Bug fix: progress reports had both missing and spurious Earley items. Problematic Earley items were incomplete items with at least one proper nullable. Incomplete items are those whose dot is not at the end of the rule. Proper nullables are symbols which are nullable but not nulling. Problematic items were obscure enough so that no user ever noticed the issue -- it was discovered in a code review. But it is now fixed.
One of the things I love about Huntress is that they are one of the few modern metal bands I can think of that are just flat out heavy metal. So much contemporary metal these days has to be wrapped within 50 different sub-genres that usually end with the word ‘core.’ Like I don’t know, what’s next? Nano-burrito-vulcan-fire-death-fist-core? Actually…that would be kind of cool.
But point aside, Huntress is a rare modern day Heavy Metal band inspired by the likes of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden.
Vocalist Jill Janus (who has been awesome enough to talk with me on more than one occasion) has said that this album, “Static,” channels the “crone” aspect of the Goddess (in terms of the whole Maiden/Mother/Crone archetype), a dirty, lusty, nasty old crone.
In terms of my reviews on all three of their albums in order of release; Spell-Eater was when they were first figuring out their sound. Starbound Beast was the most exciting album, with lots of punch you in the face awesome riffs, intense Rob-Halford-esque vocals, and headbanging solos. And Static was more of a laid back, groovy type album that you listen to when you’re smoking weed and eating cheetos. All good stuff though. If you love heavy metal, you won’t be disappointed with Huntress.
“Flesh” is the newest song to be released by Huntress. The song comes from their album “Static,” which is scheduled to be released on September 25th. Vocalist Jill Janus (who has been awesome enough to talk with me on more than one occasion) has said that Static channels the “crone” aspect of The Goddess (in terms of the whole Maiden/Mother/Crone archetype). And from what I can see, it’s gonna be a dirty, lusty, nasty old crone indeed.
The song itself is about a female serial killer who transforms into a demon seamstress and preys upon women. She desires their flesh for fashion (like a demonic, lesbian, Buffalo Bill if you will).
Starbound Beast was such a killer album that it’s really going to be hard for them to top it, but I’m still looking forward to seeing what they can do nevertheless.
It is not uncommon for a very creative person to suffer from mental illness, especially living in today’s world, which can be very unfriendly and cruel towards creative people.
Jill Janus, the talented vocalist of Huntress describes the challenge of living with mental illness along with a recent cancer diagnosis.
Even though this is a cover, I think it demonstrates the incredible range and power of Jill’s voice.
July 17, 2015 | Categories: Heavy Metal, Metal News, Music, News | Tags: cancer, environmental, huntress, illness, interview, links | Leave a comment	
This weekend as I checked out my usual blogs for the latest Metal News, I noticed the internet was crammed of the gossips clamoring about “OMGz…Jill put a picture of herself naked and puking on her facebook.” Or, “Er Mer Gerds! Did you know she was a topless DJ?”
You know what I think? I really don’t care. Did you know that I too am naked under my clothes as are you? Nudity isn’t really a big deal until people make it a big deal. The metal sphere erupted with the story when Jill Janus posted a picture of herself naked and puking after she got food poisoning and had to cancel a concert in Germany. She did it as a joke and somewhat of an apology for having to cancel the show. Male musicians have done similar things in the past and the internet barely made a ripple.
Revocation posted humorous pictures of one of their tours with some of their members in their underwear or with pee bottles they used in the van. Then of course there is the fact that Gwar performs onstage with giant fake phallus’s, or the iconic picture of The Red Hot Chili Peppers wearing nothing but a sock.
Isn’t it interesting how male nudity is funny, but that female nudity gets people angry? Isn’t it interesting that when male musicians are almost naked or do crude things people laugh and move on, but when a female does it she’s “shamelessly using her body” to get attention?
This brings to attention the idea that women aren’t allowed autonomy over their own bodies. The female form must be something that is moderated and controlled by a force other than herself. There are many debates over whether women should or shouldn’t wear religious head coverings (the hijab), when it should be their own personal choice. Yet there is barely a peep when male Sikhs cover their hair for the same reasons. When a male rock star or rapper poses with a bevy of almost naked or scantily clad women in a video, nobody accuses him of using sex appeal, rather than talent to get ahead. Yet when a woman uses her own body and sexual charms to advertise her music, people accuse her of being a talentless hack. Maybe a woman can be sexy AND talented? Eh eh?
Anyways, so enough of my rantings. Here is one woman’s awesome response to the media over-reacting to her anatomy rather than her music.
Jill Janus is the lead singer of Heavy Metal band Huntress and a rising star in the world of Metal. The Huntress crew recently finished their summer tour with Mayhemfest (which included Amon Amarth, Battle Cross, and Rob Zombie) and are going on yet another tour! How do they do it? Their fall tour will include shows with Kill Switch Engage, Lamb of God and Testament. Huntress has two albums out; the most recent one being Starbound Beast, which came out this year and featured a song with lyrics written by Lemmy Kimister, “I Want To Fuck You To Death“.
Right now I’m over the moon – and a few galaxies – with happiness since Jill Janus was gracious enough to answer my interview questions from the front seat of her tour van on her laptop, so let me get into it without further adieu.
JJ: Touring is so natural for us at this stage in the game. All my belongings are in storage, I had to surrender to the road. And now it’s my home. We’re stoked to have opportunities that enable Huntress to tour relentlessly.
MG: Many people who aren’t musicians have no idea what tour life is like. Can you describe to us some of the basics of your life on tour?
JJ: Well, I’m typing this sitting in the front seat of our tour van, driving non-stop to the next venue, which is pretty much the way it goes. I haven’t showered in 4 days and just peed in a bottle. It’s very glamorous! Staying on schedule with load in, sound check, interviews, pre-show preparation, make-up and costumes, vocal warm-ups and showtime.Then load out, get paid and drive til we find a Walmart or truck stop to park and sleep for a few hours. If we have a day off or short drive to the next venue, we’ll get a hotel room to shower, do laundry and sleep til it starts up again. We know how to party.
JJ: Amon Amarth! We toured with the Vikings from Sweden this past summer on Mayhem Fest and played a few off-date shows with them. I adore them, they have such a cool stage design and truly bring the fury.
MG: Now I would like to ask a question about your two albums. I have Starbound Beast and Spell Eater and love them both! What do you think is the biggest difference between these two albums?
JJ: I feel we have become stronger musicians and songwriters. You can hear a natural evolution occurring on ‘Starbound Beast’ that doesn’t exist on ‘Spell Eater’…but there is also a unbridled viciousness on our first album that comes through effortlessly. We are writing and releasing three albums within three years. They are a spiritual journey, so to speak. Maiden, Mother and Crone. You can hear that influence on both albums. The next album, number three, is the Crone phase. And she’s a horny, nasty old cunt. Beware the Cuntress!
MG: I remember when you were on stage, you said that it took you a really long time to find a band that worked. What are the elements of Huntress that make you guys a great team and band?
MG: Jill Janus, as far as metal vocalists go, you have a very unique style that I’ve never heard before. How did you achieve this style?
JJ: I was born with a vocal ability that developed into a metal voice after years of classical training. I’ve always known my purpose, metal became my medium once I knew the voice was ready. It took about one year to strip away my classical inflections. My greatest influences are Rob Halford, Freddie Mercury, Ann Wilson and Jared Warren of Big Business. My vocal coach Melissa Cross has been instrumental in my approach to screaming and maintaining the voice night after night.
JJ: I can’t tell you that! It’s like saying which of my children I love most. I love them all the same, just for different reasons.
MG: Now the next few questions I would like to ask you Jill, are about your spirituality. I read in a previous interview that you have been Pagan since birth. This is of huge interest to Metal Gaia since we are a website that covers Paganism and other types of spirituality. As a Pagan myself I know there are many different paths. How would you describe your spiritual path as a Pagan?
JJ: I’m a little white witch who loves heavy metal and weed. I’d like to grow out my armpit hair and live in a witch hut in the woods, tripping my tits off on ‘shrooms with faeries and unicorns.
JJ: Witchcraft has always guided me, I fall into trance to receive my lyrics. All Huntress song are beamed to me from other realms.
JJ: No, I’m not here to offer advice. I simply live for my purpose.Blessed Be to my Pagan brothers and sisters!
MG: Last question. Huntress’s love of some good “laughing grass”… if you know what I mean… is well known. On a scale from 1 to Mount Everest,how high are you and the Huntress crew right now?
MG: Thanks for answering all my questions! Much love to the Huntress crew! Keep rocking and kicking ass!