Magic Eye II: Now You See It Magic Eye II is a popular series of books that present a unique form of optical illusion artwork. These books were first introduced in the 1990s and quickly gained popularity worldwide. "Now You See It" is one of the editions within the Magic Eye II series. The concept behind Magic Eye II is to create mesmerizing 3D images that can be seen by defocusing the eyes. The images appear as a combination of colorful patterns, but with the right viewing technique, hidden 3D objects and scenes emerge. This concept is achieved through the use of a technique called autostereograms.
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That s not to say that HolyRoller immediately dives off a cliff, but it feels like they go too hard, too early and, just like my 19-year old self at a uni party, are then struggling to maintain the energy. This quartet clearly have talent and I hope, for their sophomore effort, will lean a bit more into the big, rolling intensity of Atheist Prayer and the harsher edge of Earthdweller.
This concept is achieved through the use of a technique called autostereograms. Autostereograms are two-dimensional images that contain a repeating pattern, which when focused on correctly, creates a perception of depth. This effect is known as stereopsis, where the brain is able to process the slightly different information received from each eye to create a three-dimensional impression.
HolyRoller – Swimming Witches Review
The stoner rock / stoner metal scene is one littered, perhaps more than many sub genres, with tepid mediocrity. One where the utterly forgettable bands seem to massively outnumber both the outstanding and the awe-inspiringly awful acts. While the likes of Clutch, Monster Magnet and Red Fang stand head and shoulders above most in the genre, I have begun to wonder whether there is something intrinsic in the style that leads to so much tediousness. Can North Carolina quartet HolyRoller buck this trend and avoid the apparent pitfalls that trap so many of their baked brethren to deliver something truly interesting with debut Swimming Witches?
Straight out of the gates, my interest is indeed piqued, attention grabbed. Opener “Atheist Prayer” has a real vibrancy to it, as rollicking, rolling riffs pair with energetic drumming and some belting vocals courtesy of rhythm guitarist Adam Cody (at least, as lead vocalist, I assume it’s him although all four members of the band are credited with vocals of some sort). Reminiscent of early Red Fang and The Elephant Riders-era Clutch, with dollops of psychedelia around the edges, it’s a hugely promising start to Swimming Witches. It seems, however, like it might be a tall task for HolyRoller to deliver a full album—even a nice trim one clocking in just over the half hour mark—of this quality.
Sadly, so it proves. That’s not to say that HolyRoller immediately dives off a cliff, but it feels like they go too hard, too early and, just like my 19-year old self at a uni party, are then struggling to maintain the energy. 1 The gritty urgency of the lead vocals on “Atheist Prayer” is what makes that song such a banger but they are never to return on Swimming Witches. Instead, the tempo drops a bit and the band leans that little bit harder into psych tropes. Distorted leads and semi-spoken vocal passages (“Last Embrace”) become more common, as do tired-sounding repetitive riffs and grunted or chanted backing vocals (“The Deuce”). There are brief sparks of life, like the very good “Earthdweller” with its harsher vocals and twanging bass, but I’m sorry to say that Swimming Witches saved its best for first. Thereafter, the record lacks edge and, to a degree, ideas.
It’s a shame that the album’s two standout cuts—”Atheist Prayer” and “Earthdweller”—are tracks 1 and 3 because Swimming Witches feels like a slog after you’ve had those two, even though you’ve only got about another 20 minutes to go. HolyRoller can all handle their instruments and kudos goes to drummer Jay Ovittore for his desperate, if ultimately futile, attempt to instill some interest and progressive flare into the turgid “With Time.” The title track, which closes Swimming Witches, is a solid way to finish, its progressive leads and grimy bass pairing well with the vocals, which briefly rediscover an urgent, yearning edge. Coupled with the two early picks, this shows that the band can pen very good tracks but not consistently. Not yet anyway. The production does not help HolyRoller, Despite a DR of 8, Swimming Witches feels too loud and flat, making it a tiring experience for these old ears. The vocals, which are often leads plus backing chants or call/response work, are too far forward in the mix, dominating the instruments, while the drums sound somehow slightly out of focus, with the cymbals in particular a bit ragged around the edges.
Swimming Witches opens in such strong fashion that I really wanted to love it. Or even like it. As it is, however, I like elements of it and think that HolyRoller have a lot of promise but the overall package is a bit tedious. Frustratingly so because of what the band shows itself capable of. I am willing to be patient, however. It seems HolyRoller has only been around for three years and few bands knock it out the park on the debut. This quartet clearly have talent and I hope, for their sophomore effort, will lean a bit more into the big, rolling intensity of “Atheist Prayer” and the harsher edge of “Earthdweller.”
Rating: 2.5/5.0
DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Black Doomba Records
Websites: holyroller2.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/profile.php?id=100047348095331
Releases Worldwide: July 8th, 2022
Swimming Witches opens in such strong fashion that I really wanted to love it. Or even like it. As it is, however, I like elements of it and think that HolyRoller have a lot of promise but the overall package is a bit tedious. Frustratingly so because of what the band shows itself capable of. I am willing to be patient, however. It seems HolyRoller has only been around for three years and few bands knock it out the park on the debut. This quartet clearly have talent and I hope, for their sophomore effort, will lean a bit more into the big, rolling intensity of “Atheist Prayer” and the harsher edge of “Earthdweller.”
To view the Magic Eye II images, the viewer needs to relax their eyes and look beyond the image. By defocusing their vision, the repeating patterns align in a specific way, allowing the hidden 3D object or scene to become visible. It usually takes some practice to master this technique, but once achieved, it can be quite fascinating. "Now You See It" is a compilation of various autostereograms with different themes, such as animals, nature, and abstract designs. Each page presents a different image, challenging the viewer to discover the hidden object or scene within. The images range in complexity, catering to both beginners and experienced Magic Eye enthusiasts. The Magic Eye II books, including "Now You See It," have been praised for their ability to captivate and engage viewers. The illusionary nature of these images provides a unique and enjoyable entertainment experience. From children to adults, anyone can have fun exploring the hidden depths of these magical pictures. In addition to the books, Magic Eye II images can also be found in various formats, such as posters, puzzles, and even computer screensavers. This versatility allows the magic to be enjoyed in different ways and settings. Overall, Magic Eye II: Now You See It is a captivating collection of autostereograms that offer a unique optical illusion experience. Through the simple act of defocusing our eyes, we can uncover hidden 3D images and immerse ourselves in a world of magic and wonder. So, open up the book, relax your eyes, and get ready to be amazed as the hidden depths come to life before you..
Reviews for "The Illusionist's Dream: Harnessing the Power of the Magic eeye ii"
1. Sarah - 1/5 stars - This magic eye puzzle was a complete disappointment. I couldn't see anything even after staring at the image for several minutes. It was frustrating and made me feel like I was wasting my time. The images were too blurry and I could never make out any hidden objects. I definitely would not recommend this to anyone who is looking for a fun and engaging puzzle experience.
2. Mike - 2/5 stars - I found the Magic Eye II puzzle to be quite underwhelming. While I was able to spot a few hidden objects, most of the images were too difficult and confusing. The instructions provided were vague, making it even more frustrating to try and figure out the hidden images. Additionally, the image quality was inconsistent, with some being too blurry to decipher. Overall, I felt like this puzzle lacked the magic and excitement that I was expecting.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to try the Magic Eye II puzzle, but it turned out to be a letdown. Despite following the instructions and staring at the image for a long time, I couldn't see any hidden objects. The images were unclear and jumbled, making it difficult for me to focus my eyes properly. It was a frustrating experience and I ended up giving up after a few attempts. I would advise others to proceed with caution before purchasing this puzzle.