Before you burn
Start taking chances now that the tables have turned on you
You know soul sacrifice is the key to succeed,
but, living on bad advice is all you've managed to achieve
And you confess that your life is in a mess,
and preceeding death is not bound to deceive
So, I'm trying again. Johnny's interested in playing thrash still and the new project (Skulltower) has a full lineup except for a drummer. Atomic Violence was good. Atomic Violence was popular. Atomic Violence couldn't pull itself together well enough to continue. However, if any of you are interested, I've uploaded the demo to Mediafire, which can be found right here.
So, straightforward, killer metal is what we plan on making with this project. As long as it's heavy and balls-out it doesn't matter what genre. We'll probably base ourselves in thrash but knowing us we won't be able to stray from death metal or black metal from very long. First practice is hopefully tomorrow. I'm nervous but excited as well. This project may actually work out.
One can hope, anyway.
I also watched Veil of Nithael friday night and was very much blown away. I have to admit they really do kick ass. I mean, they're not the most unique band ever but it's better than about 80% of the USBM bullshit I've so far heard. I applaud them, and I hope they keep up the good work.
Wraithmoon has been resurrected, and I'm happy about that. It's the perfect weather out right now for some kick ass gothic doom. I've become so much more optimistic over the past two nights it's dangerous. I can't wait to get to making music again.
Anyway, that's all I can think of right now.
Til next time.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Monster in the moonlight...
Devils in his head,
How do they shout so loud?
Tonight is his to take
Nobody knows his face
Something he will not allow...
So much going on and yet.... nothing is happening.
I've taken up writing once again, to fill my time. I'm starting a separate project, away from certain bandmates that are getting on my last nerve. Unfortunately, searching for drummers is never an easy task. Though it is nice to be in the network of musicians that is my circle of friends. I may not know any drummers, but hopefully someone I know will know someone who knows a drummer that's interested. I am fortunately not looking for anything difficult, just fast and simple beats. Of course, if we get an insanely awesome drummer, and they want to show off, so be it. I am open minded, I don't feel a need to stereotype or pigeonhole myself as this or that.
I've stopped bothering with Adam, Johnny, everyone. They don't care so neither do I. I'm just going to surrender this time. Atomic Violence is dying. It's dying of a disease called Veil of Nithael. And by that I don't mean that Veil of Nithael (Johnny and Adam's other band, though it would appear that we're their other band now) is a vile parasite that should be "cured." That's just the best metaphor I can think of. When Johnny joined, it was an inconvenience to us that we reacted way too severely over. None of us reacted more severely than Adam, who joined a week later. Yes, ironic, I know. Then, after Adam joined, Atomic Violence headed downhill. Alfred and I have kept this sad excuse for a functioning project on life support for months. If it's time to pull the plug, it's time to pull the plug. Nothing I can do anymore. And Nick, Justin and Sarah are all great people. They're friends of mine and I wish them the best.
But I am not going to sit around and wait for a dying band to suddenly come back to life. Since the "awesome practice" I talk about in my previous entry, we have not written jack shit. Adam doesn't care, Sarah's too nervous, Johnny's too distracted by Sarah, Jonathan's never there and Alfred's too passive. I need to start fresh, preferably with someone not being ruled by flattery or hormones. Harsh, yes, but also true.
I'm in a better position to start a band now than I ever have been, and though that doesn't mean it'll be easy, I'll do my best to remain optimistic.
Well, what else can I say?
Til next time.
How do they shout so loud?
Tonight is his to take
Nobody knows his face
Something he will not allow...
So much going on and yet.... nothing is happening.
I've taken up writing once again, to fill my time. I'm starting a separate project, away from certain bandmates that are getting on my last nerve. Unfortunately, searching for drummers is never an easy task. Though it is nice to be in the network of musicians that is my circle of friends. I may not know any drummers, but hopefully someone I know will know someone who knows a drummer that's interested. I am fortunately not looking for anything difficult, just fast and simple beats. Of course, if we get an insanely awesome drummer, and they want to show off, so be it. I am open minded, I don't feel a need to stereotype or pigeonhole myself as this or that.
I've stopped bothering with Adam, Johnny, everyone. They don't care so neither do I. I'm just going to surrender this time. Atomic Violence is dying. It's dying of a disease called Veil of Nithael. And by that I don't mean that Veil of Nithael (Johnny and Adam's other band, though it would appear that we're their other band now) is a vile parasite that should be "cured." That's just the best metaphor I can think of. When Johnny joined, it was an inconvenience to us that we reacted way too severely over. None of us reacted more severely than Adam, who joined a week later. Yes, ironic, I know. Then, after Adam joined, Atomic Violence headed downhill. Alfred and I have kept this sad excuse for a functioning project on life support for months. If it's time to pull the plug, it's time to pull the plug. Nothing I can do anymore. And Nick, Justin and Sarah are all great people. They're friends of mine and I wish them the best.
But I am not going to sit around and wait for a dying band to suddenly come back to life. Since the "awesome practice" I talk about in my previous entry, we have not written jack shit. Adam doesn't care, Sarah's too nervous, Johnny's too distracted by Sarah, Jonathan's never there and Alfred's too passive. I need to start fresh, preferably with someone not being ruled by flattery or hormones. Harsh, yes, but also true.
I'm in a better position to start a band now than I ever have been, and though that doesn't mean it'll be easy, I'll do my best to remain optimistic.
Well, what else can I say?
Til next time.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Divine creations....
Now destroyed to uncover the haunted atmosphere
Strange visions of the ancient spirits, travesty of man appears
Coldness and the storming winds lurking for prey
The forces of the Winter reign in dreadful way, there's no escape......
So, on Friday (last Friday, Dec. 4, 2009), I practiced for the first time as the bassist/vocalist of Atomic Violence - soon to be something else most likely (I'm partial to Wolfen Gray) - and WOW.
It was electrifying. Sarah (our new keyboardist) managed to fit right into our old songs - except for Thrashold, which she'll be doing lead vox on from now on, because she owns at that song.
Sarah adds a new dimension to our music and makes it more complex, melodic and basically more interesting. And it's not like she has to do all the work and we just play lame, simple stuff. There's just something in the air when she starts playing that gives us great ideas.
I can't wait. If we used the lyrics I wrote in the woods for our newest song then I'm sure we could use others that I've written. It would be awesome to turn The Flower, Vigilante, or Kingdom of the Stars into a full song. All the lyrics I've written.... Out of the Mirror, Sanity Forsaken, Angel in the Gutter....
If I'm lucky, I'll be able to turn all those lyrics into songs (which would be awesome) and not have to write any more for a while (which would also be awesome).
This is hopefully the start of something wonderful. Shit, we've put our record deal procedure on hold, stopped playing shows for a while, and modified our lineup. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I finally feel free in this band. I'm dying to practice again.
Til next time.
Strange visions of the ancient spirits, travesty of man appears
Coldness and the storming winds lurking for prey
The forces of the Winter reign in dreadful way, there's no escape......
So, on Friday (last Friday, Dec. 4, 2009), I practiced for the first time as the bassist/vocalist of Atomic Violence - soon to be something else most likely (I'm partial to Wolfen Gray) - and WOW.
It was electrifying. Sarah (our new keyboardist) managed to fit right into our old songs - except for Thrashold, which she'll be doing lead vox on from now on, because she owns at that song.
Sarah adds a new dimension to our music and makes it more complex, melodic and basically more interesting. And it's not like she has to do all the work and we just play lame, simple stuff. There's just something in the air when she starts playing that gives us great ideas.
I can't wait. If we used the lyrics I wrote in the woods for our newest song then I'm sure we could use others that I've written. It would be awesome to turn The Flower, Vigilante, or Kingdom of the Stars into a full song. All the lyrics I've written.... Out of the Mirror, Sanity Forsaken, Angel in the Gutter....
If I'm lucky, I'll be able to turn all those lyrics into songs (which would be awesome) and not have to write any more for a while (which would also be awesome).
This is hopefully the start of something wonderful. Shit, we've put our record deal procedure on hold, stopped playing shows for a while, and modified our lineup. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I finally feel free in this band. I'm dying to practice again.
Til next time.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Sitting in the corner all alone....
Staring from the bottom of his soul
Watching the night come in from the window, window
It'll all collapse tonight, the fullmoon is here again
In sickness and in health
Understanding, too demanding
It has no name, there's one for every season
Makes him insane
To know.....
Ok, so we met with this talent scout and I have to blog this, she is a fucking goddess. She is so far out of my league that if I woke up tomorrow thin, well-groomed and cut like a diamond, I still wouldn't fathom hitting on her. Then again I could just be intimidated because she seems to have her shit straight as far as this record label thing goes, like super professional. But really, I have not shaken hands with a female this attractive before. I'm pretty sure anyway. I mean, yeah, beauty queens, Miss Teen USA, met them and gotten pictures but this woman is 39 and smokin'. I don't know how fine those teenies will be once they hit 30. Eh, I'm sure they'll still be pretty damn hot. But I digress.
I wonder, if I hit it big will there be a woman like this for me? Super cool, super fine and with awesome yet diverse musical tastes? Honestly I don't think so. I mean, I don't really discriminate against girls that are overweight or imperfect in some way, and I'd say I'm happier for it, but there's gotta be a hot thrasher chick that also likes radio hits and folk music, knows what the fuck a book is and has read a few, isn't a whore but isn't a prude, plays the occasional level of Fallout 3 or Fable II and can sit through a movie with me and have an interesting conversation about it afterwards. I'm sure there is but my guess is Aladdin or John Kevill or some other majestic thrash frontman will have already snatched her up by the time I finally meet her. And I'm not saying she has to be perfectly sculpted, or be proportioned exactly the way my talent scout is, or anything like that. But if she had some body and some brains and shared my love for music so she could understand the way I feel when someone shits all over my interests or tastes.... I would never be unfaithful. I would kill for her. Take a bullet for her. I would clean the entire house. I would follow her barefoot over broken glass and vinegar.
If I could sum up my life's goals in a day, I would wake up on an airplane, land in Germany/Tokyo/Etc, play a kickass show to a rabid crowd, party with my friends (whoever they may be), and end it all by passing out next to my beautiful metal wife.
If I died the very next morning, whatever. Life that good isn't supposed to last.
But that great, wonderful life is exactly what I'm striving for, that's what keeps me going through all the bullshit. If all those pieces came together life would be as perfect as life on Earth can get, which will still be flawed but at the same time, complete.
And who knows, my dreams may fade as I get older but I hope not, I hope I'm one of those thirty year old guys still working at it, still trying to accomplish their dream.
But hey, only time will tell right?
All I can do is continue to try now.
So, that's been my rambling for tonight. Til next time.
Watching the night come in from the window, window
It'll all collapse tonight, the fullmoon is here again
In sickness and in health
Understanding, too demanding
It has no name, there's one for every season
Makes him insane
To know.....
Ok, so we met with this talent scout and I have to blog this, she is a fucking goddess. She is so far out of my league that if I woke up tomorrow thin, well-groomed and cut like a diamond, I still wouldn't fathom hitting on her. Then again I could just be intimidated because she seems to have her shit straight as far as this record label thing goes, like super professional. But really, I have not shaken hands with a female this attractive before. I'm pretty sure anyway. I mean, yeah, beauty queens, Miss Teen USA, met them and gotten pictures but this woman is 39 and smokin'. I don't know how fine those teenies will be once they hit 30. Eh, I'm sure they'll still be pretty damn hot. But I digress.
I wonder, if I hit it big will there be a woman like this for me? Super cool, super fine and with awesome yet diverse musical tastes? Honestly I don't think so. I mean, I don't really discriminate against girls that are overweight or imperfect in some way, and I'd say I'm happier for it, but there's gotta be a hot thrasher chick that also likes radio hits and folk music, knows what the fuck a book is and has read a few, isn't a whore but isn't a prude, plays the occasional level of Fallout 3 or Fable II and can sit through a movie with me and have an interesting conversation about it afterwards. I'm sure there is but my guess is Aladdin or John Kevill or some other majestic thrash frontman will have already snatched her up by the time I finally meet her. And I'm not saying she has to be perfectly sculpted, or be proportioned exactly the way my talent scout is, or anything like that. But if she had some body and some brains and shared my love for music so she could understand the way I feel when someone shits all over my interests or tastes.... I would never be unfaithful. I would kill for her. Take a bullet for her. I would clean the entire house. I would follow her barefoot over broken glass and vinegar.
If I could sum up my life's goals in a day, I would wake up on an airplane, land in Germany/Tokyo/Etc, play a kickass show to a rabid crowd, party with my friends (whoever they may be), and end it all by passing out next to my beautiful metal wife.
If I died the very next morning, whatever. Life that good isn't supposed to last.
But that great, wonderful life is exactly what I'm striving for, that's what keeps me going through all the bullshit. If all those pieces came together life would be as perfect as life on Earth can get, which will still be flawed but at the same time, complete.
And who knows, my dreams may fade as I get older but I hope not, I hope I'm one of those thirty year old guys still working at it, still trying to accomplish their dream.
But hey, only time will tell right?
All I can do is continue to try now.
So, that's been my rambling for tonight. Til next time.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Sunrise, I greet you....
The beauty of your light
So warm and tender
Was never the night
In tears I see you
The last time it will be
So give me your blessings,
I'll meet my destiny!
Hello there folks, my name is Alexander Phelps Raymond. I go by Xander for short, Xan for shorter. First and foremost, I love metal to death, though I am rather picky when it comes to bands I like, and that will probably be my blog's main focal point. I suppose that this particular blog will merely be an introduction, since (at least to me) it's more comforting when you can, in some way, get inside the blogger/speaker/writer's head.
So let's see.... What do I have to say about myself?
I am in a band, a band that seems very close to a major breakthrough. I will definitely keep you lovely people updated on what happens in that department.
I make various attempts at writing books or stories or screenplays but I have yet to complete a single thing. I guess I find it easier to express myself through lyrical content, as that's what got me to start writing. Not to toot my own horn, but I'm pretty confident that I am a very creative and imaginative person. My big problem is I seem to lack the drive to accomplish.... Well, anything really. I set out to start on a new idea and halfway through I get distracted by something equally inspiring. Oh well, I'm sure I'll finish something someday.
Beyond those two things there's not much to my life. I don't work, I'm not in school, I basically sit around the house all day thinking up new projects. But that's fine by me, it gives me more time to hone my skills at anything I'm somewhat good at. I'm confident that once I figure out what I should do I'll be successful at it.
Hopefully I'll be successful at being a rockstar, that's something I can get behind.
So, there you are, thank you for reading.
Til next time.
So warm and tender
Was never the night
In tears I see you
The last time it will be
So give me your blessings,
I'll meet my destiny!
Hello there folks, my name is Alexander Phelps Raymond. I go by Xander for short, Xan for shorter. First and foremost, I love metal to death, though I am rather picky when it comes to bands I like, and that will probably be my blog's main focal point. I suppose that this particular blog will merely be an introduction, since (at least to me) it's more comforting when you can, in some way, get inside the blogger/speaker/writer's head.
So let's see.... What do I have to say about myself?
I am in a band, a band that seems very close to a major breakthrough. I will definitely keep you lovely people updated on what happens in that department.
I make various attempts at writing books or stories or screenplays but I have yet to complete a single thing. I guess I find it easier to express myself through lyrical content, as that's what got me to start writing. Not to toot my own horn, but I'm pretty confident that I am a very creative and imaginative person. My big problem is I seem to lack the drive to accomplish.... Well, anything really. I set out to start on a new idea and halfway through I get distracted by something equally inspiring. Oh well, I'm sure I'll finish something someday.
Beyond those two things there's not much to my life. I don't work, I'm not in school, I basically sit around the house all day thinking up new projects. But that's fine by me, it gives me more time to hone my skills at anything I'm somewhat good at. I'm confident that once I figure out what I should do I'll be successful at it.
Hopefully I'll be successful at being a rockstar, that's something I can get behind.
So, there you are, thank you for reading.
Til next time.
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