Scream The Prayer is the tour every kid waits for each year. It’s the perfect tour that gives those who missed Cornerstone just a taste of how awesome that week just is. Scream The Prayer is now on its fourth leg, and this year’s line up is debatably the best ever! The bands that played this year were Sovereign Strength, As Hell Retreats, Texas In July, The Great Commission, I The Breather, Close Your Eyes, War of Ages, The Chariot, Sleeping Giant, and Norma Jean.

We [Nick and Matthew of This Moment in Hardcore] spent the day in Charlotte, NC at Amos Southend. Doors opened at 2 PM and the show started at 2:45 PM. There wasn’t a lot of people there at the opening of the show. We estimated about 250-300 people, but that didn’t matter to the bands or the fans already there. The energy was already high and the kids were ready to rock out! The anticipation of the show was well worth the wait.

The first band to take the stage was Sovereign Strength. This band is fairly new to the scene, so many people were unfamiliar with their music. Lead vocalist Jordan King entered the stage pumped and ready to rock! It took the band a few songs to get the crowd into them, but their effort paid off. Their passion was felt and by the end of the set there was a decent pit filled with kids kicking and punching the air. As fans of the genre we particularly didn’t enjoy their sent. We found their music very repetitive and lacking of any really memorable moments in the songs. Maybe it was because we were unfamiliar with their music, but when their set ended we did not feel like we needed to rush to their merch table and buy their album. Although it didn’t make an impression on us, it did on the rest of the kids. By the time the next band was on stage we spotted several “Go Hard In Da Pit- Sovereign Strength” shirts.

The second band to make their way on stage was Ain’t No Grave Records, As Hell Retreats. We were already unenthusiastic about this band. We were familiar with their two albums, Revival and Volition. We did not like either album. However, their live performance is much better then their studio. The band’s set was very tight and caused the crowd to get pumped for this young band. The audience seemed to enjoy them very much. We hope to see where they are in a few short years.

The next band to take the stage was supposed to be The Great Commission, but for whatever reason it changed to I, The Breather. We were both super excited to see them play. This was the first time Matthew had seen them, but Nick caught their act last year at Cornerstone Festival 20Ten. So anticipation was high for Matthew because of the high praise Nick already had for them. And he wasn’t lying! I, The Breather took the stage and made it their own! A pit opened as soon as the first note rang through the air. The crowd was ready to mosh. It was great to see the two guitarist Chase Kozlowski and Justin Huffman shred live. It was evident that these two guys knew how to rock their guitar. But just as fast as the band got onto stage, so it was the same when they left. Their set seemed really short, and we were very sad when it ended. We cannot wait to see them on another tour.

By this point at a show, almost all the bands would have already played, but not at Scream The Prayer. We are not even half way done! The next band was our good friends, The Great Commission. This band has just finished recording their second album, Heavy Worship, with Ain’t No Grave Records, which is an amazing album for those who love super heavy music. The band made a grand entrance by having the stage lights off and Justin Singh screaming, “Open this place up!” However, the band did not get the reaction it wanted because like Sovereign Strength, they are fairly new to the scene and lots of people don’t know them yet. Regardless of how the crowd responded to their opening song, Every Knee Shall Bow, by their third song the crowd was into them. Justin and Angela pulled off amazing gang vocals in several of their songs, and rocked everyones face off from their sometimes unpredictable breakdowns. The pit was huge by the end of their set, and it included yours truly. The Great Commission’s last song was going to be When it Rains, it Pours, but several people requested their cover song Came to My Rescue by worship band Hillsong United. The song truly brought the presence of the Holy Ghost into the venue. Almost everyone was singing the song and even after the band stopped played everyone continued to worship by singing a cappella. It was truly moving.

The fifth band to play was Texas in July from Lancaster, PA; home of August Burns Red. This band seems to be growing by leaps and bounds in popularity, but we cannot understand why. This band had to be the biggest snooze fest of all the bands that played. Each song sounded the same, was very predictable, had way too many breakdowns, and their stage presence seemed amateurish. Also, lead vocalist Alex Good only said about two things to the crowd. While their set seemed to last forever, they actually only played four songs and then exited stage left to never be seen again. We could be wrong, but we didn’t see them at their merch table to greet their fans, which seemed very odd to us.

After Texas in July played their set we noticed the audience had grown a little bit. We were excited to have more people come in to help us rock out with the bands. Close Your Eyes was next and they were probably the band with the biggest name recognition because they have been on several big name tours including Van’s Warped Tour. This band also was a little change in style. They are more on the lines of pop-punk/hardcore, while the other bands are more metalcore. The energy from the crowd was very high. When the band finally took stage everyone cheered. The band performed a tight set proving their musicianship. The bands poppy sound sprinkled with screams and breakdowns made us smile. It was very fun to hear them play songs like Song for the Broken and Digging Graves. Shane Raymond and Brett Callawa’s singing and vocals were just as good live as they are on album. Let’s also not forget their awesome drummer Tim Friesen! After their set we chatted with the band and they gave us a little inside knowledge and told us they are back in the studio working on a third album and headlining a tour in the spring in support of the album.

Next, one of the most popular bands in the hardcore scene today, The Chariot, took stage. Every time The Chariot plays you can expect something new and exciting. Their energy on stage was incredible. Josh Scogin stood on drummer David Kennedy’s set and screamed. During the song Daggers, bassist Wolf jumped off stage and rocked his way up the second floor and continued to play till the song was done! Once their amazing set was over Wolf was still high energy and told the audience, “This is nothing! This is nothing!” We think he meant this show here means nothing compared to the price Christ paid for us on the cross.

While we waited for War of Ages to start their show we took time to walk around and check out all the merchandise the bands were selling. All the bands shirts were awesome. We were especially big fans of War of Ages’ new design that featured the beast from Lord of the Rings called Balrog. We always love their designs because they are so metal! It was just a shame we didn’t have enough money to buy everything.

War of Ages is one of our favorite bands to see live. Each time we see them perform it’s a blast. You can tell these dudes are having so much fun shredding it up on stage. Lead vocalist Leroy Hemp always has a big smile on his face. It was great to hear all their classics and some new favorites off their latest album, Eternal. After their show we chatted with Leroy about future stuff and was told that he has a new album in the works. Of course, he wasn’t sure if he was going to have any big name special guests like he had on his last album. I guess we all will just have to wait and see!

Everyone seemed to be there for Sleeping Giant because once they had finished their set up and took stage the place erupted into a loud cheer. Much louder than the other bands had received thus far. Before they played lead vocalist Tom Green dedicated their set the the Lord and prayed for the people there. Each song they played, new and old, was a full throttle heavy worship for God. It makes you think, “Gee, why can’t my church worship be like this?” After about three powerful songs where played the band stopped played and Tom again prayed, but this time he had all the believers raise their hands high and pray for those were there and not believers, and he felt a evil spirit in the room and prayed that it would be bound in the name of Jesus Christ. He then told us about a ministry he and his wife head up called Revolution Reality. [Check it out at revolutionreality.com] The ministry is a great way to reach out to those who are left outside of the church. After Sleeping Giant finished their show the crowd chanted for one more song. So Tom came out and instead of playing one more song witnessed to the audience. It’s bands like Sleeping Giant that make me proud to be apart of this scene. They are changing it in amazing ways with the power of the Gospel! We had the chance to talk to him after their set and ask how we could help their ministry thrive. He responded, “Prayer. We’re out of Salt Lake City which is a pretty sketchy place to be. We obviously need money to build the ministry so buy some merch!”

After a long day of dancing and getting our faces rocked off by all the other bands, Norma Jean finally took stage. Their set up and sound check seemed to take forever. We knew it was going to be an amazing show because of all their set pieces they had like a giant screen behind the drums, strobe lights, and a smoke machine. The lights shut off and everyone’s eyes were drawn to the screen behind them that were painted with images of bugs, burning typewriters, nurses with syringes, and shattering TV’s. The images seemed to be a collection of scenes used from their music videos. If you have seen a Norma Jean music video then you probably can imagine how creepy this video was. On stage left there was a box that read NORMA and stage right that read JEAN.  Once the intro video was complete the screen went blank and the Norma Jean boxes lit up and the band walked on stage and grabbed their instruments. Boy, was the wait worth it. Matthew has followed Norma Jean for the past ten years, since their first album Bless the Martyr, Kiss the Child, and has seen them multiple times. He says this was probably the best show he has seen them play in many years. The band played about 45 minutes and picked songs from each of their albums. Norma Jean even played a song they said has never been played live until this tour. They played the song Disconnecktie off their second album O’ God, The Aftermath. Lead vocalist Cory Brandon even played guitar for this song and explained how this is an emotional song for him and means a lot to his relationship with Jesus Christ. The band ended with their song Memphis Will Be Laid To Waste. Unfortunately, after they played, just like The Chariot, they split really quickly and was headed to the next show, which was their home town of Duglasville, GA. So we were unable to talk with the band.

This was the most fun we had at a Scream The prayer show yet! We had lots of fun meeting new bands, and seeing old friends in others. Also, it was good to see the North Carolina curse for Scream The Prayer had been lifted! Each year something bad or negative seems to befall on a random band here in North Carolina. With Impending Doom being beaten up and sent to the hospital, The Chariot’s trailer braking down, or Andy from A Plea For Purging not being able to show up; this year it did not happen. In fact we are sure it was God blessing us and the bands! We want to thank all the bands for their hard work and continued message of hope of salvation through Jesus Christ that they preach. We love you all and cannot wait to see you again on another tour!

The July sun made the venue blistering, but The Great Commission really heated things up. Their style of heavy worship captivated the crowd and set the bar higher for the next bands. Texas In July made themselves at home, with frontman Alex Good interacting with the fans like they were old friends … which they probably were.

Next came Close Your Eyes followed by The Chariot. The last time I photographed The Chariot one of the members landed on my back while leaping over the photo pit. This year, while trying to focus my Canon on the stage mayhem, a guitar head was shoved directly into my wide angle lens … twice … like a jackhammer. Dazed, I think it was Brandon. Both photographer and lens were miraculously unharmed. Another intimate Chariot Moment for my treasure box.

War Of Ages was next at bat, hitting home runs with favorites old and new. The band was obviously having fun with the audience. The highlight was Victor Cota (The Great Commission) joining Leroy Hamp on “Collapse.” Fans asked and received their last song request: “All Consuming Fire.”

The show wrapped up with Sleeping Giant whipping the crowd into a frothy sing-along and Norma Jean bringing the lights low for a dark conclusion to the evening. While this tour stop was not a sellout crowd, I noticed that bands and fans were doing a lot of connecting both inside and outside of the club. Sweaty band members took time to sit and talk or pose for photos with any kid that asked. This was a great evening for everyone.

Heavy music, the undeniable presence of God and unbearable heat are all synonymous with Cornerstone Festival. This year the annual festival did not disappoint as it accomplished the impossible: in a place where the heat made you feel like you were in Hell, there was no denying God was there.

Pulling through the front gate Thursday, the sights were unforgettable. People walking around with guitars and singing praise songs, people on the side of the road playing music for by passers, a guy covered in boxes to resemble a giant cross all gave the feeling Cornerstone would be an adventure.

One new aspect of the festival this year was the artist meet and greet center where fans could meet some of the week’s top artists. Classic Petra, Resurrection Band, Flatfoot 56, Leper, Brian “Head” Welch were just a few of the artists who took time out of their busy days to talk to fans and sign autographs.

The gates opened Tuesday for people to set up camp and there were a few performances Tuesday and Wednesday but the belly of the action started on Thursday.

Don’t Wake Aislin put on an interesting show at the Raging Storm Records tent in the early afternoon. Their mixture of rock and poetic spoken word between songs served for a great way to start off Cornerstone Festival. Another small band, The End All from Springfield, Missouri, put on a very energetic show at the Texas stage, entertaining the crowd with a heavy cover of Justin Bieber’s “Baby.”

Thursday night’s main stage package had the theme of “The Jesus Rally,” which featured some of the pioneers and legends of the Christian rock. Servant, Barry McGuire, Daniel Amos, Randy Stonehill, E Band, Resurrection Band, Phil Keaggy and Classic Petra all took part in the festivities.

E Band, who was Greg Volz’s band prior to Petra, was perhaps the surprise of the main stage, since there were numerous people who didn’t know who they were. This was also the first of two sets Volz would sing that night, the second coming with Classic Petra.

Their set featured a cover of “Jesus is Just Alright” and the Petra hit “The Coloring Song.” Throw in Volz’s moving and emotional testimony and E Band was an early favorite.

As the night got later, more people flocked to the main stage to see Resurrection Band. The husband-wife combo of Wendi and Glenn Kaiser tore it up, rocking fans’ worlds with hits like “House is on Fire” and “Right on Time.”

Perhaps the most highly-anticipated of the rally’s lineup was Classic Petra. Even though it had been 25 years since this lineup had played together before this tour, it was as if no time had passed. The legendary rockers sounded impeccable, playing their “Back to the Rock” album in near-entirety.

With Volz running amuck on stage, John Lawry shredding the keytar, and Bob Hartman playing the guitar better than ever, one thing is for sure- Petra is back and good as ever.

Next it was off to the Encore stage at 1 a.m. for the final show of the night, Flatfoot 56.

The Chicago-based celtic punk band put on a whale of a show. Coming to the stage dressed as super heroes, they knew how to work the crowd.

Circle pits, stage dives and stage rushes were bountiful during Flatfoot’s show as were people on the ground. End the show with a celtic punk version of “I’ll Fly Away” and “Amazing Grace” and Thursday was a success.

Friday was by far the hottest day of the weekend, so hot that it was hard to sleep later than 8 a.m.

Mornings were best spent sitting at a camp site, reading some scripture and listening to the praise and worship music easing its way down to you from the morning worship service. What a way to start each day, right?

The Sacred Eternal kicked off the action as part of the New Band Showcase, and stole the show from the other acts on the showcase that day.

A Life Set Apart, The Letter Black and Write This Down all played strong sets.

Sarah Anthony of The Letter Black’s screaming could probably be heard from the Encore stage as she hit the stage with a thunderous roar. She also took time to explain a few songs and interacted with the fans nicely.

They finished their dynamic set with a beautiful Metallica cover.

Perhaps the surprise of the day was For Today. After Write This Down wrapped up, fans had already began packing the main stage mosh pit.

Then the hurricane hit (much to the fear of the kid dressed like a hot dog who got caught next to the circle pit).

The sound of “Seraphim” from their latest record “Breaker,” hit. As if it were reflex (those who have been to a metal show knows the energy that comes with this), the large crowd began singing at the top of their lungs. This would continue for the entire set, making For Today an early favorite.

As if that wasn’t enough, Brian “Head” Welch was up next, and he put on one heck of a show, crazy and entertaining.

Head interacted with the crowd, making jokes throughout and showing personality.

At one point he walked down the catwalk and laid down, joking with the crowd that he didn’t want to go on after For Today because he’s old and it was too hot, then asking a man in the front row if he was doing okay with the heat.

His daughter, Jennea was there, too, and since it was her birthday, he sang her a “cover” of “All the Small Things” by Blink 182, explaining how she’s going through a Blink phase.

However his cover was more of a mockery, whiney and high-pitched. Very funny and entertaining. He ended his set with an instrumental KoRn medley of “Got the Life,”“Here to Stay” and “Freak on a Leash,” complete with his signature crouched over style of playing and his light brown braids flying around his head.

In the middle of the set, he disappeared for a little bit, only to come back to stage shouting “Die, Religion, Die,” and going into the song of the same title.

The final song he sang was “Blind,” another KoRn classic, which, for any KoRn fan in attendance was a trip to see.

P.O.D., back with their original lineup, capped off the main stage with jam packed with classic favorites like “Southtown,”“Youth of the Nation,”“Boom” and “Alive.”

Frontman Sonny Sandoval, now without dreadlocks, was full of energy, interacting with fans and at one point even coming into the crowd.

A giant “Rio” beach ball surfed its way across the mosh pit, adding even more excitement to the already high-energy show.

After P.O.D. finished it was off to the Sacrosact Records stage to catch some Phinnehas.

Phinnehas is a relatively new band, very similar to a mixture of Demon Hunter and Lamb of God.

With their frontman holding onto the tent post and hovering over the mosh pit and their bass player jumping all over the stage, Phinnehas made it easy to forget it was after midnight.

With exhaustion setting in from the heat, it was back to the campsite to recouperate for what was shaping up to be a very busy Saturday.

After sitting at the campsite reading some scripture and listening to some more praise music from one of the many worship services, I was summoned from my campsite by the sound of System of a Down’s “Toxcity.” Only this time it was with a female singer.

Intriguing.

Come to find out, it was a band I had seen the previous day, named Witness7.

Witness7 is a band out of Branson, Missouri whos lead vocalist sounds freakishly familiar to Lacey Mosely of Flyleaf. For a small band who is relatively unknown, they were very established on stage and have all the potential to be on a big stage at Cornerstone in the coming years.

While walking around to find the next show, a gorgeous Misfits sound came from the Solace tent. Turns out it was a Misfits cover set….by Showbread. Showbread and Misfits, what could go wrong, right?

Nothing, the set was intriguing and very crowd-friendly. Showbread took Misfits requests from the fans during the entire set, even taking time to endorse bottled water.

The surprise of the day, performance-wise, was Every Knee Shall Bow. This band features a 12 and 13 year old on guitar and bass.

I was skeptical at first, as were most people I’m sure, but when they started shredding, my jaw dropped and I was in awe. Those kids know how to rock, look for them to burst onto the big stages soon.

Playing main stage was Manafest. Manafest, though more rap than rock, took the stage and made it his, proving he deserved to be there.

Riding a skateboard to the mic and then moving and rapping, it was definitely a spectacle to be seen and he quickly won people over.

8 p.m. came and saw the crowd at the Arkansas stage grow in a number indescribable. People were backed up behind the road. Why?

Because Norma Jean showed up and played a surprise concert. That’s right, Norma Jean, and they brought insanity with them, and the main stage security. There were rumblings around the over-capacity crowd that the stage or tent may go crashing down from mere craziness.

The second the music hit and like reflex people began jumping on stage and stage diving. From the stage it was a sight to see. People crowd surfing and trying to get as close as possible.

Blindside and Anberlin wrapped up the action on main stage Saturday night. Both were two of the more anticipated sets of the day. Blindside, with their Euro-rock, opened slowly and some of the fans weren’t too fond of their opening but they rebounded well and had the crowd moving and rocking out for the rest of the show.

Anberlin opened with the name on their backdrop being spelled wrong but the focus was quickly diverted away from that when people noticed the triple drummers they had on the opening song.

Anberlin had the crowd’s attention and energy from the start to finish of their set, and after that, it was off to see A Plea for Purging.

On the way there, however, there was a sound coming from one of the tents, turns out it was the sound of Leper. Leper is tough to put into words.

Frontman and guitarist Skot Shaw dresses in all black with a black veil over his head and the music is very dark and slow but with prominently Christian lyrics. Very cool, with candles lit and skulls adorning the front of the stage the tent was packed with people enjoying the music.

A Plea for Purging and A War of Ages wrapped up the night at the Encore stage, both giving loud, hardcore sets that had the crowd moving. With all the energy and adrenaline going during the performance, it was tough to get to sleep afterward.

Sunday started with a great performance by These Hearts. With their high energy and united stage moves, it was hard to tell this was their first official tour.

Before There Was Rosalyn was rumored to play a set that night but due to a Community Gathering at main stage, their set was cancelled, much to the disappointment of many fans.

The Great Commission kicked off the Scream the Prayer Tour at the Underground Stage, giving an outstanding performance. They took time out from their set to tell the crowd they wouldn’t go to Hell for having tattoos, piercings or listening to loud music and that God doesn’t hear the sound, he hears the words and what’s in our hearts.

Even though their set was short as the opener for the tour, they were obviously a crowd favorite.

Close Your Eyes and Sleeping Giant also played great sets with one of Close Your Eyes’ guitar player’s straps breaking, forcing him to sit on his amp the entire time.

Sleeping Giant took time before the show to bless the stage crew through prayer and then blasted their way into complete domination through distinct Christian lyrics.

Gungor wrapped up main stage with a worship musical experience with emotional poetry. Gungor opened with a three person string set with two violins and a cello. Michael Gungor alternated frequently between acoustic guitar, electric guitar and banjo. He also had an African American woman come on stage speaking extremely emotional Christ poetry that brought a tear to most of those in attendance as fireworks went off in the background.

Then it was back to main stage for The Chariot, which was also the last set of the entire festival.

I had heard all kinds of stories that day about The Chariot. In 2010, the story is that Josh Scogin, the frontman, climbed the amps and stage dove. In 2009, they set their equipment on fire…on purpose.

Needless to say, people were expecting complete destruction and insanity and that’s just what they got. They started their set and two members immediately catapulted themselves into the crowd.

In the middle of their set, they took an intermission and talk music band Listener came on stage and had the crowd clapping, cheering, dancing and tee peeing the entire tent to commemorate Listener’s 1,000th show.

After a few songs The Chariot came back on to obliterate whatever energy the crowd had left.

The giant Rio beach ball from the P.O.D. show made another appearance in the tent for The Chariot, which probably wasn’t a good idea.

People started the crowd surfing, just as they do at every other show, security pulling them out in the multitudes.

The show ended with The Chariot smashing pieces of their gear and giving it away to the mosh pit and inviting everyone to the back for free donuts after the set.

They say “everything’s bigger in Texas” – this summer, the infamous saying couldn’t hold more truth.  Coming together in the southern state, The ALL STARS Tour and SCREAM THE PRAYER Tour are combining into one ultimate concert event by putting on three days of absolute rock mayhem in what may actually be the biggest thing to hit Texas.  Featuring the phenomenal bands from each tour, EMMURE and CLOSE YOUR EYES, you’d have to be living under a rock if this one was missed.

Currently headlining the already enormous ALL STARS Tour, EMMURE is fresh off the heels of this year’s wildly successful  Speaker of the Dead album.  The entire tour runs July 21^st through August, combining Texas dates July 22^rd through July 24^th with the current SCREAM THE PRAYER Tour featuring CLOSE YOUR EYES.  CLOSE YOUR EYES, now on the SCREAM THE PRAYER Tour which took off today, will be heading to the studio shortly after their run commences.

Catch this special mega-tour on the following dates only.  The rest of each of the ALL STARS and SCREAM THE PRAYER tour dates, both continuing throughout the summer, can be seen below:

ALL STARS / SCREAM THE PRAYER TOUR Combination Show Dates:

July 22^nd – Mission, TX @ Las Palmas Race Park

July 23^rd – San Antonio, TX @ Back Stage Live

July 24^th – Dallas, TX @ Palladium Ballroom

ALL STARS Tour Dates featuring headliner EMMURE:

Jul 21, 2011 Houston, TX, US @ House of Blues

Jul 22, 2011 McAllen, TX, US @ Las Palmas Racepark

Jul 23, 2011 San Antonio, TX, US @ Back Stage Live

Jul 24, 2011 Dallas, TX, US @ Palladium Ballroom

Jul 26, 2011 Louisville, KY, US @ Expo Five

Jul 27, 2011 Cleveland, OH, US @ AGORA THEATRE

Jul 28, 2011 Chicago, IL, US @ CONGRESS THEATRE

Jul 29, 2011 Detroit, MI, US @ Royal Oak Theater

Jul 30, 2011 Milwaukee, WI, US @ The Rave

Jul 31, 2011 St. Paul, MN, US @ Station 4

Aug 2, 2011 Toronto, ON, CA @ Sound Academy

Aug 3, 2011 Montreal, QC, CA @ Olympia

Aug 4, 2011 Allentown, PA, US @ Crocodile Rock

Aug 5, 2011 Poughkeepsie, NY, US @ MID HUDSON CIVIC CENTER

Aug 6, 2011 Fitchburg, MA, US @ Central Mass Expo Center

Aug 7, 2011 Sayreville, NJ, US @ Starland Ballroom

Aug 9, 2011 Baltimore, MD, US @ Sonar

Aug 10, 2011 Richmond, VA, US @ The National

Aug 11, 2011 Charlotte, NC, US @ The Fillmore

Aug 12, 2011 Myrtle Beach, SC, US @ House of Blues

Aug 13, 2011 Orlando, FL, US @ The Plaza Live

Aug 14, 2011 Pensacola, FL, US @ Seville Quarter

Aug 18, 2011 Scottsdale, AZ, US @ VENUE OF SCOTTSDALE

Aug 19, 2011 San Diego, CA, US @ Soma

Aug 21, 2011 Las Vegas, NV, US @ Rock the Block

Aug 23, 2011 San Francisco, CA, US @ The Regency Ballroom

Aug 26, 2011 Seattle, WA, US @ The Showbox

Aug 27, 2011 Portland, OR, US @ Roseland Theater

SCREAM THE PRAYER Tour Dates featuring CLOSE YOUR EYES:

Jul 20, 2011 Memphis, TN, US @ New Daisy Theatre

Jul 22, 2011 Mission, TX, US @ Las Palmas Race Park

Jul 23, 2011 San Antonio, TX, US @ Back Stage Live

Jul 24, 2011 Dallas, TX, US @ Palladium Ballroom

Jul 25, 2011 Tulsa, OK, US @ Cain’s Ballroom

Jul 26, 2011 Lawrence, KS, US @ Granada Theater

Jul 27, 2011 Denver, CO, US @ The Summit Music Hall

Jul 28, 2011 Salt Lake City, UT, US @ The Complex

Jul 29, 2011 St. George, UT, US @ Electric Theatre w/ Sleeping Giant, The Chariot, The Great Commission, Sovereign Strength

Jul 30, 2011 Tucson, AZ, US @ The Rock

Jul 31, 2011 Pomona, CA, US @ GLASSHOUSE

For more information on EMMURE:

http://www.facebook.com/emmure

http://www.victoryrecords.com/emmure

For more information on CLOSE YOUR EYES:

http://www.facebook.com/cyeband

http://www.victoryrecords.com/closeyoureyes

Georgia’s THE CHARIOT will hit the road next week on this year’s SCREAM THE PRAYER TOUR, also featuring Norma Jean, Sleeping Giant, War Of Ages, Close Your Eyes, Texas In July, I The Breather, The Great Commission, As Hell Retreats, and Sovereign Strength. See below for the entire rundown of SCREAM THE PRAYER TOUR dates.

THE CHARIOT released their most recent album Long Live on GOOD FIGHT MUSIC on November 22^nd, 2010. Long Live is the band’s fourth full-length album to date.

SCREAM THE PRAYER TOUR DATES:

7/1 Nashville, TN @ Rocketown

7/2 Bushnell, IL @ Cornerstone Festival (Not all STP bands on festival)

7/3 Bushnell, IL @ Cornerstone Festival – THE CHARIOT headlining Underground Stage (Not all STP bands on festival)

7/5 Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock

7/6 Baltimore, MD @ Sonar

7/7 Charlotte, NC @ Amos

7/8 Douglasville, GA @ The 7 Venue

7/9 Jacksonville, FL @ Murray Hill Theatre

7/10 Pratville (Montgomery), AL @ The Blue Iguana

7/11 Little Rock, AR @ Riverfront Pavilion

7/14 Willmar, MN @ Sonshine Festival

7/15 Winnipeg, MB @ Garrick Centre

7/16 Willmar, MN @ Sonshine Festival

7/17 Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave

7/19 Dayton, OH @ The Attic

7/22 McAllen, TX @ Las Palmas Racepark w/ The All Stars Tour

7/23 San Antonio, TX @ The Backstage Live w/ The All Stars Tour

7/24 Dallas, TX @ The Palladium w/ The All Stars Tour

7/25 Tulsa, OK @ Cains Ballroom

7/26 Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theatre

7/27 Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall

7/28 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex

7/30 Tucson, AZ @ The Rock

7/31 Pomona, CA @ Glasshouse

For more information on THE CHARIOT, please visit these sites:

http://www.thechariot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/thechariot

http://www.myspace.com/thechariot

http://www.goodfightmusic.com/

Georgia’s THE CHARIOT is pleased to announce that they will be joining this year’s SCREAM THE PRAYER TOUR, also featuring Norma Jean, Sleeping Giant, War Of Ages, Close Your Eyes, Texas In July, I The Breather, The Great Commission, As Hell Retreats, and Sovereign Strength. Tour dates have not been announced yet, so stay tuned for updates on shows in your area!

The band recently announced a brief upcoming run through Ontario, Canada with Every Time I Die and The (bleep) Hotlights. The tour begins in Ottawa, ON on May 23^rd and runs through May 28th in Howell, MI for Bled Fest 2011 featuring Norma Jean, I Am The Avalanche, and more. See below for all upcoming tour dates.

THE CHARIOT released their most recent album Long Live on GOOD FIGHT MUSIC on November 22^nd, 2010. Long Live is the band’s fourth full-length album to date.

THE CHARIOT w/ EVERY TIME I DIE, THE (bleep) HOTLIGHTS:

5/23 Ottawa, ON @ Ritual

5/24 Kingston, ON @ Time To Laugh Comedy

5/25 Kitchener, ON @ Club Wax

5/26 Toronto, ON @ The Annex Wreck Room

5/27 London, ON @ Call The Office

5/28 Howell, MI @ Hartland Performing Arts @ Bled Fest

For more information on THE CHARIOT, please visit these sites:

http://www.thechariot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/thechariot

http://www.myspace.com/thechariot

http://www.goodfightmusic.com/

Blessthefall Release New Video
The wait is over – you can now watch blessthefall’s video for “To Hell And Back”. Check it out here! The video was directed by Hannah Lux Davis (A Rocket To The Moon, Breathe Carolina) and is taken from the band’s storming new album Witness. The video was featured on MTV Headbanger’s Ball on 7/26. Want more? Then take a look at the behind-the-scenes video on Revolver Magazine’s website! The band is currently traveling the U.S. on Cool Tour with As I Lay Dying, Underoath, Between The Buried & Me, The Acacia Strain and Cancer Bats. BLESSTHEFALL – Beau Bokan (lead vocals), Eric Lambert (guitar/vocals), Mike Frisby (guitar), Jared Warth (bass), Matt Traynor (drums) – stormed to the forefront of the new evolution of the post-hardcore/metalcore genre with the release of critically-acclaimed second album Witness. Produced by Michael “Elvis” Baskette (Incubus, Escape The Fate, Story Of The Year), the album debuted in the Billboard Top 200 at #56 and the Independent Chart at #6. After Cool Tour, blessthefall heads to South America and Europe with August Burns Red this August-October.

For All Those Sleeping Album Hits
Grab your copy of For All Those Sleeping’s debut album Cross Your Fingers, out today! The CD is now available exclusively at Hot Topic for just $9.99, and as a digital exclusive on ShockHound.com and iTunes. FOR ALL THOSE SLEEPING – Mike Champa (vocals), London Snetsinger (bass/vocals), Jerad Pierskalla (guitar/vocals), David Volgman-Stevens (guitar), Ethan Trekell (drums) – formed in 2007 in St Cloud, MN, and soon gained a reputation for their blend of pop, hardcore and a killer live show. Having already built a loyal following in the Midwest, the band is ready to take their sound global with the release of debut album Cross Your Fingers. The band is currently touring the U.S. on the Pyknic pArtery Tour with Drop Dead, Gorgeous.
Tour Dates:
7/28 – Boise, ID
7/30 – Salt Lake City, UT
7/31 – Denver, CO
8/01 – Colorado Springs, CO
8/03 – Minneapolis, MN
8/04 – Chicago, IL
8/05 – Pontiac, MI
8/06 – Indianapolis, IN
8/07 – Toledo, OH
8/08 – South Hackensack, NJ
8/09 – NYC, NY
8/10 – Worcester, MA
8/11 – Providence, RI
8/12 – Vineland, NJ
8/13 – Lancaster, PA
8/14 – Allentown, PA
8/15 – Greensboro, NC
8/17 – Douglasville, GA
8/18 – Orlando, FL
8/19 – St. Petersburg, FL
8/20 – Metairie, LA

House Of Heroes Releases New Album On August 3rd
House Of Heroes is set to release their latest effort, SUBURBA on August 3 on Gotee Records, produced by Mark Lee Townsend (Relient K, Deas Vail) and mixed by J.R. McNeely (The Almost, Paramore). Band set to kick off August tour dates. Look for House of Heroes to tour nonstop through out the late summer, fall and winter of 2010 in support of SUBURBA. New video for track ‘God Save The Foolish Kings’ is out now along with exclusive full stream of ‘Suburba’ at absolutepunk.net/houseofheroes. “The message of the song “God Save The Foolish Kings” is to choose your battles wisely so you can lead a more productive life. We think the video director, Nathan Corrona, drove that point home with the video… the video does a great job relaying the song’s message.” states frontman, Tim Skipper.
Tour Dates:
8/1 – St. Louis, MO
8/3 – Chicago, IL
8/4 – Grand Rapids, MI
8/6 – Akron, OH
8/7 – Columbus, OH
8/11 – Richmond, VA
8/14 – Lewisberry, PA
8/20 – Wilp – The Netherlands
9/4 – Albuquerque, NM
9/5 – Worthington, SD

The Choir Returns
Making it an even dozen, iconic indie rock act The Choir announces the release of their 12th studio disc, Burning Like the Midnight Sun. Produced by band members Steve Hindalong and Derri Daughtery, the album was recorded and mixed at Daugherty’s Sled Dog Studio in Franklin, TN, and will be released on the band’s own Galaxy21 Music label. Boasting a history that spans nearly three decades, The Choir features founders Hindalong and Daugherty along with long time members Dan Michaels and Tim Chandler, and once again Marc Byrd (Hammock) who produced the band’s ‘05 release O How the Mighty Have Fallen. This critically-acclaimed lineup continues to garner praise and accolades – including a Grammy nod — long after most other bands have burned out or faded away. “Perhaps more than any other album by The Choir, Burning Like the Midnight Sun integrates the musical personalities of all five individuals,” Hindalong says. “The recording process was smooth and satisfying. We’re thrilled to offer it to our listening friends.” In recent months, the band has given fans a peek inside the recording process by releasing a series of “in the studio” videos online. The finished product, Burning Like the Midnight Sun, will be available physically online through thechoir.net and sold at live shows. It will also be available in select independent retail outlets for download & streaming on iTunes, Rhapsody, Spotify, Napster and other digital service providers. Always the innovators, the band continues to find new ways to get their music to the masses. Their die-hard fan base has already responded enthusiastically to pre-order packages that include a “director’s cut” audio interview CD, mix stems so fans can create their own productions of the songs that the band will post and share online, as well as a VIP gathering at Michaels’ Nashville home featuring an acoustic concert, swim party and barbecue. Complementing this beautiful new music is a cover image by New Orleans-based visual artist R.R. Lyon, known for using salvaged or reclaimed pieces of his own art that he re-contextualizes to give new purpose. Later this fall, the band will be traveling to The Big Easy, as the artist is creating a painting to go along with each of the songs on Burning Like the Midnight Sun.

Norma Jean Impresses In Debut Week
Norma Jean’s Meridional is certainly living up to its buzz. The band’s widely- acclaimed new album debuts impressively at #44 on Billboard’s Top 200 on sales of 9,819. In addition the album comes in at #6 on the Hard Music chart, #15 on the Rock chart, #34 on the Digital Albums chart and #2 on the Contemporary Christian chart. Meridional has been the recipient of some of the highest critical acclaim given to any heavy rock album this year. Alternative Press declared the album “Norma Jean’s first true masterpiece,” while Revolver gave it four stars saying it “hits plenty hard,” and Decibel called it “career defining” and that their “songwriting has never been stronger.” “Norma Jean delivered a phenomenal album, and the positive reaction has been beyond our expectations,” said Razor & Tie’s Vice President of Marketing Jeremy Kramer. “We’re incredibly proud to be associated with the band, and look forward to continuing to spread the word of the Almighty Norma Jean and Meridional!” Also impacting this week is Norma Jean’s new video for “Deathbed Atheist”, which had its exclusive world premiere yesterday on MySpace Music. The intense video, which features some amazing animation was helmed by innovative Swedish director Linus Johansson of Popcore Film who has done three previous clips for the band. Additionally, three tracks off Meridional are available for purchase on the Rock Band Network for the Xbox Marketplace. Fans can now download “The Anthem of the Angry Brides,” “Deathbed Atheist,” and “Leaderless and Self Enlisted” for their use on Rock Band, with players able to emulate any of the band members as they play along.
Tour Dates:
7/28 – Holmdel, NJ
7/30 – Tinley Park, IL
7/31 – Noblesville, IN
8/1 – Atlanta, GA
8/2 – Charlotte, NC
8/3 – Raleigh, NC
8/4 – Virginia Beach, VA
8/6 – Clarkston, MI
8/7 – Burgettstown, PA
8/8 – Bristow, VA
8/9 – West Columbia, SC
8/10 – Tampa, FL
8/11 – West Palm Beach, FL
8/13 – Dallas, TX
8/14 – Oklahoma City, OK

Starflyer 59 Return With Another Indie Album
Tooth & Nail Records’ Starflyer 59 is back with another independent rock album titled “The Changing of the Guard,” which hits stores and digital outlets on August 10th. With another hit release looming, Starflyer 59 is one of the most underrated independent bands fronted by one of the most underrated men in indie music. Following their 2008 release “Dial M,” Starflyer 59 is back with ten new tracks that chronicle the ebb and flow of different phases in life. The first single posted online today, “Truckers Son” is about the realization that the dream life someone wanted in their twenties – like being a famous musician – is not grounded in reality as they grow older. Instead the reality is the “son” becoming exactly what he tried so hard not to become – like his dad. SF59 has always been a band that delivers albums of interest, not just singles. The upcoming release follows this pattern. This time the album talks about how things change, and you have to learn to accept the fact that things change. “To sum things up, God has been good to me and my family, and I need to trust He will continue to do so,” shares frontman Jason Martin. “Things change and will continue to change, and I’m learning to accept my own changing of the guard.” Since 1993, Starflyer 59 and Martin have been with Tooth & Nail Records. Martin has also been involved with numerous side-projects including Bon Voyage, Neon Horse and The Brothers Martin. With over ten albums under their belt and 15 years of experience, Starflyer 59 has become the most reliable, most dependable and yet unpredictable messengers of album after album and “The Changing of the Guard” is no exception. This upcoming release is produced once again by Martin (Cold War Kids) and mixed by JR McNeely (Paramore, Relient K). “I have gotten used to self-producing,” Martin says. ”The idea of booking out 12 days in the studio where you have to get things done for better or worse, then getting home with the songs and thinking about all the things you would like to change, but knowing you can’t. I love the idea that if I don’t like something I can always go back in my place and do it until I think it is right. Everyone has limitations on what they can do, but if you find something you can do reasonably well stick with that…you gotta just do what you do, and this approach works best for me.”
For more information on Starflyer 59, visit:
myspace.com/starflyer59

Big3 Records Offer Stryper Preview
Following the success of their 25th Anniversary World Tour earlier this year, legendary rock band Stryper headed into the studio to work on their upcoming album, The Covering, tentatively scheduled for release October 13th from Big3 Records/SONY. For a limited time, fans can preview the new album by following Stryper frontman Michael Sweet on Twitter, where he will be revealing a hidden website where fans can hear exclusive song clips not available anywhere else. The Covering, produced by Michael Sweet, will be unlike any previous Stryper recording, in that it’s a collection of cover songs from bands that inspired them and helped to shape their sound and musical identity, including past hits from Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, Kansas and many others. A cover of Black Sabbath’s hit “Heaven and Hell” will be the first single, with an expected iTunes release in advance of the album. The Covering will also include “God,” a new original recording from Stryper. “Stryper recorded The Yellow and Black Attack (Enigma Records) back in 1983, and it was released the following year,” says Michael. “Twenty six years have passed and after seven studio releases and multiple compilation and live projects, we decided to show our fans where our roots lie musically. The Covering consists of particular songs and groups that molded and shaped us and made us who we are today.” One of the highlights for Stryper fans is that The Covering is the first studio album in nearly two decades on which all four original members, plus longtime keyboardist Charles Foley, have recorded together. “This record includes the original lineup,” explains Michael. “Tim, Robert, Oz and I haven’t recorded a full-length project together since 1990’s Against the Law (Enigma Records), so this is truly history in the making. We also had what was probably the best time we’ve ever had recording a record together and I believe that this comes through in the energy and the spirit of each track. We’re all extremely excited about this record and more importantly, we’re all extremely confident about the future of Stryper and the four of us making music together for years to come.”

Stars Go Dim News
Stars Go Dim have just announced some awesome things happening for them in their latest newsletter: “Hello everybody! We miss you all. Looking forward to seeing your smiling faces here soon at some upcoming shows. You and your friends can still download ALL our music FREE here. All we ask is that you share it with as many people as possible. Deal? We are very excited to be performing in some new areas soon like Michigan, Nebraska, and Ohio. California! Watch for us in later September. Florida! Watch for us in November. Dates being posted soon. If you love Stars Go Dim (do you?) please consider joining our Street Team and helping us get the word out in a massive way. Join the team HERE! We are working hard on new music right now. We are very excited about the new songs. There is no release date set as of yet. We still have lots of work to do. You all don’t understand how much we appreciate you all. We read every email and every Facebook post. You have a special place in our hearts. Thanks for all your love and support. The Lifetime Network show Army Wives is using Stars Go Dim’s song “Crazy” in commercials this week to promote the upcoming Episode 14 (Season 4) airing this Sunday. Watch the commercial HERE! They also used “Come Around” a few weeks ago. Somebody is on the SGD train! Stars Go Dim has had the pleasure of opening for John Mayer, Chris Daughtry, Jason DeRulo, Justin Bieber, Switchfoot, and many more. On August 6 at Crossroads KC in Kansas City, MO Stars Go Dim will be opening than none other than Better Than Ezra. You remember the hits “Good” and “Desperately Wanting”? Well, I do! We hope to see many of you at the show. Get info and tickets HERE!

Chevelle Announces Anniversary Concert In Hometown
After 10 successful years in music, multi-platinum, Epic Records recording artist Chevelle kicks off their “Ten in 10″ anniversary celebration as look back at the bands top ten greatest hits, over the past 10 years which include The Red, Send The Pain Below, Closure, Vitamin R, The Clincher, Well Enough Alone, I Get It, The Fad, Jars and Letters From A Thief. In an effort to give back to the fans that made it all possible, the band will perform two nights at the Metro in Chicago on Oct. 28 and 29th, the venue where they got their start a decade ago. “After more than 10 years of writing and releasing records, we thought; what better place to come back to than the place where we were first inspired,” said Chevelle. “We saw our first real rock show at the Metro is 1988 and we thought it would be amazing to mark this point in our career with a show there.” Joining Shinedown on the road for shows across N. America, the band will not only be celebrating but promoting the third single Shameful Metaphors from their current album. The Chicago trio has supplanted themselves as one of rocks most unique, successful and relevant alternative post grunge bands of the decade, and is taking 2010 to celebrate with their fans. To kick off the celebration, fans will have the opportunity to upload personalized video messages for the band on the newly created Happy Anniversary section of chevelleinc.com. The most inventive fan message will win a signed guitar from the band making it the ultimate memorabilia. VEVO, the web’s leading premium music video and entertainment service, is also celebrating Chevelles’ success by featuring their music as a premiere playlist as well as all Ten in 10 videos throughout the summer.

Eleventyseven Offers Free Music
As back-to-school season is just around the corner, Eleventyseven is offering free music and a chance at $25,000 cash for fans who team up with them. Eleventyseven is a part of the Five Star brand, which is giving teens free music and a chance at the grand prize as a part of The Five Star Music Insider promotion. This back-to-school season, qualifying Five Star notebook purchases will earn students free music downloads from 10 up-and-coming artists, including Eleventyseven. To qualify for the cash prize, teens 13 years of age and older need only visit FiveStarMusicInsider.com, listen to sample songs from the 10 artists and vote for Eleventyseven. One grand prize winner will win a $25,000 cash prize just for voting. Also, with the purchases of specially marked Five Star notebooks, students will earn free music download codes – on average, three per product – that they can redeem to download songs from the featured musicians. Multiple songs will be available from each artist. In addition to the music downloads and sweepstakes entry, www.FiveStarMusicInsider.com will feature artist blogs, videos, behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and comments from fans. Those purchasing specially marked Five Star Flex® NoteBinders® and notebooks also will be eligible to see VIP online content on the site, including additional artist footage and interviews. Eleventyseven is fresh off of a spring tour in Asia, where they spent two weeks playing back-to-back club shows all over China from Shanghai to Beijing. They also played at Japan’s largest spring festival, Punkspring along side of bands, 311, Newfoundglory, Relient K, and many others from around the world. Also, Eleventyseven recently performed in Sweden. In addition to working the Mead summer competition Eleventyseven released a remake of “Ah ha” Take on me in late June.

Newsboys Break Out
Born Again, the critically-acclaimed 15th studio project just released from Newsboys, is the biggest project ever to release in the band’s history. Even better? Newsboys‘ Born Again is the 2nd highest Christian artist debut on Billboard’s Top 200 and the 3rd highest debut on CCM Soundscan for 2010! According to Soundscan, Born Again has sold an astounding 45,311 units in just one week, placing Born Again at #4 on Billboard’s Overall Chart, charting above new releases from such artists as Sting and M.I.A. In its first week of release, Born Again also placed Top 4 on iTunes’ Overall Chart, sharing company again with Sting and charting before the Twilight Saga: Eclipse soundtrack. Born Again officially released July 13th, courtesy of Inpop Records. Even before sales numbers were released, it has been reported that Born Again is the best project Newsboys has ever released. It has also been said that the band is “wonderfully rejuvinated,” “amazing” and “The ‘Boys are back…simply the best!” It’s been months and months of hard work for Newsboys leading up to the release of Born Again, and it’s certainly paying off. Along the way, the band has received tremendous support from retail, radio stations, media outlets, and dedicated fans across the nation. From kicking off a few of their new songs and doing local tour promotion earlier this year during the WinterJam 2010 tour to now, Newsboys have been so ready to share Born Again with the world. “The record-setting number of sales today reflect the dedication and hard work of Newsboys to create another groundbreaking musical creation,” exclaims Andrew Patton, General Manager, Inpop Records. “The amazing support of Christian radio stations, festival promoters, our hard-working Inpop staff, and our partners at EMI CMG distribution have all earned our thanks today.” For an amazing eight weeks, Born Again’s first radio single, “Born Again,” claimed the top spot at CHR radio, while the song continues it’s climb to the top on the Christian AC charts, currently Top 10. To further promote the CD’s release, Newsboys traveled around the country last week via ISDN radio hook ups to talk to radio stations and listeners from coast to coast. The band was featured on numerous morning shows and stations around the country, including K-LOVE; Air 1; Star 99.1 New York; WCSG Grand Rapids, MI; WAY-FM Network; His Radio Greenville, SC; KSBJ Houston; WFFH Fish Nashville; and KFIS Fish Portland. The band set up a special ustream page allowing stations to include LIVE video into each of the interviews.

©2010 HM Magazine All Rights Reserved

More news from last week:

still fresh (as far as you know)

So, Cory, I got the impression last summer that you guys were only too happy to be on a new record label. What do you want to say about your exit and your entrance onto Razor & Tie?

Cory Brandan: Out with the old and in with the new. When it comes down to it, the one thing that I think everyone has to remember is being on a label has nothing to do with what we’re going to do artistically or what the band’s gonna do as far as our future or whatever. We still have the same goal. No one should really be concerned with it. That’s a deal between us and them. It’s a business deal and it’s pretty much that. We get along with the guys at Razor & Tie. It’s just a really good label, man. They know how to get down to business. They’re definitely really passionate about what they do. About putting out music that they like. And that’s what it’s about to them. When it comes down to it, they know how to get down to business. That’s what we were looking for.

Let’s talk about this new album, Meridional.

I wouldn’t say it’s a drastic change of sound, but it sounds less frenetic and more straight-forward muscle-heavy metal. What sort of thought went into this stylistic direction.

We definitely wanted it to have a darker feel. That being said, Jeremy Griffith, the producer, was on the same page as us. We changed a lot in the studio with him, through different ideas that he would have. Overall, we just wanted to kinda go for something… As far as the vibe of the record is, something that’s darker-sounding. I think the intention behind the record to and the content matches with that as well – even into the artwork.

It is a little more straight-forward. It’s a different kind of heavy for us, though. It sounds more closer to where we were going with “Vipers, Snakes and Actors” off the last record.

We just had fun with it. We got in there and didn’t worry ourselves too much. We wanted to rock out.

What are some of your memories of recording it?

Gosh, man, we started writing this record in January of 2009. At that time we had written ‘The Anthem of the Angry Brides’ and ‘High Noise Low Output.’ And at that time we had no idea where this record was going to go. But when we got into the studio, it became a lot different than we thought was going to happen. We had a really good time. Working with Jeremy was something new for us, too. Jeremy is a really, really good musician. He’s not just an engineer and producer. He’s a really good singer and he knows several instruments. That was something that we really wanted, too, on this record. It was really fun just to sit down and play the songs – on an acoustic guitar or something just to show everyone what was going on and hearing his ideas and really just worked together and brainstormed together. We did that the entire time and it was so much fun like that. So, it was really a blast. We did three days of pre-production, which we’d never done like we did on this record. We recorded every song completely and we just worked on song arrangements for three days. So, we really took the songs under like a microscope. We’re just really super stoked.

What all do you do with a song? Do you play some instruments yourself? What’s your involvement?

We all write together. I write a ton. I came into this band as a guitarist. Norma Jean is actually the first band I’ve ever been in where I didn’t play guitar. And actually, on this record, I play a lot more guitar. I play a lot more live. I started a little bit on the last record and on this record I’ll just play even more. We’re playing a couple of new songs on this tour from Meridional. I’m playing on one of ‘em. Once we start playing more of them I’ll play a lot more. We all really work together, but I definitely add a lot in writing. I’ve definitely spent countless nights of watching tv and when the commercial comes on I’m playing guitar, for sure.

I think I forgot. Did you sing and play in Eso Charis?

Yeah. Sure did. I also played with Living Sacrifice as well.

It’s so long I couldn’t remember. Once again you’ve titled some songs with great wit. “Everlasting Tapeworm” is an incredible title that begs further thought.

Yeah, that’s a really bold lyric. I wrote that years before I was with Norma Jean. There’s a lyric in the song that is ‘never ending tapeworm drug,’ basically. The idea behind it is about being addicted to something or trying to keep your mind off something as it eats away at you kind of thing. It’s everlasting and almost never-ending. That’s kind of where that comes from. It’s super old. I wrote that when I was playing with this band called Uses Fire – post Eso Charis, pre-Living Sacrifice, pre-Norma Jean. On that song Shelby from Frodus sings on that song.

Really? That’s cool. I think there’s something powerful about poetry sometimes. When you’ve got something like “Everlasting Tapeworm,” you say that phrase and your mind … it does more than the usual with wordplay. It’s just strong. It’s pretty cool.

Yeah. Yeah. I think so, too, man. It’s kinda funny that you say that, because I don’t think people really focus on that very much. Like, the lyrics that aren’t just, you know, fitting something in. It’s all about trying to find the exact emotion that you want to portray and that’s what’s so good about the English language – is because we have so many words we can use. Words that just have a slight different meaning from one right next to it. We often break out the thesaurus and make sure we find the right word for how we want to portray that feeling or emotion. We feel like behind every lyric is an intention and a passion behind it. That has to be felt. It’s not just… It’s not through our fans. It leads through us, because we feel like we can play better or play with more passion if we know what the song is about and it’s right on with how we feel about the subject.

Tell me about the songs “High Noise Low Output” and “Leaderless and Self Enlisted.” What stands out to you about those songs? What particular challenges, if any, did they force?

High Noise Low Output – it’s so new, it’s just so hard for me to really dive in. Being an artist, a musician, whatever, a lot of times you apply new meaning to something you thought up. It kind of … it eventually makes more and more sense to you as the years go by. But High Noise Low Output is… I’m trying to think of the lyrics to that song. That song is a lot about thinking you’re supposed to do something and basically over-analyzing that to ‘is this what I’m supposed to do with my life?’ You know, way over-thinking something to a degree of basically worrying about your future when really … even asking questions like, ‘Is this what God wants you to do?’ I think even questions like that can really brutally kinda confuse you even more when really, when I think it comes down to it, is if you’re passionate enough about something then you should just do it. It’s okay to, like, just try something. It may not be what you’re ‘supposed to do with your life,’ but I’ve always found that through being in a band for years and years and years and being a parent, too, raising two kids. In any situation there’s a chance to over-analyze a situation. It’s almost like the High Noise Low Output is basically talking about what you’re hearing basically is so loud and you think it’s so right when you think that way, but in reality, it’s very low output and it’s not anything that’s going to get you anywhere.

Leaderless and Self-Enlisted? That’s kind of funny that you bring that one up, too, because it kind of goes along with High Noise Low Output a little bit. It’s basically kind of a conversation between a person and … just being afraid to come clean about something or however anyone wants to interpret it, but for me it was talking to God in a way, like sometimes I feel like, ‘I can’t talk to you because You’re God,’ ya know? Sometimes I’m afraid to do that. That’s where the lyric comes from: ‘I never wanted to tell you, because I couldn’t put it into words’ I think that fear is something is definitely a good thing to get past, because it’s definitely not the case. I know that everything I’ve been through – at the end of the day – you lay down in bed and say, ‘I’m with You and I’m not going anywhere’ and you have to know that God is doing the same thing and He will. He’s always done that with me. I can’t talk anybody into believing that with me, but that’s just – for me, that’s how that song kinda means in the lyrics. I think it definitely can be interpreted several different ways. That’s what I kind of like – when you can interpret our songs differently. Looking at anything, you might see something differently than someone else. And that’s kinda cool.

I hear ya, too. I totally think a lot… Especially twenty-somethings, because they’re, like, in a stage in their life they almost get paralyzed with fear unless they know exactly what they’re supposed to be doing instead of just taking a chance.

For years that’s been a driving force, dude. It’s basically what I was going through when I was thinking about those lyrics was I was going through a divorce. When you read the Bible, you know, God, He knows everything. At times, I’m like, ‘Well, God didn’t go through a divorce!’ You know what I mean? But then I when I think about it, He went through… I don’t see God as a watcher – someone Who sits back and He’s like an observer. I think God is a participator, just like us. Whenever we feel pain, He feels pain. Whenever something bad happens, He is right on board with us – whether it’s anger or sadness, He is all of those emotions, too. I think that’s a really good way to view God – He’s a participator. He’s just as much going along with the weight of the world as we are.

You mentioned earlier that High Noise Low Output was kind of one of the first songs you worked on and you didn’t really know what direction to go to. How did … What did you guys think when you were hearing these songs musically and how did you end up eventually getting to where you are now with all 13 of these songs?

That song’s a good example, because we started writing that song and we got really sick of it quick. And we didn’t even like it for a long time and it got shelved. And it all just got to where it was just … we’re just not even going to work on it anymore. But we kind of pushed ourselves through it. That’s one thing we learned with Ross Robinson on the last two records: was push yourself through something. Don’t just give up on something because you’re not sure. There was a reason why you started writing that song. There was a reason why you started these lyrics. They’re linked to something. It all comes together somehow. So, we pushed ourselves through it and the song just came alive once we had vocals on it. And that was when we finally started loving it. I remember (drummer) Chris Raines calling me when we were doing that track-listing. We had to pick two or three songs to leave off the record, because we recorded so many songs. The first thing he said was, ‘Dude, I know ‘High Noise Low Output’ has to go on the record! I love that song! That was kind of weird hearing from him, because we didn’t like that song at all first. We really tortured ourselves pushing through it, but it came out really cool. There’s a really dark feel to it and (it’s) kind of the birth of Meridional in a way. You can kind of think of that song as kind of a birth pain.

Is that the first single (I saw it was on your MySpace or something)?

No. I don’t think we’ll ever release that one as a single. We are making a video for ‘Deathbed Atheist,’ though. We worked with Popcore before. They’ve done three videos for us.

What would you like to say about the song “Deathbed Atheist?” What are you wanting to communicate with that one?

It’s pretty brutal. The record as we were recording the record, it had basically accumulated a nickname, because we didn’t have a title for it yet. And the nickname was ‘Just a Nightmare.’ We would record a part and we would go in and Jeremy would have this look on his face like, ‘ugh! That hurt to hear! What a nightmare!’ There’s some sounds that we put on the record, some samples that just kind of have that feel – that kind of hurt. With Deathbed Atheist, it’s just really talking about, kind of like… There’s actually more theories for this. Scottie had written a lot of lyrics for that song and he wrote so many that he was sick of all. But one of the lyrics that didn’t make the song kind of talk about that and has a real repetitive feel to it. That song just really just focuses on … something that is really true to us. Being in a band this long you get to a point where you want to put things in the lyrics that you don’t even want to bring up in a conversation, so I kind of feel like that with that song. I think with that song I would like for people to check it out and interpret it for themselves and see what they get out of it.

What are your thoughts on the philosophy of atheism?

(takes a long breath) I don’t know. I kind of don’t care, honestly, anymore. I kind of feel like, at this point, I’m not going anywhere with what I believe. And the thing is I never became a Christian because I thought it was going to be cool. I knew it wasn’t. Basically, I just don’t really care what anyone thinks of that. And atheism is basically just an attack on that. It’s basically focusing on the same thing that I’m focusing on, but in a negative way. If you are a true atheist, you wouldn’t have a name for it, necessarily. You wouldn’t care to talk about it so much. A lot of atheists, ‘I don’t believe in God.’ Okay, well, ‘I don’t believe in you.’ I don’t go around talking about it that all the time. If you really, truly don’t believe, it’s not… It’s basically rebellion. That’s what it is. And if that’s what you choose to do, then it is none of my business. What am I going to say? I kind of think of it as, ‘You know what? If you leave me alone, I’ll leave you alone. I don’t really care if that’s what you think.’

What was the inspiration behind the choir-like voices in the end of “Septentrional”?

That’s something we’ve done on every record. I guess at this point it’s one of the traditions for a long time we … every record we’ve done has a part where we all get in a room and we sing something together. We bring other people in to sing with us. And it’s just like a fun part of the record where we’re all in the same room singing the same thing. It’s usually like one lyric kind of repeated over and over. All the way back to Bless the Martyr – there’s a couple of parts where they did that. So, we almost tried to find that part. There’s something real special about that song. It’s oriental and occidental as well. I think people will find it really interesting when they hear the record.

What is important about the friends we choose? Of course, I’m referencing “The People that Surround You on A Regular Basis?”

I think there was a point in my life where I realized, you know, I kind of see my life in several phases and there was a phase where I know I’m learning and I know there’s a phase where I kind of feel like I have a lot of things figured out and, you know, there’s only one more phase and I kind of feel like I’ve stopped the first phase – the learning phase. There’s always something to learn and you’ll never ever approach… There’s always something to learn from someone else. Whether they have something… I’ve been through some really horrible situations and I found myself attracted to those people in a strange way. I feel like, through that second phase I alienated some of those people. I feel like…

I want to be around those people and I want them to be around me. I think it really just comes down to your own willpower. There’s a point where you have to stop enacting yourself and live life without … you being around someone who’s going through… it’s having a negative effect on something … they’re making their own choices. If there’s anything that you’ve done that you don’t think you should have, it’s no one’s fault but your own. That’s kind of where that one comes from.

What keeps Norma Jean going in a scene and a career path that is not the most convenient, doesn’t have the best health benefit plan and doesn’t always provide consistent income?

We’ve been really lucky to continue doing what we’ve done – being with bands for years. When it really comes down to it, we do this stuff because we enjoy it. We love music. We love each other, writing songs together, touring with each other. There’s nothing like a record cycle – the writing phase, the recording phase and then touring your butt off and more touring after that. There’s something that’s great about all those things and there are some downsides, but there’s downsides to pretty much anything. I kind of feel like this is something I’ve wanted to do since I was six years old. We went through a flood or something. It’ll clear up.

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