RealityEquation

∗ When the Machine Stops

Here it is, a new song: When the Machine Stops!

On lead vocals is the amazing upcoming Toronto-based independent talent and friend Astha Tamang-Maskey. Check out some of her songs at the official Astha MySpace page. You can also listen to her acoustic tracks, some of which will feature in her upcoming album, ‘A Fingertip Away’.

This song is, of course, inspired by E. M. Forster’s short story, ‘The Machine Stops‘, which was part of my Grade 9 Literature reading. I actually wrote this song back then (2004, I believe it was) as an independent project on the text, but didn’t get around to actually recording it until a little later. Astha added her vocals a little later still, and — after years of my being busy with school, distractions — I finally completed the mix yesterday.

The track is up on my Download.com Artist Page, where you can download or stream it.

It’s also available on iCompositions, the place to find great independent music.

Thanks also to Epic Rock Radio and Kailef for featuring the song on the site’s homepage; ERR’s the most amazing radio and community of fans of power/symphoic/epic metal ever. Check it out at www.epicrockradio.com and tune in!

And the words:

When the Machine Stops
- Parimal Satyal (with Astha Tamang-Maskey) , 2008

[Astha: ]
The Machine had ruled our existence,
Our minds were bound to its core.
Processing a thousand procedures,
Had never been like this before.

Creating a conscious robot
Was a challenge that they had to face;
It was a success, and so was the rest,
It seemed like the end of the case.

So subtle and silent,
The world changed its way.
The machine was created;
Life stolen away.

Now I stand fighting
In lakes of despair;
I’d wanted my freedom,
The errors appeared.

I dreamed of sailing the oceans,
Dreamed of clouds in the sky.
The looks of nature’s creation,
The sun would be shining so high.

A life made of serene dreams,
I was to author my destiny.
Every event will be cast in the log
And I will be free for eternity.

[Astha and Parimal: ]
So subtle and silent,
The errors gave way.
The machine was dying,
Sanity blown away!

Now I stand watching
The atomic clock,
And I’ll get my freedom
When the machine stops!

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