I came upon them as a fluke.. I had never heard of them. Browsing iTunes for a way to spend the gift card I got for Christmas, I looked up Finnish symphonic metal band HB (from seeing an ad for them in HM magazine). From their album, Theocracy was listed as something that people bought after buying HB’s album, so I checked them out. On my first experience with them, I was blown away. I bought the album and am blown away every time I listen to it..
Their website describes their sound:
The music? Epic, melodic Power Metal with occasional progressive flourishes. Long songs, longer songs, short songs, fast songs, slow songs, midtempo songs, ballads…epic choirs, soaring vocals, pounding drums, crunchtastic guitars, and most importantly, melodies that get stuck in your head.
Fantastic stuff! Lyrical highlights on the album are choruses from Lay The Demon To Rest… As the battle rages on [...]

Original post by Josh Simons

I am immersed in many things. On the Goth end of things I have become involved with the magazine of Gothic Art Chicago, Kilter. On the other end I am now the sole pastor at Reconciler and our “annual meeting” this year has become a series of gatherings to sit and reflect together about Reconciler, our sense of call and how we see church. There are a whole slew of reasons for not posting for two months, mostly it is various changes at the church. Thought it isn’t the changes themselves necessarily but that I had been mulling some things, some of which has been coming out in sermons (that I would post except there have been no manuscripts, still working from notes and outlines, and the sermon is completed only in the preaching). I am sitting here typing probing to see if there is [...]

Original post by lekamphausen@netzero.net (Larry Kamphausen)

I found this video of members of the Westboro Baptist Church… What a great face to put on “Christianity”…. This video is disgusting..
http://blog.beliefnet.com/progressiverevival/2009/01/the-inauguration-according-to.html
Of ALL people, the WBC had to out front. Great… Thankfully, we can trust that God’s plan is being worked out perfectly, and is ultimately not hindered by the WBC. Although, they are certainly doing harm to the Gospel..

Original post by Josh Simons

Readers, I apologize for the whining that took place yesterday. Remind me not to let myself get that hungry. Low blood sugar is nobody’s friend. Moving on.
Today, I’d like to discuss the recent mini-trend of songs in praise of independent women. Usually, when someone writes a song about being a strong woman, said song is being sung by lesbian…or Beyonce. I’ve got nothing against lesbians or Beyonce, but what about the guys? Are they all just looking for unchallenging blow-up dolls? Silicone trophy wives? Dick cozies? Is there a market for someone with a job, a brain, and a life of her own? Actually, yes.
101 The Beat Jamz is slowly becoming my new radio station of choice for when I don’t feel like digging my iPod out of my purse just to run to the store. I just can’t take regular pop radio anymore. Yeah, you get Katy Perry [...]

Original post by (evil)amy

My Urban Dictionary desk calendar says that today is “Bank Holiday” in Scotland. What better way to celebrate than to discuss some Scotch folk? I’ve been meaning to badger you to listen to these kids for a while, but just haven’t gotten around to it. Who are they? A quartet of ladies and gentlemen who sound Scottish, ornery, and danceable all at the same time.
Album: The Repulsion Box (2005)
Am I forgetting about 2003’s Love The Cup? No…just avoiding it because S&D hadn’t really hit their stride yet and “Broken Bones” is the only song that holds my interest. The Repulsion Box, though, is full of non-stop goodness. “Medicine” is a good “nice to meet you” of S&D’s sound: Scotch polka, with strong female vocals. “Scotch polka” doesn’t sound very alluring, now that I type it, but I promise it’s good. “Hunt” has made it onto a couple of compilations, [...]

Original post by (evil)amy