Best Song From A Sight For Sore Eyes

Basic Information About ASFSE

A Sight For Sore Eyes was a deathcore band (not exactly sure what genre you'd classify this band as, but oh well) from Reno, Nevada. The band consisted of 5 members at first, then four later on (one of the guitarists left first). They only came out with two albums before they decided to split up. 

Best Song = "WINNING!!!!"

"WINNING!!!!" is one of the very first songs this band created. It's rather a short song

(2 minutes, it's technically an intro), but that doesn't mean it isn't awesome. 

There's only a little bit of lyrics that are incorporated into this song, and sadly I'm not sure exactly what they are, and I'd rather not unintentionally butcher them. 

The instruments, however, are great. The notes played seem so simple yet so complex. "WINNING!!!!" isn't too heavy or too light, which is why I don't really know what genre I'd consider this band to be. Whenever I listen to this song, it makes me feel empowered in a way. This song also makes me super duper happy because the first time I heard it was when it came out, and the vocalist for ASFSE actually used to be a really good friend of my older brother's, so I HAD to love "WINNING!!!!". 

"WINNING!!!!"

Why I Love Deathcore, Metalcore, Etc... 

I've been asked by a large amount of people, "Why do you like 'emo screamo' so much, Kenzie!?" (Never call it "emo screamo" or "screamo"), so I suppose I'll just express my reasoning for having such an intense passion for this kind of music on here.  

When I was in 3rd grade, my older brother Myles unintentionally introduced me to hardcore music. He would always have friends over, and they'd all play their instruments. Myles had a little keyboard/synthesizer, a bass guitar, and his friends would bring over their drum sets, electric guitars, etc. I would sit there and listen to them play away. When Myles' friends weren't at our house, he would tend to play his instruments by himself in his room. His room was right next to mine, so it was easy to hear him play. Plus, he also played music produced from professional artists from his stereo. 

When Myles realized that I had shown an interest in the kind of music that he would play, he let me come into his room once in a while to draw and listen to music (bands such as The Devil Wears Prada) and draw.  

My parents didn't really influence my musical taste. They didn't expose me to much music other than some oldies like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Guns N' Roses, so naturally I paid particular interest in the music that actually surrounded me on a daily basis. 

Here's a list of the reasons why I love deathcore, metalcore, post-hardcore, etc.. unconditionally:

1. I grew up (childhood) listening to heavy music

2. I love the technicality of the music 

3. Every instrument is usually played at a fast pace (or it's at least challenging to play)

4. It takes an immense amount of skill to be able to play any instrument for any sub-genre of metal

5. The screaming aspect is unique, and I fancy it 

6. In metalcore, there are clean vocals, which adds to the beauty of this divine music

7. There are breakdowns 

8. There are riffs

9. The fact that it takes "teamwork" to create this type of music makes me appreciate it eminently

10. I feel as if the lyrics that are constructed in most songs of the hardcore metal category have genuine meaning behind them 

11. The lyrics are always better than what you'd find in a hip-hop song

12. Most lyrics I can "relate" to, or even just empathize/sympathize with 

13. The vocalist ALWAYS writes his/her own lyrics

14. The majority of hardcore bands don't just do it for the money, but for the sake of their fondness and passion for music

15. Deathcore, metalcore, post-hardcore, whatever the sub-genre is, acts like my therapy (as cliche as that sounds, it's true)

16. Hardcore music makes me feel a sense of contentment 

17. It helps me concentrate on whatever it is I may be working on 

18. It helps me fall asleep at night when I can't seem to pass out 

19. I love the energy that comes with this music when it's played live at shows

My list could go on and on, but I think I should stop there.

All in all, I enjoy and love this style of music for many different reasons. I know most people listen to one song and completely shut the whole music style down, because they aren't used to the heaviness or screaming, but I hope this blog post has enlightened you on the topic of why I listen to these closely similar genres of music. 

The Best Song From Martyr Defiled

Basic Information about Martyr Defiled

Martyr Defiled is a Deathcore band from the UK (specifically Lincoln, England). Currently, there are only 4 members of the group, which consists of Ryan Smith (guitars), Richard Duffin (drums), Matthew Jones (vocals), and David Trees (guitars). They've created 2 full-length albums and 2 EPs, and three singles. 

Best Song = "Demons In The Mist"

This is their greatest song. Why? Because the instruments are ridiculously good. The riff is catchy (in the best way possible). The song isn't too "heavy" or too "light". Might I add, they're pretty fucking good for a band that only has four members. You can't even tell that there's only three instruments plus vocals. The lyrics are interesting too, but not the best I've heard. 

Lyrics:
We die alone
Sad fact of life 
But you're getting old
And there's a certain set of things
You gotta know:
You're not special
You're not even close
Stop fighting
You're losing your will to live
I can see it in your glazed-over eyes 
Disappointment lies in your wasted youth
The sad fact is you never had a chance

You're still not getting it
The sad fact you're still not questioning
I've been telling you since 2010
Freedom is a fucking lie

They've been walking 'round my town
Like they own the ground
Now they're hanging upside down
Tell me, who's the big man now?
Not fucking you

Your ideology stinks like shit
I don't wanna be any part of it

Tell me, who's the big man now?

We will all die alone
There is no light
There is no way out

"Demons In The Mist"

The Best Song From Oh, Sleeper

 Basic Information About Oh, Sleeper

Oh, Sleeper is an American Christian metalcore band, which originated from Fort Worth, Texas. Their band currently consists of Shane Blay, Micah Kinard, Zac Mayfield, and Nate Grady. So far they have created 3 full-length albums, and 2 EPs. They've mentioned a possible new full-length album sometime in the near future. 

Best Song = "The Color Theft" 

"The Color Theft"

This song, in my opinion, is quite captivating. It's very emotional, and the lyrics are amazing. The figurative speech really captures my attention (I'm a sucker for figurative language). It makes me think. With metaphors and that kind of stuff, you can make words mean virtually whatever you desire them to convey. The instrumental aspect of this song gives me the chills.  

Lyrics to the song:

I walk alone

Head down in a pale, grey scene

Every step leads to atrophy

This body made for conquest, instead a pawn on a stage so worthless

I saw the future as endless reaches 

The skyline's promise has left me face with

Whose dreams are you killing?

And whose pockets are you filling?

Are you where you said you would be in the end? 

I walk alone through the crowds of past failed kings 

Auditions were called for the hope-thirsting sheep

What keeps this family of fighters from facing the war that they were bred for?

Whose dreams are killing?

And whose pockets are you filling?

Are you where you said you would be in the end? 

I once saw my deeds grow to greatness

Now I'm lost in the folds and worthless

Following the footsteps of heroes never led to the safe and grey roads

The Best Song From Defeater

Basic Information About Defeater 

Defeater is an American melodic hardcore band that originated from Boston, Massachusetts. They formed in the year 2004. The band consists of Derek Archambault (vocals), Jake Woodruff (guitar), Mike Poulin (bass), and Joe Longobardi (drums). So far, they have created 4 full-length albums and one EP. 

Song of Recognition 

 As per usual, I had a somewhat difficult time choosing what song is my favorite from Defeater. You really can't choose a forever favorite song from a band that you adore with a fiery passion. It's nearly impossible. So, I would like to give some recognition to their song, "I Don't Mind". That song is just all around beautiful, and very unique compared to the majority of their songs. They use acoustic guitar in "I don't Mind", which clearly doesn't generally connect with the genre, melodic HARDCORE. 

"I don't Mind"

Best Song = At Peace 

There are numerous reasons why I am under the impression that Defeater's best song is "At Peace". The first reason is because, well, it was the first song I heard from Defeater. Every time I listen to this song it reminds me of hanging out with my older brother when the sun was setting back when I used to live in Reno. You can't go wrong with a song that brings great nostalgia. Another reason why I fucking adore this song is because you can hear the emotion pouring out of Derek through his screams. I personally fancy songs where you can actually hear genuine emotion in the vocalist's voice (I'm a sucker for sincere, sad songs). I could list all of the reasons why "At Peace" is such an amazing song, but I can't write for shit, so I'll discontinue explaining. 

These are the lyrics to the song, in case you wanted to know what they are: 

You've got to find her.
your mother ain't fit to be alone.
her rosary beads are gone, there's only one place she'd be.
the sun is nearly up, put your jacket back on and walk down the street.
feel the wind start to shift, cold and biting.
just like everything that's changed.
when you do find her, take the only family that you've got back to home.

Head down, walk through the crowds and the families downtown.
you jealous bitter old man, it's just yourself you can't stand.
the man that took away your wife, coward that left you behind,
you would kill them both if you could.
head down, cigarette in hand.
concrete, cold brick and sand to the place where she prays,
where she suffers her days.
sleepless nights with the dirt when the addiction hurts.
up to that old white oak door church.
and that's where you find her in that last pew.

You touch her cold hand, your mother is gone.
in front of her God, needle in her arm.
the family plot will be filled.
the perfect ending to a tragedy.
put her in the cold wet ground.
finally at peace with her husband now.
and you've lost all will.
hours strain, but months pass alone with you gun.
blue-collar shipyard, your days have gone.

Lost it all for the promise of a normal life.
all taken from you when you lost your wife.
so you sit in that chair, waiting for death, barrel to your head.

"At Peace"

IWrestledABearOnce

Before I go on with this post, the reason why I am covering another song from IWABO is because, like I stated last week, the vocalist for this band changed back in 2012. On my last post I talked about their best song with their present vocalist, Courtney LaPlante. Everyone knows that you can easily change the guitarist or drummer of a band with hardly any change in the sound the band produces, but you can easily tell the when there is a new vocalist, so this week, I will be talking about their best song with their "ex"-vocalist, Krysta Cameron. 

Best Song = "Tastes Like Kevin Bacon"

As usual, it was quite a difficult task to narrow down the choices to one best song from IWABO, but I've come to the conclusion that their number one song has to be "Tastes Like Kevin Bacon". "Why?" Well, Krysta's vocals in this song are stunningly perfect (clean and screaming vocals). When she sings, it's like I'm being thrown out of a car window (I mean this in the best way possible; don't question my analogy, I'm stupid). 

Anyway, the guitars in this song are amazing, everything for the majority of the song is fast paced, and the fact that they used to be a band that didn't take music too seriously makes this song (and their other older songs) a million times better. Also, the music video to "Tastes Like Kevin Bacon" is hilarious (in my completely immature opinion). 

Now, some lyrics that I particularly fancy the most from this song will be listed here: 

"We'll pay, 

we protest,

 we'll pawn off war,

 we all hit the floor"

"Right or wrong,

this is ignorance at its best

we are at war"

"You're such a fool,

ignorance isn't bliss" 

"In the end, all suffer for what we've done 

Liars

We all suffer" 

*I would also like to mention their song called "Karate Nipples". If "Tastes Like Kevin Bacon" was nonexistent, that would be the best song from IWABO. 

"Tastes Like Kevin Bacon"

"Karate Nipples"

Best Song From IWrestledABearOnce

Just some basic information about IWrestledABearOnce

IWrestledABearonce is a metalcore band that was formed in 2007 in Shreveport, Louisiana. The band consisted of Steven Bradley, Mikey Montgomery, Mike Martin, Mike Stringer, and Krysta Cameron. Krysta Cameron (past vocalist) left the band due to her pregnancy, so Courtney LaPlante jumped in and became the full-time vocalist for the band. They have released 5 albums so far. 

Best Song = Green Eyes

I had a difficult time choosing what song is IwrestledABearOnce's best, but I chose their song called "Green Eyes" due to the precise beauty of it overall. 

Not only are Courtney's screams captivating, her clean vocals are as well. As cliche as this may sound, words seriously cannot describe how astonishing this song is. In a way, the instruments construct an eerie sound that sends shivers down my spine (might as well call this blog-post "Clicheville"). 

Anyway, the lyrics are absolute gold...

(lyrics to "Green Eyes")

No I have no love for a lie.
They are all rotten inside.
Payment is part of the smile.
Controlled and confined a predestined nature that sticks.
It rots the inside. The tree has been spoiled and splits.
Get down to the roots and see what they've wrought.
The branches reach out to nothing at all.
If you get down to the roots would you consume?
Disposable it makes you controllable.
If you only knew.
A falsified icon laid down where their eyes can consume you.
Harvest your power. Devour your spirit. Bound.
Fragile.
Ask yourself would you be?
If you get down to the roots and see hat they're swollen with poison. Would you still love them?
And if you only knew how they tied the noose around your neck would you still love them?
Would you still love?
No. I would not be grateful.
I wil not accept the fruit.
Would you get down to roots?
Could you pull up the roots or would you consume?

My favorite lines are: "If you get down to the roots and see that they're swollen with poison, would you still love them?", and, "And if you only knew how they tied the noose around your neck, would you still love them?"

Obviously "Green Eyes"

The Best Song From Scary Kids Scaring Kids

Basic Information About Scary Kids Scaring Kids 

Scary Kids Scaring Kids was an American post-hardcore band, which formed in Gilbert, AZ, in the year 2002, and broke up in 2010. The band was composed of Tyson Stevens, Chad Crawford, DJ Wilson, Steve Kirby, Pouyan Afkary, and Peter Costa. Tyson Stevens, who constructed the vocals for the band, died on October 21, 2014. He was only 29 years old. Prior to their breakup, they created three albums called Scary Kids Scaring Kids, The City Sleeps in Flames, and After Dark. 

Best Song = Goes Without Saying 

It was quite a strenuous task to decide on what song from Scary Kids Scaring Kids is the best, but when it came down the their songs "Watch me Bleed" and "Goes Without Saying", I had to choose
"Goes Without Saying". The reason why "Goes Without Saying" is my favorite song by Scary Kids Scaring Kids is really due to the simplicity of the lyrics and instruments. Although no one necessarily knows exactly what the song's about, in my opinion, I believe it's about love. It's about how one day you have a firm grasp on a lover, but soon then realize that the relationship is over just by either knowing or seeing it in your "significant" other's eyes, hence the lyrics, "Now that you've got it and it's slipping through your finger tips, well you gave and let go, and now it's missing from your life again. So now you're tearing up the walls, making a mess trying to dig it up. Now it's all too late, you'll never find it and the moment's dead. The moment's dead." 
Not to mention, the piano in this song is utterly astounding. Every time I give this song a listen, it ironically makes me happy. 

Here are some lyrics from this song that I particularly fancy the most:
"So now you're tearing up the walls making a mess trying to dig it up
Now it's all too late you'll never find it, and the moments dead"

"'Cause when you least expect it, it will take you, take you by surprise
So take advantage, take it all, take it all before the moment dies"

"It goes without saying,
It's already gone
It's written all over you"

"Goes Without Saying"