CONTENTS PAGE 6- Commitee Introductions 8- Graduate employment rates 9- UH awarded Teaching Excellence 11- Earl of Wessex visits UH 12- Students recieve cruelty-free research grants 13- Standon Calling 2018 16- Top 5 Films of the Summer 18- Freshers’ week and moving in! 20- Quiz: Ele House vs The Forum? 21- Over-sharing on Social Media 22- Review of Rhodes, Greece 24- Freshers’ Schedule 26- Eminem: Kamikaze review 27- Retro Games 28- Photography at Trident Media 30- What’s hot in the world of music?
P16
P27
P18
P26 THE TRIDENT 3
MEET YOUR TRIDENT TEAM
COMMITTEE INTRODUCTIONS
Jono Godlee Chairman
Martin Ringwood Secretary
Hey there! I’m Jono, and I am the chairman of Trident Media for our current academic year. I’m really looking forward to working with the fantastic committee and members over the course of the next eight months. We’ve got a lot of exciting things planned for Trident so make sure to keep an eye on our social media channels for all updates!
As Secretary, I have a great belief in Trident and what we can do for you, the student. I am the guy who will strive to ensure that the banter doesn’t stop and we don’t stop giving!
Jack Moore Treasurer
Nathan Donnelly Social Secretary
As the treasurer of Trident Media I am responsible for controlling the finances of the society. This means I am the direct link between the society members, the committee, and the Students’ Union. I will try to maximise the money available to members and help spend the money on things to enhance your experience at Trident Media.
Hello there! I’m Nathan, and I manage Trident’s social media pages. I also host The Two Hours with Martin, a radio show here on Trident Radio.
THE TRIDENT 5
COMMITTEE INTRODUCTIONS
Nicola BrownHead of Television
Zoe FrippHead of Print
Hi everyone! My name is Nicola and I’ve been a member of Trident Media since Hiya! I’m the new Head of Print at Trident Media. I’m really looking forward my first year here at University of Hertfordshire. This is my second year as Head to working alongside new members that share a passion for writing, of TV and I’m so excited to get started! I can’t wait to have a team of like minded whether it be news articles or reviews, and I aim to make people feel people to collaborate with and produce great content for Trident Media TV. This comfortable to share their ideas and have the satisfaction of seeing them year I want to get members involved with everything TV, whether it be presenting, published on the website. This is my first year as Head of Print and I’m filming, editing, working alongside other societies or even interviewing the latest looking forward to meeting our new members for the upcoming year! acts at The Forum. There’s something for everyone and I’m looking forward to have a great team to work with for the 18/19 year!
Amal JollyEditor in Chief Hey! I’m the Editor in Chief of this strong student media foundation. Looking forward for an amazing year to help students learn skills and put them to use in the real world. I will be working with my strong dream team to drive success and spread the good news.
6 THE TRIDENT
CONTACT@TRIDENTMEDIA.ORG @TRIDENT MEDIA UK
THE TRIDENT 7
GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT RATE RISES TO A NEW RECORD HIGH By Zoe Fripp
The university of Hertfordshire’s latest recorded employment rate is the best in the east of England Region and has outscored many other universities.
T
he survey data released by the National Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) shows that 96.5% of UH students are in work or further study six months after graduating. The rate has outscored the likes of Oxford and Cambridge, and several other universities and is well above the national average for the UK which is currently 94.6%. The survey conducted by the UK’s Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) leaves the University ranking 23rd out of 124 universities in the UK (that have over 500 students). Professor Quintin McKellar, ViceChancellor at the University of Hertfordshire told the press office: “I am
8 THE TRIDENT
delighted to see that the employment rate of our graduates continues to rise. We believe in forging strong professional partnerships and we also offer key workplace engagement to our graduates.
The survey’s purpose is to provide information on UK full time, first-degree graduates and their activities six months after graduating from a higher education institution in the UK.
“All our courses are underpinned by industry insight and 80% are accredited by professional bodies. Coupled with our expert teaching, this approach is helping to equip students with the knowledge, skills and attributes to succeed in the real world.”
In the 2016/2017 academic year, the results published by HESA in their Higher Education Leavers Statistics show that 91% of University leavers across the UK were in work or further study after graduation, which shows there has been an overall increase in employment rates between the years of 2012/2013.
Life and Medical Sciences, Humanities, Hertfordshire Business School, Education and the School of Health and Social Work are 5 of the University’s Schools that achieved employment rates of above 95%, with the School of Health and Social Work taking the lead with 99.6%.
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris - geograph.org. uk/p/5107196
EARL OF WESSEX VISITS FOR DUKE OF EDINBURGH DEMONSTRATION By Zoe Fripp
The Earl of Wessex KG GVO and Trustee of the Award visited The University of Hertfordshire this month. They watched a showcase by secondary school pupils, demonstrating their skills learnt as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award.
T
he Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire and Governor of the University also attended. In his company were a number of other important faces, most notably Welwyn Hatfield Council Mayor, Barbara Fitzsimon, plus the Chancellor of the University and other members of the Hertfordshire Council. Professor Ian Campbell, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hertfordshire told the University press office: “We are delighted to host the Earl of Wessex and the exhibition, in celebration of the Duke
of Edinburgh Award, by young people in Hertfordshire. The Award scheme has inspired and transformed the lives of millions of young people from all walks of life and this very much fits in with us as a vibrant and inclusive university.” The event was to inform of the achievements of pupils from 14 schools and organisations in Hertfordshire. Performances on the day included a wheelchair dance routine performed by young people from Lonsdale School in Stevenage, with physical and neurological disabilities. The Hatfield and de Havilland
Squadron Air Force Cadets also performed a drill demonstration, and the Mid Herts Scout Association showcased their volunteering efforts. As well as celebrating the achievements of the secondary school pupils, The Earl also met University of Hertfordshire students who are undertaking their Gold Duke of Edinburgh award, and the staff who are volunteers and assessing the scheme.
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Fielding - geograph.org. uk/p/473653
THE TRIDENT 9
Image credit: Albert Herring, 2002, Flickr.
THE UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE AWARDED GOLD FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE By Zoe Fripp
The University of Hertfordshire has been awarded the top ranking in the Government’s framework for Teaching Excellence (TEF).
T
he award is a way for the government to assess teaching excellence in Higher Education, ranking institutions either gold, silver or bronze. By being granted the gold reward, which is valid for up to three years, this acknowledges the high teaching standards at the University and shows a progression from 2017, in which the University was ranked silver. Professor Quintin McKellar, ViceChancellor at the University of Hertfordshire told the press office: “I am extremely proud that the University of Hertfordshire has been awarded gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2018. “This award recognizes our students’ excellent progression rates to employment and that students from all backgrounds achieve consistently 10 THE TRIDENT
outstanding outcomes. Our success is a testament to the commitment of my colleagues to transform our students’ lives through expert teaching and a challenging, inclusive curriculum in a business-facing, research-rich environment.” Some key attributes that the judging panel highlighted at the University are their curriculum being informed by research, business and professionals and particularly their engagements with students in teaching and learning. Sal Jarvis, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience at the University of Hertfordshire, said: “At the University, a partnership with students is core to everything we do. Our students and alumni work with us in the creation of new programs, are active on our working groups and work alongside
our staff in our Academic Schools to discuss ideas and develop new initiatives. “This partnership approach ensures our students develop the knowledge, skills and attributes to succeed in business and the professions and has led to the University having the best graduate employment rate in the East of England for the last two years.” The main purpose of the TEF award is to ensure prospective students are well informed on the standard of teaching at institutions to help them when choosing where to study. To find out more visit The University of Hertfordshire Website.
THE TRIDENT 11
UH STUDENTS RECEIVE CRUELTYFREE RESEARCH GRANTS By Zoe Fripp
University of Hertfordshire Students Niamh Haslett and Elisa Ali are conducting summer research that could help save lives thanks to Animal Free Research UK
B
oth Niamh and Elisa have received nearly £2,000 each in funding this summer towards their animal-free medical research. Niamh’s research focuses on predicting the effects of new drugs which are known as ‘legal highs’. She aims to develop a functional, human-relevant model that can predict what effects a new drug will have on the brain when taken without subjecting animals to cruel drug testing. Elisa’s research is being conducted into pulmonary fibrosis. She aims to develop a functional, humanrelevant model of lung fibrosis that can be studied in the lab, cruelty-free. The projects are being funded by Animal Free Research UK, the UK’s leading charity funding animal-free medical research. Their projects were selected for their potential to replace the use of animals in similar experiments. This research forms part of a larger project from the charity, which is funding thirteen more students carrying out compassionate research at universities across the country this summer. Niamh’s research, overseen by Michelle Botha at the University of Hertfordshire, is focused on better understanding the effects that drugs can 12 THE TRIDENT
have on the human body, made necessary by the rise in popularity and addictive nature of ‘legal highs’ Her model has the potential to help replace animal experiments which are currently used for the identification of psychoactive substances. Niamh said: “Advances in computational chemistry have made the prediction of a molecule’s biological activity even more accurate and robust. My research project gave me the opportunity to learn how to use this animal replacement tool, improve my research ability and protect animals in the identification of psychoactive drugs.” Elisa’s research, overseen by Dr Ewelina Hoffman at the University of Hertfordshire, is focused on better understanding lung fibrosis, which is a chronic and irreversible disorder with a difficult prognosis. Scar tissue builds up in the lungs of sufferers, resulting in respiratory symptoms, exercise limitation, poor quality of life, and ultimately death. Elisa’s completely animal-free model of the disease could help researchers to better assess treatments in the future. Elisa said: “I believe that animal cruelty is unethical, outdated and not necessary
to carry out important research. During my summer research project, I have contributed towards building a better future in medicine, by gaining invaluable experience of working with other professional scientists to carry out research that could be used to help improve patient safety and quality of life.” According to Home Office statistics, nearly 4 million animals in Great Britain were subjected to experiments in 2017. Animal Free Research UK is currently funding research into cancer, chronic pain, brain tumours, diabetes and cardiovascular medical device testing, all without using animals. To support the work of Animal Free Research UK, and students such as Niamh and Elisa, by donating online at www.animalfreeresearchuk/donate.
STANDON CALLING 2018 By Jono Godlee
A few weekends ago, Trident Media’s very own Jono Godlee attended Standon Calling in Hertfordshire and had an absolutely fantastic time at the festival. The weather throughout the majority of the weekend was brilliant and the headliners smashed their sets. Here is what he had to say: One of the best things about Standon Calling is the atmosphere and also how it’s very much considered to be a family festival. After only a few hours of exploring the site, I was made aware of the noticeable variety of the audience. There were tons of young adults and also families, which made the whole festival ‘vibe’ much more homely and lively at the same time. All of the volunteers and staff at Standon Calling were incredibly friendly and upbeat and helped me out with any of the queries that arose at the time. I’ve been to quite a few festivals in my time and the surroundings and food vendor and stages at Standon Calling were like nothing that I’ve seen before. It was clear that so much care and time had
been poured into the architecture and general organisation of the festival. One of the things that surprised me the most was the payment system that they had implemented at the festival. Simply just being able to top up a wristband with a specific amount of money and then go and use it for all purchases on site was something that I’d never seen before! The festival organisers and volunteers had also set up a general store which had all of the things that you could possibly need while camping out at a festival. Now, onto the headliners. After setting up my tent, I grabbed an amazing Hot Dog from ‘Oh My Dog’ and I have to say that it was the best Hot Dog I’ve ever had. Following that, I made my way over to the main stage to watch none other than the local boy ‘George Ezra’ play a set, and it really was the most upbeat and feel-good performance that I’ve ever seen. One of the most special moments was seeing people dancing up and down to his tracks ‘Budapest’ and ‘Shotgun’. Truly amazing.
Once the main acts had finished all of their sets, I headed over to one of the smaller tents and spent the next few hours drinking and dancing the night away. It really was so enjoyable and I couldn’t have had a better time. This good boy certainly had a blast as well: Standon Calling is one of the best festivals that I’ve been to, and I’m already looking forward to returning next year. Tickets for 2019 are on sale now, and make sure to follow Standon Calling’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram so you can follow all of the regular updates. Hope to see some of you there in 2019! Until next time, Jono
THE TRIDENT 13
14 THE TRIDENT
THE TRIDENT 15
THE TOP FIVE FILMS OF SUMMER 2018 By Zoe Fripp
Hundreds of new films hit cinemas this summer, but which were the best? Here are five of the very best we would recommend.
1) Avengers: Infinity War- April 26th
The newest instalment of Avengers Infinity War took the box office by storm, smashing records for its previous films. Fan favourites such as Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk and a plethora of other names unite to battle their biggest threat yet, Thanos. On a mission to collect all six Infinity stones, viewers follow the journey of the Avengers throughout the Marvel Universe, from Wakanda to Titan. Even if you haven’t seen the other Avengers films (like myself), viewers gain great satisfaction from seeing all the Avengers united for one huge battle.
2) Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom- June 6th Similarly, the newest instalment of Jurassic World hit cinemas the following month, taking fans back to the place it all began. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard reprise their roles as Owen and Claire and go back to the island in order to save the dinosaurs from an imminent volcanic eruption, threatening to wipe them all out. Not for the sensitive souls like myself, who ended up crying when one particular dinosaur met its fate, this marks the end of the series and leaves viewers with what I believe is a satisfying end to an amazing set of films.
CC BY 2.0- BAGO GAMES, 2018, FLICKR
16 THE TRIDENT
3) Hereditary- June 15th Being described as one of the scariest films of the year, Hereditary is the strange tale of the Graham family. When the matriarch of the family dies, her daughter and grandchildren begin to uncover terrifying secrets about their ancestry and try to escape the fate that they have inherited. The film has been described as dark, disturbing and has an ending that has left everyone talking, so if you’re a fan of horror then this could be the film of the year for you.
4) Incredibles 2- July 13th The film of the summer in my opinion, especially when it comes to the anticipation from everyone who has waited 14 years for the sequel, this was the film that had kids and adults alike rushing to the cinema to see. The who family of superheroes is back, but this time Helen is in the spotlight, leaving Bob to be a stay-at-home Dad with three children, Violet, Dash and the baby. Watch as they try to navigate their day to day lives with their superhero duties!
CC BY-N.D 2.0- Loren Javier, 2011, Flickr.
5) The Meg- August 10th Calling all science fiction fans, this recent release has everyone talking. Featuring a star-studded cast with the likes of Jason Statham and Ruby Rose, this film follows the story of the massive Megalodon Shark attacking a crew and trapping them at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. If you’re terrified of sharks, best to avoid this film, as the prehistoric Megalodon Shark is one of the largest ever, at a massive 75-foot-long, which leaves room for gruesome scenes and a heap of action.
THE TRIDENT 17
CC BY-N.D 2.0, Nick Rice, 2014, Flickr.
FRESHERS’ WEEK AND MOVING IN! By Zoe Fripp
Fresher’s week is an exciting but daunting time for any new student, whatever your age, especially if you have moved into halls of residence, too! Here are eight tips to help get you through the week and your first few weeks of university. 1) Buy tickets in advance
Make sure you are well aware of all the events taking place in advance, in particular, the ones you want to go to. Purchase tickets as soon as you can, because the best way to bond with your flatmates is attending the events together. You don’t want to be the only flatmate staying behind because you didn’t get a ticket…
2) Move in ASAP
Bonds with flatmates will form in the early stages as everyone is needing support and you’re all in the same situation. If you move in later you run the risk of missing out on some of these bonds, and the freshers’ events that the flat will likely talk about for the rest of the year!
3) Unpack ASAP
Making your room feel as comfortable as possible in the early days can really help if homesickness rears its ugly head. If you feel comfortable in your own space it will eventually start to feel like a home away from home. Doing this early on means you can enjoy your first few weeks of uni without having to worry and get settled in quickly
4) Drinking games and takeaways
By gathering all flatmates into the communal area of the flat, which is the kitchen, it allows you all to bond over 18 THE TRIDENT
two very important things- alcohol and food! Even if you aren’t attending freshers events, this is a good way of relaxing and getting to know your fellow flatmates.
5) Ground rules
week is a huge distraction, it’s ok to have moments of not being ok. Lean on your flatmates and try and talk to them, as they are likely feeling the same as you. They become your family away from home.
There’s nothing worse than flatmates that don’t contribute, so make sure you have a discussion early on where you all decide how best to tackle keeping the communal areas tidy and everyone doing their bit.
6) Throw yourself in Freshers’ week is your time to relax and party before the serious stuff starts. Try to attend as many events as possible and mix with as many different people as possible. You could make friends for life, or you might never see those friends again, but either way, it’s a memorable week of your uni experience and you don’t want to spend it alone.
7) Go to Freshers Fair Freshers Fair is a must, as this is where you find out a lot more about what is going on around campus that you can get involved in. You also get a ton of freebies that could really help you out when you least expect it!
8) It’s OK not to be OK
Finally, moving away from home is never going to be easy, and although fresher’s
Gorod-SKY (2009) Clubbing, Flickr
THE TRIDENT 19
CC BY 2.0, Kayla Johnson (2011), Flickr.
QUIZ TIME: ELE HOUSE VS. FORUM? Discover your ideal hang out for Freshers’ week and discover if you’re more of a pub or club kind of person. 1) What’s your ideal outfit for a night out? A) Casual
B) Dressed up
C) Smart casual
2) How do you prefer to spend a night out? A) Socialising
B) Partying
C) Socialise before the party
3) What’s your bedtime after a night out? A) Midnight
B) No bedtime
C) When the bar and club close
4) What’s your drinking style? A) Social drinking. B) Hangover drunk C) Pre-drinks then shots
5) What’s your best night out activity? A) Karaoke B) Shots C) Dancing
6) Where do you like to pre-drink? A) I don’t B) Home/mates C) Pub
20 THE TRIDENT
Mostly A’s- EleHouse!
You enjoy socialising with friends over alcohol, but would rather bond over activities such as karaoke and quizzes than on the dance floor.
Mostly B’s- The Forum
You’re not into a chilled night out and would rather get glammed up and party the night away until the early hours! The buzz of the club suits you perfectly.
Mostly C’s- Both!
You like to socialise with friends over pre drinks, then spend the rest of the night 0n the dance floor. Start your night at the Ele House then make your way over to the Forum for your perfect night!
OVERSHARING ON SOCIAL MEDIA By Zoe Fripp
Students all over the UK are heading back to their accommodation this week for another year of study. For many, it will be their first time away from home; For others, it will be their first time living in a house rather than halls.
O
Southampton Solent University, the University of Surrey and Royal Holloway are just a few examples at risk of oversharing on social media.
Recent frightening research from Swinton a direct correlation between oversharing on social media and the UK’s most burgled locations, by analysing over 70,000 social media posts.
Crime data has shown that 49% of burglary offenders are known to the victim and means that thieves are potentially monitoring social media accounts to find their window of opportunity. Research by Swinton supports this view, with a 33% increase in these social media posts this year.
Many students share that they are going home for the holidays or even that they are heading out for the night, which can all lead to an increased risk of burglary. The South East, in particular, was identified as the most likely to overshare on social media, meaning that students attending the University of Oxford,
Yale UK warns students should be careful of: * Sharing too much about their daily activities and whereabouts. If you live alone, don’t share that you have a lecture every Wednesday from 1-2 pm. * Not accepting friend requests from people that they don’t know personally.
ne thing those students are not aware of, however, is how to reduce the risk of being burgled, therefore Swinton Home Insurance and Yale UK have teamed up to help people all over the UK to protect their home from burglary.
Freshers’ weeks are an exciting time to meet new people, but how much do you really know about them? * Privacy settings – make sure that yours are set to friends and family only. * Not accepting friend requests from people that they don’t know personally. Freshers weeks are an exciting time to meet new people, but how much do you really know about them? Taking these precautions mean that you are likely to live a much safer and happier life at university, and you can enjoy your nights out to the fullest without sharing too much information!
THE TRIDENT 21
REVIEW OF RHODES, GREECE By Zoe Fripp
This summer I had the privilege of visiting the beautiful Greek island of Rhodes for 11 days. Having never been to Greece, I was very excited as most of my travels have been in the Spanish Islands.
O
ur hotel was located in Gennadi, a small village about an hour away from Rhodes International Airport. It was a brandnew hotel that had only been open a few weeks due to an archaeological site being uncovered on the grounds that led to construction delays. This was just one of the many amazing parts of the hotel, as it sported a pretty impressive history and our room overlooked it, which was pretty cool.
hills, which is fine when you’re walking down to explore but walking back up to get back to the car park is tough in 35 degrees heat! Lindos was beautiful and had some lovely Greek Tavernas, one of which we ate in. To get up to the Temples you are able to hire donkeys which we didn’t really want to do, but many people were enjoying this opportunity. They carry you all the way up the hill but then you do have to make your way back down.
We decided to hire a car and travel to the nearest town Lindos, which is known for its clifftop acropolis. The Temple of Athena Lindia sits above an earlier temple, with the 14th century Castle of the Knights of St John on the lower level. A pre-warning to anyone that decides to visit, there are many
Gennadi beach is composed mainly of pebbles so there isn’t really any sand, but on our travels into Lindos, we did discoverer some other beautiful beaches with golden sand as an alternative. The only downside to this beautiful country is its small airport, with its lack
CC BY-SA 2.0, EdgarJa (2009), Flickr. CC BY-SA 2.0, Francesco Ugilini (2010) Flickr.
22 THE TRIDENT
of air conditioning and its inability to cope with the number of holidaymakers travelling through it. After your long travel from the hotel to the airport, you then have to queue for hours just to check in your bags and go through security which by this point you’re just ready to get on the flight and go home. This is made even worse by your flight getting delayed. All in all, I adored Rhodes and all its beautiful towns. The climate is amazing as there is a lovely breeze alongside the sun, and there was so much more to explore that we didn’t have time to do. 10/10 would recommend, just maybe be prepared for the horrible airport.
Picture by Zoe Fripp.
THE TRIDENT 23
CC BY-N.C 2.0, Akuckoister, (2008) Flickr.
UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE FRESHERS’ SCHEDULE
Find out the full line-up of everything going on around campus so you don’t miss out on a single thing! Thursday 13th September British Tea Party: Noon-4 pm
Friday 14th September Loco Warm up Party: 10 pm-3 am
Monday 17th September
Thursday 20th September
All the Way Up: Freshers 2018: 10:30pm-3 am.
Outdoor Cinema on De Havilland: 8 pm-11 pm
Tuesday 18th September
Headrush: 10 pm-3 am
Commuters’ Connect Breakfast Day 1: 6 am-9 pm.
15th September 8 am- 23rd Commuters’ Connect Breakfast September 3 am Day 2: 6 am-9 pm. Freshers Week Events!
Saturday 15th September Wristband collections and Freshers’ ticket sales: 9 am-6 pm
Outdoor Cinema: 8 pm-11 pm
Wednesday 19th September
Moving in Party: 10 pm-3 am
Commuters’ Connect Coffee and Crafternoon: Noon-12 pm.
Sunday 16th September
Street Food and Grooves: 2 pm-8 pm
Battle of the Campuses: 10 pm-3 am
CC BY-N.C 2.0, Akuckoister, (2008) Flickr.
24 THE TRIDENT
Cheeky Wednesday: Opening Party 2018: 10:30pm-3 am.
Commuters’ Coffee and Crafternoon- Noon-12 pm.
Friday 21st September Freshers’ Fair: 11 am-3 pm
Fuse ODG LIVE! - Loco Friday: 10 pm-3 am
Saturday 22nd September Run Fresher Run: Campus Fun Run- 11 am-3 pm Blazin’ Squad - LIVE! 10pm-3am
THE TRIDENT 25
Image credit: Eminem- Kamikaze front cover.
SURPRISE ALBUM DROP: KAMIKAZE By Jack Moore
Infamous rapper Eminem has returned to the airwaves with a surprise album drop, Kamikaze is the 10th studio album from the Detroit rapper whose career spans almost 20 years.
T
he album contains 13 tracks including; two humorously self-aware skits featuring Eminem and co-producer Paul Rosenberg. The other 11 songs showcase Eminem’s fast flows and clever wordplay. The album brings features from Canadian singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez, rapper Joyner Lucas whose incredible flows are often compared to Eminem’s high-speed rapping, and the return of rap duo Bad Meets Evil with Eminem’s collaboration with Royce Da 5’9”. The album comes nine months after his last album Revival which was poorly received by fans and critics alike, with many saying Eminem had lost his edge and was being left behind by the modern rap game. Kamikaze has brought Eminem back to the forefront
Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage.
26 THE TRIDENT
of rap with an amazing display of his rapping abilities, and fans and critics seem to agree: many are called this his best album in a decade. The album is also due to break records, if the album does as well as predicted in the charts it will be Em’s 9th album to enter the Billboard Hot 100 at no. 1. Eminem has been quick to call out other rappers in this new album. First in his sights was the current crop of mumble rappers who Eminem has been vocal in his distaste of. He mocks their unoriginal names and repetitive, unintelligent lyrics and raps verses imitating Lil Pump’s song Gucci Gang and Migos’ Bad and Boujee. Rapper Drake also found himself on the receiving end of a scathing diss, where Eminem accused Drake of using ghostwriters on his songs as well as blaming
Drake for the poor-quality songs that have given many a negative view of modern rap. Eminem also reignited his feud with rapper Machine Gun Kelly, which started back in 2012 after MGK made comments on twitter about Eminem’s then 16-year-old Daughter, Hailie. The ensuing beef has spanned 6 years and led Kelly to quickly respond to being called out with his own diss track Rap Devil. Kamikaze has been a welcome surprise to Eminem fans who were left concerned and unsatisfied by Eminem’s most recent offerings. Whether the album is Slim Shady’s return to chart domination or his last hoo-rah is yet to be seen, but Kamikaze definitely has hit the right notes and may go down as one of the legendary rappers’ best.
NICHE NATHAN: RETRO GAMES By Nathan Donnelly
The word “niche” is often used to describe very specific or specialised areas of interest. In this article, and in any other future articles I may write, I will be covering random topics that will most likely have no relevance to each other.
I
n this article, I’ll be covering old video games that some of you out there may have an interest in giving a go. The following games can be bought and downloaded to your computer from Steam. Fallout, released in 1997. For those of you that have played Fallout 4, or are looking forward to the release of Fallout 76, this is the game that introduced the series. It was a major success, with many critics praising it for its storytelling, combat system, and character development and decision making. An isometric role-playing game, it has a different playstyle from its modern counterparts but is a fantastic experience
all the same. Doom and Doom 2, released in 1993 and 1994 The Doom games are sci-fi action games about fighting back the forces of Hell and all that is evil. Taking on the role as Doom Guy, you’ll explore various levels of demon slaying carnage with a rocket launcher, chainsaw and a trusty shotgun. The games are considered as some of the most influential and significant games of all time, bringing
First Person Shooter games into the mainstream. Worms, released in 1995. A classic example of the turn-based strategy, Worms has you play a team of weaponised worms against another team of weaponised worms, often on an island surrounded by various liquids. Using a wide arsenal of tools and weapons, you will need to use tactics and strength to defeat the enemy. Either that or a Holy Hand Grenade. Worms has spawned many games and several spin-offs, making it one of the longest running game series.
THE TRIDENT 27
PHOTOGRAPHY AT TRIDENT MEDIA By Martin Ringwood
You check in to your Instagram or Snapchat, take your favourite picture on your phone. Have you ever felt that it doesn’t have that effect that you wish it did?
Y
ou see images online with that extra depth of field that you can’t replicate on your phone or even that ‘ring eye’ effect that you see in some portraits. This is because the cameras inside modern smartphones are simply not physically the same as DSLRs. This is due to one simple fact: you can’t make more light go through a lens without making it bigger. As simplistic as that may sound, despite their small footprint on your phone, they cannot replace a DSLR, which stands for Digital Single Lens Reflex which basically states how light travels internally within the camera in order for you to see an image. In reading this, you want to know how you can understand using a DSLR, to a newcomer it can seem intimidating to see the different buttons available to you on the camera and to that I say: DON’T WORRY! For me, knowledge of effectively using these controls came with practice so feel free to play and see the effect it has on your image. The same goes with equipment, the number of lenses you can purchase for a specific camera is endless, not to mention the settings on each of them! Please. Do. Not. Worry. A lot of the details can be broken down into what you need to know. ??mm this figure is merely saying how far you can zoom, also known as Focal Length. The F number (being the Aperture), simply saying how wide the lens can get, allowing light in. With a DSLR, the most common lens you get is an 18-55mm lens, this form of lens is great as it is versatile and is fantastic if you want portraits of people. As always with Photography it’s about having that eye for a good shot and knowing how to appropriately use the equipment you need. Never buy equipment you don’t need or not likely to use as this not only wastes money but also you won’t be as effective as using it, learn what you need before purchasing. When it comes to kit, its merely a case of knowing what you need and what you can buy within your budget. For myself it was a case of waiting, an Xmas here and a Birthday there and I was able to get a lens and a cheap flash attachment for my camera. To help with equipment here is a brief guide, if you really like portraits, then you need a Prime lens (known as Fixed Focal Lengths AKA you can’t zoom), they come in many variants but a 25mm and 50mm is the best for this, allowing very low Apertures of around f1.4 (expensive variants) giving amazing depth of field, instantly giving your photos a sense of professionalism. My first Prime lens was a 35mm however due to my camera being a ‘crop sensor’ meaning it was zoomed slightly, it replicated that of a 50mm lens respectively.
28 THE TRIDENT
When it comes to Zoom lenses, these can get expensive, start with something less so, a 200mm lens which is what I started out with and due to the nature of my photography haven’t actually replaced. It still works and works well though you may feel you want more zoom, where above 200mm’s getting into the hundreds of pounds easily. An easy fix is to get a Zoom Enhancer attachment, these will make your lesser lens zoom further and are relatively inexpensive. Of course there are other lens types but let’s finalise with a Wide Angle lens, these tend to be of around 10mm, with lesser lengths tending to do what’s called ‘fish eye’ this is an effect that you may or may not want to have. When it comes to taking photos of the grand canyon etc or tricking people into thinking rooms are bigger than they are; you can get a wide angle lens, though these are often expensive due to the light trickery that they accomplish.
To conclude, this article has only touched the surface of what is currently out there when it comes to things you can purchase for your camera, the camera of which should be where you ‘focus’ your budget, being something that will hopefully last you for many years to come. They aren’t things that you should replace often as more often than not, the Lenses often do not fit every camera out there, with the main two companies, Nikon and Canon having various different fittings for each product that they provide. I still use my first DSLR, hasn’t failed me yet! For those curious of what I use around campus, it is a Nikon D3200. Old but relatively inexpensive camera with options for those beginning and more experienced in the field. Returning to equipment, lighting is something else you shouldn’t worry about too much. Flash attachments, including those that give that ‘ring effect’ can be purchased from Amazon for a very low cost of circa £20, depending on what you buy. Editing your photos isn’t something you should worry about straight away, Adobe’s Lightroom and Photoshop, being the more advanced approach but in reality, expensive. Windows/ Mac’s own photo editing tools will suffice and give you many options for your work. Have fun and remember to join Trident Media for access to festivals, Comic Con etc to do press work for free of charge to you! Allowing you to expand your knowledge and portfolio. If you see us at a Stall, just ask for Martin and I will be on hand to answer any questions you may have on how you can get involved!
THE TRIDENT 29
TAKEOVER TUESDAYS - EVERY TUESDAY FROM 6PM ON TRIDENT MEDIA RADIO.
WHAT'S HOT IN THE WORLD OF MUSIC
TRENCH
EGYPT STATION
THE BLUE HOUR
TWENTY ONE PILOTS
PAUL MCCARTNEY
SUEDE
I'm sure that most of you are familar with the Ohio-based band that are known as Twenty One Pilots. The group consists of two members, Tyler Joseph and Jack Dun, and it’s safe to say that Tyler Joseph is a musical genius, and Tyler Joseph is one awesome dude. Very recently, they’ve released four tracks from their latest album ‘Trench’ which is the successor of their 2015 release ‘Blurryface’ which stormed charts all over the globe. After putting the Blurryface era to bed for good, Twenty One Pilots social channels went considerably quiet for a certain amount of time. On July 9th, they shared a video on their main twitter account of a rather mysterious eye of what looks like a crow, and inside of the eye was a snippet of their music video ‘Jumpsuit’ which is on YouTube now (it’s well worth a watch). I’ve picked one of the tracks from Trench to review. It’’s called ‘My Blood’, and is a fairly simplistic track that has a considerable amount of sparse percussive elements that chop and change throughout the duration of the track. During the first minute of the track, I found myself sub-conciously bobbing my head along to the rhythm (which can only be a good thing)! Tyler Joseph displays his impressive vocal range during the chorus of the track and everytime I hear him singing in this way, it often makes me think ‘Well damn, I wish I could sing that high - maybe in my dreams). Following the chorus, Joseph begins to rap and man it’s pretty damn awesome. There aren’t many singers/rappers in the world that have a flow that is as top notch as his (Eminem is an exception - check out Jack’s article on Eminem on P24. It’s well worth a read). It certainly seems like Joseph is offering his support to a lover or a friend through the use of music and lyrics. What a top man. I’d love to hear about your thoughts on the first four tracks from Trench so please feel free to post on my Facebook page (Takeover Tuesdays) if you’re a fan (or not a fan!) of the album. My Blood And A Few Others From Trench is out now on all major streaming services, and Trench is scheduled to be released on the 5th October 2018. To keep up to date with all Twenty One Pilots news, keep an eye on their social channels on the interwebs.
30 THE TRIDENT
I’ve really been looking forward to writing a piece on this record, Eygpt Station, Paul McCartney’s 34th (wow) studio album. The album is fresh off the press. It was released only this morning at exactly midnight and is an incredibly special one because it’s been years since McCartney released a full studio album. It consists of 16 tracks and the full duration of the masterpiece last for exactly 57 mins. I’m sitting here listening to it right now and I have to say that I can’t help jamming out to the more upbeat tracks such as Come On To Me (which was first played on Carpool Karaoke with James Corden - more on that later). McCartney worked with a number of famous musicians/producer on Egypt Station which certainly makes it much more exciting to listen to. Paul himself said that he worked with OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder. Eygpt Station was recorded in between London, Los Angeles, Sussex, Tedder produced one of the tracks on the album, while every other track was produced by Greg Kurstin, the produeer of albums by Foo Fighters, Adele, and Beck. My personal favourites have to be emotional and heartfelt track ‘I Dont Know’ and the barn-dance styled ‘Come On To Me”. They were the first two tracks to be released and after listening to both of them, they were stuck on repeat for a long long time. On the 21st June, the official version of Carpool Karaoke with the man himself was released to the world, and I have to say that it spread like wildfire throughout the interwebs. I’ve just checked the view count and it’s currently on 32 million views.... how amazing is that? In the video, Corden & McCartney (sounds like a comedy duo) are seen driving around Liverpool and end up visiting Sir Paul’s Childhood home and also Penny Lane. It really was a trip down memory lane for not only Paul but also the endless number of fans that have stayed loyal to Paul and his music for many many years. If you haven’t seen the video, i’d definitely recommend going to watch it right now. Eygpt Station is out now on all major streaming services. Go listen!
Every time an issue of ‘The Trident’ gets released, in addition to the two released albums that I’ll be covering, I will be writing about an upcoming record. Today’s record is an album by a band called Suede. They are an absolutely fantastic back that have been around for a long long time now. Their album ‘The Blue Hour’ will be released on the 21st September, and it’s safe to say that i’m incredibly excited for this upcoming masterpiece. The main track ‘Life Is Golden’ has already been released, and it’s safe to say that it is one of the most haunting tracks i’ve ever heard. Brett Anderson’s powerhouse vocals have been combined with the eery and very fitting guitar and drum parts. The lyrics really make the song incredibly deep and meaningful, and I have to say that the first time I listened to it was very special. It really spoke to me on a personal level and has become one of my new favourite tracks. Anderson sings ‘You’re not alone, look up to the sky and become, you’re not alone, look into the light and be heard, you’re never alone, your life is golden’. The video that goes with the song is fantastically magnificent and somehow manages to fit in with the tracks instrumentals. It is a fairly simplistic video but gave me goosebumps during the I watched it on YouTube. It features the abandoned town of Chernobyl in Ukraine, and was filmed entirely by a drone. It is by far one of the most simplistically beautiful music videos that i’ve ever seen. The video was directed by Mike Christie and in an interview with NME, he said, and I quote ‘It’s not about the tragedy of the disaster that happened all those years ago - it’s about the unstoppable force of life that’s consumed the desolate landscape left behind by humans. It seemed wonderfully apt to set the song to cracked concrete, all conquered by towering golden trees’. Suede’s latest album ‘The Blue Hour’ will be released on the 21st September 2018.
THE TRIDENT 31
BACK PAGE PHOTO Alternative
mashup
THE LAUNCH 11th OCT 11PM - 3AM
THE Attic
PUT SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS IN