaded the old one on Weasyl at all). The original take feels rather poor in comparison to the final version, so here we go. This version appears on the 'Incubi and Succubi' album and was mastered by Swift Mastering.

Those who follow the DMFA webcomic (by Amber Williams) may have noticed that the darker side of life in that particular world has recently reared its ugly head. So here is yet another 1970s-1980s progressive rock song about some Creature whinging about being hunted for no real reason beyond xenophobia. (see also 'Born with Wings')

This song is interesting in its own right because it was the first song I wrote the bassline for on the actual instrument instead of on the computer. My playing is still shaky so there was a lot of punching in to correct things (but no digital correction!)

For those who are curious, there is a photo of the tape loop used on the second chorus, it literally is "an endless loop of strife" as per the lyrics: http://tapewolf.wildernessguardians.com/audio/murder\_game\_original.png

Instruments and recording info:

JV1010 and MVS-1 (bass synthesizers, polysynth)

Creamware ASB Minimax (bass and lead synth)

Mike Pinder mellotron samples (8-voice choir, flute, Chamberlin Female Choir)

MVS-1 'squashed organ' (see also the entire 'Clone' album by Threshold)

Hammond XM-1 organ module with Rotosphere leslie sim

Waldorf MicroWave ('phaseout' solo)

Korg Triton EX (drums, fender piano, gong)

Zoom RFX-2000 vocoder

Diode ring modulator (featuring dad's old function generator)

Thunderbird Gothic bass, DI'd into the mixer through a TL Audio 5050

Recording was done on a TASCAM TSR-8 for vocals and bass and transferred to a TASCAM MSR-24 which was also used for tracking the computer-controlled instruments. The gong was taped and modulated with the jog shuttle on a Studer A807. The Endless Loop of Strife was played on a Revox B77 as the Studer pitched a fit over playing a tape loop. Again.

Lyrics:

Some will call it 'murder'

Some will say they're hunting

And some say they're protecting their own kind

But in our vicious world you'll find you sometimes have to kill

Just to keep hold of your body, soul and mind.

Are we men, or are we monsters?

Careful how you choose

Are we men, or are we monsters?

What have we to lose?

No matter what the others do we always get the blame

But in the end, we're only pawns inside this Murder Game

A circle of violence

A life paid for a life

We suffer in silence

An endless loop of strife

Some live to a hundred

And some live to a thousand

And others have no limit to their span

But even with the elders just a single lucky stroke

Leaves you just as dead as any mortal man

Are we men, or are we monsters?

Careful how you choose

Are we men, or are we monsters?

What have we to lose?

No matter what the others do we 'Cubi get the blame

But in the end, we're only pawns inside this Murder Game

A circle of violence

(circle of violence)

A life paid for a life

(life paid for a life)

We suffer in silence

(suffer in silence)

An endless loop of strife

(An endless loop of strife) [tape loop of 'strife' to lead into instrumental]

The Angel hunts on tuesday

She'd like to make you her prey

A little bit here and a little bit there

No-one will notice, and no-one will care

Come one, come all, come old young and new...

You'll have to play the murder game too

You'll have to play the murder game too

Some will call it 'murder'

Some will say they're hunting

And some say they're protecting their own kind

But in our vicious world you'll find you sometimes have to kill

Just to keep hold of your body, soul and mind.

Are we men, or are we monsters?

Careful how you choose

Are we men, or are we monsters?

What have we to lose?

No matter what the others do we always get the blame

But in the end, we're only pawns inside this Murder Game

A circle of violence

A life paid for a life

We suffer in silence

An endless loop of strife