Quick story ...

I am planning a trip to Long Island to see the Disembodied/Monument To Thieves show on October 22nd, so I took a trip to the Facebook event page for the show. There was a small batch of kids who were all demanding that Path To Misery play the show. It was only one comment with 6 "likes", yet I was still shocked at the fact that people who I have never even met (in a city we've never played before) are being supportive of my band. I will ALWAYS be humbled whenever people who are not my friends are into my musical projects. The last thing that any of my bands are about is to please people, so whenever it happens on accident ... I am truly grateful.

Something about this simple gesture made me realize that there really are kids out there who truly believe in what this band is about and does. My friends try to convince me of this from time to time but I always tend to blow them off for some reason or another (because I'm assuming they're only saying it due to being ... well, my friends).

My point is that as much as I am sure to not act like it ... any support that this band has ever gotten is appreciated more than probably any band has ever appreciated support. (Although that may be false considering the immense gratitude I received from Between Earth And Sky for the write-up I gave them). I know that this band has quite a controversial past and continues on in that tradition even when we're not playing shows, however, this is the ENTIRE purpose of the band. Path To Misery was created solely to try and call into question subjects that often-times go unobserved within the hardcore scene. Whether I'm questioning something as serious as the outlook that humanity commonly holds against the rest of the world that it is surrounded by or something as menial as the manner in which people conduct themselves at our shows, I say what I say and do what I do for a reason: to make people think and question themselves. I call myself out more than I do any of you ... so just take it like a man and keep moshing.

At the end of the day, I just want you all to know that I love you all.

Speaking of anonymous "fan support" that makes me feel warm inside ... here is a video someone filmed of us from the last show we played opening for Earth Crisis and First Blood in Altoona back in April.

BETWEEN EARTH AND SKY: New Songs

I figured since I'm not going to be going through the process of ripping and uploading any music until I get some reciprocated love from my readers that I would take the time to promote what is my absolute favorite new hardcore band of the past several years: Between Earth And Sky.

While the band is most notorious for featuring Greg Bennick from Trial on vocals, let me elaborate on the past projects of the other members. Two other members have also spent time in Trial. The bassist of Between Earth And Sky, EJ, as well as the drummer, Alexi Rodriguez, are no strangers to Trial. In fact, said drummer has also spent time in Catharsis. To top all of this off, the two guitarists of the project have partaken in By A Thread and Strain amongst a few others. If that isn't an impressive enough resume I don't know what would be.

Keep in mind when I say this that Trial and Catharsis are obviously two of my favorite bands of all time ... Between Earth And Sky is every bit as poignant as the projects in which have preceded them. The lyrics are obviously top notch considering the pen in which they're flowing from. According to their band bio, a strong influence amongst the project (and presumably lyrics) come from "the writings of Ernest Becker and Samuel Beckett". Furthermore, the band describes their music as "delv(ing) deeply into irony by attempting to use powerful, fast, yet melodic hardcore songs with insightful lyrics in a vain attempt to unravel their anxiety about the inevitability of their demise." I'm using quote a lot because I can't describe things better than Greg Bennick can.

That being said, the band has two songs posted online. One track, on their MySpace page, is a shorter track which gives only a small glimpse into the full potential of the band. The song, Of Roots And Wings, however, that is featured on their BandCamp page is a true indication as to what the band is capable of. Obviously featuring strong similarities to Trial and Catharsis, the band also takes a more melodic approach, often times even bordering on an improved take on what Refused was going for on their final full length.

At the end of the day I feel like I'm not doing this band justice through my descriptions. Go to the links and allow the music and lyrics to speak for themselves. They have an EP coming out sometime in the near future on Hell Fish Records in the US and Refuse Records in Europe. Keep your eyes and ears open and be sure to support this most sincere of projects.