Warlord Metal
It was a warm summer night in Spokane, Washington, and I was listening to a new, heavy metalband on headphones, focusing on the lyrics of an intriguing song. The song was "Face" by Sevendust. It told the story of a man who violated a woman, but the lyrics were ambiguous enough to cause some doubt. Was the woman a victim or a willing participant? Or both? Further questions arose over the coming weeks. Was the song based on experience or a latent desire? What type of man would write this song? What if a woman had written the lyrics? Through such questions, Torrin Chizu was born.As a counter - a balance - to Torrin's anger and confusion, a calmer character was needed, one that was more grounded. The stereotypical rock and roll musician needed a sweet, naive young thing to react with. Since fame doesn't come easy or fast, the tale would also have to cover quite a bit of time - hence the journal entries of Sonny Middlestead, used to illustrate the years it takes for a band to become famous.The answers to the final questions could mean Torrin's survival. Does power always corrupt? Can someone innocent of heart assuage another's doubt and self-disgust? And the ultimate question - which is stronger, the lure of addiction or the power of love?