Still have two narratives and an essay to write for next tuesday. Not keen!
Getting my L’s this friday.

Name me a faggot, a homo, a gaylord, I don’t care and I’m not going to lie; this album is incredibly beautiful.  The city of Oregon (CA) is famous for it’s beautiful lakes, beautiful Shakespeare festivals, it’s beautiful Lava caves and now, It Prevails’ second and more beautiful baby; ‘Capture and Embrace’.  Upon first glance, an album of such melodic and harmonious intensity is far from expected from men of a such a bold and masculine stature.  Having said that, from listening to ‘The Inspiration’ since it’s release in 07, this is nothing more than expected, and absolutely amazing.  Let’s face the facts, if you don’t at the slightest like this album then you are a filthy liar.

Moreso than musicians, It Prevails are very much like that of sorcerers, wizards, magicians, or even magical men.  Each track is a fusion of different melodic devices and chord progressions which intertwine to create 10 tracks of sheer harmony, similar to a potion of life or something.  A major and new ingredient to their formula is clean vocals.  I almost peed myself during ‘A Martyr’s Journey’. Last time around we had an introduction to some of the further talents within these individuals as seen in the singing in ‘At Least Understand’, a feature greatly expanded on throughout this album which further compliments the ‘singing’ of each guitar. There is a confident balance between both singing and yelling (as dumb as that sounds), and Ian’s aggressive vocals display the band’s more harsh and aggressive roots.

Lyrics are a feature of music in general that needs more recognition and attention.  Tracks such as ‘Brothers to the Flames’ show that these buddies really do have something to say.  Listen to Ian Fike and he’s going to ask you questions throughout and you’re maybe going to think about these questions.  Overall, there is more to each track than an arrangement of pretty notes and chords, and it is obvious the intention behind these has been heavily premeditated.

Whilst upholding their melodic and moderate-tempo’d traits, Capture and Embrace raises the band’s definition to the next level and sets a new height for themselves.  Throughout the entirity, one thing is for certain: What these dudes lack in sex appeal they definitely make up for in a whole lot of musical genius and ballsack.

For fans of: Saints Never Surrender, Shai Hulud, Final Fight

Oh yeah..

Cheers to Nathan Smith for these.

Saturday we made the trip down to Picton which was a lot further than expected.  Load-in was 4:30PM and we arrived at 5:55, 5 minutes before our set this time on account of streets and roads having the same name and travelling down the wrong one’s.  Diaz calls me at 3:30 while I’m still at home (no clue why he got there so early):
Diaz: Hey man where are you?
Jem: Just at home gonna leave soon, you?
Diaz: I’m at Picton.
Jem: (Confused) What’s it like, what’s there?
Diaz: I see… A Liquorland… and a pub.  And a big farm.

Surprised there were actually kids there, awesome venue in a indoor football court with a wicked setup.  Kids got into it and it was good fun, MJK, HoM and AWC are sweet dudes.  My dad is also the raddest dude ever, drove me out, stuck around til the end sitting at the venue couch all day with a bunch of sweaty scene kids all evening and then drove us back.  Must’ve been the strangest sight, a bunch of long haired seedy kids with a hundred piercings an ear and then this old scrawny Asian dude reading a book in between.  Never take your parents foregranted, they’re the most important people in your life! Well, mine at least.  Sam Payne’s a good dude for coming out and hanging too.

I had a rad night and from observing feedback I think everyone there did too. Every band put in 100% with the reaction and turn out from the crowd being one of the best I’ve ever seen at a local show. 320 paying kids, positive vibe, zero hositility, friends and friends just there to show their support and have an enjoyable time: no better way for one of Sydney’s best ever hardcore bands to go out. Huge kudos to Lach for all the effort he put into this to make it happen.

St Ives have some massive things lined up; Bushfire Relief show on the 20th March, Antagonist A.D April 3rd and Have Heart w/Carpathian on 29th May to name a few. We’ve got our goals set and a clear direction of where we want to head and I’m sure with this team the venue will be one of the most renowned by 2010.

Thanks to everyone who came out, had fun and supported Cancer awareness. Last night was a realisation to how many great friends I have and a long breath of fresh air into somewhat an often, stale scene.

l

Smile

Living in prosperous societies, we perform our routine duties and take foregranted how priveledged we are to have lives such as ours.  It takes a disaster on a mass scale to occur on our very own shores to wake us up to realisation.  This is life.  People speak of this tragedy to be the worst of it’s kind in the history of our nation, ‘the blackest day in Australia’ and our televisions and newspapers tell us the struggles of so many.  When situations as negative as this strike without warning, many lose will and many lose hope. Events like these will only make us stronger and bring us closer.  Take this is as an opportunity to unite and contribute to those affected, because ultimately, we all are.

Our world will continue to brew disasters and catastrophe to challenge us as individuals and more importantly, as a community.  As a fire is laid to rest a cyclone will erupt.  The moment a gun seizes fire a car will explode.   Seize these as opportunities to raise each other up and extend an open hand and an open heart.  Crisis will take away the best of us but shine upon those who strive for others in times of need.  Dig deep, people need help.  People will always need help.  Contribute.  Show you care.

“Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s deepest joy: true fulfillment.”

Folks are in Malaysia for the next two weeks, hmmm.

100% stoked on life at the moment (not because the parents are away), no clue why but everything is spot on!