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Mistula - Bio, Albums, Songs and Lyrics - OPM Filipino MusicThe Story of MistulaMistula is the first virtual band in the Philippines. Composed of 4 members, they were featured as four customized ball-jointed dolls. Not just music, they fuse other elements as graphic art, literature, photography and other art forms in Catholic idolatry and cultural commentary. A different way of showcasing their talent, internet is their stage and their presence is maintained through an up-to-date weblogs. Their music is mainly heavy metal and being influenced from the likes of foreign Metallica and Pantara and local Mutiny and Dahong Palay. Mistula was first perceived by couple, Joey David and Rey Tiempo on 2004. David’s idea is devoted for Catholic iconography while Tiempo is on rock band. They came up to the idea of fusing two great ideas and thus Mistula was born. Mistula is defined in Filipino language as “in likeness of”, “resembling closely” or “similar to”. Peratining to the virtual aspect of the band, it reflects idolatry of Catholic idealized images of saints which is rampant in the Philippines. Mistula was initially formed by virtually live characters, Bella Lugosi, Manx Minuet and Uno on August 30, 2004. Bella Lugosi is the band’s founder and leader. He took his throne in the drums and writes most of Mistula’s poetry. As the leader, he is responsible for every vital decision for the band. Bella is deeply influenced by Catholicism in the Philippines and this can be proven true on his writings. Uno is the band’s vocalist and bassist. He was invited into the band by Bella Lugosi after Bella discovered his online following his weblog. Uno is an advertising agent and a frequent traveller. He records all his bandmates’ ;aives through Fully Articulated, his online journal. Manx Minuet is the band’s vocalist and guiatarist. The only SHE in the band, she is also a composer and lyrist. A former pornstar, she joined the band after Bella’s invitation. She puts music into Mistula’s poetry. Her solo work was the song, Nuestra Señora Dolorosa. Lobo was the rhythm guitarist in replacement of Dragan, a former rhythm guitarist from UK. He arrived on April 4, 2006. He was not recruited into the band until after Mistula’s auditions entitled Rock Idol. Lobo left school at an early age to seek fortune and earn money for himself and his younger sister, Veritas. He fell into the claws of drug abuse and caused severe damage to his brain. He played two personalities, the wild one and the meeker one. Dragan was the former band member on rhythm guitars. Bella recruited him for the Second Coming update. From UK, Dragan used internet to send his musical contributions to Mistula until such time when he is complied to join physically with the band for music video of the single, Mulat. He quit after experiencing band’s tumultuous life and rather lives a peaceful one in UK. But he still continues to correspond with Mistula through Internet. Other members were termed The Mistula Disciples, a group of musicians, artists, writers and web designers who worked behind Mistula. They were not required by any genres of art forms, but they can choose any venture into unexpected themes for new ways. Along with their debut single, “Mulat”, Mistula launched their official website on September 2, 2004. Their sophomore single entitled “Baptized” was launched on November 30, 2004 along with their rhythm guitarist from UK, Dragan. Mulat and Baptized have been a consistent radio hit. The band was also recognized by RockBand.com. “The Last Supper”, their third single was released on March 27, 2005 featuring Uno and Manx Minuet on vocals. On April 16, 2006, Mistula launched their Holy Week presentation entitled “Dolorosa”, featuring a solo guitar and vocal piece of Manx Minuet, “Nuestra Señora Dolorosa” as a farewell to Dragan who officially left the band on February 19, 2006. Their piece, “In Likeness Of” earned them a place in 1st Philippine Graphic Fiction Awards as a finalist. On November of the same year, Mistula released their single, “Pista Ng Patay”. Since beginning, Mistula has been receiving recognitions from different music websites as PhilMusic.com., Rackista.com., and PinoyRadio.com. they were also featured in magazines auch as RockNation, Fashion Doll Quarterly, Mangaszene and their own fansite, The Black Rosary. Their singles were premiered in MYX and MTV Philippines and garnered the honor as the first Filipino band to win a place in the International Play & Rate Competiton of the UK-based site, Overplay. Mistula was visible in local TV programs as Lovely Day, Mel and Joey and The Sweet Life. Songs from Mistula
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