Neckbolts That Say Otherwise (Song)

New song, yay! I had the first two lines written a long time ago, and just tonight finished off the rest of it. Quick explanation: I took the multiple Old-Testament scriptures about shepherds leading their flocks astray (e.g., Jeremiah 50:6), and mixed it with a Frankenstein/Beauty and the Beast kinda feel. The end piece is roughly cut from Zechariah 13:7 as well.

Oh misled flock, where have your eyes gone?
They're as vacant as your chest.
I've never left you to the lions before,
But it seems I've been harboring worse all along.

I've created a monster...
It's alive, it's alive!
Grab your swords, your pitchforks and
Let's put this beast to...

I am the shepherd of the fallen ones,
And my pasture is chaos and despair.
Don't look for comfort in my care.
My flock is for the slaughter.
Oh children of Zion! How I have failed you.

I've create a monster...
It's alive, it's alive!
Grab your swords, your pitchforks and
Let's put this beast to...death.

Smite the shepherd, kill the beast
Smite the shepherd, kill the beast
Spare the lamb, spare the lamb
Spare the lamb, spare the lamb

Yep, that's all he wrote. For now.

Just one tidbit of news and then I'm going to bed. My mom found my firewire (the cable that connects my video camera to my PC) so I FINALLY uploaded my three old vocal covers from when I was using fry screaming. They're on my facebook if you want to check them out. As a consequence (a good one) of this, I am hereby going to be making other cover videos as I practice my singing/screaming, and will happily take requests, though not all requests may be actually covered (depends on style, lyrics, etc.).

Okay, bye-bye now.

lovelovelovelovelovelovelove,

~@othern

Bootstomp The Forked End (Song)

I'm back again. Sorry about not updating. Once again, life has decided to take over my life (ha) so my usual free time has been shortened to the point where I rarely have time to even THINK of writing. As it were, I will update you on some things after the lyrics and explanation.

I made a veil; it hides my shame
So nothing but good comes with my name
I am a fraud, but at least I admit it
I am a fraud, and somehow I can't quit it

I can't live my life
Failure by failure
My weary heart is dying
From all this denying


Of love
I know not what you speak
Of love
Say what you really mean
Of love
Oh how I long to feel
Of love
Something that's never real to me


I can't decipher; the vipers
They cloak lies in whispers
Seductive, selective, destructive
I eat it up, eat it up

Dripping fangs of deceit and regret
I welcome the feast of innocence
And their venom keeps me denying


Your love
I know not what you speak
Of love
Say what you really mean
Of love
Oh how I long to feel
Your love
Something that's never real to me


Put an end to the torment and
Crush the head of the serpent
Crush the head of the serpent
Crush the head of the serpent

Explanation: I took the idea of the serpent being the representation of temptation in the Garden (of Eden) and used that to essentially sum up my constant struggle and attitude towards it. It seems like I am destined to willingly turn my back on Christ for a cheap thrill or two, and I feel like I'm missing out on God's unending love for me by doing so.

Anyway, there are a couple other things I wanted to inform you on. The first is that my vocals have improved. This may seem like a big-whoop moment for you, but for a guy who believes he's called to use his voice to show Christ's love, it means a helluva lot. That being said, my vocals have indeed gotten better, but they still aren't great. I figured this would happen, but I have a great outlook on improvement within the next year or so that I'll still be in school.

Other things I wish to write to you about are:

I read The Shack, that super controversial novel about meeting God for a weekend in a shack. I will say shorthand-like that I enjoyed it thoroughly, and God used it to reveal some truths that I'd never before really considered. Yes, there are inconsistencies, but with a little discernment and a logical approach, you can see the intent behind these fallacies and actually use them to benefit your understanding better. I can and probably will do a full write-up of it, a sort of counter-argument to most of the criticisms when I find the time.

Since then, I've picked up Don Miller's latest, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. So far, it's pretty boss. But it isn't jam-packed with spiritual insight like most of his other work was, at least within the first section. A bit of a shock, but not necessarily disappointing. The reading is still very good and quite funny, and I'd expect nothing less.

I've been getting really involved in the local music scene, or at least trying to lately. Apparently there are quite a few God-fearing local bands that I feel you should check out, if you're into the style of music that I am.

The King's Divide
City In The Sea
Monsters of Maple Street

These dudes are legit, and even though they aren't pro, I'd say they've got potential.

Something big that's going on in my life is a ministry shift. Let me explain. For the past 4-5 years or so I've been involved with a ministry called Young Life which reaches out to the lost in high schools via friendship and various activities to hang out at. It's a really great organization, the people are generally awesome, and the kids are the best part (aside from Jesus being with you, obvs). However, this year has been a bit of a struggle for me. For one thing, our "staffing" of leaders have dwindled, and our decade-long head leader recently dropped out of the game for awhile. I am basically the most experienced leader on our team, which, coupled with the fact that I don't really feel that Young Life is my calling, is stressful.

To add to the whole mess, a new college ministry is starting up called Refuge. It's basically a Saturday night church service aimed at young adults (18-25 ish). Our college bible study is "planting" it, and naturally, feeling that I am called to sing, I have committed to a year's worth of attendance and work towards this ministry. The problem is, Young Life can be very demanding if you do it right, and if you aren't doing it right - if your heart isn't 110% into the work - they basically don't want you (it sounds harsher than it really is, but it's the kind of work ethic they want).

So I'm essentially torn. I want to pursue music ministry with this church and eventually a band, but I don't want to leave the kids, or hand the leadership burdens to the inexperienced and possibly cause a collapse.

I've also become increasingly concerned with my other abilities that would be necessary for a band ministry. For instance, I've never been onstage music-wise since I was in a church choir when I was like six. So stage presence is a concern. I've also never fit lyrics to instrumental music, nor written melody for singing/screaming before. So that really worries me. I guess I'm just saying please pray that these things come with experience, and quickly enough to accomplish God's purposes.

Speaking of, I am especially concerned about my periodic sinful ventures keeping me from fulfilling God's will. Plainly speaking, I'm terrified that I'll continue to turn my back on Him, and He will deem me unusable, and I will never accomplish what He has for me. It's a real downer.

Anyway, I think that's about all I have for now. I might be (hopefully) writing another blog or two within the month (haha). The topics: unknown, but I want to write more. It's a good way of clearing my mind, you know?

As always, feel free to talk to me, text me, email me, twitter me, ask me anonymously (see right), comment me, or whatever. I'm open to criticism, compliment, suggestions, requests, declarations, and the like.


lovelovelovelovelovelove,

~@othern

Less Heart Than The Tin Man (Song)

Hey folks, sorry it's been a while. School has officially started sapping all my time and energy, thus leaving me without either to write or whip up some inspiration for writing. I'll try to be more regular, but do bear with me please.

Okay, onto the lyrics.

what the hell is your problem?
oh wait, speak up, that's it
your words smell of decay
and selfishness

They're rotting before
They reach your throat
Choking back all the
Truth you once spoke


So tell me, darling
Where has your heart gone?
Because from where I stand
You're a zombie, baby, so ruthless


You wouldn't know love
If it shot you in the face
Craving nothing but hot flesh
And fetishes, what a lusting disgrace


So tell me, darling
Where has your heart gone?
Because from where I stand
You're a zombie, baby, so loveless


BANG BANG!
I'm aiming for your head, girl
BANG BANG!
It's all that's left unscathed
BANG BANG!
Your chest is but a void, a prison
BANG BANG!
I can't save you, I can't be your savior

But I will be your end tonight


Oh no, my darling!
Oh where have you gone?
Because from where I stand
You're a bloodstain, baby, so lifeless

The basic idea behind this is an accusation against a seemingly repugnant female who lost her faith and now is giving into the world's hold on her. Thus, she becomes a zombie, which we all know needs a good head shot. Note that this is NOT the way to handle someone who's lost their way, mind you. It's more of a depiction of what would happen in the end times, with a fun twist.

As for future blogging, I am more than willing to post things other than my lyrics. I've started reading The Shack by William P. Young, and may write some observations from that. But I would love to write on something that interests you. So if you'd like me to write about something in particular, eg. my opinion on predestination or something, let me know.

Thanks for reading. I hope God blesses you through it!

lovelovelovelovelove,

~@othern