Hello darkness, my old friend
I’ve come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

[- Paul Simon, Sound of Silence -]

Usually I am not a big fan of covers of old amazing and strong songs, but I again found an exception of that. “Sound of Silence” originally written by Paul Simon, performed by Simon & Garfunkel.

When I heard the cover version of Disturbed, I was blown away.

Disturbed’s interpretation gives the song a dark, epic quality that further highlights the themes of isolation, alienation and societal apathy. The lyrics of “The Sound of Silence” reflect the loneliness and lack of communication that is pervasive in modern societies. Lines such as “Hello darkness, my old friend, I’ve come to talk with you again” highlight the deeply felt isolation and lack of real communication between people. These words for me, perfectly reflect the feeling that despite constant interaction and communication through modern technology, there is often a lack of real connection and understanding. “The Sound of Silence” as performed by Disturbed is more than just a cover – it’s a reinterpretation that emphasizes the song’s timeless relevance in my view. In an era where social media and digital communication dominate, the message of isolation and lack of real human contact remains more relevant than ever. Disturbed has managed to redo the song in a way that appeals to a new generation while retaining the essence of the original.

Really worth to give it a chance against it’s original 😉

Clothing

Top: Wicca’s Originals – “Melia Top” (Maitreya LaraX)

Accessories

Hair & Makeup

Hair: no.match – “No_Distortion”
FaceArt: Rubedo – “dotty 03” (LeL.EvoX, BoM) – NEW@We♥RP // September 2024

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “Avalon 3.1″

Skin Face: leLAPEAU – “Riley Skin – GA Ivory (No Brows)” (LeL.EvoX BoM)

Tattoo Face: BodyArts – “Faceband Wicca” (LeL.EvoX BoM, custom made – take a look at the “Vere Flores” or one of her various amazing facebands)

Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”
Body: Maitreya – “LaraX 1.0”

Tattoo Body: .:Vegas:. – “Tattoo Blossom” (LeL.EvoX BoM)

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose (incl. Skull): [piXit] – “Dead X / Dead_P1_F7” (Bento)

Backdrop: Paparazzi – “BACKDROP – Pipes Underground 1″

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

I’am let you speak if you just let me breathe…

February 25, 2024 by Wicca Merlin

TUNES

I’ve tasted blood and it is sweet
I’ve had the rug pulled beneath my feet
I’ve trusted lies and trusted men
Broke down and put myself back together again
Stared in the mirror and punched it to shatters
Collected the pieces and picked out a dagger
I’ve pinched my skin in between my two fingers
And wished I could cut some parts off with some scissors

“Come on, little lady, give us a smile”
No, I ain’t got nothin’ to smile about
I got no one to smile for, I waited a while for
A moment to say I don’t owe you a goddamn thing

I, I keep a record of the wreckage of my life
I gotta recognize the weapon in my mind
They talk shit, but I love it every time
And I realize

I’m no sweet dream, but I’m a hell of a night
That I’m no sweet dream, but I’m a hell of a night

[- Halsey – Nightmare -]

Today I finally was able to try and learn something new I wanted to do for along time. I am playing with lights now for quite a while, but I sometimes missed a little bit of “dramatic” vibes to some more extreme lightning. So I looked into creating rim lights a bit more since yesterday. It is really exciting and as well unbelievable what you can do with Photoshop – I experience that again and again when I do look into something new I want to do, when I am post processing my pictures. I always try not completely changing my pictures as I do want to showcase the real products. So what I mostly do is playing with shadows, light, lightning and shadows most of the time and do some touch ups on edgy that are wonky. I know some use the new AI programs to work their pictures, but for me that is not what I want to have. I am a SL resident and I still want to showcase what SL has to offer – and it is a lot with all the things you have inworld already.

I snapped the original picture with the neon green lights already so I just did enhance the lights and added them on spots where the inworld lights didn’t appear right.

I used some of the new releases I found at The Warehouse Sale and Kinky.

What I would like to mention since you cannot see it on the picture, the mohawk called “No Prison” from no.match you can wear with or without the spikes. For the amazing “Xatyn Ring Band” accessory you have a show/hide menu where you can hide several parts independently for every finger. Certainly both designs come with color huds to customize it to your liking.

Clothing

Top: Wicca’s Originals – Melia Top” – NEW @ FaMESHedX // February 2024

Accessories

Piercings & Tattoo (Forehead): BodyArts – “Signum” (unrigged)
Earrings: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Earring Mads all linked” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Ear Lobes: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Inazuma Plug” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Piercing (Nose): Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing” + “Tegan Piercing Set” (unrigged)
Piercing Lips 1: LittleFish – “EziliV2” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon)
Piercing Lips 2: LittleFish – “Blair” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon)
Piercing Lips 3: LittleFish – “Jazmina” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon)
Piercing Lips 4: LittleFish – “Wren” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon)
Choker: Kibitz – “Emayra’s Choker” (Maitreya LaraX) – NEW @ The Warehouse Sale // February 2024
Chest: [Cubic Cherry] – “Cupid Mark” (unrigged, BOM) – NEW @ The Warehouse Sale // February 2024
Fingers: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Xatyn Ring Band” (Maitrya LaraX, bento) – NEW @ Kinky // February 2024
Nails: L’Emporio – “My Nails” (Maitreya, bento)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: no.match – “No_Prison (A)” – NEW @ The Warehouse Sale // February 2024
Eyeliners: .{PSYCHO:Byts}. – “Seraphine Eyeliners” (LeL. HD Applier)

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.1”

Tattoo Head & Ears: BodyArts – “Void”
Tattoo Face: BodyArts – “Faceband Wicca” (LeL.EvoX BoM, custom made – take a look at the “Vere Flores” or one of her various amazing facebands)

Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”
Body: Maitreya – “LaraX 1.0”

Tattoo Body: .:Vegas:. – “Tattoo Flue ( Medium )” (LeL. EvoX BoM)

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose: So Fun – “Gabriele (mirror)” (bento)

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

Krampus 2022

June 13, 2023 by Wicca Merlin

Originally made for Christmas 2022 for the Attention Magazine, this is my dark vision of Christmas. In south Germany we have the tradition of the Krampus.

Krampus, in central European popular legend, a half-goat, half-demon monster that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime.

He is the devilish companion of St. Nicholas. Krampus is believed to have originated in Germany, and his name derives from the German word Krampen, which means “claw.”

Krampus was thought to have been part of pagan rituals for the winter solstice. According to legend, he is the son of Hel, the Norse god of the underworld. With the spread of Christianity, Krampus became associated with Christmas—despite efforts by the Catholic church to ban him. The creature and St. Nicholas are said to arrive on the evening of December 5 (Krampusnacht; “Krampus Night”). While St. Nicholas rewards nice children by leaving presents, Krampus beats those who are naughty with branches and sticks. In some cases, he is said to eat them or take them to hell. On December 6, St. Nicholas Day, children awaken to find their gifts or nurse their injuries.

Clothing

Jacket: !gO! – “Wild Fur Coat XS”

Accessories

Hat: S&P – “Santa Baby Hat”
Shoulders: [NC] – “AmazonQ – Arm Spikes” (Gacha, Ultrarare)
Rings: L’Emporio – “*Under Pressure*” (Maitreya, Bento)

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: BeSpoke – “Monster of Famine”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3”
Hands: {aii & ego} – “Demonic Touch” (Maitreya, Bento)

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose: selfmade

Backdrop: DRD – “Last Christmas Shop”
Globe: 22769 – “Snowglobe Santa” (Gacha, Rare)

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

I want more…

April 2, 2023 by Wicca Merlin

TUNES

Some people get by with a little understandingSome people get by with a whole lot moreI don’t know, why you gotta be so undemandingOne thing I know, I want more, I want more

[- The Sisters of Mercy -]

Clothing

Outfit: [CX] – “Blazing Vixen (Monotone)” (Maitreya)
Shoes: L’Emporio – “:::Ravage:::” (Maitreya)

Accessories

Horns: [CX] – “Diablos Aries Horns”
Earrings 2: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Earring Mads all linked” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Piercing (Nose): Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing” + “Tegan Piercing Set” (unrigged)
Piercing (Mouth): LittleFish – “EziliV2” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon
Glasses: [CX] – “Farseer Glasses – Silver”
Rings: L’Emporio – “::Dedalus” (Maitreya, Bento)
Ellbows: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Nyar ElbowPad” (Maitreya) – NEW @ Kinky // March 2023
Knees: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Sorsha Kneepad” (Maitreya)
Nails: [CX] – “Essential Dirty Claws” (Maitreya, Bento)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: Exile – “Brooklyn 1”
Face Tattoo: BodyArts – “Fantasia – Black” (LeL.EvoX BoM)

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “Siwa 3.1”
Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3”
Tattoo: .:Vegas:. – “Tattoo ( Dark ) Peony vBlack” (BoM)

Poses, Props & Tools

Poses: L.A. BoS – “Down Poses”
Backdrop: .PALETO.Backdrop. – “EVIL NIGHT”
Cats: [Rezz Room] – “Bombay Cat Animesh (Holdable) v2.0.0”
Books 1: DRD – “TAH – Medical books” (Gacha)
Books 2: 22769 – “Stack of Books” (Gacha)
Books 3: 22769 – “Tied Books” (Gacha)
Books 4: 22769 – “Candle Books” (Gacha)

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

Alone…

January 2, 2023 by Wicca Merlin

TUNES

And the night goes by so very slowOh I hope that it won’t end thoughAlone

Till now I always got by on my ownI never really cared until I met youAnd now it chills me to the bone

How do I get you alone

[- Heart -]

Clothing

Harness: [CX] – “Firmly Bound Harness – Black” (eBody Rebron, MAZE.mods)
Dress: Insomnia Angel – “Lisa cotton dress” (eBody)
Shoes: **UTOPIA Design** – “Nikita” (eBody Reborn)

Accessories

Earrings: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Earring Mads all linked” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Ear Lobes: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Inazuma Plug” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Piercing (Nose): Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing” + “Tegan Piercing Set” (unrigged)
Piercing (Mouth): LittleFish – “EziliV2” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon)
Collar: [CX] – “Achlys Posture Collar” (eBody Reborn)
Upper Arms: MAZE – “Ribbons for Soft Arms” (eBody Reborn, Part of MAZE.mods)
Forearms: Insomnia Angel – “forearm corset piercing” (eBody Reborn)
Fingers: L’Emporio – “Dedalus” (eBody Reborn, Bento)
Fingernails: L’Emporio – “Short Claws” (eBody Reborn, Bento)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: Exile – “Carolyn”

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.1”
Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”
Body: eBody – “REBORN v1.69.4”
Tattoo: .:Vegas:. – “Tattoo Tiriana ( Medium )” (LeL. EvoX BoM)

Poses, Props & Tools

Poses (incl. mug): Foxcity – “Heatwave”
Background: DRD – “MM3 – Mystery Mansion”

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

Gruesome Ghoul

October 29, 2022 by Wicca Merlin

The gruesome ghoul, the grisly ghoul,
without the slightest noise
waits patiently beside the school
to feast on girls and boys.
He lunges fiercely through the air
as they come out to play,
then grabs a couple by the hair
and drags them far away.
He cracks their bones and snaps their backs
and squeezes out their lungs,
he chews their thumbs like candy snacks
and pulls apart their tongues.
He slices their stomachs and bites their hearts
and tears their flesh to shreds,
he swallows their toes like toasted tarts
and gobbles down their heads.
Fingers, elbows, hands and knees
and arms and legs and feet –
he eats them with delight and ease,
for every part’s a treat.
And when the gruesome, grisly ghoul
has nothing left to chew,
he hurries to another school
and waits… perhaps for you…

[- Nightmares: Poems to Disturb your Sleep – Jack Prelutsky -]

Clothing

Top: Storybook – “Dystopia – Bloody Brown” (Maitreya)
Pants: S&P – “Zombie Pants black” (Maitreya, Gacha)

Accessories

Necklace: S&P – “Zombie Necklace brown/patina” (Gacha)
Arm(l): ..:Gorgasm:.. – “Arm Bandage Dirty & Bloody” (Maitreya)
Fingers: L’Emporio – “Kick It” (Maitreya, Bento)
Legs: [CX] – “Leg Bandage – Bloody” (Maitreya Flat)

Head Body & Tattoo

Head: BeSpoke – “Ghoul Necrotic”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3”
Arm (r): .{PSYCHO:Byts}. – “Nekbet Mummy Arms” (Maitreya)
Belly Wound: S&P – “Zombie Bellywound” (Maitreya, Gacha, Reward)

Poses, Props & Tools

Surrounding: DRD – “The Cemetary”
Rats: JIAN – “Classic Rats”

Location

Bartertown

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

Mother of Autumn

October 29, 2022 by Wicca Merlin

Made for the AttentionSL Magazine October 2022 // https://indd.adobe.com/view/4e274a38-1262-47d1-9f49-1c26ce8a0e62

Autumn’s Mother Heart

And there Autumn met me
with the loveliest of winds;
but a heart blown asunder
as her leaves would fall again.

She mourned like a mother
who may lose her only child.
So I looked past grand color,
to see grief in her raw wild.

The moon rose like a wizened soul,
as I swam into Autumn’s stream,
a whirlwind of warm memories
and soon-stolen wishes and dreams.

I spoke kind words that did little
to ease her deep growing beast.
She even trembled with vestiges
of leaf prints near her knees.

And so, I did the only thing
a human could truly do.
I bowed with grace before her,
and kept vigil through and through.

With bravery, Autumn finally let go . . .
as our tears shook and echoed
into winter’s bleary woe.

Time moved on as it has the want and will,
past winter, spring, and summer still;
and again, I greeted Autumn.

She smiled when she saw me,
and bowed to me with grace;
the human that saw fit to stay
in grief’s lonely darkened space.

I walked closer to divine Autumn,
the wisest mother of them all,
to notice lines and creases softer,
at peace with her destined fall.

Once more, sweet leaves moved from her
and, yes, she blustered and cried.
But, in the end, she whispered to me,
Love branches immortal, never to die.

[- Angie Weiland Crosby -]

Clothing

Top: Mug – “Wicked Witchy” (Maitreya Petite) (Gacha)
Shorts: Asteroidbox – “Iris Shorts” (Maitreya)

Accessories

Horns: UNHOLY BALAR – “Horns w/ pumpkins”
Piercing (Nose): Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing” + “Tegan Piercing Set” (unrigged)
Piercing (Mouth): LittleFish – “EziliV2” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon)
Necklace: Wicca’s Originals – “Sarya Necklace” (Maitreya)
Hand Accessories: L’Emporio – “Amuletum Wicca” (Maitreya, Bento)
Rings: KUNGLERS – “Peyton Rings”
Nails: L’Emporio – “Tormento” (Maitreya, Bento)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: Exile – “Emma”

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.1”
Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3” + “Add-On Petite V1.1”
Tattoo: .:Vegas:. – “Tattoo Flue ( Medium )” (LeL. EvoX BoM)

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose: selfmade
Book (with hand pose): /VaeV\ – “Miser’s Haunted Tome – Festive – left no glow” (Gift)
Owl: JIAN – “Barn Owl ::Companion – Shoulder”
Fawn 1: JIAN – “Fallow Fawn Static Graze”
Fawn 2: JIAN – “Fallow Fawn Static Stroll”
Hedgehog: JIAN – “Hedgehog Wanderer”
Squirrel: Mutresse – “Fluffy Squirrels – 2”
Staff: LUX ATERNA – “[Der heilige Nikolaus] Staff”
Tree 1: LB – “MysticBoardLeaf.v1”
Tree 2: LB – “OliveTree.v2”
Leaves: tarte. – “falling leaves – swirl (old)”

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

But before the night is through…

September 7, 2022 by Wicca Merlin

TUNES

When you came in, the air went outAnd every shadow filled up with doubtI don’t know who you think you areBut before the night is throughI wanna do bad things with you

I’m the kind to sit up in his roomHeart sick and eyes filled up with blueI don’t know what you’ve done to meBut I know this much is trueI wanna do bad things with you, okay

When you came in the air went outAnd all those shadows there filled up with doubtI don’t know who you think you areBut before the night is throughI wanna do bad things with youI wanna do real bad things with you

I don’t know what you’ve done to meBut I know this much is trueI wanna do bad things with youI wanna do real bad things with you

[- Jace Everett -]

Clothing

Top: DRD – “Hellion Top/Hell” (Maitreya Petite)

Accessories

Piercing: SFU – “Atom Nose Set” (unrigged) – NEW @ Men ONLY // August 2022
Collar: ::GB:: – “Long Chain Collar Black / Silver” (Maitreya)
Hand Jewels: L’Emporio – “Amuletum Wicca” (Maitreya, Bento)
Nails: FORMANAILS – “Wela” (Maitreya, Bento)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: no.match – “No_Security (size 2)”
Eyeshadow: Glam Affair – “Smoky Makeup 01 F” (LeL. EvoX BoM)

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: BeSpoke – “Werewolf Salem” – NEW @ The Warehouse Sale // August 2022
Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3” + “Add-On Petite V1.1”
Tattoo: .:Vegas:. – “Togun ( Medium )” (LeL. EvoX BoM)

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose: Poseidon

Set:
HISA – “Floral Bouquet Vines – A – Burgundy”
HISA – “Floral Bouquet Vines – C – Burgundy”
HISA – “Grass – Bright Greens”
LB – “GiantCedar{Animated}*Seasons”

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin

Let’s have a walk… before the Sun rises grins

August 29, 2022 by Wicca Merlin

Clothing

Top: AsteroidBox – “Leona Tanktop” (Maitreya, Petite)

Accessories

Glasses: [CX] – “Farseer Glasses – Silver”
Earrings: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Earring Mads all linked” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Ear Lobes: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Inazuma Plug” (LeLUTKA EvoX female/human)
Piercing (Nose): Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing” + “Tegan Piercing Set” (unrigged)
Piercing (Mouth) 1: .:E.A.Studio:. – “Succubus Vampire Fang Silver Girl” (LeL. EvoX)
Piercing (Mouth) 2: LittleFish – “EziliV2” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon)
Necklace: AsteroidBox – “Bailey Jewelry – Collar – Smaller Fit”
Gloves: L’Emporio – “Saggitarius” (Maitreya)
Nails: FORMANAILS – “Kalia” (Maitreya, Bento)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: Exile – “Ellie 1″ – NEW @ Collabor88 // August 2022

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.1”
Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3” + “Add-On Petite V1.1”
Tattoo: .:Vegas:. – “Death Sentence ( Medium )” (BoM)

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose: BodyArts – “Goth and Proud”

Background: DRD – “The Cemetery”

Model, Stylist & Photogapher

Wicca Merlin

Midnight Hour

August 20, 2022 by Wicca Merlin

TUNES

I’m gonna wait ’til the midnight hourThat’s when my love come tumbling downI’m gonna wait ’til the midnight hourWhen there’s no one else around

[- Wilson Pickett -]

Clothing

Top: V/.Voluptas Virtualis – “Khloe” (Maitreya) – NEW @ Midnight Order // July/August 2022
Pants (incl. Shoes): AsteroidBox – “Azrael Pants” (Maitreya) – NEW @ Midnight Order // July/August 2022

Accessories

Monocle: David Heather – “Skeleton Monocle/Clear”
Piercing (Nose): Wicca’s Originals – “Jadeon Piercing” + “Tegan Piercing Set” (unrigged)
Piercing (Mouth): LittleFish – “EziliV2” (Lel. EvoX, Avalon)
Rings: V/.Voluptas Virtualis – “Ezhra” (Maitreya, Bento)
Nails: L’Emporio – “Short Claws” (Maitreya, Bento)

Hair & Makeup

Hair: Exile – “June” – NEW @ The Fifty // August 2022

Head, Body & Tattoo

Head: LeLUTKA – “EvoX Avalon 3.1”
Eyes: IKON – “Ascension Redux Eyes – Divine & Damned” (LeL. Applier)
Teeth: [CX] – “Strigoi’s Fangs – Silver Type.1 ( Size E / Wider )”
Body: Maitreya – “Lara V5.3”

Poses, Props & Tools

Pose: Foxcity
Backdrop: Spires Society – “Lament of Innocence”
Deco 1: -Jane&FInch- – “Outer Satellite”
Deco 2: Dirty Rat – “Machine of Memories [DECOR]” – NEW @ Midnight Order // July/August 2022
Deco 3: Dirty Rat – “Mutant Flytrap” – NEW @ Midnight Order // July/August 2022
Weapon 1: MURDER – “Commie Tommy” – NEW @ Midnight Order // July/August 2022
Weapon 2: Skellybones – “Tyrant’s Torch” – NEW @ Midnight Order // July/August 2022

Model, Stylist & Photographer

Wicca Merlin