Halfblood

Probably my lack of self-motivation

I've struggled with this for years.  I had often wondered "what's the point?" in almost everything that I did or was trying to accomplish, and I always used to bum myself out of pursuing certain aspirations as a result.  It's gotten better though, albeit it took about a decade, but I've managed to build up my self-esteem and confidence.  

But, I'm also a heavy procrastinator.  It's pretty bad.  

A buddy of mine just tipped me off to this little post-metal gem, Sumac. If the singer sounds familiar, that's because he's the guy from ISIS. Good to see he's still kickin out awesome rock! He's gone back to his roots here, with songs that would sound at home on Mosquito Control or Red Sea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPFr8jGXSbg

Oh shit.  I haven't heard of this yet.  I try to keep up with what those dues are doing, post-ISIS.  Good stuff.

Some easy tunes to enjoy on a lazy Sunday:

And also Mastodon.

I don't think fandoms truly ever die out.  Whenever the show ends, I think they'll still be communities around keeping the dream alive.  It most certainly will shrink and will be less prominent than the first couple of years, but will it all end?  Probably not.

ERRA  is pretty boss.  I enjoyed "Impulse" went it came out.  I listened to that album like non stop in 2012, haha.  

I've been digging Skyharbor's new album Evolution.  The titular song is crazy balls amazing, if prog-ambient-metal is your thing:

I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Thought it was more cohesive than the first one, which I'm guilty of enjoying also.  The songs were a bit too "ten pop" than "rock"  for my taste, but I suppose that's too be expected.  No big whoop.

My only other nitpick was how Twi found her way back into the EQG world.  I just felt like how they did that was done hastily.  Again, nothing too serious.  I did love Sunset Shimmer in this; I like all the parts she plays in the story, and her sense of trying to "fit back" into a high school routine after almost going mad with magical power.  She was my favorite character in this movie.  Enjoyed the villains too (the Sirens).  Thought their back story was pretty cool, and their personalities were great to watch.

All in all, I though it did well as animated movie, and not just as an MLP related movie.  

Been gettin' into Volumes a lot more.  Generally, most of the bands signed by Mediaskare are pretty rad.

http://youtu.be/BkySKVwY7Ic

Good to see the thread's still bumpin' (not that I had any doubt, of course!).

New BoO that released last month is pretty stellar.  First time I actually got to listen to it, and I may pick up the album in a few days.  Solid tunes from theses guys.

At night, I go outside and watch the sky.

With a glance, I see the stars, the Moon,

and an airplane.  I spot Mars, Jupiter,

the arm of the Milky Way.  I witness

satellites, comets, asteroids, the children

of Ptolemy.  I see bedtime stories, dreams,

wishes made in vain.

I see faces of friends and of family,

the memories of us living our lives,

the waning promises I made to each of them,

and my fears that greet me alone when I sleep.

At night, I gaze into the sky and I see

worlds that once were, and one that may never be.

What frivolous pursuits remain

The hopes and dreams left unobtained

Mar mankind's crypt as irreversible stains

Loved ones, hated ones are all the same

We are one in the dust of our earthly graves

The mortal man must not forget

He must submit to death

And all that he is becomes forfeit. 

I finally found an Opeth album I love in Damnation, so I hope Opeth continues to deliver the goods.

Ghost Reveries is definitely my favorite Opeth album.  This entire band is goddamn brilliance incarnate.  It's hard for me to choose a favorite Opeth song because they all evoke so much emotion.  Deliverance and Damnation are both masterpieces too.  Damnation's lighter/ somber sound is one the band's shining moments, imo.  

This song is excellent to listen to while driving through a heavily wooded area with rolling hills during Autmun.  I've done it, and it's quite fantastic.

http://youtu.be/u3W-WYO8k4M

Also, been listening to some Fedrik Thorendal lately, while I've been feelin' particularly broody. 

Speaking of Trivium, I listened to a song by Capharnaum for the first time.  It's Matt Heafy's band before Trivium, I believe.  Anyway, it's pretty rad.  Reminiscent of Ember to Inferno.

More repeat posting because Scar Symmetry is awesome.

The world can never have too much Scar Symmetry, much less this thread.  Such a great band.  Granted, I haven't listened to them all too much after Chris Alvestam peaced out, but sweet Jesus they haven't lost a beat in their stuff at all, imo.  

By far my favorite song from their last album, post-Alvestam.  Intro gets me everytime.

Ah yes.  Sippin' on some coffee, and posting in the metal thread.  Like good ol' times

Check out Signals From Saturn.  It's Joey Nichols, the drummer from the band Substructure's new band.  Ever since Substructure became a studio project, a majority of the dudes started doing their own thing.  I was a big fan of Monolith, so it's great to hear new stuff getting pumped out from some of these bros.

http://youtu.be/juHmHDL5Rl4

http://youtu.be/eDRHjgq_Y58

I never realized how much this sounds like Meshuggah until now.  So killer.

These guys came up on my last.fm radio a while back.  I dig their melodic sound.

My freind in all his retarded glory took a video with his iPod so heres that I would not suggest using headphones at all or audio at all for that matter.

Awesome seeing Phil up that close!  Sounds like one stellar experience.  Seeing Whitechapel live is def on my to do list.

Admittedly, this summer hasn't been very metal for me.  It's always been kinda seasonal; I'm for inclined to revert back to metal during Autumn/Winter than I am in the summer.  

A couple of days ago, "Lament" by TesseracT came on my las.fm radio, and shit me, it definitely has to be my favorite song by them.  The song is pretty brilliant imo.

http://youtu.be/Uko4wlNZv_U

Also, Dan Tompkins is like EVERYWHERE.  If there's some cool new djenty band that I've found through web surfing, fuckin' Danny boy is involved with them some how.  I don't dislike him or his vocals at all, rather I just find it amusing.

Aaaaand some Threat Signal.

Now that my belly is stuffed with meat and booze, I can do some postin'.  

Been going back to alot of instrumental bands in my library.  A majority of these dudes are hella talented, as well as extremely dedicated to their music.

I'm sure some of you have, but if you haven't yet, listen the fuck out of Palms.  I really do enjoy this entire album.

http://youtu.be/Jj5UkTTU5FI

Also, I should be back to posting on a semi-regular basis again.

Interest check, who likes The Air I Breathe?

Not bad.  I've heard of 'em before, but never bothered to listen.  Gonna check more of their stuff out.

Found out today that the vocalist from Misery Signals has a side project.  It's pretty cool.

Also, I'm goddamn melting in this hot-as-balls weather in my state.  Jesus.

Haven't posted here in a while.  Thought I'd stir things up a bit.  

Here's a cover of Journey's "Separate Ways" by Across The Sun.  Being a fan of both Journey and ATS, this was an awesome find.  Steve Perry had (and still has) a fucking awesome voice while in Journey, and I think the guys in ATS do this song some justice.

http://youtu.be/iw5ZEggcFAQ

Great cover.  And now for something completely different:

http://youtu.be/gcttHezqHMs

Mm.  Female death vocals.  Also, TSN,  it's good to see you postin' in here!

Cotton. Princess.

My pony name is Cotton Princess.  

What in the blue hell?  Haha, that's the lamest name.  Cotton Princess; when I hear that I'm imagining some dainty Disney-esque princess with a giant cotton swab as her scepter.

Or better yet, this:

Speaking of metalcore, which has gradually become one of my favorite genres, here's some Aussie stuff.  I keep saying that damn country keeps pumping out decent bands.

http://youtu.be/xhE_SMCF6b0

Also, there's Adam D's and Jesse Leach's band Times of Grace. Similar to KSE.

HOLY MOLY YOU JUST MADE MY DAY @o@

Shining, shimmering, spleeeeeeendid! :3

You make for an incredible Alladin! O.o

Thanks!  Was called Aladdin alot during these conventions, so I said "What the hay?", and decided to cosplay him!

Here's me cosplaying playing Aladdin at this year's Steampunk World's Fair in Piscataway, NJ!

Don't mind that derp face.  That's just how I look.

Hm, thought I'd rouse from my gaming comatose and drop some local stuff.  These guys disbanded a couple of months ago, which sucks, because they had such awesome stage presence.

http://youtu.be/9jLZxy7edwg