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Over to tumblr.
Sorry if you like to look through archives, but... you'll know where to find them.

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Scream the Prayer Tour Dates Announced

I caught last years Scream the Prayer tour in Louisville KY. The tour, which features some of the biggest names in breakout Christian Metal/Hardcore, featured TONS of notable bands, but most notably bands like Sleeping Giant, Impending Doom and more.

This year, the lineup is more diverse, and in some ways "bigger"
Sleeping Giant (who is one of my favorites) returns. This years tour is headlined by Haste the Day (snore), with appearances by The Chariot, Gwen Stacy, and a big surprise from a guilty pleasure of mine... Project 86.

Anyways, you can check out the tour dates on any of the band's MySpace pages, i'll probably be at either the one in Louisville or Nashville.

SEE YOU THERE!

NEW MUSIC: He is Legend/The Mars Volta/TDWP and many more.

He is Legend recently put up a new demo for their new record which can be heard on their myspace. The song is uber weird, and chances are i'm probably not going to buy this record.

A new Mars Volta song is up somewhere and yeah, I snagged a copy. Apparently it's the single. Sounds really good, and to my ears, it sounds like they've finally come to terms with the fact that they are a post-hardcore band. It has the Mars Volta swagger with At the Drive-In attitude, much like many of the songs on their last record. Sounds good, can't wait to pick the album up.

The Devil Wears Prada has unveiled yet another track from their upcoming album. I'm not a TDWP fan, but the first two songs weren't that bad. Pretty heavy, and yeah I'd say they're developing their own sound. They're showing good signs of consistency but still progressing, so as much as people want to hate, i've gotta give them props. Still not really a fan though, but hey, props to them.
[link]

The Chariot Puts Up New Music, Still Thinking They're Heavy Musics Saviors

Ahh The Chariot.
Josh Scogin is still riding the coattails of his involvement in Norma Jean's Bless the Martyr, Kiss the Child, and in doing that, is on his 3rd, or maybe 4th, lineup in The Chariot, and is still making the same record so it seems.

Is it just me, or are they not doing ANYTHING different?
If you're going to make a memorable noisecore record, at least make it scary as hell like Spitfire's Cult Fiction.

Bottom line is every artist needs to change and evolve, and it would be great to see a band that has been around since 2004 do something different for a change.

MeWithoutYou - Am I Missing Something?

I put an old picture of the band on here for a reason. I remember hearing MeWithoutYou on a SolidState sampler CD 2003. The band was so different and original it was scary. There was an angsty poetic feeling behind their presence, the aggressiveness of a Post-Hardcore band, and the revolutionary qualities of a band like At The Drive-In.

When hitting the frontlines with their record label full-length debut A-B Life, the band delivered. After that they started moving away from the style, moving towards a more indie and rootsy feel.Personally, I didn't mind this change at first with the deliverance of Catch for Us The Foxes. From there the trend progressed further into the more indie stylings.

I recently got a preview of the new album and it has gone even further. I don't mind good indie music, and I can see where people who are deeply rooted in uber indie rock styles, but this just isn't catching for me.

Namely, my biggest peeve of this whole thing is the lyrics. Mostly a cross between animals and food of all things, but they're everywhere. At least when Bob Dylan did he was blatantly on drugs. And if that's the case for this band, I would at least like for them to let me know.

Regardless, i'll probably get nailed for this by MWY fans, but i'm sorry, i'm just missing it with this band. It's one of those things where I say, "what's the big deal?"

A Couple Noteworthy Records Out Today

As Cities Burn - Hell or High Water
Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything to Nothing

Both are great so go pick them up.

S2S Loves Cats

Russell Crowe in the New Robin Hood Flick

Russell Crowe is starring the new Robin Hood movie directed by Alien director Ridley Scott. Hopefully it lives up tot he greatness of ye old Kevin Costner movie. Maybe he'll refuse to speak in an English accent, and maybe Bryan Adams will do the theme song.

I'm crossing my fingers for both.

Random LOST Update: Richard Alpert gets the Spotlight

If you don't follow me on twitter, you're not getting sweet LOST updates. Basically I announced the other day that the episode after next weeks (Ep. 15) will feature a Richard Alpert centric episode.

Good times.

Thrice Lets Someone in on Their Magic Tricks

Thrice is currently finishing up the tracking phase of their latest record, and they have let someone from the Orange County press come in and take a peak at the process.

The article is really great, check it out.

[link]

It Has Begun...

So we're over halfway through the second to last season of LOST, and man are things getting crazy.

People who read my blog should know that I am an avid fan. Some people like Star Wars, some like Harry Potter, or Star Trek... I like LOST.

Nonetheless, My girlfriend and I have made the ultimate commitment, in what i'm calling "THE ULTIMATE LOST EXPERIENCE"

Basically starting from Season 1, Episode 1 viewing EVERYTHING, and I mean everything. Every episode, every commentary, everything. I may even play the video game, but that's a completely different post.

I know i'm nerdy, but hey, it's my thing.

Anyways, if you're interested, i'm also starting another blog called THE INCIDENT ROOM.
I know, I know, less than a season and a half and i'm JUST NOW starting to blog? Well, there's more to it than that. This will be a blog dedicated to talking about in depth stories, series, etc. from various medias including everything from Movies, TV, books, games, comics, whatever. Anyways, i'll let you know when it's up.

You can follow me on Twitter, and catch my LOSTWEETS, live LOST tweeting every Wednesday nights starting at 8P.M. est.

ME ON TWITTER

Anyways,
thanks!

ZAO Puts Up New Music

Umm...
So, like their MySpace says ZAO is alive and has new music.
Gonna be honest too, as much crap as I give this band for dying, coming back, and repeating millions of times over, this song is effing raw. I'm all about it.

[link]

MUSIC VIDEO: Sky Eats Airplane - Numbers

Had a chance to play some shows on tour w/ these dudes. Technically sound, for the most part, fairly cool dudes haha. They like to have a good time, and like looking professional, that's all I can really say. Good band though.

Iron Man v. Bruce Lee

From Kanye's blog.
A cool toyanimated video
check it out.

[link]

12 Year Old Father

Wow, saw this on a website and figured I would forward it on.
The author basically says everything I was thinking.

[link]

Spike Jonze Spotlight

It seems like hype for the Where The Wild Things Are movie is CRAZY right now, and rightfully so.

Most people might know this, but for those that don't, I thought I would highlight the film's director: Spike Jonze

Jonze is most notably a director of music videos, and I figured I would throw some of his AMAZING work up for everyone to see, but most likely you've already seen some of these!

Weezer - Buddy Holly
Fatboy Slim - Praise You
Beastie Boys - Sabotage
Tenacious D - Wonderboy
Kanye West - Flashing Lights

There are a TON more great videos, just check em out on YouTube!

REVIEW: Impending Doom - The Serpent Servant

I'm not really a fan of deathcore type bands. In the past 5 years, the genre has gained quite a bit of notoriety for extremely heavy music, sometimes tuned down to B tuning, piercingly gutteral growls, and a DIY type of attitude. Bands like Job for a Cowboy, Despised Icon, and a bunch more helped bring modern Deathcore to its prominence, but enough with the history. After all, I'm not very well versed in this genre.

Impending Doom burst out of Redlands California's amazing scene of Christian aggressive music a few years ago, catching the eyes of Facedown records. Their debut record Nailed, Dead, Risen fell in line with most counterparts. Extremely heavy, crappy recordings, and overall a bit tedious and boring.

Jump forward to today, Facedown is much more of a notable record label, and has invested in finding quality producers for their artists. Impending Doom's most recent, The Serpent Servent, was produced by As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis, and he has done the band justice. The fast is faster, the heavy is heavier, and the band sounds better. Impending Doom's live presence is much more noticeable, and not one track lets up.

The track "More Than Conquerers" is the album's high point. It's a sonic onslaught, highlighting the bands ability to write an epic, breakdown filled deathcore song, that remains interesting from start to finish.

Now, this label by no means is going to win an award of artistic quality, or originality, but the bands ability to stay true, but evolve via recorded performance sets this record apart. There is a sense of uniqueness when recording metal bands, and Impending Doom is a perfect example. In a music style that prides itself on playing ability, recording perfection is basically required, and this album is a perfect example of that.

FINAL GRADE: A-
For Fans Of: The Great Commission, White Chapel, MyChildren MyBride

New Converge Album Teaser/Video

Check this...
so stoked.

CONVERGE New album out soon on Epitaph/Deathwish

New Brand New Track

Found this floating around.
It's a live Brand New track that's been floating around.
People are calling it "Bride" right now, and it's taken from a Jesse Lacey solo gig.

Have fun, great song.
http://www.mediafire.com/?ujnaf0gz2um

Some Cool Trailers For You!

The first trailer is for Judd Apatow's (40 Year Old Virgin) new film featuring a great cast, including Adam Sandler, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, and the amazing Seth Rogen. The movie is a tad more serious than Apatow's other films, but still funny i'd say. Look for one character wearing a UK shirt in the movie!



The second is called Public Enemies, and it features Johnny Depp as the infamous bank robber John Dillinger. The movie looks like classic 1900s badassness.

Invisible Creature Headbanger Blogs

In design news...
One of my favorite design companies, Invisible Creature, blogged on the Headbangers Ball blog. The article highlights the design process when designing a Lamb of God article for Revolver Magazine.

Check it out here.

xDeathstarx breaks up

According to Lambgoat, Facedown band xDeathstarx has broken up.
Great band, but all 3,948 of them are in separate bands including one of my favorites, Sleeping Giant.

read the story here.

It Prevails - Capture & Embrace

It Prevails debut full length came at the hands of recent scene success label Rise Records. The album seemed unfitting for a label who tends to capitalize on underground teenybopper trend. It was an ode to melodic hardcore counterparts who had come before them, and it didn't come to a surprise when the band and it's first label parted ways.

Along the way, the band decided to continue and front a record for themselves. The product became Capture & Embrace. Without a doubt, a fair progression from the previous record. Song are more composed and organized than usual, and singer Ian Fike has decided to showcase his phenomenal singing ability.

Please allow me to transition paragraphs by saying: Ian Fike has decided to graciously allow us to listen to a recording of his phenomenal vocal endeavors. Literally, heavy music vocalist please take note; this is without a doubt one of the most stand out records, vocally, from a hardcore band I have ever heard. Fike releases relentless aggression upon our ears via harsh screams, segues into chordal sing/screams, only to complement the melody, with a harmonious singing voice, and not once does he fail.

Beyond the singing, again, the songs are arranged amazingly. In no way is this more a hardcore album than anything else, but that's why this particular genre is so amazing. Melodic Hardcore bands, no matter how you want to define it, by definition are few and far between. Though the music might not be fast paced and punk oriented, it is the attitude that brings the hardcore-esqueness to the genre, while the melodic part speaks for itself.

This record is defining among the genre, and not only will be on of the best this year, but one we will look back on for years to come.

Screw petty points because this band basically put out this record on there own.

FINAL GRADE: A+

A Plea For Purging - Depravity

I can't really say i've always been the biggest Plea for Purging fan. The bands first release on Facedown records displayed a semi technical, yet cheesy metal record that was extremely sub-par in production value. However, Plea's second Facedown release has come during the second coming of Facedown records so it seems.

In the past two years, the label has gained some of the most notable, and honest bands in heavy music, and has stayed pretty consistent in quality across various rock genres. Depravity starts off well, setting the tone for the entire record, and that tone is dark.

Probably the most outstanding event on the whole record is the amazing production value. Joey Sturgis at Foundation Studios in Connersville Indiana has been a focal point in heavy music production in the last few years, and they have only gotten better. Love them or hate them, they continue to put out records that sound great, and this one is no exception.

Everything is crushing, and nothing skips a beat. On the performance front, the band still plays pick friendly metal melodies, but it is toned down quite a bit, and the band mixes some of the most heavy and earth shaking breakdowns i've heard in a long time. Usually this comes off as downright ignorant. However, the musicianship on this record keeps it low key and thoughtful.

As Depravity punches forward, the entire album works together as a cohesive unit, providing an epic audible fusion of metal and hardcore at best.

My only criticism for this record is that some parts seem redundant when noticing how talented this band is. I know it's not usual for metal bands to have quick songs, but when you tend to through in odd chaotic parts, but repeat extremely simple parts, the logic in that kind of song writing doesn't make much since. Regardless, this is a great record if you're into Facedown band, talent filled metal, and extremely heavy, breakdown filled music. I personally can't complain.

FINAL GRADE: A-

LOST Analysis: Frozen Donkey Wheel

Im going to take some time to analyze the science behind the frozen wheel that has been so prominent in the last season and a half of lost.

FACTS
The wheel was first referenced (at the time ominously) towards the end of season 4. Jacob, via Christian Shepard was told to "Move the island" which was a reference to turning the wheel.

Upon hearing the news, Ben Linus took it upon himself to turn the wheel. By doing so, light was emitted from behind the wheel, and the island was moved to a different place in time and space, and along with it, Ben had also been removed from the island.
NOTE: Ben warned Locke that turning the wheel was a "last resort" and that whoever did so could not return to the island. Whether this is true or not is unknown.

During its second physical appearance, we find out that the reason the island is shifting erratically through time and space is due to the fact that the wheel is off its axis. We see Locke look at the wheel and it is trying unsuccessfully rotate as light is shooting from behind it.

THEORY
Based on what we've seen and heard about the wheel may lead one to believe that the wheel is the source of time on the island.

Based on logic, when the wheel IS moving, time apparently moves in proper time. This is the case due to the fact that the wheel is trying to move, but when it is stuck, time behaves erratically. At one point, Richard Alpert even explains to Locke that the island moves like a record, and it is skipping back and fourth in one spot, and at the time it was spinning in normal time. The depth, or further acknowledgment of this analogy is somewhat ominous and unknown.

Now lets flash back to the first time we've seen the wheel. It was NOT moving, and based on the previous paragraph we've decided that when the wheel IS MOVING, time moves as it should be (past moving to present and future). So why was it not moving, and what did it mean that it wasn't moving?

MY OVERARCHING THEORY!!!
So here's where my theory gets interesting. In the first episode of season 5, and hinted in the last episodes of season 4, the wheel is surrounded, or within rocks that have extremely high magnetic activity.

Go back to season 2/3 when the swan station (station where they had to enter the buttons and numbers), there was an extremely high activity of magnetism their as well.

My theory suggests that the Dharma Initiative was using the stations to magnetically rotate the wheel itself, and cause time to move on its own.

My theory is plausible due to the fact that any time the button was not pushed properly, there was a "shutdown" or an event which had strange ramifications. At one point, it was revealed that the crash of Oceanic Flight 815 was due to the fact that the button was not pushed, causing a "shutdown" or the wheel to stop turning.

When the station was ultimately destroyed, the same light that happens anytime time itself ships occurred. This leads me to believe that time itself stopped on the island, allowing it to be visible to the outside world, and located.

This idea is very much theory, but based on the logic behind the wheel in which we've seen, can be determined as a valid argument.

The wheel's properties are just one of the BIG pieces of the lost puzzle, and in no way am I concluding that this is the big answer to all of the questions, or the final piece to the puzzle, but it can be determined as an answer to a lot of questions.

What's next for Lost?
I can't say.
However, I think the time issue has an answer.
The remaining big question is why do the Oceanic 6 have to get back to the island, and what place to they hold in idea that the island has people that are supposed to be there?

Perhaps the island has called our heroes to the island as an aid to protect it.

I dunno...
stay tuned and keep watching!

If anyone has anything else they would like me to analyze, let me know and id be happy to give it a shot. I try to base all of my theories off of research and logic from the show, and I urge you to do the same!!!

LOST Ratings Down, Possibly Cancelled?

The rumors are true, ratings are down, and people are speaking of cancellation with only a season and a half left in the series.

Despite cancellation rumors, apparently ABC has faith in the series, and we're safe.

Check out this article.
[link]

LOST Watch

Most people that know me know that im obsessed with LOST.
A friend asked me if I could sum up what's going on.

While I don't have time for that right now, I did want to give everyone an update on some things to be aware of.

I've been scowering the net,a nd reading interviews with cast and creators.

WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD

- According to Daniel Dae Kim (Jin), we should not forget about the Hydrogen Bomb in "Jughead." It's extremely unlikely that the Lost creators would introduce something so big, just to make it "Go away." Kim says that the bomb might be intricate in the overarching sum up of the entire show!

- The episode "The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham" explains Locke's adventures off the island, and will also include myth favorites Christian Shepard, Walt, and Abbadon

- Matthew Fox (Jack Shepard) has been seen on set with long hair?

Anyways, watch the new episode tonight, I will have a fairly long post on the Lost Quarter Recap.

Stay tuned.

Grammy Performance Re-Cap

Night started off right with Al Green and Justin Timberlake performing a great duet together.

Coldplay not only stole the show with all of the awards, but their performance, including an appearance by Jay Z, was a great one.

MIA w/ Kanye West, Jay Z, TI, and Lil' Wayne was utterly fantastic with their RAT PACK themed appearances.

Radiohead was fantastic, and brought the attitude to prove it.

Perhaps the most disappointingwas the highly hyped Paul McCartney and Dave Grohl performance. The Beatle only performed one song, where I think it would have been more in line to do some sort of medley.

Anyways, great night for music.

Blink 182 Officially Re-Unites

The news broke earlier this week that Blink 182 was coming together to present on the Grammys. Rumors spread about their possible re-uniting but nothing was official... until now.

While presenting their award, they officially announced their re-union.

Shortly after their self-titled 5th album was released, the band announced an indefinite hiatus which shocked the music world. There was a very public feud, but after the plane crash that killed everyone but two, one of which included Blink drummer Travis Barker, the band came in contact once again.

This is a beautiful thing. One of the most purposeful bands of our generation, making it ok to be pop and rock again, ushering tons of underground genres to the mainstream.

Breakfast Sandwhiches Make Their Way to KY SBUX

Mmmm, Starbucks continues to figure out why they're losing money, possibly by re-adding greased up breakfast sandwiches to combat fast food chains like McDonalds and such.

The sandwiches have always been around major market Starbucks, and used to be a norm. However, upon the big health boom, they were dropped from smaller markets, and a majority across the country.

Yesterday on trip through, I noticed a big greasy sausage patty between two english muffins, an egg, and the deadliest piece of cheddar cheese i've ever seen.

Perhaps it isn't the sandwiches that are going to help the bucks, but maybe realizing why their customers go to their stores in the first place?

For me it's the accessibility of higher end coffee products.

Anyways, we'll see where this is taking them...

Christian Bale Terminator 4 Outburst

Anyone seen this?
It's a few days old, but basically the story goes like this...

A camera operator on the set of Bale's upcoming film - Terminator Salvation, apparently said something while filming, and from there, the rest is history.

I've always had the impression that Bale was kind of a dick based on his attitude while being interviewed in general. Whatever though, this was uncalled for.

CAUTION!!! NOT SAFE FOR WORK!!! LOTS OF LANGUAGE (I think his British accent is fake haha)

Looking For New Music? I've Got Recommendations

I seem to be the source of people finding new music for a handful of my friends, so I decided I would just document it.

These recommendations are for fans of the softer and lighter side of life, so here goes.

Manchester Orchestra
Alot of people in the underground world know about this band, they've toured with everyone from Thrice, to Mewithoutyou, to Brand New, and they've managed to stay JUST enough under the radar to keep a failry unknown mainstream status.

The band mixes up beat tunes, with the occasional down beat and slow anthemic songs, with deeply personal and inspiring lyrics. From love, love loss, and faith, this band keeps a good mixture of cross genre attitude, and original wit.

FOR FANS OF: Brand New, Anathallo, Neutral Milk Hotel
Listen to: Like a Virgin Losing a Child
MYSPACE

Bon Iver
This band/artist has had a fair amount of exposure, and was one of the most talked about groups in independent music last year. With songs appearing on Grey's Anatomy, and a spot in an issue of Rolling Stone, and appearances on Letterman and Leno, Bon Iver has kept a steady pace.

Songs are slow and atmospheric, with more elegance than a charity ball. The vocals remain perfect, mixing falsetto harmonies with hooky melodies that you wouldn't expect from such an experimental sound.

FOR FANS OF: Sigur Ros, Damien Rice, Coldplay
Listen to: For Emma, For Ever Ago
MYSPACE

The Emerson Letters
This artists, I can imagine, is relatively unknown to most people. This is the side project from Matt Goud, singer/guitarist of the now defunct Christian melodic hardcore band MEANS.

Goud's voice is phenomenal and real. The songs are deep and personal as his voice blends perfectly with the strum of his acoustic guitar. Though sometimes folky, songs might seem reminiscent of early Coldplay. Though he fits the description in form, throw away most inhibitions of a normal singer song writer, Goud does it his own way.

FOR FANS OF: Ray Lamontagne, Early Coldplay, Ryan Adams
Listen to:See This Through
MYSPACE

It's been a while...

Sorry about the lack of posting. Been busy with school and life.

LOST S:5:E:1 & 2 Gets Reviewed

You can Google LOST Season 5 Episode 1 Review and find tons of sites that got a chance to get a pre-screening of the episode.

None of them are giving away very much, but they have been great reviews. They've promised tons of twists and answers within the first few minutes, and apparently the first episode will let us know when/where the Island is, and we'll be able to understand how this season will work.

Some of the reviews also drop hints on some big twists.
Here are the two that caught my attention

I GUESS THIS COULD BE A SPOILER, SO DON'T READ BEYOND, YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!

- Someone on the island saves the island dwellers who we never thought we would see again, someone that we may have thought, or think is dead, and they have a beard.

Could be charlie maybe? I'm hoping so. Could be someone lame like a Dharma dude. Could be Desmond, that would make since... keep reading and you'll find out why.

- Someone who is off the island is still on.

My guess is it's Ben, but it could be Desmond, this would kill two birds with one stone.

The way this works is because, apparently, the Island has moved to a different time, a time when Desmond and Ben were both on the Island.

Street Fighter Trailer

Looks pretty lame.

Pineapple Express Out Today (thoughts)

Pineapple Express is out today. I'm not a huge fan of stoner flicks, and I didn't want to see this movie. However, I'm a huge Judd Apatow fan, and basically everything he touches turns to gold somehow.

Nonetheless, I watched it, and it's hilarious. It has Forgetting Sarah Marshall qualities in the since that it's underrated.

Very funny, I think it's at least a rent.

Dustin Kensrue & more in Covington

I mentioned this a while back, and I need to snag some tickets to this. Dustin Kensrue is the lead singer of one of my all time favorite bands, and what I will say, will be one of the most important bands of our generation, Thrice.

He also has a solo project which is quite different from his main band. Dustin's music falls under the alternative country category, maintaining sounds such as Ryan Adams. His first CD Please Come Home showed off his faithful side, having most of the songs be mainly faith related. Although this is the motif throughout the record, Thrice, nor Kensrue for that mater are known as much of a Christian based act, however they tastefully pull it off well.

Kensrue is headlining the "Where's the Band Tour" which features quite an impressive lineup, including Saves the Day front man Chris Connoly, The Get Up Kids singer Matt Pryor, and Anthony Raneri of Bayside fame.

Check out the tour coming to Covington Kentucky on January 29th

Dustin Kensrue on MySpace